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Home Reviews Ryan Adams: Live in Jamaica
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Ryan Adams: Live in Jamaica
(2003) 58 min. DVD: $19.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
Rating: 3 of 5
Former frontman of '90s alt-country band Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams is the star of this Jamaica-based episode from the Music in High Places series. Stopping in places such as Winifred's Beach, Port Antonio, and Old Naval Hospital, Port Royal, the lanky, scruffy Adams shuffles around the tropical locale with a three-piece band in tow, performing mellow tunes like "Firecracker," "You Will Always Be the Same," and "The Rescue Blues"--although the better segments feature memorable footage (i.e.: "Touch, Feel & Lose" with backup vocals from a group of adorable kids Adams dubs 'The Kingston Choir,' and "New York, New York" featuring a guy drinking with his donkey). Beautiful beaches, skies, and scenery offer a pleasant backdrop for Adams, whose activities also include shopping in villages, trying on hats, and considering local delicacies (including goat's head soup and coconut juice), as well as meeting up with legendary reggae great Toots Hibbert (of Toots and the Maytals) to jam at Kingston's Anchor Studios. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, the disc also includes two featurettes, an audio only option, and a bonus song. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams)


According to Beyond Blue, on average, 1 in 8 men will have depression and 1 in 5 men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.
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Texas Business Report: Math Standards Divide State
The Texas Association of Business criticizes the State Board of Education's math curriculum and working in Texas pays off for women.
By Rob Heidrick
The Texas economy is one of the most robust in the world. Wildly profitable companies and ingenious entrepreneurs call this state home, and what happens here influences businesses around the nation. Here's a slice of the profits, losses, big deals, and backroom decisions happening across Texas this week.
Rewritin' 'Rithmetic
The Texas Association of Business is speaking out against a new K-12 math curriculum proposed by the State Board of Education, arguing that the standards will hinder the future Texas workforce because they do not adequately prepare students for college or careers after graduation.
TAB president Bill Hammond wrote a memo to the SBOE and state legislators expressing "concerns that the standards were not particularly rigorous and were, in some places, poorly written to the point of being incoherent," the Texas Tribune reported this week. If approved, the standards will be in effect for the next ten years.
The Bottom Line: Curriculum debates have become something of a tradition for the SBOE, as exemplified in high-profile dustups over social studies and science textbooks in recent years.
Texas is one of just five states that write their own standards rather than adopting the national core curriculum. "We do not need the federal government telling us what and when to teach our children," SBOE chairwoman Barbara Cargill wrote in a recent newsletter.
Ed in the Sand
Texas' education troubles extend beyond K-12 classrooms, according to a University of Pennsylvania report released this week. Just 32 percent of Texans ages 25 and older have earned at least an associate degree, ranking the state at 39th in the country in that category.
The report projects that by 2018, more than half of jobs in Texas will require post-secondary education or vocational training. "Unless more Texans earn certificates and degrees, and soon, Texas businesses will have no other choice but to look outside the state to find these workers," the study concludes.
The Bottom Line: The state's shortfall in education funding may be at the heart of the problem. The Penn report cautions against investing too heavily in university research at the expense of undergraduate resources, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Instead, the legislature should "push forward with efforts to move to performance-based funding for higher education," offering rewards for increasing graduation rates and meeting other benchmarks.
Cobalt Blues
Houston-based Cobalt International Energy Inc. is at the center of an ethics investigation after reports that the company may have offered concealed shares to senior officials overseeing its operations in Angola. An article in Sunday's Financial Times reported the head of Cobalt's offshore oil partner and an Angolan general admitted held the shares but claimed they did not play a role in awarding the company's drilling rights.
The incident "may raise questions about compliance with U.S. anti-bribery law," according to Bloomberg. Cobalt denies any wrongdoing.
The Bottom Line: Cobalt shares "had tripled in value since it announced a big oil discovery off Angola's coast late last year," Reuters reported, but on Monday, its stock dropped 10 percent as investors reacted to news of the allegations.
The gap between men's and women's salaries is slightly smaller in Texas than it is for the U.S. as a whole, according to a report released this week by the National Partnership for Women & Families. The Dallas Business Journal found that women in Texas are paid eighty cents for every dollar a man earns, compared to the national average of 77 cents. That works out to a difference of $8,355 in median annual wages.
The Bottom Line: Another disheartening statistic: Just 7.5 percent of corporate board members at Houston companies are women, compared to the national average of 16 percent, according to a recent review. Also, more than a quarter of Houston's 50 largest public companies have no women on their boards at all, the Houston Business Journal reports.
Winners of the Week: Oil and Gas Drillers
A Travis County district judge ruled last week that drilling equipment used for hydraulic fracturing should be exempted from state sales taxes, which Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says could cost the state as much as $4.4 billion in revenue. The decision reverses the current policy, which does not classify drilling as a manufacturing process and thus requires companies to pay taxes on equipment purchases, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Attorneys representing the industry say that "filing a refund claim is a low-risk, high-reward move for oil and gas companies," according to the Houston Business Journal. Rebates to all the oil and gas companies in Texas—which could amount to $500 million per year—would also apply retroactively to the last four years. Combs says she is likely to appeal the ruling.
Loser of the Week: Jeff Skilling
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to throw a lifeline to former Enron executive Jeff Skilling this week, upholding his corporate fraud conviction and denying his second request for an appeal. Skilling was convicted in 2006 of nineteen counts of securities fraud and other financial crimes that led to the collapse of the Houston energy company. He is now serving a 24-year prison sentence in Colorado.
Skilling's defense team, which had hoped for a new trial, argues that prosecutors applied the wrong standards during his initial sentencing. Skilling must now be resentenced by a U.S. district court, and some legal experts expect the prison term to be reduced to fifteen or sixteen years, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Celebrating 50 Years of Texas Monthly
The Lone Bookstore in a Town With No Library
By Texas Country Reporter
Texas's Big Ranches Are Still Selling for Big Bucks
By Loren Steffy
Southwest Used to Do Everything Right. What Happened?
By Joseph Guinto
By Jeff Salamon
Jeff Salamon
Jeff Salamon is the deputy editor at Texas Monthly.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Outdoor cast aluminum swivel bar stool patio furniture, set of 2 outdoor patio furniture copper finish cast, set of 2 outdoor patio furniture cast aluminum swivel bar. 2 pcs rattan wicker bar stool high counter chair outdoor. Outdoor wicker swivel bar stool chair w/ seat cushion.


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George Alexander Gibson FRSE LLD (19 April 1858–1 April 1930) was a Scottish mathematician and academic author.

Life
He was born on 19 April 1858 in Greenlaw in Berwickshire the third son of Robert Gibson JP (1830–1903). He attended the free church school in the parish, and showing great promise, went to the University of Glasgow where he graduated with an MA in 1882 and immediately joined the University staff.

In 1889, aged 29, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, Prof William Jack, Sir Thomas Muir and George Chrystal. He served as the Society's Vice President from 1917 to 1920. He also served as president of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. In 1895 he became a Professor of Mathematics at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College. In 1909 he returned to the University of Glasgow as a Professor, replacing his mentor Prof William Jack.

Gibson lived on campus at 10 The University, Glasgow. The University of Edinburgh awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD) in 1905 and the University of Glasgow did likewise in 1927, the year of his retiral.

Death
He died at Scotstounhill in Glasgow on 1 April 1930. On his death the Gibson Memorial Lecture was founded. The first lecturer in this series was Albert Einstein. Other lecturers include Charles Coulson and Edward Collingwood.

Family

In 1890, he married Nellie Stenhouse Hunter, daughter of James D. Hunter, while still a student. They had three children.

Publications

References

1858 births
1930 deaths
Alumni of the University of Glasgow
Academics of the University of Glasgow
Scottish mathematicians
Scottish non-fiction writers
People from the Scottish Borders

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Thai AirAsia Declares Poor Half-year
BANGKOK, 16 August 2019: Asia Aviation Plc, the majority shareholder of Thai AirAsia (TAA), declared a slim net profit of THB15 million for the first half of 2019.
It reported total revenue reached THB21,638 million.
TAA recorded revenue of THB 21,637 million and a net profit of THB24 million attributing the soft bottom-line performance to weakened visitor growth to Thailand, appreciation of the Thai Baht and a global economic slowdown that has impacted on travel demand.
The airline's first-half load factor reached 86%.
During the second quarter, AAV reported revenue of THB 10,015 million and a net loss of THB 482 million. TAA earnings reached THB10,015 million, and its net loss totalled THB879 million.
TAA carried 5.58 million passengers, up 5% year-on-year and maintained a load factor average of 83, down 2 points when compared with the second quarter of 2018.
TAA did not add any additional aircraft during the period under review, bringing its fleet strength to 62 aircraft.
However, the airline continued its growth, launching seven routes; Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Can Tho and Nha Trang in Vietnam, and Ahmedabad in India; Chiang Mai to Danang in Vietnam and Shenzhen in China; Chiang Rai to Shenzhen; and Phuket to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
TAA also increased flights on popular routes such as Bangkok to Roi Et, Khon Kaen and Shenzhen. In 2019, the airline is targeting 23.15 million passengers carried, an average load factor of 86 with the fleet increasing to 63 by year-end.
https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2019/08/thai-airasia-declares-poor-half-year/


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Westminster College appears in these rankings and resources:
15 Best Value Colleges for Dyslexic Students
5 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Utah
Scholarships in Utah
Westminster College was opened as an all-male, Presbyterian academy called Fulton College by Reverend William W. Robertson in 1851. Steeped in history, Westminster has hosted notable speeches by Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, and Harry Truman. The U.S. Congress even recognized the site of Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain Speech" with a memorial on Westminster's 86-acre rural campus in Missouri's Callaway County. Positioned just 24 miles northeast of Jefferson City, Westminster College has been co-educational as a private, residential baccalaureate school since 1979. Endowed for $56.6 million, Westminster now serves 940 undergrad Blue Jays with supports like the Learning Differences Program. Launched in 2006, Westminster's Take a Friend Home Program has also been highly regarded for global engagement.
According to the U.S. News, Westminster College is the 149th best national liberal arts school and 154th top high school counselor pick. On Niche, Westminster stands as America's 79th best free application college and 93rd best Christian university. Forbes recognized Westminster as the 168th best U.S. liberal arts institution and 112th best Midwestern college. In Washington Monthly, Westminster College was crowned the 106th top liberal arts school for social mobility and service. Liberal Arts Colleges Guide selected Westminster among its "Top 20 Colleges with the Most Collaborative Academic Environments." Westminster was also declared the United States' 11th most affordable private university and 25th best college you can actually get into by MONEY.
Westminster College Accreditation Details
Reaffirmed in 2014 under President Benjamin Ola Akande, Westminster College holds 10-year regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA). Therefore, each of Westminster's 34 bachelor's majors in Fulton are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV eligibility and Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE). Other programmatic accreditations are received by:
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Council on Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
Westminster College Application Requirements
Attending Westminster College will require passing the "selective" admission process with 64 percent of applicants. Freshmen with learning differences like dyslexia must still complete a high school diploma or GED equivalent with curricular prerequisites, including four units of English. Students who finished an International Baccalaureate with 28 or more points total will receive a year's worth of credits. AP exams scored 4 or 5 are also recognized. On average, Westminster Blue Jays achieve a secondary GPA of 3.61. Admitted undergrads submit a mean SAT score of 1120 and ACT score of 23. The LDP requires intelligence testing for a minimum FSIQ of 95 on the Wechsler Adult Scale-III or Scale-IV.
Undergrads at other regionally accredited colleges who are interested in Westminster's Learning Differences Program can transfer with 12+ non-remedial credits. At least 48 credits must be remaining towards the 122-credit bachelor's degree. Westminster prefers incoming transfers who've completed the foundational tier of academic writing, calculus, and scientific inquiry. Transfer articulation agreements are established with nearby partners like Grantham University, East Central College, and St. Charles Community College. The Missouri Reverse Transfer could help students with 15 credits earn an associate during their baccalaureate. International transfers on F-1 status need to show English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL pBT of 500 or IELTS of 5.5.
Westminster College has rolling admission with a final deadline of August 1st for Fall. First-time applicants must create an online account for accessing the Westminster Application or the Common Application. Extra materials may be forwarded by mail to 501 Westminster Avenue in Fulton, MO 65251 before the on-campus interview. Dyslexic students applying for the LDP shouldn't forget the following:
• Official secondary and university transcripts
• Typed personal essay of 250-500 words
• Guidance counselor or teacher recommendation
• Untimed ACT or SAT scores via the College Board
• Diagnostic statement, intelligence tests, and IEP
Full-time undergrads at Westminster College are charged $24,400 for tuition and $1,540 for mandatory fees each year. Living on the Fulton campus costs $5,300 for double-occupancy housing and $4,510 for meal plans annually. Westminster suggests budgeting $1,100 for textbooks and $3,660 for transportation or personal expenses. Total yearly cost of full-time attendance is $40,510 for on-campus and $35,470 for commuting undergrads. The LDP also bills students an extra $4,800 for the first year and $2,800 annually thereafter.
The NCES shows that 99 percent of full-time, undergrad Blue Jays obtain $15.9 million in financial assistance yearly for an average amount of $17,211 apiece. Westminster has institutional awards like the Churchill Scholarship, Leadership Award, G. Robert Muehlhauser Award of Excellence, Trustee's Scholarship, Columns Transfer Scholarship, and Triple S Scholarship. Filing the FAFSA by November 15th qualifies students for Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. Show-Me State residents with an EFC below 12000 would earn the Access Missouri Grant. Active-duty military, veterans, and Army ROTC cadets qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits. Westminster Work-Study (FWS) gigs pay biweekly for campus employment. Undergrads commonly fill funding gaps with Federal Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS loans too.
Services for Westminster Students with Dyslexia
Ranked #6 among Best Value Schools' colleges for dyslexic students, Westminster College has offered the Learning Differences Program (LDP) since the 1970s to support mainstream undergrads who are diagnosed with any neurodevelopmental conditions. Serving 5 percent of enrolled Blue Jays, the LDP provides one-on-one academic advising for even richer staff connections than the 14:1 student-faculty ratio allows. While earning any major from Economics to Religious Studies, LDP learners take supplemental courses that smoothen the college transition. Each freshman takes the Academic Survival Skills Workshop to learn the best methods for navigating college content. The Enrichment Program even has special statistics companion courses to help overcome the MAT 114 requirement.
Housed in the Tomnitz Family Learning Opportunities Center, the fee-based LDP program directed by Karen Tompson-Wolfe tailors supports to each student. Available ADA accommodations include class note-taking, audio textbooks, extended testing, dictation, and priority registration. Certified by the CRLA, the Peer Tutoring Program coordinates sessions via Moodle for quiet Reeves Library study rooms as well as the Math and Writing Labs. Cutting-edge technologies, including Livescribe Smartpens, InfoScan, Kurzweil 3000, and Intel Readers, are available. Emotional support is also given in the Wellness Center in Westminster Hall. For 40+ years, Westminster College has guided students with learning differences to success with detailed access plans and progress monitoring.


House Leaseholders Freehold Purchase Guide | Mike Stapleton & Co.
If you are the long leaseholder of a leasehold house you have the legal entitlement (obtained through the Leasehold Reform Act 1967) to acquire the freehold to your premises. The price you have to pay for the freehold could vary tremendously, dependent upon the number of years unexpired, the value of the property, the ground rent that is paid and most crucially which method of valuation under the legislation is to be adopted for the valuation.
The first job for the surveyor is to initially confirm that you have a statutory right to acquire the freehold (these days almost all long leaseholders have this right) and then to determine which of the valuation methods prescribed by the legislation is appropriate for the case in hand. The valuation method to be applied will depend upon the location of the property, the amount of the last recorded rateable value (if the property has a rateable value) and the amount of ground rent, which you pay.
If you are considering purchasing the freehold to your house we will happily check your eligibility and then report to you with respect to the premium which we would expect you to have to pay to acquire the freehold. Thereafter we can undertake negotiations with the freeholder to agree the price and assist you with organising the legal transfer of ownership of the freehold to yourself.
It is often possible to agree a price without re-course to serving a formal Notice under the legislation. However if the landlord is not prepared to agree a figure, which appears realistic, then we will draw up the necessary Notice and arrange for service upon the landlord. Ultimately if the landlord does not agree to a realistic figure we will represent you in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal have far and varied powers with respect to leasehold properties and in this case will be required to determine the price you will have to pay, which will be influenced by the valuation evidence put before it by the respective parties.


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CBA General Programs
Items about the Consumer Bankers Association and its initiatives, including CBA Advanced Education, CBA LIVE, CBA Team news and more.
CBA's Hunt emphasizes need for balanced regulation
Consumer bankers are not against regulation, Richard Hunt insists. He makes the point just seconds into an interview at the Consumer Bankers Association offices off Franklin Square in downtown Washington, even before he's being recorded. As the head of the group, he tries to emphasize that banks want some of the Obama administration's excess regulation reeled in, not complete elimination of rules...
Richard's Rapid Fire - April 20, 2018
DC DOWNLOAD CBA-Backed Effort to Overturn CFPB's 2013 Auto Bulletin Passes U.S. Senate – CBA member banks are strongly committed to ensuring fair lending policies and practices are upheld while fulfilling consumers' financial needs. The CFPB's 2013 Auto Bulletin was a backdoor attempt at rulemaking without notice or comment and lacked the clarity needed by lenders, which is why CBA supported the...
CBA's Hunt on Speaker Ryan Retirement
WASHINGTON - Consumer Bankers Association President and CEO Richard Hunt issued the following statement after House Speaker Paul Ryan announced he would retire following his current term: "Speaker Ryan is a visionary leader for not just his party but also for the entire Congress. He has spent his entire career - both as a Member of Congress and staffer before that - doing his homework, tackling...
Comment Letter
Joint Trades Support Letter for H.R. 5266, CFPB Commission Bill
The Honorable Dennis Ross 436 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema 1725 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable David Scott 225 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Ann Wagner 435 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representatives Ross, Sinema, Scott, and Wagner: The undersigned...
Richard's Rapid Fire - March 23, 2018
CBA LIVE 2018: My Favorite Numbers – CBA LIVE 2018 was one for the record books. Here are a few of my favorite numbers from this year's conference: 9 years straight of record attendance; 1,485 senior banking leaders attended CBA LIVE; 664 total bankers attended CBA LIVE; 25 out of 25 CBA Board Members attended; 284 CBA Committee Members attended including 13 wonderful CBA Committee Chairs; 44...
Robocall Limits in U.S. Set Back by Federal Appeals Court
(Bloomberg) -- An appeals court threw out part of a Federal Communications Commission regulation aimed at reducing automated telephone solicitations, weakening a 2015 effort to squelch the scourge of so-called robocalls. The rule was aimed at calls generated by auto-dialing devices. But its language was too broad, and could be construed to prohibit calls from any smartphone, the U.S. Court of...
Court's Decision in TCPA Case Marks a Win For Consumers
WASHINGTON – Richard Hunt, President and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), issued the below statement following the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit's decision in CBA's Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) case against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), ACA International v. FCC : "The Court's ruling is good news for American consumers. For too long, access to...
Discover Bank, PNC Bank Win CBA's 2018 Joe Belew Award
Orlando, Florida (March 14, 2017) – The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) today presented the eighth annual Joe Belew Award to Discover Bank for its Bank on Wheels program and PNC Bank for its Community Connections Center. This year, the award honors CBA member banks with the most innovative and impactful program serving underbanked and unbanked consumers. The winners were selected by CBA's...
CBA Applauds Senate Passage of Financial Regulatory Reform Bill
WASHINGTON – Consumer Bankers Association President and CEO Richard Hunt issued the following statement after the Senate overwhelmingly passed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act: "This is a good, commonsense bill deserving of the bipartisan support it received and the House of Representatives should begin their consideration as soon as possible. "CBA and...
CBA Comment Letter re the Economic Growth Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act
The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader U.S. Senate S-230, U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Charles Schumer Minority Leader United States Senate S-211, U.S. Capitol Washington, DC 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: On behalf of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), I write to express our support for S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory...


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REDEFINING TASTE
ABOUT THE PRISONER
When our first wine, The Prisoner, was released two decades ago as a complex blend of some of California's best and most unusual grape varieties, it swiftly and permanently changed the perception of what a red blend wine could be.
Since then, we've grown to include a range of rule-bending blends with provocative label designs, being recognized by fans and wine critics alike as one of the most bold and innovative wine brands in the market, leading the resurgence of California luxury red blends and earning "cult" wine status.
Today, our Director of Winemaking Chrissy Wittmann and her team work with over 100 growers in northern California, bringing together exceptional fruit to produce a family of intriguing wines unrestricted by tradition. The Prisoner Wine Company is located on the legendary Highway29 in Napa Valley and welcomes visitors year-round for unexpected, immersive experiences.
Our brand name and flagship label were inspired by an etching titled Le Petit Prisonnier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Its subtitle translates to "the custody is as barbaric as the crime". The sketch is part of Goya's series The Disasters of War, created as a visual protest to the injustice and brutality of the Spanish War of Independence in 1808. From our founding, The Prisoner Wine Company has stood against oppression while embracing creativity. Fighting injustices in our society, especially those tied to our prison and policing systems, is indelibly etched into our identity and a focus of our commitment as an organization. At The Prisoner, we know that the problems in the U.S. prison system are ingrained, nuanced, and seemingly intractable. We also believe that change can happen and that it starts with conversation, collaboration, and creativity.
Learn more about The Prisoner & Prison Reform below.
THE PRISONER & PRISON REFORM
We are acutely aware of the responsibility we have in using The Prisoner's platform to drive awareness and action. Click on the button below to learn more about The Prisoner and Prison Reform.
THE WINEMAKERS
CHRISSY WITTMANN
Director of Winemaking
Chrissy Wittmann came to winemaking in an unconventional way. After earning a B.S. in Ecology and Systematic Biology at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, the future winemaker found her love for wine while analyzing soil and waste water samples in a lab. After serving time as a laboratory enologist, Chrissy returned to Cal Poly, achieving her master's degree in Agriculture.
BRETT YOUNG
Brett Young grew up in Lodi, home to many of California's oldest Zinfandel vineyards. With a clear passion for the kitchen, he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York City. From there he worked in diverse kitchens such as The Ritz-Carlton Millennia in Singapore, Mix Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts in Napa Valley, all of which shaped his thinking about all things food, wine and exceptional hospitality.
THE GROWERS
The Prisoner Wine Company is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of winemaking. Our partners in this vision are phenomenal growers throughout California's premier growing regions who are dedicated to cultivating unique grape varieties. Through them, we source fruit from more than 100 vineyards across the state.
SOLARI FAMILY VINEYARD
Bruno Solari and his four siblings, Giulia, Diana, Tony and Kelley are 3rd generation farmers in Calistoga. The Solari's farm with old school sensibilities and new school techniques. We have been fortunate enough to purchase Zinfandel for The Prisoner from this vineyard since 2005. It produces small yet immensely flavored berries.
KORTE RANCH
Owned by Jack and Kathy Pagendarm, this vineyard has been part of their family for over 100 years and is situated in the heart of St. Helena. Kathy is known for her daily ritual of walking the length of the vineyard and caring for the vines. We have sourced fruit from this special vineyard since 2005.
TIEDEMANN RANCH
Yountville
Planted and farmed in the 1970's by Larry Bettinelli and his father-in-law, Irv Tiedemann. Keeping the family tradition alive, he now farms the land with his son, Giancarlo Bettinelli and his son-in-law Paul Goldberg. Working with this family business has been a truly special experience. The vineyard is a perfect showcase of both head trained and wire-trained Zinfandel, and has been in our family of growers since 2004.
YORK CREEK
Spring Mountain, St. Helena
York Creek Vineyard is located high on the south facing slopes of the Spring Mountain District in St. Helena. Fritz Maytag of Maytag Blue Cheese and Anchor Steam Brewing purchased the land in 1968 and planted grapes in amongst the native forests and rambling streams that flourish there. The vineyard produces deep colored wines, full of spice and dark fruit flavors.
MATTERN
Talmage Bench, Mendocino
Mattern is located on the rich, red soils of Talmage Bench in Mendocino County. Originally planted in the 1930's and '40s and owned by John Mattern, this biodynamically grown vineyard is an extremely warm site — perfect for Zinfandel.
APARICIO SUTTER CREEK REGION, AMADOR
Originally planted from 1980-81 by Joe Aparicio, the "Goblet" style vineyard perfectly performs year after year. This old-world pruning style allows the grapes to hang freely, get ample air flow, and bathe in perfectly filtered light. Extremely unique soils for this region, its bright red and rocky soil holds a rich volcanic history.
GRIST VINEYARD
Situated at 1,000 ft above the Dry Creek valley floor, this head trained Zinfandel vineyard sits on iron rich, red volcanic soils. The vineyard is on the western ridge of the Dry Creek appellation, and benefits from the cool afternoon breezes which roll in from the Pacific Ocean, tempering the warmth of a typical Dry Creek Valley summer day.
Carneros
The Sangiacomo family has been farming in the Carneros and Sonoma Valley areas since the 1950s. We work with three different blocks of this vineyard to add to the complexity and structure of Blindfold. Another source for the wine is one of the oldest estates in Sonoma Valley – the Kunde family which has over 100 years of history in the area. We source Viognier from a West facing slope of the vineyard which adds floral notes to the wine.
RODGERS VINEYARD
We source Viognier from the Rodgers vineyard located in Yountville which adds intensity and a floral component to the wine.
OBSIDIAN RIDGE
Red Hills
Obsidian Ridge Vineyard is situated in the high Mayacamas at 2,640 feet above sea level and is regarded for its red volcanic and obsidian-rich soils. The soil and location provide excellent drainage, added light refraction and heat retention, to produce full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with soft tannins.


"If you black and you proud, you better know your wealth."
Bianca Bonnie lyrically empowers darker-toned women everywhere to practice self love in her new video for her single, "Faith In These Brownskins." Fabolous got it a bit twisted when he released "Faith In Me" off of his Summertime Shootout 2 mixtape, so Bianca helped him out a little bit with this one. In a world where light skin is often praised as the "right skin," this Love & Hip Hop star puts on for the ladies who rep #TeamBrownie. She raps to all the bozos who say dumb statements like, "you're pretty for a dark girl," telling them they can keep their little backhanded compliments. She encourages females around the world to embrace their skin tone, no matter the color. For the record, she doesn't have any problems with these light-skin jawns, she just knows she's poppin' up in her skin.
Make sure you love yourself cause these n—as is average. Don't let em give you a complex, be a beautiful savage. In a world where they judge you, if you a dark you a wack chick, Nah.
Watch as Bianca confidently goes TF awf on this record!


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Category Archives: Privacy
New Technologies For The Surveillance State
December 2, 2006 Doug Mataconis Individual Rights, Privacy, Technology
Apparently, the FBI is now able to use a cell phone microphone as an eavesdropping device:
The FBI appears to have begun using a novel form of electronic surveillance in criminal investigations: remotely activating a mobile phone's microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations.
The technique is called a "roving bug," and was approved by top U.S. Department of Justice officials for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques such as tailing a suspect or wiretapping him.
Nextel cell phones owned by two alleged mobsters, John Ardito and his attorney Peter Peluso, were used by the FBI to listen in on nearby conversations. The FBI views Ardito as one of the most powerful men in the Genovese family, a major part of the national Mafia.
The surveillance technique came to light in an opinion published this week by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. He ruled that the "roving bug" was legal because federal wiretapping law is broad enough to permit eavesdropping even of conversations that take place near a suspect's cell phone.
And the method apparently works even if the cell phone is turned off:
Kaplan's opinion said that the eavesdropping technique "functioned whether the phone was powered on or off." Some handsets can't be fully powered down without removing the battery; for instance, some Nokia models will wake up when turned off if an alarm is set.
As the article explains, though, this isn't the first time that we've learned that the FBI can remotely activate technology and listen in on conversations. In 2003, they used a similar method to activate the OnStar microphone in someone's vehicle.
It's enough to make you paranoid.
Doug Mataconis
http://www.belowthebeltway.com
Oklahoma Restricts One Less Freedom
November 1, 2006 Brad Warbiany Individual Rights, Privacy
Tattooing in Oklahoma becomes legal Wednesday
Some say it's an art. Others say it's a sin. But nobody can say tattooing is illegal in Oklahoma after Wednesday, when the state becomes the very last to permit it.
The moral tangle is over. The win goes to lawmakers who argued that tattooing is inevitable, so it may as well be regulated for safety.
The win is also claimed by the state's tattoo artists, who can now ink most anyone 18 and older without fear of handcuffs and fines.
The law that passed after much foot-dragging has earned praise and criticism, but either way, it has an effect.
It looks like today, one state becomes the last one to finally realize that people are capable of making their own decisions about their body. I do think that a lot of people are surprised by this, though. Not that they're surprised that Oklahoma is changing the law, but surprised that Oklahoma had the law until 2006 in the first place.
But this isn't an isolated case. I've said it before and I'll say it again. One of the most egregious flaws of government is their tendency to restrict freedom and enforce the prejudices of the majority by law. You see it here in the south, where you can't buy alcohol on Sunday because it offends too many religious people. You see it happening all over the country now, as cities and states try to ban smoking in all public places because it's now widely regarded to be a faux pas.
I'd like to say that this change in the law is Oklahoma's realization that outlawing behavior that they simply find unappealing, which does not infringe on anyone's rights, is bad policy. But it's not. This is them retreating from one restriction of freedom that no longer has a lot of public support. I'm sure they won't be shy about keeping those restrictions that exist, or enacting new restrictions, as long as the majority supports it. After all, that's what government is for, right?
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Brad Warbiany
http://thelibertypapers.org/
August 31, 2006 Brad Warbiany Constitution, Individual Rights, Privacy, The Bill Of Rights, Theory and Ideas
One of the most contentious bits of Constitutional jurisprudence in history has been the "Right to Privacy". Some say it's not there at all, as the word "privacy" never even appears in the document. Some say it flows out of penumbras, formed by emanations. I wish I had a clue what the heck that means. The real answer is much, much simpler, but if followed, throws the whole system on its ear. That answer flows straight out of the idea of Natural Rights, and is expressed by a portion of the Constitution that is roundly ignored, the Ninth Amendment:
Amendment IX – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Of course, without an enumeration, it is difficult to understand exactly what sort of rights are protected by the Ninth Amendment. Is a "Right to Privacy" hiding in there? How about a "Right to Polygamy"? Perhaps a "Right to Animal Sacrafice"? Who knows what we might find in there? Could this possibly have been what the Founders intended?
I think it is. The Ninth Amendment, coupled with the Tenth, the Constitutional framework of listing enumerated governmental powers, and later the inclusion of the Fourteenth Amendment, is meant to convey a very specific idea. Where the Constitution has given the government the power to act, it may act, within certain limits. Where the government does not have the power to act, the people are free to exercise their liberty without intrusion.
Perhaps it would be best to start at the beginning. The Ninth Amendment was written as a part of the Bill of Rights in general. At the time of the Founding, many suggested that we did not need a bill of rights, in that the government's powers were limited. But James Madison, father of the Constitution, did not agree:
It is true the powers of the general government are circumscribed; they are directed to particular objects; but even if government keeps within those limits, it has certain discretionary powers with respect to the means, which may admit of abuse to a certain extent, in the same manner as the powers of the state governments under their constitutions may to an indefinite extent; because in the constitution of the United States there is a clause granting to Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution all the powers vested in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof; this enables them to fulfil every purpose for which the government was established. Now, may not laws be considered necessary and proper by Congress, for it is them who are to judge of the necessity and propriety to accomplish those special purposes which they may have in contemplation, which laws in themselves are neither necessary or proper; as well as improper laws could be enacted by the state legislatures, for fulfilling the more extended objects of those governments.
Would it be right for our government, in response to the enumerated power of punishing counterfeiting of currency, to ban freedom of the press? It would not be necessary, but if Congress is both the writer of the laws and the judge of necessity, the protection against Congressional overreach is not there. The Bill of Rights is intended as a second line of defense against the evisceration of the necessary and proper clause. But there is a problem whenever you enumerate a specific bill of rights, which Madison clearly understood:
It has been objected also against a bill of rights, that, by enumerating particular exceptions to the grant of power, it would disparage those rights which were not placed in that enumeration, and it might follow by implication, that those rights which were not singled out, were intended to be assigned into the hands of the general government, and were consequently insecure. This is one of the most plausible arguments I have ever heard urged against the admission of a bill of rights into this system; but, I conceive, that may be guarded against. I have attempted it, as gentlemen may see by turning to the last clause of the 4th resolution.
The clause he mentions, which clearly was the precursor to the Ninth.
The exceptions here or elsewhere in the constitution, made in favor of particular rights, shall not be so construed as to diminish the just importance of other rights retained by the people; or as to enlarge the powers delegated by the constitution; but either as actual limitations of such powers, or as inserted merely for greater caution.
It is clear that the Constitution was written with several lines of defense against giving the government wide powers. It is also clear that the constitution was written to further restrict the latitude of government's action even when performing their enumerated powers. The Ninth Amendment was intended as one of these second lines of defense to protect individual liberties (natural rights) not expressed in the previous amendments.
Every one of those lines of defense have been breached, and the government has stopped considering most limits on its power. The Supreme Court has been complicit, and instead of acting to guard our rights, has granted the government the benefit of the doubt, or a presumption of constitutionality, to its actions. The presumption of constitutionality means that instead of requiring the government to prove that restricting our liberties is required to enforce a law is "necessary and proper" to the operation of an enumerated power, it is the citizen's responsibility to show that the legislation encroaches upon an enumerated right in the Bill of Rights, or encroaching on one of those penumbras, formed by emanations, that the Supreme Court has deemed a "fundamental" right. The Ninth Amendment is ignored.
The Supreme Court has become the arbiter to pick and choose which rights are fundamental, and considers only those rights to be safe from government's power. Even so, they have eviscerated some enumerated rights, by not striking down certain portions of McCain-Feingold, by holding the 2nd Amendment to be "non-incorporated" by the 14th, and in their decision to ignore private property rights against the abuse of eminent domain in Kelo. Kelo is a key example of the presumption of constitutionality, in that the Court simply take the local government's word for the fact that the takings met the standard of "public use".
The Right to Privacy is something that the current court has considered as an exception to the presumption of constitutionality. Due to current jurisprudence, however, to affirm the Ninth Amendment, and the reasoning behind its inception, would be affirming a much wider level of liberty and a much more narrow grant of government power than our current government recognizes. Thus, they must rest on the idea of "penumbras, formed by emanations", resting on the first, third, fourth, fifth, ninth, and fourteenth amendments. They cannot claim that the government doesn't have the power to make an infringement of liberty in this sense, they must craft a "new" fundamental right to protect a liberty they support. Their desire to maintain the presumption of constitutionality while still enforcing their desired social goals puts them in a very precarious position, and the house of cards that is our Constitutional jurisprudence gets one story taller.
There is another way, though. I was recently reading— a major impetus for this post, actually— Randy Barnett's book, Restoring the Lost Constitution: The Presumption of Liberty. In it, he argues that through the evisceration of the necessary and proper clause, the privileges and immunities clause, the interstate commerce clause, and then the Ninth Amendment, we have strayed far from the original intent of the Constitution, and have found ourselves with a toothless document filled with holes. The suggest to reverse course would be to return to the days when we presume that the government cannot infringe upon liberty UNLESS they demonstrate that to do so is both necessary (not "convenient" but necessary) and proper (in the service of an enumerated power). Instead of a presumption of constitutionality, we should return to a Presumption of Liberty.
The Founding Fathers certainly believed in a Right to Privacy, insofar as they didn't believe the government had a legitimate purpose to be doing anything which might infringe upon it. In our current Constitutional jurisprudence, the Right to Privacy is an exception to unlimited government power. If we returned to a Presumption of Liberty, the Right to Privacy, along with a host of other rights and liberties, wouldn't be an exception at all, it would be would be the standard.
Libertarianism: The Problem of Children
July 13, 2006 Brad Warbiany Education, Individual Rights, Privacy, Theory and Ideas
Over a year ago, when I was still a new blogger, I posted this entry at The Unrepentant Individual. And I still don't have an answer for it. Can anyone help me out?
My adherence to libertarianism, as much as an "Unrepentant Individual" adheres to any set political party or philosophy, is based upon my belief that libertarianism is a fully consistent, logical, and moral form of government. The reason for this is that I don't accept that other people should be able to make choices for me, a rational adult, and thus I cannot see that I should find myself so egotistical that I should be making choices for them, so long as we do not violate each other's rights and liberty.
However, in any discussion of libertarianism that I have come across, one issue is typically not handled very well: the issue of children. Libertarianism presupposes that the actors in society are rationally self-interested individuals, and that these people should be given as much leeway to act as possible, so long as they are not infringing on others. Our discussion of rules, morality, governance, all assumes that we treat humans like adults.
But children aren't adults. What, then, do we do with them? What rules, what guidelines, should we use to protect their rights? What guidelines should be used to protect them from themselves, as they have not gained the maturity to act rationally? And what should be done to protect them from neglectful parents, who do not take the steps necessary to ensure that they grow up to become rational adults? Socialists, fascists, communists, and even nanny-state Republicans don't have this problem, because they treat everyone like children, under the mismanaged care and semi-watchful eye of an incompetent government. Since they never really expect or desire us to exercise independent, rational thought, they don't need to be worried about leaving us unprepared to do so. But for us libertarians, we cannot abdicate this responsibility, or our society will cease to be the moral form of government that we believe.
I Always Feel Like, Somebodies Watching Me
May 13, 2006 Chris Byrne Free Speech, Individual Rights, Media, Politics, Privacy, Technology, War on Terror
Let's talk about the current NSA surveilance brouhaha. Liberals, conservatives, AND Libertarians are all entirely up in arms about this subject; which for the reasons I'm about to discuss is patently silly.
First things first, I'm an information security consultant and architect, with extensive government, financial, medical, telecommunications, and military security experience. I do some of this stuff for a living. For those of you who are familair with federal contracting, I have several GSA contracts under my belt. In my daily professional life, I deal with the legal and technical issues surrounding this subject quite a lot. I have in fact conducted, and assisted in, trap and trace operations; as well as created solutions for trap and trace access.
Next, this IS NOT WIRETAPPING, nor in fact is it any kind of invasion of privacy (as legally established).
The data the NSA is collecting are called pen-trace records or pen-register records(technically its a "pen register trap and trace device record", even thugh there is no such thing as a pen register anymore. I usually call it a pen-trace because it's a more complete abbreviation, and because the operations are generally referred to as "trap and trace" oeprations. In most references it is more often referred to as a Pen Register). These are the records which indicate what calls were initiated from what number, to what number, when, for how long, how the call was routed, and what charge classes apply to each stage of call routing.
These records are legally semi-public information, not private. It is legal to collect these records without a warrant, so long as they are not used to SPECIFICALLY TARGET an individual without a warrant (there is a specific pen register warrant for that purpose), or used beyond basic identifying characteristics. Once a trace of interest is found, a warrant can then be applied for for further surveliance.
It has been legal for the government to do this since the very first telephone telecommunications laws in 1936, and it continues to be reaffirmed as such. The last law regulating this was passed last year, others that I know of in 2001, 1998, 1996, and 1994, '88, and two HUGE ones in '84 and '86. The supreme court has repeatedly reaffirmed the legality and constitutionality of this, because of the third party exemption to private communications if for no other reason (and there have usually been other reasons).
Under the third party exemption, if a third party is allowed to setup or witness what is otherwise a private communication between two parties, the expectation of privacy of the existence of the communication is breached (if it existed at all which in many cases it does not), and the existence and external characteristics of that communication can then be compelled and used as evidence without a warrant.
This is settled legal doctrine, and has been for literally hundreds of years, back to english common law.
For further information, refer to Smith v. Maryland which is controlling in these situations, and which was decided under '36 '48 and '78 statues. A pen register is not a search under these criteria.
There is additional controlling legislation, the electronic communications privacy act of 1984. This established certain privacy protections for electronic surveilance, as well as enforcing access to records and techncial means by the government at the providers cost (as a cost of doing business, any company defined as a pblic telecomunications utility must give the government access to tap and trace).
Under current law and precedent, so long as there is not an individual target, privacy provisions of ECPA '84 don't apply; but the access provisions do. It's a case of the government having its cake and eating it too.
Further, USAPA '01 (the patriot act) CLEARLY defines that global pen registers conducted through electronic means are NOT an unlawful search. Or rather it clearly correlates them to earlier definitions of pen registers which were also held not to be unlawful searches.
If there IS an individual target, then there is a low burden of proof threshold to obtain a pen register, to wit the capture of any information likely to be pertienent to a criminal investigation. Additionally, no warrant is necessary even for specific targeting, if one end of the conversation initiates or terminates outside of the country. Also there are certain standing exemptions (communications from anywhere within the country to certain known individuals or locations – official arms of the chinese government for example).
Also, it has been held that there is no warrant necessary for the disclosure of LUDs (local usage details) by telephone companies to investigative agencies; again because of the third party exemption.
Now there is an additional issue here, as to whether it is legal to capture glocal pen-trace data without a specific target, and then run traffic analysis on it which produces specific targets which were not present before the data collection…
Well so far the courts say yes; and have several times and at several levels; but I'm not sure this is technically correct.
Once the data is collected in a legitimate way, it is generally assumed that any analysis done is legitimate; even if the results of that analysis would be the same as those which would have required a warrant to produce without that analysis.
It may or may not be allowed as evidence depending on the judge, and the court; but the agency doing the analysis wouldn't be under any sanction for doing so.
This is clearly a case of the law not being properly costructed to handle unforseen technological circumstances. The spirit of the laws (and there are more than just one, in fact more than a few) may be violated here; but in general it has been held that this IS legal. This is why many people choose to use the 10 best proxy servers in 2019, or install a VPN, to help hide their browsing, even if they haven't broken a single law.
All of these issues have additional implications in a national security context, and I'm not sure if there is a controlling decision or even controlling legislation; in part because some of the decisions that may be controlling are classified. Also some cases that may have produced controling decisions were instead vacated or dismissed by national security exemption.
Basically there are a lot of things that an NS or NCA initiated investigation can do that a criminal investigation can't and still be legal; in some cases without the authorization of courts.
That is an executive powers question, and one that the courts have been EXTREMELY reluctant to enter into. The constitutional law (as opposed to a straight reading of the constitution – a distinction that I find distasteful but it is very real today) issues here are somewhat convoluted.
Given all this, it should be clear that in fact, telephone and electronic communications have far less LEGAL privacy protection than do face to face conversations. You may not LIKE it, it may feel creepy, but it is legal, and has been basicaly since the phone companies were first set up.
What the NSA is doing WITH this information is called traffic analysis, and it is legal, even on US. Citizens. Traffic analysis doesn't tell you what is being said, but who is talking to who is a still a valuable source of intelligence.
More importantly, LEGALLY traffic analysis is not surveilance, it is the gathering of open intelligence; and thus does not require any specific justification or authorization.
Now as to whether it should be or not; that's a much thornier subject. The fact is, we have allowed but the government, and business, to do this since the inception of communications technologies.
By law the telephone networks are only semi-private (as are the airways BTW). There is no dejure expectation of privacy as to the routing of your calls, because that information is both used by third parties for purposes directly related to the call itself (billing and QOS); and by third parties not realated to the call (marketers).
Just to illustrate one case, the phone companies use the info for marketing purposes, and sell it to others for marketing purposes.
People in high income zip codes will be identified, and marketers will look at their magazine and catalogue subscription info, which they either have already or purchased from some other companies. The comapanies then send those catalogues and subscription offers to the people that the high income folks called. That's just one example.
The same thing happens with shoppers cards, credit cards, magazine subscriptions… hell some libraries sell your data, and all major bookstores (in fact all major retailers) do.
That data may or may not be personally identifiable, depending on exactly what business is selling it to what business.
Hell, the post office sells your magazine and catalogue subscription records to other magazine and catalogue publishers as well; so those publishers can send you more offers. Additionally the post office will use data on who sends you mail, and who you recieve mail from, to conduct investigations into mail fraud, terrorism, and transportation of contraband, obscenity, and child pronography through the mails, WITHOUT ANY WARRANT.
The post office is a semi-government agency, and for some reason no-one makes the connection between pen trace and this behavior; which is legally IDENTICAL; and which has been going on for decades.
So if a commercial entity can sell it to another commercial entity, can't the government collect this data on its own?
Or should ALL of that be made illegal?
The fact is, people have a false expectation of privacy in far too many venues. The only real privacy lies in that behavior which is that which is conducted exclusively on your private property; or that which is conducted by ALL parties to a contract during which agreement is made by all parties to maintain all desired aspects as private (which lawfully guarantees your expectation of privacy. This at the core of privilige).
This isn't a recent developement; it's legally, and often socially been this way… well pretty much forever. You don't have the legal expectation of privacy you FEEL you do. Perhaps you do have a moral expectation; but the law, morality, and basic rights unfortunately diverged a long time ago.
Again, I'm a Libertarian, these issues get kind of thorny with me. Do I WANT the government to do this? No I don't; however we have constructed a government that CAN do this, both legally, and technically. I disagree with it, I'd like the laws changed; I'd even like to see a constitutional guarantee to certain privacy beyond that which I outline here; but it simply doesnt exist now (nor likely ever will).
As to a so called right to privacy; no there is no right to privacy if you mean that all others must repsect YOUR privacy and not use the means they have available to abrogate it. That so called right simply does not exist.
A right is something that can only be abrogated by force, or willful consent. Privacy of your telephone calling records need not be forced, nor does it need your consent to be abrogated; because it is already shared with a third party; the telephone company.
That said, we have the right to HIDE anything we want (presuming we control that thing legitimately), from whomever we want, for whatever reason, using whatever means we choose. It is others responsibiltiy to find it if they want to. This includes criminal evidence; and it includes lying to investigators and law enforcement (though not in court providing one swears the oath).
Additionally and related to that, we have the right to not be COMPELLED to share information we do not wish to share; assuming we hold that information alone, or in concert with other parties who also agree to keep that information private. However if there is a party to the information who does not agree, than if we continue to share information with that party, we no longer have any legitimate expectation of privacy.
Privacy is not an inherent right, it is a social construct. It is a useful, and important construct; but the only privacy we have an absolute right to is the privacy of private property; and whatever occurs entirely therein.
The problem is that peoples understanding and expection of privacy doesn't keep pace with either their understanding and expectations of technology; or their general acceptance of technologies.
The only reason this is coming to light NOW (in the general sense – in the specific sense its so the press can use it against Bush), is because now the technical means exist for governments, and businesses, to collect and analyze this data on a global scale. That makes EVERYONE feel like they are being watched. People were fine with it when they could only track and analyze a few data streams at a time, but now they can track and analyze everyone, they feel naked, violated.
You may feel in your gut that your rights are being violated, but you never had this LEGAL right you feel you had in the first place. You had a de-facto illusion of privacy, simply because people weren't able to do this yet.
Now they are, and your illusion of privacy no longer exists.
UPDATE: Some commenters questioned my accuracy on the law, so I included more detail. I also inserted clarification of my personal moral position on the issue. Oh and if you want privacy, here are Six-ish words: Encrypted IP Telephony, Pre-paid Mobile Phone. You can find out more by visiting an ip phone systems melbourne company similar to Business ICT or a company more local to you.
Chris Byrne
I am a cynically romantic optimistic pessimist. I am neither liberal, nor conservative. I am a (somewhat disgruntled) muscular minarchist… something like a constructive anarchist.
Basically what that means, is that I believe, all things being equal, responsible adults should be able to do whatever the hell they want to do, so long as nobody's getting hurt, who isn't paying extra
http://anarchangel.blogspot.com


text:
Video of the Day: Unexpected Antenna Repairs Lead to Record Longest Spacewalk
By Megan Crouse | February 5, 2018
Image credit: NASA
The longest spacewalk ever performed by cosmonauts was completed on Feb. 2. Alexander Misurkin and Anton Shklaplerov floated outside of the International Space Station for 8 hours and 13 minutes to replace an electronics and telemetry box. The box, which serves a high gain antenna on the Zvezda service module, will improve communications between Earth and the Russian side of the space station.
The video from NASA shows footage from the spacewalk, as well as other NASA news from the week.
The spacewalk wasn't supposed to last this long. Instead, the record was broken because the antenna, which had been folded up during the repairs, would not deploy. It required some laborious pushing before finally getting stuck 180 degrees from its intended position. NASA says the antenna is working fine, but another expedition may be needed to put it back in place.
The longest spacewalk on record, 8 hours and 56 minutes, was set in 2001 by astronauts Jim Voss and Susan Helms. The previous Russian record was set by Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazanskiy in 2013 with a time of 8 hours and 7 minutes.
Another spacewalk scheduled for the last week of January, in which American astronauts will replace the robotic hands on the end of a docking arm, was delayed to mid-February.


Transporter is a NAS that wants to be a cloud storage service. It offers a simple way to share data across multiple sites and users in secure and private way.
Retain full control of data. Affordable pricing. Easy to sync and backup data. Can access remote Transporters over Web. Mac, Windows, iOS, Android support.
Need to know other users' email addresses. Not very fast read/write speeds. No built-in wireless.
With multiple devices and near-ubiquitous Internet access, we demand immediate access to our pictures, music, or documents, whenever we want, wherever we are. Cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Box.net let us find the files when needed, so long as we are okay with putting them on someone else's servers. If you can't, or don't want to, rely on some other company to store your data, consider the Transporter from Connected Data. This isn't your everyday NAS, as it combines offline and online storage with backup capabilities in one handsome package.
The data stored on the Transporter is accessible to users on the same network. If the user is somewhere else and wants to get a file, the user has to have a valid account to log in to the Web client. And if the user happens to have multiple Transporter units, then the user can set them up to sync the files and act as a backup server.
Transporter is like a NAS, but it also isn't a NAS because it lacks some of the features of a traditional NAS, such as a built-in media server to stream media files, or the ability to act as a printer server. Transporter is more like a physical manifestation of Dropbox, and for many small businesses and people who work with media files, it is storage you can access from anywhere at the right price.
When I looked at the Transporter earlier this year, I was instantly charmed by its polished look and the simplicity of having my data accessible regardless of where I was. However, I was not charmed by the software interface to manage the device or to access the files. The latest version of the software makes up for its previous shortcomings and the user experience is simpler and more efficient.
The Transporter is a stylish, not-quite-obelisk-shaped black box, measuring about 3.9 inches x 3.9 inches x 5.52 inches. The box looks more like a fancy paperweight or conversation piece for the coffee table than a network-attached-storage device. Weighing less than 2 pounds, the Transporter is very easy to move around.
A Gigabit Ethernet port and a USB port are built into the base of the unit, and a colored light indicates the Transporter's status. Reddish purple indicates a problem, green is normal, and blue means it is processing data. The USB port can be used to connect a wireless modem to make the Transporter Wi-Fi capable. Otherwise, the only way to connect to the network is over Ethernet.
Users can buy the Transporter with a 1TB hard drive ($299), with a 2TB hard drive ($399), or without any hard drive at all ($199). This review looked at the 1TB unit. The Transporter can take almost any 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive, including SATA II, SATA-300, SATA 3Gb/s, SATA III, SATA-600, and SATA 6Gb/s drives, as long as it is 160 GB or larger. Users can decide exactly how much storage capacity they need and swap out for larger drives as necessary.
I plugged the Transporter into the lab network waited for the unit to come online. The flashing green lights meant it was starting up, and the half-blue-half-green lights meant the hard drive was being formatted. Once it was ready, the light changed to a solid blue. The entire process took a little over fifteen minutes. If you don't already have an account with Transporter, you will need to create one at https://secure.connecteddata.com/signup before you can manage the device.
When I logged into the Web portal, I found that the application had detected a Transporter on the same network and listed its serial number (found on the bottom of the unit) on the screen. Clicking on the "Claim" button associated the Transporter to my account ID.
To store files on the Transporter or to access files already stored on the device, I downloaded and installed the management software on to each machine I wanted to use. Transporter has come a long way since the original version, as it now offers software for Windows and Mac OS X, as well as apps for iOS, Android, and the Kindle Fire. The installation process for both Windows and Android (from Google Play) was quick and automatic, and guided first-time users through each step. I had a minor quibble: I had to restart my Windows machine after the installer finished. In this day and age, software installations should not still require a system restart.
The software gives you two options for storing your files: Folder and Library. Library means all the files are kept on the Transporter and are only accessible when you are on the network or have Internet connection. Users on the same network as the Transporter can take advantage of Gigabit Ethernet speeds to access the files. If the Transporter is on a remote network, then the user is restricted to that network's upload and download speeds, but that isn't any different from what you would have with a cloud service, such as Dropbox.
Folder means the files are kept on your PC and synchronized with the Transporter. This way you get local hard disk performance and the ability to access files even when you aren't online. You can also use Transporter as a backup machine. I can also share files so that multiple Transporters all have a copy. So even though there is no RAID with the Transporter, by syncing across multiple devices, I have redundancy. If one Transporter fails, copies on other Transporters remain intact.
In testing, I found the Transporter a little on the slow side when it came to writing files. You can see the performance speeds by location if you click on the performance icon. The write speed was comparable to other consumer NAS devices we've tested, but much slower than the consumer/SOHO or SMB NAS. On the other hand, the read speeds were great for a consumer NAS, and was actually comparable to Netgear's ReadyNAS Ultra 6, which targets the SMB. If you are concerned about write speeds, then the Transporter isn't what you are looking for.
The software is a huge improvement from version 1.0. It is better integrated into the Windows environment, as I can see Transporter listed in Windows Explorer. I can drag and drop files into the Transporter, and see the Transporter icon appear on each of the files as they are saved on the device. I can easily access the Transporter even if I wasn't on the same network through Windows Explorer.
I could create different folders and set up different permission levels to control who could see which folders. None of the data is ever stored on Connected Data servers. The Transporters establish a peer-to-peer connection with each other to copy data, and users connect to the Transporter directly. Connected Data just handles the management and authentication layers.
In order to transfer files or share with other people, I sent an invitation through the software to that user's email address. With that invite, the person registered for an account on the portal and installed the software, much the same way I had. The process used to be really confusing in version 1.0—it's exponentially better in the latest version. The software downloads automatically as soon as the user creates the account, and the new user gets plenty of prompts and assistance in getting set up to be able to see the files.
I still find the Web portal slightly confusing because I can see the folders on the Transporter, but I can't access the contents. It would be nice to have better messaging explaining that the Web interface is just for management and not for file access.
Also, if you don't know what email address the user used to sign up for an account, you can't add that user to share your data. You can guess and use an email address, and the user can either let you know what the correct address is (and you re-invite that person) or that person winds up with multiple accounts. It would be nice if there was a way to search for users.
If you are looking to gain some control over your data files without relying on third-party cloud services, then you should take a good look at the Transporter. The price point is perhaps the best reason to consider Transporter if you are currently using Dropbox or similar cloud storage services. If you have to sync about 650GB of data, that is about $700 per year on Dropbox. For $199 to have a Transporter, and then another $100 or so for a 1TB drive, you are set, and never have to worry about annual subscription fees ever again. While Transporter is not super fast when trying to upload data, it is a great performer when you need to access that data. It is also as easy to use as Dropbox while letting you easily replicate data across locations, and is cheaper, too.


golden bird knits: Ready, set ... knit some lace!
Oh wow. This is just gorgeous, Stacy. Wow, and wow again. The yarn is so pretty and your stitches are so even. It will be a beautiful piece of art!
Better keep the cats away from your knitting bag!
SOOOOOOO PRETTY! Love that yarn, the colors are as soft as the yarn sounds! Have a blessed day and keep knitting my friend!
Thanks for the link to definition of lifeline, I've saved the link.
Love that you are using this luscious yarn for such a neat project.
I loooove Addis! I don't love the price, but that's another story. Your lace is going to be beautiful -- such a gorgeous color!
I started a little early, too. And for the same reason.
It's looking beautiful! I can't wait to see your progress!
I started early too. I simply couldn't resist taking advantage of quiet time on Sunday to get myself organized. Your shawl is looking good. Thanks for directing us to the lifeline explanation...that definitely makes me less nervous about taking on a bigger lace project as I've discovered with my little scarf if I drop a stitch I'm screwed!
Thats coming out so beautiful! I love that you cheated for some reason or that you admitted it, it seems pretty rebellious for a lace knitter!
It's looking Beautiful! and the yarn is Lovely. I am very much looking forward to seeing this progress.
Stacy, dear Stacy~Wow, that is going to be so beautiful! I love the design and the yarn and the colors! Oh, boy you are going to have some lovely lace!
It's going to be gorgeous! I can't wait to see MORE!
The lifeline tip is great! I had to frog my lace - lifeline wouldn't have helped. Somehow it was totally wrong from the beginning. I wish I had cheated and then maybe I'd have something to show on my blog!
Anyhow, yours is gorgeous and I love the yarn - looking forward to seeing more!


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Namco Bandai releases new 'Star Trek' trailer based on J.J. Abrams' reboot
Spock is back
By Tracey Lien Aug 15, 2012, 1:32am EDT
Share All sharing options for: Namco Bandai releases new 'Star Trek' trailer based on J.J. Abrams' reboot
Gallery Photo: Star Trek Gallery
Kirk and Spock are returning in a Star Trek video game based on the Star Trek universe of J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot.
Currently in development by Ontario-based studio Digital Extremes (Bioshock 2, Dark Sector, The Darkness 2), the Star Trek game will be set after the events of the 2009 film. Players will uncover new areas of the Enterprize and explore never before seen parts of the galaxy.
Actors Chris Prine and Zachary Quinto, who played the roles of Captain Kirk and Spock respectively, will also be lending their voices to the characters in the game.
The action-adventure is designed with asymmetrical co-op and is currently in development for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PC. The game is expected to release in early 2013.
The trailer can be viewed below.


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For years, there was only one pink building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Calif.
The Paul Smith shop's Pepto-Bismol pink-colored walls have been to a major attraction for those looking for a unique background for a selfie.
But now, there are two. On Feb. 20, U.K.-headquartered retailer PrettyLittleThing opened another building dominated by the color pink.
PrettyLittleThing founder and chief executive officer Umar Kamani wore a pink fuzzy jacket to preside over the ribbon cutting for PrettyLittleThing's pink-colored office, lounge and events space at 8587 W. Melrose Ave. For those who have some history with West Hollywood, the space was formerly the site of popular new age bookstore Bodhi Tree.
The 7,000-square-foot space will feature a photography studio, pedicure stations and bar, as well as a lounge flanked by pink unicorn statues. Of course, all are Instagram ready.
Attending the debut party were model Ashley Graham and reality star Khloe Kardashian, both dressed in PrettyLittleThing. Also on the guest list; Malika Haqq, India. Love, will.i.am, Larsa Pippen, Nikita Dragun, Emily Sears, Lori Harvey, Izabela Guedes and Nicole Williams, while MCs Blueface and Tyga performed at the party.


Situated in the southwestern corner of the United States, New Mexico is full of interesting attractions for visitors to discover. Sophisticated cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque are rich in cultural attractions and have a fascinating historical heritage to showcase. New Mexico boasts wonderful national parks and recreation areas where outdoor enthusiasts can pursue a wide range of adventure sports.
Prior to 1610, when the city of Santa Fe was established by Spanish colonists, the area was occupied by a succession of local tribes, which explains the rich cultural and historical heritage that you can discover in the city today. You can visit literally dozens of museums, historical sites, and Indian pueblos before even touching on the extravagant list of cultural attractions, which is why the city has been voted the number one destination for culturephiles by USA Today.
Few places can compete with Taos when it comes to offering a diversity of attractions and activities within one city. Here you can explore over a thousand years of tradition and see how Native Americans lived several centuries ago at the famous Taos Pueblo, a multi-story adobe complex, before soaking up the atmosphere of this long-time artist colony by visiting some of the many galleries, studios, and museums that showcase mainly local artists.
Situated along historic Route 66, Albuquerque offers visitors an authentic American Southwest experience with a long string of attractions to suit all tastes. You can explore some of the unique city museums (such as the American International Rattlesnake Museum) or take a walk through the Historic Old Town, which has been around since 1706.
Legend has it that a manned alien spacecraft crashed at Roswell in 1947, but whether or not you believe in aliens you will find plenty to do in this interesting New Mexico town. There is a long list of historical and cultural attractions you can explore, including the Roswell Museum and Art Center, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, and the General Douglas L. McBride Military Museum.
Nestled in the scenic Mesilla Valley in New Mexico, Las Cruces entices visitors with great year-round weather and a multitude of attractions and activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can get back to nature at the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, wildlife observation, fishing, and camping or take a day trip to one of several other national parks within a 70-mile radius.
White Sands National Monument covers a truly unique 275-square-mile area of wave-like white gypsum sand dunes in the middle of the Tularosa Basin in New Mexico. You will be amazed to learn about the diversity of flora and fauna that have adapted to these harsh conditions.
Carlsbad in New Mexico is something of an anomaly; here you will find a lush green oasis along the Pecos River, in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. The area has near-perfect year-round weather, which makes it a great destination for outdoor adventurers, who can enjoy hiking, biking, golf, and water activities all year round.
No visit would be complete without touring the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where you can explore a wonderful labyrinth of caves that are over 250 million years old. Young and old can learn about desert fauna at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens National Park and then beat the summer heat at the Carlsbad Water Park or at Lake Carlsbad Beach Park.
Las Vegas, New Mexico, is the complete antithesis to Nevada's big and brash city of the same name. Here in New Mexico you will feel as though you have stepped out of a time machine into the 1800s as you walk through one of the best-preserved historical gems in the country. You can stroll around five Historic Districts which are home to over 900 buildings on the National Historic Register.
The city's Arts and Cultural District is just as fascinating and offers several galleries and live entertainment at the Historic Serf Theatre Hall. You can enjoy water sports or go hiking, biking, and camping at the Storrie Lake State Park or visit the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge.
Visitors to Los Alamos will be amazed at the number and variety of attractions with which to fill their days. A self-guided walking tour of the Historic District will help you find your bearings in the city – you can visit the Los Alamos Historical Museum, Fuller Lodge, and an ancestral Pueblo dwelling along the way.
The Los Alamos Creative District hosts a variety of events and activities for art lovers, while the Bradbury Science Museum will fascinate all ages. Many people visit Los Alamos primarily to enjoy incredible mountain vistas – you can go on a scenic drive or get active on over 150 miles of hiking and biking trails, play a round of golf, or visit the Pajarito Ski Mountain in winter.
Alamogordo is a historic railroad town situated in the Tularosa Basin near the spectacular White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico. The town is steeped in history – you can visit Old Town Alamogordo and the Tularosa Basin Historical Museum to learn about the old days, while the fascinating New Mexico Museum of Space History and IMAX Theater will bring you back to the innovative 21st century.
Farmington makes an ideal base from which to explore the Four Corners area of New Mexico, which not only boasts wonderful scenery and outdoor activities, but is also chock-full of historical sites to discover. You can learn about the history and culture of several Native American tribes on a tour of the Hopi, Navajo, and Apache tribal lands or visit a few great museums, including the Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology and the E3 Children's Museum and Science Center.
Farmington has a thriving visual and performing arts scene – you can visit several galleries or attend the Outdoor Summer Theater or the San Juan Symphony Orchestra. Outdoor activities include great hiking in unique scenery, a wide variety of water sports on three rivers and two lakes, golfing, fishing, and geocaching.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory was established in 1943 with the express aim of producing an atomic bomb to end World War II. After that aim was realized in 1945, the LANL turned its attention to the pursuit of other sciences and today the facility is at the forefront of scientific research.
Although matters of national security are still a priority, the Los Alamos National Laboratory is multi-disciplinary and covers medical science, space technology, and several other fields that will improve the future lives of everyone on our planet. For security reasons the facility is not open to the public but you can tour the interactive Bradbury Science Museum in downtown Los Alamo to learn all about the laboratory and its top-secret projects.
The Valles Caldera is one of the country's newest National Preserves and was formed over 1.2 million years ago when a cataclysmic volcanic eruption resulted in the formation of an enormous caldera over 13 miles in diameter. Today the striking depression, which is rimmed by towering mountain peaks, is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
You can take on some of the hiking and mountain-biking trails, including easy day hikes or some strenuous backcountry routes. Equestrians can explore on horseback and ranger-led activities include guided hikes and van tours and fly-fishing clinics. There are good wildlife watching opportunities as well as elk and turkey hunting in season. In winter, visitors can enjoy the pristine area on cross-country skis or snowshoes.
Hidden deep under the shifting sands of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a massive labyrinth of over 119 caves that are protected by the Carlsbad Cavern National Park. You can watch a free 16-minute introductory movie at the visitors center before you set off to be wowed by the amazing rock formations.
You can either do a self-guided tour of the main section of the caverns, called the Big Room, or sign up for one of the far more intensive, ranger-led explorations which will give you the chance to explore narrow passages and crawl-holes by torch light only. Above ground, you can go hiking along a desert trail, do some bird watching at the Rattlesnake Springs Oasis, and attend the nightly Bat Flight Program in summer.
At Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument you can see some of the most unique rock formations anywhere in the country. The tent-shaped rock formations were formed over six million years ago during violent volcanic eruptions in the Jemez volcanic field and have produced a unique and other-worldly landscape that just begs to be explored and photographed.
You may explore on foot only, along either the 1.2 mile Cave Loop Trail (easy) or the much more strenuous 1.5 mile Canyon Trail, and there is also a short wheelchair-accessible trail and a picnic area. There is good bird watching along the trails and you may also encounter elk, mule deer, and other wildlife, particularly at higher altitudes along the Canyon Trail.
For hundreds of years thirsty travelers crossing western New Mexico have relied on a permanent water hole found at the base of a large sandstone bluff called El Morro (the Headland). Today you can explore this interesting National Monument and see some of the huge collection of names, dates, and stories carved into the stone by visitors from long ago, as you hike the easily accessible Inscription Trail.
If you have a little more energy, you can follow the 2-mile Headland Trail to the top of the bluff, where you will be rewarded with wonderful views. En route you can stop to explore Atsinna, an ancestral Puebloan ruin dating back to around 1300 AD. The visitors center offers a free 15-minute introductory film.
The Pecos National Historical Park protects and showcases the history of centuries of occupation by Native Americans and Spanish colonists and was the site of the 1862 Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. You can visit the E.E. Vogelson visitors center to watch a 10-minute orientation film and get information about the park before you set off to learn and explore.
You can choose from several guided tours that include the Sunday 90-minute Forked Lightning Ranch House van tour, the Saturday 2-hour Civil War in the West tour and regular weekend ranger-guided walking tours of the ancestral sites. You can also pick up a map and do your own self-guided tours.
Situated amid the starkly beautiful high-desert landscape of the Chaco Canyon, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park protects and showcases the remains of an amazingly sophisticated Chacoan civilization that thrived in the valley over 1,000 years ago.
There is a 9-mile loop road you can follow that will take you to five of the major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito, the largest great house in the park, which is a multi-storied building dating back to between 850 and 1150. At each of the five sites you can follow a short self-guided trail to the ruins. Energetic visitors can take it a step further and follow some of the backcountry trails to see some of the more remote sites.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is reached via a 45-mile scenic drive from Silver City, New Mexico. You can stop at the visitors center before you set off to explore the remarkable cave dwellings that were built by the nomadic Mogollon people in the late 1200s. You can go on a guided tour of the dwellings at 11 am each day or pick up some info at the visitors center and do a self-guided tour in your own time.
Other activities in the National Monument include hiking and wildlife watching in the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas and visiting some of the natural hot springs in the area, which can be reached along trails starting at the Gila visitors center.
At the Capulin Volcano National Monument you can learn about the forces of nature that shaped the Earth's surface millions of years ago, producing the perfectly cone-shaped Capulin cinder cone that towers over a 1,000 feet above the surrounding plains. You can watch a short film explaining the geology of the area at the visitors center before setting off to explore the forested crater.
A scenic drive along Volcano Road will lead you to the crater rim, from where you can explore on foot along a variety of hiking trails. There is also an interpretive Nature Trail close to the visitors center that is wheelchair accessible. Children can have fun learning about nature on a junior ranger program.
Bandelier National Monument protects an enormous area of over 33,000 acres of scenic canyons and mesa in the Jemez Mountains, providing a wonderful wilderness recreational area. You can come and explore for the day or bring along your tent or RV and spend a night or two in one of two campsites. Hiking the pristine wilderness is the main activity and there are over 70 miles of trails, including the easy and family-friendly Main Loop Trail.
If you are interested in ancient history and culture, you can hike the Tsankawi Trail (this is a steep and strenuous trail) to see the ancestral Pueblo village of Tsankawi and view some petroglyphs along the way. Longer overnight backcountry trails are also available.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects some of the oldest remnants of Aztec culture in the United States. Here you can step back in time nearly 900 years to walk in the footsteps of the craftsmen who used amazingly sophisticated engineering and building techniques to construct multi-story structures that have stood the test of time.
You will be met by a ranger at the visitors center, where you can watch a short orientation film and visit the museum. You can explore the archaeological site on a self-guided tour or join a ranger-guided tour during the summer months, and children can have fun on a junior ranger program.
In Old Mesilla Village you can step back in time and explore a genuine frontier village that has changed little from what it looked like back in 1850. The town was originally part of Mexico, but became part of the U.S. after the signing of the historic Gadsden Purchase in 1854, which you can learn about at the Gadsden Museum.
You can see all the historic sites and hear all the romantic Wild West stories on a guided walking tour, or you can purchase a guide and stroll around in your own time. You will see the town plaza, which was once an important stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach route, and see where Billy the Kid was tried for murder in the Mesilla courthouse.
The Petroglyph National Monument near Albuquerque protects one of the riches caches of Native American and early Spanish petroglyphs in the country. At the visitors center you can watch a short film and pick up trail guides before you set off to explore on foot along one of four hiking trails.
There are three easy 1-hour trails in the Boca Negra Canyon, which is currently the only developed area where you can use restrooms and a picnic area. You can find around 100 petroglyphs along these trails, but if you are up for a lengthier hike, there are 3 other trails that will expose you to hundreds of petroglyphs in the Rinconada and Piedras Marcadas Canyons.