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im-possible
The Abundance of Betsy DeVos
Iván Castañeda March 24, 2017 Politics
New secretary of education Betsy DeVos and her agenda for the future of American education reminds us of the problematic meaning of the word "choice." Like many of the concepts that are being critiqued as products of our post-truth age, the double meaning of "choice" has quite a long lineage. We might locate the problematics of "choice," ironically enough, with the English, American, and French revolutions, which were supposed to replace the tyranny of monarchy. What these revolutions—the hallmarks of liberal democratic states of the future—actually initiated was that there is no choice about choice. Let's explain: Before the rise of parliamentary and elected democracies, there was literally no choice: all political power was established through inherited monarchial blood lines and enforced through military force. Afterwards, with the advent of democratic means of choosing power, citizens were compelled, more or less, to choose among choices, between this and that candidate, political party, government, and so on. The point was citizens had to choose, like they do today in democratic elections, referendums, etc.: you have to choose: either Yes or No to Brexit, to Repeal or Not Obamacare (as is happening at this moment),[1] and so forth. But here is the paradox: socialism and communism, theoretically ideologies that are the extreme of anti-monarchial rule, when manifested in modern times, most clearly in the former Soviet Union and Communist China, do not actually allow you to choose any alternative to the state: you have to be a communist. As Lenin clearly showed in 1917, the reality of realpolitik is that people have to be forced to be free: there is no choice: you must be free! We are reminded of Mao's famous saying "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun," whatever it is.
This kind of paradoxical forced choice has been at work increasingly so in the past century and is becoming commonplace in the current age. In America, the "choice" in terms of abortion is "pro-life" or "pro-choice:" the former is the Golden Rule of conservative evangelicals, etc.; the latter the absolute tenet of the liberal left. Like global warming, there is no choice: if you are Republican you are on one side; Democrats only one choice, period.
But this bi-polar situation of "choice" gets turned around in the new Betsy DeVos brand of education policy: "choice" is what at stake and if you are conservative you must choose "choice" (school choice; vouchers, free market-driven education, etc.). Freedom here is synonymous with "choice," with no alternative. Simultaneously, liberals, who have literally no choice but to support public education, must needs choose "no choice" but public education.
Let us not forget that DeVos is part of the DeVos' family Amway empire, a company that was a pioneer in mass-marketing quantification along with an abundant ideological message. Amway is not simply a company but a kind of religious ideology, implicitly and explicitly, and what DeVos wishes to foreword is but one of a multi-faceted ideological cultural revolution. Amway is rooted in the Calvinist principles of predestinated spiritual destiny through mass-marketing and sale of moral and spiritual rejuvenation that would have made Max Weber proud. As such, what DeVos' is trumpeting is but the latest iteration of the culture wars that have been part of civilization since the Renaissance. The reform of education is but the largest and most abundant piece of the ideological pie that conservatism wishes to reform. This is nothing less than a Reformation of American culture which includes mass media entertainment, art and the humanities, and business—with education being the nodal point of all cultural change towards traditional Christian values. Let us not forget revolutions are really not about progress but, literally, a revolving back to something; that is what the word means. In the case of DeVos, it's a return to pre-secular educational values, and seemingly, "choice." But revolutions, reformations, and renaissances are always already re-turns, really. What DeVos' is heralding in the name of education is nothing less than a return to traditional American evangelical pedagogy, which will be abundantly marketed and sold according to "choice." In this schizophrenic universe liberals are screaming that this will be bloody murder to public education. But liberals have perhaps made this inevitable by continuing to support the status quo with no real alternative choice. As Erasmus, who knew all about irony, explained to Luther: the choice is not about choice but free-will vs. predestination.
[1] The name of the congressional group leading the movement against the Bill that would replace so-called Obamacare, is called "The Freedom Caucus." Their position, in general, is that no one should be compelled "to choose" being covered.
Copyright im-possible 2017


So Once again, it's February (I know I'm cutting it close in the last hours). Inclusion awareness month.
Every year I revisit our family's definition of inclusion.
It's such a heavy and confusing term.
It's quite simple though. We want our kids to go to school happy, come home happy, and have meaningful opportunities and experiences in between.
I don't need my children to fit a mould. I don't need them to sit through lessons because that's what their class is doing, we need to know that our children's strengths and interests are being encouraged and their other skills developed at opportune times throughout their days.
I love that although my boys are infamous, when they misbehave, they're still getting time outs or reflection. I love that the boys are welcomed to learn with the SK/1 class for math, because that's where they are at. I love that a whole new group of students is learning about differences in abilities and understanding that Drew and Dean have some pretty awesome qualities alongside their deficits.
I love that people not directly involved are learning signs in order to communicate with my boys. i love that students are finding signs to teach them new vocabulary.
Inclusion doesn't mean you have to like my kids "just because." Inclusion means accepting them and showing them that they have a place alongside you because you recognize that they belong and have value in your community. Inclusion is showing empathy and kindness.
Perfect description – thank you!!


I am a social scientist and digital media researcher. My work emphasizes exploring ways to help people connect their interests and passions to professional pathways and opportunities. Specifically, I focus on people's trajectories in digital contexts, which for me, can mean making videogames, learning to code, or participating in an online community. Games are closest to my heart though because games are the reason I got into academics and research. My recent projects focus on diversity and inclusivity in the videogame industry, equity and opportunity for underrepresented youth in digital media learning spaces, and more broadly, videogames and learning.
When I'm not doing research you'll find me cooking, playing games, reading dystopian fiction, and exploring the outdoors with my partner Dennis and our dog Furiosa.


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Diabetes is becoming a more common term because, unfortunately, it is projected that around 8.3 percent of the entire U.S. population has diabetes. Of the 8.3 percent, nearly seven million are unaware.
So how can we change that? We can start with education.
We sat down with Folashade Lester, M.D., a family medicine physician on the medical staff at the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute Family Center at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, for a deeper look into some commonly asked questions about diabetes.
Q: Starting off, what exactly is diabetes?
Think about it like this: your body takes sugar from the foods you eat and turns it into energy using a hormone called insulin. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't produce enough insulin and/or doesn't use insulin the right way. When this happens, sugar builds up in the blood, causing type 2 diabetes.
Most cases fall into three broad categories: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
There is also prediabetes, which can occur when a person has a blood glucose (sugar) level that is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Q: Who is at risk for diabetes?
Anyone could be at risk, especially those who are physically inactive, or have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
A family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease should all be cause for precautionary testing.
According to a 2009 study from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.7 million persons aged 18 years and older in Texas have been diagnosed with diabetes. That's nearly 10 percent of that age group.
Another estimated 440,468 persons aged 18 years and older in Texas are believed to have undiagnosed diabetes.
The risk for type 2 diabetes also increases for those aged 45 years or older and overweight.
Q: You mentioned Texans are commonly diagnosed with diabetes. How big is the problem if diabetes in North Texas?
Diabetes affects nearly 12 percent of the Dallas County population, compared to 10 percent in Texas and 8 percent nationally. The zip code with the highest number of diabetes patients seen in Dallas County hospitals is in zip code 75227 (Southern Dallas).
Q: How would someone know if they might have diabetes? What should they do if they are experiencing some symptoms?
Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst, hunger or urination, as well as fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision and sores that don't heal on their own.
Many people do not find out they have type 2 diabetes until they have complications, such as blurry vision or heart trouble. If you find out early that you have diabetes, you can get treatment to prevent damage to your body.
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, see your health care provider immediately.
It's important to find reliable information when seeking information about diabetes. We recommend visiting the Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute, the National Diabetes Education Program and the American Diabetes Association for the most up-to-date information.
Interested in raising awareness of diabetes in North Texas? Join our celebrity guest, Daytime Emmy Award-winner, Sherri Shepherd and others at the DHWI Healthy Harvest Fun Walk/5K Run and Diabetes Expo on Saturday, October 26, 2013.


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Jim Halley
Meet Jim Halley
Jim Halley joined the Aviation Division as Director of Planning and Programming in May 2020, after working at Florida Department of Transportation since 2014.
"I'm excited to be part of the Texas aviation family! We have a phenomenal team at AVN and we're going to continue to accomplish great things," said Halley.
Tell us about your background.
I was an Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps prior to becoming involved with aviation. As an artillery officer, I gained immeasurable experience in operations and safety management and team leadership, but also found that in the civilian work force there were not many opportunities for artillery officers. I was passionate about aviation and earned two degrees: a B.S. in Aviation Management from Florida Institute of Technology and MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle. Since I was working in Florida, I figured I would get degrees from the two major aviation schools to cover both bases! After working in the consulting world for a couple of years, I worked in airport operations at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and then Palm Beach International Airport. It was a phenomenal experience working at Fort Lauderdale. It is one of the busiest general aviation (GA) airports in the world and has an economic impact to the community that rivals many commercial airports. I joined Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) in September 2014, as the Aviation System Manager and then became the Statewide Planning Coordinator in 2019 where I led efforts related to the Florida Transportation Plan and gained experience working with the Transportation Research Board, grants and compliance.
It can be challenging beginning a new job in a different state. Given our current COVID environment, can you discuss some of the obstacles you've had to overcome?
For me it's a challenge working from home. I am very much a person who thrives on being with people whether it's at a conference or in the office. I much prefer face-to-face interactions and am ready to get back to normal. Of course I understand that our new normal will involve some level of remote work, and I can certainly work with people who are at home, but for me personally I miss the daily staff interaction.
What are some of the challenges general aviation is facing as we recover from the COVID economic slowdown?
I'll brand this as an opportunity because I'm a glass half full person. Increasing education and awareness have historically, and still remain, GA's biggest opportunity. This is so important for GA as the general public by and large does not fully understand the importance of GA to their area. When the Federal Aviation Administration released their ASSET study in 2012, it was a great first step. The need to advance GA awareness is going to be even more crucial coming out of the COVID pandemic. I love championing GA and the critical role it serves in the community from economic development to disaster relief. Revenue and operational diversification is something I also think will be highlighted as a result of COVID. This will help strengthen our system so that we are not just resilient in the face of adversity but actually come through stronger and better.
What are some of your goals for the planning group?
To plan and develop the safest system, and then increase and maintain the efficiency and economic viability of the system. Safety is my priority. In our section, our division…it has to be number one. I also believe in sustainability in all aspects by addressing the four-pronged approach of human, social, economic and environmental. All four are extremely important. We are striving for operational efficiency and resilience—why not get better from adversity? We got better in our recovery from 9/11 and the economic downturn 10 years ago. Aviation has a history of being stronger in the face of adversity. We take our hits but we come back stronger than ever.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
You might say I'm an adrenaline junkie, which is funny because at work I'm actually risk averse. I enjoy ultra-endurance events and skydiving. Really I enjoy anything outdoors. I'm a pilot so I use our aviation system by piloting and jumping out of planes (not at the same time). I have two dogs that I enjoy taking running. I view everyday as a gift and am going to live it to the fullest.
Filed Under: Wingtips Fall 2020 Tagged With: Jim Halley
Aviation Conference Goes Virtual
For 38 years, TxDOT's Aviation Division (AVN) has hosted the Texas Aviation Conference (TAC). While over the years there have been many unforgettable moments—from Marcus Luttrell's stirring keynote to inspiring stories from award winners—this year's conference will certainly prove to be one of the most memorable.
The 38th annual TAC was originally scheduled for April 7-9, 2020, at Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was moved to Aug. 18-19 and eventually switched to a virtual platform. (see accompanying story)
Dan Harmon, who replaced David Fulton as the Aviation Division Director on Dec. 2, 2019, began the conference with the traditional State of the Aviation address.
STATE OF THE DIVISION ADDRESS
"It was very important to the entire team that we continue the tradition of the Texas Aviation Conference," said Harmon, who was speaking from inside one of the Embraer Phenom 100s in the Flight Services fleet. "But as with everything with aviation, safety is paramount. So, if having the conference virtual is what it takes to do it safely, then that's what we'll do."
Aviation Division Director Dan Harmon at the 2020 Texas Aviation Conference.
Harmon has been with TxDOT since August 2013, during which time he has served as Maritime Division Director. He also served as interim Aviation Division Director since Summer 2019.
"Filling Dave's shoes is a monumental task," said Harmon. "Dave is my friend, and served as my mentor at TxDOT. Dave built a great team who has supported me throughout this transition and I look forward to working with them in the future."
In his address, Harmon noted several staff changes including the retirements of Planning Director Greg Miller and Flight Services Director Jay Joseph, and the hiring of Planning Director Jim Halley (see accompanying story).
"It goes without saying the 2020 campaign has been driven by the COVID pandemic," said Harmon. "Since February, it has had a devastating effect across the world on the aviation industry. No sector or community has been untouched. I don't think any of us could have envisioned the landscape we have now. From early on, the division worked with our sponsors and our state agencies to try and provide the most updated information as possible.
"TxDOT Aviation is dedicated to helping our airports, especially during this time, and remains focused on providing support and continuing airport development projects. To provide important information to Texas general aviation airports and stakeholders, we created a COVID -19 page on our website to post guidance and updates received from state and federal agencies regarding funding opportunities and safe operation recommendations that may assist airports during the pandemic." Note: To view the COVID-19 web page, please visit https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/aviation/guidance-covid-19.html.
Harmon also spoke about the disbursement of grants from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
"As a result of the CARES Act, we are in the process of processing over 200 grants for $12 million, which is the equivalent of three years' worth of grants in three months, and all done remotely."
Harmon finished out his address by introducing the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee, which included three additional members from the past year.
FIRST KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Following Harmon's address was Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M Jayshree Seth. Seth presented on the "Global perception of Science and the need for STEM Advocacy."
TTI Senior Research Scientist Jeff Borowiec watches Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M Jayshree Seth deliver her keynote at the 2020 Texas Aviation Conference.
Seth began her career in 1993 where she worked on components for disposable soft goods such as diaper fastener. In 2006, she moved to the Industrial Adhesive and Tapes Division, where she now leads technology development for sustainable products for the Industrial market. Seth has also appeared in commercials for 3M.
"The fact that we are in this global phenomenon together is unprecedented," said Seth. "Virtually all of humanity is facing the same threat, confronting the same fears, and waiting for the same miracle from science. So the role of science is more important than ever–we know that science is going to bring us to the other side of this threat we are facing during these times."
TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Finishing up the morning was the Texas Legislative Session, which featured remarks from Rep. John Cyrier, Bastrop, TX (TX-17); Rep. Ernest Bailes, Shepherd, TX (TX-18); J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. Chairman, Texas Transportation Committee; and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Chair, Senate Aviation Subcommittee.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz at the 2020 Texas Aviation Conference.
"If you look at where we are right now, nationally we are facing two simultaneous crises," said Senator Cruz. "Number one is a global health pandemic that continues to pose serious threats to health and safety. In response to this pandemic we have taken remarkable steps to try to slow the spread of the virus and try to keep people safe, particularly those who are most vulnerable. At the same time, we're facing a second crisis which is an economic catastrophe, which is of a magnitude that none of us have seen in our lifetimes. We saw aviation virtually shut down. It has slowly started to come back, but remains a fraction of where it was before this pandemic began."
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
The afternoon sessions featured traditional TAC breakout sessions such as the airport manager's roundtable and airport compliance, followed by a presentation on the RAMP program by manager Amy Slaughter. The first day closed out with virtual happy hours hosted by AVN staff.
SECOND KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The last day of the conference began with the second keynote presentation "Urban Air Mobility and What it Means for Texas" from Wyatt Smith, Head of Business Development, Uber Elevate; and Danielle Rinsler, Head of Aviation Policy, Uber Elevate.
Aviation Division Director of Planning and Programming Jim Halley moderates the "Urban Air Mobility and What it Means for Texas" keynote address at the 2020 Texas Aviation Conference.
"Aerial ridesharing can deliver time savings to people," said Rinsler. "An example of our vision is that a trip from DFW International Airport to Frisco could take over an hour by ground trip during congested periods, but with UberAIR the same trip could take eight minutes. The goal is to reduce the amount of time people are spending in congested traffic and reduce congestion on the ground."
TxDOT AVIATION/FAA SESSION
The next session was the TxDOT Aviation/FAA Session that featured Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division; Cameron Bryan, Deputy Airports Division Director, FAA Southwest Region; and Ignacio Flores, Airports Division Director, FAA Southwest Region. This traditional TAC session provided attendees an opportunity to ask questions related to airport funding and other important issues.
AVIATION DIVISION SECTION DIRECTORS SESSION
Closing out the conference was the Aviation Division Section Directors session which featured Kari Campbell, Director, Grant Management; Jim Halley, Director, Planning and Programming; and Eusebio Torres, Director, Engineering Project Management.
(L-R): Eusebio Torres, Director, Engineering Project Management; Kari Campbell, Director, Grant Management; and Jim Halley, Director, Planning and Programming; prepare to speak at the Aviation Division Section Directors session at the 2020 Texas Aviation Conference.
The panel was held at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute located at the RELLIS Campus in Bryan. Each director spoke about their sections and the role they play in the airport project process.
"When you look at the statistics, Texas is at the top of nearly every measurable aviation category in the country," said Halley. "Aviation is a cornerstone of our economy and our connectivity to the rest of the world. Our partnerships with our sponsors will continue to be a very important part of keeping Texas at the forefront globally in aviation. We are here for you every step of the way."
Campbell then spoke about the funding breakdown for fiscal year 2020.
"For FY 20, we received $62 million in federal funding, which is broken out into three different pots of money: $18.2 million in state apportionment funds, $27.2 million in non-primary entitlement funds and $16.6 million in discretionary funding," said Campbell. "We also received about $19 million from the Texas Legislature to split between the airport development program and RAMP. We budget about $8 million for local capital improvement program cost share programs."
Campbell also spoke about the extraordinary job her staff has done with the increased workload that came with the CARES Act grants.
Torres rounded out the section with an overview of the engineering project management section.
"Our engineering team is dedicated to providing the best customer service from beginning to end of the project," said Torres.
CONFERENCE END
At the end of the conference each staff member of AVN had the opportunity to say a virtual "hello" to the attendees.
"Obviously we would have rather had the conference in Galveston and met everyone face-to-face," said Conference Coordinator Becky Vick. "But I'm proud of the effort of the staff to pull together this virtual conference and we hope that our attendees had a good experience as well."
All presentations from this conference are available for download at https://events.tti.tamu.edu/conference/tac20/.
The 2021 TAC is scheduled for Aug. 3-5, 2021, at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos, Texas.
Filed Under: Wingtips Fall 2020 Tagged With: Dan Harmon, Eusebio Torres, Jim Halley, Kari Campbell, Texas Aviation Conference

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Digital Surveillance — the Real Motive Behind Push to Vaccinate Kids
"The real purpose behind the historic, unprecedented push to vaccinate the very young, even against diseases like COVID that do not pose a threat to them, is to fold the current generation of children into the blossoming global digital identity system."
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COVID-19 may have caught much of the planet by surprise in late 2019 and early 2020, but much of the groundwork for the technology now widely used as a "response" to the pandemic was conceptualized and developed years prior.
In the U.S. and throughout the world, there has been a recent push to implement a variety of "vaccine passport" regimes, many of which rely on digital technologies such as mobile applications to carry a record of — so far, at least — one's COVID-19 vaccination records.
These "tools" are presented by public officials and significant sections of the media in recent weeks and months as an inevitability of sorts, a technological progression as natural as breathing.
They are also presented as a "new" response to an unprecedented crisis.
These technological applications are touted as a means of keeping businesses open and ensuring "peace of mind" for members of the public who remain wary about entering public spaces.
But just how new is this "new" technology? And will the use of technology be limited to COVID vaccinations, or for purposes of "health?"
International 'alliances' backing the melding of 'Big Tech' and 'Big Health'
It was the beginning of the preceding decade, January 2010, when Bill Gates, via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, proclaimed "[w]e must make this the decade of vaccines," adding that "innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before."
In launching this so-called "Decade of Vaccines," the Gates Foundation pledged $10 billion in funding. But Gates wasn't the only actor behind this initiative.
For instance, the "Decade of Vaccines" program used a model originating from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to project the potential impact of vaccines on childhood deaths throughout the decade to come.
And the announcement for the "Decade of Vaccines" initiative was made at that year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
These same actors — the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the WEF — organized the now-notorious Event 201 pandemic simulation exercise, in October 2019, just before COVID entered our lives.
Moreover, in 2010, a "Global Vaccine Action Plan" was announced as part of this initiative. It was a collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), with Dr. Anthony Fauci serving on the leadership council.
As the Gates Foundation stated at the time:
"The Global Vaccine Action Plan will enable greater coordination across all stakeholder groups — national governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, the private sector and philanthropic organizations — and will identify critical policy, resource and other gaps that must be addressed to realize the life-saving potential of vaccines."
The steering committee for the "Global Vaccine Action Plan" included a member from the GAVI Alliance. Notably, the initial announcement for the "Decade of Vaccines" was made in the presence of Julian Lob-Levyt, then-CEO of the GAVI Alliance.
What, or who, is the GAVI Alliance? Also known as the "Vaccine Alliance," it proclaims a mission to "save lives and protect people's health," and states it "helps vaccinate almost half the world's children against deadly and debilitating infectious diseases."
GAVI goes on to describe its core partnership with various international organizations, including names that are by now familiar: the WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank. (Far from helping the world's poor, the World Bank has been described by a former insider, John Perkins, as an organization that uses "economic hit men" to subjugate financially crippled countries).
In 2018, GAVI, through its INFUSE (innovation for update, scale and equity in immunization) Initiative, put forth the following "food for thought":
"Imagine a future in which all children have access to life-saving vaccines no matter where they live — a future in which parents and health workers ensure their timely vaccination, a future in which they have their own digitally stored health record that cannot be lost or stolen, a future in which, regardless of gender, economic or social standing, this record allows each child (and parents) to have access to a bank account, go to school, access services and ultimately build a prosperous life.
"This future is possible today. With the latest advances in digital technologies that enable more effective ways to register, identify births and issue proof of identity and authentication for access to services — we are on the brink of building a healthier and more prosperous future for the world's most vulnerable children."
This would be accomplished, according to GAVI, through the INFUSE initiative, specifically by "calling for innovations that leverage new technologies to modernize the process of identifying and registering the children who are most in need of life-saving vaccines."
As described by investigative reporter Leo Hohmann:
"Don't be confused by the bit about 'building a healthier and more prosperous future.' That's just window dressing. This is all about data collection and has nothing to do with health.
GAVI itself confirmed the above statement, as it has described potential uses of these "new technologies" as going beyond the issuance of a "digital child health card" toward encompassing "access to other services," including the broadly defined "financial services."
Limitations on "access" to such "other services" are already apparent in jurisdictions where COVID passports restrict access to businesses, banks and other private spaces for the non-vaccinated
The GAVI Alliance also closely collaborates with the ID2020 Alliance, founded in 2016, which claims to advocate in favor of "ethical, privacy-protecting approaches to digital ID," adding that "doing digital ID right means protecting civil liberties.
Unsurprisingly, there is no clarification provided regarding the potential loss of civil liberties for individuals who choose, for any reason, not to be vaccinated and who are therefore excluded from large swaths of society in areas where COVID passports have been implemented and enforced.
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Such rhetoric on the part of ID2020 is reminiscent of the public statements put forth by the European Union (EU) as it was preparing to launch its so-called "Green Pass" earlier this year.
EU officials, such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — who recently called for a "discussion" on mandatory vaccinations in the EU — went to great lengths to stress how individuals' privacy would be protected.
In a manner which some may consider tone-deaf, they further emphasized that such a digital pass would enable people to "move safely" for "work or tourism," as if such free movement is a new concept that only a digital pass could make possible.
Again, restrictions on the unvaccinated, including those involving "work or tourism," were entirely absent from the public rhetoric surrounding this new measure.
Highlighting the possibilities that the GAVI-ID2020 collaboration could bring, the INFUSE call for innovation states:
"According to the ID2020 Alliance — a public-private partnership that includes Gavi — the use of digital health cards for children could directly improve coverage rates by ensuring a verifiable, accurate record and by prompting parents to bring their children in for a subsequent dose.
"From the parents' perspective, digital records can make it convenient to track a child's vaccines and eliminate unnecessary paperwork.
"And as children grow, their digital health card can be used to access secondary services, such as primary school, or ease the process of obtaining alternative credentials. Effectively, the digital health card could, depending on country needs and readiness, potentially become the first step in establishing a legal, broadly recognized identity."
All of these proposals and initiatives appear, in turn, to be closely aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular, Goal 16.9, which calls for the provision of a digital legal identity for all, including newborns, by 2030.
To this end, the UN established the UN Legal Identity Agenda Task Force in 2018. In May 2021, this task force, alongside the United Nations Development Programme and a variety of private sector actors, organized the "Future of Technology and Institutional Governance in Identity Management" roundtable sessions.
The final report from these sessions indicates, among other things, a desire from the stakeholders for the expansion of public-private partnerships for the further development and implementation of digital ID regimes worldwide, including in the Global South.
One of the stakeholders present, the not-for-profit Secure Identity Alliance, touts its support for "the provision of legal, trusted identity for all and driving the development of inclusive digital services necessary for sustainable, worldwide economic growth and prosperity."
A paper published in July by the Security Identity Alliance discusses "making health certificates a workable reality."
One of the five principles the paper puts forth for such health passports is that they are "futureproofed," by offering "multi-purpose functionality" in order to "ensure ongoing value beyond today's current crisis."
The Secure Identity Alliance counts among its observers governmental authorities from countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, Estonia, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Guinea.
Moreover, one of its founding members and current board members is the Thales Group, a private company involved in aerospace, defense and security — in short, a defense contractor.
On its website, the Thales Group proudly promotes its "smart health card" and Digital ID Wallet technology. Amidst utopian language claiming "we're ready for change" and "putting citizens in control," the Digital ID Wallet promises the public the ability to "access the rights and services to which we are entitled."
Indeed, the documents that would be available via this Digital ID Wallet go beyond "health credentials" and include national identification cards, driver's licenses and any number of other items of official documentation.
Numerous countries worldwide, including the U.S., currently find themselves in varying stages of implementing exactly this sort of "digital wallet."
Urgent: 3 Ways to Help Stop Biden's Vaccine Mandates
Taking 'health passports' a step (or more) further: digital wallet regimes take shape
The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 30 passed H.R. 550, the Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2021.
If passed by Congress, this law would provide $400 million in funding to expand vaccine-tracking systems at the state and local level, enabling state health officials to monitor the vaccination status of American citizens and to provide this information to the federal government.
Vaccine passports and no-fly lists for the unvaccinated — a concept for which Fauci expressed his support — could be created under the law.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), passed the U.S. House of Representatives with 294 votes, including all Democrats and 80 Republicans. It is now before the Senate, where it is being reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Since being passed by the House, the bill has garnered a fair amount of attention — other recent digital identification developments in the U.S., however, seem to have remained relatively under the radar.
In September, for instance, Apple announced a partnership with eight states — Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah — to make those respective states' driver's licenses available in digital form via the Apple Wallet platform.
Meanwhile, several states, including New York (via its "Excelsior Pass") and Connecticut introduced their own digital COVID vaccination certificate.
Similar to how the EU has promoted vaccine passports, these state-level initiatives in the U.S. are touted as a means of "safely" reopening the economy and encouraging travel and movement.
Indeed, New York went so far as to make a "blueprint" of its vaccine pass platform available, "as a guide to assist other states, territories, and entities in the expansion of compatible COVID-19 vaccine credential systems to advance economic development efforts nationwide."
Looking at the EU, one of the bloc's priorities as part of its 2019-2024 five-year plan is to create a "digital identity for all Europeans." Namely, each EU citizen and resident would have access to a "personal digital wallet" under this initiative.
This "personal digital wallet" could include documentation such as national ID cards, birth certificates, medical certificates and driver's licenses.
The EU subsequently presented its plans for the "European Digital Decade," where under the EU's "Digital Compass," 100% of key public services will be available digitally, with a target of 80% uptake of digital identification documents.
Already, several EU member states are getting into the act.
Germany, which had electronic national ID cards (via biometric chips) since 2010, introduced digital versions of these ID cards this past fall, via the AusweisApp2. The same app makes German driver's licenses available digitally.
Germany and Spain also recently signed an agreement to launch a cross-border program for digital identification, which would entail mutual recognition of each other's official digital documents
France also recently announced its intention to integrate its national identification card with smartphones.
Greece received praise from the global press when it introduced particularly draconian digital tools during its two COVID lockdowns, such as a government SMS platform to which residents would have to send a text message in order to circulate in public for a limited set of "reasons."
More recently, Greece announced the forthcoming creation of a digital wallet that will contain documents such as one's national ID card, driver's license and health documentation.
Estonia, viewed as a world leader in introducing digital e-governance and which has had digital identification cards in place since 2002, is preparing its own digital wallet system while expressing support for the EU's "Digital Compass."
Outside of Europe, several other countries also have expanded their digital identification regimes in various ways.
In Australia, for instance, states such as New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland introduced or trialed digital driver's licenses.
It is in India, though, where such digital documents appear to have generated the greatest degree of controversy thus far.
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was announced in 2020 and launched as a pilot program in six regions of India in 2021. It is an app that provides a unique digital health ID to each citizen and is linked to their personal health records.
Its establishment comes on the footsteps of the development of Aadhaar, India's national digital identification card system.
Aadhaar generated controversy over the government's plans to link it to the national voter database, while it has also been the target of hackers.
Questions arise as more digital platforms rolled out for 'official purposes'
The rollout of digital platforms gives rise to questions about the safety of individuals' data on these digital platforms, despite government reassurances to the contrary regarding privacy.
Moreover, it remains unclear how long "COVID passports," whether in digital or paper form, will remain enforced, or if governments plan to make such a regime permanent.
A recent article in The Atlantic, "Why Aren't We Even Talking About Easing COVID Restrictions?" questioned why vaccine passport mandates in the U.S. have no sunset date.
Indeed, if the proclamation of the Secure Identity Alliance regarding the need to "futureproof" such digital documents is any indication, it may be the case that governments have no intention to scrap vaccine passports.
Even if such specific uses of digital "passports" eventually go away, the range of ways in which digital wallets can potentially be utilized is staggering, including, for instance, via the tracking of "personal carbon allowances," as previously reported by The Defender.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Children's Health Defense.
Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., is an independent journalist and researcher based in Athens, Greece.
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2007--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced that consistent with international standards, Panama is allowing the importation of U.S. cattle of all ages.
In May 2007, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). This status confirms that U.S. BSE regulatory controls are effective and that U.S. cattle can be safely traded.
Panama stopped allowing the importation of live U.S. cattle after BSE was detected in an imported Canadian cow in December 2003. Panama has already reopened its border to the importation of cattle products from the United States. Before the ban, Panama's market for live U.S. cattle exports was quickly expanding. In 2003, Panama's importation of live U.S. cattle doubled what had been imported in the previous three years combined.
APHIS has worked closely with Panama since that time to regain full market access. APHIS will continue to encourage other countries to take steps to align their requirements with international standards.


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About BrokerEngine
BrokerEngine was developed in conjunction with a real mortgage brokerage, not in a software lab. It began when an Australian mortgage broker wanted to write more business and provide clients with a seamless experience, without sacrificing his quality of life to gruelling work weeks and high stress levels…
The BrokerEngine Story
Hi, my name's Craig Vaughan, and I'm a mortgage broker by trade, and the founder of BrokerEngine.
I run multiple mortgage broking brands and was nominated in the 2014 Broker of the Year Awards (Top 5) and in 2015 (Top 10). In 2016, I was fortunate enough to receive two nominations – one for Broker of the Year, and one for Broker Group of the Year. All while working 20-25 hours per week and enjoying 2-3 months' holiday a year.
But it wasn't always this way…
I started in broking in 2007, and by about 2010 I was settling a reasonable $20-$25 million a year, but I was also putting in far too many hours, and following no system.
In fact, my first 3 years in mortgage broking were almost a complete waste, because I didn't have any method of keeping in touch with clients.
By the time I developed a system, it was too late. Those initial clients were cold, and I had to keep running hard on the treadmill to find new clients and maintain my volumes.
My stress levels were constantly red-lining. I was always fearful that something had been missed on a deal, or that it would go south at the last moment. And I hardly took any extended time off, because I was afraid the wheels would fall off.
With no method to keep in touch with clients both before and after settlement, I knew I was missing out on a tonne of repeat and referral business.
Like many brokers, I was building my practice based on sheer hard work, not getting smart automation to do the heavy lifting for me.
Enter Hard Work
So, what was my solution?
Essentially, it was insane levels of hard work.
I threw more and more hours at my practice, and invested heavily in digital marketing and online lead generation. I also took a bunch of training to refine my sales process and improve my conversion rate.
And the good news is… all of this worked!
I now had a consistent influx of leads, and my sales process became very effective indeed. (All based around specific scripting and structuring of the process, mind you. I've never considered myself a "natural salesman" and still don't to this day).
But the bad news was that I was now seriously run off my feet with grueling work hours, high stress levels and almost no ability to "switch off" from the business.
I was writing about $50M to $60M a year, which was a big improvement from where I had started — but I no longer had a life.
The Quest For Automation
I needed to do something, so I tried a number of existing CRM applications and aggregator software. But none of them did everything I needed.
For example, I tried relying on my aggregator software. Yes, it would remind me to do a task but it wouldn't actually do it for me.
So then I tried ACT! By Sage, which was not too bad, actually. It could automate some of the things I wanted, and was quite customisable.
But after a year of building the system within ACT! I was fed up with it. Ultimately, it was just another generic CRM system not designed for mortgage brokers that I was trying to bend to my will.
After trialling a number of other products in the market, again I came up against the same mix of limited functionality and non-industry specific focus.
The answer was smart automation that linked in every part of the loan lodgement and approval process.
So, I decided to build my own software…
Initially, the intention was just to build it for myself so I could make my own business more profitable and also grow my staff of brokers and support team members.
Then, as the software began to take shape, I started to see the potential to take it to market as a software application "by a broker, for brokers".
The dream was to build the world's first Broker Management Platform (BMP) – a product that solves the shortcomings in other solutions and gives brokers an edge in this age of digital disruption.
And so, BrokerEngine was born (although it was originally called MODUS 360).
And one of the core philosophies of the system is "Automating the automatable, so you can free up the broker and team for higher-value client-facing activity"…
For example, it's one thing to be reminded to perform a certain task, such as emailing or texting a client to ask them for a list of documents, or to update them on the status of their approval.
But it's another thing to have the software draft the exact deal-specific email or SMS, and pop it in your queue, ready to review and click "SEND".
(It's automation like that which can cut literally hours of drudgery out of your day as a broker.)
And it's automation like this that makes each broker more dollar-productive.
But eventually, as my firm continued to grow, I needed to bring on more team members
to support me as a broker, and also more brokers under by brand(s).
And that's where I hit another big roadblock: how to efficiently scale my team.
The Challenges Of Growing My Team
When you're writing, say, $25M per year, there is time in the day to manage loan processing from end to end. But if you want to scale your volume, as I did, then you need to be supported by one or more loan processors.
But the challenge is this:
Because loan applications can be so fiddly and so varied, it is very hard to find, train and retain excellent support staff.
And even the very best people who aren't supported by good systems can make mistakes. (And clients don't care who made the mistake… they just remember the poor experience they got, and will never come back or refer as a result).
So, how do most brokers deal with this (me included)?
They usually ends up "hovering" over every deal, micromanaging the process to ensure that mistakes don't occur – and ultimately destroying the freedom they were trying to create by hiring a support team in the first place!
I hit every roadblock you can imagine around hiring team members…
Firstly, it was hard to find people with the work ethic and eye for detail that I needed, especially because I live in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, away from most of the big employment centres.
I interviewed dozens of candidates. But then once a successful candidate started, I then had to train them up.
Some didn't have the "skills to pay the bills", and I had to let them go.
Others were great, but they ended up leaving after a couple of years – one to move interstate and the other to go on maternity leave.
So then I had just wasted all that training time, and was back to square one: processing my own loans and not sitting in front of clients!
This was a critical problem that I had to solve if I was ever going to realise my goal of becoming a "Black Belt Broker" (i.e. a broker who settles $100M+ annually).
Again, I found that existing software systems had no clear way of:
Dividing the work up between staff, and timing, tracking and monitoring the work the staff are doing
Preventing errors before they occur, or logging errors that do occur so they can be prevented next time.
So, over time we built a system into the every instance of BrokerEngine software that:
Places all tasks into a central Smart Queue system for staff to action according to agreed rules (SLAs).
Divides all tasks into one of 27 predefined task types. Every task type is supported by screenshot documentation to make it very easy for team members to learn and do the task.
Times the staff member automatically when they start working on a task. This is invaluable for working out where the bottlenecks are in the system, and/or which team members need training in which tasks.
Batches similar tasks to increase team member efficiency (for example, calling the same lender about several loan applications).
Logs errors or delays to aid in training and prevention of errors in the future.
And the best part: because of the level of standardisation we've been able to
achieve, it is now MUCH easier to find and train staff!
Plus, because they quickly pick up the process, it's easier to retain them as well.
At the time of writing, my main support team member is based in Manila, surrounded by a team of other loan processors who support other BrokerEngine users (and if you decide to give BrokerEngine a try, we can give you an introduction to the same support team I use, who are already familiar with the software).
That's just the support team side of the equation. I've also brought on 4 more brokers into my broker group — and that has been the key to making them happy and productive.
They get to focus on writing more business, and I get an easy way to keep track of how they're doing and how to help them improve.
Now, they wonder what they ever did without BrokerEngine.
Here I am with some of our great support team members based in Manila.
And in 2016, we were proud to be named one of the top Broker Groups in the country
by the Australian Financial Group (AFG).
More Top Brokers Join BrokerEngine
Over the last 4 years, the software has been consistently improved and refined, with $100+ million per year worth of deals personally running through it — plus all the deals of the brokers in my wider group.
In 2016, more brokers started joining us as users, including former "Young Gun of the Year" Karli Martin and MPA Top 100 Brokers Leigh Deledio and Cameron Morgan – to name just a few.
User feedback has been invaluable for refining the system and ensuring it works well with a variety of different processes that brokers may be using internally.
I'd like to think that most if not all of the glitches have been ironed out; each new problem we faced as brokers has been met with a solution in the software.
How To Build A "Referral Only" Firm
In my own business, the software has been so successful that I'm now completely self-sufficient, relying only on existing clients for repeat and referral business.
This is mainly because the automated Loan Review module of BrokerEngine keeps me topped up with more deals and referral clients as I can handle.
How the Loan Review module works is like this:
The user can indicate for each deal how often they'd like the loan to be reviewed. For example, every 6 to 12 months… еor 3 months prior to a fixed rate expiry or IO expiry.
When the trigger is hit, the system automatically prompts the team to:
Check with the bank to confirm the client's updated loan details such as interest rate, balance etc., and
Complete an AVM to determine the approximate value of the security propertie
Once that's done, the system then provides the broker with all the information they need to make a decision on whether to recommend:
Pricing: seek better pricing with current lender
Refinance: seek to refinance client to a new lender
Variation: switch to a different product such as a fixed rate
No change: contact client to advise current setup is optimal
Then, based on whichever option the broker chooses, the system spins up an automated Loan Review Report based around smart, conversion-optimised templates.
Over the last 6 months,
this little system has done the following for me:
276 Number of automated reviews conducted
13 Number of refinances
118 Number of pricing changes
27 Number of variations
7.4M Total volume written as the result of reviews
(My client base has a lot of loans with LVRs over 80%, which somewhat limits the potential for refinances – other brokers can probably do better than this).
This system works so well for at least 3 reasons:
By proactively serving client needs, it gives very little opening for clients to get dissatisfied and start to look elsewhere… or get wooed away by their bank.
Even it there is no change, clients still appreciate that the broker is looking out for their best interests. They know they have no need to look elsewhere in future.
This process creates another relevant touchpoint with clients, that frequently results in additional opportunities, cross-sales or client referrals
And of course, this process is excellent for maintaining trail, which withers away over time unless it is nurtured.
(Some brokers believe they're maintaining their trail simply by sending out a regular email newsletter from their aggregator. I've done that too, and the problem is that it's not a very meaningful or personalised communication with clients. Making it personalised makes all the difference, in my experience).
Writing Volume AND Enjoying Life
In my early days of being a mortgage broker, I was all about the numbers. I wanted to increase my volume and I didn't care how hard I had to work to do it.
At just $50 to $60M a year, I quickly saw what that did to my quality of life — and I had to do something to fix the situation.
Now, my priorities have shifted even more in the direction of work-life balance.
For the last 3 years, I've been able to settle $100M+ while also taking 2-3 months' holidays per year.
In fact, in the year I did my biggest settlement volume, I took 3 trips:
a motorbike trip to the Top End of Australia; a cycling trip from Auckland to Wellington, NZ;
and an 8-week campervan trip from Halifax, Canada to Seattle, USA.
The increase in income is nice, but for me, the biggest positive impact has been getting my life back.
I only work 9am to 5pm – not full days. I usually take a break in the middle of the day to go for a cycle or to the gym. I'm home every evening to be with my wife and young family. I don't work weekends. I finish up at 1pm on Fridays. And I'm able to go to conferences or PD days without having to stress about whether my clients are being looked after.
Now, even more than building my own brokerage, my absolute mission in life is to bring these benefits to others in the mortgage broking community.
Join The Growing Numbers of BrokerEngine Users
So that's my story as a broker to date. I don't claim to have all the answers – far from it. In fact, I've probably made more mistakes than the average broker along the way.
But what I have done, is work out a way to write big volumes, while building a happy team and enjoying plenty of time off.
If you'd like to learn how you can join me on this journey,
contact us for a free Personal Demo of BrokerEngine.
You'll be glad you did!
Our Mission: To Assist 1,000+ Mortgage Brokers To Settle $100M+ In Loans Annually By 2025.
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Magnetic pinning of vortices has the advantage over intrinsic pinning in that the superconducting critical current can be reversibly tuned by the magnetic field (H). Magnetic pinning by Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy has been studied in two ferromagnetic/superconducting bilayers of Nb and YBCO with different superconducting properties (e.g. penetration depth $\lambda )$. Magnetic force microscopy reveals similar magnetization (M) reversal process in the two cases, both exhibiting a large density of narrow residual domains but with different domain width w at the final reversal stage. However, the magnetic pinning, revealed by the M-H loop shape in the superconducting state, is different. The Nb film exhibits an enhancement of M with the strongest effect during the final reversal stage, while the YBCO film shows a suppression of M in the vicinity of central M peak and an enhancement of M in large magnetic fields. These different behaviors are related to the different $\lambda $/w ratio in the two cases.


text:
Tag Archives: Focus ST
Automotive Reviews, Ford, Manual Transmission Cars
2013 Ford Focus ST2 Review
Disclaimer: The interior pictures featured in this article are that of a 2015 Ford Focus ST, not the actual car that is depicted in this review. The 2015 version will appear later in a separate photo shoot article.
You might be asking yourself, "Is that a bright yellow Ford Focus I see? And why does it look like it came out of a Fast and Furious movie?" Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Ford Focus ST. After reviewing a 2012 Focus sedan, I was impressed at how far Ford had come. With sharp styling, enjoyable handling, decent levels of equipment, I can see why the Ford Focus was a hit with the consumers. It all started when Ford finally consolidated its global models and started producing the same models for every market. Here in America, Ford previously concentrated its efforts on its sport utility vehicles and its trucks and neglected its passenger cars. Meanwhile in Europe, Ford's lineup was of high quality and class-leading passenger cars. Europeans got a better Focus and Mondeo (European equivalent to Taurus/Fusion) than we Americans did. After the recession hit, Ford decided to combine its global portfolio and produce the same cars for every market. What this means is that we finally get the good cars that Europeans get which brings me to my point. In Europe, there is a very popular segment of hot hatches: sporty hatchbacks that deliver the thrills and performance of a sporty car while providing the versatility and comfort of a family hatchback. Ford did attempt this here in the U.S with the 2001-2004 Focus SVT, but as a two-door/four-door hatchback that was hard to live with on a daily basis, it never really caught the attention of most consumers except hardcore enthusiasts. There was also a 2004-2007 ST version of the sedan, but it was really a half-baked attempt to inject sportiness in the sedan when in reality it was just a top-of-the-line version with a manual transmission. Ford Europe introduced the first Focus ST in 2005, a sporty version of the Focus with 225 horsepower and a top speed of 152 mph. For the 2013 model year, a Focus ST version was added to the Focus lineup globally. Little backstory behind this car. This car is owned by one of my good friends, and we both are car enthusiasts as well as manual transmission aficionados. The owner named the ST, "Pikachu." Let's see if Pikachu is as exciting as its Tangerine Scream paint and rear spoiler suggests.
Tagged automotive photography, automotive reviews, cars, driving, Focus, Focus ST, ford, Ford Focus, love, photography, travel


text:
import jexer.TAction;
import jexer.TApplication;
import jexer.TDesktop;
import jexer.TTerminalWidget;
import jexer.TSplitPane;
import jexer.TWidget;
import jexer.event.TMenuEvent;
import jexer.menu.TMenu;

/**
 * Implements a simple tiling window manager.  A terminal widget is added to
 * the desktop, which can be split horizontally or vertically.  A close
 * action is provided to each window to remove the split when its shell
 * exits.
 *
 * This example shows what can be done with minimal changes to stock Jexer
 * widgets.
 */
public class JexerTilingWindowManager2 extends TApplication {

    /**
     * Menu item: split the terminal vertically.
     */
    private static final int MENU_SPLIT_VERTICAL = 2000;

    /**
     * Menu item: split the terminal horizontally.
     */
    private static final int MENU_SPLIT_HORIZONTAL = 2001;
    /**
     * Menu item: recreate the root terminal.
     */
    private static final int MENU_RESPAWN_ROOT = 2002;

    /**
     * Handle to the root widget.
     */
    private TWidget root = null;

    /**
     * Main entry point.
     */
    public static void main(String [] args) throws Exception {
        // For this application, we must use ptypipe so that the terminal
        // shells can be aware of their size.
        System.setProperty("jexer.TTerminal.ptypipe", "true");

        // Let's also suppress the status line.
        System.setProperty("jexer.hideStatusBar", "true");

        final JexerTilingWindowManager2 jtwm = new JexerTilingWindowManager2();
        (new Thread(jtwm)).start();

        jtwm.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                // Spin up the root terminal
                jtwm.createRootTerminal();
            }
        });
    }

    /**
     * Public constructor chooses the ECMA-48 / Xterm backend.
     */
    public JexerTilingWindowManager2() throws Exception {
        super(BackendType.XTERM);

        // The stock tool menu has items for redrawing the screen, opening
        // images, and (when using the Swing backend) setting the font.
        addToolMenu();

        // We will have one menu containing a mix of new and stock commands
        TMenu tileMenu = addMenu("&Tile");

        // New commands for this example: split vertical and horizontal.
        tileMenu.addItem(MENU_SPLIT_VERTICAL, "&Vertical Split");
        tileMenu.addItem(MENU_SPLIT_HORIZONTAL, "&Horizontal Split");
        tileMenu.addItem(MENU_RESPAWN_ROOT, "&Respawn Root Terminal");

        // Stock commands: a new shell with resizable window, and exit
        // program.
        tileMenu.addSeparator();
        tileMenu.addItem(TMenu.MID_SHELL, "&New Windowed Terminal");
        tileMenu.addSeparator();
        tileMenu.addDefaultItem(TMenu.MID_EXIT);

        // TTerminalWidget can request the text-block mouse pointer be
        // suppressed, but the default TDesktop will ignore it.  Let's set a
        // new TDesktop to pass that mouse pointer visibility option to
        // TApplication.
        setDesktop(new TDesktop(this) {
            @Override
            public boolean hasHiddenMouse() {
                TWidget active = getActiveChild();
                if (active instanceof TTerminalWidget) {
                    return ((TTerminalWidget) active).hasHiddenMouse();
                }
                return false;
            }
        });

    }

    /**
     * Process menu events.
     */
    @Override
    protected boolean onMenu(TMenuEvent event) {
        TWidget active = getDesktop().getActiveChild();
        TSplitPane split = null;

        switch (event.getId()) {
        case MENU_RESPAWN_ROOT:
            assert (root == null);
            createRootTerminal();
            return true;

        case MENU_SPLIT_VERTICAL:
            if (root == null) {
                assert (getDesktop().getActiveChild() == null);
                createRootTerminal();
                return true;
            }
            split = active.splitVertical(false, createTerminal());
            if (active == root) {
                root = split;
            }
            return true;

        case MENU_SPLIT_HORIZONTAL:
            if (root == null) {
                assert (getDesktop().getActiveChild() == null);
                createRootTerminal();
                return true;
            }
            split = active.splitHorizontal(false, createTerminal());
            if (active == root) {
                root = split;
            }
            return true;

        default:
            return super.onMenu(event);
        }

    }

    /**
     * Create the root terminal.
     */
    private void createRootTerminal() {
        assert (root == null);
        disableMenuItem(MENU_RESPAWN_ROOT);
        enableMenuItem(MENU_SPLIT_VERTICAL);
        enableMenuItem(MENU_SPLIT_HORIZONTAL);
        root = createTerminal();
    }

    /**
     * Create a new terminal.
     *
     * @return the new terminal
     */
    private TWidget createTerminal() {
        return new TTerminalWidget(getDesktop(), 0, 0,
            getDesktop().getWidth(), getDesktop().getHeight(),
            new TAction() {
                public void DO() {
                    if (source.getParent() instanceof TSplitPane) {
                        ((TSplitPane) source.getParent()).removeSplit(source,
                            true);
                    } else {
                        source.getApplication().enableMenuItem(
                                MENU_RESPAWN_ROOT);
                        source.getApplication().disableMenuItem(
                                MENU_SPLIT_VERTICAL);
                        source.getApplication().disableMenuItem(
                                MENU_SPLIT_HORIZONTAL);
                        source.remove();
                        root = null;
                    }
                }
            });
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The 3rd story arc comes to an end with Empyrea Part 2 and with it several new gear sets are unveiled. Check out the Paradox gear set!
Searching for the perfect look for your wizard that compliments your school? Look no further! We have listed all the school design gear for your wizard.
Check out our guide to Wizard101 Hoard and Lore Packs and discover the highlights of each and every pack ever released in game.


A comprehensive review of neuro-ophthalmology designed to improve the assessment and care of patients with neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Ideal for MOC.
This five day program includes presentations that review the entire field of Ophthalmology using both a didactic lecture approach as well as case-based summaries. As a result, the course offers the perfect review for the ABO Oral Certification exam as well as a good overall review for the WQE. The course includes lectures with free, searchable e-syllabus (PowerPoint presentations and notes) as well as case review sessions and multiple-choice board style questions. In addition, there are question and answer sessions (May 31- June 4) and mock oral exams to observe free of charge (June 3 & 4). A printed syllabus can be pre-ordered for a small fee.


I love this take on garland lights for the bathroom mirror. If you've got a big collection of bottles, remove the labels and use a drill or dremel to make holes in the bottoms, then string them up on a strand of LED Christmas lights for a kitschy lighting solution.
Why use LED lights? They use less energy than standard Christmas lights and they burn cooler, which is a good idea when you're putting them close to light plastic like a pill bottle.


text:
Friedemann Schreiter (* 1951 in Jahnsbach) ist freiberuflicher Schriftsteller und Autor. Veröffentlicht sind Gedichte in Anthologien, Romane und Erzählungen. Er schreibt Hörspiele, Drehbücher für Fernsehfilme und TV-Serien.

Leben
Friedemann Schreiter wurde 1951 in Jahnsbach im Erzgebirge geboren. Nach seinem Abitur 1970 in Dresden, einer Mechanikerlehre und der Armeezeit bei der Marine, studierte er Philosophie an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Er arbeitete beim Rundfunk der DDR als Hörspieldramaturg.

Seit 1980 ist er freiberuflich tätig. Von 1982 bis 1990 war er Mitglied des Schriftstellerverbandes der DDR. Er erhielt den Kritikerpreis für das Drehbuch zum Film Das Buschgespenst, 1987. Er lebt in Berlin und Mecklenburg.

Werke

Bücher
 1982: Billeschak. Roman. Mitteldeutscher Verlag, Halle-Leipzig
 1984: Liebesland. Erzählungen. Mitteldeutscher Verlag. Halle-Leipzig
 2014: Strafanstalt Waldheim. Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin
 2017: Musterdorf Mestlin. Ch. Links Verlag, Berlin

Hörspiele
 1980: Katzenbergers Badereise. nach Jean Paul
 1982: Lachen wie aus Blut. Biografisches Hörspiel um François Villon
 1994: Kleiner feiner Herr. Hörspiel um den alten Karl May

Filmografie
 1985: Es steht der Wald so schweigend (TV)
 1986: Das Buschgespenst (TV-Zweiteiler)
 1989: Schulmeister Spitzbart (TV)
 1990: Die verschwundene Miniatur (TV)
 1995: Polizeiruf 110: Bruder Lustig (TV-Reihe)
 1996–2001: Für alle Fälle Stefanie (TV-Serie, 15 Folgen)

Weblinks

 Friedemann Schreiter bei henschel-schauspiel
 Kürschners Deutscher Literatur-Kalender, 67. Jahrgang

Hörspielautor
Drehbuchautor
Literatur (Deutsch)
Person (Rundfunk der DDR)
Deutscher
Geboren 1951
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Check Out the EcoBoost Capability of the 2022 Ford Maverick
The 2022 Ford Maverick is the talk of the town. Capable, efficient, and extremely powerful, the Ford truck has got the drivers in South Burlington, VT, excited. It is a compact truck boasting a roomy and feature-rich interior and a bold exterior. There are many standout features of the truck that deserve your attention, one of them being its EcoBoost capability. Today our team at Heritage Ford VT shares a video uploaded by the folks at Ford to give you an idea about the truck's capability.
Categories: Tech Talk, Social, New Inventory
Here are the Safety Technologies Offered on the 2022 Ford Explorer
2022 Ford Explorer Safety Technologies
With interesting enhancements, the 2022 Ford Explorer is here to dominate the midsize SUV segment. From a comfortable on-road ride to fuel efficiency, there are plenty of benefits of the Ford SUV. But, what about safety? How safe is the 2022 Ford Explorer? In today's blog by Heritage Ford VT, we'll let you know about the various safety features offered on the Ford Explorer.
Categories: Social, New Inventory
What are the Key Features of the 2022 Ford Maverick?
2022 Ford Maverick Key Features
Are you looking for a family pickup in South Burlington, VT, that offers value for money? The 2022 Ford Maverick is a value-packed compact pickup that has wowed critics and customers alike. It is available in three exciting trim levels, each offering plenty of benefits. In today's blog by Heritage Ford VT, we dive deep into the key features of the 2022 Ford Maverick.
Categories: Tech Talk, New Inventory
The 3 Best Fords to Drive This Winter
Fords Suitable for a Drive Through the Snow
Wheels that roll without lumbering through the snow are ideal, but the vehicle must also make it conducive for a seamless ride. Fords suitable for driving through the snow can be on your list to avoid the trouble of having to trudge all the way to the store for the tinsel for the tree. Vehicular inquiries at South Burlington clear up with the great offers and better exchange options at Heritage Ford VT. Here are some of the best Fords for winter drives.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat
2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat Features and Specs
Are you seeking a powerful, efficient, and versatile pickup truck in South Burlington, VT? The 2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat is designed for adventure-loving drivers. Boasting a long list of impressive features, the pickup truck offers both comfort and thrill. If you're wondering whether the truck is worth the investment, then read on. In today's blog by Heritage Ford, you get to learn about the features and specs of the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat.
Take a look at the Key Features of the 2022 Ford Maverick
The 2022 Ford Maverick is the stellar addition to the hotly contested segment of compact trucks in South Burlington, VT. With a highly customizable and tech-laden interior and rugged exterior, the pickup is already gaining a lot of attention from Ford enthusiasts. It is a standard full-hybrid pickup offering a winning combination of form and function. If you're wondering what the key features of the 2022 Ford Maverick are, then continue reading this blog presented by the team at Heritage Ford.
Explore the Trim Levels Offered on the 2021 Ford EcoSport
2021 Ford EcoSport Trim Level Comparison
Ford infused the 2021 Ford EcoSport with a long list of impressive features. The family-friendly SUV offers a comfortable and well-equipped cabin along with modern amenities. In addition to boasting a feature-rich interior, the SUV offers sporty performance. Offered in four trims, the 2021 Ford EcoSport is a great buy for drivers in South Burlington, VT. Continue reading today's blog presented by Heritage Ford to get an understanding of what the different trim levels of the SUV offer.
2022 Ford Maverick: Video Walkaround
The all-new 2022 Ford Maverick is a stellar addition to the compact truck segment. As a full hybrid pickup, it offers plenty of benefits and boasts cutting-edge technology. With a rugged exterior design and intuitive interior design, the pickup offers a premium driving experience. If you want to learn about this capable and efficient pickup truck, then check out this video shared by the folks at Ford.
What are the Interior Features of the 2021 Ford Escape?
2021 Ford Escape Interior Features
The 2021 Ford Escape is an ideal SUV for city dwellers. With a well-designed exterior and feature-rich interior, the SUV continues to be a favorite in South Burlington, VT. It offers both practicality and functionality. If you're planning to drive home this SUV, then continue reading today's blog by Heritage Ford. Here we dive deep into the 2021 Ford Escape interior features to help you understand what you can expect inside its cabin.
What are the Key Features of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning?
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Key Features
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a stellar addition to the best-selling lineup of Ford trucks. The all-electric pickup truck comes with best-in-class features and advanced technology. From boasting impressive mechanical features to offering a wide array of passive and active safety features, the pickup checks all the boxes. If you're eager to learn about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning key features that make it worth the hype, then continue reading today's blog by our team at Heritage Ford in South Burlington, VT.


THE positive winds blowing in Zimbabwe's mining sector since the change of guard at central government has boosted investor confidence with a local investor now set to set up an explosives plant in the Midlands.
Intrachem managing director Langton Nyandoro told NewsDay that the company would sink an initial investment of $5 million in the plant. The company currently imports explosives for the mining sector.
"We have made a conscious decision to invest in a manufacturing plant in the country. This is inspired by the economic indications that we are seeing, the investment climate and the possibility of a mining boom that we think lies ahead," Nyandoro said.
Nyandoro was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day mining investment conference that ended in Harare on Wednesday.
"This is a wholly-Zimbabwean owned company, in operation since 1990 and a leading, licensed importer of explosives as well as the processing chemicals for the mining, construction, quarrying and manufacturing industries in Zimbabwe.
"We currently employ upwards of 120 people, with this number likely to double before the end of the fourth quarter of this year," he said.
According to Nyandoro, Intrachem's relationship with US-based global explosives manufacture Austin Powder would benefit Zimbabwe with "skills transfer, employment creation and in line with government's new industrialisation thrust help reduce working capital on mine".
"We signed an agreement with our technical partner Austin Powder to help in the plant, technology, training but Intrachem retains majority shareholding. The plant we are already working on will be commissioned before the end of the year," he said.
Since taking power on the back of a military intervention in November last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared that Zimbabwe is now open for business.
As part of a raft of measures to attract investment, Mnangagwa has made drastic amendments to the indigenisation policy that initially forced foreigners to cede 51% of shareholding to locals. The requirement is now confined to platinum and diamonds only.
The legislation was blamed for scaring away potential investors.


text:
Hey Pete Duel - how's that afterlife going?
One of my most popular blog posts is from ten years ago The Eventful Afterlife of Pete Duel, about the TV actor who committed suicide in 1971 - forty-four years ago today. He would be seventy-five years old if he had lived. Even though the blog post is over a decade old I still regularly get hits on it - this past month had ten visits, primarily from the British Isles. I'm not sure why Duel-mania is so big there, but it is.
Since that blog post Duel's afterlife career has expanded to Facebook. There is the Pete Duel Memorial Club and the Tribute to Pete Duel and the Pete Duel-Amazing Heyes Tribute Page and plain old Pete Duel. You can get a pretty good idea from the photo the latter used for the page background image exactly why Pete Duel continues to be remembered so long after his death - he was an exceptionally beautiful and charismatic man.
Youtube was around in 2005 but not nearly what it is now, and of course there are lots of videos dedicated to Pete Duel there, including clips from home movies, fan tribute videos, and episodes of the various TV series he was cast in. Plus a channel devoted to him by "Hannibal Heyes."
This E! show from 1999 has lots of interesting bits, including lots of comments from his sister and Smith & Jones costar Ben Murphy.
The writing on Alias Smith and Jones is often quite good and very funny. In the episode "Something to Get Hung About" (I strongly suspect this is a reference to Strawberry Fields Forever) Hannibal Heyes is reading a copy of "Life on the Mississippi" and Kid Curry says:
Mark Twain? (laughs) Mark Twain. Now there's an alias if I ever heard one. I wonder what he's wanted for.
Later in the episode there is an unbelievably poignant moment. Pete Duel struggled with alcoholism and he was very drunk when he shot himself. In this episode a woman tells Hannibal Heyes about her husband:
My husband is a very loving man except when he drinks. Which unfortunately he does a great deal. Then he becomes hateful. Do you think a man like that can change?
HEYES
Any man can want to change. I know that from a personal fact.
The character was referring to being a reformed bank robber. But Duel was attending Alcoholics Anonymous during the show.
Life on the Mississippi is referenced again - Heyes learns about fingerprints from the book and they use it to find the murderer.
It's really quite a snappy TV show, with good story lines, snappy video editing, and of course two seriously handsome leading men. It is very much inspired by the 1969 movie starring two seriously handsome men, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
You can watch the first episode on Youtube here - the original was in color but this is in black and white - which is how I would have seen it when it first aired - I don't think my family had a color TV until the 1980s. All the other episodes are available on Hulu.
Just STFU while you're ahead
More brilliance from Sady Doyle
Do men on social media all get the same memo?
Christmas in Merchantville
Funniest bit ever for Christmas
Sometimes I just can't help myself
Signs of the next economic meltdown
Econo-porn
Go see "The Big Short"
A friend of a Facebook friend is no friend of mine...
The prophetic Talking Heads
Misogyny and the Hillary-hating Left
Hooray for the man-bun
His cheatin' heart
The apotheosis of Stephen Colbert
Sam Harris: the Donald Trump of atheism
Brooklyn Promenade sans Jason
Glengarry Glenn Beck
Suck it, Ichabod
My latest musical obsession
Tampa Florida?