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Psychology And Trump Support
June 13, 2019 Random BloggingFiddler on the Roof, psychology, racism, Trump supportersSheila
I have had real trouble getting my head around the fact that somewhere between 35 and 40 percent of Americans actually support Donald Trump. Here is a man who demonstrates hourly that he is boorish and crude, none-too-bright, embarrassingly and painfully ignorant, and bereft of anything resembling a coherent policy agenda (or, for that matter, a coherent anything).He routinely embarrasses us on the world stage, his cabinet is a cesspool, and his crazy tariffs are threatening the economy. And that's just for starters.
What accounts for the support?
I'm clearly not the only person who struggles with this question. What do his rabid supporters in the GOP see in this man who repulses rational, thoughtful people around the world?
Psychology Today had an article attempting to answer that question; it rounded up all of the psychological theories about Trump's appeal.
Some of the explanations come from a 2017 review paper published in the Journal of Social and Political Psychology by the psychologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Thomas Pettigrew. Others have been put forth as far back as 2016, by me, in various articles and blog posts for publications like Psychology Today. A number of these were inspired by insights from psychologists like Sheldon Solomon, who laid the groundwork for the influential Terror Management Theory, and David Dunning, who did the same for the Dunning-Kruger effect.
This list will begin with the more benign reasons for Trump's intransigent support. As the list goes on, the explanations become increasingly worrisome, and toward the end, border on the pathological. It should be strongly emphasized that not all Trump supporters are racist, mentally vulnerable, or fundamentally bad people. It can be detrimental to society when those with degrees and platforms try to demonize their political opponents or paint them as mentally ill when they are not. That being said, it is just as harmful to pretend that there are not clear psychological and neural factors that underlie much of Trump supporters' unbridled allegiance.
So what were the theories? The "benign" ones ranged from rich people being willing to support him because they're making money, to the theory that "showmanship and simple language" engage the brains of some people, to America's addiction to celebrity.
These are "benign"?
The list also referenced research showing conservatives more responsive to threat: fear, in this theory, keeps his followers energized. And it included the the Dunning-Kruger Effect (Trump followers aren't simply misinformed; they're completely unaware that they are misinformed.) Authoritarian personality disorder was another.
And of course, a significant number of recent studies have correlated support for Trump with "racial anxiety," a polite word for racism. (This one has been my "go to" explanation; they support Trump because he hates the same people they do.)
I'm no psychologist, and I don't play one on TV, so I can't evaluate the relative merits of these theories. But I want to add one. Bear with me…
Recently, I was listening to "Fiddler on the Roof." Tevya was singing "If I were a rich man," and I was struck by the passage where he sings that, if he were rich, all the men in town would come ask him difficult questions. "And it wouldn't matter if I answered right or wrong; when you're rich, they think you really know."
It was an "aha" moment. The line made me think of a Guardian report quoting Steve Bannon.
According to an upcoming book obtained by The Guardian, Bannon predicts Trump will be abandoned by his base following various investigations into his family's secretive finances.
"This is where it isn't a witch hunt — even for the hard core, this is where he turns into just a crooked business guy, and one worth $50 [million] instead of $10 [billion]. Not the billionaire he said he was, just another scumbag," Bannon tells Michael Wolff in Siege: Trump Under Fire, according to an advance copy seen by The Guardian.
Is a significant portion of the American public really that superficial?
Maybe I should ask a Kardashian….
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38 thoughts on "Psychology And Trump Support"
Who is being polled; are their names cherry-picked from the RNC membership or possibly Wikileaks subscribers? Are they being weeded out (no pun intended) from the die-hard, garden variety of registered Republicans by their gerrymandered districts. If you go into a Domino's Pizza Parlor and ask their favorite pizza; the only answer you will get is…Domino's.
The book, "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" is a compilation of descriptions of psychological (or pathological) symptoms by 27 psychiatrists and mental health authorities because it took that many specialists to cover Trump's many and varied displayed symptoms of mental imbalance and incompetence. Many of his supporters probably display all of these symptoms individually so they are easily overlooked as being uninformed and are lured by whatever symptom they harbor within themselves. We already know the staunch Republican voters have always voted for and supported Republican candidates and elected officials no matter their foolish or dangerous foundations. The one issue running through the Trump supporters in my neighborhood is their Catholic religion; all but one had not displayed a political yard sign until 2016 when "Trump For President" signs sprouted in 11 yards.
Six to eight years ago there were several vacant homes in this small neighborhood (comprised of 4 short streets with only 1 way in and out) as the older, original owners died or moved away. These vacancies have gradually been filled; predominantly with black families and a few Hispanics, all of whom maintain their homes and yards whether rented or owned. That fact seems to have escaped notice by the Trump supporters and I continue being mostly overlooked on my daily walks. I believe it was Archie Bunker who said, "You don't have to be Italian to make spaghetti." We don't need to be a psychiatrist or mental health worker to see some of the signs in our family members , friends, co-workers and neighbors who continue to support the current administration and its leader.
A. J. Cosentino says:
A friend, wondering about this same question, did a very non-scientific polling of folks he knew who support Trump. They also voted for him. He asked them why. I'm told that in every case, the response received was because "he talked like them". This seemingly means, "he talks like me; I understand him; he's like me." So sad, so very wrong. Trump is nothing like the average individual in southern Indiana (nor many, many other places here in U.S.).
Yes, the American public is superficial. If the economy is growing, all must be well. If the stock market is up, then we have the right people in charge.
If you think highly of someone labeled as "Not too bright," what does that say about you?
And finally, we have a racist in the White House…just another average Don like us.
The GOP and Mitch have been on Twitter clamoring about the border and hammering the Democrats for not signing a bill giving Trump the money to fix the "massive border problems."
Another mess Donny created, but they mention it was a mess before and only Don has the solution. I can only imagine what the PR team at Fox News are saying. (eyes rolling)
Marv Kramer says:
Yes. They've been brainwashed. They hate democracy, just like the large minority in Germany who were for dismantling the Weimar Republic. They're not going to accept anything less, surely a Democratic victory in 2020 isn't going to change their minds one iota.
Yes, Sheila, a significant portion of the American public really is that superficial.
That is why they idolize the people in their home towns that have the most money, along with the sports stars, actors, actresses, mega-preachers, etc.
They see those people as extra special because they have a lot of money and live glamorous lives, not because they are necessarily good people or may have contributed a lot of good to society and their fellow citizens or communities.
Mclv says:
Trump voters are motivated by hate and jealousy. They feel like 'losers', and won't be satisfied till all of us loose with them. It's sick.
I think it might be more correct to say 40% of registered voters support 45. That means that roughly 25% of Americans support him. What is most interesting is that 81% of Republicans support him, which says a lot about today's Republican Party. He is what we get when we cannot be bothered to do our duty as citizens.
Let's face it, we were sold out. Bill Clinton and his "triangulation strategy" sealed our fate
Theresa Bowers says:
That superficiality comes through whether clothed in piety or the garb of the hedonist rich. It shows itself in the values the Trump supporters now so openly display. It is that blind belief in money as the solution to all problems. It is believing that if rich one "deserves" to be rich, and if not rich, one only has to support those who are to join the club. It is the belief that if the rules stand in the way of amassing money then the rules do not apply. It is a belief system that degrades humanity by their willful ignorance as to the results of ones own behavior while pursuing money. And yes, 40% of Americans are this way.
if anyone asked a new yorker from NYC they would have warned you about how a sewer flows. hes never done anything for the working class,except find ways to screw em. avoided war via a privilege. even his daughter tiff is forbiden to join the military,or lose her million dollar monthly ransom. he sold out anyone who tried to screw him. the daily news at least kept him in text,screwed. self promoting with a pecker. and promoted his cheap side shows as viably worth the time they wasted on them. the apprentice was a ideal way to educate how the corprate world works, screw anyone,for money,and dont look back. so, here we ask why anyone would stick with human excrement? maybe they all walk the same path,under thier breath..
Voting isn't the only major issue. How many "whites" will stand-up against Trump's racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, misogyny and call him a fascist face to face. Is it 1%? I doubt it.
Joe Hayes says:
We are not as exceptional of a people that we often think we are. A large portion of the American electorate is "boorish and crude, none-to-bright, embarrassingly and painfully ignorant". We elected the worst of us and it'll take the best of us to get him out of office.
"And it wouldn't matter if I answered right or wrong; when you're rich, they think you really know."
This so true. Many millionaires – billionaires have been held up as icons of supreme wisdom. Accumulated wealth is equated with intelligence, wisdom, and it fulfills the American Dream. You can add in the supernatural prosperity gospel that accumulated wealth is god's blessing. Only when it becomes clear that wealthy person or corporation engaged in fraud to obtain riches is the belief of great wealth as a measure of success shaken.
In the pantheon of heroes or heroines or role models who would the American Public hold in the highest esteem or role model for life's or personal achievements: the inventor of face book ( a billionaire) the founder of Amazon ( a billionaire), Henry Ford, a highly paid athlete, an entertainer – or Albert Einstein, Jonas Salk, Albert Sabin, Carl Sagan, or Yuri Gagarin (first man in space)???
Patrick Sullivan says:
"When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."
OMG says:
What about Mike Pence and the christofascist "acting secretaries" on the Trump Cabinet?
Giving them a free ride?
jaxk smith says:
trumps selling out America. and hes the icon. he now believes in total corruption,that allows him,to gather dirt,and use it,withoutbregard to the institution we call the election. we played our hand in foreignaffairs to, cia, fbi. and who else? but when an American citizen speaks of treasonist behavior for thier own (or mitches bitches) gain. its past the red line..
time for a impeachment,and arrest after he leaves.
Sharon Mills says:
I just paid a visit to the Fox News Facebook page. They are absolutely giddy over Trump saying he will accept help from foreign governments to get re-elected. Why? Because they love seeing the "libtards stirred up." They think Trump is a genius for manipulating us into a constant frenzy. These are cruel people, Ms. Kennedy, and they cannot wait for us to try and impeach Trump. They love seeing us as the "losers for a change." And they are convinced they will get 4 more years of this. They are literally having the time of their lives because they hate us so very much. Making us miserable and frightened is worth everything to these Trump supporters.
Meanwhile, we are all over the place for 2020. Savaging our candidates for president…another mistake republicans don't make. We need to get it together or we are looking at another 2016.
Those of us who don't support Trump believe that he's a loser in all respects and he makes us as a country losers. His only accomplishment in life is as a celebrity like the Karsdashians. He's the epitome of make more money now regardless of the impact on any others ever which is the mission of businesses and property criminals everywhere.
While a little exaggeration the notion that businesses and property criminals march to the same drummer is a revelation to me. It reveals that you could put all of the businesses and property criminals on a spectrum of legal to illegal and of course the businesses would be clustered on the legal end of the spectrum and the criminals on the illegal end of the spectrum but with plenty of overlap at the line (well, it used to be a line but that too has spread into a much less distinct cluster.) Trump quite obviously operates by choice in the area between legal and illegal. His daddy taught him to lawyer up lavishly and continuously and do what you have to and rely on the lawyers to take advantage of the legal/illegal cloud to keep you barely out of jail.
It's interesting but not surprising that he has Americans supporting that style of crime/business or, if you prefer, business/crime.
Paul Raikes says:
STARTLING … UNBELIEVABLE. I couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed this before. While sitting at the breakfast table and forcing myself to read the morning paper, I realized that Archie Bunker's voice was booming out of the TV. But wait! It wasn't Archie Bunker. It was Donald Trump. It sounded exactly like Archie Bunker: the run-on sentences … the total illogic … the hoarse voice … the constant negative assessment. I wonder how long it took Trump to master Bunker's vocal approach.
We've allowed the horror show to continue in the name of not causing trouble. It's gone way too far. There comes a time when you have no other choice than to resist BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Sharon Mills; thank you, thank you, thank you! Also that herd of presidential wannabes needs to be thinned.
I have the same level of fear for 2020 that I carried and tried to tell people in 2016.
Perfect Freudian slip in his tweet: He's the Prince of 'Whales'.
There also are those energized by Trump's bravado. They are entertained by it and wish they had the self confidence to be that outrageous. But it ceased to entertain long ago. At some point, a con man is just a con man.
My book, "Why Angels Weep: America and Donald Trump" covers much of this analysis. Thank you all for corroborating my research.
So, it's clear to the rational people who are not so self-absorbed as a Trump-ite to see that a true head case lives in the White House. But what of a slime ball like Mitch McConnell who thwarts any legislation that serves the American people? What indeed? He does it because he's been ALLOWED to do it. Republicans in the Senate make the rules, and they've given McConnell more legislative power than anyone in our history. Not only is this creature from the swamp more corrupt and taking more cash from corporate/banking America, he managed to get his equally corrupt wife into a position where he and his wife can bilk the American taxpayer for his personal and political gains. Follow the growing Elaine Chao story as she gets herself embroiled in Scott Pruitt land….only ten times worse.
Oh, and I attended a marvelous stage presentation of "Fiddler on the Roof" last night in Denver. The audience chuckled at the line about the rich and the rich wannabes. I think they got it.
Thank you Sheila, as always,
Piggybacking somewhat off of what Marv Kramer keyed, given the rampaging apathy a sizable portion of a population of this country has toward government, it's as if many feel that all of this is like some kind of perpetual motion machine. They don't give government much thought as if it's not much more complicated than the sun rising every day and setting in the evening-it's always there and most of these people actually feel that the workings of government do not really affect them. There are several reasons for this type of thinking stemming from just the burdens of their everyday lives and, as has been mentioned in this blog many, many times, the woeful ignorance of civics.
It's hard for me to understand and grapple with because I try to be am so much the opposite in my thinking as are, I'm sure, all the other participants in this blog are. Nevertheless, these people represent the common denominator in this country and they are the ones that are being manipulated by a President who has no scruples whatsoever in regard to doing whatever is necessary for his own benefit, his own personal benefit. While I am not sure, obviously, how Donald Trump ranks things that are actually important to him but it seems fairly obvious that the traditional ideas of what's good for the country are far down on his daily list of things to do.
One does not have to go any further than the comments he made regarding accepting opposition research information from foreign and possibly hostile entities and that there was nothing wrong with it to get a handle on just how this man thinks if one really wants to call it that. When you mix the blankness and incompetence of this man with if the legitimate yearnings of people who feel as if they have been left behind in this country who see him as their savior we have a disaster in the making. There are lots and lots of comparisons, as Marv has eluded to, between what is happening now here in this country and what happened in Weimar Germany in the late 1920s with the rise of Hitler and fascism that stemmed from a somewhat similar situation where a large portion of German society had been beaten down by both the effects of the Great War, the impact and burden of war reparations. They were right for the manipulation that Hitler envisioned which was carried out by his underlings. In his case it was Josef Goebbels and his propaganda machine where today it's Fox News and their highly paid propagandists that see people today and are as disillusioned average Germans were 90 plus years ago as easy fodder for manipulation.
All of this is so incredibly bizarre and yet it goes on day after day after day after day with us awakening to the latest incredibly stupid and/or counterproductive calamity that the man in the White House either creates or makes worst every day. We watch as our legislative branch, which is actually the preeminent branch of our three branches of government, grapples with this junk every day when its members are preoccupied and seemingly driven by what they perceive as their chances for reelection next year are instead of fixing this incredible mess, a sickness that afflicts both parties that has thrown a huge monkey wrench into our chances of pulling ourselves out of this calamity. Nevertheless, in this country is going to survive a fashion that sandy were close to what we have always been accustomed to school and to take a lot more effort and is being currently expended in regard to fixing it. We must hold our legislators accountable as well as our national government accountable. We must always remember that we are, as our founding fathers intended, to be our government's masters not its victims
No matter how you slice and dice it, it all comes down to an inability to perform even a modicum of critical thinking. Catering to Russia and kissing up to Kim Jung Un are ultimately not in Trump supporters' interest. Scoffing at America's laws and Constitution also serves no useful purpose. Ignoring his gargantuan hypocrisy concerning abortion and religion is not moving them in a helpful direction. Blowing off nepotism is not a positive for them personally. Vile and ignorant speech does not advance their cause. Supporting his intense racism conflicts with their real-life experiences. Locking children in cages at the border gets them nothing. Speaking in gross and disrespectful terms about women is a non-starter. Perpetual lying is antithetical to effective government. Insulting allies while praising dictators undoes the hard work done by brilliant and dedicated diplomats over the last seventy years. Portraying immigration as the nation's biggest threat is hollow and leads to no useful plans. Promoting ideas derived using the anal-extraction process, e.g., building a wall, is a dead end. Insulting national heroes like John McCain gets them nothing. Attacking judges who do not support his violations of the law provides zero to the supporter. On and on and on goes the list of violations against humanity and those he pretends to empathize with. Yet they bow to him as if he were somehow providing for their needs.
How rational is it to misapprehend your own self-interest and then lavish adoration on the man who punishes you for your ignorance. A little critical thinking could go a long way here, but no one knows how to trigger it in people whose minds are compartmentalized for the specific purpose of supporting their prejudices
Natacha says:
Trump's claim to fame has always been the persona of a self-made billionaire with all of the right instincts, savvy, charisma and negotiating skills to make massive amounts of money on any project he takes on. If you watched the A & E Biography series on the Trumps, you'd learn what absolute malarkey this is. Donnie was supported by his father well into his mid-forties with money he obtained by being a slum lord. Donnie has always been a total liar–he was charged with racial discrimination in housing for an apartment building in his name in which 2 HUD employees answered an ad for a vacant unit. The first was a black man, who was turned away immediately after being told the unit was already rented. The next was a white woman, who went in immediately thereafter, and she was given a rental application. To this day, Trump claims he "won" the lawsuit that actually resulted in a consent decree, fines, etc.. The series also covers his multiple business failures and his massive ego and arrogance which are worse than you can imagine. You'll need Pepto Bismol to sit through the whole thing.
There are 2 things that Trump will fight to the death: the first is disclosure of his finances because this will puncture the hot air balloon that his entire persona relies on–his massive self-made success and wealth; the second is if they put Donnie, Jr. in jail, which could happen if he has lied about the Russia meetings. If that's what it takes to get rid of him, I hope it happens.
Paul K Ogden says:
Speaking as a lifelong Republican, a conservative who cut his teeth on the Reagan Revolution, I am appalled that so many of my fellow GOP jumped aboard the Trump Train. It's taken awhile to understand it, but I think I have a firm understanding now. It isn't about people aspiring to be rich or racism or hatred. Or certainly about conservative positions on issues, which often isn't the case. Trumpism is a personality cult. Trump could change his positions 180 degrees and his followers would support him. He is their LEADER. They will even say he's been sent by God. (I can't blame God for Trump.)
The personality cult has been a long time in making. Chief culprits who laid the groundwork are people like Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs, Ann Coulter, etc. They have for years been building the "us v. them," Democrats are evil narrative. Trump latched on to that tribalism. The diffusion of the media has meant that people don't have to hear opposing views anymore like they did during the Watergate era. They just go to the media outlet that will reinforce their positions.
I am by nature a very optimistic person. But I'm not optimistic about how this all ends. People need to knock off the nonsense saying Pence is as bad as Trump. Not even close. Despite people's opposition to Pence on an assortment of issues, at the end of the day Pence at least respects American democratic values, the Constitution, and the rule of law.. Trump does not. Trump aspires to have dictatorial powers and makes little secret of that fact.
Speaker Pelosi said she hopes the election is not close because if it is Donald Trump may refuse to concede he lost and refuse to leave office. I'm telling you, it doesn't have to be a close. Even If Trump loses all 50 states, he will still tell his followers he only lost because the
election was rigged. His supporters will believe him and urge him not to leave office.
Tom and Betty,
The following might better explain why we appear to be so impotent when it comes to neutralizing the destruction of our FUTURE by Donald Trump.
The following is from "The Apartheid State in Crisis: Political Transformation in South Africa 1975-1990" (Oxford University Press, New York, 1991)p. 4:
"The foundation upon which the formal political order rests can be thought of as a "substructure" of domination—social interactions, cultural norms, economic activities, and informal power relationships that create the basis for compliance with the prescriptions of the ruling group [Deviant Elite]. Changes in this underlying structure are often the precursor and condition for alteration in the political system's "superstructure," the formal system of power. Basic alterations in the former, the substructure of power, can be thought of as involving political TRANSFORMATION, and can be distinguished from political TRANSITION, the movement from one formal arrangement to another. Transformation prepares the way for transition.
"The relationship between transformation and transition presents considerable analytic difficulty because the linkage between substructure and superstructure if loosely coupled. Shifts in the foundation or substructure will not necessarily be immediately reflected in corresponding alterations at the formal or superstructural level. Nevertheless, these shifts in the underlying foundation of the political order ought to be viewed as representative of signal political change, which over the long run will lead to a transition at the formal or constitutional level."
"My point can perhaps be clarified by use of an analogy drawn from the political world. A volcanic eruption produces change, often dramatic change, in the landscape. The eruption is a product of unseen geological changes occurring deep beneath the surface of the earth—rock becomes superheated, gases build, and a magna of gas and molten rock push upward. Sometimes these underground geological changes produce venting and tremors noticeable on the earth's surface. They are signs of the underlying geological changes taking place, and they are also harbingers of a future transforming volcanic eruption. They may also involve alterations in the earth's structure that relieve pressure and thus delay or prevent an eventual volcanic cataclysm."
"In this book I will be examining the changes in South Africa's "political magna"—much as the geologist studies volcanic activity—so as to better understand why, how, and when political changes occur within society's formal arrangement of power."
The vast majority of those participating in this blog are TOTALLY centered on the TRANSITION, not the TRANSFORMATION, as is 99.9% of the population. That's why we are now "up shits creek without a paddle."
Paul K. Ogden; you say…"It isn't about people aspiring to be rich or racism or hatred." "Trumpism is a personality cult."
In case you haven't noticed; Trump's personality IS about being rich, racist and spewing hatred.
Paul K. Ogden; you say…"People need to knock off the nonsense saying Pence is as bad as Trump. Not even close."
Pence IS just as bad as Trump; he operates on a different level, by working his way into people's heads and hearts through their most personal and deepest and weakest sense of self, their religious beliefs. His damage will destroy people from the inside out; Trump works on their outer, social beliefs of those they believe to be less worthy people. You say; "…Pence at least respects American democratic values, the Constitution, and the rule of law…" If Pence respected American democratic values, the Constitution, and the rule of law we would not be stuck with his RFRA and life endangering anti-abortion laws in the state of Indiana.
You have found your own way to excuse the damage being done to this country by the current Republican cult of White Nationalists. Your last paragraph is an overt call to Republicans to be prepared to support him should he lose the election; telling them to continue ignoring democratic values, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
"Pence IS just as bad as Trump; he operates on a different level, by working his way into people's heads and hearts through their most personal and deepest and weakest sense of self, their religious beliefs. His damage will destroy people from the inside out; Trump works on their outer, social beliefs of those they believe to be less worthy people."
Read a hundred books on how to become rich, and you will find they mostly agree on a long list of "traits" that you must develop in order to become rich. Then read a few books by psychiatrists and sociologists that list the characteristics of a sociopath. Surprise! You will find that the two lists are identical.
WHY THEY LOVE TRUMP
I spoke to an interesting couple today. He was an accountant and she was a professor of sociology, but they could have been Edith and Archie Bunker. They lamented that America had lost the "cataclysmic" cultural war.. They were referring to the social upheaval of the 1960s over civil rights and institutional injustice. By "lost", they both meant that the pencil-neck elitist peacenik ethno-apologist deadbeats had won a big, big fight, a huge war, and America's common ordinary everyday citizens had lost. He referred my memory back to Germany's Wiemar Republic and how — because it lost the war — it was a victim of reparations — large payments of money Germany had to pay to the winners of World War !, which were intended to help rebuild countries that had been bombed to rubble.
"Does that strike a bell?" He asked.
"Reparations: that's what ordinary Americans have been paying to the libtards now for over fifty years," he explained.
"And those reparations," she added, "what's called equal rights, women's rights, welfare safety nets, health regulations, education programs, all those things Johnson pushed through, have broken this country financially, morally, and spiritually. We're just like Germany before Hitler put a stop to reparations."
He nodded and tapped the table, "And common ordinary folk, who don't know anything about reparations in Germany, do know that they are carrying too much of a burden. They know it isn't right…"
She summarized the thesis of their argument, "And they know Trump is doing something about it. That's why ordinary Americans will not let Trump be removed from office."
"We aren't about to let this opportunity to save America get away," he declared.
INDY REPUBLICAN says:
Checkout the mental gymnastics some former Never Trumpers are doing in order to justify supporting Trump now:
https://unboughtandunbossedrepublican.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-resurgents-erick-ericksons.html?m=1
Stephen Bartram says:
A.J. Cosentino has a point. At least from my informal poll, they hear him talk in plain language that reflects their frustration, anger and positions. The reference to the Dunning Kruger Effect has scary ramifications.
I am saddened to read Larry Kaiser's comments from hte people he spoke of. What is so sad is that the effects of our social change has been inclusion and an enlargement of cultural capability that embraces more rather than less people.
It is sad to think that we will go into debt for war but cry when we begin to build educational bridges and social networks, The Conservatives have done a masterful job putting fear and anger into our hearts and saying our plight is because we are being taken advantage of by freeloaders. Hardly.
I agree with Joe Hayesʻ point about Americans not really being exceptional – because we are humans, and all human societies contain both intelligent, responsible, ethical people as well as "boorish, crude…and painfully ignorant" people. The good news, is there are statistically more good guys than bad guys. The bad news is the bad guys are louder, more organized, and have loads of money to keep them in power. Also, they cheat like heck to stay in power.
What makes things difficult and frustrating is that the two main parties play by different sets of rules or values. Most democrats try to play fair, while many republicans pretty much follow Machiavelliʻs advice to do anything to win, including lying, cheating and stealing elections. This is my personal observation of conservative power grabs. Just look at Trump and McConnell. (yes they are examples of the worst of us)
My hope is that the good guys get active and vote in droves. Some people are worried we have too many dems running for president…but Iʻm fine with having 20+ democratic candidates. Itʻs early days and each of them is vying to come up with intelligent, informed policies that will help the American people. As we get to know them, the field will winnow down. I will vote for whoever becomes the democratic presidential nominee – all of them are light years better than that orange idiot con-man.
But if I had my druthers, my favorite is Elizabeth Warren. Warren is smart, strong, principled, pragmatic and full of courage and compassion. She THINKS about our myriad of problems and comes up with plans to tackle those problems. Warren is also a mid-westerner, a mom, a teacher, and consistently and persistently fights for a more level playing field for regular everyday Americans.
Looking forward to the first set of debates in a couple weeks!
SH; while you are looking forward to the first set of debates, I am expecting a mob scene and battle of the egos by elected officials whose public popularity over a few specific issues has made them believe they know more about everything than anyone else. Does that sound familiar? They are trying to be promoted beyond their level of abilities; maybe with more time and experience they will qualify; with experience comes wisdom and they, unlike Trump, will know what they do not know and will want to learn.
Meanwhile; who is doing their jobs, the jobs which brought them to the attention of their now adoring public?
The growing list of Democratic wannabes reminds me of an old, off-color joke about the young bull and the old bull standing on a hill, looking down at the herd of cows. Young bull, "Let's run down there and screw one of those cows." Old bull, "Let's walk down and screw all of them." Trump has his public sights on only Joe Biden; you can bet the old GOP, led by McConnell, is watching the entire herd.
Mary Stevenson says:
I would like to have seen more Republican input in this article. I cannot assume that all "Trumpers" are rabid racist morons unconnected with reality, although it often seems that way. Republicans will vote in this coming election. They might reelect Donald Trump. Why? Why not ask them?


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24.06.2004 Crime & Punishment
Highway robbery - One dead, 2 injured
One person died and two injured when soldiers exchanged gunfire with armed robbers near Shai Hills in the early hours of Wednesday 23 June.
The dead was believed to be a member of the gang, while the injured, an military Captain and a civilian driver, who was a victim, were rushed for medical treatment.
Their conditions were said to be stable.
The Chronicle's investigations revealed that the gunmen established a roadblock on a bridge between Shai Hills and Doryumu, and began harassing motorists.
Monies and valuables were taken at gunpoint.
Soldiers from the Army Recruits Training School at Shai Hills responded to a distress call, but were met with gunfire from the robbers.
The military returned fire and when the action subsided one of the armed robbers was found dead in a nearby stream.
Identities of the military officer and the Kia truck driver are being withheld.
The Chronicle newspaper has been following activities of what has become '28 Days strikers' who mainly operate by establishing roadblocks on highways on or around 28th days.
The Chronicle first noticed their activities sometime last year when on the Tema-Akosombo highway, around Shai Hills the robbers blocked the road and robbed commuters.
One Emmanuel Lartey, brother of Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey, former Commanding Officer of the 64 Infantry Regiment, was shot in the process.
The incident was presumed as an assassination attempt but The Chronicle's in-depth investigations uncovered that he was the victim of highway robbery.
Twenty-eight days later, gunmen blocked the Tema-Aflao highway on a bridge and killed a driver and followed the next 28th day with an ambush of a police patrol vehicle near Asikuma on the Tema-Ho road.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


5 Bellevue Circuit is a purpose-built distribution centre located in Sydney's premier industrial precinct. The facility is part of Quarry Industrial Estate at Greystanes which provides over 220,000 square metres of purpose-built and speculative facilities for logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and storage users.
5 Bellevue Circuit comprises a vast single level warehouse facility and two levels of office space. The dispatch area incorporates three on-grade roller shutter doors and three loading docks featuring cantilever awnings for all-weather protection.


Benches are wonderful decorating staples. Great in halls, mud rooms and on verandahs. Long benches at the dining table lend an informal vibe whilst old benches at the end of the bed add charm and interest.


When tensions rise, Libyans struggle to prevent the old ways from becoming their new ways.
A fact of life in Libya is that things are resting on a fragile balance, and at any moment, the slightest nudge can tip things over into chaos.
The strike by the air traffic controllers pushed things firmly into chaos territory on Saturday night, with shouting matches that stretched from the check-in desks to boarding gates and beyond.
Booked on a flight to Benghazi, my fixer, Asaad, and I were told that our flight would be delayed by two hours. Then four and a half.
We got a boarding pass for a 10:30pm flight and waited in the lounge, mostly with men with angry looks cemented on their faces.
"If they'd told us there was a strike, I would have made other arrangements - we have jobs to do," said a man going only as Taher.
At 11:30 Asaad took a stroll and came back telling me that he'd been walking around on the tarmac.
"Wait. What? You were just wandering around?" I asked.
"There are people who have been waiting on the bus to get on the plane this entire time."
Opting for fresh air and maybe a more interesting scene, we headed out on to the tarmac to find passengers - mostly women and children, including an infant - waiting on a bus with no driver.
Another woman was strolling around under the wing of an airplane, talking on her mobile phone. Men anxiously paced around and compared how long they'd been waiting.
"The whole crew is gone. The manager does nothing," shouted Sadeeq Shawish.
"This is very hard," said Taher Mofta, 75.
"No WC, no milk for the babies, no water."
He said the man sitting next to him, Nasser Omar Khalifa, 71, was in ill health and dealing with injuries of having been detained and beaten by government forces during the uprising. Frail and with a cane, Khalifa pulled a neck brace out of his bag to prove his point.
But just a short distance away, a tense scene was brewing.
We'd been taken there, just down the tarmac, by an angry man wearing a shiny jacket. After waiting for hours he'd been allowed to board a flight, only to be told by airline staff that this wasn't the right plane and that he and all passengers should get off and get back on the bus in order to be taken to the right plane.
There was no other plane, and the man had reached the end of his tether.
"Follow me, quickly, quickly," he said, leading us to a plane. The boarding stairwell, packed with shouting passengers, was parked a few metres away from the aircraft. There was some sort of tussle between them and some soldiers.
A few metres away from the stairs, another fight. Noticing my small camera (which I'd been holding the whole time) time, soldiers and security staff surrounded us.
They walked toward us, and we walked backwards. They didn't want us there and did not want me to take photos (at this point, I was wearing my press ID). I found it odd that they were focusing on me rather than the fighting and the angry mob of passengers.
"OK. No problem. What's happening?" I asked.
No answers. We were firmly, very politely, encouraged to move along.
The man in the shiny blazer positioned himself between us and the soldiers, shouting that Libya is now free, that they can't stop a journalist from reporting, and that they should just tell people to go home instead of taking them off planes, etc.
"If I'm wrong, slap me now!" he screamed, hoarse by now.
Asaad and I were escorted back to the bus by a security guard, who seemed only keen on making sure that I did not take any photos of the chaos.
Later, the same man pulled Asaad aside and in the presence of a member of security and a solder, asked that we not report the fighting. I didn't say I'd agree to do so, and when I asked why, the only answer he gave was: "Please, it's my responsibility, it's my fault."
What it felt like was theatre.
We bumped into him again in Benghazi airport at 3:30am. Asaad asked him if he was OK.
"Yeah, you just have to scare them a bit," he said, waving away any worry.
Welcome to the new Libya.
What the soldiers were doing was reverting to the old way of thinking and what so many Libyans reject these days - asking that something not get reported - and what the man was doing was using someone with a press ID to let them know that this simply would not fly.


text:
Wazoku Recognised As One of the 2021 UK's Best Workplaces
Employee wellnessNews
By HRTech News Desk On Apr 29, 2021
Innovation scale-up placed in top 50 of list for commitment to workplace mental health and for making a positive social impact through its work
Innovation scale-up Wazoku has achieved a top 50 placing on the 2021 UK's Best Workplaces™ list (in the medium category) published by Great Place to Work UK.
Wazoku is among the 183 UK-based organisations recognised by its employees as an organisation that promotes a healthy workplace culture through trust, pride and camaraderie during the Covid-19 pandemic. Wazoku placed 50th in the list and is one of the few first-year entrants to place on the Best Workplaces™ list, a testament to the company's focus on creating an empowering and healthy place of work.
"From the very first hire at Waozku, we have tried to make it a place that anyone would want to work at," said Simon Hill, CEO, Wazoku. "Any business is only as good as the people that work there, so it's vital for our own growth to ensure that our workplace is healthy and happy. It's been a massively challenging year, but we have spent a lot of time talking to employees about what they want from the workplace and how we can make it happen. To be recognised for this is an important moment for me."
HR Technology News: Rokt Appoints Chief People Officer to Accelerate Global Growth Goals
Wazoku has UK offices in London and Bristol and international offices in the US and Denmark, and offers a wide range of employee benefits. These include unlimited holiday, office hackathons, flexible working, food & drinks, pension schemes, summer parties, mental health services, Perkbox, training opportunities and much more.
But what sets the company apart as a place to work is its longstanding focus on living its own values of being passionate, customer-focused, collaborative and accountable. This means making a positive social impact through its work, a commitment to diversity, a pledge to a more regenerative future and a belief in supporting and nurturing its employees.
In 2020 Wazoku was one of the world's first innovation firms to officially become carbon neutral. When offsetting its carbon footprint, Wazoku consulted employees as to which projects should be included in its carbon offset portfolio and as a company encourages open dialogue about all aspects of its work.
Wazoku scored highly on the Great Place to Work® UK criteria. 100% of employees agreed that people were treated fairly, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that special events at the company were celebrated. 98% of employees said that Wazoku treated people fairly regardless of sex, age and ethnic origin, and 98% also said they were proud to tell others they worked at Wazoku.
HR Technology News: Falling Colors Hiring Accelerated Through the Pandemic
"We give people opportunities to train and nurture their talents into whichever direction they want, and our current Director of Software Engineering was an intern at the company just eight years ago," continued Simon Hill. "But to rank on the Great Place to Work® list this year is especially rewarding, and we have prioritised mental health across our teams throughout this team."
"This has meant a fully flexible approach to work. People were free to work from wherever best suited their needs, and we have continued to run virtual team events, bring teams together, and when possible, maintain an open and safe office environment. We also extended the availability of our mental health services. Mental health is more important than ever, and I am genuinely proud that we have been able to support our people on that front."
Understanding the perspective of employees is key to building a successful workplace environment. To determine an organisation's ranking, Great Place to Work® administers their comprehensive employee survey which represents 3/4 of an organisation's final score. The remaining quarter of the score comes from the Culture Audit® – a business-driven questionnaire that uncovers and evaluates the organisation's HR and leadership practices, policies and culture.
HR Technology News: Josh Bersin Taps Perceptyx as a Strategic Technology Partner
Employee BenefitsGreat Place to WorkMental Health Servicestraining opportunitiesWazoku
WorkForce Software Named a Leader for Seven Consecutive Years in Nucleus Research's Workforce Management Technology Value Matrix
Agilisys and HSO Join Forces to Transform Public Sector Finance and HR Operations


On 6 February 2009, the conference Dictionaries, More Than Words took place at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana. The full programme of the conference which was part of the Communication in Slovene project was recorded and is available at www.videolectures.net, and the materials presented by speakers are available at the links below.
The public discussion portion began with a short presentation by Jure Zupan, (National Institute of Chemistry) who presented his concept of a hierarchically organized dictionary of the meanings of Slovene words (in Slovene).
His presentation was followed by the public discussion.
For more photos please go to the picture gallery.
Copyright © 2008-2011 Amebis, d.o.o., Kamnik. All rights reserved.


text:
module Bulldoggy
  module UseCases
    class TaskChecker
      def initialize(task_id)
        @task_id = task_id
      end

      def check
        task_repo.check(@task_id)
      end

      private

      def task_repo
        Repository.for(:task)
      end
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Not your stereotypical missionary
Topics: Communications
Ana Maria* was 17 years old when a Swiss missionary visited her family in the province of Jujuy, Argentina and the encounter gave her life a new purpose. From that moment on, she prayed for Switzerland, and that one day she would have the opportunity to join a missions programme in the country of the Alps.
However, due to the financial crisis in Argentina, it seemed impossible. "I prayed: 'God, if you really want me to go, then let me go!'" Ana Maria shared.
She kept waiting and praying for her opportunity to go, using her time of preparation to study fashion design and dance–eventually becoming a certified dance instructor. Two years later, God opened doors for her to go and even provided flights for Ana Maria through her Swiss friend's church.
Then the time came for Ana Maria to take a huge step of faith: leaving Argentina to serve in a completely unknown country for one year. She didn't speak English or German–only Spanish–and had no money of her own.
Upon arrival in Switzerland, Ana Maria became the au pair of a Christian family. It was not how she imagined herself being a missionary in Switzerland, but it was an opportunity to learn German, fall in love with the country and to see snow for the first time in her life.
A year later, Ana Maria returned to Argentina—but wanted deeply to go back to Switzerland. Again, her wish seemed impossible; however, God told her: "You will go back to Switzerland; take this time to prepare."
And that is what Ana Maria did because she knew what seemed impossible for her, was possible for God.
Sharing God's love and hope
One day, Ana Maria received a call from her Swiss friends saying they felt God telling them to purchase a flight for her to return to Switzerland. Little by little, Ana Maria received all the money she needed to return to Switzerland for one year, this time as part of a mission discipleship training with OM at the base in Switzerland.
There she learnt more about her relationship with God and how God can use her willingness to serve Him by sharing His love with whomever she meets. Ana Maria was able to work with refugees, children and in the OM café, but something that came as a surprise to her was using her training as a dance teacher.
Ana Maria was able to share God's love and hope through her profession by giving dance classes to refugee women. Through teaching dance, she was also able to share how God can change lives.
'Everyone can serve God with their lives!'
Ana Maria never thought that one day she would be able to use her job as a dance instructor to serve God overseas. And that was just the beginning: Ana Maria returned to Argentina and began praying for her future, thinking that she would remain in Argentina, but "God changed my plans!" said Ana Maria. "A woman from my church told me she knew of some Christian workers in the Arabian Peninsula who were looking for help."
Ana Maria kept praying about her future and after two job interviews it was set: Ana Maria would take her next step of faith—she would go to the Arabian Peninsula to serve God as a dance instructor for two years.
Ana Maria's concluded: "Everyone can serve God with their lives!" The one thing that guided her through the whole time was, and is, God's help and providence–He was with her every step of the way.
Please pray for Ana Maria as she continues to serve God through her skills and passion in the Arabian Peninsula.
*name changed for security
Interested in going to Argentina?
Come and help!
Church Planting, Communications, Evangelism, Muslim
Missions and mountains
Communications, Freedom Challenge
Serving where God wants
Communications, Resourcing
'Revving my engines for God' through Transform 2019
Communications, Evangelism, Kids Youth and Students, Transform
Communications, Evangelism, Prayer
Church planting in Tunceli
Church Planting, Communications, Evangelism, Mentoring and Discipleship, Muslim
News from the Near East
Church Planting, Communications, Kids Youth and Students, Muslim, Publishing and Literature, Relief and Development, Teaching, Training
Director's Update – Sept 2018
Other Resources by Christina B.
Our opportunities for going to Argentina
Sorry, no options at the moment


text:
Q: replace nans with normal distribution of the moving window I need to replace NaNs of 1D array with local normal distribution in numpy. I select a window, calculate mean and std of that window then use normal distribution to replace NaNs, while the rest of the signal stays the same.
import numpy as np

def replace_nan(signal, window = 5):
    """
    calculate moving average and std of signal window without nan
    replaces nan values with normal distribution (mean, std)
    """
# add padding in case signal starts/ends with nan
    signal = np.pad(signal, (window, window), 'mean', stat_length = 2*window)

    for k in range(window,len(signal)-window):
        mean = np.nanmean(signal[k-window:k+window])  # window average
        std = np.nanstd(signal[k-window:k+window]) # window std without nan

        ind = np.where(np.isnan(signal[k-window:k+window]))[0]
        print (ind)
        signal[ind]= np.random.normal(mean, std)

    signal = signal[window:len(signal)-window] #remove padding

    return signal

#tester
signal = np.array([0.71034849, 0.17730998, 0.77577915, 0.38308111,
0.24278947, np.nan, np.nan, 0.68694097, 0.6684736 , 0.47310845, 0.22210945,
0.1189111, np.nan, np.nan, np.nan, 0.5573841 , 0.57531205, 0.74131346,
0.29088101, 0.5573841 , 0.57531205, 0.74131346, np.nan, np.nan, np.nan,
np.nan, 0.49534304, 0.18370482, 0.06089498, 0.22210945, 0.1189111])

signal = replace_nan(signal, 5)

print(signal)

I replace nans with the normal distribution np.random.normal() with mean and std calculated for the moving window with size 5. Something is wrong when I select those nans of the signal window to replace them. It should be easy, I am just a complete beginner with python.

A: I haven't tested if the numbers work out exactly, but I think this will work:
import numpy as np

def replace_nan(signal, window = 5):
    """
    calculate moving average and std of signal window without nan
    replaces nan values with normal distribution (mean, std)
    """

    # add padding in case signal starts/ends with nan
    signal = np.pad(signal, (window, window), 'mean', stat_length = 2*window)

    for k in range(window, len(signal) - window + 1):
        mean = np.nanmean(signal[k-window:k+window])  # window average
        std = np.nanstd(signal[k-window:k+window]) # window std without nan

        if np.isnan(signal[k]):
            signal[k] = np.random.normal(mean, std)

    signal = signal[window:len(signal)-window] #remove padding

    return signal

#tester
signal = np.array(
    [
        0.71034849, 0.17730998, 0.77577915, 0.38308111, 0.24278947, np.nan,
        np.nan, 0.68694097, 0.6684736 , 0.47310845, 0.22210945, 0.1189111,
        np.nan, np.nan, np.nan, 0.5573841 , 0.57531205, 0.74131346,
        0.29088101, 0.5573841 , 0.57531205, 0.74131346, np.nan, np.nan,
        np.nan, np.nan, 0.49534304, 0.18370482, 0.06089498, 0.22210945,
        0.1189111
    ]
)

print("Before:")
print(signal)

signal = replace_nan(signal, 5)

print("\nAfter:")
print(signal)

This gives:
Before:
[ 0.71034849  0.17730998  0.77577915  0.38308111  0.24278947         nan
         nan  0.68694097  0.6684736   0.47310845  0.22210945  0.1189111
         nan         nan         nan  0.5573841   0.57531205  0.74131346
  0.29088101  0.5573841   0.57531205  0.74131346         nan         nan
         nan         nan  0.49534304  0.18370482  0.06089498  0.22210945
  0.1189111 ]

After:
[ 0.71034849  0.17730998  0.77577915  0.38308111  0.24278947  0.35960417
  0.508657    0.68694097  0.6684736   0.47310845  0.22210945  0.1189111
  0.50282732  0.34906067  0.31206557  0.5573841   0.57531205  0.74131346
  0.29088101  0.5573841   0.57531205  0.74131346  0.80133879  0.63122315
  0.49236281  0.35630875  0.49534304  0.18370482  0.06089498  0.22210945
  0.1189111 ]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Our StoryMarlin2019-07-17T04:23:23+00:00
Our company was started in 1999. It was created with the intent to charter a path less travelled: to be ethical, sustainable, and financially viable. The distinctive name 'Marlin' was chosen to reflect that fish's unique ability to navigate its own way around the vast seas and oceans of the world.
In 2012 our two Directors – Karl and Dan – formed a business partnership built upon the rapport and bond they'd developed working alongside one another since 2005. The union represented the opportunity for each of them to build a special agency – an agency that would help charities define their brands with careful consideration of fundraising goals, and develop their fundraising campaigns with creative flair to generate trust, attachment, and loyalty.
In 2014 our business was recognised by BRW as one of the Fastest 100 growing companies in Australia. In 2015, as a finalist in the Owner Manager category of the Australian Institute of Management's 2015 Excellence Awards.
Today, Marlin is a team of nineteen people brought together by a common set of values. We proudly serve twenty clients, and we will always be in humbled awe of the many incredible causes that each of them represent.
It is because of those causes that we have a reason to exist, and the motivation to continue.
Karl Tischler
Karl Tischler - Founding Director
During his second year studying a business degree, Karl read 'The Grapes of Wrath' – a book that would change his life in a way that nothing else had. It was a defining point – the distillation of many thoughts that gave reason and purpose as to why he had made such a stupid choice to study a business degree in the first place.
He believed that if you could affect what was in a man's (or woman's) back pocket – you could affect their behaviour. After further study, he built upon this belief – and realised that it was actually communications, advertising and marketing that could most profoundly influence and shape those behaviours.
It was a very deliberate choice that he and Dan made to only work with charities and cause-driven organisations: organisations that served a truer and more worthy purpose. Today, he often looks around and is truly humbled by those that have been similarly attracted by that choice, and joined the small agency he founded.
"Fear the time when Manself will not suffer and die for a concept, for this one quality is the foundation of Manself, and this one quality is man, distinctive in the universe…" — John Steinbeck
Dan Geaves
Dan Geaves - Creative Strategy Director
When Dan discovered that his psychological research into why people saved money was being picked up by advertising agencies in London – it opened his eyes, and his mind to to a completely new career. Suddenly his drive to understand people's behaviour could be combined with his passion for creativity and ideas. Dan ploughed into the fast-paced world of advertising and direct marketing agencies, ultimately working for (and with) the brightest and the best. But it wasn't enough – in 2002 he decided to focus further and dedicate his days to working with causes. Since then he was worked closely with dozens of charities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand – helping them discover what makes them distinctive, and uncovering how to make that appealing to specific supporter groups. Today, Dan ensures Marlin is identifying and solving problems for our clients – so that we can all be satisfied that we are helping to make the world a better place.
"Find the thing that you love doing, and make that your work. We have, and it is very special indeed."
Clayton Thomas
Clayton Thomas - Creative Director
Clayton is an award-winning copywriter with extensive experience developing above-the-line campaigns for creatively driven brands such as; Nike, Gatorade, Vodafone, Panasonic and Harley Davidson. Clayton's other creative outlet is experimental music. For the past decade he has travelled Europe playing double bass and working with musicians from every corner of the globe. He chose Marlin because he likes to use his experience, and smarts for good.
"My heroes have dedicated their lives to a vision of creativity, which transforms communities, and reveals the radical beauty laying dormant in all of us. They have asked us to reimagine our own potential."
Sophie Griffiths
Sophie Griffiths Communications Strategist
Sophie brings a deep understanding of the NFP sector to Marlin and her work. Her experience working both client and agency side means she offers a unique perspective to every project and relationship, genuinely understanding needs and pressures and effectively bringing that gap between client and service provider.
As one of Marlin's Strategists, Sophie makes it her mission to understand the client's ambitions, get to the heart of problems and work towards effective solutions.
"This sector, the people in it and most importantly, the causes we support is what fuels me. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else."
Matthew Ware
Matthew Ware - Head of Studio
Matt brings more than 10 years of design and professional photography experience to Marlin. He has a real knack for imagery – he's our go-to person for photo shoots, and he always impresses. Matt began his design career in the publishing industry, developing and launching numerous business-to-consumer print titles and iPad publications. Despite his impressive portfolio, his work didn't satisfy him.
"The work I was doing was telling people that they wouldn't be happy unless they had the latest product. It fed a lot of discontent so I started looking for more meaningful work. I found Marlin and the rest is history."
Leanne Thomas
Leanne Thomas - Senior Designer
Leanne joined Marlin from a leading design agency in the UK, where her work with clients including Reuters, KPMH, Tetley, and Estonia (yes, the country!) earned her several design awards. She was the lead designer in a team working to rebrand the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and helped to develop their Living Planet Report, which is distributed in 52 countries, and the European Parliament. Leanne has a passion for photography and painting – as well as a great love of animals.
"I've turned down work for alcohol, cigarette and gambling companies and other large corporates who lack values. I work at Marlin because I believe in giving back."
Martin Bampton
Martin Bampton - Designer/ Senior Finished Artist
Martin has worked as a graphic designer for eight years, using his versatile skillset to impress clients in print media, corporate publishing, and advertising. His high attention to detail landed him his role as a Designer/Senior Finished Artist at Marlin – and he relishes his work every day.
"When I go home at the end of the day, I feel that I've contributed in one way or another to make the world my daughter grows up in a better place."
Your cause. Our creative work. Real change.
Every organisation we work with has a cause, a problem that they are dedicated to solving, a need that they're striving to fulfil. Their cause is a catalyst for our creative thinking. The concepts they inspire, the ones that we then send into the world, are the way we create change. They ask for a response, an action, a reaction.
By defining a concept, by framing a problem, we enable audiences to feel like they can fight for something higher than themselves – that they can fight against injustice; be a solution to the inequalities that surround them; and, stand up for their beliefs. Through our work we can show them that their time is not wasted, that they can extend their care for others, and turn the tears they weep into help for those whose stories are lined with unimaginable tragedy and heartache.
We want to make others feel, be moved and be inspired.
Today, it would seem that we're surrounded by so many 'bigger than self' problems – chronic problems that don't ever seem to reach a conclusion, issues that dwarf one's existence and make our efforts seem futile and hopeless. Although it may always have been so, the day that we give up trying to change things – is the day we die – and the day that we fail to move others, is the day we close up, and go home.
It is for this reason – to communicate the stories, causes and purposes of all our clients – that Marlin exists.
Sarah Hipsley
Sarah Hipsley - Senior Designer
Sarah brings extensive experience from several years developing creative campaigns at Greenpeace. She believes in the power of design to realise awareness, mobilise communities and create positive social change – and is passionate about illustration, maps and all things beautifully created and fantastically realised.
"If we are to create the change we know in the bottom of our hearts is needed, we must do everything we can to get our message heard."
Georgia Lyons
Georgia Lyons - Account Director
Professional singer by night, dedicated Account Director by day, Georgia always gives 110%. Various roles in the advertising industry saw her working on accounts including Arnott's, Salvos Stores, Nestle, Diageo, Kimberly-Clarke Australia, and Oxfam. Over time, Georgia realised she found most satisfaction in working with not-for-profit clients, and she jumped at the chance to work exclusively with charities.
"I was once told I was too nice for advertising – it didn't sit well with me and I proved them wrong. Now I couldn't be happier, working with a business that shares my values, hopes and dreams for a better world."
Jasmine Coronado
Jasmine Coronado Senior Account Manager
Jasmine uses her creativity and innovation to help others. She's the co-founder of a grass-roots initiative in Sydney that offers support to homeless women, while in her role at Marlin she brims with efficiency, positivity and compassion.
Jasmine began her career working for a successful e-Commerce startup, before honing her Account Management skills at a multinational advertising agency. Now she's doing what she loves.
"My role at Marlin gives me purpose and the causes we work with align with my values and vision for a better world. If you change nothing, nothing will change."
Ruby Arras-Swan
Ruby Arras-Swan Senior Account Manager
Ruby is an Senior Account Manager focussed on the big picture — the story at the heart of an appeal and the creativity that creates powerful responses from donors.
Dedicated to great ideas and nurturing them as they come to life, Ruby is excited to enter the not-for-profit space after years honing her skills working on major, multi-channel accounts for ANZ, Volkswagen and HBF.
She will be a champion for causes, and great support to our clients, bringing her kiwi charm and can-do attitude to every job.
"I'm excited to be working alongside amazing change-makers to help them to deliver positive social impact."
What we do defines us. How we act makes it so. Every day we are…
Advertising is not evil. It can be genius. We're unashamedly passionate about creating ideas and communications for causes that matter.
Listening is important. When we know our objective, we can help one another solve any knotty problem.
Marliners take it personally. How can we not? We create emotions about causes using creative work born from our own emotions.
Marliners are warm and strong. We calmly stand up for ourselves, our work and what we believe in. We breathe. We keep going. We work at things.
People are nice. Persistence pays off. Nice guys don't finish last. And the fridge has more beer, so the glass is not empty. We are optimistic.
No one ever knows it all. We have humility. We admit mistakes. We keep on learning.
Hannah Colless
Hannah Colless Copywriter
Hannah began her career in Melbourne, writing for cultural and food guides, before spending two years in London, copywriting for an iconic British clothing brand. While it was a job she loved, it also sparked her desire to pursue a more meaningful career – a desire she has been pursuing ever since. Hannah has now been writing for the not-for-profit sector for the past few years.
As well as working at Marlin, Hannah is studying psychology; giving her an even deeper understanding of the human condition. Hannah brings her passion for people to her writing, always striving to tell people's stories with authenticity and empathy.
"Working at Marlin means I get to write about people instead of products, and encourage kindness instead of commercialism. I also get to work with kind, creative people, which is a huge bonus."
Miriam Raphael
Miriam Raphael Copywriter
Miriam brings extensive experience as a journalist, editor and producer to Marlin's creative arsenal. After many years tracking down stories from around the world as a guide book writer for Lonely Planet, Miriam returned to Australia to produce content for national and international publications, including ABC Radio, UK Telegraph and News Corp. A natural storyteller, Miriam writes with a keen eye for detail, finding the heart of the narrative and expressing it with clarity.
"Good stories empower people to take action."
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The United States generally has a reputation for doing things bigger than anyone else, and its national lotteries are definitely no exception. Enter Mega Millions, the very definition of the popular saying "go big or go home." In terms of size, Mega Millions is only comparable to the US Powerball, with the two regularly competing for the title of America's biggest lottery. As such, both games have featured incredible jackpots that have attracted the attention of news sources and lotto enthusiasts from all around the globe.
While there are many similarities between these two behemoths, Mega Millions has a few characteristics that make it unique. Also, it currently holds the world record for the largest single-ticket lottery prize that anyone has ever won. As a result, it's one of the world's most popular lotteries.
Mega Millions is a lottery that has been around for a little more than two decades since its inception in 1996. Back then it went by the name "The Big Game" and was briefly christened "The Big Game Mega Millions" in 2002, shortly before it officially became the "Mega Millions" that we know today. The first Mega Millions draw ever took place on May 17, 2002, and immediately made one lucky winner from Illinois $28 million richer.
From the original coverage of only six states, the lottery has grown to encompass the population of more than 44 US states as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current dealings of the game are divided equally among these member states, and hence the lottery doesn't have a central headquarters.
Buying a Mega Millions ticket involves choosing numbers from two pools in two separate drums. In the first pool, you pick out five numbers that range anywhere from 1 to 70. The second pool, known as the "Mega Ball" (which is very similar to the red "Power Ball" in the US Powerball) consists of numbers 1 to 25, from which you can choose one. You get the jackpot only if you match all six numbers. That said, there are other great lower-tier prizes you can win even if you don't score the main one.
Jackpots generally start at $40 million and gradually increase by a minimum of $5 million after each draw. There is no cap on how large the rollover amount can get, and this is why the jackpots can reach astronomical heights. The bigger the jackpot gets, the more people tend to play, which creates an upward spiral that fuels itself. Of course, when a lucky person or persons do win the jackpot, the number is reset to the original $40-million minimum.
There are a total of 9 ways through which you can win a Mega Millions prize, with the lowest award being only $2. The prize gradually increases, with the second-highest being a $1 million windfall. Naturally, the probability of winning goes up slowly as the prize value lowers.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, which is actually a bit worse than the odds of winning US Powerball: 1 in 292,201,388. This makes it the second toughest lottery to win in the world, right after Italy's SuperEnaLotto (which has odds of 1 in 622,614,630). Across the pond, EuroMillions (1 in 139,838,160) and EuroJackpot (1 in 95,344,200) both have better odds, but their prizes—though still incredible—don't get quite as high as Mega Millions' do.
Fortunately, the overall odds of winning any prize are much better: 1 in 24.
There is also the option of a "Megaplier" that offers the possibility to multiply any non-jackpot win by up to 5 times. The value of this awesome prize multiplier is determined right before each draw and chosen randomly from a pool of 15 balls, of which five have 2x marked on them, six have 3X, three have 4X, and one has 5X.
Although there is an additional fee for the Mega Millions Megaplier, it's a small price to pay if it means your already huge prize can be considerably bigger. Within the US, the fee to add on the Megaplier option is $1, which will bring your total ticket cost to $3 even.
The Mega Millions drawing is done twice each week, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 p.m. EST at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and is closely supervised by the Georgia Lottery.
In all the years since the game's inception back in 2002, Mega Millions has paid out an astonishing 180 jackpots to the extremely lucky owners of 204 separate tickets. Of those, only 20 jackpots were split among two or more winning tickets, and 16 were worth more than $300 million!
Although winning prizes like this might seem impossible, the stories behind the biggest Mega Millions winners ever show that it can indeed happen to anyone—and change their lives forever.
With Mega Millions, it's up to you to decide if you want to collect your winnings as a single lump sum or if you want them paid out in annual payments over 30 years. This latter option is called an annuity payment, and though it'll take a long time to get your earnings, you'll get much more altogether because you'll be taxed less. Plus you'll never have to worry about squandering all your money all at once!
Regardless of how high the Mega Millions jackpots climb to, remember that the taxman will be just as excited as you about your win. That's because in addition to a federal tax (of 24% to 37%), there might also be a state tax and even a city tax added on. Therefore, buying your tickets in certain states, like California or Washington, makes most sense because those states do not tax lottery wins. Other states, such as West Virginia (6.5%) and Vermont (6%), do tax lottery wins. In addition, some cities, such as NYC (3.9%), have an additional tax on top of that. As you can see, where you buy your ticket can make a huge difference in how much money you end up taking home at the end of the day, so spending a few minutes to understand the basics of America's lottery tax is something we highly recommend.
If you're playing online from another country, keep in mind that your own country may also tax your winnings.
Although Mega Millions is officially available to people who are currently living in or at least physically present in one of the 44 states or the US Virgin Islands or the District of Columbia, anyone in the world can play through the best lottery agents and lottery betting sites.
Mega Millions – Is It Worth Playing?
So, is Mega Millions worth playing? The answer to this is a resounding "YES!" The Mega Millions lottery is one of the biggest and best lotteries in the world. Its jackpots continue to break records and will likely keep doing so for many years to come, especially as more and more people from around the world keep hearing about it and playing it. While the odds of winning a jackpot are certainly tough, the odds of winning a secondary prize are actually surprisingly decent. For just a few dollars and the right amount of luck, you could become the next Mega Millions billionaire.
I play lotteries online around the world regularly, and I still can't believe how big some of the Mega Millions jackpots get to be. This lotto completely sums up the American approach to everything, but hey I ain't complainin'!


text:
My View: St. Joseph's Day takes on a new meaning
By My View|Published Wed, Mar 7, 2018
By Jill Gugino
St. Joseph's Day is a big day for Sicilians and Italians alike. When we immigrated to the new country from the old we brought with us some very beautiful and sacred traditions. Some were steeped in faith and some in superstition, but all were brought forth from the foundation of giving and helping those in need.
As the legend goes, Sicily was suffering a tremendous drought and the people were starving: no water, no crops and no food. Prayers were abundant and promises made to St Joseph. Please bring forth rain and when the crops are harvested a feast will be shared and all will be welcome. We will feed the poor, the rich, the lonely, the young and old alike. There will never be a fee for it is meal of thanksgiving for blessings bestowed.
St. Joseph was a unique man in that he adopted a child who was not born of his blood. He loved and cared for a child who was owned by the world. His wife was the mother to all humanity and the awesome responsibility of cultivating a blended family and keeping secure the gift of salvation sat on his shoulders alone. St. Joseph became the patron saint of families and because he died with Jesus and the blessed mother at his side, he is also the patron saint of a happy and peaceful death.
My father was born 86 years ago to Sicilian immigrants older than most, given the time frame. At 30 years old, my grandmother, Rose, prayed to St. Anne, patron saint of pregnancy and mothers in hopes of having a child. On July 26, 1930 – ironically the feast of St. Anne – she had what was to be her only child, John Joseph Gugino. They blended into American culture but kept their traditions from the old country.
Jill Gugino.
Our St. Joseph table was bigger than Christmas! No gifts were expected or exchanged no promises made and no losing the true meaning to commercialism. It was a meal extended to all, strangers and friends alike. The doors on Italian households were open and if you happened to be hungry we fed you. What a simple concept, kindness.
Last year as we anticipated our feast, my father's health was failing. The Parkinson's that he was fighting was rapidly advancing and we were losing hope that he would make it to his special day. I will never forget whispering in his ear on March 17, "Daddy you better not die on me on St. Patrick's Day, don't you dare leave me on St. Patrick's Day, we are so close." He looked up at me and told me to pack his clothes. I was somewhat confused and asked him if he was planning on going someplace? And he told me to take them out of the house so my mom didn't have to see them.
On St. Patrick's Day, I packed all of my dad's clothes and put them in the trunk of my car as he asked me to do. On March 18, my mother and two siblings listened to Glen Miller songs, talked of days gone by and kept vigil next to Dad. I told him that it was just the five of us all under the same roof, as it had not been in some 25 years. We were there and it was OK. We were OK. He slipped away in the wee hours of the morning of March 19, St. Joseph's Day, with all of us at his side praying for his journey.
I like to think that at the moment the door on this side closed, he opened the kitchen door of his mother's house and she was busy making food for the St. Joseph's table. He was welcomed in, on his favorite holiday, to his favorite food, no expectations just a hearty appetite and a thankful smile.
This year in keeping with our heritage and rooted in tradition, we will set a table of thanksgiving for a life well lived and a peaceful and beautiful passing. All are welcome at our St. Joseph's table. We will live to be thankful for the blessing and honor of our father and St Joseph. From immigrants in a new world to Italian-Americans, with pride in both lands we open our doors with humble but most thankful hearts. Viva San Giuseppe!
Jill Gugino understands something special about St. Joseph's Day.


DataFlash® are provided. Sampling rates up to 96 kHz at 24 bits are supported.
The ATSAM3308B includes eight on-chip DSPs.
and P24 instructions, the ROM contains typical coefficients such as FFT cosines and windowing.
as state variable IIR filtering, envelope generation, linear interpolation and wavetable loop.
cache, pitch control, 2nd order filter and two envelope generators.
The Sync Bus transfers data on a frame basis, typical frame rates being 32, 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz.
handles audio out, audio in, and remix send.
The Async Bus has 24-bit data inside the chip and 16-bit data outside.
when using 16-bit external memory.
RAM from serial EEPROM, DataFlash, SmartMedia or host.
and the P24s through the Async Bus. The ATSAM3308B includes 16k x 24 RAM on chip.
sampling rate than the audio out channels. In this case, one (or more) P24 takes care of sampling rate conversion.
and small IC footprint. Most I/Os, when not used for a specific function, remain available as firmware controlled general-purpose pins.
• Parallel master 8-bit port, for connection to SmartMedia and/or LCD display, switches, etc.
• Synchronous serial slave port (SPI type host connection).
• SPI master bidirectional port for EEPROM or DataFlash connection.
• Firmware controlled I/O pins.
SmartMedia reserved sectors starting at sector # 1.
• Identical sharing number indicates multifunction pins.
• Pd indicates a pin with built-in pull-down resistor.
• Pu indicates a pin with built-in pull-up resistor.
Digital ground. All of these pins should be returned to a ground plane.
PWROUT if the built-in power switch is used.
Periphery power. All these pins should be returned to nominal 3.3V.
power switch is not used.
Slave 8-bit interface chip select, active low.
firmware will wait for SmartMedia SMPD.
firmware to know the operating frequency of the chip (see FS1).
Serial slave synchronous interface data request, active low.
corresponding CLAD3 - 0 is not used.
DAAD3 - 0 if the corresponding WSAD3 - 0 is not used.
or CLAD0 external rate when sampling rate conversion is requested.
when sampling rate conversion is requested.
DAAD3 - 1 have built-in pull-downs. They may be left open if not used.
becomes an active low output.
DataFlash serial output (from DataFlash). This pin has a built-in pulldown. It may be left open if not used.
firmware download from an external SmartMedia, DataFlash or host.
should be grounded or left open for normal operation.
are available which allow warm restart of the chip.
Test input. Should be grounded or left open.
use of these circuits with VC33 outside the recommended operating range.
The Slave Parallel Interface is typically used to connect the chip to a host processor.
Pins used: D7 - D0 (I/O), A0 (Input), WR (Input), RD (Input), IRQ (Output).
Status register is read when A0 = 1, RD = 0, CS = 0.
If 0, data from ATSAM3308B to host is pending and IRQ is high. Reading the data at A0 = 0 will set TE to 1 and clear IRQ.
If 0, then ATSAM3308B is ready to accept DATA from host.
If status bit RF is not checked by host, write cycle time should not be lower than 3 µs.
connection to SmartMedia or other peripherals such as LCD screens.
The DFSCK frequency is firmware programmable from fck to fck/64, where fck is the crystal frequency. Thus a large variety of EEPROM/DataFlash devices can be accomodated.
Please refer to Atmel DataFlash datasheets for accurate SPI mode 0 timing.
serial interface. However, no firmware can be downloaded at power-up through this interface.
Therefore an external ROM/Flash/EEPROM is required.
therefore the host should change SDIN on the negative SCLK edge.
low, indicates that SDIN will hold MSB data on the next rising SCLK.
The data is stored internally into a 256 byte FIFO.
send data in burst mode.
between two bytes is 64 fck periods.
The contents of the SDIN data are defined by the firmware.
The ATSAM3308B allows for 8 digital audio output channels and 8 digital audio input channels.
frequencies must be lower or equal to the chip sampling frequency.
The choice of sample frequency is done by firmware.
words (total = 16 Mbytes).
PLL. pLCK = tCK/4. Typical value with crystal 12.288 MHz is pLCK = 20 ns.
2. Memory access time should be lower than tACE min. Typical value with crystal 12.288 MHz is 80 ns.
During power up, the RESET input should be held low until the crystal oscillator and PLL are stabilized, which takes max. 10 ms.
• All P24s enter an idle state.
• P16 program execution starts in built-in ROM.
• STIN is sensed. If HIGH, then the built-in debugger is started.
to address 400H from external ROM.
• An attempt is made to read the first two bytes of an external EEPROM or DataFlash. If "DR"
• Firmware download from a host processor is assumed.
polling the parallel interface status (CS = 0, A0 = 1, RD = 0).
2. The host sends the firmware size (in words) on two bytes (Low byte first).
chip has accepted the firmware.
5. ATSAM3308B starts the firmware.
core. To exit power down, PDWN has to be asserted high, then RESET applied.
• P24s can be individually stopped.
• The clock frequency can be internally divided by 256.
board GND + VC33 distribution should be in grid form.
decoupling close to the crystal. VC33 requires a single 0.1 µF decoupling.
filter should be the GND plane from the IC.
is an asynchronous type bus. Even on short distances, it can induce pulses on WA0 WA21/WD0 - WD15 which can corrupt address and/or data on these buses.
and to the IC GND.
both to the ROM/Flash grounds and to the IC.
ground. No digital signals should cross the AGND plane. Refer to the Codec vendor recommended layout for correct implementation of the analog section.
• Program Flash, Dataflash, EEPROM, SmartMedia on target.
testing directly on the final prototype.
Atmel engineers are available to study customer-specific applications.
Corrected description of RESET pin in Table 6-1.
"ATSAM3308B Pinout by Pin Number," on page 11.
Changed all references ATSAM3308 to ATSAM3308B. Added Section 7. "Marking" on page 12.
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other terms and product names may be the trademarks of others.


text:
Le selle slovène () est une race de chevaux de sport originaire de Slovénie. Créée à partir de 1978, elle est destinée aux sports équestres. Ces chevaux locaux sont en développement, et comptent des effectifs relativement réduits, d'environ  en 2015.

Histoire
La race est très récente, son origine remonte en effet à 1978, à l'élevage de Krumperk, à partir d'une importation de chevaux Hanovriens, pour répondre à la volonté des Slovènes d'avoir leur propre stud-book de chevaux de sport. L'association de race est formée en 1993, avec une base de 225 membres et 600 chevaux. Le Selle slovène se constitue à partir d'importations d'étalons de sport depuis divers pays européens.

Le selle slovène dispose de son propre stud-book. En 2005, 900 animaux appartenant à ce stud-book sont dénombrés en Slovénie ; environ 170 juments sont mises à la reproduction chaque année, et 80 nouveaux poulains sont enregistrés. Le cheptel est en cours de constitution et de consolidation, la dynamique d'élevage étant plutôt favorable en Slovénie.

Description
Le guide Delachaux indique une taille allant de  à . C'est un cheval de sport classique, grand et élancé, dont la tête de profil rectiligne porte de grands yeux. L'encolure est musclée et longue, la longue croupe est droite et large, les membres sont solides et minces.

Toutes les robes sont possibles, mais le bai, l'alezan, le noir et le gris sont les plus communes.

Utilisations
La race est destinée aux sports équestres, typiquement le saut d'obstacles et le dressage, mais aussi à l'équitation de loisir. Les bons résultats des jeunes chevaux en compétition commencent à se faire remarquer.

Diffusion de l'élevage
Ces chevaux constituent une race nationale et se trouvent dans toute la Slovénie. Ils sont considérés par l'étude de l'université d'Uppsala menée pour la FAO en 2010 comme une race locale européenne dont le niveau de menace est inconnu. La race est néanmoins indiquée comme étant rare sur DAD-IS. En 2015, le cheptel recensé de  est relativement stable.

Notes et références

Annexes

Articles connexes
Liste de races chevalines
Cheval en Slovénie

Liens externes

Bibliographie

Cheval de sport
Race chevaline de haras
Race chevaline originaire de Slovénie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Trump and His Tools Should Stop Saying This About Constitution's 'Natural Born Citizen' Clause
By Scott Ott 2016-01-11T15:08:48
The Framers of the Constitution wrote as plainly as they could to be understood both by men of letters and men of the plow -- scholars and the mechanics alike.
The constitutionality of any particular act or law is determined by the interplay of the words of freedom's charter itself among the people, the states, their federal representatives, and the executive, as well as rulings of the court in particular cases. The Court may weigh in only when two parties clash in a realm over which the Constitution holds sway. Even then, the Supreme Court is not an omnipotent force handing down the eternal word. Congress may write new constitutional law. The People may amend their Constitution. The president may appoint justices who ultimately overturn the ruling.
But our Constitution precedes all of that, and stands on its own, supreme. Its reasonable interpretation is not contingent upon a conflict that forces an issue. The Constitution's words have inherent (and usually obvious) meaning, and you need not suspend your opinion on an issue to await the pronouncement of five ebony-cloaked legal geezers.
https://pjmedia.com/trending/2016/1/11/trump-and-his-tools-should-stop-saying-this-about-constitutions-natural-born-citizen-clause/


Office Design: Cubicle Decoration In Office. Cubicle Decoration Themes In Office For Christmas. Themes For Cubicle Decoration Competition In Office. Cubicle Decoration In Office For Christmas. Cubicle Decoration Themes In Office For Diwali. Cubicle Decoration In Office.


Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced that its 2 x Franchisee of the Year Gabriel McGeown (Gabe) has now expanded his franchise territory to cover the whole of Northern Ireland.
McGeown joined Card Connection in 2008, investing in Armagh/South Tyrone, plus part of the Country Down Territory, focussing on expanding his business and quickly taking the opportunity to purchase Antrim, Belfast and North Down that included County Antrim, Belfast and North Down.
"When the neighbouring franchisee decided to sell his area and retire, Gabe saw the opportunity to acquire Londonderry as the final piece in the Northern Ireland jigsaw," explains Michael Johnson, Managing Director of Card Connection.
"Gabe's ambition and track record of driving sales as one of our network's top performers, plus the outstanding commitment he's shown to Card Connection over the years made it a simple, logical decision when he expressed his interest in expanding into the last of the Northern Ireland franchisee territories," said Johnson.
With the newly combined Northern Ireland territory taking in more than 300 stores, McGeown has expanded his fleet of liveried vans to now include the 5 vehicles needed to cover all the merchandising requirements of such a large area. Now, as 'Mr Northern Ireland' in Card Connection terms, McGeown said he is relishing the challenge of his maximising greeting card sales in the consolidated area.
Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, which is a subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., one of the largest greeting card publishers in the world. Since the franchise network in the UK is complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £12k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.
Territories currently available include: Romford, Bournemouth, Exeter, Plymouth, Gloucester, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Stoke on Trent, Liverpool, Lake District, Bishop Auckland, Fife/Scottish Borders & Stirling.


text:
Developers in Sooke get 'bonus' from council
Changes to amenity contributions and densities hope to promote growth
Pirjo Raits
May. 1, 2013 8:00 a.m.
A recommendation to lower the financial contributions from developers to the District of Sooke passed, although staff had recommended a further analysis as to potential impacts on the proposed changes.
The recommendation is for the developers' amenity contribution for the Town Centre/Unit designation be reduced to $1,000 per unit from $2,500 and the Outside Town Centre/Unit to $2,000 from $5,000. The density also changes to 50 units per hectare from 20 units in the Comprehensive and Community Residential designations.
District planner Gerard LeBlanc raised concerns of the disappearance of Sooke's small town character, financial impacts for the district and the potential for sprawl with no new development downtown.
"We prefer the opportunity to measure twice and cut once," said LeBlanc when stating the reasons for a financial and density impact analysis. "We would have a higher level of comfort and security if we take these actions."
Staff noted that the increased base density figure would result in lower value amenity contributions being made to the district through rezoning for development.
Council instead defeated the motion to refer the staff recommendation and passed the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC)recommendation.
Councillor Herb Haldane in speaking to the LUEC recommendation stated that "nothing is being built… one development in town has ground to a halt (Mariner's Village). The whole idea is to build in 23 per cent of the municipality. We have to try and entice people to come."
Coun. Bev Berger stated that density bonusing was not really a "big thing" and there would be no huge change in density as this was controlled by zoning.
"If they go beyond then they pay density bonus or amenity contribution. I totally support reducing it," she said.
Coun. Maja Tait wanted to see the financial impact and said she would not support the proposed changes, and Coun. Kerrie Reay was opposed as well.
Amenity contributions generally go towards affordable housing, parks, trails and community gardens.
Firefighters return home from Panama
All Candidates' meeting


text:
Cette page recense des événements qui se sont produits durant l'année 1846 en Belgique.

Événements
 31 mars : gouvernement catholique de Barthélemy de Theux dominé par Jules Malou (cabinet des six Malou).
 14 juin : congrès constitutif du parti libéral à Bruxelles.

Culture

Architecture

Naissances
 7 juin : Louis-Joseph Antoine, fondateur du culte antoiniste († 1912)
 24 janvier : Isidore Verheyden, peintre († ).
 19 novembre : Émile Wauters, peintre († ).

Décès
  juillet : Auguste Duvivier, homme politique (° ).

Statistiques
Population totale au  :  habitants.

Notes et références

1846
1846 en Belgique


Aeolian landforms occur on all earths' continents as well as on Mars, Titan and Venus and are typically formed where sediment is eroded and/or deposited by near surface wind flow. As wind flow approaches an aeolian landform, secondary flow patterns are created that cause wind to deviate in both speed and direction, producing complex patterns of sediment erosion, deposition and transportation.Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of wind flow has become a common tool to predict and understand secondary wind flow and resulting sediment transport. Its use has progressed from simulating wind flow over simple two dimensional dune shapes, to calculating a multitude of flow parameters over a range of increasingly complex landforms. Analysis of 25 peer reviewed journal articles, found that CFD has been crucial to providing additional insight to flow dynamics on the stoss slope of dunes, the structure and nature of wind flow separation in the lee of landforms and information on localised wind flow variations in large-scale dune fields. The findings of this assay demonstrate that further research is required regarding the parameterisation and modelling of surface roughness, the incorporation of accurate sediment transport to wind flow models, and the prediction of topographic surface changes. CFD is anticipated to be increasingly utilised in aeolian geomorphology and this work aims to be a starting point for aeolian geomorphologists wishing to better understand and review the utilisation of the technique to date.