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Amnesty International Supports Pimps, Traffickers, and Sex Buyers
read • Written by Laila Mickelwait • Aug 25th, 2015
On August 11, Amnesty International made an egregious decision by voting to adopt a resolution that blatantly protects pimps and johns at the expense of millions of women and girls throughout the world who are prostituted, abused and trafficked in the sex industry.
By calling for the complete decriminalization of all aspects of the sex industry, Amnesty International has now essentially declared it a "human right" for men to buy women, for pimps to sell women, and for traffickers to profit off an unhindered demand for women's bodies.
Although couched in deceptive language that appears to have the intention of protecting the rights of so-called "sex workers," if one looks behind the thin facade, it is easy to see that this resolution and subsequent policy are attempts to further a specific "pro-sex work" agenda. If Amnesty International claims to protect human rights, this decision has clearly stated to the world that they don't consider prostituted women to be human.
If Amnesty International claims to protect human rights, this decision has clearly stated to the world that they don't consider prostituted women to be human.
In order to quickly debunk the myth of Amnesty's resolution I will list each specific point of the resolution, verbatim, and provide rebuttals that will demonstrate the ludicrousy and hypocrisy of the statements:
The [Amnesty International] International Council requests the International Board to adopt a policy that seeks attainment of the highest possible protection of the human rights of sex workers, through measures that include the decriminalisation of sex work…
First off, the notion of the "highest possible protection" of prostituted women is incompatible with the enabling of pimps and johns to use and abuse women's bodies with impunity, as is called for in this promotion of a policy model of full decriminalisation.
[The policy will] take into account:
1. The starting point of preventing and redressing human rights violations against sex workers, and in particular the need for states to not only review and repeal laws that make sex workers vulnerable to human rights violations, but also refrain from enacting such laws.
The true starting point for preventing the abuse of those in prostitution is to recognize that the only way to fully protect them is to get them out of prostitution. Research has demonstrated that prostitution is inherently harmful whether legal, decriminalized or illegal.1 Research has also shown that legal/decriminalized prostitution increases the demand for commercial sex, and thus increases the number of women and girls who end up being coerced into the industry and vice versa.2
Legal/decriminalized prostitution increases the demand for commercial sex, and thus increases the number of women and girls who end up being coerced into the industry
Sex trafficking and the serious abuse of women and girls in the sex industry are certainly human rights violations, (which Amnesty is claiming to redress), and the cause is the uninhibited demand, which is a result of legal and decriminalized commercial sex policy models.
2. Amnesty International's overarching commitment to advancing gender equality and women's rights.
Supporting and protecting men's entitlement to women's bodies is incompatible with the purported commitment to the "advancement of gender equality and women's rights." Prostitution is a manifestation of gender inequality.
Prostitution is a manifestation of gender inequality.
If this were not so, then we would see women buying men for sex at the same rate that men are buying women—and we would see men selling sex at the same rate that women are selling sex. Anyone who has any knowledge of the sex industry knows that this is not the case. Men are overwhelmingly those who buy women's bodies for sex, and the women and girls they buy are the marginalized, disadvantaged, abused, and impoverished. Even the relatively small amount of men who sell sex are feminized (often called "lady boys"), and men are the ones who buy these feminized men. These feminized men are abused and marginalized as well, due to their positions in society as disadvantaged females. This reality highlights the fact that prostitution is a highly gendered injustice, where men are in positions of power as buyers, and women (and feminized men) are the ones being subordinated and dehumanized as merchandise.
By Amnesty advocating for decriminalization of the sex industry, Amnesty is promoting and enabling an institution of gender inequality that works against women's rights and hinders any meaningful progress toward gender equality.
3. The obligation of states to protect every individual in their jurisdiction from discriminatory policies, laws and practices, given that the status and experience of being discriminated against are often key factors in what leads people to engage in sex work, as well as in increasing vulnerability to human rights violations while engaged in sex work and in limiting options for voluntarily ceasing involvement in sex work.
Decriminalizing or legalizing the commercial sex industry does not remove the stigma of prostitution and the accompanying discrimination. For example, in Germany, where the sex trade is legal, the service union ver.di offered union membership to Germany's prostituted population. Those in the industry would have been entitled to health care, legal aid, thirty paid holiday days a year, a five-day work week, and Christmas and holiday bonuses. Out of an estimated 400,000 in prostitution, only 100 joined the union. That's .00025% of those engaging in prostitution. The same phenomenon (not joining prostitution unions) is true in the Netherlands. Legalization and decriminalization never erases the stigma of prostitution and could even make women more vulnerable if they must lose anonymity.3
4. The harm reduction principle.
The harm reduction principle is one that acquiesces to the idea that women in prostitution will always be subordinated, dehumanized, bought and sold—and aims at trying to minimize the inherent harms that come part and parcel with the buying and selling of people's bodies for sexual use and abuse. The problem here is two-fold. First off, by decriminalizing pimps and johns, Amnesty International is actually seeking to reduce any harms for the male buyers and exploiters–not prostituted women.
Under this model, johns and pimps will be able to continue to buy and sell, profit and pleasure, without any consequence or harm to them.
On a public health level the harm reduction model seeks to protect johns from prostituted women's diseases, not protect prostituted women from the diseases that the men transmit to them. Condom use is rarely, if ever, enforced and study after study has demonstrated that men will pay a higher price for sex without a condom—and pimps who are after a profit will coerce the prostituted women to comply with men's demands. When STD testing is done to women in prostitution they are often given cards that they are able to show to men buyers to prove that they are STD free. Men are never required to be tested for diseases to prove to the prostituted women that they are free of deadly diseases, which they might actually give to the women they have unprotected sex with. This type of harm reduction public health policy is sexist to the core and not adopted in the best interest of those who truly need protection—the prostituted women. Harm reduction should never be the goal of policy, harm elimination should be—and that should be focused on the ones who are vulnerable, not on those in advantaged positions and the exploiters.
5. States have the obligation to prevent and combat trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and to protect the human rights of victims of trafficking.
You cannot separate prostitution from sex trafficking because they are inextricably linked. Trafficking flourishes where there is a demand for commercial sex and that demand increases when there are legal and decriminalized sex markets.4 Pimps and traffickers will always exploit women and girls when there is a profit to be made.
Pimps and traffickers will always exploit women and girls when there is a profit to be made.
Legalization and decriminalization of the sex industry increases the demand for prostituted women and thus increases the demand for victims of sex trafficking as well.5 The U.S. Department of State "Trafficking in Persons Report," has stated: "Sex trafficking would not exist without the demand for commercial sex flourishing around the world. Prostitution and related activities—including pimping and patronizing or maintaining brothels—encourage the growth of modern-day slavery by providing a façade behind which traffickers for sexual exploitation operate. Where prostitution is tolerated, there is a greater demand for human trafficking victims and nearly always an increase in the number of women and children trafficked into commercial sex slavery."6
The former director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Ambassador Mark Lagon, has said that "prostitution is inherently harmful and dehumanizing and fuels trafficking in persons. Turning people into dehumanized commodities creates an enabling environment for human trafficking. The United States Government opposes prostitution and any related activities, including pimping, pandering, or maintaining brothels as contributing to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. These activities should not be regulated as a legitimate form of work for any human being."7
6. States have an obligation to ensure that sex workers are protected from exploitation and can use criminal law to address acts of exploitation.
The truth is that when states adopt laws that decriminalize and legalize the sex industry as Amnesty is recommending that they do, not only do they abandon their obligation to protect prostituted women from exploitation,in fact, they increase the amount of exploitation that they face. An uninhibited demand for sex will produce an uninhibited supply of vulnerable prostituted women.
An uninhibited demand for sex will produce an uninhibited supply of vulnerable prostituted women.
Under the model of decriminalization, pimping is encouraged as there is no consequence for exploitation. Furthermore, exploitation via trafficking is encouraged as well, because an unhindered demand creates an attractive profit for those who seek to exploit vulnerable women in order to make significant amounts of money. Amnesty's recommended policy seeks not to encourage states to protect the exploited but in fact Amnesty's policy seeks to increase and encourage exploitation.
7. Any act related to the sexual exploitation of a child must be criminalized. Recognizing that a child involved in a commercial sex act is a victim of sexual exploitation, entitled to support, reparations, and remedies, in line with international human rights law, and that states must take all appropriate measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
Anyone who has studied prostitution in depth knows that in many, if not most cases, females enter into the sex trade underage. Thus, according to the internationally accepted definition of human trafficking laid out in the United Nation's Palermo Protocols, most in prostitution entered into the industry as victims of human trafficking. So at what point does Amnesty think that these human trafficking victims magically change into consenting adults? What happens during the moment between when a girl is seventeen (and a trafficking victim by definition) and when she is eighteen? Does she no longer deserve the protections afforded to child sex trafficking victims because she had a birthday? No, the reality is that these are the same people at different times in their lives who deserve the same protections and support. Women in prostitution must be seen in the appropriate light—as those who were exploited at young and vulnerable ages and who got stuck in a system of exploitation, and need help to get out.
Women in prostitution must be seen in the appropriate light—as those who were exploited at young and vulnerable ages and who got stuck in a system of exploitation, and need help to get out.
8. Evidence that sex workers often engage in sex work due to marginalisation and limited choices, and that therefore Amnesty International will urge states to take appropriate measures to realize the economic, social and cultural rights of all people so that no person enters sex work against their will or is compelled to rely on it as their only means of survival, and to ensure that people are able to stop sex work if and when they choose.
This is one of Amnesty's most ludicrous and contradictory statements regarding those who are being sold in the commercial sex industry. First off, they recognize that evidence demonstrates that most prostituted people enter into the sex industry because of marginalization and limited choices. If they were to simply and objectively look at the research and listen to those who are survivors of the industry (which they did not do and have yet to produce any evidence for their positions), they would easily know that if there were such a unicorn nation where total equality and justice in the economic, cultural, and social spheres was achieved for women, then prostitution would not exist at all. This statement is, in essence, Amnesty admitting that the only reason women enter the sex industry is because they lack equality, social status, and economic status and there are no other legitimate choices for them. A bad choice among worse choices is not a legitimate choice. In addition, exiting the industry once a person is in it is not something that the state can guarantee to any degree as long as pimps operate with impunity—as decriminalization would ensure.
9. Ensuring that the policy seeks to maximize protection of the full range of human rights – in addition to gender equality, women's rights, and non-discrimination – related to sex work, in particular security of the person, the rights of children, access to justice, the right to health, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the right to a livelihood.
See points above.
10. Recognizing and respecting the agency of sex workers to articulate their own experiences and define the most appropriate solutions to ensure their own welfare and safety, while also complying with broader, relevant international human rights principles regarding participation in decision-making, such as the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent with respect to Indigenous peoples.
If you listen to the outrage of survivors and reputable advocates of women's rights8 to Amnesty's decision it is clear that Amnesty did not listen to the experiences of those who survived the industry. They didn't allow those who were abused in the industry to articulate their experiences, they ignored them, instead opting to listen to and protect the profiteers.
11. The evidence from Amnesty International's and external research on the lived experiences of sex workers, and on the human rights impact of various criminal law and regulatory approaches to sex work.
Amnesty has yet to produce this so-called evidence. However, those opposed to Amnesty's position have been able to produce large amounts of research and evidence from the "lived experiences" of those prostituted and the human rights impacts of various laws. (See points and citations above)
12. The policy will be fully consistent with Amnesty International's positions with respect to consent to sexual activity, including in contexts that involve abuse of power or positions of authority.
The concept of consent here is moot when a woman is given no other legitimate choices. If someone holds a gun to your head and tells you to hand over your wallet, when you choose between losing your money and dying of a gunshot wound to the head, choosing to hand over the wallet can't be seen as exercising true agency, consent, and choice—and doesn't justify the actions of the one who is coercing the "consent." If a woman has to choose, and thus consent to the abuse of selling her body, or choose to allow her child to go hungry, such a choice is not exercising agency nor true consent.
13. Amnesty International does not take a position on whether sex work should be formally recognized as work for the purposes of regulation. States can impose legitimate restrictions on the sale of sexual services, provided that such restrictions comply with international human rights law, in particular in that they must be for a legitimate purpose, provided by law, necessary for and proportionate to the legitimate aim sought to be achieved, and not discriminatory.
It is interesting that Amnesty has decided to present this final clause—to allow states to impose restriction on the sale of sex (basically giving the green light for states to require taxes, paid permits, etc.). BUT they did not even mention allowing for restrictions on the PURCHASE of sex. This final statement is a final nail in the coffin for Amnesty, as it proves they are only interested in protecting those who can profit or pleasure off the sale of women's bodies (pimps, johns, traffickers and the state). Amnesty has no true interest in protecting those whose bodies are used to make that profit and produce that sick pleasure.
In conclusion, we call on those interested in the rights of women and girls to withdraw support for this sham of a human rights organization. Amnesty International has decided to side with the exploiters, traffickers, and profiteers at the expense of those they claim to protect.
#AmnestyInternational #Shamnesty #NoAmnesty4Pimps #ICM2015
Is Prostitution Empowering?
MYTH VS. FACT: 6 Common Myths About Prostitution and the Law
1. Farley, Melissa et al. (2003). "Prostitution and Trafficking in Nine Countries: An Update on Violence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." Journal of Trauma Practice, Vol. 2, No. 3/4: 33-74; and Farley, Melissa. ed. 2003. Prostitution, Trafficking, and Traumatic Stress. Haworth Press, New York.; Ramsay, R. et. al. 1993. "Psychiatric morbidity in survivors of organized state violence including torture." British Journal of Psychiatry. 162:55-59.;Hunter, S. K. (1993). Prostitution is cruelty and abuse to women and children. Michigan Journal of Gender and Law, 1, 1-14.;J. Potterat, D. Brewer, S. Muth, R. Rothenberg, D. Woodhouse, J. Muth, H. Stite, and S. Brody, "Mortality in a Long-term Open Cohort of Prostitute Women," American Journal of Epidemiology 159:778–785, (2004). Longitudinal study of prostitution in Colorado Springs – sample size: 1,969 people in prostitution from 1967-1999.;Jacobs, U., & Iacopino, V. (2001). "Torture and its consequences: A challenge to clinical neuropsychology." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32, 458-464.;Vanwesenbeeck, I. (1994) Prostitutes' Well-Being and Risk. VU University Press, Amsterdam.
2. Cho, Seo- Young, Axel Dreher, and Eric Neumayer. "Does Legalized Prostitution Increase Human Trafficking?" World Development 41.1 (2013): 67-82. Social Science Research Network. Web. 12 July 2013. <http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1986065>.;Di Nicola, Andrea, Isabella Orfano, Andrea Cauduro, and Nicoletta Conci. Study on National Legislations on Prostitution and the Trafficking in Women and Children. Brussels: European Parliament, 2005. Transcrime. Web. 11 July 2013.; Jakobsson, Niklas, and Andreas Kotsadam. "The Law and Economics of International Sex Slavery: Prostitution Laws and Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation." European Journal of Law and Economics 35.1 (2013): 87-107. Print.
3. Janice G. Raymond "Ten Reasons for Not Legalizing Prostitution And a Legal Response to the Demand for Prostitution" in Prostitution, Trafficking, and Traumatic Stress (M Farley (ed) 2003) Also available at http://action.web.ca/home/catw/readingroom.shtml?x=32972
6. U.S. Department of State Trafficking In Persons Report 2007
7. Overlaps of Prostitution, Migration and Human Trafficking, Ambassador Mark P. Lagon, Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Berne, Switzerland (November 12, 2008) http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/tip/rls/rm/2008/111997.htm
8. See for example, Former President Jimmy Carter, CATW, SPACE, Rachel Moran, Meghan Murphy, Julie Bindel, Dr. Melissa Farley, Dr. Gail Dines, Elenor Geatan, and countless other organization and prostituted and formerly prostituted women who are voicing opposition on social media.
One Comment on "Amnesty International Supports Pimps, Traffickers, and Sex Buyers"
Yalesha DeSofia Says:
Thank you for this, Laila Mickelwait. Extensive research, well-stated, and right on target. A.I. has lost all credibility.


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Charlie Gordon Better Off Before Analysis
Is Charlie Gordon Better off before or after the surgery? Charlie Gordon was better off after the surgery more then before. He was better off because Charlie got to learn harder words and his vocabulary developed. He learned how to read at a faster pace then before, he learned who his true friends were and got some lost memories back. Charlie was glad in the end that he got to see a whole different view of life. In the end, it also shows that he would like to do it again if he could. One reason why Charlie was better off is after the surgery he is more satisfied in life then before. Charlie was proud that he got a second chance to become smart and wanted Miss.Kinnian to know that he was in the end. "And she said Charlie your going to have a second chance. If you volenteer for this experament you mite get smart. They dont know if it will be perminint but theirs a chance." said Miss.Kinnian to Charlie. As well, in the end Charlie writes a note to her in the end "If you ever reed this Miss Kinnian dont be sorry for me im glad I got a second chanse to be smart becaus I lerned a lot of things that I never even new were in this world and im grateful that I saw it all for a…show more content…
From his normal life and he didn't understand everything to knowing more sophisticated language then before, learned how to read faster, found out that there were people that liked him a lot and he got to live several days being almost 4 times as intelligent as he was before. "If you ever reed this Miss Kinnian dont be sorry for me im glad I got a second chanse to be smart becaus I lerned a lot of things that I never even new were in this world and im grateful that I saw it all for a littel bit." Charlie remembers the beginning when Miss.Kinnian says that he always has a second chance if he doesn't want to be tested on. which is why he most likely said yes to be tested
The Cause Of Change In Stargirl By Jerry Spinelli
If you are confident in yourself, people will accept you and the change you want to make. In the beginning, No one knew what to make of Stargirl, she was different she was new but even though people liked her people would often question, "Why can't she be like everyone else?" (101). She didn't think much of this until she meet Leo, and that's when she started to question herself.
Ground Hog Day Analysis
In addition, I believe that he once he saw the reaction of others because he treated them different and with compassion, he began to appreciate helping others. The concept of the film relative to leisure was to encourage people to try something that they never did before because you may enjoy it. Things will not turn out different in life if you do not learn new things or even meet new people. Doing the same thing you always done in life produces the same results. Sometimes you have to step back and evaluate Things to see what it is that needs to be done to fill your free time with activities that he help you relax and remain
Flowers For Algernon: Charlie's Operation
Nobody lives happily ever after, but the story impacts people in a way that fairy tales don't. It shows as the reality of people, how others treat people that are different and life in general. If Charlie was a real person I would tell him he needs to get the operation, based on what I know. He deserved to feel like a normal person, and if by any chance he could get that I would tell him to jump at the first sign of hope. So yes, if he had the operation, he could finally pursue his dreams, know what people think of them and why they think that way, and lastly, realizing that he loved Ms. Kinnian.
Fahrenheit 451 Characterization Essay
(Bradbury 125). Faber was feeling happier than ever before just like Montag had said, and he was feeling good. They were finally starting to realize how dysfunctional their society is. Through imagery, Ray Bradbury shows the characterization of each character in the novel Fahrenheit 451. Different characters show their personality, through imagery, because the reader could tell what that that person was like.
Avodas Hashem Character Analysis
Do you feel happy about how you managed to daven? The real question is, what happens after you have this really good Davening. Do you say, "That was one awesome davening, now I don 't need to try so hard when I daven; I have already worked so hard"? That is a normal thought to have.
Mccullough's Speech: You Are Not Special
For instance, McCullough says, "If you've learned anything in your four years here I hope it's that education should be for, rather than material advantage, the exhilaration of learning." (pg. 5). McCullough is signifying that growth and learning should be something people do because they enjoy it and think it's fun. McCullough validates that children have been more worried about having a good resume to send to colleges than putting their happiness and other's happiness first, like how "Guatemalan medical clinic becomes more about the application to Bowdoin than the well-being of Guatemalans. " (Pg. 5)
Personal Narrative: How I Will Change My Life
Our way of doing things and our capabilities might be challenged along the way. Whether we fail or succeed, the entire outcome of that situation is up to us alone. A year and two months ago, it was up to me, to make a decision that would change my life, and I am glad it has proven to be the right call.
Old Man With Enormous Wings
(288) She welcomed the future years that she could spend by herself, for herself, no longer having a will overpowering her own. In one story, they are given a gift, but see it as a nuisance. In the other, they have something taken from them, but one sees it as a gift. It is very interesting to see the discrepancies in which people can interpret the things that happen to
Personal Narrative: When I Got To Highschool
And now in 12th grade i 'm starting to realize that it 's all real, that i 'm graduating and going into the real world. I hate it yet I love it because i don 't like the responsibilities we get when we graduate, we go to school or join the working force or the military and if you don 't like none of those options, then your out of luck. Like me I don 't like the options but i wanna do what i like most out of
Comparing Truth In Oedipus And Minority Report
A lack of physical sight can allow for more perception in other areas. More specifically one's awareness of surrounding reality leading to a greater knowledge of the truth. Losing Oedipus' sight proves to be a point in which he is able to analyze his thoughts more deeply than ever before. After he blinds himself, he begins to realize that he his the brother of his children. Additionally, he finally sees their perspective and thinks about their future.
How Did Flowers For Algernon Change Charlie Gordon's Life
Do you think Charlie Gordon should or should not have had the artificial intelligence surgery that completely changed his life? Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old man from the book Flowers for Algernon who has the intelligence level of about a two Dear old mind. He desperately wants to be smart, however the only way this could be done is if he undergoes a risky surgery. Charlie decides to go through with it. Charlie Gordon should be glad he had the A.I. surgery.
Why Is Charlie Gordon Wrong
Artificial Intelligence is wrong. Whether you're smart or dumb defies who you are. Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old man with a mental disability in the story of "Flowers For Algernon". Charlie Gordon was better off before the artificial intelligence (A.I.) surgery, Before the surgery he has friends, he's happy, and motivated/determined.
How Did Charlie Gordon's Doctors: Is It Ethical To Make Him Smarter?
Charlie Gordon's doctors acted ethically when they performed the surgery to make him smarter. Charlie Gordon is 37 and he isn't the smartest person in the world he was a IQ of 65. Also Charlie has a mind of a five year old. So Charlie goes to night classes to get smarter. So then Charlie's teacher Miss.
Comparing Flowers For Algernon And The Film
The narrative arc in the short story " Flowers For Algernon" and the film "Charly," share many similarities and differences. The short story is told from Charlie's perspective whereas the film is told from an omniscient point of view. The different perspectives give the readers a sense of emotional attachment to the characters. In the text, Charlie's narration develops a critical mood. On the contrary, the narration of the film creates a more emotional point of view and connects with the audience at a more profound level.
Argument Essay: Flowers For Algernon
Griffin G. Norvell Putman Hour 4 15th November, 2016 Argument Essay Charlie Gordon was a 38 year-old man with a below average IQ of 68. His teacher for reading, writing, grammar, math, and other subjects, Mrs. Kinnian, had told Charlie's doctors about him. They had asked to meet Charlie, and ran a few tests with him. They talked about an experiment to help Charlie triple his IQ to 204.
More about Charlie Gordon Better Off Before Analysis
2007 singles

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Located in Mandalay, Hotel My World is a 5-minute drive from Yadanarpon Diamond Plaza and 8 minutes from Mandalay Palace. This hotel is 4.4 mi (7 km) from Mandalay Hill and 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Zegyo Market.
Make yourself at home in one of the 31 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and coffee/tea makers.
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 6 AM to 9:30 AM.


So talked about this in a previous post, and thought it looked like a cool idea. It still seems to be in theory anyway but their sign-up process is non-secured and they ask for your SSN. What kind of modern company would have a web-service that requires sensitive information and not have it encrypted? I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say that because it is brand new perhaps it is just something that was over-looked. Even though that is a big thing to over-look. I sent them an e-mail about it and have yet to hear back from them.
Well, the electrical portion is all done. Lessons learned. Let's see, Always use junction boxes when tieing lines together. Be sure to buy extra wire nuts, you are bound to lose a box until you a finished when it magically reappears, same goes for electrical tape, two rolls minimum even if you only need 6 inches. Well here is the part that you have all been waiting for I know. Be sure to click the images for a better picture.
Here is what is left of that tangled mess between the floor joists.
Here is the outlet for under the desk.
Well the electrical isn't quite finished yet so I will wait until I get that done which will probably be tonight or tomorrow. But I thought I would post a couple of pictures of what I found when I started opening the ceiling to run the wire for the outlets.
This first pic is from right above where the desk will be.
Dad and I opened the ceiling and the wires on the left fell down just like you see them, and then we noticed the white wire coming out of the box. We grabbed Dad's testers and Yep, just as we thought the wire was hot. The previous "electrition" and I use that term loosely clipped the wire pulled the jacket out so nothing would short and left it sitting there.
Ok I will admit, that was moderately disturbing, but what came next was just down right wrong.
I have decided to move my Home office and will display the progress for you here first up is planning.
Alright so Here's the deal. This is a picture of my current home office setup. Messy isn't it. So the plan is to move all of this crap over to a different wall with a much larger desk that is to be constructed later. I have the lumber in my garage. I have decided along with Precia's influence that most of this stuff doesn't need to be seen. So we have picked another wall in the basement that we can get behind. What this will allow me to do is have one machine open for the world to see and the others can be hidden behind a wall and attached via KVM.
Originally uploaded by treblid. Wow I never knew that Media Center was so cool, that is until I got an Xbox360. This is XM Radio online via the MC PC.
Ronnie, over at ronniesblog.net has talked about PayPerPost. and I agree that it is an interesting idea but as Ronnie says I don't like how you have to put the product in a given light. If I don't like the product I don't want to give it a good review. Thats not to say that I would be mean and harsh but if I don't feel I can recommend something then I don't want to recommend it just because someone is paying me to.
"You write the review in your own tone, and can be as critical as needed. Constructive criticism is encouraged, but rude or hateful reviews will be declined."
See this is the way to attracted a good readership. Write what needs to be said about the product but don't go overboard. No one likes to see something bashed.
Alright so I am kind of torn, I love the way that Vox works and all of the simplicity therein. Which is where I have been posting recently, if you can call it that. But I also am very fond of the flexibility that blogger has. In that it allows me to do a number of different things and even edit the code for the template and for all of my posts. So I need to make a decision, where will my domain point? Here or there. Stay tuned for the answer.


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Listed below are some of the products and services that we offer. To appreciate the full range, please head directly to the CentraTEQ website, and if you would like further information or advice, do not hesitate to get in touch with our helpful representatives.
We offer a comprehensive range of electrodynamic shaker systems, from small portable shakers for Modal Testing and vibration surveys, right through to water cooled systems for satellite testing. CentraTEQ is pleased to be the sole UK representative of ETS Solutions, an innovative manufacturer that has an enviable reputation in the field for the quality of its products. Thanks to this partnership, we're able to offer an excellent selection of long-lasting, high-performance vibration testing equipment. Get in touch to find out more about our electrodynamic shaker systems.
CentraTEQ also supplies ETS Solutions' MPA series Power Amplifiers, which feature wide frequency band digital switching. These unique pieces of equipment are designed with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that make vibration testing extremely quick and easy. The MPA series amplifiers have been made for continuous operation, with each configuration adaptable to any air cooled or water cooled electrodynamic shaker. This series covers an output range from 1KVA to 300KVA. Head to our website for more information on each of the models we have available.
Whatever budget you're on and whichever application you have in mind, CentraTEQ can provide the perfect closed loop vibration control system. We have close links with many of the industry's best manufacturers, and this allows us to offer a truly bespoke solution. With everything from low-cost, low channel controllers with one or two control modes, to high power, high channel controllers with all control modes, we're able to cater for almost any vibratory testing requirement. Control modes include random, sine, classical shock, shock response spectra, random on random, sine on random, sine on random on random, and time replications. CentraTEQ offers full training (theory and practical) for control system operators and provides continuous technical support to make sure you get the most out of your vibratory test system. A warrantee programme is also offered so that our customers have the peace of mind in knowing that all of their hardware and software is covered against technical faults.
effectiveness of your testing processes.
Our UKAS accredited laboratories enable us to carry out in-house vibration testing services for those companies which do not want/need to invest in their own testing facilities. We understand that sometimes it's simply not cost-effective to purchase the equipment outright, especially if it is only needed for a short period of time. Alongside sine, random and shock vibration testing, we carry out a range of other environmental tests, including temperature and combined temperature/vibration, thermal shock, pressure, impact, humidity, corrosion, and many more. Please head to the CentraTEQ website or get in touch directly to find out more about our environmental testing services.
CentraTEQ offers a comprehensive range of sensors for Test & Measurement and Condition Monitoring applications. They include acceleration sensors (single, dual, tri-axial accelerometers), force sensors, pressure sensors, torque sensors, sound sensors, dynamic and static strain sensors, shock sensors, rotational speed sensors, velocity sensors, and tilt sensors. As with all of our products, CentraTEQ provides full technical advice and assistance to help you find the right product for your application.
Though CentraTEQ offers a number of preventative maintenance contracts for keeping equipment in optimal working order, we also provide customers with the means to monitor the condition of their apparatus themselves. Our Condition Monitoring Sensors and accessories allow you to identify potential failures before they happen and take remedial action in order to minimise machine failure and avoid expensive repair bills.
Thanks to a partnership agreement with Quality Electronics Design S.A of Luxembourg, CentraTEQ has brought to the UK & Ireland market a unique, ultra high speed contact measurement system - the Gnostic64. This allows the user to measure electronic contact response to vibration and environmental testing. Equipment comes complete with its own bespoke software package that enables analysis and interpretation of the data collected in the testing process. More information on this innovative piece of equipment can be found by following the link to the CentraTEQ website.
Here at CentraTEQ we are pleased to offer the fantastic ETS Solutions range of slip tables. This range features a reliable, unibase concept whereby its structural steel body steel body provides a rigid platform for the alignment of the shaker and table. Using state of the art technology and processes, the ETS Solutions range of slip tables is manufactured to provide a platform for optimum test purposes. Please follow the link to our website to view images or contact us at CentraTEQ for further information and prices.
We also provide a fantastic range of head expanders designed for use with applications that require stable vertical test mounting surfaces. The ETS Solutions range of head expanders is manufactured from light-weight magnesium alloys to provide high strength equipment that is easy to transport and position effectively. Our head expanders enable multiple items to be tested at the same time for effective performance. We also offer head expanders that are manufactured from less expensive aluminium alloy that are suitable for smaller fixtures. Please get in touch to find out more about our range.
We are thrilled to be the UK agent for Cooper Technology Ltd. Cooper Technology Ltd is a world leading design and manufacturing company based in the UK, specialising in the manufacture of high performance test equipment for asphaltic and unbound materials used in highway construction. We offer an excellent range of materials testing equipment for various testing purposes such as: Universal Testing, Compression Testing, Bending Beam Testing, Wheel Tracking and Compaction Testing. Please visit our website to view our range in full. Our technical team is on hand to provide further information and advice where needed.
Our fully refurbished vibration shaker systems provide customers with reliable solutions at affordable prices. Our complete range is offered with six months warranty, full installation and training services. Please visit our website to view examples of our current stock range along with images. Please note that this is a selection of our range. Call us at CentraTEQ with your specific requirements or to find out more about our complete range of refurbished stock.
The UK representatives for L.A.B. Equipment Inc., CentraTEQ Ltd has a range of this global leader and innovator's package test and product reliability test equipment available - all of which can be viewed on our website for much more detailed information; including technical specifications. We have everything from automated shock testing equipment, mechanical shock machines, drop testing equipment through to incline impact testers. On our website you can also download datasheets for these products. If you'd like to know more about any of the services we offer or any of the machines we have on our website then please give us a call.
CentraTEQ Ltd is proud to be UK distributors for US-based technology company Benchmark's AVEX® range of shock testing equipment, which allow components, circuits, hybrids and entire assemblies to be tested for design purposes and also for destructive testing. There are three machines in the range to suit all applications catering for small, medium and large scale testing with test capabilities of up to 1,000 pounds. Full specifications of each machine, including dimensions, weight and performance, can be found on the AVEX Shock Machine data sheet on our website.
If you've any questions about CentraTEQ Ltd products or services feel free to ask them here.
Nabertherm A complete range of industrial furnaces and ovens to suit Laboratory conditions.
V-TEQ Vibration Services Ltd Service, maintenance and repair of all makes of vibration test systems.


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Helping Animals Helps People
By Sarah Withrow King
Stepping Over a Homeless Man to Feed a Dog (And Other Things I've Never Had to do as an Animal Advocate)
I've been an activist since I was old enough to walk. For most of my life, my passion was poured into the pro-life movement. When I was 4, my parents took me to a pro-life rally at the Idaho capitol building, and our picture made the front page of the newspaper. In middle school, I was president of a drug education club. In high school, I presided over the local Teens for Life group, worked tables for Oregon Right to Life at local events, performed pro-life songs and plays at rallies, and attended packed statewide pro-life conferences. None of my Christian friends and family ever questioned whether or not the defenseless beings I was working to protect needed or deserved my help. It was (and continues to be) my calling to be a voice for the voiceless, to stand up for justice and life in the face of a culture that systematically finds ways to prevent lives from truly flourishing.
During college, I started to read about factory farming, which is the way that billions of animals that end up on North American plates are raised and slaughtered. My images of happy animals on Old MacDonald's farm were shattered and replaced with dark new ones: miserable lives all ending in the same nightmarish way, hung upside down on a fast-moving slaughter line, throat slit, waiting to die. I stopped being able to look at the chicken on my plate as food and started to realize that when I ate meat, my meal had stopped a beating heart.
I started to work for animals. I didn't stop loving Jesus. I didn't stop advocating for peace and life for humans everywhere. I just started to advocate for nonhuman animals, too. And when that started, so did the pushback: "Aren't there other things that are more important?" "What about the starving kids in Africa?" "Shouldn't you work to solve all of the human problems first?" "What, are you going to step over a homeless dude and feed his dog?"
I understand the concern. One of my closest friends spent a lot of time in foster homes as a teenager. He and houses full of kids without families would be watching TV and hear the familiar Sarah McLachlan refrain as pictures of abused and homeless dogs and cats flashed across the screen. He still gets pretty fired up at the memory and says he'll be happy to start worrying about homeless dogs and cats as soon as people start airing commercials for homeless kids. I totally get it. But here's the thing—if God is calling you to reduce homelessness, dig wells in Africa, fight poverty, minister to the dying, stop sex trafficking, fix a broken education system, reduce gun violence, foster world peace or racial reconciliation, or any other Really Godly Uses of Time, you can do any of that and still help stop cruelty to animals. One vegetarian saves more than 100 animal lives a year. Period. No protesting, tract-handing-out, quitting-of-full-time-job-level sacrifices required. Helping animals and helping people are not mutually exclusive propositions. In fact, they are closely linked.
Meat Wastes Essential Water and Grain
Eating meat wastes valuable and increasingly limited resources. It takes up to 13 pounds of grain plus another 30 pounds of grasses to produce just a pound of meat. (1) Do you want a pound of animal protein? That'll use 100 times more water than a pound of plant protein. Studies have shown that up to 5,000 gallons of water are required for every pound of beef. (2)
That's what it takes to produce. Here's who we kill and eat: 61,644,000 cows, 9,152,269,000 chickens and turkeys (9 billion birds) and 234,776,00 pigs. These aren't worldwide figures—those are federal slaughter figures for the United States in 2016. That means billions upon billions of pounds of grain and millions of gallons of water were pumped into animals to produce a limited and costly food source for a (largely) well-fed populace instead of being distributed directly to hungry, thirsty people throughout the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that approximately 793 million people in the world are undernourished.
Jesus tells his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him…he will say to those at his left hand, 'I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink…Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me'" (Matt. 25: 31-46). Take a few minutes to read the whole passage and then reread the disturbing facts above.
The Global North is often accused of using far more than its fair share of resources. We vow to change the kind of light bulbs we use, drive a little less, take reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, recycle our pizza boxes and water bottles…these are all valuable changes, but they barely make a dent when we continue to chow down on animals.
In the first chapter of Genesis, God prescribes a vegetarian diet for human and nonhuman animals alike and calls the created world "very good" (Genesis 1:29-31). In the second account of the creation story, God tells the human creatures to "till and keep" the garden (Genesis 2:15). We are tilling the garden, but we aren't doing a very good job of keeping it. In the United States, about 60 percent of our pastures are overgrazed, and soil erosion is accelerating at an unsustainable pace. (3) The land simply isn't made to sustain billions of people relying on a diet of animal products.
It would be bad enough if we were wreaking this havoc just on our own soil, but globalization has exported more than cheap and dangerous clothing manufacturing to the majority world. In an effort to keep pace with the global market and capitalize on an export market hungry for animal protein, the Brazilian Amazon has become, according to Greenpeace, the "largest driver of deforestation in the world, responsible for an average of one acre lost every eight seconds." Greenpeace researchers found that in the 2004-2005 growing season alone, 2.9 million acres of rainforest were destroyed to raise crops used to feed animals on factory farms. Meanwhile, Oxfam reports that 66 million Brazilians face daily food insecurity. These are just a few examples of the global failures of today's food production methods.
God Made the Whole World
I think sometimes we forget that God made the whole world, including the chickens and the turkeys. I think we forget, because why else would we think it was okay to do some of the things we do to animals before we eat them? I have a special affinity for chickens, so let's talk about them for a few minutes.
Chickens raised and killed for their meat on factory farms are hatched in drawers and dumped onto the floor of a giant shed where they stay for two months until they are "fully grown." As the chickens grow, quarters get tighter and tighter, and the accumulation of feathers, feces, and urine creates toxic air and can become so dangerous that chickens get ammonia burns and workers must wear protective clothing and respirators to safely enter the sheds. (4) Chickens naturally establish dominance through pecking orders, but in such cramped quarters, pecking can be quite harmful. To prevent this natural behavior, workers use hot blades or wires to cut the beaks off of baby birds. Because we have developed an affinity for breast meat, chickens are bred to grow too fast, and their legs often cripple beneath them. (5)
Egg-laying hens are crammed into cages about the size of a file cabinet. They each have less room than a sheet of paper on which to live. They eat, sleep, and defecate in this small space and are unable to stretch their wings. Cages are stacked one on top of the other in huge warehouses; you can imagine what that looks, feels, and smells like. Egg-laying hens live this way for an average of two years before their bodies will no longer produce enough eggs to be worth keeping. Dead and dying chickens are rarely removed.
The first time most chickens feel the sunshine or breathe fresh air is when they are on the back of a truck, headed to slaughter. To gather chickens for transport to the slaughterhouse, workers walk through the sheds, grabbing birds and flinging them into crates; this frequently breaks wings and legs. At the slaughterhouse, the crates are dumped onto conveyor belts from which workers grab birds and slam their legs into shackles at the rate of 140-180 birds per minute per line. (6) Their heads are sent through an electric stunning bath (which often does not render them insensible to pain), and then they are run across an automatic blade, which frequently misses the bird's throat, maiming them instead. Many chickens and turkeys are still alive when they enter the scalding tank for feather removal, meaning they drown to death in boiling water.
While I have focused on chickens, the foundational view of animals as commodities and resulting methodologies are found across the entire industry, and parallel abuses will be found in an examination of cow, pig, or fish farming. What I have described is standard agricultural practice, meaning these practices are common, accepted, and legal. What I have not described are the grotesque abuses exposed by undercover investigations of farms and slaughterhouses by animal advocacy groups, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Mercy for Animals.
Factory farms are only "successful" because they dramatically alter God's original creative design. We have seen many examples of this in explorations of chicken farming: Birds are unable to stretch their wings; they are denied the small pleasures of fresh air, sunlight, pecking for food, or social interaction; and they are genetically modified to a crippling degree. Cows, chickens, pigs, and turkeys that would otherwise forage for a variety of foods are given a manufactured diet of grain spiked with antibiotics. To keep pigs from biting one another and chewing on their cage bars, their teeth and tails are cut off. Pigs and cows are castrated without painkillers, and cow's horns are scooped or burned out of their heads. These acts are not only cruel, but they also dishonor God's creative plan and betray our selfish and power-hungry tendency to elevate our own wants and desires at any cost.
The British theologian Andrew Linzey claims that a strong Christology leads to a view of nonhuman animals that doesn't allow for these types of uses or abuses. "The pattern of obligation disclosed by Christ makes no appeal to equality. The obligation is always and everywhere on the 'higher' to sacrifice for the 'lower'; for the strong, powerful, and rich to give to those who are vulnerable, poor, or powerless."(7) Jesus came to us as a humble servant (c.f. Mark 10:45, John 13:1-20, Acts 3:13, Philippians 2:5-9). Consider again the passage from Matthew 25—what we do to the "least of these" we do to Jesus. When we are in positions of power, we are called to serve.
Christianity and Factory Farming
One striking example of the power of service is in the story of the Good Samaritan. When the story begins, Jesus is teaching a small crowd. A lawyer asks Jesus how he can inherit eternal life. We're told the man is testing Jesus, who responds as a teacher does, with a question: "What is written in the law?" The lawyer answers, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus commends him, but the lawyer pushes back: "And who is my neighbor?" In this context, we hear of the man who was traveling a dangerous road and overcome by robbers. He is passed by a priest and a Levite (examples of highly respected citizens) before the Samaritan stops, is "moved with pity," and saves him from certain death. Jesus asks the lawyer which of the three was a neighbor. The lawyer answers, "The one who showed him mercy," and Jesus tells his listener to "Go and do likewise." In this story, the hero is the person who crosses the road and saves the life of another—and he is a Samaritan—a no-class, unclean, bottom-of-the-barrel foreigner. (8)
Through the lens of this parable, through the lens of Jesus, "neighbor" is not a social location but action—and specifically love in action. Using a Samaritan to illustrate neighborly love was a game-changer in 1st-century Palestine. It was astounding to think that a barbaric Samaritan could demonstrate love, and unthinkable to cross the rigid cultural boundaries that prevented showing mercy or friendship to the "other." Perhaps it is just as astounding to consider crossing rigid species boundaries to extend mercy and friendship to nonhuman animals. But consider that as each era passes, humans realize past injustices (slavery, child labor, the subjugation of women, the wanton abuse of natural resources) and work to rectify them.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not the only place Jesus makes the outrageous claims to expand our circle of compassion and care (remember "Love your enemies"?). We are to respond in love to those who persecute us, who want to murder us and our families. How much more is our obligation to respond in love to the vulnerable creatures God has placed in the world alongside of us? Theologian and ethicist Daniel Miller points out that "granting neighborly love to animals does not lead to a diminishment of the Christian's capacity to love human neighbors."(9) Indeed, doesn't our capacity for communion with God and neighbor, and our ability to freely respond to injustice in our world, demand from us care rather than cruelty?
Jesus didn't ask us to love some times and hate other times. Jesus didn't ask us to be merciful when it was convenient and to turn a blind eye when we felt uncomfortable. Jesus didn't ask us to categorize and prioritize and show love to the top first—and then to the bottom if we had any energy left at the end of the day. Jesus didn't ask us to have the bleeding victim of greed answer a three-part questionnaire to determine his worthiness before intervening on his behalf. Jesus tells us that neighborly love is merciful love, regardless of the giver or the recipient, and that we are to go and do likewise.
Sarah Withrow King is CSA's deputy director and the co-director of CreatureKind, a project that engages the church on farmed animal welfare issues. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary and is the author of Animals Are Not Ours (No, Really, They're Not): An Evangelical Animal Liberation Theology (Cascade Books, 2016) and Vegangelical: How Caring for Animals Can Shape Your Faith (Zondervan, 2016).
Endnotes:
David Pimentel and Marcia Pimentel, "Sustainability of Meat-Based and Plant-Based Diets and the Environment," American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78: 3 (September 2003), 662S.
Ibid., 662S.
Leo Horrigan, et. al, How Sustainable Agriculture Can Address the Environmental and Human Health Harms of Industrial Agriculture, 451.
I.A. Naas, et al, "Impact of Lameness on Broiler Well-Being," The Journal of Applied Poultry Research 18:3 (Fall 2009), 432-439.
SF Bilgili, "Recent Advances in Electrical Stunning," Poultry Science 78:2 (1999): 282-286.
Andrew Linzey, Animal Theology (University of Illinois Press, 1994), 32.
Luke 10:25-37, NRSV.
Daniel K. Miller, Animal Ethics and Theology: The Lens of the Good Samaritan (Routledge, 2012), 15.
CreatureKind Lenten Devotion: How Should Christians Treat Animals?
For many Christians, this is Holy Week, a week of the year that we set aside to consider the death and burial of Jesus Christ. We know that the tomb will be empty on Easter morning, but the people who walked with Jesus did not share our advantage of hindsight.
An Advent Reflection: Instruments of Peace for All Creatures
By Tim Mascara
On December 4, 1959, Soviet artist Evgeny Vuchetich presented a bronze statue to the United Nations, titledLet Us Beat Our Swords into Plowshares. The sculpture is an image of a man beating a sword into a plowshare, meant to symbolize humankind's desire to end war—the desire to take the tools of violence and war and turn them into tools for peace, tools to benefit humankind rather than harm it.


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LEGAL CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
December 2019 - Issue 16
The Legal Connection Newsletter brings legal news, case results, and stories about our law firm to your email inbox every month. For more information about the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth or if you have a legal case, call us at 888-517-9888 or visit our website.
欲用中文读这则新闻简报 • Lea este boletín en español
Rule Requiring Immigrants Have Health Insurance Put on Hold
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday preventing a Trump administration policy requiring immigrants have health care insurance from taking effect last month. President Trump issued a proclamation last month that, when in effect, would prevent immigrant visas from being issued to immigrants who could not prove they have health insurance coverage or the ability to pay for "reasonably foreseeable medical costs".
Uber Self-Driving Cars were Not Programmed to Stop for Jaywalkers
When an Uber autonomous vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona last year, a debate over the safety of the driver-less cars erupted. As reported at the time, the circumstances of the collision were unusual, leading to questions about the ability of self-driving cars to identify unexpected obstacles and situations. In the Tempe incident, it turns out that the self-driving vehicle didn't have a problem identifying the pedestrian, and even identified that an emergency braking maneuver should have been used before the collision. Emergency braking maneuvers, however, were disabled.
Retaliation for Submitting a Workers' Comp Claim
When workers suffer injury on the job, it's important to seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to a supervisor or management. Injured workers are eligible for workers' compensation benefits regardless of who is at fault for the injury. If any worker is afraid of reporting an injury because of a fear that management will issue punishment for the injury, he or she shouldn't be. It is strictly illegal for any employer to retaliate against or punish a worker who becomes injured on the job.
How do Traffic Jams Form?
If you've ever driven on the freeways of Southern California, you've almost certainly experienced a phantom traffic jam. Sure, the traffic jam itself is real, but the cause of the slowdown seems to be an absolute mystery. The backup disappears with no evidence of a collision, no tow truck, no vehicle with a flat tire, no highway patrol, no ladder in lanes, just nothing. You may have briefly wondered what caused the mystery backup after arriving five minutes late to your destination, but probably forgot all about it ever happening immediately after.
Since 1984, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has been helping its clients achieve their legal goals. We have offices in San Gabriel, City of Industry, Beijing, Guangzhou, Riverside, San Diego, Bakersfield, Sacramento, and San Jose. Our attorneys are dedicated to the practice areas of car accidents, personal injury, immigration, workers' compensation, social security, disability, criminal defense, and intellectual property. Call us at 888-517-9888 to receive a free legal consultation.
Law Offices of Scott Warmuth
17700 Castleton St. #168
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Copyright © 2019 Law Offices of Scott Warmuth, All rights reserved.
The information provided in this email has been produced with information gathered from various sources and is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Every legal case is unique and each outcome is determined on many different factors. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is only formed after a retainer agreement has been signed.


Bionic Media - Creating a beautiful website to showcase an amazing array of talent.
Creating a beautiful website to showcase an amazing array of talent.
They needed a website that would reflect the quality of the talent and work they represent. At the same time the work needed to be the center of attention and not a flashy site design. Behind the scenes Saint Luke needed a sophisticated CMS to manage the many variants of work, mediums and artists many of whom spanned across genres.
Working with one of our favourite designers, Matt Walker, we produced a clean and elegant magazine-style framework while a cleverly coded front-end and CMS allows for the flexible representation of different types of artists work.


The vision of the Community Advisory Committees (CACs) is a partnership between individuals with lived experience, family members, Fraser Health, and service providers to promote positive systemic change to initiate and enhance the recovery of individuals living with mental illness. The core function of these Committees is to advise Mental Health & Substance Use Services about the attainment of quality services and supports.
There are 12 CACs in the Fraser Health Region: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, Surrey, Tri Cities, and White Rock. The Regional Advisory Committee is made up of representatives (usually the Chair and Secretary) of each CAC and meets on the first Tuesday of each month. CACs also meet monthly.


This heavy duty wall cross is reminiscient of kings and castles. It was originally made of tiny horseshoes taken from unicorns. Now it has grown into an imposing, yet small, angel cross. It weighs 1 lbs of solid cast iron suitable for passing down to your generations. It measures 12 1/2 inch tall and 11 1/2" wide. If you stand back and look closely you can see the spread of the angels wings as they protect you and yours. This is a smaller version of our larger Angel Cross.


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April 22, 2020 December 21, 2020 Liam Taft
Quarantine Picks: Sofia Coppola's Films – Ranked
Trigger warning: mention of suicide.
I'm not here to tell you how to watch films in quarantine. There's no right or wrong way to curate your lockdown list.
Some corners of the internet have been proudly showing off their stay-at-home film programmes. 60s New Wave? Completed it mate.
But this snide, show-off attitude won't get us anywhere.
It's okay to turn to comfort viewing over the avant-garde. It's natural – in a literal pandemic – to rely on familiar favourites.
Today I've been staring out of the window whilst half-watching Modern Family re-runs. Yesterday, I binged all of Sofia Coppola's films. Both are worthwhile quarantine picks!
Modern Family is what I watched back in Rotherham with my family as a teenager. To be honest, it's one of the main ways I've been able to feel connected to them.
In a time of stress and alienation, sometimes that's all you need.
However, I've been enjoying ticking off my movie to-do list at the same time.
Ever since I watched The Bling Ring as a teenager, I've been meaning to dive into Sofia Coppola's work.
So, yesterday, I finally plonked myself down and got stuck in.
If you're looking for a bit of lockdown inspiration, or you're tired of scrolling through Netflix, now is the perfect time to get started with her work.
In fact, this week marks 20 years since her first film, The Virgin Suicides, was released in cinemas.
If you don't want to watch all of her films, or just can't be arsed, that's okay. Below I've ranked all six, so you can pick and choose what you fancy.
There's a handful of themes that run through Coppola's oeuvre: loneliness, female sexual repression, celebrity culture.
However, each film is distinct in its own unique way.
Don't come to Coppola for fast-paced plots – almost every beat of the story is played out on the character's faces.
A glance, smile or pause is enough to propel each story forward.
Not all of her films are five-star bangers, but each one is worth a look. Here's my ranking:
6. Marie Antoinette (2006)
There's no denying that this is an interesting take on Marie Antoinette's story.
In short, don't expect a stuffy period drama.
Recently, the genre has been injected with a new lease of life. The Favourite, Emma, and Little Women have all subverted tired conventions.
However, they all owe a debt to Coppola's spiky adaptation.
Coppola blends a stuffy period setting with a pop-filled soundtrack – and the occasional Converse sneaker.
These flourishes speak to Antoinette's rebellious nature. Coppola's filmography is full of teenage girls refusing to abide by expectations, which slots Marie Antoinette nicely into her oeuvre.
The film does lack the emotional depth of her other works. It also looks a little too much like a perfume ad or Versailles postcard for its own good.
However, it's still well worth a watch, purely for it's giddy attitude and gorgeous design.
5. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Many consider this to be Coppola's masterpiece.
I'm not entirely convinced, but it's an incredible debut.
It tells the story of five sisters living in sleepy suburbia. The film opens with one of them attempting suicide, and the rest of the film deals with the fallout.
They live in a middle-class household with strict parents, who try to control their sexual and romantic impulses.
This isn't your typical coming-of-age teen movie. If anything, Marie Antoinette has more in common with something like Mean Girls (2005).
Yes, there's the typical boy-meets-girl plot. But Lux, played by Kirsten Dunst, subverts expectations at every turn.
At times, the imagery feels too highly constructed. The narration from a group of boys also feels misplaced.
But the air of grief and loneliness that hangs over the film sets it apart from other 90s teen movies.
4. The Beguiled (2017)
Coppola's latest film is her most technically accomplished.
With the help of cinematographer Philippe le Sourd, she created her most gorgeous film to date.
Every frame is draped in Southern Gothic imagery. It anchors the film precisely in its Civil War setting and creates a brooding atmosphere of dread.
After finding an enemy soldier, a young girl takes the wounded man to her school. There, the women nurse him back to health.
This isn't an irreverent period piece like Marie Antoinette. But classic Coppola themes crop up: female sexuality, sisterhood, and the pain of being a teenage girl.
This is probably Coppola's most mature film – sometimes to a fault. Everything feels so tightly controlled that there's little room for spontaneity.
However, by stripping back unnecessary details, the director allows us to focus on what matters the most.
Like Coppola's best work, every look, glance and movement contains incredible emotional depth. The story itself has been told before, but never quite like this.
3. Somewhere (2010)
Usually, Somewhere is at the bottom of everyone's Coppola watch list.
It won the Golden Lion at Venice, but also received a mixed critical response.
I can see why: there are a few too many pointless, lingering shots. Some of the set pieces are also a bit naff.
But it completely took me by surprise.
Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning are both incredible. Their relationship beautifully unfolds and has layers upon layers of emotion.
Dorff plays Johnny, a movie star who has to take care of his daughter. They hang out in hotels, go to awards shows and make up for lost time.
But this isn't some cutesy father-daughter road trip movie.
It's a melancholy character study and an intimate behind-the-scenes look at celebrity life.
In an industry that loves films about narcissistic (male) celebrities, it's hardly a groundbreaking premise.
But even though Dorff might be the 'star' of the movie, Fanning's character is equally mature and complex. No one writes teenage girls like Coppola – and Cleo might just be her best creation.
2. The Bling Ring (2013)
I really wanted to put this at the top spot.
This was my first Coppola film and it's one of my all-time favourites.
Alongside Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), it sparked my love for teen cinema.
It's the most plot-driven of all of her films, which makes it an easy introduction if you're not after a slow burn.
It follows a group of teenagers as they break into the houses of the rich and famous. Inspired by a true story, the film sees the gang steal Louboutins and Rolex watches after school.
Like most of her films, it's hardly 'relatable.' Coppola is great at focusing in on the lives of the rich and famous – or, in this case, wannabe TMZ stars.
It's not her most mature work, but it's definitely the most fun.
Emma Watson, in particular, is an absolute blast. It's not something you'd expect from her, either. Her character is narcissistic and snide – a far cry from her usual output. For my money, it's her best performance.
There's some great set pieces, too. A robbery is filmed from afar in one fixed, continuous take, which elegantly captures their greed and desperation.
All of this is accompanied by a killer soundtrack, which propels the action along.
Watching The Bling Ring seven years later makes it all the more impressive. Coppola's snapshot of early 2010s celebrity culture – which has changed so much since – is absolutely spot on.
1. Lost in Translation (2003)
What else could take the top spot?
It's an obvious choice, but this is Sofia Coppola's masterpiece.
Weirdly, it's the film I have the least to say about.
Lost in Translation follows Bob, a middle-aged movie star making a commercial in Tokyo. There, he meets newly-married Charlotte. Over the course of 100 minutes, we see their relationship unfold.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are note perfect. The sequence where they go to a karaoke bar is one of the most magical things I've seen onscreen.
Never has loneliness been captured so beautifully.
Published by Liam Taft
Journalist, blogger, and marketing professional. Probably on a solo cinema trip or eating avocados. Work featured in The Guardian, BBC, HuffPost, and more.	View all posts by Liam Taft
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text:
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Reference Multi PRO Plus (30ct)
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Condition: Good with no dust jacket; Some smudging but all in all good condition.
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text:
Q: PHP str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated I'm getting this error while running my app:

PHP str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type
array|string is deprecated

I am Using CodeIgniter Version : V4.1.8 PHP Version : 8.1.2, full error output below:
{"data":[
    ["omron","Active<\/span>",
    "<button type=\"button\" class=\"btn btn-default\" onclick=\"editBrand(4)\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\"#editBrandModal\"><\/i><\/button> <button type=\"button\" class=\"btn btn-default\" onclick=\"removeBrand(4)\" data-toggle=\"modal\" data-target=\"#removeBrandModal\"><\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t"]
    ]
}

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message:  str_replace(): Passing null to parameter #3 ($subject) of type array|string is deprecated

Filename: core/Output.php

Line Number: 457

Backtrace:

UPDATE: Code
if ($this->parse_exec_vars === TRUE)
{
    $memory = round(memory_get_usage() / 1024 / 1024, 2).'MB';
    // below is line 457
    $output = str_replace(array('{elapsed_time}', '{memory_usage}'), array($elapsed, $memory), $output);
}

A: i think i found the issue , it is not a direct problem from str_replace() function , codeigniter written this perfectly , but you are using strip_quotes() function somewhere , and you are passing directly something to it like :
$d= strip_quotes($this->input->post('thusnder'));

if it is , then you must update your code by adding this :
$d= strip_quotes($this->input->post('thusnder') ?? '');

this will prevent data to be null and then it will not be passed to the strip_quotes() function which uses str_replace()
hope it will be helpful for someone.

A: This error message can show up if you have not loaded any views.  Codeigniter's internal output buffer is never initialized thus being null.  The output buffer is the third parameter to str_replace().  There might be other ways to trigger this error message.
You probably want to load a valid view, at some point.
PHP 7 and lower just would ignore the missing parameter, while PHP 8+ displays the warning.  It may also vary with your environment / debug settings.

A: I  also faced same issue just used these lines in your Controller constructor method
 public function __construct()
{
    parent::__construct();
    error_reporting(0);
    $this->load->library("session");
    $this->load->helper('url');
}

A: Using a ternary operator will fix this error.
Before Codeigniter existing code:
$output = str_replace(array('{elapsed_time}', '{memory_usage}'), array($elapsed, $memory), $output);

Hopefully, it's will work fine as we will escape str_replace for a null value.
After Using Ternary Operator:
$output = $output ? str_replace(array('{elapsed_time}', '{memory_usage}'), array($elapsed, $memory), $output): "";

A: Another option is to check $output in the existing if statement. That will skip the entire block of code that isn't needed when $output is NULL or empty.
if ($this->parse_exec_vars === TRUE && !empty($output))
{
    $memory = round(memory_get_usage() / 1024 / 1024, 2).'MB';
    // below is line 457
    $output = str_replace(array('{elapsed_time}', '{memory_usage}'), array($elapsed, $memory), $output);
}

A: You can user this code to get rid of it:
$output = str_replace(array('{elapsed_time}', '{memory_usage}'), array($elapsed, $memory), (string) $output );

A: I Have downgraded my CI version to 3 and PHP verison to 7.3
Its working now

A: I have had such an error
This is the only way to get rid of the error. That you PHP 7 & 8 install you'r System
php install in c/:xampp &  c/:xampp2  installed.
beacuse difrant drive in error occuerd
And
Benefit in other programs
Multiple xampp installations windows

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Words That Start With Bon - You Go Words!
Starting with bon or prefix "bon". List of 89 words that start with bon. Add length, starts with, ends in, origins, and more with word search filters. Learn to ultimate word find.
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TwinFeats Software was founded in 1987 by twin brothers Kent & Kevin Smotherman in Omaha, Nebraska - and we haven't escaped since! We've seen and done just about everything pertaining to computers, from an entire line of programs for Commodore 64, GEOS, Amiga, Palm OS, Psion, and Java. Software including games, utilities, applications, financial, operating systems, and web software makes up our past and present portfolio. And we show no signs of slowing down any time soon!
Almost all our software has always been available for free, and our java source code library comprises over 50,000 lines of code. It's all available right here on our web site albeit "in the raw" with little external documentation. But if you're a java developer yourself with a question about how to do something, you can always try searching our source archive for examples to help guide you. You'll probably notice that a number of the projects found here are somewhat dated or even inactive. Such is the life cycle of free software, but the source remains for the curious to examine and maybe even learn from.


text:
Loven om tilstrækkelig varietet (Engelsk: The Law of Requisite Variety) er formuleret af en af kybernetikkens pionerer, William Ross Ashby, i dennes bog "An Introduction to Cybernetics" fra 1956.

Loven lyder i al sin enkelthed: "Kun varietet kan tilintetgøre varietet" ("Only variety can destroy variety").

Det betyder, populært sagt, at et system kun kan beskytte sig mod uønsket varietet ved at besidde mindst ligeså megen varietet.

Med varietet forstår Ashby antallet af forskellige tilstande i et system.

For at kunne forstå loven til bunds er det nødvendigt at plukke nogle væsentlige begreber fra Ashbys bog for at kunne følge hans ræsonnementskæde frem til formuleringen af denne lov. Det gøres i det følgende.

Baggrund
Ashby er kommet frem til denne lov gennem studiet af kybernetik, som defineres som videnskaben om styring, kontrol og kommunikation af (komplekse) systemer. Ashby lægger desuden dimensioner som koordination og regulering til begrebsapparatet.

Loven har stor betydning for at kunne forstå systemer, hvor begrebet systemer skal forstås meget bredt: Systemer opfattes som maskiner af elektronisk, neural, økonomisk, social og samfundsmæssig observans samt som maskiner, der ikke eksisterer eller som kan eksistere.

Maskiner og systemer

Tilstande
Inden for kybernetikken betragtes begrebet forskel som noget helt fundamentalt. Forskel er noget, som kan erkendes, enten fordi noget har forandret sig over tid, eller også fordi to ting kan skelnes entydigt fra hinanden.

For at en forskel kan identificeres, forestiller man sig, at en proces gennemløber nogle tilstande, som er så veldefinerede, at de kan skelnes og erkendes. Tilstandene kan eksistere i lang eller kort tid, men tilstandsovergangene betragtes diskontinuert. Tilstandsovergangen kaldes en transition, og et sæt af transitions kaldes en transformation, som i kybernetikken kan se således ud:
 |    A B C D E F
 V    B C D E F A
A forandres til B, der forandres til C osv. En transformation koncentrerer sig om, hvad der sker, og ikke hvorfor det sker. Den viste transformation kaldes single-valued, da hver tilstand kun kan ændres til én anden tilstand.

System med input
Iflg. Ashby er en transformation det samme som en maskine – et system. Førnævnte transformation kaldes deterministisk, fordi den udfører samme job, hver gang den sættes i gang. Mere interessant er det at iagttage en maskine, som kan ændre adfærd, når de betingelser, den arbejder under, bliver ændret. Betragt følgende transformationmatriks:
       a  b  c  d
       ----------
 R1    c  d  d  b
 R2    b  a  d  c
 R3    d  c  d  b
R1, R2 og R3 er knapper på en maskine, og alt efter hvilken knap, der trykkes ned, ændrer transformationen sig. Trykkes f.eks. på knap R2, og starter vi ved tilstand a, ser transitionerne således ud: a-b-a-b... Trykkes derefter på knap R3 (og R2 op), mens tilstand b råder, bliver tilstandsforløbet: b-c-d-b. Det giver to forskellige slags forandringer. Førstnævnte kaldes maskinens adfærd. Sidstnævnte adfærdsskift.

R1, R2 og R3 kaldes maskines input, som skal forstås meget bredt som alle de variable, der påvirker organismen i det miljø, hvor organismen lever. Ved output forstås de punkter, hvor man kan "læse" de ændringer, input forårsager.

Systemsammenkoblinger
Sætter man output fra en maskine i forbindelse med input til en anden, har man en sammenkobling. I kybernetiknotation kan en sammenkobling vises således:
 +---+     +---+
 | P |  →  | R |
 +---+     +---+
P's output til R's input. Sammenkoblingen forudsætter, at R har inputparametre (som bestemmer R's adfærd), og at disse til enhver tid er en funktion af P. Sammenkoblingen P → R betyder, at P dominerer R.

Et lidt mere interessant fænomen inden for kybernetikken ser således ud:
 +---+     +---+
 | P |  ↔  | R |
 +---+     +---+
P påvirker R, men R påvirker også P. En sådan sammenkobling kaldes feedback. P og R kaldes også for black boxes i kybernetikken. Dvs. systemer med input og output og en principiel uvidenhed om, hvad der foregår inde i æsken. Man er ligeglad med, hvad æsken er, man koncentrerer sig om, hvad den gør.

Varietet
I kybernetikken betragtes altid et sæt af muligheder i kontrast til enkelttilfældet. Kybernetikken indregner altid hele udfaldsrummet og beskæftiger sig ikke med særtilfældene.

Som tidligere nævnt kan tilstandene i et system følge efter hinanden i en bestemt orden (adfærd) eller hoppe ud af sit leje og fortsætte i en ny tilstandsrække (adfærdsskift).

Det totale antal af forskellige tilstande i et system kaldes varietet. Varietet kan måles på to måder:

 som antallet af forskellige tilstande
 som log2 af antallet af forskellige tilstande

Elementerne
 c b b a c c b b
har en varietet på 3, da der forekommer 3 forskellige elementer. Bruges definitionen logaritmisk fås log23 = 1,6. Når varieteten måles med log2 er enheden bit. Betragtes elementerne
 a a a a a a
har de en varietet på 0, da log2 1 = 0.

Imidlertid er varietet ikke en absolut værdi, fordi den afhænger af en iagttagers evne til at skelne forskelle. Ashby eksemplificerer dette med en flagsignalmand, der kan udføre 64 forskellige tilstande med sine flag. En iagttager på to kilometers afstand kan måske ikke skelne alle 64 tilstande. For ham er varieteten mindre, hvis han tolker forskellige tilstande som samme tilstand. Varietet er en relativ størrelse.

Bindinger
Bindinger ("constraints") er en relation mellem to sæt muligheder, der opstår, når varieteten for det ene sæt er mindre end varieteten for det andet. I flagmandseksemplet findes en binding, fordi iagttageren har mindre varietet end flagsignalmanden.

Bindinger har stor betydning, ikke kun som hæmmende faktor, men også som noget ønskværdigt. Enhver naturlov er en binding, fordi den hviler på konstanter, der i sagens natur ikke varierer. Planeternes bevægelser er styret af love. Planeter kan ikke bevæge sig i alle mulige retninger, men kun i få. Planeternes bevægelser er forudsigelige. Forudsigelighed betyder, at der findes bindinger.

Læring er en binding. Ashby nævner i et eksempel, at nogle personer skal lære følgende:

 når A er givet, svares med 2
 når B er givet, svares med 5
 når C er givet, svares med 3.

Læring er kun mulig i den udstrækning, at der findes bindinger, og man følger dem. Hvis ikke, kan B ligeså godt besvares med 2 eller 3. Læring er at finde bindinger og huske dem.

Transmission af varietet
Betragt den tidligere nævnte sammenkobling:
 +---+     +---+
 | P |  →  | R |
 +---+     +---+
Hvor meget varietet overføres fra den dominerende P til R? Reglen er, at der aldrig kan bibringes mere varietet, end P besidder. Det er ikke sikkert, at hele P's varietet kan overføres på én gang. Kanalen "→" er måske for lille, men det betyder ikke noget, blot man har tid nok til rådighed. Hvis en kanal kan indtage to tilstande, kan den overføre 1 bit pr. trin. Det kaldes kanalens kapacitet.

Det er muligt at sende to eller flere meddelelser over en kanal samtidig. Af og til bliver en meddelelse overlejret med en anden, der er uønsket. Det kaldes for støj. Det er vigtigt at tilføje, at støj ikke kan skelnes fra al mulig anden varietet. Det er alene op til modtageren at afgøre, hvad der er støj, og hvad der ikke er.

Kybernetiske modeller

Væsentlige værdier
Overalt i naturen beskytter det levende sig mod uønsket varietet – støj og forstyrrelser. Beskyttelsen forudsætter, at organismen har noget, den gerne vil beskytte. Disse værdier kaldes i kybernetikken for væsentlige værdier ("Essential Values") og indeholdes som en delmængde af tilstande i et system E. Det forstyrrende system D (for "disturbances") påvirker de væsentlige værdier i E, og vi har sammenkoblingen:
 +---+     +---+
 | D |  →  | E |
 +---+     +---+
Det ser sort ud for organismen med de sårbare værdier i E. D dominerer E totalt og kan ødelægge E's væsentlige værdier. For at komme E til undsætning, indskydes et "varietetsskjold" F, som er organismens værn mod uønsket varietet:
 +---+     +---+     +---+
 | D |  →  | F |  →  | E |
 +---+     +---+     +---+

Tilstrækkelig varietet
Varietetsskjoldet F (i forrige afsnit) er det samme som "omgivelserne". Dette system deler Ashby op i to delsystemer, T og R. Han udskiller systemet R ("Regulator"), der skal beskytte E's værdier, fra T ("omgivelserne"). Den nye sammenkobling ser herefter således ud:
 +---+     +---+     +---+
 | D |  →  | T |  →  | E |
 +---+     +---+     +---+
   |         ^
   |         |
   |       +---+
   +------→| R |
           +---+
De kybernetiske modeller kan variere meget efter formålet. Denne bruges som model for "tilstrækkelig varietet".

Målet er at beskytte E mod uønsket varietet. Det kan illustreres i følgende transitionsmatriks:
        R
        x  y  z
        -------
 D1     b  a  c
 D2     a  c  b
 D3     c  b  a
D = "Disturbancies", forstyrrelser
R = "Regulator", "forstyrrelses-dræber"

Hvis et ønsket output realiseres, vinder R, ellers taber R. Og R er her heldig. Ligegyldig hvilken "knap" D trykker på, har R et modtræk. Skal output være b, og D trykker D3, trykker R y og vinder. Hvis D1 så x og hvis D2 så z. R kan altid bestemme udfaldet ("outcome") b, dvs. at varietetsværdien bliver 1. R nedbryder D's varietet. Men R kan også fremtvinge varietetsværdien 1, hvis målet skulle være a eller c. At reducere varieteten til 1 er det bedst mulige, hvilket gør R til en perfekt regulator.

En andet transitionsmatriks kan se sådan ud. Kan R stadig holde varietetsværdien 1?
     R
     x  y  z
     -------
 D1  f  f  k
 D2  k  e  f
 D3  m  k  a
 D4  b  b  b
 D5  c  q  c
 D6  h  h  m
 D7  j  d  d
 D8  a  p  j
 D9  l  n  h
Det går godt, hvis D trækker 1, 2 og 3, fordi R så trækker z, x og y for udfald k, varietet = 1. Men allerede når D trækker D4, kan R ikke holde varieteten på 1. Hvad enten han trækker x, y eller z, bliver udfaldet b – og så er varieteten oppe på 2: k + b.

Ashby viser nu, at udfald vil følge ligningen:
 D's varietet (her 9)
 -------------------- = 9/3 = 3
 R's varietet (her 3)
Generelt: hvis to eller flere elementer i den samme kolonne ikke er ens, og hvis der er r rækker og c kolonner, kan varieteten i det valgte sæt af udfald ikke blive færre end r/c.

Målt logaritmisk:

 Lad VD være V's varietet, VR R's og VU udfald.
 Så er det bevist, at VU ikke kan være numerisk mindre end værdien VD – VR.
 Således er VU's minimum VD – VR.
 Hvis VD er givet, kan VD – VR kun blive formindsket ved forøgelse af VR.

Så hvis varieteten i udfald er minimeret, kan den kun formindskes yderligere ved at forøge R's varietet – og det giver loven om tilstrækkelig varietet:

 Kun varietet kan tilintetgøre varietet.

Uønsket varietet kan således kun tilintetgøres med mindst ligeså meget varietet – eller VU >= VD – VR (logaritmisk) – eller: VU >= VD / VR

Eksempler

Naturlig udvælgelse
En art fortsætter med at eksistere, primært fordi dens medlemmer kan blokere for strømmen af varietet (tænkt som forstyrrelse, "Disturbance") til artens gener.

Naturlig udvælgelse har vist sig at have den fordel, at dette kan opnås ved at tage en stor mængde varietet (som information) delvis ind i systemet og derefter bruge disse oplysninger, således at "Regulatoren" blokerer strømmen af forstyrrelser gennem "omgivelserne" til artens væsentlige værdier (generne).

Dette synspunkt gør os i stand til at løse, hvad man ved første øjekast kan opfattes som et paradoks, da de højere organismer har følsom hud, sensitive nervesystemer og ofte et instinkt, som tilskynder dem, i form af spil eller nysgerrighed, til at bringe mere varietet ind i systemet, end hvad der umiddelbart synes nødvendigt.

Ville artens chancer for at overleve ikke kunne forbedres ved at undgå denne varietet?

Varietet (information eller forstyrrelser/"Disturbancies") kommer ind i organismen i to former:
 Den varietet, som truer overlevelsen af generne via den direkte transmission fra "forstyrrelserne" over "omgivelserne" til artens væsentlige værdier (generne). Denne form må blokeres for enhver pris.
 Og så er der den varietet, der, selv om den kan true generne, kan omdannes (eller omkodes) via en "Regulator" og bruges til at blokere effekten af de ovennævnte forstyrrelser i omgivelserne.

Denne information (varietet) er nyttig og bør gøres så stor som muligt, fordi loven om tilstrækkelig varietet foreskriver, at mængden af forstyrrelser, der når generne uhindret gennem omgivelserne, kun kan formindskes ved mængden af den information (varietet), der tilflyder "Regulatoren".

En spion

I et underholdende eksempel demonstrerer Ashby begreberne varietet og bindinger:

En spion, der bor i et hus med fire vinduer [fig. 1], der er arrangeret rektangulært, signalerer en besked ud over havet ved at tænde eller ikke-tænde et lys i vinduerne. [Dette giver en varietet på 16: lige fra ingen lys er tændt til alle lys er tændt.]

Ashby spørger nu, hvad varieteten er, hvis husets konturer ikke kan ses ude fra havet i mørke [fig. 2]?

                    !--!
 !------------------!  !-------!
 !                  !--!       !
 !                             !
 !-----------------------------!
    !  +---+  +---+         !                +---+  +---+
    !  ! a !  ! b !         !                ! a !  ! b !
    !  +---+  +---+         !                +---+  +---+
    !                       !
    !  +---+  +---+         !                +---+  +---+
    !  ! c !  ! d !         !                ! c !  ! d !
    !  +---+  +---+         !                +---+  +---+
    !                       !
 -------------------------------
 Fig. 1                                      Fig. 2

Svaret er 11

[slukket, ad, abc, abd, acd, abcd, bc, bcd, ab=cd, ac=bd, a=b=c=d]

Da spionens "signalapparat" har en varietet på 16, og da spionens medskyldige ude på havet kun kan dechifrere en varietet på 11 i mørke, findes der en binding, som kan give anledning til mistolkning af spionens besked.

[Faktisk er dette et skoleeksempel på, hvordan videregivelse af information bør foregå. Enten forklarer formidleren alle detaljer (her: natbelyser huset, så konturerne kan ses) – eller også skal formidleren tale tilhørernes sprog (her: undlader at sende de tvetydige signaler).]

Informationen i de kantede parenteser samt figurerne tjener som forklaring til Ashbys eksempel.

Referencer

Eksterne links
 "An Introduction to Cybernetics" hele Asbys bog som PDF tekst (læs den!).
 Principia Cybernetica Web
 Basics of Cybernetics
 The Cybernetics Society
Kybernetik

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text:
From the Archdiocese of Portland (OR)
Dear Faithful of the Archdiocese of Portland,
Beginning on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this year (June 3, 2018), Archbishop Sample has determined that during the celebration of Holy Mass, after the Lamb of God, the faithful will kneel. [A partire dal prossimo 3 giugno 2018, durante la celebrazione della Santa Messa, dopo l'Agnus Dei i fedeli si inginocchieranno]
This change will unite us with the Universal Church, the majority of the Dioceses in the United States and the other diocese (Baker) in the State of Oregon. More importantly, it will aid in the reverent participation of the Holy Mass and increase our devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
The current General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states under the section regarding Movement and Postures that: "The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the diocesan Bishop determines otherwise." [43] Previously, the Archdiocese had instructed that the faithful remain standing after the Lamb of God. [The General Instruction on the Roman Missal, 2000 Revisions and Adaptations for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon.]
After the Lamb of God, the faithful should remain kneeling until they move from their place to receive Holy Communion. The tradition of remaining kneeling after the reception of Holy Communion until the priest has returned to his seat is to be commended. [È lodevole la tradizione di rimanere in ginocchio dopo aver ricevuto la Santa Comunione fino a che il sacerdote non è ritornato alla sede]
Those who cannot kneel due to infirmity or other impediment should be seated so as to not impede the view of those who kneel.
Source: https://archdpdx.org/
Autore adminPubblicato il 1 Maggio 2018 2 Dicembre 2018 Categorie Articles in English, Articoli in Italiano, Communio in lingua genuflexis
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