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Ryanair issues profit warning as winter fares fall | Business
Ryanair has issued its second profit warning in four months, blaming intense competition over the winter that prompted the Irish budget airline to cut fares.
Profits for the year ending 31 March will be €100m (£88m) lower than previous expectations, at between €1bn to €1.1bn, the company said in a statement to the stock market. That was down from the €1.1bn to €1.2bn range previously expected.
Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said he was disappointed to cut the company's profit guidance and said the airline could be forced to further reduce fares and guidance.
"We cannot rule out further cuts to air fares and/or slightly lower full-year guidance if there are unexpected Brexit or security developments which adversely impact yields between now and the end of March."
Ryanair shares fell 5% after the profit warning, which was the result of lower than expected air fares in the second half of the company's financial year, which includes the Christmas holiday period.
Average fares from November onwards fell by 7%, considerably lower than the 2% fall the company had expected.
Ryanair previously issued a warning over profits in October after it suffered a summer of disruption and flight cancellations as cabin crew based in Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy and Germany went on strike. It was forced to cut hundreds of flights in August and September.
O'Leary is betting that Ryanair can benefit in the medium term from a larger share of the market as other budget competitors struggle. The outspoken chief executive has previously said he expects more airlines to go bust.
In the update on Friday, he said: "There is short-haul overcapacity in Europe this winter but Ryanair continues to pursue our price passive/load factor active strategy to the benefit of our customers who are enjoying record lower air fares. We believe this lower-fare environment will continue to shake out more loss-making competitors, with Wow, Flybe and reportedly Germania, for example, all currently for sale."
The airline industry has endured a difficult few months, with the closure of multiple smaller carriers in 2018, amid rising fuel costs and industrial action. Flybe, one of Ryanair's main rivals on British regional routes, was forced this month to accept a cut-price £2.2m rescue bid from a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic as it tries to fend off insolvency.
However, Gerald Khoo, an analyst at the broker Liberum, said Ryanair was better positioned than some of its rivals to ride through industry turbulence because of its large route network and relative financial strength.
He said: "We see tougher market conditions in the short term as positive for the stronger airlines in the long term, since this clears out weaker competitors and aids consolidation in the market."
Ryanair has aggressively targeted market share. On Friday the airline said traffic growth was stronger than previous forecasts. Passengers are now expected to take 142m flights over the full year, which would represent a 9% increase on the year before.
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The airline also said it performed better than expected on keeping the cost per passenger down.
John Strickland, the director of airline specialist JLS Consulting, said he expected "more bumpiness along the road this year" in Ryanair's negotiations with unions, which can add to wage costs, but believes a successful conclusion will be achieved. Ryanair recognised multiple unions in the UK and EU for the first time last year.
However, Strickland said Ryanair had a strong record of cost control, such as for aircraft and fees to airports, while pressure on fuel costs – one of the main causes of its October profit warning – had eased recently.
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Stop the Fighting. Start Collaborating! | Working. Together.
Stop the Fighting. Start Collaborating!
Here in my current home state of Virginia, the primary elections are taking place today. For that reason, I thought it quite fitting to think about the failure of teamwork and collaboration that is occurring in the political realm today (uplifting isn't it?).
In a piece posted on the Huffington Post written during the most recent government shutdown (October 2013), Robert C. Crosby makes the following statement, "[I]n order to succeed in today's world there is a new skill needed. It is proving true in every sector of society, financial, educational, military and ecclesial. With sharpened skills of collaboration, you and your organization will be at a significant advantage. Without it, you will be limited. Ironically, at present, the 600 or so people we have elected to lead us in Washington are proving sorely deficient in what should be a primary characteristic of statesmen. Is there anyone left in Washington who knows how to or is willing to …Collaborate?" As a teamwork researcher and organizational consultant I very much appreciate this scathing rebuke. As a former political worker, I am embarrassed.
In the spirit of my proposition for increased collaboration, I have asked one of my dearest friends in the world and I man I often clash with over ideas, Rob Abb to join me in today's post. Rob is a 2009 graduate of the political science program at the University of Michigan, a 2012 graduate of the Juris Doctorate program at Wake Forest University, and currently serves as an associate for a law firm in Detroit, MI. Rob is in many ways my younger brother and we share a passion for many topics, though admittedly we disagree on perspectives. We, however, have found the ability to have discussion and even find middle ground without spewing vitriol towards each other.
(Todd) So when it comes to the topic of collaboration, the situation is quite bleak. We have created a political landscape today in which fighting is the only answer. Political districts are gerrymandered so as to create safe seats, and as a result the need for conversation between ideologies seems to be diminished. We see politicians whose "war chests" are so big that they no longer answer to common sense, but only protect their personal interests. Our pundits also feed the "beast" as they hammer at anything that smacks of going against their status quo, as doing so drives up their ratings.
Folks, can we help stop this? Can we please talk to real people who have differing perspectives than ours, and do so calmly? Can we educate ourselves on ideas that don't fit our own political framework? Can we stop demonizing the opposition? Could we actually seek to elect people who want to work for a more collaborative environment in politics and have proven themselves reliable in this regard? And frankly can we move to squash the power of the political parties and special interest groups in playing kingmakers through their monetary gifts, political favors, and advertising agendas and just let real people lead in collaboration?
I for one believe that it is possible for collaboration to return to politics (even within parties it seems rare anymore). I believe it starts with us turning down the volume on our TVs, radios, and internet sites when they demonize anything that doesn't fit their agenda. Let's return to the public square. Let's encourage discourse (rather than squashing it). Please. It isn't too late!
(Rob) First, let me start off by saying that I actually agree with most of what you just said. Our current political system is broken. Our elected leaders no longer have any real incentive to put aside ideological differences, communicate and work together. In fact, for many of them, choosing to walk across the aisle and work with someone or support an idea from the "other party" is about the most dangerous thing they can do, from a political standpoint. Most House Republicans, for example, cannot even consider supporting anything with the President's name on it. And if you think I'm exaggerating, go back and look up what many in the party said about Gov. Christie when he praised the President's efforts and worked with him on something as controversial as disaster relief. You did not see the same reaction from Democrats about the President working with a Republican governor.
Where Todd and I really disagree is as to who is responsible for this mess. While there is considerable blame to go around, it should not be equally divided. The old "they're all crooks" attack is far too simplistic. That is to say, although both parties are rife with corruption and incompetence, the policies and laws that created the systemic failures of our electoral system are not bipartisan. While Democrats (starting mostly with Bill Clinton) have learned how to play by the new rules and exploit our election laws as well as (and sometimes better than) Republicans, the underlying causes of systemic failure in our electoral system that have reduced our elections to simple ebay-eque bidding wars, continue to be advocated for and championed by conservatives and conservative ideology.
In the U.S. Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, over vehement objection from the 4 liberal justices, the 5 conservative members of the Court struck down some of the few remaining bastions of campaign finance regulation left in this country. The conservative majority continues to espouse the faulty belief that "money = speech" and uses that as justification to strike down campaign finance regulations every time. In fact, ultraconservative Justice Thomas has gone so far as to even oppose the disclosure requirements – yes, that's right, not only does he want to remove any and all contribution and spending limits, but he also wants to make sure that we have no idea who is donating the money.
It is also important to note that the concern here is not merely theoretical. The effects of these Court decisions are very real. For example, in the 2012 presidential campaign, outside groups not connected to any one candidate spent more than $1 billion, which nearly equaled the sum spent by outside groups in the previous 12 elections combined.
In response, Senator Reid recently lent his support to a constitutional amendment to empower Congress to regulate campaign fundraising without impediment from the courts. The amendment was sponsored by two democrats and met with vitriol and fierce opposition from Sen. McConnell and the rest of the Republican Party. They continue to oppose any kind of campaign finance reform. They also have been staunch opponents of several grass roots movements across the country that support establishing bipartisan commissions to be in charge of redistricting instead of the partisan process that exists in most states.
Let me conclude with one final example about how the free flow of money into politics is diametrically opposed to compromise and collaboration. In the Detroit bankruptcy, we actually saw some real bipartisan leadership in a crisis. The Republican Governor and leaders of the State Legislature on both sides pushed for a bipartisan "grand bargain" to help protect the Detroit Art Institute's art and ease the cuts to retirees' pensions. In response, the Koch Brothers (through their political arm Americans for Prosperity, which has vowed to spend $125 million this election cycle) threatened to run ads against republican legislators who vote in favor of the appropriation before the August primary.
As long as conservatives keep money pouring into our elections (in staggering amounts) and continue to remove any real competition from our elections, U.S. politicians will never be able to collaborate.
(Todd) Obviously, we do disagree on some things, but we both are able to see some of the holes that continue to grow in the current environment. In many ways I believe that the constant media barrage, while intending to shine a light on the work of the government, has actually served to harm it at times. We see people pandering for media attention rather than seeking to actually lead. We see "listening tours", committee meetings over asinine things with no real impact on America and constant posturing even on the floor of the two chambers (not just at the federal level, but also at the state) that is simply a "made for TV special".
It's time to stop. Let's open up real communication, discuss ideas, disagree when necessary, but find some real positions that we can work toward for the betterment of this nation (and not simply for a small minority of people who have the money, power, media, or shock value to get governments attention)!


HOUSTON (Reuters) – Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, two of the world's largest oil producers, on Friday posted improved quarterly earnings that benefited from double-digit percentage increases in production from the top U.S. shale field.
Combined, the two companies pumped 677,000 barrels of oil and gas per day in the shale field last quarter, close to a fifth of the region's total oil production, according to figures released on Friday.
Exxon said its fourth-quarter Permian production was 300,000 barrels of oil and gas per day, up 93 percent from a year ago and up 12 percent over the third quarter. Chevron's output in the Permian jumped to 377,000 barrels per day, up 84 percent from the same period a year earlier.
"In just two years we have doubled our rig count, increased our resource base, decreased unit development and operating costs, and more than doubled our production," Chevron Chief Executive Officer Michael Wirth said on an earnings call.
"We're going to be advantaged versus the rest of industry," Exxon CEO Darren Woods said on an earnings call, noting the company's close coupling of pipeline, logistics and oil refining operations to shale.
In nine of the previous 10 quarters Exxon's overall oil and gas output dropped, but its fourth-quarter production edged up to just over 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, from 3.9 million in the year-ago period.
Production at Exxon, the nation's largest oil and gas producer, was "very strong," said Brian Youngberg, an analyst with Edward Jones.
Shale fields' fast payoff is lifting both companies' earnings and cash flow. Chevron generated $9.2 billion in cash flow from operations in the fourth quarter, up from $8.0 billion a year earlier. Its 2019 capital spending budget is going toward projects that can deliver cash within two years, Wirth said.
That has not sat well with some investors. Its stock is off 13 percent in the 12 months ended Jan. 31. Exxon is the only international oil company "not currently repurchasing shares," Simmons Energy said in a note.
Exxon's fourth-quarter net income fell to $6 billion, or $1.41 a share, from $8.38 billion a year ago, when results benefited substantially from the impact of U.S. tax reform. Excluding the impacts of tax reform and asset impairments, earnings rose to $6.4 billion from $3.73 billion a year ago.
What Are The Importance Of Three Colors Of Dietary Food | आहारातील 'या' तीन रंगांचे काय आहे महत्त्व?; जाणून घ्या!


Blessings up to the person who caught this on camera!
His cause of death has yet to be determined, but unknown sources speculate a drug overdose. In addition to reports that say he misused percocet, another one claims he had plans to meet an addiction doctor before his death. Whatever the cause, which is still officially under investigation, Long Live Prince!


'Blackout' Homecoming T-Shirts are NOW Available!!!!!
Homecoming t-shirts are now available for purchase on the PTO website!!! Shirts can be purchased for $8.
Students who obtain at least $50 worth of pledges for the Fall fundraiser by October 17th will receive a Homecoming t-shirt FREE before the Homecoming game on October 24th. You will still win a free shirt with $50 in pledges until October 25th, however no guarantees can be made for t-shirt arrival before the Homecoming game. Please be sure to include t-shirt sizes during checkout.
But Wait!!! Don't limit your family to just one shirt. Help FBMS support the Homecoming theme and "BLACKOUT!!!" the stadium and school by having your whole family wear the 2017-2018 Homecoming shirt. Pre-Order your t-shirts online by October 17th and they will be delivered to homeroom by October 20th.
We hope to have everyone wearing their Homecoming T-shirts!!


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Blog: Still fragmented Europe
Dave Leggett | 10 November 2009
Following GM's decision last week to hang on to Opel/Vauxhall rather than sell to a consortium led by Magna, the fallout continues. But the fallout is not exactly unexpected. After the initial and predictably strong political reaction, especially in Germany, there's the realisation that people have to deal with a new set of circumstances to get the outcomes they want - or the 'least bad' ones.
Restructuring was coming down the tracks anyway, whoever eventually owned Opel/Vauxhall. Is GM's plan going to be much different from what Magna was preparing? The differences are maybe less than many people were thinking. Magna was playing the politicians to some degree, to win support for its bid in Germany. It played that game very well.
And now, GM will be looking very carefully at how it approaches relations with national governments in Europe, especially Germany, where half of Opel/Vauxhall 50,000 strong workforce is based. Be careful not to take all of what you see in the press at face value.
If you were at GM and planning to visit Berlin soon to lay out a new business plan, you might want to stoke the cost-cutting fires up a bit before rocking up with a few olive branches for Mrs Merkel. Shut Bochum? No, where did you hear that? We just want to resize the plant for new market conditions and modernise it...
That things are so highly politically charged for GM is a consequence of having a multi-national footprint in Europe. The European Union, you see, is still - in reality - a rather fragmented place. There's a duality to the 'European project' that the Opel/Vauxhall saga has amply demonstrated. Sure, there's never been a shortage of grand designs and ideas aimed at consolidating European political unity - the Lisbon Treaty is the latest example - but when push comes to shove, competing national interests come to the fore.
What's best for Opel/Vauxhall from a business perspective has been rather lost in the political horse-trading on which plants and jobs might go under restructuring. Look across the EU and you'll see very big differences in the way countries are run, lifestyles, cultures, the way that economies function, levels of taxes and so on. Is that a good thing? In some ways yes, in some ways perhaps not.
But when fundamental national interests or jobs are at stake it's pretty clear that, in Europe, the business case for a particular course of action may be subject to a good deal of political interference coming from nation states.
GM does eleventh hour U-turn on Opel/Vauxhall sale
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Colossal China powers on
I'm starting to get a small idea of the scale of things here in China, but really, I'm only scratching the surface of this vast country....
China Hot Pot
Given the startling complexity of obtaining a journalist visa for China - the code 'J2' is now indelibly stamped on my mind - it was with some surprise how swiftly I managed to sail through airport im...
Isuzu and Honda team up on hydrogen for HCVs
David Leggett, editor of just-auto

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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What MLB Pitcher Jon Lester and 4 Other Professional Athletes Teach Us About Overcoming Obstacles
By Don Yaeger | September 5, 2022 | 0
It was just back pain. That's what Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester kept telling himself. When you throw like a 25-year-old left-hander does, muscles are often sore—but the pain wouldn't go away.
Lester went to see doctors and heard words he never expected: He had cancer. It wasn't just any form of the disease, but a rare form of blood cancer known as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. To beat back the cancer's spread, Lester would require intensive chemotherapy.
"I didn't once ask why," Lester tells SUCCESS. "Instead, I asked how we get rid of this. I wanted to think positively and look forward."
With that approach, Lester became a hero to many. After receiving his diagnosis in August 2006, Lester went through treatment, worked his way back into the major leagues and pitched—and won—a World Series game. Then, in May 2008, he became the 18th pitcher in the history of the storied Red Sox organization to throw a perfect game.
As of 2009, Lester is cancer-free.
"I don't think I had any idea what it would mean to others when I made it back," Lester says. "I was just trying to win each day, to make sure I was doing whatever it took to be as disciplined and successful in treatment as I was in baseball."
By doing so, Lester earned a legion of new fans, many of them cancer survivors. Websites were loaded with letters of thanks and words of encouragement. Many of those writing wanted Lester to know his top-flight accomplishment gave them a reason to believe. "I was surprised, honestly," he says. "There were so many things said that were wonderful, but all I was trying to do was make my way back."
Lester is one of many athletes who have handled adversity on a grand stage and have used the same strengths that made them champions to get them through tough times.
Reclaiming his mastery
Famous for his stringent discipline in practice, Ben Hogan was one of the premier golfers of the 1940s when his career—and his life—nearly ended in a head-on collision with a Greyhound bus. The 1949 accident left him with a fractured collarbone and ankle, a double-fractured pelvis, blood clots and a cracked rib. It also left him with the burning desire to fight back.
Less than a year after doctors told him he'd never walk again, Hogan placed second in the 1950 Los Angeles Open tournament, losing to Sam Snead in a tightly-fought playoff round. Six months after that, he clinched the U.S. Open title for the second time in his career. In 1951, he won the U.S. Open—for the third time—and the Masters. In 1953, he won both again.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Hogan won a total of 71 professional tournaments over the course of his career.
By refusing to allow the tragedy of his accident to define him, Hogan instead invested himself in chasing his dream. His rigorous and dedicated practice habits were no longer just about honing a skill—they were about reclaiming a part of himself. Despite the odds against him, Hogan never turned down an opportunity to study his game. "Every day you miss practicing," he said, "will take you one day longer to get good."
Fastest woman on earth
Hogan's example was cited several times by a 20-year-old American track sensation, Wilma Rudolph, who captured the title of "the fastest woman on earth" at the 1960 Olympics.
Rudolph could hardly have had a less promising start. Born prematurely and struck by polio as an infant, tiny Rudolph limped through a childhood marred by measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough and a twisted left leg that required a brace. But none of that could contain her spirit. Fascinated by her older sister's basketball games, Rudolph was determined to take to the court herself and fought her way through painful rehabilitation and physical therapy.
As a high-school player, she caught the eye of the Tennessee State track and field coach, who recognized her tremendous ability and began training her as a runner. At 16, she made the U.S. Olympic team in 1956, winning bronze in the 4×100 relay. Four years later, she truly made her mark, winning gold in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and as part of the 4×100-meter relay team, breaking three world records. And this from a woman who wasn't able to walk normally until she was nearly 12.
For Rudolph, the goal was everything. Any obstacles on the way were part of the journey toward greatness. Challenges, restraints, setbacks—these were all things to push against to grow stronger. Her winning mindset was simple: "The triumph can't be had without the struggle."
Seeing beyond limitations
And as proof that athletes often find inspiration from each other, Lester, after working his way back into the major leagues, regularly mentioned pitcher Jim Abbott when he described where he looked for inspiration.
Abbott didn't suffer disease, but he was no stranger to challenges. The 10-season major league pitcher was born without a right hand. Never one to let a perceived disability stand in the way of his goals, he pursued athletics with his heart and soul. As a high-school quarterback leading his football team to a Michigan state championship, he developed a distinct pitching and fielding style that made him a highly sought-after baseball recruit.
Despite being drafted out of high school, however, Abbott decided instead to attend the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines' baseball program to two Big Ten Conference championships and became the first baseball pitcher to earn the James E. Sullivan Award for the best amateur athlete in the country. In 1988, he earned a gold medal pitching the final game at the Seoul Olympics.
From there, he was drafted, eighth overall, by the Angels. In 1993, playing for the Yankees, he pitched a 4-0 no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. Abbott's story quickly became one of the most inspiring in professional athletics, encouraging children to look past their limitations and keep their eyes on their dreams.
"I've learned that it's not the disability that defines you," Abbott explains. "It's how you deal with the challenges the disability presents you with."
'Be everything you want to be'
Natalie du Toit would have been a perfect candidate for Abbott's mentoring. Already an internationally-ranked swimmer in her native South Africa by the age of 14, du Toit seemed to be a rising star in international athletics. But just three years later, in 2001, she was struck by a car on her way back to school from swim practice, and lost her left leg at the knee as a result.
The very next year, she took to the pool at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and won not only two events for athletes with physical challenges, but also became the first amputee athlete to qualify for the final of a regular event when she swam the 800-meter freestyle. In 2003, again swimming the 800-meter freestyle, she won gold at the All-Africa Games.
She continued to wow the swimming world, winning or placing in nearly every international competition she entered, including winning five golds and one silver in the Paralympics and two golds again in the 2006 Commonwealth Games—and all without the aid of a prosthetic leg.
When she qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, du Toit was honored in another way: She became the first physically challenged athlete to carry a country's flag in the opening ceremony. Her 16th-place finish in the 10-kilometer open-water swim was not as strong a finish as she had hoped, but in a field of 23 other athletes, all able-bodied, it was a triumph indeed.
"Be everything you want to be," du Toit regularly reminds her fans during interviews. Clearly, she is a tremendous reminder that no obstacle is too great that it cannot be challenged—and overcome.
This article was published in June 2009 and has been updated. Photo by Dennis Ku/Shutterstock
Don Yaeger
https://www.success.com/author/don-yaeger/
NFL's Warrick Dunn is Giving Homes for the Holidays
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Home » Entertainment » Jameela Jamil Calls Abortion Her 'Best Decision'
Jameela Jamil Calls Abortion Her 'Best Decision'
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Jameela Jamil is sharing her own abortion story in the wake of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's decision to ban abortions after six weeks.
The Good Place star wrote on Twitter of the bill: "I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn't want, and wasn't ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel."
She continued: "This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist."
Jamil was quick to point out that she has no beef with foster care. "Ps.. this isn't any diss at ALL to foster homes. I'm in awe of people who take in children in need of a family and a home: but if Georgia becomes inundated with children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for, it will be hard to find great fostering for them all."
The bill is set to take effect in January of 2020 and will likely be challenged in court.
Twitter Calls for Bachelor Boycott After Mike Fleiss's Pregnant Wife Claims He Attacked Her
Kendall Jenner Claps Back After Ben Simmons' Sister Calls Her a 'Ho'
Whoopi Goldberg Talks Marriage, The View, Her Creative Impulses
Robert Plant Calls Led Zeppelin 'Trio With A Wedding Singer'
Meghan Markle Fans Defend Her From Outrage Over Archie's Private Christening


A central issue in wilderness management is not the number of users per se, but the impacts those users can have on environmental conditions and the quality of experience of other visitors. This study draws on two recreation planning frameworks, the limits of acceptable change and visitor impact management, to translate management goals into quantitative management objectives through indicators and standards. Potential indicators and standards were identified, via a mailback survey conducted in 1995, for Nuyts Wilderness Area on the south coast of Western Australia.
Environmental conditions of greatest influence on the quality of visitor experience were amount of litter, inadequate disposal of human waste, presence of wildlife, walk trail erosion, vegetation loss and tree damage. Standards were determined for two biophysical indicators - tree damage and vegetation loss - and four social indicators - number and size of groups, litter and human-made structures (e.g. signs). Respondents had the lowest level of tolerance and set the highest standards for litter and damage to trees. Tolerance levels for social effects such as the number of other groups seen were higher. Standards were similar across sites for all indicators except vegetation loss where respondents were more willing to accept change at the camp-site than elsewhere.
These results suggest that management efforts can be differentially directed toward indicators of greatest concern, such as litter and tree damage. The study findings also suggest that managing to meet the expectations of 50 per cent of visitors regarding acceptable and unacceptable impacts is feasible, especially where impacts do not currently exceed acceptable levels, whereas striving to meet the expectations of75 per cent of visitors requires reducing impacts by at least half. Such reductions may be impossible and create unrealistic expectations among visitors and managers alike.


Every employee who does not pay attention to cybersecurity potentially puts their company at risk.
Today, students and graduates of all disciplines need to have at least a basic level of cyber awareness. I teach my students that security is not relegated to the technical job titles in an organization but relates to every individual in the organization. I am a firm believer that businesses need to create a culture of security that empowers individuals to safeguard devices and information. My experience and research have suggested those proactive companies will be more resilient in the face of increased hacking, email phishing and ransomware attacks.
Efrain Hernandez is the go-to person in his family whenever anyone needs help with technology, but he never thought he would pursue it as a career. Now the recent Ventura College graduate is heading on to complete his bachelor's degree and hopefully secure a position in the Computer Science field.
Hernandez combined his interest in Computer Science with his love of vintage video games into a unique project for professor Elliot Gertner's Computer Architecture Class. He created a bar-top arcade game that contains hundreds of video games from Pac Man to Street Fighter.
Written on 20 May 2017 .
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching is a certification program for entry-level network engineers, which validates the ability to install, configure, operate and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks.
James Cregg and Skip Berry have used NETLAB+ in their classes at Riverside City College for more than a decade. In that time, they've learned to optimize the platform and what it can offer their students.
If you are planning for summer session or fall semester, consider the following tips to help you get the most out of NETLAB+ and give your students the skills they need to thrive in the working world.
The Bay Region has launched a new NETLAB+ website with content for Students, Instructors, Partner Colleges and Employers.
Several student successes are featured complete with photos and quotes, plus Lab Links to the many courses offered through the region's NETLAB+ installation.
Upcoming training opportunities, usage comparison information and a resource library are posted on the Instructor page. Instructors new to NETLAB+ can watch an orientation video on the site, too.
Instructors are invited to submit their course information to be highlighted on the "Featured Courses" section of the Student's page.
For more information or to have your course featured on the site, contact Richard Grotegut, IT and Computer Science Deputy Sector Navigator for the Bay Region.
The behavioral analytics skills covered by the CSA+ certification identify and combat malware and advanced persistent threats (APTs), resulting in better threat visibility across organizational assets by focusing on network behavior, including interior networks.
Visit the CompTIA website to learn more.
Network Development Group (NDG), is pleased to announce the beta release of a new version of NETLAB+, designed to run as a virtual appliance within the VMware vSphere environment. This new, virtual edition of NETLAB+, NETLAB+ VE, marks a major change from the physical hardware version of NETLAB+ that has served hundreds of thousands of learners for the past 15 years. With an updated user interface and dockable windows, NETLAB+ VE has a fresh, new look and feel. Great new features, including a new PC viewer using HTML5 (replacing Java), help make the updated environment easier to use and more engaging.


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Ecology. Urban Planning, Infrastructures and Mobility
The Ecology, Urban Planning and Mobility Area is responsible for providing municipal services linked to the public areas and city services which make life easier for people who live and work in the city.
Companies and Independent Bodies
Decision Process
What we do and why
The City Council seeks to ensure a quality public space, a green and biodiverse city that is productive and resilient, a city committed to active and sustainable mobility with public involvement and commitment.
Environment and public space
Urban greenery and biodiversity
Urban planning for neighbourhoods
Citizens' commitment
Bodies Involved
Ecology, Urban Planning and Mobility Area has different instruments as well as advisory and participatory bodies for effective involvement and collaboration in municipal projects with the general public, groups and organizations, and both public and private entities.
Citizen Council for Sustainability
Network: For a More Sustainable Barcelona
Mobility Pact
Air Quality Roundtable
Noise and Health working group
The Council sees to the smooth running of the city services, to ensure the daily wellbeing of the public and contribute towards the city's development.
The City Works
The City Changes
Getting Around Barcelona
Environmental facilities
/ Urban Planning Information Portal (PIU)
Urban Planning Information Portal (PIU)
The new Urban Planning Information Portal (PIC) groups together in a single web space urban planning information for consultation, in a clearer and more accessible environment.
On Wednesday 17 October, Barcelona City Council launched its new Urban Planning Information Portal. It is an application that enables consultations on urban planning information and integrates in a single space the functions that had previously been offered on the Planning, Qualifications and Agreement Search Engine, the Architectural Heritage Search Engine and the Cartographic Information Point's urban planning map.
The aim behind the portal is to enable a flexible and simplified consultation of information in a clearer and more accessible technological environment, offering new filters and functions. In addition, the new data model will enable compatibility with the models of the Metropolitan Area, the Directorate-General for Territorial Ordering and Urban Planning at the Catalan regional government, creating a richer and more interoperable environment.
The work for launching the Portal involved updating the cartographic base to adapt it to the new ETRS89 European standard promoted by the European Commission. It was on this new cartographic base that the current planning and the Architectural Heritage Catalogue have been transcribed.
The portal also presents better technologies, offering a fast and clear consultation, new functionalities and information filters and access from mobile devices.
The new portal includes:
New cartographic base
The topographical base has been updated in accordance with the new ETRS89 European standard
Planning and Architectural Heritage
The current planning and Heritage Catalogue have been transcribed on the new cartographic base
The upgrade enables clearer and faster consultations, also from mobile devices
Urban Planning Information Portal
Access it
For the purposes of enabling the consultation, the following support materials have been prepared, which you will also find on the portal in the welcome panel:
Full information in .PDF format is offered on all the functionalities found on the portal.
- Urban Planning Information page
The Portal also has a FAQs page to help answer any queries you may have about the tool.
To make it easier to consult, you'll find it divided into thematic sections: Information research, Access, Data display and Application use, Map, Housing affected, Urban Development Plan, Urban Planning Management and Catalogue of Historic and Artistic Architectural Heritage.
Ecology. Urban Planning, Infrastructures and Mobility Area


text:
Tremonton és una població dels Estats Units a l'estat de Utah. Segons el cens del 2000 tenia una població de 5.592 habitants.

Demografia
Segons el cens del 2000, Tremonton tenia 5.592 habitants, 1.698 habitatges, i 1.397 famílies. La densitat de població era de 412 habitants per km².

Dels 1.698 habitatges en un 50,6% hi vivien nens de menys de 18 anys, en un 70,7% hi vivien parelles casades, en un 9,3% dones solteres, i en un 17,7% no eren unitats familiars. En el 15,4% dels habitatges hi vivien persones soles el 6,9% de les quals corresponia a persones de 65 anys o més que vivien soles. El nombre mitjà de persones vivint en cada habitatge era de 3,26 i el nombre mitjà de persones que vivien en cada família era de 3,67.

Per edats la població es repartia de la següent manera: un 39% tenia menys de 18 anys, un 10,5% entre 18 i 24, un 26,7% entre 25 i 44, un 14,7% de 45 a 60 i un 9,1% 65 anys o més.

L'edat mediana era de 25 anys. Per cada 100 dones de 18 o més anys hi havia 94,8 homes.

La renda mediana per habitatge era de 44.784 $ i la renda mediana per família de 49.100 $. Els homes tenien una renda mediana de 36.764 $ mentre que les dones 22.149 $. La renda per capita de la població era de 15.737 $. Entorn del 8,3% de les famílies i el 9,9% de la població estaven per davall del llindar de pobresa.

Poblacions més properes
El següent diagrama mostra les poblacions més properes.

Referències

Entitats de població de Utah

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


You can even write mono-line business policies as well!
For today's new economy digital mobile insurance shopper picking the appropriate insurance policy is not easy. Smart consumers like to have choices so they know they are getting a good deal. They may shop online for insurance price comparisons but they still want a professional licensed insurance agent to help them choose which policy is right for them.
Specialty Dwelling- ineligible homes that don't qualify for preferred markets.


text:
Q: MySql counting rows I'm trying to get the number of replies and no replies from a message with one mysql query.
For example, I send "Hey what's up?" to 20 people, I want to know how many replies I got and how many no replies.
I have a table Thread and lookup table Message.
Thread table has columns:
1.threadId (varchar)
2.messageGuid (varchar)
3.messageLookupId (int)
4.fromId (varchar)
5.toId (varchar)
6.replied (tinyint(1))
7.dateSent (timestamp)

Message table has columns:
1.id (int)
2.message (text)

Thread and Message tables can be joined by Thread.messageLookupId = Message.id
I would like to have a results table with columns:
message | totalSent | replied | notReplied | repliedPercentage | notRepliedPercentage

I've tried
Query
SELECT Message.message, count(Message.id) replied
FROM Thread
JOIN Message
ON Thread.messageLookupId = Message.id
WHERE replied LIKE 1
Group by Message.id
ORDER BY replied DESC

replied=0 means not replied
replied=1 means replied
This only returns the number that replied but i'm stuck with getting the other columns that I want:
totalSent | notReplied | repliedPercentage | notRepliedPercentage

repliedPercentage and notRepliedPercentage would return the percentages of replied and notReplied
Any ideas?

A: you can do sum using replied column value.
SELECT Message.id, sum( replied) as replied,
      sum(replied=0) as notReplied,
      sum(replied)/count(message.id)*100 repliedPercentage,
      sum(replied=0)/count(message.id)*100 as notRepliedPercentage
FROM Thread
JOIN Message
ON Thread.messageLookupId = Message.id
Group by Message.id

A: Try this.
SELECT Message.id,
       Count(1)                    totalSent,
       Count(CASE
               WHEN replied = 1 THEN 1
             END)                  AS replied,
       Count(CASE
               WHEN replied = 0 THEN 1
             END)                  AS notReplied,
       Count(CASE
               WHEN replied = 1 THEN 1
             END) / Count(1) * 100 repliedPercentage,
       Count(CASE
               WHEN replied = 0 THEN 1
             END) / Count(1) * 100 AS notRepliedPercentage
FROM   Thread
       JOIN Message
         ON Thread.messageLookupId = Message.id
GROUP  BY Message.id

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
impano SPORTS ltd
impano academy rwanda
info@impano.org
Private Policy . Legal
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO.
Impano Academy Rwanda Inc. is a non-profit amateur sports organization established in 2016 based in Kigali, Rwanda designed to promote the sport of track and field by offering professional sports coaching, guidance, and education to Rwandan children in underdeveloped communities. Impano Academy travels across the country, carefully testing prospective student-athletes in collaboration with local clubs, teams, and national federations. We train local coaches to identify talent, select the best sporting youth, and develop them into future champions. We offer sports camps and clinics for all athletes to learn from the best coaches and encourage participation in sports. We believe in the potential of sports as it plays a key role in personal, community, national and international development objectives.
what is impano & our logo?
What is Impano?
"Impano" is a Rwandan word meaning special talent or gift.
What is the logo?
Our logo represents the traditional Rwandan High Jumping "Gusimbuka-Urukiramende", male figure jumping over the bar in a traditional ceremony. This was a tradition of great importance in Rwanda society as men would jump over 2.00 meters or over 6 feet 6 inches to clear a stick to showcase their extraordinary physical talent. Our logo represents this amazing ability that Rwandans process as there is no limit to where they can go within sports.
Begins with the belief that Rwandan children have a special talent/gift that should be harnessed, developed and shared with the world. High Jumping was the most practiced traditional sport in Rwanda, the participants in the sport were considered one of the best in the world. Due to many factors, this sport was became neglected and considered less important than other sports.
Having conducted multiple personal visits to Rwanda, our founder witnessed the inherent talent these children had for jumping and running and believed if only these children had the right guidance, support, and resources their lives could be forever transformed through sports.
Our founder understands the important role sports played in his life by affording the opportunity to attend college on an athletic scholarship and later pursuing his passion for coaching. Therefore inspired by his own Baha'i faith, athletic journey and the dedicated coaches that guided him, he decided to return the favor to the underprivileged children in Rwanda by founding Impano Academy Rwanda.
We at Impano Academy believe we can enable the children of Rwanda who are inclined towards sports to reach their full potential both on the track, in the classroom and in life. We move to achieve this goal by organizing developmental programs aimed at identifying talent, promoting education, health, fitness and applying strong values that are acquired through practice as well as remaining active in sports.
Establish IAEA as a leading sports Non-Governmental organization invested in the development of emerging youth athletes from grassroots to elite level promoting sports, peace and unity.
Establish Impano Academy Rwanda as a leading amatuer sports organization invested in the development of emerging youth athletes from grassroots to elite level promoting sports, peace, and unity.
To build an Academy that promotes sports participation, healthy lifestyles and independence for the underprivileged youth in Rwanda using specialized programs and physical education as a means of development.


Delivered by Moorlands College. Validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
The BA (Hons) Applied Theology is delivered by Moorlands College at their South West Regional Centre in partnership with South West Youth Ministries, and is validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
Training is delivered in nine one-week blocks per year. Six of these are at Brunel Manor in Torquay and three at Moorlands' Christchurch Campus. Lecturers are experts in their field and will inspire you by passing on their experience, skills and knowledge so you can take the message of the Gospel to children or young people in the 21st century in engaging and relevant ways.
Carefully chosen placements give hands-on experience of ministry and provide a context for wider learning and critical reflection on practice. Understanding the links between theory and practice is a key part of this course.
This course has been carefully and creatively designed to give you a firm foundation on which to build your life and ministry. It will equip you to serve God in practical and relevant ways in today's fast-changing world.
In year one, you are guided through core modules in theological and biblical studies. You also begin a practice module, building a portfolio of work throughout the year relating to your weekly placement.
In year two, you further your analysis of biblical perspectives as well as continuing the practice module. At this point you begin to specialise more, studying optional modules that suit your particular area of interest and ministry.
In year three, your studies focus heavily on your professional study modules; alongside a mixture of core study, practice, and optional modules. Your final year helps you integrate all you have learnt, in preparation for where God may be calling you next.
Exploring essential concepts of informal education, spiritual development, and developmental theories, students are introduced to the professional study of missional youth work. The roles of the youth minister are analysed, with consideration given to working with groups, in teams, in church and in partnership with others.
It offers critical engagement with some of the more complex situations that you might find yourself in as a youth minister; considering ethical dilemmas, contemporary issues and the biases and baggage of the individual.
This pathway explores the interaction between ethical, sociological and psychological theories and theological perspectives in relation to working with Children and Schools. This is a vital ministry that the Church in the UK and beyond is waking up to.
These study modules help you to build theologies of childhood, faith development and education that underpin effective ministry. They will also encourage you to understand your God-given gifts and abilities in this field, and inspire you to serve God in ministering to children and schools.
These modules encourage participants to understand their own family and community stories, become aware of God's plan for each of their lives in this context, and to share this with those who are struggling.
Drawing on Biblical perspectives, the course critically examines all-age communities, how families relate, parenting, issues around divorce, the professional skills required to function effectively as a family worker and, in fact, just about everything to do with working alongside families in the context of their community.
The focus of this pathway is to equip and empower missional leaders in whatever sphere of Christian leadership they are called to serve in. It is ideal for those heading up ministries within a church setting or in the community, e.g. assistant minister, leadership intern, community café manager or student worker.
This course prepares the student for professional Christian service, and the interaction between theory and practice is a key feature. Topics include missional theology, church planting, creating missional communities and prophetic leadership; enabling the student to develop biblical and theological frameworks for leadership.
Moorlands and SWYM share the same vision and passion – to equip a new generation to be effective disciples of Jesus who can make effective disciples for Jesus.


text:
Video: Q&A with Easynet Connect's Chris Stening
IT PRO spoke to Chris Stening, managing director of Easynet's SME division, about whether ISPs are giving businesses the service they deserve.
by: Stephen Pritchard
According to research carried out by Quocirca, the analyst firm, three out of four small and mid-sized businesses could not manage without internet access for more than a day.
But at the same time, a significant minority of companies - around one in three - are seriously dissatisfied with the service they receive from their internet providers.
One of the reasons, according to Chris Stening, managing director of Easynet Connect and the company that commissioned the research, is that many ISPs are really set up to service the consumer. As a result, business users often receive a second-class service.
IT PRO spoke to Stening about companies' increasing reliance on the internet, the need for ISPs to raise their game, and the prospects for a national fibre network following BT's recent commitment to that technology.
Ohio lawmakers look to outlaw municipal broadband
Semiconductor shortage hits ISPs hard


text:
Justia › US Law › Case Law › Texas Case Law › Texas Court of Appeals, Twelfth District Decisions › 2002 › Aaron Sears v. The State of Texas--Appeal from 7th District Court of Smith County
Aaron Sears v. The State of Texas--Appeal from 7th District Court of Smith County
NO. 12-01-00344-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
AARON SEARS,
APPEAL FROM THE SEVENTH
JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
SMITH COUNTY, TEXASPER CURIAM
Aaron Sears ("Appellant") appeals his conviction for aggravated assault of a public servant, for which he was sentenced to imprisonment for thirty-six years. Appellant raises one issue on appeal. We affirm.
Appellant was indicted for aggravated assault of a public servant. Charles Horton ("Horton"), a volunteer fireman and Emergency Medical Technician for Dixie Volunteer Fire Department, testified that while he was fighting a house fire, he was almost run over by a car driven by Appellant. Horton testified that Appellant drove the car over the front steps and into the burning house within which he was standing. Horton further testified that he felt threatened and feared for his life.
During trial, the State of Texas (the "State") called Appellant's mother, Ida Mae Sears ("Ida Mae"). Upon a request by Appellant's trial counsel, Ida Mae was instructed not to testify with regard to Appellant's prior convictions and acts of misconduct. However, during his cross-examination of Ida Mae, Appellant's trial counsel asked, "Ms. Sears, would you consider Aaron's behavior on March the 18th of this year to be normal for Aaron or abnormal for Aaron?" Ida Mae answered, "Abnormal," and Appellant's trial counsel passed the witness. The prosecuting attorney argued to the trial court that Appellant's trial counsel had "opened the door" by way of his last question. The trial court agreed and the State was permitted to question Ida Mae regarding Appellant's prior convictions and acts of misconduct. Ultimately, Appellant was found guilty as charged and sentenced to imprisonment for thirty-six years.
In his sole issue, Appellant contends that his trial counsel was ineffective because he "opened the door" allowing the State to elicit testimony of prior bad acts. The proper standard by which to gauge the adequacy of representation by counsel is articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 674 (1984). See also Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53, 57 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The test set forth in Strickland requires a two-step analysis:
Did the attorney's performance fail to constitute "reasonably effective assistance," i.e. did the defense attorney's representation fall below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms?
If so, was there a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceedings could have been different?
See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068.
A "reasonable probability" was defined by the Supreme Court as a "probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Id. Counsel is strongly presumed to have rendered adequate assistance and to have made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. See Hernandez, 726 S.W.2d at 55. The burden is on the appellant to overcome that presumption. See Burruss v. State, 20 S.W.3d 179, 186 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2000, pet. ref'd). The appellant must show specific acts or omissions that constitute ineffective assistance and affirmatively prove that those acts fall below the professional norm for reasonableness. Id.
After proving error, the appellant must affirmatively prove prejudice. Id. The appellant must prove that his attorney's errors, judged by the totality of the representation and not by isolated instances of error, denied him a fair trial. Id. It is not enough for the appellant to show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the proceedings. Id. He must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for his attorney's errors, the jury would have had a reasonable doubt about his guilt. Id.
In the case at hand, Appellant argues at length as to why his trial counsel's questioning Ida Mae about Appellant's abnormal behavior constituted an act falling below the professional norm. However, even assuming arguendo that Appellant's trial counsel's action, as noted in Appellant's brief, satisfied the first prong of the Strickland test, Appellant must still affirmatively prove prejudice. See Burruss, 20 S.W.3d at 186. It is not enough for the appellant to merely show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the proceedings. Id.
Repeated readings of Appellant's brief uncover no argument addressing the second prong of the Strickland test. We iterate that the burden of proof as to this issue rests squarely upon Appellant. See Burruss, 20 S.W.3d at 186. As such, we will neither surmise nor devise our own conclusions absent some cogent argument on Appellant's behalf that but for his counsel's alleged unprofessional errors, there exists a reasonable probability that the result of the proceedings would have been different. Therefore, since Appellant has failed to satisfy his burden under Strickland, we hold that he was not denied his right to effective assistance of counsel. Appellant's sole issue is overruled.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Opinion delivered August 14, 2002.
Panel consisted of Worthen, J., and Griffith, J.
Gohmert, Jr., C.J., not participating
(DO NOT PUBLISH)


The second installment of the iHeartRadio Country Music Festival kicked off Saturday night on May 4, 2015 in the great city of Austin, TX. The concert consisted of 11 acts over the course of 5 hours and was featured by both Yahoo and NBC.
Brad Paisley started off the night with an electric performance that rocked the stadium and was filled with production spectacles such as pyrotechnics and lightning effects. When Brad began playing Alcohol, the rush of a pyro waterfall and the sounds of flash bangs set the stage for what would be one of the best country performances of the year.
Dierks Bentley singing to the crowd at the iHeartCountry Music Festival.
The concert also consisted of Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, the Band Perry, Sam Hunt, Tyler Farr, and Brantley Gilbert.
One of the best performers and up and coming country pop stars was Sam Hunt. After making his debut at SXSW during the Spotify party, Sam Hunt has continued to play multiple sold out shows at various venues and has increased his presence throughout the country.
Sam Hunt showing love to the fans.
Tim McGraw ended the night with a stellar surprise duet for the audience. In turn, everyone responded by singing "Happy Birthday" to the country legend.
iHeartRadio carried the country music festival and selected attendees to Brazos Hall located in downtown Austin for the iHeartCountry After Party. The party ran all the way till 3:00 AM and featured a surprise appearance by a Dierks Bentley cover band Hot Kountry Knights, which was actually Dierks Bentley dressed up in a mullet costume. Bobby Bones from the Bobby Bones show also came on stage to perform with Dierks.
The party included an assortment of games, booze, and even a live drum set to perform on. iHeartRadio once again, produced an amazing set of live acts and finished the night off with a intimate showcase and outrageous party.
The ending to an exciting night sponsored by iHeartRadio.


There should be no debate about whether or not to use a shoe tree. Simply put, if you would like to keep your footwear good looking and increase its lifetime, shoe trees are a must. Not all of them are created equal though: wooden shoe trees really are better than their plastic cousins and are more eco-friendly, to boot.
The spring-loaded shoe tree is a classic item. Made of two pieces of cedar wood with a solid metal spiral inserted between the heel and toe pieces, its spring action ensures a snug fit in all men's footwear. The ergonomic forepart fills the shoe's vamp, while the heelpiece tucks inside the counter cap.
Our spring-loaded shoe tree is crafted from natural cedar – only eco-friendly woods are used for its production. The soft and aromatic wood offers numerous shoe care benefits: It absorbs humidity from inside the shoe and protects the original shape. The wood's natural Thujaplizin oil also repels wood worm and other pests. The pleasant aroma also guarantees a naturally good foot climate in your shoes.
The lifetime of high-quality footwear depend not only on the way they are made, but also on how you take care of them. With our spring-loaded shoe tree you will be able to enjoy your footwear year after year.
For a great result, just insert our shoe tree inside your footwear, right after taking it off. Warm leather is more flexible and allows an easier straightening of the insole and the vamp. This helps the shoe tree protect the shoe's original shape by stopping the development of creases.
Our spring-loaded shoe tree is available in the following double sizes: 36-37, 38-39, 40-41, 42-43, 44-45, 46-48 and 49-50.
Please note: If you bought a shoe model crafted on the sharp pointed "extravagant shoe" last, please order our spring-loaded shoe tree in a smaller size. Shoes with a smaller shoe last are 337, 340, 341, 350, 351, 360 & 390.


text:
Extrasolar Planets: August 2016
A Catalog of Kepler Habitable Zone Exoplanet Candidates
The NASA Kepler mission has discovered thousands of new planetary candidates, many of which have been confirmed through follow-up observations. A primary goal of the mission is to determine the occurrance rate of terrestrial-size planets within the Habitable Zone (HZ) of their host stars. Here we provide a list of HZ exoplanet candidates from the Kepler Data Release 24 Q1-Q17 data vetting process.
Terrestrial-type Planet Formation: Comparing Different Types of Initial Conditions
To study the terrestrial-type planet formation during the post oligarchic growth, the initial distributions of planetary embryos and planetesimals used in N-body simulations play an important role. Most of these studies typically use ad hoc initial distributions based on theoretical and numerical studies.
New Indexing and Surface Temperature Analysis of Exoplanets
Study of exoplanets is the holy grail of present research in planetary sciences and astrobiology. Analysis of huge planetary data from space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler is directed ultimately at finding a planet similar to Earth\-the Earth's twin, and answering the question of potential exo-habitability.
Biological Fluorescence as a Temporal Biosignature for Flare Star Worlds
Habitability for planets orbiting active stars has been questioned. Especially, planets in the Habitable Zone (HZ) of M-stars, like our closest star Proxima Centauri, experience temporal high-ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The Habitability of Proxima Centauri b I: Evolutionary Scenarios
We analyze the evolution of the potentially habitable planet Proxima Centauri b to identify environmental factors that affect its long-term habitability. We consider physical processes acting on size scales ranging between the galactic scale, the scale of the stellar system, and the scale of the planet's core.
Rocky Planet Found in Habitable Zone of Proxima Centauri
An international team of astronomers including Carnegie's Paul Butler has found clear evidence of a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system.
Proxima Centauri as a Benchmark for Stellar Activity Indicators in the Near Infrared
A new generation of dedicated Doppler spectrographs will attempt to detect low-mass exoplanets around mid-late M stars at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, where those stars are brightest and have the most Doppler information content.
Being In The Habitable Zone Is Not Enough
The search for habitable, alien worlds needs to make room for a second "Goldilocks," according to a Yale University researcher.
Rocky Planet Formation: Quick and Neat
We reconsider the commonly held assumption that warm debris disks are tracers of terrestrial planet formation. The high occurrence rate inferred for Earth-mass planets around mature solar-type stars based on exoplanet surveys (roughly 20%) stands in stark contrast to the low incidence rate (less than 2-3%) of warm dusty debris around solar-type stars during the expected epoch of terrestrial planet assembly (roughly 10 Myr).
Milankovitch Cycles of Terrestrial Planets in Binary Star Systems
The habitability of planets in binary star systems depends not only on the radiation environment created by the two stars, but also on the perturbations to planetary orbits and rotation produced by the gravitational field of the binary and neighbouring planets.
Venus-like Exoplanet Might Have Oxygen Atmosphere, But Not Life
The distant planet GJ 1132b intrigued astronomers when it was discovered last year. Located just 39 light-years from Earth, it might have an atmosphere despite being baked to a temperature of around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. But would that atmosphere be thick and soupy or thin and wispy? New research suggests the latter is much more likely.
Tidal Heating of Young Super-Earth Atmospheres
Short-period Earth to Neptune size exoplanets (super-Earths) with voluminous gas envelopes seem to be very common. These gas atmospheres are thought to have originated from the protoplanetary disk in which the planets were embedded during their first few Myr.
Revised Properties of Kepler M Dwarf Stars and Their Planets
We classified the reddest (r-J> 2.2) stars observed by the NASA Kepler mission into main sequence dwarf or evolved giant stars and determined the properties of 4216 M dwarfs based on a comparison of available photometry with that of nearby calibrator stars, as well as available proper motions and spectra.
Identifying Planetary Biosignature Impostors
O2 and O3 have been long considered the most robust individual biosignature gases in a planetary atmosphere, yet multiple mechanisms that may produce them in the absence of life have been described.
Phase Changes in the Climate Dynamics of Tidally Locked Terrestrial Exoplanets
We investigate 3D atmosphere dynamics for tidally locked terrestrial planets with an Earth-like atmosphere and irradiation for different rotation periods (Prot=1100 days) and planet sizes (RP=12REarth) with unprecedented fine detail.
HD 80606: Searching the Chemical Signature of Planet Formation
Binary systems with similar components are ideal laboratories which allow several physical processes to be tested, such as the possible chemical pattern imprinted by the planet formation process.
Habitable Planet Catalog
Looking for another Earth? An international team of researchers has pinpointed which of the more than 4,000 exoplanets discovered by NASA's Kepler mission are most likely to be similar to our rocky home.
« Extrasolar Planets: July 2016 | Home | Extrasolar Planets: September 2016 »


Cityside Bar is located in the busy center of Cleveland Circle. The décor is extremely simple and modern, with huge wall-to-wall windows that make the ambiance bright and open. Based on the additional upstairs dining area, two large bars, and TV's everywhere, we assume the restaurant's most popular time and purpose is game-days. The brunch menu is of medium size; there are a few diverse options that stand out, such as the Italian frittata and Croque Madame, but aside from that all the food is typical American fare. We LOVE the prices which are all on the low side, especially the brunch drinks, which are a good $4-$5 cheaper than what you'd find anywhere downtown—major plus. The portion sizes are great, but the actual food quality and taste are both average. We're a huge fan of the fore-mentioned frittata, which is a delicious, cheesy blend of pancetta, artichoke, and roasted tomato on an open face omelet. You also can't go wrong with their breakfast burrito, because a combo of eggs, beans, and pico-de-gallo is impossible to turn down. The hashbrowns that come with the meals look deceptively yummy, but are disappointingly bland. The service quality is also a bit questionable. After sending back an incorrect omelet order we were brought a "new one" which after close examination was determined to be the exact same omelet we'd sent back! Like same plate, same wrong food, same bite taken out of it from our initial sample. Fortunately they took it off our bill, but come on. Despite one bad and hopefully rare experience, Cityside is an overall decent place for brunch, especially if you're coming to watch a game or for the "boozy brunch" experience.


The small size runs a little big.
This was my first Savage X Fenty order, and of this and five other different styles of underwear, this is the only style that fits kind of tight and isn't entirely comfortable when I'm seated. It might just be the way I am shaped, but it seemed more narrow through the crotch and lower set in the back and on the hips. The material is very soft, the cut is classic, and the pattern is super fun - very vibrant colors.


text:
/* globals requier module */

"use strict";

module.exports = function(City) {
    return {
        createCity(name) {
            // createCity("") - така си създаваме нов обект
            var city = new City({
                name
            });

            return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
                city.save((err) => {
                    if (err) {
                        return reject(err);
                    }

                    return resolve(city);
                });
            });
        },
        getAllCities() {
            return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
                City.find((err, cities) => {
                    if (err) {
                        return reject(err);
                    }
                    return resolve(cities)
                });
            });
        },
    };
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Horizontal Directional Drilling Contractors
There are many directional drilling contractors in the industry today who claim to perform the services you and your company require. None of these companies, however, has the experience, professionalism, or impressive history that distinguishes Southeast Directional Drilling. Southeast Directional Drilling is a leading horizontal directional drilling company with many years of experience handling the most challenging projects all over the world.
Our management team looks like a "who's who" of pipelining and directional drilling. With a combined history exceeding 100 years of experience, our management team brings the knowledge and experience required to succeed in even the most remote, treacherous places. We've completed projects all over the world for gas companies, oil companies, governments, and contractors. No matter what the terrain or project, Southeast Directional Drilling is the company to call to get it done right, to get it done fast, and to get it done affordably.
Take a look at some of our recent projects and you can see some truly impressive accomplishments. In Trinidad, we pulled a 56 inch pipeline through three bores each at least 2200 feet long. A 72 inch hole was required to house the 56 inch pipeline, making this a record setting project. We're also responsible for an 800 feet deep directionally drilled river crossing, the deepest one in North America. These are only two of the many successful projects we're proud to have been a part of.
Of course, a directional drilling contractor is only as good as its equipment and personnel. That's why we use only the finest drilling rigs, reamers, tensor steering tools, trucks, navigation equipment, environmental gear, and only recruit the finest employees available. To discuss an upcoming project or to request a bid, please contact our estimating team on our contact us page.
Overcoming the Obstacles
Southeast Directional Drilling Prepared for All Soil Conditions
After years of preparation, work on the Northern Natural Gas (NNG) Cedar Station Upgrade in Dakota County, Minnesota (US), was completed in the autumn of 2019. Approximately eight miles (12.9 km) of 20 in. (50.8 cm) steel pipeline was installed around the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan. The new pipeline loops NNG's Rosemount Junction to the Minneapolis No. 1 branch line, and is part of a 14 700 mile (23 657.4 km) pipeline connecting from Texas through Minnesota to upper Michigan.
The bulk of the work on the Cedar Station Upgrade project …
SEDD Awarded Arthur T. Everham Award for Outstanding Safety Performance
Southeast Directional Drilling (SEDD) was awarded the Arthur T. Everham Award for Outstanding Safety Performance at the Distribution Contractor's Association (DCA) 56th annual convention in Nassau, Bahamas on March 6, 2019.
The DCA has been recognizing top-quality safety with this award since 1986 and is judges companies based on number of man hours worked within the judging period. SEDD was in the 200,000 to 599,000 hours division and this was their first time winning the award.
"This has been one of the best safety years we've had in the history of SEDD," says Director of Safety and Transportation Dana …


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Do Chelsea need a fresh start? Where it has gone wrong for Lampard at Stamford Bridge
By Guy Atkinson 5 January 2021 120
He has only been in charge since July 2019 but Frank Lampard's reign as Chelsea boss is seemingly under considerable threat.
Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City – a game in which Lampard said his side were taught "serious lessons" – was the Blues' fourth Premier League defeat since the start of December, when they fleetingly topped the table.
Only relegation favourites West Brom (five) and Sheffield United (six) have suffered more in the same period.
The loss leaves them on 26 points – three fewer than they had at the same stage last season – with history showing the west London outfit have never finished higher than sixth when amassing no more than that number of points after 17 games.
It marks a sorry transformation in fortunes for Lampard, who is the club's record goalscorer and one of its most beloved former players.
Here, we look at what has gone wrong for the 42-year-old this season and assess who might replace him, should Blues owner Roman Abramovich decide a change is required.
4 - Since the start of December, only West Bromwich Albion (5) and Sheffield United (6) have lost more Premier League games than Chelsea (4). Concerning. pic.twitter.com/APVKTh15Wg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2021
Big names not performing
Lampard oversaw a spend of more than £220million in the most recent transfer window, but his two marquee signings have failed to deliver.
Timo Werner arrived from RB Leipzig in a £47m deal after scoring 28 goals and making eight for his team-mates last season.
He has contributed four goals and as many assists in his 17 league appearances for the Blues this term, however, while his touches in the opposition box have fallen from an average of 7.65 per game in the 2019-20 season to 5.29 with Chelsea.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's go pic.twitter.com/dwtryF2euR
— Timo Werner (@TimoWerner) January 1, 2021
He is not the only Bundesliga import struggling, though, and Lampard could do with the real Kai Havertz standing up.
Given he cost Chelsea a fee in the region of £70m when coming in from Bayer Leverkusen, the Chelsea boss would have anticipated more than one goal in his first 15 Premier League games.
Havertz's role at Chelsea may not be exactly as it was at Leverkusen and the 21-year-old has had to contend with a bout of COVID-19, but he is spending the bulk of his time in the same areas of the field and not coming up with the same goods.
He has had just two big chances compared to the 18 he enjoyed during his final campaign with Leverkusen, while his average of 2.5 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes in England's top flight is comfortably shy of the 5.1 he had in his final season in Germany.
High-profile coaches lurking
There are a number of significant names waiting in the wings should Lampard be given the boot.
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with the position in recent days and the Northern Irishman has strong links to the club. He was appointed their head youth coach in 2004 before being promoted to reserve team manager two years later.
He guided the Foxes to fifth place last season – just four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea – and has overseen an impressive start to this campaign, with the club third after winning 10 of their opening 17 games.
19 – Leicester's start is the 19th time a top-flight side have won least seven of their first nine away league games of a season – none of the previous 18 have finished outside of the top four, whilst 50% of those sides have gone on to win the division that season. Contenders? pic.twitter.com/sue0LMAXPb
Thomas Tuchel would also likely be near the front of the queue after his dismissal as Paris Saint-Germain boss at the end of December.
Maurizio Sarri was in charge before Lampard and the club might opt to return to Italy for their next man, with Massimiliano Allegri still out of work.
The 53-year-old left Juventus at the end of the 2018-19 campaign after securing his fifth consecutive Serie A title in charge of the Bianconeri - the kind of record surely guaranteed to turn Abramovich's head.
Not all doom and gloom
While Lampard does have the lowest points-per-game ratio of any permanent Chelsea manager since Abramovic took over the club in 2003 (1.67 per game), there is some cause for optimism for the former England midfielder.
The Blues play sides from the bottom half of the Premier League table in five of their next seven top-flight matches, while they can prepare for that run with what looks like an easy FA Cup third-round clash against Morecambe, should the weekend tie even go ahead as the League Two outfit grapple with a coronavirus outbreak.
Despite results not going in their favour over recent weeks, Lampard's side are scoring more goals and conceding fewer than they did last season. On average, they are scoring 1.9 goals per game this season compared to 1.8 last term and are letting in 1.2 per game this time around compared to 1.4 in the 2019-20 season.
The Blues have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the #UCL! #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/Oywqiadw9k
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 14, 2020
There is also the small matter of the Champions League knockout stages to look forward to after they came out on top of Group E with four wins from their six games.
Atletico Madrid await in the last 16 and Lampard will dearly hope he is still in a position to pit his wits against Diego Simeone come the first leg on February 23.
Guy Atkinson


Yesterday's historic "420" rally in Denver, the first since Colorado voted to legalize marijuana last fall, was marred and cut short by violence. Two unidentified gunmen shot and wounded three people -- two attendees were shot in the leg and were rushed to a nearby hospital with "non-life-threatening-injuries," and a teen was grazed by a bullet and walked there, according to the Denver Post. Attendees fled the scene, and the remainder of the event as well a smaller one planned for today were canceled.
It was not the kind of day those three people or their friends had planned, and that's the most important thing to keep in mind. It was also not the kind of day that thousands attending including many who traveled from afar had planned either. It's lucky there were no trampling injuries, at least no serious ones, apparently.
Without forgetting what's most important -- the people most directly affected -- it's also worth noting that this is obviously not the kind of headline that legalization advocates wanted. The story had the top spot on Google News for a time last night, and continues to hold front page placement as I write this. That's an unfortunate accomplishment, particularly after the grim and violent week we just lived through. But does it hurt the cause?
After looking through news reports, I don't think so. The only criticism of the idea of the rally was from a Colorado anti-marijuana group, appearing well toward the end of the article. Most of it was sympathetic reporting about the victims, about organizers cooperating with police, police looking for information on the suspects, who the musical acts were, how police even before Amendment 64 passed had focused on crowd safety rather than marijuana enforcement during Denver's 420 events. I have not yet seen any quotes suggesting that marijuana use had any connection to the violence, though I've not done an exhaustive search.
Of course there's an opportunity cost from this unfortunate story replacing the story we'd hoped for of legal marijuana becoming a mainstream, accepted reality. And it's hard to know whether the coverage reflects maturation on the part of the media's treatment of the marijuana issue, vs. the violence forcing things into perspective. But I lean toward the former, and there's some comfort from seeing marijuana reformers and public safety personnel so clearly on the same side. At least that's how it looks from a distance. Our movement is part of larger society, and we are vulnerable to all the same dangers.
Let's hope the victims' injuries are no worse than reported, and for their swift recovery.
A few of the testimonials we received this year -- and reasons to support our work with a donation!
Drug War Chronicle is one of the first resources I suggest to new students getting involved in the drug policy reform movement. There's nothing else out there that covers a wider variety of drug war issues each week. SSDP loves Drug War Chronicle, keep up the great work!
Drug War Chronicle has, for years, provided a vital and unparalleled source of rational, fact based analysis on the US Drug War for readers in the UK and Europe. Congratulations to the team are fully deserved; when the Drug war ends, the role of the Chronicle in its downfall will not be forgotten.
On behalf of California NORML, I strongly recommend the Drug War Chronicle. DWC consistently provides the most comprehensive, reliable, in-depth coverage of drug issues for the reform community. When Phil Smith calls me, I know that he will accurately report what I have said. DWC is a valuable resource, and I often consult its archives for background research on issues of interest.
Oaksterdam University has long enjoyed sharing the information compiled by Drug War Chronicle with students of the History of Cannabis and Marijuana Prohibition. DWT excerpts are informative and helpful to our Legal, Politics & History classes, as well as Civics, Dispensary Management and Operations, and Advocacy courses. One of the most important services we provide is the ability to bridge to sources of good information, and I have long considered you one of our vital resources. It is simply one of the most comprehensive sources I direct my students towards. Your website and communications are a cornerstone of our Political Science department, and provide important lessons for anyone involved with Cannabusiness or drug policy reform.
The West Coast Leaf always looks to the Drug War Chronicle to help us determine the most important stories for our newspaper. Its in-depth coverage is top-notch, providing a well-rounded perspective on the news, along with quotes from drug policy's doers and shakers. At times, we use the stories as well (with all due credit) so the impact of the Chronicle is amplified in print edition. It's a vital resource in activating the masses with relevant information needed to make reform happen.
StoptheDrugWar.org was founded by David Borden in 1993 as the Drug Reform Coordination Network (DRCNet), the pioneer organization for online activism in drug policy reform during the early days of the commercial internet. Since its inception the organization has staked out a clear and unambiguous stance in favor of ending drug prohibition outright.
In 1997, the organization launched a weekly newsletter, originally titled The Week Online with DRCNet and now known as Drug War Chronicle. The Chronicle is a high-quality, in-depth, widely-read and frequently cited educational report covering the full range of drug policy issues. The Chronicle is also a platform for the movement as a whole, highlighting the work of our allied organizations and providing a platform for their leaders.
In late 1998, the organization launched the Higher Education Act Reform (HEA) Campaign, opposing a law passed that year taking financial aid away from students because of drug convictions. Ten members of Congress participated in a press conference organized in 2002 by DRCNet under the umbrella of the Coalition for Higher Education Reform, a record still in place for a drug policy reform press conference. The coalition achieved a partial reform to the law in 2006, when it was limited to offenses committed while a student is in school and receiving federal aid -- one of only a few scale-backs to the federal drug war to date. A further reform that would have further limited the law's reach to sales convictions passed the House of Representatives, but the section of the education package that contained the language was removed when Democrats combined it with health care reform in 2010 as part of their strategy to pass both bills.
Ten members of Congress spoke at a 2002 press conference we organized calling for repeal of a law denying college aid to students because of drug convictions. Pictures: Rep. (now Sen.) Tammy Baldwin at podium, with Reps. Barbara Lee, Bobby Rush, Elijah Cummings and Rob Andrews.
Through the HEA campaign, together with outreach on our email list and the work of our staff and student partners, we launched Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) into an independent national organization. Media outreach conducted jointly by the two organizations from 1999 through 2002 garnered coverage in most national media outlets. StoptheDrugWar.org also sponsored a scholarship fund supporting students losing aid under the law, the John W. Perry Fund, honoring a widely admired police officer who lost his life at the World Trade Center, who had been active in the drug policy reform movement.
In late 2001 StoptheDrugWar.org launched "Out from the Shadows: Ending Drug Prohibition in the 21st Century," a global campaign and conference series. The lead event took place in Mérida, Mexico, drawing 300 attendees including legislators from seven countries. At the time Out from the Shadows Mérida featured the most extensive high level political participation ever seen at a drug policy reform conference.
Sen. Carlos Gaviria Diaz at our 2003 Latin American drug legalization conference, discussing the ruling he authored as Chief Justice of Colombia's Constitutional Court legalizing personal drug possession.
In August 2006, we redesigned our web site and expanded our web site content model, incorporating a daily blog and other new content types, and shifting our newsletter itself from a weekly to a daily publishing model. Another site redesign was performed in 2010, and during that year StoptheDrugWar.org web site traffic first exceeded two million unique visitors. Today StoptheDrugWar.org content continues to be reprinted and widely made use of by organizations around the world. Site content is regularly cited or reprinted on top-read sites such as Alternet and Andrew Sullivan's "The Dish" blog.
In this time of scarcer funding, StoptheDrugWar.org has continued our primary focus on publishing and information, while also taking on areas of importance to drug policy reform in which we are in a position to make an impact through targeted efforts. Through our network of organizational contacts built in the HEA campaign, we play an important role in DC-based justice reform working groups, recruiting signatories for sign-on letters to Congress. In September 2012 we held our first in a series of member teleconferences, this one featuring representatives of the three legalization initiatives. We are currently in the process of developing a set of new content areas for our web site and social media that will focus new attention on the harms of drug prohibition and alternatives.
Live video feed from the Oakland "Save Harborside" medical marijuana protest.
Obama is scheduled to arrive at the fundraiser at 4:30pm PST -- protest goes until 6:00pm PST.
July 23rd, 3:30 PM OBAMA KEEP YOUR PROMISE!
Protest federal cannabis raids when the President visits Oakland, the target of DOJ raids on Harborside, Oaksterdam U., and other medical cannabis centers.
Bronner said he was waging a "beer bet" with President Obama that the hemp plants are not marijuana and have no drug value. The plants were grown from Canadian hemp seed, and under Canadian regulations, hemp can have no more than 0.3% THC, meaning the plants have no use as a medicinal or recreational drug.
"The industrial hemp plants I am harvesting and processing into oil cannot produce a high of any kind, but according to the Obama administration I'm in possession of approximately 10 pounds of marijuana," said Bronner. "President Obama's US Attorney who handles drug cases in Washington, DC will not be able to prove my hemp has any more drug value than a poppy seed bagel. The Obama position on hemp is not science-based or good for the US economy. We've lobbied and campaigned for over a decade and feel abandoned by our president, who as an Illinois state legislator voted twice for hemp cultivation."
Activists at Vote Hemp, with which Bronner is affiliated, held meetings with the Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2010 to seek a change in hemp policy, but that effort went nowhere. They then took advantage of the White House's public online petition program to ask it to revise US drug policies to allow for domestic hemp production -- it took a federal court order several years ago to force the DEA to allow hemp products to be imported -- but after a seven month delay, all they got was a slap in the face.
That slap came in the form of a one-paragraph response from ONDCP head Gil Kerlikowske entitled "What We Have to Say About Marijuana and Hemp Production."
"America's farmers deserve our Nation's help and support to ensure rural America's prosperity and vitality," Kerlikowske wrote. "Federal law prohibits human consumption, distribution, and possession of Schedule I controlled substances. Hemp and marijuana are part of the same species of cannabis plant. While most of the THC in cannabis plants is concentrated in the marijuana, all parts of the plant, including hemp, can contain THC, a Schedule I controlled substance. The administration will continue looking for innovative ways to support farmers across the country while balancing the need to protect public health and safety."
"I expected more from President Obama," Bronner said. "The president can simply direct the Department of Justice to respect industrial hemp grown pursuant to existing state hemp programs, such as North Dakota's. Everyone is sick and tired of America's bankrupt policy on hemp that forces our company to send well over a hundred thousand dollars every year to Canadian farmers. I had hoped that President Obama would not succumb to drug warriors' hysteria regarding hemp. I really don't know what else to do to get our 'Chief Law Enforcement Officer' to take a rational science-based approach to hemp policy in this country."
If the administration won't act, perhaps Congress will. Last week, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) cosponsored an amendment to the Agriculture Department reauthorization bill. That amendment clarifies that hemp is an "agricultural crop" and should not be considered the same as marijuana.
While Bronner and other hemp activists support that effort, they argue that it's not the law but its deliberate misreading that is at the root of the problem.
"Senator Wyden's effort is truly commendable, but in my view the existing prohibition of hemp farming stems less from current law than the deliberate misinterpretation of existing law by regressive drug warriors entrenched in the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and other high level members of the Obama Administration," Bronner said.
Now, with civil disobedience within eyeshot of the White House, the hempsters are hoping to up the pressure on the White House to act.
Drug War Chronicle: You have been making efforts to get the Obama administration to reassess its hemp policy. How has that been going?
David Bronner: It's been incredibly frustrating. It's been clear for some time that Obama is being incredibly lame on this. It took them seven months to answer our hemp petition, and when they did, it was with this Orwellian response calling hemp marijuana and opposing legalization. They also refused to meet with a North Dakota delegation, where everyone from the governor on down wants to grow hemp, so what are we going to do?
Chronicle: And now we have the Wyden-Paul amendment. What do you think of that and what are its chances?
Bronner: The introduction of the Wyden amendment is good news. Rand Paul came on board, too. The drug warriors will try to strip it out of the farm bill, of course, but maybe the energy out of this civil disobedience action will do the trick. The introduction of the amendment last week certainly sets up this action nicely.
Chronicle: You will be transporting hemp plants to the vicinity of the White House and processing them to produce hemp oil, but the federal government doesn't differentiate hemp from marijuana. You're going to have about 10 pounds of hemp. Aren't you worried about the possible legal consequences?
Bronner: Yeah, although I do expect to eventually be arrested. I'll plead not guilty; this isn't marijuana. I'll fight them all the way, unless all they want to do is give me something like a traffic ticket. Medical marijuana has provided many opportunities for civil disobedience, but hemp is different. You're not going to have a farmer spending months growing a hundred acres for an act of civil disobedience, so I'm doing it.
Chronicle: But it's not just about hemp or what goes on in Washington, DC, for you, is it?
Bronner: We just gave $50,000 to the cannabis legalization campaign in Colorado. Although that initiative does direct the legislature to enact a hemp farming program, this is mainly about legalization. We'll give money to the Washington state effort, too, because once one or two states go, there will be a seismic shift, and the prohibition of hemp will become increasingly lame and untenable.


Wacey Finkbeiner is making his Global Cup debut this June. Photo: Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com.
PUEBLO, Colo. – Like many Canadians, Wacey Finkbeiner struggled last season with the decision to compete at the qualifier for the inaugural Global Cup or attend the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR).
Both events were taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, on the same dates, and Finkbeiner ultimately decided to skip the first Global Cup event.
"That was pretty hard to miss," the Ponoka, Alberta-native said. "Like I was for damn sure cheering for those guys, but it's different when we're at two different arenas and two different crowds.
And when the roster of those set to represent the Maple Leaf at the next installment of the Global Cup in Sydney, Australia was released, he was disappointed to not see his name.
"I was pretty disappointed," Finkbeiner said. "Well, my own showing at the PBR [Canada] Finals last year, I had a weak finals, and then made CFR, so I wasn't real surprised I wasn't on the team to begin with, but I was pretty disappointed in myself not being on it to begin with.
Finkbeiner will now have the opportunity to ride for his home nation after all.
Team Canada head coach Aaron Roy named Finkbeiner to the team this week following the news that Jordan Hansen will be sidelined the next several months with a broken vertebrae and hip.
"When you get the Canada flag on your back and you're in a different country, and all of your buddies are there, I think it's going to be badass," Finkbeiner said.
After concluding the 2017 season ranked No. 33 in the PBR Canada national standings, capped by a 0-for-2 effort in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for the Finals, Finkbeiner has been electric in 2018.
Riding at six Canadian Touring Pro Division and Monster Energy Tour events, the 25-year-old has recorded five Top-10 efforts, highlighted by a second-place finish in early May in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
"It's going to be probably a little bit more added pressure because it's your entire country.
Finkbeiner will be joined in Sydney by fellow Team Canada riders Dakota Buttar, Tanner Byrne, Brock Radford, Zane Lambert, Lonnie West, Jared Parsonage and Justin Lloyd for the event on June 9-10 at Qudos Bank Arena.
And while he was excited to receive the opportunity to compete on Team Canada, the call came with added significance as the message was coming from arguably one of the most accomplished bull riders in Canadian history – Roy.
"Well with the career he's had and what he's done for Team Canada over the years back when they used to have it all the time, the stuff he's done for Canada as far as Canadian bull riders is pretty big, so to get the call from him, that was pretty cool," Finkbeiner said.
Prior to making the near 12-hour flight to Australia, Finkbeiner plans to compete at the Canadian Touring Pro Division stop in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and Monster Energy Tour event in Moncton, New Brunswick, with his schedule after to be decided.


Christian is good at his job. In fact, he's the very best. His most recent assignment is about to change his life. Christian will be forced to choose between the life he has always known and the one that might be. Christian's faith will be tested as he sets out on a dangerous journey to save Allie, the woman who will forever change his life. Hutter creates a vivid picture of a world caught between heaven and hell. This visual novel will catch your attention and make you question what you think you already know.