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The rich history, beautiful scenery, and unbounded creativity found within Clemmons and the surrounding area is second to none. Get out and explore what life was like in the Old South or immerse your kids in an imaginative and fun environment. Want to stroll through acres and acres of spectacular gardens? No problem. Maybe you love contemporary art? We've got that covered, too. Read on to find out more details about our fantastic museums and gardens.
Kaleideum Museum
The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem was conceived by the Junior League of Winston-Salem as its 75th anniversary gift to the community. Interactive exhibits include a climbing lobby where kids can scramble and crawl over wavy platforms, an enchanted forest village of fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy, the child-size Krispy Kreme doughnut factory, and an art studio for kids and families to explore art together.
Old Salem Museum & Gardens
Old Salem Museums and Gardens is a comprehensive history attraction. Comprised of three main areas, the Historic Town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), and the Gardens at Old Salem. Visitors are immersed in an educational and memorable historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South. What started in 1950 by a group of local volunteers as a means to preserve and restore the history of Salem has grown into a thriving museum location with a research center and 11 gardens.
Reynolda Gardens
For over 100 years Reynolda Gardens has been a local wonder and natural retreat. The 129-acre gardens has become a center for recreation in the North Carolina Piedmont area. Steeped in history since being established in 1906, the property that now comprises Reynolda Gardens was once at the heart of the famous Reynolda Estate, owned by Richard Joshua Reynolds of the RJ Reynolds Company.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Reynolda House is the original 60 room bungalow built on the estate of Richard Joshua Reynolds of the RJ Reynolds Company. Reynolda House is designed for self-touring. Admission includes the Museum's collections on view in the historic house, featured exhibitions, and an orientation video. Hand-held audio guide devices are complimentary.
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is catalyst for experiencing the art of our time. Visual art exhibitions, music, dance, theater, and education are all part of SECCA's focus as a creative leader providing artists of the region a platform for visibility.
Discover Clemmons
Email Discover Clemmons


Treatment results improve when doctors and patients collaborate in medical decision-making. Such was the conclusion of Dr. Jane Harrington, of University College London in a January 2004 meta-analysis.1 Dr. Harrington critically examined 25 papers that studied how improving the quality of doctor-patient communications affected patients' level of satisfaction with their care and their response to treatment. In each of these studies, patients were provided with sample questions to ask their doctor, informative essays or brochures, or videotaped examples of communication techniques to use as preparation for a doctor's appointment. In most of these studies, efforts to help patients more effectively communicate with their doctors resulted in increased patient satisfaction, an increase in the amount of questions asked and information received, an increased feeling of control over one's health, better compliance with treatment recommendations, and better overall health outcomes.With all the emphasis on technology in today's medicine, it is encouraging to note that quality human interaction can still influence the effectiveness of medical care. In this article, the second in our Becoming Your Own Advocate series, we present suggestions to help enhance preparation for medical consultations and offer some specific questions to ask your doctor. We also include findings from recent research that may help dispel common myths about the clinical encounter and the ways in which doctors and patients truly interact.
Why Work to Improve the Doctor-Patient Interaction?
There are many situations in which the combined judgment of two people – specifically the patient and doctor – is not only helpful, but required. If two medical studies offer contradictory recommendations or if a patient is in a situation where there is no known effective treatment strategy, quality communication between patient and doctor is essential to arrive at a viable solution and course of action.
Many studies have found that higher levels of health literacy on the part of the patient are usually associated with both better quality patient-physician communications and better individual health.2 And the better that communication is, the deeper the patient's understanding of his or her own condition, which can lead to better treatment outcomes.
Is it Possible to have Better Communication in a Ten-Minute Consultation?
Seven studies reviewed in Harrington's meta-analysis looked specifically at whether measurable improvements in communication could be realized without increasing the amount of time spent. Five of these seven studies found that patients who used more effective communication strategies were more satisfied with their consultation – and had opportunity to ask more questions – even though the consultation length was not increased.1, 3, 4 This should be reassuring to doctors concerned with their time and to health plans concerned with how much time their physicians are spending with patients. The key is to not necessarily spend more time in consultation but to make the time spent more efficient.
Do Doctors Really Want More Communication?
Many patients believe that problems in communicating with one's doctor are because of the doctor's attitude, and that often doctors do not welcome questions. In reviewing the medical literature on this topic, we found evidence that responsibility actually rests on both sides of the clinical encounter. Practitioners should learn ways to listen and present information that is clear, open, and efficient.3-6 Patients should learn ways to build their knowledge base, prepare themselves to ask questions during consultation, and clearly express their needs and concerns to their doctor.1, 7-9 With even a modest amount of effort to prepare for their medical consultations, patients can help their doctors better understand their needs.1Researchers have found that doctors often make assumptions or inaccurate guesses about patients' concerns, or may ignore them completely when they're not clearly conveyed.5 If your doctor is misunderstanding you or not meeting your needs, it is your responsibility to let them know.
Do Doctors Really Want Feedback from their Patients?
Doctors are people too and seek satisfaction in their work; they can readily observe that improved communication leads to better treatment outcomes.5 "Physicians tend to be more accepting of, and responsive to, feedback about communication from their patients than from peers or educators."5 Direct feedback from the patient, positively framed, can go a long way to helping a doctor be a better practitioner of medicine.
What Kind of Further Research is Needed?
There is still more work to be done on the topic of doctor-patient communication. Important questions remain on how to individualize efforts aimed at increasing patient participation, including the sort of educational approaches that will best help patients to be more active participants in their care. The studies we reviewed for this article do suggest, however, that patients should feel empowered to change the way clinical medicine is practiced and that improving patient-doctor communications is a worthwhile endeavor.
1. Harrington J, Noble LM, Newman SP. Improving patients' communication with doctors: a systematic review of intervention studies. Patient Educ Couns. Jan 2004;52(1):7-16.
2. Williams MV, Davis T, Parker RM, Weiss BD. The role of health literacy in patient-physician communication. Fam Med. May 2002;34(5):383-389.
3. Roter DL, Hall JA, Kern DE, Barker LR, Cole KA, Roca RP. Improving physicians' interviewing skills and reducing patients' emotional distress. A randomized clinical trial. Arch Intern Med. Sep 25 1995;155(17):1877-1884.
4. Clark NM, Gong M, Schork MA, et al. Impact of education for physicians on patient outcomes. Pediatrics. May 1998;101(5):831-836.
5. Towle A, Godolphin W. Framework for teaching and learning informed shared decision making. Bmj. Sep 18 1999;319(7212):766-771.
6. Godolphin W. The role of risk communication in shared decision making. Bmj. Sep 27 2003;327(7417):692-693.
7. Street RL. Active patients as powerful communicators: the communicative foundation of participation in care. In: Robinson WP, ed. The new handbook of language and social psychology. Vol 1. Chichester, UK: Wiley; 2001:541-560.
8. Rost K, Carter W, Inui T. Introduction of information during the initial medical visit: consequences for patient follow-through with physician recommendations for medication. Soc Sci Med. 1989;28(4):315-321.
9. Lewis CC, Pantell RH, Sharp L. Increasing patient knowledge, satisfaction, and involvement: randomized trial of a communication intervention. Pediatrics. Aug 1991;88(2):351-358.
» Define for yourself the kind of doctor-patient relationship you would like to have.
» Take the time to properly prepare yourself to have a better interaction with your doctor by 1) accessing information on your health condition and treatment options prior to a consultation and by 2) making a written list of questions to ask.
» Make clear to your doctor the kind of information and level of detail you would like. Do you want just the headlines or the fine print? Evaluate this information for yourself. See Avenues 4 for guidelines on how to evaluate clinical studies.
» Obtain copies of, read, and understand as much as you can about your medical records.
» Bring a friend or family member with you to your consultation.
» At the appropriate time in the medical consultation, communicate with your physician this information clearly. Make sure your questions and concerns are fully addressed and that what your doctor is saying makes sense to you.
» Articulate your health problems, feelings, beliefs, and expectations in an objective and systematic manner.
» Negotiate treatment decisions, give feedback, work to resolve conflicts, and agree on an action plan.
» Develop a partnership with the patient.
» Establish or review the patient's preferences for information, such as amount and format. Do they want just your recommendations, just the summaries of studies in plain language, or full text medical papers?
» Establish or review the patient's preferences for the role they would like to have in decision-making.
» Discover and respond to patient's ideas, concerns, and expectations.
» Identify treatment choices and evaluate or interpret those choices in the context of the individual patient. Help the patient reflect upon and assess the impact of different treatment decisions on his or her values, lifestyle, and work or family circumstances.
» Make or negotiate a decision in partnership with the patient and work to resolve conflicts.
» Agree on an action plan for treatment and make arrangements for proper follow-up.
» What kind of person is this?
» What has happened to this person?
» How are they responding to their situation?
» What are their needs at this particular time?
» What is the evidence for effectiveness for this treatment?
» If you were in my position, what information would you consider it important for me to know?
» What information can you provide me that will best help me to make a treatment decision?
» Where should I go to find more information about my particular condition or the treatment strategies you're proposing?
» What are the options you don't recommend for me and why are those recommendations not appropriate?
This entry was posted on Saturday, March 20th, 2004 at 12:00 pm.	It is filed under Avenues, Becoming Your Own Advocate.


The buddy pair was given an East Side Marios gift card and a set of questions to answer during their meal… here's what they came up with! A huge thank you goes out to East Side Marios for supporting Best Buddies!
Wanted: Awesome people making a difference!


Review Summary: Kind of like how Freddy Krueger is the son of a hundred maniacs, Volbeat are the sons of a hundred musicians who know how to rock. Hard.
When I listen to Volbeat, I am oddly and perhaps sickeningly reminded of being married. The almost uncontrollable urge to drink is aligned with the substantial feeling of having the $hit kicked out of you (metaphorically speaking), and of having your balls firmly entrenched in a blender with the "on" button permanently engaged. The only difference is listening to Volbeat is unequivocally awesome; these experiences are manifested in a good way, namely, the way of Rawk. To say Volbeat rocks hard is an understatement of proportions similar to saying Lindsey Lohan is a disheveled crack whore. We can invent some big words and flashy sentences to describe the fist-pumping energy Volbeat transcends, but it's much easier and more succinct to simply say that they absolutely, positively, without retort, f*cking rock. Like Andrew WK rocks. Volbeat doesn't waste much time in delivering the goods in a face-caving manner. In short, they are a metal band. More complex, they sound like the result of Glen Danzig, Elvis Presley, Clutch, Metallica, and Johnny Cash having a disgusting gangbang with a willing groupie. Kind of like how Freddy Krueger is the son of a hundred maniacs, Volbeat are the sons of a hundred musicians who know how to rock. Hard.
One thing I can tell you is that Scandinavians know how to party. Volbeat are Danish, which probably explains the aura of kick-a$s surrounding their songs. Their debut "The Strength/The Sound/The Songs" is a 15 song journey into good time, face-mashing yet accessible metal that is clearly designed for moshing, fighting, and partying. If the Vikings were still around, they would bump Volbeat while pounding mead, house wenches, and over-sized legs of Mutton. Metal is made to crush skulls, but Volbeat's brand of metal is something else entirely. The presence of chugging guitars, rockabilly influence, thrash riffs, massive hooks, a whole lot of shouting, and big time choruses have all been done before, they just haven't been done this way. It really is difficult to describe. You'll know it immediately after songs like "Rebel Monster," "Pool of Booze," and "Healing Subconsciously" are finished with their thorough kicking of your a$s. You'll know it when the whoa-oh chorus of "Always, Wu" and the rapid fire chugging of "Danny and Lucy" overcome their ridiculously stupid titles with a healthy serving of manly riffing. You'll finally realize it when not one, but two songs with the word "Caroline" in their titles turn out to be a whole lot more awesome than you would think. When Volbeat is done, you will either be exhausted or want more. Chances are it will be a combination of both. If you own a set of testicles, you will unquestionably love this.
I listened to this a while ago after someone recced it to me. I can't say I enjoyed it as much as you do reading from the review, but there's always another go.
yeah they do, at least Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil does. I'm thinking this is on my plate for my 1,000th rating (I'm at 999 currently). Nice review buddy.
also, lol at To say Volbeat rocks hard is an understatement of proportions similar to saying Lindsey Lohan is a disheveled crack whore.
Haha. Hilarious review. Have a pos. This is ironically the only Volbeat album I haven't heard.
haha, yeah Im not a big Lohan fan.
Nag, I figured you had heard them since they are from your part of the world, or close to it.
Greg, get on it, this one rocks harder than the other two. Not saying its better, its just a bit heavier.
great review Hans. As I do own a set of testicles it seems I will be listening to this.
You're in the same predicament as Inveigh. I would lose it if I couldnt stream at work.
Best summary ever. I won't be checking this out. Just letting you know that I'm like 34% sure Volbeat is the name of a pokemon.
Dice, it doesnt surprise me you dont like Metal considering your advanced knowledge of Pokemon.
Just giving you a hard time man, if you dont like hard rock/metal you wouldnt like this, although if you do, it would be impossible not to.
OTHER THAN THE FACT that EVERYONE has been STEALING MY IDEAS lately, this is a great review for a great band.
Saw them live, and they sounded much less metal than on record. Their cover of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" came across as pure punk-pop. And it was AWESOME. I wouldn't say they beat the headliners - Metallica - but they sure came close.
wait, what idea here was stolen?
ahh. brutal man. do Kyuss instead of QOTSA.
Hilarious/great review, man. Just listening now - sounds awesome.


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An occasional blog about populist politics and popular music, not necessarily at the same time.
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Note: Postscript added May 30, 2021.
More Israel/Palestine links (things I would have included Monday had I been more on the ball). Since then, a ceasefire was finally announced, leaving immense damage in Gaza, and Israel free to continue the policies that led to demonstrations in the first place:
Bashir Abu-Manneh: As an Occupier, Israel Has No Right to "Self-Defense"
Iyad Abuheweila/Adam Rasgon/Isabel Kershner/Marc Santora: Gaza War Deepens a Long-Running Humanitarian Crisis: "The Palestinian enclave was already in a dire state. The war with Israel has made it worse, damaging the health and sewage systems, closing schools and displacing tens of thousands."
Shrouq Aila/Anna Therese Day: Israel attacks on Gaza left strained health care system in tatters; also: Israel destroyed offices of more than 20 Palestinian media outlets in Gaza.
Bernard Avishai: Even with a ceasefire, Israel must face a changed reality.
Ramzy Baroud: "Much Worse than Apartheid": Israel's Discourse on Palestine is Crumbling. The biggest difference between Apartheid as practiced in Israel compared to South Africa and the Jim Crow US South is that the latter depended on a cheap labor pool, which kept them from following the logic to extermination. Israel doesn't need or want Palestinian labor, so what's stopping them from pursuing a "final solution"?
Zack Beauchamp: Is the US-Israel alliance doomed?
Peter Beinart: Palestinian refugees deserve to return home. Jews should understand. Should, but don't. On Beinart, see Benjamin Wallace-Wells: A liberal Zionist's move to the left on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Phyllis Bennis: What is Joe Biden's Israel policy, exactly?
Andrew Cockburn/Leslie Cockburn: The Best Thing Jimmy Carter Ever Did: In 1977, he pressed Israel to withdraw after entering into Lebanon's Civil War. Five years later Israel invaded Lebanon again, with Reagan's tacit approval. The result was a disaster for all concerned.
Patrick Cockburn: Israel is Making the Same Errors as Britain did Over Northern Ireland 50 Years Ago.
Juan Cole: Israel's Total War on Palestinians: Hospital Crisis Grips Gaza in Deadliest Day of Israeli Airstrikes; and: "Making the enemy blind": Did Israeli AF destroy Highrise housing AP and Al-Jazeera to Hide War Crimes?
Sheera Frenkel: Mob Violence Against Palestinians in Israel Is Fueled by Groups on WhatsApp: "Israeli extremists have formed more than 100 new groups on the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging app in recent days to target attacks."
Lucy Garbett: I live in Sheikh Jarrah. For Palestinians, this is not a 'real estate dispute'.
David M Halbfinger/Adam Rasgon: Life Under Occupation: The Misery at the Heart of the Conflict.
Dalia Hatuqa: Settlement push in East Jerusalem neighborhood shows Israeli Apartheid.
Kevin Huggard/Natan Sachs: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire stopped the fighting -- but changed nothing.
Amjad Iraqi: Hamas breaks out of its Gaza cage.
Marisa Kabas: Young American Jews Have Reached a Tipping Point With Israel.
Patrick Kingsley/Rami Nazzal: In Show of Unity, Palestinians Strike Across West Bank, Gaza and Israel.
Eric Levitz: Why is this geopolitical fight different from all other fights? Offers three reasons: 1) Jews are heavily overrepresented in US politics and media; 2) the US is more heavily implicated in Israel-Palestine than in other conflicts; 3) propagandistic policies and coverage have made the issue more salient for the American left ("beyond the fact that a wildly disproportionate percentage of American leftists are Jews"). For me, the big one is Israel is a trendsetter for the American right: its military stance makes it a huge role model for the neocon right and their endless "war on terror", and its increasingly blatant racism inspires the "alt-right" and apocalypse-minded Christians.
Yousef Munayyer: This Moment Is Different; also A Nightmare of Terror Across the Landscape of Palestine.
Matthew Petti: How an Israeli attack in Gaza led to the firing of an AP reporter.
Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel Is Falling Apart, Because the Conflict Controls Us: "Our politics are stalled. Our democracy is in tatters. Blame the occupation."
Adam Shatz: Ghosts in the Land.
Jonah Shepp: Violence in Israel Is a Political Victory for Netanyahu.
Richard Silverstein: Palestinians are refusing to be trampled.
Norman Solomon: Why Israel attacks media offices and targets journalists: To keep us in the dark.
Nimer Sultany: Peaceful coexistence in Israel hasn't been shattered -- it's always been a myth.
Talya Wintman: The Entire US Tax Code Is Implicated in the Forced Displacement of Palestinians. I wouldn't put it that way, as trampling is something that the perpetrator decides on, not the victim. A key point here is that resistance to Israeli force has extended from the occupied lands to Israel itself. The only inference I can draw from that is that Israel has succeeded in treating its own non-Jewish citizens as badly as it treats non-citizens of the occupied territories.
Robert Wright/Connor Echols: It's time to talk one-state solution; also wrote: Bibi and the Blob.
I didn't collect any pieces from Mondoweiss. If I did, I'd probably wind up with dozens.
I keep thinking of more arguments against the Levitz article on why we bother talking about Israel/Palestine. Aside from the ones I mentioned above, another is that I suspect that we more than anyone understand the perils of living in a successful (i.e., dominant and unchecked) settler colonial society. We just don't know that we know yet.
We also know that success has limits -- in particular, that megalomaniacs never stop until they are checked. The US could step up and provide a sanity check on Israel, rather than wait until it is too late, and both countries pay an inevitable price for such hubris.
Here's a brief outline of what I see as a peace framework, without a lot of detail or explanation. I've spent a lot of time on the history of the conflict, both because it's important and interesting, but we don't need to go very deep into that. What you do need to understand is the following:
Israel is a segregated colonial settler project. Such projects can succeed when the settlers dominate demographically (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina -- all well above 80%), but fail when they don't (South Africa and Algeria around 20%, many lesser examples). Israel is in between (about 30% Jewish before 1949, rising to 70% with expulsions and immigration, now about 50% counting occupied territories), but has been able to dominate through force, and arguably still depends on force.
Israel's political leaders, and by inference most Jewish Israelis, don't want peace. The difference between the elites and the masses is that the former are very arrogant about their power, while the latter are driven by fear. The former don't want peace because they believe they can continue their power indefinitely. The latter allow them to continue because they are terrified of losing control.
The only form of peace possible is what Israel's leaders are willing to permit. No internal nor external power can force Israel's leaders to do what they are unwilling to do.
The Palestinians don't have the power to force Israel to do anything, but they are able to deny Israel victory or legitimacy.
Israel and Palestine are tiny compared to the world around them. Foreign powers cannot dictate terms, but should have the resources to be able to influence them. Although world powers have often claimed to want to promote peace, their efforts have consistently been frustrated by ambivalence in Europe and (especially) America. On the other hand, the costs of failing to find a solution keep accumulating.[1]
[1] This is the only controversial statement in the list. The far right sees Israel as a model for how to dominate their own domestic minorities. The neocons want America to project power globally like Israel does in its region. I believe I can come up with a long and detailed argument why they're wrong, but wish to have to do so here.
Two States vs. One State
The "two state" idea was presented by the Peel Commission in 1936, and has dominated thought about solutions ever since. David Ben-Gurion embraced it at the time, without ever accepting any fixed borders. He campaigned hard for the 1947 UN Partition Resolution, seeing it as a way to secure international legitimacy for the founding of Israel, but from the start he plotted to expand Israel's borders -- as they did in the 1948-49 and 1967 wars.
"One state" has always been understood as a normal, democratic state, which represents and serves all of the people who reside under it. This notion as always been anathema to Israel, which has always conceived itself as a Jewish State, where non-Jews are subordinated if they are tolerated at all. While Israel has been willing to discuss two-state solutions, they have always rejected "one state" out of hand. Indeed, if you look at their two-state proposals, they have never allowed for a normal, democratic Palestinian state.
However, the minimal solution for peace is for both Israelis and Palestinians are citizens in normal, democratic state. This could be one state, two, or more. Israel, and only Israel, needs to decide on this. The obvious reason for splitting off a Palestinian state would be to remove non-Jews from Israel (at the cost of losing the land they live on). Aside from the land, the one point Israel would have to give on is that the ceded state would be normal: independent, with full sovereignty, and no encumbrances.
If Israel decides to carve off a Palestinian state, Israel will be largely free to determine the borders. The Palestinian state has to be normal, with democratic elections organized by the UN. The state must be free to interact with the world, as normal states do. The obvious candidate for separation is Gaza, which is also the most straightforward to implement, as it is contiguous, with an external border and seafront.
If Israel decides to cede additional territory from the West Bank, the only additional requirement is that all such territories allow for connecting transportation without Israeli checkpoints. Some provision should also be made for joint administration of resources best shared, like air space, radio frequencies, and water.
This does not cover resolution of boundary disputes with external countries, like Syria and Lebanon. I'm thinking that Israel should return Bekaa Farms to Lebanon, as this would resolve a major dispute between Israel and Hizbullah. At this point, the best solution for the Golan Heights might be for Israel to pay Syria for the land, as part of a broader international project to reconstruct Syria after its horrific civil war.
For what follows, we will assume that Israel has designated and ceded some territory to a Palestinian state. The exact borders do not matter.
Why would Israel agree to any of this? In the long run, everyone would be better off for the conflict to end and normal life resume, but the political elite in Israel were selected for war and dominance, so they're unlikely to change on their own. The question is how sorely they will resist international pressure (and incentives) for peace. That hasn't really been tested, because the world community is itself divided, with the US unclear whether they're green-lighting or simply rubber-stamping Israeli policy.
Nothing much happens until the US, Europe, and other countries come together to leverage their influence toward peace. This can be done with sticks and/or carrots. The latter is mostly money. Gaza is especially in need of repair. Israel is one of the world's richer nations, but it still depends on $4 billion plus of aid from the US. So let's start by pooling all of the money into a development bank, which Israel and Palestine can draw on. This bank would be run by an international oversight board, which can impose conditions on how the money is spent, and can police for corruption.
The "stick" side of the equation is to allow nations to implement tariffs and sanctions on Israel and/or Palestine as penalties for abnormal behavior, such as violations of human rights. Israel's current discrimination against residents of its occupied territories, or even against Israel's own non-Jewish citizens, could be deemed as cause for sanctions.
Aid through the development bank would be subject to some kind of "consent decree," which would contractually bind the recipient to various terms, for a limited number of years (maybe 10-20). This is where one might set expectations for personal freedoms. This is also where one might restrict arms imports, and provide some sort of import oversight.
The development fund can be used to fund an insurance scheme to pay out damages caused by acts of terror (either state or non-state). If, say, someone in Gaza shot a missile into Israel, the damage would be assessed, and compensation (drawn from Palestinian funds) paid to the victim. The IDF would not be allowed to "defend itself" by bombing Gaza. If that happened anyway, again the damage would be assessed and compensation (drawn from Israeli funds) would be awarded.
Reserves can be adjusted to payouts, so as terror wanes, aid will flow faster. Same principle can be applied within states for things like excess police violence or "domestic" terrorism, but that would be harder to manage.
There should be a right to go into exile, especially for evident political prisoners. (This is a right that should be universal, but this would be a good place to start.) One might wish to exempt those charged with terrorism or espionage, but the former could be prosecuted in the ICC. One worries that this could incentivize Israel to arrest Palestinians in hope that would prod them into exile. That could count as a crime of repression punishable by sanctions.
Sovereign nations have a right to restrict their own borders. Israel is not required to readmit refugees. (For that matter, Palestine isn't either.) Existing refugees should be compensated and resettled, phasing out the registry in a reasonable time frame.
Amnesty would be granted for all past offenses against international law. Moving forward, new offenses would be referred to the ICC.
Back in 2000, the Oslo Peace Process foundered on three big issues: borders, Jerusalem, and refugees. This framework gives into Israel all three points. The only thing asked in return is that Israel treat its subjects fairly and equally, and refrain from attacking other countries. I'd like to see Israel pay more -- for refugees, for Syria, for Lebanon, for Gaza -- and restricted more, but it's hard to impose restrictions on a country convinced of its righteousness. Whether Palestinians are ready to agree to respect this agreement peaceably isn't clear, but I'd wager they are, and that they'll do a better job of limiting their own ranks than Israel could ever hope to.
I recall some Israeli saying that the point is to show Palestinians that "they are an utterly defeated people." This should suffice. But they are people nonetheless, and deserve respect as such. That's what this framework also promises.
If the US and other nations can't get behind this framework, we are truly lost.
I got to this point last night, then started having second thoughts, doubting I should even bother posting. Am I really just saying that the solution to the intractable conflict is: forget the history, and start treating everyone better? That's about it. Sure, there are some financial incentives to better behavior. That approach can be used more widely: any time you can turn a sectarian conflict into a money issue, it becomes much easier to solve. There's also a moral part, even if I'm not leaning heavily on it. All nations should realize that peace with social and economic justice is very desirable, and should be willing to spend to help it happen, but they should also set an example. Arms races have never been an effective guarantor of peace. (If they had been, why would the US have been constantly engaged in wars since 1940? Why would Britain from the 1700s up to around 1970, when they withdrew from the Middle East?) I keep flashing back to A.J. Muste: "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
We might as well admit that both sides have compelling historical stories, establishing that they have been victimized, and should be treated better. But the relative merits of one story vs. another would only matter if there was a superior court one could appeal to, that could render judgment and enforce its findings. But there is no such institution. Rather, there are "facts on the ground," which must be accepted as the starting point for any possible future. The only fact I insist on rejecting is the subordination of non-Jews to Jews in present Israel. That must be rejected, because that -- not the various stories about past wrongs and reasons -- is the reason the conflict persists. One cannot change past injustices, but one can reject injustice moving forward. My belief is that this framework starts to do that, and the more progress on this effort, the more successful it will become.
I think it's fair to say that there are Israelis who would welcome this framework, but they're currently a small minority. I doubt that a majority will come over until it becomes clear that Europe and the US make it clear that Israel will be regarded as an illegitimate state unless it shows a genuine interest in resolving the conflict -- which means, quite simply, ensuring that Palestinians have security and equal rights.
A slightly higher percentage of Palestinians may be amenable to this framework, as their political thinking has evolved from nationalism to an internationalist appeal for human rights. But there, too, a majority has been conditioned to think in zero-sum nationalist terms, and there exists a militant minority willing to fight for their goals -- even as they have proven unattainable. One should expect that segments of both sides will resort to violence to derail any move toward peace, but they will be increasingly marginalized as normal life returns. The framework needs to police these violent splinter groups, and also to compensate for their misdeeds -- which I suspect will become increasingly infrequent over time. (Needless to say, organized military groups, including Hamas and the IDF, need special attention, but given their greater discipline may be less of a problem.)
One last thought here is that resistance to the framework will not be limited to militant, irredentist factions of Israelis and Palestinians. It will be led by "conservative" groups in the US and Europe, which are committed to maintaining force as the means for securing the continued rule of their oligarchies. That's a subject for a whole book, but look around you: it's no coincidence that the biggest warmongers are the same people who seek to smash unions, untax the rich, build the police state, exacerbate racial and ethnic tensions, shackle women, etc.
PS [2021-05-30]: Thinking about this piece, it occurrs to me that I should say a few things about political tactics. The framework I proposed above is what I see as the likely end-result of good faith negotiations, which are currently impossible. The main reason they are impossible is that Israel has no interest in or desire for peace, and no other party is able to apply pressure to convince Israel otherwise.
The political strategy behind selling this framework needs to be segmented by audience. In the US and Europe, people need to understand that the conflict reflects poorly on our commitment to international law and human rights. The conflict may have complex historical causes, but what sustains it is Israel's use of violence and discrimination in managing the occupation (and the extension of the occupation back into pre-1967 borders, where Palestinians are supposed to be citizens of Israel). The US and Europe can impress these views on Israel by by supporting the BDS movement, initially at ad hoc levels. I don't generally approve of sanctions (a tool the US often abuses, and which rarely proves effective), but in this case even modest sanctions may convey the message, as long as the goals are modest and framed within basic tenets of peace and human rights.
In Israel, the strategy is to emphasize that the framework provides a way out of the cycle of violence and discrimination which perpetuates the conflict, and a normalization of relations with the external world. Moreover, the significant decisions over borders and demography are left to Israel, which alone can decide one-state vs. two-states.
With the Palestinians, there is an existing divide between those who are primarily concerned with individual rights, including peace, and those who have nationalistic ambitions, so the direction should be to shift toward the former -- either for practical reasons (Israel will not allow a powerful Palestinian state, and may not permit any at all) or for philosophical understanding.
In all cases, one should minimize the importance of issues that are unlikely -- examples include Jerusalem's "holy places" and the "right of return." (I am pleased to see Peter Beinart's recent piece defending the right of Palestinian exiles to return to Israel, but I doubt that it will persuade many Israelis, and don't want to allow the issue to hold any resolution hostage.) Similarly, in the US it is pointless to argue one-vs.-two states, as that's only something Israel can decide. (Zack Beauchamp's recent In defense of the two-state solution is an example of what not to do, although his "ditch the peace process" and "rethink what an acceptable two-state solution could look like" sections have some merit.)
One more point: I've thought of one more wrinkle that could make the framework more attractive to Israel (and somewhat, but not prohibitively, more onerous to Palestinians: Egypt and/or Jordan could be given a role in securing and governing any new Palestinian enclaves split off from Israel. As I see it, the enclaves would be self-governing (especially given that neither Egypt nor Jordan currently qualify as democracies), but would be considered mandates (to use the suspect League of Nations term) for a period of, say, 10-20 years (after which an election could decide independence or incorporation). The mandatory powers could intervene for security (but Israel could not), would provide an initial legal framework (including money), and would conduct foreign policy for the mandates. One reason Israel might find this attractive is that the enclaves could not represent themselves as a Palestinian state (which they view as an implicit rival for the land they occupy).
This isn't a plank I would prefer -- Egypt and Jordan have previously overseen Palestinian territories, and their records are pretty shabby -- but I don't think it would be a deal-wrecker. One thing that might sweeten the deal would be to allow Palestinian authorities to bypass Egypt and Jordan and negotiate directly with Israel. That may not seem realistic at present, but would give Palestinians an option to leverage, and a measure of autonomy which (by definition) doesn't threaten Israel.
One should always be clear that both peoples are entitled to rights which don't trample on others, and be open to new proposals coming from either side. One should be careful not to conflate the conflict with other issues, like the rise of Jihadism, the American "war on terror," or the Saudi paranoia with Iran. One should be careful not to offer even the slightest whiff of anti-semitism, or for that matter of anti-Arab or anti-Muslim or anti-Christian prejudice. I've found it useful to never describe myself as pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli, although people who unabashedly do take sides can still come together behind a framework like the one I've presented.
On the other hand, I don't see any value in understating Israel's responsibility for the conflict and its seeming intractability. There is no peace because Israel wants to and has been able to violently impose a fundamentally unjust order over the land it controls. One may fault various Palestinians for not having been smarter politically at various junctures, but they've never had the power to decide, and as such have never been responsible for the conflict. (One tends to forget Britain's role in this, which was substantial -- cf. Tom Segev's book, One Palestine, Complete.)
Also, while I condemn all violence on all sides, I think it's wrong to treat both sides as equally (or even comparably) guilty. Nor is it a simple matter of counting and weighing explosives. Injustice may not excuse violence, but it does cause it, and the only real way to end it is to remove the provocation. Also, from a more practical standpoint, peace needs the participation of formerly violent actors, like Hamas and Islamic Jihad (as Israelis who remember the terrorist roots of Begin and Shamir must realize). Maybe you can police a last few recalcitrant fanatics, but widely popular groups like Hamas need to be courted, so condemning them (easy as it seems) isn't very helpful.
Ask a question, or send a comment.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Karoo Back Roads
Words and pics Romi Boom
On a three-night breakaway to Karoo National Park, you'll be able to explore its furthest reaches. Game is plentiful and birding is rewarding, but it's the vastness that will leave you giddy on atmosphere and beauty.
From the stoep of Embizweni cottage, at sunset, the flat-topped Nuweveld Mountains gradually turned pink, then lilac, then violet. A universe away from city life, the Karoo National Park had been a non-stop visual feast since I'd arrived in the early afternoon. Within minutes I'd spotted Verreaux's eagles gliding on the thermals, one of the 17 active breeding pairs in the front section of the park.
Venturing deeper into the park towards the Nuweveld 4x4 route, the landscape becomes surprisingly rocky. Ideal terrain for the nimble klipspringers who watched from up close in the pass, but what about the large herds of plains game? How do the red hartebeest, gemsbok, kudu, eland, springbok and zebra manage to tread as carefully as ostriches among the boulders and rocks? The 90km can be driven in a day, but do overnight halfway at Embizwen to relished the isolation, the 180º views across deserted countryside, the grandeur of the mountain cliffs and crags.
If you do the eco trail in an anti-clockwise direction, the roughest section is negotiated on the first day. It's relatively gentle, grade two, the only real challenge is embedded and shattered stone under your tyres. Although there are a few steep inclines, dips and rock shelves at water crossings, the scenery is more rugged than the track. On day two there's plenty of time to descend the steep gradients of the mountain and cross the flat plains covered in grassy shrubland. I stopped a lot, enjoyed the spectacle of Karoo korhaan and South African shelduck, and tried, unsuccessfully, to photograph a pale chanting goshawk in flight with a snake dangling from its beak.
From the Nuweveld Loop, the trail diverts into Afsaal Loop and eventually joins up with the Potlekkertjie Loop, a popular drive from the main rest camp. To get in synch with the relaxed pace at Afsaal cottage, I recommend a stay of at least two nights. The waterhole is barely 30 metres from the cottage and the viewing deck is the perfect spot to read, quench your thirst, and wait. First to appear was an ancient leopard tortoise, next two kudus, then four gemsbok. Landing at arm's length, then flitting to and fro, the cottage's resident mountain wheatear. Sunsets at Afsaal were quite unlike those at Embizweni. On the open plains, twilight lasted forever, the sky aglow in burnt copper, picking up the flickers of the braai flames.
For serious and amateur birders alike, a few hours with Japie and Ralie Claassen, the gurus from Karoo Birding Safaris who have been birding for 35 years, will enrich your visit to the park. September to November is a good time to enlist their help to identify the seven or eight types of larks then very active in the veld. "The Karoo long-billed lark, when it is displaying, has to be one of my favourites," Ralie confessed. "When you whistle, the male, who flies along close to the ground, rises up near-vertically 20 metres into the sky, with closed wings, then stalls and dive-bombs downwards, the wings still closed until just before it reaches the ground and continues its horizontal flight. There's no mistake, it's saying, 'In this part of the world, I am king'."
Other LBJs on your wish list might include short-toed rock-thrush, black-eared sparrowlark, southern tchagra and Karoo eremomela. Japie recounted how the rock pipits call for four days immediately after the rains, then they go all silent until after the next downpour. "And a Namaqua warbler, if you don't know where to look, you may hear for a month without finding it."
If you thought one night at Karoo National Park suffices, you're in for a wonderful surprise.
Karoo National Park is conveniently located off the N1, near Beaufort West. Reception is open until 19:00.
Chalets in the rest camp start from R1 000 a night for one or two people, family cottages from R1 500 for one to four people, R290 an additional adult, R145 an additional child. Breakfast at the restaurant is included in the price.
The campsite has 24 stands. From R205 for one or two people, R72 an additional adult, R36 an additional child.
Book on 012-428-9111 or visit www.sanparks.org
Embizweni Cottage sleeps up to six people in two bedrooms. R857 a night for one to four people, R215 an additional adult, R108 an additional child. Rustic Afsaal has two single beds, R690 a night for one or two people. Both are fully equipped with gas- or solar-powered lights, fridge, hot-water geysers, cooking and braai facilities.
The small waterhole outside Afsaal plays host to the park's lion pride, whose territory falls within the orbit of the two cottages. Book through the park's reception on 023-415-2828.
Contact Japie and Ralie Claassen at [email protected] to book a half or full day's birding, either in your own or their vehicle. In the summer outings start at 06:00.
Source: Wild Magazine
Karoo National Park
Article provided from WILD - Wildlife, Environment and Travel Magazine.


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Review posted October 26, 2014.
Quirk Books, Philadelphia, 2014. 172 pages.
'Tis here! The sequel to Verily, a New Hope. Here we have the second volume, Part the Fifth, in the Star Wars saga, as Shakespeare himself would surely have written it.
This one includes Yoda, who already sounded Shakespearean, now speaking in haiku.
Nay, nay! Try thou not.
So beautiful as I depart from thee.
From laughing at thy pride most heartily.
But I am sewn of stronger thread than this.
To say I would not let thee go – pish, pish!
Enter UGNAUGHTS 1, 2, and 3, singing.
UGN. 3 The time is ripe!
UGN. 1 His time is nigh!
UGN. 2 And soon he will be frozen!
UGN. 3 But someone's now been chosen!
UGN. 2 A merry prank!
UGN. 3 O shall it work?
UGN. 1 Or will the man be dying?
UGN. 2 The pleasure's in the trying!
That Ian Doescher has put a lot of thought into making these authentic is expressed in his Afterword. He explains his choice of haiku for Yoda, as well as other choices like having Boba Fett speak in prose rather than iambic pentameter.
These books are far too much fun. I'd be willing to bet that no one's ever read one of the volumes all the way through without bursting out and reading sections aloud.


Today VANAD Group announced the sale of its activities in the field of secure communication in the healthcare market and the logistics sector to Main Capital Partners. The VANAD Group will again focus on its core activities, namely Customer Experience.
Enovation was founded in 1983 and has been part of the VANAD Group since 2013. In the recent years, the company strengthened its own IP, focused even more on internationalization and above all on improved profitability. All this has not gone unnoticed.
The sale of the business unit offers many opportunities for the remaining business units.
The VANAD Group continues undiminished as a specialist in the field of Customer Experience. We have a wonderful proposition consisting of technology, outsourcing, training, digital transformation & consultancy. We continue to develop as the expert in the field of customer contact with the right innovative focus and remain enthusiastic and passionate. The future looks promising for both Enovation and the VANAD Group.
You can read the entire press release on the website of Main Capital Partners.


text:
Ronald Raether
Uday Deshpande
L&T Group of Companies
How to Re-engineer an Information Security Risk Assessment Program
Interview with Brian Huntley, VP & ISO, Camden National Bank Just over two years ago, Brian Huntley arrived at Camden National Bank in Maine, charged with responding to regulatory guidance and transforming the bank's information security risk assessment program from one that was threat-based to one that is now...
PCI Put to the Test by Recent Breaches
Linda McGlasson • May 5, 2008
With the recent Hannaford data breach, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) has come into question - how effective is it really? Bob Russo, general manager of the PCI Security Standards Council recently shared his views on what happened at Hannaford, as well as other topics.
Anti-Money Laundering Wrap-Up: BSA Compliance Makes Big News
Given the news in recent weeks - the controversy surrounding New York's ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the $15 million fine assessed against United Bank for Africa, PLC - we knew the crime of money laundering had taken on a life of its own. But who knew that it also had crept into Second Life? Real crimes in the virtual...
Phishing Season: Fraudsters Step Up Attacks on Financial Institutions
Linda McGlasson • April 28, 2008
Arizona Central Credit Union of Phoenix, AZ., was hit with a phishing attack via text message to its members in March. While the attack was distributed on a small scale and didn't have much impact, the incident did roust the credit union staff into quick action. Sadly, such incidents are a familiar...
Phishing Victims Fight Back
One midwestern credit union (which prefers to remain anonymous), with nearly $200 million in assets and more than 30,000 members, has been phished four times -- the most recent in 2006, with three of those incidents occurring within a 90-day period. So what do you do if your financial institution's brand is...
Hannaford Data Breach: An Inside Job?
The hackers that broke into Hannaford Brothers, a northeast U.S. grocery chain, may have spawned other attacks, including one at Okemo Resorts in Ludlow VT. As law enforcement and forensic experts continue to sift through the evidence of these attacks, the retailer and the ski resort remain mum on further...
Crime Time: Malware and the Latest Threats to Your Business
The best offense is a good defense, especially when it comes to fighting criminal hackers. Dr. Markus Jakobsson, principal scientist at Palo Alto Research Center and an adjunct associate professor at Indiana University, and Zulfikar Ramzan, a Senior Principal Researcher in the Advanced Threat Research Group at...
Money Laundering Insights: Real Estate Investments, Shell Corporations Among Top Schemes
Q & A with Lexis-Nexis' AML Compliance Expert Debra Geister Debra Geister is director of fraud prevention and compliance solutions at LexisNexis' Risk and Information Analytics Group, and has spent more than 10 years in the anti-money laundering (AML) compliance arena. We recently interviewed her on what she sees...
Anti-Money Laundering Update: Interview with FinCEN Director James Freis
Just over one year ago, James H. Freis, Jr. was appointed Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the U.S. regulatory body charged with battling the crime of money laundering. In this role, he leads FinCEN's efforts to administrate the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), cracking down on both money...
Anti-Money Laundering Trends: 2008
From Second Life to former NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer, anti-money laundering has dominated the news in 2008. To gain new insights in the latest trends, threats and solutions, we interviewed veteran AML investigator Kevin Sullivan on: What's new in BSA compliance; How AML has evolved over the past decade; What's most...
Confessions of a Former Money Launderer
Ken Rijock is a former banking attorney at an international law firm. He's also a former money launderer. He spent the 1980s as a money launderer and advisor to drug traffickers, until he was arrested and served a U.S. federal prison sentence for racketeering and money laundering. While serving his sentence, he...
RSA Conference: Insider Threat, Risk Management Emerge as Key Topics
Annual Security Event Offers Plenty to Financial Institutions Risk management and the insider threat. These are the two dominant themes emerging from the conversations and presentations at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. From the keynote stage to the expo floor, with stops in between at the program...
Risk management and the insider threat. These are the two dominant themes emerging from the conversations and presentations at the RSA Conference in San Francisco this week. From the keynote stage to the expo floor, with stops in between at the program sessions, information security experts, vendors and...
PayPal Leads Fight Against Phishing
When Michael Barrett, CISO of PayPal, joined the company two years ago, he asked how senior leaders were fighting the phishing problem. "Technically, we don't have a phishing problem," he was told. Yes, scores of PayPal customers were inundated daily with fake emails attempting to lure them to fake websites,...
Internet Banking Case Study: Banco do Brasil
Tom Field • April 9, 2008
Imagine living in a country where electronic voting is universal, there are 39 million Internet users, and 25 million of them are also Internet banking users. Welcome to Brazil, whose online banking services and lessons-learned were presented to attendees at the RSA Conference on Tuesday. According to Maria...


For our last real outing, we headed to Perth again and then back to Fremantle later. I really wanted to get some panoramic shots, as they are my newest, favoritest thing (with .gifs). I had been told that Kings Park was the best place to get views of the city line. We set out that morning and, luckily, beat the rain. It started to drizzle on us by the time we were done at the park. We considered walking around a few more trails, but I was getting hungry hangry. We had lunch at the park cafe, which was actually pretty good.. but I learned a valuable lesson. Milkshakes in Australia are NOT the same as an American milkshake. mmk, thanx.
The park had a few war memorials (always cool for 2 people in the military), the city view, and (despite it being winter season) enough cool plants for me to be pleased at the photos I was able to get. Overall, I'd call it a satisfactory trip.. sans the milkshake incident. /shiver.
I wished the family that was here before I took the photo had read the sign about the SILENCE.
Because quiet, they were not.
My travel companion and I couldn't get over how cool the flame was.
With some of Perth in the background.
WWI women's memorial (I think).
I'm not really sure what most of these following flowers actually are. There were some signs, but I couldn't really tell what was what. Nonetheless, we don't have most of these plants in America (that I've ever seen), so I was THRILLED. YAY tourist!
We were warned well in advance not to try to out drink the Aussies. Yes, no worries on that.
which means, brewing your own goods.
An explanation of the seasons, which I found VERY helpful.
We waited on this fountain for several minutes because it shot up like Old Faithful if you waited long enough..
All of them of the fountain shooting up. Jerk.
I'm not going to lie, winter is definitely my favorite season. I LUUUURRRRRVVVEEEEEEEEEEEE snow (in case you didn't already know). My allergies are under control, the cold weather is great for snuggling, I hate sweating, you can have beautiful days in the winter without all the suffocating heat, the potential for snow days (come on, you love this too, unless you work for a psycho company who forces you to put yourself in danger to get to work, or else you're fired... you know who you are), I can run Phil on the street shoulder again (since the pavement won't be too hot for his feet)... Winter is just the bestest. Since I'm reading the Game of Thrones series (which is actually called A Song of Ice and Fire, but no know actually knows that, thank you HBO), I have taken to saying, "Winter is coming." Luckily, I get to say it every year! Win.
What does this have to do with Australia? It was winter while we were in Australia. It wasn't snowing of course, but it was a great break from the US heat. I was able to break my wear flip-flops only streak! I'm extremely glad that we didn't go to Australia during their summer, I heard its absolutely miserable. Good timing, Navy, good timing.


Check each switch for continuity with the pocket tester. If the continuity reading is incorrect, check the wiring connections and if necessary, replace the switch.
Never insert the tester probes into the coupler terminal slots "a". Always insert the probes from the opposite end of the coupler, taking care not to loosen or damage the leads.
• Before checking for continuity, set the pocket tester to "0" and to the "ohms x 1" range.
The switches and their terminal connections are illustrated as in the following example of the main switch.
The switch positions "a" are shown in the far left column and the switch lead colors "b" are shown in the top row.
There is continuity between the red and brown leads, and between the blue/yellow and blue leads when the switch is set to "ON".
a. Connect the pocket tester (ohms x 100) to the oil level switch terminal as shown.
• Positive tester probe -> connector (white) "1"
• Negative tester probe -» body ground "2"
• Negative tester probe -> body ground "2"
b. Measure the oil level switch resistance.


text:
Get out the vote: How to use your voice to speak up for kids
Editor's note: For more coverage of the 2020 AAP Virtual National Conference & Exhibition, visit https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/08/21/nationalconference2020.
It's not often you hear a pediatrician say she wants someone to catch a bug. But that's exactly what Melinda A. Williams-Willingham, M.D., FAAP, is hoping for.
Dr. Williams-Willingham is leading a session titled "Vote Kids: What's at Stake for Children in November Election?" (L2303) from 1-1:30 p.m. CDT Saturday, Oct. 3. And her aim is to infect viewers with the advocacy bug.
"Our goal is to make that sure we can capture more pediatricians and make sure they're bitten by the advocacy bug and actually helping them find their voice," said Dr. Williams-Willingham, chair of the AAP Committee on Federal Government Affairs and chair of the Georgia Chapter's legislative committee. "I find that a lot of pediatricians who may not be familiar with advocacy just don't realize how much power and respect they garner in their community."
Dr. Williams-Willingham found her voice when she had a patient who could not receive a needed surgical procedure due to changes in Medicaid. A new graduate with small children of her own, she reached out to her AAP chapter for help.
"Fortunately, there were quite a few great mentors at that chapter that helped me understand that even being new in practice and having children, there were ways that I could contribute to the advocacy efforts as a whole," she said.
During the session, Dr. Williams-Willingham will discuss how voting in the November election can be a powerful way to advocate for children and how pediatricians can get involved in the Academy's Get Out the Vote campaign.
"Oftentimes, children's needs are not necessarily at the forefront of our legislators' thought processes," she said. "It's not intentional, of course. It's because they (children) do not vote or they may not necessarily have a loud political voice. Sometimes, their needs are an afterthought."
Among the many decisions elected officials can make that affect children are strengthening Medicaid, addressing the needs of children in immigrant families and developing fair housing practices.
Dr. Williams-Willingham will offer a menu of ways pediatricians can help get out the vote, whether they have a few minutes or a few hours. Among them: writing an op-ed to a local newspaper, encouraging patients and families to vote and hosting a virtual town hall for local candidates.
"If we don't get involved and make sure our voices are heard and that we stand up for the kids that we serve, we will not like the outcome," Dr. Williams-Willingham said. "So we really don't have a choice. We really have to get engaged. We have to organize and we have to make sure that our voices are heard, especially when it comes to taking care of children."
Access a recording of the session via the virtual platform through Jan. 31, 2021.
AAP Get Out the Vote campaign
You are going to email the following Get out the vote: How to use your voice to speak up for kids


text:
We can do better than January 26
By Chris Bourke
January 21, 2013 — 3.00am
Which nation celebrates its national day on the date it was invaded by a foreign power? Not France, the United States or China. The answer, of course, is Australia.
Most countries celebrate the day they gained independence from colonial rule; Australians celebrate when it began.
Australia Day falls on the date that the country was invaded by a foreign power. Credit:Peter Braig
The time to change the date of Australia Day is here. There are 364 other days of the year to choose from, significantly January 1, the date of federation. Devotees of the long weekend might plump for an extended four-day weekend in October by choosing the Friday before Labor Day.
Australians have much to celebrate - after all, we've created the best country in the world - but January 26, 1788, isn't a date to be happy about. It was the day British forces landed at Sydney Cove and claimed the land, dispossessing the First Australians.
For how long can we continue to pretend our history was different? A better Australian story, the story we want to tell our children, eludes us. We cannot change our history, as much as we might desire it. We cannot ignore our history, because it has made us. But we can change our future.
January 26 should be an important national day, but of solemn commemoration, not joyous celebration.
It is simply not right to have this day, with it's implicit assumption that the invasion of Australia was a good thing for all concerned, as our national day.
In 2009, Professor Mick Dodson said the date of Australia Day was offensive to many indigenous people and should be changed. As he put it: ''To many Indigenous Australians, in fact, most indigenous Australians, it really reflects the day in which our world came crashing down''. Dodson called for a national discussion about Australia Day minutes after accepting the 2009 Australian of the Year award. Then prime minister Kevin Rudd immediately said no, not now and not later.
This was disappointing from Rudd, the leader who in the previous year made world news with his heartfelt and sincere apology on behalf of the nation to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. He reflected on their past mistreatment and said ''the time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future''.
Dodson offered him the chance to write something worthy on this new page in Australia's history, yet Rudd walked away.
Why? Was it a knee-jerk response from a busy prime minister to an idea which he had neither conceived nor had time to consider or to receive advice?
Clearly it's time to move on. Let's get the discussion happening and get some change. Let's talk with those who think it's a good idea to celebrate everything wonderful about our country but not on a day that rubs salt into the wounds of so many Australians. Reconciliation will be the nation-building task of this century - a nation-building that redefines what is Australia and what it means to be Australians. As Gurnai elder Phillip Pepper said: "We are what we make ourselves to be."
Chris Bourke is a Labor MLA for Ginninderra and the first indigenous Australian elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly.


text:
UdeMNouvelles curated news in English
Press releases (fr)
Forum (fr)
Revue les Diplômés (fr)
Other channels (fr)
An UdeM alumna named one of "Canada's most powerful women"
UdeM's new chancellor Frantz Saintellemy wants to inspire young people
A Nobel prizewinner in chemistry joins the IRCM and UdeM
Daniel Jutras appointed rector of Université de Montréal
After a 10-month consultation process, law professor Daniel Jutras is chosen as the new head of the university. He will begin his five-year term on June 1.
An honour for Yoshua Bengio and two graduates
La Presse honours Professor Yoshua Bengio and graduates David St-Jacques and Andrée-Lise Méthot among its six personalities of the year.
UdeM animal-rights advocate wins Rhodes Scholarship
With a solid academic record and wide community involvement, Virginie Simoneau-Gilbert gains free access to pursue a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Oxford.
Fish, fish and more (sustainable) fish
Université de Montréal obtains a certification that attests to its commitment to source sustainable fish for the meals it serves on campus.
MIL Campus: birth of a neighbourhood
For years, the old Outremont Train Yard was a long scar on Montréal's urban landscape. Now a new neighbourhood is taking shape there, centred around the Université de Montréal's new MIL Campus.
MIL Campus
Université de Montréal Science Complex holds opening ceremony
Three years after the first shovelful of earth was turned, the Science Complex at the MIL Campus welcomes the university community.
Université de Montréal ranked one of the best universities in the world
Université de Montréal placed 85th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which evaluates 1,400 of the approximately 19,000 universities around the world.
Three questions for Samuel Rainville
He thought his destiny was to do humanitarian work abroad, but now the young Innu from Pessamit is UdeM's new aboriginal student liaison officer.
Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege visits UdeM, signs agreement and picks up degree
The famous Congolese gynecologist – renowned for treating wartime survivors of rape – comes to the School of Public Health, agrees to exchanges and training programs, and is awarded an honorary PhD.
Learning which way the wind blows
On a field trip for the CERIUM summer school, Thomas Mulcair, Sara Teitelbaum and a delegation of UdeM students visited the Montérégie wind farm and the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke.
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This Element is an excerpt from We Are Smarter Than Me: How to Unleash the Power of Crowds in Your Business (ISBN: 9780132244794) by Barry Libert and Jon Spector. Available in print and digital formats.
Put crowdsource marketing to work--and magnify the impact of your marketing efforts with the authenticity and power of real customers!
Procter & Gamble is in the business of turning out consumer products by the barrelful. But the company has another, very different line of business. It offers the services of hundreds of thousands of moms and teenagers as word-of-mouth marketers--for its own product divisions and other organizations as well.


Updated Nov 2018. We visited the gardens in October for the Spring into Nature event at the Gardens.
Spring is now in full swing which can only mean one thing, warmer weather for little ones to go outdoors and explore! And the reopening of the Ian Potter Foundation's Children's Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne!!
The Children's Garden will reopen on Father's Day Sunday 2nd of September 2018 which will delight little ones and their carers. There are lots of places for little ones to explore and relax throughout the garden so don't forget a picnic and some spots of water play so don't forget change of clothes.
At the entrance you can find a beautiful tree, a Magic Pudding sculpture (pictured in background) and a lavender maze (pictured right).
There is also a walkway to the main garden's grass area where lots of little ones like to sit down for a snack and relax.
To the left of the grass area is a large sandpit area which is our favourite spot. We spend a fair amount of time there when we visit. Your little ones no doubt will love it too so don't forget to bring a bucket and spade.
The kids like running from the sandpit across the little bridge towards the elephant statue. We either explore the wetland area (which is a shallow pond with little fish in) or make our way to the Bamboo forest (behind the elephant statue), walk up the stairs to the little platform to get a view from above the garden.
We then walk along the rill which is a gentle waterway that runs through the garden. In Summer, a water feature is turned on which sprays water out for little ones to play with. Which then leads to a little hide and seek area where little ones can take some shade. There is also an area which can be rented for parties and you can also access the garden's veggie garden around there too.
We love walking around the vegetable garden in spring and summer, there are some areas for little ones to dig and play in the dirt too.
The garden is not open every day so do check the opening times on the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden website before you head out! Here's a great map of the garden below.
Come prepared with sunscreen, snacks, water, change of clothes, bucket & spade, few bandaids and a picnic rug.
There is Jardin Tan café nearby where you can also pickup drinks and food from too as well as toilets near the Information Centre.
Closest entry is via Gate F along Birdwood Avenue after the Observatory on the left (view map here).
There is paying parking along the avenue.
For a great list of playgrounds, checkout our list here.


text:
Trump says "we'll see" about increasing troop levels in Afghanistan
July 20, 2017 / 10:51 AM / CBS News
President Trump went to the Pentagon Thursday to be briefed by Defense Department officials on U.S. military deployments, including discussions about troop levels in Afghanistan.
As he and the vice president arrived at the Pentagon, Mr. Trump was asked whether he intended to send more troops to Afghanistan.
"We'll see," he told the pool reporter, adding, "And we're doing very well against ISIS. ISIS is falling fast. Very fast."
In June, the president gave Defense Secretary James Mattis the authority to set troop levels in Afghanistan. Mattis is expected to approve the deployment of at least 3,000 additional trainers and advisers, and special operations forces.
Currently, there are about 8,400 U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.


text:
Q: How to find a transfer function when an \$\omega\$ is not paired with \$j\$? With the standard transfer function of:
$$H(s) = \frac{N(s)}{D(s)} =  \frac{(s-z_1)(s-z_2)...(s-z_{m-1})(s-z_m)}{(s-p_1)(s-p_2)...(s-p_{n-1})(s-p_n)}$$
and defining: \$s = \sigma + j\omega\$
Can you put a transfer function into this form if you have an \$\omega\$ not multiplied by a \$j\$?
To give some context, you can run into this scenario when finding the impedance of a  capacitor using a series R,L,C model.

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
$$\hat{Z} = R + j\omega L + \frac{1}{j\omega C}$$
$$\hat{Z} = \frac{j\omega RC - \omega^2LC + 1}{j\omega C}$$
If you treat \$\omega\$ as your input variable and \$\hat{Z}\$ as your output variable, then the complex impedance can be seen as a transfer function. For the equation shown, can you put this into the pole-zero format?

Edit:
What I was not seeing here is that in \$s = \sigma + j\omega\$, \$\sigma==0\$ for sinusoidal inputs, as there is no real (decaying) part to the input (See Why do we use \$s=j\omega\$ in AC analysis instead of \$s=\sigma+j\omega\$?). This means that \$s^2 = -\omega^2\$. Thus my previous equation can be changed to look like:
$$\hat{Z} = L\frac{-\omega^2 + j\omega \frac{R}{L} + \frac{1}{LC}}{j\omega}$$
$$\hat{Z} = L\frac{s^2 + s\frac{R}{L} + \frac{1}{LC}}{s}$$
See Matt L.'s answer for the rest.

A: As a function of \$s\$ you get for the impedance
$$Z(s)=R+sL+\frac{1}{sC}=\frac{s^2LC+RCs+1}{sC}=L\frac{s^2+\frac{R}{L}s+\frac{1}{LC}}{s}\tag{1}$$
Computing the zeros of the numerator of (1) gives
$$z_{1,2}=-\frac{R}{2L}\pm\sqrt{\frac{R^2}{4L^2}-\frac{1}{LC}}\tag{2}$$
With these zeros, the impedance (1) can be written as
$$Z(s)=L\frac{(s-z_1)(s-z_2)}{s}\tag{3}$$
From (3) it is clear that apart from the two zeros at \$s=z_1\$ and \$s=z_2\$ we have two poles at \$s=0\$ and \$s\rightarrow\infty\$, which makes sense because for DC the impedance becomes infinite due to the capacitor, and for \$\omega\rightarrow\infty\$ the impedance goes to infinity due to the inductor.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Eddie Murphy To Host 'Saturday Night Live' For First Time Since 1984
The comedy legend is returning to the show that made him famous.
Eddie Murphy - The best comedian of his generation makes a bold comeback.
The Eddie Murphy Renaissance is upon us. After years in the wilderness sleeping atop his piles of money, the comedian who some say saved Saturday Night Live from its tendency to slide into mediocrity is returning to the stage that first made him famous.
On August 26, SNL made the official announcement via Twitter.
In a simple photo of post-it notes on a corkboard, hosts for shows from Sept. 28 through Dec. 21 were listed with a selection of musical guests. The first half of the 2019-2020 season begins with Woody Harrelson hosting in September and ends with Murphy on the 21st.
It really does look like after what seems a lot of time away from the spotlight that Murphy is prepared to come back in a big way. After all, he's reportedly been in $70 million talks with Netflix for a new standup comedy special and he'll return to movies with the upcoming Dolemite Is My Name.
But for Murphy, it all began with SNL, so it only seems appropriate that he's coming back to 30 Rock after such a long hiatus.
Generally speaking, SNL hosts appear in conjunction with some big project, like a new movie. Is that the hidden secret behind Murphy's return? His sequel to Coming to America isn't slated to premiere till August 2020.
We'll just have to wait and see, for now.
Saturday Night Live's 45th season begins with host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish on September 28, 2019.
EntertainmentSaturday Night LiveLorne MichaelscomedyEddie Murphystandupsnl


Nikita Van Vinci, Bonzii, Ssrki and 2 others like this.
Do you have any recommended edit application (for the device)?
There is any app that doing a good HDR effect (like Snapseed for android)?
BTW - I also checked the Lumia Camera Clasic and Lumia Camera 5, same results as yours, the Clasic shows a real and correct colors, the new update camera shows more vibrant and a little bit more sharpness.
Good to have them both.
Durri76, Ssrki, Nikita Van Vinci and 1 others like this.
Nikita Van Vinci and Con Georgiadis like this.
Nice photos, what software you recommend to use editing those .raw files? I'm a starter.
HeyCori and tphg like this.
Nikita Van Vinci and Maiane like this.
Another photos from my great 930.
shooted to DNG and postprocessing via PS.
Nikita Van Vinci, Maiane, tphg and 1 others like this.
Nikita Van Vinci likes this.
Optical image stab.test: Lumia 930 vs Galaxy S6 Edge!
OneShot is definitely better, I think you can get the same good quality with Lumia camera classic. On the other hand Lumia camera has too much contrast and over sharpening.
Looks like oneshot use HDR effect, the classic camera won't be the same.
Some night shots with denim update.
Durri76, Con Georgiadis, Nikita Van Vinci and 1 others like this.
Durri76, Filip Saternus and HeyCori like this.
Could you share the setting parameters for those photos? Thanks.


COMPLETES 1800 mm or 2100 mm WALL UNIT - The upright and base leg attaches easily to the end of a wall unit/run of units to complete the unit/run.
STANDARD 50MM PITCH SHELVING - Our retail Shelving uses the standard 50mm pitch system, which means compatibility with existing shelving that is used throughout Europe.
LARGE SELECTION OF KITS IN A RANGE OF SIZES - We have a range of wall and gondola units ready-prepared with a choice of shelves and a selection of heights and widths.


At what time is a formal wedding - at 6pm or after? What should be the attire of the groomsmen and guests?
A formal wedding can be at any time of day. The formality of the wedding is set by how the bride plans to dress. If the bride's gown has a train (cathedral, sweep, or chapel), the wedding is considered formal. The wedding is considered more formal when it is in the evening, on or after 6pm.
While the bride's dress can be the same for formal daytime 'or formal evening, the formal attire for the groom and other men in the wedding party (i.e. groomsmen, ushers, fathers,) changes when it's formal daytime versus formal evening. Formal daytime wear is a morning suit, which is a cutaway coat with tails, gray pinstripe trousers, gray vest, ascot or tie. Formal evening wear is full dress, which is black tailcoat, matching black pants, white shirt, white vest, and white tie.
The above is a basic guideline. The groom and other men can wear a tuxedo instead of a morning suit for formal daytime or instead of full dress for formal evening.
A groom can distinguish himself from the rest of the wedding party by varying an accessory such as the boutonniere, tie, or vest. However, to be in total correct dress for a formal evening wedding, there is no variation between the men, they all wear white tie and tails.
For a less formal daytime wedding the groom and men in the wedding party can wear a stroller without tails in black or gray. For a less formal evening wedding, the men can wear tuxedos.
Consult with the formal wear shop about options and accessories. There are many styles of coats, vests, cummerbunds, ties, studs, cufflinks, shoes and handkerchiefs to think about.
As for guest attire, if you specify Black Tie on the reception invitation, male guests should wear tuxedos. If you specify White Tie on the invitation, male guests should wear full dress identical to groom. For female guests, a nice outfit in any length is appropriate, except for a very formal (white tie) event, where more elegant long dresses should be worn. If dress isn't specified, male guests could wear sportcoats or suits.


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This double eagle knight is holding a traditional mace with his right hand and a shield with a cross and fluers. The edges of the armor and the double eagles on the chest are painted with metallic gold. Silver metallic paint on the rest of the armor. On a black base.


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Serena Williams & Her Ex-Boyfriend reunite for a Great Reason — SEE photos Serena Williams Ex-Boyfriend
Serena McCauley
There's many reasons why we should all aspire to Be More Serena Williams whenever possible. The first, obviously, would be her incredible sporting achievements, the second her excellent handling of difficult situations.
Of course, the fact that she's also best friends with the Duchess of Sussex certainly doesn't go amiss either—and you can add her latest public appearance to the list, too.
Earlier this week, the tennis star casually walked the red carpet with her ex-boyfriend, who she was in a longterm, three year relationship with a number of years ago.
Single-handedly proving that exes can totally be friends and leave all drama at the door, Serena and rapper Common reunited for a good cause—to attend a charity event together in Chicago.
Serena Williams and ex-boyfriend Common pose for photos together
Williams dated Common, a musician and actor, on and off for some time, before the pair eventually called things off for good in 2010.
Since then of course, she's gone on to find love and now has her own family with Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian and 1-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Not only did Serena and Common pose for photos together, but they also held their collaborative Creative Minds Talk for a huge audience.
The session, The Art of Storytelling, saw the pair lead a conversation together on the topic of public speaking, philanthropy, activism and entrepreneurship. They also did a great job of making me feel real petty for blocking every ex I've loved before.
Serena Williams ex-boyfriend often congratulates Serena on social media for her sporting success in the tennis world
In fact, the ex-couple have remained on good terms ever since their split first happened. Common often congratulates Serena on social media for her sporting success in the tennis world and, in a 2015 interview on The Meredith Vieira Show, the rapper explained: "We've got a great understanding and I care about her as a person … so we can keep that friendship. It's not like a person you talk to every other day, but you still have that respect and you still have that love and you want to see them do well.'
Related Topics:Alexis OhanianAlexis Olympia Ohanian JrReddit co-founder husbandserena williamsSerena Williams and rapper CommonSerena Williams Ex-BoyfriendSerena Williams relationshipTennis star
Venus Williams Flaunts Her Sculpted Legs In A Short Sweater Dress While In Paris
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