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Basis for the Dutch authorities denying a Turkish minister access to a Turkish consulate [duplicate]
Turkish FM denied speaking to supporters in Europe (2 answers)
A few days ago, the Turkish family minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya was prevented from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam, where she was going, it seems, as part of the organization of a political rally for Turkish citizens living in the Netherlands regarding an upcoming referendum in Turkey on constitutional reforms. This followed the prevention of the Turkish foreign minitary from coming to the Netherlands to promote the same campaign (see also this question here on the site). The Dutch authorities also prevented a rally/demonstration from taking place near the consulate. If I understand correctly the reasons given were keeping the public peace, or preventing disorder, or something along those lines - correct me if Im wrong.
I don't know Dutch law and political custom, but - was the Dutch government justified in preventing the minister's access to the consulate, assuming all of the travel documents were in order? Can it prevent demonstrations apriori on the grounds it stated? Specifically, has the Netherlands acted in the past to prevent a foreign citizen from engaging in political speech targeted at the citizens of their own state, but occurring in the Netherlands?
Also, to what extent can it be argued that this action was motivated by the upcoming Dutch elections, intended to make the VVD government appear more "tough on Islam" or "tough on immigrants" or both?
I personally oppose the referendum proposal but it seems to me like these actions are giving the AKP and President Erdogan's government an unwarranted public relations boost.
election law turkey netherlands freedom-of-speech
einpoklumeinpoklum
@Philipp♦: It's not a duplicate, the FM denial was another event. Two ministers were denied things.
– einpoklum
Two different events, but it's the exact same situation. The answers to both questions would be exactly the same. Which means that it's better to just have one question about this situation.
– Philipp ♦
I know nothing much about the circumstances and little about Dutch politics. But it seems quite reasonable to me for any country to prevent a foreign government from campaigning, or even seeking influence, in its domestic election.
– WS2
@WS2: How is that reasonable? It's not a campaign about internal Dutch affairs, but about internal Turkish affairs? Plus, it's problematic that the government can even do something like prevent rallies from taking place when no illegal activity is involved - just because it doesn't like it. (If that's indeed the case here of course.)
@einpoklum I'm afraid that I know insufficient about what is happening to comment.
Browse other questions tagged election law turkey netherlands freedom-of-speech .
We are no longer in beta!
Turkish FM denied speaking to supporters in Europe
Why was Çavuşoğlus (planned) campaign visit to The Netherlands and Germany controversial?
What analogues exist for the Dutch Centraal Planbureau outside The Netherlands, if any?
What is the interest of the Turkish government in pushing for visa-free travel to the EU?
Is it legal for US President Trump to order the continued construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline?
For the Dutch general election, how many candidates can be on a list?
How does the Dutch system for preferential votes (*voorkeursstemmen*) work?
Are turnout figures available at the German consulate level for the 2017 Turkish Referendum?
What is the Trump administration's legal basis for not imposing sanctions on Russia?
What was the legal basis for the arrest of Gerald Bull by the UN in South Africa?
Which provision allowed Turkish speakers in the Netherlands to vote without Dutch proficiency?

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Toyota Invests $1b in Artificial Intelli..
Toyota, the Japanese auto giant, announced a five-year, $1 billion research and development effort in Artificial Intelligence and establishing a Silicon Valley research and development center to pursue those goals. Conceived as a research facility bridging basic science and commercial engineering, it will be organized as a new company named Toyota Research Institute. Toyota will initially have a laboratory adjacent to Stanford University and another near M.I.T. in Cambridge, Mass. The Toyota Research Institute will be led by Gill Pratt, who recently joined Toyota from DARPA where he ran the Robotics Challenge, an event that promoted work on robots that can work with humans.
said Pratt at a Tokyo news conference on Thursday. The new effort by Toyota is also the latest indication of a changing of the guard in Silicon Valley's basic technology research. Last year, for example, Microsoft closed a satellite laboratory of its Microsoft Research division in Silicon Valley and laid off about 75 researchers.
Artificial intelligence technologies were disappointing for decades, but they have finally begun paying off, leading to systems such as Siri, the personal assistant from Apple, and rapid improvements in self-driving vehicle technology. And in recent years, there has been a rush to recruit talented researchers in so-called machine learning, many of them produced by Stanford and the nearby University of California, Berkeley. Toyota plans to hire 200 scientists for its artificial intelligence research center.
Toyota already faces competition in some of these research areas from the likes of Google, which has been working on autonomous car technology for several years and already has prototype cars driving on public streets near its Silicon Valley headquarters. The company has already shown an R2-D2-like robot that scoots around and picks up things for people, designed to help the elderly, the sick and people in wheelchairs. It has also shown human-shaped entertainment robots that can carry on conversations and play musical instruments.
As the world's top auto manufacturer, Toyota already uses sophisticated robotic arms and computers in auto production, including doing paint jobs and screwing in parts. The next challenge will be to optimize that technology using AI solutions to make the driving experience smarter and safer. Toyota says that its goal is to form a bridge between the research that is happening in the labs of top universities and actual product development.
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Is it possible to give yourself an edge and make your brain 'better'? With the advent of mobile phones there has also been a growth in the number of apps available for 'brain training'. But do these apps work?
I've just read an article about this in The Guardian.
The problem with these sorts of apps – even before you start wondering about whether they are actually effective at brain training – is that they do seem a lot like computer games. They often have the same repetitive quality so continued success that these apps – often measured in how quickly you are able to complete the task – might not be telling you anything other than you have improved dexterity due to doing a repetitive task. They are also similar to computer games in that they take up time but perhaps this is time which can be spent in a more productive way.
I guess the first thing to consider when exposing yourself to the idea of brain training is what the purpose is. Downloading memory apps the week before an exam seems unlikely to be a solution to a better exam result. If your goal is a short term one, like a specific exam then the time is better spent on revision of the exam material. If the goal is to develop a greater capacity for the brain over time, it does seem like the 5-minutes-a-day-on-the-app solution is unlikely to pay off. Perhaps exposure to more positive and tried methods would be better.
The Guardian article talks about studies which confirm the long-term benefits of being a student of music. It is interesting that studies have suggested that even moderate exposure to musical training in the past can make a difference to the brain's activity. But as many of us might find this to be an unworkable solution, are there other ways?
Of course it does make sense that using your brain is likely to do you some good. The problem with the brain training apps is that this is not an example of using your brain in the sense that is needed in order to have a noticeable effect on your brain. And herein lies the key. Perhaps doing a range of different mentally challenging activities is a good way to achieve the desired effect.
Learn a foreign language, play scrabble, do crossword puzzles, read good literature, play card games such as Bridge – these are all methods which are often suggested as effective ways to stay mentally alert and active. Do they work? I would suggest that they do – although possibly not in the same way that the Guardian article describes the success of musical training. The Guardian article quotes long terms studies with scientific measurement to support the idea that musical training is beneficial. However, I would suggest that someone who regularly read challenging books, engages with the mental arithmetic needed in a game like Bridge and ponders over the meaning of words – in their own language and a foreign one – is likely to have the discipline and the interest to stay mentally agile for many years to come. I'm not sure if it's a sure way to beat the effects of ageing on the brain, but at least, as you build up your mental capacity through the exposure to these things, you will be a much more interesting person, both for your own company and the company of others.


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The IAS is Shrinking
January 16, 2019 By Mike Rinder 89 Comments
Here is a truth you can always rely upon.
Nothing in scientology is free.
They give NOTHING away, unless it is some sort of loss leader to put you within striking distance of a reg to get more money from you. Thus the "Free Personality Test," "Free Introductory Lecture" and "Free Film." But once you are done with them, you PAY. No more free services — because that would violate Hubbard Policy.
Also part of the bait before the switch is the Free 6 month membership to the IAS.
And when it comes to "nothing is for free" the IAS makes scientology org regges look positively warm and charitable. They are rapacious. They take and take and take, but don't take "No" for an answer. Their con is the worst as they claim they are performing all sorts of humanitarian actions around the world that your money will be used for. That is all smoke and mirrors. At least with the org Regges you are paying for something you can see – the course may be jumbo jumbo or the auditing useless, but at least it is something specific you are entitled to in exchange for your money. Even the Ideal Org boondoggle ultimately results in an empty building. Nothing tangible with the IAS. Just photo ops.
So things must be really desperate in IAS land for this offer of extended free membership to be going out. They must be losing a LOT of members and their ranks shrinking. They have never had more than 40,000 members in the IAS. Today it is likely half that — even though they are VERY slow to consider anyone to no longer be a member. Some of the people who are still mailed their magazine (Impact) are astonishing – even people who have appeared on our show. They don't want their numbers to go down — as they DO keep them. There is no question the most accurate "number of scientologists in the world" is actually the number of members of the IAS (about half that number remain) but this is one of the most closely guarded secrets in all of scientology.
It's always heartening to spread the good news of scientology organizations floundering. This one more than any of them.
Filed Under: IAS Tagged With: fundraising, IAS
Stat says
PeaceMaker – exactly.
I know in the tiny Morgue in our big city – I have friends that go to events just to see who shows up. They are spies for the UTR members who want to know what is happening in the morgues. There are quite a few of us out here.
The morgue here is shrinking like crazy each and every year. Since Debbie Cook's email – about 1/2 of the members are gone! Vanished into nothingness. The people left are the hard core Scientologists that have simply invested too much money and time and their fragile egos can't handle being wrong. So they will most likely die to be right
How wrong can a Scientologist BE? DEAD!
How right can a Scientologist be? They may be filled with shame and regret but they will be ALIVE and can heal from the betrayal.
PeaceMaker says
Stat, thanks for that bit of insight into what's actually going on in the orgs. It's that sort of report that helps me form as accurate as possible an impression of the state of things, and also confirms just how the orgs are suffering in recent years in spite of trying to keep up a brave face and continue on with the "ideal" campaign.
Last I knew, probably around or just a bit after the time of the Debbie Cook e-mail, it seemed as if orgs in larger cities typically had fields of 100 to 150 people who would show up at least once a year such as for major events, with only about half of those, or around 50 to 70, really active. Orgs in the largest cities might have done only slightly better – there seems to be a sort of size limit on orgs, probably due mostly to one facility not really being able to serve a large metro area conveniently* – and so we saw a while back that Chicago (3rd largest city in the country) had just over 130 people confirmed to attend a big holiday event.
It sounds as if those numbers have dropped significantly in recent years. Though maybe the number of really active and committed members hasn't gone down so much, as overall numbers. This would also help explain the seemingly desperate "recovery" campaigns, trying to get people involved again. It's also very interesting if the proportion of UTRs attending the major events is that high.
* In a large metro area a single location is really only within convenient travel range of a small portion of the population, particularly when it comes to optional activities other than work and attendance once a week or more frequently. This, incidentally, is a fatal flaw of the "ideal" scheme.
Jesus H, Mike, please keep up the the good work. I am proud of you!
peterblood71 says
At the end of last nights show Claire and the rest of you weren't the only ones without dry eyes. I felt for her and her disconnection from her mother. $cientology has the greatest designed conceit and rationale for denying people their humanity. It's the only way they can control people. And that by definition is a nasty evil cult run by sociopaths/psychopaths.
Jane (Now I Got) Dough says
Remember when you used to get the Impact magazine from the IAS, 1/4″ thick or more with up to 80 pages of global news? Well, the latest issue is only 8 pages!!! I started lmao when I got it because it sends a deeper message that the IAS is shrinking just like their mag.
John Doe says
The IAS, in my opinion, was the most effective self destructive force to be dreamed up by Scientology. It is the catalyst hastening the demise of the subject.
The "successful actions" of the IAS spawned a dozen or so similar money raising schemes, which collectively alienated all but the most die-hard Scientologists. And even they cringe when they see the rapacious reg gaze turned their way.
Miscavige knows the tech doesn't deliver what is promised and never will be able to. So he's likely shifting from a seige mentality started by Hubbard to a "loot the city before you retreat" footing, as the world closes in on Scientology with a mixture of scorn, ridicule, and/or indifference.
Reade Adams says
Wow, excellent description and explanations. I especially love, "rapacious reg," which puts me in mind of a horror movie character, wearing a dark cape, dead black eyes, relentlessly twisting the knife into you for more money. Scary as hell. And ridiculous and mean. Evil
IndieScientologyNews (@IndieScieNews) says
Very O/T, but hopefully of interest.
Defending R. Kelly ("but look at who the real pedophilia's are"), Scientology Freedom Medal Winner Nation of Islam Minister Tony Muhammad engages in whataboutism —
Tweet: https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/1084702252043067394
ESMB Post; http://www.forum.exscn.net/threads/scientology-awards-freedom-medal-to-nation-of-islam-min-tony-muhammad-who-promotes-anti-semitic-book.44564/page-13#post-1194564
mwesten says
What stung the most was being told membership was mandatory each and every time I drifted back in for my next service. The church lied when it told the IRS that "requiring membership in the IAS in order to participate in religious services never has been valid and membership in the IAS…remains wholly voluntary."
If any currently-under-but-soon-to-be-over-the-radar type is able to record their next reg cycle to see if this lie is still doing the rounds, that would be gratefully appreciated.
chuckbeatty77 says
mwesten, Agreed. Get some fresh crim regging recorded and made viral.
califa007 says
You are so right – you must be an IAS member in order to take a course or get auditing. I have a lifetime membership which I got on a two-for-one special. I kid you not. Only thing missing was a coupon. I split the $5000 with another person I didn't even know. Such a bargain! Such a racket!
Wow Mike and Leah
Last nights show delivered a blow to Scientology that was EPIC
Please – don't stop
You both are true humanitarians saving lives!
The truth will keep people out of the evil cult of Scientology.
Count on me to testify against this evil thing called Scientology that lies and manipulates people out of labor and money. You have my contact information
Season 3 is the best! We love Leah Remini and her passion!
So proud to be on the winning team.
Remini and Rinder Rock!
georgemwhite says
In 1988 my wife paid $3,000 for lifetime IAS membership. It was a complete fraud. The salesman for the IAS took her money and thousands more from others and skipped town like a carpetbagger. If you want to know why Scientology is shrinking look no further. These people lie and steal. Scientology is actually death.
Wynski says
george especially since in '88 lifetime memberships only cost $2,000 🙂
Thanks, total slime from the IAS.
katylied says
Not gonna lie: I'm pretty excited about the Danny Masterson epi. Feb. 18 cant come soon enough.
…huh. Is it weird that i kinda want an IAS membership card now? Before it disappears?
I have one of the original 5000 limited edition 'Shards of Narsil' replica swords and i'm kinda getting the same feeling here. I'm not sure it'd be worth burdening our local postal workers under the mail i'd be getting though.
What happens to the "in for lifers" when this all comes tumbling down (and I believe it will)?
The people like Cruise and Travolta etc – what do they say when their 'be all and end all cult' is not there for them? I am so curious about their reactions and how they'll spin it!
Ann Davis says
I just hope we get to find out!
Group talk-therapy at their senior center?
Sue, I dreamed someday they'd playact out a TV movie/docu- drama of their movement's history, as amends and for making up their damage as posterboard advertisements all these decades.
Sue, They could come on Leah's show and make amends.
Balletlady says
Anyone old enough to remember the "Arts & Crafts Children's Activity item "SHRINKY DINKS"….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinky_Dinks
Sounds a bit like COS….Start Out Large….when heated they SHRINK DOWN to much smaller sizes.
With all the HEAT now put on COS….I think they'll be SHRINKING EVEN FASTER
nancykleck says
The mafia, the tobacco industry, and other big entities all thought they were immune to prosecution, but alas, they were wrong. Scientology's day in court is coming thanks to this series, and the strength of those who were harmed by it.
What a public service to all you and Leah are providing, kudos to all for your bravery, and desire to seek the truth and share it with the world.
This looks to me like an attempt to "recover" people who have dropped out and "previously had an IAS membership" that has lapsed. We've seen other reported signs of Scientology's desperate recovery efforts: letters and calls and even visits to peoples' homes.
Scientology seems to have been pushing hard to sell lifetime memberships – even, as we've seen evidence of here, to members' children – though obviously they haven't been entirely successful. But that will also have skewed any membership accounting, as there will be a lot of people who once were regged to pay for lifetime memberships, who have ceased to be active the same as the people this letter is targeting.
Mike, I think you're killing 'em – and not in the comic sense. Well, you, and Leah, and a lot of others doing hard work to expose Scientology, and even just daring to speak out.
Riveting and powerful show. Leah Remini is rubbing the DOJ's face in DM's acts/scat. When, oh when, will the gears start turning?
Insecure people seek power, control, and dominance. Corruptible people seek power. And there DM sits, feeling all-powerful, dominant and defiant. But even more insecure by the day. Tick-tock-DM??
I can almost hear him now….ordering one of his lackeys to:
BRING X…Y….Z….in here for their crimes…I need to do a beat down to relieve some of my anger.
Scribe says
Motto of an IAS Reg: I Always Steal.
ElbethL says
I think one of the things that truly baffles me about Scientology is that it's only a scam. They. Have. So. Much. Money. Just…crazy lots of money. And rather than do ACTUAL OUTREACH to genuinely help people, they just…keep fundraising? They could be going out and demonstrating how Scientology makes Scientologists better, more ethical people–like they claim. CoS can afford it. But nooope! Moar fundraising!!!
It's not just a case of the emperor having no clothes. The emperor has a wardrobe FULL of clothes, but chooses to go around naked anyway.
Escaped in 2005 says
Not long after I moved to LA and joined staff at CCHR Int, there was an IAS event that was the first to open my eyes, with solid proof to me, that Scientology is just a money-grabbing racket. I was part of the group managing the body-flow through AOLA that would ensure every person coming in would be forced into the Reg gauntlet before they could leave the premises that night.
This disgusted me, as for the first time I could see the machinations behind the scenes that had similarly forced me through the same gauntlet as a public many times before. Seeing with my own eyes how intentional and evil this practice of taking people's free will to leave an Org for the expressed purpose of relentlessly harassing them for money was, as it turned out to be the original 'turning point' for me in my determination to escape scientology.
Yup, I tried to leave an IAS event 5 minutes early to get away from them. I was written up for it.
Miss Q says
I'm a never-in. When I watched the first episode of Aftermath, I expected to learn some interesting facts about this kooky "religion" that Tom Cruise belonged to. But the thing that made me sit up and go WTF??? was when Leah (and others) talked about the sheer amount of money member are *required* to spend to be a part of this thing…sums that far exceed what I have in my 401k (after almost 30 years of saving).
I found it appalling.
I think a good billboard would be along the lines of, "Scientology: Got half a million bucks? Good! That's a start."
SILVIA says
Interesting, the photos they used on their add are of teenagers, young people.
Very likely they have run out of the real veteran scientologists that came to realize how criminal this church was (and is) and left.
The less people joins them, the less people will be harmed and abused and, boy, those are good news.
Attention anyone who has been financially hosed by the cult in the past 5 years: Take note of the important information at the bottom ("Coda" section) of today's post at the Underground Bunker:
https://tonyortega.org/2019/01/16/another-elderly-victim-gets-soaked-by-scientology-is-talking-to-law-enforcement/#more-54451
Scientology reges' promise to the elderly woman in that story, to "improve her hearing," remind me of what mission reges did in the 1970s as part of the "de-dinging" that helped them keep their stats high – promise people whatever they were seeking (their "ruin"), regardless of whether it was "reasonable." Back then the victims were mostly young, and could recover from financial problems including the indebtedness that often came from the fraudulent and illegal loan schemes (credit cards weren't then widely available) being used by a number of the seemingly more succesful missions.
Thanks for the reminder about this. Scientology has long taken advantage of the elderly, as various accounts attest, but we may be seeing signs of it becoming more prevalent as older members constitute some of the few left with assets (or ability to borrow).
I think that exploitation and abuse of elders is going to be the next big scandal to hit Scientology. On top of it all, they have lots of aging Sea Org members and staff who have no retirement, not even Social Security, to fall back on when they're finally "offloaded" for being useless to Scientology.
My brother and his wife are two of them. I fear for their well-being.
I'm still annoyed that my lifetime membership, purchased in 1976, was cancelled when the IAS came into being. I should have left then, but waited until my son (a Delphi LA grad) decided Scientology wasn't for him. So I'm one of the ex-IAS members, and couldn't be happier about it.
Felix Krym says
Dang! I missed the Jan. 10 date. Mike, you posted this too late. :o)
Bognition says
Speaking of shrinking and floundering, I received this letter on Jan 14, 2019 from Tom Miles with the PAC Estates Org. It was a form letter and it started out promoting the "scientology TV channel" then in paragraph four he said something odd. It was odd to me because it seemed that he was letting the cat out of the bag and actually admitting org staff is shrinking. Weird! I thought that shrinkage was a Bubble secret. This is the exact quote from the letter:
"Apart from the above, I wanted to alert you to a situation:
Scientology is running very short on Class V Org and Sea Org personnel. Sea Org personnel, in particular, are needed to manage and maintain all of the new orgs and direct future expansion. Without additional SO personnel our continued expansion could be slowed significantly."
Slowing significantly? Do you think!? Ha, Ha!
Brian says
I pass by the Big Blue often. I was there during the installation of the big cross many years ago. That street between AO and ASHO during those years was PACKED with students. There were more students than staff and Sea Org.
It was BUSTLING!
Every time I drive down L Ron Hubbard Way I want to get out of the car and take a picture. It's all, or mostly, Sea Org staff walking the streets.
It's a ghost town. And they all look so Bubble Headed. I pray for them and feel sorry for them.
Gus Cox says
I still call it Berendo St. It's pretty much empty now.
I have also driven down L. Ron Hubbard Way on several occasions and it does feel like a ghost town. All that's missing are the tumbleweeds.
Thanks, it's interesting to see the call for SO in relation to "new orgs" – really just the "ideal" facilities that existing, and even small and failing, orgs are getting. Typically, Scientology's wording is unclear, plus it's hard to know how much of their recruiting claims are just false lures – they may need people for grunt work, like the printing plant and furniture factory, as much as anything.
It does sound like they are having real trouble staffing local orgs, so their "you can have it all campaign" and supposedly increased pay may not be working out. I've wondered if they wouldn't eventually resort to keeping the local orgs open with skeleton staffs of Sea Org members.
ctempster says
Bognition, Right you are that the church is short on SO personnel. I remember seeing the work start on the SP Building, i.e, Super Power building in Clearwater some 20 years ago. Each time I came to Flag for services, it was still not finished and this went on for 10 to 15 years. I remember asking the SO recruiters who was trying to recruit me to SO, why wasn't the building done and opened yet? He said because they don't have enough SO staff to run it which is why you need to join staff. That shut me up good.
But he knew that wasn't the Why as to why it hadn't opened. It was an answer he gave which immediately would introvert the questioner and flood them with feelings of guilt for not having joined the SO. It was the perfect lie designed to shut up the questioner. As we know now from excellent research from Mike and others, the real Why for the SP building taking so long was that it was a CASH COW bringing in tons of donations and they never wanted to open it as long as people were giving money to the SP building. And after Mike and Tony exposed this scam, lo and behold! It finally opened, but only after the pressure he felt from the scam going public on Mike and Tony's site. DM does read these sites and does react and change things because of what is posted here.
Dude's probably been sent to the RPF for that little gaffe….
Sharon Sanders Beck says
Please explain the acronyms you use the first time you use them, like IAS. what does that mean? Thank you, I find your show fascinating and I'm sad that so many people have been duped by Scientology.
IAS=International Association of Scientologists.
Fewer and fewer people have been duped because of this show, the internet, blogs, books, etc. It really is quite a lesson for people to see how intelligent people can be conned. The snake oil salesmen are losing their grip as people learn more and more about mental manipulation and cults and what they are and how it works. They come in many forms, bearing many gifts and offers.
Lots of scientology glossaries available on the net, like
http://www.xenu-directory.net/glossary/glossary_a.htm
IAS: http://www.xenu-directory.net/glossary/glossary_i.htm#I
Briget says
Sharon, there's a website titled Xenu-Directory.net which you will find very helpful. As a fellow never-in, I look up acronyms there all the time.
david29073 says
I've had the same problem and have asked Mike as well. I have been on this blog and Tony's blog for a couple of years now, and finally found a site a few years back (Operation Clambake) that has a wonderful article by Martin G.V. Hunt titled "ARS Acronym/Terminology FAQ" that is wonderful.
I am a "never in" and can get lost in all the scientology terminology that Mike uses here, and this article is just full of all of the definitions necessary to understand what he is talking about.
Here is a link to the article; http://www.xenu.net/archive/dictionary/. I hope that helps.
Always a quandary. If I spell out everything every time it becomes painfully slow reading for any former scientologist or even daily readers of the blog…
As a never in and a daily reader I like it as is. If you're not a daily reader you should be because it's fascinating reading . If you're not commenting you should because then you're notified of all comments made on that article ever. And there is never a dull moment! ☺
ctempsterc says
Yes it is painfully slow reading for former Scns who know instantly what is meant when you use the acronyms. Also even though I'm out, I still sometimes use the church lingo for that very reason: it shortens up the time to communicate and idea from the speaker and get the full idea from the receiver. It's faster. But I have been censured from other ex Scns for doing this and they really were severe in their criticism of me for still using the terms. Of course I never sling the lingo with NON Scns and make sure to explain what I mean in common language terms to them. But I see nothing wrong with using acronyms with other Ex Scns.
I understand that using the common Scientology language can speed things up between people who know the terms. I'm not faulting you on that. I just want to caution you that Hubbard coined his own terminology for a reason and that was to shape the possible thought processes of his minions. There are lies hidden in most of those terms, and it can be dangerous to keep using them without stopping to ask yourself what they really mean and whether using them has affected your thought process. Using "thought-terminating cliches" is a common tactic of thought-control cults like Scientology.
This can be true of ordinary language, too, btw. It's just a special danger for former members of cults. Scientology is particularly pernicious that way. It often takes former members years or even decades to deprogram themselves, and I attribute a big chunk of that difficulty to the fact that the group jargon continues to shape their ability to think clearly and critically about the actual concepts.
http://www.xenu.net/archive/dictionary/. Wonderful article on all you are looking for.
Andrew Gavin says
The IAS is the International Association of Scientologists.
Here's another dictionary. Depending on how many acronyms and coined words someone learns they might become an Honorary HQS. (Hubbard Qualified Scientologist) (joke)
http://www.bible.ca/scientology-dictonary-terms.htm
Ammo Alamo says
Just remember the motto of the IAS: "Always on Top"
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BZ2zv67EZt9FgWVp6
Robert Almblad says
Anyone who takes the "free" IAS offer is placing themselves directly in the firing line of IAS high pressure reges (salespeople) who will use this "free" membership as way to get inside the heads of these new members to find out if they have any inheritance money or significant life savings…. the free membership is like all things in Scientology, it is based on "bait and switch". Free in Scientology is only used to "set up" a "mark", Once they get all his money they will drive him into debt. If he doesn't cooperate, he is either attacked or unceremoniously discarded like a used Dixie cup.
Sigh. Get 6-months free IAS membership so you can get a discount on an already extremely over-priced Bridge to Total Freedom. Whooptie DO DO. I'd rather go to a sale at Neiman Marcus. At least I'd walk away with some over-priced tee-shirt or hair comb or SOMETHING of a higher quality.
Mike, regarding last-night's episode, it left me with a burning question: What would you recommend the FBI do? I've heard you and several ex executives say that the FBI going into the INT Base would be futile. That every person there would say that they are fine, that life is great there, that there is no abuse. So, what should the FBI do? From everything the show explained last night, the FBI knows what goes on there and it seems that laws and The First Amendment has tied their hands. Having said that, I think this Season 3 is GREAT!
A Grand Jury is the way to go I believe. Going to do a post about this.
That would be great. There are hundreds, if not thousands, that would line up to testify. Oh My God! I can just see the immunities granted! Oh. Be still my heart.
Grand jury is a pretty ominous group who do not take their roles lightly…that said they would need overwhelming & compelling evidence & not just ppl saying things. Tangible proof like video of ppl in the hole, video of Miscavage punching someone…it has to documented tangible proof.
KTBug (@KTBug2792) says
Mike-
For the successful ex-scientologist litigant, who has received a settlement and signed a Non- Disclosure Agreement; does the NDA prevent them from turning evidence over to law enforcement?
I'm surprised that their computer system has never been hacked; I would think we would see leaked documents if this happened. Their system must not have any connectivity to the Internet at all. I've seen that video where Mark Headley is talking about having to retrofit e-meters with Ethernet ports, so I suppose their system could be still running on pre-IP technology. But that brings up all kinds of questions about how they're operating. It's a bit baffling.
Cynthia, keeping a computer system from being hacked is child's play. The key is eliminating outside access and restricting inside access. All covered in decades old Rainbow Series by the US Gov't
Debbie Richardson says
I think if the FBI went back in again there is a good possibility some would jump off that "sinking ship". If they got involved again perhaps that would get the attention of other branches of gov't? Perhaps the IRS? We know that the local police dept's have been bought off (LAPDHQ for sure)for the most part but maybe, just maybe if the FBI goes back in it will show Dave that he isn't invincible? That he isn't above the law coming onto his prison yard and having a look around. I know it seems like a stretch Mary, but what other hope is there?
Oh believe me, I'm one that believes the FBI SHOULD go in to International Mgmt – not like Waco with guns blazing – but with people who know how to communicate with a scientologists and maybe some ex's that can talk to people one on one and let them know they can leave now and will get help on the outside from friends, maybe family and groups that care. If they still say they want to stay, then so be it.
Mary I'm so glad to see you say that! That echoes my sentiments exactly.
The FBI just need to take files again, forget trying to convince the hole dwellers to leave. They still think LRH is coming back to put DM in his place.
If they seize files from OSA and all the CCTV footage they can get, they might get concrete proof of the abuses.
Peabody says
For the same reason they don't arrest a sadist for beating up a masochist.
Seems to me that someone has already thought of documenting all of the violations of the tax exempt status contract between the IRS and scientology. Then feed that information to the media which is great at pissing off everybody. The people, would demand that the IRS take away scientology's tax exempt status because the people hate it when someone doesn't pay their "fair" share. That should provide enough pressure for the IRS to take action.
Belynda says
Leah fought the battle of $, $, $
And Mike fought the battle of $ . . . . .
And the walls came tumblin' down ! ! !
rosemarietropf says
That makes my heart ache. I well remember those crush sell membership drives. Ugh. IAS regges were particularly mean spirited. They would say, "you are lying!" I had been staff for a long time I didn't have any money. That didn't matter. One had to sit there for at least an hour being harangued and invalidated. My cycle was only an hour because I was staff. I know people who were kept up most of the night until they paid. People would pay just to get them out of the house so they could go to bed. Sheeesh.
Five HOURS!!! my last reg cycle with my husband and several IAS members that would take their turn – basically being pounded on for money. They start really high and work their way down. After about two hours of this, I was so beaten down that I just wanted my husband to give what they asked, just to make them stop. This is abuse. Abuse the church can and does get away with time and time and time again. You just can't legislate against it and the church knows it. I heard Charmaine over the phone get 10K from someone and when she got off, she was pissed off because he "could afford more" and she said this would affect his Eligibility to get onto OT 7.
See the KR written on Bert Schippers because he could have taken out another loan and refused to do so. It's in the Aftermath episode on Ideal Orgs.
Mike, among the various charge cards, loans, etc., I took out a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit). It was completely arranged by the reg with an out of state branch of a savings & loan. I never filled out a loan application, there was no appraisal or inspection. Several months later the S&L fraud dept. called me. They were investigating the loan officer who was no longer with them. It seems he was located in Portland, OR but was making loans on property all over the country. I was able to assure them that I was a real person, but apparently the loan officer was not licensed to operate in my State.
It's amazing that people submit to this extortion by Scientology reges. That shows how much kool-aid they've got in their system. If any of those assholes tried that with me, they'd be drop kicked to Target Two.
Jonas Sjloblum (spelling?) used to be the computer guy for IAS. Back when I last saw him in 1994-5, he caretook the computer that upkept the IAS membership list.
This is important for history, since someday, Jonas could tell of the details of the upkeeping.
I think, the definitive list, and the yearly, monthly, weekly, daily upkeeping of that list (taking names off the list when members get declared SP, and when members get added newly) is truly the bottom line of "membership" in Scientology.
Hubbard allowed the "free 6 months membership" option to walk-in newbies to Scientology.
And the actual membership levels beyond the free membership might have slightly changed their rules.
I wish a former IAS, and as recent as possible, staffer, who knows of the membership details would lay them out.
These would be critical to nailing down the membership from Scientology's official viewpoint.
And also, it would be important to challenge any academics' simply taking Scientology's word on Scientology's membership, versus actually seeing the IAS membership breakdown figures.
The IAS membership breakdown year by year, and month by month, would be critical, and actually if the IAS membership list for mailing purposes, of the IAS Impact magazine, is really one of the most important statistics of the movement.
Academics must have access to real honest IAS membership list breakdowns, and over time.
That way, the actual Scientology membership can be seen of what official Scientology thinks of itself.
I wish some ex IAS staffers would pop up and share some details of the IAS membership list upkeeping.
I don't think that would be "the bottom line of "membership" in Scientology." The reason being, most people who leave the CoS are not declared nor inform the IAS. All those people with lifetime memberships who have quietly left the cult still show as "members".
It's true. I doubt half of their current membership remain as actual members.
But it IS the one measure of how many people have ever agreed to pay money to be denominated a "member" of scientology. And it is closely guarded secret even inside the Sea Org.
I doubt there are even 100,000 who have had an annual or lifetime membership since the beginning of the IAS in 1984.
I doubt their current list is more than 40,000.
And of that, 20,000 no longer call themselves scientologists.
Of the remaining 20,000 the majority are staff members. Of the public, half of them are "under the radar."
SadStateofAffairs says
Half the current "members" are most likely not real members anymore, but UTRs who have quietly distanced themselves.
pluvo says
I overheard a conversation from IASA staff members (IASA = IAS Administration) that the number of IAS members can never be lower than before (like it is just not accepted). How I got it, I'm sure that they do everything to oblige to this or they are in deep sh*t.
I like your math.
Mike, I bet those figures you gave are within 10% of actual. Wish I could get a hold of Janet for high point numbers.
Chuck, I think the crucial point would be to determine how many actual active members Scientology has out of those who are on the rolls, particularly including those who at some point got sold lifetime memberships – and I see now, others have had similar thoughts. I assume the IAS must track how many members have actually received auditing or done a course in a given year, and probably even how many have just attended a couple of major annual events, which would be the numbers that really matter.
I think any interest scholars will have, will be mostly in the big picture. The fact that all too few are even now asking hard questions about the size and activity level of Scientology's membership, I think gives an idea of their focus.
One of the things I fund frustrating, and even surprising, is that no recent defectors have come out who have any precise information about the state of Scientology's membership and finances. Either that information is carefully compartmentalized to a few guarded loyalists, or anyone who leaves and knows is being bought off with NDAs because that information is so threatening to Scientology's leadership.
We could also tell a lot, if we just had some statistics for a couple of local orgs, enough to determine general trends: total local IAS members, number attending at least one event a year, number doing classroom and online courses, total auditing hours delivered.
There is a way to know membership in Scientology
Scientology membership is 20,000 at max world wide including sea .org slices and staffers
Major Cities with Orgs have approxomately 30 – 50 people total including staff
Just look at social media groups in Scientology
A few thousand in the various Scientology groups
Dwindling down the drain
Stat, exactly. We see promo here indicating that some of the orgs in big cities like Chicago may have a "field" of 100 to 150 people who will show up for a couple of major events a year, but the number of actual active members indeed seems to be closer to around 50, from what I can tell including some insider accounts.
Another way to look at it, is that Scientology only has about 150 real locations worldwide – 130-some orgs, and another dozen or so missions of significant size. There are some outliers like AOLA that are large, and quite a few small and failing orgs (SFOs) that are tiny and virtually mission-sized. Figuring 100 members average per location, that's around 15,000, plus maybe as many as 4,000 Sea Org – which again points to a figure short of 20,000.
Scientology certainly doesn't have enough locations, or large enough memberships at any of their local orgs, to be much larger, and it's utterly unfeasible for them to have the sort of large memberships they claim. When Scientology says to the media that they have thousands or tens of thousands of members (or even more) somewhere, I wish articles would point out how few orgs there actually are, and how deserted they are, which is a reality-check clearly demonstrating how few members Scientology actually has.


text:
SportsGolf
Jordan Spieth takes three-shot lead at Northern Trust
Jordan Spieth watches his tee shot from the first tee during Round 3 of The Northern Trust PGA golf tournament at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
By Mark Herrmann mark.herrmann@newsday.com @markpherrmann August 26, 2017 8:02 PM
From the moment he set foot on the grounds, Jordan Spieth has spoken totally respectfully of Glen Oaks Club. He continued that streak Saturday, saying the course is tougher than Pebble Beach. Beyond that, his greatest tip of the cap so far has been to play superb golf on the way to possibly making the first event here unforgettable.
Spieth shot 6-under-par 64 Saturday and finished the third round of The Northern Trust at 12 under. He has a three-stroke lead over Dustin Johnson and the knowledge that there are no sure things on a course that has quickly earned its way onto the map.
"It's the rough, just how thick it is," Spieth said after making eight birdies, including four without a bogey on the back nine. "This isn't a normal week for us, with the type of rough. You miss the fairway and you walk over — if it's downgrain, you've got a chance to hit it onto the green. If it's into the grain, you're essentially playing to run it up 20 yards short." His first tee shot landed in some of the thick stuff, leading to a fast bogey 5.
The course, which was not built or renovated with the intention of hosting a PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff event. It was pressed into service as a replacement for Liberty National, which was awarded the Presidents Cup this year. So, it was natural to wonder if it would stand up to the best golfers in the world. There has been no debate about that from the golfers.
"The golf course is tough. You can shoot a really good score, or not," Johnson said after having made birdie 3 on the 18th hole to move within three of Spieth. This could be Johnson's time to reverse the finish of Spieth's victory over him at the 2015 U.S. Open. "Let's be honest here. I'd rather have a three-shot lead. But it's not that bad coming from three shots back, either, because that can change in one hole, really."
Spieth, a three-time major winner and the current British Open champion, pointed out that the rough and slick greens can make two- or three-shot swings very possible. He had to look no further Saturday than his own twosome. He played alongside his close friend Ricky Fowler, who had been among those tied with Spieth for the lead at 6 under. Fowler shot 4-over-par 74.
Add to that Spieth's own admission that he has been known to make things interesting in a final round, no doubt thinking of a meltdown at Augusta and a near-meltdown this year at Royal Birkdale.
"But I've also had cruises. I mean, Pebble Beach was an absolute cruise," he said of his four-stroke win there in February. "It was a bogey-free 2-under par round when I had a lead by a significant margin. So, that's what I would obviously like tomorrow. But Pebble Beach is an easier golf course than this, in my opinion."
He added that the pitch of Glen Oaks' greens adds to the uncertainty. So, It was a good week for him to regain his putting magic. "I just kind of created my own confidence off of a couple putts yesterday that has led to the last 27 holes or so being some of the best golf that I've played," he said.
Matt Kuchar, who lost to a Spieth surge in the British Open and is tied for third at 7 under, said, "He's a great player. You kind of expect great players to do great things, and he's clearly on some good form."
Kuchar and his fellow 7-unders — Paul Casey, Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm — all must decide how aggressive they should be in trying to catch someone who has won nine of the past 10 times he has held a 54-hole lead. You can always be stupid-aggressive," Kuchar said, "but you've kind of got to pick your medicine."
He and the field know it will take strong medicine to overcome the double dose of Glen Oaks and Spieth.
By Mark Herrmann mark.herrmann@newsday.com	@markpherrmann
Since 1983, Mark Herrmann has covered Brookhaven, Southampton and East Hampton on the news side, and high schools, the Islanders, the Mets and golf for Newsday sports. His assignments have included the Olympics, March Madness, the Triple Crown, Stanley Cup, Super Bowl and World Series.
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There were videos, and then there were DVDs. Now we have computers and DVDs are slowly going out of fashion. But nevertheless many of us still own DVDs and buy them, so we're not all throwing them away in favour of our computer. In fact, computers and DVDs can and do often work in harmony. Many DVD files make their way onto computers through DVD ripping, which is made possible by DVD ripper programs. It may seem a bit too hi-tech for those of you not already familiar with DVD ripping, but we assure you can learn it with some patience.
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text:
Q: Operator precedence for JS spread and rest operators? I'm curious what the precedence of the Spread and Rest operators are in Javascript: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Spread_operator
I was trying to find them on MDN's Operator Precedence table (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Operator_Precedence#Table) but unless they are a subcategory of an existing operator type, I don't see them. I couldn't find any other obvious documentation about it.

A: Spread syntax is not an operator and therefore does not have a precedence.
It is part of the array literal and function call (and object literal) syntax.
Similarly, rest syntax is part of the array destructuring and function parameter (and object destructuring) syntax.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Justia Dockets & Filings Sixth Circuit Michigan Eastern District Quinn v. Henry Ford Health System Filing 71
Quinn v. Henry Ford Health System
ORDER Denying 53 Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (LVer)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION QIANA QUINN, Plaintiffs, Case No. 15-10653 Honorable Victoria A. Roberts v. HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM, Defendant. ______________________________/ ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION [Doc. 53] On December 22, 2016, the Court entered an order granting in part Henry Ford Health System's ("HFHS") motion for summary judgment and denying Qiana Quinn's motion for summary judgment. Quinn's claims for pregnancy discrimination and pregnancy retaliation under Title VII and Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act ("ELCRA") – Counts 1-4 in the second amended complaint – survived summary judgment. HFHS moves for reconsideration, arguing that the Court should dismiss these remaining claims. [Doc. 53]. Local Rule 7.1(h)(3) provides the Court's standard of review for a motion for reconsideration: Generally, and without restricting the court's discretion, the court will not grant motions for ... reconsideration that merely present the same issues ruled upon by the court, either expressly or by reasonable implication. The movant must not only demonstrate a palpable defect by which the court and the parties and other persons entitled to be heard on the motion have been misled but also show that correcting the defect will result in a different disposition of the case. E.D. Mich. LR 7.1(h)(3). Palpable defects are those which are "obvious, clear, unmistakable, manifest or plain." Mich. Dep't of Treasury v. Michalec, 181 F. Supp. 2d 731, 734 (E.D. Mich. 2002). "It is an exception to the norm for the Court to grant a motion for reconsideration." Maiberger v. City of Livonia, 724 F. Supp. 2d 759, 780 (E.D. Mich. 2010). "[A]bsent a significant error that changes the outcome of a ruling on a motion, the Court will not provide a party with an opportunity to relitigate issues already decided." Id. HFHS says the Court committed two palpable defects: (1) the Court used the wrong standard for Quinn's discrimination claims – i.e., the Court compared Quinn to a person whose ability to work or not work was not similar to Quinn's; and (2) Quinn's action of informing Ruffin she was pregnant did not constitute protected activity for purposes of her retaliation claims. HFHS's first alleged defect pertains to Counts 1 and 3, pregnancy discrimination, and is baseless. Although Quinn's counsel compared Quinn to Marsack – whose ability to work was not similar to Quinn's – the Court did not adopt this standard as HFHS asserts. The Court found that Quinn's discrimination claims survived summary judgment because genuine issues of material fact existed which would allow a reasonable jury to conclude that Ruffin rescinded the promotion because Quinn was pregnant in violation of Title VII and the ELCRA. If the jury believes Quinn's presentation of the facts, Marsack and her abilities would not be relevant. HFHS's second argument pertains to Counts 2 and 4, retaliation, and is correct: as a matter of law, simply informing Ruffin she was pregnant does not constitute a protected activity under Title VII or the ELCRA. Although HFHS argued generally in its motion for summary judgment that Quinn did not engage in protected activity, it did not specifically contend that Quinn's act of informing Ruffin she was pregnant was not a 2 protected activity. Nevertheless, the Court finds it appropriate to address this argument at this juncture. To assure Quinn was not prejudiced, the Court allowed her to respond. The matter is fully briefed. In order to make a prima facie case of retaliation, Quinn must show that: (1) she engaged in protected activity; (2) HFHS knew she exercised her civil rights; (3) HFHS took an adverse employment action against her; and (4) there was a causal connection between her exercise of protected activity and the adverse employment action. Wasek v. Arrow Energy Servs., Inc., 682 F.3d 463, 468-69 (6th Cir. 2012). "Under Title VII, there are two types of protected activity: participation in a proceeding with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") and opposition to an apparent Title VII violation." Id. at 469. See also 42 U.S.C. § 2000e– 3(a) ("It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against any of his employees or applicants for employment . . . because he has opposed any practice made an unlawful employment practice by this subchapter, or because he has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this subchapter."). Retaliation under the ELCRA is materially the same as under Title VII. See Mich. Comp. Laws § 37.2701(a). Quinn's act of telling Ruffin she was pregnant does not constitute opposing an unlawful employment practice, and she did not file an EEOC complaint until well after Ruffin made the employment decision. As a matter of law, Quinn did not engage in protected activity when she told Ruffin she was pregnant. In response to HFHS's motion for reconsideration, Quinn says she "opposed Ms. Ruffin's stated predisposition to not promote her, in violation of Title VII and ELCRA 3 because [she] was pregnant, by requesting to be promoted despite being pregnant." [Doc. 70, PgID 2012]. This sets forth an arguable claim of retaliation. Viewing the facts and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to Quinn, a reasonable jury could find that: (1) after Ruffin told Quinn that her pregnancy threw "a little curve in the thing," Quinn contacted or attempted to contact Ruffin multiple times requesting to be promoted despite being pregnant (i.e., protected activity); and (2) because Quinn requested to be promoted despite being pregnant, Ruffin rescinded the promotion and/or did not offer her the position (i.e., adverse action and causal connection). Although Quinn did not specifically plead these allegations in her second amended complaint, the Court construes Quinn's response liberally as an amendment to her pleading; this is appropriate considering HFHS did not raise this particular argument in its motion for summary judgment, and because discovery arguably supports this claim of retaliation. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2) ("a party may amend its pleading . . . with . . . the court's leave. The court should freely give leave when justice so requires."). See also Rule 15(b)(1) ("If, at trial, a party objects that evidence is not within the issues raised in the pleadings, the court may permit the pleadings to be amended. The court should freely permit an amendment when doing so will aid in presenting the merits and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the evidence would prejudice that party's action or defense on the merits."). The Court DENIES HFHS's motion for reconsideration [Doc. 53]. IT IS ORDERED. S/Victoria A. Roberts Victoria A. Roberts United States District Judge Dated: January 18, 2017 4 The undersigned certifies that a copy of this document was served on the attorneys of record by electronic means or U.S. Mail on January 18, 2017. s/Linda Vertriest Deputy Clerk 5


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The Wolf Among Us: Episode 1 – Faith Review
Blair Inglis 23/10/13 10
When Telltale were to follow up their incredible take on The Walking Dead with a game inspired by the Fables series of comics, I found it hard to get excited, wishing they'd focus on something more familiar rather than a comic that I had heard of, but never really looked into.
Thankfully, in just a few minutes after you enter the world of Fables with Episode 1 of The Wolf Among Us, everything feels natural. There's no pandering to fans of the comics – though I'm sure references are still there – and it sets it up as you'd expect any new property to start, with no obligation for reading the comics. This is clearly a different story based around the same core concept, just like The Walking Dead.
And it's just as good as any of their previous attempts at an already established story. It's quite unique, blending fairytale characters with a bleak and vicious subject matter. Essentially, all of these characters – the Fables as they're known – live in Fabletown, a grimy, run-down district away from normal people – those are "mundies" – where crime, murder and alcohol abuse plagues the streets.
It's truly this setting, achieved with strong ties to the decade-long running comics, that sets The Wolf Among Us apart from similar pieces of interactive fiction, but it's still the story told that you'll find is the real focus. As with The Walking Dead, the story branches out and changes depending on your choices in the game. Although these are often scripted – go here or go there, do this or do that? – there are some more subtle choices which can lead to various consequences, and it's really quite a personal experience.
The choices in the first episode however aren't that great. While there are definitely outcomes – often bad – it feels as though you're being pushed in one direction, but that's understandable considering this episode needs to set up the narrative. It's easy to see how this will come into its own over the next few episodes, but it feels limited in its scope right now.
Of course, there's a main arc for the story, with a general direction and set scenes that aren't affected by choice. It's actually quite excellent, taking the form of a noire detective thriller starring the Big Bad Wolf and Snow White. There's just something brilliant about that, and the wolf himself – Bigby Wolf – is a great protagonist, with personal conflicts and stresses as he attempts to keep things in order as the Sheriff of Fabletown.
It's as funny as it is bleak, and the little references to fairy tales – references which everyone will know – are a brilliant way of keeping you playing, but you'll likely be hooked from the very beginning.
This all leads to a grown up take on fairy tales, through a fantastic juxtaposition of these Fables and the brutal violence which permeates the game. Even though the gameplay might be similar to previous Telltale games, it's more investigation-based, meaning you'll have to search rooms for clues or question other characters, which is a great change of pace from the more action orientated sequences, of which there are plenty, all based around quick time events.
Thankfully, it's a very intuitive and easy to handle control scheme, with no more buttons than you'll need to press and nothing too complicated in terms of QTEs. This creates a really enjoyable interactive experience, which is as much of a joy to play as it is to watch the story unfold.
The art style is really great too – the lighting has been heavily improved over The Walking Dead, and it's far more refined, matching the setting perfectly. This, combined with subtle use of music really draws you into the world of these Fables, more than any other medium could.
Having read up on the Fables comics, it's clear that Telltale are going for a different, non-canonical narrative inspired by the comic books. The first episode has a statement that defines this, and it means that they're telling a tale which no-one will know the absolute outcome of. That's something that's much better for the game.
A fantastic setting.
Brilliant fairytale references in an often bleak story.
A superb standalone story, with no need for knowledge of the comics.
Choices are present, yet feel somewhat limited in this episode.
You won't like this if you didn't enjoy The Walking Dead.
Faith is a strong start for The Wolf Among Us, and there's just the right dose of mystery to keep you going without leaving you feeling as though you aren't getting anywhere at all. The setting is perfect for the story they're trying to tell, despite the idea of a gritty world filled with characters from age-old children's stories seeming like an odd one at first.
TSA's Most Wanted in 2020 #20-11
Naraka: Bladepoint, Bravely Default II, and The Wolf Among Us Season 2 announced
The Wolf Among Us Season Two Delayed Until 2019
Ones To Watch In 2018 – Stories, Sims & Strategy
Tuffcub	 23/10/13, 17:04
Two questions: Are there any annoying kids to look after, and have the fixed the engine so it doesnt have a huge pause after someone speaks?
Blair Inglis	 23/10/13, 17:05
No kids to look after and yes, it's a lot more fluid I'd say.
RudeAwakening	 23/10/13, 20:08
I read a couple of issues of the comic and was always intrigued by the setting and story, so I think i will pick this up as i love the Walking Dead and what Telltale creates.
JR.	 23/10/13, 23:47
The Walking Dead was great but it was a broken, bug ridden mess. Think I'll wait until all the episodes of TWAU are out and make sure it works before I give Telltale my hard earned. Sounds good so far though.
Kennykazey	 23/10/13, 23:57
The Pc version is near flawless, at least I didn't encounter anything noteworthy in the "technical flaw department".
Walking seems a bit weird at times, but that is a control issue. And it could be difficult, at least for me, to work out what trigger to pull when your short on time. But those where the only cons I encountered.
Oh and I read a conversation option as sarcasm when it wasn't. But that's on me I guess. Fantastic game, and the comic is too.
It's a prequel to the comic-series.
parryman	 24/10/13, 06:31
Is this on PSN?
PSN, XBL and Steam.
three_leg_jake	 24/10/13, 09:07
Any word on a PS4 release? Loved The Walking Dead but won't keep my PS3 long enough now to complete all the episodes before my PS4 arrives.
gaffers101	 24/10/13, 10:40
I think I'll wait and hope for PS4 / Vita release. It would look great on a Vita screen.


text:
Vakuum-Aufspannsysteme sind Spannmittel und dienen vor allem in der Holz- und Kunststoffindustrie der schnellen und einfachen Bearbeitung. Sie sind mit CNC-Maschinen kompatibel. Man benutzt hier Vakuumtechnik in Verbindung mit speziellen Vakuum-Handhabungssystemen um zum Beispiel eine zu handhabende Holzplatte zu fixieren und von allen Seiten zu bearbeiten. Dies steigert die Produktivität und die Wirtschaftlichkeit, da durch die Fixierung keinerlei Beschädigungen am Werkstück entstehen und die sonst mühevolle Ausrichtung des Werkstückes viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen würde.

Neuere Aufspannsysteme ermöglichen das Austauschen verschieden großer und unterschiedlich geformter Aufsätze in kürzester Zeit, was eine flexible Handhabung der unterschiedlichst geformten Werkstücke ermöglicht.

Funktionsprinzipien
 Rastertisch: Rastertischsauger sind sehr schnell einsetzbar und erlauben durch verschiedene Gesamtbauhöhen komplexere seitliche Unterfräs- und Rundum-Bearbeitungen.
 Glatter Tisch: An glatten Tischen wird eine Zwischenplatte aufgelegt, worauf sich dann entweder ein Rastertisch oder eine Steel-Plate befindet.
 Konsole: An CNC-Bearbeitungsmaschinen mit Konsolen werden speziell für das 1- oder 2-Kreissystem unterschiedliche Blocksauger verwendet, um die Werkstücke zu fixieren.
 Steel-Plate: Die Steel-Plate ist für die Nachrüstung sämtlicher Tische und Konsolen konzipiert und ermöglicht nahezu jede Art der Positionierung und Fixierung eines Werkstückes.

Auf den Bildern sieht man einige Beispiele der verschiedenen Vakuum-Aufspannsysteme und der Vakuum-Komponenten. Diese Komponenten sind hier vor allem Blocksauger. Weil das Werkstück direkt auf ihnen liegt kann es deshalb sein, dass sie beschädigt werden und dadurch dann ausgetauscht werden müssen.

Siehe auch
 Vakuum
 Vakuumtechnik
 Vakuum-Komponente

Spannmittel
Vakuumtechnik
Handhabungstechnik

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Jamestrong responds to burgeoning infant formula market
Wednesday, 21 August, 2019
Jamestrong has responded to the burgeoning infant formula market, opening a new $15 million can facility in Auckland, NZ.
The international packaging manufacturer is set to capitalise on continued local and offshore demand for New Zealand baby formula, opening a high-care manufacturing facility in Auckland that can produce 50 million cans a year.
The plant has been custom designed and built with expansion in mind. At the appropriate time, a second line can be dropped into the facility, effectively doubling that capacity.
The new plant comes just 17 months after the company established a similar high-care facility in Hornby, Christchurch. Jamestrong also has a high-care infant formula can manufacturing plant in Kyabram, Australia, which opened in 2016.
Jamestrong ANZ Managing Director Alex Commins said: "The fact that we have opened three production facilities in just over three years speaks volumes about the trajectory of New Zealand and Australia's infant formula market and the demand coming from international markets, in particular, China."
Commins said stringent food safety and quality controls were integral to the Jamestrong Packaging manufacturing regime, and a key focus when commissioning a new high-care facility that produces metal packaging intended for infant formula. He added that the appetite for locally produced infant formula from green and safe provenance was "fundamental to underlying demand", with the Chinese infant formula market mooted to be worth in the order of $32 billion per annum.
The other sites were established in Christchurch (2018) and Kyabram (2016).
Markem-Imaje acquires brand protection specialist Systech
Systech will become part of Markem-Imaje, bringing a range of products, including its Brand...
Tetra Pak and Hexagon launch virtual reality platform
Tetra Pak, in collaboration with Hexagon's PPM Division, has launched a Smart Solutions...
Pilot plant for bio-based barrier material for packaging
The pilot plant is being built to enable the production of bio-based plastics as a barrier in...


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About Discounts
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Families looking after a disabled child
Who is the Family Card for?
Family cards will be available to large families and families with disabled children.
What is families with disabled children?
A family with disabled children or family who caring for a disabled person – a family in which one of the parents is appointed as the guardian of an incapacitated person, caring for or caring for a disabled minor or 55 percent of the disabled. and an adult child with reduced working capacity. The child may be of legal age, but must live with his parents.
Requirements and documentation
In order to obtain a family card, all you need to do to protect your personal data is just a few steps, we will ask www.spis.lt to enter or revise your e-mail and tick a few.
The family card will be produced in accordance with the information provided in the Family Support Information System (SPIS) and sent to the actual or declared place of residence. Priority will be given to the actual place of residence. Before that, however, families will receive emails requesting consent for a Family Card. Without such consent, the Family Card will not be produced and downloaded for enhanced personal data protection.
If the family data is not available in SPIS (this can happen if the family has not filled out or applied for the child's money or is not entitled to receive it when the child is over 21), it is worth registering and applying online at www.spis.lt. A video guide on how to join SPIS can be viewed here.
If you do not wish to register with the system, the family card can be obtained by filling in an application with the Department of Social Services (SPPD). It can be sent by post or delivered on arrival at the SPPD. The application form is approved in the Family Card Procedure and copies of attached documents must be certified.
Please note that SPIS processes personal data contained in a standard and electronic form in the application for a card and in the online documentation or identification of the card, as well as in the registers and information systems for the purposes of identification and access. For a complete list of the data processed, see section 4 of the SPIS Privacy Policy.
Certified copies of personal data documents attached to the application, which are not in state and departmental registers or state information systems (as appropriate):
* A copy of the applicant's identity document
* "Family (Cohabiting) Data for Social Assistance Form SP-1" (may be completed in SPIS) approved by Order of the Minister of Social Security and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania "On Approval of Certain Forms Required for Social Assistance" (review law)
* Disability certificate or other documents certifying the child's disability issued by the Invalidity and Disability Determination Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor.
* Certificate of Determination of Special Needs of a Cared Person from the Disability and Disability Determination Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor (NDNT)
* Judgment on the determination of the child's place of residence
* Court decision on incapacitation of an adult (guardian child) in a particular area and appointment of a guardian or guardian, determination of the minor's place of residence
* Certificate of the declared place of residence of the family members (when the child is of age and lives with his / her parents).
Department of Social Services Supervision under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor
Budgetary institution code: 191717258
Adress: A. Vivulskio str. 13, 03162 Vilnius
1. +370 658 86283 (Participation of public and private legal entities in the Family Card program)
2. +370 706 68271 | +370 658 86268 (Family card application administration)
Mobile application Šeimos kortelė
Large families
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