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April 28, 2013 |Asian Policy, China, Chinese Communist Party, Chinese Economy, People's Liberation Army, U.S.-China relationship
China and America: Will It be a Strategic Relationship?
by Donovan C. Chau|Leave a Comment
Dragons and pandas are oft-used metaphors when the West, including the United States, discusses China and its implications on national and international politics. I have lamented about the overuse of dragons in reference to China in the past,[1] though I must admit: I sometimes succumb to the easy trap myself, particularly in the classroom. The use of dragon or panda as a metaphor for China is a simplistic means of conveying meaning toward the country: the former connotes a dangerous, potentially harmful China, perhaps to itself and nation-states around the world; the latter, a soft, cuddly China, otherwise friendly to its home region of Asia and elsewhere. There is nothing particularly wrong with such characterizations of China, other than the fact that they obscure a country and a people much more complex and multi-faceted than meets the eye.
Unfortunately, in their book, An Awkward Embrace, Mr. Dan Blumenthal and Dr. Phillip Swagel have fallen prey to the dragon-panda trap, though without use of either metaphor by name. The book itself is a slim volume, totaling 107 pages, endnotes inclusive. Though not explicitly stated, it appears geared toward U.S. policymakers. The publisher, American Enterprise Institute Press, is of course associated with the think tank of the same name in Washington, DC. So, perhaps, a direct reference to the target audience is not needed.
Where the authors are quite direct, however, is in setting up the framework of their book. They spell out two basic schools of thought in U.S. relations with China: the "Good China" and the "Bad China." In other words, the schools view China as a panda or a dragon. The Good China, or panda school, focuses on the economic relationship between the United States and China. Specifically, the school views economic linkages as positive incentives which, in essence, will eventually socialize and liberalize China within the international system. China's government, according to this school, acts to "maximize" its citizens' welfare. And the United States benefits from a policy promoting trade relations, despite China's political shortcomings at home. China is good for America!
In contrast, Bad China, or the dragon school, translates China's tremendous economic growth into real political and military power, both of which could be used to right historical grievances and elevate China's international position to its self-perceived traditional role as hegemon in Asia. This school, thus, tends to emphasis the security dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship, intimating that China acts as any realist nation would – to maximize its power and prestige in the world. China is a dangerous dragon, not a cute panda. Yet, as the authors emphasize, and correctly so, this panda-dragon is both a friend and a foe, making for difficult policy-making in Washington.
Indeed, both authors have firsthand experiences with the policy-making process in Washington. Blumenthal worked on China and related issues while serving in the Office of the Security of Defense; Swagel served in the Department of Treasury as assistant secretary, advising then-Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson on all aspects of economic policy. Both also have a myriad of other experiences inside the Beltway, from the White House to Congress. So it is with much disappointment that their book, An Awkward Embrace, is so awkwardly short of policy insight on U.S.-China relations.
The first two substantive chapters of the book, written by Blumenthal, focus on the dragon school of thought, chronicling China's rise as a rival to the United States and assessing China from a security perspective. These two chapters are the most coherent and thoughtful chapters of the entire work. Both are well-sourced, with over sixty endnotes each, and highlight the major strategic challenges in the bilateral relationship. These challenges include the traditional contest between great powers, a competition over prestige, power, and military dominance. This is occurring today between the United States and China, according to Blumenthal.
In addition, Blumenthal touches on the crux of the challenge for U.S. policy, namely, how best to determine China's strategic intentions. "It is unclear what the PRC intends to do with all of this military power," he writes (6). But then Blumenthal jumps to the conclusion that the United States "must infer Chinese intentions from capabilities" (6). This is where Blumenthal errs. Strategic assessments should take into account, as fully and completely as possible, both capabilities and intentions. Blumenthal gets a little closer to the mark when he mentions a "key variable" in the bilateral relationship, "how politics within the People's Republic of China (PRC) unfolds" (15). Though "elite Chinese politics" are still very much a "black box" (16), as Blumenthal rightfully points out, one can only determine China's strategic intentions by delving into this very black box. Unfortunately, the book does not do so.
Today, we may ascertain more clearly China's strategic intentions – the black box – by examining its current leader's statements. Xi Jinping, before and after assuming the presidency of the People's Republic this past March, made a series of speeches, the themes of which were a "China Dream." "This dream can be said to be the dream of a strong nation. And for the military, it is a dream of a strong military," Mr. Xi said in December 2012 on board a guided-missile destroyer. "To achieve the great revival of the Chinese nation, we must ensure there is unison between a prosperous country and strong military."[2] This is certainly an affirmation of Blumenthal's assessment in the book; but the book itself reveals very little in the way of China's strategic intentions, despite evidence in open sources.
Compared with the remainder of the book, however, Blumenthal's chapters on the security challenge of China to the United States are stellar. His co-author's chapter assessing the U.S.-China relationship from an economic standpoint falls flat. Dry and poorly sourced, the chapter is written as though China's economy is like that of any other Western-based economy. Nothing could be further from the truth, particularly when taking into account the history of the People's Republic since 1949, not to mention the dynastic history of China which dates back thousands of years.[3] One can not necessarily fault the author, Swagel, who is an economist not a historian, and certainly not an expert on China. Swagel does get it right when he mentions the Faustian bargain the Communist Party has given itself: In order to maintain political legitimacy and power, it must continue growing China's economy, creating jobs (61).
Overall, though, Swagel's economic analysis lacks in depth and does not delve into the significant aspects of the relationship. For example, why not discuss who the economic "shot-callers" in China are and their interests and objectives? Unlike Western liberal democracies, there are a plethora of economic actors in China, from the Communist Party leadership to directors of state-owned enterprises to the People's Liberation Army leadership. Furthermore, Swagel mentions in passing the role of cyberspace in the economic relationship; an entire book could be devoted to this difficult challenge for the United States, whether related to cyber-espionage and cyber-attacks or the use of Chinese cloud computing companies.[4] Similarly, Swagel notes China's energy policy and investment around the world, including in places like Iran and Sudan, but leaves the reader hanging. What is the strategic significance of China in Africa, or China in Latin America?[5]
Moving beyond an attempted economic assessment of U.S.-China relations, the authors provide three potential scenarios for the bilateral relationship. I always tell my students, undergraduate and graduate, that I am not in the business of forecasting or making predictions. There is indeed something inherently dangerous (and foolish) with regard to making predictions in international politics. Two cases in point during the 1990s, the founder of Stratfor once co-wrote a book about the coming war with Japan; one may contrast that work with a book about the coming conflict with China.[6] Thus, it would be much more useful to ask Blumenthal and Swagel, why only three potential scenarios with regard to future relations between the United States and China? What were the key assumptions used in generating these scenarios, and why were they used?
The authors end their book with a typical set of policy recommendations for U.S. dealings with difficult international actors: carrots, sticks, and hedging. Nothing new, we just need to reward the panda for good behavior, punish the dragon for bad behavior, and support our close Asian allies. The only inference of something novel is in relation to what one could characterize as an East Asian collective defense organization, to "knit a tighter web of regional allies that may assist each other's self-defense capabilities" (106). This sounds promising, but, sadly, the authors do not elaborate; they move on to the banal discussion of promoting civil society in China.
What matters most in the strategic relationship between the United States and China? A useful starting point is examining the historical relationship that begins well before President Richard M. Nixon's visit to China in 1972, which was referenced by Blumenthal. In fact, one should begin with America's quasi-colonialism, when merchants, missionaries, and an assortment of other Americans sailed great distances to reach the Orient.[7] This historical legacy might inform the policymaker that the United States has had, since its first dealings with the Chinese, commercial and social interests and objectives in the Far East. To what extent are these still important for U.S. policy toward China in the twenty-first century? Answers to this and similar questions would be better starting points in the formulation of U.S. policy than those offered in An Awkward Embrace.
Strategically, the United States saw no interest in the Far East until acquisition of the Philippine Islands after the Spanish-American War (1898-1899). Only then did the United States learn the "Problem of Asia," including the tyranny of distance across the Pacific.[8] The Philippine War, the Pacific Theater during the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War all contribute to the strategic history of the United States in East Asia. And China played a role in all, save for the first. What does this mean for U.S. strategy in the Pacific, perhaps more cogently termed the Indo-Asia-Pacific, today?[9]
Prudent U.S. policy toward China in the twenty-first century takes into account the totality of U.S. experiences in East Asia, past and present. The exigencies of policymakers in Washington tend not to offer time to consider history, geography, and strategy. It is easy for Western liberal democracies to forget the past. But it is also dangerous.[10] A simple policy suggestion is to avoid the American proclivity to develop or rely on personal relationships with authoritarian leaders or leadership. This is as true today with respect to China as it was with the Soviet Union in the past.[11] It is the enduring aspects of strategic relationships that count, not the ephemeral.
In the twenty-first century, the United States must continually learn to distinguish fact from fiction in its relationships; both may be useful in the context of China and Asia, as a whole.[12] The international security environment may change, but, then again, it may continue to possess strategic features that were just as significant in the past as they are today.[13] Without question, U.S. policy will respond to China; but will it do so strategically?
China will be China. And China will be the strategic problem for the United States in the twenty-first century.
[1] See, for example, Donovan Chau, "Book Review: Maria Hsia Chang, Return of the Dragon: China's Wounded Nationalism," Comparative Strategy 21, no. 3 (2002): 239.
[2] Jeremy Page, "For Xi, a 'China Dream' of Military Power," Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2013, A1.
[3] For a quick look at Chinese dynastic history, see the classic John King Fairbank, China: A New History (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press, 1992), chapters 2-7.
[4] For the Chinese cyber threat to the United States, see Northrup Grumman, "Occupying the Information High Ground: Chinese Capabilities for Computer Network Operations and Cyber Espionage," U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Report, Washington, DC, March 7, 2012; and Mandiant, "APT1: Exposing One of China's Cyber Espionage Units," Report by Mandiant Intelligence Center, Alexandria, VA, February 18, 2013.
[5] For a book about the former topic, see Donovan C. Chau, Meddling Dragon: A History of China in Africa (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, forthcoming).
[6] I am referring to George Friedman and Meredith LeBard, The Coming War with Japan (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991); and Richard Bernstein and Ross H. Munro, The Coming Conflict with China (New York: A. A. Knopf, 1997).
[7] For a recent popular account, see Eric Jay Dolin, When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail (New York: Liveright, 2012).
[8] For some insightful reading, still relevant today, see Alfred T. Mahan's three part series: "The Problem of Asia," Harper's New Monthly Magazine C, no. DXCVIII (March 1900): 536-547; "The Problem of Asia, II," Harper's New Monthly Magazine C, no. DXCIX (April 1900): 747-759; and "The Problem of Asia, III," Harper's New Monthly Magazine C, no. DC (May 1900): 929-941.
[9] For a strategic description of the Indo-Asia-Pacific see Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, "Resilience and the Asia-Pacific Rebalance," Speech before the U.S. Indonesia Society, February 8, 2013, http://www.pacom.mil/media/news/2013/02/08-adm-locklear-us-indonesia-society-resilience-asia-pacific-rebalance.shtml (accessed April 8, 2013).
[10] For the danger, see Harold W. Rood, Kingdoms of the Blind: How the Great Democracies Have Resumed the Follies that So Nearly Cost Them Their Life (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 1980).
[11] My late mentor, Dr. William R. Van Cleave, was disgusted when former President George W. Bush said he looked into President Vladimir Putin's eye and "was able to get a sense of his soul." Caroline Wyatt, "Bush and Putin: Best of Friends," BBC News, June 16, 2001, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1392791.stm (accessed April 8, 2013).
[12] Distinguishing myth from reality is a paraphrase of the epigraph in Arthur Waldron, The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990).
[13] For a holistic look, see Donovan C. Chau and Thomas M. Kane, eds., China and International Security: History, Strategy, and 21st Century Policy, 3 vols. (Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, forthcoming).
Donovan C. Chau
Donovan C. Chau is an associate professor of political science, California State University, San Bernardino, USA.
The Dollars and Sense of Intellectual Property
Present at the Creation: The Free Market Counterrevolution


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Archive for the 'JEFF SESSIONS' Category
THE DEAD CAN DANCE MIDTERMS
Posted: November 15, 2018 in American Exceptionalism, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, Bill Clinton, Bull Shit, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, corruption, DEMOCRATS, Donald Trump, ethics training, Hillary Clinton, JEFF SESSIONS, MELANIA TRUMP, Mental Health, President Tweet, Psychology, RELATIONSHIPS, REPUBLICANS, Rule of Law
Tags: 2018 Midterm Election, bull shit, DONALD TRUMP, Hillary Clinton, politics, Psychology, Rule of Law
Now here is a happy election note for one to play on their Horny-Trumpet!
It appears that Dennis Hof, the Trump-Ass-Hole-Like brothel owner, a true total PIG of a man, won his Nevada's 36th Assembly District by a LANDSLIDE victory.
And it really shows the depth of intelligence of the Republicans in Nevada's 36th Assembly District because HE'S DEAD!
Yep, Dennis died three weeks BEFORE the election after his celebrating his 72nd birthday by OVER partying.
But even though he was dead the Republicans in the district voted to have him represent them by 63% of the vote.
Maybe because they are DUMB or maybe because they had voted overwhelmingly for another loser a couple of years back, Donnie Trump.
But there is an argument to be made that the Republican's in the 36th Assembly District voted for the dead Hof in order not to flip the seat to the Democrats. Which may be a possibility. And this could hold water for Tubularsock except Tubularsock has been in this part of Nevada and brilliance is not a strong suit!
But Tubularsock will give them this; that in the 36th Assembly District they would have been better off electing a rattle snake rather than a gross dead pig!
Now both Dennis and Donnie had a lot in common.
First they BOTH are 72. Hmmm. Maybe that's a sign.
And second, Dennis wrote a book, "The Art of the Pimp" (Tubularsock is not kidding here) based on Donnie's "The Art of the Deal".
Damn they are like brothers! Both FAT, STUPID, and INTELLECTUALLY VOID!
But why should those qualities stand in the way of a Republican?
You see Republicans in this election went ahead and voted in two other Republican candidates that have current Indictments against them.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R), 50th District of California with a 60-count indictment on felony charges of wire fraud and campaign finance violations.
Rep. Chris Collins (R), 27th District of New York with an indictment on federal insider trading charges.
But hey, crooks have to make a living too! Why not have them represent you in government with their friends.
Once people get an eye opening event with the Trump tax returns …….. will any of the Republicans even take note?
Ok maybe a C-note. It's par for the Republican mind set.
Now don't get Tubularsock wrong here. All this is not to say that the Republicans are the only ones that have dirty laundry.
The Clinton's are right up there with the Republican criminal element for sure. They all belong to the same social circles and private clubs and even play golf together at times.
And no surprise, the people that AREN'T in those circles are YOU and your friends!
BUT IT'S YOU that pays the price …….. do you get that, yet?
So now we have the dead being elected and the voters with their addresses listed as the local cemetery must be voting for their own kind.
So all this "voter fraud" being bantered around is really only sour grapes because the dead representatives are just being elected by the cemetery crowd and thereby just being supportive of their base!
Ahhhh ………. all's good with democracy!
JEFF SESSIONS, GOAT FUCKER?
Posted: June 24, 2018 in American Dream, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, Barron Trump, Black Forest, DEMOCRATS, Dick Cheney, Donald Trump, Fred C Trump, God, GUATEMALA, Honduras, Ivanka Trump, JEFF SESSIONS, Mary Trump, MELANIA TRUMP, Mexico, NAZISM, Neo-Nazi, Peter Fonda, President Tweet, PRESIDENTIAL LEGACY, Psychology, RELATIONSHIPS, Religion, Religiosity, REPUBLICANS, Secret Service, VOTE
It has been many years now that Tubularsock was wandering Europe. But all of this Naziesque crap being directed by OrangeTurd and his trusty companion BibleThumper Jeff has brought back a long forgotten conversation.
Tubularsock was driving through Germany with a trusted friend. We were taking the "slow" way through the German hinterland and was driving through the Black Forest area with no real destination in mind.
The evergreen forests and picturesque villages were right out of a "living" traveler guidebook. An amazing area of Germany to visit especially if you are a meandering traveler.
It was there, sitting in the car at a pullout that our conversation began. If we had been German citizens during the rise of Hitler and if we had been living in this area of German, just how knowledgeable would we have been about Auschwitz in Poland and what was happening in Germany at large as well?
As the hate and fear was propagated that "others" were not worthy of our concern just how shutdown to this oncoming evil would we have grokked?
Tubularsock has many German friends that have stated that their parent's generation, after the war, would NOT EVEN discuss this subject or explain how they had been duped by Hitler and his hate filled belief system. The shame was too great and they didn't want to explain their role of even being citizens in that mess.
Jump to Jeff Session interpreting the Bible, Romans 13 suggesting that God supports the government in separating immigrant parents from their children.
And it looks to Tubularsock that Jeff has as much knowledge as Tubularsock has about Biblical interpretation when Tubularsock interprets Isaiah 11:6 ". . . the leopard will lie down with the goat . . ." to mean that Jeff Sessions fucks goats!
Now, Tubularsock may not be the best Biblical scholar, however, it just goes to show you that Jeff too is rather selective at cherry picking passages of the Bible for his own political purposes. Shame on you Jeff, you old goat fucker!
And then we have Plastic Melania in her "I Don't Care, Do U" coat going off to see the children in jail to bestow her "motherly love" with her magic wand.
Leaving Barron home alone with his unstable Orange-"father".
Poor, Poor Barron, assumed to have been born from a turkey baster impregnation so Plastic Mom didn't have to have that gross Fat-Orange-Body thrusting and panting attempting to get a hard on to do the job.
FREE BARRON!, FREE BARRON!, FREE BARRON!
Wow, speaking of child molestation! Can you imagine having to be trapped in a "family" with Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric!
Tiffany is not so bad.
But leave it to Peter Fonda to hit the nail on the head with his tweet calling for Barron to be ". . . ripped from his mother's arms and put in a cage with pedophiles."
Of course, Peter apologized later saying he had been upset over Trump's Policy and he had ". . . tweeted something highly inappropriate and vulgar about the president and his family in response to the devastating images I was seeing on television."
OH CONTRAIR!
The pedophile part WAS a little bit over the top but at least the cage would help protect Barron from Plastic-mom, Orange-dad, and the evil Munchkins!
But unlike the children stolen from their parents at the border Plastic-mom had the U.S. Secret Service notified. Some kids warrant special attention.
So Plastic-I-Don't-Care wanted to see for herself what was happening to the imprisoned children of Latin American descent so, if you can believe this, she was sent to a facility opened to the first lady which was, of course, selected keeping in mind the press would be accompanying her.
"Other such facilities around the country have denied access to Democratic lawmakers and media".
You know, like any good DEMOCRATIC society would do. Prevent Congress from representing the people they are supposed to represent and be the eyes of the people. Republicans are prevented as well. You know, to keep it fair.
Well, it sure fooled Plastic I-Don't-Care!
Tubularsock is sure that everyone was on best behavior for the Plastic-Lady! She thanked everyone for a job well done and then got into her jet and flew back to Washington, D.C.
She left with her parting words that the U.S. should "govern with heart"!
And Tubularsock agrees and just maybe it has come time to pull that used heart of Dick Cheney and plant it into Donald. That heart never seemed to work for Cheney anyway.
The Nazi mind set is running again and the American public can be awakened to the possible further destruction of what is left of American Values which weren't that strong to begin with or we can watch the edges of the toilet bowl as we all swirl down into the depth of the Black Forest never to be seen again.
It actually is up to US!
Trump has embarrassed the United States of America in the World and as his Scottish-born mother's relatives have stated: "His Mother had been acutely embarrassed by the antics of her fourth child during the 1990s when his failing marriage and business were the subject of intense tabloid scrutiny.
Mary Trump died in 2000, but if his mother was upset with his crap in the 1990's she must be turning over in her grave NOW!
And as for dear daddy, Fred C. Trump with his German ancestry as a nap-sack was arrested at a Ku Klux Klan riot in New York in 1927, records reveal. He died in 1999.
Need Tubularsock say more? The racist apple hasn't fallen far from the tree, now has it!
LOCK THE CHILDREN UP, NOW!
Posted: May 30, 2018 in America Asleep, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, CIA Drugs, CIA TERRORISTS, Congress, Donald Trump, Guantanamo, Honduras, Intolerance, JEFF SESSIONS, John Kelly, Mexico, President Tweet, Psychology, RACISM, RELATIONSHIPS, REPUBLICANS, Rule of Law
Lets get something straight ……….. taking children from their parents after crossing the border seeking asylum is against EVERYTHING this country has ever stood for and yet Jeff Sessions, John Kelly and Dumbtrump and those Republican'ts that support them are breaking the LAW OF HUMAN DECENCY. (AGAIN!)
White House chief of staff John Kelly told NPR's John Burnett earlier this month that "the children will be taken care of — put into foster care or whatever".
AND YET 1500 children that were taken into custody ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR and nobody knows where they are or where they were sent!
Is this country THAT DYSFUNCTIONAL?
The U.S. is obligated to accept asylum-seekers under U.S. and international law if they can show a "credible fear" of persecution or torture.
There IS NO LAW that ". . . even remotely requires the separation of children (from their parents), and we filed a recent lawsuit arguing, in fact, that the Constitution prohibits this policy." (According to the ACLU.)
The practice of putting children ". . . into foster care or whatever" was something that was being done when children arrived at our boarders UNACCOMPANIED but was not intended to be used for children who arrived with their parents.
That policy was CREATED by Sessions and OrangeDump NOT the Democraps!
Of course, OrangeDump is out there on his soap box blaming the Democraps but this time it is just not true. Pretty much like all things OrangeDump says. But who even counts anymore?
In an interview with NPR in May, White House chief of staff John Kelly described family separation as a "tough deterrent." And that is from a guy who lost his own son so you'd think he'd have a better understanding and compassion for the loss of a child. But no, he doesn't seem to get it no matter how often he visits his son's grave in Arlington Cemetery.
Hey John, you may want to ask your wife about a loss of a son. Just another "tough deterrent" …… right John?
Like Tubularsock has said before and will repeat ad nauseam, the reason so many Latin Americans are fleeing for protection from their countries is because of the destructive U.S. foreign policies toward Latin America which have been going on for years.
Those policies have lead to the causes of a massive exodus from Latin America and according to government data shows that most of the children traveling alone and families traveling together from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, are fleeing drug cartels, gang violence and domestic abuse. As well as the dictators the U.S. installed while "influencing" their elections.
But COMPASSION is not one of Jeff Sessions and Dumps strong suits. Perhaps due to poor potty training in their formative years.
Holding in shit for that many years can cause a continuous flow in pseudo-adulthood.
PRESENT AT THE CREATION
Posted: January 9, 2018 in American Exceptionalism, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, bull shit as an art form, corruption, DEMOCRATS, Donald Trump, ethics training, Ivanka Trump, JARED KUSHNER, JEFF SESSIONS, MELANIA TRUMP, Mike Pence, MISSILES, North Korea, President Tweet, Psychology, psychomania, RELATIONSHIPS, Religiosity, South Korea
Tags: bull shit, DONALD TRUMP, Mike Pence, Psychology
Tubularsock was sitting in his Corner Office In His Underground Bunker Overlooking Washington, D.C. from Oakland, CA. (see BUNKER TOUR for background) and pondering the absurd world we find ourselves.
But hey, what in the fuck would you expect if in each last election you had to vote for the "lessor of the two evils"!
It is just logical that in time you'd have to reach the bottom of the barrel, RIGHT?
And the real scary thing is that Orange Fuck and his deranged offspring and his third plastic wife may not be at the bottom.
Think about it! Makes WW3 look better already, doesn't it!
So is there a way out?
So kick back and think of your options.
Sure Tubularsock has some options to suggest.
And remember these are only for fun, not real change.
First: We grab Pussy-Whipped-Session's and give him a marijuana suppository to loosen up his dysfunctional brain and bring him into the 21st century!
Second: We remove the Christian Cross turned sideways from Pence's ass to relieve the pressure on his brain as he waits for the second coming.
And Third ……. oh hell you come up with one! After all isn't that what democracy is all about?
a functioning america?: dumb, dumber, dumbest
Posted: December 14, 2017 in Alabama, Alabama Supreme Court, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, Congress, corruption, Donald Trump, Doug Jones, Ivanka Trump, JEFF SESSIONS, MELANIA TRUMP, Mitch McConnell, President Tweet, Psychology, RELATIONSHIPS, REPUBLICANS, STEVE BANNON, Voting
a functioning america?: dumb, dumber, dumbest . . .
OH COME ON …… IS THIS REALLY TRUE?
When Tubularsock saw this, immediately doubt was the reaction.
Now, it is not that Tubularsock has any doubt what-so-ever that Donnie can't tie his own shoes but Tubularsock had to do some research about this Newsweek article. First Tubularsock hates Newsweek and doesn't trust much of what they say but also because of the stupidity of ALL of the Trumps' and inability to tie their own shoes was a little too much.
Hell, Melania and Ivanka wear slip-on for Christ sake!
But alas, life is stranger than fiction.
It has been disclosed by the New York City Board of Elections that due to the lack of a 3rd grade level of intelligence the Trumps couldn't vote for the Mayor of New York because………….
Donnie while filling in his absentee ballot put down the WRONG DATE FOR HIS OWN BIRTHDAY! You know, how June and July look alike, right?
Melania wrote in under "county", USA rather than New York and then proceeded to NOT SIGN the inner envelope as instructed to do for mail-in absentee ballots.
She is one of those immigrants that climbed the wall so at least it is somewhat understandable.
Ivanka filled out her ballot properly but didn't mail it in on time.
And Jared, not being a "real-Trump" didn't vote at all.
Now don't let it bother you that:
Sure the beat goes on.
SPEAKING OF VOTING.
You have seen that Doug Jones won the Alabama Senate seat from the pedophile Moore who got less of the votes.
Moore who got less wants a recount.
But Alabama's Secretary of State John Merrill has stated that Moore with less could have a recount if he paid for it.
But here is Tubularsock's question:
Just how will the recount be counted?
Tubularsock assumes that the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that way because they thought the vote would be close and it would be Doug Jones wanting the recount.
Maybe that old good-ol'-boy system is going to take a hit!
Before the election Mitch McConnell suggested that PedoMoore should step down from running and head back to the mall and chase 14 year old virgins full time (or something like that) but then the Pussy-Grabbing-President-Dump put his full support behind Moore and then Mitch switched! (this all sounds a little gay to Tubularsock ….. just sayin')
Mitch suggested that "IT WAS UP TO ALABAMANS TO CHOOSE THEIR SENATOR TO REPRESENT THEM IN THE U.S SENATE"!
But wouldn't you know. Now that Alabamans have chosen their Senator to represent them, Mitch McConnell now is attempting to NOT ALLOW Doug Jones into the Senate to REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA until after the tax robbery bill is voted on.
It's called democracy.
A TUBULARSOCK EXCLUSIVE: NEWS BEFORE IT HAPPENS!
Posted: September 1, 2017 in AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, BANKS, Bull Shit, corruption, Donald Trump, economics, JEFF SESSIONS, President Tweet, Psychology, relationship, ROBERT MUELLER, Rule of Law, Secret Service, U.S. Constitution, Uncategorized, Vladimir Putin
Tags: bull shit, DONALD TRUMP, Psychology, Putin, Rule of Law
A TUBULARSOCK EXCLUSIVE:
NEWS BEFORE IT HAPPENS!
Ok as usual, Tubularsock has an insider's perspective into the current administration being that as Secretary of the Deplorables Tubularsock is on the "right" side of the right government policies of The Super-Bigly Great Orange One!
Rumor has it that Tubularsock has positioned himself in the current West Wing of the White House in the boiler-room where he has control of the heating and cooling of the building. Being the ONLY member of the current administration that knows the secret codes for the indoor environment of the White House puts Tubularsock in an enviable power position.
So when it was reviled by the New York Signs, a hostile progressive publication, that the
Secretary of the Deplorables had been subpoenaed by Robert Mueller much anticipation was anticipated. And as that anticipated anticipation grew the left-stream-press concluded that Russia was involved!
As Tubularsock, ". . . first hand coverage, second hand news", a non-biased news outlet has reported through an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media, that Russia may have a relationship with the Secretary of the Deplorables but this was denied by the administration.
However it was noted by a former Secret Service agent who did not wish to be identified that some ties with the Russian Government may be true. Some documentation was procured from this individual as seen below.
"I hasten to point out that in no sense do I claim the ideas I am submitting are a real thing. They constitute a theory, not a thesis", stated the former Secret Service agent.
But an American official familiar with the talks with Mueller, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly stated, "some pictures are really worth a thousand words".
Yet the investigation conducted by the sharp-eyed-reporters from Tubularsock, ". . . first hand coverage, second hand news", a non-biased news outlet has produced an actual photograph that may add some light to the Trump-Tube Russian connection.
Now sure Felix Sater has Russian connections! Hell, he's Russian!
When asked, Tubularsock, Trump's Secretary of the Deplorables, stated, "Felix Sater is a Russian-American gangster of the old school. You know, a classical American tradition type Eliot Ness gangster. It is this solid American criminal tradition that our President believes in …… make America Great again!"
Felix Sater has deep financial connections to Trump and to Russia. Felix Sater has been a friend of Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen since childhood, and is an important Trump business partner who worked out of Trump Tower.
But funny, when Donald was asked about his connections with Felix, Trump said, "I'm not that familiar with him."
Which would be expected for Trump to say especially after his associate Felix Sater, described his ambitions in emails to Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen.
In those emails Sater states, "Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this, I will manage this process." (New York Times … for real!)
So we all have, so far, three possible Russian connections with Trump.
The first is the meeting in Trump Tower between Russian agents and Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner.
The second connection is the attempt by Republican operative Peter W. Smith to obtain Hillary Clinton's emails through Russian hackers. According to The Wall Street Journal "Robert Mueller is investigating Michael Flynn's connection to this operation".
And the third connection is Felix Sater.
Looks like a full plate.
But in truth the Russian connection is there but it is mostly bullshit. The real deal is going to be the evidence that is being collected on financial crimes, including potential money laundering that is where Donald and his family are going to go down!
JEFF SESSIONS THE DEVIL YOU SAY!
Posted: July 27, 2017 in AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, Civil Rights, Delusional, Donald Trump, Gay Rights, Intolerance, JEFF SESSIONS, President Tweet, Psychology, psychomania, RACISM, RELATIONSHIPS, REPUBLICANS, Uncategorized
Well it looks like the "devil" is knocking on little-prick-jeff-sessions "back door" sort of speak. Tubularsock has always said that those overly pious, God-fearing Christians should NEVER bend over anywhere near Trump!
Well little jeffy did bend over a few times and still would "butt" he may be packing his bags soon.
However, Tubularsock does give credit to little jeffy for recusing himself from the on going Russian investigation as he should have done and did EVEN at the expense of Orange-Tweet's wrath. Legally as well as ethically it was required so Sessions' gets a gold star for that!
Yet he is still a little-stale-racist-white-cracker none the less and Tubularsock will be happy to see him go.
But Tubularsock will be glad to bring jeffy over to the nearest Black Christian LGBT pot smoking party and introduce him to new friends. Hey, Tubularsock doesn't hold a grudge ……………………….
You know little jeffy will be so much happier taking his dominatrix wife and himself back to Alabama and leave Trump's cyberbullying. Oh sure he'll miss it but maybe he'll just be better off in his home territory and away from the evils of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Hell, Orange-Tweet plays hard ball!
TUBE'S SESSIONS IN SESSIONS
Posted: June 15, 2017 in 9/11, Advertising, America Asleep, AMERICAN HYPOCRISY, bull shit as an art form, Congress, corruption, Delusional, JEFF SESSIONS, Psychology, relationship, Russia, September 11
Tags: Attorney General, bull shit, JEFF SESSIONS, Psychology, Rule of Law, Russia, Senate Intelligence Committee
OK! Tubularsock will admit this right up front. Jeff Sessions reminds Tubularsock of a child molester and then again when he is with his wife …. dominatrix comes to mind!
Now, of course, that is not to say that they have anything to do with either but that is what comes to Tubularsock's mind when he see them. And some have said that "Tubularsock has some fucked up mind" and Tubularsock won't argue that but that is what comes to some people's minds which puts them into the same conjecture mentality as Tubularsock.
But, besides "MARY, BEAT ME BEAT ME", what is it having Congress create a committee to investigate much of anything when they themselves conduct compromised lives? Because as can be shown, 98% of Congressional Committees waste a huge amount of time and money and produce, well NOT EVEN GOOD TV!
In fact, why not just let the lobbyists, that write up the legislation, just do a night shift and do committee work as well. Seriously, Congress is only in session (depending on the year and the chamber) around 170 days a year. This could be a part time gig for some ambitious lobbyist. And just think how better it would all work due to the Holy Grail of the "free market system"! Outsource Congress, maybe to Russia. Shit, save a lot of time!
If there is ever ANYTHING that the public should know then they call for a closed door session because of NATIONAL SECURITY! Which means that our enemies already know, and the Congressional Committees knows, and the White House knows BUT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T! And then the citizen still really believes that the people in a democracy are the government? Clears that fantasy up, now doesn't it!
So what really just happened:
Combine the $17,444.00 for salaries of the 16 members of the Senate Intelligence Committee for the "day" and the salary of Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the "day" to sit and talk about absolutely NOTHING of any value to anyone. That is almost $3000.00 an hour!
Now that is just the cost for the primary members of the charade. That does not cover the cost for all of the aides necessary around each member to carry their pencils. Or the cost of the space and the janitorial services necessary to clean up after these assholes!
Plus all the other perks these fuckers get to do nothing of value.
DO YOU KNOW anything more than you did before they started? Of course that is if you took the time to watch it. But why would you. It is best to wait and let the talking heads on your TV make believe that some drama had occurred. NOTHING HAPPENED! Never does.
Senate "Intelligence" Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) left and Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-Va.)
And let's for the fun of it say we found out that they (whoever that is) DID IT (whatever that was) would anyone be held accountable. THE ANSWER IS NO! Oh sure, maybe some janitor who happened to leak something …… he'd get life!
WHAT A DISH OF HORSE SHIT! Would you care for mustard with that?
But of course this WASN'T a Blue Ribbon Committee. Now those cost more, last longer, and cover their finding in book binding. AND THEY substantiate the fabrication of the narrative THEY want you to believe.
Take for example the Warren Commission Report or even worse the Report On 9/11 both are worthless and off track from what actually happened. BUT THEY ARE VERY COMFORTING TO KEEP THE LIE ALIVE.
SOME THINGS ARE JUST TRUE!
Posted: February 23, 2017 in Education, Intolerance, JEFF SESSIONS, LGBT, President Tweet, Psychology, RACISM, SEXISM
Tags: Betsy DeVos, DONALD TRUMP, JEFF SESSIONS, LGBT rights, Psychology

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
package com.intellij.diagnostic;

import com.intellij.diagnostic.VMOptions.MemoryKind;
import com.intellij.ide.IdeBundle;
import com.intellij.openapi.application.ApplicationNamesInfo;
import com.intellij.openapi.ui.DialogWrapper;
import com.intellij.openapi.ui.Messages;
import com.intellij.ui.JBColor;
import com.intellij.ui.components.JBLabel;
import com.intellij.util.MemoryDumpHelper;
import com.intellij.util.SystemProperties;
import com.intellij.util.TimeoutUtil;
import com.intellij.util.ui.JBUI;
import consulo.container.ExitCodes;
import consulo.ui.annotation.RequiredUIAccess;

import javax.annotation.Nonnull;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.io.File;
import java.util.Locale;

public class OutOfMemoryDialog extends DialogWrapper {
  private final MemoryKind myMemoryKind;

  private JPanel myContentPane;
  private JBLabel myIconLabel;
  private JBLabel myMessageLabel;
  private JBLabel myHeapSizeLabel;
  private JTextField myHeapSizeField;
  private JBLabel myHeapUnitsLabel;
  private JBLabel myHeapCurrentValueLabel;
  private JBLabel myMetaspaceSizeLabel;
  private JTextField myMetaspaceSizeField;
  private JBLabel myMetaspaceUnitsLabel;
  private JBLabel myMetaspaceCurrentValueLabel;
  private JBLabel myCodeCacheSizeLabel;
  private JTextField myCodeCacheSizeField;
  private JBLabel myCodeCacheUnitsLabel;
  private JBLabel myCodeCacheCurrentValueLabel;
  private JBLabel mySettingsFileHintLabel;
  private JBLabel myDumpMessageLabel;
  private final Action myContinueAction;
  private final Action myShutdownAction;
  private final Action myHeapDumpAction;

  public OutOfMemoryDialog(@Nonnull MemoryKind memoryKind) {
    super(false);
    myMemoryKind = memoryKind;
    setTitle(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.title"));

    myIconLabel.setIcon(Messages.getErrorIcon());
    myMessageLabel.setText(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.error", memoryKind.optionName));
    myMessageLabel.setBorder(JBUI.Borders.emptyBottom(10));

    File file = VMOptions.getWriteFile();
    if (file != null) {
      mySettingsFileHintLabel.setText(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.willBeSavedTo", file.getPath()));
      mySettingsFileHintLabel.setBorder(JBUI.Borders.emptyTop(10));
    }
    else {
      mySettingsFileHintLabel.setVisible(false);
      myHeapSizeField.setEnabled(false);
      myMetaspaceSizeField.setEnabled(false);
      myCodeCacheSizeField.setEnabled(false);
    }

    myContinueAction = new DialogWrapperAction(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.continue")) {
      @Override
      protected void doAction(ActionEvent e) {
        save();
        close(0);
      }
    };

    myShutdownAction = new DialogWrapperAction(IdeBundle.message("ide.shutdown.action")) {
      @Override
      protected void doAction(ActionEvent e) {
        save();
        System.exit(ExitCodes.OUT_OF_MEMORY);
      }
    };
    myShutdownAction.putValue(DialogWrapper.DEFAULT_ACTION, true);

    boolean heapDump = memoryKind == MemoryKind.HEAP && MemoryDumpHelper.memoryDumpAvailable();
    myHeapDumpAction = !heapDump ? null : new DialogWrapperAction(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.dump")) {
      @Override
      protected void doAction(ActionEvent e) {
        snapshot();
      }
    };

    configControls(MemoryKind.HEAP, myHeapSizeLabel, myHeapSizeField, myHeapUnitsLabel, myHeapCurrentValueLabel);
    configControls(MemoryKind.METASPACE, myMetaspaceSizeLabel, myMetaspaceSizeField, myMetaspaceUnitsLabel, myMetaspaceCurrentValueLabel);
    configControls(MemoryKind.CODE_CACHE, myCodeCacheSizeLabel, myCodeCacheSizeField, myCodeCacheUnitsLabel, myCodeCacheCurrentValueLabel);

    init();
  }

  private void configControls(MemoryKind option, JLabel sizeLabel, JTextField sizeField, JLabel unitsLabel, JLabel currentLabel) {
    sizeLabel.setText('-' + option.optionName);

    int effective = VMOptions.readOption(option, true);
    int stored = VMOptions.readOption(option, false);
    if (stored == -1) stored = effective;
    sizeField.setText(format(stored));
    currentLabel.setText(DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.currentValue", format(effective)));

    if (option == myMemoryKind) {
      sizeLabel.setForeground(JBColor.RED);
      sizeField.setForeground(JBColor.RED);
      unitsLabel.setForeground(JBColor.RED);
      currentLabel.setForeground(JBColor.RED);
    }
  }

  private static String format(int value) {
    return value == -1 ? DiagnosticBundle.message("diagnostic.out.of.memory.currentValue.unknown") : String.valueOf(value);
  }

  private void save() {
    try {
      int heapSize = Integer.parseInt(myHeapSizeField.getText());
      VMOptions.writeOption(MemoryKind.HEAP, heapSize);
    }
    catch (NumberFormatException ignored) { }

    try {
      int codeCacheSize = Integer.parseInt(myMetaspaceSizeField.getText());
      VMOptions.writeOption(MemoryKind.METASPACE, codeCacheSize);
    }
    catch (NumberFormatException ignored) { }

    try {
      int codeCacheSize = Integer.parseInt(myCodeCacheSizeField.getText());
      VMOptions.writeOption(MemoryKind.CODE_CACHE, codeCacheSize);
    }
    catch (NumberFormatException ignored) { }
  }

  @SuppressWarnings("SSBasedInspection")
  private void snapshot() {
    enableControls(false);
    myDumpMessageLabel.setVisible(true);
    myDumpMessageLabel.setText("Dumping memory...");

    Runnable task = () -> {
      TimeoutUtil.sleep(250);  // to give UI chance to update
      String message = "";
      try {
        String name = ApplicationNamesInfo.getInstance().getFullProductName().replace(' ', '-').toLowerCase(Locale.US);
        String path = SystemProperties.getUserHome() + File.separator + "heapDump-" + name + '-' + System.currentTimeMillis() + ".hprof.zip";
        MemoryDumpHelper.captureMemoryDumpZipped(path);
        message = "Dumped to " + path;
      }
      catch (Throwable t) {
        message = "Error: " + t.getMessage();
      }
      finally {
        final String _message = message;
        SwingUtilities.invokeLater(() -> {
          myDumpMessageLabel.setText(_message);
          enableControls(true);
        });
      }
    };
    new Thread(task, "OOME Heap Dump").start();
  }

  @SuppressWarnings("Duplicates")
  private void enableControls(boolean enabled) {
    myHeapSizeField.setEnabled(enabled);
    myMetaspaceSizeField.setEnabled(enabled);
    myCodeCacheSizeField.setEnabled(enabled);
    myShutdownAction.setEnabled(enabled);
    myContinueAction.setEnabled(enabled);
    myHeapDumpAction.setEnabled(enabled);
  }

  @Override
  protected JComponent createCenterPanel() {
    return myContentPane;
  }

  @Nonnull
  @Override
  protected Action[] createActions() {
    return myHeapDumpAction != null ? new Action[]{myShutdownAction, myContinueAction, myHeapDumpAction}
                                    : new Action[]{myShutdownAction, myContinueAction};
  }

  @RequiredUIAccess
  @Override
  public JComponent getPreferredFocusedComponent() {
    return myMemoryKind == MemoryKind.METASPACE ? myMetaspaceSizeField :
           myMemoryKind == MemoryKind.CODE_CACHE ? myCodeCacheSizeField :
           myHeapSizeField;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Data are fundamental to the field of linguistics. Examples drawn from natural languages provide a foundation for claims about the nature of human language, and validation of these linguistic claims relies crucially on these supporting data. Yet, while linguists have always relied on language data, they have not always facilitated access to those data. This disconnect between linguistics publications and their supporting data results in much linguistic research being unreproducible, either in principle or in practice. Without reproducibility, linguistic claims cannot be readily validated or tested, rendering their scientific value moot.
The Linguistics Data Interest Group (LDIG) became an endorsed RDA Interest Group in July 2017, with the aim of facilitating the development of reproducible research in linguistics. The LDIG is for data at all linguistic levels (from individual sounds or words to video recordings of conversations to experimental data) and data for all of the world's languages, and acknowledges that many of the world's languages have high cultural value and are underrepresented with regards to the amount of information that is available about them.
The Linguistics Data Interest Group plans to develop the discipline-wide adoption of common standards for data citation and attribution. The LDIG also aims to improve education and outreach efforts to make linguists more aware of the principles of reproducible research and the value of data creation methodology, curation, management, sharing, citation and attribution. Additionally, the LDIG aims to help drive efforts to ensure greater attribution of linguistic data set preparation within the linguistics profession.


Fully modernised home situated in the heart of cupar. The accommodation comprises of: entance hall , lounge, study, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, 2 double bedrooms with coombed celings, 1 single bedroom. Upstairs w.c. stone built garden studio. 80ft walled garden with coutyard , patio, large lawn with well stocked boarders and fruit trees. green house. brick built shed. log store.


text:
SRK to join a global virtual event to support the frontline health workers who are battling against the coronavirus
Shahrukh Khan briefly referred to as SRK, is an Indian actor, film maker and tv personality referred as "Badshah of Bollywood", "King of Bollywood" and "King Khan". He was awarded by Padma Shree, Ordre des Arts et des Letters and the Legion of Honour by the Government of France. SRK has a significant fan following worldwide. He has been described as one of the most successful film starts in the world.
Shah Rukh Khan the superstar of Bollywood will meet artistes from different parts of the world. The actor on Tuesday announced his participation in the 'One World: Together At Home', on twitter. Its a virtual concert organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and international advocacy organisation Global Citizen.
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta who is professionally referred to as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Pop star Lady Gaga curated the concert and will be stream on different global platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Alibaba, Amazon Prime Video, Apple.
"Health care workers on the frontlines of the #COVID19 crisis need our support. That's why I'm standing in solidarity with @glblctzn and @WHO for one world: #TogetherAtHome- a one-night special event on April 18," Shah Rukh Khan wrote on twitter.
Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Billie Joe Armstrong, Camila Cabello, Chris Martin, David and Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeners, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Hudson, Lilly Singh, Oprahh Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Priyanka ChopraJonas, Taylor Swift, Vishal Mishra will perform at the special event.
Shah Rukh Khan has been doing his bit to contribute to the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. 25000 Personal Protective Equipment kit (PPE) was provided by Shah Rukh Khan to the frontline medical staff In Maharashtra which is fighting the battle against the novel Covid-19 pandemic to control its spread. He too had promised to donate same to West Bengal.
Recently, he along with his wife Gauri Khan, had given away their four-storey personal office space for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. The Great Bollywood 54 years superstar had announced earlier various initiatives to help the country during the health crisis.
According to Union health ministry, the death toll due to Covid-19 climbed to 377, while the number of cases had reached to 377, while the number of cases in India had reached to 11439.
Pulkit Samrat gives his love Kirti Kharbanda a head massage, actress shares video on Instagram
Vicky Kaushal's got new haircut in the quarantine, shares pic too hot to handle


New development in Northriding consisting of 71 two and three bedroom sectional title units unit. Situated on Malibongwe drive close to Makro, Ferreiras and shopping Centers this development will have easy access to Randburg and Sandton. The complete development will consist of 4 complexes totaling 260 units.
New development in Northriding consisting of 71 two and three bedroom sectional title units unit. Situated on Malibongwe drive close to Makro, Ferreiras and shopping Centers this development will have easy access to Randburg and Sandton. The complete development will consist of 4 complexes totaling 260 units.?
Development information changes all the time. We'll send you updates via email if anything exciting happens at Amber Bluff.


text:
Around Ontario
Waterloo Region takes some precautions to stop spread of Omicron variant; calls for more action
KITCHENER -
The Medical Officer of Health is not expanding its COVID-19 restrictions beyond high school sports, despite five confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Waterloo Region as well as hundreds of high-risk exposures linked to a hockey tournament.
The first four cases were confirmed on Monday. The cluster is tied to a number of sports teams involving separate tournaments.
There are now calls for more action.
"You will see, basically, an exponential spread of the virus in the community if you don't put in some restrictions or you don't put some limitations on gatherings," said Zahid Butt, an assistant professor in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo.
"I think it's probably the direction that we are headed right now," said Waterloo resident Graeme MacLean. "I think we just have to keep on track of everything and act accordingly."
That cluster of cases, linked to nine local sports teams involving youth and children, is now connected to 500 high-risk contacts.
"You are going to see more cases within the region," said Butt. "It's highly transmissible."
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, has said that a number of school cohorts have been dismissed in connection to the cluster of cases.
New measures went into effect Monday at both the public and Catholic school boards. All sports games, practices and extracurricular activities have been paused until Jan. 3.
Public health officials are asking all residents to avoid non-essential socializing including recreational sports leagues.
"It's definitely a reason to take precaution," said Waterloo resident Ben Skinner. "I actually coach the women's rugby team at the University of Waterloo and we had training [Tuesday night]. We ended up cancelling it just for that reason alone. Just to be safe."
There's also a strong recommendation for businesses to encourage employees to work from home.
"We're just making sure everyone is vaccinated and hanging out with immediate family," said Waterloo resident Ryan Rowe.
With the holidays a week away, precaution is top of mind.
"I am just getting an asymptomatic test before heading home, just to be able to protect everybody in my house at home," said Waterloo resident Graeme Maclean.
CTV News reached out to Region of Waterloo Public Health to ask if more restrictions were possible now that Omicron has arrived, but have not yet received a response.


text:
Camera Catches Dog Bringing His Bed To His Sick Brother
by : Lucy Connolly on : 27 Jun 2020 17:52
dog brings dog bed to sick brother 1 Jill Rogers/ring.com
If you need a bit of a pick-me-up in the form of cute animal content, I have just the thing for you.
Enter: Roman and Spanky, two dog brothers who absolutely adore each other and would do anything for each other. Something that's recently been proven with a video of the pair.
In the video, Spanky can be seen dragging his dog bed to Roman, who was poorly and waiting for surgery, so that his brother didn't have to move and risk hurting himself.
You can watch the adorable moment unfold below:
From the moment they first met, the Pit Bulls have been 'best friends', their owner, 29-year-old Jill Rogers from Hopatcong, North Jersey, told UNILAD.
While Roman is the 'athletic, smart one' who 'knows all of the tricks [and] loves swimming', Jill said Spanky is their 'goofball dog' who 'loves to cuddle' so much he will sometimes wrap himself in blankets 'like a burrito'.
'From the day we brought Spanky home he was infatuated with Roman,' Jill explained. 'He bonded with him so tightly and does not like to be far from him.' In fact, if the family takes Roman out without him, Spanky will sit in the living room and cry until his brother comes back.
spanky and roman dogs Jill Rogers/Supplied
To know our dogs is to love them, they are truly the most lovable big-headed babies. They go all over with us to all different town events and carnivals, and we get so many compliments. Everyone wants to pet them! They do not have an aggressive bone in their bodies.
Earlier this month though, eight-year-old Roman's ear became infected, so Jill took him to the vets where she discovered he had a hematoma.
Although they scheduled a surgery to take care of the aural hematoma, the poor pup's ear kept getting worse while he waited for it, and Roman became more and more uncomfortable.
So much so that Jill took him back to the vets four days before his surgery. 'I could see how unhappy he was,' she explained, but she was assured he could make it.
At first, six-year-old Spanky didn't notice anything was wrong with his big brother but as Roman's ear got worse, it started to become clear that he was acting much more gentle around him.
'Spanky is not normally gentle,' Jill told UNILAD. 'He is like a big moose but when Roman wasn't feeling good, he was so gentle with him. He didn't try to rough house or play with him like normal.'
While the family waited for Roman's surgery, they had to carry on as normal and just let the Pit Bull rest as much as possible. So while they were at work, they would keep an eye on the two dogs using a Ring camera they have set up inside the home 'to check up on them throughout the day'.
It's via this camera they were able to witness the adorable interaction between Spanky and his big brother earlier this month, with Jill watching as Spanky looked over at his brother lying on the floor, looking concerned.
After pacing for a little while, Spanky then went over to the bed at around 10.00am and dragged it towards his 'best friend'. In the next clip, the two brothers could be seen snuggling on the bed.
Upon seeing the video, after her sister texted her to say 'Oh my God you have to check the cameras', Jill said she 'couldn't believe' what she was seeing. '[I] watched it a million times! It was just so wholesome and melted my heart,' she said.
Thankfully, Roman has now had his surgery and although he was 'very out of it' for a few days because of the sedation, he is now one week post-surgery and doing 'much better'.
'He is back to his happy self,' Jill explained, adding that his ear bandage has been taken off but the cone has to stick around for another two weeks. 'He has adjusted to it though,' she added.
What a good boy.
Lucy Connolly
A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).
Topics: Animals, Adorable, Dogs, Health, Instagram, Now, Viral
roman_spanky/Instagram
@roman_spanky


The ULTIMATE GAME TRUCK is your exclusive, state-of-the-art 3D mobile video game theater.
The Ultimate Games We have more than 50 of the latest and greatest games - ALL of which can be played in 3D!
We have the largest, highest-quality, 3D video screens and more consoles than any other mobile video game theater.
We pull up to your location with a complete video game party ready to go…all we need is a place to park, and people to play!
Dave and Robin Alef launched their Ultimate Game Truck business -- a mobile video game experience that combines an arcade-type feel with a party atmosphere -- in June with the hope of spicing up birthday parties and school functions throughout the Bay Area.
"I saw one at a party that we went to for my nephew, and when I looked at the truck, I knew I could do it bigger and better," said Dave Alef, who helps design hybrid cars and started the video game company with his wife in between jobs this past summer.
With four 55-inch LED televisions on the inside and two more on the outside, the Alef's mobile experience offers gamers a chance to play with up to 23 other friends in a limousine-type environment complete with leather seats, air conditioning, neon and a pulsating stereo.
Gamers can choose to hone their craft on the Xbox, Play Station 3 and Wii game consoles with their own games or on the Ultimate Game Truck library, which is stocked with all the current hits.
The colorful wrapped truck and trailer and a game coach, Tyler Richey, delivered the truck, complete with its own generator.
The Alefs live in Discovery Bay, but their new business travels the Bay Area. Since summer, they have done more than 100 parties from Piedmont, to Pleasanton, Danville, Antioch and points in between and beyond.
"You start running out of ideas" for parties, said Scott Pathe, of Brentwood. He booked the Ultimate Game Truck for his son Riley's 12th birthday. "(Riley) is all about video games, and we knew when we saw it that he would want it."
Pathe and his wife, Allison, said they have done everything from laser tag to paint ball to bounce houses for Riley and their other son's birthday parties and called the video game experience the most unique of the bunch. At his recent party, Riley and nine buddies spent two hours huddled in the 24-foot trailer playing "Halo 4" and "Call of Duty" in 3D.
Since its debut in June, business has gone so well that the truck, which starts at $225 for the first hour, must now be booked at least four weeks in advance.
"It was fabulous," said Tammy Maxon, of Pleasant Hill, who joined a friend in June to book the truck for their sons' 8th and 9th combined swim and video game truck birthday party.
"(The truck) was the hit of the party, and it was funny because each boy walked in and the reaction was the same, 'Oh my gosh.' "
The Ultimate Game Truck, which is one of three mobile video game truck companies in the Bay Area, is also giving a new generation a taste of a near-extinct attraction, the arcade.
Scott Novis, believed to have started the first mobile video game truck business with the launch of GameTruck in Arizona in 2006, said the cost of producing bulky arcade games, improved technology and a culture that prompts parents to know where their kids are at every moment led to the demise of the arcade.
"The fundamental video game is no longer at the arcade, and we made better games that you could play at home and not at the arcade," said Novis, who spent nine years as a video game designer and executive for Disney and Rainbow Studios. "The whole family entertainment center is now carnival-like."
Novis started GameTruck in 2006 after a friend threw a Halo party in his garage with several movie projectors to play the game on a first-generation Xbox with friends. Novis was intrigued by the party and thought creating a mobile home console arcade could fill a gap in birthday parties for preteen boys and beyond.
What started as one truck in Phoenix evolved into a franchise business recognized by Forbes with trucks in 25 states -- including California and two Bay Area locations in Pleasanton and San Jose that cater to kids and professionals.
And while Novis and Dave and Robin Alef have competing businesses, both said the true service is the experience they provide.
"I get jealous because he (Dave) gets to go to the parties and see the kids' faces and the party atmosphere," said Robin Alef. "They get so excited for this. It is like the ice cream truck times a thousand."


text:
Q: Django logout button bootstrap navbar I want to add a logout button to my bootstrap navbar but it doesn't look right.
{# template.html #}

        {% if user.is_authenticated %}

          {{ user.get_username }}

        <form class="form-inline nav-item" action="{% url 'account_logout' %}" method="POST">
          {% csrf_token %}
          <button type="submit" class="btn btn-info">Log out</button>
        </form>
        {% else %}

          Log in

          Sign up

        {% endif %}

is there any way to make the button look like a bootstrap nav-link ? If not, how do I make it an anchor that will POST to Django's logout endpoint?

A: This should work

    Logout

<form id="logoutform" method="POST" action="{% url 'account_logout' %}">
  {% csrf_token %}
  <input type="hidden">
</form>

A: You don't need a form. Simply replace the form with this:
Logout

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Volunteers sign up for schools project
Wed 4 November 2015, 10:31 am
A charity is aiming to recruit volunteer readers for Medway's primary schools.
Launched in April 2015 by the literacy charity, Beanstalk, as part of the council's Get Medway Learning initiative, 28 volunteers have taken part in helping young people to read, with a further 12 vetted and awaiting placement.
Beanstalk set up the project in response to its findings that one in six children in Medway leave primary school having failed to reach the expected reading standards for their age.
The Get Medway Learning project also aims to recruit experienced and good quality teachers, as well as promoting the important role it feels school governors have to play in improving Medway's schools.
Medway Council's portfolio holder for children's services, Councillor Mike O'Brien, said: "This campaign is set to be a spring board for improvement and progress for our schools here in Medway, particularly primary schools.
"While we have some excellent schools in the area, some are not performing to the expected standard and while they are working hard to improve, some are not making progress quickly enough."


Leah faces a difficult decision about college. Jenelle and David hit the rocks while setting up their new home. Briana pursues adoption further . Chelsea worries about Aubree at Adam's parents. Kailyn struggles to get back on track at school.


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This fantastic design illustrating the famous German scientist Albert Einstein. An exclusive design from our collection of Macbook Stickers. A great sticker for those that love science or those that just love Einstein! Give your Mac a touch of originality by placing this decal on the Apple logo. Personalise it your way!
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A HIGH Court judge may need to be drafted in to oversee the case of a baby's death.
Judge Shani Barnes, the leading judge for Sussex and the only one qualified to sit on murder trials, said she may have to refer the case of Gintare Suminaite to someone more senior because of the "seriousness of the crime".
After addressing Brighton Crown Court yesterday, she remanded the 29-year-old mother in custody until a plea and case management hearing at the end of June.
The Lithuanian national is accused of killing her newly born daughter minutes after she was born.
An ambulance was called to the home where Suminaite lives with her English partner and four-year-old son in Aldwick Road, Bognor, at about 8.30am on Wednesday. The unnamed baby, who has no name, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suminaite was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester for urgent medical treatment related to her as a result of having just given birth.
She was released from hospital and arrested on Friday, then charged Saturday and was remanded in custody.
A translator is relaying the proceedings to her. She has not yet entered a plea.


After a long struggle for power with former Regent Mantsebo, 22-year-old Prince Constantine Bereng Seeiso was installed as Paramount Chief of Basutoland at Maseru, Mar 12.
GV Horsemen on their way to the ceremony.
SV Crowds around Bereng car.
SV Police hold the crowd back.
GV Sir John Maud arrives by car.
GV Arriving at the dais.
SV Sir John Maud meets Bereng's mother.
CU Bereng has a drink.
Bereng and mother with Sir John and Lady Maud.
SV Bereng arrives at the platform.
BACK V Maud greets Bereng.
Back V Bereng waves to the crowd.
SV Sir John maud and Bereng enter the building.
GV PAN In the council chamber.
TRACKING SHOT Bereng rises as Sir John enters.
GV Sir John addresses the Council.
TRACK AWAY SHOT Sir John Maud.
Background: After a long struggle for power with former Regent Mantsebo, 22-year-old Prince Constantine Bereng Seeiso was installed as Paramount Chief of Basutoland at Maseru, Mar 12. From all over the small High Commission Territory - situated within the Union of South Africa - Basuto tribesmen arrived on horseback for the ceremony.
Shouting to be heard above the noise of the 70,000-strong crowd, British High Commissioner Sir John Maud was forced to cut his address short. The new Paramount Chief told his people that he hoped the example of his predecessors would help him to climb the ladder to true leadership of the nation.
Mother of the new ruler, Chieftainess Mabereng, watched the ceremony with representatives of the Swazi and Bechuana chiefs. For the past 20 years the country has been ruled by a Regent, Chieftainess Mantsebo. Although she was expected to attend the installation she stayed away.
Later the Paramount Chief and the High Commissioner opened Basutoland's new National Council which has legislative powers over all affairs other than Defence and Internal Security. This is the first step towards self-government in Basutoland.
In an address to the Council, Chief Bereng thanked the British Government for the confidence it had shown in the Basuto people by granting the new constitution.
Before he laid his claim to the throne of Basutoland, Chief Bereng was a student at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.


In addition to the news today about Apple TV's programming lineup at the "It's Showtime" event in Cupertino, CA, Apple boss Tim Cook and his top lieutenants provided extensive details on the new news service that the tech giant has in the works, and what titans of journalism will be on board.
Magazines would now be included in Apple News in a new service called Apple News+, a $9.99/a month service that will give Apple users to 300 magazines, including PMC's own Variety and Rolling Stone, as well as Time, Vogue, People, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, Billboard, Popular Science, National Geographic, New York magazine and the New Yorker. Also on board, Los Angeles Times. Normally it would cost a subscriber $8K a month for all these magazines, but now with Apple News+.
"Apple News is the number #1 news app," Cook proclaimed today to a clearly converted crowd in the Steve Jobs Theater. Cribbing a title from the House of Mouse's already announced streaming service, the CEO also revealed that the $9.99 a month expanded journalism service will be call AppleNews+. Featuring broadsheets galore such as the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal, the curated and interactive News+ will also have more than 300 magazines and digital outlets like The New Yorker, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and Rolling Stone.
With the service an update away for Apple customers, the first month is free to kick things off.


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Sorry players from United States are not accepted at Coral.
Coral (along with William Hill and Ladbrokes) are traditionally regarded as one of the 'Big Three' bookmakers in the UK.
One of the leading bookmakers in the UK.
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Coral is traditionally regarded as one of the 'Big Three' bookmakers in the UK. They claim to be the fastest growing bookmaker in Britain and now have roughly 1500 betting shops in addition to their telephone and online operation.
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Bookies braced for biggest week of the year as punters look for Grand National revenge.


text:
In the last chapter, I explained the harm which music brings upon the spiritual well being of a man. Connected with it is the effect of music on ethics and morals.
Those intoxicated by music should try to reply to these questions:
Why those engaged in singing and dancing profession almost always sink to the lowest level of immorality?
Why the film actors and actresses change their wives and husbands with every change of weather?
Why singing and dancing was considered a 'Must' for prostitutes in Indian subcontinent?
Why marital sanctity and conjugal bliss are words without meaning in the world of singers
and dancers? Why? Oh! Why?
The following quotations from 'The Bridal Bed'1 will provide an answer to these questions:
(Dance) is the start of culture. Though some of these dances are sensationally erotic, the sexual element is present in most of the world's dancing. It is sublimated even in ballet.
Many primitive dances, the world over, serve as preliminaries to mating, being closely connected with the choice of a marriage partner............A description or two will make this clear.
The Dinka, a gentle pastoral tribe, live on the east bank of the White Nile. They are astonishingly tall, sometimes more than six and a half feet high. Blacker than charcoal, often above a naked body, the hair glistens a longish pale gold mop, when it has been dyed with cow's urine....Dinka buy their wives......But first they see the women in dance.
Within a village clearing the drums and gourd rattles are ready. Possibly as many as three hundred Dinkas have been waiting an hour or more under the yet powerful and declining sun, the tall girls standing together in a line, by now worked up to a pitch of excitement bordering on hysteria as they await the moment for the dance to develop. But what is strange here is that although the dance will mirror by no means deeply buried sexual desires, it remains curiously abstract and impersonal.
The magnificent nubile Negresses, with narrow hips and slim limbs, suggest bronze antiquely proportioned statues full of shy giggles; they begin to shuffle with their feet, beads and bracelets jangling on smooth wrist and dusty ankle. A laughing girl retreats, advances, invites her warrior partner, her arms tapering into the narrow palms of clasped simian hands stretched out behind her, her pointed breasts trembling. Her bead skirt rattles and sways, as she jerks her lacquer-like thighs forward and backwards as in love. Her partner guides her movement with his spear, thrusting his loins forward in a mime of pursuit."
In Sierra Leone the 'Dance of the Susu Bundu girl's has much more actual colour. Previously, the girls will have been circumcised in the Bundu Bush according to the ancient rites, and instructed in household accomplishments to prepare them for marriage. They are presumed to be virgins. It is night, but little fires flicker red in a moon-lightened darkness. Parents and relations of the participants cluster together with the rest of the village to watch. Monkeys chatter noisily from the trees.
As the girls step forward, they show gleaming teeth and the whites of their eyes. They are wearing their best finery: lengths of garish flower-patterned cloth are wound about their thin waists to the ground; high turbans composed of flaring coloured silk scarves decorate their small vivacious heads. Behind, over their skirts fall black velvet kirtles sewn with rows of bells. Each girl carries a showy handkerchief in one hand. Naked above the waist, her breasts, with prominent nipples, are thrust forward. Valleyed between the shoulder-blades, her upright back shines as though oiled. She dances with a proud, unspoiled grace of carriage.
No sudden crash of drums heralds the opening of this dance. Instead, a sweet wailing music from a native instrument, almost bell-like, blends with the controlled drums and the gentle swish of calabash, as the girls sway like dark columns of smoke, bending, skimming the earth with the fingers of first one hand then the other. More instruments join the rhythmic theme, emphasizing the flowing snake-like movements. On the girls' now serious faces appears entranced concentration. The orchestra speeds the tempo; the sensuous vigour of the Negresses changing to such a vibrating single energy of supple writhing forms that individually the dancers can hardly be separated. The speed is so great that the girls appear to be mingled in one florid streak of colour.
But from among the audience the boys have been watching with aroused attention, picking out the girls they would like for brides. Often at the end of such a dance, a girl will fall to the ground exhausted. Then, in a flash, a boy will dash out, pick her up in his alms and carry her into the bush nearby, where, with a sigh, she may thank the darkness for preserving the myth of her virginity.
The reader should not think that these rites of the primitive tribes have no connection with the 'refined' dances of the so-called civilized world. It has been quoted above that "the sexual element is present in most of the world's dancing."
European civilization celebrates a marriage with dancing. The bride is obliged to dance with the guests. Have you ever stopped to think what is the significance of this custom?
In early feudal times the bride might have spent her wedding night not with her husband but with her feudal lord, who had the right to deflower her.
Old writers of the history of Scotland say that King Evenus III — contemporary with the emperor Augustus — 'made a law by which he and his successors in the throne were authorized to lie with every bride, if a woman of quality, before her husband could approach her and in consequence of this law the great men of the nation had a power of the same kind over the brides of their vassals and servants. It would seem that this law remained effective throughout the kingdom, for more than ten centuries, until St. Margaret persuaded her husband King Malcom III to have it abolished. After this, any vassal or servant who wished to redeem the first night of his bride had to pay a tax in money.
In almost all countries of Christendom, "sometimes even monks, who were feudal lords, held the right of sleeping with the bride on her first night as a married woman.
Now, such customs have been diluted, and the dance with the bride has been substituted in place of sleeping with her on her first night.
In Swedish weddings it is still usual for the bride to dance with all the men; elsewhere in Europe, as in parts of Germany, there is tradition that every guest who dances with the bride must pay her some money!
In Hungary, for example, on the day of marriage, many rites are performed. "At last, at about midnight, comes the "putting bed" ritual. First every man present dances with the now almost exhausted bride, each giving her money for this privilege." Not only in weddings but even in social dances the erotic factor dominates and survives. You must have seen in Western countries (and in their blind `followers) that when a state guest arrives, the wife of the host stands with the guest and the wife of the guest stands with the host. And the same thing happens during the dances given in honour of the guest. Do you know the origin of this custom? In ancient times there was a custom which still survives in the Chukchee tribe of Asiatic Eskimos. It is the system of "Group marriage" which anthropologists believe to be the most primitive form of marriage.
(Dr. Bogoras) states that marriage among the Chukchee does not deal with one couple only but extends over an entire group. The men belonging to such a marriage union are called 'companions in wives'......but takes advantage of his right comparatively seldom, namely, only when he visits for some reason the camp of one of the 'companions'. Then the host cedes him his place in the sleeping room.
As the author says, "the custom of loaning wives to strangers or friends, for a fee or just as an act of hospitality has been common and widespread over many lands from time immemorial and not only among savage tribes."
And this system survives in the form of loaning the wife to the guest in the dance room, in place of the bedroom.
Now that we have seen the relation between the dance and music on one hand and sexual promiscuity on the other, we can easily understand the following tradition of the Holy Prophet of Islam: Music is the magic of fornication.
1. Joseph Braddock; published by Corgi books, Ransworld Publishers Ltd., London; 1960
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