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5th Nongsa Regatta 2020 – Day 3
20th January 2020 /in Competitive Racing, Nongsa Regatta, Regattas, Sailing /by CSC
With the prize presentation and closing ceremony taking place at 4pm, the starting signal for the first race was scheduled an hour earlier, at 11am. The 6th race of the series commenced on time, accompanied by a fresh NE wind blowing through the course.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for SMUve this regatta, but they managed to sail an excellent race to secure a second bullet in Race 6. finishing just 5 seconds behind Waka Tere, they won comfortably on handicap. Careless mistakes and little errors continue to haunt SMUmad, as they struggle to find the form they had on day 1. With no bullets and a best result of 2nd on the final day, she ties points with SMUve and surrenders the overall 2nd position due to the lack of firsts. Waka Tere's performance throughout this regatta was good, but was well tested by the SMU Sailing Teams, resulting in some very close racing. She scored 5 bullets out of 7 races to successfully defend her title in the IRC Division.
A similar story played out in the PY Division, as Minx and Shengli took the battle for 2nd place down to the final race. A good start from Shengli paved the way for a good performance all round in the final race, keeping close to both Quarterdeck and Minx throughout the course – eventually finishing just under 45 seconds behind them! With Minx's and Quarterdeck's handicaps brought down significantly from their good performances over the first 2 days, Shengli managed to steal her first bullet in Race 7. The victory gave her the win over Minx for 2nd place overall. Despite scoring 4th for the final race, Quarterdeck had done enough to claim the PY title for 2020 with 9 points. Although they were not in the running for podium, it was heartening to see Olmeto push their boat hard to earn a well-deserved 2nd-place finish in the final race – a sweet end to the regatta and the weekend!
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you Sailors for participating in the 5th Nongsa Regatta! Special thanks to the Riau Island Governor and Riau Island Tourism Office for gracing the prize giving and closing ceremony. In addition, big thank you to the Jury Panel chaired by Mr Leonard Chin (MAS) for keeping the sailors disciplined both on water and on land.
The phenomenal conditions at Nongsa, Batam during the NE Monsoon, paired alongside the great hospitality and facilities from Nongsa Point Marina & Resort resulted in a fantastic regatta enjoyed by all, and we hope to return in 2021 with an even bigger fleet from Singapore!
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https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_2901-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 CSC https://www.csc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/changi_sailing_club_logo_round.png CSC2020-01-20 21:54:442020-01-20 22:06:395th Nongsa Regatta 2020 – Day 3
Day 2 of the 5th Nongsa Regatta brought more action and excitement, with the NE Monsoon delivering over 15 knots of winds!
The 2 Platus in the IRC Division set the tempo for the day, taking 1st and 2nd in Race 3, out-sailing defending champions Waka Tere. SMUve had a superb race, not only winning on handicap, but taking line honours as well. However, their joy was shortlived – with the winds picking up in race 2 and 3, together with some poor tactical decisions from the University Teams, Waka Tere quickly capitalized and secured victory for both races. It was a pity that Rainbow Dream could not settle their crew documentation issues in time, as they would have provided a good challenge in the IRC fleet.
In the PY Division, Quarterdeck's series of bullets came to a halt in race 4, which could have been attributed to a headsail halyard issue after the start. She bounced back to sail well in the Distance Course (Race 5), taking line honours and the win on corrected time! It was a good day out for Minx, scoring a consistent 2nd place finish in all 3 races to earn a victory for Day 2 and overtake Shengli in the Overall results. Sangaree scored a 3rd and 1st in Race 3 and 4 to mount a strong comeback in day 2. Thriving in the stronger winds and churning seas, it was unfortunate that she got grounded during the Distance Course, forcing her to retire for Race 5. Despite that, she had done just enough to pip Shengli for 3rd in Day 2. Two 4th-place finishes for Olmeto gave the crew something to cheer about – she will be looking to ending the regatta on a high, possibly targeting a top 3 finish for the remaining 2 races.
Two more races to go – good luck to all participants for the 3rd and final day of the Nongsa Regatta!
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The Nongsa Regatta is an annual event which sees participants from various classes racing and enjoying the prevailing NE breeze off the coast of Nongsa Point Marina, Batam. Now into its 5th Edition, the Keelboat Class comprises of 9 keelboats – of which 4 are in IRC and 5 in PY. It was great to see 3 boats from Changi Sailing Club participating for the first time in this regatta (Olmeto, Minx & Sangaree). The new entrants are all strong contenders for the 2020 PY title, with Olmeto winning many of the CSC Club races, Minx returning 2nd in her class in the 2019 Raja Muda International Regatta as well as Sangaree, the 2019 Western Circuit Regatta champion. The event also boasts returning boats with strong racing pedigree, as they were joined by fellow CSC boat and reigning IRC champion Waka Tere together with 2019 Raja Muda International Regatta Class 3 winners, Rainbow Dream. Despite some hiccups with the port clearance in Singapore, SMU Sailing once again fields 4 boats for this event – (SMUmad, SMUve, Quarterdeck and Shengli). The university teams bring with them a vast experience competing in one-design championships both locally and abroad.
Day 1 of racing was held in some interesting conditions, with the first race taking place in a fresh 10-12 knot NE winds, together with strong westbound tides. Defending IRC Champions Waka Tere scored 2 bullets to draw first blood, but the score did not reflect how competitive the margin of win over SMUmad was. Finishing just 30 seconds and 24 seconds ahead of the Platu in Race 1 & 2, the gap was reduced to 9 seconds and 2 seconds respectively when the handicaps were applied. Skipper Joel Tay from SMUmad will be looking to make amends in the coming races. SMUve now sits in 3rd, 2 points away from their sister boat. The team suffered a scare in race 1, with Skipper Bernice Foo having to execute a quick MOB drill when one of their crew fell overboard near the windward mark. Rainbow Dream did not have a good start to the regatta, missing Race 1 due to crew immigration woes and playing catch-up in Race 2 after a late start.
In the PY division, the J24s had an outstanding day, capitalizing on the mistakes of the bigger boats. The ease at which they performed their spinnaker hoist & drops during the mark roundings is testament to the amount of hours they have put into training. Quarterdeck now sits pretty on top with 2 bullets from both races. Shengli is not far in 2nd place, scoring a 3rd & 2nd for a total of 5 points. Olmeto, Sangaree and Minx struggled with various issues on water, and will have to return with no room for error, should they wish to stage a roaring comeback over the remaining 2 days.
Good luck to all participants, we look forward to more exciting racing this weekend.
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You are here: Home › Articles › US Prison Practices Would Disgrace a Nation of Savages: Texas—A Case on Record (2013)
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US Prison Practices Would Disgrace a Nation of Savages: Texas—A Case on Record (2013)
May 6, 2014 | Filed under: Articles	and tagged with: Texas Prison Conditions
For the Nonbelievers
How a society treats its prisoners not only reflects its level of civilization, but also reveals the true character and workings of its overall political system, despite how its proponents might portray it–which is certainly true of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Here in the US, where mass brainwash has been developed to levels unsurpassed by any other society in history, few dare to question what the government says in praise of itself or in criticism of others.
All the average person needs to hear is that some anonymous "government official said . . . ," and they faithfully accept whatever follows. But let one criticize this system, and they must produce a mountain of evidence and 'credible' sources in support, if they're to be given even passing consideration.
This is why this article, which follows many that I've written bearing witness to the foul nature of US prisons, will be based on documented government findings and records. The focus of this discussion will be on the TDCJ, where I've found myself recently confined and was sent by Virginia and Oregon prison officials in undeniable revenge for my various exposés of and involvement in struggles against abusive conditions and practices in their prison systems, where I was previously confined.
It's All on Record
The record on which I will rely arose in a federal lawsuit that has spanned over 40 years and was first titled David Ruiz v. W. J. Estelle (Ruiz).1
I will often quote directly from the court's findings in that case showing the heinous conditions and abuses in the TDCJ, which continue and which I've personally witnessed and experienced since being here.
To Silence Those Who Expose
When I first arrived in the TDCJ on June 14, 2013, officials acknowledged knowing my history of writing to expose prison abuses and litigating against and otherwise challenging such conditions. In turn on that very date, I was attacked three separate times by TDCJ officials while handcuffed, and assured that I'll be broken or killed.
They destroyed my address book, targeting my lines of communication to the outside, and have made repeated efforts to provoke reactions from me that will in turn speciously justify their escalating further violence against me, with the intent of acting out their threats on my life.
I've never taken the bait, however.
In just my first two weeks in the TDCJ, I witnessed and endured all manner of lawless abuses, which were the subject of my earlier article titled, "The Texas Department of Cowboy Justice: A Case of Lawless Law Enforcement."2 Then by chance I discovered the Ruiz case, and, on reading its series of published rulings, came to realize that I was witnessing a long established and system-wide culture of open abuse, racism and terrorism, practiced by TDCJ officials against their prisoners, with approval from the highest levels of power in the Texas government. It also gave recorded proof that Virginia and Oregon officials had indeed deliberately chosen to send me to a prison system where officials were notoriously known and already inclined to openly use the most extreme abuses against dissenters, the object being to silence me.
All of which reflect today's general practice of US officials persecuting and terrorizing any and all who dare publicly reveal their lies and crimes, by making targeted examples of whistleblowers like Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and the unprecedented numbers of US intelligence agents who've been criminalized under the Obama administration for exposing official crimes. Not to mention the multitudes of non-imbedded independent journalists and news agencies that were killed and bombed by US forces and their allies in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, where US war crimes have been the order of the day.
What they fear is exposure. Exposure that reveals the lies, hypocrisy and illegitimacy of this system and discredits them. Exposure that has proven to spark mass awakening and upsurges that challenge and overthrow that power. This is why Confucius (a shrewd advisor to oppressive monarchs) recognized that the one thing a ruler must maintain at all costs to retain his power is the trust and confidence of the people he rules over. Which proves equally true today, where discredited governments have everywhere been facing mass uprisings that have seen them overthrown or fighting their own populations in efforts to hold on to their discredited power.
"My Enemies are the Nudists," Says the Naked Emperor
If US officials ever got their hands on foreign government records revealing abuses of the sort Ruiz found in the TDCJ, especially if it were an avowed enemy like the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, the world would have never heard the end of it.
Certainly one recalls the wide publicity given (by the US and Co.) to Aleksandar Solzhenitsyn's famous book The Gulag Archipelago, which appeared in many editions worldwide (he also won the Nobel Peace Prize). A book which has since been exposed as an item of false propaganda against the former Soviet Union based largely on rumors; Solzhenitsyn never tested the credibility of his sources and knowingly peddled sums of false information including about himself. Also the book was penned by others than just himself. That his life and works were largely manufactured and fabricated have been exposed in a thoroughly documented and detailed study.3
But Ruiz Isn't Fiction
Yet neither the world nor the US public knows anything about Ruiz and cases like it. However, US officials are quick to denounce anyone who'd claim US forces abuse prisoners they hold abroad, and dares one to even imagine that they might mistreat their own prisoners at home. But Ruiz blows the lid off this can of lies! Indeed the horror of TDCJ conditions and abuses were found to be so deplorable that the Ruiz court stated:
"It is impossible for a written opinion to convey the pernicious conditions and the pain and degradation which ordinary individuals suffer in TDCJ prison walls. . . ."
Ruiz—the Case
David Ruiz filed his federal lawsuit in 1972 against the then TDCJ director W.J. Estelle (after whom the notoriously abusive Estelle Unit prison was named).
The lawsuit challenged severe overcrowding (where prisoners under Third World-like conditions were made to live literally packed together into tiny cells and dormitories like sardines); lack of mental health and medical care (the vast majority of TDCJ prisoners–some 68%–suffer mental illness yet received no care, and medical care was substandard to nonexistent, leaving prisoners to suffer with untreated diseases, broken bones, etc.; in fact untrained prisoners often acted as medical staff); systemic beatings by guards and predatory violence and rapes of prisoners by other prisoners (at such epidemic levels that a climate of "violence and terror reigned"4 ); officials obstructing prisoners efforts to use the courts to protect their basic rights (including by beating and harassing them, obstructing attorney-client contacts, filing bogus disciplinary reports against them, etc.); abusive and arbitrary solitary confinement and disciplinary practices; torturous conditions of confinement in segregation; severe understaffing and use of prisoners (known as "Building Tenders") to violently run the prison housing units in lieu of guards; lack of adequate food; and overall failure to provide safe confinement conditions for TDCJ prisoners, etc.
That the prisoners were able to challenge the TDCJ's barbaric conditions at all was uncommon, and turned on the fact that the Texas federal courts were suddenly willing to expend the necessary resources to accommodate hearing such a case, and appointed a judge from an entirely different district to preside over it, namely Judge William Wayne Justice.
The court's actions were part of the US government's panicked response to mass uprisings fueled by exposures of its criminal practices at home and abroad that officials admitted nearly toppled the US government. US prisoners were a significant driving force in this movement, and were exposing to a horrified public the cruel reality of the US prison system, and the role of prisons in countering such mass movement. In response and in efforts to rechannel this energy, the federal courts began hurriedly opening their doors to prisoner lawsuits, reversing their decades-old "hands-off" policy towards prisoner litigation.
After much stonewalling and maneuvering to sabotage the case by TDCJ officials and their attorneys (the Texas Attorney General's office among them), the trial began in 1978 and "lasted longer than any prison case—and perhaps any civil rights case—in the history of American jurisprudence." At its conclusion, Justice found TDCJ officials guilty of every charged violation and criticized the fact that they'd lied throughout the proceedings to the bitter end, "refus[ing] to concede that any aspect of their operations were unconstitutional, and vigorously contested the allegations of the inmate class on every issue." ((Ruiz v. Estelle, 503 F supp 1265, 1390 (S.D. Tex. 1980).))
Justice was to observe that this
"epic trial in 1978 and 1979. . . offered a rare glimpse behind the walls that so conveniently shielded free world society from the barbaric living conditions of many of the approximately 25,000 individuals then incarcerated in the TDC prison system. . . [from which he found a] staggering magnitude of constitutional violations."5
Terrorists in Government
Throughout the proceedings the TDCJ acted at every turn to terrorize the prisoner plaintiffs and their witnesses off the case. From brutal beatings, to malicious transfers and hounding them at every TDCJ prison they went to, to throwing them into the hole on fabricated disciplinary charges, to harassing those who tried to use the law libraries, etc. In one case, they had one of the prisoner plaintiff's throat cut to "scare him off the Ruiz case."6
Terrorizing the prisoner participants was so persistent that the court issued 5 separate orders against the TDCJ, trying to protect the prisoners and ordering the abuses to stop. The orders went ignored, and the Texas Attorney General, in cahoots with it all, appealed to the 5th Circuit Appeals Court attempting to have them overturned, which the Appeals Court declined to do, finding the prisoners were suffering
"threats, intimidation, coercion, punishment, and discrimination, all in the face of protective orders to the contrary by the district court and our long standing rule that the right of a prisoner to have access to the courts to complain of conditions to his confinement shall not be abridged. . . . In light of TDCJ's past record and evidence of continuing unwillingness to respect plaintiffs' fundamental right to meaningful, unimpeded access to the courts, a detailed order for relief in this area will be required, and it will be necessary that TDCJ's compliance be closely monitored."7
Yet the abuses continued to such a degree that at the conclusion of the trial on September 20, 1979, the court ordered that all willing prisoner participants were to be removed from the TDCJ to serve out the remainder of the sentences in federal custody. "Eighty-one inmates subsequently elected to transfer, and all transfers had been accomplished by November 20, 1979."8
On April 20 and May 1, 1981, judgments were entered granting broad injunctive relief requiring the TDCJ to reduce overcrowding, increase its security and support staff, provide adequate medical and mental health care, bring living and working conditions into compliance with state health and safety standards, etc., and a court monitor was appointed to supervise compliance with the orders. The Appeals Court made some modifications to the relief but upheld the judgment.
But the state continually fought the case through a series of motions and appeals, and protracted negotiations that went on through the 1980's.
Finally, in March 1990, the court ordered the parties to negotiate a final resolution of all remedial issues, which took until July 1992, although the TDCJ had a motion filed in 1991 before the court (the US government jumped sides to join in the motion since the insurgent political climate of the 1960's-70's was long past), seeking to avoid any further remedial actions from the court, since they claimed drastic improvements had been made throughout the TDCJ, and that no serious claims of continuing unconstitutional conditions could be said to exist. The motion was denied. And in December 1992 after an evidentiary hearing, the negotiated agreement (consent decree) was accepted by the court.
Ruiz—Round Two
The state of Texas never stopped trying to end the Ruiz case to invalidate the consent decree. In 1996, they moved to vacate the consent decree lyingly claiming full compliance. A few months later, Congress passed the Prison Litigation Reform Act into law, which provided them with another avenue of seeking to overturn Ruiz.
The PLRA alongside rulings like Turner v. Safley,9 was enacted to turn the clock back to the days of the old "hands off" treatment of prisoner lawsuits; since opening the courthouse doors produced a flood of prisoner litigation seeking judicial protection against abusive conditions endemic to US prisons nationwide. Part of the PLRA allowed prison officials to get courts to terminate consent decrees against prison conditions unless the prisoners could show ongoing unconstitutional conditions on a systemwide level.10
So TDCJ filed a motion to terminate Ruiz under the PLRA; necessitating another trial in 1999 to determine if unconstitutional abuses persisted throughout the TDCJ. The court again found that systemwide barbaric conditions still existed, especially in the areas of guards frequently and gratuitously beating prisoners (usually while restrained in handcuffs), prisoner-on-prisoner violence caused by conditions in the TDCJ, and psychological torture caused by conditions in the administrative segregation units.
Up through trial TDCJ officials and their attorneys again acted at every turn to frustrate the progress of the case, refusing to cooperate with discovery and maneuvering to block the prisoners' lawyers and experts from entering TDCJ prisons. The courts overruled these efforts.
The conditions found to continue to exist in the TDCJ were again horrifying. The prisoners' experts who observed and investigated the conditions in the units included Dr. Craig Haney, Ph. D., J.D., Dr. Dennis M Jurczak, M.D. and long-time court monitor Allen Breed. All of whom were highly credentialed in their fields of expertise and had extensive experience in monitoring and reporting on conditions in prisons, particularly in the areas of mental health care, conditions of administrative segregation and uses of force by guards. Each of them found conditions and abuses in these areas in the TDCJ to be among the worst they'd ever seen.
Just Beat 'Em
Conditions with respect to guard assaults on prisoners and ad-seg were especially appalling. In describing the conditions the court found, I'll largely quote the court itself:
"The Texas prison system, having grown to incarcerate approximately 140,000 inmates in over 100 penal institutions, has instituted a complex web of policies and regulations designed to alleviate many, if not all, of the problems."11
Yet in the 1999 proceedings:
"the court was reacquainted with the culture of sadistic and malicious violence that continues to pervade the Texas prison system [and] violates contemporary standards of decency. . . ."12
"As with the conditions of inmate safety, the abuse of force has resulted not from deficient policies, but from the seeming inability of correctional officers to keep their hands off prisoners."13
"Plaintiffs presented this court with a collage of inmates' injuries—broken jaws, bruised faces, and broken bones, among others. These injuries were shown to be the results of wholly unnecessary physical aggression by prison employees. Unfortunately, the pattern of uncalled for 'slamming,' hitting, and kicking by corrections officers in the cellblocks of TDCJ-ID is so prevalent as to implicate the Constitution."14
"Plaintiffs' experts testified to the institution's reliance on force or threat of force for the control of people. . . .They cited examples of force being used simply to punish or hurt inmates, and frequent pushing, shoving, and other unnecessary physical contact. . . . Plaintiffs' expert Allen Breed, who had monitored the use of force in several other states, found Texas to be worse, in quantity and degree, than any other system he had seen. . . .Evidence demonstrated that inmates are being struck by officers with their fists—a practice deemed inappropriate by defendants' expert witness Gary DeLand; and that they suffer other injuries from officer actions. . . . Monitoring, supervision, grievance, and investigations processes were found to be inadequate to curb the excessive use of force. . . .The court determined that in numerous examples brought before it, no justification for use of force by TDCJ-ID officers existed, or the force used was disproportionate to the circumstances. The prevalence of excessive use of force was held to be cruel and unusual punishment.15
"It is notable that in almost every prison and jail civil action which [Allen F.] Breed was appointed by state and federal courts, he was responsible for monitoring excessive use of force. This makes all the more alarming the fact that Breed found in Texas more excessive force, in quantity and degree, than in any other state system he has seen."16
And the entire supervisory, grievance, and investigation processes within the TDCJ serve only to condone and continue such abuses. The court found that prisoners' properly filed grievances on specific matter
"were neither investigated nor thoroughly reviewed. The responses were often nothing more than standard stock responses [such as]. . . 'your allegations were denied'; 'no evidence could be found to support your claim'; 'This office will take no further action in this matter at this time.'17
"Evidence shows that prison officials abdicated their responsibility in the area of supervision of use of force. Prison officials permit officers to submit overly general incident reports, which do not always accurately reflect the gravity of the injury to inmates. Officials turn a blind eye to serious injuries that are unexplained or suspiciously explained. It is notable that defendants never acknowledged that there was a genuine problem to address. The extent to which excessive force is used in TDCJ, combined with the inability or failure of the prison system to control use of force incidents, reflects what can only be described as an affirmative management strategy to permit the use of excessive force for both punishment and deterrence. It is clear that while [the Internal Affairs Division] goes through the motions of filing paperwork on cases, it seldom finds officer misconduct. The result is to send a clear message to line staff that excessive force will be tolerated."18
As set out in my article on "The Texas Department of Cowboy Justice," I've experienced this sadistic culture of official violence as both witness and victim. It should be noted that the proceedings in 1999 and subsequently were not undertaken to alleviate the ongoing unlawful conditions, but only to determine if systematic abuses still existed at the level that required Ruiz to remain active and the 1992 consent decree to remain in effect, even though it was proven ineffective in eliminating the culture of violent abuse and ad seg torture, which continues to this day.
Amerika Definitely Does Torture
Alongside this the courts found TDCJ's ad-seg units to constitute "incubators of psychoses," due to the conditions of acute mental torture inflicted in them.
"Texas' administrative segregation units are virtual incubators of psychoses—seeding illness in otherwise healthy inmates and exacerbating illness in those already suffering from mental infirmities. . . ."19
"The administrative segregation units of the Texas prison system deprives inmates of the minimum necessities of civilized life. . . . Texas administrative segregation units violate [prisoners' constitutional] rights through extreme deprivations which cause profound pain and suffering."20
"The most compelling testimony on the appalling world of ad-seg came from Dr. Haney [,who] is perhaps the nation's leading expert in the area of penal institution psychology."21
"Based on his inspections at Eastham, Beto and the high security unit at Estelle, Dr. Haney found 'high numbers of prisoners were living in psychological distress and pain' and that these inmates live under a 'high risk of psychological harm. . . . '"22
"According to Dr. Haney, of the perhaps dozens of prisons he has visited and studied in his career, Texas' ad-seg units were 'as bad or worse than any I've ever seen.'"23
"Dr. Haney reported one instance in which he happened to see a man removed from his cell after having cut the veins in his arms and ankles. Again, Dr. Haney was told by prison employees that such occurrences happened regularly. . . . According to Dr. Haney, 'the level of desperation and despair in that particular facility as I saw it on the day I was there was unparalleled in my experience.'"24
"Dr. Haney also testified to the circular self-fulfilling purpose of ad-seg. Inmates in ad-seg are suffering such psychological desperation, he testified, that their behavior becomes worse and they become less able to conform to prison rules."25
The court found Dr. Haney's description of prisoners' suffering in TDCJ ad-seg units "harrowing." Here is some of what Dr. Haney described:
"The bedlam which ensued each time I walked out into one of those units, the number of people who were screaming, who were begging for help, for attention, the number of people who were smeared in feces, the intensity of the noise as people began to shout and ask, Please come over here. Please talk to me. Please help me. It was shattering. And as I discussed this atmosphere with the people who worked here, I was told that this was an everyday occurrence, and that there was nothing at all unusual about what I was seeing."26
The court also noted Dr. Jurczak's observations
"that administrated segregation [in TDCJ] is being used to warehouse mentally ill inmates in need for medical attention, and that the repressive conditions of administrative segregation activity actually harm such inmates.27
". . . Dr. Jurczak testified that the ad-seg system is destructive to all its occupants. 'I think it's a very destructive system. And I've been in many, many systems. . . and I've never seen one as repressive as I have seen in the TDCJ.'"28
In conclusion the court found:
"The level of deprivation of basic mental health needs marked by extreme social isolation and reduced environmental stimulation were determined to violate the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society. . . . Similarly, the defendants' deliberate indifference to the risks posed by subjecting mentally ill inmates to extended periods of confinement in administrative segregation was held to be constitutionally infirm."29
In another recent article, "Wasted Minds: An Insider's Look at the Torturous Effects of U.S. Solitary Confinement," I discuss the mentally damaging effects of solitary confinement on prisoners and give an account of Ellery Oliver, a TDCJ prisoner who has broken down psychologically under its conditions, and how his resultant behaviors negatively impact him and those around him.
Since being in the TDCJ I have witnessed already five beatings of prisoners: namely, on June 28, 2013, Joe Laws #553289 was brutally beaten by a group of riot armored guards and literally had his teeth kicked out as he lay on a cell floor defenseless at Estelle Unit; on August 7, 2013, at Estelle Unit, Dante Roberts #698422 was beaten at length while unconscious and with tape over his mouth by a group of riot armored guards (several of them the same guards who beat Laws), he did not regain consciousness for nearly an hour and awoke bloody and covered in bruises and cuts with both eyes swollen closed and black; on August 14, 2013, at Clements Unit, Reidie Jackson #1164177 was tackled and repeatedly punched in the face and head by prison guard Matthew Snead while handcuffed (Snead also dug his fingers into Jackson's eyes attempting to gouge them out); on August 22, 2013, at Clements Unit, Kendall Currenton #1562220 was sprayed with excessive quantities of OC gas then beaten by a group of riot armored guards during a cell extraction as Lieutenant Antonious Flanagan used his body to block a portable audio-video camera from recording the beating, leaving Currenton with a bloody face; on September 10, 2013 at Clements Unit, after being starved for nearly a week—being denied his meals—an obviously mentally disturbed prisoner, last name Recio, was slammed to the floor by Sergeant Andrew Gratz who jumped on Recio's head/neck with his knees.
I have also lived amid the exact sort of daily bedlam in ad-seg at Estelle and Clements Units that Dr. Haney described witnessing in the Ruiz case.
I've witnessed at least a dozen suicide attempts, several where the prisoners cut themselves open with razor blades—just as Dr. Haney observed. One prisoner, Allen Haynes, sliced his throat open on July 6, 2013, at Estelle Unit and was merely patched up and put right back into the same ad-seg wing. He then just two days later sliced the veins in his arms open and had to be rushed, bloody and unconscious, from the unit on a gurney, only to be patched up once again and brought right back to ad-seg.
The Same Ol' Same Ol'
Nothing has changed in the TDCJ with respect to pervasive guard assaults on prisoners and the torturous ad-seg conditions and its use to inflict mental suffering and injury, and to warehouse the mentally disabled. The ad-seg units are literally saturated with prisoners on psychotropic medications. Thus the same inadequate method of "treating" these prisoners still exists as the Ruiz court denounced over 40 years ago, namely by administering frequent doses of controlled, behavior-altering drugs. And there is, as I have noted, the same "large number of inmates [who] resort to self-mutilations and suicide attempts, as dramatic cries for help" who only go "ignored or punished."30
Another revealing article on the torturous conditions and effects of the TDCJs ad-seg units was written recently by TDCJ prisoner Kenneth "Haramia" Foster, titled "The Shock Doctrine in Texas Prisons."31
Despite the ongoing savage conditions in the TDCJ, prison officials have incessantly tried to end the Ruiz case. Indeed, they appealed the 1999 decision finding ongoing systemwide constitutional violation. On that appeal, the very judge, Reynoldo Garza, who first appointed Judge Justice to the Ruiz case in the 1970's implored Justice to finally close the case. The political climate of the 1970's was gone, and he didn't care about the indescribable sufferings of the prisoners. In a separate opinion in that 2001 appeal decision, Garza wrote to Justice:
"I write separately to urge Judge W. Justice to put an end to this case. I am sure that the conditions that existed when the consent decree was entered no longer exist, and I am sure many of those affected at the time are long gone from the penitentiary. If any of the present prisoners have need for some kind of help, they can file another lawsuit against the Texas Prison System, but this case has to be ended. I urge my good friend Judge W. Wayne Justice to do so if at all possible."32)
But Justice was not moved. He'd seen too much. In spite of the limits on his power to rein in the culture of abuse in Texas prisons, Justice refused to close the case. He found "new relief must. . . be fashioned to correct the continuing violations of the plaintiffs' constitutional rights." And in answer to Garza's appeals to friendship to end the case, Justice wrote, "So long as those conditions persist, the civil action will remain alive."33 And while the vile conditions indeed live on, I'm told that Justice has since died.
So when I hear and read US officials denouncing others as torturers, terrorists, and human rights violators, while promoting the US as a so-called model democracy which the world should follow and a leader of civilized principles, I merely look around me with eyes wide open. And often I think of Frederick Douglass's bitter rebuke of the US in 1852 when he was asked to give a July 4th commemoration speech celebrating so-called Independence Day when for his own brutally enslaved people, that holiday meant nothing but hypocrisy, where tyranny was pretentiously denounced, and the "shouts of liberty and equality [were but] hollow mockery," where their "prayers and hymns," "sermons and thanksgiving with all your parade and solemnity, are to [us slaves] mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety and hypocrisy," and all nothing but a "thin veil" to conceal practices "that would disgrace a nation of savages."
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Ruiz v. Estelle, Civil Action No. H-78-787 [↩]
http://rashidmod.com/?p+856 [↩]
Aleksandr V. Ostrovskii, Solzhenitsyn: Proshchanie s Miform ("Solzhenitsyn: Farewell to the Myth") Moscow: I Auza (2004). [↩]
Ruiz v. Estelle, 503 F supp 1265, 1303 (S.D. Tex. 1980). [↩]
Ruiz v. Johnson, 37 F supp. 2d 855, 860 (S.D. Tex. 1999) [↩]
Op cit. note 4, pp. 1295, 1369 n 60 [↩]
Ibid. pp. 1372-73. quoting, Ruiz v. Estelle, 550 F. 2d 238, 239 (5th cir 1977) [↩]
Ibid p. 1276 n. 4 [↩]
Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78 (1987) [↩]
18 United States Cod, Section 3626 [↩]
Op. cit. note 6 p. 860 [↩]
Ruiz v. Johnson, 154 F Supp. 2d 975, 986 (S.D. Tex. 2001) [↩]
Ibid. [↩]
Op. cit. n. 6 p. 979 [↩]
Op. cit. note 13 p. 986 [↩]
Ibid. p. 922 n. 112 [↩]
Ibid. pp. 939-40 [↩]
Ibid. p. 907 [↩]
Ibid. p.910 [↩]
Ibid [↩]
Op. cit note 4 p. 1334 [↩]
http://socialistworker.org/2013/03/21/shock-doctrine-in-texas-prisons [↩]
Ruiz v. U.S. 243 F 3d 941, 953 (5th cir. 2001 [↩]
Op. cit. note 13 p. 1001 [↩]


text:
Odd Torgeir Rusten (27 February 1925 – 1 February 2009) was a Norwegian smallholder and politician for the Labour Party.

He was born in Tynset as a son of smallholder Magne Rusten (1901–1987) and homeworker Kjellfrid Øverby (1902–1935). He took agricultural school from 1947 to 1949 and was a smallholder at the family farm from 1952 to 1982, when his son took over. He chaired the county branch of the Norwegian Farmers and Smallholders Union from 1979 to 1986, having been a board member from 1974 to 1979 and chaired the local branch from 1957 to 1969. Public posts include the county board of agriculture from 1975 to 1991, being chairman for the last ten years. He was also a lay judge in Østerdal District Court.

He chaired his local Labour Party branch in Brydalen from 1972 to 1997. He was a member of Tynset municipal council from 1963 to 1965, 1967 to 1971 and 1975 to 1977. He was a member of Hedmark county council from 1983 to 1991, having been a deputy member from 1975 to 1983. He served as a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from Hedmark during the terms 1977–1981 and 1981–1985. From 1977 to February 1981 he met as a regular representative, covering for Odvar Nordli who was a member of Bratteli's Second Cabinet and Prime Minister in Nordli's Cabinet. Rusten was a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, and in total he met during 3 years and 210 days of parliamentary session.

References

1925 births
2009 deaths
People from Tynset
Norwegian farmers
Members of the Storting
Labour Party (Norway) politicians
Hedmark politicians
20th-century Norwegian politicians

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: What is the name for this definition of nabla using integral? I was taught that operator $\nabla$ can be defined as follows:
$$
\nabla = \lim\limits_{\delta\rightarrow 0} \frac1{\mu V} \oint\limits_{\partial V} n \, \mathrm{d}S
$$
where $V$ is a region of space, $\partial V$ is it's boundary, $\mu V$ is the volume, $\delta$ is the diameter and $n$ is the normal vector on the boundary. And the operator works by taking whatever comes after it and inserting it after $n$.
Unfourtunately, I can find nothing on this formula (not even the formula itself) in English. We called this the invariant definition in Latvian. Spanish and Italian wikipedia seem to call it the intrinsic definition. Dutch seem to call it coordinate agnostic definition. But googling these terms combined with "nabla" don't produce any relevant results in English.

A: It's perhaps more natural, due to divergence/Gauss theorem, to define divergence (and not del, at least at first) similar to what you present. If you go to Divergence wikipedia page, you'll find this definition (which is mentioned every once ina while, specially in physics books on electromagnetism). This may be referred to as the "coordinate-free" definition of divergence:
$$
\nabla\cdot \mathbf{F}:=\mathrm{div} (\mathbf{F}):=
\lim_{\delta\to 0}\frac{1}{\mu V}\int_{\partial V} \mathbf{n}\cdot \mathbf{F}dS
$$
Furthermore, one can define $\mathrm{grad}(f):=\nabla f$ and $\mathrm{curl}(\mathbf{F}):=\nabla\times \mathbf{F}$, as the unique vectors such that for all constant vectors $\mathbf{c}$, we have
$$
\mathrm{div}(f\mathbf{c})=\mathrm{grad}(f)\cdot \mathbf{c}, \qquad \mathrm{div}(\mathbf{F}\times \mathbf{c}):=\mathrm{curl}(\mathbf{F})\cdot \mathbf{c}
$$
One can then use the above coordinate-free definitions for divergence, gradient and curl, to give a corodinate-free definition for $\nabla$ which is exactly as you defined.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Konica Minolta bizhub C452 is a Color copy machine. This copier has a maximum recommended monthly duty cycle of 150,000 pages, which is 50% more than the average for all Copiers. The Konica Minolta bizhub C452 copier supports the following standard interfaces: Ethernet, USB and USB 2.0.
This machine provides speeds of 22ppm, 28ppm and 36ppm, respectively, in colour and mono, part of a generation of dynamic A3 colour MFPs that have taken the very best of what its predecessors had to offer with great improvements.


text:
Quality healthcare still elusive to majority Kenyans
BY NAFTALI MWAURA
Access to quality and affordable healthcare appears as elusive as ever to majority of Kenyans as they continue battling with debilitating effects of abject poverty, a workshop on inequality heard on Monday.
A number of participants at a Plenary on Health mostly drawn from marginal regions in this Country gave a candid but gory illustration of the state of affairs in these neglected frontiers where so limited number of health facilities exists and the ones that are found there are severely understaffed and lacks Medical expertise.
The heath infrastructure in remote corners of North Eastern, Coast, Rift valley and Nyanza Provinces is dilapidated and can hardly meet grave health crisis that afflicts communities in the regions.
Several communicable diseases have spiraled out of control in these regions taking heaviest toll on Women and Children. There is no light at the end of the tunnel as a combination of poor and broken health, road infrastructure and official neglect all conspire to condemn the communities to a living hell, according to sentiments voiced by participants.
Tabitha Ndede, a Programme Facilitator with Plan International in Homa Bay District gave a grim narration of the situation in the District and Nyanza Province in general where communities are braving daily torment from numerous infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Typhoid and Tuberculosis and which are claiming Nyanza residents in their hundreds. According to Ndede, Nyanza province is currently a basket case in the Health sphere where the few Hospitals and Dispensaries there are poorly equipped with medicine and health workers.
The Hospitals can hardly meet the overwhelming needs of the ever surging population blighted by HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other communicable diseases.
In the entire Homabay District, there is no Pediatrician; only a surgeon and gynecologist, according to Ndede.
Lack of a pediatrician in the District aggravates further the health of Children in the area who continue to bear the wrath of several diseases like Measles, Malaria and HIV/AIDS related complications. Infant mortality in Homa Bay District is high and according to Ndede, out of one thousand (1000) live births, two hundred and fifty four (254) die; a figure that is twice higher than the number recorded nationally.
The Women in Homa bay District are also bearing full brunt as health crises in the area surges to high levels. They are unable to access reproductive health services and continue to grapple with Birth related complications.
Majority of the women who visits Homa Bay District Hospital for ante natal care are usually in the age bracket of 15-30 years and complain of complications associated with HIV/AIDS and malnutrition.
Anemia is also endemic to the young pregnant mothers in the District. These pregnant women also have to brave walking for miles in an otherwise rugged terrain before they get to the nearest Health centre, echoed the Programme facilitator who has spent a number of years working with the grassroots communities in Homa Bay.
Inaccessible healthcare to the pregnant mothers in Homa Bay is forcing a good majority of them to give birth at homes under the supervision of traditional birth attendants who are mostly illiterate and devoid of basic knowledge in healthcare that would enable them perform the task with utmost care and hygiene.
Quality and affordable healthcare is still a distant mirage to most Kenyans not only in Nyanza Province but also in other parts of the Country.
The poor and vulnerable groups of Women, Children and Youth are bearing the brunt. Mohammed Duji from Bura, Tana River District had a similar story.
The community health Educator in the far flung District said that the entire Tana River District has glaring deficiency in healthcare facilities and the few found there are dilapidated, lacks medicine and Doctors who shy away from working in the remote District whose hallmark is poverty, and all forms of backwardness. In the wake of Malaria, HIV/AIDS and water borne diseases that blight communities in the District, no ray of hope is visible at the horizon since the Government is yet to galvanize a concerted campaign to address the worrying situation.
Mohammed feels that decades of official neglect has reduced Tana River into a backwater where countless diseases have found a fertile ground to bloom and cause untold suffering to the residents.
The sentiments raised from these participants from across the Country had one consensus; Healthcare is still a far cry to majority of poor Kenyans and it is no wonder that the recently launched National Health survey paints a grim scenario by stating that 56% of Kenyans hardly visit hospitals when they fall sick because the cost of treatment is way above their meager income.
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A Manchester Police officer has been suspended after an unmarked car collided Nani's Bentley.
An unmarked police car was responding to an emergency call when it hit Nani's top of the range Bentley Continental.
Greater Manchester Police said a police driver had been suspended after a car crash.
The police vehicle was travelling along Gatley Road in Gatley, Stockport at about 6:40pm on Friday.
It collided with the 26 year old player's Bentley as the police car entered Kingsway junction.
Officers said a passenger in the police car received minor injuries and minor damage was caused to both vehicles.
A police spokesman said: "The police driver has been suspended from driving duties in line with normal procedure."
Portuguese footballer Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha is commonly known as Nani.


Here, we examine the capability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in sensitivity analysis of the parameters of efficiency analysis model, namely data envelopment analysis (DEA). We are mainly interested to observe the required change of a group of parameters when another group goes under a managerial change, maintaining the score of the efficiency. In other words, this methodology provides a platform for simulating the level of some parameters against the remaining parameters for generating different scenarios, as being in demand for managers.
We consider criticality in project networks having imprecise activity duration times. It is well known that finding all possibly critical paths of an imprecise project network is an NP-hard problem. Here, based on a method for finding critical paths of crisp networks by using only the forward recursion of critical path method, for the first time an algorithm is proposed which can find all possibly critical paths of interval-valued project networks. The proposed algorithm considers interactivity among paths which has not been yet considered in the fuzzy project scheduling literature. The extension of the proposed algorithm to the fuzzy network calculates criticality degrees of activities and paths of projects without any need to enumerate all project paths. Although algorithms for calculating criticality degrees in fuzzy networks have been previously proposed, despite the fact that they mostly consider a specific type of fuzzy numbers as activity duration times, the exiting algorithms do not discriminate possibly critical paths before calculating the criticality degrees. The computational experience on a series of well-known project samples confirms the algorithm to be remarkably more efficient than similar algorithms for fuzzy networks.
Among various statistical and data mining discriminant analysis proposed so far for group classification, linear programming discriminant analysis has recently attracted the researchers' interest. This study evaluates multi-group discriminant linear programming (MDLP) for classification problems against well-known methods such as neural networks and support vector machine. MDLP is less complicated as compared to other methods and does not suffer from having local optima. This study also proposes a fuzzy Delphi method to select and gather the required data, when databases suffer from deficient data. In addition, to absorb the uncertainty infused to collecting data, interval MDLP (IMDLP) is developed. The results show that the performance of MDLP and specially IMDLP is better than conventional classification methods with respect to correct classification, at least for small and medium-size datasets.
A number of problems in several areas such as power transmission and distribution, communication and transportation can be formulated as a stochastic-flow network (SFN). The system reliability of an SFN can be computed in terms of all the upper boundary points, called d-MinCuts (d-MCs). Several algorithms have been proposed to find all the d-MCs in an SFN. Here, some recent studies in the literature on search for all d-MCs are investigated. We show that some existing results and the corresponding algorithms are incorrect. Then, correct versions of the results are established. By modifying an incorrect algorithm, we also propose an improved algorithm. In addition, complexity results on a number of studies are shown to be erroneous and correct counts are provided. Finally, we present comparative numerical results in the sense of performance profile of Dolan and Moré showing the proposed algorithm to be more efficient than some existing algorithms.
Risk assessment of urban network using traffic indicators determines vulnerable links with high danger of traffic incidents. Thus Determination of an appropriate methodology remains a big challenge to achieve this objective. This paper proposed a methodology based on data fusion concept using Fuzzy-AHP and TOPSIS to achieve this aim. The proposed methodology tries to overcome two main problems, first of all using Fuzzy AHP for weight estimation of risk indicator, overcomes the problem of some famous weighting method such as AHP that uses limited scale of Saaty (1-9) for weight estimation. Because in risk assessment decision maker prefer to compare criteria with a range instead of using exact number such as Saaty scale As a result fuzzy triangular number was proposed in our methodology. What's more using TOPSIS method is proposed for risk score estimation respecting estimated weight, because all input risk data are numeric furthermore risk evaluation would be done using distance from ideal solution.To test the proposed methodology an urban network in North of Washington was selected as pilot area. In the next step input criteria such as annual average daily traffic (AADT index), accident severity (IR index), average slope and closeness to critical place (that need traffic controlling such as school) were determined as risk indicators using Iranian traffic organization expert's idea then nonlinear-Fuzzy-AHP was used to estimate weight of input criteria. Estimated weight entered to TOPSIS method to determine vulnerable links that are in high danger of traffic incidents.
We consider the reliable multi configuration capacitated logistics network design problem (RMCLNDP) with system disruptions, concerned with facilities locating, transportation links constructing, and also allocating their limited capacities to the customers in order to satisfy their demands with a minimum expected total cost (including locating costs, link constructing costs, as well as expected transshipment costs in usual and disruption conditions). The motivating application of this class of problem is in capacitated logistics network design with multi configuration (including multi-product, multi-vehicle, and multi-type link) regarding system disruptions simultaneously. The problem is modelled as a mixed integer program. Also, a hybrid heuristic algorithm is proposed. The algorithm, as an efficient approach, is a hybridization of sample average approximation, the LP relaxation, and a two stage decomposing heuristic. The results of a detailed comprehensive computational analysis are also reported. Computational experiments illustrate that the provided algorithm is able to substantially outperform the integer programming approach in terms of both finding and verifying the efficient optimal (or near optimal) solutions at reasonable processing times.
We consider a three-level distribution network involving a raw material supplier with imperfect quality, a manufacturer and several retailers. A production-inventory model accompanied by a partial backlogging approach is developed by considering random disruptions. Any batch received from the supplier is inspected by the manufacturer and if any flaw is visited, all the goods in the inspected batch are rejected. The aim is to minimize the total cost. A heuristic algorithm is presented to compute the optimal policy.
A genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize a tree-structured power distribution network considering optimal cable sizing. For minimizing the total cost of the network, a mixed-integer programming model is presented determining the optimal sizes of cables with minimized location-allocation cost. For designing the distribution lines in a power network, the primary factors must be considered as maximum allowable electrical flow in cables, permitted length of cables, maximum permitted voltage drops, and balance of load. The relationship between rates of electric current and cable sizes with consideration of constraints such as voltage drops and length are our essential data. To create a network with a minimum number of arcs and no closed loop such that all the nodes are covered, a minimum spanning tree technique is utilized. Here, we solve the problem using a genetic optimization algorithm and apply the offered approach to a real problem. By comparing the two extracted results from the proposed approach and an exact method, effectiveness of the genetic algorithm for optimization of power distribution network is shown. To demonstrate the validity of the offered model, a case study in Tehran power distribution company in Iran is made.


text:
Volvo S60 Polestar Concept
Holy crap, it's a 508-hp, 186-mph-plus Volvo!
Alexander Stoklosa
Volvo's relationship with its racing partner Polestar has inched ever closer in recent years, and that's a good thing—especially if this new S60 Polestar concept is anything to go by. Last year, Polestar introduced a series of output-boosting tuning kits for Volvo's turbocharged inline-five and inline-six-cylinder engines—neat, but the S60 Polestar raises the bar several notches. The concept is a total, wheels-up performance overhaul of Volvo's S60 mid-size sedan, and did we mention it has 508 hp? We know you're excited.
Not an M5—More Like a Volvo MS60
Before outlining the myriad of changes Polestar made to the Volvo S60, allow us to lay some staggering performance estimates on you. Polestar claims the S60 concept can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds on its way to a terminal velocity of more than 186 mph. (The 2013 BMW M5, for you skewed-comparison junkies, can sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and is electronically limited to 155 mph.) We don't really doubt Polestar's figures, mostly because of the numbers the outfit furnished for the concept's turbocharged inline-six engine: 508 hp, 424 lb-ft of torque, and a redline of 7100 rpm.
Polestar modified the six's cylinder head, connecting rods, and intake manifold; it bolted on a Garrett turbocharger and a Ferrita 3.5-inch-diameter exhaust system. The folks at Polestar must be Save the Manuals! fans, because the S60 concept gets a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission in place of the regular S60's automatic. Power is routed through the manual to a modified Haldex all-wheel-drive system with an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
The Polestar concept's numbers are impressive, given Volvo's not-quite-meek history of churning out swift Swedish sedans. For example, the current Volvo S60 R-Design—until now the burliest S60 iteration—makes a relatively healthy 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, can run from zero to 60 in 5.3 seconds, and is electronically governed to a top speed of 134 mph. Or look to the first-generation S60, which served as the basis for the funky S60 R. We could even go way, way back and hit up the 1990s to remember the boxy 850 T-5R.
History lesson aside, let's get back to the S60 Polestar. The concept sits 1.2 inches lower than stock, and the suspension features Öhlins adjustable dampers, modified control arms, stiffer subframe and control-arm bushings, and beefier anti-roll bars front and rear. The S60 concept's track was widened by 0.8 inch up front and 1.6 inches in the rear. To reduce lift at speed, Polestar widened the body by 0.8 inch and fitted a new front splitter, a larger rear spoiler, and a carbon-fiber diffuser.
Given that the S60 concept can achieve some dizzying speeds, Polestar gave it a major brake upgrade. Up front there are giant brake rotors measuring 15 inches in diameter that are squeezed by six-piston Brembo calipers. Out back, Polestar installed 11.9-inch rotors with its own calipers. Those big stoppers are visible behind the S60 concept's awesome dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the car gets Alcantara on the seats, steering wheel, and shift knob. Outside, the cool wheels contrast nicely with Polestar's signature bright blue paint.
For now, the S60 Polestar is merely a "concept," and apparently it was built for one lucky customer. The good news is that Volvo and Polestar are closely following public reaction to the monster S60, and the duo may put a limited number of cars into production. Whether or not that means we could see the S60 Polestar in the U.S. is a different story, but hopefully one that ends with the car making it here. We certainly count ourselves amongst the, uh, vast number of enthusiasts who would like to sample an M5-challenging Volvo.


text:
12 Properties With Incredible Architecture Where Students Can Live In The UK (And 12 Places They'd Love To – But Can't)
Donna Mackay
11/Apr/2016
From modern masterpieces to retro wonders, here are 12 student halls with fascinating architecture that you can actually call your home (along with 12 places you'd LOVE to, but can't).
Reality option: Union Square, Newcastle
Union Square, sitting proudly in Upper Ouseburn, Newcastle, is a modern luxury masterpiece. With a striking contrast of white, charcoal and traditional redbrick, the U shaped building is a mix of classic and contemporary architecture. Traditional balconies, that look not dissimilar to New York style fire escapes, combine with the distinct clean lines of the building to make Union Square an impressive spectacle on the landscape. And it's not just a good looking building – it was awarded the North East and Newcastle Student Hall of the Year 2015 too.
Find out more about Union Square
Fantasy option: Tynemouth Priory
Perhaps something incredibly old is more your style? If so, then look no further than the part castle, part religious site of Tynemoth Priory, built in 1200. Situated ten miles or so down the River Tyne from Newcastle, where the river meets the sea, you'll find the perfect contrast to the modern luxury of Union Square. If you choose to bed down in the eastern end, you may even have a roof over your head…
Reality option: WBSA, London
WBSA is an eye catching, modernistic work of architecture located proudly in London – one of the most exciting cities in the world. The futuristic building of WBSA is sleek, modern and chic. It's location is quite simply awe-inspiring. Located right in the centre of the city, the ultra-modern, rotund design offers views of some of London's most iconic landmarks, such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Find out more about WBSA
Fantasy option: The Eisenhower Centre
Perhaps sleek and chic is not your thing? If so why not take a look at The Eisenhower Centre, nearby at Goodge Street? It's a deep level air-raid shelter, complete with medical facilities for 8,000 people. Grab a bunk bed and snuggle up, there's lots of cosy corners up for grabs.
Do you need to book student accommodation in the UK? Student.com has fantastic student accommodation available in London, Manchester, Liverpool and many more cities.
Find accommodation for your studies in the UK now
Reality option: The Hosiery Factory, Leicester
The Hosiery Factory is a beautiful red brick factory building, dating back to the 1880's, in Leicester, UK. Lovingly restored, the Victorian history of this venue has been embraced and enhanced. The shabby chic interior is loaded with vintage details, from chesterfield sofas to quirky artwork. Any student would love coming back to this atmospheric home after a long day at class.
Find out more about The Hosiery Factory
Fantasy option: Calke Abbey
Or how about a country home? Calke Abbey, 20 miles away through the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, is locally known as the "the un-stately house," This manor house was owned by an eccentric in the Harpur family, who chose to shun modern life and live without electricity until 1962. The house is stuffed, unusually, with taxidermy, and is now looked after by The National Trust. It's most definitely a local treasure.
Reality option: Liberty Park, Bristol
Liberty is a beautifully elegant building with plenty of history. Initial construction work began in 1834, completing in 1850, when the building was finished as a cathedral. More recently, preservation of the classical design of this building meant it won the Bristol Civic Society Environmental Award in 2014. Many original features such as external etchings have been retained, along with the graceful arched roof. Accommodation at Liberty Bristol is most definitely an otherworldly experience.
Fantasty option: The Clifton Observatory
If the Liberty is too luxurious for you, then check out St Vincent's Cave, accessible through The Clifton Observatory. The 200 feet long tunnel was hand carved in 1837 and offers a unique viewpoint of Avon Gorge, from 250 feet up. Just watch your step if you're scared of heights….
Reality Option: Liberty Heights, Manchester
Liberty Heights is the tallest student accommodation in Europe. The building also ranks highly on Manchester's skyline, offering unrivalled views across the bustling, cosmopolitan city. The modernistic style and breath-taking views will make you feel on top of the world after a day of hitting the books.
Fantasy option: Victoria Arches
If you prefer the underground, then perhaps some crumbling Victorian arches are more your scene. A favourite with urban explorers, the arches are visible from the bridges that cross the River Irwell in downtown Manchester. These arches are long forgotten, though were also used as bomb shelters during World War Two.
Reality option: Storthes Hall Park, Huddersfield
Storthes Hall Park has a unique history. Operating as a Hospital between 1904 and 1991, Storthes Hall is set against a lush, green backdrop and in its current guise looks more like a stately country manor than student halls. The huge, welcoming arched doorway, imposing columns, bay windows and limitless ceilings make a grand home for students in Huddersfield.
Find out more about Storthes Hall Park
Fantasy option: Blue John Caverns
If you're an explorer at heart, you could travel from Huddersfield through the Peak District to the Blue John Caverns. These limestone caverns will make for a magical home and even feature modern lighting, so you can study in style, amongst the ancient stalagmites and beautiful stone formations.
Reality option: St Andrew's Court, Glasgow
St Andrew's Court was a sheriff's courthouse in its former life. It's settled neatly in Glasgow's historic – though also chic and upmarket – area, the Merchant City. The period sandstone property retains its original features and you can see why it used to house the city's wealthy merchants. It mirrors the architecture of St Andrew's in the Square church, next door, which is considered one of the finest classical churches in the UK.
Find out more about St Andrew's Court
Fantasy option: Fossil Grove
But perhaps you're looking for something much, much older than the historic and chic sherriff's house? Then perhaps the Fossil Grove will be more your style. Set in Glasgow's Victoria park, the fossilised remains of eleven, extinct trees sit within a museum setting built around the 1887 discovery. The trees originally grew around 325 million years ago, so this stumpy setting is definitely retro.
Reality option: Chapter Spitalfields, London
Chapter Spitalfields is a seriously in-vogue student residence. The third tallest student halls in the world, the streamlined black and grey 34 storey building sits in Spitalfields, one of the most trendy and happening areas of London. The building features a bird's eye view of world famous neighbouring office building, The Gherkin. The gorgeous interiors including exposed pipework and brutalist but cosy meeting areas, which all add to the seriously cool, Shoreditch vibe.
Find out more about Chapter Spitalfields
Fantasy option: an abandoned underground railway
Beneath London's oh-so-fashionable streets lies an underground railway which used to transport the city's mail. It ran for seventy years, before being abandoned and forgotten. The 6.5 mile long railway track stretches from Paddington all the way to Whitechapel – an ideal way to pop back and forth to lectures with ease – bypassing the busy buses and packed tube at rush hour.
Reality option: iQ, Nottingham
iQ is urban cool at its best. In its previous life the building was – unbelievably – a telephone exchange. Not that you would think it to look at it now. The unique oval, glass construction is eye-catching; the black, glass structure is incredibly polished and slick set against the surrounding cityscape.
Fantasy option: Clipstone Colliery Headstocks
If offices aren't your thing, then a great, nearby option is The Clipstone Colliery Headstocks – Europe's tallest coal mining headquarters. It's abandoned, so you'd have plenty of space, along with peace and quiet to study effectively. It's set close to the wonderful Sherwood Forest too, so it's ideal for any fans of Robin Hood.
Reality option: The Old Fire Station, Birmingham
The Old Fire Station is a one-of-a-kind building. It was opened by the Duke Of Kent in 1935, and retains many beautiful original features, such as an oak panelled library (perfect for your studies!) and elegant art deco lifts. The building is grade two listed, and you can easily see why from the outside – the grey, ornate stonework with sash windows is a marvel to gaze upon. And even better, it retains the original fireman's pole.
Find out more about The Old Fire Station
Fantasy Option: Curzon Street Station
Birmingham has a host of fascinating abandoned buildings, relics from its industrial era. One of the oldest is Curzon Street Station – in fact it's the oldest station in the world! This neoclassical building dates from 1838, however trains don't stop here anymore so you'd have to find your own way to classes – the platforms were decommissions after it closed in 1966.
Reality option: The Arch, Liverpool
The Arch was previously a huge, Scandinavian hotel. The opulent, pristine, white 19th Century façade has been retained and the internal remains of the building restored with an updated modern interior, and to wonderful results. The old-meet-new elements work in harmonious fashion and the contrast is exceptionally stylish.
Find out more about The Arch
Fantasy option: Radio City Tower, Liverpool
Radio City Tower is the tallest structure in Liverpool. At 452ft tall, it's head and shoulders above the rest of the Liverpudlian skyline. After it opened in 1969, it fascinatingly functioned as a revolving restaurant before returning to its original purpose of hosting radio. Sadly, the floor no longer revolves, but that's not to say you won't get dizzy.
Reality option: Britannia South Bank, London
Britannia South Bank was opened in 1911 and originally served as a convent, housing sisters that served the Anglican Church. It's a beautiful example of work from renowned architect Sir Walter Tapper, the building is grade two listed and still contains many original features. The chapel, along with built in pews, still exists, though it now functions as a relaxed common room where social activities can be enjoyed.
Find out more about Britannia South Bank
Fantasy option: Churchill's War Rooms
Not far from the South Bank, lies a secret underneath the streets. A rabbit warren of sleeping rooms, offices and liveable bunkers, constructed during the Blitz to protect and house the British Government, including Winston Churchill. The bunkers come with cosy 1945 style furnishing and thankfully a working ventilation system – otherwise it may get a little stuffy down there.
These are just a small selection of the high quality UK properties available on Student.com.
In fact, Student.com has the largest choice of student housing in the UK – so whichever city you're studying in, you can find and book your perfect student home, close to your university. Our expert team will take care of everything for you, plus, the service is completely free for students – you'll never find any hidden charges or price markups.
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Natural Refrigerants Virtual Trade Show 2.0
Mar 30, 2021 - Mar 31, 2021 - in Online, Belgium. 2 months left
We're back! Join the new and improved VTS 2.0 on 30-31 March 2021.
As it becomes increasingly clear that 2021 will be another year without physical trade shows, ATMOsphere has confirmed the second edition of the Natural Refrigerants Virtual Trade Show for March 2021.
Focused, global, 24hrs, it's the closest thing to a live trade show for HVAC&R! ATMO VTS 2.0 will offer live and prerecorded webinars throughout the 24 hours of the show.
The first ATMO VTS was a game-changer for our industry. It was the first of its kind and a brand new way of doing business. ATMOsphere expects 100+ exhibitors and up to 10,000 attendees to join for VTS 2.0.
26th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration
Aug 21, 2023 - Aug 26, 2023 - in Paris, France.
2 years left
The IIR International Congress of Refrigeration reunites refrigeration stakeholders from every corner of the world.
7th IIR Conference on Sustainability and the Cold Chain
Apr 01, 2022 - Apr 30, 2022 - in Newcastle, United Kingdom.
1 year left
The IIR conference series on Sustainability and the Cold Chain is a cutting-edge event on the cold chain which addresses...
ATMOsphere Europe 2021
Jun 01, 2021 - Jun 02, 2021 - in Brussels, Belgium.
4 months left


UEFA Champions League returns with the game in the Real Madrid-holders in an exciting round of games.
Manchester City Stoke City 7.2 was demolished at the beginning of the week, but faces a completely different proposal in the Italian first-class league leaders in Naples in what promises to really make sense of the game. Antonio Conte is pretty designed to avoid mounting panic after succumbing to the Crystal Palace last weekend, with Rome arriving in London. The beginning of Liverpool's poor campaign must take an upward trend with a trip to Maribor, while Manchester Utd is looking to take a big step towards the 16th round through what remained perfect after his victory in Benfica.elsewhere, Gob Hinkis returned the official in Bayern Munich and looked forward to winning the title that did not lose After his departure after his final victory over Dortmund in 2013.
Harry Kane has been in the shape of his life over the past six weeks for both the club and the country, looting 15 goals in 11 games. He was a trusted Mr, and he was doing everything in a terrific training manual, which used some slight as on his past due to the absence of a flashy trick or skill. But he quietly scored a staggering number in front of the target: 43 goals in 38 games for the club and country in calendar year (1.13 goal per game), level with Cristiano Ronaldo, but with a higher ratio compared to Portuguese (0.93 goals per game).
Having already snatched two goals in the victory over Borussia Dortmund, Ken was now translating its form to the largest stage, thus verifying one of the remaining cash boxes directed against him. By preparing a record for Robert Leonovsky, Levinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, it can be said that few of the participants in the conversation now is the deadliest attacker in Europe. The challenge that awaits the city in one of the most fascinating games in the history of the groups can spoil a little by the decision of Morizio Sari to restore the players in the Union. Shock to many, the brilliant tactical battle between managers with the entire deck of cards may have to wait until their second meeting next month in São Paulo.
See, Naples didn't win in Scottsdale in 28 years after Diego Maradona inspired a city and doubled the obsession with a beautiful game. The triumph of Rome last weekend, along with the stunning Lazio syndrome in Juventus (causing a first loss at Juventus Stadium in 783 days), means Naples has five bullet points and with it, a golden opportunity to claim eternal glory.
Nanterre, new from their manifesto, Victory 3-2 in Derby della Madnena v. Milan, awaits the end of this week. With the option of qualifying as a center in the F group through the challenge of Shakhtar and Donetsk, Naples will definitely surrender this game if it means six perfect of six against Rome and inter-weekend.


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package hu.akarnokd.rxjava2.functions;

import io.reactivex.functions.Consumer;

/**
 * A {@link Consumer} with suppressed exception on its {@link #accept(Object)} method.
 *
 * @param <T> the input value type
 * @since 0.17.4
 */
public interface PlainConsumer<T> extends Consumer<T> {

    @Override
    void accept(T t);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub