The survey by the Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH) — called the Monitor — shows the proportion of Ontario adults reporting previous-year marijuana use rose from 15.7% in 2016 to 19.4% in 2017, representing more than two million people.
That 2017 figure also marks a record high following a steady year-over-year rise in use of the previously illicit drug, which more than doubled from almost 9% 20 years ago.
"The biggest increase seemed to be among young adults 18 to 29, over the long term," said Robert Mann, a senior scientist at CAMH. "So in 1996, 18.3% of people in that age group reported using cannabis in the last year.
Young adults like Halman aren't the only demographic demonstrating an upswing in cannabis use. The survey found there's been an aging of marijuana aficionados over the last two decades: between 1996 and 2017, the percentage of respondents aged 50 and older who reported previous-year use soared from 2% to 29%.
CAMH found that 2.6% of respondents admitted to getting behind the wheel after toking or vaping marijuana, double the 1.3% from five years earlier.
At the same time, the proportion of people who drive after downing alcoholic drinks has dropped substantially, falling to just over 5% in 2017 from 13% in 1996 — likely the result of strong public health messaging aimed at discouraging the potentially deadly practice as well as ramped-up fines for convictions.
"In this report, we saw for example that the proportion of those 18 and over who are reporting fair or poor mental health increased from about 7% to 10.1% between 2016 and 2017," said Monitor co-author Hayley Hamilton, a senior scientist at CAMH.
The proportion of respondents who identified the need to take frequent mental distress days grew, from 7% to close to 12%, she said, adding that there was also a jump in those reporting thoughts of suicide in the previous 12 months, a figure that roughly doubled from 2.2% in 2016 to 4% a year later.
"These numbers are concerning and are consistent with what we are seeing at the CAMH ER, where visits increased by 70% between 2012 and 2017," she said.


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Cassandra Renz and Patrick Prediger were married June 19, 2010, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays, with Father Kevin Weber and Deacon John Walters officiating.
Parents of the couple are Shelton and Cheryl Renz and Joel and Sue Prediger, all of Hays.
Grandparents of the couple are Larry and Florence Goetz, Joel and Carolyn Daubert, and Eunice Prediger. The couple's son is Jaxon Randall Prediger.
Honor attendant was Desirea Renz, sister of the bride. Attendants were Angie Good, sister of the groom, Rachel Loving, cousin of the groom, Amanda Goetz, cousin of the bride, and Kristina Fouts, friend of the bride.
Best man was Josh Pfannenstiel, friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Nathan Good, brother-in-law of the groom, Josh Kingsley, cousin of the groom, Curtis Leiker and David Ricketts, both friends of the groom.
Ushers were Creighton Renz and Preston Renz, both brothers of the bride, Jonathan Walters, cousin of the groom, and Nathan Flax, friend of the groom.
Flower girl was Madelyn Wilson, cousin's daughter. Ringbearer was Alex Loving, cousin's son.
The bride is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and Hays Hair Academy. She is a hairstylist at Hairware and Co.
The bridegroom is a graduate of TMP, University of Kansas, and Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's degree.


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text:
Agricultural Component of the Afghanistan Surge?
Thread: Agricultural Component of the Afghanistan Surge?
Surferbeetle
If we are to accept the premise that Afghanistan will require an integrated DIME (Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economic) solution to its problems then we might profitably consider the makeup of the future 'Surge' that is to be sent to this country, which is renowned for its isolating geography. (1, 2, 3)
The USDA estimates that about 80% of Afghanistan's population works in Agriculture (4) Accordingly, I will focus exclusively upon an analysis of the feasibility of an Agricultural Component for the Afghanistan Surge because it is my preference to have Afghani's working in Agriculture and its supporting industries rather than 'working' to harm our troops (the analysis takes into account that the growing season lasts only part of the year).
If we take the American Model to be the 100% Agricultural Solution it would seem that for ~ 400 million acres of arable productive farmland (5 -FAO) 21,000 Agricultural Specialists (6 - USBLS) (Subject Matter Experts on soil, crops, pests, etc.) would be needed. This works out to 19,048 acres per Ag Specialist.
Oftentimes when a soldier is 'downrange' a less than 100% solution is found to be 'good enough' in many instances. Lets assume a 70% solution is our upper limit and a 51% solution is our lower limit for a typical 'good enough' solution. Given that Afghanistan has approximately 20 million acres (1 ha = 2.47 acres) of arable productive farmland (7 - FAO) a 70% solution would require approximately 730 Agricultural Specialists, and a 51% solution would require approximately 530. If we are concerned about difficult geography we might plus up the force to 150% of what's needed or a little more than 1560 Agricultural Specialists. We need to take into account the concept of sweat equity and have Afghani's as the lead element in this effort. (8 - Wikipedia) USDA states that they have provided 70 technical specialists for Afghanistan since 2003 and that Congressional Funding is an issue of concern. (9 – USDA)
We would need to arm Agricultural Specialists with training, seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides for crops that are both cultivatable in Afghanistan as well as desired by the Afghani's from a business standpoint. This might include crops such as Almonds, Cotton, Pomegranates, Raisins, Tea, and Wheat. (10 - FAO) Planning and preparation could be best done now, while planting season is some months off.
The approximately 3 billion dollar floral industry is an agricultural business model that might apply to Afghanistan. (11 – USDA ERS) Columbia and some of its competitors in Africa provide many data points to consider. (12 – Business Daily Africa). India has expertise in this business as well. (13 Trade Journal) It's certainly not the only business model for Afghanistan, but perhaps it could be part of a 51% to 70% 'good enough' solution focused upon an Agricultural Component of the Surge.
Opium's importance in Afghanistan cannot be discounted, and may account for approximately half of the country's estimated 4.4 billion dollar GDP. (14 - UN) Fulfilling demand for opium by pharmaceutical companies might be a small part of a solution to this complex and multi-faceted problem. (15 - Wikipedia)
An analysis similar to that of the proposed Agricultural Component of the Afghanistan Surge should also be prepared for the supporting project managers, irrigation specialists, hydraulics & hydrology specialists, and the water well specialists, needed to supply adequate water for the myriad small scale agricultural projects that might be accomplished as part of a Surge in Afghanistan.
The USAID, USACE, USISP, and others have already been thinking about and working on the roads needed to get agricultural supplies and products in and out of remote villages. (16, 17, 18, & 19) We could also build an estimate for the number of road crews, road security teams, truck drivers, mechanics, gas station personnel (as well as the appropriate specialists) that could be employed by focusing upon an Afghani led Agricultural Component of the Afghanistan Surge.
It is my opinion that by ensuring that the Afghanistan Surge has a thoroughly planned and resourced Agricultural Component we could reduce the impact, currently very visible in Afghanistan, of the old saying, 'idle hands are the devils playground'. Iraq AAR lessons on this same issue are instructive. (20)
Irrigation Experts Needed.
While I agree with you in principal, we have to look at what is currently needed. Water seems to be the current issue with wheat production. http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/highli...2/Afghanistan/. Dependency on rainfall will continue to limit production and the simple, gravity fed irrigation systems are not particularly useful for wheat as they are for row crops.
What might be needed are wells with large scale watering systems (the large spoke style sprinklers used in the Midwest). Not sure the terrain and water table can sustain that.
I am not convinced that growing wheat will have any affect on opium production. If you look at the maps of where wheat is grown and where opium is grown you will see they do not coincinde. While I am not positive, I believe this has to do with the ability to grow each type of crop in the region. http://www.unodc.org/documents/front...fghanistan.pdf
Water is life...
TC,
Agree with you on the water issue. No water, no crops...
Thanks for the USDA link. This USDA report was from earlier in the year
Well-below normal rainfall and winter snowfall across the majority of Afghanistan during late 2007 and early 2008 have led to the worst drought conditions in the past 10 years
Here is an interesting (and dated) FAO report which provides some insight into Afghanistan irrigation issues:
Irrigation systems can be divided into four main categories:
* Kareze systems. A kareze (qanat) is an unlined tunnel in the hillside, bringing water by free flow from underground aquifers to be used for surface irrigation. Dug by local craftsmen from shafts at close intervals, they are small in size but may be many kilometres in length. It is estimated that 6 470 kareze still supply water to 167 750 ha, as in 1967, the date of the last inventory. It should be noted that kareze are often used for domestic water supply.
* Small-scale informal surface water systems. These are the traditional irrigation systems, many of which have been established for centuries. In the past, maintenance and reconstruction were generally arranged on a traditional informal or communal village basis, and water rights were determined and recognized in a similar manner. Technical knowledge and operational systems were thus dependent on traditional community structures, and were largely retained in the memory of individuals.
* Large-scale informal surface water systems. These are located mainly in the plains and along the main valleys. Although they are called informal, their operation and maintenance was highly structured. Repair and maintenance works can mobilize very large quantities of labour for a long period and farmers in the command area have to contribute in labour, cash or kind. Large parts of these schemes have been abandoned because of the sterilization of the land (waterlogging and salinization), particularly in the Hari Rud, Farah Rud and Helmand valleys.
* Formal irrigation schemes. Formally organized large-scale irrigation systems are a relatively recent innovation. However, by the late 1970s three large-scale modern irrigation systems had been built and were in operation: the Helmand-Arghandab system in the south-west, the Ghaziabad farms near Jalalabad in the east, and the Kunduz-Khanabad system in the northern part of the country. By 1993, only a very small part of these schemes was still operational. Land tenure was different from most traditional systems in that ownership of land was registered. Some schemes were operated under private land ownership agreements, while others were operated as state farms where land ownership was deeded to the State.
Qanats were a concept taught in some of my hydraulics courses, and I ran across Iraqis who knew about their use in Iraq:
A qanat (from Arabic: قناة) or kareez (from Persian: كاريز) is a water management system used to provide a reliable supply of water to human settlements or for irrigation in hot, arid and semi-arid climates. The technology is known to have developed in ancient Persia,[1][2][3] and then spread to other cultures.
Certainly there seem to be no easy answers other than sustained effort by local folks who are dedicated and who hopefully have some access to trained and dedicated folks who are willing to help out.
As a CA Bubba, I often feel that raising, training, resourcing, and motivating a local 'technocrat army' is not as high on our to do list as it should be.
Thanks for the information on the qanat. I ran across one of these systems in Khost province. It was rather amazing as it ran better then ten kilometers from the river to and under a local town. The Afghans are so good at irrigation systems that they have learned how to make water run up hill. It is actually an illusion created by the step valleys but you would swear that it runs up hill.
Three other things. First, I think that the soil tends to fail from overuse and crops have to be rotated further limiting production.
Second, in places where that happens, and generally all around the country, orchards and in particular olives might be a better cash crop. I had heard while in county, but have been unable to verify, that prior to WWII Afghanistan had a flourishing olive oil business. I know these trees take years before they produce but they may be a better fit for the soil and conditions.
Finally, Pakistan and its constant battle with India still hampers the ability to export goods. Afghanistan is a few hundered miles from one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world but could never hope to get its goods to market there.
From Today's SWJ Roundup
Today's Washington Post has an Opinion Article that is of interest...
The result of letting the Pentagon take such thorough charge of the programs to create local police forces is that these units, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, have been unnecessarily militarized -- producing police officers who look more like militia members than ordinary beat cops. These forces now risk becoming paramilitary groups, well armed with U.S. equipment, that could run roughshod over Iraq and Afghanistan's nascent democracies once we leave.
Or consider another problem with the rising influence of the Pentagon: the failure to address the ongoing plague of poppy farming and heroin production in Afghanistan. This fiasco was in large part the result of the work of non-expert military personnel, who discounted the corrosive effects of the Afghan heroin trade on our efforts to rebuild the country and failed to support civilian-run counter-narcotics programs
DeRidder LA
I saw that one and I guess if you want to write an extremist, conspiratorial viewpoint about how the Pentagon is out to conquer the US government, you can. Frankly it just shows that the person who wrote--despite his familial ties to the services through his father--has never served in the Pentagon.
Rumsfeld did push the boundaries and undercut other agencies. That does not leave those other agencies blameless, either in rolling over and accepting the Rumsfeldian push or later in faling to meet their own responsiblities.
Looks to me like the author is posturing for a job in the new administration.
Last edited by Tom Odom; 12-21-2008 at 08:34 PM.
Bias...
Like you I am biased and don't see it all as horrible/evil thing, but this article does serve to illustrate some of the perceptions we bump into out in the field. I have had to spend more time than I thought would be necessary with my DOS, OGA, USAID, and USACE friends working through the one team one fight concept. Change is tough.
I feel that we also need to look at why many of our Inter-Agency brothers have this perception...the whole where there is smoke there is fire thing does apply to a certain extent. We have not conquered our inter-service/inter-agency tribal tendencies and have yet to really make the DIME concept work in this fight. I believe that the force-mix requests and staffing are very telling in the upcoming Afghanistan Surge. I see little to no info about a surge in the D,I, & E components...
jkm_101_fso
Military Agricultural Team-KSARNG
The Kansas Army National Guard was selected to take the "Agricultural Development" mission in AFG for the next three years. Guard units in Kansas screened Soldiers in their formations with Ag backgrounds and asked for volunteers. With Kansas State being a huge aggie school, there are plenty of experts around, plus all of the small farmers. A friend of mine was picked up for a year long tour. He is a CPT and has an agronomy degree. He has been told that the mission consists of teaching afghans new methods of planting, irrigation and harvest. Plus he will be doing some soil work.
I'll post more as I find out. He leaves next month.
http://www.army.mil/aps/08/informati...ment_Team.html
Last edited by jkm_101_fso; 12-21-2008 at 06:02 PM.
Sir, what the hell are we doing?
Originally Posted by Surferbeetle
I agree that the biases and perceptions play a large role and do affect what we try and do. But where I disagree with this opinion piece are the ideas that:
a. The Pentagon is a monolith capable of acting as the inner evil empire; there are as many agendas inside the Pentagon as there are outside, perhaps more.
b. That inner agency friction is somehow a new phenomenon and that the Constitution is under attack as a result of the evil empir (see a.)
In 15 years of inter-agency work, the turf battles never stopped. At best, good leaders--civilian or uniformed--minimized the friction. At worst, bad leaders--civilian or uniformed--only thought in terms of their own agencies agenda. Based on this author's criticisms, I would tentatively place him in the latter category.
Of interest only in that it is correct for all the wrong reasons.
The premise of the article, that DoD primacy in intelligence and foreign affiars is wrong and needs to be reined in is, IMO, correct -- however, he totally misses on almost all the reasons we are where we are.
He presents a State centric view of the current Administration -- which admittedly has screwed up a number of things. So, however, have the other 11 Administrations I've seem; every single one of them including FDR. All of them contributed in several ways to put DoD in its current position.
A combination of federal missteps, academic arrogance, media ignorance and Congressional errors and partisan stupidity in the vetting and Advice and Consent business have also conspired to insure that few civilians on any real competence and stature are remotely interested in Fedral service. Why would anyone really competent want to put up with that idiocy?
We are in the DoD primacy arena because State defaulted on their obligations a number of time over the years, because Congress is venal and corrupt and would prefer to fund big ticket defense items due to the fact that helps all Districts rather than properly fund foreign affairs and assistance (and to the fact that State has never been able to state their needs very well). He neglects the death of USAID and the US Information Agency virtually at the request of DoS. Two very big errors an both were fought for by State through several Administrations and were effected prior to this administration assuming power in 2000. He needs to speak to Warren and Maddie...
The unintended consequences of Truman's establishment of a DoD -- which was not necessary and arguably led to greater efficiency (at least nominally...) at the cost of less effectiveness and of Goldwater Nichols which placed the geographic CinCs in a position to dominate regions of the world while State did and said nothing and the ineffective Desk system at Foggy Bottom and a few marginal Ambassadors virtually demanded that something be done; DoD did it -- not necessarily because they wanted to, because somebody had to...
Physician heal thyself.
On the issue on former military folks in high places; a valid concern. he suggests placing competent civilians in those positions. I totally agree -- the question is, where do you find those kinds of folks? Take a look at the last few Cabinets. Big talent is rare.
ADDED: See also Tom's comment which is correct and if anything, understated and that of jkm_101_fso for an example of DoD filling a gap that exists because state drove USAID out of business.
Schweich LINK is also a piece of work for complaining about ranks when he uses his own -- rather temporary and , IMO undeserved -- to promote his agenda and he sure does have one...
Parochial and self serving article -- but his principal point is valid.
Last edited by Ken White; 12-21-2008 at 07:03 PM. Reason: Addendum
References...
As always I learn from your posts and am interested in references if you are willing to share. The DOS/USAID splits are of particular interest as well as the Goldwater Nichols history.
jkm_101_fso 's post(thanks for the link jkm) is significant in several ways.
It's good to see the need for an agricultural surge officially acknowledged. A quick back of the envelope calculation tells me that if your average Afghani Farmer works for 6 months, takes every Friday off, and only works eight hours a day (most farmers work more), then he would be spending 1248 hours focused on improving his, his family's, and his nation's condition through agriculture as opposed to spending this time engaged in warfare. Depending upon the size of the force opposing us as well as the number of folks needed to push the country to stability, the total number of hours at stake is not insignificant. It would be wise of us to help the Afghani's to spend these hours on agriculture.
From the article I gather that 6 ADT's will be deployed to a country that has ~ 20 million arable acres. The ADT's are not alone
John Santas, an associate director of international agricultural programs at the University of Illinois, and Myers, a not-so-retired professor of plant genetics at SIUC, are heading a new project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development to revitalize agricultural education in Afghanistan as part of postwar reconstruction efforts.
From a practical standpoint as one who has been dropped off in the boonies with a couple of duffle bags and told 'figure it out' I still have questions:
1) Who's in charge of the Ag Effort?
2) Will DOD, DOS, USAID, USACE, & Coalition Forces support this?
3) How is it prioritized and resourced?
4) How are we tying ADT's, PRT's, Universities, NGO's, IO's, and Coalition forces together?
5) What are the metrics for 2009 (ie how many tons of wheat, cotton, pomegranates etc.)?
6) Who is the CIO and what are the digital languages we will speak during this effort?
As I look for answers to these and other questions I am struck by the diMe as opposed to DIME emphasis. Once again it seems we (M=Military) are going to be planning, blocking, and carrying the ball while most everybody else will be smoking and joking on the bench.
Going back to the article, if we keep doing the same things I predict that we can except the same perceptions and outcomes.
Last edited by Surferbeetle; 12-21-2008 at 10:13 PM.
If memory serves me right
I recall reading some years back that prior to the Soviet invasion, Afghanistan was 3rd in the world for tourism and much of the land was covered with orchards. The Soviets knocked out most if not all the irrigation infastructure (down to 3%) and in the process created a climate change in the region. Creating a much drier climate than they already had, when there in 2002 many Aghans commented when it rained in Kandahar it was the first rain something like 10 years. Wondering if others have read/heard the same? If they actually had this once before can it not be done again? I understand the time to get trees to maturity to bear fruit, but in the process can we not reverse the climate in the region? In doing so making the region much more productive overall.
Exchange with an Iraqi soldier during FID:
Why did you not clear your corner?
Because we are on a base and it is secure.
I'll do part of that...
...am interested in references if you are willing to share. The DOS/USAID splits are of particular interest as well as the Goldwater Nichols history.
There's no share to it, I have no file on the topic. It's all out there and Google works.
Not at all hard to find LINK. Note that Democratic foibles in 1971 and 1978 lead to emasculation which was completed by the Peace, Prosperity and Democracy Act (heh. How pathetic is that name...) of 1994.
That set the stage for the Administration to jawbone the Congress:
Arguing that the Secretary of State should have more direct control over all tools of U.S. foreign policy, a number of analysts and members of Congress proposed in the mid-1990s to abolish the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) and USAID, and consolidate their operations within the State Department. After three years of debate, Congress enacted legislation in 1998 (Division G of P.L.105-277), transferring USIA and ACDA into State, but retaining USAID as an independent agency. The legislation, however, further required that the USAID Administrator report to and serve under the foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State. This remains the current relationship between USAID and the Department of State.
The 'analysts' above cited were mostly from DoD and the Congroids were those Bill got to push his vision -- and State's -- to consolidate their power and get hold of the AID budget to an extent. Bill pushed ececutive power like all Presidents have (and will...), he was just a shrewder politician in the way he went about it than many.
The above quote is from a CRS study LINK and is on Page CRS 9 . Note (Pages CRS 3 and 4) that for 2006, State managed $10.6B, USAID managed $4.37B and the two jointly managed $2.6B. It's all about money...
Addressing part of the flaky article's point, note on Page CRS 10 that the funding lines are still opaque -- that's the way Congress likes it -- that way they get to allocate $$$ and don't have to answer questions about it.
Foolish and pointless article -- his 'solutions' are aimed at a symptom, not the problem; as I said above (to and for State) "Physician, heal thyself."
In order for change to be made, State will have to correct it's ideological bias (unlikely) AND Congress will have to put the good of the nation above partisan politics (even more unlikely) and our system of budgetary allocation will need to be changed (still more unlikely). That sounds bad -- and it is -- yet, incremental change, always the American way, can and does occur. Unfortunately, it's usually one step forward and two back but every now and then, with a charismatic President (I see none in the near future, including the next), a good Congress (those do occur with moderate frequency) or a significant event (hopefully not... ) we get three steps forward and only one back.
As for Goldwater Nichols, I'm not sure what you're asking for. The Act itself is out there, plenty of discussion about it is also easily found. What I said about it was: ""Goldwater Nichols which placed the geographic CinCs in a position to dominate regions of the world while State did and said nothing..."" I'm unsure why that needs amplification as I thought it was pretty much common knowledge.
The point is that was an unintended consequence; the Act was designed to strengthen the power of combatant commanders versus the DC DoD and Service Chief bureaucracies. It did that but it also inadvertently created a series of regional bureaucracies which provided Pro Consuls or Satraps in the form of the Cincs who were and are located in (mostly) and looking at large multinational regions on a consolidated and daily basis. At the same time, State had only individual Ambassadors in each country, the regional focus was effective only within the State bureaucracy in DC and those folks did not have the clout that the individual Ambassadors had or have. Nor did they have the clout that more money and visibility gave the Cincs. Congress frequently outsmarts itself like that...
Last edited by Ken White; 12-21-2008 at 10:53 PM. Reason: Typo
KSARNG AG Team to AFG
Found some more info...
KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD WILL DEPLOY AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM TO AFGHANISTAN
One of the things the United States is known for is its military might, but a group of Kansas National Guardsmen will soon be demonstrating that there is more to the National Guard than that as they deploy in February 2009 to show the people of Afghanistan how to do something that Kansans are known for: farming.
A joint Kansas Army and Air National Guard team of approximately 60 personnel will go to Afghanistan next year as an Agribusiness Development Team (ADT). The team, comprised of personnel with backgrounds and expertise in various aspects of the agribusiness field, will work in conjunction with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, USAID, USDA, the Department of State and other agencies in Afghanistan's Laghman Province. Their year-long mission is to assist in building capabilities for increased agricultural production, training and services, and improving the safety of food and other agricultural products that are produced and distributed to the Afghan people. They will also assist in the development of sustainable agriculture and other related enterprises that will increase the economic well-being of the Afghans.
The Kansas National Guard will be performing this mission in partnership with Kansas State University over a three year period to build continuity and relationships with local and regional Afghan individuals and leaders.
Entire article:
http://www.kansas.gov/ksadjutantgene...008/08-122.htm
Military team melds farming, business savvy for Afghanistan
by Mike Belt
A team of Kansas National Guard troops will go to Afghanistan next year to combine its military and civilian skills and help to improve the country's agricultural capabilities.
"We're looking at agricultural-type tasks, while at the same time we have to provide security for when we go out to villages and interact with the populace," said Capt. Trent Miller, of Eudora. "We've got two ongoing missions rolled into one."
A team of 60 Army and Air Guard members has been specially selected for an agribusiness development team.
In February, the team's members will begin their year-long deployment to Laghman Province in northeastern Afghanistan.
Article: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/no...ni/?city_local
Soviet Lessons...
Much more at the link
Accordingly, numerous Soviet-sponsored attempts to enlist popular support foundered. In 1981, the government announced formation of the National Fatherland Front, conceived as a coalition reaching out beyond the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan to village and tribal leaders. Although official claims, by 1986, asserted a total membership of over a million, the support was entirely illusory and its impact minimal. Other visible attempts to mobilize support entailed land reform, construction projects, literacy campaigns, and the promotion of greater civil equality for women. None of these initiatives, not even land reform, achieved much progress. Failure to resuscitate the Afghan economy, an important component for improving popular perceptions of the regime, also hampered the Soviets. In fact, the war—as evidenced by the effects of massive bombing—crippled development prospects by exacerbating agricultural shortages and driving up prices.30 As asserted in a retrospective analysis by M. A. Gareev, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Soviet Army and later the General Staff, reform imposed from above had little prospect of success. Rather, he argued, support should have been built from below, beginning with the Moslem clergy, who numbered perhaps 40,000 and wielded tremendous influence.31 Still other measures that produced meager results included proclamations of amnesty for deserting soldiers and well-publicized agreements of cooperation with Islamic institutions.
An Afghanistan food price report from Reuters
Wheat prices have seen a marginal but steady decline since May in all the provinces in line with the "decreasing trend of wheat prices on global markets", it said.
Wheat prices have fallen by up to 17 percent in global markets over the past few months.
And a link on cloud seeding for ODB
Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification, is the attempt to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds, by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud. The usual intent is to increase precipitation (rain or snow), but hail and fog suppression are also widely practiced in airports.
Last edited by Surferbeetle; 12-22-2008 at 03:12 AM.
Afghanistan can thrive?
An excellent article on development work in Afghanistan, I concede there maybe some spin at work here: http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magaz...e-let-it.thtml
A Google search on the author Clare Lockhart found she's been on the Charlie Rose show, which appears to be a badge of success.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 12-22-2008 at 11:30 PM.
Cloud seeding
Funny you mention that, just saw a show a few weeks ago about that. Pretty amazing stuff. I relate the issues in Afghanistan to our very own dust bowl years. The farming was done incorrect, caused massive erosion and dust storms. The debate has been made that through inproper/over cultivation enhanced the drought of the dust bowl years. I'm no where near an expert on these things, but it kind of makes sense to me.
Droughts occur frequently in the areas affected by desertification, and are generally a feature of their natural climate. The relations between desertification and drought on the one hand, and human influence on the other, are complex. Occasional droughts (due to seasonal or inter-year variations in rainfall) and long-term droughts covering wide areas are both caused or aggravated by the influence of man on the environment (the reduction in vegetation cover, the change in the Albedo effect, changes in the local climate, the greenhouse effect, etc.). Human influence can also hasten desertification and aggravate the negative consequences on man. But the degradation of land due to desertification has a serious compounding effect on drought, and thereby reduces the chances of the local people to cope with difficult periods.
http://www.fao.org/sd/EPdirect/EPan0005.htm
My question with cloud seeding is are we in effect robbing Peter to pay Paul. We seed the clouds in the southwest which then reduces the rain in the central US? Seems there is some speculation that this is what happens but no one really knows for sure.
Hiking and thinking...
ODB,
Back in my younger days I used to hike near one of I.M. Pei's buildings where a bunch of big brain folks were asking the atmospheric questions that you are posing. Much later, during my ag engineering course I had to spend a fair amount of time figuring out the correct nozzle sizing for center pivot sprinkler systems and how to properly tilt fields in order to optimally distribute the water...its more complex than it looks and it pushed me hard in my spreadsheet modeling abilities. I do have a friend however, who was a supercomputer driver and who has worked on some atmospheric modeling issues; I will ask him what he thinks about Afghanistan when I see him next.
In the meantime this link on laser levelingof fields might be of interest and besides it makes me chuckle to think about both trying to fit one of these rigs into the back of Chinook and how it would be received when we landed.
Davidbfpo,
Thanks for the link from the Spectator, it was a good read. Oxfam has an interesting link that I ran across today
Oxfam America is working to increase the effectiveness of US foreign aid by placing the voices and priorities of poor people at the center of aid policy and practice. Through analytical and field research, we will bring out the hopes and concerns of intended beneficiaries, implementing partners, aid professionals, other donors, and host governments.
I have very much enjoyed working with the majority of the NGO's and other groups I bump into 'downrange'. There are lots of good ideas and dedicated people out there. Some of the older folks (and I am not as young as I used to be as my college age kids continually advise me...) are pretty wise and have been kind enough to show me a tip or two. I was in a chai bar in Mosul once and struck up a conversation with a gentleman who was easily 20 years my senior, still getting things done on the security side, and I greatly appreciated his insights.
Thanks for the info. My library is pretty thin when it comes to CINC info. I have a single first hand account written by GEN Zinni/Tom Clancy/Tony Koltz entitled Battle Ready (ISBN 0-399-15176-1) which I go back to from time to time. Some of my friends down the street at the 3/325 did Provide Comfort which he covers in the book. USAID/DOS wise it's all FM's and experience. The CRS link was a good read. As a taxpayer I really like those CRS reports, we are getting our moneys worth on that one.
Something to keep an eye on...
From the AP by NICOLE WINFIELD US announces big shift in Afghanistan drug policy
The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told the AP that the U.S. eradication programs were only driving Afghan farmers into the hands of the Taliban.
"Eradication is a waste of money," Holbrooke said on the sidelines of a Group of Eight foreign ministers' meeting on Afghanistan, during which he briefed regional representatives on the new policy.
"It might destroy some acreage, but it didn't reduce the amount of money the Taliban got by one dollar. It just helped the Taliban. So we're going to phase out eradication," he said. The Afghan foreign minister also attended the G-8 meeting.
Afghanistan is the world's leading source of opium, cultivating 93 percent of the world's heroin-producing crop. While opium cultivation dropped 19 percent last year, it remains concentrated in Afghanistan's southern provinces where the Taliban is strongest and earned insurgents an estimated $50 million to $70 million last year, according to the U.N. drug office.
To fight it, he (U.N. drug chief Antonio Maria Costa) said major powers had to expand their counter-drug efforts to neighboring Pakistan as well as Iran, where half the 7,000 tons of exported Afghan opium transits, "causing the highest addiction rate in the world."
From the BBC
Stoned wallabies make crop circles
Funny...
Australian wallabies are eating opium poppies and creating crop circles as they hop around "as high as a kite", a government official has said.
...interesting...
Australia supplies about 50% of the world's legally-grown opium used to make morphine and other painkillers.
Quick Navigation OEF - Afghanistan Top
Defending Hamdan
By jmm99 in forum Law Enforcement
NATO's Afghanistan Challenge
By Ray in forum OEF - Afghanistan
How Should the U.S. Execute a Surge in Afghanistan?
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Afghanistan troop surge could backfire, experts warn
By jkm_101_fso in forum OEF - Afghanistan
Petraeus, Afghanistan And The Lessons Of Iraq
By William F. Owen in forum OEF - Afghanistan

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Kim Ji-soo (ur. 1972) – południowokoreańska aktorka
 Kim Ji-soo (ur. 1993) – południowokoreański aktor
 Kim Ji-soo (ur. 1994) – południowokoreański skeletonista
 Kim Ji-soo (ur. 1997) – południowokoreańska piosenkarka

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Spartakiads or Spartakiades in Czechoslovakia (, ) were mass gymnastics events, designed to celebrate the Red Army's liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945. The name refers to the 1921 Prague Spartakiad organised by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. They were organised by the Communist government as a replacement of the similar Sokol gatherings, which were disapproved by the regime and discontinued after World War II. The Spartakiads took place at the Strahov Stadium, the largest stadium ever built and the venue of the last pre-war Sokol gathering. Most of the organisers of the Spartakiads were former Sokol officials.

The first Spartakiad took place in 1955, and was subsequently held every five years. The Spartakiad scheduled for 1970 was canceled in the wake of the Prague Spring and the beginning of normalization. Preparations for the Spartakiad scheduled for 1990 were interrupted by the Velvet Revolution, but the event still took place, although on a much smaller scale than the previous ones.

The Spartakiads were attended by large numbers of people; for example, at the 1960 Spartakiad about 750,000 gymnasts from the whole country took part and over 2,000,000 spectators witnessed the event.

Men and women of all ages practiced their exercising routines for the event. Appearance was originally mandatory for students and servicemen of the armed forces and police. During the Normalization years, it became more voluntary.

References

See also
 Mass games
 World Gymnaestrada

Sport in Czechoslovakia
1955 establishments in Czechoslovakia
Recurring sporting events established in 1955
Politics and sports


text:
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
Despite gunslinger-flavored themes and the Morricone touches on "Let's Shake Some Dust" and "Lonesome Rider," Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies doesn't necessarily sound like a rock-star-as-desperado affair a la The Eagles (or Mason Proffit, for that matter). Rather, it's another solid mix of grunge and groove metal from the Danish masters of all things heavy. As for new guitarist Rob Caggiano, he makes his presence felt all over the place, but especially on "The Hangman's Body Count," "Dead but Rising" and "Black Bart." Look out for the cameo from metal icon King Diamond on "Room 24."
Justin Farrar
Let's Shake Some Dust
Pearl Hart
Dead But Rising
Cape Of Our Hero
Room 24 featuring King Diamond
The Hangman's Body Count
Lola Montez
Lonesome Rider featuring Sarah Blackwood
The Sinner Is You


In planning mobile campaigns in Brazil or anywhere else, it's helpful to know the latest numbers. So we put together a quick presentation of key Brazilian mobile market numbers to help our clients and colleagues at agencies and brands.
In 2013, Brazilians bought 68 smartphones per minute.
The amount of active mobile lines in Brazil as of the end of the first quarter of 2014.
Overall mobile penetration in Brazil as of the end of the first quarter of 2014.
The number of active mobile Internet subscriptions in Brazil as of February 2014, a 50% increase compared to February 2013.
The growth in smartphone sales in Brazil in 2013.
The amount of smartphones sold in Brazil in 2013.
The projected growth of sales of smartphones, PCs, tablets and notebooks in Brazil during 2014—a total of 71 million units.
The amount of cell phones sold in Brazil in 2013, a record-breaking figure.
The level of smartphone penetration among Brazil's Class A.
58% of Brazilians buy cell phones with screens that are 5 inches or more, 32% pick phones with screens that are 4.5 to 4.9 inches and 31% pick cell phones with screen sizes ranging from 4.0 to 4.4 inches.
The change in smartphone penetration rate among Brazil's Classe C middle class between 2012 and 2013. Classe C now numbers 108 million people.
The amount of tablets sold in Brazil during the last quarter of 2013. This marks the first time that tablets have outsold notebooks in Brazil.
Growth in tablet sales in Brazil during 2013. Total 2013 sales of tablets in Brazil were 8.4 million.
The amount of 3G subscriptions in Brazil as of the end of February 2014.
The amount of 4G mobile subscriptions in Brazil as of the first quarter of 2014.
To find out how we can help you reach Brazilian mobile users with a targeted campaign, please contact us.
This entry was posted in Brazil, Mobile and tagged 10 Intriguing Facts about Brazilian Internet Users, 67.8 million The amount of cell phones sold in Brazil in 2013, 7 Hottest Trends in Media Consumption in Brazil, 7 Surprising Facts about Mexican Internet Users, 8% to 17% The change in smartphone penetration rate among Brazil's Classe C middle class between 2012 and 2013, a record-breaking figure, Ad Spend to Skyrocket in Latin America in 2014, advertising Chile, advertising Colombia, advertising Guatemala, advertising Peru, advertising Puerto Rico, advertising Venezuela, Argentina Leads the World in Social Media and Mobile Internet Use, brazil advertising, brazil advertising campaign, Brazil marketing, Brazil marketing campaign, Brazil media, brazil media buying, brazil media planning, Brazil media research, brazil media studies, Brazil mobile penetration, Brazil smartphones sold 2013, brazil tablets sold 2013, Brazilian consumers, Bruno Almeida, Bruno Almeida Latin Link, Bruno Almeida latinlink.usmediaconsulting.com, chile marketing, chile online video, Classe C smartphone penetration, Colombia advertising, Colombia marketing, Colombia online video, colombian social media, digital campaign Chile, digital campaign Colombia, digital campaign Guatemala, digital campaign Peru, digital campaign Puerto Rico, digital campaign Venezuela, digital marketing Chile, digital marketing Colombia, digital marketing Guatemala, digital marketing Peru, digital marketing Puerto Rico, digital marketing Venezuela, e-commerce argentina, e-commerce brazil, e-commerce Colombia, e-commerce Latin America, e-commerce MExico, ecuador advertising, Guatemala advertising, Internet Chile, internet Colombia, internet Guatemala, internet peru, internet puerto rico, internet Venezuela, Latin America advertising, Latin America advertising campaign, Latin America marketing, Latin America media, Latin america media agency, Latin America media buying, Latin America media campaign, Latin America media planning, Latin America media research, Latin America media studies, Latin American consumers, Latin American media, Latin Link, latinlink.usmediaconsulting.com, marketing to brazilians, marketing to latin americans, media buying argentina, media buying brazil, media buying mexico, media campaign argentina, media campaign Chile, media campaign Colombia, media campaign Guatemala, media campaign Latin America, media campaign mexico, media campaign Peru, media campaign Puerto Rico, media campaign Venezuela, media planning argentina, media planning brazil, media planning Chile, media planning Colombia, media planning Guatemala, media planning mexico, media planning peru, media planning Puerto Rico, media planning Uruguay, media planning Venezuela, media representation Chile, media representation Colombia, media representation Guatemala, media representation Peru, media representation Puerto Rico, media representation Venezuela, media research Latin America, panamá online video, PCs, peru advertising, peru marketing, peru online video, peru social media, puerto rico online video, tablets and notebooks in Brazil during 2014—a total of 71 million units., The Middle Class Explodes in Latin America, The projected growth of sales of smartphones, The Strongest E-Commerce Markets in Latin America, This marks the first time that tablets have outsold notebooks in Brazil., Total 2013 sales of tablets in Brazil were 8.4 million., us hispanic marketing, US Media Consulting, Venezuela social media, What Brazil's Huge Middle Class Will Buy in 2014 on April 11, 2014 by Sergio Kligin@US Media Consulting.


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Continue to EdScoop.com
MOOC provider edX expands MicroMasters graduate-level offerings
Written by Wyatt Kash
Mar 1, 2017 | EDSCOOP
EdX, the online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT, announced 16 new MicroMasters programs in partnership with 12 of the world's top universities.
The rollout expands the number of participating partners working with edX and adds momentum to its model for providing universities a way to offer masters-level programs online.
The new MicroMasters partners include Boston University, University of Pennsylvania, The University of California, San Diego, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), The RWTH Aachen University, University of British Columbia, University System of Maryland among others, according to Anant Agarwal, in a blog posted Feb. 28. Columbia University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Curtin University also have begun offering MicroMasters courses through edX in recent months.
The programs help students earn credits toward advanced degrees through online instruction and help participating schools offer coursework to meet growing demands in the marketplace.
Rochester Institute of Technology, for instance, was able to use the platform to an start enrolling students in a five-part online Cybersecurity MicroMasters program and a credential and nine credit hours that can be applied toward their degree requirements. That can represent nearly one-third of a master's program, according to the university's news service.
The MicroMasters program is part of a broader array of some 500 currently available courses offered by the massive open online course (MOOC) provider, according to its online catalog.
"We are helping to bridge the knowledge gap between higher education and the workplace by offering content and credentials in the most in-demand fields and skills needed for success in today's rapidly-evolving and tech-driven world," said Agarwal. "These credit-eligible, career-relevant programs are free to try, and can help advance careers and offer a pathway to an accelerated Master's program."
He said that a variety of employers, including IBM, PWC, Hootsuite, Fidelity and others have recognized MicroMasters programs for real-time, real-world relevancy.
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Niagara University faculty get mental health support training
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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and Walmart Foundation announced a new fund for innovation in U.S. manufacturing and a new supplier commitment to bring the production of bikes and jobs to South Carolina.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) created the fund to provide grants to innovators who seeks to create new processes, ideas and jobs that support the growing manufacturing footprint in the United States. The company' program will last five years, and it will be implemented in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayor. The launching of the program will be in March.
"If we want to grow manufacturing and help rebuild America's middle class, we need the brightest minds in our universities, in our think tanks, and in our towns to tackle obstacles to U.S. manufacturing. The $10 million fund will identify and award leaders in manufacturing innovation and help us all work together to create opportunity," said Simon in a statement.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) promised to buy additional $250 billion in American products cumulatively over the next ten years. According to the company, its pledge is part of its effort to help grow manufacturing and encourage jobs creation in the United States.
The Boston Consulting Group estimated that the $250 billion investment will create one million jobs including manufacturing jobs and related services.
The world largest retailer is hosting its second U.S. manufacturing summit in Denver, Colorado on August, 2014. According to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), one of the objectives of the event is to connect manufacturers in need of component parts to factories with excess capacity.
Simon said, "Many factories aren't operating at full capacity. By working together, we have an opportunity to repurpose or help add production to some of these communities." He added that the will help rebuild the American supply chain to support U.S. manufacturing and create more jobs.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) started its first manufacturing summit with 1,500 participants including 500 suppliers, 34 states, and government official in August last year.
Meanwhile, Kent Bicycles decide to move its overseas production Clarendon, South Carolina after the retail giant made its commitment to manufacturing. The company assembles 500,000 bikes every year, and estimated that it would create 175 jobs. Its production is expected to start in the fall of 2014.
"We look forward to bringing production to South Carolina. Our company moved all manufacturing overseas in 1990 because it was so much more cost effective. When Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) made its commitment to U.S. manufacturing last year, it opened our eyes to restarting some manufacturing here. We attended Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)'s August manufacturing summit and were able to focus our efforts quickly and make things happen with South Carolina," said Arnold Kamler, owner of Kent Bicycles.


February 25, Release Date: Junior of Junior Senior talks about the creative process Full interview availble on www. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Please leave a like if you enjoyed the video! Share your thoughts with other customers. Watch this space - and in the meantime enjoy mix It's not perfect but done by ear like the rest of the songs that I uploaded and will continue to upload.
Your Amazon Music account is currently associated with a different marketplace. It's been a cracking year with some amazing tunes appearing in the most unexpected places - oyur mix, the final in a series of 10, has been a labour of love - just when it's been ready to upload another mix, edit or mash-up has come along which I've just had to include. Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest.
It's a celebration and everyone's invited! Amazon Drive Cloud storage from Amazon.
This is a lighting project. I was passionate about music since I remember.
Junior Senior - Move Your Feet bass cover Amazon Restaurants Food delivery from local restaurants. Get to Know Us. There's a problem loading this menu right now.
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Bruno Mars - 24k Magic. You have exceeded the maximum number of MP3 items in your MP3 cart.
Add to Wish List. Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands. If you like the song, buy it here: Our only guidelines were "use good lighting" and "convey a feeling", so I spent the past few days making this short music video based Based in the UK, Funkstreet are an upbeat eight-piece kicking it live with a good-time set of classic disco, soul and funky stuff from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
I didn't need any extra push to try mixing music myself. FatmanScoop - Be Faithful. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. Give Album or Song as Gift. Including Some of the best tracks that kept the dance floor moving over the last few months.


When Rylee encounters a mysterious old woman in the woods, she has no idea that her entire life is about to change. Strange coincidences start happening all around her, bringing good luck to those who are kind to her and misfortune to those who are not—at least, that's what the crazy woman in the woods tells her.
But where does this new power come from, and how can Rylee learn to control it? When her mother suddenly falls ill, Rylee beings to realize that her gift may not be a matter of luck—but of life and death.


The CimTrak Integrity Suite is a comprehensive security software application. CimTrak protects any type of file, whether it is a document, executable, script, application program file, or operating system file.
CimTrak for Servers: protects against unauthorized change to vital applications and servers (virtual and physical), including operating system settings, system files, directories, data files, and file attributesCimTrak for Network Devices: protects against unauthorized and destructive changes to your network infrastructure, including firewalls, routers, switches, and intrusion detection systems.


The DS2762 high-precision Li+ battery monitor is a data-acquisition, information-storage, and safetyprotection device tailored for cost-sensitive battery pack applications. This low-power device integrates precise temperature, voltage, and current measurement, nonvolatile (NV) data storage, and Li+ protection into the small footprint of either a TSSOP package or flip-chip package. The DS2762 is a key component in applications including remaining capacity estimation, safety monitoring, and batteryspecific data storage.


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Kenneth R. Wright, president and chief engineer of Wright Water Engineers in Denver, CO USA, has studied and investigated the paleohydrology of Machu Picchu (Peru) and two ancient sites at Mesa Verde National Park (CO). Wright is a civil engineer and business school graduate of the University of Wisconsin. When the mapmakers at National Geographic created an image of how Machu Picchu must have looked during its peak, they turned to Kenneth and his wife Ruth for assistance. The pair gladly accommodated. The following paragraphs about Kenneth and Ruth appeared on National Geographic's (2002) website.
". . . Kenneth Wright has written Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel (ASCE Press, 2000) and many other published reports on the infrastructure of the prehistoric city. Ruth, a lawyer with a special interest in city planning, recently wrote The Machu Picchu Guidebook (Johnson Books, 2001), which contains a highly detailed site map of the ruins.
The couple's interest in Machu Picchu began in 1974, when Ruth first visited the Inca landmark with their two daughters. She was puzzled by how the Inca were able to obtain water for daily needs on such a high mountain ridge.
She posed the question to Kenneth after returning home, and 'we vowed to go back and explore,' Ruth said in a telephone interview. They tried for 20 years to get a government permit to study the prehistoric water supply of Machu Picchu, but were unsuccessful. Finally, in 1994, they obtained permission.
Since they they've returned to the site a dozen times to do in-depth research on paleohydrology, the drainage system, agricultural production, building foundations, and other aspects of infrastructure. . . . The Wrights work closely with local archeologists and government personnel. 'They do the archeology and we do the technical work,' Kenneth said."
According to Civil Engineering (2001) Magazine, "Much of the manpower for the research at Machu Picchu has come from his (Kenneth's) own employees, who volunteer their time and expertise. To Wright, it is a valuable opportunity for employee development. 'They learn a lot from the archeologists,' he says, �Discipline, focus, documentation.' Perhaps they also learn from the Inca�the value of engineering for long-term sustainability and of exercising a high standard of care.
Wright's company is the sole source of funding for the research. He sees the pro bono research expeditions as a natural outgrowth of the company mission. �The reason it works is that it's the same kind of work we do for clients,' he says. Every week, the staff used to have public relations meetings. �We don't have those anymore,' Wright says. The company's paleohydrological work at Machu Picchu, he says, generates so much interest from clients that it renders additional public relations work unnecessary."
kwright@wrightwater.com
www.wrightwater.com
Parsell, D.L., 2002. "How Geographic Re-Created Machu Picchu for a New Map," www.nationalgeographic.com/news, April 17.
Brown, Jeff, 2001. "Discovering the Lost City," Civil Engineering, April, p. 39.
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Just off of Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, you'll find a quirky shoe-themed street art installation on the facade of 75 and 75A Hoyt Street. There are a combination of found objects, but most are shoes titled with puns. It's the work of Nat Hendricks, owner of several buildings on this block of Hoyt Street, including the vintage diner, Victory Cafe, on the corner of Hoyt Street and Smith Street.


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Preservation Houston MOD Feed
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Tropical Modern Border
The Rio Grande Valley of Texas is a multicultural and vibrant border community with a population of 1,305,782 people. The area is predominantly Hispanic cemented by families who lived here when land was deeded by the king of Spain in the 18th century. A second strong surge of immigrants came in the early part of the 20th century when immigrants fled the horrors of the Mexican Revolution.
Our Valley is a safe place to live and thrive. According to FBI reports, the Valley is extremely safe. SafeHome.org, a home security data website recently researched and listed the top 25 safest cities in Texas and two Valley cities made the list: Mission and Pharr, Texas. To tell you the truth, our concerns seem to circulate around the next barbecue – or carne asada – fishing trips to South Padre Island or a family celebration.
We barely survive the hot and humid summer months. News of the first "cold front" brings lots of excitement, but we get tired of the cold days fast. We've come to enjoy the heat just as we love our Habanero pepper salsas and jalapenos. Tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, are part of our daily life and inexpensive Mexican dishes can be savored anytime. We are also on the Gulf of Mexico so plenty of shrimp and fish here. Most of us enjoy fishing while some enjoy hunting in nearby ranches.
The richest birding in Texas is found along the coast and along the Rio Grande River. The Lower Rio Grande Valley floodplain at the intersection of the river and the coast has 538 species of birds, making it the richest birding location in both Texas and the United States, and a top world location as well. The heaviest spring migration numbers on earth have been measured on the south Texas coast as reported by scientists at Texas A&M University because Texas lies under the migration routes for both land migrants and cross Gulf migrants between north and south America.
The Valley boasts of a low cost of living. It is not hard to find a good lunch for less than $7 a person. The median home cost in McAllen is $134,800 and the median income is $43,476. In Harlingen the median home cost is $87,600 and $34,868 median income according to BestPlaces.net.
The Valley is a great place to buy a house and enjoy life. It is the best place to restore a mid-20th-century house for this style flourished in the Valley and RGVMod is here to help.
Need a consultation or help restoring, building, or buying a historic building?
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text:
from neutron.common import rpc
from neutron.common import topics
from neutron.i18n import _LE
from neutron.plugins.common import constants as const
from neutron.plugins.ml2.drivers.freescale import config
from oslo_log import log as logging
from oslo_utils import excutils
from sqlalchemy.orm import exc

from neutron_fwaas.db.firewall import firewall_db
from neutron_fwaas.services.firewall import fwaas_plugin

LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)

class FirewallCallbacks(fwaas_plugin.FirewallCallbacks):

    """Callbacks to handle CRD notifications to amqp."""

    RPC_API_VERSION = '1.0'

    def __init__(self, plugin):
        self.plugin = plugin
        self._client = self.plugin._client

    def get_firewalls_for_tenant(self, context, **kwargs):
        """Get all Firewalls and rules for a tenant from CRD.

        For all the firewalls created, check CRD for config_mode.
        If it is Network Node, prepare the list.
        Other config modes are handled by CRD internally.
        """

        fw_list = []
        for fw in self.plugin.get_firewalls(context):
            fw_id = fw['id']
            # get the firewall details from CRD service.
            crd_fw_details = self._client.show_firewall(fw_id)
            config_mode = crd_fw_details['firewall']['config_mode']
            # get those FWs with config mode NetworkNode (NN) or None
            if config_mode in ('NN', None):
                fw_list.append(self.plugin._make_firewall_dict_with_rules(
                    context, fw_id))
        return fw_list

class FirewallPlugin(firewall_db.Firewall_db_mixin):

    """Implementation of the Freescale Firewall Service Plugin.

    This class manages the workflow of FWaaS request/response.
    Existing Firewall database is used.
    """
    supported_extension_aliases = ["fwaas"]

    def __init__(self):
        """Do the initialization for the firewall service plugin here."""

        self._client = config.get_crdclient()
        self.endpoints = [FirewallCallbacks(self)]

        self.conn = rpc.create_connection(new=True)
        self.conn.create_consumer(
            topics.FIREWALL_PLUGIN, self.endpoints, fanout=False)
        self.conn.consume_in_threads()

    def _update_firewall_status(self, context, firewall_id):
        status_update = {"firewall": {"status": const.PENDING_UPDATE}}
        super(FirewallPlugin, self).update_firewall(context, firewall_id,
                                                    status_update)
        try:
            self._client.update_firewall(firewall_id, status_update)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.exception(_LE("Failed to update firewall status (%s)."),
                          firewall_id)

    def _update_firewall_policy(self, context, firewall_policy_id):
        firewall_policy = self.get_firewall_policy(context, firewall_policy_id)
        if firewall_policy:
            for firewall_id in firewall_policy['firewall_list']:
                self._update_firewall_status(context, firewall_id)

    # Firewall Management
    def create_firewall(self, context, firewall):
        """Create Firewall.

        'PENDING' status updates are handled by CRD by posting messages
        to AMQP (topics.FIREWALL_PLUGIN) that Firewall consumes to
        update its status.
        """
        firewall['firewall']['status'] = const.PENDING_CREATE
        fw = super(FirewallPlugin, self).create_firewall(context, firewall)
        try:
            crd_firewall = {'firewall': fw}
            self._client.create_firewall(crd_firewall)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                fw_id = fw['firewall']['id']
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to create firewall (%s)."),
                          fw_id)
                super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall(context, fw_id)
        return fw

    def update_firewall(self, context, fw_id, firewall=None):
        firewall['firewall']['status'] = const.PENDING_UPDATE
        fw = super(FirewallPlugin,
                   self).update_firewall(context, fw_id, firewall)
        try:
            crd_firewall = {'firewall': fw}
            self._client.update_firewall(fw_id, crd_firewall)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to update firewall (%s)."), fw_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error
        return fw

    def delete_db_firewall_object(self, context, fw_id):
        firewall = self.get_firewall(context, fw_id)
        if firewall['status'] in [const.PENDING_DELETE]:
            try:
                super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall(context, fw_id)
            except exc.NoResultFound:
                LOG.error(_LE("Delete Firewall (%s) DB object failed."),
                          fw_id)

    def delete_firewall(self, context, fw_id):
        status_update = {"firewall": {"status": const.PENDING_DELETE}}
        super(FirewallPlugin, self).update_firewall(context, fw_id,
                                                    status_update)
        try:
            self._client.delete_firewall(fw_id)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to delete firewall (%s)."), fw_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error

    # Firewall Policy Management
    def create_firewall_policy(self, context, firewall_policy):
        fw_policy = super(FirewallPlugin, self).create_firewall_policy(
            context,
            firewall_policy)
        fw_policy.pop('firewall_list')
        try:
            crd_firewall_policy = {'firewall_policy': fw_policy}
            self._client.create_firewall_policy(crd_firewall_policy)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                fwp_id = fw_policy['firewall_policy']['id']
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to create firewall policy (%s)."),
                          fwp_id)
                super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall_policy(context,
                                                                   fwp_id)
        return fw_policy

    def update_firewall_policy(self, context, fp_id, firewall_policy):
        fw_policy = super(FirewallPlugin,
                          self).update_firewall_policy(context, fp_id,
                                                       firewall_policy)
        self._update_firewall_policy(context, fp_id)
        fw_policy.pop('firewall_list')
        try:
            crd_firewall_policy = {'firewall_policy': fw_policy}
            self._client.update_firewall_policy(fp_id, crd_firewall_policy)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Update firewall policy failed (%s)."), fp_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error
        return fw_policy

    def delete_firewall_policy(self, context, fp_id):
        super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall_policy(context, fp_id)
        try:
            self._client.delete_firewall_policy(fp_id)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Delete Firewall Policy (%s) failed."),
                          fp_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error

    # Firewall Rule management
    def create_firewall_rule(self, context, firewall_rule):
        fw_rule = super(FirewallPlugin,
                        self).create_firewall_rule(context, firewall_rule)
        try:
            crd_firewall_rule = {'firewall_rule': fw_rule}
            self._client.create_firewall_rule(crd_firewall_rule)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                fwr_id = fw_rule['firewall_rule']['id']
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to create firewall rule (%s)."),
                          fwr_id)
                super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall_rule(context,
                                                                 fwr_id)
        return fw_rule

    def update_firewall_rule(self, context, fr_id, firewall_rule):
        fw_rule = super(FirewallPlugin,
                        self).update_firewall_rule(context, fr_id,
                                                   firewall_rule)
        if fw_rule['firewall_policy_id']:
            self._update_firewall_policy(
                context,
                fw_rule['firewall_policy_id'])
        try:
            crd_firewall_rule = {'firewall_rule': fw_rule}
            self._client.update_firewall_rule(fr_id, crd_firewall_rule)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to update firewall rule (%s)."), fr_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error
        return fw_rule

    def delete_firewall_rule(self, context, fr_id):
        fw_rule = self.get_firewall_rule(context, fr_id)
        super(FirewallPlugin, self).delete_firewall_rule(context, fr_id)
        if fw_rule['firewall_policy_id']:
            self._update_firewall_policy(context,
                                         fw_rule['firewall_policy_id'])
        try:
            self._client.delete_firewall_rule(fr_id)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to delete firewall rule (%s)."),
                          fr_id)
                # TODO(trinaths):do rollback on error

    def insert_rule(self, context, rid, rule_info):
        rule = super(FirewallPlugin,
                     self).insert_rule(context, rid, rule_info)
        try:
            self._client.firewall_policy_insert_rule(rid, rule_info)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to insert rule %(rule)s into "
                              "firewall policy %(fwpid)s."),
                          {'rule': rule_info,
                           'fwpid': rid})
                super(FirewallPlugin, self).remove_rule(context, rid,
                                                        rule_info)
        self._update_firewall_policy(context, rid)
        return rule

    def remove_rule(self, context, rid, rule_info):
        rule = super(FirewallPlugin,
                     self).remove_rule(context, rid, rule_info)
        try:
            self._client.firewall_policy_remove_rule(rid, rule_info)
        except Exception:
            with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
                LOG.error(_LE("Failed to remove rule %(rule)s from "
                              "firewall policy %(fwpid)s."),
                          {'rule': rule_info,
                           'fwpid': rid})
        self._update_firewall_policy(context, rid)
        return rule

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


After last night's Xbox showcase, it's now EA's turn to show us what they've got.
We don't know a whole lot about what we're going to see apart from the fact that we'll be getting more Star Wars Battlefront II gameplay. We'll get an extended look at space battles this time around.
Apart from that, I'm sure we can expect to see FIFA 18 be a major focus as well as NBA Live 18 and potentially a little bit more form Anthem?
More bad news unfortunately. It's on very early in the morning no matter where you are.
You can watch EA's livestream on their offical website. That's right HERE.


We will drive to Bikaner early in the morning. On arrival at Bikaner, we will check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the area. An overnight stay at the hotel.
The Lalgarh Palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1902 in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. It is a stunning Redstone building and an architectural wonder designed by Sir Swinton Jacob. The Palace has a perfect fusion of Mughal, European and Rajput architecture and has a superb collection of paintings and hunting trophies.
Located 6 km away from the Bikaner city, the Shiv Bari Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. It was built in 9th century by Maharaja Doongar Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The major attraction of the temple is a captivating wall painting of Nandi bull facing a Shiva Lingam.
We will also visit the Bhandeswari temple devoted to Sumati Nath Ji, the 5th Tirthankar of the Jain Religion.
Bhandeswari temple was built in 15th century, this temple is the oldest monument of Bikaner and is famous for its astonishing gold leaf paintings and mirror work.
The havelis are the ancient houses of the Kings representing the symbol of their wealth and prosperity of powerful people of the town who are known for their lavish lifestyle. Bikaner is blessed with many such beautiful Havelis.
In the morning after breakfast, we will drive back to Jaipur. On arrival at Jaipur, we will drop you at your desired location.


text:
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
Silent film star whose career was destroyed by scandal.
1887-1933. Roscoe Conkling Arbuckle was born in Smith Center , Kansas . The Arbuckles moved to Santa Ana , California , in 1888, where his mother died the next year. His father abandoned him at a young age. Roscoe survived by doing odd jobs and broke into Vaudeville as a singer and dancer.
In 1909, he appeared in his first movie, "Ben's Kid." In 1913, after marrying and touring the Far East , Arbuckle joined Mack Sennett's Keystone film company. He became immediately popular with his first Sennett film, "The Gangsters" (April, 1913). He was the first of the silent comedians to direct his own films, starting with "Barnyard Flirtations" (1914). He then made the "Fatty & Mabel" series of short films with Mabel Normand, Sennet's girlfriend.
Roscoe Arbuckle left Keystone at the end of 1916 to accept a contract with Joseph Schenck with an unprecedented level of artistic control. On a visit to New York he met Buster Keaton in New York and offered him a part in the film "The Butcher Boy." The two men became close friends, a friendship that was sustained for the rest of Arbuckle's life. Arbuckle's most highly regarded work was done for Schenck's Comique company. Films like "Coney Island," "Out West," "The Bellboy," "Goodnight Nurse!," "The Sheriff," "Love," "Back Stage," and "The Garage," were wildly popular at the time, and are still considered comedy classics. Arbuckle next switched to Paramount , which offered him a million dollar a year contract.
In September 1921, Arbuckle took a three-day vacation to San Francisco . During a small party in his hotel suite a young woman named Virginia Rappe fell ill with sharp stomach pains. A doctor was called. Four days later she died of a ruptured bladder. Arbuckle was arrested on September 11 and charged with manslaughter. The press printed sensational stories that Arbuckle had raped Rappe with a bottle. He was tried twice, resulting in hung juries both times. A third jury acquitted him, declaring that "a great injustice has been done him," but his career was ruined.
Arbuckle was blacklisted in Hollywood for the next eleven years. In 1925 he was allowed to direct films using a pseudonym, but was not offered an acting job again until 1932. He then completed six two-reel comedies for Warner Brothers and was offered a three-year contract. He died in his sleep the next night at the age of 46. Roscoe Arbuckle lived at 649 West Adams Blvd. , between Figueroa and Hoover . He had bought the house from Theda Bara in 1919 (see entry).


Green Growth Brands has no plans to stop its takeover bid for Canadian marijuana producer Aphria. Just days after the marijuana-derived beauty and wellness company announced it will sell its products at select DSW shoe stores nationwide, Green Growth CEO Peter Horvath said the company is dead set on getting a foothold in the Canadian market ー because in cannabis, consolidation is the new rule.
"Welcome to cannabis. It's all about acquisition, and M&A, and consolidation," Horvath told Cheddar on Monday. "Consolidation is imminent. Everyone's been talking about it for years in this industry, and we will be part of it."
Green Growth Brands ($GGB) is a Columbus, Ohio-based beauty and wellness brands company with big ambitions. The company looks to capitalize on its team's decades of experience with retail brands, like American Eagle Outfitters ($AEO), DSW ($DSW), and Victoria's Secret ($LB), to build consumer packaged goods cannabis brands. In November, the company went public on the CSE through a merger with Xanthic Biopharma.
Late last month, Green Growth began its pursuit of Aphria. Aphria rejected an initial $2.1 billion bid in late December, saying it undervalued the company, Bloomberg reported. But Horvath said the company isn't ready to give up on the Canadian market access and cultivation capabilities Aphria has to offer.
"We are getting ready to formally file our bid. We are looking for opportunities to connect with management, because obviously the best way to combine businesses and leverage the benefits both sides could bring is to have a friendly bid. But right now I think we are moving forward, so we'll see how it goes," Horvath said.
His comments come on the heels of news Green Growth will sell its CBD products in 96 DSW stores nationwide. The decision followed a successful test launch in 10 DSW shoe stores late last year.
Horvath attributed the initial deal to Green Growth's connections to DSW ー the Schottenstein family, which owns DSW, invested in Green Growth Brands, and Horvath previously served as president of the company. He acknowledged that the success of the the partnership appeared unlikely ーuntil the product started selling.
"Look, we are putting product that goes on your face and body in a shoe store ー doesn't make much sense. The reality is this product that we put in the store in the test ... it outperformed our expectations by three times," Horvath said. "I think both the management at DSW, as well as us, we wanted to jump on it and move fast. I'd say it's an accident that we're there, but it's going to be a happy accident."
Green Growth Brands would like to see its products expand beyond its initial 96-store DSW agreement. The company is also planning to disseminate its products to as many as 300 mall kiosks nationwide by the end of 2019.


How is Donald Trump portrayed in the news from 2016?
Once the news outlets were identified as a relevant medium with which the user informs itself, the focus of the research shifted to them. The aim of the analysis was to understand who the most relevant news providers were and how each one of them influenced the debate around climate change. The result is a bump chart where the top ten providers are ranked on a vertical scale, based on their relevance during the three years analyzed.
It's possible to note that all but the first two positions change through the years, with some providers appearing or disappearing costantly. Only four providers appear in all three rankings: The Guardian and New York Times, which occupy the first two positions; The Huffington Post and Los Angeles Times that vary their position through the years. Generally, the variation in the three ranks do not seem tied in any particular way to the presence of Donald Trump in the debate.
Regardless the number of articles remains somewhat constant during the three years, it's possible to notice that The Guardian, once taking a great lead on the other providers, in 2016 is not as relevant as before.
To have a much more global view of the research results, in the second visualization all articles scraped are shown, highlighting the articles from the most relevant providers. Each rectangle represents an article, and it's positioned as it was on the page of Google News during that week. Once an article appears in the highest position, it's not an indication of relevance per se. Through the relevance ranking, it was intention of the research to ponder both the total numbers of articles and its position on the page.
Once online news were chosen as focus, the research was done on Google News USA. Using the query "climate change", thanks to Webscraper.io, all articles appearing on the first page of Google News were scraped from 2014 to 2016. In order to make the process easier, the scrape was done at weekly intervals for three months each year, from September to November, for a total of 12 weeks a year, that corresponds to the peak range in 2016.
The tool allowed to gather titles and links from each article, that were then grouped based on the news provider, and positioned as they appeared on the Google page. These data is what the second visualization is based on. To create the provider ranking a relevance index was calculated, based on the provider's frequency and the article's position on Google News. With a maximum of 42 results each page, the first position on the page granted 52 points, while the last position granted 11 points, while not appearing on the list granted no points whatsoever. This allowed to create a difference between the last ranked of the week and the providers that didn't appear at all. These points were added, thanks to a Java script, and they constituted the ranking score that defined the ten most relevant providers of the years.
The first visualization is almost a 1:1 representation of the dataset. However, the main difference is that it's possible to explore it in a quicker way. Each column is one of the twelve weeks analyzed for each year, and the position is occupied by the provider.
The dataset used to draw the second visualization is the ranking score, ordered from highest to lowest and divided for each year.


The President of Romania Traian Băsescu will visit Yad Vashem tomorrow, January 20, 2014.
The President will visit the "I am my Brother's Keeper: 50 Years of Honoring Righteous Among the Nations" Exhibition as well as the Yad Vashem Synagogue, which displays Judaica from destroyed synagogues in Europe, including many pieces from Romania. He will then participate in a Memorial Ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visit the Children's Memorial and sign the Yad Vashem Guest Book. The President will have a working meeting with Avner Shalev, Chairman of Yad Vashem and the leadership of the International School for Holocaust Studies of Yad Vashem. At the beginning of the meeting the President will participate in the signing of a Declaration by representatives of the Romanian Government and Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev pledging Romania's commitment to effective Holocaust education, research and commemoration and to combating expressions of antisemitism, racism and xenophobia.