text:
The level of damage in the World Economy through the impact on health in the wake of the COVID-19 (also known as novel Corona virus) Pandemic is beyond recognition. This is not something that goes unfelt, or unheard, by anyone who is sensitive to the behaviour of these variables affected to Sri Lanka in a time even the World Powers have been fallen in their knees in the occurrence of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Therefore, economic missions have to be carried out in the country in the restoration of the lives of the people whilst solving the health crisis. The government is already taking various measures for this purpose and the Public and the Private sectors are gradually being reactivated.
As a developing state, we are in the middle of a highly challenged situation and have to rise back by managing it. In this context, it is imperative we identify and manage the economic challenges befallen upon us. It is in this backdrop we contacted Mr. Vincent Mervyn Fernando, a former director of the Central Bank and an famous economic analyst, to clarify some of the current economic problems.
How do we remedy the economic meltdown amidst the Corona Pandemic? How should we contribute to it? We discuss many of these things with Mr. Vinson Mervin Fernando, and may you see what your compliance is.
Can the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sri Lanka's economy be predicted?
There are four actors of Economy in a country, which are called the Economic Actors. They are the Household – the families collective of a country, the Firms – every working body in a country formal or otherwise, the Government Sector and the Foreign Sector. All four went down in the COVID-19 Pandemic's occurrence. The families are forced to keep their children of school age at home. Their education, schooling and tuition have been impeded. The income of the families whose sole income was self-employment turned almost null. Families who worked in the formal sectors, did not lose jobs in the Government or the organized Private Sector managed to survive with income. Due to lower income, their demand has also been declined. Supply of some of the requested goods was reduced. Therefore, through the Household, the Aggregate Demand in Economy has severely been declined.
The Firms, the second important actor in Economy, were seized. With the exception of the now efficient security services, police services, health services and some essential services in the public sector and market services, most of the industrial sector in Sri Lanka are closed. Formal Agricultural sectors are down. The Government is now asking to plant a tree in the garden dedicating to address solutions to the coming scarcity of food. Overall, the private sector, which is considered the growth mechanism of the Economy, was severely struck by COVID-19.
A severe setback was also put in the third actor in Economy, the Government Sector, due to COVID-19. Speaking of the State Income, the annual taxable and non-taxable state income mounting to Rs. 2200 billion were struck due to the Government's decision - upon its establishment - to slash taxes in view of developing the Corporate sector, and the awakening of COVID-19. On the other hand, the Government had to carry extra weight on people due to COVID-19. In a time the Government Expenditure amounting Rs. 650 billion for Public Servants and Military Officers, Rs. 850 billion to be settled in State Debt, and Rs. 450 billion to be allocated for concessionary packages including Samurdhi beneficiaries, pensioners and fertilizer subsidies could not be slashed by a single cent, funds ought to be allocated for the expenses of the Quarantine Centres, concessionary services, security services and others fostered for the mitigation of COVID-19. In that sense, even if the overall budget deficit of 7.6% in 2015 could be curbed down to 6.8% by 2019, it is inevitable that it exceeds 10% by 2020. In the backdrop that the state debt hiked from 78% to 90% from 2015 to 2019 without the occurrence of any pandemics like COVID-19, it could reach the level of 100% by 2020.
The Foreign Sector of Economy has also been accounted for a complete calamity in the wake of COVID-19. The Apparel Industry which contributed 45% to the total exports of US$ 12 billion has been crashed. Expected export earnings may drop down to US$ 7 billion by 2020, and the expected target by 42%. The United States, which operated as Sri Lanka's Apparel Market and contributed to the Tea Export Market, temporarily crashed into 26% of total exports, 30% of Europe and 7% of India. This has also affected the Shipping and Aviation in particular in a manner they have been blocked. Imports of 19% from China, 19% from India and 9% from Europe have also been halted for various reasons. Exports of services including tourism earnings amounting to US$ 4.2 billion and foreign employment remittances of US$ 7 billion have been temporarily suspended. This could affect the rest of the year. Foreign investment inflow and outflow have temporarily been halted. Consequently, the total consumption expenditure = C, the total investment expenditure = I, the government purchases = G, X-M = net exports, which calculate the output of economy (Y), have been collapsed. Therefore, Sri Lanka's Economic Forecast over COVID-19 is that the economic development reaching a null (0) or a negative value would be inevitable.
How will it affect Sri Lanka in the first quarter amidst the collapse of powerful economies in the world (E.g. China down by 6%, France by 8%)?
China, where the COVID-19 Pandemic was born in the first place, said its economic growth rate dropped by 6.8% in the first quarter of 2020, and by 6% in France for the first time since 1945. Estimations claim that the figures of 2020 are being dropped, namely 3-4% in the Us, 0.4% in the UK, 0.3% in Italy, 2.1% in the Asian Region, and 1.5% globally, due to COVID-19. These estimations could vary depending on the magnitude of COVID-19, we must consider. Given the flow, Sri Lanka's economic rate would undoubtedly be declined. At the beginning of 2020, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka presented the 2020 Road Map, which forecasts that Sri Lanka's economic growth will be 4% by 2020. The IMF said in the present that it would be 2.8%. At the beginning of April, CB Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshmana said Sri Lanka's economic growth rate was reportedly negative in the first quarter. If we can overcome the challenge of COVID-19 very soon, we can bring that negativity to zero (0) or 1%. However, Sri Lanka witnessed a slowdown in the economic growth rate since 2015.
2015 Growth Rate 5%
2016 Growth Rate 4.5%
2017 Growth Rate 3.4%
2018 Growth Rate 3.2%
2019 Growth Rate 2.3%
Although the new government, upon gaining power, was able to reverse this situation and increase the country's average economic growth by 6.5% in 2020-2025, the COVID-19 Pandemic not only made it less likely, but also made it lower than the lowest growth rate of 2.3% recorded in 2019. A negative economic growth rate since 1948 was recorded in Sri Lanka in 2001, -1.5%. We can only hope that this may not reach below -1.5% due to COVID-19.
Explain the short-term strategies that should be adopted in Sri Lanka in the midst of this COVID-19 Crisis
The occurrence of COVID-19 crisis was much unexpected, that in the short term we were unable to predict the strategies which every country in the world, including Sri Lanka, should adopt. If China acted in blocking entering and exiting the soil when COVID-19 first occurred in the region, this crisis could have been ended within China itself. However, in a globalized environment, such scenario could have never been predicted. Either way, by now it has spread all over the world. It even has spread to the continent of Africa. Nonetheless, the initial occurrence of COVID-19 influenced neither the emergence of a new President in Sri Lanka in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic nor dissolving Parliament in forming a new government with a two-thirds majority to save the country. Witnessing the process of how the infected Chinese woman found in the country was recovered and sent back to China, everybody believed that Sri Lanka would not be affected by this pandemic. But we have not even blocked the possibility of free arrivals to Sri Lanka through air and sea, possibly due to the assumption that we will not be in such a crisis given the country's climate and that Sri Lanka is an island.
However, Sri Lanka too was affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, simply because the people who returned to the country were not honest about claiming that they had contracted it. Because of that little mistake from our side, we too have been affected by the disease. Upon realization, the Government channelled into short-term strategies. First it was decided to close the schools in protecting the school children of the Household (families in Sri Lanka) and the school teachers and the tuition masters who teach them. Through it, 11000 schools were closed and 4.5 million students and 260,000 teachers were protected; 15 universities and 19 education centres were closed with protecting over a hundred thousand people; curfew was imposed and everyone was kept in their homes; on and off curfew was relaxed in several areas; Arrangements were made for the people to obtain food and medicine. Work is already underway. At the time of this writing, it is heard that schools and universities are to open in May. Also, curfew in several districts will be completely relaxed.
Organizations in large numbers worked from home and many have been temporarily out of work. They can be called under-employed groups. But some factories had to be closed down losing jobs. Many who were self-employed lost their income. Many small and medium scale enterprises had to be closed down. But the Public Sector intervened and implemented a series of concessions through banks. Issuing loans at 4% interest, granting lease payments, postponing loan instalments and granting credit card concessions were some of the short-term measures adopted in solving working capital issues of businesses. Through this, the Central Bank has fostered a solution to the liquidity issues faced by the banks whilst providing various facilities to their customers. To this end, the Central Bank has gradually reduced its policy interest rate, the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR), up to 7%. The statutory reserve ratio has been slashed down to 4%, increasing the liquidity of banks. That way banks can be kept safe and the Government's financial burdens will be reduced. In the event of a bank's financial need, the Bank Rate, as the lender of the last resort, has been curbed from 15% to 10% by 5% after 17 years (since 2003). Meanwhile, a separate analysis in this regard would be necessary.
The Central Bank has reduced the Bank Rate. What about the commercial banks and their benefits to the public?
With immediate effect the Central Bank has curbed the bank rate from 15% to 10%, for the first time since 2003 - after 17 years. A 'Bank Rate' is defined as an interest rate which determines the amount of credits to be lent to commercial banks on an asset value deemed appropriate by the Monetary Board - the administration of the Central Bank - in the event of a financial crisis that may threaten the country's financial and banking system, as the "Lender of Last Resort". This had been adopted as a quantitative financial tool in navigating the country's Monetary Policy by The Central Bank when it was founded in 1950. At the time, the Central Bank had not implemented any other policy interest rates. In 1950, the Bank Rate was 2.5%. It was doubled to 5% in 1965. The 5% Bank Rate was raised up to 10% in the introduction of Open Economy in 1977. Then, the Bank Rate, constantly changing overtime, had reached 25% by 2000. It was gradually declined and hit 15% in 2003. Even during the ethnic conflict of 2009, this figure did not change. Soon after the awakening of COVID-19, a far worse crisis than the 2009 struggle, the Central Bank acted in dropping the Bank Rate by 5%, to 10%, in order to save the financial sector from a potential financial crisis to be occurred in the country.
In the instance of a commercial bank loan obtained from the Central Bank at a Bank Rate of 10%, the banks are prohibited from adopting the loans to increase their total loans and investments without the approval of the Monetary Board. This is because the Central Bank, as the Lender of Last Resort, provides emergency loans at 10% interest rate to commercial banks to meet the immediate liquidity requirements of the bank and not to invest in loans. This can be defined as a huge step the Central Bank has taken in response to the liquidity issues that may arise in banks due to huge financial concessions the government has provided to the people through banks in the wake of COVID-19, preventing any bank from facing a financial crisis as being provided the credits under the 10% Bank Rate. This is another program introduced to remedy the liquidity problems that may occur in banks when the public is benefitted with reliefs pertaining to debt settling issues, working capital needs issues, lease relief issues, credit card debt settlement issues due to COVID-19's awakening.
At the moment, COVID-affected countries, including Sri Lanka, are launching the Stimulus Package. How do you think it should be initiated?
It is evident that every country struggling from COVID-19 has provided a stimulus package to their people. The allowance of Rs. 20,000, promised for all graduates whose contribution was guaranteed under the Graduate Employment Scheme pledged during the presidential election, was halted by the Election Commissioner under his powers coincided with the handing over of nominations for the General Election just before distribution and the training program. However, in a proactive measure prior to handing over of nominations, this allowance was deposited in their bank accounts. They, accordingly, found solutions to a financial issue which could have potentially occurred with COVID-19.
Secondly, the Cabinet decided to provide Rs. 5,000 to 4 million vulnerable Sri Lankans. Accordingly, a large number of senior citizens, differently-abled persons, kidney patients and Samurdhi beneficiaries were granted aids.
Thirdly, the President implemented a weekly package of essential consumer items for the low-income families, businesses and other persons affected through the Samurdhi Authority.
Fourthly, the deadline for renewing drivers' licenses was extended till April 30. All of these are relief packages provided directly through the government. In the meantime, as we mentioned earlier, we have provided many financial concessions through banks, one of which is the suspension of debt payments up to three months for personal loans amounting to below Rs. 1 million obtained from banks and financial institutes. This was because many lost their income due to COVID-19. Also, those who have lost their income from three wheelers and school buses due to COVID-19 are given a grace period of six months to avoid late payments in the inability to settle lease.
The Government's efforts to provide a package of concessions and many other concessions bearing much losses to the Financial Sector, Extending Credit card repayment loans amounting to below Rs. 50,000 till April 30 avoiding penalization, allowing the Value Added Tax (VAT) settlement not be paid till April 30 to name a few, should be appreciated without much hesitation. Although a few setbacks may have been occurred in the step of implementation, none of them need to be taken seriously. Many good proposals were tabled on the part of the Government, among which former Central Bank governor Cabraal's is prominent.
Did you mention the proposal of former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal to allocate 20% of EPF money to members based on requirement? An idea that stands against the suggestion is that it is an attempt by the government to seize the employees' money. Can you explain of this proposal and its impact on the economy?
First of all I must say, that if one fails to consult expertise and experiences on Economy from Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Ajith Nivard Cabraal, whose uncanny contribution, as a charted accountant and a former Central Bank governor, to the public service had improved the country's economy by over 8% in 2010 – 2012 with driving the inflation up to a middle figure since 2009 and developed the country together with former president now Prime Minister Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa and former defence secretary now Head of State Honourable Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst a war for nearly 10 years, long before the mission to save the country from the COVID-19 crisis, it would be a sin of the country, not his.
The proposal to produce 20% of the EPF funds to its members is a very timely proposal. The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) has about Rs. 2,500 billion. He never suggested that the produced funds amounting to 20%, Rs. 500 billion, ought to be owned by the government, but to be distributed to the members. When people with sound knowledge and experience in our country make a suggestion, one should not retaliate like a fool. He was the head of 33 departments of the Central Bank, not just EPF. I too was a director of the Central Bank during his time. I have a better understanding about his efficient administration. He brought the EPF proposal to help solve some of the economic problems faced by those who are connected to these funds and are challenged by the situation. The second objective may be to give a boost to the economy. Through this, the EPF members pay 36% interest on loans worth Rs. 121 billion they have obtained through credit cards (as they have obtained credit cards amounting to Rs. 1.8 million). They would be getting the chance to save them. Both them and banks can escape from the burden of issues raised with the grade periods. He alone cannot carry out such proposal, for it needs State patronage. In 1988, these EPF funds were given to its members to build houses and obtain housing loans.
Through this, 10,000 housing loan applications amounting to Rs. 5000 million have reached the EPF in 2018 alone, suggesting that the members were able to live with their children happily even after 10 years by building houses through the loading scheme without waiting till they reach 55 or 60. Mr. Cabraal's 20% proposal would give the EPF members a chance to enjoy the good times of life which was stolen from them by COVID-19. Otherwise, they can invest that money to start a small business. This will increase the country's overall demand, business growth and development and would decrease the government's budget burden. As the Prime Minister's Economic Adviser, he has the official power to implement such program, however, should anyone oppose to such suggestion, a better suggestion should be tabled, without being a hypocrite.
Another suggestion at this time is the infrastructure development. To what end can the idea of increasing investment and career opportunities for the people be achieved? What are their short-term and long-term economic benefits?
A country in general may face two major gaps. The first is Saving – Investment Gap. The second is Trade Gap. Combine the two it is called the Two Gap Model. Sri Lanka faced both of these gaps long before COVID-19. Our Savings Rate is 21%; The Investment Rate, 29%, thereby concluding the Saving – Investment Gap as 8%. The gap is to be covered by foreign savings (loans, investments, grants). Sri Lanka's exports are about US$ 12 billion and Imports, US$ 22 billion. Its market gap is US$ 10 billion. This too has to be settled through foreign debt and investment. Sri Lanka had entered into a 30-year war, and by its end (2008) the economic growth rate was 6.0%; Per capita income was US$ 2013; Unemployment was 5.4%; The inflation rate was 23%; Foreign reserve balance was US$ -1385 million; Budget deficit was -7%; the government debt, 81%. After ending the war, president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had initiated a massive infrastructure development together with former defence secretary now President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Central Bank governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, had provided many infrastructure facilities to the country by building the Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport and two Expressways, boosting the Economic Growth after independence. (2010 – 8%, 2011 – 8.4%, 2012 – 9.1%) Per capita income increased by US$ 1,000 within three years to US$ 3,125 million in 2011. Over the next three years it hit to US$ 4,000.
Standing at the point of being a low-income country, Sri Lanka was about to become a high-income country. Unemployment dropped to 4.9%; Inflation hit a single digit of 3.4%; the total balance was US$ 2,725; the budget deficit was reduced to 5.7% by 2014, and the government debt to 71%.
Faced with COVID-19, the Economic Growth is being slowed down, the foreign earnings are down, the unemployment is rising, and the budget deficit is being increased, and the only remedy to overcome these challenges is to increase the local and foreign investments. It is important to address issues in the short and long term.
As the Government of Japan encourages to build their own companies outside China, we need to take these companies to Sri Lanka. Through it we can develop agricultural products and other new things.
At the moment, the US has initiated producing emergency loans amounting to US$ 349 billion to small businesses. Is Sri Lanka capable of substituting something like this? Because there are many small and medium scale enterprises and businesses in Sri Lanka?
Investments, especially foreign investments that we mentioned earlier, can be helpful in rebuilding a fallen country. Meanwhile, it is important that the US has launched a US$ 349 billion emergency loan to help small businesses that have collapsed due to COVID-19. This has been substituted in Sri Lanka in many ways.
The Central Bank also responds to complaints in related to banks that have failed to comply with the recent regulations of the Government and the Central Bank "exactly the way they should be", such as timely disbursement of working capital loans.
Until the closed economic centres are reopened, the Government will spend for the purchase of 90,000 kilograms of vegetables from farmers.
Concessionary aids of Rs. 5000 for low income families, Samurdhi beneficiaries, pensioners and differently-abled persons have been produced by the Treasury.
The Central Bank has pumped a liquidity of Rs. 240 billion into the Banking System. Rs. 140 billion of these funds have reached the people and businessmen.
Since the government cannot produce debt aid on a complete measure, it is important to note that there are many countries now providing many aids to Sri Lanka and they are being distributed to the people and businesses.
On a special flight from Shanghai on the 01st, Sri Lanka received 20,064 COVID-19 test kits, and on the 18th, 20,000 test kits, 10,000 N-95 facemasks, 10,000 surgical facemasks, 10,000 hazmat suits, 100 safety goggles and 50,000 surgical gloves were received to Sri Lanka.
The Central Bank has reduced the Bank Rate by 5%, from 15% that existed since 2003 to 10%, and has offered to lend money as the Lender of Last Resort to commercial banks to resolve their liquidity problems.
The Prime Minister issued a gazette notification declaring that foreign investors should not invest in Sri Lanka for three months. Is this a progressive decision? There is no reason to believe that they will invest that money in the country either.
To understand this, let us first understand why foreign investment is important. The balance of the Current and Capital Account of the Balance Sheet of Sri Lanka is handled by the balance of the Financial Account. Foreign investment is a key component of the Financial Account. Notwithstanding this, there are two types of investments.
01. Foreign Direct Investment
02. Portfolio Investment
Foreign Direct Investment is the acquisition of effective real assets in a foreign country in anticipation of any benefit. Such investments cannot be taken away immediately. For an example, the Katunayake Free Trade Zone has such investments. Such investors are always concerned of profits, and the fact that Sri Lanka's apparel exports have severely been deprived in the wake of COVID-19 their jobs have been lost. All non-permanent employees were severely hit.
Portfolio Investments are business shares and government securities (T-bill, T-bonds) that are purchased by foreign investors seeking financial returns. By April 9, 2020, Sri Lanka's government securities had foreign assets amounting to US$ 180 million. When Mahinda Rajapaksa's government withdrew from government in late 2014, it was valued at US$ 3,450 billion. In comparison, this is a severe drop. In this backdrop and due to other reasons, the exchange rate fell overnight depreciating the Rupee from Rs. 193.75 to Rs. 199.40 per US Dollar, by 27.04.2020. In response, the Government has suspended the foreign investments of Sri Lankan expatriates for three months, with effect from 07.04.2020. They may take those investments to invest in another country.
Investing in the US or Japan these days would be advantageous because their currencies are strong. As a result, these investors may likely to deposit the investments in the Foreign Currency Investment Account newly introduced in the country for six months or a year. Because more interest is paid by 2%.
Now, imports have been restricted (banned). Although it is a good decision to control public expenditure, most of our economy are depended on imports. Within this boundary, will there be a shortage of goods once again once COVID is over? It can affect our exports too, can it not?
There are four categories of goods imported to Sri Lanka. Consumer goods are one of them, accounting for 22% of total imports. The second category is intermediate goods, accounting for 56%. Petroleum imports fall into this category. The third category is investment goods, owning 21%. Other goods imported are accounted for 1%. Sri Lanka spends US$ 22 billion in recent years to import them all. The country is facing a trade deficit amounting to US$ 10 billion compared to the US$ 12 billion we earn from exports. In settling the 10, a net amount of 2 billion was sent from the Service Sector, in which Tourism earnings were prominent. The deficit was then reduced to 08. 07 out of 08 were being sent by the remittances from the expatriates.
Covid-19 lost our tourism earnings. Foreign employment remittances were subject to a drastic dropdown. As a result, the balance of payments balance is in shortage. Foreign reserves are being declined, affecting negatively to the exchange rate. If this situation continues to exist, Sri Lanka will be in a forex crisis. The Central Bank imposed certain restrictions for resistance. In the beginning, importing vehicles was restricted in the country. Petroleum being an essential import has to be imported. Thanks to COVID-19, we have received savings in huge sums from oil, which had earlier demanded for a huge import expense.
The import of textiles for the Apparel has been stopped now. Because apparel exports were restricted. The government issued a special gazette on the 16th with names. Importing non-essential consumer goods and motor vehicles is not considered essential. Importing goods and investment goods have been stopped has been stopped and only industries have been allowed to import raw materials and machinery. Therefore, the Government's patronage is now being extended to plant and build whatever is need to overcome the scarcity. Importing raw materials for the export market has been permitted. In the sense, the exchange rate may be protected and economic development would follow.
Some suggest that this would be a good opportunity to build a Closed Economy; an opportunity to repeat what Lady Sirimavo failed to do. To what extent is this positive? Can we face such a situation?
The whole world is talking about two Development Strategies to improve economy. One is Inward Looking Economic Strategy. This strategy was popularised since the 1960s when the concept of Socialism became popular in the world. Socialism-oriented politics was also prominent in Sri Lanka at that time. Dr. N.M. Perera was the finance minister of the government of Lady Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who came to power from 1970 to 1977. A closed economy was implemented at the time. It was called a 'closed economy' because it was backed by the government's power. The theme song back then was, "Siyarata Dea Siri Sepa Dea" (the bliss is the country's own making). Through it, we planted what we needed on our own; we made what we needed on our own. As of 1977, the export income was US$ 767 million; import, US$ 716 million. Accordingly, the market gap was +41. This meant that we were not a nation dependent on the world production. The foreign exchange rate in 1970 depicted Rs. 6 per US Dollar. In 1977 it was Rs. 08.80. By the looks of it, it may have been good. However, the quality of our production was poor.
This was because we had poor technical knowledge. On the other hand, the economic growth of the country was 2.8%. Unemployment was 24%. There were controlled prices. In the 1960s we were parallel with Singapore in terms of development. We followed this closed economic strategy for 17 years from 1960-77 and became one of the lowest income countries in the world for many years. As a result, J.R. Jayewardena, who came to power in 1978, introduced the Open Economy to move the country forward with the world trend. The strategy is still being continued, however with certain changes. Singapore, the first country to implement the strategy, is one of the 30 most developed countries. Today, we are a high-middle income country due to the Open Economy. The rich countries that have been victimized by COVID-19 today follow Open Economy. Through it all countries became involved in globalization. In the 100 years from 1920 to 2020, the greatest of epidemics and economic crises had occurred in ten-ear periods from time to time. Therefore, it can be overcome only through open economic policy based on technological advancements. At the same time, it is essential that we encourage the development of local agriculture and the industrial sector.
We are technologically advanced, so that by 2020, we will be able to start a highly developed agriculture sector than that of 1970 - 77. Therefore, we have a talented pool of people to create technology-based agriculture and technology-based industries.
COVID-19 has had a strong impact on the Tourism, Apparel and Export Industries in particular. Although the spread of COVID-19 is being mitigated, time plays a decisive factor in restoring such industries globally. But the Government has the challenge of running these industries as well. How do we manage this situation?
It is true that the Tourism Industry and Export affairs are being affected by COVID-19. However, it is my view that this impact would be in short-term. Even if globalization is affected by Corona, Corona cannot eliminate globalization. In my view, Corona may help to make it systematically work. So, we cannot designate the country for isolation. For an example, we cannot exist without petroleum. The Middle East cannot exist without our Tea. Because, neither can be produced nor grown in anywhere else in the world. Therefore, the era of connecting the world with excluding all the unnecessities with including the necessities is being reached in the wake of Corona. For example, the World Health Organization states that Masks are needed to protect from Corona. Then we can sew and sell these masks at a lower cost compared to other countries in terms of our low labour costs and skills. Although other exports have been hampered by the Coronavirus, new exports may emerge. This may also diversify our traditional exports. On the other hand, this cannot be eliminated by Coronavirus because there are differences between what can be produced in countries and what is capable of being produced. With the advancement of medical technology, vaccines for epidemics such as Coronavirus can be produced in the future.
Travelling has been halted only due to lack of transport, designated lockdown, and increased risk of disease. Once this is gone, it will recover. 20 districts of Sri Lanka are being recovered from the situation. 5000 buses are running, so are 300 trains. This will increase in the future, so do the rest of the world. We predict that this may continue to grow slow, to be restored in 2023 globally.
The Rupee is being depreciated fast. If this is not controlled, the impact on our debt and interest cannot be underestimated. To stabilize the Rupee, we have to increase the circulation of money in the country. Is it possible at this moment? What would be the impact if the credit limit further increases?
The External Value of Rupee is being predicted by several means. When Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, a dollar was equal to Rs. 4.77. Since 1977, a Fixed Exchange Rate System was operated for a long time. So, there was an exchange rate determined by the authorities. In the circumstance, the dollar was changed only from Rs. 4.77 to Rs. 08.83, a smaller rate, throughout 30 years. This suggests that a Closed Economy in a country stands for a stabilized exchange rate system; that the depreciation of Rupee is very slow in occurrence. However, this does not allow for exports, imports and other foreign transactions to be successful, which was why every country in the world goes for a Floating Exchange Rate System or a Managed Floating System. Sri Lanka is a country that followed all three. Today we are following a floating exchange rate system.
Under a floating exchange rate system, the external value of the rupee was determined by the demand and supply of foreign exchange. That is, in terms of Foreign Exchange Receipts (Export Service Receipts, Remittances, Credit Receipts) and Foreign Exchange Payments (Import Service Payments, Loan Payments). Below is how Sri Lanka's foreign exchange rate, which had been navigated by either Floating Exchange Rate System or a Managed Floating System (that is, the central bank intervening in the market and using foreign reserves to control exchange rates), went against the dollar.
Year Rupee compared to USD Increase in 10 years
1978 15.56 -
1988 31.81 16.25
1998 67.78 35.97
2008 113.14 45.36
2018 162.50 49.40
End of 2019 183.00 20.46 (per year)
The value of Rupee, which had been annually depreciated by Rs. 4.50-5.00, was dropped by Rs. 45-50 in ten years for the last two decades, and was driven to further depreciation by four times annually (Rs.20) in the meltdown of Tourism and other reasons triggered by the Easter Sunday Attack. By April 5, 2020, the dollar was grown to Rs. 200, further depreciating the Rupee by Rs. 17 in the next four months. However, due to the reduction of imports, seized imports and export and the huge price reduction of oil in response to COVID-19 due to the immediate action by Central Bank, the Rupee was strengthened back to the rate of Rs. 195 per dollar, by April 17, 2020. Therefore, the notion that the depreciation of Rupee cannot be controlled cannot be accepted. Nevertheless, the Rupee was depreciated during Christmas in December and Sinhala New Year in April, only to be worsened due to COVID-19. Now that both of them are being gradually decreased, tightening of restrictions and opening up of a new FCD account to attract foreign currency with increasing interest, the depreciation of Rupee may be controlled, to be restored in the rate of Rs. 190 per dollar, in my view.
However, former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera and Dr. Harsha de Silva argue that the Government has to increase the Debt Ceiling. Does such a situation exist in the present? What are the factors that need to be considered should the Debt Ceiling be increased?
The Government has to work on the Debt Ceiling only when there is no budget or a Vote on Account. In that sense, their argument is valid. Generally, a budget is an appropriation bill. It is tabled for the government's expenditure and income for next year. You cannot spend a single coin without passing such a bill. Nor you can borrow more. For an example, the Appropriation Bill for 2020 could not be passed, therefore, a Vote on Account was passed for the expenditure. Its expiration is due on April 30. Another Vote on Account or an Appropriation Bill would have to be passed to spend for the next four months. There should be a Parliament for the affair. However, the Parliament has been dissolved now. In such circumstance His Excellency the President is vested with power in terms of Article 150 (3) of the Constitution to access funds. That power can be up to three months after the next election. The President's right to obtain debt from the Consolidated Fund for this purpose is backed by the Article 150 (3), thereby nullifying the above two's logic.
2020-10-28 23:22:00
2020-10-28 22:55:00
2020-10-28 22:51:00
2020-10-28 22:25:00


text:
Ian Fisher: American Soldier
Ian Fisher says he first started thinking about joining the military when he was 15. With the support of his parents and friends, Fisher enlisted in the Army soon after finishing high school.
The Denver Post spent two years following Fisher on this journey from high school graduation through boot camp, deployment in Iraq and his eventual return home. Through a series of 8 videos, this exhaustive multimedia project chronicles Fisher's life as it is shaped by his experiences of young adulthood.
The project intersperses still photographs and videos interviews with Fisher, his parents and Army colleagues, capturing his day-to-day experiences as a recruit, soldier, son and friend.
The project was published over three days and includes photo galleries, in-depth stories and a unique collection of multimedia extras including a glossary of military terms, snapshots through Humvee windows and messages from soldiers to their loved ones back home.
Craig F. Walker won the 94th annual Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in the Feature Photography category "for his intimate portrait of a teenager who joins the Army at the height of insurgent violence in Iraq, poignantly searching for meaning and manhood. "
CHANNEL: Denver Post
Photography, Videography and Reporting: Craig F. Walker
Flash Production, Design, Video Editing & Photo Editing: Meghan Lyden
Photo Editing, Design and Production: Tim Rasmussen
Photo Imaging: Don Pavlin
Reporting: Kevin Simpson, Bruce Finley & Michael Riley

subset: commoncrawl


text:
TyLynn Nguyen
The myrrh panty is the sexiest full panty you will ever own. Made of the finest power mesh, these see through gems get the imagination running wild. Comfortable enough to wear all day and light enough to wear during bedtime.
Success! Feel free to
continue shopping
or head to your


text:
184 Eagles Peak Dr South, Bullard
Dream Home? You got it! The magnificent home located on beautiful Lake Palestine boast an unbelievable view like no other. From the moment you pull in the driveway; the dream begins. Built with plenty of custom features, from the soaring ceilings, crown molding, detailed wall coverings, and rich wood floors to exquisite primary suite w/romantic fireplace and primary bath. This bath includes walk through shower, double vanities as well as water closets. Along w/an incredible jetted 2 person tub overlooking the lake for relaxing. Entertaining in the large living-dining combo is perfect. For intimate dining a formal dining room which includes butlers pantry. For the garage buff, behind the carriage doors lies an astonishing 4 car garage that is heated and cooled. It is also equipped with washing areas w/hot and cold water and full bath. Lots of fantastic additions include: a natural gas generator, elevator, electric dog door and 3 balconies and special landscape lighting.
Common Areas, Tennis Courts, Pool, Golf, Fishing, Security - Gated, Dining - Country Club, Boat Dock - Slip, Green Belt, Playground
Paved, Underground Utilities, Curbs
Rear Entry, Door w/Opener w/Controls, Golf Cart Storage, Workshop Area
Elevator, Wet Bar, Central Vacuum, Ceiling Fan, Security System, Attic Stairs, Cable TV Available, Blinds, Smoke Alarm
Double Oven, Island, Instant Hot Water, Range/Oven-Gas, Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave, Pantry, Ice Machine
Zoned-2, Central Electric, Individual Controlled
Gas Logs, One Wood Burning, Two or More, Gas Starter
Landscape Lighting, Patio Covered, Sprinkler System, Balcony, Gutter(s)
Water/Lakefront, Wooded, Waterview
Double Pane Windows, Low E Windows
United Country Staples Property Group
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) of the Greater Tyler Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service, Inc. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.


text:
International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein
in collaboration with the University of Portland and the McNerney-Hanson Endowed Chair in Ethics
presents the
Fourth Bi-Annual International Conference
Applications & Implications: Ethics and Metaphysics in Edith Stein's Philosophy
June 8, 9, 10, 2017, University of Portland, USA
Guest Speakers: Sarah Borden Sharkey (Wheaton College), Michael F. Andrews (University of Portland), Christof Betschart (University of Fribourg, Switzerland) and Suzanne M. Batzdorff
Edith Stein (1891–1942) never wrote a formal work of ethics, yet her philosophical corpus, especially her metaphysics, contains a plethora of ethical resources and ideas that can be mined to address various questions, themes or positions in contemporary ethics and metaphysics, including the relationship between the good and being, evil, limits, judgement, responsibility, personal identity, collective versus individual action and responsibility, moral guilt, and intention. Given the richness of Stein's ideas, can her ethical insights be brought to bear on contemporary issues and ethical dilemmas? How would Stein respond to various ethical problems raised by dominant ethical schools, including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, pragmatism, and existentialism? Are there possible practical applications of Stein's metaphysics and ethics to contemporary society?
The International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein (IASPES) in collaboration with the University of Portland and the McNerney-Hanson Chair in Ethics invites abstracts (250 words maximum) dealing with the aforementioned theme. We also invite abstracts on any aspect of Stein's philosophy.
DEADLINE for Abstracts: February 10, 2017
Abstracts and inquiries should be sent to:
Abstracts will be considered in English, German, French, and Spanish


text:
Please Fix These Errors
- Ask a question
Money is an important and essential part of our lives. It's imperative then that we treat it as such. Before deciding on your Financial Advisor, it's a good idea to make sure you know what to expect.
Here are five questions you should ask any potential financial advisor.
1. Is your Financial Advisor an Independent or Restricted Advisor?
We state on the advisors profile page whether they operate as an Independent Financial Advisor, Restricted-Whole-of-Market Advisor or a Restricted Advisor. Transparency is one of the fundamental cornerstones of hiring a Financial Advisor. They should be open and upfront with you at all times and should confirm their status. The advisor must also explain to you exactly how their advice is restricted. If you're not sure about this, then it's important to ask. All advisors are qualified exactly the same.
Independent Financial Advisor
- Access to all products within the market in all advice areas.
- Access to all products within a specific advice area, such as pension advice.
Restricted Advisor
- Limited range of products.
2. If your Financial Advisor is not independent, does this matter?
If your financial advisor has preferential rates with X, Y and Z then they could potentially offer some great rates. However, this may also mean they are unable to offer you other potentially lucrative deals because of their affiliations. But there's nothing wrong with having restricted advice as most Independent Financial Advisors, in reality, only work with a select range of products.
Infact, many of the largest firms or networks now operate on a restricted basis as it streamlines and simplifies the compliance process. You may also have higher levels of protection with a Restricted Advisor should something go wrong as you are typically dealing with a large network.
3. How much is this going to cost?
All Financial Advisors are obliged by law to disclose their fees. These fees can take a number of forms. Some Financial Advisors charge a fixed hourly rate, others prefer a flat fee and there are also those who will take a percentage of the investment or pension fund size. Because of the latter, it's not also possible to predict exactly how much the final sum might be, but your Financial Advisor should be able to give you a reasonable estimate. If in doubt then perhaps look elsewhere.
4. Have you successfully helped someone like me?
No two clients are identical, but patterns exist everywhere in life. If your Financial Advisor has successfully helped someone else in a similar position, then they could be a great match.
5. Are you qualified to help me?
It might sound obvious, but it's often the simple details we forget. By law, All Financial Advisors are required to hold at least a QCF Level 4 certificate. Many of them will hold higher qualifications, but you may want to check that they at least meet the standard. Regulated Advice will only list details of a suitably qualified advisors that are listed on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register. We provide FCA reference numbers to all of our advisors.
Please tell us a little bit more to help us select the right advisor for you
I have read and accept the Privacy Policy


text:
Meet NEUROTIX the band that is picking up the grunge scene right from where it ended! Without losing any momentum, this band has been pouring themselves into the scene with the hopes of revitalizing the grunge movement! From where I stand, their newest album release 'Save Me' is certainly another great step in the right direction.
Crank the stereo up to 11 and get ready to dive in to track one, "Service Me"! This tune is packed with all the distorted force we have been missing since our beloved decade has come and gone. The 90's attitude is alive and well from this very first track as the rhythm and vocals come together and force us into full-blown nostalgia!
Track two, "Dizzy" has all the right 'ugly' notes and cords to pull out those angsty emotions and bring them from deep within your 90's soul right to the surface! This track is a short, sweet, and to the point jam session! "Pumpkin Seeds" is a slower tune dripping with melancholic guitar riffs and bass licks. Alice In Chains-like vibes takes me back into the core of the grunge genre.
Next in line, we pick things up into a more upbeat swing with "Bad Night." This is a track that we have recently worked with in our own creative endeavors for our YouTube feature POWERSLIDE which you will be able to view in our next episode! This tune is full of catchy guitar hooks and emotional vocals that we just can't resist!
"Vulnerable" has a great balance between clean guitar backed up by slow, steady beats, and fast-paced heavy distortion. This reflects both the sorrow and frustrations we feel when we, ourselves, are experiencing vulnerability. "Drives Me Crazy" has the same grunge-like feel as the other tracks, but adds a bit of that old-school punk spin on it. The vocal style changes up a bit as well to further complement this vibe.
"Unusual Trend" begins with heavy distortion and has a groove to it that draws you in. This is a track for those of you that love the stoner scene, for it shares a similar sound with that genre. "Save Me" is the namesake of the album. We begin with a clean and beautiful guitar lead. This blends us into the rest of tune for a slow and steady groove. This track definitely reminds me of the lovely legend and grunge icon-Kurt Cobain. I could see this being a tune from the MTV unplugged session. Whatever happened to that anyways!?…but, moving on. This track is a beauty for sure and represents the album very well.
As we approach the end of the album, we pick things up again for some final, thrashy jams. "Girl on the Street" actually kind of reminds me of a tune I would hear from the Scott Pilgrim VS The World soundtrack (which, if you haven't picked up, you should). The bass is heavy and complements the distorted guitar very well. The album concludes with their previously released single "Loser." Check out the video here:
This ends the album in all the right ways! 'Save Me' leaves you with the perfect combination of everything grunge has to offer! We get a little of everything from the 90's-from Mudhoney and Nirvana all the way to Soundgarden and hell, even a little bit of Blind Melon in there! Neurotix is bringing grunge back from the dead!
Get your copy of 'Save Me' free HERE!
Track List for 'Save Me'
1. Service Me
2. Dizzy
3. Pumpkins Seeds
4. Bad Night
5. Vulnerable
6. Drives Me Crazy
7. Unusual Trend
8. Save Me
9. Girl on the Street
10. Loser
Produced and Recorded by: Dr. Caw Recording
Neurotix is:
Dominic Tonozzi–vocals and guitar
Dave Reisig–drums
Paul Rhyne–guitar
Carlo Tamayo–bass
Connect with Neurotix online below!
Official Site


text:
He had already mentioned participation up to 40% of a real estate project, as well as raising the eligibility ceilings. An extension of the deferral of monthly payments was also on the agenda, as well as the scope of the system for old dwellings located in all rural municipalities, instead of a shortlist of 6000 municipalities today. On the other hand the vagueness persisted as for the application of the PTZ + in the old one on all France. The veil is definitively lifted, yes first-time buyers will be able to use this lever to become the owner of a built dwelling, regardless of the geographic area.
What the 2016 zero rate loan will change for first-time buyers
Significant help to buy your first main residence
The measure of widening the PTZ + to the former throughout France is welcomed by real estate professionals. But it is above all the increase in the participation to 40% of the cost of the project which arouses the general applause of the whole chain of the profession.
Head of bank relations at Astro Finance explains it: " the share of first-time buyers has dropped by 20 points since 2011, going from 58% of borrowers to only 38% in 2015. The zero-rate loan as " it exists today in the old did not allow to bring back this type of borrowers: we had almost no demand for credit with a loan at zero rate in rural areas this year, because the current device is both too geographically limited, too complicated and with limited amounts in zone C ".
State aid twice as large
Currently the amount of a PTZ + for residents of zone C cannot exceed 18% of the cost of the operation. Which cost is capped at $ 230,000 for a couple with 3 children, which allows them a maximum of $ 41,400 in interest-free financing. In zone A, participation amounts to 26%, while the ceiling is raised to $ 345,000. This leaves a couple with 3 children the possibility of borrowing $ 89,700 via a PTZ +.
But from January 1, 2016 they will be able to get more. In zone C with a 40% stake, their PTZ will reach $ 92,000, more than double. In zone A they can withdraw $ 138,000 to be reimbursed without interest. Note, however, that this calculation is based on the fact that the maximum cost ceiling will be maintained for next year.
Almost 2 times less monthly payments
Take the example of a family of 3 children, whose household income does not exceed $ 35,000 per year. In practice, they are therefore considered as a household with modest incomes. Today, however, they have the possibility of carrying out a building project in the old one for a value of $ 200,000. The State grants them a PTZ + of 18%, or $ 36,000.
Based on $ 16,000 in purchase costs, which includes the fees for the notarial study, transfer rights as well as file guarantee costs, there will therefore remain $ 180,000 to borrow. Given their financial situation, they can now obtain a 3% mortgage over 25 years.
However, their situation does not allow them to obtain a deferred reimbursement from the PTZ. Their monthly payments will therefore be 1041.6 $.
From January 1, 2016, if the basis for calculating the PTZ + is 40%, their interest-free loan will be $ 80,000. The purchase costs do not change, but they only have $ 136,000 left to borrow. The bank grants them a line of credit at 3% over 25 years, which with a postponement of the PTZ maturities of at least 5 years, gives them monthly payments of at least $ 645 for the first 5 years.
A real estate project achievable thanks to the deferral of monthly payments
One of the strengths of the zero-rate loan version 2015, is the postponement of monthly payments to 5.10 or 15 years, or even 20 years depending on the case. In the example above during the first 5 years the couple's debt ratio drops to 22%. Without the postponement of the PTZ + deadlines, it showed at 35% which would tend to cool most banks.
President and founder of Astro Finance, is delighted with this measure: "This new version of the PTZ should allow a return of first-time buyers in 2016, both in the old and in the new, and thus give dynamism to the estate market. In a context of low rates and relative price stability, the widening of the PTZ is the missing element to allow the market to restart in 2016 ".
Will the zero-rate loan replace personal contribution?
All banks consider the PTZ + as a personal contribution, which does not prevent them from asking their borrowers to pay the purchase costs from their own pocket. The latter must therefore have a capital of 8 to 10% of the price of the coveted property, in order to pay the notary's fees, transfer tax, warranty fees and others.
In practice, banks prefer not to have to finance the entire value of the property. This is where the zero rate loan comes in, as it is considered to contribute to the value of the property. Thus it already allows households with capital only the cost value, to obtain a loan to buy their main residence.
But the longer deferral of monthly payments will help them more. Those of them who will be eligible for a 15-year deferral will further reassure the banks. Households with modest incomes will therefore particularly benefit from this measure.
In addition, a real estate project in the old at 200,000 $, implies the purchase of real estate at 175,000 $. The PTZ + is eligible under the old condition of carrying out work amount to 25% of the total cost of the operation. Thus, the necessary contribution will only concern the value of the property, i.e. a maximum of $ 17,500 in this case. The bank notes thanks to quotes signed by professionals, that it will therefore have to lend $ 157,500 for real estate which will be worth $ 200,000 at the end of the work.


text:
I wonder if this feature is broken.
I tried implementing it for Dirty but the "." is only send once to the engine and never more unless f.i. after setting a new position.
Same with fruit 2.1 and crafty 23.2
Related to analyze output: what is xboard supposed to do encountering the failhigh/faillow indicators ( "--" and "++" strings) ?
I don't see anything special?
(*xboard 8.0 gtk version)


text:
Omnichannel communication platforms
2018. Twilio acquired email API platform SendGrid
Communications platform Twilio acquired the API-centric email platform SendGrid for about $2 billion. Twilio's current focus is on omnichannel communication, and email is obviously a major part of that. And while it offers plenty of services around voice, video and chat, email hasn't been on its radar in the same way. This acquisition now allows it to quickly build up expertise in this area and expand its services there.
2015. Oracle acquired cloud-based marketing provider Maxymiser
Oracle has acquired Maxymiser, a provider of cloud-based marketing tools. Maxymiser has over 400 employees and offers a range of cloud-based marketing tools that help its users improve customer experience and user retention through omnichannel analysis and marketing automation. Some of its higher profile customers include EasyJet, HSBC and French clothing retailer Lacoste. Its offerings will be integrated into the Orcale Marketing Cloud, which is itself made up of a range of tools formerly acquired by the firm (Eloqua and Responsys for instance), following the acquisition.


text: Little Evil 759 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hi Y'all. I've been going to BKK and Pattaya for years now, but I've never ventured to Phuket. I noticed that Phuket seems to offer a variety of hotels. I was originally looking for something funky or a new experience type of hotel. The Naka immediately caught my eye.......that was until I saw the price tag. Insane! Nearly 6x the price of my last Pattaya hotel per night, and that's the cheapest room at the Naka! Considering this is a first time in Phuket, and possibly a one-off trip, I wouldn't mind splurging a little bit. However, The Naka is well outside of my comfort zone. Anyone have any suggestions for something maybe slightly nicer than your typically Page 10 type hotel, but not in the insane $350/night range? Ideally within a 10 minute taxi to/from Patong beach. Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Pork collar is a great cut for a long marinade and a quick cook time—it gets nice and crispy on the outside and stays juicy inside, thanks to its marbled fat. This recipe comes courtesy of chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly in Houston. Cooking note: Allow at least 4 hours for marinating.
Featured in: A Houston Cookout with a Far East Reach


text:
Marvel at the Awuu Pattern Bolt Pistol! It has ergonomic Underslung Iron Sights Grip, RED DOT LASER cunningly disguised as an over-the-barrel bayonet lug and face-facing ejection port so that the Gray Slayer could track the ammo expenditure!
Please login (or) make a quick account (free)
to view and post comments.
Login with TwitterThree day old threads are only visible to verified humans - this helps our small community management team stay on top of spam
Login with Dtoid
Sorry for the extra step!
Login with Twitter
Login with Dtoid


text:
Prophet Remission by Brandon Graham, Simon Roy, Farel Dalrymple & Giannis Milonogiannis doesn't just have a lot of creators, it's also freakishly good.
How good?
Think Conan the Barbarian on an acid trip into the deep future. But there is nothing psychedelic, campy or brightly colored about this head trip.
John Prophet, super soldier and general badass wakes up on Earth in the distance future. The world has changed big time since he went into cryosleep though.
Dominated by alien life forms, humanity has devolved into primitive livestock. And I do mean livestock… yuck!
So John does the only sensible thing, he continues on his mission to restart the Earth Empire. Only thing is that news of the Empire's comeback brings both old allies and enemies out of the galactic woodwork.
Prophet Remission is wired, wonderful and beneath it all there is a story. Want to find out what it is? Read on…
A 90s Captain America Rip-Off Reborn as a Brilliant Sci-Fi Epic
The original Prophet was created by the prolific and super controversial Rob Liefeld in the early 1990s.
Rob was one of the most popular Marvel artist of the time. He created the wacky goodness that is Deadpool and together with seven other rising stars founded the publisher Image in 1992.
But Rob wasn't exactly known for the originality of his stories and characters. In fact he's often been accused of liberally 'borrowing' from many different sources. Case in point, John Prophet had an eerily similar backstory to Captain America.
So it was with some hesitation, and by pure chance, that I picked up Prophet Remission. Now I'm glad I did!
You see, Prophet Remission is a very different beast.
First of all it doesn't feel like American Sci-Fi. While most of the creative team is from the good old US of A, they story and art look like they are out of an old issue of the French Metal Hurlant or Heavy Metal magazines.
John Prophet isn't a wholesome, all-American hero. He's an effective, motivated and highly intelligent soldier who kinda looks like a Neanderthal.
The aliens in this graphic novel aren't humanoids with pointy ears, or sexy babes with green skin. They are truly alien, strange and repulsive.
If you've ever watched the classic Canadian-German Sci-Fi TV series Lexx, you know what I'm talking about.
Secondly, Prophet Remission's story has a formless feel to it. Like mist, it's there and you can see it but you can't really but your finger on it.
And that's a marvelous thing.
Mission to the Towers of Thauili Van
Johnny boy explodes onto the scene (literally) in some sort of digger/cryo-pod hybrid. After throwing up a capsule with drugs that restore his body to normal after thousands (?) of years asleep, John takes stock of his inventory and mission.
He knows he supposed to meet up with a contact who will provide him with further instructions. On his way to his rendezvous he meets the horrifying and deadly wildlife. Earth has certainly changed since Prophet's last visit.
Never one put off by hardship, John improvise, adapt and overcomes. It looks like humans have regressed into a non-sentient animal state. It also looks like Earth's new owners, amoeba like biped hive creatures are raising humans for food.
Taking living off the land a little too far, John decides to tuck in and enjoy some fresh meat.
You see, Prophet Remission isn't just breaking the traditions of American Sci-Fi. It's smashing some serious taboos along the way.
Because John Prophet isn't a normal human being. The original Prophet was. Our Johnny is one of many clones.
Clones hidden away, put into cryosleep and prepared to rise up from the ashes of the Earth Empire and restore it after its fall. In the alien hive John learns his role in in this master plan.
He must climb the towers of Tahuili Van and sound the clarion's call of the empires revival.
Yet not everyone is thrilled about this.
In deep space we follow another John Prophet clone as he is sent to recover something priceless from the wreck of a crashed battleship.
On a beautiful green world, an old robot looks into the sky and wonders if it's finally time.
Deep amongst the debris of an alien metropolis three brothers wake an ancient evil. Is this the same foe that destroyed the empire?
You'll have to read Prophet Remission to find out!
The Art and Writing of Prophet Remission
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Honestly wasn't expecting this. Just saw the book and got intrigued by its relationship to the 90s series. Boy… what did I get myself into?
Brandon Graham spins a darn good yarn, but his writing is beyond the kind of storytelling of most mainstream graphic fiction.
Every chapter in Prophet Remission is part of a bigger story arch, but clarity tends to vanish as quickly as it appears. Graham's story telling is formless and experimental.
Just when you think you know what's going on he pulls the rug out from under your feet!
At the end you're left guessing and with more questions than answers. I love it!
The visuals of Prophet Remission really complement and enhance the writing. The rotating art team of Simon Roy, Farel Dalrymple & Giannis Milonogiannis blend into each other so seamlessly it's ridiculous.
By the way Graham isn't just a writer, he also illustrates part of this graphic novel. Complete and utter madness! But it works…
When I first looked at the minimalist, desolate and somewhat cartoony style of Remission, I actually thought it was a Franco-Belgian creation.
Some of the backgrounds and creatures will make you think of Moebius or the excellent and underappreciated (at least in the English speaking world) Marvano.
Hat off to whoever but these four mad geniuses together! No wonder Prophet Remission was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2013.
If Conan the Barbarian took an acid induced trip to a deep future drawn by Moebius, Prophet Remission is what it would look like!
The creative team took a clichéd rip-off from the 90s and turned it into a bizarrely wonderful Sci-Fi epic that stands on its own two feet.
You have to read this one. It's not the story (which rocks) or the gorgeous art that makes this a must read graphic novel. It's the experience.
Enjoy your headtrip!
Click Here to Order
PS: This one's a keeper. Get your copy of Prophet Remission today. It's sci-fi. And it's American but looks and feels European. What's not to like?


text:
Great chance to own this beautifully located home in Edmondson Park.
House with a massive kitchen and dining experience where the lounge flowing onto courtyard at the back.
Land with a good frontage is the beauty of this block with a beautifully built double garage home.
Get the key and ready to move in to make this home yours.
Close to Train, Edmondson Park private school & up coming public school right at the front, this house is priced very reasonable for a quick sale.
Grab this opportunity to come visit to make an offer before it runs out of the market.
Call Multi Dynamic Team Today for an Inspection


text:
Two Bedroom/Two Baths/Two Titled Parking Stalls! ARRIVA fuels the life you should be living in Calgary's most exciting neighborhood. The curated interior exudes a stylish urban feel with neutral toned carpet/ceramic tile flooring, Gallery White walls & floor to ceiling steel framed windows. The open kitchen features stainless steel appliances, light laminate countertops, ebony stained cabinetry & a convenient eating bar. This well planned layout ensures optimum liveability & a feeling of generous spaciousness. Boasting South and East views, additional storage, insuite laundry & building security personnel will also impress. A village apart, yet so close to the center, Victoria Park has retained its special character & charm over the last hundred years with the recent additions of new boutique shops, residences & restaurants set against Calgary's urban skyline.
Thanks for your interest in this property. It would be my pleasure to schedule a showing for you.


text:
Greenville, NC Personal Injury Attorneys
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor provides competent and dependable legal representation all across North Carolina. We are proud to serve families and individuals who live in the eastern part of North Carolina from our office located in Greenville, NC. Conveniently located near the campus of East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) and both the State and Federal Courthouses, you can find our office in the heart of downtown Greenville, NC where we enjoy being a part of the eastern North Carolina community. Offering more than 100 years of combined legal experience, our world class lawyers are sought out by those who have been injured.What Types of Compensation can I Recover for my Injury?
When representing the injured, our lawyers know that the top priority in any personal injury case is for the injured person to get well. We also realize that an injured party needs to be compensated for their medical bills, loss of work, pain and suffering, and property damage. Our personal injury lawyers in Greenville, NC are there to assist you with this daunting process. We have the experience to successfully negotiate your claim with the insurance company.
President Theodore Roosevelt said speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. We agree. While we love it when an agreement can be made through negotiations, we always want to be ready with that big stick that President Roosevelt mentioned. For us, that means we must be ready for trial when it becomes necessary to ask a jury to hold the insurance company responsible for all of your damages. You can depend on our experience and compassion to see you through any type of situation including:
Do not settle for less than what you deserve.
- Let our experience guide you through the complexities of the legal system.
- Put the expert negotiators at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor to work for you.
- Rest assured that our attorneys are always ready to break out the big stick when necessary to do battle against stubborn insurance companies.
Work injuries fall under the Workers' Compensation Act and the deck is often stacked against you as the worker. Unlike car and motorcycle accidents, workplace injuries do not typically allow for you to be compensated for the physical pain and discomfort of an injury. So it is even more important to make sure that you have an attorney who is familiar with all the damages that an injured worker can recover to maximize what you receive for your work injury.
Let the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor help you recover everything the law says you should receive for your work injury.Providing Aggressive Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense lawyers are trial lawyers and we are experienced in all courtrooms. In addition to representing the injured, our lawyers in Greenville, NC are also experienced criminal defense attorneys. No one should go to court charged with an offense without having an experienced criminal defense attorney at their side, one who knows the system intricately. Our trial lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that our clients have the top-notch representation they deserve.
Whether you have been charged with Driving While Impaired, Underage Drinking, Drug Offenses, Assaults, or simple Traffic Tickets, let our expertise ease your mind while we formulate your best defense or negotiate a favorable outcome in your situation. If you have been charged with any state or federal crime, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor has experienced criminal defense attorneys ready to defend you.
Contact us to learn more or to set up a free consultation.Providing Legal Guidance for Social Security Disability Claims
Social Security Disability claims routinely are denied by the Social Security Administration. The attorneys with the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor are experienced in preparing your case for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge to ensure that you have the best chance for success in your claim for disability benefits. We view it as an insult to you when you have paid into a system every week through your employment only to have some government official unreasonably deny your claim when you health no longer allows you to work. Allow the attorneys at the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor to help you get the benefits you deserve when you are no longer able to work. Contact us today for a free consultation for your Social Security Disability claim.Speak to our Firm During a Free Consultation!
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor offers the attorneys you want on your side. Whether you are fighting for due compensation from an injury, fighting for your social security disability claim, or fighting for your freedom from a wrongful accusation in the criminal court system, We Are Here For You.
For additional information on our attorneys and to put their legal prowess in your corner, fill out a free online contact form now.


text:
April 28, 2019
The Second Sunday of Easter– The First Sunday After Easter – Low Sunday –Quasimodo Sunday – Dominica in Albis -Divine Mercy Sunday – The Octave Day of Easter
Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen! The glorious celebration of Our Lord's Holy Resurrection is so wondrous that it is not celebrated in merely one day, but through an entire octave, i.e., for eight days. During the Easter Octave which begins on Easter Sunday and concludes today, each day is Easter yet again. And although the stores may advertise Easter candy at 50% off, we know that Easter has just begun. For after the Easter Octave then we move into the Easter season which reaches its wondrous fulfillment on Pentecost Sunday and the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit upon the earth.
As is evident by the title of our meditation, there is no other Sunday in the Church's Year of Grace with so many wondrous names. It is, of course, the first Sunday after Easter, and thus is called the Second Sunday of Easter because it is the second Sunday in the glorious time of Easter. During the Middle Ages in England and Ireland the Sunday was given the very charming name of Low Sunday. It was thus called to differentiate it from the previous Sunday (Easter) which was called the High Sunday. It is also called Quasimodo Sunday after the first word of the Entrance Antiphon in Latin, Quasimodo infantes (As infants…) Students of literature will recall the famous novel of Victor Hugo The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Many may recall that the hunchback's name was Quasimodo. In the novel the future hunchback was discovered on the steps of Notre Dame in Paris on the Sunday after Easter. The canons of the Cathedral gave the infant the name Quasimodo after the Sunday of his discovery, since they never were certain of his birthday.
Another interesting name for today is Dominica in Albis (depositis). In English translation it would be called the Sunday of the putting away of the albs. It is amazing how much can be said in just a few Latin words. After the catechumens were baptized on the Great and Holy Vigil of Easter they continued to wear their white robes (albis) for an entire week so all would know the great grace which had come to them. On this Sunday they would remove their robes and place them in the wardrobe of the Church and simply wear their everyday clothing.
In our own day, Pope St. John Paul II elevated the Sunday to the Divine Mercy Sunday. The Mercy of God, deserved by none yet accessible to all, was poured upon the world through the resurrection of Our Lord. On this Sunday we give thanks to God for the Divine Mercy. You will notice that now we have a chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy. Please visit it today and pray there. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and upon the whole world! We come under the Divine Mercy whenever we go to confession. Let us all make the resolution to do so each month. May I remind you that today we will have a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament at 3.00PM. We will sing the chaplet of Divine Mercy and the opportunity for private prayer and adoration.
Holy Week: Holy Week at St. Paul's this year was most uplifting and inspiring. For that I am deeply grateful to all of you. .I was so impressed with the faith and devotion of our people. The music was so uplifting as we heard the ancient chants of the Church. The Palm Sunday procession when we followed Our Lord into His own city was so joyous and grace-filled. Holy Thursday was a wonderful and inspiring night as we saw the fraternal command of charity enacted through the washing of the feet or the mandatum. That same evening four of our Knights of Columbus carried the new canopy over the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Procession.
I was particularly moved by the Veneration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday. The Roman Missal instructs us that there should be only one Crucifix for the veneration of the faithful. Naturally, that takes longer but it is a time of grace that we all need to be before the Cross. You may have noticed that our Squires held the Cross for us all and wiped Our Lord's most sacred wounds. What a service they did for our parish! They took their duty in holding the Cross. Many of you commented on the beauty of the Crucifix. This magnificent crucifix (hand carved in the northern part of Italy by German craftsmen) was donated to our parish by a family who wishes to remain anonymous. It will be venerated in our parish for generations to come.
As the sixth pastor of our beloved St. Paul's I had the honor to carry the Cross into the Church on Good Friday and to kiss it barefoot. During the veneration I was thinking that the 60th pastor of St. Paul's will be barefoot before the same crucifix. We were blessed to have the passion sung on Good Friday as its haunting melodies washed over us. The Easter Vigil was most solemn as Deacon Ray led the procession with the Easter Candle, lit from the new fire, and soon all the Church was illuminated as the Deacon sang the Easter proclamation..
Our altar guild, under the direction of Mrs. Ursula Coughlin did a splendid job in decorating the Church. I am most grateful to our ushers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, Columbian Squires, Knights of Columbus and our servers. The servers were present in large numbers and their parents drove them for the practices. Our own Louise Shannon organizes the servers, schedules them, as well as organizing the people for the washing of the feet.
Golf-Tennis Outing and Awards Dinner: I am most grateful to Mr. Donald Cavanaugh and the whole committee who are working so diligently to make this such a great success. Please see elsewhere in the bulletin for more details. Our honorees are Joseph and Madeline Spinnato who will receive the Monsignor Mario C. Costa Award for their outstanding and dedicated service to the parish. Our other Honorees are Jim and Cathy Black and their children Alix and Christopher. They will receive the Sr. Regina Kraft Award for their outstanding dedication to the youth of our parish.
May God reward you for all you have done for me and for St. Paul's. Christ is Risen; he is Truly Risen.
In Jesus and Mary,
Monsignor James F. Pereda


text:
David Bohm: When is Empty Talk Full?
Some time ago there was an anthropologist who lived for a long while with a North American tribe. It was a small group of about fifty people. The hunter-gatherers have typically lived in groups of twenty to forty. Agricultural group units are much larger . Now, from time to time that tribe met like this in a circle. They just talked and talked and talked, apparently to no purpose. They made no decisions. There was no leader. And everybody could participate. There may have been wise men or wise women who were listened to a bit more–the older ones–but everybody could talk. The meeting went on, until it finally seemed to stop for no reason at all and the group dispersed. Yet after that, everybody seemed to know what to do, because they understood each other so well. Then they could get together in smaller groups and do something or decide things."
—Bohm, On Dialogue (p. 19)
Image Credit: 2headedsnake, jeremie decalf
One Response
[…] garments that seemed to belong together. It's as if they were listening to each other at a level beyond the words used. Leaderless teams don't always work that way. But that it worked that way once gives me […]


text:
Android's share of mobile ad impressions increased by 504 percent in 2011
Last year was the year that Android soared and feature phones went into free-fall, according to Millennial Media's year-end Mobile Mix Report.
Over the course of the year, Android surpassed iOS, becoming both the fastest growing mobile OS and the leading smartphone platform. Overall Android's OS market share increased by 57 percent year-on-year, growing from 30 to 47 percent. The total number of Android ad impressions increased by 504 percent between the end of 2010 and 2011.
Android's gains last year came mostly at the expense of Apple's iOS, which dropped to second place, seeing its market share decline from 41 percent to 33 percent between 2010 and 2011. RIM and Symbian were also affected by the rise of Android, seeing their market share decline to 16 and one percent respectively. Windows Phone held steady with two percent of market share in both 2010 and 2011.
The other key trend of 2011 was the rapid decline of feature phones. The devices took a big hit, with their share of total impressions declining from 31 percent to 17 percent in just 12 months. While the drop may be dramatic, because Millennial's data has been averaged across 12 months the decline is also downplayed slightly — according to Millennial's November Mobile Mix Report, feature phones had actually declined to 14 percent of Millennial's impression share.
The fall of feature phones was also reflected in Millennial's device charts. In 2010, Millennial recorded three feature phones in its top 20 most popular devices: The Samsung Freeform (No. 4), the Sanyo Incognito (No. 8) and the Motorola Clutch (No. 14). By the end of 2011 only the Samsung Freeform remained in the No. 16 spot.
The iPhone was the most popular phone overall in both 2010 and 2011, but its share of impressions dropped by seven percent as the market share of Android devices from manufacturers like Samsung and HTC increased.
Other connected devices (tablets, eReaders, iPod Touches, etc) saw only a marginal increase, from 14 to 15 percent of total impressions between 2010 and 2011, but posted a 10 percent increase in the total number of impressions year-on-year. Millennial attributed the gain to the popularity of the iPad despite the fact that more than a dozen tablets were released during the year. The second most popular tablet in 2011 was the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which has just over half of the impression share of Apple's iPad.
As far as the type of apps that Millennial's ads were displayed in, games saw their share of impressions increase by 16 percent year-on-year to take the No. 1 spot, likely spurred on by the growth of Android, where developers are far more reliant on advertising to monetize than on iOS. Music and entertainment apps were the second most popular mobile application category by share of impressions and last year's leader, social networking apps declined to third place. Health and fitness apps tripled their share of impressions year-on-year to rise to the No. 9 spot on the list.


text:
Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
Where can I find a golden retriever chow mixed puppy?
Nicole from Worcester, MA
My daughter has a rescue retriever - chow. It may be shiba-enu chow, but can't be sure without a DNA test. She is wonderful but a little strange at times, but I think that is from her prior life rather than her mix. The pic is right after a summer cut.
I rescued this dog, "Purty" along with her 2 pups from a waste water treatment plant last week and they were in pretty rough shape. They were treated by Cape FearAnimal Hospital and she is up to date on all shots and vaccinations. Her pups have been placed in a home and she is now spayed. I've been working with Columbus County Humane Society which if the dog is adopted, it will be through them.
"Purty" is approximately 18-24 months old and super friendly. She was obviously owned by someone at one time because she's so sweet. My guess is someone dumped her when they found out she was pregnant. She is currently on an antibiotic due to her malnourishment and a developed bacterial skin infection. It is looking much better already in 2 weeks time. She is very mellow, but might act a bit timid at first.
Please call or e-mail if you or anyone you know could help by fostering/adopting "Purty." Thanks so much!
910-538-2983 Robin
Just had to add my sentiment that this is a wonderful cross. My Golden/Chow mix is sweet, very affectionate, but just a bit stubborn like a Chow.
Hi- our Chow Golden is Willie! He is 6 years old and an incredible dog. I will tell you as a puppy we had to do obedience as he was a reckless, stubborn, maniac who had absolutely boundless energy. We live on a lake and he loves the water, cars- and other dogs. He is very social and likes people- especially little kids. He loves to water retrieve and goes for hours. I also have a chow collie cross and he too is an incredible dog who is now 8. My third is a Chow hound cross who, a female who is an absolute sweetheart. She is 12. All of them were adopted as rescues from the shelter. I wouldn't get a dog any other way!
This is my chow retriever mix, Pea` (payuh) which means bear in Hawaiian. He pulled the chow look but the retriever personality. He's 8 now but 4 in this picture and still looks the same. I love this dog like no other.
We adopted "canyon" from a shelter, he is golden/chow mix. He's the best. We don't know how old he is, but by far, best dog ever. He's not too active, talks by growling, won't venture far from us when off his leash. I recommend this mix breed highly!
He is beautiful. I have a chow border golden mix and she's the best dog I have ever had.
The animal shelters are the best bet for mixed breeds. Here is a picture of my Golden Retriever Chow mix. He is now 8 years old and one of the best dogs I have ever owned.
This was Brady. We lost him about a month ago due to illness. He looks so much like these Golden Retriever Chow Mixes, I had to add him to this post.
The one on the left is Angela. I adopted her from a shelter at 6 months old. Great personality and obedient dog.
Where can I find one of these dogs? It doesn't matter where, I can't even find anywhere to get this kind of dog! We rescued one years ago, best dog we ever had.
Try www.adoptapet.com
Try this site www.designermixes.org/
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Where can I find a Golden Retriever Chow mixed puppy?
Nicole from Worcester, MA
You should check with some rescue groups. They have lots of animals who need homes and they actually work with them to make them as adoptable as
possible. You can do a general search on the internet for ones in your area. I don't know why you want that particular mix. Just make sure, if
you haven't yet, that the breed's personalities are a match for your home. Also, know the dog's level of energy, whether he or she is kid
friendly, gets along with other animals, does or doesn't like to be held and a lot of other stuff if it's applicable. (11/01/2006)
By Me
try Petfinder.com (12/10/2006)
We have a Golden Chow and she is by far the best dog I have ever had. She is afraid of alot of men too, but follows me around everywhere I go.
She is very much a pack dog and thinks that my wife and I are the leaders of the pack. I love this dog. (07/29/2007)
By Dustin and Pookie
I found our Golden Chow at a local shelter thanks to Petfinders. She is highly intelligent, very obedient, friendly with people and other
animals. She has the best traits of both breeds. In the house she is calm and quiet, but outside she is fun and action, an all around great
companion. Is a deliberate mix, a "designer dog" or just fortunate accidents? Either way I would recommend this combination to anyone.
By Tara
I had a Golden/Chow for 13 years. He was the best dog ever. And I've owned several. We got him at 10 months from a guy who was moving to an
apartment and couldn't keep him. He joined my husband, 3 grade school age kids, an old German Shepherd, and a noisey Guinea pig. He was shy at
first, but once he "adopted us" everything was fantastic. I do a lot of hiking and have been unable to find as good as companion as Mr.Hobbes.
He barked very little, fell in behind me when we met a horse or bike, pointed deer for me because he knew I like to photograph them and even
pointed people if I needed to leave the trail for a pit stop. None of this was "taught" he was just helping, which was he's favorite thing to
do. (11/21/2007)
By Billie
I love my mix. He is 3/4 Chow 1/4 Golden with mostly Chow features and a Golden personality. He is the sweetest dog, very mellow, and gets along
great with my 8 pound Papillon. Here is a pic of him at 10 months. He is a year and a half now. (05/30/2008)
By Faye
I think the Golden/Chow mix dogs are the prettiest dogs out there. Too bad the AKC doesn't recognize them. They are beautiful, loving and very
intelligent dogs. They have the guarding instincts of a Chow and the companionship of a Golden. Here is my buddy, his name is Shepper. Love to
get another someday. Gotta love the black tongue. (06/10/2008)
By Janice
I have had 2 purebred Goldens and thought they were great. But then Beau came into our house. Just love this guy. He does not run off, sticks in
the front yard or campsite. Loves to let us know when something is not quite right. And has been very protective of my teenage daughter, just
ask her boyfriends, yet he is very loving, and loyal. He actually pushed one of the boys off the coach. Worth his weight in gold. (06/16/2008)
By Bodacious Bodega Beau the Boat Dog
My Chowtriever, as I like to call her is named Love, because I adopted her from the local pound on Valentines day '07. My friend has a Chow
Golden mix and I just absolutely love her dog so when I found Love I knew it was meant to be. I grew up with purebred Goldens, but I couldn't
have designed a better pet than her. She is about 2 1/2 now. The pound didn't have any back story on her and I searched for days to make sure no
one was looking for her. I just don't understand how anyone could have let her go. (08/04/2008)
By Minda
This is MoJo, his mother is a purebred black Chow Chow and his father is a purebred Golden Retriever. He is black like his mother but has the
curly hair like his father. He is such a sweet boy and everyone just loves him. He is now 13 weeks old and weighs 28lbs, he has massive front
paws and I believe he will be a large dog when grown (80 lbs possibly). Here is a picture of MoJo sitting in my daughter's car seat (he thinks it
is in the car for him.) (10/02/2008)
By Maggie
We adopted Summer from a local shelter. She had been adopted out once and brought back almost a year later, unbelievable. We are absolutely in
love with our "Chowtriever". She's so great with kids. She doesn't chew on anything and she only barks when someone approaches the house.
She looks like a Retriever but acts like a ChowChow. She is a bit aloof with strangers, she only does things that make sense to her (she only
does tricks for food ) and she can be super stubborn, but we love her for all her quirky traits. (02/27/2009)
By Janet
I had posted pics on here of my little Mojo when he was just a few months old and I figured I better post some more recent pics of him so you
can all see how big he has gotten. (Recap) Mojo's mom was a purebred black Chow Chow and his father was a purebred Golden Retriever, he now
resembles a black Golden Retriever, and he has a pink tongue with many black spots all over it. Mojo is now 8 months old and he weighs almost
80 lbs he is very sweet and very smart. He is eager to please and knows several commands.
Here is a picture of Mojo (on right) with our 8 year old Lab (on left, she weighs 65lbs)
By Maggie
This is Riley. We rescued him from a LA County shelter where he was scheduled to be euthanize. He likes to throw his toys in the air and
catch them. Sometimes he cries at them. He kicks things when he's frustrated, haha. He also makes Chewbaca like noises. Does anyone else's
dog do that? (04/07/2009)
By Jenny
This is Oliver he is about a year and a half old. He was found living under a car at about 4 weeks old. He is super sweet and knows a ton of
commands. Although he can be a little dense sometimes, he is a great family pet and I would recommend the mix to anyone. (04/07/2009)
By wade bowlin
Hey ya'll. This is my golden chow Buckley and he's the best. A friend found him wandering around and we adopted him. He's high energy, but just
the best dog ever. As you can see, my daughter loves him. He's awesome around my kids, my cats, and my other dog, a Jack Russell who's much
smaller than him. (04/24/2009)
By Will


text:
What's New
Fight for your dream to become a hero
As a kid, there were dreams of adventure— monsters and mysteries to be solved. But, as a shopkeeper, duty came first. Year after year, the needs of other adventures came first. Today is different. Today, you start your own adventure.
Conduct business during the day at Rynoka Village, and at night traverse the Gates to different realms and dimensions as you guide Will through this action-RPG.
- Shopkeeping: Put items on sale, set their price carefully, manage gold reserves, recruit assistants and upgrade the shop. Be careful though— some shady individuals may want to steal your precious wares!
- Fight with style: Masterful control of your weapons, critical timing, careful positioning, and an understanding of your enemies and environment are crucial to your survival. How you battle your enemies is up to you.
- Meet villagers: Get to know your neighbors as you restore the prosperity of this small commercial hamlet. Help establish new businesses and watch them grow in the idyllic community of Rynoka.
- Craft, enchant, and loot: Interact with the villagers to craft new armor and weapons, and enchant existing equipment. Also collect valuable items from exotic civilizations!
If you would like to purchase the game, please visit https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/moonlighter-switch.


text:
Donald Klemen December 1, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Glad we have people researching, but no solutions presented.
Home builder are required to have runoff ponds.
If its farm runoff, it's a lot more water than can be hzndled.
1 Farms must move away from rivers leading to ocean
2 Increase runoff ponds to catch rainwater
The water usually drains quickly in this area.
3 canal for extreme rains goes to Everglades distributed like it was before the large cities formed
4 If copper sulfate really helped, it could be added to the river water if the problem is observed.
5 change EPA rules on home fertilizers to ensure the quickly decompose. Same with weed control .
6 could pump to a reservoir for power gen.
The best breakdown is usually the sun. Spreading the water out when it goes to Everglades may help.
I don't know how much any of these would help, and it sounds like it has been around a long time, but a real list of controls which may reduce it should be proposed by top biologist working with army corps.


text:
A major road in Salford was closed while firefighters and RSPCA officers rescued a roe deer which had become trapped in a back garden.
They cornered the roe deer before covering his head with a pillowcase 'to stop him panicking' during the rescue.
A section of the A6 near Worsley was closed during the rescue, which happened at 12 pm on Monday.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Steve Wickham said:
"The deer had been hopping over the gardens of a number of homes but there was nowhere else for him to go and we were worried if he panicked he would run out onto the A6 and that could obviously be dangerous to motorists".


text:
There are any variety of ways to balls things up in the escort industry in Marbella. There are actually only just a few that work. The major error that people make is to think that just because it is lawful to deal sex-related services, that setting up as an escort agency is very easy. It is not. In fact it bloody hard, slow and time consuming. As a person that has, with their colleagues and business partners, built prostitute agencies successfully in Marbella, Barcelona and a variety of various other areas I would rather not enter into, I have possibly made every error it is feasible to make. I have actually likewise done some things extremely right by mishap. I have also learned from my mistakes and those of others and worked out what works and built upon that.
The most convenient means to screw up in developing and also building your Marbella prostitute agency is to get caught up in a solitary channel of promotions. The possibilities are extremely strong that whether your idea is a great one or otherwise, somebody else will have thought of it before you. And they either have a strong foothold that you will find it tough to compete with, or their efforts will considerably dilute your own. Business cards in car windows? Sometimes vehicles outside the five star hotels are nearly tipping over as they have numerous cards in the windows. You wish to advertise lovely Marbellaescorts by putting ads in Sur paper? In the summer season there are a dozen pages of advertisements.
You want to promote your prostitute firm by doing introducer deals with taxi drivers? All the best with that. They get a large income from the established nightclubs and brothels in Marbella. Work the VIP locations at the clubs? Individuals have unique deals. Work the bars such Havana de Hemingway? You are competing with independent ladies, so you will lose that competition.
Which leaves the net. Constructing a successful company requires time, patience as well as financial investment. It is not easy, there are no faster ways or magic bullets. If you do it in the best way possible it will certainly work. Then all you need to do is hire the best women and work out the best ways to offer them to clients and in fact handle business. Google Ad Words does not allow clients to look for anything with the word escort in it. You can not buy your way to the top of the search engines, even if you have actually developed a site that looks the part. Instead you have to do it by hand; internet search engine optimization via well structured back links with legitimate histories and high domain authority.