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HomeThe Pillars of the Liberal Party – Chapter 1
The Pillars of the Liberal Party – Chapter 1
May 11, 2014 May 17, 2014 Guest Author Uncategorized
The Pub is proud to present Madame Leone's cautionary tale for our contemplation.
(Image Credit: Perth Now))
The Pillars of the Liberal Party
Chapter One: The Making of a Liberal Politician
(OK, I stole that from Battlelines, but no-one has ever read that so no-one will notice)
Not so very long ago in a city in the south a baby boy was born to well-to-do, well-educated parents. They named their treasure 'Joshua' and a grand celebration was held. Two fairy godfathers attended – Uncle Peter and Uncle Alex. They bestowed great and valuable gifts on the infant. He would receive a lavish education, the gaining of which would take him overseas, then he would, of course, become a Young Liberal and one day, if the spell lasted, he would be Prime Minister. Uncle Alex added a bonus spell, Joshua would always have a beautiful head of thick hair and would also appreciate elegant footwear and fishnet stockings. The baby's parents were overjoyed with these gifts, although they had their reservations about the fishnet stockings.
Young Joshua grew and flourished, becoming a somewhat chubby young man with, of course, a lovely head of hair. He had been sent to the best schools his faith had to offer. He went on to study law at Monash (although his mother secretly longed for him to study medicine), then, as his fairy godfathers had promised, headed off to Oxford and then Harvard. And, of course, he joined the local branch of the Young Liberals, also as promised. Whenever his travels allowed he handed out how to vote leaflets at elections and engaged in occasional Black Ops forays into the less salubrious, Labor-voting parts of the city. In every way Josh was the perfect young Liberal blue-blood.
(Image Credits: Wallace Wong and Steve Dunwell))
But sadly, all that study did not take and it became evident he would never be a lawyer's bootstrap. One day his worried Papa took him aside for a man-to-man chat.
"Oh Papa," said Josh, "I already know all that stuff, I went to Oxford, you know."
"No, son, that's not the purpose of this talk," said his no longer very proud Papa. "I have come to a decision. It's time you found a job."
"Me! Work?" said a startled Josh. "But Papa, what about my doctorate and what about my professorship, and what about the next young Liberal BBQ and what about……"
"Enough!" roared Papa. "I've spent several fortunes already on your education and you are still as dumb as a box of rocks. And not even the smart rocks either, just the very dumb ones. I have decided. You will become a political advisor – no-one will notice your stupidity among that lot. Uncle Alex and Uncle Peter have already found you a position. You will be working for Darryl Williams."
"Awwwwwww, Papa, noooooooo!" wailed young Josh.
"There will be no moaning, my boy. Go and pack your bags. you are leaving for Canberra tomorrow. Uncle Alex says he might take you under his wing himself if you do well with Williams, so work hard and keep out of trouble."
(Image Credit: Project Gutenberg))
And so it came to pass. Young Josh took his first unwilling steps towards his eventual glorious future.
Alas, not all the spells cast by his fairy godfathers worked. Much to Uncle Alex's dismay Josh began to lose his hair, slowly at first, then more and more, until his hairline looked as though mice had been nibbling it as he slept. And he never did develop a fondness for leopard-skin stilettos or fishnet stockings. Which is probably a good thing.
(Image Credit: The Advertiser))
Next chapter – A True Liberal Princess.
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1,050 thoughts on "The Pillars of the Liberal Party – Chapter 1"
socksfullofsand
Except that before the election Kenny and his MSM mates didn't do much calling out of the PM for what he calls the "obvious" "magic pudding" nature of Abbott's bulldust promises .
bbbf,
Also will need to build new gaols – private ones, of course, because we are so broke – run for a handsome profit by LNP benefactors.. Bonus is we can get the little buggers to turn out things ultra cheap and put pressure on the wages of those actually working.
The commodification of the underclass.
Also, the corruption of the police and, possibly, the judiciary.
dedalus says:
Hey! James Joyce! My favourite writer. I took my nickname from Stephen Dedalus.
One great thing about fiction is that archetypes can be represented by fictional characters. Unlike in real life, where we have characters who seem even more fictional than in fiction.
You couldn't fictionalise a more extreme fictional character than Gina Reinhart. Or Adolf Hitler. Or Tony Abbott. Real walking, talking, surreal cardboard cliches.
In movies you have right-wing superheroes being parachuted into wartime Germany to assassinate the Fuhrer (Walter Pidgeon in Fritz Lang's Manhunt – 1941, Brad Pitt and goon-buddies in Tarantino's Inglourius Basterds – 2009).
Not so in real life. There you have the good guys being killed – the Kennedy's and the citizens of Baghdad.
Pretty depressing stuff. But fortunately history has a habit of coming full circle. Like for the Romanoff's who got dragged from their beds. That's what Abbott and his goons have to watch out for. Kick the working class enough and they'll eventually come for you in the middle of the night and drag you from your beds.
Like in fiction.
If I were to give M Baird some advice, I would say: "Don't stand next to Abbott."
BSA Bob says:
TLBD
Thanks for the reply to my rant about the Batts situation last night. Yes, Labor needs someone to just go out, stand there & defend the program. But to do that is to go over the top in the face of virtually the combined firepower of the MSM. I don't think the fourth estate will retreat on this, they've invested so much of themselves.
Paying my usual faint attention to a 9news at 6 last night, I think their coverage of the day mentioned three times that "it claimed four lives". Every mention of this anywhere immediately states that "it claimed four lives" which is designed to bully any attempt at defence.
PuffyTMD
Smiled at the mention of the code for "I voted liberal". That's exactly what it is. Sadly, such a job was done on the ALP that these people will be able to rationalise their vote along those lines. I almost never hear talk about politics, but I've noted a bit lately. All, however, of the coded "I voted liberal" variety.
Anyone wanting to march in protest?
http://www.adambandt.com/budgetrallies
I wish there was a local march. We've lost a lot of the things Rob Oakeshott fought hard to win for us. Vindicitve cuts, things taken away for no reason other than as punishment for sending an independent to parliament instead of a useless National. Spite, pure and simple.
@Peter_Fitz @smh In PortMacq,local employment coordinator axed,legal centre funding cut,public dental chairs gone,skills brokering gone, etc— Rob Oakeshott (@RobOakeshott1) May 16, 2014
Meanwhile our local Nats MP, like government MPs everywhere, is out there claiming work funded by Labor as his own achievement, with not one word about who got those projects up and running.
The scumbags who do this should be flogged in the town square before being castrated with a blunt knife. Low-down pieces of merde.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-16/survey-highlights-violence-against-intellectually-disabled-women/5456416
Debt watch
Another $1.9 billion borrowed this week. $700 million on Wednesday, $500 million yesterday, $700 million today. Hockey is stuck on that formula, it repeats every week now.
spacekidette says:
Thanks LeoneTwo,
Just posted it to my facebook page! Love keeping the LNP voters informed. he he he he
muskiemp says:
Well I suppose Palmer would be standing for PM at the next Federal Election, as he is the Party Leader and he is in the Lower House.
Unfortunately that abuse is very, very common. There are people who deliberately target women with intellectual disabilities, they know nothing will ever be said and if it is, it won't be believed. There is also a big problem with predators 'grooming' women who simply don't understand they are in danger. I have heard some heart-breaking stories.
I was involved in developing a program to educate young women with disabilities about their bodies, sex and other 'women's business' because few of them got that sort of information at home. We had to start with the most basic things – why do you need underwear, for example. We had 25 year olds who had never worn a bra because no-one had ever bothered to buy them one. It really hit home to me how much we assume and how wrong those assumptions can be.
This just keeps getting better and better. Soon there will be no Liberal MPs left standing anywhere.
Napthine failed to reveal stake in numerous horses
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/napthine-failed-to-reveal-stake-in-numerous-horses-20140515-38cyc.html
Kirsdarke says:
Maybe Palmer's plan is to bring the parliament into another minority position, and he'll only have his party support the LNP if they make him PM, doing a Hughes/Lyons move.
Such a brazen strategy sounds like something he'd try, and it might just work. But only if he wins more than 5 seats. And I can only see 3 seats vulnerable to the PUP (where its vote is above 15%) – Fisher, Hinkler and Wide Bay (only if Truss retires).
can I ask a silly question. . .
What is HoJo doing with all the money he is borrowing?
Although Palmer sounds like a loud fool, he occassionally drops gems that remind you he was Liberal bagman in Queensland for over 20 years. I expect he will do better than Shorten because his larrikan persona appeals to the blue collar working class man – who nowadays wears hi-viz and works as his own boss subcontracting to the same firm all year through
13,000-year-old skeleton found in Mexican cave oldest ever uncovered in western hemisphere: study
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-16/13000-year-old-skeleton-found-in-mexican-cave/5456472
brianmcisme says:
At the Pink Batts RC today, Greg Combet has brought reality to the proceedings. "Those who did the wrong thing were the installers who continued to use staples for the installation of foil insulation and they carry the onus of the responsibility," was his very apt evidence.
After the loss of Julia Gillard, the loss of Greg Combet was the most unfortunate (unfortunate for the country and the ALP) collateral damage in the ALP self-destruct exercise of early 2013.
brianmcisme
In one of the cases the coroner reported that the worker, although supplied with a plastic stapler, had bought a metal stapler because it was much faster. How that can be blamed on HIP is beyond me.
I see nothing 'larrikin' about Palmer. I see a bully prepared to throw his considerable weight around to get what he wants, a man prepared to say anything if he thinks it will win a few votes. Palmer was so popular before the last election that he could not find candidates. He had to force his own employees to run. They had no choice in many cases, it was 'run or lose your job'. He will, no doubt, do that again next time.
I once tangled with a similar type, a business owner who made money by ripping off small not-for-profit organisations. When I first became aware of Clive Palmer all sorts of alarm bells went off. The resemblance to the shonk and the similarity between the way the two men operated were astounding. I believe Palmer is in politics only for himself, he doesn't give a rat's arse about pensioners or farmers or whatever. Sure, he might SAY he thinks, say, pensions should be raised, but that is now. Should he ever (God forbid) get himself into a position of power pensioners will be told to bugger off and be grateful for what they have – after he cuts their income.
Palmer makes money from raping the land. He makes money from digging stuff out of the ground and flogging it off to the highest bidder. Palmer does not care about the environmental damage his mining inflicts. He wants the carbon tax repealed because he still has a tax bill. He wants the repeal retrospective so he will get back all the money he has paid so far. Imagine if he got his way on that – every cent raised by the carbon price would have to be given back. That would certainly ruin Hockey's planned return to surplus. But it could happen. Palmer could do a deal – he supports the budget and Abbott makes the repeal retrospective.
Palmer wants the MRRT repealed too because it will save him money. Forget all his blather about voting down the removal of benefits that came from the mining tax. He might say that now, but when push comes to shove he will roll over and have his senators vote it down. Do you seriously think this man cares about this country or its inhabitants at all? Of course he doesn't. He sees Australia and Australians as a source of income. Nothing more.
Those who see Palmer as the Great Hope for getting rid of the Abbott government are deluded fools. Vote for PUP at your peril. Some twit this morning tweeted Palmer was 'fascinating'. I prefer 'terrifying'.
"Facinating" could be appropriate. It started off from "fascinum' =Spell , Witchcraft .
Thanks Leone, I value your opinion of Clive Palmer, and other matters, given your different life experience
After being associate with a former "blue collar" worker I can see Clive Palmer's appeal, but I have never voted Liberal or for former Liberals and don't intend to change the habits of a life time
ICAC revelations are getting very close to home. First Andrew Stoner, leader of the NSW Nats and MP for the electorate next door was mentioned a week or so ago as meeing with Mike Gallacher. Who knows what might come from that mention when ICAC gets around to their full investigation of Gallacher. And today – woo! hoo!, former Hoeward minister and former member for Lyne Mark Vaile is mentioned – and not in a good way.
#icac Tinkler has just named Mark Vaile as the man who organised his donations to the Nats.— Joan Evatt (@Boeufblogginon) May 16, 2014
Palmer will have to stop bloviating and start getting his facts straight if he wants to win more seats, because sooner otr later someone in the media will start paying attention to the garbage he spouts. The other day he was raving on about the GP tax and he made the ludicrous claim that a pensioner who has to visit a GP four or five times a week will end up paying one third of their income in the tax. The stupid old fool didn't seem to realise that for pensioners the co-payment is $5, not $7, and is – for now anyway – capped at $50 a year. Their ABC ran his rant without question or correction.
"You imagine being a pensioner and earning $300 a week and you're 87 and you've got to go to the doctor four or five times a week.
"That takes up one-third of your income because of the co-payment.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-14/clive-palmer-to-definitely-oppose-gp-co-payment/5451356
I can see his appeal too, I can also see exactly what he is up to.
Tinkerbell is giving ICAC lip. That'll work well for him!
Does anyone know if the media have investigated whether the gallery on Thursday night had been stacked with ALP supporters?
From Crikey's Tips and Rumours – Brandis threatens Bernard Collaery – if he returns to Australia he will not be permitted to leave again. Full quote.
Spy games: Bernard Collaery's case. One of Australia's most ignored spying scandals may not yet be finished. Crikey understands that Canberra lawyer Bernard Collaery, who is representing East Timor at the International Court of Justice over its case against Australia in relation to the Timor Sea Treaty, will not return to Australia out of concern the government will seize his passport.
As part of his evidence in the case, a former Australian Security and Intelligence Service officer last year revealed the Australian Secret Intelligence Service had used the cover of an Australian aid program in order to bug the East Timorese cabinet during negotiations over the treaty. The whistleblower was subsequently raided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, as well as having his passport seized to prevent him from travelling to the Hague to give evidence. At the same time, Collaery's Canberra office was raided and documents seized — in effect meaning Collaery's opponents in the Hague had access to his case notes. According to our source, Collaery has been tipped off that if he returns to Australia, he'll be prevented from leaving again.
A clue to all this may lie in the statement made after the raids by the ever more right-leaning Attorney-General George Brandis, whose chief of staff is former ASIO head Paul O'Sullivan. Brandis rose in Parliament on December 4 and, in justifying the raids, said "merely because Mr Collaery is a lawyer, that fact alone does not excuse him from the ordinary law of the land. In particular, no lawyer can invoke the principles of lawyer-client privilege to excuse participation, whether as principal or accessory, in offences against the Commonwealth."
It's clear now that there was an implicit threat in those words that Collaery would be targeted for "offences against the Commonwealth" — the offences, of course, being the embarrassing revelation of a cowboy intelligence agency engaged in commercial espionage against a barely economically viable micro-state.
Yesterday, Collaery was permitted by the Senate Privileges Committee to have incorporated in Hansard his response to Brandis' smear. His statement provides evidence of the ASIS agent's correspondence with the then-Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Ian Carnell, that shows how disingenuous the current IGIS, Vivienne Thom, was when she issued a statement denying anyone had contacted her office about the matter.
Collaery's office says he has been working from a London office and is remaining there to handle the East Timor case for the time being. Unsurprisingly, they could shed no light on the government's intentions about his passport
http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/05/16/tips-and-rumours-1124/
Links from this piece –
Brandis' statement
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/Fourth%20quarter/4-December-2013—Ministerial-Statement—Execution-of-ASIO-Search-Warrants.aspx
Collaery's response in Hansard
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Privileges/Completed_inquiries/report156/d01
Dr Vivienne Thom's 'naive' statement.
http://www.igis.gov.au/public_statements/media_release/public_statement_20131206.cfm
Looks like tories are the same all over.
Tories use secret dining club as front for donations
The Conservatives are funnelling hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of donations to the party through a secretive dining club that allows donors to keep their identity hidden.
The secret donations to the United and Cecil Club make it the Tories' seventh-largest donor, with their biggest financial support coming from the billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Michael Hintze
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-dining-club-secretively-channels-hundreds-of-thousands-of-pounds-of-funding-by-anonymous-wealthy-donors-9380723.html
I just logged into the Royal Commission and Matthew Fuller's father and I am in sympathy but less than impressed. He is projecting his grief onto everyone else and using the RC to avoid engaging with his grief. I know about this stuff. Tomorrow is the 3 year anniversary of my husband's death, in my arms.
Mr Fuller is imo, is trying to make meaning from his son's meaningless death, a death caused by his own son's flagrant disregard of OH&S rules. His son was a qualified electrician who had a brush with death a week before he repeated the action which then killed him.
Mr Fuller, take my sincere advice. Go home, give your son the honour of your profound un-distracted grief. Remember him. It is all that is left.
This would give a hint as to where responsibility is for Fuller.
Firm fined $100K for home insulation death
…….His girlfriend and co-worker Monique Pridmore, 18, sustained severe electrical burns to her leg
Their employer, QHI Installations Pty Ltd, was charged with failing to conduct its business in a way that was electrically safe.
Director Christopher William McKay and his father, company manager Christopher John McKay, were also charged with failing to ensure the company complied with its obligations.
Christopher John McKay pleaded guilty to this charge on Friday in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/firm-fined-100k-for-home-insulation-death-20110204-1age5.html
No wonder Tinkler was fleeing to Singapore ealier in the week.
Tinkler has finished his evidence. Someone is trying to serve papers on him as he leaves. #icac #nswpol #lifeofabillionaire— Mark Coultan (@mcoultan) May 16, 2014
Although Tinkler couldn't wait to get out of #icac he is now holed up inside to avoid the process server who's waiting here to serve him.— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) May 16, 2014
Media outlets running polls on whether Australians would be keen or not to return to the polls after Abbott's budget. Overwhelming yes vote.— Peter Foster (@PeterFosterALP) May 16, 2014
This should make everyone even more keen on an election now – Abbott wants to push ahead with reducing the minimum wage.
More audit proposals still in train for reform agenda
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/budget-2014/more-audit-proposals-still-in-train-for-reform-agenda/story-fnmes6jc-1226919455449#
Meanwhile – HoJo is refusing to debate Chris Bowen and Abbott is apparently doing double backflips away from a double dissolution.
Sarah Monahan Morris @shrimptank · 10m
I'm going to RT the shit out of that sentence! 10 years, 9 months! #Hughes
Tinkler has been served! #icac— Kate McClymont (@Kate_McClymont) May 16, 2014
Politicians really should watch where they stand for photo ops.
Here's the impact that Hockey's GP tax will have on regional areas
Mr Apostol expects low-income earners, such as single parents and patients with chronic illness, may avoid seeing their GP for preventive healthcare and instead seek treatment in local hospitals.
With less patients coming in to see their GP, this may scare off doctors from practising medicine in rural areas such as the Latrobe Valley, Mr Apostol warned.
Where are the howls of indignation from the National Party?
http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2282384/federal-budget-2014-immediate-impact-felt-by-doctors/?cs=1462
What I was saying before- this government keeps on announcing old Labor works as their own new ideas.
Govt reannounces $100m Dukes Hwy upgrade works completed – began 2008 http://t.co/dlwOm6gkbS http://t.co/MCHv2HJUCY— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 16, 2014
Speaking of the National Party, have a look at these excerpts from an article on the budget in my local rag.
THE federal budget would invest in the future of Gippsland, according to Gippsland MHR Darren Chester.
He said the budget had confirmed $40 million in the coming financial year as part of the federal government's contribution to the $175 million Princes Highway duplication between Sale and Traralgon.
Mr Chester said the $185 million East Sale RAAF Base redevelopment would continue, along with several trade training projects across Gippsland.
Next, look at these excerpts from my local member's press release about the budget.
http://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/story/2281498/budget-invests-in-gippsland-chester/?cs=1450
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the 2014 Budget will invest in the future of Gippsland
Mr Chester said the budget had confirmed $40 million in the coming financial year as part of the Federal Government's contribution to the $175 million Princes Highway duplication between Sale and Traralgon.
The $185 million East Sale RAAF Base redevelopment will continue along with several trade training projects across the region.
http://www.darrenchester.com/media-room/latest-news/1439-budget-supports-economic-growth-in-gippsland
Spot the difference?
I have to say, much to my surprise, I felt that Bill Shorten hit every target last night. And the proof in the pudding, nothing on abc radio today except for the Libs squealing.
If you are around, could we have our usual lucky dip in the raffle, and one for my Mum, who arrived for a visit today. We are off to a bonfire at 5pm, I'll be visualising Blood Oaf and the Oafs going down in flames.
Gippy Laborite
So it's only going to be $40 million, that has probably already been paid by Labor. The rest will just disappear into the sunset. A quarter done job.
Another minister in the pocket of the ADF
Defence minister David Johnston is disinclined to launch a royal commission to examine past defence abuses.
But he will be guided by advice from the chairman of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce, former West Australian supreme court judge Len Roberts-Smith QC.
"He might advise a royal commission. I am not sure but I don't think he will," Johnston said.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/16/david-johnston-plays-down-need-for-royal-commission-defence-abuses
C K Watt says:
2gravel request noted.
Thought you guys might appreciate this:
King Kidett of Space @SpaceKidette · 4m
Abbott's 2013 Budget Reply Speech
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hockeys+2013+budget+reply+speech+youtube&docid=608033654051048594&mid=09560510C043CE8BFB6209560510C043CE8BFB62&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=6C972FD7F7A4DB2D70136C972FD7F7A4DB2D7013 …
joe6pack says:
RAFFLE NIGHT
Comments closed here soon
Caught a bit of RRR this morning. I don't usually tune in to Tony Biggs, but I was driving about and I thought I'd see what his reaction to the week in politics was. I think he's some kind of radical green socialist.
Big mistake. He teed off against Shorten big time. Said the budget reply speech was a farce, said he can't stand the way Shorten speaks, said he should sack his scriptwriter, blah blah blah. I should have known better. Unless it's grass roots radical environmental smash the state politics, he's not interested. He reckons unless the entire student population rise up in protest the entire nation is brain dead. He's aghast that there aren't unions already on strike everywhere. And – the kicker – he can't understand why there are no protests planned. There are. There's a massive one on Sunday, but he wasn't aware of it.
I get very annoyed when so-called champions of the left insist that there's no difference between the major parties. They're creating a complaining class for themselves. They seem to think that unless the ALP physically stop what the Coalition are doing, then they're in on the rort too.
As I always say, vote for who you like, I won't complain. But at least have a think about who's actually going to run the place once you've put the 1 in the box.
I'm getting very good at getting posts in just as a thread is closing.
And good ones too, Aguirre
Thanks Mick!
kaffeeklatscher on Not a Day to Celebrate 20…


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Need to remove pixel value from the image element I need to remove the pixel value from the image element by using the XSLT,
My Input xml is:
<img src="https://google.com/Service/Get/Content/images-v1/Images/savings-277.250x250.jpg" />

XSL I Used as:
<xsl:template match="img">
<xsl:element name="image">
<xsl:if test="@src">
<xsl:attribute name="href">
<xsl:value-of select="tokenize(@src, '/')[position() = last() - 2 or position() = last()]" separator="_"/>
</xsl:attribute>
</xsl:if>
</xsl:element>
</xsl:template>

Output I'm getting like:
<image href="images-v1_savings-277.250x250.jpg"/>

But i want to remove the pixel value (250x250) from the output:
<image href="images-v1_savings-277.jpg"/>

Please suggest some possible coding for this. I'm using XSLT version as 2.0 and saxon as saxon-PE 9.6.0.7. Thanks in advance

A: Please use following code
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    <xsl:if test="@src">
      <xsl:attribute name="href">
        <xsl:variable name="ajeet">
          <xsl:value-of select="tokenize(@src, '/')[position() = last() - 2 or position() = last()]" separator="_"/>
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        <xsl:value-of select="replace($ajeet, '.([0-9]+)x([0-9]+)', '')"/>
      </xsl:attribute>
    </xsl:if>
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</xsl:template>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
We must work together for marriage equality
Speeches in Parliament
Janet Rice 18 Jun 2015
"My wonderful partner Penny, who has been absolutely critical in my life achievements. We've shared 28 years of married life; a partnership of love and support. We are proud of our status as a same sex couple who were legally married in Australia, and I am resolute that all couples should be able to share this right".
Those words concluded by my First Speech in the Senate in August last year in the presence of my fellow Greens Senators, and my family, including Penny and our two sons.
It was an immensely proud moment for me.
Speech for Marriage Equality
But it was also a moment where once again the cruel reality of the lack of marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer Australians was highlighted.
Penny and I are married, in fact are probably the only same sex couple who have been legally married in Australia in this chamber today.
Yet the legal inconsistencies and ridiculous hoops we are required to jump through as a couple mean that for Penny as a transgender person to officially change her birth certificate in my home state of Victoria we would be forced to divorce.
The law in our country has not caught up with the complexity and diversity of so many relationships within Australian society.
The referendum result in Ireland last month was an incredible turning point for our collective humanity.
To see a country so united where once it had been so divided is truly remarkable.
Yet for me here in Australia it was a stark reminder of how far behind we now are.
Australia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities and their families deserve equal treatment in the law and the community.
Time and time again, the Australian Greens have taken policies to elections affirming our commitment to marriage equality as defined as the marriage between two consenting adults regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity.
We know that it is love that makes a family, not biology, and that so many Australian children living in rainbow families enjoy the same nurture, love and care of their parents, regardless of the gender or sexuality of those parents.
The law in Australian must catch up with this reality.
Last week I attended the Australian Human Rights Commission launch of the "Resilient Individuals –Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights" National Consultation Report.
Join our campaign for equality >> http://grns.mp/marriage-petition
This report is groundbreaking, but at the same time heartbreaking.
Some of the key challenges faced by LGBTIQ people identified by the Report include:
- A lack of cultural competency and understanding of the distinct needs of LGBTI people in the provision of public services, including education, health and aged care.
- Poor community understanding and visibility of the distinct issues that affect people on the basis of SOGII status, particularly in relation to gender identity and intersex status.
- Unacceptably high rates of marginalisation, bullying, harassment and violence.
But most notably…
- The legacy of State-sanctioned discrimination is significant in its legitimisation of institutional and interpersonal discrimination across society.
- Governments have had a leading role in creating this culture, and so must also take a lead role in undoing it.
- The theme of the role government can play is further emphasised in the first recommendation made by the report:
To ensure all Australians are treated equally and fairly by the law and government, the following law reform should occur promptly at a Commonwealth level: Amendment of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) to equally recognise the partnership of two adult persons regardless of the gender of the partners.
I can add to these recommendations of legal change with stories of so many passionate and inspiring that have been sent to me:
Stories of children wanting their mums to marry, of dads wanting their daughters to marry, of older gay men who began their relationships when it was still illegal to be homosexual and who are now desperately seeking this final removal of discrimination, to trans* parents seeking legal certainty for their young children and the straight friends of LGBTI Australians who are putting off their own weddings as an act of solidarity.
People have written to me this week with a simple message – they want marriage equality.
One person writes: I want my 4 year old boy to grow up in an Australia that is fair, lawful, united, prosperous and caring. I also want him to grow up in a country that he is free to marry the person he loves, be that a woman or a man.
Another told me: Equality is a right all those who live in a democracy should be entitled to. Loving is more important than silly, antiquated laws, whose basis is at best, vague.
I want to share a few personal stories that people have sent me from my home state of Victoria . Harry is a 17 year old gay man who painted a picture of the rich diversity of our Australian society today. When Harry was around 12 or 13, working out where he fitted on the sexual orientation spectrum, he says he was fortunate enough to have role models who taught him that being LGBTI is perfectly okay and nothing to be worried about. Harry is still too young to be thinking about marriage, but he shared the stories of three couples he looks up to, and how marriage equality will change their lives.
Harry's uncle has been in a relationship for over ten years, and has proved love has no gender or age. The whole family wants them to get married so they are equal to the rest of the uncles and aunts. Harry also benefitted from the guidance of a queer youth worker. Her partner is a children's librarian, and they want to adopt a child and get married. They desperately want things that heterosexual couples take for granted, and even looked at moving to Canada or another country to get married, but decided they couldn't leave home. Harry says "It pained me to see these two people who would make the most strong and loving family being denied the chance to live their lives in the way they deserved".
Another two mothers Harry knows are raising three beautiful children, and have had to enter into a very complex legal arrangement to be able to get the same rights as heterosexual couples. Harry describes them as "the most amazing family". It hurts Harry to think that, no matter how strong and committed he might be to a male partner, he isn't able to be an equal among Australian society.
But he now sees marriage equality as within reach. In Year 12, he started a support group for LGBTI students. He says the enthusiasm and positivity shown by students, staff and parents was incredible. It showed him that nobody should be denied recognition based on who they love or the way they identify their gender.
It means so much to Harry that the tide has turned and the majority of Australians, and possibly a majority of parliamentarians, are now allies of the LGBTIQ community he belongs. He concluded his letter to me: "We can't change the minds of those who don't support marriage equality, but we can give every Australian the rights they deserve."
Wise words from someone so young.
And then there's Jenny, who wrote to me with a different perspective, but the same sentiment.
Jenny has been in a relationship with Maria for over 10 years. She says their relationship is based on a deep love for each other, which is strengthened by mutual respect and love for their child. They run a family business and spend the rest of the time doing all the things other parents do like school pickups and activities with the kids. Their 8 year old son often asks why we can't get married and how much he'd like it if they did. This is not a question he should have to ask.
Maria is Spanish. In Spain, marriage equality has been allowed for many years now. It seems completely irrational that they can get married in Spain but not in Jenny's home country of Australia. She ended her story with a plea to all of us: "Please consider the damage that is being done to us as people and, especially, to our son. Please vote for equality."
I also heard from Jeremy Wiggins, a community health worker, a partner and the father of 2 year old twin girls. Jeremey is a transgender man with a birth certificate stating he is female. He cannot marry his partner because they are, on paper, a same sex couple. Jeremey wrote to me. He wrote "We are the marginalized families that are locked out of the marriage debate. We want for all human beings in Australia to be able to have their love recognized equally before the law, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
I request that you consider that marriage equality is about family values and is about a modern interpretation of what a family or relationship is and that no matter your gender or sexuality, this law should be afforded to all people equally. I have so many more stories echoing Harry, Jenny and Jeremy's. Thank you to all the people who shared their stories. Your contribution matters.
This motion is for Harry, Jenny and Jeremy, their friends and family, and all LGBTIQ people.
The Australian Greens have a long and proud history of standing up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer Australians and our families.
I believe that collaboration and the development of a cross party Bill is the best way, the only way, to secure the equality that so many Australian's deserve.
I am privileged to be the Greens LGBTIQ & marriage equality spokesperson at such a significant time in our nation's history.
As I stand here today I want to thank those who have consistently stood up for equality and to end the discrimination faced by LGBTI Australians and their families, including Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Sarah Hanson-Young and Adam Bandt , and I want to applaud those who have now joined the struggle - especially those Senators who will today stand up for the first time in this Chamber and call for marriage equality.
Penny's and my partnership shows that love is love, and is to be celebrated! The sooner we legislate for marriage equality the better.
LGBTQIA+ Workers Left Out of Jobs and Skills Summit
Stephen Bates 24 Aug 2022
Achieving LGBTIQA+ Equality: Greens to appoint Minister for Equality, fund LGBTIQA+ health services, and end discrimination
Janet Rice 1 May 2022


This elliptical has the basics and nothing more, therefore it is possible for those not technologically enhanced to work with.
Quite big anti-slip footpads can help you feel safe even during the most difficult exercise sessions and this superb quality elliptical functions nicely to assist you along with your fitness goals.
Unlike a few of another elliptical on the list that need outside apparatus for heart observation, this unit features a heart rate chest strap, able to go right from the carton.
Buyer feedback for the Sunny Health and Fitness Pink Magnetic Elliptical Trainer has, in the main, been quite positive. Due to the magnetic characteristic, it is possible to anticipate an extremely sleek elliptical stride. This elliptical trainer is an excellent option for those who are seeking a tough work out machine without paying a lot. Tall users and seasoned exercisers will probably find the Sunny Magnetic elliptical lacking in functionality.
The exercise device also supports powerful upper and lower body work out, thanks to the double action handlebars. In addition, the foot pedals are smaller than other elliptical machines out there, so those wearing a size 10 or larger may get the fit fairly comfortable. As it weighs just 68 pounds and is a little and streamlined layout, it is an ideal alternative for those who might have difficulty in lifting or transferring heftier elliptical machines. The games console which comes with this particular exercise device is rather remarkable considering the cost which you pay.
Other choices it is possible to check in a elliptical machine are data transfer, USB connectivity etc. The most effective elliptical machines are not just simple to keep and get ahold of, but selecting the correct one could alter your lifetime for the better. But the attributes this exercise device already has given me the confidence to urge other people to put it to use also. Most Elliptical machines weigh up to 5000 pounds plus it certainly will stick to move it around.
The Sunny Health and Fitness Pink Magnetic Elliptical Trainer is an affordable elliptical machine intended for home use. Exclusive Fitness comes with a great reputation for customer service; owners say they are prompt, efficient, and honor their guarantee with no hassles. Its magnetic resistance system, meanwhile, ensures the easy motion of the exerciser. Unlike, most other elliptical machines, this is a two in a single elliptical trainer, which allows for two way exercise.
This elliptical trainer will allow you to perform some challenging cardio work outs without supplying any stress in your back, knees or hips. Big anti-slip foot platforms support to advance a long-lasting and steady fitness practice. In other words, with respect to the necessity and fitness targets of yours, it is possible to pick the sort of exercise.
This elliptical apparatus can also be including a static, hand heartbeat tracking system which may permit you to take heart readings when you are still working out. The most inexpensive full-sized elliptical in this class, plus among the highest-rated house machines notwithstanding its own low cost, is the Schwinn 430 Elliptical (Est. These let you link your smartphones and iPods with all the elliptical and appreciate some music, also.
There are 16 machines in the elliptical range, including cross trainers, under desk ellipticals, magnetic and flywheel versions. We all are well aware of treadmills, exercise bikes, steppers and rowers, but most folks lack details about Elliptical Machines. You should go for anyone Elliptical machines which come having a stated warranty period.
However this generally seems to be among the most effective rowing machines that Sunny Health & Fitness have made up to now when it comes to strength and functionality for the reason that it gives magnetic resistance as an alternative to hydraulic resistance, has a solid steel framework and supplies users using a smooth, efficient and tough work out. Another class is named Middle-Drive Elliptical machines; in which you may discover the flywheel on the central part.
Their compact design means they will not take up much space in your house and because these elliptical trainers do not want electricity to power them, you do not have to worry about attempting to put the elliptical trainer near a power socket. Another budget-friendly elliptical machine from Schwinn that's successful for home work outs is the Schwinn 430 version This entry level elliptical comes with many appealing characteristics that boost your work outs.
As an example, the machine boasts of a magnetic resistance including a micro-tension control built to offer you sufficient resistance to tone up your metabolism while improving your stamina. As a result of its location right in the middle facing you, it is possible to alter the resistance level from 1 to 8 during your work out without needing to get off the exercise device. Going higher to the incline provides you with a more challenging work out depending in your fitness target.
Another slick exercise device offered at a completive cost is the Magnetic Elliptical Trainer With this type of fabulous workout gear in the home, you're able to appreciate powerful training that encourages a wholesome lifestyle. It is only "13.5".
For comparison, the top elliptical trainers for grownups approximately 5′ tall have about 18″ stride courses. Additionally it features Magnetic resistance, which by far is the very best subservient of tension resistance characteristic. Most significant, we assessed hundreds of customer reviews to judge owners' satisfaction with all the characteristics and usability in their house elliptical machines. This striking elliptical machine is among the top rated elliptical machines under $500.
Again, an essential aspect to consider, it handles the energy the Elliptical takes out of you. Using a weight capacity of 220 pounds, this elliptical trainer is well suited for overweight to softly heavy users. We compile info from many different sources about all of different Elliptical Trainers and Accessories available in the marketplace now. Although, all elliptical machines allow for total-body workouts, but moving arms add to the efficacy.
Astonishingly, it is among the value for money goods in the fitness class, due to a lot of reasons. Other noteworthy characteristics with this elliptical contain the Double Transmission drive system, water bottle holder, hand-pulse detectors as well as the bigger stride pedals. Along with these, Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine is offering added features such as Media Tray, USB Connection and one complex target tracker. In the event that you are a health nut and wish to keep in appropriate shape, but can not get the time to work on every single machine at the gym, then this Elliptical machine is the perfect match for you.
For really serious sportsmen, it is necessary to possess conventional jogging in your routine together with utilizing the elliptical. Bright Magnetic Elliptical Trainercomes with a fantastic micro tension control that ensures you receive the best exercise from it. In the event you'd like an elliptical machine that will work out your upper body, then this one is a unit you have to contemplate getting. Therefore, you will not have a hard time getting an Elliptical Machine with this attribute.
So, an elliptical machine is imagined to be a storage-friendly and streamlined way of versatile exercises. The equipment also includes an LCD screen that'll show precise readouts of varied fitness information for example speed, time, scan, total distance and calories.
In spite of the fact that it's hefty at 57 pounds, the elliptical trainer has transportable wheels on its foundation so as you are able to transfer it from one room to another.
Elliptical trainers give you an excellent low-impact total body workout which is easier on your joints than a number of other sorts of exercise.
As it pertains to fitness equipment, Schwinn tops the marketplace by giving users with high quality work out tools that encourage a wholesome lifestyle.
The routine usage of the elliptical trainer increases your lungs and heart capacity, and in once burn off calories and enhance your well-being.
Together with the Sunny Health and Fitness Pink Magnetic Elliptical Trainer, users can expect to quite easily lose up to 1000 calories per hour on high strength and around 500700 on low. The Sunny Health & Fitness SFE3608 and SFE3607 both include an LCD monitor that shows your work out stats as you work out to greatly help you stay inspired, including time, speed, distance, odo, calories and pulse. The exercise device supplies you with many features because of its cost in order to keep yourself healthy right at your dwelling. And unlike the Schwinn 470 which takes up lots of space in the area, the ProForm Hybrid Trainer is comparatively streamlined.


The stage is set for a spunky season on Broadway @ Yahoo: here.
This week the preview process begins for the Manhattan Theatre Club's first stage treatment of the Ernst Lubitsch movie comedy "To Be or Not to Be," directed by Casey Nicholaw ("The Drowsy Chaperone") and starring David Rasche (taking over for Craig Bierko, who exited mid-rehearsal) and Jan Maxwell. It begins prevues Thursday at the Biltmore, with a October 2 opening scheduled.
Happy Birthday to Craig Bierko who turns 43 today!
Bierko and Maxwell Will Be Show Folk in Hitler's Shadow in To Be Or Not To Be @ Playbill.com: here.
Superhero Movie: Hilarious Heroes @ The Star Online : here.
This site is an Un-Official Fansite and is not affiliated with the actor Craig Bierko.


For Sale: Rockall furling genoa luffs 29', leach 26'6", foot 15'. Mid blue sacrificial strip.
Good condition, used but with plenty of life left. £20 with bag. 01243 574419.
For Sale: Seven modern chairs (4 grey, 2 white & 1 red). All in v.g.c. £200 Ono.
or desk. £450. Can deliver locally. Please call (07770) 224868. Downsizing sale.
Wanted: to buy or rent secure garage in Fishbourne area. Please call 01243 528962.
For Sale: Bouncy Castle with 2 Pumps 3 yrs + £60. Qualcast Cylinder Mower £35.
basket £50 ono for both. Telephone 01243 575031. Picture 6.
car, I will sell these which are also lockable. £75, box without roof bars, £90 to include roof bars. Thule Roof rack, £30. Roof bars not included. In Bosham, buyer collects. Call : 07801 909 416.


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Career aspirations of and perceptions of family medicine as a specialty by newly qualified doctors (interns and community service doctors) in southern Gauteng province
Ubabukoh, Samuel, Ozioma, 2016.pdf(3.48 MB)
Ubabukoh, Samuel Ozioma
Introduction: As many recently qualified South African doctors pursue specialisation and sub-specialisation, projections indicate that the critical mass of medical practitioners required to support primary healthcare will continue to dwindle, with wholly inadequate numbers to sustain the country's proposed National Health Insurance plan. Little is known, however, about what newly qualified doctors on the verge of making career choices think of the speciality of Family Medicine (FM) and how these young doctors actually decide on what career options to pursue. Objectives: This study describes the career intentions of newly qualified doctors working in the four southern districts of Gauteng Province, the factors that influence their career aspirations, and their views on FM as a specialty. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire, which targeted 502 participants (interns N=396 and community service doctors N=106) in 2013. Results: Out of 368 questionnaires returned, 342 were eligible for analysis. More than two thirds (68%) of the respondents graduated from medical schools located in Gauteng Province. Only 5.3% were working in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. The most chosen specialties were: surgical (32.2%), internal medicine (14.3%), and paediatrics (12.9%). FM was the least chosen specialty by only eight respondents (2.3%). Only 44% had ever considered FM as a career. Of these, 77% agreed that they were not well enough informed about the FM registrar-training programme to select this discipline. Only 16.8% thought they would be job satisfied working in a PHC facility, while 53.4% believed that FM would not be financially rewarding. Conclusions: A serious human resource shortage looms large in primary healthcare if most newly qualified doctors have no desire to enter general medical practice or work in PHC settings. This study highlights the need to urgently address current undergraduate, internship and registrar training programmes in South Africa with a view to marketing FM and making generalism attractive.
Aspirations of and perceptions of family medicine , Newly qualified doctors , Interns and community service doctors


HAWE Oil-Hydraulic Technology Co., Ltd.
On March 26, 2019, HAWE Hydraulik SE, Aschheim / Munich, signed the contract for the purchase of HOERBIGER Automatisierungstechnik Holding GmbH.
The manufacturer of hydraulic components and systems will thus acquire several legally independent companies at three locations and the associated product range from HOERBIGER Deutschland Holding GmbH effective May 1, 2019. In 2018, the division generated sales of €64 million with approximately 320 employees.
This step offers HAWE an ideal addition to its existing product portfolio and thus an expansion of its position as a solution provider. A comprehensive analysis of the market positioning, target markets and potential of the acquired divisions preceded this step.
HAWE Hydraulik takes over all employees at the existing locations. The customers of HAWE Hydraulik and the former HOERBIGER product lines benefit from the joint competence, the global sales and service network and the significantly expanded product range.
In the 70th year of its existence, this acquisition is an important strategic step for the HAWE Hydraulik Group to strengthen its market position as an innovative partner for hydraulic drives and mechatronic controls in over 70 industries.
HAWE Oil-Hydraulic Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.


SOUTH OF THE MOUNTAINS 5K TRAIL RUN Register Online!
5k walk/run for all ages.
Trophies awarded to overall winners.
Medals for top finishers in each age group.
Free shirt & backpack if registered by Oct. 22.
$25 pre-registered, $30 day of the race.
Free Fun Run for kids under age 12.
Supervised kids activities during the 5k!
All proceeds help send economically disadvantaged children and youth to summer camp.


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Benjamin Eitan Ackerman: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
By	Erin Laviola
Updated Aug 23, 2019 at 2:48pm
Los Angeles Police Department	Benjamin Eitan Ackerman.
Benjamin Eitan Ackerman is accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of items from celebrity homes in the Hollywood Hills area over a period of several months. The Los Angeles Police Department arrested Ackerman in September of 2018 but waited until January 2, 2019, to reveal the suspect's name.
Detectives said Ackerman would show up at open houses, posing as either an interested buyer or real estate agent, and return later to steal high-value items. People whose homes were burglarized included singers Usher, Jason Derulo, and Adam Lambert.
Ackerman was arrested after police said they recovered more than 2,000 stolen items from a storage locker belonging to Ackerman.
Investigators waited several months before announcing formal charges on August 22, 2019. The Los Angeles District Attorney's office is charging Ackerman and an alleged accomplice, identified as Jason Emil Yaselli, on dozens of counts including money laundering, first-degree residential burglary, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary and money laundering.
Ackerman was arrested again on August 16, 2019, according to online records via the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from custody on August 20. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for October 3, 2019.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Police First Identified Ackerman as a Person of Interest in One Burglary, Which Resulted in a Search Warrant; Police Recovered More Than 2,000 Items at Ackerman's Home & in a Storage Locker
LIVE: LAPD Announces Arrest of Suspect in a Series of Celebrity/High-End Home Burglaries https://t.co/MzcZf5WxCb
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 2, 2019
The Los Angeles Police Department has been investigating multiple break-ins throughout 2017 and 2018. The homes of several celebrities were targeted. For example, Usher's home near the Sunset Strip was burglarized in April of 2018. Thieves stole cash and jewelry valued at more than $800,000. Other celebrities targeted include Jason Derulo, Adam Lambert, and Dorit Lemel.
During a news conference on January 2, 2019, officers revealed that during the initial investigation, Benjamin Eitan Ackerman was named as a person of interest in one of the burglaries. They did not specify which one.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Ackerman's home and at a storage unit he kept. They found more than 2,000 high-value items, including artwork, clothing, purses, jewelry and fine wine. Police did not give an exact estimate of how much all of the items were worth, but said the items were worth "multiple millions of dollars."
According to inmate records, Ackerman was originally arrested on September 20, 2018. Bail was set at $1 million and he was released on September 24, 2018.
2. Police: Ackerman Targeted Homes That Were For Sale & Posed as Either a Buyer or a Real Estate Broker
Los Angeles Police DepartmentBenjamin Eitan Ackerman is accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of items from homes in the Hollywood Hills.
Benjamin Ackerman and Jason Emil Yaselli set their sights on homes that were for sale, according to Deputy District Attorney Stephen Morgan of the White Collar Crime Division. During a news conference in January, Detective Jared Timmons, the lead investigator, explained that Ackerman would canvass the homes first before returning later to grab the items he wanted.
Detective Timmons said Ackerman knew how to fit in easily at open houses. Investigators believe Ackerman would pose as either an interested buyer or as a real estate agent looking to show the property. Timmons described Ackerman as "sophisticated" and "slick" and that he would be "dressed to the nines" when he toured homes. Timmons said no one questioned whether Ackerman was supposed to be there or checked out his supposed credentials.
Prosecutors shared on August 22 that they believe Jason Emil Yaselli may have been the ringleader in the plot. They included in the press release about the charges that "Yaselli allegedly encouraged Ackerman to steal luxury items from 14 homes, sell them and use the proceeds to make payments on Yaselli's credit card."
3. Ackerman Allegedly Tampered With Surveillance Video at the Burglarized Homes
#breaking LAPD arrest Benjamin Eitan Ackerman. Detectives believe he is involved in a series of celebrity burglaries. Items recovered include expensive jewelry, clothing and art worth several million dollars. Possible victims include #Usher #AdamLambert and #JasonDerulo. pic.twitter.com/9gjEzrJAzA
— Carlos Granda (@abc7carlos) January 2, 2019
Detective Timmons added during the news conference that Benjamin Eitan Ackerman appears to have been "fluent with computers and technology." The targeted homes had surveillance cameras but investigators said the footage was damaged in some cases.
In some instances, the cameras were ripped out. In other cases, the footage simply went black during the time of the burglaries. Timmons said the department is "still looking into" what would have caused the footage to go dark.
In early October of 2018, Los Angeles police arrested another group of people accused of stealing from celebrity homes in the area. Detective Timmons said there does not appear to be a connection between that group and Ackerman, but they are investigating to see if any possible connection exists.
4. Ackerman Is Charged With 32 Counts & Facing More Than 30 Years Behind Bars
Benjamin Eitan Ackerman is charged on 32 counts, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The charges include:
32 counts of money laundering
12 counts of first-degree residential burglary
Two counts of first-degree residential burglary with a person present
Two counts of identity theft
One count of conspiracy to commit burglary
One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
Ackerman's bail was set at $1.2 million after he appeared in front of a judge on August 19 and pleaded not guilty. He was released the following day. Prosecutors said the potential maximum punishment if convicted on the charges is more than 31 years in state prison.
Ackerman's attorney, Gary Kaufman, told CBS Los Angeles that he believes the case is being ramped up for publicity purposes because many of the alleged victims are celebrities. "The People's case is no better today than it was a year ago… Unlike a fine wine, this case does not get better with age. Mr. Ackerman is not just presumed to be innocent, he is, in fact, innocent."
5. Police: Benjamin Ackerman Has a Prior Criminal Record & Reportedly Burglarized the Home of a Family Friend
LAPD arrests suspect in series of high-end burglaries all over Hollywood https://t.co/dRExrS6nGi pic.twitter.com/3wcm7N1h02
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 2, 2019
Benjamin Eitan Ackerman is 33 years old. (His birthday is April 24, 1986). Police said he is from the Los Angeles area.
Detective Timmons added that Ackerman has "connections" to the New York area, but did not expand on that. He also said Ackerman has a prior criminal record, but again, did not go into detail about past crimes. An online search of records shows an arrest that occurred in December of 2013 in Los Angeles County on a misdemeanor charge. Ackerman's name does not come up in a search of federal records.
During the news conference on January 2, Detective Timmons explained that Ackerman appears to have targeted any high-value target he could. Apparently, one of the burglary victims was identified as a family friend of Ackerman's.
READ NEXT: Gustavo Perez Arriaga Accused of Killing CA Police Officer During Traffic Stop
5 Fast Facts, Breaking News, Crime
Benjamin Eitan Ackerman was arrested in connection to burglaries at celebrity houses in the Hollywood Hills. Police found 2,000+ stolen items at his home.


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Freije, Klabo Notch Double-Doubles in UND Win over NDSU
North Dakota has won eight straight games against the Bison.
GRAND FORKS, N.D (UND Athletics) — Fallyn Freije scored a career-high 26 points and added 12 rebounds while Lexi Klabo complemented her effort with 23 points and 10 boards to lift host North Dakota to a 79-68 non-conference win over in-state rival North Dakota State Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
The junior duo led the way for the Fighting Hawks throughout as Freije had a game-high 13 points at halftime, but UND held just a 30-25 lead. It was a 14-3 North Dakota spurt at the end of the second quarter that gave the home team that halftime advantage.
With NDSU (5-5) leading 22-16 in the second, UND would score 12 straight and 14 of the final 17 points in that frame to gain control. The run started with a Freije jumper and a triple with buckets from Mikayla Reinke– making her first career start– and Akealy Moton to flip a six-point deficit into a half-dozen lead at 28-22.
The Bison fought back to tie the score four more times in the third quarter, despite trailing by as many as eight. The game entered the final 10 minutes all square at 50-50. Freije opened the final period with a basket then free throws from her and Jill Morton stretched the advantage to five.
The key possession in the game came when Freije and Klabo each blocked shots which led to a Bailey Strand transition three as the crowd of 2,571 came alive. Although the game got back to four, Morton would put an exclamation point on big win with a slicing drive and finish on the reverse lay-in with 2:06 to go to all but seal it.
Klabo and Freije combined to go 15-for-31 from the floor for 49 points and 22 combined rebounds. Strand added nine points and four assists while Morton chipped in eight. Melissa Dailey recorded five assists without a turnover as North Dakota had just eight miscues as a team for the game.
UND (5-3) continues its home stand Tuesday against Mayville State before a Dec. 18 home tile against Southwest Minnesota State and a road contest on Dec. 21 at South Dakota to closeout the non-conference slate.
Categories: College, Top Sports Headlines
Tags: Bison, Bison Women's Basketball, College Basketball, Fallyn Freije, Fighting Hawks, Fighting Hawks Women's Basketball, NDSU, NDSU Women's Basketball, UND, UND Women's Basketball
Offensive Production Helping UND Women Find Success in Year Two Under Bernhard
UND-Western Michigan Match-Up For First Time Since NCHC Pod
Be Fast: How To Spot a Stroke


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Junior College's Student President: 'We Shouldn't Force Sixth Formers To Learn a Foreign Language'
The President of Junior College's student union (KSJC) has come out strongly against a proposal by MATSEC that would oblige all sixth formers to study a foreign language.
"Speaking in my personal capacity, I don't think it makes sense to oblige students to study something they don't want to study," Jaden Dimech told Lovin Malta. "While it's true that knowledge of a foreign language is an advantage, imposing it on students won't help them or our education system."
All students must currently study at least one foreign language up until their O-Levels and then pick at least one language, including English or Maltese, as one of their five optional sixth form subjects.
Now, as part of a proposed sixth form revamp, MATSEC wants this language to be a foreign one, with a pass in the subject mandatory to enrol at University.
Foreign language teaching expert Mario Pace (right) with MATSEC director Dario Pirotta
Mario Pace, an expert in foreign language teaching, has urged students to welcome this reform, arguing that proficiency in a foreign language has become "fundamental" in this day and age.
However, Dimech argued that MATSEC shouldn't condition the students' subject choices based on what situations they might encounter in the future.
"Yes, students experiment in several different subjects up until Form 5, but they then start gaining proficiency in specific subjects of their choice in sixth form," he said. "If a student doesn't want to take a subject, they shouldn't be forced to take it."
"Might they regret their choices later on? Life can be like that; sometimes you regret the choices you make, but that's how life is"
Dimech said that the initial feedback from students about MATSEC's proposal has been overwhelmingly negative and confirmed that KSJC will discuss it internally to decide whether to take an official stance.
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Joe Ross
Joe has been tickling the funny bone of theatergoers throughout the country and Broadway. A native of Michigan, he attended Wayne University. First seen on Broadway in "She Loves Me" with Barbara Cook. In "Gigi" starring Alfred Drake, Joe carried seven different roles when the show toured the Los Angeles area. As Hysterium in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", he played opposite Phil Silvers on Broadway and also won critical acclaim as Emory in the Huntington Hartford production of "Boys in the Band". Also starred in such musical hits as "Finian's Rainbow", "The Pajama Game", "Can Can", "Anything Goes", Guys and Dolls", "The Mikado", "Sugar Babies"' "Sound of Music" and "42nd Street". Mr. Ross appeared with Constance Bennett's successful club act in New York and Europe. On television he has appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show", "Different Strokes", "Police Woman", "Facts of Life", "Murder She Wrote" and "Hunter". In films his credits include "Peter Dragon" with Mickey Rooney, "Kingdom of the Spiders" with William Shatner, "Deal of the Century" with Chevy Chase, Gary Marshall's "The Other Sister" with Diane Keaton and "Princes Diaries" with Julie Andrews.


text:
Q: Intl.DateTimeFormat returns an hour over 24 I have the following Unix timestamp: 1611328500000 (Fri Jan 22 2021 10:15:00 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)).
I need to display it in Korean Standard Time. To do so, I'm using Intl.DateTimeFormat. However, for some reason, the result I'm getting is 24:15 when I attempt to format it. Unless I'm delusional, I'm pretty sure that's higher than a 24-hour clock usually goes (0:00 to 23:59).
Google tells me my result should be 0:15, obviously on the following date (Sat Jan 22).
Here's a minimal working example:

const date = new Date(1611328500000);

const timeOptions = {
  hour12: false,
  hour: '2-digit',
  minute: '2-digit'
};

const formatter = new Intl.DateTimeFormat('en-US', {
  timeZone: 'Asia/Seoul', ...timeOptions
});

console.log(formatter.format(date));

Am I crazy? Can times go up to 24:15 in some circumstances? What is happening here?

EDIT: I just found this page which seems to be experiencing a similar problem. The answer provided there points me towards something called hourCycle, with a link to MDN's Intl.DateTimeFormat.
However, hourCycle only appears once on that page, in the browser support section. Adding the suggested hourCycle: h11 to my timeOptions did not work.
Digging further, I found this page, which lists h23 as a valid option. Surely this is what I'm after! But, alas... my result is still 24:15.

A: Switch from hour12: true to hourCycle: 'h23' to display the hours from 00:00 to 23:59.

const date = new Date(1611328500000);

const timeOptions = {
  hourCycle: 'h23',
  hour: '2-digit',
  minute: '2-digit'
};

const formatter = new Intl.DateTimeFormat('en-US', {
  timeZone: 'Asia/Seoul', ...timeOptions
});

console.log(formatter.format(date));

A: I used the below code and it worked to transform the input 3000000 milliseconds  to the output 00:50:00.000Z
const dateInMilliseconds = 3000000
const formatterConfig = {
  hour: "numeric",
  minute: "numeric",
  second: "numeric",
  hourCycle: "h23",
  timeZone: "UTC",
  fractionalSecondDigits: 3
}
const dateInFormat = new Intl.DateTimeFormat([], formatterConfig).format(dateInMilliseconds)+'Z';
// 00:50:00.000Z


Here you can find information on current and past events, as well as important dates, deadlines, and timelines related to Chesapeake Bay cleanup.
Five regional WIP workshops were held in September and October 2016 throughout the State of Maryland. The presentations are now available. All presentations are on the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology website (leaving MDE).
Special thanks to the Town Creek Foundation for providing support for this workshop.
The Symposium presented the basic concepts of trading and the role of trading in Bay restoration efforts, including accelerating nutrient and sediment reductions, lowering the high costs of reaching and maintaining loading caps, providing the funding for conservation practices, and generating supplemental farm income and other financial benefits. The Symposium is sponsored by the Maryland Departments of the Environment and Agriculture in collaboration with the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Maryland Grain Producers.
On Monday, October 26, 2015, MDE and MDP hosted a webinar that discussed Version 1 of Chesapeake Bay Program's Phase 6 watershed model land-use. The Phase 6 modeling tools are being developed to inform the Phase III WIPs. The webinar covered the following topics related to the Phase 6 watershed model land-use, general Overview of Version 1, incorporation of Local Jurisdiction Data, Maryland Specific Methodologies, and future Improvements for Version 2. The link to the recording of the webinar is provided below.
MDE and MDP hosted a webinar that discussed the development of the Chesapeake Bay Program's Phase 6 watershed model land-use for Maryland. The Phase 6 modeling tools are being developed to inform the Phase III WIPs. MDE, MDP, and USGS presented on the Land-Use Classifications, Incorporation of Local Jurisdiction Data, and Maryland Specific Methodologies.
MDE and CBP hosted a webinar on the BMP Verifcation Framework. Rich Batiuk, Chair of the CBP BMP Verification Committee, provided a briefing and presentation on what is contained in the framework and how enhanced verification of nutrient and sediment pollutant reducing practices will be implemented over time.
MDE presented a webinar on the features of the new TMDL Data Center website on June 11, 2014. This presentation gives an overview of the function and use of the resources available on the TMDL Data Center website for developing Stormwater Wasteload Allocation (SW-WLA) Implementation Plans.
To promote and support continuing local involvement in the Bay restoration process, the State is conducting quarterly engagement sessions (Overview: Maryland WIP Local Engagement).