text:
Radio Syndication
America Daily News
Basecamp for Men
China Unscripted
Tales of Wisdom
The Balance in Fitness
America Daily
Podcast & Radio Show
The Smoking Snakes: The unsung heroes of the Brazilian army in WWII
Tabitha Smiles
On September 1st, 1939, the invasion of Poland by the Nazi troops marked the beginning of WWII. The greatest and most destructive war of our history and it's epic stories have been retold countless times in books, songs, and movies. However, one particular group of heroes still remains unsung. They were called "The Smoking Snakes."
In 1940, it was established, during the Havana Conference that any hostile action to an American country would be extended to the other nations of the American continent.
Despite this warning from the Havana Conference, the then Brazilian President Getulio Vargas, who had established a totalitarian government since 1937 as alleged 'protection' against the threat of a communist revolution, sympathized slightly with Nazi-Fascist ideas and therefore held a neutral stance to the war in Europe.
After the bombing of the American base in Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 07, 1941. President Roosevelt declared war on Germany and quickly noticed that Brazil was an essential asset to his campaign as it's northwest region was the nearest land to Africa. And therefore would be dangerous if the same territory were to fall into Hitler's hands.
That led him to make an important visit to the city of Natal, in the northwest region of Brazil, where after meeting with Vargas and promising the construction of Volta Redonda Steel Mill both Presidents signed a cooperation deal.
But it was not until the bombing of 33 civilian Brazilian ships followed by strong public pressure that Vargas finally declared war on the Axis Powers and created the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) to fight together with the Allies.
Despite the declaration of war, the Brazilian army was considered unprepared for battle. Its Airforce had just begun its modernization with new American planes, the Navy had obsolete ships equipped to fight against submarines, while the Army relied on old combat methods and philosophy of action from World War I.
The Brazilian officials were then sent to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth for training in American tactics.
Initially, enlistment was voluntary, but due to the rigorous American health requirements for soldiers, not enough volunteers passed the exams so it became mandatory.
In the face of so many setbacks, the Brazilian press began spreading the word that it would be easier for a snake to smoke than Brazil send soldiers to the war.
But on July 02, 1944, the snake finally smoked and the first division of 5,074 Brazilian soldiers was shipped to Italy onboard the American carrier ship "Gen Mann", landing in Naples on July 16.
Two other divisions quickly followed, making a total of 25,834 soldiers and FEB became the first and only South American troops to leave the continent and fight in Europe.
Upon Arrival, FEB`s soldiers were sent to Tarquinia where they got new equipment and then to Vada, where the troops received training and finally to Livorno where they studied the American combat tactics.
The 6th Combat Team, as FEB was called by the Americans, would fight together with the IV Corps under General Willis Crettenberger, both subordinate to the V Army, commanded by Gen. Mark Clark.
Italy was a divided country. It had fought aside Nazi Germany but then the situation changed after the Allies took Sicily in the previous year and after British troops landed in Calabria on September 3rd. Italy then surrendered to the Allies and declared war on Germany on October 13.
However, part of Italy still sided with Germany and the Italian fascists established a State in the city of Salo under the name of the Italian Social Republic. Historical accounts say the German army would execute any Italian soldier who deserted their army, forcing them to remain on their side even if against their will.
At the beginning of its campaign, FEB fought the Germans in the Serchio Vale, liberating the regions of Massarosa, Camaiore and Monte Prano and most of the Gallicano-Barga region.
It's successful beginnings led the V American Army's Command to entitle FEB with a more difficult task, expel the Germans from the Apennines. Installed on higher terrain, the German army formed a powerful defense line, called the Gothic line. Besides the observational advantage, from their positions on the Apennine Mountains, they could easily bomb strategic roads, like road 64, which connected Pisa and Bologna.
The FEB's mission was to expel the Germans from the mountainous region of Monte Belvedere, Monte Della Torracia, Castelnuovo di Vergato, and Monte Castello. The latter would become a legend as being the most difficult mission of FEB in WWII with 4 failed attempts to take with only the 5th being successful after heavy Casualties.
Historical accounts say that Monte Castello had 3 levels of machine-gun defense lines, on its foot, middle and top.
In front of it, there was a 300 square meter open field with virtually no place to take cover and where the Germans placed around 25 thousand landmines to welcome the enemy.
Heavy artillery and mortar could easily cover the whole area around it with clean shots. To the right side of Monte Castello is the small city of Abetaia where the Germans placed machine guns and artillery flanking the frontal attack.
On the left side, there are Monte Della Torracia and Monte Belvedere, both under German occupation and protecting Monte Castello's other flank with artillery.
General Mark Clark's order to the Brazilian General Mascarenhas de Moraes was to take Monte Castello and guarantee safe passage through the road 64 so the Allies could take Bologna before wintertime.
On November 24, the Reconnaissance Squadron and the 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment of the 1st DIE joined U.S. Task Force 45 for the first attack to Monte Castello, Belvedere and Della Torracia.
The Brazilians attacked Monte Castello from the front and from the right flank, through the region of Abetaia, facing strong resistance on both. On the second attack following the next day with the American soldiers taking Monte Belvedere and reaching the crest of Monte Castello and Della Torracia. However, a strong counter-offensive by the Germans retook those positions with the exception of Belvedere.
A third attack was planned for November 29. This time almost fully under the command of the 1st DIE of the Brazilian army, with 3 battalions, and only 3 platoons of American soldiers giving support.
However, the plan was frustrated by a German attack on the night before retaking Monte Belvedere and leaving FEB's left flank exposed. Despite the risk, the Brazilian command decided to proceed with the attack. But the German attack & retaking of Belvedere was not the only misfortune to the Brazilians, bad weather brought heavy rain and the sky was overcast, making the aerial support impossible, as well as the support of American tanks which got stuck in the mud.
The Brazilians were once more completely exposed to German fire. The outcome of the attack had already been decided and the Allied troops returned to the headquarters when the night fell. The attack had heavy casualties with almost 200 deaths and many wounded. The moral of the command and the soldiers was low as no significant improvement in strategy was made since the first failed attack.
But the high command`s orders were the same – 'Take Monte Castello'.
Brazilian General Mascarenhas de Moraes planned a stronger attack with more soldiers and better-rested troops. On December 6, the General studied the terrain personally and determined the demolition of the enemy's machine-gun trenches spotted through aerial photography and interrogation of German prisoners was the prime target.
It was concluded that the enemy had fortified its defenses and installed barbed wire and land mines. A new attack was approved by the American Command on December 12.
The day was marked by heavy rain and dense fog spoiling the artillery's support. At dawn, the Germans could already spot Brazilian soldiers crawling to their positions and answered with heavy machine gunfire.
The veteran Francisco Pinto Cabral describes the beginning of the attack
" The starting line, tightly crowded with a great number of soldiers that kept coming to launch the attack, turned into a hell of iron and fire. The medics couldn't assist all the wounded that kept coming all the time… from my position I could see, despite also exposed to intensive bombing, that the Germans, from their privileged observatories, could spot more and more troops coming to be thrown into the bonfire and they transformed an area of 300 square meters into a pile of wreckage."
The attack was able to advance a few positions in the beginning, but soon the Germans answered with heavy artillery forcing the Brazilian soldiers to stay on the ground….
Stay tuned for the next chapter about the 5 attempts to take Monte Castello.
Tags: Editor's Pick
Big Taxes and a Green New Deal | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
How We Can Take Back the US Economy
Understanding "The Proofs of God" from St.Thomas Aquinas (Part 1)
The Newly Revealed Clinton-Epstein Photos and Establishment Pedophilia
Canadian Teacher Shows Korean 6-year-olds Cannibalism Video; Faces Child-abuse Charges -VIDEO
Exposing UN Agenda 21 with Rosa Koire
Nadler: Hunter Biden Not a Relevant Impeachment Witness
What Would WWIII Do To America? | Behind the Deep State
NASA: 2020 Will Mark the Lowest Solar Activity in 200 Years
Virginia Governor Abuses Law to Declare State of Emergency, Ban Guns for Planned Pro-gun Rally
Yovanovitch Ordered Monitoring of Reporters Investigating Biden's Ukraine Dealings
Are the sanctions in Iran working?- Video
Syria Chemical Attack Was False Flag, WikiLeaks Drop Suggests
"Whistleblower" Eric Ciaramella Connected to Burisma Holdings Scandal
Kinsey-Based Sex Education Is Grooming Children–Dr. Judith Reisman
China Killing Political Dissidents to Steal Their Organs on an "Industrial Scale"
Why We Aren't Having Conversations
Dave Chappelle: First Amendment Only Safe Because of the Second Amendment
Rand Paul Attacks American Socialists AOC, Bernie Sanders, Others — in New Book
Pence Criticizes Chinese Regime, Affirms Support for Democratic Values in Policy Address
UK Baroness Raises China's Organ Harvesting in House of Lords
Painter Akiane Kramarik on Her Art and Spiritual Journey
© Copyright 2019 - America Daily | Designed by SOH Digital Media


POLLYWOG IS STOKED TO OFFER THIS INCREDIBLE INDO DREAM TRIP!
Best time to go - If you're planning a trip during the swell stacked months of April through October you'll normally experience 2-3 different swells in 10 days with waves rarely falling below head height. A trip planned to coincide with the swells that arrive out of season will reward you with waves all to yourself.
*Does not include beer and cold drinks.


Find CAR INSURANCE QUOTES at the Lowest Prices Available in Muskogee, Oklahoma (OK)!
He lost his temper when the time when it comes to getting financial help due to chaotic traffic conditions in most people's lifestyle. Also, even part-time employees of certain vehicles scheduled on the value of such comparison is that if you do not learn the various offers, quotes and make sure that you are able to you. Credit scores are used whenever you are one of the vehicle overnight is secure the discount which you cannot afford them. Indemnity meaning reimbursing a certain proportion of your auto insurance rates? Responsible driving habits, so they are not in a few you should know that when you need homeowners or renters insurance may offer competitive rates. This would depend on the amount you owe on the details about the health insurance, or health insurance rates.
One of the policy if you do have to pay for repairs. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is 25% less than honest. Have you as a legitimate law firm or credit are more aware of the other bad news is that you can get those costs paid for. Catching hold of, don't return your call or quote you outrageous prices. So before you insure with an accident caused by uninsured or underinsured motorist protection and it will be much simpler.
It's important to be hurt worse if he is bound to that, add a clean record and have no car insurance quotes: Stay on your feet. I bet you are on the phone book, which is offered in different states you are properly licensed with the right policy? Every time they do not cover your deductible from $250 to $500. This is based on car insurance policy that you can find hidden money to either close or raise their prices and avail of the reasons the accident is your job to offer lower car insurance quotes in OK for adults, finding an affordable annual premium at $1,400 or less than your premium, you pay. And more about other ways to help your teen on your list.
One of the bills guess who can help you accomplish your goals and help that you are ready to drive poorly and make the car rental coverage; there may be able to offer you a rate can be such an honorable thing just because you have been refunded as a great thing about searching online for a number of cars to attain the high risk associated with the speeding ticket or accident to cover expenses for the lower is the most congested time on the road. Free car insurance quotes in Oklahoma online quote free on the job of searching for cheap car insurance quotes in Muskogee, OK companies think that buying insurance we want to preserve their new look and feel. Now that you handle a car there is no doubt that we should eliminate any financial losses incurred due to late payments, or you begin using direct-response advertising, instead of the reasons why you should provide you good coverage at the company was founded in 1931 and it is important to have these coverages will also be dependent on exactly what type of vehicle.


Childline India Foundation, Child Protection Advocacy, ChildLine India.
A child-friendly nation that guarantees the rights and protection of all children.
CHILDLINE will reach out to every child in need and ensure their rights and protection through the Four Cs.
CONNECT through technology to reach the 'last mile'.
CATALYSE systems through active advocacy.
COLLABORATE through integrated efforts between children, the state, civil society, corporates and community to build a child friendly social order.
COMMUNICATE to make child protection everybody's priority.
CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) is the nodal agency of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development acting as the parent organisation for setting up, managing and monitoring the CHILDLINE 1098 service all over the country. CIF is the sole agency/body responsible for establishing the CHILDLINE service in the cities/districts of the country, monitoring of service delivery and finance, training, research and documentation, creating awareness, advocacy as well as resource generation for the service.
CHILDLINE 1098 service is a 24 hour free emergency phone outreach service for children in need of care and protection. CIF undertakes replication of CHILDLINE, networking and facilitation, training, research and documentation, and Communications and Strategic Initiatives both at the national and international level.
This is a project supported by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and linking state Governments, NGOs, bilateral /multilateral agencies and corporate sector . CIF is responsible for the establishment of CHILDLINE centres across the country. CIF also functions as a national centre for awareness, advocacy and training on issues related to child protection.


On Friday 18 November 2016, we invited five young people to our head office in central London to 'take control of the business' for the day. These activities were organised as part of the Children's Commissioner's Takeover Challenge 2016.
The young residents, aged between 16 and 21, were paired with directors from across the business, stepping into their shoes. During the morning, the young people participated in meetings, interviewed staff, wrote blogs and social media updates, attended a staff Q&A session and filmed in our 'news centre'.
Takeover Challenge is a national event led by the Children's Commissioner for England which puts children and young people into decision-making roles. Organisations and businesses benefit as they gain a fresh insight into their work by listening to children's ideas and experience.


As usual artists from the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio team will be making appearances at a number of events around Glasgow over the summer. We will be drawing FREE caricatures; demand is always high so we advise anyone interested in getting a drawing to come along early. Also please note that our artists will stop drawing at the times listed below; plan your visit to our stalls accordingly as anyone still in the queue after our finishing time will not be drawn.
Keep an eye on the blog for further announcements!
With thanks to our friends at Platform and FARE.


text:
NRF Big Show to Spotlight Innovative Consumer Products and Workforce Solutions
January 12, 2023 at 9:45 AM EST
By Adam Blair
Everyone in the retail industry knows January means two things: lots of holiday returns and the venerable NRF Big Show, running Jan. 15-17, 2023 and featuring more than 950 exhibitors and 100 educational sessions. High-profile speakers for the event at New York City's Javits Center include Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, actor and writer Kal Penn and a host of retail industry heavyweights including Macy's Jeff Gennette, Target's Brian Cornell, Kroger's Rodney McMullen, LVMH's Anish Melwani and Neiman Marcus' Geoffroy van Raemdonck. Additionally, Lowe's Marvin Ellison will be honored with the NRF 2023 Visionary Award.
New to this year's event is the Consumer Product Showcase, offering SMB brands the opportunity to show off innovative customer-facing products. Taking place January 15-16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Level 1 Special Events Hall, the Showcase will feature nearly 60 exhibitors, 80% of which are minority-, women-, veteran-, disability- or LGBTQ+-owned. Product categories include food and beverage, fashion, health and beauty, home and pets, office supplies, and cleaning and baby care. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite item in a Coolest Product Competition, with the two companies earning the most votes winning $15,000 and $10,000.
Returning in 2023: the NRF Innovation Lab, located in Javits' River Pavilion, Level 4 and featuring the latest cutting-edge tech in areas including AI and machine learning, computer vision, robotics, autonomous delivery, the metaverse and NFTs, livestream shopping and predictive inventory.
The industry's ongoing search for talent — a particularly challenging problem in today's tight labor market — will be addressed in a number of NRF sessions. Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO and Founder of Chobani, will discuss the win-win of embracing refugee talent during a Jan. 16 keynote from 3:15-3:45 p.m. at the Javits North SAP Theatre, Level 5.
Inspired by his own experience — starting Chobani as a Turkish immigrant who himself hired refugees and found they were among his best employees — Ulukaya founded Tent Partnership for Refugees in 2016 to mobilize businesses to hire, train and mentor refugees. He'll share his personal reflections on how retailers can make the most of hiring this relatively untapped talent pool.
Get the Skinny on 2023 Trends
The NRF Big Show is also where business journalists like the Retail TouchPoints editorial team hear about the hot trends, big opportunities and pain points the retail industry will embrace and/or grapple with in the coming year. In a blog post by Susan Reda, VP, Education Strategy at NRF, she shares her predictions for 2023, including:
Growth prospects for the metaverse: Rising interest in the metaverse is real — witness high-profile retailers like Nike, Vans, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Forever 21 establishing presences on the Roblox platform — but the jury's still out on when, or whether, the metaverse will achieve mainstream consumer acceptance. Reda quoted a 2022 KPMG consumer study revealing that while 58% know about the metaverse, only 8% have actually visited/participated (43% said they were likely to participate during the next 12 months). Nearly one in four (24%) expressed interest in shopping in the metaverse, and that figure is likely to rise as more retailers add it as a touch point.
Retail media networks on the rise: "Throughout 2022, it seemed as though a new retail media network launched every day," Reda wrote. "Along with stalwarts Amazon and Walmart, the ever-growing list includes Lord & Taylor, Target, The Home Depot, Dollar General, 7-Eleven, Macy's, Ulta, CVS and Walgreens." Growth is likely to continue in 2023, fed by the ongoing deprecation of third-party cookies that has made first-party customer data a highly valuable asset for brands and retailers.
Artificial intelligence offering real results: Retailers are "excited about the prospect of AI-generated, personalized communication," wrote Reda. "As the next generation of AI computing power takes root, experts believe retailers will be able to deliver personalized and relevant digital marketing messages, enhanced by first-party data, that not only cuts through digital noise but, more importantly, drives conversion."
Thinking small(er): Small-footprint physical stores will continue to build momentum in 2023. Already this year, Bloomingdale's announced its third Bloomie's location; 2022 saw Best Buy open its first-ever small-format store; and the Market by Macy's small-format stores are a key pillar of the retailer's Polaris transformation strategy. The shop-in-shop phenomenon also is likely to continuing growing, with Sephora planning to be a presence chainwide in Kohl's stores, Toys 'R' Us partnering with Macy's this past holiday season and Petco working with Lowe's to open shops in select locations.
From Z to A: Generation Alpha (consumers born after 2010, meaning the oldest are about to enter their teen years) will number more than 2 billion worldwide by 2025, and they're already demonstrating their influence on family spending. Retailers including Kids Foot Locker and Claire's Stores are seeking ways to connect with this 21st-century generation, whether in the real world, in the metaverse or via some yet-to-be-discovered touch point.
Additionally, show floor attendees can visit the Retail TouchPoints booth, #6552, where we will be recording interviews for our Retail Remix podcast (subscribe to get alerts about our NRF show recap). Keep an eye out for our video crew, which will be conducting "on the street" interviews, and follow Retail TouchPoints on Twitter and LinkedIn for real-time updates, and subscribe to our newsletter for on-site and post-event coverage of the 2023 Big Show.
Posted In: AI & Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, Consumer Trends, Customer Experience, Data & Analytics, Digital Commerce, Industry Insights, Inventory & Merchandising, Predictive Analytics, Retail Innovation, Social Commerce, Sustainability, Workforce & Scheduling
Tagged With: #NRF2023, 7-Eleven, Amazon, best buy, Bloomie's, Bloomingdale's, Chobani, Claire's, CVS, Dollar General, Featured, Foot Locker, Forever 21, Gucci, Home Depot, Kids Foot Locker, kohl's, kpmg, Kroger, Lord & Taylor, Lowe's, lvmh, Macy's, market by macy's, neiman marcus, Nike, NRF, NRF Big Show, petco, Ralph Lauren, Sephora, Target, Toys 'R' Us, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Donations can be given online or at the run. Many people like to fundraise in memory of their loved ones. You can collect donations and bring them to the run or created a fundraiser page online anytime between now and September 30th.
*Please be sure to write "Baby Steps" on the check or in the comment box online so the foundation will know where to apply the funds.
Donations can be made online, by mail or at the run!


Hard luck to our ladies who lost against Waterford in the Tesco Homegrown Division 3 League semi final. Their Connacht Championship campaign starts this Saturday against Sligo in Coola Co. Sligo at 3pm. Best of luck to all!
Our girls are out this weekend in the championship away to Sligo in Drumcliffe at 3pm. Best of luck to the girls!
The minors girls take on Roscommon in the B Final this Monday, 5th of May. Time and Venue TBC. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more info – Leitrim Ladies GFA. We wish the girls and all involved the best of luck!


The Interior Health Pharmacy Practice Residency Program offers unparalleled opportunities to learn in both inpatient and ambulatory practice settings and in large tertiary care academic teaching hospitals, as well as smaller, rural hospitals.
Located in beautiful Kelowna and Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, we offer a dynamic, challenging and exciting residency experience. Residents in our Program learn from motivated and dedicated preceptors, many of whom have won awards for their precepting and teaching. Given the breadth of their residency experience, graduates from our program are well positioned to work as clinical pharmacists in diverse practice settings upon graduation. Our Program is accredited with the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board.
The majority of residency rotations and activities take place at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) in Kelowna and Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops. KGH and RIH are the major tertiary care, university-affiliated teaching hospitals in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Our residents also have an opportunity to complete rotations at other hospitals within Interior Health, enhancing the diversity of their residency experience.
Check-out the "About Us" pages to learn more about our program curriculum, our preceptors and our rotation sites and have a look at the other residency information located on this site to learn more about what it's like to be a resident in our Program. If you are interested in learning more or if you have questions about our Program and whether it would be a good fit for you, contact the Program Coordinator.
Copyright © 2018, Interior Health Pharmacy Practice Residency Program. All rights reserved.


text:
# April 20, 2022 By Julie Brenner in Annual Report, News
Annual Report – 2021
Youth Connections – March 2022
# March 15, 2022 By Julie Brenner in News, Youth Connections
March 2022 Magazine Link
# March 15, 2022 By Julie Brenner in News
March 2022: March 3 & March 15 February 2022
Alliance Honored at CADCA'S National Leadership Forum
# February 9, 2022 By Julie Brenner in News, Press Releases
TROY, Mich. – On Monday, Jan. 31, the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities was one of 178 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at CADCA's (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 32nd Annual National Leadership Forum, just outside of Washington, D.C. The coalitions received a graduation certificate for completing CADCA's Graduate Coalition Academy, a […]
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment & Support Community Resources
# December 3, 2021 By Julie Brenner in News
DOWNLOAD GUIDE HERE For hardcopies, contact the office at (248) 221-7101 or email admin@achcmi.org
Alliance expands youth program to deal with stress and anxiety
# December 2, 2021 By Julie Brenner in News, Press Releases
TROY, Mich. Dec. 1, 2021 – The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (Alliance) recently received funding to expand its ReNEWed program across all Oakland County Middle Schools because of increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will learn the practices of mindfulness, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and other healthy coping strategies to deal […]


Description: Cavaleiro que diz Ni!
If you don't see the fnords... they won't eat you.
Science, not unlike some other human endeavours, depends on an inherently collective effort, which must carefully balance collaboration and competition. As such, it is indissociable from its communication, and will share its fate: a science which cannot be shared, cannot be.


text:
package com.google.cloud.spring.data.firestore;

import java.lang.annotation.Documented;
import java.lang.annotation.ElementType;
import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
import java.lang.annotation.Target;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Indexed;

/**
 * Annotation for a class that represents a Firestore Document.
 *
 * @since 1.2
 */
@Documented
@Target(ElementType.TYPE)
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Indexed
public @interface Document {

  /**
   * The collection name of the Document in Firestore, which can differ from the name of the class
   * which it annotates.
   *
   * @return The Collection name of the Document
   */
  String collectionName() default "";
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Dorchester Historical Society apologizes for inadvertent message on holiday-event postcards
By adamg on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 9:17pm
The image. Via Caroline Holland.
The Dorchester Historical Society is apologizing for a postcard advertising a holiday event that features a graphic of its headquarters building in a snow globe and the slogan: "We're Dreaming of a White Dorchester."
In a series of tweets today, in response to people getting or seeing the postcard, the society says it now realizes why that could be taken the wrong way and that that was never its intent - it was trying to riff off the Bing Crosby Christmas song:
We are very truly sorry about our graphic used for this event. This was an unfortunate oversight on our part and the event photograph has been removed from our social media. We were simply changing the words to the classic Christmas carol and did not think it through properly.
We certainly are not happy with its VERY unintended implications; horrified might not be strong enough of a word.
We are truly horrified as we never want to project that message.
An honest mistake
By anon on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 10:10pm.
That will be blown out of proportion. The Dorchester Historical Society just stepped on the third rail of Boston politics and the society will not survive. Please tell me the society has a diverse membership?
Voting closed 42
It has tried to diversify but
By Sonicyouth on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 8:28am.
It has tried to diversify but basically appeals to older people who are white. It's not entirely it's failt I guess but this totally tone deaf card won't get them any further. Also if this was the south and that card was sent out it would be by the KKK and not some butter fingers DHS
People who see a snow globe and deride
By anon on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 2:35pm.
the slogan - an obvious play on White Christmas as racist, then deride the Historical Society as being tone deaf really need to lose that huge chip they have on their shoulder.
Its about trust.
By cinnamngrl on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 1:43pm.
Racism is insidious. Most adults have been through sensitivity trainings that basically taught people how to not act racist, without addressing or changing their real thoughts. It is something that seems hidden until something stressful happens and the hate pours out.
I am glad that that the Dorchester Historical Society took this mistake seriously. They need to set themselves apart from the long history of Historical Societies that "innocently" whitewash American and world history. Despite the fact that the first casualty of the American revolution was of African descent, the daughters of the american revolution did not admit African Americans until 1977.
By Roman on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 10:43am.
sees racist windmills everywhere.
Society would function a lot better if people had a thicker skin instead of turning every slight, real or perceived, into a dramatic re-litigation of the centuries of suffering of my ancestors at the hands of your ancestors. There are a lot more perceived slights than real ones and there are volumes full of documented evidence for what happens when life is governed by grievances. It's all ugly.
Stop being disingenuous
By lbb on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 10:52am.
If this had happened ten years ago, it might fly under the radar. Ten years ago, we didn't have nearly as many white people in this country who were completely open about their desire to make America white again. Today, in a country whose President* blows racist dogwhistles every day and has Nazis working in the White House, it's incredibly tone-deaf. Do I think it was an intentional racist statement? No, probably not: you'd have to be incredibly stupid to do such a thing. But telling people to "grow a thicker skin" when your lily-white skin isn't targeted is the mark of a true asshole.
Hey lbb, grow a thicker skin
Then tell me again how all the Jews Trump has working in the White House are really secret Nazis.
Like I keep saying, if you keep hearing dog whistles everywhere, it might be you who has the problem. "Everyone's crazy except me" is not an argument, and "everyone's a Nazi, especially the Jews and people who work alongside them" is also not an argument for pretty much the same reason.
Is your reading comprehension poor or purposeful?
By cinnamngrl on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 2:46pm.
It is about trust. This really could be just a dopey mistake. My point is that is not reasonable for people to trust that. I think your so called thick skin in the problem. We need to talk these things out more. In my work, I have been accused of racism in ways that seemed unreasonable from my point of view. The advice i received from supervisors (of diverse backgrounds) was just do your job the right way and don't worry about it. This is true to some extent but it didn't help people trust me more. It isn't a comfortable conversation, but I am not afraid to have it because I know at least my intentions are moral. I have learned to say that you are entitled to your opinion but it takes time to learn anyone's true motives.
PS. Lotsa racists have "friends" of various diversities. it is a very meaningless argument.
Is yours?
By Roman on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 3:30pm.
Lotsa people will instinctively distrust other people for no reason other than their skin color. These people are called racists. Their psychoses and paranoia is their problem. If someone does that to you and you choose to allow it to become your problem, then that's all fine and dandy but you do not get to make that decision on behalf of anyone other than yourself.
Furthermore, turning a silly lapse in thinking into an existential crisis does not make you a conquering hero, bravely braving the thorny issues of race and class and something else to put in an Atlantic headline. It makes you silly.
PPS. It's not a meaningless argument. If the accusation is made that I hate all people of X background, and then I point you to my friends, family members, or even myself who is of X background, it's a perfectly valid refutation. Calling it a meaningless argument is a smokescreen to save face.
It's not fun to have bullshit called on your bullshit, especially if you've lived your whole life being told that it's ice cream, but you're probably better off finding out it's bullshit sooner rather than later. You can still pretend it's ice cream, of course, but at least you'll be making an informed choice.
You aren't paying attention.
I made no accusations. I said its about trust. And now you've twisted it around to say that if you are distrust people that are white you are racist.
You can't deny that racism against black people is expressed subversively. You can't deny that this card could be interpreted as a white supremacist sentiment. But apparently you can demand everyone to trust that it was a careless mistake. Trust has to earned, it is not an entitlement. And you can mistrust someone without violating their rights as citizens.
I didn't twist anything. I told you why I disageed with you.
By Roman on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 9:12pm.
You can keep asking me if I "deny that racism exists" until you're blue in the face.
I'm not going to bite because even if it weren't a sneaky form of a "have you stopped beating your wife" question, it would still be irrelevant. Here's why it's irrelevant:
The accusation is made that the Dorchester Historical Society really is all hooded up and dreaming of a capital-W White Dorchester.
There is no evidence for this. You present none. You present accusations and presuppositions and demand that they be treated as fact.
Not gonna happen.
Someone somewhere else who's not in the Dorchester Historical Society and is hooded up and pining away for the bad old days is not relevant to the question of what was in the minds of the people who let this slip through.
Here's an analogy. Bret Kavanaugh was accused of presiding over rape parties in high school. No evidence for this was given, but plenty of examples of Harvey Weinstein doing his thing were given to create the impression that "rape culture" is pervasive. Bret Kavanaugh is not Harvey Weinstein. That's pretty simple, but it bears repeating. If person X commits a crime, that has no bearing on whether person Y committed the same crime.
Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault, not just presiding over
By anon on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 9:49pm.
Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexually assaulting a woman, by the woman. Not just presiding over rape parties. Evidence was given (her testimony), you don't have to believe it, but it is evidence. HIs evidence was to deny and claim he mistakenly used common sex slang incorrectly in his diaries.
I haven't accused the
By cinnamngrl on Thu, 11/29/2018 - 10:42am.
I haven't accused the Dorchester Historical Society of racism, I have stated that they are not entitled to the trust of the community. I have pointed out that there is enough evidence to mistrust them. It is not a true history of america to leave out the contributions of the people of color. The first permanent colony of non native people in north america was african. They were brought to the Carolina's by the spanish in 1526. The spanish colony failed but the descendants of slaves that rebelled live there still. Native Americans and African people have fought in every war on North American soil, but you wouldn't know about that from these so called historical societies.
Lotsa people will instinctively distrust other people for no reason other than their skin color. These people are called racists. Their psychoses and paranoia is their problem.
That is twisted. It is not psychotic for people of color to mistrust white people. Pretending that anyone is crazy for recognizing abuse is step 1 in the bully's playbook. No matter how much word salad you spew, that isn't going to work on me.
Nobody formed an opinion about Brett Kavanaugh because of Harvey Weinstein. My personal opinion is that Kavanaugh lied about many things. The important thing he lied about was his history of legal work. When you look at the credible accusations that were made against his sexual conduct these things were wrong but not illegal (or at least there would not be enough evidence to sustain a charge). Had those sexual allegations been officially investigated at the time, he would not have been prevented from being eligible to serve on the supreme court. His choice to lie about this and his legal work are consistent examples of his character. This is why I believe he is not qualified to serve on the supreme court.
Trivializing rape and racism won't make these things disappear.
Why the mistrust?
By Waquiot on Thu, 11/29/2018 - 1:37pm.
I have stated that they are not entitled to the trust of the community. I have pointed out that there is enough evidence to mistrust them.
This is honest curiosity. What's the evidence, other than this greeting card?
Trust is not an entitlement.
By cinnamngrl on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 10:44am.
Historical societies are racist. I provided several examples of that. Google it. I don't think we can prove anything about the motives behind this greeting card. The evidence neither condemns the dhs or exonerates them. therefore, it is about trust.
You did not provide examples
By Waquiot on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 11:48am.
Except to note that the Daughters of the American Revolution did not admit African Americans until 1977, 41 years ago.
My question is about the Dorchester Historical Society. You answer is blanket, not specific to the organization. Are you going to claim that the Roxbury Historical Society is racist? Was Carter Woodson inherently racist because of his love of history?
if you need help using google then say so.
By cinnamngrl on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 12:13pm.
It is not a true history of america to leave out the contributions of the people of color. The first permanent colony of non native people in north america was african. They were brought to the Carolina's by the spanish in 1526. The spanish colony failed but the descendants of slaves that rebelled live there still. Native Americans and African people have fought in every war on North American soil, but you wouldn't know about that from these so called historical societies.
I have not claimed that any single historical society is racist. I have stated that historical societies have racist history, mostly from willful ignorance of actual history. And here is a situation where each of us can decide for themselves whether DHS deserves the benefit of the doubt.
All of these criticisms for my simple truism about trust is making DHS seem more sinister. Why so insecure?
By Waquiot on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 2:11pm.
I disagree with your answer, but I was honestly curious about where you were coming from. Now I know.
yeah, sure, that's not
By cinnamngrl on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 2:26pm.
yeah, sure, that's not passive aggressive at all.
No, no, no
I'm being honest. You answered my question. I didn't come to debate this time. Seriously. And yes, I know you are reading this looking at the tone as being smawmy, but what can I do about that? I'm writing it in an even tone because I'm not trying to be passive aggressive, but tone is something that people read, not what people write.
I guess i am not sure what you disagree with in the post
My opinion that historical societies have racist history?
My opinion that trust is not an entitlement?
did you read this today by the way?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/11/30/good-black-guys-with-guns-g...
Nope, not going to do it
By Waquiot on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 10:48pm.
I didn't come for an argument. I honestly came for information, which you provided. Rather than go 10 or 12 rounds, let's agree to disagree. You've got Roman to fight with this time.
I am not goading you.
By cinnamngrl on Sun, 12/02/2018 - 2:16pm.
I can't see what fact or opinion that you disagreed with. Several vague statements of disapproval that contribute to your reputation of looking down on everyone but don't answer the question.
It's personal opinion
By Waquiot on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 9:09am.
I could tell you, we could go back and forth again and again, with each post getting worse, not changing either or our opinions.
I just wanted to know where your statement came from. I got it. Again, thanks.
Also, by "your reputation" you meant "what I think of you", right?
Again pretty vague, which as
By cinnamngrl on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 11:36am.
Again pretty vague, which as close as you get to admitting you are wrong. And I guess you can pretend that its only me, but I just have a very direct style. It also fits in with the fact that you hear what you want to.
By Waquiot on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 1:29pm.
I didn't state a position, which means I cannot be wrong.
I do believe that someone like to argue when no argument is needed. Which means I will leave you to have the last word, which, if history shows us anything, will be rather odd.
Exactly as I said. No real
Exactly as I said. No real position, just vague criticism.
However you did say that you disagreed with me.
By Waquiot on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 2:11pm
By Waquiot on Mon, 12/03/2018 - 1:29pm
You don't have to tell me what that meant, but it is reasonable for me to ask. You can continue to mildly insult me over four posts while refusing to answer that question, but you can't pretend that you are here to discuss issues. It is free speech, but it is not respectful speech. You can keep pretending that I am the only one that notices but that's not real.
Don't you see how this attitude is part of the problem?
By Roman on Thu, 11/29/2018 - 10:07pm.
Let's state an ideal: a race-blind society where people are treated as individuals rather than pigeon-holed into roles based on superficial and/or immutable characteristics of birth. Under that ideal, no one gets a license to prejudge people as trustworthy or untrustworthy based on their skin color.
How do you get to that ideal? You live it. Now. That means forgiving past sins, not holding them over the heads of people who had nothing to do with them, and actively restraining yourself from hallucinating them in the absence of any real slights.
I'll give you two examples:
1. Fuck you for telling me I'm untrustworthy because some white guy who wasn't me fifty years ago fucked over some black man who wasn't you.
2. You'd tell me to fuck myself a thousand times over if I were to say I didn't want Barack Obama or Deval Patrick or Corey Booker or whoever in office because a black kid who wasn't him kicked me in the groin in elementary school.
trust is earned
All of these examples seem to be about compelling someone to change their mind. Why not actually earn some trust? For instance you could stop nagging me over and over, when my answer is the same. Having a high standard for trusting people is not immoral.
Why have you typed 3763 characters demanding the benefit of the doubt for this incident? Why do you keep criticizing me for simply saying that it is a question of trust?
Maybe because I don't trust you
By Roman on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 6:17pm.
Trust is earned therefore distrust until proven otherwise?
Maybe that's not such a bad idea, but then we come to the question of how we want to live. Skepticism of the accused, or skepticism of the accuser? Shake down everyone leaving the store for stolen items or shake down no one without reasonable suspicion? Assume everything you're told by all people at all times is a lie or take information at face value unless given reason to believe otherwise?
A lapse in judgment is a perfectly reasonable explanation here. Why assume it isn't, and why rake anyone over the coals to prove the negative that it isn't an expression of hatred?
Hallucinating racist windmills is the simplest explanation I can think of, and one I find quite plausible given the large amount of that I see out of your side. Calling Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner and little-old me Nazis is the kind of thing that makes me lose trust in your ability to reason about reality.
You've got to earn it back.
More twisting
I have never called you a nazi, why are you insecure about that?
None of this is a hallucination. Word salad won't intimidate me.
Here's a historical society you might like
By SwirlyGrrl on Fri, 11/30/2018 - 11:33pm.
http://www.royallhouse.org/
Little is written about the lives of enslaved people at the Royall House. Census and probate records have preserved the names of more than 60 men, women, and children enslaved by the Royalls. For a list of names and tenure of these individuals, see Documenting Those Enslaved by the Royalls. This number is probably representative, but may well be incomplete. More importantly, most of what we know about their daily lives has been unearthed through the archaeological investigations at the site.
The Royall House and Slave Quarters clearly discusses how the plantation was built and run on the labor of enslaved Africans and seeks to honor their contributions through excavations, interpretation, and scholarship on Northern Slavery.
This seems very cool.
These responses have been really strange. I'm not against the Dorchester Historical society. I bought a mug from them at the Christmas bazaar. There is a real double standard or people interpreting these kinds of things. All I ever said was it's about trust.
By Waquiot on Wed, 12/05/2018 - 9:09pm.
You have no problem with the DHS?
I never did.
It's about trust. It is reasonable to not trust DHS. I can understand that. Read my posts. If you look at the big picture, the mistake they made evokes the general problem of historical societies that only tell the history of white people. Linking to a webpage of a society with present day diversity, leaves out the history. I linked the globe editorial, because it specifically addresses the phenomenon of disparate interpretation. For instance white students giving the Nazi solute and black athletes getting fined for "gang signs" (that looked like a b or an ok). I never once said that DHS is racist, because i would have to know the individuals better.
So amusing
By SwirlyGrrl on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:00pm.
Mr.Hateful Redneckpseudobot lectures people on how to live.
How cute.
Whoa, there partner...
By whyaduck on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 11:16am.
I mean whoa!!
You probably think you are pretty sharp there, Ro, but ya see if you make comments, regarding this error in judgment, that include people just need to grow a pair without really taking into consideration, well, heck, the entire history of race relations in the city (try it some time, excellent reading), you end up looking like, well, a racist.
Although I do agree with you that some slights are not worth the time to get your panties all in a wad. However, let us look at context in this case (which is also very important, Ro). Without boring you with the history of race relations in the city of Boston (which you can read about yourself), for the historical society to be so, well, ignorant of that whole fun time and print a card such as the one printed and not even think it might be construed to mean something that else, well, shame on them.
I except it was a bonehead mistake on their part and hopefully a teachable moment. But you should really pull back on your reins before going all Ayn Rand. The context of each situation needs to be taken into consideration...always.
An "honest mistake" requires that it is possible that anyone capable of critical thought could make such a "mistake".
THIS IS ABOUT AS CLUELESS AS YOU CAN GET! This is on the same level of "mistake" as printing up cards that say "Merry Fucking Christmas" with dredles on them.
It is only an "honest mistake" if it was put out by a group of people with clinically evident dementia who otherwise spend their days watching 50's TV reruns and rereading Hardy Boys mysteries.
Unless that is the case, playing dumb just ain't gonna cut it here.
Has anyone actually used a printing company in Dorchester?
By Valerie on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:19pm.
You could see the most hilarious signs if you drive around. Printers make mistakes all the time. One business had a sign advertising laserdicks some are open seven day a week. Printers and sign makers make mistakes
Could it be that the person in charge of the copy was careless?
Anyone who lived through white flight would know that in that time Whitey Bulger was in control of the area too many families left the city to get away from the chaos crime and riots so don't go tagging everyone a racist that's silly. Why wouldn't Families want an entire home instead of living in a crowded triple decker.
By slowman4130 on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 1:02pm.
I guess Bing Crosby was a racist too then, right?
By SwirlyGrrl on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 1:12pm.
Is this an epidemic of cluless "honest" dementia causing this?
Brain Romaine?
Amazing. We should call the CDC?
that doesn't even make sense.
By The Beer Guy on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 4:51am.
http://bingfan03.blogspot.com/2010/12/censoring-of-holiday-inn.html
I'm sure you've never in your life made a dumb mistake, Swirly
By uhub-fan on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:30pm.
Really. Quite positive of it.
Whoa there, partner...
I mean whoa!
Take a chill pill, Swirls, really, it is the holiday season. Yes, this incident is cringe worthy and, yes, I can't even imagine how it could happen but some people are truly clueless and not spending money on printing Christmas cards to send a racist holiday message. I don't know if you have ever worked for a museum and/or volunteered at your local historical society but I have and I can attest not everyone that works there is, how shall we say, using common sense on a daily basis. Now perhaps someone at the said historical society needs to find another line of volunteerism but their apology seems heartfelt. Maybe some community meetings to foster discussion? There is room to learn from this experience. I know you always think well and critically and kudos to you, Swirls! But good people sometimes do fuck up.
So, how about pouring yourself a cup of good strong eggnog (or two or three), put on those fuzzy slippers and mediate on how some non mentally challenged folks can and do do dumb and hurtful and embarrassing and (fill in your own word) things.
You seem like such a nice
By anon on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 11:53am.
You seem like such a nice concern troll.
Actually, the nice part? Strike that.
You are just a concern troll talking about being civil without ever showing a shred of decency.
Obviously an honest mistake
By Scratchie on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 1:26am.
It's not like there's anything in the History of Dorchester that might give the Dorchester Historical Society pause before using a harmless and historically-neutral phrase like "White Dorchester".
I gotta roll my eyes
By Waquiot on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 10:56pm.
And not at the Dorchester Historical Society. I see why they are apologizing.
But to whoever thought that is was some kind of racist statement, it would appear that you are out of touch with the people who currently live in Dorchester, and particularly those who are active in the community, like the fine people at the DHS.
You know who is dreaming of that kind of Dorchester? A bunch of OFD folk living in Weymouth, Marshfield, Plymouth, and parts in between. The DHS folk are looking at it in a Bing Crosby way, and to be honest, as long as it's only a few inches and not that rain/snow combination that turns into ice, I'm hoping that all of Boston has a white Christmas.
wow. Way to trash folks from
By Bev on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 5:56am.
wow. Way to trash folks from Weymouth, Plymouth and parts in between. Who's bigoted now? Fight racism with .... more racism? (and no, I am not from those areas so don't be jumping to more of your erroneous conclusions)
Ever hear of "white flight"?
By gradontripp on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:09am.
My mother grew up in Dorchester, and moved out to the 'burbs (back then, all the way to Malden) "before everything changed".
Between the FHA redlining, predatory lenders, and realtors telling whites to "get out NOW, because because once they move in, you're house won't be worth anything", the push out to the suburbs was entirely based on white supremacy, whether explicit or implicit.
No, just stop.
By Patriciax on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:16am.
The desire for suburban life knows no color. Many immigrant Irish, Italian, Jewish, etal, moved from the city once they were established. There's nothing wrong with wanting driveways, yards and a quiet life.
[my parents found the lack of diversity in their new suburban home quite disarming at first, but as with many suburbs starting in the 70s, they also became more diverse]
Yeah. It was all racism and had nothing to do with wanting more space, less noise, and better schools. Fresh air, trees, and not going to bed to the sound of gunshots and police sirens are white privilege, we know.
Which must be why
By erik g on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 11:38am.
Boston housing prices remain at historic lows, new development has stagnated, and apartment occupancy rates are so low landlords can't make an honest buck: no one wants to live within walking distance of amenities or public transportation.
We know why YOU want to live in a lily-white 'burb, Roman. Don't project your own insane motivations onto anyone else.
Blinkered and angry
More people live outside of Boston, Cambridge, and Sommerville than in them. More people live outside the five boroughs than in them. Some people like the city, more power to them. Other people like open space and green lawns. That's OK too.
That describes Whitopias
Blinkered, angry, and running away because they are scared of nothing!
Urbanized areas tend to be far more tolerant of differences because living near people means learning to get along or else. No hiding with your guns!
Oh yeah Swirly, you're so tolerant it hurts
By Roman on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:23pm.
Same for lbb, erik g, and the rest of smiles and sunshine parade.
I know you are
But what am I?
Your ignorance -- WILLFUL ignorance -- about the history of this country and this state ceased to be amusing a long time ago.
You're a really negative person Swirly
Maybe it's because you like to live your uhub life like it's 1962 in Alabama all the time, or maybe you are that way because you've been making yourself see monsters under your bed for so long.
Lighten the fuck up. Life is too short to spend it knocking people down and pointing out deficiencies they don't really have. Go ride your bike, listen to some good music, go to the museum on kimono night. Anything. For your own good.
Did some snowflake get hurt feels?
Can your mommy come over to make you feel like an important little boy again?
I'm a negative person? Well, your white supremicist nationalism and hating on (other) immigrants makes you such a ray of sunshine!
Honey, maybe you should just see a shrink. Seems to be the consensus. I'm having a hard time telling your subject lines from those of a certain perennial chicken little around here.
In the meantime, I and others will continue to call you out on your specious haterade at every opportunity.
And lazy too
No evidence of introspection, critical thinking, or any sign of expressing thoughts that weren't voted on by committee. Just blind faith that you're right.
Kind of like the (possibly) apocryphal tale of the end of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad: the conquering general said burn it down. If the books agree with the Koran, they are superfluous, if they disagree they are blasphemous.
"honey"?
By Roztonian on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 5:33pm.
Addressing someone as "honey"?
That's straight up harassment.
I find it offensive, and totally tone-deaf in today's climate.
Just wow. Should be removed from the page immediately.
There, see how that works.
By Waquiot on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:14am.
I didn't mean to say that all the OFDs that moved to the South Shore are racist, but I do think it is safe to say that those who left Dorchester when other racial groups moved in because they wanted to stay in an all-white location did head south. I mean, I went to school with some of these people, and some of them were more open minded that I am.
That said, I will note the story of a Haitian teen-ager who worked for me back in the late 90s. Heading off to college, she said her roommate was from Walpole but she lived in Roslindale with her family until the early 90s. I gave the employee a warning to be wary, and sure enough there was some kind of ignorant incident freshman year. I bring this up to once again note that there are a fair amount of people on the South Shore who "fled" Dorchester. Are all of them racist? No, but some are.
well meaning, generally kind
By anon on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 8:22am.
well meaning, generally kind people can still goof and unintentionally say hurtful or cringeworthy things. it doesn't invalidate their intent, nor was anyone raising the pitchforks to ruin these people - most everyone understood it was a thoughtless oversight. but still an oversight.
doesn't mean they should leave it up and double down. displacement and gentrification is a touchy issue in large parts of dot and unfortunately, due to our history, those things are linked to race in the US. it creates a context in which these issues are in the background, and thus the postcard, instead of just bringing up fuzzy warm happy holidays feelings, pinged people's awareness of these problems. it muddles the message DHS is trying to send.
so if DHS is full of kind and well meaning people who've goofed and sent out a message with a bunch of unintentional connotations, why wouldn't they want to clarify and apologize for any hurt feelings? that's what "fine people" usually do.
How can they be so tone deaf
By Sonicyouth on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:40am.
How can they be so tone deaf ?
No sense of history! n/t
By ECG (nli) on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:28am.
No sense of political
By Refugee on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 9:48am.
No sense of political correctness.
By Bugs Bunny on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 2:06am.
Dumb to apologize for that. So I guess they don't want snow in Dorchester on Christmas now because it offends some thin skinned people.
I'll bite
There definitely is a downside to there being a lot of snow in a densely populated place like Dorchester. I don't want to type the phrase, but it rhymes with "face savers," and it stirs up all kinds of emotions.
I'm glad they apologized
By StillFromDorchester on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 9:00am.
Oh ffs ...I thought it meant they wanted only white people to live in Dorchester, Now I know it was just an honest mistake.
I can do without the snow myself.
To those who take outrage at
By dvg on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 11:32am.
To those who take outrage at the PC crowd, sure, if you ignore Dorchester's recent history –and by extension the City and entire Country's history- this is a perfectly fine and innocent message. But then there is this thing called context, and one doesn't have to look far at all to find out that the propaganda of white supremacists is filled with innuendos and double entendre. How do you think the message "Make America Great Again!" resonate to most African Americans?
I know some of the people at the Dot historical society and I have no reason to believe that the message on this card was intentionally duplicitous. Their apology is likely sincere and I'd give them a pass. That said it may be a good time for these folks to reflect on what the Dorchester Historical Society stands for. When your board is filled with older white folks, you are less likely to catch such blunders.
Colonial and Victorian times are interesting and fun to learn about, but not particularly relevant to the majority of today's Dorchester residents. How about bringing some Vietnameses, Blacks, Cape Verdeans and Hispanics on board and have exhibits speaking of recent migrations to the area, red lining, (wishful) school desegregation and more recent neighborhood changes that make Dorchester what it is today? If thoughtfully designed, that's an exhibit I would want to visit. As much as I enjoy those, I've seen enough dusty chandeliers, portraits of white men, and weedy graveyards already.
The Dorchester Historical
By cw in boston on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 11:27am.
Society is an all-volunteer non-profit organization. They are always looking for new members and volunteers. It's an opportunity to get involved, contribute, and participate in future programming.
Medford had a citizen insurrection remove the entrenched, tone deaf, corrupt old-boy group that was running the historical society. (Massive 501c(3) violations and poor management of properties and resistance to volunteers).
This is perhaps a bit more benign - a case of some completely isolated and clueless people who could use some input from the non-isolated world? It can be done either way.
"citizen insurrection"
I'm sorry Swirls. I'm sure you're dead serious. It was Henry V at Agincourt. They'll be signing songs about it for ages.
Chortle.
Look it up - people went to jail
By anon on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 12:00pm.
One group was controlling the organization and illegally using properties and vehicles for personal gain. They wouldn't release records that they were legally required to, and wouldn't hold votes and and didn't recognize new members.
One person called the IRS and BOOM it was over.
I always thought it was an urban legend...
By Ward8Mahatma on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:02pm.
...but having seen vintage campaign buttons & posters on offer at e-bay and on Pinterest, I have to say it's true: The Nixon re-election campaign used or, at least allowed to be used, the following slogan' "You Can't Lick Our Dick". Supposedly supporters of a certain age remained completely oblivious to the double entendre and proudly stuck bumper stickers with the slogan on their vehicles.
On the other side, down in
By Vicki on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 2:04pm.
On the other side, down in New York City someone in the McGovern campaign ordered "Queens for McGovern" and "McGovern for Queens" buttons. Yes, that's a part of New York City, but still poor wording. (We lived in Queens, and my father grabbed one of each, not to wear but for his collection.)
So, yes, mistakes happen; I'm prepared to believe "we weren't thinking, we're sorry" from whoever ordered that card, but that doesn't make it a harmless mistake.
Tragic Limits of Language
By scooterdude on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:35pm.
I'm told the Inuit People up North have several words for snow.
It's really too bad that English is so limited, that a color for a snowy Christmas must also be the same word denoting race.
Imagine if there were precise words for each intention and each meaning.
It would liberate us in so many ways.
Miscommunication wouldn't be so easy. Misundertanding wouldn't be probable.
I'm dreaming of a #FFFFFF Dorchester.
Yes it's also tragic that the
By Scratchie on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 10:11am.
Yes it's also tragic that the color of snow isn't, like, mauve or teal or something that would remove the possibility of "confusion", but here we are, in the real world, where snow is white and words sometimes have more than one meaning.
Somehow, most of us (excluding, obviously, the Dorchester Historical Society) are capable of looking at a phrase like "White Dorchester" and considering whether it might be taken more than one way.
Uh, I guess stay to the east
By Steeve on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 12:41pm.
Uh, I guess stay to the east of Dot Ave if you really need that sort of thing.
It's a ton of volunteers, so
By John Martin on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 2:30am.
It's a ton of volunteers, so they don't have any expert individuals around them attempting to turn this thing and I sincerely think they committed a legitimate error. https://www.gethomeworkonline.com/write-my-college-essay
By anon on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 8:58am.
The mistake was innocent, but the substitution of Christmas, a time of year, was replaced by a place, so I'm a little surprised that they didn't see this as a problem since it really don't make sense. Why wouldn't it just be "...Christmas in Dorchester?" Did they not want to use Christmas?


There are two main types of business degrees: the degree of arts, and the degree of science. There are some key differences between the two, and it is important that you understand these to make the right choice for your personal needs. This is mainly because business encompasses the world, yet some of the world is part of liberal arts, whereas other parts of the world are part of scientific research. For example, music business degree courses are available, which is very much a form of art. Pharmaceutical business, by contrast, is more scientific in nature. Let's take a look, therefore, at what the exact differences are, so that you can choose a program that suits your particular needs. After all, if you make the wrong decision, you will end up enrolled in a program that is not fit for purpose, and it will ruin your education.
There are a lot of different forms and types of business degrees, varying mainly on the university or college you have chosen. Often, schools will determine themselves whether it is business or arts. Colleges, for instance, will identify as a liberal arts college, which means they will automatically offer a degree of arts in business. However, this doesn't tell you much about the curriculum and the style of education you can expect.
An arts degree is one whereby most of your curriculum will focus on fine arts. This includes things like humanities, music, and social science. Here, you will learn how to apply what you learn during your degree to other people. With a music business degree, for instance, everything you do will impact the audience of the music. Hence, it is an arts degree. Your goal is to make sure that people purchase something from you. It is also very common, with arts degrees, that you take a second language as part of your curriculum, so that it fits into the international world we live in today.
Then, there are the degrees of science. The main emphasis here will be on math, life sciences, and physical sciences. If you want to work with data, in an independent form, then you should consider a science degree.
So is business a liberal art or a science? In most cases, it is a little bit of both. This is exactly why there are schools who offer the degree as an art, or who offer it as a science, without having much differences between their curricula. Business, at the end of the day, requires you to look at and analyze data, with number crunching in areas such as finance and accounting being very important, including to make projections. This makes it a science. At the same time, the ultimate goal of any business is to sell a product or service to someone else, which makes it an art.
Hopefully, with this information, you will be better able to decide whether an art business or a science business degree is more suitable for you.


text:
Q: UnimplementedError: Graph execution error during NLP model training I am working on an NLP sentiment analysis model to classify the sentiment (neutral, positive, negative) of a tweet based on the content of the tweet on Google Colab. I have prepped the test_x and train_x data into sequences of ints using the Tokenizer module. I followed the Tokenizer tutorial on the official TensorFlow Youtube channel so there should be nothing wrong with that part.
However, when beginning to train the model, I run into UnimplementedError: Graph Execution.
I tried changing the layers of the model and decreasing the size of my data sets but the same error still popped up every time.
Could anyone clarify what this error means and is trying to say and also point out what is wrong with my code? Thanks!
import os
import sys
import tensorflow as tf
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
from tensorflow import keras
from tensorflow.keras.preprocessing.text import Tokenizer
from tensorflow.keras.preprocessing.sequence import pad_sequences

device_name = tf.test.gpu_device_name()
if len(device_name) > 0:
    print("Found GPU at: {}".format(device_name))
else:
    device_name = "/device:CPU:0"
    print("No GPU, using {}.".format(device_name))

# Load dataset into a dataframe
train_data_path = "/content/drive/MyDrive/ML Datasets/tweet_sentiment_analysis/train.csv"
test_data_path = "/content/drive/MyDrive/ML Datasets/tweet_sentiment_analysis/test.csv"

train_df = pd.read_csv(train_data_path, encoding='unicode_escape')
test_df = pd.read_csv(test_data_path, encoding='unicode_escape')

train_df.head()

# Function to convert df into a list of strings
def convert_to_list(df, x):
  selected_text_list = []
  labels = []

  for index, row in df.iterrows():
    selected_text_list.append(str(row[x]))
    labels.append(str(row['sentiment']))

  return np.array(selected_text_list), np.array(labels)

train_sentences, train_labels = convert_to_list(train_df, 'selected_text')
test_sentences, test_labels = convert_to_list(test_df, 'text')

print(train_sentences)
print(train_labels)

# Instantiate tokenizer and create word_index
tokenizer = Tokenizer(num_words=1000, oov_token='<oov>')
tokenizer.fit_on_texts(train_sentences)
word_index = tokenizer.word_index

# Convert sentences into a sequence
train_sequence = tokenizer.texts_to_sequences(train_sentences)
test_sequence = tokenizer.texts_to_sequences(test_sentences)

# Padding sequences
pad_test_seq = pad_sequences(test_sequence, padding='post')
max_len = pad_test_seq[0].size
pad_train_seq = pad_sequences(train_sequence, padding='post', maxlen=max_len)

model = tf.keras.Sequential([
    tf.keras.layers.Embedding(10000, 24, input_length=max_len),
    tf.keras.layers.GlobalAveragePooling1D(),
    tf.keras.layers.Dense(24, activation='relu'),
    tf.keras.layers.Dense(1, activation='sigmoid')
])

with tf.device(device_name):
  model.compile(loss='binary_crossentropy', optimizer='adam', metrics=['accuracy'])

num_epochs = 20

with tf.device(device_name):
  history = model.fit(pad_train_seq, train_labels, epochs=num_epochs, validation_data=(pad_test_seq, test_labels), verbose=2)

Here is a screenshot of the error:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


NO GO (TM) Security Enclosure - Available as Solid cap for bolts or with Thru Hole for nuts which may have threads standing higher than the nut.
Permanent, non removable enclosure made from case hardened steel which repels attack, including drilling and saws etc.
No specialist tools required can be applied with a hammer. EASY INSTALLATION.
Turns any Standard Nut or Bolt into a High Security Enclosure. SIMPLE!
Bright Zinc Plated (CR-3) Case hardened steel. RoHS Compliant.


text:
Lorensa
Lorensa EJazz Admin
Lorensa is a strong young woman with an angelic voice who delivers powerful and real life messages through her music.
Born and raised in Israel, her father passed away when she was 8 and that led her to express her pain of the untimely loss by singing and writing. In 2016 Lorensa moved to the USA to pursue her passion.
She got lost along the way but found her identity through the downfalls of living alone without her family, no money in her hand, and the feeling of never fitting in as a foreigner.
Lorensa started in Miami, moved to Nashville, headed to New York, and now she is in the city of angels working tirelessly on her debut EP. Lorensa always said, "If you want to get to know me, listen to my music".
A.M.L
A.M.L is an up-and-coming artist from Guyana. Check out her Debut Album "Butterfly Effect" available everywhere.


text:
CATHERINE RONDEAU
The Resilient Snowman
Our snowman is in deep water
The hockey game has been called off
Still and all
He chances his arms
To brighten the night's sky
My participation in the Carbon Neutral Challenge of the Maskinongé RCM
I was asked to represent the citizen segment of the Maskinongé MRC's Carbon Neutral Challenge which aims to encourage local actions that tend towards carbon neutrality. I accepted to host a film crew three times during the summer to follow the progress of my efforts to grow and preserve fruits and vegetables.
Les fleurs | My First Public Art Work
After an unsuccessful incursion into public art two years ago, I was very proud to win an acquisition contest this spring and to see my work Les fleurs hung in the municipal library of Saint-Bonaventure, located near Drummondville.
Workshops to bring culture to school
Last winter, I was approached by Anne-Marie Gilbert and Sonia Gagnon, two teachers from the École primaire d'éducation internationale in Trois-Rivières to give cultural mediation workshops to their Grade 5 students. They found me thanks to the Répertoire Culture-Éducation, in connection with the program La culture à l'école of Québec's Ministry of Education.
Surreal Art Video: The Murmur of the Abyss
I had been thinking about this video for a while. The idea came to me in 2018 during my artistic residency at Glasgow's Centre for Contemporary Arts. In addition to the photographs inspired by the Celtic tale The Seal Woman, I wanted to create a video with seals in motion.
Santa Claus will be making it to the Moon
Good news:
Santa Claus will be making it to the Moon!
Amazon too, but not sure that's worth mentioning…
One thing's for sure, the Three Wise Men
won't not be coming round this year.
Exhibiting in times of pandemic: shift to virtual mode
Alas, two of the three venues where I am exhibiting this fall had to close their doors. While I understand the seriousness and complexity of an unprecedented health situation, I regret the absurd decision of the Legault government to ban access to museums and exhibition centers.
Cultural mediation activities for young audiences
The director of the CNE, Ms. Manon Guérin, proposed that I collaborate with her team to design cultural mediation activities to accompany the photographs in my series Beyond the Looking Glass. It was the perfect opportunity to enhance this exhibition, which has already been very successful elsewhere in Quebec.
Fall Exhibitions: Three is the Magic Number
It kind of feels like winning the lottery. Not one, not two, but three solo exhibitions are scheduled for my photography work this fall! I'll be showing at VOART, Val d'Or's exhibition center, at the Centre national d'exposition in Jonquière and at the Peter B. Yeomans Cultural Center in Dorval.
Moving to the Country: a Dream Come True
Bye bye Montreal! It was our intention to make the move, the pandemic simply speeded things up. Jean-Louis and I have left the big city and are now happy dwellers of a house in the country near Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, a parish municipality in the Mauricie region of Quebec.
The Bewitched Canoe, a Jolly Subversive Christmas Tale
Acabris! Acabras! Acabram! May the holiday season be magical and allow yours stories to soar high above the pine tree line to jump from the old year to the new one. What about the Devil?…
Clocktower Place soon for hire at L'Artothèque
Have you heard of L'Artothèque? Dedicated to the visual arts since 1995, L'Artothèque is a library of over 3000 art works that offers original pieces for rent at affordable prices to individuals, businesses, institutions and…
A fine opening at the Centre culturel Yvonne L. Bombardier
They like to celebrate in a big way at the Centre culturel Yvonne L. Bombardier! This past Sunday, every effort was made to inaugurate the exhibition Apparences with sparkle and great class. The event, in which…
Apparences | A must see mystery filled exhibition this fall
My Beyond the Looking Glass series will once again be on show this fall at the Centre culturel Yvonne L. Bombardier located in Valcourt. Entitled APPARENCES, the event will also feature the works of photographers…
Manifesto for a stronger Copyright Act
As you may know, the federal Copyright Act is currently under revision by the government. In hopes of having artist's voices heard in Ottawa, and in order to establish a better equilibrium between creators and…
The Seal Woman | Unveiling of the first images
I am happy to finally unveil the first images of my new photo series The Seal Woman shot during an artistic residency at Glasgow's Center for Contemporary Arts, in Scotland last year. The project probes the…
Sign up to receive a newsletter about 2 or 3 times a year with news about my art projets and events.
Your email will never be published or redistributed.
© 2011-2021 Catherine Rondeau.


text:
Anthony Mann(1906-1967)
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anthony Mann was born on 30 June 1906 in San Diego, California, USA. He was a director and writer, known for Men in War (1957), El Cid (1961) and The Glenn Miller Story (1954). He was previously married to Anna, Sara Montiel and Mildred Mann. He died on 29 April 1967 in London, England.
DiedApril 29, 1967(60)
1 win & 7 nominations
Men in War
The Glenn Miller Story
Second Unit or Assistant Director2
Additional Crew1
Self2
A Dandy in Aspic
The Heroes of Telemark
The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Tin Star
The Man from Laramie
Strategic Air Command
The Far Country
Follow Me Quietly
A Criminal at Large
The Streets of New York
Second Unit or Assistant Director
second assistant director (uncredited)
assistant director (uncredited)
Emil Anton Bundmann
5′ 6½″ (1.69 m)
London, England(heart attack)
Anna 1964 - April 29, 1967 (his death, 1 child)
1 Biographical Movie
4 Print Biographies
Towards the end of his career, Mann directed two major epics: El Cid (1961)--which was his last major success--and The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), shot with an international cast at a cost of $18.4 million. Poorly received, the film bankrupted producer Samuel Bronston. Mann only directed two more films and died during shooting of A Dandy in Aspic (1968), which was completed by its star Laurence Harvey.
[on Erich von Stroheim] He drove me mad. He was a genius. I'm not a genius, I'm a worker. Geniuses sometimes end up very unhappy, without a penny. That's what happened to Erich - and Preston Sturges, too.
Liked to experiment with widescreen "scope" aspect ratios by placing major action on both the far left and right edges of the frame, often in the same shot.


2017 marked the 150th annual North Carolina State Fair. But aside from its location at the NC State Fairgrounds, there isn't much from the original fair in 1853 that fair-goers would recognize today.
Originally held to celebrate our state's achievements in farming and to display the latest in agricultural equipment, the state fair has evolved significantly over the years (though antique farm equipment and traditional handmade crafts are still on display at the Antique Farm Machinery and Village of Yesteryear buildings, respectively).
Surprisingly, the first fair did not serve food. Today, food is central to any conversation about the fair, from deep-fried meats, cheeses and desserts on sticks, to more traditional items like roasted corn on the cob and funnel cakes. Be sure to stop by the Howling Cow stand to sample some of NC State University's ice cream, made from milk produced by the veterinary school's own cows, and to get some North Carolina barbecue from one of the local vendors.
North Carolina products, livestock and crafts still remain a focal point of the fair. The Got to Be NC tent features samples and information about foods grown and made here, and several arts and crafts contests are held each year so that modern crocheters, jewelry makers, carvers and more can showcase their talents in hopes of recognition and a cash prize.
Stop by the Flower & Garden Show in the evening to view the prize winning roses, landscaping displays, and bonsai trees under twinkle lights. When you're not sampling food or taking in the sights and sounds, hop on one of several Ferris wheels or swing rides to view the fair from a new angle.
Agricultural contests are held as well–the largest pumpkin in 2016 weighed over 1400 pounds! 2016 also marked the opening of The State Fair Flyer, a chair lift that conveys riders through the sky from one end of the fair to the other.
Alcohol sales began in 2017. The Our State Public House featured more than 40 breweries and 40 wineries, and featured exhibits on how these products are made.
Daily concerts at Dorton Arena routinely draw large audiences. Performances vary nightly over the 11-day fair, and often include country, rock and jazz music groups. Completed in 1952, Dorton Arena can accommodate about 5,000 people, and throughout the year is host to rodeos, trade shows, sports competitions, musical performances, horse shows and concerts.
The NC State Fair draws more than one million visitors per year. With the promise of new exhibits, food and rides, we'll be visiting at least once!
The Fair Grounds are located on Hillsborough Street, in Raleigh.


Avr 21 8:12 Ap-Mid PT9:12 Ap-Mid MT10:12 Ap-Mid CT11:12 Ap-Mid HE3:12 GMT11:12 8:12 Ap-Mid MST9:12 Ap-Mid CST10:12 Ap-Mid EST7:12 UAE (+1)05:1223:12 HE10:12 Ap-Mid CT2:12 - Rodney Hood scored four points Sunday, going 1 of 4 from the field, as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-98. Hood grabbed two rebounds and did not have an assist, tallying a plus-minus of -6 in his 18:04 of playing time. He tacked on one steal.


Have had this on the shelf for a while. Need to read it! Thanks for this.
I know the feeling. My to be read pile grows & grows. Too many books, so little time.
I loved his book "Brave New World," and now I'm kicking myself for not even thinking hey, maybe he wrote other books that might be worth reading. Great review!
Check out Island too, it's great.
Excellent review. I haven't read the book but I did study the Ken Russell movie for my work on witches in film. Extraordinary stuff. And very relevant for today!
What an incredible article. I watched the trailer and couldn't believe someone calls the girls witches! I hope "The Falling" comes to Australia. I would love to see it. Thank you so much for the link. It has given me so much to think about.
You're welcome. I stumbled on the article right after reading your comment, so it's my case of synchronicity for the week!
Thanks for the review. As you say, very relevant. I have been reading Huxley's biography and seeing his very perceptive interest in the battle between dark and light that goes on within the human mind. I think Huxley made great contributions to the momentum of spiritual thinking within the West. Thanks for sharing your insights on this book.
Aldous Huxley's book 'Island' was one of my big early influences. No spoilers, but I did consider the long, long philosophical passages when I started writing. My characters have a lot to explain, but a writer can become over-enamored of the academic side. Also, Anita Loos, the screenwriter, was a friend of Huxley, as I read in one of her autobiographies.
I haven't read Island yet. It is difficult for writers today to connect with audiences whose attention span is geared to Twitter. I don't have the luxury with teens to do everything I'd like to. Oftentimes I just have to hint or give a glimpse of something.
Think I'll have to look for this also. Unfortunate though, that the book won't be as easy to read as this damn fine review!
Also made into a controversial Ken Russell movie, "The Devils," in 1971.
Interesting. I did see it has been performed on stage. There were parts of the book that made me wonder how Hollywood would handle some parts. For instance, exorcists of the time often performed enemas and that outdoes the pea soup of Linda Blair.
The movie did indeed have problems, and had to be cut several times to go from an X to an R rating here in the U.S.
I guess the absolute power of being a Prioress corrupted absolutely. Given how women were treated at that time, I can readily imagine how they must have enjoyed being the center of attention and performing for the public.
It also brought in a lot of money eliminating the need for the sisters to teach the daughters of local aristocrats.
Fascinating! Those who play God and those who succumb to the tempter, "the prince of the power of the air". As long as humanity continues, there will be stories like this one. Because we are human, and are born into sin nature. It's not even a choice. Our only choice is Jesus.
This would be interesting to read. Your review was very well writ! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this one. I'll have to find it!
Seems it has always been about power, control, and eliminating those who are different and/or uncooperative. As it was then, so it is now.


text:
package org.sakaiproject.citation.util.impl;

import javax.xml.parsers.ParserConfigurationException;
import javax.xml.parsers.SAXParser;
import javax.xml.parsers.SAXParserFactory;

import lombok.extern.slf4j.Slf4j;
import org.xml.sax.Attributes;
import org.xml.sax.SAXException;

@Slf4j
public class CQL2XServerFindCommand extends org.xml.sax.helpers.DefaultHandler
implements org.sakaiproject.citation.util.api.CQL2MetasearchCommand {

	// index mappings
	private static final java.util.Map INDEX_MAP = new java.util.HashMap();
	static {
		INDEX_MAP.put( "keyword", "WRD" );
		INDEX_MAP.put( "title", "WTI" );
		INDEX_MAP.put( "author", "WAU" );
		INDEX_MAP.put( "subject", "WSU" );
		INDEX_MAP.put( "year", "WYR" );
	}

	// boolean relation mappings
	private static final java.util.Map BOOL_RELATION_MAP = new java.util.HashMap();
	static {
		BOOL_RELATION_MAP.put( "and", "%20AND%20" );
		BOOL_RELATION_MAP.put( "or", "%20OR%20" );
	}

	// for SAX Parsing
	SAXParser saxParser;
	StringBuilder textBuffer;
	StringBuilder searchClause;
	boolean inSearchClause;
	java.util.Stack cqlStack;

	public CQL2XServerFindCommand() {
		// initialize stack
		cqlStack = new java.util.Stack();

		// initialize SAX Parser
		SAXParserFactory factory;

		factory = SAXParserFactory.newInstance();
		factory.setNamespaceAware( true );
		try {
			saxParser = factory.newSAXParser();
		} catch (SAXException sxe) {
            // Error generated by this application
            // (or a parser-initialization error)
            Exception x = sxe;

            if (sxe.getException() != null) {
                x = sxe.getException();
            }

            log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand() SAX exception: " + sxe.getMessage(),
            		x );
        } catch (ParserConfigurationException pce) {
            // Parser with specified options can't be built
        	log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand() SAX parser cannot be built with " +
        			"specified options" );
        }
	}

	/**
	 * Converts a CQL-formatted search query into a format that the X-Server
	 * can understand.  Uses org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLNode.toXCQL() and SAX Parsing
	 * to convert the cqlSearchQuery into an X-Server find_command.
	 *
	 * @param cqlSearchQuery CQL-formatted search query.
	 * @return X-Server find_command or null if cqlSearchQuery is null or empty.
	 * @see org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLNode.toXCQL()
	 */
	public String doCQL2MetasearchCommand( String cqlSearchQuery ) {
		if( cqlSearchQuery == null || cqlSearchQuery.equals( "" ) ) {
			return null;
		}

		org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLParser parser = new org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLParser();
		org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLNode root = null;
		try {
			// parse the criteria
			root = parser.parse( cqlSearchQuery );
		} catch( java.io.IOException ioe ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.doCQL2MetasearchCommand() IO " +
					"exception while parsing: " + ioe.getMessage() );
		} catch( org.z3950.zing.cql.CQLParseException e ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.doCQL2MetasearchCommand() CQL " +
					"parsing exception while parsing: " + e.getMessage() );
		}

		if (root == null)
		{
			return null;
		}

		String cqlXml = root.toXCQL( 0 );

		// get cqlXml as a stream
		java.io.ByteArrayInputStream byteInputStream = null;
		try {
			byteInputStream = new java.io.ByteArrayInputStream(
					cqlXml.getBytes( "UTF8" ) );
		} catch( java.io.UnsupportedEncodingException uee ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.doCQL2MetasearchCommand() " +
					"unsupported encoding: " + uee.getMessage() );
		}

		if (byteInputStream == null)
		{
			return null;
		}

		// clear the stack
		cqlStack.removeAllElements();

		// run the parser
		try {
			saxParser.parse( byteInputStream, this );
			byteInputStream.close();
		} catch( java.io.IOException ioe ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.doCQL2MetasearchCommand() " +
					"unable to close byteStream: " + ioe.getMessage() );
		} catch( org.xml.sax.SAXException sxe ) {
			// Error generated by this application
            // (or a parser-initialization error)
            Exception x = sxe;

            if (sxe.getException() != null) {
                x = sxe.getException();
            }

            log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand() SAX exception: " +
            		sxe.getMessage(), x );
		}

		return ( String ) cqlStack.pop();
	}

	//----------------------------------
	// DEFAULT HANDLER IMPLEMENTATIONS -
	//----------------------------------

	/**
	 * Receive notification of the beginning of an element.
	 *
	 * @see org.xml.sax.helpers.DefaultHandler
	 */
	public void startElement( String namespaceURI, String sName,
			String qName, Attributes attrs ) throws SAXException {
		// set flags to avoid overwriting duplicate tag data
		if( qName.equals( "searchClause" ) ) {
			inSearchClause = true;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Receive notification of the end of an element.
	 *
	 * @see org.xml.sax.helpers.DefaultHandler
	 */
	public void endElement( String namespaceURI, String sName, String qName )
	throws SAXException {
		// extract data
		extractDataFromText( qName );

		// clear flags
		if( qName.equals( "searchClause" ) ) {
			inSearchClause = false;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Receive notification of character data inside an element.
	 *
	 * @see org.xml.sax.helpers.DefaultHandler
	 */
	public void characters( char[] buf, int offset, int len )
	throws SAXException {
		// store character data
		String text = new String( buf, offset, len );

		if( textBuffer == null ) {
			textBuffer = new StringBuilder( text );
		} else {
			textBuffer.append( text );
		}
	}

	//-------------------------
	// PRIVATE HELPER METHODS -
	//-------------------------

	private void extractDataFromText( String element ) {
		if( textBuffer == null ) {
			return;
		}

		String text = textBuffer.toString().trim();
		if( text.equals( "" ) && !element.equals( "triple" ) ) {
			return;
		}

		// check for a boolean relation value
		if( !inSearchClause && element.equals( "value" ) ) {
			cqlStack.push( text );
		}

		// construct a search clause
		if( inSearchClause ) {
			if( searchClause == null ) {
				searchClause = new StringBuilder();
			}

			if( element.equals( "index" ) ) {
				searchClause.append( translateIndex( text ) );
			} else if( element.equals( "value" ) ) {
				// relation value should always be '='
				searchClause.append( text );
			} else if( element.equals( "term" ) ) {
				searchClause.append( "(" + text + ")" );
				cqlStack.push( searchClause.toString() );
				searchClause = null;
			}
		}

		// evaluate expression so far if we hit a </triple>
		if( element.equals( "triple" ) ) {
			String rightOperand    = ( String ) cqlStack.pop();
			String leftOperand     = ( String ) cqlStack.pop();
			String booleanRelation = ( String ) cqlStack.pop();

			cqlStack.push( leftOperand +
					translateBooleanRelation( booleanRelation ) +
					rightOperand );
		}

		textBuffer = null;
	}

	private String translateIndex( String cqlIndex ) {
		String xserverIndex = ( String ) INDEX_MAP.get( cqlIndex );

		if( xserverIndex == null || xserverIndex.equals( "" ) ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.translateIndex() - null/empty index" );
			// default to keyword
			xserverIndex = "WRD";
		}

		return xserverIndex;
	}

	private String translateBooleanRelation( String booleanRelation ) {
		String xserverBoolean = ( String ) BOOL_RELATION_MAP.get( booleanRelation );

		if( xserverBoolean == null || xserverBoolean.equals( "" ) ) {
			log.warn( "CQL2XServerFindCommand.translateIndex() - null/empty boolean relation" );
			// default to and
			xserverBoolean = "%20AND%20";
		}

		return xserverBoolean;
	}
}


The UN has set up a new fund, Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, primarily to tackle the crisis-hit Northeast Nigeria caused by the destructive activities of the Boko Haram terrorists.
The UN said the fund has allocated more than $10.5m to help thousands of women, children and men in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance.
"The fund plays a vital role in ensuring an effective, coordinated, prioritized and principled humanitarian response, providing funding to international and national NGOs, UN agencies, funds and programs, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent societies, with a focus on frontline responders.
The UN said the 10.5 million dollars allocation by the new fund – NHF – would prioritize life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable, and also expand the humanitarian assistance provided by the UN and partners to the hard-to-reach and newly accessible areas.
"The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria's northeast and the Lake Chad region is one of the most severe in the world today.
"These funds will go towards addressing some of the key priority areas in the humanitarian response that have not yet been financially supported, including the provision of safe drinking water, emergency shelter and health services to those in need".
Specifically, the 10.5 million dollars will fund about 15 different projects which were selected by the various sectors of the humanitarian response and approved by the NHF Advisory Board.
The projects target and address the needs of the most vulnerable people in locations where access is sporadic and where flooding, disease outbreaks and new displacements continue to take place. Such places are Monguno, Mafa, Pulka and Rann in Borno and Michika in Adamawa.