True North Megagames have smashed their way onto the UK megagaming scene with their first game, Lights In The Sky, a spin-off of the classic Watch The Skies alien invasion game that has been played all over the world.
Designed by Kyle Raymond, Seumas Bates and Daniel Burkle, this run was something special – it combined the alien invasion theme with the Cold War. Set in 1982, tensions are running high. I'm a big fan of Cold War megagames, having previously played AFCENT in Rob Cooper's fantastic Not Over By Christmas, where I fired a warning shot nuke that unfortunately forced the West Germans out of the war.
I've previously played Press at the five different Watch The Skies runs I've been to, while at communication-focused spin-off Arrival I played the Russian President. But this time, I fancied a change. I asked to be an alien.
I wasn't disappointed when the cast list came out, and I was listed as an Alien Menace, alongside two others whose names I didn't recognise, Rob and Dan. But it wasn't until we received the alien team briefing that I realised it wasn't going to be your typical alien invasion.
It turned out that that our team was actually a highly classified branch of the CIA. Operation Reticulan exists to further the patriotic interests of the USA in the aftermath of WW2. The moon landing was fake, and since Uncle Sam never made it to space, clearly the prospect of anyone else succeeding is farcical. Aliens clearly do not exist.
The current crisis that we are tackling is that the US President is secretly meeting with the Soviet Premier in order to peacefully end the Cold War through mutual de-escalation. But our CIA cell cannot suffer the Communists to continue as a major power in the world. We alone could save the might of the West, we alone could ensure that America remained at the centre of the world.
Our goal: provoke the Warsaw Pact into a first strike. Only an act of aggression by them would remind the world how threatening they are – how they are the true enemy of freedom.
Right, does that make sense? Great. Because there's more.
A week or so later, I received my personal briefing. Seumas had warned me that it was intense, but he didn't do it justice.
In fact, aliens do exist. And I am one. But not a Reticulan.
I am a Promarathaen from the planet Promar. We are a peaceful race, who have infiltrated human society in order to help them prepare to join the intergalactic community. Unfortunately it is not going well. After half a century of global war, they have invented nuclear weapons that risk wiping out the entire human race – never mind what they would do to other species, should they discover them.
Unfortunately, solar flares have knocked out my communications with the other Promarathaens on Earth, and also with our Capital Ship. But we have a plan. We must construct a Peace-Maker Pylon Network across the planet. Doing so will convert all plutonium into a fuel-rich but non-weaponisable fuel, and will also signal to our home-world that something awful is happening.
So that's all just pre-amble. As you can probably expect, I was a bit overwhelmed by the time game day rolled around.
But I donned some blue lipstick, space buns and shimmery silver fabric to give off my best casual alien impression. Upon arriving at probably the most impressive megagame venue I'd been to so far (Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, inside Carlisle Castle), I met up with my team and we found our spot in the corner of the Berlin room, shielded by a screen.
Our first job was to purchase our starting units, and we decided to focus on more of a subtle intimidation strategy, rather than an all-out assault. One of my fellow aliens, Dan, was more aggressive, but with myself and Rob both backing a more reserved approach, he quickly agreed to our plan.
Each turn we had a number of Resource Points (RPs) to spend on different types of offensives, research, new units or other actions. At my suggestion, we focused mostly on Decoy Drones for the first turn, and targeted neutral powers rather than members of NATO or the Warsaw Pact. At Rob's suggestion, we also sent a Harvest mission to Yugoslavia. While this would be harming civilians, which as a Promarathaen I preferred not to do, it also enabled us to do research. This would give us more RPs to spend in the short term, and also unlock access to the CIA vault of magic treasures in the long run.
While the other aliens headed to the map to implement our actions, I wrote up a note to the first fellow Promarathaen I had identified. I knew there was one in each of China, the UK and the Warsaw Pact. And due to a last minute role reshuffle, China was no a team of one.
"Are you there? – Space" read my note. I didn't want to risk it falling into enemy hands, and Control assured me he would know how to reply.
I waited and waited for his response, but none came.
On turn two, we amped up the harvest plans. One of our craft had been shot down in Yugoslavia, but luckily there were no human ground troops around to apprehend our units, so we were able to pick them up, along with the two other units we sent to other countries.
On turn three, we tried a different tact. Still frustrated that I hadn't made progress in contacting any of my fellow Promarathaens, I suggested we attempt some infiltration. Our targets were the UK and Romania (well, I needed to start somewhere with the Warsaw Pact).
As I was setting the pieces down, Kyle the Control commented that there had been a peculiar structure erected in West Germany. I checked it out – it was a Galinite Pylon. And who had performed the unveiling ceremony? None but the Queen of England herself.
I fished a pre-written letter out of my pocket and handed it over to the Control. "I know who you are." I binned the two I'd addressed to the Ambassador and MI6.
Meanwhile my fellow Reticulans were trying to bait the Soviets into an attack, by undermining the US. Their plan was to iBlast the US embassy. This elite tool can be used to instil a sense of fear, or a sense of lethargy. It was the second we attempted to instil in the American embassy employees.
Even though the attack failed, it had the advantage of drawing the Head of the FBI out. We grabbed him and headed back to our shuttles.
Once we'd got him back to our "spaceship" (really, a secret base in the Crimea), we debated what to do. Rob came up with the idea of telling him that we'd implanted him with some software that meant that, at a later point, we could give him an command and he would be unable to resist following it.
In fact, we'd cut him up and sewn him back up. No funny business, just sleight of hand. We knocked him back out then sent him home.
Now, I knew that the Queen had such… tastes… due to her Promarathaen tendancies (I probably dined on the fauna of Crimea when no one was watching).
And while everyone knew that we had infiltrated the Romanian embassy last turn, the DBD news was an extra snippet we hadn't expected.
So naturally, we used it to our advantage.
Across the world, screens were filled with my genetically engineered-to-look-alien face (that was of course, already part of my human suit).
I claimed that we had abducted a prominent member of each side of the conflict (naming no names) and compromised them by implanting something in their brains that would make them follow our commands.
We gave our evidence about the DBD as evidence for the Warsaw Pact, and we hoped that the knowledge that the FBI Lead had disappeared would convince NATO.
We ordered the people of Earth to resolve their difficulties peacefully.
My favourite quote of the day was delivered shortly afterwards, so I headed to the Ladies to meet Her Majesty. I arrived first, and looked eagerly to the door when it opened. It wasn't the Queen, and Holly gave me a glance when I seemed to just be lingering.
I headed to the door and managed to cut the Queen off before she entered. Instead, I had my first rendezvous with another from my race in the Gents, with Kyle the Control standing watch outside.
We shed our suits and talked openly. She confirmed that China was definitely a Promarathaen (but couldn't say why he wasn't messaging me back), and that she was able to continue building the Pylons. We speculated over the identity of the final person, but we were cut short and had to separate.
We'd reached around turn 5, and I was minding my own business in the alien area, when out of nowhere someone showed up. The humans had invented "I.P.H.O.N.E.s" by this point (some sort of crazy acronym that meant space communicator), so I expected it was a player wanting to chat with the aliens.
"No, I'm actually here," said the French President.
I ran to find the rest of my team. If he'd genuinely gone up to space, it wouldn't take much for him to realise that S.K.Y.L.I.G.H.T. was a projection. I fiddled some knobs, and the holographic spaceship zoomed away faster than they could ever keep up.
This was our fault. We received a message from the French asking to meet in person, but since we knew they had an alien detector device, which none of us wanted to go near (me for even more complicated reasons), we invited them up instead. We didn't think they'd actually manage it.
In the end, it turned out they hadn't. Control retconned it, as the scientist hadn't actually completed the spaceship build at the time the President departed. But I sent a message to them to let them know we'd come pick them up… sometime.
Kidnap a human, and it turns out they do it back to you. We sent another infiltration mission in, this time into the Volkskammer (East German Parliament). It failed, and one of our operatives was captures. As I was the only one at the table at the time, it was me.
I was terrified that I was going to be found out, but in fact it was a stroke of luck. I was interrogated by the KGB then the Supreme Unified Commander Europe. Who, it turned out, was the final Promarathaen. And he didn't care who knew it! Somehow, the last person I found was the guy who'd been bragging he was an alien since turn two.
I had to hand over the evidence against the Romanians in order to secure my release, but I was happy to do so. I knew my crew. And more pylons were popping up all the time.
I told the Unified Commander we were on the same page, but I neglected to tell him that my fellow Reticulans were not. So when he flashed them his Promarathaen card, they were understandably… concerned.
"I think there are REAL aliens," my team confided during our next team time. They had also noticed the existence of the pylons – which had finally reached the magic number of six – and were growing increasingly troubled.
Meanwhile, NATO was a shambles. The Americans had pulled their troops out of the alliance after not being elected Commander. If we did bait the Soviets into a first strike, we were worried that NATO would just fold. We needed to do some damage control… and I needed my fellow Reticulans distracted.
In order to activate the Pylons, I needed to bring plutonium to the Master Pylon in West Berlin. I was sure there was some in the CIA secret vault, which we were now actually fairly close to unlocking. But I would need a convincing reason to requisition it in the first place.
The plan, as I put it to the Reticulans, was to plant some plutonium in West Berlin, and make it look like the Soviets had attempted to blow the city up. Naturally, they were sceptical. It was a dumb plan.
I suggested we take it down when we go to Commie Con, which we'd been invited to.
But first, we had a turn of research to get out of the way, to bring us a step closer to unlocking the vault.
Unfortunately, at that moment I received a letter from the Queen. I opened it at the table and read it frantically.
"Hang on… who's that letter to?" asked one of my Reticulans.
A desperate lie. As it was still team time, my team continued to speculate on who the others could be, as I penned urgent missives to my fellow Promarathaens to see if they could get their hands on any plutonium. I send letter after letter away with Control, lying about the destinations (I said America, to see how NATO was holding up) or the content (my letter to the Unified Commander wasn't asking him if he was seriously an alien).
I looked suspicious, and I knew it.
I heard back. The Unified Commander had plutonium by the barrel-load, and they'd already tried three of the locations. It seemed they didn't have the knowledge I did – the location of the Master Pylon, and that all of us needed to be there in person.
I knew it was now or never. With my team at the map, and most of our RP already assigned to research for the turn, I grabbed a shuttle key and flew it to West Berlin.
I was granted landing at Gatow airport, and emerged to thousands of questions. The French and the America mobbed me with questions, but I turned to the UK Ambassador and said "I believe the Queen is expecting me".
She wasn't, but it stopped a lot of the questions. He hustled off to find her, while I waited for the Unified Commander to finish at the map table and help me activate the Pylon. I sent missives to the Queen and the still-not-speaking-to-me Chinese ambassador, and waited.
Meanwhile, what the Unified Commander was doing was attacking a mysterious base in the Crimea. A base that just happened to contain my colleagues in the CIA.
I was all in. There was no going back to the Reticulans now. I found out later they thought I was a KGB spy, and that I had sided with the Warsaw Pact. I can see why I thought so. I briefly toyed with the idea of telling the Commander not to attack, but decided against it. The CIA were just collateral damage.
Out in the hall outside the toilets, Seumas the Control told us we were in a rave in the depths of West Berlin. Cuz 80s.
Finally, all together, we used up another of the precious plutonium, and held our breath. Nothing happened. We looked at Seumas. "What do you think you need to do?" he dared us.
Thus ensued a rather peculiar dance routine that I don't think I could recreate if I tried, and in the middle of it all the Romanian General Secretary stumbled out of the toilet. It felt very 80s rave.
We finished our strange ritual, and Seumas laughed and said it had worked as soon as we spent the plutonium. All radioactive matter in the world was now unweaponisable. We had neutralised the threat of Earth. And the Promarathaen Capital Ship was on its way.
I used the next couple of turns to "see the sights" around Berlin… aka I didn't really have much that I needed to do. I couldn't go back to my old team time – my Reticulan buddies glared at me constantly – so I visited the Soviet Union and the UK for a bit. I put some sunglasses on and told everyone who spoke to me that I didn't look alien at all. I was just a normal Earth tourist.
Honestly, I thought that was probably it.
The truth is out (there).
Nope nope nope. On turn 10? 11? who even knows by this point, the Prime Minister of Sweden stood up and announced that he was a Vlorg. He was an evil devouring mushroom alien, his spores would take over the planet, and all we could do was die.
We'd been so busy saving the world, we hadn't noticed it was crumbling beneath us. Suddenly rumours about a strange plague came flooding back, and Control informed us that we'd heard of this race before. It was evil incarnate. All previous mission parameters – prepare humans for interstellar politics, stop the war, keep our existence secret, etc – were overruled by this one – save the human race.
We jumped into action. While the rest worked with the French scientist on a booster ray called the O.S.H.I.T. protocol, I knew just the people to help me.
I gave them plenty. I lay it all on the table – I wasn't a spy, I was an alien sent to Earth to save them from nuclear war (not technically true, but it's a good appproximation). The Vlorg are the most dangerous race I know of. And that I needed their help.
I think they'd missed me. I was welcomed back (though they agreed this wasn't going on the official reports back to HQ).
It was just in time to requisition something from the vault. My suggestion: your strongest anti-fungal.
As the many Vlorg spores spread over the map, I looked to the skies. The Capital Ship had arrived just in time.
My fellow Promarathaens had worked with the scientists on the O.S.H.I.T. protocol, which would amplify the beam from our ship. We positioned it over France – the most densely covered country – and sent out the beam.
I was handed a giant d20 and told to roll. I took a deep breath… and rolled 6. My heart sank.
Luckily, it was enough. The mushroom Vlorg were decimated in France, and the O.S.H.I.T. protocol expanded it to wipe out the spores in Spain too. Meanwhile the CIA's anti-fungal went to work in Italy.
As the game ended, there were still Vlorg on the board, but far far fewer.
The Promar were safe. The Vlorg were on the decline. And the humans… well, it appeared after we neutralised the threat of nuclear war, when there was no deterrent… the Cold War went hot. Various forces on either side quit to join the Central Alliance (including the CIA, who were well and truly ROGUE by this point).
We might have stopped them from blowing each other to ash, but it seemed they were never going to stop blowing each other to pieces. Perhaps it would have been better for the intergalactic community if the human race had wiped itself out in 1982.
Definitely a wackier look at the Cold War than my previous Cold War experiences (but then, I guessed that from the aliens). While the game was a bit slow to ramp up, it delivered plenty of twists throughout, and the communication difficulties definitely added to the complexity of the problems posed to players.
The variety of tools available to us felt really thematic, and we were rarely struggling for stuff to spend RPs on.
Finally I love the way it did secrets, and the sheer number of secrets in the game – both player generated and planted by the designers. Top game, looking forward to the next True North Megagame, Kingdom of Seasons, in August.
My next game is Mirrorshades in London on 13 April, and there's still a handful of tickets left for my own megagame, Trope High, in Leeds on 18 May.


text:
Le dimanche  est le 80 jour de l'année 1904.

Naissances
 Burrhus Frederic Skinner (mort le ), psychologue américain
 Erik J. S. Castrén (mort le ), professeur de droit finlandais
 Robert Marichal (mort le ), paléographe et archiviste français
 Roberto Figueroa (mort le ), footballeur uruguayen
 Theodor Thomsen (mort le ), skipper allemand
 Walter M. Elsasser (mort le ), physicien allemand

Décès
 Charles Bonie (né le ), officier de marine français
 Urgel-Eugène Archambault (né le ), instituteur et administrateur académique québécois

Événements
 Découverte des astéroïdes (527) Euryanthe, (528) Reizia, (529) Preziosa

Voir aussi
 20 mars et mars 1904

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Caviar Changed the Power Balance of Diplomacy in Past 40 Years
Colin Wu
On February 27, 2015, executives of the US-China Business Association along with representatives of Chinese entrepreneurs came to Washington DC and visited Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter. Dr. Brzezinski, in his eighties, energetic and quick-witted, cheerfully told us his missions, public or private to China. He served as Carter's special envoy shuttling between the two countries and successfully brought a closure to hostilities and normalized the diplomatic relations between China and America.
Once when visiting China, he took his wife and children to retrace a section of the legendary 25,000 km Long March. They walked to Luding Bridge over the Dadu River. Back in Beijing, Deng asked him for his impression of the trip, Brzezinski said that he was very much impressed by the soldiers, who took over the heavily guarded Luding Bridge with fearless enemy resistance. Deng dismissed this by waving his hand, saying they were all propaganda. In fact, Deng said, this area was manned only by rag-tag armies of local warlords armed with 19th century mauser rifles. How could they be rivals of the Red Army?
When Deng Xiaoping visited the United States, upon arrival in Washington DC in the first evening, Brzezinski hosted a family dinner for Deng and his wife. Mrs. Brzezinski prepared foods of the wonderful dinner. Brzezinski frankly told Deng that the caviar and vodka on the table were gifts from Brezhnev. He was immersed with happiness of sharing his fond memories of the dinner with us, such as his daughter accidentally spilling caviar on Deng Xiaoping. Smilingly, he said that was why the U.S. ditched the Soviets (Russians) 40 years later, Russia had to choose China as its ally.
Zbigniew Brzezinski autographed his new book Strategic Vision for us. When he saw a copy of the Chinese version of the Grand Chessboard, he pouted and said he was not paid royalties for the book (contrary to what was stated in the preface). He also left his good wishes for Sino-US friendship on a Chinese scroll.
Before saying goodbye to us, Brzezinski wittily suggested the next US China Outstanding Contribution Award winner should be reserved for Republicans to keep the balance (the previous award winners such as Dr. Henry Kissinger, a Republican, and President Jimmy Carter and Zbigniew Brzezinski, democrats). George H.W. Bush, a Republican, became the fourth US China Outstanding Contribution Award winner in diplomacy in 2016. George Bush was became the award winner because of the historical development of the Sino U.S. diplomatic relations, not for the sake of balance as predicted by Brzezinski.
Coming out of his office, we walked into the wintry air of Washington DC, bathed in sunshine, we were caressed by the brisk breath of spring.
The 5th US-China Outstanding Contribution Awards Ceremony
Colin Wu - August 8, 2019
Glory Announces the List of Winners of the 5th (2018) US-China Outstanding Contribution Award!
Congratulations on the Success of the 4th US China Outstanding Contribution Award Ceremony
Colin Wu - March 1, 2017
The 3rd US China Outstanding Contribution Award Ceremony Is Hosted at the Xuelanghu Resort at the Root of Shanghai
Colin Wu - February 7, 2015
US China Business Forum
Colin Wu - June 15, 2013
USCN News
Sino-US deals top reported $253.5b
Colin Wu - November 23, 2017
Why the 'terrific' Trump trip to China may not be so successful
Golden Season, Bumper Harvest of U.S.-China Exchanges
Colin Wu - October 26, 2017
The Ups and Downs and Depths of IPO in the US? — Views from...
Sharing the Road Ahead and Reshaping US – China Relations – 2017 Harvard China...
Colin Wu - April 24, 2017
Colin Wu - February 28, 2015
Mr. Maurice Greenberg Meeting Chinese Artists in New York
The Global News
Education, health fees among key concerns
International group praises green revival
Beijing, Moscow drill for potential missile warfare
Memorial Day a time to 'remember', 'inspire'
More military technologies targeted for civilian sector to boost economy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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KSPA 2021 Regional Contest: Writing Category W2
Contest W2: Sports Writing
You will be writing a story about a sports event at Sunflower High School. The story should be approximately 400 words. With the aid of computers this year, we are able to enforce this. Please do not write longer than the word limit.
Please use the information provided below. The writer should determine which information is relevant and important to the story. Students may use dictionary, thesaurus and/or the Associated Press style manual. Only entries submitted online will be accepted. No exceptions will be made to this rule.
3 p.m. Feb. 19: contest materials available
11 p.m. Feb. 22: contest submission due
Type up the final version of your story and submit it here.
You are a member of Sunflower High School's journalism staff. Your editor has asked you to edit the following story and coverage.
Prompts will be visible at 3 p.m. Feb. 19.
Sacred Heart Catholic High School Indoor Court in Bernow, KS
Tuesday, February 5th, 2021 at 5:30 in the evening
Sunflower High vs. Sacred Heart varsity men's basketball game
Two teams from the Golden Plains Conference (GPC)
The only fans allowed in the arena: 2 family members from each player, the varsity cheer squad from each team, and the band from Sacred Heart.
From Rob Hibbert, Sunflower High junior point guard
"It's really disappointing to have to stop a winning game. This is the best we've played all season. I really think we could have broken their perfect record."
On playing against SHCHS's Ian Atteberry: "It's tough going up against some guy who's playing at Duke next year. It's both physically and mentally challenging. You can't let it get to your head or you won't play your best. No doubt he's a great player and playing with a guy at that level helps you learn a lot."
"Yeah, we took tests a few days ago because we were traveling to come here for the game. None of us felt sick. I'm still shocked and have no idea where we got it from. The guys on the team have been pretty responsible about it."
"We're a younger team. There are only 4 juniors and the rest are sophomores and a few freshmen. It's hard not having any seniors to look up to."
Rob has only missed 2 of his collective 18 free throws this season.
Rob is the first junior to serve as the team's point guard since 2015 when RJ Albers came into the position as a junior.
From Sophia Hybl, Sunflower High's school nurse
"I tried calling Coach Hamilton five times and none of my calls went through. I got sent to voicemail every time! I'm still not sure if he was ignoring my calls or if it was the bad cell service."
"When I was on my lunch break today, I heard some of the basketball boys laughing at how bad the meal tasted. I thought to myself, 'phew, at least they can taste!' but I must have been mistaken."
"I absolutely love being the school nurse. I would even say it's my life calling. Although, when situations like this arise I begin to question it."
"Imagine being a nurse during COVID. Every kid who comes into your office is either trying to skip class or is the incubus of viral plague. There's no in between."
From Head coach Don Hamilton
"This was the best I've seen our team play. What we had been practicing since October just clicked in this game and they really went out there and competed. I think the best part for me was seeing the smiles on their faces when we were up by 7 at the half. "
"It was against protocol to go without having the test results back, but with the snow storm coming in we decided to leave early to ensure our students safety on the road. When I didn't receive a call from Nurse Hybl before the game I assumed everything was good to go. I had no clue the cell service at the court was so bad."
"None of the kids seemed sick to me. I think the team has a strong enough relationship to know when one of us is down."
"It's hard to describe the feeling when Mrs. Hibbert, Rob's mom, ran down to the court and the game stopped. It was a mixture of confusion and excitement quickly followed by disappointment and embarrassment."
"Rob will be a great team leader next year if he keeps up the good work."
From Angela Hibbert, mother of Rob Hibbert
"Well, I went to the bathroom right at the beginning at the second half– you know, to wait out those half time lines– and I looked at my phone and all these messages started popping up, one of them being a voicemail from Sophia Hybl, the school nurse. So I listened to the voicemail and she told me Robbie was positive for COVID and some of his teammates were too and that I needed to tell Coach Don. I was so shocked! My Robbie has been so good about being safe. He told me if he wants to be team captain next year he can't miss a game this season."
"I tried to get Coach Don's attention from the stand but that didn't work so I ran onto the court to stop the game."
From a source who chose to remain anonymous:
"Rumor has it that Rob Hibbert said he couldn't taste or smell anything this morning, but that he wasn't going to tell anyone because he wanted to get that guy sick who's supposed to play at Duke."
"Someone told me that Rob's girlfriend, who goes to a different school, was out with COVID last week. I think they were seeing each other when she was supposed to be quarantined."
The basketball game was cancelled in the midst of the game because the school nurse at Sunflower High notified 5 players that they were COVID positive based on tests they took two days before.
The five Sunflower High players who tested positive for COVID were: Rob Hibbert, Dylan Gunter, Ethan Saysiri, Christopher Rhoads, and Carl Morris. They have all confirmed this with you as the writer and are comfortable with you publishing these facts.
Angela Hibbert, mom of Rob Hibbert, received a voicemail from the school nurse that she listened to just after half time. When she found out her son, among others, were COVID positive she ran onto the court to stop the game
Sunflower High was winning 45-40 with 2 minutes left in the second quarter
The Sacred Heart Cyclones are undefeated this season with a 13-0 record
Due to new COVID regulations, the GPC allows only 2 family members from each team into the game and has a strict no entrance policy after the game has begun.
Ian Atteberry, the point guard from Sacred Heart, was the lead scorer with 18 points and is committed to play at Duke University next year.
Ethan Saysiri, the Sunflower center who is 6'5, was voted "Most Valuable Player" by his teammates in their 2020 holiday tournament. He is the only player on his team who can dunk.
Head coach Don Hamilton from Sunflower High School has previously received a mask violation from the GPC for not wearing his mask in team huddles during timeouts
A snow storm almost cancelled the game. 12 inches of show was forecasted and 7 inches fell between 3 p.m. and midnight.
The Sunflower High team had to travel an hour and a half to get to Sacred Heart in Bernow, KS
Your ticket for the: KSPA 2021 Regional Contest: Writing Category W2


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Elon Musk despatched the Twitter whistleblower a subpoena
With the Twitter trial date rapidly approaching, Elon Musk's authorized group sent a subpoena to former Twitter head of safety Peiter "Mudge" Zatko, who filed a whistleblower grievance towards the corporate that was made public last week. Within the grievance, Zatko alleges that he witnessed "egregious deficiencies, negligence, willful ignorance, and threats to nationwide safety and democracy" inside Twitter, which he says tried to cover its messy internal workings from regulators and buyers.
Zatko, a well-respected safety researcher, joined the corporate in 2020 after hackers gained entry to a cluster of high-profile Twitter accounts — Joe Biden and Elon Musk amongst them — to advertise a cryptocurrency rip-off. He was fired in January by Parag Agrawal, who changed Jack Dorsey as the corporate's chief government.
Musk's group is searching for a deposition and a broad swath of paperwork from Zatko, hoping to bolster its case earlier than the October 17 trial in Delaware's Chancery Court docket. Zatko additionally acquired a subpoena from Congress in mild of the whistleblower grievance and can seem earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee next month.
Within the submitting, Musk's authorized group asks for all kinds of issues, together with any paperwork or communications associated to the affect of spam on Twitter's enterprise and its use of mDAU (extra on that shortly) as a "key metric." However they're casting a large internet, and have additionally requested something about safety vulnerabilities, international spies working at Twitter, or Twitter's "makes an attempt to cover its safety vulnerabilities from buyers, regulators, and/or the general public."
Past his safety issues, Zatko veered exterior of his space of experience to again Musk's issues concerning the variety of bots on Twitter. As Musk tries to kill his settlement to purchase Twitter for $44 billion, the world's richest man has repeatedly pointed to the platform's drawback with bots, claiming that the corporate misrepresents the whole quantity of spam and nonhuman accounts on the platform to painting itself in a extra flattering mild.
Musk is clearly scrambling for a reason out of the deal at this level — in any case, he vowed to "defeat the spam bots or die trying" again in April — so the whistleblower grievance gives some contemporary fodder that his authorized group can attempt to leverage because it makes the case he ought to have the ability to stroll away. However simply because Musk desires to enlist Zatko to again up his declare that Twitter one way or the other misled him doesn't imply the bot bits within the whistleblower grievance will even have any bearing on the scenario.
If our twitter bid succeeds, we'll defeat the spam bots or die attempting!
A part of the confusion is that Musk has accused Twitter of falsely claiming that the whole proportion of bots on the platform is lower than 5%. In actuality, Twitter solely makes use of the 5% determine when speaking concerning the proportion of bots inside a particular chunk of customers: one thing referred to as mDAU, which stands for "monetizable every day energetic customers." The corporate says that lower than 5% of the mDAU is made up of bots.
Twitter says that it actively filters bots and spam accounts out of its mDAU metric, which it created to present advertisers a way of what number of human beings could possibly be reached with advertisements. It's all fairly complicated, principally as a result of the metric is one thing type of bizarre and nonstandard that Twitter got here up with, and it's made extra complicated by Musk's frequent conflation of the 2 metrics (the person base at giant versus the person base with most spam accounts filtered out, no less than in principle).
In his letter notifying the corporate that he needed to terminate the deal, Musk commented on the mDAU metric particularly, claiming that his suspiciously timed suspicions quantity to an opposed occasion that ought to permit him to bail on the deal. To make issues even extra complicated, Twitter has beforehand admitted to miscalculating mDAU.
Counting on mDAU as a substitute of a extra normal metric is uncommon, however that isn't actually what's at problem right here. Arguably, none of this bot stuff is at problem in any respect — it actually is dependent upon what a choose decides ought to fly in Musk's quest to shirk his binding dedication to purchase Twitter. And whereas Zatko's report casts doubt on using mDAU as a metric and a bunch of extra substantial stuff on the safety aspect, it additionally backs up Twitter's claim that the corporate retains spam out of the mDAU as a result of the entire level of the mDAU is to present advertisers an concept of what number of people would possibly work together with advertisements. Twitter arguably doesn't actually have any purpose to inflate this quantity by juicing it with bots as a result of that might make it appear like advertisements carry out worse on the platform (as a result of bots aren't interacting with advertisements).
The Twitter whistleblower isn't a bot knowledgeable, and once more, the bot stuff is a Hail Mary from the Musk camp, however Zatko's involvement might help Musk in different methods. There's a world through which Musk's authorized group might leverage Zatko's extra severe issues — like that international governments have been simply capable of infiltrate the corporate or that Twitter misled regulators about its safety practices — to argue that Musk must be allowed out of the deal. Primarily based on the wide-ranging requests that Musk's authorized group is making, they appear to be shortly urgent ahead with a see-what-sticks strategy.
Sadly for Musk, that strategy itself may not stick. Final week, a choose rejected his request for an additional large swath of information from Twitter as "absurdly broad" and advised that the corporate's cooperation up to now was ample.


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The oils in this synergy help to reduce stress and its effects. It is a wonderful synergy to help promote mental relaxation, helping you feel more at ease and bringing a profound sense of wellbeing. Suggested uses: For diffusion, massage, bodycare products, or application to wrists or temples. For topical use, dilute to 3-5%. Blend of Bergamot, Patchouli, Blood Orange, Ylang Ylang and Grapefruit.


text:
Kenya farmers try to sweep away landslide risks with bamboo
By Reuters | November 7th 2018
Lunch at Macharia Mirara's house in the village of Makomboki used to be a cheery occasion as his children chattered about their morning at school. But these days, no one is home.
The family is absent because of the threat from an adjacent loose earth slope, which runs about a kilometre down to the valley floor in central Kenya's Murang'a County.
Community leader Zachary Muriu worries the remaining layer of soil left after a landslide in March 2016 could become dislodged at any time.
"The short rainy season has started," said Muriu, explaining why the Miraras had gone to stay with a relative. "The family is afraid a landslide could happen, and sweep them away."
It is a problem that troubles others living on hilly terrain in central Kenya, as rains become heavier and slopes deforested.
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But some are trying to protect themselves with a simple technique - planting trees, said Muriu.
"The trick is to plant bamboo along with crops on hilly land and along river banks," he said.
The giant grass prevents soil erosion and is a natural purifier of water flowing into rivers, he added.
Naftali Mungai, an independent conservationist based in Nairobi, said bamboo spreads rapidly when planted, with a single tuber on the mother root able to produce more than 50 offshoots.
The extensive root system enables bamboo to stand firm even on loose soil like that covering Mirara's land.
"It (bamboo) reduces the possibility of soil eroding away during heavy rains, and is able to refine underground water," said Mungai, adding that it grows very fast.
The Miraras have yet to plant bamboo, even after the 2016 landslide swept about three acres (1.2 hectares) of their land downhill.
Their home stands on the edge of the scarred site of the disaster that destroyed part of Mirara's tea plantation and killed one woman, according to Muriu.
Mirara's family were left destitute by the landslide, said Muriu, who also chairs a community conservation group.
But about 1,000 families in the village have now planted bamboo on their farms.
Samuel Karanja, a 47-year-old farmer who also works as a mason in Nairobi, has included the giant grass in a mix of other trees, such as cedar and pine, on his one-acre farm.
Tree-growing is a personal passion for Karanja, but he also sees an economic advantage.
Bamboo can be used to make furniture and fence poles, and even to construct homes, as well as protecting against landslides, he said.
"Bamboo re-grows when it is cut down and does not rot away like other trees when they are felled," said the father of two.
One mother plant can generate annual income of about 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($983), he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Its most important function, however, is to help reforest the area, he said. He blamed tea factories for depleting trees in his area, saying they are cut down and burned to cure tea.
Karanja and other villagers said the high rate of local deforestation worsens the risk of landslides, as fewer trees means soils are less well anchored.
The drainage system for rain water is also poor, Karanja said, explaining that surface runoff usually cuts its own path through farms as it flows downhill.
Francis Wainaina of Kangema FM, a local radio station that provides weather information, said rains had become more intense in central Kenya, influenced in recent years by the El Nino climate pattern, triggering floods, land slips and mudslides.
'NEGLECTED'
Despite the disasters caused by degraded land and inadequate infrastructure, the county government is doing little to help, locals said.
"The leaders only come to comfort victims," said Muriu.
Residents should be trained in first aid, he added, so they can provide the service free to disaster-hit communities.
Murang'a County Governor Francis Mwangi wa Iria said a county fund of 30 million Kenyan shillings had been set up in June to help disaster survivors rebuild homes or relocate.
Assistance was being provided in stages, with the aim of reaching all those who need it, the governor's office said.
At the national level, Kenya established the Constituencies Development Fund in 2003. It supports grassroots projects to improve food and water security, healthcare and other basics.
The fund, which receives 2.5 percent of national revenues, is also meant to empower counties to intervene when communities are struck by disaster, said Francis Chachu Ganya, a member of the Kenyan Parliament's environment and natural resources committee.
Macharia Maguta, a resident of Mareira village in central Kenya, said he had never benefited from the fund.
The father of eight walks with a limp after slipping and dislocating a leg while trying to cross a flooded road.
His appeal for help from local leaders went unanswered, and he is now determined to reach the president to argue his case.
Villagers said inadequate government assistance meant farmers like Karanja must divide their time between paid work in the city and planting trees to protect their land at home, in an effort to keep their families safe from disasters.
"I feel neglected," said Jane Wanjiru, a Kangema resident whose child drowned while crossing a flooded river in 2016.
"The leaders come to ask for votes from us, and we give them. But when there is a landslide or someone drowns due to heavy rains, they are never seen," she said.
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?The government has earned 3.7 billion in revenue earnings accruing from the ambitious Charter Incentive Programme (CIP) introduced in 2016.


text:
State watchdog agency pushes for occupational licensing reform
18 Oct, 2016 by Steven Greenhut
SACRAMENTO – One of the rare issues where politicians on the left and right increasingly agree involves occupational-licensing requirements – the oftentimes cumbersome government-approval processes that many workers must go through to become certified to work legally in their profession. Both sides have come to recognize that excessive rules limit employment opportunities for the poor, quash economic development and force people into the underground economy.
Advocates for reform don't argue against training and regulations per se, but they recognize that it's unnecessary to, say, force African-style hair braiders to spend thousands of dollars and go through hundreds of hours of traditional barbershop training when the hair treatment they provide has nothing to do with the certification they receive. There's broad understanding that people within existing professions often impose unnecessary barriers to entry as a way to reduce competition and artificially inflate wages. Defenders of the system say the rules are needed, however, to protect health and safety.
California's independent state oversight agency, the Little Hoover Commission, this month released a report on licensing barriers that could serve as a blueprint for the state Legislature when it returns to session in January. In his letter to the governor and Legislature, the commission's chairman, Pedro Nava, made it clear what licensing is all about:
"One out of every five Californians must receive permission from the government to work. For millions of Californians, that means contending with the hurdles of becoming licensed. Sixty years ago the number needing licenses nationally was one in 20. … What was once a tool for consumer protection, particularly in the healing arts professions, is now a vehicle to promote a multitude of other goals."
Some of those goals are reasonable and well-intentioned: professionalizing industries, guaranteeing a level of quality and so forth. But they also "have had a larger impact of preventing Californians from working, particularly harder-to-employ groups such as former offenders and those trained or educated outside of California, including veterans, military spouses and foreign-trained workers," Nava explained. Furthermore, the standards are not always equal. He pointed to manicurists, who need 400 hours of education, whereas tattoo artists are required to register and conform to some minimal requirements, take a single class and pay $25.
According to the report, California actually has a lower percentage of licensed people than other states. That 20 percent figure places it in 30th place. One-third of Iowans have a license and nearly 31 percent of workers in Nevada have one, also. But California's rules are more onerous than other states "in the amount of licensing it requires for occupations traditionally entered into by people of modest means," according to the report. For these types of professions (pest control, manicurist, etc.), the required rate of licensure is a whopping 61 percent.
The commission held hearings this year to review the state's occupational-licensing system. The commission found the licensing requirements to be "obvious to many" when it comes to health-care professions such as nursing. But it also heard testimony from those in "seemingly less-intuitive industries to speak about health and safety considerations." It quoted a representative from the cosmetology industry, who defended the licensing requirements because "many of the procedures cosmetologists do can result in irreparable damage." These include skin peels and the use of strong hair chemicals. But critics "say that there is a spectrum of activities to manage health and safety risks and that licensing should be considered the nuclear option."
One alternative would be private certification. In those situations, a private authority (think of automotive mechanic organizations) sets standards. People are free to follow them or not – but being certified by that body confers a sense of legitimacy that consumers can consider when choosing to patronize a business. The commission quoted an attorney with the reform-oriented Institute for Justice, who noted: "Outside of driving, he said, eating out is one of the most harmful activities the average consumer will do on a regular basis. But the state doesn't license food handlers." That certainly puts the concept in perspective.
Critics argue that licensing unnecessarily raises prices. It also quashes innovation. The commission used the example of a barber who found a need for mobile barbershops, but state regulations only allow barbers to operate out of a permanent location. "Eventually he gave up on his idea even though he had data indicating demand for that service." More is lost there than just a job. A person had to give up his entrepreneurial dream. Furthermore, the commission noted that excessive regulations inhibit mobility, given that a person trained in one state would have to go through enormous training again to operate in another state.
"Occupational licensing regulations are made in the name of protecting the public interest," according to the commission. "The reality, witnesses told the commission, is that occupation regulation often amounts to rent-seeking. Briefly defined, rent-seeking is an attempt to influence the political, social or other environment to achieve an economic gain for oneself without contributing to productivity."
That's an economic way of saying that people who already work in an industry often band together and lobby to keep new competitors out of that industry. The commission refers to it as "gatekeeping." And it's really tough on poorer people trying to get their foot on the economic ladder.
The commission offered a variety of recommendations for the state government: collecting more demographic data on license applications; seeking federal grants to review the current licensing requirements; requiring reciprocity for license holders from other states; seeking sunset provisions on licensing regulations; creating a research institute to study new licensing laws; improving training for veterans; and creating apprenticeship rules that would allow people to work while they address their licensing requirements.
As mentioned above, the commission argues that the current situation poses particular burdens on former offenders, who "typically must demonstrate that their convictions were not substantially related to the duties of the occupation." The commission pointed to those who reported "some arbitrariness in licensing authorities' decisions." Military spouses face problems as they follow their partners to other states, where their licenses don't always transfer. Veterans and foreign-trained workers often have the requisite skills, but need to go through the entire licensing process anyway. The Legislature has in the past few years passed several bills designed to help veterans and military spouses, but the problem still exists for them, too.
Reformers call for wide-ranging changes. The last real attempt at this came in 2004, when then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced the California Performance Review. "Facing insurmountable hurdles, Governor Schwarzenegger withdrew the plan from consideration a month later," according to Nava. But times are different now.
There's rarely much bipartisanship in the state Legislature, but there are occasional promising signs. This year, legislators approved – and the governor signed into law – a measure that would reform the way police departments take private property without a conviction (asset forfeiture). Legislators from both parties saw that the burden fell heavily on poor Californians and that the process seemed to violate constitutional rights.
Likewise, liberals recognize that excessive licensing regulations harm opportunities for poor people and conservatives often see the rules as an affront to a market-based economy. The time may be ripe for reform and perhaps Little Hoover's suggestions will lead the way.
Steven Greenhut is Western region director for the R Street Institute. He is based in Sacramento. Write to him at [email protected]
Queeg 18 October, 2016, 08:22
Professional designations and "The State" licensing seals of approval mislead consumers without caveats to always investigate competence and positive results.
Example: if you go to enough rubber chicken banquets and pay exhorbitant dues and attend outrageous overpriced ""professional" conventions" you get the designations.
Spurwing Plover 18 October, 2016, 13:44
license politicians not gun owners
Bubba 18 October, 2016, 19:00
FOR SURE! If I have to go through a background check and wait ten days to pick up my legally purchased gun then why can't I get a concealed carry permit Gov Moonbeam?
40 some other states don't have problem with their citizens getting permits why should you!
John Galt 19 October, 2016, 04:49
Just a thought but how about requiring all California candidates seeking local, state and federally elected and appointed positions to submit to a professionally thorough and confidential criminal, credit and background (i.e. education, occupation, etc) verification. None of that is now required for candidates for elected office. As a result, if opposing candidates don't uncover their character or financial flaws during the primary or general elections, problems often arise downstream in the form of contracting fraud, scandals and other corruption. What's good for the goose ….
Propisition 63 is on the ballot i'm sure all those news rags will want us to vote yes on this Vote NO instead
rufus4444 23 October, 2016, 15:27
I think licensing should only pertain to a skillset where that skill is practiced; regardless of location or other elements. If there are increased variants then they should have nothing to do with the license and therefore can not be prohibited from being practiced … thus forcing the licensing program to be inclusive of any new branch skill. Also, licensing should not be all-inclusive of all skills; there should be an overall license that is all-inclusive but sub-class licenses that allow for specific skills.
Little Hoover CommissionSteven GreenhutInstitute for JusticeOccupational LicensingPedro Nava
Steven Greenhut
Steven Greenhut is CalWatchdog's contributing editor. Greenhut was deputy editor and columnist for The Orange County Register for 11 years. He is author of the new book, "Plunder! How Public Employee Unions are Raiding Treasuries, Controlling Our Lives and Bankrupting the Nation."
More articles by Steven Greenhut
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text:
The Zone 2 of Milan (in Italian: Zona 2 di Milano) is one of the 9 administrative zones of Milan, Italy. In the "sunburst" geometry of the zones of Milan, Zone 2 is the slice that connects the centre to the periphery in the north-east direction.

Overview
The history and development of Zone 2 have been largely influenced by its location on important routes leading from Milan to major nearby settlements such as Monza as well as towards Venice and other main cities of the Italian North-East.

The Naviglio Martesana canal, which traverses most of Zone 2, has been a prominent transportation means in the development of the Milanese area; between the 19th and 20th century, this role has been taken on by the railway system, which again was largely based in what is now Zone 2.  The Milano Centrale railway station, the most important railway station in Milan and one of the most important railway nodes in Italy, is located in the eponymous district of Zone 2.

Especially as a consequence of the development of the railway system, in the early 20th century the Milanese north-east quickly changed from a rural area to a mostly industrial city outskirt, experiencing, at the same time, a dramatic increase in population.  In the mid-20th century, as factories were gradually dismantled as a consequence of the expansion of the city centre, Zone 2 changed again, this time into a mostly residential and tertiary area.  The recent evolution of Zone 2 is also strongly influenced by the high concentration of extra-European immigrants, the highest in Milan, which has led to the development of distinctively multi-ethnic neighbourhoods such as that of Viale Padova (in the Loreto district).

The complex history of Zone 2 is witnessed by its diverse landscape, which includes such contrasting elements as modern skyscraper-punctuated districts, old-fashioned popular Milanese neighbourhoods, luxury villas on the banks of the Naviglio Martesana, restored "cascine" (country houses), abandoned factories, and modern high-income residential areas.

Subdivision
The main quartieri (districts) of Zone 2 are Adriano, Crescenzago, Gorla, Greco, Loreto, Maggiolina (also known as Villaggio dei Giornalisti), Mandello, Mirabello, Ponte Seveso, Porta Nuova, Precotto, Stazione Centrale, Nolo and Turro.

Many of these districts were independent comuni up until the first decades of the 20th century, before being annexed to Milan. This is reflected, amongst other things, in the fact that many of them are evidently structured as small towns rather than as typical metropolitan areas.

Notable places
 Corso Buenos Aires, major shopping street
 Milano Centrale railway station, Milan's most important railway station
 Naviglio Martesana, canal connecting Milan to the river Adda

References

External links

 Zone 2 of Milan (municipal website)

Zones of Milan


text:
Moeksypryl, meksypryl – organiczny związek chemiczny, lek z grupy inhibitorów konwertazy angiotensyny zarejestrowany w Polsce w terapii nadciśnienia tętniczego (w monoterapii lub w połączeniu z innymi lekami). Jest dostępny na rynku pod nazwami handlowymi Univasc, Perdix, Cardiotensin, Cardiotensin Plus (w połączeniu z hydrochlorotiazydem).

Jest prolekiem, w organizmie zostaje przekształcony w formę aktywną – meksyprylat, który posiada 1000 razy większą aktywność.

Mechanizm działania
Moeksypryl powoduje zahamowanie działania konwertazy angiotensyny i w efekcie zmniejszenie stężenia angiotensyny II. Końcowym efektem jest spadek ciśnienia tętniczego.

Początek działania leku uwidacznia się po 2 godzinach, szczyt działania przypada na 3–6 godzin po podaniu, trwa 24 godziny. Pełny efekt hipotensyjny osiąga się po 2–4 tygodniach stosowania leku.

Przeciwwskazania

Działania niepożądane

Interakcje

Dawkowanie
Lek podaje się doustnie. Na rynku dostępne są dwie dawki – 7,5 mg oraz 15 mg. Rozpoczyna się od najmniejszej dawki, tj. 7,5 mg, w razie potrzeby zwiększając ją do 30 mg/d w jednej lub dwóch dawkach podzielonych. Maksymalna dobowa dawka wynosi 60 mg. W przypadku terapii skojarzonej, np. z tiazydami dawki moeksyprylu ulegają zmniejszeniu.

Bibliografia

Inhibitory konwertazy angiotensyny
Proleki
Dimetoksybenzeny
Kwasy karboksylowe
Estry kwasów karboksylowych
Estry etylowe
Tetrahydropirydyny
Aminy
Amidy


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text:
1 August, 2012 ▪ Ihor Losiev
The Khersones Betrayal
In July 1942, the soviet command shamefully retreated from Sevastopol, leaving its defenders to the mercy of fate
70 years ago, at the beginning of July 1942, Sevastopol's defence came to its tragic end. The last city defenders found themselves isolated on the rocky cape. They had no chance of escape and found themselves with only two choices; death or captivity, the latter often meaning a prolonged version of the first. This tragedy resulted from the rather specific features of proletarian art of war and the professional level of the soviet commanders.
AWKWARD STRATEGY
At the beginning of the German-Soviet war the Crimea's defence potential looked almost perfect; the reason being that it is a peninsula which is only linked to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. It was securely blocked and the only solution for the enemy would have been sea-borne troops and/or air assaults to stand any chance of success. For the former option sea supremacy was needed, however the Black Sea Fleet controlled the area and German and Romanian sea troops were much weaker than their soviet opposition. For the latter option it was necessary to conquer the airspace. Besides this, strong Red Army troops were stationed on the peninsula which meant that any German paratroopers entering with no support from outside the Crimea risked total destruction.
In spite of all their advantages, Red Army commanders made the decision to scatter their forces all over the Crimea and provided no secure defence for the peninsula's 'gate', which was the Isthmus of Perekop. Field marshal Erich von Manstein breached the 'gate's' defences and German troops quickly rushed deep into the territory. They were finally stopped near Sevastopol. The city managed to hold itself due to its connection with the mainland, meaning defenders were provided with ammunition transported by Black Sea Fleet vessels. But the Germans managed to conquer the surrounding airspace and in the spring of 1942 forced all soviet vessels out to their Caucasian bases. Thus, it became an extraordinary event for any vessel to break through into Sevastopol. But the city could have survived with the necessary support, so it was worth the vessels taking the risk.What is more, Field Marshal Von Manstein, commander of the Sevastopol siege, acknowledged German soldiers were totally exhausted. Meanwhile his soviet counterparts of the Black Sea command and Sevastopol defence district cared more about their own rescue. On the night of June 30-1 July 1942 two submarines and 14 Douglas PS-84 transport aircrafts took about 500 representatives of the command from Cape Khersones. These were party members, soviet institutions workers,security officers, admirals and generals.
HEROIC ESCAPE
The main point here is that the commanders abandoned their soldiers and rushed to the planned evacuation site, which was their order from above. This event effectively "decapitated" the defences. On the night of 2 July abandoned servicemen organized democratic elections of new commanders in place of the escapees. It was an unprecedented event for Stalin's empire, as servicemen replaced their command without any control from the party or any administrative bodies, a true example of military democracy. Later, even in Khrushov's time, this fact was nearly never spoken about, as it was obviously not "politically correct" for the communists. Such a story was nothing to be proud of, in particular the fact that Black Sea commander admiral Filipp Oktiabrskiy and Maritime army commander general Petrov saved themselves having left at least 80,000 (up to 90,000, by other sources) subordinates to the merit of fate. Meanwhile the defending soldiers and sailors, having understood they had been betrayed, began shooting escapees… Furthermore, the soviet command did not make any real effort to help the last defenders of Sevastopol.
The 500 "Spartans" who escaped from the city to the Caucasus went on without any obstacles serving the country and gaining titles, positions and orders, while those who were left on the Khersones rocks were almost forgotten about for 50 years.
Having entered Sevastopol, Wehrmacht soldiers found neat folders with lists of soviet intelligence agents, secret soldiers and partisans in the city department of Interior Affairs Committee located in the city centre. The department's head, state security senior lieutenant Anatoliy Nefiodov, had reasons for not burning these discrediting documents and he essentially facilitated the work of the Nazi intelligence service. Street fights were still being conducted and it was necessary to save super-valuable lives of powerful representatives of the regime, there was a poorly organized retreat of the troops to evacuation sites. The soldiers had to cover those who had the exclusive right to rescue. As Belorussian war historian Vladimir Beshanov said, "When military commanders got on the planes and flew away they sent a goodbye wave to the soldiers left behind and gave them their last orders, "fight to the bitter end" and "make a reversed front attack"." It is hard to imagine Friedrich Paulus leaving his Sixth Army in Stalingrad, while Hitler could not even think about an opportunity to take the field marshal out of the siege. And commander of the 14th tank corps, General Hans-Valentin Hubeever getting the Führer's order to leave the dangerous area, was simply incredible. He informed Berlin that he had taken his soldiers to Stalingrad with an order to fight to the last bullet and that he intended to show them how to do it. Stalin always tried to save his generals from possible German capture, fearing another traitor like General Andrei Vlasov. The fear was not unreasonable, as during the war a dozen Red Army generals served together with Mr.Vlasov in the Russian Liberation Army headquarters.
Meanwhile proletarian commanders shamefully left Cape Khersones having abandoned their soldiers and sailors who were simply deemed to be cheap cannon fodder. The generals were trying to save themselves and did not even think about 'bourgeois' notions of honour and conscience.
At the time of the 1853-1856 Crimean War General Count Dmitriy Osten-Saken headed the evacuation of Russian troops to the northern part of Sevastopol. He appeared on the pontoon bridge only after he saw the last soldier on it, in spite of the risk of coming under fire from the French and English servicemen. Communist admirals and generals behaved in a totally different way.
REPRESSED MEMORY
After 1945 those who showed too much interest in the Cape Khersones tragedy would come under the surveillance of security bodies. The victims and survivors, having been to Nazi and often soviet concentration camps, preferred silence on the subject. They had to live with the guilt complex of the capture of the town, which was the direct result of their commanders' deeds. Meanwhile, those same commanders returned from the Crimea and went on commanding without seeming to be guilt stricken at all.
In accordance with the army's 'working-class and peasant' title, there was an incredible gap between soldiers and sailors and their military commanders. There were absolutely no traces of a war 'brotherhood'. Here is what one of the victims of Cape Khersones tragedy remembers: "The dock and bridge were full of people. Captain 3rd class Iliychev, appointed by Mr.Oktiabrskiy, as head of the evacuation, was stationed on the rock… He and his riflemen shot front troops in order to stop them swimming to the rock and fired short bursts on those trying to swim to the boat". Another recollection; "The evacuation of injured people by air started in the dark…, but, in fact, only the strongest people could get on the planes. I was supposed to get on the third plane, but when trying to board it I got a good kick from one of the servicemen and fainted".
After the Wehrmacht's 1940 destruction of France, The British Navy took around 300,000 British, French and Belgian soldiers from Dunkirk. The best forces of Her Majesty's Navy were brought in to save them. There was simply no intention of saving only the chosen ones. Crossing the English Channel the soldiers left tens of thousands of their helmets on the French coast; according to ancient war tradition it was some kind of greeting for the Nazis. It meant "we are going to come back!", and they did, in 1944.
But the fighters of Cape Khersones did not get any support from the Black Sea Fleet, in spite of numerous promises. It was terrible; "the coastal side of the sea was full of heads of people swimming to the boats… I watched two sailors pulling a rope with a man and then I saw two or three men catching this rope and then all of them falling into the sea, and that was the case for all the boats… All the coast line right out to the boats was covered with people… And in the morning all visible coast line was covered with a layer, seven-eight bodies high, of thousands of dead people bathed by the waves… Bodies of drowned men in different poses could easily be seen in water."
The Soviet military machine was as cruel, ineffective and wasteful as the whole totalitarian regime. It was the idea to conceal the obvious facts that made the Soviets create a huge historiagraphy about the so called 'Great Patriotic War', an enormous myth system about "the unconquerable and legendary" Red Army, about "the great victory" and "the liberation mission" of Stalin's Army. It is unfortunate that these myths still live on today, not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine.
The aggressive demon of victory
A Struggle for Peace
Captive to the Great Lie
Maple Leaf and Trident
Veterans in the Making
Legionnaires' Day
Eastern Convicts
Only those countries which are influenced by Russia consider 9 May a festive day, says historian


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Set in Amber
Anj Smith on the art of Florence, new and old
On the occasion of her exhibition 'A Willow Grows Aslant the Brook' at Museo Stefano Bardini in Florence, the British artist Anj Smith talks about the importance of breaking with the cacophany of our data-saturated age, about Boccaccio's 'Decameron' and about the ceaseless potential of the medium of paint. In the storied city so central to the Renaissance, navigating and re-evaluating historical context is a time-honored practice. And inside the museum's rooms, filled with Roman sarcophagi, Quattrocento painting and Gothic stone relief, Smith uses her intricate work to enter into a curious dialogue with tradition and change.
'Anj Smith. A Willow Grows Aslant the Brook,' Museo Stefano Bardini, Florence. Photo: Serge Domingie. Courtesy the artist and Museo Novecento, Florence
Anj Smith, S.O.S, 2016 - 2017 © Anj Smith. Photo: Alex Delfanne
For more than two decades, Smith's rich visual language has embraced the instability of meaning. Contemporary and archaic symbols and techniques are woven together in paintings that explore the edges of representation in familiar and unfamiliar ways. 'The observer is invited to be patient and to gaze with curiosity before entering these remarkable Wunderkammers, embarking on a journey that is not only optical but also mental,' says Sergio Risaliti, the exhibition's curator.
Collapsing the definitions of portraiture, landscape and still-life, Smith's complex compositions destabilize the viewer's sense of time. 'I think of these works a little bit like an insect trapped in amber,' Smith explains. 'They're made at a specific moment in time and they're reflective of that. But at the same time, I really hope that they open out into asking much wider philosophical questions.'
'A Willow Grows Aslant the Brook' is Anj Smith's first solo exhibition in Italy, on view at Museo Stefano Bardini from 17 December 2021 – 1 May 2022.


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Russia's invasion of Ukraine ripples through the Pacific islands region
By James C. Pearce
Majuro-- Unbeknownst to Vladimir Putin and most of the world, the Russian president put his country's nuclear arsenal on alert a day before the Marshall Islands had its day of remembrance for nuclear victims.
It was on Bikini Atoll where the U.S. tested the largest atomic bomb in existence at the height of the Cold War. It didn't just devastate the atoll and make it uninhabitable, the residents suffered for decades from nuclear poisoning and its effects.
Far away Russia – and Ukraine for that matter – has virtually no economic or diplomatic presence here, operating mostly out of Manila and Canberra. But when European leaders said the invasion would have a global "ripple effect," the Pacific islands region knew it wouldn't evade them. In fact, almost immediately the Federated States of Micronesia severed diplomatic relations with Russia over the invasion. Fiji's UN ambassador quickly condemned the invasion, as did the Solomon Islands and Australia. Most recently and concerning, however, Russia tested missiles on the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Kuril Islands off Hokkaido. Two weeks later, it withdrew from bilateral peace treaty talks with Japan to formally end World War II, over their standoff here. Japan joined the G7 in sanctioning 76 Russian individuals, seven banks and 12 other bodies.
The Pacific region has a lot more at stake than global leaders are willing to acknowledge, however. Besides being a buffer zone to the Anglosphere (remember AUKUS?), much of the region recognizes Taiwan. In response, China has been only too happy to "financially assist" the Pacific nations in recent years. The Pacific islands region is heavily reliant on global supply chains disrupted by the conflict. According to the Asian Development Bank, as much as 75 percent of these economies are service industries. Agriculture and industry are tiny and heavily concentrated in a few key areas and sectors, such as fishing and coconuts, which are two of the biggest. On top of that, Covid-19 has devastated many local economies. Pacific island nations like the Marshall Islands had, and still maintain, the strictest restrictions in the world even though they have extremely high vaccination rates (as much as 99 percent in some countries) and among the lowest infection rates. The Solomon Islands recorded its first case only recently. Shops have faced shortages and limitations on the number of products one can buy, not to mention medical supplies.
Long sitting on the Pacific sidelines, China spotted an opportunity. In 2014, Xi Jinping announced his "Asia-Pacific Dream" of cooperation and then launched a tour of the South Pacific countries. Its main methods of interference consist of undermining democratic institutions, creating economic dependence, and stifling criticism of Beijing. The South Pacific is extremely vulnerable on all three fronts. According to the 2021 State of Democracy report, the three Pacific island nations assessed — Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands — were all ranked as "weak democracies." According to the global corruption watchdog Transparency International, more than half of Pacific islanders believe corruption is a significant problem at home. The financial lure of China increased post-Covid-19 and is having diplomatic ramifications. After large cash dumps in 2019, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. Fiji and the Cook Islands received loans from China's Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2020, after being knocked back by traditional Western partners, and Vanuatu went straight to the Chinese government for financial support in 2021.
Beijing opened a consulate as part of its embassy in Tonga last year for its 4,000 citizens who live there. China's ambassador then signed over more than $24 million in Tongan currency for more building. The money was to fund a new bridge to connect the remote east side of the main island, where some of the best farms sit in sleepy villages, to the port in the capital. And who is building it? Not underemployed Tongans, but blue jump-suited men from China. Tonga also received $11 million for the construction of its St. George Palace, which equaled 2.6 percent of its GDP.
The extent to which China can help Russia sidestep sanctions is both debatable and probably minimal, but it does mean Russia will no longer work against China on Taiwan or its other ventures here in the Pacific. A weak Russia suits China because it would have little choice but to kowtow to Xi. Putin would be more likely to give him access to northern Russian ports, to accommodate China's growing interests in Central Asia, and to supply it with cheap oil and gas among other things.
FSM Health Secretary Marcus Samo and Chinese Ambassador Huang Zheng pose for a photo-op during a handover ceremony for China's new donation to FSM on Nov, 25, 2021. Photo courtesy of FSMIS
As mentioned, Russia, too, has its own interests in the North Pacific and China may end up taking its side. It probably wasn't Putin's intention, but his invasion of Ukraine didn't just ripple through to our shores, it is stirring up the region. The FSM severing ties with Russia may not look like anything to most observers but it's actually an indicator of the worst future scenario: China and the U.S. engaged in a hot conflict in the Pacific with the possible involvement of other big players, like Russia and Japan. China's approach to the Ukraine invasion arises from Xi's conviction that the 21st century will be defined by the competition between China and the U.S. For China, what happens in Ukraine's shelled cities is a skirmish in this contest. Russia doesn't need to win big, per se, but a loss would embarrass China for allying too closely with Putin and cause it to make a huge reassessment of its Pacific dreams. Any historian of World War II can tell the reader some of the worst fighting occurred in the Pacific. And here in Majuro, the locals will tell the reader what the worst-case military "tests" or conflicts will look like. The collective West needs to hold firm its unity and stand up to China throughout this conflict, lest it actually spill over to the South Pacific.
Dr James Pearce is an instructor of Social Science at the Liberal Arts Department of College of the Marshall Islands. He is the author of The Use of History in Putin's Russia.


Cash, Cheque, Debit, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
Saskatchewan Regional Parks: Park of the Year 2011!
The Hudson Bay Regional Park is comprised of over 900 acres and also includes Ruby Lake, Dagg Creek, Grenbush River and Saginas Lake recreation sites. The junction of Fir, Red Deer and Etomami Rivers is also adjacent to the park and is the site of the remnants of a 300 year old fur trading fort. The Park includes camping and picnic sites, a playground, golf course, Red Deer Downs, three shale ball diamonds in the natural amphitheater know as "The Bowl", cross country ski trails and a gun range. There are four locations in our province that feature the rare and endangered Ram's Head Lady Slipper and Hudson Bay Regional Park in one of them. In fact, there are 21 different orchid species in this area of which seven of them endangered. Other interesting vegetation have been recorded in a brochure and can be seen along the nature trails in the park. All in all, the regional park has much to offer for both young and old during any season of the year.
The Town of Hudson Bay which offers a full service to visitors. Services include: gasoline/propane services, grocery/supplies, RCMP office, hall/shelter rental, Internet services, laundry services, visitors centre, licensed dining, snowmobile/ATV trails, museum/historical site, heritage park, birding & wildlife viewing, town murals, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts & skateboard park. Ruby Lake, a recreational lake which is part of the Hudson Bay Regional Park. Ruby Lake is located 15 km North of Hudson Bay, East of Highway #9.
The junction of Fir, Red Deer and Etomami Rivers is adjacent to the park and this junction is the site of the remnants of a 300 year old fur trading fort. The Fort La Biche site is located close to the parks ball diamonds. This area was a popular route during the fur trade because of the junction of the three rivers. The area is also known for having been on the shores of ancient Lake Agassiz. Hudson Bay has a long history in the forestry industry, being located in the Northern Provincial Forest, and visitors can enjoy the many acres of the park which remain as untouched wilderness. Much of the park's undeveloped areas have been designated as critical wildlife habitat.
The park offers barrier free washrooms and showers to campers at both locations.
Red Cross Lessons at Ruby Lake – Contact the park for rates and information.
The Hudson Bay Regional Park has a total of 51 campsites available. The camping area consists of 13 sites with 15 amp service and 23 sites with both 15 and 30 amp service. It also consists of 6 tenting pads, central RV sewage disposal, drinking water, and a modern shower and washroom facility.
The Ruby Lake site has 2 sites with 30 amp service, 2 sites with 15 amp service and 5 non-serviced sites.
Group camping is allowed in designated areas. Picnic sites can be found along the river's edge at the "Springs" surrounding the playground area. There is also a covered camp kitchen.
The golf course is nine holes with grass greens on a slightly rolling landscape featuring tree lined fairways, a beautiful water trap and several sand traps that can be a challenge to any golfer. The golf club takes a great deal of pride in their organization and facility. Their modern clubhouse is equipped with a lounge and pro shop and provides a place for members and visitors to relax between rounds. Regular fun and competitive tournaments are run throughout the summer and visitors are always welcome. There is also a driving range located adjacent to the golf course.
A Tunnel of Mist spray area was constructed in the playground at the regional park location south of town. Swimming can be enjoyed at Ruby Lake and in the rivers located in the park.
The playground in the park south of town includes playground equipment installed in 2008. There are also nature trails of varying lengths, badminton, volleyball, a soccer field and horseshoe pits. Sitting benches are located throughout the park to enjoy views of the rivers and surrounding scenery. The Red Deer Downs, features an excellent oval horse racing track. The Red Deer Saddle Club hosts an annual rodeo each June. Also found at the Downs are a concession stand, clubhouse, riding arena and silhouette range. Pineview Cross Country Ski Trails consist of approximately 30 km of groomed trails which offer a scenic trip through pine and spruce groves. Entrance to the trails is shared with Red Deer Downs. There are several challenging routes to choose from or venture into the wilderness and make your own trail over hills, meadows and frozen rivers. Cross Country Ski Trail map is available. One of the main attractions at the Park for years has been The Bowl, a natural amphitheater which boasts three shale ball diamonds and a concession stand. Ruby Lake offers a playground, washrooms, change house, ball diamond, swimming area and boat launch.
Try your luck fishing in the Fir and Red Deer Rivers within the park south of town, there is a canoe launch area into the Red Deer River. Ruby Lake offers a boat launch and dock for recreational boating activities.
The Nature Trails at the park location south of town, includes 500 feet of bridges, 85 feet of stairway and a chain link hand rail guiding hikers up the side of the hill. The trails were named "Rotary Trails" due the partial funding received from the local Rotary Club. These trails wind their way through majestic trees, thick foliage, and along the banks of the Fir and Red Deer Rivers. They take you past an old cabin and down to the river junctions.
Reservations are accepted by phone, fax and e-mail year round!


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Q: Variance of number of heads when toss a fair coin Toss a fair coin $N$ times.
Why the variance of number of heads when toss a fair coin equals $N/4$?

A: The number of heads follows the binomial distribution of parameters $N$ and $\frac12$. Therefore its variance equal $N\times\frac12\times(1-\frac12)=\frac N4$.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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NOVA Chemicals Appoints Mona Jasinski as SVP, HR & Communications
Calgary, AB (December 9, 2020) – NOVA Chemicals Corporation ("NOVA Chemicals") today announced Mona Jasinski will join the company as Senior Vice President, HR & Communications, effective January 1, 2021. In this role, Mona will be responsible for leading NOVA Chemicals' HR and Communications functions, including talent management, leadership development, learning, compensation and benefits, along with overseeing the company's brand and reputation management.
"Mona is a seasoned global executive, and I am confident she will be an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team," stated Luis Sierra, President & CEO. "Her vision and leadership will be instrumental as we continue building a culture that fulfills our purpose of shaping a better world."
Mona joins NOVA Chemicals with nearly 30 years of human resources and organizational effectiveness experience, primarily in the oil and gas industry including operations and mergers & acquisitions. Most recently, she served as an Executive Vice President with Vermilion Energy where she was responsible for HR, Sustainability, Communications and Community Investment. Prior to that she worked for Royal Dutch Shell, TransCanada Pipelines and in Management Consulting specializing in strategy, leadership effectiveness and talent management.
Commenting on her appointment, Mona said, "People are clearly at the heart of NOVA and I'm excited to join such a high caliber organization dedicated to creating a more inclusive, engaged and representative workforce." Mona succeeds Kevin Watson, who recently retired after 32 years of dedicated service. She will be based at NOVA Chemicals' offices in Calgary, Alberta.
About NOVA Chemicals Corporation
NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and plastic resins that make everyday life healthier, easier and safer. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to Sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is wholly owned ultimately by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at www.novachem.com.
About Mona Jasinski
Mona Jasinski has nearly 30 years of human resources and organizational effectiveness experience, primarily in the oil and gas industry including operations and mergers & acquisitions. Before joining NOVA Chemicals, she spent eleven years with Vermilion Energy where she was responsible for HR, Sustainability, Communications and Community Investment. Prior to that she worked for Royal Dutch Shell, TransCanada Pipelines and in Management Consulting specializing in strategy, leadership effectiveness and talent management. Mona served on the Board of Directors of the Calgary YWCA from 2012-2017 as Chair of the Governance Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Calgary Petroleum Club.
Mona Jasinski
NOVA Chemicals Media Contact
Jennifer Nanz, Director, Corporate Communications
e-mail: Jennifer.Nanz@novachem.com
The NOVA Chemicals logo is a registered trademark of NOVA Brands Ltd.; authorized use.
Responsible Care is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.


FORT COLLINS – New medical marijuana dispensaries in Fort Collins will need operate in areas more than 1,000 feet from schools.
The Fort Collins City Council approved the requirement Tuesday night under a new ordinance governing dispensaries. The ordinance also creates a licensing process that includes criminal background checks.
The new rules restricting the locations where the dispensaries can operate means that all but one of the city's existing dispensaries would have to move or close. The City Council plans to discuss at another meeting whether to grandfather in existing locations.
Dispensary owners told city officials they would sue if they are not grandfathered in.


The ease and convenience of kegging homebrewed beer and using CO2 to serve your homebrew can not be matched. Home brewers have been using kegs for years. The use of carbon dioxide gas to force carbonate the beer takes weeks off of the brewing process.
Our Used Pinlock Kegs are 5 gallon capacity, dual handle with rubber tops and bottoms. They have been pressure tested; they need to be cleaned and sterilized.
Kegs are guaranteed to hold pressure when you receive them. By pressure testing them we know that the existing relief valve and poppets do work. Some of the pressure values do not contain pull tab.
If you wish to totally rebuild the kegs you can purchase the relief valve and poppets separately. The kegs have scratches and dings on the surface however the wear is purely cosmetic.
We provide a set of O-rings (poppet, post and keg lid) with each keg, unless we have already replaced one of the gaskets to ensure they hold pressure.