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Labour inquiry into 'fake news' signals establishment fear of independent left wing media [editorial]
December 4, 2016 Jeff	Leave a comment
Something called 'fake news' is a worrying problem and one that urgently needs to be addressed, if Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson is to be believed.
But here at Newscrasher, we were unable to name a single UK based 'fake news' website, and none of us can remember seeing any actual 'fake news' about UK politics in our social media feeds. We do tend to get a healthy dose of political satire, but only the most humourless of zealots would classify that as 'fake news'.
On the other hand, we are acutely aware of a huge number of 'fake news' stories published in the established print media by the likes of the Sun, Mail and Express (to name but a few). Watson's position appears to be that the Sun et al. may be a little bit naughty every now and again, it's the online media which sometimes criticise him and offer a left wing perspective that are problematic.
Interestingly, Watson's blog post about Labour's newly launched inquiry into 'fake news' fails give any examples of UK 'fake news', nor does it offer any kind of definition of the term itself. Presumably it's a case of 'fake news' means 'fake news', with the intention of applying this pejorative yet undefined term to news or opinion that Watson et al. find inconsistent with their own political narrative.
This could mean satirical stories of the kind published by Private Eye or Newscrasher, or left wing investigative journalism from sites like The Canary or Evolve Politics.
The well used truism that politicians never launch an inquiry without first being sure of the conclusions is unlikely to be wrong here. Reading between the lines, we can built up a picture of the kind of conclusions Watson et al. intend to draw.
In short, we expect the report to reach the following erroneous conclusions:
Facebook and Google should insert establishment-approved news into the social media feeds of left leaning users who would otherwise mainly see left leaning news.
The government should introduce some kind of regulation for online media, ostensibly to ensure a high level of truthfulness.
In addition, we expect the report to propose moves to make it more costly to start up or run a news and current affairs website. By introducing a system of website (or blogger) accreditation, stories could be flagged as 'trustworthy' and then shared freely on social media, but at a sufficiently high cost to discourage all but the most motivated or wealthy.
Needless to say, this would be bad for democracy and bad for the vast majority of the people. But it would be good news for the wealthy proprietors of the established right wing media, and their right wing allies in parliament, who have seen their ability to shape public opinion through information control greatly diminished in recent years.
The fear Watson and other members of parliament have about the democratisation of the media is palpable, and it is not difficult to understand why.
Among the possible futures forking out from where we find ourselves today, is one in which the traditional newspapers have all but died out and are replaced by media run by ordinary people, for ordinary people. Where being extremely wealthy is no longer a prerequisite for running a news media operation, and where having the support of a wealthy media magnate is no longer a prerequisite for getting elected to power.
Under these conditions it is conceivable that there could be a wave of left wing governments being elected to power, as the ordinary people genuinely take back control from the right wing establishment epitomised by millionaire self-proclaimed men and women of people like Nigel Farage and Theresa May.
The first steps along this path have already been taken, as shown by the growing number and popularity of independent news websites, and the falling sales and plummeting credibility of the likes of the Sun, the Daily Mail and even the BBC.
If the right are serious about holding on to power, then they'll need to make a fight back, and Tom Watson's proposed inquiry is likely to be the beginning of a coordinated attempt to roll back the recent democratisation of news and truth through social media.
While genuinely 'fake news' may indeed represent a real problem, Britain doesn't need a witch hunt against independent left wing media.
What the country urgently needs is an inquiry into 'fake Labour MPs' like Tom Watson and Michael Dugher, who prefer to wage war against the left while providing essentially no opposition to the Tories.
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AM Broadcast Observations of 2017 Solar Eclipse from Western America
Submitted 8 months 6 days ago by w2naf.
HamSCI contributor Nick Hall-Patch, VE7DXR, presents observations of changes in AM Broadcast propagation during the 21 August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse. Full text of the article is available here.
This article starts with a brief description of historical observations that have been made concerning the effects of solar eclipses on the strengths of distant medium wave signals. It continues with a description of how medium-wave DXers used software defined radios (SDRs) for the first time during the solar eclipse of August 2017 to record the entire AM broadcast band (535-1705kHz) for later analysis. Although no plan had been made to create a formal experiment, it appears to be possible to use the data collected to analyze the effect of the eclipse on radio propagation. An example is presented, derived from recordings made at four different receiver locations in western North America, describing large variations in the signal strength from Salt Lake City's KSL-1160kHz during the course of the eclipse. The times that peak signal strengths occurred at the four locations are then compared relative to the times of eclipse totality along the signal paths.
Nick Hall-Patch, VE7DXR, has been a radio amateur since 1989, but for many years previous to that, had been interested in medium-wave DXing, particularly in the propagation of medium-wave signals from other continents. This interest has continued to the present day, though conclusions about propagation have not come as easily as observations. Prior to retirement, Nick assisted oceanographic researchers by designing, building, modifying and maintaining electronic instrumentation.
NASA Photo / Carla Thomas / 21 August 2017
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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package edu.kit.dama.rest.base.types;

import edu.kit.dama.rest.util.CheckServiceHelper;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.List;

/**
 *
 * @author mf6319
 */
public class CheckServiceResponse {

  private String serviceName;
  private ServiceStatus serviceStatus;
  private String dateTime;
  private List<ModuleInformation> modules;

  /**
   * Default constructor.
   */
  public CheckServiceResponse() {
  }

  /**
   * Default constructor.
   *
   * @param serviceName The name of the service that is checked.
   * @param serviceStatus The status of the service.
   */
  public CheckServiceResponse(String serviceName, ServiceStatus serviceStatus) {
    this.serviceName = serviceName;
    this.serviceStatus = serviceStatus;
    this.dateTime = SimpleDateFormat.getDateTimeInstance().format(new Date());
    this.modules = CheckServiceHelper.getModuleInformation();
  }

  /**
   * Set the service name.
   *
   * @param serviceName The service name.
   */
  public void setServiceName(String serviceName) {
    this.serviceName = serviceName;
  }

  /**
   * Get the service name.
   *
   * @return The service name.
   */
  public String getServiceName() {
    return serviceName;
  }

  /**
   * Set the service status.
   *
   * @param serviceStatus The service status.
   */
  public void setServiceStatus(ServiceStatus serviceStatus) {
    this.serviceStatus = serviceStatus;
  }

  /**
   * Get the service status.
   *
   * @return The service status.
   */
  public ServiceStatus getServiceStatus() {
    return serviceStatus;
  }

  /**
   * Set the current date/time.
   *
   * @param dateTime The current date/time.
   */
  void setDateTime(String dateTime) {
    this.dateTime = dateTime;
  }

  /**
   * Get the current date/time.
   *
   * @return The current date/time.
   */
  public String getDateTime() {
    return dateTime;
  }

  /**
   * Set the list of modules.
   *
   * @param modules The list of modules.
   */
  void setModules(List<ModuleInformation> modules) {
    this.modules = modules;
  }

  /**
   * Get the list of modules.
   *
   * @return The list of modules.
   */
  public List<ModuleInformation> getModules() {
    return modules;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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A pair of recent news items–one an article in The New York Times; the other a press release by Governor Cuomo's office–illustrate the heightened scrutiny being given to wage theft issues–not only in New York, but nationwide. The New York Times piece by Steven Greenhouse asserts that federal and state officials claim that employers are violating wage laws in record numbers, using results of recent enforcement actions as evidence. According to the article, the Federal Department of Labor has uncovered over $1 billion in wages and accompanying fines due to wage law violations.
Additionally, the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo released figures for the New York State Department of Labor's recent wage theft investigations. According to that announcement, in the first six months of 2014, state investigators recovered and disbursed more than $16.4 million in wages, interest and penalties associated with Wage Theft Act cases, representing over 21,000 workers.
At this pace, the New York DOL is on pace for a record recovery year, with this year representing a 16% increase over 2013, and a 35% increase over 2012 at the same benchmark. The DOL stated that it has completed investigations of nearly 5,000 cases between January and June of 2014, and sees no curtailing of these efforts in sight.
These two items illustrate the importance of employers getting on board with a well-structured wage theft compliance program. All such programs should start with proper distribution of wage theft notices where required by law so that the employer has the beginnings of a good faith compliance argument. Additionally, employers need to ensure that all other state and federal notices are presented and signed copies are retained as an essential part of an audit trail, should either the federal or state departments of labor make a visit.


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मुखपृष्ठ >> Farmer can look to greener pastures - DTE - Section A.1
Farmer can look to greener pastures - DTE - Section A.1
Sharad Joshi यांनी रवी, 10/06/2012 - 14:02 ह्यावेळी प्रकाशित केले.
Waiting for an escape route?
A number of eminent people have talked about a second agricultural revolution that is set to happen in India. Some have called it a second Green Revolution; others the Rainbow Revolution that will include white, blue and yellow too. Very simply, the next revolution would mark a qualitative change in agricultural technology and the marketing of farm commodities.
All agricultural production hitherto was based on the realisation of the traits of nature-given seeds or those selected on the basis of some traits from a variety produced by multiplication, or combining desirable traits of two or more different varieties.
Now, with the advent of genetic engineering, the seeds of tomorrow are more likely to be produced by manipulating the genes. This new technology might reverse the trend set by the Green Revolution that was based on the abundant use of water, pesticides and fertilisers.
As regards the marketing of farm commodities, gone are the days when one dreamt of self-sufficient villages or nations. Transport, communications and information technology have facilitated the globalisation process.
Agricultural production in the days to come must not only be competitive and find markets abroad, but also keep the geographical advantage in one's own country. There are many who feel that the farmer, given the handicaps he faces in respect of the size of holding, the extent of capitalisation and the paucity of infrastructure, would find it difficult to enter the new era of genes and the WTO. Not that the hurdles are insurmountable.
India has abundant sunshine, ample water resources and a hardy peasant class — factors that will prove decisive in the long run. The handicaps posed by social and political institutions will vanish, sooner or later, and the farmer can soon prove himself to be second to none in the world community. While this does not mean that the farm community does not possess the wherewithal to face this futuristic kind of agriculture, those who are diffident about tackling new technologies and pessimistic about the future of farming in such a scenario will not be able to make the best of their natural advantages.
What do we do to change the mindset of the farmer? First, there has to be a massive education drive to convince the farmers that their backwardness is entirely due to a set of artificially contrived anti-farmer policies and that, in spite of the stranglehold of governmental regulation, they are quite capable of handling the global challenges.
The grape farmers of Maharashtra have shown that it can be done. That many of the successful farmers in the OECD countries are of Indian origin is proof enough. But there is more to it than that.
Agriculture in India has been a closed economy for centuries. Those born in farmers' families depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Every member of a farmer family takes the first possible opportunity to leave farming and the countryside and settle down in a non-agricultural environment.
Experience has shown that farmers who have opted out of agriculture have made a better living for themselves while many of those who stayed back have become impoverished and indebted. The closed character of agriculture is largely due to governmental restrictions in many regions on non-farmers entering the sector.
Those who make a living out of agriculture sometimes find no escape. They are also denied access to new investments and capital.
The Green Revolution of the 1960s overcame this problem in a rather fortuitous manner. The switch from a cultivation practice based on home-grown seeds and cattle manure to one based on hybrid seeds, fertilisers and pesticides was not easy. Even at that time, a large number of farmers wanted to quit agriculture. From this community sprang a number of leaders demanding abolition of landlordism and the tenancy system. They succeeded beyond measure and that was how the anti-tenancy and anti-zamindar legislation came into effect.
The Green Revolution of the 1960s was preceded by a programme that acted as an unintended `golden handshake' or voluntary retirement scheme for tired farmers. The qualitative switchover involved in the new WTO-based revolution in farm technologies and genetic modification is even more drastic. The proportion of farmers who are apprehensive of the new world of agriculture is increasing.
Clearly, there must be some way by which those who find themselves trapped in agriculture are offered an escape route, giving way to those who feel confident of tackling the more technical and mechanised cultivation system.
It will not suffice to allow a few large corporations to acquire substantial landholdings; they may not be able to cultivate land even as efficiently as the farmers of today. What is needed is the setting up of an active and efficient land market that can bring about liberalisation in the farm sector and ensure freedom of entry and exit.
It would appear that most of the properties offered for sale are suitable for farmers wanting to establish opulent farmhouses. If some arrangements are evolved to encourage farmers to come forward with offers of sale and for the intending buyers to register their requirements, a very healthy and booming market can develop.
A great new opportunity has come up without any design. A proposal to bring about a convergence of the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is now under contemplation and scrutiny. The major difficulty in bringing together these two regulators is that they have fairly diverse fields of activity and functions.
The objective of the commodity futures markets is price discovery and risk management while the stock exchanges ensure orderly investments. If instead of trying to converge the commodity futures markets and the stock exchanges, one could attempt bringing together the land market and the stock exchanges; the former could flourish at the rates at which the commodity futures market is exploding — 350-400 per cent annually.
The country is on the threshold of a second agricultural revolution. One essential precondition of a smooth revolution is to facilitate the exit of one class and the entry of another, enthused by the challenges of the new era. The development of a land market will not only reinforce agriculture to accept the challenges of the new revolution but will also provide the substantial investments required for bringing it about.


As a student of Georgian College's Fundraising and Resource Development program, I was excited to attend this year's Congress, Accelerating Change. I volunteered to assist session hosts to keep the event running smoothly. Truthfully, the event was so well organized that little help was needed.
The orientation breakfast connected first-time conference attendees and was led by a Congress ambassador. I was pleasantly surprised by how helpful, warm and welcoming everyone was to me, a young philanthropy enthusiast who is new to the field. Congress provided valuable networking opportunities with members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and other experts in the development field.
Congress had a diverse selection of sessions to choose from. Many of the speakers were excellent story tellers; it seemed impossible to leave Congress without feeling inspired and motivated to bring new ideas and development strategies back into our respective workplaces. The sessions which impacted me the most were those that encouraged participation, questions and stories from the audience.
A main theme of the conference was fostering relationships through donor engagement. Our role as fundraising professionals is to build relationships based on trust and respect. Being donor-centred means soliciting people's ideas in addition to their treasure and time.
By actively engaging our stakeholders, we allow donors and volunteers to develop a sense of ownership within an organization. They will become stronger advocates for the cause and take their gifts to the next level. People must always be sincerely thanked for their contributions; neglecting to do so would mean a missed opportunity.
My favorite sessions were about safely advocating change in the nonprofit sector and about a system of bartering for education. The talks were interactive and intimate with exciting ideas that were "outside the box." They reminded me that we need community mobilization, activism and change to sustainably improve the status quo of our social and environmental state.
The Congress 2013 title Accelerating Change would suggest that we should embrace these types of creative ideas even if they are outside of societal norms. After all, we are a part of the platform of professionals who stand for social justice. Isn't it time we really embraced change?
Kathleen Herbinson is Volunteer Coordinator/Assistant at the Alzheimer Society of Guelph-Wellington. Contact her by email.


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LESSONS FROM CRITERION
I, Robot / ** (2004)
Seeing the name Alex Proyas attached to any science fiction film should be an immediate assurance of greatness. What we are dealing with here is not just a specialist of his craft, but an artist and a visionary, celebrated by his peers for taking minimal concepts and developing them into something beyond expectation. Any moviegoer who was fortunate enough to get to see his "Dark City" during its brief 1998 theatrical run can vouch for this claim, as it remains perhaps the most imperative film of its genre in the last ten years (and more importantly, was seemingly responsible for providing a lot of the early ideas explored by the Wachowski brothers in "The Matrix"). Now, the very suggestion of seeing him at the helm of "I, Robot," a film inspired by the famous Isaac Asimov story of the same name, suggests that we may be in for a repeat scenario. Once a guy finds his true forte, after all, what's to stop him from going even further?
Perhaps Proyas thought the same thing when it was suggested he take a look at Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman's screenplay. Or, perhaps his desire to do this movie was so great that he never bothered reading the draft he had in front of him. Judging by the final result that appears on the screen, I opt for the latter. Like a gold medal athlete who returns to the game after significant injury, Proyas comes off here as a filmmaker who is in no way prepared to get back into the director's chair of a sci-fi vehicle, and "I, Robot" is the sad and mediocre product which results from that. The movie takes a big risk in even claiming to be inspired by the famous Asimov story, as it is so detached and separated from his vision that it emerges on celluloid as if it were a destabilized attempt at reworking an already-polished concept.
The film stars Will Smith as Del Spooner, a smart and smooth-talking federal agent who, in the silence of night, dreams about a past tragedy and wakes up in a cold sweat (a factor, we gather, that is consistent since the movie bothers to show it to us on more than one occasion). Likewise, by day, he takes to the streets with a chip on his shoulder towards the future's most successful commercial export: Robots. Though their manufacturers insist that these mechanical beings exist only to make a human being's life easier and more convenient, Del is not so trustworthy (this even leads to a moment when he chases one down thinking it is stealing a purse, when in fact it is returning it to a woman who needs her medication). Why this is exactly is not for certain until later intervals of the film, but it nonetheless sets the groundwork for the plot.
Almost as soon as he's back to work for a new day, Del is asked to investigate the sudden death of Dr. Alfred Lanning (James Cromwell), the head scientist at the U.S. Robotics Corporation, who is presumed to have thrown himself out of a high window and into the lobby of his workplace. The clues that Lanning leaves behind for Spooner, however, suggest that there may be more to his apparent suicide than meets the eye. Example: how can an elderly man throw himself through a window that takes considerable force to shatter? And considering that the scientist was nearly ready to unleash his prized new model of robot onto the world, why would he take his life? As they pile up, the unanswered questions help fuel the detective's already-cautious attitude towards the machines, and soon it becomes apparent that one of them (named "Sonny") may have been the culprit in the good doctor's demise.
The plot follows that standard element of surprise required of fueling the premise - no one believes the main character is having anything other than misguided paranoia, but in the end his aggression may carry a lot more substance than previously thought. The ironic thing here is that this is a concept destined to work, filled with social commentary on human error and interesting dialogue regarding the nature of our creations and the laws of evolution. But Proyas makes two serious errors in his quest: 1) he strays very far from the source material, making it seem fruitless to even reference it to begin with; and 2) he forgets that in order for there to be interest in the outcome, there must at first be tension. He only provides us with one grounded scene in that regard, in which Spooner is on his way home when a shipment of new robots is set loose on the open roads and try to dismantle his car while it is still running. There is a suggestion here that the scene is inevitable because of the detective's unflinching interest in a case scenario that irritates those in charge at the Robotics Corporation, but you get the impression that its only true motivation is to show off some nifty new special effects shots. This is a science fiction endeavor that seems more interested in flexing its visual muscles in the mirror than anything else.
And even then I might have been okay with the result had it demonstrated a hint of genuine inspiration, but alas it does nothing of the sort. Proyas' visuals seem so static at certain points that you wonder if he was only interested in replicating backgrounds from early storyboards instead of adding anything noteworthy upfront. The mechanical beings themselves, an apparent hybrid of traditional robotic attributes and a physical façade that is more human than machine, are not that particularly interesting; no, not even the one they refer to as Sonny, who can't be seen as anything other than a talking device even when he strains at serious questions and reveals human traits in reaction (something which the robotics people, we gather, have never bothered implementing in their creations). No doubt there was a dedicated vision the director had with these things, but I'm not completely sold on the outcome. One almost wonders if even he can admit that his computerized creatures are a pale imitation of a much greater goal that was never realized.
I did not actually hate anything that "I, Robot" had to offer - but then again, I didn't exactly admire much of it, either. That perspective, obviously, creates an interesting vacuum for the movie critic when it comes to issuing a final rating - do you award the movie points for not being as bad as it could have been, or reject it completely for falling flat on its face? Because we are dealing with a filmmaker here who is as talented as he is fascinating, a bit of middle ground is only fair. In either case, one would hope that his ultimate failure is simply a minor lapse in judgment instead of a possible sign of things to come. Proyas knows how to make movies - but for his sake and our own, let's hope he remembers that the next time around.
Written by DAVID KEYES
Sci-Fi/Action (US); 2004; Rated PG-13 for intense stylized action, and some brief partial nudity; Running Time: 115 Minutes
Will Smith: Del Spooner
Bridget Moynahan: Susan Calvin
Alan Tudyk: Sonny
James Cromwell: Dr. Alfred Lanning
Bruce Greenwood: Lawrence Robertson
Adrian L. Ricard: Granny
Chi McBride: Lt. John Bergin
Produced by John Davis, Topher Dow, Wyck Godfrey, John Kilkenny, James Lassiter, Laurence Mark, Steven R. McGlothen, Tony Romano, Michel Shane and Will Smith; Directed by Alex Proyas; Written by Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman; based on the book by Isaac Asimov
Labels: **, 2004, ACTION, ARCHIVE, REVIEWS, SCIENCE FICTION
Task of movie reviewing made much easier by absenc...
The Polar Express / ** (2004)
Shark Tale / ** (2004)
Saw / **1/2 (2004)
The Incredibles / **** (2004)
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Home » Sport » Red Bull stars Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo destroy caravans in high-speed race around Zandvoort track
Red Bull stars Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo destroy caravans in high-speed race around Zandvoort track
The Red Bull duo proved yet again how evenly matched they are as they were let loose with a couple of Aston Martin convertibles hitched to caravans.
And to the delight of fans watching the action unfold, both caravans were left in tatters.
Verstappen was left in a fit of laughter after Ricciardo accelerated around a sharp bend to purposely overturn the caravan.
The caravan ultimately detached from the chassis, as it smashed against the side of the track, leaving it in ruins.
'SWEATING' Damon Hill believes Mercedes could be 'sweating' over F1 world champ Lewis Hamilton's future
Ricciardo and Verstappen sit fifth and sixth respectively in the Formula One standings ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix in Monaco.
Both men have been on the podium just once in 2018, with 14 points separating the duo.
Speaking of Red Bull's chances in Monaco, Verstappen said: "I think we have a good chance to win there.
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This entry was posted in Silent Sunday and tagged Big IF London, Hyde Park, silent sunday on June 9, 2013 by Hannah.
You made it a lot closer to the front than we did! Love to hear more from you about what was said. Couldn't hear any of it from our place in the shade, and I'd really wanted to hear Bill Gates – spot the geek eh?
I really wish I had taken notes. Bill Gates was good. I was most impressed by Satish Kumar though.


text:
Q: Cypress automation with headless CMS I am working on project website which uses headless cms with graphql to implement the cypress tests. The website contents like articles/blogs changes based what is being updated in CMS. Anyone has experience here where can i look for similar project automation ?

A: As per your requirement Gatsby is the best choice nowadays, you can start with Gatsby Starter for Blogs.
Features

*

*Basic setup for a full-featured blog

*Support for an RSS feed

*Google Analytics support

*Automatic optimization of images in Markdown posts

*Support for code syntax highlighting

*Includes plugins for easy, beautiful typography

*Includes React Helmet to allow editing site meta tags

*Includes plugins for offline support out of the box

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: Authenticate URL using ID and password and then move file from URL to GCS bucket using Python I have a requirement to authenticate a webpage and download the file to GCS bucket
I got a solution from the below link that we can directly transfer the file from URL to GCS bucket which is without authentication.
Transfer file from URL to Cloud Storage
I want to know if the same solution or similar solution can be done to download the file to GCS bucket after webpage authentication using python
Thanks!.

A: If  you log in into an external password and then you want to get the file in GCS bucket you have 2 solutions:

*

*Either the user account is a google account and you autorise it to get the file from GCS (with IAM permissions) -> But, because you log in into an external website, I assume it's not a Google account

*Or, the external website has its own technical credentials (service account) to reach the GCS. Here 2 solutions

*

*Either the external website download the file on behalf the user and then propose to the user to download it from the external website (not the best solution, especially in case of large file)

*Or generate a signed URL that autorise the logged user to download the file directly from GCS.


text:
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Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Criteria for Student Visas
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement assesses student visa applicants' intention to enter and remain in Australia temporarily. This article looks at what factors the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) uses to determine if student visa applicants meet the GTE requirement.
GTE assessment factors
Section 499 of Ministerial Direction Number 69 directs DoHA's decision-makers to take into consideration the following six factors:
The applicant's circumstances in their home country;
The applicant's potential circumstances in Australia;
The value of the course to the applicant's future;
The applicant's immigration history;
If the applicant is under 18, the intent of the parent, guardian, or spouse; and
Other relevant matters.
These six factors weigh up to determine whether a student visa applicant is a genuine temporary entrant. It is important for student visa applicants to include as much information and documentation as possible in support of the GTE requirement against these six factors.
Applicant's circumstances in their home country
This factor assesses the reasons for the applicant to not undertake the chosen course of study in their home country. It also considers whether there is military or civil unrest which would not support a temporary stay in Australia.
Applicant's potential circumstances in Australia
The applicant's potential circumstances in Australia relates to what their life will be like once they make it to Australia. The decision maker will look at whether there are family members who have adverse immigration histories and whether the chosen course of study is realistic. This factor also assesses the suitability of the education provider, and the standard of living in Australia given the applicant's age, culture and other circumstances.
The value of the course
In assessing this factor, decision makers will look at a number of features of the course and how it will benefit the visa applicant.
Decision makers will assess whether the selected course is relevant and appropriate to the applicant's current education and employment background. They will also look into the prospects of a future career and employment in that field.
Decision makers look to see if a chosen course of study makes sense career-wise. Meaning that the course of study is related to the ordinary progression of employment and education.
For example, university or vocational studies are a natural step after finishing high school.
While selecting a course which is unrelated to previous employment and education may result in decision makers requesting further information, it does not necessarily mean the visa will be refused.
Decision makers will consider other evidence in support of why that particular course was chosen. Such as, the need to change careers or if the course is a hobby or interest that will provide a tangible benefit to the applicant. Studies of hobbies or interests must improve an applicant's employment prospects in their home country.
The applicant's immigration history
This factor assesses whether an applicant's immigration history does or does not support a temporary stay in Australia.
The following circumstances would indicate against the genuine temporary entrant requirement:
You were previously refused a visa in Australia. You now seek to prolong your stay by entering into a relationship with a student visa holder to extend your stay;
You were not compliant with your previous visa conditions;
You had been undertaking a series of short, inexpensive courses which has the result of extending your stay in Australia;
You have been in Australia for a long time without having successfully completed a qualification;
You have moved education providers on numerous occasions and have failed to finish a course of study;
You have been in Australia for a long time on a range of short-term temporary visas; or
You have a history of being refused visas or you have been non-compliant with visa requirements in another country.
An adverse immigration history could make a new student visa application very complicated. If there are any doubts about your study or immigration history, it is best to seek immigration legal advice before making an application.
Other relevant matters
Decision makers use this factor to be able to consider anything else that is relevant to an applicant.
This factor is designed to help visa applicants convince decision makers of their genuineness to complete the chosen course of study as a genuine temporary entrant.
If a decision maker refuses an application, they must clearly outline why they believe a matter is particularly relevant.
Further documents or information
If a decision maker requires further information in order to make an assessment on the GTE requirement, they may request the following:
Evidence of employment for at least 12 months;
Evidence of an offer of employment upon the applicant's return home;
Tax returns;
Financial statements;
Evidence of assets in their home country consistent with the applicant's family background;
Family or social ties which support a reason for the applicant to return to their home country upon the completion of their study;
Evidence of previous study;
Evidence from the applicant's employer or a statement from the applicant attesting to the need to improve their skills for future career prospects; or
Evidence of personal or academic outcomes supporting the applicant's need for a career change.
Australia, ImmigrationStudent Visas
Procedural fairness means fairness in the procedures followed when arriving at an administrative decision. It is a principle that is fundamental to the administration of justice and a person can file an appeal and get a decision overturned on the basis that procedural fairness was not observed. When procedural fairness has been denied, the decision…
Balance of Family Test
The balance of family test is integral to determining who is eligible for a parent visa. A person applying for a parent visa on a temporary or a permanent basis must pass the balance of family test, which is contained in Section 105 of the Migration Regulations and tests an applicant's family links with Australia.…
Two men of Aboriginal descent are facing deportation from Australia, under immigration laws introduced in 2014 that allow for the deportation of non-citizens who fail the character test. Both men were born overseas, have lived in Australia since they were children but were never granted Australian citizenship. Both are challenging their deportation and the lawfulness…
Prior to 1986, all babies born in Australia automatically became Australian citizens. However, this has changed due to the increasing number of short-term visa holders living in the community. Today, when a child is born in Australia to parents who are non-citizens, the immigration status of the child depends on the type of visa or…


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The other day was a picture perfect overcast day (no sarcasm) which naturally called for classic pieces and earth-toned attire. I'm pretty much checking off all the New England style boxes with this outfit: stripes, gingham, double-breasted coat, Bean Boots, sweater, warm socks. To be honest, I feel as if I'm dressing like James here. He skews much more preppy than I tend to. As a matter of fact, when he came home from his classes that night we were talking about our respective days when I noticed he wasn't – ahem – staring me in the eye. Naturally I was all, "Excuse me, mister, my eyes are up here!!" Only his response was, "Sorry, I just looking at your outfit. I like it." I suppose that's acceptable.
haha, well I am quite preppy myself, and have been known to do the stripes and gingham mix from time to time. so i like it too.
I love the coat and the olive pants! So cute!
Yes! I love mixing patterns! I've always been a fan of mismatched things...I'm glad it's finally in style. :p cute boots too!


I have told you all some of my most favorite things in this world, but I haven't told you what I dislike. There are very few things that get to me in this world, but there are still a few. Pet peeves are something that I try not to let them interfere with my day or ruin my mood, but sometimes these things just get to me. I'm sure everyone has a few and maybe we share the same. Some of these are just small and silly, but a couple of these can really bring me down.
1) When people talk poorly about my family.
I think that talking about someone's family is one of the most disgusting things that a person can do. You will never see me talking bad about another person's family and it's because I get really emotional and enraged when someone talks viciously about mine. I don't care if it's about my brother, parents, cousin, aunt, or even my best friend. You do NOT talk bad about anyone that I consider family. If you do- there is a very good chance that that will be the last time that we ever talk.
2) When someone speaks incorrectly.
This one sounds kind of funny but it's one of my biggest pet peeves, but it's when people use words like "always," "everyone," or "all the time." I seriously doubt that everyone is always jumping off bridges for fun all the time. You see what I mean? Please, think before you speak. If you didn't mean to say something in a certain manner than don't say it. I know I am not perfect in this topic by any means, but I try my best to always speak correctly.
3) "I have to tell you something, but not right now."
This phrase will make me go from smiling and laughing to nervous and annoyed in a hot second! It's not just this, it's always when someone tells me there's a surprise... but that's all they will tell me. As I have said before, I am not a patient person- so when someone tells me that they need to talk to me about something or that there is a surprise or anything along those lines, chances are that I will bug you until you give me more information.
This is kind of weird... no okay this is totally weird. I just don't like green gum. I am actually really picky when it comes to the flavor of my gum, but I seriously cannot stand green gum. It grosses me out. It's one of those weird pet peeves that I have.
I'm not sure why but I find it completely useless if somebody doesn't wear a swim cap properly. The point of one is to not get your hair wet and yet I see people constantly with their half their hair in the swim cap and the other half hanging out. It just boggles my mind and I don't get the point of wearing one. But hey- that's just me. If it works for you than keep doing it.
I seriously don't understand why people feel the need to pick on someone just for fun. Get a life. Seriously if you are so obsessive over what other people are doing- how do you have time for yourself? Get over your insecurities and just be you and let other people be themselves too. This world is already tough enough, we shouldn't have to look over our shoulders incase of a bully. Knock it out and grow up.
My hatred for bugs is crazy. I will freak out if it's a fly or an ant. It doesn't matter how harmless the bug is- I seriously hate them all. They're just so creepy and why do they need to fly near me? Can't they just stay somewhere else? Gross.
8) Blood, diseases, bruises ... basically any reason to go to the hospital.
I think that hospitals, blood, and weird skin infections are so disgusting. I hate seeing or even hearing about how someone broke a bone, did this or that. I can't stand that stuff. It gives me the shivers and makes me want to gag. Save that stuff for the doctors please!
9) When people tell me that I can't do something.
If you ever want to see me accomplish something and then slap you in the face with it, this is the best way to do so. My blood boils when somebody tells me that I can't do something. People told me that I wouldn't graduate with an advanced degree- so I did. People told me I wouldn't get accepted to college - I got into my number one choice. They told me I was too short to play goalie in high school- I made varsity as the goalkeeper my freshman year. They tried to tell me that transferring schools would mess up my entire future- Since transferring not only am I getting my associates degree by the end of this year and my bachelors by next year, I have decided to continue my education and receive my masters. I absolutely get so revved up when someone tries to tell me that my dreams or goals aren't reachable, but maybe that's a good thing, because I do accomplish them- with or without anyone's approval.
So some of these are a bit more serious than others, but these are my pet peeves and other weird things that just seem to get to me. Do we have any of these in common?


text:
set -o errexit
set -o nounset
set -o pipefail

KUBE_ROOT=$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/..
source "${KUBE_ROOT}/hack/lib/init.sh"

kube::golang::verify_go_version

# Ensure that we find the binaries we build before anything else.
export GOBIN="${KUBE_OUTPUT_BINPATH}"
PATH="${GOBIN}:${PATH}"

# Install zeitgeist
cd "${KUBE_ROOT}/hack/tools"
GO111MODULE=on go install sigs.k8s.io/zeitgeist
cd -

# Prefer full path for running zeitgeist
ZEITGEIST_BIN="$(which zeitgeist)"

# TODO: revert sed hack when zetigeist respects CLICOLOR/ttys
CLICOLOR=0 "${ZEITGEIST_BIN}" validate \
  --local \
  --base-path "${KUBE_ROOT}" \
  --config "${KUBE_ROOT}"/build/dependencies.yaml \
  2> >(sed -e $'s/\x1b\[[0-9;]*m//g' >&2)


This past year I bought Volume 6 of The Complete Encyclopedia of Crafts for $1.56 almost entirely because of this photo I saw inside of it. The book is actually pretty good, but this photo is classic.
Is that Kite Grandpa in the middle?
My first though when I saw the photo was... Grandad!
The projects in the book are honestly pretty good. There are instructions for making a loom, batik, combining beads and macrame, etc. Of course, the designs/colors are very outdated, but I can see how they could be cool again. It also has the oldest reference I've seen for turning spoons/forks/knives into jewelry.


text:
Tag: princess
Why Disney's Beauty and the Beast is not about Stockholm syndrome
I have no idea whether this started as serious feminist critique or as comedic satire, but if you've read any Disney-related stuff on the internet in the last five or ten years, you've probably heard someone asserting that Beauty and the Beast is about Stockholm syndrome. I'm not going to bother with links. This stuff is everywhere. If you're one of the three people who hasn't heard it before, just Google it. Now, I don't mind acknowledging problematic elements in childhood favorites, and I don't mind "lol, your innocent childhood faves are actually The WORST" satire. But today I'm going to talk about why this particular criticism of this particular movie is seeing something there that wasn't there before.
To begin, let's establish what Stockholm syndrome actually is. According to Merriam-Webster, it is:
the psychological tendency of a hostage to bond with, identify with, or sympathize with his or her captor
Beauty and the Beast fails this basic definition right out of the gate. Belle isn't a hostage, and the Beast isn't her captor. Maurice breaks a law, namely trespassing on royal grounds, and is imprisoned for it. Sure, it can easily be argued that he received an excessive sentence without trial and that the dungeon conditions weren't humane, but "Don't trespass on royal property" is a pretty reasonable law from a security POV. This would be like finding some random person camped out in an unused corner of the White House, claiming it was because they got a flat tire.
So, anyway, Maurice is in jail because he broke a fairly reasonable law. Belle comes to find him of her own initiative. She knows her aging father won't last long in the dungeon, so she volunteers as tribute to serve his sentence for him, also of her own initiative. The Beast does not in any way manipulate or intimidate Belle into that choice. He doesn't expect or consider that she would make such a choice at all. But he decides it's a fair exchange. He doesn't care who pays for Maurice's crime as long as someone does. Sure, the Beast later admits that he considered the possibility that Belle was an eligible spell-breaker, but apparently that didn't matter enough to him to actively force or coerce her to stay for that purpose. Because he didn't. In fact, he dismisses the idea that Belle could fall in love with him out of hand. The servants have to badger him into making an effort (a futile one in his eyes) to get Belle to like him.
And the Beast's efforts are futile at first, because Belle has no reason to trust him. She's glad to get out of the dungeon, but the opulent bedroom, the wardrobe full of fancy gowns, and the invitation to dine at the Master's table don't impress her. She's not fawning with gratitude that her warden moved her to a better cell.
Belle only starts warming up to the Beast after he's followed her example and risked his life to save her. I mean, yeah, he was following her because she was running away from his castle (where she was under house arrest because she was serving a sentence for a trespasser, and then she went and trespassed herself). But he could've left her to the wolves and saved himself, and he didn't. And Belle takes this for what it is – an act of basic human decency. She isn't swooning over her captor because he's tossed her an extra crumb. She thanks him for saving her life, while maintaining that her life was in danger in the first place because he had frightened her into running away.
What most establishes here, imo, that this isn't a Stockholm syndrome case or any other kind of abusive relationship, is that when Belle tells the Beast he should learn to control his temper, she gets the last word. The Beast doesn't retort that Belle shouldn't have made him lose his temper, nor does he faux grovel and shower her with assurances that it'll never happen again. They've been arguing over whose fault the incident was, and "You should learn to control your temper" is what makes the Beast stop, silently acknowledging that there is no good counter-argument.
And we see over the course of a full season that the Beast does start controlling himself and acting more human. We don't see a cycle of the Beast losing his temper, Belle threatening to leave, the Beast winning her back only to lose his temper again. We see consistent, long-term change. Belle sees it, too, and that's when she starts falling for him.
Oh, yeah, we're going to talk about the library scene.
I'm going to guess that, if you were a kid who loved Beauty and the Beast, this was the scene that made you believe in true love. This was the tale as old as time. This was the impossible standard against which all future suitors would be judged. This was the true fantasy. Not being kidnapped and falling in love with your captor. Not finding a "beastly" man and being the one to reform him. Not being given outrageously expensive gifts.
THE BEAST LOVES THAT BELLE LOVES TO READ.
This scene is in such stark contrast to Gaston's statement that "It's not right for a woman to read. Soon she starts getting ideas…thinking…" The Beast gives Belle ALL THE BOOKS! so she can get ALL THE IDEAS! and think ALL THE THOUGHTS! Not only that, he invites her into a dark corner of the castle, in contrast to shutting her out before. I'm trying not to stray too far into speculation and subtext here, but I think it's a reasonable extrapolation that the Beast had been utilizing the library himself over the last ten years, and that a love of books (or at least literacy) was something he and Belle had in common, unlike pretty much everyone else in Belle's poor, provincial town.
After all this, Belle asks to leave for the same reason she originally asked to stay. Her father is in danger. The Beast lets her go. He doesn't force her to stay or manipulate her into "choosing" to stay, despite the fact that he's fallen in love with her and that his curse is on the verge of permanency. Later, Belle returns to the Beast, not because she misses the (non-existent) abuse, or because she can't live without him, or because she can't function as a free person. She does what she always does. She risks herself to save someone she loves, and who loves her.
I can't wait until the live action Beauty and the Beast comes out next month, and I'm interested to see what inevitable changes are made to the story. I just hope Disney doesn't try to "fix" the Stockholm syndrome "problem". In the words of a wise clockwork butler,
If it's not baroque, don't fix it.
Halloween 2014 recap
Last year I blogged about my Halloween costume, so I figured I'd continue the tradition.
Details of my #costume for #halloween2014 Got a wild night of handing out candy ahead! #trickortreat #latina #qwoc #girlsinglasses
A post shared by Amethyst Marie (@amethystmarietm) on Oct 31, 2014 at 4:14pm PDT
I made the circlet for another costume a few years ago. The plastic sword was for a Xena, Warrior Princess costume. The belt and the gold slippers are some of my favorites from my actual wardrobe.
Obviously, though, the best part of this costume is the vintage dress. My mom bought it in Germany when she spent a year there in the late 70's. She doesn't remember where she found it. I'm going to say it was a charming little boutique because that makes a good story. It's important to note that she did not buy it for cosplay. For a fantasy-loving flower child, this was an actual formal dress. She kept it all these years and is now graciously allowing me to use it for playing dress-up costuming.
I hope you all had a happy Halloween!
Cinderella: #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft
Posted on September 14, 2014 September 14, 2014 by Amethyst
Cinderella aired on ABC Family this last weekend. I'm a sucker for a Disney marathon. Since I tend to look at Cinderella as a study in how and why people get stuck in abusive relationships, I decided to live tweet it under the #WhyIStayed hashtag in the title character's voice. This post is a record of those tweets.
Continue reading "Cinderella: #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft" →
The Fire Wish: Scheherazade Meets The CW
Reviewing Royal last week put me in a YA fantasy mood. Hence this review of The Fire Wish, a new release by debut author Amber Lough. TL;DR – You're either going to love it or hate it. I loved it.
The Fire Wish (Jinni Wars #1), by Amber Lough. Click image for Amazon listing.
The Fire Wish is about two teenage girls in a mythical version of ancient Baghdad who switch places with each other. Jasmine Zayele is a reluctant princess who wants to escape an arranged marriage. Ariel Najwa is a Jinn spy-in-training fascinated by the human world and its inhabitants. If this sounds too cheesy to you, abandon hope all ye who enter here. If you're as much of a sucker for this kind of story as I am, grab your long skinny fork thing and join me at the fondue fountain.
My favorite thing about this book is the Jinni world Lough has created. I'm not as familiar with Middle Eastern mythology as I'd like to be, so I can't tell how much is adapted from that and how much is Lough's own imagination. But it's pretty obvious that the Jinni spy headquarters is influenced by Lough's experience in US military intelligence. There are intelligence files, security clearance levels, walls filled with magic screens, and, of course, secret missions. Najwa, the Jinn spy candidate, was the more interesting of the two protagonists to me, though ironically she spends most of her time exploring the surface and trying to become Part Of Our World. Najwa could be the only protagonist and I'd still want to read this book.
Not that I don't like Zayele; it's just that her story starts out way more familiar. She's a plucky tomboy in a patriarchal society that wants her to be a proper lady and marry the nice prince her family picked out for her. To be fair, she has some legit reasons for not wanting to get married. She's still a few months away from her sixteenth birthday, and marriage would mean leaving her blind brother at home without her care. And, hey, it doesn't matter if a guy is a prince, a musician, a scientist, and a total hottie. If a girl isn't interested, she isn't interested. Move along.
Is it really a spoiler that Najwa is interested? Or that Zayele ends up falling for the ripped, leather-clad, Special Ops Jinn-next-door that Najwa totes friendzoned? It's predictable, but it works. Prince Kamal is a great match for cautious, curious, scholarly Najwa. Atish, the Shaitan warrior, is everything impulsive, decisive, headstrong Zayele could want in a guy.
But, cute pairings aside, The Fire Wish manages to avoid being a romance novel disguised as a fantasy. Most of the focus is on the war between the humans and Jinni, how people think the war started vs how it really did, and both sides' behind-the-scenes efforts to gain the upper hand. It's an intriguing setup, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the Jinni War in the inevitable sequels.
If a made-for-the-CW magic carpet ride sounds like your idea of a good time, click the image above or this link to enter A Whole New World.
Twisted: A Very Wicked Disney Musical
Promo poster for Twisted. Image via Do312
You probably know the musical comedic genius of Team Starkid from A Very Potter Musical and its sequels. What? You've never seen A Very Potter Musical??? Well, I'll have to blog about that some other time, because it's awesome. Draco is a girl in drag and Zac Ephron is a [SPOILER!] and Harry Freakin' Potter is played by a pre-Glee Darren Criss (aka Blaine Warbler).
But today I'm fangirling about StarKid's latest production, Twisted: The Untold Story Of A Royal Vizier. It parodies both Wicked and Disney's Aladdin, as indicated by the promo poster. It's as affectionate and irreverent a parody as any of StarKid's other works. Ja'far (not to be confused with the copyright-protected Jafar) gets the Elphaba treatment as the virtuous scapegoat for all the kingdom's problems. His "scheming" is really applied poli sci, his "sorcery" is advanced science, and his "evilness" is a desire to rid the streets of criminals who steal bread from simple hard-working bakers. He also shares an unexpectedly poignant romance with Scheherazade of One Thousand and One Nights fame. Aladdin, tragically orphaned at 33, is a perfect satire of a douchy hipster trustfund baby who's too cool to work for a living like everyone else. The Princess is every 16-year-old rich white privilege-checking Social Justice Warrior on Tumblr who dreams of saving the world but has a lot to learn about how it actually works. Since her name is never mentioned, I'm sure she is not the licensed Disney Princess Jasmine.
Want a quick sampler? Watch the opening number, with its profanity-laced classic Disney-style crowd song (the villagers do not greet Ja'far with "Bonjour"):
Or the balcony scene, which references pretty much every Disney moral panic conspiracy theory of the 90s:
Or this title-dropping gallery of Disney's most fabulous villains:
Got a couple hours? Watch the whole thing!
Is "Princess" a Career?
Posted on November 14, 2012 by Amethyst
Last week I blogged about my take on princess culture and why I don't hate it. Apparently Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor saw my post and thought, "Hey, this sounds like a timely topic! I think I'll go on national television and address the nation about it." (A blogger can dream, right?)
Judge Sotomayor comes to Sesame Street to explain the word "career." She describes "career" as "a job that you train for and prepare for and plan on doing for a long time." Muppet child Abby Cadabby immediately says she wants a career as a princess. Judge Sotomayor gently breaks it to Abby that "pretending to be a princess is fun, but it is definitely not a career." She tells Abby that real careers that a girl like Abby can train for in real life include "a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, and even a scientist." In the end, Abby decides that when she grows up, she wants to follow Judge Sotomayor's footsteps and earn a career as a judge.
So, what did a self-described lover of all things pink and purple and princessy think of this little PSA?
I loved the fact that Judge Sotomayor did affirm that pretending to be a princess is fun. It is fun (if you like that kind of thing), and it is just pretend. That's why I don't think it's all that big of a deal for little girls to play princess any more than it is to play knights or dragons or zombies or space aliens or whatever. Contrary to popular belief, it's not that hard for kids to learn the difference between make-believe and reality. You can encourage imaginative play and still make sure children understand the difference between fantasy and reality.
Which is and isn't what Judge Sotomayor did on Sesame Street. How many little girls or little boys are really going to grow up to become Supreme Court justices? You can only have nine at any given time, and one of them has to die or voluntarily resign for a spot to open up. So, in a way, Judge Sotomayor just replaced Abby's completely unattainable fantasy with an almost completely unattainable fantasy.
And I love that.
A kid who's capable of imagining herself as a fairy tale princess, something that's not even real, is also a kid who's capable of imagining herself as an engineer, a scientist, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, or a judge. Sure, her imaginings are probably as close to the real thing as her princess fantasies are to the life of The Lady Louise Windsor. But maybe as she grows up and she learns more things about the realities of those careers, she'll keep the ability to imagine herself in them. The vision will change, but the power to believe it won't.
When I was young enough for Sesame Street, I loved imagining I was a princess. And a dinosaur. And an alien. And a cowgirl. And a mermaid. And a fairy. And a Bedouin warrior. And a centaur. And an officer on the USS Enterprise. And Laura Ingalls Wilder. And Sacajawea. But most of all, I loved imagining that when I grew up, I'd be able to take all of my imaginings and show them to the world.
Hey, what do you know? Playing pretend did turn into a career.
The Quandary of a High Femme Feminist
[As I've said, I'll be using this blog to talk about random stuff that's on my mind in addition to Thalia's Musings stuff. Welcome to the first such post.]
Can I tell you guys a secret?
I don't hate princesses.
I'm not talking about Kate, Diana, and Grace. I'm talking about the romanticized idea of a princess in popular media. The mythical concept of Princess that never has and never will exist in reality. I love outrageous, opulent ball gowns. Being born to wealth and power sounds like a beautiful dream. A castle seems pretty cool compared to my tiny apartment. There's something very appealing about being thought "the fairest in the land." And I effin' love pink and purple.
I can hear the freakouts already. Herp patriarchy! Derp weak dependent submissive women! Hurr durr pink and purple!!!
Calm down. I believe young girls should be taught to make their own way in the world. That they should be just as conditioned as boys to become assertive, self-confident adults who take on the world themselves and don't sit around waiting for someone to hand it to them. That their sense of worth should be in themselves, not in a potential or current romantic partner.
But what the hell does any of that have to do with pink and purple?
That frilly pink or purple ball gown I dream of wearing? Maybe I want to acquire it with a fortune of my own making. That castle in the sky? Maybe I want to storm it in shining armor and wear my ball gown at a celebration for my victory. Or maybe I was born in the castle because my mom is a queen in a long line of matriarchs. O Noes! Princesses = patriarchy!!!! :O Well, guess what. It's my queendom. It exists in my mind.
I can make it whatever I want.
If I want "princess" to mean a woman who holds great power and uses it for good, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman who prefers a sword to a scepter, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman who prefers a pen to a sword, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman who wanted power and worked for it and claimed it, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman whose power was granted to her at birth because she bears the blood of hundreds of powerful women before her, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman who doesn't need a prince, but goes out and wins one because she wants one, it can. If I want "princess" to mean a woman who goes out and wins another princess, it can.
So when you see me in my pink ruffles, don't assume I'm less driven and ambitious than the woman in a pantsuit. When you see my twirly floral miniskirts, don't assume I'm waiting for a prince to call me pretty (or call me, period). And someday when I have a daughter and I call her my beautiful princess, don't assume that I don't also call her smart, strong, creative, hard-working, compassionate, and brave.
Because that's my idea of a princess. And if I choose, I can be all of those things while decked out in pink and purple.


text:
HBO Renews Veep and Silicon Valley
Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Veep
Paul Schiraldi—Paul Schiraldi Photography/HBO
By Eliana Dockterman
No surprise here: HBO is renewing the two comedies that have been adding a lighter touch to its Game of Thrones-led Sunday night lineup. The premium cable network announced Monday that it was renewing Veep for a fourth season and Silicon Valley for a second, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Silicon Valley—a 30-minute comedy from Office Space creator Mike Judge about a group of wannabe entrepreneurs—got 2 million viewers on April 6 when it premiered between the uber-popular Game of Thrones and the critically-acclaimed Veep. That makes it HBO's biggest comedy launch since Hung in 2009, and even more fans flocked to the show through HBO's streaming service, HBOGo.
The Julia Louis-Dreyfus vehicle, Veep, premiered to almost 1 million viewers, on par with its season two finale. Both Dreyfus and Tony Hale won Emmys for their performances in the political satire last year.
HBO already renewed two of its other freshman shows, Getting On and Looking. They will join Girls in the 2015 schedule, along with three other new comedies: Togetherness starring Mark Duplass, The Brink starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins and Ballers starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
[THR]
Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com.
What Americans Don't Know About The Central African Republic


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text:
// ============================================================================
// declarations
// ============================================================================

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// headers
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

// For compilers that support precompilation, includes "wx.h".
#include "wx/wxprec.h"

#ifdef __BORLANDC__
    #pragma hdrstop
#endif

#include "wx/pen.h"

#ifndef WX_PRECOMP
    #include "wx/bitmap.h"
    #include "wx/utils.h"
#endif

#include "wx/msw/private.h"

#define M_PENDATA ((wxPenRefData*)m_refData)

// Win32 has ExtCreatePen() but WinCE doesn't
#if !defined(__WXMICROWIN__) && !defined(__WXWINCE__)
    #define wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN
#endif

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// wxPenRefData: contains information about an HPEN and its handle
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

class WXDLLEXPORT wxPenRefData : public wxGDIRefData
{
public:
    // ctors and dtor
    // --------------

    wxPenRefData();
    wxPenRefData(const wxPenRefData& data);
    wxPenRefData(const wxColour& col, int width, wxPenStyle style);
    wxPenRefData(const wxBitmap& stipple, int width);
    virtual ~wxPenRefData();

    bool operator==(const wxPenRefData& data) const
    {
        // we intentionally don't compare m_hPen fields here
        return m_style == data.m_style &&
               m_width == data.m_width &&
               m_join == data.m_join &&
               m_cap == data.m_cap &&
               m_colour == data.m_colour &&
               (m_style != wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE || m_stipple.IsSameAs(data.m_stipple)) &&
               (m_style != wxPENSTYLE_USER_DASH ||
                (m_nbDash == data.m_nbDash &&
                    memcmp(m_dash, data.m_dash, m_nbDash*sizeof(wxDash)) == 0));
    }

    // accessors and setters
    // ---------------------

    wxColour& GetColour() const { return const_cast<wxColour&>(m_colour); }
    int GetWidth() const { return m_width; }
    wxPenStyle GetStyle() const { return m_style; }
    wxPenJoin GetJoin() const { return m_join; }
    wxPenCap GetCap() const { return m_cap; }
    wxDash* GetDash() const { return m_dash; }
    int GetDashCount() const { return m_nbDash; }
    wxBitmap* GetStipple() const { return const_cast<wxBitmap *>(&m_stipple); }

    void SetColour(const wxColour& col) { Free(); m_colour = col; }
    void SetWidth(int width) { Free(); m_width = width; }
    void SetStyle(wxPenStyle style) { Free(); m_style = style; }
    void SetStipple(const wxBitmap& stipple)
    {
        Free();

        m_style = wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE;
        m_stipple = stipple;
    }

    void SetDashes(int nb_dashes, const wxDash *dash)
    {
        Free();

        m_nbDash = nb_dashes;
        m_dash = const_cast<wxDash *>(dash);
    }

    void SetJoin(wxPenJoin join) { Free(); m_join = join; }
    void SetCap(wxPenCap cap) { Free(); m_cap = cap; }

    // HPEN management
    // ---------------

    // create the HPEN if we don't have it yet
    bool Alloc();

    // get the HPEN creating it on demand
    WXHPEN GetHPEN() const;

    // return true if we have a valid HPEN
    bool HasHPEN() const { return m_hPen != 0; }

    // return true if we had a valid handle before, false otherwise
    bool Free();

private:
    // initialize the fields which have reasonable default values
    //
    // doesn't initialize m_width and m_style which must be initialize in ctor
    void Init()
    {
        m_join = wxJOIN_ROUND;
        m_cap = wxCAP_ROUND;
        m_nbDash = 0;
        m_dash = NULL;
        m_hPen = 0;
    }

    int           m_width;
    wxPenStyle    m_style;
    wxPenJoin     m_join;
    wxPenCap      m_cap;
    wxBitmap      m_stipple;
    int           m_nbDash;
    wxDash *      m_dash;
    wxColour      m_colour;
    HPEN          m_hPen;

    wxDECLARE_NO_ASSIGN_CLASS(wxPenRefData);
};

// ============================================================================
// implementation
// ============================================================================

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// wxPenRefData ctors/dtor
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

wxPenRefData::wxPenRefData()
{
    Init();

    m_style = wxPENSTYLE_SOLID;
    m_width = 1;
}

wxPenRefData::wxPenRefData(const wxPenRefData& data)
             :wxGDIRefData()
{
    m_style = data.m_style;
    m_width = data.m_width;
    m_join = data.m_join;
    m_cap = data.m_cap;
    m_nbDash = data.m_nbDash;
    m_dash = data.m_dash;
    m_colour = data.m_colour;
    m_hPen = 0;
}

wxPenRefData::wxPenRefData(const wxColour& col, int width, wxPenStyle style)
{
    Init();

    m_style = style;
    m_width = width;

    m_colour = col;
}

wxPenRefData::wxPenRefData(const wxBitmap& stipple, int width)
{
    Init();

    m_style = wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE;
    m_width = width;

    m_stipple = stipple;
}

wxPenRefData::~wxPenRefData()
{
    if ( m_hPen )
        ::DeleteObject(m_hPen);
}

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// wxPenRefData HPEN management
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

static int ConvertPenStyle(wxPenStyle style)
{
    switch ( style )
    {
        case wxPENSTYLE_SHORT_DASH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_LONG_DASH:
            return PS_DASH;

        case wxPENSTYLE_TRANSPARENT:
            return PS_NULL;

        default:
            wxFAIL_MSG( wxT("unknown pen style") );
            // fall through

#ifdef wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN
        case wxPENSTYLE_DOT:
            return PS_DOT;

        case wxPENSTYLE_DOT_DASH:
            return PS_DASHDOT;

        case wxPENSTYLE_USER_DASH:
            return PS_USERSTYLE;

        case wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE:
        case wxPENSTYLE_BDIAGONAL_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_CROSSDIAG_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_FDIAGONAL_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_CROSS_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_HORIZONTAL_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_VERTICAL_HATCH:
        case wxPENSTYLE_SOLID:
#endif // wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN

            return PS_SOLID;
    }
}

#ifdef wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN

static int ConvertJoinStyle(wxPenJoin join)
{
    switch( join )
    {
        case wxJOIN_BEVEL:
            return PS_JOIN_BEVEL;

        case wxJOIN_MITER:
            return PS_JOIN_MITER;

        default:
            wxFAIL_MSG( wxT("unknown pen join style") );
            // fall through

        case wxJOIN_ROUND:
            return PS_JOIN_ROUND;
    }
}

static int ConvertCapStyle(wxPenCap cap)
{
    switch ( cap )
    {
        case wxCAP_PROJECTING:
            return PS_ENDCAP_SQUARE;

        case wxCAP_BUTT:
            return PS_ENDCAP_FLAT;

        default:
            wxFAIL_MSG( wxT("unknown pen cap style") );
            // fall through

        case wxCAP_ROUND:
            return PS_ENDCAP_ROUND;
    }
}

#endif // wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN

bool wxPenRefData::Alloc()
{
   if ( m_hPen )
       return false;

   if ( m_style == wxPENSTYLE_TRANSPARENT )
   {
       m_hPen = (HPEN)::GetStockObject(NULL_PEN);
       return true;
   }

   const COLORREF col = m_colour.GetPixel();

#ifdef wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN
   // Only NT can display dashed or dotted lines with width > 1
   static const int os = wxGetOsVersion();
   if ( os != wxOS_WINDOWS_NT &&
           (m_style == wxPENSTYLE_DOT ||
            m_style == wxPENSTYLE_LONG_DASH ||
            m_style == wxPENSTYLE_SHORT_DASH ||
            m_style == wxPENSTYLE_DOT_DASH ||
            m_style == wxPENSTYLE_USER_DASH) &&
            m_width > 1 )
   {
       m_width = 1;
   }

   // check if it's a standard kind of pen which can be created with just
   // CreatePen()
   if ( m_join == wxJOIN_ROUND &&
            m_cap == wxCAP_ROUND &&
                m_style != wxPENSTYLE_USER_DASH &&
                    m_style != wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE &&
                        (m_width <= 1 || m_style == wxPENSTYLE_SOLID) )
#endif // !wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN
   {
       m_hPen = ::CreatePen(ConvertPenStyle(m_style), m_width, col);
   }
#ifdef wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN
   else // need to use ExtCreatePen()
   {
       DWORD styleMSW = PS_GEOMETRIC |
                        ConvertPenStyle(m_style) |
                        ConvertJoinStyle(m_join) |
                        ConvertCapStyle(m_cap);

       LOGBRUSH lb;
       switch( m_style )
       {
           case wxPENSTYLE_STIPPLE:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_PATTERN;
               lb.lbHatch = wxPtrToUInt(m_stipple.GetHBITMAP());
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_BDIAGONAL_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_BDIAGONAL;
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_CROSSDIAG_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_DIAGCROSS;
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_FDIAGONAL_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_FDIAGONAL;
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_CROSS_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_CROSS;
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_HORIZONTAL_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_HORIZONTAL;
               break;

           case wxPENSTYLE_VERTICAL_HATCH:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_HATCHED;
               lb.lbHatch = HS_VERTICAL;
               break;

           default:
               lb.lbStyle = BS_SOLID;
               // this should be unnecessary (it's unused) but suppresses the
               // Purify messages about uninitialized memory read
               lb.lbHatch = 0;
               break;
       }

       lb.lbColor = col;

       DWORD *dash;
       if ( m_style == wxPENSTYLE_USER_DASH && m_nbDash && m_dash )
       {
           dash = new DWORD[m_nbDash];
           int rw = m_width > 1 ? m_width : 1;
           for ( int i = 0; i < m_nbDash; i++ )
               dash[i] = m_dash[i] * rw;
       }
       else
       {
           dash = NULL;
       }

       m_hPen = ::ExtCreatePen(styleMSW, m_width, &lb, m_nbDash, (LPDWORD)dash);

       delete [] dash;
   }
#endif // wxHAVE_EXT_CREATE_PEN

   return m_hPen != 0;
}

bool wxPenRefData::Free()
{
    if ( !m_hPen )
        return false;

    ::DeleteObject(m_hPen);
    m_hPen = 0;

    return true;
}

WXHPEN wxPenRefData::GetHPEN() const
{
    if ( !m_hPen )
        const_cast<wxPenRefData *>(this)->Alloc();

    return (WXHPEN)m_hPen;
}

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// wxPen
// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMPLEMENT_DYNAMIC_CLASS(wxPen, wxGDIObject)

wxPen::wxPen(const wxColour& col, int width, wxPenStyle style)
{
    m_refData = new wxPenRefData(col, width, style);
}

#if FUTURE_WXWIN_COMPATIBILITY_3_0
wxPen::wxPen(const wxColour& colour, int width, int style)
{
    m_refData = new wxPenRefData(colour, width, (wxPenStyle)style);
}
#endif

wxPen::wxPen(const wxBitmap& stipple, int width)
{
    m_refData = new wxPenRefData(stipple, width);
}

bool wxPen::operator==(const wxPen& pen) const
{
    const wxPenRefData *
        penData = static_cast<const wxPenRefData *>(pen.m_refData);

    // an invalid pen is only equal to another invalid pen
    return m_refData ? penData && *M_PENDATA == *penData : !penData;
}

bool wxPen::RealizeResource()
{
    return M_PENDATA && M_PENDATA->Alloc();
}

WXHANDLE wxPen::GetResourceHandle() const
{
    return M_PENDATA ? M_PENDATA->GetHPEN() : 0;
}

bool wxPen::FreeResource(bool WXUNUSED(force))
{
    return M_PENDATA && M_PENDATA->Free();
}

bool wxPen::IsFree() const
{
    return M_PENDATA && !M_PENDATA->HasHPEN();
}

wxGDIRefData* wxPen::CreateGDIRefData() const
{
    return new wxPenRefData;
}

wxGDIRefData* wxPen::CloneGDIRefData(const wxGDIRefData* data) const
{
    return new wxPenRefData(*static_cast<const wxPenRefData*>(data));
}

void wxPen::SetColour(const wxColour& col)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetColour(col);
}

void wxPen::SetColour(unsigned char r, unsigned char g, unsigned char b)
{
    SetColour(wxColour(r, g, b));
}

void wxPen::SetWidth(int width)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetWidth(width);
}

void wxPen::SetStyle(wxPenStyle style)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetStyle(style);
}

void wxPen::SetStipple(const wxBitmap& stipple)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetStipple(stipple);
}

void wxPen::SetDashes(int nb_dashes, const wxDash *dash)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetDashes(nb_dashes, dash);
}

void wxPen::SetJoin(wxPenJoin join)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetJoin(join);
}

void wxPen::SetCap(wxPenCap cap)
{
    AllocExclusive();

    M_PENDATA->SetCap(cap);
}

wxColour wxPen::GetColour() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), wxNullColour, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return M_PENDATA->GetColour();
}

int wxPen::GetWidth() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), -1, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return M_PENDATA->GetWidth();
}

wxPenStyle wxPen::GetStyle() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), wxPENSTYLE_INVALID, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return M_PENDATA->GetStyle();
}

wxPenJoin wxPen::GetJoin() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), wxJOIN_INVALID, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return M_PENDATA->GetJoin();
}

wxPenCap wxPen::GetCap() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), wxCAP_INVALID, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return M_PENDATA->GetCap();
}

int wxPen::GetDashes(wxDash** ptr) const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), -1, wxT("invalid pen") );

    *ptr = M_PENDATA->GetDash();
    return M_PENDATA->GetDashCount();
}

wxDash* wxPen::GetDash() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), NULL, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return m_refData ? M_PENDATA->GetDash() : NULL;
}

int wxPen::GetDashCount() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), -1, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return m_refData ? M_PENDATA->GetDashCount() : 0;
}

wxBitmap* wxPen::GetStipple() const
{
    wxCHECK_MSG( Ok(), NULL, wxT("invalid pen") );

    return m_refData ? M_PENDATA->GetStipple() : NULL;
}


The risk of developing stiffness is marginally greater after repair of associated partial thickness or small tears. Hence early passive mobilisation is essential.
0-4 weeks: Arm placed in a Donjoy ultrasling after surgery. This is worn most of the time but may be removed for short periods to shower, dress, eat. Instruct patient on technique to remove and wear Donjoy ultrasling. Commence hand, wrist and elbow exercises immediately. Commence supine passive external rotation to 30 and passive flexion to 90 using table slides immediately. If the posterior capsule has been released, start sleeper stretches.
5-6 weeks: Discard sling. Commence passive overhead stretching with a rope and pulley. Commence sleeper stretches (if not already started).
7-8 weeks: Commence door-frame stretches and strengthening with theraband.
9-12 weeks: Start biceps strengthening. Continue stretching until full movements are regained. Commence closed-chain scapular control exercises and open-chain scapular strengthening.
After 12 weeks: May resume working out in the gym. Commence sports-specific rehab at 4 months. Progress activities as strength allows. Unrestricted overhead activities (tennis) should be deferred for at least 6 months.
4-6 weeks: May gradually discontinue use of sling during the day but should continue wearing it at night. May commence active and assisted forward flexion. May commence external rotation to limit specified (or half that of opposite side if not specified).
7-12 weeks: Discard sling. Commence strengthening (unless a remplissage was performed, in which case strengthening is deferred for 12 weeks). Continue working on regaining range of movements.
After 16 weeks: May start working out in a gym. Progress activities as strength allows. Return to full activity may take 6 months.
ould continue wearing it at night. May commence active and assisted forward flexion. AVOID stretching in internal rotation.
7-12 weeks: Discard sling. Commence strengthening. Continue working on regaining range of movements.
Adapted from: Burkhart S.: "The Cowboy's Companion: A trail guide for the Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeon" Wolters Kluwer/ Lippincott 2012.