text:
Selling A Mirage
The apologists love to downplay any criticism of Baird's greenhouse gas plan. "Environmental activists", "socialist crusaders", people with a political stake, who are unfair, failing to recognize the "tough" measures put in place. Anybody who is paying attention knows that Baird is a lingustic fraud, his actions more mirage than substance. Within that reality, it is quite interesting that Baird's own department has concluded:
Alberta's oilsands industry will be allowed to triple its annual greenhouse-gas pollution over the next decade, and more than 20 per cent of emissions from the rest of the oilpatch will be exempt from Prime Minister Stephen Harper government's green plan, revealed Environments Canada documents released this week.
New provisions introduced into the climate change plan would allow oilsands operations in Alberta and the coal-fired power plants of Ontario to offset 100 per cent of their pollution by paying themselves "pre-certified investments."
Meantime, Environment Canada has confirmed that millions of tonnes of pollution from small facilities will be exempt for companies in sectors such as oil and gas, natural gas pipelines, electricity, chemicals and fertilizers.
A department estimate in December predicted about 10 million tonnes of greenhouse-gas pollution would not be covered as a result of the exemptions proposed to reduce administrative burdens on the smaller companies, including 20 to 30 per cent of emissions from small oil and gas companies outside of the oilsands sector.
Shariff said it appeared the government has introduced loopholes that were tailor-made to help out oilpatch companies and coal-fired power plants.
Absolutely staggering, that Canada's number one producer of greenhouse gases will be allowed to triple its output in the next ten years. How can anyone take seriously a plan which allows this to happen?
This reaction pretty much says it all:
"It's an interesting flexibility mechanism. We're intrigued and we will be looking at it," said Pierre Alvarez, president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
No mention if Mr. Alvarez was doing cartwheels when he spoke.
Baird's plan isn't a plan, it's a public relations ruse. No reasonable person can look at the conclusions of Environment Canada and feel otherwise. What a joke.
Posted by Steve V at 9:31 AM
Yes, I saw a documentary on CBC, about Alberta, being for sale. There are so many projects, with Stelmach's blessing . It would make one sick (literally) I think there is a repeat on NewsWorld at 8 pm on the 16th. A book out also, called "Stupid to the Last Drop: How Alberta is Bringing Environmental Armageddon to Canada"
Mark Dowling said...
the one good thing is that Bruce Power have doubled their plan for Alberta from two to four reactors northwest of Edmonton citing the regulations as tipping their business models. The first reactor wouldn't come on line until 2017 though given it takes three years just to get the consultations done. No doubt the existing generators who are heavily geared to coal will be passing along suitable assistance to the kneejerk anti-nuclear folks.
Tomm said...
Triple Play!
You get to bash CAPP, Alberta and Baird, all in one post. Well executed!
...but crap.
The Oilsands is becoming an economic engine of an entire nation.
John Baird is trying to build environment policies without crashing the Canadian economy and more recently without crashing up against the American recession. Canada is already a leader in environmntal stewardship. Ask a Czech, Brit or Swede what has happened to their environment over the last 50 years before you disagree.
CAPP is smoke without the mirrors.
So, Steve, where are you in this? What would you do? Would you place a moratorium on new oil sand developments? Would you shut down existing oil sand developments?
Where is your solution?
Steve V said...
"Would you place a moratorium on new oil sand developments?"
If it's good enough for Peter Lougheed, it's good enough for me.
"The Oilsands is becoming an economic engine of an entire nation."
I would love for someone to quantify that.
The way I look at it, you have a fixed resource, essentially money in the bank. Why is it wrong to withdraw it slowly, as opposed to all at once? Given the problems with rapid growth, wouldn't it be prudent, on so many levels, to put in place a plan that allows for steady growth, without sacrificing the environment, not to mention all the other factors at play? Right now, it is just naked greed, rather than a sensible plan. I have to pay to put my garbage in the dump, why should companies with profits bigger than the GDP of some countries, get to puke out their garbage for FREE? It's insane.
I find it curious that you look for a diamond in amongst a manure pile, but I suppose political bias shouldn't be understated here.
Now we can have a conversation.
How should we develop the Oil Sands?
Was Stelmack right in upping the royalty? Was Baird right in re-fixing the carbon used for production?
Should we build a nuclear reactor near by?
I think people are trying to make a difference. Including your villains (excepting CAPP who probably are only trying to derail change).
Any conversation which starts with the premise that you can 1)claim to be tough on emitters, while 2)doing nothing about the primary contributor, in fact allowing for rapid expansion, isn't a conversation, it's just lies, lies, lies. Good luck to Baird selling this turd to the international community.
As for villians, the goal here is reduce emissions, so rather than present the nonsense of us/them, it would seem to me you have to tackle the source. These companies are making RECORD profits, that are frankly embarrassing, no matter what scale you choose, so pardon me if I don't think they should foot the bill, and not be able to pollute with impunity. Again Tomm, and try to answer the question please- do you pay to use dump your garbage, or do you just run along a highway and dump in the ditch?
"I think people are trying to make a difference."
If that is true, then people should have no problem tying future development with environmental standards. As it stands now, Baird is allowing everyone to get in under the gun, with no recourse. If people are sincere, if you buy the double-talk, then prove it, no more development until you present a way to reduce emissions, no "in the future", no theoretical, unproven technologies, put up or shut up.
The fact that oilsands emissions are expected to rise doesn't surprise me.
If we define a "fair" CO2 policy as one that penalizes emissions equally, regardless of source (a carbon tax or a cap and trade system are therefore both fair), then just about any fair system will lead to oilsands emissions increases. The economic value of oil, and therefore increasing oilsands production, is so high, per tonne of CO2 emitted, that it makes sense to increase oilsands production and cut emissions elsewhere, by closing uneconomic factories or improving efficiency.
After all, while they are predicting a tripling of emissions, I imagine that they are predicting an increase in production by a factor of 5 or more.
Of course, there is a strong temptation for the Liberals to espouse an unfair system, which penalizes oilsands emissions more heavily than emissions from other sources.
As for sitting on the asset, oil prices are high now, but counting on them to remain high for 30 years or more is very risky. Anyway, since CO2 remains in the atmosphere, it makes no difference to long term warming whether we use the oilsands up all at once or over a hundred years.
And, of course, oilsands are not money in the bank. They are money under your mattress. Withdraw it now, turn it into real cash, and put the cash to work - that has been known as a sound economic strategy for thousands of years - see the parable of the talents.
I pay to use a landfill.
So should corporations.
We are agreeing that we need to lean on these guys. The difference appears to be how hard do we push, and that seems to be based on trust.
You don't trust that the federal or provincial government is going the right way or at the right speed. You don't trust that their types of solutions are reasonable ones.
You certainly shouldn't trust the big corps to do it without leverage because we both know they won't.
We get back to the initial question of how best to go about making the difference.
If the feds and Alberta are doing the wrong things, what are you suggesting? and how do you change direction in less than 5 years?
"Anyway, since CO2 remains in the atmosphere, it makes no difference to long term warming whether we use the oilsands up all at once or over a hundred years."
Mark, it makes a difference when you give the technology a chance to mitigate the GHG's.
Besides, you comment isn't true:
"When CO2 is released into the atmosphere, about three-quarters of it dissolves into the ocean over a few decades.
"The economic value of oil, and therefore increasing oilsands production, is so high, per tonne of CO2 emitted, that it makes sense to increase oilsands production and cut emissions elsewhere"
Factor in the amount of natural gas needed, not to mention the water required, then the environmental impact, and you argument falls completely apart. You speak of inefficient factories, the current methods for extraction are the most inefficient use of resources of any project in the world.
"there is a strong temptation for the Liberals to espouse an unfair system, which penalizes oilsands emissions more heavily than emissions from other sources."
Oh, that is regional nonsense of the highest order. You target the polluters, they pay, or change, without any regional consideration. I have no qualms with penalizing Ontario for their coal plants, in fact I'll welcome it. It will be a fine day, when the tribalists can get beyond the propaganda taught to them by narrow ideologues, who use an easy target, to rally support. There is no boogeyman, but why let reality get in they way of a handy us/them argument.
Remember when the government doled out the eco money to the provinces last year? It was allocated based on population, but I argued it should be based on emissions, meaning Alberta should have received a far greater proportion that a province like Quebec, that has low GHG's, doesn't require much help in meeting any targets.
Everyone now agrees that Klein had NO PLAN, Stelmach has shown no desire to slow down development, in fact he has been adamant. This, despite what I have read, that many Albertans are open to a slowdown, very much in favor of environmental standards.
Companies are forced to adjust all the time, I don't buy this argument that you can't expect new projects to be pragmatic, the dye is already cast. We hear all the whining from the oil companies, the PR, but if you look at the bottomline, the margins are just staggering, so the "harm the economy" angle is just bluster. Pembina did a study, and suggested the cost to get GHG's levels down in the oilsands would be about 1 dollar a barrel. Those projects are supposedly profitable after 50-60 dollars a barrel. Maybe oil doe retreat, but it sure as shit ain't going back down to that level, so profits are guaranteed, which explains the oil rush we see now. That is just a defeatist attitude, and it speaks to who has the government's ear. Baird goes ON and ON about how the Liberals did nothing for 13 years, but the irony, under his direction, nothing will happen for 13 years of Tory rule. Too rich.
If its a buck a barrel than they would be doing it.
It's not, and the technology isn't there yet.
The choices are strictly related to turning the tap on or off and promoting new technologies and force the companies into advancing their development by force of levers.
That is being done.
Whether we push harder or not is almost moot. Certainly not the David Suzuki vs. John Baird choice everybody seems to think.
If its tax, than tax people some more, but you can't expect to "fix" carbon without the ability to "fix" carbon. The government would just be "taxing" people.
I suggest we grow more trees and help the developing world stop its own deforestation and degradation just like we got countries to agree to at Bali (i.e. REDD).
That's also what Stern suggested is the lowest hanging cherry.
We really have to quit with the political pounding on the CPC. Did you read the Walrus this month?
"We really have to quit with the political pounding on the CPC."
I will, as soon as moving the goalposts, when the rhetoric matches the action.
BTW, probably best not to mention Bali in defending the Conservatives, lest people are reminded of the embarrassing performance.
Tomm, you have essentially talked yourself into a 3x increase in GHG in 10 years as acceptable. Talk about low fruit on the tree, more like rotten on the ground.
Steve, it is inconsistent to say that the oilsands don't have a lot of economic value, and that the companies' profit margins are very high. If the profit margins are high (which, at current oil prices, I believe to be true), then production of oilsands oil must therefore have high economic value.
Your so glib with this stuff. You said:
"...Tomm, you have essentially talked yourself into a 3x increase in GHG in 10 years as acceptable. Talk about low fruit on the tree, more like rotten on the ground."
And the cost of doing otherwise is...?
In regards to Bali, it was a tour de force. They brought the US and Japan to the table, got comprehensive full participation by the end of the summit (3 extra days in meeting I understand). If they would have rolled over and said, "anything you say EU & China), they would have been handing over multiple billions of dollars to carbon brokers and not got the comprehensive deal.
Bali was a huge success for Canada, and the planet. The media screamed the whole way through and refused to see what was right in front of them, as they were constantly being goaded by the left wing green nutbars that were feeding them one liners.
Go back to my posts pre-Bali and you will see that what Canada went to Bali for they got. At the time I didn't see you jumping up and down saying that bringing China and India in, getting US to agree and ensuring REDD was part of the road map was a bad thing.
Just because the media yells smoke doesn't mean there's fire.
"Just because the media yells smoke doesn't mean there's fire."
I believe the media was just quoting all those international delegates and scientists, but if you must fall back on that ole "left wing bias", I take that as weakness in your argument. You are simply delusional if you think Canada has any credibility on the world stage, and now that people know our approach to the oilsands, it will only get worse.
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text:
In Memoriam: J. Ben Rosen
The Department of Computer Science & Engineering lost one of the founders of the department and a pioneer in the field of large-scale numerical optimization. On April 28, 2009, Professor Emeritus J. Ben Rosen passed away at his residence in San Diego. He was 86.
Rosen was recruited to head the newly-formed Department of Computer Science, arriving in 1971, the second year of the department's existence. At the time, his achievements were already substantial, including work on the Manhattan Project and founding and Chairing the Computer Science department at the University of Wisconsin. He served as department head at Minnesota through 1981, and continued to be an active scholar through his retirement in 1992 and well beyond. As recently as 2007, Rosen was still actively conducting research, publishing articles, and mentoring younger scholars.
Rosen was known for his work in optimization methods which are fundamental in many problems in engineering, biology, economics, and other sciences. He developed many fundamental techniques in areas such as modeling the 3-dimensional structure of protein molecules, eliminating noise from data signals, and the general solutions of nonlinear dynamical systems arising in bioengineering problems.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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"In the Land of Submarines": Assessing Nishimura 3746
By Lesley Haines
Welcome to the second installment of our miniseries on Nishimura 3746, a Japanese midget submarine. We're deep diving into an on-going project to resupport this one-of-a-kind vessel. Check out the first post in the series to learn about Nishimura's history and how it arrived at the Museum.
Nishimura 3746 in 2020
The purpose of the project is to lift the sub onto a custom cradle and move it to a more accessible location. The sub currently rests on its keel and is supported by several blocks. A proper support will protect the hull, provide safe access, and bonus, can be used as an exhibit mount when the time comes to display it!
Before lifting the sub, we needed to assess its current condition and identify potential issues. In order to answer these questions and take measurements it was necessary to climb inside. I love my job, but some days I really love my job!
Down the hatch!
We took the normal safety precautions when we entered in February. We wore Tyvek suits and respirators to make sure we didn't come in contact with potentially harmful materials. Since the submarine was built in 1940, it is probable that the paint inside is lead-based. We also left the hatch open for 24 hours to vent the inside and used an air meter to confirm that the environment was safe. Years ago the museum staff cut a hole in the stern to provide ventilation, so we anticipated that there wouldn't be an issue. Lastly, we built a custom ladder so we could climb in and out without using the original rungs.
There was a moment of panic when we realized how small the hatch was, but luckily both Will and I fit. The trick is to put your arms over your head. Thankfully neither of us is claustrophobic!
Inside the submarine
We weren't sure what we'd find inside. We have photographs from after the sub arrived in 1946, however no one's entered the sub in 30 years. And while museum staff painted the outside several times, little was done inside. We do know that when the Allies took control of the sub they removed much of the interior; gauges, steering equipment, even the batteries. The engine and ballast tanks are the main surviving features.
Let's look at how it's changed over 70 years:
The paint in the cockpit is flaking and loose. This is due to restricted air flow and humidity fluctuations. Interestingly, there are three distinct paint schemes; bumpy white, flat white, and red. The flat white appears to have suffered the most. Several paint layers are visible under these top coats as well. Samples were taken for analysis to learn more about their composition. Notice the missing gauges in the 1950s photo.
Cockpit in the 1950s.
Cockpit in 2020
Looking back towards the engines, we see that the hull is sound. There is a large amount of corrosion along the ballast tanks, however this does not affect the superstructure. You can see in the early picture, that this is an on-going problem and likely from the pipes used to fill the tanks. The addition of chlorides, from saltwater ballast in the 1940s, exacerbated the situation. The batteries sat in well between the tanks.
The ballast tanks looking aft to the engine in the 1950s. There's already corrosion on the corner of the port tanks (bottom right).
The ballast tanks in 2020
Corrosion of the ballast tanks is not a new issue in 2020
The engine is a thing of beauty. It is in excellent condition, as is the hull paint in the aft section of the vessel. This is partially due to the ventilation hole cut in the hull which allowed more air circulation than in the bow. You can still see the passage of time on the white painted pipe entering the engine which has peeled severely in 70 years.
The engine and switches in the 1950s
The engine and switches in 2020.
At 80 years old, Nishimura 3746 is in good condition inside and out. The only major concern is the keel, which has been resting on the ground for decades and is unstable. Next time in "the Land of Submarines" we'll talk about these concerns and what we've done to thoroughly document the keel to prepare for lifting.
All is good inside the submarine
Lesley Haines
Archaeological Conservator
View all posts by Lesley Haines
Last Chance: A nightclub that brought relief to thousands February 8, 2023
BEYOND THE FRAME: Waiting February 3, 2023
2022 in review: The Mariners' Photographers' Top Photos January 30, 2023


I will liken him unto a wise man - To a prudent man - ανδρι φρονιμω, to a prudent man, a man of sense and understanding, who, foreseeing the evil hideth himself, who proposes to himself the best end, and makes use of the proper means to accomplish it. True wisdom consists in getting the building of our salvation completed: to this end we must build on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and make the building firm, by keeping close to the maxims of his Gospel, and having our tempers and lives conformed to its word and spirit; and when, in order to this, we lean on nothing but the grace of Christ, we then build upon a solid rock.
Jesus closes the sermon on the mount by a beautiful comparison, illustrating the benefit of attending to his words. It was not sufficient to "hear" them; they must be "obeyed." He compares the man who should hear and obey him to a man who built his house on a rock. Palestine was to a considerable extent a land of hills and mountains. Like other countries of that description, it was subject to sudden and violent rains. The Jordan, the principal stream, was annually swollen to a great extent, and became rapid and furious in its course. The streams which ran among the hills, whose channels might have been dry during some months of the year, became suddenly swollen with the rain, and would pour down impetuously into the plains below. Everything in the way of these torrents would be swept off. Even houses, erected within the reach of these sudden inundations, and especially if founded on sand or on any unsolid basis, would not stand before them. The rising, bursting stream would shake it to its foundation; the rapid torrent would gradually wash away its base; it would totter and fall. Rocks in that country were common, and it was easy to secure for their houses a solid foundation. No comparison could, to a Jew, have been more striking. So tempests, and storms of affliction and persecution, beat around the soul. Suddenly, when we think we are in safety, the heavens may be overcast, the storm may lower, and calamity may beat upon us. In a moment, health, friends, comforts may be gone. How desirable, then, to be possessed of something that the tempest cannot reach! Such is an interest in Christ, reliance on his promises, confidence in his protection, and a hope of heaven through his blood. Earthly calamities do not reach these; and, possessed of religion, all the storms and tempests of life may beat harmlessly around us.
There is another point in this comparison. The house built upon the sand is beat upon by the floods and rains; its foundation gradually is worn away; it falls, and is borne down the stream and is destroyed. So falls the sinner. The floods are wearing away his sandy foundation; and soon one tremendous storm shall beat upon him, and he and his hopes shall fall, for ever fall. Out of Christ; perhaps having "heard" his words from very childhood; perhaps having taught them to others in the Sunday school; perhaps having been the means of laying the foundation on which others shall build for heaven, he has laid for himself no foundation, and soon an eternal tempest shall beat around his naked soul. How great will be that fall! What will be his emotions when sinking forever in the flood, and when he realizes that he is destined forever to live and writhe in the peltings of that ceaseless storm that shall beat when "God shall rain snares, fire, and a horrible tempest" upon the wicked!
Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from all sin. There are others, whose religion rests in bare hearing, and it goes no further; their heads are filled with empty notions. These two sorts of hearers are represented as two builders. This parable teaches us to hear and do the sayings of the Lord Jesus: some may seem hard to flesh and blood, but they must be done. Christ is laid for a foundation, and every thing besides Christ is sand. Some build their hopes upon worldly prosperity; others upon an outward profession of religion. Upon these they venture; but they are all sand, too weak to bear such a fabric as our hopes of heaven. There is a storm coming that will try every man's work. When God takes away the soul, where is the hope of the hypocrite? The house fell in the storm, when the builder had most need of it, and expected it would be a shelter to him. It fell when it was too late to build another. May the Lord make us wise builders for eternity. Then nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. The multitudes were astonished at the wisdom and power of Christ's doctrine. And this sermon, ever so often read over, is always new. Every word proves its Author to be Divine. Let us be more and more decided and earnest, making some one or other of these blessednesses and Christian graces the main subject of our thoughts, even for weeks together. Let us not rest in general and confused desires after them, whereby we grasp at all, but catch nothing.
24. Therefore. The conclusion and appeal of the Sermon on the Mount is presented in the form of a twofold parable. Compare Luke 6:47-49.
Heareth. Christ doubtless refers here to more than merely listening. Those who hear these sayings apparently grasp their meaning, at least to the extent that they have sufficient light to act if they choose to do so, and thus are responsible before God (see on v. 21).
Doeth them. See on v. 21; cf. ch. 5:19. It is a dangerous thing to hear a divine command if what is heard is not translated into action, for hearing inevitably brings with it responsibility for corresponding action. The "sons of God" are those who follow the leading of His Spirit (Rom. 8:14). Obedience transforms the words of Christ into personal character. See on John 5:24.
His house. That is, the "house" of character.
Upon a rock. The Lord Jesus Christ is the "rock" on which the individual Christian and the Christian church as a community of character builders are to be built (see on ch. 16:18). According to Luke 6:48 the builder "digged deep" in order to have a firm foundation. To build firmly requires much time and effort; it is far simpler to build a house without going to the trouble of providing a solid foundation.


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Keeping it Weird
Published March 10, 2014 by Ryan Chaddock in For Gamemasters
TM and © 2013 Monte Cook Games, LLC
Keeping it weird is one of the most important jobs of the Numenera GM. It's a weird setting, with a lot of potential, and players expect a lot from us in the way of strangeness. Here are a few tips I've come up with for doing it, in no particular order. For advice from the corebook, see chapter 23.
Use the "The Weird of" sections in the geographic write ups of Chapter 11 in the core book. Great inspiration for weird stuff to find in each area.
Utilize asymmetry. A person with one arm made of crystal, or that glows red, or that is the pincer of a praying mantis- weird. The asymmetry adds to the strangeness. Humans want visual symmetry for some reason. Use that by fighting it.
Figure out what creeps you out and draw upon that. Squid? Insects? Strange textures? Jell-O? Whatever you can barely handle should be poured into your weird.
Vary the subject of the weird. It could be a person, a creature, a pet, an object, a location, an ambient effect, etc. Keep it different and keep your players guessing. Make the weirdest thing in any given scene be something different than the last time.
Employ facelessness. Nothing says otherworldly than a creature without a humanoid face. It's something about the lack of eyes to empathize with or the wordless absence of mouth that does it.
Don't always explain things. Just don't worry about it. The party might enter a region in which time flows strangely. The PC's will wonder why, but you don't need to give them an answer. Part of Numenera is the mystery. What's great is that not explaining things frees you by allowing you to add interesting moments without needing to tie everything together in a neat little package. Sometimes weird things just happen.
Timing is everything. Don't necessarily reveal all the weird all at once. Let things get weirder and weirder the more the players explore. Let them get creeped out over time and it will all the more gratifying.
Make the most of randomness. Go to sites with lots of scifi or fantasy art (such as cghub.com) and hit the random image button a couple times. Take what you find and fit it into your game. You'll be surprised how easily this puts you out of your comfort zone. Use that.
Focus on the details. Remember to make weird in clothing, accents, behavior, materials, smells. Any little detail you can think of. This is not to say that everything in your game should be weird. Weird needs normalness to contrast with. Just that weird doesn't always have to be the monster in the ruins. It can be the shopkeeper who can see without eyes and the child whose breath is visible as a purple gas.
Encourage players to get weird too. Clothing, tattoos, cultural norms, weapons, sexuality. The more the players get involved in the weird the more they're buying into the premise of Numenera.
Describe strange materials. One of the most important remnants of the prior eight worlds is their impossible building materials and dangerous waste products. Make sure they defy common sense and physics as much as possible. Players will do their best to harvest these strange things to make new stuff with useful properties. Let them, it's part of the fun.
Make sure strange things have strange minds. Make their motivations capricious or illogical seeming. Make them incomprehensible. Play with language- pronouns and word tense can really add to the strangeness of an intellect.
Use foreshadowing and trails of breadcrumbs to lead up to the weird. The PC's come into a village and notice everyone is drinking a green goopy substance, and that they all seem extremely cheerful. They later notice a swamp made of that same stuff. They later learn that the goop is a single sentient creature that invades the minds of those who drink it, forcing them to enjoy their lives so that it can enjoy it too. Slow lead up helps to really hit the players with a big bit of weird right at the end as everything falls into place.
Harvest sensations from your daily life so that you can use them in your games. Use them in unexpected ways. "Three seconds of telepathic contact feels like drinking expired milk for an hour." "Its howl sounds digital and choppy like a modem trying to connect, crossed with the wail of a cat in heat." "The sparkling cloak feels like a lukewarm shower on your shoulders and smells like rust after a rain."


text:
From people's vote to no deal … What should parliament do now?
The divisions on Brexit cut across party lines. Here, six MPs spanning the spectrum of opinion make their case
Lucy Powell, Chris Leslie, Nicky Morgan, Peter Bone, Caroline Flint and Rebecca Long-Bailey
Sun 24 Mar 2019 04.00 EDT Last modified on Sun 24 Mar 2019 13.06 EDT
Rebecca Long-Bailey says Labour has a better plan that will not wreck the economy. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
Rebecca Long-Bailey Corbyn loyalist
The unavoidable extension to article 50 was forced by the total failure of Theresa May's strategy. It's all very well kicking the can down the road, until you realise you're in a cul-de-sac.
But the short extension does open up a window for parliament to signal a way out of the crisis the government has created. There is now a view – widely shared across parties – that the prime minister cannot be allowed to plough on with her doomed strategy. We will not let her take the country over the cliff edge for the sake of internal Tory party management.
So this week Labour will use every lever we have to finally allow parliament to consider the other options – including our alternative plan, the common market 2.0 proposal, a customs union and a public vote.
In her catastrophically judged speech last Wednesday night, Theresa May had the gall to accuse MPs of doing "everything possible to avoid making a choice". The truth – as she well knows – is that she has done everything possible to prevent MPs making a choice. That must change this week.
However people voted in the referendum, they want this sorted. Everyone is fed up with the vital issues that affect their daily lives – collapsing public services, violent crime, the housing crisis, councils on the edge of bankruptcy, climate change – being ignored as the government falls apart over Brexit.
Jeremy Corbyn has been holding positive meetings with party leaders and cross-party groups of MPs. Last Thursday in Brussels he met Michel Barnier and the leaders of left-of-centre European governments, including the prime ministers of Spain and Portugal, to try to find a way forward.
Labour's starting point is our alternative plan based around a new customs union and a close alignment to the single market. It abides by the result of the referendum without wrecking our economy. And it will work for the whole country, not just those at the top.
Unlike the prime minister, Labour is willing to be flexible to find a way through. But we will not vote for Theresa May's terrible deal, and we will never countenance a disastrous no-deal crash. The powerful will use the economic shock of no deal to impose more austerity on the many and corporate tax cuts for the few. Labour has committed to supporting all options remaining on the table, including a public vote, to ensure that this disaster is prevented.
Our country is dangerously divided. Parliament must now take back control and chart a way out of this mess that brings the country together.
Rebecca Long-Bailey is Labour's shadow business secretary
Lucy Powell Soft Brexiter
The road has very nearly run out for the prime minister's Brexit deal. She complains that MPs haven't said what we are for, only what we are against. The only roadblock in the way of parliament finally expressing what it wants is the PM and her increasingly Trumpian tactics.
MPs want to resolve the crisis. We've recognised for a long time that compromise is needed to break the deadlock.
I've been working cross-party to set out our common market 2.0 proposals which ensure we leave the EU and all its political institutions, such as the common agricultural policy, common fisheries policy and the jurisdiction of the European court of justice. We would assert our current rights as members of the European Economic Area via Efta to stay in the single market so that we keep frictionless trade and come to a customs arrangement. It can also happen quickly – we could be in Efta by the summer.
We believe this is a plan that can unite parliament and the country. Leavers and Remainers get something from common market 2.0, Labour and Conservatives, too.
Lucy Powell says MPs must come together in the national interest. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
A second referendum and common market 2.0 aren't mutually exclusive. They are not opposing viewpoints but separate questions. Any future referendum first requires clarity in parliament on what leaving looks like, because it is clear that the PM's deal has no legitimacy. It's possible to vote for a better deal and then say this should be put to the people for a final say.
There is concern that common market 2.0 would not end free movement of labour. In fact, we'd have an emergency brake on it, which is not something we have in the EU. Norway, Iceland and other EEA countries can suspend it if there is a large movement of people across the continent, or extreme economic or societal circumstances. Our government determines what that is. David Cameron spent months in the lead-up to the referendum trying to get just that from Europe as an exception for the UK.
We are where we are because of the failure of the PM to work in the national interest. By contrast, Jeremy Corbyn has been engaging with our group and others on a way forward .
It's good that the government seems to be conceding the principle of indicative votes, but common market 2.0 isn't any of the proposals being mentioned. Let's bring forward the carefully thought-through options, not some random government selection set up to fail. Once parliament rejects May's deal this week, MPs must be allowed to come together in the national interest.
Lucy Powell is the Labour MP for Manchester Central
Chris Leslie People's vote
This week, Brexit will test the prime minister, the opposition and every MP in Parliament. It could be the final opportunity to renew a sense of confidence in politics and show that the country comes before party politicking.
With Theresa May facing a third defeat on her deal, backbenchers will hopefully take control of the Commons order paper this week. Advocates of Norway, Canada and a customs union will have a chance to test the appetite of MPs for their ideas.
But "indicative votes" aren't magic votes. They can't conjure a cost-free exit from the EU, or the oxymoron of "a jobs-first Brexit". Instead it will be a process that lays bare the weaknesses of each Brexit option. Either a painful exit that punishes trade and livelihoods. Or a pointless Brexit where we have to abide by EU rules, but have no say in making them.
Chris Leslie wants backbenchers to take control. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters
MPs may end up determining a "least-worst" option. But that wouldn't be good enough. Instead it must be the point at which parliament's choice is put to the British people for their final consent on whether to leave or stay in the EU.
My fear is that the short-term partisan considerations of the Labour and Conservative leaderships will conspire in overruling what ought to be in the national interest. Instead of putting it to the people – as so many marched to demand yesterday – two stubborn party leaders will prioritise their ideological hardliners. Theresa May cannot abandon the ERG. Jeremy Corbyn wants to abandon the EU.
A People's Vote needs some Conservative MPs to support it. But as important is Labour whipping its MPs to fulfil their conference promise. The Labour leadership have played people for fools, inventing new "steps" before an ever-distant horizon.
They said once the PM's deal was defeated (done) and Labour's proposal fell (done) and an election wasn't obtainable (done) they would back a "public vote". But they've lawyered their way out of that time after time.
That image of Labour MPs, abstaining in the Commons vote on a final say, spoke volumes. I couldn't be complicit in Labour's charade, which is why I joined the Independent Group. There are still good Labour MPs trying to persuade their leadership to do the right thing. I hope they succeed. If they don't, it will be Labour as well as the Conservatives who have to defend their decision to facilitate Brexit.
Chris Leslie is the Independent Group MP for Nottingham East
Nicky Morgan Reluctant supporter
Conservative politics are about pragmatism, realism and stability. The government's Brexit strategy fails to demonstrate all three. When Downing Street has been told repeatedly in the past two years that its strategy needs to be more flexible, it hasn't listened.
Red lines were set far too early: options closed off as we were told "no deal is better than a bad deal" and certain options "aren't Brexit"; a backstop created more political problems than it solved; cross-party talks which were started half-heartedly after the first meaningful vote. All were symptomatic of national leadership which decided, once the course had been set, that there could be no deviation and their will would prevail.
The biggest failure to confront reality was that once parliament had secured a meaningful vote in December 2017, the prime minister clearly failed to grasp what that really meant – she would have to find a deal which would command a majority in the Commons.
Nicky Morgan says the future relationship can be decided later. Photograph: Antonio Olmos/The Observer
I remember a senior Downing Street member of staff saying to me in late 2017: "We don't like the meaningful vote, but we accept it." Clearly, they never did.
It is still true, as the prime minister said in her Friday night letter to MPs, that the best way to fulfil the referendum result is to leave in an orderly way with a deal. That is why I will, for the third time, vote in favour of the withdrawal agreement if it appears before MPs again.
I would still encourage members on all sides to support the agreement – but particularly my Conservative colleagues and the DUP. This is the arrangement which definitely means the UK leaves in 2019.
The alternative arrangements to the backstop, which a group of us spent many hours discussing with the government, are reflected in the documents. The future relationship they want can be negotiated.
But if the agreement falls, or isn't even voted on, then parliament must have indicative votes, conducted on a free vote basis, and we must put aside our personal preferences and vote for what will give the UK the most stability and a future we can plan. I believe that lies somewhere around the EEA/Efta relationship. It always has.
The tragedy for Theresa May is that if she had alighted on this in the autumn of 2016 she would have stood a much better chance of uniting most of parliament and most of the country – and leaving the EU on 29 March with a deal in place.
Nicky Morgan is Conservative MP for Loughborough. She was secretary of state for education in 2014 to 2016
Peter Bone No dealer
My view is that we should come out in five days' time, on 29 March, on a managed no-deal basis. I just held had my local Conservative association AGM and not a single person dissented from that view. Everybody is coming up to me and saying that is the only way we are going to deliver Brexit.
Any other way will probably stop Brexit happening. It seems to me that all that needs to happen in the next few days is for nothing to happen. To delay Brexit in the way the EU announced last week requires a vote in parliament on a so-called statutory instrument (SI).
But if an SI is not laid in parliament for a delay, we will be coming out on 29 March. When we voted on whether to delay Brexit 10 days ago, two-thirds of Tory MPs and seven cabinet members voted against the idea. It is very clear that Conservative MPs and members do not want this date extended.
Some people ask why we can't look at alternatives. But they forget that it was not only Theresa May who said hers is the only deal on offer. The EU said so, too. So all these supposed alternatives, like a Norway model and a permanent customs union, are not on offer.
Peter Bone says the view of the people is not being honoured. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA
What we should do is take up the EU's own suggestion, made last December, for a nine-month standstill after we leave, under which we come out but carry on trading on the same basis and stay tariff free. After that, yes, we would go on to World Trade Organisation rules but this period would have smoothed things over. Everyone would relax. Businesses would be ready.
You could turn up at the borders for nine months and everything would be the same during that period. This does not mean changing any agreements. A lot of side agreements have already been made, on medicines, on aeroplanes being able to fly, on lorries crossing borders. Life can go on. Then when that period is over businesses will have had time to adjust.
Everybody is coming up to me and saying: "Please, Peter, we have to leave on 29 March. We have to get this done." This is what is happening outside the Westminster bubble.
We delegated the decision to the British people and the view of the people is not being honoured. We must honour the result of the referendum.
Peter Bone is the Conservative MP for Wellingborough
Caroline Flint Labour leaver
Parliament faces straightforward choices: the withdrawal agreement deal, no deal, or a long extension which would mean taking part in EU elections while campaigners carry on agitating to stop Brexit.
For some, the third choice is the preferred outcome. An absolute majority of MPs are opposed to a second referendum or to revoking article 50. But Labour's priority in the 2017 general election and in the 2018 party conference motion was to secure a deal.
The withdrawal agreement deal agreed by the EU 27 honours the referendum result and protects EU citizens' rights, and now we have secured guarantees on workers' rights to be enshrined in the withdrawal agreement bill before we leave.
Caroline Flint says the current deal stops Britain falling off a cliff. Photograph: Chris McAndrew
This deal stops a cliff edge, keeping us in the customs union and single market for two years, with no change – giving businesses certainty and protecting jobs. There is nothing in this improved deal which Labour MPs could not support.
For those who respect the referendum, but support a customs union, or a Norway option, all of those are still in play – but the EU is determined that trade negotiations can only start after we have left. The EU has confirmed it will not reopen the legally binding withdrawal agreement. But the political declaration will evolve as soon as we get into the trading and security discussions after we have left. So the idea of indicative votes is, at best, a displacement activity.
Parliament will have the opportunity to have all those debates and votes after we leave. Any MP who genuinely believes we should honour the referendum result and avoid a no-deal exit, but wants a particular type of trading relationship, can vote for this deal.
Ironically, hardline Leavers and Remainers have railed against this deal for the very reason that it is not a hard Brexit. We should not brand it as such. At the final hour, for Labour MPs to oppose a deal simply because we have a Tory government could lead to the UK plunging out with no deal – a disorderly Brexit that would herald a flight of investment. New factories on hold, jobs lost. Parliament faces a choice. We can't walk away. There is only one path to leaving the EU in good order. This deal. And every Labour MP will face voters who ask: "Did you vote to back Brexit or did you vote to stop it?"
Caroline Flint is the Labour MP for Don Valley


MyWebGrocer (MWG), the leading enterprise software and digital media company to the grocery and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries, announces Looker as its choice to transform raw data from its Digital Experience Platform (DEP) into meaningful insights for its grocery retail partners.
MWG understands that harnessing the power of data is critical for the success of any eCommerce channel. By enhancing its current analytics and reporting capabilities with Looker, MWG provides its retail grocery clients a complete picture of the data collected as shoppers traverse their digital channel. This new capability enables a new depth of data exploration in recurring and ad-hoc reporting. This exponentially increases analysis opportunities that lead to better business planning and decision-making for grocers.


Mayor Corbin Herman called to order the first meeting of the Common Council for the month of January 2018 at 5:30 p.m. Present at roll call were Councilpersons Maciejewski, Heinrich, Nielsen, Fischer, and Blom. City Attorney Chris Beesley was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was stated.
Councilperson Nielsen moved, with a second by Councilperson Blom, to approve the agenda. The motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Heinrich moved, with a second by Councilperson Fischer, to approve the minutes from the December 18th regular council meeting, December 21st & 28th special council meetings. The motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Heinrich moved to adopt Resolution #1-02-18A, Depositories Listing. Seconded by Councilperson Blom, the motion unanimously carried.
WHEREAS, the State of South Dakota, Department of Legislative Audit, has determined that the authority to invest City funds is a local Council decision and must be authorized each year.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Custer City, that the Custer City Finance Officer, or designee, is hereby authorized to invest any such City funds, that are not immediately needed for the day to day operation of the City, from the following list of depositories, at the best interest rate available and for the period of time determined to be the most beneficial to the City.
Dated this 2nd day of January 2018.
Councilperson Maciejewski moved to adopt Resolution #1-02-18B, Incidental Disbursement Account. Seconded by Councilperson Nielsen, the motion unanimously carried.
WHEREAS, the City of Custer, South Dakota recognizes the need for an incidental disbursement account in order to transact timely payments and reimbursements for specified transactions.
WHEREAS, SDCL 9-23-23 allows the City of Custer to establish an incidental account for advanced payments or for claims requiring immediate payment, not to exceed the specified amount established by the governing body.
WHEREAS, the City of Custer requires a detailed account of the expenditures from the incidental account shall be presented at regular intervals not to exceed one month with verified vouchers, itemized and supported by receipted bills or other information as general evidence of payment. All expenditures from this account shall be listed with other bills in the regular governing body proceedings with the bill list. All claims made on the incidental account require signatures of two officers of the city.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Custer authorizes the Finance Officer to pay payroll and all regular monthly bills in a timely manner to avoid penalties and take advantage of discounts, prior to Council approval, with the bills being approved at each regular meeting.
AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Custer authorizes the Finance Officer and staff to use the credit cards as needed.
Dated this 2nd day of January, 2018.
Councilperson Nielsen moved to adopt Resolution #1-02-18C, Wage Scale (COLA applied). Seconded by Councilperson Blom, the motion unanimously carried.
Wage Scale is adopted and supersedes all previous Employee Wage Scales.
Councilperson Nielsen moved to approve designating the Finance Officer and the Deputy Finance Officer, in the Finance Officer's absence, to approve raffle request. Seconded by Councilperson Blom, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Heinrich moved to approve the intergovernmental contract with South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance and authorize the Mayor to sign. Seconded by Councilperson Maciejewski, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Heinrich moved to approve the performance contract with Black Hills Council of Local Governments for the Custer Comprehensive Plan for $24,518.20. Seconded by Councilperson Nielsen, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Maciejewski moved to approve Dallas Alexander Construction as the grave digger for the Custer City Cemetery contingent upon proof of insurance being provided. Seconded by Councilperson Blom, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Arseneault joined the meeting at 5:42 pm.
Councilperson Maciejewski moved to approve the cemetery caretaker contract as presented. Seconded by Councilperson Blom. After some discussion, Councilperson Maciejewski and Blom withdrew their motion and second. Councilperson Maciejewski moved to table the cemetery caretaker contract until the next council meeting. Seconded by Councilperson Fischer, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Fischer moved to approve the Annual Wage Listing as presented. Seconded by Councilperson Arseneault, the motion unanimously carried.
Councilperson Maciejewski moved, with a second by Councilperson Heinrich, to approve the following claims. The motion carried unanimously.
Councilperson Fischer moved to go into and out of executive session for proposed litigation per SDCL 1-25-2(1-4) at 5:54 pm, with the Attorney, Public Works Director, Planning Administrator and Finance Officer present. Seconded by Councilperson Maciejewski, the motion unanimously carried. Council came out of executive session at 6:10 pm, with no action taken.
With no further business, Councilperson Arseneault moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Seconded by Councilperson Maciejewski, the motion carried unanimously.


text:
Date: Sunday 2nd September 2018
Location : Swartvlei Beach
By Mark Dixon.
Late Sunday morning the much awaited autopsy of the beached Sperm Whale carcass got underway.
Joining the research team were Dr Stephanie Plon from NMU with Dr Greg Hofmeyr from Bayworld visiting briefly while en route to Cape Town.
The right flipper was extended as a result of the bloat caused by decomposition.
The most noticeable external observation was of the advanced onset of bloat that had occurred overnight. The tongue, which wasn't easily visible on Saturday, had protruded extensively and the right flipper was extended away from the body with a slight rupture on the posterior side where it joined the body.
Part of the back just forward of the tail ruptured from the bloat.
The most noticeable consequence of the bloating was the protrusion of the penis from the genital opening. Later, once the tide had retreated we noticed that the bloat had caused an opening to erupt from the lower back towards the tail with a mass of connective tissue still attached.
Researcher Frikkie van Der Vyver making the first transverse incision.
The primary objective was to sample the stomach contents. First two transverse incisions, about 1.2m apart, were made either side of the umbilicus, the area where the umbilical chord was attached as a fetus. With the intention of attaching a rope and using a 4×4 to pull the flap of blubber away, a third longitudinal incision was made, all the while being wary of the possibility of the bloated stomach exploding through the cuts. It did, but fortunately just after Frikkie had stepped away.
Dr Stephanie Plon showing some of the first squid beaks collected from the stomach.
The first contents retrieved were a few small squid beaks and some intestinal parasites.
SANParks Ranger Nelson Tyhali attaching the rope to a flap of blubber.
Once the rope was attached to the flap of blubber the tug of war started. It was incredible to see how strong the blubber is. It hardly moved and the 4×4 just spun in the sand. Carefully, Frikkie had to cut along the edges of the flap while the 4×4 pulled the flap, a delicate operation balancing safety and precision slicing.
A sample of the squid beaks collected.
Once a sufficient abdominal opening was made better sampling of the stomach was possible. In all, approximately 7 liters of squid beaks were collected (a volumetric estimate is used as it wasn't possible to weigh the sample on the beach).
The stomach lining also had a growth in it and tissue samples were taken to determine if it was an ulcer or a tumor.
The fishing rope recovered from the stomach.
In addition to the squid beaks a mass of about 5 liters of fishing rope was recovered from the stomach. Though difficult to confirm at the time, it looked like a 4mm down line from a long line setup.
Sperm Whales are remarkable hunters, the largest contemporary predators on the planet. They hunt primarily squid in depths up to 2000m. When checking the size of the squid beaks, the bulk of them were from small individuals with a few from medium sized squid and one beak (that I saw) from a squid that would have been approximately 1.5m depending on species.
Considering the dexterity, rapid and nimble movements of squid, especially the smaller ones it is remarkable to contemplate a 16m Sperm Whale having the agility and stealth to both approach a squid and to catch it. Yet from the beaks in the stomach, it did so successfully.
Dr Stephanie Plon using a sieve to collect stomach contents while Frikkie van Der Vyver makes a larger incision in the stomach.
Research of Sperm Whales is by nature difficult and except for behavioural observations often relies on studying dead specimens that have washed up making this a incredibly valuable chance.
With regards to the beaks found in Sperm Whale stomachs it is thought that after digestion of the squid, they do not immediately pass through the digestive tract, but are possibly retained in the stomach as a means of protecting the intestine from the sharp edges.
One theory of their elimination from the stomach is by regurgitation. A second theory is that the Ambergris, which forms in either the intestine or rectum (again no conclusive studies have been possible), is produced to safely eliminate the beaks through the digestive tract.
In terms of the death of this specimen, it is too early to conclude that one particular aspect was the cause of death. While there was rope present in the stomach, it hadn't prevented the whale from eating and digesting it's prey. Histology tests will have to be done to determine what the growth in the stomach is and what a possible cause was. Additional tests of tissue samples will also indicate any chemical accumulation.
The general condition of the Sperm Whale carcass suggest that it had died up to a week before washing up on Swartvlei Beach.
With regards to when the whale died, condition of the skin, decomposition of connective tissue and stomach lining and onset of bloat indicate that it had been dead for between a few days to a week before washing up.
Both Danielle Conry and Frikkie van Der Vyver will continue sampling at low tide on Monday.
A special thanks to both Thembile Mpongoza and Nelson Tyhali, rangers from #SANParks who have assisted tirelessly over the weekend.
#SpermWhale #GardenRoute #Sedgefieldza
Mark Dixon September 2, 2018 September 2, 2018 Garden Route, marine life, marine Stranding, Sedgefield, Sperm Whale, Swartvlei Beach
One thought on "Preliminary Sperm Whale autopsy report."
Ena (M M) McIntyre says:
Very sad, however having just read the Nat. Geo. issue "Planet or Plastic" also not totally unexpected – we are messing up our only home……………very, very badly!!! All so heartbreaking.
Previous Previous post: Rare incidence of a Sperm Whale washing up on Swartvlei Beach beach in the Garden Route.
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the name and address of the Claimant(s)'s appointed arbitrator (between them if more than one), who must have confirmed to the Claimant(s) his or her willingness and availability to accept the appointment.
The requirements under Rule K for the Notice of Arbitration are relatively scant, operating similarly to an N1 Claim Form in ordinary civil litigation, albeit with a couple of added administrative features.
First, the Claimant is required to include in the Notice of Arbitration proposals in relation to the Standard Directions which are set out later in the Rules at §K4(b). This is an innovation, requiring the Claimant prospectively to engage with the Standard Directions (in a way not generally undertaken in civil litigation until the case management conference, after pleadings are complete) and, moreover, positively to assert, as part of the Notice, the extent to which (if at all) it wishes to vary the ordinary timetable.
Second, the Claimant is required in the Notice of Arbitration to set out proposals in respect of the arbitrator, notably whether it is content for the dispute to be adjudicated upon by a single arbitrator or whether it wishes the tribunal to consist of three arbitrators (the legal default under the Rules in the absence of any expression or order to the contrary – see §K3(a)).
The provisions of Rule K for commencing an arbitration are, however, as notable for what they do not say as for what they do. Whereas the requirements of §2(a) are relatively threadbare, they confer upon the parties a sufficient degree of latitude that, depending upon a party's intentions, can be deployed to both speed up or slow down proceedings.
For a party seeking – for instance – to accelerate proceedings, filing a Notice of Arbitration accompanied by a fully-articulated Points of Claim (see §4K(b)(1)), together with a proposal for a single arbitrator and no departure from the Standard Directions at §K4(b) could conceivably (with the approval of the tribunal) shave time off the ordinary timetable and move matters quickly towards a hearing, well in advance of the ordinary timeframe provided for under the Rules.
Conversely, a party seeking to slow down the progress of an arbitration might propose a tribunal of three arbitrators (knowing the scope for subsequent challenge under §K3 will likely expand accordingly), in the context of a deliberately concise and non-revelatory §K2(a)(ii) statement (requiring a more fulsome Points of Claim to be filed in due course), with no bespoke proposals for directions (potentially forestalling arguments about the procedural timetable until a later point). As can be seen, even in respect of the relatively rudimentary Notice of Arbitration, there is scope both to accelerate, and to frustrate – depending on one's objectives.
In the next instalment of this series, we consider the Notice of Response, and the preliminary issues of jurisdiction and disclosure that might arise long before the procedural timetable can be settled.


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text:
Q: How to keep an active link in nav list (twitter bootstrap)? I would like to show an active link when the link is clicked (and that link stay active while the user is on link1 for example) (I'm using Symfony2 with Twitter bootstrap)

 Link

 Link

 Link

EDIT
The template of the menu is imported in each page as a block (I'm using twig), for example for link1.html.twig, I would have :
{% include menu.html.twig %}
code html ...
etc
Any help would be much appreciated.

A: This should work :)
JQuery
var x = $(location).attr('href').replace( 'http://yourdomain.com' , ""); // Step 1
$('a[href="' + x + '"]').addClass('active'); // Step 2

Edit
Explanation
(Step 1) Pretty much you are capturing the full url and page name in the x variable 'http://yourdomain.com/page.html', deleting the domain name 'http://yourdomain.com' leaving you with '/page.html'
(Step 2) Match the  link that has the value '/page.html' and add the class 'active' to it

A: I am assuming on each page you have your navigation elements. You just need to change which element has the class of "active".
Link1 active as this is Link1.html:

 Link

 Link

 Link

Link2 active as this is Link2.html:

 Link

 Link

 Link

If you are doing something more complex than just going to the new page please update your question and explain as your question is a tad vague, otherwise the above should work.

A: One POCSS ( Plain Ol' CSS ) way to do this:
In your main.twig file

 LinkHome

 About Us

 Contact Us

In about_page.twig template
{% block body_class 'page-about' %}

In your CSS file
.page-about .nav-about, .page-home .nav-home, .page-contact .nav-contact {
  /* Active styles here */
}

The advantage of doing it this is that you can set other things on your pages as per that body class setting, like:
.page-about a { h1: green; }
.page-home a { h1: blue; }
.page-contact a { h1 : pink; }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Simon Hughes Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 9:35 pm, 30th March 2009
It is a privilege to take part briefly in this debate, and I am grateful to the hon. Members for City of Chester (Christine Russell), and for Stroud (Mr. Drew), for making shorter speeches than they might have done, to allow everyone who wanted to say a word, including me, to do so.
I apologise to the Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Mr. Lewis, for not having been here at the outset of the debate, but I had commitments outside the House, one of which was directly relevant to the debate. I was at a memorial service in St. Mary le Strand for someone whom I have known since we were both teenagers, Kari Blackburn Boto. After a great university career, Kari went on to become the head of the BBC World Service's Swahili service and of its Africa service, and was in charge of Africa and middle eastern services for the BBC. She died tragically, and in a very untimely way. The many people gathered with her family today were there to pay tribute to Kari, and to what the BBC World Service has done for Africa over the lifetime of all of us in the Chamber.
Kari, a white British woman who married a Ugandan, had a fantastic mixed-race family, including an adopted Ugandan son. She stood for developing the role of women in journalism in difficult communities, such as in the Muslim communities of Africa, and encouraging them to take leadership positions. The reputation of independent and impartial broadcasting played a hugely important part in the development of democracy, the understanding of the need for education, and the political processes of Africa. It was a timely coincidence that this debate was held on the same day as the service. Today would have been her 55th birthday. One of her sons was in the Gallery earlier, listening to this debate.
People such as Kari understand that Africa is a hugely complex and varied continent. I think that my borough has more African constituents than any other in Britain; my colleagues Ms Harman and Tessa Jowell and I have dealings with huge numbers of people from west Africa—Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana. I pay tribute to those people for the contribution that they make in this country, but also for the way in which, as we have heard, they send remittances back. They become engaged in the issues, and go back and work for democratisation. Those from Sierra Leone, a community that has suffered so much, have tried to give back a huge amount.
I make a plea to the Government on behalf of people in this country who are of African descent, including people from Zimbabwe, who have been referred to by Members on both sides of the House. When people come here from Africa, particularly from Commonwealth countries, with which we have so much common heritage, we should understand our obligation to look after them well. We should give them the opportunity to work while they cannot go home, so that they can contribute to the country from which they have come while they are kept away from it.
There are many charities—my friend Alistair Burt referred to many of them—that do wonderful work in a collaborative way, in which people from Africa and people from this country work together. They include small charities such as XLP, which set up a secondary school in northern Ghana, and large charities such as WaterAid, which does such wonderful work in making sure that the risks resulting from environmental changes do not take an even more severe toll.
There are many other issues to think about after having heard such excellent contributions, but I end with two very simple points. Elections are coming up in South Africa; they will take place in just a few weeks' time. It is really important for the new Administration in South Africa to rise to the challenge of its continental responsibilities. It is important for it to carry on raising awareness, through the enlightened policy that it has recently adopted for dealing with HIV/AIDS. That must be continued, not the benighted policy that it had before. It must work really hard to curb the violence and lawlessness that can so undermine the spending that needs to take place on utilities, housing and education.
Finally, Tony Baldry generously mentioned that he and I had attended the UK launch of the network of parliamentarians across the world whose aim is to support others in conflict prevention and human security. As we meet on the eve of the G20, I hope that the Ministers on the Front Bench, our Prime Minister and the other leaders will pay heed to the communiqué issued at the end of that launch conference, which made it clear—for the great lakes region, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and others it is central—that conflict prevention saves money as well as saving lives, and that the ratio of £2,000 on defence budgets compared with £1 on conflict prevention budgets needs to be changed. I hope that we shall see a new priority for Africa, not only in Africa but also in the policies of the Government at home.
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Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 30 March 2009, c751)


Normally I would be spending today with Kes. It is often his day off. One of his coworkers got married, and got stuck in the airport, though, so Kes is at work and I'm watching Torchwood. It definitely has a different vibe from Dr. Who, but I find it to be enjoyable. I tried watching some of the earlier Dr. Who iterations (from before it was brought back with Chris Eccleston), but I wasn't as drawn into it. I enjoyed The Three Doctors, for example, but the experience of the show is so different.
I might actually go to sleep before the sun sets today. I've been staying up until it's dark, but that's making me really tired. Hopefully I can get my schedule straightened out so I will function normally.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is still coming slowly, even though relatively interesting things are happening. I doubt it's possible for me to finish reading that and/or Gateway by the end of the month like I planned, so I may move on to a different book for awhile. Probably something I have on my Nook.
Happy almost Passover (the sun is still up).


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From January 25th to 28th, Dubai held once more the next edition of Arab Health, worldwide forum for medicine where more than 4,000 companies show their latest developments to more than 130,000 visitors from 163 countries.
Besides the expositive area, Arab Health offers 20 complementary meetings, where more than 13,000 attendants will be expected.
CerTest Biotec joins Arab Health 2016, releasing its latest developments and solutions in IVD products to identify the causative pathogens of infectious diseases.


This week we have been doing our technology project which is called F1. Basically we have to deign a car along with a five page plan and enter it into a competition. My group and I put a lot of work into it and I think it looks well. It has to be completed on a word document and sent by this Friday the 23rd. Our group name is called SLEEK as it is composed of our initials of our first name; Sarah, Lisa, Eve, Elizabeth, Katie. We each did 1 page each and we put it together and sent it yesterday. If we get accepted as only two groups will from the year we will get through to the next round!


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KTH på svenska
How AI will affect UN goals for climate, development and global stability
A look at how many of the targets in each area would be inhibited or enabled by artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a powerful but double-edged sword as nations confront global warming, poverty and issues of peace and justice. An international team of scientists this week released a first-ever study of how AI can help – as well as hinder – sustainable development worldwide.
Published today in Nature Communications , the analysis focuses on how AI impacts the 17 goals for sustainable development adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
The study was co-authored by a diverse group of researchers led by Ricardo Vinuesa and Francesco Fuso Nerini , assistant professors at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. They were joined by Max Tegmark , professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and author of the bestselling book Life 3.0, as well as Virginia Dignum, professor of AI Ethics at Umeå University, among other authors.
"AI is already changing everyone's lives in different ways," says Fuso-Nerini. "This analysis provides the basis for a needed dialogue on what kind of future humanity should aim for with AI," Vinuesa says.
The study offers guidelines for how to navigate the benefits and risks of applying AI solutions to these top world challenges, referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which take aim at 169 individual targets running the gamut from economy and society to environment.
The research results as a whole show that 134 of these targets could benefit from AI, while another 59 goals would not. Calculated as a percentage, AI has a positive impact of 79 percent.
Cities for instance stand to benefit from AI, potentially becoming more inclusive and safer, Vinuesa says. The study states that AI will enable improved technology for measuring urban air pollution.
AI shows clear potential in lifting people out of poverty, reducing energy consumption and promoting clean affordable energy. For example, so-called "smart" electricity grids can match and balance the need for electricity against various renewable energy sources. However, overall demand for ICT solutions could increase data centers' electricity usage to 20 percent of the global total by 2030, the study points out.
In the sphere of global political stability and justice, growing inequality, biased election outcomes, hatred for minorities and increased nationalism can result if AI is developed in the absence of ethical scrutiny, democracy and transparency, the study states. On an individual level, social media algorithms that display content for users tend to rely on the receivers' own preconceived opinions.
This type of AI can further polarize societies, Fuso-Nerini says. "There's an underlying risk of prejudice when AI evaluates and predicts human behavior."
When it comes to AI's influence on political stability, both global and local, the researchers say that "adequate policy and legislation frameworks" are necessary to help direct AI's potential towards the highest benefit for individuals and the environment.
"Regulatory oversight should be preceded by regulatory insight, where policymakers have sufficient understanding of AI challenges to be able to formulate sound policy. Developing such insight is even more urgent than oversight, since policy formulated without understanding is likely to be ineffective at best and counterproductive at worst," Tegmark says.
The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Nature Communications Jan. 13 2020
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Sveikinu su Gimimo Diena !!!
still chcking your progress and your nice pictures.
Enjoy the moment do not think about tomorrow (only on the road Map :)).
Vaiva uzrode Jusu puslapi, shaunuoliai... originali ideja, nekantriai lauksiu naujienu.
On your posting for Day 4, there is a picture of someone darting out of the water. Assuming it was Pamela Anderson, I decided to enlarge the photo. Unfortunately, there was no silicon to be seen; rather, it was just some guy running out of the water. Admittedly, at first glance, I did become somewhat shocked/excited because it appeared as though the man was in a thong. A closer look however quickly erased that possibility. Nice imitation of Baywatch nonetheless. Thanks for Day 5, Tip 3, on where to watch for whales. Whales are phenomenal creatures. Here, in Lithuania, I find that the best place for whale watching is the Warehouses. On a good day, you can see three or four; usually, they have lots of makeup on. Bright Red lipstick is their favorite. Keep a tight hold on your spurga however, because the males are particularly aggressive. It sounds like you are really enjoying the outdoors and that's great, because nature really is a beautiful thing, especially if you can eat it! Good luck!


David W. Goff, 73, died March 6, 2019 at St. Anne's Hospital. Born in Providence, RI, he was a son of the late Ernest L. & Dorothy (Lamond) Goff. He leaves his brother, Ernest L. Goff of Huntsville, UT. His graveside service will be held Monday, May 13th at 11:00 am in Rehoboth Village Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to J.H. WILLIAMS & CO. FUNERAL HOME, 210 Taunton Avenue, East Providence.


The conference on Natural Language Processing and Chinese Computing (NLPCC) is the annual conference of CCF TCCI (Technical Committee of Chinese Information, China Computer Federation). The first and the second NLPCC conferences were successfully held in Beijing in 2012 and Chongqing in 2013. As a leading conference in the field of NLP and Chinese Computing, NLPCC has been the premier forum for Chinese researchers and practitioners in NLP from academia, industry, and government to share their ideas, research results and experiences, and to promote the research and technical innovations in these fields. From this year, NLPCC has become an international conference. Contributions from not only China, but also Pacific Asia areas and all over the world are solicited.
Natural language processing and Chinese information technologies are among the most active research and development areas due to the innovations and applications on Internet as well as the rapid development of mobile devices in the last decade. The areas are facing new challenges arisen from intelligent applications and big data. This third edition of NLPCC (NLPCC 2014) will organize a series of activities focusing on Deep Understanding of Natural Language Data and Better Integration with Knowledge, by exploring various techniques and resources including Web Mining & Big Data, Multi-Lingual Access, Machine Learning for NLP, Knowledge Acquisition in Social Networks, Search & Ads, Question Answering as well as the Fundamentals and Applications on Language Computing. Especially, NLPCC 2014 will honorably invite Professor Bing Liu (UIC), Professor Hwee Tou Ng (NUS) and Professor Eduard Hovy (CMU) to deliver the keynote speeches.
NLPCC 2014 Conference will arrange keynotes, panel, ADL/tutorials, poster/demo, industry expo and Campus Open Day, as well as multi-track sessions of research paper reports.
NLPCC 2014 tutorials, held as CCF ADL(Advanced Disciplines Lectures) No. 52, will invite domestic and international specialists to give six lectures/tutorials in three days on Statistical Learning Methods for Natural Language Processing on the Internet.
CCF Open Funding Project Workshop and Technical Evaluation Workshop will be held with NLPCC 2014 conference.
For additional information, please visit the NLPCC 2014 Web Site: http://tcci.ccf.org.cn/conference/2014/index.html.
◆	Conference Venue: Kylin Villa Hotel, Shenzhen, China.
The Best Paper and Best Student Paper of NLPCC 2014, sponsored by Microsoft Research Asia, will be selected independently by the Best Paper Award Committee.
◆	All authors who have submitted to NLPCC 2014 are eligible to apply for the Travel Grants to attend NLPCC 2014. Priority will be given to applications from west or middle regions of China.
◆	In addition, scholars or students who have published (or have papers accepted), as first author, in the leading international conferences or journals within the last 12 months, are eligible apply to Grants for Free Registration of NLPCC 2014.
◆	All the participants attending the Industrial Expo of NLPCC 2014, are eligible to apply to the Expo Grants. The grants will provide free booth and exhibition registration to the selected participant(s) who will demostrate outstanding novel technology or product.
◆	Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their grant application forms (http://tcci.ccf.org.cn/conference/2014/pages/page10_dl.html) after completing their Early-bird registration for NLPCC 2014.
1. In order to be included in the proceedings, each accepted paper must have at least one independent Full Registration(CCF Members or Non-CCF Members) and make the payment by October 15th, 2014. One full registration can cover one paper only.
2. Other Students(who are not the only registrant to one accepted paper), including CCF members and non-CCF members, need to select "Student" as registrant type in the Conference Registration website.
3. CCF member should input your member ID in the Conference Registration website. No discount will apply without a valid membership ID.
4. For early planning reasons, all attendees are encouraged to complete the Online Registration by October 30th, 2014, to enjoy the discount of Early-bird Registration.
5. Discounts (as listed in the above table) for the Joint Registrations of NLPCC 2014 and Tutorials (ADL 52) cannot be combined with other ADL discounts.However, they will not affect ADL discounts for other events.
6. Eligible Travel Grant applicants should register and pay the fees by October 30th, 2014, and submit the grant application forms to NLPCC@pku.edu.cn, which can be downloaded from the website:http://tcci.ccf.org.cn/conference/2014/pages/page10_dl.html.
1. You are encouraged to make your payment online in the NLPCC 2014 Registration website. Most of Chinese bank cards or credit cards, and International VISA, Master and JCB cards are accepted.
3. On-site registration and payment will have no discount.
NLPCC 2014 will provide Demo Booths for Industry and Technology Demo. Innovation Demonstrations including applications and technical demos are warmly welcomed.
Registration of Industry and Technology Demo can be applied by email to ZHAO Dongyan: zhaody@pku.edu.cn. Registration Fee is ¥5000 per Demo Booth. The following information should be included in the Registration email : Name of Contact, Company Name, Company Address, Postcode, Invoice Title, Invoice Content, Contact Mobile/Phone Number.
The registration fee should be paid by bank transfer. The bank information is the same as above, and the transfer should be noted as: company name + NLPCC2014.
More information will be provided on the conference website.


Hinduism is the most prevalent religion in Bali. Going back to several hundreds of years, the majority of Balinese have kept up this religion but in the course of time, this religion and its rituals have evolved and have taken unique Balinese characters. The temples in Bali show case characteristic Balinese architecture. In addition, they were constructed at strategic locations. The landscape around these religious sites is beautiful but the temple structures lend Bali characters nowhere else to be found in the world.
Most Balinese dances have religious overtones or they portray popular Hindu myths/legends that originated in India but again, have taken on Balinese elements over the course of time. In addition to the numerous religous artefacts, practices, ceremonies and rituals, Bali is also known for its art, especially wood carving and painting. The level of wood carving skill in Bali is really high and it is in a class of its own. Seeing skilled wood carvers go about creating exotic statues will open your eyes.
Furthermore, the people in Bali exude friendliness. Yes, they welcome you and, of course, your tourists' dollars alright but I could detect that their feeling was genuine on many occasions.
During my visit in 2008, just by a strike of luck, I had a chance to witness a cremation ritual. According to the religion and tradition, after death, the body must be dissolved and returned to its original elements. Ngaben, the Balinese word for cremation is a purification rite which frees the spirit from its temporary earthly house and facilitates its journey to its next existence. For that to take place, a good day was selected and the preparation can take a few weeks. Since that particular Ngaben was for a high priest, which is referred to as Palebon, it was very elaborate. Photographically, it was a very colorful treat.
Bali's popularity on an international level did backfire; it became the bombing target on two occasions. The first and deadliest took place in 2002 and the second one in 2005. Bali did recover quite nicely since then but I felt bad that such a peaceful place, full of peace loving people, was tarnished with that kind of violent act. It simply felt out of place…. Not only I would like to share the images here but I also would like to be reminded that there is still a tiny paradise on earth, in the midst all the adversities taking place in the world. I only had beautiful memories of Bali.
Right after the first bombing, I posted images from scanned slides that I took in 1992 during my first visit to Bali. Fourteen years later, in 2006, I went back to Bali and more recently, in April of 2008 and 2010. Instead of starting a new gallery, I decided to update the existing gallery and compile the images from all the visits onto this gallery. Another aspect about Bali that I like, even during the most recent visit, and this time it is more from a photographer's perspective, that the sky was pretty clear from industry-related haze I noticed in quite a few Asian countries I visited in the last 10 years or so. I hope it can be kept up that way. The sunset along the north shore of Bali was great but the sunrise on the following day was simply spectacular.
I went back to Bali in April 2010. This time around I tried to capture images I felt I didn't during the previous trips to showcase Bali some more, including but not limited to two traditional Balinese dances, some beautiful rice terraces and religous ceremonies. This time around, I found myself capturing Balinese people more and more. Enough that I decided to put those images in a separate sub-gallery. From photographic point of view, I did some high ISO 3200 shots but also time exposure shooting. In addition, I used prime lenses on both Canon and Leica setup for that shallow depth-of-field effect.
Thank you for visiting and enjoy the images. Like always, please feel free to leave any comments on the gallery or on the images as you see fit.
Great work. Thanks for sharing these.
nice gallery.. well shot and edited !
A pleasure to see this beautiful gallery on Bali. Great images showing the beauty of the island as well as the beauty of the Balinese's culture. V.
This is a " Fabulous Gallery " ! Beautiful in : " any way " !
The quality level is very high !
Realy the work of a " Master " !
I can not give a comment , because you have so many little master piece !
For me it's perhaps your best gallery .
So i can give you just my best vote : " The Ultimativ Best Vote " !


Energy consumption monitoring, thermostats with remote sensors, wireless sound systems, Amazon Echo, Wi-Fi-connected electrical outlets, smart door locks – the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Smart Home Devices are becoming a part of our daily lives. The infrastructure to support this bandwidth demand is in many cases outdated and by and large insufficient. FTTH networks and similar renditions (FTTB, FTTC, etc.) are the way of the future.
New network installations and upgrades have provided fiber optic technicians with greater opportunities. We know as a technician you take great pride in your work and your reputation. We want you to succeed during this advantageous time.The PRO Go-Kit® for technicians is a convenient, all-in-one toolkit that allows you to keep your fusion splicer, test equipment, tools, cleaning supplies, launch box and cable assemblies all in a convenient rolling backpack.
The PM-501X-VFL from PRO combines an Optical Power Meter and Visual Fault Finder in one easy-to-use unit, reducing the need to carry two different testing tools and lowering costs. The VFL has three different output power settings so it's like having 3 VFL's in one unit plus a power meter! Available in two different measuring range options.


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Video of the week... The impact of Apollo 11 on the collectibles market
Newcomers to the collectibles arena are often taken aback when first confronted with space memorabilia.
It is an area of collecting few people immediately think of, but it meets all the criteria of what collecting can, at its best, be about. And Apollo 11, the first moon mission, is at the forefront of space collecting.
Memorabilia connected with the mission is a tantalising, unique insight into a world few of us can understand, and a superb documentation of a unique piece of history.
Space flown items that were integral to the mission's success are particularly popular with collectors, and sales can reach vast sums.
Auction house Bonhams has been at the centre of Apollo 11 memorabilia sales in recent years.
It sold what is currently the world record-holder for an Apollo 11 item, a navigational chart used on board the Eagle landing capsule, for $218,000 in New York in 2009.
It was also behind the 2010 sale of Apollo 11's flight plan, which achieved $152,000.
Then there is the control handle used to control Apollo 11's rotation, which achieved $79,750 at an Aurora auction in 2004.
Or how about the space flown, but thankfully never used, slide rule taken to the moon by Buzz Aldrin, which sold for $77,675 at a Heritage in 2007? The computing tool would have come into play had Apollo 11 suffered a malfunction.
Not all items are with collectors. Some are available on the private markets, such as Aldrin's training suit for the Apollo 11 mission, signed by the astronaut.
Goldberg Coins and Collectibles recently sold three portions of the US flag planted on the moon for $45,000 at a private sale.
The three scraps never made it to the moon, having been trimmed by a NASA engineer prior to the mission.
Despite their earthly status, the sale is evidence of the interest that surrounds items connected with the mission, even if they never made it to the moon.
And we haven't even mentioned autographs. The value of Armstrong's average signature increased from £550 in 2000 to £5,950 in 2011, a rise of 981.8%.
And let us not forget that as we steadily approach the 50th anniversary of the first moon landings, interest in Apollo 11 collectibles could easily surpass current levels, ensuring that collectibles you purchase now could be significantly more valuable in 2019.
Click here to view our space and aviation stock items for sale
Learn how you can get pleasure and profit by investing in space memorabilia
Read all the latest Space and Aviation news
Join our readers in more than 200 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today


The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is going to put individuals in charge of their data and give them power to decide when companies can use their data. In this blog we look at this in more detail here (link to - How can companies prepare efficiently for GDPR). Some sectors will have challenges to ensure compliance: the financial, medical and insurance industries are three industries that will face challenges due to the amount of data they hold, its sensitivity, and the focus that will likely be on them from auditors.
Most companies share data with third parties so should be aware of managing the risk of sharing data with third parties.
Many companies keep a lot of data on their customers, so it's important to keep what is permitted under the new legislation.
Make sure that a process is in place to collect the necessary consent when dealing with customers.
Analysing credit worthiness may be more difficult as data is more elusive. Of course some of this will be proffered as clients want to use a financial service – this is another reason that rules around consent must be navigated carefully.
Insurers are using increasingly sophisticated tools to evaluate claims. If less information is available this may mean collecting the data they need to accurately assess claims (and reduce the cost for everyone) may be harder.
Telematics data could be a phenomenal tool to help price insurance policies but with the need for consent it may be a lot harder to use this data effectively.
Getting data for underwriting purposes may be problematic. Credit histories and all important health data may be hard to obtain and mean pricing work is subsequently less targeted.
Marketing specific deals to users may be more difficult with tighter data legislation. Companies who sell across border may also be particularly hit hard.
The data subject has given 'explicit consent'.
If the processing is necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine. This could be related to assessing working capacity treatment for diagnosis.
Processing is necessary due to matters of public interest.
'Necessary' is likely to be a difficult threshold to attain so organisations should focus on obtaining consent where possible.
Organisations which are specifically cited or will be under the microscope due to the amount of data they process should be especially wary of the new legislation and have in place a plan leading up to the implementation date. It is almost certain organisations in these fields will be some of the first targeted by auditors.


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