text:
Brush Up On: WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
"Bugger off I'm thinking"
I KNOW IT SOUNDS BORING BUT STAY WITH ME OKAY, this post has taken me FOREVER because it's near on impossible to put the words 'philosophy' and 'in brief' together. I have had to work on this with frequent breaks just to get my eyes uncrossed, but really needed to lighten it all up so I could get through it. So I promise, this is the slimmers version – Philosophy Lite (with my opinions scattered in and concluded at the end)….
But there's no avoiding the fact that we're poking around with the big guns – those questions I tend to shove aside for infinite other (less tricky, less frightening) questions in my face such as "where's Bear?" and "what's for dinner?" It seems that no one can answer these questions with absolute certainty (the big ones, I usually know where Bear is) and so philosophy was born. I am brushing up because I've long had a niggly feeling that if these are the biggest questions of all then maybe they're the most important and need more of my attention and thought. Maybe I'll find a new reason for being that will steer my life in a new direction, like the Bahamas with no children.
Evidently (thanks Wikipedia old mate), 'sophists' were brainy men that went travelling about classical Greece spreading their ideas and teaching wisdom. An ancient version of me really, except that they didn't have a trillion ideas to plagiarise at their fingertips, didn't travel conveniently in cyberspace and they got paid. Philosophers were the ones who built and spread their knowledge for the love of it rather than the money – ah that's more like me. Maybe there was a sophist called Phil who refused payment for his life's wisdom. Anyway, the word philosophy is ancient Greek for "Love of Wisdom".
There are 5 main branches of philosophy – epistomology, logic, metaphysics, ethics and aesthetics.
What is Epistemology? I will resist the temptation to make some puerile lavatorial comment and get straight to the point. Crikey, wait a minute what is the point? This stuff is harder than John Holmes' knob. Check this out: epistemology investigates the origin, nature, methods and limits of human knowledge. So in my simplest terms, it is thinking about thinking. It asks questions like, "What is knowledge?", "How is knowledge acquired?" and "What are the limitations of knowledge?". Well I thought I could answer these (things you know, wikipedia and children) but oh nooooo, this field of study analyses the nature of knowledge and how it relates to things like belief, truth and justification. Skepticism is a sub-branch of epistemology and states that there is no such thing as knowledge, particularly without evidence. And what's more, from these basic questions arise further dilemmas, such as, "If all the content of awareness is ideas, how do we know that anything exists apart from these ideas?" Descartes famous expression, "I think, therefore I am", comes from epistemology. Good God fellas, go and read Enid Blyton to your children and try to relax.
In all seriousness, epistemology does have practical applications, such as the development of artificial intelligence, theories of education, cognitive therapy, neurology and sociology. Please don't ask me how.
What is Logic? The study of the principles of correct reasoning. In this context it is most often related to mathematics and philosophy. Empirical facts (those derived from experiment or experience, such as how a person's reasoning changes with age just as one example) are not the concern of a logician; rather it is correct reasoning that makes up logic. There are many principles of reasoning that make up logic, the main one being those things that make an argument valid – i.e the validity of arguments. Another way to look at logic is this: while science discovers truth, logic discovers the laws of truth.
What is Metaphysics? Ah here are where the really big questions come in, the ones that I sometimes think are best left unasked in favour of just getting on with it. But I am happy to be convinced otherwise… The word, 'metaphysics' is another tricky one to define, but put simply (which is how I like my definitions), it is the study of the nature of the world, reality and existence. Metaphysical questions are ones like: What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? How did I get here? What is the essence of something? What is existence? What is experience? What is real? Does the cosmos have a purpose? Is anything random? Does free will exist or is everything pre-determined?
Metaphysics is often the domain of spiritual people, or troubled people searching for a higher purpose or more meaning in their lives. It is often closely aligned to religion. However it has less abstract applications. For instance, quantum physics (which is an utterly baffling realm of metaphysics that examines the world from a molecular or atomic level) contributed to the invention of things like the transistor radio, new energy saving thermoelectric materials (could this be of interest to peak oil peeps) and laser.
What is Ethics? Also known as moral philosophy, ethics is where we ask, "what is the best way to live?, and (because there has to be a question about the question), whether this question can actually be answered. Metaethics delves into whether there are ethical truths or whether we base our morals on emotion or social pressure or the will of God. Normative ethics articulates good ethical conduct and gives guidelines for people to reach a satisfactory moral standard. Applied ethics asks the hard questions of ethical dilemmas such as abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia and whether I should abandon my children in favour of a sports car and overseas travel.
What is Aesthetics? In philosophical terms, aesthetics takes in the philosophy of art and beauty. It asks questions of perception, what makes something sublime (beautiful enough to inspire great admiration or awe), what makes us enjoy it and how emotions, taste and sentiment affect senses and aesthetic opinion. I've often wondered whether my purple is the same as the purple of everyone else.
So now we have touched on (and I mean dabbed the very surface very lightly, this ice berg is has no end) what philosophy is, now what about the main philosophical players? Were they all mad loonies with too much time on their hands or did they have something of value to contribute? There are hundreds of philosophers and if I try to explain them all my brain will explode and my husband will have to get a new wife and a new keyboard. So here are just a smattering of them, with the basics of their ideas…
Thales was a philosopher from Miletus in Asia Minor (now Turkey) born in those good old days around 626 BC. It has been said that all western philosophy began with Thales. His theories centred around explaining nature without the use of mythology (the pop culture of the day), the main one being that the world started from water. He observed air and slime forming from moisture and concluded that the Earth solidified from the water it rests on. His rejection of mythology is said to have stimulated the scientific revolution, as well as informing the studies of philosophers to come.
Confucius So I know I headed this western philosophy, but I want to know about Confucius because of the old "Confucious say…" lines. But I want the Real Confucius to stand up. He was a Chinese politician and teacher born in 551BC. He mainly focused on ethics as a champion of family loyalty, respect for elders, and respect for husbands by wives (where's the vice versa Con old china?). He was a great advocate for The Golden Rule, 'do as you would be done by' and an early supporter of democracy. These days he's an advocate for all sorts of things apparently, such as, "when you've seen one shopping centre, you've seen the mall." Tee hee.
Socrates is a classical Greek legend born in 469 BC who contributed mostly to the field of ethics. His work is recorded mostly through the writings of his students and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes, which makes finding the real Socrates difficult (the Socratic Problem). Amongst many beliefs, he taught that the best way to live is to focus on self development rather than material wealth. He emphasised the importance of friendship and community and believed that the world should be governed by philosophers. He gave the world the Socratic Method, a method of inquiry whereby a problem is solved by breaking it down into a series of questions, starting with a hypothesis and moving into discussion. Socrates was only forty when he was found guilty of corrupting minds and disbelieving the gods. He was sentenced to death by hemlock. Sad days.
Plato was one of the students of Socrates and is possibly the most famous of them all. He was born in 428 BC and wrote extensive philosophical dialogues (36 in fact, plus 13 letters) which have been used to teach mathematics, epistemology, logic, ethics and rhetoric (the art of discourse – informing, motivating and persuading). One of them unearths theories of
platonic love. He looked closely at the father-son relationship and whether a fathers' interest in his sons has much to do with how they turn out. He also believed that the wider population was frankly pretty dumb and therefore democracy was a silly idea. He also famously decided that everything on earth (from chairs to bananas to people) are actually shadows of their real, superior selves; it's just that we can't see them. He used the famous metaphor of the cave to illustrate this idea which I won't go into because frankly even if he is right, and the chair I am sitting on is a poor imitation of it's superior self, hey, I'm still happy with the chair. Still, I'd kind of like to see the world outside Plato's cave.
Aristotle was born in 384 BC and was Plato's most famous student. He was far more involved in science and using logic to sort out the natural world and to develop a universal method of reasoning by which we can learn everything about reality. This effectively lead to the first comprehensive system of western philosophy, the identification of fields of knowledge as distinct disciplines and the species-genus system used for the natural world. He was a pioneer in the study of human happiness and identified that happiness, a result of virtue, is the ultimate purpose of human existence.
Aquinas (Thomas) was a Dominican monk born around 1230 AD. He is most famous for honouring both science and God whilst working out the way of the universe. He 'proved the existence of God' using the simple theorem that everything in existence has to have a beginning and an end. All his teachings are derived from the bible and he is said to be the founder of Christianity, being one of the first to say that living for God cleared the way for eternal life in heaven. He identified the four cardinal virtues – justice, courage, prudence and temperance. How about kindness? Generosity? The ability to share your last rolo? Non-smelly poo?
Look at Descartes, sniggering to himself as we bust our cells over algebra.
Descartes lived from 1596 to 1650 and is referred to as the father of modern philosophy. He has a lot to answer for in my opinion because he created analytical geometry and algebra and confused the pants off me in level 3 maths. What an arse. He discovered the laws of refraction (the change in direction of a wave due to a change in its speed) and reflection. He was an advocate of dualism, which is essentially the power of the mind over the body. He said, "Cogito, ergo sum", which roughly translates as, "I am a smarty pants." Not really, it means, "I think, therefore I am." He said that perception is unreliable and that reason is the only reliable method of attaining knowledge.
Marx, Karl Born in 1818 in Germany, Marx is more often described as a socialist thinker or a raging communist than a philosopher, though he was trained in philosophy and turned to politics and economics in his twenties. He went on to inspire many communist regimes in the modern world, partly fired by his philosophical beliefs. Central to his beliefs was the idea that capitalism wholly alienates an individual from his or her ability to reach potential and follow destinies because they lose the right to be in charge of their actions and to use or own the value of what their actions produce – i.e. people are not individuals within capitalism, but instruments. He saw the history of mankind as a struggle between classes i.e. that class struggle is what propels change, and the syntax and collective consciousness of a society is formed by economic trends. He claimed that this pattern will result in the destruction of inequality and the fall of capitalism. He was careful not to describe communism fully, saying that the natural course of things and the creativity of humanity in times of crisis will shape what is to come. Oooh.
Nietzsche, Friedrich was born in Germany in 1844. He was among the first to focus on objective human experience as the main determinant of human nature, as opposed to subjective scientific and mathematical truths. This is a form of what was later named existentialism. An interesting aspect of his work is in his examination of nihilism, which is the idea that life is meaningless. Nihilism grew as people questioned the existence of God, which Nietzsche encouraged, feeling that Christianity had lead to an intrinsic slave culture in which people encouraged kindness only because they wanted to get trough the pearly gates. Nietzsche famously declared that "God is dead" and saw the resultant nihilism as an opportunity for deep human reflection and positive reevaluation.
Freud, SigmundWeird name that, Sigmund. I guess no parents call their sons that anymore in case they try to jump their mother's bones or kill their father. Freud was born in Austria in 1856 and actually wasn't a philosopher but a neurologist. Nonetheless he has
some ideas within the branch of epistemology that are worth noting (if only for their sort of paranoid peculiarity). Perhaps he is better described as an influential thinker. He thought deeply about infantile sexuality (sounds erky but he used the word sexuality as anything that gives pleasure), the unconscious and repression. He interpreted dreams, analysed the subconscious and identified libido as the single most motivating factor in an adult life. He separated the human psyche into 3 parts – the ego (rationality), id (impulsive and child like) and super-ego (morality). His groundbreaking treatment in psychoanalysis (indeed his invention of it) has been used widely and successfully, while his philosophical theories have attracted much criticism – including that he was a cocaine addict with distorted views.
Jung, Carl like Freud, his contemporary, was not a philosopher but a psychiatrist whose ideas centre around the human pysche. He tables such ideas as the archetype – model of a person or behaviour; the collective unconscious – part of the unconscious that is present in all humanity; the complex – a core pattern of desires, wishes, emotions and perceptions that surround a common theme or motivation or passion; and synchronicity – the idea that uncommon coincidences arise due to an underlying larger framework of events that are related. He identified individuation as the merging of the personal and collective unconscious to form the individual. On a metaphysical level, he believed that our purpose of humans is to discover and fulfill our deepest potential. He said that spirituality is essential to well being.
A baldie but a goodie
De Botton, Alain I have to include him because I love this dude. I mean I think I'm really in love with him. He is – in my starry eyed opinion – the most sensible thinker of today. He has taken all the best bits of sense from history's philosophers and packaged them all up in digestible forms and relevant contexts in order for us all to take a long hard look at ourselves and the world we live in – with his own philosophies rising up like beacons along the way. He coined the phrase, Status Anxiety and unearthed its truths. He identifies ways in which heathens such as myself can benefit from religion (without having to believe in the Big Guy) and how architecture affects our well being. He…hang on, I won't go on, just read him okay, he's lovely – De Botton.
So in case you're still reading and bothered about what I think…
The Megoracle Philosophies Well I'm not sure I have the time or see the point in asking how we got here because we are here and I can't see a better explanation beyond the big bang and science. What are we here for? Well given that it was a great big happy accident that we ended up here, I don't think I believe in an assigned purpose or a destiny. I think we are here to survive, which means different things for everyone. Other than the essentials like food and shelter and sex (for species survival), what is necessary for one person to survive – or at least his/her perception of what is necessary – is different from the next. For instance, a friend once told me he would die without the sea; he runs a watersports business. I am a poor grumpy shadow of myself if I can't write, and others need to do immense amounts of volunteer work for charity to survive as functioning happy people (thank the Lord for them).
I agree with Confucius and his family loyalty, Socrates and his community and Descartes' suspicion of perception. I think Marx is a grossly stereotyped wise man who deserves more attention and am grateful to Nietzsche for getting people up off their prayer mats. I am fascinated by the idea of Plato's cave (none of us can deny its truth) and Jung's synchronicity (those coincidences happen to me all the time) but can't offer anything more to either thesis. Of all of the philosophers I have mentioned (and there many more – and far more depth to their ideas), it would be Carl Jung I would like to study more. He seems like a nice, brainy bloke, with some wafty,
mysterious bits that appeal to my whimsy. I used to hear "I'll Be Watching You" by The Police often enough for it to 1) creep me out and 2) perhaps be some kind of synchronicity. I googled about with the idea and discovered that the song is off The Police's album named, "Synchronicity". Kid you not. It's made me order the book. Anyway, it's likely I'm going potty now so I'll sign off at long last.
Never let it be said that Megoracle is afraid of the big issues.
Catch Up On: American Elections
A Million Stories
Categories: Brainwork, Nerdy Bits
Tags: aesthetics, Alain De Botton, archetype, Aristotle, Communist, Descartes, dualism, Ego, epistemology, ethics, existentialism, Freud, Id, individuation, Jung, logic, Marx, metaphysics, Nietzsche, nihilism, Philosophy, Plato, Plato's cave, Socrates, Status Anxiety, Super-ego, synchronicity, Thales
April 28, 2012 • 7:53 pm
So did Confucius really write the notes for fortune cookies? But seriously, I like this post. You are clever megoracle and always get me thinking….. My id likes your funny bits too xx
Hooray for the id I say. x
Mary Bessell
May 2, 2012 • 3:57 pm
Fantastic post Meg. I too love LOVE Alain De Botton, I'm currently devouring his book on Proust. I also like it that his name is so easy to remember when browsing bookshops because it looks like bottom. Have you read Sophie's World? It's a lovely novel/ overview of philosophy/ mystery…
Hi Mary! Thank you. Yes I have read Sophie's World and really enjoyed but have to admit it lost me in places. Really need to read it again I think. Haven't read de Bottom's Proust book but it's on my list. xxx
MANON KUBLER BY MANON KUBLER
May 2, 2012 • 10:35 pm
Reblogged this on PORTAFOLIO. BITACORA DE UN TRANSFUGA. 2000.2010.
Brush Up On: ISLAM « megoracle


text:
Jay Simpson, former Technical Director and Program Manager for the CIA, meets with students for hands-on activities during an educational event hosted by the Air Force Association and Kaiserslautern High School Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program at Kapaun Air Station, Dec. 16, 2019. Simpson wrote several books on optical fiber technology and is responsible for 80 publications and 15 patents in the field. Photo: Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater
Photo Caption & Credits
Airman for Life
By Air Force Magazine Staff
The Air Force Association Promotes STEM Abroad
In Germany, the local Kaiserslautern Air Force Association in collaboration with the Kaiserslautern High School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program supports aerospace education for students through partnerships and participation in their Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps.
Kapaun Air Station hosted a STEM event in December 2019 that allowed students and Kaiserslautern teacher Ken Robinson to hear STEM presentations and to engage in hands-on activities. Former CIA Technical Director and Program Manager, Jay Simpson, was in attendance and is now an AFA special advisor to all STEM programs in the area. He has written several books on optical fiber technology, is responsible for 80 publications, and has 15 patents in the science field. Aaron Williams, who serves as AFA's European Special Assistant and oversees these efforts, continues to advance AFA's presence in Europe.
San Diego AFA Chapter Renamed for USAF Hero
Retired Brig. Gen. Robert Cardenas (left) with Dick Jeffreys, president of the AFA chapter named in Cardenas' honor, at the dinner event where the chapter was officially renamed. Photo: courtesy Dick Jeffreys
AFA's San Diego Chapter was renamed the Brig. Gen. Robert Cardenas chapter in honor of the former combat and test pilot's military and post-military contributions.
The change became official Jan. 30 at a celebration with Cardenas and members of his family as the guests of honor. Born on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and raised in San Diego, Cardenas enlisted in the California National Guard in 1939, transferred to the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and awarded his wings in 1941. During World War II, he successfully completed 19 combat missions in the European Theater as a B-24 pilot before being shot down on his 20th mission in 1944.
Following the war, he was assigned to Test Pilot School, and during an assignment at Muroc Field, Calif., was mission commander and pilot of the B-29 that carried Chuck Yeager and the Bell X-1 aloft for the mission that broke the sound barrier for the first time. Cardenas also served as a test pilot at Wright Field, Ohio.
During the Korean War, he commanded the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing at Naha Air Base, Okinawa. He commanded the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Air Base in Thailand during the Vietnam War and flew F-105s. In 1970, as Vice Commander of 16th Air Force, he helped negotiated the closure of Wheelus Air Base, Libya, with Muammar Gaddafi. He retired on July 1, 1973, after more than three decades on Active duty.
Cardenas served on the Veterans Affairs Memorials and Cemetery Committee, where he campaigned for a new national cemetery to serve San Diego's large military community, resulting in the opening of the Miramar National Cemetery.
Changing a Chapter's name is unusual. But then again, so was the remarkable career of Brig. Gen. Robert Cardenas.
AFA Chapters Celebrate Pitsenbarger Movie Premier
Moviegoers in Piqua, Ohio—Pitsenbarger's hometown, enjoyed a day full of events in town and at the local mall, ending with a packed movie premier. Photo: Courtesy
At the Oklahoma Gerrity Chapter pre-movie event, the crowd gathers for a group shot before entering the show. Photo: Courtesy
AFA chapters gathered at local theaters across the country to celebrate the movie premiere of "The Last Full Measure," which opened nationwide in January.
More than 70 members of the Central Oklahoma Air Force (Gerrity) community gathered together on Jan. 24 to honor local Vietnam-era pararescuemen (PJ's) during a reception prior to the showing of the movie "The Last Full Measure," written and directed by Todd Robinson. The movie examines the story behind Medal of Honor recipient Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, who was posthumously awarded the honor 30 years after he was killed in action in Vietnam.
During a reception, hosted by the AFA Gerrity Chapter, attendees also celebrated with families in attendance upon the administering of the Oath of Enlistment to 10 new Air Force recruits by the Oklahoma Cabinet Secretary for Veterans Affairs retired Brig. Gen. Ben Robinson. Chapter President Scott Wilson presented each of the three PJ's (one of whom was in the movie) with a signed movie poster.
Other groups represented included 13 members of the Arnold Air Society from the University of Oklahoma, representatives of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce ACES program, AFA Gerrity Chapter Community Partners, and Active military.
At the New Jersey movie premier, air power advocate Susan Loricchio introduced the special attendees to the audience, which included about 50 veterans representing all branches of the services, and she also spoke on the importance of the film.
At Pitsenbarger's hometown of Piqua, Ohio, the screening sold-out in less than 35 minutes. In attendance were members of Piqua High School, his alma mater; the movie's producer, Sidney Sherman; movie director Robinson; Piqua Mayor Kris Lee, as well as four of the "Mud Soldiers" who were with Pitsenbarger on that day of valor April 11, 1966, depicted in the movie. Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Fred Navarro recalled to the audience how Pitsenbarger saved his life that day. Various events took place all over town, coordinated by the President of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Sherman. At a Piqua Museum and also in the National Museum of the United States Air Force this quote from one of the "Mud Soldiers" is on display:
"There was only one man on the ground that day that would have turned down a ride out of that hellhole—and that man was Pitsenbarger," F. David Peters, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, said.
For all, it was a night to remember in celebration of selfless heroism and U.S. Air Force history.
Expand Comments
SECARMY Clears Guard Troops at Capitol to Carry Weapons
Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy has authorized Guard troops safeguarding the U.S. Capitol in the wake of its Jan. 6 breach by violent supporters of President Donald J. Trump to carry lethal weapons, the District of Columbia National Guard said in a statement shared with Air Force Magazine. These personnel…
Air Force, Space Force Leaders Now Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The top three leaders in the Department of the Air Force have received their first coronavirus vaccinations, as the shot rolls out across U.S. military bases worldwide. Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. were both vaccinated Jan. 12, service…
Granting Austin's Waiver Could Damage US Politics, Experts Tell Senators
Experts warned the Senate Armed Services Committee at a Jan. 12 hearing that approving a waiver for retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as Defense Secretary would damage the norm of civilian control of the military and cautioned against relying on veterans to lend credibility to American politics. Senators…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Take your class back in time to early California. This two-hour program consists of two 40-minute "hands-on" activities and a tour of the historic Adobe house. Adobe Days is offered Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 11:30am and 11:30am to 1:30pm. Reservations are required. The cost is $13 per student. Classes must have a minimum of 10 students.
Call 760.639.6164 to schedule your trip.


text:
Q: MVC Decimal Separator with multiple culture I'm working with an application with multiple culture, and when i change culture 'pt' to 'en' the decimal separator change to. Have some way to fixing the decimal separator?
thanks.

A: Roll your own CultureInfo by modifying the standard one:
var cInfo = CultureInfo.CreateSpecificCulture("en-us");

cInfo.NumberFormat.NumberDecimalSeparator = ",";
cInfo.NumberFormat.CurrencyGroupSeparator = ",";
cInfo.NumberFormat.PercentDecimalSeparator = ",";

Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentCulture = cInfo;
Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = cInfo;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Xie Nian Hao 🙂 For our Chinese new year celebrations, we made spring rolls and some of us thought they tasted better than the ones from the shop. Yum yum !! We learnt to speak Chinese in a sentence – it was a bit hard. On Wednesday, we did some Chinese dancing: it was really fun. We enjoyed presenting our learning on Thursday to the school. In maths, we've done halving, finding halfway numbers, ordering decimals, calculating with different numbers of places and some of us used factor trees to find prime factors. In computing we finished off our phones. We also learnt a new song about volcanoes. This week was the first week of Cool to learn: in the maths one we were looking at arranging digits and working systematically. Why not have a go at Dobrusia and Emilian's problems on the other post?
I am an active composite volcano on the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. My eruption in 1815 was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. It could be heard over 1000 miles away. It caused global climate changes, leading to 1816 being known as 'The year without a summer'; crops failed and livestock died all over the Northern Hemisphere, causing the greatest famine of the 19th century. Which volcano am I?
Using the digits 0,3,5,6 and 8, what is the third largest 4-digit number you can make? Once you have posted your answer can you set a similar question for everyone?
In year 6 , we've had a really good week ! We've done factors and rounding in numeracy. We've done our Penn Resilience programme on Thursday – role plays on negative self talk . In literacy we did our explanation text on how a volcano erupts and in Mrs Howard's group most of us included all four sentence types 🙂 . In Mrs Larkin's group we will not forget how pressure builds after seeing ketchup explode !!! In topic, we've finished our volcanic glossary and are looking forward to doing some art work about it.
I am a volcano in Southern Italy. I am an active volcano; my latest eruption was in 1944. I am considered a great threat to the cities surrounding me, including the crowded city of Naples. I am most famous for my eruption in 79AD, during which I buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum with ash, rocks and mud. Which volcano am I?
I'll award two signatures for anyone posting the correct volcano name before I publish the answer. Good Luck!
In numeracy we have worked on equivalent fractions, simplest form and finding common denominators! We did our first spelling test on Thursday – lots of people got full marks 😆 We presented our topic launch to our grown ups and we really enjoyed it. We've done Penn Resilience again with Mrs Howard – don't forget to do the homework for it. In Computing, we created our own phones in lots of different designs!! All week, we have been working towards writing an explanation text on why a volcano erupts. It has been a real singing week because we had to learn songs about Introductions, Conclusions and the sections in an explanation text. Our topic work included writing a volcanic glossary. What have you enjoyed the most?
New year – new topic!
We have had a great Christmas and we are back on track with a new topic – Vicious Volcanoes!! We have started asking and answering questions about what we want to find out and we have started to learn our new song for the topic launch. In numeracy, we've been finding percentages mentally and working on data handling with pictogram charts, frequency charts, tally charts and bar charts! Yesterday, we started a new programme with Mrs Howard called the PENN Resilience Programme, to help with different life skills. Happy new year!!!


text:
Offbeat Places In Rajasthan Where You Can Practice Responsible Tourism In India
By Shipra Shekhar
Credits: Aditya Siva
Rajasthan is an incredible place to visit. It has a rich history, architectural brilliance, exceptional hospitality, intense desert landscapes and is home to the world-famous Ranthambore National Park. The state attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world who come to experience its royal charm. The government and people of Rajasthan are taking a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and introduce activities that help the local community earn their livelihood in a sustainable manner.
Here are destinations in Rajasthan where you can help the community, environment and people by being a responsible traveller:
Tordi
Credits: Wikimedia
Tordi village, a part of Malpura tehsil in Rajasthan's Tonk district, has a lot to capture a travellers attention. This village, 98km from the state capital of Jaipur is full of spectacular hillocks, sand dunes, ancient temples, traditional houses and a ruined fortress on the foothills of the Aravali Range. This village was relatively unknown in the tourist circuit till BH Hemendra Singh, the descendant of the founders of the 18th-century fort, Tordi Garh, restored it and converted the residential wing of the fort into a beautiful homestay. This fort has a simple architecture and is constructed of lime and mortar. It has a series of turrets that were useful during wars in ancient times. It also has beautiful courtyards, terraces, and verandahs. Today, Tordi village attracts tourists who want to experience the best of rural Rajasthan, leading to its sustainable growth.
How can you be a responsible traveller in Tordi?
– Support the schools and medical centre for the welfare of the people in the village
– Stay at places that follow eco-tourism practices, which have a minimum negative impact on the environment, such as Tordi Garh
– Buy from local sellers, so your money goes where it is needed the most
Nimaj Village
Credits: Vincent desjardins
Nimaj village is a part of Jaitaran tehsil in the district Pali of Rajasthan. It is 130km from the tourist hub of Jodhpur. This village is home to Nimaj Palace, which is now being run as a wonderful luxury hotel. The palace has towering gates and its facade is carved in red sandstone and is a marvel of Indian architecture. Nimaj is home to rich wildlife, temples, and mosques and offers a chance to explore tribal settlements such as those of Gujjars, Kalbelias, Dhanis and Bishnois, and hamlets in the village.
How can you be a responsible traveller in Nimaj?
– Take jeep safaris to the tribal settlements and take a peek into their life. This will also act as a sustainable source of income for them
– Be sensitive with your selfies and respect people no matter how poor or rich
– Take tours to these tribal settlements only with travel agencies such as Responsible Travel that follow sustainable travel practices
Nawalgarh, a town in the Jhunjhunu district, is one of the busiest in the Shekhawati region. Located about 100km from Jaipur, the town is recognised as the 'open art gallery of Rajasthan', as it has the largest concentration of frescoes in the world. It is also noted for its painted havelis, exquisite temples, palaces and the beautiful Nawalgarh Fort, where several movies such as Paheli, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and other. This place is famous for the Sheesh Mahal, Aath Haveli, Morarka Haveli, Saraogi Haveli, Sheksaria Haveli, Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli, Roop Niwas Palace. Most of these havelis have been converted into heritage hotels to give travellers a unique experience.
How can you be a responsible traveller in Nawalgarh?
– Attend workshops for bangle making run by the people of the village
– Learn the art of tie and dye
– Avoid taking elephant rides in the forts and other tourist places
Credits: VD
Siana is a village in the Jalore district of Rajasthan, bordering the great Thar Desert. It is 125km from the famous Mount Abu. This shepherd village still retains its originality in terms of housing structures, attires, and social customs. The semi-desert countryside, dunes and ravine offshoots of the Aravalli Ranges, sandy plains and agricultural lands make up the interesting terrain of this region. Siana is ideal for travellers seeking to explore rural Rajasthan and for those interested in exploring the wildlife of its southwest region.
How can you be a responsible traveller in Siana?
– Go for a village walk and learn about the carpenter culture of Siana
– Visit a traditional carpenter's house to appreciate the pieces of work and buy local art pieces
– Meet the Rabari community, who are the traditional shepherds of this region
– Go on a panther safari with The Blue Yonder and other travel companies that support responsible tourism
Sawai Madhopur in western Rajasthan is home to the famous Ranthambhore National Park and is one of the best places in India to see tigers in the wild. This place is also home to animals such as jackal, mongoose, sloth bear, leopard, sambar, chital, nilgai, gazelle, boars, mongoose, Indian hare, monitor lizards, and about 272 species of birds. This national park also has abandoned fortresses and lakes. Ranthambhore Fort is also worth a visit.
How can you be a responsible traveller in Sawai Madhopur?
– Take a wildlife jeep safari with responsible travel company such as Ranthambore Jeep Safari
– Instead of using canters or mini buses for a jungle safari, go for a jeep as it minimises carbon emissions
– Don't buy any product that came from a wild animal
– Do not ask the jeep to go faster during the jungle safari as it disturbs the animals
Volunteering in Rajasthan
There is no better feeling in the world than helping people in need. So if you have time in hand, make sure you explore these volunteering opportunities in Rajasthan:
Helping Hands – This project aims to help the community of the desert village of Dodasar close to Jaisalmer. Volunteers will have an opportunity to help teach the villagers English, build a school and get involved in ecotourism projects.
Marwar Medical & Relief Society – This place runs several educational, health, environmental and other projects in the villages of Jodhpur.
Sambhali Trust – This organisation aims to empower disadvantaged women of Rajasthan by helping them learn skills such as textile production, English-language etc. Volunteers can teach and help in organising workshops on topics such as health, women's rights, and nutrition.
Seva Mandir - This NGO is committed several causes that include afforestation, water resources, health, education and empowerment of women and village institutions. Volunteers will have wide range of activities they can help with.
Disclaimer: This article has been developed by Tripoto based on information available as of October, 2017. Travellers are advised to recheck current weather conditions, timings, prices etc. while planning their trip.
Weekend Getaways from Tonk,Places to Visit in Tonk,Things to Do in Tonk,Tonk Travel Guide,Places to Stay in Rajasthan,Places to Visit in Rajasthan,Things to Do in Rajasthan,Rajasthan Travel Guide,Things to Do in India,Places to Stay in India,Places to Visit in India,India Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Pali,Places to Visit in Pali,Places to Stay in Pali,Things to Do in Pali,Pali Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Jalore,Places to Stay in Jalore,Places to Visit in Jalore,Things to Do in Jalore,Jalore Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Sawai madhopur,Places to Visit in Sawai madhopur,Places to Stay in Sawai madhopur,Things to Do in Sawai madhopur,Sawai madhopur Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Nawalgarh,Places to Visit in Nawalgarh,Things to Do in Nawalgarh,Places to Stay in Nawalgarh,Nawalgarh Travel Guide,Weekend Getaways from Jhunjhunu,Places to Visit in Jhunjhunu,Places to Stay in Jhunjhunu,Things to Do in Jhunjhunu,Jhunjhunu Travel Guide,
#Tordi#Tonk#Rajasthan#India#Nimaaj#Pali#Siyana#Jalore#Sawai Madhopur#Nawalgarh#Jhunjhunu


Birthday Flowers Delivery Beloit WI - Beloit Floral Co.
Look no further than Beloit Floral Co. for birthday gifts! Liven up any birthday party with a festive birthday flowers or surprise them with a cheerful "Happy Birthday" bouquet! We offer birthday flower delivery to Beloit, WI or nationwide.


(decimeter per minute) per second conversion allows you find conversion from (decimeter per minute) per second to other units of acceleration, and you can find more additional (decimeter per minute) per second information as the following.
(decimeter per minute) per second is a unit of acceleration. It is equal to 0.00166666667 m / s2. Plural name is (decimeters per minute) per second.


text:
Q: Question on quotient groups I know that $\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}$ stands for the quotient group of integers mod $n$. To be a little more specific, we define the relation:
$$a \equiv b \hspace{0.1cm} (\mbox{mod $n$}) \iff n\mid (a-b)$$
and this is an equivalence relation. Thus, $\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z}$ is defined to be the set of all equivalence classes of this relation. We can prove that:
$$\mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} = \{[0],...,[n-1]\}$$
This being said, I would like to understand the meaning of $\mathbb{Z}^{d}/n\mathbb{Z}^{d}$ and $\mathbb{R}^{d}/n\mathbb{Z}^{d}$. I'm having trouble understanding these objects because I don't know how to define 'divisibility' in $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$ and $\mathbb{R}^{d}$. Do we need to demand componentwise divisibility? How to define these groups?

A: An element of $n\mathbb Z^d$ is $n$ times an element of $\mathbb Z^d$. So it's a list of $d$ integers, all of which are divisible by $n$. Two elements of $\mathbb Z^d$ are equivalent in $\mathbb Z^d/n\mathbb Z^d$ if and only if their difference is in $n\mathbb Z^d$. So $(p_0,\dots,p_{d-1})=(q_0,\dots,q_{d-1})$ if and only if $n|(p_i-q_i)$ for all $i<d$.


The Raven Golf Club has employment opportunities available. Please follow the link below to fill out the Employment Application along with the Background Authorization Form. Please email your completed forms to our department heads below for the department that you are applying for.
Thank you for your interest in the Raven Golf Club and we look forward to speaking with you soon!


If you are an event organiser, you may be having doubts if you need an event check in app or not. Do not let uncertainties get the best of you because your predicament requires very little thought. Technology is the best solution if you would want to have an efficient check-in process during your event!
There is no reason why you have to stick to simple online tools like Google Drive when you can simply use a specialised check in app that was designed specifically for the check in process. If you are organising a big event, it's not even a question on why you should invest in a check in app; it's simply a matter of choosing the best app for your event. You would not want your event to suffer from delays because hordes of people are queueing up at the entrance, right? You may also want to delve into one process before proceeding: event sign up.
It is important that apps for event check in are based on the web for you to have instant access to your database at any time. This keeps you and your team members synced to the same data as long as all of you are connected to the internet. Most applications would save changes right away and reflect these changes in all associated devices. This is contrary to a desktop-based or offline check in app which is meant for individual users. Therefore, it is a good idea to have an event check in app with an event registration software.
Why would you need a bar code scanner in event check-in apps? Tickets for large events with hundreds to thousands of attendees are usually produced with bar codes for easier identification. Through mobile applications such as the check in app, it is no longer necessary for you to purchase a separate barcode scanner. You may simply use the camera of your mobile devices! You just have to activate the code scanner through the app and guide the camera to read the code. Voila, your attendees are checked in in a matter of seconds.
To know more about this feature, read more about the event planning app.
An iPad event check in app should accommodate VIP notifications. In any paid event, there are attendees who pay more to get the best seating block or to get more perks from your event. These customers should be given preferential treatment and it would be difficult to pull that off if you are not even aware that they are already in your venue. A high-quality check in app notifies you and your team members once VIP guests have arrived. This allows your staff to usher them into their designated seats or give them welcome drinks.
In many conferences, badge printing is an important component of the check-in process which is why this should be a top feature of a mobile event check in app. Your attendees may be classified per delegate type and they should have a badge with them for specific event functions. A modern event check in app can be connected to wireless printers such that after checking in an attendee, you are able to print badges on the spot. This is particularly helpful if you have a huge volume of attendees coming to your event.
It is important that you can manage your attendee list using an event check in app Android. You should be able to manually confirm guests through the check in app instead of using the QR code scanner the whole time. For example, if your attendee has lost his ticket or is not able to retrieve it from his email, you can simply ask for an identification card and confirm his attendance through the software. If you have simultaneous events going on during the same week, the app should also let you manage the guest list per event.
Whether you are organising small or big events, arming yourself with events technology is a smart move in today's highly competitive events industry. A check in app, along with some other products may phenomenally help you in terms of reaching your targets and goals per event. These solutions also improve your attendees' experience for you to build good brand reputation. Lastly, it would be best if you explore the topic more regarding online event registration.


I don't have a Twitter account, so I'll do this instead.
Or you could get a twitter account to retweet better things. Or use it like me, to lose Brewer fan followers when you make comments after the diamondbacks hit grand slams. Now that's comedy.


text:
Qualified Cars
View our Stock
GAP & RTI
Alloy Wheel Insurance
Smart Protect
Book A MOT
MSO Wheel Bolts
MSO Door Sill Cover
MSO Car Cover
MSO Shift Paddles
McLaren Gifts
Selling Your Vehicle
What is Sale or Return?
How Does Sale or Return Work?
McLaren New Forest
View our Qualified stock
Choose Make BMW (1) Ferrari (1) McLaren (7)
Choose Model 458 (1) 540C (1) 570S SPIDER (1) 600LT (1) 675LT (2) 720S SPIDER Performance (1) M4 CS (1) P1 (1)
Choose Version 3.8 SSG (1) 675LT COUPE (1) M4 CS (1) Spider (1) SPIDER DCT (1) V8 SSG (4)
Choose Budget
Close Budget Selector
Min Price £51,000 £52,000 £53,000 £54,000 £55,000 £56,000 £57,000 £58,000 £59,000 £60,000 £61,000 £62,000 £63,000 £64,000 £65,000 £66,000 £67,000 £68,000 £69,000 £70,000 £71,000 £72,000 £73,000 £74,000 £75,000 £76,000 £77,000 £78,000 £79,000 £80,000 £81,000 £82,000 £83,000 £84,000 £85,000 £86,000 £87,000 £88,000 £89,000 £90,000 £91,000 £92,000 £93,000 £94,000 £95,000 £96,000 £97,000 £98,000 £99,000 £100,000 £110,000 £120,000 £130,000 £140,000 £150,000 £160,000 £170,000 £180,000 £190,000 £200,000 £250,000 £300,000 £350,000 £400,000 £450,000 £500,000 £600,000 £700,000 £800,000 £900,000 £1,000,000 £1,100,000 £1,200,000
Max Price £52,000 £53,000 £54,000 £55,000 £56,000 £57,000 £58,000 £59,000 £60,000 £61,000 £62,000 £63,000 £64,000 £65,000 £66,000 £67,000 £68,000 £69,000 £70,000 £71,000 £72,000 £73,000 £74,000 £75,000 £76,000 £77,000 £78,000 £79,000 £80,000 £81,000 £82,000 £83,000 £84,000 £85,000 £86,000 £87,000 £88,000 £89,000 £90,000 £91,000 £92,000 £93,000 £94,000 £95,000 £96,000 £97,000 £98,000 £99,000 £100,000 £110,000 £120,000 £130,000 £140,000 £150,000 £160,000 £170,000 £180,000 £190,000 £200,000 £250,000 £300,000 £350,000 £400,000 £450,000 £500,000 £600,000 £700,000 £800,000 £900,000 £1,000,000 £1,100,000 £1,200,000 £1,300,000
Min Payment £0 £50 £100 £150 £200 £250 £300 £350 £400 £450 £500 £550 £600 £650 £700 £750 £800 £850 £900 £950 £1,000 £1,050 £1,100 £1,150 £1,200 £1,250 £1,300 £1,350 £1,400 £1,450 £1,500 £1,550 £1,600 £1,650 £1,700 £1,750 £1,800 £1,850 £1,900 £1,950 £2,000 £2,050 £2,100 £2,150 £2,200 £2,250 £2,300 £2,350 £2,400 £2,450 £2,500 £2,550 £2,600 £2,650 £2,700 £2,750 £2,800 £2,850 £2,900 £2,950 £3,000 £3,050 £3,100 £3,150 £3,200 £3,250 £3,300 £3,350 £3,400 £3,450 £3,500 £3,550 £3,600 £3,650 £3,700 £3,750 £3,800 £3,850 £3,900 £3,950 £4,000 £4,050
Max Payment £50 £100 £150 £200 £250 £300 £350 £400 £450 £500 £550 £600 £650 £700 £750 £800 £850 £900 £950 £1,000 £1,050 £1,100 £1,150 £1,200 £1,250 £1,300 £1,350 £1,400 £1,450 £1,500 £1,550 £1,600 £1,650 £1,700 £1,750 £1,800 £1,850 £1,900 £1,950 £2,000 £2,050 £2,100 £2,150 £2,200 £2,250 £2,300 £2,350 £2,400 £2,450 £2,500 £2,550 £2,600 £2,650 £2,700 £2,750 £2,800 £2,850 £2,900 £2,950 £3,000 £3,050 £3,100 £3,150 £3,200 £3,250 £3,300 £3,350 £3,400 £3,450 £3,500 £3,550 £3,600 £3,650 £3,700 £3,750 £3,800 £3,850 £3,900 £3,950 £4,000 £4,050 £4,100
Choose Make McLaren (1)
Choose Model 720s Spider (1)
Choose Version Performance (1)
Min Price £296,000
Max Price £297,000
Min Payment
Max Payment
Browse the New McLaren Range
McLaren 620R
In just a few steps
Our Latest Offers
View all our McLaren
offers here
Give your vehicle the
care it deserves.
"I was attracted to Harwoods by its reputation as a professional family run business. It has an emphasis on growth, both at a business level but also at a personal level for all its employees. We are a family business, but we are able to compete with the best in the industry. I would advise anybody thinking of Harwoods not to hesitate, it's a very professional business with plenty of opportunity for development. In my role as Head of Business I lead by example, making sure our brand values are integral to everything we do and how we behave."
More From Our People
"I joined the motor industry in 2004 with Fiat as a Service Advisor. I Joined Harwoods at Southampton Audi in 2010. I then moved into the sales team in 2013 and stayed there for over 5 years and left to become a Business Manager for Mercedes Benz. I am now very excited to return to Harwoods to take on the new role of Sales Manager at McLaren New Forest"
"Highly motivated professional with a passion for delivering the highest level of Customer Service & Satisfaction. One of my main interests is the performance cars coupled with Luxury Brands and Craftsmanship. Being part of the Harwoods Group as well as working with the Audi Brand for the past three years, has enabled me to deepen my knowledge and appreciation which I also find is of interest and relevance to many of my customers. Social Media plays a part in how I share my passion with others, I currently have over Four Thousand followers in Instagram as well as sharing my love of performance cars on Social Media."
Harry Donaldson‐Mills
"I joined Harwoods Group because I saw it as a family owned business that was committed to customer and staff satisfaction. I would strongly recommend Harwoods as a great place to work and would advise anybody joining to look out for the opportunities that the business offers. At Harwoods we are focused on excellence and delivering a great customer service. I am very proud of being recognised as Bentley Aftersales Manager of the year and like leading a good knowledgeable and happy team"
Craig Hartley
Aftersales Manager
"I am very proud to work at Harwoods. It is a family business with a great heritage and an exciting future. I have lived in Sussex for over 36 years and have known the Harwoods brand for 30 years. I personally know a number of colleagues at the Bentley Sussex Branch and have purchased cars from Harwoods Audi and Land Rover. I get great feedback from our customers about how welcoming we make our showroom."
Annie Newton
Showroom Host
Careers at Harwoods
We currently employ over 850 staff dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, every time and on time as this is the core focus of our business ethos and hopefully yours too.
We recognise a successful business is built around the quality and contentment of its people, as without doubt, they are our biggest asset. Here you will find information on current vacancies, modern apprenticeships and much more.
Work with Harwoods
Whether you are looking for a new or used McLaren, Harwoods McLaren in the New Forest is the ideal destination. From used and new McLaren car sales, to servicing and repairs, we are on-hand to offer you first-class service and advice at every stage of your purchase.
Dedicated to our customers in the South of England, we have been operating in the area now for the last 14 years and our customers mean everything to us. We run various events throughout the year such as Track Days and Ride Outs and have quite a community on our social networks.
If you wish to stay in touch then just click our Facebook handle @McLarenNewForest and follow us.
McLaren Service Centre
Our McLaren service department has been kept up to date with the latest diagnostic equipment to ensure that our Manufacturer trained technicians can spot and rectify any faults quickly and effectively.
We are also prepared to handle any repairs your car may need. We stock a full range of genuine McLaren parts to ensure that your vehicle is maintained to the highest standards, as well as a range of McLaren accessories should you want to personalise your car.
Contact us to find out more about our range of vehicles, our McLaren offers, finance options and servicing available at our McLaren garage.
South Lodge Hotel Movie Night
McLaren New Forest recently held a Movie Night at South Lodge Hotel.
McLaren September Track Day at Goodwood
McLaren New Forest have enjoyed an exhilarating summer of charity days at Goodwood.
New McLaren


text:
import { Component, OnInit, AfterContentInit, OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
import { NgForm, FormsModule } from '@angular/forms';
import { Router, ActivatedRoute, Params } from '@angular/router';
import { ChatService } from '../../services/chat.service'
import { ProfileService } from '../../services/profile.service'
import * as io from 'socket.io-client';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-chat',
  templateUrl: './chat.component.html',
  styleUrls: ['./chat.component.css']
})
export class ChatComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy, AfterContentInit {

  chat: Array<Object>;
  joined: boolean;
  message: Object;
  chatterData: Object;
  socket: any;
  chatID: String;
  token: String;
  username: String;
  constructor(private chatService: ChatService, private router: Router, private profile: ProfileService,
    private route: ActivatedRoute,) {
   }

  ngOnInit() {
    this.socket = io('http://localhost:8000');
    const user = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('user'))
    this.username = user.username
    this.getChatRoom()
    this.loadChat()
  }

  ngAfterContentInit() {

  }

  initMessenger() {
    this.receiveMessages()
    this.loadProfile()
    this.chat = []
    // this.profile = null;
  }

  loadChat() {
    this.route.params.subscribe((params: Params) => {
      this.chatID = params['id'];
      console.log(this.chatID);
      if (this.chatID) {
        this.initMessenger()
        this.chatService.getChat(this.chatID).subscribe(conv => {
          if(conv.success) {
            console.log(conv)
            this.chat = conv.messages
            this.scrollSmoothToBottom("chat")
          }
        })
      }
    });
  }

  loadProfile() {
    if(this.chatID) {
      this.profile.getProfileById(this.chatID).subscribe(result => {
        this.chatterData = result.profile
      })
    }
  }

  scrollSmoothToBottom(id) {
    const div = document.getElementById(id);
    $('#' + id).animate({
      scrollTop: div.scrollHeight
    }, 500);
}

  getChatRoom() {
    this.token = localStorage.getItem('id_token')
    this.token = this.token.slice(4, this.token.length)
    this.socket.emit('join', { 'token': this.token })
  }

  receiveMessages() {
    this.socket.on('new-message', (data) => {
      this.chat.push({msg: data.message, format: 'received', time: new Date().toString()})
      this.scrollSmoothToBottom('chat')
    })
  }

  sendMessage(messageForm: NgForm) {
    let message = (messageForm.controls['message'].value)
    if(message) {
      message = message.toString()
      message = message.trim()
      if( message.length > 0) {
        this.chat.push({ msg: message, format: 'sent', time: new Date().toString() })
        this.chatService.sendMessage(this.chatID, message, this.username).subscribe(res => {
          this.socket.emit('save-message', { message: message, createdAt: new Date().toString(), to: this.chatID })
          console.log(res)
        })
        console.log(this.chat)
        this.scrollSmoothToBottom('chat')
      }
    }
    messageForm.resetForm()
  }

  ngOnDestroy() {
    this.socket.emit('leave', { username: this.username })
    console.log(this.username + ' left')
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


2019 is going pretty darn well! January has been a whirlwind of insanity, leading to a temporary burn out. Lots of sleep and reading helped that out. A book I just finished was Heartless, which is by the author of the amazing Lunar Chronicles. I LOVE fairy tale retellings, so I recommend everything she has put out so far! I'm also aiming to edit my novel that I wrote last year. Slowly but surely, I will crush these goals!
One of my first sessions of the year was with Mikhal! It was SUCH a pleasure to have Mikhal in front of my camera again. She's just radiance and kindness! This session was such a blast, using smoke bombs and dipping into freezing cold water. I last worked with Mikhal on her wedding day, with her husband Casey. She had one of my favorite weddings ever, at King River Ranch, that you can check out here! Mikhal is always down for an adventure, whether it's in a poop filled field (say THAT three times fast!) with donkeys or getting into freezing cold water in a stream.
I'm also learning how to use my new drone, which resulted in some pretty rad images! It's such a finicky piece of equipment, but I'm enjoying the challenge!


text:
MPs step up pressure on Theresa May to set resignation date
Theresa May. (Photo by Michal Wachucik/Getty Images)
Scotsman Reporter
Pressure on Theresa May to set a firm resignation date has increased ahead of a meeting with the chairman of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers.
Tuesday's meeting with Sir Graham Brady comes after the 1922 Committee requested "clarity" about the Prime Minister's timetable for standing down and triggering a leadership contest.
Meanwhile, senior Tory activists will consider the question of Mrs May's leadership at an emergency meeting of association chairmen next month.
A revolt against Mrs May could become more likely if talks with Labour result in a Brexit compromise which would be unacceptable to Tory Eurosceptics.
Government ministers and their Labour counterparts will resume talks in Westminster aimed at breaking the deadlock.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said both sides need to be willing to compromise.
READ MORE: Labour 'doesn't trust' Theresa May after talks leak
Mr Hunt said that after both main parties lost ground in the local elections in England, it was a "crucial week" coming up for the Brexit negotiations.
However, he said that he did not believe a permanent customs union with the EU - supported by Labour - offered a "sustainable, long-term solution" to the current impasse.
"I personally think that any kind of permanent customs union wouldn't work in the long run because our economy is too big, but let's see what the parties come up with," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Anger within the Tory ranks at Mrs May has been fuelled by the potential for a softer Brexit deal with Labour.
Leading Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash told the Press Association: "The time has come for her to resign.
"She needs to be given a date. The sooner the better. But it needs to be done in an orderly manner."
Scottish Government accused of 'slashing' budget for drug and alcohol partnerships
Grassroots Tories will hold a no-confidence vote in Mrs May on June 15.
The vote by members at an EGM of the National Conservative Convention would not be binding, but would add pressure on Mrs May to quit if passed.
In a message to members of the convention, reported by the Conservative Home website, chairman Andrew Sharpe said they would be asked to vote on a motion stating that "we no longer feel that Mrs May is the right person to continue as Prime Minister to lead us forward in the negotiations" and "therefore with great reluctance ask that she considers her position and resigns".
READ MORE: Scotland may need two independence referendums, experts say
Mrs May has said she will step down if her Withdrawal Agreement is ratified, but - with the deadline for Brexit extended to the end of October - has not made clear how long she intends to stay if no deal is reached.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, put the spotlight on a departure date by insisting Mrs May announce a "road map" for her resignation after the European elections set for May 23.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told the Press Association: "I'm amazed she is still there."
The resumption of Government talks with Labour comes amid increased tension between the two sides.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he had no trust in Mrs May after reports emerged that she is ready to offer a temporary customs arrangement with the EU to the opposition.
Labour accused Mrs May of having "blown the confidentiality" of the talks.
Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Brexit had a big impact on last week's local election results, which saw huge losses for the Tories and a disappointing showing for Labour.
A number of senior Tory Brexiteers have said they would not vote for a customs union.
Referring to talks with Labour, children's minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "Currently, if you look at the Withdrawal Agreement, the customs arrangements, or the alignment with the EU, would go on until December 2021, if Labour believe, actually, that they would rather go to the next general election, which is 2022, for example, then actually, that's still a temporary customs arrangement.
"And then, whoever is leader of the Conservative Party can then lay out their stall as to the next instalment of negotiations."
For all the latest Scottish news, sport and features click here, or head to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.


text:
Obama's kinder, gentler military commissions
Bush critics vehemently objected to the idea of commissions generally. Will they continue to do so now that Obama supports them?
Check out this article! https://www.salon.com/2009/05/15/military_commissions_2/
[Updated below - Update II - Update III (Obama's statement) - Update IV - Update V (ACLU interview) - Update VI - Update VII]
It now appears definitive that the Obama administration will attempt to preserve a "modified" version of George Bush's military commissions, rather than try suspected terrorists in our long-standing civilian court system or a court-martial proceeding under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Obama officials have been dispatched to insist to journalists (anonymously, of course) that Obama's embrace of "new and improved" military commissions is neither inconsistent with the criticisms that were voiced about Bush's military commission system nor with Obama's prior statements on this issue. It is plainly not the case that these "modifications" address the core criticisms directed to what Bush did, nor is it the case that Obama's campaign position on this issue can be reconciled with what he is now doing. Just read the facts below and decide for yourself if that is even a plausible claim.
Let's concede that if the U.S. is going to continue to try accused terrorists in newly-created military commissions -- rather than under our normal, long-standing system of justice -- then it is better to have more safeguards than fewer. That's just true by definition. Let's further concede that many of the past criticisms voiced about Bush's military commissions, including some of Obama's criticisms, focused on the specific rules of those commissions, some of which (though far from all) are addressed by Obama's modifications, including the most important change that coerced statements are no longer admissible. Nonetheless, the overwhelming bulk of the objections to what the Bush administration did was to the very idea of military commission themselves. The controversy -- one of the most intense of the Bush era -- was grounded in the argument that there was absolutely no reason, other than to pervert justice and enable easy and due-process-free convictions, to create a separate tribunal rather than use our extant judicial processes.
There is simply no way to reconcile Barack Obama's embrace of military commissions with the core criticisms made about Bush's system. Just consider what was said in the past about Bush's military commissions by key Obama officials, Bush critics generally and, on occasion, even by Obama himself, and decide for yourself if this is anything other than a replica of one of the worst and most extremist abuses of the Bush era:
One of the most definitive claims in this regard was from Obama himself, who -- at the height of the presidential campaign last August, after Salim Hamdan was convicted of minor charges by a Guantanamo military commission -- issued a statement that included this:
That the Hamdan trial – the first military commission trial with a guilty verdict since 9/11 – took several years of legal challenges to secure a conviction for material support for terrorism underscores the dangerous flaws in the Administration's legal framework. It's time to better protect the American people and our values by bringing swift and sure justice to terrorists through our courts and our Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Advocating that accused terrorists be tried "through our courts and our Uniform Code of Military Justice" is plainly inconsistent with advocating that they be tried in newly constituted military commissions. As Ari Melber noted at the time of Obama's statement:
By citing the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Obama is nodding toward proposals by many legal experts, and administration critics, to scrap the military tribunals and rely on the UCMJ to handle cases from Gitmo.
ABC News' Jake Tapper asked White House officials how they could possibly reconcile that campaign statement with Obama's decision now that he's elected, and this is what he was told: "A White House official says that the president has 'always envisioned a role for commissions, properly constituted,' and that the August statement was not meant to preclude them." That contradicts the plain language that Obama used -- anyone literate can see that, since using military commissions is the opposite approach to trying them "through our courts and our UCMJ" -- and they're not even attempting to do anything other than conclusorily assert that it doesn't.
Consider other criticisms of Bush's military commissions from key Bush critics and current Obama officials and judge for yourself if Obama's embrace of kinder, gentler military commissions can be reconciled with these core criticisms:
New York Times Editorial, November 16, 2001:
President Bush's plan to use secret military tribunals to try terrorists is a dangerous idea, made even worse by the fact that it is so superficially attractive. In his effort to defend America from terrorists, Mr. Bush is eroding the very values and principles he seeks to protect, including the rule of law. . . .
But by ruling that terrorists fall outside the norms of civilian and military justice, Mr. Bush has taken it upon himself to establish a prosecutorial channel that answers only to him. The decision is an insult to the exquisite balancing of executive, legislative and judicial powers that the framers incorporated into the Constitution. With the flick of a pen, in this case, Mr. Bush has essentially discarded the rulebook of American justice painstakingly assembled over the course of more than two centuries. In the place of fair trials and due process he has substituted a crude and unaccountable system that any dictator would admire. . .
American civilian courts have proved themselves perfectly capable of handling terrorist cases without overriding defendants' basic rights. Federal prosecutors in New York recently won guilty verdicts against bin Laden compatriots who were accused of bombing two American embassies in Africa in 1998. Osama bin Laden himself was indicted in those attacks. Federal courts have ample discretion to keep sensitive intelligence under seal, while still affording defendants a legitimate adversarial process. The law already limits the reach of the Bill of Rights overseas. American troops need not show a warrant before entering a cave in Afghanistan for their findings to be admissible at trial in the United States.
Using secretive military tribunals would ultimately undermine American interests in the Islamic world by casting doubt on the credibility of a verdict against Osama bin Laden and his aides. No amount of spinning by Mr. Bush's public relations team could overcome the impression that the verdict had been dictated before the trial began. Reliance on tribunals would also signal a lack of confidence in the case against the terrorists and in the nation's democratic institutions. . . .
More than half a century ago the United States and its allies brought some of history's most monstrous criminals to justice in Nuremberg, Germany. In his opening statement at the trial of Nazi leaders, Robert Jackson, the chief American prosecutor, warned of the danger of tainted justice. "To pass those defendants a poisoned chalice is to put it to our lips as well," he said. President Bush would be wise to heed those words.
Neal Katyal, now Obama's Deputy Solicitor General, Slate, September 8, 2004:
It sounded like grist for the Ralph-Nader-They-Are-Really-the-Same crowd last week when it was announced that a John Kerry administration would scrap the military commissions now being used at Guantanamo Bay and replace them with a system patterned on military courts-martial. Yet nothing could be farther from the truth. While the Bush administration and its defenders have tried to lull Americans into thinking that what is being done at Guantanamo is "military justice" or "martial justice," these commissions have largely been used to run roughshod over the American military justice system. Sen. Kerry aims to go back to using the proud American military justice system that is the envy of the world.
Why invent a bad system when a better one already exists? . . .
[T]he Bush administration has tricked many, including the editorial writers of the Washington Post just a few days ago, into thinking that if military commissions are not used our country will be left exposed and helpless. . . .
A courts-martial system would have brought the accused to justice far more quickly. The rules would be the same as those applied to the American servicemen and -women accused at Abu Ghraib. Using those rules would have sent a powerful signal about the vitality of American military justice, instead of woefully denigrating the concept, just as the entire world is watching . . . .
Inventing an entirely new legal architecture out of whole cloth takes a tremendous amount of time and should only be done when absolutely necessary.
When asked why they do not use courts martial (or at least borrow their rules), the administration has offered two arguments. First, it has asserted blindly that courts martial are not available to people who lack prisoner-of-war status. That is flatly not the case, as the 1951 law explicitly states. Second, it has claimed that only military commissions have procedures capable of handling classified information. Yet it is patently absurd to think that our courts-martial system could not handle classified information. It already does so, day in and day out. We have had courts martial in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Courts martial are already tooled up to handle evidence seized on a battlefield.
In stating that the rules governing courts martial do not apply to commissions, the administration has placed itself in stark contrast to other administrations. Even in the midst of the Vietnam war, with thousands of dead, President Nixon's Defense Department examined the commissions option and concluded that "the specific protections of the Bill of Rights, unless made inapplicable to military trials by the Constitution itself, have been held applicable to courts-martial. Both logic and precedent indicate that a lesser standard for military commissions would not be constitutionally permissible."
Sen. Kerry's views closely resemble those of President Nixon's Defense Department, whereas (as I have said elsewhere in Slate) President Bush's closely resemble those of King George III. . . .
The danger with these commissions comes not only in their threat to our Constitution, and our standing in the world as a beacon of fairness, but also in their challenge to the perception of military justice. Our nation—whomever the next president may turn out to be—should admit it made a mistake and return to using our powerful and fair system of courts martial—a system that would generate swifter convictions of terrorists. As our nation's great Chief Justice John Marshall put it in 1803, ours is a "government of laws, and not of men."
Yale Law School dean and Obama State Department nominee Harold Hongju Koh, The New York Times, November 23, 2001:
If we should capture Osama bin Laden or his accomplices in the days ahead, where should we try them? Two unsound proposals have recently emerged. The first, and by far more dangerous, is already law: the president's misguided and much criticized order authorizing secret trials before an American military commission. The second, more benign approach, offered by prominent international lawyers, is to try terrorists before an as yet uncreated international tribunal.
Both options are wrong because both rest on the same faulty assumption: that our own federal courts cannot give full, fair and swift justice in such a case. If we want to show the world our commitment to the very rule of law that the terrorists sought to undermine, why not try mass murderers who kill American citizens on American soil in American courts? . . . .
If any judicial system in the world can handle a case like this fairly, efficiently and openly, it is ours. If four or 400 Americans had died at the World Trade Center and the perpetrators had been caught, no one would suggest that we try the murderers anywhere but in American courts. No country with a well functioning judicial system should hide its justice behind military commissions or allow adjudication of the killing of nearly 4,000 residents by an external tribunal. Why not show the world that American courts can give universal justice?
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, November 28, 2001:
Would military commissions, however expedient, genuinely serve our national interests in the long term?
As we examine the wisdom of the military order as written, we should consider the risk whether this could become a template for use by foreign governments against Americans overseas. As written, the Military Order does not incorporate basic notions of fairness and due process that are hallmarks of American justice. It does not specify a standard of guilt for convicting suspected terrorists.
It decrees that convictions will not be subject to judicial review, a determination that appears to directly conflict with our international commitments. It allows the Government to tailor rules to fit its proof against individual suspects.
In short, the Military Order describes a type of military tribunal that has often been criticized by the United States when other nations use them. William Satire, in a column in The New York Times on Monday, described it as a "fiat (that) turns back the clock on all advances in military justice, through three wars, in the past half-century."
And what would this mean for Americans abroad - for the traveling public, or, in another instance, for the many U.S. humanitarian aid workers who often serve in areas subject to autocratic and unstable regimes? We do not want, inadvertently, by our example, to encourage the type of "rough justice" those regimes could mete out under military order.
Moreover, these military tribunals may greatly inhibit cooperation from our partners in the fight against terrorism. Spain recently captured several suspects it believes are complicit in the September 11 attacks.
Last week Spain announced that it would not extradite suspects to the United States if they would be tried by military commissions instead of civilian courts. News reports indicate that other European allies share Spain's concerns, and so might other allies in the Middle East and elsewhere. . . .
Finally, there is the danger that if we rash to convict suspects in a military commission - relying on circumstantial or hearsay evidence tailored to serve the government's case - we deepen the risk of convicting the wrong people, leaving real terrorists at large. . .
The lesson is that secret trials and lack of judicial oversight can breed injustice and taint the legitimacy of verdicts. Our procedural protections are not simply inconvenient impediments to convicting and punishing guilty people. They also promote accurate and just verdicts.
In sum, it sends a terrible message to the world that, when confronted with a serious challenge, we lack confidence in the very institutions we are fighting for- beginning with a justice system that is the envy of the world. Supreme Court Justice Frank Murphy, dissenting in another Work War II-era case involving the use of a military commission, called the procedure "unworthy of the traditions of our people or of the immense sacrifices that they have made to advance the common ideals of mankind."
William Safire, The New York Times, November 15, 2001:
Misadvised by a frustrated and panic-stricken attorney general, a president of the United States has just assumed what amounts to dictatorial power to jail or execute aliens. Intimidated by terrorists and inflamed by a passion for rough justice, we are letting George W. Bush get away with the replacement of the American rule of law with military kangaroo courts. . . .
No longer does the judicial branch and an independent jury stand between the government and the accused. In lieu of those checks and balances central to our legal system, non-citizens face an executive that is now investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and jailer or executioner. In an Orwellian twist, Bush's order calls this Soviet-style abomination "a full and fair trial." . . .
We should continue our bombardment of bin Laden's hideouts until he agrees to identify and surrender his entire terrorist force.
If he does, our criminal courts can handle them expeditiously. If, as more likely, the primary terrorist prefers what he thinks of as martyrdom, that suicidal choice would be his and Americans would have no need of kangaroo courts to betray our principles of justice.
Sen. Russ Feingold, September 28, 2006:
Mr. President, the bulk of this legislation concerns the structure and process of military commissions. Although we heard from many witnesses at congressional hearings this summer that we should hew as closely as possible to the long-established military system of justice, this bill instead essentially starts from scratch and creates a whole new structure. It does so despite Justice Kennedy's wise advice in his concurrence in Hamdan, where he said: "The Constitution is best preserved by reliance on standards tested over time and insulated from the pressures of the moment."
Anne-Marie Slaughter, now Obama's Director of Policy Planning for the United States Department of State, Hannity & Colmes, November 21, 2001:
[W]e've never had an acquittal in U.S. national court when we tried the terrorists who bombed the World Trade Center the first time, when we tried them for bombing our embassies, we had no problem getting convictions. And we had no problem getting the evidence and conducting a public trial. . ..
Military commissions have been around since the Revolutionary War. But they've always been used to try spies that we find behind enemy lines. It's normally a situation, you're on the battlefield, you find an enemy spy behind your lines. You can't ship them to national court, so you provide a kind of rough battlefield justice in a commission. You give them the best process you can, and then you execute the sentence on the spot, which generally means executing the defendant.
That's not this situation. It's not remotely like it.
Obama officials are making much of the fact that some Democrats, including him, supported a version of military commissions in October, 2006 -- when Democrats were in the minority and that was the only alternative possible to the GOP-sponsored, Bush/Cheney-favored Military Commissions Act. At the time, it should be noted that Obama did say: "I believe we could actually set up a system in which a military tribunal is sufficient to make a determination as to whether someone is an enemy combatant." But the fact that some Senate Democrats supported a modified version of these commissions when in the minority and when a compromise version was their only chance to block the much harsher military commission scheme sought by the GOP hardly proves that support for military commissions is consistent with the criticism launched for years at Bush's system of "justice." Manifestly, the case against Bush's system was that military commissions in general are a dangerous perversion of justice.
What makes military commission so pernicious is that they signal that anytime the government wants to imprison people but can't obtain convictions under our normal system of justice, we'll just create a brand new system that diminishes due process just enough to ensure that the government wins. It tells the world that we don't trust our own justice system, that we're willing to use sham trials to imprison people for life or even execute them, and that what Bush did in perverting American justice was not fundamentally or radically wrong, but just was in need of a little tweaking. Along with warrantless eavesdropping, indefinite detention, extreme secrecy doctrines, concealment of torture evidence, rendition, and blocking judicial review of executive lawbreaking, one can now add Bush's military commission system, albeit in modified form, to the growing list of despised Bush Terrorism policies that are now policies of Barack Obama.
UPDATE: I'm obviously of the view that Obama deserves much criticism and, particularly on the civil liberties front, has inexcusably embraced many of the worst and most defining Bush abuses. Those are just facts. But -- as I detail here -- that is not to say that there are "no differences" between him and Bush/Cheney or with what McCain/Palin would have done. Everyone can decide for themselves if those differences are good or significant, but they clearly exist. Those, too, are just facts.
UPDATE II: The most disturbing and longest-lasting consequence of Obama's embrace of so many Bush/Cheney "Terrorism" policies may very well be this.
UPDATE III: Obama's just-issued statement announcing his support for military commissions is here. I said most of what I think is worth saying about this, but I'll just add the following:
(1) Can anyone reconcile Obama's statement today with his August, 2008 statement that we should prosecute accused terrorists "through our courts and our Uniform Code of Military Justice," or with the above-excerpted criticisms of Bush's military commissions?; (2) Obama doesn't even bother to argue any reasons why we cannot try accused terrorists in our already-extant court system; (3) for those who want to claim that Bush's torture prevents obtaining convictions in a real court, Obama is purporting to bar the use of evidence obtained via torture, so how would his military commissions address that problem any better than real courts would?; (4) during the Bush era, civilian courts had a far better record of convicting accused terrorists than military commissions did, including convictions of Jose Padilla, Ali al-Marri, Richard Reid, John Walker Lindh, and Zacharais Moussoui, at least three of whom (Padilla, al-Marri and Lindh) were severely mistreated; if we could convict them in real courts, why can't we convict the other accused terrorists who are actually guilty? (5) if the state is willing to accord due process only when it is guaranteed that it can win, but then creates a new system of diminished due process whenever it believes it cannot win, the guarantee of due process, for rather obvious reasons, becomes completely illusory ("we'll give due process as long as we're sure we can win, and if we can't, we'll give you something less").
UPDATE IV: Amnesty International USA vehemently condemns Obama and accuses him of "backtrack[ing] on a major campaign promise to change the way the United States fights terrorism and undermin[ing] the nation's core respect for the rule of law by sacrificing due process for political expediency." They ask: "What happened to President Obama's confidence in the U.S. justice system's ability to try detainees? He himself said that 'we need not throw away 200 years of American jurisprudence while we fight terrorism.'" They conclude: "U.S. federal courts are a perfectly sound system to try any and all detainees. They have brought other terror suspects to justice, and there is no reason why these courts cannot continue to do the same."
Groups like the ACLU, Amnesty and others were very widely cited authorities by Democrats and progressives during the Bush era.
UPDATE V: I spoke today with the ACLU's senior legislative counsel, Chris Anders, regarding the military commissions issue and Obama's attempt to conceal the detainee abuse photographs. The discussion is roughly 25 minutes and can be heard by clicking PLAY on the recorder below.
[audio src='http://media.salon.com/2009/05/conversations_gg_anders.mp3']
UPDATE VI: Good job by Jake Tapper today in pressing Robert Gibbs for some explanation to reconcile Obama's prior statements on military commissions with his announcement today. Everyone should form their own judgment about whether Gibbs has anything even coherent to say, let alone persuasive.
UPDATE VII: This post by Digby should be read in its entirety.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of President Barack Obama on Military Commissions
Military commissions have a long tradition in the United States. They are appropriate for trying enemies who violate the laws of war, provided that they are properly structured and administered. In the past, I have supported the use of military commissions as one avenue to try detainees, in addition to prosecution in Article III courts. In 2006, I voted in favor of the use of military commissions. But I objected strongly to the Military Commissions Act that was drafted by the Bush Administration and passed by Congress because it failed to establish a legitimate legal framework and undermined our capability to ensure swift and certain justice against those detainees that we were holding at the time. Indeed, the system of Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay had only succeeded in prosecuting three suspected terrorists in more than seven years.
Today, the Department of Defense will be seeking additional continuances in several pending military commission proceedings. We will seek more time to allow us time to reform the military commission process. The Secretary of Defense will notify the Congress of several changes to the rules governing the commissions. The rule changes will ensure that: First, statements that have been obtained from detainees using cruel, inhuman and degrading interrogation methods will no longer be admitted as evidence at trial. Second, the use of hearsay will be limited, so that the burden will no longer be on the party who objects to hearsay to disprove its reliability. Third, the accused will have greater latitude in selecting their counsel. Fourth, basic protections will be provided for those who refuse to testify. And fifth, military commission judges may establish the jurisdiction of their own courts.
These reforms will begin to restore the Commissions as a legitimate forum for prosecution, while bringing them in line with the rule of law. In addition, we will work with the Congress on additional reforms that will permit commissions to prosecute terrorists effectively and be an avenue, along with federal prosecutions in Article III courts, for administering justice. This is the best way to protect our country, while upholding our deeply held values.
Follow Glenn Greenwald on Twitter: @ggreenwald.
MORE FROM Glenn Greenwald • FOLLOW ggreenwald
Paul McCartney, master of the live show


With British consumers expected to spend in the region of £400 million on Easter eggs and Easter-related confectionery this year, the increasing choice of options available on supermarket shelves reflects the continuing fragmentation of UK shoppers and their needs.
That's the view from retail and FMCG agency Bridgethorne, which says that the growing prevalence of diverse product options – from vegan eggs, to a gin & prosecco egg, to one even made entirely from cheese – shows that in a relatively static market, suppliers and retailers are having dig deep in order to satisfy changing and broadening shoppers demands.
The multiples continue to face ferocious competition from the 'hard' discounters combined with inflationary cost price increase pressure across the entire value and supply chain. Add to this the ongoing drop in shopper loyalty, a consequent battle for footfall and baskets that have become lower in margin and the reasons for a likely Easter Egg price war become apparent. Tesco, for example, has already offered a 50% discount on some Easter eggs in March.
On the other hand, from a consumer perspective, changing demands are also as a result of changing diets and lifestyle preferences, with consumers under pressure to eat less sugar – even though recent research reported that we are continuing to eat an average of 1,412 calories a day in sweet and savoury snacks between meals. Moreover, over the past five years, over three million Britons have moved towards plant-based diets, replacing meat, dairy and animal products in favour of vegan alternatives. In this environment suppliers and retailers are compelled to offer products that reflect and meet these changing demands in order to, at the very least, remain relevant.
"The increasingly competitive environment means that retailers are having to work even harder to achieve shopper loyalty," explains Andrew Cole, joint managing director, Bridgethorne.
Bridgethorne works with suppliers and retailers to understand changing shopper needs and how these affect their decision-making processes. Using insights, Bridgethorne's strategic and operational shopper marketing and sales and category management teams help suppliers and retailers understand and influence shopper behaviour directly at the point of purchase.


You will become familiar with multiple e-commerce platforms. We're working with Magento, Shopify, Ebay, Amazon, Google Shopping, etc.
Salary: 1000 - 3000 USD, depending on the experience.
So, if you are a Senior Magento PHP Developer that is up for the challenge... Please apply now!


text:
Premier Edition Clue (Restoration Hardware Exclusive) - Circa November, 2007
Click Image to Enlarge A Restoration Hardware exclusive, this edition was advertised as the "Premier Edition."
Definition of "Premier:" First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; a matter of primary importance.
Does this edition actually qualify for this prominent title? We're on the case!
The Suspects: Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum
The Weapons: Knife, Candlestick, Revolver, Rope, Lead Pipe, Wrench
The Rooms: Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, Ballroom, Conservatory, Billiard Room, Library, Study
Hall (Facing Ballroom)
Hall (Facing Player)
Lounge (Facing Dining Room)
Lounge (Facing Player)
Dining Room (Facing Kitchen)
Dining Room (Facing Lounge)
(Kitchen (Facing Player)
Kitchen (Facing Dining Room)
Ballroom (Facing Player)
Ballroom (Facing Hall)
Conservatory (Facing Player)
Conservatory (Facing Billiard Room)
Billiard Room (Facing Conservatory)
Billiard Room (Facing Library)
Library (Facing Billiard Room)
Library (Facing Study)
Study (Facing Library)
Study (Facing Player)
Instruction Booklet Cover
Solution Envelope
Reverse Side of Box
Cover for Playing Pieces Box
Playing Pieces
A more beautiful box, one could not hope for. It is exquisite. The deep reddish color of the box and the sepia toned photograph of the mansion on the cover give the game the feeling of history befitting a classic game. The suspects and weapons (all of which are, disappointingly, not shown) could, however, be incorporated in a better fashion than throwing them in the corner of the box. The magnifying glass theme that is so present in many of the games, appears over a photograph of what is presumed to be "Boddy Mansion."
When the box is opened, we get our first glimpse of the game. Instantly, we recognize it as a reproduction of the Franklin Mint game. Or is it? Let's compare:
First and foremost, the Franklin Mint game did not have a box. So, the Premier Edition has one up on it. But what about the game board? The wooden box that contains the sunken rooms is about 5 inches shorter on each side measuring about 18 inches square. It's one color (stained a nice rich mahogany) and doesn't have a drawer to hold the playing pieces. The room walls are all the same - just a bit smaller. The furniture in each room however... the pieces are not gold covered, but made out of what looks like a painted-brown plastic. And in the lounge we find not a sarcophagus as in the Franklin Mint game, but a couch. That's right. A couch. The instruction booklet in this edition is devoid of the rich detailed history of the mansion, so perhaps it would look a bit strange with a sarcophagus in the lounge without the explanation. So this begs the question, did the makers remove the sarcophagus because they wanted to print a smaller instruction manual? Or did they not include the details in the instruction manual because they didn't want the odd sarcophagus in the lounge?
Instead of a drawer for the playing pieces, we do get a separate felt lined box which is very nice. Unfortunately, the pieces aren't. They're all made of the cheap painted-brown plastic which seems to flake easily. The pawns lack any heft. The weapon tokens are the same as the standard classic Clue game - only painted brown. The Franklin Mint game definitely wins on the special playing pieces.
The cards are changed to reflect the new lounge and the weapon tokens. It would have been nice for them to do away with the gold toned room and weapon cards and replace them with new, more artistic views. The reverse of the card has been changed to reflect the cover of the box with the new mansion look. This mansion looks more believable than the Franklin Mint. It looks more like a home and not a cathedral.
Instead of a ceramic book to put the solution cards in, we now have a more standard "Confidential" envelope to place at the center of the board. At least we can mark our notepads with one of the six brown Clue-logoed pencils that come with the game.
Is it the "Premier" Edition? It came so close. The box definitely pulled its own weight, but the cheapness of the tokens and room furniture are really hard to get past. For $150, you get what you pay for. For $555, you get what you pay for...
Game Box Side Panel
www.TheArtofMurder.com


text:
Home / Newsroom /
University of Ottawa creates lecture series as tribute to Mauril Bélanger
The University of Ottawa is launching a lecture series as a tribute to Mauril Bélanger, to celebrate and honour his exceptional contribution to the University of Ottawa and the Franco-Ontarian community. A University of Ottawa arts graduate, Mauril Bélanger has dedicated 21 years of his life to the public service as a Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier.
The University's President, Allan Rock, noted, "Mauril has remained close to his alma mater, the University of Ottawa. The Mauril Bélanger Lecture Series was created as a way of honouring his involvement with and devotion to multiple causes, notably linguistic minorities and the Francophonie, particularly in Ontario."
The new Mauril Bélanger Lecture Series, which will be under the auspices of the Jean-Luc Pepin Research Chair (JLP), aims to foster discussion and dialogue on issues relating to politics. The JLP Research Chair is devoted to the study of Canadian political institutions and their transformation in response to the changing conditions and practices of contemporary democratic governance.
Rock added, "Mauril has always considered Jean-Luc Pepin a mentor. It's very fitting to find his name affiliated with an event under the aegis of the Jean-Luc Pepin Research Chair. Pepin defended public policies, official languages and the Francophonie, just as Mauril has."
The Honourable Mauril Bélanger expresses his gratitude to the University. "I am truly touched by my alma mater's initiative. This series will be a great opportunity to discuss issues that are important to me just as much as they are to Canadians. My deepest thanks to the University of Ottawa."
The University of Ottawa intends to hold the first lecture next fall. To mark the launch of the series, an event will be taking place Tuesday, May 31 on campus. Members of Mauril Bélanger's family and many dignitaries will be attending.
Néomie Duval
neomie.duval@uOttawa.ca


This course will present an overview of potential applications for UAS for Public Safety.
After completing this training, the student will be more aware, of the possibilities, where UAVs, can provide the means, for law enforcement and emergency services, to do their job better, faster and safer. We hope that you will come away with some things you had not considered.
What are the impacts, of public perceptions about drone use by government agencies?
What are the potential applications, and uses for drones, for public agencies?
What are the pro's and con's, of implementing a drone program?