text:
Danish-American Eyes on Society
by Desiree Ohrbeck
Literary interview series
Category: Demokratiet i fare
Hvem deltog i kupforsøget i USA for et år siden? Et overraskende billede tegner sig
Helt almindelige amerikanere er villige til at ty til vold.
Læs hele bloggen her:
Who participated in the insurrection a year ago? The answer might surprise you
Ordinary American citizens are willing to resort to violence.
"What the fuck is going on?" Those were the first words I heard when my Danish friend called me on January 6 last year. We were on opposite sides of the globe and were both watching, paralyzed by the images on our TV screens.
The images on the screen showed thousands of aggressive people, many with Trump flags and in military-like attire, hammering at police officers, smashing windows and doors and forcing their way in to the Capitol building, where the crowed went howling and screaming from corridor to corridor to find prominent politicians' offices. That day, both civilians and police officers lost their lives.
"It will be ok. The American system is strong," said my former colleague when I spoke to him a few minutes before the conversation with my friend in Denmark. He is an elderly gentleman, and he served at the University of Washington as a professor of history for more than 30 years. I had called him crying, hoping to hear some calming words from this experienced man – I needed him to say that America would be ok after this.
Who went to Washington DC that day when the situation went crazy and people stormed Congress?
Contrary to what one might think, many of the rioters were citizens without extreme right winged leanings. And that fact is scary.
It turns out that those who behaved most violently on January 6, 2020, were not people on the authorities list of threats. Most have never committed a crime before. They were our neighbors, active in their churches – ordinary Americans. In other words, they do not fit the profile of a typical extremist.
But they believed, were completely convinced, that Trump won the presidential election. Their sense of justice had suffered a setback. And so they felt violence was ok.
If ordinary people feel that they have the right to use and react with violent, anti-democratic methods when their sense of justice is violated, then we are potentially facing a huge problem in the future.
Despite the fact that this feeling of injustice and election fraud was rooted in conspiratorial beliefs, the events on that horrible day in January last year, show us that this or a similar attack on our democracy could happen again if an election result goes against some people´s preference.
How long do we have a democracy if various private individuals feel they have a right to violently oppose democracy – even when there is no, as in absolutely none, zip, zero, evidence for their claim of fraudulence?
Since the attack on democracy a year ago, conspiracy theories have not diminished. On various electronic platforms, multiple outrageous conspiracy theories thrives. In these lonely Corona times it might be understandable that some people can fall into a black hole and be trapped and sucked in to such a universe. After all, we all need a sense of community and on a certain level, these groups offer that – however sick they are in their mindsets. But who bears responsibility and who do we hold accountable for the threat to democracy?
In the United States, economic means create power. At the same time, political decision-making processes moves at a snail's pace. Meanwhile, social platforms are making money, and the conspiracy theories people are willing to believe in are becoming more and more insane.
To put it mildly, it has been an uncommonly ugly sight to see politicians compromise on democratic principles instead of showing the people that they are working to make the democracy they claim to be fighting for stronger and make sure nothing like we saw last year will ever happen again.
Whether it's a right-wing Trump extremist, a hard-working UPS worker, or a young man looking for an adrenaline rush that took part in the terrorist attack on Congress and US democracy last year, the fact is that they need to be prosecuted – every single one of them.
Because everyone has an individual responsibility, and one should be held accountable for one's actions – even if one regrets or was caught in the moment and did things one would otherwise never have done.
The investigation process is underway, but it is moving far too slow, and it is important for the surrounding community's belief in the system to get a feeling that the justice system and democracy work – preferably before the next presidential election.
We cannot forget, however, that the main culprit for the attack on the US election process is Donald Trump – and he must be held responsible for having used ordinary citizens as puppets in his attempt to overthrow democracy in God's own country.
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i januar 6, 2022 Kategorier Demokratiet i fare, Politics in America, Trump's America, Trumps America, Uncategorized, US Election 2020Leave a comment on Hvem deltog i kupforsøget i USA for et år siden? Et overraskende billede tegner sig
Hvor længe vil verden se på, at Rusland og Kina systematisk smadrer enhver demokratisk proces?
Ruslands og Kinas stormagtsintentioner bør få omverdenen til at reagere.
How long will the world watch while Russia and China systematically crack down on any democratic process?
Russia and China's aspirations for being superpowers ought to make the world react.
These are dark times for democracy in Russia and in China. Every day the systems use their tight grips to ensure that people are forced into a life without the right to think, believe, and express themselves freely.
Yesterday, it was announced that Russia is closing Memorial International, an organization that maps human rights violations. The organization has been seen as a key part of Russia's development in a democratic process.
Russia takes down and poisons political opponents, but they do not refrain from attacking critics of their system within their own borders. We regularly hear that advocates of freedom of speech are poisoned in European countries, such as Germany and England.
China exposes its people to one monstrosity after another. Forced sterilization, labor camps for groups that believe and think something other than the communist regime wants them to, known and lesser known women and men who disappear from one day to the next, etc.
But China has also given the world a prime example of how to introduce totalitarianism in record time.
Developments in Hong Kong give a clear picture. In 11 months, more than 50 organizations, political parties, media groups, churches, youth organizations, pro-democracy movements, etc. have been dissolved. Even Amnesty International has had to close down.
What got to me was a story about an organization of lawyers who have been working to promote democracy since 2007 are among the groups that have had to close down this year. Why? Because this clearly shows that China's methods are systematically aimed at groups that can provide support to those who work for democracy.
The formula works, China keeps on pushing their agenda. Russia does the same. If I was Taiwan or Ukraine, I would be very nervous – especially since there is no indication that the rest of the world intends to respond to either China's or Russia's aggressions.
The United States, the United Nations and several European countries have condemned the two countries behavior and imposed diplomatic boycotts. But is that enough? Diplomatic boycott is a clear symbolic tool, but it is far from enough when powerful nations use their anti-democratic muscles and hammer peaceful measures into the ground.
So is it not rather naive of the surrounding world to think that two huge nations with dreams of great power will stop and ´only´ force measures through, that is aimed at their own populations?
China and Russia have enormous economic and resource power. Is that why the world does not dare to react? Or do democracy and human rights not really mean much to us, as long as we ourselves enjoy living in free conditions? That is a dangerous attitude, because developments in China and Russia have shown that the rights we take for granted can disappear from one day to the next.
How long has the world been going to look at anything more than a shrug?
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i januar 1, 2022 januar 6, 2022 Kategorier Demokratiet i fare, Human rights, UncategorizedLeave a comment on Hvor længe vil verden se på, at Rusland og Kina systematisk smadrer enhver demokratisk proces?
Danmark bør følge USA og lave en diplomatisk boykot af OL i Kina
Sport og politik har altid været blandet sammen; at påstå det modsatte er et privilegeret og mageligt standpunkt.
Denmark should follow the United States and make a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics in China
Sports and politics have always been mixed together; to claim the opposite is a privileged and leisurely position.
You are overreacting – that´s never going to happen!
That was the reaction I was met with in Denmark a few years ago. I was on vacation in Denmark and the discussion I was engaging in took place in a Copenhagen kitchen – far from China and the USA. I claimed that China was dangerous and would soon gain economic power to the extend that the world would not dare to go against the country when it violated human rights.
And here we are. The United States and other nations has announced a diplomatic boycot of the country – they will cheer for their athletes but will do so from home. That decission is the right thing to do. I would prefer that the Olympics were not held in China at all, that the whole world would boycott the event. But that is not going to happen, so the next best thing – a diplomatic boycott – is an important strategic signal. For China is not part of the club when it comes to human rights, and Western democracies must dare to say thta out loud.
The United States is signaling that China's views on human rights and the treatment of its own citizens are unacceptable. America refuses to send an official diplomatic signal that would legitimize the regime. It may result in consequences in relation to trade agreements, environmental negotiations, etc., but it is a question of integrity – and Denmark and Europe aught to stand up for the human rights they claim to fight for.
The sports world is full of corruption. Again and again we learn about shady deals, where huge sums of money change hands, and holding sporting events are dependent on what sums a country is willing to slip into the pockets of a decision maker. That is unfortunately the way things are, and if we are being honest, we know it – even if we would rather close our eyes and comfortably sit back on the sofa in front of the TV screen while watching the athletes.
To claim that sports and politics have nothing to do with each other is a privileged stand point. And what's more, it's so unsympathetic and distasteful that I have a hard time finding a vocabulary suitable for the printed press to describe it.
Because if you claim that you "just" want to sit and scroll in front of the screen and enjoy watching your sport without supporting a diplomatic boycott, you are de facto supporting a regime that has millions of human lives on its conscience. People who, for one reason or another, do not agree with the regime – and pay a hefty price for their desire to think, speak, and believe freely. If you do not take a stand, you are essentially contributing and supporting and thus partly responsible.
But if it does not worry you or touch a string in your human right spoiled universe far from a world where athletes disappear and people are sent to labor camps if they do not show the right loyalty to the Chinese government, then just take a bite out of your pizza slice and down it with a sip of microbrew beer while cheering on your Danish homeland.
We have a responsibility, and we can not just turn our backs because it is convenient for us. Denmark has not yet sided with democracy and human rights in the issue of the Olympics in China. Who knows, maybe the country will one of the next few days – but I wonder if the politicians would have given it a second thought at all, had it not been for the United States stand?
Until a decision is made, Denmark signals no hesitation in sending princes, politicians and diplomats to a dictatorship without respect for human life and the rights of the individual.
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i december 9, 2021 Kategorier Danish Society, Danish/American Society, Demokratiet i fare, Human rights, Politics in AmericaLeave a comment on Danmark bør følge USA og lave en diplomatisk boykot af OL i Kina
Tillykke med kvalifikationen, Danmark …
Den bedste måde at fejre fodboldslandsholdets succes på er at blive hjemme.
Congratulations on qualifying for the soccer World Cup, Denmark …
The best way to celebrate the success is to stay home.
I am proud when Denmark is doing well. When an American audience did their best to shout Rune in the US Open match against the tennis giant Novak Djokovic, I got chills. When Denmark is highlighted for its green initiatives, or when the national soccer team qualifies for the World Cup, I beam with pride.
The problem is that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in the state of Qatar, a dictatorship.
And before you say, "Now let's just enjoy some draft beer and some ´ball and not mix politics into the picture," then think about your integrity. It is too easy to abdicate responsibility and focus exclusively on one's own need for entertainment and overlook the strategic interests one thereby supports.
Denmark is usually quite busy telling the rest of the world how amazing our Danish values are. But is there any substance to that if we do not stand up for them when they matter?
I understand, that the easiest thing would be to abdicate all responsibility and without the slightest distaste enjoy the Danish national sport in front of the screen at home or at the nearest sports bar.
There is a lot in the world I would like to close my eyes to. But now that we know what is going on in the host country, we can not just sweep the conditions off with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's words: "We must separate foreign policy and soccer. And tonight we celebrate soccer, and we will do the same at the World Cup."
How can we close your eyes and enjoy the game as the Danish football team run around at a stadium that has claimed the lives of thousands of immigrant workers in the construction process? Can one support an event held in a country that does not hold democratic elections and treats girls and women as inferior, lesser beings?
Well, in a little while there will be a Winter Olympics in Beijing, so should we boycott that one, too? Yes, we have to!
Make no mistake. When we say that sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympics should not be political, then the regimes where these events are held claim the exact opposite. We allow them to show all their bells and whistles to promote their ideology and worldview as we cawe and submit – how does that make our democratic worldview look?
Telling the world how how amazing our Danish values are comes with a responsibility. Those words mean nothing if we do not stand up for them when it truly matters – even if it means we can not follow our beloved sport.
If we can not stand up for who we are and what we represent for something as simple as a sporting event, then it sounds somewhat hollow when we self-righteously tell countries all over the world that they must stand up for democracy and human rights.
(Partly Google Translate)
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i oktober 15, 2021 Kategorier Danish Society, Demokratiet i fareLeave a comment on Tillykke med kvalifikationen, Danmark …
Østrig forbyder den islamiske organisation Det Muslimske Broderskab – bør Danmark gøre det samme?
Mange terroristorganisationer har frit spil i de europæiske demokratier.
Austria bans the Islamic organization The Muslim Brotherhood – should Denmark do the same?
Many terrorist organizations have free rein within European democracies.
Austria has recently banned the Islamic organization The Muslim Brotherhood. In all Arab-speaking countries – except the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Yemen – the fundamentalist Islamist and political organization Hizb ut Tahrir is banned.
There are many groups known for Islamist ideology and terrorism. This blog does not distinguish between small ideological differences between the groups. The groups I am interested in here are those who agitate for the legitimacy of using undemocratic means, such as intimidation, violence and murder, when it comes to promoting their messages.
I hear again and again the argument that it is not possible to fight against a strong ideology without offering an alternative. The absolutely absolutely liberating alternative we have in Europe is also what makes us weak, namely our democracy.
Because in Europe we can speak, think and act freely – within the democratic and legal rules of the game, of course. This makes it possible for those who want another unfree society, where freedom of speech, equality between the sexes, etc., etc. are kidnapped, can have fairly free opportunities to advance their horrible ideology.
These organizations do not ask questions within the framework we are used to when discussing our disagreements with each other. Where there is fanatical fire in the eyes, the urge for fanaticism lies and lurks.
Should we follow Austria's example and make it a criminal offense for these deeply undemocratic groups to operate? Germany has done something similar, however, their focus was to hamper economic activity.
How can we, by democratic means, meet undemocratic forces that would crush everything that does not conform to their sick ideology if they had the opportunity?
The truth is, we can not. At least not if we do not want to compromise on the freedoms that are the epitome of democracy itself. Inhibiting their right to speak out would, in a way, be the same as their goal when they want to shut up opponents of their ideology. But we can do something else.
We can take cases to court when we believe there is evidence that the groups are breaking the law. And we must do that. And then we need to be careful about what legislative changes we introduce or remove in relation to whether they can be used against our democracy and have the opposite effect of what they were intended.
But our strongest weapon is that there are more democratically minded people in Europe than the opposite. Perhaps one day it will become necessary for more European countries to follow the example of Austria. I hope not.
I am aware that this attitude could have catastrophic and disturbing consequences. If the European countries, and thus of course also Denmark, do not manage to sell the product, and show what a fantastic liberating life, democracy holds opportunities for, then the alternative is that undemocratic forces at some point win, and that it will be the democratic rules that make it possible.
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i juli 17, 2021 Kategorier Danish Society, Demokratiet i fareLeave a comment on Østrig forbyder den islamiske organisation Det Muslimske Broderskab – bør Danmark gøre det samme?
Er Europa ved at blive som USA, der lader lobbyister knægte frihedsrettigheder?
Velorkestrerede kampagner arbejder for at begrænse rettigheder for kvinder og LGBTQ.
Is Europe becoming like the United States when it comes to the power of lobbyists changing fundamental freedoms?
Well-orchestrated campaigns work to limit the rights of women and LGBTQ.
Yesterday there was a knock on my door. Outside stood a man who told us he had grown up in our house that his father had built when he was a boy. We invited him in and showed him around. It was a very touching and emotional tour – for him, but also for me.
I have met his father several times. He's of the old school – Republicans, voted passionately for Trump, believes that women belong in the home, that it is their most important job to look after children. That was what we discussed when we bought the house.
Now the son was standing in our living room. Tears flowed as memories washed in over him. He told of his childhood, which had been good and safe. But he also told of a father who had never accepted him. The son was a high school teacher, something his engineering father certainly did not find appropriate. And the man in my living room had also never gotten his father's acceptance when it came to the man he loved.
I'm so angry. Angry on behalf of this man, angry at my own, angry at the parents who can not figure out to love the child they are having, but can only accept their child if it fits in a box they can understand.
Here stood a man who was some of the most sensitive, reflective, and pleasant. And still his upbringing and the prejudices of society persecuted him.
I know it well, I myself grew up in a family that could not accept who I was and the choices I made. And I also know how it will probably always sit in one, even when one has found some kind of peace with family relationships.
Here in the United States, not all areas are equally easy to live in if you belong to a minority. For example, it's easier to belong to the LGBTQ community in the larger cities of my state, Washington, our neighboring state of Oregon and, of course, California, than it is in some of the states further south.
There are places where it is decidedly dangerous to belong to the LGBTQ community. And there are places where it is decidedly dangerous to be a woman if you should want an abortion. There are many who want to kidnap the rights of women and minorities.
But why am I telling you now? Can Europe not be totally indifferent to what is going on here in the United States in terms of women's and LGBTQ rights? Not quite. For perhaps Europe is heading in the same direction.
The EU is full of interest groups and lobbyists trying to advance their own agenda. It is, so far, fine, part of the democratic process. But now the report "Tip of the Iceberg ", which describes the period 2009-2018, shows that there are two areas that well-organized interest groups have joined together to promote – namely abortion resistance and resistance to LGBTQ rights.
I often get the feeling that in Denmark there is a belief that the fight for rights for women and sexual minorities is long over. It is quite nice that this is the case in most circles in Denmark. But it's just that Denmark is, firstly, an infinitely small country and, secondly, part of the EU.
Abortion resistance, antifeminism, anti-immigration, anti- LGBTQ, antisecularization. The groups working for that kind of caveman mentality are getting stronger and stronger. As in the United States, they use reliable names that contain words such as "family," "freedom," "dignity," and "human rights." The view of society is, however, that LGBTQ rights and abortion resistance are their central focal point.
Here in the United States, the right to abortion is under pressure in several places and in several states, including In the state of Texas, it is almost impossible to have an abortion, because how many people know they are pregnant before you can hear heart sounds? Young women are terrified of getting pregnant, the men are, as usual, no one to take care of. Even if the pregnancy is due to incest or rape, there is no pardon. Time and time again, lawsuits are being filed to advance an agenda that makes it more difficult for women and minorities to make free choices. Maybe the EU is on the same course?
The level of our rights can be read in how women and sexual minorities are treated. The rights are not secured, they are constantly under pressure, and we must be strong when it comes to defending what we stand for.
Karen Melchior, Member of the European Parliament for the Radical Left, was interviewed on P1's "Orientering" on 20 June on this topic. She points out that the situation calls for action, that we react before the rights are violated, as we see attempts at in Poland, among other places.
It's really quite simple. As Melchior said in the program: "This is not something we can see through fingers with, or something that goes over by itself. If we believe that there should be equal rights, no matter who you love or who you are, that women should be allowed to rule over their own bodies, then that is something we will have to fight for. "
The narratives supported in these campaigns are directly drawn from the rhetoric we know here in the United States. They did not arise spontaneously in the religious department of the EU. It is naive to think that lobbying is an expression of cultural differences in Europe. On the contrary, it is a well-organized campaign. It requires a counter-campaign.
Never let it be the case that in 50 years there will be a man in my living room crying because he has had to fight a battle to be who he is and love who he does. And never let it be the case that women's hard-fought rights are trampled underfoot with the pretext that fewer rights are rooted in a cultural-religious context and must therefore be respected in accordance with an ideological female vision of darkness.
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i juni 22, 2021 Kategorier Danish/American Society, Demokratiet i fare, women´s rightsLeave a comment on Er Europa ved at blive som USA, der lader lobbyister knægte frihedsrettigheder?
Hårdere straffe vil kunne få terroraspiranter på andre tanker
Hvis folk med terroristdrømme havde udsigt til årtier bag tremmer, når de sad og planlagde død og ødelæggelse, kunne det være, at trusselsbilledet i Europa ville se anderledes ud.
Tougher prison sentences would make terrorist aspirants think twice
If people with terrorist dreams had the prospect of decades behind bars when they sat and planned death and destruction, it could be that the threat picture in Europe would look different.
Two days ago, a young man of 20 years was arrested at the airport here in my state, Washington. The man was on his way from Seattle to Amsterdam and from there wanted to move on to the Middle East to fight for ISIS.
Earlier , a mosque had tried to de-radicalize him, his mother had repeatedly approached the FBI, and he had been excluded from social media due to his updates.
The FBI has been keeping a close eye on the man's internet activity and activities since November, after the mosque approached him the same month, saying the man had chatted with ISIS members and watched propaganda videos on the mosque's computers.
Now the members of the mosque who reached out to the authorities have been proclaimed heroes.
The man is charged with providing material assistance to ISIS, and for that he could end up behind bars for up to 20 years.
The United States is known for its harsh punishments. One can discuss which offenses deserve harsh punishments and which do not. We have that discussion all the time here.
But when it comes to Islamist radicalization, there is consensus that such dark forces should have such harsh punishments that others are deterred before they start playing with the idea of cutting off the heads of people, pushing homosexuals out of buildings, blowing up innocent people. air and fight democracy.
As the homogeneity of Europe changes and a religion with fundamentally different values is now a part of every European country, so there is no longer a consensus on what is morally and ethically right and wrong, one might consider similarly harsh punish when it comes to this type of crime – also in Denmark?
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i juni 3, 2021 Kategorier Danish/American Society, Demokratiet i fare, UncategorizedLeave a comment on Hårdere straffe vil kunne få terroraspiranter på andre tanker
Forstår vi i Vesten, hvor skrøbeligt demokratiet er, og hvor meget det skal passes på? Jeg har mine tvivl
Kæmp for demokratiet, det er en minoritetsstyreform. Det nyeste eksempel på diktaturets fremfærd kommer fra et land, der ligger meget tæt på Danmark.
Do we in the West understand how fragile democracy is and how much we need to do to protect? I have my doubts
Fight for democracy, it's a minority form of government. The latest example of a dictatorship's conduct comes from a country that is very close to Denmark.
Perhaps the hijacking of the plane in Belarus' airspace with journalist and system critic Roman Protasevich (on his way from one EU country, Greece, to another, Lithuania) on board has helped to open the eyes of people who do not normally allow themselves to be greatly influenced by the rise of dictators.
Because that's how authoritarian systems work – look at China, look at Turkey, at Russia, Belarus – the list is only getting longer at the moment. These countries do not respect international territory, they do not respect human rights and conventions, they assassinate, poison and computer hack into power and influence – even outside their own territories.
Why is it now at all interesting what is happening in Belarus? In general, it is shameful and alarming when undemocratic regimes are allowed to terrorize their peoples, but at a geopolitical level, the events in Belarus also have major political consequences in relation to Europe.
Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus' dictator, could not have acted as he did without Putin's blessing. And as you know, Putin himself does not shy away from any means when it comes to sending signals to his political opponents. He does not go out of his way to take bits of surrounding countries (Ukraine) or poison Russian citizens who are in western, democratic territory in e.g. England. If Putin keeps getting away with his behavior, how many surrounding and former Soviet countries are sitting and trembling? And how many forces within Europe's democratic countries do not sit and take notes in relation to how easy it is to intimidate themselves to power and submission?
That's part of the danger. The complete lack of respect for the form of government that exists in countries outside and within their power. And this is where it gets interesting. For how do democratically governed countries react, not only on a political but also on a personal level, when their borders are exceeded and the despots behave as they please?
Until now, we have seen condemnations from political leaders when political opponents have been poisoned and killed within the borders of their countries. The events in Belarus, where we have seen an unprecedented aggression and lack of respect for citizens on the way from one EU country to another, show that the reactions that such actions have so far met have not deterred either Putin or his nod doll Lukashenko.
Democracies are in retreat, and democratically governed societies are a minority in this world. What are we going to do to protect the form of society that is in favor of equal rights for women and men, for freedom of expression and for the right to disagree with those who have access to weapons?
It may sound fluffy, but nonetheless it is true: Democracy is only as strong as the individual citizen. All things considered, this is exactly what the democratic model is about: that each person has a voice that they can (relatively) freely express without fear of life and (family members).
All over the world, dictators and authoritarianism are on the rise. Most recently, Samoa's newly democratically elected leader has been greeted by a locked parliamentary door. As if that in itself should be a legitimate way to deal with his election defeat in order to cling to the stool of power. This year alone, we have been following the anti-democratic events in Hong Kong, Myanmar and now also in Mali.
But not all dictators lock the parliament building or occupy the top leadership stool in a military coup. Some are working to fight democracy from within. We see it in Turkey, we see it in Europe, and we saw it in four horrible years with Trump. Fortunately, it did not succeed in overthrowing democracy here in the United States, but it was close.
Maybe it's because in my own micro level I have fought for personal freedom when I finally wrestled myself free from Jehovah's Witnesses and regained the right to my own voice that I become so utterly discouraged to see democracy under tremendous pressure . Maybe it's because I, as a resident of the United States, saw how Trump deliberately and actively eroded democracy from within and with his corrupt attempts tried to cheat and intimidate himself into power. Even if one does not follow the events of the world closely, it became abundantly clear to the world how fragile democracy is, with the attack on the Congress building on January 6 this year, the very symbol of American democracy.
But if we only have attitudes to issues we have close to life or in our backyard, and do not react actively when we see signs that democratic values are being challenged – then we can be 100 per cent. sure that the life of relative security with the democratic, western values, generations before us has fought so hard for whether adding time is a thing of the past.
If we want a democracy, then we must have facts, not propagandistically spun lies, that serve the interest of a ruler. And if we want facts, then we must have someone to report on what they see and experience. And if we want someone to report what they see, then they need to be present where the events unfold. It does not want authoritarian regimes, therefore their journalists are in prison or in exile in Hong Kong, in Russia, in Saudi Arabia and in many other countries. And if leaders with authoritarian ambitions do not use such methods, then they incite hatred against journalists, as we see in Brazil, or, as in the case of Trump, they consistently mention the media, reporting in a way they does not like fake news – and it may be the beginning of something as dangerous to democracy as throwing its political opponents in jail.
Freedom of the press is freedom of speech, the two are closely linked. And freedom of speech is one of the fundamental pillars for democracy to work. If we buy into it or accept the state of things and shy away from it, then the reality we do not get reported does not exist, does it? And if we allow it, we have de facto agreed to live in undemocratic conditions with a manipulated reality.
That is why we must fight for the freedom and democratic rights of all of us – even if the abuses seem to us to be so far away that they have nothing to do with us.
Before we know it, undemocratic forces can weaken democracy from within, made possible by our own democratic processes – and Danish indifference. If we do not shout and react, we will be suffocated – whether it is physically or mentally, then the result is the same. Violent regimes and dark forces take over, sometimes without having to loosen a single shot.
It is up to us how much we want to let those who rumble out there with bullying methods, assassinations and kidnappings and a deliberate attempt to influence democracies get away with it. How far will we let their authoritarian regimes pull in on our monopolies and shake the norms we have fought for?
Forfatter desireeohrbeckUdgivet i maj 26, 2021 juni 9, 2021 Kategorier Demokratiet i fare, UncategorizedLeave a comment on Forstår vi i Vesten, hvor skrøbeligt demokratiet er, og hvor meget det skal passes på? Jeg har mine tvivl
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The vital to finding the very best home mortgage lender, particularly with negative credit report, is to do your research. Several subprime consumers usually really feel so happy to get a funding any car loan that they cannot contrast business or approve the very first deal they get.
Choosing good house buyer Marvin.
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When the lender sends out the, the repossession process starts home owner a letter pertaining to the default, usually after the very first missed out on home mortgage settlement. Thirty days should be given for an individual to pay the past-due amount, as well as lenders should give the house owner a date by which the money is due.
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Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, Basketball Clinic, Saturday, Jan. 26 at Polk State College WH Campus
Boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited by Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens to compete in the 2019 K of C Free Throw Championship on Saturday, January 26 in the basketball arena on the Winter Haven campus of Polk State College (PSC).
The contest will follow a Basketball Clinic conducted by PSC head basketball coach Brandon Giles and varsity basketball players. Both events are free.Registration for the K of C event will be from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, while the Basketball Clinic will be between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm. The Free Throw Championship starts immediately after the clinic.
The Free Throw Championship features 12 age brackets: Boys 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14; Girls 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. All contestants will shoot 15 free throws, with the winner in each age bracket determined by who makes the most shots. Shoot offs will be used to break ties.
All boys and girls must fill out an entry form, present a valid birth certificate or proof of age provided by a school and have parental consent before competing. The age of each contestant on January 1, 2019 determines what division he or she competes in.
"We encourage boys and girls who enjoy basketball to take full advantage of the chance to improve their basketball skills by participating in the PSC clinic and the K of C Free Throw Championship," said knight Billy Bob Morris, chairman of the event.The first place finisher in each division will receive a trophy and earn a berth in a district K of C Free Throw Championship. District winners will advance to a regional round where berths in the state championship will be determined.
According to Morris, the clinic will teach boys and girls basic basketball skills such as dribbling, passing and free throw shooting. "It will also serve as a 'tune up' for the K of C competition," he said.
For more information on the K of C Free Throw Championship, call Morris at 863-289-2784 or Ken Nelson at 863-307-2207.
The K of C Free Throw Championship is a major youth initiative of the Knights of Columbus. Every year more than 200,000 boys and girls participate in competitions sponsored by local K of C councils throughout the United States.
Copyright © 2019 Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
401 Avenue B, NW, Winter Haven, FL, 33881
Phone: (863) 293-2138 info@winterhavenchamber.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The size of the manuscript tradition of Jean Froissart's Chroniques is substantial. The Chronicles are a very long text with each of the four Books containing several hundreds of thousands of words. Book I is by far the longest part of the Chronicles, containing about 500,000 words; Book II in its standard version contains about 270,000; Book III about 320,000 and Book IV about 300,000.
The number of extant witnesses is also considerable, with over 150 surviving manuscript volumes, including several important fragments. Some of these contain more than one Book, but most only a single Book or part of one. The four Books do not survive in equal numbers: 61 manuscripts of Book I are known, 33 of Book II, 24 of Book III, and only 21 of Book IV. There are also 2 manuscripts of Jean Froissart's Chronique de Flandres, 8 manuscripts containing medieval abridgments of one or more Books of the Chroniques, and several manuscripts and early prints with medieval or post-medieval translations of the Chroniques into Latin and different European languages (Dutch, English, Italian, Spanish, Danish).
Although there are several incomplete and fragmentary manuscripts, the total number of pages in these still counts in the tens of thousands, and the total number of words contained in these witnesses in the tens of millions. Given the considerable size of the manuscript corpus, it was paramount to focus the project team's efforts on the delivery of a selection of material that would be useful for scholars and other users, whilst also making the most of the materials already available to the project.
Although the earlier projects on whose material the Online Froissart partly draws had a number of different aims and objectives and therefore concentrated on different aspects of the manuscript tradition, many of them were concerned in one way or another with the first three Books of the Chroniques. This is also the part of the Chroniques where the variation amongst the manuscript text is greatest, because each of these Books exists in two or more versions. A decision was therefore reached to focus the Online Froissart during the AHRC-funded phase (2007–2010) on the manuscript tradition of Books I–III and to provide users with a minimum of information on each of the 114 surviving manuscripts, including a sample transcription. We also decided to include sample transcriptions for the first edition of the Chroniques, printed by Anthoine Vérard at the end of the fifteenth century, and therefore contemporary with some of the younger manuscripts.
Since the completion of the AHRC project, transcription work has continued and now also includes Book IV, based on the doctoral work by Katariina Närä on the Harley manuscript of Book IV. While most of the 21 manuscripts of Book IV are not yet included in the Online Froissart, a substantial part of the Harley manuscript has been transcribed and is available as part of the resource.
Other related texts (Chronique de Flandres, abridgments, translations) have not yet been included but may be included in future versions.
One of the core elements of the Online Froissart is the parallel sample transcriptions component, covering the same passages across all available manuscripts for each Book. These provide the user with valuable material for carrying out detailed comparisons across the manuscripts. For Book III and part of Book I these samples were created for Godfried Croenen's research into the reconstruction of the links between the surviving manuscripts. During the AHRC-funded period, more work was carried out on Book I and samples for Book II were also created.
To complement the text samples transcribed from each manuscript, the Online Froissart also includes a number of transcriptions of complete manuscripts which together will cover Books I–IV. These include transcriptions made in the context of earlier research. The complete transcription of the New York Morgan Library M.804 manuscript originated as part of Rob Sanderson's Liverpool PhD thesis (Book I) and Peter Ainsworth's edition for the Lettres gothiques series (Book II). The transcription of Besançon ms. 864 (Book I and the start of Book II) was originally part of Valentina Mazzei's Sheffield PhD. Book IV was originally transcribed by Katariina Närä for her Sheffield PhD. The Book III section of Besançon ms. 865 was first transcribed by Peter Ainsworth for his editions of Book III. The transcriptions of Brussels ms. II 88, Kortrijk ms. 329 and Oxford Laud misc. ms. 745 were created by Godfried Croenen as part of his research into the earliest manuscripts of Book I of the Chroniques.
Godfried Croenen's and Peter Ainsworth's research into the early fifteenth-century illustrated manuscripts of the Chronicles was supported by the digitisation of manuscripts at Besançon (mss. 864–865), Toulouse (ms. 511), Stonyhurst (ms. 1), Brussels (mss. II 88, ms. IV 251) and Paris (mss. fr. 2663–2664). These manuscripts belong to a group copied and decorated in Paris in the first quarter of the 15th century, several of which are by scribes and artists whose work was overseen by the libraire Pierre de Liffol. They are amongst the earliest and most beautifully decorated manuscripts containing Books I–III to have survived.
The fact that Besançon Municipal Library was prepared to allow the project to use on its website the images of its manuscripts — a substantial part of which had already been transcribed by Mazzei and Ainsworth — made the Besançon volumes (already the subject of an earlier Leverhulme Research Fellowship awarded to Ainsworth) a logical cornerstone of the Online Froissart. During the project the text of Book II was transcribed from Besançon 865 to complement Mazzei's and Ainsworth's editions.
Because much current research into the Chroniques relies on the scholarly editions of the Société de l'Histoire de France and Académie royale de Belgique, it was decided to provide users also with complete transcriptions of some of the base manuscripts used for these editions, which are amongst the textually most important witnesses of the Chroniques. These include Leiden, ms. VGGF 9-2 (Book II), Berlin, ms. Rehdiger 3 (Book III), and Paris, ms. fr. 2650 (Book III), as well as Paris, ms. fr. 5006 for those sections of Book II absent from the Leiden manuscript. The inclusion of these transcriptions allows users of the Online Froissart to access the whole corpus of transcriptions starting from the edition references (page and chapter numbers).
Substantial partial transcriptions of the opening sections of Brussels ms. IV 251 (SHF chapters 0–256) and Stonyhurst College ms. 1 (SHF chapters 0–137) were made during the AHRC-funded project period (2007–2010) to complement the digital reproductions of these witnesses. Hartley Miller, Godfried Croenen and Sofie Loomans transcribed substantial portions of Toulouse MS 511 (table, text SHF chapters 0–98, 254–320, 776–793) to accompany the digital reproductions of this manuscript.
The Online Froissart allows word-by-word comparisons of the various transcriptions. The detailed collation data for this feature was produced using Peter Robinson's Collate software (collation data is currently only available for parts of Books I, II and III).
Because of the centrality of Besançon mss. 864–865 to the AHRC-funded project, they were used as the basis for the new English translation, another core component of the resource. The translation by Keira Borrill covers episodes carefully selected from Books I, II and III of the Chroniques, intended to provide students of history with improved access to chapters that are amongst the most important narrative sources for the Hundred Years' War. Keeping as close as possible to the sense of Froissart's text, the translations aim nonetheless to appeal to a wider audience of scholars and enthusiasts.
In order to contextualise the manuscripts and help users with the interpretation of the text, new historical commentaries on the text and on the names mentioned in the Chroniques were created in the course of the project. These are supplemented by a number of scholarly articles and commentaries on various aspects of the manuscripts themselves and on the historical period.
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 864 (Book I on fol. 1–372).
New York, Morgan Library, ms M.804 (Book I on fol. 1–258).
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2663.
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, mss. 864–865 (Book II on ms. 864, fol. 372–399 and ms. 865, fol. 1–200).
New York, Morgan Library, ms M.804 (Book I on fol. 261–363).
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 865 (Book III on fol. 201-451v).
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2650.
Berlin, Staatsbibliothek — Preußischer Kulturbesitz, ms. Rehdiger 3 (Depot Breslau, 1, Bd. 3).
The Online Froissart also includes complete transcriptions of the following manuscripts which are incomplete or fragmentary, or which only contain a small part of Froissart's Chroniques alongside other materials. In the latter case, only the text of the Chroniques has been transcribed, except for when the text of the Grandes Chroniques de France has been merged with Froissart's Chroniques into a single text by the scribe.
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. II 88 (fol. 1–14, collection of single leaves from a Book I manuscript).
Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica, ms. Reg. lat. 726 (fol. 96–104, Grandes Chroniques de France interpolation for the years 1350–1356, SHF § 371–380).
Kortrijk, Stadsbibliotheek, ms. Cod. 329 (SHF § 0–87, 104–121).
Oxford, Bodleian Library, Laud misc., ms. 745 (fol. 1–36, SHF § 41–108, followed by Grandes Chroniques de France).
Paris, Bibliothèque de l'Institut, ms. 326 (fol. 214–215, SHF § 441–445).
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. II 88 (fol. 15, SHF § 94–96).
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. 16381-90 (fol. 1–8, SHF § 403–406).
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. 7386-94 (fol. 13–16, SHF § 403–406).
Leiden, University Library, ms. VGGF 9-2 (SHF § 83–272, § 290–391, § 407–502; two sections are wanting because of two missing quires).
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. II 88 (fol. 16–23, collection of single leaves from a Book III manuscript).
Cambridge, University Library, ms. Hh.3.16 (fol. VII, SHF § 1).
Apart from the complete transcriptions of surviving manuscripts, the Online Froissart also includes a number of manuscripts which have not been completely transcribed in the state they survive, but for which nevertheless quite substantial transcriptions are available, allowing users to carry out sustained comparison between the manuscripts for continuous sections of text.
All manuscripts which have not been transcribed in full have been sampled. Several complementary principles have been applied when selecting text, although for practical reasons, in particular the inaccessibility of some originals, there remains a small number of manuscripts which have not been transcribed or only transcribed from partial reproductions.
In order to convey the scope of each manuscript, the opening and closing sections have always been transcribed. When pages are missing at the start or end of the manuscripts, the transcription shows where the text currently starts or breaks off. In cases of obvious gaps elsewhere in the manuscripts, the text immediately before and after the missing sections has also been transcribed.
For manuscripts which were readily accessible, a set text sample of chapters selected from each of the three Books, identified from the Société de l'Histoire de France edition for their textual or historical interest, has been transcribed. Chapters not present in a particular manuscript have of course been omitted.
Book I: SHF § 0 (prologue), 18 and 788. For the 'Amiens' version manuscripts, also § 1–17; for the 'B' version manuscripts, also § 1–11 and § 47; for select 'A' manuscripts, also § 47, 318–320, 421, 697.
Book II: SHF § 1–2, 31–32, 36, 50–51, 82–84, 94–95, 101–102, 125, 173, 238, 292, 313, 344, 401, 404–406, 446–447 and 499–502; for select manuscripts, also § 285–286.
Book III: SHF § 1, 5, 45–47, 67–69, 139–140, 159, 177, 225–226 and 306–308; for select manuscripts, also § 103 and 120.
In order to allow users to study the segmentation of the manuscripts and the use of rubrics or chapter titles in the manuscript, many transcriptions also contain transcriptions of the rubrics and of the tables of rubrics. Whenever rubrics have been transcribed, the transcriptions also show the start of the next manuscript chapter; this, together with the SHF chapters references, should help users to situate each rubric inside the whole text whenever a particular manuscript has not been transcribed in full.
Austin, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, Pre-1700 Manuscripts, MS 48.
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 864 (rubrics and table of rubrics).
Brussels, Royal Library, MS II 2551.
London, British Library, Additional MSS 38658–38659.
New York, Morgan Library, MS M.804.
Stonyhurst College, College Library, MS 1.
The Hague, Royal Library, MS 72 A 25.
Antwerp, Plantin-Moretus Museum, ms. M 15.5.
Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Preußischer Kulturbesitz, ms. Hamilton 266.
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 865 (rubrics and table of rubrics).
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. II 88.
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. II 2552.
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. IV 921.
Brussels, Royal Library, ms. IV 1102.
Cambrai, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 746.
Darmstadt, Universität- und Landesbibliothek, ms. 132.
London, British Library, ms. Arundel 67, vol. II.
London, British Library, ms. Royal 14 D 4.
New York, Morgan Library, ms. M.804 (rubrics and table of rubrics, Book II on fol. 261r–363v).
Paris, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, ms. 5188.
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2652 (table of rubrics).
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2658.
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2660.
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2664.
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 2676.
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. fr. 20357.
Rouen, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 1147 (Book II on fol. 209–379).
Antwerp, Plantin-Moretus Museum, ms. M 15.6.
Besançon, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 865 (rubrics and table of rubrics, Book III on fol. 201r–451v).
London, British Library, ms. Royal 14 D 5.
Mons, Bibliothèque centrale de l'Université de Mons-Hainaut, ms. 240/359.
Paris, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, ms. 5189.
Addition of further codicological descriptions, including miniature commentaries.
Completion of the annotation of the transcriptions, including the name database.


That video was a waste of time. They could've conveyed the same information in way less time. My questions aren't answered.
That video was awesome! I feel much more educated about their service now, and it was very professional-looking.
Scary, right? The video was professionally shot, edited, and produced. It conveyed good information, but it did so in a style that started to persuade one test subject, and didn't remotely persuade the other test subject.
It got me thinking about how important video can be for persuading B2B site visitors, but also about how different types of videos are persuasive to different types of visitors. Video is just another type of content, so the rules of content (different content persuades different prospects) still apply!
I think a lot of B2B and SaaS lead generation sites go out and get themselves a video to stick on the homepage and think that they're "done," and that their conversion rate will start doubling every week or so. But, I propose that one video may not be enough, because you're trying to persuade people in very different personality profiles. Further, I think the truly optimized B2B site can benefit from multiple videos, in multiple styles, in multiple sections of the site, from multiple video-production vendors!
I'm sure I'm not making any friends with budget-constrained site owners, but hear me out. The real budget-waster is investing in one video that tries to be "all things to all people." You'll end up with a disjointed video that's too long for anyone to tolerate.
The "Get to know us" Video – these videos are great for showing the people behind the website/business. Humanistic customers will love them. Methodicals will probably hate them.
The "Make the complicated more simple" Video – these videos help explain complicated concepts in ways that web copy and static visuals can't do as well. The Competitive and Spontaneous will appreciate this kind of high-level content.
The "Product Demonstration" Video – perhaps the most common video on B2B sites, this one takes visitors through the benefits and features of a digital product using voice overs, animation, and screen recording. Depending on how detailed they are, these videos might resonate with Spontaneous or Methodical customers.
The "Testimonial" Video – these videos add a human touch to the standard, text-based testimonial. These again will be attractive to Humanistics, but the added layer of "realness" can help move the skeptical Competitive decision-maker. They can be testimonials about the working with the company, or about a particular service.
So before you start putting makeup on your CEO and rolling the cameras, I advise that you spend some time thinking about the scenarios your visitors are acting out on your site today, what questions or concerns aren't being addressed, and if or if not video is the right medium to educate (and begin to persuade) them. You may find that several short, less slick videos that answer your personas' un-answered questions, placed strategically throughout the site, are more persuasive than that super-slick, Hollywood-style video.
Early stage means that the visitor has a problem, and is looking for a solution. They may not know who you are, or that your product/service solves their problem.
Middle means that they have an intention to buy a product or service that solves their problem, but not necessarily from you.
Sometimes, websites seem to be doing everything right, but the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) just aren't as high as everyone expects. Their sites are functional, accessible, usable, and intuitive. Their look and feel is credible, and their content is high quality. So why do their visitors not behave as we expect? Why do well-planned and well-executed scenarios (e.g. PPC ad → landing page → lead generating form → thank you page) not always convert?
You guessed it: Buying Stage mismatch.
The key point is to be aware that multiple buying stages are traversing your designed scenarios. It's fine if your funnel is fine-tuned to Late Stage buyers, but do you have easy navigation paths to let an Early or Middle stage visitor branch out and get more information? It's fine if your PPC landing pages are perfect for a Middle Stage searcher, but can an impatient Late Stage searcher "Buy Now"?
How do you identify buying stages to improve your scenarios?
Look at your keyword lists (in-site search, organic keywords, and paid keywords) and start segmenting by buying stage. Guessing is OK.
I finally tracked down that hard to find item online. It was the right size, the right shape, the right finish, and a tolerable price…and free shipping!
I clicked the nice, big, obvious "Add to Cart" button to dive headlong into the conversion funnel. ERROR. Some jargon written by a software developer. No phone number. I did what anyone in the mood to buy would do – I clicked the back button and tried again. ERROR. I clicked back again, and luckily for this eTailer, the toll free number was prominently displayed in the active window, AND I didn't have any of their competitor sites top-of-mind.
Rep: Welcome to [store with error-ridden website.com], how can I help you?
Me: Well, I'm trying to buy [Item X] on your website, but I can't, so can you start by checking whether it's in stock?
Rep: OK, I can help you buy [Item X] no problem.
Me: Well, I'm trying to buy [Item X] on your website, but I can't, so can you start by checking whether it's in stock.
Rep: Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that! What happened? Can you describe what you were doing when our website failed you? Did you get an error message? What browser were you using?
Note the difference? A little empathy would've been effective and memorable…maybe even blog-worthy. Don't sound matter-of-fact that your website blew up, or I'll never use your online channel again, and your brand has been damaged.
And I'm sure the technical team behind that website would've LOVED to get their hands on the error code that I'd written down and done some tinkering. And they should've, because that website was bleeding money yesterday.
Are Your Digital Experiences 2017…But Your Forms 2007?
I was recently reminded, for the millionth time it seems, that forms are the "bread and butter" of almost every website, app, and digital experience. Whether it's the Contact Us form on a B2B site, the Sign Up form on a social networking site, or the Checkout of an eCommerce site, they all have forms in common. And in every case, forms are what stands between our site visitors and the action we've persuaded them to take.
The irony is that companies spend thousands, sometimes millions, on making their sites functional, accessible, usable, intuitive, and sometimes even persuasive, but don't always spend enough on making their transactional experiences (forms) as optimized as possible. Add to that the money spent starting a relationship with customers via online or offline marketing. And when it's time to take that relationship the next level and close the deal, online forms have the responsibility.
How much have you spent on your forms?
How many resources work on your forms?
Do you A/B and Multivariate test your homepage and landing pages?
Do you A/B and Multivariate test your forms?
Do your homepage and landing pages employ the latest technology, code, and standards?
Of course homepages and landing pages are important, and deserve lots of attention. But don't forget that the bottom of your conversion funnel is where all the serious action is. It's where dollars either flow into your bank account or…elsewhere.
So what can you do to start to rebalance the focus and give your forms more love?
Start a "Forms Task Force" within your company–make it cross-disciplinary–and take a good, hard look at your forms.
Conduct User Tests that prompt interaction with your forms.
Look at every question on your forms. To paraphrase Web Form Design by Luke Wroblewski, consciously decide to "keep," "cut," "postpone," or "explain" every question you ask your customers.
Once you've revisited your forms, begin (or revitalize) the ongoing process of form testing and optimization.
Readers of my blog, and especially those involved in testing, know that conversion rate optimization is the goal we're after. It's a great feeling to know that a test you worked on increased conversion or some other KPI, especially when it's a "Home Run." I define Home Runs as triple-digit increases in conversion rate.
But one of the dangers of early testing efforts is the problem that some baseball players have: "swinging for the fences." (Apologies for the baseball references, but it's getting to be that time of year.) What if your test, or series of tests, doesn't appear to raise conversion rate? Do you dismiss the tests as failures because they're not home runs?
Worst case scenario is that you've learned something about executing meaningful tests, and about what does or doesn't resonate with your customers. But more often than not, you are affecting your website in more subtle ways. Remember that conversion rate is often a blended, averaged, blunt instrument. Especially when it's averaged across large volumes of organic search traffic, SEM traffic, email house list traffic, different product lines, etc.
Micro-conversion rates – If you're testing product detail page layouts and "Add to Cart" buttons, check if those test variables are having an effect on the micro-conversion rate of adding products to the cart.
Funnel conversion rates – If you're testing lots of minor copy changes to your shopping cart, check for changes in your funnel conversion rate.
Bounce rates – If you're testing images, copy, or other changes designed to build up the credibility of your site, watch for changes in bounce rates.
Conversion rate by segment – If a key traffic source's conversion rate goes up in a test, but is "averaged down" by other less important traffic sources, that may in fact be a successful test.
These types of incremental improvements are test results to get excited about! If your micro-conversion rate increases, and your funnel conversion rate stays the same, that's still more money in your bank account. If you reduce the bounce rate, you've gained the chance to convert that customer later, instead of your competitor.


A woman made off with an undisclosed amount of cash Tuesday afternoon after quietly handing a note to a teller at the Kennebunk Savings Bank, 2 Hannaford Drive, then walking out with the money, according to police.
A woman made off with an undisclosed amount of cash Tuesday afternoon after quietly handing a note to a teller at the Kennebunk Savings Bank, then walking out with the money, according to police.
York Police Chief Doug Bracy said about a dozen people were in the bank at 2 Hannaford Drivewhen the woman walked in and stood in line at about 2:19 p.m.
Police did not immediately release the content of the note, nor would they comment late Tuesday afternoon on whether the robber was armed, but Detective Sgt. Thomas Cryan said there was no threat of violence.
He described the woman as in her mid-20s, about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall and 180 to 200 pounds. She was wearing glasses and a tan baseball cap with an unidentified insignia, along with a blue long-sleeved top over a white T-shirt, and matching dark-blue pants. Police said she had long brown hair.
Linda Voss, of Kittery Point, was in line at the bank when the robbery occurred. She said she had no idea what had happened until a "bank manager asked us to go to another area and sit down. We knew it was serious."
Deputies say a man displayed a handgun and demanded money when he entered the Credit Union, located at 1298 Alfred Road in Arundel, at approximately 9:30 a.m.
According to police radio communications, the suspect is described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, weighing 150 to 160 pounds, with light-colored eyes. He was described as wearing a full yellow fisherman-type suit with an orange face mask.
Kennebunk Savings spokesman Heather Harris said Kennebunk Savings will be open for regular business hours today, May 30.
President and CEO Bradford C. Paige said in a released statement, "Our first and foremost concern is keeping our employees and customers safe, and we're glad to say that everyone is OK. However, in order to cooperate fully with the police, we will not be disclosing any additional information about the incident."


text:
// Generated by the protocol buffer compiler.  DO NOT EDIT!
// source: google/container/v1beta1/cluster_service.proto

package com.google.container.v1beta1;

public interface WorkloadALTSConfigOrBuilder
    extends
    // @@protoc_insertion_point(interface_extends:google.container.v1beta1.WorkloadALTSConfig)
    com.google.protobuf.MessageOrBuilder {

  /**
   *
   *
   *

   * enable_alts controls whether the alts handshaker should be enabled or not
   * for direct-path.
   * Requires Workload Identity
   * ([workload_pool][google.container.v1beta1.WorkloadIdentityConfig.workload_pool]
   * must be non-empty).
   *

   *
   * .google.protobuf.BoolValue enable_alts = 1;
   *
   * @return Whether the enableAlts field is set.
   */
  boolean hasEnableAlts();
  /**
   *
   *
   *

   * enable_alts controls whether the alts handshaker should be enabled or not
   * for direct-path.
   * Requires Workload Identity
   * ([workload_pool][google.container.v1beta1.WorkloadIdentityConfig.workload_pool]
   * must be non-empty).
   *

   *
   * .google.protobuf.BoolValue enable_alts = 1;
   *
   * @return The enableAlts.
   */
  com.google.protobuf.BoolValue getEnableAlts();
  /**
   *
   *
   *

   * enable_alts controls whether the alts handshaker should be enabled or not
   * for direct-path.
   * Requires Workload Identity
   * ([workload_pool][google.container.v1beta1.WorkloadIdentityConfig.workload_pool]
   * must be non-empty).
   *

   *
   * .google.protobuf.BoolValue enable_alts = 1;
   */
  com.google.protobuf.BoolValueOrBuilder getEnableAltsOrBuilder();
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Summer is an amazing time to be outdoors and soaking in all the sun and Vitamin D, but don't let those sun rays fool you in thinking that they aren't doing a number to your skin as well. The sun's rays can give you a beautiful summer glow, but can also cause burning, dryness and other skin issues to arise. The key to being able to be out in the great outdoors and enjoy everything that summer has to offer is to educate yourself on ways that you can protect yourself and your skin. If you are looking for a few summer care tips to give you that summer glow, here are some simple suggestions that can help you and your skin survive those long summer months.
* This post was created in collaboration with ZÉA Beauty. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
Limit your time in the direct sun. While the feeling of the sun's rays can feel absolutely incredible and warming, it's important to remember that there is such a thing as "too much sun". To avoid getting overheated, plan your day accordingly. Early mornings or later afternoons are a great way to still get that warmth from the sun, but during points in the day when it isn't as hot. Plus, waking up a bit earlier will let you actually enjoy your morning routine and not just rush to the door.
Trust your instincts. Only you know what you're feeling. If you are out in the sun and you're starting to feel a little hot or overheated, it's time to take a break and give your skin some rest. Get in the shade drink some water to refuel and rehydrate yourself.
Apply sunscreen as needed. Giving your skin that summer glow can be easily obtained if you take the proper steps to make it happen! More than likely, if you don't apply sunscreen then there's a good chance that your skin may burn. No one likes that "red" look, and it's also not healthy for you and your skin. Instead, apply sunscreen every few hours so that you can just start to get a bit of a tan while keeping those fears and worries of being sunburnt at bay.
Use ZÉA Facial Wipes each and every day. Let's face it, the air and makeup that we use and come in contact with every single day can be full of dirt and grime. Don't take the chance of just letting those impurities set on your face for long periods of time! Instead, use ZÉA Facial Wipes to clean, hydrate and moisturize your skin giving it a summer glow with little effort.Combining natural rose hip essential oil and alcohol and paraben-free cleaning solutions, ZÉA Facial Wipes are the perfect way to clean, hydrate and moisturize your skin to give it that beautiful summer glow! You know how much I love talking about self-care but seriously, those extra five minutes when you focus on yourself can make a tremendous difference in your day. Try it for a couple of weeks and let me know how you feel! (Psst... You can even use this special link to get 10% OFF your purchase!).
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Our bodies are made up largely of water, so if you start to become dehydrated, it's going to show in your skin. Wrinkles, puffiness, and dryness are all signs that your body isn't getting enough water. If you are spending your days out enjoying the summer sun, pack plenty of water to ensure that your skin keeps that beautiful summer glow! I like to fill my fridge with colorful water bottles that motivate me to drink enough.
Sleep the night away. I know, I know. It's so hard to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night. However, during those precious hours is when our body relaxes after a hard day at work and our skin regenerates with new collagen making it look fresh and plumper and less likely to wrinkle.Also, the fact that our bodies boosts blood flow to the skin while we sleep, definitely helps to get that healthy AM glow!
Finding ways to keep your skin radiant and glowing during the summer doesn't have to be difficult. With just a few simple steps, you can ensure that your skin will stay fresh, vibrant and glowing all year long. Only you know exactly what your skin needs, so make certain to pay attention to the signs that your body and your skin are giving you.
Most times, simple adjustments can be made quickly and easily that will show great results in your skin! Keeping some ZEA Facial Wipes single packs on your purse will help you stay clean and fresh, no matter what the day throws at you.
And just because you guys deserve the best, let me tell you a secret... You can use this special link to get 10% OFF your purchase!!
You have the power to give yourself an amazing summer glow that requires little to no effort!
* This post is sponsored by ZÉA Beauty. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
Next Post Is it Summer Yet?
This products seems amazing and can be taken with you on the go! Nice!
Great advice. I've been guilty of not trusting my instincts before and ended up worn out and overheated later.
Thank you for this! I am always looking for new facial products! I agree with the sunscreen! I just had a large mass of cancer removed from my face in April. Stay covered up and be good to your skin!
Living here in Florida these are things I really need to be aware of. I am pretty good about taking care of my skin because of the amount of sun exposure I get but thanks for another product to check into.
Excellent advice, and I will definitely have to check this product out. I love the idea of individually packaged wipes for travel and purse.
I am not familiar with this brand. I will have to check it out! Love the individually packaged wipes though!
They're truly amazing! I'm always on the go and they have been a true lifesaver!
Oh! I guess I"m gonna have to try Zea! Thanks for all the tips! Great post!
These look refreshing! I live in a high humidity area.
I'm sure you'll love them just as much as I do!
The single packs are so key!! I keep them around all the time, especially in the heat!
I see it is a make up remover, it would be great to keep it in the purse for road trip or even use it when in a hurry!
Definitely! They have quickly became a must in my purse!
Great tips babe! Definitely believe in sunscreen and trusting your body. These wipes sound amazing too, need to try!
I love those face wipes! They are so gentle on the skin.
My skin feels so good after using them!
Great tips!! I'll have to look into those Zea fashion wipes, they sound amazing!
These jeans st look lovely! And the floral package is too dang cute.
I so love good branding!
All great summer sun reminders! I like those carry along single packs of the Zea product, too…very handy!
They are amazing, aren't they?!
I love how these are packaged! It makes it super convenient to keep in my purse. I live in the desert, so I'm always concerned about staying hydrated.
OMG I can only imagine! They're perfect for any occasion!
These are great tips, specially if we are trying to avoid dark spots and wrinkles. Btw the packaging of these products are super cute.
Couldn't agree more! We need to take really good care of our skin all the time!
I am blonde and am so disappointed that I tanned a little much this year. Urgh. I love your tips and should have limited my overall sun time. Well, next year!
Girl, the struggle is real! I've been loving those sunless spray tan booths lately! Check if there's a VersaSpa booth in your area!
I absolutely love Rose Hips oil and have a big jar of it. I will look into this brand!
Oh it's amazing! I've been really into oils lately as well!
Love the idea of individually packaged wipes!
They're perfect to grab and go!
Love the packaging, never heard of Zea . Great tip about staying hydrated, sounds simple but it hard for me to drink water sometimes.
Girl, I feel ya! I like having cute water bottles all over my house to motivate myself to chug, chug, chug!
Love the ZEA packaging, but never heard of it. Great tips, I need reminders to stay hydrated.
You should definitely give them a try! They're pretty amazing!
I've never heard of this brand before, but I love the idea of the face wipes for travel! Especially if they are more natural than most of the major brands or provide face wipes!
They're pretty amazing! My skin is really sensitive and feels so good after using Zéa Wipes!
i couldn't agree more with your tips babe! i especially swear by using sunscreen and reapplying as often as needed, and getting that beauty sleep!
Girl, you know it! Sunscreen and beauty sleep are definitely a must for skincare!
water and rest go such a long way in skincare!
Oh they truly do! They're so often neglected tho!
I've never heard of this brand, but it seems great. It's so important to take care of your skin, especially during summer.
I totally agree! Hope you can give these a try soon!
This was a great read! It is so important to think about what the sun is really doing to our bodies!
Couldn't agree more! Better start taking care of our skin now before it's too late!
Never really been big on face wipes but I feel like they'll be really useful this summer and that packaging is gorgeous!


This is my second tribute to the excitement of the race!
I did an very different empty bench a few years ago.
This is a small tribute to the excitement of the race!
Yummmmy ~ Ice cream for two!
An afternoon moment at the ice cream store!!
I often wonder what people are thinking when they view a painting.
Maybe it touches them in some way and stirs a personal memory.
So in todays painting I wanted to convey that perspective.
A couple of pears ready for Valentines Day!


Nationalization is the process whereby a government takes over the assets, control and business of a company. It involves a transfer of property rights from the private sector to the public sector.
When it is carried out under a proper legal system and when the private owners are compensated fairly, there is nothing wrong with it, although the results in economic sense generally are poor.
But especially when performed by a country without or in violation of a proper legal system or when the private owners (investors) are not compensated fairly, nationalization is extremely negative news for its existing investors and a strong signal to potential investors to avoid investing in such a country.
Gaining control of certain companies of strategic economic importance typically involves infrastructural companies, such as railways, airports, airlines, banks. Sometimes also industrial firms.
The opposite is called: privatization.
This ends our Nationalization summary and forum.


text:
Qui Tam/Fraud
Brittany Henderson
Stan Pottinger
Seth Lehrman
Matt Weissing
Recent Jury Verdicts
Doe v. US
Home...AttorneysBrittany Henderson
Brittany Henderson is a partner at Edwards Pottinger. She represents crime victims and survivors of sexual abuse in civil litigation. In 2016, Brittany was recognized for obtaining one of the top 50 jury verdicts in the United States resulting from a high profile sexual abuse case that she litigated with Brad Edwards in Federal Court in Chicago, Illinois and again in 2018, when they obtained a $71 million verdict in state court pursuant to Federal Maritime Law on behalf of a young woman who was sexually assaulted while working as a crew member on a large yacht. She has worked with and against lawyers considered the best in the country and has obtained nearly $100 million in jury verdicts and settlements in her career.
In addition to being a fearless advocate for crime victims, Brittany has co-founded two progressive charities for sexual abuse survivors and is committed to making a difference both in the courtroom and in the community. Brittany has been recognized as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers and by the National Trial Lawyers Association's "Top 40 Under 40." She is a member of the National Crime Victims Bar Association, the American Justice Association, the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Broward County Women Lawyers' Association.
Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University College of Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she was served on the executive committees of both the Nova Law Review and the Moot Court Society. She received the prestigious Stephanie Aleong Impact Award from the College of Law, and upon graduation, she was named to the National Order of Barristers. Prior to attending law school, Brittany graduated with honors from Auburn University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Brittany is a member of the Florida Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts and District of Columbia Courts.
You can contact Brittany at [email protected] or 800-400-1098.
425 N Andrews Ave #2
1930 Broadway Suite 12 B


Oeschinen See looks like a dream! Bookmarked your page for future reference. How much was the Cable Car? I know they're pretty pricey in Switzerland.
It is! One of the most beautiful places in Switzerland if you ask us! Thank you for bookmarking my page! The cable car was 28 francs to go up, which is ok in Switzerland, and totally worth it!


text:
"Streets of Golfito" — An Excerpt from the Novel
Illustration by Wendy Nooney; Provided by Jim LaBate
Streets of Golfito focuses on two individuals who meet in Golfito, Costa Rica in 1974. Jim (Diego) is a 22-year-old Peace Corps Volunteer from upstate New York, and he has been assigned to introduce sports other than soccer to the young people.
By contrast, Lilli is a shy, beautiful, 17-year-old Costa Rican girl who wants to learn English and escape her small town, a banana port on the Pacific side near the Panamanian border.
In alternating chapters, the first third of the book shows these two characters growing up in their respective countries. Then, after they meet, Lilli experiences a tragedy that will drastically change her life, and Jim does all he can to help her survive and thrive in her new circumstances.
Don Diego first visited Golfito during the early part of 1974. At the time, he was still simply Jim, a fresh-faced, recent college graduate and Peace Corps Volunteer who had heard President John F. Kennedy speak and had been inspired by him to try to save the world.
The inspiration occurred when Jimmy was a nine-year-old fourth grader at Saint Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, New York, during the autumn of 1960. At that point in his life, if Jimmy knew anything about a political topic, it was a rare occurrence. Typically, he was more concerned about Mickey Mantle's home-run count and batting average than he was about any politician. But Jimmy's teacher that year, Sister Anna Roberta, had a special fondness for candidate Kennedy, the senator from Massachusetts, and she talked to her students often during social studies class about this young man who offered new ideas and new programs for a new generation of Americans.
"He's a Catholic, too," she mentioned with obvious pride, "and the United States has never had a Catholic President before. You should learn as much about him as you can and maybe tell your parents about him."
Jimmy wouldn't go that far, of course, because they didn't talk about those things at his supper table, but he did get somewhat involved in the presidential campaign.
Every day after school, Jimmy and his best friends, Bernie and Larry, would walk downtown to Main Street before heading up Market Street to their homes. Yes, they were going a bit out of their way, but as fourth graders, they were finally old enough to explore the city a little bit on their own. "As long as you're with one of your friends," Jimmy's mom had told him before the school year began, "you can walk home any way you want — but don't be late for supper."
Image from https://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
And in actuality, the boys weren't really exploring that much; they tended to take the same route every day. They would go immediately to Main Street by way of Liberty Street and head west toward "downtown." Sometimes, they ran through the alleyway between Grand Rapids Furniture Store and Sears and Roebuck, but usually, they avoided those dark and wet places where the junior-high kids smoked their cigarettes and harassed the "little kids" who dared to invade their territory.
The real attraction that fall was the Democratic Headquarters next to Sears and Roebuck on the north side of Main Street. This previously empty storefront that once housed a paint store was now occupied by a young cadre of recent college graduates who were swept up in the Kennedy candidacy. Unlike most Main Street shop owners who didn't want kids traipsing into their buildings, these New Frontiersmen eagerly invited everyone in to pick up JFK promotional materials, and the young people there were especially nice to these curious fourth graders.
"The Republicans have been in office for eight years now," a beautiful, long-haired redhead said to the boys as she tidied up the pamphlets and pins on the table before her. "Don't you think it's time for a change?"
"Yes, I do," Jimmy answered with fake sincerity, as if he really cared. What he really wanted was more "KENNEDY JOHNSON" bumper stickers. He thought it would be really cool if he could cut up the Democratic stickers and then use the letters to create his own brand of baseball bumper stickers. He figured he could sell them for at least a buck apiece to all the "NY YENKEES" fans in town.
Meanwhile, Larry and Bernie were busy working their own small-time con. They were trying to get as many political pins and brochures as they could, so they could sell them for a quarter each to the seventh- and eighth-graders who, as part of a social studies assignment, were supposed to visit not only the Democratic but also the Republican campaign headquarters, which was across the street. Those older students needed proof of their visits, and they were, naturally, too cool to actually make the visits themselves. Bernie and Larry had already made over three dollars each with their campaign sales.
After a while, of course, the newness and excitement of the campaign headquarters wore off, and the three friends moved on to more interesting endeavors. They explored the new department store downtown, they asked for old movie posters from the four movie theaters, and they felt much more confident about exploring the back alleys and shortcuts between the Chuctanunda Creek and Market Street. When Sister Anna Roberta announced that JFK himself would actually visit Amsterdam in the near future, however, Jimmy especially took a renewed interest in Kennedy's campaign and platform. Surprisingly, Jimmy actually began to read the brochures that he had picked up and the newspaper articles that explained what the Peace Corps was all about.
(Though this book is not yet available in bookstores, you can order it online from Amazon by clicking the link below.)
Streets of Golfito: A Novel by Jim LaBate
Streets of Golfito: A Novel by Jim LaBate [LaBate, Jim, Nooney, Wendy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying…
Strands of Our Tomorrows
The Arcanist in The Arcanist
The House Comes With a Hobgoblin
Judith Valentijn in Wordsmith Library
Why I Became the Greatest 'Deleted Tweet' Detective in the World
r.j. kushner in The Junction
Chicken: $5
Sarah Lofgren in The Junction
"The Once And Future Liberal"
Craig Axford in The Sensible Soapbox
The dream of Europe
Claes Jonasson
UNSPOKEN WORDS
Andrew Knott in Family Matters
Noah Battler Was a Loner
DiAmaya Dawn in Lit Up


A salmonella outbreak is being tied to raw chicken products.
More than 90 people have been infected in a nationwide outbreak of salmonella, including 11 in Pennsylvania, the most cases in a single state.
Twenty-one of those patients have been hospitalized after contracting Salmonella Infantis, a drug-resistant infection linked to raw chicken products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported in the outbreak, which started in January.
Testing conducted by the CDC on salmonella bacteria samples collected from infected patients show that the strain is resistant to multiple antibiotics.
It's currently difficult to pinpoint the source of the contaminated poultry because patients are reporting eating a variety of chicken products purchased from many different locations, the CDC said.
Though a common supplier has not been identified, this particular strain has been identified in samples from raw chicken-based pet food, raw chicken products and live chickens. In interviews with patients, the CDC discovered that one person became ill after a pet ate raw ground chicken pet food, while another lived with someone who works in a facility that raises or processes chickens.
The CDC has plenty of tips here on keeping yourself safe from this salmonella outbreak — like cooking your chicken thoroughly — as well as an outline of symptoms in case you're concerned that your current stomach issues might be more than just bad luck.