text:
Presidential Succession Scenarios in Popular Culture and History and the Need For Reform
William F. Baker
Beth A. Fitzpatrick
This Article looks at the issue of presidential succession through the lens of the popular imagination, attempting see what in the nation's laws needs changing. Many of the movies and television shows that have made plots or subplots out of presidential succession imagine what would happen if the president was killed in a nuclear attack (Jericho and By Dawn's Early Light), a natural disaster (The Day After Tomorrow), or even an alien invasion (Mars Attacks!). Other common plotlines feature nefarious vice presidents or other officials seizing presidential office by murdering the chief executive or staging a coup d'etat to unseat him. All of these scenarios (barring an alien invasion) are possible, and our laws are, for the most part, constructed to provide appropriate solutions. But there are many recent stories from TV and film that begin where existing law ends.
William F. Baker and Beth A. Fitzpatrick, Presidential Succession Scenarios in Popular Culture and History and the Need For Reform, 79 Fordham L. Rev. 835 (2011).


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New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Rebecca Angel will appear at THE RIVER SPIRIT MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL next Saturday, September 8th. The show will take place at Grove Stage from 3:45-4:15pm.
The 22 year-old vocalist has an appealing and captivating voice. Using jazz as her base to explore different grooves, she collaborated with Grammy-winning Jason Miles, who produced recordings of celebrity artists including Miles Davis, Grover Washington Jr., Luther Vandross, etc. Jason is producer and arranger of "What We Had", her debut EP, Miles and other top-notch musicians accompany her with a variety of backgrounds that showcase her soothing and distinctive voice at its very best.
In addition to Miles' keyboards, the six selections (plus two remixed performances) utilize such fine musicians as soprano-saxophonist Hailey Niswanger, guitarists Ricardo Silveira, Jonah Miles Prendergast and Christian Ver Halen, bassists James Genus, Reggie Washington and Adam Dorn, drummer Brian Dunne, percussionists Mino Cinelu and Cyro Baptista, cellist Sebastian Stoger, flugelhornist Dennis Angel and flutist Gottfred Stoger. Rebecca excels at singing heartfelt lyrics and showcases her innovative scatting.
Rebecca's version of the rarely performed Hoagy Carmichael gem "Winter Moon" features interplay between the singer and Niswanger on saxophone, catchy Latin rhythms and a haunting melody.
Rebecca co-wrote the minor-toned and nostalgic "What We Had" with her father Dennis Angel and guitarist Prendergast, a celebratory look at the past.
The Brazilian vocalese "Agora Sim" puts the focus on her instrumental ability in unison with Jonah's guitar.
"Feel Alive", which was also co-written by Rebecca, is a superior pop tune that is both funky and infectious.
Leiber and Stoller's "Stand By Me", heard in both radio and electro mixes, has a tight bass-drum rhythm, dynamic keyboards, a bluesy vocal by Rebecca and some natural and creative scat-singing.
The program closes with the first-ever vocal recording of Marcos Valle's 2005 instrumental hit "Jet Samba" which is given both a radio and an electronic Ipanema mix.
Rebecca Angel has loved music all of her life. She remembers her father introducing her to the recordings of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Elvis and the Beatles, Astrud Gilberto and Sade, all of whom became inspirations in her eclectic style. She graduated with a degree in Vocal Jazz Studies from Ithaca College and has performed at the Iridium, The Metropolitan Room and CaféNoctambulo in New York.
Rebecca Angel creates consistently memorable musical statements throughout "What We Had", with her substantial talents, a very impressive debut.
https://Rebeccaangel.net
Muse Announces New Album 'Simulation Theory' And Shares New Track 'The Dark Side'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
from __future__ import unicode_literals, division, absolute_import
from difflib import SequenceMatcher
import logging
import re
import urllib

import requests
from sqlalchemy import Table, Column, Integer, String, Unicode, Boolean, func
from sqlalchemy.orm import relation
from sqlalchemy.schema import ForeignKey

from flexget import db_schema as schema
from flexget import plugin
from flexget.event import event
from flexget.plugins.filter.series import normalize_series_name
from flexget.utils.database import with_session

api_key = '6c228565a45a302e49fb7d2dab066c9ab948b7be/'
search_show = 'http://api.trakt.tv/search/shows.json/'
episode_summary = 'http://api.trakt.tv/show/episode/summary.json/'
show_summary = 'http://api.trakt.tv/show/summary.json/'
Base = schema.versioned_base('api_trakt', 2)
log = logging.getLogger('api_trakt')

class TraktContainer(object):

    def __init__(self, init_dict=None):
        if isinstance(init_dict, dict):
            self.update_from_dict(init_dict)

    def update_from_dict(self, update_dict):
        for col in self.__table__.columns:
            if isinstance(update_dict.get(col.name), (basestring, int, float)):
                setattr(self, col.name, update_dict[col.name])

genres_table = Table('trakt_series_genres', Base.metadata,
                     Column('tvdb_id', Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_series.tvdb_id')),
                     Column('genre_id', Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_genres.id')))

class TraktGenre(TraktContainer, Base):

    __tablename__ = 'trakt_genres'

    id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, autoincrement=True)
    name = Column(String, nullable=True)

actors_table = Table('trakt_series_actors', Base.metadata,
                     Column('tvdb_id', Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_series.tvdb_id')),
                     Column('actors_id', Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_actors.id')))

class TraktActors(TraktContainer, Base):

    __tablename__ = 'trakt_actors'

    id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, autoincrement=True)
    name = Column(String, nullable=False)

class TraktEpisode(TraktContainer, Base):
    __tablename__ = 'trakt_episodes'

    tvdb_id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, autoincrement=False)
    episode_name = Column(Unicode)
    season = Column(Integer)
    number = Column(Integer)
    overview = Column(Unicode)
    expired = Column(Boolean)
    first_aired = Column(Integer)
    first_aired_iso = Column(Unicode)
    first_aired_utc = Column(Integer)
    screen = Column(Unicode)

    series_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_series.tvdb_id'), nullable=False)

class TraktSeries(TraktContainer, Base):
    __tablename__ = 'trakt_series'

    tvdb_id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, autoincrement=False)
    tvrage_id = Column(Unicode)
    imdb_id = Column(Unicode)
    title = Column(Unicode)
    year = Column(Integer)
    genre = relation('TraktGenre', secondary=genres_table, backref='series')
    network = Column(Unicode, nullable=True)
    certification = Column(Unicode)
    country = Column(Unicode)
    overview = Column(Unicode)
    first_aired = Column(Integer)
    first_aired_iso = Column(Unicode)
    first_aired_utc = Column(Integer)
    air_day = Column(Unicode)
    air_day_utc = Column(Unicode)
    air_time = Column(Unicode)
    air_time_utc = Column(Unicode)
    runtime = Column(Integer)
    last_updated = Column(Integer)
    poster = Column(String)
    fanart = Column(String)
    banner = Column(String)
    status = Column(String)
    url = Column(Unicode)
    episodes = relation('TraktEpisode', backref='series', cascade='all, delete, delete-orphan')
    actors = relation('TraktActors', secondary=actors_table, backref='series')

    def update(self, session):
        tvdb_id = self.tvdb_id
        url = ('%s%s%s' % (show_summary, api_key, tvdb_id))
        try:
            data = requests.get(url).json()
        except requests.RequestException as e:
            raise LookupError('Request failed %s' % url)
        if data:
            if data['title']:
                for i in data['images']:
                    data[i] = data['images'][i]
            if data['genres']:
                genres = {}
                for genre in data['genres']:
                    db_genre = session.query(TraktGenre).filter(TraktGenre.name == genre).first()
                    if not db_genre:
                        genres['name'] = genre
                        db_genre = TraktGenre(genres)
                    if db_genre not in self.genre:
                        self.genre.append(db_genre)
            if data['people']['actors']:
                series_actors = data['people']['actors']
                for i in series_actors:
                    if i['name']:
                        db_character = session.query(TraktActors).filter(TraktActors.name == i['name']).first()
                        if not db_character:
                            db_character = TraktActors(i)
                        if db_character not in self.actors:
                            self.actors.append(db_character)
            if data['title']:
                TraktContainer.update_from_dict(self, data)
            else:
                raise LookupError('Could not update information to database for Trakt on ')

    def __repr__(self):
        return '<Traktv Name=%s, TVDB_ID=%s>' % (self.title, self.tvdb_id)

class TraktSearchResult(Base):

    __tablename__ = 'trakt_search_results'

    id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
    search = Column(Unicode, nullable=False)
    series_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey('trakt_series.tvdb_id'), nullable=True)
    series = relation(TraktSeries, backref='search_strings')

def get_series_id(title):
    norm_series_name = normalize_series_name(title)
    series_name = urllib.quote_plus(norm_series_name)
    url = search_show + api_key + series_name
    series = None
    try:
        response = requests.get(url)
    except requests.RequestException:
        log.warning('Request failed %s' % url)
        return
    try:
        data = response.json()
    except ValueError:
        log.debug('Error Parsing Traktv Json for %s' % title)
        return
    if 'status' in data:
        log.debug('Returned Status %s' % data['status'])
    else:
        for item in data:
            if normalize_series_name(item['title']) == norm_series_name:
                series = item['tvdb_id']
        if not series:
            for item in data:
                title_match = SequenceMatcher(lambda x: x in '\t',
                                              normalize_series_name(item['title']), norm_series_name).ratio()
                if not series and title_match > .9:
                    log.debug('Warning: Using lazy matching because title was not found exactly for %s' % title)
                    series = item['tvdb_id']
    if not series:
        log.debug('Trakt.tv Returns only EXACT Name Matching: %s' % title)
    return series

class ApiTrakt(object):

    @staticmethod
    @with_session
    def lookup_series(title=None, tvdb_id=None, only_cached=False, session=None):
        if not title and not tvdb_id:
            raise LookupError('No criteria specified for Trakt.tv Lookup')
        series = None

        def id_str():
            return '<name=%s, tvdb_id=%s>' % (title, tvdb_id)
        if tvdb_id:
            series = session.query(TraktSeries).filter(TraktSeries.tvdb_id == tvdb_id).first()
        if not series and title:
            series_filter = session.query(TraktSeries).filter(func.lower(TraktSeries.title) == title.lower())
            series = series_filter.first()
            if not series:
                found = session.query(TraktSearchResult).filter(func.lower(TraktSearchResult.search) ==
                                                                title.lower()).first()
                if found and found.series:
                    series = found.series
        if not series:
            if only_cached:
                raise LookupError('Series %s not found from cache' % id_str())
            log.debug('Series %s not found in cache, looking up from trakt.' % id_str())
            if tvdb_id is not None:
                series = TraktSeries()
                series.tvdb_id = tvdb_id
                series.update(session=session)
                if series.title:
                    session.add(series)
            if tvdb_id is None and title is not None:
                series_lookup = get_series_id(title)
                if series_lookup:
                    series = session.query(TraktSeries).filter(TraktSeries.tvdb_id == series_lookup).first()
                    if not series and series_lookup:
                        series = TraktSeries()
                        series.tvdb_id = series_lookup
                        series.update(session=session)
                        if series.title:
                            session.add(series)
                    if title.lower() != series.title.lower():
                        session.add(TraktSearchResult(search=title, series=series))
                else:
                    raise LookupError('Unknown Series title from Traktv: %s' % id_str())

        if not series:
            raise LookupError('No results found from traktv for %s' % id_str())
        if not series.title:
            raise LookupError('Nothing Found for %s' % id_str())
        if series:
            series.episodes
            series.genre
            series.actors
            return series

    @staticmethod
    @with_session
    def lookup_episode(title=None, seasonnum=None, episodenum=None, tvdb_id=None, session=None, only_cached=False):
        series = ApiTrakt.lookup_series(title=title, tvdb_id=tvdb_id, only_cached=only_cached, session=session)
        if not series:
            raise LookupError('Could not identify series')
        if series.tvdb_id:
            ep_description = '%s.S%sE%s' % (series.title, seasonnum, episodenum)
            episode = session.query(TraktEpisode).filter(TraktEpisode.series_id == series.tvdb_id).\
                filter(TraktEpisode.season == seasonnum).filter(TraktEpisode.number == episodenum).first()
            url = episode_summary + api_key + '%s/%s/%s' % (series.tvdb_id, seasonnum, episodenum)
        elif title:
            title = normalize_series_name(title)
            title = re.sub(' ', '-', title)
            ep_description = '%s.S%sE%s' % (series.title, seasonnum, episodenum)
            episode = session.query(TraktEpisode).filter(title == series.title).\
                filter(TraktEpisode.season == seasonnum).\
                filter(TraktEpisode.number == episodenum).first()
            url = episode_summary + api_key + '%s/%s/%s' % (title, seasonnum, episodenum)
        if not episode:
            if only_cached:
                raise LookupError('Episode %s not found in cache' % ep_description)

            log.debug('Episode %s not found in cache, looking up from trakt.' % ep_description)
            try:
                data = requests.get(url)
            except requests.RequestException:
                log.debug('Error Retrieving Trakt url: %s' % url)
            try:
                data = data.json()
            except ValueError:
                log.debug('Error parsing Trakt episode json for %s' % title)
            if data:
                if 'status' in data:
                    raise LookupError('Error looking up episode')
                ep_data = data['episode']
                if ep_data:
                    episode = session.query(TraktEpisode).filter(TraktEpisode.tvdb_id == ep_data['tvdb_id']).first()
                    if not episode:
                        ep_data['episode_name'] = ep_data.pop('title')
                        for i in ep_data['images']:
                            ep_data[i] = ep_data['images'][i]
                            del ep_data['images']
                        episode = TraktEpisode(ep_data)
                    series.episodes.append(episode)
                    session.merge(episode)
        if episode:
            return episode
        else:
            raise LookupError('No results found for (%s)' % episode)

@event('plugin.register')
def register_plugin():
    plugin.register(ApiTrakt, 'api_trakt', api_ver=2)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Difference between revisions of "Kent"
Cruz (Talk | contribs)
(Correct typo.)
DavidB4-bot (Talk | contribs)
(clean up)
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
[[Image:Kent Arms.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Arms of Kent County Council, granted 17 October 1933]]
Kent is a [[county]] that covers the south east tip of [[England]], and is the closest part of England to mainland [[Europe]] (20 miles/33 km across the Strait of Dover).<ref>The Strait of Dover [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images_topic.php3?topic=oceans&img_id=17367 Earth Observatory/NASA] Accessed July 16 2007</ref> Towns and cities include the [[Medway Towns]], [[Maidstone]], [[Margate]], [[Canterbury]], and the passenger ferry ports [[Dover]] and [[Folkestone]]. In addition, the [[Channel Tunnel]] runs from Cheriton, near Folkestone, to Sangatte, near [[Calais]] in northern [[France]]. Canterbury is the headquarters of the [[Church of England]].
'''Kent''' (derivation from ancient [[Celt]]ic is either ''"coastal district"'' or ''"land of armies"'' - the [[Roman]]s called it ''Cantia''.) is a [[county]] in the extreme south-east of[[England]]. It is bounded on the north by the [[River Thames|Thames Estuary]], to the east and south by the [[English Channel]] to the west and north-west by [[Surrey]], East [[Sussex]] and [[London]].
It is the closest part of England to the [[Europe]]an mainland and, therefore, has been the most favoured point of arrival for visitors and invaders alike from before history. [[Julius Caesar]] landed there in 55 BC as did the Germanic invader/settlers, the [[Jutes]], Tradition has it that two Jutish brothers, Hengist and Horsa, settled there and founded the [[Kingdom]] of Kent with its capital at [[Canterbury]] in the 5th century AD. History is more complicated than tradition with evidence of Romano-British revival, traces of lingering Christianity and the survival in parts of Roman administrative divisions among the detritus of Germanic invaders and signs that the land was not always united during this shadowy era.
By the late 6th century, though, the Kingdom of Kent under Ӕthelbert, controlled much of southern England. It would be Bertha, Ӕthelbert 's Frankish [[Christian]] wife, who would welcome Saint Augustine of Canterbury in AD 597. The Kentish kings held overlordship of much of the island south of the [[River Humber]] for much of the 6th and 7th centuries .
Kent is known as 'the garden of England'.
Kent disappeared as an independent kingdom in 825 although it retained he prestige associated with the pre-eminence of the See of Canterbury. Canterbury is still central in the world-wide [[Anglican]] communion.
Today the ports of [[Dover UK|Dover]] and [[Folkestone]] are the main surface arrival and departure points for the country. As well as the ports, the [[Channel Tunnel]] appears above ground just north of Folkestone.
Kent has a relatively equable climate, has good soil and very little high ground to speak of. It is a well-known fruit and vegetable growing area and has excellent vineyards, earning it praise as "the garden of England".
''"The Oxford Companion to British History"'' 1997 pp 544/6
[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]]
''"Brewer's Britain and Ireland"'' 2005 pp 603/4
[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]][[Category:English History]]
Arms of Kent County Council, granted 17 October 1933
Kent (derivation from ancient Celtic is either "coastal district" or "land of armies" - the Romans called it Cantia.) is a county in the extreme south-east ofEngland. It is bounded on the north by the Thames Estuary, to the east and south by the English Channel to the west and north-west by Surrey, East Sussex and London.
It is the closest part of England to the European mainland and, therefore, has been the most favoured point of arrival for visitors and invaders alike from before history. Julius Caesar landed there in 55 BC as did the Germanic invader/settlers, the Jutes, Tradition has it that two Jutish brothers, Hengist and Horsa, settled there and founded the Kingdom of Kent with its capital at Canterbury in the 5th century AD. History is more complicated than tradition with evidence of Romano-British revival, traces of lingering Christianity and the survival in parts of Roman administrative divisions among the detritus of Germanic invaders and signs that the land was not always united during this shadowy era. By the late 6th century, though, the Kingdom of Kent under Ӕthelbert, controlled much of southern England. It would be Bertha, Ӕthelbert 's Frankish Christian wife, who would welcome Saint Augustine of Canterbury in AD 597. The Kentish kings held overlordship of much of the island south of the River Humber for much of the 6th and 7th centuries .
Kent disappeared as an independent kingdom in 825 although it retained he prestige associated with the pre-eminence of the See of Canterbury. Canterbury is still central in the world-wide Anglican communion.
Today the ports of Dover and Folkestone are the main surface arrival and departure points for the country. As well as the ports, the Channel Tunnel appears above ground just north of Folkestone.
''"The Oxford Companion to British History"'' 1997 pp 544/6 ''"Brewer's Britain and Ireland"'' 2005 pp 603/4
Retrieved from "https://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Kent&oldid=1273368"
United Kingdom Counties


text:
Defense Secretary Mattis to Stay on at Pentagon
'Work to be done,' defense chief's spokeswoman says
Secretary of Defense James Mattis / Getty Images
Bill Gertz - November 8, 2018 11:50 AM
Contradicting press reports, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has no plans to step down and leave the Trump administration following the midterm elections, his spokeswoman says.
"No. There is work to be done," Pentagon Press Secretary Dana White told the Washington Free Beacon when asked if Mattis plans to leave office at the halfway point in President Trump's first term. She did not elaborate.
Recent Stories in National Security
U.S. Navy 'Destroyed' Iranian Drone in Strait of Hormuz
Cotton Warns of Smartphone Privacy Concerns Amid 'FaceApp' News
Bi-Partisan Commission Detects Russian Misinformation Effort in Ukraine
Mattis is leading an effort within the Pentagon to reform the U.S. military with the goal of creating more lethal and agile forces.
The modernization includes a focus on high-technology weapons systems driven by artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, such as drones.
He is also managing policies and strategies related to the deployment of U.S. military forces battling terrorists around the world and directing the upgrading of American nuclear forces.
A combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mattis is one of Trump's most widely respected cabinet officials.
A former commander of the Central Command with wide experience in the Middle East, Mattis has extensive knowledge of military affairs and as defense secretary has rapidly shown new skills in the often difficult area of policy-making and politics that come with heading the Pentagon.
Trump was asked about staff and cabinet changes at a press conference Wednesday and noted that it is common for officials to depart administrations after two years. But he said he is was satisfied with his current group of top aides.
Hours after the comments, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he was retiring at Trump's request.
Sessions had come under fire from Trump for recusing himself from the Justice Department probe into Russian collusion during the 2016 election.
The recusal left Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in charge of the Russia probe. Rosenstein called for creation of the ongoing special counsel investigation led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last year.
"I'll tell you, there will be changes. Nothing monumental from that standpoint," Trump said.
"I think what I'll do is as we make changes, we'll sit down and talk to you about it," he said. "I mean, there's no great secret, a lot of administrations make changes after midterms."
But then he added: "I will say that, for the most part, I'm very, very happy with this cabinet. We're doing a great job."
Asked if White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, like Mattis a retired Marine Corps general, will be leaving, Trump said, "People leave. I haven't heard about John Kelly."
"But, no, people leave. They come in, they're here, it's a very exhausting job—although I love doing it, I must tell you—but it's exhausting for a lot of people," he said. "I'm surprised at a lot of people. They start off, they're young people, they're there for two years, and they're old by the time they leave."
Trump said he has many people lined up for every single position in the White House.
"Everybody wants to work in this White House," he said. "We are a hot country. This is a hot White House. We are a White House that people want to work with."
Trump also said that he planned to keep Vice President Mike Pence on as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election.
Speculation Mattis could leave the administration was fueled by comments from Trump during an interview last month.
The president was asked if Mattis planned to step down and said "Well, I don't know. He hasn't told me that."
"I have a very good relationship with him. I had lunch with him two days ago. … It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth. But Gen. Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington."
The question was prompted in part by a report in the Washington Post by journalist Bob Woodward, author of a book on the Trump administration, who asserted that Mattis has made disparaging comments about Trump.
Mattis issued a statement Sept. 4 denying Woodward's reporting, saying such comments were "never uttered by me or in my presence."
"While I generally enjoy reading fiction, this is a uniquely Washington brand of literature, and his anonymous sources do not lend credibility," he stated.
Mattis noted the policymaking is "inherently messy" and that he embraces debate and the open competition of ideas.
"In just over a year, these robust discussions and deliberations have yielded significant results, including the near annihilation of the ISIS caliphate, unprecedented burden sharing by our NATO allies, the repatriation of U.S. service member remains from North Korea, and the improved readiness of our armed forces," Mattis said.
"In serving in this administration, the idea that I would show contempt for the elected commander-in-chief, President Trump, or tolerate disrespect to the office of the president from within our Department of Defense, is a product of someone's rich imagination."
In remarks on defense policies at a think tank Oct. 30, Mattis identified Russia, Islamic terrorism, and China as the three most urgent priorities.
Mattis said he is opposed to overuse of the U.S. military as a tool of foreign policy, including against foreign terrorism because "you simply couldn't shoot your way out of this problem."
The defense secretary is grappling with the war in Afghanistan where U.S. military forces are trying to train an Afghan military to take over the security of the country in the face of the Islamist Taliban insurgency.
In Iraq, Mattis ordered a shift in strategy and tactics to oust Islamic State terrorists and in Syria, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have been doing most of the fighting against the Islamic State.
On Russia's violation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Mattis said successive administrations have spent 10 years trying unsuccessfully to press Moscow to end its violation—the deployment of the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise missile that violates the accord.
"What does it do to us in terms of military terms? I don't want to go into too much detail, but there are options, both symmetric and asymmetric, that are available," Mattis said, adding that Trump would decide what measures to take in response.
This entry was posted in National Security and tagged James Mattis, Trump Administration. Bookmark the permalink.
Bill Gertz is senior editor of the Washington Free Beacon. Prior to joining the Beacon he was a national security reporter, editor, and columnist for 27 years at the Washington Times. Bill is the author of seven books, four of which were national bestsellers. His most recent book was iWar: War and Peace in the Information Age, a look at information warfare in its many forms and the enemies that are waging it. Bill has an international reputation. Vyachaslav Trubnikov, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, once called him a "tool of the CIA" after he wrote an article exposing Russian intelligence operations in the Balkans. A senior CIA official once threatened to have a cruise missile fired at his desk after he wrote a column critical of the CIA's analysis of China. And China's communist government has criticized him for news reports exposing China's weapons and missile sales to rogue states. The state-run Xinhua news agency in 2006 identified Bill as the No. 1 "anti-China expert" in the world. Bill insists he is very much pro-China—pro-Chinese people and opposed to the communist system. Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld once told him: "You are drilling holes in the Pentagon and sucking out information." His Twitter handle is @BillGertz.
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Read our latest software review before you buy. This section of the website features reviews from different categories of software, including anti-virus, registry cleaners, anti-spyware, file recovery, password recovery, anti-malware, video convertors, MAC software and business applications.
Having trouble getting your business invoices paid? CollectPro Software helps your business to collect and manage inovices.
PC Health Advisor from ParetoLogic protects your computer from malware and also boosts operating system speed.


If you have an old log or fallen tree that beetles have chewed holes in, you already have a pre-made home for wood nesters. Drill a variety of 3/32" to 5/16" holes along the south facing side as deep as you can. However lacking an old 4 foot log, simply get a piece of wood. No, not treated wood. And as you are going erect it like a fence post, angle the drill holes upward so when it rains the bees home is safe and dry.
Another way to provide bee residences is to plant raspberry, blackberry or elderberry bushes, dogwood or boxelder as these have pithy stems. Each spring cut back new growth here and there so the interior of the stems are available for the wood.
Carpenter bees will leave your house alone if given a nice old dead tree. If you are fortunate enough to have a wooded area, leave that old felled tree and let them find homes in it.
For information on Blue Orchard Bees, and how to build a house for them, visit www.ces.ncsu.edu/.../Other/note109/note109.html . They have a nice design that is both attractive and functional.


Every contact that's in Táve has a field where you can set their wedding anniversary.
You can set up an automation to observe that date and then send a little email wishing the client a happy anniversary.
Another useful automation is one that actually sets this date on the contact's profile.


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@joshuad11- I agree it is public information but the skills needed to find it are "non-public"
@nigelhealy, is something like Icon Mini what you had in mind for a successor to the Nano?
@AnkerOfficial, what do these new speakers use for input?
The mini looks very much like the Anker Soundcore Sport. Wonder if it's replacing it.
I finally went and checked the Gizomodo article and unless Google Translate is way off, it is replacing the Soundcore Sport.
I'm sure it will be waterproof and connect to another Motion+ hopefully it comes with a hard case.
Wow. Everything looks very nice, especially Soundcore Icon Mini. It's very good speaker for hot summer days and to listen it on the beach!
The Soundcore Icon Mini is so darn cute!!!
Thanks @AnkerOfficial for once again including one of my posts in the Community Highlights, but it says you wrote it.
I'm a huge fan of larger Bluetooth speakers. I have several (did I say huge fan?) and love most of them. Unfortunately, sometimes one disappoints. How is the range of sound? It seems a lot of speakers sacrifice clarity to try and deliver deeper bass.


If you are experiencing problems with ear wax or blocked ears you may require ear syringing. However not everyone is suitable for ear sysringing and you must use ear drops and have an ear check first. Please click on the Ear Wax Patient Information guide below for full details.
Only patients suffering hearing loss, the sensation of blocked ears due to ear wax or tinnitus (without pain) should be follow the guidelines below.
We have a weekly Young Persons Drop-in Clinic every Wednesday from 16:00–18:00 for U25's. Simply arrive between 16:00 and 17:30, give your name at reception and you will be seen in turn.
These are the sorts of things you might like to discuss but anything goes!
Will you tell anyone that I'm here?
No. Every member of staff at the surgery has a duty of confidentiality. That means they won't tell anyone that you have come in or what you came in about. In very exceptional circumstances, if we thought you or someone else was at significant risk of harm, only then would we share information about you, but we would tell you first.
No. All doctors and nurses are trained to help all people, whoever they are.
Brook Sexual Health Services run a weekly drop-in at the Stennack Surgery every Monday 15:30-18:00 from the Community Rooms for Under 25's.
C-CARD is a confidential, free condom distribution scheme for young people living in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. The scheme aims to make condoms more accessible and gives young people support and information about sexual health and how to use a condom correctly. C-CARD enables and empowers young people to readily access support, advice and condoms from a number of different locations across the County.
If you need help and advice about health, wellbeing or everyday life (trust me, sometimes we all do) get savvy!
Anybody can drop-in with minor injuries at any time during these hours. You don't have to be a registered patient at the surgery.
(Non-injury related problems will require a pre-booked appointment and you should contact the surgery in advance).
The service allows anyone with a variety of injury conditions to gain immediate advice and treatment from our skilled team of Primary Care Practitioners (Nurse Practitioners & Paramedics), supported by a Duty Doctor.
ARE YOU A CARER? DO YOU LOOK AFTER SOMEONE WHO IS ILL, FRAIL, DISABLED OR MENTALLY ILL?
We are interested in identifying carers, especially those who may be caring without help or support. Carers are often "hidden", looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day-to-day tasks and may not identify themselves as a carer.
Caring for someone is an important and valuable role, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating.
As a carer, you are entitled to have your needs assessed by Adult Care Services. A carers assessment is a chance to talk about your needs and ways you could receive help. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. There is no charge for an assessment.
Today, people are living to far greater ages due to improved nutrition, living conditions and medical advances. However, a time comes when everyone has to face his or her mortality. When this is due to a progressive disease which is incurable we try to offer a medical service which is supportive to both the patient and family. Palliative care aims to provide relief from distressing symptoms, both physical and emotional, and wherever possible such professional carers, aids and appliances as will enable the patient to stay in their own homes if this is their wish.
To achieve this objective the primary care team can call upon expert help and advice from the Macmillan Nursing Service, a countywide team of specialist palliative care nurses, and the medical staff of our local hospice St Julia's in Hayle. Not only does this hospice provide beds where patients can stay while symptoms are treated, but it also provides short respite admissions to allow carers at home to have a break.
The medical staff are also available for domiciliary consultations. When a person dies, the primary care team is there to give practical and emotional support to the family. Local undertakers offer a professional and sympathetic service including advice on registration of deaths and arrangements of funeral services.
You may be asked by various commercial organisations e.g. insurance companies, or by government bodies, e.g. driving authorities, to have a medical examination. This is not a part of the GP's statutory duties & for this work either you or the requesting organisation will be charged accordingly. Please note Insurance medical examinations on patients who are registered with our Practice will not be completed by your usual GP, this is to avoid any conflict of interest in the report.
In addition to the above we charge for various other items including letters supporting appeals, private sick notes, and some travel vaccinations. Please refer to the notices in the waiting room or ask at reception for details.


Such a tempting picture, really looks spicy and delicious..i do prepare thogayal with chow chow but bit different..yummy dish..
hi chitra, nice! i like chow chow. and never had it in chutney form.
wow......looks yumm dear..tha too with rice .....it sounds delicious....sure will try.
thuvayal is the only thing I make and I love with chayote...looks yumm..
Look sso yummy....sounds gr8 wid rice.
Along with the ingredients you have mentioned, I add grated coconut too. And yours have got a gorgeous color.
Got to know much more about chow chow through ur KC.
Wow..that was so neat!Looks real tempting!
I always thought choc choc was a bland veg, but mad elike this it looks so delicous.
checked out ur ragi vermicelli dish dear. Simply superb!!!!!
Looks spicy and delicious....Never tried this ..its a new recipe to me.
This looks yummy and perfect for hot steamed rice.
Looks spicy and yummy....Never tried any recipes with chow chow...it is new to me.
looks delicious and yummy, dear....tempting clicks!
Never know a thogayal with chayote . Thanks dear. The health benefit inspires me to use it often. Thogayal looks so lovely.
Thogayal looks great and sounds a super hit dish Chitra. I always make only withthe peel and not the veggie as such. Will give this a try.
i always make kootu with chow chow.Thogayal is a nice variation.and looks very nice.Great click.
Chitra, plz accept the award I passed to you.
i have a recipe for the bombay sandwich!!
looks thick and creamy consistency; nice thuvayal with chow-chow!!
Looks so delicious and Yumm!
Voltei porque senti saudade do seu cantinho.
Que receita deliciosa e nutritiva... além de linda e apetitosa.
I never knew you could make a thogiyal with chow chow. Have used it only for curry and kootu. Will definitely try this sometime.
I didn't know you could make thoghiyal with chow chow. Only make kootu and curry. Will definitely try this one out.
I have a similar one in my space too. Love chayote in any form.
you made delicious creamy curry with chayote. Innovative!
Delicious and beautiful! I love this recipe.
nice one my fav like to eat with kootu..drop in sometime.
That looks so delicious and mouth watering, love the information you provide, i just read your profile and saw that your profession is cooking...are you a professional chef?
Thank u all dearies for ur encouraging words..
Sauting chayote only with oil or we have to boil it with water ?
Yes you should saute well till it cooks. No need to boil. If you want to reduce the oil, then you can boil with little water after sauting.