text:
Robert John Gorham (born 24 June 1973 in Portsmouth, Hampshire), known by the pseudonym Rob da Bank, is an English DJ and co-founder of music festivals Bestival, originally on the Isle of Wight and now moved to Lulworth, Dorset and Camp Bestival, also in Lulworth. He presented a show on BBC Radio 1 which focused on promoting new left field music. Examples of artists featured on his show include Tipper, Moloko and a host of unsigned acts.

Until September 2006, he and Chris Coco were the presenters of the Blue Room on Radio 1. He hosted the Radio One Music Show on Thursday nights, the content of which was more similar to the music played on his current show. Rob da Bank filled in for John Peel's show for several weeks following his death in 2004.

In 2007, he produced the Together in Electric Dreams EP.

In 2009, he gave BBC Blast an exclusive look behind the scenes of his show. Until 2014, he hosted a Friday-night/Saturday-morning BBC Radio 1 show focused on left-field electronica.

He is also the owner of a number of business ventures under the name Sunday Best, which originated as a Sunday night event in a Battersea tea-room.

The music played by Rob da Bank on Sunday Best helped launch the "bar culture" (as opposed to "club culture"), which features more relaxed activities than dancing.

Sunday Best has grown to incorporate a record label and two offshoot music festivals, Bestival on the Isle of Wight and in 2008, Camp Bestival, which is more family orientated and held in the grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset. In 2018 Bestival went into administration, leaving many workers unpaid. However, a festival of the same name, curated by Gorham and his wife Josie, was announced for 2019, at the same site and on the equivalent weekend. Gorham has also compiled a mix LP for the Fabric night club's series of mix compilations, entitled Fabric 24 (2006).

In June 2014, it was announced that in September 2014, da Bank would leave BBC Radio 1 and that he would join the 6 Music family. His last show was on Saturday 30 August 2014. Da Bank hosts a weekly radio show on Evolution I Heart Radio in America.

In 2014, alongside Graphite Media he set up the company 'Earworm', a Music Supervision, Original Composition and Talent Procurement service for Film, TV, Video Games and Advertising. Recent work includes the music supervision for BBC Drama – From There To Here, original compositions for the new HBO show 'The Left Overs', the title music for Annie Mac's 'Superstar DJs' on Channel 4 and music supervision for forthcoming Xbox One game – Forza Horizon 2.

Da Bank was awarded The Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2014 AIF Festival Congress Awards.

Personal life
Rob da Bank divides his time between London and the Isle of Wight with his illustrator wife Josie and their four sons.

References

External links

 Sunday Best Website

 Behind the scenes with Rob at Radio 1
 Rob da Bank Tracklistings and Downloads

1973 births
English radio DJs
English record producers
Club DJs
BBC Radio 1 presenters
Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London
Musicians from Portsmouth
Living people
Mass media people from Portsmouth


text:
@interface MancheViewController : GAITrackedViewController <UIAlertViewDelegate>

@property (nonatomic) BOOL nousSelected;
@property (nonatomic) BOOL euxSelected;
@property (nonatomic) int score;
@property (nonatomic) BOOL capotSelected;
@property (nonatomic) int annonce;
@property (nonatomic) BOOL aCapotSelected;
@property (nonatomic) BOOL aContreSelected;
@property (nonatomic) BOOL aSurContreSelected;

@property (strong, nonatomic) Round *round;

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *nousButton;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *euxButton;

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *pointsFaitsLabel;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UITextField *scoreTextField;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *capotButton;

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *contratRemplisLabel;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *faitBouton;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *chuteBouton;

//TODO A refacto
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a80Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a90Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a100Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a110Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a120Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a130Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a140Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a150Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a160Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *a170Button;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *aCapotButton;

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *aContreButton;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *aSurContreButton;

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *validerButton;

- (IBAction)cancelClic:(id)sender;

- (IBAction)nousClic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)euxClic:(id)sender;

- (IBAction)capotSelected:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)faitSelected:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)chuteSelected:(id)sender;

- (IBAction)a80Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a90Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a100Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a110Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a120Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a130Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a140Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a150Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a160Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)a170Clic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)aCapotClic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)aContreClic:(id)sender;
- (IBAction)aSurContreClic:(id)sender;

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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text:
Consider Code Changes for Your Situation
By Natalie Sawyer |
PUBLISHED: March 1, 2008 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: November 17, 2018 at 12:00 a.m.
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) not only limits who is eligible, it also includes important changes that you should know and discuss with your estate planner regarding assets that may be protected in bankruptcy.
• Tax-Exempt Plans. BAPCPA includes beneficial provisions that allow you to better protect your retirement savings in the event of a bankruptcy. Tax-exempt retirement plans now have unlimited protection in bankruptcy. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs may also be exempt up to an aggregate of $1,095,000.
As well, 529 plans and educational IRAs are protected, but only to the extent of funds contributed two years or more before bankruptcy, plus an additional $5,475 (in the aggregate) contributed between one and two years before bankruptcy for all accounts with the same beneficiary (i.e. for each child).
• Homestead Changes. By claiming a homestead exemption in your residence, you are protecting the value of your home, or a portion of the value, from creditors. In bankruptcy, debtors are given the option of choosing between federal exemptions and the exemptions of the state where they are legally domiciled.
The amount of the available state exemption varies. For example, those domiciled in Massachusetts may be eligible for a homestead exemption of $500,000, while those domiciled in Florida may be eligible for an unlimited homestead exemption.
BAPCPA has made two important changes to the protections available to homesteads.
First, to claim a particular state's homestead protection of your home, the bankruptcy code now requires that you have resided there for the two years, vs. six months, prior to a bankruptcy filing.
If you have not lived in one state during the prior two years, the code will look back to where you lived for the majority of the six months prior to that.
The second important change concerns circumstances in which the bankruptcy code will limit the homestead exemption to a lesser amount of $136,875.
The code first examines the amount of time that you have owned the home in which you claim a homestead. If you have owned your home for less then 1,215 days, you may be limited to a $136,875 exemption – unless you have rolled over your interest from a prior home to a new home in the same state.
The bankruptcy code will now limit your homestead exemption if you have used non-exempt assets to invest in the home with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor, among other reasons.
• Self-Settled Trust Changes. Self-settled trusts are created in an attempt to allow a person to transfer assets to a trust that cannot be reached by creditors, while maintaining the ability for that person to receive distributions from the trust. A limited number of states and foreign jurisdictions allowed self-settled trusts to avoid the reach of creditors.
BAPCPA has extended the "look back" period for a bankruptcy trustee to try to avoid the transfer of assets to a self-settled trust. Transfers to self-settled trusts made as far back as 10 years before the date of a bankruptcy petition are now subject to being avoided.
The road for a bankruptcy trustee to recover assets in self-settled trusts, however, is not without obstacles: The trustee must be able to show that the transfer to a self-settled trust was made with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud your creditors.
Boston begins working through hundreds of coronavirus mandate exemption requests
Boston rejects changing Charlestown High to an 'innovation and inclusion' school
$200M lawsuit over 'Whitey' Bulger's gory prison murder thrown out

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Convert value to json/object and update entry I've the following  value "string like" and I want to update some value inside ,
How should I do that ?
This is how I see it in the debugger
 var aa =   "'[{key:10,key2:20}]'\r"

I need to change the value of key to 5 how should I do that (assume that I have more keys).
I try with JSON.parse(aa) and I got error
I try also with  aa[0].key = 5 ; which doesnt work either,
any idea how to overcome this ?

A: You can't parse with  \r because is not a valid json string. First of all replace it and then try to parse (note that keys are with "):
 var aa =   '[{"key":10,"key2":20}]\r'.replace("\r", "");
 JSON.parse(aa);

See the fiddle:
http://jsfiddle.net/yr0u04cu/

A: The string you provided looks like some console log, it's not a valid json string. But it can possibly be transformed in to a valid one.
This would work for some simple cases which may just fit your need.

var aa = "'[{key:10,key2:20}]'\r";
var lead = aa.match(/^\s*['"]/)[0];
var trail = aa.match(/['"]\s*$/)[0];
aa = aa.substr(lead.length, aa.length - trail.length - 1);
aa = aa.replace(/(\w+):/g, '"$1":');
var json = JSON.parse(aa);
json[0].key = 5;
var log = document.getElementById('log');
log.innerText = lead + JSON.stringify(json) + trail;
log.innerText += '\ntrail.length = ' + trail.length;

Code updated. Well, I know you don't see the trailling '\r'. Don't worry, it's still there as you can see the length of trail is 2.

A: If you have no control over the input, you may have to resort to using eval() (though I strongly discourage it for security reasons). If at all possible, it's best to find a way to get the original input to confirm to JSON.
Having said that, this worked for me:

// Original string
var aa = "'[{key:10,key2:20}]'\r";

// First, cleanup the trailing \r
aa = aa.trim(); // may need to polyfill `.trim()`

// Need to get it to a JSO (JavaScript object)
var temp;
// Assign temp the value of your string.
eval('temp='+aa);
// next, evaluate that string as a JSO.
temp = eval(temp);

// make your changes
temp[0].key = 5;

// restore aa
aa = "'" + JSON.stringify(temp) + "'\r";

// output to the
 for visibility
document.getElementById('out').textContent = aa;

A: Depending on the variance in the input, plain string methods might be suitable. However that depends on the types of keys that might be used and the \r is stripped by the string manipulation.

    function replaceKeyValue(s, key, value) {

      // Build a regular expression to match the key and its value
      var re = new RegExp('(\\W)' + key + ':[^,]+');

      // Replace the key with its new value
      return s.replace(re, '$1' + key + ':' + value);
    }

    var s = "'[{key:10,key2:20}]'\r";

    document.write(replaceKeyValue(s, 'key', 5)); // '[{key:5,key2:20}]'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Providing Yangtze River Cruises with the best experience at the lowest price. From the top 5-star Victoria Cruise to the standard 5-star President Cruise, and even the 3-star budget cruises like Galaxy, we provide the broadest variety for your selection.
. Board a Yangtze River cruise ship at Chongqing.
. Briefing on the cruise ship.
. Indulge in the beautiful scenery and take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu Ghost City.
. Captain's welcome dinner and the crew cabaret.
. Optional excursion today: Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai.
. Enter the Qutang Gorge, where the cruise ship will cautiously pilot its way through the narrow course.
. Board a smaller vessel at Wushan to explore Shennong Stream or Lesser Three Gorge and continue to sail through the Wu Gorge.
. Disembarkation briefing and captain's farewell banquet.
. Optional excursion today: White Emperor City.
. Sail through the scenic Xiling Gorge, the longest section of the Three Gorges.
. Shore excursion to the massive Three Gorges Dam Site.
Note: The itineraries are subject to change due to the weather and river condition.
. Board a Yangtze River cruise ship which departs from Yichang.
.Briefing on the cruise ship.
.Pass the scenic Xiling Gorge.
. Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site and then sail through the five-step ship locks.
.Captain's welcome dinner and the crew cabaret.
. Optional excursion today: Tribe of the Three Gorges.
. Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorge or Shennong Stream.
. Pass through the breathtaking Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Day 4. Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City while Shibaozhai as an option. Or visit Shibaozhai while Fengdu Ghost City as an option (depending on the river condition).
Yangtze River is the longest river in China and Asia. It is 6397 km. It originates from Tanggula Mountain in Qinghai – Tibetan Plateau. Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world, inferior to the Nile and the Amazon. It feeds the great Chinese Nation, so it is considered to be the "Mother River" of China.


Romano Toyota is proud to announce that we have earned the Toyota President's Award for the tenth time! The President's Award is one of the highest honors a Toyota dealership can receive. This honor is only awarded to those dealers who have demonstrated the strongest commitment to maintaining Toyota's high standards for customer service and satisfaction. We share Toyota's goal of providing you with a superior ownership experience, throughout the life of your vehicle, from sales to service.


text:
Otto Graham
Published 12:16 pm Thursday, October 21, 2021
By Obituaries
Feb. 27, 1972–Oct. 18, 2021
Otto Douglas Graham, 49, of Ironton, passed away Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at Saint Mary's Medical Center, Huntington, West Virginia.
Otto was born Feb. 27, 1972, in Ironton, a son to the late Otto Graham and Rosalie Adkins.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Harbolt) Graham, whom he married July 6, 2013.
Otto was a graduate of Boyd County High School and was the owner/operator of Appliance Guyz.
He enjoyed working on cars, guns, fishing and loved spending time with his grand-baby, Emerly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his aunt, Sandra Gollihue.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children, Katlyn Davis, Amber Davis and Jessica Thibodaux; stepchildren, Devon Karnes, Nikia Estes and Arianna Estes; brother, Donald Tomlin; sisters, Angela Waddell, and Christina (Billy) Martin; granddaughter, Emerly Davis; uncle, Archie Graham; two aunts, Dotty Thompson and Carolyn Bowman; sister in-law, Amanda Bennett; and nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Community Tabernacle Church, 213 Ridgeway, Coal Grove, with Pastor Mark Adkins officiating. Burial will follow in Hanging Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 S. Seventh St., Ironton, is honored to assist the Graham family with arrangements.
To offer condolences, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.
Tammy Crank
Mary Perry
Nancy Sue Dennin July 4, 1940_ Jan. 20, 2022
Wanda Jenkins
Erma Haskins


Left to right: John Barros, Boston's Chief of Economic Development; State Representative Evandro Carvalho; Mayor Marty Walsh; Keila Barros, DSNI's Board President; and Juan Leyton, DSNI's Executive Director.
On, Friday, January 29, DSNI hosted Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and local leaders at its annual open house, which brought neighbors together for a discussion of the future of the Dudley Village Campus.
The event focused on providing Dudley residents the opportunity to participate in the vision of the future of the neighborhood, while submitting ideas to the Imagine Boston 2030 citywide planning committee.
Dudley residents answering questions about the future of their neighborhood.
Other local leaders in attendance included Boston Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey, Chief of Economic Development John Barros, Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development Sheila Dillon, Rep. Evandro Carvalho and Councilor Tito Jackson.
The theme of the event was 'Imagine Your Dudley Village Campus'. The event showcased performances from DSNI's youth program, interactive art installations and a culinary presentation by residents. DSNI also discussed its upcoming work in 2016 as it celebrates 32 years of building community power and control of the land in the Dudley neighborhood.
Dudley dad helps his daughter answer the question, "What's your vision for the neighborhood in 2030?"


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Over the last five years, faculty involved in the ANA-POGIL project have been developing, reviewing, and testing Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning materials specifically designed for analytical chemistry. In the final years of this NSF funded grant project, the focus of the consortium has shifted from predominantly writing to primarily collecting student data through alpha testing activities in our classrooms at several institutions. Developing implementation strategies has been an integral part of classroom testing, and it will be helpful in future dissemination. Implementation methods can have a significant impact on students' views of POGIL, affecting the success of student learning. Implementation experiences from an alpha tester's analytical chemistry courses will be presented along with assessment strategies and the impact of implementation on authoring activities.


The worth of a TAG Heuer Replica watch is determined by many factors, including the brands prestige. TAG Heuer which refers to the brands innovative and unique watch designs. TAG Group and Heuer combined in 1985 to create the TAG Heuer that we know today.
It is often associated with racing as Heuer has been creating timers for racecar dashboards for several decades and TAG Heuer is often associated with Formula 1 racing and many of its drivers. TAG Heuer Fake watches are recognized for their chronograph functions because they are meant to be used to measure time elapsed during each lap of a race.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 line of watches is the most affordable of the TAG Heuer watches. This line is inspired by the McLaren Formula 1 team and is worn by many champion drivers. The Tag Heuer Replica Watches 42mm ref. It has a date wind and small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. It also has a tachymeter scale that helps the wearer measure time elapsed.
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 ref. CAU2011.BA0873 is the most expensive of the Tag Heuer Replica Formula 1 models. It has three chronograph counters and a tachymeter scale on the bezel and also has a power reserve of 42 hours. Its bracelet is steel and brushed black ceramic.
Omega and TAG Heuer are two of the most recognizable and sought after Tag Heuer Replica Watches brands in the world. Although their timepieces are unique in their own right, their stories closely follow each other.
The brands continued to develop these crucial partnerships into the 1930's. In 1932, Omega served as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games for the first time, and in 1933, Cheap Tag Heuer Replica introduced a dashboard instrument for automobiles and planes called the Autavia, which would later inspire the design for one of their wristwatches.
In the 1940's, both brands began to shift their focus to wristwatches. 1948 was a key year for each of the powerhouse watchmakers. In conjunction with the brand's 100th anniversary, Omega released the first edition of one of their most iconic watches: the Seamaster. At the same time, Fake Swiss Watches began rolling out a series of wristwatches, first the Auto-Graph, a wrist chronograph with a tachometer scale and manual reference hand, then the Solunar, the first watch with a tide indicator, and finally the Seafarer, the world's first chronograph with both a tide indicator and dial for regattas.
It's remarkable how closely the histories of the two brands mirror each other. With such similar stories, it's not surprising that both Omega and Tag Heuer Replica remain two of the most recognizable and respected watch brands in the world.


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Donations help us continue our yearly summer tour, the many special events which we stage throughout the year, and the day to day work of creating great theater. If you'd like to donate, you can do so easily by credit card or bank account using the link below.
The Mettawee River Theatre Company is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.


text:
Home International ReLeaf News Toronto Marijuana March
Toronto Marijuana March
Tens of thousands march in favour of legalizing marijuana
ctvtoronto.ca
Date: Saturday May. 7, 2011
ReLeaf' exclusive from Toronto in June issue out soon!- UA
Joints, bongs and plenty of smoke accompanied the thousands who gathered at Queen's Park to march in favour of legalizing marijuana on Saturday.
The 13th annual Global Marijuana March was organized to celebrate marijuana for both medical and recreational uses.
Matt Mernagh coordinated the Toronto chapter of the event after recently winning a court battle to be able to grow marijuana in Ontario.
Mernagh said, "We demonstrated that the medicinal marijuana program doesn't work in Canada. Less than one per cent of doctors are signing cards [for] medicinal marijuana applications, so the judge exempted me from cultivating marijuana because I can't get into the program."
Roy Bowins, an event participant, says he has smoked marijuana since the 1960s and that the big push to legalize marijuana has changed.
"The price has certainly changed, but the popularity keeps growing," he said.
Kira McNeill, an event participant, said "without marijuana, I would not be here in the way that I am today. I am healthy and I feel a lot better and it's thanks to marijuana."
The Toronto event was the largest gathering in the Global Marijuana March series. Neev Tapiero, an organizer of the event, said it's because Canadians love cannabis.
"One of 15 people consume it at least once a month and it represents about 10 million Canadians, so 10 million Canadians aren't criminals," he said.
Event participants said it's past the time to change the marijuana laws in Canada, but with a newly elected Conservative majority in power, they said there isn't much hope in having the law changed.
"Cannabis isn't like the other drugs so [there is] nothing wrong with getting tough on crime but don't get tough on cannabis. Cannabis is different, it isn't a crime," said one event participant.
Naomi Poley-Fisher, a legal marijuana user, says she is concerned about what the future holds.
"I'm a so-called legal smoker and my grower is a legal grower, but the minute that card expires, we're not. So where does that put us in this government that is so anti-cannabis?" she asked.
global marijuana march
Previous articleKeep it movin' hikers……
Next article3 Opinions on Medical Marijuana
Have a Hempy Day
Tobacco… Moving in.
Hghflyrjd1 May 9, 2011 at 10:01 am
I think we had a Releaf Member at this event.
Keith leach May 9, 2011 at 1:11 pm
We had two. :p
Catharine Leach May 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Yes we were there, my husband and I. We're working on getting some of the footage and photos online. It was an inspiring and powerful expression of freedom, and I think a good 50,000 people were there easily. Incredible to see the magnitude of people from every social and racial background imaginable – all freely using this wonderful plant in the open, and unmolested by law enforcement. (as it should be 365 days a year!)
420jes May 9, 2011 at 5:29 pm
This article is somewhat inacurate. It should have read, Tens of Thousands March in Favour of Removing the Prohibition on Cannabis. There are thousands of us who do not want our gov't to control the plant and feel that taxes are always theft. We feel the law should be repealed and the drug removed from the CDSA altogether. Cannabis is less toxic than potatoes. As our friend chris Bours said, "Those who use the word 'legalization' have accepted the state as their master'"
FDA Declares CBD 'Beneficial,' Wants Your Input ASAP
What are your local laws like?
Mother arrested for cannacookie.
RI Green Tour
Science Shows Marijuana Can Help Kill Tumors, Federal Government Admits
Stoned in Portugal
Sometimes were winning……
Here Are All The People Who Have Died From A Marijuana...
Destruction everywhere
Medical, Czech!


Since stepping out of the Ring after 32 years, Paul has been extending his reach. He's taken on the roles of MC, Storyteller, Corporate Speaker, and Comedy Actor for various businesses, shows, companies, classes, and organizations. He is available to share his passion and love for "circus done right" - the intimacy, the joy, the limitless possibilities.


text:
Richfield Trustee Candidates Down to Four !
Sarah Mann - Daily News
The race for two trustee positions on the Village Board drew seven candidates, including incumbents Dan Neu and Bill Collins, both of whom easily advanced to the April 1 election. Neu took in 607 votes, according to the village's unofficial totals, and Collins gathered 521.
"I'm overwhelmed by the support," Neu said. "I want to thank everybody who voted."
Voters thinned the herd to four Tuesday. Candidates Greg Krznarich, Gil Frank, Nick Hansen, Russ Zold and Bill Meyers all entered the race with the same agenda: Keep sewer and water out of Richfield and change village ordinances to trigger referendums for capital spending projects over a certain dollar amount — the figure varied between candidates.
Frank said before the primaries that voters could pick "Any two of the five to change what happens in Richfield."
They chose him and former county supervisor Bill Meyers at 288 votes and 226, respectively.
"I certainly hope (voters) get educated on the issues and they get out at the polls," Meyers said. "I think that the issues facing the village are serious enough that if people don't get educated, our village will be run by special interest groups."
Meyers said that he would put his house up for sale and move if he had to if the culture of Richfield deviated from the village's motto, "A country way of life."
Frank said he has a narrow focus going into the general election.
"We have to get this ordinance changed. That's all I care about," he said. Frank referred to the village's public works ordinance, which granted voters the right to have a referendum to determine if sewer and water would be installed west of Highway 175 in the village, and also stipulated a referendum for capital improvement projects that cost more than $5 million. Frank said he wanted a referendum for all sewer and water projects.
Neu and Collins have long insisted that there are no plans for sewer and water to be installed in the village, and expressed frustration that other candidates are spreading what Neu calls misinformation.
"I just wish everybody would come out with the true facts," he said, referring to Meyers' and Frank's rhetoric concerning sewer and water.
"I look forward to continuing to move the village of Richfield forward in the fashion that we have been. I don't anticipate anything changing," Collins added.
Though both incumbents' totals were almost more than double Frank's 288 total, hundreds of votes were split between each of the five non-incumbent candidates. That could mean Collins and Neu have a fight on their hands come April.
"You can't be overconfident," Collins said. "You have to get out there and talk with the people."


text:
in Celeb Feature, News, RAWR Mag
RAWR Mag: Jameson Blake surprisingly likes science
The 22-year-old actor said he always wanted to become a scientist or "do something related to technology."
It seems that Kapamilya star Jameson Blake has a love for science.
In an exclusive interview with LionhearTV, the 22-year-old actor shared that he always wanted to become a scientist or "do something related to technology."
If he did not become a celebrity, Jameson said he is probably pursuing a career in technology or medicine.
"I think I would be doing something like (computer) programming," he noted.
"Or maybe if I had the time, a doctor," he added.
Even the titles of Jameson's favorite song and movie were related to science and space.
The actor said he likes the songs from Coldplay like "The Scientist" and the movie "Interstellar."
Jameson appeared in several TV commercials before he became a part of ABS-CBN's reality game show "Pinoy Big Brother" in 2015.
But according to the actor, his acting career officially started "around 2016."
"When I had a role in the movie '2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten'," he noted.
Jameson said seeing other actors in movies portraying different characters and emotions was what inspired him to be an actor.
To get into a character for a new role, the actor shared that he looks for a similar character in a movie or TV series "and somehow try to relate it."
He noted that he also reads the script and talks to the director or writer if needed.
In spite of appearing in various movies and teleseryes, the actor revealed that he still dreams of getting an "action role."
"I would like to do some action," he said.
Jameson noted that he idolizes Irish actor Cillian Murphy "because 'Peaky Blinders' (show) is amazing."
When asked what he would tell to aspiring actors, the Kapamilya star advised them to "watch a lot of movies and TV series because it can help with characterization."
"When you get opportunities, don't waste it. Take the risk. You'll never know. You can actually do better than you think you can do. And always be respectful, polite to the people you work with," he added.
Currently, Jameson said he is busy preparing for his role in the upcoming teleserye "Kahit Minsan Lang."
"I'm playing as the younger brother of Richard Gutierrez, Rafael Rosell, and Christian Bables, along with Ms. Bea Alonzo," he added.
Do you want to know Jameson better?
Jameson Andrew Gibson Blake
Jame or Jamie.
THE HARDEST ROLE YOU'VE EVER PLAYED
The hardest would probably be my first role in my first movie because I had to do scenes out of my comfort zone but I still took the challenge.
THE MOST FUN ROLE YOU'VE EVER PLAYED
Oliver in "Ngayon at Kailanman." Playing him was a challenge. Starting off as a playboy, then going suicidal and then ended up crazy. It was fun though. I enjoyed the challenge.
I play video games on my computer or go to the gym when I have the energy and time.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND AMONG YOUR FELLOW STARS?
The Hashtags, Inigo (Pascual) and Markus (Paterson).
DESCRIBE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE IN A TAPING
It would be the time I worked with Ms. Claudine Barretto. I played as a dancer with an illness, for an MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) episode. I never thought of working with my mom's favorite actress so it was a memorable one, along with the inspiring storyline and I'm thankful they gave me that opportunity.
It would be the time me and my friends, with my brother and sister, went to one of the beaches in Zambales. We stayed overnight on a quiet island. Just us and the people in charge. Beautiful sceneries and nice stars.
So far, the car that I own right now.
Be more motivated and less lazy.
I can beatbox.
Fear of deep water and big trucks.
WHAT'S THE BRAVEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE?
Searched for a whale shark. I'm scared of deep water but I was brave enough to actually swim in a sea, a mile away from the shore, and see a whale shark. Good thing I had a life vest.
Love is unique and it can mean a lot in different ways. It's what brings people together, to care for each other and give the best for them.
Unforgotten love.
To have a house that can fit my whole family.
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Spiderman 3 Teaser poster
I must say that this is one of the best teaser posters ever released.
The first instinct is to think that it's in black and white but it seems that Peter Parker will be sporting a costume similar to the "Black Costume" which I first recall him wearing in 1985 in his "The Transformers" comic-book guest appearence.
0 comments Labels: Movies, Spider-Man
Violence and terrorism soar in the Colonel's absence
In retrospect it was probably a bad idea for me to 'advertise' that I was leaving the country for a couple of days...
At midday yesterday in Dublin, rioting broke out in protest to an Orange march through the city, an act which was about as clever as a KKK march through Alabama.
Now while I don't condone the actions of the obviously organised Republicans being joined by the Dublin scumbag elements and smashing in shop fronts and setting cars ablaze; the problem in the first place was the march to have been allowed to go ahead at all.
While I believe in the right to vote, the freedom of speech and the right to go and see crap like Jarhead if you want to, I do not on the other hand agree with people's right to protest or march in any fashion especially if it would be as offensive as yesterday's attempt. If I had my way these groups of people should be encircled by police and shot with flamethrowers soon as they gather. Elsewhere "Peaceful protestors" who chain themselves to railings should have their chained arms legs or whatever amputated on site with no anaesthetic and their rotting limbs left dangling as a warning to those who would consider supporting their pointless and time-wasting actions. "Sit-down protestors" should just be shot in the ass and that'll solve their anarchical tendencies.
To add to my own ill-conceived broadcasting of my plans it was announced that an al-Qaeda cell had opened in North Cork and recruited Cubaboy. Now I have to mobilise a recon and assault unit to take back Mallow of all places.
5 comments Labels: Cubaboy, The Colonel
Destination: London
I'm off to this area of London in a couple of hours to undertake a special mission. My cover is that I'll be travelling with a group of folk on a mad drinking session.
My code name for the operation will be: Rabid Wombat.
Don't wait up as I may have to get deep into my cover...
8 comments Labels: The Colonel
The United Kingdom: The Best Country In The World!
Now that's obviously not an opinion I've just formulated myself having only spent a total of almost 6 weeks of my entire life there, no, it's the results of the latest useless infomation poll which no doubt cost an obscene amount of money to undertake and correlate data from.
The results basically show that the United Kingdom is simply the best country. It's citizens are also the most polite and most well educated but also the most dry, tedious, uninteresting, unexciting, insipid, monotonous and dreary people in the whole world. Imagine that?
4 comments Labels: Sky News
Medal for God
George Lucas has been recognized by President Bush for his achievement in technology. The director received a National Medal of Science and Technology for Industrial Light And Magic's innovative visual effects and technology in films on Monday. The movie mogul and the president of ILM, Chrissie England, were among 15 people awarded for their revolutionary work in a ceremony held at the White House, Washington DC. Before distributing the medals, President Bush praised the recipients, saying, "The spirit of discovery is one of our national strengths."
0 comments Labels: God, President Bush
What's going down in Bondland?
Well production has begun on the latest Bond adventure Casino Royale, with Danny Craig as the superspy himself. I'm also pleased to reveal now who he'll be joined by in the movie directed by Martin Campbell.
Eva Green has finally been cast as the enticing Vesper Lynd, renowned Danish-born actor Mads Mikkelsen has accepted the role of Le Chiffre, Bond's nemesis in the film and Jeffery Wright has joined the cast as Felix Leiter.
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, said in a press release, "We are thrilled that Eva and Mads have joined the cast of Casino Royale completing a first rate international cast. They bring exceptional talent to the characters Ian Fleming described so vividly in his first James Bond novel.
"Vesper is a pivotal role in Casino Royale and it takes much more than beauty to make this role work," said Amy Pascal, Chairman of the Columbia Pictures Motion Picture Group. "When you think about the great James Bond adventures, of course you think about action and espionage, but you need to have palpable sexual tension in the movie and in casting Vesper, we really needed to up the ante, because this character is very much an equal to Bond and central to our story. We believe Eva as Vesper, Mads as Le Chiffre and Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter are perfect additions to our cast and we couldn't be more excited about the way this project has come together."
Described by Bernardo Bertolucci as "so beautiful it's indecent," Eva Green is one of the most intriguing actresses today. In 2005 she made her Hollywood debut, starring as the female lead in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven.
Mads Mikkelsen made his American debut opposite Clive Owen and Keira Knightley in the magnificient King Arthur, directed by Antoine Fuqua and has won many Scandinavian awards for his work on screen and television.
The acclaimed stage actor, Wright, who first came to film audiences' attention as the doomed artist Jean Michel Basquiat in Basquiat, has subsequently garnered critical acclaim in such films as Shaft, Ali and The Manchurian Candidate.
Casino Royale reunites Wilson and Broccoli with Martin Campbell, who directed the 1995 blockbuster Goldeneye, and will be the 21st James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production began shooting in January this year and will be released worldwide on November 17. It will be filmed on location in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.
0 comments Labels: James Bond, Movies
Sizemore gets even more rehab and Hilton gets pelted with flour.
Tom Sizemore has been ordered back into rehabilitation after admitting he "slipped up" and used methamphetamines during his probation period last week. He has also been given a further three years of probation. Optimistic Sizemore says, "Slips are part of the recovery... but too many slips and of course... you're in a relapse and that's when you've got to return to rehab." Well said Tom.
Elsewhere in celebrityworld: Paris Hilton has become the latest target for PETA - literally. She was ambushed by an anti-fur activists last night and pelted with flour as she made her way to a London Fashion Week after-show party with designer Julien Macdonald, after modeling at his show earlier in the evening.
5 comments Labels: Celebrities, Paris Hilton, Tom Sizemore
Uncle Owen becomes one with the force
Phil Brown, the actor who played the surly "Uncle Owen" in the original Star Wars, died Friday at the age of 89.
He also had movie roles in Superman: The Movie & Pink Panther Strikes Again.
15 comments Labels: Obituary, Star Wars
Women Drivers in Saudi
Whatever next? There's an informal ban on women drivers in cities and on main roads in Saudi Arabia but now, Western influence has changed some attitudes and, provided that their men agree, women drivers could be a more frequent site!
I work with a man from Saudi Arabia and he pulls some crazy shit to get accross town in the evenings- heaven help us if his countrywomen get behind the wheel of a car.
3 comments Labels: Sky News, Wacky News Stories
One Man's Crap Is Another Man's Treasure
Sorry I've not updated in a few days, I'm busy on Ebay clearing out some stuff at home that I don't need anymore. Anyone want some Star Wars figures?
13 comments Labels: Toys
Visitor 3000 you've won!
I just got Visitor 3000 An American in Gaffney, South Carolina. Leave a comment to claim your prize.
9 comments Labels: Stats
Milla's at it again in ULTRAVIOLET
Yep everyone's favourite action-movie actress Milla Jovovich is back- this time as a vampire.
Set in the late 21st century, a subculture of humans have emerged who have been modified genetically by a vampire-like disease (Hemophagia), giving them enhanced speed, incredible stamina and acute intelligence, and as they are set apart from "normal" and "healthy" humans, the world is pushed to the brink of worldwide civil war (a war between humans and hemophages) aimed at the destruction of the "diseased" population. In the middle of this crossed-fire is - an infected woman - Ultraviolet (Jovovich), who finds herself protecting a nine-year-old boy who has been marked for death by the human government as he is believed to be a threat to humans.
Filmed in Shanghai, the movie is directed by Kurt Wimmer director of the wonderfully titled One Tough Bastard, staring Brian Bosworth! However Wimmer is better known for helming one of my favourite films of all time: Equilibrium with Christian Bale.
Of course the true draw of the film is Ukrainian Uber-babe Milla Jovovich, doing what she does to make the Resident Evil films so brilliant: shoot, run, shoot, look gorgeous and shoot.
It's interesting to note that pointless crap director Robert Altman, (known only for directing the most boring shit on screen) actually was calling a film he was working on at the time Ultraviolet as well but after seeing as he'd be going up against Milla and SONY the old fart saw sence and renamed his production to Paint.
Ultraviolet opens here on June 30th.
26 comments Labels: Movies
So British!
An intresting thing on Sky News last evening: An American who sent a message in a bottle across the Atlantic has been "told off" by a Briton for littering.
Captain Harvey Bennett, of Napeague in Long Island's Hamptons resort, launched five plastic bottles into the ocean last August. Last week, one of them returned in the post with a letter telling him off for throwing rubbish into the sea.
His bottle had been picked up by Henry Biggelsworth, in Bournemouth, Dorset, according to the East Hampton Star newspaper. He said he had found the bottle on the beach at Poole Harbour and was not impressed. "You Americans don't seem to be happy unless you are mucking about somewhere," he wrote. The letter began "Dear 'Captain Bennett'" and continued: "I recently found your bottle while taking a scenic walk on the beach by Poole Harbour. "While you may consider this some profound experiment on the path and speed of oceanic currents, I have another name for it, litter."
Capt Bennett, 55, who owns a tackle shop, said he was somewhat taken aback. He said: "I kind of felt like no good deed goes unpunished." Capt Bennett said he thought the recent hurricanes had helped the bottle on its 3,000-mile transatlantic journey.
Personally I think this is just the sort of thing that could spark an international incident. The question is where would my loyalty lie? With the USMC whom I've sworn allegience, or my British neighbours, whom last year gave me an OBE?
12 comments Labels: Sky News, Wacky News Stories
My stuff is gone? That's not hot!
I didn't get a chance to post about Paris' most recent gaffes where during a lawsuit deposition she said she spent the summer in Europe and didn't read about an article referred to in the deposition because everything in Europe is in French, she described "Douglas" as being a weird Greek name, her own lawyer had to point out that London was in fact in the United Kingdom and she revealed to the court that the plaintiff was old, unattractive and shouldn't be in nightclubs. I know, bless her.
I love Paris Hilton. She is the living embodiment of the phrase "Dumb Blonde". You could take her home, shag her, and not feel bad about never seeing her again- even other women wouldn't hold it against you because even they would understand that you couldn't possibly put up with someone as monumentally dense as poor Paris short or long-term.
Today however the media is on her side for once albeit a bit tongue-in-cheek. Now most people would notice if a sizable number of their belongings went missing. I'm talking about things like clothing, furniture, computers, personal journals, photos and videotapes now. Not so in Paris Hilton's case, no, she heard about it from the National Enquirer.
Word of an alleged theft reached Paris after the National Enquirer contacted her rep, Elliot Mintz that the magazine had been contacted by two individuals looking to sell items belonging to the socialite, which they claimed to have purchased at auction. Hilton's legal team has reportedly been in contact with attorneys for the individuals who originally contacted the Enquirer and has threatened to file a formal complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department if the items are not returned.
Meanwhile, Mintz had strong words for anyone even considering plunking down cash in order to acquire his client's possessions. "We wish to make it perfectly clear to anyone who elects to purchase or publish any of Paris Hilton's personal papers, photos, or tapes or any other personal possessions that we will prosecute them to the highest extent of the law," Mintz stated.
The last time legal action was threatened by Hilton to anyone was the time before her sex-tape came to light, and we all know how that worked out.
13 comments Labels: Celebrities, Paris Hilton
The Latest On MARSOC
The Marine Corps Special Operations Command, (MARSOC) the newest addition to the special operations community, will be a complementary force that will ease the strain on other services' elite units and will contribute to the nation's readiness in the global war on terror, the new unit's commander said.
"I firmly believe that this is the right thing to do for the country at this time," said Brig. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commander of Marine Corps Special Operations Command. "This irregular warfare is here to stay. If we don't start to go that way, where the force is more joint and more capable across the spectrum, that's not a good thing."
MARSOC, will formally stand up its headquarters Feb. 24 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Over the next five years, it will grow to an end strength of 2,600 people. This will include 24 foreign military training units that will deploy worldwide in support of U.S. Special Operations Command and the various combatant commanders, he said.
The Marine special operations battalion will include four Marine special operations companies, the core of which will be experienced force reconnaissance Marines taken from the mainstream Marine Corps. "There's a lot of capability there, because they're a little bit older; they're a little bit more mature," said Hejlik.
The Marine special operations companies will deploy with Marine expeditionary units. Once deployed, the companies will under operational control of the special operations commander in theater, but be available to support the MEU if needed.
Marines will only spend three to five years in MARSOC and then will be rotated back into the regular Marine Corps. This rotation will benefit the entire force, because young Marines will be trained to a higher standard in MARSOC and will bring those skills to other units, he said. It will also prevent Marines from becoming stagnant in one unit and give them opportunities for advancement and education, he said.
"If you take a quality Marine and you bring him up to a little higher standard using (special operations forces) standards, and you give him the right equipment, he is unbeatable".
14 comments Labels: USMC
Without Remorse
For the next movie based on Tom Clancy's work; director John Singleton, instead of choosing another Jack Ryan story, plans to make Without Remorse, which features the CIA operative John Clark (aka John Kelly).
Clark known to many as the commander of team Rainbow in the Rainbow Six video game series and novels has been played twice on the big screen; once by Willem Dafoe in Clear and Present Danger and more recently by Leiv Schreiber in The Sum Of All Fears, both times however playing second fiddle to the character of Jack Ryan.
Without Remorse however focuses on Clark and takes him back to his early days as a Navy S.E.A.L., called on by Admiral Greer to undertake a dangerous rescue mission in Vietnam. A previous film version was started back in 1995 but didn't make it past the pre-production stage.
Singleton (2 Fast 2 Furious, Shaft) says he is a fan of the style director Philip Noyce gave Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger. He hopes to make Remorse match the feel of those earlier Clancy thrillers. There's no word yet on who, if anyone, he has in mind for the film's key roles.
Violence and terrorism soar in the Colonel's absen...
The United Kingdom: The Best Country In The World!...
Sizemore gets even more rehab and Hilton gets pelt...


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Topic filter: Materials Science [Clear]
Subtopics of Engineering:
Composite Materials and Structures Center
2100 Engineering Bldg, MSU, East Lansing, MI, 48824.
The Composite Materials and Structures Center has provided more than 70 companies with technical assistance through research, testing, and analysis. The Center is a multidisciplinary research facility that utilizes the expertise of MSU's engineering faculty, as well as faculty members from other colleges on campus to support the Center's three major efforts: research on composite materials, processing, and design; support of graduate and undergraduate education in the science and engineering of composites; and transfer of composites technology to industry through seminars, short courses, and cooperative research.
NanoMSU.org
MSU researchers have collaborated to create NanoMSU.org, a web site designed to facilitate nanotechnology research and education by publicizing MSU's research expertise, facilities, and educational programs, providing a central point of contact for off-campus inquiries, distributing nanotechnology-related information of general interest, and encouraging new synergistic collaborations. The site lists participants and their areas of research, research centers, relevant news items, and other national nanotechnology research efforts.
Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory (NDEL)
2580 Engineering Building, 428 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48824.
The Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratory (NDEL) at Michigan State University has been at the forefront in the development of innovative solutions to NDE related problems. Nondestructive evaluation is the examination of an object for structural integrity without impairing the future usefulness of the object. The objective of NDE is to detect and characterize internal or surface cracks and corrosion in structures that can result in failure of the structure. The test method ranges from a simple visual one to more complex sensors that involve some form of energy, such as electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal, radiographic, etc.
Research activity in the NDEL is supported by the aerospace, nuclear power, defense, natural gas and biomedical industries, among others. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation to conduct research across a broad spectrum of electromagnetic and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation methodologies.
Packaging Contract Research and Testing Services
MSU's School of Packaging offers routine, fee-based testing services for industry. At least sixteen tests are offered, including drop testing, vibration testing, oxygen permeability, Izod impact testing, and others. Other testing services and contract research are available in many areas of package analysis and evaluation.
Science at the Edge Seminar Series Schedule (Spring and Fall)
Please see the website below for the current schedule.
1400 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Traditionally distinct science disciplines are merging to create new and startling opportunities. Share the excitement and challenge each week through seminars and discussions with nationally recognized pioneers in science at the edge. Seminars included on this schedule are in three series: Interdisciplinary Physics Seminars, Quantitative Biology Seminars, and Engineering Seminars. See the Websites below for the latest schedule.


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LSE Comment
LSE Brexit
LSE BPP
Let's lose control: public procurement policy before, during, and after EU membership
David Clayton and David Higgins assess UK public procurement policy since the early 1970s. They explain why the EU's common legal regime has had a positive impact on the UK economy, and therefore why leaving it will have negative implications.
Public procurement was raised during the 2016 Referendum campaign as part of a Leave critique of 'red-tape', and to claim that Britain would save '£1.6 billion' if no longer bound by EU rules. No evidence was presented to back this disputed claim. Since then, this important issue had been side lined and obscured in opaque debates about regulatory alignment or divergence. Under 'Chequers', the government will probably have to negotiate separate provisions regarding public procurement. The Labour Party proposes to use discriminatory state purchasing as a component in a new industrial/regional policy but it has not explained this in terms of its own ambiguous stance on Brexit.
The failure of politicians to engage the public in debates about this issue is deeply troubling because public procurement is big business: in 2015 the UK's public procurement market was valued at over £260 billion – 13.6% of gross domestic product, excluding expenditure on utilities. The total public procurement market in the EU, to which UK firms have access as part of our membership of the EU, was worth £1.5 trillion in 2015, which is approximately 15-20% of EU GDP. And these contracts affect the everyday lives of British citizens – from those seeking to get to work to those seeking hospital treatment.
Brexit has generated considerable uncertainty about public procurement. Consequently, how likely it is that Brexit will allow UK governments to 'take back control' over public procurement? By looking at this problem using new historical perspectives we conclude that changes to public procurement policy post-Brexit are unlikely and that populist rhetoric about 'control' has been confusing. We reach our conclusions via analysis of two periods: before and after the UK's effective membership of the EEC in 1973.
Before EEC membership, Britain was subject to international treaty obligations with respect to public procurement: the UK was a signatory to the GATT, and the European Free Trade Association (Stockholm Convention). The effects of these obligations were weak. The legal evidence shows that they were not rules-based systems, enforced by international courts but vague protocols. The economic history evidence, based on government records held at the National Archives for 1970-71, indicates that over 90% of central government expenditure on public procurement was awarded to domestically.
This might suggest that a UK government can redeploy nationalist public procurement once the UK exits the EU, but this is doubtful. Firstly, UK companies will need to compete internationally for contracts which will require legal convergence with overseas regimes; secondly, Britain has enjoyed 45 years working within a common EU legal framework, and this may generate path-dependent effects beyond March 2019.
For the UK, the initial years of EU membership circa 1973 to 1979 were a period of transition. British governments gave qualified acceptance of EU principles that contracts must be advertised and awarded to the most competitive tender. But at this stage, EU rules were poorly developed and highly flexible; nationalised industries, a large part of the economy, were exempt, and EU rules did not insist that contracts should be awarded to the lowest bid.
The middle years of EU membership circa 1979-1992 culminated in the Single European Act. During this period the effects of EU law strengthened, and included attacks on the monopoly power of major British companies. But this process of legal convergence worked with, rather than against the direction of UK government policy: this was an epoch of privatisation, a 'supply-side' revolution by which all economic sectors were opened up to greater levels of competition.
During the latter years of EU membership, 1992 to date, Conservative and Labour governments have had a profound effect on the revision of EU directives, culminating in the current EU common legal framework, based on three 2016 directives. The outcome has been less (not more) bureaucracy, and the opening up of tendering to small and medium sized enterprises, combined with safeguards for public bodies to ensure that private firms are contracted to meet tougher social and environmental standards.
Although economic-historical evidence is scant for the post-1973 period, it seems safe to assume that this ever-evolving common legal regime had a positive impact on the UK economy, replacing an administrative system that dominated pre-1973 with a law-based system.
David Clayton is Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of York.
David Higgins is Professor of Accounting & Finance at Newcastle University.
All articles posted on this blog give the views of the author(s), and not the position of LSE British Politics and Policy, nor of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Featured image credit: Pixabay (Public Domain).
Posted In: Brexit | British and Irish Politics and Policy | Economy and Society | Featured
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Re: "this may generate path-dependent effects beyond March 2019". Plain English translation please?
You say the EU common legal framework has led to the "opening up of tendering to small and medium sized enterprises": is there any evidence that tenders are more frequently won by small and medium sized enterprises currently compared to pre-1980, say. Are numbers available?
Is tendering always a benefit to the economy compared to the commissioning of services, say, from small and medium sized enterprises? If so, how do we know this?
"It seems safe to assume that this ever-evolving common legal regime had a positive impact on the UK economy". Why?
Sue Arrowsmith says:
An analysis of the current context might suggest a different perspective – the GPA negotiations that could even be tied up this month, the legal debates on likely forms of regulations under a GPA framework, the judicial regulation that would occur without legislation, the EU's policy in procurement negotiations with other countries etc. These are all relevant current context and constraints. The most likely scenarios are perhaps continued use of EU rules or a simplified EU regime within a GPA legal framework that would have all the benefits without many of the drawbacks.
You mean the common market single market regulation regarding public procurement the U.K. is hamstrung by it.
Osborne missed a golden opportunity to implement radical supply-side reforms
March 22nd, 2013
This was a Tory budget from a Tory Chancellor
British and Irish Politics and Policy
Lockdown: a death trap for the domestically abused?
Chobham Harris Academy: the lynch-pin of London's Olympic legacy
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Thunderdome Politics
VA Legislature
Virginians for Electoral Justice
Virginia's electoral process has skewed elections results due to errors, partisan gamesmanship, and shortcomings at nearly every step in how a vote becomes a vote in Virginia. See also the checklist.
Forum FEBRUARY 10, 2018
Part 1 – How does a Vote become a Vote?
Round Table Participants
Donte Tanner, our moderator, was recently a candidate for VA House District 40 and narrowly lost the election. He attended the United States Air Force Academy. He served in the U.S. Air Force afterwards and attained the rank of captain. His professional experience includes working as a government contractor
Kenny Boddye ran in the Democratic for VA House District 51 and has just been elected Chairman of the Occoquan Democratic Party. He is a very active political activist and community organizer.
Gene Rossi ran in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor. He is a renowned 27-year veteran Federal Prosecutor, a law professor, a Virginia prosecutor, and is now practicing law with the firm of Carleton Fields. Gene is a recognized expert in trial advocacy, has been a teacher for over twenty years. He has trained thousands of federal prosecutors and agents. He is a trial instructor at Harvard Law School and teaches constitutional law at George Mason University in Fairfax.
Jack Hardin Young is the current chair of the American Bar Association Senior Lawyer Division. He is known for his work in election law and election recounts, and currently sits on the Advisory Committee of the William and Mary Election Law Program. He received the 2017 Election Law Educator of the Year and has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Law School (Election Law) and George Mason University School of Law.
Tim Cywinski is Director of Engagement at Virginia21. He lobbies the legislature about millenial issues. He speaks to Va21 chapters at all the Public Colleges in VA. He worked with the league of Women Voters and other groups to get millennials to vote and had a campaign called the 30% Campaign which encouraged millennials to identify their major issues to whoever became governor.
Cleo Usmani, co-leader of Indivisible Winchester, organizer of Plus3 and administrator of Thunderdome Virginia Politics. She volunteered her time canvassing for multiple candidates in the 2017 election as well as watched outside her polling place on election day.
Special thanks to Deep Sran for hosting the event at the Loudon School for the Gifted.
How can we do things differently next time to ensure electoral justice?
What happens from the time a person registers to vote to the time that vote is counted? Who gets to decide which votes are counted?
A lot of good things came out of the 2017 races for the Virginia house of delegates as the Democrats picked up 15 seats. However, three races stood out for what might have been. Donte Tanner thought he won by 68 votes the night of the election. But, when the votes were carefully tallied post election day, he lost his race. In Shelly Symonds' race for VA House District 94, after a recount she was up by just one vote after her district's 3-judge panel finalized the recount. Then the next day, one of the election judges, a Republican who was nominated to his post by Symond's opponent David Yancey, changed his mind about an an accepted a previously rejected over-vote ballot. This tied the vote, which was then decided by the equivalent of a coin toss.
In Virginia, the responsibility to register to vote is put on the voter. If you are in Virginia you vote in person, unless you have an excuse why you can't. Then, you have the option of voting by absentee ballot. You need "cause" and apply for an absentee ballot with the city our county board of elections. You must return your absentee ballot which you must return by election day. Overseas military receive absentee ballots about 45 days before the election. Those absentee ballots must arrive by mail before 7PM on the day of the election.
Ballots
Ballots are now paper, with machine readable bubbles. The ballots are tallied by election machines and stored in the machines as a paper backup to prevent hackers from digitally forging election results. After the election is over, each county and city holds a canvass, where all of the ballots are brought to a central location and reviewed. That is the point when a county board issues its final results. Those results are still not final-final. They are next sent to a state board of elections which receives the results from all of the 132 cities and counties in the Commonwealth. The state board usually certifies results as final usually right after Thanksgiving.
Recounts
Once an election is certified, a losing candidate has the right to file for a recount if the margin of losing is within 1 percentage point. If it's within 1/2 a percentage, the state will pay for the cost of a recount. A recount is a reassessment of what was done in the canvass. The difference is that the actually paper ballots are hand-counted under state statute 24.2 801.
Ballot Standards for Recount & Pictograms
In 2002, the state board of elections put together a series of pre-determined standards for how ballots should be counted. Pictograms, examples of scenarios for how a ballot might be filled out, were also provided. For example, pictograms illustrate examples of ballots where both candidates have been marked by the voter in such a way that it is impossible to determine the voter's intent. One of the problems with the 2000 presidential election in Florida was that there were no standards that could be applied in the Florida recount.
In Virginia, the rule of law should be followed by independent arbiters, regardless of party, by adhering their recount decisions based on the predetermined standards, visualized with pictograms. Recounts are just a re-auditing of the votes. It's not a place to challenge provisional or absentee ballots.
3 judge court is chosen by the Chief Justice, 1 judges from county where election held with 2 judges from distant circuits. Final, not reviewable. Following recount, candidate can request a "contest" to be decided by the chamber of the house for which the individual is running. The outcome is most likely determined by which party controls that chamber politically. Contests are very rare in Virginia.
Tied Votes & Coin Flips
If the results are tied, the code of Virginia provides that the candidate is chosen by lot — flipping a coin, pulling a name out of hat. The loser of a coin flip has the right, under current statutes, to request a second coin flip. This usually doesn't happen because of political exhaustion and the risk that candidate doesn't want to risk losing good will with the voting public.
Did the Judge have a conflict of interest in Shelly Symonds election? Yes! There is nothing wrong with Yancey endorsing someone on a panel of election judges, but when it came to deciding the results of an election by such a narrow margin, that judge should have recognized the conflict of interest and recused himself. The process, frankly smelled. But nobody raised this in the moment. If the Democratic candidates or his or her legal advisors don't raise these conflict of interest objections while the recount is being decided, at the preliminary hearing, the opportunity to prevent of a conflict of interest passes. One problem is that often legal teams aren't up to speed on the nuances of state recount laws.
Part 2 – VoTER REGISTRATION – The Recount Process
Low voter turn out in non-presidential election years is an issue, particularly among younger voters. In part, this is because people don't entirely understand the process. How do we make the process more accessible to everyday people?
The 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment is approaching, celebrating woman's right to vote. This begs the question, why isn't everyone in the Commonwealth of Virginia, indeed across America, automatically registered to vote? Why make citizens have to go a complicated process just to vote?
Voter Registration Forms
Voter registration forms in Virginia require your full social security number. This causes some people to be apprehensive about giving their social security number on a piece of paper to a voter registrar. This could be changed by future policy. (Social Security numbers used to be displayed by your name on voter registration lists until this was changed by the courts). Could the voter registration system instead use a number that syncs up with just the last 4 digits of a social security number? In a mobile society, there is a need to track and identify people by a number. 80 percent of all voter registrations now take place online.What assurances do we have of cyber security on voter records?
Absolute security is a called for for ballots, for tallies, and for voter registration databases. Foreign governments including Russia have attempted to break into our voting systems and records.
The Canvass
The numbers put together on election night are unofficial, imprecise, and unreliable on how they are gathered and how they are recored on the state board of elections website. Donte Tanner was up by 183 votes on election night, but as the votes were tallied later, he lost. Emotionally on election night he was up, but in reality he was behind all along. All of the ballots cast are in the office of the clerk in the county or city you are in. The day after the election, the electoral board gather reviewers together, and they open each of the envelopes for each of the precincts. All ballots cast including totals from the machine, absentee ballots, and provisional ballets are reconciled from official paper records. This canvass can take several days in large counties, or one day in smaller counties.
Regarding provisional ballots, we didn't always have them. If there was a question about you could vote, you were simply turned away at the polls, and later there would be no way to recover your ballot if you were turned away illegally. The Help America Vote Act enacted after the 2000 presidential election (Bush vs. Gore), now provides a way for everyone who shows up at a polling place to cast some time a ballot, either a regular ballot at a machine, or an absentee ballot, or a paper provisional ballot.
Photo ID Law As a Cause for more Provisional Ballots
A law requiring photo IDs to vote in Virginia was enacted in 2014. About 2/3rds of states now have voter photo ID laws. Prior to this law, you announced yourself at your polling place, your name was looked up on the voter registration rolls, if there was a question about your eligibility to vote you could submit an affidavit on the spot, and that was good enough to proceed with voting. Now, if you don't have a photo ID on election day, the day after the election–or as late as Friday of that week–you can go the the local registrar's office with your photo ID to have your provisional ballot verified as viable. But a lot of people don't know this, or don't make the effort to come back with a photo ID, and hence their provisional ballot is rejected.
Who Counts the Ballots?
The reviewers who count the ballots are selected by the general registrar. At the canvass, each political party and each candidate has the right to have political observers. Over the years fewer party officials follow through to make sure there are observers on the canvass in every voting district. After the 1998 Virginia US Senate race between Democrat Mark Warner and Republican John Warner both parties made sure to have lawyers observe ballot counting. Democrats call this Promote and Protect the Vote, GOP calls it the 72-Hour Process. In 2000 on election day in Palm Beach, Florida, over 6,000 voters were confused by the infamous butterfly ballot and voted for Pat Buchanan unintentionally rather than Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. (As suggested by voter demographics and exit polling).
No one from the Democratic party was in Palm Beach to observe problems. Had legal observers been present and detected the problem, they could have acted swiftly. For example, they could have gone to a Kinkos copy shop and printed sample ballots and handed them out outside the polling place with simple instructions: Punch 5 for Al and Joe. This would have ensured that thousands of Gore/Lieberman voters could have overcome their confusion and voted their intention. And that would have been enough to win the election. The difference in Florida in 2000 was less than 300 votes.
In big campaigns, like U.S. Senate races, the Democrats have put lawyers in the field to ensure that if there is a mistake that we respond to it while voting is going on. This is a "rapid response" to at least ensure that provisional ballots are cast that can potentially recover votes during the canvass.
Part 3 – Provisional Ballots and Voting Day Rapid RESPONSE Teams
When we get to the canvass, it's too late. If someone is turned away, or directed to the wrong polling place, we need evidence, and that evidence is a provisional ballot. What causes errors on election day or inaccuracies that come out in the canvass? Is it poor training for election officials or a deeper problem there (i.e., bias?)
Split precincts cause problems and confuses voters. There was funny business in District 28, Joshua Cole's race. We had voters that went to their precinct and were given the ballot for the wrong district. We heard of cases where election officials took precinct maps off the wall because voters were challenging them. During the court case Joshua Cole argued that voters should have been given a provisional ballot for the district they felt they lived in. Bob Thomas argued that the fact they voted in the wrong district counted anyway because their votes were counted–just for a different candidate.
In the 6th Circuit Court case of Hunter vs. Hamilton Board of Elections, the court ruled that disparate treatment of voters is actionable when state actors have misapplied state law. For example, election officials giving out wrong ballots compared to a voter doing the wrong thing like not punching out a ballot chad correctly. Disparate treatment is a violation of the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution,.
Here's a hypothetical: assume that one knows this will be a close election. Months before election day, the party should look at the district at the voter lists and determines who's in our out. It's critical that the Party and candidates do their due diligence. If it's not done, then we have to live with the results. The party needs to immediately insist that provisional ballots be given to the voters in question. If election officers resist this request, poll watchers need to immediately go to the State Board of Elections, if there is resistance then they should go to the Circuit Court.
What we need on election day are legal SWAT teams that can go to each precinct and make sure that the t's are crossed and i's dotted. They can move quickly to rectify any hiccups. Think of this as a 5-minute rule. If we don't have SWAT teams in place we can't react.In the Joshua Cole election, was there information that we could have caught ahead of the election? Why didn't we catch the fact that somebody would be getting the wrong ballot? We need to be liberal in our use of provisional ballots, because this is the only way to preserve evidence of mistakes. If people cast their ballot, you can't trace it back to them. But you can with provisional ballots. If you don't solve a voting problem immediately, you'll probably never solve it. The Democratic Party did have a war room on election day in 2017. What's happened is that it lost its aggressiveness. Most voting happens in the morning before work and in the evening after work. This only concentrates the need to catch things in the morning.
Possible remedies include making voting day a holiday; moving voting day to a weekend (but this might step on someone's Sabbath day) or allow online voting.
On election day, we don't know what's going on in real time. Donte noted that he didn't have enough volunteers covering the polls as "poll watchers" handing out sample ballots to be able to call in a legal SWAT team should an election day issue have arisen. There is always a need for volunteers to work the polls on election day. You can also get paid to be an election official. These are the same people who participant in any potential recounts. Who hires them? Local general registrars. They actually scramble to find people to work as election officials. Anyone who is eligible to vote and registered to vote can work as an election official. You do not have to be a lawyer. If you volunteer it is almost guaranteed that you will be accepted. There is a comprehensive, easy to follow training process. Consider part of it your civic duty. It's rewarding.
There are election officer roles such as checking ideas, checking registrations, handing out ballots, ushering people out the door.
Make a plan to vote. Know your precinct. Know your polling place. Making a plan to vote drives up voting participation by at least 4 percent.
Overview of the three recounts in the 2017 VA House elections
Donte Tanner was up 68 votes on election night. During the canvass there were some transcribing errors, human errors which caused a 183 vote swing. No foul play. In Joshua Cole, District 28 against Bob Thomas, the moral of the story is that there was a 3-digit spread between them. 73-74 vote gap between them. Some people who had long voted in the 28th district were given ballots for the 88th District or the 2nd District. The Republican registrar who moved some people into the wrong district died before election day, so her motives will forever remain unknown. When voters protested that they were given the wrong ballots and tried to show where they lived on the official precinct map, the election officers took down the map! There were twice the amount of people–about 147 or so–were issued the wrong ballot. This could have swung the election. Secondly, there were absentee ballots that were never picked up by registrar's office. They were sitting in the post office on election day before 7 PM but were not picked up. More than enough votes to swing the election.
What's the remedy? The ligation in the 28th did not find an appropriate remedy. It looks like the proper remedy would have been a new election. The problems were imposed by mal-administration by the state. That's what the Washington Post called for. Unfortunately, the Federal judge did not believe there was a widespread or systemic issue that could have justified a remedy. There were no Democratic party officials on site to spot the issue and react quickly to demand provisional ballots be cast.
Getting Ready to Vote on Election Day
An effective get out the vote plan is a multi-pronged process. What are the deadlines? Registration is 22 days before the election. Absentee ballot applications are due 10 days before an election. Mailing them in is 5 days. In person is 3 days. We don't have early voting, but absentee voting excuses include long commutes, being a caregiver, travel and other myriad reasons. So, if you serve as an election officer outside of your own precinct, you can vote absentee, and you should do it in person to be most assured that it will be counted.
Know who is on the ballot. We often think of the ballot from the top down. President or Governor. But if all politics are local. A good motivation for voters to get out and vote is to talk about local issue such as roads and local school boards. Talking to constituents about local issues helped increase voter turn out in the Virginia House of Delegates races in 2017.
Know the stakes in any race. In 2017 the stakes were to flip the House of Delegates. Know more about the Virginia legislature. The House of Delegates is made of up 100 members. It meets 45 days out of the year in odd years, 60 days in even years.
A plan of vote should be detailed. Know what time of day you plan to vote. Email yourself the address of your polling place, and everybody on the ballot for whom you plan to vote. Hold yourself accountable no matter your party. Remind people of the power they have and how close elections can come down to so they realize that their vote DOES matter. As the Shelly Symonds race shows, it can come down to a single vote.
Can we create legal funds? Can we support grassroots groups that help get out the vote? How will we bring together citizen groups, legal advocates, and public advocates for civic engagement? Civic engagement is not just about casting my ballot and saying my job is done. It's not about having other people speak for us, but we're giving ourselves to tools to have our own voice. In a purple state, where elections will be close, we can't just rely on the political party systems to ensure fair elections. Citizens have to get involved and they play a role in amplifying their voices and empowering themselves.
Always vote. When you go to the polls, do not leave until you have cast a ballot. If you mess up filling it out, you can ask for a new ballot and start over. If there is a question about whether you can vote in that precinct, cast a provisional ballot. All elections are not just local, they are personal…to you, to your neighbor, to your community. The people we send to Richmond, to Washington, our governor, our President, their decisions affect us directly. Schools, roads, immigration. All elections are personal. And Virginia is our district. Issues like Medicaid expansion might not have been on listed on the ballot this election but they were on the ballot. Know where candidates stand on issues, and if they aren't with you, you have to decide you you can influence more as a citizen, and that's the person to support.
Let's break it down. As Virginians we literally have an election every single year. So what can we do as citizens to get involved? Congress, house of delegates, school board, board of supervisors or dog catcher. Know this website where you can go to see what district you live in, register to vote, check your registration status, see all deadline dates, find your polling place, see who is on the ballot, check overseas ballot rules, check election night results and much more:
Elections.virginia.org
Make the Primary June 12th an Facebook event. Blast it out to your friends. Facebook will send people out reminders.
When you knock on a door, you are often surprised at what people don't know. They often don't know there is an election coming up. They don't know what the House of Delegates is. Make it personal You can tell people whose biggest issue is education, did you know the House of Delegates decides funding for education throughout the state. It's an education process. Voters are overwhelmed on a daily basis with information, often about Trump, but they don't know enough about what is happening in state government, or locally. 2019 is the Virginia Senate elections when all 40 state senators are up for reelection. They serve 4-year terms. House of Delegates serve 2-year terms.
You can go to VPAP.ORG and sign up for a daily email of Virginia-specific political news. They have voting records of current elected officials. So you can pull up voting records and find out if a person voted against a budget item, or against teacher or voted something that might help. These are free resources, written to be easily understood by the average person. As political advocates, we have to be educational every time we touch base with people who aren't in the political bubble. Getting in the know isn't as hard as you think.
As a candidate, when you talk to a voter, you are a sales person in a good way. You are the product. It's what's in your heart. It's what's in your mind. It's the positions you take. The first step in approaching a voter is to get them interested and inspired by you. For those who are going to organize these get out the vote efforts, you have to educate them on how to vote, where to vote, and when to vote. That's elections.virginia.com. You've got to follow up with a phone call, and email, or face to face. "Hey, Steve, you were going to vote absentee ballot, did you do that?" If you don't follow up the voter who was inspired by your message, and you have educated them, it's disgraceful you are an organization tbat tries to get out the vote. That's the responsibility of candidates and parties as well.
A third of all votes are now by absentee ballots across the country, and we're going to see a greater use of them in Virginia. We know who has applied for a ballot, and we know what ballots have been returned. So in the case of District 28, where are the missing ballots? We need to ensure that the system is responsible and responsive, and we can do that before election day, and on election morning, but we can't do it on election night.
So on election day, observing groups, the League of Woman's Voters and citizens and activists groups like Indivisible need a timeline so that by 5:30 p.m. they can ask if all the absentee ballots have come in. They can prompt officials to check the post office, especially if it's a close election. We need to have our voices heard. We've heard this buzzword, "the integrity" of our elections, but what does that really mean? It means elections are an extension of the people's will. We need to call on our leaders and hold them accountable.
What else can volunteers can do on election day? I was surprised and disheartened to see how many Republicans where out there working the polls on election day. The Democrats struggled to find volunteers. I know it was a rainy day, but it rained on the Republicans. We had a whole bunch of people knocking on doors, but we should have had more people spread out among the precincts at the polls. You need both. We need to make sure both parties are fully staffing elections, and it appears that one party is doing a better job of it. Starting in 2001, the party of Governor Warner dominated both get out the polls and the get out the vote. We need to go back to the basics. We know what to do. There is a role for everyone. Because treatment of absentee ballots get to the integrity of our elections, 501-3c groups could be justified in playing a role in verifying all absentee ballots have been counted. If it made a difference in a House race, and it probably did, then there are consequences of not otherwise winning a majority, because it blocks what we care about, school funding, Medicaid expansion for 400,000, people, ERA, protection of LBTQ rights. The same holds true for the other party. This transcends partisanship. It's about citizenship. It's about how the longest sitting deliberative body in the world is governed. If we don't get in the game, we can't blame anyone but ourselves.
Mailing absentee ballots to your voters is allowed and is like banking votes. We closed out every day during the race chasing absentee ballots and making sure they were sent in. The people who requested absentee ballots is a crucial list.
In previous years we didn't have the volunteers to do everything at once, but this year we had the volunteer who were fired up and resisting. We just have make sure we more organized on where we send resources on election day and prior to it. There is so much on a campaign to do and not enough time to do it.
One of the best ideas I've heard this year was postcard writing. It got volunteers engaged and it got out the vote. Donte got a postcard for himself: VOTE FOR DONTE. Everybody wants to do something, and now we have something that some people can do, which brings out more volunteers.
Run for office if you can. Nobody at the table regretted running for office. It is a moving and rewarding experience. It's something that brings great pride and memories. For anyone who has knocked on a door (as a candidate or volunteer), every single conversation you have had at a door is part of you. It's a personal and intimate act. You can talk about what things matters to them the most. You will be surprised at what you learn.
When we go out and support a candidate as volunteers, it becomes personal. We choose who represents us, people-to-people.
When this country was founded unless you were a rich, white land owning male you did not have a seat at the table in governing. For every single one of us, in some way, our ancestors fought, or bled, cried or died for us to get to vote. For us to allow elections to slip through our hands due to irregularities in our voting process, not only is it a disservice to us, but it is a disservice to those who ancestors who put everything on the line to give us this right to vote.
Every voice has an impact. Candidates running have an impact on the agenda as it's decided. As citizens, we need to be careful not to allow our neglect or lack of interest to enable a minor to control the agenda. We don't have anything close to universal voting in the Commonwealth. We need to continue to develop our voice as citizens so those who represent us in Richmond or government offices closer to home represent the voice of the majority. In election, the rules matter. Heart matters. We can't let the minority find a way to cheat the majority out of the will of the people.
The administration of the electoral process needs work. If you don't vote, you're letting someone else take responsibility for you. It's everyone's responsibility.
Conventional wisdom was that Democrats would pick up 4-6 seats in the House of Delegates. Gene Rossi predicted 8. Donte Tanner predicted 17! If we could get the turn out, we could flip the house, and we nearly did. 1 vote decided a district. But if you do the math on how close so many district races are, 1,500 votes could possibly give the Democrats 66 seats. That's a small margin. The people still hold the power. If you don't agree with the what the person at the table is saying, tell them. If their not listening, replace them. If you can't replace them, bring your own chair and make sure they are held accountable.
We have a lot of work to do. We had a thread on Thunderdome of what worked and what did not work on last year's elections. Plus3 alone had 27 districts involved. We have to get back to what works for each district to win elections.
Wrongly assigned voters found in tight Virginia House race (Richmond Times Dispatch, May 11, 2018)
Voting irregularity found in controversial 94th District election (Daily Press, May 10, 2018)
Virginia works to improve voting process before mid-term elections (Capitol News Service, May 3, 2018)
Lesson from Va. recounts: Mark those ballots clearly or ask for a new ballot (Wtop, Jan 5, 2018)
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The only reason I'm glad I'm not in Vegas this year is that I won't be tempted to lose tons of money betting on UCLA and Arizona to cover their point spreads. My savings will keep my kids in diapers for months.
But next year and every year thereafter I'm going so the youngsters had better learn to use the toilet by then.