text:
Equity Incentive Plan - WorldCom Inc., MFS Communications Corp. and UUNET Technologies Inc.
WORLDCOM/MFS/UUNET
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Effective August 12, 1996, MFS Communications Company, Inc. ('MFS')
acquired UUNET Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ('UUNET') through a
merger of a subsidiary of MFS with and into UUNET.  As a result of the merger,
MFS assumed sponsorship of this Plan.  Effective December 31, 1996, MFS then
SECTION 1.  PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.
(a)     Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide selected
eligible employees of, and consultants to, the Company its subsidiaries and
affiliates an opportunity to participate in the Company's future by offering
them an opportunity to acquire stock in the Company so as to retain, attract
and motivate them.
(b)     Definitions.  For purposes of the Plan, the following terms
have the following meanings:
(i)      'Award' means any award under the Plan, including any
Option, Restricted Stock, Stock Purchase Right or Performance Share Award.
(ii)     'Award Agreement' means, with respect to each Award,
the signed written agreement between the Company and the Plan participant
setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award.
(iii)    'Board' means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(iv)     'Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
(v)      'Commission' means the Securities and Exchange
Commission and any successor agency.
(vi)     'Committee' means the Committee referred to in
Section 2, or the Board in its capacity as administrator of the Plan in
accordance with Section 2.
(vii)    'Company' means Worldcom, Inc., a Georgia
(viii)   'Disability' means permanent and total disability as
determined by the Committee for purposes of the Plan.
(ix)     'Disinterested Person' has the meaning set forth in
Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) under the Exchange Act, and any successor definition
adopted by the Commission.
(x)      'Exchange Act' means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
(xi)     'Fair Market Value' means as of any given date (a) if
the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market
system, the closing sales price for the Stock or the closing bid if no sales
were reported, as quoted on such system or exchange, as reported in the Wall
Street Journal; or (b) in the absence of an established market for the Stock,
the fair market value of the Stock as determined by the Committee in good
(xii)    'Incentive Stock Option' means any Option intended to
be and designated as an 'incentive stock option' within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code.
(xiii)   'Nonqualified Stock Option' means any Option that is
not an Incentive Stock Option.
(xiv)    'Option' means an option granted under Section 5.
(xv)     'Performance Period' means the period determined by
the Committee under Section 8(a).
(xvi)    'Performance Share' means the equivalent, as of any
time such assessment is made, of the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock.
(xvii)   'Performance Share Award' means an Award under
(xviii)  'Plan' means this WorldCom/MFS/UUNET Equity Incentive
Plan, as amended from time to time.
(xix)    'Restricted Stock' means an Award of Stock subject to
restrictions, as more fully described in Section 6.
(xx)     'Restriction Period' means the period determined by
the Committee under Section 6(b).
(xxi)    'Rule 16b-3' means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor rule.
(xxii)   'Stock' means the Common Stock of the Company, and
any successor security.
(xxiii)  'Stock Purchase Right' means an Award granted under
(xxiv)   'Subsidiary' has the meaning set forth in Section 424
of the Code.
(xxv)    'Tax Date' means the date defined in Section 9(f).
(xxvi)   'Termination' means, for purposes of the Plan, with
respect to a participant, that the participant has ceased to be, for any
reason, employed by, or consulting to, the  Company, a subsidiary or an
affiliate; provided, that for purposes of this definition, if so determined by
the President of the Company, in his sole discretion, Termination shall not
include a change in status from an employee of, to a consultant to, the Company
or any subsidiary or affiliate, or vice versa.
SECTION 2.  ADMINISTRATION.
(a)     Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the Board or,
upon delegation by the Board, by a committee of the Board.  In connection with
the administration of the Plan, the Committee shall have the powers possessed
by the Board.  The Committee may act only by a majority of its members, except
that the Committee may from time to time select another committee or one or
more other persons to be responsible for any matters for which
Disinterested Persons are not required pursuant to Rule 16b-3.  The Board at
any time may abolish the Committee and revest in the Board the administration
of the Plan.
(b)     Authority.  The Committee shall grant Awards to eligible
employees and consultants.  In particular and without limitation, the
Committee, subject to the terms of the Plan, shall:
(i)      select the officers, other key employees and
consultants to whom Awards may be granted;
(ii)     determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be
granted under the Plan;
(iii)    determine the number of shares to be covered by each
Award granted under the Plan;
(iv)     determine the terms and conditions of any Award
granted under the Plan and any related loans to be made by the Company, based
upon factors determined by the Committee; and
(v)      determine to what extent and under what circumstances
any Award payments may be deferred by a participant.
(c)     Committee Determinations Binding.  The Committee may adopt,
alter and repeal administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the
Plan as it from time to time shall deem advisable, may interpret the terms and
provisions of the Plan, any Award and any Award Agreement and may otherwise
supervise the administration of the Plan.  Any determination made by the
Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award
shall be made in its sole discretion at the time of the grant of the Award or,
unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later
time.  All decisions made by the  Committee under the Plan shall be binding on
all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.
SECTION 3.  STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.
(a)     Number of Shares.  The total number of shares of Stock
reserved and available for issuance pursuant to (i) Awards under this Plan and
(ii) grants under the Company's Stock Incentive Plan shall be 5,605,979 shares.
Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares
or treasury shares or shares reacquired in private transactions or open market
purchases, but all shares issued under the Plan and the Company's Stock
Incentive Plan, regardless of source shall be counted against the 5,605,979-
share limitation.  If any Option terminates or expires without being exercised
in full or if any shares of Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, or if an
Award otherwise terminates without a payment being made to the participant in
the form of Stock, the shares issuable under such Option or Award shall again
be available for issuance in connection with Awards.  Any Award under this Plan
shall be governed by the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement.
(b)     Adjustments.  In the event of any merger, reorganization,
consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or other change in
corporate structure affecting the Stock, such substitution or adjustments shall
be made in the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under
the Plan, in the number and exercise price of shares subject to outstanding
Options, and in the number of shares subject to other outstanding Awards, as
may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion;
provided, however, that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always
be a whole number.
SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY.
Awards may be granted to officers and other key employees of, and
consultants to, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates (excluding members
of the Committee and any person who serves only as a director).
SECTION 5.  STOCK OPTIONS.
(a)     Types.  Any Option granted under the Plan shall be in such
form as the Committee may from time to time approve.  The Committee shall have
the authority to grant to any participant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified
Stock Options or both types of Options.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted
only to employees of the Company, its parent (within the meaning of Section
424(e) of the Code) or Subsidiaries.  Any portion of an Option that is not
designated as, or does not qualify as, an Incentive Stock Option shall
constitute a Nonqualified Stock Option.
(b)     Terms and Conditions.  Options granted under the Plan shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i)      Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be fixed
by the Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than
ten years after the date the Option is granted, and no Nonqualified Stock
Option shall be exercisable more than 15 years after the date the Option is
granted.  If, at the time the Company grants an Incentive Stock Option, the
optionee owns directly or by attribution stock possessing more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any
parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the Incentive Stock Option shall not be
exercisable more than five years after the date of grant.
(ii)     Grant Date.  The Company may grant Options under the
Plan at any time and from time to time before the Plan terminates.  The
Committee shall specify the date of grant or, if it fails to, the date of grant
shall be the date of action taken by the Committee to grant the Option.
However, if an Option is approved in anticipation of employment, the date of
grant shall be the date the intended optionee is first treated as an employee
for payroll purposes.
(iii)    Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of
Stock purchasable under an Option shall be equal to at least 85% of the Fair
Market Value on the date of grant, and in the case of Incentive Stock Options
shall be equal to at least the Fair Market Value on the date of grant;
provided, however, that if, at the time the Company grants an Incentive Stock
Option, the optionee owns directly or by attribution stock possessing more than
10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,
or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company, then the exercise price shall be
not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Stock
Option is granted.
(iv)     Exercisability.  Subject to the other provisions of
the Plan, an Option shall be exercisable in its entirety at grant or at such
times and in such amounts as are specified in the Award Agreement evidencing
the Option.  The Committee, in its absolute discretion, at any time may waive
any limitations respecting the time at which an Option first becomes
exercisable in whole or in part.
(v)      Method of Exercise; Payment.  To the extent the right
to purchase shares has accrued, Options may be exercised, in whole or in part,
from time to time, by written notice from the optionee to the Company stating
the number of shares being purchased, accompanied by payment of the exercise
price for the shares.
SECTION 6.  RESTRICTED STOCK.
(a)     Price.  The Committee may grant to a participant Restricted
Stock.  The grantee shall pay no consideration therefor.
(b)     Restrictions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the
Award Agreement, during the Restriction Period set by the Committee, commencing
with, and not exceeding ten years from, the date of such Award, the participant
shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber
shares of Restricted Stock.  Within these limits, the Committee may provide for
the lapse of such restrictions in installments
and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part, based on
service, performance or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may
determine.
(c)     Dividends.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, with
respect to dividends on shares of Restricted Stock, dividends payable in cash
shall be automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, and dividends
payable in Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock.
(d)     Termination.  Except to the extent otherwise provided in the
Award Agreement and pursuant to Section 6(b), in the event of a Termination
during the Restriction Period, all shares still subject to restriction shall be
forfeited by the participant.
SECTION 7.  STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.
(a)     Price.  The Committee may grant Stock Purchase Rights which
shall enable the recipients to purchase Stock at a price equal to not less than
85% of its Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
(b)     Exercisability.  Stock Purchase Rights shall be exercisable
for a period determined by the Committee not exceeding 30 days from the date of
the grant.  The Committee, however, may provide that if required under Rule
16b-3 Stock Purchase Rights granted to persons subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act shall not become exercisable until six months and one day after
the grant date and shall then be exercisable for ten trading days at the
purchase price specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 7(a).
SECTION 8.  PERFORMANCE SHARES.
(a)     Awards.  The Committee shall determine the nature, length and
starting date of the Performance Period for each Performance Share Award, which
period shall be at least one year and not more than six years.  The
consideration payable by a participant with respect to a Performance Share
Award shall be an amount determined by the Committee in the exercise of the
Committee's discretion at the time of the Award; provided, that the amount of
consideration may be zero and may in no event exceed 50% of the Fair Market
Value at the time of grant.  The Committee shall determine the performance
objectives to be used in awarding Performance Shares and the extent to which
such Performance Shares have been earned.  Performance Periods may overlap and
participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Share
Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different
performance factors and criteria.  At the beginning of each Performance Period,
the Committee shall determine for each Performance Share Award subject to such
Performance Period the number of shares of Stock (which may consist of
Restricted Stock) to be awarded to the participant at the end of the
Performance Period if and to the extent that the relevant measures of
performance for such Performance Share Award are met.  Such number of shares of
Stock may be fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance or other
criteria as may be determined by the Committee.  The Committee may provide that
(i) amounts equivalent to interest at such rates as the Committee may
determine, or (ii) amounts equivalent to dividends paid by the Company upon
outstanding Stock shall be payable with respect to Performance Share Awards.
(b)     Termination.  Except as otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement or determined by the Committee, in the event of a Termination during
a Performance Period, the participant shall not be entitled to any payment with
respect to the Performance Shares subject to the Performance Period.
(c)     Form of Payment.  Payment shall be made in the form of cash or
whole shares of Stock, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.
SECTION 9.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a)     Award Grants.  Any Award may be granted either alone or in
addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Subject to the terms and
restrictions set forth elsewhere in the Plan, the Committee shall determine
the consideration, if any, payable by the participant for any Award and, in
addition to those set forth in the Plan, any other terms and conditions of the
Awards.  The Committee may condition the grant or payment of any Award upon the
attainment of specified performance goals or such other factors or criteria,
including vesting based on continued employment or consulting, as the Committee
shall determine.  Performance objectives may vary from participant to
participant and among groups of participants and shall be based upon such
Company, subsidiary, group or division factors or criteria as the Committee may
deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, earnings per share or return
on equity.  The other provisions of Awards also need not be the same with
respect to each recipient.  Unless specified otherwise in the Plan or by the
Committee, the date of grant of an Award shall be the date of action by the
Committee to grant the Award.  The Committee may also substitute new Options
for previously granted Options, including previously granted Options having
higher exercise prices.
(b)     Award Agreement.  As soon as practicable after the date of an
Award grant, the Company and the participant shall enter into a written Award
Agreement identifying the date of grant, and specifying the terms and
conditions of the Award.  Options are not exercisable until after execution of
the Award agreement by the Company and the Plan participant, but a delay in
execution of the agreement shall not affect the validity of the Option grant.
(c)     Certificates.  All certificates for shares of Stock or other
securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer
orders, legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable
under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Commission, any
market in which the Stock is then traded and any applicable federal, state or
foreign securities law.
(d)     Termination.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
Award Agreement or by the Committee, in the event of Termination for any reason
other than death, retirement or Disability, Awards held at the date of
Termination (and only to the extent then exercisable or payable, as the case
may be) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within three months
after the date of Termination, or such lesser period specified in the Award
Agreement (but in no event after the expiration date of the Award), but not
thereafter.  If Termination is due to retirement or to death or Disability,
Awards held at the date of Termination (and only to the extent then exercisable
or payable, as the case may be) may be exercised in whole or in part by the
participant in the case of retirement or Disability, by the participant's
guardian or legal representative or by the person to whom the Award is
transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution, at any time within
two years from the date of Termination or any lesser period specified in the
Award Agreement (but in no event after the expiration of the Award).
(e)     Delivery of Purchase Price.  If and only to the extent
authorized by the Committee, participants may make all or any portion of any
payment due to the Company
(i)      with respect to the consideration payable for an
Award,
(ii)     upon exercise of an Award, or
(iii)    with respect to federal, state, local or foreign tax
payable in connection with an Award,
by delivery of (x) cash, (y) check, or (z) any property other than cash
(including a promissory note of the participant or shares of Stock or
securities) so long as, if applicable, such property constitutes valid
consideration for the Stock under, and otherwise complies with, applicable law.
No promissory note under the Plan shall have a term (including extensions) of
more than five years or shall be of a principal amount exceeding 90% of the
purchase price paid by the borrower.
(f)     Tax Withholding.   Unless the Committee permits otherwise, the
participant shall pay to the Company in cash, promptly when the amount of such
obligations becomes determinable (the 'Tax Date'), all applicable federal,
state, local and foreign withholding taxes that the Committee in its discretion
determines to result, (i) from the lapse of restrictions imposed upon an Award,
(ii) upon exercise of an Award, or (iii) from a transfer
or other disposition of shares acquired upon exercise or payment of an Award,
or otherwise related to the Award or the shares acquired in connection with an
Award.
A participant who has received an Award or payment under an
Award may, to the extent, if any, authorized by the Committee in its
discretion, make an election to (x) deliver to the Company a promissory note of
the participant on the terms set forth in Section 9(e), or (y) tender any such
securities to the Company to pay the amount of tax that the Committee in its
discretion determines to be required to be withheld by the Company subject to
the following limitations:
(i)      such election shall be irrevocable;
(ii)     such election shall be subject to the disapproval of
the Committee;
(iii)    in the case of participants subject to Section 16(b)
of the Exchange Act, such tender may not be made within six months of the
acquisition of the securities to be tendered to satisfy the tax withholding
obligation (except that this limitation shall not apply in the event of death
or Disability of such person before the six-month period expires); and
(iv)     in the case of participants subject to Section 16(b)
of the Exchange Act, such election must be made in any ten-day period beginning
on the third business day following the date of release for publication of
quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and earnings.
Any shares or other securities so withheld or tendered will be valued by the
Committee as of the date they are withheld or tendered; provided, however, that
Stock shall be valued at Fair Market Value on such date.  The value of the
shares withheld or tendered may not exceed the required federal, state, local
and foreign withholding tax obligations as computed by the Company.
(g)     No Transferability.  No Award shall be assignable or otherwise
transferable by the participant other than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution.  During the life of a participant, an Award shall be
exercisable, and any elections with respect to an Award may be made, only by
the participant or participant's guardian or legal representative.
(h)     Adjustment of Awards; Waivers.  Subject to Section 5(b)(vi),
the Committee may adjust the performance goals and measurements applicable to
Awards (i) to take into account changes in law and accounting and tax rules,
(ii) to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate
to reflect the inclusion or exclusion of the impact of extraordinary or unusual
items, events or circumstances in order to avoid windfalls or hardships, and
(iii) to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate
to reflect any material changes in business conditions.  In the event of
hardship or other special circumstances of a participant and otherwise in its
discretion, the Committee may waive in whole or in part any or all
restrictions, conditions, vesting, or forfeiture with respect to any Award
granted to such participant.
(i)     Non-Competition.  The Committee may condition its
discretionary waiver of a forfeiture, the acceleration of vesting at the time
of Termination of a participant holding any unexercised or unearned Award, the
waiver of restrictions on any Award, or the extension of the expiration period
to a period not longer than that provided by the Plan upon such participant's
agreement (and compliance with such agreement) (i) not to engage in any
business or activity competitive with any business or activity conducted by the
Company and (ii) to be available for consultations at the request of the
Company's management, all on such terms and conditions (including conditions in
addition to (i) and (ii)) as the Committee may determine.
(j)     Dividends.  The reinvestment of dividends in additional Stock
or Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment pursuant to Section
6(c) shall only be permissible if sufficient shares of Stock are available
under Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding
Awards).
(k)     Regulatory Compliance.  Each Award under the Plan shall be
subject to the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine
that (i) the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Stock upon
any securities exchange or for trading in any securities market or under any
state or federal law, (ii) the consent or approval of any government or
regulatory body or (iii) an agreement by the participant with respect thereto,
is necessary or desirable, then such Award shall not be consummated in whole or
in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or
agreement shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Committee.
(l)     Rights as Stockholder.  Unless the Plan or the Committee
expressly specifies otherwise, an optionee shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the stock
certificates representing the shares are actually delivered to the optionee.
Subject to Sections 3(b) and 6(c), no adjustment shall be made for dividends or
other rights for which  the record date is prior to the date the certificates
are delivered.
(m)     Beneficiary Designation.  The Committee, in its discretion,
may establish procedures for a participant to designate a beneficiary to whom
any amounts payable in the event of the participant's death are to be paid.
(n)     Additional Plans.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent
the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements for its employees and consultants.
(o)     No Employment Rights.  The adoption of the Plan shall not
confer upon any employee any right to continued employment nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right of the Company, a subsidiary or an
affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee at any time.
(p)     Rule 16b-3.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, the
Plan shall always be administered, and Awards shall always be granted and
exercised, in such a manner as to conform to the provisions of Rule 16b-3.
(q)     Governing Law.  The Plan and all Awards shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
(r)     Use of Proceeds.  All cash proceeds to the Company under the
Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.
(s)     Unfunded Status of Plan.  The Plan shall constitute an
'unfunded' plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  The Committee may
authorize the creation of trusts or arrangements to meet the obligations
created under the Plan to deliver Stock or make payments; provided, however,
that unless the Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or
other arrangements shall be consistent with the 'unfunded' status of the Plan.
(t)     Assumption by Successor.  The obligations of the Company under
the Plan and under any outstanding Award may be assumed by any successor
corporation, which for purposes of the Plan shall be included within the
meaning of 'Company'.
(u)     Limitation on Award Grants to Certain Executive Officers.  The
Company may not grant Awards under the Plan for more than 500,000 shares to any
executive officer whose compensation is required to be disclosed under Item 402
of Regulation S-K.
SECTION 10.  AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan or any Award, but
no amendment, alteration or discontinuance shall be made which would impair the
rights of a participant under an outstanding Award without
the participant's consent.  In addition, to the  extent required for the Plan
to comply with Rule 16b-3 or, with respect to provisions solely as they relate
to Incentive Stock Options, to the extent required for the Plan to comply with
Section 422 of the Code, the Board may not amend or alter the Plan without the
approval of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the Company
entitled to vote at a duly held stockholders' meeting or by an action by
written consent and, if at a meeting, a quorum of the voting power of the
Company is represented in person or by proxy, where such amendment or
alteration would:
(a)     except as expressly provided in the Plan, increase the total
number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Awards under the Plan;
(b)     except as expressly provided in the Plan, change the minimum
price terms of Section 5(b)(iii);
(c)     change the class of employees and consultants eligible to
participate in the Plan;
(d)     extend the maximum Option period under Section 5(b)(i); or
(e)     materially increase the benefits accruing to participants
under the Plan.
SECTION 11.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall be effective on the date it is adopted by the Board but
all Awards shall be conditioned upon approval of the Plan (a) at a duly held
stockholders' meeting by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the voting power of the shares of the Company entitled to vote and represented
in person or by proxy at the meeting, or (b) by an action by written consent of
the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the Company
entitled to vote.
SECTION 12.  TERM OF PLAN.
No Award shall be granted on or after December 31, 2004, but Awards
granted prior to December 31, 2004 may extend beyond that date.


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We have a great room for any corporate, training or business meeting you are having. Room hire fee includes unlimited tea and coffee and biscuits on arrival, white board and projector screen.
This information is supplied for consideration of Business related seminars such as workshops & training sessions for groups of 10 to 50 people. Costs for larger groups and social events can be supplied on request.
Room Hire starts from $100 for a half day and $150 for a full day hire. The Club has a data projector available for hire.
The Room Hire Fee must be paid to confirm the booking and is not refundable up to 7 days before the event. Numbers and catering arrangement must be confirmed one week before the event. In the event catering costs are the responsibility of the individual clients, payment for meals can be made on the day.
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text:
Today, Metrolink held its first annual Stakeholder Summit at Los Angeles Union Station. Congressional and state delegations, cities, counties, municipal staff and Metrolink member agencies participated in a dialogue to improve Southern California's regional rail system over the next decade.
Metrolink staff shared information and encouraged feedback and ideas to improve rail transit. After receiving suggestions from stakeholders, Metrolink committed to working with stakeholders to improve service options. Major upgrades to the region's rail system are needed to accommodate the ever-increasing population, jobs and goods movement across the region.
"The freeway system is at capacity and will not be expanded," said Metrolink CEO Art Leahy. "Metrolink is the only way to give Southern Californians a stress-free commute option that takes cars off the road."
One of the key topics discussed at the Metrolink summit was the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) plan, which is intended to add relief to the nation's most congested freeways and improve air quality while upgrading the system to be safer and quiet-zone ready.
Metrolink is partnering with freight and intercity rail operators in seeking nearly $10 billion in local, state and federal funds to transform Southern California passenger rail service over the next decade.
Track additions, new signal and switch improvements, station upgrades and maintenance facility enhancements will bolster safety, on-time performance and reliability, nearly doubling Metrolink's capacity and allowing for a significant expansion, including express service. It also would facilitate more quiet zones at crossings where locomotive horns don't need be sounded because of safety enhancements.
SCORE also would improve freight movement from the Ports of San Pedro and Long Beach to inland distribution centers and beyond.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Dr. Daniele Pozzi
From Buenos Aires to Modena: The History of a Visionary in the Automobile Industry
By Dr. Daniele Pozzi
Translation from the Italian text by Andrea Cittadini and Alessandro Saettta Vinci
The first illustrated and complete book on one of the top marques of the Olympus of automotive history, written in collaboration with the de Tomaso family.
The volume traces the sporting and entrepreneurial story of Alejandro de Tomaso, exhaustively illustrating the characteristics of the models that have made the Automobili De Tomaso famous around the world, such as the Pantera, truly a cult object, especially in the United States. Many different dimensions are interwoven in de Tomaso's story: the world of the gentlemen-sportsmen who animated the motor-racing competitions in the 1950s-1960s, the genuine and somewhat 'provincial' charisma of the artist-mechanics of the Modena area, and the story of the great American industrial dynasties and the intricate developments of the Italian automotive industry.
The book is born from the collaboration with the de Tomaso family, who for the first time have opened the private archives of the founder of the auto maker, making available to the public at large the private photographs, the historical images of all the models and the technical drawings, revealing the secrets and the behind-the-scenes episodes of a legendary production. To further enrich the book an ad hoc photographic campaign will be realized. The texts in the volume, rigorous yet accessible to the non-expert, will be entrusted to a scholar of the history of this Italian business, while the technical section will be written by a team of sports car experts chosen together with the de Tomaso family.
Alejandro de Tomaso arrived in Modena in the years of the economic boom: in that period the district we now refer to as Motor Valley was born, thanks to the genius of figures like Enzo Ferrari, Adolfo Orsi (Maserati) and Ferruccio Lamborghini. De Tomaso was one of the great protagonists of that season, first as a driver, then as a constructor of cars destined to an elite of lovers of high-performance sports cars. But he was also an ambitious entrepreneur, capable of dealing with the great magnates of the US car industry 'on a par' (he was a partner of the Ford family) and to stand as a credible interlocutor for the revival of many Italian car industries in the 1970s (Maserati, Innocenti, Moto Guzzi, Benelli).
Over 200 images (drawings, historical photos, photos of car models)
Spring, 2016
Classic & Sports Car
Octane Magazine Book Of The Month
Click on image below to view it larger
Daniele Pozzi teaches Economic and Company History at the LIUC – Universit. Cattaneo (VA), where he is also chair of the course on Heritage & Competition, as part of the international course degree in Made in Italy: Management and Entrepreneurship. Since 2001 he has been vice-director of the Archive of Industrial Cinema and Corporate Communication, a research centre for which he has dealt with the realization of numerous initiatives of an informative and scientific nature, as well as the preparation of teaching and multimedia materials. He is the author of a number of articles both in Italian and international magazines, and of books on Corporate History.
Translator (to English Text)
Andrea Cittadini is a journalist, writer, and a communication/PR/marketing consultant based in Monza, Italy. He started working as journalist in 1985, while still attending the University of Milan where he earned a PhD in Political Sciences. Upon graduation, he worked for Yamaha, Ferrari and Maserati as Chief Press Officer until mid-2011 when he formed his own company, The Kerb Group, which includes the magazine Kerb Motori. Andrea has written two prize-winning books, Capolavori italiani dalla collezione Lopresto, (Italian Masterpieces from the Lopresto Collection), and Il Libro delle Corse, Maserati, (The Racing Book, Maserati), and has three others in preparation concerning aspects of Maserati history.
Maserati A6G 2000 Zagato
Walter Bäumer Cunningham:
Richard Harman Mid-Atlantic American
Terry O'Neil The Bahamas Speed Weeks:
Dr. Daniele Pozzi Sports Car Racing in the South:
Willem Oosthoek Augie Pabst: Regular Edition
Robert Birmingham Sports Car Racing in the South:
Graeme Cocks Maserati Tipo 63, 64, 65:
Willem Oosthoek Around the Circuit:
Porsche by Mailander
Karl Ludvigsen Watkins Glen:
Philippe Defechereux
Average Rating: 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 16 Write a review »
Reviewer: KEITH PACE from FGURA, FGURA Malta
De Tomaso March 7, 2017
Reviewer: James Butler from Hummelstown, PA United States
Excellent book. Follows Dalton Watson's tradition of books on the history of individual marques. Happy customer since 1972.
De Tomaso From Buenos Aires to Modena February 1, 2017
Reviewer: P, Thio from Noordwijk, Zuid Holland Netherlands
Very interesting to read how de Tomaso came with almost nothing to Italy and build a company with very divergent activities
Pantera Coverage January 20, 2017
Reviewer: Thomas Kleinhardt from Avon, CO United States
I am quite disappointed in the short history of the Pantera in the U.S. Also the photos of the California licensed Pantera were a poor choice. While it appears to be beautifully painted it is far from original. I believe a publication of this type should depict car models in original form. On a positive note I enjoyed learning the personal history of DeTomaso and the racing history of the Pantera. I am the fortunate owner of an original 1974 Pantera GTS.
DeTomaso August 26, 2016
Reviewer: Marshall Wong from Palm Springs, CA United States
Have not finished book yet - but what I have reviewed is excellent. Shipping and packaging are first rate


text:
Q: Is It Genetically Possible for a Squib to Produce Magical Offspring? As the title asks, is it genetically possible for a Squib to produce magical offspring, or would the Squib gene trump the magic gene in all cases? How would it be possible for a Squib to have magical children? Additionally, must a Squib come from a pureblooded union, or does the possibility of a half-blood Squib exist?

A: I would think so.
There's not much known about the genetics of magical ability.
In my answer to a related question, I pointed out that there isn't a single 'magical gene' that is off or on - if magic power is genetic there must be a number of related genes that control it.
I would think it is possible for a Squib to produce magical offspring, though it would be less likely with Muggles than with other magical beings.
It's likely that squibs result from recessive genes, and are the result of parents who both have the recessive genes (either genes which have a mutation that 'turns off' magical ability, or genes with very weak magical ability).  In either of the common cases where recessive genes express a negative effect, random mutation DOES have the ability to reverse this in successive generations (though the odds are very low).  More importantly, if it is driven by recessive genes then you can guarantee a child that does NOT express the recessive traits by pairing with someone who lacks the recessive genes.
That being said, I expect 'pureblood' families tend to produce very few squibs, if any at all.  Their lack of genetic diversity, however, is certainly beginning to show by the time of Harry Potter, and those detriments certainly outweigh the benefits.

A: Yes, it's possible. In fact, it's where "Muggle-borns" come from (though usually after a few more generations).
This answer cites an explanation JKR gave during a webchat (here's a transcript of the full chat):

Muggle-borns will have a witch or wizard somewhere on their family tree, in some cases many, many generations back. The gene re-surfaces in some unexpected places.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Happy Birthday Jim Henson – Looking Back at the Master Puppeteer
September 24, 2013 October 21, 2022 / DAPs Magic News, Disney, The Muppets / By Mr. DAPs / 11 minutes of reading / Leave a Comment
Today is Jim Henson's birthday. He would have been 77 years old today. For me, he has always been an inspiring figure. There has always been something amazing to me about all the different personalities and characters that Jim Henson brought together to create something wonderful. What was amazing about Jim Henson is that what he did behind the scenes was often what was happening on TV or the big screen as well. Both on and off the screen all those differences came together for a common goal bound by friendship.
Jim Henson Beginnings
"At the University of Maryland, my first year I started off planning to major in art because I was interested in theatre design, stage design or television design."
– Jim Henson
Jim Henson was born James Maury "Jim" Henson on September 24, 1936 to Betty Marcella (née Brown) and Paul Ransom Henson in Greenville, Mississippi. He started life in Mississippi before moving with his family to Hyattsville, Maryland, near Washington D.C. Even at a young age puppetry was a part of his life. He would listen to Edgar Bergen on the radio and then when television came along he saw puppeteers Burr Tillstrom along with Bil and Cora Baird. High School found Jim Henson working for WTOP-TV where he created a puppet television show called The Junior Morning Show. This show aired on Saturday mornings.
Jim Henson went to college at the University of Maryland, College Park. He intended to get a degree in Studio Arts but after taking a puppetry class, his focus changed. He started learning more about materials that could be used for puppetry in home economics class. In fact, he ended up graduating with a degree in home economics. During college he also began work on a show called Sam and Friends for WRC-TV. This five minute program was a first draft to the characters and ideas that would culminate in the creation of the The Muppet Show. It also introduced the world to perhaps the most famous frog, Kermit.
His work with WRC-TV changed how puppetry was done forever. No longer was a stage needed for the puppets but instead, the camera became the stage. Jim Henson also began to change how puppets were made. He created more flexible puppets that would be able to show a wider range of emotion and presence, as opposed to wooden heads. Rods were added so that arms/hands could be more expressive rather than using marionettes that had arms controlled by strings. Finally, he decided to make their mouths more precise in the way they spoke so the mouth matched the words being spoken. While working on all of this, he enlisted the help of a sophomore named Jane Nebel to help with Sam and Friends. She later became Henson's wife. Following college Jim Henson spent months visiting Europe and re-evaluating his future with puppetry. As he wrestled with the questions of his future in the industry he experienced the puppetry that was found in Europe. In Europe puppetry was viewed as an art-form and not just child's game.
Here Come The Muppets
"[Kids] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are."
― Jim Henson
The sixties found Jim Henson now married to Jane Nebel. Most of his puppetry efforts were spent making commercials during the early sixties. 1963 found the Hensons living in New York and as kids came along, Jane became a full time mother. Jim Henson then hired Jerry Juhl & Frank Oz to replace her at Muppets, Inc. Frank Oz and Jim Henson became close collaborators for the rest of Henson's life. Muppets, Inc continued to work with advertisements and contribute to other television shows throughout the 1960's. The first break for the Muppets came from The Jimmy Dean Show where a muppet named Rowlf began making regular appearances. The Muppets would also appear on The Today Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, helping to further their gains into the hearts of American television viewers. During this time, Henson also began exploring film-making and made a 9 minute shore called Time Piece. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Live Action Short in 1966. Henson also began developing other projects during this time.
1969 found Jim Henson being asked to help develop a new television show that would be aimed at kids via public television. Initially the Muppets and the folks who lived on Sesame Street appeared separately (much like on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood). However, this format received poor reviews and soon the role of the Muppets expanded and everyone worked together. The success of Sesame Street offered Jim Henson and the Muppets the freedom to not have to do commercials anymore and begin creating their own content. Sesame Street also helped Jim Henson give birth to some classic Muppet characters that have lived on and been loved through the years. While working on Sesame Street, Jim Henson also began Tales from Muppetland. This series was hosted by Kermit the Frog and re-told classic fairytales in a way only the Muppets could.
It's the Muppet Show!
"As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues into adulthood."
The seventies found the continued rising success of Sesame Street and a rising concern by Jim Henson that the Muppets would be viewed only as a provider of children's entertainment. In an effort to branch out, Henson collaborated with the newly created Saturday Night Live for some comedic sketches. The Muppets appeared on Saturday Night Live four times between October 1975 and January 1976.
Around that time Jim Henson began work on another idea he had for a weekly show. As with so many other new ideas, there were people who didn't believe it would succeed. Jim Henson pitched The Muppet Show to networks around the United States and was rejected repeatedly. Finally, he went to the United Kingdom where the idea was picked up by Lew Grade who agreed to finance the show. The Muppet Show was produced in the UK and then syndicated around the globe. It reached over 100 countries around the globe with 235 million viewers. Jim Henson was an active leader of the Muppets and performed many of the characters found on the show. These included: Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, the Swedish Chef, Waldorf the heckler and Dr Teeth of the Electric Mayhem. Frank Oz performed many of the other lead characters including Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy. The Muppet Show was based around the idea of the Muppets running a theater with a weekly show, hosted by Kermit the Frog.
The Muppets would soon outgrow television and soon found themselves on the big screen in The Muppet Movie, a creative semi-autobiographical story about the rise of the Muppets. The success of this movie led to a sequel soon after and subsequent movies that continue today.
The Force Is Strong With This One
"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending. We've done just what we set out to do. Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers and you."
The success of The Muppet Show and of a certain Star Wars episode of the show led to George Lucas reaching out to Jim Henson for help with a character for the second Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back. Jim Henson helped create Yoda and then suggested to Lucas that Frank Oz would be the perfect person to bring this Jedi master to life. Oz performed as the puppeteer and voice for Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the four movies that followed with Yoda appearing in them. The collaboration between Jim Henson and George Lucas continued beyond Star Wars and eventually led to the development of Labyrinth.
Continuing On
"I don't know exactly where ideas come from, but when I'm working well ideas just appear. I've heard other people say similar things – so it's one of the ways I know there's help and guidance out there. It's just a matter of our figuring out how to receive the ideas or information that are waiting to be heard."
Jim Henson was a creator and he continued to create other projects and shows throughout his short life. 1983 brought about the creation of Muppet Babies. The 80's also brought about Fraggle Rock with a new family of Muppet favorites that has delighted generations for three decades. He also worked on The Storyteller and The Jim Henson Hour.
Looking Ahead & Partnering with Disney
"I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world, toward people, toward my work. I think I'm here for a purpose. I think it's very likely that we all are, but I'm only sure about myself. I try to tune myself in to whatever it is that I'm supposed to be, and I try to think of myself as a part of all of us – all mankind and all life. I find it's not easy to keep these lofty thoughts in mind as the day goes by, but it certainly helps me a great deal to start out this way."
Call it vision, foresight, or premonition but as the 80's wound down and the 90's were looming ahead Jim Henson began thinking about the legacy of the Muppets. Jim Henson began to look around for a caretaker for his Muppets for the inevitable day when he would no longer be the active master puppeteer of the Muppets. Henson began working towards a partnership with the Walt Disney Company. He hoped that this would ensure the legacy of the Muppets and also allow Disney to cover the business workings of the Muppets and allow him to focus on the creative aspects.
Together Henson and the Muppets created a television sitcom called Dinosaurs. He also helped create The Muppets at Walt Disney World and a new attraction for Disney Theme Parks called Muppet Vision 3D. This attraction would eventually be at both Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort. Sadly, the deal Henson was working towards would not be finalized until after his death.
"My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here."
1990 came along and Jim Henson started dealing with flu-like symptoms. Before taping on The Arsenio Hall Show, Henson mentioned to his publicist that he had a sore throat and was feeling tired but thought it would go away. This was May 4, 1990. A little over a week later, Henson went to a doctor while visiting his father and step-mother in North Carolina. The doctor found no evidence of pneumonia and Henson was given aspirin. Jim Henson continued to feel under the weather and returned to New York and then cancelled a Muppet recording session on May 14th. May 15th found him continuing to feel ill. Jane, now separated from Henson, visited him. He told her that he thought he might be dying after he began to struggle with breathing and coughed up blood. However, he refused to go to the hospital until almost five the following morning. Despite every effort, on May 16, 1990, Henson died at New York Hospital of organ failure resulting from Streptococcus pyogenes.
The world mourned his death. Yet, his memorial services were a celebration of his life. The services included Big Bird singing It's Not Easy Being Green, some of his favorite songs being sung by his Muppeteers and even the Muppets themselves singing Just One Person. This song was performed once again for The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson, a beautiful tribute that was aired later in 1990.
Jim Henson: The Biography was released today. This book, by Brian Jay Jones, takes a look at both Hensons life and also his career.
Jim Henson Lives On
"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there."
1990 might have ended Jim Henson's direct collaboration with the Muppets but it was not the end of his influence. Over two decades later the Muppets continue to live on with appearances on TV shows, internet clips, and feature length movies. The Jim Henson Foundation continues to "to promote and develop the art of puppet theater in the United States." Jim Henson's Creature Shop "provides digital visual effects, animatronic creatures, animation and soft puppets to the international film, television, online and advertising industries." It has built characters for Sesame Street, Dinosaur, Farscape, George of the Jungle, 101 Dalmations, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Where the Wild Things Are, and Sid the Science Kid on PBS. His legacy also lives on in museums, stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, statues, and other dedications to his memory in countless venues.
Jim Henson was the master puppeteer. He brought puppetry into the main stream with a group of crazy misfits that overcame their differences and obstacles through friendship. Jim Henson inspired countless young puppeteers to pursue their dreams, despite what people might say. He also has helped hundreds of millions of children around the world learn their ABCs and 123s throughout the many years that Sesame Street has been on television.
Jim Henson once said, "I've always tried to present a positive view of the world in my work. It's so much easier to be negative and cynical and predict doom for the world than it is to try and figure out how to make things better. We have an obligation to do the latter." This is perhaps his greatest contribution to the world. He brought to a dark and cynical world a ray of positivity that was comedic yet poignant.
So happy birthday Jim Henson. There is no gift we can give you that measures up to the gift you gave us. So instead, we remember you and what you brought to the world. We celebrate who you were and the creations you brought from the world of your imagination to our reality.


5 Hits in a Row: Has Akshay Kumar Beaten the Khans to be the New Megastar?
BLOG: Pehredaar Piya Ki is Regressive, But is The Outrage Justified?
Jab Harry Met Sejal Fiasco: Should Shah Rukh Khan Refund Distributors?
Check out Ranveer Singh's and Deepika Padukone's Cute PDA!


text:
Q: C# Intentional Loop. (Low CPU Usage)
EDIT: Thanks everyone for providing their answers here is the project completed.

https://github.com/0xyg3n/ProcessDaemon/

If someone comes up with multi thread solution that might work better i think.

I am new in C# and i would like to ask what is the best way to create an intentional infinite loop that does not destroy your cpu usage... More like as a daemon.
Concept of Software is :
Create a software that is able to determine if a specific process is running in order to execute a block of code break the loop and make the loop again. I know how to scan the processes and make the loop etc etc but i want something lightweight. C# by default is running as single thread , maybe if i did the while(true) as multi threaded that would solve my problem???
Thanks in advance!
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Diagnostics;

namespace ProcessDaemon
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

            void CP()
            {
                Process[] pname = Process.GetProcessesByName("notepad");
                if (pname.Length == 0)
                {
                    //if not running
                }
                else
                {
                    //if running
                    //break the code
                    //retry loop
                }
            }

            void cronCP()
            {
                while(true)
                {
                    CP();
                }
            }

            cronCP(); //scan the processes infinitely.
        }
    }
}

A: You can turn your code into async code and then add a Task.Delay(xx) to release the process while awaiting
namespace ProcessDaemon
{
    class Program
    {
        static async Task Main(string[] args)
        {

            void CP()
            {
                Process[] pname = Process.GetProcessesByName("notepad");
                if (pname.Length == 0)
                {
                    //if not running
                }
                else
                {
                    //if running
                    //break the code
                    //retry loop
                }
            }

            async Task cronCP()
            {
                while (true)
                {
                    await Task.Delay(1000);
                    CP();
                }
            }

            await cronCP(); //scan the processes infinitely.
        }
    }
}


text:
65 Tadmuck Road, Westford MA 01886 | 978 692-6011
Westford Housing Authority
The Westford Housing Authority (WHA), established in 1971, is the local body responsible for the expenditure of State and Federal housing grants. The Authority currently owns and manages 73 units of housing for the elderly and disabled, six units of family rental housing and eight units of housing for people with special needs. In addition to the State public housing inventory, the Authority owns three condo units at the Brookside Mill Condominium Complex. These homes are rented to moderate-income tenants.
The WHA's housing programs are subsidized and regulated by the Commonwealth and Federal governments, receiving no funding through Westford's annual budget.
A Board of Commissioners, four of whom are elected by the town for five-year terms and one who is appointed by the Governor, set policy and oversee the Authority's operations. The Executive Director, Paul Teixeira, and his staff carry out the day-to-day activities. Board members meet monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm, alternating locations between senior developments located at 65 Tadmuck Road and 7 Cross Street.
Corinne Ryan
Chairman (elected)
Carol Engel
Vice Chairman (elected)
Diane Holmes
Treasurer (elected)
Muriel Drake
Asst. Treasurer (elected)
Nancy Cook
Governor's Appointee
Construction Bidding Opportunities
WHA Office: 65 Tadmuck Road, Westford MA 01886 | Phone: 978 692-6011 | Fax: 978 692-9609 | westfordhousing@westfordma.gov
The Westford Housing Authority does not Discriminate Against Any Person Because of Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Handicap or Disability, Sex, Familial Status, Marital Status, Age, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression, Military or Veteran Status, Ancestry, Public Assistance, Housing Subsidies or Rental Assistance, and Genetic Information
Coyright © 2015 - Westford Housing Authority


This entry was posted in Daily Prompt, Poetry and tagged Daily Prompt, Jesus Life, Poem, Poetry on April 5, 2018 by Pete.
So true, we had a blizzard, snow filled day yesterday but the sun is brilliant today and the snow is cleating fast! Spring does follow winter, God is good!
Better today, but still some heavenly dandruff out there!
Nice – heavenly dandruff. We are expecting another 3-5″ Sunday – hoping not!


Two more steps were all I needed for the deer to clear the pine tree, which would have given me a clear shot.
Instead, it whirled in place and bolted the way it came in and never presented an open shot.
Now, mind you, I had a hail Mary moment but for some reason I passed on the opportunity.
On the way into work I went back and forth on whether on not -- being it was the last official day (Dec. 21) to kill a buck with a gun, albeit a primitive one, muzzleloader -- I should have shot.
Once I made it into the office and got a feel for the looser Sunday shift attitude for the night, I knew I made the right decision, especially after re-telling the story of the one that got away to my editor.
" ... had I shot at the running deer through the debris and all, I still might be out there looking for it," I said.
I was greeted by crickets.
But that was the truth. Of course, the deer may have dropped right in its tracks ... here we go again.
The first shot was the one I needed and the whitetail just froze at the wrong spot, which they sure have a knack for doing so.
However, I'm going to keep it positive for I wasn't even going to go with the way the first day of winter hit Michigan. Temperatures with the wind chill were below zero with gusts of 25 to 30 mph at times.
Two more steps. I came that close to adding a third one to the freezer.
I braved the swirling air much like a deer in the pine stands behind my St. Clair County house. And stayed relatively warm for the first hour yet saw little activity other than the fresh tracks I crossed over on the way to the setup.
Then the four deer flew into the woods I was guarding with the one straggler I had sights on behind the pine tree 30 yards away.
The good news is they're hanging back there and I still have archery season to go with three tags left.
Now if Old Man Winter would just yield his icy blast a touch.
Here we are on the front side of a winter storm that forecasters are saying may dump 10 inches or more of the unnecessary white stuff on the Michigan turf.
This could potentially knock my deer season down for the count.
Unless a slayer of Bambi is knowledgeable in a deer herding location or favorite feeding target, travel becomes difficult on foot and stealthy attacks once the crust forms on the top layer of snow are pretty much out.
The other side to muzzleloading and late archery and doe seasons is getting partners who can man up in such elements.
Certainly I'm not one to pooh-bah solitary gigs, in fact, I was on one today that would have been much more enjoyable had I not shared the public land tract with two rabbit hunters and who knows how many baying beagles.
A mere five minutes away from the truck was when the first howls bellowed from the parking lot and I knew it would be a fruitless day.
But in my somewhat steady stalk around the grape tangles and sapling and pine thickets, I found little in the way of fresh deer tracks so I suppose it mattered little whether the four-legged pests bayed on or not.
I've been held without a shot in the four muzzleloader forays I've indulged on since the season opened Dec. 5. This isn't odd, just the way it can go during the smokepole season. You might kick up a brute or you just take in the December chill while watching the remaining songbirds flutter among branches of white.
Not upsetting in least really, because if the shot does come, it provides great jolts of excitement from the unexpected.
One of the reasons why I continue to roll out of bed much earlier than I would prefer these final weeks of December.
Taking a deer of any caliber, let alone a giant, is quite an accomplishment now.
I've taken both doe and buck in year's past during muzzleloader and it puts a nice capper on the year.
I did have a decent Sanilac County hunt planned for Sunday, Dec. 21, the final day, but it's too early to tell whether the snow will keep me inside the warm confines of the house.
The buddy I would join up with on his farm has food plots and modern stands to sit in so I was rather wanting to give it a go.
I'm back from my three-week deer hunting hiatus and sadly can report only scoring on one lowly doe.
But don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have at least loaded her into the back of the truck.
I was determined to NOT come back from West Virginia without some meat and did what I had to do to make it happen.
Hit an almost certain automatic gold mine on private land I have had the privilege to hunt for the past 15 years.
This great couple sold me my longtime bird-hunting ace in 1993 -- Henry the springer spaniel -- and have let me hunt their beautiful Marion County, W.Va., property ever since.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, when I first attempted to hunt the holler on this year's deer hunt I ran into another family -- a father and two sons -- who were already hunting it so I had to return on Friday, Nov. 28.
While walking to the back field, I noticed several deer had already beaten me to the spot. I stalked along the edge of the wooded ridge to a sniper's position overlooking the meadow about 200 yards away.
The strategy was simple: glass the area until a half hour before sunset to see if a buck would join the grazing does, and if not, take a doe.
And that's how the deal went down.
I was confident I would have an opportunity such as that one because on Wednesday, while talking to one of the brothers about to make a push, I noted there was a doe in the field in front of us several yards away and right in front of where his dad and sibling were located behind a barn.
"Oh, it's just a doe," he said matter-of-factly.
But I knew the land owner was set on hunters taking does as well as bucks, which appeared these headhunters weren't on track to do.
Emil will be happy to know I didn't let him down.
As I've been saying for sometime this season, it has the making of a two-doe year, accept it and be happy, so I am.
Made some wicked sausage today, which seemed to please the wife when I told her that that would be dinner for work. She is someone who can appreciate frugalness.
What I can report on my recent travels around Michigan and West Virginia, is I saw no antlered younglings, let alone beasts. Nothing but does and at times, nothing at all. Late into the gun season on public land can yield long dull sits is what I encountered.
Over the years, I have found I usually get two opportunities on bucks, usually during bow, and how I handle those chances determines whether I get horns. And this year, I missed on the six I wasn't originally planning on shooting, and at Shiawassee I just couldn't focus well enough in the waning light to take a shot on what I was sure was a buck, so I passed.
But I should add, I'm not done just yet.
The muzzleloader season awaits, and 2007 produced a giant.
The 8-point of my life so far, one I even dreamt about before the season started. In the dream he came trotting toward me from inside a canopy of tree limbs. So true to life it was I was almost caught off guard when it happened according to script.
Haven't had such a dream this year.
There's still time. Guess I'm going to get off of here and sleep my way into a 10-pointer.


text:
Zaure Akpenbetova
The monitoring of the socio-political situation in Kazakhstan
RU PL
To the left
The domestic policy
The freedom of mass media
To the right
Almost a year after the tragic events in Zhanaozen, celebrations on the occasion of the Day of the First President were held with pomp in Kazakhstan. Strengthening of the personality cult of Nursultan Nazarbayev constitutes the main objective of officials.
On the 1st of December, 2012, Kazakhstan celebrated a new national holiday, the Day of the First President. According to the law passed by the Parliament on the 10th of December, 2011, the holiday will be celebrated every year on the 1st of December. A group of members of the upper house of parliament proposed holding the celebration on this day, as it was on the 1st of December that Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected President of Kazakhstan.
Independent journalists and civil society activists had urged the authorities to cancel the celebration due to the anniversary of the Zhanaozen tragedy. Despite this, the holiday was celebrated pompously.
On the 30th of November, 2012, the 'Nazarbayev University' held a conference entitled "Nazarbayev's first reading", where scientists and politicians compared Nazarbayev with the first U.S. president and called him a 'passionar' (charismatic) leader' and the 'father of the independent state'. At the conference, it was stated: "In the modern world, the president of Kazakhstan has no equals in terms of experience, wisdom, faith, vision, and effectiveness". Also, on the 30th of November, 2012, the Petropavlovskiy Regional History Museum displayed the President's books, his portrait and his furnace-man master working suit.
On the 1st of December, 2012, in the Karaganda Province, on the occasion of the 'holiday', 1200 tree seedlings were planted and an athletic race was organised despite the -20degree temperature. In other provinces, demonstrations, dance performances and sports events were organised "in honour of the President'.
A renowned Kazakh analyst Dosym Satrapayev believes that these events confirm the strengthening of the cult of personality in Kazakhstan.
The European Union is interested in the deepening of cooperation with Kazakhstan and it supports Nursultan Nazarbayev's foreign policy initiatives, - stated Catherine Ashton. Representatives of the civil society in Kazakhstan were disappointed with the fact that in her assessment Catherine Ashton paid little attention to human rights violations in the country.
On the 30th of November, 2012 in Astana, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. Ashton declared that the European Union was interested in active cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan, especially in the fields of economics and security. She also asserted that the EU supports Kazakhstan's aspiration to join the World Trade Organisation. Ashton supported Nursultan Nazarbayev on issues of integration in Central Asia, and stressed the strategic importance of the region for the EU. Regarding the topic of human rights, Catherine Ashton highlighted the importance of Kazakhstan's moving forward "with the support of the civil society and human rights". Kazakh journalists and activists were disappointed with the fact that Ashton had not given special emphasis to the issue of human rights violations in the country.
On the 7th of December, 2012, re-arrested Vadim Kuramshin was sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime prison with confiscation of property. Counsels have accused the court of bias.
On the 20th of November, 2012 in the Inter-district Specialised Court for Criminal Matters in the Zhambyl Province, a preliminary hearing of the defender Vadim Kuramshin, who was accused of extortion again, was held.
As we reported earlier, on the 31st of December, 2012, Vadim Kuramshin was arrested in connection with the fact that the Appellate Court had reconsidered his acquittal, and, as a consequence, the case was ordered for retrial. Vadim Kuramshin's arrest took place shortly after his return from Warsaw, where he had given a speech at the OSCE Human Dimension Conference, devoted to the issues of a national implementation of commitments in the field of human rights. Earlier, Usen Suleimenov, RK MFA Ambassador at Large, gave assurances that the authorities were not going to arrest the human rights activist after his return from the OSCE meeting.
On the 22nd of November, 2012, it became known that judge Nurmukhammat Abidov had dismissed the cassation filed by Vadim Kuramshin's counsel, explaining his decision by the fact that the case has already been taken up for reconsideration and the Appellate Court may not request the file be sent back for examination. However, Vadim Kuramshin's counsels say that they could not file a cassation within the established time limit, because they did not receive the decision of the Appellate Court in time. Counsel Raziya Nurmasheva filed a motion requesting that the judge be challenged and that the trial be transferred to another province as one of the victims worked in the Prosecutor's Office of Zhambyl Province. The court dismissed the petition.
On the 7th of December, 2012, oral statements were held in the court. Iskander Alimbekov and Raziya Nurmasheva, Vadim Kuramshin's counsels, were not able to attend the hearing and they petitioned that the hearing be postponed. But the judge decided to hold an oral hearing in the absence of the main counsels of the human rights activist, and subsequently, a guilty verdict was declared.
The government is preparing amendments to the legislation on labour unions, which will significantly limit the labour rights of citizens.
On the 5th of December, 2012, Director of the Department of Labour and Social Partnership in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Akhmadi Sarbasov stated that the government would propose a new law 'On Labour Unions' in the beginning of 2013. With this law, the government is planning to increase the duties and responsibilities of labour unions. Journalists argue that the new law does not expand the rights of labour unions, but rather forces them to participate in a "social partnership", which makes it virtually impossible to organise labour protests and to demand higher salaries. In addition, the new law allows the employer to create labour unions which will be loyal to him.
On the 27th of November, 2012, in Astana, during the round table on the analysis of the National Action Plan for Human Rights 2009-2012, experts stated that the situation surrounding freedom of speech in Kazakhstan was worsening.
Chairman of the Media Alliance of Kazakhstan Adil Dzhalilov noted that journalists were limited in their right to obtain information about officials. President of the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech 'Adil Soz', Tamara Kaleyeva, spoke about numerous legal restrictions in the work of journalists. Officials often sue journalists for libel or attempts to cause damage to their business reputation, whereas in Europe this practice has not been used for many years. Also, the criminal law of Kazakhstan provides for sanctions in the form of media outlet shutdowns, confiscation of a circulation or seizure of equipment. Administrative law contains more than 40 administrative violations in the field of mass media activity.
Concerns over the worsening situation surrounding freedom of speech in Kazakhstan proved to be legitimate as new documentary films, discrediting the activity of oppositionists and civil society activists, appear.
On the 15th of November, 2012, the state television channels 'Khabar' and KTK broadcasted a documentary film entitled 'The immoral Alga!rhythm', which claims that the oppositionists from 'Alga' have been associated with Islamic fundamentalists and were preparing a series of terrorist attacks in Almaty.
On the 26th of November, 2012, a video clip of unknown origin was placed on youtube. In the video footage, the opposition and NGOs are labelled "vile traitors", "beasts" who "live among us" and "multiply like rats". The film says that these "traitors" are very aggressive towards "your president" and under the pretext of social assistance they are trying to "incite social discord". Some specific individuals are called "traitors": theater director Bolat Atabayev; convicted politician Vladimir Kozlov, the exiled politician Mukhtar Ablyazov, independent journalists Inga Imanbay, Zhuldyz Toleulova and Lukpan Akhmediyarov, as well as civil society activists Bakhytzhan Toregozhyna and Zhanbolat Mamay.
During the trial in the high-profile case of Vladislav Chelakh, attorneys and the defendant accused the judge of obstructing the work of the defence. Vladislav Chelakh denies any wrongdoing and claims he was compelled to incriminate himself under the influence of threats and torture exerted by interrogators.
On the 19th of November, 2012, the Taldykorgan Specialised Inter-district Military Criminal Court commenced the trial in the case of Vladislav Chelakh, who is charged with the murder of 14 soldiers and a hunter at the 'Arkankergen' border post in the Almaty Province on the 28th of May, 2012. Previously, we reported that Vladislav Chelakh had been subjected to torture and psychological pressure.
The General Prosecutor's Office announced that the trial would be open and objective to the greatest possible extent. The examination of the documents marked as 'secret' will be held in private sessions.
A special room was assigned for media representatives; according to journalists, it had poor acoustics. Only press photographers were allowed to stay in the courtroom; however, the defendant requested that they be removed from the room as it was very noisy and it made it impossible for him to speak. Throughout the meetings, Judge Erbol Akhmetzhanov has denied all motions filed by the defence, including the request to send the case back for further investigation. For this reason, counsel Serik Sarsenov has challenged the judge twice.
On the 21st of November, 2012, the court decided to view video recordings from the jail in which the defendant confesses to the murder during his conversation with his inmates. The counsel Serik Sarsenov requested the judge watch the video materials after the examination of witnesses, as this may affect their testimony. The judge denied the motion, after which Vladislav Chelakh stated that he considered the trial unfair, and in order to show the protest, he attempted suicide: he tried to cut his wrists with a piece of plastic. Vladislav Chelakh refused to be present in the room and agreed to testify only after the evidence of his guilt is examined in the court. In the recordings, Vladislav Chelakh is confessing to killing the guards. Counsel Serik Sarsenov believes that Vladislav Chelakh defamed himself because there are inconsistencies between the defendant's testimony and the facts.
On the 23rd of November, 2012, two relatives of the victims declared that they did not believe Vladislav Chelakh was guilty as one person could not have committed this crime.
On the 5th of December, 2012, Vladislav Chelakh testified in court that he had not killed his colleagues. According to him, on the 28th of December, 2012, the post was attacked, and he ran away to hide in the mountains. A few hours later he went back to the barracks and saw many dead bodies. For fear of the attackers, Vladislav Chelakh decided to set fire to the post, having previously taken the phones and money of those killed in order to sustain himself for a while. When setting fire to the post, Vladislav Chelakh noticed the dead bodies of several strangers. The defendant argues that he was forced to write the confession having been tortured, and the content was dictated to him by investigators. Vladislav Chelakh also testified that on the 5th of June, 2012, the man who presented himself as NSC lieutenant-colonel, urged him to confess his guilt so that the real criminals wouldn't be frightened away. This person persuaded Vladislav Chelakh that his cell was tapped, and he advised Chelakh to tell his fellow inmates about the atrocities which he allegedly committed, reasoning that other inmates can kill him.
On the 7th of December, 2012, during the trial, the prosecutor requested lifetime imprisonment for Vladislav Chelakh. An oral statement of the parties are scheduled for the 10th of December, 2012. Counsel Serik Sarsenov does not intend to appear in court, because, as he states, there is not enough time to prepare a statement of defence.
Amendments to the law on terrorism, which have been adopted by Parliament, may cause a new wave of politically motivated persecution in Kazakhstan.
On the 6th of December, 2012, the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan approved an amendment to the law on the fight against terrorism. The amendment was initiated by the National Security Committee. The NSC suggests that terrorism should not be considered as a specific criminal offence, but primarily as a social phenomenon. In the new draft law, the concept of 'terrorism' is defined as a social phenomenon, aimed at achieving political and other objectives by individuals or groups of individuals, through violent, criminal methods. The Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee, Kabdulkarim Abdykazimov stated that the new law was necessary because of the "growing radicalisation" of the people of Kazakhstan.
More on this topic: Kazakhstan
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Invitation to side-event "Democratisation in post-Soviet states: a path hurdled by political uncertainty and power preservation"
Invitation to a PACE side-event: "Post-elections scenarios in Ukraine, Moldova and Kazakhstan"
PACE Members: "Magnitsky laws" sanctions must be imposed in response to political prosecution in Kazakhstan
Persecution and violation of the rights of Ukrainian citizens on the territory of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were discussed in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
EP discussed "Attacks on the legal profession and lawyers defending human rights"
PACE Members: "Assistance funds for the judiciary in Kazakhstan: need for an audit"
Election in Kazakhstan: Gross falsifications and mass arrests of peaceful protesters
Presidential elections in Kazakhstan: a simulated handover of power in a void of political competition
The rigged June 2019 presidential elections in Kazakhstan: a simulated handover of power in the state
Recommendations on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan in view of upcoming Presidential election on June 9
The authorities of Kazakhstan punish civil activism with call up for military service
The UN Universal Periodic Review of Kazakhstan for consideration at the 34th session of the UPR Working Group in November 2019
A new resolution of the European Parliament urges Kazakhstan to put an end to all forms of political repression
Onet.pl: 'How eastern regimes used the Polish pro-government media after the deportation of Kozlovska'
Novoye Vremya: Ukraine – a trap for political refugees
"Persecution and violation of the rights of Ukrainian citizens in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan"
"Attacks on the legal profession and lawyers defending human rights"
ODF takes part in the 2018 edition of the OSCE HDIM in Warsaw
A delegation led by ODF presented its reports at OSCE PA Annual Session in Berlin
ODF at the CoE concerned with dismantling of independence of judiciary in Poland
The ODF discussed political situation and human rights in Kazakhstan and Moldova at the Bundestag


A flight of nine USAF planes departed Echterdingen on a training mission with troops. Initial reports said that one C-119 developed engine trouble at an altitude of 4,000 feet. The plane lost altitude momentarily, then pulled up abruptly, striking another C-119 aircraft in the formation. Both Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcars (53-3222 and 53-7841) crashed.


text:
Q: Have Trouble Understanding OCaml Code I need to modify an OCaml function:
let removeDuplicates l =
  let rec helper (seen,rest) =
      match rest with
        [] -> seen
      | h::t ->
        let seen' = failwith "to be written" in
        let rest' = failwith "to be written" in
      helper (seen',rest')
  in
      List.rev (helper ([],l));;

The function needs to take a list l and return the list with all duplicates removed.  The failwith "to be written" parts is where I'm supposed to write my code.  I understand how the helper function works but am having trouble understanding this part helper (seen',rest'). I'm not exactly sure how the function is supposed to flow with this part or how it works when you include a bunch of in's all together. We are allowed to use List.rev which reverses a list and list.mem which returns true if a certain element is in a list.  Can someone please explain to me how the flow of the function is supposed to work so I can start to write a solution.

A: That line is confusing because it's indented incorrectly, or so I would claim. The proper indentation looks like this:
    let seen' = failwith "to be written" in
    let rest' = failwith "to be written" in
    helper (seen',rest')

What it's saying is: calculate a new value for seen and a new value for rest, then call yourself recursively with the two new values.


text:
package org.deviceconnect.server.logger;

import java.util.logging.Handler;
import java.util.logging.LogRecord;

/**
 * Android Logger.
 * @author NTT DOCOMO, INC.
 */
public final class LogHandler extends Handler {

	/**
	 * Log Tag.
	 */
	private String mTag = null;

	/**
	 * Constructor.
	 */
	public LogHandler() {
		this(null);
	}

	/**
	 * Constructor with tag.
	 *
	 * @param tag
	 *            Log Tag
	 */
	public LogHandler(final String tag) {
		setTag(tag);
	}

	@Override
	public void close() {
	}

	@Override
	public void flush() {
	}

	@Override
	public void publish(final LogRecord record) {
		System.out.println(mTag + " : " + getFormatter().format(record));
	}

	/**
	 * Set Log Tag.
	 *
	 * @param tag
	 *            Log Tag
	 */
	public void setTag(final String tag) {
		mTag = tag;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The federal government has announced that the country's reserves has increased from 186 trillion standard cubic feet (scuff) to 190 trillion scuff.
This was made known by the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Modecai Ladan, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) in Lagos on Wednesday.
Represented by Assistant Director, Domestic Gas, DPR, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, Ladan stated that updated statistics on the new national gas reserves indicated that the country now has 190trillion deposit of natural gas and makes it the seventh in the world and the largest in Africa.
Ladan assured stakeholders that Nigeria has the potentials to become a global super power in Africa because Nigeria ranks third in gas production after Algeria and Egypt, despite being the largest in terms of gas reserves.
He argued that Nigeria can broaden its economy using gas. "It is a critical strategic consideration that must be embraced. We need to design framework that will focus on gas exploration with full support of industry stakeholders," he said.
Coincidentally, most gas discoveries and the reserves were accidentally discovered during crude oil exploration and stakeholders have been calling on the federal government to institute marginal bid rounds for gas exploration.
He noted that about 11 of the nation's power plants had become dormant due to gas constraints.
"An alternative system from the offshore will help. In the inland basins, there are gas reserves that could lend themselves to some small power plants. We should think about flexibility. We are working hard on gas terms for PSC concessions. We should consider gas development a matter of strategic importance. Therefore, we need to develop an appropriate legal and regulatory framework," he said.
"We now have to open a big pathway for new players in the gas sector.
The fiscal regime has proven to be the most effective drive of gas development in the country. But most of the projects we have seen are export projects.
The fiscal strategy should focus on prioritizing exploration and production activities for gas with proper incentive structure that is globally competitive.
"We need pricing reform. On the supply side, there is a lot of potential. We need market-based pricing for wholesale gas supply. We must have transitional pricing and then we open it up for market-led pricing. I am not in favour of willing buyer, willing seller pricing right now. The time is not ripe," he concluded.
In his opening remarks, the President of NGA, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, stated that "Nigeria has experienced a transformational shift in the perceived role of natural gas from an energy source sometimes seen as unreliable and scarce over a decade ago to one that is now recognized as an essential component of a cleaner and more secure resource-based portfolio.
"Decline in crude oil prices has coincided with a welcome surge in the use of natural gas for domestic and industrial use in developed and developing countries. We are aware that Nigeria's aspirations for the power sector particularly the significant amplification of the country's power generation capacity, would be largely based on the use of supply and delivery of natural gas.
"However, despite the abundance of natural gas, Nigeria's gas fired plants continue to operate below their installed capacity, crippled by the unavailability of gas due to persistent pipeline sabotage.


text:
Here's The Impressive Way Google Is Providing Internet To Peru
BY Lucas Molandes | May 17, 2017 AT 2:49 pm
By Lucas Molandes May 17, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Project Loon / Youtube
Balloons the size of tennis courts are providing the internet across Peru.
For the last few months, Google has sent several internet-enabled balloons into Peru's stratosphere, roughly 10 to 30 miles above the Earth, enabling thousands of Peruvians access to the internet they wouldn't otherwise have. The program, known as Project Loon, has been in development by Google's parent company, Alphabet, over the last few years.
"Project Loon" has provided much-needed internet accessibility to flood-damaged Peru.
PATENT YOGI / YOUTUBE
As the BBC reports, over the last three months, Peruvians have used the balloons to send 160 GB worth of data, which translates to "two million emails" or "30 million instant messages" that would not have been sent otherwise. As Project Loon engineer, Sal Candido, told the BBC, "The thing about stratosphere balloons is they're 20km above us, and they're way above a lot of the chaos that goes on down on the ground." So as floods and other natural disasters ravage places like Peru, the balloons are relatively safe.
Project Loon has confronted many problems and has implemented several technical advancements.
Project Loon's technology is not without its problems. So far, the longest a balloon has been able to stay airborne is 190 days, which is impressive. However, some have crashed to Earth after only an hour-and-a-half. Once in the air, the balloons are guided by artificial intelligence capable of understanding weather patterns that keep them strategically located in the skies above Peru. The internet is provided by a local service provider. In the case of Peru, Spanish company Telefonica has provided Google's balloons with internet and telephone services.
[H/T] BBC: Google's balloons connect flood-hit Peru
READ: Video Game Puts U.S. Forces Against Drug Cartels In Bolivia's Backyard, And Real Life Bolivia Ain't Havin' It
Balloons Google Peru
Google Is Pledging $250K To Help With DACA Applications And Renewals
SANDY HUFFAKER / AFP via Getty Images
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is not a contentious topic among Americans. The program offers young adults who entered the U.S. as children relief from deportation and a chance to live out of the shadows. Now that it has been reinstated, Google wants to help some people achieve the dream of being a DACA recipient.
Google is pledging a quarter of a million dollars to help people apply for DACA.
Google announces a $250,000 grant to United We Dream to cover the DACA application fees of over 500 Dreamers: https://t.co/vtdzWFIPAA
— Priscilla Alvarez (@priscialva) January 13, 2021
The Trump administration did everything in their power to end DACA. The constant uncertainty has left hundreds of thousands of young people in limbo. The war waged against Dreamers by the Trump administration came to a temporary end when a federal judge ruled that Chad Wolf was illegally installed as the head of the Department of Homeland Security. It invalidated a member from Wolf stating that no new DACA applications would be approved.
Kent Walker, the SVP of Global Affairs, laid out the case for DACA in an essay.
Dreamers are critical to the US & it's urgent that Congress work to protect their status. Many face significant economic hardships due to the pandemic. @googleorg is working with @UNITEDWEDREAM to cover the DACA application fees of over 500 Dreamers. https://t.co/lXqOpGRhRq
— Kent Walker (@Kent_Walker) January 13, 2021
Walker discusses the uncertainty the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients currently face after the tumultuous time for the program. He also touches on the economic hardships that has befallen so many because of the pandemic. With so many people out of work, some Dreamers do not have the money to apply or renew their DACA due to a lack of financial resources. For that reason, Google is getting involved.
"We want to do our part, so Google.org is making a $250,000 grant to United We Dream to cover the DACA application fees of over 500 Dreamers," writes Walker. "This grant builds on over $35 million in support that Google.org and Google employees have contributed over the years to support immigrants and refugees worldwide, including more than $1 million from Googlers and Google.org specifically supporting DACA and domestic immigration efforts through employee giving campaigns led by HOLA (Google's Latino Employee Resource Group)."
People are celebrating Google for their decision but are calling on Congress to do more.
Very proud of #Google's decision to cover the DACA application fees of 500+ Dreamers. Time for Congress to act too. https://t.co/FyjERoDRuy
— Karan Bhatia (@Karan_K_Bhatia) January 13, 2021
Congress will ultimately have to decide on what to do for the Dreamers. There has been growing pressure from both sides of the aisle calling on Congress to work towards granting them citizenship. DACA is a risk of being dismantled at any moment. It is up to Congress to come through and deliver a bill to fix the issue once and for all.
"We know this is only a temporary solution. We need legislation that not only protects Dreamers, but also delivers other much-needed reforms," writes Walker. "We will support efforts by the new Congress and incoming Administration to pass comprehensive immigration reform that improves employment-based visa programs that enhance American competitiveness, gives greater assurance to immigrant workers and employers, and promotes better and more humane immigration processing and border security practices."
READ: New DACA Applications Were Processed At The End Of 2020 For The First Time In Years
CongressDACAGoogleimmigration
From Covid To Zoom Dating, Google Reveals What We Were All Googling In 2020
By Justin Lessner December 21, 2020 at 1:56 pm
BY Justin Lessner | December 21, 2020 AT 1:56 pm
Google searches have become a sort of cultural thermometer that tell us what people are interested in. Obviously, 2020 has been been unlike any ar that any of us have lived before. And the Google data reflects that, as it details not only our likes and dislikes but also our hopes and our fears.
Based on Google's report on the Year in Search, we see just how difficult 2020 has been for so many of us. But we also see in the data a resilience and hope for the future.
Also, given that many top search spot are taken by Latino artists and musicians, it's evident that Latino culture is alive and well, despite an onslaught of attacks on our community and culture. Here's some of the top Google searches from a year that will go down in history as one of the craziest ever.
The Top Ten searches offer proof of just how intense 2020 really was.
Oh, what a year! This is truly inspiring, excited to be part of a generation looking forward to change. #BeBetter @Google #YearInSearch https://t.co/nNTKW52np5
— Supraja Karanam (@supraja_karanam) December 18, 2020
The top ten searches in the U.S. this year reflect two of the biggest stories of 2020: the pandemic and the presidential election. The Google lists are based on the searches that had the highest spike this year as compared to the previous year, so they discount terms that are generally searched every year.
This tumultuous year has resulted in some pretty bleak top search results, with "stimulus checks" and "unemployment" among the top news stories, as well as "Australia fires" and "murder hornets," on top of everything coronavirus-related.
The most searched term was "election results," with "who is winning the election," taking seventh place, perhaps reflecting how long it took for the official results to be announced.
The word "coronavirus" was understandably in second place, with "coronavirus update" and "coronavirus symptoms" taking fourth and fifth place, respectively, followed by "Zoom" in sixth place, in a year where we have had to connect virtually amid social-distancing and self-isolation.
Plenty of Latinos also took top search spots on Google, reflecting how we as a community are more important than ever.
.@Shakira was crowned Google's top trending artist of 2020.🍾 pic.twitter.com/ZfbnAsjF84
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 9, 2020
In a year of catastrophic loss, one loss seems to have struck a major chord among all of us – the tragic loss of Naya Rivera. The former Glee star was the 8th most searched topic in all of 2020 as people looked for information on her untimely death.
And props to Shakira, who became the 7th most searched person in 2020, thanks in part to her history-making Super Bowl half time performance with Jennifer Lopez – which also saw J Balvin and Bad Bunny make an appearance.
Of course, the Coroanvirus pandemic greatly affected our Google searches this year.
In a year when many were stuck indoors, Google says "virtual museum tours" was among its most popular search terms: https://t.co/ASH9m69J3F pic.twitter.com/FesJq0IUT1
— Artnet (@artnet) December 12, 2020
The effect of the pandemic can be seen in a spike in searches for all things virtual, with the U.S. searching for virtual museum tours, virtual classroom, and even virtual marriage.
The pandemic and its subsequent stay-at-home orders have also influenced the most popular "how-to" searches of the year, from "how to cut men's hair at home" to "how to make hand sanitizer."
The growing Black Lives Matter movement also helped change Google's search data in 2020.
What did people search for in 2020? Toilet paper? New pets? Trevor dives into @Google's Year in Search. #ad pic.twitter.com/pQdzsoCOt6
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) December 15, 2020
From the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd to Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain, the police killings of unarmed Black Americans has many of us looking for answers and solutions.
Both George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery made the top ten most searched deaths in 2020, pointing to people's interest in their stories.
But amid all the loss and pain of 2020, the hope and resilience also shines through.
There's no denying that 2020 was one hell of a year. With so many people out of work, struggling to feed their families, in the hospitals battling for their lives, or simply trying to exist in the U.S. as a Black American, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
However, our Google searches also point to a strong sense of hope and resilience that should give all of us reason to celebrate the future. From vaccines for COVID-19 that were developed at a record-breaking speed to history-making searches for "how to help…," it's obvious that the human spirt and desire to keep moving forward is alive as it ever was.
2020GoogleNew Year
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