text:
/*
 * DownloadClient Geodateninfrastruktur Bayern
 *
 * (c) 2016 GSt. GDI-BY (gdi.bayern.de)
 *
 * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
 * You may obtain a copy of the License at
 *
 *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
 * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
 * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 * limitations under the License.
 */

package de.bayern.gdi.utils;

import de.bayern.gdi.services.Service;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.File;
import java.net.MalformedURLException;
import java.net.URL;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.logging.Level;
import java.util.logging.Logger;
import javax.xml.parsers.ParserConfigurationException;
import javax.xml.xpath.XPathConstants;
import org.w3c.dom.Document;
import org.w3c.dom.Node;
import org.w3c.dom.NodeList;
import org.xml.sax.SAXException;

/**
 * @author Jochen Saalfeld (jochen@intevation.de)
 */
public class ServiceSetting {

    private static final Logger log
        = Logger.getLogger(ServiceSetting.class.getName());

    /** Name of the config file. */
    public static final String SERVICE_SETTING_FILE =
            "serviceSetting.xml";

    private List<Service> services;
    private Map<String, String> catalogues;
    private Map<String, String> wms;
    private static final String NAME =
            "ServiceSetting";

    public ServiceSetting()
            throws SAXException, ParserConfigurationException, IOException {
        this(SERVICE_SETTING_FILE);
    }

    /**
     * Constructor.
     * @param filePath Path the the serviceSettings.xml
     */
    public ServiceSetting(String filePath)
        throws SAXException, ParserConfigurationException, IOException {
        this(XML.getDocument(getFileStream(filePath)));
    }

    public ServiceSetting(File file)
        throws SAXException, ParserConfigurationException, IOException {
        this(XML.getDocument(file));
    }

    public ServiceSetting(Document doc) throws IOException {
        parseDocument(doc);
    }

    /**
     * gets the Catalogue URL as String.
     * @return catalogue URL as String
     */
    public String getCatalogue() {
        for (String value: this.getCatalogues().values()) {
            return value;
        }
        return null;
    }

    /**
     * gets the catalogue URL.
     * @return The catalogue URL
     */
    public URL getCatalogueURL() {
        try {
            String cat = getCatalogue();
            return cat != null ? new URL(cat) : null;
        } catch (MalformedURLException e) {
            log.log(Level.SEVERE, e.getMessage(), e);
        }
        return null;
    }
    /**
     * returns a map of Strings with service Names und URLS.
     * @return Map of Strings with <Name, URL> of Services
     */
    public List<Service> getServices()  {
        return this.services;
    }

    /**
     * returns a map of Strings with catalogue Names and URLS.
     * @return Map of Strings with <Name, URL> of Catalogs
     */
    private Map<String, String> getCatalogues() {
        return this.catalogues;
    }

    /**
     * gets the WMS Url.
     * @return the WMS url
     */
    public String getWMSUrl() {
        return this.wms.get("url");
    }

    /**
     * gets the WMS Name.
     * @return the WMS Name
     */
    public String getWMSName() {
        return this.wms.get("name");
    }

    /**
     * gets the WMS Name.
     * @return the WMS Name
     */
    public String getWMSSource() {
        return this.wms.get("source");
    }

    /**
     * gets the WMS Name.
     * @return the WMS Name
     */
    public String getWMSLayer() {
        return this.wms.get("layer");
    }

    private void parseDocument(Document xmlDocument) throws IOException {
        this.services = parseService(xmlDocument);
        this.catalogues = parseNameURLScheme(xmlDocument, "catalogues");
        this.wms = parseSchema(xmlDocument,
                "wms",
                "url",
                "layer",
                "name",
                "source");
    }

    /**
     * gets the name of the configuration.
     * @return name of the config
     */
    public static String getName() {
        return NAME;
    }
    private static final String SERVICE_XPATH =
        "//*[local-name() = $NODE]/service/*[local-name() = $NAME]/text()";

    private Map<String, String> parseSchema(Document xmlDocument, String
            nodeName, String... names) throws IOException {
        Map<String, String> map = new HashMap<String, String>();

        HashMap<String, String> vars = new HashMap<>();
        vars.put("NODE", nodeName);

        for (String name: names) {
            vars.put("NAME", name);
            String value = (String) XML.xpath(
                xmlDocument, SERVICE_XPATH, XPathConstants.STRING, null, vars);
            if (value == null || value.isEmpty()) {
                throw new IOException(name + " in " + nodeName + " Node not "
                        + "Found - Config broken");
            }
            map.put(name, value);
        }
        return map;
    }

    private List<Service> parseService(Document xmlDocument) {
        List<Service> servicesList = new ArrayList<Service>();

        NodeList servicesNL = xmlDocument.getElementsByTagName("services");
        Node servicesNode = servicesNL.item(0);
        NodeList serviceNL = servicesNode.getChildNodes();
        Node serviceNode, serviceValueNode;

        for (int i = 0; i < serviceNL.getLength(); i++) {
            serviceNode = serviceNL.item(i);
            if (serviceNode.getNodeType() == Node.ELEMENT_NODE) {
                NodeList serviceValueNL = serviceNode.getChildNodes();
                String serviceURL = null;
                String serviceName = null;
                boolean restricted = false;
                for (int k = 0; k < serviceValueNL.getLength(); k++) {
                    serviceValueNode = serviceValueNL.item(k);
                    if (serviceValueNode.getNodeType() == 1) {
                        if (serviceValueNode.getNodeName().equals("url")) {
                            serviceURL =
                             serviceValueNode.getFirstChild().getTextContent();
                        } else if (serviceValueNode.getNodeName()
                                .equals("name")) {
                            serviceName =
                             serviceValueNode.getFirstChild().getTextContent();
                        } else if (serviceValueNode.getNodeName()
                                .equals("restricted")) {
                            String restr =
                             serviceValueNode.getFirstChild().getTextContent();
                            restricted = restr.equals("true");
                        }
                    }
                }
                if (serviceURL != null && serviceName != null) {
                    try {
                        Service service = new Service(new URL(serviceURL),
                                serviceName,
                                restricted);
                        servicesList.add(service);
                    } catch (MalformedURLException e) {
                        log.log(Level.SEVERE, e.getMessage(), e);
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return servicesList;
    }

    private Map<String, String> parseNameURLScheme(Document xmlDocument,
                                                   String nodeName)
            throws IOException {
        Map<String, String> servicesMap = new HashMap<String, String>();

        NodeList servicesNL = xmlDocument.getElementsByTagName(nodeName);
        Node servicesNode = servicesNL.item(0);
        if (servicesNode == null) {
            throw new IOException(nodeName + " Node not found - Config broken");
        }
        NodeList serviceNL = servicesNode.getChildNodes();
        Node serviceNode, serviceValueNode;

        for (int i = 0; i < serviceNL.getLength(); i++) {
            serviceNode = serviceNL.item(i);
            if (serviceNode.getNodeType() == Node.ELEMENT_NODE) {
                NodeList serviceValueNL = serviceNode.getChildNodes();
                String serviceURL = null;
                String serviceName = null;
                for (int k = 0; k < serviceValueNL.getLength(); k++) {
                    serviceValueNode = serviceValueNL.item(k);
                    if (serviceValueNode.getNodeType() == 1) {
                        if (serviceValueNode.getNodeName().equals("url")) {
                            serviceURL =
                             serviceValueNode.getFirstChild().getTextContent();
                        } else if (serviceValueNode.getNodeName()
                                .equals("name")) {
                            serviceName =
                             serviceValueNode.getFirstChild().getTextContent();
                        }
                    }
                }
                if (serviceURL != null && serviceName != null) {
                    servicesMap.put(serviceName, serviceURL);
                }
            }
        }
        if (servicesMap.isEmpty()) {
            throw new IOException(nodeName + " seeems to be empty - Config "
                    + "broken");
        }
        return servicesMap;
    }

    private static InputStream getFileStream(String fileName) {
        InputStream stream = Misc.getResource(fileName);
        return stream;
    }
}


text:
Career opportunities redefined by a changing economy
Toni-Ann Miller, Palm Beach Post
The economy is changing, and some South Floridians are adjusting right along with it. To combat layoffs and dips in traditionally booming industries, these people have developed ideas, new businesses and turned their passion into additional income.
John Gepp, a New Jersey native, moved to Jupiter six years ago when the real estate company he worked for opened offices in the area. Everything was going well until June 2007 when the real estate market started going downhill. Gepp accepted a part-time job with Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue. He taught his co-workers to row the lifeguard boat and offered personal training on the beach and in the driveway of his home, where he had a rowing machine.
"Every time I got somebody on it and showed them the proper technique, which is crucial to that machine, they loved it," said Gepp, 50, who now lives in Juno Beach.
The positive feedback he got motived Gepp last year to get trained and certified for what is now his side business, teaching at his indoor rowing studio. He left Ocean Rescue in May and opened Rowland Indoor Rowing in the Juno Plaza on June 1.
The studio features seven Concept II rowers, each of which cost about $1,000, Gepp said. The total start-up investment was about $10,000, he said. To reserve a rower, go to http://www.rowlandindoorrowing.com or call 561-596-5351 .
Ana Cusell didn't know her search for the right picture frame would later turn into a business. During the holidays, the Wellington resident struggled to find ways to display her Christmas cards.
She found small tabletop easels that were being used to display signs, and she thought they would be perfect for her cards. The only problem? They were not being marketed to consumers.
She bought them directly from the manufacturer, in bulk, and ended up with a box of 500. She shared the extras with friends, but then she found other uses for them such as displaying post cards, wedding place cards and small souvenirs.
"These things have been around forever," said Cusell, a wife and mother of two daughters. "But they've never been marketed for the consumer and never been marketed to use on photographs."
Late last year, she decided to package and promote them to consumers. Cusell secured a supplier and hired a marketing firm to create a logo for the UnFrame, a peel-and-stick alternative to picture frames.
In September, her website, http://www.theunframe.com, was up and running, but she didn't have time to market it. Until three months ago. Cusell, 50, was working at U.S. Trust in Palm Beach. She had been there 15 years and was a vice president, running the company's banking operations for the state.
When Bank of America took over and decided to close the location's banking center, Cusell and her staff were laid off. "I think I was just fortunate that I already had this idea in my head, and I had already been toying with it," Cusell said.
Cusell has sold about 1,000 packs of UnFrames in 24 states, she said.
Rick Tuckerman has owned Zoom IQ (now Zoom IQ 2), an advertising agency, for more than 20 years. The Miami-based company went with the ebb and flow of the economy.
"We were doing phenomenally well," he said. It targeted advertising for the financial industry, Tuckerman said, but then the banks consolidated.
Next, the firm focused on health care, but hospital giants such as Tenet bought out other hospitals. Then the company focused on the booming real estate industry, said Tuckerman, 56, until that industry tanked.
"It was like an overnight event, and I was forced to lay off some staff," Tuckerman said. With the layoffs, he was left with excess office space.
So,Tuckerman, a husband and father of three, created a new company called Shared Offices, an online system for matching business landlords and tenants.
Businesses that have available space pay $39.95 for a 30-day listing on http://www.sharedoffices.com or search the database and hand-pick a tenant for $89.95. There is no charge for people who need space.
"We are targeting existing firms who have downsized and have extra space," Tuckerman said . "We are finding industry-compatible tenants for them. They don't have to do any work."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I have been contacted by many doctors, patients and others working in the National Health Service who have deep concerns about the government's approach to managing our NHS, and in particular about their stance on negotiating a new junior doctors contract.
A new junior doctor contract is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the training and conditions for our junior doctors, the future consultants and GPs of our NHS. But the proposals Jeremy Hunt has put forward, together with his handling of the contract negotiation, has caused anger. With morale in the NHS already at rock bottom, it is now a real threat to the recruitment and retention of NHS staff.
I'm delighted that Labour secured an Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons yesterday, where we called on the government to show a willingness to compromise and put forward proposals which safe for patients and fair for staff.
Junior doctors are the backbone of our hospitals. They are the doctors we first see when we turn up at A&E, they are the doctors that look after us on the wards. In every hospital, in every department junior doctors are there on the frontline. They come in early and leave late. They provide care seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
And what have they been given in a return? A contract that could cut their pay that threatens their family life and puts their health at risk. Worse still, they've been told they have to like it our lump it because the Health Secretary is going to impose it whether they like it or not.
The fact that the negotiations over the new contract have now come to a standstill is a damning indictment of the approach the Health Secretary has pursued and the intransigence he has shown. This dispute will only be resolved when both sides return to the negotiating table. For that to happen the Health Secretary needs to show he is willing to compromise, and put patient safety ahead of politics.
The new contract needs to be fair for junior doctors and safe for the patients they care for. We must not allow this Government to take us back to the bad old days of worn out staff, too exhausted to provide safe patient care.Labour's debate on Wednesday sent a clear message to Jeremy Hunt – scrap your plans to impose this unsafe contract, show you are willing to compromise, and put patient safety ahead of politics.
People may be interested in a blog from our new Shadow Secretary of State for Health on this issue, which you can read here.


text:
Monday, Jun. 10, 2019
Pixar's "Purl" Named Best In Show At SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Fest
SIGGRAPH 2019 has revealed the award winners and lineup of 24 short films, breakdowns, scientific visualizations, advertisements, and more, set to appear in the Computer Animation Festival Electronic Theater next month. Showcasing the latest in computer graphics, the one-night-only Electronic...
Ex-Pixar Chief John Lasseter To Head Skydance Animation
The ousted Pixar co-founder and former Disney animation chief John Lasseter will head the recently launched animation division of Skydance Media, the production company announced Wednesday.
Lasseter, one of the most illustrious and pioneering figures in animation, last year stepped down...
Sunday, Jun. 17, 2018
"Incredibles 2" Breaks Animation Box Office Record With $180M Opening Weekend
The combined powers of superheroes, the Pixar brand and a draught of family-friendly films helped "Incredibles 2" become the best animated opening of all time, the biggest PG-rated launch ever and the 8th highest film launch overall.
Disney estimated Sunday that the film earned $180...
Saturday, Jun. 9, 2018
John Lasseter To Depart Disney At End of Year
John Lasseter, the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and the Walt Disney Co.'s animation chief, will step down at the end of the year after acknowledging "missteps" in his behavior with staff members.
Disney announced Friday that Lasseter — one of the most illustrious and powerful...
Pixar's "Coco" Remains Atop Box Office For 2nd Straight Week
In a sleepy post-Thanksgiving weekend at the box office, Pixar's "Coco" remained the top film for the second straight week while a number of Oscar contenders packed theaters in specialty release.
"Coco" again easily led all films with $26.1 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to...
Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017
Pixar's "Coco" Feasts On Bountiful Box Office Over Thanksgiving Weekend
Pixar's "Coco" sang its way to the fourth best Thanksgiving weekend ever with an estimated $71.2 million over the five-day weekend, a total that easily toppled Warner Bros.' "Justice League."
"Coco" rode strong reviews and an A-plus CinemaScore from audiences to the top spot at the...
Disney Animation, Pixar Chief John Lasseter Takes 6-Month Leave, Cites "Missteps" With Employees
Just days before Pixar's "Coco" is set to hit theaters, Pixar co-founder and Walt Disney Animation chief John Lasseter announced he is taking a six-month leave of absence citing "missteps" with employees.
The boisterous, Hawaiian shirt-wearing personality behind some of the most beloved...
Director Lee Unkrich's "Coco" Breaks New Ethnic Ground For Pixar
Pixar films have never been shy about death. The "Toy Story" films are, in part, about mortality. The poetic highlight of "Up" is a wordless sequence of a spouse's passing. The Earth, itself, was left for dead in "Wall-E."
But Pixar plunges fully into the afterlife in "Coco," a brightly...
"Borrowed Time"
On the strength of Borrowed Time, directors Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj last month earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short. They also wrote the film in concert with Mark C. Harris. During their spare time over the past five years, Coats and Hamou-Lhadj devoted themselves...
VFX News And Developments for August 2016
Santa Monica and Melbourne-based creative studio Luma has hired industry mainstay Jill Gilbert as executive producer of animated content. Based out of the Santa Monica office, Gilbert will be responsible for the oversight, development and management of Luma Toons original animated content and...
Cinematographer, Visual Effects and Animation
Brad Rushing
Marcus Nispel
Jeremy Bartel
Deedle LaCour
Billie Jean King
The Impossible
Maro Chermayeff
Crystal Rix
MOFILM
Norm Bilow
Adam Hirsch
Kendra Wan
Chad Cortvriendt
Juan Cabral
Tom Sherak
Troll Pictures
VR Society
ClickFire Media
Motion Picture Editors Guild
Suzy Ramirez
above + beyond films


text:
Used 2016 Ford Fusion SE Sedan For Sale in Brunswick, GA
The 2016 Fusion is all about drivetrain options. Buyers have many engine and transmission choices, all of which produce stellar fuel economy. Engines include a 2.5L 4-cylinder, a 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo, a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, a 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid and a plug-in hybrid system. A 6-speed automatic transmission is mated to them all and the Fusion is available in all-wheel drive.
For those looking for efficiency, the Hybrid, Energi plug-in hybrid, and 1.5L turbo are the engines of choice. The 1.5L turbocharged engine returns up to 37 mpg on the highway. The Fusion Hybrid is more efficient and will sip gasoline to the tune of 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Finally the Energi plug-in hybrid is capable of running only on electricity for shorter trips, potentially limiting gasoline consumption to almost nothing.
The Fusion comes in three basic trims: S, SE and Titanium. S models are the most basic, but still come nicely equipped as is appropriate for a midsized sedan. The basic 2.5L engine is the only engine available on S models. Features include power door locks and windows, halogen projector headlamps, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. Ford's SYNC system is standard, as is an MP3-capable stereo with an auxiliary input jack, along with a rearview camera. The stereo and the cruise control can be operated by buttons mounted on the steering wheel.
The SE model enhances the level of basic equipment and also allows buyers to choose from some more drivetrain options. The 1.5L turbo, the 2.0L turbo and the 2.0L Hybrid are all options for the SE. Standard equipment on the SE includes a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated mirrors and 17-inch wheels.
Stepping up to the Titanium edition will bring buyers a more luxury-oriented Fusion. Starting at just under $31,000, the Titanium edition comes with the powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine and is the only model available with all-wheel drive. 18-inch polished aluminum wheels are standard. Seating surfaces are leather and heated, and a 12-speaker Sony audio system with satellite radio provides in-car entertainment. SYNC systems on the Titanium also include MyFord Touch, meaning there is an 8-inch LCD touchscreen in the center console that houses the optional navigation system. Two smaller configurable LCD screens are also embedded in the instrument cluster.
Safety features on the Fusion are extensive. The car utilizes eight airbags as well as the standard suite of electronic safety equipment, including anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. Emergency brake assistance is also standard on all Fusions as is an electronic parking brake.
Available Plug-in Hybrid Drivetrain
The Ford Fusion remains essentially unchanged for 2016. A new appearance package makes its way to the S version, while Hybrid and Energi versions have gotten a modest price cut. Also new on the Hybrid and Energi is an eco driving mode which should cut energy consumption by the climate control, while simultaneously producing more gradual acceleration from the car.
The Ford Fusion is a mid-sized sedan and must therefore compete in an incredibly competitive segment, going up against heavyweights such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Ford has priced the car accordingly, with models starting at $22,000. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Fusion can be outfitted with a variety of luxury equipment, providing a sensible alternative to the entry-level cars sold by several luxury marques.
Engine: 2.5L iVCT
Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic w/SelectShift
Tires: P235/50R17 BSW All Season
Radio: AM/FM Stereo/MP3/Single-CD -inc: 6 speakers, auxiliary input jack and USB
SiriusXM Radio -inc: 6-month prepaid subscription, Service not available in Alaska or Hawaii
SYNC Communications & Entertainment System -inc: MyFord, 911 Assist, vehicle health reports (VHR), NOTE: SYNC Services available for a $60 annual subscription fee
Cloth Front Bucket Seats -inc: 10-way power driver seat w/2-way power lumbar (fore/aft, up/down, recline), memory, 6-way power passenger seat (fore/aft, up/down w/recline) and 4-way front seat head restraints
2014 Ford Fusion SE Luxury Pkg w/Leather SYNC & Rear Camera
2014 Toyota Camry SE w/Leather Moonroof & Rear Camera
2012 Lexus HS 250h Premium
2011 Ford F-150 RAPTOR SVT Luxury Pkg w/Leather Navigation & Rear Camera
2019 Ford F-150 Crew Cab XLT 5.0
2016 Ford F-150 Crew Cab w/Pwr Group SYNC Hands Free & Rear Camera
2018 Ford Explorer Limited w/Navigation Rear Camera & Power Fold 3rd Row


[ARCHIVE] neoBrainformation • View topic - Lump on dog's eyelid?
My oldest dog, Lucy, has a lump on her upper eyelid, which appeared very suddenly (as in: one day, it wasn't there, and the next morning, it was). She had previously been suffering from an exacerbation of her canine acne, but she's never had any pimples on her eyelids before, only on her chin and around her lips. I don't want to use the same med that my vet gave her (a mild benzoyl peroxide solution in the form of wipes) for her chin acne on this eye bump...perhaps it's not related to the acne issue at all? But is it likely that a stye or a cyst would appear so very suddenly on a dog? In any case, the lump has been on her eye for a few days now, and it's probably bothering ME more than it's bothering her. There is no swelling or redness, I don't see her scratching or rubbing at her eye, and she doesn't appear to be in any kind of discomfort whatsoever. The bump is, however, hard to the touch. I guess I'm wondering if I'm being an alarmist, or if I should, in fact, take her straight-away to the vet. Any advice you can give would be much appreciated!
Re: Lump on dog's eyelid?
my friend's dog grew one of those overnight and in her case it was a hematoma. it was the size of a half of a pingpong ball, and easily dealt with.
hope lucy's is as simple a solution.


text:
Now ReadingEverything You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Booster Shot
NEXT ARTICLEThese Two Best-Selling Sex Toys Are Under $20—But Only for a Few Days
https://bit.ly/3uR0Bbe
Everything You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Booster Shot
By Alexia Dellner
| Oct. 8, 2021
Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images
Even after you received your initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there was already talk of a potential booster shot down the line. Fast forward just a couple of months later and COVID booster shots are making headlines, but you're more confused than ever. Should you get one? What does the booster shot actually do? We reached out to the experts to answer all our burning questions.
What does the COVID booster shot do?
"In the months after a COVID-19 infection or vaccination, the antibody response that occurs when exposed to the virus can eventually wane over time," explains Dr. Vincent Hsu, executive director of infection control at AdventHealth. "Because of this waning immunity, booster shots are designed to reactivate and reprime the immune system so that if another infection were to occur, the antibodies would be able to recognize it and fight the infection."
In other words, a booster shot is an additional dose of the vaccine that is designed to prolong immunity.
Wait, so does that mean that my vaccine isn't effective anymore?
Wrong! The three vaccines currently available in the U.S. (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson-Janssen) are still highly effective in protecting you against getting COVID-19 disease. While it is possible to still get infected with the virus, those who are vaccinated have a much lower rate of infection than those who are not vaccinated, as well as a significantly lower rate of hospitalizations and death. How much lower? Per the CDC, unvaccinated people are about 29 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated.
Got it. So who should get a COVID booster shot?
The FDA along with the CDC has recommended booster shots for certain populations. Per their recommendations, Pfizer boosters are currently available to people over age 65, residents of long-term care facilities, people ages 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions and those who have an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of where they live or work (like hospitals, schools, prisons or homeless shelters).
When it comes to underlying medical conditions, examples include diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, HIV, those with weakened immune systems and chronic disease of the kidneys, liver, heart or lungs, Dr. Hsu tells us.
It's important to note that boosters can only be given to people who completed their primary series of vaccination at least six months prior.
Is the COVID booster shot the same as the first shot?
The third dose of the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is identical to the first two, says Dr. Erika Schwartz, M.D. and founder of Evolved Science. "Boosters are essentially another dose of the same shot you received in your primary series and do not consist of any new ingredients," adds Dr. Hsu. The CDC is recommending that those with certain medical conditions that suppress the immune system get a third dose of the same brand of COVID-19 vaccine that they initially received.
Is there a booster shot for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine?
Currently, the only boosters that are authorized by the FDA are from Pfizer. "For people who received Moderna for their primary series, the CDC recommends that they stick to Moderna for their booster," says Dr. Hsu. "The dosage amount of the Moderna booster is still being determined and may be different than the primary series. It is expected that the FDA will have a decision on Moderna boosters within the next several weeks."
What if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
"Currently, the booster shot is not yet available for Johnson & Johnson but early studies have revealed that two doses of the J&J provide 94 percent protection," says Dr. Schwartz.
What if you're still not sure if you should get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are unsure about whether you have a health condition or treatment that affects your immune system or if you should get a COVID booster shot, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider who can help determine if you would benefit from a booster shot.
"Even as boosters become available for some groups, getting people vaccinated who haven't yet received their primary series is still the most important thing we can do to protect our communities," stresses Dr. Hsu.
RELATED: 3 Things You Should Say to Someone Who's Hesitant About the COVID Vaccine (& One Thing You're Better Off Keeping to Yourself)


This adorable kitten was found dumped in a Salvation Army donation bin in Fresno, California. Workers heard her crying for help and quickly got her out.
The workers didn't want her ending up at a high-kill shelter, so they called the Cat House on the Kings, a sanctuary and adoption center for pets. She then received the name Sally Ann. She is doing well and recovering nicely from her spay surgery that she just had. Aside from being spayed, she was also vaccinated, tested, and microchipped.
The next step is finding her a furever home! This won't be hard, as the sanctuary has already received two dozen applications that they're going through to find the perfect fit. What makes this kitten so unique is the little dark patch under her nose that looks like a perfect mustache! Just look at that face! She's definitely a famous social media star in the making. How could anyone abandon her?! We are so glad that she's safe now!


Panlab circular pool provides the ideal environment to carry out the Morris water maze test (MWM test) and aquatic radial maze tests for the study of memory in rodents.
The water maze tank is manufactured in polypropylene and stands on a support with 4 wheels for easier displacement. Panlab proposes a complete solution for water maze settings since the heater, the water circulation pump, the level controller and the electro valve for pool filling are containing in a unique control box. The level controller acts directly on the Electro Valve, turning it off when the liquid arrives to the corresponding height. The water temperature is thermostated between 22 and 32 degrees depending on the environmental room temperature.
For Morris water maze (MWM) Test, a platform support is provided with two easily interchangeable platforms (80 and 110 mm) that can be located anywhere in the water maze.
For aquatic radial maze, a removable-floating eight radial-arm maze structure and associated platform can be provided upon request.
Both Morris water maze and aquatic radial mazes can be associated with the SMART Video-Tracking software for detection and analysis of animal displacements and behavior throughout the test.
Island Set spare part for the water mazes (110 and 80 mm diameter platforms, 400 mm height min, 500 mm max). One unit is included with the pools.


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What Greg Schiano is saying as Rutgers prepares for another big test against Penn State
Chris Iseman Rutgers sports writer
PISCATAWAY – It's been 34 years since Rutgers has beaten Penn State.
The Scarlet Knights have lost 15 consecutive games to the Nittany Lions since then.
And if that streak's going to end this season, Rutgers is going to need to play a complete, mistake-free performance.
The No. 11 Nittany Lions are playing some of their best football of the season in all three phases – meaning a major challenge awaits for Rutgers on Saturday at SHI Stadium (3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network).
"They're one of the top-15 teams in America," Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano said. "They're playing at that level now. That's what I would say the biggest thing is. They've gotten better over the course of the season. They're playing at a high level right now."
Penn State, coming off a 30-0 win over Maryland, ranks third in the Big Ten with 34.0 points per game and sixth in the conference in scoring defense, yielding 19.0 points per contest. They're second in the Big Ten in sacks with 30 (Michigan is first with 31).
"So they're getting after the passer," Schiano said. "Pass coverage and pass rush usually go hand in hand. So they're doing both very well."
Schiano called Penn State's defense against Maryland "suffocating" and said PSU is "complete in the kicking game."
The Nittany Lions, who lead the all-time series against Rutgers 30-2, have a pair of freshmen running backs – Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen – pose a formidable threat. Singleton so far has rushed for 801 yards on 123 carries (6.5 yards per attempt) with 10 touchdowns while Allen has piled up 631 yards on 124 carries (5.1 yards per attempt) with eight TDs.
"Really good at the skill positions and I think the line has really developed quite a bit," Schiano said. "If that was a weakness at one point early in the year it's not anymore."
So this will be another challenge for a Rutgers offense that showed life against Michigan State behind an improving Gavin Wimsatt at quarterback – but it's also going to be another significant test for the Scarlet Knights defense.
At 4-6, Rutgers would need to win each of its final two games – home against Penn State and at Maryland in the finale – to become bowl eligible.
Beating Penn State for the first in 34 years isn't going to be easy.
FUTURE COACHHow Rutgers QB Noah Vedral is getting a head start on his next football chapter
Young offensive linemen getting some chances
Rutgers shook up its starting offensive line Saturday against Michigan State, inserting freshman Kobe Asamoah at left guard and sliding JD DiRenzo to left tackle, replacing Willie Tyler.
Part of the thinking was that Rutgers believed it had a chance to run the ball effectively against the Spartans and it did with Kyle Monangai rushing for 162 yards on 24 carries.
The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Asamoah was solid in his first career start and helped create some wide holes for Monangai, a Don Bosco product, to burst through.
Schiano said Asamoah's ability to play reflected what he believes is a sign the younger players on the roster are developing well.
"When I talk to you guys about how we'll be a better team in November than we were in September, there's no doubt we are," Schiano said. "The competition's better in November than it was in September. But no doubt we're better. Part of that was I knew our young talented players would continue to get better and better and better."
Gus Zilinskas, who played in six games with two starts at center last season, also played Saturday and Schiano liked what he saw from the second-year player.
"Gus played his freshman year because he had to," Schiano said. "He wasn't ready to play last year. He has improved and now when he got a chance to play, you could see that improvement. That's what I'm talking about."
Schiano believes it's only the start.
"I give him another year in the weight room, he's a second-year player playing in the Big Ten Conference and he was a little under developed when he got here," Schiano said. "For him to have to play last year wasn't fair but it's what we needed and he's an unselfish guy who did it. To see what he did it Saturday is really exciting for us because we believe he's going to be a great center. We think he's got all those tools including a real head on his shoulders."
With Zilinskas' improvement and the emergence of Asamoah, along with Mike Ciaffoni who rotates in at guard, Rutgers could have a deeper offensive line rotation the final two games.
"So if we play seven or eight offensive linemen, so be it," Schiano said.


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Slant by Editorial BoardPosted on 06/06/2019
• Reading this Slant column and hungry for more opinions about what's going on in Lane County and Oregon? This week you can find our Local and Vocal columns, written by your fellow community members, at the back of the paper (not far from everybody's favorite writer, Dan Savage). We're always looking for opinions on issues that affect our readers in letters and columns, so send them in to letters@eugeneweekly.com.
• An appalling editorial ran in The Register-Guard June 3. Under the headline "College degrees are a privilege," the GateHouse-owned newspaper argued that not only is a college degree "not a right" for Oregonians, but that the University of Oregon is perfectly justified in boosting undergraduate in-state tuition by 10 percent (a "moderate increase," the RG argues) while refusing to make cuts in its multi-million-dollar sports business. No, we don't think higher education should be free. But education is a right that should be accessible to all Oregonians, and not just those from the wealthy and privileged corporate classes.
• Can it possibly be true that Art Robinson is running once again against Peter DeFazio for his congressional seat? The jillionaire Mercers seem to have been persuaded that 2020 is the year that extreme right Robinson can win. Don't think so. DeFazio is now the powerful chair of the transportation and infrastructure committee in the House. We'll just have to defeat Robinson one more time.
• The riderless horse with the riding boots reversed in the stirrups was a profound tribute to the late Oregon Federal Judge Owen Panner in a celebration of life June 1 at the Panner family horse arena outside Medford. Judge Panner, who lived from July 28, 1924 to Dec. 20, 2018, was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as a U.S. district court judge in 1979. Judge Anna Brown presided over the service, asking for the brevity Judge Panner famously favored in his courtroom. More than 200 lawyers, judges, family and friends gathered on a warm Saturday afternoon for this unusual ceremony that closed with the riderless horse led twice around the Panner family horse arena representing a fallen leader who will ride no more.
• Juliana v. United States was argued at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals June 4, with thousands following the case via the hashtag #AllEyesOnJuliana. At issue was whether the "climate kids" will get their day in court. Concerned citizens, youth and adults alike, are taking this and other climate lawsuits to court because our local, state and federal governments aren't doing enough to stop climate change. In an era where our own president is foolish enough to doubt the science behind global warming it's an uphill battle, but a worthy one.
• Bend and its environs filled a full page in The New York Times travel section Sunday, June 2. The marketing was a little weird: "…Central Oregon is home to the world's last Blockbuster store and it's known for its proliferation of cannabis dispensaries and craft breweries." The author, Dave Seminara, also mentioned a "popular local bumper sticker" that reads "Bend Sucks, Don't Move Here."
Slant 3 days ago
• The U. S. has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. Ninety-five percent of those prisoners eventually will return to our … Continue reading →
Slant 1 week ago
• We are delighted and proud to be sending more of our excellent interns to the Wall Street Journal. Last year, Michael Tobin, now editor … Continue reading →
Slant 2 weeks ago
• We reached out to Eugene Wake Up for the story we ran in the Dec. 26 issue about the BBs fired at homeless people … Continue reading →


The Wesley - Langley Condos | The perfect balance of urban living and nature's tranquility.
LANGLEY'S MOST EXCLUSIVE BOUTIQUE RESIDENCE.
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The Wesley's sleek and modern exterior combined with open concept living and exceptional finishes will have you enjoying your indoor space as much as the peaceful setting of the outdoors.
With these condos, you will reside in style with features such as high-quality laminate flooring, remarkable tile and natural stone granite countertops that fill the spa inspired bathrooms and gourmet style kitchens. Each suite comes complete with brand name stainless appliances as well as front-loading washer and dryer, all you'll need to do is unpack and unwind.
Without question, the well-appointed Amenity Rooms on each of the five floors will impress. Respectively offering distinct options while providing a great extension of your living space that you will be sure to enjoy.
Ideally located nearby, downtown Langley offers an assortment of restaurants, parks and shopping just a stone's throw from your door. While golf enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to Newlands Golf and Country Club, residents alike will love the variety of leisure and recreation the community has to offer.
Neighboring all the amenities one could possibly need, still, Vancouver only a short jaunt away. Celebrate modern living in style surrounded by green space and local conveniences.
Sales centre open daily 12-5pm (except Fridays & long weekends).


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Posts Tagged ' mason county news '
Florida man sentenced to jail for drug, weapon convictions.
Florida man sentenced to jail for drug, weapon convictions. #MasonCountyCourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Florida man was sentenced to eight months in jail with credit for 107 days served for two drug convictions and a weapons conviction in 51st Circuit Court Monday, June 12. Isreal Antonio Burgos, of Hialeah, Florida, pleaded guilty last month to possession…
Judge: 'If you keep using heroin, you're going to die.'
Judge: 'If you keep using heroin, you're going to die.' #MasonCountyCourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Ludington man convicted of heroin possession received a stern warning from 51st Circuit Court Judge Susan K. Sniegowski during his sentencing Monday, June 12 at the Mason County Courthouse. "The number of young people we see overdosing on heroin is just…
Man who fled with daughter sentenced to 18-40 years in prison.
Man who fled with daughter sentenced to 18-40 years in prison. #MasonCountyNews #CourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — Mark Alan Saporita-Fargo, 47, was sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, May 30, for convictions of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), which involved the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in 2014, and conspiracy…
Ludington man sent to prison for meth.
Ludington man sent to prison for meth. #MasonCountyNews #CourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — A 33-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to four and a half to 20 years in prison for a conviction of methamphetamine possession and fourth-offense habitual offender Tuesday, May 30, in 51st Circuit Court. Jayden Vernon Lafreniere, of 910 N. Harrison St., was initially charged with…
Man sentenced to 76 months to 40 years in prison for crime spree.
Man sentenced to 76 months to 40 years in prison for crime spree. #MasonCountyNews #CourtNews By Allison Scarbrough. Editor. LUDINGTON — Shanin Nicholas Waite, 24, was sentenced to a prison term of 76 months to 40 years after pleading guilty last month in 51st Circuit Court to three counts of breaking and entering with intent, attempted home invasion and fourth-offense…


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By fmsmnews / June 17, 2020
Trump Rips up Decades-Old WMD Treaty in Order to Sell Drones to Saudi Arabia
The Trump administration has decided to break the 33-year-old Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) treaty in order to sell high-tech…
The Trump administration has decided to break the 33-year-old Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) treaty in order to sell high-tech American drones to whomever it wants. First on that list, Reuters reports, are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Romania, with sales to begin almost immediately.
The move will doubtless signal the end of the MTCR, a longstanding international agreement with 34 signatories designed to stop the spread of nuclear missiles and other weapons of mass destruction. Most of the developed world, including Russia, has signed up to its principles. However, the Trump administration's abrupt shift is another example of the policy of escalating the likelihood of international conflicts.
Last year, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, an accord signed between President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, stating that he would "move forward with developing our own military response options." In April, the White House also destroyed the Open Skies Treaty, an agreement that allowed the world's major players to freely observe each other from the air, increasing knowledge and understanding of everyone's capabilities, thereby limiting the risk of accidental nuclear war between the East and West. And last month Trump indicated that he would let the New Strategic Arms Reduction (START) Treaty expire in January, allowing the U.S. to rapidly increase its supply of atomic weaponry. This has already begun, as the first batch of low-yield nuclear warheads was delivered to the military in January. Novel weapons like these were specifically mentioned in the Pentagon's latest budget report for the need for new weaponry to confront China and Russia.
Part of the move appears to be an attempt to force enemy states like Russia and China to react by developing their own nuclear arsenals, thereby crippling their economies through a costly military buildup. "We know how to win these races and we know how to spend the adversary into oblivion. If we have to, we will," Marshall Billingslea, the president's Special Envoy, told a think tank in Washington, D.C. last month.
In January, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved their famous "Doomsday Clock" – a measure of how close we are to the end of the world – to 100 seconds to midnight, the most perilous moment in human history, citing the "dangerous rivalry and hostility among the superpowers increases the likelihood of nuclear blunder." The fact that world experts believe that we are closer to annihilation than even during the Cuban Missile Crisis gained only moderate public attention.
However, those in the know are deathly afraid. An example of this is an article in the U.S. foreign policy journal Foreign Affairs, co-written by the (American) ex-Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Rose Gottemoeller, describing Trump's recklessness as "a chilling sign of how dangerous the world has become." Things have become so serious that Gottemoeller even portrayed Vladimir Putin as a man of peace and one of the only adults in the room, not something NATO leaders are often prone to do.
On the decision to sell drones to Saudi Arabia, Heidi Grant, the Pentagon's Director of Defense Technology Security Administration, argued that the machines would help the Kingdom fight terrorism and help stop threats reaching the United States. However, others argue that Saudi Arabia is itself one of the leading terrorist states in the world.
Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition has been attacking nearby Yemen, creating what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis, where 24 million people desperately need aid and nearly 10 million are suffering from "extreme levels of hunger". Yemen, the UN laments, has "all but ceased to exist" as a state. The country's Ministry of Agriculture estimates that there have been at least 10,000 airstrikes against farms, 800 against local food markets and 450 against food storage facilities in the last four years, meaning that much of its soil is now so toxic it cannot sustain life. The United States has supplied, trained, aided, and defended the Saudi attack, yet it has not been able to destroy the Houthi rebels, partially due to a lack of commitment from their forces. Unmanned drones would likely significantly help the coalition.
In addition to pulling out of treaties, Trump has also threatened both Iran and North Korea with nuclear annihilation while also increasing its aggression in Latin America, supporting a successful coup in Bolivia and many unsuccessful ones against Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.
"The novel coronavirus pandemic should serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of the international system. This is exactly the wrong moment to undermine or weaken other key components of that system, especially in the nuclear realm," Gottemoeller concluded. Trump, however, appears keen to greatly increase the scope for U.S. arms manufacturers, regardless of the cost to the rest of the world.
Feature photo | President Donald Trump meets with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a working breakfast on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. Susan Walsh | AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.
Categories: US News Tags: Arabia, DecadesOld, Drones, Order, Rips, Saudi, sell, treaty, Trump
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A Democratic Takeover Is Within Reach in These Eight States


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Media Law Alert - July 2018
Submitted by // K Bowers, Partner / Solicitor Advocate
Dr. Chan Hin Keung Henry v Apple Daily Ltd and Others [2018] HKDC 219
This recent District Court judgment revisits the applicable legal principles concerning libel and considers the application of the Reynolds defence for journalists.
Background Facts
During November 2012, Apple Daily published a full-page report concerning a possible pyramid scheme in Hong Kong.
The report contained a number of articles, amongst which one suggested that a local company was promoting a pyramid scheme; another mentioned that there were a number of possibly related companies registered under similar names and at the same address, and that the Plaintiff was a shareholder and director of one of the named companies; and a third article contained generic commentary outlining the features of a pyramid scheme.
The Plaintiff was then the President of the Chiropractors Association. He issued proceedings against Apple Daily, alleging that that the article which named him was libellous of him when viewed together with the other articles in the same report.
Issues at trial
The case at trial focused on two main issues; firstly, whether the Court would attribute a defamatory meaning to the articles insofar as the Plaintiff was concerned; and secondly, if the Court were to ascribe a defamatory meaning to the articles, whether the Defendant could invoke the defence of Reynolds privilege.
After trial, the Court dismissed the Plaintiff's claim by finding that (1) the article was defamatory of the Plaintiff; but that (2) the Defendant was able successfully to rely on Reynolds privilege as a defence to the publication of the article.
Determining the meaning of the article
The Court considered the natural and ordinary meaning of the article which specifically identified the Plaintiff in order to decide whether it was defamatory of him. It took a holistic view of the whole report and considered the inferences readers would draw, and held that it was "entirely plausible" for a reasonable reader to gain the impression that there was a connection between the Plaintiff and the pyramid scheme.
In the Court's analysis, readers could have attributed a number of meanings to the articles (when read together) including the following:-
i) the Plaintiff knowingly participated in the pyramid scheme (this was the defamatory meaning as pleaded by the Plaintiff) ("Level One Meaning");
ii) there were reasonable grounds to suspect such participation ("Level Two Meaning");
iii) there were grounds to investigate if there was such participation ("Level Three Meaning"); or
iv) there was no culpable connection between the Plaintiff and the pyramid scheme ("Level Four Meaning").
The Court decided that the "Level Two Meaning" was the right meaning as the article contained reasonable grounds for one to suspect that there was a "nefarious connection" between the Plaintiff and the pyramid scheme and that he knowingly participated in it. The article was therefore found to be libellous of the Plaintiff.
Reynolds privilege - a balancing exercise by the Court
Having established the defamatory nature of the article, the Court had to consider whether the Defendant could rely on the defence of Reynolds privilege. In order for Reynolds privilege to be successfully invoked, the Court had to consider whether:-
i) the subject-matter of the publication was of sufficient public interest;
ii) it was justifiable to include the particular material complained of; and
iii) the publisher had met the standards of responsible journalism.
Application of Reynolds privilege to the present case
The Court undertook a balancing exercise and considered the reasonableness of the Defendant's conduct in including the defamatory statement in the article. The Defendant's reference to the Plaintiff was found to be justifiable because:-
i) the emergence and existence of pyramid schemes was a matter of public interest, and so was the identity of persons who may be involved in such schemes in Hong Kong;
ii) it was part of the story for the Defendant to explain the nature of pyramid schemes and disclosing connected persons ; and
iii) references to the Plaintiff in the article were made in a "balanced and matter-of-fact fashion".
Although the Defendant's news editor and reporter were found not to have verified the defamatory statements made about the Plaintiff in the articles, they were found to have presented facts in an objective manner. It was therefore held that they had conducted themselves as responsible journalists. Based on this finding, the Defendant was found to have successfully invoked the Reynolds defence, and the Plaintiff's claim was dismissed.
This case is a good illustration of the Court's balancing exercise between public interest and a subject person's interest in the context of responsible journalism.
Journalists should take note from this Judgment that the applicability of the Reynolds defence is a delicate balancing exercise with responsible journalism and fair reposting on matters of public interest at its heart.
Our key practice areas are corporate/commercial and corporate finance; commercial and maritime dispute resolution; clinical negligence and healthcare; insurance, personal injury and professional indemnity insurance; employment; family and matrimonial; property and building management; banking; financial services/corporate regulatory and compliance.


Health Spending Accounts are used by employers to provide Health and/or Dental plans for employees, in conjunction with insured plans or as standalone plans. All qualifying medical expenses under the Income Tax Act are eligible, which is different from traditional group insurance plans (insured PHSP's) which offer restricted benefits and dollar maximums.
Health Spending Accounts offer substantial reductions in actuarial, administration, adjudication and marketing expenses compared to insured PHSP, maximizing employee benefits and reducing Employer cost. This type of plan allows the employer to manage their health benefits "spend risk" by defining the annual allowance and removing the risk of annual claims experience based renewals.
In summary, Health Spending Accounts offer employers a mechanism for managing health benefit costs while providing employees flexibility in their health benefits allowance spending.


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The Final Messenger Fanlisting Sitely Return to Main
Names and Terminology; a guide
Sin Seiki Evangelion has a large cast and uses a lot of technical terms in the story. I'll be using them throughout this shrine assuming you're familiar with the characters and terms, in order to keep the pages concise. But I realize not everyone is as obsessed with the series like me, and consumes information like that, so this page serves as an abridged version of all the characters and terms I will be referencing. Let's begin with the characters! This is not a full list of all the characters in the series, but a list of characters mentioned on this site.
Akagi Ritsuko – the head scientist at NERV. Her mother was the creator of the Magi system, which NERV uses as its central computers. She is also an old college friend of Misato.
Ayanami Rei – The First Children, designated to pilot Eva Unit-00. She is closely involved with Ikari Gendou. Later, Ritsuko reveals Rei is actually a clone of Shinji's mother, Ikari Yui.
Ikari Gendou – the commander of NERV and Shinji's father, with his role in the story in that order. He treats Rei with much more care than his own son. His true intentions are to use The Human Intrumentality Project to see Yui, his deceased wife, again.
Ikari Shinji – the protagonist of the series and The Third Children, pilot of Unit-01. He both hates and desires acceptance from his father but has grown to like Rei, and holds ambivalent feelings toward Asuka.
Katsuragi Misato – sole survivor of the Second Impact, she joined NERV to fight the Angels and avenge her father, who was killed after saving her in the Second Impact. She becomes Shinji's guardian and has him live with her rather than alone, as Gendou originally intended.
Souryu Asuka Langley – the Second Children and pilot of Unit-02, Asuka can be very spirited and stubborn, often going against Shinji in pilot rivalry. When her mind becomes unstable after an Angel attack, Kaworu is sent to replace her as pilot.
Now for the technical terms used in the series. There's a lot of information to digest in Evangelion, but this list only covers what is related to Kaworu and what I mention on this site. As a note, SEELE and NERV are not acronyms, I just prefer to capitalize the names.
Adam – the first Angel, first discovered in Antarctica. When humans tried to capture him, the event known as Second Impact occurred.
Angels – know as shito in Japanese, the apostles. Monstrous beings that come to attack Tokyo-3 and NERV.
A.T. Field – Absolute Terror Field, a protective zone created by the Angels as well as the Evangelion Units, which is why the Evas are the only weapons capable of defeating the Angels.
Central Dogma – a location deep inside of NERV headquarters.
Dead Sea Scrolls – the scenarios carried out by SEELE for The Human Instrumentality Project are written down in this ancient document.
Dummy Plug – an alternative to the pilots, the Dummy Plug system in NERV uses Ayanami Rei's recorded personality, insticts, and decisions. The Dummy Plug system from SEELE uses Kaworu's recorded actions and judgment.
Evangelion – modelled after Adam, these are the only weapons able to fight the Angels. Eva for short, NERV mainly uses units 00-02 in its operations.
Lilim – name given to children of Lilith, the second angel. Kaworu calls humans by this name.
Marduk Institute – the organization in charge of selecting Eva pilots. Later revealed to be a dummy organization for NERV and SEELE.
NERV – the organization in charge of fighting the Angels. The name is not an acronym. They are formed under SEELE's powers.
Second Impact – the horrific event that killed off half of Earth's population. More under the intro.
SEELE – the throne of souls, a secret organization. Their faces are often hidden, most of the time they are represented by black doors with numbers on them. Sometimes known as the Committee or Old Men. Also not an acronym.
The Human Instrumentality Project – SEELE's ultimate plan for humanity, and the secret goal they have been advancing toward throughout the series. Sometimes known as the Human Enhancement Project, this is largely kept secret from nearly everyone but those at the top. Before this plan can be carried out, the Angels must be destroyed first, so they cannot interfere.
Third Impact – the prevention of this is what NERV is supposedly fighting for. This is supposed to wipe out humanity. Can occur if an Angel makes contact with Adam.
Tribute & layout by Yuuka. Shin Seiki Evangelion and all characters © Gainax and Sadamoto Yoshiyuki.
Part of the Erosion Network and Glorious.


When Sophie almost dies, and gets bitten by a new Cullen's vampire, she joins them. During this time, she talks about how difficult it is to be a vampire, and her growing love for the family.
A few things I'm certain of. 1. I'm in Ancient China. War time Ancient China. 2. The two people I set free? They claim to have magic powers. 3. There's more of them. Planning to overthrow the emperor.
Suzune comes back from the future, and brings his new sister with him. They've come due to an attack by mysterious rocks. Everyone must team up, and destroy them before the rocks destroy them.
After I finished watching Kamichama Karin, and saw your fanfiction, I was totally engaged. It's a well description of each of the characters, and it also says a lot about each of them, exactly like they were in the anime. It's a thrilling fiction novel, and it's very well written. The extra characters added on was also a very good idea, and I like how if you haven't watched the anime, you can still read this book. Keep writing!
I really really really like the idea of taking the original characters, and fixing them into something better. It's also interesting to see what the Cullens would be like, if they were indeed humans. Bella and Edward's relationship is rocky (so far) and she still has that deep friendship/sisterhood with Alice. This takes out some of the best points of the Twilight Saga, and makes an interesting spin on the series. Keep writing! Can't wait to read more!


Chelsea have started the season in near-perfect style with three wins (two league and one cup). I say 'near' as they have been unable to keep a clean sheet in any of those games, which I am sure will not have pleased their new manager, Antonio Conte.
They conceded a goal apiece to West Ham and Watford, which may ultimately be acceptable, but to then concede two at home to Bristol Rovers (with a relatively strong side) must be seen as a disappointment.
Burnley's surprise win against Liverpool last weekend set the record for the lowest match possession of any winning side in the Premier League since the statistic has been recorded. With just 19% possession their tactics were and remain clear – contain, contain, attack on the counter, contain, contain – and with two goals from just three shots, you have to say they executed this plan flawlessly against Liverpool.
One thing is clear though: we should not be expecting lots of goals in any games involving Burnley this season. Two seasons ago, when they were last in the Premier League, Burnley scored just 28 times (14 home and 14 away). All seven of the games they won that season were by a single goal margin. Even the games that they lost – of which there were plenty – nine were by just a single goal, and a further eight were by two goal margins. In fact, just two of their 19 defeats had more than a two goal margin. Their tactics this season do not look any different to two years ago.
To reinforce these points, last weekend's result was the first time in 15 Premier League games that Burnley had managed to score two goals in a game.
A Chelsea Win to Nil (1.91 with Sportsbet) looks on the cards in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Those of you who like to look outside the main markets would do well to consider the corner handicaps for this game too. Chelsea have conceded only one corner so far, winning the most corners in both of their games – by a total aggregate of 12 to 1.
Burnley did get the most corners against Swansea (7-4), but conceded 12 to Liverpool (winning just one) in their last match.
At the time of writing the markets aren't available, but if Chelsea are a decent price for either most corners or giving up a handicap of -4.5, then this could be worth further consideration.
The Soccer Advisor service consistently finds good value betting into the world's biggest soccer markets such as the English Premier League and Champions League.


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What: All Issues : Labor Rights : Rights of Individuals in the Workplace : S. 256. Bankruptcy/Vote on Amendment to Strike from Republican-Sponsored Bill to Alter Federal Bankruptcy Rules a Time Limit for Workers Recovering Pay Owed from Corporations Declaring Bankruptcy. (2005 senate Roll Call 32)
Who: All Members
To find out how your Members of Congress voted on this bill, use the form on the right.
S. 256. Bankruptcy/Vote on Amendment to Strike from Republican-Sponsored Bill to Alter Federal Bankruptcy Rules a Time Limit for Workers Recovering Pay Owed from Corporations Declaring Bankruptcy.
senate Roll Call 32 Mar 09, 2005
Progressive Position:
Progressive Result:
Qualifies as polarizing?
Is this vote crucial?
In this vote, the Senate defeated an amendment offered by Tom Harkin (D-IA) to strike from S. 256 a time limit for workers recovering pay owed from corporations declaring bankruptcy. S. 256 was a Republican-sponsored bill to alter federal bankruptcy laws. Making the Progressive argument, Harkin noted that according to language of the bill, workers trying to recover vacation, sick and severance pay from corporate employers in bankruptcy proceedings would be limited to pay accrued in the 180 days immediately prior to the company's filing for bankruptcy, even if the worker had worked for years for the company and accrued pay over that entire period. Harkin noted that his amendment would not alter the bill's limit for such recoverable pay of $10,000 (up from $5,000 in current law); he stressed, however, that not to allow workers to recover up to the full $10,000 if they have earned it would be "grossly unfair." Republicans did not offer any specific arguments against this amendment on the floor, but in general, they were anxious to keep the bill "clean," meaning free from most amendments, because the House had already indicated it would not accept a bankruptcy bill laden with amendment language. Progressives were defeated on this vote 48 to 52. Thus, language was left in the bill limiting workers' ability to recover pay from companies declaring bankruptcy. The language limited workers to pay accrued in the 180 days immediately prior to the companies' filing for bankruptcy, even if workers had accumulated pay within the $10,000 limit, but just over a longer period of time.
AID TO LESS ADVANTAGED PEOPLE, AT HOME & ABROAD — America's Poor
GOVERNMENT CHECKS ON CORPORATE POWER — General
LABOR RIGHTS — Rights of Individuals in the Workplace
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Alexander, Lamar (R-TN) Baldwin, Tammy (D-WI) Barrasso, John (R-WY) Bennet, Michael (D-CO) Blackburn, Marsha (R-TN) Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT) Blunt, Roy (R-MO) Booker, Cory (D-NJ) Boozman, John (R-AR) Braun, Michael (R-IN) Brown, Sherrod (D-OH) Burr, Richard (R-NC) Cantwell, Maria (D-WA) Capito, Shelley (R-WV) Cardin, Ben (D-MD) Carper, Tom (D-DE) Casey, Bob (D-PA) Cassidy, Bill (R-LA) Collins, Susan (R-ME) Coons, Chris (D-DE) Cornyn, John (R-TX) Cortez Masto, Catherine (D-NV) Cotton, Tom (R-AR) Cramer, Kevin (R-ND) Crapo, Mike (R-ID) Cruz, Ted (R-TX) Daines, Steve (R-MT) Duckworth, Tammy (D-IL) Durbin, Dick (D-IL) Enzi, Mike (R-WY) Ernst, Joni (R-IA) Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA) Fischer, Deb (R-NE) Gardner, Cory (R-CO) Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY) Graham, Lindsey (R-SC) Grassley, Chuck (R-IA) Harris, Kamala (D-CA) Hassan, Maggie (D-NH) Hawley, Josh (R-MO) Heinrich, Martin (D-NM) Hirono, Mazie (D-HI) Hoeven, John (R-ND) Hyde-Smith, Cindy (R-MS) Inhofe, Jim (R-OK) Johnson, Ron (R-WI) Jones, Doug (D-AL) Kaine, Tim (D-VA) Kennedy, John (R-LA) King, Angus (I-ME) Klobuchar, Amy (D-MN) Lankford, James (R-OK) Leahy, Pat (D-VT) Lee, Mike (R-UT) Loeffler, Kelly (R-GA) Manchin, Joe (D-WV) Markey, Ed (D-MA) McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) McSally, Martha (R-AZ) Menendez, Bob (D-NJ) Merkley, Jeff (D-OR) Moran, Jerry (R-KS) Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) Murphy, Chris (D-CT) Murray, Patty (D-WA) Paul, Rand (R-KY) Perdue, David (R-GA) Peters, Gary (D-MI) Portman, Rob (R-OH) Reed, Jack (D-RI) Risch, James (R-ID) Roberts, Pat (R-KS) Romney, Mitt (R-UT) Rosen, Jacky (D-NV) Rounds, Mike (R-SD) Rubio, Marco (R-FL) Sanders, Bernie (I-VT) Sasse, Ben (R-NE) Schatz, Brian (D-HI) Schumer, Chuck (D-NY) Scott, Rick (R-FL) Scott, Tim (R-SC) Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NH) Shelby, Richard (R-AL) Sinema, Kyrsten (D-AZ) Smith, Tina (D-MN) Stabenow, Debbie Ann (D-MI) Sullivan, Dan (R-AK) Tester, Jon (D-MT) Thune, John (R-SD) Tillis, Thom (R-NC) Toomey, Pat (R-PA) Udall, Tom (D-NM) Van Hollen, Chris (D-MD) Warner, Mark (D-VA) Warren, Elizabeth (D-MA) Whitehouse, Sheldon (D-RI) Wicker, Roger (R-MS) Wyden, Ron (D-OR) Young, Todd (R-IN)
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Join us at The Great War Exhibition to hear three talks on the lesser known New Zealand experiences of the First World War.
Presented by staff and volunteers of The Great War Exhibition, talks will include tales of fanatical patriotism that gripped New Zealand from the outset of war, thrilling tales of the medieval walls of Les Quesnoy, and the stories of those who used the tragedy of war as a way to grow their personal fortune.
Supported by the Museum and Heritage Studies programme at Victoria University of Wellington, this event is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis with the first talk commencing at 6.30pm.
No booking is requested but not required.
Join our Pukeahu Heritage Tours. Knowledgeable tour guides from The Great War Exhibition will take you on a journey through layers of fascinating history at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Understand the history at Pukeahu, Mt Cook, in the heart of the city and how it was transformed from a site of Maori occupation, to a military barracks, and now a site of national remembrance.


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Read Next:	BuzzFeed's First Live Event Will Feature Lil Nas X, JoJo Siwa, Viral Memes and Internet Culture (EXCLUSIVE)
September 9, 2015 1:00PM PT
YouTube, Awesomeness Films Announce First Movie: 'Dance Camp'
NY Digital Editor @https://twitter.com/xpangler	FOLLOW
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CREDIT: Courtesy of Awesomeness Films
YouTube and Awesomeness Films have announced "Dance Camp," a music-and-dance teen drama, as the first feature-length film under their co-production deal.
The movie, produced by Jon M. Chu ("Step Up Revolution," "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," "Jem and the Holograms"), stars popular YouTuber Meg DeAngelis and Vine celeb Jake Paul, alongside Nadji Jeter ("Grown Ups").
"Dance Camp" is the latest movie to feature digital stars, which are fueled by the idea that their large social followings will spur a big turnout for their longer-form projects. Awesomeness Films, formed earlier this year by DreamWorks Animation's AwesomenessTV, this summer released "Smosh: The Movie" with Defy Media following last year's high-school comedy "Expelled," with Vine star Cameron Dallas.
The film will be directed by British female duo Bert & Bertie, with Fatima Robinson ("The Voice," "Dreamgirls," "Save the Last Dance") slated to choreograph the feature. "Dance Camp" is scripted by Nick Turner and Rex New Cast, both repped by Abrams Artists Agency. Cast also includes Josh Leyva, Jordyn Jones, Jacob Wysoki, Niki Demartino and Gabi Demartino.
"Music and dance are universally appealing. We are thrilled to be working with prolific dance experts like Jon and Fatima on 'Dance Camp' as they continue to set the bar for the dance genre," said Matt Kaplan, president of Awesomeness Films.
The companies didn't announce an expected premiere date or other details of the film's release. YouTube previously announced plans to co-produce several movies with AwesomenessTV.
According to Google, dance is one of the most popular categories on YouTube, currently home to more than 24 million dance-related videos.
Chu and Hieu Ho are producing for Chu Studios. Chu is currently in post-production on Universal's "Jem and the Holograms," an adaptation of the '80s animated TV series, and "Now You See Me 2" for Lionsgate.
In "Dance Camp," Hunter (Jeter) gets busted by his mom for throwing a party – and she sends him off to a dance camp, where he meets a bunch of eclectic misfits. Although he first refuses to take the camp seriously, he's eventually inspired to take down a rival dance group led by Lance (Paul) and along the way also falls in love with Cheyenne (DeAngelis).
Awesomeness Films
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Vobile Group, a video protection and measurement company, announced a deal to acquire Zefr's RightsID copyright-management and ChannelID YouTube channel-management businesses for about $90 million. According to the companies, Zefr's RightsID and ChannelID together generated over $40 million in revenue in 2018 and were profitable. The deal stands to more than triple the revenue for [...]
BuzzFeed's First Live Event Will Feature Lil Nas X, JoJo Siwa, Viral Memes and Internet Culture (EXCLUSIVE)
BuzzFeed is going IRL by staging its first live event — a variety-style show in New York it's billing as an in-real-life version of scrolling through your social feed. Headlining BuzzFeed's Internet Live is a musical performance by Lil Nas X, whose chart-topping song "Old Town Road" has become a viral phenomenon, along with an [...]
Disney promoted Justin Connolly to the new role of president, media distribution, overseeing a single organization that combines all of the company's media sales and TV channel distribution operations. Connolly previously served as EVP, affiliate sales and marketing, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. Based in New York, he will report to Kevin Mayer, chairman of [...]
Hulu Is Getting NASA TV in Time for the Moon Landing Anniversary
Hulu's live TV service is getting NASA TV just in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. In addition to a live feed, which is available only to subscribers of Hulu's live TV tier, Hulu is also gaining access to select NASA TV series on demand. The live TV deal was announced [...]
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Shares of iHeartMedia, the U.S.'s biggest radio network, fell as much as 7% after they commenced trading Thursday on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and ended the day down around 3%. Last month, after exiting a year-long bankruptcy reorg, iHeartMedia announced it was approved for listing on NASDAQ, instead of pursuing an IPO. The company's [...]
iHeartMedia, Pride Media to Co-Produce Slate of LGBTQ+ Podcasts
iHeartMedia is teaming with Pride Media, the media company whose brands include Out, The Advocate and Pride, to co-produce a slate of LGBTQ+ podcasts in 2019-20. The partnership will kick off with "The Outcast," an iHeartRadio original podcast co-produced with Out Magazine. Hosted by Out Magazine deputy editor Fran Tirado, the weekly podcast will explore [...]
Netflix badly undershot its subscriber forecasts for the second quarter of 2019 — posting its first net U.S. customer decline since 2011 while growth slowed considerably overseas. The company added 2.7 million subs worldwide, almost half as many as the 5 million it had projected. With the big miss, Netflix shares took a predictable hit, [...]


Caroline (daughter #4) competed in Ironman Melbourne on March 24th.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged Caroline Ashby, ironman, melbourne, Pete McKenzie, triathlon on March 27, 2014 by ruralorg.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged Caoline Ashby, ironman, Pete McKenzie, triathlon on January 10, 2013 by ruralorg.
This entry was posted in Community, Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged amazing, grace mcclure, motivational, soul, spirit on November 20, 2012 by ruralorg.
In the tiny township of Tilpa, 130km north of Wilcannia, in far west NSW, the close-knit town showed its true colours on Sunday 23rd September.
This entry was posted in Community, Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged cricket, McGrath Foundation, Tilpa on November 20, 2012 by ruralorg.
There was an immediate buzz in the air when athletes Australia-wide heard the announcement of a new, world class, Ironman Triathlon event to be held in Melbourne – a city that is often called the sporting capital of the world.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged ironman, mcclure, melbourne, sisters on March 28, 2012 by ruralorg.
Mums on the Run lead by Miles!
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged 10K, marathon, MCG, melbourne on June 28, 2011 by ruralorg.
Mothers Day 2011 was extra special for this mother. Janie travelled to beautiful Busselton in WA to cheer on daughters, Alice, Caroline and Grace, in the Busselton Half Ironman 70.3 Series.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged Busselton, ironman, WA on May 10, 2011 by ruralorg.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged Eneabba, outback, triathlon on March 16, 2011 by ruralorg.
Caroline Ashby – you are an Ironman!
On Dec 5th 2009, daughter no.4, Caroline, capped off 2009 with another notch on her belt — completing her first Ironman at beautiful Busselton, WA.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged Caroline Ashby, ironman, triathlon on December 5, 2009 by ruralorg.
This entry was posted in Health, Fitness & Spirit and tagged 50 footer, sailing, wild thing, yacht on August 28, 2009 by ruralorg.


I wish it would hurry up and snow already.
Facebook earned points connecting up school friends with us along their Great European Tour. Glad to play host and have some good old Aussie company, Jarrah and his sister Cobberty, reminded me of the down to earth nature of the people I grew up. I miss home now.
Their last day in Florence, Julian and I took them up to Michelangelo's square, and despite the previous days downpour dyeing the river muddy brown, and the dull nebulous sky hanging low, the city sight was as spectacular as ever. It easy to see why so many people love this place.
ASOS delivered my latest purchase early this morning - the super trendy wedge trainer in black, not nearly the Isabel Marant iconic kick, but just as comfy. Black jeans, easy tee (from my current SS12 collection) and necessary puffer jacket from H&M, I'm on track to blending in with the locals.


Strengthens Brand Name Recall: The math is easy - the more you post, the more chance you have at hitting your target audience. You need people to easily remember who you are and the services you offer. So spend time posting and responding to your followers. Get your brand out there. The three Adidas stripes are the most frequently displayed brand logo on Twitter & Instagram. Adidas posts 6.6 million times a month! Okay, so that might be excessive for your company, but you get the point.
"The correlation between social signals and ranking positions is extremely high."
This is HUGE news!! If you have good quality posts and links, it helps your Google ranking.
Disclaimer: Always remember, quality over quantity! Take the time necessary to curate your posts. Don't just throw random things on your page and hope it goes viral. Make sure it is in step with your brand, and it says what you want it to.
There you have it: an underplayed secret to social success.


What is bag mapping, dialing in clubs, or club tuning?
Businesses and instructors have different names but I will try to explain it in simple terms to see if you are ready for this and if it's worth the investment. I will discuss what to look for, what to beware of, the questions to ask and the answers you need to get. Then the final question is – for the money that you invest, will you get an adequate return?
Once your swing is relatively consistent, bag mapping is useful, however is the investment worth the cost? Mapping is taking each club on the launch monitor, hitting it 5 times to determine the average distance with that club. Then take the next one ( 9-8-7-)and so on and make sure each club has an average distance equally between each one (gap). If the distance between any two clubs is too short or too long, the club that is creating the gap irregularity needs to be adjusted to correct the irregular gap. This just takes time which is money. It's like tuning up your car, you don't have to but it makes the car run better and more efficiently.
Most people don't realize that each iron is one half inch longer from the pitching wedge up through the one iron. Each club should hit approximately ten yards farther or shorter depending on the size. This means golf becomes essentially like a game of chess, once you know the distance you pick a club that matches it. Like in chess where each piece has its own move, by bag mapping you can take out some of the guesswork, and golf becomes a game of thinking instead of just hitting.
I just need 1 lesson…..


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Are these UFOs on the videos released by the Pentagon still unidentified?
The Pentagon recently released videos of UFOs taken by Navy pilots. According to this Guardian article,
The Pentagon on Monday [27 April 2020] released three declassified videos that show US Navy pilots encountering what appear to be unidentified flying objects.
The videos had been "circulating in the public domain after unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017", the statement [from the Pentagon] said, adding that "the aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as 'unidentified'".
The video has been circulating since a little bit more than 10 years, and there are active groups of people whose hobby or job is to analyze this kind of video and try to identify the object. For example, the GEIPAN is an organization depending on the French National Agency that collects and analyzes testimonies of UFOs.
After 10 years, is the object in the video still unidentified?
TaladrisTaladris
@WeatherVane: actually, when I saw the news on social medias, I thought some people would come to this conclusion (UFOs=aliens) so I decided to ask this question to be able to have something to answer to these people. I know a bit the work of GEIPAN in France, and number of UFOs they have been able to identify as a plane in the night or the laser of a night club is impressive.
– Taladris
@CGCampbell: I'm not sure language works that way.
– Oddthinking ♦
@Taladris There's more to this story. Numerous witnesses have come forward. Both radar operators and jet fighter pilots regarding two separate incidents. They were clearly not airplanes nor lasers. Even the DOD has admitted they do not know what it is.
– dan-klasson
@CGCampbell: The US military are free to control the word usage of its staff, but it doesn't control the English language. The term "Unidentified Flying Object" was first published in a book in 1953. (The Air Force then defined the term UFOB (sic) in 1954.) UFO has become an English word. If someone (who doesn't work for the US Navy) says "This is a UFO", the Navy doesn't get to tell them "No, you can't use that word." Language doesn't work that way.
@CGCampbell Pedantically means to do something with an over emphasis on rules/small details. If I were giving a general description of the Earth and called it a sphere and you were to point out it's actually an oblate spheroid - you would be being pedantic. In that situation you are technically more correct and I would, technically, be wrong. I think all OddThinking is trying to say is UFO vs UAP doesn't have one more correct than the other. The US military doesn't have control over which terms are 'correct'.
– Lio Elbammalf
No, these objects and others like it have not been identified.
Joseph Gradisher, spokesman for office of the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare said
We want to get to the bottom of this. We need to determine who's doing it, where it's coming from and what their intent is. We need to try to find ways to prevent it from happening again.
Luis Elizondo, who ran the [Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), a government operation launched in 2007 to collect and analyze "anomalous aerospace threats."], said the newly drafted guidelines were a culmination of many things, most notably that the Navy had enough credible evidence — including eyewitness accounts and corroborating radar information — to "know this is occurring."
Elizando, who has worked in counterintelligence and helped coordinate information sharing and partnership engagement being run by the Secretary of Defense's Office was tasked with checking different parts of the US government to find out if the unidentified objects were the work of secret government programs.
Sources say this is key to understanding how Elizondo entered the picture.
"If they [BAASS] wanted access to info that I'm not saying does exist, but it might have been highly classified, you need someone who had the tickets to make sure the contractors weren't actually looking at Special Access Program (SAP) stuff thinking it was UFOs," says an intelligence official who is not authorized to speak on the record.
To that end,
Elizondo confirms his position allowed him access to the most highly secretive and reclusive programs being run by the U.S. "The stuff we were seeing was truly unidentified. It wasn't related to anything we were doing," he says.
More recently, former Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who helped spearhead the government investigation said on April 27, 2020:
I'm glad the Pentagon is finally releasing this footage, but it only scratches the surface of research and materials available. The U.S. needs to take a serious, scientific look at this and any potential national security implications.
Aleksandr DubinskyAleksandr Dubinsky
Not part of the answer so I'll leave it as a comment, the video footage is not much evidence. It's merely something that the Navy can release. Real evidence is in the form of radar, which the Navy is loath to release because it would reveal capabilities. It is suspected that recent advances in radar have made detections much more frequent. Pilots have been sent to where radar was detecting these objects, and they saw them visually and recorded these videos.
– Aleksandr Dubinsky
Here is an interview with the pilot who recorded the oldest video youtube.com/watch?v=Eco2s3-0zsQ He describes being sent to the location on account of weeks-long radar sightings.
@Nat There is no evidence of contact with non-human intelligence. There is only evidence of unidentified flying objects with advanced capabilities. There is no cover-up. The sources I linked explain that the investigations were not classified, which is why officials are able to talk about them. The best evidence is, however, classified because the systems used to gather it are classified. Instead of a cover-up there is a lot of self-censorship due to stigma. This is something that the Navy and others have officially taken a position on, saying that self-censorship should be done away with.
@Nat The question was, specifically, whether the Navy/government considers these objects unidentified (and, as implied, mysterious and defying explanation). The answer is yes, despite actively trying to identify and/or explain them. It's a good question and I think I've written a good, supported answer. Let's not twist the question into whether aliens/space-Nazis/Atlanteans are plausible.
@AleksandrDubinsky What kind of capabilities? Is there evidence to suggest an object can go from 0 to Mach-30 in under 5 seconds? You show me that, I would be convinced that its aliens or new top-secret energy-source were harnessed. The second one is more unlikely.
– Travis Wells
The difficulty with the question is "What does it mean to be identified?"
These video were declassified in 2017 (they were already public), and explanations for them were quickly identified.
The FLIR video is most likely a distant plane. [...]
The GIMBAL video is also probably of a plane. [...]
The GO-FAST video probably shows a balloon. [...]
But that doesn't mean that the Navy will publish an official finding on the objects.
These three videos are not as interesting as they seem and they have quite plausible explanations. The Navy probably arrived at similar conclusions - that these are simply unidentified aircraft, drones, or balloons - but because of the default operational secrecy regulations nobody can talk about it. And that opened the door to all this speculation.
That is, even if reasonable explanations are found doesn't mean that such explanations will be published by the Navy and/or that they will be accepted by the adherents to the belief that aliens visit the Earth in spaceships.
Oddthinking♦Oddthinking
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
The chat is not availble anymore. My comment was deleted nonetheless (why?). Adding this extensive 3h interview for anyone who needs more detailled information: youtube.com/watch?v=aB8zcAttP1E Tell me if you still think it was a balloon or plane after watching the interview ;) Also, you DO know that the pentagon itself has not identified these objects, right?
– Adrenaxus
@Adrenaxus: I unfroze the chat room for you, but I think your points are already covered extensively by the chat and don't add anything new.
Thank you for reopening the chat room. I understand that my points have been covered already. Yet apparently there hasn't been mutual consent on what's going on so it might still be interesting to have a conversation about the whole thing.
None of these videos have been identified as such as you claim. Someone YouTuber has speculated what they may be, however.
– coreyman317
Have there been any credible reports of unidentified flying objects?
Is this a credible video footage of an unidentified flying object or unidentified aerial phenomena?


This brass animal stands on a pierced base, his front legs raised on a low platform or bench. He wears an elaborate patterned high saddle with central pole and his bridle is attached to reins of twisted ropes. His mane is gathered in neat plaits. The horse is smartly turned out for what appears to be a formal procession, suggesting that there would have been a princely rider, now missing. Rather than a secular ruler, however, it is likely that the original mounts were Khandoba and his consort Mhalsa, local folk deities worshipped mostly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which over the centuries have become assimilated with Siva and Parvati. For a horse ridden by Khandoba and Mhalsa in the British Museum, see Blurton, T. Richard, Hindu Art, London, 1992, p. 95 and also Bussabarger & Robins, The Everyday Art of India, New York, 1978, p. 90.


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Q: what is the probability that you attempt to play it at least 8 times in order to play it correctly 4 times before quitting? Question: You are working on a difficult passage from a new piece you are learning on the piano.You wish to play it correctly 4 times before calling it a day. If you have a probability of 2 of playing it correctly on every attempt, and the attempts are independent (unfortunately!), what is the probability that you attempt to play it at least 8 times?
I know my solution is incorrect because the probabilities sum over 1 but can someone fill me in on where my approach went wrong and/or how I can adjust my solution?
Thank you]1

A: For an example of where your approach goes wrong, consider your second-to-last case, where you calculate the probability that you attempt to play exactly $5$ times. If you succeed in the first $4$ times, you won't play the $5$th time because you are already finished -- you need to calculate the probability that the $5$th time is needed (and you end exactly with the $5$th time). So the $\dbinom{5}{4}$ term you have there is not correct. Does this make sense?

A: Your approach went wrong in that you count cases that can't happen. For instance, your first line $\binom 74(2/3)^4(1/3)^3$ will, among others, count the possibility of first playing correctly 4 times, then incorrectly 3 times. But that will never happen.
Instead of calculating the probability of "four correct out of seven", that line should calculate the probability of "three correct out of the first six, and then correctly on the seventh time". And similarly for the other lines of your calculation.

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