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Today, the tri-bezel-less Elephone S8 might be a step closer to getting released as we hear more details about the handset from the Chinese phone maker. The device is indeed going to sport a big display with a resolution of 2K and more. Let’s find out!
The Elephone S8 will be featuring a 6-inch display with a resolution of 2K — 2560x1440px to be precise, making it the handset without the top bezel with the highest res on the market.
Elephone went as far as releasing three screenshots taken on the S8 to show they aren’t lying about the pixel count, let’s check them down below.
But high resolution isn’t only on the display, Elephone are equipping the S8 with a 21MP rear camera and a 8MP front-facing shooter as well.
In summary, the Elephone will be able to take very detailed high quality photos which you will then be able to watch on the amazing high resolution tri-bezel-less display. That sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Let us know in the comments below what you think!
Learn more about the Elephone S8 on the company’s official website. | {
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"How they think they look, How they actually look" How I always vote
1,174 shares | {
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The Maldives’ top court has cancelled the 13-year prison sentence of former President Mohamed Nasheed following a review of his controversial conviction on terrorism charges.
Nasheed, who recently returned home after years in self-exile, was elected president in 2008, becoming the island nation’s first democratically chosen leader.
But he was toppled in what he called a coup in 2012, and found guilty of “terrorism” three years later over the arrest of a top judge during his tenure.
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that 51-year-old was wrongfully charged and the criminal court should not have proceeded to trial.
Nasheed welcomed the news in a post on Twitter, expressing his “deepest gratitude to the people of the Maldives”.
The ruling came 10 days after the inauguration ceremony of recently elected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who defeated former leader Abdulla Yameen in a September 23 vote.
The presidency of Yameen, who assumed office in 2013 after winning a controversial runoff against Nasheed, was marked by political intrigue, turmoil and allegations of corruption.
Nasheed’s trial in 2015 was declared unfair by the United Nations, prompted widespread protests and resulted in the arrest of hundreds of dissidents.
In the years that followed and until the recent elections, almost all key opposition leaders were either jailed or gone into exile. In 2016, Nasheed also sought political asylum in the UK after travelling there on medical leave from prison.
Speaking after the court’s ruling, Hisaan Hussein, Nasheed’s lawyer, called the former president’s “entire trial … a politically-motivated sham”.
“It is appalling that an innocent man was unjustly forced to spend a year in jail, 35 months in exile, and was prevented from standing for political office.”
Nasheed was expected to contest the September poll but was barred on account of his terrorism conviction.
Pres. @MohamedNasheed was today finally cleared of terrorism charges. SC in delivering its judgement noted tht PN was wrongfully charged& tht it was wrong of Crim Crt to accept the charge & proceed with the case.The Court struck down the terrorism charge & squashed his conviction — Hisaan 🎈؟ (@hisaanhussain) November 26, 2018
Nasheed’s party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), also welcomed the ruling.
“The MDP has always maintained that President Nasheed’s arrest, trial, conviction, and detention were politically motivated.”
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years but lost the country’s first multiparty election to Nasheed, also took to Twitter to say that “justice has prevailed”.
I am so happy that President @MohamedNasheed has been freed by the Supreme Court. Justice has prevailed. Congratulations and good luck! — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) November 26, 2018
Many others also took to Twitter to express joy at the ruling. | {
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The state’s Board of Registered Nursing has discovered that some 3,500 of its nurses have been punished for misconduct by other states — hundreds even had their licenses revoked — while maintaining clean licenses in California.
As many as 2,000 of these nurses now will face discipline in California, officials estimate. That’s more registered nurses than the state has sanctioned in the last four years combined.
The board’s discovery was prompted by a Times/ProPublica investigation last year that found hundreds of instances in which California nurses had been sanctioned elsewhere for sexual abuse, neglect, rampant drug use and criminality but could work freely in California.
The “massive” onslaught of new disciplinary cases is going to be “a very significant challenge,” said Paul Riches, a deputy director for the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which oversees the agencies that license and police health professionals.
After last year’s report in The Times, California ran its list of 376,000 active and inactive nurses against a database maintained by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, to which nearly all states voluntarily report their disciplinary actions. Among the matches were nurses who had been disciplined by multiple states, sometimes for the same incident.
California officials said they couldn’t disclose the names of any nurses who turned up in the search until a formal disciplinary charge is filed in this state. While those cases are pending, the nurses remain free to practice in California.
Nurses are not required to inform the board when and where they are working, but officials said they would file emergency petitions to suspend nurses from practicing if they believed there was a public safety threat.
A review of disciplinary records by reporters easily found cases involving current California-licensed nurses, some reflecting serious misconduct. Among them:
? Marci Nablo, who surrendered her Florida nursing license in 2007 after admitting that she stole the painkiller Fentanyl from patients’ pain pumps, replaced it with saline and injected the drug under her tongue. She also was accused of paying a hospital janitor for urine and hiding it in her bra so she could pass a drug test. After she stole drugs in Pennsylvania, her license in that state was suspended in 2008.
? Karen Vivian, whose license was suspended by Nebraska in 2008 after she made nine medication errors, including putting ear drops into a patient’s eye. A mental health exam found that she had bipolar disorder that “made her vulnerable in the work environment,” board records said. A year later, she also surrendered her Minnesota license.
? Gregory Ashmore, whose Tennessee license was revoked in 2002 after he engaged in sexual intercourse with a patient at the mental health facility where he worked.
Ashmore, who lives in the Northern California town of Fairfield, declined to comment on his case. But when asked whether he should have been disciplined by California, he said it was up to the nursing board to decide.
Vivian lives in Nebraska and is not working as a nurse. But she said she’d thought about moving to California, where her license remains clean.
She said California should know about every case involving one of its nurses, even though she considers hers less serious than drug-using nurses or those with criminal records.
“Why don’t they check the national databank?” she asked. “They can get the information the same way you did.... If I’m a patient, I would want to know.”
Nablo could not be reached for comment.
California’s nursing board has historically done little to check whether its nurses were running into trouble anywhere. Until late 2008, the state did not require nurses, when renewing their licenses, to reveal whether they’d been disciplined elsewhere. The board checked their records against the national council’s database of disciplinary actions only when they initially applied for a California license. Board President Ann Boynton said the board now plans to pay the national council to run checks of California nurses on a quarterly basis.
The risks of not checking can be serious. The Times/ProPublica investigation detailed cases in which nurses sanctioned in another state moved to California and were later accused of misconduct.
Nurse Beverley Cathey, for instance, came to California after being put on probation in North Carolina in November 2006 for failing to account for drugs she’d signed out, falsifying records and providing negligent care. Four Los Angeles-area hospitals filed six complaints against her in August and September of 2007, according to records from a temporary staffing firm that hired Cathey.
The California board did not file a public accusation against her license until August 2009, nearly two years after North Carolina indefinitely suspended her.
The nursing board has struggled to address a host of problems identified in last year’s news report.
The priority has been to reduce the time it takes to discipline errant caregivers — from the more than three years reported in the Times/ProPublica investigation to less than 18 months. Until recently, nurses had been able to keep working — and getting in trouble — as complaints languished.
After the stories in The Times, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced the majority of the nursing board’s members and ordered broad changes in oversight of all health professionals. His budget request for more than 30 staffers to cut the board’s discipline backlog is pending in the Legislature.
Board staff had said they needed nearly double that.
“It’s going to be a lot on our staff,” said board President Boynton, referring to 2,000 new cases.
Officials say the cases are going to be handled separately from the hundreds already being investigated or adjudicated. The attorney general’s office is creating teams of attorneys in Northern and Southern California to handle the additional caseload.
These new cases should be easier to process because the alleged misconduct has been investigated and adjudicated elsewhere. But the state still needs to collect records from across the country and ensure that the investigations meet California standards, officials said. The costs can be absorbed within the nursing board’s existing budget, which is funded by licensing fees, officials said.
The attorneys will focus first on the 1,743 nurses whose licenses are active in California. The licenses of more than 430 in this group have been revoked, suspended or surrendered in other states.
The state plans to flag the licenses of the remaining 1,720 nurses whose status is inactive, in case they attempt to renew them.
Other states routinely do more to learn if their nurses are getting in trouble elsewhere. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia provide the names of all of their nurses — whether they’ve been disciplined or not — to the national council’s database so that if any nursing board takes action against a nurse, the other participating states can be quickly alerted.
But because California and 12 other states don’t participate, it’s difficult for regulators elsewhere to know if they should alert those states. Nonparticipating states license more than 40% of the nation’s 3.5 million registered nurses.
California also has a financial incentive not to submit its names. The state makes money by charging nurses a fee to verify their licenses, test scores and training when authorities in other states call for information.
For example, a nurse licensed in California who wants credentials to practice in Arizona must pay California $60 to confirm her background. Those sorts of checks netted California nearly $1 million in fiscal 2009.
Weber and Ornstein are senior reporters at ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative newsroom in New York. Their previous stories on nursing oversight are available at latimes.com/nurses and propublica.org/nurses.
[email protected]
[email protected] | {
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We built something special here. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Trevor Ariza didn’t think he was going to have to make much of a decision the last time he entered free agency in 2009. A former star at Westchester High and later UCLA, Ariza assumed that he was destined to return to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers after helping the franchise claim its 15th NBA championship roughly two weeks before the free agent recruiting period began.
“There’s no way I’m going anywhere,” Ariza said he told himself.
Ariza said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak told his agent at the time, David Lee, that the team thought the wiry wingman was worth the full mid-level exception but would match a larger offer from another team. Lee set up some meetings with other teams and Ariza recalls being in Las Vegas, celebrating his 24th birthday, and having dinner with Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey at P.F. Chang’s when he received the disappointing news. Morey informed Ariza that the Lakers had agreed to terms with Ron Artest.
After expressing his disbelief to Morey with a few coarse words, Ariza said, “I went back to my room and I got hella calls. I was hurt. I was mad, but again, being young, I didn’t understand and I didn’t care to understand. I just knew they didn’t want me there, so I went to Houston. I was like, ‘All right then, [expletive] it. I got to do what I got to do.’ ”
Ariza finished out the last year of the five-year, $34 million deal that he signed with Rockets as a member of the Wizards after being passing through New Orleans as well. And, as he enters free agency once again, Ariza admits that the experience isn’t always the most relaxing.
“I think that you’ve just got to be patient,” Ariza said. “It’s an exciting time, nerve wracking at times, too. Just got to see what happens. Can’t really prepare for it.”
The Wizards would like to bring back Ariza, even though the team already has more than $9 million committed to the small forward position with Martell Webster and Otto Porter. Ariza laughed when told that some suggest that his inspired play came as the result of a contract push for another pay day. “Whatever. As long as they watched, respect,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just happy that they was watching.”
Ariza, 29, earned $7.7 million this season and will be looking for a raise after a season in which he averaged 14.4 points and posted career highs in field percentage (45.6), three-point percentage (40.7), three-pointers (180) and rebounds (6.2). But he added that his decision will come down to a number of factors other than money.
“I think trust,” Ariza said, when asked what was most important to him. “Having trust in where you are, with your organization, with your teammates, is No. 1. “And how comfortable you are, how comfortable my family is, and this year, my family has been extremely comfortable. We loved our neighborhood that we lived in. The organization has been great. My teammates, we hang out all the time, so I think this is a really good destination. Free agents would be crazy not to want to come here.”
Ariza was obviously more comfortable in his second season in Washington, with the Wizards making the transition from an NBA dreg to an Eastern Conference semifinalist. And Ariza’s comments about the organization are a stark contrast to last season, when he explained that he would pick up his player option because he didn’t “want to leave money on the table.”
“It’s like night and day,” Ariza said of the state of the organization. “When I first got here, things were very different. It was not fun losing. It [stunk]. And players got better, more mature, our team came together, we gelled at the right time and took off from there.”
Wizards players marveled about the chemistry that they formed over the course of an up-and-down season. They bonded over team dinners and social gatherings, which made Ariza connect with his teammates beyond basketball. When asked to explain how much of a role his family will play in the decision, Ariza gave an answer that suggested that he would take two into consideration.
“My family is definitely the most important thing for me, before anything. Basketball, everything. So that plays a big factor into a lot things,” Ariza said, “but when you build something with people that’s hard to let go and what we built in this locker room this season is a beautiful thing to me. I really enjoyed playing with those guys and I love those dudes like they’re my brothers.
“It’s always been more than money. People get confused because we all make a lot of money and it seems crazy to the general public, but this is something that we all love to do. We play this game because we love it and if we didn’t get paid for it, most of us probably would still be playing. You just got to be comfortable where you are.” | {
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An Asian restaurant in Yakima, Washington was vandalized with racist graffiti. Police responded to the “Minado Buffet” on 501 North 1st Street on Monday around 12:45 pm, reports YakTriNews.
“Take the corona back, you [ethnic slur],” the graffiti said. Additionally, the suspect broke four windows and a door.
Police said the security footage showed a man spray painting the building on Saturday, March 28 around 3:30 am. The suspect was seen wearing a hood and gloves while he vandalized the building.
The owners of Minado Buffet, Tony Yan and Lisa Li, called the Yakima police on Monday after seeing the graffiti. The two started the restaurant back in October which serves a variety of Asian food, reports Yakima Herald. Li told Yakima Herald that she’s been living in the United States since 2008 and has never experienced this kind of racism. She said that she’s seen an outpouring of condemnation of the crime on social media about the incident which has lifted her spirits.
“That even makes us feel safer,” she said talking about the supports she’s received from the community.
The Yakima police are investigating the incident. No suspect has been caught. If caught, the suspect may face a malicious harassment case.
“Vandalism of any kind, especially vandalism that is targeted toward a specific ethnic group, is contrary to the values of the Yakima community,” Patricia Byers, the Yakima mayor said. “It is critical during the current public health emergency that our community bands together.”
There has been a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes since the coronavirus outbreak. The FBI issued a report to local law enforcement across the country advising officers that there will be an increase in hate crimes against Asians due to the coronavirus. | {
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By Tova Cohen and Ari Rabinovitch
(Reuters) - A bitter defeat in a U.S. patents case sent shares in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plummeting on Tuesday, the latest in a series of setbacks that has investors calling for major changes at the world's largest generic drugmaker.
A U.S. District Court on Monday rejected four out of five of Israel-based Teva's claims of patent infringement on its top-selling multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone, potentially opening the door for generic competition.
Chief Executive Erez Vigodman promised an "immediate appeal" and to "vigorously protect" the drug against further challenges.
The patents cover a 40-mg injection of Copaxone that patients administer three times a week.
The rejection comes four months after U.S. patent officials invalidated three patents on Copaxone, in response to challenges by Mylan NV, which has been trying to market a generic version of the drug. Mylan welcomed the court ruling as a "positive step" and said it has already filed a drug application for its product.
Momenta and Novartis unit Sandoz, which already sell a generic version of 20 mg Copaxone, are also working on a copycat for the 40 mg dosage.
"Today’s favorable ruling further bolsters our confidence in the potential for us to offer multiple sclerosis patients a more affordable generic version of Copaxone 40 mg following regulatory approval,” Momenta said after Monday's ruling.
Though Teva primarily produces generic drugs, it also makes branded drugs, led by Copaxone, which accounted for 19 percent of the company's revenue in 2016.
Teva's shares were down 7.6 percent in Tel Aviv at a 12-month low of 121 shekels ($32), continuing a months-long slump that has unnerved investors, and a number of analysts cut their price targets further.
U.S.-listed shares of Teva, which have lost 44 percent in the past year, wiping out over $20 billion from its market value, were down 6.4 percent to $32.30 in pre-market trade on Tuesday.
Story continues
INVESTORS CALL FOR CHANGE
A price fixing scandal and increasing public pressure to lower drug costs has taken a toll on the generics industry.
Teva has been hit particularly hard due to a series of questionable and costly acquisitions, along with delayed drug launches, prompting big stakeholders in recent weeks to call for a shakeup in management -- the head of its generics business and a board member have already stepped down -- as well as more sweeping structural changes.
"They depend on just a few drugs, not only Copaxone, but also on the generic side. They need to become more diversified," said Joshua Schachter, senior portfolio manager at Pennsylvania-based Snow Capital, which as of Sept. 30, 2016 had a $44 million stake in Teva.
Teva's poor timing in its $40.5 billion purchase of Actavis, announced in July 2015 when generic stock prices were at a peak, and a botched $2.3 billion acquisition of Mexican drugmaker Rimsa, which has resulted in lawsuits, were "self-inflicted" woes, Schachter said.
Some investors have told Reuters they would like to see Teva spin off its specialty drug business.
"They should split up the company into two separate companies: a generics company and a branded specialty company. That would allow for greater management focus and improved capital allocation," said Andy Summers, a pharmaceutical specialist for Janus Capital Management, which as of Sept. 30 had a $215 million stake.
Schachter said the move makes sense, but Teva should first strengthen its specialty drug pipeline, which would require it to reduce debt.
Israeli investment house Halman-Aldubi said it has been slowly increasing its stake in Teva in the past month on the belief that the bad news has been priced into the shares.
"The most important thing that Teva has to do is to win back the market's confidence. The market doesn't buy the company's forecast and that's not healthy," buyside analyst Tal Levi said.
Earlier this month Teva provided a disappointing forecast for 2017, saying it expects earnings per share of $4.90-$5.30 on revenue of $23.8 billion-$24.5 billion. But the company also provided a "bear case" of two generic competitors in February that could cut revenues by $1 billion-$1.2 billion, and hurt adjusted profit by 65 cents-80 cents.
It also agreed in December to pay more than $519 million to settle U.S. criminal and civil allegations that the company bribed overseas officials to gain business for its medications.
Following Monday's court ruling, analysts see generic competition for at least one dosage of Copaxone coming in the second quarter of 2017.
"This could raise questions around the sustainability of its dividend ... and this will also now likely push back any potential M&A or share buybacks," said RBC analyst Randall Stanicky.
(Additional reporting by Steven Scheer in Jerusalem and Sruthi Shankar and Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Bill Rigby and Susan Fenton) | {
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I sit here with my finger over the publish button.
Do I, Don't I?
I Do.
Hi, my name is Lauren, and I am a stutterer.
Why the big announcement, I hear you ask? Well, I stutter and I will probably never be cured, but if I acknowledge that I stutter, the pressure is off then and I don't have to try and hide it when I talk to you. It helps me compartmentalize that part of myself, so it doesn't end up ruling my life.
And why is it a big deal, you ask? Well, being a stutterer is hard. Or for a more appropriate 'H' word: humiliating.
I am a covert stutterer, as opposed to an overt one. Basically this means I preempt when I am going to stutter and replace the word with another regardless of whether my sentence then makes any sense, or, I get stuck on the first letter of words or the second or third syllable.
I have had this infliction all my life for as along as I can remember. Can you imagine what is is like growing up in school with a stutter? It sucks. I was teased, mocked, mimicked and laughed at.
My fourth grade teacher tried to help me once. She made every student in the class read out loud and record them. Then she made me, just me, sit in her office and listen to my recorded reading. It was awful. So awful in fact I blocked it from my memory. Only several years ago did it resurface. All I can remember was crying.
But, while it was hard as a child, do you know what is is like being an adult with a stutter?
It's worse.
Me as an adult stutterer
Don't think for one minute the teasing, mocking and mimicking stops. It doesn't. The reason it doesn't is because people don't actually realize they have just bagged out someone with a disability. Most people I meet for the first time think that I've just stumbled over a few words. That is until I continue talking and you see their face drop as if it has suddenly dawned on them that they haven't just laughed at someone struggling to say their name, they have laughed at someone struggle to say everything.
I hardly ever pull people up when they laugh at me though. I would rather be the person feeling like crap than make another person feel ashamed of their actions. My friends have spoken up for me and most of the time the other person is mortified and they apologize.
But the damage is already done. A bit of my self-esteem was already chipped away the moment they laughed.
Like many stutterers, by far the hardest word for me to say is my own name. But we hardly ever say our own names, I hear you ask? Well, you're wrong. You only ever say your name when you introduce yourself to new people, or when you answer the phone, or make a call, or when you order a coffee, or when need to identify yourself to organizations such as banks, gyms, power companies and phone companies etc. Yeah, you don't say your name much at all.
But as well as those situations, I can pretty much guarantee I will stutter on any words or names starting with a vowel or an 'H.' This basically rules out half or more of my vocabulary. I can't tell you how much I loved having a maiden name that started with a vowel. I ended up starting my surname with the 'n' off Lauren to make it one big long name, but this usually resulted in a "can you spell that?" response. I'll come back to that in a sec. Not being able to say names with vowels is a bigger issue than you may you think.
It has meant that my child, and any future children for that matter, won't have names such as Oliver, Edward, Ava, Ada, Aphrodite (okay I probably wouldn't have gone there on that one anyway!) but you get the idea. I know you're thinking, oh how sad, you should just name them whatever you want, your child will love you anyway. But when my child is 15 years old and they've invited their friends over and their mother can't even pronounce their name, imagine how they are going to feel. Or if they're in trouble and I want to use their name in the grouchy cross mummy voice, I can't. I won't have any influence, I won't have any respect, but worst of all, I may embarrass them in front of their friends.
Apart from those situations the only other times I stutter is when I am tired, stressed, when I have even one sip of alcohol, when I have to spell out my name (!), read out my address, phone numbers, credit card numbers (any numbers really), when I am in big groups or one-on-one, when I'm nervous, when I'm telling a punch line of a joke, when I talk to people who talk really fast and at any other random time. So apart from all those situations no, I really don't stutter at all.
As an adult stutterer I have had the following things happen to me: I have been mimicked and laughed at in social group situations over 100 times. I have had a police officer and many other strangers ask me if I know my own name. I once had an ex-boyfriend and his friends mock me stuttering with a swear word. I have had a poorly timed stutter when trying to say the word 'country.' Gah!! I have had many, MANY professionals who I liaise with in my line of work laugh, mock and mimic me. These people include police officers, psychologists, teachers and seniors in my office. It is disgusting. It is appalling. It makes me feel irrelevant and insignificant. And it happens about once a week.
By far the hardest situation for me, however, and one that I almost always avoid, occurs with groups of girls. You know when a group of girls get together they end up talking a million miles an hour over the top of each other and jumping from subject to subject? Well, if there was ever a situation that I can't handle it is this one. I just cannot talk. Plus, I am almost always knocking back a couple of glasses of wine. I sit there stuttering away, trying to hide my blocks as best I can, but I see eyes glaze over, they look away and new conversations start up. And it's over. I usually just cut the story short or just stop talking mid-sentence -- they generally don't notice.
Some people who think they know me try and help. For example, they finish my sentences for me (insert raised eyebrow here. Yes, this does bother me, I would like to be able to get my own words out thank you very much). But to be honest, if I'm really struggling to get a word out, just say it for me already. Please! When I'm really struggling and talking with my closest friends I roll my eyes, they say 'spit it out' and we genuinely can laugh about it. But that's reserved for my close friends!
Like I said before, stuttering is hard.
It is particularly hard as a an adult. As a child you can almost be forgiven for having a stutter as it is seen as 'cute,' but as an adult you are simply just laughed at or looked at as if you have the intelligence of a wooden plank. And every time this happens, every time someone laughs at you, mocks you, mimics you, a bit of your soul chips away. I really cannot describe it.
It sounds quite depressing really. I have never written about this part of my life and I write a lot on my blog. Maybe because it's too confronting. Definitely too confronting. I have in the making my first video series called the 30 by 30 Challenge where I am challenging myself to run 30 miles by my 30'th birthday. And, if I may, I am running really well, today I ran 13 miles. Hooray for me! But my videos will ever see the light of day. I can barely bring myself to watch them, let alone have other people watch them. My friend and life coach tells me that people will watch them because I 'make it real', but I don't believe her. Correct me if I'm wrong, but would you want to watch a video of someone stuttering?'
Unless I can get some confidence, this is probably the closest you will get to seeing my 30 By 30 video blog.
Maybe this is why I enjoy blogging so much. I can present myself how I want to present myself -- as an intelligent, dignified and witty woman. Not some stammering, blubbering fool. If there ever was an argument for creating your own online identity, it is this. I make my own rules in my blogging world to the extent that I deliberately don't use correct grammar and punctuation(!) because I can... because unlike stuttering I am in control of it.
But to be honest, while my stuttering story does sound depressing, I am very fortunate.
I once sought out some treatment. It was hugely challenging and confronting and I spent the first day crying. But I graduated being able to speak more fluently and eloquently than I ever had before. Plus I could finally say everything I wanted to say -- you couldn't shut me up!
I also learned that my stuttering isn't so bad. I don't have the big head shaking stutter that some overt stutterers have. I merely blink and twist my lips a little. And I don't let my stuttering hold me back -- well not with many things anyway. I still have a very successful career, I have a loving husband, a beautifully supportive family and small but loyal friendship group. Plus the majority of my work experience to date has been in highly communicative roles such as waitressing, a lecturer and a case worker in the community. Plus I have participated in a debating team, theatre productions and countless public speaking events.
However, a large number of my fellow stutterers are not living fulfilled lives solely because of their stuttering and associated anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Many people aren't seeking the careers they want, they are in unhappy relationships to scared to leave or not in relationships at all, and many have a very, very small social network.
I recall on my last day of the program, this 40 something year old man came up to me. He was sweating, shaking, and could barely look at me. He said he wanted to come and introduce himself as he hadn't spoken to a female in years as he feared he would stutter in front of her. I was honored to be the female he chose. He only said his name and me asked how I was, but that was enough for him to achieve his goal! Just for one second, imagine being in his shoes.
If you're reading this and you are a stutterer, first of all contact me(!) and secondly, do yourself a favor and look up some treatment. Get help. Achieve your life goals -- God knows you deserve the best life after what you've gone through.
And, if you're reading this and you are not a stutterer, then for goodness sake don't laugh at someone who stumbles over their name, vowels, or any words for that matter. You may not know it, but they could be a stutterer and your reaction could be chipping away at what little self-esteem they have left.
That is it from me -- peace out my brother's and sisters. I hope I have portrayed myself in the way I have intended.
This piece was originally published here.
Want more from Lauren Jackman, visit her blog, or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. | {
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Lets take all these staged iphone text messages and leave them on your iphones
129 shares | {
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The SA government will not allow land grabs and anarchy in the process of finding a solution for the land issue, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday evening.
He spoke at a conference in Johannesburg attended by investors of South African Breweries (SAB) and AB InBev Africa investors, who had expressed an interest in the SA government's efforts to attract new foreign direct investment of $100m over the next five years.
Ramaphosa said the land issue will be addressed in such a way that the outcome is good for all in SA.
"We will not allow land grabs or anarchy. I am saying we will handle this challenge. Once we addressed and resolved the land question, the country will take off," he said.
"I have full confidence that if we could negotiate the death of apartheid, we will be able to find a solution that will put the land issue to bed so that this country can really unleash its power."
He emphasised that the wound of how the land was taken away from the indigenous people of SA remains alive and bleeding.
"The ANC has since its founding sent the message of 'let our land come back'. Now, all these years later, the issue of land is still here. It is about how it was taken away from the people," said Ramaphosa.
"That remains in the hearts and minds of this country. The sore remains alive and bleeding."
He said that, in dealing with the challenge of land, the history of the issue must be taken into account.
"In 1994 there was a bloodless revolution, yet the economy remains in the hands of a minority. The land issue remains," he said.
"The party that I lead has had to live up to the aspirations of our people wanting land in the country of their birth. Therefore, we need to empower them."
Ramaphosa said it is in the public interest to ensure that the grievances of the past are addressed.
"The land reform process will always be one of these. The challenge we have is addressing this grievance of our people and to make sure there is stability in the development of our country by ensuring we create economic opportunity for all," he said.
"What we in SA are going through is a period of challenges. Some of those challenges are from the recent past - for instance corruption that was rife."
He said in dealing with corruption one must see how the state can be strengthened to push out corruption and hold people accountable to enable economic growth for the majority of South Africans.
"Challenges in the investment environment can be addressed by finalising policy consistency regarding issues like mining, transport and land. I am just out of a Cabinet strategy session. We are commitment and determined to repair the damage of the past," he said.
"Right now, government must address all these issues and speed up investments, for instance, by means of special economic zones. In our struggle today, we are grateful for the opportunity to engage with investors, to attract investments and grow our economy."
In his view, to reach the goal of finding a new era for the African continent, one needs to get investments.
He said that, since SA is the gateway to Africa, one can look at investors or potential investors here at the tip of the African continent as being able to unleash other investment opportunities with more potential due to growing intra-African trade.
"Companies that invest in the SA economy are opening themselves up to far greater opportunities in Africa and even to countries like the US through AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act). These market opportunities are for those investors who are producing goods and services in SA," said Ramaphosa.
He regards SAB/AB InBev as an example of a good corporate citizen.
"SAB is empowering the majority. About 95% of the input utilised in its beer is now produced in SA. More importantly, they are empowering more and more black farmers. Today I am proud to be working with SAB," he concluded.
* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER | {
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Russia and China are actively pursuing new weapons and capabilities to counter America’s dominance of space according a U.S. Intelligence Community assessment. Indeed, both nations are considering the development of weapons that could attack U.S. satellites and other space-based assets in orbit.
“We assess that Russia and China perceive a need to offset any U.S. military advantage derived from military, civil, or commercial space systems and are increasingly considering attacks against satellite systems as part of their future warfare doctrine,” reads congressional testimony from Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence on May 11. “Both will continue to pursue a full range of anti- satellite (ASAT) weapons as a means to reduce U.S. military effectiveness.”
The two great powers—which seek to offset America’s advantages in that domain—are continuing the development of such capabilities despite public statements that would curtain an arms race in space. “Russia and China remain committed to developing capabilities to challenge perceived adversaries in space, especially the United States, while publicly and diplomatically promoting nonweaponization of space and ‘no first placement’ of weapons in space,” Coats stated. “Such commitment continues despite ongoing US and allied diplomatic efforts to dissuade expansion of threats to the peaceful use of space, including international engagements through the U.N.”
What a War Between NATO and Russia Would Look Like.
Most attacks against U.S. space assets are likely to be non-kinetic, focusing on electronic attacks and cyber-warfare. “Development will very likely focus on jamming capabilities against dedicated military satellite communications (SATCOM), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging satellites, and enhanced capabilities against Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as the US Global Positioning System (GPS),” Coats’ testimony reads. “Blending of EW [electronic warfare] and cyber-attack capabilities will likely expand in pursuit of sophisticated means to deny and degrade information networks. Chinese researchers have discussed methods to enhance robust jamming capabilities with new systems to jam commonly used frequencies. Russia intends to modernize its EW forces and field a new generation of EW weapons by 2020.”
However, when electronic warfare and cyber-weapons fail to achieve their desired objectives, the Russian and Chinese are prepared to use kinetic force to physically destroy American space assets. “Some new Russian and Chinese ASAT weapons, including destructive systems, will probably complete development in the next several years,” Coats stated. “Russian military strategists likely view counterspace weapons as an integral part of broader aerospace defense rearmament and are very likely pursuing a diverse suite of capabilities to affect satellites in all orbital regimes.”
But it’s not just the Russian military; policymakers in Moscow are also promoting anti-satellite weapons in the view of the U.S. intelligence community. “Russian lawmakers have promoted military pursuit of ASAT missiles to strike low-Earth orbiting satellites, and Russia is testing such a weapon for eventual deployment,” Coats stated. “A Russian official also acknowledged development of an aircraft-launched missile capable of destroying satellites in low-Earth orbit.”
What a War Between America and China Would Look Like.
On the other side of the world, China is on the verge of fielding an operational anti-satellite weapon. Meanwhile, both great powers are working on developing directed energy weapons to counter American satellites. “Ten years after China intercepted one of its own satellites in low-Earth orbit, its ground-launched ASAT missiles might be nearing operational service within the PLA [People’s Liberation Army],” Coats stated. “Both countries are advancing directed energy weapons technologies for the purpose of fielding ASAT systems that could blind or damage sensitive space-based optical sensors. Russia is developing an airborne laser weapon for use against US satellites.”
Additionally, both nations are developing satellites that can either tamper with other space assets or if necessary collide with and destroy an enemy orbital vehicle. “Russia and China continue to conduct sophisticated on-orbit satellite activities, such as rendezvous and proximity operations, at least some of which are likely intended to test dual-use technologies with inherent counterspace functionality,” Coats stated. “For instance, space robotic technology research for satellite servicing and debris-removal might be used to damage satellites. Such missions will pose a particular challenge in the future, complicating the U.S. ability to characterize the space environment, decipher intent of space activity, and provide advance threat warning.”
What a War Between China and Japan Would Look Like.
Thus, as time goes on, the Pentagon will have to invest more to ensure America retains its superiority in space.
Dave Majumdar is the defense editor for The National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @davemajumdar.
Image: Creative Commons.
This first appeared in May. | {
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When the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins met in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final, there were a lot of grizzled hockey men with a lot of Stanley Cup Final experience buzzing around the ice. The two rosters combined for 315 previous Stanley Cup Final games played, or about seven games played per skater.
This made sense: The two teams met in the previous Stanley Cup Final, and Detroit’s roster featured five players who had played for its 2002 Cup-winning team — four of whom, remarkably enough, also played for its Cup-winning team in 1998. Thanks to ageless wonders like Kris Draper and Nicklas Lidstrom, 2009 still ranks as the most experienced Stanley Cup Final — based on the number of previous career Cup Final games its participants have played in — since the NHL lockout of 2004-05.
Fast forward nine years, and there are no Drapers or Lidstroms involved in this Stanley Cup Final — there’s no one even close. Instead, this season is offering up the least experienced rendition of the NHL’s championship series, which is currently tied at one game apiece between the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights, since the lockout. Between the rosters of the Golden Knights and Capitals, the players have combined for just 32 previous Stanley Cup Final games, according to data from Hockey-Reference.com. And only three of the 38 players who have taken the ice in the series have any Stanley Cup Final experience whatsoever.
This also makes sense, of course. Before this season, the Golden Knights weren’t a team, so there were no opportunities for large chunks of their roster to make one or several Stanley Cup Final runs together. Only two of their players have played in a Stanley Cup Final before: James Neal logged six final games for the Nashville Predators in their losing effort against the Penguins last season, and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury appeared in 13 final games for the Penguins, six in 2008 and seven in 2009.
And while this Caps team — with an offensive core of Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin that has been together for a decade — has been very good for a very long time, they were unable to advance to a final — or even a conference finals — before this season. Only Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has Stanley Cup Final experience — he played 13 games, all directly in front of Fleury, as the Penguins lost to the Red Wings in 2008 and then beat Detroit in 2009.
Nearly everyone in 2018 is new to this Combined previous Stanley Cup Final experience of players, and share of players with no previous experience, for each final matchup since 2006 Teams Total Players Prev. final Exp. (Games) Players with no Prev. Exp. Share with no Exp. 2018 Golden Knights Capitals 38 32 35 92.1% 2017 Penguins Predators 44 142 28 63.6 2016 Penguins Sharks 39 66 32 82.1 2015 Blackhawks Lightning 43 202 20 46.5 2014 Kings Rangers 39 131 23 59.0 2013 Blackhawks Bruins 41 185 17 41.5 2012 Kings Devils 41 138 27 65.9 2011 Bruins Canucks 45 36 40 88.9 2010 Blackhawks Flyers 43 55 38 88.4 2009 Penguins Red Wings 43 315 7 16.3 2008 Red Wings Penguins 41 161 28 68.3 2007 Ducks Senators 43 68 36 83.7 2006 Hurricanes Oilers 45 94 31 68.9 Source: Hockey-Reference.com
On the flip side, that means a full 92 percent of the players who’ve played in this series went into it with zero previous Stanley Cup Final experience. That’s another post-lockout record, beating the 89 percent mark from the 2011 Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks.
Speaking of 2011, it was also the only other post-lockout Stanley Cup Final that featured teams with fewer than 50 combined final games played in the players’ previous careers. The Canucks hadn’t been to a Stanley Cup Final since 1994, while the Bruins hadn’t been since 1990. And unlike the Red Wings — who apparently had access to a fountain of youth somewhere on Lake St. Clair for a decade and a half — neither roster featured a single player from their previous Cup berths.
Game logs from before 1988 aren’t available at Hockey Reference, so it’s tough to say for sure — but it isn’t preposterous to think that the 2018 final might be the least experienced Stanley Cup Final since the NHL’s expansion era began in 1967.
Entering every NHL playoffs, pundits like to talk about two elements that teams need to make deep runs: hot goalies and postseason experience. Neither Vegas nor Washington has much experience, but the player tied for the most previous Stanley Cup Final games played does also happen to be a hot goalie: Fleury has been the best netminder in the 2018 playoffs (he’s pitched one of the best goaltending performances in playoff history, in fact), and he’ll no doubt win the Conn Smythe trophy — which goes to the playoff MVP — if his Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup. (Or maybe even if they lose.) Vegas can at least be thankful that it has benefited from a happy coincidence of two important factors.
So far, though, the Capitals’ 13 total games of previous Stanley Cup Final experience and the Golden Knights’ 19-game tally have been a wash. The series is all knotted up, and it’s anyone’s guess who will emerge victorious. Still, one thing’s for sure: If either team makes a repeat run to the final next season, it will almost certainly be in a championship series featuring more experience than the current one. | {
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VISTA, Calif. (KSWB) – Chyanne Thomas has been employed with the Vista Post Office for a year now. Within her one year of service she has received two awards for heroism after finding two missing girls in San Diego County – in the same month. Both cases have no connection to one another, according to KSWB.
The first missing person’s case was of a 15-year-old girl with Autism named Abby. She was reported missing late in the evening on April 18. Thomas was approached by police during her shift the next day, asking if she had seen Abby in the area.
On the afternoon of April 20, Thomas noticed Abby not far from her designated stop for mail delivery. She immediately called 911 to report she had found Abby.
Then a few weeks later in late April, she spotted another child who appeared to be alone and afraid. The girl was 3-years-old and did not speak English.
After 15 minutes of waiting with the child and not finding any parents around, Thomas called 911 to report the child. She stayed with her until her mother finally arrived.
“I had training in behavioral health and working with children on the spectrum,” said Thomas. “It helped me to know what to do in the situation.”
Thomas received two awards for her actions– she was pinned by the National Association of Letter Carriers and was presented a plaque.
“I love my job at the post office,” Thomas told KSWB Monday. “If a child was in need, I would step in to help again.” | {
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Could this be the order-of-magnitude cost drop that enables self-driving cars? Osram has announced a lidar chipset that will sell for less than $50 in volume. Lidar is what’s in the scanners that create a map of the surroundings as you drive: curbs, medians, signs, other cars, pedestrians, and animals. Osram declares it’s “a milestone for laser sensors in self-driving cars” because of the price and reliability from a device with no moving parts.
Test samples will be available in early 2017. Production quantities will arrive in 2018. The unit will be small enough to fit behind the front grille, rather than atop the roof.
Four channels, no moving parts
Osram Opto Semiconductors of Germany announced the four-channel lidar last week at the Electronica 2016 trade show in Munich. The system comprises a laser bar using four individually controllable laser diodes and control circuitry surface mounted on a single module. As mentioned above, this is the first lidar unit for self-driving assistance that has no moving parts, which Osram declares a breakthrough.
“The new laser is a bar consisting of four laser diodes that are separated in the production process, but are not individual diodes,” says Osram product manager Sebastian Bauer. “The result is a laser that emits four perfectly parallel beams. Our customers no longer have to spend time laboriously adjusting the individual light sources.” The lasers are aimed by an array of very small mirrors in a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) rather than larger, physically moving mirrors. The MEMS device was developed by Innoluce, which was acquired in October by Infineon Technologies.
Range out to 660 feet (11 seconds at highway speeds)
Osram says the lidar (light detection and ranging) module covers 120 degrees horizontally and 20 degrees vertically. Detection ranges in daytime are 200 meters (660 feet, or 7.5 seconds at 60 mph) for vehicles, and 70 meters (230 feet) for pedestrians. Its pulse length (when it’s on) is 5 nanoseconds, compared with 20ns for earlier lidar systems; the less time the laser is on, the easier it is to meet eye safety standards.
Osram says different pulse laser diodes have been used for more than a decade in emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems. Many ACC systems user radar, which is less susceptible to bad weather and darkness. It’s unclear if a self-driving car would need lidar devices facing the sides and rear, or if that might be handled by sonar, radar, or cameras.
Big competition for moving-component lidar units
The lidar units for prototype self-driving cars now offered are the largish devices looking like soup cans, typically mounted on the roof, and sometimes the side mirrors. The unit above is on a prototype Ford Fusion self-drive car. Advances have brought the units down to hockey-puck size (actually, more like a can of tuna fish). Prices from Velodyne, arguably the best known provider, were in the range of $70,000, while its hockey puck unit (inset) is about $8,000. Note the Osram’s price is for the module containing the lidar and MEMS components, but not a complete unit an automaker can bolt behind the grille. Osram’s Bauer was quoted as saying that the mass production price could fall to 40 euros ($43.50) by IEEE Spectrum.
Osram did not say when its module would make its way into production cars. The auto industry, when dealing with complex devices and wary of lawsuits, often takes 3-5 years to go from sample device to on-sale. That timing would intersect with automakers’ announcement of the first self-driving cars by 2020 or within five years (2021). | {
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Whatever Pence says, Trump's actions speak the loudest.
At a gathering in Michigan hosted by America First Policies, Mike Pence made it clear that Trump is going to solve school shootings.
"President Trump said it well," Pence said. "No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school."
"School safety is now the top priority of the Trump administration," Pence continued, to thundering applause. "And I'll make you a promise, Michigan: Working with federal and state leaders, we're going to take strong action to strengthen background checks."
But Pence's promise was undercut by the fact that just hours previously, Trump huddled with National Rifle Association officials in the Oval Office.
So far, Trump's position on gun control has been all over the map, but one thing has stayed constant: Every time the NRA has directly appealed to him, he has listened to them over anyone else.
For example, Trump threw away the idea of raising the age limit to purchase military-style weapons of war after a lunch meeting with the NRA earlier this week — although Sarah Huckabee Sanders tried to pretend he had not.
It should be noted that Pence himself has little moral authority on the matter, as he did everything in his power to make guns as easy as possible to acquire and carry, both as a congressman and as governor of Indiana.
So when Pence promises that he is going to work to "strengthen background checks," which the NRA has consistently opposed, he is writing our nation, and the families and friends of school shooting victims, a check that he knows cannot be cashed.
Activists will no longer stay silent on guns. The time has come for real action, and Pence cannot talk it away with empty promises. | {
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Donald Trump’s comments about Minnesota Somalis have drawn outrage among Muslim Americans in two states with large refugee populations.
At a rally in Maine last week, the Republican nominee quoted a 2015 Washington Times article about Minnesota’s resettlement of Somali refugees, saying the state has become a “rich pool” of potential recruiting targets for ISIS and other Islamic terror groups.
Since 2014, there have been at least nine Minnesota men arrested for allegedly plotting to join ISIS in Syria. In June, three — Guled Omar, 21, and Mohamed Farah and Abdirahman Daud, both 22 — were found guilty by a federal jury. Six others had already pleaded guilty to the terror charges.
“It’s happening,” Trump said. “It’s happening. You see it and you read about it. You see it. And you can be smart, and you can be cunning and tough, or you can be very, very dumb and not want to see what’s going on, folks.”
Minnesota’s Somali community — a population estimated to be at more than 70,000 — was quick to condemn Trump’s comments.
Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress, called Trump’s comments “nonsense.”
Hey, @realDonaldTrump. I want to talk to you about the nonsense you said about my state and my constituents. https://t.co/kj3BPYazgK — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016
Immigrant communities built this country. They make America great, no matter what demagogues like @realDonaldTrump say. — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016
Immigrant communities aren't causing "tremendous problems", @realDonaldTrump. They're assets to Minnesota & we're better because of them. — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016
Story continues
Trump is scheduled to visit the North Star State later this month.
.@realDonaldTrump should visit the Somali-Americans in MN. He'd find a welcoming, thriving community. They could teach him a thing or two. — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 5, 2016
“Donald Trump’s message has always been about using isolated incidents and terrorist attacks across the world to push his politics of fear,” Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, said in a statement. “This community is thriving, and his remarks are really unfair.”
“I never thought he’d go there and blatantly call Somali-Americans a danger,” Mohamoud Ibrahim, a student at Inver Hills Community College, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “It hurts listening to that.”
Ibrahim enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2014. “I want to serve my country, go to school and help out my family,” he said. “I am no danger to the community.”
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges slammed Trump too.
“Donald Trump, do *not* go after Minnesota and our Somali population. Just don’t,” Hodges wrote in a Facebook post. “You don’t have a fraction of the drive, purpose, community-mindedness, strength, courage, and value of our Somali community. Minneapolis and Minnesota would be a lesser place without our Somali neighbors. Is there poverty? Do they face challenges? Yes — many communities do — but theirs are multiplied by the kind of Islamophobia and racism you have made the hallmark of your campaign.
“You invite the crowd to ‘take a look at what’s happening in Germany,’” Hodges continued. “Indeed, I would exhort the American people to do the same, but to take a look at what was happening in Germany in the 1930s. Given who you are and the bile you vomit day after day it is a much more apt and useful reference point for where you want to take America.”
Abdi Warsame, the only Muslim on the Minneapolis City Council, told the Star Tribune that Trump’s proposed ban on all Muslims entering the United States has led to an uptick in hate mail sent to his office.
“That is the environment we find ourselves in,” Warsame said. “It’s frustrating.”
In Maine, Trump’s comments drew similar outrage.
“Mr. Trump’s statements disparaging immigrants who have come to this country legally are particularly unhelpful,” Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, said during a demonstration outside Portland City Hall. “Maine has benefited from people from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and, increasingly, Africa — including our friends from Somalia.”
At his rally, Trump suggested the resettlement of 12,000 Somali refugees in Maine has led to an uptick in crime.
“We’ve just seen many, many crimes getting worse all the time, and as Maine knows — a major destination for Somali refugees — right, am I right?” Trump said.
Wrong, local officials say.
“The Somalis have not caused any increase in crime,” Brian O’Malley, Lewiston’s acting police chief, told the Boston Globe. “They’re integrated here in our city. The Somalis come here because they want somewhere safe and good schools to raise their kids, and that’s what Lewiston has.”
“We have no problems here,” Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald said of the city’s estimated 7,000 Somalis. “We’re a very safe community. We all get along, and that’s it.” | {
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Preface
This post serves a dual purpose: it's a practical guide to the realities of preparing for voice right now, but equally it's a rallying call to ensure our industry has a full understanding of just how big, disruptive, and transformational it will be — and that, as a result, we need to stand ready.
My view is that voice is not just an add-on, but an entirely new way of interacting with the machines that add value to our lives. It is the next big era of computing.
Brands and agencies alike need to be at the forefront of that revolution. For my part, that begins with investing in the creation of a voice team.
Let me explain just how we plan to do that, and why it’s being actioned earlier than many will think necessary….
Jump to a section:
Why is voice so important?
When is it coming in a big way?
Who are the big players?
Where do voice assistants get their data from?
How do I shape my strategy and tactics to get involved?
What skill sets do I need in a "voice team?"
Introduction
"The times, they are a-changing."
– Bob Dylan
Back in 1964, that revered folk-and-blues singer could never have imagined just what that would mean in the 21st century.
As we head into 2018, we're nearing a voice interface-inspired inflection point the likes of which we haven't seen before. And if the world’s most respected futurist is to be believed, it’s only just beginning.
Talk to Ray Kurzweil, Google’s Chief Engineer and the man Bill Gates says is the "best person to predict the future," and he’ll tell you that we are entering a period of huge technological change.
For those working across search and many other areas of digital marketing, change is not uncommon. Seismic events, such as the initial roll out of Panda and Penguin, reminded those inside it just how painful it is to be unprepared for the future.
At best, it tips everything upside down. At worst, it kills those agencies or businesses stuck behind the curve.
It’s for exactly this reason that I felt compelled to write a post all about why I'm building a voice team at Zazzle Media, the agency I founded here in the UK, as stats from BrightEdge reveal that 62% of marketers still have no plans whatsoever to prepare for the coming age of voice.
I’m also here to argue that while the growth traditional search agencies saw through the early 2000s is over, similar levels of expansion are up for grabs again for those able to seamlessly integrate voice strategies into an offering focused on the client or customer.
Winter is coming!
Based on our current understanding of technological progress, it's easy to rest on our laurels. Voice interface adoption is still in its very early stages. Moore’s Law draws a (relatively) linear line through technological advancement, giving us time to take our positions — but that era is now behind us.
According to Kurzweil’s thesis on the growth of technology (the Law of Accelerating Returns),
"we won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century – it will be more like 20,000 years."
Put another way, he explains that technology does not progress in a linear way. Instead, it progresses exponentially.
"30 steps linearly get you to 30. One, two, three, four, step 30 you're at 30. With exponential growth, it's one, two, four, eight. Step 30, you're at a billion," he explained in a recent Financial Times interview.
In other words, we're going to see new tech landing and gaining traction faster than we ever realized it possible, as this chart proves:
Above, Kurzweil illustrates how we’ll be able to produce computational power as powerful as a human brain by 2023. By 2037 we’ll be able to do it for less than a one-cent cost. Just 15 years later computers will be more powerful than the entire human race as a whole. Powerful stuff — and proof of the need for action as voice and the wider AI paradigm takes hold.
Voice
So, what does that mean right now? While many believe voice is still a long ways off, one point of view says it's already here — and those fast enough to grab the opportunity will grow exponentially with it. Indeed, Google itself says more than 20% of all searches are already voice-led, and will reach 50% by 2020.
Let’s first deal with understanding the processes required before then moving onto the expertise to make it happen.
What do we need to know?
We’ll start with some assumptions. If you are reading this post, you already have a good understanding of the basics of voice technology. Competitors are joining the race every day, but right now the key players are:
Microsoft Cortana – Available on Windows, iOS, and Android.
– Available on Windows, iOS, and Android. Amazon Alexa – Voice-activated assistant that lives on Amazon audio gear (Echo, Echo Dot, Tap) and Fire TV.
Voice-activated assistant that lives on Amazon audio gear (Echo, Echo Dot, Tap) and Fire TV. Google Assistant – Google’s voice assistant powers Google Home as well as sitting across its mobile and voice search capabilities.
– Google’s voice assistant powers Google Home as well as sitting across its mobile and voice search capabilities. Apple Siri – Native voice assistant for all Apple products.
And (major assistants) coming soon:
All of these exist to allow consumers the ability to retrieve information without having to touch a screen or type anything.
That has major ramifications for those who rely on traditional typed search and a plethora of other arenas, such as the fast-growing Internet of Things (IoT).
In short, voice allows us to access everything from our personal diaries and shopping lists to answers to our latest questions and even to switch our lights off.
Why now?
Apart from the tidal wave of tech now supporting voice, there is another key reason for investing in voice now — and it's all to do with the pace at which voice is actually improving.
In a recent Internet usage study by KPCB, Andrew NG, chief scientist at Chinese search engine Baidu, was asked what it was going to take to push voice out of the shadows and into its place as the primary interface for computing.
His point was that at present, voice is "only 90% accurate" and therefore the results are sometimes a little disappointing. This slows uptake.
But he sees that changing soon, explaining that "As speech recognition accuracy goes from, say, 95% to 99%, all of us in the room will go from barely using it today to using it all the time. Most people underestimate the difference between 95% and 99% accuracy — 99% is a game changer... “
When will that happen? In the chart below we see Google’s view on this question, predicting we will be there in 2018!
Is this the end for search?
It is also important to point out that voice is an additional interface and will not replace any of those that have gone before it. We only need to look back at history to see how print, radio, and TV continue to play a part in our lives alongside the latest information interfaces.
Moz founder Rand Fishkin made this point in a recent WBF, explaining that while voice search volumes may well overtake typed terms, the demand for traditional SERP results and typed results will continue to grow also, simply because of the growing use of search.
The key will be creating a channel strategy as well as a method for researching both voice and typed opportunity as part of your overall process.
What’s different?
The key difference when considering voice opportunity is to think about the conversational nature that the interface allows. For years we've been used to having to type more succinctly in order to get answers quickly, but voice does away with that requirement.
Instead, we are presented with an opportunity to ask, find, and discover the things we want and need using natural language.
This means that we will naturally lengthen the phrases we use to find the stuff we want — and early studies support this assumption.
In a study by Microsoft and covered by the brilliant Purna Virji in this Moz post from last year, we can see a clear distinction between typed and voice search phrase length, even at this early stage of conversational search. Expect this to grow as we get used to interacting with voice.
The evidence suggests that will happen fast too. Google’s own data shows us that 55% of teens and 40% of adults use voice search daily. Below is what they use it for:
While it is easy to believe that voice only extends to search, it's important to remember that the opportunity is actually much wider. Below we can see results from a major 2016 Internet usage study into how voice is being used:
Clearly, the lion's share is related to search and information retrieval, with more than 50% of actions relating to finding something local to go/see/do (usually on mobile) or using voice as an interface to search.
But an area sure to grow is the leisure/entertainment sector. More on that later.
The key question remains: How exactly do you tap into this growing demand? How do you become the choice answer above all those you compete with?
With such a vast array of devices, the answer is a multi-faceted one.
Where is the data coming from?
To answer the questions above, we must first understand where the information is being accessed from and the answer, predictably, is not a simple one. Understanding it, however, is critical if you are to build a world-class voice marketing strategy.
To make life a little easier, I’ve created an at-a-glance cheat sheet to guide you through the process. You can download it by clicking on the banner below.
In it, you'll find an easy-to-follow table explaining where each of the major voice assistants (Siri, Cortana, Google Assistant, and Alexa) retrieve their data from so you can devise a plan to cover them all.
The key take away from that research? Interestingly, Bing has every opportunity to steal a big chunk of market share from Google and, at least at present, is the key search engine to optimize for if voice "visibility" is the objective.
Bing is more important now.
Of all the Big Four in voice, three (Cortana, Siri, and Alexa) default to Bing search for general information retrieval. Given that Facebook (also a former Bing search partner) is also joining the fray, Google could soon find itself in a place it's not entirely used to being: alone.
Now, the search giant usually finds a way to pull back market share, but for now a marketers’ focus should be on Microsoft’s search engine and Google as a secondary player.
Irrespective of which engine you prioritize there are two key areas to focus on: featured snippets and local listings.
Featured snippets
The search world has been awash with posts and talks on this area of optimization over recent months as Google continues to push ahead with the roll out of the feature-rich SERP real estate.
For those that don’t know what a "snippet" is, there’s an example below, shown for a search for "how do I get to sleep":
Not only is this incredibly valuable traditional search real estate (as I’ve discussed in an earlier blog post), but it's a huge asset in the fight for voice visibility.
Initial research by experts such as Dr. Pete Myers tells us, clearly, that Google assistant is pulling its answers from snippet content for anything with any level of complexity.
Simple answers — such as those for searches about sports results, the weather, and so forth — are answered directly. But for those that require expertise it defaults to site content, explaining where that information came from.
At present, it's unclear how Google plans to help us understand and attribute these kinds of visits. But according to insider Gary Illyes, it is imminent within Search Console.
Measurement will clearly be an important step in selling any voice strategy proposal upwards and to provide individual site or brand evidence that the medium is growing and deserving of investment.
User intent and purchase
Such data will also help us understand how voice alters such things as the traditional conversion funnel and the propensity to purchase.
We know how important content is in the traditional user journey, but how will it differ in the voice world? There's sure to be a rewrite of many rules we've come to know well from the "typed Internet."
Applying some level of logic to the challenge, it's clear that there's a greater degree of value in searches showing some level of immediacy, i.e. people searching through home assistants or mobiles for the location of something or time and/or date of the same thing.
Whereas with typed search we see greater value in simple phrases that we call "head terms," the world is much more complex in voice. Below we see a breakdown of words that will trigger searches in voice:
To better understand this, let’s examine a potential search "conversation."
If we take a product search example for, let’s say, buying a new lawn mower, the conversation could go a little like this:
[me] What’s the best rotary lawn mower for under £500?
[voice assistant] According to Lawn Mower Hut there are six choices [reads out choices]
Initially, voice will struggle to understand how to move to the next logical question, such as:
[voice assistant] Would you like a rotary or cylinder lawn mower?
Or, better still…
[voice assistant] Is your lawn perfectly flat?
[me] No.
[voice assistant] OK, may I suggest a rotary mower? If so then you have two choices, the McCulloch M46-125WR or the BMC Lawn Racer.
In this scenario, our voice assistant has connected the dots and asks the next relevant question to help narrow the search in a natural way.
Natural language processing
To do this, however, requires a step up in computer processing, a challenge being worked on as we speak in a bid to provide the next level of voice search.
To solve the challenge requires the use of so-called Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), interconnected layers of processing units designed to mimic the neural networks in the brain.
DNNs can work across everything from speech, images, sequences of words, and even location before then classifying them into categories.
It relies on the input of truckloads of data so it can learn how best to bucket those things. That data pile will grow exponentially as the adoption of voice accelerates.
What that will mean is that voice assistants can converse with us in the same way as a clued-up shop assistant, further negating the need for in-store visits in the future and a much more streamlined research process.
In this world, we start to paint a very different view of the "keywords" we should be targeting, with deeper and more exacting phrases winning the battle for eyeballs.
As a result, the long tail’s rise in prominence continues at pace, and data-driven content strategies really do move to the center of the marketing plan as the reward for creating really specific content increases.
We also see a greater emphasis placed on keywords that may not be on top of the priority list currently. If we continue to work through our examples, we can start to paint a picture of how this plays out…
In our lawnmower purchase example, we're at a stage where two options have been presented to us (the McCulloch and the BMC Racer). In a voice 1.0 scenario, where we have yet to see DNNs develop enough to know the next relevant question and answer, we might ask:
[me] Which has the best reviews?
And the answer may be tied to a 3rd party review conclusion, such as…
[voice assistant] According to Trustpilot, the McCulloch has a 4.5-star rating versus a 3.5-star rating for the BMC lawn mower.
Suddenly, 3rd party reviews become more valuable than ever as a conversion optimization opportunity, or a strategy that includes creating content to own the SERP for a keyword phrase that includes "review" or "top rated."
And where would we naturally go from here? The options are either directly to conversion, via some kind of value-led search (think "cheapest McCulloch M46-125W"), or to a location-based one ("nearest shop with a McCulloch M46-125WR") to allow me to give it a "test drive."
Keyword prioritization
This single journey gives us some insight into how the interface could shape our thinking on keyword prioritization and content creation.
Pieces that help a user either make a decision or perform an action around the following trigger words and phrases will attract greater interest and traffic from voice. Examples could include:
buy
get
find
top rated
closest
nearest
cheapest
best deal
Many are not dissimilar to typed search, but clearly intent priorities change. The aforementioned Microsoft study also looked at how this may work, suggesting the following order of question types and their association with purchase/action:
Local opportunity
This also pushes the requirement for serious location-based marketing investment much higher up the pecking order.
We can clearly see how important such searches become from a "propensity to buy/take action" perspective.
It pays to invest more in ensuring the basics are covered, for which the Moz Local Search Ranking Factors study can be a huge help, but also in putting some weight behind efforts across Bing Places. If you are not yet set up fully over there, this simple guide can help.
Local doesn’t start and end with set up, of course. To maximize visibility there must be an ongoing local marketing plan that covers not just the technical elements of search but also wider marketing actions that will be picked up by voice assistants.
We already know, for instance, that engagement factors are playing a larger part of the algorithmic mix for local, but our understanding of what that really means may be limited.
Engagement is not just a social metric but a real world one. Google, for instance, knows not just what you search for but where you go (via location tracking and beacon data), what you watch (via YouTube), the things you are interested in, and where you go (via things such as Flight search and Map data). We need to leverage each of these data points to maximize effect.
As a good example of this in action, we mentioned review importance earlier. Here it plays a significant part of the local plan. A proactive review acquisition strategy is really important, so look to build this into your everyday activity by proactively incentivizing visitors to leave them. This involves actively monitoring on all the key review sites, not just your favorite!
Use your email strategy to drive this behavior as well by ensuring that newsletters and offer emails support the overall local plan.
And a local social strategy is also important. Get to know your best customers and most local visitors and turn them into evangelists.
Doing it is easier than you might think; you can use Twitter mention monitoring not only to search for key terms, but also mentions within specific latitude/longitude settings or radius.
Advanced search also allows you to discover tweets by location or mentioning location. This can be helpful as research to discover the local questions being asked.
The awesome team at Zapier covered this topic in lots of detail recently, so for those who want to action this particular point I highly recommend reading this post.
Let’s go deeper
There is new thinking needed if the opportunity is to be maximized. To understand this, we need to go back to our user journey thought process.
For starters, there's the Yelp/Alexa integration. While the initial reaction may be simply to optimize listings for the site, the point is actually a wider one.
Knowing that many of the key vertical search engines (think Skyscanner [travel], Yelp [local], etc.) will spend big to ensure they have the lion’s share of voice market, it will pay to spend time improving your content on these sites.
Which is most important will be entirely dependent upon what niche you are working in. Many will only offer limited opportunity for optimization, but being there and spending time ensuring your profile is 110% will be key. It may even pay to take sponsored opportunities within them for the added visibility it may give you in the future.
There's also the really interesting intellectual challenge of attempting to map out as many potential user journeys as possible to and from your business.
Let's take our lawnmower analogy again, but this time from the perspective of a retailer situated within 20 miles of the searcher. In this scenario, we need to think about how we might be able to get front and center before anyone else if we stock the McCulloch model they are looking for.
If we take it as a given that we’ve covered the essentials, then we need to think more laterally.
It's natural to not only look for a local outlet that stocks the right model, but when it may be open. We might also ask more specific questions like whether they have parking, or even if they are busy at specific times or offer appointments.
The latter would be a logical step, especially for businesses that work in this way; think dentists, doctors, beauty salons, and even trades. The opportunity to book a plumber at a specific time via voice would be a game changer for those set up to offer it.
Know your locality
As a local business, it is also imperative that you know the surrounding areas well and to be able to prove you’ve thought about it. This includes looking at how people talk about key landmarks from a voice perspective.
We often use slang or shortened versions of landmark naming conventions, for instance. In a natural, conversational setting, you may find that you miss out if you don’t use those idiosyncrasies within the content you produce and feature on your site or within your app.
Fun and entertainment
Then, of course, comes the "fun." Think of it as the games section of the App Store — it makes little logical sense, but in it lies a whole industry of epic proportions.
Voice will give birth to the next era in entertainment. While some of you may be thinking about how to profit from such an active audience, the majority of brands would be smart to see it as an engagement and brand awareness world.
Game makers will clamber to create hit mind games and quizzes, but those that play around the edges may well be the monarchs of this opportunity. Think about how voice could change the dynamic for educators, play the part of unbiased referees in games, or teach birdsong and the birds to which they relate. The opportunity is endless — and it will claim 25% of the overall pie, according to current usage research.
The monetization methods are yet to be uncovered, but the advertising opportunity is significant, as well as how clever technology like Blockchain may enable frictionless payments and more.
User journey mapping
So how do you tie all of this together into a seamless plan, given the complexity and number of touch points available? The answer starts and ends with user journey mapping.
This is something I find myself doing more and more now as part of the wider marketing challenge. Fragmented audiences and a plethora of devices and technology mean it's more difficult than ever to build an integrated strategy. Taking a user-centric approach is the only way to make sense of the chaos.
Voice is no different, and the key differentiator here is the fact that in this new world a journey is actually a conversation (or a series of them).
Conversation journey mapping
While the tech may not yet be there to support conversations in voice, given the point at the beginning of this piece around the law of Accelerating Returns, it's clear that it's coming — and faster than we realize.
In some respects, the timing of that advancement is irrelevant, however, as the process of working through a series of conversations that a potential client or customer may have around your product or service is invaluable as research for your plan.
To go back to our lawnmower example, a conversation mapping exercise may look a little like this:
[me] What’s the best lawnmower for under £500?
[voice assistant] How large is your lawn?
[me] It’s not very big. I don’t need a ride-on.
[voice assistant] OK so would you prefer a cylinder or rotary version?
[me] I don’t know. How do I choose?
[voice assistant] If you want stripes and your lawn is very flat, a cylinder gives a better finish. If not, a rotary is better.
[me] OK, definitely a rotary then!
[voice assistant] Good choice. In that case, your best options are either the McCulloch M46-125WR or the BMC Lawn Racer.
[me] Which is best?
[voice assistant] According to Trustpilot, the McCulloch has 4.5 stars from 36 reviews versus 3.5 stars for the BMC. The McCulloch is also cheaper. Do you want me to find the best deal or somewhere nearby that stocks it?
[me] I’d like to see it before buying if possible.
[voice assistant] OK, ABC Lawn Products is 12 miles away and has an appointment at 11am. Do you want to book it?
[me] Perfect.
Where are the content or optimization opportunities?
Look carefully above and you’ll see that there are huge swathes of the conversation that lend themselves to opportunity, either through content creation or some other kind of optimization.
To spell that out, here's a possible list:
Guide – Best lawnmower for £500
– Best lawnmower for £500 Guide – Rotary versus cylinder lawnmowers
Rotary versus cylinder lawnmowers Review strategy – Create a plan to collect more reviews
– Create a plan to collect more reviews Optimization – Evergreen guide optimization strategy to enhance featured snippet opportunities
– Evergreen guide optimization strategy to enhance featured snippet opportunities Local search – Optimize business listing to include reviews, opening times, and more
– Optimize business listing to include reviews, opening times, and more Appointments – Open up an online appointment system and optimize for voice
In developing such a roadmap, it's also important to consider the context within which the conversation is happening.
Few of us will ever feel entirely comfortable using voice in a crowded, public setting, for instance. We’re not going to try using voice on a bus, train, or at a festival anytime soon.
Instead, voice interfaces will be used in private, most likely in places such as homes and cars and places where it's useful to be able to do multiple things at once.
Setting the scene in this way will help as you define your conversation possibilities and the optimization opportunities from it.
What people do we need to create all this?
The one missing piece of the jigsaw as we prepare for the shift to voice? People.
All of the above require a great deal of work to perfect and implement, and while the dust still needs to clear on the specifics of voice marketing, there are certain skill sets that will need to pull together to deliver a cohesive strategy.
For the majority, this will simply mean creating project groups from existing team members. But for those with the biggest opportunities (think recipe sites, large vertical search plays, and so on), it may be that a standalone team is necessary.
Here’s my take on what that team will require:
Developer – with specific skill in creating Google Home Actions, Alexa Skills, and so on.
– with specific skill in creating Google Home Actions, Alexa Skills, and so on. Researcher – to work with customer groups to understand how voice is being used and capture further opportunities for development.
– to work with customer groups to understand how voice is being used and capture further opportunities for development. SEO – to help prioritize content creation and how it's structured and optimized.
– to help prioritize content creation and how it's structured and optimized. Writer – to build out the long-tail content and guides necessary.
– to build out the long-tail content and guides necessary. Voice UX expert – A specialist in running conversation mapping sessions and turning them into brilliant user journeys for the different content and platforms your brand utilizes.
Conclusion
If you’ve read to this point, you at least have an active interest in this fast-moving area of tech. We know from the minds of the most informed experts that voice is developing quickly and that it clearly offers significant benefits to its users.
When those two key things combine, alongside a lowering cost to the technology needed to access it, it creates a tipping point that only ends one way: in the birth of a new era for computing.
Such a thing has massive connotations for both digital and wider marketing, and it will pay to have first-mover advantage.
That means educating upwards and beginning the conversation around how voice interfaces may change your own industry in the future. Once you have that running, who knows where it might lead you?
For some, it changes little, for others everything, and the good news for search marketers is that there are a lot of existing tactics and skill sets that will have an even bigger part to play.
Existing skills
The ability to claim featured snippets and answer boxes becomes even more rewarding as they trigger millions of voice searches.
Keyword research has a wider role in forming strategies to reach into voice and outside traditional search, as marketers become more interested in the natural language their audiences are using.
Local SEO wins become wider than simply appearing in a search engine.
Micro-moments become more numerous and even more specific than ever before. Research to uncover these becomes even more pivotal.
New opportunities to consider
Increases in content consumption through further integration in daily life — so think about what other kinds of content you can deliver to capture them.
Think Internet of Things integration and how your brand may be able to provide content for those devices or to help people use connected home.
Look at what Skills/Actions you can create to play in the "leisure and entertainment" sector of voice. This may be as much about an engagement/awareness play than pure conversion or sales, but it’s going to be a huge market. Think quick games, amazing facts, jokes, and more…
Conversation journey mapping is a powerful new skill to be learned and implemented to tie all content together.
Here’s to the next 50 years of voice interface progress! | {
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PHOENIX — Former U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, Arizona’s first Hispanic congressman, has died at age 75.
Pastor, a Democrat, served 23 years in Congress. He was the longtime senior member of the state’s U.S. House delegation before he decided in 2014 against running for re-election.
He went to Congress after winning a 1991 special election for the seat vacated by fellow Democrat Morris K. Udall.
Pastor represented a heavily Democratic district centered on Phoenix and also served as a member of the Board of Supervisors for Maricopa County for various years.
Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor, and Ed Pastor's daughter, said her father died Tuesday night.
"With heavy hearts, the Pastor family would like to inform the public that Congressman Ed Pastor passed away," said Laura Pastor in a statement. "Congressman Pastor will be remembered for his commitment to his family, and his legacy of service to the community that he loved, the state of Arizona and the nation."
Ronnie Lopez, a longtime friend of Pastor and finance director of all of his campaigns, said Pastor had a heart attack while dining at a restaurant with his wife, Verma.
"We are devastated by the loss of Congressman Ed Pastor. A visionary Arizona leader and friend to all. He leaves a lasting legacy and will be deeply missed," said the Arizona Senate Democratic Caucus via Twitter.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called Pastor “an Arizona trailblazer and true public servant” and said he was ordering that flags be lowered statewide to half-staff to recognize “the long-lasting impact he will leave on Arizona.”
U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat who now represents the congressional district, said Pastor “dedicated his career to protecting the civil rights of every American and making the American Dream accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable in our society.”
Current Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams and former Mayor Greg Stanton said Pastor, who served on the House Appropriations Committee, championed transportation projects such as funding for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport improvements and construction of the metro area’s light rail system.
“I adored Ed Pastor, and Phoenix is a better city because of him,” Williams said.
Raquel Terán, who was elected to Arizona's legislature this month, said that Ed Pastor "was a true champion and fighter for Arizona and will be hugely missed. He is the exemplification [of] public service and [an] agent of change."
Besides his wife Verma and daughter Laura Pastor, other survivors include a second daughter, Yvonne, and a sister, Eleanor.
Laura Pastor said arrangements for a celebration of her father’s life are pending.
FOLLOW NBC LATINO ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. | {
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Juan Darthés dejó la Argentina días después de la denuncia que le hizo Thelma Fardin por violación. Se exilió en Brasil, su país natal, y todavía no hay novedades de su regreso. Sin embargo, está en cada detalle de la estrategia que pensó junto a Fernando Burlando para evitar ir a la cárcel, y ahora habría un giro en el accionar de la defensa en base a datos que se desprenden del expediente.
Según informó Carlos Monti en el ciclo Pamela a la tarde, el actor de Simona, Dulce amor y otras novelas, plantearía la inexistencia del delito. Su letrado explicó en el mismo programa que, acorde al relato de la actriz de Patito feo, "en el expediente no se ve una negativa categórica o un rechazo claro de Thelma hacia su defendido".
// El hermano de Juan Darthés rompió el silencio: "Confiamos en cómo tratamos a las mujeres"
Amalia Granata, panelista del programa, lo cruzó y le recordó que Fardin tenía 16 años en aquel entonces y que Juan Darthés, 45. El abogado Fernando Burlando se defendió e involucró a Juan Manuel Guilera, el chico que salía con la joven artista en ese tiempo: "Eso no sería delito (por la diferencia de edad). Ella tenía un novio mayor de edad, así que él estaría en la misma situación que Darthés".
Fernando Burlando fue por más y resaltó que la denunciante dijo que "tardó ocho años en darse cuenta de que fue violada". "Si a ella le pasó eso, ¿qué cuenta se puede dar la persona a la que acusa como agresor?", agregó.
change description
Por ahora, no hay novedades sobre una citación de la Justicia que obligue al actor a regresar a Buenos Aires o a viajar a Nicaragua, donde sucedieron los hechos. Sin embargo, los testigos que mencionó Thelma en su declaración ya están siendo escuchados.
El 11 de diciembre de 2018, Fardin contó su calvario en una conferencia de prensa organizada por el colectivo Actrices Argentinas. "En 2009 estaba de gira con un programa infantil. Yo era una nena y el único actor adulto que viajaba con nosotros tenía 45 años. Me empezó a besar el cuello pese a que le dije que no. Me tiró en la cama, me corrió el shortcito y me practicó sexo oral, aunque le decía que no. Se subió arriba mío y me penetró. Por suerte alguien tocó la puerta y me pude ir", relató en un video.
change description
Por su parte, Juan Darthés modificó su versión de los hechos a medida que iba cambiando su estrategia de defensa con el abogado. Primero negó categóricamente lo sucedido, luego reconoció que la joven actriz había entrado en su habitación del hotel de Nicaragua con la excusa de que la tarjeta para entrar a la suya no funcionaba. Ahí -siempre según Darthés- él la sacó inmediatamente del cuarto. Ahora cambió su discurso: junto a su abogado decidió remitirse a los dichos de Thelma en el expediente para referirse a la violación denunciada legalmente. | {
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This is the "clean" edition, with all swearing removed, making it more appropriate as a gift for family and friends. It is the same selection of comics as the adult edition, just with the phrasing altered.
This is the "clean" edition, with all swearing removed, making it more appropriate as a gift for family and friends. It is the same selection of comics as the adult edition, just with the phrasing altered.
This is the "clean" edition, with all swearing removed, making it more appropriate as a gift for family and friends. It is the same selection of comics as the adult edition, just with the phrasing altered.
This is the "clean" edition, with all swearing removed, making it more appropriate as a gift for family and friends. It is the same selection of comics as the adult edition, just with the phrasing altered.
This is the "clean" edition, with all swearing removed, making it more appropriate as a gift for family and friends. It is the same selection of comics as the adult edition, just with the phrasing altered.
This is the adult edition, containing strong language, appropriate for those of you who find that kind of thing amusing rather than offensive.
This is the adult edition, containing strong language, appropriate for those of you who find that kind of thing amusing rather than offensive.
This is the adult edition, containing strong language, appropriate for those of you who find that kind of thing amusing rather than offensive.
This is the adult edition, containing strong language, appropriate for those of you who find that kind of thing amusing rather than offensive.
This is the adult edition, containing strong language, appropriate for those of you who find that kind of thing amusing rather than offensive. | {
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• Whisky shipments totalled £1.8bn in first half of 2011 • Industry warns against minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland
The value of Scotch whisky exports surged by 22% in the first six months of the year, with the equivalent of 570m bottles of whisky sold overseas after sales soared in Asia and South America.
Foreign shipments of blended and malt whisky were worth £1.8bn, compared with £1.47bn in the first half of 2010, despite the global economic downturn, the relative high cost of whisky and depressed overseas sales by other British exporters.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said that the strongest sales increases were in Asia, rising by 33% to £423m, and in Central and South America, where the value of exports jumped by nearly 50% to £214m. Sales in the US hit £268m, up 14%, and in France rose by 13%, up to £220m.
Gavin Hewitt, the SWA's chief executive, said whisky was now a "main driver" for the UK in building overseas markets. The association's success in breaking down trade barriers and strengthening legal protections for the Scotch brand in India and Turkey had been essential, he added.
The industry's surge in sales was contributing directly to the Scottish government's target of increasing exports by 50% by 2017. "While traditional markets remain important, we are making excellent headway in other regions. Consumer confidence is strong. Recent breakthroughs in trade relations will help further," Hewitt said. "We will continue to fight for fairer treatment in overseas markets."
The SWA's emphasis on free trade is a coded but deliberate warning to the Scottish government about its controversial plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks, measures confirmed by Alex Salmond, the first minister, last week.
Despite significant opposition from the drinks industry and concerns from the Chilean government, which fears the move will hit its wine sales, Salmond is pressing ahead with the proposals after the Scottish National Party won an over-all majority in the Scottish parliament.
His government now faces legal action from overseas drinks companies under either European or global free trade and competition rules, industry sources have said.
The SWA, one of the most influential critics of minimum pricing, fears that if Scotland introduced price controls, which could be as high as 50p per unit, that would severely undermine their efforts to combat import tariffs and protectionism in overseas markets.
Ministers have repeatedly side-stepped this issue. In a statement in response to the SWA's latest figures, Richard Lochhead, the Scottish government's secretary for rural affairs, who also champions Scottish produce, said: "The news that whisky exports have rocketed by a quarter is absolutely phenomenal. [We] have great ambition for exports from Scotland. Other industries should be learning from the long-term strategy and continuing investment of the Scotch whisky industry."
The SWA said that, taken on an annualised basis, overall sales of whisky for June 2010 to July 2011 had increased by a more modest 5%, compared with 19% for the six months to July 2011. It said this lower figure reflected the global economic uncertainty at the end of 2010. | {
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C’est une découverte pour le moins insolite qu’a fait Albert Wattelle le samedi 14 septembre. Ce jour-là, sa fille lui a ramené des pommes de terre qu’elle a glané dans un champ. Albert décide alors de les cuisiner. Après les avoir épluchées puis fait cuire, le malincourtois de 89 ans remarque un point noir sur l’une d’entre elles. Il décide de le retirer avec un couteau lorsque soudain la pomme de terre s’ouvre en deux. A l’intérieur, Albert découvre ce qui ressemble très fortement à un coquillage. « Je voyais souvent ce type de coquillage quand j’allais à Merlimont mais ils étaient plus gros. Comment a-t-il pu arriver dans une pomme terre glanée dans le Cambrésis ? C’est incompréhensible. Les gens vont me prendre pour un fou mais c’est bel et bien la réalité… » explique ce maçon à la retraite. Selon un agriculteur, il est possible de retrouver des coquillages dans les sols du Cambrésis car ce territoire a été plusieurs fois envahi par les eaux il y a des milliers d’années. Certains disent même que c’est l’une des meilleures terres du monde. 2019 aura décidément été une année en riche en émotions pour Albert et Georgette Wattelle qui ont fêté leurs noces d’albâtre, soit 75 ans de vie conjugale en janvier dernier. | {
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MARK KARLIN, EDITOR OF BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT
The poster above may be the epithet of the Trump administration. (Photo: Victoria Pickering)
Resistance is an imperative response to "Trumpism." However, in addition to pushing back, it is important for individuals, ad hoc advocacy groups, activist organizations and local governments to advance progressive goals in innovative ways.
This week brought us Trump's decision to remove the United States from the Paris Accord. This makes the United States one of only three nations that did not sign the Accord. (The others are Nicaragua, which did not sign it because the political leaders of that country felt it was not strong enough, and Syria, which was in the midst of civil war and whose leaders were hardly in a position to engage in international talks.) Beyond the wholly understandable outrage, can there be positive progressive action to counter Trump's pernicious abandonment of the people of the planet?
The answer that California, New York and Washington have offered is "yes." Yesterday, the three states announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, which will be composed of states that want to commit to the Paris Accord, bypassing Trump's withdrawal. The alliance was described on the website of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo:
In response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and Washington State Governor Jay R. Inslee today announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition that will convene U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.
“The White House’s reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet.”
New York, California, and Washington, representing over one-fifth of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, are committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from 2005 levels and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan.
As more states join the alliance, the percentage of the United States committed to the carbon-reduction goals of the Accord will rise. Cities, hopefully, will follow suit and form an organization of their own to commit to implementing the pollution-reduction goals of the Paris Accord. As Cuomo's news release states, "With input from all participants, the U.S. Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy."
This good news should bring us some hope amid a devastatingly bad news week. It is consistent with the desires of most Americans, as revealed in a poll in The Atlantic:
Seven out of 10 Americans support remaining in the agreement, according to a national poll conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Communication after the election. This cuts across parties: A majority of self-identified Democrats, Republicans, and independents all want to stay in the accord.
An article in Business Insider about the newly formed United States Climate Alliance states:
[California] Governor Jerry Brown was ... direct on a call with reporters organized by the World Resources Institute.
"This is an insane move by this president; the world depends on a sustainable future," said Brown. "It's tragic, but out of that tragedy I believe the rest of the world will mobilize, will galvanize our efforts...."
As the World Resources Institute has pointed out, if the US states that support the Paris Agreement were counted as a country, they'd be the fifth largest economy and sixth largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world — meaning that action by those states is significant enough to have an impact.
It's not just states getting involved. Mayors of more than 85 cities across the US signed a letter on Thursday announcing a commitment to reduce emissions and push clean energy. As Business Insider's Dana Varinsky previously reported, some experts believe it's possible that cities alone can ensure the US meets climate goals.
Given that European leaders have already informed Trump that they will not renegotiate the Paris Accord, the new alliance is a model of circumventing what former Mexican President Vicente Fox called Trump's declaration of "war on the planet itself." | {
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1, but here we will be using R and an R package called lpSolve, which is intended to solve linear programming problems. I had a lot of fun preparing this entry and learned quite a bit on how to implement linear programming models using R - I hope you will find this post entertaining, interesting and useful.
For the second R puzzle, we will tackle the famous Zebra Puzzle, sometimes known as Einstein's Puzzle or Einstein's Riddle. There are various implementations of solutions to the puzzle in different programming languages, but here we will be using R and an R package called lpSolve, which is intended to solve linear programming problems. I had a lot of fun preparing this entry and learned quite a bit on how to implement linear programming models using R - I hope you will find this post entertaining, interesting and useful.
The Puzzle
The Zebra Eye , by Singapore artist Jarrell Goh aka fuzzyzebra (2007). The Zebra puzzle, or Einstein's riddle as it is often called, was popularized in a 1962 number of Life International magazine, with a follow-up in a March 1963 issue of Life containing the solution. It is said to have been invented by a young Einstein, although it is also credited to Lewis Carroll. The truth is, there is no clear evidence of either's authorship of the riddle. I should also point out that various versions of the puzzle exist, with different nationalities, brands of cigarettes, or even replacing sports teams with cigarettes, etc.
The version of the puzzle we will be using here is as follows. There are five houses along a street whose five occupants are all of different nationalities (English, German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish). Each occupant also smokes a different brand of cigarette (five brands in all), has a different favorite drink, has a different pet and owns a house of a different color than his neighbors. The following clues are given:
The Englishman lives in the red house.
The Swede has a dog.
The Dane drinks tea.
The man in the green house drinks coffee.
The white house on the left of the green house.
The man in the yellow house smokes Dunhill.
The man who smokes Pall Mall has a bird.
The German smokes Prince.
The man who drinks beer smokes Bluemaster.
The man that smokes Blends lives next to the man with a cat.
The man with a horse lives next to the one that smokes Dunhill.
The man who smokes Blends lives next to the man that drinks water.
The Norwegian lives next to blue house.
The man in the middle house (third house) drinks milk.
The Norwegian lives in first house.
If you have never tried to solve this puzzle, you should. It'll give you some moments of good entertainment. I suggest you make a table with 5 columns and 5 rows in which the columns represent the five houses, numbered 1-5 from left to right and the rows represent the nationalities, cigarette brands, pets, favorite drinks and house colors. Start with the most direct clues and incrementally reach the solution by using one clue at a time. Once you reach the solution, reflect on how you did it. What algorithm did you use? How did you represent the data? And finally, how would you program a computer (using R specifically) to solve this puzzle? This is when the real fun begins...
A mathematical approach
Like I said, there are various code implementations in various programming languages that you can find on the Internet. On the rosetta.org site (listed in the References section), there's even an R solution using an R-package called "combinat", which I confess I'm not familiar with but I assume it's similar to the Python "constraints" module. In this post I'll take a different approach (using linear programming), but first, let's lay down the basic strategy for solving this puzzle computationally.
If you tried to solve the puzzle by hand using a 5x5 table like the one I suggested, you may have probably considered the blank table cells as the problem variables, to be filled by a specific drink, nationality or other characteristic. If we are to solve this puzzle by coding it, we should take another approach: we should consider instead the 25 characteristics (brands of cigarettes, nationalities, house colors and so on) as the variables, each variable assuming an integer value between 1 and 5 representing the number of the house where that specific item is located. Doing so brings our puzzle within the realm of mathematics.
Without any restrictions, we simply assign to each of the 25 variables a number between 1 and 5. There are \(5^{25}\approx 2.98\cdot 10^{17}\) possible ways of doing so. If we next assume that there are no two houses with occupants of the same nationality, pets, brands of cigarettes, etc., then we narrow the solution space down to \((5!)^5=24,883,200,000\) possible cases, which is still a considerable number of cases. Each of the puzzle's clues is really an additional constraint and together, these constraints reduce the possibilities to a single definitive solution.
So once we have defined our 25 variables identifying them according to the specific item they represent, such as Horse, Norwegian, Tea, Red, and so on, how do we mathematically represent the constraints? Consider the first clue for example: the Englishman lives in the red house. This can be represented mathematically as \(English=Red\). Clues like "the occupant of the middle house (third house) drinks milk" can be expressed as \(Milk=3\). If the white house is to the right of the green house, we could simply write this as \(White=Green + 1\). If the Norwegian lives in the first house, we represent this by \(Norwegian=1\). The "x is next to y"-type clues are a bit trickier though.
What does "x is next to y" or "x and y are neighbors" mean? It simply means that their house numbers differ by one. So, for example, "the Norwegian lives next to the blue house" could be expressed mathematically as \(|Norwegian-Blue|=1\), which in turn means that either \(Norwegian-Blue=1\) or \(Blue-Norwegian=1\). Finally, since we require all variables to be bounded between 1 and 5, we could impose these constraints as inequalities: \(Red\geq 1\) and \(Red\leq 5\), for all 25 variables. All in all, what I mean to show you is that all constraints can be expressed as a system of equations and inequalities. More specifically, these equations and inequalities are all linear.
This is where linear programming comes in to the picture. In linear programming, we attempt to maximize or minimize an objective (linear) function, usually representing a cost as a function of the decision variables, when we impose constraints as a system of linear inequalities like \(Ax\leq b\) or \(Ax\geq b\). In linear programming, \(A_{n\times m}\) is a matrix of coefficients whose m columns represent the m decision variables and the n rows represent the n constraints as inequalities. On the right-hand side, b is a vector whose n components represent the right-hand side of each constraint inequality.
To give an idea about what a linear programming problem looks like, I'll use the following example from Taha (1982): A paint factory that produces interior and exterior paints uses two types of raw materials (A and B). The maximum availability of A is 6 tons per day, whereas for B it is 8 tons per day. To produce 1 ton of exterior paint, they require 1 ton of raw material A and 2 tons of raw material B, whereas for 1 ton of interior paint, they require 2 tons of A and 1 ton of B. Market surveys indicate that the daily demand for interior paint cannot exceed that of exterior paint by more than 1 ton. The survey also indicates that the maximum demand for interior paint is limited to 2 tons daily. Furthermore, the wholesale price per ton of interior paint is $ 2000 and for exterior paint it is $ 3000. How much interior and exterior paint should the factory produce to maximize gross income?
In the example problem given, it is clear that our two decision variables are \(X_I\) and \(X_E\) representing the daily production (in tons) of interior and exterior paint respectively. Then we could express the usage restrictions on the usage of raw materials and maximum raw material availability as follows:
\[\begin{align*} X_E + 2X_I &\leq 6 \quad \text{(raw material A)}\\ 2X_E + X_I &\leq 8 \quad \text{(raw material B)} \end{align*}\]
The demand restrictions (according to the market surveys), could be expressed as
\[\begin{align*} -X_E + X_I &\leq 1 \quad & \text{(the demand for interior paint cannot exceed}\\ {} & {}\qquad & \text{that of exterior paint by more than 1)}\\ X_I &\leq 2 \quad & \text{(the daily demand for interior paint is less than 2)} \end{align*}\]
And then of course there are the standard non-negativity restrictions on the decision variables that are tacitly assumed in any linear program: \(X_E, X_I \geq 0\). We want to maximize the gross income, and this income is given by \(z=3000X_E+2000X_I\), which is a linear function on the decision variables. All in all, our linear program would be:
Maximize \(z(X)=Z\cdot X\), subject to \(AX\leq B\), where \(X=(X_E,X_I)\), \(Z=(3000,2000)^T\), \(B=(6,8,1,2)^T\), and \(A\) is the following matrix of coefficients:
\[A=\left(\begin{array}{cc} 1 & 2\\ 2 & 1\\ -1 & 1\\ 0 & 1\\ \end{array}\right)\]
With \(X_E, X_I\geq 0\). Alternatively, in non-matrix form, our problem would be to maximize \(z=3000X_E+2000X_i\) subject to the following restrictions:
\[\begin{align*} 1X_E + 2X_I &\leq 6\\ 2X_E + 1X_I &\leq 8\\ -1X_E + 1X_I &\leq 1\\ 0X_E + 1X_I &\leq 2 \end{align*}\]
Again, subject to the non-negativity restrictions on \(X_E\) and \(X_I\).
The lpSolve package
2. So, to continue with the example problem we defined above, the R code for solving it would be as follows:
It is not my intention in this post to give a thorough explanation of how the simplex algorithm used in linear programming works, nor delve into the principle of duality in linear programs. My intention is a more pragmatic and modest one- to show how to use one of the R packages dedicated to linear programming to solve such problems. Of course, knowing the inner workings of the mathematical tools could be useful in some cases, but in most real-life scenarios, it suffices to be able to identify the tool needed, to set up the problem in terms of the inputs that the tool requires, and to be able to assess and interpret the output. Specifically, we will make use of the "lpSolve" R package, which is an R wrapper to the lp_solve version 5.5 functions freely available under the LGPL 2 software license. So, to continue with the example problem we defined above, the R code for solving it would be as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 library (lpSolve) z <- c ( 3000 , 2000 ) B <- c ( 6 , 8 , 1 , 2 ) A <- matrix ( c ( 1 , 2 , 2 , 1 ,- 1 , 1 , 0 , 1 ), ncol= 2 , byrow= TRUE ) colnames (A) <- c ( "X_E" , "X_I" ) dir <- rep ( "<=" , 4 ) (result <- lp ( "max" , z, A, dir, B)) result$solution
Success: the objective function is 12666.67
[1] 3.333333 1.333333
In the code above, we obtained a maximum gross income of $12666.67 with 3.33 tons of exterior paint (\(X_E\)) and 1.33 tons of interior paint (\(X_I\)). In line 4 we define the constraints matrix A . In the next line, we give names to the columns that correspond to the decision variables. This is not necessary, but the user must be aware that the solution vector will be given in terms of these variables in the order that they appear on the constraints matrix. Notice that the lp function call in line 7 requires we specify whether we want a maximum or minimum for the objective function, in this case given by the vector z defined in line 2. A neat feature of the lp function is that for each constraint row of the constraints matrix, we can specify a direction for the inequality as "<=" , "=" or ">=" , so not all restriction inequalities have to be of the same type.
Granted, our zebra puzzle is quite more complicated than this example problem. It involves at least 25 decision variables (the 5 nationalities, 5 pets, 5 colors, 5 cigarette brands and 5 drinks). But having seen how we mathematically expressed some of the restriction clues, it is clear that they all involve inequalities or equalities, which suits us fine because the lp function in lpSolve can handle any of those three types of restrictions for each constraint separately.
An important point to consider though, is that we are only interested in integer solutions for the decision variables. Although classic linear programming is intended to solve for real solutions on the decision variables, there are variants of the linear programming method, called integer linear programming, which restrict the solutions to integer values. Fortunately, lp can handle these cases and even the more restricted cases where the decision variable is binary (either 0 or 1). As we shall see, it is very easy to indicate which variables we want to be real, integer, or binary. So on that aspect of our zebra problem requiring that our variables be restricted to integer values (1,2,3,4 or 5) indicating the house where each item is, we have nothing to worry about.
Not so fast, cowboy
It would seem like just by invoking the lpSolve library, our zebra problem has been solved. But it isn't. For one thing, how can we efficiently and most simply represent the 25 decision variables and build the constraints matrix? Do we have to build this matrix manually, perhaps using a spreadsheet program and reading it in as a csv file from R? Instead of doing that, I decided to use a neat feature of R which allows me to index elements of a vector by using character-string names instead of integer numbers. Such vectors are called named vectors. So what I will do is first define a character vector with all the variable names. For each row in the restriction matrix, I will start with a numeric vector of 25 elements all set to 0 and name that vector with the variable names I defined previously. If I want to set a particular element of that constraint row to a certain value, I just simply index it by the variable name instead of using a number. To keep things simple as I show you how to do this, we will pretend that we only have four decision variables: "W","X","Y" and "Z".
To begin with, how would we define the constraint "X is in house 3"? As we have previously seen, that is tantamount to \(X=3\), so our constraint matrix row would be defined in R as follows:
variable_names <- c ( "W" , "X" , "Y" , "Z" ) row1 <- rep ( 0 , 4 ) names (row1) <- variable_names row1[ "X" ] <- 1 row1
W X Y Z 0 1 0 0
The named vector row1 contains the coefficients for the constraint. The direction of that constraint would be "=" , and the corresponding element of the right-hand side vector of the (in this case) equality would be 3. Now say we want to indicate that "W and Z are in the same house". That would be equivalent to stating that \(W=Z\) or \(W-Z=0\). In that case we would add a second row to are constraint matrix as follows:
row2 <- rep ( 0 , 4 ) names (row2) <- variable_names row2[ "W" ] <- 1 row2[ "Z" ] <- - 1 row2
W X Y Z 1 0 0 -1
As in the previous case of row1 , the direction (sign) of that constraint would again be "=" and the corresponding right-hand side value would be 0, since we want \(W-X=0\). You may be thinking that perhaps this is a complicated way to do this, but consider that with 25 variables per linear constraint where most of the coefficients are zero, it makes a lot of sense to set the coefficients only of one or two variables we are dealing with. In effect, we are seeing that the constraints matrix will be a sparse matrix (mostly filled with zeros). Constraints like "W is to the right of Y" are mathematically expressed as \(W-Y=1\) and it wouldn't be too hard to see how that constraint row would be defined in R.
Now when we come to a constraint like "X and Y are next to each other", that means that they differ by 1: \(|X-Y|\leq 1\). This absolute-value inequality results in two simultaneous inequalities: \(X-Y \leq 1\) and \(Y-X\leq 1\). These two inequalities can be easily represented as constraint rows in R as we have seen. The catch is that \(-1\leq X-Y \leq 1\) does not exclude the possibility that \(X-Y=0\), that is, that X and Y be equal. However if "X and Y are next to each other, they cannot occupy the same house, so to the \(|X-Y|\leq 1\) constraint we need to add \(X-Y
eq 0\). The problem is, how do we add a strict inequality constraint to a linear program when our only "direction" operators are "<=" , "=" and ">=" ?
We want X and Y to be different (not equal), and since X and Y are limited to integer values, this is equivalent to stating that \(|X-Y|\geq 1\), which in turn means that either \(X-Y\geq 1\) or \(Y-X\leq -1\). However, we cannot have an "either/or" disjunction condition in a linear program, since all the conditions must be met simultaneously (through the "and" conjunction). We could use de Morgan's laws and state that transform these statements as I show below, , but we would just be going around in circles.
\[\begin{align*} X-Y\geq 1\;&\vee\;X-Y\leq -1 \equiv\\
eg (X-Y\lt 1\;&\wedge\;X-Y\gt -1) \equiv\\ X-Y&
eq 0 \end{align*}\]
3 that one can use to incorporate constraints like \(|X-Y|\geq 1\) into a linear program. To generalize as much as possible in what follows, we will assume that \(X=a_1X_1 + \ldots + a_mX_m\) is a linear expression on the decision variables. We want to be able to express \(|X|\geq min\) as a valid linear programming constraint. The trick is to introduce an additional binary decision variable \(B\) that can only assume two values: 0 or 1.
Fortunately, there's a "trick" that I discovered on the lp_solve reference guide web-pagethat one can use to incorporate constraints like \(|X-Y|\geq 1\) into a linear program. To generalize as much as possible in what follows, we will assume that \(X=a_1X_1 + \ldots + a_mX_m\) is a linear expression on the decision variables. We want to be able to express \(|X|\geq min\) as a valid linear programming constraint. The trick is to introduce an additional binary decision variable \(B\) that can only assume two values: 0 or 1.
\[\begin{align*} X+M\cdot B &\geq min\qquad (1) \\ -X+M(1-B) &\geq min \end{align*}\]
In the above, \(M\) is simply a big, positive constant. How big does it have to be is something we will discover shortly. For now, bear with me and let's see what happens if \(B=0\). In that case, the inequalities in (1) become:
\[\begin{align*} X&\geq min \qquad (1a)\\ -X+M &\geq min \end{align*}\]
In this case (\(B=0\)), \(X\geq min\) and since we are assuming that M is a large enough constant, the second condition will always be fulfilled. If \(B=1\), then (1) is changed to the following:
\[\begin{align*} X+M&\geq min \qquad (1b)\\ -X&\geq min \end{align*}\]
In that case (\(B=1\)), the condition \(-X \geq min\) must hold, which can only mean that \(-X\) is positive (X was negative). The first condition in (1b) automatically holds because we have been assuming that M is large enough anyways. So how large is "large enough"? Well, from either (1a) or (1b), we can see that \(M\geq min+|X|\). While we could in theory use a really large value for M like \(1\cdot 10^{20}\), it is not advisable to do so because that would create numerical instabilities with our linear program solver.
If we can somehow put an upper bound to \(|X|\) in our problem, then we can find a feasible value for M. In our zebra puzzle, say we have two variables like "Norwegian" and "Blue" and we want to express that these have different values \(|Norwegian-Blue|\geq 1\). By looking at the expression within the absolute value brackets \(Norwegian-Blue\), we would have to see how large the difference can become. Since all decision variables in our problem are within the 1-5 range, we can see that this difference, in absolute value, cannot be larger than 4. So that means that any value of M larger than \(4+1=5\) will suffice. In my R solution, I'll be using a value of 20 for M. At any rate, a "x not equal to y constraint" implies using one additional binary decision variable and two additional constraint rows, as shown in (1), in the linear program. Now we are ready to tackle the zebra puzzle in R, so without further ado, here's the script.
And finally, the R solution
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 #define the variables, each assuming integer values between 1 and 5 nationalities <- c ( "Dane" , "English" , "German" , "Norwegian" , "Sweede" ) drinks <- c ( "Beer" , "Coffee" , "Milk" , "Tea" , "Water" ) smokes <- c ( "Blend" , "Bluemaster" , "Dunhill" , "Pallmall" , "Prince" ) pets <- c ( "Bird" , "Cat" , "Dog" , "Horse" , "Zebra" ) house_color <- c ( "Blue" , "Green" , "Red" , "White" , "Yellow" ) variable_names <- c (nationalities,drinks,smokes,pets,house_color) #add binary variables for defining inequalities: #4 for the problem constraints #50 for requiring that the variables within each group #(colors, nationalities, pets, etc.) have to be different variable_names <- c (variable_names, sprintf ( "B%02d" , 1 : 54 )) #define maximum bound for inequalities M <- 20 #define Binary variable counter b_counter <- 1 #define blank constraints, dir and rhs constraints <- NULL dir <- character ( 0 ) rhs <- numeric ( 0 ) #functions for defining constraints x_is_y <- function(x,y) { #x and y are in the same house new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 new_row[y] <- - 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) row.names (constraints) <<- NULL dir <<- c (dir, "=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 0 ) } x_is_in_n <- function(x,n) { #x is in house number n new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) row.names (constraints) <<- NULL dir <<- c (dir, "=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs,n) } x_to_left_of_y <- function(x,y) { #x is on the house to the right of y new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 new_row[y] <- - 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) row.names (constraints) <<- NULL dir <<- c (dir, "=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs,- 1 ) } x_is_not_y <- function(x,y) { #function that defines x and y as not equal #1st inequality constraint new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names B_variable <- sprintf ( "B%02d" ,b_counter) new_row[x] <- 1 new_row[y] <- - 1 new_row[B_variable] <- M constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, ">=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 1 ) #2nd inequality constraint new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- - 1 new_row[y] <- 1 new_row[B_variable] <- -M constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, ">=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 1 -M) row.names (constraints) <<- NULL b_counter <<- b_counter +1 } x_is_next_to_y <- function(x,y) { #x is next to y (x and y are neighbors) new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 new_row[y] <- - 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, "<=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 1 ) #2nd neighboring constraint row new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- - 1 new_row[y] <- 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, "<=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 1 ) #now define inequality constraints x_is_not_y (x,y) } inequality_within_group <- function(var_group) { #function that defines all variables within a group #to be different from each other. #first obtain all possible pair of group variable combinations group_combinations <- t ( combn (var_group, 2 )) #now loop through this table, adding constraints for (i in 1 : nrow (group_combinations)) { x_is_not_y (group_combinations[i, 1 ],group_combinations[i, 2 ]) } } variable_bounds <- function(x) { #function that creates constraints for bounds of #problem variable (must be in 1-5 range) new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, ">=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 1 ) new_row <- numeric ( length (variable_names)) names (new_row) <- variable_names new_row[x] <- 1 constraints <<- rbind (constraints,new_row) dir <<- c (dir, "<=" ) rhs <<- c (rhs, 5 ) row.names (constraints) <<- NULL } #Now define constraints in Prolog fashion x_is_y ( "English" , "Red" ) x_is_y ( "Sweede" , "Dog" ) x_is_y ( "Dane" , "Tea" ) x_is_y ( "Coffee" , "Green" ) x_is_y ( "Dunhill" , "Yellow" ) x_is_y ( "Pallmall" , "Bird" ) x_is_y ( "German" , "Prince" ) x_is_y ( "Bluemaster" , "Beer" ) x_to_left_of_y ( "White" , "Green" ) x_is_next_to_y ( "Blend" , "Cat" ) x_is_next_to_y ( "Dunhill" , "Horse" ) x_is_next_to_y ( "Blend" , "Water" ) x_is_next_to_y ( "Norwegian" , "Blue" ) x_is_in_n ( "Milk" , 3 ) x_is_in_n ( "Norwegian" , 1 ) inequality_within_group (nationalities) inequality_within_group (drinks) inequality_within_group (smokes) inequality_within_group (pets) inequality_within_group (house_color) for (v in variable_names[ 1 : 25 ]) variable_bounds (v) #Finally invoke the lp solve to solve the linear program #and output results library (lpSolve) obj <- rep ( 0 , 79 ) result <- lp ( "max" , obj, constraints, dir, rhs, int.vec= 1 : 25 , binary.vec= 26 : 79 ) result <- result$solution[ 1 : 25 ] result_table <- NULL for (i in 1 : 5 ) { result_table <- cbind (result_table, variable_names[ which (result==i)]) } colnames (result_table) <- paste ( "House" , 1 : 5 ) row.names (result_table) <- c ( "Nationality" , "Drinks" , "Smokes" , "Pet" , "House color" ) result_table
House 1 House 2 House 3 House 4 House 5 Nationality "Norwegian" "Dane" "English" "Sweede" "German" Drinks "Water" "Tea" "Milk" "Beer" "Coffee" Smokes "Dunhill" "Blend" "Pallmall" "Bluemaster" "Prince" Pet "Cat" "Horse" "Bird" "Dog" "Zebra" House color "Yellow" "Blue" "Red" "White" "Green"
So the zebra is in house number 5 (green colored), where the Coffee drinking, Prince smoking German guy lives.
Notes
There is a thorough list of coding implementations (with source code in various languages) of the Zebra Puzzle at the rosettacode.org site (see WILLNESS et al).
See BERKELAAR (2015).
See BERKELAAR (2010).
Bibliography
lp_solve 5.5 reference guide: Absolute values . http://lpsolve.sourceforge.net/5.5/asolute.htm. BERKELAAR, M. et al. (2010).
Interface to 'Lp_solve' v. 5.5 to Solve Linear/Integer Programs . R package "lpSolve". BERKELAAR, M. et al. (2015).. R package "lpSolve". http://cran.r-project.org/
GOH, J. (2007) The Zebra eye [Digital visualization]. Retrieved from http://fav.me/d11cbfy
R DEVELOPMENT CORE TEAM (2009). R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. ISBN 3-900051-07-0. http://www.R-project.org
TAHA, H. (1982). Operations Research - An Introduction. 3rd Edition. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co.
WILLNESS et al. (2011). Zebra Puzzle. https://rosettacode.org/wiki/Zebra_puzzle
Zebra Puzzle. (2016, August 18). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:01, October 1, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zebra_Puzzle&oldid=735058353 | {
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We’ve all heard about — and many of us have experienced — unexpected charges showing up on phone bills. But what about fees siphoned from your bank account? What about those fees being taken by an affiliate of your bank?
And what can you do when your bank won’t help because it claims you gave “phone authorization” for something like accidental death insurance, even though you never signed any paperwork?
That’s the situation Sumati Rao, 62, of Rancho Palos Verdes found herself in after discovering she’d been charged $20 a month for about two years for accidental death coverage provided by a company called Level AD Insurance.
Her bank, Bank of America, said it would investigate the matter. It determined that because Rao gave phone authorization for the coverage, the charges would stand.
“I never authorized anything,” Rao told me. “I have never spoken to this insurance company. I have never signed anything.”
What happened to her serves as a cautionary tale for others who find themselves similarly on the financial hook for a service they may not have signed up for. You need to know your rights — and be able to recognize when a fast one is being pulled.
In Rao’s case, it was her more financially savvy sister, Gauri, who spotted the insurance charges. She helped sign up her sister for online banking in May to eliminate a monthly checking fee imposed by BofA.
“I saw that there was $20 being taken out every month,” said Gauri Rao, 56. “It had been going on since 2009.”
The sisters immediately contacted BofA and asked what was happening. The bank said it would investigate and, if things were amiss, would refund at least a portion of the approximately $500 that had been withdrawn by Level AD.
They got their answer the other day. BofA said in a letter that it had contacted the insurer’s bank, and the bank “informed us that the merchant has proof that you authorized the charges.”
Now think about that for a sec: BofA said it never contacted Level AD. It contacted Level AD’s bank (which presumably was not BofA). And the bank said that Level AD says it has proof that the insurance charges were on the up and up.
And that, apparently, was good enough for BofA. “We are denying your claim,” the bank told the Raos. It said that if they wanted to pursue this further, they’d have to contact Level AD themselves.
The Raos did just that, and got nowhere.
“They said they had a phone authorization for the charges,” Gauri Rao said. “They said they would not refund anything.”
So the sisters contacted me. The first thing I found was that the Internet is dripping with identical complaints about Level AD imposing charges on BofA accounts that customers say they neither authorized nor recognized.
The next thing I discovered was that Level AD doesn’t pass the smell test. It also does business as SmartStep Insurance, but that’s not its real name either. The company is actually called Intersections Insurance Services, based in Arlington Heights, Ill.
According to the Illinois secretary of state’s office, Intersections Insurance Services did business until a few years ago as Chartered Marketing Services, and before that as Chartered Benefit Services.
It’s also passed itself off as Mortgage Insurance Services, Advantage Care, Financial Insider Network, Preferred Home Network, Chartered Customer Access and — my favorite for sheer chutzpah — the Illinois Lending Commission.
No one at Intersections returned calls for comment. In fact, good luck to any customer trying to reach someone at the head office: The company has one of those phone systems that won’t let you get anywhere near a human being.
But I eventually managed to get through to an Intersections service rep, who confirmed that the company is also Level AD and SmartStep. She said Intersections is an affiliate of BofA, handling insurance products for bank customers.
Betty Riess, a BofA spokeswoman, said that’s not exactly accurate. She said Intersections had been authorized to market accidental death insurance to BofA customers, but the bank ended the marketing relationship in May 2010.
Riess declined to say why BofA parted ways with Intersections. But she acknowledged that the two companies are still affiliated because Intersections continues to service policies sold to BofA customers.
People would indeed receive offers for insurance over the phone, Riess said. Then they’d receive a “welcome kit” in the mail. In the kit they’d be informed that they had 30 days in which to opt out of the insurance policy. Otherwise, deductions automatically would be made from their BofA account.
Riess said the bank looked into Sumati Rao’s situation and determined that she had indeed given authorization by phone for accidental death insurance. Rao, whose primary language is not English, told me she had no recollection of this happening.
She said something may have arrived in the mail about the insurance plan, but neither she nor her sister, who assists with most financial matters, saw a notice requiring an opt-out within 30 days.
There are a number of issues that arise here. First, it’s remarkable that a product as sophisticated as accidental death insurance can be sold on the basis of a telephone handshake.
Moreover, because a bank has a marketing relationship with an insurer, payments can be automatically withdrawn from one’s checking account without your having to provide an account number, thus making it much easier for people to end up paying for something they never intended to buy.
Finally, no signature is apparently required to seal the deal. If you don’t opt out from the insurance coverage, the default setting is that you must want it. That’s neither a fair nor a realistic standard for a business transaction.
At the very least, BofA should do the stand-up thing for a customer and refund Rao’s money. Judging from the volume of complaints online about Intersections Insurance Services, the bank can hardly be in the dark about its former partner’s business practices.
Beyond that, Rao and all other consumers shouldn’t hesitate to assert their rights. The Federal Trade Commission requires telemarketers to disclose clearly all costs and conditions prior to a sale. They also must disclose whether they have a no-refund policy.
It’s also wise to delve into the privacy policy of any company you do business with. By law, companies are required to let you say “no thanks” to unwanted marketing pitches, including a company’s affiliates. But make sure to read the fine print carefully.
Rao insists she never intended to sign up for accidental death insurance. All things considered, BofA should take her word for it.
David Lazarus’ column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5. Send your tips or feedback to [email protected]. | {
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Photo: Olly Curtis/Future Publishing via Getty Images
There’s a pretty strong correlation between male game players’ sexist remarks towards female game players and how bad those men are at playing games, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS One last week, which also sheds some light on the behaviours and attitudes of men that act anonymously online.
Jeffrey Kuznekoff and Michael Kasumovic — researchers from Miami University and University of New South Wales, respectively — watched how male players treated female players during 163 sessions of “Halo 3,” a popular Xbox 360 first-person shooter game that debuted in 2007. The game has an online multiplayer mode that enables actual human beings to speak with each other live, in real-time.
According to researchers, players only spoke in 102 of the 163 total matches, but in those games, “a total of 189 players spoke…all of them were male. This is not to say that women did not play, just that they did not speak.”
Unbeknownst to the players, the researchers had connected an audio playback device to their Xbox controllers, which allowed them to “broadcast pre-recorded audio clips to other players as if they were speaking to each other through the real-time voice channel.”
Lauren Fievet/Getty Images Female gamers playing games on Xbox Live.
There were three experimental “manipulations”: a control, where matches were played as normal, as well as male and female manipulations, where the researchers broadcast pre-recorded phrases made by male and female voices to the players over the real-time voice channel on Xbox Live.
“These prerecorded phrases were identical in the male and female condition, harmless in nature, and designed to be inoffensive,” the researchers said. “Phrases included: ‘I like this map’, ‘nice shot there,’ ‘I had fun playing that game,’ ‘I think I just saw a couple of them heading this way,’ and ‘that was a good game everyone.'”
You could probably guess what the researchers concluded. Here it is, from the discussion in their paper:
We found that skill determined the frequency of positive and negative statements spoken towards both male- and female-voiced teammates. In addition, poorer performance (fewer kills and more deaths) resulted in more negative statements specifically in the female-voiced manipulation. We thus argue that our results best support an evolutionary explanation of female-directed aggression. Low-status males that have the most to lose due to a hierarchical reconfiguration are responding to the threat female competitors pose. High-status males with the least to fear were more positive, suggesting they were switching to a supportive, and potentially, mate attraction role.
What’s perhaps most interesting about this experiment is that the study’s conclusions could be applied to other settings where online users are allowed to act and say things anonymously — like Twitter, or Reddit. Here’s more from the study:
Our results support an evolutionary argument for why low-status, low-performing males are hostile towards female competitors. Dominance is tightly linked to fitness in men…Low-status and low-performing males have the most to lose as a consequence of the hierarchical reconfiguration due to the entry of a competitive woman. As men often rely on aggression to maintain their dominant social status, the increase in hostility towards a woman by lower-status males may be an attempt to disregard a female’s performance and suppress her disturbance on the hierarchy to retain their social rank. This idea is reinforced by the fact that higher-skilled males that should not feel threatened by a female increased their number of positive comments.
While the researchers note it is novel for male players in their data set to play with females in a male-dominated shooter game like “Halo 3,” they still hope it could show some young male players — and perhaps male online users, too — that “losing to the opposite sex is not socially debilitating.”
The whole study can be found here; it’s really an interesting read. We first saw this study mentioned on The Washington Post.
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Sick of losing at paintball? Need a novel way to deter trespassers? Enjoy making cool projects? This Arduino powered sentry gun tracks, shoots and aims entirely autonomously! A computer interprets the video feed from a webcam and sends control signals to an Arduino, which interfaces between the computer, and the servo motors that aim the robot. The project runs on free, open source software and is very well documented.
Furthermore, if you would rather build a Nerf sentry gun this project is entirely adaptable. If you aren’t impressed enough already, the system developed in this project is even used during Australian Navy training! With some effort there is no reason why you couldn’t be added to the long list of people who have successfully completed their own sentry guns. To get started on this impressive project check out the Project Sentry Gun website.
If you are thinking about making your own sentry gun, but don’t know where to get started with Arduino, our Experimenter’s Kit is a great way to learn the basics.
The kit is comprised of a wide range of parts including a servo, sensors, lights, buttons, a sound module and more. Importantly, a Freetronics Eleven Arduino-compatible board is included to ensure that the kit contains everything you need to get started with Arduino. All these great parts would be useless without some form of instructions which is why we have developed a comprehensive project and instruction booklet to get you started. Check out the product page to find out more.
Considering making your own sentry? Already have a victim in mind? Let us know in the comments section below or on Facebook and Twitter. | {
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Before we get started, I want to congratulate Turner for finding a way to screw up the most idiot-proof show in sports. There is literally only one reason anyone watches the NCAA tournament selection show, and that is to know what the bracket looks like as soon as possible. We don’t need to see Seth Davis pulling a thousand upset picks out of his ass in the hope that he gets one right. We don’t need a 10-second broadcast delay as various teams appear on screen and watch themselves … uh … watching themselves. We don’t need Greg Gumbel’s jokes about packs of wolves or Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith filling out their bracket with question marks. And we sure as shit don’t need to have the thing take place in a damn airplane hangar just to accommodate two decks of seating for the group of actors Turner tried to pass off as a live studio audience.
Here’s my pitch to Turner: Take all of the money you usually spend on the selection show, give half of it to charity, and give the rest to me. I will then produce the entire show myself. I’ll play elevator music in the background as the teams are unveiled one by one at their respective spots in the bracket. There will be no audience or on-camera personalities in the studio. Hell, there won’t even be a studio at all. We’ll just unveil the bracket, cut to a prerecorded video of Red Panda doing her act, and call it a day after 30 minutes. It will get monster ratings and be the most beloved show to ever air on any of the Turner networks. And it will result in a ton of money going to charity while also making me rich. Boom. Why this hasn’t happened yet is almost as big of a mystery as the ninth-place team in the Pac-12 making the NCAA tournament over the team that finished second in the conference.
Speaking of which, I suppose we should dive into the actual bracket, region by region. The NCAA tournament is here!
South
Team that got screwed: Kentucky. Kentucky’s path to the Final Four might have to go through Davidson, Arizona, Virginia, and Cincinnati. Davidson is red hot and would be everyone’s 12-over-5 upset special if the Atlantic 10 champion were playing any no. 5 seed other than Kentucky. Arizona has the best player in college basketball and the projected no. 1 NBA draft pick in Deandre Ayton. Virginia has the best team in college basketball and one of the great defenses in the history of the sport. And Cincinnati has the second-best defense in the country and won 30 games while playing in a (kind of) major conference. For John Calipari’s guys to get to San Antonio, they’d have to survive one hell of a gantlet.
Team that got a cakewalk: Cincinnati. I don’t actually think any team has a cakewalk in the NCAA tournament, given that every year serves a reminder that low-seeded teams are capable of beating higher-seeded opponents. But I’m of the belief that the three best teams in this region besides Cincinnati are Virginia, Arizona, and Kentucky. That’s great news for the Bearcats, because their road to the Final Four would, at most, have to go through only one of those teams.
Most enticing potential story line: Tony Bennett vs. Sean Miller in the Sweet 16. The two best active head coaches to have never made a Final Four find themselves in the same region, and each has a sense of urgency. The time has to be now for Bennett, both because he has the best team he’s ever coached and the best team in the country and because there aren’t any insurmountable juggernauts in the field for Virginia to worry about. Meanwhile, the time has to be now for Miller because … um … let’s just say that there have been some developments within the University of Arizona’s basketball program over the past six months.
Most enticing potential second-round matchup: Arizona vs. Kentucky. When they’re playing at their absolute best, both of these teams are among the five most dangerous in college basketball. That feels important to note, because both are playing close to their best heading into the tournament. Kentucky is coming off an SEC tournament title and has lost only once since its season was saved by a players-only meeting following a four-game losing streak last month. Meanwhile, Arizona hasn’t lost since Miller sat down at a press conference in his power polo and all but threw up two middle fingers at a certain ESPN reporter who hasn’t tweeted since. In an alternate universe where Miller and Calipari were able to squeeze every ounce of talent out of their teams, this would be the national championship. In this reality, though, at least one of these teams won’t even reach the Sweet 16.
Joke that will be beaten to death by your corny friend: Kentucky plays Davidson in the first round, will likely play Arizona in the second round, and could theoretically play Kansas State in the Sweet 16, which means the stars are aligning for the guy who likes to pull the “I’m taking the Wildcats to win this one!” move to have the greatest stretch of his life.
East
Team that got screwed: West Virginia. The Mountaineers went just 9-9 after opening the season 15-1, so don’t think I’m arguing that West Virginia deserved better. I just think it’s wild how two months ago the Mountaineers were the no. 2 team in the AP poll and now they are a no. 5 seed that has to fly almost 2,500 miles to play a 26-5 Murray State squad that’s riding a 13-game winning streak into the first round.
Team that got a cakewalk: Villanova. As we’ll get to in a second, the Wildcats’ second-round game scares me more than any other no. 1 seed’s potential matchup with a no. 8 or no. 9 seed. But that’s the only part of Villanova’s draw that catches my eye. Of all the regions, the East’s crop of no. 2 through no. 7 seeds is the worst. And on top of that, the Wildcats’ path to the Final Four goes through Pittsburgh and Boston, two cities that are each about a five-hour drive from Villanova’s campus.
Most enticing potential story line: Is Collin Sexton the next Kemba Walker? It’s a March tradition unlike any other: I desperately try to find a Kemba candidate in the NCAA tournament field. I’ll admit that it’s highly unlikely that Sexton will pull off a Kemba-type run, if for no other reason than, well, Kemba-type runs are incredibly unlikely. Still, Sexton’s first two SEC tournament games last week—when he dropped 27 points and hit the game-winning finger roll against Texas A&M, then hung 31 points on SEC regular-season champion Auburn—unquestionably fit the mold. Alabama plays great team defense and boasts an absolute stud of a guard who oozes confidence and can single-handedly carry an offense. That’s enough for me.
Most enticing potential second-round matchup: Villanova vs. Alabama. Take everything I just wrote about Sexton and Alabama, add the most electrifying offense in college basketball, put a Sweet 16 berth on the line, and tell me you wouldn’t be glued to your TV.
Game that absolutely must happen: Villanova vs. Purdue. The two best offenses in college basketball could meet in the Elite Eight. I’m not sure anything else needs to be said. If both this game and the hypothetical Virginia-Cincinnati Elite Eight matchup (which would feature the two best defenses in the country) come to fruition, there’s nothing in the world I would want more than for CBS to broadcast the games back-to-back on the same night. Can you imagine a four-hour block of television featuring a more drastic stylistic pivot than one that goes from Villanova-Purdue to Virginia-Cincinnati? If you thought Get Hard serving as TBS’s lead-in for the selection show made for a weird viewing experience, I can assure you that this would be even more jarring.
West
Team that got screwed: Ohio State. The Buckeyes played Gonzaga in Portland earlier this season. It did not go well. Now, if Ohio State can get past South Dakota State on Thursday, it will almost certainly face the Bulldogs again. Only this time, instead of playing 350 miles from Gonzaga’s campus in Portland, the game would be played 370 miles from Gonzaga’s campus in Boise, Idaho. So that’s fun.
Team that got a cakewalk: North Carolina. Xavier is the worst no. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. North Carolina already whipped no. 3 seed Michigan and no. 5 seed Ohio State this season. If I were a Tar Heels fan, the only team in the West region that I’d be even kind of worried about is Gonzaga, and that’s mostly because Carolina would have to play the Zags in Los Angeles. The truth is that UNC might as well start packing its bags for San Antonio now. There is absolutely nothing that could possibly go wrong.
Most enticing potential story line: any rematch from last year’s tournament. A Sweet 16 rematch of last year’s Elite Eight game between Gonzaga and Xavier would be juicy. An Elite Eight rematch of last year’s national title game between North Carolina and Gonzaga would be [insert eggplant emoji here] [insert water emoji here].
Most enticing potential second-round matchup: Xavier vs. Missouri. Michael Porter Jr.’s return to Missouri’s lineup in the SEC tournament was underwhelming, to say the least. But if you think for one second that I’m not buying into the idea that Porter was just working out the kinks and will be ready to rock once the NCAA tournament starts, you have no idea how much of a sucker I am.
Player game analysts will act like they know intimately even though they’ve never watched him play: Mike Daum. South Dakota State’s star big man is averaging 23.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He is exactly the type of player that people who get paid to cover college basketball should know all about. Unfortunately, because he plays in a tiny conference for a school located in the middle of nowhere, most of my colleagues know next to nothing about Daum. It’s embarrassing and shameful. I bust my ass to know every team and player in America like the back of my hand, and these lazy sons of bitches besmirch my profession by following only the blueblood teams.
Anyway, here’s what I can tell you about Daum: He’s a really good scorer and a great rebounder. He’s at his best when he gets the ball on offense and then makes a move and scores. Additionally, I think he’s good when a shot goes up and he runs to the basket and grabs a rebound. He uses his size well to score from all sorts of spots on the floor, such as inside the 3-point line. He uses his size to do other things, too, like rebound. And that’s why I think Daum could be special in the tournament.
Midwest
Team that got screwed: Clemson. Clemson went 23-9 and finished tied for third in the ACC regular-season standings. The Tigers were handsomely rewarded for their efforts with a no. 5 seed and a first-round matchup in … San Diego? Against a team from New Mexico? And that same team from New Mexico is 28-5 despite being a no. 12 seed? What the hell did Clemson do to piss off the selection committee?
Team that got a cakewalk: Kansas. The Jayhawks would make stops in Wichita and Omaha on their path to San Antonio, and there isn’t a single team in the top portion of their region that jumps out to me as an obvious problem matchup. In other words, it feels like a no-brainer to pencil in Kansas for an Elite Eight clash with Michigan State or Duke. Unfortunately, we have no historical data to help us make an educated guess as to what would happen to the Jayhawks after that.
Most enticing potential story line: Bobby Hurley vs. Dan Hurley in the Sweet 16. I’m always in favor of NCAA tournament coaching matchups between brothers. There’s just something awesome about the thought of programs’ entire seasons being on the line and two guys who used to give each other wedgies going toe-to-toe. Bobby’s team is hot garbage right now and made the NCAA tournament only because it hit some 3s in a handful of games three months ago, so I don’t expect a Bobby-Dan matchup to happen. Still, it’s fun to dream. Speaking of which …
Oklahoma made the tournament, and now @clubtrillion is hoping for the ultimate NBA draft matchup. With the tourney right around the corner, make sure you are following @oneshiningpod.
Full pod:https://t.co/DUnLTVhsu8 pic.twitter.com/mUWjUTHOEB — The Ringer (@ringer) March 12, 2018
Most enticing potential second-round matchup: Duke vs. Oklahoma. I wouldn’t trust Oklahoma to change a light bulb right now, much less win an NCAA tournament game against Rhode Island. So please, spare me the comments about how Trae Young versus Duke isn’t going to happen. I know. It became clear that the basketball gods hate us when the Sooners weren’t sent to Dayton to play Arizona State in what would have been the most entertaining play-in game of all time. I just need some hope to cling to, OK? If you would’ve told me in December that Young would be one game away from playing Duke in the NCAA tournament, I would have taken a three-hour ice bath to redistribute my blood back to the appropriate places in my body. I owe it to that version of myself from three months ago to keep believing that this matchup is not only still possible, but would also be great if it happened. Just let me have this.
Historic 16-over-1 upset-watch status: YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION. My desire to find a Kemba Walker candidate and see Trae Young take on Duke has nothing on America’s collective desire to see a no. 16 seed upset a no. 1 seed. There have been a handful of close calls through the years, like when UNC-Asheville got jobbed against Syracuse in 2012, but entering this March no. 1 seeds are 132-0 all time in these matchups. This year, our best opportunity seems to be Penn’s first-round game against Kansas, despite what I wrote about the Jayhawks’ outlook earlier.
The Quakers enter the NCAA tournament having won 12 of their last 14 games, while Kansas’s combination of suspect defense plus a heavy reliance on 3-pointers feels like exactly what a 16-over-1 recipe needs. Also, there’s my favorite bit of tourney trivia: Jayhawks coach Bill Self has lost to every NCAA tournament seed in his career except no. 6, no. 12, no. 15, and no. 16. I’m convinced that he’s destined to hit them all, so why not roll with the assumption that no. 16 is happening this week?
I’ll tell you why: I’ve already jinxed a potential Penn upset by talking about it. Dammit. Kansas is going to win by 40. Since there’s not another no. 1 seed in this tournament that’s much better on one end of the floor than the other, I guess we’ll just have to wait until next year. Oh well. | {
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In interviews, Jeannie Gaffigan says she and her husband Jim are not trying to evangelize.
But in a postmodern secularist world, maybe evangelization has to be indirect.
“The Jim Gaffigan Show” starring the comedian and produced by his wife, is about the life of a comedian living in New York with his “Shiite Catholic” wife and five kids. (See it at TV Land or on Hulu. Here’s the pilot.)
In interviews Jim presents his wife, Jeannie, as the brains behind the approach — just as his comedy routines present her as the brains behind the family.
If viewers don’t like this show, Jim told World magazine, “There are only two people to blame, Jim and Jeannie. And it’s Jeannie’s fault.”
Jeannie also seems to be the brains behind their presentation of the faith. She says she is not trying to gain converts.
“We’re just a Catholic family,” she told HNGN. “We don’t go and proselytize to other people. We don’t say, ‘You should be Catholic too.’ We just live our lives and try to keep our family together and go to church and stuff like that. But we don’t judge or try to force our belief system on anybody else.”
The shows are peppered with jokes about Catholicism. In the first episode he Jim wants to avoid sinning because “The Pope will find out and take us off the mailing list.” When he comes to church, the priest is surprised to see him. “I thought you were a widow,” he tells Jim’s wife. In the “Bible Story” episode Jim quips: “Catholics don’t read the Bible. That’s why they give us CliffsNotes on Sunday.”
The self-deprecating, non-confrontational approach is part of their plan to keep critics at bay — and keep a place at the table.
Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan (Buzzfeed)
“One of the things we found successful in our comedy is that we don’t talk about politics, we don’t talk about things that are polarizing because Jim is an observationalist,” she told HNGN.
The Jim Gaffigan Showseems eager to signal to the culture that the Gaffigans are not hostile to it. The first episode is about a vasectomy. It mentions the Church’s teaching against the procedure but doesn’t exactly treat it as the last word. (Spoiler alert: Jim eventually refuses the surgery.) The show also establishes a gay best friend as a major recurring character.
Jeannie said she is anxious to make sure the show adequately represents their faith, also. After considering acting in the show, she decided against it.
“I went into the background as a producer and realized that if Jim was in all the scenes, who was going to be there to make sure that this was our point of view?” she told HNGN.
Jeannie told World that it is hard to address the faith in the entertainment world, given the vastly different sensibilities in “church circles” and in the secular marketplace.
“You can’t really win,” she said. When a headline said her show was about “real life, not religion,” Twitter followers complained that she was falsely separating the two.
The Gaffigans have learned to tread carefully, reviewing each other’s tweets before sending them out to a world that is often hostile to the faith.
“People, I think, are ready for a fight,” she told HNGN. “I had a tweet where I said, ‘We’re all one tweet away from career suicide.”
Ken Chitwood, who teaches at the University of Florida, sees a modern approach to faith in the Gaffigans. “They are not this super holy, sanctimonious family,” Chitwood told Religion News Service. “They kind of hold their Catholicism lightly.”
“They are able to show Jim as this new kind of Catholic,” he said. “He is mainstream, he is funny, and he is friends with Chris Rock.”
And that gives being Catholic a spotlight in a new place.
“It’s just something that we are,” Jeannie Gaffigan told World. “We made the decision not to hide the different sectors of our life. There’s the church and the comedy club.”
And sometimes both at once. | {
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Panther XL: Deathmatch Controller Mods by Viper and Devistator
Designed from scratch to be the ultimate deathmatch controller for 3D games, EVER. Tired of becoming a statistic over and over again? The Panther XL’s precise digital control is the result of intense design evolution. The Panther XL will put you on the top of the frag foodchain. Seriously. Users around the world have asked for a complete dynamic gaming controller, we’ve produced it. What makes the Panther XL so sweet you ask? Let’s get into the hardcore game winning details…
The Design Basics
The unit consists of two main components, the Flight Stick and the Control Ball. These two pieces work together to give you control of four axis of motion simultaneously and independently. The stick will make the character walk forward/backward and strafe left/right. The Control Ball manipulates the eye movement of the character (Free-Look).
360 Degrees Of Game Thumping Control
With instant digital repsonse we get you into the game right away. You have full control in any direction you move and look. Need a quick 180 to dust someone attacking from behind? No problem, just a quick finger roll on the trackball and you’ll have him in your sites without skipping a beat.
Killer Independant Movement And Aiming
Total free look while your running, fragging or even (gah! wuss) camping. Catch any angle of movement, track your enemy with precision.
17 Fully Programmable Frag Inducing Buttons
You want binds? How about 9 buttons and 2 4-way hat switches! These programmable buttons keep you focused on the game and not the keyboard. Can be used as primary keybinds for weapons and actions or ever design secondary keybinds for complete control of your games. You won’t lose concentration trying to punch the keyboard again!
Superior Digital Aiming Control
It’s Digital. Need we say more.
Hardcore Contruction Casing
It’s heavy contruction will mean the controller isn’t going to fly anywhere off your desk during those intense moments where it’s you against the world. Built tough to withstand thousands and thousands of frags. We know your going to be snapping, twisting, hammering to get your action and frags, the Panther XL is going to keep you in control.
Precise Reactive Triggers
Instant response, instant targeting, instant firing, instant bind actions, shall we go on? You get the idea…
Smooth Contact Illuminated Trackball
You won’t have your targeting sights hopping or jittering around. 360 degress of pure visual alignment. Smooth scrolling even when your spinning the crap out of the trackball, you won’t be jumping pixels here. Nail the guys hiding around corners with just a bit of their heads poking out for a look.
https://web.archive.org/web/19991115150151/http://www.pantherxl.com:80/index1.html
Romero’s PantherXL Moves
Dug these up from our Picture Vault! John Romero busting out some PXL moves. (er…don’t know if the bots schooled him or not. heh)
https://web.archive.org/web/20010224104753/http://www.pantherxl.com:80/romero.html
FRAGMASTERS FRENZIED AS MAD CATZ’ PANTHER XL SPRINGS INTO ACTION
El Cajon, CA, October 31, 1997
The eagerly-awaited PANTHER XL has been sprung from its cage and Fragmasters are in a frenzy…as MAD CATZ introduces the industry’s first-ever PC controller combining state-of-the-art 3D control ball technology and a high performance joystick all into one lethal gaming weapon.
This latest industry breakthrough comes on the heels of MAD CATZ’s recent acquisition of the ASSASSIN 3D technology from FP GAMING…and the introduction of the ultimate precision deathmatch controller — the PANTHER. With its ultra-fast 3D control ball sampling, maximum button control, precise analog-to-digital conversion and high-speed digital communication…the hottest 3D games such as QUAKE, DUKE NUKEM and UNREAL get even hotter. And with its easy learning curve, plus the ability to plug into any joystick for a total of 17 specific controls, PANTHER gives every gameplayer the competitive edge.
According to industry observers, the PANTHER XL, with widespread developer support, will be the best way to play every great game; one peripheral pundit was heard to exclaim: “DOOM is doomed!” And PANTHER drew its own accolades from American McGee, co-creator of QUAKE for id Software, who said you could now “play QUAKE the way it was designed to be played!”
About Mad Catz Founded in 1989, Mad Catz designs, develops, manufactures and markets a full range of video game accessories for video game console and PC gaming systems. Privately held Mad Catz has grown to become a key player in the electronic entertainment industry. The company has offices in the U.S., Europe and Australia, with headquarters in Santee, California.
https://web.archive.org/web/20000529135334fw_/http://www.pantherxl.com:80/press.html
Devistator’s “Klamath Laser PantherXL Mod”
Devistator’s Flash Logo with Green Skull: [Note from DondeQ2: Please click here to see it because I don’t know how to save a Flash file #thestruggleisreal.]
https://web.archive.org/web/20010410055711/http://home.ptd.net:80/~mecycle/pxlmod/pxlmod.htm
The Viper DX / Optical Conversion
Ok here is all the pics I have saved of the conversion.
My new stick absolutely blows this one to shreds.
This stick conversion is like 10 times better than a regular XL stick though.
The new stick has 17 switches on the stick, and is TOTALLY killing everything in site in Tribes 2.
Well there it is for now , I will update more soon
Viper
NEW GIMBAL!!!
https://web.archive.org/web/20011206032631/http://www.dcent.net:80/sov-rune/panther/
Bonus Material: Spirits of Valhalla Horde Laws
https://web.archive.org/web/20000818042323/http://www.dcent.net:80/sov-rune/hordelaws.htm | {
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When Gabe Klein started his job as the transportation commissioner of Chicago, he put a sign on his door that he hoped would set the tone for his time in office.
“Chicago: Getting Shit Done.”
The sign served a dual purpose: first, it was meant to elicit the tone of Mayor Rahm Emanuel the no-nonsense politico who – to put it mildly – isn’t known to mince words.
But it was also designed to remind Klein as well as the transportation department’s employees of their goal: “to serve the people of Chicago – and fast,” Klein writes in his new book, Start-Up City.
The book isn’t so much an autobiography as it is a statement about how and why governments must do more to embrace an entrepreneurial approach. Klein’s unusual background makes him the perfect person to tell that story.
For starters, Klein, 44, is quite possibly the only person who has ever headed two big city transportation agencies. He led the transportation agency in Washington, D.C. from 2008 to 2010 and then Chicago from 2011 to 2013. Despite his relatively short time in each city, he made a mark on both places.
From a 2013 Governing profile of Klein:
During his short time in Chicago, Klein oversaw the launch of Divvy, a 300-station bike share program that dovetailed on the success he had with Capital Bikeshare in Washington, one of the biggest and most successful bike share programs in the country. Under Klein, Chicago also got its first protected bike lanes, began construction of the Bloomingdale Trail, started work developing bus rapid transit, and launched speed cameras for traffic enforcement in school zones.
His time leading two transportation departments is unusual enough, but how Klein got there is even more peculiar. Before taking over D.C.’s transportation agency, he had never worked a day in the public sector.
Typically, transportation directors are longtime civil servants, engineers or political players. Before getting the D.C. gig, though, Klein had worked as an executive at Zipcar, a co-founder of a food truck/catering business and director of stores for a major bike retailer. His degree is in marketing management.
“‘This is either going to be a disaster, or Gabe is going to be the best person we’ve ever hired for the job,’” Klein said in an interview with Urban Edge, repeating what then-D.C. councilmember Jim Graham told him before he was offered the gig. “I have to admit, I thought the same thing. When they recruited me for it, I thought it was a bizarre fit.”
But Klein says the mayors who appointment him – Emanuel in Chicago and Adrian Fenty in D.C. – were known for their unorthodox approach and desire to see results quickly. In other words, he wasn’t picked in spite of his business background. He was picked because of it.
As Klein sees it, government agencies have often been too afraid to take risks and too worried about screwing up. He hopes that by adopting the ethos of high-tech start-up – focusing on the customer, deviating from the status quo and not being afraid to fail – governments can innovate and serve citizens more effectively.
Start-Up City, Klein says, grew out of the frequent questions he received after leaving Chicago. How can you work quickly in a bureaucracy? How do you find money when funding is tight? And how can you convince governments to market their successes? “It’s a handbook for change, but it’s fun to read,” Klein said.
Klein also discusses the future of urban transportation, focusing on the advent of autonomous vehicles as well as connected vehicles that communicate with each other. Those two technologies, he believes, will be the most significant changes to the way people move around cities in our lifetimes.
As long as governments don’t mess it up.
“I hope transit agencies and governments become the arbiters and coordinators of all these services instead of actually trying to run one mode themselves, then protecting it at all costs,” Klein says.
He also worries that if city governments aren’t careful, they could undermine the progress they’ve made it developing pedestrian-friendly communities if they come to rely too heavily on automated vehicle technology.
“What we need is a very balanced approach,” Klein says. “We don’t need to prioritize technology for the sake of technology. We need to prioritize people. That’s why I … and lots of others have focused on pedestrians, first and foremost, as the indicator species for a healthy, happy, well-rounded city.”
Check out Episode 3 of the Urban Edge Podcast featuring an interview with Gabe Klein | {
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The firebrand youth leader of South Africa's ruling party has made it clear that he will not be silenced, demanding Zimbabwe-style land seizures from white farmers and vowing to keep singing a controversial song.
Under pressure after the murder of white supremacist Eugene Terreblanche stoked fears of racial strife, the African National Congress (ANC) told members to avoid inflammatory songs and comment.
Youth League leader Julius Malema said he would accede to the demand to drop the phrase "Kill the Boer" from a song that dates from the era of the struggle against apartheid but would keep singing the rest of it.
Boer is the Afrikaans word for a farmer.
"We will take out the 'Kill the Boer' in the song," Mr Malema told a press conference.
"We do so because the ANC says we should restrain ourselves."
Mr Malema, 29, is accused by critics of encouraging racial division 16 years after the end of white minority rule.
Opposition parties have called on president Jacob Zuma to rein him in.
But Mr Malema has a passionate following within the youth wing and among many other black South Africans who complain they have not benefited as much as they should from majority rule.
Mr Malema dismissed accusations that his singing of "Kill the Boer" was a factor in Saturday's murder of Mr Terreblanche by two black workers - which police suspect was over a pay dispute.
"We have no blood on our hands," said Mr Malema, who threw a British journalist out of the news conference, saying he had a "white tendency".
Mr Malema was speaking after his return from a visit to Zimbabwe where he met president Robert Mugabe and hailed the seizure of white-owned farms to give to landless blacks as a success South Africa should emulate.
"We are in a serious economic struggle that seeks to redistribute the wealth to the people," he said.
"This is what we need the ANC to champion. Land reform in Zimbabwe has been very successful."
Mr Malema says land seizures in South Africa should be "aggressive" and "militant" but says he is not calling for violence.
Mr Mugabe's critics say his land confiscations helped ruin the country's rich agriculture and drove more than 3 million Zimbabweans overseas - most to seek work in South Africa.
Parliament in South Africa is set to review a draft policy later this month for a new land tenure system, although the government controlling Africa's biggest economy and largest maize producer says this will not mean nationalising land.
- Reuters | {
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The Supreme Court could be hours -- or days -- away from issuing its opinion in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. -- one of the most closely watched cases the high court has seen this year. While plenty of people have plenty of theories about how the justices will decide, Salon reached out to Emily Martin, vice president and general counsel for the National Women's Law Center, to talk through possible outcomes.
There are a few different ways the court could handle the case -- from the good to the neutral to the very, very bad -- and each would have serious ramifications. For the employees of Hobby Lobby -- and the rest of us.
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Our conversation has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
In your opinion, what is the best possible outcome we could hope for from the court? I know there are a number of opinions the court could issue that would be positive, but is there a scenario that you would consider a total home run?
There are a lot of ways that the United States could win this case. Hobby Lobby would have to pass a lot of tests in order to succeed. It seems to me that the best case scenario is if the court really makes clear that corporations don’t have the right to pray, that corporations can’t exercise religious rights and that therefore this analysis of whether a particular requirement burdens the religious rights of a corporation is just nonsensical.
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Now, there are a lot of other ways that the U.S. could win the case, and all those ways would have a very good result. But I think there certainly would be a value in saying clearly that these cases are basically off the table. That Congress, in passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, didn’t intend for corporations to be exercising religious rights in this way.
In some ways, a win is a win at the end of the day, but another way that the U.S. could win is the court could say that the contraceptive coverage requirement doesn’t substantially burden religion, that the coverage wouldn’t substantially burden the religion of Hobby Lobby or Conestoga Wood. And it could do that in a few ways.
It might do that by pointing out that employers don’t have to provide health insurance at all. If they don’t provide health insurance and they’re larger employers like these employers, they do have to pay a tax -- a penalty, basically. That was an issue that court paid a lot of attention to in oral arguments, the notion that if providing contraception is so objectionable to Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood, maybe they should just get out of the health insurance business, and that’s an option that they have. If they want to do that, they just have to pay a tax. And frankly, the cost of that tax is probably lower than the cost they already bear by providing health insurance. In other words, it would just be cheaper for them to get out of the health insurance business entirely. So the court could say, "This requirement isn’t really a requirement -- you can get out of it whenever you want; there’s just some price associated with it. And therefore, there’s no substantial burden on your religious exercise."
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Or the court could say that even if it finds that there’s a substantial burden on the corporation religious exercises, it’s still permissible because the contraceptive coverage requirement forwards compelling interest in women’s health and women’s equality and does so in the least restrictive means. The contraceptive coverage requirement is crucial to women’s health and to women’s equality and it definitely forwards those compelling interests.
There a lot of decision points where if Hobby Lobby loses on any one of them, it’s still an overall victory for the women employed by Hobby Lobby.
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And how would these findings resonate, politically and culturally?
It would be incredibly important for the Supreme Court to say that religious liberty is not about imposing your religion on others, that’s not what religious liberty means. And certainly it’s not about imposing your religion on others in a way that harms others. I think that would have cultural echoes, since this conversation is going on in various contexts around the country, not just in contraceptive coverage case but also in the fights that we are seeing in state legislatures about whether business should have the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians, for instance. So I think that affirmation of the idea that that is not what religious liberty means, that it’s a shield rather than a sword that allows you to impose your beliefs on others, would be a very important principle for the court to affirm.
That being said, even a victory will probably not be the end of the conversation because we have seen that the opponents of women’s healthcare and contraception are very motived. So I think that even if there is a win, then we will continue to see a legislative fight to change the Religious Freedom Restoration Act or the contraceptive coverage requirement, to change the result. And so, unfortunately, I think that this fight about whether women will continue to have access to comprehensive healthcare, including contraceptives, is a fight that will continue no matter what the result in the Supreme Court is.
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Could the justices potentially punt on some of the broader questions raised by the case? Is there an opinion that could be considered a dodge on some of these issues?
Well, it’s possible that the court could say that some of the big questions haven’t been considered by the lower courts, or at least haven’t been considered in the right way yet, and so would send it back for the lower courts to do some more analysis and leave a lot of the case unanswered.
So earlier I mentioned the notion that the contraceptive coverage requirement isn’t truly a requirement because if you don’t provide health insurance you don’t have to provide contraceptive coverage. And that issue is an issue that was not litigated by the lower courts, even though it was an issue that the Supreme Court was very interested in. So you could imagine a result where the Supreme Court says in the first instance, "The lower courts have not determined whether the contraceptive coverage requirement is a substantial burden given the statutory context, and given that the lower courts didn’t address this and that it wasn’t fully briefed, we’re going to let them take the first bite out of that apple." So that would be a decision in which the Supreme Court is asking the right questions, but it wouldn’t answer those questions right away. It would basically be another cycle of litigation and the Supreme Court could get another chance at it in a year or so.
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And what about a worst-case scenario? The makeup of this court seems sort of amenable to the idea of corporations being people. What would the consequences potentially be?
Certainly any loss which says that Hobby Lobby could carve out one part of healthcare for its employees and leave employees to bear the cost of that really essential healthcare would be extremely troubling. Things that we should be looking for is how the Supreme Court treats the fact that there are third parties -- that there are women employees -- that have rights that are affected by whatever it is that Hobby Lobby does. How those rights of the women weigh when the Supreme Court is thinking about the assertive religious right claimed by Hobby Lobby.
Of course, I hate to be in the business of speculating about bad things that the court could do, but one of the things I would be very troubled by is if the court says it doesn’t matter. That it doesn’t matter if Hobby Lobby’s religious exercise harms third parties, and specifically harms women employees in a really significant way. If they say, "Nothing we can do about it, that’s Hobby Lobby’s religious right." I think that would be a very disturbing principle to be created for really the first time in law. That’s never been what we’ve understood religious freedom to mean, and I think that would be a very troubling principle. And certainly if the court says that any corporation can exercise religion, that there are no limits to a corporation’s right to exercise religion, that opens the door to a variety of really troubling claims.
Not just the claims in this case, which are disturbing enough, but claims that a particular corporation doesn’t want to cover vaccinations or blood transfusions or lots of other sorts of healthcare, which are rightly understood to be essential and basic and fundamental. Or going beyond that, you can imagine corporations saying -- and corporations have said this in the past -- that they have a religious objection to paying women as much as men, for example. Or to treating women as the heads of households, and providing family health insurance to women; that only men should be the heads of households. So it opens the door to lots of disturbing violations of the rights of workers in the name of religion.
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That decision really would give a lot of very disturbing force and momentum to the idea that you can use your religion to harm others, and that would be a very new principle in American law.
What do you think the response should be if we have a scenario in which Hobby Lobby is empowered to use its so-called religious liberty as a blunt instrument? How does that shift the landscape? What has to come next?
Well, if what the Supreme Court does is say that Hobby Lobby has these rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Hobby Lobby has the right to deny this basic health coverage to women, I think what you will see are legislative efforts to address that problem. Because the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is a statute, it’s not the Constitution. And so I think that would be a site of organizing and legislative attention and appropriately so. | {
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Ce sondage n'existe pas !
Retourner à la page d'accueil de Framadate | {
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Bar accessories
The Whiskey Wedge, designed by American company Corkcicle, is half-glass, half-ice cube. On one side there’s ice. On the other, there’s whisky. Get a perfect glass of whisky in five easy steps!
First, place the silicone form in the glass. Fill it with water. The hole in the form will let the liquid through. Be careful not to go over the Fill Line! Then, store flat in the freezer for about four hours. When the four hours are up, remove the form. It should lift out very easily. Your glass now contains a magnificent wedge of ice, which, due to its smaller surface area, will melt like an iceberg, a little at a time. Add a good whisky and enjoy!
At only $15 for the kit, it’s a steal!
http://corkcicle1.myshopify.com | {
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Laura Ingraham and a guest on her prime-time Fox News show mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday night for the way in which she pronounces her own name.
Ingraham asked conservative lawyer Joe diGenova if he had noticed how, when Ocasio-Cortez “introduces herself, does she take on that Obama, Obama put on accents?”
The host of “The Ingraham Angle” also described the freshman lawmaker as “the It Girl, and I mean girl in a very mature way” and “the juice” of the Democratic Party.
“She does the Latina thing where she does her, you know, ’Anastasio Ocasio-Cortez,” diGenova said, using an exaggerated accent and misstating the lawmaker’s name, He then said his own name with an exaggerated Italian pronunciation.
“And I assume she’s going to love that when I do that,” he added. | {
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The trade of Kendall Fuller has opened up a hole at the cornerback position. Here’s a look at the top three free agents that the team could use to replace him.
The Washington Redskins didn’t need a cornerback coming into the offseason. In fact, it was one of the few positions that they appeared to be set at. However, after making a franchise altering decision to acquire Alex Smith as their quarterback, they will now have a need.
Kendall Fuller was shipped to the Chiefs as part of the Smith swap, so now the team has a major hole at slot corner. Sure, they have some young talent, but it’s unknown whether or not any of them will pan out. That said, acquiring some veteran help could set up the Redskins for more success in the short term while allowing their prospects to develop for the long term.
Here’s a look at some of the top veteran options on the free agent market with that goal in mind. Any of these three players could help the Redskins, though signing them may not be entirely realistic. | {
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A smoker was jailed for one month today, after failing to settle a court fine for smoking at a supermarket's parking lot two years ago.
Berita Harian reported that Nor Fazeah Hamzah pleaded guilty to the charge at the Kota Bharu Magistrate's Court.
The 34-year-old mother, who was unrepresented, made a plea for a light sentence.
"I have to care for a 16-year-old child, as such I ask for a light sentence," she told the court.
However, Mohd Nor Husin, a prosecutor from the Kelantan Health Department, asked for an appropriate punishment to serve as a lesson to Nor Faezah and others.
Kota Bharu magistrate Izzudin Mohd Shukri sentenced Nor Faezah with an RM1,000 fine, or one month jail in default.
However, she was unable to pay the fine, and thus had to serve out a jail sentence which begins today.
According to the charge, Nor Faezah was caught smoking in a no-smoking zone, that is a supermarket's parking lot on the night of March 17, 2017.
She was charged under Section 11(1)(n) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004, and sentenced under Section 11(3) of the same regulation.
Section11(1)(n) prohibits smoking in any shopping mall.
The maximum sentence under Section 11(3) is an RM10,000 fine or two years jail.
The Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 falls under the Food Act 1983.
The sentence against Nor Faezah came amid a push by the federal government to ban smoking at eateries nationwide. | {
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NEW DELHI: Myanmar 's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday addressed global criticism of her regime on the Rohingya issue saying in a state address that she condemns "all human rights violations" in the country, even as she underlined that the strikes on police outposts in August were terrorist attacks."After several months of seeming quiet and peace, 30 police outputs were attacked (on August 25) by armed Muslim groups. Consequently, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army was declared a terrorist group," said Suu Kyi towards the beginning of her first address to the nation since the August 25 attacks.In a part defiant and part conciliatory address, the first to the nation since the August attacks, Suu Kyi said more than once she is committed to the "rule of law" and peace and stability "for all people". She said that Myanmar "does not fear international scrutiny" and added - more than once - that she invites observers to come to Myanmar and look at the situation for themselves.Media reports, international observer organisations and human rights groups have alleged a "disproportionate army response" to the August attacks, which many say were carried out by a small group of people, a far cry from the "terrorist strike" the Myanmar government is making it out to seem.Suu Kyi, whose official title is State Counsellor, said it was important to understand why not all areas in Myanmar have been affected. She said "peace and stability is something we had to achieve after nearly 70 years of internal conflict" and claimed that many Muslim villagers have remained in Myanmar and have not fled. The UN estimates more than 400,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since the army's response to the August attacks."Our government has emerged as a body committed to the defence of human rights, all within the borders of our country. We condemn all human rights violations, Myanmar is committed to peace and rule of law," said Suu Kyi.She spoke about "allegations and counter-allegations", in a clear reference to global rights groups saying the Myanmar army is committing human rights abuses. She spoke about feeling deeply for the suffering of "all groups" in Rakhine, the area where most of the Rohingya live. And she said her country is "complex ", indicating that it is hard "to overcome all the challenges in shortest time possible", as people around the world may be expecting her to do.About the more than 400,000 mainly-Muslim Rohingya who've fled for Bangladesh, Suu Kyi said she is "concerned to hear" about them. She also said Myanmar is "prepared to start a refugee verification process for those who wish to return" from Bangladesh."We would like to find out why this exodus is happening, we would like to talk to the people who have fled. The government has been making every effort to restore peace and stability and to bring harmony in Rakhine communities," she said. | {
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Spike Lee made no attempt to hide his outrage on Sunday after Green Book won Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards.
The 61-year-old director, whose latest film BlacKKKlansman had been up for the evening's top prize, could be seen getting to his feet and throwing his hands in the air before heading to the exit.
Lee then tried to storm out of the Dolby Theater while the cast and crew of Green Book took the stage, but was halted by security at the door and told he could not exit.
He then stood at the exit until the speech was over before heading off to the backstage area, where he mocked and criticized the newly-crowned Best Picture winner in media interviews.
There had been reports that Lee returned to his seat during the Green Book speech and defiantly turned his back to the cast and crew while they spoke on stage, but video from the telecast makes it clear that he was not back in the audience before the winners had wrapped up their remarks.
Scroll down for video
Booking it: Spike Lee (above leaving the venue when Green Book won) is seen in video from the Academy Awards telecast tossing his arms in the air and then walking towards the exit after Green Book won Best Picture
He's gotta have it: He told reporters that Oscar voters 'made a bad call,' said Green Book was 'not his cup of tea' and noted he always loses to films where 'people drive somebody' (Lee above at the Vanity Fair party)
Lee, who was in a celebratory mood after winning his first competitive Oscar earlier in the night, took a number of shots at Green Book while speaking to the press.
He said the film was 'not his cup of tea' and then compared the ceremony to a Knicks game by declaring the 'refs made a bad call.'
The director, who initially offered up 'no comment' to the press when asked about Green Book besting how own film and category-favorite Roma, did not say much more beyond that though backstage.
He was joined by his wife Tonya backstage, who had remained in the audience after Green Book won Best Picture.
Lee also noted the similarities between Green Book, about a racist white man who is changed as a result of his time driving a wealthy black man through the American South, and Driving Miss Daisy, about a racist white woman who is changed as a result of her time being driven by a black man in the American South.
His 1989 film Do The Right Thing, which is now considered a seminal piece in the pantheon of American cinema, lost on a Best Picture nomination in favor of eventual winner Daisy at the 1990 Oscar ceremony.
'I’m snakebite,' declared Lee while holding a glass of champagne.
'Every time somebody is driving somebody, I lose!'
He also noted: 'This is my sixth glass [of champagne], and you know why.'
That remark capped off an eventful night for Lee at the show.
Farrelly brother: The director was not allowed to exit the Dolby Theater however, with security stopping him when he got to the doors and informing him he could not leave (Green Book director Peter Farrelly accepting the Best Picture award alongside Octavia Spencer)
Empty seat: Lee was likely headed to the backstage area for his media interviews after winning his first competitive Oscar moments prior for Best Adapted Screenplay (Lee's empty chair in the top right)
His win for Best Adapted Screenplay earlier in the evening had been one of the highlights of the ceremony.
As soon as presenter Samuel L Jackson announced that Lee had won the category, the crowd got to their feet while Lee jumped into the arms of Jackson.
He then gave a speech that brought attention to the plight of black Americans.
Lee, whose film includes footage of President Trump following the violent white supremacist protests in Charlottesville, also urged mobilization for the upcoming election.
'Let’s be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love and hate,' said Lee.
He then wrapped by stating: 'Let’s do the right thing!'
Lee did not directly name President Trump at the Oscars, but the real estate scion tweeted Monday that Lee did a 'racist hit on your President.'
Trump claimed that he had 'done more for African Americans' than 'almost' any other president.
The director was also not alone in his disbelief that voters would honor Green Book.
The family of the film's central character, Dr Don Shirley, also denounced the movie.
Maurice told Dailymail.com earlier this month Shirley and Vallelonga were never friends and he was fired for behaviors shown in the movie, such as his refusal to carry Shirley's luggage.
His niece Karole said: 'To feel the right and privilege to depict your life and to tell your story without you, without any input from those who knew you… It's a travesty.'
The 82-year-old says the film is inaccurate to the point of fiction, pointing to the presentation of Shirley as a man disconnected from his family
The family said they did not believe that any attempt was made to find or contact them, nor do they believe Nick Vallelonga's assertion that he and his father visited Shirley before his death in 2013 and were granted permission to tell the story.
Charlie Wachtel, (left), and Lee (center) accept the award for best adapted screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman" at the Oscars
Shirley's last surviving brother, Maurice, 82, (pictured with his wife Patricia) slammed the movie, for which no family members were consulted, as 'a symphony of lies' in January
Maurice said: 'My brother made it very clear that under no circumstances did he [give permission]. My brother was compulsive. If he did not have control he wouldn't have anything to do with it.
'I recall the conversation that we had with Donald at which time he said that Tony had put together his memoir… and wanted to publish it. It was very clear that it would not be done particularly well.'
Shirley and Vallelonga were never friends, according to his brother, so any talk of friendship is 'bogus.'
Maurice said: 'You have to understand my brother's work ethic. He always made it clear to his employees just exactly what they were. They are employees. He is the employer.'
He described the idea that Vallelonga - an overt racist - became close to his brother as quite simply 'a lie.' | {
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A woman arrested by police for breaking a new coronavirus law has been fined £660 by magistrates.
According to police, Marie Dinou, 41, refused to explain to officers her reason for essential travel when they found her on a platform at Newcastle railway station.
She was arrested for breaching the new Coronavirus Act and ticket fraud and appeared in court two days later, where she denied both offences. She was found guilty.
The case was condemned by privacy campaigners who claimed police risked losing public support by their handling of the new emergency powers.
Dinou, from York, was fined £85 for ticket fraud, but £660 for breaking the new COVID-19 regulations on leaving home without a reasonable excuse. She was also ordered to pay £80 costs.
British Transport Police said in a statement: "On Saturday 28 March at around 8am, officers at Newcastle Central station received a report from rail staff of a woman loitering between platforms.
"They approached Dinou and engaged with her in an attempt to understand her reasons for essential travel, but following several more attempts by officers to explain and encourage she refused to speak to officers.
"Having explored all options, Dinou was arrested on suspicion of travel fraud and breaching the restrictions imposed under the new Coronavirus Act 2020."
Under the new law, police can issue £60 on-the-spot fines to anyone leaving their home without a reasonable excuse if they refuse a request to go home.
Reasonable excuses include shopping for basic needs, exercising and 'absolutely necessary' travel to and from work.
But suspects can also be arrested and charged with breaking the new laws brought in last month in the wake of the pandemic. If found guilty they face unlimited fines.
BTP's Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "While a ticket offence had also been committed in this case, enforcement of any sort under the new regulations really is a last resort, especially arrest.
"In this case, officers tried their upmost best to engage with Dinou. I can assure you we would much rather not have to take such action.
"We strongly urge the public to do the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch said the case confirmed its worst fears.
Director Silkie Carlo said: "The Coronavirus Act gives police huge powers to police to arbitrarily fine, detain and punish potentially anyone in this country.
"The new law defines 'potentially infectious persons' so loosely as to be meaningless and capture the entire British public.
"It seems here that someone who declined to give police their personal details has been classed as 'potentially infectious' and criminalised as a result.
"It's so important that people follow the government guidance to protect themselves and others. Extraordinary powers are needed in these circumstances to protect public health.
"However, these emergency powers are the most draconian ever seen in peacetime Britain.
"These breathtaking powers can even be used to detain and isolate our children. If the police are to maintain credibility and public trust in their handling of these extreme emergency powers, they will need to use them proportionately and in accordance with the law. They appear to have fallen at the first hurdle." | {
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While Ron Paul would like you to believe that his connections to white supremacy ended with his racist newsletters, he has actively courted the white supremacist movement well into the 21st century, which is evident due to his outreach to white supremacist radio programs.
On February 18, 2001, Ron Paul appeared on “Radio Free America,” a show founded by Willis Carto, a neo-Nazi who founded the white supremacist group the National Alliance. “Radio Free America” is part of Carto’s “American Free Press,” which is labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). While Paul did not discuss racial issues, he discussed several conspiracy theories. A transcript of the show was made available through Carto’s now-defunct racist publication “The Spotlight.”
RELATED: How Ron Paul Got A Free Pass
In 2006 Ron Paul was scheduled to appear on another white supremacist radio show, “The Political Cesspool,” which featured the who’s who of racists, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, holocaust deniers and neo-Confederates. The show’s sponsors include white supremacist separatist group the Council of Conservative Citizens and the Institute for Historical Review, a Holocaust-denying organization founded by Carto, and the show is broadcast online via the neo-Nazi website Stormfront.
The show’s host, James Edwards, is a rising star in the white nationalist movement and idolizes former KKK Grand Wizard, David Duke. After reports began circulating that Ron Paul appeared on his show in 2006, Edwards wrote on his blog:
Unlike those who constantly attack me, I prefer to be honest. So, rather than be disingenuous, I will tell you that Ron Paul was scheduled and confirmed to appear for an hour-long interview on The Political Cesspool Radio Program in 2006. This booking was arranged by Jesse Benton. A couple of hours before the live interview was to take place, we were informed that Congressman Paul had to take an unexpected flight and would be happy to reschedule with us at a later time.
Edwards also wrote an open letter to Ron Paul:
Dear Rep. Paul, I know that the jackals in the establishment media are attempting to use your near-appearance on my radio program (five years ago!) as a hammer against you today. I’m sure you understand that you will never be able to curry favor with the Cultural Marxists that hate our values and seek to destroy the country we know and love. You are just days away from winning the Iowa caucuses, which is why your opponents are resorting to such desperate measures. Your success causes the media and its handlers great distress, but always remember that appeasement never works. We’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve done nothing wrong. Stay the course. Our motto here in the studio is simple: “No Retreat, No Surrender, No Apology.” Our mutual friend, Pat Buchanan, has recently given you a template to be used when answering questions about this show. You may want to take a look here and here. We remain supportive of your candidacy and wish you nothing but the best of luck. Sincerely, James Edwards Host, The Political Cesspool Radio Program
Ron Paul has also been a hot topic on Stormfront. Former KKK Grand Wizard Don Black had fellow former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke on as a quest and they discussed the man they rabidly support.
Don Black in the ’80s and ’90s believed that Ron Paul was a fellow white supremacist who wrote the racist newsletters:
Everybody, all of us back in the 80′s and 90′s, felt Ron Paul was, you know, unusual in that he had actually been a Congressman, that he was one of us (white supremacist) and now, of course, that he has this broad demographic–broad base of support. They went out under his name in the first person and most people receiving these newsletters, including me, thought he really did write them. So, now that he has this new base of support of course, he’s having–frantically trying to disavow himself from the newsletters.
David Duke would also voice support for Ron Paul:
Again, I go back to that, you know, traditional topic that I always talk about, you know, the powers of international Zionism–a power in banking, a power in media, a power in government influence, in campaign finance–a power that’s, you know, hurting the values of this country on behalf of Israel So, I would vote for Ron Paul at this moment because he’s one of the few candidates who have policies in this regard and this realm that I wholeheartedly support, and that’s why I’d vote for him.
SEE ALSO:
How Bachmann’s Campaign Fell Apart
Noose Discovered At World Trade Center
Also On NewsOne: | {
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WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | Contact
A tough week just got a lot tougher this morning for the National Party, after another one of its Parliamentarians became embroiled in a sex scandal.
In an explosive turn of events, The Betoota Advocate can exclusively reveal today that the Queensland Senator and Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan has been having an extra-marital affair for the last couple of years.
Canavan admitted this morning that he has been cheating on his wife and fucking the Great Barrier Reef since he became the Resources Minister in 2016.
This revelation comes after Andrew Broad was outed for his behaviour overseas, behaviour which will see him stand down at the next election, and the behaviour of Barnaby Joyce which came to a head earlier this year.
However, while Andrew Broad is legally trying to change his name to James Bond and is looking forward to a future of driving around in flash cars and drinking Martinis, it isn’t yet known what decision Canavan will make regarding his future.
Canavan told us that he hadn’t made a decision, but wasn’t ashamed of what he had done to one of the World’s Natural Wonders.
“I love my wife and my family, but I don’t regret working for the resources industry, pushing the Adani mine through, actively denying climate change, criticizing future generations for their keen interest in the planet in which they want to live on and doing my best to destroy the world-renowned coral eco-system off our coast,” Canavan said.
“The world tried to stop me from fornicating the Reef with the whole Italian citizenship thing, but they could keep us apart.”
“If I had my time I would do it all over again,” he said tearfully before walking out of the interview.
More to come. | {
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An anti-Trump sociology professor at the College of Southern Nevada shot himself on campus last month as way to protest the president, police said.
Mark J. Bird, 69, was found bloodied outside a bathroom in the Charleston campus K building with a self-inflicted gunshot wound the morning of the second day of classes August 28.
Inside the bathroom, was the .22-caliber handgun he used as well as a spent shell casing.
Bird also left a $100 bill taped to the bathroom mirror with a note that read: 'For the janitor,' according to the Review Journal.
One college employee, who was holding Bird's hand while trying to calm him in the moments after the shooting, told investigators that Bird said he wanted to protest Trump.
Such a brave and strong man to do what he had to do, I tip my hat to the courage he showed. It's something most Americans lack these days. If Trump would just stop bullying liberals, things like this could be avoided but this bullied man had no choice but to "fight back" from all the hate coming out of Mr. Trump's mouth. He deserves an award from the Mayor of city or maybe even his own parade down the Las Vegas strip.
Ok enough with the sarcasm, this professor needs a serious mental health exam because you have got to be seriously mentally ill to shoot yourself in protest to President Trump. I don't know what this guy could be so pissed about that he has to shoot himself.
Maybe he's made that black umemployment is at record lows.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/01/black-unemployment-falls-to-the-lowest-level-since-1972.html
or could it be the tax cuts that are going to save on average $1500 per taxpayer
or that poverty is declining the US
https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/nation-and-world/household-incomes-hit-new-high-in-united-states-20180915
At any rate I don't think anything justifies you shooting yourself. America has problems but not as bad as many other countries in the word. I think this is just a conspiracy the professor came up with to get himself out of one of the most worthless jobs on the planet and that is being a sociology professor. I'd might want to shoot myself too if I taught such of worthless degree at a college. | {
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Parte dos animadores que trabalharam na versão original de O Rei Leão, lançada em 1994, criticaram o remake da Disney e disseram que o estúdio pensa apenas em dinheiro.
Os profissionais conversaram com a IndieWire sobre o movimento da Disney de revisitar os clássicos e apontaram que estão decepcionados como artistas.
"Existe um grande ressentimento contra estes remakes 3D por parte das equipes dos filmes 2D. Talvez se a gente ganhasse royalties as coisas seriam diferentes", disse um dos artistas ouvidos, que pediu anonimato.
Outro, que também pediu para não ter seu nome divulgado, completou: "Eu só vou entrar em problemas se eu comentar esta outra versão."
O único que não se escondeu para criticar a nova diretriz da Disney foi David Stephan, responsável por animar as hienas e a sequência inicial do desenho. "Se você fizesse uma pesquisa com a equipe do Rei Leão original, a maioria diria: 'Por que? Por que você teve que fazer isso?'. Meio que dói".
Scar em O Rei Leão (1994) Imagem: Reprodução
"É triste que são os acionistas na sala que decidem quais filmes serão feitos. Agora a Disney não esconde mais, é completamente na cara dura: 'Sim, nós só queremos fazer dinheiro'. Isto é muito decepcionante, como artista, para estúdio que foi fundado e baseado em originalidade e arte", continuou.
David, por fim, ainda criticou o filme que o uso de tecnologia é um problema para a indústria, já que tira a expressividade dos personagens. "Este filme apenas disse, 'sabe, vamos tirar a expressividade completamente. Vamos manter o mais real possível'. E isso diminuiu o filme".
O novo Rei Leão já conseguiu ultrapassar a marca de US$ 1 bilhão arrecadado nos cinemas mundiais, o quarto filme da Disney que atingiu a marca bilionária apenas neste ano. | {
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Two state lawmakers introduced legislation Tuesday to curb the wide use of civil asset forfeiture in Alabama.
The legislation, which is co-sponsored by state Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham), would abolish civil asset forfeiture in Alabama in the absence of a criminal conviction.
"I thought we had always required a criminal conviction before seizing someone's property. I wasn't aware that wasn't the case until two years ago, and that's the reason I filed a bill last year and why I intend to do so again this year," Orr told AL.com Thursday. "My bill will first require a criminal conviction, and that's extremely important to have."
The legislation would also ensure that there is a clear, efficient mechanism for innocent property owners to challenge civil asset forfeiture, and would require agencies to report all seizures and release information about how forfeited proceeds are spent. Two other states have already passed similar laws in recent years.
The introduction of the bill coincided with the release of a new study by the Southern Poverty Law Center and Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice outlining the extent of civil asset forfeiture's impacts in Alabama.
The review of court records in 1,100 cases involving civil asset forfeiture in 14 Alabama counties in 2015 found that in a quarter of the cases, the person whose property was seized was never charged with a crime in connection with the civil forfeiture action. The property owner lost 84 percent of those cases against people who were not charged with related crimes, yielding more than $676,000 for law enforcement agencies.
The study goes on to tell the story of Clanton 39-year-old Robert Bradford, who told AL.com Friday that he believes his step-father, Royce Anthony Williams, would likely still be alive if such a law was in place a decade ago. Williams killed himself on May 26, 2009, in an attempt to keep law enforcement from seizing the home he shared with Bradford's mother in connection with an investigation stemming from a July 2007 raid during which they found marijuana plants that Williams said he grew for personal use.
Prosecutors did not buy that explanation and law enforcement officers seized thousands of dollars, two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and other property from Williams, alleging that the marijuana was tied to drug dealing by Williams. They also went after the house where he would eventually take his own life.
In the end, the family kept the home and Bradford lives there today. But Williams died and Bradford said the financial impacts of the investigation and seizure of other assets continue to plague him.
"Royce would probably still be alive and monetarily I probably would be fine. I'm not hungry but I'm in a situation where if I was out of work for two weeks I would be in trouble," Bradford said Friday. "It's pretty bad. It was really hard on my mom because she basically was dying of cancer alone after he died."
Bradford believes that protections should be put in place to ensure that law enforcement agencies in Alabama can no longer seize assets from people who have not been convicted of a crime.
"[The legislation] would remove civil forfeiture but leave criminal forfeiture in its place," Frank Knaack, executive director of Alabama Appleseed, said Monday. "What that would do is ensure that people who have committed a crime cannot profit off that crime but innocent property owners who have not committed a crime have a way to get that property back."
Bradford said he thinks that the practice destroys lives and has lasting negative impacts on folks who should never have been in trouble with the law in the first place.
"People's stuff can be taken and them not even be found guilty, the charges get dropped or they are found not guilty, but their car and their house or whatever is still gone. So whether they're good cops or bad cops, that tool shouldn't be available," Bradford said.
The SPLC/Appleseed study found that in half of the civil asset forfeiture cases it looked at statewide, the amount of cash seized by law enforcement was less than $1,372, which belies the oft-repeated argument that civil asset forfeiture is mainly used as a tool to go after cartels and major criminals, according to Knaack.
"In Alabama, we have a process where the government can seize and take your property without even charging you with a crime," he said. "The way it was sold was as a way to go after drug kingpins ... But the report shows that it's not just being used to go after drug kingpins, it's actually being used to go after ordinary Alabamians."
The study also explored the disproportionate impact that Alabama's civil asset forfeiture practice has on black residents and people who were never charged with anything other than marijuana-related crimes.
In 64 percent of the civil asset forfeiture cases the researchers looked at the defendant was African-American, despite the fact that only 27 percent of the state's population is black.
And in 55 percent of the asset forfeiture cases in which criminal charges were filed, the defendants were charged with marijuana crimes. In 18 percent of those cases, the charge was simple marijuana and/or paraphernalia possession.
"When you put all this together, civil asset forfeiture has been a tool that has harmed lower-income Alabamians and people of color in Alabama," Knaack said. | {
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Die Krawalle beim G20-Gipfel in Hamburg haben auch eine Debatte um Linksextremismus in Deutschland angefacht. Doch Extremismusexperte Hajo Funke hat zu der Diskussion eine eindeutige Meinung.
Brennende Barrikaden, Steinwürfe gegen Polizisten und Plünderer in Supermärkten: Die Bilder der Randale beim G20-Gipfel in Hamburg haben Bürger in ganz Deutschland schockiert. Politiker fordern nun ein stärkeres Engagement gegen Linksextremismus: Es müsse politisch und juristisch gegen den Linksextremismus vorgegangen werden, sagte CSU-Chef Horst Seehofer. "Ich möchte ganz gezielt den kriminellen Elementen das Handwerk legen."
Zentren der linken Szene wie die Rote Flora in Hamburg oder die Rigaer Straße in Berlin "können aus meiner Sicht nicht länger geduldet werden", sagte CDU-Generalsekretär Peter Tauber. "Das sind nicht einfach nur kulturelle Zentren."
Es schwingt der Vorwurf mit, gegen Linksextremismus sei in den vergangenen Jahren zu wenig getan worden. Aber ist das tatsächlich so? "Nein", sagt Extremismusforscher Hajo Funke von der Freien Universität Berlin dem stern. "Ich sehe nicht, dass das Problem verharmlost wurde, so, wie Politiker von Union und FDP es nun darstellen." Vielmehr seien diese Verbalattacken Zeichen des Bundestagswahlkampfes. "Es ist allerdings richtig, dass man das Problem exzessiver Gewalt angehen muss." Die Krawalle während des G20-Gipfels waren nach Einschätzung des Berliner Professors Gewaltexzesse, losgelöst von jeglicher Ideologie. "Wenn da Autos von Pflegediensten angezündet werden, das kann doch kein Linker wollen", sagt Funke.
Politikwissenschaftler und Extremismusexperte Hajo Funke mit seiner Studie "Von Wutbürgern und Brandstiftern. AfD - Pegida - Gewaltnetze" © Bernd von Jutrczenka/DPA
Den Polizeieinsatz rund um die Rote Flora in Hamburg mag Funke nicht bewerten. Die Situation am besetzten Haus in der Rigaer Straße in Berlin kennt er dagegen. "Dort gelingt es der Polizei, die Gewalttäter zu isolieren", sagt Funke. Anschließend bekämen diese es mit dem Strafrecht zu tun. "Grundsätzlich sehe ich aber keine Gefahr von links."
Auch der Anfang Juli erschienene Verfassungsschutzbericht 2016 legt nahe, dass die größere Gefahr vom Rechtsextremismus ausgeht. Der Bericht nennt 23.555 politisch motivierte Straftaten von rechts, aber nur 9389 von links. Die Zahl rechter Straftaten ist 2016 um 13,6 Prozent gestiegen, die der linken um 6,9 Prozent zurückgegangen. Wie sich die Randale im Hamburger Schanzenviertel auf die Zahlen auswirkt, wird man allerdings erst im Verfassungsschutzbericht 2017 nachlesen können.
Mehr zu den Ereignissen rund um den G20-Gipfel in Hamburg lesen Sie im neuen stern - diese Woche schon ab Mittwoch: | {
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Okay, so the title is a bit misleading. Because for the most part, Leap Year is every four years.
But not all the time [insert dramatic soap-opera-esque turn to camera here].
Allow me to explain. I discovered this groundbreaking tidbit of knowledge just a few weeks ago, while conducting my late-night I-can't-sleep-so-I'll-just-surf-Wikipedia-for-useless-information ritual. I was concerned whether or not February had a Friday the 13th this year (lo and behold it did not, but better safe than sorry), so my surfing began there and slowly unlocked the secrets of our calendar.
As it turns out, we have been using the Gregorian calendar for well over 400 years (maybe most of you knew this. I, on the other hand, had no idea). The primary motivation for this new calendar was largely religious (something to do with Easter, I think. I'd research it for you if I cared), but it did correctly refine the length of a year by 0.002 percent relative to the previous Julian calendar. The refinement occurred because the calendar reduced the number of leap years within four centuries -- from 100 down to 97.
So what does this mean for Leap Day? As it turns out, our calendar skips Leap Day every centurial year (1700, 1800, 1900, etc). The skip means that, in some years, we actually go eight years without February 29th.
I know what you're thinking -- what about the year 2000? It wasn't that long ago and we definitely did not skip Leap Day.
Well according to the rules of the Gregorian calendar, the exceptions to this rule are centurial years evenly divisible by 400. On these years, we still keep Leap Day (complicated, I know). So far, this has happened only twice in the history of the Gregorian calendar: the year 1600 and the year 2000. Thus, we still had Leap Day in the year 2000.
Okay so why does this matter? Well if you happen to survive to the year 2100, remember this article and be prepared to skip Leap Year (okay, so maybe reading this article was a waste of your time).
But what about the Leap Day babies -- those rare souls born on February 29th?
This means that if you live to the year 2096 (you might be turning 25 or so) then buckle up: you'll need to hang in there for another 8 years if you want to see your next birthday.
That is, unless, you can convince the world to change the calendar yet again. | {
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Last updated at 17:15 31 August 2007
A Dutch royal couple have acknowledged altering a Wikipedia entry about a scandal four years ago that forced the prince to renounce his claim to the throne.
A spokesman for the Royal Information Service admitted that Prince Johan Friso, son of the reigning Queen Beatrix, and Princess Mabel of Oranje-Nassau had changed wording on the "people's encyclopaedia" to make it more favourable.
The pair are the latest to be embarrassed by a spate of discoveries by journalists and bloggers of "vanity" changes to Wikipedia entries.
Scroll down for more...
The original scandal broke in 2003 when Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced his government's refusal to support the princess - then known as Mabel Wisse Smit - becoming a member of the Royal House because she had given "incomplete and incorrect information" to him about her past, "resulting in a breach of confidence."
Wisse Smit had denied to Balkenende having a romantic liaison with druglord Klaas Bruinsma while she was in college in 1989.
Bruinsma was killed in a gangland hit in 1991. She later conceded knowing him and knowing he was a drug dealer, but denied any sexual relationship.
By withholding government approval of Friso's marriage, the prince had to choose between Wisse Smit and his place as second in line to inherit the throne. They married in 2004.
On January 8 last year, someone using a computer at Huis ten Bosch, the royal palace in The Hague, altered the Wikipedia entry on Wisse Smit that said she "gave misleading and false information" to Balkenende, removing the words "and false."
Scroll down for more...
Wikipedia records the exact time and IP address - the numerical identifier of each computer on the Internet - when any user alters a page. The IP address used for the January 8 alteration is assigned to Huis ten Bosch.
After the story circulated in the Dutch media, Friso and Mabel quickly acknowledged they were the revisionists.
"They both made the changes together in order to make the entry match the letter which they sent to the prime minister (explaining why they misled him) in 2003," spokesman Chris Breedveld said.
The couple feel that due to repeated mistakes in the media, an "incorrect version of events has arisen," he said.
Similar incidents of people or institutions amending Wikipedia entries have been popping up around the globe in the past month after a US graduate student developed a tool dubbed the "Wikiscanner" to more easily track the source.
Wikipedia records also show someone within the palace made unobjectionable amendments to the entry on Friso in December 2005, correcting details about his university studies.
On the Net:
http://wikiscanner.virgil.gr/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess-Mabel-of-Orange-Nassau | {
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Newcastle United have started talks with Martin Dubravka over a new deal - but the goalkeeper is still interesting Italian giants Juventus plus other Premier League rivals.
That is the information that has been circulated to the media in the Czech Republic with Dubravka's success in England attracting a long list of admirers.
Dubravka is currently tied down to Newcastle until 2022 but a new improved deal could be on the table.
His agent Pavel Zika has also told Ruik in Czech Republic: "We can confirm that Martin belongs to the Juventus scout department’s list of long-term players.
"However, we must mention that it is not only monitored by Pavel Nedved’s Juventus, but there are also Premier League clubs. Our personal tip with my brother is that Martin stays in England.
"Our effort, but also Newcastle’s endeavour, is to negotiate a new contract at the end of this season, as Martin came to Newcastle as a virtually unknown Czech league player, but quickly became a major player of the entire team and already has an excellent reputation throughout the English league.
"So we are gradually starting to negotiate an improved contract, but of course, on the other hand, we record interest from a number of other clubs in the English league. Martin Dúbravka is in agreement that our goal is to prove as much as possible in England."
Dubravka has also had interest from Germany but he is happy in the Premier League.
His agent added: "Even though interest in Martin from one of the top German Bundesliga clubs has been eminent over time, Martin has told us that he does not feel that his career is going to move towards Germany, that he would like to continue in England, which is the cradle of football and in which goalkeepers already historically privileged.
"Recently, we have recorded interest in even the biggest clubs from the English league, i.e. clubs for the title and European Cups, and if Martin is going to do everything like now, we believe that there may be a very interesting top club offer for Martin." | {
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As Hurricane Joaquin and several other weather systems pounded the Eastern Seaboard, coastal communities have been faced with Biblical levels of rain. For some towns in South Carolina that meant 20 inches or more. Interstates were closed, cars were swept away by fast-flowing storm water, and at least six people died. As of Sunday night, flood watches were in effect from Georgia to Delaware.
Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding. Manmade surfaces, such as asphalt, absorb much less water than dirt, and heavy rain can quickly overwhelm cities’ storm-water drainage systems. As the world continues to urbanize and the amount of the Earth covered in impervious surfaces increases, flooding is likely to become more of an issue.
This may be why a new product from a UK company has been generating so much buzz. Topmix Permeable, a fast-draining concrete, can absorb up to 1,000 liters of water per minute per square meter. Tarmac, the company that created Topmix Permeable, recently released a video of a truck pouring 4,000 liters of water onto a parking lot surface. The water is absorbed instantly, as if draining into a hidden hole.
Typically, road paving material is made of a mix of large and fine crushed stone held together by a binder. With Topmix Permeable, the fine crushed stone or sand is left out. This makes the resulting material porous enough to accept large amounts of water. A layer of Topmix Permeable concrete is installed on top of an aggregate sub-base of crushed stone, which generally sits on top of the soil. Rainwater drains through the top surface, collects in the aggregate layer, and is slowly released into the ground.
“We believe that the capacity is several times more than enough to deal with the heaviest rainfall we’ve ever experienced in the UK,” says Richard Stares, commercial director at Tarmac. The product's price, he adds, is similar to other concretes on the market.
The product can be used on roads, parking lots, walking and biking pathways, driveways and more. Tarmac says the material could help reduce flood damage, take pressure off aging storm water drainage systems and even reduce risk of water shortages by redirecting rainwater into natural aquifers. In times of extremely heavy rain, the pavement acts as a reservoir, its under-layer holding on to water and releasing it slowly at a pace the ground can handle. The system can also help filter contaminants, such as motor oil, out of water—the multiple layers of porous stone essentially act as a giant filter.
Topmix Permeable isn’t the first pavement system of this kind. Permeable paving blocks have become an increasingly popular choice for driveways and pedestrian paths. Porous asphalt has been used with success in cities, including Portland, Oregon, where some parking lanes have been paved with the material. But porous asphalt is limited: it’s too weak for high-traffic areas, it needs regular cleaning to keep grit from clogging the surface (making it not suitable for places where sand is put down during snow and ice storms), and it allows oil and other pollutants to drain into the water system.
Topmix Permeable has some of these issues. It’s not a good choice for high-traffic areas, as heavy use will eventually start breaking up the surface layer. But it’s stronger than other products on the market, Stares says, due to the process of mixing the cement and the nature of the binders (a trade secret).
“We’ve been able to get this bond so strong," Stares says. “We’ve been able to make this product that has a very high void space.”
“Void space” is the industry term for the amount of air space in a paving product. Typical permeable concretes have void space around 20 percent, while Topmix Permeable’s is as high as 35 percent.
Tarmac's material has been used in several projects already, including a parking lot. Unfortunately for us Americans, especially all those South Carolinians who saw their cars inundated on roads full of standing water, it’s not yet available in the United States.
“In an ideal world it would be nice to get this technology to other parts of the world,” Stares says. “But it’s probably some ways off.” | {
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SRINAGAR: The Army said on Friday that “83%” of terrorists have a history of pelting stones at security forces. The general officer commanding 15 Corps, Lt Gen K J S Dhillon, also told reporters in Srinagar that the unearthing of a weapons cache along the Amarnath yatra route, including a US-made sniper rifle and an antipersonnel landmine with Pakistani ordnance markings, were additional evidence of a threat to the yatra.“We have done an in-depth analysis of data on insurgency in Kashmir . My request to Kashmiri mothers is, listen to this carefully: 83% of local terrorists were once stone-pelters. So, if your son is throwing stones at the forces today for Rs 500, then he is tomorrow’s terrorist,” Gen Dhillon said. He then reeled off data on the short life expectancy of terrorists, saying 64% of those who became militants were killed within a year of choosing to live by the gun.“Seven per cent terrorists die within 10 days, 9% in a month, 17% in three months, 36% in six months, and 64% in a year. If parents do not stop their sons from pelting stones, chances are he will be eliminated within a year of picking up the gun,” Gen Dhillon added.Pakistan is desperate to vitiate the atmosphere in Kashmir, which is evident from specific intelligence inputs, he said. IGP (Kashmir) S P Pani, who was also present at the press briefing, said there had been more than 10 serious attempts to trigger IED blasts in the Valley, mostly in the Pulwama and Shopian areas, but security forces had tackled them.Gen Dhillion said that the threat from IEDs in the Valley was more pronounced but was being tackled effectively by security forces. He said searches were on in Shopian where an attempt to attack forces was made on Thursday night. | {
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The number of MPs failing to submit their declarations of financial and other interests on time has more than doubled from 16 in 2016 to 42 this year.
This is according to senior ANC MPs Amos Masondo and Omie Singh‚ who are co-chairpersons of Parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests.
Masondo and Singh were addressing the media in Parliament during the release of the 2017 register of members' interests.
The register details the financial interests of the more 400 MPs serving in both houses of Parliament (the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) and the kinds of gifts and other benefits they received outside their remuneration to manage conflicts of interests.
Singh said 42 MPs from the two houses of Parliament had failed to meet the September 2017 deadline for submitting their declarations.
"There we 42 members that failed to meet the deadline date of 30th September 2017 and the committee resolved that the failure to submit by the required deadline is a breach of the code and triggers the complaints procedure.
"Accordingly the implicated members will be given an opportunity to show why they should not be penalised for breaching the code after which the committee will resolve on whether to sanction a member or not‚" said Singh.
However‚ Masondo and Singh have refused to name and shame the delinquent MPs‚ saying doing so would be unfair on them because they are yet to explain their tardiness to the committee‚ although this was previously done by the ethics committee.
"We would rather not talk about names now‚ the reason is that there's now a process in place and that process is that all members would be afforded an opportunity to explain why they have declared late and that entire process will be dealt with at the level of the sub-committee of the joint ethics committee‚" he said. | {
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Maleficent 2 filming is now underway, as Disney has announced that production has begun in the U.K. on the fantasy sequel. The follow-up finds Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales co-director Joachim Rønning stepping into the director’s chair after Robert Stromberg helmed the 2014 film. Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning reprise their roles as Maleficent and Aurora, respectively, and the story picks up several years after the events of the initial movie as it chronicles the relationship between the horned fairy and the soon-to-be Queen as they struggle to protect the moors.
The official synopsis for Maleficent 2 is as follows:
A fantasy adventure that picks up several years after “Maleficent,” in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora, “Maleficent II” continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen, as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within.
Officially titled Maleficent II, the cast also includes Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith and Harris Dickinson as Prince Philip, with Chitwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, and Robert Lindsay filling out the new additions. Reprising their roles from the first Maleficent are Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton returned to pen the screenplay for Maleficent 2, but the script is also credited to Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (Transparent) who apparently did further work on the screenplay.
Maleficent came on the heels of Disney’s 2010 mega-hit Alice in Wonderland as the studio dipped its toe into the waters of revisiting their animated classics catalogue. This film in particular aimed to put a twist on Sleeping Beauty by telling an origin story from the antagonist’s point of view, and it was a success at the box office to the tune of $758 million worldwide.
While Disney found even greater success with subsequent adaptations like The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, the studio had a standing offer for Jolie to return and continue the Maleficent franchise. It appears she bit, and now we’ll see how this story progresses.
Maleficent II doesn’t yet have a release date. | {
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india
Updated: Aug 29, 2019 19:03 IST
Like many government schemes which require beneficiaries to link their Aadhaar card, a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur has made it mandatory to carry Aadhaar card to enjoy feast on the campus.
In the Pashupatinath temple of Mandsaur, free feast for pilgrims began on August 1 this year leading to a sharp increase in number of visitors every day.
The temple management was satisfied on the number of visitors in the first fortnight. But the number of visitors doubled and food started finishing in an hour. Pilgrims soon started queuing up for a meal and fight broke too, said a member of the temple management.
Interestingly, the footfall inside the temple remained the same. When the temple authorities checked, they found out that it was not pilgrims but residents of nearby villages who were mostly attending the feast.
“When we asked some boys who were regular visitors, they said their mothers had stopped cooking at home and they were dependent on the feast for the past 10-15 days. More than 300 locals have started attending the feast daily,” said Rahul Runwal, manager of the temple committee.
The feast was introduced for 150-200 pilgrims who came to the temple from far-flung areas.
The district collector, who started the meal plan, came up with idea of making Aadhaar card compulsory so that only genuine people could get the benefit of it. After the Aadhaar scheme was implemented, the number of people attending the feast was reduced to half.
Collector Manoj Pushp said, “It is fine to allow locals to have a free feast but they have started creating a mess in the temple premises. That’s why I have made Aadhaar card compulsory. If people are visiting the temple in groups, then the card of one of them will be valid for the feast. However, I have asked the management to allow poor people to have the feast.” | {
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Conviction comes amid concerns around growing intolerance toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Malaysia
By Beh Lih Yi
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Two Malaysian women convicted for attempting to have lesbian sex will be fined and caned, a prosecutor said on Tuesday, in a rare case against gay people in the Muslim-majority country.
Islamic enforcement officers in the conservative northeastern state of Terengganu found the two Muslim women attempting to engage in sexual acts in a car during a patrol in April, according to prosecutor Muhamad Khasmizan Abdullah.
Outcry in Malaysia over two women sentenced to caning for lesbian sex
The women were charged under the Islamic sharia law known as musahaqah - which bans lesbian sex - and sentenced to six strokes of the cane and a fine of 3,300 Malaysian ringgit ($806) each this week after pleading guilty, the prosecutor said.
The conviction comes amid concerns around growing intolerance toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Malaysia after activists criticised some officials for making homophobic remarks in recent weeks.
"Sexual intercourse between people of the same sex is forbidden in Islam. It is an offence and morally wrong," Muhamad Khasmizan told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.
"This verdict is a first for us," the prosecutor added, saying it was the first time people had been convicted for same-sex reltions in Terengganu.
Malaysia is home to 32 million people, where ethnic Malay Muslims make up more than 60 percent of the population and the remaining ethnic minorities practice other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.
It has a dual-track legal system, with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims running alongside civil laws.
The two women, aged 32 and 22, are on bail pending the execution of the sentence on August 28, Muhamad Khasmizan said, adding that the religious officers who saw the women found one in a state of undress, and also discovered a dildo in the car.
"The caning would be carried out within the court premise," he said. "Under the sharia rules, they will be whipped with a rattan cane on their back with their clothes on while they are seated."
Thilaga Sulathireh from rights group Justice for Sisters condemned the court's decision as a form of torture. She said there have been previous cases of lesbian couples being arrested, but it was not known if they were convicted.
"Consensual sex between adults is not a crime. This is a precedence and it will increase discrimination toward LGBT people," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
A minister last week ordered the removal of portraits of two LGBT advocates from a public photography exhibition as they promoted gay activities, sparking criticism from rights groups.
Sodomy is a crime in Malaysia, which is punishable by up to 20 years in jail, although enforcement of the law is rare.
($1 = 4.0920 ringgit) (Reporting by Beh Lih Yi @behlihyi, Editing by Kieran Guilbert. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. | {
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Sterling and Waldman are set to return for a 16th season together in the booth, WFAN senior vice president Mark Chernoff confirmed.
John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman are set to return for a 16th season together in the Yankees radio booth, WFAN senior vice president Mark Chernoff confirmed on Thursday.
Sterling, 81, suffered from health issues last season that forced him to miss four games in July — ending a 30-year streak without missing a game — but he plans to return for a 32nd season, as does Waldman, 73, who has covered the Yankees in one form or another since 1987 and joined Sterling in 2005. | {
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BY DANIEL GAITAN | [email protected]
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is backing a new tax break for people caring for sick and aging relatives.
At a town hall in Iowa this week, Clinton pitched a tax credit worth up to $1,200. She also proposed a change in Social Security rules that would allow unpaid family caregivers to receive credit for their work toward retirement benefits.
“Millions of families are struggling to provide care for their loved ones— for elderly parents and grandparents, and for family members with disabilities or with serious or chronic illnesses,” according to a press release.
Clinton is supporting a proposal from Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchur of Minnesota and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. Their legislation would provide a maximum credit of $1,200 for those whose caregiving expenses reach $6,000, according to The Wall Street Journal. The value of the credit drops for upperincome families.
Clinton is also backing a funding increase for the federal Caregiver Respite program, which provides grants for rest and recreational activities for caregivers. Clinton will ask for $100 million over the course of ten years; this marks a major increase from current funding of $2 million a year and President Barack Obama’s budget request of $5 million a year.
“Caring for a sick family member day in and day out can exact a significant emotional and physical toll,” according to the press release. “Both caregiving family members, and those they care for, can benefit from occasional temporary relief.”
There are about 12 million people in the U.S. who need long-term care; that number is expected to grow to 27 million by 2050 as the baby boomer population ages.
The Clinton campaign could not be reached for comment.
John Schall, CEO of the Caregiver Action Network, said he believes Clinton’s proposals are a necessary step forward.
“Family caregiving is becoming the issue today that childcare was in the ’80s,” he told Life Matters Media. “The need is absolutely growing for family members to take care of their loved ones at home. The burden on them financially and emotionally is increasing.”
Schall said he hopes other politicians begin talking about the aging population and the burdens upon caregivers.
“Policymakers are going to have to address it,” he said. “I think you’re already beginning to see, slightly, more members of Congress talk about caregiving issues because now, like the rest of us, they’ve aged into family caregiving situations themselves.”
Troubling Statistics
Nationally, 45 million people provide care for the elderly, disabled and sick, according to a recent survey from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Unfortunately, many are overworked.
More than one-third of family caregivers have a full-time job, while 25 percent work part-time. Caregivers who work do so for about 35 hours per week on average.
The longer a caregiver has been providing care, the more likely she or he is to report fair or poor health.
Only half of caregivers report that their health is excellent or very good, while 17 percent describe it is fair or poor. By comparison, only 10 percent of the general adult population say their health is fair or poor.
“Unless you’re a caregiver, you don’t realize the work,” Schall said. “More than half of family caregivers are the ones managing medications and very sophisticated nursing tasks for their loved ones.”
– Hillary Clinton campaign | {
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A large group of around 30 placard waving protestors took over the building in Colmore Row early this afternoon. Video footage emerged on social media of activists sitting on the ground loudly chanting “What do we want? Justice" and "no justice, no peace". A spokesman for the CPS said that the crowd is in the lobby of the office building, which is shared with other companies, and are not affecting operations there.
Police officers are on the scene and have prevented the protestors - who earlier held a demonstration in the city centre - from moving further into the building, in the heart of Birmingham's high rise district. The demonstrators said they will only leave the building if West Midlands CPS sends a senior official to speak with them, but vowed to keep the place "clean and tidy" to "prevent false accusations of criminal damage" being levelled at them.
PA 'Black Lives Matter' protestors have taken over the CPS office in Birmingham
PA The protestors are highlighting the case of Kingsley Burrell
They are trying to raise awareness of the case of Kingsley Burrell, a black man who died after being restrained by police in 2011. Mr Burrell died of cardiac arrest following the contact with West Midlands Police officers who were attending a disturbance in Birmingham. An inquest held last year ruled that prolonged restraint and a failure to provide basic medical attention contributed to his death. Last month more than 100 people took part in a demonstration calling on prosecutors to reveal if charges will be brought against three officers implicated in his death. Speaking at the outdoor rally earlier today, Mr Burrell's sister, Kadisha Brown-Burrell, who has joined the office protest, said: "Today's protest - the CPS stated that before Kingsley's inquest there was insufficient evidence. "However, after Kingsley's inquest they decided that, after the IPCC report, they would revisit that decision. "We had a meeting with them this week, with CPS, and they stated nothing promising. "Hence the reason we're having the protest today." She added: "Since 1969, people have been dying in police custody and not one police officer has been convicted before. "And to highlight systematic failures to do with the criminal justice system here in the UK."
PA Mr Burrell died after being restrained by police | {
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You can do everything from fly fighters jets, to steal cars, to fight wars in a video game, but there will always still be something appealing about games like this gymnastics challenge that test your timing and reflexes in real life. Plus, it just might give you the skills you need to try out for the Olympic games one day—try out, not make the team.
The folks at Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi recently put Daisharin Tetsubo-kun—a tabletop game that has you attempting to send a tiny gymnast flipping through the air before perfectly sticking a landing—to the test, and not suprisingly, it looks like a lot of fun. It reminds us of Japan’s talented gymnastics robot that pops up in the occasional video, but here a player is in control of how much speed the gymnast builds up spinning around the bar, and when he’s sent flying.
All you need is a group of easily bribable friends to serve as judges, and your dining room will feel like an actual Olympic venue. [Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi via The Awesomer]
Advertisement | {
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Article content
GRIQUET, N.L. — Jamie Ellison’s botanical tour of northern Newfoundland provided a whole different kind of nature lesson when he looked out to a local bay and saw an iceberg with a distinctly masculine flourish.
The Nova Scotia-based horticulture instructor and 10 tour companions stood slack-jawed on the shoreline in Griquet as they took in the impressive ice formation and its clear phallic protuberance.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Newfoundland surprised tourists with a phallic iceberg Back to video
He says their quiet awe quickly turned to giggles, while prompting some “rude comments” as they came up with a name for the soaring structure.
“So someone threw out ‘penis-berg,”’ he said with a laugh from Hubbards, N.S., on Monday. “We all had a good chuckle and were laughing and just thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this is very phallic.’ We actually didn’t expect to see quite what we saw!”
Ellison, who also runs Green Optics photography, says he and his mates were heading to coffee when they spotted the iceberg in a little bay in the area and decided to stop to get a closer look. He said it was one of many icebergs that would show up on a daily basis along that coastline, where he and the group of largely American botanists were studying Newfoundland’s alpine flora. | {
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The film version of Animal Farm was released to acclaim six decades ago. There was a gala launch at the United Nations in New York in 1954 and the film was praised by national newspapers. "The British out-Disney Disney" was one headline.
George Orwell's novella remains a set book on school curriculums, and his satire has lost none of its relevance in the modern age ("All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others").
The story of how his book was turned into Britain's first animated feature film is fascinating, not least because the movie was funded by America's Central Intelligence Agency.
The temperamental donkey Benjamin in the film version of George Orwell's Animal Farm
The truth about the CIA's involvement was kept hidden for 20 years until, in 1974, Everette Howard Hunt revealed the story in his book Undercover: Memoirs of an American Secret Agent.
On January 21, 1950, when Orwell died at the age of 46, New Yorker Hunt had been part of the CIA's Psychological Warfare Workshop and he had been sent to obtain the screen rights to Animal Farm from Orwell's widow Sonia.
Some people believe that Hunt exaggerated his own role in sealing the deal – he supposedly promised Mrs Orwell that he would arrange for her to meet her favourite star, Clark Gable – but he was certainly involved in getting the film off the ground.
To add to the Orwellian nature of the story, it is interesting to note that Hunt later found notoriety as part of team that broke into Watergate.
Hunt chose as the film’s producer Louis De Rochemont, the creator of The March of Time newsreel films. They decided to use English film company Halas & Batchelor (run by husband and wife John Halas and Joy Batchelor) as the studio to actually make the film.
Why did the CIA choose England as the place to make the film? They were impressed by the advertisement commercials Halas and Batchelor had made for Kelloggs Cornflakes, and by the wartime propaganda films the couple had been behind.
The pig Napoleon represented Stalin in George Orwell's Animal Farm. He is seen here in the 1954 animated film version
The CIA also thought it would be cheaper to make the film in England and believed, with good reason, that they would be able to keep the English animators in the dark about who was funding the film.
In addition, they didn't trust the political leanings of some American illustrators. And the British government was supposedly happy with a film full of anti-Russian propaganda at a time when the Cold War was in full blast.
Vivien Halas, the daughter of the film’s directors, has said: "I don’t believe that my parents were aware of any CIA involvement at the time."
In the bonus extras for the new high-definition DVD, Howard Whitaker, one of the 80 animators who worked on the film concurred, saying: "We didn't realise at the time. We thought it was just a farm story."
Work on the film began in 1951 and took three years to complete. Watching it 60 years on is an unemotional experience. The satire is still powerful and Napoleon, the tyrant pig who represents Joseph Stalin, is an unforgettable character.
Although the animation is good – grey and grim and completely against the cheery Disney grain – the film itself is a historical curiosity rather than a piece of entertainment.
You are certainly left with admiration for the work of veteran character actor Maurice Denham, who provides the voices of every human and animal in the film.
His angry pig noises are exquisite and it is amusing to consider, in the mix of all the political intrigue, that the main concern from the British authorities was that Denham was making Old Major pig sound too much like Winston Churchill.
Perhaps it's best just to view the film as interesting historical cartoon propaganda, with a memorable plot. The Russians certainly hated the way the film lampooned their secret meetings, and talk of comradeship and five-year plans.
And making a CIA-funded film didn't harm Halas & Batchelor in the long run. They went on to have many commercial and creative successes – including a cartoon series about The Osmonds.
The one person who surely would not have been happy about it all would have been Orwell himself, not least for the way the ending to his novel was changed.
In Orwell’s pessimistic conclusion to Animal Farm, the pigs become indistinguishable from their human masters of old.
In the optimistic CIA-approved ending to the film, the (non-pig) animals ask for help from the outside. They are helped, enabling them to crush the evil Stalin ruler.
Some endings are more equal than others, it seems.
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35Benutzerbewertung: 3 von 5
Rezension für Titel von Thomas Update war da - Spiel zurück auf Null???
Der März 2016 geht zu Ende und viele Spiel-Updates lassen auf sich warten: Im letzten November gab's das 'Fitness'-Update' (3 neue Figuren), im Dezember das 'Weihnachts-Update' (9 neue Figuren) und im Januar das 'Brasilien'-Update mit 13 neuen Figuren. Am 17. März kamen mit dem Ostern/Disney-Update nochmal 2 Charaktere hinzu. ES WIRD ZEIT! Die App hängt hoffnungslos hinterher!!! Ansonsten geiles Spiel mit hohem Suchtfaktor! Mai 2016: Das Update war da!!! Alle erwähnten Spielcharaktere wurden hinzugefügt... nur mein Spiel hat sich auf den Anfang zurückgesetzt!!!!! Hatte 158 von 160 Figuren und um die 20.000 Coins. Und jetzt wieder von Vorne???? WAS SOLL DAS???? | {
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This page is about the character. For other uses, see Casper (disambiguation).
Casper the Friendly Ghost Physical Information Gender Male Species Ghost (deceased human in most versions) Age Casper) At least 100 years old ( Over 200 years old (Casper's Scare School) Basic Information Friends Wendy, Hot Stuff, Poil, Ra, Mantha, Jimmy Bradley Relatives Ghostly Trio (uncles), Spooky (cousin) Casper's Mother Casper's Father (father) Enemies Casper ), Desmond Spellman, Volbragg, Alder and Dash, Thatch, Carrigan Crittenden (arch-enemy in), Paul "Dibs" Plutzker Kibosh (arch-enemy), Snivel Powers/abilities Flight, Invisibility, Intangibility, Shape-shiffting. Home The Enchanted Forest (Classic Comics) Whipstaff Manor (Casper) Production Information First Appearance The Friendly Ghost (1939 children's book and 1945 animated cartoon) Creator company Paramount Pictures Last Appearance Casper and Hot Stuff #1 (2018 Comic Book) Creator Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo
Casper the Friendly Ghost is the protagonist of the Famous Studios theatrical animated cartoon series of the same name who also starred in many comics, a cartoon series and several films.
Casper is a good ghost, who, much to the chagrin of his uncles, prefers to help people, rather than scare them.
History
Not much is known about how Casper came to be a ghost, or how he did end up with the Ghostly Trio. According to the 1995 feature film Casper, he died when contracted pneumonia from playing out in the cold for too long, but so far, that's the only version there is.
Given that Casper is depicted as a ghostly slightly obese little boy, there is a controversy among fans of the series about whether or not he is a dead child. Early Casper cartoons seemed to suggest this, as they portrayed him "living" beside a gravestone. Specifically, the short There's Good Boos To-Night featured Ferdie, a fox befriended by Casper, coming back from the dead as a ghost. Casper's death (as well as the reason why he became friendly) has become disputed since then.
This somewhat macabre premise was later abandoned in favor of the idea that ghosts were merely a type of creature, similar to ghouls, goblins, etc. He was thereafter portrayed with feet and shown to have ghostly parents & became slightly slimmer. In the 1960s and 1970s, the stock answer provided by Harvey Comics in response to those wondering how Casper died was that he was a ghost simply because his parents were already ghosts when they were married.<ref>http://www.tvparty.com/sat67.html</ref>
The 1995 feature film Casper, however, revived the notion that Casper was a deceased human and provided a brief account of his death. According to the film, Casper died from pneumonia. The first direct-to-video film to follow the feature, Casper: A Spirited Beginning, showed Casper's early days as a ghost, not showing how he died and ignoring the story provided in the previous film.
In the original Harveytoons animation, Casper has been seen standing next to a grave inscribed with "Casper", that supports the theory he is indeed a ghost. Originally, stories have shown that his visibility is due to wearing a sheet. In the Casper live movie, this is not shown and it is implied that he is naturally visible to humans as a white creature.
He uses physical makeup in a Harveytoons show where Casper takes care of a pair of kittens, it opens with seeing (or not seeing) him scrubbing himself off in the shower, completely invisible. He becomes visible by putting on something like a white cloth that people traditionally use to masquerade as ghosts. This implies that he is naturally invisible and puts this on so that he can be seen and interact with others.
In spite of this, he is apparently still able to move through solid objects without leaving this behind, so he may be able to extend his ability to move through things to other objects.
Creation and Productions
Casper was created in the late 1930s by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo, the former devising the idea for the character and the latter providing illustrations. Intended initially as the basis for a 1939 children's storybook, there was at first little interest in their idea. When Reit was away on military service during the Second World War before the book was released, Oriolo sold the rights to the book to Paramount Pictures' Famous Studios animation, for which he had occasionally worked.Template:Citation needed
The Friendly Ghost, the first Noveltoon to feature Casper, was released by Paramount in 1945 with a few differences from the book. In the cartoon adaptation, Casper is a cute ghost-child with a New York accent, who prefers making friends with people instead of scaring them (Casper used to scare people but got tired of it all). He runs away from home and goes out to make friends. However, the animals he meets (a rooster, a mole, a cat, a mouse resembling Herman and Katnip, and a group of hens) take one horrified look at him and run off in the other direction. Distraught, Casper unsuccessfully attempts to commit suicide by laying himself down on a railway track before an oncoming train (apparently forgetting that he's already dead) before he meets two little children named Bonnie and Johnny who become his friends. The children's mother at first is frightened of Casper, but later welcomes him into the family and sends him off with her children to town wearing clothes after he wards off a greedy landlord.
Casper appeared in two more subsequent books by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolo, There's Good Boos To-Night and A Haunting We Will Go. (There's Good Boos To-Night differs wildly from later Casper cartoons: although Casper trying to find a friend and scaring everyone away before succeeding also occurs in later cartoons, the tone of the cartoon turns dark when a hunter and his dogs appear. Although Casper scares them away, the fox he has befriended is killed, but happily returns as a ghost.)
These were later adapted into Noveltoons before Paramount started a Casper the Friendly Ghost series in 1950, and ran the theatrical releases until the summer of 1959. Nearly every entry in the series was the same: Casper (now slightly thinner than his obese self that first appeared in the earlier cartoons) escapes from the afterlife of a regular ghost because he finds that scaring people can be tiresome year after year, tries to find friends but inadvertently scares almost everyone, and finally finds a (cute little) friend, whom he saves from some sort of fate, leading to his acceptance by those initially scared of him. The cartoon series also boasted a catchy title song which was written by Jerry Livingston and Mack David.Template:Citation needed By 1955, however, composer Winston Sharples composed an entirely new instrumental theme for Casper's cartoons.
Harvey Comics, television and films
Casper went on to become one of the most famous properties from the Famous Studio. Alfred Harvey, founder and publisher of Harvey Comics began producing Casper comic books in 1952, and in 1959, purchased the rights to the character outright.
After Harvey bought the rights to Casper and many other Famous properties in 1959 (including Herman and Katnip, Little Audrey, and Baby Huey), they began broadcasting the post-September 1950 theatrical Famous shorts on a television show sponsored by Mattel Toys titled Matty's Funday Funnies on ABC in 1959 which introduced the Barbie doll to the public. The other Famous produced Casper cartoons had already been acquired by television distributor U.M.&M. T.V. Corp. in 1956. U.M.&M. retitled just "A Haunting We Will Go", but miscredited "Featuring Casper The Friendly Ghost" as "Featuring Caspers Friendly Ghost".
New cartoons were created for The New Casper Cartoon Show in 1963, also on ABC. The original Casper cartoons were syndicated under the title Harveytoons in 1962 and ran continuously until the mid-90s. Casper has remained popular in reruns and merchandising, and Hanna-Barbera produced two holiday specials, Casper's First Christmas (which also starred Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss, Quick Draw McGraw, Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy) and Casper's Halloween Special (aka Casper Saves Halloween), and also the Saturday morning cartoon series Casper and the Angels (an animated takeoff on two live-action hit shows Charlie's Angels & "CHiPS")in the autumn of 1979, all on NBC. Also featured on the NBC version was a big ghost named Hairy Scary (voiced by John Stephenson). None of Casper's original co-stars appeared in the show.
Numerous Casper cartoons were released on home video by Universal Studios (via MCA Inc.), which also adapted the friendly ghost into a live-action feature film entitled Casper in 1995, where he and his wicked uncles, the Ghostly Trio, were done with computer animation. The film constructed a back-story for Casper and is the only time in the series that the question of his death has been addressed. According to the film, Casper was "straight Gang Banging" until he died from pneumonia. Whipstaff Manor appears to represent the historic Schroeppel Mansion in Syracuse, New York, which is a national monument. McFadden seems to be the name the writers used because the actual family named von Schroeppel lost a twelve-year-old son named Casper to drowning in Morristown, New York, who is said to haunt the family's estate in Syracuse. Casper was a name that could be used but not the actual name of the family.
In 1996, Fox created a new Casper series, based on the 1995 feature, that lasted two years. In the late 1990s, two live-action direct-to-video follow-ups to the 1995 film: Casper: A Spirited Beginning and Casper Meets Wendy (which introduced Hilary Duff in her first feature) were made. They were followed by Casper's Haunted Christmas (starring Spooky and Poil from the original comics and animated spin-off of the first movie), and Casper's Scare School, which were done entirely in CGI with no live-action elements. These films are often being regarded as "prequels" to the 1995 feature despite the fact that they heartily contradict the feature and do not appear to even take place in the same (cartoon) continuity.
In 2001, Harvey Entertainment was acquired by Classic Media which continues to license the Harvey properties including Casper.<ref>http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/4114775-1.html</ref>
In 2007, MoonScoop Group, in association with Classic Media, TF1 et DQ, produced a TV show of 52 X 12' named (Casper's Scare School).
Video Games
There have been several video games released based on Casper. Two different games for the Super NES. Casper for the 3DO, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Game Boy Color. Casper for the Game Boy. Casper for the Game Boy Advance. Casper: The Interactive Adventure for the PC. Casper: Friends Around the World for the PlayStation. Casper: Spirit Dimensions for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2. Casper and The Ghostly Trio for the PlayStation 2. Casper's Scare School for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. There also have been several other PC games released, Casper CD-ROM games were developed and published in many languages in 2006 and 2007 by Compendia.
Other appearances and references
In the film Ghost Dad , with Bill Cosby, the main character's daughter comments that when everyone learns her father is a ghost they will say, "Oh, look; there goes Casper's daughter." Alongside this, he also aided Cosby in the placing of drugs into an unsuspecting women's drink.
, with Bill Cosby, the main character's daughter comments that when everyone learns her father is a ghost they will say, "Oh, look; there goes Casper's daughter." Alongside this, he also aided Cosby in the placing of drugs into an unsuspecting women's drink. In the film A Perfect World , eight-year-old Phillip Perry (T. J. Lowther) shoplifts and wears a Casper costume.
, eight-year-old Phillip Perry (T. J. Lowther) shoplifts and wears a Casper costume. In the film Kids , one of the lead characters' names is Casper, and he frequently describes himself as the very friendly ghost
, one of the lead characters' names is Casper, and he frequently describes himself as the very friendly ghost The Command Service Module on NASA's Apollo 16 mission to the moon in 1971 was named "Casper" after the cartoon character.I
In the film Me, Myself & Irene , Jim Carrey's character 'Charlie' asks new tagalong "Milky" for his real name, insisting that they should stop calling him that. His response was "'Casper', but my friends call me 'Whitey'". The reference is that Casper is an albino nerdy loner kid.
, Jim Carrey's character 'Charlie' asks new tagalong "Milky" for his real name, insisting that they should stop calling him that. His response was "'Casper', but my friends call me 'Whitey'". The reference is that Casper is an albino nerdy loner kid. NASA named a Martian rock after Casper during the Mars Pathfinder's trip to the planet Mars in 1997. In the initial photos, the "Casper Rock" was shown to be completely white.
Casper was parodied in an episode of The Simpsons . Bart and Lisa were comparing each other's comic unfavorably when Bart pointed out that Casper bore an uncanny resemblance to Richie Rich and was probably Richie's ghost. When Bart wondered how Richie died, Lisa mused that perhaps he realized how hollow the pursuit of money is, and took his own life. Simpsons creator Matt Groening would later echo this opinion on the animated talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, mentioning that the Casper and Richie looked "very similar" after Groening wonders aloud "Who is Casper the ghost of?
. Bart and Lisa were comparing each other's comic unfavorably when Bart pointed out that Casper bore an uncanny resemblance to Richie Rich and was probably Richie's ghost. When Bart wondered how Richie died, Lisa mused that perhaps he realized how hollow the pursuit of money is, and took his own life. creator Matt Groening would later echo this opinion on the animated talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, mentioning that the Casper and Richie looked "very similar" after Groening wonders aloud "Who is Casper the ghost of? Casper, the Little Dead Boy?" In an episode of the Simpsons' annual Treehouse of Horror series, a gravestone can be seen that reads "Casper the Friendly Boy."
In the Family Guy three-part episode/film, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story , one scene depicts Casper's demise in an act accidentally initiated by Stewie. The two were playing catch when Stewie told Casper to go long. As he was running, Casper didn't pay attention and was hit by a car, becoming a ghost seconds later (though Casper claims that he was "going to off himself on Tuesday anyway").
three-part episode/film, , one scene depicts Casper's demise in an act accidentally initiated by Stewie. The two were playing catch when Stewie told Casper to go long. As he was running, Casper didn't pay attention and was hit by a car, becoming a ghost seconds later (though Casper claims that he was "going to off himself on Tuesday anyway"). On Cheers , Norm Peterson observed that by the end of each episode Casper was surrounded by friends, but by the beginning of the next episode he was once again friendless. Cliff Clavin's response was that Casper was simply quenching his thirst for blood.
, Norm Peterson observed that by the end of each episode Casper was surrounded by friends, but by the beginning of the next episode he was once again friendless. Cliff Clavin's response was that Casper was simply quenching his thirst for blood. In The X-Files Unrestricted Access PC CD-ROM Adventure Game, an unnamed FBI agent insults the player's supernatural investigation by referencing Casper the Friendly Ghost.
The name of the school in the Nickelodeon series Danny Phantom is Casper High.
is Casper High. Casper is parodied in an episode of Robot Chicken in which he has a brother named Jasper "The DouchebagGhost". Jasper is identical in appearance to Casper, but his personality and mannerisms are the opposite of Casper's. Instead of being friendly toward people, Jasper plays rude jokes on them (Possessing the body of a dead person at their funeral, cursing at people, etc).
in which he has a brother named Jasper "The DouchebagGhost". Jasper is identical in appearance to Casper, but his personality and mannerisms are the opposite of Casper's. Instead of being friendly toward people, Jasper plays rude jokes on them (Possessing the body of a dead person at their funeral, cursing at people, etc). In a short from Tom and Jerry Tales , Tom uses his master Van Hellsing's equipment to capture several ghosts, including one calling himself "Jasper the Social Ghost".
, Tom uses his master Van Hellsing's equipment to capture several ghosts, including one calling himself "Jasper the Social Ghost". The song "Ghost Ride" by Mistah FAB makes a reference to Casper.
An episode of SpongeBob SquarePants is called "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost".
is called "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost". Casper was going to appear in Who Framed Roger Rabbit , but was dropped out later on in production.
, but was dropped out later on in production. In the The Hermit of Black Rock episode of The Land Before Time (based on The Land Before Time films), Guido refers to Chomper as Chomper the friendly Sharptooth.
episode of (based on films), Guido refers to Chomper as Chomper the friendly Sharptooth. Daniel Johnston wrote a song entitled "Casper the Friendly Ghost" which was included on his 1983 recording Yip/Jump Music . In the song, Casper was down on his luck and threw his last dime into a wishing well but was too close and fell to his death.
. In the song, Casper was down on his luck and threw his last dime into a wishing well but was too close and fell to his death. The Casper Ghosts minor league baseball team uses the icon of Casper as an alternate logo with permission from the Harvey Entertainment division of Classic Media.
In the movie The Haunted Mansion , one of Eddie Murphy's lines is "no way, forget it Casper!" when talking to his son about helping the ghosts in the mansion.
, one of Eddie Murphy's lines is "no way, forget it Casper!" when talking to his son about helping the ghosts in the mansion. On an episode of the short-lived Fox sketch comedy show The Edge , a sketch featured "What Casper the Friendly Boy is doing right this minute". In it, "Casper" scampers along a suburban street, waving and greeting all the people he passes. Suddenly, as he is crossing the street without looking, he is hit by an oncoming truck, thereby implying how Casper the Friendly Boy became Casper the Friendly Ghost.
, a sketch featured "What Casper the Friendly Boy is doing right this minute". In it, "Casper" scampers along a suburban street, waving and greeting all the people he passes. Suddenly, as he is crossing the street without looking, he is hit by an oncoming truck, thereby implying how Casper the Friendly Boy became Casper the Friendly Ghost. In "The Dragony of Defeat", an episode of the Kids game show, "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego". Double Trouble, mistakenly thought Caspian from the Caspian Sea was the name of the friendly ghost, which Carmen corrected them.
In the comic strip, Scary Gary Leopold enlisted the aid of Casper to look for Scary Gary who was kidnapped by a monster hating next door neighbor.
"Harvey Girls Forever!" has been eyeing for an appearance of Casper in the episode "Scare Bud".
Powers
Being a ghost, Casper can become invisible and intangible, as well as fly. He is also able to turn other things in close proximity (probably requiring to touch them) intangible as well. He does with the sheet he wears to be seen, and also did it to feed a dog a bone when Casper scared off the cooked chicken that was going to be the watchdog's reward. It is unknown if he is able to turn living things intangible with him.
He has also been seen (such as in Which is Witch) fading into view to his standard white appearance from being invisible, rather than putting on the sheet. This indicates that he puts on the sheet for visibility, but is also able to turn it invisible to match his natural state. It is unknown if he is able to turn living things invisible too. However, one issue of the comic (1960s) where Casper is speaking to a friend, said that "to become invisible, think nothing."
Casper seems to be able to selectively affect the world. His natural state seems to be to be intangible (along with making his sheet this way) since when he is unaware, things pass right through him. But he is also able to physically affect things, such as moving around things or people.
It is unknown if Casper has mass, he seems to be in sync with the earth's orbit, though not necessarily due to gravity since he is able to fly at will.
Friends
Enemies
Gallery | {
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first day at work in his second tenure has thrown up a tough challenge - the economy is slowing down at a wild pace. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for the January-March quarter of financial year 2018-19 was recorded at 5.8 per cent, government data showed. This happens to be lowest growth rate in the past five financial years.
"GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q4 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 37.20 lakh crore, as against Rs 35.15 lakh crore in Q4 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 5.8 percent," the government said in a statement.
This also means India is no longer the fastest growing major economy in the world. China is ahead at 6.4 per cent GDP in the March quarter. India's GDP estimate for the entire financial year 2018-19 was 6.8 per cent.
ALSO READ:Nirmala Sitharaman is Finance Minister: 10 facts about the senior-most woman in Modi's cabinet
The latest figures will be a major cause of concern for both prime minister Modi and Nirmala Sitharaman, who has been appointed as the new Finance Minister. The lower GDP growth figures are attributed to weaker domestic consumption, slower global growth and tensions between the United States and China.
The Indian economy reported continuous decline in GDP growth rate over the quarters as fiscal 2018-19 progressed, government data showed. The GDP growth rate has constantly declined from 8.0 per cent in the April-June quarter of FY19, to 7.0 per cent in the July-September quarter, and 6.6 per cent in the October-December quarter.
As per government data, the Indian economy is estimated to grow at a rate of 6.8 per cent during the financial year 2018-19 after a downward revision from government estimate of 7.0 per cent in February. The Indian economy had grown at 7.2 per cent in the previous financial year.
ALSO READ:RBI may cut repo rate by 25 bps in the upcoming monetary policy review: Analysts
An industry analysis showed all sectors except manufacturing, construction, and financial, real estate and professional services to experience slowdown during the fiscal.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector has shown a growth rate of 2.9 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 5.0 per cent. The mining and quarrying sector on the other hand has shown a growth rate of 1.3 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 5.1 per cent.
Electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services is estimated to grow at 7.0 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 8.6 percent. Trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting sector is estimated at 6.9 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 7.8 percent. The public administration, defence and other services sector has shown a growth rate of 8.6 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 11.9 per cent.
ALSO READ:Merger of half-a-dozen banks in offing? Here are challenges that may come up
On the other hand, the growth in the manufacturing sector is estimated at 6.9 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 5.9 percent. GVA at basic prices for 2018-19 from 'construction' sector is estimated at 8.7 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 5.6 percent. The 'financial, real estate and professional services' sector has shown a growth rate of 7.4 percent as against previous year's growth rate of 6.2 percent.
Meanwhile, the fiscal deficit for financial year 2018-19 came in at 3.39 per cent of GDP. It was marginally lower than 3.4 per cent estimated in the revised estimates of the Budget, mainly due to increase in non-tax revenue and lower expenditure. In absolute terms, fiscal deficit at the end of March 31, 2019, stood at Rs 6.45 lakh crore as against Rs 6.34 lakh crore in the revised estimates of Budget.
Although in absolute terms the fiscal deficit has gone up, but as a percentage of GDP the deficit figure has come down marginally, mainly on account of GDP expansion in 2018-19.
(Edited by Vivek Punj) | {
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In a famous passage in his now classic book, Wretched of the Earth (1961) Frantz Fanon wrote one of his most iconic phrases: "Europe is literally the creation of the Third World."
Why would he say that and what could that phrase actually mean? What will have remained of the very idea of "Europe" that now even the UK has opted to bid it farewell?
Let us answer these related questions with another more recent - more urgent, perhaps - question.
Why would Dalai Lama, evidently a kind, gentle, caring man, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, for millions around the world, Buddhist or otherwise, the very definition of tolerance and gentility say: "Europe, for example, Germany, cannot become an Arab country. Germany is Germany."
While finding his own remark entertaining, the Dalai Lama laughingly adds during his conversation with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "There are so many."
'Germany cannot become an Arab country'
That is right: "Deutschland," he is reported to have said, "konne kein arabisches Land werden". This is not a neo-Nazi skinhead sharing these sentiments with a leading German newspaper. This is His Holiness, the Dalai Lama: "Germany cannot become an Arab country."
ALSO READ: Brexit: The night the UK became a little island
Germany is not an Arab country, nor is it even "in danger" of becoming an Arab country. But why would the Dalai Lama say such a thing - be so dismissive, derisive even, nervously sardonic of even the idea? What is it to him? He is neither a European nor an Arab.
Dalai Lama and the rest of Eurocentric universe around the world need this idea of 'Europe' as the figment of their own captured imagination ...
The answer to this question rests on Fanon's insight: "Europe is literally the creation of the Third World."
To be sure, Fanon meant it "literally", as he puts it bluntly: "Latin America, China, and Africa. From all these continents, under whose eyes Europe today raises up her tower of opulence, there has flowed out for centuries towards that same Europe diamonds and oil, silk and cotton, wood and exotic products. Europe is literally the creation of the Third World."
But there is also an even more potent, metaphoric, aspect to his iconic phrase, that the Third World has been definitive and instrumental in manufacturing the very idea, the metaphoric normativity, of "Europe", and with it the myth of "the West".
Partaking in the Eurocentric universe
The Dalai Lama and the rest of Eurocentric universe around the world need this idea of "Europe" as the figment of their own captured imagination, the whitewashed epicentre of their own metaphoric cosmos.
He cannot imagine this metaphor of "Europe", which in his mind is all white, all Christian, all the civilised measure of our humanity, tinted with the presence of non-Europeans, Arab or otherwise.
He, in effect, partakes freely and is categorically invested in the unexamined metaphor of "Europe" beyond all reality and geography. In that assumption, he is not a racist at all, for his mental makeup is already racialised, a normative entrapment he can never decode.
This figment of imagination has nothing to do with the reality of Europe: fragmented along race, gender, and class; some welcoming, many resentful of the new immigrants and refugees.
ALSO READ - Brexit: A wake-up call for the EU, but will it listen?
Not just the reality of this wave of migration, or even the reality of European Muslims long before this wave, but the reality of Europe as fractured in its layered composition opens to much different horizons. Put them together, these varied realities map out a vastly different Europe than the one the Dalai Lama imagines.
Europe is changing for good
The city of London has just elected its first Muslim mayor, just before the UK opted to exit the EU.
Yes, there was UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who, in order to prevent this from happening, tried to recreate sectarian hostility in London on the model of British colonial practices in India.
Yes, the new mayor had to shift to the right and denounce BDS before he could get elected. But elected he was: and on a merely symbolic and demographic register, this was an indication of what is dawning on the opening horizons.
The UK has now opted for nativism. Cameron has just announced his resignation.
Yes, there are nervous "European" philosophers (as they continue to insist in designating themselves) like Slavoj Zizek, or even more zealous Zionists like Bernard-Henri Levy and Alain Finkielkraut, or mass murderers like Anders Breivik, or politicians like Marine Le Pen, or Islamophobe atheists like Richard Dawkins, who fume and fumble at the sight of new Muslim immigrants.
But there are also other defiant voices like Alain Badiou's, who catch these retrogrades red-handed and whose visions are far more embracing of the newcomers.
Europe is changing, slowly but surely, self-imploding much quicker than the new immigrants and refuges would warrant it.
Muslim refugees are awakening Europe to its central paradox: both its racist foregrounding and its liberal illusions, and the force of this dialectic will forever alter the repressed memories of the thing that has called itself "Europe", and even more so "the West".
Refugees are liberators
Look at them closely: These refugees are liberators. They are liberating Europe from the deadpan myth of "the West". The reaction of nervous philosophers like Zizek, Levy, and Finkielkraut, as indeed the rise of nativism in UK, are symptomatic of a futile resistance to the full dimensions of a seismic change they are unable to see yet.
But change is inevitable, not so much under the pressure of refugees, but because of the bursting bubble of the myth of "Europe" itself that has long since exhausted its enabling emotive universe.
Today, the Dalai Lama and millions of other retrograde cartographers of our changing world will be disoriented and dizzy if they were to be denied "the European" figment of their own captured imagination. But tomorrow the creative consciousness of a radically different geography will inform and people our fragile earth.
The bursting of the myth of Europe and its contingent metaphor of "the West" does not bode well for "the Rest" either, for it spells out the end of all the binary illusions it has manufactured to believe itself more ardently, chief among them "the Islam" it has colonially manufactured to rule it better, aided and abetted, to be sure, by Muslims themselves.
Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York.
The views expressed in this article are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy. | {
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*Updated for 2020 Gifts for Designers 2020 | Gifts for Architects 2020
100+ Awesome Holiday Gifts for Designers and Gifts for Architects- The Ultimate Gift Guide for Designers
It's getting to be that lovely time of year again where snow lightly falls outside your window, the Coca-Cola polar bear is back, Santa is coming to town and you drink a lot...of eggnog ;)
Now one of the most fun but often daunting tasks is to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. If this task isn't already hard enough, we all have that one designer friend that is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for! Or maybe you are a designer yourself and are looking for inspiration on what to add to your own wishlist.
Alas, have no fear! Gifts for a Designer is here bringing you the BEST! and GREATEST! holiday gift list for all of your architect, designer, and creative friends! People, this list is Yuuge, but we have broken it down into some great categories (click each to skip ahead) | {
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Area residents can hear from a panel of experts about the discovered water contamination in Airway Heights at a community forum with the Spokane Riverkeeper and GU Environmental Law and Land Use Clinic. | {
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Перемога
Нейробиология в грубом приближении различает три части головного мозга человека, сформировавшиеся по мере эволюции.
Good news, everyone, как говорил профессор Фарнсворт через тысячу лет. Всё рушится, все умирают, и кажется, будто вокруг бушует хаос. И это хорошо, потому что на самом деле для нас с вами ситуация не просто стабилизируется, она ещё и стремительно стабильно улучшается.
Начну с РФ, потому что про РФ не так интересно. Путин сидит в коробке и находится сразу в двух состояниях. Для одних внешних наблюдателей, например, для польской Газеты Выборчей, он мёртв, для других внешних наблюдателей, например, для Пескова, он живее всех живых, и будет, по-видимому, жив всегда.
Мораль этой истории и этой истерии не в том, что там на самом деле с Путиным. Мораль в том, что там на самом деле с РФ. Путин отошел от рулей на пару дней, и плевать, по какому поводу – заболел, напился, сдох, неважно. И тут же наверх попёрло сразу всё – залдостановские пострелялись с джабраиловскими, ФСБшные наехали на кадыровских, начался слив Сечина и сечинских, в буквальном смысле слова накрылось изменение расцветки политической карты мира, потому что накрылось присоединение Осетии к союзному государству. Всё поплыло, всё посыпалось, везде обнаружились гнилые нитки, и они полезли. Если Путина не покажут народу ещё пару дней – полпреды Якутию отделят нахрен под шумок.
Лозунг «Путин – это стабильность» оказался настолько буквальной правдой, что глаза отказываются верить в то, что такая хреновая ситуация вообще возможна. Без Путина РФ исчезает в течение месяца, разваливаясь на пачку враждующих феодов, идущих друг на друга войной. И то, что мы сейчас видим, – предполётные испытания РФ. Испытания перед полётом в пропасть. Если Путин таки помрет – ну, значит, полетит птица-тройка под откос прямо сейчас. Если протянет какое-то время – ну, значит, полетит под откос попозже, уже полностью изможденная тем искусственным поддержанием путинской стабильности, которое уже сейчас не справляется с напряжением окружающей среды.
И это был первый фактор украинской стабильности. РФ умирает. События последних пары дней показали, что усилий для её развала необходимо всё меньше с каждым днём. Good news, everyone.
А тем временем в Украине происходит неслыханный за всю её историю мор регионалов. Все, кто каким-либо образом был замешан в интриге 2004 года с переделом власти между Ющенко, Януковичем и Кучмой, принялись стремительно стреляться, вешаться и выходить в окно. Скорость мора – в среднем, два регионала в неделю. Пеклушенко, Мельник, Чечетов, Вальтер, (Звягильский?) и ещё пачка людей, про которых мы ничего не услышим.
Горевать по этим джентльменам не получается. Партия Регионов была мафией, и то, что заметание следов в ней происходит по мафиозным схемам, может удивить только людей, которые по ошибке считали её политической партией. То, что сейчас эта организация вступила в такую фазу своей жизнедеятельности, когда спрятаться её членам невозможно ни в Испании, ни в Украине, ни даже в Д/ЛНР – прискорбно, наверное, для аффилированных с ней людей, но очень хорошие новости для Украины в целом.
Почему? Потому что происходящий убой регионалов показывает, что из Украины окончательно уходит мощнейший фактор дестабилизации её внутренней стабильности. Регионалы любили слова «покращення» и «стабильність» только тогда, когда они касались их власти. В оппозиции вся сетка бывших и настоящих регионалов, вне зависимости от того, как они там сейчас называются, занималась бы подрывом стабильности вплоть до финансирования и подготовки боевиков. Потому что их план заключался в возврате к власти благодаря протестным настроениям и ностальгии населения.
А теперь больше не будет никакой ПР и никаких регионалов. Во-первых, убивая функционеров, регионалы уничтожают свой организационный потенциал. Некому больше будет руководить процессами, все померли, застрелились в шею. А во-вторых, новых не появится. Незачем больше сотрудничать с регионалами, это тупо опасно.
Если до 16 января 2014 года я отказывался работать с большинством регионалов из эстетических соображений, а после 16 января 2014 отказывался работать с ними всеми из соображений идеологических, то теперь я не буду с ними работать из соображений сугубо рациональных. Зачем мне вступать в любые отношения с людьми, излишне склонными к принудительному суициду? Сегодня ты пьешь с жизнерадостным партнером, а завтра уже утешаешь его вдову? Давайте я лучше с кем-нибудь другим заведу бизнес, на дворе не Одесса Бени Крика, хватает политических и бизнес-групп с более низкой смертностью.
Таким образом, регионалы попросту лишаются любых вменяемых перспектив на территории Украины. У них не будет союзного бизнеса, а без союзного бизнеса не бывает ничего, кроме пустого трёпа, и даже пустой трёп без денег быстро заканчивается.
И это второй фактор украинской стабильности. ПР умирает - и скоро умрёт совсем. Часть убьют, часть сбежит, часть затихарится навеки. Вслед за КПУ в решительное небытие двинула ПР. Godspeed.
И вот на фоне этого МВФ предоставляет Украине SDR на 17,5 миллиардов долларов. МВФ – не организация по спасению Украины. МВФ – бизнес-организация. Она оценивает риски и инвестирует туда, где можно отбить. И, таким образом, явно с учетом двух вышеизложенных факторов, помноженных на невидимый нам фактор обеспечения контролируемости имеющихся украинских элит, было принято решение, что в нас инвестировать можно.
Этот кредит – не только следствие двух предыдущих факторов украинской стабильности, это ещё и само по себе – третий фактор стабильности. Транш МВФ – это сигнал прочим мировым бизнес-группам – в Украину инвестировать можно. Поэтому за явными SDR в Украину последуют ещё 30 миллиардов не таких заметных инвестиций мелкими траншами от негосударственных инвесторов. МВФ подал знак – международные инвесторы его услышали.
Мы пережили эту зиму, хотя в это многие не верили. Поздравляю всех, это важная победа.
Но не спешите танцевать Лебединое Озеро на радостях. Ничего ещё не кончилось, и никакие молочные реки никуда не потекли. Мы всё ещё оккупированы РФ, и, умирая, РФ обязательно попробует устроить финальное сражение на нашей территории. Ожидайте генерального наступления, которое нам придётся отбивать, неся большие потери. А руководство страны всё ещё оккупировано тупыми непроизводительными немотивированными непрофессиональными мудаками, которые заинтересованы только в том, чтобы разворовать всё ликвидное, что осталось в стране и запретить строить на разграбленном месте что-нибудь новое и хорошее.
Войны с террористами в Д/ЛНР и террористами во власти хватит и на наш век, и ещё нашим детям останется. Ситуация критическая, и будет критической ещё несколько лет. Нас ждут самые трудные и интересные приключения из всех, которые выпадали на долю Украины за всю её историю.
Мы не умнее, не сильнее и даже не добрее ни регионалов, ни россиян, ни их террористов.
Просто, пока они жрут друг друга, мы держимся вместе. Hoorah!
Александр Нойнец
https://youtu.be/kUwXTfWxCTM | {
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After nine months under the Vexed Gaming organization, previously known as eBettle, the Polish players are being released from their contracts effective immediately.
While never able to fight their way to the top Vexed had become a household name as the Poles showed they could recurringly make it to big events, including last year's ESL One Cologne and Dreamhack Cluj-Napoca majors, and have been hovering around the 20th spot in our team ranking since its inception.
The team fell just short of making it to the MLG Columbus major
Vexed Gaming co-owner Frederik Vig's statement on the matter:
"We’re sad to announce that the organization of Vexed Gaming is forced to release the players off their contracts with immediate effect, "The reason for this decision has foundation in unfulfilled organizational expectations and a different view on the pace of the growth of the organization. The players have been performing more than well and we sincerely hope that they will find a new home, where they can improve even more."
No longer barred by contractual ties, the team will be free to search for a new organization to represent. The lineup includes: | {
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Publicidade
O programa de concessões do governo Temer, que será lançado nesta terça (13), terá "premissas realistas" e "taxa de retorno necessária para atrair investidores". Além disso, "a modicidade tarifária não será usada nos leilões". Sai de cena o modelo da ex-presidente Dilma Rousseff que definia a menor tarifa como fator decisivo das disputas.
"O que ocorreu no passado é lição para não se repetir no presente e no futuro. Quantas concessões não se viabilizaram? Diversas, por razões diferentes", disse a presidente do BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social), Maria Silvia Bastos Marques, 59.
O banco foi usado como "acomodador do risco regulatório e do risco de crédito", disse. Nessa linha, "o BNDES não fará mais empréstimos-ponte" (financiamento temporário até que um contrato definitivo seja aprovado), anunciou, em entrevista à Folha, concedida na sexta (9) na sede do banco, no Rio.
Uma das novidades do PPI (Programa de Parcerias e Investimentos) será a inclusão, a pedido de governadores, de um plano de concessões. A primeira parte será para saneamento. Companhias de três Estados estão na lista: Rio, Pará e Rondônia.
Economista, com passagem pelos setores privado e público, Marques diz que o banco está revendo todas as condições de financiamento, para todos os setores. Ao ser questionada se achava se o BNDES deveria ser menor, respondeu que não e que considera essa "uma discussão esotérica".
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Folha - Como será o anúncio do programa de parcerias de investimentos?
Maria Sílvia Bastos Marques - Vamos anunciar as condições de financiamento. A novidade é o formato do programa. Essa primeira etapa ainda é uma mistura de projetos antigos e outros que estão entrando.
De que tipo?
Rodovias, terminais portuários, tem a Lotex [loteria instantânea da Caixa]. A novidade é a entrada de empresas estaduais. Já formatamos um programa e na primeira etapa vamos dar prioridade a saneamento.
Quais estatais estaduais?
Neste primeiro momento, temos a Cedae [companhia de saneamento do Rio], a empresa do Pará e a de Rondônia. Os três governadores nos mandaram ofício solicitando a inclusão no programa. É extremamente importante para o país.
E depois do saneamento?
Nos Estados, a prioridade serão projetos com alto retorno social, como os de saneamento, mobilidade urbana, resíduos sólidos e eficiência energética.
Há preocupação quanto à taxa de retorno?
Você aplica em fundo que não rende? Por que o investidor vai entrar num projeto que não tem retorno? A modicidade tarifária não será usada nesses leilões. Eles terão premissas realistas.
Na modelagem de aeroportos, da qual vocês não participaram, que premissas podem mudar?
Quem faz as premissas são a Secretaria do Tesouro e a Secretaria de Acompanhamento Econômico do Ministério da Fazenda. Eles estão tentando ajustar algumas coisas, mas não sei se será possível ajustar tudo.
Nas próximas, a sua ideia é sempre premissas realistas?
Não é ideia minha, é do governo. Em todo o mundo, tem de ter taxa de retorno atrativa para o investidor. Se não tiver, tem de ser subsidiada. Aí não é concessão, vira parceria público-privada. O que não é ilegítimo, desde que seja transparente. Tem de saber de onde sai o dinheiro e onde está sendo usado. O que não pode é usar o BNDES, como foi feito, para que nossas condições de financiamento acomodem condições irrealistas de mercado. O que aconteceu no passado é lição para não se repetir no presente e no futuro. Quantas concessões não se viabilizaram? Diversas, por razões diferentes.
Exemplos?
Estão nos jornais todo dia, Galeão, Guarulhos, Viracopos, rodovias, tem uma lista. Todas não estão honrando suas taxas, algumas porque os projetos não são bons mesmo, outros por condições irrealistas de leilões. O Galeão teve uma outorga de quase 300%. Qual o perfil ideal para uma concessão? Um investidor de longo prazo. Por que eles não entraram nas concessões? Fala com eles.
O que muda?
Há premissas que podem variar: a outorga, a tarifa e o financiamento. O que precisa é não ter o banco como acomodador do risco regulatório e do risco de crédito. Ele estendeu empréstimos-ponte. Isto é uma novidade: não vai haver empréstimo-ponte. Não vai.
E os subsídios?
A TJLP em si já é um subsídio. Como são projetos de longo prazo, há até uma justificativa para isso. Podemos encarar as condições de financiamento que vão ser colocadas nesses leilões como uma transição.
Modicidade tarifária não deu certo?
Não, da forma que foi feita, não. Subsídio tem de ser transparente, tem de ser discutido. A sociedade quer colocar seu dinheiro nisso? O subsídio é altamente meritório, se for direcionado principalmente para projetos que têm taxa de retorno social maior do que privado.
O BNDES está reavaliando seus empréstimos?
Estamos reavaliando várias concessões. E tem várias formas: relicitar, aumentar prazos de concessões, o que está sendo debatido, aumentar o prazo para tentar viabilizar. Venda de ativos de empresas em dificuldades.
Você voltou para o governo agora. O que mudou?
O país chegou perto de onde a gente deseja que ele chegue e retrocedeu muito. Aconteceu uma destruição da mentalidade fiscal -eu vejo muita gente minimizando isso. A sociedade ainda não entendeu que o dinheiro público é dela. E, no dia em que entender, acho que as coisas vão mudar.
O banco tem de ser menor?
Não, acho essa discussão esotérica, uma variável endógena. O banco tem seus recursos e tem de ter bons projetos. O tamanho dele vai ser resultado disso. Neste ano, ele vai desembolsar muito menos, mas é a conjuntura que está ruim. Não é questão de tamanho, é questão de efetividade.
Vai ter uma redução na carteira do BNDESPar?
Estamos atentos a todo tipo de oportunidade. Tem de ter rotatividade. Não tem sentido ficar 20 anos num negócio. Ou o projeto deslanchou ou não.
Em relação a garantias, esse é um problema nas concessões...
Não acho que seja um problema tão grande. A questão das garantias é mais crítica no período das obras. É preciso ter um bom projeto, um bom gerenciador, ter governança. As construtoras entravam como concessionárias da mesma forma que faziam a construção. Você pode não ter retorno na concessão e ter na obra.
Será possível proibir a atuação como concessionário e construtor?
Colocando no edital. Quem está fazendo isso é a secretaria-executiva do PPI. Nós não achamos uma boa prática. É possível proibir. O concessionário não precisa ser necessariamente um construtor. No mundo, os grandes concessionários são os fundos de longo prazo. Tem de ter um gerenciador independente, que trabalha para o consórcio financiador e para a agência reguladora.
É a favor de financiamento de obras no exterior?
O mundo todo financia bens e serviços fora. O que se discute é a proporção com que foi feito, que impacto teve no país. Ainda estamos respondendo ao TCU, vamos ter um tipo de anúncio em relação a isso.
Iniciativas como o porto de Cuba devem se repetir?
Não vou me pronunciar ainda porque não tenho uma coisa formatada. O que estamos fazendo é, junto com o TCU, vendo caso a caso, endereçando, respondendo a eles e estou formando, junto com a diretoria, uma opinião sobre isso.
Qual será a marca da sua gestão?
Eficácia. Não me preocupo com tamanho. Nossas prioridades já estão claras, a micro, pequena e média empresas, exportações, inovação, competitividade e infraestrutura. Estamos revendo todas as nossas condições de financiamento, para todos os setores. Gostaria até de avançar mais, mas é uma transição grande demais, temos de saber os passos que vamos dar.
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RAIO-X
Maria Sílvia Bastos Marques
Cargo
Presidente do BNDES, desde maio
Formação
Mestre e doutora em economia pela FGV, graduada em administração pública
Carreira
Foi assessora do BNDES, secretária da Fazenda da cidade do Rio, presidente da CSN, presidente da Empresa Olímpica Municipal e assessora especial do prefeito do Rio de Janeiro para a Olimpíada | {
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How to get the impact force of a collision in Unity
There are many scenarios where the force generated by a collision is necessary to perform certain actions, for instance dealing damage when a player falls to the ground. In fact we may calculate the damage to deal using the contact force of the collision with the ground, because the higher the height from which it falls, the higher the force will be (if nothing interferes with the fall). Let’s see how to get the collision impact force in Unity when a 3D or 2D collision occurs.
How to get the collision impact force in Unity 3D
Calculating the contact force of a 3D collision is very simple, in fact there is a property exposed that can be used to calculate it: all we need to do is call the impulse property from the collision instance and divide it by fixed delta time.
Usage example
Below an example on how to get the force generated by a 3D collision in Unity.
public class Character : MonoBehaviour { private void OnCollisionEnter (Collision collision) { float collisionForce = collision.impulse.magnitude / Time.fixedDeltaTime; if (collisionForce < 100.0F) { // This collision has not damaged anyone... } else if (collisionForce < 200.0F) { // Auch! This will take some damage. } else { // This collision killed me! } } }
If you are curious why we are dividing the impulse by delta time, below you have an explanation through Physics formulas. We basically have the impulse so through the second principle of dynamics we can obtain the force.
F = m • a or F = m • ∆v / t
impulse = F • t = m • ∆v
F (collision force) = m • ∆v / t = impulse / t
The total impulse is obtained by summing up the impulses applied at the collision contact points, Unity is directly providing it to us when dealing with 3D collisions.
How to get the collision impact force in Unity 2D
Obtaining the contact force of a 2D collision is not as easy as retrieving it from a 3D collision since there isn’t a impulse property exposed in the Collision2D class: we can’t just call it from the collision instance. Don’t worry, I created a workaround for that, I extended the class and added a GetImpactForce method just for you (well, it’s not true, I needed this in a personal project). Below the method that can be used to get the force generated by a 2D collision in Unity.
public static class Collision2DExtensions { public static float GetImpactForce (this Collision2D collision) { float impulse = 0F; foreach (ContactPoint2D point in collision.contacts) { impulse += point.normalImpulse; } return impulse / Time.fixedDeltaTime; } }
To use this method create a file named «Collision2DExtensions.cs» in your project, write the previous code inside it and take a look at the following usage example. The code in this method is following the same procedure defined for calculating the total impulse of a 3D collision: summing the impulses of the contact points. The total impulse is divided by fixed delta time to obtain the force.
Usage example
At the moment C# doesnt’t have extension properties but only extension methods, that’s why we have to call a method named GetImpactForce and not simply a property. But these are small details. Below a usage example.
public class Character : MonoBehaviour { private void OnCollisionEnter2D (Collision2D collision) { float collisionForce = collision.GetImpactForce(); if (collisionForce < 100.0F) { // This collision has not damaged anyone... } else if (collisionForce < 200.0F) { // Auch! This will take some damage. } else { // This collision killed me! } } }
I needed this particularly for a 2D project where the player takes damage and enters in a fall recovery state when falling from elevated heights. Another scenario for this would be the collision between two cars, you can damage the cars using a formula based on the collision contact force.
Conclusion
We have seen how to get the collision impact force in Unity 2D and 3D. This post is more focused on how to do it with 2D collisions since doing it with a 3D collision is pretty immediate and easy (and now it’s the same with 2D ones thanks to the method I provided to you). Hope it helps!
References
Below the references consulted during the writing of this post. | {
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BERLIN — An amusement park in Germany shut down a new attraction this week after complaints that it resembled a pair of giant, spinning swastikas that lifted riders into the sky over the Black Forest town of Löffingen.
The ride, called the Eagle’s Flight, included a set of four eagle-shaped cars, each connected at a right angle to a central axis, giving it a swastikalike appearance that was only amplified when it rose from the ground and twirled in the air.
Officials from the park, Tatzmania, did not respond to messages seeking comment on Wednesday. Rüdiger Braun, the owner of the park, told reporters from the European Broadcasting Union that until the backlash, he had not noticed the ride’s resemblance to an iconic symbol of Nazi Germany.
Mr. Braun told the news service that he apologized “to all persons who feel disturbed and insulted by our design” and said that the ride would be redesigned to have three cars on each arm instead of four. | {
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The first Democratic debate after Super Tuesday and Super Saturday was an understandably heated affair. Candidates have won a mixture of states, continued to accrue delegates and superdelegates, and both still stand a chance to nab the presidential nomination. The debate offered a chance for Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders to continue setting themselves apart. Unfortunately, the Vermont senator may have gone a little bit too far in essentially shushing his fellow candidate. Now, women are responding to Bernie Sanders' Democratic debate shade in which he waved his finger at Clinton and said, "Excuse me, I'm talking."
Such a tactic is an especially risky one when many women feel as if they've heard similar lines to dismiss them before. Both candidates have been relatively respectful to each other, but the body language and tone that Sanders used made it seem as if he was attempting to shut his fellow candidate down in a seriously problematic way that carries with it far more implications than a friendly reminder not to interrupt. The moment came during a particularly fiery exchange between the two candidates concerning the auto industry bailout of 2008. Needless to say, many women were bothered by the Vermont senator's behavior.
On the other end of the spectrum, plenty of people were applauding the senator or noting the comments as nothing more than an aside to an exchange that carried far more substance than those few words. That mixed reaction was evident at the University of Michigan-Flint, where Sanders' exclamation was met with a mixture of cheers and boos. Both candidates have poured considerable resources into their campaigns and don't always agree on every issue, thus it's par for the course that the two would butt heads on a debate stage.
During another especially tense back and forth between the candidates, Sanders once again resorted to a similar tactic. He instead asked Clinton if he could "finish, please." This time, the audience reaction to Sanders' comments were far more subdued.
The consistently unified front both candidates have put up certainly puts the quip into perspective, however. Clinton helped prompt Sanders on a question regarding a gun control bill passed during the Clinton administration. Were the two engaging in a debate on a GOP stage, they would've undoubtedly received an immature nickname from frontrunner Donald Trump, who's taken to calling fellow candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz as "Little Marco" and "Lyen [sic] Ted."
Maybe such a comment isn't all that bad in the face of the current election season. | {
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Nevada may be home to marijuana motels, bars, clubs soon
Nevada's local governments have the green light to license certain businesses that want to allow marijuana consumption on-site, according to an opinion released Sunday by the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
Businesses may establish lounges at which patrons can consume marijuana, and municipalities may create ordinances that require those businesses to purchase a license to do so. The privilege would also extend to events and concerts.
The opinion, requested by Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, noted that marijuana consumption must be in compliance with the state law, which limits the possession amount to an ounce of marijuana or an eighth-ounce of concentrate. Consumption within the facility cannot be visible to the public, nor can it be open to anyone under the age of 21.
More: Fernley City Council weighing medical marijuana dispensary
More: Former Raider now sells weed in Las Vegas
More: Are UNR students banned from marijuana use? Yes at school
"You can be a lounge, you could be a concert. There are hotels that are talking about catering to marijuana, they could be Air BnBs, clubs, rock concerts, coffee shops. The imagination has no limitation," said Segerblom.
During this summer's legislative session, Segerblom's Senate Bill 236, which would have given a business the right to allow marijuana consumption on the premises, failed. Segerblom was hopeful that the bill would pass considering much of the industry is expected to be fueled by the state's 43 million tourists each year.
For instance, one dispensary told Segerblom that, during the weekend of the arts festival, Burning Man, more than 4,000 people visited the store. While smoking weed may not be OK at Burning Man because it's on federal land, the organization could apply for a permit from the local government, Pershing County, to allow marijuana consumption in an enclosed space on-site, Segerblom said.
"Nevadans have spoken. Right now we’re encouraging people to purchase pot, but there’s no place to use it. Plus, you can’t take it home," Segerblom said.
While the opinion could help tourists find places to smoke and eat edibles, not all of the challenges will be over for those seeking 420-friendly stays.
Hotels, and any facilities with gambling on the grounds, will remain ineligible to allow marijuana consumption because they still have federal gaming licenses. A federal prohibition of both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana still is in place, despite the legalization of marijuana in more than two dozen states.
Consumption at dispensaries remains illegal, according to the opinion, since state statutes explicitly list medical marijuana establishments and retail marijuana stores as places where marijuana cannot be consumed.
While both city and county governments are cited in the opinion as having the right to move forward with "pot lounges," some are hesitant to act yet. Trial and error is the best method to progress, Segerblom said.
"Every local government should have their own attorney do their own evaluation, but (this opinion) is looked to as the gold standard of opinions in the state. This carries a lot of weight," Segerblom said.
Gov. Brian Sandoval told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that it he did not support pot lounges and wanted the Nevada Attorney General's Office to look into the matter.
City of Reno officials were not immediately available to answer whether they'll consider having pot lounges within city limits, but officials with the city of Sparks said that their legal counsel likely would have to take a look at the opinion. | {
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Republican California Rep. Devin Nunes tore into Democratic California Rep. Adam Schiff in a letter Sunday that suggested Schiff was “complicit in the violation” of Carter Page’s civil liberties and had “hijacked” the House Intelligence Committee.
Nunes wrote the letter, obtained by the Daily Caller, to the chairman of the committee, in response to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report released last week. That report said FBI actions were “pretty bad” and found widespread abuse in how the bureau obtained Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants to spy on Page, who worked on President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Nunes noted that “the IG’s findings of pervasive, major abuses by the FBI dramatically contradict the assertions of your memo released on February 24, 2018, in which you claimed, ‘FBI and DOJ officials did not ‘abuse’ the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) process, omit material information, or subvert this vital tool to spy on the Trump Campaign.'” (RELATED: Lindsey Graham: Carter Page Should ‘Sue The Hell Out Of’ FBI And DOJ)
The ranking Republican member on the committee suggested that Schiff is “in need of rehabilitation, and I hope this letter will served as the first step in that vital process.”
Nunes reminded Schiff of how the congressman had consistently offered his “misguided validation of the FISA warrant” as well as touting former MI6 agent Christopher Steele’s legitimacy and the now discredited dossier that he provided to the FBI that, among other things, suggested Trump was cavorting with prostitutes in Russia.
“For example, during this committee’s March 20, 2017 open hearing, you claimed Steele ‘is reportedly held in high regard by U.S. Intelligence,’ and proceeded to read into the congressional record numerous conspiracy theories proffered by Steele, all of which are false,” Nunes wrote, adding that “this makes it clear your rehabilitation will be a long, arduous process.”
The ranking member suggested that Schiff has completely forgotten that the Intelligence Committee “is responsible for overseeing the Intelligence Community and exposing abuses. Yet when the IG identified gross abuses in our jurisdiction, you expressed full faith in the agencies we’re supposed to be vigilantly monitoring … ”
Nunes accused Schiff of using the committee as a “launching pad” for impeaching the president and that Schiff needs to acknowledge that he has failed to monitor the intelligence community while admitting he has “a problem — you are hijacking the Intelligence Committee for political purposes while excusing and covering up intelligence agency abuses.” (RELATED: Comey Says He Was Wrong In Surveillance Abuse, But Downplays His Own Role In Bungled Case)
The GOP congressman is not optimistic about Schiff’s “rehabilitation,” writing that it will require Schiff to admit that he had denied abuses in the DOJ and FBI while being “complicit in the violation of an American’s civil liberties.“
In a parting shot, Nunes cited Schiff’s “years-long false claim that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to hack the 2016 presidential election.” Schiff persisted in telling the media that the evidence of collusion could be “found in plain sight,” while Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report found no evidence of collusion. | {
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Drinking alcohol, especially after a long week of work, is one of the better feelings a man can have. We’re not saying it’s a way to ease the mind and get through life’s struggles — so do it in moderation — but, let’s face it, throwing back a few cold ones with buddies to close out a tough day can be awesome.
And, although drinking can be looked at as dumb by some people, leaving those who booze incapable of doing simple tasks like walking in a straight line or forming a proper sentence while doing it, drinking alcohol heavily will make you smarter in the long run. At least, that’s according to a new study that was conducted at the London School of Economics, per LADbible.
The London School of Economics followed thousands of 39-year-olds and, from their findings, discovered that both men and women with college degrees were almost twice as likely to drink alcohol on a daily basis. This was compared to their peers who don’t have a college degree. The results were pretty fascinating, per the LADbible piece.
“The more educated women are, the more likely they are to drink alcohol on most days and to report having problems due to their drinking patterns,” the report states. “The better-educated appear to be the ones who engage the most in problematic patterns of alcohol consumption.“
So, yeah, anyone who says that drinking alcohol is just a waste of money, time and damaging to your health, while they are right at times, this study shows that they might be wrong a lot of times.
Need even more support for throwing back a few cold ones this weekend? Recent data from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) in the UK discovered that there’s actually a correlation between intelligence as a kid and the amount of alcohol being drunk in their 20s, 30s and 40s. That means that, all those baby geniuses are just growing up to be big time drinkers.
The LADbible piece said that the study found that “very bright” British teens grow up drinking alcohol more frequently, even saying it happens once every month or so when compared to their classmates who don’t.
We’re not saying this is the best study ever created, but, we’re not saying it’s terrible either. With alcohol helping to throw your inhibitions to the wall, thus, making us more likely to be social, this research is just more of a reason to keep drinking alcohol regularly and not feeling so bad about it. But, remember, don’t be stupid while throwing back, so drink responsibly.
(H/T LADbible) | {
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The Chromebook is about to get a real shot in the arm. A million extra shots, actually, as Google announced that Android apps would indeed run on Chromebooks and Chromeboxes, confirming an earlier Reddit leak.
While the previoius, limited app support used ARC (Android Runtime for Chrome), the new approach runs within a Linux container on Chrome OS, meaning that developers won’t have to do anything extra to make their apps work. It also means there’s no emulation at play, and all apps run within a protected sandbox mode – based on Android Marshmallow for now.
Before you get too excited, bear in mind that the change isn’t coming overnight. The feature will first come to the Chrome OS dev channel in June, but even then it will only run on a number of handpicked devices – specifically those with touch screens like the Chromebook Pixel. The idea, according to Tech Crunch, is that this slower roll-out will give developers time to optimise their apps for keyboards should they decide it’s worth the effort.
This has been rumoured to be coming for a while, with one eagle-eyed Redditor spotting the feature in the wild last month.
For a split second on bootup, said Redditor spotted an option simply labeled “Enable Android apps to run on your Chromebook”, before the tickbox vanished again. Another user was quick to reply the screengrab below, but added “Does not work yet, so don’t get too excited… Google I/O should be interesting this year though.”
This is a huge deal. Right now, you’re limited to the Chrome Web Store if you want to run apps on your Chromebook. There are a fair few apps in there, of variable quality, and back in 2012, Google proudly announced that Chromebook apps had been downloaded 750 million times.
But Google has been a bit more quiet about the stats since, which suggests the environment is stagnating. And even that huge number is a drop in the ocean when you compare things to the Google Play store on Android, which managed 50 billion downloads in 2014 alone.
Now it has been officially confirmed, it’ll do nothing to stem the rumours that the two systems will one day be merged.
READ NEXT: What apps would you get on Chromebook? Here are the best Android apps around
Images: Technology Guide Test Lab and Imgur | {
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“In its infancy, the Fifteenth was in the awkward position of being within spitting distance of the heart of the Empire without being part of it. Legate Juniper, ever brutally sardonic, pointed out that give how tall their manors stood, they had a better chance of landing the spit on us than us on them. History wasted no time in proving her correct.”
– Extract from the personal memoirs of Lady Aisha Bishara
Hakram had learned the move from the battlemaster for the Howling Wolves when he was nine years old. Catch the enemy’s wrist with your hand, leveraging greater muscles, and on the other side slap your open palm on the human’s ear. The wheat-eaters were known to be delicate in the head, by the standards of the Clans. There was a pop as the dark-skinned man’s eardrums burst: the pain stopped him for a moment. The adjutant snarled, lunging forward and sinking his teeth in the exposed throat. Long fangs buried in soft flesh, ripping through veins and arteries as he shook his head out. The stranger twitched, blood spraying everywhere and coating Hakram’s face with pleasant warmth, then dropped. Eyes perfectly calm, he looked for the other man who’d tried to accost them but found Aisha had already taken care of it: she’d buried a knife to hilt through the Soninke’s eye. With measured elegance she slid out the knife, flicking away some kind of transparent fluid. Robber popped out of the side-alley a moment later, shaking his head.
“There were only two,” the yellow-eyed tribune said, face unusually serious.
It seemed even Robber took attempts to kill them seriously, on occasion. Swallowing the last of the meat, Hakram cleared his chops of the gore with a rough tongue. Good thing no other orc was around, it was considered a pretty suggestive movement where he was from – but then the Howling Wolves kept to many of the traditions from the Lesser Steppes, for all that they lived in the heart of the Northern ones. An unbroken line of shamans and blood-witches going back to the Golden Age had done much to keep the old ways alive.
“You were the target,” Aisha decided, addressing him nonchalantly as she riffled through her corpse’s clothes. “Mine spent half the fight trying to get at you.”
Hakram almost chuckled. Aisha might call that little rumble a fight, but what he’d seen of her part of it had looked more like a cold-blooded execution. The Hellhound’s second had not hesitated so much as heartbeat before putting down her opponent, not that this surprised him. Taghreb were not a merciful people and their nobility had only gotten where it was by being terrifyingly nastier than all other comers. Not even the orcs had ventured in the Hungering Sands, back in the days of their power. The only people to have mastered the desert tribes were the Miezans, and hadn’t they mastered the whole world?
“Can’t blame them, my boy Hakram is a handsome bastard,” Robber added thoughtfully. “More bastard than handsome, in truth, but he only has so much to work with.”
“Your moral support humbles me,” the adjutant replied mildly, then returned his attention to the olive-skinned aristocrat. “If they had a target, this wasn’t two locals trying to shake up soldiers after pay-day.”
Aisha raised a condescending eyebrow at him. She’d yet to manage to shake herself of that habit, not that Juniper had done anything to help. The Hellhound apparently found the sight of humans sneering at other humans amusing.
“This was an assassination attempt, Hakram,” the aristocrat said. “There’s no use trying to pretend otherwise.”
The tall orc had arrived at the same conclusion, actually, be he disliked hurrying to judgement. In a city like Ater, acting too quickly was a dangerous thing. The Fifteenth was camped half a day away from the scheming heart of the Empire and this was far from the first time they’d been probed by unknown forces. Had Lord Black not still been in the capital, he imagined it would have been much worse – the Empress’ right hand cast a long shadow, and few were willing to risk the man’s ire by attacking his pupil directly. Until today, it seemed. Hakram would not delude himself into thinking he’d achieved enough as an individual to rank an assassination attempt: it was his function in the Fifteenth Legion that merited killing.
“The Boss is going to be in a mood when she hears about this,” Robber said delightedly.
Aisha frowned at the comment, then rose to her feet. “No personal effects,” she said. “He does have a tattoo between his shoulder blades, though.”
The Staff Tribune had thoughtfully flipped the corpse over for them to look at. Hakram knelt by the dead human and peered at the inked skin. Some kind of bird picking at a corpse. He cast a look at Aisha, silently asking for information.
“A buzzard, I think,” she said. “Associated with Aksum in Soninke heraldry but I’ve never seen this symbol before.”
That didn’t mean much. The Dread Empire wasn’t as bad as Callow or Procer, where everybody and their goat had a sigil, but the Wasteland bred ancient conspiracies the way the West whelped chivalric orders and every single one of them had some sort of meaningful secret sign. Tyrants stamped them out whenever they came in the open, but for every one out in the sun there were a dozen meeting in crypts. Ignoring Robber – never a good idea, that – Aisha met his eyes squarely. Unusual. Taghreb and Soninke both avoided doing that whenever they could. Demons and devils taking human shape could use eye contact to steal your soul, as could some Warlocks. Aisha was being serious about whatever she would say next.
“We can’t tell Lady Squire,” the Staff Tribune said.
Robber burst out laughing. “Boy, did you pick the wrong crowd to try to float that.”
The goblin tribune wasn’t wrong. Inside the unofficial ‘Squire faction’ of the Fifteenth, both he and Robber were prominent members. Nauk was the only one more outspoken about his allegiances: the other orc had decided that Cat was the warlord of their generation, and as far as he was considered that settled the matter. Every matter, really. Good orcs did not question their warlord, though they ripped out the guts of anyone who did. And yet. Hakram did not believe in unthinking service. Blind obedience had been the death of many a villain. Aisha Bishara was an aristocrat to the bone, but that did not make her the enemy. The Fifteenth would come to telly on her ability to navigate the treacherous waters of Tower politics in the coming years, he suspected.
“Why?” he asked.
Aisha straightened, her face smoothing out in a pleasant mask. The apparent charms of her appearance – that Ratface still couldn’t shut up about, when he got into his cups – were thankfully lost on Hakram. Humans were like ugly hairy two-legged cows. Unlike orcs they got hair on every part of their bodies instead of just the top of the head. Why the males got beards and moustaches when the females didn’t was just one of those mysteries of biology: he suspected whatever Gods had created humans had not been sober at the time.
“You’re her favourite, Hakram,” Tribune Bishara stated.
It was not a question and he did not deny it. Exactly what Cat saw in him he wasn’t sure, but he liked her enough he didn’t care to question the bond.
“If Lady Squire hears there was an attempt on your life, she’ll be kicking down every door in Ater until she gets to hang whoever she deems responsible.”
“It’ll be fun,” Robber grinned. “Been millennia since there was a proper greenskin raid on the capital.”
That’s her whole point, Robber, Hakram understood as he remained silent. Even the goblin had unconsciously realized that Praesi soldiers would balk at entering the streets of Ater in full gear to exact retribution. The Callowan recruits were still an unknown quantity but they might see the whole affair as a way to wiggle out of service to the Legions. Too many risks involved.
“Her response could be more measured than that,” he pointed out.
People who underestimated Catherine Foundling had this nasty habit of eating dust.
“It won’t be,” Aisha said confidently. “You didn’t see her in the Tower, when one of Heiress’ minions provoked her. She broke that girl’s finger without hesitating and then paid for it. The Fifteenth’s too young, we can’t afford to make the kind of enemies a heavy-handed retaliation would earn us.”
“We’re not without protection ourselves,” the orc said.
Aisha shook her head. “We can’t get the Black Knight involved. Relying on his protection every time we have a problem just makes us a liability. We need to start dealing with these kind of messes ourselves, Hakram. Quickly, quietly, cleanly.”
She wasn’t wrong, he decided. The orc was not sanguine at the idea of involving the most famous of the Calamities in their business, in all honesty. Cat seemed strangely fond of the man but Hakram considered him a considerable danger nonetheless. He wasn’t willing to hide any of this from Squire, but neither was it necessary to send a runner to her the moment things got complicated. Taking care of issues like this fell under his function as adjutant, in fact if not in name. He took a moment to consider the possible consequences, ignoring the way impatience flickered in Aisha’s eyes, then made his final decision.
“Agreed,” he said.
“Hakram,” Robber broke in, looking startled, “you can’t possibly-“
“We hang a dozen nobles and the entire court will be out for blood,” the orc replied. “It might become enough of a mess we won’t get deployed.”
Deployed where, he did not yet know. Cat was playing that one close to the chest, but she’d made no secret of how urgent getting the Fifteenth in fighting shape was. That much was common knowledge among all the high-ranked officers of the legion.
“We still need a lead,” Robber conceded grumpily.
“I have a cousin who may know something,” Aisha offered.
The same one who ran the Sword and Cup, if Hakram had to guess. Clever of the Staff Tribune to turn a family-owned property into the unofficial watering hole of her legion, but Hakram misliked the idea of getting too many unknowns involved.
“We’re keeping this in-house. We already have a man, if we need a guide in the underbelly of Ater,” he said.
Aisha grimaced and Robber cackled.
“Let’s go visit Ratface, then,” the goblin grinned.
Hakram waited until they’d left the alley ahead of him to lean over the closest corpse and pluck out the eyeballs, popping one into his mouth. No use wasting good meat, and it looked like he wouldn’t be getting dinner.
—
Aisha knew where Hasan – Ratface, as the others still called him – was. He’d already been a regular at the Burnished Swan when she’d first become involved with him, long before other cadets had taken to drinking. It had been part of what had made him attractive at the time, the way he seemed to have lived, strayed outside the confines of cadet routine and the War College. She should have known that no one took up frequenting dives like this unless there was already something wrong in their life, and the list of Hasan’s issues would cover several small books. Their parting had been amicable, though apparently surprising to him, but having been the one to distance herself she disliked the idea of asking for his help now. She’d let Hakram do the talking, if she could: owing the other Taghreb a favour was not something she desired to happen any time soon. Robber, the irritating pest, seemed to smell her discomfort.
“A romantic reunion, eh?” he leered. “Careful not to swoon too hard, the floors look dirty.”
Weakness is a goblin’s meal, the saying went. Give this one an inch and soon he’d be chewing your bones.
“I will have you drowned in a latrine pit,” she replied in Taghrebi, smiling invitingly at him.
Hakram snorted. The goblin was, at least, correct about the floors. The Burnished Swan was in dire need of a mop and a handful of stray dogs were digging at scraps the patrons occasionally threw them. The parlour was full of bangue smoke and the heavy smell of poppy pipes from the back where hard men and women gambled with dice and bones over narrow tables. She ignored the few leers she got from older men and headed straight for the stairs, taking the lead. There were a handful of private rooms there and the one furthest back had been set aside for Hasan permanently. How exactly he’d managed that she was not sure, but she suspected that more than money had changed hands. She rapped her knuckles thrice against the door before pushing it open, Hakram and Robber trailing in behind.
Much like the last time she’d been here, Hasan was seated on a pile of cushions with piles of parchment and a cheap set of scales at his side. Two empty jugs of wine were to his left and a full one was currently employed in pouring himself a cup. The Supply Tribune’s handsome features twisted in surprise, an unseemly display of bare emotion. He must have been rather drunk: the other Taghreb despised everything their culture stood for, but he’d not left behind the concept of losing face even in private.
“Well,” Hasan spoke up, the slur in his voice barely noticeable, “this is a surprise.”
“Oh Gods, he’s drunk,” Robber said, sounding thrilled. “Quick, Ratty, how many fingers am I holding up?”
Hasan replied to the goblin’s flipping off in kind, his eyes passing over her and finally coming to rest on Hakram.
“I have a feeling I’m not going to enjoy the coming conversation,” he said.
“We left two corpses in an alley,” Robber contributed cheerfully.
One of these days, Aisha was going to strangle him. No tonight, unfortunately, but the time would come.
“There was an assassination attempt on Hakram,” the olive-skinned aristocrat said. “We disposed of the assailants.”
Hasan rubbed the bridge of his nose, then carelessly gulped down his whole cup of wine.
“Fuck,” he said. “There goes my night off. Why are you three here instead of say, in camp, arming up?”
“There was a tattoo on the back of the corpses,” Hakram gravelled. “A buzzard picking at a corpse.”
“Marked men, it’s not unusual,” Hasan replied. “I reiterate, why the Hells are you three not in camp while a runner gets Foundling?”
Aisha almost frowned. The familiar way he insisted on referring to Lady Squire was quite irritating. The greenskins could be excused the poor manners, but she knew the other Taghreb had been raised better than that. Even bastards got etiquette lessons, and Hasan had been presumptive heir to his father’s lordship for the better part of a decade.
“We won’t be getting Lady Squire involved,” she said.
Her former lover laughed. “I could swear I just heard you say no one was going to tell Catherine Foundling an assassination attempt was made on her personal adjutant,” he said. “Clearly I’ve been drinking too much. Could someone speak again but use words that don’t make me want to order a fourth jug of wine?”
Hakram cleared his throat and Aisha cast the situation an interested look. Technically speaking, Hasan was of higher rank than the orc – so was she, as a tribune-ranked member of the general staff. The hierarchy at play was muddled by the fact that technically Hakram answered directly to the Lady Squire and was deepest in her confidence. The adjutant might yield little authority in theory, but at the moment he could end a career or string a noose with a single whisper. That he’d shown remarkable restraint in the use of his influence had cemented Aisha’s respect for the orc, who she’d always considered one of the most competent members of Rat Company.
“Concerns have been raised that she may retaliate in a way that burns a lot of bridges,” Hakram said.
Robber mimed getting hanged to help getting the point across. Almost useful of him. Maybe she’d have him drowned in scum water instead. Hasan smiled thinly.
“I bet she will,” the Supply Tribune agreed. “She’ll take fire and sword to the city until she owns the hide of whoever’s responsible.”
He poured himself a glass, hand surprisingly steady. Perhaps not so drunk, after all. Or just so used to drinking he’s developed a talent for this, she thought less flatteringly.
“I don’t see a problem with that,” he finished, sipping at his wine. “Ater could do with fewer fucking nobles. This whole Empire could.”
She’d known it would come to that. Aisha felt her blood rise. For someone talented in so many clever ways, Hasan was so horribly dim in others. He couldn’t see past his grudge against his father, and had extended that hatred to every aristocrat in Praes. Which was punishingly narrow-minded, if he wanted to pursue a career in the Legions. A hundred times she’d told him, that he’d never be more than a career tribune if he was openly hostile to anyone with influence in the Tower. Gods Below, half the students at the War College were nobly born. Aisha smoothed out her temper, which had thankfully escaped anyone’s notice. Reasoning would be of no use here. For all that, her quiver was not yet empty. Softening her face, she knelt next to the Supply Tribune.
“Please, Hasan,” she asked softly, lightly touching his bare wrist. “For me. Just this once.”
His hard-eyed defiance deflated almost instantly. Her met her eyes with his for half a heartbeat, just long enough not to break custom, then looked away. Aisha almost felt guilty for exploiting the fact that he was quite obviously still in love with her when she did not feel the same, but guilt weighed little on the scales compared to the consequences of failure here.
“Bish,” he murmured. “Don’t be like that. I’m following protocol here.”
“I’m not asking you to follow the rules, I’m asking you to do what’s best for the Fifteenth,” she replied just as quietly.
And that was what tipped the vase over, in his mind. Hasan loved the Legions with an almost childlike purity. He’d found the family there that his blood had denied him and all his allegiances were founded on that bedrock. He would do much for her but even more for the Fifteenth.
“Fine,” he finally grimaced. “I don’t recognize the mark, but I know someone who will.”
He rose to his feet a little unsteadily, only to be settled by the touch of her hand on his chest.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t do that,” he muttered. “I know what you’re doing. I’m just fool enough to fall for it anyway.”
He left them in the room, heading down the stairs. There was a moment of silence, then Robber whistled.
“That was the coldest thing I’ve seen all day, and Hakram just ate a guy,” the goblin said.
“Part of one,” the orc corrected mildly.
Aisha glared at the wretch. He’d just slid back to latrine drowning.
—
So Juniper’s handmaiden had just worked the harshest of wiles on poor innocent Ratface, which boded ill for the guy’s love life. Robber sympathized, inasmuch as he could sympathize with anything or anyone. It wouldn’t stop him from mercilessly mocking the man later, but he liked to think of that as a labour of love. The Quartermaster came back with the shadiest woman Robber had ever seen, and he was a goblin. Matrons basically became Matrons by proving it was possible to be even more outrageously ruthless than their predecessors, and every single female goblin who wasn’t a Matron was one poisoning away from correcting that injustice. This wonder of humanity glared suspiciously at all of them, then spoke in soft aside to Ratface in some horribly garbled Taghrebi dialect.
“I trust them,” the Quartermaster said, with laudably poor judgement.
“You’ve killed marked men,” the woman said, then spat to the side. “What was the mark?”
“A buzzard tearing into a corpse,” Hakram said.
The stranger looked at the adjutant like he was something a dog had thrown up on her carpet. Ah, one of those. Ater wasn’t as bad as some of the northern cities of the Empire, but there were still quite a few people there who thought greenskins shouldn’t be allowed to step foot out of their lands until they were called for. Apparently Nauk had lost his shit over something like that in Thalassina, yet another proof that the thick-headed bastard was unfit to be with Pickler in any way.
“Catacomb Children,” the woman said. “Old gang, from Aksum. Used to do contract killings for the Truebloods, until Assassin had a talk with them.”
By which she likely meant that they’d all been found in a warehouse dead of a string of unlikely yet simultaneous mortal accidents. Robber had always approved of the sense of humour the Calamity was rumoured to have. If you couldn’t make murdering your enemies hilarious, what was even the point? Well, fun. And getting paid. But that wasn’t the particular point he’d been referring to, so his argument still stood flawless and unbroken.
“And where do those naughty kids hole up, my blatantly criminal friend?” Robber asked.
“Muzzle your pet,” the woman told Ratface in Taghrebi.
“That man is Tribune Robber of the Fifteenth Legion,” Aisha replied sharply in the same. “Watch your tongue, if you intend to keep it.”
Ah, good ol’ Aisha. Might despise him, but anybody insulting a legionary was in for a rough time if she was around. Almost endearing how easy it was to wind her up. The other woman spat again, but she didn’t care to get into a pissing match with someone who might as well have ‘highborn’ stamped on her forehead.
“Dekaram Quarter,” she said. “Near the buried sewer entrance.”
Robber almost whistled again. Taking a contract on a legionary was proof those boys hadn’t been great thinkers, but this was spectacular confirmation. Only raging imbeciles set up shop near Ater’s sewers: the whole place was crawling with giant spiders. At least half a million, by the last estimate, and they got bigger the deeper you went. They said Dread Emperor Tenebrous himself – well, herself now – was the one spawning them, having gone from thinking he was a giant spider in human skin to actually being one. Oh, those wacky humans. Second year tactics class spent a whole fortnight going over the logistics of clearing out the sewer system and the tunnels running under it, an exercise to demonstrate the concept of a victory too costly for the results achieved. Mages sworn to the Tower shad put wards over all the exits, but now and then one got out and nabbed some poor fool out in the streets at night. That these Catacomb Children had decided it was clever to base themselves close to a nigh-endless flood of death only barely bottled up promised it would be good clean fun to take them on.
“Two corpses, Fa’ir?” the criminal asked Ratface.
“In good shape, too. Where did you kill them, Aisha?”
The aristocrat looked like she was too good to frown but kind of wanted to anyway.
“Two streets east of the Sword and Cup,” she replied.
Hakram looked like he’d gotten caught hiding aragh under his bunk again.
“The eyes might be missing on one,” he admitted.
“Oh, was that eye-breath?” Robber asked. “Gods, you really have a problem with those.”
“Nobody sells them fresh around here,” the adjutant replied defensively.
The sketchy woman, who’d been about to hand Ratface seven denarii, took two back from the Quartermaster’s palm. She left without bothering with goodbyes, ignoring Robber’s cheerful wave.
“Hasan,” Aisha said. “What does that woman trade in?”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answer to,” Ratface grunted, pocketing the silver.
Robber rubbed his palms together. “So this is the part where I talk to a few of my people and we have a nice chat with these Funeral Adults?”
“We all know you’re getting that wrong on purpose,” Hakram noted.
“Lies,” the goblin tribune exclaimed. “Calumny. Possibly even a set-up.”
He leaned closer to Aisha.
“You can never trust a greenskin, Bishara,” he confided. “They’re a shifty lot.”
The noble looked like she was about to say something scathing when Ratface broke in, because he was the enemy of all forms of joy and laughter.
“You can’t bring a goblin raiding party in the city, Robber,” he said. “This is Ater, not Foramen. Everyone important in the city will know they’re here within the hour and our targets disappear into the crowd.”
The tribune scowled. He’d been looking forward to giving his boys and girls some exercise.
“There’s currently two hundred legionaries on leave in the city,” Aisha said.
Staff Tribune, coming to the rescue with her intimate knowledge of duty rosters.
“So we assemble a crew, then get out hands on some weapons,” Robber grinned.
“And then we clean up this mess,” Hakram said, baring his fangs. | {
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We looked at eleven million games, and playtested ninety-six thousand games, for season four of Tabletop.
The exact order that we’re releasing episodes and the exact timeline for the release isn’t set yet, and it isn’t up to me, but here are the games we’ve settled on for Tabletop Season Four:
Lanterns
Fury of Dracula
Mysterium
Code Names (with six players for maximum funtimes)
FATE Core RPG
Dragon Farkle
Flashpoint
Harbour
Eldritch Horror
Star Realms
Monarch
Star Trek – 5 Year Mission
Champions of Midgard
Steam Park
Tiny Epic Galaxies
Welcome To The Dungeon
Misspent Youth RPG
This season, I wanted to play games that were accessible to families, indie games, more RPGs, and at least one or two games that broke the rules I usually use to choose games. We start filming in a few days, and the season will be released starting in June or July. And because I know it’s going to end up being a FAQ: Titansgrave’s second season is in development right now. We’re aiming to film it in a couple of months, and release it in Autumn.
I hope there’s at least one thing here that you’re looking forward to, and PLAY MORE GAMES!!
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This week’s spotlight is on a developer with a passion for cars and driving: @TwentyTwoPilots! We got the chance to talk with him about how he got into Roblox development and how he took his experience to the next level by applying his skills as a Roblox developer to his civil engineering internship. Without further ado, here it is directly from the developer behind the front page favorite, Ultimate Driving: Westover Islands!
The Westover Islands aren’t the only installment in the Ultimate Driving Universe. What other games are there?
Aside from Westover, I’ve also made Odessa and Delancy Gorge.
Right now I’m also working on two huge map expansions for the Ultimate Driving Universe: one in a large mountainous city, the other in a coastal resort community surrounded by wide-open farmland. On top of those, I’m also working hard on giving an old fan favorite map a huge face lift; streaming this project’s progress on Twitch for Ultimate Driving’s passionate community to watch has been a lot of fun!
What prompted the beginning of your career as a Roblox developer and the creation of this entire universe of Ultimate Driving games?
All through middle school, I spent a lot of time in class sketching these huge, elaborate maps to pass the time. I had always had a big interest in roads and infrastructure growing up, so this was a great creative outlet for me. Then, one a summer afternoon over 10 years ago, a friend of mine showed me this cool new physics simulator that he had found called ROBLOX! Early on, I spent a lot of time playing the rudimentary games that were on the front page at the time - Tiger370’s Demolition Derby comes to mind as one of the first games I played on the platform. Between my interest in creating large worlds and my desire to replicate a game like Demolition Derby, I eventually found myself learning how to put together games on Roblox. All the right pieces came together when the very first iteration of Ultimate Driving hit the front page for a brief week back in 2010, and this initial success is what made me realize just how well Roblox could help me cultivate my passion that began with hand-drawn doodles. I started seriously developing games on Roblox because the platform is a fantastic creative medium that allows people to turn their ideas or doodles into full-fledged experiences for massive audiences.
What impact has Roblox had on your life, aside from the creative outlet it provided?
Being with Roblox for so long has given me the opportunity to form friendships and lifelong relationships with so many awesome people I never would have even met otherwise. With the advent of DevEx, working on Roblox went from being just a hobby to being a hobby AND a job, and having a good job that you wake up excited to do each morning is fantastic! On top of all this, I was able to take the 3D modelling experience I have with Roblox and apply it to my civil engineering internship. Using Roblox and Blender, I was able to provide 3D models of roadway props to real life specifications for public outreach campaigns for large local transportation projects!
What are your hopes for the future of the Ultimate Driving Universe and your career as a Roblox developer?
I’d love to see my work on the Ultimate Driving Universe continue making it grow into the largest driving experience on Roblox, reach more and more players, and continually press the limits of what Roblox can do. Pushing the envelope is how Roblox is going to continue to grow!
What is your favorite aspect of the Roblox developer community?
I love how much the community has grown and come together in the last 10 years. Back in 2008 there were few helpful resources for newcomers on the platform looking to try their hand at building their wildest dreams. Nowadays though, the development community is massive, always ready to help, and always working together to create amazing new experiences. People in this community achieve so much and often at such young ages, it’s staggering to see how far we’ve all come. Roblox is a blank canvas with immeasurable opportunity for creative expression, friendships, and success!
How would you advise anyone who is just starting to get into Roblox development?
There’s a vast wealth of knowledge here for everyone looking to improve their skills in building, scripting, or what have you. Use it! Find free models in the Library to take apart, reverse engineer, and tinker with. Use the wiki! There are innumerable experienced developers on the Developer Forum, talk to them! Find good building plugins that will allow you to cultivate your own building style! The Roblox platform is a blank canvas for your creativity!
To me, being a developer means always wanting to take the experiences you create to the next level.
Thanks @TwentyTwoPilots for sharing your Roblox experiences with us! Don’t let Ultimate Driving’s rapid growth leave you in the dust: follow TwentyTwoPilots on Roblox and Twitter for updates! | {
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Check out our new site Makeup Addiction
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goes to bathroom to fap stays to shit | {
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Only a 2,000-mile voyage stands between the Indians and the dawn of another spring.
The Indians' two 53-foot equipment trucks departed Cleveland on Friday. They will arrive in Goodyear, Ariz., either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. By late Wednesday afternoon, the staff will have the team clubhouse up and running, just a week before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for the new season.
"It's a big day for Cleveland fans to have a sign of spring coming," said Tribe clubhouse manager Tony Amato. "With the weather and everything, I think it's great for everyone here."
The trucks deliver gear for each player and coach and any personal items members of the team want shipped. Also on board are 12 pallets of water, one pallet full of plastic bottles of Bertman's Ball Park Mustard, about 25 sets of golf clubs, more than 30 bikes, exercise equipment and car seats. Corey Kluber even had a high chair sent across the country.
The staff placed all of its orders in October and November and spent the month of January organizing and preparing all of the packaging.
"I know we had over 50-some skids," Amato said. "It's probably a record. It seems like we were really heavy going down this year for some reason."
Baseballs -- more than 1,500 dozen of them -- were delivered on Thursday.
"Hopefully that lasts us through camp," Amato said.
Each position player receives between 18-24 bats. Some were shipped to Cleveland, where the clubhouse staff marked and labeled each for the specific player.
Amato said the strangest item he ever packed onto the truck was a safe, requested by a former member of the coaching staff. Of course, for the third straight year, the staff also shipped Terry Francona's red scooter.
"There's not anything unique that stands out this year," Amato said.
Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear on Feb. 18. | {
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Today federal agents, assisted by local police, staged the biggest crackdown on marijuana dispensaries in Colorado since the state legalized cannabis for medical use in 2000. The Denver Post reports that the raids hit more than a dozen dispensaries in the Denver area, plus businesses in Boulder and elsewhere.
Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for John Walsh, the U.S. attorney for Colorado, said the operation "comports with the Department's recent guidance regarding marijuana enforcement matters." The August 29 memo to which Dorschner refers indicated that the feds would not interfere with marijuana businesses that comply with state law unless their activities implicated one or more of these eight "enforcement priorities": 1) "preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors," 2) "preventing the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states," 3) "preventing drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences associated with marijuana use," 4) "preventing the growing of marijuana on public lands," 5) "preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property," 6) "preventing revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises," 7) "preventing violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana," and 8) "preventing state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs."
Which of those concerns triggered today's raids? Walsh's office won't say, at least not yet. "Although we cannot at this time discuss the substance of this pending investigation," Dorschner said in a written statement, "there are strong indications that more than one of the eight federal prosecution priorities identified in the Department of Justice's August guidance memo are potentially implicated."
The raids come just six weeks before Colorado's state-licensed pot shops are scheduled to start selling marijuana for recreational use. But industry leaders seem to be viewing their competitors' legal troubles with equanimity. "Really, I see enforcement actions happening as a sign our industry is maturing and this program is working," Mike Elliott, president of the Medical Marijuana Industry Group (MMIG), told the Post, although he did add that "it's important to remember people are innocent until proven guilty." MMIG board member Andy Williams, who runs Denver's Medicine Man dispensary, appeared pleased as well. "I want the bad actors gone, quite honestly," he said.
Mason Tvert, who co-managed Colorado's legalization campaign and now works for the Marijuana Policy Project, was a bit more wary. "The Justice Department said it would respect states' rights to regulate marijuana, and that it would not go after businesses as long as they are complying with state laws," he said. "We hope they are sticking to their word and not interfering with any state-regulated, law-abiding businesses." Rob Corry, a Denver attorney and marijuana activist, told the Post: "The DOJ needs to explain in a logical fashion why they are picking and choosing, going after only some of these entities when every one of them selling marijuana is running afoul of the federal law."
These raids are an unusually aggressive move by Walsh, who until now had mostly contented himself with shutting down dispensaries he deemed too close to schools by sending them threatening letters. But the Justice Department's new policy regarding state-legal marijuana businesses leaves a lot of leeway for prosecutorial discretion. If I were a dispensary owner planning to get into the newly legal recreational market, I would pay careful attention to Walsh's explanation, assuming he ever offers one, of exactly how businesses such as VIP Cannabis crossed the Justice Department's faintly marked red lines. | {
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Kelly talks about his offense in terms of simple math. He wants to run the football and he wants to have a numbers advantage up front when he does so. That means more blockers than defenders in the box, not the other way around -- and there are two ways to achieve this.
The first is to have a dangerous read-option constraint play built into the basic runs. By reading a defender instead of blocking him, the quarterback can freeze that unblocked man and enable better numbers on the play side. The second is to have dangerous wide receiver threats on the outside (ideally spread way outside) that force the defense to respect the passing game down the field. Defensive coordinators can't stack the box and provide help to both corners on the outside at the same time.
As you can see in the above photo, the Saints do not respect Cooper as a passing threat. While both Eagles receivers face man coverage, DeSean Jackson's corner has safety help over the top. The Saints, rightfully, fear Jackson's speed. They don't have that same concern about Cooper, who they're perfectly willing to leave matched up in single coverage at the bottom of the image. The safety whose job could be to protect against the deep ball to that side has entered the box instead. The Saints would much rather add an extra defender down by the line of scrimmage to combat LeSean McCoy and the rushing attack.
Thus, on this play the Saints have a numbers advantage up front: seven defenders in the box against six Eagles blockers. If Michael Vick were in the backfield, that wouldn't be so bad. The zone read can be a powerful weapon if defenders respect it. Foles is never going to inspire that respect. Yes, he can still make it work on occasion, pulling out a few surprise yards here or there, and freezing a confused defender now and then. But the read constraint will not work consistently without a run threat at QB, and therefore the run game will not work consistently against a numbers disadvantage up front.
If Foles is the Eagles' quarterback going forward -- and he has certainly earned that right -- then the offense needs other constraints. The obvious secondary options are wide receivers that the defense needs to respect.** Jackson is half of that puzzle. Cooper is not. The Saints treated him on this play as most defenses did this season, reveling in the opportunity to gain an advantage in the box and daring Cooper to beat them.
Cooper certainly had a breakout season, with career highs in all categories. But if he were a wide receiver worth spending starter-level money on, he would have consistently beat the single-coverage insult he face on a weekly basis and forced defenses to start respecting him. He did no such thing, and the numbers show it.
Pro Football Focus tracks a stat called yards per route run, focusing on receiver production on all snaps they ran a passing route. Some of the consensus best receivers in the game score highly on this list: the top ten is Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Josh Gordon, Justin Blackmon, Anquan Boldin, DeSean Jackson, Antonio Brown, Alshon Jeffrey, Andre Johnson, and AJ Green. These are players who combine two important attributes of a top receiver: production when targeted, and a high number of targets.
As I just mentioned, Jackson placed sixth on this list. That was thanks, first of all, to the second-highest yards per target of any receiver in the league: 11.2, only behind deep threat Kenny Stills and a step above all-around beasts Gordon and Jordy Nelson. You may be surprised to know that Riley Cooper also placed in the top ten on yards per target, netting 10.3 yards per pass thrown his way.
But the difference between Jackson and Cooper comes in the number of times they're targeted. Jackson, despite a spread-the-wealth offense and defenses putting heavy emphasis on stopping him, was in the top third most-targeted per route run. But out of 94 receivers with at least 25% of their team's targets, Cooper was a lowly 79th (right next to underperforming slot buddy Jason Avant). Cooper was targeted only 15% of his routes, compared to Jackson's 22% -- even though Cooper faced the single coverage shown above nearly all year.
The split between Cooper's rank in target percentage and his rank in yards per target is extreme, and may make it easier to understand the type of receiver he is. For example, there are certain receivers who were targeted a lot but have low yardage production on those targets. Some are slot receivers, like Cole Beasley for Dallas and Julian Edelman for New England. The others are underperforming #1 wide receivers on bad offenses: Buffalo's Stevie Johnson, Jacksonville's Cecil Shorts, Washington's Pierre Garson, and Tampa Bay's Vincent Jackson.
Cooper had the opposite problem. He was targeted few times despite solid performance on those targets. What receivers put up that same split last year? Secondary receivers who aren't particularly good, but get single coverage because the defense doesn't consider them threats: the aforementioned Stills in New Orleans, Tampa Bay's Tiquan Underwood, Dallas' rookie Terrance Williams, San Diego's Eddie Royal, Seattle's Doug Baldwin, Green Bay's James Jones, Kansas City's Donnie Avery. As far as the stats are concerned, these are Cooper's most direct comparables, and none of them (with the possible exception of Williams' upside) are players you would be excited to have as a starting wide receiver on your offense.
That's the type of player Riley Cooper is: a replacement-level starter that defenses are more than happy to leave alone to gameplan against actual receiving threats like Jimmy Graham, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, and DeSean Jackson -- and actual running threats like DeMarco Murray, Jamaal Charles, and LeSean McCoy. If the Eagles let Maclin walk in free agency and re-up with Cooper as their #2 wide receiver, you'll hear the champagne popping in defensive coordinator meetings across the NFC. With Foles neutering the read-option attack, Chip Kelly needs wide receivers on the outside who can stretch out the defense and give McCoy room to run. Cooper, for all his other strengths, isn't that guy. And that means you not only don't pay to keep him, but you also actively look for an upgrade.
**One caveat: the offense needs at least one more receiving threat from somewhere. While wide receiver is the obvious play, it's not the only one. In his rookie season, Zach Ertz did finish sixth among tight ends on yards per pass route run. Just saying. | {
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Macri se contactó con Mike Pence y dialogaron sobre la agenda económica entre ambos países
El vicepresidente de Estados Unidos, Mike Pence, habló hoy por teléfono con Mauricio Macricon quien coincidió en "redoblar" los "esfuerzos" para lograr el crecimiento económico de ambas naciones, se informó hoy oficialmente.
"Estados Unidos y la Argentina deben redoblar sus esfuerzos para mejorar la creación de empleo y el crecimiento económico en ambos países", acordaron Pence y Macri, según un comunicado difundido a la prensa por la Oficina del Vicepresidente estadounidense en Washington.
Pence resaltó la decisión de Argentina de ser la sede en 2018 de la Cumbre del G-20, porque se trata, sostuvo, de "una oportunidad clave para mejorar el papel" del país sudamericano "en la economía global". El comunicado mencionó que ambos dirigentes "se comprometieron a mantener una conversación continua sobre asuntos bilaterales y hemisféricos".
Además, Pence dijo que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump , "espera conversar pronto" con Macri, tal como lo hizo el 14 de noviembre último, cuando el mandatario argentino lo felicitó por su triunfo electoralásobre la demócrata Hillary Clinton .
El Gobierno argentino procura concretar "lo antes posible" un encuentro entre Macri y Trump, reconoció este jueves la ministra de Relaciones Exteriores, Susana Malcorra . "Estamos explorando que se dé (el encuentro) y lo antes posible, pero la agenda del presidente Trump es un poco ajetreada", expresó la funcionaria.
En las últimas semanas Estados Unidos suspendió por 60 días la importación de limones desde Argentina e impuso restricciones en la tramitación de los permisos para visitar el país norteamericano.
Argentina, por su parte, expresó su preocupación ante el anuncio de Trump de construir un muro en la frontera del país con México.
Agencia DPA | {
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Page 2 >
Start from the beginning HERE.
The Veil: Lifted by J Jonny is an ongoing weekly web comic. Follow jjonnyshaw.com to keep up with these space hunks! | {
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In recent years there has been a staggering increase in the stray animal population in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Strays have become a common sight across the Kingdom and due to a general lack of education of animals , animal abuse has become rampant and widespread. Those involved in this abuse either do it recreationally or do it as they believe there is nothing wrong with abusing animals as they are only animals and are menance to society. Unfortunately in recent years a more sinister dimension of abuse has emerged. Dog fighting , animal fighting , animal baiting, puppy factories are just to name a few. The motivation of these individuals involved is profit and leisure. There is a total disregard to the animal involved, the bloodier the results the better.Spectators enjoy viewing vicious fights which at times can involve docile animals being pitted against a more aggresive opponent. Those who spectate get a kick out of watching an innocent animal being shreaded into pieces. Recreational abuse of animals has also become a common sight across the Kingdom in back streets and alley ways of certain areas. Those involved do it for pleasure and enjoy the pain and suffering they cause animals. The methods of abuse involved are to say the least sickening and disturbing. Over the years the authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain have made efforts to curb the animal abuse. The authorities especially recently have shown a willingness to address the abuse however this has had little or no impact as abuse has become so widespread and accepted. Those involved in the abuse believe they are immune from consequences so much so that they publish picture and videos on social media with little or no fear. We need the authorities to do more as we have reached a critical point. Abuse has become almost socially accepted in certain social circles. We need these adhorent acts to be ceased. We request the authorities to engage with animal protection societies and charities to establish best practices in ending abuse once and for all. Any modern society cannot tolerate abuse and torture of innocent animals be it for pleasure , profit or whatever. We must act now, we need more strict and communicated punishments for animal abusers in Bahrain.The consequences of committing animal cruelty should be well known by all residents of Bahrain and enforced in a consistent and strick manor. Budget allocation for animal socities, programmes such as a Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release CNVR will help the welfare of animals in the Kingdom in the long term. Better regulations of breeders and pet shops. Raise awareness around the proper treatment of animals. Awareness starts with the youngest generations. Many abuse complaints that surface the various animal welfare pages found on Facebook often cite cases of children capturing a stray animal and abusing it as if for fun. Children should learn from a young age to love and respect animals . To voice your support of improving the situation of animal welfare in the Kingdom of Bahrain, please sign and share this petition . | {
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Romp Tryst In A Boudoir
Sonya does it like an actual courtesan flirting with the stud on-line, striking on her maximum enticing underwear set and letting him de-robe her to love the saluting gentleness of her lips and each the cuteness and the humidity of her taut youthfull poon. He’s going to by no means leave behind this outstanding intercourse tryst cuz Sonya makes positive his maximum individual glamour dreams turn into a truth in her boudoir nowadays and his ejaculation is the most intense he ever had. | {
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Woodville, Greene County, GA - May 1939
A family hitchhiking in Macon, GA. - July 1937
Greene County, GA- June 1937.
Home of a family that travels with other families that repairs stalls, stoves, houses, and other odd jobs near Atlanta, GA - 1939
Irwinville Farms in May 1938.
13 year-old sharecropper in Americus, GA - July 1937
Rolling store near Montezuma, GA - May 1939.
Turpentine "chipper" and slashed tree near Homerville, Georgia. - July 1937
Farmer, Greene County, Georgia - July 1937 | {
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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson confirms he played tennis with the wife of a former minister in Vladimir Putin's government in 2014, in return for a £160,000 donation to the Conservative Party. | {
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Office rejects Trump budget director’s claim it lacks authority to demand information on former lobbyists granted waivers to work in administration
This article is more than 3 years old
This article is more than 3 years old
Donald Trump’s administration says the government ethics office lacks the authority to force the president to reveal how many waivers he’s granted to ex-lobbyists in his new administration.
Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, is asking that the office of government ethics (OGE) director, Walter Shaub, halt his inquiry into lobbyists-turned-Trump administration employees. Mulvaney wrote in a letter last week to Shaub: “This data call appears to raise legal questions regarding the scope of OGE’s authorities.”
Shaub fired back Monday that OGE’s request was well within bounds. The ethics director says he expects to see the waiver information within 10 days.
The back-and-forth follows a request Shaub made in April that agency heads share with his office waivers that the Trump administration has issued to its ethics policies concerning lobbyists.
In 2009, the Republican senator Chuck Grassley asked the government ethics office to use its authority to force Barack Obama to reveal how many waivers he had granted to ex-lobbyists in his new administration.
Eight years and a political flip later, Republicans in Donald Trump’s administration say OGE lacks that authority, and they have asserted that there is no need for them to publicly disclose any ethics waivers.
Shaub highlighted Grassley’s request years ago as evidence that lawmakers agree that OGE’s request is well within bounds, even though Republicans so far have been silent on the Trump administration’s resistance to disclosure.
“I want to assure you that a request from the director of the Office of Management and Budget is not something that I decline lightly,” Shaub wrote to Mulvaney.
As part of Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp” of Washington, he continued an Obama-era two-year prohibition of lobbyists and lawyers hired into the executive branch from working on “particular” government matters that involved their former clients.
Trump also instituted a five-year lobbying freeze and lifetime ban on foreign government lobbying for people who later leave his administration.
Like Obama, Trump is making exceptions to those rules. In his two terms as president, Obama granted waivers to 66 White House and administration employees, according to what the OGE posted on its website.
“In the Obama administration, the president ordered that waivers be shared with OGE, and we gladly did so,” Obama’s chief ethics counsel, Norman Eisen, said Monday.
Waivers continue under the Trump administration, but the extent of them is unknown because his executive actions on ethics do not include provisions for public disclosure or information-sharing with OGE.
While each administration has the authority to grant waivers, there should be some central repository for the public to learn when an employee has been granted one, said Sean Moulton, the open government program manager at the Project on Government Oversight in Washington.
Mulvaney’s letter last week indicated that administration agencies, such as treasury, commerce and defense, would not respond to Shaub. Separately, there is a longstanding legal question about whether the White House itself is subject to any disclosure to the OGE. The Office of the White House Counsel has until 1 June to comply with Shaub’s data request or decline in writing.
Eisen called the move by Mulvaney “the latest salvo in his attack on good government”.
Democratic lawmakers also seized on the White House’s desire to keep ethics waivers private – in a way that seemed to channel Grassley circa 2009. They asked the OGE to keep up the fight.
“It is critical that you and your office make transparent how the individuals serving in the Trump Administration are complying, or failing to comply, with President Trump’s executive order and other ethics requirements,” Elijah Cummings and other Democrats on the House Oversight Committee wrote in a letter dated 19 May. “Your role is particularly important because the White House itself is keeping this information secret.”
The House oversight chairman, Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who says he is soon leaving office, did not respond to requests for comment.
Eight years ago, Grassley asked the OGE to force “the Obama administration to live up to its word”.
“As a senior member of the United States Senate, I have consistently worked to ensure that the business of the Government is done in as open and transparent manner as possible,” Grassley wrote in his 10 June 2009 letter to OGE’s then director, Robert Cusick.
Shaub wrote in his letter Monday to Mulvaney that it was Grassley’s letter that prompted his office to develop a policy of posting ethics waivers for the Obama administration.
“However, the current Administration has not been complying with this established practice,” Shaub wrote.
Grassley’s office did not return repeated requests for comment. | {
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Je hoort waarschijnlijk wel eens in het nieuws dat er door iemand fraude is gepleegd. Dit is erg vervelend en ... | {
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Social group membership is the most important factor in structuring gut microbiome composition, even when considering shared diet, environment and kinship, according to research on lemurs at The University of Texas at Austin.
The gut microbiome refers to the thousands of species of bacteria, viruses and fungi living in the digestive tract. Because of its significant impact on development, digestion and overall health, researchers have taken a strong focus on characterizing gut microbiome composition and how it is influenced by heritable, environmental and behavioral factors.
In new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, UT Austin scientists examined the impact of social networks on the gut microbiomes of wild Verreaux's sifaka, a species of lemur, in Kirindy Mitea National Park in Madagascar.
"Like humans, wild primates often live in social groups that eat, sleep, groom and travel together," said UT Austin epidemiologist Lauren Ancel Meyers, a co-author of the study. "These daily contacts fuel the transmission of bacteria and other microbes, both helpful and harmful."
Studying fecal samples from 47 individual lemurs in seven social groups, researchers found that 57.6 percent of observed variation in individuals' gut microbiomes could be attributed to group membership. Even when controlling for spatial proximity, genetic relatedness, mother-to-offspring transmission, diet and pairwise social interactions, researchers found that permanent social groups were the most important factor in shaping gut microbiome composition. Furthermore, more tight-knit groups had more homogeneous gut microbiomes.
"More than diet, kinship or habitat, it is the social network that predicts individual gut microbial communities in these social primates," said UT Austin anthropologist Rebecca Lewis, a co-author of the study. "Thus, one of the benefits of living in a tight-knit group may be the social cultivation of beneficial gut microbes."
Researchers also found that lemurs that received or initiated grooming or partook in scent-marking more frequently had greater gut microbial diversity.
"Typically, more socially connected individuals are considered to be vulnerable to infection or the 'superspreaders' of pathogens," said lead author Amanda Perofsky, a Ph.D. candidate in integrative biology at UT Austin. "However, these animals may in fact be more resistant to infection because of their more diverse, stable microbiomes and contribute to the transmission of beneficial bacteria between otherwise disjointed parts of the population."
Previous studies have considered the effects of social group membership and pairwise associations on primate gut microbiomes, but this is the first to consider group membership, pairwise associations and individual-level demographic, genetic and social connectivity in tandem. | {
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SALT LAKE CITY — Hayden Blonquistappeared to be a typical teenager.
From the outside looking in, he’s tall, athletic, handsome and appeared to be fully healthy.
At North Summit High School, he was extremely active, starring in varsity basketball, wrestling, rodeo and numerous other school-related activities throughout his junior year.
That was until his world came crashing down after learning he was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in February.
Immediately afterward, he was admitted into the Primary Children's Hospital and is currently undergoing treatment during his senior year of high school.
“Still trying to graduate,” said Blonquist, who averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds last season for North Summit in 18 games. “Right now, I’m going about once a week.”
His mother, Christiane; younger brothers, Karson and Heston; plus other relatives and members from the community have helped the 17-year-old stay strong while battling the disease.
Now they can add Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors to that list.
Ahead of Saturday’s preseason game against the Perth Wildcats, Favors surprised Blonquist and his family with a pregame meet-and-greet on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House. He signed autographs and snapped pictures.
“We have certain people that go through certain situations in their life and sometimes they can’t control it,” Favors said. “So maybe if it’s just me saying ‘Hello’ to him or ‘What’s up’ to him, and him coming out on the court and shaking his hand or me talking to him on the court for a little while, maybe that’ll brighten up his day or what he’s going through.”
Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors surprises 17-year-old, former North Summit hoops standout Hayden Blonquist ahead of the Perth preseason game. @hblonquist5 is currently battling leukemia. pic.twitter.com/SwRj4yyNsr — Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 29, 2018
Favors’ charitable act was orchestrated through the Ronald McDonald House’s Honorary Grandparent Fund. The fund is set up for children with life-altering or life-limiting diagnoses, such as Blonquist, to create special memorable experiences together with their families.
“This shows that Derrick is a very compassionate and caring person,” Christiane said. “They’re busy and for him to set time aside to offer that, I think its very kind.”
Favors signed on to become an ambassador for the Salt Lake City-based charity in 2015 to help raise money and awareness for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area. He has also visited the building, donated tickets, money, gifts and time to the cause, plus participated in public service announcements and commercials for the nonprofit organization.
“This day is special as Hayden absolutely loves basketball and the Utah Jazz,” said Carrie Romano, Chief Executive Offer of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area.
“These family experiences are especially meaningful as time becomes very precious and day-to-day life isn’t routine anymore because of an unforeseen medical diagnosis and the challenging health issues of a child,” she continued.
Hayden certainly won’t forget the experience anytime soon.
He will continue to undergo treatment once a week for the next couple months before starting monthly sessions for two additional years. One side effect of those treatments is osteonecrosis, which causes his bone tissue to die faster, so his hoop dreams are derailed because of his brittle bones. He still goes to the gym occasionally and watches when he can, but his weight has dipped from 190 pounds to about 165. Although the experience is frustrating at times, he chooses to focus on the positive.
“It’s way cool,” said Hayden. “You don’t get these opportunities a lot and, unfortunately, I had to get cancer, but everything that happens something good comes out of it, and this is one of them.
“This really does mean a lot.” | {
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Posted: 1:26 pm PT
[twitter-follow screen_name=’Diplopundit’]
The Trump nominee to be Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday (see July 18 SFRC Hearing: Carl Risch to be Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs). There were four nominees during the hour and a half hearing chaired by Senator Ron Johnson, so basically 22.5 minutes for each nominee although the CT and CA nominees got most of the more substantial questions.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) reminded Mr. Risch of his old congressional testimony advocating for the transfer of visa function to DHS in 2002 (see Ex-FSO Who Once Advocated Moving Visas to DHS May be the Next Asst Secretary For Consular Affairs). The exchange between Menendez and Risch starts at 00:45:50 via C-SPAN video here.
Senator Menendez started by congratulating all the nominees then quoted from Mr. Risch’s old testimony: “Congratulations to all of you. Mr. Risch in 2007 you appeared before the House Subcommittee on Government Reform. In a hearing, you said during my tenure as unit chief I adjudicated approximately 25,000 visa applications. I resigned in May of 2002 even though I received top evaluation and a challenging assignment. While I longed to return to my private practice, I was discouraged by the State Department’s lack of dedication to the enforcement of laws. I took my job very seriously. The State Department did not.”
Senator Menendez then asked: “Do you believe the State Department isn’t committed to rule of law and national security of the United States?”
Mr. Risch’s response:
“Thank you senator, for the question and for the opportunity to address that testimony. The testimony was in 2002, not in 2007. It was 15 years ago that that testimony took place. It was during the time that the Department of Homeland Security was just being stood up. I believe a lot has changed at the State Department in 15 years. I’m enthusiastic about the future the way the bureau will be fulfilling its function with interagency cooperation, continuous vetting.”
Senator Menendez did not let him off the hook and asked again, “Do you believe the State Department is committed to the rule of law and the national security of the United States?”
Mr. Risch responded, “Currently senator, I absolutely do.”
The NJ senator started talking about refugee and migration issues then asked Mr. Risch, “So do you believe that the Department of Homeland Security, which is notoriously bloated with a whole host of dysfunctional components, should be responsible still to have the visa, the very essence of the department you’re being nominated to, to be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security?”
Mr. Risch’s response:
“Well, 15 years ago, senator, I stand behind my testimony. It was a completely different time. And there were a lot of talk about consolidating different things into the Department of Homeland Security. Currently, I watched the Deputy Secretary testify yesterday that it’s currently not the intent of the Department of State —”
This is in reference to Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s testimony from Monday, at the same panel, about State not having an intention to transfer the consular function to DHS. Senator Menendez cut him off saying “I’m not asking what their intent, I’m asking your view. You’re nominated for this position.”
This is Mr. Risch’s response:
“My view is I would … I follow the leadership of Department of State if confirmed. But as of today, I intend to lead the Bureau of Consular Affairs as it is currently formed. I believe that I will be, if confirmed a strong leader of all functions of the consular bureau including the visa function.”
There’s something about Mr. Risch’s response that’s not very comforting to our ears. You, too? Maybe it’s the use of the word “currently” as “at the present time,” as in “now.” Maybe, that’s just his favorite word. Maybe it indicates that he does not have a solid view about a U.S. Government agency’s commitment to the rule of law and national security of this country.
To the question about his belief whether the State Department is committed to the rule of law and national security of the United States, Mr. Risch responded with “I absolutely do,” but he prefaced that response with “currently.” He used the same word when talking about the intent of the State Department, and in describing the bureau he is nominated to lead.
The use of the word “currently” implies that things might change. Does he know something we don’t? What he believes now, may not be what he believes next month, or next year. If the White House decides to move the visa function to DHS, and the State Department’s intent changes, Mr. Risch will “follow the leadership” at State. Then he will be back in the Senate to explain, “Currently, the State Department believe it is best to …”
For what it’s worth, we asked somebody who previously worked with Mr. Risch at an overseas post and the one feedback we got though brief was complimentary.
Mr. Risch’s prepared testimony is available here (pdf).
If confirmed, Mr. Risch would succeed career diplomat Michele Thoren Bond who served as Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs from 2015-2017.
Below is a brief summary of the position and the previous appointees to this office via history.state.gov:
Assistant Secretaries of State for Consular Affairs
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (Jun 27, 1952; P.L. 82-414; 66 Stat. 174) established within the Department of State a Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs, headed by an Administrator with rank equal to that of an Assistant Secretary. From Mar 1 to Dec 30, 1954, the Bureau was renamed “Inspection, Security, and Consular Affairs.” From 1953 to 1962, the Secretary of State designated incumbents to this position. The Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (Jun 28, 1962; P.L. 87-510; 76 Stat. 123) made the Administrator a Presidential appointee subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. In 1962, the Department transferred the security function to the Deputy Under Secretary for Administration, but the title remained unchanged until 1977, when the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1978 (Aug 17, 1977; P.L. 95-105; 91 Stat. 847) changed the Administrator’s title to “Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.” This title has been given in full in all subsequent commissions to this office.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This review paid for by George Soros.
The political climate of 2017 could be described as charged at best. Some say the United States is on the brink of civil war, with patriots on the right ready to defend true American ideals from the communist globalist degenerates on the left. Well at least you might think this if all you do is spend your days as a keyboard warrior online, fighting in the hallowed battlegrounds of reddit, /pol/, and tumblr. Leading this valiant charge against the can't-meme leftist beta cucks is none other than Fatelancer, a one-man black metal project from Lima, Ohio (a blue collar town of approximately 38,000 people according to the 2010 U.S. census, 67% of which are white. Fatelancer's Troy still claims that it's being overrun by the "brown horde".)
Black Metal Against Communism opens with an instrumental over an audio recording on Joseph McCarthy degrading the scourge that is communism. Remember that nutcase who attempted to out commies and homosexuals in the U.S. government and even the strongly conservative U.S. military? Apparently he is worth remembering as a positive figure and is a clear source of inspiration for Fatelancer's Troy.
The actual music here is surprisingly not entirely terribly produced. Troy has done a decent job in attempting to emulate the traditional black metal sound of the early 90's. Is it derivative as hell and nearly out of tune? Absolutely. However it is no longer the 1990's, and if the music here had any other lyrical connotations it would be worth similar derision. If you are going to make a black metal album, at least put some effort into making it sound somewhat unique. If left can't meme, can far right not black metal? This often seems to be the case, considering the more NS a black metal band gets, the poorer the music becomes; Nokturnal Mortum being a perfect example, as their album NeChrist is far and above the worst in their whole discography.
The guitars here sound decent despite what is being played, the drums sound like your average drum machine fare, but it's the vocals that really take the cake. My first exposure to Fatelancer was the song "Anti-Fascist Pawns", and Troy's vocal delivery instantly reminded me of the announcer from the popular Youtube series "Epic Rap Battles of History". I am not a fan of the series myself, but the similarity was too hilarious to ignore. If this album is to represent the struggles of working class Americans in the rust belt, then through his vocals Troy is doing a fantastic job of emulating that uncle who gets really drunk at family gatherings and yells about illegal immigrants, Muslims, and members of the LGBT community.
Any flow this album has is constantly ruined by audio samples from MSNBC newscasters, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama to name a few. It's almost like Troy knows that his lyrics won't be taken seriously, so he has to complement them with apparent proof that Obama is a Muslim and that Soros is running all world governments. Perhaps the most hilarious of these audio samples is those from "Battle at Gettysburg 2017", an instrumental track referring to the supposed antifa protest of Confederate monuments at this Civil War battlefield that got the alt-right all fired up, but was never going to happen in the first place. A repetitive piece with military march drums, Troy evokes his Confederate forefathers of Ohio that fought for their rights. Wait, Ohio contributed more solders per-capita to the North than any other state in the Union? Oh well, details.
The silliness of the lyrics here could take up multiple paragraphs, but if you have ever had any encounters with the alt-right, Alex Jones fans, and the like, you know what to expect here. Obama is a dirty Muslim, even though Trump won the election everything is still a leftist communist conspiracy, nonwhite people in America is white genocide, etc. This album is the musical equivalent of a recent protest defending another nonexistent antifa attack on a statue in Houston, Texas; an alt-right counter-protester was kicked out by armed "Oathkeepers" while he yelled "but these are good memes!" Actual far-right bands exist and have some degree of impact, but using Pepe on your album cover, fawning over the president of the United States, and having a fixation on "BBC" doesn't seem the appropriate way to spread your ideology.
Fatelancer is also not the first alt-right black metal band to exist as the band claims, as KEK released the higher quality and altogether edgier Misty Woods of Kekistan in March of this year.
8.8/100 | {
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Here’s what I love to do if I don’t want the money for delivering the wanted vehicle to Simeon’s impound.
First make sure to have a chopper on hand or easily accessible as soon as the alert pops up about the wanted vehicle. I prefer the Buzzard for this as it is extremely maneuverable and fast(ish).
Land near the vehicle in question.
Next walk around the vehicle and plant a sticky grenade onto it, preferably in as inconspicuous a place as possible.
After the explosive has been planted get into your helicopter and fly to a high up vantage point that offers good views of where the vehicle is located.
While its important that you can still see the vehicle you have sabotaged, it’s also important that you are far enough away that, should anyone look at the mini map, you seem to not be interested in attaining the vehicle.
Next pull out your Sniper Rifle and Zoom In on the Vehicle.
When another player approaches looking to steal the vehicle blow them up, they simply won’t know what hit them. Personally I like to wait a good 5 - 10 seconds after they drive away before detonating, it lets them believe that everything will be alright.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
After their death I then proceed to put a $9,000 bounty on them, send a mugger after them, and finally sick mercenaries on them.
All because they got in the car. | {
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Python 3.5 features will be released, so let us learn what is new and what are the new proper ways.
The modernization of Python is on the way, with the optional types (type hints), a new matrix multiplication operator (@) or the official integration of async pattern directly in Python with async/await keywords.
Come with us at Betacowork (http://www.betacowork.com/) to celebrate this new release :-)
Graciously hosted by Betacowork (http://www.betacowork.com/)
PS: we are organizing dinner after (http://www.meetup.com/Belgium-Python-Meetup-aka-AperoPythonBe/events/224093320/), let us know if you want to join. | {
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Senator Braveheart
Wyoming: the least populated state, where cattle and pronghorn outnumber people. Where two bigoted cowboys murdered Matthew Shepard in 1998 because they hated homosexuals. Except that Shepard, involved in the meth trade, was murdered by his bisexual lover and another man (hardly cowboys) who were part of the local drug culture. The media proliferated its lie so effectively that Shepard is still portrayed as a martyr. His remains are now interred in the National Cathedral in Washington. The lie persists. On February 1, Wyoming state Senator Lynn Hutchings (R-Cheyenne) received a note asking her to leave Senate chambers to meet outside with a group of high school students from a Cheyenne high school “Gay-Straight Alliance” (GSA) club. The students intended to lobby her for HB230, a bill under consideration at the time that would expand existing protection in Wyoming employment law for age, sex, religion, and race to include two new categories, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Hutchings was not aware of the reason for the meeting. When they brought up HB 230, she observed that the bill hadn’t advanced from the House. She hadn’t studied it. She asked “what’s the bill about?” One boy said “LGBTQ+” and put his index finger in the air, a gesture meaning “anything goes.” She asked for the students’ definition of sexual orientation. One replied “any sex other than heterosexual sex.” She responded with four rhetorical questions to illustrate the elastic meaning of sexual orientation. If I wished to engage in sexual relations, she asked, with every male in the Senate chamber, is that a sexual orientation? A female student replied “that would be inappropriate”. The senator asked “what about sex with every woman?” Or with their children if parents brought them to the chamber? The same female student said “pedophilia is against the law!” What about with their dogs? The same girl said “pedophilia and bestiality are illegal!” Hutchings asked, “But what if those behaviors were my sexual orientation?” Worthy questions, deserving answers in any constituent discussion or legislative debate these days. California sex ed curriculum now “teaches” about pederasty as accepted in other cultures. A TED lecturer urges us “to be mature” about pedophilia, and “stop with the hate.” The campaign to normalize pedophilia is on. Hutchings realized the conversation would take more time than she had. She exchanged friendly fist-bumps, and returned to the Senate. On a 5-4 vote, the bill advanced from committee. But failed three days later in the general session of the House. The same day, after two Republican cosponsors, Dan Zwonitzer and Tyler Lindholm, were laughably unable under questioning to define the term sexual orientation, the bill advanced on a 5-4 vote from committee. It failed three days later in the general session of the House. THE TARGET: Senator Hutchings served a term in the Wyoming House, in 2013-2014. An Air Force Veteran and devout Christian, she also happens to be black and Republican. In 2013, she spoke against a “marriage equality bill”, arguing that the same-sex marriage debate is not equivalent to the civil rights struggle for black Americans. Her speech drew outraged assaults from by the Cheyenne newspaper and a local pastor-columnist allied with Wyoming Equality (WE). The Huffington Post and other outlets blared their anger. She was inundated with repulsive emails and telephone messages, including threats. The experience was so jarring that she read some of the threats and insults into the legislative record. This abuse earned no coverage in the Wyoming press. Instead, the story was about her “bigotry” and “intolerance.” She understands bigotry at a personal level. Her critics are the intolerant bigots. THE SPOKE IN THE NETWORK Wyoming Equality (WE) was founded in 1987 under another name. Its website features the headline “We’re Queer. And We’ve Always Been Here.” Its signature event, the Rendezvous, is a “camping trip” for “gay and lesbian Wyomingites” in the pristine Medicine Bow range near Laramie, advertised as “Wyoming’s Premiere LGBT Pride Event”. Campers can enjoy Drag Queen Bingo. One of the sponsors is Pervert Peak, whose provenance we could not determine. In 2016, WE began sponsoring GSA clubs in Wyoming schools. Cheyenne Central High School’s GSA club sent the group to lobby Senator Hutchings. Sara Burlingame is Executive Director of WE. For years, she aggressively lobbied for discrimination protections in law for people with non-normal sexual proclivities. In 2017, several legislators reported her for harassment inside the capitol. One filed a restraining order against her. Not content as an outsider, she ran for the Wyoming House in 2018 and was elected. A review of her campaign materials did not find prominent mention of her association with WE. HERE WE GO AGAIN WE and its state media allies saw opportunity again in February and used their network to create a false controversy. They would make an example of Hutchings, make her feel public disdain, then watch her melt in the glare of negative publicity. On February 6, WE filed a complaint with Senate leadership against Senator Hutchings, charging she compared homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia. With six days to devise their story, and help from the adults who failed in their duty to chaperone, WE ridiculously claimed that the tender-eared students were so traumatized by the encounter that they “removed themselves… to provide a supportive space for one another”. The adult chaperones, of course, did not halt the conversation or say anything at the time. And the group soon returned to lobby other legislators. The melted snowflakes recovered fast! Ironically, WE’s complaint cites the stunningly high suicide rate of youth involved in the vivid sexual behaviors the students and WE lobby to protect. Yet we are to accept the ruse that GSA club members are too delicate to confront questions about real-life consequences of the law they want passed. Rather than consider Hutchings’ hard questions, the GSA delegation complained. Worse, WE never offered its own legal definitions of these behaviors. They simply want protection against their notion of “discrimination”. Failing their goal, why not fabricate a story to smear a senator their lobby had previously targeted? Predictably, the media network went into action. In “fake news” style, the media maulers never reported any side to the story other than the students’ claim. The Wyoming Democratic Party demanded Hutchings’ resignation or expulsion from the Senate. She received dozens of vicious emails and voice messages, some timed in the middle of the night to disrupt her sleep. Examples: “I hope this ruins you.” “…you homophobic c…you f…ing n… c…go back to Africa.” “take your f…ing religion and shove it…” The media failed to report any of this. There was also another unreported side. Senate leaders issued a calm statement. Hutchings received hundreds of supportive calls and emails. On Cheyenne’s KGAB talk radio, callers asked questions that fake news never asked. What were students doing at the legislature in the middle of the school day? Did their parents sign for travel permission? How is lobbying on this graphic topic a legitimate educational matter? Why did school administration permit it? As of today, WE is still complaining and asking others to submit complaints. Senator Hutchings has not resigned and will not. Nor has she apologized for asking the questions which legislators, WE and the GSA students and advisors could not answer. She was supposed to crumble. She did not. Colleagues and friends now call her Senator Braveheart. The Wyoming Senate leadership seems to understand that freedom of speech in their own legislature is at stake. So far, they have not cracked. When our own legislators are intimidated into silence, we descend into mob tyranny. This won’t happen in Wyoming. Not yet. Bravo, Senator Braveheart. If only there were more of you…. Dan Brophy is a Wyoming resident and has donated to Senator Hutchings’ campaigns. | {
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