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Alameda County Supervisor
Fourth District
NATE MILEY
MEET NATE
Paid for by Nate Miley for Supervisor, FPPC ID #992285
MEET NATE MILEY
DELIVERING SERVICES TO DISTRICT FOUR COMMUNITIES
Nathan Miley was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in November 2000 and represents the communities of Oakland, Pleasanton and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, and Happy Valley. He was re-elected in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
While serving on the Board of Supervisors, Nate has demonstrated his commitment and passion for community engagement by hosting hundreds of meetings on several dozens of subjects throughout his district. Some of the major county initiatives Nate has led include authoring the Safe Medication Disposal ordinance, the first such ordinance in the nation to mandate product stewardship from pharmaceutical companies; the opening of Youth Uprising to enrich the lives of youth 13-24; spearheading the creation and construction of the Ashland REACH Youth Center; building a state-of-the-art homeless facility for families and those suffering with HIV/AIDS at the East Oakland Community Project; leading the campaign for Measure A for essential countywide healthcare funding, reauthorized in 2014; creating a countywide Violence Prevention Initiative; opening the state-of-the-art Castro Valley library; enacting a responsible Alcohol Education Ordinance, and bringing an unprecedented level of community engagement to the urban unincorporated area through the Eden Area Livability Initiative.
Previously, Nate served on the Oakland City Council representing the residents of District Six. In 1990, voters sent a message to city hall electing Nate to serve on the city council, unseating a two-term incumbent. Nate was a pioneer, embracing his community organizing background to proactively work with the community to make city hall accountable, effective and responsive to its residents. Challenging city hall from within, he quickly earned a reputation as a "maverick" who engaged the community and implemented policies to address some of the city's longest standing issues around problem liquor stores, blight, community policing, pedestrian safety and community development. And the voters of District Six were on his side, sending Nate back to city hall to represent them again in 1994 and 1998.
Throughout his career Nate has been a champion for seniors and disabled persons. In 1986, he and a dedicated group of Oakland seniors created the United Seniors of Oakland. A non-profit organization, United Seniors empowers older adults to improve their quality of life. While serving as Executive Director of the United Seniors and now as President of its Board, Nate advocates for those who do not often have a voice.
Nate earned his bachelor's degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate at the University of Maryland. Following law school, Nate moved to Oakland as a Jesuit Volunteer. Although he had planned to one day return to Maryland to be near his family and work for the federal government, he recognized the many challenges Oakland faced and decided to stay and become a community leader here. He has dedicated his entire adult life to community and public service. In 1976, he began community organizing while working for Oakland Community Organizations (OCO). Over the years, he has worked with many community groups as well as trained community organizers through the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs.
He is a proud father of a daughter and son and has lived in Oakland for over four decades. Nate brings with him a commitment and platform to improve transportation, reform healthcare and social services, and deliver public safety to his diverse constituents.


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Catherine Eileen James (1921 - 12 de agosto de 2012) fue una maestra galesa, quien junto a su marido Trefor Beasley, llevó a cabo una campaña de desobediencia civil en la década de 1950 contra el Consejo del Distrito Rural de Llanelli con una demanda para que las facturas de tarifas del consejo le incluyeran el idioma galés. Su postura ha llevado a los activistas de lengua galesa que la describieran como la "madre de la acción directa" y sus protestas dieron lugar a la creación del Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg.

Biografía
Catherine Eileen James nació en el año 1921. Asistió a la Universidad de Cardiff donde se convirtió en maestra. Conoció a Trefor en reuniones del Partido de Gales y se casaron el 31 de julio de 1951. Se mudaron a Llangennech cerca de Llano en 1952.

Eileen y su marido Trefor se convirtieron en activistas líderes por el derecho a utilizar el idioma galés en la década de 1950. Se negaron a pagar sus impuestos hasta que fueron escritos en galés, ya que sólo eran escritos en inglés. En la década de 1950 el idioma galés no tenía uso oficial en Gales: no había formas de organismos públicos que emitieran documentos en idioma galés y pocas señales de tráfico eran bilingües. Esta negativa llevó a la pareja ante los tribunales en 16 ocasiones durante el transcurso de 8 años, junto con muchas pertenencias personales arrebatadas por los oficiales de justicia. Después de numerosas apariciones en la corte, la pareja ganó la batalla en el año 1960, momento en que el consejo del distrito Llano acordó imprimir las facturas de impuestos bilingües en idiomas galés e inglés. Eileen y Trefor fueron elegidos como concejales en 1955 por el Partido de Gales para el consejo del distrito Llanelli. A Eileen Beasley se la conoce como la "madre de la acción directa" en Gales y la "Rosa Parks de Gales".

Eileen Beasley murió el 12 de agosto de 2012 debido a un cáncer de páncreas. Los activistas del lenguaje han dicho que el valor que tuvieron Eileen y Trefor inspiraron a una generación a asumir la lucha y condujo a hitos cruciales en la protección de la lengua galesa, como la creación de señales de tráfico S4C y bilingües.

Referencias

Fallecidos por cáncer de páncreas
Activistas por los derechos lingüísticos
Galesas del siglo XX
Galesas del siglo XXI
Profesores de Reino Unido
Alumnado de la Universidad de Cardiff
Fallecidos por cáncer en Reino Unido

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Our Vinyl Picket Fence collection offers a wide variety of colors and textures. We offer three styles of pickets: Closed-Top, Dog Eared, Gothic. Choose between the time-saving driven post method or traditional concrete fence post installation. Our Vinyl Picket Fences are available in 3-foot, 4-foot and 5-foot heights.
Select your Vinyl Picket Fence style below to access our Fence Estimation Form. The form will allow you to choose a color, height, post installation method, and configure number of posts, gates and additional options to get an estimate for your new fence.


text:
Q: Where do I put my sqlite db file so my jar can access it? How does this affect the connection string? I'm using Ant to build and run my simple java program, but am fairly shaky on how my file hierarchy is supposed to be laid out so that the program can access and modify a sqlite db file.
I have heard that I cannot include the db file in the jar, as that will cause it to become read only.  My only other guess is to put it somewhere relative to the jar file (preferably the same directory?) but I'm not sure what to do to my ant build.xml file to reflect this when I execute 'ant run', nor am I sure how this modifies the jdbc connection string.
My current jdbc connection code:
logger.debug("Setting up database connection");
Class.forName("org.sqlite.JDBC");
dbConnection = DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:sqlite:images.db");

My ant build.xml
<project name="Maower" basedir="." default="main">
    <property name="src.dir" value="src"/>
    <property name="build.dir" value="build"/>
    <property name="classes.dir" value="${build.dir}/classes"/>
    <property name="jar.dir" value="${build.dir}/jar"/>
    <property name="lib.dir" value="lib"/>
    <property name="log.dir" value="log"/>

    <property name="main-class" value="good.maower.Maower"/>

    <path id="classpath">
        <fileset dir="${lib.dir}" includes="**/*.jar"/>
        <fileset dir="${src.dir}" includes="**/*.properties"/>
    </path>

    <target name="clean">
        <delete dir="${build.dir}"/>
    </target>

    <target name="compile">
        <mkdir dir="${classes.dir}"/>
        <javac srcdir="${src.dir}" destdir="${classes.dir}" classpathref="classpath" includeantruntime="false"/>
        <copy todir="${classes.dir}" overwrite="true">
            <fileset dir="${src.dir}" includes="**/*.properties"/>
        </copy>
    </target>

    <target name="jar" depends="compile">
        <mkdir dir="${jar.dir}"/>
        <jar destfile="${jar.dir}/${ant.project.name}.jar" basedir="${classes.dir}">
            <manifest>
                <attribute name="Main-Class" value="${main-class}"/>
            </manifest>
        </jar>
    </target>

    <target name="run" depends="jar, input-runargs">
        <java fork="true" classname="${main-class}">
            <classpath>
                <path refid="classpath"/>
                <path location="${jar.dir}/${ant.project.name}.jar"/>
            </classpath>
            <arg line="${args}"/>
        </java>
    </target>

    <target name="input-runargs" unless="args" description="Ensures that subscriber email addresses are specified in command line arguments">
        <input addProperty="args" message="List subscribers: "/>
    </target>

    <target name="clean-build" depends="clean,jar"/>

    <target name="main" depends="clean,jar"/>

</project>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Award winning British Singer Songwriter and Broadcaster Muyiwa Olarewaju has formed an exciting new partnership with UV Talent Agency!
An experienced performer, broadcaster and presenter, Muyiwa occupies a unique space as a leading Gospel artist in the UK, and the next few years will see Muyiwa's brand expand even further under the new partnership.
As a broadcaster, Muyiwa is known for his late-night show on London's Premier Christian Radio, which has an audience of 1.3 million listeners nationwide, in addition he is also Station Director of Premier Gospel. As a performer, Muyiwa has managed to blaze trails and defy odds when it comes to national and international success for UK Gospel Artists. Muyiwa became the first-ever international act to perform on America's popular entertainment channel, BET, for the prestigious annual Celebration Of Gospel show in 2009. With his group Riversongz he sold out Indigo2 at the O2 in London, and Evetim Apollo with 5000 people, becoming the first UK Gospel act to do so. He has played at the largest gospel music event in the world, The Experience, attracting a 500,000 strong audience. Muyiwa is the presenter of the Turning Point programme to an estimated global audience of 70 million, and Sounds of Africa plus Jewels of Africa on Airlines like Lufthansa, Kenyan and more. Muyiwa is also a judge on BBC's hit show Songs of Praise – Gospel Choir of the Year.
UV Talent was featured in national headlines recently after their house Gospel choir performed with Mariah Carey throughout her UK Christmas Tour. In addition to being the booking agent for University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY), the company has an impressive list of Corporate, Gospel and mainstream music clients, including TV show's such as The Voice, X Factor and Britain's Got Talent whom they have worked with for almost a decade. UV Talent is excited to be working with Muyiwa and continuing to build on his impressive foundation by handling his upcoming bookings and partnerships.
In addition to continuing his work in broadcasting and regularly performing, Muyiwa is currently working on some exciting new projects to be revealed soon, including new music, his first release since Eko Ile in 2016.
Who Will Win The Gospel Category In 'BORA Awards 2017'?


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Alejandro Glaría (born 25 August 1970) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a forward for clubs of Argentina, Chile and Mexico.

Career
 Kimberley 1988
 San Miguel 1989–1990
 Santiago Wanderers 1990–1991
 Universidad Católica 1992
 Alianza Lima 1992
 Coquimbo Unido 1993
 Cobreloa 1994–1996
 Banfield 1996–1998
 Pachuca 1998–2000
 Puebla 2000
 Pumas UNAM 2001
 Chiapas 2002
 Tapachula 2003
 Talleres de Còrdoba 2003

External links

1970 births
Living people
Argentine footballers
Association football forwards
Chilean Primera División players
Liga MX players
Club Atlético Banfield footballers
Talleres de Córdoba footballers
C.F. Pachuca players
Club Puebla players
Club Universidad Nacional footballers
Chiapas F.C. footballers
Santiago Wanderers footballers
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica footballers
Coquimbo Unido footballers
Cobreloa footballers
Argentine expatriate footballers
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Chile
Expatriate footballers in Chile
Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Mexico
Expatriate footballers in Mexico


This award-winning investigative series goes undercover to expose the secret underbelly of Asia and its sprawling economy. The region is awash in stories of crime, violence and injustice. The producers of this series go to extreme lengths to expose slave trades in Korea, reveal the secret organ trade in the Philippines, and bring the multibillion dollar blood jade industry into the light of day.


Thanks for the announcement, and for keeping the forums up!
It appears in a bad Canadian WW1 movie called "Passchendaele" (like the battle).
It might have gotten hit by an artillery shell; that happens sometimes.
More worrying than that, what's with the oversized headgear in the first screenshot?


Today's decisions deserve tomorrow's insights. Let's work together to address the world's most pressing health challenges.
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Accelerate targeted and effective therapies; take time and cost out of the clinical development process.
Using Watson cognitive APIs –some purpose-built for healthcare as HIPAA and GXP enabled–Watson Health and partners are making a difference with new solutions for health today.


Discussion in 'Create-A-Card' started by Origins, Jul 11, 2008.
The defending pokemons now paralized. If the defending pokemon was paralized last turn, this attack does nothing.
It just does not seem to make sense.
I think its that whenever Ash goes somewhere, or at least in Kanto and Johto, he happened to get all 3 of the starters.


text:
Holmesdale School: Pupils Failed Yet Again
Follow up article on new serious issues here
Holmesdale school families have been failed by Kent County Council and the school's governors and leaders ever since the Ofsted Report of March 2014 found the school to be Good. Since then the school went into a spiral of decline up to and after it was placed in Special Measures by Ofsted in February 2018, which I explored in detail in a previous article here. My analysis included critical areas of decline over the interim that should have alerted KCC to the problem, but they failed to act and pupils' futures were sacrificed. Following the Ofsted Inspection the Regional School Commissioner (RSC) placed an Academy Order on the school naming Swale Academies Trust (SAT) as the preferred sponsor.
Subsequently, the school had an Ofsted Monitoring Inspection in July which found that 'leaders and managers are not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures'. Unsurprisingly, the Provisional 2018 GCSE results showed that Progress 8, the key government measure of performance, was -0.86, officially 'well below average' and the second worst in the county. Amongst then many issues identified, The Ofsted Report refers to major concerns with persistent absence, hardly surprising perhaps with the poor quality of education being offered. These are amongst the factors I identified leading up to the Special Measures finding. Most shockingly, Holmesdale had lost 34% of its Year 7 roll by the time they reached Year 11, by some way the highest figure in the county. The headteacher has chosen to leave at short notice, for Christmas, and there are reports of severe staff shortages for January.
Also, since February 2018 there has been unacceptable wrangling between KCC and various other bodies over who should supply school improvement support, which was only resolved at the end of November, so that the school was left rudderless in between and went downhill further. There is considerable risk to the school with still falling numbers and Swale Academies Trust will have to work hard to make the school once again financially viable by attracting pupils. .
Brook Learning Trust (BLT)
BLT was engaged by KCC to offer support for the school even before the February Ofsted Inspection which acknowledges that BLT, itself underperforming according to a variety of measures, had accurately identified inadequacies in leadership, teaching and pupils' outcomes, but appeared unable to report on any outcomes. The July Monitoring Visit reported they had departed and noted that 'The impact of external support has been variable', hardly a ringing endorsement of the work of BLT, which members of staff considered had made little if any difference to activity in the school.
Inspection and Monitoring Reports
The two Ofsted Reports are scathing about the leadership and governance of the school in various places. In February: 'Leaders have not acted effectively to secure an acceptable quality of education for pupils. Pupils do not achieve the standards they are capable of. Leaders at all levels are not held to account for the impact of their work. They do not check to see what difference their actions make'. Yet KCC chose to take no action in the interests of the pupils to address this crisis directly. On lack of progress in July: 'The primary reason for this is weak capacity in the leadership of the school at middle and senior leadership levels'.
The Monitoring Inspection reported the school's own perception of how GCSE performance was going: 'According to the school's own information, since the previous inspection, there have been improvements in the progress pupils are making. However, the school has not yet done enough to shore up assessment processes, so they are reliable. The school's own information indicates that results for the current Year 11 will be better than last year's GCSE results'. This was written shortly after those same GCSEs were taken. How wrong can you be! Both Progress 8 and Attainment 8 GCSE outcomes fell further on 2017 performance, Progress 8 to become second worst in the county (fourth worst in 2017). Yet still KCC took no effective action in the interests of pupils, to tackle this crisis.
In my previous article, I looked at the data that should have alerted KCC to the breakdown in the school, beginning with: '34%, or over one third of the current Year Eleven cohort left or were taken away from the school since joining it in Year 7. This is by some way the highest figure in Kent, second being Ebbsfleet Academy with 24%, after which percentages fall away fast'. Coincidentally Ebbsfleet is run by Brook Learning Trust. The Monitoring Report records that: Figures provided by the school show that over this academic year attendance has not improved and persistent absence has increased. The headteacher has not had the capacity to identify and analyse some patterns in pupils' absences suggested by recent attendance figures'. Take up of Year 7 places in September 2017 at 45%, was the second lowest in Kent which had fallen further four months later, and first preferences for admission in September 2019 have fallen yet again to just 62 for the 180 places.
Three Deputy Headteachers are also reported to have left the school since February.
And then there is the GCSE performance! You will find historic data here.
When the school was placed in Special Measures, the school was served with an Academy Order, Swale Academies Trust (SAT) being identified as the preferred Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) to take it on as an academy. By then KCC had already identified and installed BLTto provide school Improvement, setting up a potential conflict between the two organisations. When they were removed in June, KCC could presumably and in my view should have gone back to SAT, but instead decided to look more widely to commission new support for September (ref Monitoring Report). Several Trusts including SAT were reported to be under consideration. However, no one was found suitable for this school in crisis although SAT was an obvious choice. According to the Monitoring Report:'In the interim period, assistance has been provided by the local authority adviser. His regular and frequent visits have helped associate leaders in preparing new approaches to teaching which will be ready to launch at the start of the next academic year'. It is not clear what effect this actually had, and the school appears to have been going backward in September, from comments received. Certainly, after that little appeared to happen to support a school in desperate need of help, and staff continued to leave. I have been sent a cache of emails between SAT and KCC, following an FOI request which I was encouraged to seek. I plan use this to form the substance of a future article as together they paint a dreadful picture of the reasons why the school and its pupils were hung out to dry for a further six months.
Having apparently opposed the appointment of SAT for the whole of this period, eventually KCC appears to have given in eventually and invited Swale Academies Trust to take over provision of school Improvement work, which began as late as 26th November, less than a month before the end of term. By now, teacher departures which have not been replaced amount to nine vacancies for January, yet another crisis for the school and its children, although SAT is large enough to redeploy staff from other schools in the short term to fill these temporarily, but was prevented from doing so by KCC. .
This situation has all the hallmarks of another school in a downward spiral, similar to those of Chaucer Technology College and Pent Valley Secondary. Both were also the responsibility of KCC who failed to spot their decline, and both now closed and are being replaced by new schools. Coincidentally, SAT was brought in to try and save both, but in effect delivered the last rites on the two schools. However, this is unlikely to happen for Holmesdale, as it is part of the Private Finance Initiative, and so would incur massive costs amidst legal issues, see below.
Three years ago, when Swadelands School, now renamed the Lenham School, also crashed from Good to Special Measures, I wrote about a report in which 'Senior leaders, governors and the local authority have all held an unrealistic view of the effectiveness of the school' that this 'also underlined the weakness at KCC's Secondary Advisory Service'. Clearly nothing has changed.
Private Finance Initiative
Under PFI, the premises of Holmesdale are owned by Kent Education Partnership, a fine sounding name for a Private Company, 50% owned by Bbgi Investments S.c.a. whose Registered Address is in Luxembourg (Offshore tax haven). The other 50% is owned by Infrared Capital Partners (Management) LLP, whose name and address appear in the Panama Papers (Shepway Vox).
Back in 2013, I published an article explaining the problems of PFI schools becoming academies, in that they left KCC holding the enormous long term debt incurred by their creation without any oversight of the institution. The figures quoted by Shepway Vox are eye-watering, with £200 million paid to the contractors for Kent's 11 PFI school between 2010 and 2018 (more previously), and at least £400 million still owing. There will also be considerable issues with premises ownership, which lie with the PFI contractor, who will have no educational interest in resolving difficulties, instead being driven by profit and security of their investment. My original article was precipitated by KCC allowing what is now Ebbsfleet Academy to academise without a fuss. I had been lobbying extensively for some time time, seemingly alone, with KCC finally accepting my view and refusing to allow any of the others to become academies in a stand-off that still exists.
So, when Swale Academies Trust, upon taking control of The North School, Ashford stated in 2016 that it would become an academy it is not a surprise that no progress appears to have been made. Now, it has lost a government grant for £80,000 for converting a failing school to an academy, as The North has a Good Ofsted Report. The same article in Schoolsweek, in September this year, quotes KCC as saying:' Kent council said the PFI contracts at both schools predated academy legislation and "do not lend themselves to the conversion process", adding the issues potentially left the council facing an "unacceptable and significant risk"'. Similarly, when Holmesdale submitted an application in 2011 at a time when it was a highly successful school, this made no progress.
The new twist now is that Holmesdale is under an Academy Order, so government requires it to academise (as presumably The North did in its turn), but without legal and financial assurances to KCC and presumably the offshore finance company that owns the premises, it is difficult to visualise the next step.
Swale Academies Trust and its CEO, Jon Whitcombe – a National Leader of Education, do have a ruthless approach to sorting out issues with schools in difficulty, which can be very painful (and indeed I have been highly critical of its methods myself). However, the Trust's record at turning schools round is undeniably strong as evidenced by recent Ofsted Reports on: Beaver Green Primary, South Borough Primary, Meopham School, The North School, Regis Manor School, The Whitstable School, Westlands Primary School and Sittingbourne Community College.
It will certainly bring in new staff to strengthen current provision, but faces a difficult time with low and falling school numbers leading to a weak financial situation. The PFI status may keep the school open (as distinct from Chaucer and Pent Valley) but there are worrying counter examples such as those quoted in an article in Private Eye on PFI Ghost schools, which show how difficult the whole situation can become.
Swale Academies Trust has appointed an Executive Headteacher and a school Headteacher, both with the support of the Interim Executive Body and both against KCC attempts to thwart them. The Executive Head is Seamus Murphy, currently Executive Head across several SAT secondary schools, and the Interim Headteacher is Nicki Hodges, who has recently carried out a similar role at The North School, Ashford for SAT. A letter from the Chairman of Governors announcing the departure of the headteacher, Mrs Tina Bissett and the appointment of Ms Hodges, was sent home to parents on 12th December, otherwise parents have been give no information on the events of the past year in letters home.
At the very least, the last eleven months of indecision and failure to protect the education of the pupils currently at the school, should now come to an end.
In any case, Kent County Council needs to analyse why its School Improvement Service and decision making process have failed so badly in this case.
Holmesdale
Special Measures
Meopham School Outstanding Ofsted - And then there is Holmesdale
Inspire Special Free School, Chatham - Medway's only Free School, in Special Measures
Academy controversy at Twydall Primary; links with Gordon Federation
Two important OFSTED monitoring Reports out today, heading in very different directions: Charles Dickens Secondary and Stansted CofE Primary
Kings Farm Primary OFSTED Inspection: Special Measures and investigations into 'wrongdoing'
More in this category: « Kent and Medway School Appeal Outcomes: 2018 Exclusions Kent and Medway 2017-18 »
Comment Link	Saturday, 12 January 2019 19:51 posted by	Julia James
Incredible. Surely KCC should be making every effort to make up for its failures at Holmesdale. However, it clearly does not have staff with the ability to cope with a crisis. The lead officer's biography reads '... joined Kent County Council in 1982 after a variety of jobs whilst at university. He has worked in a number of roles within Corporate Finance, Social Services and Education Finance. He is CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) qualified'.
In other words, another accountant with no relevant experience making poor education decisions.
Comment Link	Monday, 31 December 2018 10:44 posted by	Sheila White
What a disgrace. Where do concerned parents turn to. No accountability for Local Authority schools in spite of claims by Anti-Academy groups to the converse, and no accountability for Academies if schools convert.
Comment Link	Monday, 31 December 2018 08:41 posted by	Janet Downs
The poor support provided by Kent should surely have triggered an Ofsted inspection of the LA's school improvement service.
But that hasn't happened. And it appears Ofsted inspections of local authority school improvement services has ceased. The last ones were done in 2016.
In October 2018, the DfE withdrew its guidance for inspecting LA arrangements for school support as 'it no longer reflects current policy'. This is not acceptable.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/framework-for-the-inspection-of-local-authority-arrangements-for-supporting-school-improvement--2. PETER: Thanks as always Janet for your incisive comment and information, which surprised me. The link provides no clue as to why government no longer considers this important. Holmesdale suggests it is necessary for, as with so much of academy policy, it removes another level of accountability.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
David Brooks, the Times, and well-deserved rudeness » « If you're wondering what the obstacle to change in the atheist movement might be, here it is
Challenge is one thing, stacking the deck is another
The creationists are playing legalistic games again.
Policymakers in the United States are pushing to give the public more power to influence what educators teach students. Last week, Florida's legislature started considering two related bills that, if enacted, would let residents recommend which instructional materials teachers in their school district use in their classrooms.
The bills build on a law enacted in June 2017, which enables any Florida resident to challenge the textbooks and other educational tools used in their district as being biased or inaccurate. In the five months after the state's governor approved the law, residents filed at least seven complaints, including two that challenge the teaching of evolution and human-driven climate change, according to the Associated Press.
What do the creationists think this bill accomplishes? They can "challenge" science teachers right now, and they can recommend instructional materials. Go ahead. Disagree with me. Send me Chick tracts and tell me to replace my textbooks with those. You can do that! I'd find it very entertaining. I'd put it in my promotion review file for my colleagues to chortle over, and it would be helpful to me. But otherwise, you can challenge all you want, but I'm just going to ignore you.
What the bill actually does is increase the nuisance value of creationists and create additional costs for Florida schools.
With the law now in place, any county resident — not just any parent with a child in the country's public schools, as was the case previously — can now file a complaint about instructional materials in the county's public schools, and the school will now have to appoint a hearing officer to hear the complaint.
This is a law that enables teacher harassment. Nothing else. It's not going to change the science at all, it's just going to allow ignorant people to meddle in education — precisely the wrong people to empower.
Now I'd like to know more about this "hearing officer". If it's a guy with a wastebasket who sits in a room shuffling complaints to their appropriate destination, that's just a waste of time and money; if it's a guy who actually has some power to punish or otherwise affect teachers, then it's a poison to education.
Good oportunity to sugest the "Ainulindalë" to be instructional material, while starting school debates about "God" being in truth the fallen "vala" previously knowed has Melkor: Morgoth Bauglir; while Eru Iluvatar (the True God) chills out in the Timeless Halls.
Or better still suggest we instill Codex Regius into our schools. In ON of course. Let our children learn to differentiate between fornyrðislag and ljóðaháttr.
Anyone who wants to follow this serial debacle in more detail should bookmark the Florida Citizens for Science blog: FCS Communications Director Brandon Haught does an excellent job in tracking the shenanigans of the (teabagger-dominated) Florida legislature and the wingnut Florida Citizens' Alliance which seems to have taken control of both chambers on school issues.
Yes, opportunities for resistance do exist, in every county…
As for … I'd like to know more about this "hearing officer". – wouldn't we all.
The (carefully?) sloppily-written law providing for such hearing officers does not specify their requisites or powers, except that they give reports to school boards, and provides no statewide mechanism for recording their activities, so all this will be worked out on the ground depending on the respective leverage of the pro- and anti-science groups in 67 counties.
The thoroughly-Republican "Citizens Alliance" leadership, which claims to have written the bills passed by the state legislature last year, has of course offered its membership to serve as "hearing officers" wherever needed.
Crimson Clupeidae says
I suspect other right wing subjects might be involved here as well (economics, social theories, etc.), so at least the science teachers will have some new people to share the laughs.
Marissa van Eck says
This system is ripe for destruction from within, in much the way the Satanic Temple was able to get a statue of Baphomet erected.
Simply have a bunch of rational people flood the system with their own requests for review. Real ones, not fake ones. At some point, this will amount to a DDoS attack, and the system will either shut down, or will start filtering requests in a way that reveals the obvious bias behind its creation in the first place, at which point they are wide open for lawsuits.
Take the system down from within, is what I mean. Follow the letter of the law, not the (evil) spirit.
zetopan says
"… if it's a guy who actually has some power to punish or otherwise affect teachers, then it's a poison to education."
"if"? Since poisoning education is the ultimate creationist goal there is no actual question involved.
Yes to the DDoS approach. Break the system using the law and force the law out.


Okay, so we've talked about my salsa fresca before. It's one of my many "throw a bunch of things into a food processor or blender and put some hurt on it" family of sauces and dressings. What's not to like, right?
Cowboy caviar (or Texas caviar, or simply black bean and corn salsa) can be as wet or as dry as you want it. Trader Joe's sells a version that has a good amount of juicy stuff in it, so it's more like a "salsa that you'd dip stuff into". Mine is much drier – I'd consider it more of a salad than a salsa. I also consider it tasty and easy, and kind of a crazy good addition to an omelet, if that's your thing.
Mince your garlic and cilantro.
Dice your tomato and onion.
Combine all that in a bowl, drizzle with oil and lime juice.
… no seriously, that's it. Grab some chips and get medieval. Or make it a component in your burrito or burrito bowl. Or make some heckin' good huevos rancheros.
I've been known to just throw it on some cottage cheese with some diced avocado and hot sauce, and just gleefully cram it in my face.


text:
Orus de Milet, en llatí Orus, en grec antic , fou un gramàtic grec que va viure al . Aquest personatge és probablement el mateix que un gramàtic que Suides esmenta com Orus () nadiu d'Alexandria, però que va ensenyar a Bizanci o Constantinoble, i que assenyala com a autor de . Aquestes obres serien en realitat d'Orus de Milet, però la biografia es confon amb la del gramàtic Orió d'Alexandria.

Per altres fonts es coneixen més obres d'Orus de Milet:
 Comentari d'ortografia d'Eli Herodià.
 Tractat d'ortografia en ordre alfabètic. Els títols que Suides menciona, , serien parts d'aquesta obra.
 , Sobre els pobles.
 , Sobre el temps
 , Sobre els enclítics
 , Sobre les paraules polisèmiques
 , Sobre l'experiència

 , probablement és una obra d'Eli Herodià que se li atribueix.

Podria ser autor d'altres tractats, segons sembla indicar Suides, però no se'n coneix ni tan sols el títol.

Referències

Gramàtics de la Grècia romana
Lingüistes asiàtics
Escriptors milesis
Escriptors grecs de l'antiga Àsia Menor


text:
Tony C Miller
Aurora "Conqueror" (Kenny McCracken, dir.)
By Chloe Page on February 23, 2016 @ 7:15am PST
Nero "Into the Night" (Markus Lundqvist, dir.)
Here's one for all you Akira fans...
By Steven Gottlieb on December 2, 2015 @ 9:14am PST
Nero "The Thrill'" (Markus Lundqvist, dir.)
Markus Lundqvist makes something dark and glitchy for Nero's latest, 'The Thrill'.
By Naomi George on May 11, 2015 @ 1:00pm PDT
Marina and the Diamonds "Forget" (Markus Lundqvist, dir.)
Marina Diamandis showcases two sides to her in his straight-up performance clip...
By 582931954@facebook582931954@facebook on March 5, 2015 @ 9:00am PST
The Saturdays "Gentlemen" (Trudy Bellinger, dir.)
The Saturdays - Gentleman
Video of The Saturdays - Gentleman
A good man is hard to find. So, you might be better off finding yourself. Even if that sounds like an invitation to masturbation, this video has Brit girl group The Saturdays playing dual roles as Desperate Housewives and Boorish Husbands who turn out to be perfect couples.
By Steven Gottlieb on May 24, 2013 @ 4:00am PDT


I love asparagus-and it seems like I'm always trying to find new ways to serve it. This is a great recipe if you want a sauce, but not something with cheese. The citrus flavor with the bite of the chive petals go well with grilled meats and seafood. If you are looking for a variety of ways to cook asparagus, take a look at this Bon Appetit article that contains links for tips on prepping the vegetables, serving with a Parmesan vinaigrette, and my personal favorite, roasting.
In a small saucepan on medium heat, bring the orange juice to a simmer and cook until reduced by half (about 3-5 minutes). Whisk in the butter, a cube at a time.
To trim your asparagus, cut off about 1 inch from the bottom, then get a veggie peeler and lightly peel the bottom half of the spears. You don't want to press too much and take off more than you need to, but a light peel will do nicely.
Steam the asparagus in a basket steamer until bright green and tender, about 3-5 minutes.
When it is time to serve, divide the asparagus among the plates and then spoon about 1 Tbsp of the sauce over top, sprinkling with some of the chive flower petals.


text:
P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading
T. Kimura, N. Ozaki, T. Sano, T. Okuchi, T. Sano, K. Shimizu, K. Miyanishi, T. Terai, T. Kakeshita, Y. Sakawa, R. Kodama
Pressure, density, and temperature data for H2O were obtained up to 260 GPa by using laser-driven shock compression technique. The shock compression technique combined with the diamond anvil cell was used to assess the equation of state models for the P-ρ-T conditions for both the principal Hugoniot and the off-Hugoniot states. The contrast between the models allowed for a clear assessment of the equation of state models. Our P-ρ-T data totally agree with those of the model based on quantum molecular dynamics calculations. These facts indicate that this model is adopted as the standard for modeling interior structures of Neptune, Uranus, and exoplanets in the liquid phase in the multi-Mbar range.
Dive into the research topics of 'P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Equation of State Chemical Compounds 100%
shock Physics & Astronomy 66%
Diamond Chemical Compounds 40%
lasers Physics & Astronomy 37%
Molecular Dynamics Chemical Compounds 31%
Pressure Chemical Compounds 24%
Uranus (planet) Physics & Astronomy 24%
Kimura, T., Ozaki, N., Sano, T., Okuchi, T., Sano, T., Shimizu, K., Miyanishi, K., Terai, T., Kakeshita, T., Sakawa, Y., & Kodama, R. (2015). P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading. Journal of Chemical Physics, 142(16), [164504]. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919052
P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading. / Kimura, T.; Ozaki, N.; Sano, T.; Okuchi, T.; Sano, T.; Shimizu, K.; Miyanishi, K.; Terai, T.; Kakeshita, T.; Sakawa, Y.; Kodama, R.
In: Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 142, No. 16, 164504, 28.04.2015.
Kimura, T, Ozaki, N, Sano, T, Okuchi, T, Sano, T, Shimizu, K, Miyanishi, K, Terai, T, Kakeshita, T, Sakawa, Y & Kodama, R 2015, 'P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading', Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 142, no. 16, 164504. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919052
Kimura T, Ozaki N, Sano T, Okuchi T, Sano T, Shimizu K et al. P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading. Journal of Chemical Physics. 2015 Apr 28;142(16). 164504. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4919052
Kimura, T. ; Ozaki, N. ; Sano, T. ; Okuchi, T. ; Sano, T. ; Shimizu, K. ; Miyanishi, K. ; Terai, T. ; Kakeshita, T. ; Sakawa, Y. ; Kodama, R. / P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading. In: Journal of Chemical Physics. 2015 ; Vol. 142, No. 16.
@article{bcdac275e471429f82bcbad9dd7ea7f1,
title = "P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading",
abstract = "Pressure, density, and temperature data for H2O were obtained up to 260 GPa by using laser-driven shock compression technique. The shock compression technique combined with the diamond anvil cell was used to assess the equation of state models for the P-ρ-T conditions for both the principal Hugoniot and the off-Hugoniot states. The contrast between the models allowed for a clear assessment of the equation of state models. Our P-ρ-T data totally agree with those of the model based on quantum molecular dynamics calculations. These facts indicate that this model is adopted as the standard for modeling interior structures of Neptune, Uranus, and exoplanets in the liquid phase in the multi-Mbar range.",
author = "T. Kimura and N. Ozaki and T. Sano and T. Okuchi and T. Sano and K. Shimizu and K. Miyanishi and T. Terai and T. Kakeshita and Y. Sakawa and R. Kodama",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.",
T1 - P - ρ - T measurements of H2O up to 260 GPa under laser-driven shock loading
AU - Kimura, T.
AU - Ozaki, N.
AU - Sano, T.
AU - Okuchi, T.
AU - Shimizu, K.
AU - Miyanishi, K.
AU - Terai, T.
AU - Kakeshita, T.
AU - Sakawa, Y.
AU - Kodama, R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
N2 - Pressure, density, and temperature data for H2O were obtained up to 260 GPa by using laser-driven shock compression technique. The shock compression technique combined with the diamond anvil cell was used to assess the equation of state models for the P-ρ-T conditions for both the principal Hugoniot and the off-Hugoniot states. The contrast between the models allowed for a clear assessment of the equation of state models. Our P-ρ-T data totally agree with those of the model based on quantum molecular dynamics calculations. These facts indicate that this model is adopted as the standard for modeling interior structures of Neptune, Uranus, and exoplanets in the liquid phase in the multi-Mbar range.
AB - Pressure, density, and temperature data for H2O were obtained up to 260 GPa by using laser-driven shock compression technique. The shock compression technique combined with the diamond anvil cell was used to assess the equation of state models for the P-ρ-T conditions for both the principal Hugoniot and the off-Hugoniot states. The contrast between the models allowed for a clear assessment of the equation of state models. Our P-ρ-T data totally agree with those of the model based on quantum molecular dynamics calculations. These facts indicate that this model is adopted as the standard for modeling interior structures of Neptune, Uranus, and exoplanets in the liquid phase in the multi-Mbar range.


text:
package org.ethereum.core;

import org.apache.commons.collections4.BidiMap;
import org.apache.commons.collections4.bidimap.DualTreeBidiMap;
import org.ethereum.db.ByteArrayWrapper;
import org.ethereum.facade.Blockchain;
import org.ethereum.facade.Repository;
import org.ethereum.listener.EthereumListener;
import org.ethereum.manager.WorldManager;
import org.ethereum.net.BlockQueue;
import org.ethereum.util.AdvancedDeviceUtils;
import org.ethereum.vm.*;
import org.slf4j.Logger;
import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
import org.spongycastle.util.encoders.Hex;

import java.math.BigInteger;
import java.util.*;

import static org.ethereum.config.SystemProperties.CONFIG;
import static org.ethereum.core.Denomination.SZABO;

/**
 * The Ethereum blockchain is in many ways similar to the Bitcoin blockchain,
 * although it does have some differences.
 *
 * The main difference between Ethereum and Bitcoin with regard to the blockchain architecture
 * is that, unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum blocks contain a copy of both the transaction list
 * and the most recent state. Aside from that, two other values, the block number and
 * the difficulty, are also stored in the block.
 *
 * The block validation algorithm in Ethereum is as follows:
 *

 *
Check if the previous block referenced exists and is valid.

 *
Check that the timestamp of the block is greater than that of the referenced previous block and less than 15 minutes into the future

 *
Check that the block number, difficulty, transaction root, uncle root and gas limit (various low-level Ethereum-specific concepts) are valid.

 *
Check that the proof of work on the block is valid.

 *
Let S[0] be the STATE_ROOT of the previous block.

 *
Let TX be the block's transaction list, with n transactions.
 * 	For all in in 0...n-1, set S[i+1] = APPLY(S[i],TX[i]).
 * If any applications returns an error, or if the total gas consumed in the block
 * up until this point exceeds the GASLIMIT, return an error.

 *
Let S_FINAL be S[n], but adding the block reward paid to the miner.

 *
Check if S_FINAL is the same as the STATE_ROOT. If it is, the block is valid; otherwise, it is not valid.

 *

 * See Ethereum Whitepaper
 *
 * www.ethereumJ.com
 * @author Roman Mandeleil,
 *           Nick Savers
 * Created on: 20/05/2014 10:44
 */
public class BlockchainImpl implements Blockchain {

	private static final Logger logger = LoggerFactory.getLogger("blockchain");
	private static final Logger stateLogger = LoggerFactory.getLogger("state");

	// to avoid using minGasPrice=0 from Genesis for the wallet
	private static final long INITIAL_MIN_GAS_PRICE = 10 * SZABO.longValue();

	private Repository repository;
    private Block lastBlock;
    private BigInteger totalDifficulty;

    // keep the index of the chain for
    // convenient usage, <block_number, block_hash>
    private final BidiMap<Long, ByteArrayWrapper> blockCache = new DualTreeBidiMap<>();

    private final BlockQueue blockQueue = new BlockQueue();
    private boolean syncDoneCalled = false;

	public BlockchainImpl(Repository repository) {
		this.repository = repository;
	}

	@Override
    public long getGasPrice() {
        // In case of the genesis block we don't want to rely on the min gas price
        return lastBlock.isGenesis() ? lastBlock.getMinGasPrice() : INITIAL_MIN_GAS_PRICE;
    }

    @Override
    public byte[] getLatestBlockHash() {
        if (blockCache.isEmpty())
            return Genesis.getInstance().getHash();
        else
            return getLastBlock().getHash();
    }

    @Override
    public int getSize() {
        return blockCache.size();
    }

    @Override
    public Block getBlockByNumber(long blockNr) {
    	return repository.getBlock(blockNr);
	}

    @Override
    public Block getBlockByHash(byte[] hash){

        Long index = blockCache.inverseBidiMap().get(new ByteArrayWrapper(hash));
        if (index == null) return null; // don't have such hash

        return repository.getBlock(index);
    }

    @Override
    public List<byte[]> getListOfHashesStartFrom(byte[] hash, int qty){

        Long startIndex = blockCache.inverseBidiMap().get(new ByteArrayWrapper( hash ));
        if (startIndex == null) return null; // strange but no such hashes in our chain
        --startIndex;

        Long endIndex = startIndex - qty;
        if (endIndex < 0) endIndex = 0L;

        Vector<byte[]> result = new Vector<>();
        for (Long i = startIndex; i >= endIndex; --i){

            ByteArrayWrapper baw = blockCache.get(i);
            result.add(baw.getData());
        }

        return result;
    }

    @Override
    public void add(Block block) {

		if (block == null)
			return;

        // if it is the first block to add
        // make sure the parent is genesis
		if (blockCache.isEmpty()
				&& !Arrays.equals(Genesis.getInstance().getHash(),
						block.getParentHash())) {
			return;
		}
        // if there are some blocks already keep chain continuity
        if (!blockCache.isEmpty()) {
            String hashLast = Hex.toHexString(getLastBlock().getHash());
            String blockParentHash = Hex.toHexString(block.getParentHash());
            if (!hashLast.equals(blockParentHash)) return;
        }

        if (block.getNumber() >= CONFIG.traceStartBlock() && CONFIG.traceStartBlock() != -1) {
            AdvancedDeviceUtils.adjustDetailedTracing(block.getNumber());
        }

        this.processBlock(block);

        // Remove all wallet transactions as they already approved by the net
        WorldManager.getInstance().getWallet().removeTransactions(block.getTransactionsList());

        EthereumListener listener = WorldManager.getInstance().getListener();
        if (listener != null)
            listener.trace(String.format("Block chain size: [ %d ]", this.getSize()));

        EthereumListener ethereumListener =  WorldManager.getInstance().getListener();
        if (ethereumListener != null){
            ethereumListener.onBlock(block);

            if (blockQueue.size() == 0 &&
                !syncDoneCalled &&
                WorldManager.getInstance().getActivePeer().isSyncDone()){
                syncDoneCalled = true;
                ethereumListener.onSyncDone();
            }
        }
    }

    private void processBlock(Block block) {
    	if(block.isValid()) {
            if (!block.isGenesis()) {
                if (!CONFIG.blockChainOnly()) {

                    Wallet wallet = WorldManager.getInstance().getWallet();

                    wallet.addTransactions(block.getTransactionsList());
                	this.applyBlock(block);
                    wallet.processBlock(block);
                }
            }
            this.storeBlock(block);
    	} else {
    		logger.warn("Invalid block with nr: {}", block.getNumber());
    	}
    }

	private void applyBlock(Block block) {

		int i = 0;
		long totalGasUsed = 0;
		for (TransactionReceipt txr : block.getTxReceiptList()) {
			stateLogger.debug("apply block: [{}] tx: [{}] ", block.getNumber(), i);
			totalGasUsed += applyTransaction(block, txr.getTransaction());
			if(block.getNumber() >= CONFIG.traceStartBlock())
				repository.dumpState(block, totalGasUsed, i++, txr.getTransaction().getHash());
			if(!Arrays.equals(this.repository.getWorldState().getRootHash(), txr.getPostTxState())) {
				stateLogger.warn("TX: STATE CONFLICT {}..: {}", Hex.toHexString(txr.getTransaction().getHash()).substring(0, 8),
						Hex.toHexString(this.repository.getWorldState().getRootHash()));
//            	repository.close();
//            	System.exit(-1); // Don't continue
            }
		}

		this.addReward(block);
		this.updateTotalDifficulty(block);

        if(block.getNumber() >= CONFIG.traceStartBlock())
        	repository.dumpState(block, totalGasUsed, 0, null);
	}

	/**
	 * Add reward to block- and every uncle coinbase
	 * assuming the entire block is valid.
	 *
	 * @param block object containing the header and uncles
	 */
	private void addReward(Block block) {
		// Create coinbase if doesn't exist yet
		if (repository.getAccountState(block.getCoinbase()) == null)
			repository.createAccount(block.getCoinbase());

		// Add standard block reward
		BigInteger totalBlockReward = Block.BLOCK_REWARD;

		// Add extra rewards based on number of uncles
		if(block.getUncleList().size() > 0) {
			for (BlockHeader uncle : block.getUncleList()) {
				repository.addBalance(uncle.getCoinbase(), Block.UNCLE_REWARD);
			}
			totalBlockReward = totalBlockReward.add(Block.INCLUSION_REWARD
					.multiply(BigInteger.valueOf(block.getUncleList().size())));
		}
		repository.addBalance(block.getCoinbase(), totalBlockReward);
	}

	@Override
    public void storeBlock(Block block) {

        /* Debug check to see if the state is still as expected */
        if(logger.isWarnEnabled()) {
            String blockStateRootHash = Hex.toHexString(block.getStateRoot());
            String worldStateRootHash = Hex.toHexString(WorldManager.getInstance().getRepository().getWorldState().getRootHash());
            if(!blockStateRootHash.equals(worldStateRootHash)){
            	stateLogger.warn("BLOCK: STATE CONFLICT! block: {} worldstate {} mismatch", block.getNumber(), worldStateRootHash);
//                repository.close();
//                System.exit(-1); // Don't add block
            }
        }

		this.repository.saveBlock(block);
		this.blockCache.put(block.getNumber(), new ByteArrayWrapper(block.getHash()));
		this.setLastBlock(block);

        if (logger.isDebugEnabled())
			logger.debug("block added to the blockChain: index: [{}]", block.getNumber());
        if (block.getNumber() % 100 == 0)
        	logger.info("*** Last block added [ #{} ]", block.getNumber());
    }

    /**
     * Apply the transaction to the world state.
     *
     * During this method changes to the repository are either permanent or possibly reverted by a VM exception.
     *
     * @param block - the block which contains the transactions
     * @param tx - the transaction to be applied
     * @return gasUsed - the total amount of gas used for this transaction.
     */
	public long applyTransaction(Block block, Transaction tx) {

		byte[] coinbase = block.getCoinbase();

		// VALIDATE THE SENDER
		byte[] senderAddress = tx.getSender();
		AccountState senderAccount = repository.getAccountState(senderAddress);
		if (senderAccount == null) {
			if (stateLogger.isWarnEnabled())
				stateLogger.warn("No such address: {}",
						Hex.toHexString(senderAddress));
			return 0;
		}

		// VALIDATE THE NONCE
		BigInteger nonce = senderAccount.getNonce();
		BigInteger txNonce = new BigInteger(1, tx.getNonce());
		if (nonce.compareTo(txNonce) != 0) {
			if (stateLogger.isWarnEnabled())
				stateLogger.warn("Invalid nonce account.nonce={} tx.nonce={}",
						nonce, txNonce);
			return 0;
		}

		// UPDATE THE NONCE
		repository.increaseNonce(senderAddress);

		// FIND OUT THE TRANSACTION TYPE
		byte[] receiverAddress, code = null;
		boolean isContractCreation = tx.isContractCreation();
		if (isContractCreation) {
			receiverAddress = tx.getContractAddress();
			code = tx.getData(); // init code
		} else {
			receiverAddress = tx.getReceiveAddress();
			if (repository.getAccountState(receiverAddress) == null) {
				repository.createAccount(receiverAddress);
				if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
					stateLogger.debug("new receiver account created address={}",
							Hex.toHexString(receiverAddress));
			} else {
				code = repository.getCode(receiverAddress);
				if (code != null) {
					if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
						stateLogger.debug("calling for existing contract: address={}",
								Hex.toHexString(receiverAddress));
				}
			}
		}

		// THE SIMPLE VALUE/BALANCE CHANGE
		boolean isValueTx = tx.getValue() != null;
		if (isValueTx) {
			BigInteger txValue = new BigInteger(1, tx.getValue());
			if (senderAccount.getBalance().compareTo(txValue) >= 0) {
				senderAccount.subFromBalance(txValue); // balance will be read again below
				repository.addBalance(senderAddress, txValue.negate());

				if(!isContractCreation) // adding to new contract could be reverted
					repository.addBalance(receiverAddress, txValue);

				if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
					stateLogger.debug("Update value balance \n "
							+ "sender={}, receiver={}, value={}",
							Hex.toHexString(senderAddress),
							Hex.toHexString(receiverAddress),
							new BigInteger(tx.getValue()));
			}
		}

		// GET TOTAL ETHER VALUE AVAILABLE FOR TX FEE
	    // TODO: performance improve multiply without BigInteger
		BigInteger gasPrice = new BigInteger(1, tx.getGasPrice());
		BigInteger gasDebit = new BigInteger(1, tx.getGasLimit()).multiply(gasPrice);

		// Debit the actual total gas value from the sender
		// the purchased gas will be available for
		// the contract in the execution state,
		// it can be retrieved using GAS op
		if (gasDebit.signum() == 1) {
			if (senderAccount.getBalance().compareTo(gasDebit) == -1) {
				logger.debug("No gas to start the execution: sender={}",
						Hex.toHexString(senderAddress));
				return 0;
			}
			repository.addBalance(senderAddress, gasDebit.negate());

            // The coinbase get the gas cost
            if (coinbase != null)
                repository.addBalance(coinbase, gasDebit);

			if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
				stateLogger.debug(
						"Before contract execution debit the sender address with gas total cost, "
								+ "\n sender={} \n gas_debit= {}",
						Hex.toHexString(senderAddress), gasDebit);
		}

		// CREATE AND/OR EXECUTE CONTRACT
		long gasUsed = 0;
		if (isContractCreation || code != null) {

			// START TRACKING FOR REVERT CHANGES OPTION
			Repository trackRepository = repository.getTrack();
			trackRepository.startTracking();
			try {

				// CREATE NEW CONTRACT ADDRESS AND ADD TX VALUE
				if(isContractCreation) {
					if (isValueTx) // adding to balance also creates the account
						trackRepository.addBalance(receiverAddress, new BigInteger(1, tx.getValue()));
					else
						trackRepository.createAccount(receiverAddress);

					if(stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
						stateLogger.debug("new contract created address={}",
								Hex.toHexString(receiverAddress));
				}

				Block currBlock =  (block == null) ? this.getLastBlock() : block;

				ProgramInvoke programInvoke = ProgramInvokeFactory
						.createProgramInvoke(tx, currBlock, trackRepository);

				VM vm = new VM();
				Program program = new Program(code, programInvoke);

                if (CONFIG.playVM())
				    vm.play(program);

                program.saveProgramTraceToFile(Hex.toHexString(tx.getHash()));
				ProgramResult result = program.getResult();
				applyProgramResult(result, gasDebit, gasPrice, trackRepository,
						senderAddress, receiverAddress, coinbase, isContractCreation);
				gasUsed = result.getGasUsed();

			} catch (RuntimeException e) {
				trackRepository.rollback();
				return new BigInteger(1, tx.getGasLimit()).longValue();
			}
			trackRepository.commit();
		} else {
			// REFUND GASDEBIT EXCEPT FOR FEE (500 + 5*TXDATA)
			long dataCost = tx.getData() == null ? 0: tx.getData().length * GasCost.TXDATA;
			gasUsed = GasCost.TRANSACTION + dataCost;

			BigInteger refund = gasDebit.subtract(BigInteger.valueOf(gasUsed).multiply(gasPrice));
			if (refund.signum() > 0) {
				repository.addBalance(senderAddress, refund);
				repository.addBalance(coinbase, refund.negate());
			}
		}
		return gasUsed;
	}

	/**
	 * After any contract code finish the run the certain result should take
	 * place, according the given circumstances
	 *
	 * @param result
	 * @param gasDebit
	 * @param senderAddress
	 * @param contractAddress
	 */
	private void applyProgramResult(ProgramResult result, BigInteger gasDebit,
			BigInteger gasPrice, Repository repository, byte[] senderAddress,
			byte[] contractAddress, byte[] coinbase, boolean initResults) {

		if (result.getException() != null
				&& result.getException() instanceof Program.OutOfGasException) {
			stateLogger.debug("contract run halted by OutOfGas: contract={}",
					Hex.toHexString(contractAddress));
			throw result.getException();
		}

		BigInteger refund = gasDebit.subtract(BigInteger.valueOf(
				result.getGasUsed()).multiply(gasPrice));

		if (refund.signum() > 0) {
			if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
				stateLogger
						.debug("After contract execution the sender address refunded with gas leftover, "
								+ "\n sender={} \n contract={}  \n gas_refund= {}",
								Hex.toHexString(senderAddress),
								Hex.toHexString(contractAddress), refund);
			// gas refund
			repository.addBalance(senderAddress, refund);
			repository.addBalance(coinbase, refund.negate());
		}

		if (initResults) {
            // Save the code created by init
            byte[] bodyCode = null;
            if (result.getHReturn() != null && result.getHReturn().array().length > 0) {
                bodyCode = result.getHReturn().array();
            }

			if (bodyCode != null) {
				if (stateLogger.isDebugEnabled())
					stateLogger
							.debug("saving code of the contract to the db:\n contract={} code={}",
									Hex.toHexString(contractAddress),
									Hex.toHexString(bodyCode));
				repository.saveCode(contractAddress, bodyCode);
			}
        }

        // delete the marked to die accounts
        if (result.getDeleteAccounts() == null) return;
        for (DataWord address : result.getDeleteAccounts()){
            repository.delete(address.getNoLeadZeroesData());
        }
	}

	@Override
	public BlockQueue getQueue() {
        return blockQueue;
    }

	@Override
    public Map<Long, ByteArrayWrapper> getBlockCache() {
    	return this.blockCache;
    }

    @Override
	public Block getLastBlock() {
		return lastBlock;
	}

	@Override
    public void setLastBlock(Block block) {
    	this.lastBlock = block;
    }

    @Override
    public void close(){
        blockQueue.close();
    }

	@Override
	public BigInteger getTotalDifficulty() {
		return totalDifficulty;
	}

	@Override
	public void updateTotalDifficulty(Block block) {
		if (this.totalDifficulty == null)
			this.totalDifficulty = block.getCumulativeDifficulty();
		else
			this.totalDifficulty = totalDifficulty.add(block.getCumulativeDifficulty());
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The group will advise on practical issues including system administration, procurement, fraud prevention and social benefits.
It will also look at the scheme's relationships with consumers and industries such as production, retail and hospitality.
Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: "Scotland's DRS is a chance to dramatically increase the recycling rate for the two billion drinks containers in circulation in the country.
Group members are: British Soft Drinks Association, Federation of Small Businesses, Natural Hydration Council, Scotch Whisky Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Scottish Grocers Federation, Federation of Independent Retailers, Scottish Wholesale Association, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Retail Consortium, UK Hospitality.


Cases for the Lumia 928?
I'm about to get a lumia 928 and I was wondering if there was a case that has the screen protector as part of the case much like an otterbox, or if there is a case extremely similar to the otterbox.
Re: Cases for the Lumia 928?
Haven't ever noticed a case with the build in plastic though.
Also, I just bought some screen protectors from Amazon too; think it was 3 for $5 and they have worked well.
I've also been very happy with the Incipio Feather case. While I acknowledge it isn't intended to provide the same level of protection as other styles, it has protected my phone during two "drops to the pavement", only showing some scuffing on the corners of the case.
Also, specific to screen protectors, I have always been the type of person to pre-order screen protectors whenever I know I am getting a device so barely a minute of ownership passes before I get my screens covered. You know the type. Well, with the 928, I thought the screen was just so beautiful that I didn't want to put anything on it. And guess what? My phone has survived, and I have survived! With the screen off, if I catch the light just right I might be able to spot a few very small, light scratch lines but I really need to be looking for them. Under normal use, and normal lighting my screen looks brand new. And this is after the two drops to the pavement I mentioned, in addition to a fall to the ground while at the beach. My phone literally slid face-down across the sand. I gasped, picked up the phone, and wiped the sand off the face. Anyway, after removing the case, letting the sand dry completely, and performing a more thorough cleaning of the phone you would never know that the phone went surfing on the beach.
Anyway, that's my story. Like I said, I'm a fan of the Incipio case, and am very happy with a naked screen. As always, YMMV.


text:
FBI To Release Pulse Shooter Conversations
#TeamJET with AP
Federal investigators promised to provide more insight as to what was happening inside the Pulse nightclub after a gunman started a deadly assault that was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
The FBI is expected to release a printed, partial transcript of the conversations between the gunman within the Pulse gay nightclub and Orlando police negotiators Monday, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said.
An FBI spokesman said agents would offer further details about the shooting, including the transcripts, at a Monday news conference near the nightclub.
The release comes a day after tens of thousands of people held a candlelight vigil in the heart of downtown Orlando for the 49 victims who died in the massacre. The victims also were remembered at church services and at makeshift memorials throughout Orlando.
"As a community, it's important that we gather together to show our support because only together can we move forward," said Gabrielle Claire, a musician and Universal Orlando worker who says she knew three Pulse victims who died. She was holding a "Hugs for Healing" sign at the vigil and numerous strangers came up to hug her.
"We don't have to be afraid of holding each other. We don't have to be afraid of saying to other people, 'I'm here for you,'" she said.
Meanwhile, more than a week after the deadly attack, hospital officials said four people remained in critical condition Monday morning.
Orlando Regional Medical Center said 18 victims from the shooting were still at the hospital and three more surgeries were scheduled for Monday. The other 14 patients are listed in stable condition.
Lynch said in interviews Sunday on several news shows that the FBI would release a partial, printed transcript of the conversations between gunman Omar Mateen from within the Pulse nightclub and Orlando police negotiators.
Armed with a semi-automatic weapon, Mateen went on a bloody rampage at the club June 12 that left 49 people dead and 53 others seriously hurt. Mateen died in a hail of gunfire after police stormed the venue.
Lynch told ABC's "This Week" that the top goal while intensifying pressure on the Islamic State – the extremist group thought to have inspired Mateen – is to build a complete profile of him in order to help prevent another massacre like Orlando.
"As you can see from this investigation, we are going back and learning everything we can about this killer, about his contacts, people who may have known him or seen him. And we're trying to build that profile so that we can move forward," Lynch said.
Lynch said she would be traveling to Orlando on Tuesday to meet with investigators.
Speaking to CBS' "Face The Nation," Lynch said that a key goal of the investigation was to determine why Mateen targeted the gay community. The victims were predominantly gay and Hispanic since it was "Latin night" at Pulse.
Check back for updates.
Photo: Omar Mateen, Wikipedia Commons
TagsFBIOmar MateenOrlandoPulse Shootingslideshowtranscripts
Lavonte David's Fit Playlist
Adrienne C. Moore Talks 'Orange Is The ...


text:
José Peirats Valls (* 15. März 1908 in La Vall d'Uixó; † 20. August 1989 in Burriana) war ein spanischer Anarchist, Kämpfer im spanischen Bürgerkrieg, Aktivist, Journalist und Historiker.

Biografie
Peirats wurde in der Provinz Castellón geboren. Seine Familie zog mit ihm nach Barcelona, wovon sie sich ein besseres Leben erhofften. Bereits im Alter von acht Jahren begann er zu arbeiten, die Schule besuchte er nur gelegentlich, bis seine Lernmotivation an einer Ferrer-Schule geweckt wurde. Mit 14 Jahren begann er eine Lehre in einer Ziegelei und trat zeitgleich der Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) ein. Ab 1924 besuchte er regelmäßig eine Abendschule.
1932 war er Mitgründer der libertären Jugend Federación Ibérica de Juventudes Libertarias (FIJL) in Katalonien. Peirats interessierte sich sehr für die Bildungsarbeit in Bibliotheken und Kulturvereinen (ateneos), da er sie als bedeutsam für die Schaffung eines anarchistischen Bewusstsein betrachtete. 1959 unterstützte er die Gründung des Ateneo Español in Toulouse.

1933 war Peirats Sekretär der barcelonischen Gliederung der Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI), dem Dachverband anarchistischer Organisationen Spaniens. Von 1934 bis 1936 war er Redakteur der Zeitschrift Solidaridad Obrera ('Arbeitersolidarität') tätig. Außerdem schrieb er für Tierra y Libertad, La Revista Blanca, Acratia und Ética. Als CNT-Mitglied organisierte er Streiks, arbeitete in Komitees und verfasste politische Texte.

In den Julitagen 1936, zu Beginn des Bürgerkrieges, beschlagnahmten Peirats und andere Anarchisten in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Waffen, nachdem beschlossen wurde, das Zentrum Barcelonas zu besetzen. Anschließend repräsentierte er die FAI kurzzeitig im Revolutionskomitee der Stadt und vergesellschaftete die Nahrungsmittelvergabe. Anschließend wechselte er beruflich zur Zeitschrift Ruta der libertären Jugend. Gegen Ende 1937 kämpfte Peirats freiwillig an der Front in Aragon in der Kolonne Durutti und ging nach dem Sieg Francos, dem Untergang der Spanischen Republik, ins Exil.

Von 1939 bis 1947 bereiste er die dominikanische Republik, Ecuador, Panama und Venezuela und arbeitete in den Ländern als Bauer, Seefahrer, Eisverkäufer und Fotograf. 1947 nahm er als venezolanischer Delegierter am Kongress der Spanischen Libertären Bewegung teil und wurde zum Generalsekretär der libertären Bewegung im Exil (Movimiento Libertario Español, MLE) gewählt, woraufhin er sich in Frankreich niederließ. Im gleichen Jahr nahm er an einem geheimen Treffen der Bewegung in Madrid teil, die in Spanien nur im Untergrund agieren konnte.

Von 1953 bis 1959 war er Herausgeber der Wochenzeitschrift CNT. Als Historiker veröffentlichte Peirats die dreibändige Studie La CNT en la revolución española über die libertäre Bewegung während des spanischen Bürgerkriegs, die 2005/06 erstmals auf englisch erschien.

In den 1960ern entfernte er sich zunehmend von der Organisation.

Für die Frente Libertario, die Fernando Gómez Peláez von 1970 bis 1977 herausgab, schrieb er regelmäßig.

Mit seiner Gefährtin Gracia Ventura lebte er seit 1971 in der Villa Canaima in Montady nahe Béziers. 1983 zogen sie gemeinsam nach La Vall d'Uixó.(Quellen:)

Werke (Auswahl)
Seine Briefe, Notizen, historischen Dokumente und wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten befinden sich seit 2001 beim International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam.

 La CNT en la revolución española (Drei Bände, 1951–1953)
 Breve Storia del Sindicalism Spagnolo (1962)
 Anarchists in the Spanish Revolution. London: Freedom Press, 1990.
 The CNT in the Spanish Revolution. ChristieBooks, Volume 1, 2 and 3. Hastings, 2005 and 2006.

Über José Peiras erschien 2015 das Buch Vivir la anarquía, vivir la utopía: José Peirats y la historia del anarcosindicalismo español von Chris Ealham, ISBN 978-84-9104-221-1, Alianza Ensayo.

Weblinks

 Bestand des International Institute of Social History zu José Peirats Valls von 2014, Text: Tiny de Boer, 2002
 Aktuelle Seite des Bestandes des International Institute of Social History zu José Peirats Valls, Text: Kees Rodenburg, 1. März 2002

Einzelnachweise

Anarchist im Spanischen Bürgerkrieg
Spanier
Geboren 1908
Gestorben 1989
Mann


text:
Timetable (ru)
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Altai State University hosts world's leading scientists in astrophysics, space research and technology
28 June 2018 Department of Information and Mass Communications
There is only one week left before the start of the 26th Extended European Cosmic Ray Symposium and the 35th Russian Cosmic Ray Conference held at Altai State University.
The organizing committee works literally around the clock, since the list of participants includes researchers from all over the world. Leading scientists from Russia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, India, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Switzerland, USA, South Africa, and Japan have already confirmed their visit.
The participants have submitted almost 300 reports. The conference will present the latest results obtained by the main world experiments in the following fields: Auger, Telescope Array, IceCube, Yakutsk EAS array, Kascade-Grande, ARGO-YBJ, Tibet Air Shower Array, Baksan Underground Telescope, LVD, Grapes-3, Nevod , Gamma-400, Pamela, Fermi-Lat, AMS-02, CALET, DAMPE, TUS, Nucleon, JEM-EUSO, HAWC, TAIGA, LOFAR.
The scientists of Altai State University will share their research in the field of high-energy astrophysics and remote sensing of the Earth from space, deliver their reports at the same site with world's prominent researchers, and get acquainted with the latest experimental results. On the one hand, it will be an impressive conference in terms of the presence of the world's leading scientists, universities and institutions. On the other hand, it will bring together many young people, including participants from the Asian part of the country. It is important to note that it is Siberia where the largest experiments on the study of cosmic rays in the Yakutsk complex EAS and in the gamma-astronomical complex TAIGA are carried out in Russia.
One of the purposes of the conference is the discussion of joint scientific projects and the strengthening of interaction between leading collaborations for solving priority problems in the field of space research. For young people, this is the development of scientific communication and research competencies necessary for the inclusion of Russian research groups, including those working in regional universities, in international scientific projects.
The grand opening of the joint scientific forum will be held on July 6 at the concert hall of Altai State University.
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text:
Posts Tagged 'Rock 'n' Roll'
Updating the archive: interview of Moroccan rock star Reda Allali (Hoba Hoba Spirit)for MTV IGGY
Moroccan Rock Legend & Journalist
Reda Allali Wants to Save The Music
JOURNALIST AND HOBA HOBA SPIRIT GUITARIST, SINGER AND SONGWRITER TALKS THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC IN MOROCCO
Hoba Hoba Spirit was there when an alternative music scene came together in Casablanca in the late 1990s. They were there on the front lines of the protests after 14 heavy-metal musicians and fans were arrested and accused of being satanists in 2003. Creating distinctively Moroccan rock 'n' roll (with lyrics in French, Darija and English, and music infused with healthy doses of Gnawa music, reggae & Moroccan rhythms), many critics and supporters considered them too hip to ever be popular outside of Casablanca. Playing wherever they could get a gig, they introduced the live experience of rock 'n roll to audiences in small cities and villages throughout Morocco and, by 2007, they had become one of the most popular Moroccan musical acts of any genre. More than any other alternative band, Hoba Hoba Spirit has advocated an opening of the Moroccan cultural landscape—through music and through the writing of bandleader and journalist Reda Allali in the magazine Telquel. In a far-ranging interview, Allali talks with ethnomusicologist Jeffrey Callen about the Hoba way, their unexpected road to success, the alternative music movement and the obstacles to making a living as a musician in Morocco.
Posted in African Music, Cultural Analysis, Cultural History, Genre, Moroccan music, Moroccan Music, MTV, Musical Performance, North African Music, Popular music, Popular Music, Rock, Uncategorized, World Music
Tagged with fusion, Hoba Hoba Spirit, Moroccan music, Morocco, MTV, Reda Allali, Rock, Rock 'n' Roll
New book: Peter Gabriel, From Genesis to Growing Up
Self promotion aside (although my chapter, "'I need contact' – rock 'n' roll ritual: Peter Gabriel's Security tour, 1982–83" is quite good), this is an excellent collection on an influential figure in popular music. Out on Ashgate on December 23, 2010. From the publisher's press release:
Ever since Peter Gabriel fronted progressive rock band Genesis, from the late 1960s until the mid 1970s, journalists and academics alike have noted the importance of Gabriel's contribution to popular music. His influence became especially significant when he embarked on a solo career in the late 1970s. Gabriel secured his place in the annals of popular music history through his poignant recordings, innovative music videos, groundbreaking live performances, the establishment of WOMAD (the World of Music and Dance) and the Real World record label (as a forum for musicians from around the world to be heard, recorded and promoted) and for his political agenda (including links to a variety of political initiatives including the Artists Against Apartheid Project, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Now tour). In addition, Gabriel is known as a sensitive, articulate and critical performer whose music reflects an innate curiosity and deep intellectual commitment. This collection documents and critically explores the most central themes found in Gabriel's work. These are divided into three important conceptual areas arising from Gabriel's activity as a songwriter and recording artist, performer and activist: 'Identity and Representation', 'Politics and Power' and 'Production and Performance'….
Posted in Cultural Change, Cultural History, Ethnomusicology, Musical performance, Musical Performance, Popular Music, Scholarship
Tagged with Ethnomusicology, Genre, Peter Gabriel, Popular music, Rock 'n' Roll, World Music
"S.F.'s Cuban Cowboys flavor Latin grooves with punk power" (SF Weekly)
[A duplicate post from Pop Culture Transgressions]
The Cuban Cowboys bring together rock 'n' roll and Latin beats with a punk sensibility that brings to mind such post-punk genre busters as The Pixies, Manu Chao, Jonathan Richman, and Moroccan cha'abi rockers Hoba Hoba Spirit. Musically promiscuous and lyrically inventive, head Cuban Cowboy, Jorge Navarro, has found the musical voice on their new album Diablo Mambo that was only hinted at in the Cowboys' debut album, Cuban Candles — but he didn't find it on his own. A couple weeks ago I interviewed Jorge for a piece in SF Weekly and found out the fascinating backstory behind the band and the new album. Check it out!
Trails Mixed
S.F.'s Cuban Cowboys flavor Latin grooves with punk power.
By Jeffrey Callen
The Cuban Cowboys' new album, Diablo Mambo, doesn't hesitate to let you know what it is all about. Drop the digital needle on the first track and you learn all you need to know within the first 50 seconds: A Jimi Hendrix lick establishes the rock bona fides before the track morphs into a mambo section overlaid with a post-punk, art rock guitar pattern. The Hendrix lick then returns and signals the transition to driving punk guitars, but with a difference — the usual straight up-and-down thrash is blended with the sway of a Cuban son rhythm pattern. Two musical streams — rock and Latin music — are introduced, then blended, before the story of the song begins.
Bandleader/songwriter Jorge Navarro has interesting, engaging stories to tell. The opening track, "Cojones," relates an early lesson in navigating the contradictions of the code of machismo taught by his knife-wielding grandfather. Navarro's songs portray his family's memories of a mythical Cuba born out of the nostalgia of exile and his experiences as a first-generation Cuban American, immersed in American pop culture and drawn to cowboy boots and rock 'n' roll. These two themes establish the narrative poles for the songs on Diablo Mambo, and Navarro skillfully navigates this bi-cultural territory, spinning tales of romance, sex, politics, and family. The music plays an essential role in the effectiveness of the stories, weaving together various tributaries from the two main musical streams — classic rock, punk rock, doo-wop, post–punk, rockabilly, and son, mambo, calypso, and salsa. (to read the rest, go to SF Weekly).
Posted in American Music, Genre, Journalism, SF Weekly
Tagged with Cuban Cowboys, Genre, Popular music, Rock 'n' Roll, San Francisco, SF Weekly, World Music
Fat Freddy's Drop: Live in San Francisco (@Afropop.org)
Here's my review of the best live show I've seen this year — published on Afropop.org today.
Fat Freddy's Drop: Live in San Francisco
Fat Freddy's Drop tore up the Independent in San Francisco on Friday, June 25. Soul drenched vocals and reggae riddims mixed with electronic effects, club beats and a killer horn section to create a fresh sound that is contemporary but deeply rooted in a diverse collection of black music styles that came of age in the 1970s. Funk, soul, reggae, ska, dub—sometimes straightforward, sometimes deconstructed—were not unexpected from an outfit that started out as a jam band. What was unexpected was that it all worked!
I was drawn to Fat Freddy's Drop's show by the song "Boondigga" (from their last album Dr. Boondigga and the Big BW), which had been firmly entrenched on my personal playlist for a month before the show. The song came early in the eighty-minute set so if things had bogged down or fell flat, I wouldn't have second thoughts about cutting out and looking for a plan B but I didn't leave until the show ended. Now back to the song that drew me to the show because I think there's something in there that explains the appeal and brilliance of Fat Freddy's Drop. "Boondigga" opens on a smooth soul groove, anchored by the sweet Philadelphia sounds laid down by the horn section and driven by a very '70s electronic drum track. Joe Dukie's smooth vocals ride on top of the slowly building arrangement that does not gain its full power until after the break, three minutes in. A subtle shift in the horn chart brings in the more harmonically extended controlled dissonance that Tower of Power brought out of Oakland signaling the beginning of a major deconstruction of Boondigga's smooth soul sound. The horns exit and a soulfully deviant aural soundscape is created from distorted guitar, swelling keys and electronics. Live the horn section left the stage at the start of the deconstruction, which was given twice as long to develop as on the album – a full four minutes. And that was true of the entire show: (for the rest…)
Posted in Afropop.org, Popular music, Rock
Tagged with Afropop.org, Electronic music, Fat Freddy's Drop, Popular music, Rock 'n' Roll, World Music
Local Bands Get a Boost at Noise Pop
Judgement Day and the Mumlers headline for the first time this year.
From its humble beginnings in 1993 as a single club show of five bands, Noise Pop has grown into a week-long "celebration of indie music and culture." It now includes a film festival, art shows, a music industry mini-conference, and a design fair and marketplace. However, music remains Noise Pop's focus with more than thirty shows in large and small venues scattered around San Francisco and, for the first time this year, at the Fox Theater in Oakland.
While there are no designated headliners at Noise Pop, each year's lineup includes internationally prominent performers. This year it's the Yoko Ono Plastic Band and the Magnetic Fields. Star acts add excitement to the festival but Noise Pop's national status is based on it being one of the premier showcases for that most loosely defined musical genre, indie rock. Noise Pop prides itself on bringing exposure to emerging bands, (to read more go to the East Bay Express).
Posted in East Bay Express, Journalism, Popular music, Rock
Tagged with East Bay Express, Popular music, Rock 'n' Roll
Rock 'n' Roll & Ritual ('80s Peter Gabriel)
""I need contact" (from Performance and Popular Music) — a nice piece I wrote in 2006 for Performance and Popular Music: History, Place and Time, (Ian Inglis, ed. – London: Ashgate Publishing). It's going to be reprinted in Peter Gabriel: From Genesis to Growing Up (Michael Drewet, Sarah Hill & Kimi Kari, eds. – London: Ashgate Publishing) in 2010. The chapter analyzes Gabriel's use of ritual in his live performances of material from the influential Security album and discusses the musical sources (and inspirations) Gabriel drew upon.
Album cover from Peter Gabriel Plays Live
Gabriel has continued create innovative music (and hits) but, for me, none of it has the creative spark of his '80s work after leaving Genesis. The latest effort, the forthcoming Scratch My Back, is interesting in theory, featuring Gabriel covering a dozen songs written by other songwriters. The set list if intriguing but the instrumentation (an orchestra) plays into Gabriel's worst musical instincts that haven't had such free rein since his over-dramatic and sometimes treacly performances with Genesis on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Selling England by the Pound. At least that's my impression from hearing clips of the first three tracks — AND I hope I'm wrong. Check it out yourself at PeterGabriel.com.
Posted in Ethnomusicology, Musical performance, Scholarship
Tagged with Ethnomusicology, Peter Gabriel, Rock 'n' Roll


Derby Business College recognises the benefits that effective subcontracting can bring in extending the range of accessibility of provision offered to learners and responding to the requirements of the local labour market.
Derby Business College T/A DBC Training uses subcontractors to widen participation amongst learner groups that it would otherwise be "hard to reach" such as Work Programme clients and other individuals that face barriers to participation in learning and work.
Derby Business College also uses subcontractors to fill gaps in, and to extend the breadth of its provision: for example, through widening the range of apprenticeship frameworks offered to employers and learners and broadening the range of sector subject areas or business sectors that can be covered. This in turn broadens the skills base of the College.
Derby Business College has contracts with the Skills Funding Agency to deliver Apprenticeships ESF funded provision. It fulfils this contract via Sub-Contracting arrangements with Learning Providers who are responsible for the delivery of the necessary teaching and learning to achieve the relevant qualifications. Derby Business College has a contractual obligation to publish its Supply Chain Fees and Charges Policy.
Derby Business College makes a service charge of 20% on the value of the Learning delivered by the Sub-Contractor. This service charge applies equally to all aspects of the Learning programme and each Sub-Contractor.
Derby Business College makes payments to all Sub-Contractors in an identical fashion irrespective of the Learning Programme(s) being delivered. The payment is calculated by taking into consideration the on- programme and completion payments due and all new activity during any given month Derby Business College processes all Learner paperwork received by the 20th (twentieth) day of each month, after reconciliation each Sub-Contractor is asked to submit an invoice to Derby Business College at the end of the following month. On receipt of the invoice from the Sub-Contractor payment will be made on or around the 28th day of that month subject to Derby Business College receiving monies due from the Skills Funding Agency.
This Supply Chain Fees and Charges Policy is reviews annually by Derby Business College and communicated to all current Sub-Contractors at a meeting of Sub-Contractors held prior to the beginning of each contract year. It is explained to all new potential Sub-Contractors at the beginning of negotiations to become a Sub-Contractor to Derby Business College.
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