They are the youngest female billionaires in the world, whose ages range from 19 to 50. 19 to over 50. Read on to learn just how these extraordinary young women got their billions.
The 37-year-old Marie Besnier Beauvalot has an estimated worth of 2.5 billion. She inherited a French dairy company called Lactalis. She inherited 100% of a French dairy company called Lactalis with her two siblings.
The 47-years-old Aerin Lauder is worth $1.85 billion. She is an heiress to the Estée Lauder line. She also has fashion, perfume, cosmetic, and furniture line named AERIN on her own.
The 31-year-old Charlotte Casiraghi has an estimated worth of $5.7 billion. She is the second child of Caroline, Princess of Monaco, and the Italian industrialist Stefano Casiraghi. She ranks eighth in line to the throne of Monaco.
The 26-year-old Perenna Kei has a net worth of $1.3 billion. Kei owns 85% of Logan Property Holdings through a family trust and multiple companies. Logan Property sells the high-end real estate in Shenzhen.
The 45-year-old Sara Blakely is worth $1 billion. She founded the American company Spanx, which makes intimate apparel, pants, and leggings.
The 21-years-old Alexandra Andresen is the youngest female billionaire in the world. She is worth $1.2 billion and is the daughter of Johan H. Andresen Jr, who is Norwegian industrialist and owns Ferd AS. He transferred 80% of his shares from Ferd Holding to his daughters.
The 32-year-old Tamara Ecclestone is worth $3.6 billion. Tamara is the daughter of the billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, who is the chief executive of the Formula One Group.
The 43-year-old Dylan Lauren has a net worth of $4.7 billion. She is the daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Dylan opened her own Dylan's Candy Bar, which is the largest candy shop in the world.
The 40-year-old Yvonne Bauer is worth $2.4 billion. She founded Bauer Media in 1875. She owns 600 magazines, 400 digital productions, and 50 radio and television stations across the world. Yvonne is the fifth generation in her family to run the company.
Laurene Powell Jobs is worth $20.4 billion. She was married to the late Steve Jobs. She founded Emerson Collective, which advocates for policies concerning education and immigration reform, social justice and environmental conservation.
The 37- year-old Ivanka Trump is worth of $3 billion. She is currently the Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at the Trump Organization and was one of the major advisors in his 2016 Election Campaign.
Josie Ho, daughter of Macao casino magnate Stanley Ho, has an estimated worth of $7 billion. Josie became a singer and actor, even starring in some films, which makes her father quite angry. But she still has access to the family fortune.
Alannah Weston is worth $7.9 billion. The Weston family, the second-wealthiest in Canada, was built through a chain of supermarkets and bakeries. She was the creative director for Selfridges, then moved up to the deputy chairman of the Selfridges Group.


text:
Grainger and Watkins make it a hat trick of World Cup wins
British double eye Olympic glory as team records best-ever performance with 11 medals, including four golds, in Lucerne
July 11 2010, 8:01pm, The Sunday Times
Anna Watkins, left, and Katherine Grainger are hoping for Olympic glory (Sigi Tischler)
Katherine Grainger, three times a silver medallist at Olympics, can glimpse gold on the horizon after her and partner Anna Watkins led a British rowing squad to 11 medals on finals day at the World Cup in Lucerne.
Grainger and Watkins delivered two of four golds to ensure Britain completed its best World Cup season at the most competitive of regattas – 900 athletes from 50 nations took part.
The duo delivered delight in the double scull to make it a hat-trick of World Cup victories following success in Munich and Bled. They then joined Beth Rodford and Annabel Vernon in the quadruple scull, beating Ukraine into second place.
Grainger, who won silver at Sydney, Athens and Beijing, can now feel confident of finally ending…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The quirky 'Panapet', produced by Panasonic in 1970 to commemorate the World Expo in Osaka, was a ball-shaped radio that hung on a chain. Two chrome-plated dials on the surface controlled tuning and volume, and the tuning display itself was set into the ball. Initially released as an AM-only radio, customers could choose from red, yellow, white, blue and avocado green versions.
First exhibited at the World Expo in Osaka, the Panapet perfectly captured the playful pop spirit of the early 1970s. With its boldly futuristic spherical design and space age styling, it was an instant hit with the young and youthful-at-heart when it burst onto the scene.


Attentional ability in 19 survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and 19 sibling controls was assessed using a neuropsychological model of attention. Analysis revealed that children who had received treatment for leukaemia exhibited significantly poorer performance on measures of the "focus encode" and "focus execute" elements of attention and on measures of the ability to respond to external cues and feedback. No significant differences in performance were found for measures of sustained attention and the ability to shift attention. These results indicate that children who have received treatment for leukaemia may experience highly specific attentional deficits that could have an impact on academic performance, particularly mathematical and reading skills. It is suggested that this underlying attentional deficit might be the source of the neuropsychological sequelae associated with the disease. Future attempts at remediation should incorporate activities specifically designed to ameliorate focusing difficulties.
Children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may experience intellectual deficits,1 2 and it has become clear that the possibility of cognitive dysfunction among survivors of childhood ALL needs to be investigated.
Early studies tended to concentrate on confirming the existence of neuropsychological sequelae among children treated for ALL.3-5 However, as more evidence emerged it became apparent that particular aspects of cognitive functioning were repeatedly reported as problematic—for example, attentional ability,6-10 memory,10-12 mathematical ability,13-15 abstract reasoning,16 17 and verbal ability.18 19 The underlying source of these deficits remains unclear.
Mirsky et al delineated attention into three elements: focus, sustain, and shift.20 The focus element of attention can be further subdivided into "focus encode" and "focus execute". Focus encode requires the individual to target, recall, and then manipulate information. Focus execute refers to the ability to target information rapidly and efficiently and then make a subsequent response based on that information. The sustain element is the capacity of the individual to maintain focus over a period of time: to maintain alertness or vigilance. Shift refers to the ability of the individual to change the focus of attention in an adaptive and flexible manner. This model of attention was selected for a number of reasons. First, the factorial approach facilitates a systematic approach to the study of attentional ability. Second, the model provides suggestions as to the localisation of function within the brain of the differing attentional factors, which it is hoped will provide insight into the specific nature of any brain damage experienced by these patients. Finally, there is a growing body of evidence that provides empirical support for the model.21-23 However, we acknowledge the theoretical nature of the model and advise caution in the interpretation of our results.
We have attempted to gain an insight into attentional ability among a cohort of children in complete continuous remission from ALL through the adoption of the model of attention described earlier. We used tasks that are believed to yield information regarding the individual elements of attention, with the aim of providing a detailed analysis of attentional ability among this group of patients.
Radiotherapy was always given within three months of diagnosis. Further details are given in table 1.
Table 2 gives details of which tests were used for the various elements of the attentional process.
We used the arithmetic and digit span subtests to examine the focus encode elements of attention. They require sequential registration and mental manipulation of information.
The digit span subtest involved the verbal presentation of lists of up to nine digits at the rate of one digit each second. We asked subjects to recall all of the numbers in the lists either in the order of presentation or in reverse order.
The arithmetic subtest involved verbal presentation of mathematical problems. We asked subjects to calculate the answers to the problems without the use of pen or paper and within a specific time limit.
The speed of information subtest and the coding subtest examine the focus execute element of attention. They require the scanning of stimuli to locate a target efficiently and quickly and then the execution of a rapid skilled manual response.
During the speed of information processing subtest we presented subjects with a booklet containing 10 pages, each displaying three or four rows of numbers. We asked the subjects to draw a line through the largest number in each row as quickly as possible.
The coding subtest required subjects to fill in blank squares with specific symbols as quickly as possible according to the code provided at the top of the page.
All of these tests are commonly used to assess orienting and attentional skills28 and freedom from distractibility,29 and are believed by Mirsky and colleagues20 to be appropriate methods of assessing this aspect of performance.
In their original paper, Mirsky and colleagues20suggest using the continuous performance task (CPT) originally developed by Rosvold and colleagues30 as a measure of sustained attention or vigilance. We used the VIGIL test battery instead of the CPT for a number of reasons. We considered that the age of the participants suggested that a requirement to sustain attention for seven minutes was more appropriate than the lengthier requirements of the CPT (up to 14 minutes). Secondly, VIGIL provides the examiner with substantially more information than the CPT, including information regarding false alarms and omissions. In addition, VIGIL enables the examiner to compare performance across four blocks of trials in terms of reaction time, number of commissions, and number of omissions. Participants cannot detect these four blocks. This information can help to determine any changes in concentration over time and how these changes may affect reaction time, successful detection of target stimuli, and impulsivity. We presented subjects with computer generated letters which flashed on to the screen, with an interstimulus interval of 900 ms. Subjects were required to press the space bar each time they saw the letter "K".
The Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test was used for statistical analysis throughout our study.
The small number of participants in the UKALL VIII group (n = 3) prohibited comparison of the two treatment protocols. However, this was not felt to be of great concern given that all of the participants received the same treatment regimen, which only differed in timing and length of intensification.
There were four measures of the focus element of attention. The arithmetic subtest and digit span subtest of the WISC-R were used to measure focus encode elements, while focus execute elements were measured by means of the coding subtest of the WISC-R and the speed of information processing subtest of the BAS. In light of previous work that has identified deficits in strategic behaviour in children with ALL,32 we predicted that their performance would be poorer than controls on subtests where a strategic approach would be beneficial, such as the arithmetic and digit span tests. Furthermore, Rodgers and colleagues32 found that children treated for ALL exhibited slower speed of information processing than controls and we therefore predicted that their performance would be poorer during the speed of information processing subtest. No predictions were possible for performance during the coding subtest. Therefore, all analyses for the focus elements of attention, except coding, were one tailed.
Table 3 gives the results of the analyses comparing the performance of the ALL group with their siblings during the focus tasks.
The leukaemia group gave a significantly poorer performance than the sibling control group on all measures of the focus element of attention.
Reaction time: the average time from the presentation of a stimulus to the response.
Technical problems resulted in only 16 of the 19 pairs completing this task. All analyses were two tailed. Table 4 gives the results of these analyses.
Further analysis of performance during the VIGIL task was undertaken by analysing the four trial blocks embedded within the task (table 5). There were no significant differences in performance between participants in the leukaemia group and the control group during any aspects of the VIGIL task.
We compared scores of the leukaemia group and their matched sibling controls on measures of the WCST, a measure of the shift element of attention. We standardised all scores according to age appropriate norms, with standard scores having a mean of 100 (SD, 15). All analyses were two tailed, with the exception of the comparison of performance on the conceptual level responses, where we predicted that patients with leukaemia would perform worse than sibling controls because of difficulties with the ability to adopt a strategic approach to problem solving.32 A conceptual level response score was given if three or more responses were given correctly. Table 6gives the results of these analyses.
No significant differences were found between participants in the leukaemia group and their sibling controls on any measure of the WCST.
Four other measures were also yielded from the WCST. All of these measures involved calculating scores and then assigning them to percentile ranges, according to the normative tables (table 7). All analyses were two tailed with the exception of the failure to maintain set category, where we predicted that patients in the leukaemia group would have a significantly poorer performance than sibling controls because of difficulties with appropriate strategy use.32The analysis of results revealed that participants in the leukaemia group found it significantly more difficult to maintain set.
Our results show a deficient ability to focus attention among the patients treated for ALL when compared with sibling controls; this deficit was apparent in both the focus encode and focus execute elements of attentional ability.
Analysis of performance on the VIGIL test of sustained attention indicates that patients in the leukaemia group performed at comparable levels to their siblings.
Analysis of performance on the WCST shows that children in the ALL group were significantly less able to maintain set than their sibling controls. We advise caution when interpreting these results, given that significance is achieved only because the analysis was one tailed. There are a number of possible explanations for this finding. First, failure to maintain set might reflect inability to benefit from positive feedback provided by the examiner. It may be that, as a consequence of deficits in the focus element of attention, particularly the presence of a decreased speed of information processing, children in the ALL group are impaired in their ability to generate appropriate responses based on the feedback provided. This may have resulted in problems understanding the nature of the task—for example, appreciating the requirement to determine the sorting principle in order to complete it. Instead, the subjects in the ALL group appear to see each card as a separate trial and do not use a systematic approach. Alternatively, failure to maintain set might indicate the presence of difficulties sustaining attention or remaining "on task". In this case, if subjects experience difficulties concentrating over time it would detract from their ability to approach this task in the required fashion—that is, in maintaining the necessary information over time to produce a consistent response to subsequent trials. This interpretation should be viewed in light of the findings of the VIGIL task, which indicate no deficits in sustained attention for this group.
Difficulties with focusing attention will have an impact on academic performance, with the child exhibiting a less planned and strategic approach to cognitive tasks. Of the children who participated in our study, half of those in the leukaemia group were receiving extra tuition at school compared with only one tenth of the sibling controls, with two thirds of the children in the leukaemia group described as experiencing specific difficulties at school, compared with one third of sibling controls. Those who were having extra tuition or specific difficulties reported problems in arithmetic, spelling, and reading.
Problems with focusing attention will inhibit the development of automaticity in calculating basic sums, delaying progress in arithmetic skills. Similarly, deficits in the ability to engage in on line planned, strategic, or metacognitive behaviour, which result from focusing problems, will lead to poor performance in more complex mathematical tasks. Spelling difficulties might be attributable to memory impairments. Difficulties with tasks that require memory skills may result from the impact that attentional difficulties have on the developmental course of memory ability. Reading difficulties could also be affected by memory impairments. Difficulty focusing attention may result in a slow and labourious approach to reading.
The potential importance of our results is that a detailed and comprehensive examination of attentional ability among children treated for ALL may yield information that can be used to develop tools of remediation to target their specific needs. Our study indicates that difficulties at school may result from an inability to focus attention. Some attempts have been made to develop programmes of remediation specifically designed to address the patterns of performance in children treated for ALL, with limited success (J Rodgers, PhD thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1992). However, we did not target this specific element of attentional ability. Future attempts at remediation may yield more positive results through the incorporation of activities designed to ameliorate focus difficulties.
All of the children in the ALL group had received 18 Gy CRT and ITMTX as part of their treatment protocol, making it impossible to determine their relative contributions to long term sequelae. Previous studies have attempted to clarify this issue,36-40 but results have been inconclusive. Furthermore, we cannot predict the long term development of the children involved in our study. Attempts to predict cognitive development as a function of time since treatment are inconclusive; some authors suggest a relatively static picture,12 while others suggest a decline in ability.41 Future research should seek answers to these fundamental questions. The introduction of UKALL XI will provide opportunities to determine whether attempts at cognitive intervention should be targeted only at those children who have received radiotherapy, or all children. We believe that until the answers to these questions are forthcoming children who have received treatment for ALL should receive regular intellectual assessments.
(1977) Retrospective study of intellectual development in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Arch Dis Child 52:525–529.
(1986) Intellect after malignancy. Arch Dis Child 61:700–703.
(1978) Intellectual abilities among survivors of childhood leukaemia as a function of CNS irradiation. Arch Dis Child 53:391–395.
(1985) Neuropsychological sequelae of childhood cancer in long-term survivors. Pediatrics 75:745–752.
(1983) The neuropsychological effects of acute lymphocytic leukaemia and its treatment—a three year report: intellectual functioning and academic achievement. Clin Neuropsychol 5:9–13.
(1984) Attentional deficits in long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Am J Ped Hematol Oncol 6:325–336.
(1980) Distractibility and memory deficits in long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Dev Behav Pediatr 1:158–163.
(1984) Cranial irradiation in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia. Am J Dis Child 138:730–736.
(1989) Neuropsychological sequelae of CNS prophylaxis in survivors of childhood ALL. J Consult Clin Psychol 5:251–256.
(1990) Memory and learning sequelae in long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: association with attention deficits. Am J Ped Hematol Oncol 12:174–181.
(1992) Cognitive late effects: ideas for coping: part II. Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Quarterly Newsletter 16:1–2.
(1991) Cognitive function after two doses of cranial irradiation for ALL. Arch Dis Child 66:1245–1246.
(1983) Neuropsychological and neurological functioning of children surviving ALL. Proceedings of the American Society for Clinical Oncology 2:73.
(1984) Neuropsychologic assessment of long-term survivors of childhood leukaemia. Am J Ped Hematol Oncol 6:123–128.
(1988) Cognitive functions and school achievement of children who were treated for ALL at an early age. Tijdschr Kindergeneeskd 56:95–99.
(1987) Intellectual and academic achievement status after CNS relapse: a retrospective analysis of forty children treated for ALL. J Clin Oncol 5:933–940.
(1981) Declines in IQ scores and cognitive dysfunctions in children with acute lymphocytic leukaemia treated with cranial irradiation. Lancet ii:1015–1018.
(1996) Naming performance of brain-injured children. Aphasiology 10:755–766.
(1997) Psykologiskfunksjonsevne hos barn behandlet for akutt lymfatisk leukemi. En fem ars etterundersokelse av tre arskull barn. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 117:2029–2031.
(1991) Analysis of elements of attention: a neuropsychological approach. Neuropsychol Rev 2:109–145.
(1997) A comparison of children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder. Alcoholism Clin Exp Res 21:150–161.
(1994) Empirical evaluation of the factorial structure of attention in adolescent psychiatric patients. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 16:344–353.
(1992) Attention/information processing factors in psychotic disorders: replication and extension of recent neuropsychological findings. J Nerv Ment Dis 180:89–93.
(1974) Weschler intelligence scale for children—revised. (The Psychological Corporation, New York).
(1978) British ability scales. (NFER Nelson Publishing, Windsor, UK).
(1990) VIGIL: a continuous performance test. (Forethought Publishers, New Hampshire, USA).
(1981) Wisconsin card sorting test. (NFER Nelson Publishing, Florida, USA).
(1983) Neuropsychological assessment. (Oxford University Press, New York).
(1979) Intelligent testing with the WISC-R. (John Wiley, New York).
(1956) A continuous performance test of brain damage. Journal of Consulting Psychology 20:343–350.
(1991) Asperger's syndrome: evidence of an empirical distinction from high-functioning autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 32:1107–1122.
(1992) Memory after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Arch Dis Child 67:266–268.
(1994) Metacognitive factors in the visuospatial skills of long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an experimental approach to the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test. Developmental Neuropsychology 10:349–367.
(1994) Prose memory strategies of children treated for leukemia: a story grammar analysis of the Anna Thompson passage. Neuropsychology 8:464–470.
(1992) Neuropsychological diagnostic profiles of children who have received CNS treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the systemic approach to assessment. Developmental Neuropsychology 8:1–28.
(1984) CNS prophylaxis: studies showing impairment in verbal skills and academic achievement. Am J Ped Hematol Oncol 6:183.
(1981) The effects of prophylactic treatment of the CNS on the intellectual functioning of children with ALL. Am J Med 71:47–52.
(1995) Neuropsychological effects of cranial irradiation in young children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia nine moths after diagnosis. Arch Neurol 52:156–160.
(1997) Toxicity of CNS prophylaxis for childhood leukemia. Oncology (Huntingt) 11:259–264.
(1998) A comparative study of the long-term psychosocial functioning of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Survivors treated by intrathecal methotrexate with or without cranial irradiation. Cancer 82:208–218.
(1992) Cognitive status of children treated with central nervous system prophylactic chemotherapy of acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 7:481–497.


It's hard to beat superhero movies that are still just as fun and exciting on the hundredth watch as they were the first! This project is an easy way to create a simple Superhero Patch, perfect for adding some chaotic fun to any backpack, jacket or whatever else your heart desires!
Start out by cutting a 2" circle out of Stitch N Shape and a 2" circle from our Sew Much Cosplay red glitter. Take the Sew Much Cosplay black glitter and cut 2 half circles, approximately an eighth of an inch smaller than your red glitter and Stitch N Shape.
Take your Stitch N Shape circle, shiny side down, and your red glitter shiny side up and fuse by pressing an iron onto your red glitter. It is important to iron pressing down and not pushing the iron back and forth. Press the iron for about 15 seconds.
Extra Tip! Place a sheet of Parchment Paper between the Stitch N Shape and your ironing surface. This will prevent your patch from accidentally fusing to your ironing surface!
Leave to cool, if you move while still hot, the glitter could come away from the Stitch N Shape. Once cooled, peel away the heat-resistant pressing sheet.
Now, grab your 2 half black glitter circles, shiny side up and fuse by pressing an iron onto your black glitter against the shiny side of your red glitter. Again, press the iron and wait until completely cooled to pull away your heat-resistant pressing sheet.
Next, cut out the desired shape of the eyes to fit your black half circles. For our project, we decided to mix it up and cut out "X's" and hearts.
Repeat the exact same process that you used with the red and black glitter. Remember: shiny side up before pressing!
Make your Superhero Patch your own!
Try using different colors and patterns, to truly make this easy project uniquely yours!
You may have heard of RNK Stitch N Shape but may have been curious about what you can actually do with it. We were recently asked to make masks for a charity "masquerade ball". There are so many different ways to make a masquerade mask and several of those ways can result in massive failure. Plus, this request came during our costume prop design sessions for upcoming C2E2 (Comicon) in Chicago. With creative juices flowing at an all-time high, we decided to put in some overtime and crank out a new project!
Like everyone, the first stop on the creation train was Pinterest. After only a few minutes, we found a free mask pattern! Score! The logical next step was to dig through old ribbons, crystals, beads, and trims and got to creating!
The base for these masks is RNK's STITCH N SHAPE – this product is fusible on one side, thick but flexible – a perfect foundation for the masks. Then, it was time to come up with a theme. Initial thoughts, "animalistic" and you can see the other is a "joker" – perfect for these folks! While digging in the scrap bin, we found a scrap of that cool appliqué diamond fabric. It fused to the Stitch N Shape lickity split.
Then it was time to incorporated our fabulous new Heat Transfer Foils/Vinyls available in our new Embellish and Cosplay lines by RNK. These foils/vinyls handle beautifully and even withstood the "shaping" of the Stitch N Shape with the heat gun. Add some crystals, ribbons, feathers and trims – voila! Ready for a fabulous time at the Ball!


Om Namah Shivaya. We turn the spotlight on the various happenings in Shivanandam Nivas, Kangra on this page. This page is updated month-wise, starting February 2018, making it easier for devotees to see the latest events and messages.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra- June 2019 has been announced !!!
The following are some of the upcoming events at a glance.
To read about the Divine Advent Day in 2018, please click here.
To read about the Maha Shivarathri celebrations in 2018, please click here.
Shivanandam Healing : As per Babaji's instruction, a new page called "Shivanandam healing" has been added to the website.
A new stotram by an ardent devotee "Bhagavan Shivananda Sharanam" has been added to the website.
1. Durga Pooja was celebrated in a very auspicious manner in Shivanandam Nivas in a traditional Bengali manner with havan, puja, arthi and visarjan.
1. Babaji's birthday was celebrated at Shivanandam Nivas in a simple ceremony with cake-cutting and bhajans.
2. Babaji has started the process of making idols for Durga Pooja.
3. Aug16 Diksha discourse and videos are now available.
1. The 3rd Guru Diksha event was celebrated at Malagar valley in Karnataka. Click here for more details.
2. Click here to read the latest devotee experience.
3. Don't forget to subscribe to our You Tube channel. Existing users please note, there has been an change and you may need to re-subscribe.
1. The 11th annual Shrikhan Mahadev yatra: This year too, the Sai Mangalam group of devotees assembled at Shivanandam Nivas, Kangra and in the divine company of Sri Shivananda, embarked on the 11th annual pilgrimage to the Shrikhand Mahadev peak. The trek followed the path from the Nirmand – Joan village, a trek of 70 kms through Himalayan mountains, glaciers and the rivers to the Shrikhand Mahadev peak. To read more, please click here.
2. Guru Poornima is being celebrated on 27 July, all are welcome.
3. चलते रहो - Babaji's latest poem(composition), with English translation.
4. Daily Inspirations - A new series that will include a compilation of daily messages from Babaji in Hindi, followed by the English & Spanish translations.
1. June15, 2018 was celebrated at Shivanandam Nivas in a simple, solemn, serene ceremony. As per Swami's Mahashivratri message, the members of the Sai Mangalam group gathered for Guru Diksha. To read more, please click here.
2. Spanish translation of Babaji's messages are now available on the website, courtesy Susy Toth.
1. April 14, 2018 was celebrated at Shivanandam Nivas in a simple, solemn, serene ceremony. As per Swami's Mahashivratri message, the members of the Sai Mangalam group gathered for Avatar Declaration and Guru Diksha. To read more, please click here.
2. Bhajans from Shivanandam Nivas, are now available on Sound Cloud, please check our Sound Cloud channel.
3. All messages from Sri Shivananda and Swami are now available @ The Wisdom Series.
4. The Mantras, Music and Miracles page is updated regularly with Devotee experiences, Bhajans and mantras.
Feb 2018 was an exciting month with two major celebrations @ Shivanandam Nivas, Kangra - The Divine Advent day on 10 Feb and Maha Shivarathri on 13 Feb.
The Divine Advent Day, 10 Feb is a cornerstone event for the Sai Mangalam group of devotees. To read, Bhagawan's message that appeared on this day in the Sai Mandir, click here.
Maha Shivarathri was celebrated in an auspicious manner at the Sai Mandir and Hiranyagarba lingams manifested at the Kangra Sai Mandir. Click here to read more.
Bhajans on Sri Shivananda: Sripad Kalyani has composed bhajans on Sri Shivananda and the text is now available in the Shivananda Bhajan's page.
Devotees continued to share their experiences on the website, click here to see the latest updates to this section.


What is fractional ownership and why do people become members of this holiday ownership system?
All timeshare owners have to pay annual maintenance fees, but what can you do if they spiral out of control?
Why Don't Timeshare Resales Work?


text:
Le théâtre et la danse au Cambodge
by George Groslier
Publication: Conférence devant les Amis de l´Université de la Sorbonne, Paris
Tags: dancers, choreography, Cambodian Royal Ballet
Since the very first European performance of the Cambodian Royal Ballet during King Sisowath's official visit to France (1906), the Western world had been in awe with the Khmer dancers, the rituals and symbolism of a timeless art.
In this conference, George Groslier, the first non-Cambodian observer allowed to witness, photograph and draw the Royal Ballet during rehearsals, talks with passion and wit about an art form so mysterious to Westerners and even to Cambodian commoners of those times.
"Vous avez vu, cinq heures durant, une vingtaine de jeunes femmes [incarnant] princes, princesses, géants, suivantes, guerriers, parées de vêtements et de bijoux aux formes séculaires, courant, aimant, adorant, combattant, passant des cieux à la terre, remplies de toutes les passions humaines et détentrices de toutes les puissances divines (...) Vous avez suivi un millier de poses agencées d'avance, dont chacune porte un nom et qui s'adaptaient comme dans autant d'empreintes conservées par une atmosphère historique." (Excerpt)
Main illustration: Photo by George Groslier.
George Groslier
George Groslier (4 Feb. 1887, Phnom Penh-16 June 1945, Phnom Penh), the first child with French citizenship born in modern Cambodia, artist, novelist, historian, archaeologist, ethnologist, architect, photographer, founder and curator of the National Museum of Cambodia, was the ultimate "Cambodian scholar".
While organizing the School of Cambodian Arts (nowadays the Royal University of Fine Arts) in the 1920s, he has extensively portrayed and studied the country, its people and its traditions, in his writings, paintings and erudite communications. He founded the Phnom Penh Albert Sarraut Museum in 1919, later to become the Cambodia National Museum. Groslier's wife, Suzanne Poujade (1893-1970), was a niece of Albert Sarraut, former Governor-General of Indochina and then French Minister of the Colonies and future Prime Minister.
George Groslier died prisoner in a Japanese concentration camp when Japan -- although formerly an ally of Petain's French government -- occupied vast swaths of South East Asia. With Suzanne Poujade, he had three children, Nicole, Gilbert and Bernard-Philippe, the latter following his father's steps and becoming an eminent researcher in Cambodian archaelogy and history.
Four of his major books -- Cambodian Dancers, Ancient & Modern; In the Shadow of Angkor, Unknown Temples of Ancient Cambodia; Return to Clay, A Romance of Cambodia and Road of the Strong, A Romance of Cambodia -- have been translated into English and published by DatAsia Press.
Read here about the Rue Groslier (Groslier Street) in Phnom Penh (access to National Museum).
George Groslier portrayed in 1913 in the George Groslier portrayed in 1913 in the French journal Femina
Suzanne Poujade and two of Groslier's three children in the 1920s (EFEO)


text:
Coincidence? 10 happiest American cities that are also among the gayest
By Tony Taylor February 6, 2018 at 3:02pm
The happiest cities in America offer more than an active nightlife and towering loft apartments. Qualities of place, community, and opportunity are some key factors when determining if its citizenry is actually enjoying life.
So it's no surprise that San Francisco has the highest percentage of LGBTQ-identifying adults — and that it also lands on the Top 10 list of happy metro areas complied by Gallup.
Based on the Gallup study, we put together a list of the happiest gay cities both for locals and visitors.
The study's criteria for a "happy life" include healthy eating, learning something new every day, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups. Great gay communities count, too.
Check out where you favorite city ranks on the list and make that reservation now.
10. Austin, Texas
Austin is a blue dot in a red state, and in the music capitol, hippie roots remain. Gays who flock to Austin love the friendly vibes and outdoor lifestyle of camping, hiking, swimming at the springs, and rock climbing.
9. Portland, Maine
Positive attitudes about LGBTQ residents are one reason for an uptick in overall satisfaction, along with natural beauty (see photo!), environmental quality, and high-tech innovation.
8. San Diego, California
While four percent of San Diego residents identify as LGBTQ, the city has strong gay leadership among elected officials, as well as a community that strives for civil rights and an environment of equality.
7. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Based on the number of dating site profiles, the number of gay elected officials, lesbian bars, gay-friendly congregations, and gay-friendly business listings, Minneapolis is pretty darn gay.
6. Washington DC
The Nation's Capitol has the highest percentage of LGBTQ-identifying adults in America — 10 percent — and also has a high percentage of same-sex couple households with four percent.
5. San Francisco, California
As the international gay capitol of the world, and the birthplace of the rainbow flag, it's no surprise to see San Francisco on this list.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Same-sex marriage began in Honolulu and is a top gay travel destination with an active nightlife scene and multiple nude beaches, including the "unofficial" nude beach, Diamond Head. Go figure.
3. Naples, Florida
Tiny little Naples is home to some LGBTQ folks and families. While it's not an in-your-face gay mecca, the beach town is welcoming and even has a gay restaurant and hang-out, Bambusa Bar and Grill.
2. Anchorage, Alaska
America's largest state has a little gay enclave. The Anchorage Transgender Community (ATC) hosts weekly meetings and in 2014, gay marriage became legal.
1. San Jose, California
Home to Silicon Valley and technology companies, San Jose actually has one of the lowest percentages of LGBTQ population. But as this is the happiest city in America, those who are there seem to be literally gay.
Alaska anchorage Austin california florida Happiness Hawaii Honolulu Maine Minneapolis minnesota Naples OR Portland, OR San Diego San Francisco San Jose Texas Washington DC


A general introduction to who you are is a good start, ya know?
Good idea! Well I'm from Melbourne, born and raised, and I'm hoping to make a career out of what I love the most – writing. I'm currently working on a dark fantasy series involving a war between celestial beings and vampires.
Oh God no! Don't tell me we're going to be seeing more sparkly vamps and werewolves full of teen angst!
Next Post: Three Line Tales: Up, Up, and Away!


text:
The group of 10 Nepalis was the only successful team so far among dozens currently attempting to scale the mountain.
Pfizer and BioNTech said they will limit the delays of their vaccine deliveries to just one week, after fears in Europe that shipments of the jabs could be slowed for up to a month.
Uganda's Yoweri Museveni looked headed for a sixth term as president with election results Saturday placing him firmly ahead of his main rival, who has cried fraud and whose home has been put under heavy guard.
DJ Fresh and Euphonik 'step down' from their roles at 947
US President-Elect Biden Starts New Twitter Account, Criticizes Policy on POTUS Account
"This will be the account for my official duties as President," tweeted U.S. president-elect Joe Biden on Thursday — but from a new account at @PresElectBiden (which will transition to @POTUS after Wednesday's inauguration). But Bloomberg reports Biden is still "clashing with the social media company over its decision to deny the incoming administration millions of existing White House...
Your internal monologue shapes mental wellbeing, says psychologist Ethan Kross. He has the tools to improve your mind's backchat
As Ethan Kross, an American experimental psychologist and neuroscientist, will cheerfully testify, the person who doesn't sometimes find themselves listening to an unhelpful voice in their head probably doesn't exist. Ten years ago, Kross found himself sitting up...
Last week Cory Doctorow shared his own answer for what Apple and Google should've done about Parler:They should remove it, and tell users, "We removed Parler because we think it is a politically odious attempt to foment violence. Our judgment is subjective and may be wielded against others in future. If you don't like our judgment, you shouldn't use our app store." I'm 100% OK with that: first,...


Recent Idaho law amendments provide income tax rate reductions and amend IRC conformity has been added to your bookmarks.
Recent Idaho law amendments provide income tax rate reductions and amend IRC conformity has been removed from your bookmarks.
This tax alert summarizes the more significant Idaho tax law changes contained in the various bills.
In response to the federal tax reform provisions of the 2017 Tax Act,1 Idaho has enacted legislation over the last several months that reduces income tax rates, amends Idaho's conformity to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) relative to the deemed repatriation provisions of IRC Section 965 and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), and amends certain add-back provisions effectively disconnecting Idaho from specific federal provisions.
As noted above, Idaho's updated conformity to the IRC applies for both corporate and individual income tax purposes.13 Accordingly, Idaho individual income taxpayers recognizing deemed repatriation income as result of IRC Section 965 (as well as the other changes imposed by federal tax reform discussed below) may be impacted. Significantly, Idaho does not provide an exclusion for foreign dividends for individual income tax purposes14 which may result in a more unfavorable result for individual taxpayers as compared to corporate taxpayers.
Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, H046315 also updated Idaho's corporate and individual tax conformity to the IRC as amended and in effect on January 1, 2018.
Retains decoupling from bonus depreciation and Net Operating Loss (NOL) provisions. Idaho law retains the current Idaho tax law provision decoupling from IRC Section 168(k).18 Under the amended IRC Section 168(k), taxpayers are allowed to fully deduct the costs of certain assets in determining federal taxable income for the year that those assets are placed in service for property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023. Because Idaho has historically decoupled from federal bonus depreciation provisions, the mechanics of Idaho depreciation is unchanged.
Taxpayers potentially impacted by the enactment of these recent Idaho tax laws in response to federal tax reform should consult with their Idaho tax advisors for further assistance.
2 Legislature of the State of Idaho, Sixty-fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session – 2018. A copy of HO463.
5 H0463, Section 6 and H0675, Section 2.
6 Legislature of the State of Idaho, Sixty-fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session – 2018. A copy of HO355.
7 The legislative text pertaining to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 is found in HB 624 (H0624), enacted on March 20, 2018. A copy of O624.
9 Changes for 2017 Idaho income tax returns. https://tax.idaho.gov/n-feed.cfm?idd=4169.
10 Idaho Code § 63-3027C(c).
13 Idaho Code § 63-3004(a).
14 See Idaho Code § 63-3022(f); Idaho Admin. Code R. 35.01.01.120 (providing for subtractions from Idaho individual income tax; no foreign dividend exclusion provided).
15 H0463, supra Note 2.
18 Idaho Code § 63-3022O.
19 H0355 Section 2 & H0463 Section 3.
20 Idaho Code § 63-3022(c).


text:
Travesty Of A Mockery
By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 06:45:08 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! Tweet
Through no fault of his own, President Obama is obliged to participate in a travesty of a mockery:
Nine days after announcing a major intensification of the war in Afghanistan, President Obama arrived at Norway's City Hall Thursday to formally accept the Nobel Peace Prize during a series of events to commemorate the award created 108 years ago by Alfred Nobel. "The goal is not to win a popularity contest or to get an award — even one as esteemed as the Nobel Peace Prize," Mr. Obama said, when asked by a reporter here whether he believed his honor was premature. "The goal is to advance American interests, make ourselves a continuing force for good in the world — something that we have been for decades now."
He added, "And If I'm successful in those tasks, then hopefully some of the criticism will subside, but that's not really my concern. And if I'm not successful, then all the praise and the awards in the world won't disguise that fact." Mr. Obama flew here overnight from Washington with his wife, Michelle, and a small group of friends and relatives.
(Emphasis supplied.) What can President Obama do? The fools on the Nobel Committee have caused this travesty, not Obama. It is their fault, not Obama's. His statement was just right imo. Hopefully it makes it into his speech.
Speaking for me only
< Wednesday Afternoon Open Thread | When To Agitate, When to Vote >
The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news
Home | About | RSS
E-Mail | Comment Policy |
Make a new account
Creator and Principal Author
Jeralyn E. Merritt
TL Alumni
Armando Llorens
T. Christopher Kelly
John Wesley Hall
Contribute To TalkLeft
Blog Related
Crime in the News
Crime Policy
Terror Detainees
Democratic National Convention 2008
Stored Documents
"El Chapo" Trial
Inmates and Prisons
Innocence Cases
Law Related
Lewis Libby Trial Coverage
Military Draft
Older Categories
Other Politics
Talkleft Premium
Terror Trials
Valerie Plame Leak Case
TalkLeft Graphics by C.L., Our Man in Hollywood (2006 - 2008)
TalkLeft Header Graphic by Monk
Powered by Scoop
All Content Copyright ©2002-2021. Reprints only by permission from TalkLeft.com
Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.
TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.
"The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles"
© 1965 Bob Dylan
Display: Threaded Minimal Nested Flat Flat Unthreaded Sort: Unrated, then Highest Highest Rated First Lowest Rated First Ignore Ratings Newest First Oldest First
Travesty Of A Mockery | 71 comments (71 topical)
Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment
It depends on who he's trying to impress (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Slado on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:25:07 AM EST
I think he is confident he could quiet his domestic critics but was worried he'd offend internationals by not taking the prize as he fights the war in Afghanistan, tries to make them happy in Copenhagen etc... etc...
He took this award for international reasons. If he'd have purely thought about it in terms of domestic politics he'd have declined it.
I'm no fan of Obama but I'm smart enough to know he didn't want this award and felt he had to make the most of a bad situation.
Good perspective (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by ruffian on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:40:27 AM EST
I have to resist the temptation to want to avoid an unnecessary domestic political sh*tstorm. I forget about the damage overseas that needs to be repaired.
Obama should've turned it down (5.00 / 2) (#45)
by Dadler on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 09:23:34 AM EST
Period. End of story. But that would've required being a real man. Not the cardboard cutout he is. The Nobel Committee were idiots here, Obama a vain man incapable of not accepting something he KNEW he neither deserved nor SHOULD be accepting. But the speech and the setting are just too much for him to pass up.
F's to all involved.
A bad and sad Nobel speech. (5.00 / 1) (#62)
by KeysDan on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 11:59:53 AM EST
The mistake of the Nobel Committee was rivaled by my disappointment of the acceptance lecture. President Obama, in my view, not only missed the opportunity to speak to the Committee's aspirations for peace, but also, cloaked himself with defensiveness and placed a belligerent thumb in their Nordic blue eyes. The president's address, on the one hand, acknowledged Ghandi and King, but on the other, seemed to dismiss continued relevance of their tactics.. The speech, in effect, redesigned the great seal of America by re-directing the bald eagle's head from the olive branch to the arrows. Of course, as "head of state" he is constitutionally charged to protect and defend America, but its purpose here and its reiteration seemed calculated to play down any charges of dovishness. The president tried to distance himself with statements such as "instruments of war have a role"and proclaimed moral justification for war, without seriously presenting other tactics that may avoid war. A bright spot was his reference to Henry Dunant, the Red Cross and Geneva Conventions, only to be dimmed by the fact of his administration's defense of John Yoo's advise and counsel.
He pointed out quite honestly (none / 0) (#67)
by Socraticsilence on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 03:59:21 PM EST
that a President can't embrace the tactics of passive resistance as tools of Foriegn Policy- I mean really would a sit- in have stopped Hitler in 1944?
Passive resistance tactics are never a tool (none / 0) (#70)
by KeysDan on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 04:34:43 PM EST
of foreign policy? See Ronald Reagan, Iran/Contra hostages for tow missiles (with a huge mark-up), along with Ollie North's trip to the Ayatollahs with a nice cake and a bible (although the Koran might have been better). However, the speech seemed to brush off Martin Luther King's "violence never brings permanent peace" with the base human necessity for war and pontificating about the moral justification of war. In 1944, a sit-in would probably not be effective against Hitler's panzer divisions, it is true. But, Obama could have touched on the aspirational issues to advance peace. Maybe, something like, give peace a chance. For example,, if the Treaty of Versailles had been less vindictive, if the League of Nations was implemented, if there had been a movement of reconstruction, such as a pre-Marshall plan, maybe even a sit-in during the 1920's, the situation might have been different in 1944. But then, what did King and Ghandi accomplish with their tactics anyhow?
"Through no fault of his own" (none / 0) (#1)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 06:56:18 AM EST
True - he didn't vote for himself. But he chose to accept the award, even though it's ridiculous that he won it.
At least he acknowledged that it was kind of a joke:
"And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage."
Text of his speech (none / 0) (#2)
We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.
I make this statement mindful of what Martin Luther King said in this same ceremony years ago - "Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones." As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life's work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak -nothing passive - nothing naïve - in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.
But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by....
.... their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism - it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.
I raise this point because in many countries there is a deep ambivalence about military action today, no matter the cause. At times, this is joined by a reflexive suspicion of America, the world's sole military superpower.
Yet the world must remember that it was not simply international institutions - not just treaties and declarations - that brought stability to a post-World War II world. Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms.
The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest - because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples' children and grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity.
So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another - that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier's courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such.
So part of our challenge is reconciling these two seemingly irreconcilable truths - that war is sometimes necessary, and war is at some level an expression of human feelings. Concretely, we must direct our effort to the task that President Kennedy called for long ago. "Let us focus," he said, "on a more practical, more attainable peace, based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions."
What might this evolution look like? What might these practical steps be?
To begin with, I believe that all nations - strong and weak alike - must adhere to standards that govern the use of force. I - like any head of state - reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation. Nevertheless, I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates - and weakens - those who don't.
The world rallied around America after the 9/11 attacks, and continues to support our efforts in Afghanistan, because of the horror of those senseless attacks and the recognized principle of self-defense. Likewise, the world recognized the need to confront Saddam Hussein when he invaded Kuwait - a consensus that sent a clear message to all about the cost of aggression.
Furthermore, America cannot insist that others follow the rules of the road if we refuse to follow them ourselves. For when we don't, our action can appear arbitrary, and undercut the legitimacy of future intervention - no matter how justified.
This becomes particularly important when the purpose of military action extends beyond self defense or the defense of one nation against an aggressor. More and more, we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war whose violence and suffering can engulf an entire region.
I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds, as it was in the Balkans, or in other places that have been scarred by war. Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later. That is why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace.
America's commitment to global security will never waiver. But in a world in which threats are more diffuse, and missions more complex, America cannot act alone. This is true in Afghanistan. This is true in failed states like Somalia, where terrorism and piracy is joined by famine and human suffering. And sadly, it will continue to be true in unstable regions for years to come.
The leaders and soldiers of NATO countries - and other friends and allies - demonstrate this truth through the capacity and courage they have shown in Afghanistan. But in many countries, there is a disconnect between the efforts of those who serve and the ambivalence of the broader public. I understand why war is not popular. But I also know this: the belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice.
That is why NATO continues to be indispensable. That is why we must strengthen UN and regional peacekeeping, and not leave the task to a few countries. That is why we honor those who return home from peacekeeping and training abroad to Oslo and Rome; to Ottawa and Sydney; to Dhaka and Kigali - we honor them not as makers of war, but as wagers of peace.
Let me make one final point about the use of force. Even as we make difficult decisions about going to war, we must also think clearly about how we fight it. The Nobel Committee recognized this truth in awarding its first prize for peace to Henry Dunant - the founder of the Red Cross, and a driving force behind the Geneva Conventions.
Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength.
He's right (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 07:33:29 AM EST
And that is why as Commander in Chief of the US armed forces engaged in 2 wars, the awarding him of the Nobel Peace Prize is a travesty.
Indeed, I find the whole idea of an "aspirational" ward to be offensive. The Nobel Committee THOUGHT it could keep a President of the United States from doing his constitutional duty as he saw it by giving him a prize? That is offensive.
The more I think about it, the worse I think of it.
I am glad you said (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by prittfumes on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 11:14:38 AM EST
"Commander in Chief of the US armed forces."
Maybe it's splitting hairs, but I wish the greatest orator in the civilized world would be more specific instead of saying stuff like:
But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars.
(emphasis added)
As far as I am concerned, this man is not my commander, chief or otherwise.
And you would be correct (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by jbindc on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 01:25:10 PM EST
Glenn Greenwald said it best:
If I could be granted one small wish about our political discourse, it would be that reporters and pundits would accept -- as disappointing and unglorious as it is -- that, under our Constitution and basic government design, people who aren't in the military don't have a "Commander-in-Chief." The President isn't your "commander," and the "Commander-in-Chief" power, now synonymous in our political culture with "President," is actually extremely limited (Art. II, Sec. 2: "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States").
Thanks. (none / 0) (#66)
by prittfumes on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 01:43:36 PM EST
And their idea that this president would (none / 0) (#9)
be more receptive to such an aspirational award than say, GWB would have been, just makes it even more insulting, and hurts the very cause they are trying to promote.
It's a travesty (none / 0) (#13)
I can not think of a better word to describe it.
It is the perfect word (none / 0) (#14)
and the prize has lost whatever meaning it had for me, after seeing it used as an attempt at manipulation.
Do we know their intentions (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:28:22 AM EST
in awarding it or are we just making assumptions? A more benign view would be that they awarded it out of hope that he would generally ratchet down the tensions created by Little Georgie's cowboy version of "diplomacy" worldwide, which he was pretty much guaranteed to do.
I rather suspect if they could have awarded it to the American voters for picking Obama and not Mr. Belligerent McCain, they would have.
I take it more as the expression of a huge worldwide sigh of relief than as an actual attempt to manipulate.
(I agree, btw, they should not have done it, but I'm just dubious that a half dozen Norwegian legislators were so deluded as to think they could actually manipulate a U.S. president's defense policy, or that of any other major head of state, by doing this.)
I think the point is (5.00 / 1) (#32)
Historically, the prize was given for actual work done in the name of peace - not what the Committee would "hope" someone would do. In fact:
On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".
I thought that way at first (5.00 / 2) (#37)
and it is a fine line. I read a lot of reactions like this that made me think it was tending toward the manipulative side.
The committee wanted to be "far more daring" than in recent times and make an impact on global politics, said Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the International Peace Research Institute
That is their right of course - I'm sure I would prefer their impact on global politics more than Dick Cheney's. But maybe they should register as a PAC.
My students want aspirational awards! (none / 0) (#63)
by Cream City on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 01:15:32 PM EST
Okay, A's to all of them, no final exams needed, because they aspired to know American history.
Whew, that just freed up the next few weeks of my life, too. No grading needed, no inputting needed (multiply 250 students times all the clicks and ticks and sends and resends and really, really resends to confirm grades, sigh).
I like this system. Thanks, Obama. Aspire on!
There's a lot more (none / 0) (#3)
But it was too much to post here.
Well (none / 0) (#33)
by Steve M on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:37:41 AM EST
Personally I cannot find much to disagree with there.
He almost makes it sound like... (none / 0) (#60)
by kdog on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 10:32:52 AM EST
America is being bombed and attacked daily or something...I guess I just have a very different definition of "grave threat" and "self defense"...and no concept of "occupy for peace".
When is the speech? (none / 0) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 07:30:47 AM EST
I'm watching the af/pak discussions on cspan, only because Josh is still asleep.
He already gave it (none / 0) (#6)
I'll have to watch it when I get home (none / 0) (#7)
I just saw a blurb on cnn
Good speech in my opinion. (none / 0) (#8)
by Addison on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:00:21 AM EST
It's a JFK "strong America" speech. At times it drifted a little, or repeated itself, but over all I liked it (I read it, didn't see/hear it).
by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:07:53 AM EST
I partially agree with you. He certainly didn't give himself the Nobel but he is responsible for how he handled it. He should have followed your advice and just not taken it. Why is even showing up and giving a speech? Yes, it is a travesty but why participate in the travesty if you dont have to?
I really don't think (none / 0) (#11)
in hindsight, that he had a choice. Not taking it would not have made things better.
I think he did the best he could do with the situation, as far as I can tell.
Easy for me on blog to say 'don't take it.' Hell, he is getting crap for not fully participating in the festivities in Norway.
I think he handled it as best it could be handled.
If (5.00 / 1) (#15)
you're getting crap for not fully participating then why not just take the full crap and forget about it. I think he had the choice of not taking it but his ego got in the way of that one and now he's once again, trying to split the difference but making himself look silly in the end.
Well (5.00 / 2) (#17)
I agree that not taking it would not have made things better but he wouldnt at least look silly and foolish like he does now.
And how does that advance our interests? (none / 0) (#30)
by Cream City on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:35:39 AM EST
Ah, but the world knew that about us already. . . .
I felt that way too (none / 0) (#12)
but then I realized it would be like asking my dog not to eat an offered second bowl of breakfast.
LOL (5.00 / 1) (#16)
Funny but unfortunately true.
by lilburro on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:21:06 AM EST
he made a speech about why he is escalating in Afghanistan, basically. I think it's a travesty for the Committee and the future of the award, but in terms of having a platform to make a speech about an international action - what could be better?
I thought the section on human rights was good.
If he needed (5.00 / 1) (#19)
to make that kind of speech then he should go to to UN to make it. He looks foolish showing up and making that kind of speech there.
I can't argue with that. Although I do think the Committee looks way more foolish than Obama does.
Of course (5.00 / 1) (#26)
Not really... (none / 0) (#23)
...they give the prize for them for their own personal political reasons. He uses the forum for his. Fair trade off in a stupid situation. Obama -- as an American president in today's context -- used the forum pretty masterfully, in my opinion. After reading the speech (I assume you've already done so) not quite sure what there is to gripe about except for what's already decided and past, the window-dressing, and the gossipy bits.
He (none / 0) (#27)
looks like he's trying to explain himself to them in the speech. He would have been better just making this speech somewhere else IMO.
"Goal is to advance American interests" (5.00 / 3) (#28)
hardly is in alignment with the award's goal of international peace, it would seem. So Obama really has participated in a travesty of a mockery of the peace movement. What a way to start my day, but he seems to be having a nice one.
I do give him kudos for using the forum (none / 0) (#20)
well, but I still wish the whole thing had never happened. He would have had no problem finding a different forum for this speech.
Hmm, what would President Cheney do? (none / 0) (#71)
by beowulf on Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 12:06:03 AM EST
The very morning of the announcement he'd won, President Richard Bruce Cheney would have called in the Norwegian ambassador and told him that not only did he decline his award and offer of large sums of currency but that the United States Government was forthwith declaring the ambassador personal non grata, and must leave immediately
Simultaneously, his (our) Ambassador to Norway would insist on an audience with the KIng to inform him he'd been summoned home, but he had the President's assurance him that the Norwegian cabinet and Royal Family would very likely be taken off the US no-fly list-- as soon as the entire Norwegian Nobel Committee resigned (those sad sacks, of course, would never get off the no-fly list or past a US Customs station).
I dare say that approach would garner more public support than Obama's sheepish acceptance. It was Cheney-level boorish for the Committee to have publicly announced Obama's award without, at the very least, inquiring of our Embassy in Oslo if the President had any objections to receiving their award and large check. For Uncle Sam, in turn, to award them no fly list status would serve them right. :o)
And of course (none / 0) (#24)
always an homage to him:
Well, he is a past winner (5.00 / 1) (#29)
and the foremost American advocate of non-violence. Entirely appropriate.
I know some will take issue (none / 0) (#31)
with "foremost" but you know what I mean. In his day, he certainly was.
The commenter... (5.00 / 2) (#36)
...was implying that when Obama referenced Dr King's work on civil rights -- the result of that work being that blacks had a greater voice in American society -- as impacting his own life, Obama was giving an homage to himself. Seems sort of a petty thing to bother with, but that's what the commenter was talking about.
Obam can't ever (none / 0) (#40)
give a speech without doing it.
Personally (5.00 / 2) (#41)
I see it as humble to acknowledge that you stand on the shoulders of giants.
Obama (none / 0) (#47)
and humble are never two words that are used in the same sentence.
Heh (5.00 / 2) (#59)
Well, if you come into it with a preconception that Obama is unfailingly arrogant, then I suppose I'm not surprised you managed to detect arrogance in this particular speech.
No, I meant (none / 0) (#35)
Obama always seems to get an homage to himself in every speech. I have no problem with the King reference - but it always comes back to Obama. Now, I understand that he won the prize, so I guess it IS about him, but it's just an annoying habit of his.
He is the first African-American president (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by Lacey on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 08:56:53 AM EST
So I think when discussing King's life's work, he would be remiss in not stating that he would not be president if it was not for the struggle of King and many others. Seems to be a petty point to make.
Good grief (5.00 / 1) (#58)
This is getting ridiculous. I'm no Obama fan, but how in God's name does acknowledging that but for King, he would not be where he is constitute an "homage" to himself?
Sorry, I misunderstood. (none / 0) (#38)
It is what it is (5.00 / 2) (#42)
by CST on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 09:06:58 AM EST
It's a little rediculous to ignore the fact that he is the first black president - and that would never have happened if not for the work of Dr. King.
It's acknowledging the result of these men's work - and he is the result. It might not seem like that big a deal to you, but the fact is, it is actually a very big deal. Just as electing Hillary as the first female president would have been a very big deal. And I would have expected her to acknowledge that fact every once in a while.
Considering the civil rights movement was led by a man who promoted non-violence, and he's accepting a peace prize, I find it entirely appropriate.
Do other countries (5.00 / 2) (#44)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 09:22:39 AM EST
who have other than a middle-aged male from their majority race dedicate the entire reign to the people needing to draw attention to it?
I'm not really sure (5.00 / 2) (#46)
what you're talking about. This doesn't make sense to me "dedicate the entire reign to the people needing to draw attention to it" as a sentance.
I do know that no other country has our history, or our stature and prominence. It's silly to pretend that being elected the president of another country is the same as being elected the president of the U.S. The whole world watches us in a way that no other country is watched. And frankly, some of them have much better histories regarding elections of people who aren't middle-aged men from the majority race than we do - so it's not quite as big a deal. And in other countries, electing a middle-aged man from the majority race is a big deal (Nelson Mandela). I think you are trying to compare apples to oranges here.
Finally, it's not like he spent the whole speech talking about this. He gave a quick acknowledgement and moved on.
Why people are complaining (5.00 / 1) (#48)
about this is absolutely beyond me.
I know there is nothing weak -nothing passive - nothing naïve - in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.
This is certainly true and one of the most peace-related thing he said in the entire speech.
I think (5.00 / 1) (#50)
they are complaining about this:
"As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life's work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence"
which I don't get... since it's also true.
oh sorry (5.00 / 1) (#52)
didn't write that comment well. I meant why are people complaining about the whole MLK reference in general. What you cite is true too. Obama is a living testament to the work of MLK. This is a good thing.
My point was (5.00 / 2) (#53)
He does this in every single speech he gives. We got it - it's transformational - he's the first black presdient - we are a good country now that we have done this. Can we please move on to something of substance now and stop talking about the wonderfulness that is Obma?
You are so right! (4.25 / 4) (#54)
Look how many times he referenced MLK in his health care speech! It's just ridiculous! <snark>
Deliberately missing the point again (none / 0) (#56)
I'm not talking about MLK (but you know that). I will let you ramble on about things not related to the actual topic that I was discussing.
so nice of you! (none / 0) (#57)
and I will let you ignore the fact that the health care speech is a policy speech and does not include any of the "homage to self" rhetoric you claim all his speeches have and indeed ends with:
But that's not what the moment calls for. That's not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it's hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history's test.
Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Yeah this speech was so arrogant (none / 0) (#68)
seriously, what do you want him to do- what exactly did he say that was so bad this time injbindc's house o' crazy?
From a war president, that phrase (none / 0) (#64)
doesn't sound jarring? Just downright weird?
MLK was antiwar. . . .
Our stature and prominence (none / 0) (#51)
Wow....that's the Ugly American image.
You've never been outside the boundaries, have you?
The celebration over his half blackness was conducted on election day. It's lost it's luster and now he needs to depend on his decisions for his legacy.
I most certainly (5.00 / 2) (#55)
Have been out of this country. Which is how I know we are watched.
Whether we are doing good things or bad things, we are constantly in the international public eye in a way that no other country is. And personally, I think it's silly to pretend that we aren't.
There's a difference between a celebration and an acknowledgement.
What a suprise (none / 0) (#69)
InspectorHater didn't like it- I'm shocked! Shocked! I tell you.
Toys 4 Tots is getting more news time (none / 0) (#43)
here than today's travesty. He barely got mention on the morning news, but they did focus on Michelle's furroughed brow while she and their friends and family looked on.
I continue to believe that the Nobel committee gave him this consolation prize simply because they were unable to make him their President.
The travesty will escalate through the years right along with his handling and escalating of the wars in the Middle East. In the months since the announcement, what movement has he made toward aspiring to live up to the honor?
wait (none / 0) (#49)
by Capt Howdy on Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 09:36:14 AM EST
Norway has a city hall?


Meat Katie: Destinations Australia 02 While I should be sacked for taking the longest time ever to turn out a CD review I have two excuses. One, I moved house and there's nothing like a move to throw your life into chaos! Two, this CD got stuck in my walkman on endless repeat and I was too happy bouncing to it as I walked down the street to hit the keys when time permitted. Lame excuses I know, unless you know that feeling of hitting a groove, grinning with delight, and then greedily craving more of the same.
Meat Katie's Destination Australia 02 CD opens with the catchy DJ Shadow track "GDMSOB". From there we're warmed up with a bouncing bassline to take a tech house turn with Gus Gus, signaling that this is Meat Katie territory and you're going to get a CD that crosses sounds. It's time to ready yourself for the Meat Katie patented tech-funk with trademark breakbeat ride.
Tiefschwarz bring in the funk element, while Sombionix's "Newt" steers the CD back on track and straight into a bass roller with "Pipedream". Don't settle down too much though because Mark Pember isn't one to mix a straightup "settle into the airchair" listening compilation. As the CD progresses it twists and turns between tech sounds, storming basslines, catchy vocals, and calmer moments, such as the melodic "Crackwhore" and the minimal funk of "Colt 45".
The pace and mood builds though with the club favourite, Stir Fry's "Breakin' on the Streets", before gliding into my favourite track of the whole CD. Nothing beats a singalong to this reworking of the Jill Scott classic "It's Love", sung by Andrea Brown on this heavily reworked version by Matrix VS Goldtrix. This is serious dancefloor material with a solid thumping bassline and deep sounds that work just as well in the privacy of your own (karaoke) home.
Nothing prepared me for hearing Umek's wonderful Voices of Africa Vol. 2" in this mix, yet again demonstrating why Meat Katie excels with his unique sound. Tribal techno framed perfectly in a breakbeat context. Then before you know it, it's time to wind down with London producer and DJ Will Saul and his remixers Infusion, providing a nice Australia connection.
This is my pick of the breakbeat compilations released in 2003. Get a copy now!


[The usefulness of lateral internal sphincterotomy combined with hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of hemorrhoids: a randomized prospective study] / GALIZIA G; LIETO E; IMPERATORE V; PELOSIO L; CASTELLANO P. - In: IL GIORNALE DI CHIRURGIA. - ISSN 0391-9005. - 21(2000), pp. 127-134.


The Peli iM3300 Storm case is a long, protective case with two soft-grip handles and in-line wheels for transporting.
This long case from the Peli Storm range features six press-and-pull latches, two soft-grip handles and two in-line wheels. This makes it easy to transport, even with heavy contents.
The case itself is very tough, but also lightweight. It's watertight and covered by the Peli Lifetime Guarantee for extra piece of mind.


In 2013 an online survey was sent to all NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff. Around 4000 staff replied to the survey, and the responses revealed a varied basic knowledge of HIV transmission, and a variety of attitudes expressed towards people living with HIV.
The greatly reduced risk of transmitting HIV when someone is responding well to treatment.
Following the HIV +ve campaign 2015 to 2016 another Staff Survey was under taken in 2016 to compare results against the Staff Survey 2013.
The results and evaluation of the campaign have been pulled together into a full report. NHS GGC HIV Anti Stigma Campaign 2017.
Numbers up taking face to face training was low. However the training was very well received and feedback showed that staff found the training sessions informative and provoked reflection about working practices. Online training was engaged with by higher numbers.


text:
GLOBAL G.A.P Introduction
Global G.A.P can be considered as a prerequisite requirement when producers want to export agricultural products to foreign markets that require high quality. In addition, Global G.A.P also distributes to create the higher value of products compared to similar products which aren't proven the origin, safety and quality.
What is Global G.A.P?
EUREPGAP is an initiative of European retailers, established in 1997, abbreviated as EUREP (Euro-Retail Produce) with the target of establishment the standards and procedures for the development of sustainable agricultural production. In September 2007 in Thailand, members of EUREPGAP agreed to transform from EUREPGAP into GLOBALGAP.
Good agricultural practices (G.A.P) is the production process which includes the selection of area, land use, fertilizer, water, pest control, harvest, packaging, storage, field sanitation and delivery product and so on so as to develop sustainable agriculture with the following main aims:
1. Ensuring safe for food
2. Ensuring safe for producers
3. Environmental protection
4. Traceability of products
Global G.A.P is an organization that has established voluntary standards for certification of agricultural products globally. Global G.A.P has become an important quality assurance system for the production of agricultural products.
In previous years, Global G.A.P was considered as an advanced standard. However, it has been recently considered a prerequisite requirement when producers want to export their agricultural products to other markets requiring high quality. As a result of Global G.A.P application, it also helps products to reach high prices compared to similar products which are not proven its origin, safety and quality.
Basic information about the GLOBAL G.A.P
Currently, Global G.A.P organization has issued sets of main standards that can apply to different groups of agricultural products and activities, including the main groups: cultivation, husbandry, aquaculture, seedlings, feed, pet transportation and some other auxiliary standards such as standards of the chain of custody, animal welfare, risk assessment on social practices, etc.
The factors like the actual production and the needs of each organization, company, production group will affect the management's decision of which standards are comformable. Detail of these standard will be introduced by KIS at other posts.
Actual application of GLOBAL G.A.P in Vietnam
From September 1, 2009, the EU has applied new standards at the same time to limit pesticide residues in food in Europe, to ensure consumer safety and to wide trade and imports. The EU laws of pesticide residue illustrates about 1,100 types of pesticide used in agriculture at countries which are both inside and outside the EU. The key principle of the new law is that food safety will take precedence over plant protection.
In recent years, the Government and related ministries and branches have paid much attention to Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P) and Food Hygiene and Safety (FHS). However, according to the data of Plant Protection Department (in 2008), the area of agricultural production under the good argriculture practices (G.A.P) of the Vietnam is only about 5%. Due to industrialization and modernization of agriculture in Vietnam, more and more companies, production groups, cooperatives or households have the need to apply Global G.A.P for all fields: planting cultivation, husbandry, aquaculture ... aiming to export to the strict markets such as the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan .... Moreover, it promts the production and increase product value. Here are some examples that organizations have successfully applied Global G.A.P:
Hoang Hau Dragon Fruit Company (Binh Thuan) has produced dragon fruit meeting Global G.A.P standard with scale of 80 ha (including 3 farms: Hoang Hau farm of 45 ha, Xuan Vinh farm of 22.5 ha and Ngoc Le farm of 18 ha). In addition, this company has built packing factory obeying BRC standards of Europe on the basis of associating with Global G.A.P dragon fruit farms. The company annually exports dragon fruits with a exported-turnover of nearly 5 million USD.
Hoa Loc My Xuong Mango Cooperative (Cao Lanh, Dong Thap) is producing mangoes according to requirements of Global G.A.P standards. Nowaday, the cooperative has signed a contract with Japanese Sanatra company to export 5-10 tonnes of Hoa Loc mango which is created in accordance with Global G.A.P requirements for each month with a continuous supply time of 5-7 months per year (Department of Crop Production, 2012).
Additionally, in the Mekong Delta, there is Vinh Kim star apple with an area of 7 hectares that has been certified to meet Global G.A.P standards.
Thus, if organization want to export product into the market of EU, US and some other countries, organization shall apply Global G.A.P standards for its production to easily expand the market. Therefore, Global G.A.P is necessary and become more and more important - Global G.A.P is seemed as a "passport" that suppliers must submit to retailers, importers, and processors in other countries. Currently, there is a number of products certified Global G.A.P in our country such as Lo Ren star apple, Cho Gao dragon fruits, Tan Lap pineapple (Tien Giang), Cho Lach rambutan (Ben Tre), etc. All products above received good responds from domestic and foreign markets.
Translator: Department of Administration
Procedure of Global G.A.P certification audit
Consultancy process for establishment and application of GLOBAL G.A.P standard
Benefits of applying GLOBAL GAP


The number of Quebec companies exporting to Mexico has almost quadrupled since 2000. The boom that Mexico is currently enjoying—due to its growing middle class, major investments in infrastructures, the exploitation of its resources, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)—makes it a very attractive market that is ripe for development by Quebec companies.
If you would like to begin to take steps to export to Mexico, or if you are hoping to speed up your efforts on this territory, this mission will provide an ideal opportunity to explore the potential of Latin America's second largest economic power, and give you a chance to meet partners.
This mission will allow you to take part in local meetings targeted to meet your needs, while benefitting from the support and increased visibility a group mission can provide.
Mexico's economy combines the vitality of emerging markets with the structure and predictability of more advanced economies. The new government, led by President Enrique Peña Nieto, is committed to implementing several economic liberalization reforms that will be attractive to foreign investors.
Among emerging economies, Mexico is one of the countries with the lowest manufacturing costs. Among the country's greatest assets are its young population, a growing middle class, and strategic investment in the development of its resources and infrastructures. Mexico is also becoming an increasingly important player in the aeronautics industry.
Entrepreneurs seeking to expand, to network, or to further develop their business on the Mexican market.
Business advisors, researchers, and service providers (lawyers, accounting firms, consultants).
Young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 can receive a grant from Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ). To submit a project, please visit the website.
Do business with the second largest economic power in Latin America.


You know you are alive, but what if you are dead?
Danielle's other life is as entrancing and romantic as her current one, and the contrast between the lifestyles is intriguing and enlightening (they didn't have iPods in 19th century USA, apparently), but what starts out as being dreamlike soon becomes real and strangely familiar.
This is her first novel. Look for the sequel to "As I Close My Eyes" Christmas 2012.


text:
Radical Love Fund
Resilience Fund
Revolution Fund
Solidarity Fund
Spark Fund
Women's funds
Influencing the donor community
Strategic Guide
Mama Cash statement on the report "Racism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs"
This week the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released a report that documented extensive, structural racism within the Ministry – both in the Hague and at Dutch embassies abroad.
Mama Cash welcomes the Ministry's initiative – both in undertaking this investigation and in transparently publishing the results, and we are keen to see how the Ministry implements the report's recommendations. It appears that the MFA is taking the report seriously and is endeavouring to take action that goes beyond surface-level responses. The report's findings and recommendations create an important opportunity to take action within the Ministry to identify, disrupt, and begin to redress racism. By taking these steps, the Ministry can begin to address the harm done to past and present Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) staff, who are directly affected by racism, including Islamophobia. Confronting racism is also an important way for the Ministry to live its values of contributing to a socially just world.
Mama Cash also encourages the Dutch government to make a commitment to decolonising its foreign policy and doing the work to become explicitly anti-racist. This work matters beyond the context of this report and the MFA as an institution, as laid bare in the childcare allowance (toeslagenaffaire) scandal and in the government's plans to apologise for the Netherlands' history of slavery to name two recent examples. The development of the Netherlands' feminist foreign policy provides an opportunity for the Ministry to actively counter institutional racism, including in its relationships with Global South partner organisations and civil society. The Ministry's commitment to shifting power should include acknowledging and disrupting the unequal power structures – including white supremacy – that persist in policies and practices and at all levels within the Ministry, its embassies, and other government departments.
As a feminist fund, Mama Cash is committed to being an anti-racist organisation where pluralism and diversity are valued, and people of all identities feel and are welcome. We know that to meaningfully disrupt and dismantle racist practices and move towards racial solidarity in our organisations, communities, and society, takes more than a one-time diversity training or review of hiring practices. It requires a sustained commitment to the deep work of shifting institutional and individual attitudes, habits, and practices that keep racism and white supremacy values alive and unchallenged.
page.social.share_link facebook
page.social.share_link twitter
page.social.share_link linkedin
Mama Cash is a member of Transnational Giving Europe.
Mama Cash is certified by the Dutch Centraal Bureau Fondsenwerving (CBF) and ANBI. Our RSIN number is 008632327.
Find the right person to answer your question.
Don't want to miss out on anything?
Read all the latest stories, news and results
Stay in touch via our social media


text:
Q: Android Spinner: is there absolutely no neat way to avoid displaying the selected item twice? I searched for this everywhere, the behavior I'm trying to implement is very simple, This is actually a duplicate of a question asked more than 2 years ago but with no real answer (Android spinner dont draw selected item)
Basically, I have a spinner that acts like a drop down list containing 3 items x,y,z. So when I select x, I should only see y and z in the list(plus the x selected on top), instead I get that x plus x,y,z.
Why is this a very bad design from a user perspective? because when the user clicks the spinner, the view looks like this (x,y,z are images btw :) ) :
x
x
y
z
The only fix I thought of is to check on every select event and remove the selected from the list of items, which is far from a neat solution, especially that I need to optimize performance in my app.
Any ideas?

A: After I spent more than four hours trying to solve that problem in every possible way I realized that probably someone had passed for the same as me and build a library to solve that.
Thankfully I was right and I found that awesome library: https://github.com/Lesilva/BetterSpinner
It builds an spinner above an AutocompleteTextView, kind hacky, but works a lot better than the android spinner.
With this library, you can build a custom adapter and setVisibility(View.GONE) in the view that you don't want to show in the dropdown. For some bizarre reason, setVisibility(View.GONE) and getLayoutParams().height = 0 don't hide the item in the spinner dropdown.
Hope it solves your problem, solved mine :)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange