text:
Q: Trouble Creating a Directory on the SD Card I am trying to have my app create a directory on the root of the SD Card, if that directory does not already exist. When I run the app, the "Creating Home Directory..." toast notification displays, but the directory is not created... What am i doing wrong?? (P.S. permissions are set for writing to external storage)
public class Main extends Activity {
        /** Called when the activity is first created. */
        @Override
        public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
            super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
            setContentView(R.layout.main);

     // Check SD Card for Read/Write

            boolean mExternalStorageWriteable = false;
            String state = Environment.getExternalStorageState();

            if (Environment.MEDIA_MOUNTED.equals(state)) {
                // We can read and write the media
                mExternalStorageWriteable = true;
            } else if (Environment.MEDIA_MOUNTED_READ_ONLY.equals(state)) {
                // We can only read the media
                mExternalStorageWriteable = false;
            } else {
                // Something else is wrong. It may be one of many other states, but all we need
                //  to know is we can neither read nor write
                mExternalStorageWriteable = false;
            }

            if (mExternalStorageWriteable == false) {
            //Toast Notification that SD Card is not Accessible
             Context context = getApplicationContext();
             CharSequence text = "SD Card is NOT Accessable, Please Remount and Try Again";
             int duration = Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;

             Toast toast = Toast.makeText(context, text, duration);
             toast.show();
            } else {
             //Check If Home Dir Exists

             boolean exists = (new File("/AndGuard/")).exists();
             if (exists) {
              Context context = getApplicationContext();
                 CharSequence text = "Accessing Data Files...";
                 int duration = Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;

                 Toast toast = Toast.makeText(context, text, duration);
                 toast.show();

             } else {
              Context context = getApplicationContext();
                 CharSequence text = "Creating Home Directory...";
                 int duration = Toast.LENGTH_SHORT;

                 Toast toast = Toast.makeText(context, text, duration);
                 toast.show();

            // Create a directory; all non-existent ancestor directories are
         // automatically created

           // Create a directory; all non-existent ancestor directories are
         // automatically created
         File root = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
         boolean success = (new File(root,"directoryName")).mkdirs();
         if (!success) {
             // Directory creation failed
         }
             }
            }

Here is my Manifest file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      package="soapbox.sym3try.andguard"
      android:versionCode="1"
      android:versionName="1.0">
          <application android:icon="@drawable/icon" android:label="@string/app_name">
        <activity android:name=".Main"
                  android:label="@string/app_name">
      <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"></uses-permission>
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

    </application>
    <uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="4" />

</manifest>

I tried this as well, it didn't work, but it might be a step in the right direction as it creates the directory and populates it with a file from res/raw all in one step:
 public boolean saveas(int ressound){
         byte[] buffer=null;
         InputStream fIn = getBaseContext().getResources().openRawResource(ressound);
         int size=0;

         try {
          size = fIn.available();
          buffer = new byte[size];
          fIn.read(buffer);
          fIn.close();
         } catch (IOException e) {
          // TODO Auto-generated catch block
          return false;
         }

         String path="/sdcard/AndGuard/List1";
         String filename="hosts";

         boolean exists = (new File(path)).exists();
         if (!exists){new File(path).mkdirs();}

         FileOutputStream save;
         try {
          save = new FileOutputStream(path+filename);
          save.write(buffer);
          save.flush();
          save.close();
         } catch (FileNotFoundException e) {
          // TODO Auto-generated catch block
          return false;
         } catch (IOException e) {
          // TODO Auto-generated catch block
          return false;
         }
        return exists;
}

A: The uses-permission should be in the manifest xml tag I think, check out http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-permission-element.html

A: This may not do anything, but right after WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" in your manifest add this permission
android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE"

A: //create file dir
File    wallpaperDirectory = new File("/sdcard/example");
// have the object build the directory structure, if needed.
wallpaperDirectory.mkdirs();

This works for me. You will need to set
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE">

A: The uses-permission should be in manifest tag, not in activity.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      package="soapbox.sym3try.andguard"
      android:versionCode="1"
      android:versionName="1.0">

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"></uses-permission>
    <uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="4" />

    <application
        android:icon="@drawable/icon"
        android:label="@string/app_name">

        <activity
            android:name=".Main"
            android:label="@string/app_name">

            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

    </application>
</manifest>

You can't create any files in the root directory, so I assume it must me
File root = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
boolean exists = (new File(root, "AndGuard")).exists();

Hardcoding /sdcard/ is wrong.
String path="/sdcard/AndGuard/List1"

right
File path = new File(root, "AndGuard/List1");

And
save = new FileOutputStream(path+filename);

will give you
"/sdcard/AndGuard/List1hosts"

So it must be
save = new FileOutputStream(new File(path, filename));

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Vauxhall Bridge est un pont de la ville de Londres traversant la Tamise. Le pont se situe dans le centre de la ville et relie les quartiers de Westminster et Pimlico sur la rive nord à celui de Vauxhall sur la rive sud. Il se situe entre Grosvenor Bridge à l'ouest et Lambeth Bridge à l'est.

Il est le deuxième pont sur le site, remplaçant un pont plus vieux.

Le vieux pont de Vauxhall fut le premier pont en fonte franchissant la  Tamise. Le projet d'origine, dû à Bentham, prévoyait un pont à neuf arches entièrement en métal ; par doute sur la qualité du matériau, les autorités ont tranché pour un arc en fonte sur piles en maçonnerie, projet dû à James Walker. Le pont fut inauguré en , et devint libre de péages en 1877.

Vers la fin du , le vieux pont devint plus fragile et, en 1889, London County Council reçut permission par le gouvernement pour remplacer le pont. En 1898, le pont originel fut démoli et la construction du nouveau pont de Vauxhall commença, avec la provision d'une passerelle temporaire pour les piétons durant la construction.

Cinq ans plus tard qu'anticipé, le pont actuel fut ouvert par le Prince de Galles (le futur roi George V) le . En addition d'être un pont routier et piétonnier, le pont était emprunté par un tramway, le premier tel pont en Londres. Le tramway ferma en 1952 et les voies furent couvrées.

Le pont est unique en Londres en ayant les statues sur ses faces, qui se trouvent sur les culées. Sculptées par Frederick Pomeroy et Alfred Drury, il y a huit statues en tout. Elles représentent :

En aval : L'Agriculture, L'Architecture, La Science de l'Ingénieur et La Poterie (par Drury).

En amont : La Science, Les Arts, Le Gouvernement Local et L'Éducation (par Pomeroy).

Pont à Londres
Pont métallique
Pont en arc
Pont sur la Tamise
Pont routier au Royaume-Uni
Monument classé de Grade II* dans le borough londonien de Lambeth
Monument classé de Grade II* dans la cité de Westminster
1813 au Royaume-Uni
Pont achevé en 1906

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Fall 2019 Capstone Games Released on Steam
New SMU Guildhall student games released on Steam
These student-made games were created over the course of one semester as part of the SMU Guildhall Team Game Production curriculum, which emulates cross-disciplinary studio development in the same style and pace of industry standards. They are the final capstone games created by these teams of 12-15 students during their studies at SMU Guildhall, representing the culmination of two years spent in game development education.
Visit the links below to learn more and download via Steam:
Goofballs
Goofballs is a physics-based local-multiplayer casually competitive soccer party game where players roll, dash, and ground pound to score goals. The game combines slapstick physics with arcade-style soccer and adds a twist: after a goal is scored, the ball, surface, and arena can change – during the game! Play locally against friends or the A.I. in 1v1 and 4-player free-for-all matches. Players can choose from the preset Classic, Chaos, and Competitive game modes, or they can create their own unique gameplay experience in Custom mode. With 8 quirky ball types, 4 unique surface types, and a variety of unconventional arenas there are hundreds of possible combinations to play. Read More
Play on Steam
Rhome is a first person, dark, atmospheric exploration game where players navigate an increasingly chaotic and psychologically unnerving environment as the very fabric of reality unravels around you. Step into the role of Hailey Rhome, a distinguished architect, who returns from a long day at work to find her husband missing and her home a hostile and unfamiliar place. Explore Hailey's M.C. Escher-inspired home and uncover the truth of the nightmare that you've stepped into. Read More
Tex-Mechs
Tex-Mechs is a fast-paced, first-person action game where players take control of a mech to fight hordes of horrifying creatures called "Crawlers" and reclaim the insect-infested wastelands of the alien colony, New Texas. To combat this menace, you're armed with three powerful weapons: the trusty Mustang Revolver, the unstoppable Flamethrower, and the devastating Magnetic Ravager Saw. As one of the last Rangers, it is your responsibility to take back the canyon, put out the call to action, and help save New Texas. Read More
Up in the Air is zany, open-world game in which you play a balloon dog exploring a demented carnival populated by crazy children. Players must use a variety of power ups, from water balloons to ground pound, to fend the kids off and collect carnival tickets. Players can burn Big Weenie, knock over a castle, trap children in a cardboard jail, master hopscotch, become radioactive, turn off the sun, or get popped by a cactus. If they are particularly unlucky, they could even find the notorious child Chunkles and his gaping maw. Read More

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Here's How to Safely Exercise Outside During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Use these tips to get fresh air and boost your immune system while social distancing.
By Jake Smith
GoodLifeStudioGetty Images
A few days into being stuck inside, you start to crave the fresh air and wide open spaces right outside your door. It might even feel like you'll never be allowed to go outside again—such a shame during this time of year. But social distancing doesn't have to mean being cooped up inside all day.
Whether you're aching to run for miles or simply want to walk around the neighborhood, getting outside is still likely to do you more good than harm, even during the COVID-19 outbreak. By following these guidelines, including tips from the CDC, you'll stave off both cabin fever and coronavirus—and be able to train for the Prevention Virtual Walk on October 3.
Go ahead and venture outside.
Yes, it's still perfectly safe to step outside and get moving in most places, provided that you're healthy and aren't part of a high-risk population. In fact, the CDC recommends physical activity as part of its guidance on staying well. "Create a menu of personal self-care activities that you enjoy," they write, including advice to "exercise regularly."
8 Ways to Relieve COVID-19 Stress
Your Guide on How to Prepare for Coronavirus
How to Sign Up for the Virtual Walk
Physical activity is also proven to boost the immune system. One 2018 meta-analysis found that moderate exercise can "enhance immune defense activity and metabolic health," making you healthier overall.
Even shelter-in-place orders, like the one currently in effect in San Francisco, allow for outdoor exercise, while activities like haircuts, non-essential shopping, and even dinner parties are prohibited. It's simply that important to get outside. Complete lockdowns, like the one in Italy, are a different story—but until you face one at home, you should be allowed to exercise and get fresh air outside.
Maintain social distancing—or wear a mask.
Going outside isn't a free-for-all, though—the CDC warns that you should maintain at least six feet of distance between you and others. "The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person," the CDC reports. The best way to prevent COVID-19 from spreading is to "put distance between yourself and other people."
UA SPORTSMASK
Under Armour underarmour.com
So if you go outside, keeping your distance is a great first line of defense. Choose areas that you know won't be too heavily populated, including parks, trails, and even empty neighborhood streets. Seeing other people isn't necessarily a bad thing; just maintain at least a six-foot radius and keep walking or running like normal.
Distancing is also the best way to avoid wearing a mask. If you're in an area where proper social distancing is possible, you don't need to wear one; if you can't keep a safe distance from others, you should slip on a mask before you head outside—it'll make you and the people around you feel safer. Try an exercise-specific mask to keep your workout flowing smoothly.
Use best disease prevention practices.
The best way to prevent coronavirus after venturing outside is still to obey tried-and-true public health measures. According to the latest guidance from the White House, everyone should follow these rules: "Wash your hands. Avoid touching your face. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible."
Although you've probably heard that advice plenty of times, it still bears repeating, especially after leaving the home. With the right precautions, exercising outside is one of the best ways to feel better during a stressful time. We could all use a little relief right about now.
Like what you just read? You'll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe. Don't miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Oh, and we're on Instagram too.
Jake Smith Jake Smith, an editorial fellow at Prevention, recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in magazine journalism and just started going to the gym.
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text:
Home Cars Is the Apple self-driving car on its way?
Posted By: adminPosted date: August 18, 2015 In: Cars
According to The Guardian newspaper, Apple's much-anticipated 'self-driving car' could be here sooner than originally thought. Exclusive correspondence obtained by the paper earlier this month reveals that the work, nicknamed 'Project Titan' is well underway and that Apple is now scouting for test locations for it electric-powered vehicle.
The papers suggest that the self-driving car is under construction in Silicon Valley, U.S., with engineers now on the look-out around the San Francisco area for places to taker it for a test drive. In May, Apple engineer, Frank Fearon reportedly wrote to officials from GoMentum Station, a 2,100-acre former naval base near San Francisco, to request a meeting to help further "an understanding of timing and availability for the space." GoMentum Station is being turned into a high-security testing ground for self-driving vehicles.
Although Apple declined to comment on the reported correspondence leak, GoMentum Station's facilities appear perfect for its testing needs, due to the space, location and tight security levels. There are 20 miles of paved highways and city streets, along which cars can be put through their paces.
Hundreds of engineers work for Apple at its offices in Sunnyvale, just four miles away from its main Cupertino campus. In May, Apple's senior vice-president, Jeff Williams has previously referred to 'the ultimate mobile device' and said that the company was "exploring a lot of different markets … [in which] we think we can make a huge amount of difference."
Other car makers, including Google, have visited GoMentum Station, hoping to trial their own versions of driverless vehicles there. Honda has signed a $250,000 memorandum of understanding with the facility to begin testing self-driving versions of its RLX saloon, away from prying eyes. Mercedes-Benz, too, is said to have experimented with similar technology there.
According to The Guardian, such high security may not suit all companies, but the facility would make Apple feel right at home while testing its self-driving technology.
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UK automotive takes another hit as manufacturing declines in November - November 22, 2017
Smoking in cars carrying children: Welsh Assembly vote on proposed ban
Factors to Consider in Buying a Brand New Car
Surge in popularity for ULEVs in first five months of 2015


text:
Home All Japan Pro Wrestling Kroffat & Furnas vs Kikuchi & Kobashi – 05/25/92 | On This...
All Japan Pro Wrestling
Kroffat & Furnas vs Kikuchi & Kobashi – 05/25/92 | On This Day
Alex Podgorski
'On This Day' is a commemorative article series. It is dedicated to specific events, matches, and occurrences in wrestling history. We revisit those key moments and look back at how they went down and what they meant to the wrestling industry. Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas vs Tsuyoshi Kikuchi & Kenta Kobashi, is that match.
One of the greatest and most legendary tag team matches in history took place twenty-eight years ago today. Not only was it a perfect wrestling contest in which everything clicked. It also took place in front of one of the hottest crowds ever. Indeed, if you ever wanted to understand just how vital a live crowd is to pro wrestling, watch this match.
Kroffat & Furnas vs Kikuchi & Kobashi
A stereotype destroyed
Many North American wrestlers have wrestled in Japan over the decades. And many of those have described a collective behavior among the fans: the stereotype of the quiet Japanese audience. Whereas American audiences will make noise before, during, and after a match, their Japanese counterparts will not. As Chris Jericho put it:
"[Japanese fans are] quiet, respectfully watching. When you first go there you think, like, 'Do I suck? Like, why is there no reaction whatsoever?' They'll start reacting when you do finishing, false moves at the end. But they're respectfully watching because, to them, it's a real craft. If you do, like, a nice hold, a technical little sequence, they'll all clap. If I take you to the ropes and, you know, break, they'll clap for you. Because that's what you're supposed to do. You are honorable, you follow the rules. Stuff that would never happen here [in North America]. "
Thus, Japanese fans are much harder to impress. They rarely, if ever, go crazy, making tons of noise during a match. They watch wrestling matches as if they're traditional sporting contests, focusing on athleticism and the execution of moves. A wrestler needs to bring their A-game if they wrestle in front of a Japanese audience. Those eagle-eyed fans will oversee everything and scrutinize every action. And even the slightest misstep won't result in boos, but in a deafening silence later on in the match when they're supposed to come alive.
That is why this match is such a rare gem. It takes the above stereotype and flips it on its head.
The big battle in Sendai
This match took place on April 25th, 1992 in the Japanese city of Sendai. Sendai happens to be Tsuyoshi Kikuchi's hometown. He was wrestling in front of his home crowd, so the fans were more invested in seeing their boy win. His partner was Kenta Kobashi, who was a rising star in his own right. And their opponents were two bigger gaijins/foreigners. This match took place at a time when most non-Japanese wrestlers played the token 'evil foreign invader' gimmick that had been a staple of puroresu since its inception.
So not only were these fans excited to see tag team titles held by foreign menaces challenged by local Japanese wrestlers, but they were going to see their boy Kikuchi take on two opponents much larger than himself.
A perfect example of working a crowd
The crowd in attendance was white-hot before the match even began, and all four wrestlers knew it. They knew how to make the most out of so little. For example, as the tag titles were shown, Kroffat approached Kobashi and Kikuchi and wagged his finger to both of them. He basically told them, "you're not getting these." That set the tone for the match because the fans booed him immediately.
The action started with Kroffat bitchslapping Kikuchi in the face. Neither he nor the fans liked that at all. Then Kikuchi exploded, elbowing the hell out of Furnas. Both the crowd and the commentator went nuts on this, and the commentator even recognized the 'standing ovation' the crowd was giving Kikuchi. And this all took place within the first minute of the match.
From there, it became a classic tale of evil bully outsiders versus local heroes defending their turf. The much smaller Kikuchi became the target for his opponents' attacks. They tried to overpower him whenever they could, but his gutsy, never-say-die attitude helped him overcome those odds. At one point, both opponents tried to attack him but he took each of them down with a dropkick. And when he did, the fans went absolutely nuts. They lost their collective minds over a simple dropkick. It was unbelievable. He brought thousands of fans to their feet hitting the simplest of wrestling moves.
It was something special. Whenever Kikuchi did anything, these fans would cheer and jump from their seats. The same was true for Kobashi. He wasn't the hometown hero but he was a hero nonetheless. He was bigger and stronger than Kikuchi, and he'd come in like a freight train, taking down his opponents left and right.
The Appeal of This Match
But the appeal of this match wasn't just a raucous crowd cheering for their homeboy. Kikuchi & Kobashi wanted to win the titles as well, and Kroffar & Furnas became mountains for their challengers to overcome. They attacked Kikuchi relentlessly, and at one point Furnas military press slammed him onto the announcer's table. That did incredible damage to Kikuchi and made the audience even more desperate to see the heroes win.
A perfect example of this occurred after a hot tag from Kikuchi to Kobashi. He started cleaning house and the fans went nuts. Then both his partners double-teamed him and the audience started to boo. Bear in mind that such reactions are incredibly rare in Japan. Yet these four wrestlers knew how to control their audience. The villains whipped Kobashi and the fans kept booing. He ducked their double clothesline attempt and they started cheering. Then he took both of them down singlehandedly and they jumped out of their seats. But this wasn't just Kobashi playing to the crowd; it was an excellent way of telling the underdog story that had been started when the bell rang.
And then there was the final stretch. Like in any great match, the last act was filled with exciting and believable near-falls. Both teams had done a perfect job of wearing each other down to the point that any move could end the match. But this wasn't going to be one of those sad tales in which the evil foreigners win. No, this match was about Kobashi being the 'big brother' saving his partner and friend. Kikuchi played a supporting role in this closing act, breaking up pins and distracting Furnas.
In His Sights
But Kobashi had Kroffat in his sights and was going to make him pay for being so cocky and arrogant throughout the match. They exchanged moves a lot until Kobashi planted Kroffat with a double-arm DDT. Yet astonishingly, that wasn't enough to end the contest. So Kobashi's body-slammed him. And the fans went nuts. Because even though they were Kikuchi's fans, they loved Kobashi's moonsault. And with perfect execution, Kobashi landed the move and scored the fall.
Photo / YouTube
As the bell rang, everyone lost their minds. Fans were screaming in joy, jumping out of their seats, cheering wildly. Even the lead commentator screamed on the top of his lungs, "WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS! WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!" Even without understanding what's precisely being said, his tone and excitement is as infectious as the crowd's. He sells the drama as much as the crowd and the wrestlers.
Then, to add the cherry on top, Furnas and Kroffat had such deep respect for their opponents that they put the titles on the winners. There were no cheap-shots, no grandstanding, no arguing with the referee. The defeated champions took their loss like men and showed respect to the better wrestlers. It's a small gesture, but it goes a long way in adding to the significance of the faces' title victory.
How it stands today
All told, this was a perfect tag match that had everything working for it. The four wrestlers involved had fantastic chemistry, ideal timing, and a powerful understanding of how to work their audience. The crowd was unbelievable, making more noise than almost any crowd anywhere before or since. Even the lead commentator made his best JR impression and sold this like it was the most significant wrestling victory of all time. It probably wasn't, but he and everyone in attendance adored this match.
You can watch the match in its entirety here.
Alex has been a fan of pro wrestling for most of his life, and has been watching it since he was eight years old. He writes about it on a regular basis, and his work has been published on such sites as WhatCulture, TheRichest, Daily DDT, SportsKeeda, SLAM! Wrestling and TJR Wrestling.


Feb. 1, 2018, 9:18 a.m.
Preservation Dallas. Preserve Dallas, March 2002, periodical, March 2002; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth887662/: accessed April 19, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Preservation Dallas.


What Is the Most Successful Groupon Deal Ever Offered?
A Nordstrom Rack coupon offered in late November 2010 was purchased more than 620,000 times and grossed nearly $1 million.
After nearly three years of daily deals in an expanding roster of cities all over the world, Groupon has released an astonishing number of coupons. In the process, it has turned itself into a multi-billion-dollar company and spawned a number of copycats on either side of the Atlantic. But what's the all-time best-selling promotion that Groupon has been responsible for since it was founded back in November 2008?
In an infographic created for the Harvard Business Review that takes a close look at the coupon company, data scientist Paul Butler has revealed the most successful Groupon ever. "The runaway hit," according to the infographic, "was a '$25 for $50 at Nordstrom Rack,' offered across the U.S. on November 24, 2010. In San Francisco, that deal grossed so much money -- $857,375 -- that it didn't fit into Butler's chart," which depicts the gross revenue of nearly 950 Groupons offered in San Francisco between June 2009 and February 2011.
"Nationwide some 623,000 people bought the coupon, generating $15.6 million, which accounts for 2.6 percent of cumulative Groupon revenue," the infographic continues.
To put all of this in perspective, the average Groupon sells only 578 units, generating $13,840 at a cost of $34 each. But one of the reasons the Nordstrom Rack deal outperformed every other Groupon is that it was in the sweet spot. Butler's research showed that "coupons that offer $50 worth of merchandise for $25 at retail outlets often perform exceptionally well," which is why we've seen that model repeated time and again.


text:
'Star Trek' cast had a Zoom birthday party for Counselor Troi because of coronavirus
They followed the prime directive: Throw your party with social distancing in mind.
Author: Travis Pittman
Published: 1:10 AM EDT March 31, 2020
Updated: 5:53 AM EDT March 31, 2020
You should not boldly go to a birthday party these days because of the possible spread of coronavirus. So, the cast of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" held a Zoom group chat birthday party for one of their own.
Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi, turned 65 on Sunday.
Sirtis posted an image on Twitter of her computer screen showing all the partygoers in a virtual meeting: Sir Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Wil Wheaton, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden and Sirtis.
"I have the best friends in the world. Considering everything, this was the best birthday present. #TNGRules," Sirtis tweeted.
Different shot, but same amazing group. What a blast it was to chat away....and laugh. Felt so good," tweeted McFadden with her own photo of the chat.
"Overcoming the distance... #family," tweeted Burton.
Wheaton had a deeper message when he posted his screen shot to Instagram, talking about how the emotional toll the outbreak has taken on him.
"I've been so focused on being a reliable husband and father, I haven't had a moment to exhale, and just be a son who is scared and anxious and needs parents to just tell him everything is going to be okay, and who will acknowledge that he's doing the best that he can," Wheaton wrote. "I got all of that from my Star Trek family, at a time when I didn't even know just how much I needed it. I feel like I've been holding my breath for weeks, and yesterday, I exhaled for the first time."
Wheaton also noted it was cool that they were using technology that seemed like it was right out of the same science fiction they portrayed 30 years ago.
There is no indication any of the cast members have contracted the virus. Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms, which can include fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause pneumonia and require hospitalization.
It's been a particularly trying time for Sirtis. Michael Lamper, her husband of 27 years, died in December.
Sirtis revived her role as Troi in the new series "Star Trek: Picard," which just finished its first season on the CBS All Access streaming service. Frakes and Spiner also appear in the series that stars Stewart.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" ran from 1987-1994 and spawned four feature films. Characters from the series made cameos on three other Star Trek series.
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text:
package com.aspectran.core.support;

import com.aspectran.core.component.bean.ablility.FactoryBean;
import com.aspectran.core.component.bean.annotation.AvoidAdvice;
import com.aspectran.core.component.bean.aware.EnvironmentAware;
import com.aspectran.core.context.env.Environment;
import com.aspectran.core.util.Assert;

/**
 * {@link CurrentEnvironmentFactoryBean} that returns the {@link Environment}.
 *
 *
Created: 2019. 12. 18.

 *
 * @since 6.6.0
 */
@AvoidAdvice
public class CurrentEnvironmentFactoryBean implements EnvironmentAware, FactoryBean<Environment> {

    private Environment environment;

    @Override
    public void setEnvironment(Environment environment) {
        Assert.state(this.environment == null, "Environment already injected");
        this.environment = environment;
    }

    @Override
    public Environment getObject() throws Exception {
        return environment;
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Boskalis defends track record at Chatham Rock hearings
Thursday 2nd October 2014
Royal Boskalis, one of the world's biggest dredging companies, defended its track record in making the case for a proposed phosphate mining project on the Chatham Rise, and is confident the measures it would take to protect the environment would aid recolonisation of the area by marine life.
The Rotterdam, Netherlands-based company is the proposed partner with NZAX-listed Chatham Rock Phosphate to mine phosphate nodules from the seabed on the Chatham Rise, some 450 kilometres offshore to the east of Christchurch, providing the engineering expertise to undertake the project. While the two companies haven't formally entered into a contract, Boskalis is an investor in and an integral part of Chatham Rock's application to mine the area, and three of the Dutch firm's representatives gave evidence to the five-member decision-making committee hearing submissions on the project in Wellington yesterday.
"It is important to note both CRP and Boskalis have committed to work together on this project," development dredging manager Sander Steenbrink told the committee. "We have come a long way and it would very difficult for another company to come and step into the project and do that work."
If another company was successful in winning the bid to undertake the project, it would have to negotiate the use of Boskalis's intellectual property, which was part of the Chatham Rock application.
Steenbrink said Boskalis has a strong track record around the world in managing these types of projects, and that he considered measures to mitigate the impact of mining on the environment by leaving areas to aid recolonisation of the marine ecosystem met the firm's corporate social responsibility goal of 'building with nature'.
He didn't think there were any technical concerns that would limit monitoring the project, which would be the deepest underwater mining project the firm has undertaken, at 450 metres. Rather, it would come down to issues of cost, Steenbrink said.
Duncan Currie, counsel for environmental lobbies Greenpeace, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, put several critical reports over Boskalis's environmental record to Steenbrink, which the Dutch executive said either hadn't come to his attention or had since been rectified.
Boskalis senior engineer Jamie Lescinski told the committee the modelling used to determine the impact of the plume of discharged sediment from the mining operation took a conservative approach. The plume is expected to be at an average of 10 metres above the sea bed during a mining cycle, but Lescinski said it could probably go as high as 20 metres without any substantial variation.
The impact of the plume and how it disperses the sediment is a key point of contention in the project. Boskalis plans to blast jets of water into the ocean floor to loosen the seabed and suck up sand for separation and extraction of the phosphate, before dispersing it through a hose. Among concerns is whether clay, referred to as chalk ooze and which typically lies below the proposed layer of sand to be mined, would be sucked up into the suction system,
CRP wants to initially mine an 820 square kilometre area for five years before widening its activity to a 5,207 sq km area for up to a further 30 years.
Lescinski said lessons and samples from the initial mining stage would be used to model the potential impacts in expanded areas if the project proceeds to those later stages.
"I would advise that, before mining in a new area, a condition should be imposed that seabed samples need to be collected and analysed and that information should be used in the model as inputs to rerun operational predictions before moving into new mining," she said. "My expectation is it would be similar, but that's an expectation. I would want to see that sediment first and see if there are any similarities to the area that's already known."
Gerard van Raalte, who has been overseeing the project for Boskalis, told the hearing the Chatham Rise project would draw on existing techniques and equipment, but would also need its own bespoke solutions to deal with unique issues.
"What we have developed so far is complex, but in fact it's a combination of state of the art techniques that are applied in a new context," van Raalte said. "We are convinced we have chosen the best available technology with the best environmental practices to mitigate as much as possible what we can do in the design stage."
He said the project will need extensive monitoring in the early stages to ensure it would be able to cope with any unexpected problems that arise.
The hearings are continuing.


We love these looks from early collections – the signature tweed skirt suit interpreted for the times: 80s power shoulders and an early 90s Clueless-style miniskirt with chain belt.
This sharp, graphic, leggy collection had a 60s cool-girl feel which still holds plenty of appeal. Made up entirely of thigh-high boots and tunic dresses or mini skirts swinging under the signature tweed jackets in distressed denims and tweed, the likes of Irina Lazreneau and Freja Beha make this an iconic collection of the mid-00s.
This show was a modern take on the Chanel classics – tweed jackets worn with chunky gold chains and pearl necklaces, and black sequin shorts, skirts and mini white shirtdresses. And the shoes! Plastic-lucite-glitter wedge platforms – we still want these years later.
Nuits d'Été translates as Summer Nights, and Karl whisked us off to a 50s Grease-inspired Americana dreamworld of stars-and-stripes prints and blue-denim everything.
YEE-HA, Karl turned the Grand Palais into a huge barnyard with Lara Stone and Abbey Lee romping in the hay. And don't forget those iconic clogs.
Karl's starting point for this collection was a clean sheet of paper, which was cut up and intricately folded into the most beautiful flower headpieces. Pretty, white and apparently simple – but upon closer inspection the 3D detailing was extraordinary. Timeless and breath-takingly beautiful.
The most fun and most extravagant Chanel show ever? Karl imported a genuine iceberg from Scadanavia for this Artic-themed show. Models waded across a watery 'sea' and frozen landscape in giant faux-fur yeti boots (and signature tweed skirt suits of course). This show couldn't help but bring a smile to the faces of the fashion pack.
Models wore heart-shaped hair with pastel streaks, short skirt suits and shift dresses with silver booties. Somewhere between romanticism and space-age, this girl still captures our imagination.
Under the sea, literally. The Grand Palais became an underwater fantasy world filled with seascapes of coral, shells and seahorses. Karl wanted lightness in the clothing so there was a mother-of-pearl iridescence shimmering on the surface of the dresses, some with flying streamers mimicking seaweed. Florence Welch closed the show singing What The Water Gave Me. Very apt.


An afternoon to remember and reconnect with the wise woman within You!💖 This workshop will feature simple techniques to utilize powerful plant medicine for both energetic and physical healing. Smudging, body brushing, body oiling, yoni steaming and herbal bathing will all be practiced or discussed. A great shift is happening right now in our world and it is imperative that we practice daily Self love and care. Grounding in Gaia and gathering strength from her plant spirits are ways in which we can nourish ourselves and loved ones.


Author: The JT Leroy Story, Life, Animated and Weiner all enjoyed their UK premieres as part of #SundanceLondon this past weekend.
Jim: The James Foley Story and Author: The JT LeRoy Story screen at the East End Film Festival in London this month.
Dogwoof has acquired another new film from Sundance Film Festival 2016 - Author: The JT LeRoy Story.


text:
Warrant Issued for Lil Durk in Connection to Atlanta Shooting
photo credit: Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
Last night, Lil Durk announced on Instagram that he will be turning himself in today but no one knew why. Until now.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of rapper Lil Durk in connection with a shooting in Atlanta. Cops want to bring Durk in to book him on 5 felony charges, including criminal intent to commit murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and another charge of associating with a criminal street gang to participate in a crime.
The alleged shooting happened February 5th at a restaurant called The Varsity, where a man was found by police suffering from a gunshot wound. He did survive. Police recovered 13 shell casings on the scene from a rifle and pistol, a firearm was also found.
Cops say 2 witnesses told them the victim appeared to be in a verbal dispute with an unknown black male before the shooting. Police say they've reviewed surveillance footage, and are still investigating.


Vintage, modern and artisan furniture from the best stores of San Francisco and Bay Area.
MID-CENTURY MODERN CHAIR OFFERS DRAMATIC ARMS AND A DEEP SEAT FOR RELAXATION. SCULPTED FRAME ADDS AN ARCHITECTURAL FEEL TO THE RICH, DISTRESSED BLACK TOP-GRAIN LEATHER.


We offer a line of micron water filtration that can purify all the water in your whole house. The systems use extra large heavy duty Filter housings with 1" pipe diameter so as to not reduce the house pressure. Purifying all the water used in the house is practical and economical with our Single or Dual filter systems for those with "treated" water like the Maui County Water supply.
These systems are designed especially for chlorinated treated water. If the water is mostly clean and free of sediment then the single filter is fine but if there is a film or sediment then we recommend adding a 2nd 20 micron sediment pre filter (Dual Filter System) which will keep the watet clean and prevent premature clogging of the main solid carbon block filter.
We offer All Stainless Steel and Glass Stored Water Whole House Filter and UV Systems for those who want to know their water is 100% sterilized without removing the minerals and fresh taste from the water.
The single filter system is recommended in most Maui County water supply situations where the treated water is basically clean and clear.
Labor and pvc or rigid copper pipe and fittings. We offer installation kits in S 40 and S 80 PVC and rigid copper.
The dual filter system is designed for many situations in Hawaii where the treated water supply has sediment, sand, rust scale or other mysterious goo in the water supply and we want to insure the carbon block filter does not clog prematurely.


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A joint report from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security says fighting botnets requires industry and government collaboration.
A joint report issued Wednesday by the Department of Homeland security and the Department of Commerce aims to outline a path to defeating botnets, but it will be no small task.
The report, which was issued as a response to an earlier executive order requesting ways to enhance distributed attack resilience, said that fighting botnets is a task that doesn't end with its publication. "There is much work to do," the report summarizes.
The report said that challenges to reducing distributed threats can be summarized in six principal themes and also provided five goals it believes are an essential part of improving resilience.
If it's possible to boil down six principal themes into one statement these could be accurately summarized as a cry for improved collaboration. Not only does the report want to improve communication between industry and government, but between industry members and among their employees as well.
The US is often hit by botnets from overseas: The majority of botnets originate outside of the US, the report said. Increasing resilience against these sorts of attacks requires close collaboration with international allies.
Prevention tools aren't being used: Some market sectors are using publicly available tools to combat distributed attacks, but most don't know the tools even exist. Lack of awareness, prohibitive cost, lack of market incentives, and lack of technical expertise are listed as reasons why tools go underutilized.
Hardware security needs to be lifecycle-long: Too many devices are made vulnerable to hijacking due to being out of vendor support, unpatched, or vulnerable when released for sale.
User education on distributed threats is lacking: The report said that many home and business users are unaware of the threat of botnets and how to prevent them.
Market incentives to build secure products aren't there: "Product developers, manufacturers, and vendors are motivated to minimize cost and time to market, rather than to build in security or offer efficient security updates," the report said, adding that incentives need to shift toward a compromise between cost and security.
The problem is ecosystem-wide: No one actor, part of the industry, or government agency can stop this problem: It exists because there's no network in place to prevent it.
Individual organizations wondering what they can do to protect themselves from botnets and other distributed attacks won't find advice in the DoC/DHS report.
That doesn't mean the government doesn't have advice for private organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity posture, of which distributed attack defense is part. Those looking for less macroscopic advice can turn to the NIST cybersecurity framework published last year.
The Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint report stating that much more needs to be done to improve distributed attack resiliency in the US.
The report recommends five goals for improving distributed attack security, all of which focus on collaboration and initiatives between government and the tech industry.


Over the next three years, a team of researchers will chart the complex connections between brain cells that allow us to make and retrieve lasting memories. That process, called consolidation, hinges on the brain's ability to replay stored memories.
The project represents the first attempt to build a complete computational model of a neural network in vertebrates using experimental data. It received $1.95 million for three years in funding yesterday  in the first wave of grants to be awarded under President Obama's Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative , which seeks to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain.
In an interview, Losonczy — who is also a member of Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute  — described phenomena called sharp-wave-ripples, bursts of electrical activity that replay stored memories and make them last. They are especially prominent when we sleep. The wave-ripples are generated by networks of cells in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, the part of the brain where memories of recent events, or episodic memories, are formed. The key question the research team wants to answer, said Losonczy, is how?
Losonczy expects studying the cells that make up the replay circuit, their connections and their functional properties will yield "transformative insights" into how the concerted activity of neurons gives rise to the remarkable mental abilities of the mammalian brain.
The newly funded project is titled "Towards a complete description of the circuitry underlying memory replay ," and is a collaboration between Ivan Soltesz (University of California, Irvine), Gyorgy Buzsaki (New York University), John Lisman (Brandeis University) and Losonczy.


text:
ABC Audio Digital Syndication
Jesse Palmer will host 'The Bachelor' season 26
ABC/Byron Cohen
ABC has tapped former Bachelor Jesse Palmer to host the show's upcoming 26th season, the network announced on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old former football pro starred on The Bachelor's fifth season. His final rose went to Jessica Bowlin, but the couple split shortly after the show aired in 2004.
"For more than 20 years, The Bachelor has brought the world dozens of unforgettable love stories, including at one time, my own," Palmer said in a statement. "Falling in love is one of life's greatest gifts, and I am humbled by the opportunity to return to the show as host this season to offer the newest Bachelor advice gained from firsthand experience and I am grateful to play a small part in his journey."
Following his The Bachelor stint, Palmer went on to host the ABC reality dating show The Proposal and Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship. He currently hosts ABC's The Ultimate Surfer and is a football analyst for ESPN.
The Bachelor season 26 is set to air in 2022.
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 6:00AM by George Costantino Permalink


Send some extra love to your bestie, packaged with care and arrives in a blush metallic envelope, 120lb paper card.
All bundles come with an 'I Love You Friend' card add a personal note and we will print it on the back side of the card.
* All of our cards are 'flat' style cards meaning postcard style or no flap.
Have a custom order in mind? Send us a message and we can set you up.


Cartography is the business of making maps. The terms 'mapmaking' and 'cartography' essentially mean the same thing: taking geographical information and transforming it into a map. A map is a graphic which shows a simplified picture of some of the features of part or all of the world. Our definition of cartography describes it as the 'art, science and technology' of mapmaking — a useful definition since it shows that cartography covers many disciplines and involves people with a range of skills. Making maps is an exciting and creative profession.
There are various courses available that include a module or element of Cartography and we have compiled a guide to becoming a cartographer here.
Jobs that are advertised for Cartographers will appear on these pages.


text:
LifestyleWell-Being
Human Nature: From Science Fiction to Science Fact
A riveting new documentary tells the story of the biggest tech revolution of the 21st century. And it isn't digital, it's biological.
When Oscar and Emmy winner Adam Bolt directs a documentary in collaboration with a world-class writer-scientist team, and media icon Dan Rather backs the project as one of its executive producers, you can be pretty certain there is a story to tell – a significant story of far-reaching implications, and one that is told well. The documentary Human Nature is a provocative exploration of CRISPR, the scientific breakthrough which has given us unprecedented control over the basic building blocks of life.
After its recent world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, the documentary is currently on the international festival circuit where it has already received numerous distinctions. On October 26, it will come to Paris in its only French screening currently scheduled. Other European screenings include Oslo, Norway on November 6 and London, UK on November 29.
Human Nature examines CRISPR through the eyes of the scientists who discovered it, the families it affects, and the bioengineers who are testing its limits. Gene-editing opens the door to curing diseases, reshaping the biosphere, and designing our own children. How will this new power change our relationship with nature? What will it mean for human evolution? Is that human intervention a good thing or does it contain inherent scientific or ethical risks? How far can Man morally go? Where is the limit you cannot overstep and who defines it?
To begin to answer these questions we must look back billions of years and peer into an uncertain future.
But first of all, what is CRISPR, in layman's terms?
Unscientifically speaking, CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a protein which is often described as "molecular scissors", or a "software" that can be programmed to find a very precise sequence in a DNA and to cut it. Human DNA contains over 3 billion letters in every single cell, and renews and repairs itself perpetually. During that process, copying errors can happen. CRISPR-Cas9 (to be exact) is a protein that allows scientists to make very precise changes exactly where needed. But how do you that with something that is 40,000 times smaller than a human hair?
CRISPR is in fact a natural process that humans learned to harness by studying how microorganisms use it to disable viruses in a very precise manner. "It became a household word in late 2012 and early 2013, after a series of papers showed that it could be used to precisely edit the DNA of humans, crops, animals, insects, you name it. It turned out to be an almost universal tool for gene editing. And then things started moving very quickly. Within a year, someone had used CRISPR to edit monkey embryos, and it was clear that it would soon be possible to do that in humans as well," explains documentary director Adam Bolt.
And that has profound implications. Until very recently, genetic engineering in humans has been confined to what are called "somatic cells." Most cells in your body are somatic cells—skin cells, blood cells, brain cells, etc. If the DNA in those cells is edited, that change is confined to that particular tissue. But the DNA of sperm, egg, or embryo cells are altered, that change is passed down to future generations. This is called germline editing, and it had never been possible in humans until CRISPR.
"CRISPR is the most important science story that the general public doesn't know about. CRISPR enables fast, inexpensive, and precise manipulation of DNA, the molecule that contains the chemical blueprint for all life on Earth. CRISPR is already sparking a revolution in biotechnology and genetics. Scientists often compare it to the Internet revolution in terms of its scope and importance, with CRISPR playing a role comparable to the personal computer or smartphone" — Adam Bolt
That "DNA hacking", as some call it, is technologically doable is no longer a question. But in recent years, the science community has gone from potential to possibility in an unprecedented Brave New World scenario in unchartered waters. Human Nature takes a good look at the ramifications. Take for instance the case of David Sanchez, a teenager with sickle-cell disease. A cure is already being developed, which will bring help to hundreds of thousands … What about the 11-year-old with OCA2, a form of albinism? Should conditions like this be edited out of our genomes before birth? Where do we draw the line between disease and diversity?
There are justified clinical applications where the technology is a blessing, or at least ground for constructive social discourse.
But what if parents just request that their offspring should be much taller than themselves or have specific abilities? Maybe employers want to condition their staff to never need a break, or the military demands to make its soldiers immune to fear and pain? When Vladimir Putin is shown in the documentary discussing the engineering of flawless musicians or mathematicians and closes his remarks with "What I have said may be more terrifying than a nuclear bomb", it might give cause for pause indeed.
Adam Bolt's documentary examines these issues without prejudice and not without a sense of humour. What could be a rather dull topic for any non-scientist, suddenly comes to life through cases and narrative. But as Human Nature points out, we are at the end of the beginning, for better or for worse though it may be.
CRISPR is the brainchild of American biochemist and UC Berkeley professor Jennifer Doudna and French microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier, two outstanding scientists who pioneered this revolutionary biotechnological tool. The research team around these formidable women is composed of international researchers and fellows, some hailing from countries that are adversely affected by recent and current travel limitations to the USA. A sit-down interview between Jennifer Doudna and Dan Rather, one of the world's best-known journalists for much of the last half century, evokes matters of science, but also philosophical, religious, and even political issues:
Dan Rather has also thrown his weight behind the documentary as one of its three executive producers. As sharp as ever, the 87-year-old loves science and knows that it is vital to tell the stories of science to spark conversations about these important topics. In an interview with Canadian broadcaster CBC he states, "I've been mightily blessed and really lucky as a journalist, I've covered my share of big stories. I don't think I've ever covered something that has the potential to be as far-reaching and as consequential as this scientific breakthrough to do gene editing."
The technology is still in its infancy and has lots of potential to do good but carries an inherent risk if in the wrong hands, Rather says. "We literally know, in theory, how to design babies — we now have the biological breakthrough that will allow someone to do that." People need to start asking critical questions, he says, and there needs to be regulation. But "…if it is to be regulated, who is to do the regulating — is it the UN, individual governments? And how do you do that? This is the conversation we need to be having with ourselves right now."
Director Adam Bolt deserves credit for his sensitive and delicate handling of a hot potato issue. He knows how to go about them. He is the editor and co-author of the Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job, for which he received the Writer's Guild Award for Best Documentary Screenplay and was nominated for an American Cinema Editors award for Best Edited Documentary in 2011. He also won an Emmy in 2014 for his work on the Showtime documentary series Years of Living Dangerously.
David Sanchez, a teenager with sickle-cell disease, looks at a tube containing the CRISPR gene editing machinery. Clinical trials are already underway to cure the disease.
He went into the project with an open mind but was soon struck by how much debate was going on within the scientific community about how to deal with CRISPR. "For example, many scientists are genuinely unsettled by the idea that we could design our own children and think that altering future generations is a line we should never cross. But others don't see as much of a difference between CRISPR and other technologies (space travel, modern medicine, and even agriculture) that have in some sense 'changed what it means to be human.' This is a realm where there are no easy answers, even to those who understand the science best."
The team around Bolt and Rather is a veritable Who's Who in science and TV-making, from co-executive producers Elliot Kirschner and Greg Boustead to Regina Sobel (editor/co-writer), Meredith DeSalazar (producer), Sarah Goodwin (producer and leading science writer), Derek Reich (Emmy award winning cinematographer), and Steve Tyler (Emmy Award winning documentary film editor). The company behind this documentary, Wonder Collaborative, brings innovative storytellers and the global scientific community together in a spirit of experimentation and collaboration to revolutionize science filmmaking with the wonder, awe, and diversity of discovery.
The documentary will be screened in Paris on October 26 at 2 pm at the Pariscience International Science Film Festival (107 mins, VOSTFR). Other screenings in France are currently being discussed.
"Scientists tend to be a cautious bunch. They're suspicious of hype and not known for making outlandish claims. So it was really striking when I kept hearing leading researchers say these extraordinary things about CRISPR: that it could allow us to reshape the biosphere, cure untreatable diseases, and design our own children. They spoke about it as a technology that could change the future in huge and unknowable ways. What's more, CRISPR seemed to explode out of nowhere, so suddenly things that everyone thought would be decades away are literally happening now." — Adam Bolt
Lead image and photo of David Sanchez courtesy Wonder Collaborative/Human Nature; photo of Professor Jennifer Doudna by Duncan.Hull – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link; photo of Emmanuelle Charpentier by Bianca Fioretti, Hallbauer & Fioretti – Bianca Fioretti, Hallbauer & Fioretti, copyright owned by Emmanuelle Charpentier who made it a Creative commons picture, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Adam BoltCRISPRCRISPR-Cas9Dan RatherDerek ReichElliot KirschnerEmmanuelle CharpentierGreg BousteadHuman NatureJennifer DoudnaMeredith DeSalazarPariscience International Science Film FestivalRegina SobelSarah GoodwinSteve Tyler
Mount Etna, a Magical Mountain
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World Sport Kite Championships is back with a 14 team contest featuring representatives from 9 Nations. In the previous 8 editions, three teams, Overdrive (France), Cutting Edge (USA) and Scratch Bunnies (UK) have each won twice each. Can Scratch Bunnies create history by winning the World title for a third time? Or will Air-Rex, back after a long absence be able to join the ranks of two-time winners? Will there be a new name on the trophy in 2014. Here, KiteLife Magazine casts an eagle eye over the "runners and riders".
It's great, at last, to welcome a team from China to WSKC. Flying as a 4 man team in the 1st Asia Pacific SportKite Championships in 2012, Team Win-Sky Shanghai coped less well with the rigours of compulsory figures. However, thanks to their own enthusiasm and hard work plus expert coaching in their own country from top Japanese competition flyers, they now have a better understanding of figures and two more years' experience of flying together. They now fly as a team of 3 and their well-choreographed ballet demonstrations were one of the highlights at the Bintulu (Sarawak) International Kite Festival in 2013. They have an interesting vented kite, designed by team-leader Jackie Chen and are likely to have ample opportunity to use it in Berck!
Malaysia, who last sent a representative team to WSKC in 2004 are back after a long absence, this time represented by Team Silat who are all members of the Bintulu Kite Flyer Club. They bring a strong team of 5 flyers including father and son, Pian and E-June Sophian. Team Silat gained a good second place in the 2012 Asia Pacific SportKite Championships where they impressed with well-choreographed ballet performances and a good understanding of the compulsory figures. If the winds in Berck stay at the light to moderate end of the scale, Team Silat could cause some surprises. However, in Sarawak they have little opportunity to practice with their vented kites. If the winds are strong, they will need to acclimatise quickly.
Equipo Bogota 2600 from Colombia will make the longest trip to Berck and this will be their 5th WSKC. They have been making steady progress up the rankings, especially since the addition of a fourth team member in 2012, where they placed 8th, beating of off some well-respected European teams in the process. They have extensive international experience and have been great ambassadors for kite-sport in Colombia over many years. They have the skills to deal with whatever wind conditions Berck may provide and will be looking to capitalise on their knowledge this time.
France will be fielding 4 teams of whom the strongest, on previous form, is undoubtedly Start'Air. They made an excellent debut in 2008 placing 7th and since then have consistently impressed the judges with their tightly choreographed ballets and well-disciplined precision performances. The addition of a fourth pilot, Alexandre Ziegler (formerly with Team O4) in 2012 opened up new choreographic possibilities for them and with two successive WSKC third placings to their credit, they will undoubtedly be looking to improve on that in 2014. Rumour has it that they are preparing a new ballet which will hopefully be unveiled in Berck.
Little has been seen of the Dealers team from Lithuania since WSKC 2012 as they were unable to take part in the 2013 European Championship. At WSKC 2012 they placed 12th and perhaps their inexperience showed at that stage, however with the same team, led by Jurgis Pauliukas, and a further two years of flying together under their belts, they will be aiming for better things in 2014. Harsh winters in Lithuania mean that flying practice time is restricted, though recent photos on Facebook suggest they have been honing their routines with stick practice.
les Mademoiz'Ailes (then known as CV Folie Filles) were present at WSKC 2012, taking part in the ballet section only. This time they will be taking on the full rigours of WSKC competition. They are the only all-female team in this competition and in Europe. Capably led by Sabrina Gruson, these ladies are very much dedicated to their sport and put in a lot of practice hours. Their regular training ground is on the Normandy coast in Ouistreham so they are well accustomed to the conditions that they will meet in Berck. They have one recent team change with Estelle Moulin replacing Ludivine Maton.
Ouistreham is also home to Team Cerf Volants Folies, who were the surprise package at WSKC 2012, finishing in a very creditable 5th place overall at their first attempt. Flying with a team of 6 pilots in ballet, their performances in 2012 were well drilled and impressed the judges with choreography that was very much in harmony with their chosen music. CV Folies have an unchanged team for 2014. However, team-leader Jeremie Maton was sidelined by emergency surgery towards the end of 2013. It remains to be seen whether this, and recent extreme weather conditions across Europe will have upset their practice schedule. Again, KiteLife Magazine hears rumours of a new routine for 2014.
The Russian team Red Alert were perhaps a little unlucky on their first visit to WSKC in 2012 but demo performances at the 2013 Berck International Kite Festival will have added valuable experience. The emergence of Russian competitors on the world sport kite stage was amply demonstrated at the 2013 STACK European Championships (Eurocup) in Cervia, Italy where Mike Loskov and Timour Bourbaev took Russia's first ever European title in the multiline pairs discipline against some very well-respected opposition. New recruits since 2012 are Olga Bednova and Slava Mischenko who replace Timour Bourbaev and Alexander Malaev. Despite recent Moscow temperatures of -22c, Red Alert have been putting in a lot a practice over the winter months. Maybe a surprise package in store?
Pair Evidence from USA (Scott Davis & Toby Arndt) impressed the crowds at Berck 2012 with some high-energy, trick-loaded pairs demonstration flights. For WSKC 2014 , Scott will be back leading Evidence the team, this time assisted by Kristian Slater and this year's youngest competitor, Travis Reedy who will be just 13 when he steps into the WSKC arena. If the style we saw from Pair Evidence is reflected in the team performances, we can expect some fireworks in the ballet section! The team is based in Seattle so they will be aiming to replicate the Seahawks 2014 NFL Superbowl success.
Team Flame from UK are the only team to have competed in every edition of WSKC to date and current line-up of 3 pilots includes two of the founding-members. They produced a new ballet for the 2013 European SportKite Championships (Eurocup) in Cervia, Italy but it hadn't quite gelled at that stage. However, the scoring potential was clear to see and, but for unfortunate errors, they might have had a better result. They will have had time to polish their performance before coming to Berck and, armed with the experience that tends to show up well in the compulsory figures and precision section, they could also be poised to spring a surprise or two.
A change of kites in 2009 helped Cream Team from Chantilly, France to establish themselves as serious contenders on the European sport kite scene. The team were unavailable for WSKC 2010 but made a good impression, placing 9th overall, at WSKC 2012. In one-day competitions they have shown themselves to be capable of overtaking some of the big names though, for WSKC 2014, they will need to concentrate on securing consistently good results throughout the 3 days of competition. The ballet routine they used at WSKC 2012 had been in circulation for a while, so they will be hoping that a new routine will improve their chances.
AirRex from Japan have an enviable record in WSKC competition and were clear World Champions in on their last appearance in 2008. They were obliged to miss the WSKC competitions in 2010 and 2012 because of work and family commitments. They are now back for 2014 as a team of 4 flyers, retaining three team members with previous WSKC experience plus AJSKA Chairman Sieiji Kato, who last appeared in Berck as a member of the WSKC 2008 judging panel. However they are without husband and wife Naoki & Rie Tamura for this competition. In past editions, AirRex have capitalised on teams of 5 and 6 flyers to create spectacular ballet choreography. Can they create the same kind of impression with four? Certainly flying techniques and choreographic styles have changed since 2008. However AirRex have been putting in a lot of practice and will be well prepared.
Air Zone Flight Team from USA have taken part in six previous editions of WSKC and bring a wealth of experience. Their best results to date have been two consecutive 4th paces in 2010 and 2012, when they flew as a team of 3 pilots rather the much larger squads they favoured previously. Their experience tends to show up well with close formations and cleanly executed moves in the compulsory figures/precision section. Air Zone look like seasoned professionals and in adverse wind conditions, when other teams might struggle, Air Zone can be relied upon to produce consistent quality performances that should put them in the mix over three days of competition!
Reigning double World Champions, Scratch Bunnies from UK will be fielding four pilots with Sasha Reading replacing James Robertshaw in an otherwise unchanged team. A collection of very talented individual flyers don't necessarily work well as a team but Scratch Bunnies seem to be the exception that proves the rule. They are all competitive individuals and will be aiming to make WSKC history by taking the title for a third time. However, the margin of their victory over Red Bull Kite Force in 2012 was less than 2 points over 3 days of competition. Scratch Bunnies are likely find themselves very hard pressed at WSKC 2014 but, rather like Usain Bolt, they always give the impression of having something more in reserve that they could draw upon.
Without Red Bull Kite Force in the competition this year, close-contenders from previous editions will feel they have a better-than-ever chance to get their hands on the trophy. AirRex will be eager to prove they can lift the trophy again however they are not the same squad that won previously, but neither are Scratch Bunnies! France have not had a winner since Element'Air in 2004. The leading French teams have settled squads and will be accustomed to the conditions but new ballets will need to come together quickly. Battle will most definitely be joined on Day 1 when the draw for starting order has five teams with previous top-5 placings entering the ballet arena in succession, hotly pursued by three newcomers, all eager to establish themselves as 2014 top-rookies.
Also joining in the fun, in a separate daily head-to-head "Concours de l'Avenir" competition are Atemoc from Colombia, who placed 12th on their last WSKC appearance in 2008 and are eager to re-establish their credentials, versus emerging French team Panam'Air. Atemoc will have the edge on experience but Panamair, who are based in Paris, travel regularly to Berck in order to get good wind for their practice sessions and will be more accustomed to the conditions.
KiteLife Magazine wishes good luck and good winds to all the teams and "bon courage" to judges Lisa Willoughby and Ron Despojado (AKA), Pascal Martel (FFVL), Giancarlo Galli (STACK Italia) and Andrew Taylor (STACK UK) also to Mary Ann Parker (STACK UK) who takes charge of her first WSKC as Field Director and Susan Skinner (AKA) as she wrestles with the scores and the judges' handwriting!
This entry was posted in KL Archive and tagged berck, featured, sport kite, team, World Championship.


I have to scratch my head as I sit in front of my 27" iMac when I hear industry analysts say consumers don't want to use the Internet on TV. My iMac, for all practical purposes, is a TV! One report stated that consumers don't find value in having their televisions connected to the Internet. This might be true today, but devices first need to get sold and installed prior to consumers getting hooked on an application market. Google, in my opinion, is going to invest heavily in getting the Chrome browser onto nearly every television set, even without the cooperation of the broadcast networks.
Typically, when the topic of Internet disruption comes up, there is a lot of doom and gloom around the notion that local broadcasters are going to fall first. There is no denying that the future will be a device- and screen-centric world all pulling data from a cloud. But the definition of a cloud, to me, could be anything -- it isn't limited to the Internet. It could be a cable company's data center, Internet provider, spectrum, or a DBS satellite downlink. Let's not fool ourselves, consumers are sophisticated enough now that they will seek out devices for specific purposes tied to any appropriate cloud.
Google TV's roadblock by ABC, CBS, and NBC (who all encrypted their content) makes for great gamesmanship. We all know that devices, including Google TV, are here to support some level of cloud viewership. Those in doubt should visit Best Buy and walk the rows of Internet-enabled devices. The big battles around content ownership across all platforms finally seem to be upon us. For many of the interactive television providers this might be an important catalyst to ignite a long-simmering market.
As a byproduct of cloud computing, the long-term value, and purpose, of software has changed dramatically these past couple of years. Today you can get many programs for free or at low cost on the Internet. Consumers are able to bookmark into their browser bar (like Google Chrome) all sorts of free programs -- from Mint.com, Google Apps, Xfinity, Netflix, RunKeeper, to Linked In. These programs, many replacing Microsoft products, have become little silos of information in themselves, with the user's attention focused on a very narrow output per application.
I imagine the financial strength of Google AdWords will be weakened by all this cloud-based software over time. These applications probably find little financial reward from adding text ads into their user interfaces. As the application market continues to splinter this can't be good for Google's bread and butter search business. This is why I think Google TV is so important, as it provides Google with access to an untapped major revenue source. No surprise, then, that Nielsen Media Research plans to bring GRPs to Internet measurement.
When I think about the biggest challenge facing the TV industry I think about a scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark." It's where Harrison Ford tries to steal the Golden Idol by swapping it with that bag of sand on that booby-trapped pillar. It's as if that bag of sand represents the technical process of upgrading the "cash registers" (inside the broadcast origination centers) that keep commercial insertions happening and advertiser invoices humming along.
The entrenched positions of these billing systems -- which should be upgraded for interactive (lean- forward) technologies -- for me are at the crux of why the industry has so much apprehension moving beyond pure audience ratings. With billings rising across the board for television, "if ain't broke, don't fix it" might be the logical response to delaying critical innovation during this lucrative election season.
Google TV, however, needs television content for its future more than TV needs Google. This idea that there is some difference between Internet and multichannel providers is dated. The flare-up among Google and the major three networks proves the battle for content just got real. Everything is up for grabs. May the best user interface win. Those broadcasters (and cablers) that swallow the bitter pill, while times are good, and figure out how to upgrade their billing systems, will be positioned correctly as TV turns toward a "lean forward" mode.
I gotta say, you got class there buddy.. I-5 or I-7??
Or perhaps a dual core??
Mine just so happens to be a I-7 by the way..
This is why I think Google TV is so important, as it provides Google with access to an untapped major revenue source. No surprise, then, that Nielsen Media Research plans to bring GRPs to Internet measurement.


Published July 9, 2013 -- My attention was immediately drawn to the reflections on the water of False Creek, Vancouver, Canada. It was a warm clear evening and the gentle puffs of wind only slightly disturbed the mirror like reflection on the water. As I looked up at the thousands of windows, which are really the eyes of a building, I wondered what people were doing nestled in their homes; were they reading or cooking or curled up on the sofa watching TV? Were they choosing courses for university, soothing a crying baby or resetting a password? How many were happy? Was anyone crying? Who was in pain? Individually expressed, this would be a mess across the board of human possibilities. But in this one image, this one frame, all that humanity comes together in a beautiful fine art photograph.
On Golden Pond was accepted into the Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition 2012. It went into the PPA General Collection and was awarded a merit.


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Renault Kwid 'Live for More Edition' announced
By Paranjay Dutt
Renault-Nissan recently found out, with the Datsun redi-GO, that special editions can turn out to be very successful; so much so that the production was doubled, in case of the Datsun. And now, the already-bestselling Kwid (the car the redi-GO shares its platform with) has a new special edition to boast. And unlike with other cars, this one, called Renault Kwid Live for More Edition, is available on all power- and drivetrain choices.
On the outside, it gets red accents on the radiator grille (taking a leaf out of the Datsun redi-GO Sport's book), dual-tone roof rails (in red and grey combination), and a 'contrasting' rear spoiler. Similar red accent can be seen on the wheel caps, too, while the triple-colour body graphics look good in photos. Changes on the interior include a dual-tone steering wheel, while the touchscreen infotainment system is present as well – an indication that the special edition will be available on higher trims only.
Engine options, as mentioned above, will include both the 0.8-litre SCe unit and the rather recent, more powerful 1-litre SCe engine. Five-speed manual gearbox is standard on both, but you can also opt for a five-speed AMT should you choose the latter engine.
Other details like variant and colour choices, along with the final prices are expected to be announced soon.


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Interview with Julie Katz from TourMappers – North American Tour Specialists
by Pintrail Team
Julie Katz is owner and Managing Director of TourMappers North America, LLC, a full-service, international-inbound travel company, selling B2B exclusively. Based in Boston, TourMappers wholesales both FIT and group product throughout the U.S. to international tour operators. TourMappers also has its own small group tour program under the label "American Experiences".
Julie is a recipient of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism's Larry D. Meehan Award, and TourMappers has received the U.S. Travel Association/Brand USA's Chairman's Circle Honors award for four years running.
Julie graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a BA in Political Science and interned at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC before returning to Boston. She established her business in 1987 after working in the local travel industry as a tour guide. Julie was born and still lives in Boston, MA.
What travel services do you provide?
Based in Boston with an international staff hailing from France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, UK and of-course the U.S. we are uniquely qualified to service the needs of our clientele. Our flexibility to adapt to customer needs and various market environments, supported by a knowledgeable staff providing informed, attentive service is fundamental to our company credo.
We have 3 departments:
FIT: TourMappers fosters product in a variety of self-drive destinations, introducing the international tour operator to new and different regions of the U.S.. Our product extends beyond hotels, providing attractions, excursions, cruises and more. Because of this, we are able to provide innovative and unique land packages. All of our FIT products and services, including self-drives, river cruises, Rail programs and more are available via an XML connection or through a password-protected web-based booking engine.
GROUP: With over 30 years of experience in planning and arranging group tours, TourMappers expertly makes the U.S. accessible to international Tour Operators. Whether it's a special interest ad-hoc program or a multi-date tour series our knowledgeable staff will arrange the ideal package suited to the specifications of our clients.
AMERICAN EXPERIENCES: Our own scheduled, small group tours highlight the culture and flavors of up and coming destinations. Active adults participate in a variety of experiences. Tours are 8 days/7 nights or 9 days/8 nights with pre & post stay opportunities in gateway cities. Passengers stay in boutique 3 & 4 star properties. It's like an escorted self-drive!
Our destinations include:
Pacific NorthWest Peaks & Pours
Great Lakes Explorer, Classic Americana
A Taste of Texas & the Two-Step
Colorado Mountain Crests & Craft Brews
Brew England; Beaches, Bluffs & Beer
A Southern Story; Sounds & Specialties
Yellowstone's Winter Wonders, A Snow-Season Safari
How has travel changed in Covid world?
As TourMappers is an international inbound travel provider there have been no arrivals since borders closed in March of 2020, but we must maintain operations since our customers (the tour operator) book their clients months in advance since they are traveling internationally. Even though there are no arrivals we still must facilitate both future bookings and cancellations.
How has it affected your business?
Our clients don't pay till time of travel so there has been zero revenue. Nevertheless, we must maintain all operations in order to have business when it returns. Most staff is furloughed so existing workload is placed on remaining staff, who are working from home. Planning is difficult as we don't know when US border will reopen and when each country's borders will reopen. Also, arrivals will depend on flight capacity as travel resumes. Fewer flights means less business. Hotels in some resort destination may be less inclined to contract room blocks to inbound travel companies due to the decline of international travel and the uptick in domestic travel. For other hotels the opposite is true, especially city hotels. They're looking for business wherever they can find it so they're willing to contract for future business. Also, due to the limits placed on capacity at attractions, usual booking procedures and rates may not be in effect at some.
What is your current outlook of the travel industry (Positive/Neutral/Negative)?
From the international market, the US won't see a regular stream of arrival till 2022. I believe by 2022 there will be pent up demand, especially for travel to the US as it will be seen as a "covid-safer" destination. However, it's doubtful we'll be back up to 2019 arrival number till flight capacity and routes resume, and that may not be till 2024/2025.
How do you think travel industry will evolve in post-covid world?
In the immediate I think there'll be more travel to alternative destinations and accommodation. People will be more inclined to visit secondary destinations, "the great outdoors" and rent motorhomes or, go "glamping." Group travel will decline significantly. People may be more inclined to use travel companies/tour operators to book trips so they have an assurance of staying places that are "covid-safe"
How are you and/or your organization preparing when the industry gets back to normal?
We are requiring suppliers to adhere to CDC guidelines, and we'll bring staff back as borders open but as mentioned above, planning is difficult as our business depends on travelers getting vaccinated and receiving appropriate paperwork, all countries opening borders, and number of flights resuming on all routes.
Learn more about TourMappers on their links below.
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Detailed letters released today from a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractor to Representative Zoe Lofgren give rise to grave questions of Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) transparency and integrity in the administration of the controversial ICE Se Communities (S-Comm) program.
Following the release of internal emails as a result of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and the Cardozo Law School Immigration Justice Clinic, the federal government has been under pressure to answer questions about the program's use and scope. The new letters further reveal DHS' attempts to cover up mismanagement and lies, including questioning the redactions of documents about the opting-out issue that a federal judge ordered federal agencies to release in January.
NDLON v. ICE litigates President Obama's flagship "Se Communities" biometrics program, currently operating in over 1,200 jurisdictions in 42 states as of May 2011. Rights groups say the program makes state and local policing central to the enforcement of federal immigration law. The program automatically runs fingerprints through immigration databases for all people arrested and targets them for detention and deportation even if their criminal charges are minor, eventually dismissed or the result of an unlawful arrest. The documents released as a result of the litigation have shown widespread internal agency confusion about the program's voluntary nature as well as the government's heavy-handed implementation strategy. Mayer Brown serves as co-counsel in the case.
For more information on NDLON v. ICE or to view documents produced by the government, visit the Center for Constitutional Right's legal case page or www.uncoverthetruth.org.
Georgia Governor Deal Signs Arizona Copycat into Law, Groups Announce Human Rights Summer.
Atlanta, GA. – In response to the Governor's announcement that he will sign HB 87 at noon eastern time today, Georgians are amassing at the capitol during the day and preparing for a general assembly this evening at Trinity United Methodist Church at 6:30pm.
"Governor Deal's signing of HB 87 flies in the face of those concerned with either Georgia's economy or its residents' civil rights. Those who have passed this law with the hope of intimidating or displacing our community have accomplished the opposite. As a result, people are standing up in the long tradition of organizing for justice. We know and will show that Georgia is better than HB 87.
Xochitl Bervera, Somos Georgia/We are Georgia.
"Immigration reform has been on the national agenda for ten years, and we are mindful the politics have never been more poisonous. However, we hope the President will use his political capital and his persuasive powers to help steer the debate back to a more productive course. After all, the loud voices who favor punishing this generation's Americans-in-Waiting are the very same people who suspected the President himself was an undocumented immigrant. It's time to move beyond the Arizonification of American politics. The nation's first African American president has a unique opportunity to take racism out of the political discourse on immigration.
Pablo Alvarado is available for media inquiries.
NDLON staff is also available for interviews on Se Communities FOIA litigation, Arizona work, and to provide reporters access to day laborers so their voices can be included.
WHAT: Legal scholars weigh in on recent developments surrounding immigration enforcement in California and the "Se Communities" (S-Comm) an ICE program that automatically shares fingerprints at the point of arrest by local law enforcement.
WHY: Local authorities in California and across the country are turning against S-Comm because they argue that it overburdens local law enforcement with civil immigration enforcement, resulting in high budgetary and social costs. Community advocates and several elected officials assert that S-Comm harms community policing strategies by eroding trust between victims and witnesses of crime and police who fear immigration consequences. They cite examples of high-profile cases of domestic violence victims in San Francisco and Maryland who have been placed in deportation proceedings after calling for help. San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey has asked to opt out of S-Comm because it casts "too wide a net". The S-Comm program calls for fingerprinting and federal immigration database checks of people jailed for minor offenses like a broken taillight and can result in deportation without conviction or a trial. Recent statements by the Secretary of Homeland Security claiming that states and localities have no power to decide whether to participate in the program raise serious concerns about overreaching by the federal government and intrusion into local police power. Noted professors and researchers weigh in on the issue to provide accurate and important analysis on the legal terrain surrounding S-Comm.
WHEN: Immediately upon interview request.
Professor Hiroshi Motomura, Susan Westerberg Prager Professor of Law University of California, Los Angeles.
1New York, 505 U.S. at 166.
2 See New York, 505 U.S. at 168; Printz, 117 S. Ct. at 2382.
3Printz, 117 S. Ct. at 2383.
5See New York, 505 U.S. at 166-68.
On Monday, the Center for Constitutional Rights debuts a short film that features Maria Bolaños, a domestic violence survivor and mother from Maryland whose call for help led to deportation proceedings she's still battling.
In New York, State Senators are calling on the Governor to do as Illinois did this past week and cancel the Se Communities program that leads to so many being placed in deportation.
In California, women like Norma are hoping to have their wrongful deportation proceedings dropped and hope to see the state pass the Trust Act that would prevent what happened to her from happening to other mothers.
In Georgia, families are watching the Governor closely to see if he will sign the Arizona copycat, HB 87.
And of course, in Arizona, Sheriff Arpaio still has his federal immigration powers leaving children like Katherine Figueroa wondering if their parents will still be there when they come home from school each day.
Last summer, Michelle Obama was almost speechless when a 2nd grader asked her why President Obama wanted to deport her parents.
How will she be celebrating Mothers day this year?
Washington, DC. – Following a chorus of growing criticism over the President's Se Communities (S-Comm) policy, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus delivered a letter to the White House calling on the Administration to place a moratorium on the program that "is not living up to its name," according to the Caucus.
Lawmakers in Congress and in states throughout the country say ICE officials lied about program details and requirements at its early stages. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California has described the implementation of the program as "dissembling and deceiving" and has called for an Inspector General (IG) investigation with the support of Senator Menendez. The call is reminiscent of another IG report on SCOMM's predecessor, the 287(g) program made famous by Joe Arpaio in Arizona, which showed a program riddled with flaws that was too broken to be fixed.
On May 4th, the Governor of Illinois terminated his state's participation in the program. In California, Assemblyman Ammiano introduced the TRUST Act to reform and regulate the program. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, large scale rallies have taken place in opposition to the program.
"SCOMM has become a symbol of the President's broken promises on immigration reform. We are all painfully aware of the poisonous political climate on immigration reform, but there is simply no excuse for the President to deploy a policy that criminalizes immigrants, erodes our civil rights, and destroys community safety. The policy is unacceptable, and it needs to be stopped immediately.
There is a domestic human rights crisis in Arizona and elsewhere, on display to the world, because of the foolish entanglement of police in immigration enforcement. To allow- and advance- a policy that repeats Arizona's mistakes across the whole country would be a betrayal.
See below for Letter from Rep. Gutierrez to Governor Quinn and for for Governor Quinn's letter to ICE.