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Howard Wilkinson: Politics and More
0000017a-3b40-d913-abfe-bf44a4f90000Howard Wilkinson joined the WVXU news team as the politics reporter and columnist in April 2012 , after 30 years of covering local, state and national politics for The Cincinnati Enquirer. On this page, you will find his weekly column, Politically Speaking; the Monday morning political chats with News Director Maryanne Zeleznik and other news coverage by Wilkinson. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Wilkinson has covered every Ohio gubernatorial race since 1974, as well as 16 presidential nominating conventions. Along with politics, Wilkinson also covered the 2001 Cincinnati race riots, the Lucasville prison riot in 1993, the Air Canada plane crash at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 1983, and the 1997 Ohio River flooding. And, given his passion for baseball, you might even find some stories about the Cincinnati Reds here from time to time.
Winburn and Smitherman: Two Frequent Allies Headed For A Confrontation?
Politics is a funny business.
Two people can be pals and political allies, and then, after the next sunrise, became political rivals, eyeing each other warily and ready to slug it out before the voters if necessary.
It happened this past week.
The allies-turned-combatants: Two Cincinnati city council members, Republican Charlie Winburn and independent Christopher Smitherman, both of whom pulled petitions Tuesday to run in the March 15 GOP primary for Hamilton County Commissioner.
And there may be a third GOP council member to jump into the fray, turning from pal to rival – Amy Murray, who says she is thinking about it and will decide soon.
There could be even more Republicans who file petitions for the office next month.
But Smitherman and Winburn have their petitions in hand now; and they are the two who are making the most noise about running for the seat.
Up until the wee hours of last Monday morning, everyone in Hamilton County politics assumed that two-term Republican county commissioner Greg Hartmann would be running for re-election and be opposed by State Rep. Denise Driehaus, a Clifton Democrat who is term-limited out of the Ohio House.
But Hartmann – who had already raised about $300,000 for a re-election campaign and could have raised considerably more - issued a news release saying he had had enough and would not run for re-election.
He called it a "self-imposed term limit," saying he did not want to grow stagnant.
That set the phone ringing at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Monday morning with calls from people wanting to know what they had to do to run for county commissioner, either as a Republican or an independent.
And Smitherman and Winburn began seeing stars in their eyes. Before the end of the day Tuesday, they had petitions in hand.
Before we go any further, let's be clear about one thing: Pulling petitions for an elective office from the board of elections is not the same as formally filing them.
Turning your petitions in and having the signatures verified by the board of elections is what makes you a real, live candidate for public office. And the deadline for turning in petitions for the March primary is Dec. 16.
But Winburn and Smitherman are clearly interested – and there may well be other Republicans to come out and file. All of this gives a major case of heartburn to Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou, who hates contested GOP primaries like a dog hates fleas.
"I'd very much like to avoid a primary,'' Triantafilou told WVXU. "We don't endorse in these races. We really don't have a written policy on what to do in situations where you have a contested primary."
That is mainly because Triantafilou and other party leaders are ordinarily willing to move heaven and earth to cajole certain candidates out of races and allow the party's "preferred" candidates to run without opposition. Usually they succeed.
But, in Smitherman and Winburn, Triantafilou and the party are faced with a couple of hard-heads. It's really difficult to imagine these two doing an Alphonse and Gaston routine, each deferring to the other's wishes.
"You should run, Christopher; you are such a fine public servant and you'd make such a fine commissioner. I shall step aside."
"Oh no, Charlie, my dear friend, I defer to your great wisdom and experience. You should run. I will withdraw."
That conversation is not going to happen.
Instead, assuming they both file, we can expect this kind of political rhetoric for three solid months:
"I'm not even sure he wants to be a Republican,'' Winburn told WVXU the other day, as he was huffing and puffing on his daily treadmill workout. "The Republican Party has been begging him for a long time to become a Republican but he hasn't done it. Now he wants to be a Republican because there is a county commission seat open."
And Winburn makes the point that Smitherman has, in fact, voted in Democratic primaries in the recent past.
In some ways, that makes them even-steven.
Way back when, in the 1970s, Winburn was a Democrat too; he worked on the staffs of Democratic elected officials such as former U.S. Rep. Thomas Luken and former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste.
But, in 1990, when Republican George Voinovich was elected governor, Winburn became a Republican too, running as a Republican for city council and as an unsuccessful candidate for the Ohio Senate and Cincinnati mayor.
It's not like Smitherman, though, is a stranger to the GOP. He's played ball with them on a number of occasions; and, in many of his council votes, he aligns himself with the council conservatives.
Smitherman, the former Cincinnati NAACP president, has an alliance of sorts with the very conservative Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) – an alliance that has ruffled some feathers in the African-American community.
One of the first things Smitherman did after Hartmann made his announcement was to go on the show of conservative talk show host Brian Thomas on 55KRC.
"You know, I've been talking about running for commissioner for a long time,'' Smitherman told Thomas.
Then, he sent a personal message over the air waves to Triantafilou about what will happen to his seat on city council if he is elected county commissioner.
"Alex Triantafilou here, who might be listening, has to understand that I am not going to put my seat in the hands of the Democratic Party," Smitherman said.
His election, he said, "would also provide the Republican Party to make an appointment to council for someone to hold that seat."
The last thing he wants to see happen, Smitherman said, is to see the Democrats have a majority "to build the second leg of that streetcar."
Smitherman, on the radio, said nary a word about Winburn.
"The Republican Party would have to decide what candidate they would want to come out to run against Driehaus,'' Smitherman said. "So that would be the discussion and who they thought could win and beat her in a toe-to-toe race with possibly Hillary Clinton at the top of the ticket."
Winburn had taken out petitions some time ago to run for county recorder against Democratic incumbent Wayne Coates.
But, when the opportunity to run for county commissioner came up, Winburn was more than willing to chuck those petitions in favor of a set of county commission petitions.
Winburn said he believes Smitherman is the "darling" of conservative radio talk show hosts in town.
"But you know what?,'' Winburn said. "Radio stations don't vote."
Uh no, they don't. But the people who listen to them do.
And he accused Smitherman of not being a true fiscal conservative because Smitherman backed Mayor John Cranley's one mill property tax levy, Issue 22, that was soundly defeated by Cincinnati voters in November.
"Fiscal conservatives don't support tax increases,'' Winburn said.
Driehaus doesn't seem to care who runs against her.
"For me, it was never about who my opponent was going to be,'' Driehaus said.
She said she is focused on getting her message out countywide.
If Driehaus were to win next fall, it could mean the first Democratic majority on the three-member county commission since 2010, when Democratic county commissioner David Pepper decided to run for state auditor, a race he lost. It depends on whether or not Democratic incumbent Todd Portune, who faces a challenge from Republican Andrew Pappas of Anderson Township in 2016, is re-elected.
How would Smitherman or Winburn fare in a head-to-head race with Driehaus.
It would be a tough race.
Either one, if elected, would be the first African-American county commissioner in Hamilton County's history.
And both have the potential to pull away African-American voters in the city of Cincinnati who generally vote Democratic – although that is not guaranteed.
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Tim Burke said he is not convinced that either Smitherman or Winburn would pull that many Democratic votes.
"Being an African-American candidate doesn't translate into huge amounts of votes when that you have that 'R' behind your name,'' Burke said.
Again, we go back to our initial warning – nominating petitions do not a candidate make. Filing petitions creates candidacies. And the deadline for that is Dec. 16.
And that gives the leadership of the Hamilton County Republican Party 17 days to figure out a way to avoid a kerfuffle of monumental proportions.
PoliticsPoliticsHamilton County CommissionChristopher SmithermanCharlie Winburn2016 presidential electionHoward Wilkinson


Net advantage goes to Netossa™! The Great Rebellion grows stronger with the help of this "capable" Princess of Power® who knows how to seize the day… and her enemies. This strong Etherian female was one of the final figures in the vintage Princess of Power® line, and she's ready to take her place in your MOTUC collection. She comes with blue power shield and cape.
The ranks of the Great Rebellion grow by one this week with the release of the next MOTUC/Princess of Power figure from the gang at Mattel. Netossa will ship to Club Eternia subscribers and will be available for "day of" purchase. The MOTUC Netossa was first debuted at Comic Con International in San Diego last Summer as part of Mattypalooza panel. Netossa was originally a figure in the vintage line back in 1987 as well as appearing on the She-Ra animated series. Her MOTUC figure is closer to her animated appearance than her vintage figure counterpart… which was a wise decision on Mattel's part as her figure was a bit… out there. There was a lot going on with that vintage figure, a lot of fabrics, face wings, nets, sparkles… it was like a clearance sale for Mattel. Fortunately the designers at Mattel and the Four Horsemen have paired it down, keep what was iconic and made a figure that fits in nicely with the Classics vibe.
Nettosa has the uses the female 2.0 buck body, with the standard articulation. She comes with her power shield and her cape… which is a NET! Get it? NETossa!! Ah Mattel in the 80s!
Netossa is the January 2013 Club Eternia figure and will be available for sale on January 15th on MattyCollector.com.


The micro-climate found in the northern portion of the Willamette Valley is a great area to produce superb Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc grapes.
This winery is named after the hill it sits on. David's Hill was named after Frederick David who settled the land in the 1800s. Now it is the perfect place to craft artisan vino.
Montinore Wines are crafted for the dinner table. These wines are filled with fresh and lively flavor -- a perfect combination with a succulent meal.
At Purple Cow Vineyards they make unique combinations of grape varietals for a wonderfully unique taste unlike any other.
Since 1978, Shafer Vineyard Cellars has been producing exceptional fruit to make uncompromising wine. The vineyard offers a variety of ways to enjoy the wine and scenery with picnic areas and a seated gazebo.
The Tualatin Estate Vineyard was established in 1973 and is one of the oldest wineries in the area. The name "Tualatin" originates from the local indigenous people and means "gentle and easy flowing," referring to the Tualatin River.


On April 20, 2007 Local Lodge 794 concluded negotiations with Lockheed Martin TSI for the ATARS Facilities in Albuquerque, NM at Kirkland AFB.
A meeting was held on April 21, 2007 for the membership of Local Lodge 794 to vote their decision on ratification. Ratification was approved by the members present and voting.
The following is a summary of the highlights of the new collective bargaining agreement.
* 3 Year Agreement effective April 23, 2007 to April 25, 2010.
* Special Operations Pay increase from $4.26 to $5.01 for all B/U members effective October 1, 2007.
* Definitive language regarding Additional Training/Qualifications.
* Definitive language regarding Job Preferences and Selections.
* Significantly Improved Medical Plans and OPT-OUT OPTIONS.
* Many other advantageous language changes.
Negotiating Committee members Lanny Languit, Mike Briody and Duane Turner of Local Lodge 794 were commended by Aerospace Coordinator Ray Moffatt for the outstanding job each performed during these negotiations. The Committee did an excellent job on behalf of their membershipduring these negotiations and were instrumental to achieving an offer from the company which was overwhelming accepted by our membership.
Brother Moffatt also takes the opportunity to thank Local Lodge 794 Directing Business Representative Ernest "Red" Dow for his leadership and experience during these negotiations.


NATE member companies are made up of tower construction firms, general contractors, tower owners, wireless carriers, engineering firms, technology companies, public safety entities, manufacturers, distributors and training companies.
One of the reasons that NATE's membership is reaching these new heights, according to Member Services Coordinator Rebekah Hauber, is its enhanced membership benefits. "Through specific outreach initiatives with the Wireless Industry Network program and Member Services Committee, NATE looks forward to continuing to engage prospective member companies over the next several months in order to educate them on the value of joining the association," Hauber said.
For more information, visit natehome.com/membership.


Top-Quality Indoor Shooting Range In Southwest Michigan.
Point Blank Indoor Shooting Range, LLC features indoor ranges (gun & bow), a safety training center, CCW classes, self defense, a boxing arena, and special events in southwest michigan. Join a competition event league with some friends or come enjoy a little recreation during the daytime as our hours are flexible enough to meet your schedule.
We give you plenty of avenues to have some fun here in Southwest Lower Michigan, so what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy our fun, exciting, and entertaining place to try your hand at shooting, archery, & boxing.
Point Blank Indoor Shooting Range is a place meant for you to have a little extra fun. A hang out where anybody looking to learn or enhance skills is welcome! Call first or just come by!
Point Blank Shooting Range in Berrien County is located at 1340 Territorial Rd.in Benton Harbor Michigan. We are convienently located just off I-94, right accross the street from the Benton Harbor Regional Airport. With a variety of hotels & restaurants located just off I-94, Point Blank is a friendly place to spend some time on the range or in the gym, relax, have fun and just take a break from your everyday routine.


Writer, complainer, snob. Books: Tritcheon Hash; We, Robots; Uncategorized; The Textile Planet; The Perpetual Motion Club. Short stories galore. Short films: A Perfect You (2016), Amazing Berks web series, Traffic Opera.
So glad we'll be bringing the award-winning Rashieda Awan back to Reading for our next big project: Traffic Opera.


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Beekeeper's Surprise Find May Help Our Plastic Problem
|In ANIMALS, Bored, News, Science
Beekeeper's Surprise Find May Help Our Plastic Problem
Many scientific discoveries can be attributed to a happy accident—the discovery of penicillin thanks to moldy petri dishes, for instance. Might our mounting plastic crisis be solved similarly? One scientist and amateur beekeper in Spain has discovered that the larvae of wax moths, which live on beeswax and thus frustrate bees and their keepers, appear to have quite the appetite for plastic, not to mention the highly unusual ability to digest it, reports the Guardian. As the scientist explains in the journal Current Biology, the grubs that she removed from one of her hives and then tossed in a plastic bag chewed their way out in minutes. These critters are often bred as fish bait, and the Times of London notes the irony: Worms that usually lead to the demise of fish may point toward a way of saving their habitat instead.
Scientists have previously discovered that certain bacteria and fungi can break down polyethylene in the lab, but the process takes a long time, measured in months, reports the Los Angeles Times. In a world where Americans alone generate 33 million tons of plastic a year, less than 10% of which we recycle, per the EPA, that's not going to cut it. The new study raises the possibility that scientists could unleash the worms on waste in the oceans and elsewhere, though more research is needed. For example, if the worms ate their way through the plastic simply to escape, that's one thing. "But if they're munching it to use as an energy source, it's a completely different ball game," says a Cambridge researcher.
An Intriguing New Gun Safety System
22 Hot Babes Galore
What The Olympics Are All About: Fighting In The Stands
Lightsaber Safety 101
The 10 Worst Supervillain High-Tech Gadgets
After Kidnapping, Tinder Reminds Users: Hey Remember Our App...
ANIMALS BEEKEEPERS BORED news PLASTIC science

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Wedding Customs
Rajshahi Division
Khulna Division
Dhaka Division
Sylhet Division
Chittagong Division
Barisal Division
Nijhum Dweep National Park
Dhakeshwari Temple
Teknaf Game Reserve
Touring the Dhaka Zoo in Bangladesh
Located in the Mirpur section of the capital city of Bangladesh, the Dhaka Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals from 165 species and is a popular place to spend the day, both for Bangladeshis and international visitors. Established in 1974, the Dhaka Zoo has been developed and improved over the years, and is widely considered to be one of the best zoos in Bangladesh, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Visitors to the Dhaka Zoo will appreciate the way the animal enclosures are designed to make each occupant feel at home by mimicking the animal's natural environment as closely as possible. Of course, the animals are safely behind bars, but the overall appearance of the zoo, with its tree-lined pathways and two large tranquil lakes that host migratory water-fowl each winter, gives one the impression of being out in the country rather than within the boundaries of one of the busiest cities in Bangladesh.
Mammals at the zoo include elephant, cheetah, rhinoceros, zebra, waterbuck, otter, hyena, deer, giraffes, impala, black bear, tapir, hippo, lion and many different species of monkeys, as well as chimpanzees and baboons. The majestic Royal Bengal Tigers are a highlight of the Dhaka Zoo – which is fitting, seeing as it is the national animal of Bangladesh. Many of the animals, including the zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos, waterbuck and rhinoceros were brought to Bangladesh from South Africa, and have adapted well to their new surroundings. The hippo enclosure contains a sizable lake covered in aquatic greenery that the hippos seem to thoroughly enjoy.
The aviaries at the Dhaka Zoo house more than 1,500 birds from 90 species, and visitors can expect to see peacocks, rhea, African grey parrots, cassowary, owls, ostrich, emus, teals, finches, babblers, owls, vultures, eagles and too many others to mention. Visitors are always fascinated by the crocodiles and snakes at Dhaka Zoo, while the museum provides many informative displays relating to the animals as well as the history of the zoo.
A particularly popular activity at Dhaka Zoo is going for an elephant-back ride, or for those who have a fear of heights, horse-back rides are also available. A visit to Dhaka Zoo is not only entertaining, but educational too, as visitors get to know more about animals found in Bangladesh, as well as animals from other parts of the world.
animals bengal tigers birds dhaka zoo elephant mirpur sights wildlife
Situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the state-owned Dhakeshwari National Temple is a great tourist attraction. The name Dhakeshwari alludes to the temple's dedication to the Goddess of Dhaka and visitors should take care to show respect for the religious beliefs of those who frequent this large and ancient temple.
Kaptai National Park
If you're looking for a great getaway spot in Bangladesh, look no further than the Kaptai National Park. This great natural area combines nature with an interesting cultural legacy in such a way that you will never find anything quite like it anywhere else.
Dhaka Zoo
Lalbagh Fort
Mainimati Ruins
Mosque City of Bagerhat
Shaheed Minar
Shahi Jama-e-Masjid
Somapura Vihara
Tajhat Palace
Wari-Bateshwar
© Copyright 1995-2020 Bangladesh.com. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks and web sites that appear throughout this site are the property of their respective owners. No part of this site shall be reproduced, copied, or otherwise distributed without the express, written consent of Bangladesh.com. This site is not affiliated with any government entity associated with a name similar to the site domain name.


The Oasis is stretched-out and spacious, the more performance-oriented of Hobie's pair of tandems powered by the elegant, easy-to-use MirageDrive.
So speedy yet boasting a robust carrying capacity suitable for a weekend camping trip or fishing with enough gear to stock a tackle shop—there are four convenient hatches and a generous on-deck storage area, as well as molded-in rod holders. The Oasis gets the job done in style and comfort.
*All colors, graphics and specifications of all models are subject to change without notice.
Ergonomic handles fitted to stainless padeyes make portaging easier and more comfortable.
Enables easy access to the bow's stowage compartment. A security strap with a detachable clip tethers the hatch; abovedeck, Bungee® cords secure extra gear.
Revolutionary hands-free propulsion system. When pedaled, the flexible fins assume the shape of a propeller blade, providing forward motion with each pedal stroke.
An efficient corkscrew mechanism ratchets down this hatch, keeping stowed items secure irrespective of the sea state. The lid is permanently attached to its base via a hinge, so you don't have to worry about leaving it at last night's campground.
Easy access and safe stowage for the things you reach for most. Now made with rubber for improved durability.
Cold, hot or somewhere in between--we've got a convenient spot for your favorite beverage.
New state-of-the-art design, with 4-way adjustablity for more comfort in the cockpit or on the beach, Enjoy breathability, infinite flexibility and better visibility.
The optional Mirage Sail Kit's mast securely steps onto a deck-mounted fitting. Enjoy added power without complication; Mirage Sail Kits make sailing fun and easy.
These ergonomic handles are bolted onto either side of the kayak's cockpit, making it easier to negotiate launching ramps or transport.
Soft handle makes fingertip steering easy.
These molded-in holsters securely tote your rods, are perfectly angled for trolling and can accommodate a gaff, nets and other gear.
Big adventures demand plenty of gear. These molded areas and Bungee® tie-downs ensure that it's still there when you get to camp.
Hobie's Twist and Stow Rudder is there when you need it, gone when you don't. Simply pull one of the T-shaped control handles to engage or disengage the retractable-rudder system. Fingertip-operated steering makes driving a snap.
The ungainly paddle is replaced by the sheer efficiency of the MirageDrive 180, the original pedal kayak drive. With the largest human muscle group now in play, kayaking becomes easier and more efficient than ever.
The Vantage seating system provides the comfort needed for long stretches out on the water. The seat-back, bottom, height, and lumbar-support are all easily adjustable.
Rudder controls are available in both the front and rear seat positions.
An efficient corkscrew mechanism ratchets down this hatch, keeping stowed items secure irrespective of the sea state.
This 8-gallon, live-bait tank was custom-designed with the serious angler in mind.
Hobie carts quickly plug-in to scuppers and take the effort out of getting to water's edge.
This quiet and efficient electric motor will dramatically expand your horizons.
Browse the full line of options in the Hobie Parts & Accessories catalog.
© 2019 Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.


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What to Know in Washington: Senate Republicans Ready Relief Plan
July 17, 2020 7:01 AM	 By Zachary Sherwood and Brandon Lee
Senate Republicans plan to unveil their plan next week, which would continue providing unemployment insurance subsidies, tax incentives for employers to avoid layoffs and encourage rehiring, and a new round of checks and direct payments sent by the IRS.
Additional funds for testing and healthcare are also likely to be included, though Republicans may keep the initial line items low to keep the overall price tag under $1 trillion.
The proposal will resemble much of the historically large aid package passed in March (Public Law 116-136). But it isn't likely to include a new round of direct aid to state and local governments, or the full $600 per week unemployment subsidy provided by that law, according to multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations of Senate Republicans. Also notably absent from the expected proposal is a payroll tax cut.
Democrats have made aid to local governments and unemployment subsidies major priorities for the next stimulus phase.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is a gatekeeper for what ends up in the proposal, and Senate committees and their leaders, such as Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), are providing input. "A number of tax relief proposals will be part of the discussion," Finance Committee spokesperson Michael Zona said in a statement yesterday. Read more from Colin Wilhelm.
McConnell wants to give federal courts jurisdiction over liability claims arising from coronavirus infections to limit the legal exposure of businesses, schools and other organizations as they reopen, according to a summary of legislation he plans to offer. McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) are working on a measure to include in the package.
The proposal, which would extend through 2024, would move to federal courts medical liability claims against caregivers that arise from care provided for the virus by licensed health care facilities and medical workers. Like employers generally, they could only be successfully sued if they engaged in gross negligence and intentional misconduct. Read more from Laura Litvan.
Virus Relief Set to Vanish in Series of Fiscal Cliffs: The U.S. faces an urgent set of decisions on whether to extend history's biggest rescue effort — or let parts of it lapse.
The government approved more than $2 trillion of extra spending after the coronavirus brought swaths of industry and commerce to a sudden halt. Some measures targeted those who took the biggest hit, like the unemployed and small business. Others were across-the-board, reaching every corner of the economy.
But these programs are due to run out in the coming weeks and months. Each expiration date will test the still-fragile U.S. recovery — unless policy makers opt to keep crisis supports in place. These kind of cutoff dates, when past decisions dictate a big change in net government spending unless further action is taken, are sometimes known as "fiscal cliffs." They have a history of roiling markets, as politicians take the debate to the brink. Ben Holland and Laura Davison track some of the looming deadlines, and the numbers involved.
New Lockdowns Threatened: Yesterday public officials across the U.S. warned they will wield lockdowns again if people don't immediately act to halt the resurgent coronavirus. The mayors of Houston, Los Angeles and Miami have floated the prospect, along with a top adviser to the governor of Texas. Yesterday, in the absence of a national strategy, state and local officials kept pushing familiar — and thus far ineffective — preventive measures, but many said they are running out of soft options.
Texas posted its worst day of fatalities, 129, and recorded more than 10,000 new cases for a third-straight day. Florida posted a record 156 new deaths. Read more from Bloomberg News.
Georgia Governor Sues Atlanta Mayor Over Mask Battle: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) sued the mayor of Atlanta to stop her from enforcing a city mandate that people wear masks in public given a spike in coronavirus infections. Kemp said in a statement yesterday that he filed the lawsuit to force Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to comply with his executive order blocking Atlanta and at least 14 other local governments across the state from requiring residents to wear face coverings. Read more from Robert Burnson.
Kemp's edict expressly voiding coronavirus mask orders by local governments capped a week of turmoil in a state once touted as proof that reopening in a pandemic could work. For six weeks, Georgia had been a model, especially for those eager to end shutdowns. Among the last U.S. states to lock down, Georgia in April was first to widely reopen, after just three weeks. Critics said the state misrepresented its data to justify the move, and they predicted disaster. It didn't happen: Covid-19 case numbers bumped along, neither rising nor falling significantly. Pandemic skeptics crowed. That ended last month. Read more from Margaret Newkirk.
Childhood Covid-19 Infections Mount: As the school year draws near, children and teens represent a ballooning percentage of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. as the youngest Americans increasingly venture outside their homes and are able to get tested. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long maintained on its website that those younger than 18 make up only 2% of cases, state data paints a much less rosy picture. California and Mississippi, for instance, are recording rates nearing 10% of overall cases. Florida has found that about a third of all children tested there are infected. Read more from Anna Edney.
Meadows Calls Fauci's 1918 Comparison 'Irresponsible': President Donald Trump's chief of staff criticized Anthony Fauci for comparing the current coronavirus outbreak to the 1918 flu pandemic, after reprimanding another top White House adviser for publicly attacking Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert. "He suggested that this virus was worse than, or as bad as, the 1918 flu epidemic," Mark Meadows said during a Fox News interview yesterday. "I can tell you that not only is that false, it's irresponsible to suggest so."
Fauci said Tuesday at an event sponsored by Georgetown University that the coronavirus is a "pandemic of historic proportions" and "when history looks back on it, will be comparable to what we saw in 1918," when influenza killed tens of millions of people worldwide. Covid-19 has so far killed more than 588,000 people worldwide, and more than 138,000 in the U.S., according to statistics compiled by Bloomberg. Read more from Jordan Fabian.
CDC Extends No-Sail Order for Cruises: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended its "no-sail order" for cruise ships through the end of September, preventing vessels from sailing in U.S. waters out of concerns over Covid-19. The extension is the second for an order that dates back to March 14 and was issued after a series of coronavirus outbreaks on cruises. Read more from Jonathan Levin.
Drug Hoarding Stirs Calls for Accessible Data: Protecting existing patients in the next rush to buy up a promising Covid-19 treatment may require a national database of drug supplies and more reporting standards to stop hoarding. The fractured federal response to the coronavirus has pitted facilities against each other for medications and supplies, according to supply chain specialists, doctors, and policy analysts. Read more from Jacquie Lee.
Elections, Politics & Influence
Democrats' Fundraising Continues Flowing: House Democrats running for re-election in the most politically competitive districts intensified their fundraising advantage over Republican challengers in the second quarter, as the pandemic complicated campaign operations for both parties. The 29 Democrats seeking new terms in districts Trump won in 2016 had a median of $3 million in cash on hand on June 30, according to campaign-finance reports filed this week to the Federal Election Commission analyzed by Bloomberg Government. Greg Giroux and Emily Wilkins have more.
Lobbyists Bundle $2.4 Million for Trump: Lobbyists bundled $2.4 million for Trump and the GOP from April through June, bringing the total that they have raised to over $10 million since the start of 2019, according to Federal Election Commission records. That includes money raised for the Republican National Committee and Trump Victory. Trump and his Republican Party pulled in $266 million total through the second quarter, according to the campaign. Megan R. Wilson has more.
Wisconsin GOP Lame Duck Move Survives: Wisconsin Democrats can't revive their challenge to the Republican-controlled legislature's enactment of two laws after the 2018 elections reducing the powers of the governor-elect, a Democrat, as the case raises nonjusticiable political questions, the Seventh Circuit decided. While Gov. Scott Walker (R) was still in office, the legislature passed the two laws stripping Gov.-elect Tony Evers (D) of various authority, and vesting authority in legislative committees that would remain under Republican control. Read more from Brian Flood.
Bolton Asks Judge to Throw Out Profit Suit: Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton asked a judge to throw out a government lawsuit seeking to seize profits from the sale of his tell-all memoir on the grounds that it illegally spills classified information.The Justice Department is ignoring "core constitutional principles" by seeking to punish the former top Trump administration official "for publishing speech that is embarrassing to the president," Bolton said in the filing late yesterday in federal court in Washington. Read more from Erik Larson.
What Else to Know Today
Amazon, Apple Hire Prominent Critic: Fiona Scott Morton is widely recognized as a top antitrust expert, known for her warnings that American tech giants are stifling competition and innovation. Yet Scott Morton, a Yale University economist and former Justice Department official, is also advising two of the biggest names in tech — Amazon and Apple — as they confront federal antitrust investigations. She didn't disclose those relationships in papers she recently co-authored outlining how the U.S. could bring antitrust cases against Google and Facebook. Read more from David McLaughlin.
Twitter Says Hackers Targeted 130 People: Twitter revealed hackers targeted just 130 accounts during the cyber-attack this week that compromised some of the world's most recognizable people, though no passwords were stolen. The U.S. company said the still-unknown perpetrators had gained control of a subset of those accounts and were able to send tweets. Twitter has blocked data downloads from affected accounts as its investigation continues, it said on its online support page. Read more from Kurt Wagner.
Barr Urged to Ban TikTok: More than 20 House lawmakers wrote to Attorney General William Barr calling for a national ban on the popular social media platform TikTok, saying the app represents a security and privacy threat to anyone who has it on their smartphone. The U.S. "should not trust TikTok or any other Chinese-affiliated social media websites or apps to protect Americans' data, privacy, or security," the lawmakers said, Victoria Hodges reports.
DOD Service to Match Vendors, Investors: A "dating service" for the defense industry will be rolled out by the Pentagon in the coming months according to the military's acquisitions leader, after an earlier attempt to match companies with venture capitalists stumbled last year. The department has been working on a system to connect investors with companies that need cash to build new technologies such as drones since May 2019, when it introduced the "Trusted Capital Marketplace." Read more from Travis J. Tritten.
Federal Register Dinged for Printing Rules: The Government Accountability Office has determined the Office of the Federal Register, a sub-agency within the National Archives and Records Administration, violated a spending law in publishing documents during the 2019 partial federal government shutdown. The decision is a rebuke to the Department of Justice, which adopted a policy change midway through the shutdown to get around the Antideficiency Act, a law enacted in 1884 that bars federal agencies from spending in advance of a congressional appropriation. Read more from Cheryl Bolen.
NEPA Changes Imperil Communities of Color: Low-income Black and Latino communities will be pummeled by the Trump administration's changes to the nation's permitting rules for U.S. infrastructure projects, environmental justice leaders across the nation said. These communities rely heavily on the National Environmental Policy Act to push back against gas pipelines, highways, power plants, and other projects that have historically polluted communities of color more than affluent White neighborhoods, the leaders argue. Read more from Stpehen Lee, Ellen M. Gilmer and Kellie Lunney.
Solar Projects Relied on Rule That's Changing: A landmark, decades-old law that's been key to the growth of renewable energy in the U.S. is getting a major overhaul, threatening to cut demand for solar projects. Federal regulators this week imposed new limits on which energy projects fall under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act that helped spur a generation of solar and wind farms across the country. More than 30% of solar facilities online today benefit from the law. Stephen Cunningham and Christopher Martin have more.
To contact the reporters on this story: Zachary Sherwood in Washington at zsherwood@bgov.com; Brandon Lee in Washington at blee@bgov.com
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giuseppe Macri at gmacri@bgov.com; Loren Duggan at lduggan@bgov.com; Michaela Ross at mross@bgov.com


We are experiencing significant delays in certificate processing. Please allow a minimum of 6-8 weeks for processing all certificates except in-person counter orders. Currently, the best method for ensuring timely receipt of your expedited certificate request is by using https://www.vitalchek.com.
PLEASE NOTE: The completed marriage license must be mailed to the Juneau Field Office and registered before a certified copy can be issued. Faxed copies cannot be accepted.
Incomplete applications or applications that do not include proper photo identification will be returned unprocessed.
The bride, groom, or spouse may obtain a certified copy of their own marriage certificate.
A marriage certificate can also be furnished to a legal representative. Legal representatives must submit a certified copy of the legal document when requesting a marriage certificate that is not their own.
Use the full first, middle, and last names as they appear on the certificate when filling out the request form.
We can only process requests for marriages that occurred in Alaska. For marriages that occurred outside of Alaska, requests must be sent directly to the appropriate state.
ALL REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PICTURE ID OF THE PERSON REQUESTING THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. Enlarge the copy and lighten it as much as possible to ensure it is clear and readable when sent to the Bureau, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE FAXING YOUR REQUEST. REQUESTS WITH DARK OR UNCLEAR COPIES OF IDs WILL BE RETURNED UNPROCESSED. Your signature under the copied ID is also required.
A driver's license or official identification card issued by another state in the U.S., jurisdiction or territory, unexpired, or expired for not more than one year.
An unexpired U.S. or foreign passport.
U.S. military identification, military dependent identification or veteran's identification.
If you are currently living in Alaska, a BIA or tribal identification card with photo will also be accepted.
If you are unable to provide any of the above-mentioned forms of identification, please contact the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics at 907.465.3391 to speak with a customer service representative.
Print and complete the request form and mail it or fax it to our office.
Walk-in service is also available in Anchorage or Juneau. Please check our website for office hours and location.
Vital records requests contain confidential information. Therefore, we highly recommend you mail your request. E-mail, although convenient, is not secure and subject to fraud.
Remember to sign your request and enclose the correct fees as well as a copy of picture ID.
Requests sent by regular mail will normally be processed within 4-6 weeks after receipt by the Bureau.
Heirloom requests are normally processed within 6 -8 weeks after receipt by the Bureau. Note that most governmental agencies do not accept heirloom certificates as proof of marriage.
For expedited service, fill out the marriage certificate request form, mark expedited service, and then fax it into our office. There is an $11.00 fee for expedited requests. Expedited requests are normally processed within three business days.
Normal processing times can be greater during periods of high volume. Please plan accordingly and allow for mailing time.
If your record is not found, $30 of your payment will be retained as a search fee, and a statement of search document will be mailed. Once the record is available, you may return the statement of search for the certificate.
The first copy of a certificate is $30.00 and additional copies are $25 for each copy of the same record ordered at the same time. The first copy of an heirloom certificate is $65.00 and extra copies are $60 for each copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
Records requiring an Apostille: Marriage Certificates requiring authentication for a foreign country have additional fees. The additional charge is $12.00 for the first record, with $2.00 added for each additional copy of the same record. This includes the $2.00 fee for the Lt. Governor's office. The country that the record is being sent to must be noted on your request.
All NSF checks will be sent to a collection agency. There will be a $30.00 charge for returned checks.
For additional information on obtaining Alaska Vital Records, please contact the Juneau Field Office at (907) 465-3391.


Today, I'm told I'm in for a real treat...'cos I'll be going to another island!
It was really a nice & sunny day! Perfect for a day out on the beach!
So there I was...happily minding my own business on the beach...when Daddy & Mummy decided to be funny. They carried me to where the waves were crashing onto the beach and just left me standing there. ADOI! The waves very strong can!!!!!
Before we washed up, Daddy decided to let me try and make friends with the sea again. But this time he smarter, he brought me to a more sheltered part of the lagoon where the waves were gentler. And I was completely fine with it! I even started walking deeper into the sea ah.
Tummy soon growled and we had lunch at Sakae Sushi; where without fail, I must have my favourite chawamushi! Hee hee... I can eat almost half of the portion served you know.
We then stumbled onto these holes in the ground that were spitting out jets of water intermittently. Curious, I stepped forward to take a look and it spat some water onto my body!!! How rude!
But after a while, I warmed up to them and started walking around, trying the catch the water in my hands. Hahaha... And needless to say, I ended up wet. Very wet. Very soaking wet.
Nice pics, I love beach pics. :) They're always so clear cos it's so bright! ;p Digicams need light.


text:
package org.develnext.jphp.core.tokenizer.token.expr.value;

import org.develnext.jphp.core.tokenizer.TokenType;
import org.develnext.jphp.core.tokenizer.TokenMeta;
import org.develnext.jphp.core.tokenizer.token.expr.ValueExprToken;

public class DoubleExprToken extends ValueExprToken {

    private double value;

    public DoubleExprToken(TokenMeta meta) {
        super(meta, TokenType.T_DNUMBER);
        this.value = Double.parseDouble(meta.getWord().replace("_", ""));
    }

    public double getValue() {
        return value;
    }

    public boolean isZero(){
        return meta.getWord().matches("^0\\.[0]+$");
    }

    public boolean isOne(){
        return meta.getWord().matches("^1\\.[0]+$");
    }

    public boolean isFloat(){
        return value < Float.MAX_VALUE && value > Float.MIN_VALUE;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean isConstant() {
        return true;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return String.valueOf(value);
    }

    @Override
    public Object toNumeric() {
        return value;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Lateinit property has not been initialized (Android, Kotlin) I'm currently working with a room database in my journal app. However, whenever I try to insert a new entry into my app without changing the bitmap variable by picking an image, my app crashes and displays this error.
2020-12-24 22:44:35.296 31023-31023/com.google.gradient.red E/AndroidRuntime: FATAL EXCEPTION: main
    Process: com.google.gradient.red, PID: 31023
    kotlin.UninitializedPropertyAccessException: lateinit property bitmap has not been initialized
        at com.google.gradient.red.fragments.add.addFragment.insertDataToDb(AddFragment.kt:132)
        at com.google.gradient.red.fragments.add.addFragment.onOptionsItemSelected(AddFragment.kt:111)

Here is my code:
// I make my bitmap variable
lateinit var bitmap: Bitmap

override fun onAttach(context: Context) {
        super.onAttach(context)
        var bitmap: Bitmap? = null
    }

Line 111 is when I call my insertDataToDb() function, and line 132 is in newData where I'm trying to insert my bitmap variable.

A: kotlin.UninitializedPropertyAccessException: lateinit property bitmap has not been initialized
The error message is clear. You've defined a lateinit field but never initialized it.
In your code here:
// I make my bitmap variable
lateinit var bitmap: Bitmap

override fun onAttach(context: Context) {
    super.onAttach(context)
    var bitmap: Bitmap? = null
}

You're defining a lateinit var called bitmap. So, since you used the keyword lateinit, you definitely should initialize it somewhere. Which, I guess, is what you were trying to do in the onAttach method. However, you're defining a new "local" variable instead of initializing the original one. So, remove the onAttach method and change this:
lateinit var bitmap: Bitmap

To this:
var bitmap: Bitmap? = null

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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