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August 23, 2018 September 2, 2018 by Chris Damian
Courage and Freud: The John Jay Report
In my first and second post, I discussed how many Catholics remain committed to dangerous neo-Freudian views of sexuality, including those Catholics who promote the organization Courage. None of what I'm saying here is meant to suggest that people who lead or participate in Courage are necessarily abusers. But I do believe that the structure and principles of Courage create conditions under which abuse, deception, and self-deception can thrive.
In 2011, a group of researchers at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice published an extensive study on clerical abuse of minors. The study, commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, discusses at length the conditions in which abuse occurs. It includes David Finkelhor's four-factor model of sexual offending. The model states:
"in order to sexually abuse, an individual must: (1) have motivation to sexually abuse; (2) overcome internal inhibitions; (3) overcome external factors that may act as inhibitors to the abuse; and (4) overcome the child's resistance to abuse."
Following this model, the report lists two primary ways to prevent abuse. First, we can identify those who have a motivation to sexually abuse. However, because the research shows that abusers are a heterogenous group, they can be difficult to identify before the abuse. So attempts to prevent abuse by identifying potential abusers have yet to be successful as a general matter.
Second, even if we cannot always identify motivated abusers, we can prevent opportunities for abuse. The report provides a few suggestions. For example, educating seminarians on how to handle or avoid stress, loneliness, and isolation can help to prevent situations that might trigger desires to form inappropriate relationships. We can also create situational factors to prevent abuse, such as (a) increasing the effort needed to abuse through education of the community, (b) increasing the risk of abuse identification through "zero-tolerance" policies and evaluations, and (c) removing "excuses" for abuse through education about appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.
Certainly, identifying abusers before they abuse can be extremely difficult, and no model has proven successful at such identification. But personal and social contexts can create greater or lesser opportunity for abuse. And for this reason I worry about Courage.
Take, for example, the adoption by Courage of the Twelve Step model used by Alcoholics Anonymous [1]. As part of the Twelve Step model, Courage invites its members to reflect every meeting on step one: "We admitted that we were powerless over our homosexuality, and our lives had become unmanageable." And then on step two: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
For those of you who have seen the TV show Scandal, consider the breakdown of Sally Langston after she commits murder. Realizing what has happened, she blames the murder on Satan, who she says overtook her in the moment. She doesn't really believe she did it at all. She spiritualizes the moment of the murder so as to remove her culpability, so that she can remain her righteous self even while condemning the murder (by condemning the actor in the murder, Satan).
One important thing to know about sexual abusers is that they are often highly intelligent and that they use "techniques of neutralization" to excuse and justify their behavior to themselves. I worry the adoption by Courage of the Twelve Step model can feed into these techniques, by creating that narrative of "powerlessness" before one's "homosexuality." And even while those in Courage may seek a "cure," they can say that their "failings" were simply their evil homosexuality and, in a way, not really themselves. They can thus fall into traps of self-delusion and cycles of promiscuity, or even abuse. [2]
Notice also how the language of powerlessness creates an opportunity for those in authority to take excessive control. The John Jay report lists the ways in which abusers use positions of power and authority to gain trust of victims (and their parents), and then create opportunities for abuse. Those who feel powerless often seek out others to provide security and a sense of identity, and abusers can take advantage of this. We have seen how the abusers during Boston's 2002 crisis identified kids from broken homes, and groomed them by providing social security and a sense of belonging in the Church. I worry that the Twelve-Step model implemented by Courage can also facilitate this.
Sharing secrets
In addition, the 2012 Courage Handbook promotes an environment in which leaders are told to ask participants to share personal information in a context separate from holistic relationships and fragmented from the rest of life. In "Dealing with Obstacles," which provides advice to leaders of Courage groups, the handbook writes about how it is important for members to share "deep secrets" with one another:
"If the member who is excessively quiet is too frightened and ashamed to admit same-sex difficulties before a group, she or he must be encouraged gently to say even a few words and gradually to share deep secrets and to feel absolute safety in so doing."
In other words, one of the goals of the Courage meetings is to get members (typically strangers with no relationships with each other outside the group and no known commonalities except sexual anxieties) to divulge their deepest secrets to each other. Anyone who spent the summer watching cult and crime documentaries (like me) will immediately be concerned by this language. When abusers do this, we call it grooming.
For those struggling to understand their sexualities, these meetings can be incredibly confusing. One friend who was a virgin when he first started attending a group shared with me that it was during these meetings that he learned where and how gay men had sex with strangers. He learned more about the ins and outs of same-sex sexual encounters in those meetings than he had learned anywhere else. And while he didn't know the other members particularly well, he knew all of their sexual activities on a regular basis. His primary knowledge of these members was their sexual activity. And while it may be freeing in one sense to finally be able to speak about these parts of one's life, the context should raise questions.
Likewise, I have had a few friends who had gone to the Courage-backed "Journey into Manhood" retreats, which claim to "heal homosexuality." Though most of these friends said that they found some healing in being able to speak out their experiences of sexuality for the first time, looking back some of the retreat's activities were bizarre and even troubling. And for some, the other men on the retreats became sexual partners afterwards.
"Core to the apostolate"
The handbook also stresses the ultimate value of the group meetings. Though it encourages one-on-one counseling, it says: "Nothing, however, can replace the group experience which has proven to be the single most important factor, under God, in achieving sexual sobriety and sanity." Though the handbook is interspersed with much advice that I found to be good and helpful, it is comments like these that make me pause. Clearly, this sort of mindset creates an environment conducive to secrecy, manipulation, and the handing over of one's critical capacities to "the apostolate." "The group" takes on ultimate value.
One can here make again the connection between priest-abusers and their victims. The abusers would often gain the secret confidence of their victims, eventually gaining access to their deepest secrets, and then use this knowledge to exercise control and dominance over them. And because the children could not speak about these issues of sexuality with others out of fear and shame, the abusers could take advantage of their silence as well.
Intellectualizations
The group meetings, which Courage calls "core to the apostolate," do not encourage environments where critical capacities could be used. Rather, meetings are encouraged to follow a format in which members each go around the circle spending a few minutes sharing their secret struggles "with same-sex attraction." The handbook states: "We only listen. If anyone is to interact with the person speaking, it has to be the leader. This is for the purpose of keeping the meeting running smoothly." Critical response is especially looked down upon:
"Intellectualizations are discouraged since they are usually mechanisms (even unconsciously) to keep from confronting oneself." [3]
Now, I must admit that I write this as someone who has lived with varying degrees of self-deception, and I have certainly used intellectualizations to keep from confronting myself. I do struggle at times to understand myself and to live with the openness, honesty, and integration to which my faith aspires. But even granting all this, it would be a great negligence for me to simply turn off my reasoning faculties in order to blindly conform to the expectations of others in a context where I'm sharing my deepest and darkest secrets.
Again, I should say that none of the above is meant to accuse anyone specifically of abuse. But for those who may have a motivation to abuse, we might return to the three remaining factors for Finkelhor's model of sexual offending: overcoming internal inhibitions, overcoming external factors, and overcoming the victim's resistance. The internal inhibitions can be overcome by giving oneself the excuse of "powerlessness." External factors are overcome, such as the support of social structures, because the relationships in Courage are cultivated in a context of secrecy (meetings are expected to have "strict confidentiality," with an "analogy to the seal of Confession," as the handbook puts it) and in isolation from the rest of life. And the victim's resistance can be overcome through the grooming technique of gaining trust and bearing the deepest and darkest (and often most shameful) secrets.
I suspect that the founder of Courage, Fr. Harvey, would view this situation differently. Certainly current leadership do. But for those willing to look at the organization critically, I wonder if any of the above might be connected to Fr. Harvey's views on clergy abuse. He held the view that clergy sexual misbehavior was psychologically curable and could be spiritually remedied through prayer, a common assumption in the Church prior to 1984. Many do not recall that in the 1990's Fr. Harvey was an active figure in advising bishops on the rehabilitation of abuser-priests. It is quite possible that he transferred his "expertise" in clergy reorientation and rehabilitation into his ministry for those with same-sex attraction. However well intentioned he may have been in that former work, he was terribly, terribly wrong. [4]
In Monday's post I will explore why, even given the above, so many Catholic leaders remain committed to Courage and its underlying anthropology.
More in this series on Courage and Freud:
Are homosexuals just lesser men?
You can't refute Freud
The John Jay Report
Why is Catholicism committed to a FreudIan ministry for homosexuals?
[1] Though I believe the twelve-step model is extremely problematic for cultivating a healthy sexuality, I don't at all want to deny that it can be very effective for those struggling with alcohol addition. I have friends who have benefited tremendously from the Twelve Step program. I believe, however, that such a model is inappropriate for most people responding to homosexuality.
[2] Consider also what the John Jay Report has to say on "excuses" and "denials of Responsibility" for the abuse of minors:
"Priest-abusers are similar to non clergy abusers in their cognitive distortions regarding abusive behavior. It was common for priests to proclaim that they were not responsible for their actions, but rather their 'sick self' was. This force beyond their control allowed them to deny full responsibility for their behavior, similar to legal claims of diminished capacity. Commonly, they used excuses of alcohol and/or drugs or the sickness of addiction associated with these substances.
Some accused priests relied on clinical or psychological explanations for their deviant behavior. A common excuse was sexual immaturity. The priests alluded to what they had lost (their active ministry), rather than recognizing the harm done to the accuser. In this explanation, they also showed a lack of victim empathy. In addition to sexual immaturity, they also expressed emotional immaturity. The priests talked about seeking excessive emotional closeness with parishioners generally… and they also explained that their emotional needs were not met by peer priests. Other priests explained that abuse is really no one person's fault, because it is either a disease of the mind, a misunderstanding about what is appropriate, or the result of retarded psychosexual development."
[3] To be sure, "intellectualizations" are discouraged because the primary purpose of the meetings is to share personal experiences and to open up about one's "deep secrets," as discussed above. Intellectual arguments are simply out of the "scope" of the meetings' purpose. However, I am deeply skeptical of meetings where one of the supposed purposes is to come to a deep self-knowledge, while at the same time it discourages intellectual questions. And even if such questions are not raised at the meetings, the handbook does not propose intellectual formation as something to be prioritized, except when a "leader" is giving a presentation to the members (who, presumably, are primarily doing intake, rather than questioning or exploring). Thus, Courage has no external intellectual accountability other than from those it deems suitable for leadership.
[4] It is interesting to note that one of the three sponsors of the Courage conference, "Living the Truth in Love," is the Napa Institute. The Institute was recently criticized for featuring Archbishop Neinstedt as a panelist on a discussion of the family, hiring him to edit publication proceedings, and providing him a place in which to continue public ministry after his high profile scandal-fueled resignation from being a bishop after allegations of sexual impropriety with other priests and seminarians.
Also see this piece from 2015 by Richard Fitzgibbons, a psychologist relied upon in a large amount of Courage literature. In the article, Fitzgibbons references a "prevalence of false accusations" of abuse against priests and questions the memory of accusers in general, asserting that false memories arise from poor parental relationships. He also questions the credibility of accusers who wish to remain anonymous and insists on a "responsibility" to prove that accusations are not false before we can take action (such as a break from ministry, even if temporary). I should say that I believe some of his recommendations are reasonable and may be helpful. But, as with Fr. Harvey, one should question the dispositions and anthropologies that underly Dr. Fitzgibbon's views of clerical abuse (which are seriously flawed in this area) and how they might also manifest themselves in his views on homosexuality.
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My eyes are bugging out after reading that article by Fr. Harvey. I'm amazed Crisis hasn't scrubbed it. I mean, this guy says 55 priests were returned to ministry after molesting children, 32 of them didn't molest again (meaning 23 did) and calls it a *success*!
Meanwhile I was recently in a Catholic group, and people were calling me to be booted because I said Courage wasn't so great. They shouldn't have this status as "the Catholic way to be gay"!
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GSWarrior Vandals cut an AT&T fiber-optic cable in San Jose early this morning, knocking out landline and cellular phone service and the Internet to thousands of residential customers and businesses in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, authorities said. Police used yellow tape to cordon off the area, which is near railroad tracks, as investigators and phone company workers descended into an underground vault where the cable is located. The outage is affecting 911 service, meaning people who have an emergency will have to get to a police or fire station or hospital on their own if they need help. View Replies To: GSWarrior someone stole the copper and stuff from a hotel being renovated into apartments in Dallas the other day. It also got flooded apparently, they took the pipes while the water was on? View Replies To: GSWarrior Nothing to the actual optical signal as long as the line is in tact. However, regen (signal regeneration) and all other electronics would fry due to the EMP (electromagnetic pulse). Because regens are usually 35-45 miles apart for long distance fiber optics, a single atmo popped nuke wouldn't affect those regens if in the center of the fiber optic span. View Replies To: martin_fierro Land lines and internet seem to be okay here in Aptos. I would gladly contribute to a reward to see these low lifes prosecuted to the max. View Replies To: Abathar We need to make a law that keeps the price of copper low so these things don't happen. We accidently cut a phone cable and they wanted to charge us a couple thousand dollars a minute that it was down but they had their cable on our private property and it was supposed to be and documented to be in the right of way and it was too shallow, to boot. View Replies To: GSWarrior What would a nuclear device exploded in the atmosphere do? Read "One Second After" by Newt's buddy William R Forstchen. It's terribly written but has the general description of the aftermath of such an event. View Replies To: tiki I once cut off phone service to over 100,000 by cutting a major underground phone line. I was putting in anchors for overhead cable lines and ran one though the line. The location was correct for what was on the map I was contracted to work from. View Replies To: tiki They laid mine down in the same trench when they ran my power line along my driveway (3/4 mile). Last summer a bolt of lightning hit the ground directly over where they laid it. The power line was protected and blew the fuses on the transformer box, so that was fine, but the phone line took a direct hit through 2' of dirt and melted the line along the entire length of buried cable. They sent a trencher team out to replace it and they only went about 6" deep. I know it's only a matter of time before I hit the stupid thing. Like every horror movie, you cut the phone lines before you go into the house and start terrorizing the inhabitants. There's Muslims and/or Mexicans and/or Obrown Shirts behind this. They are seeing how widespread the communication disruption is, and how long it takes to be brought back online. View Replies To: EggsAckley I just heard on local radio that they've found a manhole cover moved and inside is one of the cables, cut. It sounds like the good old boys at the local had to many beers and went out doing some contract negotiations of their own. This is a great opportunity and example to illustrate the proposed "Card check" legislation to eliminate the workers' right to secret-ballot voting for union representation would only protect and propagate this criminal thuggery into all industry nationwide. View Replies To: NY Attitude Keep saying to yourself "it was an isolated incident" and not a "terrorist probe" of our communication system. I keep telling myself, intentionally harming the telecommunications infrastructure is a federal crime. View Replies Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Q: Keystorne authentication I'm want use as a external storage the Openstack swift on Owncloud, but I don't know if I it is right. So, please, tell me: Could I use the Openstack Swift + Keystone auth method on Owncloud? I'm using Windows Server.

A: If, what you are trying to do is use the same authentication you already have in place for owncloud and have it work for swift, you should be able to create a keystone plugin to handle the authentication.
https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/ClientAuthenticationPlugin.
If you wrote a plugin so that keystone authentication was effectively delegated to the owncloud authentication then accessing swift could be based on the same credentials.
If what you mean is, you want owncloud to provide swift api to an open stack cloud, that would require something different.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Joint Statement on the Value of Liberal Education by AAC&U and AAUP
It is a curious time in when we must regularly re-articulate and defend the core principles of liberal education, which are both the bedrock of American higher education and the Republic itself.
In his introduction to the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton wrote:
An over-scrupulous jealousy of danger to the rights of the people, which is more commonly the fault of the head than of the heart, will be represented as mere pretense and artifice, the stale bait for popularity at the expense of the public good. It will be forgotten, on the one hand, that jealousy is the usual concomitant of love, and that the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust. On the other hand, it will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.
Hamilton acknowledged that well-informed judgement was the very heart of effective governance and a functional democratic society, and this capacity is the aim of liberal education.
The Association of American Colleges & Universities, our principal national organization advancing liberal education, and the American Association of University Professors, the national organization dedicated to the preservation of academic freedom and best practices for the professoriate, issued a joint statement on the value of liberal education that clearly articulates the value and importance of the work that we do at Susquehanna and our sister institutions across the nation.
Association of American Colleges & Universities
A Voice and a Force for Liberal Education
In recent years, the disciplines of the liberal arts, once universally regarded as central to the intellectual life of the university, have been steadily moved to the periphery and increasingly threatened—by some administrators, elected officials, journalists, and parents of college-age children. The study of the history of human societies and forms of human expression is now too often construed as frivolous, and several colleges and universities have recently announced the wholesale elimination of liberal arts departments. Politicians have proposed linking tuition to the alleged market value of given majors. Students majoring in literature, art, philosophy, and history are routinely considered unemployable in the technology and information economy, despite the fact that employers in that economy strenuously argue that liberal arts majors make great tech-sector workers precisely because they are trained to think critically and creatively, and to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
The American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges and Universities are not disciplinary organizations, but we believe that institutions of higher education, if they are truly to serve as institutions of higher education, should provide more than narrow vocational training and should seek to enhance students' capacities for lifelong learning. This is as true of open-access institutions as it is of highly selective elite colleges and universities. The disciplines of the liberal arts—and the overall benefit of a liberal education--are exemplary in this regard, for they foster intellectual curiosity about questions that will never be definitively settled—questions about justice, about community, about politics and culture, about difference in every sense of the word. All college students and not solely a privileged few should have opportunities to address such questions as a critical part of their educational experience. And the disciplines of the liberal arts are central to the ideal of academic freedom, as well, because the liberal arts, by their nature, require free rein to pursue truth wherever it may lead. As a result, they provide an intellectual bulwark for academic freedom.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I drew this little Zelda-themed landscape/timeline for a special edition of GamesMaster celebrating the series' 25th birthday. It's a really lovely looking mag, all-in-all (even if they somehow managed to print my illustration at the wrong dimensions, thus squishing it) with some fine words written by my fine friend +Rich Stanton. AND it comes with a free mouse mat.
When I say free, I of course mean "free", by which I mean "included in the price of the magazine".


Idioms! – Reaching the top layer in the learning process.
We are all aware that a sound knowledge of grammar and vocabulary alone is not enough to guarantee fluency and effective conversation in any language. With that in mind, the comments made by the "average" student below may sound familiar for those teachers who have been "on the road" for some time.
Does the complaint above ring a bell? I bet it does. Our students complain that something is missing, and no doubt something is surely missing! When it comes to languages it is never enough to just know the basics. I mean, you may feel comfortable with the meaning of "enjoy something greatly" but what about the idiomatic "get a kick out of" which you are very likely to hear in colloquial everyday dialogues?
Along with slang, pronunciation matters and learners´ specific difficulties, idioms may be accountable for a great part of this so-called "void".
That´s right! Idioms, the good and old idiomatic expressions!
Our students may perhaps understand very well when they hear that someone is "nervous and easily upset " but may not be familiar with the idiom "on edge" which conveys the same idea. They will understand clearly when they are told that "someone is not drinking any alcohol anymore" but may not have a clue as to what the expression "on the wagon" means. They sure know what it means "to experience criticism or punishment for something you have done", but may feel intimidated by the idiom "face the music".
I like to think that the learning process of languages is made up of "layers": the foundation layer , where all the basics come in, the middle layer where language is further developed, consolidated and recycled, and of course, the top layer, where all the "refinements" take place and where idioms mostly, but not exclusively, belong.
Idioms are bright, versatile and often bring "life" into speech. They are used to add style, set the mood (try telling someone you need "to get something off your chest " …) and make an impact on listeners. In short, they are a crucial cog in the wheel of any language and that is the very reason why they are so very often chosen by native speakers over "ordinary language".
I can already hear you asking for some more examples, so to make use of still another idiom, why not "cut to the chase" and finish off this article with the delightful idiom table below? Surely it is just a tiny sample (or, for idiomatic purposes, "a drop in the bucket") compared to the amount of idioms existing in the English language, but hopefully it will be inspiring enough to remind you of the important role they play.


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How old is Michael H. Jordan?
Michael H. Jordan was born on June 13, 1936 and died on May 25, 2010. Michael H. Jordan would have been 73 years old at the time of death or 79 years old today.
J's study guide
What is the name of Steve on minecraft's name
Q: How old is Michael H. Jordan?
How old was Michael H. Jordan at death?
Michael H. Jordan died on May 25, 2010 at the age of 73.
What is Michael H. Jordan's birthday?
Michael H. Jordan was born on June 13, 1936.
When was Michael H. Jordan born?
Where was Michael H. Jordan born?
Michael H. Jordan was born in Kansas City, Missouri in the United States.
When did Michael H. Jordan die?
How old was Jordan when drafted to nba?
Michael Jordan was 21
How tall was Michael Jordan when he was 16 year old?
michael jordan at 16 was about 6'3 - 6'4
How old was michael jordan when he got drafted into the NBA?
Michael Jordan was 21 when he was drafted into the NBA.
How old is Michael Michael Jordan right now?
How Old Was Michael Jordan When Started Pro - Basketball?
Michael Jordan's played his first NBA game when he was 21 years old.
How much is a 1965 Michael Jordan college card worth?
Michael Jordan was 2 years old.
How old was Michael Jordan when he first dunked?
Michael Jordan was in the 9th grade when he first dunked. He was 5'8".
Why did Michael Jordan quit Baseketball?
to old
How old was Michael Jordan dunked?
How old was Michael Jordan when he was drafted?
How old was Michael Jordan in 2006?
Why did michael jordan retired?
he's old
How old is Michael Jordan's wife?
How old is michal Jordan this year in 2009?
Michael Jeffery Jordan is 46 Years old
How old is Michael Jordan in 2009?
he is 46 years old
How old is Michael B. Jordan?
US actor Michael B. Jordan is 30 years old (birthdate February 9, 1987).
Michael Jordan was born on February 13, 1963. He turned 21 in 1984.
How old was Michael Jordan when he played in the NBA?
How old was Michael Jordan when his dad died?
How old was Michael Jordan when he was drafted into the NBA?
Created By jkw8886
Created By Bridgette Sipes
Created By Reed Keeling
Created By Jedediah Rutherford


text:
function AgentManager(gameManager) {
    this.gameManager = gameManager;
    this.agent = new Agent();
    this.moveCount = 0;
};

AgentManager.prototype.selectMove = function () {
    // 0: up, 1: right, 2: down, 3: left
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    //    if (!this.gameManager.move(this.agent.selectMove(this.gameManager))) console.log("bad move");

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        setTimeout(this.gameManager.restart.bind(this.gameManager), 1000);
    } else { // game ongoing
        if (this.gameManager.won && !this.gameManager.keepPlaying) {
            this.gameManager.keepplaying();
            this.selectMove();
            console.log("Game Won!");
        }
        else {
            var move = this.agent.selectMove(this.gameManager);
            if (!this.gameManager.move(move)) console.log("bad move " + move);
            else this.moveCount++;
        }
    }
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
2017 New York Toy Fair: Bridging Programming with Physical Products
Kathy Ceceri
Kathy's latest books for Maker Media include Fabric and Fiber Inventions, Musical Inventions, and Edible Inventions. She is also the author of Paper Inventions, Making Simple Robots, and other books full of STEAM activities for kids and other beginners. When she's not busy writing, Kathy presents workshops for students and educators at schools, museums, libraries, and makerspaces throughout the Northeast. Visit her at Crafts for Learning.
View more articles by Kathy Ceceri
By Kathy Ceceri
March 2, 2017, 6:00 am PDT
This year's Toy Fair in New York featured several products I thought of as "programming plus" — toys that were screen-based but tied to components in the physical world. Here is a sampling:
There's not as much building involved in the new Mover Kit from Technology Will Save Us as in some of their other kits — the electronic boards just snap together, no soldering required. But once it's put together, the real creation starts. The Mover consists of a microcontroller board and another board that snaps on top with eight RGB LEDs, an accelerometer (motion sensor) and magnetometer (compass). The boards fit into a watch-like case that can be worn on the included snap wristband or lanyard.
What makes the Mover Kit so enticing is the software that comes with it. By plugging the Mover into their computer, kids can program their own apps to trigger different lights for different kinds of movement. One example invented by a child tester: a toothbrushing app that shows a particular color sequence after the Mover senses a tooth-brushing motion for the specified number of minutes. The Mover can be used to design active games like obstacle courses, or set goals like a FitBit. But the possibilities really are endless — Iron Man Arc Reactor, flashing bike light, light saber. The Mover Kit costs about $75 at the Technology Will Save Us website.
SAM Labs has been around for a few years, but this was my first encounter with their Bluetooth-enabled electronic blocks. And judging by their Curious Cars kit, I was quite impressed. The SAM blocks look somewhat like littleBits — each switch, sensor, LED, or motor resides on its own little module. But instead of building circuits by snapping them together, the blocks (which are housed in sturdy-looking casings) each connect wirelessly to one of the SAM apps. Building circuits is then a matter of drag-and-dropping icons into position. Software blocks let you create logic gates or connect to social media. All kinds of motorized toys, room alarms, or even smart wearables can be assembled by attaching the blocks to creations made of ordinary crafts materials. It's a quick-and-easy way for kids to build their own IoT toys, responsive to the environment and to their commands. SAM kits start at about $140, with individual blocks starting around $30.
Many of the "programming plus" offerings were specifically designed to integrate with a toy most kids already own — Lego bricks. MeeperBOT is a Bluetooth-enabled robotic car base with a Lego-compatible top, wheels, and axles that lets you build up and around the vehicle to make demolition derby cars and other fun designs. The companion app has a virtual joystick control mode that lets you drive the MeeperBOT around the room. But there's also a drag-and-drop programming language so kids can write routines to control their bots. The Java code that underpins the command blocks is displayed on the screen as well, to give kids a peek into how computer programming works. MeeperBOT is aimed at ages 5-12, so it's a great way to enhance the Lego experience for kids who are just getting into brick building. The basic vehicle runs about $55.
The IdentiToy clear plastic toy brick baseplate sits atop any tablet. Children build their own Lego vehicles or characters, and then bring them to life using the IdentiToy app. The app lets you design an animated background for your Lego creations. You can even add sound and special effects — flames shooting out of your Lego rocket, or waves behind your Lego boat. The app is free, and the baseplate (about $10) gives you a place to build around your scene. On the IdentiToy website, it appears that the baseplate is the first part of an interactive system that the company is working on, with modules that can be recognized by the app and integrated into the scene. No word on when those will be available.


text:
UK public bombarded by media blitz that Russia swayed Brexit — ambassador
Under the British government's plan, Brexit is to be implemented no later than March 2019
© AP Photo/Matt Dunham
LONDON, October 25. /TASS/. British society is being persuaded that Russia influenced the outcome of the referendum on the country's walkout from the European Union (Brexit), Russia's ambassador to Britain Aleksandr Yakovenko said in news release obtained by the TASS office in London.
"The British public mind is being insistently persuaded that Russia was behind the outcome of the Brexit referendum. We believe that such statements are insulting for the British political leadership and for the British people. The idea of the referendum emerged not in Russia. It was a key election pledge of Prime Minister David Cameron (2010-2016) in 2015 and in making it he hardly bore Russia in mind. British citizens eventually used their legal right, so blaming it on Russian intervention is at least inappropriate," Yakovenko said.
Brexit might affect financial stability of Europe — Russia's Central Bank
European Parliament agrees on conditions for approving Brexit
Moscow considers Brexit UK's internal affair
Theresa May triggers Brexit process
4 more materials
"Now that negotiations over the terms on which the United Kingdom will leave the European Union have become London's main foreign policy challenge some wish to blame all problems on a third party, in this particular case, Russia," Yakovenko's statement runs. "We strongly reject this. Russia does not intervene in the affairs of other states. It is a basic principle of Russia's foreign policy. I am asking the unscrupulous politicians and journalists to stop dictating a fake agenda or try to resolve their own problems at our expense," the ambassador said.
According to Tuesday's reports the chairman of the House of Commons committee on culture, mass media, sports and digital technologies, Damian Collins, dispatched a query addressed to the founder of the social network Facebook Mark Zuckerberg asking for information about any financial activity of Russia-related accounts during the 2016 referendum on the expediency of Britain's further EU membership and during last June's parliamentary elections. In particular, the British legislator is interested in examples of advertisements financed from Russian accounts, the amount of money spent on them and user demand.
Britain's referendum on exit from the European Union took place on June 23, 2016. The opponents of European integration attained victory by a 51.9% majority vote. Under the British government's plan Brexit is to be implemented no later than March 2019.


text:
Uptown's Vanessa Tyler Is Eating Harlem
NYDailyNews reports that Emmy Award-winning news anchor Vanessa Tyler will let the klieg lights shine on her native neighborhood, as host of a new TV show called "What's Eating Harlem."
"I have a very soft spot in my heart for Harlem," said Tyler, who grew up in the Grant Houses, one of the area's public housing complexes, before her big break on WPIX-TV's evening news.
The 26-week series, produced by fellow Harlemite Paul Phillips, debuts Thursday at 10 p.m. on NYC Life, a city-owned TV station.
It showcases the latest trends in Harlem food, arts and entertainment, while featuring local artists, entrepreneurs and highlighting the history makers of the area.
"The stories are so rich, and the people have such great backgrounds," said Tyler, who is now a New Jersey resident and freelance FiOS 1 news anchor.
"People don't know who their neighbors are."
The Uptown neighborhood — now ripe with development, luxury condos, restaurants and brownstones — used to be marred in poverty and crime.
Phillips, 55, a full-time producer, doesn't want Harlem's history to get lost in its renaissance.
"Because of all of the changes, we wanted to show it still has the same flavor," he said.
Phillips, who began working on the series three years ago, was filming in March when Tyler, a former colleague, saw a version of the program online and reached out to him.
It's a nice change of pace for Tyler, who earned her accolades reporting hard news.
The journalist, won an Emmy in 2006 for her powerful "One Tragic Hit" piece about heroin overdoses amongst youngsters.
"I hope people will look at and love the show and appreciate the people," Tyler said.
"That's what makes Harlem Harlem — the people."


text:
Nevada Women's History Project Store Facebook
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Celebrating 100 Years of Suffrage in Nevada
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Sadie Dotson Hurst
Photo: Nevada Historical Society, Reno, NV, Out West magazine
Born and raised in Iowa, Sadie Dotson Hurst married Horton Hurst, gave birth to two sons, lost her husband, and moved with her sons to Nevada in the early 1900s. She became a busy "clubwoman" and served as president of the Washoe County Equal Franchise Society in 1914. In April 1916, the Sparks Tribune refers to a meeting held at the home of Sadie D. Hurst, president of the Women's Citizen Club. It was an informal meeting with Miss Elizabeth Hauser and Miss Walker who were representing Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the National Women's Suffrage Association. They spoke on non-partisan methods of the National Society and on the great progress of equal suffrage throughout the world.
Mrs. Hurst decided to run for the Nevada Assembly as a Washoe County candidate in the 1918 elections. She was endorsed by the Club Women of Reno. The press wrote little about Mrs. Hurst, nor did she campaign very much. On Election Day, 1918, Mrs. Sadie D. Hurst became the first female legislator in Nevada.
On January 23, 1919, Mrs. Hurst introduced AJ/CR 2 which was the resolution amending the Constitution of the United States, granting the right of suffrage to women. The resolution was adopted. Not much was written after the session about Mrs. Hurst until the Special Session which was called in February of 1920 to ratify the Federal Suffrage Amendment. Because Mrs. Hurst was the only woman representative in the legislature, Speaker Fitzgerald asked her to preside over the Assembly during the passage of the resolution. It passed the Assembly 25 to 1.
A pioneer in politics, Sadie Hurst paved the way for women to run for office in Nevada. Losing her bid for reelection, Mrs. Hurst moved to California with her family in 1922. She died in Pasadena at age 94.
Written by Tammy McMenomy; condensed by Kay Sanders.
Read more about Sadie Dotson Hurst on the NWHP website.
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Suffrage In Nevada
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Jacksonville Beach, Fla. – On March 2, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recognized Beaches Energy Services with a Restoring Communities Award for its efforts to quickly and safely restore power to Florida communities following Hurricane Michael. The awards, sponsored by ENCO Utility Services, were presented at the 19th Annual Florida Lineman Competition in Gainesville.
Recipients were honored for their work to restore power within their communities and for sending aid to their fellow public power communities. Utilities were awarded based on restoration times, customer communications efforts and the levels of mutual aid provided.
"We are proud to sponsor this award to recognize the utility men and women who respond to emergencies and work tirelessly to restore service even when it means working through very extreme weather conditions at all hours of the day and night," said Ruby M. Irigoyen, Senior Vice President of ENCO Customer Services, ENCO Utility Services.
Hurricane Michael, the strongest hurricane to ever hit the Panhandle region, caused widespread and significant damage to the power systems of five Florida public power communities – Tallahassee, Havana, Quincy, Chattahoochee and Blountstown. Tallahassee had more than 113,000, or 95 percent, of its customers out and lost nearly 60 percent of its transmission. Havana, Quincy, Chattahoochee and Blountstown were left 100 percent in the dark. Beaches Energy assisted in restoring power to the Town of Havana and the Cities of Quincy and Chatahoochee.
Several days before Hurricane Michael made landfall, FMEA activated the American Public Power Association mutual aid network and put out a long-range call for mutual aid assistance. More than 600 power restoration personnel from 16 states, including Florida, and more than 80 utilities came to help restore power and rebuild the electric grid in the affected communities.
About FMEA: The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida's residential and business consumers.


It was pitch dark when four insurgents were captured in this town of 3,000 nestled along the Euphrates River in Iraq's Al Anbar Province.
With the prisoners secured and on their way to a detention facility; Iraqi soldiers celebrated the achievement with stoic professionalism.
They're proud of the fact more insurgents are off the streets of this small town, and that they captured the bandits without the assistance of the U.S. Marines – which has been an uncommon occurrence in the few years since the end of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.
A Marine sat on a collapsible metal chair with several other warriors seated around him and stared at four sets of dog tags, combat boots, rifles and Kevlar helmets.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he slowly let his head drop into his hands. The tears fell, splashing the concrete floor.
This Marine is one of hundreds from the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment who are still mourning the loss of Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer, who was killed two weeks ago in an explosion from an improvised explosive device.
IEDs– roadside bombs used by insurgents in Iraq to target Coalition and Iraqi Forces – are the number one killer of U.S. troops in Iraq, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count – an organization which tallies U.S. and coalition casualties based off Department of Defense press releases.
In a solemn ceremony at the Marines forward operating base here April 30, the Marines honored four more of their own killed recently during combat operations in Al Anbar Province. Among the deceased are: Sgt. Edward G. Davis, 31, of Waukegan, Ill.; Sgt Lea R. Mills, 21, of Brooksville, Fla.; and Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy, 25, of Cochranville, Pa.; who were killed April 28, 2006, when their vehicle struck and IED.
Cpl. Eric R. Lueken, 23, of Jasper, Ind., was also killed by an IED April 22, 2006.
Since their arrival in the Al Anbar Province nearly two months ago, Marines here say Iraqi Security Forces are progressing toward relieving Coalition Forces and stabilizing the region.
in this rural region along the Euphrates River valley, the transition from U.S.-led to Iraqi-led military operations is well on its way, according to one U.S. Marine who has spent nearly two months mentoring Iraqi soldiers in this region.
But the atmosphere in this portion of western Al Anbar Province has changed since Saddam Hussein was removed from office in 2003.
instead of daily fire fights against an armed, known enemy, similar to what Coalition Forces experienced during the push to Baghdad three years ago, U.S. Marines here are focusing on showing Iraqi soldiers and police how to spearhead security operations on their own.
"The progress I have seen the Iraqi Army make in the last few months makes me confident we can withdraw Coalition Forces from the area in the next six to eight months," said Lt. Col. Owen Lovejoy, the senior advisor for the Military Transition Team, which supports and advises the Iraqi Army unit stationed here.


text:
Q: easy question about conditional expectations I got a quite easy exercise I just don't get.
Let P be a probability measure, $\frac{dQ}{dP}=Z$, $Z>0$ a.s. and $E[Z]=1$, hence Q is an equivalent proba-measure to P. Then I shall prove that for a sub-sigma field G we have:
$E_{Q}[X|G](\omega)=\frac{E_{P}[XZ|G](\omega)}{E_{P}[Z|G](\omega)}=:h(\omega)$, what seems easy as pie, but when using the definition, I need to show that $E[X(\omega)*\mathbb{1}_A(\omega)]=E[h(\omega)*\mathbb{1}_A(\omega)]$ for all $A\in G$ what makes me confused. these double integrals and the fraction of integrals...
Thx for you help!!

A: Let $A\in G$. We have
\begin{align*}
  \int_A \frac{E_P[XZ\mid G]}{E_P[Z\mid G]}\, dQ &= \int_A \frac{E_P[XZ \mid G]}{E_P[Z\mid G]}\,Z \, dP\\
  &= \int_A E_P\left[\frac{E_P[XZ \mid G]}{E_P[Z\mid G]}\,Z\Biggm | G \right]\, dP\\
  &= \int_A \frac{E_P[XZ \mid G]}{E_P[Z\mid G]}\,E_P[Z\mid G] \, dP & \text{the fraction is $G$-measurable}\\
  &= \int_A E_P[XZ\mid G]\,dP\\
  &= \int_A XZ\, dP\\
  &= \int_A X\, dQ.
\end{align*}
Hence
$$ E_Q[X \mid G] = \frac{E_P[XZ\mid G]}{E_P[Z\mid G]} $$
as wished.


text:
Q: How to create a Radial Dial menu in a Website? I am trying to create a Radial Dial type menu, similar to the picture here (the highlighted top section should be on hover):

Googling about radial menu or radial dial menu doesn't result to anything similar to this.
I am currently using Elementor pro with WordPress. So I can add custom HTML/CSS/JavaScript as well if required.
I was thinking of creating 3-4 buttons and then somehow try to transform them into a semi circle and then position them together. However that creates a lot of manual effort of resizing everything if a menu items is added/removed. Also, it will be a nightmare to make the website responsive.

A: You could use SVG for your radial buttons, with a little js to handle the onclicks.
I created this svg code from adobe illustrator, but you may be able to find online svg code generators if you don't have adobe illustrator.
See example below with css hovers using ids on PATHs... you can use classes and other html attributes to get your desired result...

PATH {
  fill: gray;
  stroke: #000;
  stroke-miterlimit: 10;
}

PATH:hover {
  cursor: pointer;
}

PATH#option_a:hover {
  fill: red;
}

PATH#option_b:hover {
  fill: green;
}

PATH#option_c:hover {
  fill: blue;
}
<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1200 1200">
  <path id="option_a" d="M600.5,104.1c-276.1,0-500,223.9-500,500h100c0-220.9,179.1-400,400-400s400,179.1,400,400h100c0-276.1-223.9-500-500-500Z"/>
  <path id="option_b" d="M600.5,1004.1v100c276.1,0,500-223.9,500-500h-100c0,220.9-179.1,400-400,400Z"/>
  <path id="option_c" d="M200.5,604.1H100.5c0,276.1,223.9,500,500,500v-100c-220.9,0-400-179.1-400-400Z"/>
</svg>

Answer to your comment, yeah sure so many things are possible with SVG. Though I am not guna lie, having Adobe Illustrator as tool makes SVG design a lot easier!
So I added arrows to my original SVG code (using Adobe Illustrator), and then created new SVG file code including arrows. From this new SVG code I took the d attribute from my paths and added them to my original SVG paths as a data-d attribute...
Then using a little jQuery, on path hover, I switch the current  d attribute with my data-d attribute...

// on ready
$(function() {

  // on any segment mouse enter path
  $('.segment').on('mouseenter', function(e) {

    // temporally store hover-state data-d attribute coordinates
    let d = $(this).attr('data-d');

    // override data-d attribute value with original d attribute coordinates
    $(this).attr('data-d', $(this).attr('d'));

    // set d attribute with temporally stored hover-state coordinates
    $(this).attr('d', d);

  // on any segment mouse leave path
  }).on('mouseleave', function(e) {

    // temporally store original-state data-d attribute coordinates
    let d = $(this).attr('data-d');

    // override data-d attribute value with hover-state d attribute coordinates
    $(this).attr('data-d', $(this).attr('d'));

    // set d attribute with temporally stored original-state coordinates
    $(this).attr('d', d);

  });

});
SVG {
  display: block;
  width: 300px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

PATH {
  fill: gray;
  stroke: #000;
  stroke-miterlimit: 10;
}

PATH:hover {
  cursor: crosshair;
}

PATH#segment_r:hover {
  fill: red;
}

PATH#segment_g:hover {
  fill: green;
}

PATH#segment_b:hover {
  fill: blue;
}
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1200 1200">
  <path
    class="segment"
    id="segment_r"
    d="M600.5,104.1c-276.1,0-500,223.9-500,500h100c0-220.9,179.1-400,400-400s400,179.1,400,400h100c0-276.1-223.9-500-500-500Z"
    data-d="M630.4,105l-29.9-29.9L570.6,105c-262.2,15.5-470.1,233-470.1,499.1h100c0-220.9,179.1-400,400-400
    s400,179.1,400,400h100C1100.5,338,892.6,120.4,630.4,105z"
  />
  <path
    class="segment"
    id="segment_g"
    d="M600.5,1004.1v100c276.1,0,500-223.9,500-500h-100c0,220.9-179.1,400-400,400Z"
    data-d="M974.6,935.9c78.4-88.3,125.9-204.5,125.9-331.8h-100c0,220.9-179.1,400-400,400v100
    c127.3,0,243.5-47.6,331.8-125.9h42.3V935.9z"
  />
  <path
    class="segment"
    id="segment_b"
    d="M200.5,604.1H100.5c0,276.1,223.9,500,500,500v-100c-220.9,0-400-179.1-400-400Z"
    data-d="M600.5,1004.1c-220.9,0-400-179.1-400-400h-100c0,127.3,47.6,243.5,125.9,331.8v42.3h42.3
    c88.3,78.4,204.5,125.9,331.8,125.9V1004.1z"
  />
</svg>

Here is fiddle version... https://jsfiddle.net/joshmoto/f9wg57u1/
I love SVG code. So much is possible.
My example is probably a little heavy (hence using JS), I'm sure someone could recreate this with pure SVG and CSS.
But Adobe Illustrator makes things so much easier from a visual design point of view when creating SVG's.

Update: I've changed the path hover state cursor to crosshair so
you can see how the segment arrow is also included in the hover area
before mouseleave event.


text:
Moving to the Nation's Capital
Whether you're a history buff, a follower of politics, or are just looking for a great, year-round place to call home, you can't do better than Washington, DC. With a steadily growing economy, boosted by the many government offices and national headquarters located here, fabulous schools, and world class arts and cultural venues, there's a lot to love about our nation's capital.
Moving to Washington, DC
When moving to Washington, DC, you're really considering one of three markets — Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, or the District of Columbia itself. Here you'll find a variety of neighborhoods and types of homes, from high rise condos to historic row houses to sprawling estate homes.
A big part of your decision-making will probably be determined by your commute. Traffic in DC is notoriously heavy, so it is important to take that into consideration when choosing the area of town you live in. If possible, look for opportunities to travel during off-peak hours or against the flow of traffic in order to simplify and minimize commute times. Alternatively, consider the area's light rail and public transportation options.
Cost of Living in DC
Washington, DC is known as a fairly expensive place to live overall. Housing prices go up the closer you get to the District and can also be affected by the school system you choose. For this reason, many people look for homes somewhat further out, trading a longer commute for more affordability.
One of the great benefits of living in DC, however, is your proximity to world-class recreation, arts, and cultural opportunities at little or no cost. The Smithsonian complex of museums, abundant green spaces and hiking trails, and the large number of local colleges and universities with affordable live performances and art exhibitions all provide the opportunity for everyone to experience extraordinary amenities at virtually no cost.
Washington, DC Weather
Washington, DC weather can be highly variable and the proximity of close-by waterways like the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay mean that you'll experience your fair share of year-round precipitation. Summers are hot and humid, and winters can be quite cold and snowy, though here too there is a great deal of variability, with some very dry winters and some multiple-blizzard winters.
Washington, DC Attractions
There is so much to do in Washington, DC that your biggest problem will be deciding where to start each weekend. Whether your taste runs to historical sites and homes or outdoor adventure, you'll find exceptional opportunities on offer.
Washington, DC Monuments
Of course, Washington is known for its many monuments along the National Mall, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the war memorials dedicated to veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. However, there are a number of local favorites that are less touristy and just as interesting.
Mount Vernon: Located just up George Washington Parkway, this is the home of Washington himself. Featuring a museum, home tour, working farm and outbuildings, as well as an inn and restaurant, you'll learn about the daily life of the Father of Our Country both before and after his role as the nation's first President.
Netherlands Carillon: Nestled atop a hill overlooking the National Mall is the Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the Dutch people to the United States in gratitude for their assistance during World War II. Here you'll find families strolling, playing, and picnicking during the Carillon concerts. This is also a favorite spot for those in the know to watch the Fourth of July fireworks over the city and surrounding areas.
Theodore Roosevelt Island: A pedestrian walkway takes you across the Potomac to Theodore Roosevelt Island, a secluded spot amid the hustle and bustle of the city. The island features well-tended hiking trails as well as a spectacular statue of TR himself.
Washington, DC Museums
Of course, the Smithsonian Museums are among the most famous and frequently visited arts and cultural institutions in the world. However, think beyond the Air and Space or Fine Art museums.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Located near the National Cathedral, the National Zoo is an expansive and exciting venue, with everything from a livestock petting area to Giant Pandas on loan from China. Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning to see the animals at their most active and hear them at their most vocal.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: Located approximately halfway between the Washington Monument and the U. S. Capitol, the Hirshhorn features modern and contemporary art dating from the post-World War II era. This is a great museum to visit with children who will love walking the winding paths of the outdoor sculpture garden.
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Opened in 2016, this is one of the newer museums in the area. It offers a fascinating glimpse at the history and achievements of African American figures dating from the Colonial Era to the modern day. One notable exhibit is Barack Obama's campaign office from Falls Church, Virginia; Obama himself officiated at the opening of the museum.
National Portrait Gallery: if you don't think of yourself as a museum person, perhaps it's because you haven't found your museum yet. The National Portrait Gallery allows you to connect the artwork you see to the lives of the people pictured. Featuring portraits of everyone from famous American politicians and statesmen to pop culture, art, and literary figures, it is an education in art styles as well as biographies.
Washington, DC Dining and Shopping
Washington, DC features some of the most sophisticated dining and shopping of any East Coast city. You'll find exceptional upscale shopping at the Tysons Mall complex located in McLean, Virginia. For antiques, visit Old Town Alexandria, while for artwork the artists' corridor extending from the district northward into Maryland is known for its extensive selection of galleries and workshops.
Foodies will enjoy a variety of choices from contemporary, experimental cuisine to restaurants dating from the Colonial Era. In addition, for those who are hoping to rub elbows with powerful politicians, inside the Beltway favorites like Mark's Duck House or McLean Family Restaurant are reliable mainstays.
Looking for a home builder in Washington, DC ? Pulte communities offer you the opportunity to be in any location that suits your lifestyle and your commute. With a variety of design options, these newly constructed homes are certain to suit your taste as well.
Published 11.3.19
New homes in Washington, DC
A Checklist for Building a Home in DC
From choosing the right DC home builders to home building costs & the average home price in DC - Read on to discover everything you need to know for success.
Best Places to Live in Maryland
Maryland — from Baltimore to the shore — is a wonderful place to live. Here are some of the best places in the state to consider for your next home.


text:
A Guide to Tea Magazines
On May 11, 2010 September 7, 2011 By William I. Lengeman IIIIn Resources and Information
Chinese Black Tea
There are a number of excellent Internet-based resources to help you increase your tea knowledge and some great books as well. But there are also several magazines that can be of assistance when it comes to your quest for tea knowledge.
Tea, A Magazine has been going strong for 60 issues now. The magazine calls itself "a consumer quarterly magazine all about tea, both as a beverage and for its cultural significance in art, music, literature, history, and society."
As the name would suggest, the focus of the Tea And Roses newsletter is on tea and roses. Tea-related content includes articles about tea rooms, tea parties, tea tasting, the history, health, and science of tea, and many more tea-related topics.
The Leaf magazine, which recently published its seventh issue, is only available online. Their focus is primarily on Chinese tea. Authors who have weighed in on the topic include Zhou Yu, Master Ling Ping Xiang, Chen Zhi Tong, Huang Chan Fang, James Norwood Pratt and Mary Heiss.
For more Asian perspectives on tea (and coffee), try Tea & Coffee Asia. U.S. subscriptions for this quarterly publication are $45, but many of the articles are also available online.
Tea in Texas magazine, despite the name, is "a community magazine for all students of tea." It features content that's likely to appeal to residents and non-Texans alike.
Fresh Cup and Tea And Coffee Trade Journal both focus on tea and coffee and are targeted toward readers in those industries. Some of the articles may also be of interest to casual readers. Both magazines offer print subscriptions and post a number of their articles on the Web.
The publishers of TeaTime describe it as "a source book for all who love tea and who want to enrich life with the serenity of teatime. The magazine proclaims the pleasures of tea as a gourmet beverage and offers informative articles that range from food features to tearoom profiles. TeaTime goes beyond the history and science of the beverage and celebrates the art and passion that makes drinking tea a memorable occasion."
tea magazines
Mastering Tea
Tea Experiment — Steeping Tea in a Ceramic Tea Carafe
3 thoughts on "A Guide to Tea Magazines"
Royal Bengal
Where can I find the subscription number of these magazines? Which one of them is the most widely circulated?
The Devotea
Really useful post. I've just spent a few hours looking through them all.
A.C. Cargill
This was originally on the other blog sponsored by The English Tea Store. We're moving articles over to this blog, but the info is still relevant! Have a great tea day and keep those wonderful videos coming!


Not a very happy day in the stock market.
I've been using M1 Finance for a week now, and despite the rocky week the stock market had, I think overall the app is great. As I mentioned in my last post about M1, I'm using this as a platform to get more experienced with the stock market, which is why I'm only investing a little at a time. In fact investing a fixed amount at periodic intervals (Dollar Cost Averaging) is a good way to ensure you don't pay too high for shares of a security. It's probably a good thing that I only invested a small amount initially considering my overall portfolio dropped 5.43%. So let's jump right into my thoughts on the market, the app, and what I've learned overall.
If you follow the news on the market, you'll hear that the "Dow Jones dropped more than 700 points" on Thursday. This was mostly due to Trump announcing that he is imposing $60 billion in tariffs on China. I also believe that Facebook's data breach exposed by Cambridge Analytica not only drove Facebook's stock down, but a lot of other tech companies, especially those that connect to Facebook. Additionally, some sell off may have happened due to news that the Federal Reserve is increasing its interest rates. This is only a gradual increase, so I do not think it had that much of an impact. I talk about the market separately because it's important to separate market performance from your broker's performance and to not let your emotions affect your thoughts on a service, in this case it's M1 Finance.
I do wish there was a way to see other users' pies or at least the pies that they make public. Some sort of social aspect where users can make pies and other users can rate and comment on them.
The market is volatile, this is normal. 2017's growth was abnormal. The 700 point dip in the Dow Jones on Thursday although bad, will barely be noticeable two years from now. It's important for investors to be patient and not let emotions get the better of them if they want to see any returns on their investment.
Losing $21.01 overall isn't bad, but a 5.43% dip in my portfolio's overall value drove home a point that beginners hear over and over: diversify. I could have had a more resistant portfolio if I had invested in other sectors, types of funds, etc. Even though I believed in the companies that I invested in, they were all in the technology sector.
So next week, I will be organizing my portfolio differently. I will be making three different sub-pies: Stocks, Bonds, REITs / Dividend Yielding Funds. Each of these sub-pies will have a variety of funds that will help me meet my goals. In bonds, I've chosen 15 different funds and in Stocks and REITs, I've chosen 25. The benefit of doing this with M1 is that I can limit how much I invest and not worry about not diversifying enough due to a lack of funds.
Weather the storm, the market is volatile and if you pick sound securities and balance your portfolio with safer funds such bonds, you will see a return on investment. Take advantage of the ability to diversify easily with M1 Finance!
M1 is catered towards people who intend to be "long on a position" meaning that they will keep that security for a long time (no Day Traders!). It's not as beginner friendly as Stash, but it also doesn't charge you a $1 a month like stash does. This $1 a month can easily eat into your gains especially if you don't have a lot of funds to begin with. If you are a new investor or even somewhat knowledgeable on the stock market, I recommend using M1 Finance to start investing and setting yourself up for the future. It's ability to let me play with the market as if I had more initial capital also drove home the importance of diversification, a lesson that would have been more costly with other brokers.
If you want to give M1 Finance a try, click here. This is my personal referral link, which gets us both $10 when you sign up!
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Speech by David Cameron on April 8, 2006
Cameron: Changing our Party - changing our country
Speech to Conservative Party Spring Forum 2006
"What a great Spring Forum we've had.
Ideas. Energy. Above all, a real commitment to change this country for the better.
Not just through speeches and policies for tomorrow.
But through action for a better country today.
For the last two days you've been out and about, helping with projects all over the North West.
We've been hearing about some of them at this conference.
I'm proud of you.
We're all proud of you.
That is the spirit of the new Conservative Party.
We've heard so many inspiring speeches and presentations over the past two days.
I am very lucky to have such a strong and united team.
Every morning we start with a meeting to agree our plans for holding the government to account…
…and taking forward our positive agenda.
I have David Davis on my left and William Hague on my right.
Good, gritty northern common sense.
And isn't it great to have William Hague back in the top team?
Well it's been a busy few months.
Charles Kennedy's retired.
Tony Blair's about to retire.
He's certainly taking his time over it…
Soon I will be the longest serving leader of a major political party in the country.
But don't worry, Gordon; don't worry Ming…
I won't be attacking my opponents for their youth and inexperience.
For these last four months we have been a consistent voice for change, optimism and hope.
That's why we're now making progress on every front.
We're scoring an average of 40 per cent in council by-elections.
We won a seat from Labour on Thursday night, in South Ribble here in the North West…
…a seat we hadn't contested for 12 years.
Our candidate has been a midwife for 39 years.
She delivered a great victory.
Let's hear it for Dorothy Gardner.
We've signed up 20,000 new members - at a time when other parties are losing support.
People are once again looking at our Party and saying…
…yes, you're in touch with our lives…
…yes, you share our passions…
…and yes, you have the energy, the ideas and the drive to lead our great country once again.
That's the new mood here in Manchester.
And you know what…I like it.
Labour are tired and weary.
The Liberals are muddled and dreary.
We are the party that is fit for the future.
This Party is on its way back.
Conservatives: the party of local government
In the last few weeks I've travelled all over this country supporting hard-working Conservative candidates and councillors.
From Coventry to Crawley.
From Hereford to Hackney.
From Lincolnshire to Leeds.
I have to say, it's been brilliant.
Morale is high.
Everyone is working flat out to get the best possible result on May 4th.
We are already the largest party in local government.
And I want us to build on that.
We believe in trusting people with more power and control over their own lives.
And that should mean trusting local councils with more power to improve their own communities.
I'm excited that we are reconnecting with a proud part of our political heritage.
Conservative faith in civic pride stretches back to Chamberlain.
I'm proud of our councils and the work they're doing for local people.
Councils like Woking.
They aren't waiting around for a global solution to climate change.
They've led the way.
Reducing carbon emissions through the use of combined heat and power.
Generating electricity from waste.
Achieving a 30 per cent improvement in home energy efficiency.
And I'm proud of our Tory-run councils like Wandsworth in London that have taken the initiative in tackling homelessness.
It's called Hidden Homes.
They scour every estate for empty houses and spare space.
They renovate and build new accommodation within existing structures.
And now they are set to create hundreds of new homes.
Trusting people. Sharing responsibility. That is modern Conservatism in action.
Labour: the party of regional government
What a contrast with the Labour Party.
Their drive for regionalisation is taking more and more power from local communities.
Regional planning. Regional transport. Regional housing.
Now - it's regional ambulances. Health authorities. Fire services.
We have never been asked if we want any of this.
And now it is getting worse, with Charles Clarke's plan for regional Police forces.
We need policing that is closer to the people - not further away.
The council elections on May 4th are a chance for everyone to tell Charles Clarke and John Prescott loud and clear - nobody wants your regionalisation.
A future Conservative government will scrap unelected regional assemblies and give power back to local people.
People want change - to meet the challenges of the future
I passionately believe that this country needs a change in direction.
Labour don't have the answers to the great challenges we face.
When the next generation of British children leave school in ten years' time, 2016…
…China could be producing 8 million graduates every year.
In the competitive world of the future we cannot afford to leave the potential of a single child unfulfilled.
In the past we've allowed ourselves to be distracted by arguments over a small number of schools.
We have to get education right for everyone.
We know what works.
Giving head teachers the freedom to lead.
Ensuring discipline in the classroom so everyone can learn.
And setting by ability - so we stretch the brightest pupils and help those in danger of falling behind.
We must become the party not of excellence for the few, but a first class local school for everyone.
As our children make their way in the world, we need to do much more to help them fulfil their aspirations.
In 1997 the average deposit for a house or flat was around £5,000.
Today it's approaching £25,000.
Put simply, we're pricing our young people out of aspiration.
There is a new housing apartheid in Britain between those who already own their own homes …
…and those young people who look at their salaries, then look at house prices, and fear that they will never achieve that dream.
We need starter homes.
We need shared ownership.
We need more houses that are beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and above all, affordable.
We helped millions to buy their council houses in the 1980s.
And we must become the Party of aspiration once again.
Young families need help with their aspirations too.
To strike the right balance between work and family life.
The cost of childcare in this country is steadily rising.
A place in a crèche now costs nearly £40 a day.
And for every five childcare places that open, three close.
For most families in Britain today, childcare is not one issue amongst many.
It is the most important issue in their lives.
We in this Party must be on their side.
That means backing flexible working.
It means more support for childcare.
And it means giving people more choice.
We must become the party that doesn't lecture parents about the choices they ought to make…
…but backs parents in the choices they want to make.
And we must become the party that offers young families a vision of a cleaner, greener, brighter environment.
For our generation, the environment isn't an issue on the fringes of politics.
It's about the kind of world we want our children to enjoy and inherit.
Parks and public spaces that are a daily delight, not a daily obstacle course.
Towns and cities where it isn't a hassle to get around.
A method of modern living which combines creature comforts with care for our climate.
Climate change is a huge and growing problem.
In Britain the three hottest years since records began centuries ago all occurred in the last decade.
Our planet is rapidly getting warmer.
The polar ice caps are melting.
Sea levels are rising.
Hosepipe bans in April.
What more evidence do we need?
We simply cannot afford to ignore it.
This Government hasn't taken the environment nearly seriously enough.
We need to be the party that doesn't tiptoe around the issue.
Instead of just far-off targets that we will never meet, we need binding targets for carbon emissions every year.
We can take a lead.
We can make a difference.
Imagine if twenty years ago I'd have told you that all our cars would be running on unleaded petrol…
…that we'd be recycling our waste on a daily basis…
…that houses in England would have solar panels on their roofs.
You'd have thought I was mad.
Well today I want this Party to lead a new green revolution.
Daring to imagine possibilities that seem a distant dream today.
Unleashing innovation, imagination, inspiration.
Setting a clear framework that brings forward the best technology, the brightest thinking, the boldest plans.
And setting a clear challenge for individuals, for households, for business and for government…
…a clear challenge that says: this is our planet, our future, our responsibility.
We're all in this together, and together we can lead the way.
Just as we think for the long-term on the environment…
…so too must we think for the long-term about that great challenge of our time: pensions.
The advance of science, medicine, prosperity means that we are living longer.
Forty years in work followed by forty years in retirement.
That could soon become everybody's expectation.
It must surely be our mission to help each individual live each precious stage of their life to the full.
Filling in forms to get means-tested benefits?
What a way to treat the elderly, those who by any moral code most deserve our respect and support.
So let us set a clear direction.
Raising state pensions to reduce means testing.
And raising the retirement age to help pay for it.
We must lead the debate on pensions.
A serious party must make serious decisions for the long term.
And a truly compassionate party must recognise what pensioners give our society.
Almost one and a half million are carers.
Fighting their own frailty, they tend the needs of others.
Dismissing their own vulnerability, they put their loved ones first.
What courage. What duty. What pure and selfless love.
Here then is a modern crusade for our Party.
Let's fight for the rights of carers.
Let's give them recognition, respite, support.
Let's help them keep on caring, but let's care for the carers too.
So we must become the Party that stands proudly for dignity, for security…
…and for richly-earned independence in everyone's old age.
Our Party must change
But remember something…
We'll never be in a position to make the changes the country needs until we, as a party, have shown that we have changed.
We lost three elections in a row.
The British people are looking to see if the Conservative Party has learned the lessons of defeat.
This Party has been around for a long time.
You could say we're Built To Last.
Our history has always been intimately bound up with the history of Britain itself.
During every period of social change the Conservative Party has changed too.
Sometimes we've led that change.
Sometimes we've reflected it.
But we have never allowed ourselves to remain isolated from the people of this country.
In recent years Britain has changed faster than ever.
Much of that change, the direct result of our own actions in government.
So true to our traditions, we are changing once again.
Changing our priorities.
Changing our attitudes.
Changing the face of our party with action to select more women and ethnic minority candidates.
So don't think it's enough to change the leader.
This change I'm leading has got to get faster, wider, deeper.
We all have to change.
We must show that the change is real, that it is lasting.
That means every aspect of how we behave.
The candidates we select.
The decisions you make in local government.
The issues and causes that we choose to champion.
We all have a role in the change that must take place.
We've made a good start.
We're once more the place to go for the exciting ideas in British politics.
Ask anyone who's involved in our policy groups.
It's been thrilling to see how many people with real expertise in their fields have been eager to work with us.
We're championing radical and exciting policies like decentralised energy, independence for the NHS, setting in schools and freeing social enterprise.
Even before we get into government the strength of our ideas is setting the agenda for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
There is a new dynamic in British politics - we propose something, they grab hold of it.
I launch a campaign for synthetic phonics to help every child learn to read properly.
They implement it.
I launch a national school leaver programme - to help bind us together as a nation.
They take it up.
I have even got Gordon Brown to talk about the environment - quite an achievement.
Of course, the real achievement would be to get him to actually do something about it.
In the last four months we have shown that we will be consistent Conservatives, offering positive and constructive opposition.
In the case of the Education Bill we had a choice.
Score a political point by opposing the bill and trooping through the lobbies with left-wing dinosaurs like Dennis Skinner and Frank Dobson.
Or we could do the right thing by backing a measure that will bring nearer the school freedom that we profoundly believe will help our children.
We made the right choice.
And at the same time we demonstrated that the Conservatives are the only party that's united in favour of real reform.
Under my leadership, we'll always strive to do the right thing.
That means saving our energy to oppose the government when it's wrong.
Like on ID cards.
Labour can't decide what it's for.
They can't control what it costs.
They can't explain why they're making it compulsory.
Labour's plastic poll tax has no place in modern Britain.
It's an ugly monument to the waste, chaos and vanity of intrusive, over-mighty government.
I promise you this….in office, we will pull it down.
Brake or accelerator?
There's so much we need to change in our country - we can't afford to waste time going slow on changing our Party.
So now is not the time to put our foot on the brake.
Now is the time to press on the accelerator.
We must fast forward to the new Conservative Party.
I know some of you think we've had quite enough change for the time being.
I read the letters…
Asking me to slow down…
Telling me to take it easy…
Sometimes reminding me to wear a tie…
Well I say this.
Britain cannot wait while we take it easy.
We have a massive mountain to climb if we're to win the next election.
If we falter on the way, then Labour will win again.
And that means not just another three or four years of Labour government.
It means another eight or nine years of it.
And Britain cannot wait that long to tackle the urgent challenges we face.
In a world of fierce competition and amazing advance…
…Britain can't wait eight or nine years for a government that understands how to creates a dynamic economy, rich in jobs, wealth and opportunity.
In a world where the pace of change can all too often pull us apart instead of bringing us together...
…Britain can't wait eight or nine years for a government that believes in strengthening families and communities.
And in a world where man is constantly tempted to purchase progress at nature's expense…
…Britain cannot wait another eight or nine years for a government that truly, deeply understands that we have to put the environment first.
Every day we see that these challenges are just not being met.
We see the barriers holding Britain back…
…and we know we have the right values, the right ideas, the right approach to do so much better.
We believe that the more we trust people, the stronger they and society become.
We believe that we're all in this together - government, business, the voluntary sector, families and individuals.
There is such a thing as society, it's just not the same thing as the state.
Trusting people.
Sharing responsibility.
These are the values Britain needs to face the challenges of the future.
It is our ideas - Conservative ideas - whose time has come again.
The spirit of enterprise.
The ladder of opportunity.
The instinct to conserve.
In this generation, the chance to place these ideas - our ideas - in service once more to the greatest cause of all…
…the future of our country.
So don't let them tell you that politics is boring.
Don't let them tell you it's all just the same.
Here is the difference.
Here is the passion.
Here is the chance to be part of great change.
Come with me, and show me you can do it.
Come with me, and show them we can do it.
Changing our Party.
Changing our country.
The fire of hope burning bright once again."
← Speech to Conservative Party S... "Over the past month I've been... →


Mitt Romney: Too Much for Rick Perry, Concerning to President Obama? | Addicting Info | The Knowledge You Crave Mitt Romney: Too Much for Rick Perry, Concerning to President Obama?
Mitt Romney: Too Much for Rick Perry, Concerning to President Obama?
Compared to the previous Republican debates, the Fox News/Google debate was less than impressive to say the least. Having debates where Gov. Rick Perry called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and where Ron Paul believed that Iran should be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon are tough political acts to follow, but there were a few good moments of importance, despite the noticeable lack of so many of the previous headline generating campaign fireworks. This debate was so lackluster that one could easily come away with more questions than answers and more political clouds than political clarity.
Arguably, the most intriguing aspect of this entire debate was the ability of the candidates to morph this GOP nomination debate into a political referendum on Rick Perry, and Mitt Romney was the most vocal in doing that. In fact, two of the moderators, Brett Baier and Chris Wallace, actually egged on the Romney against Perry angle by inviting it in with their conflict oriented questions. It was as if the moderators and Fox News had already designated the two top tier candidates as Perry and Romney.
Now even though other candidates did weigh in on both Perry and Romney, with Perry getting the brunt of it, the main event was Romney and Perry at each other's political throats from the very first bell. But politics aside, an interesting dynamic surfaced during these confrontational exchanges between Perry and Romney, and it's something that has not been as clearly defined until now, at least not in my eyes.
As an example, whenever Perry tried to make a bold, condemning claim against Romney, Romney always seemed to have an answer that was better than Perry's condemnation. Romney would then do what seemed extremely savvy as he regularly took a condescending tone towards Perry while making his response, as he looked Perry eyeball to eyeball and said: "Nice try, but it's not going to work!" Now for those who might not understand what 'nice try' means, it implies that someone, namely Perry, is not intellectually sound enough to actually mount a substantive challenge to Romney's seasoned, political abilities.
In all, Romney addressed Perry in a way similar to the gesture that would be used by a champion against a lesser opponent; strong enough to present a legitimate challenge, but still lesser enough to confirm Romney's burgeoning confidence that he can politically outmaneuver his clumsily inept, number one contender whenever necessary. Romney's 'nice try, but that's not going to work either' statement is a subconscious, public and political declaration of his dominance over Perry. And Romney is not drawing for straws or just grasping for air, his patronizing tone and his patronizing responses to Perry reflects a subtle belief that, intellectually and politically, he can beat Perry one-on-one almost at will, which says even less about the political prowess of the other candidates, with the exception of Jon Huntsman, who matches up against Romney on the issues better than any of the others, but it is unclear as to if or when Huntsman will ever be taken seriously by the conservative electorate.
So far, Romney is dancing a political tango. He is somehow able to both distance himself from Romneycare, while at the same time, embracing his Romneycare plan, despite speaking to a pack of anti-anything-care, political hyenas who are on the prowl to maul Obamacare. While Rick Perry helps to implement a vaccine and is shredded like spy papers, Romney stands in front of the world with what is arguably the greatest, political contribution of his entire political career—Romneycare, and offers the only possible explanation that someone in his position could offer, by basically stating that he was for it before he was against it. Romney's ability to coast back-and-forth across that kind of flip-flopping tightrope without breaking a political sweat makes Perry's bigger, stronger, better than President Bush impersonations look even more ineffectively inferior.
Coming into this GOP campaign, the existence of Romneycare and its disquieting resemblance and connection to Obamacare was widely believed to be the Achilles' heel of Mitt Romney's presidential/GOP nomination aspirations. Romney has not only persevered; he has also managed to stay one step ahead of the fray, as candidates like Rick Perry have been politically branded with Achilles' heels. At the same time, Michele Bachmann has continuously opened her mouth to excrete questionable misinformation creating self-inflicted Achilles' heels to personally handicap her campaign. Luckily for Romney, it appears that the conservative aloofness for Romneycare has been dwarfed by the conservative odium for President Obama, with an electoral pardon for Romneycare and a death sentence for Obamacare, which proves that it is more about Obama than the care!
After watching this debate, along with the previous debates, one could easily be tempted to contemplate if many of these GOP candidates have, consciously or subconsciously, bought into the political narrative of Romney as the GOP's best chance to defeat President Obama in a general election. That could that be the reason why he has remained relatively unsaved, with his only real challenge coming from the one candidate that could actually wrestle the nomination away from him, Rick Perry.
So we should all pay attention to these oncoming debates, because if Romney is allowed to continue skating all the way to the GOP nomination with little or no resistance, the GOP will have understandably made up their minds that the best way to unseat President Obama is with Mitt Romney as their candidate. In hindsight, that would make all of these debates nothing more than window dressing, beauty pageants to showcase to the entire conservative base, along with Independents and Reagan Democrats, that it's Mitt Romney or four more years of Obama.
If the GOP has actually arrived at this political conclusion this early in the game, and they are just sitting on this egg until it's time to hatch, President Obama could be in for the fight of his political life! As many of the local Birthers and right-wing Christians here in Arkansas like to say, "America is truly hurting when it takes a Mormon to beat a Kenyan, but at least the Mormon's name is not Barack Hussein Obama," and it looks like a decent portion of the right-wing is starting to buy into that statement! If progressives don't buy into the seriousness of the conservative hatred for President Obama with their motivated asses and their 'enough with the Kenyan rhetoric' votes, it will be a short, progressive night on November 6th of 2012!