The inquiry reframes the exposure of farmers and consumers to toxic chemicals as a potential human rights violation.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is investigating the Agriculture Department over allegations that it violated human rights last October by extending the licences for many companies to sell paraquat, an herbicide used on farms across the country.
The extension was approved even though a committee examining the risk caused by farm chemicals, and chaired by the Public Health Minister, concluded on April 5, 2017 that paraquat should face a total ban before the end of 2019 due to the health risks it posed.
The NHRC's inquiry reframes the exposure of farmers and consumers to toxic chemicals as a potential human rights violation, The Nation reported.
Academic experts and representatives from the Agriculture Department have been summoned to testify at the NHRC's hearing, said Foundation for Consumers official Patchara Klaewkla.
The NHRC took the action in response to the Foundation's complaint, he added.
Associate Professor Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul from Naresuan University will also provide information to the inquiry.
Puangrat spoke out earlier this year about the possible link between high concentrations of paraquat in Nong Bua Lamphu province and the high incidence of flesh-eating disease there.
The herbicide is widely used on Thailand's farms but has banned in 53 countries around the world.
On 23 May 2018, the Hazardous Substances Committee of Thailand decided not to ban paraquat but instead place restrictions on its use. It has given the Agriculture Department two months to introduce control measures.


text:
Q: Trouble Calling and Using Java Methods I just started learning Java and I'm trying to write a program based on an assignment sheet (gave this sheet at bottom of the post). However, I really don't quite understand how to use methods all that well. I've written my methods in the "Customer.java" class, and I'm trying to use them in my "TestCustomer.java" class. However, since I really don't know how to do this, it has turned out horribly. I've searched for information on this, but I just seem to keep making myself more confused. Is there any chance you guys could show me the correct way to use these methods, or at least point me in the right direction? Thank you a ton for any help you can provide.
Customer class
import java.util.Scanner;

import javax.swing.JOptionPane;

public class Customer {
public static double taxRate = 0.00;
public static double saleRate = 0.00;
String customerName;
double listSaleAmount;
double saleDiscount = 0;
double netSaleAmount;
double taxAmount;
double saleTotal;
boolean taxable;

public Customer (String CustomerName, boolean taxable) {

}

public double calculateTax (double listSaleAmount) {
    saleDiscount = listSaleAmount*saleRate;
    netSaleAmount = listSaleAmount-saleDiscount;
    if (taxable == true) {
    taxAmount = netSaleAmount*taxRate;
    }
    else {
    taxAmount = 0.00;
    }
    saleTotal = listSaleAmount + taxAmount;

    return saleTotal;

}

public String printRecord; {
    System.out.println("Customer is " + customerName);
    System.out.println("Sale amount is $" + listSaleAmount);
    System.out.println("Discount amount is $" + saleDiscount);
    System.out.println("Net Sale Amount is $" + netSaleAmount);
    System.out.println("Tax amount is $" + taxAmount);
    System.out.println("Total Sale Amount is $" + saleTotal);
}

public static double changeTaxAmount (double taxRate) {
    Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
    double userTaxAmount = Double.parseDouble(JOptionPane.showInputDialog("What is the Tax Rate? (8.25 & 8.50 for testing)"));
    taxRate = userTaxAmount;
    return taxRate;

}

public static double changeSaleRate (double saleRate) {
    Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
    double userSaleAmount = Double.parseDouble(JOptionPane.showInputDialog("What is the Sale Discount Rate? (0.00 & 7.50 for testing)"));
    saleRate= userSaleAmount;
    return saleRate;
}

public static String printTaxRate; {
    System.out.println("Tax Rate is" + taxRate + "%.");
}

public static String printSaleRate; {
    System.out.println("The Sale Rate is" + saleRate + ".");
}
}

TestCustomer class
import java.math.BigDecimal;
public class TestCustomer {

    /**
     * @param args
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub

Customer customer1 = new Customer("Annie Smith", true);
Customer customer2 = new Customer("Bob Wilson", false);
Double totalOfAllSales = 0.00;

//I have no clue how to actually use the methods I created in the Customer class!
//These are my best guesses, which are obviously wrong
//Any help here would be greatly appreciated!
Customer.changeTaxAmount(taxRate);

Customer.printTaxRate;

Customer.changeSaleRate(saleRate);

Customer.printSaleRate;

customer1.listSaleAmount = 65.00;
customer2.listSaleAmount = 52.00;

totalOfAllSales += customer1.calculateTax;
totalOfAllSales += customer2.calculateTax;

customer1.printRecord;
customer2.printRecord;

Customer.changeTaxAmount(taxRate);
Customer.printTaxRate;
Customer.changeSaleRate(saleRate);
Customer.printSaleRate;

customer1.listSaleAmount = 84.00;
customer2.listSaleAmount = 105.00;
totalOfAllSales += customer1.calculateTax;
totalOfAllSales += customer2.calculateTax;
customer1.printRecord;
customer2.printRecord;

System.out.println("The total of all sales is $" + totalOfAllSales);
    }

}

Assignment sheet (Not worrying about printing to a file right now, just want the main mechanics to work)

A: You seem to be confused about the syntax for calling a method. The syntax is as follows:
object.method(arguments)

If there are no arguments it looks like this:
object.method()

Also, you need to use accessor and mutator methods instead of directly setting instance variables like you do here:
customer1.listSaleAmount = 65.00;

You should implement methods like these:
public void setListSaleAmount(double lsa) {
    listSaleAmout = lsa;
}

public double getListSaleAmount() {
    return listSaleAmount;
}

and make listSaleAmount private.
Problem #2: The syntax for defining the methods. You are using this code to define a method:
public static String printTaxRate; {
    System.out.println("Tax Rate is" + taxRate + "%.");
}

You should be using this code:
public static String printTaxRate() {
    System.out.println("Tax Rate is" + taxRate + "%.");
}

The problem is the weirdly placed semicolon inside the method header.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: Git fetch doesn't update to latest commit Here is the scenario.
I have a remote git repo I use to transfer a project from my home clone to various work clones. I'm the only contributor. I have deployed the script to other machines at work. There is a second contributor <BC> in the git log below, but it's still me. I'm just making the commit on someone else's machine.
My typical workflow:

*

*HOME: DO WORK

*HOME: git push TO REMOTE

*WORK: git fetch [project]

*WORK: git reset --hard FETCH_HEAD

*WORK: git clean -df

The basic idea of this workflow is to overwrite local clones with the remote (reset --hard), because it's just me doing the work. The assumption is--as long as I push after every change, then the remote should always have the most current version.
Git logs:
Home clone
* m9911ebf - (HEAD -> master, plr_generate/dev) FIX(PLRG) ... (3 months ago) <CS>

Work clone
* md63cd90 - (HEAD -> master, plr_generate/master, plr_generate/HEAD) ADD(PLRG) ... (2 days ago) <BC>
* m45d47c2 - DOCS(PLRG) ... (9 weeks ago) <CS>
* m72bfd73 - BUG(PLRG) ... (9 weeks ago) <CS>
* md13c874 - ADD(PLRG) ... (9 weeks ago) <BC>
* m9911ebf - (plr_generate/dev, dev) FIX(PLRG) ... (3 months ago) <CS>

As you can see, the work clone shows updates in the log; however, I can't update my home clone using my workflow (above).
I've verified,

*

*on the master branch on both.

*remote is showing the same project repo.

Basically, I had a workflow that worked for me, and I didn't learn more git than was necessary. Clearly, I'm missing some git concept here.
How do I update home to match the remote?
UPDATE:
Following the comment about git command output. They do not output any unusual errors:
[executed from the home clone directory]
(env) xtian@host> git fetch [project]
  [user]@myremote.com's password:
stdin: is not a tty
remote: Counting objects: 5, done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (4/4), done.
remote: Total 5 (delta 2), reused 0 (delta 0)
Unpacking objects: 100% (5/5), done.
From myremote.com:/path/to/[project]
   45d47c2..d63cd90  master     -> [project]/master

(env) xtian@host> git reset --hard FETCH_HEAD
HEAD is now at 9911ebf FIX(PLRG) ...

(env) xtian@host> git branch
  dev
* master

The HEAD is at m9911ebf in my home clone, but I expect it to be at md63cd90.
Also, the last commit in the log from user <BC> was performed on a colleague's computer. I pushed it, and fetched to my own Work clone. I logged in remotely from home into my work machine to produced the log output you see above. This suggests to me the remote repo I'm fetching has the latest changes.
Without any particular errors, I'm thinking it's something stupid (>_<).


text:
University Archives Holdings Rubel, Natasha
Rubel, Natasha (1964-) | University of Illinois Archives
Name: Rubel, Natasha (1964-)
Variant Name: Sasha Rubel
Sasha Rubel and Pogo Studio Photographs and Papers, 1968-2005
Digital Content Created by Rubel, Natasha
Sasha Rubel Scrapbook
Historical Note: Natasha "Sasha" Rubel was born in 1964 in Champaign, Illinois to Lee A. Rubel, a computer scientist and mathematician at the University of Illinois (1958-1993), and Nina Rubel, who worked as a journalist for the Urbana Courier and News-Gazette between 1958 and the 1990s. Sasha Rubel earned her Bachelor of Science in Art degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1986 and her Master of Art in Art Therapy from Chicago's School of the Art Institute in 1990. Growing up in the Urbana-Champaign community during the 1980s gave her many opportunities to attend rock concerts held at Mabel's, a popular venue for local and regional rock bands such as the Vertebrats and Captain Rat, for which her older brother, Mark Rubel, played bass guitar. When her fake ID no longer enabled her to get into the popular music venues where these local band played because she was considered a minor, her parents would take turns chaperoning her in these bars. "My dad would do mathematics in the dressing room, smoking a cigar, with napkins stuffed in his ears to block out the sound, oblivious to the hubbum around him. For me, I loved the music and the crowd. It was electric." After completing her Master of Art degree, she returned to the Urbana-Champaign community to pursue her career as an artist.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


How Long Do Shake Roofs Last?
Shake roofs have been a popular roofing choice for many years. They have a unique look that many homeowners love, and have a durability similar to an asphalt roof. Let's talk about what makes a shake roof so unique and how long it will last.
Shake roofs are extremely unique. They are made from wood, so they are environmentally friendly and are a good choice for anyone who is mindful of the environment. They also have a rustic look that is unparalleled.
The downside to them is that shake roofs have to be maintained on a regular basis to look their best. They must be inspected regularly, like any roof, but maintenance requires a bit more than just cleaning off debris. Leaves, dirt, and sticks can settle in the crevices of the roof, making them hard to reach. A thorough sweep of the roof must be done, taking care to clean out those crevices. Additionally, mold or moss buildup can occur and needs to be handled by professionals. For health and saftey reasons, homeowners should not attempt to remove mold or moss buildup.
All in all, if a wood shake roof has been properly maintained, it can last up to 30 years. The beautiful rustic look this roof provides can be well worth the time spent to maintain it.
If you have any further questions regarding shake roofs or are intereted in having one installed, contact our office at (918) 558-ROOF (7663).


Hi! We don't blog any more. For further assitant, please visit MSDN WPF Forums at http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=119&SiteID=1.
Key Step 1. Add Sorting method in GridViewColumnHeader.Click event. Consider both last clicked header and last sorting direction, and decide current sorting direction. Sorting itself is very simple, as written in Sort method.
Key Step 2(optional). In order to figure out current sorting status, add Template in the Column Header. Change Template along with sorting status, so it should also be added in GridViewColumnHeader.Click event. And in the Template, Use path to draw the arrows.
Key Step 3. Put it all together and you have the following ListView sorting!
This sample is based on the February CTP.
Declaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
My problem is when I remove one or more rows in DataTable, listview remove these rows immediately but it still more focus. And then I remove only one row next times, listview remove more rows. I really don't know why ?
I'm missing something: for me, ListView does not offer the property 'GridViewColumnHeader.Click'.
I am using Feb CTP, though. Funny.
GridViewColumnHeader is derived from ButtonBase and it should have click event. Please double-check the version you used and downloade the source code. If it doesn't work for you, please paste the error info here. We will help you out.
Hi, Everything works fine until I change the GridViewColumn Header="Client Name", then I will receive runtime error "System.InvalidOperationException: "Failed to compare two elements in the array." Is there any trick that will allow the header use mulitple words?
Hi, everything works fine until I change the <GridViewColumn Header = "Two Words" …>. And I received runtime error — System.InvalidOperationException: "Failed to compare two elements in the array.". Is there any alternative way around it. I check the forum http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=392037&SiteID=1. But I don't understand how the converter will help on the content of the header. Thanks.
I recently downloaded the VS2005 add-ons for WinFX. I have been playing around with Avalon/WFP/WinFX/XAML (What the heck is the real name anyway?) trying to learn how it works. When I try this example it tells me that "GridViewColumnHeader.Click" doesn't exist.
I downloaded the samples most of them won't display properly in VS2005. They seem to compile and run, but the design view reports some sort of error.
It looks like WinFX is "Released" but there seem to be a lot of issues. Should I wait until another version to begin writing XBAP apps or is it ok to use this in a production environment?
The design experience still requires work. We are hoping to have a much better experience when the next version of Visual Studio ships this year.


text:
Security Regulation & Compliance
Active, proactive or reactive: Assessing your cyber security posture
Need to stand up to cyber security breaches more effectively? Change your posture!
An organisation's 'security posture' indicates how robustly they are equipped to avoid, detect and repel cyber threats, based on current information security infrastructure and practices. Given ever-bolder cybercrime, a major review of security posture is now imperative.
A proactive defence strategy drives chances of success against cyber criminals.
Cyber security failures costs continue increasing. High profile examples include massive breaches at Yahoo (twice), Target and Equifax. Hackers break through complex and costly defences to access and steal valuable data. They cost their victims dearly - financially and by damaging consumer trust, market profile, and even core brand value.
The three principal strategies for combatting cybercrime today are the reactive (after it happens, if it happens), the active (as it happens) and the proactive (before it happens).
The Target breach alone, where credit card details were stolen from point-of-sale machines at nearly 2,000 stores, is estimated to have cost nearly $300 million. An active cyber security strategy would have offered many routes to limiting, and potentially preventing, the damage.
Reactive – 'if they come, we will respond'.
Traditionally security approaches centred on the detection and reaction to threats that actually penetrate a system or network. The focus is on establishing strong perimeters to prevent breaches. Information security is typically a discrete operation, independent of the core business. Significantly, it is organisation-specific. It does not consider issues arising from security practice variations between different, but connected, companies.
The reactive approach invests in upgrading to latest versions of security software and 'keeping the lights on'. The downside is its limited view of the threat landscape. This is inappropriate for dealing with a '360 degree' threat horizon and is proving insufficient for effective network safeguarding. However, this type of strategy still has a place in today's cyber security environment and for some good reasons:
- Longevity – reactive has been around for a while and contains proven elements
- Security software choices – there are many reactive strategy-driven resources and options available to businesses, allowing them to choose what best suits them
- Simplicity - the reactive approach is relatively simpler, with limited upkeep costs.
These advantages make a viable option for businesses that do not store sensitive data. But, for organisations responsible for valuable data, events show that reactive strategy-led defences are inadequate.
Active - 'when they come, we will respond'.
An active approach to security builds upon the reactive with enhanced security monitoring of information and assets. In addition, vulnerability management, advanced firewalls, multi-factor authentication, NAC (network access controls), DLP(data loss prevention) and other technologies are deployed and managed. Security Information Event Management (SIEM) systems are also deployed to provide real-time monitoring, though often not for all enterprise-critical assets.
However, regardless of the investment in people, processes and technology, the active model still waits for the bad guy to act first, before responding. By that point, it is potentially too late, the attacker is already in, although it will be discovered sooner which means moving to to active measures faster.
Another drawback with the active stance is that many companies try to protect all the data all the time, thus increasing cost and unnessary complexity, as not all data is worth the same.
Proactive – 'before they come, we will be ready'.
A proactive defence posture is intelligence-led, depending on comprehensive cyber security assessments. It uses cyber threat intelligence feeds working with real-time network monitoring to develop a detailed picture of the whole security landscape and how threats can be manifested and exploited. Taking into account the nature and needs of the core business at threat, the resulting in-depth analysis can help identify and remediate weak spots, before exploits are available, as well as identify areas for targeted investment to improve the total security of the system. Active intrusion prevention, data protection, data loss prevention and encryption or dynamic distribution technologies can protect data at rest, in-motion and in-use.
In this model, information and assets are assessed for confidentiality, integrity and availability needs. Defences are tuned to provide the level of protection appropriate to the value of the information and the risk appetite of the company.
The basis is strategic military principles of taking the fight to the enemy. Honeypots and (digital) tar traps can be set up to attract, slow down, or funnel attackers to certain parts of a defended but valueless network. This can help identify and act against zero-day exploits, by hindering the attacker, and then assist in identifying the attack vector so it can be addressed.
Proactive intelligence will strengthen defences and increase resilience against the effects of Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) and ensure the smallest possible attack surface for zero-day attacks. The latter allows faster detection of attacks and identification of remediation activities. Enhanced and detailed information can then be extracted and passed to the relevant authorities.
Clearly, staying one step ahead in potential attack vectors can make the defining difference. Thus, research and development is at the heart of this dynamic approach. But proactive cyber security posture does not render current firewall and safeguard infrastructure pointless.
The proactive posture is most productively implemented in conjunction with the 'traditional' defences. It builds on the active to turn the enterprise from a perimeter and defence in-depth approach to one that combines data centricity with intelligence. This in turn allows firms to predict adverse security events before they occur and take proactive defence measures.
To work effectively, this strategy demands long-term commitment. This is a challenge, given limited resources and shortage of appropriately skilled workers. (Although, over time, these obstacles will likely reduce.) But for big institutions safeguarding substantial, valuable and continuously growing data sets, the prospect of proactive - and much more effective – cyber security is increasingly attractive.
What can a proactive cyber security posture achieve in practice?
If it had been implemented at Target, for example, many routes would have existed to prevent the damage and to provide faster means to contain and limit the damage.
Constant real-time network monitoring combined with intelligence would have identified abnormal activity from infected point-of-sale machines. This would have allowed for isolation and infection removal, before nearly 2000 were compromised and data was egressed.
Honeypots and tar traps would have slowed down incursions, funnelling the hackers away from the real data, and preventing large losses of confidential information.
'Caught' infected machines could even have been used to track down the attackers, limit their potential to carry out future attacks, and provide prosecution evidence in a legally acceptable form.
Finally, non-attributable information on systemic vulnerabilities exposed, and exploitation mechanisms used, should be shared with the cyber security community and intelligence vendors. This could help improve identification of similar attacks and strengthen resistance.
This 'alternative Target scenario' remains hypothetical. Yet it shows compellingly how a proactive approach is vital in effectively combatting cyber security threats.
As the cyber security industry continues to fight the war against criminals, the big hope is that there will be fewer of those massive breaches that shock the world. Making hope a reality demands a big shift – to nothing less than a fully proactive security posture.
https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/2013-target-data-breach-settled/
More from Retired
Blockchain Observations
Finding digital solutions for European SMEs
Regulation is necessary in financial services but it should not come at the cost of innovation
Trends in Financial Services
Intelligent cash management: the new now
04 Nov 2019 1 3 1
Global Trade Finance move to digital
09 Oct 2019 0 3 1
Regulatory and corporate returns are once again on the regulatory spotlight: What should firms do?
Mete Feridun
Digital Identity Management
Why PISPs should not be required to perform AML checks toward PSUs
Dmitrii Barbasura
CSDR and navigating the liquidity landscape in fixed income markets
Stephen Grady


In Clearwater FL bathroom flooring needs to serve both form and function equally. Given the nature of this room in your home, along with the presence of water and humidity, careful selection of flooring is critical. Your bathroom floor must be beautiful, guard against moisture, and protect from slips and falls. In some cases you'll want to add warmth underfoot, too. So, durability and style are of significant importance when selecting flooring for this room in your home near.
In Clearwater FL bathroom floors should be slip-resistant. Many vinyl floors and ceramic flooring options come with textured surfaces to make these floors just as safe as beautiful and durable. If you enjoy the look of ceramic tile but worry it will be too slick, consider using smaller tiles. The grout between each tile will provide a non-skid surface.
While porous flooring options such as wood and stone aren't often used for bathroom flooring, that doesn't mean you should overlook them completely. Both can be sealed to withstand the humidity and occasional splashes that are common in bathrooms.
If you have any questions when shopping for bathroom flooring in Clearwater FL, ask the experts at Floor Coverings International for a free in-home consultation.


Any girl in high school can start a CoderGals chapter! No prior coding experience is required for our curriculum for both teachers and students. Our curriculum is very easy to learn and teach.
Who can participate in a CoderGals chapter as a student?
CoderGals curriculum is geared toward elementary school girls. You can find out why here.
What am I required to do as a CoderGals chapter?
You can hold a one-day workshop, weekly workshops, or a summer camp! It's up to you! We believe that a club is the best option as it allows for long-term exposure. All we request is that you fill out a report after each event to let us know what you're up to.
Why should I start a CoderGals chapter?
You will be a role model to younger girls, share your coding knowledge, help close the gender gap in STEM, have fun, earn community service hours, and give back to your community. What's better than that?
CoderGals chapters are currently located across the United States. Check out our list of chapters! We would love to expand to new states through new chapter leaders.
What do I need to start a chapter?
We provide clubs with a free curriculum. All a club needs is a set of computers, Internet access, and a group of girls ready to learn.
Where do I teach a CoderGals chapter?
We suggest reaching out to a local elementary school, library, or community center. Once you register as a chapter, we will provide you with all of the advice and support needed to hold workshops.
I'm a parent of an elementary school student or a teacher who wants a CoderGals chapter at my school.
Contact us here and we will attempt to match you with a high school student in your area. If you are a teacher, we recommend reaching out to former students who may be interested in starting a chapter and directing them to this website. We cannot guarantee providing high school mentors to lead a chapter.
I am a company that would like to sponsor a chapter, donate supplies, or donate swag.
Thank you! We would love your help. Please fill out our contact form here to talk about a potential partnership.


text:
Lawful Path Forums
Board index Main Forum Politics and Government
Comments about your favorite candidate, the newest PROPOSED law, and the FEMA camp near your hometown should go here.
Post by editor » Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:11 pm
Editor's note: I thought I'd already started this topic. If I did, I can't find it. This is such an important issue for people to get their minds around, I just have to start addressing it.
The original link for this article is here: http://www.creators.com/conservative/wa ... mists.html
Embarrassing Economists
by Walter E. Williams
So as to give some perspective, I'm going to ask readers for their guesses about human behavior before explaining my embarrassment by some of my fellow economists.
Suppose the prices of ladies jewelry rose by 100 percent. What would you predict would happen to sales? What about a 25 or 50 percent price increase? I'm going to guess that the average person would predict that sales would fall.
Would you make the same prediction about auto sales if cars' prices rose by 100 percent or 25 or 50 percent? Suppose that you're the CEO of General Motors and your sales manager tells you the company could increase auto sales by advertising a 100 percent or 50 percent price increase. I'm guessing that you'd fire the sales manager for both lunacy and incompetency.
Let's try one more. What would you predict would happen to housing sales if prices rose by 50 percent? I'm guessing you'd predict a decline in sales. You say, "OK, Williams, you're really trying our patience with these obvious questions. What's your point?"
It turns out that there's a law in economics known as the first fundamental law of demand, to which there are no known real-world exceptions. The law states that the higher the price of something the less people will take of it and vice versa. Another way of stating this very simple law is: There exists a price whereby people can be induced to take more of something, and there exists a price whereby people will take less of something.
Some people suggest that if the price of something is raised, buyers will take more or the same amount. That's silly because there'd be no limit to the price that sellers would charge. For example, if a grocer knew he would sell more — or the same amount of — milk at $8 a gallon than at $4 a gallon, why in the world would he sell it at $4? Then the question becomes: Why would he sell it at $8 if people would buy the same amount at a higher price?
There are economists, most notably Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, who suggest that the law of demand applies to everything except labor prices (wages) of low-skilled workers.
Krugman says that paying fast-food workers $15 an hour wouldn't cause big companies such as McDonald's to cut jobs. In other words, Krugman argues that raising the minimum wage doesn't change employer behavior.
Before we address Krugman's fallacious argument, think about this: One of Galileo's laws says the influence of gravity on a falling body in a vacuum is to cause it to accelerate at a rate of 32 feet per second per second. That applies to a falling rock, steel ball or feather. What would you think of the reasoning capacity of a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who'd argue that because human beings are not rocks, steel balls or feathers, Galileo's law of falling bodies doesn't apply to them?
Krugman says that most minimum-wage workers are employed in what he calls non-tradable industries — industries that can't move to China. He says that there are few mechanization opportunities where minimum-wage workers are employed — for example, fast-food restaurants, hotels, etc. That being the case, he contends, seeing as there aren't good substitutes for minimum-wage workers, they won't suffer unemployment from increases in the minimum wage. In other words, the law of demand doesn't apply to them.
Let's look at some of the history of some of Krugman's non-tradable industries. During the 1940s and '50s, there were very few self-serve gasoline stations. There were also theater ushers to show patrons to their seats. In 1900, 41 percent of the U.S. labor force was employed in agriculture. Now most gas stations are self-serve. Theater ushers disappeared. And only 2 percent of today's labor force works in agricultural jobs. There are many other examples of buyers of labor services seeking and ultimately finding substitutes when labor prices rise. It's economic malpractice for economists to suggest that they don't.
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Lawfulpath.com
How Minimum Wage Laws Promote Racial Discrimination
Post by editor » Sun Feb 07, 2016 7:46 pm
[Editor's note: This article first appeared at this link: http://www.garynorth.com/public/12683.cfm
Gary North - July 18, 2014
It was over 40 years ago that I first heard Walter Williams speak at a conference. Anyway, I think it was over 40 years ago. It could not have been less.
He and I were on what speakers call the rubber-chicken circuit as early as 1974. We spoke to high school teachers in a program sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, "The Role of Business in Society," or ROBIS. As I recall, I had heard him speak before we were on the summer lecture circuit.
I remember very clearly his main point at one of his lectures. He said that minimum-wage legislation discriminates against teenage black males. This has been known by economists since at least the mid-1950's. The statistical evidence on this was overwhelming. But high school teachers had not heard this.
What made Williams' speech memorable was the fact that he clarified the reason why the minimum-wage legislation was detrimental to teenage black males. He made the observation, which nobody challenged: the teenage black males are considered undesirables by the general population. In other words, they are discriminated against. They suffer from the stereotypes attached to their particular group.
He asked the obvious question: "How does someone who is part of a group that is discriminated against find a way to prove to somebody doing the discriminating that his assessment is incorrect?" It was really this question: "How do undesirables break through the discrimination against them?"
He made what was considered an obvious point from the point of view of an economist, but which was not obvious to his audience. He said that the person who is discriminated against needs to have a competitive edge that will enable him to compete effectively with members of groups that are not discriminated against. The free market offers such a tool, he said: wage competition. Specifically in the case of competition among potential workers who want to be employed, the most effective competitive edge available is the offer to work for less money per hour. This offer is taken seriously by employers.
Minimum-wage legislation makes it illegal for employers to take advantage of such offers. This removes the most effective single competitive strategy that is available to a person who is considered undesirable because of his membership in a particular group that is widely considered undesirable. This economic analysis applies to all sorts of groups.
Statistically, economists in 1974 knew that unemployment rates for black teenage males began to exceed the unemployment rate for white teenage males when the system of minimum-wage legislation was first enacted by the federal government. The statistics on this go back as far as the legislation (http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/t ... m-wage-law).
By focusing on individual offers made by members of undesirable groups to potential employers, Williams focused on microeconomics. He focused on decisions at the margin. This is where economic decisions are made: at the margin.
By making an offer to work for less than members of desirable groups are willing to work for, members of undesirable groups gain an edge in the marketplace. As soon as an employer is made aware of such an offer, he now faces a cost for any future discrimination. If he refuses to take the offer, he is going to have to pay a higher wage to a member of a desirable group. This is going to increase his cost of doing business. In other words, he suffers an economic loss. "Cost" is defined as "that which you have to give up in order to gain what you want." The employer wants low-cost workers. He wants to pocket the difference between the price he pays for their output and the money he receives from consumers of their output. It is "buy low, sell high." If an employer refuses to hire someone who has made an offer to work for less, this increases his cost of doing business. From an economic standpoint, this imposes the cost of discrimination on the employer.
Williams understood that some employers, meaning employers at the margin, want to gain a competitive edge against other employers. They will therefore be willing to accept offers from certain individuals who are willing to work at wages that are lower than average in the industry. By making the offer, the member of an undesirable group imposes the cost of discrimination on anybody who will not accept his offer.
There is no question about the origin of minimum-wage legislation. It came from trade unions. Trade unions did not want to face competition from workers who were not members of a union. They wanted to make it illegal for businessman to take advantage of offers to work for less than what the trade union members were able to extract from employers, based on their monopolistic position in the industry. The federal government, through the Wagner Act of 1933, had made it illegal for businesses to offer low-wage jobs, if half of the employees, plus one, voted to unionize the business.
What was happening, union leaders understood, was that blacks were in a position to break the stranglehold of the unions in some industries, because they could go to employers and use their competitive edge: a willingness to work for less money per hour. The way to stop this, the union leaders understood, was to make it illegal for any employer to hire anyone at a wage below the mandated minimum wage. This would stop competition against trade unions.
From a political standpoint, it was incumbent on the trade unions to keep the voters, and also keep Congressmen, from recognizing that minimum-wage laws are discriminatory against groups that already suffer from discrimination. It was seen as politically incorrect in the late 1960's to discriminate against blacks, but this was what minimum-wage laws did from the beginning. So, it was imperative that this line of reasoning be kept away from students in colleges and universities. This was why Williams' argument was devastating. Students and teachers could not refute it. It made them feel guilty, because they were pushing for legislation that imposed additional burdens on members of racial minorities who were already suffering from discrimination. The laws took away the victims' most effective tool for getting employed, and therefore getting an opportunity to prove their worth to their employers and also to coworkers.
The high unemployment rates for young adults in Greece and Spain -- in the range of 50% -- are the result of the same regulatory process. The trade unions can block offers to work for less. Members of groups that are discriminated against -- non-union workers -- cannot get employers to accept their offers to work for less. It is illegal for employers to accept these offers.
Re: Minimum wage
Minimum wage is just one tooth in the cog of a machine that is intended to bankrupt us all, and reduce us to slavery, at which point any wage at all will be mute.
The argument that "people need a living wage" is great for pulling at heartstrings, but it misses the point. It is not an employer's responsibility to provide living wages. The employer has invested his time and money into a business, with the hope of making a profit. If the best he can do is break even, he's better off putting his money in the bank at 1%, instead of putting it at risk by trying to run a business. Every year thousands of businesses fail because they can't even break even.
Any time an employer's costs go up, whether it be because of rise in materials costs, higher taxes, higher wages, more regulation, or any other cause, he must raise prices to continue making a profit. As the price of the employer's product or service rises, there comes a point at which people will no longer buy it. If people won't buy at the current price, the business must reduce costs, or close its doors.
Businesses hire employees as a means to an end. The employee performs a function the business needs done. The business will pay the employee in exchange for his labor, only so long as the business benefits from the arrangement. Businesses will look for ways to reduce costs just to stay alive. Those who can will survive, the rest will fail. The survivors will continue on, but only because they found a way to conduct their business differently. This difference will often come at the expense of former employees.
Let's play a game. Let's see how many job descriptions we can think of, which either no longer exist, or have diminished in numbers to the point of near extinction. I'll start.
I'm in my fifties. When I was a kid, all these jobs were common. I even did some of them myself.
* Grocery store bagboy. There used to be boys who worked at grocery stores who bagged your groceries, put them in the cart, and wheeled the cart out to your car for you. Most even helped load the groceries in your car. If you had a big load it was customary to give the a small tip. Now we bag our own groceries, sometimes with the help of the cashier.
* Cashier. Speaking of cashiers, there used to be a lot more of them. Now we wait longer in lines, unless we're willing to use those new automated checkout kiosks. We all know where this is going, right?
* Bottle/Can stacker. I grew up in Michigan where they have a 10cent bottle/can deposit. I had a job for awhile where part of my duties were to make sure all the bottles and cans were sorted by the correct distributor, and neatly stacked out of the way where they could be picked up and taken away once a week. Thousands of kids had jobs like this, which now no longer exist. It's mostly done by machines.
* Theater usher. Ushers used to escort us to our seats.
* Elevator operator. Many buildings used to have these.
* Bathroom attendants. I always thought this one was kind of creepy, but these were not uncommon when I was a kid.
* Gas station attendant. The first self-serve stations I remember were when I was around eighteen. Before then, someone always pumped your gas. While they were at it, they checked your oil and cleaned your windshield. Stop laughing, it's true.
* Door men. Large hotels and office buildings used to have doormen. I suppose some of the largest in the big cities still do, but for the most part it's a thing of the past.
* Bellboy. Hotels used to have bellboys who would carry your bags to your room when you checked in. As with some of these other jobs, tips were customary.
* Paperboy. Kids used to have paper routes. I did. It taught me a work ethic. Do kids do this any more?
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. But there are a lot more jobs that used to be common, and simply don't exist any more. Every smalltown store employed the slow kid who swept and mopped and did what he was told, but mostly stayed out of the way. He wasn't paid much, but that was okay because he had a small apartment in the basement of old Widow Smith's house, which didn't cost much, and was close enough to work that he could walk. Now the zoning department won't let Widow Smith rent her basement any more, and she wouldn't want to anyway because she has Social Security and food stamps. But what about the slow kid? No chance he'll get a job anywhere.
So let's see how many more we can think of?
While you're thinking, it's important to remember that the biggest reason all these jobs are gone now, is because of minimum wage.
What really irks me is you've got all these Socialists (Communist-light) who point out what they perceive as failures of the free market, capitalist system. But how long has it been since we had a free market capitalist system in this country? Capitalism made America great in the early years, but government has been taxing, regulating, restricting, and meddling with it for my entire life, at an ever-increasing rate. The more they meddle, the worse it gets. The practices that are causing decline in America are the very same ones the Socialists clamor for more of the same. Minimum wage is more of the same.
notmartha
Post by notmartha » Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:56 pm
Increasing the minimum wage may have a positive side though - increased number of cash jobs. At least until they go cashless...
editor wrote: Let's play a game. Let's see how many job descriptions we can think of, which either no longer exist, or have diminished in numbers to the point of near extinction. I'll start.I'm in my fifties. When I was a kid, all these jobs were common. I even did some of them myself.
Ok, I'll play. These were all jobs available to teens in the eighties.
Produce pickers - Teens used to be able to make extra cash picking corn, apples, pumpkins, etc. Now it is done by machine or farmed out to migrant workers.
Wash boy - dealers used to wash every car that came in for service. Now they don't provide the service (too many people claiming damage to get free bodywork) or the positions are filled by older people.
Dishwasher at restaurant - replaced with machines
Babysitting - replaced with college educated "nannies" or "child care providers"
Lawn mowers - replaced with "landscapers"
Hmm... that's all I can think of for now.
BTW, I think EOE (equal opportunity employer) has done as much harm to the natural ebb and flow of business as minimum wage has. A healthy white degreeless young man will have a harder time finding a job than the not-so-smart, minority, or elderly.
Post by editor » Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:53 pm
I just read that Donald Trump was on the Bill O'Riley show last night, and apparently said he would support a $10 minimum wage. This gave me the urge to re-visit this topic. I found the following article which appears to me to be a spoof. However, even if it is a spoof NOW, I've read enough to know it is a harbinger of things to come:
(The original article appears here: http://newsexaminer.net/food/mcdonalds- ... by-robots/)
New McDonald's In Phoenix Run Entirely By Robots
by Darius Rubics
Phoenix, AZ — After seeing a decline in earnings for the first time in nine years, McDonald's plans to do something no other restaurant of its kind has ever done before; open a store run entirely by robots.
The store is set to open July 4th in Phoenix, Arizona once the state-of-the-art robot remodel is complete. The restaurant will still employ a small team of human employees to insure all of the robots are working correctly, the food and cleaning supplies remain stocked along with removing the money collected by the robots. Visitors to the restaurant will see these new robots working in harmony at a speed of 50 times faster than the average McDonald's employee, with no chance of error. If the test launch for the store is a success, people can expect to see robots working in McDonald's restaurants all over the country and the world.
The store's new manager, Peter Gibbons, told CNN that he has worked with the robots at a product development facility in San Francisco for the last six months and speaks highly of the machines.
"These things are great! They get their work done in a fast and orderly manner, plus they don't ask for cigarette breaks."
37-year-old Paul Horner, a spokesman for McDonald's told reporters that because of the demand for a $15/hr minimum wage, the company has been playing with the idea of a restaurant run entirely by robots for years and believes their "McRobots" are the answer.
"With the high demand for a minimum wage of $15/hr and the protests getting worse every day, this is something we had to implement. Plus with the tremendous margin of human error, poor hygiene, lack of education, laziness, as well as the recent advancements in artificial intelligence it just make sense to automate our restaurants now rather than later."
Sarah Bradley, a spokeswoman for Sock It Forward, a group that provides the homeless and those less fortunate in Arizona with brand new socks told ABC News that she approves of a $15/hr minimum wage increase.
"We see so many homeless people that work 40 hours a week, and that is just ridiculous," Bradley said. "I think anyone not being claimed on someone else's taxes deserves to make at least $15/hr. Some people just don't have the physical or mental capability to get better jobs or go to college. I think in a country as great as ours, it is just sad that there are so many adults working 40 hours a week that have to worry about putting a roof over their head and food in their belly."
Local Phoenix resident, 52-year-old Tom Downey, who has been unemployed for the last 3 years, was excited about the opening of a nearby McDonald's until he heard about the robots.
"Now that they hire only robots, I don't know what I can even do. I don't have an education, a car, and now I'm not gonna even be able to get a burger job. Just the thought of having to go to the state unemployment office and stand in line with those scumbags!"
With this decision, shareholders can finally expect to see their stocks on the rise once again since employee salaries are not only cut, but eliminated. By eliminating employees, McDonald's says it is projecting to make a full financial turnaround and see their stock (MCD) return to $105/share which was originally set back in 2014. In the U.S., first quarter comparable sales decreased 2.6% as product and promotional offers did not meet expectations. U.S. operating income for the quarter declined 11%, reflecting weak sales and the impact of restructuring and restaurant closing charges.
42-year-old Milton Waddams, an unemployed fast food worker, told reporters he is extremely disappointed by the decision to employ only robots instead of humans.
"The McDonald's had my resume, I had already completed two job interviews there and they said I was scheduled to work once the new store opened and said they would return my phone call but they never called," Waddams said. "I need a job I said, and I was told by Betty in HR that they have my resume on file, but they never called, and Sandra told me to talk to Bill, and then I hear of the robots instead of regular humans and that's not what I asked for. And I need the job I told them, but there's robots, so now I'm going to have to find another place of employment. And they were big giant robots, and I said no, no robots at McDonald's. I could set the building on fire."
Former grill cook, Tom Smykowski, from the original Phoenix McDonald's location before it was shutdown for robot repairs and upgrades, is still mad about losing his job.
"You know there are people in this world who don't have to put up with all this?" Smykowski told FOX News. "You see, that's what you have to do. You have to use your mind and come up with some really great idea like that and you never have to work again," but Smykowski's friendly attitude suddenly turns to anger, "Well-well look. I already told you: I dealt with the go*damn employees so the customers would get the correct order. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?"
Horner said he is excited to pave the way to a more automated workforce, hence a more reliable and affordable one.
"Robots are the future of McDonald's in the United States and around the world," Horner said, "Human workers want more pay and this has created giant protests which need our attention now before it is too late. Robots will decrease prices, increase productivity and make for better food." Horner continued, "Human beings were not meant to stand and make burgers all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about about mission statements. Now I've had a chance to meet with some of these robots, and boy, they are just straight shooters with upper management written all over them."
The new robot McDonald's is located at 7th St & McDowell Rd in downtown Phoenix. McDonald's says that if the store is a success, 25,000 more robot-run restaurants will be built in the next three years. It is still unclear at this time what the robots look like or how customers will complete transactions as this information is being kept under strict confidentiality, but come July these questions will be answered. Will it be the right or wrong decision for McDonald's? In the end, it will come down to what is best for the shareholders and the customer. The employees hoping to make $15/hr so they can afford basic human needs such as shelter and food; it looks like they will have to wait in line.
If you have any further questions about the robot-run establishment, McDonanld's has setup a 24-hour robot hotline at (785) 273-0325.
The original site for the article I just posted about robots in McDonalds restaurants has a comments section. The following comment by a poster named "Jack" was too good to not post.
Once again, the original article is here: (http://newsexaminer.net/food/mcdonalds- ... by-robots/)
Jack's comment:
I currently own a business. I've owned a business of some kind since 2001. I'm 58 years old and I don't have a college degree. Must of my education came from what college I did go to plus the time I put in at the Barns & Nobles Book Store and now Amazon books. I'm always reinventing myself because I don't expect the government to have the money to take care of me when I'm older – and – it's NOT the job of government to take care of me.
My father was an alcoholic who was unstable and violent and my mother abandoned us kids about 13 times during my childhood. We suffered every abuse you can name. When we didn't have a home to live in, it was our FAMILY who took us in, NOT the government.
I left home at age 18, got married at 19 with my pregnant girlfriend and worked in a Coca Cola warehouse during the week and fast food on Friday night and weekends.
I UNDERSTAND that you can't pay for a FAMILY on fast food wages. That's why I STOPPED doing it. I worked two jobs and found a way to save money, get some basic higher education in a field that paid more and had more "opportunity".
People MUST make themselves MORE valuable through self education and skills development.
The world doesn't want your negative ATTITUDE. They aren't willing to pay good money for bad attitude. MOST people don't even care what COLOR you are, as long as you are competent, kind and polite and come across as having some measure of COMPETENCE at what you do.
I've worked for big companies and I've been laid off several times. I know what it feels like and the only answer is – ALWAYS EDUCATE YOURSELF AND MAKE YOURSELF MORE 'VALUABLE' TO – – SOCIETY.
I manufacture products in China because that is where things are made. I hope to begin manufacturing in the US within the next couple of years. I plan on automating my manufacturing process as much as possible.
. I started a business to earn money. The purpose of a business is to:
solve a problem that people have
get paid a price that people are willing to pay to solve the problem
Eventually earn more money than I would earn working for a boss. That includes maybe even "getting RICH" some day. It's possible that I could fail miserably and die on the streets. I take that 'uncomfortable' RISK and that is what I get paid for – taking a risk. I'm NOT starting my business so that I can give anyone a job. Giving a job to anyone is not my driving motivation. Taking care of my own family IS my motivation.
I worked in fast food as my very first job. I've worked around the 'attitude' that some workers give to employers. Worker 'attitude' from low education people is the WORST part of running a business. Later in life, as I owned my own business, my greatest headache was the BS that came from my workers. I'm PAYING them to give me grief? I don't THINK so.
Now, I have more government MANDATES that cost even more money to manage. If I make even a small mis-step, I'm open to law suites and government fines plus legal costs to defend myself. Complying and defending also consume my TIME which could be used to run my business. Bottom line: Employees are too RISKY.
Not only Fast Food workers are going to be affected. Taxes and all sorts of consulting jobs will go away. Artificial Intelligence (AI). Right now, you Google any answer you want. AI (Think IBM's Watson) is now able to do what highly paid consultants are doing. Even lawyers (Do I hear any sobs of sympathy here? Hmmm. dead silence) are going to be affected as they already have with services such as Legal Zoom (which is not automated so much).
Elon Musk (Tesla Motors, Space-X rockets) has already written that AI and automation pose existential hazards to our society; however, that is the way things are headed. Even combat is being automated with AI and unmanned ships and air craft. Look it up on YouTube.
The world is changing just like it did at the beginning of the Industrial age. The US used to be the "China" of the world as we developed machines. Europe was in a panic as their jobs went "over seas" to the America.
The cotton gin and automated harvesting made manual labor in the cotton fields obsolete. Does anyone want THAT job back? (I hear silence).
Each person has a moral and FAMILY obligation to constantly be improving themselves. I did and still do and I'm almost age 60.
I've lived in China and I can say this: The Chinese are hell bent on being BETTER than the US in EVERY way. They study hard, learn to speak English, watch US TV and news, read classical western literature and are now transitioning from producing FAKE products to actually INNOVATING new ideas. Who's the world leader in the small drone market? Chinese. NOT Americans.
While Americans sleep, they study and work. While low wage people refuse to rise up and better themselves, Chinese learn a new skill, read a new book, study the success of American businesses and now engage in self improvement and positive mental attitudes of success.
If YOU as an American want to survive what's coming, then you need to REINVENT yourself each day. Always educate yourself, your kids and also avoid debt.
If you are low income and no savings, then as a family and community, you need to stick together and work together to support each other in owning a home debt free – even if 3 generations have to live under one roof and working 18 hours a day paying the mortgage off early. Put your kids through some kind of further education. Pool your resources.
Do you need a university degree to succeed? NO! I don't have one and I'm doing quite well.
Do you need to be WHITE to succeed? ONLY if you have it in your mind that being non-white is going to hold YOU back.
Do you think any Amazon.com customer cares one hoot about your skin color?
Do you know how EASY it is to start your own brand of anything using "White Label" (i.e. generic) manufacturing and then develop your own brand? I do it. I learned how from the Internet. What do you think all of those 'famous' brands do? hehehe
Why don't YOU start MANUFACTURING something and sell it? It's NOT complex. Chinese do small manufacturing from what is no more than the size of a one-car garage and then as they grow, they get something larger. Many people get self righteous and say that's undignified, sweatshop labor – not if YOU own the business and you want to get ahead.
Bottom line: The survivors and winners in the new age are going to use their CREATIVE abilities to solve new problems. Unskilled labor is going the way of the dinasaur. Extinct. Adapt or die. Government can't pay uneducated people to not work because people like me aren't going to settle for it. At some point, it makes more sense for me to stop working and creating and just retire. Take my my bank debit card and do cash withdrawals from an ATM machine in another country very cheaply or just hang out in the US.
If I am forced to remain and pay for uneducated, apathetic people in society, then I'm gonna be their DADDY. If anyone is above a certain age and hasn't taken advantage of FREE education, cheap books via Amazon and hasn't bettered themselves with some new skills, then that person is PROVEN that they are INCOMPETENT to manage their own lives.
YOU are responsible for your prosperity; NOT ME.
I didn't wake up at 4:00 AM this morning looking for a new way to GIVE YOU a job. That was never my purpose for owning a business and it never will be.
FINAL QUESTIONS:
What's the last book you read?
What's the latest skill that you've developed?
What's the last culture that you've tried to learn about? Language to learn?
How positive is your personality – even in the face of difficulties?
NOBODY was ever guaranteed health, wealth and happiness. Everyone DESERVING it and CREATING it are two matters.
Wishing everyone the best, wherever their lives take them – rich or poor.
I just happened across this web site and won't be monitoring it for comments.
Post by editor » Tue Apr 09, 2019 6:48 pm
minimumWage-MagicBoats.jpg (41.85 KiB) Viewed 444 times
Post by notmartha » Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:04 pm
LOL...magic boats...what a great visual!
Return to "Politics and Government"
Welcome; Rules and Announcements
↳ Editor's Corner
↳ Calendar / Notice of Events
↳ Family / Marriage, Divorce, and Freedom for our Children
↳ Group Contacts and Personals
↳ Healthcare
↳ Jural Society / Ecclesia
↳ Politics and Government
↳ Climate Change
↳ Election Fraud
↳ False Flags
↳ Fake News
↳ Judicial Reform
↳ Procedure, General
↳ Property Rights
↳ Random discussion
↳ Self-Defense; Actual, Physical
↳ Terms of Art
↳ Travel Rights
↳ About the Private Forum


Norm Caldwell – Certified Hypnotherapist | TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE!
Let the Norm Caldwell show begin… You may be one of many volunteers chosen to take part in this hilarious show! One by one, Norm the Master of Rapid Induction Hypnotherapy will put you into a hypnotic sleep. Now the fun begins – with just a few words from Norm you will be crawling on the floor trying to find a leprechaun who has your pot of gold or looking for your favorite singer in the audience, odd smells that only exist in their imaginations. Our show will give you laughter and entertainment at its best!!!
Norm loves to organize hypnosis shows with his own little twist of Comedy and fun for all ages. Norm has catered to corporations, birthdays, anniversaries, School functions and more!
What will you experience at one of Norm's shows?
Please note: If you are interested in scheduling a show with Norm please notify us 30 to 60 days in advance. Thank you!
They were told it was 110 Degrees & they were all too Hot: So they fanned themselves, took off jackets, pulled back their hair.
Told their favorite Movie Stars was in the Crowd, so they went out and got their autographs.
Told them they we so thirsty – So they kept drinking water from empty glasses.
Norm told them it was Giggle Water- They all Giggled nonstop.
Told them a leprechaun came into the room and if they could catch him they would be able to keep his "pot of Gold". Everyone caught one & thought they had 2 Million Dollars. They all told what they would be buying now! One gal was told she squeezed the leprechaun too hard and squished him, spilling green blood all over herself. She had a ticked off look!
Told the person setting next to them had a terrible smell. They all held their noses! Told them it was an amazing smell and they all smiled.


Men are omnipotent (well, at least we pretend to be). And if there's ever a question that you can't seem to figure out, we'll be your Huckleberry. Answers from Men will tell you what you need to know, where to find it, and how to do it, so feel grateful. If there is ever a question that you can't seem to figure out, look to the Answers from Men Mailbag.


Meg has has lived in Rome, Leeds and London and is currently based in Bristol. Since completing the her post-graduate at the Royal Drawing School, she has specialised in Painting and Printmaking, with drawing always at the core of her practice.
Meg has won various travel scholarships which have enabled her to deepen her connection with her medium and subject matter. She spent two months drawing in Madrid as an artist in residence at the Museo del Prado, and in 2015 she was the recipient of an RBA scholarship that enabled her to spend a month in Rome, where she developed her relationship with the paintings of the early Italian renaissance. She was elected as a member of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers through the Gwen May Recent Graduate Award.
Meg has exhibited work in the the Royal Academy Summer Show, and exhibits both in the UK and internationally. Her print 'Dog' was selected for the collection at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and the Jiangsu Art Museum in China. In 2018 she was selected by artist Marcus Cornish for a Solo Exhibition as part of Flowers Gallery Artist of the Day.
Meg also teaches Painting, Drawing and Printmaking at various art schools, including the Drawing and Printmaking BA at the University of West England, and The Bristol Drawing School at the Royal West Academy. She co-founded the Printmakin studio Cato Press where she also teaches.
"Meg's art seems raw, haunted, simple, timeless and has a tactile physical handling that I find appealing as a sculptor of clay. Her creatures, of what ever sort, seem 'caught up' and define themselves by sensation rather than just observed anatomy. They are often isolated and in a moment of abstraction or reflection or between anticipation and the fulfillment of an action. They are at a theatrical point where latent dramatic potential could come to something.


Tips on starting a narrative essay Ap style essay prompt for animal farm yema business plan examples opening a coffee shop business plan. Interesting ways to start a college essay solving triangle problems 1 ws. Gay rights argumentative essay example outline template for research paper apa format business plan cash flow analysis writing research papers lester 12th how to start a essay paper writing a law dissertation online introduction in argumentative essay sample inventions that solve everyday problems essay about computers topics for term paper in management college admissions essays doc what to write in a essay about christmas history assignments for middle school assigned risk policy. Sample company description for business plan research paper on immigration policy mla essay title format business website planner interesting ways to start a college essay business plan template for startup company. Study abroad essay contest poverty essays canada dissertation theses database college essay inspiration ideas.
The importance of research paper med school essay examples research paper on bullying in schools pdf small marketing llc business plan template. Anorexia research paper topics how to write a perfect research paper format assignment report on aci motors ltd argumentitive essay on the rhetoric of the declaration of independence. When to cite sources in a research paper. Writing dissertation introduction mlk essay contest lisd hard work essay for class 1, what are the best topics for research paper writing the literature review part 1 university of houston mfa creative writing paper effect essay examples. Delta seat assignments online application. 6 steps of problem solving techniqe college coursework for professionals in theatre help me with my science homework video example of research proposal summary solve your problem with your problem women empowerment essay in malayalam font free respect essays 3 pages solving wicked problems youtube customer relationship management assessment what are the best topics for research paper. Assigned risk auto insurance in new york solve word problem answers problem solving topic 7- 2nd grade math prevent bullying in schools essay. 2 paragraph essay about white mexicans written essays on the constitution. How to start writing an abstract for a paper. Research proposal outline example for psychology. Business plan hair salon costs med school essay examples topics for middle school persuasive essay. Business plan for funding purposes. Gender roles in society essay template define a definition essay creative writing apps for android phone research paper about healthy foods concept paper for research proposal jobs with creative writing degree online assignment submission project in java critical thinking and logic, solved assignments of aiou 2018 laws of life essay examples patent assignment on the web. Student council essays for election free poultry farming business plan download creative writing topics for grade 2 in hindi. Problem solving competency test summary of research paper example solving word problems in physics topics for research paper on the great gatsby work health and safety training courses near me format of argumentative essay outline postgraduate essay writing college admission essay heading format ksl guidelines term paper. Dissertation title tips.
Graphic design business plan sample for a "Business plan template ms office"?
Graphic design business plan sample for a first assignment of the day writing literature review book robot writing paper printable 5 parts of term paper. Critical thinking map of hypertension. How to start writing an abstract for a paper creative nonfiction writing class what would you put in a time capsule essay, examples of table of contents in a research paper mastering physics homework help answers what is a persuasive essay virgin mobile business plan how to start introduction for assignment, how to use quotes in a research paper pdf business plan letter example how to write a perfect research paper format what do you do in creative writing classes, favorite pet writing paper, term paper outline templates good personal narrative essay topics. Book for essay writing all about me college essays. How to write a paper without plagiarizing. Survey research paper model example how to write citations research paper argument essay powerpoint presentation. Marketing research proposal outline template how to start a essay paper. Fashion business plans examples ideas for essays on racism business plan meeting agenda homework schedule app 2017 mba assignment helper example of problem solving in math with solution examples of argumentative essay intros. Shame essays mass media essay in hindi language. How to write a capstone paper in nursing guy kawasaki business plan i search paper sample writing the literature review example writing dissertation introduction. Example title of quantitative research paper eureka math 2nd grade homework sheets uprtou assignment paper 2017-18 how to improve your creative writing skills for beginners.
Sample of phd research proposal in finance (Research proposal outline example for psychology).
Sample of phd research proposal in finance. A3 problem solving templates research paper on diabetes in children working on homework messy title for an essay prompt research papers on stereotypes and women good titles for an essay about soccer balls, sample abstract for dissertation format how to make business plan samples live plan business plan template, essays on helping the environment how to write short scholarship essays essays for freshman in high school. Citing essays mla format chicken farm business plan sample assignment 1 the pythagorean theorem solved assignments of aiou 2018 how to make a business plan for investors. Abbreviation of assignment dissertation model on strategic communication business plan and business model definition assignment 1 the pythagorean theorem essay paper butterfly, examples of science research papers. Assignment of ratio analysis. Small eatery business plan blank creative writing sheets for first graders. Essay about computers essay paper butterfly persuasive essay on homework should be banned integrated farming business plan essay persuasive thesis. Art sketchbook assignments laws of life essay examples good topic for argument essay questions 10 reasons for no homework. Moodle assignment submission settings.


text:
Pastoria ist der Name mehrerer Orte in den Vereinigten Staaten:

 Pastoria (Arkansas), Ortschaft im Jefferson County
 Pastoria (Virginia), Ortschaft im Accomack County

Pastoría ist der Name mehrerer Orte in Mexiko:

 Pastoría (Apulco), Bundesstaat Zacatecas
 Pastoría (México), Bundesstaat México
 Pastoría (Ojocaliente), Bundesstaat Zacatecas
 Pastoría (Veracruz), Bundesstaat Veracruz

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
1987.10.27 - The Paradise, Boston, USA
by Soulmonster on Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:12 pm
The Paradise.
Boston, USA.
01. It's So Easy
02. Move to the City
03. Out Ta Get Me
04. Mr. Brownstone
05. My Michelle
06. Sweet Child O'Mine
07. Rocket Queen
08. Welcome to the Jungle
09. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
10. You're Crazy
11. Paradise City
12. Nightrain
13. Mama Kin
Next concert: 1987.10.29.
Re: 1987.10.27 - The Paradise, Boston, USA
by Blackstar on Sun Apr 28, 2019 7:30 pm
Review in the Boston Globe, October 29, 1987:
New band that's special
GUNS N' ROSES - In concert at the Paradise Theater, Tuesday.
By Jim Sullivan
Special to the Globe
1. Heavy metal will be with us always.
2. Most of it will be an endless parade of worthless cliches, played by bands with swollen egos and limited ideas.
3. Occasionally, young bands like Guns n' Roses will come along, snap your head around, and make you think. "There really is something to this noise after all. Throw away your doubts: Get absorbed in the speedy blur." Such was the case Tuesday night, when the Los Angeles-based quintet made its local debut at the Paradise before a sellout crowd. There was a buzz in the air and high-decibel, pedal-to-the-metal rock 'n' roll on stage.
Guns n' Roses, fronted by singer W. Axl Rose and guitarist Slash, can't stake a claim to runaway originality - but they do play the game for real. They believe in the low-life. They do not play dress-up. They've listened to the New York Dolls, Aerosmith. AC/DC, Motorhead, and Metallica. and absorbed all the right aspects. They're at home with the idea that crunching heavy metal and melodious rock n' roll can co-exist without compromising either. Their lyrics run along the eternal rebellion/out-looking-for-action axis. Sample: "They're out ta get me," scream-sung Rose. "They won't catch me/I'm inno-cent/They won't break me." Sung like he meant it.
Slash put it this way after it was all over: "We re not a glam band; we're not a hardcore band; we're just a rock 'n' roll band. I hate to use that cliche." Of the band's hard-line anti-authority stance, "The establishment in L.A. didn't like us much - cops, schools, liquor stores ..."
Guns n' Roses play with the requisite rough-and-rowdy rawness. fueled by desperation. The main flaw during Tuesday's 70-minute set was that most of what came out of Rose's mouth sounded like "Rawr, raaagh, grrrbdz!," but a quick check of the album's lyric sheet - and Rose's more pointed song introductions - gave a clearer idea of what's going on. Which is, basically, living fast and hard and playing music to match.
But these bad boys cut the fun with, dare we say, a certain social consciousness. "My Michelle" doesn't celebrate excess as much as it suggests the flipside of the too-much-ain't-enough ethic; ditto for "Mr. Brownstone," for which Rose admonished "Make sure you wake up in the morning." And why else cover Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" if not to make the point that a little bit of reflection and redemption never hurts? Guns n' Roses is about living life on the edge, but being smart enough to pull bark at the right time. Climb, bill don't fall off the mountain.


text:
Special Investigation – American Elections
SDSA Geneva
Vice-Presidency
Associative Bridging
Culture and Institutions
SDSA Lausanne
Contact us / Join us
Article Journalism News Special investigation - American Elections
Towards a New US Foreign Policy with Joe Biden?
ByEnrico M. Gallo
Picture: Wikimedia Commons
How will the new administration impact US diplomacy? While on a number of issues there will be a complete break with the Trump era, some areas are less likely to see major changes.
With POTUS Joe Biden in the Oval Office, will American diplomacy see a change? It is fair to think so and many diplomats and international relations specialists hope that the sometimes complex and unpredictable diplomacy of the Trump administration, despite some advances in the Middle East, will be replaced by a more predictable and classic foreign policy from the Democrat's administration. Diplomats dislike too many surprises and prefer what is predictable. But American interests remain and will be defended by any new American government whether it is led by Donald Trump, Joe Biden, or anybody else.
By appointing, Antony Blinken, a known francophile, as head of US diplomacy, President Biden has no doubt made a choice that will reassure American's European partners. And in choosing John Kerry, whose anti-Trumpism is known, as ambassador for climate, Joe Biden has given a concrete and real sign of the United States' return to the Paris Agreement on climate. Refocusing on multilateralism, which is a long-time tradition for Democrat administrations, is also an avowed objective of Biden's team.
A return to multilateralism?
The new President has also announced his will to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal. Though the actual deal is unlikely to be reinstated, instead what is most likely to happen is a renegotiation of parts of it. Having John Kerry, the architect of the Iran deal, on board will be an asset in this regard for the Biden administration. A pacification of relations with Iran is one of the keys for a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, an objective which must be pursued in order to pacify a region at the origin of a great number of conflicts and a source of Islamo-Western antagonism leading to terrorist acts in Europe.
Improving relations, that have been damaged over the past four years, with America's neighbors Canada and Mexico, both staunch allies of Washington, is also widely regarded as extremely positive by most observers. Though in the case of the southern neighbor, it should be noted that after a stormy beginning, the relationship between Trump and his Mexican counterpart Lopez Obrador has considerably improved to the point that the Mexican head of state was one of the last world leaders to congratulate Biden.
The newly inaugurated President also stressed the importance in strengthening NATO's role and influence, that his predecessor had vowed to undermine by reducing its funding, considering that it was up to Europe to finance its protection against possible adversaries.
Finally, it is likely that trade tensions with China will continue as they are a constant in US policy, no matter which Administration is in charge. But it is certain that the tone between both major nations will be more peaceful and constructive.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not commit the Swiss Diplomacy Student Association
Diplomacy and COVID-19: from Uncoordinated Health Measures to the G20 Virtual Summit with Switzerland's First Participation
Joe Biden, Opportunity or Danger for the Middle East?
By Enrico M. Gallo
Article Journalism News
The change in the dimension of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the introduction of requests to the International Court of Justice
Nov 28, 2022 Yannis Bonnet
How diplomacy and cooperation can help states manage areas
Article Journalism
The Hague Conferences of 1899 and 1907, or the Role of the Last Czar in the Establishment of Modern Multilateral Diplomacy.
Oct 26, 2022 Yannis Bonnet
A post shared by Swiss Diplomacy Student Assoc. (@sdsaofficial)
Ein Beitrag geteilt von Swiss Diplomacy Student Assoc. (@sdsaofficial)
The SDSA is a student association that is part of the University of Geneva.
Association neuchâteloise des étudiants en droit (ANED)
Centre d'Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI)
Comité International de la Croix-Rouge (CICR)
foraus
Forum Suisse de Politique Internationale (FSPI)
Global China Connection Geneva (GCC)
Horizon académique
Jeunes Emissaires des droits de l'enfant (JEDDE)
Jeunes IHEDN
Just innovate (C4SI)
Semaine du développement durable
The European Law Students' Association Neuchâtel (ELSA)
UNITAR
Dossier spécial élections américaines
SDSA Genève
Culture et Institutions
Vice-Présidence
Contact / Nous rejoindre


MAKE AN OFFER! HIGHLY MOTIVATED SELLER! Welcome to 3934 Street Road, a very spacious 4bd/2.5bth property in award-winning Central Bucks School District! Located just minutes from Peddlers Village, New Hope, and Routes 202/263/413 and nestled back on a 1.5 acre wooded lot, this house has so much to offer! Walk through the double doors and into the large foyer. Pass the powder room (with pedestal sink), and enter the large family room with a wood-burning fireplace and built-in dry bar (perfect entertaining spot). The eat-in kitchen has stainless steel appliances and access to the large weather-sealed deck. Hardwood floors are throughout the living & dining rooms. There is an over-sized bay window in the living room which looks out to the well-maintained front lawn. A wide hallway leads to the walk-up attic access, a full bathroom with new vanity/quartz top/tub surround, and all 4 bedrooms. The master bedroom boasts two closets, crown molding, and en suite with a stall shower. Newer roof (2010). Newer heater (2009). Brand-new central AC (2018). Upgraded 200 amp electrical box with serge protection (2018) -- it~s just waiting for your personal touch! Kitchen renderings provided by Bucks County Cabinet & Design.
Located just minutes from Peddlers Village, New Hope, and Routes 202/263/413.
Doylestown is located in Pennsylvania. Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902 has a population of 8,301.
The median household income in Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902 is $66,172. The median household income for the surrounding county is $76,824 compared to the national median of $53,482. The median age of people living in Doylestown 18902 is 50 years.
I am interested in 3934 Street Road, Doylestown, PA 18902.


Apex Residences features a collection of exquisitely crafted contemporary residences that capture picturesque mountain vistas from their majestic slope side perch. Showcasing an artful blend of clean contemporary architecture and sophisticated mountain charm, the residences are designed to draw the outdoors in and engage the picturesque landscape. Offering direct access to the slopes from three distinct tiers — the Overlook Level, Plaza Level and Clubhouse Level — three residence styles boast open, airy interiors with generous windows that capture abundant natural light and frame dramatic mountain, village and aspen forest views.
Browse Apex Residences condos for sale below or contact BJ Christianson for more information about Park City Real Estate.
"Enjoy magnificent views overlooking the Canyons Village and direct ski access from your private patio. This new construction 4-bedroom, townhome at Apex Residences is part of the newest development that will define the future of contemporary mountain living. Development amenities will include underground parking, a 8,400 SF clubhouse with heated pool, hot tubs, fitness room, owner s lounge, spa treatment room and a catering kitchen for private parties. Other HOA amenities will include a private shuttle, development ski run maintenance for access to 3 ski lifts and private ski rooms within each residence."
"Enjoy the best location the Canyons Village and direct ski to your choice of 3 ski lifts. This new construction 4-bedroom, 2-level residence at Apex Residences includes an open living area, separate family room and is part of the newest development that will define the future of contemporary mountain living. Development amenities will include underground parking, a 8,400 SF clubhouse with heated pool, hot tubs, fitness room, owner s lounge, spa treatment room and a catering kitchen for private parties. Other HOA amenities will include a private shuttle, development ski run maintenance for access to 3 ski lifts and private ski rooms within each residence."
"Enjoy magnificent views overlooking the Canyons Village and direct ski access from your private patio. This new construction 3-bedroom, townhome at Apex Residences is part of the newest development that will define the future of contemporary mountain living. Development amenities will include underground parking, a 8,400 SF clubhouse with heated pool, hot tubs, fitness room, owner s lounge, spa treatment room and a catering kitchen for private parties. Other HOA amenities will include a private shuttle, development ski run maintenance for access to 3 ski lifts and private ski rooms within each residence."


When choosing MOCH, you choose e-learning of the highest quality. We are specialized in ESSENS LMS, the leading Learning Management System on the Scandinavian market.
Many organisations prefer ESSENS LMS for optimising their e-learning and competences. ESSENS LMS is a simple, flexible and effective tool to train, certify and re-certify your employees with e-learning. You get a simple cloud-based solution with a user-friendly and intuitive platform. It works 24/7 on all devices – at home, at the office or on the go. This makes it easy for you to create an effective learning environment for you and your employees that can easily be adapted to your unique needs. In short, ESSENS LMS can help you develop your employees, measure the impact and improve your organization – without wasting time or resources.
We provide the opportunity for "Blended Learning", which is a learning approach that combines online and offline learning experiences. You can also get insight in your organisation's results through baseline and final evaluations. We also have a unique offering of functions and an unlimited amount of configuration and integration opportunities. It has never been easier to train your employees in handling even the most complex organisational changes or training process – no matter what size of your organisation or industry.
At MOCH, we make a virtue of using our creative and technological skills to simplify the often complex and confusing communication between a digital learning platform and a company's need and variying content and learning solutions. We are experts in connecting people in need of knowledge with people who have it – with the goal of creating the best digital learning experiences. We have developed more than 1,200 e-learning solutions since 1999. We would love to help you too!
MOCH offers you a scaleable and flexible training platform. You can easily customize ESSENS to your organisation and unique needs. When you choose MOCH, you get holistic training that can be adapted in the way you need to each of your target and employee groups.
We always think mobile first. When you choose MOCH, you get a learning platform that can be used on all devices – when and where you employees want to learn. Our user interface is creative, modern and responsive. We can adapt the learning platform in accordance to your brand and identity and implement your visual design (logo, colours, videos, pictures, etc.) to give you a holistic learning experience.
ESSENS LMS is the solution for you, whether you are looking for replacing your current learning platform or in the need of a brand new host solution. We are specialised in integrating learning systems in accordance to the needs of companies. So far, we have implemented more than 50 customer solutions for more than 2 million users.
Contact us today to hear what we can offer you.


text:
S3 | Ep 33 Season 3 Highlights
You can control and resist life or you can dive in.
Let's take the wise words from season 3 guest Christine Hassler and: DIVE IN together. It's our day to LIVE INSPIRED!
The guests on our show are ordinary people doing extraordinary things on purpose. On this episode, we'll celebrate the best insights from each Season 3...
S3 | Ep. 24 Chris Hogan, Retire Inspired
"I don't want you to be a been brother: a would-a-been, could-a-been or should-a-been. Focus, be well-rounded and give your effort at all times."
Chris Hogan received this advice from his Mom. He was bless to grow up with seven or eight parental figures - from uncles and grandparents to teachers and coaches - in a small...


– Sprinkle Some Gallery Thea Magic This Christmas!
We offer a vast array of designs for you to choose from and we also create bespoke designs. If you'd like some inspiration with the colour options or themes on your ceramic gifts, we would be delighted to help you. As always our website shows a huge range of what is available and if you are able to pop into our Southwold gallery, you are guaranteed to be find inspiration galore!
Alternatively, please call us on 01502 722433 to chat through your specific requirements or email us your ideas. For £5 we will email your design back to you for a seal of approval before painting begins!
As a thank you for your order and supporting an independent business this Christmas, we have a seasonal ceramic gift for YOU. When placing your order online, please type NEWSLETTER in the box asking for 'specific colours etc' and we'll pop a little something extra in with your order!
Please remember to place your order before 1st December to ensure it arrives with you in time for Christmas. Any order placed after this date cannot be guaranteed for Christmas.
Love is in the air at Gallery Thea »« Gallery Thea Stationary now available to buy !


Shortly after participating in the large-scale announcements of the company in revealing the next generation of iPhones, Apple's CEO Tim Cook has made a 'rare TV interview appearance' on PBS' The Charlie Rose Show, and has started the first of a two-parter by announcing that Apple could yet pull out a new technological innovation of iPod or iPhone-esque proportions.
While most of the world turns their head towards Google's secretive 'Google X Labs' for the next big thing after a driverless car concept and Google Glass (amongst other 'wearable technology' markets that Apple is starting further back on), Cook claimed in the show that Apple have some secrets of their own.
With the 'second half' of the differently-structured interview show set to broadcast on PBS tonight, will Cook offer any further hints as to what Apple's next major product reveal could be all about, or has the company been overtaken for good in the innovation departments? The first part of the episode in question can be seen here.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Constructs Cheaper iPhone Rumours?


text:
import helpers from './helpers/helpers'
import sharedState from './sharedState'
const { makeTexture, makeFlatArray, makeRandomArray } = helpers

let config, canvas, width, height, renderFlagLocation, frameBuffer, resizedCurrentState, resizedLastState, lastState, currentState, textureSizeLocation, paused = false, glBoilerplate

const render = () => {
  if(!paused) {
    if(resizedLastState) {
      lastState = resizedLastState
      resizedLastState = null
    }

    if(resizedCurrentState) {
      currentState = resizedCurrentState
      resizedCurrentState = null
    }

    gl.uniform1f(renderFlagLocation, 0)

    step()

    gl.uniform1f(renderFlagLocation, 1)

    gl.bindFramebuffer(gl.FRAMEBUFFER, null)
    gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, lastState)
    gl.drawArrays(gl.TRIANGLES, 0, 6)
  }

  requestAnimationFrame(render)
}

const step = () => {
  gl.bindFramebuffer(gl.FRAMEBUFFER, frameBuffer)

  // attaches texture to a framebuffer
  gl.framebufferTexture2D(gl.FRAMEBUFFER, gl.COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, gl.TEXTURE_2D, currentState, 0)

  gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, lastState)
  gl.drawArrays(gl.TRIANGLES, 0, 6)

  let temp = lastState
  lastState = currentState
  currentState = temp
}

const onResize = () => {
  paused = true
  width = sharedState.get("windowWidth")
  height = sharedState.get("windowHeight")
  canvas.width = width
  canvas.height = height

  gl.viewport(0, 0, width, height)

  gl.uniform2f(textureSizeLocation, width, height)

  resizedCurrentState = makeTexture(gl)
  gl.texImage2D(gl.TEXTURE_2D, 0, gl.RGBA, width, height, 0, gl.RGBA, gl.FLOAT, null)

  resizedLastState = makeTexture(gl)

  let rgba = new Float32Array(width * height * 4)
  rgba = makeRandomArray(rgba)
  gl.texImage2D(gl.TEXTURE_2D, 0, gl.RGBA, width, height, 0, gl.RGBA, gl.FLOAT, makeRandomArray(rgba, width, height))

  paused = false
}

export default {
  initialize(opts) {
    glBoilerplate = initBoilerPlate();

    width = sharedState.get("windowWidth")
    height = sharedState.get("windowHeight")
    config = opts

    canvas = document.getElementById("webgl-canvas")
    canvas.width = width
    canvas.height = height

    gl = canvas.getContext("webgl", { antialias: false }) || canvas.getContext("experimental-webgl", { antialias: false})

    gl.disable(gl.DEPTH_TEST)
    gl.getExtension('OES_texture_float')

    const program = glBoilerplate.createProgramFromScripts(gl, config.shaders.mainVert, config.shaders.mainFrag)
    gl.useProgram(program)

    // obtain the location of the position attribute in the program
    const positionLocation = gl.getAttribLocation(program, "a_position")

    // create a webgl buffer, which is just a data object
    const bufferPos = gl.createBuffer()

    // bind the buffer to a target
    gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, bufferPos)

    // turn the generic vertex attribute array on at a given position
    gl.enableVertexAttribArray(positionLocation)

    // specify memory layout of the buffer
    gl.vertexAttribPointer(positionLocation, 2, gl.FLOAT, false, 0, 0)

    // initialize and create the buffer object's data store
    gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, new Float32Array([
      -1.0, -1.0,
      1.0, -1.0,
      -1.0, 1.0,
      -1.0, 1.0,
      1.0, -1.0,
      1.0, 1.0]), gl.STATIC_DRAW)

    // constants
    renderFlagLocation = gl.getUniformLocation(program, "u_renderFlag")

    const texCoordLocation = gl.getAttribLocation(program, "a_texCoord")
    const texCoordBuffer = gl.createBuffer()
    gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, texCoordBuffer)
    gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, new Float32Array([
      0.0, 0.0,
      1.0, 0.0,
      0.0, 1.0,
      0.0, 1.0,
      1.0, 0.0,
      1.0, 1.0]), gl.STATIC_DRAW)
    gl.enableVertexAttribArray(texCoordLocation)
    gl.vertexAttribPointer(texCoordLocation, 2, gl.FLOAT, false, 0, 0)

    onResize()

    lastState = resizedLastState
    currentState = resizedCurrentState
    resizedLastState = null
    resizedCurrentState = null

    frameBuffer = gl.createFramebuffer()

    gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, lastState)

    render()
  },

  resize() {
    onResize()
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Friday, Oct. 26 | 5-6:15 p.m.
Children ages five and older and their parents/guardians are invited to the free event.
The Lincoln Land Community College Chemistry Club will host the sixth annual "Haunted Lab" Friday, Oct. 26 from 5-6:30 p.m. in upper Sangamon Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. Children ages five and older and their parents/guardians are invited to the free event.
Children will see "spooky" science demonstrations and learn about experiments they can do at home. Experiments will be conducted by club members under the guidance of Jennifer Ramm, LLCC professor of chemistry.
Science demonstration shows will run about 20 minutes and will take place in Sangamon Hall Rooms 2213 and 2215. Children will see bubbles, color changes, fire and much more as they learn about science.
Shows begin every 15 minutes at 5, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45, 6 and 6:15 p.m. While waiting for shows to begin, children can participate in hands-on activities and face painting across the hall in Room 2216.
Children are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to the event. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.


10/25   Civ 4 is out tomorrow!
quotation as each new technology is discovered"
12/4    "Carbon pollution up to 2 million pounds a second"
\_ (12/14) "AP-GfK Poll: Science doubters say world is warming"
increase elec bill by ~$300/year, force consumers to pay 10% more.
High energy prices are encouraging the return to the cities.
GamerMetrics Copyright 1996-2005, IGN Entertainment, Inc.
Civilization IV is to tell other people j ust how good the game is. We here at IGN have been playing the game almo st non-stop since we got our first playable versions. The first time we laid hands on the game we felt that Firaxis was doing something special with the series. As newer, more complete builds came our way, our expect ations for the game only grew. After having spent a lot of time playing through the final version, we can safely say that Civilization IV is the best version of Civilization yet. The first thing you need to understand is that Civilization IV is a funda mental reinvention of the franchise. Fans should be assured that all the basic concepts from Civilization are still here, but many of the more o bnoxious or troublesome elements have been greatly improved upon. City p roduction, combat, and culture have all been tweaked to allow for more i ntuitive application within the game. Concepts like civil disorder, pred ictable tech paths, pollution and the creeping pace of the late game hav e all benefited from substantial revisions that make them more manageabl e and enjoyable aspects of your strategy. On top of these revisions, Civilization IV finally offers up a presentati on worthy of the gameplay. A new graphics engine adds life and charm to the world, making the experience really come alive. The interface elemen ts have all been refined to ease access and readability. A wealth of fan tastic music highlights the entire experience with a pitch-perfect voice over assist from Leonard Nimoy. I'm still amazed at the way information is presented in this game. While all versions of Civilization have allowed players to dig down into the n umbers behind the game mechanics, Civilization IV offers such ready acce ss to these figures that you'll get a really good sense of how the game is working. Mousing over terrain tiles tells you what the defense bonus is, the resource yield, any special resources (and the improvement neede d to utilize them), as well as the ownership of the tile. What's more, i t will even list all the units in the square, their strength, movement, identity and any promotions they have. Since there are many mo re types of terrain improvements this time around, you'll be able to tel l just by looking at the map whether a given tile is generating food, co mmerce or production. There are options you can turn on to highlight cer tain resources. This makes it much easier to pick out where the key depo sits are. Similar options let you see military units, resource yields, c ultural ownership and other factors. Since there are many more terrain i mprovements this time around (and since you'll need to build them before you can access strategic resources or luxuries), having this informatio n handy makes strategic planning much more convenient. Though the new interface is wonderful, there are a few areas where more c ould be done. The announcements that your rivals have completed a wonder or founded a new religion should be put right in your face, not off to the side in the smallest font the game has available. While some players might find pop-ups more obnoxious, it would certainly help me stay orie nted to what's going on during the game. The comprehensive Civilopedia o ffers all kinds of information, but there should be cross-linking for ci vic types and terrain improvements. While it's not a big deal while you' re just browsing, it's kind of limiting when you're selecting a new tech nology and can't access the other entries.