The desert speckled country of Jordan remains a Middle Eastern haven of historic sites, cultural heritage and awe-inspiring landscapes. From the ancient rocks of Petra to the Mujib Nature Reserve in the Dead Sea region, its historic allure and heritage attracts visitors from across the globe.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts are a collection of modern hotels and resorts throughout Jordan, enjoying prime spots in Petra, Aqaba, Aqaba Tala Bay and the Dead Sea. Unrivalled views from luxury accommodation, fine restaurants and bars and host of meetings and events spaces in each hotel make Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' properties the ideal choice for hospitality in Jordan.
Whether looking for adventure and exploration, arts and culture, wellnessand relaxation by the pool or sea, a combination of all these, or simply doing your own thing, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Jordan has the right package for you.
All the planning and transportation hassles are taken care of, so all you have to do is enjoy your holiday.
This package starts at JOD 229 per room, per night.
This package starts at JOD 379 per room, per night.
This package starts at JOD 99 per room, per night.
This package starts at JOD 209 per room, per night.
These packages are available until 30 December 2019. The offers are only bookable in advance and are subject to hotel availability. Full prepayment is required at the time of booking. No cash refunds. After a booking is made, hotels will reconfirm back to you regarding the accommodation nights. Once all is confirmed, reservation cannot be altered or cancelled anymore without incurring a full charge.


CWA members across the country made nearly 1000 calls this week as part of a Day of Action to pass the For the People Act.
IUE-CWA members joined thousands of other CWAers who made phone calls to their members of Congress on last week's Day of Action to push for the passage of the For the People Act.
Ask your member of Congress to support the For the People Act to ensure a fair and functioning democracy for us all.
If You're a New Yorker, It's Now Easier to Vote!
Thanks to the hard work of CWA members and retirees to bring new leadership in the state legislative chambers, legislators passed a much-needed wave of voting reforms.
As their first piece of legislation in the new session of Congress, House Democrats are introducing a comprehensive bill to restore our democracy and end corruption.
CWA joined a diverse coalition in support of the comprehensive package of democracy reforms that House Democrats have committed to bring to the floor as the first order of business in the new Congress.
In remarks at this week's Democracy Initiative Annual Meeting, CWA President Chris Shelton urged attendees to take on the power of corporate interests in our political system to build a system that represents all of our interests.
National Voter Registration Day is coming up on Tuesday, September 25!
CWA Local 6215 members in Dallas, Texas, led a union coalition along with AFT community activists in their third annual voter registration drive.
The By the People Resolution would empower every American voter, strengthen ethics laws for government officials, and take steps to repair our broken campaign finance system.
CWAers have been participating in nonviolent direct actions to fight back against the structures that are undermining our democracy and supporting economic injustice.
CWAers and retirees have been joining tens of thousands of people across the country to participate in nonviolent direct actions to fight back against economic injustice.
CWAers and retirees are joining tens of thousands of people across the country to fight back against the structures that are undermining our democracy and supporting economic injustice.
Starting next week, people across the country will participate in nonviolent direct actions to fight back against economic injustice.
CWA members from five different locals across North Carolina joined the Moral March to advocate for pro-labor policies.
The U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments this week on a crucial case in which more than 500,000 Ohio voters were purged from voter rolls.


text:
' Copyright (c) Microsoft.  All Rights Reserved.  Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.  See License.txt in the project root for license information.

Imports System
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.Collections.Immutable
Imports System.Globalization
Imports System.Threading
Imports Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.Text
Imports Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.VisualBasic.Symbols
Imports Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.VisualBasic.Syntax

Namespace Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.VisualBasic.Symbols.Retargeting

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Represents a type parameter in a RetargetingModuleSymbol. Essentially this is a wrapper around
    ''' another TypeParameterSymbol that is responsible for retargeting symbols from one assembly to another.
    ''' It can retarget symbols for multiple assemblies at the same time.
    ''' </summary>
    Friend NotInheritable Class RetargetingTypeParameterSymbol
        Inherits TypeParameterSymbol

        ''' <summary>
        ''' Owning RetargetingModuleSymbol.
        ''' </summary>
        Private ReadOnly m_RetargetingModule As RetargetingModuleSymbol

        ''' <summary>
        ''' The underlying TypeParameterSymbol, cannot be another RetargetingTypeParameterSymbol.
        ''' </summary>
        Private ReadOnly m_UnderlyingTypeParameter As TypeParameterSymbol

        Public Sub New(retargetingModule As RetargetingModuleSymbol, underlyingTypeParameter As TypeParameterSymbol)

            Debug.Assert(retargetingModule IsNot Nothing)
            Debug.Assert(underlyingTypeParameter IsNot Nothing)

            If TypeOf underlyingTypeParameter Is RetargetingTypeParameterSymbol Then
                Throw New ArgumentException()
            End If

            m_RetargetingModule = retargetingModule
            m_UnderlyingTypeParameter = underlyingTypeParameter
        End Sub

        Private ReadOnly Property RetargetingTranslator As RetargetingModuleSymbol.RetargetingSymbolTranslator
            Get
                Return m_RetargetingModule.RetargetingTranslator
            End Get
        End Property

        Public ReadOnly Property UnderlyingTypeParameter As TypeParameterSymbol
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property TypeParameterKind As TypeParameterKind
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.TypeParameterKind
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property IsImplicitlyDeclared As Boolean
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.IsImplicitlyDeclared
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Ordinal As Integer
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.Ordinal
            End Get
        End Property

        Friend Overrides ReadOnly Property ConstraintTypesNoUseSiteDiagnostics As ImmutableArray(Of TypeSymbol)
            Get
                Return RetargetingTranslator.Retarget(m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.ConstraintTypesNoUseSiteDiagnostics)
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property HasConstructorConstraint As Boolean
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.HasConstructorConstraint
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property HasReferenceTypeConstraint As Boolean
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.HasReferenceTypeConstraint
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property HasValueTypeConstraint As Boolean
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.HasValueTypeConstraint
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Variance As VarianceKind
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.Variance
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property ContainingSymbol As Symbol
            Get
                Return RetargetingTranslator.Retarget(m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.ContainingSymbol)
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Locations As ImmutableArray(Of Location)
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.Locations
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property DeclaringSyntaxReferences As ImmutableArray(Of SyntaxReference)
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.DeclaringSyntaxReferences
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides Function GetAttributes() As ImmutableArray(Of VisualBasicAttributeData)
            Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.GetAttributes()
        End Function

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property ContainingAssembly As AssemblySymbol
            Get
                Return m_RetargetingModule.ContainingAssembly
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property ContainingModule As ModuleSymbol
            Get
                Return m_RetargetingModule
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Name As String
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.Name
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides ReadOnly Property MetadataName As String
            Get
                Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.MetadataName
            End Get
        End Property

        Friend Overrides Sub EnsureAllConstraintsAreResolved()
            m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.EnsureAllConstraintsAreResolved()
        End Sub

        ''' <remarks>
        ''' This is for perf, not for correctness.
        ''' </remarks>
        Friend Overrides ReadOnly Property DeclaringCompilation As VisualBasicCompilation
            Get
                Return Nothing
            End Get
        End Property

        Public Overrides Function GetDocumentationCommentXml(Optional preferredCulture As CultureInfo = Nothing, Optional expandIncludes As Boolean = False, Optional cancellationToken As CancellationToken = Nothing) As String
            Return m_UnderlyingTypeParameter.GetDocumentationCommentXml(preferredCulture, expandIncludes, cancellationToken)
        End Function
    End Class
End Namespace

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I have worked with a lot of companies on SEO, Social Media Marketing and Online PR initiatives.
Due to the nature of the commissioned reports, I can't publish a lot of this work. However, I have routed out an old report which I can share with you.
Click here: (Digital_Markting_and__Communications), to have a read of a thorough Digital Marketing guide, for a small company based in Dublin. This was conducted by myself and my friend Jason, and went a long way in helping the company owners optimise their online presence and activity.
This is a little boastful, but also pretty cool!
I have received an email from LinkedIn, notifying me that my profile is among the top 1% most viewed profiles of 2012.
With 200 million LinkedIn members, that means I could be the most viewed, or in the top 2 million, they didn't say 🙂 Coming 2 millionth doesn't sound like quite the same achievement though!
LinkedIn probably designed this initiative for 2 reasons; 1.) to thank and encourage its elite members and 2.) to tap into the inherent narcissism of social / professional media communication.
Scepticism aside though, Linkedin is a powerful tool.
One person who knows this is my colleague Darren, who is a super user of LinkedIn, and regularly gives training sessions on how to optimise usage. He was also approached by Linkedin, and awarded the top 1% status.
He wrote a blog about; "How to get yourself into the Top 1% most viewed profiles on Linkedin". You can read the blog here.
I have been a student of Martial Arts and Boxing for over 14 years now. I feel I have gained a lot from my training and wanted to give something back to the clubs. One way of doing so was to help them with their online activities. I thus nominated myself to conduct a project on behalf of DCU Amateur Boxing Club, to design a website for them. I became a committee member, and was given the Title of PR Officer and Webmaster.
Although I had some experience with Web / UI design, this was the first time I really paid heed to design principles. At the time, I had been learning about UI and UX and was keen to design the best possible website, with these concepts in mind.
Before I put the website together, the club had no online presence. This prompted me to design this website, as well as their very own Pixie gallery, Youtube channel, Facebook group and WordPress blog.
I believed that the website will not and should not be overly complicated. I acknowledged that the aim was to design/implement an effective, well organised, functional website, rather then it necessarily being the most advanced. In short, I opted not to include many of the bells and whistles, e.g. RSS feeds and java programmes.
I set myself a goal: to apply my new found knowledge in the implementation of a DCU Boxing Club website. I felt that, key to my design would be elements such as consistency, formatting, use of colour, headings, fonts, writing style, as well as structural considerations such as page layout and navigation.
Although I had previously used Weebly, Joomla, WordPress and Microsoft Frontpage, I had the desire to master Adobe Dreamweaver. I thus decided to design the site using this web authoring tool.
It should be noted that throughout the design and implementation stages, I consistently elicited the help of my classmates, through questions and usability tests. A specific example of this would be in deciding text or colour schemes where I constantly consulted others for their opinions.
I have, to the best of my ability, made my design rationale clear. Additionally, I have conducted post launch evaluations in a bid to refine my work.
I had read a blog which struck a chord with me. One of my blog feeds includes work by Nathan Snell, an Internet Strategist. The blog I refer to then was titled; "If You're Not Online, You Don't Exist".
Here he discussed (primarily in relation to small businesses) that 82% of customers try to find a business by searching online. He highlighted the negative effects then not having an online presence can have, especially where competitors do.
For a small club such as DCU Amateur Boxing, it was easy to overlook the internet, especially as committee member's hail from accounting background.
This club's lack of internet activity to date had meant that students were not aware the club existed. See this boards.ie discussion. Students discuss how it is a shame that DCU do not have a boxing club, when in fact they do.
This proved to me that the club is Internet Invisible. The sight of that boards.ie page is ultimately what prompted my decision to opt for a DCU Boxing Club website.
The initial planning stages where admittedly, relatively unstructured.
For example, I contacted the DCU Boxing Club committee and first asked permission. I then asked their members for ideas. Indeed, that relationship between the committee and the clubs' general members remained throughout the process. This provided me with a constant feedback loop as well as access to content information.
Next, I conducted field research, searching other similar websites.
Of the Colleges that have boxing club websites, none where particularly impressive. I decided to design my page from scratch.
The University College Cork Boxing Club's site utilises the traditional left-margin layout. All navigation tabs are on the left and are presented laterally.
TCD Boxing club's site utilises the popular layout that is, the distributed left and top-margin layout. I feel the existence of one navigation bar would suffice, as the tabs are repeated on the left e.g. Home, Photos, Videos and Contact appear twice.
UCD Boxing clubs' website utilises the top margin layout. It is similar to (but not identical) our site in that navigational tabs are displayed along the top of the webpage.
Other layouts would include the uncommon right margin layout and the distributed layout. I dislike the right-margin layout as users are not generally accustomed to using them. I feel user's eyes will favour the top left area of the screen. Although the distributed layout can work well, because my site does not showcase an extensive amount of content, I have decided it is not an realistic option for me.
I pondered how best to design our page layout. First, I drew freehand, to help me visualise my proposed content. Subsequently I progressed to designing a webpage layout on Microsoft PowerPoint. Upon reaching a decision, I began designing, using tables, on Dreamweaver.
It was at this stage that I decided it necessary to put in place a structured plan for implementing the website. I drew up a "Design Checklist" which would ultimately act as my framework / guide throughout the process.
Needs – Club Information e.g. times, costs, location etc.
Educational – informs members and potential members re: DCU Boxing. The associated Youtube account hosts training videos, to help members improve their skills.
Promotional – promotes the club to non members. The club have confirmed with the student union, that the recent emergence of the website, WordPress, Youtube, Pixie and Facebook accounts will get special mention in an upcoming edition of Campus magazine.
Entertainment – the addition of training pictures and videos provide entertainment and increase participation within the club.
Non-Profit – The website, like the club itself, is run on a non-profit basis.
URL: www.DCUboxingclub.com will be purchased and the site will be made live.
Received confirmation from DCU Boxing Club Treasurer, that hosting costs will be reimbursed.
Text – always relevant and informative. Experiment with text size, case and fonts. Always written with our target audience in mind.
Graphics – Use both PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and JPEGs (Joint Photographic Expert Group) formats.
PNG for header as it compresses the file but this is lossless compression. This image is the most prominent in the site and thus its quality should remain high. The PNG format will allow for seamless integration with our grey background.
JPEG for all other, smaller images. We have decided pixilation is less important for these images and so decided upon using lossy compressed JPEG images. User can access Pixie account for better quality viewing of these photos.
Use sparingly – so as to avoid download delays.
Assign Alt text to each graphic.
Include hyperlinked widgets for social media websites.
Video – embed one Youtube video. More videos can be viewed on the linked Youtube channel.
Should not be overly professional. A casual style best reflections the nature of the club. It will be teen/young adult orientated (target audience) yet all user friendly.
Some graphics used to compliment text. Visually appealing, fast loading and will not require abundance of memory.
Limit use of "hot" colours – bright colours like pink or orange are not associated with boxing.
Use a plain background, making the text stand out.
Ask classmates for advice with re: background / text contrast.
Computer labs' large screens allow for high resolution. However, users may be using notebooks, choose efficient resolution setting.
Set up and link various Social Media sites including Pixie.ie, Youtube, and Facebook. Set up and write blogs using hyperlinked WordPress account.
Conduct interviews with committee members and fighters. Include accurate representation of results.
When designing/implementing our website I found it vital to keep in mind the 9 guidelines which I had studied in class. It is evident, I hope, when navigating through the site that I have used all of these best practices.
Prior to implementation, I contemplated potential looks and structures for the site, from both visual and technical standpoints. It was my intention to develop a logical and easy means to understand structure, in a bid to enhance usability and user experience.
I had decided the website would have four main blocks.
2.) Navigation Bar – showing users how to get to other pages within the website. Also highlights current page.
3.) Body – Where the main text appears. This may be supplemented with images.
4.) Footer – This would include the clubs name, address, links to social media and internal links.
The type of layout I chose (highlighted in blue) resulted from the type and amount of content I had to display. Once decided upon, I began designing, using tables in Dreamweaver. This general layout, remains consistent throughout the website. Of course, each page's "main body" is presented differently, but the overall layout remains constant.
If I consider an alternative, say Trinity College Boxing Club's website and its dual navigation bars with drop down menus, I see a more hierarchical approach. If it where the case that the site had a particularly deep hierarchy, I would have employed a different structure. I would also have employed a "breadcrumb trail" or a "site map." It was due to the small information architecture and simplicity of the content that I made our decision.
I used tables in the creation of the navigation bar. By doing this I was able to have the background of the cell different colour when the user was on any given page. This in turn will work as a reminder to the user of what page they are on i.e. current location within the site.
My use of roll over text colours on links allows our users to know exactly when there mouse is over a link. In this way, the navigation bar serves a dual purpose, it is used both to display clickable links and also indicates current location.
I had debated whether or not I would have the navigation bar along the top of the site or along the side. The reason for choosing between these too is that in general user's eyes will first be drawn to the top left hand corner of the page so I felt it important that the user immediately sees what pages are on the website. I chose the top of the screen under the banner as I felt it would coincide more with the use of a footer on the bottom of each page which also contained links to each of the pages on the site.
It was my intention to display the information in a logical, succinct and easy to understand manner. I sought not to fill up every inch of the page with content, but rather add text and where necessary, perhaps add an image, or other media. Well distributed content means less clutter. The idea is that it is ok to have blanks, in fact it actually emphasises the evenly distributed content on the page. This is referred to as white space.
I sought to provide concise data and give the reader the option to explore in more detail by e.g. following a link to the blog.
The site does use several graphics which are visually appealing but also functional.
I assigned ALT text to each graphic to give a description. This is useful in different ways, e.g. if the image does not load, the user will still know what it represents and also, when the sites goes live, it will help in terms of search engine optimisation.
It was always my intention to using media sparingly so as to avoid clutter and enhance loading times.
The main image file types I utilised where PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and JPEGs (Joint Photographic Expert Group) formats.
PNG for the title header as it compresses the file but this uses lossless compression. This image is the most prominent in the site and thus its quality (pixilation) should remain high. The image, at a glance, gives the user a clear insight into what the website is about. The use of the DCU logo informs students of the club's affiliation with the University. The PNG format will allow for excellent integration with our grey background.
JPEG for all other, smaller images. I decided pixilation is less important for these images and so decided upon using lossy compressed JPEG images. User can access Pixie account for better quality viewing of these photos.
On the media page I have only used one embedded YouTube video, this was to decrease loading time for the user. It will give the user more visual aid about the club and below the links to the YouTube account and the pix.ie account will guide them to where more media can be seen in the video sparked interest.
In terms of applications, I have embedded one Google calendar and one Google Map.
As DCU email is now run by Gmail, each student can integrate the calendar with their email account, at the click of a mouse. The Google map, allows for directions, and visual geographic representation, including that of Google street view.
It was impossible for me to know the screen resolutions of our users. To eliminate horizontal (left or right) scrolling, I designing the site for 640 480 resolutions and each page is less than 600 pixels. I understand that users like to scan pages, and prefer not to scroll. This said, users are more inclined to scroll up and down than left to right.
My screen design is still rather effective at higher resolutions.
I felt from the start that a light background with darker text would be easier for someone to read off a screen. This assumption was reinforced when I asked fellow class mates to look at a few of the alternative colouring schemes. One of my alternate background was a light pink colour. One of my class mates responded to this by saying pink signifies femininity, and femininity is not associated with boxing. It is for this reason that I sought to limit "hot" colours – bright colours like pink or orange are not associated with boxing. I ultimately decided on a grey/silver background.
Also, by implementing a plain background, it emphasised the subject matter. Had I included a dynamic background it is likely the text would not stand out to the extent that it does now. All of the trial users agreed that, the text readability, in terms of foreground/background contrast was good to excellent.
My next step was to decide on font. Given the colour of the background I felt the best colour and the easiest to read was a standard black font. After asking some fellow class mates the majority agreed. I then sampled different fonts with are background in order to see which would be most user friendly. After much deliberation I decided that I would use times new roman for a majority of the text on the site, the reasoning behind this was that each character in within this font is unique which would lead to less confusion and give the user the ability to read faster. In saying this I did decide to use Arial in the home page header so to make it stand out more from the rest of the text. We also took this approach for the opening statement under the header.
I encountered a problem when I tested the site on a Macbook. I discovered that Apple computers display fonts at 72 dots per inch (dpi), whereas PCs display fonts at 96dpi. As I was designing the site on a PC, I took this disparity into consideration, by making text slightly bigger than was originally intended. I upgraded from text size ten to twelve.
As previously mentioned, the sites' architecture does showcase a high level of consistency throughout its pages. Colour, Font style and size and location of links also remain relatively constant throughout.
Nielsen (1993) writes "the ideal is to present exactly the information the user needs ~ and no more ~ at exactly the time and place where it is needed." Effective dialogue can positively affect usability and facilitate in creating comfort.
Nielsen (1993) writes "the ideal is to present exactly the information the user needs ~ and no more ~ at exactly the time and place where it is needed." Effective dialogue can positively affect usability and facilitate in creating comfort. Furthermore, I aimed to; Speak the User's Language.
When I first undertook the task of building this website I needed to focus on the targeted audience. As the topic of the site was the DCU Boxing Club I knew that main target users were current students at DCU who had an interest in boxing. They were not the only user though as I felt secondary school students with an interest in boxing and who were contemplating coming to DCU for further study we're also a target user. I write in a very casual, informal manner in a bid to emulate the laidback, fun nature of the club.
The Committee page offers an insight into their personalities. The intention is to create an open environment and encourage members and non-members to get more involved. Further outreach, in this manner, can be seen in the WordPress blog.
The effective navigation facilities I implement facilitate in reducing user's memory load. The navigation bar shows what page the user is on and how to select other pages. When a user hovers over a link, it becomes highlighted.
It is near impossible for a user to get lost in, or becoming confused about the architecture of this site, due to its simple design.
Features such as the aforementioned navigation bar, are important it informs users where they are or where they are going. Also, I took great care in ensuring that our page titles are specifically related to their associated content.
I feel complex sites which host large quantities of data may benefit from introducing short-cuts. As the site boasts a small amount of content, I feel shortcuts,( if at all possible given the one-click navigation that is already in place) might even cause confusion.
The only short-cut in place is the "back to home link" in the title image.
Nielsen (1993) discusses error messages as providing two initiatives to response. The first instance being that the user has encountered a problem, should this problem not be solved, the user will likely exit. Secondly, it offers an opportunity to assist the user. I have conducted much testing and tried to eliminate errors. I have however, included ALT text wherever necessary.
I understand the importance of preventing user driven errors in enhancing usability and building better affiliations with users. The continuous feedback I welcomed from those around me, throughout the design and implementation stages have likely assisted in such error elimination.
For this site, a simple click on the back up button will reverse any action.
It should be noted that I embraced other's inputs from the planning stage right through to the later implementation stages. As I designed the site in DCU labs I had the constant resource of the students around me, which I regularly called upon. In fact it was a fellow classmate, during a usability test, who suggested making the title logo linkable to the home page. DCU Boxing Committee and it's members were also called upon, to provide content and to give opinions on design spec.
Upon completion of the website (first draft) I went about designing a survey(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LBZ5RR9). This consisted of 7 questions, 6 of which were multiple choice and one which required user feedback. When asking individuals to complete the survey I made sure to ask different kinds of users, with regards computer proficiency, so that the results were not skewed. I sent this survey to 17 people, of which 10 replied. The results are graphed below.
A priority for the site was not to overload the user with textual information for this reason I didn't change the information as a result of this survey. What I did do to combat this was to give a link to the Word Press account, this give the user a place to access more information through blogs written by the committee and members.
As a result of this question I felt it import to enlarge the images which were external links so that more users would be confident in using them. I felt that it would not look good on the site if these images were larger on every page so I kept small images on the footer of every page and enlarged the images on 2 pages; home and media, as I felt the social networking sites would be most sought after on these pages.
Prior to the results of this question I did not have all of the pages of the website centred. The pages were aligned to the left. As a result on larger monitors there was a lot of blank space to the right of the page. Now, each page is centred so that it is even on any monitor type/size.
I tend to approach certain tasks, where there is no impending deadline, a little sporadically. Noting this, from personal assessments, I decided it necessary to put in place a structured plan for implementing the website. I had learned from a college module the importance of drawing up a "Design Checklist" (See Appendices) which would ultimately act as a framework / guide throughout the process.
As a key objective of my initiative was to increase interaction amongst members, I set about establishing and integrating various social media platforms.
Initially, I was delighted to inherit this, as it gave me a new way of communicating with members (previously solely through email). However, I quickly learned that a problem existed. As it was set up as a group, it would be run by nominated administrators. I began to investigate who had set this up and who had the password. Eventually, I discovered that the group had been established by a former member, whom had emigrated to Australia and was noncontactable.
This time it would not be a group. By having the chance to "like" the page, I felt it would offer great amplification thus making the club more visible online. It also offered me a new channel upon which to contact members. It became especially useful in sending messages, for example where training time changed. It was also used well, where we organised for members to purchase DCU Boxing hoodies.
I also set up a WordPress blog.
My intention here was again, to increase interaction, and to get members more involved. I had emailed (and facebooked) the group to let them know about the blog. I also stated that if anyone would like to "jump on board" and contribute I would gladly give them the password.
I blogged about big boxing matches that where coming up or had just happened. I had hoped this would enhance the community that is the club.
I also set up and utilised a DCU Amateur Boxing Youtube channel. I would attend the training sessions with a camera and take some footage, which could then be uploaded onto the Channel. I also used this channel to post key training tips for the members, e.g. webinars on foot movement. Futhermore, I used it to highlight some excellent boxing matches, which related to whatever we were learning in the classes.
I also established DCU Amateur Boxing's own Pixie gallery. Pix.ie is an Irish owned photo sharing site similar to that of Flickr. I brought my camera to training sessions and uploaded the content here. I also informed members and committee (via email and facebook) that they too could upload photos. All they would have to do is email their photos to the account and simply validate their own email address.
It was my intention to continually consult and apply the design principles and usability guidelines set out from the beginning. This blog discusses the rationale behind my design and also it's evaluation.
My next initiative will be in introducing embeddable Google Gadgets into the site. There are plenty of, easily embeddable "gadgets" which relate specifically to boxing.
Above, are example of numerous boxing gadgets which could be included on the www.DCUBoxing.com website. By including gadgets, I would also be actively encouraging link building. This should then improve the site's PageRank.
In fact, there is an opportunity for me to investigate developing a DCU specific Google Gadget which may be embedded on the website and also other's WebPages. Such WebPages (e.g. of other DCU clubs and boxing websites, may avail of a free DCUAmateurBoxing widget, which would, again, increase inbound links and add to the overall Online PR footprint.
Another change I will make, to better use this site as a communications device, will be seen in the embedding of Google Translate in the site.
Although it is a reasonably realistic observation to assume that future members will have a good grasp of the English language (studying in Ireland) it is true that a large proportion of current members are non nationals. Particularly well represented are Polish students. The coach is from Georgia and has limited English vocabulary.
TheSnell, 2009. If you're not online, you don't exist [Online] Available from: http://thesnell.com/blog/2009/03/03/if-youre-not-online-you-dont-exist/ [Accessed on 1st May 2011].
Nielsen J. 1993. Usability Engineering. Academic Press, Jamestown Rd, London.
Social Media Marketing Industry Report 2009. How Marketers Are Using Social Media to Grow Their Businesses. 2009: Social Media Examiner.
Hugepocket, 2011. Web Page Design is a Reflection of Your Business [Online] Available from: http://hugepocket.com/web-page-design-is-a-reflection-of-your-business/2/ [Accessed on 4th May 2011].
Lee H. Usability for Web, Lecture Presentation, October 2010. School of Computing, DCU.
Lee H. Usability Guidelines, Lecture Presentation, October 2010. School of Computing, DCU.
Social Media…Its Here to Stay!
limits of Web 2.0 in science & science communication." The talk offered a fresh insight on ways in which social media can be used to promote; science, technology, engineering and maths.
Across the globe, we are adopting Social Media at an exponential rate. Irish people spend more time social networking than on any other websites. 49% of Irish 8-17 yr olds have online profiles, whilst Irish Adults (18+) have an average of 1.6 profiles. Personally, I am a huge social media enthusiast, so much so that I am an active contributor to 15 different websites.
Indeed, we "Science Ambassadors" have embraced Youtube, Facebook and Twitter into our campaign to promote Dublin as 2012's European City of Science.. They have allowed us to reach out and really communicate science to the public, and, in a way which is really engaging.
Below is an excellent video, which charts the rise and rise of Social Media.
I've been collecting data on social media in Ireland since the last post on the dubscience blog. There's certainly enough new data to warrant an update.
Facebook is still the giant in terms of social networks. But how much more growth can be achieved? At this almost everybody who wants a Facebook account must have one. Or certainly those who are allowed to have one by their parents. Some data on under 18′s and parents use of Facebook is included below.
The number of Twitter accounts has jumped significantly. Data from Ipsos MRBI show's that Twitter is now used by 11% of the population, up from 7%. While data from Ad Planner shows an even bigger surge from 200K users to 570K. What's also significant is the number of those checking daily which has declined by percentage, but stayed the same (according to Ad Planner) or increased slightly (according to Ipsos MRBI) in terms of actual numbers.
It must be remembered Twitter users also log in from a number of 3rd party services like Hootsuite and Tweetdeck without actually going to Twitter.com. This may skew figures somewhat as heavy users probably log in from 3rd party services. This leaves new, or light users, who may be unfamiliar with Twitter accounting for daily users on Twitter.com.
•	According to Facebook the number of Irish people accessing the network from their mobile has increased to 800k (*via).
•	This is up from around 500k from last summer.
•	2.1 million unique users per month.
This data jar's somewhat when compared with Facebook's own figures, as it may suggest Youtube is more popular. However, when both are compared using AdPlanner you can see Facebook has double the daily unique traffic (at 1 million), and slightly more unique users (at 2.3 million).
What this data does show is Youtube's popularity in Ireland. It's not as popular as Facebook, but is much more popular than Twitter and LinkedIn.
•	This is estimated to be at 385,000 people in Ireland have a Twitter account over the age of 15.
•	The daily usage of Twitter, amongst this group, has fallen from 30% to 21%.
•	Although a decrease in percentage terms, it is an increase in actual numbers from 73,500 to 80,850 daily users.
•	Approx 60,000 unique users active per each rolling 5 day period.
Of course it must be worth noting Twitter is accessed by a range of 3rd party services such as Hootsuite and Tweetdeck, therefore traffic to Twitter.com may hide the true number of users. Not to mention those who operate multiple accounts – this makes estimating the actual number of individuals who use Twitter a very difficult task.
•	Mentions of Twitter in the Irish media increased from 16 mentions per month in January 2008 to 2,058 references in March 2011.
•	This is up over 52,000 since February.
•	Ireland still has the 2nd highest penetration of LinkedIn users in the world.
•	The number of people claiming to have a LinkedIn account fell from 9% in February, to 7% in May.
Foursquare is a location based social network, accessed via a mobile phone. Worldwide the service claims to have over 11 million users, which is small number when compared with any of the others on this list. It is very similar to Facebook Places, except with a gaming element. Foursquare don't release data on any individual country so this has been sourced from Google Ad Planner. You have to wonder will Foursquare ever break out into a wider audience, especially now when it has to compete with Facebook Places and the fact a lot of people just don't check in anywhere. Facebook may say 800k Irish users are accessing the service via their smart phone, that doesn't mean they're checking in with Facebook Places.
A thought just struck me… a week into the journey, and we have driven through no less then 7 countries. However, we have hardly taken a minute to peruse the wonderful landscapes whizzing by our window. Instead, we have immersed ourselves in the equally wonderful world of the web.
This networked bus is a testament to the hard work of the bus company (Ideas in Motion.) I mean, the atmosphere is such that we feel like we are in our very own office, and not, on a refurbished 17a Dublin Bus.
In theses past few years, there has been an undisputable revolution in IT, and the already expeditious technological progression is hastening.
Innovation in, and ultimately adoption of, IT, has been supported by declining costs, technological improvement and increased competition. In looking back over the past say, five years, it is inextricably clear that information technologies have had a profound effect on numerous domains of society.
In part 2, I aim to focus on the effects on my personal and my fellow science ambassador's lives. It should be noted that we have aboard a healthy blend of technology buff and technophobe. Although unique in so many ways, we are a regular clan, playing a small part in a wider social revolution.
There is likely more but, I can think of six exponential trends that are fueling this "revolution" (i.e. progression of IT in society) : 1.) The law of Photon, 2.) The age of Info Whelm, 3.) The Internet Revolution, 4.) Biotechnology, 5.) Nanotechnology and 6.) Moore's Law.
It is inextricably clear that we are in the midst of a world altering virtual revolution.
According to Google, the World Wide Web is growing by a billion pages per day. The proliferation of Social Media is proof of a shift from hierarchies to networks. This transformation towards a network society, I feel, is as much organizational as a cultural question.
When looking at the growth of IT on a global level, figures and statistics can oft appear daunting and incomprehensive. To better understand the true impact of IT on society, one should look at it from a micro level.
Should I take a 360 degree sweep of the bus, I see my new friends tapping away on laptops. Scattered across the tables is an eclectic mix of technological paraphernalia; dictophones, e-readers, Iphones, Ipods, cameras; hell, Kevin even has a pen which doubles as a scanner!
The ensuing innovations have, and going forward, will continue to have various social and economic impacts on family life and wider society. How we work, learn, communicate, entertain ourselves, interact with each other and socialize. For instance, when we where introduced to Amsterdam's "Smart City" program, it highlighted the blurring of the lines between work and family life, but also how IT could, perhaps, diminish the role of cities.
So, technology and society are becoming inextricably interwoven. The aspects which have most relevance, to our team include; education, workplace and private life.
Onboard, we have 1 secondary school teacher, 2 university undergraduates, and 3 currently employed graduates. Ariff, the driver of the bus, is working towards an Open University Degree, by using distance learning.
Stay tuned for part 2, where I will expatiate on; just how IT affects the lives of each member of the team. Based on the derived extrapolations we will be presented with an accurate view of; how the IT Revolution is affecting our lives.
Heres to getting to know each other!


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text:
COVID-19 Mask Patrol
Thread starter Cynder
My county has a mask mandate and as a person who was shifted from Beauty to Cart Wipe duties, I have had the privilege of being on mask patrol for the last few weeks. Oh what fun that has been!
Ive been laughed at, flipped off, ignored and then accused of chasing someone, argued with, lied to (I believe) about them having medical conditions, had the cops called, and gotten a colorful of other curse words thrown my way by guests.
There has been guidelines as far as dialogue we're supposed to go through regarding enforcing the mandate. Most guests are compliant. But some guests never want to hear it and they end up walking away from me, unmasked, or cursing...before I say all I've been asked to say. So then the guidelines says for us to call a leader when that happens, to de-escalate.
At first, it was really difficult for me not to run my smart mouth back to these people, and it still is difficult, because that's how I am and I have not been trained to deal with unruly guests. I've told a few people "There's the door!" When they say they don't want to do business there if they have to wear a mask.
But then I realized I'm going to end up getting fired for telling these assholes where I really want them to go and that I'm not being paid to deal with this, leaders are, so I am going to command they be close to the front and often to help me out. I had to push for that but I have a couple of good leaders who are on my side. (A few other leaders don't seem to care about my experiences with this task.)
It's rather unclear how certain details will change once this becomes Target policy on the 1st, as it pertains to whether or not we'll refuse service to those who refuse to wear a mask.
But I strongly don't think untrained regular team members should be involved in this role at this time. It's too risky and even potentially unsafe. Too many guests are completely irrational and hostile in their response to the mask police. It has been a pretty uncomfortable thing I somehow got shifted in doing.
What's worse is that they have been sticking new team members only there after a week or two, up there to do this as well. They've confessed to me that it's terrifying! And it is.
Anyone else experiencing anything similar?
Reactions: TrimoNarix, rbfallday, Ringwraith917 and 3 others
Sassy Avocado
Nkg
Yes let's create 50 threads on masks
Reactions: daemon, oath2order, RealFuckingName and 1 other person
Thread Starter Thread Starter
Mods can delete if the repeat isn't allowed. I didn't initially see the other thread.
Captain Orca
It can be very dangerous. If they had any fucking sense in Minnesota the stores would hire a big rough looking armed security guard for the door. Karen or equivalent gives them shit, out they go. No mask....get out and don't come back.... It will end eventually and we will all go back to normal. It's just so damned simple, the municipality and stores require masks, mask up do your shopping then leave. Don't make your Target visit an event with all the affectations, the $6.00 Starbucks drink, the bullshitting with other Karens...just buy your fucking mustard, chocolate milk and get the hell out.
Reactions: blugirlami21, TrimoNarix, Boxcutterwhereru and 6 others
Bufferine
Cynder said:
Ive been laughed at, flipped off, ignored and then accused of chasing someone, argued with, had the cops called, and gotten a colorful of other curse words thrown my way by guests.
There has been guidelines as far as dialogue we're supposed to go through regarding enforcing the mandate. Most guests are compliant. But some guests never want to hear it and they end up walking away from me, unmasked, or cursing...before I say all I've been asked to say. So then they want us to call a leader when that happens, to de-escalate.
At first, it was really difficult for me not to run my smart mouth back to these people, because that's how I am and I have not been trained to deal with unruly guests. But then I realized I'm going to end up getting fired for telling these assholes where to go and that I'm not being paid to deal this, leaders are, so I am going to command they be there to help me out. I had to push for that but I have a couple of good leaders who are on my side. (A few other leaders don't seem to care about my experiences with this task.)
It's rather unclear how things will change once this becomes Target policy on the 1st. But I strongly don't think untrained regular team members should be doing it. It's too risky and even potentially unsafe. Too many guests are completely irrational and hostile in their response. I has been a pretty uncomfortable thing I somehow got shifted in doing.
our AP is the only
Our AP is the only one enforcing. They shouldn't ask this of you. People gets crazy so be careful.
Reactions: TrimoNarix and badcrumble
Hardlinesmaster
Search option does work.
COVID-19 - Is anyone else's Target enforcing masks?
Was just curious, I'm in a state where it's currently required that you wear a mask whenever you go outside or shopping. The Target I'm at though isn't currently enforcing that, so they are allowing people to enter our store without a mask or anything of the sort. I was just curious if anyone...
www.thebreakroom.org
Reactions: RealFuckingName and qmosqueen
One of our local supermarkets has a very large young buck contract security guy weaving through the aisles. I didn't see any of those moronic "its my right to not wear a mask" assholes in the store a few days ago but they do exist.
Reactions: Hardlinesmaster
BoxCutter
Cut hard. Cut deep.
I would think there are a lot of unemployed bouncers looking for work these days. Hire them, give them a red shirt, and put them at the entrance.
Reactions: Bosch, TrimoNarix, RealFuckingName and 5 others
allnew2
Bufferine said:
Based on the de-escalation training Ap shouldn't be called for that issue.
Reactions: WoodlandCreature, checklane01, Xanatos and 1 other person
allnew2 said:
He is the ONLY one that can say anything to a guest. A TM got HER lips busted in an alteration with 3 guests for advising a guest of the mandatory face covering.
Did you do the training? If yes you need to do it again. If not then I'm letting you know that the option is a leader in that situation and not the Ap.
Reactions: Priceslasher, SpilledTea and Hardlinesmaster
FlowTeamChick
When will people realize that shopping is a privilege, not a right? And when will those same troublesome people realize that this is a public health issue, not a political one? And when will they decide to become part of the solution instead of being part of the problem?
Wish I had an answer to any one of those questions. Sigh.
Reactions: Priceslasher, spytfyre7, IWishIKnew and 9 others
Tessa120
Current game: Northgard
FlowTeamChick said:
Honestly? I don't think it's going away anytime soon. I think the root of the problem started 30-35 years ago when the brand new parenting advice was the complete opposite of what happened during the Latchkey Kid generation, that parents should make family life kid-centric, lots and lots of focused time, and lots of praise over every little thing. The classic give everyone on the team a trophy rather than just the MVP. That much kid-focused, entitlement was groomed in starting at a very young age. Experts now say that approach actually also makes kids feel powerless, since they don't have to rely on themselves and their inner resources to fix anything in their life.
Well those kids are all grown up and having their own kids. They have the belief that it's all about them, since it was all about them (kid-centric). They feel that since they are special their needs and wants are top priority. Deep down, they also feel uncertain or powerless and the typical way of dealing with that is being a control freak. Add in that there have been a ton of society and technology changes in their lifetime, and that gives the sense that everything that was important when people were young are either no longer valid or no longer remembered or proven ethically wrong, and that can really disrupt the very foundation of life for someone who doesn't have an unshakeable certainty in their ability to survive.
Throw in religious issues, and see above about society changes. Note: This is not all the Karens, just some. One societal change is the embracing of non-Christian religions and the support for Christianity to be treated equally to other religions. People who are convinced that they know the only true way are focused on a) saving everyone else by "guiding" (coercing) them to follow the true way, and b) beating back the false prophets. They truly believe that there's a war on Christianity and la la la any attempt to explain as equal. A persecution complex often leads to extremism as a way of saving what they have, and (whether true or not) a sense of an actual persecution leads to martyrs.
Even sadder, copy the above paragraph and switch religion to skin color.
Throw in generations of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "don't rely on the government, rely on yourself" training and the resulting extreme individualism that seems a little peculiar to the rest of the world. Individualism in the sense of people not wanting to sacrifice self for the common good and individualism in the sense that people should rely on themselves, not a government safety net.
So decades of training a generation that they are the focus of the universe, they are special and should get whatever they want, they are also afraid deep down of what would happen if they lose control of a situation, they fight as if their life depends on it to be in ultimate control, everything is live in the moment because everything goes away and is forgotten, they have to focus on themselves because no one else will help since everyone else will be focusing on themselves, and for seasoning possibly a sense that despite being a majority of something they have to push back hard to prevent from being a minority of something -
And that is the recipe to create someone who will react above all reason to ensure that they are in control over what touches their face and no one can take that power over self away from them and they control everything about their shopping trip, including other people's reaction to them. Put in a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Reactions: TrimoNarix, Reshop Ninja, StyleMaven and 3 others
seasonaldude
That Asshole in OPU
Tessa120 said:
Shit, someone's button got pushed.
Reactions: TLSpot, Bosch, daemon and 5 others
Did I do the training for what?
Yetive
Servant of 2 Masters
Verbal De-escalation
Reactions: Hardlinesmaster and allnew2
i think you misread. There Will never be a day when I approach anyone to put on a mask. They would have to pay me way more than $18 an hour for that. The TM that got her lip busted....There was no conversation to de escalate. Just a punch.
Reactions: Boxcutterwhereru
RealFuckingName
Captain Orca said:
Yeah, and a little gate the bouncer opens up to let in guests "on the list," meaning wearing a mask.
Reactions: Boxcutterwhereru and BoxCutter
Kvothe
Demoted GSA
Remember a Dollar Store security guard in Flint, MI was shot and killed for enforcing mask wearing. Definitely not worth it for $15/hour.
Reactions: Boxcutterwhereru, qmosqueen, IWishIKnew and 5 others
Duval Dawg
Future successful man, Current Cart Attendant
For me I'm supposed to educate ones who don't have them but we don't kick anyone out of the store if they don't have it, I don't believe masks completely work so I don't really say anything to a customer unless they ask about it when they aren't wearing one. I'm not gonna preach on something I don't believe in.
redeye58
Hasta Ba Rista, Baby!
Duval904Man said:
I'm not gonna preach on something I don't believe in.
Doesn't matter what you believe; follow your store's policy as closely as you can without causing disruption.
You can't fix stupid & you can't quarantine it either.
Reactions: blugirlami21, Bonzo, JAShands and 4 others
redeye58 said:
My management hasn't said anything to me or others who don't do it. There's a 1% chance that I would see one person come in without one.
Then it doesn't matter what YOU believe.
IF someone should come in unmasked you can only politely state the directive & ask them to comply - nothing more.
If you want to move out of the front end to another dept, ignoring a simple policy isn't the way to do it.
Reactions: blugirlami21, TrimoNarix, JAShands and 5 others
We start enforcing tomorrow. AP won't be there. But it's OK. They've trained the front end. 👌😂
Reactions: qmosqueen
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Van Arty Association and RUSI Van Members News Oct 6, 2015
Van Arty Association and RUSI Van Members News Oct 6 2015
Newsletter on line. This newsletter, and previous editions, are available on the RUSI Vancouver website at: http://www.rusivancouver.ca/newsletter.html
The 15 Field Officers Mess holds weekly lunches, serving a 5 course, 'homemade' meal for only $15- you won't find a better meal - or a better deal, anywhere. If you are in the area on a Wednesday, drop in and join us for lunch.
NOABC Speaker Program - Wednesday October 28th
Mr John Swann will give a talk on the `San Jose` and the hunt for its Treasures.
World War 2 - 1940
John Thompson Strategic analyst quotes from his book "Spirit Over Steel"
Oct 1st: The Germans and Finns agree to closer ties and to swap arms for nickel.
Essential Reading: Hitler was a lousy economist but Germany's war effort was sustained somehow… and it is clear that loot, robbery and 'reparations' played a major role in the Reich's finances. Part of the process is well charted in Nazi Looting: The Plunder of Dutch Jewry During the Second World War and Gerard Aalders, Arnold Pomerans and Erica Pomerans did a superlative job in assessing one aspect of the financing of the Nazi War Machine.
Oct 2nd: Chamberlain resigns his seat in the war-cabinet and Churchill promotes more Labour figures to it. Vichy France starts to register French Jews.
Oct 4th: Hitler and Mussolini meet, Hitler tells Mussolini not to pursue any new campaigns and offers to help in Africa (an offer Benito turns down). Sir Charles Portal becomes the new Chief of Air Staff.
Oct 5th: The US calls up some Naval Reserves to help man an expanding fleet. The Japanese government warns of a potential war between Japan and the United States if the US doesn't let the Axis have its way. As Shakespeare put it, glory can be the bubble reputation in the cannon's mouth. Helmut Wick has just had Oak Leaves appended to his Knights Cross and today has become the youngest major in the Luftwaffe, a result of his recent 40th kill as a fighter pilot. He is outstripping his peers Galland and Mölders. However, on November 28th, he will come off second best against an RAF Spitfire over the English Channel and will not survive the experience.
Oct 6th: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: Antonescu solves his problems with the turbulent Romanian Fascists of the Iron Guard by assuming command of the organization.
Bond of Strangers – The Operation Husky Story
Announcing the BC Premiere of the Max Fraser Film at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver,
on Sunday, 1 November 2015 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PST)
Join filmmaker Max Fraser, author Mark Zuehlke and special guests for a one-time-only event this fall to honour Canadian veterans of WW2 and help reclaim lost history. Both the film and the book deal with Operation Husky, the 1943 invasion of Sicily, and the emotional 70th anniversary pilgrimage that took place in July 2013. The Seaforths were heavily involved in this WW2 campaign and in the 70th anniversary events in Sicily. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Vancouver's Infantry Regiment, are helping present this event; a group rate is offered to members of the regimental family, Canadian Forces and affiliated groups. For information contact Rod Hoffmeister at 604-240-2285 or rodhoffmeister@shaw.ca.
Filmmaker Fraser is the son of a WW2 veteran of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment who served in Sicily and Italy, a largely-forgotten campaign where Canadian soldiers waged their first major battles, earning a formidable reputation. Fraser's new one-hour documentary is called "Bond of Strangers - The Operation Husky Story." It's the emotional story of ten Canadians who literally went the distance for remembrance, walking 300km over 20 days in Sicily in 2013 on the 70th anniversary of the invasion. They form a special bond through their journey together, and with the local people whose memories of that dark time run deep. Author Mark Zuehlke recently was honoured by the Governor General with the Pierre Berton Award for popular history for his Canadian Battle Series. He is one of the ten marchers in OpHusky2013 and his new book is based on that gruelling experience. "Through Blood and Sweat, A Remembrance Trek Across Sicily's World War Two Battlegrounds" is a contemplative look at the culture of remembrance and the experience of war.
DVDs and books will be available for sale following the event. Click the following for a preview of the film: https://vimeo.com/140252405
To order tickets use Promo code: agira at: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ophusky-remembrance-film-book-event-vancouver-tickets-18675185984?aff=esfb&utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=fb&utm-term=homepage
US Special Forces personnel sit in a military helicopter over Kabul, Afghanistan, in November 2014. CBC News has learned that the Canadian military has been working on a plan to create an integrated force with the US (Massoud Hossaini/Associated Press)
But the plan laid out in a military briefing note written for then chief of the defence staff. Gen Tom Lawson goes further. It suggests military officials from both countries were seeking to align some forces in a permanent and formal arrangement. A source familiar with the planning told CBC News the CAN-US IF, as it's called, would be scaled in proportion to the conflict it was being deployed to. Such a force could feature just ships, or ships and planes, or some combination of all military forces including ground troops and special operation soldiers.
A member of Canadian Forces JTF2 special operations unit storms a ship during the training exercise Operation Nanook off the shores of Churchill, Man., in August 2012. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
The "conceptual development" of the force would include devising techniques for the management of the force, its command structure and its links back to national headquarters in both countries. It would also have to deal with some thorny questions around the use of force and varying interpretations of the laws of war.
Soldiers from Canada's elite Joint Task Force 2 counter-terrorism unit encountered difficulty in Afghanistan operating alongside US government forces who allegedly committed unlawful killings in full view of Canadian commandos. 'Close engagement with the US will enable the achievement of other [Canadian] regional strategic objectives.'– Military document. The JTF-2 soldier who raised those allegations also claimed that in January 2008 his team was sent to conduct a mission alongside an American team. He said he witnessed the US forces kill a man who was wounded and unarmed — a war crime. The soldier maintained the military did not take seriously the allegations, which led him to report the matter to the Canadian Forces ombudsman. Canadian investigators eventually cleared all Canadian soldiers of criminal wrongdoing. But, the file was handed to American forces for review. But not all experiences were so difficult. Canada worked extensively alongside US forces throughout its Afghan deployment, and of course has a long history of engagement in NORAD and NATO. Military planners advised the chief of the defence staff the proposed integrated force would help Canada "demonstrate a continuing commitment to the US" They also say "close engagement with the US will enable the achievement of other [Canadian] regional strategic objectives."
A US Special Forces soldier stands in front of soldiers during an American-led military exercise in Chad in February 2015. Canadian Special Forces have previously worked with the US in Afghanistan. (Emmanuel Braun/Reuters)
The planning work laid out a series of potential missions for Canadian troops overseas in order "to support government of Canada objectives internationally" and "under the assumption that current CAF operational commitments abroad will be maintained." The document CBC News obtained shows military planners were searching for operations and exercises on which to deploy Canadian troops in order to contribute to "international peace and security," but also to support objectives such as retaining "readiness" and to assert the military's "relevance and credibility" to Canadians. The integrated forces concept is one of several such ideas the document says the chief of the defence staff could propose "in his role as the adviser to the prime minister for employment of the nation's military."
The document also suggests engagement with the NATO Response Force and with a new arrangement led by the United Kingdom called the JEF, or Joint Expeditionary Force. To that force, the document proposes linking Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team, a company group of infantry trained in non-combatant evacuation operations, and a special operations hostage rescue (HR) capability. "A linking of DART, the NEO Coy Gp, and other Canadian HR forces to this initiative could improve our interoperability with the UK and the other involved nations as well as provide more options to the [government of Canada] to co-operate with these countries in times of international crises." A source with knowledge of the thinking inside the Defence Department as this document was written said all of these joint efforts are designed to improve relationships with allies and to promote familiarity between allied nations' militaries.
A Conservative spokesman said the party had no desire to create a new standing force, but not address whether one could nevertheless be established with units on both sides of the border trained to work with one another. "While we often work with like-minded allies like the United States, there's no desire for a standing integrated force. The Canadian Armed Forces and its personnel ultimately answer to Canada," Stephen Lecce said in an email to CBC News. military planners offered the Western Hemisphere as the central focus of the military's foreign military engagement, followed by the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the North Atlantic, the Middle East and North Africa, and finally, the rest of Africa. In each case, apart from Africa, there was a recommendation for more engagement. "The [Strategic Joint Staff] assess that the [Canadian Armed Forces] current footprint in Africa is sufficient to meet Canadian foreign policy objectives at this time," the planners wrote. The staff also recommended the military not increase the number of troops deployed on Peace Support Operations (PSOs), such as United Nations or African Union peacekeeping operations. "An ongoing mission review is occurring to validate whether CAF presence on PSOs provides desired strategic benefit to Canada." The document hints at a reset of the government's Canada First Defence Strategy. Military observers in Ottawa have long been anticipating just such a review, but none has yet been discussed by the government.
Stephen Saideman at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs says the military planning document suggests the Forces were planning to stay engaged globally though military to military contact in a bid to stay current with other nations' capabilities and efforts. But he expressed some confusion about the purpose of the integrated force, which he said was reminiscent of the 1st Special Service Force, the so-called Devil's Brigade, a joint Canadian-US special operations unit created during the Second World War. "It's kind of surprising the Americans would buy into this in any big way, because the Canadians are so small, they don't really add that much to what the Americans can do," Saideman said. "On the other hand, what the Canadians proved in Afghanistan on the ground in a harsh battlefield, the Canadians and the Americans are quite compatible."
Sweden's Archer Self Propelled Artillery Project
Sep 29, 2015 by Defense Industry Daily staffBAE Systems delivered the first serial production Archer artillery systems to the Swedish Armed Forces last week, following delivery of pre-serial systems in September 2013 and an initial batch of 24 Archers in 2007.
BAE Systems Bofors' Archer is a light, air-portable, and highly automated 155/52 light mobile artillery system. Archer began as a Swedish project, administered by their FMV procurement agency. Funding was provided for system development and some initial production, but the project's future had been shadowed by anemic Swedish defense budgets. In May 2007, however, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Norway's FLO procurement agency, which evolved into a joint production venture. Just as initial production moved the Archer system from concept to imminent reality, however, Norway left the program. Why?
The Archer system mounts BAE Systems' FH77-B05 155mm/ 52 caliber cannon on a modified Volvo commercial A30E 6×6 all-terrain articulated truck, which has been militarized to add armor and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. Road speed is up to 70 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 500 km. The entire system weighs 33.1t / 36.5 tons. Automation ensures that the crew can fire the gun within 20 seconds of arriving in position, and without leaving the cabin. The magazine holds 21 shells, which can all be fired in an intensive 3.5 minute volley that includes multiple simultaneous impact targeting for groupings of up to 6 shells. Continuous fire is only 54 rounds in 35 minutes, and is regulated by barrel temperatures and reloading speed. The system can hit targets with great accuracy at ranges up to 50 km/ 31 miles, using rocket-boosted Excalibur GPS-guided shells. Conventional 155mm fire can reach to 40 km/ 24.85 miles, and Bofors and Nexter's BONUS anti-tank shells can reach to 35 km/ 21.75 miles.
Ammunition resupply involves an armored truck or other vehicle equipped with a modified standard container. Full reloading takes about 10 minutes using integrated lifting equipment, and it's the only time the crew needs to be outside the system.
Under the Swedish-Norwegian co-development agreement, Archer will use Kongsberg's popular M151 Protector remote-controlled weapon/ surveillance turret for close-in self defense. This continues in force despite Norway's withdrawal from the program. System Design and Development was scheduled to continue until 2009-2010, at which point the Swedish and Norwegian governments had an option to buy up to 24 Archers each at a pre-set price. That option was exercised in March 2010, with delivery supposed to take place from October 2011 – 2013, but the 1st delivery didn't arrive until September 2013. After Norway's withdrawal, production deliveries won't begin until 2016. Even late as it was, that 2013 delivery was an important milestone for the Archer project. The big break will come at the end of testing and acceptance, whereupon the Archer will become a proven competitor in the light-to-medium mobile artillery market.
15 Fd Regimental Museum Activities
The 15th Field Artillery Museum and Archives were the result of the late HLCol "Vic" Stevenson's initiative. Vic had saved the routine orders and printed material from his time in the regiment. He started the museum in the mid-1970s with a display, mainly about Yorke Island's fortifications, in the small room that is now the communications store room. In 1983 the museum was incorporated and it became one of the Department of National Defence's accredited, military museums. It was relocated to two rooms with an office on the north side of the parade square. Like most small museums with little funds, the 15th Field Artillery Regiment's Museum has depended on donated artifacts and publications. Some items, such as the 40-mm. Bofors anti-aircraft gun and the folding bicycle designed for 1944's D-Day were particularly valuable acquisitions. The museum is also the custodian of the restored, historic military vehicles and the 25-pounder gun on the armoury floor. The gun and the vehicles have appeared at commemorative events and in patriotic parades. The dependence on voluntary donations has resulted in a heterogeneous collection of items, some unrelated to the artillery or even the Canadian Army. The challenge was to produce a coherent display from this odd assortment of objects. With the aid of professional exhibit designers and conservation experts, Vic began that task. The job was still incomplete when he died in May 2010. Fortunately, friends and associates who had assisted with the museum took over its management so that Vic Stevenson's legacy would not be lost. In 2011 the museum society edited and published Vic's manuscript history of the Bessborough Armoury.
The present museum society has about twenty members and its president is MGen [ret'd] Stuart T McDonald, CMM, CD, a former commanding officer of the regiment. Society members are entitled to a 20% discount on anything that the museum has on sale. This an all-volunteer organization that is self-financing. It also operates a lending library on military subjects. The Curator is Maj [ret'd] Peter Moogk, CD, PhD, a former member of the regiment and a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, where he taught Canadian history for 35 years. During his eighteen years in the army reserve Peter was trained in logistics, gunnery and public affairs. The Assistant Curator is John Redmond, MEd, who has been on the staff of UBC and Kwantlen University and, coming from a gunner family, John has an extensive knowledge of military history. In 2014 he was awarded the Medal of Bravery for rescuing passengers from a burning aircraft that had crash landed on Sea Island. John has been outstanding in identifying artifacts, in conserving objects, and in bringing order to the museum's basement storage room. The scale model John made of the Point Grey coast defence battery is one of the most popular exhibits. Our Secretary-Treasurer is Susan Moogk, MA, who has been trained in museology and anthropology. Her greatest contribution has been in accessioning items in the museum collection, using the Canadian Forces electronic inventory system. Her knowledge of museum practices has been extremely helpful. Capt [ret'd] Bob Spring keeps the accounts in order and gives valuable advice on the law while LCol [ret'd] Graham Jenkins verifies the bills before countersigning the cheques.
Because the museum staff is no longer desperate to acquire and display anything that is remotely connected with war and military life, the acquisition policy is now selective - principally focused on the regiment, the artillery, and the Canadian army. Items are still accepted, not on loan, but as gifts to the museum for which a tax-deductible receipt is issued. There has been an adjustment of the displays so that they answer such basic questions as "how did the artillery originate?'" or "who were Canada's first gunners?" and "what is the history of the 15th Field Regiment?" The last question is one that only our museum will address. Short, clear texts provide new recruits as well as civilian visitors with answers to those questions. A new, large display case was custom-made for clothing items, especially hats, which attracted dust and vermin. Our next project will be to provide a visual precis on the art of gunnery and to highlight the overseas service of our personnel with the UN and NATO. A mannequin has already been dressed in an ISAF uniform to represent the role of Canadian reservists in recent operations in Afghanistan.
If you have not already done so, please drop by the museum to view its collection. It is open on Wednesdays, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, to coincide with the weekly lunch in the officers' mess. Admission is free. The museum is also opened for special events in the armoury, on national holidays, and, upon request, for group visits. Contact telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are posted on the museum's door.
Last Week: This picture was taken in the summer of 1968 when two RN Missile Destroyers, HMS Fife and HMS Glamorgan, paid an official visit to Vancouver. Here Fife (D20), the senior of the two, is seen firing a salute to Canada as she passes Brockton Point in Stanley Park with 15 Fd Regt standing by to reply.
This Week: Mess life has always been a jolly experience for one and all, with the exception of certain regiments which had the tradition of requiring those who pass the port the wrong way to exit the mess and blow their brains out with a Webley service revolver. Fortunately, that has not been the tradition in any local mess since the 1950s, when a Royal Commission on health and subaltern safety ruled against the continuation of such practices as a waste of ammunition.
Our photo this week is very much in the "who is that" vein, being one shot (sorry!) in the officers' mess of Bessborough Armoury. The date on the slide frame is 1967, and the general dress, mess kit, patrols and black tie, of the gentlemen seems to confirm that. As with many of our photos, it comes from the extensive collection of the late Vic Stevenson, and avid photog from pimply youth.
Every one of these well-dressed chaps seems to be having a grand time, as do we who weekly attend Mrs. Lum's Wednesday feasts. And, while some of you may recognize some of these lads, I don't, nor do I have a record to accompany the photograph. So, can you help to identify these stalwarts of Queen and Country? Answers can be sent either to the editor, or, with suitable payment, to the author, John Redmond (johnd._redmond@telus.net). Thank you for your help.
From the 'Punitentary'
What is the difference between a miser and a canary? One's a little cheap and the other is a little cheeper.
Murphy's other Laws
It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. - Ambrose Redmoon


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Microsoft reveals new feature of modular Windows 10 X
Mayank Parmar
Microsoft has been working on a new operating system called Windows 10 X, and it's destined for use on dual-screen devices and even laptops. Microsoft is apparently looking to expand Windows 10 X's presence beyond the traditional laptop and mobile use with a new feature called 'Voice control'.
Windows 10 has built-in voice controls for some of its most popular features, but the current implementation is hit-or-miss. Voice recognition is mainstream when it comes to mobile and smart devices, and it looks like Microsoft is also joining the club with Windows 10 X.
It appears that Microsoft is working on a new voice control feature for Windows 10 that would let you conquer tasks quickly and effectively.
In Hyderabad, the capital of southern India's Telangana state, Microsoft is hiring Senior Software Engineer with strong C++ knowledge to work on Voice control feature for Windows 10 X.
As per the LinkedIn job post spotted by us, Windows 10 X's Voice control experience is based on brand-new Assistive Technology (AT) tech and it will allow users to enjoy and be productive on the 10X OS with their voice.
"Since this is a new application the number of coding challenges are numerous: leveraging cognitive services for voice commanding and control, identifying interesting elements within an application context as well as interacting with the entire desktop, interacting in new ways with the 10X OS while maintaining the security and integrity," Microsoft noted.
Microsoft's job post doesn't go into much other detail, but presumably, new voice control implementation will also improve Cortana and digital assistant experience on Windows 10 X.
Microsoft has also been looking to staff up engineers to work on bringing Windows 10X to the Internet of Things (IoT), suggesting that the company is already looking to expand the OS presence beyond the desktop. With IoT version of 10X, Microsoft plans to build special-purpose devices in governmental, transportation, and other sections.
Hands on with Windows 11's new leaked File Explorer with modern design
Windows 11 Android integration to get improved high-resolution video streaming


text:
Why no summer? Will it end?
KNKX Public Radio | By Keith Seinfeld
National Weather Service, 7-15-11
Lower than normal pressures (in blue) and higher (in green) correspond to where temperatures are below and above normal.
Grouchy Northwesterners are starting to call this 'The year of no summer.' While we may be secretly glad to miss the heat wave that's punishing the Midwest, we're wondering why we're stuck with clouds … and when will it end?
When I talked to experts, the first thing they told me: It is no coincidence.
The record heat in the Midwest and the cool temps along the west coast – those are related. There's a ridge of high pressure in the atmosphere along with a low pressure trough, and they're stuck in place, keeping the current weather pattern.
In fact, the pattern has been in place for six months, says Cliff Mass, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.
"Originally the explanation was La Nina, but La Nina is gone now. It's really weakened. So something else is keeping this in place, and I don't think any of us knows why that is."
The low pressure zone in the skies off the west coast is keeping it cloudy. For nearly two weeks, since July 7th, high temperatures at Seatac have been a bit below average, which would normally be about 75 degrees this time of year.
And, as Mass reminds us, the next few weeks should be the hottest and driest part of summer.
"That's what makes people so upset, we're going into the dry period. They know it. And we keep on getting these clouds and precipitation."
When will it get hot?
Mass says forecasts are only accurate for about a week into the future. While the high/low pressure pattern's not changing soon, it could happen next week.
In fact, there's a glimmer of hope from one of the longer-range computer models at the National Weather Service. It says the Northwest could get "normal" summer weather – with highs near 80 – at the end of next week.
Science WeatherCliff Masssummer
Keith Seinfeld
Keith Seinfeld has been KPLU's Health & Science Reporter since 2001, and prior to that covered the Environment beat. He's been a staff reporter at The Seattle Times and The News Tribune in Tacoma and a freelance writer-producer. His work has been honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Knight Science Journalism Fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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Clues to Washington's summer weather...or not
Charla Bear
With the first day of summer this week, it's finally beginning to look like it outside. If you think that's a good sign for the rest of the season, think…


It seems that UAE has some sort of fetish for making everything – the biggest in the entire world to be in the news but everyone knows that no body would've come to a desert if they haven't done so. Making the biggest and/or most impressive/ridiculous stuff is their only method of getting tourists.
UAE has transformed into a heaven of urban infrastructure, what engineers could dream to build has been achieved over there and now, BMW has opened the world's largest dealership and showroom in Abu Dhabi after an investment by Abu Dhabi motors.
In 2011, BMW had its greatest sales year ever in the Middle East, recording more than 18,000 BMWs and Minis sold. What better way to celebrate the good year than with the opening of a huge showroom.
The showroom will permanently display 70 cars, and 10 motorcycles for existing and potential customers to view. Also on display will be the latest and greatest models from BMW, Rolls-Royce, and Mini.
More than 450 staff members will work at the dealership selling cars, as well as a significant service area that is capable of servicing 120 vehicles at the same time.
The top selling vehicle in the region? The 7-series of course, accounting for 24% of total sales. Other popular vehicles were the 5 series (23%) and X6 (14%).
BMW is happy with the commitment from the region saying "The investment in this impressive and unique facility that makes the world's biggest BMW Group showroom, is testament to the continued opportunities that lie ahead in Abu Dhabi and in the region".


text:
SHE'S THE LAW: Robin Thicke, Pharrell & T.I. Sue For 'Blurred Lines' Declaratory Judgment
Rashida Maples, Esq.
Legal Breakdowns of the Hottest Entertainment and Celebrity Drama
Last week Robin Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles for a declaratory judgment ruling that the highly popular song of this summer, "Blurred Lines", does not infringe upon Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" and Funkadelic's "Sexy Ways." As both the Gaye Estate and Bridgeport Music, publishers of Funkadelic's song, threatened legal action against the trio for copyright infringement if they did not receive adequate compensation, Robin, Pharrell and T.I. took preemptive action for the court to make a determination prior to any lawsuits being filed against them.
As Plaintiff's in the lawsuit, the trio, through their attorneys, claim that the "Blurred Lines" song is inspired by a sound from the era of Gaye's and Funkadelic's songs, but did not infringe on any copyright.
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What Does This Mean?:
A declaratory judgment is a legally binding court authoritative opinion ultimately telling both parties what their rights and responsibilities are, without any awards for damages or orders being entered.
Creators of works of art, in this case lyrics and underline music (beats, arrangements, etc.), have an ownership interest in what they create. This includes rights to control how it is recorded, distributed, performed, reproduced, displayed, etc. (The technical five fundamental rights are the rights of reproduction, adaptation, publication, performances and display.) Most, if not all, songs you hear on the radio, on the internet and on television have been registered with the Library of Congress for copyright protection.
With the "Blurred Lines" writers, producers and performers facing a threatened and impending copyright infringement lawsuit, they decided to take matters into their own hands and seek a decision from the court before any action was taken against them and before they paid any demanded royalties for the alleged sampling/copying of "Got to Give It Up" or "Sexy Ways".
How Does This Affect You?:
If you are an artist, whether it is music, art, television, etc., it is imperative to protect your work on a national level by filing copyright application for what you created. Additionally, if you are creating work, that is or may be a derivative of a previous work or includes a sample of a work owned by another party, permission is required by way of a license or purchase and royalties and fees must be paid in order to avoid a lawsuit.
As the trio is claiming that no infringement took place because the song pays homage to a specific era in music, and not a specific song or songs, the defendants who have to defend their entitlement to royalties and how their original works of art are reproduced, published, etc. will have to establish:
(1) a valid copyright
(2) unauthorized copying of the copyrighted work
(3) that the infringing work is substantially similar to the protected work.
As many lay people, critics and industry insiders have all agreed that the song is play on "Got To Give It Up," is it so substantially similar to obligate payment to the Gaye Estate? I for one will be keeping my eye on this case, as well as dancing to the song of the summer at the same time.
Rashida Maples, Esq. is Founder and Managing Partner of J. Maples & Associates (www.jmaplesandassociates.com). She has practiced Entertainment, Real Estate and Small Business Law for 9 years, handling both transactional and litigation matters. Her clients include R&B Artists Bilal and Olivia, NFL Superstar Ray Lewis, Fashion Powerhouse Harlem's Fashion Row and Hirschfeld Properties, LLC.
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SHE'S THE LAW: Robin Thicke, Pharrell & T.I. Sue For 'Blurred Lines' Declaratory Judgment was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
Blurred Lines	, Pharrell	, Robin Thicke	, summertime remixed	, T.I.	, Women In The Workplace
SHE'S THE LAW: Robin Thicke, Pharrell & T.I.…


The Buckskin Council operates three Scout Shops for your convenience: Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg.
These Scout Shops are your convenient source for all things Scouting!
Whether you're a parent buying your Scout's uniform and handbook, or a troop leader picking up awards, there's no better place to find official Boy Scouts of America items.


A citizen's guide to deciphering the mumbo-jumbo of K Street.
One of the requirements of my decades-long career as a Capitol Hill staffer was to learn the peculiar jargon of paid issue advocates, or as they're more commonly known, lobbyists. I quickly learned that their phrases are as obscure in their true meaning as Cockney rhyming slang or convict argot, where the objective is to hide rather than illuminate intent.
In the interest of transparency and an informed public, I have assembled some of the more commonly used phrases. This list is by no means exhaustive, since lobbyist language is constantly evolving as it absorbs catchphrases from popular culture and the military. No doubt the Trump presidency, with its always casual correspondence with empirical reality, will make a lasting contribution to the vocabulary of a profession already noted for its relaxed standards of truthfulness.
We just want a level playing field. This is the endlessly recurring Lord's Prayer of lobbying phrases, even though no major field sports are played on a tilted surface. Translated, it means, "treat us the same as the competition, except when not treating us the same gives us an advantage." This phrase should be engraved above the entrance of the Bryce Harlow Foundation.
We can't have a one-size-fits-all policy. This phrase is also very common, even though it contradicts the first phrase. In this case, there are "special circumstances" that require the government to favor the claimant that the lobbyist represents.
They keep moving the goal posts on us. Another hoary sports metaphor implying unfair treatment of the lobbyist's client. In reality, what it means is that the government procurement organization has the temerity to demand that the client meet the required cost, schedule, and performance criteria in the contract.
If you buy large quantities, you gain economies of scale and actually save money. A concept beloved by Home Shopping Network, it is also an argument lobbyists use to sell everything from pencils to the General Services administration to F-35s to the Pentagon. I actually heard a radio spot on Washington's WTOP, a favorite advertising venue for military contractors, arguing that the Navy should buy three aircraft carriers at once—at roughly $10 billion each.
Don't think of it as an expenditure, think of it as an investment in the future. If you've ever wondered why DoD spends $400 a gallon to move gasoline to Afghanistan, re-read this phrase.
Can't afford to do it? We can't afford not to do it. It sounds as if the lobbyist in question is behind on the payments on his vacation home at the same time he has to come up with the tuition for his offspring at Sidwell Friends.
It's a win-win for all the stakeholders. This is true if you define the stakeholders to mean the executives and shareholders of the company the lobbyist represents. Taxpayers and end-users are not stakeholders.
We're working to put ourselves out of business. Sure you are.
We need to educate Congress. Translation: squeeze corporate headquarters to get everybody to max out on their political contributions to the relevant committee chairman.
You don't want to deny the American working man one of life's little pleasures, do you? A phrase much employed by the National Beer Wholesalers Association, the Distilled Spirits Council, the Tobacco Institute, and Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin.
Our new prototype [FILL IN THE BLANK] will ensure that our men and women in uniform return home safely. Translation: you really didn't expect us not to exploit patriotism for commercial gain, did you?
His Excellency is pro-American and a committed reformer. Translation: my client is a genocidal kleptocrat who has paid my firm seven figures to clean up his image in Washington and get him and his family off the sanctions list.
That's old, outdated information or we've turned the corner on this program. A pair of phrases used to explain away why the V-22 Osprey keeps crashing, the F-35 still has multiple serious problems after spending $100 billion on it, or the Department of Homeland Security headquarters is over budget and behind schedule. In reality, the programs in question have turned so many corners that they might as well be lost in the Labyrinth of Knossos.