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Category Archives: Townhouse
Neighbours II
Coote Terrace is a row of three late Georgian three-bay, two-storey over basement villas in Mountrath, County Laois, the name derived from the Coote family who lived nearby in Ballyfin. They are in diverse condition, this one being well-maintained and with a handsome front garden. Its neighbour, on the other hand, looks in need of serious attention if the house is to survive.
2 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Heritage at Risk, Laois, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, County Laois, Georgian Architecture, Heritage at Risk, Historic townhouse, Mountrath
In need of TLC
The limestone doorcase of Abbeyfield House, Ennis, County Clare. Believed to date from c.1750, in the early 19th century the building was home to Matilda Crowe with whom Thomas 'Honest Tom' Steele, the friend and supporter of Daniel O'Connell, was passionately in love. He would sit on a rock on the other side of the river Fergus and gaze at Abbeyfield House in the hope of catching a glimpse of Miss Steele but to no avail: she ignored his overtures. Today the house is a police station and desperately in need of some of the love once lavished on its former chatelaine.
1 Comment Posted in Architectural History, Clare, Heritage at Risk, Townhouse Tagged Abbeyfield House, Architectural History, County Clare, Ennis, Heritage at Risk
The Surviving Twin
Around 1720 Algernon Coote, sixth Earl of Mountrath agreed to take a lease on a house due to be built at 30 Old Burlington Street, London. Erected over the next few years this property was designed by Richard Boyle, third Earl of Burlington (and also fourth Earl of Cork), together with his protégé the Scottish architect Colen Campbell. In the event, Lord Mountrath never occupied the building, which was demolished in 1935. However, what might be described as its twin can be found in Dublin, at 9 Henrietta Street, which dates from c.1731.
Why this similarity of design between the two houses (especially since images of 30 Old Burlington Street were neither engraved nor published)? The original owner of 9 Henrietta Street was one Thomas Carter, an ambitious politician who would serve as Master of the Rolls in Ireland and Secretary of State for Ireland. Known for his opposition to English government interference in the affairs of Ireland, Carter's great ally in the Dublin parliament was Henry Boyle, future first Earl of Shannon and a cousin of Lord Burlington (whose Irish affairs he managed). Furthermore in 1719 Carter married Mary Claxton, first cousin of Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, to whom the design of 9 Henrietta Street is attributed (in turn, Pearce's uncle was Thomas Coote of Cootehill, a cousin of Lord Mountrath). It will also be remembered that Pearce was the architect who designed the new parliament building in Dublin. Family connections were as helpful in 18th century Ireland as they are today.
Aside from certain details, 9 Henrietta Street follows the design of the Old Burlington Street house both inside and out. The exterior is of five bays and three storeys over basement, of brick other than rusticated rendering on the ground floor (unlike the London property which was all faced in brick). The entrance is through a doorcase with blocked Ionic columns rising to a pediment centred on a massive keystone. Directly above, as with London, is an arched window, flanked by Ionic pilasters.
Likewise internally the plan differs little from the London house, notably in the entrance hall which is the finest extant on Henrietta Street (so many of the other staircases were pulled out when buildings were converted into tenements). On entering the property, one sees a screen of Corinthian columns (of marbleized timber) to the right of which is the double-height staircase, taking up a quarter of the entire space. Beneath an elaborate wrought-iron balustrade with mahogany handrail, cantilevered Portland stone stairs climb around three walls to reach the first floor. The walls retain their original plasterwork panelling, beneath a compartmentalised and coffered ceiling. Thanks to its scale and quality of finish, this is one of the most dramatic 18th century interiors in Dublin.
9 Henrietta Street's other important room is to the rear of the ground floor, which, like the entrance/staircase hall has been little altered (although in line with changing fashion the windows here were lowered c.1800). Once more the walls are plaster panelled and the ceiling compartmentalised. The chimneypiece, of painted wood and marble, features a lion's head with foliate garlands to either side; above is an aedicule with Corinthian pilasters and a gilded eagle occupying the pediment. The main doorcase, leading to the room in front, is likewise pedimented and flanked by Corinthian columns.
Unlike many other houses on Henrietta Street, No.9 had a relatively benign history over the past three centuries, which explains why its appearance has changed so little. Following Thomas Carter's death in 1763, his two sons lived in the building, after which it was occupied by John, first Viscount O'Neill who was killed by rebel forces during the Battle of Antrim in June 1798. For some four decades in the first half of the 19th century, the house was residence to Arthur Moore, a former member of the Irish parliament (and opponent of the Act of Union), later Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Ireland. Following his death it was used as the Queens Inns Barristers' Chambers. At the start of the last century the building was acquired by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul who also owned the neighbouring 10 Henrietta Street (see Shedding Light on a Subject, March 20th 2017). It remains in their care to the present time. 9 Henrietta Street was restored some twenty years ago by Paul Arnold Architects and is now used as a resource and education centre for the local community.
9 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Dublin, Interior Decoration, Townhouse Tagged Dublin, Georgian Architecture, Henrietta Street, Historic Interiors, Interior Decoration
Very Arch
A granite Tudor-revival arched doorcase on the main street of Borris, County Carlow. Set into an otherwise classical façade, this feature can be found on a number of such estate houses built in the village during the 1830s, providing a greater coherence than is often found in Irish urban design.
Leave a comment Posted in Architectural History, Carlow, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, Borris, County Carlow
The staircase in the Red House, Youghal, County Cork. So called after the brick used in its construction, this building dates from the first decade of the 18th century when it was built for the wealthy Uniacke family: the design has been attributed to a Dutch architect called Leuventhen. Although parts have been subsequently altered, much of the interior retains its original appearance, including the Corinthian-capped pine balusters, alternately fluted and barley-sugared. The paneling would also look to be original: on either side of the stairs' return is a round-arched niche which presumably would originally have held a statue.
2 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Cork, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, County Cork, Georgian Architecture, Historic Interiors, The Red House, Youghal
Fermoy, County Cork owes its origins to Scottish entrepreneur John Anderson who settled in this part of the country in 1780. The following decade he bought land on the Blackwater river and there developed a town, its growth greatly helped by the presence of a military barracks which Anderson also built. The demand for better quality housing in turn led to the creation of St James's Place on rising ground on the northern side of Fermoy. Begun in 1808 it was intended to have six residences but within ten years Anderson had suffered a series of financial reverses and so only five houses were built. In the last century these handsome redbrick buildings were allowed to deteriorate and by the start of the 1980s they had all been internally divided with 1 St James's Place condemned as unfit for human habitation.
Subsequent restoration of this house and three of its neighbours demonstrates the nonsense of such official opprobrium and ensures that today the terrace of four surviving properties are among the finest in Fermoy, or indeed any other town in the region. Number 1 is particularly interesting because the middle bay curls around to meet the most northerly of the three, stepped back to allow more access to the fine doorcase with side and fan lights.
11 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Cork, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, County Cork, Fermoy, Georgian Architecture
It Shouldn't Happen to a Bishop
When Charles Este became Bishop of Waterford in 1740, he found his official residence in the city in 'so ruinous a condition that part of it has fallen down … and what is left is so small and dangerous to live in..' He therefore had to hire another house but wrote to his immediate superior, Archbishop Bolton of Cashel, requesting permission to build a new episcopal palace. The architect responsible for this building was German-born Richard Castle, but Bishop Este dying in 1745 and Castle six years later the work was finished by local man John Roberts (who would go on to design Waterford's new Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals). The palace is notable for its two facades being quite different on character. That on the garden side (above) is of eight bays with an elaborate pedimented breakfront treatment on the first floor. Meanwhile, the side facing the cathedral is simpler, with a Gibbsian doorway set into a rendered ground floor and the seven-bay first-floor being centred on a single pedimented window. These differences may be explained by the change of both client and architect (and fashion) before the building was completed. The Bishop's Palace, having been beautifully restored, is today a museum focussing on Waterford's 18th century history.
6 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Townhouse, Waterford Tagged Architectural History, Bishop's Palace, County Waterford, Georgian Architecture, The Big House
When an Irishman's Home is by Castle
Although now considered central Dublin, St Stephen's Green originally stood outside the city walls, its name deriving from a church and leper hospital founded at the end of the 12th century a short distance to the west (at the junction of what are now Mercer and Stephen's Streets). During the following centuries, the green comprised marshy ground with an area of around sixty acres used for common grazing land (hence anyone presented with the Freedom of the City of Dublin acquires the right to graze sheep in St Stephen's Green).
In 1635 the City Corporation passed legislation stating 'That no parsel of the Greenes or commons of the city shall henceforth be lett, but wholie kept for the use of the citizens and others to walke and take open aire, by this reason this cittie is at present groweing very populous.' However, in 1663 the same city fathers decided that, given Dublin's expansion, this plot of common land should be exploited for its commercial potential. A survey was conducted of the site and the following year a central green area of twenty-seven acres marked out, with the surrounding ground divided along four sides into ninety-six building plots; on average these had a frontage of sixty feet and a depth of 200 feet. The ground rent generated by this scheme was used to construct the park's walls and paving. Owners of sites had to build properties at least two storeys high and with roofs of either slate or tile. Furthermore they were each obliged to plant six sycamore trees near the park wall so as to improve its appearance.
Progress on building around the green was initially slow, and not helped by the disruptions of the later 17th century. Charles Brooking's 1728 map of Dublin shows many vacant plots but thereafter development was rapid and within a few decades all four sides were filled with some of the grandest private residences in the city. As with similar developments elsewhere in the city, because the owner of each site served as his own developer, there was often considerable difference in appearance between one building and its neighbours: the English travel writer Richard Twiss, in his controversial 1775 book A Tour of Ireland, observed that the houses in St Stephen's Green were 'so extremely irregular, that they are scarcely two of the same height, breadth, materials or architecture.' To our eyes this lack of regularity is precisely what lends the place its charm, but Twiss' rational 18th century mind felt otherwise.
We do not know who was responsible for the design of the majority of the original houses in St Stephen's Green, possibly in many cases no architect was employed. However on some occasions the client did hire a professional, as was the case at no.80 on the south side of the green. This was built 1736-7 for Robert Clayton, then Bishop of Cork and Orrery (and subsequently transferred to the diocese of Clogher). A wealthy man, Clayton employed Richard Castle to design his new townhouse at no.80. Of three storeys over basement, it was fronted in brick on the upper levels but the ground floor had a stone portico similar to that of Inigo Jones' church of St Paul in Covent Garden, London. The first floor saloon overlooking St Stephen's Green was especially admired: even before the house was complete, John Boyle, fifth Earl of Orrery was writing to Bishop Clayton that he had visited the property in the company of its architect and commenting 'This comes to congratulate your Lordp upon your new House in Stevens-Green. Felices quorum iam maria surgunt! [Happy those whose seas rise]…Your Palace, my Lord, appears finely upon Paper, and to shew you that the whole pleases me, I even admire your Coal Cellars. Your great Room will probably bring the Earl of Burlington over to this Kingdom…' Unfortunately towards the end of his life, Bishop Clayton succumbed to the heresy of Arianism for which at the time of his death in 1758 he was due to be prosecuted by his fellow clerics. His residence meanwhile was from the 1860s onwards subsumed into what today is known as Iveagh House although parts of it, including the saloon, remain.
As mentioned, the heretically-inclined Bishop Clayton employed Richard Castle to design his townhouse on St Stephen's Green and so too in 1738 Captain Hugh Montgomery for a residence at no.85 just a few doors to the immediate west: this building is now part of the Newman House complex. By this date, Castle was the most successful and fashionable architect in the country and his services much in demand. Until recently little was known of his origins, since he only comes to public attention after arriving here in 1728 at the behest of Sir Gustavus Hume to design a house on the latter's County Fermanagh estate.
However, research conducted by Loreto Calderón and Konrad Dechant (and published in The Eighteenth-Century Dublin Town House, ed. Christine Casey, 2010) has revealed much more about Castle's background.
Since he came from Germany, and his name was often spelled Cassels, it was assumed that his family originated in Hesse-Kassel. In fact, he was one of four sons of an English-born Jewish merchant, Joseph Riccardo and his second, Bombay-born, wife Rachel Burges who by 1699 were settled in Saxony where Joseph became Director of Munitions and Mines to the Elector Frederick Augustus I, the ruler first responsible for beautifying Dresden where the Riccardo family eventually came to live. Presumably thanks to his father's involvement in mining, the young Richard Castle developed an interest in engineering and in the early 1720s spent time in France and the Netherlands studying canals and fortifications. In 1725 he was in London, calling himself 'Richard Castle, gentleman' and subscribing to the third volume of Colen Campbell's Vitruvius Britannicus, from which it is possible to deduce he was in some way associated with Lord Burlington's circle of neo-Palladians. Following his move to Ireland, and his work for Sir Gustavus Hume, he came to Dublin and was engaged as a draughtsman by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, then engaged to design a new Parliament House in College Green. Ultimately Castle would become Pearce's successor as Ireland's premier architect.
Today Richard Castle is primarily remembered as the architect responsible for some of the country's most splendid country houses such as Russborough and Powerscourt, both County Wicklow, Carton in County Kildare and Summerhill, County Meath (for the last of these, see My Name is Ozymandias, April 1st 2013). But his services were also in demand for aristocratic town houses in Dublin where he designed not just the two in St Stephen's Green already mentioned, but also Tyrone House on Marlborough Street (dating from 1740 and now part of the Department of Education) and of course Leinster House on Kildare Street (1745-48) which since 1922 has been the seat of the Oireachtas.
Less familiar is the building featured today which he designed towards the end of his life. This stands on the west side of St Stephen's Green, an area which suffered particular damage in the final quarter of the last century with this pair of houses being the only survivors from the 18th century (the nearby College of Surgeons dates from 1805 and the Unitarian Church further south from 1861). Otherwise the entire west side was cleared of its history, to be replaced by the long stretches of the lacklustre office and retail development one now sees. For this reason, the survival of Castle's design, which constitute 119 and 120 St Stephen's Green, is all the more precious. The site was acquired by the architect himself and it would seem that, following the example of other craftsmen of the period, he undertook the scheme in a personal capacity. But building work could hardly have progressed far prior to his death in 1751, after which a decade passed before two of his brothers (who were beneficiaries of his will) travelled from Saxony to liquidate the dead man's assets. The property then passed into the possession of a Richard Thwaites who was able to lease the completed houses in 1764.
As can be seen from the topmost picture, Castle's plan for 119-120 St Stephen's Green provides a single red-brick facade for the two properties, as though it were one very large house. Although each building is of two bays, they share a first-floor blind Venetian window above which are respectively a likewise blank oculus and carved tablet, a string course on the first floor and a heavy stone cornice below the attic storey being likewise communal. These devices were borrowed from Pearce who used them first at Bellamont Forest, County Cavan (see (La Belle au Bois Dormant, January 21st 2013), the blind Venetian window on the house's side elevations and the oculus in the entrance hall (where until 2012 the succession of oculi held 18th century busts, see The Bellamont Busts, March 18th 2013). Castle had a limited repertoire of motifs which he was inclined to repeat, and here are two of his favourites, found in both exterior and interior of several country houses he designed. And in turn his deployment of them inspired others to do likewise, not least amateur architect Frances Bindon who is believed to have worked with Castle at both Russborough and Belan, County Kildare (see Splendours and Follies, September 30th 2013). Bindon's design for John Square, Limerick contains the same blind Venetian windows, lined in brick, with oval blind oculi above (see When New Becomes Old, March 24th last). Unfortunately today it is hard to appreciate the effect of Castle's once-unified facade for 119-120 St Stephen's Green since the ground floor of no.119 has been so badly compromised. No.120 however is better preserved and retains its rusticated doorcase.
Likewise, as these photographs show, the interior of no.120 has undergone relatively little change although one wonders whether the design was by Castle or someone else after his death. Here the staircase is not facing the entrance but at right angles and set back between front parlour and ground floor dining room, light being provided by large round-headed windows on the south wall (which faces onto a laneway). Both the ground and first floor have kept their late rococo plasterwork ceilings, in every case an effervescence of trailing garlands and floral motifs. The neo-classical chimney pieces are clearly of later date but of sufficient quality to justify their presence. One other curious feature is a gilded wooden relief panel set above the door of the former dining room and depicting drunk Bacchus being led away by his followers: its basic frame leads one to ask did this come from somewhere else?
From the late 18th century onwards the west side of St Stephen's Green was susceptible to commercial use and by the early 1800s houses began ceasing to serve as private residences: thus the preservation of no.120 is especially welcome. Today the building is occupied by a financial group, the staff of which understand their good fortune to work in such agreeable and historic surroundings – as opposed to the anaemic office blocks found on either side.
With thanks to Sarasin & Partners for permitting me to visit the building
12 Comments Posted in Architectural History, Dublin, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, Dublin, Georgian Architecture, Historic Interiors, Interior Decoration, St Stephen's Green
A Pale Reflection
120 St Stephen's Green is one of a pair of houses on the west side of the square designed by Richard Castle to look from the exterior like a single unit. Following Castle's death in 1751, the development was sold by his executors to Richard Thwaites who by 1764 had completed and leased the houses. No. 120 is the finer, and more intact of the two and contains some delicious rococo plasterwork such as that seen here reflected in a mirror over the first-floor saloon chimneypiece.
More about 120 St Stephen's Green in the coming weeks.
Leave a comment Posted in Architectural History, Dublin, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, Dublin, Georgian Architecture, Historic Interiors, Interior Decoration, St Stephen's Green
Mellowed by Time
An arched niche on one of the quadrants of Powerscourt House, Dublin. Dating from 1771-74 and designed by stone-cutter Robert Mack, the building's front is entirely faced in granite from the 3rd Viscount Powerscourt's Wicklow estate. Since 1981 Powerscourt House has been a shopping centre and while the interior is currently a mess of signage, at least the exterior remains relatively clear, allowing us to enjoy what Christine Casey has described as an example of 'last-gasp Palladianism.'
Leave a comment Posted in Architectural History, Dublin, Townhouse Tagged Architectural History, Dublin, Georgian Architecture, Historic townhouse, Powerscourt House


If you collaborate with coworkers in far-flung locations, you'll find that a NAS box's easy wide-area connectivity makes it a great way to consolidate and centralize your efforts. Something along the lines of the Synology DS209+ is a good choice here. Like any other administered network-storage resource, your NAS will permit users to access only the contents you approve. You may create private and shared folders, and most NAS boxes let you allocate space to users and folders as you wish.
A NAS box is perfect for housing practically any database your business relies on. It's self-sufficient, it's redundant, and it doesn't spend a lot of time doing other things. There are some potential pitfalls, however. Some programs, such as older versions of ACT, insist that their database reside on a local PC. Newer versions of QuickBooks require that you install a traffic cop program when multiple users are involved. You may still employ a NAS box for these programs, but you'll need one that uses Windows Home Server for its operating system, such as the HP MediaSmart EX495. Even then, it's hardly dead simple.
Next page: NAS for larger offices, managing lots of media--and buying tips.
Speedy NAS box has tons of robust server-level features and streams photos, music, and videos well.
The fastest NAS box we've ever tested--by a factor of two--also packs in the features for both home and office users. But the speed comes at a price.


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Home > A&S > Chemistry > Chemistry Publications > 112
α-Conotoxin Decontamination Protocol Evaluation: What Works and What Doesn't
Matthew W. Turner, Boise State University
John R. Cort, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Owen M. McDougal, Boise State UniversityFollow
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxins9090281
Nine publically available biosafety protocols for safely handling conotoxin peptides were tested to evaluate their decontamination efficacy. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to assess the effect of each chemical treatment on the secondary and primary structure of α-CTx MII (L10V, E11A). Of the nine decontamination methods tested, treatment with 1% (m/v) solution of the enzymatic detergent Contrex™ EZ resulted in a 76.8% decrease in α-helical content as assessed by the mean residue ellipticity at 222 nm, and partial peptide digestion was demonstrated using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Additionally, treatment with 6% sodium hypochlorite (m/v) resulted in 80.5% decrease in α-helical content and complete digestion of the peptide. The Contrex™ EZ treatment was repeated with three additional α-conotoxins (α-CTxs), α-CTxs LvIA, ImI and PeIA, which verified the decontamination method was reasonably robust. These results support the use of either 1% Contrex™ EZ solution or 6% sodium hypochlorite in biosafety protocols for the decontamination of α-CTxs in research laboratories.
This document was originally published in Toxins by Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). This work is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Details regarding the use of this work can be found at: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. doi: 10.3390/toxins9090281
Turner, Matthew W.; Cort, John R.; and McDougal, Owen M.. (2017). "α-Conotoxin Decontamination Protocol Evaluation: What Works and What Doesn't". Toxins, 9(9), 281-1 - 281-10.
Chemistry Commons

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Universal Credit is intended to be simpler than the current system of benefits and tax credits, however many people locally have experienced a variety of problems including long waiting periods for their first payment. Universal Credit is being introduced gradually. Whether you can claim depends on your personal circumstances.
You don't need to do anything if you are already claiming existing legacy benefits and your situation stays the same. You will be told by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) when you have to claim Universal Credit.


Nigel Farage revealed that he was once invited to a meeting with Arron Banks and Andy Wigmore at the Russian Ambassador's residence but declined.
Speaking on his LBC show, Nigel Farage said that he knew Arron Banks and Andy Wigmore had met with the Russian ambassador at his residence because he was invited but said so.
He added: "I didn't realise they met him subsequently.
"I certainly had no knowledge of any potential gold mining contracts in Siberia or elsewhere."
On links to Mr Banks and the Russians, Nigel was surprised that this wasn't more commonly known, saying: "He's married to a Russian!"
"There's nothing I can see in these newspapers that suggests for one moment anything Arron Banks has done with Russians had any influence on the referendum whatsoever."
His comments come as allegations that one of the financial backers of Brexit held meetings with the Russian ambassador to Britain, raising questions about Moscow's influence on the referendum.
An investigation by The Sunday Times newspaper revealed an 'extensive web of links' between Arron Banks's LeaveEU campaign and Russian officials.


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A caustic network is essentially a great many interrelated caustic light traces. Caustics are a refinement on raytracing, a recursive type of lighting in which any partially transparent, refractive object is treated as a light source itself, scattering the refracted light onto other objects as a separate raytrace.
What happens when this refracted light hits other transparent, refractive objects, is the formation of a caustic network. Each object scatters the reflected light it receives in a furhter caustic raytrace.
Since if left alone, in an environment with many such objects, a caustic network could loop forever, artificial boundaries are placed, either upon the number of alliteration, the number of clockcycles to use, or both.
See Also: Caustics
Related Dictionary Entries for Caustic Network:
Volume Caustics
Volumetric Caustics
Resources in our database matching the Term Caustic Network:
Results by page [1] [2] [3] [4]
Network Game Programming: Part 1
A seven-part series introducing network game programming, from the basics, through to advanced concepts. Winsock based.
Spiking Neuron Models: Single Neurons, Populations, Plasticity
Neurons in the brain communicate by short electrical pulses, the so-called action potentials or spikes. How can we understand the process of spike generation? How can we understand information transmission by neurons? What happens if thousands of neurons are coupled together in a seemingly random network? How does the network connectivity determine the activity patterns?
The Exploit: A Theory of Networks
The book is based round the concept of the network is not the great equaliser, an egalitarian construct that has, since the Internet became a powerful social force, begun to spread out into all works of life, with network-centric organisation. Instead, the authors state that the exploit ? a direct reference to the hacker term ? is a common corporate and subversive means of taking quiet control of the flow and direction of networks.
Industry News containing the Term Caustic Network:
New graphics firm promises real-time ray tracing
The potential for real-time ray tracing has been a major talking point in 3D graphics ever since Intel announced its plans for the x86-based multi-core Larrabee discrete graphics chip at IDF in 2007. However, a new graphics company called C...
Lightworks demonstrates latest multi-core technology at COFES
(Press Release) Lightworks, supplier of rendering solutions for developers of advanced 3D computer graphics software, is pleased to announce that the Company will be taking part in this year's Congress On the Future of Engineering Softwar...
UK: Manchester to gain fibre network
A project to build a fibre network in Manchester could offer insights into how the UK can make next-generation broadband pay for itself. The network will serve homes and businesses in the area known as the Manchester corridor.
Cheetah3D 3.3 now available for graphics rendering
(Press Release) Cheetah3D 3.3 has been released. Version 3.3 adds many new features like rendering depth of field. When depth of field is enabled distant objects or objects which are very close to the camera will appear blurred. This will a...
AT&T says NYC wireless network upgrade complete
AT&T Inc. has completed a project to improve wireless service in New York City, where the proliferation of iPhones has caused dropped calls, slow downloads and other problems, the phone company said Monday.
The Dallas-based c...


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package com.kite9.k9server.adl.holder;

import java.net.URI;

import org.apache.batik.transcoder.SVGAbstractTranscoder;
import org.apache.batik.transcoder.TranscodingHints.Key;
import org.kite9.diagram.batik.format.Kite9SVGTranscoder;
import org.springframework.util.MultiValueMap;
import org.springframework.web.util.UriComponentsBuilder;

/**
 * Handles converting details of the HTTP request parameters into transcoder configuration
 *
 * @author robmoffat
 *
 */
public class RequestParameters {

	public static final String WIDTH = "width";
	public static final String HEIGHT = "height";
	public static final String PIXELS_PER_MM = "pixelsPerMM";
	public static final String MAX_WIDTH = "maxWidth";
	public static final String MAX_HEIGHT = "maxHeight";
	public static final String MEDIA = "media";

	public static void configure(URI uri, Kite9SVGTranscoder transcoder) {
		MultiValueMap<String, String> queryParams = UriComponentsBuilder.fromUri(uri).build().getQueryParams();
		setFloatIfPresent(MAX_HEIGHT, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_MAX_HEIGHT);
		setFloatIfPresent(MAX_WIDTH, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_MAX_WIDTH);
		setFloatIfPresent(PIXELS_PER_MM, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_PIXEL_UNIT_TO_MILLIMETER);
		setFloatIfPresent(HEIGHT, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_HEIGHT);
		setFloatIfPresent(WIDTH, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_WIDTH);
		setStringIfPresent(MEDIA, queryParams, transcoder, SVGAbstractTranscoder.KEY_MEDIA);
	}

	private static void setStringIfPresent(String paramName, MultiValueMap<String, String> queryParams, Kite9SVGTranscoder transcoder, Key key) {
		if (queryParams.containsKey(paramName)) {
			String paramValue = queryParams.getFirst(paramName);
			transcoder.addTranscodingHint(key, paramValue);
		}
	}

	private static void setFloatIfPresent(String paramName, MultiValueMap<String, String> queryParams, Kite9SVGTranscoder transcoder, Key key) {
		if (queryParams.containsKey(paramName)) {
			String paramValue = queryParams.getFirst(paramName);
			float floatValue = Float.parseFloat(paramValue);
			transcoder.addTranscodingHint(key, floatValue);
		}
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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In most case a security guard is not employed for the main purpose of preventing intruders from accessing your property, though this is of course one of the roles they play. More commonly their role is to patrol the site to prevent fires or flood damage, prevent waste of your company's resources from lighting and machinery that may have been accidentally left on, and prevent accidents to your staff.
All of our security guards are Security Industry Authority (ISA) Licenced, and trained to a very high standard. We regularly conduct management visits and quality management audits to ensure their performance is above our clients expectations .
So, if your business or private home requires regular, holiday or weekend security checks then our static security services are the perfect solution.
We ensure that all of our static security officers are fully briefed on the duties to be carried out and they work in accordance with the pre-set assignment instructions outlined.
By actively monitoring your premises, the static security guard will ensure that a high standard of safety and security is achieved at all times.
For more information regarding our manned security services please contact our team today via phone 0203 794 8182 or through our contact form and our team will be happy to discuss your specific needs.


There is distorted, deep blackness everywhere. That place, in which blackness swallowed everything and took away everything, has become known as the Avidya Zone. Strange beings assume the very form of the despair and chaos of humanity. They are known by this name: Imashime. An expedition surveys the Avidya Zone which consumes human spirits. So, in the intricate intersection between the present in impending crisis and the destiny of the past... can eight boys and girls, assembled to confront the Imashime, find the bright future that lies before the Avidya Zone?


In addition to our many outdoor flowering annuals, we carry a wide range of annual herbs and vegetables as well as other edibles. We carry herbs like Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, and others as well as many varieties of vegetables. We grow our own heirloom tomatoes and peppers and offer many unique options. We also carry some fruit trees like McIntosh Apples and fig trees. We carry all the necessary components to creating your own outdoor garden. We offer options for organic growing like Organic soils and fertilizers. A popular option for a vegetable garden is our Mushroom soil compost which we sell in bulk and would be happy to deliver to your home in Bucks County.


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London Tourist Traps Worth the Crowds
A city with thousands of years of history, mystery and culture behind it, London is an ideal vacation destination. Londoners are aware of this and have developed many niche attractions to appeal to all their visitors. But with so many things demanding your attention, which spots are worth fighting through the crowd for? Here are three attractions with enough history, variety and rewards to make them more than just a tourist trap.
Credit: Daniel Lange / iStock
The London Eye has all the markings of a tourist trap. Built in 2000, it is a new arrival in an old city. Its full name, the Coca-Cola London Eye, betrays corporate sponsorship, and it is the most visited public attraction in the UK with 3.75 million people riding to the top every year.
However, there are a couple things that set the London Eye apart. While it looks like a simple Ferris wheel, it is in fact an observation wheel. There are 30 enclosed decks that can fit over 20 passengers each. The wheel never stops moving, rotating at a constant speed of about half a mile per hour. The slow speed allows visitors to embark and disembark at a steady pace, meaning that despite the wheel's popularity, the wait rarely becomes unmanageable.
Furthermore, there isn't anything in the city that matches the views. As the wheel rotates, you get a fresh perspective of the city every other minute, and on clear days, you can see London stretch to the horizon while at night the city twinkles below you.
Credit: sborisov / iStock
On the other end of the tourist-trap spectrum is the Tower of London. The tower was built nearly a millennium ago, in 1070. The tower's long history as a prison, a fortress and a treasury have helped it capture the imagination of visitors for centuries. But can a relatively nondescript-looking castle deliver on its promise of riches, ghost stories and legends?
The short answer is yes. You can spend an entire day exploring the Tower of London. Tours are offered by authentically-dressed yeoman who will take you to the exact location of many of England's most fascinating events. You can see the rooms where famous prisoners were held for years and the burial plots of famous figures such as Anne Boleyn.
You can view the actual crown jewels of the English Monarchy. On display in the tower is the Sovereign's Scepter with Cross and the Imperial State Crown, which the queen uses to open parliament.
Credit: _ultraforma_ / iStock
Think of the British Museum like the Louvre. It will be busy, but if you can get through the crowd, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most important cultural artifacts of human history. The impeccably curated collection allows you the chance to trace the development of human civilization as you move from one era to the next.
Sculptures from the Old Kingdom of Egypt from 5,000 years ago are displayed in a room not far from statues retrieved from the Parthenon of ancient Greece. In the next room you can see the Rosetta Stone, the key that deciphered the Egyptian Hieroglyphs and linked our understanding of the ancient world to our own.
One of the most important things to realize about London is that unlike New York or Paris, it is a city best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. So take your time, let yourself get caught in a tourist trap or two, and enjoy some of the sights that await you.
Test Your Knowledge!
Which of the following countries is NOT in the Caucasus region?
Written by Marek Biernacinski
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who become familiar with ordering habits, brand standards, and print expectations.
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Print communications may be essential to your business, but that doesn't mean you have the time, expertise or equipment to produce professionally designed and finished material. Our experience allows us to offer solutions for your needs, whether you have a print-ready file which just needs to be produced, or you need to plan printed materials from the ground-up.
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For companies who order several products on a regular basis (business cards, stationary, training manuals, nametags, etc.), we offer customized order sites. Based on your specifications, these sites can have specific authorized users, or you can allow anyone with a link to place orders. We can post print materials for sales reps to customize, but allow you to set what can and cannot be edited, giving you control of brand standards.


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Find information about Letters to Santa 2014 here.
What is the origin of the program?
The Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa Claus more than 100 years ago.
In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to let employees and citizens respond to these letters. This became known as Operation Santa.
In the 1940s, mail volume for Santa increased so much that the Postal Service invited charitable organizations and corporations to participate by providing written responses and small gifts.
Today, cities around the country have robust Letters to Santa programs with participation by recognized charitable organizations, major corporations, local businesses and postal employees making a big difference in the lives of children during the holiday from coast to coast.
This year we are officially celebrating the 101st anniversary of the Letters to Santa program, an annual tradition embraced by the U.S. Postal Service and public alike.
When and why were national policies and procedures established for the program?
They were first established in 2006. Unfortunately, we live in an age where we must be careful about freely identifying the full names and addresses of children sending letters to Santa. Our goal is to protect the safety and privacy of children and their families while still allowing people to help them by fulfilling the wishes they express in their letters to Santa.
Individuals and organizations who would like to participate in the Letters to Santa program are now asked to come to their local participating Post Office, present ID and fill out a short informational form before receiving copies of original letters to Santa from children. These copies have last names and addresses blacked out.
Did these changes decrease participation?
We don't think so. We continue to receive millions of letters to Santa from children nationwide.
Does every Post Office participate in the program?
No. Participation is voluntary. The decision to participate is made at the local level. If an office does participate, it follows the procedures we've established for the program. Most major metropolitan areas have active programs.
How many letters to Santa does the Postal Service receive every year?
We believe the number is easily in the millions.
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The Drinks Trust partners with Equal Measures
by Oli Dodd / 27 October, 2021
The Drinks Trust has announced its partnership with Equal Measures to offer educational courses and mentoring to individuals, as well as supporting businesses to improve their internal practices.
Equal Measures was created by Hacha Bar co-owner, Deano Moncrieffe with the aim to deliver greater equity in the drinks industry, by helping to enrich possibilities for those from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnicities, as well as those from other marginalised groups, such as queer and genderqueer persons, those who are neurodivergent, or who face systemic barriers to their progression.
"I am proud to announce this exciting partnership with The Drinks Trust," said Moncrieffe. "We have a shared vision of how we can support individuals, groups, communities and companies who understand the importance of diversity, inclusion and equality in our industry.
"Most importantly for me The Drinks Trust understands just how much work still needs to be done to improve many areas of our industry and together we believe we can create positive long-lasting change. Since I founded Equal Measures, I always wanted it to progress and grow to be a support network for anyone who reaches out in need of help or guidance. "
The partnership sees The Drinks Trust become the official administration and delivery partner for Equal Measures services in the UK.
"We are excited to be launching the partnership with Equal Measures to deliver this ongoing initiative which will enable our industry to diversify, and to be more representative of the people it serves in order to benefit from the value that a more diverse workforce provides," said Ross Carter, chief executive of The Drinks Trust
Mentors and sponsors announced for Equal Measures programme
NoMad London to host series of trade-only talks starring industry legends
The Drinks Trust announces support for National Hospitality Day
Cheers announces an in-person trade show for September 2021
Last call for applicants to mentorship programme
"So now is the time to act as an industry and we would call on all businesses to support this initiative through funding and participation".
The Equal Measures Education and Mentorship Programme is available to anyone who works in the cocktail and spirits industry.
The programme gives participants the opportunity to complete industry courses, including WSET Spirits Level 2 & Level 3. They will also be twinned with an industry figure who will offer mentorship.


This textbook is originally designed for the learners in short-term study program in Japan. Yet, it is also suitable for the learners of Japanese abroad. In each lesson the goals of communication in certain situations are shown.


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Home आत्मा-परमात्मा Loneliness has to be transformed into Aloneness
Loneliness has to be transformed into Aloneness
The beginning of love is always muddy.
It is full of jealousy, possessiveness, bargaining. It is of dependence, and because there is dependence, there is anger too. Nobody wants to be dependent.
To feel dependent on somebody naturally creates anger towards the person, because he becomes your imprisonment. But in the beginning, love is always dependent.
In the beginning, the love is exactly like the love of a child for the mother. The child is dependent, and completely helpless, and knows perfectly well that his survival is in the mother's hands.
That is the first experience of love, and whenever you move in love that will always be the first experience again because that's how you have learned love.
Millions of people remain stuck at that first love and they miss all the beauties and the heights of love.
The lotus is never born; they remain in the mud.
So this is nothing wrong in itself; it will become wrong only if you become confined to it.
Otherwise, it is a good beginning; in itself, there is nothing wrong. You follow me?
If you remain confined in it, if your love does not grow beyond it, then it is ugly. But it can grow beyond it, and you are conscious about it — that it should grow beyond it — so you can help it grow.
This is how one has to pass through these phases of suffering.
Those painful moments that come are needed; through them, you are cleansed, purified; through them you become integrated.
Through them, you become an individual.
Hence the second thing: whenever you are in love, only then do you start feeling lonely. The person who has never loved never feels lonely.
Why should he feel lonely? He has never felt togetherness.
If you have never seen light you will never see darkness. How can you see darkness without seeing light? Once you have seen light, even as lightning, just for a moment, then suddenly there is darkness. It has always been there but now you become aware of it.
Man is born alone, but is not aware unless love happens.
When love happens like lightning, suddenly you start feeling very lonely. It looks very paradoxical, because people think, "When we are in love we will not be lonely." That is all nonsense!
When you are in love then only will you know that you are lonely. But that loneliness has to be transformed into aloneness. That loneliness has to be respected, loved, nourished. That loneliness has not to be taken as an enemy but as a friend.
So when it happens, just close your eyes and go into it. Make it a meditative space, and you will be surprised: slowly slowly you will start enjoying it, because it is beautiful, because it has freedom, it has space, it has infinite space.
Loneliness has to be transformed into aloneness through meditation; meditation is the bridge which takes you from loneliness to aloneness. But one has to be very patient; these are delicate phenomena.
The people who live a gross life never become aware of these things. The grossest people are those who are not even aware of loneliness.
They have never loved — they may know something about sex but they know nothing about love.
Sex is using the other person like a machine. You are not together with the other, you are just using the other; and when the use is finished, the other is finished.
That's why prostitution exists in the world — because millions of people live at that stage.
They don't want love; in fact they are afraid of love. They want only sex. Sex is no problem for them because it never gives them the taste of togetherness; hence they never feel lonely. That is their strategy to avoid loneliness.
Unless people become more loving, prostitution is not going to disappear from the world. These are very complex problems: prostitution exists because there is no love and the priests have helped prostitution in the world because they have been teaching people things which go against love.
If people are unloving, prostitution is going to exist.
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देवत्व की राह पशुत्व से होकर है…
संयुक्त परिवार की ओर लौटिये, वरना बहुत जल्दी रोबोट लाना पड़ जाएगा
'पर गमन' से पतन होता है, पर-स्त्री का कोई सवाल नहीं


The thing you need to know about the West End's Strong Badger Coffeehouse is that it's not really a coffeehouse at all. Sure, you can settle in, crack your laptop and fuel up on your favourite caffeinated beverages, but it's so much more than that.
Well put. The overflowing bookshelves, mismatched chairs and comfy sofa (not to mention the scattered collection of badger memorabilia) definitely create a cozy atmosphere and reinforce the feeling that you're in a friend's living room. Depending on your mood, it's a great place to lose yourself in a book, strike up a conversation with a complete stranger or make a dent in your current project.
The menu, much like the shop itself, is straightforward and unpretentious: delicious drip coffee (sourced from Winkler's Other Brother Roasters), simple lattes, strong espressos and few other cafe staples. They also serve up a small but tasty selection of treats courtesy of local baker Mike Harms and a simple but essential affogato (espresso poured over vanilla ice cream).
In the spirit of supporting and promoting local, the Badger also sells a limited line of coffee beans roasted exclusively in Manitoba (Red Lake Coffee Co., Sheepdog Coffee Co., and Green Bean Coffee Imports) and a curated collection of books in the McNally Robinson Story Bar.
But what truly sets the Strong Badger apart is its sense of community. There's a stage set up in the corner for live music and open mic nights (every other Friday), and the vintage typewriters lining the front window are put to good use when the shop hosts a Type-In writers' night. The shop also hosted the inaugural BadgerFest this summer, showcasing local musicians and vendors at the corner of Sargent and Victor.
Still need an excuse to check out the Strong Badger? We Heart Winnipeg cardholders get 10% off any bag of beans, so you can save money, support local and restock your coffee cupboard all in one shot.


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Terms & Conditions Repair Station Certificate ISO Certificate
Custom Aircraft Cabinets Branching Out with AeroProtect™ Partnership
CAC Metal Fabricaton Expansion
SBA Honors CAC as the 2014 Small Business Person of the Year
CAC Expands Fabrication Capacity
CAC Gives Back
CAC Opens New Facility
CAC to expand in Sherwood, AR
Hammers Joins Custom Aircraft Cabinets
AeroProtect™ – Defense Shield for Cabin Interior Components
Sherwood, AR, August 15, 2015…Custom Aircraft Cabinets (CAC), and Onsite Fire Protection Services, Int'l (OFPSI), have entered into a partnership to provide the market with high-quality, cost-effective solutions for the cabin interiors market. CAC, manufacturers of high-quality cabinetry and upholstered products for high-end aircraft interiors, and OFPSI, a customer-focused, solutions-based company introduce a patented new line of "cover and protect" products called AeroProtect™. It is a water-based product line is specifically designed to shield aircraft interior components like furniture, carpet, fabrics and plating from damage during the production, shipping and installation in the aircraft cabin, leaving no residue. It is an ideal replacement for generally ineffective conventional protection products currently used. The objective is to help customers reduce costs and improve delivery times.
Liquid Protection - This low-VOC, easy-to-apply product is available in spray-on or roll-on applications, both of which dry into a highly durable, "breathe-able" vinyl film coating in minutes to protect cabinets, tables, paneling, ultra-leather and other interior components from dust, scratching, shipping and completion process damage. Once the task is complete, the film is easily removable, leaving behind no residue and having no adverse effect on component flammability characteristics. Additionally, there is a universal liquid product designed specifically for acrylic surfaces such as windows, windshields and mirrors, ideal for total protection during interior completion or refurbishment.
Film Protection – This low-adhesive product is specifically designed for elegant carpets and delicate fabrics within the aircraft cabin. The film for carpets protects not only from heavy foot traffic, but also from spills, abrasions, dirt and even ink. The customer easily peels off the film at the conclusion of the project, and the carpet is as pristine as the day it was installed. Fabric film serves the same purpose, and like the carpet film leaves no residue and has no adverse effect on the component flammability characteristics.
OFPSI chose Custom Aircraft Cabinets as partners in marketing AeroProtect™ because of CAC's 26 years of experience in the cabin interiors market, and the successful relationships developed with decision-makers in the market. Ian Buchanan, a founding partner of OFPSI stated, "We're pleased to be associated with a company whose products represent such high standards of craftsmanship and customer dedication." He continued, "We believe their deep experience qualifies them to spread the word on AeroProtect™ innovation to their aircraft interiors partners and contacts."
CAC Co-owners Mike Gueringer and Paul Reesnes stated, "At CAC, uncompromised quality in our delivered products and services is first and foremost. This AeroProtect™ product line not only improves the CAC delivered product, it gives us the unique opportunity to make our customers' difficult and demanding task easier. They added, "Plainly, costly rework during the installation of interior products is a huge burden on the success of each completion project. These products reduce removal and rework cost tremendously, providing much better protection than similar conventional products now used."
Since 1989, CAC has been manufacturing and delivering superb quality, custom furniture and upholstered products for high-end aircraft cabin interiors. Working over the years with various OEM's and completion centers, CAC has become known for exceptional quality both in product delivery and after-sales service.
About Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc.
Headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, CAC has been providing high-quality cabinetry and upholstery to the private, business, and head-of-state aircraft market since 1989. For details on our growing capabilities, visit www.customaircraftcabinets.com.
Contact: Mike Hammers
Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc.
(501) 955-6504 Telephone
mhammers@cac747.com
About OFPSI
Originally Onsite Fire Protection Services International, OFPSI was founded in 2009 and is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. OFPSI is dedicated to protecting the profitability of aircraft interior work, reducing labor and material costs and improving productivity for manufacturers, suppliers, completion centers and constructors that outfit aircraft interiors. With products and services that reduce FAA flammability testing failures and improve safety as well as unique new coverings that protect adjacent components during work projects, the company continually seeks ways to transform the industry with new techniques and updated methodologies. For more information visit www.ofpsi.com.
Contact: David Mackey
Joe Sparling
AeroProtect


Congress Out of Step With Public on Intl Law?
"HR 867 was written and promoted by AIPAC," said MJ Rosenberg, a senior fellow at Media Matters for America.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution Tuesday condemning the Goldstone Report on Israeli and Hamas actions taking during the Gaza War as "irredeemably biased" against Israel and calling on U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to oppose any consideration of the report in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations.
But a poll released just the day before found that a large majority of U.S. citizens believe the U.S. should abide by international laws and view the international legal system favorably.
House Resolution (HR) 867 called on the White House and State Department to oppose any future examinations of the report, which members of Congress felt focused disproportionally on alleged Israeli war crimes while paying little attention to violations committed by Hamas during the Gaza War from Dec. 27, 2008 to Jan. 18, 2009.
"The 344 supporters have apparently not read the report," wrote Human Rights Watch senior researcher Fred Abrahams. "The 575-page document records violations of the laws of war by Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, and concludes that all sides committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity."
"Both Israelis and Palestinians need to carry out investigations that meet international standards or face international prosecution," he said.
The report called for an independent committee of experts to examine how Israel and Hamas conduct domestic investigations into war crimes accusations. The U.S. State Department has suggested that - although it believes the report is biased - it should be handled within the U.N.
"We have serious concerns about the Goldstone Report and its unbalanced focus on Israel and its sweeping conclusions of law," a State Department spokesperson told IPS. "We believe the report should be handled within the U.N. Human Rights Council and we disagree with many of its recommendations including that it should be taken up by the U.N. Security Council."
The resolution's strong endorsement by Congress - which voted 344 to 36 in favor - stands in marked contrast to both the State Department's position that the report should be handled within the U.N. Human Rights Council as well as U.S. public opinion on international law.
A new poll by World Public Opinion (WPO) and the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) found that 69 percent of U.S. citizens believe that, "Our nation should consistently follow international laws. It is wrong to violate international laws, just as it is wrong to violate laws within a country," making the U.S. public one of the biggest supporters of international law of any country polled.
Only poll respondents in Germany - where 70 percent agreed with the statement - and China - where 74 percent agreed with the statement - had a higher opinion of international law.
"I thought that when you watched some of the speeches by members of Congress in support of this resolution opposing Goldstone, you saw people who were emotionally exercised that they thought, 'well this was a report that was attacking Israel and making Israel vulnerable' and they didn't like that," Joe Volk, executive secretary at the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a Quaker advocacy group, told IPS. "You could see jaws and lips quiver," he added.
"While the members of Congress who said 'don't vote for this resolution because it's besmirching an international jurist who has distinguished himself, and look at the report itself. It's not an attack on Israel. It's a call to investigate crimes that may have been committed.' They spoke in very thoughtful tempered rational terms," Volk went on to say.
Lobbying in favor of the resolution to condemn the Goldstone report was particularly strong with heavyweight advocacy groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which endorsed the resolution, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which condemned the report on its release and, in a statement released Wednesday, "welcomed the moral stance taken by the U.S. House of Representatives in passing Resolution 867".
The resolution's cosponsors - Rep. Howard Berman, a California Democrat, and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican - along with 12 other senators and representatives, had attended the Jerusalem Conference on "Reinforcing U.S.-Israeli Ties" Tuesday before the Goldstone resolution vote.
"Unfortunately the U.S. has been too focused on getting sacrifices from Israel while telling the Palestinian authority, 'you're off the hook'. That is unbalanced. That is unfair. That is not the way we need to do business," Ros-Lehtinen told the conference.
"And moving forward we're going to urge the U.S. foreign policy to recognize the reality of what Israel is facing. Israel continues to make sacrifices in pursuit of peace while the Palestinian authority remains part of the problem, not part of the solution," she concluded.
"[HR 867] was written and promoted by AIPAC," MJ Rosenberg, a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, a research center that monitors "conservative misinformation" in the media, told IPS. "The thing that makes this more egregious than any other Israel related resolution is that it's an attack resolution. It's an attack on this great judge, [Richard] Goldstone."
"The most infuriating part is that some of these liberals [who voted for the Goldstone resolution] are some of the harshest critics of America's actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo," Rosenberg continued. "The standards they apply to the U.S. aren't applied to Israel."
The State Department's measured language - suggesting the report was biased but should be dealt with in the U.N. Human Rights Council - appears to reflect the multilateral world view and embrace of international law espoused by the Barack Obama administration.
"I think that one of the roles of this resolution is that it is a dissonant against Obama's message that the U.S. is going to take a new approach and take a new posture in the world," said Volk.
"Many members of Congress voted for a rejection of the Goldstone Report because they say the U.N. Human Rights Council will use it in a hypocritical way. But the predictable outcome of that is that people in other countries will look at this and say, 'Look how hypocritical the U.S. is'," he concluded.