text:
Brits to lose thousands because airlines won't honour expired travel vouchers – here is what to do
Kara Godfrey
Updated: 11:42, 9 Nov 2020
FAMILIES who opted for travel vouchers when their holidays were cancelled during the pandemic face them expiring before they can use them.
Both British Airways and easyJet have been accused of going against EU guidelines in refusing to refund the vouchers if they are unused.
Families could see their travel vouchers expire and not honoured by airlinesCredit: Alamy Live News
The travel industry has previously called for passengers to choose vouchers over monetary compensation to help airlines and tour operators faced with millions of cancellations.
Vouchers range from 12 to 24 months, although with airlines continuing to cancel routes and flights, many travellers may be unable to use them before they expire.
According to Which?, the EU guidelines recommend that airlines should automatically refund vouchers 14 days after they expire, yet this is not a legal requirement.
Ryanair's vouchers can be transferred into refunds at any time - however, BA and easyJet warn that once a voucher is chosen, it cannot be changed to a cash refund.
Prior to the pandemic, EU Regulation 261 meant passengers who had their flights cancelled while travelling in the EU could be given a full refund, although this was hindered by the pandemic with airlines instead offering the vouchers.
BA and easyJet have been accused of not honouring them if they expireCredit: W8MEDIA
Some passengers will be left thousands of pounds of out pocket as they are left unable to use themCredit: EPA
Some passengers claim the airlines didn't give them the choice.
Jackie Harbridge and her husband paid £2,118 for flights to San Francisco with BA, and said she was sent a voucher despite requesting a refund.
When she refuted this over the phone with the airline, she was told that as she had been given vouchers, she could no longer get a refund.
She explained: "I was completely misguided by the instruction in BA's Manage My Booking, which specifically quoted 'Refund' but turned out to be for a voucher, which is completely useless to us."
While BA and easyJet allow voucher holders to transfer them to someone else, such as friends or family, many may still be unable to redeem them before they expire - leaving many thousands of pounds out of pocket.
What are airlines offering for cancelled flights?
BA explain on their website: "If you would like to claim a voucher to the value of your booking, please complete the voucher form. Vouchers can be used as payment, or part payment, for a future booking.
"If you do not wish to rebook or claim your voucher, you can contact us to discuss your refund options."
Passengers should call the airline on 0800 727 800
EasyJet explain: "If your flight is cancelled you can switch to another flight [without being charged a change fee], or select to get an easyJet voucher that you can redeem at a later date by selecting "manage disruption" in Manage Bookings.
"If these options are not suitable and you would prefer a refund, you can request this yourself via Manage Bookings."
For cancelled Ryanair flights, the airline says: "If your flight is cancelled there are two options available to you to choose from. You can either apply for a refund or change your cancelled flight for free.
"If you wish to claim a full refund for the cancelled flight, to log into your MyRyanair account and follow the steps for a refund.
"Refunds will be processed, within 7 working days, back to the form of payment used for the original booking.
The airline explains: "You can request a refund credit note to use to rearrange your plans.
"All you need to do is log in to Manage My Booking, click 'cancel flights' and you'll be given a refund credit note to rearrange your getaway.
"If you'd prefer a refund, please wait for us to get in touch with further details. We're proactively contacting all affected customers in departure date order, which we think is the fairest way – please be patient with us as we do this."
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: "BA and EasyJet must immediately make it clear that passengers will not face losing their money if they are unable to use a voucher, while all airlines should be offering cash refunds to passengers prevented from travelling by lockdown laws.
"Major airlines have acted shamefully and without fear of consequences during this pandemic – the government must urgently review the CAA's powers as part of its aviation recovery plan to ensure passengers have a regulator that can effectively stand up for them."
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has told passengers who were given a voucher when they requested a refund to go through the airline's alternative dispute resolution scheme, such as CEDR with British Airways or CDRL with easyJet.
An easyJet spokesperson said: "For passengers who have chosen a voucher as compensation for their cancelled flight, we would only reverse this and offer a refund in exceptional circumstances as a gesture of goodwill if the customer's circumstances justify it (eg. A school group no longer able to re-travel).
Most read in News Travel
PASS THE TEST
Covid tests to be SCRAPPED for fully vaccinated Brit travellers
SAFE FLIGHT
I'm a pilot and here's how I prepare for a worst-case scenario before I fly
FLY SOLO
Lad reveals 'weird experience' after being the ONLY person on a flight
HO-TELL ALL
Hotel worker reveals hidden item in the bathroom which is 'like a horror film'
A British Airways spokesperson said: "We do not auto-issue vouchers, they can only be issued when a customer has requested them by filling out the form. Our website is clear that when filling out the form it is to apply for vouchers.
"Customers are always entitled to a cash refund if their flight has been cancelled, and must call us to do this, which is clearly displayed on our website. Customers have up to a year after their flight was due to operate to get in touch with us for a cash refund – and we have processed over 2.1 million cash refunds to date."
Travel vouchers for Brits with cancelled holidays will be protected even if firms go bust


text:
Unlockables
Home › Forums › General Discussion › Unlockables
<rant>
I have a real problem with the unlocking aspect of games. I understand the whys of it, but I really don't like it. the PoP2 ending brought me on to this thought process and it just seems so bizarre that the much better ending, the one that will really hook you and the one that makes sense for the sequel, is the one that the majority of gamers will not see.
In today's gaming world, the majority of gamers, do not finish games and I understand that completing it, and completing it 100% should give you some reward, but sometimes, like in PoP2, its too big a reward.
Locking game modes is an annoyance to me, especially when multi-player modes are locked. Why?? Maybe i think the game is crap in single player, but really worth-while in multi-player, but you're making me play it cos I know there is something I need to unlock. Gah!
</rant>
November 3, 2005 at 1:25 pm #26951
To quote myself…
What makes it even worse is that I never unlock stuff in games, I really don't see the point in replaying parts of games just to get X new feature or something. The only time I've done is with Burnout 3 which was so bloody addictive…[/quote:7800830803]
Thankfully it seems to be a console feature in most games. Prince Of Persia was mainly a console style game, hence its appearance there. Max Payne had unlockable features but that was only after you finished the game and to be honest you wouldnt really be interested in the "New York Minute" mode until after you've finished the game.
Unlockables can indeed end up not to be worthwhile, but I also think that it works in some cases. I know many people who played through GTA: San Andreas to complete it at 100% and then get all the goodies. Of course they got nothing and the rumours they heard were wrong, but unlockables are an incentive to keep people interested. On the other hand, playing through Dynasty Warriors fifty times is a slight annoyance just to get everything. It all depends on how well it's executed.
I quite liked Max Payne's unlockables…. but then it was because I enjoyed playing through the game the second time. And the numerous easter eggs hidden in the game were quite odd/funny too.
I loved the unlockables in GoldenEye on the N64, all of the weapons, invisibility, invincibility, enemies have rocket launchers not to mention 007 mode. Also unlockable were extra levels for multiplayer. Some unlockables are annoying granted, but they do keep me coming back most of the time.
The forum 'General Discussion' is closed to new topics and replies.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Background (Why?)
Essays on Theology of Worship
Green Congregation Training on Worship
Season of Creation
What is the Season of Creation?
Wisdom Series (C-2019)
Serie de la Creación C
Catholic Season of Creation
Episcopal Creation Season
Seasonal Planning
Worship Checklist
Bible and Ecology Resources
Care for Creation Sermons
Commentary on Lectionary Texts
Occasional Services
Blessing of Bicycles
Earth Day Sunday
Energy Sabbath
Funerals & Burials (including pets)
Reformation Day
Rogation Blessing
Solar Panel Blessing
World (Cosmos!) Communion Sunday
Worship Outdoors
Reflections, Meditations, Exercises...
Banners and Art
Green the Sanctuary
Spirit Series (A-2020)
Word Series (B-2018)
The Second Sunday after Christmas in Year A
The "great gathering" of Earth community encompasses the material world of God's good creation
Readings for Year A: 2013 - 2014
Care for Creation Commentary on the Common Lectionary by Tom Mundahl
The First Sunday after Christmas in Year A
Jeremiah 31: 7-14
Ephesians 1: 3-14
John 1: [1-9] 10-18
Gathering is at the heart of our celebration of the Christmas season. Not only do we gather for worship to wonder at the incarnation, we gather often with groups of friends and family. What's more, Christmas is a time both to give and "gather" creation's gifts, whether the beauty of a tree, a long ski through the woods, or the giving and receiving of food, drink, and presents.
If I ever forgot the importance of Christmas presents to the gathering, our grandchildren have effectively reminded me. As a result, we engage in a more mundane sort of "gathering:" attempting to save wrapping paper and bows for reuse, and, finally, gathering up the new "stuff" that we mostly don't need and have to find room for.
By now, you have guessed that these comments will focus on the "gatherings" revealed by this week's readings. Surprisingly, we will find that this variety of ways of coming together suggest an intensification of care for God's creation.
This theme cannot be missed in our reading from Jeremiah. In this chapter that John Bright suggests is at the core of Jeremiah's authentic work (Jeremiah, Anchor Bible, Volume 21, New York: Doubleday, 1965, p. 285), the prophet delivers a message of consolation, promising all who are in exile that nothing is surer than that the LORD will gather those dispersed "from the farthest parts of the earth" (Jeremiah 31:8) and "lead them back." (Jeremiah 31:9)
This new Exodus-gathering takes place with what appears to be altered terms of relationship. No longer is the focus on Davidic kingship or on the work of the temple. Now it appears that what is primary is gathering the exiles from their diaspora and restoring them to the land. (R.E. Clements, Jeremiah, Atlanta: John Knox, 1988, p. 186)
That gathering once more in this land is at the center of this return is emphasized by the images of natural abundance we find in this passage.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be
radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the
oil, over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like
a watered garden, and they shall never languish again (Jeremiah 31:12).
This celebration of gathering reminds us that the gifts of the land—grain, wine, oil, and lamb—also depend upon the most disciplined care of the soil and attentive shepherding. The model for this creation care is none other than the Creator. As Jeremiah announces in the boldest prophetic speech:
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands
far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him
as a shepherd a flock" (Jeremiah 31:10).
Therefore, this new gathering will also bring a renaissance of attention to the land and the panoply of relationships its fertility implies. As the familiar canticle suggests, "Like a garden refreshed by the rain, they will never be in want again" (John W. Arthur, text, "Listen! You Nations" Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978, Canticle 14).
Today's Psalm (147) stems from the same "life situation." Once more, the song is occasioned by restoration from exile in Babylon. As is the case with many Christmas carols, it uses a particular act of grace—deliverance from Babylon in this case—as an occasion for an even more wide-ranging expression of God's relationship with all creation. The one who "gathers the outcasts of Israel" (Psalm 147:2) is involved with activities ranging from "healing the brokenhearted and binding up wounds" (v. 3) to determining the "number of the stars" (v. 4).
Because of this gracious activity, the community responds with psalms, carols, and hymns. Among the most telling evidence supporting Robert Putnam's research with its conclusion that U.S. citizens are much less involved in community associations (cf. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000) is the decline of singing, especially among younger males. While it can be almost impossible to persuade many Americans to sing, in African worship or at an Italian wedding, it is almost impossible to stop the singing.
During this season of gathering to sing familiar carols and bringing them to nursing homes and to the home-bound, we also need to hear the good news of this season in relation to the song of the Earth. As Larry Rasmussen suggests, "This time, however, the song we sing must learn humbly and deeply from the changing Earth we inhabit. Its melodies and harmonies must be earth-oriented in ways matched to our sober responsibility for a contracting planet in jeopardy at human hands" (Larry L. Rasmussen, Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, p. 7).
Following a conventional salutation, our reading from Ephesians is characterized by a hymnic quality that may have its origins in the berakah of synagogue worship. However, the content certainly has been transformed to contain strong trinitarian elements (v. 3, v. 5, v. 13). This structure, concluding with " the praise of God's glory" (v. 14) strongly suggests liturgical song.
Confirmation of blessing is found in the emphasis on Gentile election manifested in baptism --"adoption as his children through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:5). One of the core themes of Ephesians is a "gathering" that effects "breaking down the dividing wall" (Ephesians 2: 14). Baptism gives non-Jews a share of this blessing.
This ever-expanding scope of election and reconciliation is revealed in the unveiling of the mystery of God's will (v. 9) "set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him . . . ." (Ephesians 1: 10). This powerful statement—crucial to the work of Irenaeus and Wingren—is described by Martin.
The nature of that plan is now stated. It has as its grand objective the summing up of all things in Christ. The verb anakephalaiosthai is difficult. The root meaning is "to sum up," to gather under a single head as a tally at the end of a column of numbers or a conclusion in an argument (kephalaion) and so present as a whole (cf. Romans 13:9). Here it probably means that in Christ the entire universe will one day find . . . its principle of cohesion" (Ralph Martin, Ephesians,
Colossians, and Philemon, Atlanta: John Knox, p. 17).
Martin continues by describing this goal as much like the movement toward an "omega point" described by de Chardin (Martin, p. 17).
In a culture where planning seems to have insinuated itself into every corner, how do we translate and comprehend "God's plan" in a helpful way? For us, it is crucial to remember that the Greek word translated "plan" is oikonomia, a word that literally means something like "rules for the household" and is related to "eco" words like ecology and economics. God's 'rule' for "the earth household" is connected with gathering all together. This divine architectonic takes the breadth of unfolding beyond Jew and Greek, past the threat of "principalities and powers" (Ephesians 6: 12), to include all creatures (the whole creation) in a cosmic hymn of blessing that frees us to see ourselves "like a watered garden" (Jeremiah 31:12).
As we gather to hear the marvelous prologue to John's Gospel (and it should be read as a whole, not dissected!), we continue the song of Christmas. As is widely acknowledged, this prologue is likely "crafted" after a familiar hymn from the Johannine community (Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John (I - XII), New York: Doubleday, 1966, p. 20) Because it is a song from the community, the emphasis on response is unmistakable: "we have seen his glory" (John 1: 14) and "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (1: 16). In fact, the very incarnation implies shared social experience: "And the Word became flesh, and lived among us . . . ." (John 1:14a, cf. Gordon Lathrop, The Four Gospels on Sunday, Minneapolis: Fortress, 2012, pp. 130-131).
If we have used this text at Christmas Eve midnight or on Christmas Day, perhaps this time the communal nature of this great mystery can be highlighted. This will free us to return to the creation theme the prologue begins with. Because the Word became flesh, that Word is capable of continuing the process of creation ("All things came into being through him" v. 3) in part, by forming a community of faith. And, because this community of faith is rooted in creation and a Word become flesh who draws "all to himself" (John 12: 32), we can celebrate the very "fleshiness" of all that is.
Perhaps this means a festive Twelfth Night celebration by the community or with friends, where extra presents that have no room in house or apartment are collected to be shared with agencies that know who can use them. Yet, in no way should this be seen as a denial of the "material" or "fleshy" side of this season.
In fact, we may learn from a British group promoting what they call a "new materialism." Noticing that religious "put downs" of materialism are not helpful for all of us who live in a "material world," they have developed a "New Materialist Manifesto" that suggests: liking "stuff "is a healthy way of enjoying the material world, but it requires lasting relationships with material objects that should be fewer and better—designed to last no less than 10 years. Appreciation of "material" is enhanced when things acquired are purchased with knowledge—who makes them, where they are made, and under what conditions (Factory conditions in Bangladesh?). These material "goods" need to be "loved" –maintained, repaired, or mended, and then repurposed. Finally, this may move us to "reskilling," where we learn to make, repair, or repurpose "stuff." And, as we find we need less, we may become freer to share (Andrew Simms and Ruth Potts, The New Materialism, available through: www.breadprintandroses.org, www.therealpress.co.uk; or www.schumachercollege.org).
Tom Mundahl, St. Paul, MN tmundahl@gmail.com
For additional care for creation reflections on the overall themes of the lectionary lessons for the month by Trisha K Tull, Professor Emerita of Old Testament, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and columnist for The Working Preacher, visit: http://www.workingpreacher.org/columnist_home.aspx?author_id=288


There is a hunger deep in every heart, a deep craving for forgiveness and hope, a sense that our best days are not all behind us, that God has not given up on us even if we have in some ways given up on ourselves. I believe we all crave some token of God's presence in what often seems a godforsaken world.
The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is such a token, I think. It is a familiar text and just as important in John's telling of his Gospel as the story of Nicodemus. The two stories are a couplet, in fact, mirror images of each other, meant to be read side by side.
One cannot help noticing the many similarities and differences too.
Look at the characters of the two stories: "Nicodemus" and "the woman." She is not named, which is significant. If the designation makes her anonymous in one way, it also makes her representative. We cannot excuse ourselves from this story by imagining that what Jesus said or did applies only to her.
In addition, obviously, unlike Nicodemus she is a woman. That Jesus talked to women at all, even taught women, scandalized the Pharisees, who were known to thank God they had been born men. She is a Samaritan, moreover, while Nicodemus was a Jew. Jews had no dealings with Samaritans (think apartheid or Jim Crow). Jews considered Samaritans half-breeds, pagans, heretics, and apostates. Samaritans, like all persecuted peoples, considered themselves the true witnesses to God, the builders of God's true temple on Mount Gerizim. Jews and Samaritans hated each other both racially and religiously.
Nicodemus is a three-time winner and insider: he is a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews (meaning an elected official), and he is a teacher of Israel. The woman is as outside as Nicodemus is in: not only because she is a woman, and a Samaritan woman besides, but she is a sinful Samaritan woman at that—married and divorced so many times she doesn't even bother with the ceremony anymore—ostracized by the other women, by the other Samaritan women; that's when you know it is bad.
Nicodemus, whatever his reasons, comes to Jesus by night. Jesus comes to the woman by day. She draws her water when no one else does—is she slovenly? Afraid of the other women's reproaches? Jesus had come to Samaria on purpose. Most Jews avoided that part of the world. Jesus sits down at Jacob's well; he is there when the disgraced woman arrives. This could be awkward. Grace, it seems, always is.
Jesus is a "teacher who has come from God" (John 3:2), but even the way he makes the assertion tells you that he knows little or nothing. The woman, on the other hand, does get it: "Sir, I see that you are a prophet" (4:19). She says that in response to Jesus when he reveals to her the sin and brokenness in her life.
Jesus does not tell her anything she does not know about herself—prophets generally tell people what they already know—but the way Jesus tells her the truth, without the least bit of condescension, and the fact that he is talking to her at all in spite of her sin and shame, reveals to her that he is something special. Something different. Not the typical prejudiced Jew. Not the typical judgmental rabbi. Not the typical self-righteous religious leader. Not the typical man.
No surprise, then, that later, when their conversation turns to the coming of the Messiah—and the woman says, "I know that Messiah is coming" (4:25), and Jesus says, "I am he" (v. 26)—she believes him. She goes back to town, finds the ones who have shunned her, and says, "He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" (v. 29). Even the way she asks the question tells you she believes it to be so.
Nicodemus leaves confused. The woman leaves, what, liberated?
Saved? "[He] told me everything I have ever done," she says (v. 29).
What an interesting line from the lips of this sinful Samaritan woman.
Despite the culture of affirmation that characterizes our day, most people already know that they are flawed, that their lives are full of misdeeds and missed opportunities, that they have fallen short not only of the glory of God but also of their own expectations. I once heard a sociologist of religion put it this way: Everyone, believer and nonbeliever alike, believes in sin. Not everyone, however, believes in forgiveness. Jesus does. He looks at the woman at the well with compassion and says, in effect, "You are a mess." She knows she is a mess. Everyone knows she is a mess. If Jesus couldn't see it, he would be the only one. But to be sure, Jesus sees.
Jesus sees that we are a mess too. Not like her, exactly, but like her in many ways. We need what only Jesus can provide: grace that does not ignore our sin but is greater than our sin, forgiveness that does not pretend what we have done or left undone is any different than what it is—sin—but he forgives us anyway.
That is what Jesus means to the woman at the well, grace greater than her sin. That is why she feels liberated, saved, so excited that she is compelled to share it, to tell someone.
I think we all hunger for the presence of Jesus. Not for false affirmation, but for proof of God's presence in our lives—forgiveness and hope, bread and wine, the water of life.
"If you had asked me," Jesus said to the woman, "I would have given you living water." She said, "Sir, give me this water" (4:15); and Jesus did.
And Jesus will. There are holes in your bucket, but not to worry; the water Jesus gives is healing water, restoring water, more than you can lose in a lifetime, welling up to eternal life.


text:
The Effect of Cartoons
National / Year 7 & 8 / Civics and Citizenship - Citizenship in a democracy - Search Again
Video clip synopsis – Bruce Petty investigates the effects of political satire and cartooning.
Duration - 2min 22sec
Tags -	artistic manipulation, censorship, civics and citizenship, democracy, drawing, historical representations, icons, Interpretation, Learning Journey Satire, media, media and society, media influence, national identity, Prime Ministers, representations, satire, see all tags
Premium MP4 bpetty1_pr.mp4 (17.5MB).
Broadband MP4 bpetty1_bb.mp4 (8.2MB), suitable for iPods and computer downloads.
Talkback Classroom is a forum program run by the Education section of the National Museum of Australia. Each year, panels of three secondary students selected from schools Australia-wide interview leading decision makers on important current issues. The panels participate in a 'learning journey' (researching the issues and developing interview skills) to explore the issues and prepare for the forum.
In 2007 a forum on the topic of 'Political Satire' was held. The guests interviewed were John Safran, SBS TV/Triple J radio presenter and Canberra-based cartoonist David Pope. The interview panellists were ACT students Kirrily Howarth (Yr 12 St Francis Xavier College), Samantha Bobba (Yr 10 Lyneham High School) and Wil Francis (Yr 9 Belconnen High School). In preparation for the forum, students participated in a learning journey that involved interviewing Australian cartooning icon Bruce Petty and Joe Hockey, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing.
Go to The National Curriculum Statements for Civics and Citizenship
Teachers and students should consult their state's curriculum and learning programs.
Australia has a rich political history. A significant part of this history is political satire; this allows society to see the 'underbelly' of the political process and to gain insights into governmental behaviour and decision making.
Political satire in Australia is most often seen in the form of cartoons or television programs. The first political cartoon published in an Australian newspaper appeared in 1835 in the Cornwall Chronicle in Launceston, Tasmania. Many of Australia's major newspapers continue to feature political satire cartoons as part of their daily editorial. With the arrival of television in Australia, political satire soon moved into this medium in the form of shows such as The Mavis Bramston Show, The Games, The Glasshouse and The Chaser's War on Everything.
Many contemporary topics are covered by political satirists. Climate change, terrorism, economics, the environment, elections and government 'indiscretions' are often targets for political satire. Often the satirists will interpret a topic in such a way that will expose the real substance of it, frequently allowing people to gain a better understanding of the topic and to be better informed. Political satire performs an important role in Australia's democratic society; it is a potent device that can expand awareness of the matters that affect all Australians.
Before you watch
Over a period of two weeks, collect examples of political cartooning from newspapers and on-line sources. Analyse the range of current affairs that forms the subject matter of the cartoons. Look for any patterns in the subject matter i.e. some being emphasised more than others. Compare any cartoons that address the same topics; discuss them in regard to which may be more effective in commenting upon those topics. Try to establish what might make some cartoons more effective than others that are on the same topic.
While you watch
Bruce Petty refers to an incident in which an Australian cartoonist living in another country was expelled from that country after he produced a cartoon that featured the country's Prime Minister. Make a note of the name of the cartoonist and the country involved so that you can research the incident later on. Expand your research to include any other examples in which a cartoonist has caused a major upset by producing a possibly contentious cartoon. Look for reasons (cultural, political etc.) as to why the cartoon caused problems. Discuss in class the effect of the cartoon(s) and consider the range of opinions in your class.
After you watch
Stage a class debate on the topic of 'Cartoonists shouldn't stick their noses into politics'.
Go to National Museum of Australia Talkback Classroom site
Go to National Museum of Australia 'Behind the Lines' Political Cartooning travelling exhibition
Go to National Museum of Australia Civics and Citizenship studies units


Mos def sumthin-sumthin to vote for!
The important (s)election process is unfolding across the united capitalist prison terrorist states of america (ucptsa) and here in these occupied Indigenous nations. WE are working to change this deadly system that places higher profits for a few elites over the advancement of our broader population and proper stewardship of nature. Still, voters can mos def play a positive role in slowing down capitalism's never-ending wars and destructive acts.


Biron is an engineering firm that focuses on two major activities.
Firstly, BIRON assists companies in developing their industrial projects with a total offer covering the entire lifecycle of products, ranging from pre-study project to the realization of prototypes or small series, in partnership with a modeler referenced with major players in the automotive sector.
The other activity BIRON focuses on research and development of technically innovative products in the cycle, we'll soon be able to commercialize.
Whatever your project, you will find within society BIRON an answer tailored to your needs as our foremost priority is listening to the customer to offer what makes us different, responsiveness and quality.
Biron a company at your service.


text:
Phallological Museum
Posted on 13.09.2019 30.10.2022 by Gulla Hermannsdóttir
Gulla Hermannsdóttir
The Icelandic Phallological Museum must be Iceland's best-known museum. This unconventional museum was founded in 1997 and houses the world's largest collection of penises and penile parts of all sorts. Nearly 100 animals are represented, including whales, seals and various land mammals, and this being Iceland of course elves and "hidden folk" are represented as well! In 2011, the museum finally secured its first human penis, a quest which was covered by a Canadian film making team in the documentary The Final Member.
The museum's founder, SigurðurHjartarsson, worked as a teacher and principal for nearly 40 years and when he retired he made his life-long hobby of collecting various penises into a museum. Sigurður'sfascination with all things phallic started when he was a young boy and was given a bull's pizzle which kick-started his penis collecting mania. Acquaintances from whaling stations and slaughterhouses were drafted intoSigurður's mission and helped source various penises, and thus the collection grew steadily year by year. It now includes nearly 300 specimens. The largest is that of a blue whale, measuring 170 cm long and weighing 70 kg. The smallest comes from a hamster and needs a magnifying glass to be viewed.
The folklore section of the museum contains specimens from elves, trolls, mermen, ghosts, monsters and even one of our Santa-Clauses apparently! The museum also exhibits penis related "phallobelia", such as lampshades made of bull scrotums, an 18th century engraving depicting the circumcision of Christ, and even sculptures of 15 penises based on the Iceland national handball team (the sculptures are in silver as the team had just won silver at the 2008 Olympics!) Most of the collection has been donated and the museum's only purchase to date has been of an elephant's penis.
The museum continues its mission to gather more human specimens and has received pledges from four men from around the world who intend to donate their members. The one human penis found at the museum is that of 95-year-old man who passed away in 2011. The man was apparently a bit of a womanizer in his youth and wanted to ensure his member's "eternal fame". One of the current pledgers is American actor and TV personality John Falcon who allegedly has the world's largest penis.
Traditional Icelandic Food
Iceland Winter Activities


text:
Title 49. TRANSPORTATION
Subtitle VII. AVIATION PROGRAMS
Part C. FINANCING
Chapter 481. AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND AUTHORIZATIONS
Section 48103. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs
49 U.S. Code § 48103. Airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning and programs
(a) In General.—There shall be available to the Secretary of Transportation out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund established under section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make grants for airport planning and airport development under section 47104, airport noise compatibility planning under section 47505(a)(2), and carrying out noise compatibility programs under section 47504(c)—
$3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
$3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
$3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(b) Availability of Amounts.—
Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1296; Pub. L. 103–305, title I, § 101(a), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 104–264, title I, § 101(a), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3216; Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title I, § 110(b)(1), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–587; Pub. L. 106–6, § 2(a), Mar. 31, 1999, 113 Stat. 10; Pub. L. 106–31, title VI, § 6002(a), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 113; Pub. L. 106–59, § 1(a), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 482; Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 101(a), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 65; Pub. L. 108–176, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2494; Pub. L. 110–190, § 4(a)(1), Feb. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 643; Pub. L. 110–253, § 4(a), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 110–330, § 4(a)(1), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3717; Pub. L. 111–12, § 4(a), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1457; Pub. L. 111–69, § 4(a)(1), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2054; Pub. L. 111–116, § 4(a)(1), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 111–153, § 4(a)(1), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1084; Pub. L. 111–161, § 4(a)(1), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1126; Pub. L. 111–197, § 4(a)(1), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1353; Pub. L. 111–249, § 4(a)(1), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2627; Pub. L. 111–329, § 4(a)(1), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 112–7, § 4(a)(1), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 31; Pub. L. 112–16, § 4(a)(1), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 112–21, § 4(a)(1), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 233; Pub. L. 112–27, § 4(a)(1), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 270; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 204(a)(1), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 357; Pub. L. 112–91, § 4(a)(1), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 3; Pub. L. 112–95, title I, § 101(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 15; Pub. L. 114–55, title I, § 101(a)(1), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 522; Pub. L. 114–141, title I, § 101(a)(1), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 322; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1101(a), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 115–63, title I, § 101(a)(1), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1169; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 101(a), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1046; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title I, § 111(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3199.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
49 App.:2202(a)(24).
Sept. 3, 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, § 503(a)(24), 96 Stat. 674; Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 103(c)(1), 101 Stat. 1488.
49 App.:2204(a) (2d sentence).
Sept. 3, 1982, Pub. L. 97–248, § 505(a) (2d sentence), 96 Stat. 676; Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, § 426(b)(1)–(5), 96 Stat. 2167; restated Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, § 105(e), 101 Stat. 1493; Nov. 5, 1990, Pub. L. 101–508, § 9104(1), 104 Stat. 1388–355; Oct. 31, 1992, Pub. L. 102–581, § 102(a), 106 Stat. 4876.
In this section, references to the aggregate amounts for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1987–1992, are omitted as obsolete. The words "of which $475,000,000 shall be credited to the supplementary discretionary fund established by section 2206(a)(3)(B)" are omitted as executed. In restating section 505(a) (2d sentence) of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–248, 96 Stat. 676), the cross-reference to the discretionary fund was retained but is incorrect because of the restatement of section 507 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–248, 96 Stat. 679) by section 426(a) of the Highway Improvement Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–424, 96 Stat. 2167). See section 47115 of the revised title.
Section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a), is classified to section 9502 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted "section 47504(c)—" and pars. (1) to (6) for "section 47504(c) $3,350,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2018."
Pub. L. 115–141 substituted "2012 through 2018." for "2012 through 2017 and $1,670,410,959 for the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, 2018."
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–63 inserted before period at end "and $1,670,410,959 for the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on March 31, 2018".
2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–190 substituted "fiscal years 2012 through 2017." for "fiscal years 2012 through 2015 and $2,652,083,333 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016.."
Pub. L. 114–141 substituted "$2,652,083,333 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on July 15, 2016." for "$1,675,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016".
2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–55 inserted "and $1,675,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on March 31, 2016" before period at end.
2012—Pub. L. 112–95 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section listed amounts available out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2004 through 2011 and for the period beginning on Oct. 1, 2011, and ending on Feb. 17, 2012.
Par. (9). Pub. L. 112–91 amended par. (9) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (9) read as follows: "$1,181,270,492 for the period beginning on October 1, 2011, and ending on January 31, 2012."
2011—Par. (8). Pub. L. 112–30 added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: "$3,380,178,082 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on September 16, 2011."
Pub. L. 112–27 added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: "$2,840,890,411 for the period beginning on October 1, 2010, and ending on July 22, 2011."
Pub. L. 112–21 added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8) which read as follows: "$2,636,250,000 for the 9-month period beginning on October 1, 2010."
Par. (8). Pub. L. 112–7 added par. (8) and struck out two former pars. (8) which read as follows:
"(8) $925,000,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2010.
"(8) $1,850,000,000 for the 6-month period beginning on October 1, 2010."
Par. (9). Pub. L. 112–30, § 204(a)(1)(B), added par. (9).
2010—Par. (6). Pub. L. 111–329, § 4(a)(1)(A), which directed striking out "and" at the end, could not be executed because the word "and" did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 111–249.
Pub. L. 111–249, § 4(a)(1)(A), struck out "and" at the end.
Par. (7). Pub. L. 111–329, § 4(a)(1)(B), which directed substitution of "; and" for the period at the end, could not be executed because no period appeared subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 111–249.
Pub. L. 111–249, § 4(a)(1)(B), substituted "; and" for the period at the end.
Pub. L. 111–197 amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: "$3,024,657,534 for the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on July 3, 2010."
Pub. L. 111–161 amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: "$2,333,333,333 for the 7-month period beginning on October 1, 2009."
Par. (8). Pub. L. 111–329, § 4(a)(1)(C), added par. (8) relating to the 6-month period beginning on October 1, 2010.
Pub. L. 111–249, § 4(a)(1)(C), added par. (8) relating to the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2010.
2009—Par. (6). Pub. L. 111–12 substituted "$3,900,000,000 for fiscal year 2009" for "$1,950,000,000 for the 6-month period beginning on October 1, 2008".
Par. (7). Pub. L. 111–116 amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: "$1,000,000,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2009."
Par. (7). Pub. L. 111–69 added par. (7).
2008—Par. (5). Pub. L. 110–253 amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: "$2,756,250,000 for the 9-month period beginning October 1, 2007."
Pub. L. 110–190 added par. (5).
Par. (6). Pub. L. 110–330 added par. (6).
2003—Pub. L. 108–176, § 101(a)(1), substituted "September 30, 2003" for "September 30, 1998" in introductory provisions.
Pars. (1) to (5). Pub. L. 108–176, § 101(a)(2), added pars. (1) to (4) and struck out former pars. (1) to (5) which read as follows:
"(1) $2,410,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
"(4) $3,300,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
"(5) $3,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2003."
2000—Pub. L. 106–181 substituted "shall be—" along with pars. (1) to (5) and concluding provisions for "shall be $2,410,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999."
1999—Pub. L. 106–59 substituted "$2,410,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999." for "$2,050,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1998 and ending August 6, 1999."
Pub. L. 106–31 substituted "$2,050,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1998 and ending August 6, 1999." for "$1,607,000,000 for the 8-month period beginning October 1, 1998.".
Pub. L. 106–6 substituted "$1,607,000,000 for the 8-month period beginning October 1, 1998." for "$1,205,000,000 for the six-month period beginning October 1, 1998".
1998—Pub. L. 105–277 substituted "September 30, 1998" for "September 30, 1996" and "$1,205,000,000 for the six-month period beginning October 1, 1998" for "$2,280,000,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1997, and $4,627,000,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1998."
1996—Pub. L. 104–264 substituted "September 30, 1996" for "September 30, 1981" and "$2,280,000,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1997, and $4,627,000,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1998." for "$17,583,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1994, $19,744,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1995, and $21,958,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1996."
1994—Pub. L. 103–305 substituted "The total amounts which shall be available after September 30, 1981, to the Secretary of Transportation" for "Not more than a total of $15,966,700,000 is available to the Secretary of Transportation for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1982–1993," and inserted before period at end "shall be $17,583,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1994, $19,744,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1995, and $21,958,500,000 for fiscal years ending before October 1, 1996".
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–253 effective July 1, 2008, see section 4(c) of Pub. L. 110–253, set out as a note under section 47104 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–176 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 2003, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–176, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
Except as otherwise specifically provided, amendment by Pub. L. 104–264 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.
Notice of Grants
Pub. L. 106–181, title I, § 159, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 90, provided that:
"(a) Timely Announcement.—
The Secretary [of Transportation] shall announce a grant to be made with funds made available under section 48103 of title 49, United States Code, in a timely fashion after receiving necessary documentation concerning the grant from the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration].
"(b) Notice to Committees.—
If the Secretary provides any committee of Congress advance notice of a grant to be made with funds made available under section 48103 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall provide, on the same date, such notice to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate."
U.S. Code Toolbox


To come with me to Cairo while running BioMAP, my wife Hilary gave up her job running the Derbyshire Community Foundation, which she had built up from nothing to an endowment of £3m in 9 years. She decided to start a PhD looking at the South Sinai Bedu and the way they were coping with the advent of the modern world and Western conservation (in the form of the St Katherine Protectorate enclosing their land). After the end of BioMAP, I returned to concentrating my research on South Sinai, but, stimulated by Hilary's study of the social impacts of conservation there, I adopted a more people-centred focus.
Hilary has 25 years' professional experience of community development, 15 of them in the global Community Foundation movement; in 2011 she successfully completed her PhD (at Manchester University) on the impact of conservation and development on the Bedu of South Sinai. In it she described the changes they have gone through, and the role played by conservation in their current situation. The 1967 Six Day War resulted in intense transformation and intervention in the lives of its indigenous bedouin population, first by Israel and then by Egypt. Before 1967 core bedouin livelihoods were agropastoral, but sedentarization and economic change made them uneconomic, increasing people's dependence on paid work. Since 1982 Egyptian policy has focussed on 'egyptianizing' Sinai and exploiting it through its tourist industry. Both processes exclude Bedu, who have become a marginalized minority.
Overgrazing narratives attribute vegetation loss to Bedu, ignoring alternative evidence, and providing a rationale for their 're-education'. The impact of sedentarization upon bedouin livelihoods resulted in a 95% decline in flock size from the 1960s to the present day, and the loss of viability of pastoralism. There is growing polarization within bedouin society, and lower access by Bedu to most goods and services compared to the general population. The income of half the population falls at or below $1 per person per day; 80% of Bedu experience food poverty compared with 44% of Egyptians. Official data on Bedu are not collected, and their poverty thus ignored by planners. Bedouin identity is eroded by their inequality as citizens, and attempts to revalidate themselves as Bedu crystalize around dissatisfaction with the Protectorate: as an act of resistance, Bedu have 'reinvented' an identity as guardians of nature, just as their actual dependence on nature declines.
We have tested the role of traditional bedouin practices in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. As nomadic pastoralists, Bedu have evolved resource management techniques to maximize returns from their meagre lands in two main ways: (i) managing levels of grazing inter-tribally for mutual use of territories, and intra-tribal helf agreements under 'urf (tribal law) to set aside fallow areas for specified periods of time; (ii) maximising water availability by tapping otherwise unavailable groundwater using wells within walled gardens to grow fruit trees and vegetables, and building low sand dams to retain runoff during flash floods.
Once we have an idea of the way elevation, geology and water availability affect garden productivity and conservation value, and a model of future climate, we want to develop or revive crops and products that make traditional livelihoods ecologically and economically sustainable in today's conditions, including support for herding. There is already a very promising project working with medicinal plant collectors and traders, called Green Gold, working in just this way.
The whole project will enable us to assess both the impact of socially-focussed conservation on the sustainability of local livelihoods, and on the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.


text:
<?php

class ControllerExtensionPaymentG2APay extends Controller {

	private $error = array();

	public function index() {
		$this->load->language('extension/payment/g2apay');

		$this->document->setTitle($this->language->get('heading_title'));

		$this->load->model('setting/setting');

		if (($this->request->server['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST') && $this->validate()) {
			$this->model_setting_setting->editSetting('g2apay', $this->request->post);

			$this->session->data['complete'] = $this->language->get('text_complete');

			$this->response->redirect($this->url->link('extension/extension', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'] . '&type=payment', true));
		}

		$data['heading_title'] = $this->language->get('heading_title');

		$data['entry_username'] = $this->language->get('entry_username');
		$data['entry_secret'] = $this->language->get('entry_secret');
		$data['entry_api_hash'] = $this->language->get('entry_api_hash');
		$data['entry_environment'] = $this->language->get('entry_environment');
		$data['entry_secret_token'] = $this->language->get('entry_secret_token');
		$data['entry_ipn_url'] = $this->language->get('entry_ipn_url');
		$data['entry_total'] = $this->language->get('entry_total');
		$data['entry_order_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_order_status');
		$data['entry_geo_zone'] = $this->language->get('entry_geo_zone');
		$data['entry_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_status');
		$data['entry_sort_order'] = $this->language->get('entry_sort_order');
		$data['entry_debug'] = $this->language->get('entry_debug');

		$data['entry_complete_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_complete_status');
		$data['entry_rejected_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_rejected_status');
		$data['entry_cancelled_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_cancelled_status');
		$data['entry_pending_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_pending_status');
		$data['entry_refunded_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_refunded_status');
		$data['entry_partially_refunded_status'] = $this->language->get('entry_partially_refunded_status');

		$data['g2apay_environment_live'] = $this->language->get('g2apay_environment_live');
		$data['g2apay_environment_test'] = $this->language->get('g2apay_environment_test');

		$data['text_edit'] = $this->language->get('text_edit');
		$data['text_enabled'] = $this->language->get('text_enabled');
		$data['text_disabled'] = $this->language->get('text_disabled');
		$data['text_all_zones'] = $this->language->get('text_all_zones');

		$data['help_username'] = $this->language->get('help_username');
		$data['help_secret_token'] = $this->language->get('help_secret_token');
		$data['help_ipn_url'] = $this->language->get('help_ipn_url');
		$data['help_total'] = $this->language->get('help_total');
		$data['help_debug'] = $this->language->get('help_debug');

		$data['tab_settings'] = $this->language->get('tab_settings');
		$data['tab_order_status'] = $this->language->get('tab_order_status');

		$data['button_save'] = $this->language->get('button_save');
		$data['button_cancel'] = $this->language->get('button_cancel');

		if (isset($this->error['warning'])) {
			$data['error_warning'] = $this->error['warning'];
		} else {
			$data['error_warning'] = '';
		}

		if (isset($this->error['username'])) {
			$data['error_username'] = $this->error['username'];
		} else {
			$data['error_username'] = '';
		}

		if (isset($this->error['secret'])) {
			$data['error_secret'] = $this->error['secret'];
		} else {
			$data['error_secret'] = '';
		}

		if (isset($this->error['api_hash'])) {
			$data['error_api_hash'] = $this->error['api_hash'];
		} else {
			$data['error_api_hash'] = '';
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_order_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_order_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_order_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_order_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_order_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_complete_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_complete_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_complete_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_complete_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_complete_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_rejected_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_rejected_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_rejected_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_rejected_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_rejected_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_cancelled_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_cancelled_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_cancelled_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_cancelled_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_cancelled_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_pending_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_pending_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_pending_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_pending_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_pending_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_refunded_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_refunded_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_refunded_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_refunded_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_refunded_status_id');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_partially_refunded_status_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_partially_refunded_status_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_partially_refunded_status_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_partially_refunded_status_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_partially_refunded_status_id');
		}

		$data['breadcrumbs'] = array();

		$data['breadcrumbs'][] = array(
			'text' => $this->language->get('text_home'),
			'href' => $this->url->link('common/dashboard', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'], true)
		);

		$data['breadcrumbs'][] = array(
			'text' => $this->language->get('text_extension'),
			'href' => $this->url->link('extension/extension', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'] . '&type=payment', true)
		);

		$data['breadcrumbs'][] = array(
			'text' => $this->language->get('heading_title'),
			'href' => $this->url->link('extension/payment/g2apay', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'], true)
		);

		$this->load->model('localisation/order_status');
		$data['order_statuses'] = $this->model_localisation_order_status->getOrderStatuses();

		$data['action'] = $this->url->link('extension/payment/g2apay', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'], true);

		$data['cancel'] = $this->url->link('extension/extension', 'token=' . $this->session->data['token'] . '&type=payment', true);

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_username'])) {
			$data['g2apay_username'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_username'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_username'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_username');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_secret'])) {
			$data['g2apay_secret'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_secret'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_secret'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_secret');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_api_hash'])) {
			$data['g2apay_api_hash'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_api_hash'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_api_hash'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_api_hash');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_environment'])) {
			$data['g2apay_environment'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_environment'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_environment'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_environment');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_total'])) {
			$data['g2apay_total'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_total'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_total'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_total');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_secret_token'])) {
			$data['g2apay_secret_token'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_secret_token'];
		} elseif ($this->config->get('g2apay_secret_token')) {
			$data['g2apay_secret_token'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_secret_token');
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_secret_token'] = sha1(uniqid(mt_rand(), 1));
		}

		$data['g2apay_ipn_url'] = HTTPS_CATALOG . 'index.php?route=extension/payment/g2apay/ipn&token=' . $data['g2apay_secret_token'];

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_ipn_uri'])) {
			$data['g2apay_ipn_uri'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_ipn_uri'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_ipn_uri'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_ipn_uri');
		}

		$this->load->model('localisation/order_status');

		$data['order_statuses'] = $this->model_localisation_order_status->getOrderStatuses();

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_geo_zone_id'])) {
			$data['g2apay_geo_zone_id'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_geo_zone_id'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_geo_zone_id'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_geo_zone_id');
		}

		$this->load->model('localisation/geo_zone');

		$data['geo_zones'] = $this->model_localisation_geo_zone->getGeoZones();

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_status'])) {
			$data['g2apay_status'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_status'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_status'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_status');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_debug'])) {
			$data['g2apay_debug'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_debug'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_debug'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_debug');
		}

		if (isset($this->request->post['g2apay_sort_order'])) {
			$data['g2apay_sort_order'] = $this->request->post['g2apay_sort_order'];
		} else {
			$data['g2apay_sort_order'] = $this->config->get('g2apay_sort_order');
		}

		$data['header'] = $this->load->controller('common/header');
		$data['column_left'] = $this->load->controller('common/column_left');
		$data['footer'] = $this->load->controller('common/footer');

		$this->response->setOutput($this->load->view('extension/payment/g2apay', $data));
	}

	public function order() {

		if ($this->config->get('g2apay_status')) {

			$this->load->model('extension/payment/g2apay');

			$g2apay_order = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->getOrder($this->request->get['order_id']);

			if (!empty($g2apay_order)) {
				$this->load->language('extension/payment/g2apay');

				$g2apay_order['total_released'] = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->getTotalReleased($g2apay_order['g2apay_order_id']);

				$g2apay_order['total_formatted'] = $this->currency->format($g2apay_order['total'], $g2apay_order['currency_code'], false);
				$g2apay_order['total_released_formatted'] = $this->currency->format($g2apay_order['total_released'], $g2apay_order['currency_code'], false);

				$data['g2apay_order'] = $g2apay_order;

				$data['text_payment_info'] = $this->language->get('text_payment_info');
				$data['text_order_ref'] = $this->language->get('text_order_ref');
				$data['text_order_total'] = $this->language->get('text_order_total');
				$data['text_total_released'] = $this->language->get('text_total_released');
				$data['text_refund_status'] = $this->language->get('text_refund_status');
				$data['text_transactions'] = $this->language->get('text_transactions');
				$data['text_yes'] = $this->language->get('text_yes');
				$data['text_no'] = $this->language->get('text_no');
				$data['text_column_amount'] = $this->language->get('text_column_amount');
				$data['text_column_type'] = $this->language->get('text_column_type');
				$data['text_column_date_added'] = $this->language->get('text_column_date_added');
				$data['btn_refund'] = $this->language->get('btn_refund');
				$data['text_confirm_refund'] = $this->language->get('text_confirm_refund');

				$data['order_id'] = $this->request->get['order_id'];
				$data['token'] = $this->request->get['token'];

				return $this->load->view('extension/payment/g2apay_order', $data);
			}
		}
	}

	public function refund() {
		$this->load->language('extension/payment/g2apay');
		$json = array();

		if (isset($this->request->post['order_id']) && !empty($this->request->post['order_id'])) {
			$this->load->model('extension/payment/g2apay');

			$g2apay_order = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->getOrder($this->request->post['order_id']);

			$refund_response = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->refund($g2apay_order, $this->request->post['amount']);

			$this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->logger($refund_response);

			if ($refund_response == 'ok') {
				$this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->addTransaction($g2apay_order['g2apay_order_id'], 'refund', $this->request->post['amount'] * -1);

				$total_refunded = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->getTotalRefunded($g2apay_order['g2apay_order_id']);
				$total_released = $this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->getTotalReleased($g2apay_order['g2apay_order_id']);

				if ($total_released <= 0 && $g2apay_order['release_status'] == 1) {
					$this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->updateRefundStatus($g2apay_order['g2apay_order_id'], 1);
					$refund_status = 1;
					$json['msg'] = $this->language->get('text_refund_ok_order');
				} else {
					$refund_status = 0;
					$json['msg'] = $this->language->get('text_refund_ok');
				}

				$json['data'] = array();
				$json['data']['date_added'] = date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
				$json['data']['amount'] = $this->currency->format(($this->request->post['amount'] * -1), $g2apay_order['currency_code'], false);
				$json['data']['total_released'] = (float)$total_released;
				$json['data']['total_refunded'] = (float)$total_refunded;
				$json['data']['refund_status'] = $refund_status;
				$json['error'] = false;
			} else {
				$json['error'] = true;
				$json['msg'] = 'Unable to refund: ' . $refund_response;
			}
		} else {
			$json['error'] = true;
			$json['msg'] = 'Missing data';
		}

		$this->response->addHeader('Content-Type: application/json');
		$this->response->setOutput(json_encode($json));
	}

	public function install() {
		$this->load->model('extension/payment/g2apay');
		$this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->install();
	}

	public function uninstall() {
		$this->load->model('extension/payment/g2apay');
		$this->model_extension_payment_g2apay->uninstall();
	}

	protected function validate() {
		if (!$this->user->hasPermission('modify', 'extension/payment/g2apay')) {
			$this->error['warning'] = $this->language->get('error_permission');
		}

		if (!$this->request->post['g2apay_username']) {
			$this->error['username'] = $this->language->get('error_username');
		}

		if (!$this->request->post['g2apay_secret']) {
			$this->error['secret'] = $this->language->get('error_secret');
		}

		if (!$this->request->post['g2apay_api_hash']) {
			$this->error['api_hash'] = $this->language->get('error_api_hash');
		}

		return !$this->error;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Capabilities - TDH Marketing, Inc.
TDH Marketing has the experience to help you grow your business at profitable levels. Please contact us today to see how we can work for you.
Although "strategy" and "tactics" are often confused, they are very different. Strategy is the process of thinking through the situational analysis of a market opportunity or marketing issue to develop an effective plan that has the realistic potential for execution in order to achieve business growth. At TDH Marketing, we have the strategic thinkers with the experience needed to develop strategic marketing plans that can be effectively executed to produce results.
We provide you with a solid strategy that serves as the foundation for successful tactical implementation to ensure optimal results. Please contact us today to see how we can positively impact your strategic marketing initiatives.
You've done a great job of developing your strategic marketing plan but now need reliable, experienced, cost-effective support in order to effectively execute your plan. With resources stretched thin, where are you going to find the time and the skill sets you need to carry out your action programs?
Looking for a tactical marketing partner upon whom you can depend? Please contact us today to tap into our available resources that can provide creativity, experience and responsive service to help you cost-effectively implement your marketing initiatives.
TDH Marketing is where brand strategy, marketing, communications and information technology converge to create a positive customer experience.
© TDH Marketing, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved.


text:
A Native American leader
by CADE SORENSEN
Robert Jarvik, inventor of the first artificial heart, once said, "Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them." Cal Nez is a leader to many Native Americans because of his vision and lack of fear.
Nez is the owner of Cal Nez Design in Salt Lake City. He is an accomplished graphic designer and has done work for the Office of the President of the United States – National Republican Party, Kodak, AT&T, the Navajo Nation Fair and many more clients. Although his business is thriving, it is his passion for his Native American culture that has helped sculpt his business into what it is today. Nez has dedicated himself to helping bridge the gap between cultures.
Native Americans are able to look up to Nez because he has worked so hard to get to where he is today, without forgetting where he came from. He was born for the Tanaszanii Clan and is originally from Tocito, N.M.
He was raised by his grandparents and to this day does not know why his parents left him. He spoke only Navajo with his grandparents and learned English when he entered the Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School in nearby Sanostee at age 5. His boarding school experience was, in his words, "A demon from the past." Students of this boarding school were not allowed to speak Navajo and were punished for participating in some Native American activities. They were also punished for playing like children, Nez said.
As a teenager, Nez participated in the Indian Placement Program by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He left the reservation to go to South High School in Salt Lake City after his grandmother convinced him that it would be best for him. He remembers his grandmother telling him she had nothing more to give him to help better his life. So, he left and went to high school where he began to discover and build on his art and design talents.
After high school and some college courses, Nez went to work for Smith and Clarkson Design. After several years working there, Nez realized they did not have the same vision and direction that he did. So, in November 1986 he quit his job to start his own graphic design company.
At this time Nez was married with a child on the way and was very worried about providing for his family. Nez gathered his portfolio, packed a bag and drove to New Mexico to meet with Peter MacDonald, then the president of the Navajo Nation. He left the interview with two jobs. Both of them included contracts paying him more than he was making with Smith and Clarkson Design. Cal Nez Design has now been in business for more than 20 years.
Knowing from his own experiences what many Native Americans go through, he understands better now how to help others. In April 2008, Nez founded the Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce. According to its mission statement, it aims "to promote the economic development of Utah Native American-owned or serving businesses and organizations and those who appreciate diversity in commerce, and to also promote growth of the Utah Native American business enterprises and make them a powerful economic force." Nez was named president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Nez is a strong leader, but he also does what he can to strengthen his culture by participating in the Native American Celebration in the Park. Nez believes that Native Americans still have a lot to fulfill as human beings. "We are not history," he said, "we are people, our drums and song are still going on."
Filed under: American Indian, Education, Profiles | Tagged: boarding school, Cal Nez, graphic design, leader, Native American, Native American Celebration in the Park, Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce |
« Salt Lake American Indian leader promotes more accurate teaching of history The Native American ESL student »


Accessorize home decor or fashion projects with the Bo Bunny Double Dot Jewels. Simply stick these gems on to gift boxes, decorative flower baskets, greeting cards, chart papers, decorative plaques, banners, memory albums, hair bands, belts, felt purses and more for special visual appeal. This pack includes 86 decorative double dot jewels on a backing sheet. Available in a variety of eye-catching color combinations, each sold separately. Imported.


text:
Newport approves budget, lifeguard contract
The city of Newport Beach on Tuesday cut about $700,000 from the cost of compensating its lifeguards. The lifeguards, whose six-figure salaries garnered worldwide coverage recently, agreed to increase their pension contribution to 9 percent from 3.5 percent.
WATCHING THE WATERS: Newport Beach lifeguard John Moore patrols the more than 7 miles of beach in Newport Beach.
Three Newport Beach lifeguards pull a man from the water after he had the air knocked out of his lungs by two big waves at the Wedge. Lifeguards had to pull people out of the water after one body surfer was killed by high waves sent him into the rocks of the jetty.
By Jon Cassidy | Orange County Register
NEWPORT BEACH – The City Council put the finishing touches on a balanced overall budget of $255 million Tuesday night, after trimming around $8 million in recent weeks.
The operating budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 is just $1.7 million higher than the current year budget. The general fund budget of $148.4 million has held roughly constant over the last four years.
While neighbors such as Costa Mesa struggle to find $10 million for capital improvements, Newport Beach will spend $57 million on infrastructure this year.
The city cut around $700,000 from the cost of compensating its lifeguards. The lifeguards, whose six-figure salaries garnered worldwide coverage recently, agreed to increase their pension contribution to 9 percent from 3.5 percent.
They also agreed to a new, lower tier of pension benefits for new hires.
Those concessions were made this week to avoid layoffs, even though their contracts weren't yet up for negotiation.
To keep costs down, Newport Beach has outsourced several functions, and is trimming staff through attritions in layoffs.
Mayor Michael Henn called on City Manager David Kiff to keep looking for more jobs to outsource, suggesting trash collection and some Finance Department jobs, among others.
"Those are the kind of things we need to be thinking about and thinking about now in order to be ready for next year's budget cycle," Henn said.
Councilwoman Leslie Daigle called for more coordination with Costa Mesa, in jail operations in particular.
There will be some 761 full-time city jobs this year, down from 833 two years ago. That doesn't include another 124 positions filled by part-time employees.
"Over the past two years, we've cut about 70 positions out of the city, and I hope that our residents have not noticed a diminished level of service," Councilman Keith Curry said.
Kiff said last month that he expected around 19 layoffs.
In the budget, the biggest change from last year is the elimination of the ABLE police helicopter program, which cost the city around $2.5 million per year.
At its meeting Tuesday night, the council approved final adjustments to the budget.
The operating budget was barely tweaked: around $300,000 in costs were added. The main change was to the capital budget, which got another $6 million. Most of that – $4 million – was for the Rhine channel dredging project.
The council also approved funding for an annual boat parade, the Newport Beach Film Festival sponsorship, and other community events.
The vote to approve the budget was unanimous.
Contact the writer: jcassidy@ocregister.com or 714-796-7922
Jon Cassidy


text:
Honors nursing student Rachel Pruitt's first experience working in the maternity ward was an unforgettable one, her first birthing experience drama-filled and breathtaking...not least of all because both were in a hospital in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Thanks to an Honors...
Thanks to an Honors College Short-Term Research Travel Grant, landscape architecture student Beau Burris took a design tour through Europe this summer, stopping in Milan, Geneva, Paris, Versailles...
Peaks and Valleys: Studying Abroad in Sweden
Last fall, industrial engineering major Nathan Hemby spent four months studying in Sweden, where he was initially overwhelmed by...well, by almost everything: the different learning styles, the cold, dark winters, the unfamiliarity of the place. But he soon learned...
Freshman Museum participant Sydney Nichols is back with a look at the Crystal Bridges exhibition "Men of Steel, Women of Wonder," examining the museum's selection criteria for their exhibitions as well as the reception of the show, which wrapped up in April....
What to do with $600,000?
Annelise Koster is a freshman honors student majoring in finance at the University of Arkansas. Originally from Windhoek, Namibia, Annelise has been actively involved in a number of activities on campus, including the Entrepreneurs' Forum and Campus Crusade. She is...
Channeling 'Tech Tangerine' & 'Spending' $600K
In this latest report from our "Museum 12," who got a behind-the-scenes look at running Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Max Frank describes a role-playing exercise designed to help students understand how museum boards operate. Channeling the brilliantly...
The Guest Experience: Making It or Breaking It
In this post, "Museum" participant Max Frank dissects just what makes a satisfying customer experience at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. One thing he learned: it all starts at the entrance. Max Frank is a second-year honors landscape architecture student at...
5 Questions: Jeanne Vockroth, Mildred's Lane fellow
Last summer Jeanne Vockroth, recent honors fine arts alumna and New Orleans native, found herself in the lush hills of northeastern Pennsylvania...
On WWOOFing, Beekeeping & (Sweet!) Blackberries: 5 Questions for Olivia Caillouet
Olivia Caillouet, an honors horticulture junior from Little Rock, believes that "there's only so much you can learn in a textbook – you have to get...
Portrait of an Artist, Mid-Career: 5 Questions for Jura Margulis
Pianist Jura Margulis has won international acclaim for his compellingly communicative performances, as well as for the range of his tonal palette...
Testing Your Pets Perception: 5 Questions for Emily Benjumea
Recent honors graduate Emily Benjumea is a planner. She started her honors thesis three semesters in advance, but due to several necessary...
5 Questions: Sammi Jones Pursues Campus Community Garden
Inspired by gardens she visited in Scotland, Sammi Jones, an environmental, soil and water sciences major in Bumpers College, wants to see a...

(F)acing the Thesis Defense: A Guide
It's an interesting phrase: defending one's thesis. It brings up images of medieval soldiers standing their ground, swords drawn and shields raised, images of concrete walls and barbed wire. Images of Alabama linebackers in streaky eye black. But it doesn't have...
'We the People'
In this latest post from one of the "Museum 12" who participated in our Museum forum, Sydney Nichols unpacks the new entrance gallery to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. She responds to the unorthodox mix of portraits, affirms the impact of bilingual messaging...
Investigating the American Spirit
In this post, the first of several drafted by participants in the Honors College Forum: Museum, art history major Jackson Williams discusses the first big task for the "Museum 12": drafting a new mission statement for Crystal Bridges.


The UK might not be famous for it's sunny weather, but there are a whole host of fun things to see and do that still make it an amazing place to visit. From castles and monuments to unique tourists attractions, museums and so much more. Whether you call the UK home or are travelling from abroad, here are just a few of the attractions not to be missed.
Stonehenge is one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in the whole of Europe. Archaeologists believe it was constructed between 2000 to 3000 BC, and it's theorised to be an ancient burial ground. You could book a tour or visit independently to view things at your own pace, either way this mind boggling stone formation is well worth a visit. There are tours which run from London if you're staying in the capital, however you will have to book tickets in advance since there's no pay on the day option. A fascinating yet educational tourist attraction.
Harry Potter World allows you to explore the magic of Hogwarts, and retrace Harry, Ron and Hermoine's adventures. Film buffs will be pleased to know you're able to see iconic props from the films, including Harry's broom and Hagrid's motorbike. You can find out how each of the magical creatures were brought to life with green screen effects, animatronics and life-sized models. You're also able to see all of the sets, costumes, and props used in the films, as well as incredible locations. These include the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office and Hagrid's hut. It's an exciting day out for people of all ages. You can really get a sense of how the films were made, and learn more about some of the best selling books of all time.
The Natural History Museum in London has a huge range of different species throughout natural history on display. There are tonnes of exciting, interactive exhibits. Some of the highlights include the dinosaurs gallery, the mammals display and the main Central Hall which is home to the Museum's famous Diplodocus skeleton. The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, it specialises in the taxonomy, identification and conservation of many different species. There are specimens collected by Charles Darwin which of course have great historical and scientific value. The museum is especially well known for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture. As a bonus it's completely free to get in, perfect if you're on a budget or looking to keep down costs.
Blackpool is a seaside city which stays buzzing with excitement late in the year, long after other resorts have wound down for the autumn and winter. It's an annual lights festival which runs each year for sixty-six days. Each year the opening night of the Illuminations 'The Big Switch On' is a concert held in a specially made arena, with a celebrity pulling a switch to turn on the vast array of lights. The Blackpool Illuminations consist of almost every kind of light display you can imagine: lasers, neon, fibre optics, floodlighting and bulbs (no wonder it costs 1.9 million pounds each year to stage!) You can travel through the illuminations by car, coach or bus with a number of open topped trams and even horse drawn carriages being available to book. An incredible event to experience if you're in the North of England between August and November.
The Eden Project is an educational charity featuring exquisite plants and natural exhibitions. The visitor centre in Cornwall is nestled in a huge crater which is an amazing thing to see within itself! It's home to massive 'biomes' which house stunning plant exhibitions. There are contemporary gardens, concerts and exciting family events that are held all year round. The two biomes contain plants which are collected from many diverse climates and environments. For example the largest one simulates a Rainforest environment, and the second dome simulates a Mediterranean environment allowing you to experience what these are like. The attraction also has an outside botanical garden, where you can explore and learn about the many plants and wildlife species native to Cornwall and the UK in general.
At Warwick Castle you're surrounded by history, myth and adventure. It's is a medieval castle which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068. However it's now run by the Tussauds group as a tourist attraction, meaning as well as the fascinating history there's loads to do too. There's a maze, daily shows, attractions, exhibits and tours of the castle dungeon. You can even stay over, and spend a historical getaway in one of the stunning hotel suites.
Where are your favourite places to visit in the UK?