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John Prine: American Oracle ~ NYT
October 24, 2018 October 24, 2018 by Jerry Roberts, posted in ART ~ FILM ~ POP CULTURE, AUDIO INTERVIEWS ~ PODCASTS ~ VIDEO, MUSICA ~ TUNES
He wrote his first protest song in 1968, but this country has never needed him more than it does now.
John Prine at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville this month. Credit William DeShazer for The New York Times
NASHVILLE — Nine songs into his sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium here on Oct. 5, John Prine stopped singing long enough to give some context for a song he wrote 50 years ago, during the height of the Vietnam War. "I wrote this next one as a protest song," he said. "It was 1968, and at the time we had a real jerk in the White House." He paused before voicing what I was already thinking: "What a coincidence."
Then he kicked off the famous antiwar anthem from his 1971 debut album, "John Prine":
But your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore
They're already overcrowded from your dirty little war
Now Jesus don't like killin', no matter what the reason's for
And your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore
In fact, that first record is full of protest songs, if you open up the definition of "protest song" to include empathetic ballads of lost souls, dreamers abandoned by the American dream. "Sam Stone" first carried the much more pointed title of "Great Society Conflict Veteran's Blues." With either title, though, the song is an elegy, the story of an injured soldier who leaves Vietnam with a morphine addiction, coming home "with a purple heart and a monkey on his back." "Angel from Montgomery" is a ballad in the voice of an old woman whose options have always been limited. "Hello in There" tells the story of two lonely elders who lost a son in Korea — "I still don't know what for, don't matter anymore."
Most haunting of all is "Paradise," a song named for the town in Western Kentucky where Mr. Prine's parents were born. It tells of a rural childhood idyll that ends because:
The coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man
The damage is done, the song says; paradise has been razed, and there's nothing we can do about it now except to remember. But Mr. Prine's true story of Paradise, Ky., also spells out just what we have to lose in this gorgeous green world, and how permanent those losses are. Today, just as in 1971, the song reminds us of what happens when a gentle existence that lies easy on the land is destroyed for the profit of developers and corporations.
The difference between the way "Paradise" resonated with listeners in 1971 and the way we hear it now is that back then we didn't know what coal was doing to the planet itself. According to a new report from a United Nations panel of climate experts, the very industry that destroyed Paradise, Ky., is the one we must eliminate today or we will have no chance of curbing greenhouse gasses in time to prevent global catastrophe. It also happens to be the industry Donald Trump vows to bring back. "We have ended the war on beautiful, clean coal," he said in this year's State of the Union address.
Mr. Prine's two-night residence at the Ryman — known here in Nashville as the mother church of country music — was part of his tour for the release of "The Tree of Forgiveness," the first record of original music he has made in 13 years. This album, his 19th studio recording, is classic John Prine: equally sweet and irreverent, written from a worldview where the heartbreaking and the ludicrous walk hand-in-hand.
No song on the new record is an overt protest song in the vein of "Sam Stone" or "Paradise," but the album's spare production echoes the powerful simplicity of Mr. Prine's first record, and the animating spirit of that early music is threaded throughout the new work, too. There are rollicking songs about knocking on a screen door in summertime or getting to heaven and smoking "a cigarette that's nine miles long," yes, but the one who's knocking on the screen door is a lonely drifter, and the one who's going to heaven is a songwriter who gave up smoking when he got throat cancer.
And tucked among these cheerful sad songs, too, are signs of the oracular John Prine, a prophet with his finger on the pulse of his times and his eyes turned always toward the world beyond. "The Lonesome Friends of Science," for example, predicts the end of the world; "Caravan of Fools" links wealth with idiocy; the music video for "Summer's End" turns a haunting but elliptical song about randomness and failed dreams into a ballad for loved ones lost to the opioid epidemic. (The song is dedicated to Max Barry, the son of Nashville's former mayor, who died in the summer of 2017 of a drug overdose.)
From 1971 right through to today, John Prine has been a storyteller, not just between songs in a concert but within the songs themselves, and that's what gives them such power. His primary mode of persuasion is the story, just as the primary mode of persuasion for the biblical Jesus is the parable. A parable has many advantages over a screed or a sermon (or, it must be said, an op-ed column). A parable trusts the story to do the work of conversion, and it trusts its listeners to do the work of interpretation. A parable resists polarities: People listening to a story can't immediately know whether they belong among the speaker's "us" or the speaker's "them."
The mother church of country music, where the seats are scratched-up pews and the windows are stained glass, is the place where the new John Prine — older now, scarred by cancer surgeries, his voice deeper and full of gravel — is most clearly still the old John Prine: mischievous, delighting in tomfoolery, but also worried about the world.
At the Ryman on Oct. 5, the night when Mitch McConnell announced he had the votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, the songwriter who once called the United States on its dirty little war in Vietnam made an allusion to the controversy when he introduced "Angel From Montgomery." Dedicating the song to all the women in the audience, he said, "It's a sad, sad day when women can't be believed." This country has never needed John Prine more.
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ralphtingey says:
Saw him in Yellowstone 2 years ago at the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.


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GP2 sezona 2007 se je začela 14. aprila 2007 na bahrajnskem dirkališču Bahrain International Circuit in končala 30. septembra 2007 na španskem dirkališču Circuit de Valencia. Naslov prvaka je osvojil Nemec Timo Glock.

Dirkači in moštva

Koledar dirk

Rezultati

Dirkači
Legenda, odebeljen rezultat pomeni najboljši štartni položaj (2 točki), * pa najhitrejši krog (1 točka)

Opombe

2007
2007 v športu

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A missing God. A library with the secrets to the universe. A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away. Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts. After all, she was a normal American herself once. That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father. In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God. Now, Father is missing--perhaps even dead--and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation. As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her, all of them with powers that far exceed her own. But Carolyn has accounted for this. And Carolyn has a plan. The only trouble is that in the war to make a new God, she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human. Populated by an unforgettable cast of characters and propelled by a plot that will shock you again and again, The Library at Mount Char is at once horrifying and hilarious, mind-blowingly alien and heartbreakingly human, sweepingly visionary and nail-bitingly thrilling--and signals the arrival of a major new voice in fantasy.


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LatentZero's Capstone Suite To Include New Derivatives Processing Tool
London, 24th May 2005 - LatentZero, one of the world's leading providers of buy-side front office technology for the global asset management industry, is set to incorporate a comprehensive buy-side OTC derivatives analysis and trading module into its Capstone product suite.
Capstone Derivatives, which will be launched at the SIA 2005 Technology Management Conference on 21st of June in New York City, will allow the buy-side trader to take advantage of full lifecycle trading, an integrated valuation engine and powerful risk and performance analysis.
"Buy-side managers are increasingly using derivatives to broaden their sources of return and to add finer-grained control to their risk management, but until now they have been hampered by having to use a range of disparate tools to manage derivatives workflows. LatentZero will offer portfolio managers and traders a single integrated solution through which they manage all assets and derivatives," explains Richard Jones, CEO of LatentZero. "This new module is in response to customer demand and will be the first front office OTC solution to be specifically developed for the buy-side."
Capstone is comprised of: Tesseract, for portfolio modeling and order generation; Minerva, for order management and trading, and Sentinel, for pre and post trade compliance management.
About LatentZero
LatentZero is a global technology firm that specializes in developing complete front-office solutions for the buy-side community. LatentZero's suite of products, known collectively as Capstone, is used by six of the world's top 10 asset management organizations. More than 3,500 portfolio mangers, traders and compliance officers worldwide rely on Capstone to manage assets in excess of $7.5 trillion.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Business applications are mostly designed to enter data and get information in a number of predefined ways. Getting desired information out is not always an easy task. Moreover, most organizations have numerous diverse applications and databases – sales, finance, customers, and products. Information may be distributed in many separate sources. There can be many database management systems, Excel spreadsheets, flat files and other data types involved making data access even harder. We can help business users find needed data and information througout organization and deliver it in desired form.
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We can automate distribution of information in your organization by automation of reporting.
Data in IT systems are often inclomplete, inacurrate or duplicated. We analyze data in this respect, prepare cleaning rules with customers and clean data in databases. It can be done on-demand or implemented as automatic procedure.
Organizations have to enable acurrate data and information to flow through its processes, departments and applications to work efficiently. We can help you keep your data consistent and current throughout all company's databases.
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Data warehousing is integration of all organization data into one database optimized for analyzing large volumes of data which aims to answer questions about business performance, trends and statistics.


text:
const Application = require('spectron').Application
const electronPath = require('electron'),
    path = require('path')

describe.skip('oauth electron', () => {
    let app
    beforeEach(async () => {
        app = new Application({
            path: electronPath,
            args: [path.join(__dirname, './app/main.js')]
        })
        await app.start()
    })

    afterEach(async () => {
        if (app && app.isRunning())
            await app.stop()
    })

    it('should load electron app for twitter oauth', async () => {
        await app.client.setValue('#username_or_email', process.env.TWITTER_USERNAME)
        await app.client.setValue('#password', process.env.TWITTER_PASSWORD)
        await app.client.click('#allow')
        await app.client.waitUntilTextExists('#result', 'Success')
    });
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
CD Player/Transport Reviews
Ayre CX-7 CD player
John Atkinson | May 18, 2003
With hindsight, one of the sideways steps taken by the High End in the early 1990s was the splitting of CD players into separate transports and processors. There were good reasons for this development, not the least of which was the flowering of creativity it engendered in high-end audio engineers. Having open access to the digital audio data also made possible effective digital equalizers and room-correction processors, but in the rush to increase a system's component count, it was overlooked for too long that keeping everything in one box offered certain advantages.
Yes, the highest-performing digital processors, such as the Weiss Medea (reviewed by Kal Rubinson in February), the dCS Elgar Plus (reviewed by Mikey Fremer in April), and my long-term reference, the Mark Levinson No.30.6 (reviewed by me in October and November 1999), still offer uncompromised CD sound. And yes, for those few of us with multiple data sources—DAT recorders, audio workstations, even a Nagra-D—using a standalone processor is mandatory. However, using an asynchronous interface that embeds the word clock in the data introduces further problems that need then to be solved. (See Malcolm Omar Hawksford's and Chris Dunn's 1992 AES paper, "Is the AES/EBU Interface Flawed?," reprinted as "Bits is Bits?" in the March 1996 Stereophile.)
So, our views now sharpened by hindsight, these days Stereophile is paying more attention to one-box CD players.
Enter the CX-7
Although Ayre's top CD-playing machine is the DVD-based D-1X, which Paul Bolin reviewed in February, the CX-7 is considerably more affordable, at $2950. (The D-1X costs $6000 and up, depending on the video options chosen.) With its brushed-aluminum finish and blue display above the central disc drawer, the CX-7 looks very trim. The eight control buttons are to the right of the front panel, which gave rise to my only complaint: the Standby button on the bottom left of the array is adjacent to the drawer Open/Close button on the bottom right. Perhaps reviewers are more fumble-fingered than regular folks, but I kept putting the CX-7 into Standby when what I really wanted to do was eject a CD.
As I was beginning my auditioning, Ayre sent me a replacement EEPROM for fixing a bug in the control circuitry (it is fair to note that I hadn't had a problem). Installing the v1.3 chip, which is mounted on the display and control board behind the front panel, gave me an opportunity to look under the hood.
The CX-7's interior is dominated by two large blue-painted transformers and the transport, a CD-ROM mechanism sourced from TEAC and feeding what appear to be S/PDIF-encoded data to the printed circuit board that sits behind the output jacks. This double-sided board carries both surface-mount and traditional components, and the digital data are processed by an AKM receiver chip. This is capable of handling 24-bit words with sample rates of up to 96kHz, though in the CX-7, of course, it is dedicated to 16/44.1 data. The CX-7's AES/EBU-formatted digital output bypasses this chip, but is buffered and reclocked with a flip-flop and a pulse transformer and with the pcb traces surrounded by ground planes to minimize contamination of the analog circuitry.
The first stage of digital filtering is via the Burr-Brown DF1706 chip, a 24-bit device capable of operating at sample rates of up to 192kHz. Ayre appears to use this chip to upsample the data to 176.4kHz. The DF1706 also offers sharp or slow low-pass operation, which Ayre calls their Measure and Listen modes, these selectable via a rear-panel switch.
Ayre's data sheet on the CX-7 says that a second filter "oversamples the data to 1.4112MHz." I assume this is the function of the large Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chip adjacent to the DAC chip, this a single Burr-Brown PCM1738 compared with the D-1X's balanced array of PCM1704 chips. The well-regarded '1738 is a 24-bit part, its upper six bits converted with a conventional resistor-ladder topology, the lower 18 bits converted with a five-level sigma-delta architecture operating at 11.2896MHz.
The PCM1738's analog outputs are in the form of current and appear to be fed directly to Analog Devices AD844 chips. This is a high-speed (2000V/µs!), low-settling-time bipolar op-amp optimized for current/voltage applications. Eight AD844s are used for the direct-coupled analog output stages. Although there are no coupling capacitors, no DC servo circuits are used; Ayre's Charles Hansen feels that this seat-of-the-pants approach optimizes low-frequency quality. Ayre also claims that the circuitry is "zero-feedback." Not only is there no loop voltage negative feedback, there are not even current feedback loops around the op-amps. When the player is powered up, two arrays of green LEDs, presumably used for biasing, lend the interior a festive appearance.
2300-B Central Avenue
www.ayre.com
December 2004 Follow-Up
The CX-7e, February 2006
Robert Deutsch, January 2008
Wes Phillips, February 2009
The CX-7eMP, October 2009
RD's 2009 System
California Audio Labs Tercet Mk.III CD player
Bow Technologies ZZ-Eight CD player
Luxman D-105u CD player
Denon DCD-2560 CD player
Tandberg 3015A CD player
Gryphon Ethos CD player-D/A processor
Sumo Axiom CD transport & Theorem II D/A processor
Four 3rd-Generation CD players: Adcom, Magnavox, Onkyo, Yamaha
The Mod Squad Prism CD player
Exposure CD Player
ATC CDA2 Mk2 CD player-preamplifier
Kalista DreamPlay One CD player
Rega Research Apollo CD player
Meridian 263 D/A processor & 200 CD transport
SOTA Vanguard II CD player
Sony CDP-X779ES CD player


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Boris Bele, slovenski pevec in kitarist, * 1949, Gračac.

Širši javnosti je znan kot eden od frontmanov skupine Buldožer.

Kariera
Svojo kariero je začel v skupini Sinovi, nato pa se je preselil v skupino Sedem svetlobnih let. Z njo je nastopil na festivalu Bum leta 1974 v Ljubljani. Po srečanju z Markom Brecljem je ustanovil svojo najbolj znano skupino Buldožer.

Sklici

Živeči ljudje
Slovenski glasbeniki
Slovenski glasbeni producenti
Slovenska glasba


This article is the second in a series that deals with the legal implications of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated many areas of New Jersey on October 29, 2012. Owners of property with a structure that has suffered substantial damage or that has been destroyed should be aware that they may qualify for a lower property tax assessment, which may result in lower property taxes next year.
When any parcel of real property contains any building or other structure which has been destroyed, consumed by fire, demolished, or altered in such a way that its value has materially depreciated, either intentionally or by the action of storm, fire, cyclone, tornado, or earthquake, or other casualty, which depreciation of value occurred after October first in any year and before January first of the following year, the assessor shall, upon notice thereof being given to him by the property owner prior to January tenth of said year, and after examination and inquiry, determine the value of such parcel of real property as of said January first, and assess the same according to such value.
Thus, property owners impacted by Superstorm Sandy must provide notice to their local tax assessors by January 10, 2013, in order to potentially lower their equalized assessed value for 2013. Although a lower assessed value may not translate into a lower tax burden, especially in municipalities where many properties were severely damaged by the storm, it at least potentially gives property owners an opportunity to lessen their financial burdens during the rebuilding process. Of course, property owners should consult their own tax advisors for advice.
This blog contains general information, not tax advice. For questions relating to your property tax assessment, contact your tax advisor.
IRS Circular 230 Disclaimer: To ensure compliance with IRS Circular 230, any U.S. federal tax advice provided in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the recipient or any other taxpayer (i) for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the recipient or any other taxpayer, or (ii) in promoting, marketing or recommending to another party a partnership or other entity, investment plan, arrangement or other transaction addressed herein. For more information visit www.gibbonslaw.com/circular230.


A world top 100 university and part of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Birmingham makes important things happen.
Read the complete guide to University of Birmingham. League table rankings, fees, courses, accommodation, sports and more.


Just 5 minutes from Ballina Town centre, Belleek is the perfect getaway. Covering more than 1000 acres, Belleek woods is criss-crossed with tracks and trails perfect for cycling. It is filled with old ruins, a magnificent castle, picnic areas and beautiful duck pond.
Belleek Woods is situated on the West Bank of the River Moy on the outskirts of Ballina, it was once owned by the Knox Gore Family (landlords) who in 1831 erected Belleek Manor and during this period of ownership also planted over 2 million trees including Oak, Beech, Ash, Sycamore, Chestnut, Lime, Willow and Yew; some of which are still growing today. In 2007 the red squirrel was trans-located into the woods and have thrived in this oasis of woodland, flowers, fauna on the rivers edge. Belleek woods is Europe's largest urban forest!
The forest is well sign posted and there are routes to suit all the family and level of cyclists. During your cycle why not drop into the Castle for a guided tour or some refreshments. The staff are fantastic and very welcoming.
This is a must see if you are travelling on the Wild Atlantic Way by car or by bike.
Visiting the Squirrel boxes on a guided tour of Belleek Forest.
Belleek Forest- Perfect for a family cycle all year round.


Head nutritionist at graze is now seeing clients in clinic.With three years of clinic experience & two years in the food industry,Jessica specialises in body composition & weight management.
Dietitians are uniquely trained and legally protected to improve your health through nutritional therapy. My main areas of interest and expertise are Weight Management, Women's Nutrition, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion.
Hey! I'm a Dietitian with an MSc in clinical research, and NHS background. I help those who want to get off the diet train, but who are stuck in the cycle of swinging between diet land (being 'good'), and doughnut land ("falling off the wagon").
I help families & individuals who want to feel healthy and energised everyday. I am committed to supporting you and your family as you make simple diet and lifestyle changes you need to live a life you love. Isn't time to invest in your health today?
Andrea is a Specialist Cancer Dietitian (Msc Dietetics) based in London. She provides dietary advice on managing side effects of cancer treatment, preventing weight loss, improving energy levels and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.


What's Up with the Downtown PoCo Bia?
Wondering what to do with that pumpkin?
Coroner says it will be an opportunity to explore issues arriving from overdose deaths Tri City News November 1, 2016 01:37 PM The BC Coroners Service has announced it will hold an inquest into the death of a Coquitlam man who died this past spring while at a substance abuse treatment centre in Powell River.
Lift RC's Paul Bennette speaking at the Unmanned Systems Canada 2016 conference.


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Armando Diaz (Napulj, 5. prosinca 1861. – Rim, 29. veljače 1928.) je bio talijanski maršal i vojni zapovjednik. Tijekom Prvog svjetskog rata zapovijedao je 49. divizijom i XXIII. korpusom, te obnašao dužnost načelnika Glavnog stožera talijanske vojske. Nakon rata obnašao je dužnost ministra rata.

Obitelj
Armando Diaz je rođen 5. prosinca 1861. godine u Napulju. Sin je Ludovica i Irene Diaz rođ. Cecconi u obitelji španjolskog podrijetla. Armandov djed Antonio Diaz bio je ratni vođa tijekom vladavine Ferdinanda II. Otac Ludovico bio je mornarički časnik najprije u Bourbonskoj, a potom u talijanskoj mornarici. Nakon što je radio u brodogradilištima u Genovi i Veneciji, Armandov otac je preminuo 1871., nakon čega se njegova majka preselila u Napulj zajedno s njihovo četvoro djece. Armando je 23. travnja 1895 sklopio brak sa Sarom De Rosa s kojom je imao troje djece i to sina Marcella, te kćeri Annu i Irenu.

Vojna karijera
Armando je osnovnoškolsko obrazovanje stekao u privatnim školama, nakon čega se posvetio vojnoj karijeri pohađajući vojnu školu u Napulju. Potom pohađa Vojnu akademiju u Torinu na kojoj diplomira u rujnu 1879. godine. Godine 1882. promaknut je u čin poručnika, da bi od 1884. bio raspoređen na službu u 10. pukovniju poljske artiljerije gdje se nalazi na službi do 1890. kada je premješten u 1. pukovniju poljske artiljerije u Foligno. Te iste 1890. godine, u ožujku, unaprijeđen je u čin satnika. Od 1893. pohađa Ratnu školu koju završava 1895. kao prvi u klasi. Od 1895. raspoređen je na službu u Glavni stožer u Rim, gdje radi u tajništvu. Godine 1899. promaknut je u čin bojnika, nakon čega 18 mjeseci zapovijeda bojnom u 16. pješačkoj pukovniji. Potom je 1909. unaprijeđen u čin potpukovnika, da bi u listopadu 1910. bio imenovan načelnikom stožera divizije smještene u Firenzi.

U srpnju 1910. promaknut je u čin pukovnika, te imenovan zapovjednikom 21. pješačke pukovnije smještene u La Speziji. Tijekom Talijansko-turskog rata, u svibnju 1912., upućen je u Libiju kako bi zamijenio zapovjednika 93. pješačke pukovnije koji se razbolio. U Libiji 20 rujna 1912. sudjeluje u Bitci kod Sidi Bilala u kojoj je tijekom napada svoje pukovnije ranjen u lijevo rame. Nakon što se oporavio od posljedica ranjavanja, u siječnju 1913. vratio se na službu u Glavni stožer gdje obnaša dužnost glavnog tajnika načelnika Glavnog stožera Alberta Pollia. Na navedenoj dužnosti ostaje i nakon što je nakon smrti Pollija, na mjesto načelnika Glavnog stožera imenovan Luigi Cadorna. U listopadu te iste godine unaprijeđen je u čin general bojnika, te imenovan zapovjednikom brigade Siena. Međutim, ubrzo je ponovno povučen na službu u Glavni stožer, gdje u svibnju 1915. postaje načelnikom operativnog odjela koji međutim, nije imao u svojoj nadležnosti vođenje vojnih operacija, već samo koordinaciju između pojedinih odjela Glavnog stožera. Navadenu dužnost obnaša i kada je Italija  u svibnju 1915. ušla u rat na strani Antante.

Prvi svjetski rat
Nakon što je uspješno rukovodio radom operativnog odjela Glavnog stožera dulje od godine dana, zatražio je da ga se uputi na bojište. Krajem lipnja 1916. promaknut je u čin general poručnika, te imenovan zapovjednikom 49. divizije. Navedena divizija nalazila se u sastavu 3 armije, te je držala položaje na Krasu. Zapovijedajući 49. divizijom sudjeluje u krvavim borbama za San Michele, a na jesen zauzima San Grado di Merna. Kao zapovjednik pokazuje visoku profesionalnost nastojeći postići ciljeve uz znatnu uporabu topništva i što manje gubitaka. Posebice se brinuo za uvjete u kojima su vojnici živjeli bojištu, te ih je u čestim inspekcijama na bojištu ohrabrivao. Nevoljko je kažnjavao vojnike, posebice zbog manjih prijestupa, koje kažnjavanje je tada u talijanskoj vojsci bilo često i uobičajeno.

U travnju 1917. imenovan je prvim zapovjednikom novoformiranog XXIII. korpusa koji je ušao u sastav 3 armije. Navedeni korpus također je raspoređen na Kras, u sektor Castagnevizze, te je odmah bio predmetom austrougarskog protunapada u Desetoj bitci na Soči koji je uspješno odbio. U kolovozu 1917. tijekom Jedanaeste bitke na Soči uspješno napreduje u području južno od Oppacchiaselle, nakon čega u rujnu odbija austrougarski protunapad usmjeren na povrat izgubljenih položaja. Tijekom inspekcije i izviđanja položaja 3. listopada 1917. lakše je šrapnelom ranjen u desnu ruku.

Načelnik Glavnog stožera
Dana 24. listopada 1917. počela je velika austro-njemačka ofenziva koja je probila talijanske linije kod Kobarida. Nakon proboja talijanska vojska se u neredu počela povlačiti uz velike gubitke i veliki broj zarobljenika. Pala je i talijanska vlada, te je 30 .listopada 1917. formirana nova pod predsjedanjem Vittorija Orlanda.

Orlando je odmah tražio da se Cadorna razriješi dužnosti, a isto su zatražili francuski general Ferdinand Foch i načelnik britanskog Glavnog stožera William Robertson koji su stigli u Treviso. U Rapallu je 6. i 7. studenog održana saveznička konferencija kojoj su prisustvovali talijanski, francuski i britanski premijer, te generali Foch i Robertson. Saveznički predstavnici suglasili su se da upute pomoć talijanskoj vojsci, ali su zahtijevali da se Cadorna smijeni, te da se na njegovo mjesto imenuje vojvoda od Aoste. Sudionici konferencije izvijestili su 8. studenog o rezultatima konferencije kralja, koji se suglasio s Cadorninom smjenom, ali nije prihvatio zahtjev da se na njegovo mjesto imenuje vojvoda od Aoste. Kralj je na iznenađenje svih, predložio Diaza za novog načelnika Glavnog stožera, kojeg je tijekom posjeta bojišta na Krasu upoznao kao vještog zapovjednika sposobnog da svojom agilnošću pozitivno utječe na vojnike i podređene zapovjednike. Diaz je za kraljev prijedlog saznao navečer 8. studenog, te je isti odmah i prihvatio usprkos teškim okolnostima u kojima se nalazila talijanska vojska. Konačno, 9. studenog 1917. imenovan je načelnikom Glavnog stožera talijanske vojske, dok su njegovim zamjenicima imenovani generali Gaetano Giardino i Pietro Badoglio.

Nakon imenovanja Diaz je odmah reorganizirao Glavni stožer. Cadorna je kao načelnik imao preveliku vlast, tako da je Diaz rad Glavnog stožera odmah decentralizirao prenijevši velik dio ovlasti na sebi podređene zadržavajući pritom za sebe kontrolnu ulogu u čemu su mu pomagali njegovi zamjenici Badoglio i Giardino. Ojačao je obavještajni rad vojske kao i Glavnog stožera koji su postali odlučni element kod planiranja operacija koje je sada vodio operativni odjel pod Ugom Cavallerom. Osigurao je učinkovitu kontrolu nad odvijanjem operacija na bojištu zahvaljujući mreži časnika za vezu. Pritom je cijenio rad svojih suradnika, posebice Badoglia, kojima je delegirao pripremu i izvršenje važnih zadataka, zadržavajući međutim, za sebe konačnu odluku kod izvanrednih situacija.

U političkim pitanjima od početka obnašanja dužnosti osobno se bavio odnosima s kraljem, Vladom i saveznicima. S kraljem sastajao se dva puta na tjedan, a ako su prilike to zahtijevale i češće. S predsjednikom Vlade Orlandom sastajao se tri ili četiri puta mjesečno, u Glavnom stožeru ili u Rimu, kako bi se osiguralo jedinstvo djelovanja u teškoj situaciji. Bez pogovora je prihvatio osnivanje Ratnog vijeća koje je bio sastavljeno od premijera i sedam ministara, a u kojemu su načelnici Glavnog stožera i mornarice imali samo savjetodavni glas. Često se sastajao s ministrima i drugim uglednim političarima, ne miješajući se pritom u unutarnje sukobe koji karakteriziraju rad većine Vlada. Sve to nije podrazumijevalo njegovu pretjeranu podčinjenost političkim zahtjevima jer nije prihvaćao uplitanje političkih čimbenika u njegovo područje odgovornosti, za što je, za razliku od Cadorne imao elastičniji, ali ne manje jasan pristup. I s francusko-britanskim saveznicima imao je dobre odnose. Nije bio toliko osjetljiv kao Cadorna na potrebu za jedinstvenim vođenjem koalicijskog rata i uvijek je odbijao započeti ofenzive bez ikakvog drugog cilja, osim neizravnog olakšavanja savezničkog položaja na Zapadnom bojištu, ali uspio je ostaviti dojam pozitivne sigurnosti i spremnosti na suradnju i uspostaviti profitabilne kontakte na razini velikih država.

Diazova velika i nesporna zasluga kao vrhovnog zapovjednika je bilo njegovo aktivno zanimanje za životne uvjete vojnika. U tome nije bio usamljen, jer je 1918. bilo široko uvjerenje da je talijanski poraz kod Kobarida uglavnom posljedica fizičkog i moralnog umora talijanskih vojnika. Diaz je dao odlučujući impuls kako bi se poboljšali životni uvjeti vojnika na bojištu. Učinio sve kako bi vojnicima osigurao pravilnu i redovitu prehranu u rovovima, kraći boravak u smjenama na bojištu, te učestali i sigurni dopust kada se ne nalaze na bojištu.

Uspješno je nastojao poboljšati sposobnosti talijanske vojske i njezinu opremljenost. Tako se uz političku potporu sve više razvijalo talijansko naoružanje, a znatno je ojačano topništvo kao i zrakoplovstvo kako bi ostvarilo o zračnu prevlast na bojištu. Velika pažnja posvetila se ojačavanju morala vojnika. Tako je između intelektualaca koji su se nalazili na bojištu izabrani oni koji su izdavali novine za vojnike koji su se nalazili u rovovima. Ojačana je i propagandna djelatnost koja je promicala patriotski duh, dok se, s druge strane, cenzurom nastojalo onemogućiti negativni utjecaj, posebice strani, na vojnike na bojištu i u pozadini.

Nakon imenovanja Diaz je zbog poraza kod Kobarida i teškog stanja talijanske vojske bio prisiljen na defenzivu. Odmah je u studenom 1917. uspio zastaviti austrougarsko napredovanje u Prvoj bitci na Monte Grappi. U prvoj polovici 1918. posvetio se jačanju i reorganizaciji vojske, tako da je talijanska vojska u lipnju 1918. uspješno zaustavila austrougarsku ofenzivu u Bitci na Piavi. Nakon Bitke na Piavi, Diaz je usprkos agresivnim zahtjevima saveznika odbijano pokrenuti ofenzivu smatrajući da za istu talijanska vojska još nije bila spremna. Konačno, talijanska ofenziva pokrenuta je 24. listopada 1917., kada je austrougarska vojska već gotovo bila pred kolapsom, te uzrokovala težak austrougarski poraz u Bitci kod Vittoria Veneta koji je pridonio raspadu Austro-Ugarske. Pred sam kraj rata, 4. studenog 1918., promaknut je u čin generala armije, tada najviši čin u talijanskoj vojsci. Prije toga, u veljači 1918., imenovan je senatorom.

Poslije rata
Nakon završetka rata Diaz je nastavio obnašati dužnost načelnika Glavnog stožera nastojeći riješiti probleme koji su se javili završetkom rata (demobilizacija talijanske vojske, okupacija zauzetih teritorija i dr.). Sudjelovao je zajedno s Orlandom u radu Versailleske mirovne konferencije tijekom 1919., te nije podržavao D'Annunzijevo zauzimanje Rijeke ne vjerujući općenito u talijansko širenje na istočnu obalu Jadrana. Tijekom 1919. kod Diaza je sazrijevala odluka o napuštanju dužnosti načelnika Glavnog stožera na što je u određenoj mjeri utjecalo i njegovo zdravstveno stanje s obzirom na to da je bolovao od kroničnog bronhitisa od kojeg je obolio tijekom vojnog službovanja na Krasu. Dužnost načelnika Glavnog stožera napušta 24. studenog 1919. kada ga na tom mjestu zamjenjuje Pietro Badoglio.

Odmah nakon što je napustio mjesto načelnika Glavnog stožera imenovan je Glavnim inspektorom talijanske vojske, što je uglavnom predstavljalo počasnu dužnost. U travnju 1920. odlukom Vlade koja se temeljila na ekonomskim restrikcijama i smanjenju vojnog osoblja, znatno su smanjene ovlasti glavnog vojnog inspektora, te je Diaz de facto umirovljen. Međutim, takvo stanje nije drugo trajalo jer je Diaz, zajedno s drugim istaknutim generalima, podržavao reformu vojske u okviru koje je načelnik Glavnog stožera Badoglio većinu svojim ovlasti prenio na Vojno vijeće. Vojnom vijeću predsjedao je ministar rata, jedini civil među generalima, dok je dužnost zamjenika predsjednika preuzeo Diaz. U tom razdoblju Diaz je vrijeme dijelom provodio u Rimu gdje je imao ured i iznajmljeni stan, dijelom u Napulju gdje mu je zbog ratnih zasluga dodijeljena vila, te na Capriju gdje je provodio ljetne mjesece. U studenom 1921. otputovao je u Sjedinjene Države, u Kansas City, gdje je uz druge istaknute savezničke zapovjednike, prisustvovao otvaranju Nacionalnog spomenika i muzeja Prvog svjetskog rata. Po povratku iz Sjedinjenih Država, odlukom Kralja Viktora Emanuela III. 24. prosinca 1921. dodijeljena mu je titula Vojvoda pobjede (Duca della Vittoria).

Ministar rata
Tijekom političkih previranja početkom 1920-ih godina Diaz nije javno podržavao rastući fašistički pokret. Tijekom fašističkog Marša na Rim (22. – 29. listopada 1922.) kralj je upitao Diaza da li će vojska zaustaviti marš fašističkih crnokošuljaša. Diaz je kralju odgovorio da će vojska izvršiti svoju dužnost, ali da to ne bi bilo pametno testirati u danim okolnostima kada bi to značilo pucati u značajan broj talijanskih građana. Vojska se na kraju nije suprotstavila fašističkom maršu, što je omogućilo da Mussolini dođe ne vlast. Odmah po dolasku fašista na vlast, Diaz je u novoj fašističkoj vladi 31. listopada 1922. imenovan ministrom rata.

Na dužnosti ministra rata nastojao je reformirati i reorganizirati vojsku, a kako bi se okončala konfuzna situacija stvorena preklapanjem demobilizacije, pokušajima reforme i pasivnim otporom vojne hijerarhije. Novim ustrojem vojske iz siječnja 1923. ojačana je uloga Mussolinijeve vlade u vojnim pitanjima, a vojska je vraćena na predratni ustroj od 30 pješačkih divizija s znatno manjim brojem časnika. Diaz je odobrio osnivanje i ustroj dobrovoljačih milicija, te je na taj način okončao monopol vojske kao čuvara reda i države. Tijekom njegovog mandata zrakoplovstvo je ustrojeno kao zaseban rod oružanih snaga.

Početkom 1924. kod Diaza je sazrijela odluka da napusti mjesto ministra rata. Smatrao je da je proveo najvažnije i najnužnije reforme u vojsci, a naporni rad kao ministra sve mu je bio teži zbog njegovih zdravstvenih problema. Kako ne bi oslabio položaj vlade, ostavku je podnio 30. travnja 1924. nakon travanjskih izbora. Na mjestu ministra rata zamijenio je ga je, uz njegov pristanak, general Antonino Di Giorgio. Odmah po podnošenju ostavke imenovan je zamjenikom Vrhovnog obrambenog povjerenstva koje je trebalo koordinirati nacionalne pripreme za rat, koju dužnost je obnašao do smrti.

Smrt
Nakon napuštanja dužnosti ministra rata, Diaz je vrijeme provodio u Rimu i Napulju, a ljetne mjesece na Capriju. Zajedno s Luigijem Cadornom, 4. studenog 1924. promaknut je od fašističkih vlasti novoustrojeni, čin maršala Italije. Početkom 1925. priklonio se drugim ratnim generalima u senatu protiveći se prijedlogu novog ustroja vojske koji je predložio ministar rata Antonino Di Giorgio, koji prijedlog na kraju nije prihvaćen, što je rezultiralo ministrovom ostavkom.

Armando Diaz preminuo je 29. veljače 1928. godine u 67. godini života u Rimu. Priređen mu je državni pogreb kojemu su prisustvovali predsjednik Vlade Benito Mussolini, kao i kralj Viktor Emanuel III. Diazovo tijelo pronijeto je u procesiji kroz Rim čemu su bile nazočne tisuće ljudi, da bi bilo na kraju pokopano u Bazilici Svete Marije od anđela i božjih mučenika gdje je kasnije pokopan i veliki admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel.

Izvori
 Spencer Tucker, Priscilla Roberts, World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection, ABC-CLIO Inc, 2014., str. 470-471

Vanjske poveznice
   Armando Diaz na stranici Firstworldwar.com
   Armando Diaz na stranici Historyofwar.org
   Armando Diaz na stranici Encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net
     Armando Diaz na stranici Treccani.it
   Armando Diaz na stranici Senato.it
   Armando Diaz na stranici Hrono.ru

Talijanski vojni zapovjednici u Prvom svjetskom ratu


text:
Alzen (; ) is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France.

Population

Inhabitants of Alzen are called Alzenois.

See also
Communes of the Ariège department

References

External links

 Official site

Communes of Ariège (department)


I haven't seen anything about Welsh twins Jay & Michael Ashton here at TVV, it's almost like it might be very uncool to like Gene Loves Jezebel. But hey, I do, there is a theatrical, almost opera-ish, touch to their music, especially the first few years, that triggers my liking. They were not the average radio band, hardly even the average indie band. I guess either you like the over the top vocals, or you detest them.
They were very productive around these 4 first albums, I own 4 LP's (5 with the Glad To Be Alive freebe) and 14 12" singles/EP's – so squeezing all this into a single 10 track ICA just was impossible. Hence a first ICA with album tracks, followed at a later time (as determined by JC) a second ICA with tracks lifted off their EP's, and not featured on any of their first 4 albums (well, sort of…). Here we go!
Glad To Be… Gene Loves Jezebel – the album tracks ICA.
Side A covers the 2 albums released on Situation Two, the less accessible records maybe – but their debut album Promise hit me so hard it took a couple of more albums to shake them off. I've ordered the tracks chronologically to make evident the progress and evolution of their sound.
This track is significant for me. I was, and still am, a lyrics kind of guy. Before house music came into my life instrumental music just didn't do it, it was movie score music that underlined a feeling to a movie scene, nothing I would listen to at home. Influenza changed all that, I loved it from the first listen, and was totally overthrown by how intriguing and beautiful I found it – even without lyrics.
A song that has shown up in many disguises as 12" b-sides, trademark GLJ rock – a fast thumping beat, guitars and the theatrical vocal delivery. A great bouncer track.
I could basically have chosen just the full first album to do this album track ICA, but forced myself to choose tracks from all four albums I regard as "true" GLJ records. Pop Tarantula has the dynamics, all the operatic beauty of GLJ. I'll probably regret this choice though.
Could in my eyes definitely been a single, very catchy indeed.
This is typical (early) GLJ, taking an old b-side, re-record and furnish up a bit. The very theatrical Stephen first surfaced on the Influenza (relapse) 12". Here a slightly more polished version, worthy finishing side A off.
Side B covers the move to the mother company Beggars, more money, bigger marketing resources – and higher expectations. Sound becomes more accessible, aimed at a wider audience. Still didn't really work out quite as well as the exec's had hoped (my guess!).
Their biggest hit on the UK indie chart, peaking at #4, even if it never made into the regular chart. Was the start of a more dance oriented interest from GLJ with a club remix, and a special US remix as well. And above all, a great song.
More old school GLJ drama. "It could be poison, it could be sheer gold – I don't know, not at all". Operatic grandeur.
Plain pop music, and actually another great album track.
This is pretty straight forward pop music, just not being for the charts or mainstream radio since the vocal delivery is still very much GLJ. Lyrically close to the Prefab Sprout song Cars and Girls. Is not a re-use of the old Gorgeous b-side from the Shame 12", even if the chorus goes the same way.
As close as a hit they ever got, peaking at a modest #56 in the UK charts and later at #87 in the US. Effectively produced by Jimmy Iovine to please the US audience like of arena rock, but they never really got out of the KROQ-FM league (in the US).
Bonus track: The original Stephen, from the Influenza 12" single.
It took me ages to listen through all my GLJ records and choosing the tracks for this and the subsequent ICA's, but I had a great time doing so. I hope you enjoy both show too!
JC writes…………….Martin did fire this over to me some time ago, but it likely got caught up in some sort of filter and didn't get through….it was only a while later when he checked in again with me were we able to sort it all out.
It's just to say that I'll never turn down any submitted ICAs, unless the politics being promoted are of a horrendously right-wing nature, so if you happened to have sent something in before but never heard back from me at all, then please feel free to follow it up. Same goes for anyone who in the future fires in an ICA or other guest submission….you'll always get an acknowledgement that it's come in with an indication of when it might get loaded up.
This particular effort, plus the follow-up, is an absolute epic, so huge thanks to Martin.
I had "The House Of Dolls" on tape and I liked that a lot. God knows where it ended up. Thanks a lot for this ICA!
Excellent. I love when the ICA illuminates a bad that "had it and lost it." I think "Stephen" is one of the great songs of the new wave. Nice to see these special early works given their due. Well done.
It's uncool to like Gene Loves Jezebel because the Ashton Brothers exude what I'd call extreme punchability. Imagine a U2 formed just to "score chicks" with not one, but two braying Bono-clones! That is the essence of GLJ to these ears.
Thanks for that Martin. I only really remember a couple of singles – Discover's Heartache and Sweetest Thing, so it was good to hear these tracks.


If you ever cross the state of California in the United States for a short visit or a grand vacation, a must in your itinerary will surely be a list of fun things to do in Los Angeles, the most populous city in the state and the second most populous in the US after New York.
Worry not, listed below are the top 10 fun things to do in Los Angeles. There are a lot of other places in Los Angeles that are also worthy of your time, but the majority of the following entries are stuffs that you can do free of charge. Sounds good?
One of the fun things to do in Los Angeles is to visit Walt Disney Concert Hall, a performing arts venue which offers free audio tours daily. Feel the beauty of nature in the public garden area where Orchid Trees to Pink Trumpet Trees, among others can be found. Add to these the enormous beautifully orchestrated lily-like fountain called "A Rose for Lily" which is relaxing to the eyes. To complete the ultimate floral experience are the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens, the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden and the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden, and the Exposition Park's Rose Garden.
If you have a propensity for anything Japanese, then Little Tokyo is for you. Experience authentic Japanese cuisine like sushi in Sushi-Gen and ramen like daikoku noodles in Daikokuya that will satisfy your appetite. Not only that, those who wish to have some fun things to do in Los Angeles while reliving the past should visit historic sights and cultural attractions including a replica of a Japanese fire tower called Yagura Tower, and the Japanese American National Museum which features historical event including the World War II.
Can't get enough of Little Tokyo? Might as well visit Little Ethiopia, which will bring you a feel of the African nation's culture. Participate in an Ethiopian coffee ritual where you can enjoy the rich, hot, fragrant of the brew served in small ceramic cups. Indulge yourself with the traditional Ethiopian cuisine of spicy meats and vegetarian dishes while listening to African pops blaring from store radios and while catching the distinct smell of paprika.
Want to learn something new? Try the Pasadena Roving Archers, which offers free lessons every Saturday and learn the fundamentals of archery. Who said that learning is not one of the fun things to do in Los Angeles?
Star gaze at Griffith observatory and learn about the heavenly bodies if astronomy is your cup of tea. Get your tickets in advance and be part of a live studio audience of the renowned game show 'Wheel of Fortune', a really fun thing to do in Los Angeles especially with the company of your friends or your family.
Museum buff? Los Angeles has lots of them. Stroll through amazing galleries and gardens as you visit California African-American Museum, California Science Center, Los Angeles Maritime Museum, The Paley Center for Media, Travel Town Museum, Getty Villa and many more – all for free. And if you consider fossils viewing one of the fun things to do in Los Angeles, you should never miss the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park where Ice Age fossils of nearly 400 species of animals can be seen by the naked eye, taking you back to the prehistoric times.
4. Sunbathing, Surfing and Picnicking: Relax and Enjoy!
Of course, no one would probably disagree if we say that a worthwhile recreation is what we look forward to when on a vacation. Worry not, there are a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles – all at their best. As Los Angeles is situated at the west coast of USA, relax while sunbathing at the beach during a hot summer or ride your board and surf against powerful crest of waves. Also, visit the largest city park in the country, the Griffith Park where you can go picnicking with the whole family.
If you think that Los Angeles, being a highly advanced city, has got no wildlife at all, think again. Check out the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, where waterfowls, ducks, herons and other animals live normal lives, and see the beauty of nature as groves of trees fill the whole scenery.
Wait, before you indulge into a sumptuous dinner, witness first a magnificent sunset and ocean view at the Palisades Park, a romantic way to culminate the morning list of fun things to do in Los Angeles.
Of course, fun things to do in Los Angeles will not be complete without a photo of the famous 450 feet long, 45 feet high Hollywood sign perched atop Mount Lee. Though its grounds are barred from public access, you can simply go near it to capture perfect photos for remembrances. And speaking of Hollywood, another must-see is the Hollywood Walk of Fame which showcases more than 2,300 terrazzo and brass stars of celebrity honorees on the most famous sidewalk in the world. Why the top 1? It's nowhere in the world. And when you talk about Los Angeles, you spell it as Hollywood.
There are a lot more fun things to do in Los Angeles; enjoy a worthwhile experience, free of unnecessary expenses. At the most, what more can you ask for when a great majority of fun things to do in Los Angeles are for free. As you experience these top 10 fun things to do in Los Angeles, you will realize one important thing in life that perhaps still proves true: that the best things in life are indeed for free.


text:
Peter Blokhuis (Baambrugge, 7 februari 1947) is een Nederlandse filosoof en schooldirecteur, en politicus voor de ChristenUnie.

Hij doorliep de hbs in Amsterdam en studeerde filosofie en kunstgeschiedenis aan de Vrije Universiteit, waar hij vervolgens ging werken als wetenschappelijk assistent. In 1985 promoveerde hij tot doctor in de wijsbegeerte op het proefschrift "Kennis en abstraktie". In 2001 werd hij benoemd als opleidingsmanager Communicatie en Journalistiek aan de Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (CHE). Sinds 2011 is Blokhuis lector aan de CHE.

Van 2005 tot 2012 vervulde hij de functie van partijvoorzitter van de ChristenUnie. Voordat Blokhuis voorzitter werd van de ChristenUnie was hij al lid en voorzitter van het curatorium van het Wetenschappelijk Instituut van de ChristenUnie geweest. Daarnaast was hij voorzitter van de stichting Reformatorische Wijsbegeerte.

Blokhuis liet met name van zich horen rond  de formatie van het kabinet-Balkenende IV. Hij maakte samen met onder anderen André Rouvoet en Arie Slob deel uit van het zeskoppige formatieteam. In de media stelde Blokhuis dat het beter was als Rouvoet als partijleider in de Tweede Kamer zitting zou nemen, en niet in het kabinet.

In aanloop naar zijn vertrek als partijvoorzitter zorgde Blokhuis nog voor enige commotie door te stellen dat hij zich op de lange termijn niet kon voorstellen dat de ChristenUnie en SGP niet samen zouden gaan vanwege de groeiende secularisatie. Zijn termijn als voorzitter liep op 12 mei 2012 af. Op die datum werd hij opgevolgd door Janneke Louisa. Dat gebeurde op het CU-congres te Zwolle, bij welke gelegenheid hij ook werd benoemd tot Officier in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau.

Blokhuis is lid van de Protestantse Kerk in Nederland, en in het verleden van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland.

ChristenUnie-politicus
Gereformeerd persoon
Nederlands onderwijsbestuurder
Nederlands partijvoorzitter


Gradient Consulting Africa host various events, seminars and workshops throughout the year. If you are interested in attending, sponsoring or contributing in any way please use the form on the contact page to get in touch or email events@gradientconafrica.com.
On April 11, 2018, Belgium-Luxembourg Nigeria Chamber of Commerce (BLNCC) delegates visited Nigeria to meet with various senior stakeholders to discuss matters of mutual benefits to businesses in the triad countries. The objectives of our trip were twofold. Firstly, to present trade & investment opportunities of both Luxembourg and Belgium and the willingness of organisations to do business in Nigeria. Secondly, it is important for us to get a better understanding of the economic and political landscape in Nigeria.


text:
Nurture Capital -- A New Paradigm For Business
Copyright © 1988, 1996 R B Swenson
What Is Nurture Capital?
Nurture Capital is a term to describe the paradigm shift that is transforming many businesses from a pattern of domination to the modus operandi of cooperation. This shift applies in the relationships between people acting together in business, and it applies to the relationship between the enterprise and its environment, broadly construed.
Numerous facets of this transformation are observed here, to enhance understanding and enrich the terminology we use to describe our dealings with each other in business. This introduction provides an overview of key elements in this new mode of operating.
The term "nurture capital" is used here in two ways. First, it describes a general shift in the nature of enterprise. In this general sense, nurture capital expresses our intention of integrity, and it speaks to a new standard by which we can measure our performance. In this context, the term can be applied to any business, at any stage in its own evolution.
The term is also used here to describe a specific, early phase in the development of a business. This phase occurs after a venture has been formed, but before it has matured sufficiently to interact with the venture capital community. In this phase, the importance of nurturance is obvious; it is a formative period appropriate for imparting the principles of transformation which are taking place in the business world.
An Historical Perspective
We can gain insights into this paradigm shift from an interview, "Reshaping the Future by Looking into the Past," with Riane Eisler, Center for Partnership Studies:
Michael Thoms (Interviewer): "I think of cliches like 'Human nature is violent -- We look at human nature and it's always been that way.' These kinds of cliches get into the culture and just become accepted as truth."
Eisler: "Well, they are more than cliches. You know, they are very important parts of the maintenance of the dominator system. Consider: if we are, as we have been taught, flawed either by original sin or by selfish genes (just these little robots, you know, that the selfish genes are pushing around) then we are, first of all, not responsible, and second of all, why bother changing anything? It can't be done, especially if this was willed by God, as we have been told."
"Short of removing yourself to a mountain, you can't develop spiritually within a dominator society. We are humans, who want to be linked with each other. We don't want to live in isolation. So we have to transform society, not just do it in isolation. The two just go together.
"And the resistance that we are seeing is because the thrust of the partnership society is so strong, we are seeing the old system almost in its death throes, and it could kill us in its death throes. That's what we are seeing, that's the big struggle in the world today." [Eisler]
Nurture Capital Contrasted with Dominator Capital
The old system served in a time when individual action could run its course unfettered. The hierarchical structure of business was more conducive to power plays, creating a predisposition to competition and conflict within the essential framework. Furthermore, because an artificial economic boundary was formed around the firm, it was possible to discount impacts upon the environment. These patterns might be called "Dominator Capital" in contrast to Nurture Capital.
The following table indicates some attributes that distinguish these expressions:
Dominator Capital
Nurture Capital
Communication Chain of Command Lattice-work of interaction
Conflict Sue the bastards!
Win-lose Getting to yes
All-win
Decision-
making Golden rule:
The one with the gold sets the rules Consensus
Game, Name of Profit for company Profit for all
Environment valued
Game, Score of ROI
(Return on Investment) ROI + SRI
(Social Responsibility Index)
Nature Conquest Stewardship
Performance Bottom Line Bottom Vector
Relationships Competition Cooperation
Structure Hierarchy Recursion/
Cybernetic systems
Who is right? I'm right Everyone is right
Show And Tell (And Check)
How does nurture capital management turn principles into action? In a nutshell, nurture capital eclipses the obsolete hierarchical command approach...
... and instead relies on the "show and tell" method of communication between management and operations:
shows tells checks
The first step is to show personnel what to do (set up systems and train -- more appropriate than "giving orders" when managing complex tasks). The next step is to tell operations personnel when to do it. Then management will, in effect, check to verify the validity of its training program, without condemning the worker, as it were, for management's errors.
In the nurture capital mode, the lines of communication go both ways. Management is called upon to make decisions based upon enriched, two-way communication with operations. Also, management and operations both give attention to the firm's environment.
A New Model of Enterprise
As the command (hierarchical) model is superceded by the cybernetic (latticework) model, we have identified additional channels of communications within the firm, as indicated above. We can also explicitly consider interactions between the firm and its environment. Thus, the three major blocks are management, operations, and environment, with communication linkages between each of these blocks.
The Viable Systems Model
Management Management consists of at least these three functions:
Boss ultimate responsibility -- the big commitment;
Developer the eye on the horizon;
Executive handles day-to-day logistics.
links Management has three lines of communication with operations:
Show: stabilizers: training and procedures
Tell: resource bargains between the parties
Check: to control quality and verify performance
Operations The operations unit interacts with the market and the environment
(customers as well as endangered species).
This model is based on the Viable Systems Model of Stafford Beer. We consider management and the three major roles it plays -- as the boss, the developer and the executive. Then we review the linkages between management and operations. Finally, we consider some implications of the nurture capital approach to operations.
Consensus Decision Making
Our democratic society places great importance upon occasional public voting exercises. Yet the decisions made daily in business often have far greater impact upon our lives. Within the nurture capital paradigm of cooperation, new methods of decision-making are emerging. Consensus is such a decision-making process that improves the quality of the outcome=- by exploring differences until agreement is possible. The process is unitive and can be contrasted against decision making by majority vote, which can be divisive.
=> Consensus/Unity
yes ------- no
left ------- right
right ------- wrong
=> Majority/Division
Majority rule polarizes;
consensus derives value from both sides of an argument
to reach unity.
"All voting is a sort of gaming, like chequers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong, with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it. The character of the voters is not staked. I cast my vote, perchance, as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency. Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority." [Thoreau]
Applying the nurture capital mode of thinking involves learning to use new decision-making methods, including consensus, creativity exercises, and computerized management resource centers.
Recent Scientific Development
Our social and political machinery is deeply influenced by scientific thought. For example, to considerable extent, popular science and business practices are still grounded in Newtonian physics. This is understandable: we can readily appreciate the enormous value that Newton's discoveries brought to our culture -- the ability to predict and therefore design systems with incredible accuracy, even sufficient to explore the moon.
We can also appreciate the profound impact of other scientific truths which emerged in the 19th century (thermodynamics) and the twentieth century (relativity, uncertainty). These discoveries formed the basis for the industrial revolution and the nuclear age, respectively. They also illuminated the limitations of Newtonian physics, but the understanding of these limitations is only now beginning to find its way into common business practice. We know, for example, that attempts to rationalize inherently chaotic situations will continue to thwart management. With reassurance from modern science, we can now avoid suffering from the delusion of predictability:
"Chaotic nonlinear dynamics is a vigorous, rapidly expanding field. Many important future applications are to be expected in a variety of areas. In addition to its practical aspects, the field also has fundamental implications. According to Laplace, determination of the future depends only on the present state. Chaos adds a basic new aspect to this rule: small error in our knowledge can grow exponentially with time, thus making the long-term prediction of the future impossible." [Grebogi, Ott, Yorke]
The weatherman knows this. And leaders in business have not missed the fundamental truth either. Evidence of such a profound transformation is reflected in the title and content of Tom Peters' book, Thriving on Chaos.
The sciences of thermodynamics and cybernetics reveal much about the changing nature of the world and thereby the management systems we use to handle complexity. Such scientific findings help us to use nurture capital principles more effectively.
Nurture Capital -- A Phase in Development Building upon Venture Capital
We now turn to the use of the term, "nurture capital" to describe a facet of capital formation. When capital and management services are provided for fledgling ventures according to the nurture capital mode of thinking, we build a bridge to the venture capital community. We enhance our culture's basic concept of enterprise in order to create systems which supports cooperation and completeness, to achieve all-win outcomes.
Where Does Nurture Capital Fit into the Financing Cycle?
Venture capital has become a key element in technology innovation. But in recent years, venture capital has become less adventurous. Therefore, we have introduced the term, "nurture capital," to describe resources applied to an enterprise once it meets the first test of survival: a concept has been created, and its early development has been funded by the founders, their families and their friends. Before the established venture capital community will consider it, though, there is another step to be taken -- Nurture Capital.
The diagram below indicates the steps in the ladder of business growth and shows where Nurture Capital fits in as a critical bridge to maturity. As illustrated in the matrix, banks invest (lend) when both technology and management are strong and mature, and Venture Capitalists participate only when either management or technology is mature, and the other ingredient is not find behind. Nurture Capital, then, is that phase in the life of a venture, after the founders have invested all that they are able into the venture, but when it is still premature to talk to Venture Capitalists or banks.
Engineering Prototype
Founders Founders
+ Team Limited
Management Full
Incubator facilities, wealthy private individuals, accountants and management consultants assist the fledgling company in the intermediate stage to prepare for major funding. This we call the Nurture Capital phase.
What Does a Nurture Capitalist Do?
In the context of start-up businesses, we have made a distinction between nurture capital and venture capital. We can define a "nurture capitalist" as one who works with small enterprises to enhance management capabilities. Since many young small businesses are operated by a single inspired individual or a small partnership, gaps in management are inevitable as the firm's needs grows.
While entrepreneurs often have an amazing ability to grasp primary management functions, still someone must fill the gaps they leave:
Often they rise in their field because they are very productive workers, and therefore they concentrate on operations, letting most management functions happen ad-hoc, except perhaps for the Boss function: when things need to be cleaned up at the end of the day, they stick around and finish after everyone else has left,
in which case, the nurture capitalist provides executive and developer skills.
Or, they may be excellent developers, with an eye to the future -- but poor at execution of details,
in which case, the nurture capitalist assists by formulating better channels of communication: reframing command functions in terms of resource bargaining, designing systems for stability, and designing audit procedures.
Or, the entrepreneurs may have developed a service ten years ago. Now they have become good at the executive function, and have lost sight of the future, becoming bogged down in the here-and-now,
in which case, the nurture capitalist assists in Development activities -- working out a pro-active business plan and directing the enterprise towards new markets and adaptations to its rapidly changing environment.
Or, the enterprise may have capital restraints,
in which case, a nurture capitalist plans and negotiates resource bargains with investors or lenders on behalf of the firm.
As we explore this model of enterprise in greater depth, we will consider each of these management functions and the role of the nurture capitalist in more detail. Stay tuned for more details.
Nurture capital symbolizes a new approach to wealth creation. It is an approach that creates value for the firm and for the society which it serves. It offers a timely challenge:
"If our economy of freedom fails to distribute wealth as ably as it has created it, the road to dictatorship will be open to any man who can persuasively promise security to all. And the marshall government, under whatever charm and phrase, will engulf the democratic world." [The Lessons of History, Will and Ariel Durant]
Witness: "In a dangerous world, you do what you have to." [Admiral Poindexter, Iran-Contra Affair hearings]
How far have we come down that road to dictatorship? What can the business community do to reclaim what we have lost? This treatise redefines priorities and provides a language for managing those priorities.
By applying the principles of nurture capital, steps can be taken to restructure the game of business, creating and clarifying mutually supportive relationships to build a sustainable future.
More Nurture Capital documents
Order out of Chaos
"... citations on the study of dissipative structures from the book, Order Out of Chaos, by Ilya Prigoine with co-author Isabelle Stengers."
Environomics
"We have all heard the story about Jesus turning water into wine. There is another story about a village where just the opposite happened...."
"The following material is extracted from An Introduction to Cybernetics by W. Ross Ashby which offers a foundation upon which to examine the complexity of modern business."
EcoWebPress
Copyright© 1988-2006 by R B Swenson
Revised 2006 January 2
Revised 2004 November 11
Revised 2000 April 21


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Q: How can I draw $f(S)$ with $f(z)=z^{1+i}$ where $S=\{0
Let $f:\Bbb{C}\setminus(-\infty, 0]\rightarrow \Bbb{C}$ where $f(z)=z^{1+i}:=e^{(1+i)\log(z)}$.  We consider $$S=\{0<Arg(z)<\pi/6\}$$
I want to draw $f(S)$.
If I take $z\in S$ then $z=re^{it}$ where $r\in [0,\infty)$ and $t\in (0,\pi/6)$. Then $\log(z)=\log(r)+it$ where now $\log(r)\in (-\infty, \infty)$. Then $$f(z)=e^{\log(r)-t}e^{i(\log(r)+t)}=:r'e^{it'}$$ where $$r'=e^{\log(r)-t}~~~t'=\log(r)+t$$But now I don't see how to proceed so how one could really draw the curve from here?
Thanks for your help

A: We have that , $$0<r < \infty \\ 0 < t < \frac{\pi}{6}$$
Essentially, we want to find the bound on $r'$ and $t'$, for the $t'$ suppose fix some $t$ and you varying $r$, you should be able to get every single value of $t'$ similarly for $r'$.
Seems so that this function maps the sector to the whole plane.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I keep reading and re-reading hadith above to motivate myself to step up the quality of my worship in the coming days and I pray that we are able to appreciate how special it is and try and get the most reward out of it.
My Ramadan and Eid Planner 2015/1436 also has a section called The First Ten Days of Hajj and Ten Days to Eid-ul-Adha which covers Udhiyya (Qurbani or sacrifice), some resources to learn more and the sunnan (prophetic traditions) which relate to Eid-ul-Adha.
Alhamdulillah brings back so many beautiful memories.
I hope that you are all able to make the most of these special days and that Allah (SWT) gives you the opportunity to earn great reward and feel spiritually uplifted and closer to both Him (SWT) and our brothers and sisters during this time of worship and community insh'Allah.


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Archive for month: July, 2019
You are here: Home / News / Privacy Policy / 2019 / July
FAO Director-General Graziano da Silva hands over helm to Qu Dongyu with call to improve access to quality food for all
Social protection programmes and public policies are fundamental to reducing hunger and the quality of our food – both produced and consumed – must be improved, FAO's Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today at a handover ceremony marking his last day at the UN agency's helm.
July 31, 2019 /by FAO-Newsroom
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-31 00:00:002019-07-31 00:00:00FAO Director-General Graziano da Silva hands over helm to Qu Dongyu with call to improve access to quality food for all
UNSCN
Food Systems for Children and Adolescents: Working Together to Secure Nutritious Diets
Food systems are essential to delivering healthy, affordable and sustainable diets, but the nutritional needs of children and adolescents (both of present and future generations) are often not prioritized. Actors across the food system, including food producers and suppliers, typically do not account for the nutritional needs of children and adolescents when determining what foods to grow, produce, distribute, and sell. Processed, less nutritious foods are skillfully marketed and widely available and affordable, while nutritious foods are often more expensive and unaffordable to many. The food environment often does not lend itself to nutritious diets for children and adolescents, nor is it incentivized to do so. Actors across local, national and global food systems need to be held accountable for providing healthy, affordable and sustainable diets to children and adolescents today and in the future.
To this end, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, co-hosted a global consultation on children, adolescents and food systems at the UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti on 5-7 November 2018. The consultation brought together 60 participants from government, development partners, business, and academia from low-, middle- and high-income settings. The consultation aimed to:
The consultation aimed to:
(1) Develop a common narrative around the need for food systems to produce nutritious, safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable diets for children and adolescents,
(2) Validate a common approach to elucidate priority actions within the food system to improve diets of children and adolescents, and
(3) Develop an action plan to improve children and adolescents' diets using a food systems approach.
Documents and presentations for download:
Interim summary report
Final meeting report
Framing presentation UNICEF-GAIN
July 30, 2019 /by UNSCN Secretariat
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png 0 0 UNSCN Secretariat http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png UNSCN Secretariat2019-07-30 00:00:002019-07-30 00:00:00Food Systems for Children and Adolescents: Working Together to Secure Nutritious Diets
FAO Director-General calls for strong measures to combat global obesity pandemic
FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today made his strongest appeal yet for tougher measures to combat the global obesity pandemic, urging a "legally-binding instrument as a global convention to promote healthy diets in remarks given while receiving the Nutrition Inspiration Award".
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-26 15:00:002019-07-26 15:00:00FAO Director-General calls for strong measures to combat global obesity pandemic
FAO warns of Desert Locust outbreaks in Yemen and the Horn of Africa
Desert Locust summer breeding, amplified by heavy rains, can pose a serious threat to agricultural production areas of Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia and northern Somalia during the next three months, FAO warned today.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-25 00:00:002019-07-25 00:00:00FAO warns of Desert Locust outbreaks in Yemen and the Horn of Africa
FAO Director-General meets Queen Letizia of Spain
FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva met Queen Letizia of Spain to discuss joint collaboration in her role as FAO's Special Ambassador for Nutrition.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-23 00:00:002019-07-23 00:00:00FAO Director-General meets Queen Letizia of Spain
FAO Director-General inaugurates the World Sustainable Urban Food Centre (CEMAS)
FAO Director General, José Graziano da Silva, today urged cities around the world today to redouble their efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable urban diets and food systems to tackle the increasing levels of overweight and obesity.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-22 00:00:002019-07-22 00:00:00FAO Director-General inaugurates the World Sustainable Urban Food Centre (CEMAS)
FAO and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries launch new Training Centre for Sustainable Family Farming
FAO and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) have joined forces to boost food and nutrition security in their territories through strengthened sustainable family farming and agroecology development.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-18 00:00:002019-07-18 00:00:00FAO and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries launch new Training Centre for Sustainable Family Farming
The world is off-track to meet most food and agriculture-related Sustainable Development Goals
The world is off track to meet most of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets linked to hunger, food security and nutrition, according to a FAO report released today.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-18 00:00:002019-07-18 00:00:00The world is off-track to meet most food and agriculture-related Sustainable Development Goals
Enhancing the contribution of family farmers to sustainable development
Family farmers need enabling public policies and legal frameworks that will "allow them to adapt and flourish in today's changing environment" and maximize their contribution to sustainable development, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said on Tuesday.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/newslogofnc2.png 626 626 FAO-Newsroom http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png FAO-Newsroom2019-07-17 00:00:002019-07-17 00:00:00Enhancing the contribution of family farmers to sustainable development
Creating a Sustainable Food Future
By 2050, nearly 10 billion people will live on the planet. Can we produce enough food sustainably? World Resources Report: Creating a Sustainable Food Future shows that it is possible – but there is no silver bullet. This report offers a five-course menu of solutions to ensure we can feed everyone without increasing emissions, fueling deforestation or exacerbating poverty. Intensive research and modeling examining the nexus of the food system, economic development, and the environment show why each of the 22 items on the menu is important and quantifies how far each solution can get us.
WRI produced the report in partnership with the World Bank, UN Environment, UN Development Programme, and the French agricultural research agencies CIRAD and INRA.
http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png 0 0 UNSCN Secretariat http://fnc.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Logo-FNC-1.png UNSCN Secretariat2019-07-15 00:00:002019-07-15 00:00:00Creating a Sustainable Food Future
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Retweet on TwitterFNC Zimbabwe Retweeted
WFP Zimbabwe@WFP_Zimbabwe·
Who is ready to go back to #school?
We wish all learners who started school today the very best.
📕📏🍏📐📚
Amidst daily challenges in #Zimbabwe parents are doing what it takes to keep children in school. @WFP is providing clean and safe water in Zvishavane, Binga and Mbire.
Zimbabwe Scaling Up Nutrition Business NetworkNovember 12, 2019 - 12:18 pm
2019 Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Global GatheringNovember 5, 2019 - 2:58 pm
World Food Day 2019October 18, 2019 - 9:35 am
Model Ward Village Sensitization in Mazowe Field Day ActivityJuly 8, 2019 - 4:05 pm
ZimVAC RLA 2019May 31, 2019 - 2:06 pm
In a year of deepening hunger, WFP reaches a record 5 million people in Democratic Republic of CongoDecember 20, 2018 - 11:11 am
WFP driver killed in Democratic Republic of CongoDecember 18, 2018 - 8:14 pm
Vital UN Air Service risks being grounded in Central African Republic due to funding shortagesDecember 18, 2018 - 11:50 am
#nutritionzw


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Home»Politics»Joe Biden's 'Smart Gun' Comment Demonstrates Just How Dumb He Is When It Comes To Guns
Guns In The News / June 22, 2019 /	1.6k
Article first appeared at Ammoland.com
U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- "If I get elected president of the United States of America with your help, if that happens, guns, we have the capacity now in a James Bond-style to make sure no one can pull a trigger unless their DNA and fingerprint is on it," candidate a perennial gun-grabber Joe Biden told well-heeled Manhattan Democrats, the Washington Examiner reported Tuesday. "We have that capacity to do it now. You know it."
Unsurprisingly, Biden either doesn't know what he's talking about or he does and doesn't care that he's spreading lies. While we've seen numerous abortive attempts over the years to bring the technology to market, recent ones involve technologies relying on fingerprint recognition, bracelets and rings, and embedded RFID chips. If DNA is to be added into the mix, it would be interesting to see that idea fleshed out, including how the sample will be extracted and then analyzed to allow for immediate firing by "authorized" users under all conceivable real-world conditions.
As for invoking James Bond, the biometric "Skyfall" gun has been exploited before by those with citizen disarmament fantasies. It only takes a cursory analysis of their claims against reality to show such "new" and "smart" ideas are anything but.
"Maybe biometric guns could reduce the gang violence that contributes more than 90 percent of U.S. homicides, most of them committed with illegal firearms," perpetually anti-gun Slate gushed in a 2012 paean to the Bond prop. "Perhaps someone could build a stand-alone biometric system that would give pro- and anti-gun lobbies some common ground."
Then again, perhaps not.
To believe that those perpetrating "gang violence" would in any way be inclined to participate or be affected in the least is just ignorant and childish. And as for the "pro-gun lobby" having any incentive to find "common ground" with the monopoly of violence zealots, they've revealed their end game too many times for informed gun owners to want them to do anything but go away.
RELATED: Mainstream Media Now Advancing "Gun Confiscation" Agenda To Stop Mass Shootings
It's not that we're against technology and options offering more consumer choices per se. It's just that, as their past actions have demonstrated, those who want to disarm gun owners have tried to make so-called "smart guns" mandatory. They would take that choice away if they could, and in doing so call for the retrofitting or surrender of all non-compliant firearms.
And then they'd ban the new ones.
But it figures Joe Biden would be out there promoting more nonsense under the guise of "gun safety." This is the guy whose self-defense acumen includes advising us to fire shotguns through doors, or off of balconies into the darkness. That even doctrinaire Democrats don't see him for a clown world fraud says more about their deliberately denying reality than anything, and that he currently enjoys frontrunner status tells us there should never be common ground with the willfully self-deluded.
And here's the thing about "smart guns": Initial research done decades ago by Sandia National Laboratories was enabled by a $620,000 National Institute of Justice grant. The purported reason offered at the time was over concern that one out of six police officers killed in the line of duty were shot in "takeaway" incidents, that is, disarmed and killed with their own service weapons.
So naturally, when Democrats go to make such guns mandatory, guess who the "Only Ones" exempted are. You don't think police unions would let their members hinge their survival in violent encounters on devices designed to inhibit the primary function of their service weapons, to fire on demand, do you?
RELATED: Range Bill: Return to Legitimization of American Gun Culture
But this does present an opportunity for Joe Biden to put his money where his mouth is and prove "We have the capacity to do it now." As a former Vice President and a current presidential candidate, he could order his Secret Service detail to trade in their service weapons for, not just "smart guns," but ones that require a DNA match in order to fire. After all, he exposed himself to them, and their being exposed back seems only fair.
That would actually be a bit of "gun control" I could go for.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at "The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance," is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
Arrogant Illinois State Senator: "Maybe, We'll Just Confiscate Them" (Video)
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee: 'NRA On the Run,' Gun Control Resistance Rises
Shtf Gear Introduces Holsters for the Walther PPS M2


Enjoy Accessorizing Any Outfit During the Month of Love with Fort Worth's Latest Designer Jewelry Boutique at The Shops at Clearfork.
It's no secret that I'm a fan of the bling, and when Fort Worth's newest jewelry store, Ylang 23, asked me to collaborate with them on a VIP party experience, I was tickled pink — as in, pink diamonds, pink sapphires and pink tourmalines, oh my!
Ylang 23 opened in The Shops at Clearfork late last year, but it's been open in Dallas since 1985 when owners Joanne & Charles Teichman got this crazy brilliant idea to feature fine jewelry made by independent designers. They pretty much started the designer jewelry trend. Remember the iconic Ylang Ylang store in the Dallas Galleria back in the day? Yeah, that's them. How cool is that?
Many of the biggest names in jewelry have been with Ylang 23 since the beginning, like Cathy Waterman and Irene Neuwirth. Because of the many incredible relationships they have fostered in this industry, you can work one-on-one with a designer to craft your own precious couture piece, or just go pret-a-porter and choose from the boutique's amazing selection with prices starting at $110!
Will the REAL Super Bowl Party please stand up!
Forget the Superbowl – last Sunday was SuperBLING Sunday. Together with the Teichman's daughter, Alysa, Fort Worth store manager, Bhavini, and my sweet friend April, we threw the shiniest, most sparkly-ist jewelry party ever. Actually, it was two parties: a super-exclusive VIP breakfast followed by an afternoon reception.
And every time I think about the spectacular Retrouvai Compass necklace I wore at the party – before my mom LITERALLY BOUGHT IT RIGHT OFF MY NECK, I get butterflies. Especially since she has promised to let me borrow it, I will definitely be planning that request sooner than later.
Speaking of planning…now that I'm vegan, the fruit kabobs helped detoured my appetite when I encounter the miniature chicken and waffles. Those were just some of the posh noshes that Clearfork's B&B Butchers & Restaurant created for brunch. I still can't get over how adorable they were.
All the pretty ladies, all the pretty ladies!
Among the most delicious details were the sweets and treats.
There was a Valentine's Day dessert bar! An all-pink bag-your-own candy bar! Champagne and mimosas! Door prizes from B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Pinstripes, Fixe Southern House and The Bar Method, all located in Clearfork (to see who won, click here).
Even the party favors were divine. Little books with jewelry styling tips and adorable Ring Pops in clear boxes all wrapped up with Ylang 23 signature ribbon.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend!
I'll admit, I arrived at Ylang 23 about 20 minutes early that day for the sales associates to "dress" me. Not only did they hook me up with a "neckmess" of amazing pieces, all coordinated to achieve their signature layered look, but I also got in some "me time" to browse.
As they say in the jewelry business, it rocked! Seriously, I'm still on cloud nine from the thrill of getting to wear THAT MUCH fabulous jewelry at once.
I knew with all the swooning and the chit-chatting ahead of me, I wouldn't have a chance to help my husband. What did I do for him? I compiled a shopping list of my favorite pieces to make Valentine's Day gifting a cake walk. Jason if you're reading this, You're welcome!
Christy's Top Favorite Ylang 23 Gifts for Valentine's Day!
Ok, don't get me wrong. If I had a money tree planted in my back yard, I would buy half the jewelry sold at Ylang 23. But since I don't, I've listed a small sampling of baubles, at various price points, that I think you will like.
After all, jewelry is meant to be worn. That's a belief shared by all the fab women who came to this event, and I bet that's your belief, too!
Now, who wants to win a $250 gift card from Ylang23? Yeah, me too! Head over to SoFortWorthIt on Instagram and enter this contest where you see the picture of Ylang 23's storefront.
It would mean the world to me if you'd take five seconds to vote for SoFortWorthIt as your FAVORITE local blog/influencer. As a thank you for voting, I am giving away a $500 VISA gift card to one lucky winner.
*BONUS: You can enter multiple times daily through February 15th. Each vote is an entry into the giveaway. Just click the "+ Nominate Another" link and repeat up to 10 times.
Christy is a lifestyle expert, who is passionate about entertaining, decorating, and, of course, Fort Worth, Texas!
SoFortWorthIt is a Fort Worth based lifestyle blog by Christy Dunaway Smith, featuring the latest in beauty, entertaining, fashion, jet-setting, the local social scene and more.
SO FORT WORTH IT WINS! My Oscars Weekend: The parties! The stars! The swag!
@2019 SoFortWorthIt. All Rights Reserved.


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Q: In SAS, is there a way to iterative refit a regression using different weights for observation with positive residual and negative residuals? I have fitted a model using proc reg, say, using this
proc reg data = mydata;
  model a = b;
run;

But in this particular application it is better to over-estimate than it is to under-estimate. So I actually want to refit this model this time using the residuals as weights so they an over-estimate is penalised more heavily.
Is there a way to do that without writing my own macro?

A: Check out the REWEIGHT statement in PROC REG.  The basic syntax of this is
REWEIGHT <condition | ALLOBS> </ options> ;

condition is of the form variable compare value
and the variable can be anything from an OUTPUT data set. So, you could run the original PROC REG and create an OUTPUT data set, then do another PROC REG on the new data set, reweighting whichever cases you want, based on their residuals.
For more see the SAS Documentation


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The coat of arms of the Chechen Republic is the official symbol of the Chechen Republic. Approved by acting President of Chechnya Sergey Abramov on 22 June 2004.

Description
The decree of the President of the Chechen Republic of 22 June 2004 No. 125
The regulations on the State emblem of the Chechen Republic

This Regulation establishes the national emblem of the Chechen Republic, their description and order of official use.

The state emblem of the Chechen Republic (hereinafter — the coat of Arms) is the official state symbol of the Chechen Republic.

In the basis of the composition of the coat of Arms formed a figure of a stylized solution that meets national mentality and choice of the Chechen people in the modern world.

Linear-graphic composition of the coat of Arms is made on the basis of a circle in two-dimensional plane. Color scheme based on four colors: red, yellow, blue and neutral white.

In the inner part of the white circle depicts the Symbol of Unity, Eternity in the form of Chechen national ornament, painted in red color.

Stylized mountains, the historic tower of Chechens and oil derrick painted blue.

The composition of the square in the circle.

Yellow wheat ears on a blue background symmetrically framed by the inner circle, symbolizing the wealth of the Chechen people. In the upper part of the ears of corn crowned with the Crescent and star, colored in yellow on a blue background. On the outer red circle shows the pattern of the Chechen ornaments in the national style on a yellow background. The outer border of the emblem is blue.

The history of the coat of arms of Chechnya

The coat of arms of the North Caucasian Emirate
In 1919, the Emirate has taken the issue of paper money (credit notes) dignity 5, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 rubles. On the front side of the banknotes portrayed the emblem of the Emirate.

Coat of arms (emblem) of the Emirate consisted of a pyramid set by rifle and sword, over them, Haji turban with the crown. On top of all scales, probably symbolizing justice. On the scales with one hand the green flag of Jihad with the top in the form of a Crescent (the topping was portrayed not always), and on the other hand an open book (presumably the Qur'an). In the lower part of the coat of arms was located a Crescent moon and three stars.

In March 1920 under pressure from the Bolsheviks of the North Caucasus Emirate was abolished, Uzun-Haji was given the post of mufti of the Caucasus, and in the summer died.

The coat of arms of the Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
VIII extraordinary session of the Supreme Council ChIASSR 6-th convocation on May 26, 1978 adopted a new Constitution of ChIASSR. Description of state characters in it were slightly different from the former. July 24, 1981 a resolution was adopted on the coat-of-arms, which recognized the pre-existing coat of arms.

The coat of arms of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
The coat of arms of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was a symbolic image of a reclining she-wolf with her head. The wolf is at the national ornament, rolling the circle into a Crescent, in the lower part of which there are 9 stars that correspond to the number of Chechen societies — tukkums. Legally it was found only the description of the coat of arms, the authorities of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria used different variations of the coat of arms, most often black-and-white image. The author of blazon is the Chechen artist Sultan Usaev. This coat of arms was presented for the first time during the First Chechen Congress in 1990 in Grozny.

The modern coat of arms of the Chechen Republic
In 2003, immediately after the election of President Akhmad Kadyrov began to develop a new emblem and flag of Chechnya. President Akhmad Kadyrov was supposed to consider the symbolism on 3 March. But this did not happen. February 25, 2004, the state Council of the Chechen Republic approved the new state symbols — the coat of arms and flag. The new Chechen coat of arms was approved by the decree of acting President of the Chechen Republic Sergey Abramov No. 125, dated June 22, 2004.

See also
Flag of Chechnya

References

Coats of arms by country
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria


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What is the National Court Reporters Association?
Court Reporting Agencies
National Court Reporters Association
National Court Reporting Association
National Court Reporters
Deposition Reporters
Court Reporter Training
Court Stenographers
The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is a professional organization which includes court reporters and people who provide captioning services. This professional organization is recognized as a leader in its field in the United States, and many professional captioners and court reporters working in the United States pursue NCRA certification and membership. Belonging to the National Court Reporters Association has a number of benefits including opportunities for professional advancement.
Stenographers may be members of the National Court Reporters Association.
The roots of this organization lie in the late 1800s, when several stenographic professional organizations were founded to serve people working as court stenographers. By the 1930s, the organization was setting standards for court reporting and establishing tests which could be used to determine member proficiency. In 1990, the National Court Reporters Association adopted its present name, which is believed to more accurately reflect the nature and purpose of the organization.
People can join as associate, participating, or student members. Members of the National Court Reporters Association can pursue professional certifications through proficiency examinations which provide certifications such as Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR), Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC), and Certified CART Provider (CCP). People who hold these certifications must also meet performance standards in addition to successfully passing examinations, and they adhere to the NCRA's code of ethics.
Members of the National Court Reporters Association are able to access the organization's annual conferences, along with a number of continuing education opportunities which are only open to members. They also have access to the Journal of Court Reporting (JCR), one of the leading trade journals for people in the captioning and reporting professions, and they can obtain insurance and credit card offers which are only open to members.
In some cases, employment opportunities may only be open to National Court Reporters Association members, and in other instances, membership can be used to help job candidates get in the door. Membership can also assist with salary negotiations, as certified members of the NCRA can argue that they deserve a higher pay as a reflection of their professional commitment and demonstrated skills.
Court reporting schools and colleges often encourage students to pursue membership in professional organizations such as the National Court Reporters Association, and their curriculum prepares students to pass the certification exams required by these organizations. The establishment of professional organizations allows people in various professions to set standards which can be clearly defined and adhered to. This improves the overall quality of the profession, and it also improves the confidence of employers and consumers.
What is a Professional Association?
How do I Become a Stenographer?
How do I Become a Court Reporter?
What do Court Reporters do?
What is a Court Reporter?