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From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. The international campaign originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991.
For far too long, impunity, silence and stigma have allowed violence against women to escalate to pandemic proportions—one in three women worldwide experience gender-based violence.
The time for change is here and now.
In recent years, the voices of survivors and activists, through campaigns such as #MeToo, #TimesUp, #Niunamenos, #NotOneMore, #BalanceTonPorc and others, have reached a crescendo that cannot be silenced any more. Advocates understand that while the names and contexts may differ across geographic locations, women and girls everywhere are experiencing extensive abuse and their stories need to be brought to light.
This is why the UNiTE Campaign's global advocacy theme this year is: Orange the World: #HearMeToo
In Focus: Orange the World, #HearMeToo»
Under the theme Orange the World: #HearMeToo, the UNiTE partners are encouraged to host events with local, national, regional and global women's movements, survivor advocates and women human rights defenders and create opportunities for dialogue between activists, policy-makers and the public. As in previous years, the colour orange will be a key theme unifying all activities, with buildings and landmarks lit and decorated in orange to bring global attention to the initiative.
Join us! Share your photos, messages and videos showing how you are participating in the campaign at facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE and twitter.com/SayNO_UNiTE using #orangetheworld and #HearMeToo. For more information about Orange the World: #HearMeToo, see this year's Concept Note.
Save the date for the UN official commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
In 2017, the UNiTE Campaign marked the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence under the overarching theme, "Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls"— reflecting the core principle of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls" reinforces the UNiTE Campaign's commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world, while reaching the most underserved and marginalized, including refugees, migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, amongst others, first.
As in previous years, the colour orange was a key theme unifying all activities, and buildings and landmarks will be lit and decorated in orange to bring global attention to the issue of violence against women and girls.
See what happened »
For more information see the action plan.
See 2017 theme and activities »close▲
In 2016, the UNiTE campaign strongly emphasized the need for sustainable financing for efforts to end violence against women and girls towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
One of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is the substantial funding shortfall. As a result, resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking. Frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which includes a specific target on ending violence against women and girls, offer huge promise, but must be adequately funded in order to bring real and significant changes in the lives of women and girls.
To bring this issue to the fore, the UN Secretary-General's campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women's call for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2016 was 'Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls'. The initiative provided a moment to bring the issue of sustainable financing for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women to global prominence and also presents the opportunity for resource mobilization for the issue.
The year 2015 marked the 20-year anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive road map to gender equality. World leaders met in March at the United Nations 59th Commission on the Status of Women and in September at the 70th General Assembly to take stock of the progress made and commit to take action to close the gaps that are holding women and girls back. This year a new Sustainable Development agenda, which for the first time includes specific targets and indicators on ending violence against women, also replaced the Millennium Development Goals.
In 2015, the United Nations Secretary-General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women invited you to "Orange the world: End violence against women and girls."
For more information see poster and toolkit.
The 2014 theme was "Orange YOUR Neighbourhood." Participants around the globe took the UNiTE campaign to local streets, shops and businesses, organizing "Orange Events" in their own neighbourhoods, reaching out to your neighbours, local stores, food-sellers on the corner of your street, gas stations, local cinemas, barbers, schools, libraries and post offices. Orange lights were projected and orange flags hung on local landmarks and local 'orange marches' were organized on 25 November to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for specific communities.
For more information about "Orange YOUR Neighbourhood, 2014" see flyer and toolkit.
The overall theme for Orange Day in 2013 was 'Safe Spaces for Women and Girls', highlighting the recommendations of the agreed conclusions of the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) which took place in March.
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December 2013, Human Rights Day, UNiTE called for a global action to "Orange Your World in 16 Days."
As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, organizations and activists organized local and national 'orange' events. From marches, marathons and panel discussions to radio and television programmes, concerts and film festivals, Orange Your World involved governments, celebrities, media, civil society organizations and the United Nations system on the ground and on social media to raise awareness and public engagement.
Watch this video showcasing actions around the world to Orange the World in 16 Days:
Check out our influencers for #Iwearorangebecause:
Ask an activist: What is being done to help Venezuelan women migrants?
Reforming the laws that forced women to marry their rapists
UN Women Executive Director calls for action to end female genital mutilation and child marriage in an event in Senegal
#HearMeToo: A message from UN Women's Executive Director
On this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), we honour and amplify the voices of survivors and grassroots activists. Under the UN theme, "Orange the World: #HearMeToo," UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka issues a call to listen to and believe survivors, to end the culture of silencing and to put survivors at the centre of our responses. More


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Best Racing Games
Best PC Racing Games for 2019
Latest Motor Racing Games
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Why People Play Online Racing Games
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News and Posts
For centuries, human beings have raced each other on horseback. Several horse types have been bred over time for their racing speed. Horse riders in the sport are known as jockeys, and they are usually short in stature, as this puts less strain on the horse.
Horse Race Betting
Many people enjoy betting on horse races. Each horse has designated odds, and the potential payout will depend on this. For instance, if a horse has 15/1 odds and someone places a £1 bet that it will come in first place, then they could end up winning £15. However, there is also the option of each way bets, where money can be won if the horse places in a lesser position. The further away this position is from first, the lower the payout will be. In other words, more money is won if the horse comes second than in fifth.
The Grand National is the most momentous event in the UK horse racing calendar. It is held every year at Aintree and attracts a significant amount of media attention. The event has been held since 1839 and covers a 4-mile track featuring 30 fences. The winner is awarded a grand prize which in the past has totalled £1 million.
Despite being a part of British culture, the Grand National has attained a level of controversy in recent years. Animal rights activists have condemned the dangerous conditions. The fences of Aintree are so hazardous that it is not uncommon for horses to receive fatal injuries due to falls. This danger further extends to jockeys, as accidents tend to fling them into the air. However, equestrian fatalities are much more likely than human ones during these races. There have been calls for Aintree to update their track to make it less dangerous.
Selected Free Online Driving Games That You Should Dive into Right Now (part 1)
The Typical Co-Branding Successes In The World
Review Project Cars 2Review Project Cars 2
World racing: F1 superstar and champion hunt
Racing Games: The A-Z to Know (part 3)
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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March 6, 2017 - Is a Rate Hike Coming?
On Wednesday, March 1, the three major domestic indexes all had their best performance in 2017 and reached record highs yet again.[1] In fact, the S&P 500 hit 2,400 for the first time ever on the same day the Dow went above 21,000 for the first time.[2] While the markets cooled slightly on Thursday and Friday, all three indexes were up for the week. The S&P 500 added 0.67%, the Dow increased by 0.88%, and the NASDAQ was up 0.44%.[3] International equities in the MSCI EAFE also grew, adding 0.39% for the week.[4]
In the midst of more record performance, we received a number of data updates that help improve our understanding of the true economic environment and potential for the Fed to increase interest rates next week.
What We Learned Last Week
Fourth Quarter 2016 GDP Readings Stayed the Same
On February 28, we received the second reading of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2016. The consensus expectation was for the reading to increase to 2.1% from the 1.9% growth in January's Advance report.[5] However, the newest data did not show any change in Q4 GDP.[6]
Manufacturing Activity Increased
The ISM manufacturing survey beat expectations to come in at 57.7 for February - the highest reading in 2.5 years and the best yearly start since 2011.[7] Levels over 50 indicate expansion, so this data provides a positive signal for our manufacturing sector.[8]
Service Sector Activity Increased
In February, the service sector grew for the 86th straight month, with the ISM non-manufacturing survey coming in at 57.6.[9] Both new orders and business activity had faster expansion, and the employment index also increased.[10]
Consumer Confidence Hit a More Than 15-Year High
The latest consumer confidence numbers from the Conference Board have not been this high since July 2001.[11] Fewer people think that jobs are "hard to get," and many "consumers expect the economy to continue expanding in the months ahead."[12] Of course, consumer confidence is no guarantee for future circumstances; instead, it measures sentiment and currently indicates that many people feel more positively about the economy.
Personal Income Went Up
The latest personal income data indicated a 0.4% increase in January - for a 4.0% yearly increase.[13] In addition, the Personal Consumption Indicator (PCE) deflator, which measures consumer inflation, grew by 0.4% in January, the largest monthly increase since 2011.[14] The Federal Reserve follows the PCE deflator very closely, so this recent jump could be another sign that a March interest-rate increase could be more likely to occur.[15]
These data updates are only a few of the economic details we learned last week, but together, they may help explain why the Fed could increase rates in the March 14 - 15 meeting. As recently as Tuesday morning, the odds of a rate hike were only 35%.[16] By Friday, they had increased to 81%, due to strong economic data and remarks from Fed representatives.[17] On Friday, Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said that if employment and inflation continue to change as they expect, then a change to the "federal funds rate would likely be appropriate."[18]
Combined with the recent PCE deflator increases, this Friday's employment data should help provide more context for the Fed's decision. However, as we have seen before, no one truly knows what the Fed will decide until they make their announcement after the meeting. For now, we will monitor the data and wait to hear the Fed's announcement on March 15.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR:
Monday: Factory Orders
Tuesday: International Trade
Wednesday: Productivity and Costs
Thursday: Import and Export Prices
Friday: Employment Situation
Notes: All index returns exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized. Sources: Yahoo! Finance, S&P Dow Jones Indices and Treasury.gov. International performance is represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Corporate bond performance is represented by the SPUSCIG. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
The S&P U.S. Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index contains U.S.- and foreign-issued investment-grade corporate bonds denominated in U.S. dollars.
The SPUSCIG launched on April 09, 2013. All information for an index prior to its Launch Date is back-tested, based on the methodology that was in effect on the Launch Date. Back-tested performance, which is hypothetical and not actual performance, is subject to inherent limitations because it reflects application of an Index methodology and selection of index constituents in hindsight. No theoretical approach can take into account all of the factors in the markets in general and the impact of decisions that might have been made during the actual operation of an index. Actual returns may differ from, and be lower than, back-tested returns.
http://www.marketwatch.com
http://finance.yahoo.com
https://www.msci.com/
http://wsj-us.econoday.com/
https://www.bea.gov
http://www.ftportfolios.com
http://www.ftportfolios.com/
http://money.cnn.com
http://www.cnbc.com/


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Social Services
Statutory Authority: 31 Delaware Code, Section 512 (31 Del.C. §512)
In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Social Services is proposing to amend administrative policies in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM).
Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy, Program & Development Unit, Division of Social Services, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to (302) 255-4425 by July 31, 2009.
The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGE
The proposed change described below amends administrative policies in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding Civil Rights Program requirements.
Statutory Authority
• 45 CFR Part 80, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
DSSM 1006.6: The rule is being removed as part of a project to clarify and simplify the Division of Social Services (DSS) policy manual. This rule is not needed. DSS publicizes its Civil Rights Program on its application and other printed material. Posters about Civil Rights are located in every DSS office location statewide.
DSS PROPOSED REGULATION #09-22
1006.6 Civil Rights Program and Public Relations
The general public, including citizens interested in public welfare and civil rights, will be informed as widely as possible of the Civil Rights Program of the Division.
Informational releases will be given to the daily newspapers in Wilmington, and to the weekly or daily newspapers in the rest of the State. Similar information will be given to all radio stations in Delaware and, if acceptable, to the television station in Wilmington.
Organizations interested in learning more about the Civil Rights Program of the Division will be furnished speakers from the administrative staff of the Department on request to the Director.
Posters will be displayed in all offices of the Division notifying all persons that assistance and services are provided by the Division to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, age, disability, political beliefs, or retaliation. RESERVED
11 DE Reg. 325 (09/01/07)
13 DE Reg. 150 (08/01/09) (Errata)
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"In line with our commitment towards being a responsible corporate citizen, it is our honor to support excellence in academe and provide the economic means for gifted students to move ahead on their educational path. We wish our scholars all the best in their future endeavors," said Abhi Mohan, Managing Director of Carmudi Philippines.
Carmudi Philippines—through its website www.carmudi.com.ph—has been generating positive leads for potential car buyers and sellers in the country since it started January 2014. The website currently has close to 32,000 vehicles in its inventory spanning cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles; brand new or used. The online car platform was originally founded in Berlin, Germany in 2013 under the Rocket Internet Group.


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Home » Acquisition » Cybersecurity and the Electric Grid: An Imminent Threat or a Risk That Can Be Thwarted?
Posted by Tara Ebrahimi on Dec 3, 2019
Cybersecurity and the Electric Grid: An Imminent Threat or a Risk That Can Be Thwarted?
Thirty years ago, the concept of cybersecurity conjured up images of grungy computer hackers and endless strings of binary code, more akin to a Hollywood movie than reality. Today, however, the threat of cyber-attacks on our electric grid constantly looms over us like a harbinger of a post-apocalyptic time. As this escalates, and the grid becomes increasingly vulnerable as a result of a highly-interconnected Internet of Things, the need for security grows.
What Exactly Is the Electric Grid?
The electric grid is the commercial electric power generation, transmission, and distribution system comprising power lines and other infrastructure. The grid delivers electricity that is essential for modern life. According to Energy.gov, America's electric grid supports more than 330 million people and requires 600,000 miles of transmission lines. Like the arteries that carry blood from our hearts to all parts of our bodies, this complex system is the lifeline that powers almost everything we do.
What Would a Cyber Attack Look Like?
Business Insider researched cyber warfare for an in-depth piece about what a large-scale attack on the U.S. could look like. The conclusion? "A successful cyberattack on critical infrastructure could do as much damage as a natural disaster, bringing a whole country to a standstill." Cybersecurity attacks could cause widespread power outages in the U.S., resulting in water shutdowns, and leave individuals with no means of communication. The damage would be catastrophic.
What's So Challenging about Protecting the Grid?
There are numerous reasons why protecting the grid is such a challenge. First, while the Federal Government has a vested interest in the electric grid, most of the grid is owned and operated by private industry, which is not incentivized to prioritize cyber defense, according to industrial cybersecurity expert Phil Neray from CyberX. Additionally, cybersecurity is a relatively new field, about which much is still unknown. It was only last year that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) was created under the Department of Homeland Security. According to an assessment conducted by the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, "Federal cybersecurity is a dense, inaccessible topic to those outside the information security community and even to some inside it. Information is scattered across a variety of government documents, with no 'one-stop-shop' to understand the topic." Finally, attackers are becoming more and more sophisticated—and the U.S. must be wary of attacks from countless threats, including criminal groups, terrorists, and even other nations.
What Is the Federal Government Doing to Address This Risk?
In August 2019, the Government Accountability Office released a report titled "Critical Infrastructure Protection: Actions Needed to Address Significant Cybersecurity Risks Facing the Electric Grid." This report: "1) describes the cybersecurity risks facing the grid, (2) assesses the extent to which [the Department of Energy] DOE has defined a strategy for addressing grid cybersecurity risks, and (3) assesses the extent to which [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] FERC-approved standards address grid cybersecurity risks. Among other things, the report describes measures that the Federal Government has taken since 1997 to create protections against cyber-attacks.
Further, according to Nextgov, the House Homeland Security Committee approved legislation in late September to create an advisory group—comprised of state and local government officials and representatives across the financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and energy sectors—to assist CISA in developing and enacting cyber policies. In addition to this legislation, the Senate passed legislation "that would stand up a permanent group of security specialists that agencies and industry could call on when their IT infrastructure gets compromised." A few other key bills surrounding cybersecurity were also passed in the past few months in both the Senate and the House.
In November 2019, CISA released "Cyber Essentials for Small Businesses and Governments," a series of actionable items that entities can take to protect against cyber-attacks. "When it comes to collective defense, we are only as strong as our weakest link, which is why CISA is committed to raising the bar in cybersecurity across all companies and government, regardless of their size," said CISA Director Christopher Krebs. These guidelines are meant to help leaders "develop a culture of security."
While cyber-attacks could shut down almost all aspects of our everyday lives, the security community is working to ensure that this threat is addressed, mitigated, and protected against. With renewed attention on this critical area and the new legislation approved by Congress, the hope is that the Federal Government and its partners can work faster, harder, and smarter than entities and individuals seeking to carry out a cyber-attack. One thing is certain: as our reliance on the electric grid only increases, so too does the potential for disaster.
To read more about the Federal Government's numerous IT programs and policies, visit the General Services Administration Cybersecurity website.
Tara Ebrahimi is a writer and editor whose work can be found in the New York Times, National Alliance on Mental Illness website, Outlook magazine, and numerous other print and web journals.


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Krix Brix 5.1 channel speaker system
Reviewer: Thomas Bartlett
If you are interested in home theatre loudspeakers, it might be worth checking out South Australian firm Krix. It has an arm to its business that produces loudspeakers for real cinemas – the ones that you pay to enter to see first release movies – all over the world.
The system here, though, is its entry-level home system, consisting of four compact Brix main and surround speakers, a Microcentrix (the purpose of which is obvious from the name), and the Seismix 1 subwoofer.
Each of the Brix speakers is a compact two way kind, standing just 230 mm tall. Actually, these are the second version of the Brix, since the originals have been around since the early 90s. They are solidly constructed units with a 25 mm soft dome tweeter and a 100 mm bass/midrange driver. Because of the relatively small bass driver, the crossover between the woofer and tweeter can be higher than average, allowing them to handle more power than many speakers of this size.
The Microcentrix is a perfect match for the Brix, varying only by adding an additional 100 mm bass/midrange driver and, of course, having its longest dimension (360 mm) sideways rather than vertically.
Neither of these speakers delivers much in way of deep bass, so the Seismix 1 subwoofer has assume an important part of duties in this system, carrying the bass from all five channels in addition to delivering the low frequency effects. It is well-equipped for this task with a 255 mm driver, and 200 watts of continuous power to push it (400 watts for very brief peaks).
The review speakers were finished in a good-looking black-ash vinyl finish, but for a bit more money you can option them up with various real timber veneers to a very classy look.
The first thing that struck me about the Krix Brix/Microcentrix/Seismix 1 system was the sense of balance. It is something I try to stress all the time. For good home theatre performance, no matter whether they are state of the art units, or the lesser models achievable by we mortals, the four surround speakers must work in harmony with each other, and with the centre channel. And the subwoofer must be up to the task to support all of the small speakers.
What will power your next smartphone or PC? Analysis
This system achieves that. Forget about comparisons for the moment. In its own terms, the system worked as a seamless whole with excellent surround imaging. The subwoofer was easily able to keep up with the smaller speakers, and it's high end was maintained well over into the mid-bass, where the smaller speakers could take over.
The Seismix 1 also went surprisingly deep, with some of my favourite pipe organ music shaking the room, and my innards, in a most satisfying way.
And if you just want to pop on a CD from time to time, in stereo mode the front Brix and the subwoofer combined produced a truly high quality stereo sound.
I'm not one for buying Australian simply because it is Australian. But in the case of this Krix system, I would suggest that you buy Australian simply because it is so good.
Superb balance from all the components, excellent performance from the subwoofer, great musical stereo sound.
No wall mounting fittings provided, rear ports restrict wall mounting.


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$redis = Redis.new(config)

$view = Redis::Namespace.new(:view, redis: $redis)

Sidekiq.configure_server do |c|
  c.redis = { url: %(redis://#{config['host']}:#{config['port']}/#{config['db']}), namespace: 'sidekiq' }
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Russia and North Korea Boost Bilateral Ties
Russia's deputy prime minister visited North Korea to boost economic and political ties between the two countries.
By Ankit Panda for The Diplomat
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
On Monday, North Korea and Russia signed an economic cooperation agreement following Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev's three-day visit to Pyongyang. Trutnev met with Ro Tu-chol, vice-premier of the DPRK cabinet, and the two discussed broader economic and political cooperation. The visit was part of Russia's bid to improve bilateral relations with the DPRK. According to ITAR-TASS News, the Russian delegation also included "Primorstky Territory Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky, Khabarovsk Territory Governor Vyacheslav Shport, and Amur Region Governor Oleg Kozhemyako."
In addition to signing the economic cooperation agreement, the Russian delegation attended two ceremonial events in Pyongyang. The delegation reportedly visited the Liberation Monument in Pyongyang, which contains a plaque that heralds the Soviet Union's role in the Korean War. "Eternal glory to the Great Soviet Army that liberated the Korean People from the yoke of Japanese militarists and opened up the road for the Korean people to freedom and independence!"
According to KCNA, North Korea's state news agency, "At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the economic and cooperative relations between the two countries and other issues of mutual concern." An important part of the visit likely concerned the 54-kilometer double-track rail link between the town of Khasan in southeastern Russia and Rason in North Korea's northeastern tip.
The rail-link between North Korea and Russia has important strategic and economic implications for Russia. President Vladimir Putin sees the rail-link as an important missing piece in his bid to turn the Trans-Siberian Railroad into a viable land-based alternative transportation route for East Asian goods to Europe, bypassing the Suez Canal entirely. The rail-link would connect the Korean peninsula to European train networks over 8,000 kilometers away.
According to Bloomberg, the land-based route is "as much as three times faster than shipping via Egypt's Suez Canal which handles 17,000 ships an year, accounts for about 8 percent of maritime trade — and is increasingly beset by pirates and political instability in Egypt and Syria." In particular, the security concerns arising from the Suez route give Russia an opportunity to prove that its land-based train routes are safer and more reliable. A major challenge for Russia, should this rail-link prove viable in linking East Asia to Europe, will be to convince global companies to risk their cargo via a North Korean-based route. In addition, shipping goods by rail tends to be much costlier than maritime shipping.
The project also represents a major economic opportunity for North Korea, which continues to face international isolation over its nuclear program and general non-compliance with international norms. While China is North Korea's closest partner, Russia has grown increasingly interested in the country for its economic value. Apart from the rail-link project, little is known about whether Moscow is attempting to condition Pyongyang to behave less provocatively with regard to South Korea and its nuclear program. Russia is part of the Six Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program that were suspended in 2010 and have yet to resume.
Russia-North Korea economic cooperation agreement
Russia-North Korea rail link
Russia-North Korea relations
North Korea Turns to Russia for Cash
By Tae-jun Kang
Since the Putin-Kim summit, North Korea has been stepping up economic ties with Russia.
Takeaways From the Long-Awaited Russia-North Korea Summit
By Anna Kireeva and Liudmila Zakharova
Russia is moving to assert its diplomatic, strategic, and economic interests on the Korean Peninsula.
Russia's Love Affair With North Korea
By Samuel Ramani
The logic behind Moscow's economic outreach to Pyongyang.
Russia's North Korea Conundrum
By 38 North / Georgy Toloraya
The latest sanctions harm Russian economic and strategic interests on the Korean Peninsula.


This insight interview, was conducted in advance of the Fund Management Operations Summit to be held on the 20th November in London with Matthew Oakeley, Chief Technology Officer for Investec Asset Management.
Has the argument for artificial intelligence been over-hyped or do you see the technology as a game changer and why?
It should come as no surprise that too much is claimed for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Robotics. The important thing is to understand these technologies, break down the mystique and look for ways in which they can be applied to solve real problems. In particular, I think that these technologies have the potential to unlock significant changes in the way in which we enable our staff and our clients to interact with information and services. As with everything, however, I think it is great people that unlock value from innovative technology and therefore it is important that our teams are exploring these technologies to enable them to capitalise on the opportunities they present.
What do you imagine the tipping point to be for blockchain, when market participants embrace it's use and what will be the benefits on an operational level when that comes?
For blockchain to add true value it needs to repay investment with cost reductions, risk reductions and/or better services. No matter how clever the technology, this isn't enough on its own. Using blockchain technology to create new market services may allow for disruption to existing supply chains, but only if the business outcomes for those that buy those services can be improved. I expect that we should be focusing on a tipping point of digital supply chain operations rather than any particular enabling technology.
How do we move from a period of large scale manual processes to one of overwhelming automation without break downs in processes going dangerously undetected?
To automate safely, it is important to create the governance structures to control and monitor the digital workforce. Blindly introducing robotics without proper governance and controls will lead to increased risk and is likely to create new operating problems. If a robot has the skills to trade and also to settle, then whoever controls the robot can break the traditional separation of incompatible duties. We must treat our robots, therefore as 'digital interns' with the same segregation of duties and line management oversight that we would apply to staff.
I suspect that it is not inevitable that we will move to a period of 'overwhelming automation', however. The automation of large-scale manual processes has always been the goal of an industry that has talked the language of Straight Through Processing (STP) for decades. Those processes that have not yet been improved are either because of a lack of investment and industry lethargy (in other words just a matter of time) or because there was a genuine impediment. Some of the new automation technologies may unlock these impediments – more likely the risk from newer market players will energise the need to survive from organisations that have failed to automate. The automation of the myriad small-scale manual processes that haunt every firm is much harder to deliver. The jury is still out on whether robotic process automation or similar technologies can really provide a cost case for automating this type of manual work or whether traditional process automation is required. The replacement of call centre type work with chatbots does represent a significant innovation that will make a meaningful change to ways of working and will probably do so without increasing risk.
What role will regulation need to play in facilitating the introduction of ground breaking technology developments?
It is important that responsibility for outcomes remains clear when deploying robotics. Regulators will take a similar view is to the one taken over outsourcing: that a company cannot outsource its responsibility. Where robots are deployed, responsibility remains. To create safe governance for the activities of the digital workforce, companies should ensure that robots are clearly owned and governed and that who is allowed to instruct a robot is very clearly understood.


Part of the Stil Group of hotels, the 4 star Hotel Picafort Park is situated around 600 metres from the beach, in the quiet residential Son Baulo district of the popular resort of C'an Picafort on the north coast of Majorca.
The hotel is approximately 60km north of the capital Palma and the Son Sant Joan International airport, and 1km east of the commercial centre of the resort, where you will find a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops.
The Hotel Picafort Park also provides a seasonal programme of daytime sporting activities, organised each day by their resident animation team, featuring boules, water polo and aerobics, as well as evening entertainment with either live music, cabaret or other professional shows several times each week.


text:
Ten new flats could replace vacant bungalow on canal path in Lady Bay
'I know it sounds lovely to have a home next to a canal, but in reality squeezing ten properties there is unrealistic'
Sarah Bryan
13:55, 22 NOV 2017
An artists impression of the development from the canal path (Image: Plan A Architecture Ltd)
Plans have been submitted to demolish a bungalow on a canal path and build ten new flats in its place.
Housing developers want to tear down the vacant bungalow on the site in 21 Kendal Court, Lady Bay, and replace it with new homes.
If it's given the go-ahead by Rushcliffe Borough Council, eight two bed flats and two three bed flats could be built on the site.
Cycle cafe closes after just a year in business
An artists impression of the proposed flats (Image: Plan A Architecture Ltd)
The applicant - Stagfield Ltd - submitted the proposals to the council on Friday (November 17). It will now been passed onto the planning committee to be considered.
The 710 sq m site is on a canal path used by residents in the area.
They claim if the plans were to go ahead, more developments of this sort would pop up.
Cleaner Abbie Phillips said both her mother-in-law and grandmother live on Kendal Court, and called the proposed development "disgusting".
The 29-year-old said: "They [the residents] struggle enough with the parking there.
"People's house insurance will go up, and the other properties will be over looked.
"There really isn't enough room for what they want to build. This is a place where people come to retire.
"I know it sounds lovely to have a home next to a canal but in reality squeezing ten properties there is unrealistic on that bit of land."
But dad-of-two Alex Stanhope said the area needed "more houses".
The 36-year-old added: "This doesn't seem to me like it will have a massively negative impact and on society.
"We need to build more homes as a nation I think that's clear to everyone.
"It's just my opinion though. I'd live in it, it looks like it will have lovely views just like the bungalow has currently I guess."
Three girls were locked inside Nottingham school by accident
The application documents submitted to the council by the developer state: "The proposals would result in the provision of ten well-designed new dwellings which would enhance the appearance of the site and respond appropriately to the character of the surroundings.
"The design of the proposed buildings, although contemporary in design would reference the traditional late 19th century and early 20th century red brick houses visible in the area.
"The proposal would have little impact on the street scene as it would be predominantly screened from the public realm by neighbouring buildings.
"It would, however, be visible form the adjacent canal towpath.
"The buildings have been designed to address the canal, maximising views over it and increasing natural surveillance and so safety and security."
Rushcliffe Councillor Brian Buschman for Abbey ward for the Conservative Party, said: "I have received a number of complaints from residents in Rutland Way that the new buildings are overlooking their properties.
"I will therefore object to this application unless that situation is rectified."


text:
When David Byrne and Talking Heads Told 'True Stories'
A movie about some wild, wild lives.
Read more about When David Byrne and Talking Heads Told 'True Stories'
March 1985: Madonna Goes Hollywood with 'Desperately Seeking Susan'
On March 29, 1985, Madonna officially made the jump from singer to actress, making her debut as a leading lady - or at least one of two leading ladies, anyway - as Desperately Seeking Susan opened in theaters.
Read more about March 1985: Madonna Goes Hollywood with 'Desperately Seeking Susan'
Ann Wilson Reveals Heart Bio-Pic is in the Works
"Portlanda" star and Sleater-Kinney member Carrie Brownstein is slated to pen the screenplay.
Read more about Ann Wilson Reveals Heart Bio-Pic is in the Works
Party On, Dudes: 7 Truly Excellent Scenes from 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'
It all started when comedy writers and friends Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon started talking in funny, exaggerated California teenager voices during an improv performance in Los Angeles. They dubbed the resulting characters, two simple, but charming dudes, "Bill" and "Ted."
Read more about Party On, Dudes: 7 Truly Excellent Scenes from 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'
10 Facts About 1989 Classic "Road House" You Should Know
Patrick Swayze returned to the main stage in the cult classic Road House. Two years after the Dirty Dancing star emerged into the spotlight with his magnetic mambo moves, the actor stepped into the role of a bouncer in 1989's Road House.
As the film's producer Joel Silver had predicted, the movie about the ways of these "coolers" would become the "best drive-in movie ever made." Here are 10 facts about the 80's action drama you should know!
10. The movie was not filmed in Missouri.
Read more about 10 Facts About 1989 Classic "Road House" You Should Know
Brian Dennehy Dies at 81
The Tony Award-winning actor, known for his roles in 'First Blood' and 'Cocoon' passed away Wednesday night from natural causes, his daughter said.
Read more about Brian Dennehy Dies at 81
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text:
Roku and MP3tunes ink deal to stream iTunes library to your TV
Home › Audio
By Andrew Munchbach
Today, Roku and MP3tunes announced a partnership that will bring your iTunes music library to your television. MP3tunes, for those not familiar, is a company that provides "secure online music space" and features "unlimited listening." The company's website boasts, "With just a couple clicks, Locker users can sync their personal digital music and video up to 'the cloud' for enjoying from any web browser and a wide variety of mobile and home entertainment devices." And starting today, you can add the Roku to that list. MP3 offers 10GB of storage for free — ad supported of course — with paid options all the way up to 200 GB. Hit the jump for the full press release.
MP3tunes and Roku Partner To Bring Personal iTunes Music Collection To TVs
An Industry First: No PC or home server required to play iTunes music libraries on Home Entertainment Systems
San Diego, CA – For the first time, music lovers can play their personal iTunes music collection on their TV without a home server. Roku, the market leader in streaming entertainment devices has added expanded support for personal music collections with the addition of MP3tunes. Available now on all Roku players, the MP3tunes channel connects securely to a customer's personal music stored online in their MP3tunes Locker. After a few simple steps to connect and sync music to a web-based locker, any Roku becomes a rich music player.
"Now customers can get their music library to their TV without the complexity or cost of a home server," said Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3tunes. "For less than $100, iTunes users or any music enthusiast can turn a TV into a home stereo and take advantage of the best speakers in their house."
Roku customers can find the free MP3tunes channel in the Roku channel store. By adding this channel to their Roku, customers can access their song libraries and playlists which have historically been available only on their PC in iTunes or portable players which they sync. The MP3tunes channel defaults to a one-click shuffle mode, which immediately plays a random mix of music along with a visual display of accompanying cover art. Customers may choose to browse their music and select artists, albums or playlists to hear.
All Roku customers receive 10GB of free storage space for their music which, on average, will store music libraries up to 2,500 songs. Additional storage for larger music collections is available with MP3tunes premium locker accounts up to 200GBs. For a limited time, customers may also buy a Roku player with a $20 discount and get a free MP3tunes Premium Locker. See http://www.mp3tunes.com/rokubundle for more information.
"Roku customers are increasingly taking advantage of streaming music services, and now with MP3tunes we are giving them access to their full iTunes music library right on the TV," said Jim Funk, vice president of business development for Roku, Inc. "In addition to being a terrific video player with support for Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, and a whole host of other great sports and entertainment content, the Roku player is also a gateway to rich audio entertainment thanks to MP3tunes."
By choosing Roku as its first launch partner in the home entertainment category, MP3tunes joins major streaming services like Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), Amazon Video On Demand (Nasdaq: AMZN), MLB.TV, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship®. The Roku digital video player joins a growing family of devices that play music from a secure MP3tunes locker including Apple iPhone, iTouch, Google Android and Logitech radios. MP3tunes' unique open music API (www.mp3tunes.com/api) allows any net aware device for car, home, mobile to play a personal music collection.
A video tour of the service can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/user/mp3tunes#p/u/6/ctn4Dx0IGPE


text:
New E-Mails Show ATF Gunrunner Denials Are False
Filed under: General — Patterico @ 6:53 pm
CBS News reports:
Damning, newly-obtained emails show that a key gun shop owner made explicit concerns in writing last year in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' "gunwalking" scandal.
Starting in late 2009, ATF allegedly directed an undetermined number of Phoenix-area gun shop owners to go ahead with sales of thousands of assault rifles and other weapons to suspicious buyers. Insiders claim ATF knew the buyers were connected to Mexico's drug cartels, but let the guns "walk" onto the street anyway in a misguided attempt to obtain intelligence. ATF and the Justice Department have denied that.
Read the e-mails here (.pdf). Grassley & Co. are not buying the ATF's assertions:
In his letter, Grassley told Attorney General Holder: "In light of this new evidence, the Justice Departments' claim that the ATF never knowingly sanctioned or allowed the sale of assault weapons to straw purchasers is simply not credible."
So far, Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who is also investigating the gunwalking scandal, say they have received little to no meaningful response to their document and information requests from ATF and the Department of Justice. Earlier this week when the Justice Department turned over selected materials to Rep. Issa's staff, sources say Grassley's staff were now [do they mean "not"? — P] allowed entry or access to the same materials.
"Selected" materials, eh? Remember how Issa issued a subpoena a couple of weeks ago for materials relating to Gunrunner? The date for compliance has passed.
It sounds as though contempt hearing may be on the horizon.
Keep pushing, Rep. Issa. Keep pushing.
Atlas Shrugged. Will Audiences?
Filed under: General — Stranahan @ 5:48 pm
[Guest post by Lee Stranahan]
When I was a teenager, I was part of a clique of Ayn Rand fans. This was the early 1980s and right around the time that Miss Rand passed away. I actually crashed her funeral, but that's another story. My point is, this was way before the internet so we would just chatter at each other in real time about topics like whether the rape scene in The Fountainhead was really rape rape, how cool it would be if the roads were all privatized and especially about how awesome an Atlas Shrugged MOVIE would be.
Seriously, we'd talk about it all the time. How would they do 'the speech'? Should it be a miniseries or a really long movie? Maybe Rush could do the soundtrack! And casting! Boy, we talked about casting all the time. How about Harrison Ford as Hank Rearden? He's got the suffering look. Jodie Foster as Dagny? Alda Alda as James Taggart or Ed Asner as Wesley Mouch! Think of all the stars you could cast! Even as recently as a couple of years ago, names like Angelina Jolie were being floated.
We couldn't have imagined that when Atlas Shrugged actually came to life as a film, that the casting and production design would look to be on the level of a Canadian made-for-tv movie. As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "Who ARE these people?"
As jJerryThe film opens in theaters tomorrow. Coincidently, my ex-wife is an extra in it. I won't be seeing it in the theater because I hardly ever see any movie in the theater. Nothing personal. As Jon Voight once said to me about Titanic, "I hope it does well, as I hope all films do well." (Really, he said that to me. )
Hey! Jon Voight would have been good as Midas Mulligan!
– Lee Stranahan
President Obama on Senator Obama: I Was Being a Hack When I Voted Against the Debt Limit
Filed under: General — Aaron Worthing @ 1:59 pm
[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here. Or by Twitter @AaronWorthing.]
We still have upcoming the vote on whether to raise America's debt limit. I have yet to hear anyone explain to my satisfaction why we shouldn't just say to Congress "no, your credit card is maxed out. Figure out how to pay our obligations with money we presently have." Indeed, I find myself agreeing with Senator Obama on the subject:
I rise today to talk about America's debt problem.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies.
Over the past 5 years, our federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to $8.6 trillion. That is "trillion" with a "T." That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President's budget will increase the debt by almost another $3.5 trillion….
Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that "the buck stops here." Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit.
I'm sorry, I find that pretty persuasive, and given that we are now up to over $14 Trillion, even more so.
But, Obama explains, we really shouldn't listen to his old self, because he was a selfish bastard who didn't care about the greater good.
Seriously, how else do you interpret this?
And here's the text:
George Stephanopoulos: You've got to extend the debt limit by May. And it seems like you made up the job– your job is a lot tougher because of your vote in the Senate against extending the debt limit…When did you realize that vote was a mistake?
President Obama: I think that it's important to understand the vantage point of a Senator versus the vantage point of a…President. When you're a Senator, traditionally what's happened is this is always a lousy vote. Nobody likes to be tagged as having increased the debt limit for the United States by a trillion dollars… As President, you start realizing, "You know what? We– we can't play around with this stuff. This is the full faith in credit of the United States." And so that was just a example of a new Senator, you know, making what is a political vote as opposed to doing what was important for the country. And I'm the first one to acknowledge it.
George Stephanopoulos: But now Senator McConnell is– is talking to a lot of the Republican Senators about doing the same thing. Saying, "Let's just have 51 Democratic Senators."
President Obama: Right…My suspicion is that the burden is going to fall a lot on Democrats in the Senate to make this happen, but in both chambers, we're going to need some votes from the other side.
So basically you were saying, Mr. President that you were full of it, that you knew that it was a bad idea to vote against it when you voted against it, but you cared more about saving your political keister than doing the right thing.
Which raises the question: Were you full of it back then? Or are you just full of it now?
Oh, and for the love of God, please stop claiming that this is about full faith and credit. That phrase in the Constitution is about the obligation of one state to honor the decisions and laws of other states. You can demonstrate the importance of our nation's credit without demonstrating ignorance of the constitution.
[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]
"I Love Boobies"
Oh, also there is a legal case involving that phrase, or more precisely "I ♥ Boobies!" which translates from slang into that. See it all starts with a bracelet sort of like this:
It's a cheeky way to make a statement on breast cancer and there is like a whole philosophy behind it:
The Keep A Breast Foundation believes that a barrier to achieving their goals is negative body images among young women. Young women may feel that a stigma is associated with touching, looking at, or talking about their breasts. The Foundation's "I ♥ Boobies!" campaign seeks to reduce this stigma and to help women talk openly and without embarrassment about their breasts. The bracelets are intended to be and may be reasonably viewed as conversation starters to facilitate discussion of breast cancer, and to help overcome fear and taboo associated with discussing breast health.
So a couple of teenage girls decided to wear bracelets sort of like the ones there (it might be a different color, but otherwise it seems to be identical) when there was a ban on them and got into all kinds of trouble with the school. For starters, I think everyone involved needs to lighten up. It wouldn't be the end of the world for the girls to wear something like that. But at the same time, this is kind of a stupid thing to take a stand on. I mean they are in the right, but did we really need to make a federal case out of it?
You know, because they did.
I think on the law the court had it exactly right and indeed sums up the law fairly succinctly:
In summary, a school may categorically prohibit speech that is (1) lewd, vulgar, or profane; (2) school-sponsored speech on the basis of a legitimate pedagogical concern; and (3) speech that advocates illegal drug use. If school speech does not fit within one of these exceptions, it may be prohibited only if it would substantially disrupt school operations.
So it can be banned automatically if it fit those three categories, but the only category that this situation had any chance of fitting involved "lewd, vulgar or profane speech." That principle was enunciated in Bethel S.C. v. Fraser, where a student thought this was a good way to argue that a person should be elected to student office:
Fisking the President's Speech on the Deficit
Filed under: General — Aaron Worthing @ 11:10 am
Strap yourself in because it's a long one and my language gets a little coarse as we go on. Seriously, you try reading this speech without cursing and/or throwing something…
So yesterday the President made a speech at George Washington University outlining how he would somehow save $4 Trillion from the deficit, in 12 years, as speech the Wall Street Journal said "was dishonest even by modern political standards." (And you should read the WSJ's editorial, too.) So let's go through it together, shall we?
Now first he has some introductory B.S., the kind of crap that any politician will have at the beginning of the speech before we get to the meat of it:
From our first days as a nation, we have put our faith in free markets and free enterprise as the engine of America's wealth and prosperity. More than citizens of any other country, we are rugged individualists, a self-reliant people with a healthy skepticism of too much government.
Of course this is straight from the Obama book of political tactics where he says something that is unobjectionable, that suggests he "gets it." And as usual when he says this sort of thing. a few paragraphs later you will see that he doesn't really believe in the reasonable principles he just enunciated.
But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation. We believe, in the words of our first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, that through government, we should do together what we cannot do as well for ourselves.
Well, this is a quibble, but those aren't quite his words. Here are his words:
The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do, for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities. In all that the people can individually do as well for themselves, government ought not to interfere. The desirable things which the individuals of a people cannot do, or cannot well do, for themselves, fall into two classes: those which have relation to wrongs, and those which have not. Each of these branch off into an infinite variety of subdivisions.
The first—that in relation to wrongs—embraces all crimes, misdemeanors and non-performance of contracts. The other embraces all which, in its nature, and without wrong, requires combined action, as public roads and highways, public schools, charities, pauperism, orphanage, estates of the deceased, and the machinery of government itself.
If you are not going to quote him, Mr. President, make it more clear that you are not quoting him.
But it seems to be a reasonable paraphrase. The problem is that he doesn't really adhere to the limitation—the requirement that it has to be something we cannot do this well for ourselves. I mean either that or he thinks the vast majority of us are really not capable of very much. And simultaneously one has to believe the government will do better, which is also often a dubious assertion.
And so we've built a strong military to keep us secure, and public schools and universities to educate our citizens.
Yeah, how are those public schools working out, Mr. President?
We've laid down railroads and highways to facilitate travel and commerce.
Actually the vast majority of the growth in the railroad has been by private industry with subsidies from the government.
We've supported the work of scientists and researchers whose discoveries have saved lives, unleashed repeated technological revolutions, and led to countless new jobs and entire industries.
Most of which was actually done privately.
Part of this American belief that we are all connected also expresses itself in a conviction that each one of us deserves some basic measure of security.
And thus each and every one of you will get a free pony.
We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, hard times or bad luck, a crippling illness or a layoff, may strike any one of us.
Really, Mr. President, and that is the only reason why dependency exists? How about the knowledge that if you frak things up, the safety net will be there to catch you? How about people who just decide its easier to game the system than to be prosperous? What about them?
"There but for the grace of God go I," we say to ourselves, and so we contribute to programs like Medicare and Social Security, which guarantee us health care and a measure of basic income after a lifetime of hard work;
It only guarantees it if it works financially. And it doesn't.
And notice the attitude that success or failure in life is purely a matter of chance.
unemployment insurance, which protects us against unexpected job loss;
And simultaneously increases the cost of hiring a new worker, making companies less willing to hire.
and Medicaid, which provides care for millions of seniors in nursing homes, poor children, and those with disabilities.
So according to him, Medicaid is for not for all seniors, but the ones in nursing homes. And not for all children, but for poor ones. But, on the other hand, everyone with disabilities. In his mind, every single disabled person is a ward of the state.
Well, this disabled person is not, jerk.
And that is not the only time he says that, as you will see.
The response to Pres. Obama's debt speech, 2
Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:06 am
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
How new and exciting are Obama's ideas to balance the budget? This new and exciting:
I'm not sleeping, I'm just thinking.
Namely, I'm thinking: after we tax the rich and that puts only a slight dent in the debt . . . then what?
UPDATE: Via Hot Air, the always brilliant iowahawk parodies Paul Krugman:
"Style: I liked the way Obama made a case for government at the beginning. I liked the way he accused Republicans of pessimism, of abandoning a hopeful vision of America. Good that he went after the Ryan plan — and good that he went after the cruelty of that plan. If you ask me, too many percentages. Oh, and whichever speechwriter came up with "win the future" should be sent to count yurts in Outer Mongolia.
"Substance: Much better than many of us feared. Hardly any Bowles-Simpson — yay!…
"Overall, way better than the rumors and trial balloons. I can live with this. And whatever the pundits may say, it was much, much more serious than the Ryan 'plan'."
Hahahahahahaha. It's brilliant the way iowahawk captures Krugman's teenaged-girlish Obama cheerleading (yay!) and capacity to make jaw-droppingly wrong statements (more serious than the Ryan plan), combined with a comic sense of exaggera — holy crap, this just in. That was actually Krugman!
Pigford Fraud: Justified By Thomas Burrell
Filed under: General — Stranahan @ 2:41 am
It's one the most troublesome aspects of the Pigford settlement – how could thousands (or tens of thousands) of people knowingly commit fraud to receive a $50,000 check that they weren't entitled to?
We have the answer in the form of undercover audio that was recorded at a meeting that taught potential Pigford claimants exactly how to commit fraud. The meeting was conducted by a man named Thomas Burrell, the head of the Black Farmers Agricultural Association, Inc. At CPAC in February, we held a press conference where we released a two hour unedited section of audio. Now I'm releasing the first in a series of shorter excerpts that take you through some of the key points. I
There are two parts to the full answer of how such massive fraud could come to be ; one practical, the other ethical. Practically speaking, they were coached. They were told precisely what to say in order for their claim to pass muster with the adjudicator. Who told them? People like who conducted meetings for years throughout the country.
The ethical question is the more troubling part. I believe that thousands of basically honest people were induced into committing fraud by people like Mr. Burrell. How? As you will hear in this excerpt from undercover audio that we recorded earlier this year, Thomas Burrell uses a powerful combination of persuasive techniques including literally invoking the name of God, telling his audience that their ancestors were owed the money and the technique of "social proof", which makes collecting a $50,000 check seem like something many people have done. Stir this together with the basic human failing of greed and frankly it's a wonder that many more people do not file fraudulent claims.
Here's the first excerpt…
And if you can't wait for more, here's a short excerpt from later in the meeting that shows you how blatant Thomas Burrell was in telling people that if you file a claim properly, nobody can possibly tell whether you were lying or not.
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I'm not the type of person who complains much. I strive to keep a positive outlook and focus on the good things in life though occasionally I voice some dissatisfaction with politicians or personal hardships, but rarely in a public forum. That being said I'd like to go on record as saying this has been neither a good nor normal spring. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but May and October are my two favorite months of the year and the May I just lived through was anything but normal or favored. June was an evil twin sister. Excessively frequent and heavy rain, late cold-snaps and an endless procession of nasty thunderstorms trampled much of my normal spring activities and created more than a few personal hardships. The electrocution of a box full of bluebirds in the yard by lighting, the loss of my "Man Cave" surround sound system to same and the announcement by my mechanic that it was time to call in hospice for my pickup truck topped my list of unfortunate occurrences during Spring 2013. However, with all the rain and cool weather my lawn grew beautiful, lush and green. If only my mower hadn't been in the shop for a month, waiting for back-ordered parts. C'est la vie.
I wouldn't say fishing has been more difficult than normal this spring but I will say it's been a challenge to find good fishing at times. Local highland reservoirs along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains received so much rain and runoff they quickly rose to full pool and soon exceeded record levels. In response, TVA opened dam flood gates and downstream rivers became almost continually heavy flows, some roaring floods, of often discolored water. Most free-flowing rivers and streams also ran high and stained much of the time. With many reservoir water levels well into surrounding woodlands and rivers running well above normal, places to enjoy traditional spring fishing were limited. The threat of lightning, high winds and yo-yoing barometric pressure caused by a steady stream of weather changes further complicated planning fishing time. If you'd like to try some challenging fishing that will test your patience and skill, try casting minnow lures into a flooded forest at night for walleyes with the wind blowing 20 mph. At one point, I considered taking up bowling.
Despite the extremes in weather, the fish were still out there doing what they always do during spring. Fish move, feed, spawn and otherwise go about their normal routines based on time of year and water temperature. However, fish move or change their activity during adverse conditions and knowledgeable anglers who want to continue to catch fish change with them. I use two approaches to find good fishing during periods of high, stained water; targeting species that are unaffected by or predictably active in stained conditions or searching for water clarity that is closer to normal. Spring spawners like crappie, bream, large and smallmouth bass are drawn to shallow shorelines when water temperatures approach spawning temps despite water clarity. Anglers who remain confident and make the necessary adjustments in location, lure selection and presentation can continue to enjoy good fishing for these species. Also, catfish, carp and a few others remain active and thrive in high stained conditions. However, my preference is to find places to fish where water levels, flow and clarity are closer to normal. In reservoirs, that means fishing the dam end where conditions are most stable and least affected by heavy runoff. In rivers, it means fishing tail-waters close to a dam where water runs clearest.
Trout fishing in local tail-waters has been an on-again, off-again challenge this spring. Much of the time, generation rates were so high and water so swift that tail-waters were unfishable. However, my friends and I caught some nice rainbows, browns, brookies and a few lake trout by moving further downstream and fishing channel bends, islands and shoreline structures that held eddies or spots with slower current. On those infrequent occasions when generation slowed or stopped, trout became so cooperative it seemed that they'd missed us as much as we'd missed them. Fishing for river smallmouth bass has been much the same. Further down rivers, feeder streams and other sources injected heavy runoff, creating poor and sometimes hazardous conditions. But during those infrequent periods when the water dropped and cleared, smallmouths were active and offered great fishing. So I've spent the last two months camped on weather reports and water generation schedules while making frequent scouting trips to local fishing holes to check water condition. When conditions developed that offered good tail-water or river fishing, we did our best to get there and reap the bounty.
Because tail-waters and rivers weren't often fishable, reservoirs have been my most frequent fishing destination this spring. The lower one-third of most lakes in this area remained clear to moderately clear most of the time although excessive surface debris caused by above-full-pool water levels created hazardous expanses of surface litter in some sections. However, with an ever-watchful eye on wind direction we avoided the worst-affected areas. Where water clarity was acceptable and surface debris light the greatest hindrance to finding good fishing most days was fishing pressure because an army of anxious anglers were pushed into the same limited "fishable" water. So we made one more adjustment and changed our focus to reservoir night fishing. As I said before, it's been a challenge at times to find good fishing this spring.
Several trips to local highland reservoirs produced limited success for walleyes. If you've read my book, you know I'm a big fan of nighttime walleye fishing in spring and early summer. But water levels in highland reservoirs in this region remained above full pool so the waterline along which walleyes cruise for spawning baitfish in spring was well into shoreline undergrowth. Dense surface debris and frequent high winds another thousand feet higher in elevation made night-walleye fishing on these lakes difficult work. So, fresh walleye dinners have been infrequent at my house so far this year. However, our search for good fishing produced some exciting encounters with one of my favorite fish; the hybrid striped bass. Hybrids, like striped and white bass, are open-water wanderers that follow alewives, shad and other baitfish throughout reservoirs. In spring, when surface temperatures reach 60-degrees, alewives move to shallow shorelines at night to spawn. As water temperature rises further, shad also begin spawning, producing an extended period of plentiful food along shallow shorelines for hybrids and other game fish. So when reservoir surface temperature reached 60-degrees and rising, we scheduled our first nighttime trip to check on the hybrids.
The first place we found fish was on a steep bluff along a main-lake river channel. Small Red Fins and Jointed ThunderSticks produced jolting surface strikes from hungry hybrids when lures were cast close to the bluff face and retrieved parallel to the edge. Then, one night when the fish didn't show along the bluff, we moved and found a hybrid mother-load. In each of the next half-dozen trips to this spot, a friend and I caught more than a double limit of hybrids. The fish were mixed sizes ranging from three to seven pounds with an occasional small striped bass mixed in. The times the hybrids arrived and began feeding each night varied between about 10:30 p.m. and midnight depending on when baitfish started surfacing and moving into shallow water. However, there was never any question when the hybrids arrived because baitfish schools would suddenly surface everywhere, accompanied by scattered surface swirls and an occasional explosion. The hungry predators would charge in, feed aggressively for a brief time, scatter the schools of minnows, then everything would become still. Soon after, the hybrids would again push the baitfish into tight schools, herd them back into the shallows and the feeding binge would resume. So when the hybrids first decided it was time to hit the supper table, action became hot for several hours, interspersed with occasional lulls; good times to check line condition, retie or change lures.
Rat-L-Traps are among my most dependable tools for hybrid fishing at night but we caught fish on several others. Topwaters are personal favorites so we tried minnow lures, walk-the-dog baits and surface poppers. Red Fins and Thundersticks continued to attract an occasional strike but larger surface poppers produced best when the hybrids were up and feeding. I always keep a popping lure rigged and ready when fishing for schooling game fish because I believe the sound they make often attracts feeding fish or encourages continued feeding. But without question, the most productive lure we used was one I tried this spring for the first time. I had learned from several good anglers that it was a deadly choice for hybrids and other game fish and knew it was the hottest lure on the bass tournament scene, so hot it had raised much controversy among tournament organizations and state fisheries agencies. Technically, it's not a lure but an array of lures called the Alabama Rig, aka the A-Rig.
A-Rigs have been around for a long time but until recently were best known by anglers as umbrella rigs; trolling tools for open-water fishing in fresh and saltwater. But when tournament professional Paul Elias used a casting version to win a major FLW event on Lake Guntersville, Alabama it turned the bass fishing world, and traditional perceptions of the umbrella rig, upside down. Anyone who fishes much for large and smallmouth bass knows about the A-Rig. Most have used them, have friends who use them, have read about them or have seen them on television fishing shows. Through many sources, I also had learned about them and become convinced of their effectiveness. After we found that large concentration of hybrids, I remembered a friend had given me a locally made version of an unrigged A-Rig so I decided to dig it out, load it with soft plastics and do some testing.
The A-Rig I'd been given had five wire arms so the first thing I had to decide was how and where to attach two attractors. In the State of Tennessee, A-Rigs may have only three hooks of any type, though five-arm A-Rigs are legal if two of the arms hold only attractors. A drawing in the state fishing regulations booklet shows a five-arm A-rig in which two arms hold willow-leaf spinner blades. I considered adding blades to my test version but decided it would be easier, and less expensive, to cut the hooks off a couple soft-plastic rigs. So I grabbed a pair of needle-nosed pliers, my tool box of curly-tailed grubs, some jig heads and went to work on my newest fishing tool. I bent the longest arm on my A-Rig at a downward angle and added my primary lure; a heavy-duty, 3/16-ounce pearl/glitter-colored jighead with chartreuse eyes. To the jighead, I added a four-inch pearl-colored curly-tailed grub with a chartreuse tail. Because predators often attack schools of baitfish from behind or below, I wanted this bright-colored bait to be slightly larger, below and behind the "school" I was presenting. This lure was also heaviest, acted as a keel and helped keep the light-weight A-Rig from turning or spinning during the retrieve. I bent the next two arms in opposite directions angled outward, added unpainted 1/8-ounce jigheads and three-inch pearl curly-tailed grubs. I bent the remaining two arms up and outward and added small unpainted 1/16-ounce jigheads to hold my attractors. To these I added white two-inch curly-tailed grubs; slightly more visible in the limited light but smaller. Before mounting these two, I cut the hook points off at the center of the bend then super-glued the grubs in place on the remaining portion of the shank. The first time I pulled the A-Rig through the water at boat-side, I was impressed with what I saw.
The awkward looking A-Rig casts surprising well using a heavy flipping stick, baitcasting reel, and braided line so after a few casts I was comfortable with my newest fishing tool and settled into a routine of long casts followed by a slow, steady retrieve. After less than a dozen casts, a nice hybrid struck hard. When a much larger fish smashed the rig on the next cast and began ripping line from my reel, I was hooked for good on the Alabama Rig. After catching another fish or two, I cut the rig off and handed it to my fishing partner so he could do some testing with his heavy spinning combo. His first hybrid on the A-Rig was a line-screamer that weighed more than six pounds. On several follow-up trips together, we used the same A-rigs and continued to enjoy some productive fishing for one of my favorite fish. Though I missed the great spring night fishing for walleyes this year, and those fabulous walleye dinners, hybrids provided plenty of exciting action and some fine fillets for a few of my favorite fish recipes. Many anglers don't eat hybrids but they're missing some fine dining. Bleed the fish you intend to keep as you catch them, then throw them in a cooler or livewell and cover them with ice. Remove all the red flesh from the fillets during cleaning and you'll be impressed with the firm, beautiful meat. Hybrid fillets are mild-tasting and good choices for grilling, in sauces or any recipe calling for mild, white-fleshed fish.
So it's been a challenging 2013 fishing season so far but I can't complain because I've caught some nice fish, enjoyed a bounty of fresh fish fillets and added an exciting new tool to my fishing toolbox. And I did finally get my lawnmower repaired and the grass under control so if it stops raining at least one day each week I should be able to keep it looking beautiful. Furthermore, after an extended trial of patience I bought a new boat-hauling vehicle, though it took the dealer two tries to get the correct one brought in from a distant location. It could happen to anyone. I'm convinced the rainfall will moderate soon since we're already more than 14.75 inches above average on rainfall and approaching the all-time record. When the weather finally returns to normal, tail-water and river fishing will become very good so I'm going to remain patient, retain my positive outlook, repair the rest of my broken fishing equipment and chip away at my Honey-Do list. And I should have plenty of time to get 'er done because it's supposed to rain four of the next five days.
When summer temperatures peak, good daytime fishing opportunities become more limited. The blazing sun, high temps, high recreational use, and other reasons prompt many anglers to stay off the water during daylight hours. However, I've discovered a cool summer option that produces some of my most impressive daytime trophies of the year; fishing for big rainbow and brown trout in tail-waters. Every tail-water is a unique environment in that water depth, flow, temperature and other characteristics vary. Not all tail-waters offer good year-round trout fishing because of high water temperature during summer months. Most are stocked during spring, many in fall, but those with low carryover in summer are poor choices for numbers and worse choices for big trout. The tail-waters I fish most in East Tennessee commonly run between fifty and sixty degrees throughout the summer period with extremes in the high-forties and low-sixties; ideal temperatures for trout. Find a tail-water close to you that is well stocked with year-round temperatures in this range and you may have found a gold mine of summer fishing.
State fisheries agencies are a good source for information about which tail-waters in your area offer the best summer trout fishing as well as which have the potential to produce trophies. And many Web sites and chat rooms tailored to area fishing provide reports by member anglers that can guide you to good tail-water fishing. Do your homework, find a tail-water or two with good potential closest to you, and the next thing to consider is access. If your goal is to wade and spin or fly-fish, water depth, flow and plentiful access points are important considerations. If you plan to float in a drift, Jon or other small boat, you must consider the distance from launch to takeout points and the nature of the river. Talk with other anglers at ramps, in chat rooms, at a local tackle shop or other places and develop a plan for fishing that puts safety first, always, and good fishing a close second.
After choosing a promising tail-water, it's important to find a source for water generation information. TVA has a user-friendly Web site where you can check planned 24-hour generation schedules and flow rates for any dam in the TVA system. The Army Corps of Engineers provides a US map on the Corps Lakes Gateway page on their Web site where visitors can select a state and go to a listing of that state's lakes and waterways under Corps control. Choose the dam and tail-water in question and you'll be directed to an information page where a link or phone number is provided to check lake information, including planned generation. You can find a link to both these Web sites at the bottom of my home page under the "Blogroll" heading. Unless you'll be limited to fishing close to a dam, it's helpful to know how long it takes for the change in flow at the dam to reach key points downstream. If your target fishing area is many miles long, choose a place or two along the way where you can monitor the flow and determine how long it takes for a change in flow at the dam to reach that point. Then you can plan fishing time under the best and safest conditions in that section. But remember; planned generation schedules are planned, not chipped in granite, so schedules can change without notice. On the tail-waters I fish, I've found them reliable and accurate but I have seen variances. Plan your fishing time based on published schedules, plan for the unexpected, and you can enjoy productive and safe fishing for some beautiful summer fish.
Tail-waters offer good fishing for trout anytime during the day when generators are running and water flow is high and swift. Primary moon phases, overcast skies, prefrontal conditions and low-light periods at dawn and dusk can intensify activity and improve the odds of catching more and larger trout but many feed in fast water on the clearest days under sunny skies. Therefore, tail-water trout fishing is a good choice anytime if generators are running, you choose the best sections of water available and the right lures and methods of presentations are employed. Because water is pulled from well below the surface at most dams, water temperatures are lower during generation and trout become active in the cool swift water, especially larger fish. Smaller fish that feed mostly on insects may be more active when generators are off and the water is flat and calm but when the current increases and visibility decreases, larger fish leave hiding spots to hunt and feed on larger prey. Both rainbow and brown trout move and feed during the day in swift tail-waters but after the sun sets, brown trout become the dominant predator despite the rate of generation. Some of the largest browns I've ever landed were caught at night in tail-waters when no generators were running and the water was still and flat. You have to be cautious and as sneaky as a cat when night fishing for browns in still water but the rewards can be incredible. Rainbows seem to disappear with the sun but browns become active and very aggressive at night. Find a section of tail-water with mixed deep and shallow areas that you can safely fish after darkness falls and your chances of catching a giant brown trout will increase greatly.
Tail-water fishing for big trout is an adventure most anglers adapt to quickly. If you fish most for bass, walleye, or hybrids you'll feel at home with the tackle and methods of presentation required for success, especially so if you're used to fishing rivers. Medium to medium-heavy spinning combos with six- to ten-pound diameter monofilament or braided lines are the equipment of choice, though baitcasters and slightly heavier lines work well with larger lures. I use a six-and-a-half-foot medium-heavy spinning combo spooled with 6/14 smoke colored Fireline for lures up to 3/8-ounce and a seven-and-a-half-foot heavy action combo with 8/20 Fireline for heavier lures. Ten- to fourteen-pound leaders of monofilament or fluorocarbon help prevent break-offs in shallower tail-waters so don't hesitate to add them when needed. Add a quality-made snap to the business end of your line to support quick lure changes and always test retrieve lures before use to insure natural actions; tune or replace those that don't run true. Floating and suspending minnow lures in various sizes and colors round out equipment needs though particular tackle and lure choices should be made based on the target species because rainbow and brown trout preferences differ.
Rainbow trout favor shallower areas with swift, broken water and clearly visible seams and current breaks. Work lures along current edges and through eddies while fan-casting large areas with more uniform flow. Slow steady retrieves or fast retrieves mixed with intermittent erratic twitches that make lures dart and change direction are reliable methods of presentation so it's best to alternate between these until fish show a preference under current conditions. Rainbows have small mouths compared to their body size and prefer smaller lures to about three-and-a-half inches long. Minnow lures with shad profiles like Lucky Craft Pointers in smaller sizes and Yo-Zuri Sashimi Jerkbaits have fooled many big rainbows, including some of my largest, but rainbows often strike slender minnow profiles best like Rapalas or Lucky Craft Slender Pointer MR's so it's best to carry a few in each body shape. Floating models are better choices in shallower areas because many times they'll float free of hang-ups when the retrieve is stopped. But suspending models offer more natural presentations with erratic retrieves because they retain their depth and pause directly in the face of following fish. When a big rainbow strikes, most will quickly announce their presence by shooting through the water's surface like a fat missile. An angry rainbow trout in shallow, fast water is the gold-medal gymnast of the fish world with more tricks than a circus monkey. You can expect drag screaming runs and an impressive aerial show so a properly set drag and longer, more shock absorbing rod are important factors that may determine who wins the fight.
Brown trout have different personalities than rainbows so when targeting them it's necessary to make a few adjustments in presentation and lure choice. As a rule, browns prefer spots with a little less current and some overhead cover. Search for them in current breaks behind logs or large rocks along shore, in deep holes where current slows or on inside bends in the river. Not that you won't catch one in swift, shallow water in mid-river but when you do, the fish probably followed your lure from slower water before deciding to strike. Big brown trout are notorious for following lures all the way to the rod tip so a little figure-eight action at boat-side is a wise addition to the presentation process. Because browns like to follow, slow to medium retrieves with occasional stops are highly effective methods of presentation. This tendency to follow makes suspending lures top choices for big brown trout in tail-waters. Stop the retrieve for a few seconds to a half minute and let the lure suspend and drift with the current as you watch your line. If the line jumps, suddenly begins to move or you feel a light tick, set the hook fast! Smaller three-and-a-half inch lures will catch many small- to medium-sized fish but to catch big browns use large lures, larger than many would believe for trout. Four- to six- inch minnow lures are good choices for large brown trout in tail-waters and when in doubt, err to the large side. I use four-inch sizes most during daylight hours in summer because during years of normal weather, the water is very clear. To create the illusion of larger prey, I often use lures with chrome, holographic or other highly reflective finishes to increase flash and make them look larger without letting trout see the lure too clearly. Under low-light conditions, I use larger lures in the same color patterns or those with brightly painted finishes. Most brown trout don't explode with the same level of energy as rainbows when they strike. It's most common for the rod to suddenly bow and the drag to slip in short bursts, depending on the size of the fish and the drag's setting. Occasional you'll meet an aerial acrobat but most big browns wallow on the surface like a stuck pig, sound and move off steadily against the drag.
As different as the two species are, they do share some common traits. In most tail-waters, larger prey items that big trout feed on are limited to some type of shad minnows and smaller trout. So shad or minnow profile lures in colors that mimic these prey species are highly attractive to both rainbows and browns. My top three color choices for browns and rainbows are shad, rainbow and brown trout color patterns. However either species, at any time, may climb all over a lure with a gold flash or brilliant color pattern so it pays to carry a few of these in favorite lure models and sizes. And changing to deeper diving lures when water depth increases isn't necessary. In the clear water common to most tail-waters, rainbows and browns will rise many feet to strike shallow running lures, eliminating the need to carry a selection of sizes and colors in deep diving models. The most important trait these fish share and one all anglers should remember is how sensitive trout are to high air temperatures and handling. It's best to unhook a trout while in the net where you can quickly and safely remove hooks, then let it rest in the net while you get a camera ready. Wet your hands and lift the fish long enough to take a couple pictures, then set it back in the net until it recovers. If the trout cannot swim upright, move to a safe place in still water and hold the fish upright until it recovers. Take time to insure each fish is released in the best condition possible. Remember, if you're ever going to catch that eight- to ten-pound trophy trout of your dreams, you must release the four and five pounders in good condition.


Liverpool will not be left fretting over the possibility of Mohamed Salah being injured on global duty next month, with the forward set to be omitted from the Egypt squad.
Although, Egypt have sealed qualification for this year's AFCON on home soil, the North Africans are still expected to round-off the qualifiers against Niger on March 22.
Hegazi is now on the books at West Brom, so they will also be delighted to discover that no global risks will be taken over the coming weeks.
Salah has scored 4 goals for Egypt in the qualifiers and his absence will most likely boost Liverpool's campaigns in the Premier League and the Champions League.