text:
Bene Gesserith as custodians of the Golden Path
mrpsbrk
Contact mrpsbrk
Postby mrpsbrk » 05 Jun 2010 00:01
loremaster - emphasis mine wrote: And i think another, which is worthy of debate - is the idea that leto empowered the bene gesserit as custodians of the golden path (I bequeath to you.....) etc. I think he knew that from time to time pressures and key logs might build up in the scattering which would threaten significant chunks of humanity, or maybe snowball. So he installed the HM/BG hybrids as guardians to watch for future threats from the sidelines.
Are the BG custodians of the GP? Although the Tabr Message does not say this, it does say that the BG could have created the GP even without Leto II.
If the Scattering view of the GP is to be trusted, though, the BG around the time of HoD and Ch:D are completely useless to Leto II's plan. But the whole "noble purpose" and "survive whole" thing just... makes me wonder.
For reference, that is the complete message in the Tabr:
Heretics of Dune wrote: "A REVEREND MOTHER WILL READ MY WORDS!"
"I BEQUEATH TO YOU MY FEAR AND LONELINESS. TO YOU I GIVE THE CERTAINTY THAT THE BODY AND SOUL OF THE BENE GESSERIT WILL MEET THE SAME FATE AS ALL OTHER BODIES AND ALL OTHER SOULS."
"WHAT IS SURVIVAL IF YOU DO NOT SURVIVE WHOLE? ASK THE BENE TLEILAX THAT! WHAT IF YOU NO LONGER HEAR THE MUSIC OF LIFE? MEMORIES ARE NOT ENOUGH UNLESS THEY CALL YOU TO NOBLE PURPOSE!"
"WHY DID YOUR SISTERHOOD NOT BUILD THE GOLDEN PATH? YOU KNEW THE NECESSITY. YOUR FAILURE CONDEMNED ME, THE GOD EMPEROR, TO MILLENNIA OF PERSONAL DESPAIR."
Marcio (mrpsbrk) does believe in Lord Leto over all other wills and reasons
Re: Bene Gesserith as custodians of the Golden Path
Didn't loremaster retract that in a later comment?
Are the BG custodians of the GP?
The Golden Path does not need custodians. Evidently Leto hoped the BG would rise to the occasion when necessary and become protectors and leaders of various human populations, but such a role was no longer possible FOR ALL OF HUMANITY. (If they can never find or know all pockets of humanity throughout the multiverse, how the fuck could they ever act as custodians of the GP?)
Although the Tabr Message does not say this, it does say that the BG could have created the GP even without Leto II.
That's an accusation, not a commission.
That Leto saw (in the sense of imagined or hope for) a role for the BG is evinced by the fact that he did not eradicate them when he very well could have.
That he wanted instead to help ensure their survival is shown by the spice hoard he left at Tabr.
Postby Thodol » 05 Jun 2010 02:39
Yeah, the GP is that humanity can never be controlled by a single power and therefore cannot be destroyed. Regardless of how prescient or powerful no single authority can control or destroy ALL of humanity. By its nature the GP does not need or could possibly have a custodian. This does not mean that Leto II would not want to minimize suffering or have someone who can see a piece of the "big picture" after the GP had been implemented around to assist humanity.
Horrible shit will still occur while on the GP, but it will not destroy all of humanity.
Thodol wrote: Yeah, the GP is that humanity can never be controlled by a single power and therefore cannot be destroyed.
Geez, come on, the "controlled by a single power" thing adds a lot of wrinkles to the whole shebang!
merkin muffley
Location: War Room
Postby merkin muffley » 06 Jun 2010 02:01
mrpsbrk wrote:
Do you have to wipe your ass before you start typing, or are you used to the smell. Can you lick your own testicles? Everyone and their cat tells me that it adds a lot of wrinkles to the whole shebang.
"I must admit, you have an astonishingly good idea there, Doctor...."
mrpsbrk wrote: Geez, come on, the "controlled by a single power" thing adds a lot of wrinkles to the whole shebang!
You're a fucking moron. Seriously.
Since pulling it out is obviously no longer an option, why don't you try shoving your head even further up your ass? Who knows, you might be able to force it back out between your shoulders again! Wouldn't that be something for the annals!
Since it is a letter delivered 1000+ years after Leto died, how could it be a commission?
But seriously, accusation or not, if the GP could be accomplished by the BG, who had a completely different set of means, then maybe it could be more subtle than "Scatter away". For example, i think it would be foolish to suggest that the BG create 3000 years of Leto's piece -- which thus would make the "famine times" less likely.
More to the point, if the BG could have created the GP without Leto's 3000 years, then it is not so much of a stretch to expect the sisters to be necessary to the GP by HoD -- and don't forget that to Leto HoD is not too much time after his death, it is less than half his lifetime away, which means that even if He expected that the GP to "need no maintainers" Odrade, Teg and CO could still fall into "jump-starter" category.
To be perfectly clear about this: i don't know what is the "right" way to understand the Tabr message, nor do i know if the BG are the custodians of the GP. I just think it is worth some pondering....
mrpsbrk wrote: Since it is a letter delivered 1000+ years after Leto died, how could it be a commission?
First off, FUCK YOU.
Second, it's a MESSAGE, not a LETTER. The two words do not mean the same thing in this context.
But seriously, accusation or not, if the GP could be accomplished by the BG, who had a completely different set of means, then maybe it could be more subtle than "Scatter away".
For example, i think it would be foolish to suggest that the BG create 3000 years of Leto's piece -- which thus would make the "famine times" less likely.
Yes, that's an incredibly stupid idea. And look who suggests it!
Actually it NEVER needed be anything more complex than "Scatter away". Instead of using their influence to further expand human space on the sly, the Bene Gesserit simply sought power within the existing system. They thought only inside the box.
More to the point, if the BG could have created the GP without Leto's 3000 years, then it is not so much of a stretch to expect the sisters to be necessary to the GP by HoD
THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY TO THE GOLDEN PATH "BY THAT TIME". BY THAT TIME THE PATH IS ALREADY FIRMLY ESTABLISHED.
-- and don't forget that to Leto HoD is not too much time after his death, it is less than half his lifetime away, which means that even if He expected that the GP to "need no maintainers" Odrade, Teg and CO could still fall into "jump-starter" category.
This is mrpork babble banter. Anyway, he couldn't see them because of the Siona gene.
So ponder away. But.
Naive guess is that Leto meant that the BG could have bred for the Siona gene centuries ago, rather than breeding for a KH. That's not sufficient for a scattering, but I think his point was that the BG saw the need but did NOTHING.
That doesn't imply they're needed later for the GP to work, though. The time for that has passed because Leto did it himself.
Postby lotek » 06 Jun 2010 07:00
mrpsbrk wrote: (...)But seriously(...)
More to the point,(...)
To be perfectly clear about this:
mrpsbrk wrote: just... makes me wonder
Yes, lets...
Your mind is a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, inside an asshole.
But that is a center piece to the problem... Humanity depends on spice, spice is restricted to a single planet. All interstellar travel is thus restricted. There is more to the picture but these are the most pertinent issues. The no-gene is kind of a cop out, as is the limits of prescience. Leto II would not be able to perceive a greater prescience than his own in the future. So could not account for a power that extends beyond no-tech and the no-gene. He must have temporal limits as well, he cannot see infinitely into the future (he fostered his own restrictions).
But the BG are children compared to his abilities. I see the message more as a mocking. They knew it was needed and did not even TRY. I do not believe they could have accomplished the GD regardless. But they did not even attempt, forcing Leto to endure thousands of years of personal torment. If there was another possibility I doubt he would suffer as he did. And if we doubt the accuracy of his prescience it invalidates most of the story...stupid.
Ok, since it is a MESSAGE delivered 1000+ years after Leto died, how could it be a comission?
Serkanner
Location: Den Haag - The Netherlands
Postby Serkanner » 06 Jun 2010 10:53
I suggest you re-read the topic. It is NOT a commission, it is an accusation. You are making a fool of yourself... to put it mildly.
"... the mystery of life isn't a problem to solve but a reality to experience."
"There is no escape—we pay for the violence of our ancestors."
Sandrider: "Keith went to Bobo's for a weekend of drinking, watched some DVDs,
and wrote a Dune Novel."
Thodol wrote:
But that is a center piece to the problem...
I appreciate your point of view. But i believe it is at odds with the generally perceived nature of the GP here, that it mainly is about distance -- making humanity big enough to be invulnerable to any single threat. That might also have the side-effect of making it impossible to control, but that would be seen as only a side-effect, certainly not CENTRAL.
Thodol wrote: Humanity depends on spice, spice is restricted to a single planet. All interstellar travel is thus restricted. There is more to the picture but these are the most pertinent issues. The no-gene is kind of a cop out, as is the limits of prescience. Leto II would not be able to perceive a greater prescience than his own in the future. So could not account for a power that extends beyond no-tech and the no-gene. He must have temporal limits as well, he cannot see infinitely into the future (he fostered his own restrictions).
Well, if it was the Spice monopoly that "bound humanity to a single power", wouldn't the single power -- which i read to be the Emperor -- be more directly connected to Spice? It was he that granted mining rights to the Harkonnen, true, but i assume he also "grants" basically all the rights in this society, even ones he has nothing to do with (like pundi-rice in Caladan).
Just the fact that there is a monopoly somewhere turns a given society into a monarchy/feudalism -- automatically?
Thodol wrote: But the BG are children compared to his abilities. I see the message more as a mocking. They knew it was needed and did not even TRY. I do not believe they could have accomplished the GD regardless. But they did not even attempt, forcing Leto to endure thousands of years of personal torment. If there was another possibility I doubt he would suffer as he did. And if we doubt the accuracy of his prescience it invalidates most of the story...stupid.
I have no idea whether or not the BG could have accomplished the GP. I do take Leto's assessment of the matter as more relevant than yours
Besides, it is not completely fair to say that the BG didn't try. They for example put a lot of effort into a breeding program and into religion engineering -- tools that Leto would then just take for himself. They were trying to "mature humanity", so, even if they did not start the scattering, they did work in some directions that Leto approved of, as He Himself said.
Serkanner wrote: I suggest you re-read the topic. It is NOT a commission, it is an accusation. You are making a fool of yourself... to put it mildly.
I can read. I did not say it was a commission. In fact, in my first post says "Although the Tabr Message does not say" that it is a commission.
Chig tried foolishly to put words on my mouth and you fell for his trick like a duck. You are making a fool of yourself.
Heretics of Dune wrote: "I BEQUEATH TO YOU MY FEAR AND LONELINESS."
I find it much more interesting (than what Leto didn't commission) what He actually did: His fear and His loneliness.
Instead of wheels within wheels, instead of plans, instead of numbers, of distances, a very pungent and personal experience.
FUCK. YOU.
And it's 1500+ years, moron.
READ the books again, the real words on the pages. WITH your eyes open this time.
mrpsbrk wrote: But i believe it is at odds with the generally perceived nature of the GP here, that it mainly is about distance -- making humanity big enough to be invulnerable to any single threat.
For Godsakes, still with the "big enough" thing. Different pockets of humanity become remote from each other through the scattering. It's not called The Swelling.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS "CONVERSATION", you have not been able to grasp the difference between pockets of humanity becoming remote from each other" and "humanity getting bigger."
What is it? Not listening? Too thick? Too arrogant? Too in love with your own drivel? All of the above?
Again, not even the issue in question. I think Thodol's main point is that Leto probably wouldn't have gone through thousands of years of torment if the BG could've accomplished the GP in his place. I believe he's proposing that Leto's assessment of the BG can be read from his choice to carry out the GP and endure thousands of years of suffering.
Therefore...
mrpsbrk wrote: I do take Leto's assessment of the matter as more relevant than yours
...does not make any fucking sense, bay-beee. It's another example of you saying a completely inane thing in an extremely smug manner.
(EDIT: quote fixed)
YOU said something vague and muddled,
Someone took issue with it because it's unclear and you're not making any sense,
Your response is to argue that nobody would be stupid enough to say the thing that you originally said?
Can you see the problem with that? Are you still confused about the fact that your solipsistic arguments go absolutely nowhere?
Last edited by merkin muffley on 06 Jun 2010 16:17, edited 1 time in total.
You're an idiot.
Edit: this post will soon be replaced by a bunny with a pancake on its head.
Last edited by TheDukester on 06 Jun 2010 16:42, edited 1 time in total.
You can read, but don't understand what you are reading. Worse, you don't seem to grasp your own writing:
"Are the BG custodians of the GP? Although the Tabr Message does not say this, it does say that the BG could have created the GP even without Leto II."
Read it again spanky or re-write it so that it does say what you want it to say.
Serkanner wrote: Worse, you don't seem to grasp your own writing:
mrpsbrk wrote: Who would ask if the BG were custodians of the GP, and imply that the BG could have created the GP even without Leto II?
Robspierre
Postby Robspierre » 06 Jun 2010 15:58
The Golden Path could not have guardians. It was designed in such a way that it would continue on despite the best efforts of guardians to guide it. That was part of the point of the GP. No matter who tried to interfere and for what reasons the GP would still take place.
http://kiltedrobspub.blogspot.com/
Upon arriving at customs, Wilde made his now-famous statement: "I have nothing to declare except my genius."


ING Engineering Inc. delivers critical capabilities to the Public and Private sectors. We are a growing world-class corporation focused in the fields of ISR, UAVs, and AUVs.
Integral Systems, Inc., provides integrated technology solutions for SATCOM-interfaced networks. The Integral Systems family of companies includes: Integral Systems Europe, Lumistar, Inc., Newpoint Technologies, Inc., RT Logic, and SAT Corporation.
Intergraph's Security, Government and Infrastructure software solutions integrates geospatial data sources and information technology to help government agencies and commercial enterprises worldwide achieve their goals.
Jemarius.AERO specializes in Civil Aviation and Defense systems, equipments and spare parts in the Middle East.
Klein Poelhuis Special Projects (KPSP) expended into one of the main suppliers of advanced and professional installations.


text:
Q: Show command when starting background process with cmd & I can start a background process like this:
>user@host ~ $ sleep 2m &
>[1] 123456

The job number and pid [1] 123456 are displayed immediately after starting the background job.
After starting the job, I can check its status using jobs -l.
>user@host ~ $ jobs -l
>[1] 123456 Running sleep 2m &

I would like to see the full output of jobs -l when I start my background process like this:
>user@host ~ $ sleep 2m &
>[1] 123456 Running sleep 2m &

I would also be happy with just the command, like this:
>user@host ~ $ sleep 2m &
>[1] 123456 sleep 2m &

I have looked in man pages for some environment variable that controls what is displayed but haven't found it yet.  Is this possible and if so, how can it be done?

A: You can define a function that prints the command and then executes it in the background.
mybg() {
    echo "Backgrounding: $@"
    eval "$@ &"
}

Then you can do:
mybg sleep 60

A: You can suppress the initial [1] 123456 output by putting using a group command for starting the background execution and redirecting stderr of the group command.  You can follow this by an immediate jobs -l % to print the output you want about the last command placed in the background.
{ sleep 2m &} 2>/dev/null; jobs -l %

If you care about the stderr of the job you're running, you can extend this like so:
{ sleep 2m 2>&3 &} 3>&2 2>/dev/null; jobs -l %

[Technique is from this answer]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


MatrimoniAll.Com is a matrimony website to integrate world brides and grooms. All world peoples are welcome to use this MatrimoniAll.Com sites to regiter and get free contact details. Our intention is to provide free marriage service to world girls and boys.


And her perfect transseasonal look..
With Summer fast approaching in Australia, we are all excited to hang up the coats and hide away the boots. Unfortunately for us here in Melbourne, Spring time is not so simple. With warmish days and cool nights, it's hard to know how to dress. So we have taken some much needed inspiration from Aimee Song of Song Of Style.
Starting at the bottom and working our way up, Aimee has styled a pair of very cool mules with a pair of white denim jeans, a cream jumper with a similar toned cream scarf, a simple tanned belt and to finish it off, a statement Louis Vuitton bag (what else?).. Your awkward transseaonal look made simple.


text:
require "spec_helper"

describe Mongoid::Association::Embedded::EmbedsOne::Buildable do

  let(:base) do
    double
  end

  let(:options) do
    { }
  end

  describe "#build" do

    let(:document) do
      association.build(base, object)
    end

    let(:association) do
      Mongoid::Association::Embedded::EmbedsOne.new(Person, :name, options)
    end

    context "when provided nil" do

      let(:object) do
        nil
      end

      it "returns nil" do
        expect(document).to be_nil
      end
    end

    context "when provided a document" do

      let(:object) do
        Name.new
      end

      it "returns the document" do
        expect(document).to eq(object)
      end
    end

    context "when no type is in the object" do

      let(:object) do
        { "first_name" => "Corbin" }
      end

      it "creates the correct type of document" do
        expect(document).to be_a_kind_of(Name)
      end

      it "sets the object on the document" do
        expect(document.first_name).to eq("Corbin")
      end
    end

    context "when a type is in the object" do

      let(:association) do
        Mongoid::Association::Embedded::EmbedsOne.new(Person, :writer, options)
      end

      let(:object) do
        { "_type" => PdfWriter.name, "speed" => 100 }
      end

      it "creates the correct type of document" do
        expect(document).to be_a_kind_of(PdfWriter)
      end

      it "sets the object on the document" do
        expect(document.speed).to eq(100)
      end
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Did you ever wonder...
What If... the Steelers could have moved the ball just a little against Jacksonville?
What If... Ricardo Colclough didn't fumble that punt against Cincinnati?
What If... the Steelers could have found a way to beat San Diego, especially when considering they held Ladainian Tomlinson to 36 yards rushing?
What If... the Steelers could have stopped Michael Vick?
What If... Big Ben doesn't throw any interceptions against Oakland?
What If... the Steelers don't hand Denver the game on a platter?
What If... the Steelers show up in Baltimore?
We'll have plenty of time to wonder about each and every one of these little questions in the offseason. Despite their recent run of wins against mostly bad teams, the Steelers are destined to spend January watching the playoffs with the rest of us.
But where should we be when looking at this team right now? Fighting for pride? Finishing strong for a departing coach? Garbage wins against garbage teams? Valiant effort?
A great number of fans and analysts like to sweep the first half of the season under the rug as if it never happened (it's happening in Miami, too---this isn't just a Pittsburgh thing). Unfortunately, those games also count, and that's why the Steelers are currently on the outside looking in when talking postseason.
Today was one of the rare 2006 games in which the Steelers had their way with an opponent, walloping the Carolina Panthers, 37-3. This was like the Steelers-Ravens game, only we were on the winning side today. Carolina looked totally lifeless behind the now 1-17 Chris Weinke. It's as if they knew going in they had no chance, and they played accordingly. Carolina didn't just mail it in, they FedEx'ed it, overnight.
What is it about the 2005 "Final Four" teams that has caused each of their respective 2006 seasons to be in disarray? The Steelers have battled uphill all year; the AFC runner-up, Denver, benched their veteran QB in favor of a rookie; Seattle has struggled with consistency all season, dealing with the defection of Steve Hutchinson and the injuries to Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander; and Carolina...well, today was a microcosm of their season. When you consider the fact that so many of this year's top Super Bowl contenders (Baltimore, San Diego, New Orleans, Dallas) didn't even qualify for the playoffs last year, it's just another reminder that parity rules the NFL.
Fast Willie Parker once again had a big game, with 132 yards rushing and his 14th touchdown of the season. I wonder two things when considering Willie's 1,331 yard season:
1. How many yards would he have if the Steelers weren't forced to throw (coming from behind) in so many games?
2. How many yards would he have running behind a consistent, dominating offensive line (like the one we saw last year)?
The key to today's game, other than ball control, was to not make mistakes. Roethlisberger managed to hit only Steelers with his passes today, no one fumbled on any plays that counted (SANTONIO!!!), and there were no horrendous personal fouls.
That being said, what about that Anthony Smith INT? Not only does he duck out of bounds to avoid contact, he taunts the Panthers in the process! They were already down 34, how much sand do you want to kick in their face? Honestly, nothing makes me more upset than when the Steelers resort to low-class crap like that, which I've seen all too much this year. Since when did we become the pro version of the Miami Hurricanes? At this point, don't be surprised to see Porter and a few cronies stomp on the Ravens logo before the game next week. Kudos to Dick Lebeau (and later Cowher) for grabbing Smith as he came off the field. But as I saw Smith yukking it up a minute later, I doubt either tongue-lashing made much of an impact.
With two games to go, we stare down three potential records for this season: 7-9, 8-8, or 9-7. Basically, the Steelers have defeated the teams worse than them and lost to the teams better than them. So 7-7 is exactly where they belong.
Their wins: 4-10 Cleveland (twice), 3-11 Tampa Bay, 6-8 Miami, 6-8 Carolina, 7-7 KC, and 9-5 New Orleans.
Their losses...11-2 San Diego, 11-3 Baltimore, 8-5 Cincy, 7-6 Denver, 8-6 Jacksonville, 7-7 Atlanta, and 2-12 Oakland.
So we have 6 wins over .500 or worse teams and 6 losses to .500 or better teams; the New Orleans win and the Oakland loss balance each other out. And there you have it: the Steelers' record "is what it is", as the cliche goes.
Going forward, I wonder about the ramifications of their quasi-.500 season. There is no doubt that a definitive winning or losing season makes offseason decisions a bit easier. But when the team hovers at mediocrity, what should be clear decisions may become cloudy. With just $150,000 of cap room, though, some difficult decisions must be made. I'd say the top candidates for Ex-Steelers include Joey Porter, Jeff Hartings, and Chris Gardocki. When factoring in the potential change at the helm, this will be an interested offseason regardless of their final record.
Next week, the Steelers cling to their miniscule playoff hopes in battling the Ravens. And one can only wonder...what if...
Labels: Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers, Santonio Holmes, Steelers Wrapup, Willie Parker
I say, I respect this team for holding together despite a shitty start.
Sure, it's all for naught at this point, but we're the Pittsburgh fucking Steelers... the team you love for 50 reasons Mondesi! We don't play for draft picks.
Yeah, we've beaten up on some shitty teams... would you rather we phone it in the rest of the year and lose to those shitty teams? Because that's what truly shitty teams do (and we should know, because we just played three of them).
I'm not trying to be some super annoying, overly optimistic guy that sits here and talks about bullshit playoff scenarios that aren't going to happen.
But, aside from the Ravens game, you can honestly say that we caught a lot of bad breaks and made uncharacteristic stupid mistakes that cost us totally winnable games.
Now, we are where we deserve to be I won't argue that. But I'll take a team that plays it's ass off the few weeks of the season to blow out some shitty teams (and hopefully get by two good ones) and finishes with a small shred of pride at 8-8 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs, than the guys that pack it in early and get a top 10 draft pick.
Because, if this team still sticks together, plays hard, and avoids all the infighting (I'm looking at you NY Giants!) when there's nothing to play hard and stick together for, imagine what they'll do next year when maybe their luck with some of those bad breaks is a little better.
Besides, high draft picks are overrated... haven't the Arizona Cardinals had one of those for like the last 40 years?
Doesn't the NFL still set up its schedule so that top teams one year have to play other top teams outside the division in the next, and bad teams get to play other bad teams? Seems to me this sets it up perfectly for teams whose success wasn't all that successful in the first place, or who had fluke runs to championships (I ain't sayin'), to take a fall, while teams that didn't even make the playoffs last year suddenly look like world-beaters.
Is that what "parity" is?
The Burgher said...
I'd be surprised if the Steelers were to stomp on the Ravens logo next week.
Especially since the game is at Heinz Field.
mondesishouse said...
Jumping on the Ravens logo at Heinz Field would be pretty amazing. My fault. Nonetheless, I'm sure the Steelers will find some way to disrespect their opponent next week.
If there's a Ravens logo on the Steelers home field - well, that's just not right.
Steelers kick the shit out of teams and people (and Post-Gazette columnists) still complain. Of course, if the Steelers lose then there will be a flurry of blogs and columns that it's because Bill Cowher bought a house in Raleigh.
Are the Steelers one of the top 10 teams in the league right now? Yes. Are they going to be in the playoffs? No. It sucks but that's what happens when you cough up the ball like Sergei Gonchar about to get hit.
I'm with Louis. I'd rather they win down the stretch, and possibly kick the shit out of Baltimore in return for that showing last month, then limp down the stretch and start fighting. In case anyone believes that higher draft picks are a guarantee of success, remember Troy Edwards.
tbart213 said...
Actually, I think our O-line got by with some smoke and mirrors last year. We showed some real kinks in the armor, but managed our way around it expertly. I thinkt hat Marvel made the pro-bowl last year was a farce. We constantly had to keep a back or TE in to help with the speed rushers.
As someone once said...there's a fine line....
But in all seriousness, we managed our way around our OL and disguised it as an overpowering unit, which it hasn't been for quite a while.
Let's say for discussion sake, we finish 8-8...it's really not that far of a drop given the circumstances. I think we won last year despite being the 6th (insert your desired number here) best team, so if now we're 10th. It doesn't surprise the same way.
That's the kind of league it is.
Boo dirty sanchez, a Ryan
Whitney comparison would have been 80971240 times more accurate than picking on Lord Gonchar. Gonchar isn't Scott Stevens, but he initates/takes hits somewhat, which is much more than Whitney can say.
as for the Stillers, here's to hoping, like KSK suggest, hurt the standings (read: players) of the Ravens and Cell Block C(incinatti).
Don't be so negative....all the stars will align and we will win out, other teams will start losing and playoffs here we come.
Kool Aid party at my house!
Two quick comments.
1. Apparently I am doomed to point out for the rest of my life that the Steelers of 2005 lost 2 games in OVERTIME with Tommy Maddox playing at his pick-6 best. They would have been 13-3 if not for those two games. Saying we were the 6th best team forgets those two throwaway games (no pun intended) where we were really banged up. How many games did the other 5 teams play with their backup starting?
2. Bring me more Kool-Aid! Next week's schedule could be worse for those who just want to keep the dream alive. As far as AFC WC contenders go:
KC @ OAK
TEN @ BUF
NE @ JAX
CIN @ DEN
NYJ @ MIA
Assuming we keep winning, not bad matchups (KC can't hurt us) if you are a desperate Stiller fan. I'll take NE (Jax RB's hurt), CIN(Cutler!?), and MIA( umm... faith?) at home. TEN and BUF is a push because they'll both lose in week 17 (NE and BAL, respectively).
Having pointed out how competitive these matchups are, I now fully expect all four games we need to go the wrong way, with the Titans and Bills playing to a scoreless tie.
But seriously, it could be lot worse, right?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
WELCOME TO THE MacClerken/O'Clerkin Website!
We hope you will find it interesting and informative. It is a work in progress so we hope that you may be inspired to do further research.
MacClerkens and O'Clerkins (Cleirchen,Cleireachain)
The name MacClerken has existed since 1012, with the mention in the Annals of the History of Ireland and the Annals of Ulster of the death of Scholaighi (Scholar) MacClercen and in 1013 with the mention of the death of Cairbre MacCleirchen in the Annals of the History of Ireland. The name MacClerken appears as a true surname for the year 1053 with the reporting of the death of Cu Macha mac Cleirchen in the Annals of Ulster and then again in 1186 with the mention of the death of Maelcallan MacClerken, son of Adam MacClerken, who was Bishop of Glen de Locha (Glendalough,Wicklow), according to the Annals of Loch Ce, or Bishop of Clonfert-Brendan (Galway), according to the Annals of The History of Ireland. Since the Cleirchen were associated with Ard Macha, it seems more likely that Maelcallan was Bishiop of Glen de Locha. He is not listed among the bishops of Clonfort-Brendan, according to church records in Galway. Most of the references in the Annals are to the Ui Cleirchen..


Charter Bundle Deals offers you premium digital services at low costs. Charter Spectrum TV gives you quality home entertainment with On Demand TV capabilities, HD quality programs and movies, and DVR service. Experience Charter Spectrum Internet and get additional services, such as Online Security Tools, Power Boost, Email accounts and live sports!Enjoy crystal clear quality with unlimited local and long distance calling, and extended ad-on features with Charter Spectrum Voice service.Contact Charter Bundle Deals today for the best deals in town!
Charter Spectrum TV offers you the best choices in home entertainment. Enjoy from more than 1,000 HD programs and movies, plus as many as 200 HD channels, more than any cable provider.With On-Demand TV you get over 8,000 movies and shows to choose from. Watch last night's shows and access new movies the day they're released.Never miss another show with DVR service. You can record hundreds of hours of outstanding programming, rewind, fast-forward and pause live TV, and set parental controls. Sign up for Charter Spectrum TV for the best HD TV services in town!
With Charter Spectrum Internet you get lightning fast speeds for all your internet needs. Enjoy powerful streaming, downloading, uploading, and online gaming all at the click of a button.Searching for an extra burst to rapidly download an important file? With Power Boost you can increase your internet in spurts. Charter Spectrum Security Suite protects you from hackers, viruses and Trojans, providing your computer with the security it needs. Contact Charter Spectrum Internet today for the best deals in Internet Service!
Charter Spectrum Voice offers you crystal-clear calls with popular calling features, and an easy to use voicemail system.Make use of unlimited local and long distance calls in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can now choose phone features such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Screening, Call Forwarding, and speed dial for free! Charter Spectrum Voice offers unbeatable international calling rates, allowing you to keep in touch with friends and family around the world.Sign up with Charter Spectrum Voice for the best in voice services!
Charter Spectrum Triple Play gives you the best in digital services at unbeatable rates! Experience crystal-clear quality cable TV, the most reliable high-speed internet, and digital phone service with unlimited local and long distance talk for one low monthly price.Enjoy an unbeatable service with top features like HD quality, On Demand TV, DVR, Online Security Tools, a live online sports channel, and Power Boost. Cater to all your household entertainment needs at a low affordable cost that comes in one convenient bill. Sign up for Charter Spectrum Triple Play today for the best digital services in town.


Brock and Auny Gill posted this video on their blogs and it is too fascinating and thought-provoking not to do the same. This is Penn Gillette of Penn & Teller (magicians). He is a self-professed atheist. Here is his wisdom regarding believers sharing their faith.
The truck is coming and I am now committed to being a traffic cop.
I Peter 3:15-16 "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way."
That was pretty awesome. I never looked at it like that. "How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life it possible and not tell them that?" Wow.


text:
Electric Trucks Take Center Stage in Alt-Fuel Discussion
April 26, 2019 • by Steven Martinez
Nikola Motors CEO Trevor Milton was part of a panel discussion on Alternative Fuels, speaking about the promises and difficulties of bringing clean vehicles like his Nikola Two hydrogen electric truck to the transportation industry.
Photos: Stephane Babcock
Electric trucks dominated the conversation during a panel discussion on the state of alternative fuels in which the speakers presented a not-too-far-off future where nearly silent and emission-less vehicles will likely find a place in trucking.
The State of Alternative Fuels and Connected Tech panel held April 24 at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, California, with speakers from Penske Truck Leasing, NFI, Volvo Trucks North America, and Nikola Motor Company. The discussion featured a frank conversation about the viability of electric vehicles in commercial applications.
Natural gas, propane, and traditional diesel were still present at the annual event, but a cursory walk through the show floor suggested that a shift toward electric vehicle development is well under way.
The State of Alternative Fuels and Connected Tech discussion panel included Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning for Penske Truck Leasing, Peter Voorhoeve, Volvo Trucks North America president, Ike Brown, vice chairman and co-owner of NFI, and Trevor Milton, CEO of Nikola Motor Company. The panel was moderated by Erik Neandross, CEO, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates
On the Cusp of Transformation
That new focus was captured by Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement & fleet planning for Penske Truck Leasing, when he told the audience "we are on the cusp of the transformation of truck power."
The truck leasing giant has made moves in recent months that would seem to indicate a real interest in electric truck power, however early the stage. On the same day as the panel, the company announced the addition of heavy-duty electric vehicle charging stations at four of its Southern California facilities.
Both Penske and trucking and 3PL services provider NFI are early adopters of electric trucks, agreeing to work with Daimler to operate heavy- and medium-duty electric trucks from Freightliner's Innovation fleet. Ike Brown, vice chairman and co-owner of NFI, said that electric trucks make a lot of sense for his fleet because the average haul is no more than 300 miles.
Volvo Trucks North America president Peter Voorhoeve said that the demand for electric trucks was already apparent. Trevor Milton, chief executive officer of Nikola Motor Company, which recently unveiled the Nikola Two Class 8 truck in both battery and hydrogen-fueled versions, was so confident in the technology that he envisions his trucks as the iPhone of trucking, ushering in a new era of technology where there previously was none.
Electric vehicles like this Xos truck promise to pioneer a path for electric vehicle use in the commercial transportation industry.
The Wild West of Electric Trucks
For fleets, the availability and viability of electric trucks is still a mystery. Even for early adopters with an interest, the options are few and the realities are unknown.
Penske is taking an experimental approach to electric trucks. It has already taken delivery of Freightliner eM2 and Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter vehicles, which it will then lease to interested fleets that might have a business-use case.
Because the technology is so new, Penske said it has to learn its limitations before it will even offer the trucks on a large scale. "We tell customers that they may not be able to handle some of these new technologies," said Rosa.
This means that at first, Penske will take a slow approach to adoption, though that could change, he said. "As long as something is performing well, we'll go faster."
"I get emails every day about some new technology. We have to look at works best for us," said NFI's Brown. He also said that his company has a solid use case for electric vehicles. "Electric trucks make a lot of sense for us. I could very well see 30% of our fleet become electric trucks."
For truck builders, too, there is a lot of uncertainty. Volvo has produced some electric vehicles, at first for European markets, but the company also announced plans for an electric version of the VNR for the North American regional-haul market.
Volvo's Voorhoeve said that when Nikola and other up-and-comers started to announce electric trucks several years ago, it put pressure on the existing global truck OEMs to develop solutions of their own. "The path [to electric trucks] is clear and that's where we're going," he said. If anything, he added that he was most concerned about continued efforts by the government to incentivize development efforts through grants and tax credits.
"If we don't incentivize it, it's going to be a long road," Voorhoeve explained, challenging legislators to support more electric truck development.
Nikola was among the earliest to stake a claim in the electric vehicle Wild West, announcing the Nikola One truck in late 2016. But even with all of the money and effort it has spent to produce a truck, Nikola's Milton expects there to be difficulties early on.
"We're going to have a lot of problems, said Milton. "I guarantee you're going to see a Nikola truck on the side of the road."
Both Penske and NFI have partnered with Daimler Trucks to test out electric heavy- and medium-duty trucks, like this Freightliner eM2, in real-world operations.
What About Range?
While battery electric trucks were the focus of much of the discussion, Nikola's hydrogen fuel-cell design highlights one of the key limitations of the technology – range. So far, nearly all of the electric trucks that have been announced or developed are strictly for regional and urban applications, leaving long-haul trucking with a lack of potential options.
Nikola's solution is to equip its trucks with hydrogen fuel-cell stacks that can generate enough energy to keep the electric motor going for extended distances. And best of all, instead of hours of charging a battery, hydrogen can be refueled completely at a station like other fuels.
The hardest part for Nikola is building out a usable infrastructure for its customers so that hydrogen fuel is available where it is needed. The company claims to already have billions of dollars in orders from fleets.
When he was asked about the high upfront costs and risks his company was taking, Milton said that he wasn't so worried about short-term risks because his vision for the company was for the long term.
"We're in it for 50 years," said Milton. "My entire life I have been around risk. The more people doubt us, the more I want to prove them wrong."
The elephant in the room for the panel was the event's most visibly absent player, Tesla. That OEM claims its Tesla Semi electric truck will be a combination of all options, short and long range, with the promise of a supportive infrastructure. Not only that, Tesla has been successfully producing consumer electric vehicles as long as anyone, increasing production levels and charging infrastructure the whole time.
"I've had a Tesla for four years now and I've never seen the inside of a Tesla service shop," noted NFI's Brown.
Most on the panel agreed that for the immediate future, electric trucks would exist as a niche offering, supported economically by government incentives and limited to specific, shorter range applications.
The demand for electric power is growing, the technology is improving, but it's still a way from being a true competitor in commercial transportation. But if it ever reaches that point, the benefits promise to be unmatched – emissions-free operation, fewer moving parts to break, and more power and efficiency.
"People see the value in a clean environment," said Voorhoeve. "If we are all serious about a cleaner environment, we should put our money where our mouth is."
Related: DTNA CEO Sees the Electric Truck End Game
Originally posted on Trucking Info
Read more about Nikola Motor Company Volvo Trucks Daimler Trucks North America Electric Vehicles Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles NFI Penske Truck Leasing Alternative Fuels


The Lobotomist's Dream: What The...?
What's this weird button-like thing on the left here, underneath my profile picture?
Eldery Apple's humor has grown on me and I actually look forward to reading it. I think it's more appropriate to call it humour, since there is a difference between humor and humour.


Cape Henry | Condos For Sale | Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Welcome to Cape Henry Condo Homes For Sale. Are you looking for real estate condominiums for sale in Cape Henry, Virginia Beach, Virginia? View recently listed real estate properties in Cape Henry and surrounding areas or contact me to help you find or buy your new Cape Henry neighborhood condominium home. I have hundreds of listings including new construction, new homes and waterfront. If you are relocating to Virginia Beach, Virginia and need a real estate agent contact Louis Eisenberg at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty today for a free relocation package. I receive new listings everyday, so check back regularly.


NWP610 Release 1:	Primary release.
This unit of competency sets out the knowledge and skills required to apply statistical concepts and methods that are common to all engineering fields for the purpose of quality control. This includes averages, probability, frequency distributions, standard deviation, and quality control applications.
This unit applies to personnel operating in a para-professional engineering role across a range of industries.
Performance criteria describe the tasks you need to be able to perform, to demonstrate that you can achieve the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.
1.2	Determine the statistical task through requests, design briefs or equivalent and clarify with the appropriate personnel .
1.3	Seek expert advice with respect to the statistical task and according to enterprise procedures when appropriate.
2.2	Interpret and apply industry codes, regulations and technical documentation relevant to the statistical task.
2.3	Identify and use sources of computational data .
2.4	Make and record appropriate assumptions underlying the statistical task.
2.5	Identify and obtain resources required and check as fit for purpose.
3.1	Identify and use appropriate computer applications in computational sequences.
3.2	Efficiently perform computations using statistical features of a scientific calculator .
3.3	Perform statistical task and record results.
3.4	Select methods for dealing with unexpected situations based on discussions with appropriate personnel, job specifications and enterprise procedures .
4.1	Discuss and verify results with appropriate personnel.
4.2	Present results as required from initial request or brief.
apply statistical methods and use appropriate computer programs for quality control and reliability evaluation.
perform a range of statistical computation to obtain enumerated data on quality systems and reliability of outputs in different engineering contexts.


Today an anti-virus alone is not enough to protect a PC. All the Dr.Web for Windows protection components are available in Dr.Web Security Space.
Neutralisation of ransomware lockers — unique to Dr.Web!
Today an anti-virus alone is not enough to protect an Android device. All of Dr.Web for Android's protection components are included in Dr.Web Security Space.


text:
Another day and more shilling for Israeli electric car company Better Place
Here's a classic example of how not to write business journalism stories. Pick a company, in this case Israeli firm Better Place, ignore any human rights questions that hang over the organisation (allegations of war crimes and complicity in the West Bank occupation, read here), and provide a glowing profile of the organisation's head. Easy as that. Thank you Damon Kitney in Rupert Murdoch's The Australian, you succeed brilliantly at tone-deaf writing:
Shai Agassi will never forget the moment. It was November 2007, only weeks after the launch of his electric car company, Better Place.
Agassi was on a trip with his chairman, Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, when he posed a tough hypothetical question.
"I said to him, '(General Electric boss) Jeff Immelt comes to you tomorrow and puts a blank page in front of you and says: `Put a number on it' (a price to buy the business).
"What would you do?' And he looks at me with anger and says, 'We just started this company, and you are already selling it! We are not selling this company!' And he ended with this: 'If this company gets to be any less than a $100 billion valuation, you are a failure'! " Agassi tells The Weekend Australian in a wide-ranging interview.
"And I said: 'You gave me the right answer. I didn't want to hear you say you would sell it for a profit.' He said the right thing.
"We believe this one has got the makings of getting to be the biggest company ever."
Agassi has always aimed big.
A proud Israeli, with an Iraqi father and Moroccan mother, the software whiz has been called part-scientist, part-visionary and part-salesman.
At age 36 he was named one of the top 20 "Global Influentials for 2003" by CNN-Time magazine. By 2007 he was president of global software giant SAP's product and technology group and viewed as a successor to chief executive Henning Kagermann.
But in March that year, after missing out on the top job, he shocked corporate America by resigning to set up Better Place.
Two years later, he still made Time magazine's 100 most influential people list and was dubbed "an environmental hero".
Arguably he didn't need to work after he and father Reuven had sold two software companies they co-founded to SAP for a cool $US410 million earlier in the decade. He had to wait less than a year for his first big break at Better Place, the Silicon Valley company created to lease car batteries to electric car customers and run a network of charge points and battery change stations to help foster the growth of cars that could potentially change the world.
Charge spots are strategically located in homes, offices and carparks and the swap stations are be modelled on petrol stations.
In January 2008, the Israeli government signed a joint venture with Better Place to develop a network in Israel, allowing Agassi to raise $US200m.
A year later, he raised another $US135m to roll out a network in Denmark, and during the next two years Better Place raised an additional $US550m, including a $US200m equity raising late last year for projects in western Europe that valued the company at $US2.25bn.
Its backers include Morgan Stanley, Lazard Asset Management and HSBC.
It is now targeting Australia, with a network in Canberra. Melbourne is next.
Last year, Better Place announced a strategic partnership with Renault Australia to bring the world's first switchable battery car, the Fluence Z.E. (Z.E. stands for zero emissions) to Australia.
Tags: Australia, human rights, Judaism, mainstream media, Murdoch, Palestine, settlements, West Bank, Zionism
An anti-war tabloid press would be just lovely
Justice for all, not just a few
Is this the ideology that makes Jews proud?


text:
DateRelevance
AWL Australia
Workplaces/unions
Tubeworker (London Underground) (bulletin)
Tubeworker (London Underground) (blog)
Off the Rails (national rail workers) (bulletin)
Off the Rails (national rail workers) (blog)
On Guard (Sheffield rail workers) (bulletin)
Class Struggle (school workers) (blog)
Postalworker (bulletins and more)
AWL in UCU (bulletins and more)
AWL in PCS (blog and news)
Other UK trade unions (article tags)
Homeopathy: comments by a far left physician
Read online at https://workersliberty.org/node/34834
Submitted by Zac Muddle on 27 November, 2019 - 7:59 Author: Martin H. Goodman
In France, where up to 60% of the population seeks homeopathic treatments, the government has now announced it will no longer reimburse the bills for those treatments through social insurance. In Britain, support from the Royal Family long kept some homeopathic provision within the NHS, but in 2017 the NHS recommended that GPs should stop providing for homeopathic treatments.
First off, let's be clear: "alternative medicine" (also referred to as "complementary", "integrative", and "holistic" medicine) is quackery. At best worthless, often harmful, and at times deadly.
Alternative medicine is medicine that has either not been proved to work, or has been proved to not work. There's a name for alternative medicine that has been proved to work: "Medicine".
Alternative medicine includes "disciplines" proved beyond doubt entirely worthless (such as homeopathy, naturopathy, Reiki, iridology, cupping), and some such as acupuncture that have to date been proved nearly entirely worthless with perhaps minor exceptions. (Emphasis on "perhaps"... the jury is out).
And it includes some that historically and by their theory are pure quackery, like chiropractic, where it has been shown that one very limited narrowly defined aspect of the discipline (in the case of chiropractic, spinal adjustment based on history and observed findings only for relief of mild to moderate back and neck pain) is proved about as effective as conventional medical treatment.
Of the above, homeopathy is by far the easiest to demonstrate to be entirely totally bunk, because it involves for the most part treatment with pills, so that the gold standard of clinical testing, double-blind comparison of active drug vs placebo testing, is trivially easy to do.
It is secondary that the "theory" of homeopathy is outrageous bunk, for in fact we don't have solid explanations of the precise mechanism of many of the treatments used in science and evidence-based real medicine. For example, It took 250 years from the time it was scientifically demonstrated that citrus juice would both prevent and cure scurvy to the time we understood why that was the case.
To this day we don't know how inhalation gases cause anesthesia, but we know well how to use them safely and effectively. But knowing how something works is for the most part not important when it comes to demonstrating whether or not it works.
At the time homeopathy was dreamed up by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century, evidence-based scientific medicine that offered effective treatments for a significant number of illnesses, as we know it today, did not exist. It would not exist for another approximately 150 years.
"Mainstream" medicine at that time included such deadly follies as "bloodletting", and could easily be considered in many respects no better than the absurdity that was and is today homeopathy.
What is surprising is that such utter bunk, now overwhelmingly proved worthless at best for everything it has been proposed to treat, should persist to this day. That it should enjoy state support in the USA, India, and elsewhere. In some cases that has been merely via the official sanction of regulations and licensing of homeopathic quacks. In Great Britain there were years of official state support via the national health system for this quackery.
There is also some support for such quackery among those of the progressive and revolutionary left.
This support mostly arises due to the relative lack of education and experience with medicine and science by most leftists, with in particular lack of training in distinguishing between quality and junk medical and scientific research. But a key mechanism that leads to embracing quack medicine among leftists is a tendency toward the sort of conspiracy theory "thinking" by leftists which leads them to "throw out the baby with the bathwater".
That is, in rejecting the bathwater (how medicine is developed and practised under a for-profit capitalist system, and the role of insurance and pharmaceutical companies in that for-profit system) leftists ignorant of medicine and science often throw out the baby: evidence-based, science-based, research-based medicine.
Result (in some cases): belief in foolish and at times deadly quackery such as homeopathy and other "alternative medicine", embracing of deadly myths suggesting vaccination or fluoridation or mercury dental fillings pose any threat to health, embracing of deadly conspiracy theories denying the viral cause of AIDS, etc. by various scientifically and medically ignorant leftists and leftist groups.
• Martin H. Goodman MD is a medical doctor and director of the Riazanov Library digital archive project
Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine, by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst
Bad Pharma, by Ben Goldacre
And for those who want to seriously study and learn how medical research is and isn't properly conducted, to be able to distinguish junk research from quality research themselves, by the example of efforts to study acupuncture, I recommend:
Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Complementary and Alternative Medicine, by Barker Bausell
Feminism - AWL conference document 2019
As revolutionary socialists, fighting for a society based on human need not profit,...
Automation and the working class: Workers' Liberty 3/70
Automation and the working class
The outcome of new technologies, and the way and form in which they are introduced, are...
The future and robots
Charlie Applebaum discusses the fourth industrial revolution
Revolution by stealth?; Military aid to Israel; Mainstream science not always right.
NHS and health Science and TechnologySolidarity 526, 27 November 2019
The Alliance for Workers' Liberty is an organisation fighting as part of the labour movement for a socialist alternative to both capitalism and Stalinism, based on common ownership and democracy.
020 7394 8923 awl@workersliberty.org
Copyright 2017 Workers' Liberty
French Language Page | Sitemap | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.


With our many years of experience in the industry, we have a thorough understanding of all aspects of numismatics and, consequently, will be able to assist you with any thoughts, enquiries or requirements you may have. Our network of associates, affiliations and collectors spans across the world, and our unwavering reputation is the result of dedicating ourselves to our clients and building relationships based on trust. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned collector, take the first step to a level of service and expertise that surpasses expectations by contacting City Coins today.
City Coins is located in Cape Town, South Africa, where it has been based for the last 46 years. The shop is on the ground floor in historic Tulbagh Square.
Coins cannot always be graded according to specific rules. There are many factors that influence the price and value of a coin, resulting in approximately 60 different existing grading methods.


HMF Baby B probiotic supplement is specifically formulated for breast fed babies ages 0+ to help support their gastrointestinal health, digestive health, skin health and favourable gut flora. Infant microflora composition is an important factor in early immune development, and sub-optimal microflora composition may impact risk of developing atopic disease.
HMF Baby B provides Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. In a recent clinical study, daily supplementation with a probiotic mixture from 4-8 weeks prior to delivery and for the first 6 months of age significantly reduced the incidence of skin sensitivity in infants. In infants aged 1-3 with sensitive skin, daily supplementation with a probiotic mixture for 8 weeks was found to help support normal skin health.
Recommended Dose: Children (0-4 years): In a glass, add water or breast milk to one scoop of HMF Baby B and mix OR place powder on your finger and let baby suckle. Take once daily with a meal, at least two to three hours before or after taking antibiotics, or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.


Getting rid of 'Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment', or WEEE, requires its own, legally binding processes. The disposal of items falling under the WEEE description is a growing subsector of the recycling industry, and include most products that need a plug or have a battery.
Looking for a WEEE disposal servive? Simply Junk Removal offers a hassle free WEEE clearance and IT disposal service. Whether you are disposing a single photocopier or 1000 computers, we will clear all your electronic equipments.
In commercial premises, WEEE items might include IT and telecommunications equipment, white goods, lighting, electronic tools and handheld appliances, drinks dispensers, monitoring equipment (smoke alarms etc.) and medical devices. We can advise on and arrange safe removal of all these items as part of an office junk removal contract or a stand-alone project.


text:
The Sound System of the State: Sonic Strategies for Political Critique at the Borders of Palestine-Israel
Tlalim, Tom. 2017. The Sound System of the State: Sonic Strategies for Political Critique at the Borders of Palestine-Israel. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]
Text (The Sound System of the State: Sonic Strategies for Political Critique at the Borders of Palestine-Israel)
MED_Thesis_TlalimT_2017.pdf - Accepted Version
Download (45MB) | Preview
This thesis examines political processes in Palestine-Israel by listening to their sound. While stagnating peace negotiations have been dominated by visual sensibility, it is argued that considering sonic sensibility could contribute to the re-examination of current border regimes. Sound and listening are examined as both the objects of study and the means of investigation, from their deployment by states for suppression and war to their use in power diffusion, resistance and critique. The central question is how the aural sense is deployed in both the assertion and critique of political power in Palestine-Israel – that is, what are the strategies, techniques, tools and approaches used, and how do they operate in claims for power, and in the undermining of such claims?
The dynamics of sound inform the methodology of this practice-based thesis, which consists of a written text and a series of artworks produced during the research. The written structure is organised around a set of case studies and artworks by the author and other artists. The combination of art practice, theory and case studies informs and influences the theory involved, while the theory influences the artwork produced. As a consequence, a grounded theory of aural politics emerges, where power and dominance may be both asserted and diffused sonically. The theoretical framework draws on postcolonial and conflict studies (Balibar, Weizman, Said, Mbembe, Mignolo) and on sound studies (Barthes, Attali, Chion, Schaffer, Sterne, Erlmann, LaBelle, Henriques, Goodman, among others).
Examining the problematics of Palestine-Israel through sound, the thesis makes a threefold contribution by 1) contributing to sound studies and the understanding of the sonic as a political medium, supplementing existing visual and discursive approaches to conflict studies; 2) applying a sonic analysis to conflict and power struggles in Palestine-Israel; and 3) making an artistic contribution through audio chapters and sound art produced during the study which draw on and impact debates on Palestine-Israel. This thesis therefore contributes to our understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, to the analysis of sound as a medium for social exchange and for the critique of power, and to the potential of sound to contribute to political processes.
Installation, Activism, Human Rights, Digital, Data, Sound, Studies, Film, Power, Art, Media, Borders, Palestine, Israel, Practice based research, Digital, Community, Ontology, Vibratiology, Conflict, War, Listening, Performativity, Territorialization
Media, Communications and Cultural Studies


text:
Chinese developer's purchase of Sonoma Valley property could revive resort project
The $41 million purchase, of a 186-acre undeveloped site on the east side of Highway 12 near Lawndale Road, includes rights to develop a luxury resort and winery, along with a restaurant and almost a dozen high-end homes.|
ELOÍSA RUANO GONZÁLEZ
A large undeveloped property near Kenwood that was at the center of a bruising land-use fight a decade ago has been purchased by a Chinese real estate firm, raising both eyebrows and questions about the future of the picturesque community in the heart of Sonoma Valley.
The $41 million purchase, of a ?186-acre site off Highway 12 near Lawndale Road, includes rights to develop a luxury resort and winery, along with a restaurant and almost a dozen high-end homes.
It remained unclear this week what the new owner, Tohigh Property Investment, a subsidiary of Chinese developer Oceanwide Holdings, intends to do with the property.
San Francisco attorney Paul Schrier, who's representing Tohigh, declined to comment on the acquisition, calling it "premature."
The seller, Bob Piccinini, chairman and CEO of Modesto-based Save Mart Supermarkets, was not available for comment.
It's likely, however, that the development could be revived after being stalled by the economic downturn and a lawsuit filed by a citizens group opposed to the resort project.
Utilities have been installed for the property and an entrance road was constructed, with additional improvements made to Highway 12, including turn lanes. Since the county approved the project in 2004, not much else was done at the property, known as La Campagna. Outside of vineyard lands, the property constitutes one of the largest single pieces of undeveloped real estate left on the valley floor off Highway 12.
Oceanwide has been aggressively buying real estate in California over the past two years.
Last month, it announced plans to build in San Francisco's Financial District two tower buildings, which will include apartments, hotels, offices and commercial space. One, at more than 850 feet, is expected to become one of the city's tallest skyscrapers.
Residents and business people in Sonoma Valley are split on the acquisition, much as they were on the development proposal years ago.
The project calls for a 50-room inn, spa, 125-seat restaurant, 10,000-case winery and 11 luxury homes to be built on a portion of the old Graywood Ranch at the foot of Hood Mountain.
"It's been on the Sonoma Valley's radar for a while," said Henry Belmonte, owner of VJB Vineyards and Cellars, just a mile from the proposed resort. Belmonte is in favor of the resort project.
"It's a phenomenal opportunity for this valley if the same thing that was promised is finalized," he said, arguing that the popular wine destination is in need of more luxury lodging. "There are limited places to stay of that quality, and you see (tourists) go somewhere else."
Bill Foss, owner of Kenwood Restaurant, agreed it's a good opportunity for the area.
"Sonoma Valley is the most beautiful stretch of real estate in the county," he said. "(But) it doesn't seem like anything wonderful has happened in a long time."
He said it'll help "raise the bar" in the area, providing an infusion of high-end commercial activity. Although residents are concerned about dwindling water supplies, increased traffic and a loss of rural character, Foss voiced confidence in county officials to limit any significant impacts.
"Whatever happens there will be done (under) the most stringent criteria," Foss said. "I hope the operators bring what the area deserves: world class."
But opponents say development of the vacant property, dotted by a few oak trees on the valley bottom, would come at a high cost to residents already dealing with heavy traffic from the numerous wineries and tasting rooms that have sprouted in the area in the past few years.
The nonprofit Valley of the Moon Alliance filed a lawsuit alleging the project would harm the environment after the county approved it in 2004. The group lost on appeal in 2006, but still managed to stall the project before the economy tanked.
"We've been enjoying the landscape and the scenery there for the past 10 years," said Kathy Pons, president of the Valley of the Moon Alliance. Pons has lived for nearly four decades in Kenwood, an unincorporated community surrounded by vineyards and lush fields framed by giant oak trees.
"We're a little bit nervous about what's going to happen now," she said, adding that residents are concerned about the new developer.
"All I can do is shrug my shoulders and say, 'It's a project that's been approved,'?" Pons said. "All we can do is make sure it complies to what was approved originally."
Del Rydman, a longtime resident who served as the alliance's president when the group filed the legal challenge a decade ago, worries about a foreign company coming into the Sonoma Valley to build what already is a disputed development.
"It raises red flags," he said, adding that the developer won't care about the impacts on the local community.
"They just want to make money," Rydman said. "It's about the bottom line for them."
Piccinini, the former owner, initially partnered with Auberge Resorts to build and operate the hotel and expected to charge more than $500 a night for lodging. The Mill Valley company that operates luxury resorts and five-star hotels worldwide, including the Auberge du Soleil and the Calistoga Ranch, both in Napa Valley, later backed out.
Any major changes to the development approved by the county in 2004 could set off a new review process, opening up the project to further public scrutiny and potential delays.
"If you modify it, it's going to be a problem with the community. We're going to be very conscious," Rydman said.
So far, the new owners haven't submitted any changes, said Dean Parsons, a project review manager for Sonoma County.
Supporters said the new owners would be wise to avoid any substantial changes to the project, saying such revisions would likely face intense opposition from many in the community.
"I hope they've done their homework," said Belmonte, the VJB Vineyards owner.
You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @eloisanews.


What an awesome team, highly recommended!
Came earlier than expected (which was great) and completed the job requested very efficiently. Will use them again when i need them.
Was very happy with the service and the guys.
Looking to hire professionals near Dubai Marina?
Tell us your requirements and get custom quotes with profiles within 24 hours from upto 5 interested Handyman Services.


text:
Kanye West Just Went On Infowars And Started Praising 'Hitler and The Nazis' While Wearing a Mask and Clutching A Bible
Katie Hutton
It has been revealed that Kanye West's recent interview with Tucker Carlson was edited by Fox News to eliminate an anti-Semitic outburst in which he claimed that his house was infiltrated by "fake children" who had been placed there. On the other hand, one should not anticipate any such editing from Infowars, and let's just say that Kanye is moving further and further into a very unhinged place. There is no defending Kanye now, as if there was before.
It's been a rough week for Ye already, what with the news that he owes $50 million in taxes and the fact that the terms of his divorce settlement include a child-support judgment, which led many to believe that he was trying to convey a message with the lyrics of "Gold Digger."
Alex Young of Consequence alerted out on Twitter that Kanye West was seen wearing a complete mask while holding a bible and spewing additional anti-Semitic comments.
Kanye West is currently on Infowars wearing a full mask and with a bible.
Totally normal sane stuff. pic.twitter.com/TZlZkxSPEg
— Aléx Young (@AlexYoung) December 1, 2022
As soon as Kanye proclaimed his respect for Hitler, the visit swiftly took a bizarre turn. Kanye seems to think that Hitler was the one who developed the Autobahn. And the following remark: "Every human being has value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler."
ye formerly Kanye West @kanyewest just got loose with Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes live on Infowars right now.https://t.co/6HW2Fgmp6H pic.twitter.com/X3xfGlYx0g
— Jim Fannon Show ?? ?? (@JimFannonLives) December 1, 2022
Here is the whole statement, and while this Nazi adoration is happening, Alex Jones seems to be acting in an uncommonly quiet manner and probably even uncomfortable. Even Alex Jones thinks this is too much.
"I see good things about Hitler also. I love everyone, and Jewish people are not gonna tell me, 'You can love us and what we're doing to you with the contracts and what we're pushing with the pornography…' But this guy who invented highways, invented the very microphone that I use as a musician, you can't say out loud anything good that this person ever did." Kanye says.
From that, Ye launched into an emotional rant about his conviction that "anyone who looks at pornography is a form of a pedophile also."
BREAKING: Ye (Kanye West) joins Alex Jones & starts talking about pornography & pedophilia right away. pic.twitter.com/3T0btjiHaE
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) December 1, 2022
However, the fact that Alex Jones sensed anything was "wrong" about what Kanye said on Infowars is quite telling, as you can see in the post below.
HOW DO YOU MAKE ALEX JONES PAUSE?!?!
THIS MAN THINKS THERE ARE LIZARD PEOPLE!!!! pic.twitter.com/AfARBvq35T
— New Type Ace Pilot (@Dinobat2020) December 1, 2022
he's making Alex Jones of all people uncomfortable https://t.co/yB9woGuFdC
— serh (@_seffy01) December 1, 2022
If it wasn't official before, it is now. Kanye West has gone off the deep end.


text:
#include <aws/lightsail/model/RenewalStatus.h>
#include <aws/core/utils/HashingUtils.h>
#include <aws/core/Globals.h>
#include <aws/core/utils/EnumParseOverflowContainer.h>

using namespace Aws::Utils;

namespace Aws
{
  namespace Lightsail
  {
    namespace Model
    {
      namespace RenewalStatusMapper
      {

        static const int PendingAutoRenewal_HASH = HashingUtils::HashString("PendingAutoRenewal");
        static const int PendingValidation_HASH = HashingUtils::HashString("PendingValidation");
        static const int Success_HASH = HashingUtils::HashString("Success");
        static const int Failed_HASH = HashingUtils::HashString("Failed");

        RenewalStatus GetRenewalStatusForName(const Aws::String& name)
        {
          int hashCode = HashingUtils::HashString(name.c_str());
          if (hashCode == PendingAutoRenewal_HASH)
          {
            return RenewalStatus::PendingAutoRenewal;
          }
          else if (hashCode == PendingValidation_HASH)
          {
            return RenewalStatus::PendingValidation;
          }
          else if (hashCode == Success_HASH)
          {
            return RenewalStatus::Success;
          }
          else if (hashCode == Failed_HASH)
          {
            return RenewalStatus::Failed;
          }
          EnumParseOverflowContainer* overflowContainer = Aws::GetEnumOverflowContainer();
          if(overflowContainer)
          {
            overflowContainer->StoreOverflow(hashCode, name);
            return static_cast<RenewalStatus>(hashCode);
          }

          return RenewalStatus::NOT_SET;
        }

        Aws::String GetNameForRenewalStatus(RenewalStatus enumValue)
        {
          switch(enumValue)
          {
          case RenewalStatus::PendingAutoRenewal:
            return "PendingAutoRenewal";
          case RenewalStatus::PendingValidation:
            return "PendingValidation";
          case RenewalStatus::Success:
            return "Success";
          case RenewalStatus::Failed:
            return "Failed";
          default:
            EnumParseOverflowContainer* overflowContainer = Aws::GetEnumOverflowContainer();
            if(overflowContainer)
            {
              return overflowContainer->RetrieveOverflow(static_cast<int>(enumValue));
            }

            return {};
          }
        }

      } // namespace RenewalStatusMapper
    } // namespace Model
  } // namespace Lightsail
} // namespace Aws


text:
Chad Johnson & Annalise Mishler Open Up About His Arrest and What Led to Hospitalization
Chad Johnson was recently arrested following an alleged domestic violence incident with former girlfriend Annalise Mishler.
At the time of his arrest, she alleged on Instagram that Chad had punched a hole in the wall.
Mishler and Johnson, who shot to fame on "The Bachelorette" and later appeared on "Bachelor in Paradise," sat down with "Extra's" Billy Bush to talk about what happened.
Chad told Billy, "I'm good now, a lot better."
What led to his arrest and subsequent hospitalization? He explained, "We live in the same apartment complex. To start the day off, we broke up… I hadn't drank in 50, almost 60, days."
Johnson went on, "I decided to drink and am not very good at it… We got back together. Initially, things were good, then I drank more. I don't remember what happened. She found a dating app on my phone that literally I had downloaded right when we broke up. When she found that, I got mad… I guess I was yelling or something, and that's when you see I punched a hole in the door… It's super out of character for me. That's why I don't drink."
He revealed, "Every bad thing that has happened in my life was while drinking. Even if you watch 'The Bachelor,' [I] screwed that up all over one night of drinking."
Annalise explained how the police got involved, saying, "The next morning, after all of that, he came back to my apartment, was banging on the door. I wasn't letting him in, yelling at me, 'You have my phone.' During that whole thing, a neighbor called the police. He ended up coming in my apartment, taking my phone, chucking it… An hour later, you were gone… The police showed up; they had no choice but to arrest him, and they served a protective order for the week."
Explaining that she tried to convince police not to arrest Chad, she said, "They saw the hole and the neighbors were pretty clear that he was screaming and being loud. There were dents on the door, and blood."
Chad said he was in a low place, and at the time he posted a photo of a rope on social media.
Billy said it sounded like a guy that wanted to end things. Johnson answered, "I'm not going to lie, I was totally there. I don't know why I would post it to social media, but at the time I was still drinking. It's really hard for me to explain the decisions I make when I'm drinking… I had a rope, I had all this stuff. I was just drinking and seeing what happens."
Billy asked, "Did you make an actual attempt to take your life?" Chad said, "Yeah, yeah… I tried to asphyxiate myself, I guess… It's not as easy as it reads."
Annalise was ordered to stay away, but she tried to help, saying, "I kept going there to check on him and bring him groceries so he wouldn't drive… He was really mad at me."
Chad was mad at her for posting about the incident on social. "I kept being like, 'Why didn't you just call the police?' I thought she was out to get me."The police checked on him four times. Chad said, "The last time they came in and they just straight-up took me." Johnson was hospitalized for a reported suicide threat.
So where are they now? Chad is sober since being released from the hospital. "I'm going to go to some sort of program."
Annalise added, "We're not back together, necessarily, right now. I think alcohol needs to be worked on and I want to see change. We want to go to therapy, couples therapy. We're going to try, but who knows?"
TMZ reports that Chad has now been charged with six misdemeanors, including corporal injury to his former girlfriend, battery, witness intimidation, trespassing and two counts of vandalism.
Chad is hoping all the charges will get dropped, telling "Extra," "I'm just trying to spend as much time with her."
Johnson continues to deny any type of domestic abuse.
The couple also broke news that they just launched a page on a subscription-based adult platform, in which they will presumably film themselves intimately. Johnson explained, "It's kind of a bonding experience."
#Bachelor #Bachelorette #ChadJohnson #Instagram #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette


text:
Liftboat in Gulf prompts questions
LAUREN DELGADO / Daily News
A platform sitting in the Gulf of Mexico has locals and officials wondering what it�s doing there.
OKALOOSA ISLAND �A platform sitting in the Gulf of Mexico has locals and officials wondering what it�s doing there.
A resident of El Matador condominium reported watching the platform being towed out to its spot Wednesday.
Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Lois Walsh identified the platform as a 150 class liftboat. The boats are �self-propelled, self-elevating vessels,� said Walsh, who quoted www.offshoreliftboats.com.
It does not belong to Eglin, Walsh said.
The liftboat is several miles from Air Force land and comes under the state�s jurisdiction, Walsh said.
A Coast Guard crew took a look at the liftboat Thursday. There was nothing on it, Petty Officer Matt Barnickle said.
It had no markings or other identification, he said.
The Coast Guard has no reason to investigate the liftboat�s owner unless any laws are broken, such as not being properly lit at night, he said. It has the required lights on either side and is not in a boating channel.
Usually the liftboats are used by the Air Force or for oil drilling, Barnickle said.


The City of Edinburg welcomes Javier Garza, who has been selected as the new Parks & Recreation Director. Garza has more than 28 years of coaching and teaching experience with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District.
He spent 11-years teaching science and physical education at North Jr. High and Edinburg Memorial Middle School. The next 17-years he served as the Athletic Coordinator at B.L. Garza Middle School.
He and his wife Alicia also own and operate a family business in Edinburg that they opened in 2005.
Garza graduated from Mission High School in 1982 and the University of Texas-Pan American in 1989 with a double major in Biology and Kinesiology. He received a Masters in Educational Leadership from UTPA in 2008.
Garza and his wife have lived in Edinburg since 1987. They have three children, Javier Jr., Eric, and Aliana.


The American/Jordanian Soprano, Nadine Balbeisi began her international solo career when she moved to Germany, singing Oratorio, Chamber music, Opera and Recitals. Her repertoire extends from the XIV through the XVIII Centuries with a specialization in early music. She has performed with various ensembles and orchestras such as Atalante,Concerto con anima, Neues Rheinisches Kammerorchester, Neue Düsseldorfer Hofmusikand Churpfälsische Hofkapelle. She received a Bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the University of Michigan, studying with George Shirley and obtained a second degree from the Hochschule für Musik Köln with Barbara Schlick.
A prizewinner of the Kammeroper Schloß Rheinsberg International Competition, Ms. Balbeisi has also performed a wide range of opera roles including Adele, Bastienne, Despina, Dido, Papagena, Serpina and Euridice (in Luigi Rossi's Orfeo). In 2010 she was awarded as "Artist in Residence" in Spain, researching and performing 16th Century Polyphony from the Archives of the Cathedral of Huesca. She was also awarded with a scholarship in 2011 to participate and perform in the "Lied Course" at the Franz Schubert Institute in Austria. She received the "Emerging Artist Award" from the University of Michigan in 2013.
Her CD of Italian laments with the ensemble Atalante received outstanding reviews and was hailed by Musicweb International as "Recording Of The Year 2011." In commemoration of the 400th year anniversary of the "Second Book of Songs and Ayres" (1612) by William Corkine, she released the CD "Each Lovely Grace" with Cantar alla Viola.
Her upcoming projects include a new CD release of Italian Renaissance with her duo Cantar alla Viola. She has also formed an exciting new trio Viola da Samba, creating a bridge between Renaissance music and Brazilian music. Comprised of voice, viola da gamba (Fernando Marin) and clavichord / arrangements (Jean Kleeb), this group uses the pure sounds of early instruments to revive the past while embodying the rich and vivacious harmonies and rhythms of samba and bossa nova. The new Trio CD "De rio a Rio" has been released with London based label, Quartz.


Trend Micro, one of the biggest antivirus makers on the planet, has been left a little flummoxed at a finding revealed Tuesday: that the best-known antivirus in North Korea has contained some of the Japanese giant's code for as long as 13 years.
The company said its intellectual property had been illegally copied by the North Korean AV tool, SiliVaccine, as researchers at Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point found in products dating back to 2005. But Trend wasn't sure how its tech was illicitly obtained. Researchers believe it's more likely that one of Trend Micro's partners, rather than the security company itself, was either targeted or formed a business partnership with the makers of the North Korean antivirus.
A Trend spokesperson told Forbes a 10-year-old version of its scan engine, VSAPI, had been repackaged in SiliVaccine, but it was unclear how it'd been obtained in the first place. "It's available in the vast majority of products, online testing tools and even third-party security products through various OEMs [original equipment manufacturers]," a spokesperson said.
"It appears that a compiled code library was illegally copied, repacked and then wrapped with additional application code not originating from Trend Micro to build a normal AV scanning application called SiliVaccine."
Forbes was unable to contact SiliVaccine's apparent manufacturers, Pyonyang Gwangmyong Information Technology and STS Tech-Service. A request for comment from the North Korean embassy in London hadn't been returned at the time of publication.
The discovery of Trend's IP in SiliVaccine was discovered by researchers at Check Point after they were handed a copy by North Korea tech specialist and journalist Martyn Williams. In 2014, he was sent a copy in a mysterious email from an apparent Japanese engineer calling themselves Kang Yong Hak. Whilst that version of SiliVaccine worked like a typical antivirus, it also came with malware dubbed Jaku, which Check Point said had previously been linked to North Korean hackers. Williams, suspicious at being emailed such a file, avoided infection and passed on the message to Check Point.
"Jaku is a highly resilient botnet forming malware that has infected around 19,000 victims, primarily by malicious BitTorrent file shares. It has, however, been seen to target and track more specific individual victims in both South Korea and Japan, including members of international non-governmental organizations, engineering companies, academics, scientists and government employees," Check Point wrote in its report.
Another mystery emerged during the dive into the technical workings of the product: Check Point researchers discovered SiliVaccine was also designed to overlook one particular file that was blocked by the Trend Micro engine. But they didn't know just what the file did. "While it is unclear what this signature actually is, what is clear is that the North Korean regime does not want to alert its users to it," Check Point added.
Check Point said the file's signature didn't directly relate to a known malware variant, leaving three possibilities for the whitelisting. It may be North Korea developed a malware tool that could be detected by the Trend-sourced components and wanted to avoid such detection. Or it's a possible backdoor into the program, allowing remote access into SiliVaccine user PCs. Finally, it could be innocuous: a workaround to fix a software conflict caused by the admixture of Trend and homebrew code.
Trend Micro says its antivirus engine was "illegally copied" in a North Korean antivirus product.
Williams was just as flummoxed about the strange appearance of Trend's technology in SiliVaccine. "I have no idea how Trend's code ended up in there," he told Forbes. "Trend is based in Japan and there have been varying levels of business exchange [between Japan and] North Korea over the last decade. About 15 years ago, I remember meeting software company execs in Seoul who were bringing North Korean programmers South, so its certainly possible that a deal was done at some point with a North Korean company or a third party that subsequently disclosed the source code. I'm afraid it's all just a guess though."
Trend said it had never done any deals with North Korea. And, a spokesperson added, it had not done any OEM deals that required source code to be disclosed.
A Check Point spokesperson added: "It's 10-year-old code so probably sourced from an old version of the software obtained from a Trend OEM partner - but which one, we don't know."
The probe into SiliVaccine is part of the West's continued fascination in North Korea's online activity. Just last week, cybersecurity firm Recorded Future reported that North Korea's digital elite were ditching Facebook and other western social media as they sought to hide their online activity.


text:
The Undiscovered Country
November 4, 2015 by TEDxSG
Stories worth discovering at TEDxSingapore
"If we could fly out of that window hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes … it would make all fiction with its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and unprofitable." ― Arthur Conan Doyle
Hawker food in Singapore can be genuinely breathtaking. It may not always feel like it: a hawker centre meal can be one of the most unremarkable Singaporean experiences ever. Sometimes it is the crowds, the heat, and that newfound menace – the haze – that take your breath away, and not in a metaphorical way.
But occasionally, nestled inconspicuously in vast hawker centres, you find the most astonishing stalls, serving mind-blowingly good fishball noodle soup, or chwee kueh, or laksa. It's the kind of food that makes overseas Singaporeans "culinarily … the most homesick people I have ever met," as Calvin Trillin writes (in The New Yorker, 2007). No frills, no pizzazz – just nondescript, understated brilliance.
Only at lunchtime are these undiscovered gems given away, by the queues that form in front of them. People line up at these stalls like devotees at a shrine, patient supplicants waiting meekly in the heat for heavenly blessing. 'Divine' is, after all, how the esteemed Makansutra guide describes Singapore's best hawker food.
"Maxwell Road Hawker Centre" by Aapo Haapanen / CC BY 2.0
In Singapore, the abstract, ethereal realm of stories is much like the hot, delicious, commonplace world of hawker food.
We tell a few stories in Singapore. We tell the story of the gleaming metropolis – this is the one we learn in history lessons. We tell it alongside the stories of the great, visionary men: Raffles in 1819, Lee Kuan Yew in 1965. We also tell the story of the everyman: gritty pioneers who toiled alongside the great men to build the metropolis. And, of course, close to our hearts lies the story of our cultural rojak: the story of communities, cultures, and cuisines converging onto this country from lands near and far, creating a wonderful, irreplaceable whole far greater than the sum of its parts.
To be sure, these stories are incredibly important: they are central to and inseparable from the Singapore narrative. But sometimes we can't help but feel that they are incomplete. Some of them are tersely, uneasily contested. Others are complicated and disrupted as the country changes with the times. And, like the hidden gems in hawker centres, many more lie undiscovered.
The Undiscovered Country celebrates these untold stories. And there are so many of them – so many undiscovered countries to set sail to. Consider the stories that our speakers are bringing with them:
In the 1991 Star Trek film of the same name, the undiscovered country is the future, a land of both abundant opportunity and lurking danger. Speakers like biologist-cum-technologist Dr Tan Tin Wee, and urban planning visionary Cheong Koon Hean bring with them thrilling prospects for Singapore's future, while twelve-year-old Dylan Soh brings his hopes for the future of Singapore, already published in a heartfelt book.
If one undiscovered country is the future, another is the past. Co-founder of Lonely Planet Tony Wheeler, for instance, brings with him his fascinating experience in Singapore circa 1972, when men with long hair, frowned upon as 'suspected hippies,' were served last at government offices. It was in a bewildering and (to some of us) unrecognisable Singapore that the Lonely Planet series was born.
And then there are undiscovered countries in the here and now – wonderful, untold stories about Singapore that scuttle out into the open when we 'gently remove the roofs' concealing them. In and around an otherwise bustling, urban landscape, an astonishingly rich variety of flora and fauna thrive in Singapore. Lena Chan, an expert on Singapore's biodiversity, brings incredible passion and vast experience about our natural heritage. Published poets Gwee Li Sui, Marc Nair, and Aaron Maniam – storytellers by profession – tell stories at the intersection of fiction and truth, poetry and politics. And Zakir Hossain Khokon, a construction supervisor and winner of the Migrant Workers' Poetry Competition in 2014, conveys hauntingly beautiful accounts of the transient worker's experience, one which is far too easily overlooked in Singapore.
Can these undiscovered stories sit uneasily with each other? Can the idiosyncratic ones exist alongside our mainstream narratives? They certainly can, in the spirit of the poet Walt Whitman, who wrote:
"Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself;
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)"
These stories intertwine – they make us richer, fuller, and more authentic. At the end of the day, the story of Singapore the entrepot resonates with us at TEDxSingapore. For centuries – even before the arrival of Raffles – Singapore has been a hub for trade. Today, Singapore is a hub for ideas and stories – they combine with each other in weird and wonderful ways, and generate unprecedented possibilities.
At TEDxSingapore, every single member of our community contains multitudes, and brings them to The Undiscovered Country. When thousands of stories converge onto the entrepot that is TEDxSingapore, what possibilities can arise? What conversations, connections, and contributions can we create? We will find out in a couple of days' time – perhaps over a bowl of the best char kway teow in town.
Filed Under: TEDxSingapore Blog | TED Singapore Tagged With: community, future, history, narratives, stories, TEDxSG blog, TEDxSingapore, TEDxSingapore 2015, The Undiscovered Country
Crystal Goh – TEDxSingapore #TheUndiscoveredCountry speaker
Budding singer-songwriter Crystal Goh was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia, a rare neurological condition that left her without a voice for two years. She didn't know if she'd ever sing again. But through sheer will, and renewed strength with the help of her friends, she found her voice in the midst of pain – by offering hope to those in need instead.
Goh founded the Diamonds on the Street initiative to work with girls living in a shelter, and the children of prison inmates, to turn their reflections into songs. Today, she continues to help at-risk youths to derive meaning from crises and to transform pain into new narratives about their lives and possibilities. All through music and songs.
Crystal Goh
When we watched her unique and immensely moving rehearsal presentation, we felt her pain and her potential. Without giving too much away, we spoke to her to get some insights into her condition and background.
We were really moved by your rehearsal talk. And it seems like it's really not easy for you to engage with people. How do you deal with people on a regular basis? Would you prefer to just write them notes and not speak?
CG: I used to write notes a few years back right after I lost my voice. After a while, I crafted an FAQ (of my condition) and simple signboards that I would bring to the places I commonly frequented.
However, over the years, my voice has improved and I have learned to pick quieter environments to hold conversations. I also speak with shorter sentences and usually keep my gatherings small too, so that there is space for everyone to talk.
To me, nothing beats face-to-face conversations. However, if the conversation gets too technical or if I find myself having to use longer sentences to communicate and do not have the luxury of time to pause in speech, my friends know that I can always provide details through a later email, note or so.
How often do you work on new songs?
CG: I have been very fascinated with the process of healing and use songwriting as a craft to discover truths about healing every few months.
Often, when I experience a difficult emotion, songwriting becomes a safe space for me to explore my thoughts, and eventually to practise compassion on myself or on others. Songwriting is a way for me to regain control over parts of my life.
Is Diamonds your full time work? If not, then what do you do?
CG: Diamonds takes up a large portion of my time. However, I also regularly feed my curiosity in certain passion/topics by taking on various songwriting and writing projects.
Have you met other people who've also had Spasmodic Dysphonia?
CG: Yes, I reached out to an award-winning children book writer, Emily Lim, who wrote a fantastic book that was inspired by her journey with Spasmodic Dysphonia.
Her book, Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, was so hopeful that I sought her permission to turn it into a musical drama, so that the children of prisoners (whom I had been working with then) could perform it to their loved ones. Emily and I have since developed a really beautiful friendship.
www.diamondsonthestreet.com
Filed Under: TEDxSingapore Blog | TED Singapore Tagged With: crystal goh, diamonds on the street, emily lim, music, Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, singer, Spasmodic Dysphonia, TedX, TEDxSingapore, The Undiscovered Country, TheUndiscoveredCountry
October 12, 2015 by TEDxSG
Welcome to TEDxSingapore's blog!
Hello fellow dreamers and creators!
It's TEDxSingapore's sixth year of running; six years as a meeting place for curious minds. This year, we've designed this blog as a peek behind the scenes – how all the magic and ideas come together.
If you're as excited about our next event "The Undiscovered Country" as we are, read on for updates and to get to know our speakers and the hardworking team behind TEDxSingapore.
The idea is simple: we've been inspired, and we hope you'll feel the same way too.
For passion, for people, for purpose!
TEDxSingapore team
Filed Under: TEDxSingapore Blog | TED Singapore Tagged With: TEDxSingapore, TEDxSingapore2015, The Undiscovered Country