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David Limbaugh | Obama’s Unacceptable Love Affair With Communism
Obama’s Unacceptable Love Affair With Communism
by David Limbaugh | March 29, 2016
Conservatives and other Obama critics are entitled to a big "I told you so," after Obama’s stunning admission that he doesn’t believe there’s that much difference between communism and capitalism.
Actually, it’s not that stunning to people paying attention. Many of us warned about Obama’s Marxist sympathies before he was first elected president, and we’ve repeatedly pointed it out during his presidency. Obama was raised and mentored by communists and spent many years engaged in community organizing (radical leftist activism). He established himself as the most liberal member of the Senate. Yet our warnings were met with cries of extremism, irrationality and, of course, racism. I wonder what these scolds would say now.
After playing his fiddle in Cuba and paying homage to the romanticized Marxist Castro regime while Belgium was burning, Obama spoke to a group of young people in Argentina. He told them, essentially, that there isn’t much difference between capitalism and socialism and that they "should be practical." He said: "You don’t have to worry about whether it neatly fits into socialist theory or capitalist theory. You should just decide what works."
He praised President Raul Castro in Cuba for his country’s universal health care and quality education. Please don’t tell me you find that hard to believe, either.
Such extreme leftists as Obama are bound to ignore history and the mountains of evidence that render a verdict against socialism as a destroyer of prosperity and an enslaver and slayer of mankind. Their worldview compels them to advocate economic and political control over the masses for the ends they seek, and they shut themselves off from all information indicating that to exercise such control over markets prevents the very results they profess to seek. (Read More) | {
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The Complete Genealogy Reporter uses the GEDCOM data exported from any genealogy data management program to create comprehensive genealogy reports, books, or websites. The Complete Genealogy Builder is a new genealogy data management program that provides 99.9% genealogy data standards compliance via a user interface that delivers maximum data visibility, rapid navigation capability, and layered data entry forms.These may be configured to include fully cross-referenced narrative text, notes, sources, pictures, ancestor and descendant charts, family tree diagrams, and indexes of occupations, places, dates, anniversaries and individualsJust export your data from the "File" menu of your genealogy data management program in GEDCOM format, specify the result as the input file for The Complete Genealogy Reporter, and you will be able to start producing a high-quality report in minutes!--Whether you are starting from scratch or seeking a better alternative to your existing genealogy data management program, there is no other known product that is more standards compliant, that provides the full range of GEDCOM-standard data fields, and that supports all international (Unicode) character setsIncludes all of the basic capabilities of "The Complete Genealogy Reporter". (Full report preference option specification and section customization is enabled only when The Complete Genealogy Reporter is separately installed and registered. | {
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What Makes A '21 Barrel A '21 Barrel?
Interests:Full time gunsmith who loves Thompsons, 35+ years experience.
Posted 23 January 2006 - 03:36 PM
The question of defining the characteristics of Colt Thompson barrel fins has been in the air for many years. The general consensus of the public seems to have been that 21’s have thin fins with rounded edges and military 28’s thick fins with square edges. In this discussion, ’21 barrels would include all Colt made guns as ‘28 Navy and 1927’s started life as model 1921’s .
I have been doing some research on the subject (preparatory to manufacture) and have consulted with several notable collectors in the Thompson field who have participated in a survey measuring and noting the characteristic of original ‘21 model barrels; the results may be somewhat surprising to many.
It would appear that the notion of fin edges having a full radius is not correct. Only one barrel has been so noted to date and it is believed this gun was re-barreled many years ago (perhaps with a 1919 part). It is generally held that the 1919 guns had this feature, but the vast majority of ‘21 models surveyed have barrels with the edges of the fins broken only. This would be consistent with other clues as to how they were actually made.
The original run of Colt made Thompsons were the “A” model and had a 5/8” diameter boss on the end of the barrel to which the front sight was press fit. When the Cutts was introduced, some of these guns had the sight removed and this boss threaded for attachment of the new device (5/8” thread), becoming the “AC” model. Later, new barrels were made and the boss was increased to ¾” diameter to accommodate a ¾” Cutts (2nd generation on). Guns subsequently returned to the factory for fitting of a Cutts compensator were re-barreled to make the change. It is interesting to note that the fins of these two separate production periods of barrels did not seem to measure any differently in the survey.
The 1919 dated A/O print has a specification for the width of the fin and pitch (spacing), but most barrels measured do not comply with these dimensions. The original specification was for a fin width of .040-.050, but this was changed in a revision dated 1-19-1935 to .070-.080 (which generally corresponds to the parts measured).
How could this be if the barrels were made in the early 20’s? One thought is that A/O had let their engineering staff go when they moved to Hartford. Problems likely occurred trying to produce the thin fins, and the change was penciled into the print on the shop floor. With no engineering staff to maintain the drawings, and the production completed with no follow-up contract looming, the changes were not finalized on the drawings. In ‘35-’37 A/O was preparing to sell the company and it is likely that cleaning up the drawings was part of that preparation. This is speculation of course, but it does make sense.
While the groove width seems to remain consistent within the given part the pitch varies, resulting in a variance of fin width. This would seem reasonable if the grooves were formed individually with the same tool, the operator moving that tool for each cut. As the tolerances stacked up, this would also result in a changing of the location of the “21st fin” that is supposed to rest on the pad of the grip mount. Many examples have been noted where the fin was barely on the grip mount pad and one has been reported where the pad actually fell between the fins. The operator likely broke the edges of the fins with a file, and subsequent polishing rounded them a bit, but no example of machine formed full radius has been noted outside the one questionable specimen mentioned above.
Between individual barrels, the groove widths will vary dramatically. This is also understandable as tools were worn, sharpened and replaced. The existence or absence of a radius in the corners of the groove could be accounted here as well. While the print clearly shows a radius, it was not specified and the tool grinder was on his own.
So, what are we talking about here? 14 guns have been recorded to date.
Groove widths in the survey ran from .115 to .145, averaging .1265.
Fin thickness often varied .010 or more in the individual barrel (sampling 3-10 fins per), running from .055 to .081 averaging .0733.
For reference, the GI (1942) ’28 barrel print shows a fin width of .065-.085. The GI barrels I have measured seem to be within this range, most about .070. It is also interesting to note that the pitch is more consistent in these war time barrels as it would appear the grooves were formed simultaneously with a gang of cutters, either on a lathe or mill. The latter milled fin barrels have inconsistent walls due to run out problems; ok for shooting the enemy I suppose. Because these barrels were not polished, the edges of the fins remain somewhat sharp.
Contributors to this survey were selected (in part) because their accepted standing as knowledgeable persons concerning original Colt produced guns and parts, their access to original guns and their ability to measure these guns. I wanted to be as sure as was reasonably possible that the data collected was credible. Some of the attributes were subjectively observed. Obviously, this is not a comprehensive study, but It’s a start. There are many more of you out there who could be qualified to expand this data.
The difference between the ’21 and ’28 barrels is fairly obvious to the knowing eye, but perhaps not by the width of the fin or the condition of it’s edge only. These other difference are fodder for another battle however.
Thanks to all who participated and gave freely of their time and energy.
Excellent study, PK. I have noticed the differences in Colt barrel fins just from observing many guns over the years. I always believed that these differences were attributable to several different workers making barrels at Colt.
Interests:Mechanical toys - cars, instruments, and of course - guns. The 1921-28 thompsons are the epitomy of perfection for a mechanical device that fills all my interests!
Posted 24 January 2006 - 07:03 AM
PK, that is great data!
I have always been wondering how dimensionally feasabile it would be to create a 21 replica barrel from a current production 27 (finned) barrel. Seems like it is do-able, and all I need to do is get that lathe here from my folks house... Of couse the comp threads are different, they would have to be like the early 5/8 barrels. Anyone got a spare early comp available?
Interests:Thompsons, and all their goodies!<br>Obsolete Victorian Photomechanical processes,<br>Etching, Engraving and all Printmaking,<br>Entomology, specializing in Coleoptera,<br>Arachnology, specializing in Theraphosidae. | {
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Activists had campaigned against facility, claiming it depleted groundwater in region and hurt local agriculture
NEW DELHI—Coca-Cola Co. has closed a bottling plant in north India that activists had campaigned against, signaling challenges the U.S. beverage giant faces as it seeks to expand in the world’s second-most populous nation.
Activists blame the facility for depleting groundwater and undermining agriculture in region.
In a statement disclosing the move on Wednesday, Coca-Cola didn’t explain why it had closed the factory in Kaladera, one of more than 50 plants that produce fizzy drinks for the company in India. It said only that “plant capacity utilization is a derivative of the current market demands and projections.”
“Should there be a change in demand and volume, like all other plants, we may utilize the capacity of Kaladera in the future,” it added.
The company’s statement made no mention of the resistance Coca-Cola has faced from activists, who waged a decadelong battle against the plant.
The campaign against the factory was spearheaded by a couple activist groups. One was the India Resource Center led by San Francisco-based Amit Srivastava, who has been targeting Coca-Cola in India for many years.
“Coke drained us of water,” said Mahesh Yogi, of activist group Kaladera Sangharsh Samiti. “Water meant for poor farmers and their fields was time and again diverted to the factory.”
A Coca-Cola spokesman in India said it wasn’t fair to say groundwater levels had receded because of the factory, which was erected in 2000. The company said the “plant is a user of a minuscule share of water at Kaladera, tapping much less than a percent of area’s available water.”
An assessment of the plant and others, commissioned by the company and carried out in 2006, had warned water levels in the region were already dangerously-low. That assessment, carried out by New Delhi-based nonprofit The Energy and Resources Institute, had suggested that Coca-Cola shut the facility because “the plant’s operations in this area would continue to be one of the contributors to a worsening water situation and a source of stress to the communities around.”
The plant’s closure is the most recent challenge for Coca-Cola in India, the company’s sixth-largest market by volume sales. In 2012, The Atlanta-based soft-drinks maker said it had planned to inject $5 billion into the country by 2020 and declared the South Asian nation a focus market.
But bureaucratic snags, opposition from local groups and persistent run-ins with farmers in a largely-agrarian and water-deprived country have forced the company to hit the brakes on some of its ambitious projects.
Last year, Coca-Cola shelved plans for a proposed 5 billion rupee ($73 million) plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu because of fierce opposition from farmers who feared the factory would erode groundwater levels and pollute neighboring water bodies.
Coca-Cola said it dropped that project because of local activism and, in part, because government approvals, such as for those to lay a water line and pave land, weren’t granted “in spite of repeated follow-ups.”
In 2014, the company dropped plans for a new bottling line at an existing facility in the northern city of Uttar Pradesh after authorities denied permission amid local protests. Coca-Cola also shut a plant in the southern state of Kerala in 2004 over allegations the factory drained and polluted local water supplies. The company denied any wrongdoing at the time. | {
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"Never Easy" is a perfect example of a true Custom Carolina boat built for comfort and travel. 1200 gallons of fuel, water maker, new electronics including VHFs, Garmin 8212, 6' open array HD radar, Fusion stereo, and a spacious yacht interior make her an ideal traveling sportfisherman.
Accommodations
Number of single berths: 2
Number of double berths: 1
Number of heads: 2
Outside Equipment/Extras
Electric windlass
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Bridge
Scopinich helm chairs (2)
Furuno Nav Net 3D (2)
Northstar 6000i
Northstar 951
Standard VHF
SEA 156 VHF
Pioneer stereo with ipod connection
Simrad AP26 autopilot
FCI watermaker control
12 volt accessory outlet
US-9 electric teaser reels (2)
forward wrap around seating
starboard bench seating
Cockpit
Scopinich 130 lb. fighting chair with rocket launcher
rocket launcher has stanchion for pedestal mount
stbd side ice dump for Eskimo ice machine
tackle center with teak drawers
bait prep area in tackle center
cockpit bait freezer
fresh and raw water washdown
hard line for dockside water
50 amp shore power
Salon
42" LCD TV with pop up actuator at salon bulkhead window
panel tronics 110/12/24 volt electrical panel
entertainment center with surround sound
leather wrap-around sofa to port with storage
teak coffee table with storage
sub zero refrigerator/ freezer - 2 of each
convection microwave
2 burner cooktop
galley sink with disposal
stbd seating with table
Companionway
immediately to stbd is a day head with shower
to port is the master with queen bed, flat panel TV, and private full head
fwd to stbd is the laundry - washer and dryer combo with plenty of storage | {
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Edinson Cavani - Wiki Article
Edinson Roberto Cavani Gómez (Spanish pronunciation: ; born 14 February 1987) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Paris Saint-Germain and the Uruguayan national team. Cavani is well known for ability to score impressive goals and his tireless work-rate. In 2013, Cavani was listed 13th in The Guardian 's list of "The 100 best footballers in the world".
Cavani began his career playing for Danubio in Montevideo, where he played for two years, before moving to Italian side Palermo in 2007. He spent four seasons at the club, scoring 34 goals in 109 league appearance. In 2010, Cavani signed for Napoli, who signed him on an initial loan deal before buying him for a total fee €17 million. In the 2011–12 season, he won his first club honour, the Coppa Italia, in which he was top scorer with five goals. With Napoli, Cavani went on to score 33 goals each in his first two seasons, followed by 38 goals in his third season, where he also finished as Serie A top scorer with 29 league goals. On 16 July 2013, Cavani was transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €64.5 million, making him the most expensive signing in French football history.
Cavani is an Uruguayan international. He scored on his debut against Colombia on 6 February 2008, and has since then earned over 60 caps and scored 22 international goals. He has participated in four major international tournaments: the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2011 Copa América, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He scored once at the 2010 World Cup, to help Uruguay to fourth place in the tournament, and in 2011 was part of the Uruguay squad that won a record 15th Copa América title.
Club career
Palermo
After his breakthrough at the 2007 South American Youth Championship, several big teams were reportedly interested in signing Cavani, including Juventus and Milan. On 29 January 2007, however, Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini announced the signing of the promising Uruguayan. The bid was officially confirmed on 31 January for €4.475 million.
Cavani made his debut on 11 March 2007 in a home league match against Fiorentina, coming on in the 55th minute with his team 0–1 down and scoring an impressive equaliser only 15 minutes later, a goal reminiscent of Marco van Basten's strike in the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship final. In his second season with the Rosanero, Cavani found himself fighting for a first team place with Fabrizio Miccoli and Amauri.
After Amauri's departure to Juventus in June 2008, Cavani cemented his place in the starting lineup, forming a striking partnership with Fabrizio Miccoli and scoring a total 14 goals in the 2008–09 season. He retained his place for the 2009–10 season under new boss Walter Zenga, and also under successor Delio Rossi, being instrumental in the team's successful run in Serie A which took Palermo to European qualification and potential qualification to the UEFA Champions League with two games remaining. In April 2010, he penned a new contract with Palermo valid to June 2014.
Napoli
2010–11
In July 2010, Cavani signed a reported five-year contract with Napoli. The transfer, however, was a loan of €5 million plus an option/obligation to buy outright for €12 million, which made the total fee €17 million. After debuting for Napoli as a substitute in the previous game, Cavani scored twice in his first start, as Napoli beat Elfsborg in the Europa League 2–0 and qualified for the main tournament. He then started his Napoli Serie A in spectacular fashion, scoring a controversial goal on Fiorentina after just seven minutes, with replays showing the ball hardly crossing the line. Cavani also scored on his home debut against Bari before adding a late winner against Sampdoria, meaning he had scored in his first four competitive matches with Napoli. On 26 September 2010, Cavani came on as a late replacement with 30 minutes left in a game against Cesena which Napoli were losing 1–0. After assisting the equalizing goal, he went on to score two more, with the final score 4–1. That meant Cavani shared the lead as top scorer in the league with Samuel Eto'o. Cavani's partnership with fellow forwards Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamšík led the Italian sporting media to dub them "The Three Tenors", after the famous singing group of the same name. On 15 December 2010, Cavani netted a 92nd minute goal against Steaua Bucureşti to help his team to a 1–0 win and progress beyond the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. In the first match, which was held on Romanian soil, he had scored an equalizing goal in the 97th minute. On 9 January 2011, Cavani scored a hat-trick during a 3–0 win over Juventus, the third goal coming by way of a scorpion kick. On 30 January, Cavani scored another hat-trick, this time in a 4–0 win over Sampdoria. Cavani continued his fine form scoring a brace against Roma, with Napoli winning 2–0. On 20 March, Cavani scored another brace against Cagliari in a 2–1 win. This win kept them within three points of leaders Milan with eight games left. On 3 April, Cavani scored yet another hat-trick in a 4–3 comeback win over Lazio, having been 2–0 and 3–2 down during the game. He also became the highest league goalscorer in a single season in Napoli's history, netting 25 goals in Serie A. On 8 May, in an away 2–1 loss against Lecce he received a red card for having two booked offenses. He sarcastically applauded the referee after the decision and was handed a two-match ban for the action. As Napoli only had two more games of the season, it meant that his season was over and that he wouldn't be able to regain his top position in the Serie A scoring charts, as Antonio Di Natale had surpassed him with 26 goals.
Cavani signed a new five-year contract on 19 May, keeping him at Napoli until 2016.
2011–12
On 14 September, Cavani scored the opener in Napoli's first game of their Champions League campaign, a 1–1 away draw at Manchester City. Four days later, on 18 September, he scored a hat-trick against Milan in Napoli's 3–1 home win. On 22 November, Cavani scored both goals in the match winning brace 2–1 at home against Manchester City in the Champions League, leaving Napoli in pole position to follow Bayern Munich into the knockout stage. On 26 November, Cavani scored a 94th minute equaliser against Atalanta after Napoli went a goal down in the 64th minute through on-loan Napoli striker Germán Denis. On 21 December, Cavani netted a brace in Napoli's 6–1 thrashing of Genoa, helping the Azzurri finish 2011 strong and end the first half of the season in sixth place.
On 17 February 2012, Cavani scored two goals against Fiorentina, helping Napoli go in fifth place ahead of Internazionale. On 21 February, Cavani scored the second goal against Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 first leg in Naples. He also provided the assists for both of Ezequiel Lavezzi's goals that game. Napoli subsequently went on to win this game 3–1. Following Napoli's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea, Cavani scored two goals against Udinese in the last ten minutes to earn a much-needed draw to keep Napoli in the hunt for the last Champions League qualifying spot. A few days later, he converted a fantastic counter-attack against Siena to book Napoli a place in the Coppa Italia Final. On 21 April, he celebrated his 200th career league appearance by scoring in a 2–0 win against Novara. Cavani finished the league season with 23 goals, tied for third on the goal scoring charts with Udinese and Italy international striker Antonio Di Natale. On 20 May, he scored a penalty against Juventus in the 2012 Coppa Italia Final, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, which Napoli eventually won 2–0, Cavani finished the tournament as the top goalscorer with five goals.
2012–13
Cavani's first goal of the Serie A season came on 26 August, netting the final goal of Napoli's 3–0 defeat of former club Palermo. A month later, on 26 September, Cavani scored a mesmerizing hat-trick against Lazio to maintain Napoli's undefeated start to the Serie A season in a 3–0 win.
On 8 November, Cavani scored all four goals, including a half volley from outside the box and a tremendous free kick, as Napoli came back from 2–1 down to defeat Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 4–2 in the group stage of the Europa League. Cavani scored a late penalty in the 94th minute to secure a 2–1 victory over AIK Solna on 22 November, sending Napoli through to the next round of the Europa League. On 6 January 2013, Cavani netted a perfect hat-trick as Napoli thumped Roma 4–1, gaining ground in the race for the league title as champions Juventus fell to a shock win. Cavani finished the season as leading Serie A goalscorer, with 29 goals, six ahead of Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale in 2nd.
Towards the end of the season, reports emerged that Cavani would leave Napoli, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid all believed to be interested. However, on 27 May 2013, he told that he was not thinking of moving, saying: "Real Madrid, Chelsea and (Manchester) City are interested in me? I just think about Napoli.". Though he continued to say: "If an important offer were to come in, I will talk with president (Aurelio) De Laurentiis." He paid tribute to his time in Italy saying: "I'm fine in Italy, I have grown as a man there and as a player with the Serie A experience." Cavani was asked about the interest of Chelsea and Manchester City in him, he said: "I don't know if they made an offer for me, I just know that to be coached by someone like (Man City manager) Manuel Pellegrini or (Chelsea manager) Jose Mourinho would always be a pleasure. On 23 June 2013, Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentis revealed that Cavani's reported £53 million "buyout clause expires" on 10 August 2013, although he went on to say that he doesn't "think Cavani will leave on August 10th" as he felt Cavani "won't make a joke of" him.
Paris Saint-Germain
On 16 July 2013, Cavani joined French champions Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year contract, for a fee believed to be around €64.5 million, making it the sixth largest transfer in history. The reported sum made Cavani the record signing in French football, breaking Radamel Falcao's €60 million move to AS Monaco earlier in the summer, and saw him link up with former Napoli teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi in Paris.
Cavani debuted for PSG on 9 August 2013, coming on as 72nd minute substitute in a league match against Montpellier. He started the following game on 18 August and scored his first goal for the club, a late equalizer against AC Ajaccio.
He scored his first Champions League goal for the club in their season opener against Olympiacos on 17 September. He ended the group stage with four goals from five matches as PSG qualified with a 100% win record.
On 22 January 2014, Cavani scored his 20th goal of the season in PSG's 2–1 Coupe de France defeat at home to Montpellier. On 2 March, after missing a month of the season with a thigh injury, Cavani scored on his return to the team in a 2–0 win over Le Classique rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes.
On 19 April 2014, he scored both goals for PSG as they beat Olympique Lyonnais 2–1 in the 2014 Coupe de la Ligue Final. He finished his first season with 25 goals in 43 games across all competitions, including 16 in 30 league games.
International career
In January 2007, Cavani was selected to join the Uruguay under-20s team to play in the 2007 South American Youth Championship in Paraguay. Cavani finished the tournament as top scorer with seven goals in nine games, helping Uruguay to finish in third place, earning them a place in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
On 6 February 2008, Cavani made his first senior appearance for the Uruguay national team, scoring in a 2–2 draw with Colombia. He scored from his own area on the counterattack from a corner and was praised by André Villas-Boas as "... a player with an immense capacity for the technical ability of scoring goals of tremendous skill and magnificent technique". On 10 July 2010, he scored against Germany in the third place match in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to make the score 1–1; Germany went on to win 3–2. On 8 October 2010, he scored his first international hat-trick in a friendly match against Indonesia.
Cavani was included in the Uruguayan squad at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina. He started the first two group games, but a knee injury in the second game against Chile ruled him out until the final. In the final, he replaced Álvaro Pereira after 63 minutes as Uruguay won a record 15th title by beating Paraguay 3–0.
At the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Cavani equalised in the semi-final against the hosts Brazil, who eventually won 2–1. In the match for third place, he equalised twice against Italy, taking the game to penalties. Although Cavani scored his spot kick, Uruguay lost.
On 13 November 2013 Cavani scored the last goal in Uruguay's 5–0 away win over Jordan in a play-off for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In their first group game of the finals, against Costa Rica in Fortaleza, Cavani opened the scoring with a penalty after Diego Lugano had been pulled down. Uruguay eventually lost 3–1.
Personal life
Cavani was born in Salto, Uruguay's second largest city, on 14 February 1987, to Berta Gómez and Luis Cavani. His elder brother is striker Walter Guglielmone and his younger brother, Christian, is also a footballer. Cavani was married to Maria Soledad Cabris with whom he has two sons, Bautista (born 22 March 2011) and Lucas (born 8 March 2013) He is a devout Evangelical Christian. As a child, Cavani idolised Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta. In 2014 Cavani announced that he and his wife are to get a divorce, following a split between the two the year before. | {
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Zoellner, rape suspect, faces sentencing todayKodiak resident Robert Zoellner Jr., who pleaded guilty in January to coercion and attempted assault in the first degree after being accused of rape, will be sentenced today. Zoellner, 34, faces up to 15 years in prison on the two charges, with six years suspended and seven years probation. Zoellner has a history of sexual abuse and is listed on the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s sex offender registry. He wa...
Bears erase 2-0 deficit for inaugural soccer winJose Cortez sprang into the air with a what-just-happened look on his face. Seconds later he was in the middle of a celebration, soaking up the moment with his Kodiak High School boys soccer teammates. Cortez scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Kodiak’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Nikiski in a Northern Lights Conference match on Saturday at Joe Floyd Track and Field. It wasn’t your normal run-of-...
It’s time to take ‘stalk’ of your rhubarbIt was a few Aprils ago: As the Portland-Seattle “Cascades” train rounded a gentle turn between Puyallup and Tacoma, it clicked along the tracks like fingernails strumming a comb. The view through the windows clicked by too, like movie frames: men clustered in tight groups outside warehouses, talking, smoking; dogs running along fenced back yards; swing sets, apple trees dressed in pink blooms, clothes hanging fro...
Fish Factor: Hatcheries add to catch throughout state Each year more than one-third of all the salmon caught in Alaska begin their lives in a hatchery. There are 31 hatchery facilities in Alaska: 15 privately owned, 11 state owned, two federal research facilities, one tribal hatchery at Metlakatla, and two state-owned sport fish hatcheries. Alaska’s hatchery program is very different from fish farming, where salmon are crammed tightly into net pens until they’re read...
KHS girls fall to Nikiski in conference matchAfter topping Kodiak 3-1 in Saturday’s Northern Lights Conference match, Nikiski’s girls soccer coach Troy Zimmerman walked away impressed with the Bears’ first-year program. “They put on a great game,” Zimmerman said. “To come out and only drop a match 3-1, that is competing, so hats off to the Kodiak girls. They really stepped it up and really played a full two halves of soccer.” Kodiak dropped to 0-2 in the NLC...
Coombs, Beltran net first KHS soccer goalsAbi Coombs and Daniel Beltran are now an answer to a trivia question. The two scored the first goals in the history of Kodiak High School’s varsity soccer program in Friday matches against Nikiski at Joe Floyd Track and Field. Coombs delivered the girls first goal in the 50th minute, while Beltran’s goal came in the sixth minute of the boys contest. Since the girls game was played first, Coombs gets credited for t...
Fundraiser benefits McCarthy brothersOn good days, James McCarthy spends time hitting golf balls at an Anchorage driving range. Despite battling pancreatic cancer, he still has his picturesque swing that guides the club to the ball — the same swing that helped him capture Kodiak Island Golf Championship titles in 2008 and 2009. McCarthy — arguably the best golfer the island has produced — is now fighting for his life against one of the deadliest form...
Bullying, body image and the afterlifeThe Kodiak High School drama club’s spring performances are a more serious matter this year with two plays that focus on bullying and body image and looking back over life decisions. “Tracks” has a group of people that just died waiting for the subway to arrive to take them to either heaven or hell as they discuss their life and try to figure out where they are going. “I don’t really want people to look at it as a...
Leisnoi prepping to log Chiniak Lake and LagoonAdding insult to environmental injury to the unique Chiniak Sitka Spruce forest, A-1 Timber Consultants (A-1), according to my information, is doing preparatory work for clear-cut logging around Chiniak Lake and Lagoon, a special place due to landlocked silver salmon and long beach from which whales can sometimes be observed from World War II fortifications. Leisnoi Corporation has apparently chosen not to seek ot...
Isle Bells to ring in spring with world premiereKodiak’s hand bell choir will be ringing in the spring season on Sunday with the world premiere of a piece of music composed just for them plus a mixture of old and new favorites. Isle Bells brand new piece, “Kodiak,” gives the choir a chance to work with a composer and learn new ways of playing their instruments, said Ella Saltonstall, Isle Bells’ artistic director. “Getting to work with the composer as we learne... | {
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U.N. Security Council calls for Gaza cease-fire
The Associated Press
Published: July 28, 2014
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council called for “an immediate and unconditional humanitarian cease-fire” in the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas at an emergency meeting just after midnight Monday morning.
The council met as Muslims started celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The pressure for a cease-fire followed new attacks launched by Israel and Hamas on Sunday despite going back and forth over proposals for another temporary halt to nearly three weeks of fighting.
A 12-hour lull Saturday, agreed to by both sides following intense U.S. and United Nations mediation efforts, could not be sustained.
The Security Council urged Israel and Hamas “to accept and fully implement the humanitarian cease-fire into the Eid period and beyond.” It said this would allow for the delivery of urgently needed assistance.
The presidential statement also called on the parties “to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected cease-fire, based on the Egyptian initiative.”
Rwanda, the current council president, announced agreement on the statement Sunday night and called the immediate emergency meeting to approve it. The statement was drafted by Jordan, the Arab representative on the U.N.’s most powerful body.
Presidential statements become part of the council’s official record and must be approved at a council meeting. They are a step below Security Council resolutions, but unlike resolutions they require approval of all 15 members.
The statement never names either Israel or Hamas. Instead, it expresses “grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties.”
The 20-day war has killed more than 1,030 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel has lost 43 soldiers, as well as two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker killed by rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza, according to the Israeli military.
The statement calls for “full respect” for international humanitarian law and reiterates “the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and their protection.”
The statement also commends efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to achieve a cease-fire. Ban is scheduled to address U.N. correspondents on Monday morning on his mission.
In the longer term, the statement urges the parties and the international community to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace “with secure and recognized borders.”
tbo (Tampa Bay Online) provides local news and information for Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and communities throughout Tampa Bay. Originally published by The Tampa Tribune, tbo is now among the portfolio of brands powered by the Tampa Bay Times. | {
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An ugly jobs report
By
Ezra Klein
The November jobs report is ugly. Last month, the jobs report showed the economy added 150,000 jobs, sparking hopes that recovery was underway. And the recent economic data had been good: Black Friday saw a lot of shoppers, and initial unemployment claims had been going down. The expectation was that November's report would be yet another piece of good news.
It isn't. The economy created 39,000 jobs in November -- about 160,000 fewer than it'd need to begin cutting into unemployment, and about 100,000 less than it'd need to just keep up with population growth. Speaking of unemployment, the unemployment rate edged up to 9.8 percent.
It's not that these numbers are catastrophic: They're worse than October but better than September. They're just evidence that the labor market's recovery hasn't taken hold yet -- and that is catastrophic. This likely explains why the Federal Reserve is agitating for not just quantitative easing, which it can simply do on its own, but more fiscal stimulus, which Congress would need to approve.
If there's any good news in the report, it's the revisions. "The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for September was revised from -41,000 to -24,000, and the change for October was revised from +151,000 to +172,000." That is to say, the September and October reports undercounted by about 40,000 jobs. That's cold comfort, though.
More reasons to cut taxes on millionaires (the middle class tax cuts are just a waste of money), cut jobless benefits, cut social security, cut healthcare and cut the deficit. How else will our economy recover? Isn't this why we elected republicans?
Yeah and when those 160,000 sweater folder jobs at Macy's disappear in January the news will be even better. Better still is when the government lays off all those workers we can't afford because we need to give tax breaks to the billionaires. And New York City alone plans to lay off 10,000 city workers. I imagine the story will be the same everywhere else.
Corporate America will continue to grow fat off the sales in India. The problem is, their cost of living is very low so the prices can't be that high.
Attention Christmas Shoppers. You are aiding and abetting the enemy. Those of you outside New York should realize you have more to fear from Corporate America than you do from any terrorist. So stop buying their stuff (especially if it is made overseas)
It's actually nothing but good news if you're an investor. The market is down only about 1/10 of one percent right now, although it will trade in big swings today.
This pretty much guarantees that all the tax cuts will be extended. It all guarantees that QE2 will reach the full 600 billion, and opens the door to the possibility of a QE3. That's why the 10 year has dropped this morning, although nowhere near Ezra mistakenly thought it was. LOL
The End of The American Way? I live in the extremely depressed city of Grand Rapids Michigan. With more and more people falling off the unemployment rolls without finding work what is the real unemployment rate 23%-more? The ones that have a job like me rarely make a living wage, try raising four children on $7.40 an hour and I'm lucky! The thing is what is going to happen to our society? The gap between the rich and poor has never been wider at least in my 51 years, heck I thought I would get health insurance. Obamaism certainly has not helped at all and now everyone knows it. I read a couple of articles in the http://www.grandrapids-businessreview.com recently addressing this issue, written by the always insightful artdeco. You may want to read them. His bottom line though is that we people who live below the poverty level will have to come together to start our own society together. If Obama sees to let something trickle down to us fine but we certainly can't expect change or help. His message is American in that we the poor need more self reliance more than ever and waiting for government help that will never come is foolish and UN-American.
A fundamental piece of the solution is understanding the 900 lb gorilla that resides in Washington--corporate America's reliance on communist China's cheap labor for profits. Unfortunately our Washington represenatives--Republican and Democrat both--have no concern with what our trade policies with China are doing to the American people and this Nation. They ignore the problem because they profit either financially or politically every time an American loses his job or a little factory or shop closes down and heads off to China. Yeah, it's really easy to dislike Washington.
Oh, one ominous note in all this. If you in any way depend on a fixed income for the next 5 years or so and are unable to raise that level, you might have a problem. Ag commodity prices are rising again today, and oil is only stagnant, not dropping. The Euro has risen a bit, meaning the dollar is down. All of the above means that inflation will be heavily dug in before the "core inflation" numbers ever reflect it.
The only way to get this country back on it's feet is to first extend ALL the Bush tax cuts, encourage businesses to hire via tax credits and deregulation and start boycotting companies like GE, etc., who have outsourced American jobs overseas...ie., BUY AMERICAN MADE whenever possible! If I have to discard one more useless, broken product th/ bears the insignia 'Made in China'...!!!
And this crooked, self serving congress and so called government ofours just keeps right on funnelling billions of our dollars to afghanistan so it can be stolen by karzi and his entire crooked cabinet, all the while knowing that they are doing this.
So why is our government continuing to ship palates of cash to afghanistan so karzi can steal it from us and ship it out of the country?
What is up with that?
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot, this government would rather be involved in foreign countries affairs where it can continue to murder people over there rather than spend the money here at home.
tally up what the epa and state enviro-wackjobs cost business to operate in the usa and apply that cost to all imports from country's that don't have to deal with the religion of paganism, the worship of the little animals,the birds ,the trees and mother earth. wal=mart will be gone.
Send ALL illegal aliens home! No excuses, No exceptions. Stop issuing new and renewal "Temporary" work visas until the unemployment rate is less than 5%.
@FromHerndon
Hello!?! Don't you think that if we could have domestic workers who could actually fill these hi-tech or labor intensive jobs, we would do so? The fact is that the U.S. is not graduating enough engineers to fill the roles needed to keep the economy going. Stop allowing your kids to major in these useless majors, hoping to get a job in THIS economy. Coupled with the fact that we've become fat and happy with accepting unemployment checks rather than going out and picking strawberries that "illegal" immigrants are willing to do.
Novembers numbers are out, and no surprise to me, unemployment went up!
Why no surprise? Because, for the past 6 months our government has been hiding the truth per order of Democrats in control - namely the White House. June through October we have good numbers then what happens? The election happens, and in spite of the false numbers Democrats get beaten to a pulp. No more need for false numbers come November! So why so shocked that the numbers are bad today?
MSNBC is shivering with fear as I speak. Chuck Todd has shivers down his leg.
I don't follow ag commodities too closely, but the last time I looked eggs & cotton were up - up to levels slightly below that of 2008. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me. I think this is the primary reason they are excluded from the CPI. They are just too volatile and don't reflect general inflationary trends. Also, I have definitely NOT noticed any increases in prices at the grocery store this year. For a family of four, I budget $175 / week for groceries, but since late this summer we've been coming in pretty regularly at $130-150 per week (depending upon whether it is a diaper week or not!).
jjrocket13- Did you even read the post? The numbers for September and October were revised upwards in this report. So it sounds like they low-balled the numbers over the summer and into the fall. But, the fact have a well-known liberal bias.
It is a pretty ugly jobs report, and I think Mr. Obama's 'new normal' comment earlier this year is probably a glimpse into the real state of the current economy. The economy since the 1980s has been growing enormously and largely based on the growth of underlying assets, most notably housing. Corporate notes and stocks rose, giving companies the ability to borrow too. Credit card debt became the norm, home equity credit also boomed. The result was so much "fake" money running around in the economy that it pumped up the value of everything. As people borrowed more, they bought more, which required more jobs, and kept the economy at 5% unemployment. In fact, when the economy began to take a dip in Bush's first term, he used every Executive Branch tool in the book to keep it humming: low taxes, low interest rates, and increased government spending/borrowing. We've been on borrowed time, Bush didn't address it, he just made it worse to save a second term.
So when a lot of those assets went bust (most famously, housing, along with stocks and corporate debt) bank's credit froze as they no longer have sufficient capital to loan. the economy shrank dramatically. There is significantly less money in the system today than there has been in the past. It's equivalent to having 5 credit cards before and now only having one.
When bubbles happen, they often happen with commodities: food, oil, tulips, etc. They drive the price up and it eventually goes bust as new people get in on the game and there's excess supply, and we finally get cheap food, oil, tulips, etc. But in this case, the bubble was and stin perceived value: the value of their house, or the value of their company. Banks allowed credit to be borrowed against that value, compounding the problem. When housing goes bust, or the stock markets recede, we're left with nothing but hobbling debt that will take years to unload. This is going to be the new normal for some time, until we can begin producing again to the point where housing, stocks, etc can re-inflate naturally (not just on paper) to the point where we were in 2005-2007.
The economy can barely create jobs, and those it creates go to foreign-born workers:
"In the year following the official end of the Great Recession in June 2009,1 foreign-born workers gained 656,000 jobs while native-born workers lost 1.2 million, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Labor data by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center.2
As a result, the unemployment rate for immigrant workers fell 0.6 percentage points during this period (from 9.3% to 8.7%), while for native-born workers it rose 0.5 percentage points (from 9.2% to 9.7%)."
Very good observation. The retailers and wholesalers have been eating the increased commodity costs. Your numbers are unfortunately incorrect though. Cotton was at literally it's all time recorded high last month.
These price increases cannot be hidden forever though so a few analysts have already started to revise their 2011 numbers downward for companies like Kelloggs and General Mills, more will follow in the new year. You are no doubt already seeing somewhere around $3.00 at the pump for gas.
That core inflation vs. real inflations debate is not about you or me. We are left toally out of the equation. The reason for the difference is that so many automatic changes in governmnet spending levels are keyed to these numbers. So yes, it makes eminent sense for the government to use core inflation, but no it doesn't in any way reflect what you will be paying in your ordinary life.
For instance the RBOB numbers for gasoline have risen 20-25% this year alone, all the while the Fed is worrying publicly about inflation.
Let' see now; real UM @~18% and the Dems priority is to give amnesty to millions of illegals and NOT seal the border and NOT deport illegals already here. BRILLIANT!
So, libs, does UM need to reach 25%, 35%, higher? If the Dim majority party doesn't get its act together, 2012 will see Obie and the rest being physically run out D.C. by citizens. The ONLY thing that matters are RESULTS, not talk. So far, you can see the results in how many citizens can't find work. Period.
Last I checked the minimum wage was $7.25/hour. What's stopping you from accepting that wage, which is hardly a living wage. If anything, we need to raise the minimum wage to ensure a decent standard of living for all workers. Just because there's fewer jobs available doesn't mean we should offer slave wages. People would be working but our standard of living and quality of life would be greatly diminished. Do you really aspire to the standards of living for this country that's found in developing nations?
Posted by: markf40: "If anything, we need to raise the minimum wage to ensure a decent standard of living for all workers."
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BRILLIANT! OBVIOUSLY you have never created a successful company that employs people. Mandate more expense for a business and hiring goes DOWN. To get your Lib card, do you have to prove an IQ<70? Apparently...
Johnkwhite: Gorillas very rarely reach 500 pounds in the wild, so your theory about corporate America, China and the 900 gorilla in the room can be dismissed.
Here's my theory on how to address unemployment. Make it cheaper and easier for companies to hire employees, ones they want. This is done through reducing business taxes, trimming regulatory requirements related to health care and numberless other matters, and rationalizing liability laws that make (non-productive) plaintiffs lawyers rich but impose heavy insurance burdens on business.
It's grimly amusing to watch the professional commentators at times like this. Come on, Klein, are you actually surprised, or are you just pretending to be? No one other than people like you has pretended to be fooled by the "recovery" talk.
Oh, and in about six weeks, you'll be hyperventilating about the statistical roundup that'll show the Christmas retail picture didn't even remotely match the hype that we are currently being fed.
Honest to God, I really think you people are being paid to go through the motions. It's one of the hallmarks of banana republics and collapsing empires.
I run my own business and work for the wage that I feel is sufficient to meet my and my family's needs. And no, I don't have a "Lib card" (do you have a "Con card"?), I don't believe that intelligence is quantifiable, and I certainly don't want to see my fellow countrymen and women having to work long and hard and still struggle to put food on the table.
Posted by: 54465446: "Ironically enough illegal immigration benefits Republican business interests as much as it benefits Democratic voting interests."
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Ironicaly enough, AZ Repub leg created a law that imposes civil & crim penalties against businesses employing illegals. Lib groups AND the Obie Admin have joined together to tie it up in the courts.
Like I said, ACTION not words. At the moment, Repubs are ACTING to fix, Obie & the Dims, ACTING to keep it broken. Objective evidence. 2012, Obama will be retiring.
Posted by: markf4: "I don't believe that intelligence is quantifiable, and I certainly don't want to see my fellow countrymen and women having to work long and hard and still struggle to put food on the table."
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If you REALLY want people to able to put food on the table, you wouldn't espouse policies that KILL jobs. Ergo, you are either lying or, you are foolish. Reality.
We are in a recovery. Little noticed in all the hype about the jobs report was the report an hour later that the service sector of the economy grew for the 11th straight month even while manufacturing orders fell.
We are looking at the wrong metric if we expect to see anything but service jobs growing. We are a service oriented economy now. I accept that and plan accordingly while others worry about manufacturing jobs that aren't coming back.
The jobs report is just another piece of evidence that our employment problems are the result of a long term trend rather than some kind of exceptional accident. The history of the different components of the non farms payroll make that reality clear to anyone who actually is ready to accept objective reality. The depth of our problem is illustrated by the continued fantasy that Federal Reserve monetary policies can make some kind of constructive contribution to its solution. That fantasy is simply a denial of the objective reality of the last decade. During that decade Federal Reserve attempts to stimulate the economy have only made the long term problem worse. The current extreme Federal Reserve policy will not have any better results. There is some potential for intelligent government fiscal policy to have more positive results. The path to success is through policies that could help define the shape of America's twenty first century economy. A clearer vision of that shape could potentially help guide the various investments that will be needed by businesses and workers to participate productively in that economy. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is no consensus of any kind about a sustainable shape for America's economic future. Even if the will was available for political action, there is nothing close to an established vision of what it should be. So we continue to rely on the Federal Reserve's policies with their track record of proven failure. There is also the other reality that people generally want to deny. That is the pile of economic wreckage from past Federal Reserve failures that we still have to clean up. Conflicts over how to clean up that wreckage are going to continue to suck up much of our political energy for several years to come.
"I run my own business and work for the wage that I feel is sufficient to meet my and my family's needs. And no, I don't have a "Lib card" (do you have a "Con card"?), I don't believe that intelligence is quantifiable, and I certainly don't want to see my fellow countrymen and women having to work long and hard and still struggle to put food on the table."
What's the goal here, to price these people out of jobs?
They will still struggle to put food on the table with Unemployment Insurance and SNAP, but at least they won't be working hard. Some other sap will have to pick up the tab on their behalf.
Let's face it - we have become the Corporate States of America. NO ONE can dispute the facts - the gap betwee rich and poor is growing at an alarming rtae and corporations are sitting on TRILLIONS of dollars of profits. Meanwhile, any solid middle-class jobs have gone overseas and many (myslef included) who used to have good salaries, benefits etc are now chronically under-employed making at or barely above minimum wage with no benefits.
Don't give us this BS about how the wealthy need tax cuts to keep us underlings employed -- none of them will be running out to hire us == they'll just keep saving more.
It's a disgrace - and I cannot believe that there is not a mass uprising.
Sounds like 12thgenamerican would prefer to breathe the polluted air found in the likes of Beijing. You know that China had to put restrictions on driving before and during the Olympics, right? Maybe 12thgenamerican's kids would prefer to play with the lead-painted toys from there, too?
Suggesting that the US should aspire to get rid of our environmental quality (such as it is) is absurd and irrelevant. Don't think you can trade economic health for environmental health.
Roytex, Johnkwhite may or may not be correct in his analysis, but I would hope you realize that he is not really talking about a real 900 lb gorilla. "900 lb gorilla in the room" is an "old" expression which even has same titled web-sites.
Yes it's true that if a business's expense (i.e. wages) goes up w/o revenue going up at the same time then costs (i.e. jobs) will be cut.
At the same time when you look at the economy as a whole with the top 1% earners getting 24% of the income you know the economy is getting out of balance big time. And if this vast income does not get recycled thru either consumption or new investment but thru hoarding or bidding up financial assets (bubbles) then macro demand will drop, dragging down macro supply (jobs).
The only thing that has kept the economy from getting totally out of kilter has been massive government spending so far, spending apparently financed in large part by borrowing the income unspent by the top earners.
So there is an argument to be made for raising the income of the lower brackets. How you do it is the six trillion dollar question...
Patriotism aside for the moment, why would any American business want to bring jobs back home? You have a liberal Senate targeting higher taxes for those who generally generate the wealth for everyone else. You have a President who wants to impose increased costs for medical coverage. The same president who sees nothing wrong with increasing trade agreements with countries that put us at a disadvantage. You have a deficit panel that wants to add even more costs. You have a congress that won't cut its own spending and insists on higher taxes for American business to pay for their spending habit. The list goes on and on. The real surprise is that any jobs were added at all. When's the last time you actually went shopping? And how many store clerks were there to assist you? And America is now in the service industry. You can only circulate a dollar for so long before it's worthless.
It is more than unfortunate that we didn't have an unemployment commission rather than a deficit commission. But here's a thought: If lower taxes on the wealthy create jobs, give tax breaks to those who actually hire instead of everyone above $250,000 (or $1 million--I don't care). Test the theory, put your $ where your mouth is.
70% of American jobs are now made by small business owners. As a business owner when you don't know what your tax rate will be in 2011 you can't do any hiring. Until the tax rate issue is settled and business owners can assess their tax rates and then assess how many new jobs they can afford to create that chart will continue to show declines.
It is more than unfortunate that we didn't have an unemployment commission rather than a deficit commission. But here's a thought: If lower taxes on the wealthy create jobs, give tax breaks to those who actually hire instead of everyone above $250,000 (or $1 million--I don't care). Test the theory, put your $ where your mouth is.
Posted by: 54465446" "It's a beautiful day. Oil is up, gold is up ag is up, and the market as whole didn't tank on the jobs report. We can save illegals for another day, can't we?"
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I see that you noticed but didn't recognize the impending inflation. Sorry but, with ~18% UM, illegals are integral to the problem of both UM and state debt & crime.
With the Dims in congress concentrating on amnesty for law breakers rather than the econ it can't be ignored.
The fact that this country would rather throw billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars at Iraq and Afghnistan, when history tells us it will all be for naught but at the same time refuses to help the unemployed says an awful lot about the crooks in Congress (both Republican and Democrats) that run this country. We, the taxpayers, bailed out banks, hedge funds, McDonalds, Harley-Davidson, etc.,. They turned around and gave themselves bonuses and shipped jobs overseas. Now we are going to reward the same folk with bigger tax breaks because that will create more jobs just like that same approach was suppposed to do during the Bush era but somehow failed. The vast majority (98%) of Americans are being duped and have been ripped off by Congress for a long time. So, if we're heading down this path then the federal government should stop giving any taxpayer dollars to individual states for spending on health, education, agriculture, and transportation. That should be there own problem to deal with. That means that Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and all the other bottom feeding states that rely on taxes from other states to survive should take care of themselves.
Welcome to the global economy, eh? Sales are up but employment is down. Meaning robust sales arise from items manufactured abroad. This pretty scary because consumer spending looks to be disconnected from employment.
I guess our only alternative is to be playing the stock market as our source of income.
Posted by: barrylarryandtimmy : "At the same time when you look at the economy as a whole with the top 1% earners getting 24% of the income you know the economy is getting out of balance big time."
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If you REALLY want to fix the parasitic situation you have to name it 1st. Frac Reserver banking, The Fed and having private banks involved with the money supply. Get rid of that and the parasite problem is gone. BTW, in case anyone didn't know, the "housing/derivative crisis" would NOT have been possible without those systems I mention above. Alas, only two people in congress see this or aren't too corrupt yet to mention it;
Kucinich & Paul
Glad to know that Obama is off to Afganistan like anybody cares anymore while the Republicans are obsessed with how much richer they can make the already rich while they scheme and plot to make that happen.
I just went shopping at Macy's last night and they had 50% off sales PLUS another 25% off coupon on some items I bought. They also didn't have the usual Macy's shopping bags with handles that I always get each year but just the little plastic ones. Hard to believe sales are actually good if they are going to those extremes.
As of 2008 the U.S. ranked 31st worldwide in net migration rate, with 2.92 migrants per 1,000 population. Immigration rates from Central America to the U.S. have been steadily dropping since 2000, owing to our poorer economy. Why begrudge a person seeking a better life? All of our ancestors sought that when they came here. My ancestors came to these shores from between 1620 and 1900 or so, and I'm thankful that they were welcomed rather than scorned. I'm sure the same could be said for your own ancestors.
SusanMarie2 I just went shopping at Macy's last night and they had 50% off sales PLUS another 25% off coupon on some items I bought. They also didn't have the usual Macy's shopping bags with handles that I always get each year but just the little plastic ones. Hard to believe sales are actually good if they are going to those extremes.
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I would like you to check the labels on everything you bought at Macy's. You will find that most if not all came from a third world country that used sweat shop style labor. There are search engines Google "Made in America" and "Made in USA" and look at the clothing you find on that search engine to purchase. (http://www.americansworking.com/) Then your money will go to keep Americans working. Continuing to buy that cheap Chinese junk from Macy's actually lengthens our own recession. Try it you may find you actually like the quality better when it doesn't fall apart after the third laundering.
If YOU were really interested in creating jobs, you'd want to do something about the wide disparity between the average wage of a CEO and the average wage of the workers from that company. Do you want that gap to be narrowed? Or do you prefer to see a top-heavy economy?
Posted by: markf40: "If YOU were really interested in creating jobs, you'd want to do something about the wide disparity between the average wage of a CEO and the average wage of the workers from that company."
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Irrelevant. Communistic dictatorships telling people what they are or aren't worth doesn't create jobs, they destroy whole economies as any sane person knows by EVERY experiment tried shows. Less gov interference DOES help create jobs.
Yes, it is ugly and you might think that anyone with the brains of a radish would stop outsourcing jobs. But, and the latest Wkilleaks documnts on India and the H1-B visa provide a case study that this newspaper has purposelfully ignored, the Obama White Huse *encourages* the loss of jobs. In 2009, just to use one example, the cable makes clear that the US lost 345,600 hi-tech jobs, but Obama, at the encouraedment of Hillary and Bill Clinton, granted a recor number of H1-B visas, more than 100,000, and a still, as yet claassified, several number thousand L-1 visas. All to one India outsourcing firm, all for MONEY! ---- illegal campian contributions, political favors, a scummy series of exchanges that remind me more of gangs or the Mafia than f government. Th upshot is, though, tat Obama, in just 2009, on just fr the hi-tech sector of the economy, purporsefully caused the loss of more than half a million h1-tech jobs. If you look at the H1-C visa and nursing jobs, you will find similar paaterns. The sad fact is, this President isn't just a crook, he and his Adminstration are alost completely and directly responsibe for the current unemploent mess.
I know! Sales are because of the big-ticket items which don't need shopping bags and which only the wealthy can afford. It affects the numbers a little bit and makes it appear average people are spending more when they are not.
Posted by: markf40 "Why begrudge a person seeking a better life?"
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Make you a deal. Put your money where your mouth is. Illegals cost states BILLIONS every year. YOU get together with everyone who wants them and YOU guys pay the states for the cost so it doesn't come out our pocket. Also, in SoCal >80% of murder warrants are for illegals. If the illegal perp can't be caught, one of YOU take his place in jail AND pay monetary recompense to the victim. Deal? Otherwise, quit being a hypocrite...
I'm getting sick of all these brainwashed Republicans and their "cut taxes on small business; small business this and small business that." They don't realize that some businesses with 1500 employees and $35 million receipts are considered small businesses.
If the government wanted to wipe out our national debt all it would have to do is tax audit every saintly small business. The resulting back taxes and penalties would wipe out the debt because small business people are major league tax cheaters. I know, small business accounting was my business and I lost a lot of business because I refused to allow gratuitous cheating.
Businesses hire people when the cost of the additional employee is less than the income he will produce, i.e. produce net profit. This Republican B.S. about increasing millionaire tax rates by four percent will wipe out jobs is insulting to anyone with a brain half the size of a cold blooded reptile. So some millionaire is not going to hire anyone because instead of making a $thousand profit he will make only $960? Give me a break.
If the Bush rates are so critical to job creation, why aren't millions of jobs being produced today under the current tax rates?
Strange rant given the fact that conservative business-types have been raking Obama over the coals for DECREASING the number of H1-B visas granted. In their world, he is hurting the American economy by forcing all of the high-tech jobs overseas.
The simple truth is that the talent pool in this country goes into being doctors, lawyers, and financial schemers. That's where the money, power, influence, and fancy cars are at. Who wants to learn differential equations when you can learn derivatives and make much more money?
Democrats don't want to "raise" taxes as so many commenter complain, they simply want to restore them to the viable level they were at last time we really prospered and added jobs. That should be a no-brainer. If Bush's tax-cuts were sustainable, they would have made them permanent. As it is, he left a time bomb for the next president. If we keep funneling money to the top via tax cuts, subsidies, no-bid contracts, etc. we will find our way of life unsustainable. An inverted pyramid eventually falls of its own accord. We are losing the education, innovation, and entrepreurership battles, not because were are less capable, but because we coddle the rich and expect the poor to pull themselves up with absolutely no bootstraps. Heck, the bottom tier will be lucky to have shoes if thng continue the way they are.
"I'd be interested in seeing Ezra, Paul Krugman or any of the other New Keynesians respond to Fareed Zakaria's Op-Ed from November:"
I don't think Krugman would disagree with the description of long-term growth fundamentals.
He would probably say that his focus has been on what we should do about short-term food-on-table issues. The GDP growth rate in 2034 is important, but in the midst of a crisis it shouldn't be on the front burner.
This is what two years of a Democratic administration with majorities in the House and Senate have given us. Where are the jobs creation programs, the tax incentives for business to hire new workers, and the other anti-recession programs Democrats have traditionally embraced. They have turned their backs on the middle class, and surrendered any claim they are the party that cares how policy impacts real working people. I read projections by economists that high unemployment is likely to continue for several years. But if there's still 9 percent unemployment in this country in 2112, then Obama and his Democratic collegues are certain to join the jobless on the unemployment lines.
50% of our import deficit is oil imports (and going to grow). The gov't needs to fix that more than anything else. The FED needs to fix that by not printing money. Stable prices is the best way to create jobs, not Wall Street gambling with free money from the FED which makes the poor and middle class suffer while the rich get richer.
Forget Healthcare, forget tax cuts. Energy policy and finding solutions to the energy problem is what will FIX the economy.
"The FED needs to fix that by not printing money. Stable prices is the best way to create jobs, not Wall Street gambling with free money from the FED which makes the poor and middle class suffer while the rich get richer."
The inflation rates and tax rates on the wealthy have both been the lowest they've been in the past 70 years this past decade, and the middle class and poor have suffered in terms of jobs and salaries and the rich have done very well.
Internal inflation tends to benefit the poor and middle class relative to the wealthy, or more specifically, the banks. Which is why we put bankers in charge of controlling inflation. While this tendency is generally weak, with home prices underwater around the country and debt hanging over everyone's head, a good round of inflation would do wonders for everyone. Just not, you know, bankers.
"The FED needs to fix that by not printing money. Stable prices is the best way to create jobs, not Wall Street gambling with free money from the FED which makes the poor and middle class suffer while the rich get richer."
The inflation rates and tax rates on the wealthy have both been the lowest they've been in the past 70 years this past decade, and the middle class and poor have suffered in terms of jobs and salaries and the rich have done very well.
Internal inflation tends to benefit the poor and middle class relative to the wealthy, or more specifically, the banks. Which is why we put bankers in charge of controlling inflation. While this tendency is generally weak, with home prices underwater around the country and debt hanging over everyone's head, a good round of inflation would do wonders for everyone. Just not, you know, bankers.
Do the math. If you tax 1 million people earning $20,000/yr at 10%, the result is $2 billion in revenue, the same amount you would get if you taxed 1,000 people earning $1 million per year at a 20% rate. Those 1,000 people would retain $800,000 in income, not including their investment returns, surely enough to both comfortably live upon and to reinvest in business development. On the other hand, the one million people whose income is now reduced to $18,000 have less spending power and live on the margin, and less of their income goes back into the greater economy. Why are you so ready to consign one million of your fellow Americans to further economic hardship to spare the excess income of the richest of the rich? Do you really think that results in a better society and better living conditions? Or might it be that the resulting social ills are more damaging to your condition than you perceive or are aware of?
The unemployment report reflects the broken banking system that created this monster with the help of the Republican leadership for the past 30 years. Considering the fact that many management were not fired for their role in it and we the taxpayers saved their job so they can get big bonuses for the good job they did.
Geithner's stimulus plan to use the banking sector to power the recovery effort is not working and even James K Galbraith said so himself because they have tightened the credit to point that many business can not get loans to expand their operations thus hire people because politics plays a role in this decision.
What you are seeing with the Republicans doing to Obama is exact game plan they put on Clinton during his two terms..
Inflation does not benefit the poor and middle class. Quite the contrary. They see a lower standard of living and businesses margins are squeezed since they have higher input costs, they were already paying people minimum wage, and their customers have very little disposable income due to the inflation in necessities like gas, electricity, food, and clothing on their backs. Since the FED does not include these figures into CPI, that makes deflation look like a threat since like I said, people have less disposable income.
The country is screwed unless we can create alternative energy jobs that cannot be outsource to wean us off the oil imports that are crushing us.
Wall Street certainly doesn't help but can you blame them when the FED is giving them so much free money and they have no where to put it except in commodities? The FED needs to stop QE2 and raise rates. Commodities would look less attractive while equities would look more attractive (and therefore create jobs).
Obama promised to tackle the trade and has not. It is the trade! All we learn from economists, including Larry Summers, is well "not quite" right. See my reseach done 14 years ago: http://knol.google.com/k/savings-and-growth#
If the free market can't provide jobs, and government stimulus of the free market doesn't work, the only thing left is direct government job creation like FDR's CCC or NRA. People don't really care who signs their paycheck and the first political party who figures this out wins.
The greatest thing of all is that if this economy ever does recover, you are creating a very disgruntled work force who will hate you and do anything to bring you down. Every manager will have a Julian Assange working for them. But they won't know who it is.
And to the posters above. I too have had to toss loads of barely-used merchandise that I unwittingly bought, only to read the label that said "Made in China." I mean, the stuff falls apart almost the minute you get it out of the package.
"The country is screwed unless we can create alternative energy jobs that cannot be outsource to wean us off the oil imports that are crushing us."
This is wrong on just so many levels, let me tackle a couple:
1) as Germany found out, there is no such thing as an alternative energy jobs that can't be outsourced, green jobs are Chinese jobs.
2) Oil imports are not the problem. Oil is a worldwide economy produced for export in about a dozen countries so oil from this country is no cheaper than oil from Canada or Kuwait or anywhere, as long as we are comparing similar types of oil i.e. Brent Crude, West Texas Intermediate etc..
3) the economy is at best based about 5-10% on renewable/alternative energy (yes let's not get into nomenclature for this general discussion) so anything you do to help that portion of the economy really does nothing for the economy in general.
"Inflation does not benefit the poor and middle class. Quite the contrary. They see a lower standard of living and businesses margins are squeezed since they have higher input costs, they were already paying people minimum wage, and their customers have very little disposable income due to the inflation in necessities like gas, electricity, food, and clothing on their backs. Since the FED does not include these figures into CPI, that makes deflation look like a threat since like I said, people have less disposable income."
That's why I specified 'internal inflation'. Obviously when you have an economy that runs on petroleum, imports most of its petroleum, and the price of petroleum goes up globally, the middle class and poor are going to take a kick in the junk (this will push up gas, electricity, and food prices without associated salary increases).
In the context of the fed, this type of inflation is irrelevant, as fed induced inflation devalues currency across the board, increasing salaries and prices in fairly equal measure (though stickiness affects timing). Here, the major effect of inflation is on debts, debt holdings, etc.
markf40, my life depends on trees? ask the estimated three hundred million who have died in africa from mosquito born disease since the crazies outlawed ddt on fraud science. the enviros pretend to have human kind in their best interests. maybe the followers at the bottom do but the ones running the propaganda want people gone off the planet. conservatives get to be the first to go. then the ruling class will pick whose next. no thanks. get rid of the progressives in government.
You can't fight the Fed, so you may as well join them! While everyone else watches the side show in Congress and the President, Bernanke is unquestionably king, not only of the US, but most of the economic world, as we found out this week.
The goal is to narrow the growing gap between the rich and the poor. You can do that without resorting to draconian measures; a fair graduated income tax structure would help (e.g., eliminate the income tax for those under a specified income level--say, $25,000-30,000/yr) and raising the upper limit to, say, 40-45% for those in the upper brackets. The numbers can be tweaked accordingly to eliminate revenue shortfalls.
This is what two years of a Democratic administration with majorities in the House and Senate have given us.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And they've also given us the bizarre spectacle of subsidizing the purchase of $100,000 sports cars (Teslas). Not to mention billions in subsidies to Spanish and other foreign companies to build renewable energy projects.
"Internal inflation tends to benefit the poor and middle class relative to the wealthy, or more specifically, the banks. Which is why we put bankers in charge of controlling inflation. While this tendency is generally weak, with home prices underwater around the country and debt hanging over everyone's head, a good round of inflation would do wonders for everyone. Just not, you know, bankers."
Bankers would be fine.
Either they are managing their interest rate risk so that they would profit from the rising rates inflation would bring, or they are not and will be bailed out by fearful politicians.
If 1933 is any indication, banks will also benefit from lower default rates and reduced loss given default.
From Mar33-Jul33, industrial production soared 57.4% (a 290.3% annualized pace). For comparison, industrial production rose 42.0% under all 8 Clinton years, a 4.5% annual pace. No other 4 month time period before or since has seen anywhere close to this type of surge, not even during WWII.
The likely cause was FDR abandoning the gold standard soon after taking office.
Then, FDR manages to blow it by signing the NIRA in June 1933, which among other disaster raised wages by 20%. From July 1933- December 1933, industrial production falls 18.5%.
I view a surge in NGDP as more important than a surge in inflation (negative supply shock can also raise prices), but the point stands that there is historical precedent for monetary action to sharply accelerate a depressed economy, and that acceleration is at a minimum reduces both defaults and losses on defaults.
12thgenamerican, your life does depend on trees (or more generally, O2 generating plants). That said, provided you aren't a Captain Planet villian planning on destroying all plant life for the fun of it, I don't think there is much to worry about.
But the Vice President said that this past summer was THE summer of recovery with 500,000 jobs created every month. When are you Mr Klein going to report the REAL news that the people you so adamantly support are complete and utter incompetent failures.
"We are in a recovery. Little noticed in all the hype about the jobs report was the report an hour later that the service sector of the economy grew for the 11th straight month even while manufacturing orders fell.
"We are looking at the wrong metric if we expect to see anything but service jobs growing. We are a service oriented economy now. I accept that and plan accordingly while others worry about manufacturing jobs that aren't coming back.
"Hate to be cold, but there it is."
===============
My original posting said nothing about manufacturing. That's an issue of its own only tangentially related to the recovery question.
Yeah, I know that, statistically speaking, the economy allegedly is "growing." But the ground level reality is a disaster. Unemployment in the real world is in the mid-teens nationwide, and higher in some places.
Talk of "recovery" is a joke and an insult to everyone's intelligence, or what's left of it. If the people in the media wonder why hardly anyone believes them about anything, they ought to have a look at their stories about "recovery" and "a strong Christmas shopping season."
Come on, does anyone actually believe that utter sludge? I hope to God that the reporters who write those stories at the very least take a bathroom break to have a good, long vomit.
I'll bite, but bring me something please. Where are the jobs that will break the unemployment logjam? I mean everybody talks about jobs, not just you, but nobody specifies what jobs we are talking about. What industries will be hiring? There's the rub.
My own view, coldy stated, is that this is for the immediate future at least the new normal.
It's an ugly jobs report and the Rethuglican plan is to give tax cuts to millionaires WHO DO NOT CREATE JOBS and cut unemployment benefits to those who spend money benefiting the economy.
Hmmm...wonder what we should be doing? More stimulus that jump started the economy and avoided a full scale depression just 18 months ago or more of the same tax cuts that created the mess we're in currently?
You know what? To HELL with the rich. Americans spent the last three decades idolizing the rich and telling ourselves that, someday, we're going to be one of them. We've also been told that the rich "create jobs." How's that working out for everybody?
Rich people have sold us a lie that they're somehow superior to the rest of us, and now even the poorest Americans tend to agree. Well, I call bulls**t. Rich people hoard their money in bad times and everyone else has to suffer. I say tax them into oblivion and create some jobs for a strong middle class. If the rich are as collectively brilliant as they keep telling us, they'll find a way be rich again. For now, raise taxes on the rich and create a New Deal-style jobs program. I'm tired of this crap. If Obama can't pull it together, he needs to get out of the way and Howard Dean will get the job done. Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin ain't gonna do anything.
Guess what? The corporations that run this country and have bought the politicians, especially the Republican politicians, aren't making the majority of their profits in the US anymore. Our population is 325 million or so. The rest of the world has 6+ billion people. That's were the real money is. Corporations are neither patriotic nor moral. They operate on the bottom line. They will not create jobs or locate factories in this country just because their headquarters are here, not if their markets are elsewhere, they can get the materials they need elsewhere, and the cost of labor is lower elsewhere. Grim, grim, indeed, for the American worker. If we don't start creating new industries here in this country, we will never create the 160,000+ jobs a month needed to be prosperous again. It certainly looks like America is sliding into 2nd rate status at a rapidly accelerating rate. The plutocracy is scrambling to grab as many crumbs as they can before the decline becomes critical. After all, the rich don't worry about living next to an expanding slum, or falling home prices. They can live anywhere. There are many countries that will give them passports, no charge, just for investing in their economies.
I agree with everyone. It is wrong to say we are "in recovery". What we are in today is "reality", not "recovery", and we will be here for a long time. This is our sustainable economy. Learn to love it.
That is, assuming that we don't find another bubble (not a great assumption) or benefit from effective, united leadership from the government (safe assumption).
This marks the abject and complete failure of Obama and all you libs that think Keynesian economics works. Fools. Cut the hell out of taxes and cut the hell out of spending if you want to see results. 2012 cant get here soon enough.
markf40, no freaking kidding? you would have to be in second grade not to know that trees put out oxygen. i was trying to be incredulous. to compare the amount of people who have supposedly been offed by pollution to the number of people who died because ddt was outlawed, let alone the number of people murdered by socialaist regimes in the last hundred years was my intent.but anyone under 30 has no interest in that. saddam set 700 oil well on fire and i remember the nitwits then saying we would have a ''nuclear winter''. get rid of the progressives in the government in 2012.
The Obama administration cannot lie its way out of this one. Obama's smoke and mirror act cannot hide the failure of his administration in creating new jobs. There has been NO stimulus to the economy. The only way we are going to dig out is by Americans doing it in spite of Washington. Stop aiding illegals , don't hire them, don't extend housing or free medical. If Obama wants to stimulate the economy, create a bounty for turning in an illegal. If deported the person turning the illegal gets a tax credit. Hire unemployeed truckers to truck the illegals to the border. Hire unemployeed persons to help patrol the border. Add judges and personel to speed up deportation so it takes 48 hrs of less from time of pickup to deportation. The saving in free services will pay most of the cost for the additional deportation workers.
We need to get rid of that health care bill, which clearly had caused these unexpectedly high unemployment levels. Employers are not hiring because of the added costs they face under this health care legislation, and we need to get rid of this overregulation of business as soon as possible or see joblessness soar. Democrats only want the issue, and they're not at the least interested in the costs of their reckless legislation.
Sorry Mr. Klein this was a left turn. The numbers are the result of left wing Keynesian economic theory put into practice now we are reaping the whirlwind created by the fools who still believe in such utter foolishness.
So much for the top heavy stimulus that primarily funded union jobs to pay back an Obama promise. The Obama administration does not get it but continue to push the idea of taking from those who have and giving to others. With over 40% of the public now not paying Income taxes and the Obama administration continuing to come up with more ideas where that group receive more tax money the numbers will only continue to climb.
and manflap lips gro-bammy and the bolsheviks think there is gonna be a recovery as they raise taxes to cover bailouts in the trillions all over the world funded by the working income producing American taxpayer?
With over 40% of the public now not paying Income taxes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Actually, Topgun, its more like 50 percent. Half the households in this country do not pay income tax. The top 2 percent are bearing the burden.
This Administration thinks that economic recovery will be through the subsidization of blue collar jobs. This ignores the fact that this country is becoming a service economy. Does it really think that a laid-off software engineer is going to get a job in construction?
With over 40% of the public now not paying Income taxes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Actually, Topgun, its more like 50 percent. Half the households in this country do not pay income tax. The top 2 percent are bearing the burden.
This Administration thinks that economic recovery will be through the subsidization of blue collar jobs. This ignores the fact that this country is becoming a service economy. Does it really think that a laid-off software engineer is going to get a job in construction?
====================
Thanks to supply side economics, the top 2% will soon own the whole country anyway.
By having a capital gains tax that is lower than the earned income tax rate, we make it more profitable to gamble with money than to work for money - encouraging investment bubbles, fraud, and vastly increasing the advantage of existing wealth over those working to become wealthy. It takes capital to gamble with capital, and those with it now have around a 20% tax advantage over those without (I am referring to the working middle class not the subsidized poor). This advantage increases geometrically with the amount of capital available. The incomes of very rich rapidly pull away from the merely rich, who slowly pull away from the upper middle class. This effect creates a middle class that now owns less of the countries wealth and in effect becomes larger and considerably poorer. Since this group is the main source of economic consumption, our economy slowly starts to stumble and stagnate.
Is it possible that two/three-income family is having an effect? In adding to the unemployment figures, pushing wasteful consumption (products of convenience but lacking in durability or value) and introducing social realities (raising children) to less efficient channels (government, psychologists, prisons).
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Wednesday, March 8, 2017
A court-appointed lawyer for Chaka Fattah Jr. argues that the federal indictment against him should be dismissed because of an "improper and corrupt" relationship between the lead FBI agent on the case and a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In the 26-page brief filed in the U.S. Third Circuit of Court of Appeals, Brotman claimed that FBI agent Haag agreed to illegally divulge confidential information about the federal grand jury investigation of Fattah to Woodall. In exchange, the reporter supposedly helped the government's case by supplying background information on Fattah's business dealings with the Philadelphia school district.
Brotman contended that the alleged deal between the FBI agent and the reporter had dire consequences for Fattah Jr. -- a blast of embarrassing negative publicity that cost him his job with the school district and made him unemployable.
As a result, Brotman contends, Fattah didn't have money to hire the lawyer of his choice, so he wound up defending himself in court, with disastrous results.
On Tuesday, Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr. showed up in handcuffs and an olive green jumpsuit to personally argue his appeal before a three-judge panel from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. According to the Inquirer, Fattah told the panel of judges that "the issue caused by the government created a situation where I no longer could do my job."
"I was fired," Fattah Jr. said, after a story about an early-morning search warrant that targeted his home and office hit the Inquirer. "I was told my services were no longer needed."
In appeals court, Brotman told the panel of judges that because of the publicity, Fattah lost a $12,000 a-month contract with Delaware Valley High School. Brotman, appointed by the Third Circuit to aid Fattah in his appeal, told the judges that negative publicity not only ruined Fattah's reputation, but made it impossible for him to find another job.
Fattah has already served a year of the five-year prison sentence he received as a result of his 2015 conviction on bank and tax fraud charges. He was also fined $1.1 million.
In appeals court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Gibson conceded that FBI Agent Haag's leaks were "regrettable" and "inappropriate." But the prosecutor didn't think that the agent's misconduct led to Fattah's diminished financial situation. Gibson also described the relief sought on behalf of Fattah as a stretch.
"There is simply no authority for the remedy Mr. Fattah is seeking here -- the dismissal of the indictment," Gibson told the judges, according to the Inquirer.
In a 26-page response brief filed Feb. 24th, Acting U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gibson, Robert Zauzmer, and Paul Gray went even further, describing Brotman's argument as "meritless as a matter of law."
The prosecution pointed out that in previous cases, the appeals court has decided that far more outrageous conduct by government agents didn't necessitate the relief sought on Fattah's behalf, namely dismissal of the indictment.
Based on the U.S. Attorney's brief, when it comes to outrageous conduct, the government can be pretty outrageous and get away with it.
In their brief, the U.S. Attorney's office cited one case where a government agent had sex with a defendant. And another case involved a government agent who solicited a defendant to burn down a building. The agent in question drove the defendant to the site, and provided him with gasoline and matches, the U.S. Attorneys wrote. The U.S. Attorney's office cited a third case where the government induced a defendant to swallow one kilogram of heroin in order to smuggle the drugs into the country. But in all three cases cited by the feds, no indictments got tossed.
When it comes to conduct in the case of Fattah Jr., "Nothing remotely comparable happened here," the U.S. Attorney's office argued. "No case supports such an extraordinary result."
In their reply brief, the government contended that Agent Haag's disclosure "did not result in 'real economic harm' to Fattah." And that Fattah had voluntarily resigned from his job with the school district where he was providing "transition services and accelerated learning" to "at-risk" students because he was planning to go off on his own and start a similar business venture.
The prosecutors also argued that Fattah was not remotely qualified for the position he held with the school district, and didn't even have a college degree. As far as the government was concerned, Fattah Jr. was grossly overpaid. At trial, the U.S. Attorneys wrote, the jury convicted Fattah Jr. of defrauding the school district out of more than $900,000.
In her court filing, Brotman described the allegedly corrupt bargain between the FBI agent and the reporter, who did not respond to a request for comment.
Marty Woodall is a former colleague of mine who happens to not only be a fine reporter, but a good person. Maybe she decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth when FBI Agent Haag came calling.
Brotman began her brief by detailing the history of the allegations of impropriety in the case, as raised by Fattah Jr. And the government's original denials regarding the leak to the Inquirer about the details of the search warrants targeting Fattah.
"Neither the prosecutors nor the investigators assigned to this investigation played any role in alerting the press to the impending execution of the search warrants," the prosecution responded when Fattah Jr. originally raised the charge of improper conduct by the FBI agent. "There is no evidence in the record regarding how the press came to be present" when the warrants were served, the prosecutors had claimed.
But on Oct. 27, 2015, FBI Agent Haag admitted at the end of his testimony winding up the prosecution's case that he had struck a bargain with the reporter, Brotman wrote.
"In exchange for the reporter's assistance with background information relating to the Philadelphia School District, the agent would provide the reporter with confidential information about the investigation," Brotman wrote.
The FBI agent testified in court that he wanted the reporter "to feel as though she had a vested interest, that we had information that could eventually lead to a potential story for her. I mean, she has to have a reason to provide me with information."
"To provide her with that reason, the agent told the reporter that Fattah was a target of the investigation," Brotman wrote. The FBI agent also advised the reporter about "the existence of search warrants 'months in advance,'" Brotman wrote.
FBI agent Haag "provided the time and location of the search as soon as that information was available (despite the facts that the warrants were sealed), advised that Treasury Department agents were assisting in the investigation, discussed the content of undercover recordings, and gave her [Woodall] specific information about Fattah's business dealings," Brotman wrote. That information included "amounts [Fattah Jr.] had been paid under contracts with the Philadelphia school district, where Fattah worked, and who his partners were."
"The agent also lied to Magistrate Timothy Rice at the time of the issuance of the warrants when he affirmed the need for secrecy and sought a sealing order," Brotman wrote, arguing falsely that the ongoing federal investigation of Fattah Jr. "would be jeopardized by premature disclosure of information."
The FBI agent, Brotman wrote, provided Woodall with "information concerning the focus of the government's investigation, the context of FBI recordings between Fattah and Matthew Amato, [Fattah's former business partner turned cooperating witness for the government], the address of Fattah's home and the extant date and time when a sealed search warrant would be executed."
But at trial, Judge Harvey Bartle III determined that the "wrongful conduct of Agent Haag" had not "risen to the level to justify dismissal of the indictment" because there was "no evidence that the grand jury was influenced by the disclosures in the press," Brotman wrote.
In her brief, however, Brotman repeatedly attacked the conduct of FBI Agent Haag as corrupt.
"In this prosecution, the lead case agent repeatedly violated the law, ignored Department of Justice policy, and lied to a judge in order to employ an investigation technique that was unnecessary and resulted in the widespread exposure of a grand jury target years before charges were filed," Brotman wrote.
According to Brotman, Judge Bartle erred by concluding that the misconduct by the FBI agent "did not violate Fattah's Due Process and Sixth Amendment rights."
By leaking to the Inquirer, Brotman wrote, the FBI agent knew "it would lead to widespread publicity of the search, thus exposing Fattah to humiliation and consequently eradicating his ability to gain employment."
"The intentional violation of law and policy is not an investigative technique which can be condoned by this Court as an acceptable crime fighting tool," Brotman wrote. "Instead, it must be soundly rejected."
Not only is such conduct illegal, Brotman wrote, but "this type of 'collaboration' between the press and government creates a serious risk that the government will use the press to improperly disadvantage and pressure targets or witnesses of investigations long before the grand jury has an opportunity to review the evidence. Because this improper and corrupt relationship must be strongly discouraged, the remedy for this violation is dismissal of the indictment."
"This negative publicity affected Fattah's financial status to the point where he was unable to hire a lawyer during the investigation and have the layer of his choice at trial," Brotman wrote. "This government interference with Fattah's right to the counsel of his choice violates the Sixth Amendment" right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury, with the assistance of counsel.
In her brief, Brotman wrote that FBI Agent Haag began his investigation of Fattah Jr. by seeking information about minority contracting in the Philadelphia school district. The agent identified a reporter, Woodall, who had "written extensively on the subject," Brotman wrote.
"The agent hatched a plan to further his investigation by offering the reporter confidential investigation information," Brotman wrote. "In exchange for background information on a general legal topic, which should have been readily available from a number of other sources, (including the United State's Attorney's Office, the Philadelphia City Solicitor's Office, or a library) the agent was willing to violate the law, FBI policy, and the court's order sealing the search warrant."
"This creation of a quid pro quo relationship was also based on the agent's spurious and cynical assumption that only by providing the reporter with the promise of a 'scoop' would she be willing to assist a legitimate government investigation into crime," Brotman wrote.
"In holding up his part of the bargain," Brotman wrote, "the agent told the reporter that Fattah was a target of the investigation, in itself, a violation of grand jury secrecy."
The agent also divulged the time and location of search warrants "months in advance," "discussed the content of undercover recordings, and provided specific information about Fattah's business dealings," with the school district, Brotman wrote.
The FBI agent knew that by leaking to the Inquirer, he would expose Fattah Jr. to "negative, humiliating and harmfully publicity, months or even years before charges were publicly filed," Brotman wrote. The agent knew that to keep his end of the bargain with the reporter "would require lying to the federal magistrate about the need for sealing and privacy; he [also] knew he would be violating the sealing order that arose from that lie."
The agent "never considered appealing to the reporter's sense of civic duty in asking the reporter for help, but cynically assumed that she would only assist him if he offered a quid pro quo," Brotman wrote. "The agent's conduct corrupted both the process and the reporter."
"This needlessly lawless behavior by a government agent entrusted with confidential information and the public shocks the conscience and establishes a Due Process violation that must be met with a sanction that sets a bright line and a clear message: dismissal of the indictment," Brotman wrote.
"This sanction is necessary to remedy the violation here and prevent the government from using the press to improperly pressure targets of investigations."
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comments:
The Inquirers new advertisement is asking if they can have a minute of our time to list all the wonderful things they have done to undercover corruption on state and local levels, to save the environment as well as listing other accomplishments.
Then we come to realize that reporters are willing to break the law, disregard the code of ethics of a journalist, to do no harm, for a story.
As for the FBI agent, if the INKY would admit it, the FEDS break every law in the books, why, because no one points it out to the public. Least of all reporters that are getting stories from the feds.
So the bottom line is for a story the INKY will run with whatever they are handed regardless of the facts being accurate and one sided.
But we are supposed to believe them when they use phrases like," The Facts of the Matter" Support Journalism You Can Trust", and they talk about politicians double talk. These are outright lies on their part. Either admit you work for the feds and help at all costs to convict defendants or put your money where your mouth is and start giving us the truth.
No media outlet that pretends to be impartial should have any connection to any one government agency without disclosing it, if a reporter had a close relationship with the EPA or DEA or IRS or FBI we need to know, just like if they had a second job and worked for a company and promoted that company products in their articles we would expect a disclaimer. I would love to see" We sell papers by getting sensational erroneous information from prosecutors. We work hard to help the feds get defendants to plea bargain ".
People that read this column know what the Feds do, they are aware that the media is tipped off before a raid, its the general public that are unaware of the close relationship. One hand washes the other,the media has a story the feds get the convictions.
Thanks INKY for all your hard work in degrading humans and giving the Feds an unfair advantage, unless you are really being snowed by the Feds you have to realize your harming society. Your decimating families, careers, life savings, reputations and justice. Try doing some homework for yourself, find out what really is going on in the justice department, talk to defendants, talk to the innocently accused and ask if your coverage had anything to do with the outcome of their cases.
Your getting it wrong INKY, tell the truth, not the feds version of the truth.
Thoughtful commentary welcome. Trolling, harassing, and defaming not welcome. Consistent with 47 U.S.C. 230, we have the right to delete without warning any comments we believe are obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such material is constitutionally protected. | {
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About
My name is Steven Mihelakis, I'm a freelance web developer and also a fulltime web developer for a Gold Coast agency. I have been a developer for over 10 years now and am well versed in web marketing.
I love having the ability to create something from scratch using all the technology at my disposal. Whether it's creating a piece of digital art or developing a website for the world to see, this is my passion. | {
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Common Birth Defects
Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most common known causes of mental retardation, and it's the only one that is entirely preventable. FAS is a group of mental and physical birth defects that occur because of excessive consumption of alcohol by the mother during pregnancy. These women either drink excessively throughout pregnancy or have episodes of binge drinking during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it travels through the placenta to her fetus. A developing fetus takes much longer to break down alcohol and as a result, the alcohol level in a fetus's blood can be higher and remain elevated longer, heightening the exposure of the fetus to alcoholic effects. This can cause the baby to suffer lifelong damage.
How common is fetal alcohol syndrome?
Every year in the United States, as many as 2,000 to 12,000 babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome. As many as 10 times that number are born with what doctors call fetal alcohol exposure, a less-severe condition. FAS occurs in 40 percent of women who are alcoholics or chronic alcohol abusers. Fetal alcohol exposure can occur in the children of women who drink moderately or lightly during pregnancy.
How is the child affected by fetal alcohol syndrome?
Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome are abnormally small at birth. They may have small eyes and an upturned nose. The heart may not have formed properly, and many children with this birth defect have a small or abnormally formed brain. Most have some degree of mental retardation. Many also exhibit difficulties with learning, attention span, coordination, and behavior. The effects of FAS last a lifetime. Adults with FAS often find it difficult to live independently and hold down a job. They may require treatment and supervision for psychological and behavioral problems.
What are the treatments for fetal alcohol syndrome?
The primary focus of fetal alcohol syndrome treatment has been to educate women about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Although many women know that heavy drinking can cause birth defects, many don't realize that even light or moderate drinking can have effects on a developing fetus. In fact, no amount of alcohol consumption has been proven safe, according to the March of Dimes, a nonprofit health agency dedicated to the study and reduction of birth defects. Children born with FAS may require psychological and behavioral counseling, special education to cope with their learning disabilities, and medical treatments throughout their lives.
Source: March of Dimes
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition. | {
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Graduates shine at SMILEfest 2015
Graduates shine at SMILEfest 2015
Southampton Solent University graduates stole the show from the strongest ever line-up at this year’s SMILEfest music industries conference.
In their roles as music and media industry professionals, three Solent graduates (Mel Lewis, Lou Cooper and Ricky Simmonds) took part in discussion panels with a stellar list of big name guests – adding a youthful insight that struck a chord with students hoping to follow in their footsteps.
SMILEfest 2015 co-executive producer Prof Martin James said:
“SMILEfest just improves every year. We’re now in the great position of having our own graduates in influential positions within the music and media industries.
“When they’re put in the mix with the big names that the conference has become known for it can only be inspirational for any student hoping to get a foothold in these highly competitive industries.”
Graduates at the music industries conference
Mel Lewis graduated in 2010 from MA media and public relations, and now works as a live events assistant across Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6Muisc and BBC Introducing.
As a part of her MA, she filmed interviews with guests at the 2010 conference.
This year, Mel returned to Solent to take part in a thought-provoking panel at the conference called Blurred Lines: Music and Misogyny, with co-panellists included NME features editor Laura Snapes, Mute Records’ head of press Zoe Miller and tour manager Tre Stead. The panel was chaired by Independent columnist Fiona Sturges.
“It felt completely full circle for me, guest speaking at this year’s SMILEfest, having interviewed the guests myself when I was a student at the University,” says Mel.
“Events like this are invaluable to students, giving them opportunities to hear from and introduce themselves to potential employers and colleagues,” she continued.
“Networking is so important in this industry and SMILEfest provides Solent students with the chance to network with some really interesting and influential people.”
Popular Music Journalism graduate Lou Cooper worked as a student helper on the very first SMILEfest in 2009. This year she was back in her professional capacity as head of albums at Toolroom Records and took part in the Demo Surgery.
Together the panel offered guidance, advice and high praise to many of Solent’s bands, artists and producers.
Ricky Simmonds, a graduate of urban and electronic music, label manager of Love & Other records, and Ministry of Sound DJ, took part in a lively panel discussing the future of club culture.
Called Beyond EDM, the panel included a breathtaking array of guests including: Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard; legendary drum & bass DJ Fabio; and Mark Lawrence CEO of The Association for Electronic Music.
Other industry big names on the panels
High profile guests taking part included president of music at Virgin EMI Mike Smith, artist manager Tony Crean (Goldfrapp, Chemical Brothers and Portishead) and International Manager at Caroline Records Anya Strafford. The panel was chaired by former Creation Records’ Head of Press Johnny Hopkins.
The headlining guest talk came from Viv Albertine, an award winning author and guitarist with pioneering punk band The Slits. She was interviewed on stage by internationally renowned music journalist John Robb.
Graduates give career advice
The SMILEfest 2014 Music Industries Conference followed hot on the heal of the inaugural SMILEfest Employability Conference, which was delivered in association with the BPI. It offered a range of support sessions on CV writing, fund raising and networking for students.
A panel of graduates from a range of areas within the music and media industries came in to talk to students and offer their advice.
The panel of high flyers included popular music journalism graduates Mitch Stevens (press officer at Listen Up PR) and Racheal Anderson (development co-ordinator at StoryStream), music promotion graduate Craig Thomas (press officer at Murray Chalmers PR), former music performance student Oliver Gamston (client relations, De Wolfe Music) and music production grad Stuart Davie (E-commerce manager at the Beggars Group).
The key note speaker for the day was Kerrang! editor James McMahon, who talked about his time as a student when he released an album with his band, promoted events at Northumbria University, produced his own fanzine and wrote for NME.
SMILEfest – the backstory
Now in its seventh year SMILEfest is a student conceived, managed and promoted three-week celebration of music in the creative industries.
Primarily organized by students studying popular music journalism and music promotion, the event also includes contributions from students throughout the University with a huge number being assessed on their input.
The event includes gigs, club nights, conferences, master classes, professional ‘in-a-day’ challenges, marketing materials, album compilations, events and website production and for the first time this year a fanzine created by students studying Illustration. | {
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MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins The Current's Steve Seel and Jill Riley to talk about about the first in a series of three new plays and about two outdoor dance events that are perfect for summertime.
What I Thought I Saw: Random Acts of Blindness! This one-woman, autobiographical show by local artist Leslye Orr is the first installment in Illusion Theater's Fresh Ink Series. Orr, who is legally blind, humorously chronicles the visual challenges, misinterpretations and wacky mishaps she has had as a performer and advocate for people with disabilities. The show stages July 11 to 14 at the Illusion Theater in Minneapolis. | {
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Planned deprecations in advance of IdP V4
Planned deprecations in advance of IdP V4
I'd like to draw attention to a page in the wiki [1] that summarizes all of the planned deprecated settings, features, syntax, etc. that are scheduled at present to be removed in IdP V4 in the future.
This is a summary derived from the warnings added to the eventual IdP V3.4 release, which will call attention to their use and allow people to adjust any legacy behavior far in advance of the V4 release, which will make the eventual upgrade fairly automatic.
It is probably not 100% perfectly accurate at this stage, but it should be very close, and will be maintained going forward, eventually making up part of the V3.4 and V4 release notes directly.
Content is somewhat subject to change until V3.4 ships, but unlikely to change much if at all after that. | {
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Sun Ten dedicates to the manufacturing and development of high quality traditional herbs extracts and believes in the power of nature and science to support long-term health and well-being. We provide an extensive range of TCM concentrated herbal extracts-formulas and single herbs, over-the-counter products and also the g/BRM botanical reference herbs.
TCM Concentrated Herbal Extract
Formula
There are classical formulas categorized into 21groups based on the principle of Traditional Chinese Meditcine.Formulas are usually composed of 2 to 20 single herbs for specific TCM functions and indications.The information provided on this website is for reference and educational purposes only. it's not intended to diagnose, treat, or be prescribed by individuals, nor replace the services of trained and licensed practitioners
TCM Concentrated Herbal Extract
Single Herbs
TCM single herbs are categorized into 17 groups based on the principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine | {
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Almarai News
Almarai Chairman: Almarai operates at maximum capacity to ensure abundance of its products across the Kingdom
Almarai Chairman: Almarai operates at maximum capacity to ensure abundance of its products across the Kingdom
Almarai Chairman, His Highness Prince Nayef bin Sultan bin Muhammad bin Saud Al Kabeer, valued the great efforts being made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his crown prince to contain the spread of the Corona pandemic inside the country.
Prince Nayef showed his deep gratitued to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for the speedy and assertive precautionary measures of which greatly appreciated by both citizes and residents inside tha kibgdom.
Speaking to the Assembly General Meeting of Almarai shareholders, prince Nayef said: “our company is aware of the national role entrusted to it in such circumstances that our country and the world passes through”
“Sensing its responsabilty and its vital role as one of the most important pillars of the food security system in the Kingdom, the company operates at its full capacity of production and logistics to ensure that its products reach consumers in all regions of the Kingdom”, he added.
He decleared that, the company curently produces, on a daily basis, 4.1 million liters of milk, dairy and its derivatives, 500 thousand chickens, 6.8 million pieces of bread and 1.8 million cans of juice, and emploies more than 42,000 employees in different work locations.
Almarai chairman confirmed that the company has taken a number of prmeasures that ensure the safety of food processing operations, of which isolating the manufacturing facilities and farms in addition to securing supply chains and ensuring that they are not affected by the current conditions.
He added: “the company is in continuous communication and coordination with the relevant government sectors and with its suppliers abroad as well as with associate companies in the food industries sector, where it works in perfect harmony to ensure the abundence of the essential food commodities on the shelves of markets in all regions of the Kingdom.
Prince Nayef showed his deep gratitued to the relevant government agencies for their contribution in facilitating food companies operations in producing and delivering food to consumers across the Kingdom”. he added: “The abundance of food goods in both small and large markets across all Kingdom regions, something that everyone can notice”. | {
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Texas Crossbow Hunters Club
To have fun, educate and help fellow hunters and families enjoy the outdoors sports and learn how to cook and care for the game we harvest. Of course there is particular interest in flinging arrows and more specifically, crossbows. Many of our members hunt with a good variety of tools. It's all good!
Description
A group of family and friends worldwide who enjoy the comrodery of others in the field, especially at camp and always, online. When you are a member of the TCHC, you are family, and families that hunt together, stay together. | {
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Word has come from Diseno-Art that Subaru has a new crossover vehicle ready to debut at this years’ Geneva Auto Show. What has the Subaru marketing team come up with for its latest creation? The VIZIV.
Yep, the VIZIV. It’s a neat name and a palindrome, which is rare for car names. Come to think of it, the “Palindrome” might have been a better name, all things considered. We digress.
Subaru has yet to divulged any info about the new crossover. But it’s clear it previews the latest Subaru design language. We rather like the running lights that run into the front bumper, which certainly distinguishes itself from the rest of the automotive LED running light trend. The headlight itself has been slit, giving the VIZIV a much more aggressive character. Also found up front is a trapezoidal grille. Although good looking, it’s derivative of pretty much every other automaker lately. Think of the Ford Fusion and the Toyota Avalon for immediate references.
Subaru recently did away with its SUV the B9 Tribeca. Could the VIZIV be a preview what might replace it? We think so. But for now, we can only speculate.
Under the hood, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a hybrid or plug-in hybrid set up on the VIZIV as plenty of automakers have premiered new hybrid crossover concepts this auto show season. Take the Nissan Resonance for example.
As soon as more is known about the interestingly named VIZIV, we’ll be sure to bring it to you. The Geneva Auto Show begins on March 5 and we hope to have more info on this stylish new concept before then. | {
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VW Budd-e Concept could become a serial Microbus
Volkswagen has introduced the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2016 concept minivan Budd-e Concept, which is a kind of harbinger of the new generation of the legendary Microbus.
German engineers built the prototype of a new platform, called the Modular Electronic Toolkit. The movement of the machine gives two electric motors. One is located on the rear axle, and the other – on the front.
Battery pack capacity 101 kW at the concept lies across the floor. The manufacturer points out that their charging from 0 to 80% requires only 15 minutes. Minibus got four-wheel drive and can accelerate to 150 km/h.
Interestingly, Budd-e Volkswagen Concept can be used not only as a vehicle, but also, for example, as an additional generator house. In addition, it can provide wireless connectivity so-called “smart” (Smart) Home/Office.
Looks Budd-e Concept is enough fresh and modern, and the Germans were able to make it look like the iconic Microbus 1962. In the prototype a wide grille, which merges into one with LED lights. Among other design features worth mentioning the lack of door handles and mirrors.
German Interior minivan is very unusual. Inside, Volkswagen Budd-e Concept a plurality of displays and touch screens, and electric control some functions (such as opening or closing a door), you can use gestures innovation system.
According to rumors, Volkswagen plans to release a production version of the minivan in 2017, with the addition of electrical modifications on the market as there will be versions with conventional internal combustion engines. | {
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ant-dev mailing list archives
On 2017-08-23, George Bateman wrote:
> Stefan wrote:
>> The manifest may contain the current time stamp, to make things worse
>> for you :-)
> Fortunately, I don't see anywhere in Jar.java that mentions time or date,
> except passing it to Zip#zipFile() as the modification time, and I override
> it there anyway.
I thought we might add a build timestamp inside the default manifest. I
just checked and we don't. All is well.
>> I'm not sure what you want can be achieved at all. The best you can get
>> is the exact same jar when the build has been run on the same OS with
>> the same version of java, javac and zlib (and probably a few other
>> things I'm missing right now).
>> Different javacs will create different class files. ZIP (and thus JAR)
>> creation uses zlib under the covers and different versions may result in
>> different deflated output.
> That's fine. It's sufficient to be able to say that if you set up your
> build environment to my exact but reasonable instructions (as you get in a
> Debian source package, for example), you will get the same thing I got.
> This would prove that I built the binaries from the source I said I did
> just by comparing the single eventual output file.
In this case you could <touch> all files that end up inside the archive
to some fixed timestamp and obtain the same jar for all of them.
It may not work for the timestamp of the MANIFEST.MF, come to think of
it. See line 556 in Jar.java (master branch), the manifest will always
use the current timestamp. Same for the META-INF directory.
> I've attached the output of git diff so you can see it, but what's the
> correct way to submit the code to you?
Attachments are stripped, so your gif never made it through.
Please open an enhancement request in bugzilla[1] and attach your patch
or alternatively open a github pull request.
Stefan
[1] https://bz.apache.org/bugzilla/
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Learn
Historic Preservation
“The [1838] Peter Jay House…is undeniably a major architectural landmark. This monumental Greek Revival style house has been generally recognized as one of the most important buildings of its type in the country. Its symmetrical massing, bold scale, and grandly austere detail are an extraordinary symbol of the increasing wealth and power of America during the decade of the 1830s. The house also reflects the importance of the Jay family in a maturing nation.”— Andrew Dolkart, architectural historian
Archaeology
A 4000 year old golden quartz projectile point lies next to a Paleo Indian pottery shard. These and other archaeological finds at the Jay Estate have excited experts about this anthropologically rich site.
Archives & Research
Thanks to donations of original photo albums, diaries, letters and more, students with an interest in history can learn from primary documents. A junior in high school can learn firsthand about the aviation race in WWI and WWII or the role of St. Nazaire as a port in WWI used by US troops. | {
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Allure magazine reported that the 44 year-old-rapper made an appearance at the red carpet for “The Defiant Ones,” HBO’s four-part documentary on rapper and producer Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine.
Photos from the event Thursday show Eminem with noticeably brown whiskers on his face and what appears to be dark brown hair.
The rapper, whose birth name is Marshall Mathers, is notable for having platinum blond-dyed hair and a clean-shaven face.
“Just a couple of guys from Compton and one from Detroit. With a beard,” he wrote under the photo, taken of himself, Dr. Dre and rapper Kendrick Lamar. Both Dre and Lamar are from Compton, California. Eminem is from Detroit.
Fans and observers expressed their surprise at the look on Twitter, including D12, a hip hop group Eminem is a part of.
I'm losing it because this is the most different life thing he's ever done. EVER. LIKE, THIS IS BEYOND HAIR DYE AND KANGOLS. pic.twitter.com/AXld9uFyQW | {
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Blurred Lines: Turning Donors into Volunteers…into Donors
Does your organization label your supporters and potential supporters as either “donors” or “volunteers?” Mistake!
Are your donor and volunteer databases separate? Mistake!
Research shows an empirical link between volunteering and donating. For example, volunteers donate on average 10X more than non-volunteers. In addition, nearly 70% of folks surveyed in the linked study said they donate to the organization for which they volunteer.
Fundraising and volunteer engagement are both all about building relationships. In today’s connected world, the lines are blurring between donors and volunteers, so why would you put up an artificial wall that limits your relationships? Instead, use the ideas and strategies below to empower and inspire potential community members to provide the help you need most, turning donors into volunteers…into donors.
Make Them Feel Comfy
Your time and communications with new supporters should be focused on showing them why your organization is so special, why you’re a great fit for their individual passions, and how much of an impact they can have with you. Make them feel comfortable and welcome, no matter how they want to get involved at first.
Focus on Corporate Volunteers
Volunteers who get involved with you via their workplaces, or who just happen to work at a large company, might be the “low hanging fruit” when it comes to encouraging donations. Find out if their company runs a matching gifts, granting or dollars for doers program. If so, let the volunteer know and help them easily get these benefits for your organization. Chances are, they’ll want to add in some money of their own, too.
Give Them Ownership
Ask your donor or volunteer to take the lead in a particular project. From a position of relative leadership, they are more likely to get even more engaged and increase their commitment both monetarily and time-wise. Fundraising campaigns (both online and offline,) and event-planning are both great projects for this kind of encouragement.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Whether they’ve given time or money, your supporters are with you because they care and they want to help. Make sure they know what you really need. I guarantee they’ll jump at the chance to make an even bigger impact, and they’ll appreciate that you reached out to them as a trusted and valued champion.
If you’re interested in more detailed, tactical tips for using social media and other communications strategies to blur the lines between donors and volunteers, check out Social Media for Nonprofits in Silicon Valley – I’ll be speaking on this very topic!
How does your organization encourage volunteers to donate, and vice versa?
About The Author
Shari Tishman
Shari led Online Marketing and Communications at VolunteerMatch from 2010-2015. After working with nonprofits for 9 years, she moved over to the corporate sector and is now leading Inbound Marketing for a tech company in San Francisco. | {
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CONTAIN, ENFORCE, AND ENGAGE: An Integrated U.S. Strategy to Address Iran's Nuclear and Regional Challenges
The United States ended a thirty-five-year diplomatic vacuum with Tehran with one objective in mind: to stop it from developing a nuclear weapon.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) did precisely that. It cut off Iran's pathways to a bomb, sharply constrained its nuclear program, and subjected it to an unprecedentedly strict monitoring and verification regime. The JCPOA is far from perfect and required coming to terms with painful realities and making difficult compromises-the inevitable outcome of tough, multilateral negotiations. Nevertheless, the JCPOA was successful in halting, and in some cases reversing, Iran's progress toward a nuclear weapon, at least for the next decade. Iran today is much further away from a nuclear bomb, and the prospect of direct military conflict between the United States and Iran is forestalled. We are safer. Our partners in the region are safer. And the world is safer.
The JCPOA, essential as it is to retain and implement effectively, however, must not be the end of the diplomatic road with Iran. It is merely the beginning, the cornerstone of a broader, longer-term strategy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to diminish and counter Iran's threatening behavior-from its growing ballistic missile arsenal, to its dangerous use of regional proxies, to its human rights abuses at home.
This report outlines the key elements of such a strategy-a tough-minded approach to playing a strong American hand against an adversary that is formidable, but hardly ten feet tall. It calls on the United States to continue to enforce rigorous implementation of the nuclear agreement; to embed the agreement in a wider regional strategy deploying all elements of American power to limit Iran's ability to meddle in the internal affairs of our regional partners or threaten Israel; and to engage Iran to avoid inadvertent escalation, make clear our profound concerns with Iran's behavior at home and abroad, address the eventual sunset of JCPOA nuclear limits, and test opportunities to advance shared interests. This is all easier said than done. There will be no avoiding complicated tradeoffs. But it is an honest and realistic guide for U.S. policy today and in the difficult years ahead.
Any strategy's success will depend in large measure on whether it can keep the burden of proof on Iran, demonstrating American good faith and seriousness of purpose and preventing Iran from painting the United States as the diplomatic outlier. U.S. threats to abrogate the deal or call for its renegotiation, reimposing nuclear-related sanctions, provocatively threatening military action, or otherwise failing to uphold America's end of the bargain would leave the United States in a weaker, not stronger, position to deal with Iran and other looming crises, especially North Korea.
The Donald Trump administration's decision to not certify to Congress that the JCPOA's suspension of sanctions is appropriate and proportionate, and to seek to modify the deal, puts the deal on the path to failure. This occurs notwithstanding repeated affirmations by U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran continues to abide by its JCPOA commitments. Congress, the administration, and our P5+1 partners (the United States, China, Russia, France, Germany, and the UK) must now work together to avert a strategic "own goal" of historic proportions that would also undermine the prospects of dealing effectively with the other challenges presented by Iran. The strategy laid out in this report offers a road map that should appeal to leaders of both U.S. political parties, and all those serious about being tough on Iran and confident in America's continued strength.
We are pleased and proud that our two institutions could come together to try to answer one of the most consequential foreign policy questions facing the United States. With our shared commitment to independent thinking and our experts' combined brainpower and decades of experience in the policy trenches, we hope this report will help policymakers build on the achievements of the JCPOA and secure at least a semblance of order in a disordered Middle East. …
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Changing the default sound output
The typical method is to relink /dev/dsp to the desired /dev/oss/.../ device. e.g.
sudo ln -sf /dev/oss/oss_sbxfi0/pcm0 /dev/dsp
The device node matching the desired sound output can be discovered by running 'osstest' (and seeing which node produces the desired output) or by examining 'ossinfo -a' (displays list of nodes).
Modern OSs put /dev on a ramdisk (i.e. it gets erased in boot), so we need to the new correct setting remains. OSSv4.2 and above stores /dev/dsp setting in $OSSLIBDIR/etc/legacy_devices, so these should be saved automatically as long as OSS is shut down properly (You can run "sudo ossdevlinks" to save this manually).
OSSv4 before version 4.2, requires editing the $OSSLIBDIR/soundon.user file and readding the relinking command there. You will have to give the soundon.user file executable permissions using "sudo chmod +x" command. If the file doesn't exist, you may create it. This method also works in newer OSSv4 versions.
It's recommended to make vmix attach to the newly default device. vmix is OSSv4's software mixer and multiple programs will not be able to use the output at the same time if it's not attached. Since the default output was changed, vmix will have to be set to attach to the new output.
In OSS 4.1 and above, add a "vmixctl attach" command to the $OSSLIBDIR/soundon.user file (same procedure as above). You may wish to also add "vmix_no_autoattach=1" to the $OSSLIBDIR/conf/osscore.conf file. "vmixctl attach" syntax looks like this:
vmixctl attach /dev/oss/oss_sbxfi0/pcm0 /dev/oss/oss_sbxfi0/pcmin0
The second and third argument represent output and input nodes for vmix to attach to, allowing full duplex when /dev/dsp is used. However, the third argument can be omitted in some cases. See "vmixctl" manpage for explanation.
In OSS 4.0 you'll need to set vmix_masterdev in $OSSLIBDIR/conf/vmix.conf file.
Alternative: If the default output is set to an onboard soundcard and you're using another card, you can just disable onboard audio in the BIOS, and it won't be seen by OSS.
Alternative: $OSSLIBDIR/etc/installed_drivers influences the order of sound cards set by ossdetect. By removing other devices or moving the desired sound card to the first place, the default device can be modified. After the change, restart OSS and run "sudo ossdevlinks -v -r" and it will relink /dev/dsp for you.
The root directory $OSSLIBDIR can be found by checking /etc/oss.conf. It is almost always /usr/lib/oss/.
Recording sound output of a program
There are two main scenarios here:
Trying to record the entire desktop. Since more than one app may be playing, we want the total mixed output.
Trying to record one specific app. This can be accomplished using solutions for the above (if nothing else is playing), but there are some more options here.
Recording total mixed output
Many drivers offer a 'vol' mixer control. If this can be used as a recording source, than the current sound output will be recorded. Note that this is the mixed total of all sound played, not of a single program.
ossrecord -ivol blah.wav
ossmix vol.rec ON #sets 'vol' as default target, so any recording program uses it by default
Some drivers have a 'loopback' mixer control, which offers similar functionality. This can be set by ossmix or ossxmix mixer control programs.
vmix loopback driver can record the mixed output of sound played. Set vmix_loopdevs to 1 (or 2) in $OSSLIBDIR/conf/osscore.conf, and restart OSS. Then record from the newly created loopback device ("ossinfo" command will display the device list, including the new device). Note that this is the mixed total of all sound played via vmix, not of a single program.
ossrecord -s48000 -b16 -c2 -d/dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/loop0 test.wav
Note that if vmixctl is used to (re)attach vmix, than 'ossdetect -d' is needed to be used after vmixctl to create the loop device.
Old OSSv4 versions (v4.0 before build 1016), used vmix.conf and not osscore.conf for this purpose, using the line "vmix1_numloops=1". Recording from vmix loopback didn't work in OSSv4.0 build 1016.
The recording program should expect the format, number of channels and sample rate to be the same as the ones used by vmix to "talk" to the device. The rate can be seen in the mixer (via ossxmix or ossmix) and set via the "sudo vmixctl rate" command. The number of channels is set via vmix0-channels control in the mixer (this is typically set to "Stereo"). The format is typically signed 16 bit. For example, if the above ossrecord line gives an error like: /dev/oss/oss_hdaudio0/loop0 doesn't support 2 channels (8), then vmix0-channels should be set to stereo.
Recording output of a single program
OSS wrappers can be used to record the output of a program. vsound is one such wrapper. (vsound doesn't handle output to /dev/oss/* device nodes, but all OSS-supporting programs are/can be easily made to output to /dev/dsp).
vsound ossplay test.wav
oss_userdev or oss_audioloop can also be used to record the output of a single program. Both the recorder and player will need to use the new node created by these drivers, and the recorder has to explicitly set up the appropriate format. oss_userdev can be used to serve multiple clients. See "oss_audioloop" and "oss_userdev" manpages for more information.
During use of oss_userdev, a new mixer device is created. You'll have to run "sudo ossdetect -d" in order to be able to use it.
Running a command immediately after OSS is loaded
Make sure that soundon.user has the executable bit set (it is not set by default).
One possible use of this is to have some volume controls set to a fixed level after OSS is started, regardless of their previous level last time OSS was run (by default, OSS restores the previous volume for all controls).
Using multimedia keys with OSS
First, we should check if the keys are recongnized by X11 or some other program. Run xev, and see if pressing the keys elicits a response.
If it does not, than we must make the keys be recognized by X11/WM/etc., before they can be used for anything. This is outside the scope of this wiki, but is documented at [1] and at [2]. Some WMs, once set up, will automatically connect the multimedia keys to appropriate functions.
If the above does not work or is not applicable, we can connect the keys to external scripts which will perform the appropriate function (See examples below). The method to connect external scripts to keys is better described at [3] and at [4] again.
For example in KDE, you can start the "Control Center", enter "Regional & Accessibility" -> "Input Actions", click on "New Action" and make its type "Keyboard Shortcut -> Command/URL", and then set the multimedia key to launch the script. (Names can be different due to localizations).
OSSv4.1 includes an ossmix which allows you to change volume in a relative fashion: 'ossmix vmix0-vol -- -2' and 'ossmix vmix-vol +2'. The two scripts below can be used to have this functionality in OSSv4.0:
We need to prune out the OSS emulation modules, since these might conflict with actual OSS, so run "rm -rf kernel/sound/core/oss".
Second, goto /usr/lib/oss/cuckoo, and run "make install".
You can now run "modprobe cuckoo", and test with "speaker-test" etc. whether this works.
To make this stick, we need to edit the startup script, so that it loads cuckoo after loading OSS. Edit $OSSLIBDIR/soundon.user, and add "modprobe cukoo" before "exit 0" line.
A general problem with ALSA emulation is that some programs probe for driver support in the order "ALSA, OSS". So programs that were using OSS by default may now try to use the emulation with possibly inferior results. So if there are problems after installation, make sure the program uses the OSS support rather than the emulation. | {
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This Article sponsored by Carbonificator.com
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Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGztMKkEk4amtC8XOyfXczhKCJHRw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778663871928&ei=bTh7VKi5LuO9mQLohoHwAQ&url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2848806/Turn-mobile-FRY-phone-App-controlled-smart-pan-ensures-ll-never-burn-food-again.html | {
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} |
Friday, December 5, 2008
Poppy Birthday Wishes
I got a chance to ink up my new Remember set from Papertrey Ink. WOW - Lisa included soooooo many wonderful parts in this set! It's quickly going to become one of my favs! I used Taylor's Cupcake Challenge 45 for the layout. Such a great sketch - I urge y'all to try it!! I can't wait to check out what everyone came up with. I started by cutting and embossing my ovals with Nestabilities. I then inked up my poppy parts with Palette Noir and stamped them out. The big poppy is cut out, raised and layered with a smaller poppy. Did that make sense :) I colored my images in with a Niji waterbrush and re-inkers. I just kept going over and over the red color to make it darker in parts. Then used a white gel pen to add a little highlight to the center flower. I'm so loving this color combo too - it would be perfect for Christmas cards!! FYI: My flowers don't look that faded in real life and I didn't realize how many times I colored outside of the lines until I zoomed in for the pic. Eek! Please ignore that :) Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!! Stay warm too - it's actually chilly willy here, which I love. Finally feels like Christmas!! | {
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I Heart Alyssa Hart
Young teen babe Alyssa Hart loves to grip enormous meaty shafts between her tiny little hands. She also likes to see enormous Amateur Cocks spray out gobs of goo, too. This time she jerks and milks a donkey sized dick by straddling it and making his Amateur Dick spurt. | {
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Communication matters.
If you don't know who Ann Wylie is, it's time you did. She's a veteran communicator who consults, teaches corporate writing and editing, and publishes a great e-zine, Wylie's Writing Tips. In past lives Ann has served as a PR pro in an
agency, as a corporate communicator for Hallmark Cards Inc., as editor
of a nationally acclaimed executive magazine. She's currently in charge of her own consulting firm, Wylie Communications Inc. These days, Ann handles special
writing and editing projects for Saint Luke's, Reader's Digest, The
Mayo Clinic and dozens of other major clients. She helps such
organizations as FedEx, Sprint and Northern Trust launch or improve
their publications.
I'm delighted to showcase Ann's five answers to another edition of Five Questions for . . .
Question #1: You've been an editor and writing coach for many years. Do you think the quality of writing in employee communications has changed for the worse with the emergence of online communications?
Ann: Actually, I think the reverse is true: The better you write for the Web, the better you write for everything else, too. That's because with really good online writing, you're more focused on making copy scannable, getting to the point more quickly, writing in a conversational voice and all the other things that make online writing more effective.
If the quality of writing in employee communications has changed for the worse, it probably has more to do with the fact that communicators now are charged to get more done than ever before. I think business communications would improve if business communicators said "no" more often.
Also, I think the industry's focus on strategy OVER tactics has squished a lot of writing creativity and energy right out of the business.
That said, I do see some amazing business writing. The folks over at Walgreen's still manage to cover yawners like casual dress with creative approaches that rival Men's Health or New York magazine. The PR pro's at Tellabs somehow make articles about ethernets and telecomm services both interesting and accessible. Writers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory turn out stories about photosynthesizing bacteria and fluorescent electron transfer that are so gorgeous, they make you want to weep.
Question #2: What's the biggest single obstacle to great writing in employee communications, and how can it be overcome?
Ann: Probably not valuing writing enough. If strategy is the only way up in your organization, you won't wind up with many senior writers.
Instead, recruit better writers, give them a solid career track, pay them well, train them, coach them and show off their best work. The more we value great writing, the more great writing we get.
Question #3: Are today's corporate journalists equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to serve their organizations and audiences? If not, what's the biggest gap and the best way to fill it?
Ann: Some of them are. Some of them aren't.
Probably the single biggest gap is not putting themselves in the reader's head. When you don't do that, you don't position your message in the readers' best interest; you don't ask yourself whether this is the language of the reader or the language of the organization; you don't think of ways to illustrate your points so the readers can literally see them.
So that single lack of perspective causes a lot of other bad-writing symptoms.
There are lots of little tricks you can use to put yourself in your readers' head. Warren Buffett famously writes his letter to shareholders to his sisters, who are smart and interested, but not necessarily educated about insurance floats and loss reserves. He begins each letter, "Dear Doris and Bertie ..."
Business communicators can find out how they rate as writers -- and get some tools for improving their skills here. You can also get monthly writing tips via my e-zine.
Question #4: What is your pet peeve when it comes to corporate writing? What's the worst thing you've seen?
Ann: My biggest beef is people who use the same techniques they learned when they were 19 and in Journalism 101 and don't feel any curiosity about how to get better, what's changed, how to keep improving. I really get energized by people who like to learn and grow, and, conversely, I find myself getting bored and irritated by those who don't. There's so much information about how to write better out there, you almost have to go out of your way not to slam into it.
Question #5:From your point of view, what's the future of employee communications, and where do writers fit in to that future?
Ann: Alas, predicting the future of employee communications is not one of my superpowers. (Ask me who'll win Dancing With the Stars this season, and we can talk.)
However it looks, though, strong writers will play an important role. Good writing reveals good thinking, after all, and there will always be a place for people who are stellar at both.
Last year, Canadian oil and gas giant Petro-Canada launched a new employee print magazine, In Depth. Regular readers of this blog will know I'm a big supporter of print as an integral part of any big organization's internal communications mix. So I was delighted to see my old employer revisiting the form. I think the new magazine is great. Here's a sample: Download indepthfall2007.pdf.
And here's Five Questions for editor Kevin Heinrichs:
Question #1: Why did you decide to launch a new print magazine? Kevin: The new magazine was launched for two primary reasons. An employee survey indicated that a majority of workers were interested in and would read a magazine if we published one (74% said they "definitely" or "probably" would read it). And we realized that a magazine format would allow us to write more complex stories that lend themselves to creative layout with strong photos. A bonus is that employees can take the magazine with them on their transit commute or home to their families if they want.
Question #2: What is the content and tone, and why did you choose this approach? Kevin: We wanted a tone with the text and layout that would appeal to younger readers, but not so edgy that it's inaccessible to older readers. We treat our magazine as though it is a newsstand magazine that just happens to cover one company. The same editing discipline and attention to layout detail apply.
Question #3: What is the format and frequency, and how did you arrive at the final design? Kevin: In Depth is an 8.5"x11" format on matte stock, and varies from 16-24 pages, depending on the theme. We hired a local design company which brought us three different mock-ups in terms of "feel." One was too formal, but we asked for a hybrid of the other two designs, one which was definitely geared to the twenty-something crowd, and the other which had some great use of white space and typography. Then our designer, Joelle Opelik, took that basic template and created a unique look and feel for each issue's theme, but still under our signature masthead.
Question #4: How does the publication integrate with your online internal communications? Kevin: For decades, Petro-Canada had a very effective news source in the form of a bi-weekly newsletter called In Brief. [Editor's note: In the early 1990s I worked a two-year stint as editor of In Brief - RS] It was respected, had name recognition among employees and was relatively well read. But when we looked at our ability to tell news that is current, the newsletter wasn't able to deliver that kind of timeliness. We tracked about a four-week lag from the time is story is assigned to when it arrived on employees' desks, given the approvals, layout, proofing, printing and distribution involved. That’s a long time in the hourly news cycle that people are accustomed to in regular life. Shifting the In Brief newsletter content to an HTML format and putting on our company's Intranet allowed us to implement an publish-on-demand system where we can publish news to our homepage as soon as the copy is edited and approved. The writing style of the former newsletter actually lent itself quite well to this new medium as it already valued tight, concise writing. Wherever it makes sense in the print magazine, we also encourage readers to visit our Intranet for more company background on a particular article, or to any video related to the story content.
Question #5: What has the response been, from management and from employees? Kevin: The anecdotal response after the first year has been great. People love to be able to bring this home to their families. The recruiters have even been asking for extra copies of some of the issues to give potential hires a sense of the company culture. Mostly what we've heard is that they love the design, and that the stories tell them something new about their company. By way of improvement, readers have also told us they want more "people" stories. We'll be getting the results of a more detailed readership survey later this fall to get some more crunchy results.
I'm delighted to introduce what I hope will be a regular feature of this blog, "Five Questions For . . ."
The idea is to showcase leaders in the field of employee communications, as well as working practitioners, in an easy-to-read, informal setting.
What better way to kick the whole thing off than five questions for my old friend, Shel Holtz, ABC, one of the world's leading experts in the applications of online technology as it relates to business communication. Shel travels the world consulting with companies and delivering speeches and workshops. He's on a personal quest to help organizations take advantage of all the new tools and channels being spawned by the next-generation web technologies.
Shel has a rare combination of techno-geek and deeply humanist qualities. He demystifies technology and evangelizes its benefits, but is also happy to warn us of its various misuses and abuses.
Here are my five questions and Shel's answers:
Question #1: You’ve always been a big proponent of strategic employee communications. Why do you think it’s so important in today’s workplace?
Shel: The idea of being strategic doesn't mean the tactics don't count; it just means you START with strategy. It's not rocket science. Being strategic just means that your communications are designed to achieve business goals. To be strategic, then, you need to do the company's plans, its initiatives, its challenges and its issues. You communicate in order to influence employees' opinions, the extent of their commitment, their behaviors and their actions in support of the business.
I remember when I worked at Mattel (where I knew Barbie, personally), I listed the key business issues across the top of a whiteboard and a 12-month calendar along the left-hand side. Then I listed which vehicles we would use to communicate each of those issues during each month. It was a constantly evolving, fluctuating plan, but it helped keep us focused on achieving business goals rather than just communication goals.
Oh, and of course you have to measure your efforts in order to show management that internal communication IS, in fact, helping achieve business goals. With the kind of pressure business is under these days, and the number of layoffs taking place, if you can't show management that you're providing real business value, you're toast.
Question #2: Which company do you think does internal communications best, and why?
Shel: I'm reluctant to pick "the best," because there are a lot of companies whose internal communication programs I haven't seen. That said, I've always been impressed with the communications at Best Buy. It's open and candid. It promotes business literacy. It uses multiple channels. And they're always open to new ideas. Not too long ago, for instance, they introduced the Blue Shirt Nation, a social network for retail workers accessible over the World Wide Web. It has become a force of nature. Twenty percent of retail workers have created profiles. Turnover in the retail workforce is about 75%, but among those with BSN profiles, it has dropped to 8%. These are engaged employees with a solid network of colleagues they would have to abandon if they left.
Question #3:When it comes to using social media/Web 2.0 inside big organizations, what are the most exciting and most disturbing trends?
There are more exciting trends than we have time to list here. Of course, at the top of the heap is the fact that companies are employing social media -- "enterprise web 2.0" -- at all. It's a leap of faith to relinquish that control, trust employees, and open the ability for employees to network with one another. The introduction of social networks in companies -- like Blue Shirt Nation -- is terrific, as is the notion of "employee-generated content," where employees can produce videos, podcasts, blogs, and the like, and share them freely with other employees. It's also great that companies have begun releasing both hosted and installed software solutions designed for the enterprise. Just this week, for example, Yammer launched, which provides companies with a hosted platform for a Twitter-like environment.
The most disturbing trend is the resistance to these tools from IT, Legal, and management. It's a knee-jerk reaction without foundation in fact. The companies that have deployed these tools almost unanimously report positive benefits.
Question #4: What’s the most powerful argument for using these new tools in the workplace? What is the pitch or business case that is guaranteed to change a reluctant CEO’s mind?
Shel: The company will make more money. I mean, honestly, these tools improve productivity, innovation, commitment, and competitiveness. But at the end of the day, that all translates to profit, doesn't it? By the way, I've recorded a video on exactly this subject, which you can find at http://www.viddler.com/shelholtz.
Question #5: How is the role of the internal communicator changing, and what does he/she need to do to be successful in the next decade?
Shel: The role of the internal communicator is expanding. That is, the original role of the communicator is still critical in an organization. But communicators also now are becoming coordinators of communication among employees and groups of employees. A lot of departments might lay claim to ownership of enterprise web 2.0 -- IT and marketing, for example -- but it belongs in employee communications. We have to facilitate the conversations among employees so they are as relevant and productive as possible. | {
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Improve Your Combat Narrative at a Glance!
Combat Descriptions Broken down into these three categories:
This beautiful 4-panel screen features magnificent art by Rafael Dorsz on the outer panels. On the inside you will find hundreds of inspirational examples of ways you can describe characters in intense fantasy combat. Strategically organized by the type of damage the character wishes... [click here for more] | {
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The town of Brownington got a new truck with the help of a $50,000 matching grant from the USDA. From left to right are Brownington road foreman Leonard Messier, Town Clerk Cheryl Galipeau, select board Chairman Beverly White, Misty Sinsigalli of the USDA, grant writer Jan Delaney, and selectman Terry Curtis. Photo by Elizabeth Trail
She’s not a town official. She had never written a grant before, let alone a major one. But when she saw that her town needed money to pay for a new truck, Ms. Delaney learned by doing.
In January, with help from Town Clerk Cheryl Galipeau and former Selectman Dean Perry, Ms. Delaney put in an application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a $50,000 community facilities grant.
On June 11, Ms. Delaney’s efforts were rewarded when officials from the USDA came to Brownington….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Here, Elka Schumann, whose husband, Peter Schumann, founded the Bread and Puppet Theater, sits next to the museum guard, a wooden figurine. Traditionally, he sleeps in a nightcap in his bed on the bench next to where Ms. Schumann is sitting all winter when the museum is closed, and is woken up each summer for the open house. When he’s on duty he wears a cap. Photo by Nathalie Gagnon-Joseph
copyright the Chronicle June 10, 2015
by Nathalie Gagnon-Joseph
GLOVER — Visitors jammed the lanes around the Bread and Puppet Theater’s grounds here with their cars on Sunday when they came for the museum’s open house.
The theater celebrated the fortieth anniversary of its puppet museum on Sunday with shape note singing, harp music, and mini-plays scattered around the yard.
The smell of garlic from the aioli that was served with Bread and Puppet’s signature sourdough bread permeated the museum.
Visitors could wander through over 40 years worth of big puppets and peruse and purchase posters, pamphlets, and books.
Burt Porter, a Glover poet and musician who has participated in opening the museum yearly since its inception, was given a wooden medal….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Yuri the Destroyer, with Lyndon Institute Headmaster Daren Houck at the controls, fires a laser to ignite a ribbon at the opening of The Foundry. Foundry President Jim Schenck (center) and Vice-president Thomas Bishop (right) look on. Photo by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle June 10, 2015
by Joseph Gresser
LYNDON CENTER — Yuri the Destroyer, a spider-legged robot armed with a laser, stood on a table in front of an unassuming building tucked behind the Lyndon Center post office. At the command of Lyndon Institute Headmaster Daren Houck, Yuri shot a beam of blue light at a crepe paper streamer. After a few seconds the streamer burst into flame.
The ribbon had been cut and on Saturday, June 6, the doors of the Northeast Kingdom’s first maker space, The Foundry, were officially open.
A maker space is a facility….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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This house trailer was abandoned in Irasburg at the intersection of the West Glover Road and Burton Hill sometime early Monday morning. On its journey from Glover it lost its tires, but ventured on, tearing up the gravel road. Photo by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle June 3, 2015
by Tena Starr
IRASBURG — Town officials here were flummoxed Monday morning by the appearance of a house trailer at the intersection of the West Glover Road and Burton Hill. Not beside the road — in the road.
Someone had hauled the big yellow trailer there overnight and left it leaning against a telephone pole. That someone had also left quite a mess behind him. The trailer had been dragged for several miles without tires and had badly damaged the gravel road.
The house trailer started its journey in Glover Sunday night, and with tires. It came north on Route 16….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Newport Jewelers in Newport was burglarized early Monday morning, the first time that’s happened in the 34 years that Lincoln and Jo-Ann Brooks have owned the store. Photo by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle June 3, 2015
by Tena Starr
NEWPORT — For the first time in the 34 years that Newport Jewelers has been in business, it’s been burglarized, said Lincoln Brooks, who owns the store with his wife, Jo-Ann.
At 4 a.m. on Monday, someone broke into the store, broke two jewelry cases, and “snatched and ran,” Mr. Brooks said.
He said that, as of Tuesday, they had not yet done an inventory so were not sure exactly what was missing, though he believes it could have been considerably worse.
A press release from the Newport Police Department says police responded to the alarm at 4:08 a.m. When they arrived, they found a broken window, and two display cases were broken “and items strewn about.”
The Main Street burglary was certainly brazen, Mr. Brooks said….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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From left to right, Riley Sanville, Bruce Reagan, Tyler Lucas, and Curtis Bonneau explain how an anemometer, or wind speed sensor, works while their teacher Zarah Savoie holds up their model and their classmates Jeremy Lapan-Ward and Ben Longley look on. Photo by Nathalie Gagnon-Joseph
copyright the Chronicle June 3, 2015
by Nathalie Gagnon-Joseph
LOWELL — Sixth-grade students at the Lowell Graded School presented a synopsis of their weather unit Tuesday night.
The unit is special because students used a meteorological tower they have in the schoolyard to learn how to predict the weather from data the tools on the tower provide.
Originally, Green Mountain Power used the tower to measure wind in preparation for the wind project here. The utility donated the tower to the school.….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Phil Brooks with Jeffrey M. Ray of Brownington, who pled innocent in Superior Court Monday to first degree murder. Mr. Ray, who is being held without bail, is accused of shooting another Brownington man, Rick Vreeland, Monday morning. Photo by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle May 27, 2015
by Tena Starr
NEWPORT — Jeffrey M. Ray, 51, of Brownington pled innocent here Tuesday to first degree murder and was held without bail.
Mr. Ray is accused of shooting and killing Rick Vreeland, 53, his former wife’s husband, on Monday.
Mr. Ray appeared in the Criminal Division of Orleans Superior Court looking the worse for wear. He was hospitalized on Monday as a result of a struggle with his son, who said he tried to take the gun away from Mr. Ray, his father, after Mr. Ray shot Mr. Vreeland, the boy’s stepfather, a police affidavit says.
The shooting apparently wasn’t a big surprise to those who knew the two men. Police affidavits indicate they had been at odds for years. Mr. Ray had repeatedly….To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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A tired firefighter, Alan Quintal of Barton, rests and cools off after coming out of the Union House. Photo by Elizabeth Trail
copyright the Chronicle May 20, 2015
by Elizabeth Trail
GLOVER — The Union House Nursing Home’s 40 residents, who were evacuated Sunday for what was at first thought to be a fire, will be able to start returning on Wednesday, owner Pat Russell said.
“We just had our inspection, and could start filling beds today,” Ms. Russell said Tuesday.
The nursing home’s occupants were speedily evacuated with help from staff, ambulance squads, law enforcement, and community volunteers who pitched in and helped, Ms. Russell said.
For several hours on Sunday afternoon, lights flashed and sirens blared as ambulances, fire trucks, and emergency responders crowded Glover Village responding to a call from the Union House Nursing Home.…To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Orleans County Sheriff Kirk Martin signs the contract that returns Sheriff’s Department patrols to Glover. The town has been without coverage since the end of March. Select board Chairman Michael Ladd (right) and Selectman Jack Sumberg look on. Photo by Elizabeth Trail
copyright the Chronicle May 20, 2015
by Elizabeth Trail
GLOVER — Orleans County Sheriff Kirk Martin came to the Glover Select Board meeting on Thursday, May 14 to sign the town’s new contract with the Sheriff’s Department.
Following a heated discussion at Town Meeting in March, Glover voters elected not to renew the Sheriff’s Department contract when it expired at the end of March. Eventually, they kept $11,700 that had been budgeted for the Sheriff’s Department and said it should be used for “law enforcement.” They authorized the select board to figure out how to proceed.…To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe:
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Many of those involved in planning AnC Bio help turn over the first shovels of dirt on May 14. From left to right, are Vermont State Aeronautics Administrator Guy Rouelle, Jane Fortin and Cindy Robillard of the state Department of Labor, North Country Career Center Director Ilene Illuzzi, Alex Choi, former CEO of AnC Bio Korea, Jerry Davis of PEAK CM, Newport City Mayor Paul Monette, Ariel Quiros, co-owner of Jay Peak Resort and Mr. Stenger’s partner in AnC Bio, Bob Brown Petersen of NME Pharmaplan, AnC Bio Vermont CEO Ike Lee, Jake Lee, who heads development of artificial organs for AnC Bio, and Bill Stenger, president of Jay Peak Resort. Photo by Joseph Gresser
copyright the Chronicle May 20, 2015
by Joseph Gresser
NEWPORT — The long-delayed groundbreaking for AnC Bio took place under fair skies Thursday morning, May 14. Speakers hailed prospects for the $100-million biomedical facility, which is expected to employ between 400 and 500 people when it’s up and running in a year and a half.
They will include people involved in manufacturing artificial organs, technicians to help run equipment in the clean room suites that will be available for rent by independent researchers, and scientists to perform research on stem cell therapies, said Bill Stenger, president of Jay Peak and one of the principals of AnC Bio Vermont. Mr. Stenger said people with education levels up to post-graduate degrees could find jobs at AnC Bio…To read the rest of this article, and all the Chronicle‘s stories, subscribe: | {
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Seven years ago, the browser wars seemed all but ended. AOL bought out Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer dominated the market, and the era of browser-based exploits began. In 2003, Microsoft's stranglehold on the browser market didn't change much, but the Mozilla group began their efforts at an open-source alternative. It still took almost two years before we finally saw the birth of Firefox, the first serious contender to the browser throne since the passing of Netscape… okay, so Netscape was more on life-support, but let's not argue semantics.
During the past four years, things have changed to the point where browser market share is a lot more varied. Various browsers have their proponents and opponents, and we've seen plenty of benchmarks demonstrating which browser is the fastest, which have the best JavaScript support, and which best complies with web programming standards. With the launch of Internet Explorer 8, Opera 10, Firefox 3.5, Safari 4, and Chrome during the past year, the market is far more varied than what we've seen in the past. So which browser reigns supreme?
Truth be told, the answer to that question is very subjective. If you have a reasonably fast system, it's unlikely that you will notice the difference between any of the major browsers when it comes to loading typical webpages. Stress tests that focus on JavaScript performance might be meaningful if you visit sites that use lots of JavaScript, and concerns about security, standards support, and availability of plug-ins/add-ons are also potentially meaningful. On average it's probably a wash as to which you'll like "best". If you're trying to figure out which browser is right for you, we suggest looking at the Browser Warsseries of articlesover atDailyTech.
What we are going to look at today is the impact of your choice of browser on battery life, plain and simple. Except, coming up with a benchmark is neither plain nor simple. We have used several different methods for testing battery life on laptops, and depending on the type of content you're viewing battery life ranges from nearly equal to what you can expect at idle down to roughly the same amount of battery life you would get when viewing high-definition videos. Like it or not, we feel that Adobe's Flash is used on many websites, and so we picked three websites that we frequently visit and used those for our testing. As a point of reference, here's the sort of battery life difference you're looking at when viewing "simple" webpages versus the three websites we selected, from our article comparing AMD and Intel battery life.
Obviously, that's a huge difference in battery life. You get roughly 50% more battery life in simple Internet surfing compared to surfing sites that use of lots of Flash content (along with frames, numerous tables, etc.) Last we checked, your average website is nowhere near what would qualify as "simple", and Flash content is ubiquitous. For better or for worse, we're going to focus on battery life when viewing three websites. One of the websites is AnandTech.com, and the other two shall remain nameless. Suffice it to say, all three sites have approaches to web design that we see replicated all over the Internet.
For testing, we load the three sites into tabs on our test web browser, wait 60 seconds, and then reload all three tabs. We are using three recently tested laptops that offered decent battery life. Two of these are the Gateway NV52 and NV58 that represent the current state of entry-level AMD and Intel laptops. The third is a netbook, the ASUS Eee PC 1005HA. None of these laptops would qualify as high-end solutions, mostly because we don't think users interested in battery life are going to be looking at high-end laptops. These three laptops provide a reasonable view of the current mobile market. If there is interest, we may look at extending this testing to other laptops in the future, but first let's see what sort of results we get from the test candidates.
Adblock doesn't just help by blocking flash but also by preventing tons of scripts the adcompanies run I bet, you should test that by also trying it with flashblock instead of adblock if you want to be sure.
Reply
I just installed Safari 4 a few days ago along side Explorer 8. Then I saw this article, and when I saw the large difference between IE8 and S4, I decided to test out how much processor usage they each used. So I closed out IE8 and loaded the article up in S4 and found that both cores on my T5500 CPU went from ~5% to over 20% usage on the same page.
S4 pages seemed to look nicer than on IE8, and the performance seems a little better too. S4 also has a TSR spellchecking feature enabled by default, and puts borders around text boxes. All these things, and there are probably still more default processes, require CPU cycles to execute.
I've decided I'm going to do my civic duty and use IE instead of Safari in order to reduce my carbon footprint (except on pages IE8 has problems with @!#%$!) :)
I'd love to see the different power usage differences between XP, Vista and Win7. Maybe you could test different OS's on older and new laptops, as well as older and newer desktops then compare the differneces. It could even be combined with different browsers, and see how each browser interacts with each different OS.
I've heard someone say that actually XP is the most efficient power wise when they did an impromptu test of their own, but not sure whether it's really true.
If web developers could develop more green friendly web sites on the server side, and consumers on the client side could make use the best combo of efficient OS, browser and plug-ins, it would be a step in the right direction. Reply
Thought provoking piece. Also enjoyed your many well argued riposts to the various trolls here. Nicely done. I quite enjoy the people who won't accept that IE8 is better at power saving than other browsers simply because they don't like it.
Power management is obviously just one of many reasons to choose a web browser. Personally the only thing I learned is you really shouldn't install Safari on a Windows Laptop. I'm planning to continue using Firefox for now. I'm too used to it, and all the plugins I use to switch FOR THE MOMENT. Reply | {
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Brazilian thrashers Woslom just posted a new music video for fan favorite "Underworld of Aggression," taken off latest album "A Near Life Experience" that was released earlier this year via Shinigami Records and Punishment 18 Records.
The video was recorded during Woslom's European tour and captures behind the scenes events in Germany, Russia, and Switzerland along with clips from Brazil’s Maximus Fest. The video was directed and edited by Diogo Alvino.
"A Near Life Experience" was recorded at Acustica Studios and mastered at Absolute Master. The track listing is as follows:
Brazilian thrash outfit Woslom just released a new music video for the song "Purgatory," taken from the band's most recent album "Evolustruction," out now worldwide via the Italian label Punishment 18 Records.
The band also comments: "In a clip full of disturbing images, the directors Diogo Alvino and Edu Lawless were able to capture the essence of the message and transported it to images." More...
Brazilian thrashers Woslom signed on with Punishment 18 for the release of the sophomore album "Evolustrution." The album was originally self-issued in June of 2013, but will now see worldwide release via Punishment 18 on February 24th.
Between October 2012 and March 2013 the band recorded the album in Studio Acustica. The loose concept of the release follows the idea that there are always choices to make in life and that one has to constantly decide between good choices and bad choices.
The track list for the album is:
1. Evolustruction2. Haunted by the Past3. Pray to Kill4. River of Souls5. No Last Chance6. New Faith7. Breathless (Justice's Fall)8. Purgatory9. Breakdown10. Evolustruction (Extended Version) More...
Brazilian thrash act Woslom posted a new music video for the track "Evolustruction," the title track of the band's forthcoming sophomore LP, which is due out through the band on June 3, 2013 (see Facebook Page for info).
The track listing for the album is:
1. Evolustruction2. Haunted by the Past3. Pray to Kill4. River of Souls5. No Last Chance6. New Faith7. Breathlless (Justice’s Fall)8. Purgatory More...
Brazilian thrash band Woslom posted a new music video for the song "Mortal Effect." The song appears on the independently released LP "Time to Rise" released on October 25, 2010. For more information on the band, visit them on Facebook.
Metal Media has issued the following announcement about offering a new 32 track compilation album as a free download:
"This August we are celebrating Metal Media's three years of existence! For those who do not know us yet, we are a communication company dedicated to spreading great bands of the Brazilian scene in a professional and honest way, both in Brazil and abroad.
"The way we have to celebrate the anniversary of a 100% Brazilian company is showing a bit of some of the best bands in Brazil's extreme music! And thus was born the 'Brazilian Xtreme Way', intending to show the world once again, the power of the bands from Brazil. The work contains 32 tracks, one from each of the bands that compose the current roster of Metal Media. It is noteworthy that many of these songs are new and some have not even been released.
"Three years of many struggles, some defeats and lots of victories! This is all due to the fans who believe in the Brazilian heavy music, journalists, professionals, zines, magazines, websites, radios, TVs, and especially by the Brazilian bands that always motivated us to go further. Thank you!"
The album can be downloaded here, and the track listing is as follows:
CHAOS INC: TormentorCRUSCIFIRE: Squeals From The SlaughterhouseDEADLY CURSE: IllusionENCÉFALO: ReactionsHELLARISE: DeadfallHELLLIGHT: The Light That Brought DarknessHELLSAKURA: HateHERESIA 666: HeresiaHOCNIS: Against AllKHROPHUS: Of The EldersKROW: Before The AshesLEFT BEHIND: The Calyx Of RebellionLOSNA: Distillery Of PainLYCANTHROPY: M.I.N.D.MACHINAGE: EnvyMAKINÁRIA ROCK: Não Quero SaberMORFOLK: World Of LiesNECROPSYA: Proud And MaggotsNEÓFITO: 1452NERVOCHAOS: Perish SlowlyOF THE ARCHAENGEL: Consent To The Devilish FantasiesOLIGARQUIA: Consumed By GreedRED FRONT: Institutions DownREVIOLENCE: King Of The NightRHESTUS: Untiring TorturerRHEVAN: Drunk With The Blood Of SaintsSACRIFICED: The Truth Beneath The LamentsSHADOWS LEGACY: Far From The LightSIZED: SuicideUNREAL: Progeny Of The MacabreWOSLOM: Mortal EffectZOMBIE COOKBOOK: Harvest Of The Damn | {
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A Fresh Approach For An Apartment In a McKim, Mead & White Building
Few buildings in New York have a more distinguished history than the 12-story, Italian Renaissance Revival palazzo designed by Mc-Kim, Mead & White on Fifth Avenue across the street from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. When it was completed in 1912, New York patricians were still suspicious, if not contemptuous, of vertical living, and the architects had to compete with the private mansions on Millionaire’s Row. But the monumental elegance of the façade, the incomparable park views, the solidity and grandeur of the rooms and the opulence of the amenities converted them to a new style of life.
Every generation, however, redefines modern luxury. A banker, who is now focusing, he says, “on my kids, friendship, cooking, art, baseball and philanthropy,” bought one of the finest apartments in the building—7,000 square feet on the equivalent of the étage noble, with French doors that open to a stone balustrade and higher ceilings than on any other floor. The previous owner was a grande dame of the old school, and her décor was a predictable stage set heavy on the passementerie, with a stuffy dining room, a drafty entrance gallery, a nondescript kitchen she may or may not ever have visited, with a warren of staff rooms behind it, and—as Stephen Sills puts it—“Louis, Louis everywhere.”
The designers felt the apartment merited a transformation. “The bones were great, but the flesh was slack.“
Sills and his partner, James Huniford, who met their client through a mutual friend, eagerly accepted his challenge to make the apartment more “casual and family-friendly,” as Huniford describes it, while respecting its inherent nobility. “Modern design is a perspective, not a period,” Sills says. “If you look at the past with a fresh but well-educated eye, it clarifies your sense of the present. A poetic juxtaposition of colors and textures with classical furnishings can be more original than the kind of shock-and-awe tactics that strip a room of its soul. The essence of poetry, after all, is revelation. Ford and I aim to orchestrate a subtle composition that unsettles conventional expectations.”
The designers felt the apartment merited “a total transformation,” Huniford says. “The bones were great, but the flesh was slack.” Their client agreed. The staff wing was remade into additional bedrooms and a gym. A service corridor was demolished to create a handsome chef’s kitchen and informal dining area. The doorways were raised and widened, and a team of master artisans restored the original plasterwork—“beautiful, Louis XV-style ceiling medallions and Régence crown moldings,” Sills explains. They recast the missing pieces on-site, then limed and gilded them. They also stripped the oak parquet de Versailles of its gloomy varnish and refinished it by hand to let the grain breathe. “Breathing room,” Sills notes succinctly, “was our theme.”
For nearly a century, however, the entrance gallery hogged a bit too much oxygen. It served no useful function beyond, perhaps, announcing to guests that their hostess had room to waste. The partners reinvented the space as the library for a gentleman scholar, anchored at one end by a lemonwood desk designed to resemble a Greek temple and at the other by a round, Neoclassical table. “Books and reading are central to my life,” the owner says, “and much of my philanthropy goes to education.”
The refinement of this masculine lair sets the tone for the adjoining dining/family room, which has the artfully rusticated elegance of a ducal hunting lodge. Bugatti brackets burnish the mahogany of a French Empire cabinet; Art Déco armchairs by Ruhlmann, covered in silk, surround a dining table that expands to seat 12 people. An elemental sculpture by Louise Nevelson hanging over the sofa relates, across the millennia, to the 1st-century Roman bas-relief of a bull above the mantel: One is an homage to human toolmaking, the other to primal muscle power.
“If you look at the past with a fresh but well-educated eye, it clarifies your sense of the present,” Sills says.
The antique-chestnut paneling—made of wood salvaged from a barn—was, in this context, an inspiration. “We found the beams in the collection of a midwestern restorationist,” Sills explains. “and he remilled them to our drawings.” The Ionic columns carved into the paneling “are a nod to the kind of prestigious woodwork you would expect here,” he adds, “but we bleached the wood and preserved the wormholes and the rust stains from old nails. Our client was as passionate about the craftsmanship involved as we were, and he followed its progress on a computer.”
A digital image, however, is like a literal translation: useful but flat. One can only appreciate the poetics of the living room by crossing its threshold. Sills and Huniford skim-coated the walls with gossamer—tissue paper squares applied directly to the wet paint (a pale honeydew green) that wrinkled as they dried—and hung the windows with two layers of unlined taffeta to heighten the translucence. The effect, in Sills’s words, is “magically watery and ethereal.” A custom needlepoint rug in Hermès orange, designed by the firm, French alabaster lanterns and a serene, architectural abstraction by Robert Mangold contribute to the glow.
“The volume and light are so dramatic,” Sills says, “that we made them our focal point. The décor alludes to the museum streetscape below—an American fantasy of 19th-century Paris—but reimagined in a timeless way. Most of the furnishings are antique, although we chose them for their graphic simplicity. We wanted the endow the room with a richness of texture without making it precious.”
“What is most precious to me,” their client says, “is the combination of beauty and comfort with a feeling of home.” | {
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10 Ways to Stay Organized When Studying
10 Ways to Stay Organized When Studying
Have you ever struggled with studying? Is staying organized and tackling information for exams a challenge? If so, there could be a simple solution. Maybe you need help with new organization techniques which will not only make studying easier, but more enjoyable. Staying organized while you study is a great way boost your retention levels and increase your overall test scores. What are some of the best ways to stay organized when studying? Keep reading below to find out.
1. Learn the Cornell note taking method to organize notes
The Austin Community College shows that there are many benefits to note taking. According to their website, note taking keeps you alert, engages your mind, helps you emphasise and organize important information, and it creates a condensed record for study. If you are unsure of how to begin taking great notes, you can use Cornell notes to start. This method involves dividing a sheet of paper into three sections. One section is for general note taking, the other is to emphasis key points, and the final is to summarize the info and highlight the key points after class in order to review and reflect upon what was discussed.
2. Use binders and notebooks
Using binders or notebooks is a great way to organize your notes. If you sit down to study, but it takes hours just to organize the information you have, it will be hard to focus on learning the material. Binders help keep your notes organized and separated by subject, which will also help speed along the process of finding information later. Use tabs with labels for important information so it is readily accessible.
3. Write the date and topic of your class discussion at the top of your notes
Before you can become an organized studier, you must first learn how to take good notes. Taking notes is essential to reviewing for tests and quizzes later, so if you are not already taking notes this is a great place to start. At the beginning of each class or lecture, put the topic and date of each lecture at the top of the first page. This will make it easier to find information later on when you are reviewing.
4. Create a schedule for studying
Set aside time each week for studying by making a schedule. You can make it so you study a certain amount of time every day, or only study on certain days. The idea is to make it a routine so you get into the habit of studying regularly.
5. Use a calendar to plan
By using a calendar, it will be far easier to plan out exactly how much time you should set aside to study. Start by counting backwards from the day of each exam so you can see how many days and hours you have to prepare. Working in study time around other competing schedules will ensure that you give yourself enough time to get ready for your exams and will make studying less stressful.
6. Organize your workspace
Find a place to study. It can be anywhere you feel you will perform the best. Some people prefer using their own homes but others like to go to a public place, like a library. Just choose a dedicated location where you can study with ample time and little distraction. Make sure this workspace is organized. It should be clutter free and have the supplies you need to study effectively.
A list of things you should have include:
Pens
Pencils
Note Cards
Different Color Highlighters
Tabs
A Stapler
Plenty of Paper
Anything Else You May Need
By keeping these items stocked up, it will reduce the time you spend looking for things you need when you should be studying.
7. Use color coded flash cards
Using flash cards is a tried and true method of studying. It appeals to a wide range of learning styles and is quite an effective way to increase the amount of information you can recall and memorize for tests. By color coding flash cards, you can keep them organized by subject or even by individual subject categories.
However, technology is changing how you can create flash cards. There are many digital resources available and quite a number of flash card apps you can download on your smartphone or tablet. Check out this list of awesome flash card apps.
8. Eliminate distractions
When you are studying, staying focused can be challenging. Eliminate as many distractions as you can so that you can stay focused on your work. Stay off your cell phone and social media until later. Some people like noise while they are working, but the TV can be very distracting. Instead, try listening to film scores or instrumental music or a white noise app. This will have the same effect but will not be as intrusive as TV shows and advertisements.
9. Divide information into sections
Attacking a large portion of information at once can be overwhelming. Break down your notes and subjects into smaller groups. For example, if you have a list of terms, try dividing them into groups of ten and study only ten words at a time. Once you have mastered these words, move on to the next ten. Continue this trend until you have learned all the words you need to know. Use your study schedule and calendar mentioned above to decide which subjects to study on which days instead of trying to study everything all at once.
10. Set a timer and take breaks
When you are studying, it is very important to take breaks. According to Psych central, taking breaks actually can help improve your overall focus. If you have trouble focusing on studying, try setting a timer for 30-50 minutes and study until the timer goes off. Then, set the timer again for ten minutes and take a quick break. Once the timer goes off again, set it for another 30-50 minutes and so on.
In conclusion, staying organized when you study will help you learn more and get better grades. However, it starts with taking good notes and maintaining a system to organize them. If you can’t find your notes or if you don’t have any to begin with, studying becomes increasingly more difficult.
Let us know what you think in the comments below! Do you have any other tips to staying organized when studying?
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Abigail Owens is a career coach and an e-commerce consultant. She loves improving her skills when it comes to social media, graphic design and UI/UX and she can help you, too! She is also an editor for TemplatesInfo.com. | {
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Palaces, churches, and towers of the world in Lego (pictures)
Taj Mahal
Built by modeler Arthur Gugick, this magnificent re-creation of India's Taj Mahal graces the pages of "Brick City," a new book of landmarks made in Lego by Warren Elsmore.
The Taj is Gugick's most complex model. It required over 28,000 bricks and over four months to build. It measures 25.5 inches tall, but some of its dimensions were deliberately distorted to make it appear more accurate in a film production that commissioned it.
Westminster Abbey
Created by "Brick City" author Warren Elsmore and four others, this 1:43-scale model of London's Westminster Abbey is 63 inches tall and 116 inches long. Each of the 180,000 bricks is a standard-issue Lego piece; no glue or non-Lego parts were used. It houses a congregation of about 400 minifigs.
Roman Colosseum
The Eiffel Tower
Measuring 19.5 inches tall, this 1:650-scale model of the Eiffel Tower was built by Spencer Rezkalla. He used 4,812 bricks, including Lego Flexi-tube elements, to recreate the challenging Paris icon, largely using a process of trial and error.
St. Basil's Cathedral
Over 20 inches tall, Arthur Gugick's 1:110-scale Lego model of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was made from more than 20,000 bricks. It was Gugick's most complex creation after the Taj Mahal and required custom software to design.
St. Pancras Station
Elsmore's pièce de résistance is St. Pancras Station in London, and is the original inspiration for his book "Brick City." About 120,000 Lego pieces were used to re-imagine the Victorian masterpiece by Gothic revival architect George Gilbert Scott.
The station has six fully working platforms with Lego Eurostar trains and passengers moving in and out, as well as features such as a champagne bar. It has been shown at LegoWorld Copenhagen and numerous other Lego exhibitions.
London Olympic Park
In 2012, the Lego Group and Visit Denmark commissioned Elsmore to build a piece for the Danish Hospitality House at the London Olympic Games. The result was this elaborate model of the Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park, which were seen by 100,000 visitors, generating headlines around the world.
About 250,000 bricks went into the construction, which took 300 hours. Most of them were 1x1 pieces. Check it out in Elsmore's "Brick City" or in this video. | {
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6 Facts About Taxi Everyone Thinks Are True
Characteristics of the Right Airport Transportation Company
It is considerable that can have good logistics for your trip enable your traveling with an airplane by using able transportation services that enable you all is arriving the airport on time for your flights and also to be picked up according to your schedule. This article looks into some of the factors to consider in choosing an appropriate airport transportation company.
Reputability of a particular able transportation companies very important for you to consider in order to get the one that is right for you. You will want to trust someone if they are involved in carrying your luggage in the meeting with your schedule so that you do not delay during your flights and you therefore need to check whether they reputable to know whether they can be able to be entrusted such. With having to meet with the demands of a variety of the market, reputable airport transportation companies will have enough capital structure to be able to own the best staff and equipment that are required in airport transportation.
The cost of services of dealing with a particular airport transportation company should also be put into proper perspective before choosing the one that is appropriate for you. It is appropriate to check how much you spend during your trip to make sure that your expenses can be accounted for and this requires a budget. There is need for you obtain prior information that will be able to inform you on the cost of services that are involved with hiring a particular airport transportation company for your consideration. It is important that you find the airport transportation company that can be able to give you the most affordable services without compromising the quality thereof.
Peer recommendations play a huge part in you getting the right airport transportation company and this is one of the things that you should look at before selecting one for your case. You can be able to get a first-hand abuse about a particular airport transportation company and their services by asking your friends, colleagues and families about the airport transportation companies that they have dealt with in the past food be able to consider them.
A major characteristic when it comes to the right airport transportation company has to do with their level of customer service. Communication is a major part when it comes to your travels as you would want any airport pickup service to be able to be there in time so that you can be able to meet with your various schedules. In order for you to have a peace of mind when it comes to your traveling experience, then it is important that you get an airport transportation company that you have well-versed stuff when it comes to communication to help you through how you can be able to be picked in time for you to meet your schedules. | {
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THE BLOG
Now we have a new ear, nose, and throat flyer with information on some of the compounds we offer available here. For information about our dental compounds, you can find our flyer here. For information about our dermatological compounds, it is available here. For more information about our compounds, to see if we can make your own […] | {
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WHICH SERVICE DO YOU NEED?
Adventure Motorsports, LLC works on most makes and models of motorcycles, ATVs, dirtbikes and snowmobiles. Whether you are tuning up your ride for the start of the season, trying to get a classic back on the road after years of neglect, or just want to fix what broke during your last outdoor adventure session, we are your answer for recreational vehicle repair in Western New York and the Southern Tier.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
MOTORCYCLE INSPECTIONS
OIL & TRANSMISSION
From running diagnostics to tune ups and everything in between, Adventure Motorsports, LLC can get your vehicle back on the road - or trail! - quickly. | {
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Starting Out – Hiking on Mount Fuji
I grew up fairly, active and hiking and hill walking was a not insignificant part of my upbringing. The UK has some beautiful and historic areas. From the hills of Snowdonia and the Lake District, to the dales of the Peak District and Yorkshire, the nation caters to many tastes. In my youth I would often take advantage of the countryside. At least yearly, I would be hiking in the Welsh hills, Cadair Idris being a, somewhat nostalgic, favourite. And at least weekly, I would be walking the trails, the hills and old railway lines of Derbyshire. Although admittedly many times it felt forced upon me, the love of the outdoors certainly stayed with me.
One thing that the UK hadn’t been able to give me, at least in the areas, to which I had immediate access, was the experience of hiking at a significant altitude. While I was relatively athletic and a keen, if very amateur, sports player, I had no notion of what hiking at a few kilometres above sea level takes, nor the impact of altitude upon the body. I was confident through ignorance, and under the impression that fitness is fitness. This lack of awareness was soon hit, forcefully home.
In the early 2000’s during a family trip to Japan, my mother had suggested I climb Mount Fuji. Although not an enormous mountain, Fuji is well an incredibly well known and iconic landmark. Standing proudly mere miles away from the modern metropolis of Tokyo, it is a beautiful juxtaposition to the brash lights and fast pace of Japan’s largest city. The snow covered peak of this, still active, volcano has been depicted in numerous pieces of art and is one of the nation’s most recognisable features. To me at least, it is synonymous to the old and pure way of life practiced by the Japanese peoples prior to the birth of the age of technology and capitalism.
The mountain, from its base, is as any other, suitably daunting. The plan was to hike up to a lodge, where I would sleep. From here I would rise early in the morning to begin my trek to the summit where I would watch sun rise from the top of Fujiyama. The truth of hiking Mount Fuji is not as glamorous as the photos would suggest. The landscape is predominantly scree. It is loose underfoot and the rocks are, quite honestly, ugly. The majority of the hike is on this constantly moving terrain and is a seeming never ending saga of switchbacks. If you don’t have hiking poles, you can buy cheap wooden ones from the base of the mountain where, every so often, you will meet someone who will brand a stamp into it. It’s a nice touch and makes for a pleasant souvenir, but does highlight the commercial nature of the hike.
During this time of my life, as mentioned previously, I was relatively athletic and had no understanding of the effects of altitude. As we got higher and higher, I kept on pushing. I neglected to drink, rushed up the switchbacks in order to take photos of my companions, and generally disregarded the rules of altitude for the uninitiated. When, after some hours, I reached my lodging for the night, it hit me at a million miles an hour. My footing became uncertain, my mind became clouded and my head was ringing like a brass band was rock climbing inside it. This was shortly followed by nausea and, eventually, vomiting. Even then, I assumed it was something I had caught, rather than the result of my fool’s errand. Despite having a voracious appetite, I didn’t touch my food, I couldn’t even tell you what was prepared. Having suitably alarmed everyone I was with, I finally managed to get some sleep.
When we awoke in the dead of night, I felt remarkably good again. The latter part of the climb from our lodging to the summit was much nicer, although I do wish I had done it in the day rather than the light from our head torches. It was much less scree-laden switchbacks, and involved a bit more clambering over rocks; still not technical, but certainly more enjoyable. I reached the summit before day-break, still tired, still fatigued, and still slightly slow of thought. The sight of a local smoking on top of the mountain did not make me feel better about my situation.
When the sun began to rise, however, the pain and hardship evaporated. My feelings about this moment on the top of Fuji were correct. It was a truly breathtaking experience and one that, up until that point in my life, I had never experienced before. Watching the sun rise and paint the surrounding landscapes from its tallest and most prominent piece of, vertical, natural beauty was as close to peace as I had ever felt. And while the country itself has found a new place in the world, I felt sure that the feeling of calmness and serenity that washed over me with the sun’s bright rays was something that had been enjoyed by man for millennia and longer. Although I had been in pain, although my body had rejected its environment, I had my first taste of how impactful hiking in the mountains can be. I had this moment of immense pride in myself, this very personal belief that I had overcome the challenges that my body had presented. I hadn’t truly discovered the emotional connection with the mountains yet, but I was on my way to doing so. | {
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Saturday, July 14, 2012
ARC review: Blind Spot by Laura Ellen
Roswell Hart can't remember anything about the night her classmate Tricia Farni died, and she needs to start remembering soon - her life depends upon it.
Roz is used to living in a hazy world. Macular degeneration has caused her vision to fail her on many occasions, but on the night Tricia disappeared, it's Roz's memory that fails her, not her vision. All Roz can remember from that night is that she and Tricia had a fight. What happens after that is completely erased from her memory.
But when Tricia's body is pulled from the Birch River six months after she disappeared, Roz is now a suspect in a variety of crimes, including Tricia's death. Soon Roz finds herself being questioned by the police to which she doesn't have any answers, other than just one: she didn't do it. And she's determined to get to the bottom of who did in order to clear her name.
Blind Spot is an amazing story that helps to fill a hole in modern YA literature: the mystery. There just aren't that many YA writers doing mystery these days and I love that Laura Ellen is helping to change that. While I did have some issues with the story, on the whole, it was heart-pumping and page-turning. It took me a while to get into the book, but then once I did, I stayed up until 2 a.m. finishing it, which I haven't done with a book in a long time.
While Laura Ellen writes some interesting and believable characters, at first Roz's self-consciousness about her eyes was pretty much the only thing with which I could empathize. While I have never experienced macular degeneration, I was born with lazy eye in both eyes that has left it difficult for me to look people directly in the eye. Roz's vision problem affects her in social situations because most people think she's being stand-offish by not looking them in the eye, but it's really because she can't see someone if she looks at them head on. Even though our reasons for not looking people in the eye are different (mine are more self-conscious than vision reasons) I have had many people assume me to be stand-offish, and I think in a way, my self-consciousness about my eyes has kind of made me that way. So in that regard, I really felt for Roz.
But I digress. As I mentioned, Roz was an extremely difficult character to like in the beginning of the story and throughout much of it for that matter. It is clear she is flawed and damaged and you just want take her by the shoulders and shout, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
At the same time, finding her a frustrating character to get behind felt like it was by design. She is not so frustrating that you don't find yourself rooting for her and wanting her to finally come to her senses. Because of all the people who have disappointed her throughout her life (an absent father and a neglectful mother for example), it's easy to see why Roz makes poor choices. And of course, the one person who is always there for her, Greg, she treats like garbage. At the same time, this frustration with Roz is also what makes her a believable character. Lots of teenage girls fall prey to user boyfriends and so often fail to see the one person who's always been there for them.
Another element of the story I really enjoyed was Roz's relationship with the students in her Life Skills class. Because of Roz's vision problems, she is on an IEP (a special ed acronym for Individual Education Plan) which for her means, in addition to specific classroom accommodations, she must also take this Life Skills class to help her cope with her disability. But with a despot of a teacher, the only Life Skills Roz learns in that class are how to deal with power-tripping authority figures and how to get a group of misfits to find a way to stick together. Despite Roz's resistance to be in the class at the beginning of the book, her interaction with the students ends up being what helps me get behind her.
Overall, Blind Spot is a solid, page-turning debut novel that I highly recommend for anyone seeking out more YA mystery in their lives. I'm looking forward to reading more Laura Ellen novels in the future. Cover comments: Wow! What an intriguing and unusual cover that perfectly captures the mysterious nature of the story. And despite the fact that the eye is clearly that of a female, I daresay it might not scare boys away from reading it, my biggest pet peeve of the current climate of YA covers.
Blind Spot by Laura EllenPublication Date: October 23, 2012Publisher: HarcourtPages: 356Genre: MysteryAudience: Young AdultDisclosure: ARC borrowed from a friend who obtained it from the author | {
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Developer
AGame union is small, independent group created not by a professional programmers or mappers, but by a people interested in such things. We will develop mods for Amnesia: The Dark Descent (for now). Feel free to send request to us if you want to be in this group. POLISH: AGame union to mała, niezależna grupa tworzona nie przez profesionalnych skrypterów czy projektantów poziomów, lecz przez ludzi interesujących się takimi rzeczami. Będziemy tworzyć mody do Amnesia: Mroczny Obłęd (jak na razie). Śmiało wysyłaj zgłoszenie, jeśli chcesz należeć do naszej grupy. | {
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Camel milk: Not easy to find, but some swear by its benefits
By Cindy Stauffer, Intelligencer Journal
Posted:
07/15/2013 10:35:50 AM EDT
A pair of camels that belong to a dairy farm in Upper Leacock Township, Pa. The local Amish organic cooperative, Miller's Organic Farm, ships the milk all over the U.S. and Canada for $10 a pint. (Jeff Ruppenthal)
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Let's get the obvious questions about camel's milk out of the way first.
It tastes like skim milk, just a wee bit saltier.
And with regard to how you milk a camel: Very carefully, it turns out.
Camel's milk has arrived in Lancaster County, courtesy of Little Bit, Twila and their herd, who can be seen grazing placidly in a pasture on an Amish farm in Upper Leacock Township.
A local Amish organic cooperative is operating a camel dairy here, milking the long-legged, one-humped animals twice a day.
Miller's Organic Farm ships the milk all over the United States and even into Canada, for $10 a pint. It has about 100 customers who regularly buy camel's milk.
Miller's is one of about a half a dozen camel dairies in the nation, operating in states including Missouri, Michigan and Indiana. Like Miller's, many of the dairies are operated by Plain Sect farmers.
The local co-op also offers other camel's milk products, including camel's milk yogurt; camel's milk kefir, which is a fermented milk drink; and camel's milk soap, which is made by a local company.
The co-op also sells cheese, butter and other items it makes in its own dairy using milk from more conventional sources, such as cows, along with other natural products, including grass-fed beef, pickled beets, organic potato chips, coconut oil and raw honey.
In the past two years, the farm has built up a six-camel milking herd, along with a bull camel to propagate the group.
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The dairy camels are milked twice a day, with a conventional milking machine.
The animals can be a bit choosy and a bit stingy with their milk, says a Miller's employee, Ben Stoltzfus.
Camels only can be milked while they are nursing a baby and they only will give up so much of their milk in a session, he says.
"A camel will allow milk to be withdrawn from their udder for only 90 seconds," he says. "They have like a spigot on their udder, and if they choose not to give milk there is really not much we can do."
Camels also tend to be a "one-man animal," Stoltzfus says, functioning best with one caregiver who is used to their personalities and temperaments.
If their local caretaker has to go away, the camels get a bit funny and won't give much milk for a milking or two, until they get used to his stand-in, Stoltzfus says.
It was Stoltzfus, 35, who brought the camel's milk to the co-op after he became interested in it due to one of his sons who has an auto-immune disease and diabetes.
A few years ago, a friend at the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company told Stoltzfus that he had a cousin in Turbotville, in Northumberland County, who had a camel herd and was selling the milk, which some people believe is helpful for children with autism or people with diabetes.
Stoltzfus was looking for natural remedies for his son.
He got in touch with Noah Peachey, who was operating the state's only camel dairy at the time, and purchased some of the milk. He and his wife felt that the milk improved their son's temperament.
The Stoltzfuses decided to buy their own camel, purchasing Little Bit, a one-hump dromedary, in April 2011.
Sold on camel's milk, Stoltzfus talked to his boss, Amos Miller, who contracted with Peachey to provide camel's milk to Miller's customers.
But Peachey's sales took off so much that he no longer could supply Miller's Organics with the milk.
Miller's decided to develop its own herd to supply camel's milk to customers, Stoltzfus says.
The co-op refrigerates and ships the milk, which is dated and marked with the first initial of the camel who gave the milk, in insulated boxes.
Most of the customers who buy camel's milk are parents of children with autism. Miller's has sent the milk to a school for autistic children in Vancouver, Canada, as well as parents in California and other states.
Customers have told Stoltzfus they have noticed an improvement in their autistic child's vocabulary due to the milk, and others have said the milk has helped with diabetes.
But he is hesitant to say the milk has curative properties.
"I'm not a doctor," Stoltzfus says. "I don't want to make any false claims."
His own son's doctors at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia "think we're out of our heads with the camel's milk. They don't acknowledge it would make a difference.
"My wife and I are convinced that it makes enough of a difference that we want to keep using it, without a doubt."
Other parents who share Stoltzfus's feelings, or who want to know more, congregate on several Facebook pages, including Camel Milk for Health and Healing With Camel Milk.
Jacqui Zimmerman, a registered dietitian with Lancaster General Health, says camel's milk still is a relatively new product in the United States and there are not many studies examining its effects.
She says many parents believe diet can impact autism; others are not convinced.
Talk to your doctor first, she urges. If you decide to use it, start by giving a child a small amount.
Don't substitute the milk for any medications. And don't expect miracles, she says.
Also be aware that camel's milk is sold raw, unlike milk in the grocery store that is pasteurized, or processed at a high heat to kill bacteria.
She believes it's fine to try it and see what happens, as long as it's not going to be harmful in any way.
Zimmerman encountered Miller's camels while jogging near the farm, before she knew their purpose.
"I thought I was hallucinating," she says, laughing. "I saw these three camels. I even took a picture.
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ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story
Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty) Plucked strings and pulsing keyboards dominate the distinctive arrangements on Sufjan Stevens' latest album, and in the absence of a rhythm section, they serve to keep time. Full Story | {
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The list is in no particular order. Like the Occupiers themselves, it’s unruly, disorganized, messy and not focused solely on the nation’s media centers. The movement is spreading across America and bringing with it their outrageous and appalling behavior.
This whole thing, the difference between the Tea Party and OWS and how it's being portrayed in the media, if this doesn't show a glaring bias in the media, nothing does. The only news network, surprise surprise, who is reporting the asshattery of the OWS has been Fox News and as for print media, newspapers like the NY Post(right leaning) are few and far between. Even international news organizations, who are decidedly left, are reporting OWS as something peaceful and positive. And it's a shame. Even if the message OWS was valid, the violence and out and out asshattery should be reported.
THIS scares me. Where is NOW? Where is Code Pink? Women at a "peace" protest are under attack and forced into silence?
COME ON, people. This is almost so bad Southern Baptist disaster relief may need to be called. :p
~QC
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." Rudyard Kipling - (1865-1936)
Who does this "handle it internally" sound like? A group that has been raked over the coals (with good reason) by keeping similar situations under wraps and out of the public eye? The Catholic Church! Let's keep things fair and evenly distributed, and nail these OCW putzes with the exact same legal and moral outrage they and their ilk leveled against the Catholics! Equal distribution right?
BTW I am in no way excusing the priest abuse scandals, so don't even go there. If that's your best defense, sit down and shut up now to save us the trouble of telling you to later.
Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Differences between Obama and God: God's plan to save us is actually written down for people to read. Rush Limbaugh.
At about 5:09 p.m., the female student was approached by a man at “the northeast exterior of the Haas Pavilion,” according to a UCPD crime alert.
The man asked the suspect if she was going to the protest on Sproul Plaza, and when the victim answered “no,” the suspect yelled at her. “People like you are the reason that California is in debt,” he said, according to the crime alert.
The suspect then threw a full aluminum water bottle at the victim’s face. | {
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Thursday, 7 October 2010
Anthony Hogg
Anthony Hogg masked.
Anthony Hogg unmasked.
Anthony Hogg, an unemployed man who lives in Melbourne, Australia, has been stalking and harassing Bishop Manchester on the internet ever since he was expelled from a forum several years ago for refusing to stop posting about David Farrant whom the membership wanted to hear no more about. Hogg, who usually hides behind a demonic mask, immediately began to attack the bishop after his expulsion and started opening numerous forums, blogs and boards with a common aim and title (lifted from the headline of a news feature about Bishop Manchester in the Hampstead & Highgate Express, 27 February 1970).
Anthony Hogg's theme is always the same and he appears to many outsiders as a totally manic individual who is obsessed with the bishop and events that occurred on the other side of the world long before before Hogg was born. Hogg is not just pathologically obsessed with Bishop Manchester and the bishop's adversary. He allows himself so easily to be drawn into doing precisely what the Farrant clique want, ie violating and abusing Bishop Manchester. David Farrant is probably a lost cause and beyond help. One could almost pity such a pathetic creature. Anthony Hogg is someone totally outside the four and a half decades' old Highgate Cemetery saga who decided to insinuate himself into latter-day arguments long after the history itself had reached a conclusion. His attitude towards Farrant is perhaps more understandable, but he allows himself to be willingly manipulated and uses Farrant's propaganda as if it was his own. In being manipulated by Farrant, Hogg posts libellous material about Bishop Manchester which is equal to anything the Farrant coterie resort to at the height of their malice. In fact, Anthony Hogg frequently uses antipathetic sources such as the grotesque Don Ecker (an American friend of Farrant) character and seems to take immense pleasure regurgitating David Farrant's unsubstantiated garbage about Bishop Manchester. There is something deeply disturbing about Anthony Hogg who is patently a stalker with malicious intent and clearly someone with deep issues, possibly a narcissitic personality disorder, ie an inflated sense of self-importance, need for admiration, extreme self-involvement, and lack of empathy for others.
Anthony Hogg claims "the photo accompanying the blog [shown above] is thankfully incorrect," ie chosen to represent him at random and therefore false. This, like much else of what he says, is a lie. The photograph correctly identifying him was found on his Microsoft messenger profile where he put it. Those receiving messages from the same Anthony Hogg who stalks Bishop Seán Manchester saw it.
Hogg's principal blog was disabled by WordPress for repeated offences that included defamation and illegally infringing Bishop Seán Manchester's lawfully owned copyright material. Such violations occured on multiple occasions over a number of years. He has now turned to other services to continue his trolling. On one of his alternate blogs he uploaded most of what was on his suspended WordPress blog, minus the infringed images which he could not access. That did not stop him uploading freshly stolen images. Hogg deviously registered this new blog in the name of UK resident Trystan Lewis Swale, an atheist who likes to attack those who hold religious and particularly supernatural beliefs. Swale has conspired with an infamous figure convicted of satanic crimes to try to discredit Bishop Seán Manchester on his hostile podcasts. He continues to this day to post extremely abusive and derogatory remarks about the Bishop on Facebook and elsewhere. Anthony Hogg (who has never been to the UK) arranged to have his blog registered using a British-based Server (UK Web Solutions Direct) with the help of Trystan Lewis Swale of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Swale describes himself as a "paranormal and Fortean investigator," but in reality is a hardened sceptic who dismisses the paranormal out-of-hand and derides anyone who does not. This replacement blog lasted a matter of days due to Hogg and Swale refusing to remove two stolen images of Bishop Manchester (taken long before either of them were born) and being unable to prove, as they had falsely claimed, that the pictures were their own copyright.
Soon after the replacement blog was disabled, Trystan Lewis Swale posted the following comment on Facebook:
"Some of you may notice that the DAWWIH archive will be disappearing soon, if it hasn't already gone. A Mr [sic] Manchester has slapped a DMCA notice on me. My web host has acted upon this without proof of any copyright ownership from Manchester. This is despite DMCA notices not having any binding legality in the UK and despite dispute over the legal status of the content concerned. My hosts have advised they will act upon Manchester's claim, albeit in the absence of any evidence supporting him. I was told that regardless of my legal position I will be required to demonstrate that Manchester is not the copyright holder. Consequently I am in the process of switching hosts."
.The proof of Bishop Manchester's ownership exists in the form of his possession of the 35mm negatives and the fact that when these two pictures were published in the 1970s they were shown to be his exclusive copyright. There is also the small matter of neither Trystan Swale or Anthony Hogg having been born when the pictures in question were taken. Swale speaks as if there is no copyright law in the United Kingdom, There is, of course, but what was glaringly obvious to his Web Host and Server is that he did not own copyright of what was in dispute and had placed alongside the photographs misleading material, ie the words "Black Magic" emblazoned in letters as big as the pictures themselves, plus further images of a man convicted of satanic crimes at Highgate Cemetery in 1974. One of these images was used as evidence to convict him. The inference is clear, and such juxtaposing is a familar strategy of these two antagonistic stalkers of Bishop Seán Manchester.Trystan Swale and Anthony Hogg somehow feel they have the right to steal photographs exclusively owned by Bishop Seán Manchester and illegally publish them to incite hatred using false and derogatory attributions. And if the Bishop dares to recover his own property by issuing a legal take-down notice these two malcontents consider it to be "harassment." Such is the behaviour of mindless trolls who are obsessed with someone they do not know, have never met and have never spoken to.
Anthony Hogg has adopted a variety of pseudonyms in the past, including The Inquisitive One, The Overseer, Amateur Vampirolgist and tnuocalucard ("Count Dracula" spelt backwards). These days he is arrogant enough to use his real name, but he goes to considerable lengths to protect his exact whereabouts to prevent prosecution for stalking, harassment and inciting hatred against a public figure. Hogg has gone so far as to publish a UK address in full (offered specifically for people wanting to receive signed and dedicated copies of the Bishop's books). The excuse given is that he found it on the internet. His dissemination of the address was not an act of benevolence, however, because it appeared in the context of a stream of vitriol and malicious allegations against the person with whom the address is associated.
A typical example of the exceptionally offensive manner in which the self-styled "Baptist" Hogg hypocritically and abusively refers to Bishop Seán Manchester comes from his recently disabled blog:
."I'm not going to disclose the identity of this potty prelate, wanker, total cock and blatant hypocrite. On an unrelated note, in the lead up to my blog's closure, I was subjected to repeated DMCA takedown notices issued by Sean Manchester."Unsurprisingly, the blog on which Anthony Hogg posted the foul-mouthed comments was suspended. Within days he had transferred this profanity, word for word, to yet another blog where it still remains.
Anthony Hogg wearing his demonic mask.
Hogg's Facebook persona (Brad
Pitt)
It is curious and somewhat
telling that rather than use a likeness of himself, Anthony Hogg chooses an
American actor as his representational image on Facebook. We could almost be
forgiven for thinking he was ashamed of who he really is, ie an Australian young man of mixed race who
was born at least ten years after Brad Pitt, the icon he misleadingly offers
to Facebook users as himself.
Hoggwatch was set up to monitor this troll's libellous and malicious allegations
about Bishop Seán Manchester in order to amass evidence with view to aiding an
eventual prosecution. It came to be suspected by a growing number of people,
however, that Hogg might be suffering from Asperger Syndrome which is characterised by
qualitative impairment in social interaction, by stereotyped and restricted
patterns of behaviour, activities and interests; and by an intense preoccupation with a narrow subject, plus
one-sided verbosity.
Consequently, Bishop Manchester has requested that Hogg
henceforward be ignored and not be provided with any stimuli which might further
trigger him.
Bishop Seán Manchester has only once commented on Hogg when he opined:
"Anthony Hogg (Melbourne, Australia), approximately 30 years of age, unmarried, not in a relationship, liberal, modernist, claims to be a Christian (Baptist) but evinces extremely unChristian behaviour, eg profanity (I have been referred to as 'a fuckin' lowlife' by him). There is not a day that passes where Anthony Hogg is not trolling and posting harassing comments about me somewhere on the internet. This self-proclaimed Christian's cyber-friends are either immersed in witchcraft and the occult, or profess to be atheists. Constantly critical of me because I am a traditional Christian bishop, Anthony Hogg himself remains totally anonymous — always wearing a demonic mask to cover his face and identity. He correctly states that John Pope has recently become a Muslim, but fails to acknowledge that this man still claims to be 'a master of the black arts.' John Pope also remains a so-called 'Mason' within what can only be described as a satanic lodge inhabited by like-minded perverts.
"I am especially intrigued to find Anthony Hogg distinguishing between Luciferians and Satanists because only occult-minded non-Christians would make that distinction. The term 'Luciferian' is really a euphemism for 'Satanist' and adherents of both engage in the same unpleasant and disgusting practices. How do we distinguish between the Luciferian Jean-Paul Bourre performing an animal sacrifice in a graveyard at night during what he euphemistically calls a 'Red Mass' and a self-proclaimed Satanist, such as John Pope has been since the early 1970s, performing the same vile act? Not surprisingly, self-styled Luciferians and Satanists are frequently found in association and naturally supportive of each another with very few exceptions. Yet the self-professed 'Baptist' Anthony Hogg differentiates between Luciferians and Satanists while all other Christians without exception recognise Satanism — commonly referred to as Devil worship — as being the general term for worship of the biblical Lucifer, or Satan (Genesis 3: 1 – 15; Isaiah 14: 12)."
“For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.” | {
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US correspondent for Fairfax Media
Former US vice-president Al Gore has said that "history will not be kind" to politicians who stand in the way of climate action and he expected President Barack Obama would raise the issue with Tony Abbott when the two leaders met at the White House, overnight Australian time.
"I am not a citizen of Australia and I don't feel I have the privilege of entering your political debate," Mr Gore said.
"But we have had deniers of the climate crisis in office in the US as well. History will not be kind to those who looked away, much less those who sought to prevent [action on climate change]."
Mr Gore, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his climate-change activism, said he was aware that Mr Abbott had once described climate-change science using "a scatological term" and that the government had de-funded bodies established to advise the government on climate change.
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"I don't pretend to know what the basis of his thinking is, but Mother Nature has a louder voice," he said, referring to increasing incidences of severe weather. Mr Gore said that although Mr Abbott had not asked for his advice and was unlikely to do so, if he had a few minutes with the Prime Minister he would ask him to "think of your children and grandchildren, think of the people who are already suffering the consequences of the climate crisis''.
He said Australia had among the best scientists in the world - perhaps the best on a per capita basis - and they agreed that the nation was bound to suffer among the worst consequences of climate change. | {
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Please note: We have mainly written about England, as that is the country within the UK where our students live. We would be very happy for schools and visitors to send us information we can add to our website on Wales and Scotland.
England's national sport is cricket although to many people football (soccer) is seen as our national sport. Football is our most popular sport. Some of England's football teams are world famous, the most famous being Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Cricket
Cricket is played on village greens and in towns/cities on Sundays from April to August
The rules of cricket became the responsibility, in the 18th century, of the Marylebone Cricket Club(MCC), based at Lord’s cricket ground in north
London.
How to play Cricket
Teams are made up of 11 players each. They play with a ball slightly smaller than a baseball and a bat shaped like a paddle. Two batters stand in front of wickets, set about 20 metres apart. Each wicket consists of three wooden rods (stumps) pushed into the ground, with two small pieces of wood (bails) balanced on top. A member of the opposing team (the bowler) throws the ball towards one of the batters, who must hit the ball so that it does not knock a bail off the wicket. If the ball travels far enough, the two batters run back and forth between the wickets while the fielders on the opposing team try to catch the ball. The game is scored according to the number of runs, which is the number of times the batters exchange places.
Football (Soccer)
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in England, and has been played for hundreds of years.
In the English Football League there are 92 professional clubs. These are semi-professional, so most players have other full-time jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people also play football in parks and playgrounds just for fun.
The highlight of the English football year is the FA (Football Association) Cup Final each May.
Did you know?
The first set of laws of the game of football, or soccer as it is known in the US, date from the formation of The Football Association in England in 1863.
Rugby
Rugby originated from Rugby school in Warwickshire. It is similar to football, but played with an oval ball. Players can carry the ball and tackle each other. The best rugby teams compete in the Super League final each September.
For many years Rugby was only played by the rich upper classes, but now it is popular all over the country. There are two different types of rugby - Rugby League, played mainly in the north of England, and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, together with France and Italy, play in an annual tournament called the Six Nations.
American Football derived from our game of Rugby also Baseball derived from the old English game of Rounders.
Tennis
The world's most famous tennis tournament is Wimbledon. It started at a small club in south London in the nineteenth century. It begins on the nearest Monday to June 22, at a time when English often have the finest weather. Millions of people watch the Championships on TV live.
It is traditional for visitors to eat strawberries and cream whilst they watch the tennis.
Did you know?
Wimbledon is the oldest of all the major tennis tournaments beginning in 1877. The rewards of prize money began in 1968 when the total purse allocated was £26,150 (about $40,000).
Netball
Netball is the largest female team sport in England. The sport is played almost exclusively by women and girls, although male participation has increased in recent years.
Basketball
Over 3 million people participate in basketball in the UK.
Golf
Scotland is traditionally regarded as the home of golf. There are over 400 golf courses in Scotland alone. The most important golf club in Scotland is in the seaside town of St. Andrews, near Dundee.
Horse racing
Horseracing, the sport of Kings is a very popular sport with meetings being held every day throughout the year. The Derby originated here, as did The Grand National which is the hardest horse race in the world.
Horse racing and greyhound racing are popular spectator sports. People can place bets on the races at legal off-track betting shops. Some of the best-known horse races are held at Ascot, Newmarket, Goodwood and Epsom.
Ascot, a small town in the south of England, becomes the centre of horse-racing world for one week in June. It's called Royal Ascot because the Queen always goes to Ascot. She has a lot of racehorses and likes to watch racing.
Polo
Another equestrian sport is polo, brought to Britain from India in the 19th Century by army officers. It is the fastest ball sport in the world.
Polo is played with four men on horses to a team. A ball is hit with a stick towards the goal, one at each end of a 300 yard long by 160 yard wide field...Find out more here ....
Table Tennis (ping pong)
Table tennis was invented in England in 1880. It began with Cambridge University students using cigar boxes and champagne corks.
Although the game originated in England, British players don't have much luck in international championships.
Badminton
Badminton takes its name from the Duke of Beaufort’s country home, Badminton House, where the sport was first played in the 19th century.
University Boat Race
In the nineteenth century, students at Oxford and Cambridge, Britain's two oldest universities, were huge fans of rowing. In 1829, the two schools agreed to hold a race against each other for the first time on the Thames River. The Oxford boat won and a tradition was born. Today, the University Boat Race is held every spring in either late March or early April.
Fishing (Angling)
Angling is one of the most popular sports in the UK, with an estimated 3.3 million people participating in the sport on a regular basis. Fishermen can be see sitting beside rivers and lakes.
Bowls
The two main forms of bowls are lawn flat green (outdoor and indoor) and crown green.
Boxing
Boxing in its modern form is based on the rules established by the Marquess of Queensberry in 1865. In the UK boxing is both amateur and professional, and strict medical regulations are applied in both.
Swimming
Swimming is also a popular pastime and enjoyed by people of all ages.
Martial arts
Various martial arts, mainly derived from the Far East, are practised in the UK, such as judo and karate.
Darts
Darts is a very popular pub game. The game of darts, as it is today, was invented in the north of England in a town called Grimsby. However, the origins of the game date back to at least the Middle Ages. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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This Study Guide consists of approximately 26 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more -
everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Primal Connection: Follow Your Genetic Blueprint to Health and Happiness.
Perspective
The author, Mark Sisson, writes in the style of most self-help literature—from the perspective of himself as an authority (with citations of backing documents) to his audience in the second-person ("you") and first person plural ("we"). This is meant to draw the reader in, creating a sense of being included in a group of people being provided with new, transformative knowledge. If the reader follows these prescriptions, then he too will be like the author: enlightened, happy and healthy. There is nearly no mention of women or their perspectives at all in the book, and it quickly becomes fairly obvious that the target audience of Sisson's book is the Western professional, well-off adult male. His advice would be incomprehensible to, for instance, a woman living in sub-Saharan Africa or rural Argentina. Even a person living in the United States who happens to have a blue collar... | {
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‘Stalker’, ‘The McCarthys’ Cancelled By CBS
No surprise here, but CBS today made it official. A pair of freshman series, drama Stalker and comedy The McCarthys, will not be coming back for a second season. They join the previously announced CBS’ midseason drama Battle Creek on the cancellation list. And the drama pilot Sneaky Pete is not going forward.
Stalker‘s ratings had a bit of a surge (up 17%) when it moved to a new Monday 9 PM slot on April 27, but compared to Scorpion‘s Season 1 finale it was down 36% from Monday to Monday. There is word, however, that Warner Bros might shop the series elsewhere. As for The McCarthys, the writing appeared to be on the wall when the struggling comedy was pulled from the schedule in early February. | {
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NCI Drug Dictionary
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a list of up to 10 suggestions will popup under the textbox. Use the arrow keys
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supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse
An aqueous oral rinse composed of an electrolyte solution supersaturated with phosphate and calcium ions with antimucositis and analgesic activities. This solution may help relieve mucositis and mucositis-induced pain by restoring the natural electrolyte and pH balance of human saliva and lubricating mucosal tissues of the mouth, tongue and oropharynx. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus) | {
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If you are concerned that you might have withdrawal symptoms if you quit drinking all at once, please visit our taper page for information about how to taper off alcohol. If you have been helped by HAMS, please consider visiting our DONATE page to make a donation to help keep us running.
All profits from sales of the HAMS book are used to keep our organization running, too.
Now, Rooms is becoming available to a wider audience: Australia and Canada. According to Facebook’s explanation of Rooms at launch, as reported by The Courier Mail, the feature is different from group chats because it’s focused on chatting around specific topics with people you may or may not know.
These countries are often places where the social network trials new products because of their English-speaking user bases, before rolling out the feature to the U. Group chats, meanwhile, are only generally joined by family and friends you do know.
HAMS offers support via an online forum, a chat room, an email group, a facebook group, and live meetings.
Both app and website versions of this title are available; our review references key points relevant to both.
Though the app itself doesn't generate iffy content (beyond underwear ads), users create plenty, so the content in a teen's feed is dependent on friends, and they can search for racy stuff -- and find it.
Unfortunately, however, the victim has already been violated and has a lifetime to deal with the fallout. Now, with the advances in technology, it is possible for offenders to sneak into your home, via your child’s computer, and either lure them into a physical attack or prey on them over the internet.
Children having increasingly more unsupervised time online, they’re exposed to the dangers of online predators every time they log on. | {
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Taunton jeweller joins marriage debate on BBC Radio 2 show
TAUNTON jeweller Haydn Welch said children have “a right” for their parents to be married during a debate on Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show.
Mr Welch, a Mormon, said mothers and fathers should be in a loving relationship “with complete fidelity, integrity and honour”.
He added: “We are talking about children being born into the marriage and the value to the children, and I believe that it’s a question of good, better or best. Marriage between a loving father and mother is the best.”
Mr Welch agreed with Jeremy Vine on Monday's (May 19) show that there are lots of bad marriages and good partnerships.
But he added: “Too many families, too many tears, too many lovely wives, cry for weeks and weeks and maybe for years because of unfaithfulness, affairs, pornography, gambling, all of these things affect a relationship between couples.
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“But those that are married have something special. It is the way it was always supposed to be.
“A marriage is a building block of a stable community. Everything else, no matter how lovely, falls short and the children are the ones that deserve a right. They have a right to the best.”
Ipsoregulated
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here | {
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What is a boricua?
Puerto Ricans often proudly identify themselves as Boricua, from the Taíno word Boriken, to illustrate their recognition of their Taíno heritage. The word Boriken, which translates to "the great land of the valiant and noble Lord", was used by the original Taíno Indian population to refer to the island of Puerto Rico before the arrival of the Spanish. The use of the word Boricua has been popularized in the island and abroad by descendents of Puerto Rico heritage, commonly using the phrase, "Yo soy Boricua" ("I am Boricua", or "I am Puerto Rican") to identify themselves as Puerto Ricans. | {
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Photos on Canvas
Ever click through you photo album on your phone or camera and tell yourself that’s a beautiful photograph? Could be your wedding day, your first child, a special occasion or a family portrait. Why not bring that photo to life by contacting us. All you need to do is send us the photo and we will take care of everything else.
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Categories
ESP: Is It Really Best?
As those of you who have been reading the blog for a while will know, we are not supporting Extra-Sensory Phenomena. We are claiming that we can make better sense of a number of episodes in the history of early modern thought by reading them in the light of the distinction between Experimental and Speculative Philosophy than in the light of the empiricism-rationalism distinction.
Keith Hutchison is less than convinced. If he is correct, we’d be better off putting away our early modern x-phi hats and start working on some other idea. Should we? We’d love to know what you think, so today I’m posting Keith’s comment along with a reply.
Keith says:
Alberto’s paper told me something very helpful about the proposal to replace the RED [rationalism-empiricism distinction] with the ESP. For it is clear that Alberto interprets ‘experimentalism’ very widely, so widely indeed that he would count (say) the observational astronomy of the eighteenth-century as ‘experimental’. In fact, he seems to use the word to mean what I routinely call ‘empiricism’. Apparently there are two senses of ’empiricism’, one a very narrow conception endorsed by that coterie of historians of thought secluded within the halls of philosophy departments, and the other a more general one, as used widely within the thinking public. It is this second notion that the Otago team propose to call ‘experimentalism’. This seems to me a very dangerous practice, one that would generate much confusion if it spread. For it clashes with one of the key connotations of the word ‘experiment’, the idea that experiments constitute a special sub-class of empirical enquiries, those that involve an experimenter, who deliberately manipulates the entities under investigation. This is the way the word is used in modern English, and it is the way the word was used in seventeenth-century English – when such experimentalism became philosophically respectable. To start using it in a radically new sense, just to avoid a problem created by the way a tiny handful of writers have (mis-?)used the word ‘empirical’ is surely mischievous.
Keith is right when he points out that, in the expression “experimental philosophy”, the adjective “experimental” does not uniquely refer to experiments. But this is in line with seventeenth-century usage. When authors like Dunton (here) and Diderot (here), spoke of the experimental philosophy or the experimental method, they did not uniquely refer to experiments. They referred to a specific way of studying the nature of the world around us and our own human nature. To understand it, experimental philosophers claimed, we cannot rely on demonstrative reasonings from principles or hypotheses lacking a broad empirical support. Instead, we must make extensive and systematic recourse on experiments and observations.
When self-declared experimental philosophers studied the human mind, they were adamant that the observations on which they rely included introspection. Juan has showed this in a post on Reid. Indeed, although some early modern authors distinguished between experiments and observations, they performed the same role within Boyle’s or Hooke’s conception of knowledge acquisition. This is why German experimental philosophers could translate “experimental philosophy” as “observational philosophy”.
So as Keith points out, in the expression “experimental philosophy”, the term “experimental” has a broad meaning. However, this is not to say that the expression “experimental philosophy” is irremediably vague or identical to a broad notion of “empiricism”. First, the self-declared early modern experimental philosophers told us what the method of experimental philosophy was. Second, authors like Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke put that method in practice in their natural-philosophical work. Third, experimental philosophy can be seen as a movement that people adhered to: they stated that they were part of that movement; they endorsed its rhetoric; they identified with its heroes (e.g., Bacon) and attacked its foes (e.g., Aristotle). When we trace the history of early modern x-phi, we are not applying notions that we have first introduced. We are taking seriously their statements on how they were studying the nature of the world and of our mind, and seeing if it is possible to better understand what they were doing by placing them within the movement that they were actually involved in than by using either the vague or the more technical notions of empiricism that can be found in the literature.
One thought on “ESP: Is It Really Best?”
I’m not worried about the broad use of “experimental”. Hutchison’s proposed restriction of the term to enquiries that involve “manipulation” of the objects being investigated, does not agree even with current usage, and certainly not with 17th-century usage (in French and Latin, expérience and experimentum are used perhaps even more broadly than the English word). For an idea of current use, see the entries listed in this search (http://snurl.com/v14hs) at NASA. Experiments require instruments, perhaps, but not manipulation.
I would be more worried about hitching the EM Experimental Philosophy wagon to the currently trendy X-Phi. That will date quickly.
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University of Otago. Any view or opinion represented in the comments are personal and are those of the respective
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IPC is one of the leading Polish research institutions dealing with widely understood chemistry. In the ranking of scientific institutions run by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, IPC is listed at the top (category: large scientific units). IPC has the right to confer doctoral degrees in chemical sciences in the discipline of chemistry.
The scientific profile of IPC is strongly linked with modern directions in physical chemistry and chemical physics as well as material and applied chemistry. The research work covers a wide range of physicochemical disciplines and is carried out in 7 departments and CHEMIPAN R&D Laboratories.
IPC employs more than 200 researchers, including 20 professors.
As a scientific institution IPC is vested with the authority to award academic degrees of doctor and habilitated doctor of chemical sciences.
Research:
Our 27 teams carry out ca. 100 projects, incl. joint projects with companies. We have modern equipment and extensive experimental & implementation experience. Our interdisciplinary approach lets us take benefit of the latest achievements of nanotechnology, which resulted in many research papers and patent applications. Although the primary purpose of establishing the IPC was to conduct fundamental research in physical chemistry, IPC refocused on research at the border of chemistry, physics and biology with possible implementation in medical industry, nanotechnology and environmental protection.
IPC research excellence was recognized by EC and by the Polish authorities - on the premises of IPC are located 3 European Centres of Excellence. IPC efforts were appreciated by being awarded the Regpot grant (7th FP) and ERA Chair grant (Horizon 2020). IPC also hosts microCODEERC Starting Grant awarded in 2011 to Prof. Garstecki for his microfluidic research.
PhD programme:
IPC has had an extensive experience in organization of PhD Studies since 1965, when a first PhD Programme was established. Since then, IPC has awarded few hundreds of PhD degrees. The interdisciplinary nature, cooperative culture intertwined with excellent research is the core of the IPC Doctoral School. We strive to enhance quality of our PhD programme by the inclusion of contemporary scientific topics. Currently, IPC offers PhD studies in:
IPC doctoral fellows (ca. 65 persons at the moment) perform experimental or theoretical studies to prepare a doctoral dissertation. In parallel to that, they participate in activities aimed at the acquisition of required specialized knowledge.
In 2009 the Institute won a prestigious competition, organized by the Foundation for Polish Science, which provides the financial support for the programme “International Ph.D. Studies for Bio- and Nanotechnology”.
It has become a rule that young PhDs of the Institute, wishing to dedicate themselves to a scientific career, undergo a research training or postdoctoral fellowships abroad. Several postgraduates of the IPC Doctoral School have already set up, at IPC, their own research groups (e.g. Prof. Garstecki after a visit to Harvard University organized the laboratory of microfluidics, Prof. Fialkowski after a postdoc at the Northwesten University successfully manages the group of “Nanoparticle Synthesis and Functionalization”).
IPC collaborates with over 40 universities and scientific institutions throughout the world, including those with the highest reputation, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Max Planck institutes and the University of Cambridge. Scientists from IPC participate in many national and international research projects, including under Horizon2020.
IPC has a solid record in both - fundamental and application-oriented research esp. on sensors, new materials for nanotechnology, and chemical functionalization of nanomaterials. Our efforts and excellency in conducting research were appreciated by professional investor, who set up 2 spin-off companies with IPC.
Institution friendly to scientists:
As one of the first institutions in Poland, in 2014 the Institute was given the right to use the logo “HR Excellence in Research” and currently introduces to its internal regulations provisions of the “European Charter for Researchers” and the “Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers”.
Following these principles IPC wants to become an internationally attractive employer and top European research institution, mainly by attracting skilful scientists, supporting researchers career development and engagement of the Institute to the society.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 711859. | {
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Listen,what i am not able to do is:I want to call the webservice from asp,i already called this webservice from asp.net,and then i converted this asp.net project in a com interop dll,from there,i will call this dll from asp.How to test locally ,to call this dll from an sample asp page if everything is working fine before register this dll on our server.
This i dont know how to test locally the dll,to call this dll from asp,where to store the dll before calling from sample code classic asp?
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And as we've already explained, you'll get a much better response by posting in the right forum. I see you've also made the same post in your thread in the Classic ASP forum, so I'm going to close this thread now to ensure the discussion all stays in one place. | {
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essays
and other short stuff
In November and December of 2012, I spent a few weeks going through these and doing whatever I had to do to still feel okay about having my name on them. As an unknown writer in 2002, I had a high incentive to attract attention and a low incentive to avoid mistakes. As I got more readers, those priorities gradually switched places, and also some of my ideas have changed.
In revising my essays, I did three different kinds of things: annotation, rewriting, and disclaimers. For example, How to Survive the Crash and Save the Earth was annotated to keep all the stuff I was wrong about and explain why I was wrong. The Effects of Highly Habitual People was so heavily rewritten that I saved the original version. Arno-geddon was kept unchanged, but with a disclaimer at the top. The Slow Crash has some of all three. Your Life As Pornography is the only thing that was already perfect. The singularity essays were so difficult that they stalled the project, so I also never got around to fixing "How to Save Civilization".
Reverse Chronological Order | {
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Immigration Looms Large in New Mexico's Gubernatorial Primary
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, (l), and Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, (r), are favored to meet each other for New Mexico's gubernatorial race in November (Lt. Governor's Office/Dona Ana County Office)
As New Mexico Republicans headed to the polls Tuesday to choose a nominee to take on Democrat Diane Denish this fall in the governor's race, immigration has played a key role in the primary and looms large in November's general election.
The frontrunner for the GOP nomination, Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, is a conservative Hispanic woman who takes a hard line on illegal immigrants. She has lobbed criticism at Denish, the lieutenant governor since 2003, for her administration's policies that she says encourages illegal immigration to the state and makes it difficult for law enforcement to secure the border.
An estimated 60,000 illegal immigrants reside in New Mexico and Gov. Bill Richardson has rolled out the welcome mat for them, pledging to integrate them into the broader society. The two-term-limited governor has signed into law a bill that allows undocumented workers to get driver's licenses and another that provides illegals with free tuition through taxpayer-funded lottery scholarships.
Last week, Richardson praised President Obama's decision to send 1,200 National Guard to the border.
Martinez has vowed to repeal the driver's license law and opposes free tuition for illegals.
"While other candidates talk about border security, Susana Martinez is the only one with actual experience taking on the issue," her campaign website reads, noting that her office prosecutes more than 600 cases related to border security each year, including cases against members of Mexico's violent drug cartels.
"Martinez understands first-hand the threat these criminals pose to our state and will make securing the border a top priority," the website says.
But Denish, who is unopposed on the Democratic primary ballot, does not run in lockstep with her boss, Denish campaign spokesman Chris Cervini told FoxNews.com. They have different positions on a variety of issues, including immigration, Cervini said.
Denish is not Richardson despite Martinez's tactic "to corral them together every chance she gets," Cervini said.
Though Denish doesn't list the subject of immigration or border security on her campaign website's issues page and doesn't want to repeal the driver's license law, she has said she does support making changes to it, including tightening restrictions to prevent fraud.
Denish said she does not support providing licenses to illegal immigrants.
"Based on evidence that suggests the law has not worked as intended, the law needs to change," Denish said in a written statement. "As governor, I would approach changes to the law with a thoughtful discussion that focuses on fact -- not ideology, fear and divisive rhetoric."
The Martinez campaign quickly pounced on Denish's statement.
"After the Richardson/Denish administration doled out thousands of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, now gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish is in favor of 'making changes,' saying 'the law has not worked as intended,'" Martinez campaign manager Adam Deguire said in a written statement to FoxNews.com.
"Common sense dictated that this law wasn't smart from the very beginning, yet even now, Denish is against repealing it," he said. "As governor, Susana Martinez will fight to repeal the law that gives driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and correct the failed leadership of the last seven years."
While Martinez is hoping for a one-on-one matchup against Denish, whom she leads by 6 points in a hypothetical general election match-up poll conducted by KOB-TV in Albequerque, she still needs to get by four other candidates in what has been a bruising and costly five-way contest.
The other candidates for the GOP nomination are former state Republican chairman Allen Weh; Doug Turner, who owns an Albuquerque public relations company; Pete Domenici Jr., an Albuquerque lawyer and son of former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici; and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque.
Only voters registered as Democrats and Republicans can vote because of New Mexico's closed primary system.
Martinez's hard-line stance on illegal immigration has inflamed the primary in the closing weeks of the campaign, as Martinez and her most competitive challenger, Allen Weh, exchanged television attack ads in which Martinez suggested Weh was soft on illegals.
Martinez criticized Weh's backing of an immigration reform initiative by former GOP President George W. Bush, describing it as support for amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Weh, a former state GOP chairman and Albuquerque businessman, cried foul.
He said he opposed amnesty but backed Bush's proposal for a guest worker program for immigrants who aren't U.S. citizens. The Bush plan also included the possibility of citizenship for unlawful immigrants who met certain conditions, including paying a fine and learning English.
Weh responded to Martinez with an ad alleging misspending by her district attorney's office and suggesting that taxes weren't paid. Her campaign said the allegations were false and the party's state chairman, Harvey Yates, backed Martinez, waded into the dispute a week before the election to declare one of Weh's ads as "dishonest" and "inappropriate." He said that a state financial agency had approved all spending and travel reimbursements in the prosecutor's office.
Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff said Weh and Martinez risked a voter backlash with their bare-knuckle TV ad tactics late in the campaign. Negative ads, he said, "play both ways."
"All of a sudden they are slamming each other. That's going to affect the favorability of both of them," said Sanderoff. | {
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East Palo Alto police sergeant sues police department, city
Sgt. Ronald Rhodes claims the city and police department violated a settlement agreement filed in 2013
An East Palo Alto police sergeant who reported another officer's March 2012 misconduct a racial slur in reference to then-police chief Ronald Davis, posted on Facebook is suing the police department and city for breaching a contract filed after the conflict.
Sgt. Ronald Rhodes, who has worked at the police department since 1985, filed the lawsuit in San Mateo County Superior Court on Feb. 24.
The March 2012 incident involved an unnamed officer who at the time was placed on administrative leave and eventually fired. The lawsuit alleges that after Rhodes made a copy of the Facebook post and gave it to his higher-ups, he "became the target of series of complaints by the friends and supporters of the individual that was terminated." The police department launched a series of internal investigations as a result.
At the conclusion of one of those investigations, in January 2013, Davis issued Rhodes a notice of intent to discipline, according to the lawsuit. At a pre-disciplinary conference held on April 2, Rhodes and the police department entered into a handwritten settlement agreement to essentially close the door on any future investigations or allegations by both parties.
Over the coming months, the settlement was negotiated, revised and eventually finalized, with Davis signing it in July and Rhodes in November.
In August, an internal investigator hired by the city and police department contacted Rhodes and requested that he participate in an internal investigation relating to unspecified allegations of misconduct, according to the lawsuit. Rhodes' lawyer told the investigator, Camille Hamilton Pating of Meyers Nave law firm in Oakland, that the scope of the investigation was a breach of his contract with the city and police department. Rhodes also notified Paul Coble of Jones & Mayer, the attorney who drafted and approved the settlement agreement, objecting to the investigation.
The city and police department decided to continue with the investigation and on Oct. 31, issued Rhodes a notice of intent to discipline. The lawsuit does not name the allegations Hamilton Pating investigated and Rhode's lawyer, Alison Berry Wilkinson, denied to name them, citing her client's confidentiality.
A second notice of intent to discipline was also issued on Dec. 4 for a separate set of allegations, also stemming from Hamilton Pating's investigation.
In January of this year, the city countered with the defense that the settlement agreement was not enforceable because it was not approved by the city manager. Wilkinson said that until January, "at no point in time was there any mention that city manager needed to be involved in the process, should be involved or that her approval in any way, shape or form was required."
Wilkinson said she has negotiated two prior settlement agreements with the City of East Palo Alto and neither required the city manager's approval to be completed.
"It's never been a part of the process before," she said.
The lawsuit cites a chapter in the city's municipal code that establishes a personnel system that is "directly overseen" by the city manager, but the city manager can delegate his or her authority "to any other officer or employee of the city." Another personnel rule does state that "The approval of the city manager shall be required before a disciplinary action becomes final," but also allows the city manager to delegate this responsibility to another person.
Wilkinson said the city and police department have not yet responded to the Feb. 24 lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.
Posted by The Truth
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Feb 26, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Good for him...cant wait to see him back where he belongs. All the officers/sgts with their personal agendas have fallen flat on their faces. Those of you who took part in this which hunt against Sgt Rhodes claim to be holier than thou!!!! All you have to do is look in your own back yard to see all of your own faults and shortcomings. That man has served this community since most of you were in diapers. not to mention his honorable military service to his country through 3 wars!!!! Yes 3 wars!!!! You should all be ashamed of yourselves. everyone of you who took part in all of these baseless complaints. shame on you all. say what you want about his policing skills or his supervisory skills. bottom line he is a good man.
Posted by CrescentParkAnon.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Feb 27, 2014 at 12:33 am
>> The lawsuit alleges that after Rhodes made a copy of the Facebook post and gave it to his higher-ups, he "became the target of series of complaints by the friends and supporters of the individual that was terminated."
Then they should have fired the whole lot of them. Clearly whatever police officers their are in EPA are not doing a great job, maybe a culture of corruption and politics is part of the problem.
Posted by Tired of the BS
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Feb 27, 2014 at 10:13 am
"entered into a handwritten settlement agreement to essentially close the door on any future investigations or allegations by both parties."
What does that mean? Are we suppose to believe that the Chief gave Sgt Rhodes a get out of jail free card and that the other officer could never file a complaint against Rhodes regardless of what he did?
Posted by Hmmm
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Feb 27, 2014 at 12:20 pmHmmm is a registered user.
Perhaps D. Johnsen shouldn't assume a commenter from Stanford is a student, and that they've been in the area for a long time. I, too, heard the same rumors, but I am sure that the dept. can't address them.
The whole thing sounds convoluted, complicated and difficult, involving many people with various levels of involvement. Ugh.
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NHL Lockout: Minnesota's Backstrom Agrees Minsk Move
Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom has agreed to play for Dynamo Minsk as the lockout drags on, the KHL team announced Tuesday.
The Finnish player moved to North America in 2006 making 327 appearances for Minnesota so far during six seasons. | {
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} |
A shadow person is the perception of a patch of shadow as a living, humanoid
figure, ... Shadow people feature in two episodes of ITV paranormal documentary
series Extreme Ghost Stories, where the phenomenon is described as a "black ... | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Fifty per cent of cardiovascular patients suffer from multiple diseases
15 August 2018
New research led by The University of Western Australia has revealed that one in two patients admitted to hospital with a cardiovascular disease is suffering from multiple chronic medical conditions which required complex treatment. The rate was significantly higher among Aboriginal people, affecting three in four patients.
The study, published today in PLOS ONE, was carried out by the UWA School of Population and Global Health and the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health and examined WA health data in patients aged between 25 and 59 years.
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, are responsible for the majority of deaths and disability among Australians, second only to cancer. The health care costs associated with managing these conditions is substantial.
The data identified the presence of distinct patterns or combinations of commonly occurring long-term medical diseases in cardiovascular disease patients.
It revealed combinations of mental health issues including alcohol and drug abuse and respiratory conditions to be more prevalent in people under 40 years, while metabolic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney diseases were common in those over 40 years.
Lead researcher Dr Mohammad Akhtar Hussain said although his team identified the disease combinations in hospitalised cardiovascular disease patients, they expected these patterns to be reflective of what was present in the community.
“A shift in thinking in how to provide high-quality, patient-centred, holistic care to patients with cardiovascular diseases and multiple health conditions is needed,” Dr Hussain said.
“This research can inform the types of services that need to be brought together within a one-stop shop in order to meet the needs of patients.”
Co-author Professor Sandra Thompson from the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health said the research had implications for current treatment guidelines where treatments assessed in drug trials generally focused on one specific condition.
“The clinical care of patients with cardiovascular conditions has become more complex,” Professor Thompson said.
“Rather than providing care in a single disease paradigm, management of cardiovascular diseases needs to be delivered by multidisciplinary teams that focus on the whole patient and all of the relevant conditions they have.” | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
New research finds that although group and individual therapy are effective for PTSD among active-duty military service members, individual cognitive therapy relieves symptoms better and quicker. The finding comes...
A new brain-scanning study has found that traumatic stress affects the brains of adolescent boys and girls differently. Among youth with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the study found structural... | {
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Secure your listing in this premium Roofing Services identities index. Find your category and grab it before your competitor!
Don't see your identity? No problem we will create it for you and it will be yours. | {
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} |
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Scavenger Hunt with the Nine Naughty Novelists!
Love Books?
Love being Naughty?
The Nine Naughty Novelists are having a Scavenger Hunt to help celebrate the launch of our new blog. If you’re up for discovering new authors, reading tantalizing excerpts and entering to win some great prizes then read on for all the details!
How to play:
Visit each of the participating authors’ websites to find the answers to their questions. There are nine authors, nine websites to visit, nine answers to find. Once you’ve found all the answers, just copy and paste the form below into your e-mail (being sure to include the answers) and send them to: [email protected] with “Scavenger Hunt” in the subject line. Contest closes Midnight November 18th.
About Me
From food to fiction, Kate likes things spicy. She writes sexy romance for Samhain Publishing, Siren Publishing, and Carina Press, and has books available in both e-format and print. When she isn't writing about strong, sexy men and women finding their happily-ever-afters, she spends her time playing with the kids and hanging with her hero husband. (How's that for alliteration?)
Check out her website at http://www.kate-davies.com/ for more info! | {
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In conjunction with Record Store Day, Mike Spitz and Rebecca Villaneda sign The Record Store Book at Jacknife Records & Tapes
Jacknife Records & Tapes | 3149 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
In 2011, Mike Spitz began photographing more than 40 record stores in and around the greater Los Angeles area, rich with old and new record shops, to capture the lively experience of going to the used record store, discovering that rare vinyl record, cassette or 8-track tape, memorabilia, vintage concert posters, turntables, nostalgia and other music-related gems. Colorful imagery shot on film and in-depth interviews with store owners illustrate how each American independent record store has a unique and vibrant culture that cultivates a communal gathering place for human interaction, exploration and discovery. In chronological order from the oldest existing stores, such as Canterbury Records that opened in 1956 in Pasadena or Music Man Murray Records that opened in 1962, to the most recently opened stores, The Record Store Book respectfully marks the “changing of the guard” from the older to the newer generation of stores as each owner shares facts, store history, and distinctive points of view regarding how people search for, find and appreciate music. | {
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Important and confidential data on your any mobile devices including on your Blackberry should be secured in order to avoid any bad things happened. Do not ever let your private data used by irresponsible person for something bad or erased accidentally by your friend when lending your device.
There are two ways to secure your data on your Blackberry. The first one is by applying password on your device. To apply the password, you just need to open the menu “Option” and choose “security”. Then pick “password” and then “enable”. After that, you can choose a certain words to be your password by pushing “set password”.
The second way to secure your data is by back your Blackberry data up. Before moving, download first Blackberry Desktop Software through Blackberry website. Run the program and adjust the manager and click “Back up”. Backing up your data can also be done on external memory. You just need to click the main menu on the Blackberry and choose “setup” and choose “device switch” then “using a media card” and the last choose “save data”.
Those are two ways to secure your Blackberry data. Make sure you save your data so that you will not have to be worry when on the go or just leave your mobile to someone. | {
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Don't continue to make the mistake of paying full price for your inkjet bond paper. If you need Canon paper, Epson paper, Hammermill or HP paper products, you can find them all at ReStockIt.com. There are more than 200 paper products available in this category, so whether you're looking for more affordable paper for general printing, or some top quality inkjet photo paper from any of those top manufacturers, you will find the exact paper that you require. ... Read More ▼
It's easy to find the exact type of inkjet bond paper that you need using the easy search functionality at ReStockIt.com. You can sort by the device that you use so that you can quickly and easily find the correct paper that is designed for use with your printing device. You can buy paper in varying qualities and thicknesses, as well as being able to order in any volume that you require, so you can stock your home office, or supply your entire company with paper as you may require. Buy Inkjet photo paper today and save at ReStockIt.com. Close ▲ | {
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Pages
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Sometimes, ideas spark when you get a new toy and want to play with it. In this case, the 'toy' in question was the Wilton tip # 233, which is most commonly used for piping grass (or hair). So when we'd planned to invite a bunch of guests for an informal meal, I thought a platter of flowerpots would be great for dessert.
All the recipes used here for the cupcakes, cookies and frosting are from Glorious Treats. The only major change is that I decided to make mini-cupcakes instead of regulars. Now, I don't remember exactly how many minis this recipe yields as I did snack on a couple as soon as they were ready (who wouldn't!), but it was more than 40.
For the flowers, you could just plop some sugar ones over once you've piped the grass, but I decided to try my hand at cookie pops. Apparently the sticks used for cookie pops are different from those used for cake pops. Since I didn't have any of the former, and also since I had mini cupcakes, I thought using toothpicks would be better. I painted them green with some diluted food colouring (and a paintbrush reserved only for decorating purposes!), and let them dry before using.
When making pops, it's safer if the cookies are a little thicker than usual, so they don't break during the popping process. I used my smallest flower cutter here. Once the shapes are cut, hold the cookie in one hand and with the other insert the toothpick. Think screwdriver here; you need to slowly rotate the toothpick applying gentle pressure till it's in about 1 cm. Check the back of the cookie and gently smooth over any breaks. Also, you must be sure to put the blunt side of the toothpicks into the cookies, to avoid any nasty pokes when biting into them.
Once all the cookie pops are ready, bake as usual depending on the size. I was quite apprehensive about how they would turn out as they seemed very fragile when I'd placed them on the tray, but surprisingly (and happily!) they're quite sturdy when they're baked. I had also made slightly bigger flower cookies (no pops), and leaf cookies just to strew about in the platter.
To decorate, I used royal icing in several colours. Just on a whim though, I decided to try decorating these cookies without any specialist equipment. I used a teaspoon to pour flood consistency icing on the cookies, spreading it out with a toothpick. Let this dry fully for a few hours. Then, for the petals, I blobbed icing with the blunt edge of a toothpick and then pulled it into shape with the sharp end.
I think they turned out alright for the most part, barring a few unsightly blobs here and there. So you definitely need piping bags and a selection of tips for consistent, professional work and to achieve various effects (like the grass and this basketweave). But even if you don't have this equipment for whatever reason, don't let that stop you from decorating sweets. It is still possible to make cuties like these with common kitchen items and imagination! | {
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Why Tougher U.S. Sanctions Will Increase Putin's Popularity
I have lived in Russia for about fifteen years. Therefore, I have a pretty good understanding of Russian mentality. This has led me to believe that the U.S. sanctions – no matter how harsh – may lead only to one consequence: consolidation of support Vladimir Putin is enjoying among the Russian population. Below I put the reasons for my opinion.Reason #1: Russians are used to tough life.
Suppose there is a next round of U.S. sanctions, which would target such critical areas of Russia's economy as the banking, mining, and energy sectors. Let's also suppose that it will decrease the income of the average Russian – which is doubtful. Then, when the average Russian finds himself with a slightly decreased income, he is going to laugh about it. An average Russian has far more troublesome issues to worry about.
Everyday life for Russian people has historically been grueling, a fight for existence. Their hardships were reflected in their expressiveness, and deep concern, along with a tangle of worry lines, became entrenched on their faces. Russia ranked 167th out of 178 countries on a 'World Map of Happiness,' a 2007 survey of 80,000 people worldwide that measured a nation's level of happiness by factors most closely associated with the emotions, such as health, wealth, and education.
This low level of happiness may cause rampant nationalism. There is a study that points out a correlation between the two:
Individuals with low income and those in poor countries may find patriotism appealing as a way of consoling themselves in rough times... Moreover, nationalism can be very strong in the toughest of times.
Both of these conditions apply to Russia. This is of course a boon for Putin and his allies. Therefore, tougher U.S. sanctions would simply heighten the level of Russian nationalism.
Reason #2: Increasing nationalism will deepen anti-Americanism.
The rampant nationalism – the causes of which I discussed above – will deepen the feelings of anti-Americanism. There is a very good soil for that:
About 60 percent of Russians believe there were more positive than negative aspects to life in the former Soviet Union, an opinion poll suggests. Moreover, 43 percent would have welcomed Russia's re-adopting the communist ideology.
Who destroyed the Soviet Union, the expression of that communism? The United States, at least according to the vast majority of Russians. I remember hearing various people say just this (when I was back in Russia). Also, there was a popular Russian documentary that showed the economic war the United States waged against the Soviet Union. Its main point was that the United States artificially lowered the price of oil, so the Soviet government could not provide for its people. And the people – not having enough to eat – rebelled against it. Whether it is true or not is highly debatable. But many Russians believed it.
This was just one documentary. Russia's government, on the other hand, has an iron grip on the whole gamut of Russia's mass media. Recently, with the purchase of Russia's biggest social network by Putin's allies, it has grown even stronger. So "the Kremlin can now rest easy; any restive opposition activity on the Internet can easily be brought under control."
Let's refrain from russophobia, however. Both Russia's and America's mass media have done a wonderful job pitting these two peoples one against the other. Indeed, they have taught these two peoples to view each other as enemies. The result is widespread hatred on both sides.
"According to a new Gallup poll, 60 percent of Americans don't like Russia. It is most hate that Russia has garnered since Gallup started the poll 20-years ago."
Another poll "indicated that 24 percent of respondents worldwide consider the U.S. the largest threat in the world... but a much larger 54 percent of Russians felt the same way. This means that Russia exceeded the global average by more than two times... Even more surprising, twice as many Russians than Iraqis and Afghans see the U.S. as a threat, despite the fact that the U.S. led the invasions of both of these countries in the past decade."
Reason #3: Russians feel grateful for the annexation of Crimea.
As a Russian, I was raised with an understanding that Crimea should be a part of the Russian Federation. This said, I neither approve nor condemn the annexation of Crimea. I simply am aware that the vast majority of Russians have welcomed the annexation of Crimea as an act of heroism.
If you want to know why Russians thought that Crimea should be a part of Russia, consider this: Crimea has been a part of Russian territory for more than two centuries. Then Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine as a gift. At the time, it was just a formality: both Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union. But after the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia and Ukraine became two separate states. That's when the Russian people got really angry at Khrushchev. Some even called him "a Ukrainian traitor"; I clearly remember these two words. One time I finally asked why and was told that he betrayed Russia's interests because he wanted to help his own birthplace, at the expense of Russia.
Reason #4: There is a good Reason to believe that the tougher sanctions won't work.
Nothing like this has ever happened before. The last – second – round of sanctions was truly unprecedented:
“'There is no direct precedent,' Hufbauer (expert at the Institute for International Economics) said in a phone interview. 'I cannot remember one [case] where that’s been successful.'“
This is important, because where there is little experience there is also the potential for enormous ineptitude. You may argue otherwise, but if you look at the history of any nation, you will see that the vast majority of initial attempts have failed.
I have lived in Russia for about fifteen years. Therefore, I have a pretty good understanding of Russian mentality. This has led me to believe that the U.S. sanctions – no matter how harsh – may lead only to one consequence: consolidation of support Vladimir Putin is enjoying among the Russian population. Below I put the reasons for my opinion.
Reason #1: Russians are used to tough life.
Suppose there is a next round of U.S. sanctions, which would target such critical areas of Russia's economy as the banking, mining, and energy sectors. Let's also suppose that it will decrease the income of the average Russian – which is doubtful. Then, when the average Russian finds himself with a slightly decreased income, he is going to laugh about it. An average Russian has far more troublesome issues to worry about.
Everyday life for Russian people has historically been grueling, a fight for existence. Their hardships were reflected in their expressiveness, and deep concern, along with a tangle of worry lines, became entrenched on their faces. Russia ranked 167th out of 178 countries on a 'World Map of Happiness,' a 2007 survey of 80,000 people worldwide that measured a nation's level of happiness by factors most closely associated with the emotions, such as health, wealth, and education.
This low level of happiness may cause rampant nationalism. There is a study that points out a correlation between the two:
Individuals with low income and those in poor countries may find patriotism appealing as a way of consoling themselves in rough times... Moreover, nationalism can be very strong in the toughest of times.
Both of these conditions apply to Russia. This is of course a boon for Putin and his allies. Therefore, tougher U.S. sanctions would simply heighten the level of Russian nationalism.
Reason #2: Increasing nationalism will deepen anti-Americanism.
The rampant nationalism – the causes of which I discussed above – will deepen the feelings of anti-Americanism. There is a very good soil for that:
About 60 percent of Russians believe there were more positive than negative aspects to life in the former Soviet Union, an opinion poll suggests. Moreover, 43 percent would have welcomed Russia's re-adopting the communist ideology.
Who destroyed the Soviet Union, the expression of that communism? The United States, at least according to the vast majority of Russians. I remember hearing various people say just this (when I was back in Russia). Also, there was a popular Russian documentary that showed the economic war the United States waged against the Soviet Union. Its main point was that the United States artificially lowered the price of oil, so the Soviet government could not provide for its people. And the people – not having enough to eat – rebelled against it. Whether it is true or not is highly debatable. But many Russians believed it.
This was just one documentary. Russia's government, on the other hand, has an iron grip on the whole gamut of Russia's mass media. Recently, with the purchase of Russia's biggest social network by Putin's allies, it has grown even stronger. So "the Kremlin can now rest easy; any restive opposition activity on the Internet can easily be brought under control."
Let's refrain from russophobia, however. Both Russia's and America's mass media have done a wonderful job pitting these two peoples one against the other. Indeed, they have taught these two peoples to view each other as enemies. The result is widespread hatred on both sides.
"According to a new Gallup poll, 60 percent of Americans don't like Russia. It is most hate that Russia has garnered since Gallup started the poll 20-years ago."
Another poll "indicated that 24 percent of respondents worldwide consider the U.S. the largest threat in the world... but a much larger 54 percent of Russians felt the same way. This means that Russia exceeded the global average by more than two times... Even more surprising, twice as many Russians than Iraqis and Afghans see the U.S. as a threat, despite the fact that the U.S. led the invasions of both of these countries in the past decade."
Reason #3: Russians feel grateful for the annexation of Crimea.
As a Russian, I was raised with an understanding that Crimea should be a part of the Russian Federation. This said, I neither approve nor condemn the annexation of Crimea. I simply am aware that the vast majority of Russians have welcomed the annexation of Crimea as an act of heroism.
If you want to know why Russians thought that Crimea should be a part of Russia, consider this: Crimea has been a part of Russian territory for more than two centuries. Then Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine as a gift. At the time, it was just a formality: both Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union. But after the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia and Ukraine became two separate states. That's when the Russian people got really angry at Khrushchev. Some even called him "a Ukrainian traitor"; I clearly remember these two words. One time I finally asked why and was told that he betrayed Russia's interests because he wanted to help his own birthplace, at the expense of Russia.
Reason #4: There is a good Reason to believe that the tougher sanctions won't work.
Nothing like this has ever happened before. The last – second – round of sanctions was truly unprecedented:
“'There is no direct precedent,' Hufbauer (expert at the Institute for International Economics) said in a phone interview. 'I cannot remember one [case] where that’s been successful.'“
This is important, because where there is little experience there is also the potential for enormous ineptitude. You may argue otherwise, but if you look at the history of any nation, you will see that the vast majority of initial attempts have failed. | {
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ROYAL OAK, MI — They're cute, cuddly and ready to call the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak their new home.
Two red panda twins were born at the zoo on June 27.
The newborns, both male, took their first earthly breaths after being born to 8-year-old Ta-Shi, who came to the zoo in 2008; and father, 4-year-old Shifu, acquired by the zoo in 2012.
Red pandas look a lot like foxes or small bears. They're Native to Nepal, Mynamar and Central China and listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species due to deforestation.
Unlike the black panda, red pandas are not members of the bear family but more closely related to the skunk, raccoon, and weasel families.
"The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a shy and solitary animal, except when mating," zoo officials said in a statement announcing the births. "It is about the size of a house cat, with rust-colored fur and an 18-inch white-ringed tail. Red pandas are skilled and agile climbers, spending most of their time hanging from tree branches or lounging on limbs."
The unnamed infants are spending the majority of their time in their nest box but may be spotted in the wooded habitat across from the Amur tigers, officials say.
This is the fifth time Ta-Shi has given birth at the zoo, her first time procreating with Shifu.
“Ta-Shi is an experienced and attentive mom and very protective of her babies,” said Robert Lessnau, Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Mammals. “We’re thrilled to once again add to the captive population of this threatened species.” | {
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Putting aside that the point of Quality Profiles is to be able to adjust them for the specific needs of a project or set of projects, I would recommend reviewing the “Ignore Issues” section of our documentation on Narrowing the Focus, which describes a couple ways of accomplishing what you’ve laid out. | {
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NALC Devotions – September 9, 2017
Consider the four entrances in our readings today. When David came to Bahurim, a village to the east of Jerusalem, he was cursed while stones were thrown at him and dust flung into the air around him. David understood this rejection to be part of the consequences of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. So too, was his son’s rebellion. Absalom entered Jerusalem to shouts of acclamation, capping off the day by sinning against his father in the same manner as David had against Uriah. The olive had not fallen far from the tree. The Apostle Paul, on his visit to Jerusalem, was harshly received by its citizens; he too was cursed while they flung dust and were about to stone him because he preached the gospel. Jesus, however, entered Jerusalem as a triumphant king, to shouts of “Hosanna!” Yet it will not be long before this King of kings will die for the sins of David, Bathsheba, Absalom, Paul, you, me, and the whole world.
Jesus bore on the cross the ultimate consequence of all our sins. He died the death we should have died (Rom 6:23), giving his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). As his cousin John had prophesied, this is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Prayer: We praise you, Redeemer King, and give you thanks for your triumphal entrance into the world. Amen.
Today’s devotion was written by Mark Ryman, Communications Coordinator for the NALC and Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Advance, NC.
• Archive of NALC Devotions • Original image • Click any of our Scripture graphics to enlarge and save for use in bulletins, newsletters, blogs, and websites.
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Contact Us
North American Lutheran Church
3500 Mill Run Drive Hilliard, OH 43026-7770 USA
Phone: +1 888 551 7254E-mail: [email protected]: thenalc.org
About the NALC
A renewed Lutheran community moving forward in faith, the NALC is focused on living out Christ’s Great Commission to go and make disciples in North America and around the globe. We invite you to learn more about our church family. | {
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People
What the work is about
Limitations of Traditional NLG
In the real world, texts vary enormously both in their communicative purpose, and in the abilities and preferences of the people who read them. Much previous research in NLG has assumed that the purpose of generated texts is simply to communicate factual information to a user [17]. There has been little attention to other aims, such as persuading people [16], teaching people [9,25], helping people make decisions [18], [6], and entertaining people [19]. While texts with these other aims usually do communicate information, they do so in order to affect the reader at a deeper level, and this has an impact on how the information should be communicated (the central task of NLG). Even where the main goal is to inform, the other ways in which the language affects the reader may have an important effect on the achievement of that goal.
Traditional NLG tackles a single type of generic goal (factual information) for a general user (or one of a small number of user types). The focus needs to be broadened to a variety of types of goals for specific users. Although NLG research has begun to explore the issues of reader variability (eg [23], [1]), including user modelling (see [24] for a good review), this is at an early stage, and tends to concentrate on broad decisions about content rather than fine-grained linguistic form, the focus of our proposed work.
Our own projects have begun to address these issues. User groups have included children with linguistic difficulties (STANDUP), adults with limited literacy (SkillSum), general members of the public (STOP, ILEX [12]), and professional doctors and engineers (SumTime, [6]), sometimes with individual customisation (STOP, SkillSum). The texts have been informative (SumTime), persuasive (STOP, SkillSum), humorous (STANDUP), and entertaining (NECA).
Strategic Vision
NLG has enormous potential to achieve benefits in the real world, especially given the growing importance of eCommerce, eHealth and eGovernment, but current NLG applications exist only in niche areas. We believe that there are two main reasons for this:
Firstly, many real applications challenge the assumptions of traditional NLG highlighted above (single, generic goal; general user). We would like to push forward the scientific understanding of how the attributes of an individual reader (and the reading process for them) influence the effect that particular linguistic choices have on them. This will then result in an ability to build systems which, from a model of the reader, can intelligently select linguistic forms in order to achieve increasingly ambitious effects. Hence our goal is to learn better how to affect people with natural language.
Secondly, NLG can be somewhat inward-looking. As our current projects (PolicyGrid, BabyTalk) show, NLG adds value to other computational solutions and often cannot be viewed as a stand-alone technology. We would like to lead in the emergence of NLG from its small corner, as it contributes to wider research initiatives and is increasingly exploited commercially. This requires us to make use of the methodologies and knowledge of other disciplines, within and outside Computer Science, to a much greater extent than hitherto. Hence there is a need for strategic alliances with a variety of researchers and disciplines.
To address the problems highlighted above, we see the following scientific themes as especially relevant:
Psychology and Reader Experiments.We need to understand the relevance to NLG of attention, perception and memory. Particularly relevant are results about human reading [15] and how humans align their language use in order to effectively reach their hearers [2]. Although we are already at the forefront of measuring the effects of NLG texts on real users (e.g. testing reading time, or task completion) collaboration with psychologists will enable us to broaden and deepen this strand, looking at more fine-grained measures of reader behaviour (eg using eye-tracking) and assessments of a wider range of effects (such as emotional impact). In general, NLG can offer to psychologists the opportunity to further formalise and test their theories in more realistic settings. In return, results from psychology can inform our user and context models, as well as providing evidence about the effects of language alternatives in controlled settings.
User Modelling and Affective computing. Affective computing is computing that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences emotions or other non-strictly rational aspects of humans [13]. So far, however, work in "affective NLG" has aimed mainly to produce text that portrays the emotions of the writer, rather than considering how linguistic factors can affect the emotions of the reader. Work in affective computing may provide useful ways of formalising theories of emotion [10], modelling affective state and measuring effects on this state. In general, affective results may be easiest to monitor and achieve in multimodal communication systems, and this may require us to work with areas such as machine vision.
NLG Architectures. The above issues (non-informative texts, reader variation), expose deficiencies in current NLG practices. Complex effects often involve a number of very different aspects of the text (e.g. sentence structuring, choice of vocabulary), interacting in non-trivial ways, and independent of the core factual content. Also, many effects arise from purely surface phenomena (eg text length, choice of words, word co-occurrences), and yet pipeline NLG architectures [17] discover surface effects only after all central decisions have been made. Abstract stylistic goals may have to be balanced against basic communicative tasks [21]; the COGENT project addresses some of these issues. There are a number of approaches to these problems: intelligent backtracking [4], 'overgeneration' architectures [5], and stochastic search [7], but such methods go beyond most current NLG architectures [8], and are still relatively untested on realistic examples.
Benefits
This research can be expected to have large benefits for both science and technology. From a scientific perspective, it will lead to theoretical results about some very poorly understood aspects of language. From an engineering point of view, it will establish practical methodologies for NLG development and evaluation. From a technological perspective, our work could lead to systems that help people in numerous ways, e.g. encouraging people to change their behaviour (cf. STOP, SkillSum), teaching children and other learners (cf. STANDUP), assisting specialists to understand complex data (cf. SumTime, BabyTalk). NLG research is on the cusp of a movement from simple informative software to more general, powerful and varied communication systems. Key to this development is a better understanding of how to affect people with natural language.
Bibliography
Cawsey, A., Jones, R.B., and Pearson, J., "The Evaluation of a Personalised Information System for Patients with Cancer". User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction, vol 10, no 1, 2000. | {
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Bad City is on the edge of falling into the hands of a madman, you dig? A strange and funky new party drug is killing kids left and right and that jive-ass, crooked city councilor Dominic ... 7cb1d79195 | {
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Media Production Specialists
One of the challenges for myself as a photographer and a male is to get more confidence with working in situations that can be "dangerous" in career and personal perception. I set myself a goal to move past one of these points by doing a nude shoot. The issues around this should be obvious. If done wrong, it can be disastrous professionally and personally. There are always men around that want to photograph beautiful woman in the buff and some can be very unethical. I must admit that I was shit scared of doing this shoot. It took me 8 months of doubting myself, fearing other people's comments and gossip plus generally trying to find the courage to move past the barrier in my head. Luckily I have a network of friends and a very supportive partner who trusts and believes in me and when I finally ask Erin to do a shoot it was some of the most fun I have had in ages.
A few tips for people that want to move into this area of photography from my limited experience.
Be respectful of the model and tell them exactly what you wanting to do and come to an agreement before clothes come off and even before the shoot takes place. Setting expectations makes the shoot go better and everyone starts on the same page.
Create a secure and comfortable environment. I made sure that Erin felt safe working with me and the area before we even started taking photos.
Don't publish anything without getting the model to approve it beforehand. You may already have a model release, but be polite and professional and show the model the work before everyone else. You want to make the model feel safe that you are going to be putting her image in places that are appropriate. I like to think about it as "would I like my naked image seen by x or at y".
I personally will delete any image that a model doesn't want to see published. If it's something you love, then talk it out, but in the end if the model is unhappy, then do the right thing by them.
Be professional and respectful at all times during the shoot. Don't make any sexual or suggestive remarks or comments. No touching, ever. The model is in the most vulnerable state they could potentially ever be in. They must trust you, don't ever do anything to break that trust.
Lastly, just do the best you can. As with any shoot, I want the model to be proud of the art that we have created together. This goes double with nude shoots.
We started simple.
A more dynamic look with single light source.
Playing with shallow focus to imply Erin's body.
The idea of playing with light and form unrestricted was exhilarating. | {
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This sale has ended
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} |
Make.Art.Work Group Show
A few of Linda's puppet-inspired wood paintings are part of a 12 person group show at the Greater New Haven Arts Council, and Koffee right next door. On Audubon Street in New Haven, Connecticut. Opening night festivities July 9th starting at the Arts Council from 5-7pm, the party keeps rolling till 10 at Koffee! | {
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Tear Packing Tapes without Scissors
For anyone who is in the operation regarding relocating, you understand just how essential packing video tape may be. With this particular strategy, you can rip the idea rapidly along with your hands, without using scissors or perhaps your tooth, creating the entire of packaging considerably quicker as well as easier.
Seize the actual edge or maybe aspect in the video tape with your arms really close collectively (index hands as well as thumbs. ) In case they may be not really close together, the actual tape may extend and become tougher, which makes it very hard for you to grab.
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Specialist packers along with movers organizations play a significant purpose throughout move. They feature very helpful products and services with regard to non commercial and also business oriented move in terms of help make course of action simpler along with less complicated. Whether you're shifting down the street as well as shifting in one area to a different you are able to switch separation course of action straight into easygoing in addition to smooth affair using solutions of expert packers in addition to movers. However selecting the right transferring firm can be imperative. A good idea is that you simply do proper research before you decide to complete the actual support of any going organization for ones relocation requirements. Listed below are top 5 guidelines which might help you pick the very best shifting corporation in affordable as well as true charges.
Shipping and Warehouse Services Given by Moving Firms
While shifting collected from one of spot to a different, there are many conditions can produce difficulties and difficulties. Persons need moving in a limited course of energy, this may not be probable one particular given. Many personnel and also helpers have to assist the position. Packers and movers with Vasant Vihar can certainly achieve this keeping in mind each of the standard needs in the folks. These specialists plan greater to get a action in advance for each services they feature with their clientele. Whether or not they area is usually around or even far, it will take the same handwork with performing the item in case not necessarily taken proper care adequately, that can lead to particular problems such as receiving smudged, shedding factors and many some other troubles also. A lot of going and also taking solutions can be found by the businesses inside Of india.
Benefits of Selecting Effective Moving Agencies
So it's however obvious that you will include several benefits of employing specialized packers and also movers in relocation. Significant rewards are usually: you will save the precious time & endeavours, ones possessions will probably be supplied appropriate & correctly, you will not want to do everything, just about all jobs will be completed perfectly by means of pro specialists, you will get reassurance, you will possess totally tension-free & happy transferring practical knowledge, you might enjoy your brand-new area sooner. So; get benefits of hiring certainly one of suitable, reputable, reasonable, encountered, insured and also accredited packers in addition to movers corporations; as well as create new house purchase really simple and easy. | {
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Sparky wrote:Samuco, what's the status of this? Vegerot pointed out that Starlight is not on the HDM tools page yet; can you release this?
I think he's dead.
I'm not dead ;(
In regards to swordedit, I have lost my source during my many computer switches
It is probably on some long lost hard drive somewhere.
[quote="Vegerot"][quote="Sparky"]Samuco, what's the status of this? Vegerot pointed out that Starlight is not on the HDM tools page yet; can you release this?[/quote]I think he's dead.[/quote]I'm not dead ;(
In regards to swordedit, I have lost my source during my many computer switches :(It is probably on some long lost hard drive somewhere.
And on a side note, I'm deprecating and eventually deleting the tools page. After the Mod Database is finished being parsed, I'll just delete all the images off that page so it loads faster and still functions with HDemoLauncher. If you want to help with this, get started on making a page for every mod. This can be discussed in the HDM sticky here.
And on a side note, I'm deprecating and eventually deleting the tools page. After the Mod Database is finished being parsed, I'll just delete all the images off that page so it loads faster and still functions with HDemoLauncher. If you want to help with this, get started on making a page for every mod. This can be discussed in the HDM sticky here.
Samuco has developed many applications; have you seen [url=http://www.samuco.net/]his web site[/url]? | {
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Remittances Glossary
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Remittances Glossary
Primary school enrollment (percent of gross): Gross enrollment ratio
is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the
age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Primary
education provides children with basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills
along with an elementary understanding of such subjects as history, geography,
natural science, social science, art, and music.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators and United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Institute for Statistics. Link
Tertiary school enrollment (percent of gross): Gross enrollment ratio
is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the
age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Tertiary
education, whether or not to an advanced research qualification, normally requires,
as a minimum condition of admission, the successful completion of education
at the secondary level.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators and United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Institute for Statistics. Link
Foreign Direct Investment: Investment that is made to acquire a lasting
management interest (usually 10 percent of voting stock) in an enterprise operating
in a country other than that of the investor (defined according to residency),
the investor’s purpose being an effective voice in the management of
the enterprise. It is the sum of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings,
other long-term capital, and short-term capital as show in the balance of payments.
FDI includes inter-company debt.
Formal inward remittances: Formal inward remittances are considered
the sum of workers remittances, compensation of employees, and migrants’ transfers.
Workers' remittances refer to transfers in cash or in kind from migrants
to resident households in the countries of origin. Usually these are ongoing
transfers between members of the same family, with persons abroad being absent
for a year or longer. Compensation to employees refers to the wages,
salaries, and other remuneration, in cash or in kind, paid to individuals
who work in a country other than where they legally reside. For example,
the wages earned by seasonal or other short-term migrant workers (i.e., abroad
for less than a year) would be included in this category, as well as border
workers who work, but do not reside, in a neighboring country. It also includes
wages and salaries earned by the local staff of foreign institutions, such
as embassies and international organizations, and companies based abroad
but operating locally. Migrants' transfers refer to capital transfers
of financial assets made by migrants as they move from one country to another
and stay for more than one year.
Formal inward remittance data are taken mostly from credits to the balance
of payments data file of the International Monetary Fund as reported by central
banks. Most central banks use remittance data reported by commercial
banks, but leave out flows through money transfer operators and informal personal
channels. Formal channels include money transfer services offered by banks,
post office banks, non-bank financial institutions, and foreign exchange bureaus
and money transfer operators.
Formal outward remittances: Formal outward remittances are considered
the sum of workers remittances, compensation of employees, and migrants’ transfers.
Workers' remittances refer to transfers in cash or in kind from migrants
to resident households in the countries of origin. Usually these are ongoing
transfers between members of the same family, with persons abroad being absent
for a year or longer. Compensation to employees refers to the wages,
salaries, and other remuneration, in cash or in kind, paid to individuals
who work in a country other than where they legally reside. For example,
the wages earned by seasonal or other short-term migrant workers (i.e., abroad
for less than a year) would be included in this category, as well as border
workers who work, but do not reside, in a neighboring country. It also includes
wages and salaries earned by the local staff of foreign institutions, such
as embassies and international organizations, and companies based abroad
but operating locally. Migrants' transfers refer to capital transfers
of financial assets made by migrants as they move from one country to another
and stay for more than one year.
Formal outward remittance data are taken
mostly from debits to the balance of payments data file of the International
Monetary Fund as reported by central banks. Most central banks use
remittance data reported by commercial banks, but leave out flows through
money transfer operators and informal personal channels. Formal channels
include money transfer services offered by banks, post office banks, non-bank
financial institutions, and foreign exchange bureaus and money transfer operators.
Informal remittances: Informal remittances include all money and in-kind
transfers that do not involve formal contracts, and are hence unlikely to be
recorded in national accounts. Informal channels include cash transfers based
on personal relationships through business people, or carried out by courier
companies, friends, relatives or oneself. In addition, informal remittance
systems include more advanced Hawala and Hundi systems that rely on a network
of agents.
Gross Domestic Product: GDP at purchaser's prices is the sum of gross
value added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes
and minus any subsidies not included in the value of the products. It is calculated
without making deductions for depreciation of fabricated assets or for depletion
and degradation of natural resources. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Dollar
figures for GDP are converted from domestic currencies using single year official
exchange rates. For a few countries where the official exchange rate does not
reflect the rate effectively applied to actual foreign exchange transactions,
an alternative conversion factor is used.
Merchandise exports: Exports include all types of outward movement
of goods through a country or territory including movements through customs
warehouses and free zones. Goods include all merchandise that either add to
or reduce the stock of material resources of a country by entering (imports)
or leaving (exports) the country's economic territory.
Unless otherwise indicated,
exports are valued at transaction value, including the cost of transportation
and insurance to bring the merchandise to the frontier of the exporting country
or territory.
According to the World Trade Organization,
goods (merchandise) are defined as “physical objects for which a demand
exists, over which ownership rights can be established and whose ownership
can be transferred from one institutional unit to another by engaging in transactions
on markets”. Thus, the recording
of transactions should be based on the change of ownership principle.
Commercial service exports: Exports include all types of outward movement
of goods through a country or territory including movements through customs
warehouses and free zones. Goods include all merchandise that either add to
or reduce the stock of material resources of a country by entering (imports)
or leaving (exports) the country's economic territory.
Unless otherwise indicated,
exports are valued at transaction value, including the cost of transportation
and insurance to bring the merchandise to the frontier of the exporting country
or territory.
Commercial service exports include transport, travel, communication,
construction, insurance, financial, computer and information, other business,
and cultural and recreational services, and royalties and license fees. It
does not include government services.
Agricultural exports: Exports include all types of outward movement
of goods through a country or territory including movements through customs
warehouses and free zones. Goods include all merchandise that either add to
or reduce the stock of material resources of a country by entering (imports)
or leaving (exports) the country's economic territory. Unless otherwise indicated,
exports are valued at transaction value, including the cost of transportation
and insurance to bring the merchandise to the frontier of the exporting country
or territory. Agricultural exports include processed and unprocessed food and
raw materials.
Life expectancy at birth: Life expectancy at birth indicates the number
of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at
the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.
Middle East and North Africa: Includes Algeria, Djibouti, the Arab
Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya,
Morocco, Oman, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, the West Bank and Gaza, and
the Republic of Yemen.
East Asia and the Pacific: Includes American Samoa, Cambodia, China,
Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, the Democratic Republic of Korea, the People’s
Democratic Republic of Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Northern Marinara Islands, Palau,
Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste,
Tonga, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
About Data Hub
The Data Hub showcases the most current national and state-level demographic, social, and economic facts about immigrants to the US; as well as stock, flow, citizenship, net migration, and historical data for countries in Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Links
Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United StatesThe US immigrant population — estimated at 40.4 million in 2011 — is the nation's historical numeric high, and it is also the largest in the world. About 20 percent of all international migrants reside in the United States, even as the country accounts for less than 5 percent of the world's population. Find out more top statistics on immigrants and immigration in the United States in this article which presents the latest, most interesting data in one easy-to-use resource.
Immigration: Data MattersThis pocket guide compiles some of the most credible, accessible, and user-friendly government and non-governmental data sources pertaining to U.S. and international migration. The guide also includes additional links to relevant organizations, programs, research, and deliverables, along with a glossary of frequently used immigration terms
Media Resources
Experts
Jeanne Batalova is a Senior Policy Analyst at MPI and Manager of the MPI Data Hub.
Full Bio > | {
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Rebel Hope Sassy
1/28/2015
I have more fitted mesh on today- both my Rebel Hope outfit and Has Been boots are fitted to my Slink Physique and can be found for on...
I have more fitted mesh on today- both my Rebel Hope outfit and Has Been boots are fitted to my Slink Physique and can be found for only 95L at My Attic until 1/31. I am enjoying fitted mesh so much that I was a little surprised with the results of my fitted mesh poll: 35% Love fitted mesh, 39% Hate fitted mesh, and 26% Sometimes like fitted mesh. You can still vote in the fitted mesh poll, here. I did not like it either until mesh bodies, but items fitted to my mesh bodies have been perfection for me so far no matter what shape I am wearing. I have on my curvy shape today with my Physique. | {
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(YouTube link)
How is it we always manage to ha... ...its legitimacy ; who films themselves while doing WiiFit ? But if you watch his moves, he's really quite go... ...in the mix; at a certain point, if you're taking WiiFit seriously...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH1wq5itIK... ...absurdity of waiting forever to get my hands on a WiiFit , I thought it might work for the site I work for... ...he experience of 90% of the people who purchase a WiiFit in orde... | {
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Photography Business Secrets
4.11 - 1251 ratings - Source
Give your photography business an edge with these professional insights There are already more than 150, 000 professional photographers in the U.S., according to Department of Labor statistics, and thousands of serious amateurs are continually seeking to become established. Whether yours is a new or long-standing photography business, you have plenty of competition. Lara White has collected the best advice from her popular photography business website, Photomint.com, into this guide for your reference. She covers establishing your brand, defining policies, setting prices, creating a marketing plan, networking, and a great deal more. Photography is a rapidly growing industry, placing both established and beginning photographers in tough competition for business Author Lara White runs a popular website teaching successful business strategies to photographers; this book collects and organizes valuable information to help newcomers get started and existing businesses grow Covers business fundamentals including establishing a brand, defining studio policies, setting pricing, creating a marketing plan, understanding your audience, networking, and effective social media marketing Provides proven tips for building a successful photography business Photography Business Secrets is packed with advice that can help your photography business succeed and thrive, even in today's economy.Ita#39;s not the quality of their work. Ita#39;s failure to recognize theya#39;re running a business. Thata#39;s why this book is not about planning a shoot, choosing lenses, or using Photoshop.
Title
:
Photography Business Secrets
Author
:
Lara White
Publisher
:
John Wiley & Sons - 2013-03-12
ISBN-13
:
You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.
Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page. | {
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Tabs have been outlawed since they are treated differently
by different editors and tools. And since indentation is so
critical to proper interpretation of YAML, this issue is just
too tricky to even attempt. Indeed Guido van Rossum of Python
has acknowledged that allowing TABs in Python source is a
headache for many people and that were he to design Python
again, he would forbid them. | {
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One bullet can make a man a hero… or a casualty.
Guns, Flags and Bibles
I saw this article a few days ago about a guy who owns a gun shop in Tennessee, and thought I should share. He is going against the current wave of political correctness sweeping the country right now. Here’s the article:
In the Age of Obama political correctness has been placed on hyperdrive, but a growing mass of citizenry is rejecting it out of hand and going to great lengths in which to do so.
This rejection is epitomized by a gun shop in Oakland, Tenn., which is handing out Bibles and your choice of an American or Confederate flag with every purchase.
As reported by the Washington Free Beacon, Big Bang Guns is making the offer to every customer who walks in the door. Located just outside of Memphis, the small gun shop (which offers its products online too, by the way) says its promotion is scheduled to run through July 14.
“It’s pretty patriotic to offer both and a Bible as well,” he told the WFB. “It’s freedom of speech with some religion to go along with it.”
Cue the PC Left’s outrage machine.
So far, customers have really taken to the offer and have responded very positively.
John McFarland, the shop owner, said, “The customers like it. We sell everything from $200 guns all the way up to $20,000 Barretts. It’s picked up really well.”
The shop owner said he’s sick of seeing American traditions and values attacked so he created the promotion as a way to support those who believe as he does.
“I’m at a point in my life where I’m tired of everybody making me feel bad for what my moral beliefs are,” he told the Free Beacon. “I believe there’s history behind the rebel flag, I believe there’s history behind the American flag, I believe in the right to bear arms, and I believe in freedom of religion.”
“I just wanted to let everybody know we believe in that and we support everybody who believes in that,” he added.
“We’re just trying to promote American freedoms,” McFarland said. “I’m pretty outspoken politically and I believe everybody has their rights. I believe if you’re an atheist you have that right. I believe if you believe in God you have that right. And I believe if you believe in the Confederate flag, you believe in the history behind it, you have the right to have it. And that’s where we stand and I’ll stand behind that.” | {
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Could All the Diversity in the Human Race Have Come From Adam and Eve?
When you look at people today, with all of our diverse characteristics- skin color, hair color, eye shape, height, build, etc, you can’t help but wonder: Could only Adam and Eve, who lived approximately 6,000 to 7,000 years ago have been the foundation for the diverse group we have become? Evolutionary science would tell us no- that the human race must have begun around 200,000 years ago to account for the diversity that is represented among us today. Surprisingly, however, some of the most compelling evidence corroborating the Biblical creation account, is coming from evolutionary scientists.
Let’s look at the path evolutionary science takes using the example of skin color. To explain the rainbow of varying shades, (not just the four scientific classifications of race: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, Australoid) but the incredible diversity among each race (dark skinned Caucasoids, light skinned Negroids, varying shades of Mongoloids), the October 2002 issue of Scientific American claims that skin color is evolving in order to come to “just the right skin color”. A color dark enough to prevent the nutrient folate from being destroyed in the sun, but light enough to allow the production of vitamin D. Dr. Brad Harrub writing for Apologetics Press sums up the thought process evolutionist currently use to describe the human evolution of skin color (evolution from chimps, of course, who by the way do not have varying skin color), “For those of you keeping track, here’s a quick summary: We lost body hair to cool our growing brains. Our pink skin and folate levels were in danger of UV radiation, so we evolved lots of melanin and became dark skinned. But some humans traveled to areas where there wasn’t as much sunlight, thus they were required to evolve lighter skin.”
Of course, Creationists do not need to rely on mutations, we assert that our Creator, God, created man with the best possible combination of skin-color genes. With this knowledge we can scientifically account for skin color diversity (and most other diversity for that matter) using a simple Punnette Square straight from your high school biology class. Here’s a little refresher: The pigment melanin (which controls skin color) is mainly controlled by two pairs of genes- Aa and Bb. A and B are dominant and produce melanin well, while a and b are recessive and do not. If God created Adam and Eve “heterozygous” (meaning they had both dominant and recessive genes: AaBb) they would have been a middle brown color and capable of producing anywhere from darkest Negroid to lightest Caucasoid.
According to Dr. Brad Harrub, “The whole process is “put into reverse,” however, when people of different skin colors intermarry. Various combinations of genes occur, and the offspring thus begin to show a rainbow effect of skin colors, ranging from black to white.”
Now, obviously Adam and Eve could have literally created a rainbow of offspring within one generation. However, with all the mixing going on through the generations, many varying shades would have been produced. Notice, “race” is never even mentioned in the Bible.
I know what you’re thinking- Ok, but that’s not how it works today- white parents have white children only, black parents have black children only and so on. This is where the findings of evolutionary science fit in perfectly with the Bible.
Evolutionary scientists have come to the conclusion that there must have been some type of “bottleneck” (extreme reduction) in the earth’s population somewhere around 5,000 years ago when the population really began to diversify. Of course, creationists refer to that as the flood of Noah’s day. Dr. Jeffery P. Tomkins writes for the Institute of Creation Research, “A new study reported in the journal Science has advanced our knowledge of rare DNA variation associated with gene regions in the human genome. By applying a demographics-based model to the data, researchers discovered that the human genome began to rapidly diversify about 5,000 years ago.”
Why are scientists just now coming to these conclusions? Dr. Jeffery Tomkins explains, “Typically, evolutionary scientists incorporate hypothetical deep time scales taken from paleontology or just borrowed from other authors to develop and calibrate models of genetic change over time. In contrast this Science study used demographic models of human populations over known historical time and known geographical space. The resulting data showed a very recent, massive burst of human genetic diversification.”
This creates quite a conundrum for evolutionists, but a not so surprising affirmation for Creationists. From Dr. Tomkins article, “The authors [of the demographic study] wrote, ‘The maximum likelihood for accelerated growth was 5,115 years ago.’” Tomkins continues, “Old earth proponents now have a new challenge: to explain why- after millions of years of hardly any genetic variation among modern humans- human genomic diversity exploded only within the last five thousand years?…Since the author’s date represents maximum time, the actual DNA diversification event probably occurred even sooner. A biblical time scale indicates that a global flood occurred about 4,500 years ago, and this closely correlates with the time scale of the researcher’s estimate.”
Dr. Robert W. Carter explains the genetic implications in his article for Creation Ministries International titled Adam, Eve, and Noah vs Modern Genetics and I’ll hit the high points. We really don’t know what type of genetic mutation had occurred prior to the flood, but whatever there was, was reduced to the genetics represented in Noah’s family. Let’s start with the basics. Y chromosomes can only be passed through the male (obviously- it’s what makes a male a male), so fathers pass this on directly to their sons. This means, there was ONLY one Y chromosome represented on the ark even though there were 4 men (Noah and his 3 sons). This means whatever mutations had occurred in the Y chromosome up to that point, were effectively erased because only Noah’s sons reproduced after the flood. (The Bible doesn’t say Noah had any more children, so I assume he didn’t. But whether he did or not is neither here nor there.)
Can we know how many X chromosome lineages were on the ark? We can’t know for sure, but if you do the math, there would have been a maximum of 8 (9 if Noah had a daughter after the flood). Dr. Carter notes, “And since X chromosomes recombine (in females), we are potentially looking at a huge amount of genetic diversity within the X chromosomes of the world.”
This fits perfectly with genetic findings because, as it turns out, Y chromosomes are similar worldwide! Dr. Carter elaborates, “According to the evolutionists, no “ancient” (ie, highly mutated or highly divergent) Y chromosomes have been found. This serves as a bit of a puzzle to the evolutionist, and they have had to resort to calling for a higher “reproductive variance” among men than women, high rates of “gene conversion” in the Y chromosome, or perhaps a “selective sweep” that wiped out the other male lines.” X chromosome lineage fits just as well. Dr Carter notes, “As it turns out, there are only three main mitochondrial (female) DNA lineages found across the world.”
I hear you saying, “So how does this result in the race related diversification that we have today?!?” It all goes back to another Biblical event- the Tower of Babel. Prior to the separation that God ushered in at the Tower of Babel, the culture was described as a homologous one- all sharing the same language and intermixing freely. So much so, that they were disobeying God’s command to scatter and fill the earth. For our discussion today, the applicable verse is Genesis 10:32, “These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood.”
Dr. Carter highlights the significance of this verse on the world we see today, “At Babel, God did not separate the nations according to language. He used language to separate them according to paternal (male) ancestry! This has monumental significance and is the key to understanding human genetic history. Paternal sorting would lead to specific Y chromosome lineages in different geographical locations. Since males and females from the three main families should have been freely intermixing prior to this, it also leads to a mixing of the mitochondrial lines. It is as if God put all the people into a giant spreadsheet and hit a button called ‘Sort According to Father.’ He then took that list and used it to divide up and separate the nations.”
We also know that what little variation there is among Y chromosomes is almost always geographically specific. This means after they were separated by Y chromosome, mutations occurred among the new smaller people groups who now only mixed among themselves. This makes those mutations geographically specific. Mitochondrial DNA on the other hand, is pretty much randomly distributed around the world. The variations we see now in mitochondrial DNA are also geographically specific.
This is nothing short of a perfect parallel to the Biblical account. The people groups were separated according to their father, meaning each group only had a specific amount of genetic information from that point going forward. The groups then dispersed, each ending up in completely different geographical areas. Mutations that occurred within each group were effected by their differing climates/environments to some degree and from that point forward became characteristics specific to that group only. This gives rise to the various characteristics that we consider “race specific”.
Interestingly, today, we can see this very concept working in reverse right before our very eyes. As people groups come together (especially here in the melting pot of the USA) and intermix freely, the attributes regarded as “race specific” are mingled and contribute toward a more homologous human race. We have proven to be a scientific product of our Biblical history and as time goes on we continue to prove it.
2 Replies to “Could All the Diversity in the Human Race Have Come From Adam and Eve?”
No evolution scientist said we descended from “chimps;” rather, modern primates and humans share a very distant, common ancestor. That’s very different. Now, if that ‘common ancestor’ has a body that resembles more of a chimp than that of a human, then so be it. We’ve repeatedly observed how organisms evolve over time, which has been replicated using the Scientific Method in repeated, verified experiments. What evidence is there for Creation as a factual account, other than bible accounts of ancient Hebrews that predate Christianity. Look at what those same groups believed about the Earth, outer space, the Sun, stars and Moon.
No “common ancestor” has been proven, yet many have been identified only to later be removed from the “family tree.” You can check out my article “Evidence for Evolution: Mountain or a Molehill” for more on that topic.
While we do witness natural selection, or changes within a “kind” of animal, there are no examples of macro-evolution like you describe. We have no proof of any “kind” of animal turning into another “kind” of animal. For example, while we can see changes in the dog kind over time, we never see a dog turn into a cat. Furthermore, in this micro-evolution that we do witness, no “new” information is added to the genome. We only witness losses of genetic info. In other words, it is possible to lose genetic information through mutation, but we do not witness gains in genetic information through mutation.
We also have examples of irreducible complexity (for example: bacterial flagellum) which Darwin himself admitted would be the downfall of his theory. He wrote:
“If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.”
–Charles Darwin, Origin of Species
I believe you may have been misinformed if you believe that evolution has been replicated via the scientific method. I am unaware of any die-hard evolution scientists who even make this claim.
You asked about evidence for the creation account. Both sides (secular science and creation science) have the same evidence. The difference is how that information is interpreted. There are many brilliant creation scientists who have devoted their lives to demonstrating that the scientific evidence can absolutely be interpreted to corroborate the biblical creation account. If you’re interested in researching the case for creation science, the Institute for Creation Research and Answers in Genesis are two organizations where a wealth of information can be accessed and would be an excellent place to start. | {
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THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[23:00:02] DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN TONIGHT, I'm Don Lemon.
Trump choosing retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn to be his national security adviser. Trump will also sit down this weekend with Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP nominee who had harsh words for Trump during his campaign for the White House. A source telling CNN that Romney's letting it be known that he is interested in becoming Secretary of State.
Let's discuss this hour. I want to bring in now CNN Political Reporter, Sara Murray to start this up. Sara, Donald Trump just filled another key post in his administration. What are you learning?
SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Well, not sure if it entirely filled yet, but we do know that Donald Trump has made the offer to General Michael Flynn asking him if he wants to be his national security adviser. Our sources didn't telling it yet whether Flynn has accepted, but it would be a very natural fit.
Flynn has been by Donald Trump side throughout the campaign offering national security advice. He sat with Donald Trump through his national security briefings and he's been right there with him throughout this transition process. He was seen as the lead candidate for this job, so it would be very difficult to see him turning it down, Don.
LEMON: So we also know that Donald Trump and Mitt Romney, Sara, are going to be meeting this weekend. Are we seeing signs Trump is looking to form a team of rivals here?
MURRAY: Yeah. I will add this to the list of strange bed fellows, right because few people were as vocal and as barred in their criticism of Donald Trump as early as Mitt was. Take a listen to how he talked about Trump in the past.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Here's what i know. Donald trump is a phony, a fraud.
ROMNEY: His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University.
TRUMP: The guy just don't called loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MURRAY: So in many ways not a lot of love lost between the two of them, but it looks like they're at least going to try to patch things up. They're going to be meeting on Saturday and we do expect them to discuss Secretary of State position.
That is not necessarily meant that Mitt Romney is one of the front runners. It does not mean he is the pick in the eyes of Donald Trump, but it certainly would be an interesting discussion to be a fly on that wall, Don.
LEMON: Sara, is this the new Trump? Past offenses are forgiven because we, you know, we've often heard he has a very long memory. And what about the rest of the state of the transition team?
MURRAY: Well, not just that he has a very long memory, but they likes to reward people who are loyal to him. And I think that is question. Is Donald Trump doing all of these meetings just because he now is the president-elect and so he can essentially hold court with whoever he beacons to Trump Tower and maybe learn a little bit a along the way or is he doing this meetings because he is seriously considering these people for top-level cabinet positions?
Now, the Flynn choice would indicate that he's sticking with someone safe, someone he knows very well, someone who is loyal when it comes to his national security adviser. But I think it's an open question still, will Donald Trump actually pick someone who has been a critic, an adversary in the past as the one of the top cabinet slot.
And if he does, that could send the signal to Democrats and Republicans alike that this is a guy who wants to beef up the knowledge around him and a guy who want someone who's going to be there to point out his weaknesses or to, you know, bring knowledge to the table that maybe Donald Trump doesn't have himself.
LEMON: Sara, thank you very much. We appreciate that. So who is the man Donald Trump wants to be his national security adviser? Here's CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GEN. MICHAEL FLYNN, (RET.) U.S. ARMY: This was not an election. This was a revolution.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: This is retired Lieutenant General Mike Flynn, a one time army intelligence officer who's loyalty to Donald Trump likely will catapult him to one of the most important jobs in the Trump presidency.
FLYNN: This is probably the biggest election in our nation's history since bringing on George Washington when he decided not to be a king. STARR: Flynn is controversial in military circles after several jobs dealing with Middle East terrorism. In 2014, he was pushed out as head of the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency. One official who served with Flynn at the time tells CNN there were ongoing tensions. Flynn wanted more authority.
FLYNN: Wow.
STARR: After forced retirement, Flynn appeared to change. Two senior military officers, who served with him, tell CNN. They describe as somewhat bitter officer who adamantly believes President Obama isn't paying enough the tension to the ISIS threat.
FLYNN: We must regain our ability to truly crush our enemies.
STARR: The question now, can he operate on a global scale?
LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING, (RET) CNN MILITARY ANALYST: And he's going to have to expand his skill set after a 30-year plus career dealing primary in the military element of national security.
STARR: Flynn will have to work well with the rest of the Trump team.
HERTLING: There's a whole lot of pieces of input that come into decision-making rather than just the one you're providing.
STARR: But ultimately, the new commander-in-chief will still set the tone in national security, but just what is Trump still trying to tell the Pentagon.
TRUMP: We have great generals.
[23:05:02] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You said you know more than the generals about ISIS.
TRUMP: Well, I'd be honest with you, I probably do because look at the job they've done. OK, look at the job they've done. They haven't done the job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: I want to bring in CNN Military Analyst, Lieutenant General Mark Hertling and Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona who joins us via Skype. Gentlemen, thank you so much. I really appreciate this.
HERTLING: It can't be taken in isolation, Don. I mean, it's an interesting pick. Mike Flynn is a very passionate, energetic, and devoted guy to Mr. Trump. But it's -- the better thing to look at is what's the rest of the national security team going to look like? Who is going to be the sec. state, sec. def., CIA chief, other cabinet members? They're going to play a role in determining America's national security, not just in the military sense.
LEMON: Who would have the most influence here?
HETLINGL: And not just against ISIS, but against a lot of other people. I'm sorry.
LEMON: Who would have the most influence here?
HERTLING: Well, Flynn sets the agenda for the primaries committees and the NSCs. So he's the guy that literally teas up the discussion for the president and that's the thing. He's probably going to be the youngest guy in the room.
He may have a whole lot of experience fighting al-Qaeda and even tracking ISIS, but he's not going to have a whole lot of experience in some of other areas that contribute to national security. There is, you know, ISIS is about fifth on a list of 10 things that are influencing America's security right now and he's got to expand his portfolio quite a bit.
LEMON: Colonel Francona, you have a different view of General Flynn. Tell me what you think.
LT. COL. RICK FRANCONA, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Oh, I think he's probably a fine pick, as long as the president trusts him. And I think that's the key here and I think that General Hertling hit the nail on the head here, it's because Hertling is not going to have the authority to do anything.
Hertling is going to be the gatekeeper. He sets the agenda. He calls the meetings. He chairs the meetings. He decides ...
LEMON: Flynn, not Hertling, Flynn.
FRANCONA: I'm sorry.
LEMON: I almost said that earlier. I understand since, you know, Hertling is right here with us.
FRANCONA: And he will control those meetings. But it's a team effort and it's who -- who else is on that team? So I think it's important that the president have confidence in General Flynn.
This position isn't a cabinet level. This is the person you go to. This is your confidant. This is someone you can talk to one-on-one and sometimes cut through all the bureaucratic, you know, wrangling that's going on in that room.
And I've been in this - some of these meeting and it's very contentious in there and the national security adviser has to write (inaudible) on his people that generally have more power than he does.
LEMON: Go ahead, General.
HERTLING: That's true, Don. And I'll say I've been in a couple of myself and what's interesting is that the strategic level, when you're talking leadership, personalities matter. And when you've got a group thing going on, that's not a good thing. You're also going to have probably -- Mike Flynn will probably be the youngest person in the room. I don't know. I don't know who the other choices are going to be. But, you know, there have been studying national security advisers in the past, each president has used them differently.
Mr. Trump may have his own style, but speaking truth to power and that kind of a scenario with a lot of folks with big egos and a lot of agendas, especially when you're talking about some people that may not trust each other all that well, that's going to be very challenging.
LEMON: General Hertling, what will Russia and Ukraine think about General Flynn in this top post?
HERTLING: Yeah, that's a great question, Don, because I'm going to Ukraine at the end of this month to talk to some security officials and some government officials, and I've already been contacted by many of them saying, "What's going on?" And they were surprised first of all by Mr. Trump's election.
They are particularly concerned about a combination of Mr. Trump and General Flynn because they have seen the cosying up with Russia and Ukraine is in a fight for its life right now as are some other European allies, Poland, some of the Baltic.
They are very concern about Russia. They want to keep the sanctions on Russia. They want to stop Russian expansionism and I tell you like many other presidents, I'm sure that Mr. Trump wants to reset the conditions with Russia, which you have to go about this very carefully.
When he talked to Russia the other day, when he talked to Mr. Putin on the phone the other day, the reaction after that conversation in Syria was multiple bombings of Aleppo, and a greater intensity by the Russian government against that nation.
LEMON: Colonel Francona, General Flynn is not shy about using the phrases. So he uses radical Islamic -- Islamist terrorism in the past. He said, "Sharia law is spreading here in the U.S."
He once tweeted this that the fear of Muslims is rational. He also re-tweeted something about Jews that he later apologized for. What do you think that this pick would mean for U.S. relationships with the Muslim world?
[23:10:07] FRANCONA: Well, I think that we've got a problem right from the start. You know, it just exacerbates the problem that many people perceive that Mr. Trump has with the Islamic world and maybe the Muslims have with Mr. Trump. So this is not going to help that.
But, remember as a I said, he's going to be an adviser the president. The president sets the agenda. The president sets the tone. The president makes the decisions. It's the advice he gets from his cabinet and also from General Flynn that will shape that. But, I think they all need to turn in their Twitter handles.
LEMON: Thank you, Colonel. Thank you, General. I appreciate that.
Straight ahead much, much more in our breaking news, President-elect Trump offers a position of national security advisor to Lieutenant General Michael Flynn.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: There's more breaking news tonight. The President-elect tweeting that Ford is keeping an assembly plant in Kentucky. Let's find out what's going on from CNN Money Correspondent Cristina Alesci who is joining us by the phone right now.
Cristina, Donald Trump is tweeting again tonight, this time about the Ford Motor Company. He tweeted, "Just got a call from my friend Bill Ford, Chairman of Ford who advised me that he will be keeping the Lincoln plant in Kentucky, no Mexico." And then second tweet he wrote, "I worked hard with Bill Ford to keep the Lincoln plant in Kentucky. I owed it to the great State of Kentucky for their confidence in me."
[23:15:02] What's the story here, Cristina?
CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm not sure what hard work he's referring to, and I'm not sure that Ford knows what hard work he's referring to because he seems to be -- Trump seems to be taking a victory lap toward something he didn't do.
Ford made a commitment to keep that plant in Kentucky way before this statement this evening. In fact, it was a legally binding agreement with the auto union there to keep production of the Lincoln and MKC there along with the Ford stake (ph) and that -- they will then invest $700 million in their plant. So it's really unclear why he is taking credit for this.
Remember, Trump went after several companies during the campaign and Ford was probably his favorite corporate pinata. He calls this company disgusting and he just went after them on Twitter and at rallies. It's just incredible.
And by way, a lot of other companies do what Ford does in terms of moving production, but, you know, Trump went after Ford specifically because it is a big American recognizable brand.
LEMON: Yeah. I remember the CEO being on - I think with Poppy Harlow saying that they were going to keep the plant. Listen, Cristina, what is Ford saying about all of this.
ALESCI: Well, they're issuing a pretty, you know, corporate statement. They're saying, you know, "Today, we confirmed with to the President-elect that our small Lincoln utility vehicle made at the Louisville Assembly Plant will stay in Kentucky. And we are encouraged that President-elect Trump and the new Congress will pursue policies that will improve U.S. competitiveness and make it possible to keep production of this vehicle here in the United States."
So, they are not filling out there in saying like, "Hey, this is ridiculous," right, because when I speak to CEOs in general, no one really wants to get on Trump's bad side, that's the point.
So everybody is playing nice because they don't know how, you know, all of this is going to shake out, all of these policies are going to shake out and impact their businesses. So everybody's playing nice for now.
We'll have to see if Trump continues to go after companies and then take credit for things that he didn't do, you know, house the dynamic changes from there. But clearly not a statement that really tells anybody what's really going on here.
LEMON: All right. So, Cristina, just to get it straight as you mentioned, he is taking credit. This isn't the first time that he is taking credit for something he didn't do, correct?
ALESCI: Right. In 2015, he told a large crowd in New Hampshire that Ford is going to build a massive plant in the United States and that's because, you know, Trump was going after the company publicly and he took credit for that.
But Ford was not building a new plant there, in fact, they were -- it was just simply shifting production to an existing U.S. plant and that agreement had been arranged four years earlier in a deal again with the Labor Union, you know, in 2011. So we -- we're seeing a pattern here, and it's up to the companies and it's up to the CEOs to set the record straight and frankly, it's up to us, too, to do that whenever we can.
LEMON: And we will. Thank you very much, Cristina Alesci. I appreciate that.
I want to bring in now my Political Commentators, John Phillips, a Talk Radio Host, KABC, Political Commentator Bakari Sellers, Political Contributor Lanhee Chen, former Policy Director for Mitt Romney and GOP Political Commentator Paris Dennard. Good evening gentlemen. So, what is your reaction to Cristina's reporting, first, Bakari?
BAKARI SELLERS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I think that this builds into a larger narrative and the larger narrative is Donald Trump is himself a fake news story. What we've seen is this -- it's this cycle of fake news stories that pop up and drive the narrative.
Donald Trump will flat out lie and say that he did something, which we can actually have objectionable proof that he did not do. And it's -- I mean, it's categorically false. I mean, even (inaudible) was talking about protesters being paid when we know that that is another fake news story.
LEMON: What is real is that he's president-elect.
SELLERS: That is real. But, I mean, it's sad because what he's develop is very dangerous to the American democracy. Is that now we live in a fact-free environment and the only person that can succeed in that fact-free environment is Donald Trump.
LEMON: Paris? PARIS DENNARD, GOP POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Actually, the facts are, Mr. Trump was outspoken and talking about how he was going to make America great again. He was outspoken and talking about how he wanted to bring jobs back ...
LEMON: Specifically when it comes to Ford?
DENNARD: When it comes to Ford, Mr. Trump was very factual and talking about he was not going to allow that to happen under his watch, meaning leave the American soil and go across the boarder to Mexico.
LEMON: It was decided before he became president-elect?
[23:20:02] DENNARD: So the point is I think is that he raised this issue. He raised the issue of jobs. He raised the issue of jobs leaving the country, and now what the American people see is, well, Ford did not bring their plant over to Mexico, so it's a good thing for Mr. Trump because ...
LEMON: But they weren't going to.
DENNARD: It doesn't matter.
LEMON: They weren't going to.
SELLERS: It does matter.
DENNARD: What matters is Mr. Trump has been talking about doing this.
LEMON: Paris, are you sure it doesn't matter?
DENNARD: And raising the issues. It's not about the truth. It's about raising awareness. It's about raising awareness about Ford, about our immigration policy, and about jobs and the economy. So this is a win for president-elect.
LEMON: So you're saying the truth doesn't matter? Because he's taking a victory lap, Paris, let's be honest for something that he didn't do and you're telling -- you're sitting here on national television -- international television and telling people the truth doesn't matter?
DENNARD: No, I didn't say that. What I'm telling the American people and their international audience is that what Mr. Trump did do was raise awareness about companies in the U.S. leaving our soil and going overseas and saying he did not want that to happen.
LEMON: That's not what he tweeted, though, Paris. Listen, let's just be honest, come on.
DENNARD: Right.
LEMON: He won so congratulations.
DENNARD: That's the fact. LEMON: OK, so he did not say in his tweet, "I brought awareness to this issue and just so you know, Ford is not doing it as I said before I became president." He is saying -- he is taking a victory lap with something that had nothing do with him. That doesn't matter to you, the truth? It shouldn't matter to the American public who he's representing now?
DENNARD: I think the truth does matter and the truth in my eyes and I think in a lot of Americans' eyes is that Donald Trump was a champion and is a champion for American jobs. He's a champion for American companies.
LEMON: OK, all right.
DENNARD: And I think that proves it.
LEMON: All right, let's go to John. John, go ahead.
PHILIPS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yeah. The tone was set in this campaign that Donald Trump doesn't want to incentivize companies to move their operations to foreign lands.
He wants more production in the United States, and really the first indicator that we saw after he was elected president that other people get that was when we heard from the Canadians and the Mexicans that they're willing to come to the bargaining table to rework NAFTA, to make sure that NAFTA works out better for all parties involved. So I think people get what Donald Trump wants from trade and production.
LEMON: OK. Lanhee?
LANHEE CHEN, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Yeah. You know, Don, I think there's two issues here. One is I do think as president-elect, you do have to hold yourself to a higher standard. You do have to look carefully at what it is you're saying.
But the other point I'd make is that I think there are a lot of times when politicians and presidents even take credit for things that really they have very little do with. You think about jobs numbers, perfect example, right? We get these jobs numbers every month and presidents consistently will say or laid (ph) good job numbers or maybe they try to distance themselves from bad job numbers.
But the reality is the president has very little to do with the monthly gyrations in unemployment numbers, but yet presidents consistently take credit for him. So I think this is just part of our political dialogue. I think this obviously was maybe step too far. But I do think in general, politicians have this habit of taking credit for things they really have nothing to do with.
SELLER: But, Don, if I may just briefly. One of the things that still troublesome about this whole dynamic of President-elect Donald Trump is that, you know, you have Paris say that it doesn't matter and now we're saying that maybe it was a step too far. But what we've created over the past 18 months and something we'll have to deal with over the next four years is a culture of low expectation. The fact is Donald Trump told a lie. He had to be corrected by the CEO of Ford. Ford was not leaving. They were not leaving the United States going to Mexico. In fact, what was happening is they had a contract with the union that said they could not leave something that had nothing to do with Donald Trump at all and they were never going to Mexico.
LEMON: Yeah.
SELLERS: But now people pick up on this story. It's a fake news story that goes around and it's below the office of the presidency. I mean if he can't tell the truth in a tweet about Ford, I mean, how we're going to believe him about anything else?
LEMON: All right, up next we'll talk about his new appointment as national security adviser, General Flynn. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:27:57] LEMON: Our breaking news tonight, President-elect Donald Trump offering the position of national security adviser to retired General Michael Flynn, a top aide during Trump's campaign.
Back with me now, John Phillips, Bakari Sellers and Lanhee Chen, and also Paris Dennard. Paris, so start with you. Just this month, General Flynn tweeted out a false story about Hillary Clinton. He wrote, "You decide, NYPD blows whistle on new Hillary e-mails, money laundering, sex crimes with children, et cetera, must read." This story's completely fabricated and he tweeted that out to tens of thousands of followers. What is that say about his judgment?
DENNARD: I don't think that we should judge someone by 140 characters. But, what I will say is he said you decide. So he didn't say that this was fact (ph) or he didn't say that this was what you should say. He said you decide, you make up your mind for yourself.
But I think Mr. Trump is picking people who have been loyal to him, people who have been giving him sound advice and I think this person in particular, General Flynn is one who has a -- an accomplished career in the military who should be respected. If he takes the position, we should allow him the space to do the job that President- elect Trump has asked him to do.
LEMON: Lanhee?
CHEN: Yeah. I mean, usually it is the case that the top campaign national security adviser ends up becoming the national security advisor in the White House as well and this is ultimately, I think as you saw in your earlier segment about comfort, you know.
I do think that hopefully should he accept the job from this point forward he would exercise the same discretion that I would advise that the president-elect exercise as well, whether it's in Twitter or other public statements.
LEMON: Do you want to say something, Bakari? SELLERS: Well, yeah, I mean, I think that I guess we're 9 or 10 days into the Trump president-elect status here and we shouldn't be surprised that he surrounds himself with people who espouse beliefs like him, whether or not it's Steve Bannon, or whether or not it's General Flynn.
I mean, there are a lot of things that are concerning about in whether or not he was receiving national intelligence briefings and still on the payroll for Turkey, whether or not his son, who was the chief of staff tweets out things that are, you know, decently, racially insensitive to give him just the benefit of the doubt.
[23:30:02] LEMON: Let's talk about ...
SELLERS: Or whether or not his judgment is ...
(CROSSTALK)
SELLERS: ... judgment is cloudy.
DENNARD: Bakari, he also surrounded himself with people like Kay Cole James with like Ken Blackwell who are conservative Christian, who are positive and are influential. So, it's not just to say that he -- it's not fair to say he just surrounds himself around people that you described. He has a lot of people, good people that are advising him in this position. They should be respected.
SELLERS: With all due respect, he's hired three people. He's hired Reince Priebus, he's hired Steve Bannon, and now he's hired Michael Flynn. And so when you look at those...
DENNARD: He's offered the job. No, he's offered the job to Michael Flynn and he did hire Reince Priebus who's been an excellent job leading the party to victory.
SELLERS: Well, yeah, and I was going to say that Chairman Priebus is by far the best of the branch because one dislikes Muslims, the one -- the other one is the anti-Semite, and then you have Reince Priebus.
DENNARD: That's not true.
SELLERS: So by virtue, he wins.
LEMON: There's also, what he's talking about, General Flynn's son, who Bakari is talking about, as the Chief of Staff, so as his father, he regularly pushed off conspiracy theories and (inaudible). He frequently retweets members of the alt-right. At one point, he pushed out a conspiracy theory about Marco Rubio being a closeted homosexual who abused cocaine. Does that concern you at all, John?
JOHN PHILLIPS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, you don't judge someone by the sins of their father and I don't think you judge someone by the sins of their sons.
LEMON: He's the Chief of Staff. PHILLIPS: This guy has a stellar reputation as a general. This guy was Stanley McChrystal's right-hand man in Afghanistan. People in the military loved him. And in the minute that he endorsed Donald Trump, it's suddenly like he's Gary Busey after the motorcycle accident. All the respect that people had for him just went out window. He's the same guy.
LEMON: OK. I don't know what to say to that. Lanhee, go ahead.
PHILLIPS: Gary Busey has great tweets though. Gary Busey has great tweets.
LEMON: Lanhee, is that concerning though when you consider that, you know, Marco Rubio is a closet of homosexual who abused cocaine? I mean his son, to Bakari's point, was his Chief, was General Flynn's Chief of Staff or is.
LANHEE CHEN, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Yeah. I mean, you know, again I think part of the issue here is that the president is entitled I think to put people around him that he's comfortable with and this is one of those positions that fits that bill. Now, obviously you look at these things and you do have to say, "Well, probably it wasn't the smartest thing to do, probably it wasn't the best idea to do."
LEMON: Yeah.
CHEN: I think from this point forward, should he accept the job, he's got to conduct himself appropriately.
LEMON: OK: Again, he's Chief of Staff, who's a son, earlier this year tweeted, "So, African-Americans can have BET, but whites can't have their own dating site? Hmm." And then there was this one that was back in 2012, "Unfortunately, the only reason why minorities voted for Barack Obama is the color of his skin and not for his issues." Bakari?
SELLERS: I mean that that's just blatant ignorance. But now, we had ignorance at the highest level of government, because again, the National Security Advisor's Chief of Staff, his son, is making blatantly ignorant comments. I mean, look, I'm not surprised by any of this. Hillary Clinton lost the race. This is the result of losing races. You know, elections have consequences. And we should not be surprised, again, that Donald Trump surrounds himself and hires people and offers job to people, to be correct for, Paris, so people who espouse his beliefs. And that's where we are. He has every right to do so. It's just very, very dangerous. And then we haven't even gotten to the point of General Flynn's ties to Russia. I mean we know that he's very close with Putin, and so we're just trotting down this very dangerous path and it actually puts me on the same side of the fence with people like John McCain and Lindsey Graham and pushing back as one of our greatest agitators.
LEMON: I want to switch gears now if we can because I want to talk about Donald Trump meeting with Mitt Romney, you know, your former boss and chief, Mitt Romney, Lanhee. Are you encouraged that this might mean some of the Trump's decision about his decision-making? CHEN: Well, obviously, look, I think Governor Romney has got great respect across a broad spectrum of conservatives. And certainly if they're going to discuss national security issues, I don't think there's any better person in the party on these issues now, aside from Governor Romney. And we don't know what this meeting is going to be about. We don't really know exactly what's going to come up or at least I don't. But certainly, I would think it's encouraging that Donald Trump is reaching out to people across the party to try to unify the party and hopefully to govern well once he becomes president.
LEMON: What would the Secretary of State -- Mitt Romney as Secretary of State, what would that look like under Trump? I mean they seem like polar opposites. Do you think Romney would really do it?
CHEN: I actually -- Don, I don't necessarily think they're polar opposites in this sense. I think that Mitt Romney's foreign policy philosophy has always been premised on American interest first. And I think that is very similar actually to a lot of what you heard from Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Obviously, there are some differences with respect to Russia, NATO, and a few other issues. But I think if you look at the fundaments of where Governor Romney thinks America needs to go, you can make the argument that it's similar to some of the general things that Donald Trump sounded out during his campaign.
[23:05:03] How are Trump's supporters going to feel about Trump entertaining establishment-type like Mitt Romney you think for a key position?
DENNARD: Well, we don't know that that's what that meeting is going to be about. But I will tell you this, Don, I think that all of Donald Trump's supporters like myself and the millions that voted for him will be proud that President-Elect Trump is showing leadership, is reaching across the aisle, is reaching across the political spectrum on the Republican side to people who were former adversaries, if you will.
This is what leadership is. He's no longer running a campaign. He's the President-Elect of the United States of America. And so he's going to do more of this. He understands how to get a deal done and understands how to work with people. That's how you become a successful businessman and that's how you become the President-Elect of United States of America. It's a good thing.
LEMON: John, Lanhee just said they're polar opposites but then there was beast during campaign. Play this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, FORMER GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS: Here's what I know, Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT, UNITED STATES: But he's a disloyal guy. He's an elitist.
ROMNEY: His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University.
TRUMP: The guy is a stone-cold loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So now what, John?
PHILLIPS: Hey, I'm an Angel's fan and I say a lot of nasty things about the Dodgers. When the Dodgers make it to the playoffs, I still cheer for them because they're the California team that's there.
This is politics. This is what happens. George H.W. Bush was the guy that came up with voodoo economics and he was the guy that was put on the ticket. One of the criticisms of Trump that's been out there since this campaign started is that he can't ever let a feud go, that when he gets into it with someone, it just seems to last forever and ever and ever. Yet, when he's putting the cabinet together, we saw Mitt Romney's name pop-up on the list, we saw Nikki Haley in South Carolina, even Democrats could end up in the cabinet. I've seen Michelle Rhee's name pop-up as possible Secretary of Education, and maybe even Jim Webb who of course was the Former Senator from Virginia and presidential candidate. I think it's a good thing. I don't think it's a bad thing.
LEMON: So today, we are talking about Mitt Romney, we're talking about Nikki Haley, we're talking about General Flynn, but we're not talking about his controversial hire of Steve Bannon. Is that a smart move by Donald Trump to float these Republican leaders now, do you think, John?
PHILLIPS: Look, I mean you have a very short period of time to fill up all of these cabinet posts and once you do that you have to staff your White House and staff all of these departments and the executive branch. So, you're going to see a lot of hires up in a very short period of time.
LEMON: This is politics. I don't get it. I really don't get it. You all like this. I hate you, I hate you, I hate, you drop it, and then you're like I love you, man, you're my brother.
DENNARD: You might be the next Pres. Secretary. Be careful.
LEMON: Yeah. I can tell you, no, I won't ...
LEMON: Up next, why a lot of Muslim American say they are now fearful.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:41:48] LEMON: A lot of Muslim Americans say they are fearful these days. Could it be traced back to this moment from the 2016 campaign?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We won. Now, get your ISIS-loving family out of this country or we'll do it ourselves and make America great again.
ELAM: The day after Trump won, a Muslim family in a Seattle suburb found this threatening letter at their home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are American. We are Muslim.
ELAM: The man and his wife have lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years. Their children were all born here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America is great because this country have allowed a lot of good knowledgeable people to come here to make America great.
ELAM: The son who've found the letter shredded it, but not before taking a picture. He was afraid it would scare his parents. The father say he is not afraid but remains vigilant and above all he wants to protect the most important person in his life, his wife.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing is going to happen to her while I'm here. But I'm worried that she will be worried. She stays at home most of the day. I don't know how to be scared.
ELAM: Do you think that Donald Trump should take some of the blame for the behavior that we've seen across the country?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah. He should take some of the blame. He should actually become a president of all Americans. This is a responsibility. If you want to make this country continued to be strong, a number one country in the world, you can't bring this weapon down. It's the strongest weapon you have being diverse.
TRUMP: I'm so saddened to hear that and I say stop it, if it helps. I will say this and I will say it right to the cameras, "Stop it."
ELAM: This man hopes the person who wrote the letter will see this and come talk with him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will defend the value of America all the time and the value of being Muslim all the time. Ignorance usually create fear and fear create hatred, and hatred creates violence, and violence creates more hatred, and we're going to be continuing this cycle until we break it to his knowledge.
ELAM: And find common ground in love of country.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ELAM: Now, it's time to note that this man tells me that he lived in the United States longer than in any other country and that he saw America from a different perspective when he lived in Utah. At the time, it was around 9/11 and he said right after that that people in his neighborhood rallied around his family, made sure that they knew that they were welcome and he said that their family received so many gifts, Don, that they didn't even have a place to put them all.
[23:45:07] That said, I should also point out that he's also felt, from the community where they live now, that some people have come to say that this is not who we are. We're better than this and you welcomed as well, despite this one letter he's received.
LEMON: Stephanie, thanks, I really appreciate that.
Up next, two Muslim Americans s with very different viewpoints on this issue.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Let's discuss now the rising fears among Muslims in America with Dean Obeidallah, the host of "The Dean Obeidallah Show" on SiriusXM, and Saba Ahmed, the founder of the Republican Muslim coalition.
Good evening to both of you. Saba, I want to begin with you, how much responsibility should Donald Trump, the President-Elect, claim for this hate blames that's around the country many of them directly invoking his name?
SABA AHMED, FOUNDER, REPUBLICAN MUSLIM COALITION: Well, first of all, I don't think it's Donald Trump's fault that a lot of protests are going on. I think a lot of people were scared into voting for Clinton, especially in our Muslim community. I think we need to accept the fact that Donald Trump is our president and come to terms with his presidency and support him in whatever way we can. I think the best way for Muslims to engage in the future years is for us to get involved with his administration, and get into cabinet level positions or high level agency positions to make it happen.
[23:50:08] LEMON: Perhaps you didn't understand the question. So I'll read it again. How much responsibility should President-Elect Donald Trump claimed for this hateful incidents around the country, not the protest, that many are invoking, directly invoking his name? The ones that's were just in the story, about swastikas and so on and people intimidating Muslims so people weren't ...
AHMED: Donald Trump has condemned such hateful rhetoric and he has condemned hate crimes. I think he -- and obviously he could do more in coming out strongly against those of his supporters that are misusing his name to commit violent atrocities. But again, like I said, Muslims need to step up their efforts in terms of out reach to republicans and to the general American public. I think Muslim Americans s don't -- we don't need to play the victim games. We need to get involved in his administration and make a difference.
LEMON: Dean Obeidallah, Kris Kobach, a member of the Trump transition team, has suggested that the new administration could reinstate a national registry for immigrants from countries for terrorist groups were active. Is this constitutional?
DEAN OBEIDALLAH, HOST, THE DEAN OBEIDELLAH SHOW, SIRIUS XM: As a former lawyer, I would say actually it probably is constitutional. It's only dealing with immigrants not U.S. citizens. It is wrong. It is sending a message frankly, Don, that any Muslim coming in is dangerous. It's alarming. And Donald Trump with this campaign, let's be blunt, and I like Saba a great deal but Donald Trump, he said Islam hates us. He said thousands of Muslims cheered on 9/11, lying about that. He said that we hide terrorists allegedly in our midst. He said (inaudible) these people. I'm not even American, these people was the exact words, these people. Donald Trump needs to come out and say to these people who are committing acts of hate in his name that it's wrong. More than, stop it, like his talking to a child. Come out and say it's wrong. Before the election, there were mosque in Iowa and New Jersey defaced with the word Trump, like the word Trump is becoming a modern-day swastika in itself. There's certain people on the far-right is he's great as be. So Donald Trump, come up, be the president for all people. You want to do that, get rid of Steve Bannon and come out and say this is wrong very clearly.
LEMON: Kobach, he says that this is about geography and fighting terror, not an attack on religion. Does that make a difference to you, Saba?
AHMED: No. Obviously when you talk about religious discrimination, that goes into the realm of unconstitutional and illegal ideas. And I would take to see anybody's civil liberties trampled in the name of national security. But at the same time obviously like I said Muslim Americans s need to step up their efforts in terms of their outreach to Trump. We have yet to have a meeting of Muslim leaders with the Trump administration. We've had some people meet with him individually. But I think it would be nice to see the Muslim Americans leadership step up and accept the president-elect and meet with him directly and raise their concerns and get him to speak for us.
LEMON: Does it make a difference that he said that this is -- it's about geography and fighting terror and not about religion?
AHMED: Well, he was talking about specifically the Syrian refugees think in that realm.
LEMON: Okay.
AHMED: He has mentioned that, you know, certain people coming in from certain state sponsor of terrorism should be monitored. And I think we already have many federal laws that ban visas from certain countries and certain -- for certain people. And we obviously don't want any further terrorism in this country. We do want to strengthen and that every single person who's coming right into the country with secure borders, with secure -- national security policies ...
LEMON: OK. I want Dean to get in.
AHMED: ... at the same time we don't need to blame religion for it.
OBEIDALLAH: You know what, the idea that this is policy or not, I'm not sure, the idea -- the Muslim ban really wasn't a policy. The Muslim ban of Donald Trump which he has walked back was clearly telling our fellow Americans that every Muslim is so potentially dangerous; I have to ban them all. That is scary. That's why we've seen a spike in hate crimes. That's why the FBI just came out with a report in 2015, 67 percent increase in hate crimes against Muslims. And I'm concerned it will be worse. Now, Saba, if you can get Donald Trump to meet with Muslim Americans leaders, I think many of us would be happy to meet with him. I like to meet him but we're going to push him hard on it. We're going to tell him get rid of Steve Bannon be inclusive, acknowledge that you ginned up hate of our community in ways I've never, ever seen it before.
LEMON: Saba, before you respond. Let me say this, Trump's transition team has denied that Trump has said anything about a Muslim registry. However, Trump offered a series of muddled responses, including to MBC, late last year saying he would implement that when he asked. What could Trump do to reassure Muslim Americans s, what do you say?
AHMED: I think he said a lot of things during campaign. Not every all campaign rhetoric becomes law. And I think, you know, we do need to step up our lobbying efforts here in Washington, D.C. if we really want to reach out to Trump. I mean, everybody in his administration is very accessible. And I would just urge the Muslim American community instead of taking insults and instead of isolating ourselves, we need to step up and do our part in our outreach and be respectful when we do meet with the president-elect and see him as an ally and how we can work together strategically for the next four to eight years.
[23:55:07] We can't afford to ignore the new president. We have to accept him and we must be willing, proactively, in terms of our outreach.
LEMON: Dean?
OBEIDALLAH: We're not -- I don't know where you're getting this that we're isolating ourselves from it. If Donald Trump wants to reach out to leaders in our community, acknowledge the mistakes he's made, apologize for demonizing our community, I think he might find some common ground. But let's be blunt about Steve Bannon. We've talked so much about the white supremacy or anti-Semitism on his web site. He has giving Steve Bannon during his time Breitbart has given the most vial anti-Muslim bigot a chance to write articles, including about you, Saba, including about you, Saba. Breitbart has giving you with a horrible ...
AHMED: I know. I know that.
OBEIDALLAH: ...article about you. And he has let Pamela Geller write articles, Frank Gaffney, Geerts Wildersa Dutch lawmaker, not even America who hates Muslims. You can't have a platform...
AHMED: But these are all people who helped him get elected so he's not going to just rid them overnight.
LEMON: Does that make it okay thought?
AHMED: No, it doesn't but we do need to step up our outreach. If we're not at the table then we're going to stay at the menu and we have to...
OBEIDALLAH: I agree.
AHMED: We have to engage with his administration.
LEMON: All right, I've got to go. Thank you very much, we're out of time.
AHMED: Thank you,
LEMON: I appreciate it. That's it for us tonight. Thanks for watching. I'll see you right back here tomorrow. Good night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening thanks for joining us tonight. The breaking news, Donald Trump reaching out for the very first time to a leader who could not be more different from himself, someone who is quite literally worlds apart in experience outlook and expectations.
[24:00:05] So much so that he might as well be from a foreign country. Also tonight Trump's meeting with Shinzo Abe who is actually is from a foreign country. He is the Japanese Prime Minister, the first world leader to sit down with the President-elect. | {
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More in News
An Anaheim tagging crew member accused of stabbing a 12-year-old rival to death testified on Monday that he acted in self-defense and denied claims by a prosecutor that he yelled “Die! Die! Die!” as he delivered the fatal blows. | {
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A New Starting Point for the Analysis of Uncertainty
See Peter Denning’s Interview* of the Author
Stochastic models are used in many branches of science and engineering to analyze behavior that appears to be driven by random forces. The mathematics behind these models can be forbiddingly complex. Rethinking Randomness presents a surprisingly simple alternative for modeling such behavior – using little more than high school algebra and common sense “back of the envelope” reasoning,
The alternative approach was motivated by a problem the author first encountered decades ago:
Why do some probabilistic models work well in practice
even though the systems being modeled fail to satisfy the assumptions that these models require?
The solution to this puzzle starts with a new method for characterizing randomness – based on observable patterns and relationships. In contrast, standard mathematical analyses begin with the assumption that random behavior is generated by sampling from underlying probability distributions (as in Monte Carlo simulations). In Rethinking Randomness, standard assumptions about the way randomness is generated are replaced by alternative assumptions about what randomness looks like.
Despite the difference in starting points, the mathematical solutions derived in each case are remarkably similar. This opens the door to an entirely new understanding of when traditional probabilistic models will – or will not – work well in real world applications where probabilities are routinely interpreted as proportions (e.g., the proportion of time that a system is in a particular state, the proportion of voters who will vote for a particular candidate, and so on).
This website provides an extensive set of excerpts from the text of Rethinking Randomness, along with supporting material that was developed following the publication of this book.
.
.
…………………..*Peter J. Denning is Editor-in-Chief of Ubiquity and a past President of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) | {
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Attack campaign compromises 300,000 home routers, alters DNS settings
Note from Fred: Make sure you keep your home router current with the most recent patches. Also, make sure you have changed the default password.
IDG News Service – A group of attackers managed to compromise 300,000 home and small-office wireless routers, altering their settings to use rogue DNS servers, according to Internet security research organization Team Cymru.
In January, Team Cymru’s researchers identified two TP-Link wireless routers whose settings were altered to send DNS (Domain Name System) requests to two particular IP addresses: 5.45.75.11 and 5.45.76.36. An analysis of the rogue DNS servers running at those IP addresses revealed a mass-scale compromise of consumer networking devices.
Over a one-week period, more than 300,000 unique IP addresses sent DNS requests to the two servers, the Team Cymru researchers said in a report released Monday. Many of those IP addresses corresponded to a range of routers, including models from D-Link, Micronet, Tenda, TP-Link and other manufacturers, that had their DNS settings maliciously altered, they said.
The researchers believe those devices were compromised using different techniques that exploit several known vulnerabilities. Many of the affected devices had their administrative interfaces accessible from the Internet, making them susceptible to brute-force password-guessing attacks or unauthorized access using default credentials, if their owners didn’t change them, the researchers said. (Read More) | {
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The Noida authority on Wednesday opened the city’s first multilevel parking lot, in the busy commercial hub of Sector 18, to public. The area has perennial traffic congestion due to illegal parking on roads in the absence of adequate parking space.
The authority also opened two underpasses — Sector 94/95 and Sector 60, 61/66, 71. The underpasses will ensure smooth flow of traffic at these two major traffic intersections.
UP excise minister Jai Pratap Singh inaugurated the projects on the occasion of Uttar Pradesh Diwas, the state’s formation day. The state of Uttar Pradesh came into being on January 24,1950.
“Our government wants to bring a change in governance. To make that happen, we have ensured that projects related to the general public are completed on time and opened at the earliest,” the excise minister said.
He is also the minister in charge of Gautam Budh Nagar district.
The Sector 18 multilevel parking facility can accommodate 2,800 cars and 250 motorbikes. However, the lot which eight floors, including two basements, has no lift yet.
“As of now, visitors will have to use the stairs. We will make lifts operational within a month,” Hom Singh Yadav, chief engineer, Noida authority, said.
According to the Noida authority’s new rules, visitors will have to pay ₹30 for the first two hours to park four-wheelers and ₹10 for every subsequent hour after that.
For parking two-wheelers, owners will have to pay ₹5 per hour. The parking facility will be operational from January 25.
Work on the facility started on July 22, 2013, with a deadline of July 2015. Since then, it has missed several deadlines.
“Work got delayed due to multiple reasons that include change in the government and fund issues of the contractor,” said .
Previous UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had laid the foundation stone of three projects on April 2, 2013.
In May 2015, the Noida authority had partially opened the paid parking on two levels while the building was still under construction.
However, KR Chitra, a resident, moved the Allahabad high court in September 2015 and obtained a stay on the grounds that it was unsafe to use the building for parking while it was still being built.
Disposing of the matter on February 4, the high court directed the Noida authority to complete the project fast and not to allow parking until the work is over.
Besides the parking lot, two underpasses were also opened to provide relief to lakhs of commuters using the two congested stretches.
“The Sector 60, 61/66, 71 underpass near Mamura will ensure a signal-free ride to motorists in that area. The Sector 94/95 underpass will ease congestion between south Delhi and Noida near the Kalindi Kunj barrage. All three projects will provide immense relief to the public,” chief engineer Yadav said. | {
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How to Prioritize With Personal Kanban
How to Prioritize With Personal Kanban
Does the following scene sound familiar to you? It’s Friday evening, 6:00 pm and you’re watching the clock while stuck in a meeting that feels like it’ll never end? Even worse, you have a bunch of tasks that haven’t been completed. And invoices to file. And summary reports to create. And it’s your wedding anniversary, and you’ve not yet bought your wife a gift.
Okay, that last one may be pushing it a bit, but you get the scene I’m trying to present. You’re so busy that you get nothing done.
My path to personal KanBan
Let me put this into my real-life context. When I was promoted to a new role as a business unit manager I had to pass on my old duties to…. Well, that was just it: to who? It became clear that there wasn’t anyone to whom I could relinquish those responsibilities. So, guess what happened…
Here’s a partial list:
Every day my boss wanted me to finish some report
Every month the financial controller wanted me to review my Business Unit records (and it wasn’t like having a chat about the weather)
Every day my clients (old and new ones) wanted me to schedule appointments for project progress review meetings and, at the same time, my boss wanted me to schedule program progress review meetings
My friends wanted to have coffee with me
My daughter wanted me to attend her recital or to get her at school
My father wanted me to call my mother: “It’s been more than two weeks, you know!”
My wife wanted me to just be (more) present
Of course, I was overwhelmed. I needed a way to literally “see” the tasks I was expected to perform so I could do the “right work” at the “right time.”
What is a personal Kanban?
Kanban (literally signboard or billboard in Japanese) was developed in the 1940s by Taiichi Ohno at Toyota as a system to improve and maintain a high level of production. Personal Kanban (“personal” relates to personal value) is a visual representation of work. It shows what needs to be done, what is complete, what is being ignored and what is current.
Personal Kanban is flexible. It’s “a process that hates processes.” That’s because our life is full of variables and we can’t organize it with something like a collection of “best practices.” Our Kanban evolves as our context changes, encouraging us to response promptly to daily changes.
Personal Kanban is based on the principles and techniques of Lean methodology, a philosophy and a discipline that increases access to information to ensure responsible decisionmaking while “creating value.”
With increased access to information, people feel more respected and motivated, and waste is reduced. Much of this waste reduction comes from Lean’s goal of a “kaizen” culture (kaizen means continuous improvement). When we visualize our work, we adopt a kaizen mindset.
Personal Kanban prescribes just two simple rules:
Rule 1: Visualize Work.
It’s hard to understand what we can’t see. We tend to pay attention on some things (e.g., deadlines or stakeholders) and exclude others (e.g., passage of time or political changes).
We must have a clear view of our tasks in order to make better decisions, but above all we should learn to do something because we believe in the task and its results and decline others (politely, of course).
Rule 2: Limit Work-in-Progress (WIP).
I know, you’re asking, “limiting my activities, why?” Because we can’t do more than we are capable of doing.
Our capacity (that is our productivity) is limited by many factors, including the amount of time we have or our level of experience or the amount of work that we’ve been assigned.
Your First Personal Kanban
Step One: Collect Everything You’re Supposed to Do
For your first application, use a whiteboard (or something similar where you can write and erase), some dry-erase pens and a pile of Post-Its.
Why a whiteboard? Project types will change and team members will come and go. You’ll need to quickly adapt your Kanban to each new scenario. Using a whiteboard you could, for example, create new types of tasks or add steps to the existent tasks. Simply erase and redraw as needed.
You could use also use your current online project management software’s task list feature or a specialized online Kanban board, like Trello, Kanbanize, KanbanFlow. If you do choose a discrete tool, later you can set up integrations via your tool’s API (see an example here) to bring over your data to your online project tools for better tracking.
Step Two: What’s the Flow That Creates Value for You?
The flow of your tasks depends on your position in the organizational hierarchy or your type of Kanban (if you’re using the Personal Kanban for your personal tasks there doesn’t exist any hierarchy). A value stream visually represents the flow of your work from its beginning through completion. You could adopt the most simple one, which is Ready (work waiting to be considered/processed), Doing (it’s your work-in-progress/WIP), and Done (hallelujah!).
Of course, making this choice, you have to be careful to adapt your flow to changes in the context for your tasks. Every time your work involves another person make sure it is evident on your board, otherwise delay and waste can be injected into your process. When work flows to a point and stagnates (there’s a “bottleneck” in the flow) you have to be able to visualize these points and remove the obstacle…
Step Three: Create and Maintain a Backlog
Write down everything you need to do on your pile of Post-Its. Everything. Don’t lie to yourself. Wallpaper the room with Post-Its if you have to (at my workplace I can’t wallpaper the room – it’s forbidden by policy – but if you can, just do it, it works).
Later, you can compress multiple tasks on a single Post-It, or group your tasks by color to simply prioritize them. But for now, just concentrate on pulling tasks out of your head.
Now decide which tasks need to be completed first and pull them into your Ready column.
Step Four: Establish WIP Limits
Can’t believe you’ve left a task half-done? Don’t’ feel guilty. Without visualizing your tasks, you aren’t able to see how many incomplete tasks you’ve have. Leaving tasks half-done depends on the fact that our brains crave “closure”; we “close” the task even when it’s not actually finished, because we want to think that it’s closed.
Pulling the Post-Its into the Done column, means satisfying our brain’s need for closure. What’s the remedy? Simply do what you’re supposed to do! Get the work done, don’t leave it behind!
But how? The task list is infinite!
The question is how many tasks are you able to complete at any given time? The real answer is “not so many.” You have just eight hours in your working day. (Yes, I know what you’re saying, eight hours, more like 16 hours, but that happens because we’re not organized, because we aren’t able to say no to some tasks, we aren’t able to limit our WIP.) Our WIP is limited by nature; so let’s impose a limit on our Kanban too!
Do you think that stress is something that you can’t manage? You’re wrong! The fact is that we reach our limit, we add more tasks to the list and tag them “now.” Stress continues to accumulate and burn our brain’s resources. Eventually, our performance flatters.
A study by the American Psychological Association states: “Doing more than one task at a time, especially more than one complex task, takes a toll on productivity.” We cannot be effective if we try to do more than one task at any given time. Instead, effectiveness increases when we limit our WIP and focus on the single task.
Let’s start by setting an arbitrary WIP limit, e.g., no more than three tasks. Add this limit to our Doing column. We can increase the number on days when we are motivated and energized. At the same time, we can decrease this number if there is an emergency that requires our focus.
Step Five: Let’s Pull the Post-Its
Pulling a task from Ready into Doing means indirectly prioritizing our tasks based on the current context. Would you like to know a trick to be effective in prioritization? Ask yourself, “Which tasks can I complete before I leave for my meeting? I just have half an hour” and “Which tasks are the most pressing?”
Now analyze your Backlog and pull a few tasks into Ready. Then pull the highest priority tasks into Doing. Pull no more than your WIP limit. As you complete a task, pull it into Done.
Step Six: Learn Your Lessons
Have you been effective? Take some time to answer to the following questions:
Which tasks did you do well?
Which tasks were hard to complete?
Were the right tasks completed at the right time?
This is called a retrospective, a process used to improve your effectiveness. It’ll be your best friend.
Additional Options – The Waiting-For Column
Let’s imagine that one of your tasks is “Schedule Developers.” You take that task from Ready, pull it into Doing and call the developers.
They’ve left, so you leave voicemail and send them an email. After two or three of these messages, your Doing column will probably get full, you’ve reached your WIP limit.
Don’t worry! If you’ve to manage tasks that need additional input, add another column to your Kanban, named Waiting For.
As always, don’t lie to yourself and don’t put this in for every task you’re stuck on. Remember that you’re supposed to take every task to their natural end.
A word of advice, add prompts to the tasks put in the Waiting For column such as “Left voice mail on… Make follow-up call on….” And remember to also assign a WIP limit on this column, otherwise you’ll quickly get a junk lane. Always refer to Waiting For first when pulling tasks into Doing.
Additional Options – Today Column
The Today column is where you pull tasks you expect to accomplish today. This new column is your challenge.It represents your goal for the day, a method to measure your effectiveness.
One last piece of advice: capacity is not a synonym for throughput. Capacity means “how many tasks I will take to completion.” Throughput means “how many tasks will flow.” It’s a mistake to assume that if we don’t have an activity scheduled, we can fit in more work. You’ll run behind schedule in a flash!
Leave a cushion of time between one appointment and the next. An appointment can go long or your contact can be late. Trying to fit every white space on your calendar doesn’t leave space for flexibility.
Of course, there will be days when interruptions and dynamic prioritization will be the norm. Multitasking is certainly not ideal, but having the flexibility to multitask when the situation calls for it is. Sometimes your Kanban will have to accommodate the demands of a busy day. When that happens, look for ways to reduce the flow of unexpected work.
That’s the pros of the Personal Kanban method, one more tool in your toolbox, to help you prioritize and visualize your to-do lists, no matter your tool. We developed ProjectManager.com to help busy leaders visualize their project and team’s progress with the customizable Dashboard. It’s a flexible tool that helps you drive your personal KanBan to completion. Take your free trial now and take your task lists to the next level. | {
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Iconic-110 PR, located on the outskirts of Colombo will be a landmark project with quiet neighbourhood surroundings and views of the Golf Course and the bird sanctuary.
Rajagiriya has developed into an elite area sought by many in the last couple of years.
Iconic-110 PR, located on the outskirts of Colombo will be a landmark project with quiet neighbourhood surroundings and views of the Golf Course and the bird sanctuary.
Rajagiriya has developed into an elite area sought by many in the last couple of years.Buyers of Iconic 110 Parliament Road apartments will soon be able to move into their new homes as the project nears completion as per its scheduled deadline.
With 90% of the apartments already sold, new buyers will also have the chance to buy the few unsold units.
Following are excerpts of an interview with ANPG Group Director Rohan Parikh who spoke on the project:
I can very confidently say that getting the same qualities and facilities, in the price bracket that we provide for our customers, are almost impossible. I think we are the best in the market in terms of rate to the value. This has been made possible because we only work with the best sub-contractors in Sri Lanka.
Q: Could you give us more details on Iconic 110 Parliament Road and the advantages of this apartment complex?
A: The Iconic 110 Parliament Road has a choice of two and three bedroom units as well as four bedroom duplex units. In close proximity to the Parliament Road as well as being located on the border of Colombo 7 makes Iconic 110 Parliament Road Apartments an extremely convenient location offering much pursued connectivity to its residents.
The location has now become more popular with the new expressway linking the airport to Colombo.
In addition the best schools, banks, hospitals and other service providing commercial entities are all clustered around Iconic 110 Parliament Road making it the ideal location.
Q: What do you think of the business market for real estate in Sri Lanka?
A: This particular industry in Sri Lanka has had some challenges during the last stages of the war. However our project I am proud to say has been successful because we have focused on three key aspects; consumer friendly rates, top of the line quality and excellent location.
We believe with the right product and right price the Sri Lankan market has great medium term potential
Q: How has the support of the Government been for this particular project and the industry as a whole?
A: It has been great and if not for their support, construction as an industry would have had several setbacks. We work in various different markets in the Asian region and we found that the level of support and professionalism portrayed by the Government of Sri Lanka have been unique.
Q: What other plans for Atlantis in Sri Lanka?
A: This is the first real estate project in Sri Lanka for Atlantis. We are actively looking at some new projects which are close to being finalised. We will announce this once we hand over the current apartment project. The reason being real estate is a field that needs a lot of confidence in the developer and right now we are focussed on finishing the Iconic project and delivering it to the client before announcing the second project.
Q: What is your view on the potential of real estate in Sri Lanka?
A: The economic growth has been tremendous in the past five years and the future economic potential looks very bright. I am confident that the country will see a rapid growth and with that an increase in commercial and residential construction.
Q : Give us a history of Atlantis
A: Atlantis is part of our parent Group, the Apurva Natvar Parikh Group (ANPG) which is a 60 year old company based out of Mumbai India. Atlantis is the construction and property development arm of ANPG Group.
It has a history in Sri Lanka having executed projects since the 1980s Some of the significant achievements in Sri Lanka include logistical support for the transportation of engines for the Sapugaskanda Power Project, completion of transport for the Kelanitissa Power Project by developing a specialised ramp to bypass weak bridges en route, Horana Power Project for ACE Power and the Embilipitiya Power Project. | {
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