Although it may seem that how much we like different colours is idiosyncratic, decades of research has established that some colours (e.g., blue) are in fact more likely to be preferred over others (e.g., dark yellow). It has been claimed that these color preferences are 'universal' and various theories to account for colour preferences have been proposed (e.g., Palmer & Schloss, 2010; Hurlbert & Ling, 2007). At the heart of colour preference research has been a desire to reveal how it is that a surface of reflected light can appear to 'hold affect' (Zajonc, 1980). In this talk I will present a series of 7 studies which we have conducted that aim to further understand where colour preferences come from. These studies further investigate the relationship of colour preference and colour-object associations (Taylor & Franklin, 2012); identify the color preferences of people from a non-industrialised culture (Taylor, Clifford & Franklin, 2013); relate adult colour preference to infants' response to colour (Franklin, Bevis, Ling & Hurlbert, 2010; Taylor, Schloss, Palmer & Franklin, 2013; Skelton, Catchpole, Abbott, Bosten & Franklin, 2016); assess the impact of dichromacy on color preference (Álvaro, Moreira, Lillo & Franklin, 2015) and investigate the neural correlates of colour preference using fMRI (Racey, Bird & Franklin, 2016). I will discuss the combined contribution of these studies to our understanding of color preference, and I will also identify key questions for future lines of investigation.
Color preference – Oder: Warum wir manche Farben lieben und andere nicht?
Anna Franklin geht der Frage nach, warum wir manche Farben lieben und andere nicht. Haben Farbpräferenzen etwas mit unserer Herkunftskultur zu tun oder mit der Orientierung an einer sozialen Gruppe, vielleicht mit dem Alter oder doch eher dem Geschlecht? Warum mögen so viele Menschen Blau, während Gelb vor allem in der westlichen Welt weniger auf Gegenliebe zu stoßen scheint. In einer Reihe von grundlegenden Studien ist Anna Franklin diesem komplexen Thema auf den Grund gegangen. Sie wird in ihrem Vortrag nicht nur aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse präsentieren, sondern auch wegweisende Fragestellungen für weiterführende Forschungsansätze stellen, die für die Neurobiologie, aber auch die Industrie relevant sind, nicht zuletzt, weil sie unser Konsumverhalten sowie unsere visuelle Kultur bestimmen.
Anna Franklin is Professor of Visual Perception and Cognition at the University of Sussex. She leads the Sussex Colour Group and the Sussex Baby Lab.
She conducts experiments with participants from across the lifespan (infancy to adulthood) using a range of methods such as eye-tracking, psychophysics, colour science and the event-related potential approach. So far, she has led research projects on: the development of colour categorisation, the impact of colour term acquisition on colour perception, the origins of colour preference, and chromatic discrimination in children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). This research attempts to address fundamental issues in cognitive and developmental science. For example, her research on the development of colour categorisation addresses broader questions such as: how and when do categories form?; what is the relationship between categories in language and thought?; how are categories expressed in the brain? She has provided converging evidence that infants categorise colour which has contributed to a long-standing multi-disciplinary debate on whether the division of the colour spectrum into discrete categories (e.g., red, green, blue) in both language and thought is arbitrary or whether there are constraints on how and where categories form in the colour spectrum.


fans will be able to play the game anywhere. This game is the most popular Arcade puzzle game. kindly follow the below given download button. lives. To download Candy Crush Soda Saga Hack / Mod APK file. Instead of buying new lives or asking for help on Facebook you can use Candy Crush Soda Saga cheats or hacks to unlock more lives without waiting. While playing. then candy crush soda download for free. the game is from the same developers with a lot of improvements. To avail some of the in-game items like extra moves or lives. Candy Crush Soda Saga is a new game developed by King.com. The developers are none other than "King". Candy Crush Soda Saga Cheat Infinite Moves. Download Candy crush saga unlimited lives and moves mod apk. This new game offers some new candies and new combinations where you have to match four candies in a square to form a Swedish fish or you have to match 7 candies to form a colorful candy. Some stages will be difficult to pass. So at that time. Normally you would need to wait a few days or ask friends for help. We will help to solve the problems. The pro version of the new characters and graphics are pretty high.
The FIFA-16 team coin that is greatest generator is a simple to use software created by by expert programmers for each game. Options That Come With The Cash Generator wie man FIFA 16 Ultimate Team hacken kann bzw. Why? The FUT Price Range makes it much harder to get Coins by trading. that means you WILL get the best player. Apple Macintosh. The FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Hack is working on all of them. and the United States. Want To See Lio Messi's Flight of Fantastic skills racking up Goals for Your Fifa 16 Ultimate Team Or to State the Whole World With Ronaldo to Dictum For You "Calm Down ". so that we may rectify it immediately. The FIFA 16 Coin Generator is the perfect answer on how to hack Ultimate Team 16 without any effort. mais peu sont aussi faciles et efficaces que ce Triche FIFA 16 Pièces. The Coin Generator is Created with endorsing with an all-round environment with a Potential of bests in it. In February 2013. Place to analyze. Il y a pleins de façons d'avoir des Pièces Triche FUT 16. PlayStation or Origin) and your GamerTag / ID when you contact us. Canada. il ne tient qu'à la chance pour obtenir le joueur souhaité. and we can keep the tool updated every day.
which is the now common incorporation mechanic of infusing a card advance on weaker ones in order to pay for it experience points and level taking place in strength. The particular game add to is incredibly intriguing. you place them in your hand. So there is a lot to do during the game and you can literally play this for hours and hours. "Cards themselves usually have three well-disposed abilities" I have a guild and it is called ragnars raiders. the user interface is extremely well polished. Deck Heroes is clearly aiming for a spot in the market between more simple card battle games of the Asian variety and those games which require a bit more strategic engagement in combat. I turned off the music eventually because of this and just left on the combat sound effects instead. random card drops and also shards used to construct more valuable cards when you have a specific number of them. I highly recommend this game for those who have some time to burn and want a challenge. Follow the instructions below to get access to the free deck heroes gems and gold generator. Deck Heroes provides more strategy and interaction than simply sending in your cards to fight automatically with the outcome being revealed after a few combat animations and little to no player involvement. leveling. but I found some of them do seem to work best when played purely on their own. Game produce a result that happens to be extreme and may demand a lot of materials out of your share. yet it is some of the highest quality art I've seen in an Android card game. dailies and an intense and challenging single player combination uphill bearing in mind greater than seventy levels. Now everyone can feel like a professional player using the modded Deck Heroes .Get unlimited amount of Gems and Coins now. please support us by posting a comment below.


text:
#ifndef _MIP_SDK_INTERFACE_H
#define _MIP_SDK_INTERFACE_H

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
//Include Files
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#include "mip.h"
#include "mip_sdk_config.h"
#include "mip_sdk_user_functions.h"
#include "ring_buffer.h"
#include "byteswap_utilities.h"

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Defines
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

//! @def

#define MIP_INTERFACE_INPUT_RING_BUFFER_SIZE MIP_MAX_PACKET_SIZE

#define MIP_INTERFACE_CALLBACK_VALID_PACKET   0
#define MIP_INTERFACE_CALLBACK_CHECKSUM_ERROR 1
#define MIP_INTERFACE_CALLBACK_TIMEOUT        2

#define MIP_INTERFACE_OK    0
#define MIP_INTERFACE_ERROR 1

#define MIP_INTERFACE_TIMEOUT    0
#define MIP_INTERFACE_NO_TIMEOUT 1

#define MIP_INTERFACE_INITIALIZED   1
#define MIP_INTERFACE_UNINITIALIZED 0

typedef void (*parser_callback_ptr)(void*, u8*, u16, u8);

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Structures
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

typedef struct _mip_interface
{
 //State
 u8 state;

 //Port Handle
 void *port_handle;

 //Input Ring Buffer
 ring_buffer input_buffer;
 u8          input_buffer_bytes[MIP_INTERFACE_INPUT_RING_BUFFER_SIZE];

 //MIP Packet Parser variables
 u8  mip_packet[MIP_MAX_PACKET_SIZE];
 u16 mip_packet_byte_count;
 u32 parser_start_time;
 u32 parser_num_bad_checksums;
 u32 parser_timeouts;
 u8  parser_in_sync;
 u32 parser_headers_skipped;

 u32 packet_timeout;

 //Command/Response Variables
 u8  command_response_received;
 u8  command_id;
 u8  command_acknack_response;
 u8 *command_response_data;
 u8  command_response_data_size;

 //Callback variables
 u8                  callback_data_set_list[MIP_INTERFACE_MAX_CALLBACKS + 1];
 parser_callback_ptr callback_function_list[MIP_INTERFACE_MAX_CALLBACKS + 1];
 void               *callback_user_ptr_list[MIP_INTERFACE_MAX_CALLBACKS + 1];

}mip_interface;

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// Function Prototypes
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

u16 mip_interface_init(u32 com_port, u32 baudrate, mip_interface *device_interface, u32 packet_timeout_val);
u16 mip_interface_close(mip_interface *device_interface);

u16 mip_interface_add_descriptor_set_callback(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 data_set, void *user_ptr, void (*packet_callback)(void *user_ptr, u8 *packet, u16 packet_size, u8 callback_type));
u16 mip_interface_delete_descriptor_set_callback(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 data_set);

u16 mip_interface_update(mip_interface *device_interface);

u16 mip_interface_send_command(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 command_set, u8 command_descriptor, u8 *command_data,
                               u16 command_data_size, u8 wait_for_response, u32 timeout_ms);

u16 mip_interface_send_preformatted_command(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 *command, u16 command_size, u8 wait_for_response, u32 timeout_ms);

u16 mip_interface_send_command_with_response(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 command_set, u8 command_descriptor, u8 *command_data,
                                             u16 command_data_size, u8 **response_data, u16 *response_data_size, u32 timeout_ms);

u16 mip_interface_send_preformatted_command_with_response(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 *command, u16 command_size,
                                                          u8 **response_data, u16 *response_data_size, u32 timeout_ms);

u16 mip_interface_write(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 *data, u32 num_bytes, u32 *bytes_written);
u16 mip_interface_write_blocking(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 *data, u32 num_bytes, u32 *bytes_written, u32 timeout_ms);

u16 __mip_interface_parse_input_buffer(mip_interface *device_interface);
u16 __mip_interface_find_callback(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 data_set, void **callback_user_ptr, parser_callback_ptr *callback_function);
u16 __mip_interface_time_timeout(u32 initial_time, u32 timeout_ms);

u16  __mip_interface_wait_for_response(mip_interface *device_interface, u8 command_set, u8 command_descriptor, u8 *acknack_response, u8 **response_data, u16 *response_data_size, u32 timeout_ms);
void __mip_interface_command_response_handler(void *user_ptr, u8 *packet, u16 packet_size, u8 callback_type);

#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
'Outrageous': George Santos assigned to two House committees despite fabricated resume, investigations and calls to resign
Alex Woodward
The appointment of newly elected congressman George Santos to two House committees has drawn widespread criticism from Democratic officials and critics scrutinising the New York Republican for his alleged campaign finance violations and a fabricated profile with a growing list of false claims about his education and career.
Democratic lawmakers and some Republican officials, including party leadership in his own state, have called on Mr Santos to resign following a wave of accusations that he made up a bulk of his resume, life story and professional accomplishments. He has refused to step down.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, balancing a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives that will need support from nearly every member to make any headway on the GOP's agenda, had previously said that Mr Santos would receive some committee assignments.
On 17 January, the GOP steering committee, led by Mr McCarthy, voted to give Mr Santos seats on the House Committee on Small Business and Science, Space and Technology committee.
His critics have noted that Mr Santos will now join a House panel on small business while it remains unclear what business he did before entering Congress after lying about working at several companies and obtaining a business degree.
Others joked that the assignments are a great get for such a "successful small business owner and astronaut".
Democratic congressman Ritchie Torres, a New York representative and one of Mr Santos's most prominent opponents in the new Congress, pointed out that the small business committee oversees the administration of the Paycheck Protection Program, a massive Covid-19-era relief programme that has also been targeted for fraud.
"Outrageous," he said. "Can a fraud like George Santos be trusted to root out rampant fraud in the PPP program?"
Several House Republicans had previously argued that Mr Santos should not be seated on any committee – especially committees that handle sensitive information – until investigations are performed.
"I don't condone what he said, what he's done. I don't think anybody does," small business chair Roger Williams told CNN on Tuesday. "That's not my role. He was elected. He represents a million people."
Congressman Torres and fellow New York Rep Daniel Goldman have asked the House Committee on Ethics to investigate Mr Santos for his failure to file "timely, accurate and complete" financial disclosure reports.
Republican congressman Nick LaLota also has pressed the ethics committee to investigate Mr Santos. Mr LaLota and a group of six other House Republicans also have called on Mr Santos to resign.
Mr LaLota called on the Federal Election Commission and the US Department of Justice to freeze Mr Santos's campaign accounts and "act now to ensure there is something to actually return to the victims of Santos' financial scam," he said in a statement.
Lawmakers' statements follow several other complaints from watchdog groups and heightened scrutiny into Mr Santos's career and funding. Federal prosecutors and the office of New York Attorney General also are reviewing Mr Santos's claims.
A complaint filed with the FEC by the nonpartisan watchdog group the Campaign Legal Center alleges that Mr Santos concealed the source of his campaign's funding and misrepresented spending to cover personal expenses.
Another group, End Citizens United, also filed complaints with the FEC as well as the Justice Department and the Office of Congressional Ethics to "hold him accountable for his shady and unlawful actions."
"I was elected to serve the people of [New York's 3rd District] not the party & politicians, I remain committed to doing that," he announced on Twitter on 11 January. "I will NOT resign!"
MIC Youth chief: Umno 'cleansing' will impact BN component parties
JOHOR BARU, Jan 31 — MIC Youth today expressed its concern that the Umno supreme council's decision to suspend and sack...
After Umno clearout, analysts see room for next line of young leaders to grow
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — With ex-Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and former Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan sacke...
Johor Bersatu says state chapter's bank accounts not frozen amid MACC money-laundering probe at HQ
JOHOR BARU, Feb 1 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) Johor state chapter said none of its bank accounts relate...
The wife of a jailed Bolivian opposition leader accused the government Monday of having used a hidden camera to film "intimacy" between her and her husband on a prison visit.The 30-year-old, who married Camacho in May last year, claimed that with "hidden cameras, the government recorded my intimacy as a woman and our intimacy as a couple."
Abang Johari: Project implementation in Kapit Division delayed due to logistic problems
KAPIT, Feb 1 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said that the government will conduct a study on the imp...
Starmer attacks Sunak over Raab bullying allegations
Sir Keir Starmer accuses Rishi Sunak of being "too weak" to suspend Dominic Raab while being investigated for bullying at Prime Minister's Questions. In response the prime minister insists "I take action when these things happen" and accuses the Labour leader of being part of a shadow cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn that "allowed hate to spread unchallenged".
Anti-smoking council sounds alarm after Health Ministry officials shown being chummy with tobacco industry reps
Japan and NATO pledge 'firm' response to China, Russia threats
Japan and NATO must "remain united and firm" in the face of security threats posed by China, North Korea and Russia's war in Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday in Tokyo.So we must remain united and firm, standing together for freedom and democracy," he said.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
CODEWE
Our Terms have been updated - Please review them
Welcome on CodeWe !
CodeWe is a free and open-source project, and we are committed to keeping it this way. There also are no advertisements or advertising cookies on the site.
We are students of Louvain University, Belgium, who decided to create this project because we lacked such a tool in our classes. As we maintain this project during our free time, we have limited resources and may not be able to keep this project always up-to-date, but do our best to keep a certain quality. Should any problem arise, don't hesitate to report it and try again later. To keep CodeWe alive, we kindly ask, for the good of all, to avoid unnecessarily overloading it. We, of course, encourage the use of CodeWe whenever it can help you in any way, but do not abuse it.
By clicking Got it!, you agree to our Terms. You can learn how we (don't) collect, use and share your data in our Policy Privacy. Keep in mind that we do not require any personal information!
Please be aware that documents not having been viewed for more than 48 hours will be deleted.
Enjoy CodeWe!
Which problem do you want to report ?
I agree to anonymously share certain browser-related information with the development team.
Privacy Policy for CodeWe
THESE POLICIES ARE NO LONGER VALID!
The current and valid version can be found here.
At CodeWe, accessible from https://codewe.bhasher.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by CodeWe and how we use it.
This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in CodeWe. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator and the Free Privacy Policy Generator.
By using our website, you hereby consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. For our Terms and Conditions, please visit the Terms & Conditions Generator.
CodeWe follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services' analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information.
Like any other website, CodeWe uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information.
For more general information on cookies, please read "What Are Cookies" from Cookie Consent.
You may consult this list to find the Privacy Policy for each of the advertising partners of CodeWe.
Third-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on CodeWe, which are sent directly to users' browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit.
Note that CodeWe has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.
CodeWe's Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options.
You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options. To know more detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers, it can be found at the browsers' respective websites.
Request that a business delete any personal data about the consumer that a business has collected.
CodeWe does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.
Terms of Service Privacy policy Licence Welcome message Github Support Report issue
Copyright © 2020 Dewilde Alexandre, Dubois Brieuc and Technicguy Theo


It feels scary to ask these questions in light of the year that I just had.
In the last year, God broke apart knots of pain in my life. At times, I felt undone and completely broken. He uncovered things that needed to be brought into the light. Honestly, at times, it felt awful and probably like someone doing surgery. I had started the year with an expectant hopeful heart that 2018 would be a different year. That God would make all things new or better.
Except, it didn't feel like that. Something needed to be different and I was ready to do anything it took for it to change. And God did just that.
But by bringing me through a valley of pain. He opened the eyes of my heart to the junk in there, and not all of it self inflicted. He dug up things of the past, helped me face them and began the healing process. He awaken dormant places, he jump started places of lifelessness and renewed hope that had been lost.
Standing on this side of last year, I can honestly say, I am still expectant. I am still staring down winter months but with hope. I am not in the same spot that I was in the last year and now, I am longing to see this God that didn't let me remain in pain work mighty to bring me to Himself.
This isn't to brag or proclaim how God is going to give me all the things on my prayer list, which He is fully capable of doing, but because I believe with every fiber of my being, that I am just scratching the surface of understanding who this God is that I trust.
If I were to call this a resolution, it would be that I resolve to find out. I resolve to lean in, to dig deeper and be present with God to find out what happens when I trust Him and I run after what He is made and called me to do. To fully believe and trust in the abundance that He has already given me in himself.
Often when we think of the word Abundance, we conjure up images of store houses of gold or food or the extravagance of the western world. Perhaps to being able to order whatever we want from Amazon and put all the Target Dollar Spot items in our cart.
God certainly promises to take care of us, but what I believe is that he cares more about is our hearts and souls.
We might always feel like we are lacking on this side of heaven. Waiting for something to actually fill us, waiting to be full of joy and happiness. I have found in thinking about all that God has to offer, that whatever it is, it is in abundance. He is abounding in love, grace, mercy, strength, power, wisdom, and so much more.
Searching the scriptures, I came across many verses with the word "abundance" but one that I think I will cling to this year is..
It feels fitting after last year, to expect to learn about how much God loves me. And He does love me. I pray that I would sit in, reflect on, live out of the fact that He loves me far beyond anything I can comprehend.
So friends, I don't know where this hits you, but I want to encourage you that if you ended the previous year with a longing or ache in your heart, if you feel like you have been through the wringer and then some, remember that God offers you an abundance. Not of more stuff, but of himself.
He created you, he knows you, loves you and offers all of himself FOR you.
We already have that in Him. We don't have to go searching, we don't have to tidy up our stuff or lives, we don't have to clean up our diet or go on a media fast, or do a juice cleanse. None of that is actually going to earn you more of Him. He has already give all of Himself, life and death, for us. All we have to do is step into that abundance, receive it and live out of it.
When did it become about other people?
Don't get me wrong, I am all about helping and serving other people. I am a teacher, I live my life to serve and love my students. I want to love and serve my community as well. I want to be a good person.
However, somewhere along the line in the last year, things shifted in my brain.
See, I started on this journey to change my physical body, discovered it was just as much about my soul and lots of things changed. My self-view changed. I had more confidence and joy. I enjoyed meeting people because I was confident and comfortable in my own skin. I saw myself more than the in the background person. I began to shine, enjoy life and was excited about the future.
disappointment turned into heartbreak and I didn't even realize it.
I tried to ignore it and cover it up. I went back to living my life to please other people, seek satisfaction in what they thought of me, in whether I was doing it right. Even living healthy and running became about other people and competition.
It was an exhausting year. I fought to keep my head above water and still have hard days. Slowly, the fog is beginning to lift as I take one more step toward the only ONE who can satisfy, who is already please with me, and rejoices in me big or small.
As I ran this morning, I began to think about my beginning motivations for losing weight and living healthy. It was first because I was tired of living in the impossible. It was about proving to my 7th grade self that I could do what I never thought possible.
This last year it became about proving to other people I could do it, it became about reaching goals others set for me, it became about becoming skinny enough to get a date (I know totally lie, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't a motivation.) Somewhere in the midst of busyness and stress, I let my motivations begin and end with other people.
Not that things will change overnight, they didn't the first time, but it only takes a moment to make up your mind.
Why is it that we make things about other people and what they think? Why do we want to prove to other people that we can do it and not fail?
You see, I think, we want approval, we are born with that need. However, we misplace it in people. People cannot give us what we ultimately need. They cannot give us the everlasting approval.
Until I can get it through my thick skull and deep into my heart that He has already called me worthy and already approved of me, that I don't have to go after it in other people. When I fully understand that, the disappointments, the stress and the hard things in life, will not derail me.
With that, I have made up my mind that my journey will not be about other people. I will do this for myself. All those miles I run will be fore me, all the sweat will be for me, all those crunches will be for me.
Who are you living for? Whose approval are you looking for? What does it take for you to change that?
School started again. That means several things for my life.
This last week was the first week of school. Going into the week, I wasn't so sure that I was ready for it. Over the weekend, I was dealing with a lot of emotions and heart issues. I was already drained before the kids got there.
These last two weeks, I went from feeling that I had a handle on the school year to feeling as if I was totally unprepared and inadequate to do my job. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to act like I can do everything on my own. I put on the mask of "I got this under control" and fake it till I make it. However, something that I have to continue to realize that the best attitude sometimes is to just admit that I can't do everything on my own.
Just as I can't save myself and I desperately need Jesus to do that for me, I desperately need other people. I need to let the people who love me inside and let them know what is going on. I need to ask for help and be willing to be seen as weak and vulnerable.
This is a broken record in my life. I am believing in my own abilities, and the truth is that I am not capable of anything without Christ. I do nothing on my own and I shouldn't pretend otherwise.
Maybe this is confusing and I am sure it looks different for everyone. But would you pray with me that I wouldn't put the mask on but be willing to ask for help and truly cast my cares upon the Lord instead of trying to spend the energy trying to take care of them myself.


text:
Pies sweating on fitness of Ben Reid after calf issue
Ben Guthrie Jun 27, 2015 4:52PM
Ben Reid in action for the VFL Magpies
COLLINGWOOD will be sweating on the fitness of key defender Ben Reid after he sat out the final quarter of the VFL Magpies' clash against Box Hill on Saturday with calf tightness.
Reid, who has not played senior football since round 21, 2014, has battled a string of soft-tissue injuries in the past 18 months.
He was playing in his fifth consecutive VFL match and the Magpies were hoping he would be fit to take his place in Friday night's clash against Hawthorn.
The Magpies said Reid had suffered cramp late in the third quarter and did not want to take a risk given his history of injuries.
He was enjoying an outstanding game with 24 disposals and 13 marks in the first three quarters.
Collingwood's medical staff will assess Reid on Monday.
Pacy defender Ben Sinclair got through the match unscathed in his return from a long-term hamstring issue.
Young forward Darcy Moore could be in line to make his senior debut against the Hawks after kicking three goals in an impressive display at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Moore, pick No.9 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, has worked his way back from a hamstring niggle suffered in April earlier this season.


text:
Volvo announces some R&D files stolen during cyberattack
by rootdaemon December 10, 2021
Volvo Cars has released a statement confirming a breach of sensitive files that resulted from a cyberattack.
Volvo said it is now aware that "one of its file repositories has been illegally accessed by a third party."
"Investigations so far confirm that a limited amount of the company's R&D property has been stolen during the intrusion. Volvo Cars has earlier today concluded, based on information available, that there may be an impact on the company's operation," Volvo said in a statement.
"After detecting the unauthorised access, the company immediately implemented security countermeasures including steps to prevent further access to its property and notified relevant authorities."
Volvo added that it is still in the process of investigating the incident and has hired a cybersecurity firm to help "investigate the property theft."
The attack did not have "an impact on the safety or security of its customers' cars or their personal data," the company noted in their statement. But they conditioned the statement by saying this was only based on their "currently available information."
Bleeping Computer reported that the Snatch ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack after adding the company to its leak site on November 30. The group already published a small portion of the documents they stole on their leak site.
According to Sophos, the group has been active since 2018 and gained notoriety in 2019 for a novel trick where they were able to bypass antivirus software by rebooting an infected computer into Safe Mode and running the ransomware's file encryption process from there.
The group became known for buying access into victim networks and lurking for days and weeks, expanding their foothold in a company before initiating the ransomware process.
The group also became well known as a ransomware gang that engaged in data theft in addition to encrypting victim networks.
Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, said most ransomware is spread through phishing emails or through exploiting RDP instances open to the internet, noting that this was a hallmark of Snatch.
"The Snatch gang makes great use of RDP in infection and lateral movement within an organization. To defend against these attacks, organizations are wise to ensure employees are trained on the importance of using complex passwords and not reusing passwords with other accounts. Organizations should also be on high alert for brute force attempts against RDP," Kron said.
Tags: announcesCyberattackfilesstolenVolvo
More than 2.5 million Australians have opted out of My Health Record
Top 15 Vulnerabilities Attackers Exploited Millions of Times to Hack Linux Systems
Jack Mallers on Lightning Design and UX – Hacker Noon
Next story Mozilla rolls out GPC for all Firefox users, but enforcement limited to two states
Previous story UK High Court approves Julian Assange's extradition to US


text:
INDIANREDLOPEZ Q&A: 'OUR NEW SINGLE 'ANY GIVEN CITY' EXISTS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MEMORY AND A DREAM'
12th August 2014 No Comments
IndianRedLopez – Scott Maskame (Drums), Darren Forsyth (Bass/Vox), Dave Cherry (Guitars/Vox), Danny Forsyth (Guitars/Vox) and Michael Chang (Guitars/Vox) and CS Buchan released a 7-inch split single Any Given City / Leave It All Behind via Fit Like Records.
The collaboration is the first vinyl release on Fit Like Records, which was founded by CS Buchan himself, and features an impressive list of contributors such as IndianRedLopez, The Little Kicks, Kitchen Cynics and Best Girl Athlete – Buchan's daughter Katie (just 15 years old) who's ethereal vocals feature on both tracks.
Hello IndianRedLopez. Great name. Are you avid boxing fans?
Hello Fame! You think so? We're stuck with it now! Aha, you found us out! That wee factoid was luck. We prefer 'Sleepers'.
You recently toured in Europe. Any funny/interesting stories?
We love The Netherlands. However I remember taking the wrong turn off to our hotel one night, and ending up by the airport (Our hotel was in the airport vicinity, we're not that daft), during the Nuclear summit no less, at around 4am. The Dutch armed forces didn't take too kindly to an unmarked white van roaming those parts. The president of the United States had just landed, and we wanted to give him a warm welcome.
Your single was released as a split single with CS Buchan. How did that come about?
Charley is a dear friend of ours, and we do the occasional moonlighting with his band. His teenage daughter sang on both of those tracks so we thought it would be a great Marvel team up and put out something special to earmark the event. We're delighted with it, yellow vinyl warts and all.
How does the songwriting process work in the band?
We're always very collaborative when we work on new ideas, and this was no different. The change of process was that we had a computer. I would meet up with the guys on separate, isolated occasions, and maybe start an idea or to reconvene an earlier sequence we'd written. I'd find that we were more reactive to ideas being thrown in and sometimes less worried about the signal chain and whether or not it sounded 'correct'. Songs ended up being written a lot quicker than usual and we'd captured a vibe I thought.
Where do you draw your inspirations from?
Loads of things I suppose; observational, day to day stuff to films and books and working designers and creative people In general inspire us. Our home, here in the North-east of Scotland. Our new record drew a lot of gravitas from what we were all going through at the time, welcoming another stage of life and having families, getting betrothed and generally growing up. I wanted to mark that part of my life personally with this record.
Do you think being in a band nowadays is harder or easier than it was in previous decades?
I've only this decade to compare it really, but I suppose it's a double-edged sword. We're enveloped in technology and using the Internet to promote your band and tell everyone about your band couldn't be easier. Then I suppose you become assimilated with the whole thing, and then how you do stand out? Who knows. We're just a small group of people who do what they can and have fun doing it. We'd never thought we'd tour Europe and play some of the biggest shows we've played to date, so we'll just play the whole thing by ear. If someone wants to lend us a helping hand, then we'd reach back.
What's the story behind recent single 'Any Given City'?
It exists somewhere between memory and a dream. The times we remember the places we've travelled to and the longing to return. Those cities will still be there after you've gone through all the shit you need to do at this point in time, but when/if you do return, will they be as you remembered them? Probably not. I had the idea of getting young Katie (CS Buchan's daughter) to sing the chorus line to emphasise that narrative.
Your sound is quite eclectic. If you had to, what genre would you say you fit into?
We're definitely a pop band, and we're definitely a rock band. We're definitely an electronic band. What genre would you say?
Where can we catch IRL live and what should people expect from your performance?
We're performing at the Merchant City Festival, coinciding with the last day of the Commonwealth Games on Sunday, so we're really looking forward to that. I hope people hear honest, weirdly evocative pop music. And you'll see our visual show that walks hand in hand with our songs too.
2014 has been a great year for you guys. What can we expect in 2015?
We've not got solid plans as of yet, but we hope to go back to Europe in the new year to play some more shows in support of 'Commit' but other than that, who knows. You might see another release from us in the Autumn…
©FAMEMAGAZINE.co.uk
facebook.com/IndianRedLopez


Buspirone is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It can also be used to augment the effects of antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder.
Buspirone is a partial agonist of the serotonin 1A receptor.
Buspirone should not be used during or within 14 days following the administration of an MAOI, because a hypertensive crisis may result.
Start at 15mg twice a day. Dose can be increased in 5mg/day increments every 3 days, though usually a couple of weeks is necessary to assess therapeutic effects of a particular dose. Maximum dose is 60mg/day.
When wanting to stop this medication, it can be discontinued immediately.
Therapeutic effects are usually seen after 2-4 weeks of starting the medication. If there are no significant effects after 6 weeks (during which time the dose has been increased beyond the minimum for at least 2 weeks), then it may not work at all.
Not recommended for patients with significant kidney impairment.
Not recommended for patients with significant liver impairment.
Below is a list of most of the reported side-effects of Buspirone. Most of these side-effects occur in only a minority of individuals, and many also resolve with time while the medication is continued.
Cardiovascular: tachycardia (rapid heart rate); chest pain.
Central Nervous System: dizziness; drowsiness; headache; lightheadedness; numbness; weakness; paresthesia; incoordination; tremor; dream disturbances; extrapyramidal symptoms (rare).
Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat: blurred vision; tinnitus; sore throat; nasal congestion.
Musculoskeletal: muscle aches; serotonin syndrome (rare).
Psychiatric: anxiety; irritability; restlessness; agitation.
Sedation, dizziness, small pupils, nausea, vomiting.
Category B: Animal studies have not shown any significant adverse effects, but no studies have been done in humans. Can be used in pregnancy if potential benefits outweigh possible risks.
Blood levels of Buspirone can be raised by Fluoxetine and Fluvoxamine.
Blood levels can be decreased by Carbamazepine.
Buspirone may increase blood levels of Haloperidol and Diazepam.
Combination with other serotonergic medications, including SSRI antidpressants, can precipitate a serotonin syndrome.


text:
Q: como podría lograr lo mismo que hace esta función en Angular Bien... necesito lograr una funcionalidad y encontré una solución pero hace uso de Jquery. Siempre he leído que no se recomienda usar Jquery en Angular 2 y pues he tratado de comprender el funcionamiento de esta función pero aún no lo he logrado. logré subirlo a este editor online dónde pueden ver el código y ejecutarlo. En el código es un div, quisiera que fuese un textarea pero trate de modificar el código susituyendo el div por un textarea y no funciona, no entiendo por que. Pero la idea es que el usuario escriba y que por mas texto que escriba el scroll nunca se active, solo que se reduzca el tamaño de la fuente de dicho textarea, y si el usuario borra texto el texto se vaya agrandando nuevamente. quisiera hacer esto en Angular 8, pero en realidad no tengo mucho tiempo trabajando en el framework y ya tengo horas buscando una solución, es decir, tratando de pasar ese código a typescript sin usar Jquery pero no se me ocurre nada.
Estaba tratande de hacer uso de ViewChild, pero no se me ha ocurrido algo mas.
si alguien me pudiera ayudar un poco estaría enormemente agradecido.
Gracias de antemano!
[EDITADO]
Este es mi archivo index.html:

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <title>Familiamag</title>
  <base href="/">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="favicon.ico">
  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:300,400,500&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.3.1/css/all.css" integrity="sha384-mzrmE5qonljUremFsqc01SB46JvROS7bZs3IO2EmfFsd15uHvIt+Y8vEf7N7fWAU" crossorigin="anonymous">
  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons" rel="stylesheet">
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css">
  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
  <script>
    $.fn.fitInText = function() {
      this.each(function() {

        let textbox = $(this);
        let textboxNode = this;

        let mutationCallback = function(mutationsList, observer) {
          if (observer) {
            observer.disconnect();
          }
          textbox.css('font-size', 0);
          let desiredHeight = textbox.css('height');
          for (i = 12; i < 50; i++) {
            textbox.css('font-size', i);
            if (textbox.css('height') > desiredHeight) {
              textbox.css('font-size', i - 1);
              break;
            }
          }

          var config = {
            attributes: true,
            childList: true,
            subtree: true,
            characterData: true
          };
          let newobserver = new MutationObserver(mutationCallback);
          newobserver.observe(textboxNode, config);

        };

        mutationCallback();

      });
    }
  </script>
</head>
<body class="mat-typography">
  <app-root></app-root>
</body>
</html>

A: Puedes poner ese código en el index.html, después de importar jquery:
<html>

<head>
    <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
    <script>

$.fn.fitInText = function() {
  this.each(function() {

    let textbox = $(this);
    let textboxNode = this;

    let mutationCallback = function(mutationsList, observer) {
      if (observer) {
        observer.disconnect();
      }
      textbox.css('font-size', 0);
      let desiredHeight = textbox.css('height');
      for (i = 12; i < 50; i++) {
        textbox.css('font-size', i);
        if (textbox.css('height') > desiredHeight) {
          textbox.css('font-size', i - 1);
          break;
        }
      }

      var config = {
        attributes: true,
        childList: true,
        subtree: true,
        characterData: true
      };
      let newobserver = new MutationObserver(mutationCallback);
      newobserver.observe(textboxNode, config);

    };

    mutationCallback();

  });
}
    </script>
</head>

<body>

    <my-app>loading</my-app>
</body>

</html>

Y en el componente donde se encuentre el div ejecutar la función en el ngAfterViewInit():
ngAfterViewInit(){
     $('#inner').fitInText();
  }

Demo en vivo
Actualización
En el componente donde se llaman las funciones de jquery hay que declarar una constante $ después de los import que sirve para hacer referencia a jquery :
import { Component } from '@angular/core';
declare const $ :any;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Activity Cards are available to purchase as single sets, or as a complete Companion Activity Kit.
The resources support the activities as described in the Companion Teacher Guide and Activity Cards.
The Companion Activity Kit contains one set of each of the activity cards.


text:
We are usually out working with our veterans and active military ahorseback conducting sessions, or Cowboyin' Up! out on one of our program partner ranches, so we can't capture everything we do, or everyone we have the honor of working with. This is just a small window into our world, so that y'all can get an idea of how we spend our days. We sure hope you enjoy what we have been able to capture!
Albuquerque Journal Visits Crossed Arrows Ranch and home of Horses For Heroes
Writer Phil Parker and photographer Morgan Petroski of the Albuquerque Journal came out yesterday afternoon to visit some of our veterans and to see about our Horses for Heroes Cowboy Up! program. Please see the text only article below our pictures from the day.
HOW HORSES CAN HEAL
PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS RECOVER THROUGH WORKING, BONDING WITH EQUINES
By Phil Parker And Vince Kong
Journal Staff Writers
On a ranch south of Santa Fe, Andres Lazo showed some friends the rips in a cloth cover he was wearing over his combat helmet when shrapnel from an EFP, or explosively formed projectile, tore through and hit hard enough to dent the helmet. He still carries a piece of metal doctors pulled from one arm after that explosion.
"That helmet saved my life," he said.
"That's why you're 'Lucky Laz,' " said rancher Rick Iannucci, as he wrapped Lazo up in a hug. Lazo, 26, is a University of New Mexico student back after a 13-month Army deployment in Iraq. He and CNM student Keith Coronel, 32 and a 10-year veteran of the Navy, were at Iannucci's Crossed Arrows Ranch, 3774 N.M. 14, on Sunday for spring's first day of Horses for Heroes, a program Iannucci started last year with Pecos riding instructor Christina Savitsky. Iannucci is an ex-Green Beret and U.S. marshall. He founded Horses for Heroes, H4H, after he heard of a program in 2007 out of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where disabled soldiers were placed in therapeutic horseback riding programs. The program is intended to help returning veterans cope with the stress of integrating back into civilian life.
"There was a vacuum, in my opinion, between what the veterans administration ... and other government agencies were doing, and what was really happening," he said. "They all do a great job but they're out-gunned. The numbers of soldiers coming home are too big."
Iannucci explained that the life of a working cowboy is very similar to the life of a soldier. Since part of H4H is about reintroducing soldiers to civilian life, not only will veterans learn basic horsemanship but other skills as well.
"This isn't just about getting on a pony and riding around an arena," he said. "The cowboy culture is almost a parallel to the warrior culture. When these (veterans) came back from Iraq and Afghanistan, they were lost in a lot of ways."
Sunday was easy for Lazo and Coronel, the only two vets on hand to work with the horses. At least five more are expected to join them in the coming weeks, and Iannucci expects closer to 20 soldiers by the summer out of the Wounded Warrior Project at the University of New Mexico.
While a kettle of coffee stayed hot on a nearby campfire, the pair picked dirt from the hooves of two black horses, then brushed each one simultaneously. As they rubbed across either sides of a horse's belly, it looks like it's in heaven — eyes glassed over and closing, lower lip dangling open and vibrating slightly.
"A lot of being out here is just being outside, on the east side of the mountains," Lazo said. "It's nice bonding with the horses. It really happens."
Coronel said he never saw combat in his time in the Navy, but as president of CNM's veterans club he knows others who have. He's recruiting them to join him at Cross Arrows Ranch, he said, because he knows it will help.
"I like it out here," he said, "it's very relaxing, very laid back, and you really engage with the horses."
Lazo and Coronel are just in phase one of the program, learning the basic horsemanship of riding and bonding through grooming and saddling. Once they get those techniques down they'll graduate to the second and final phase that includes farm work like branding, mending fences and working with livestock. Then they'll have the skills to branch out and work at other ranches.
Iannucci envisions pairing H4H with Turquoise Trail Wranglers, a 4-H club he also runs out of his ranch.
"Now these soldiers will be helping out," Iannucci said. "They'll have a new mission, which what they've been looking for."
H4H is endorsed by New Mexico's Military Order of the Purple Heart and the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association.
Also on hand Sunday were an HBO documentaries film crew and Sgt. Andrew Brandi, a Vietnam War veteran, author and outspoken advocate — at the state and national level — for improving care of returning veterans.
"Never in the history of this country have so few people gone through so much combat," he said, noting that World War II and Vietnam War vets saw an average of less than 260 days of deployment, whereas Iraq and Afghanistan's veterans average more than 1,000 days at war. "They come back with no de-boot camp."
Brandi has given workshops on coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. He said he plugs the 4H4 program at every opportunity.
"If they want to come back and learn to be cowboys, that's great," he said. "What Rick's doing with them is very similar to training; it's like the code of honor for a warrior."
Said Lazo: "Over there, you're always on a mission mentally. This gives you a new mission, a purpose. And they welcomed me with open arms. It's so nice here. It's a big thing to come back and be with someone who cares."
Posted by Cowboy Up! at 12:48 PM
NM Cattle Growers' Association Press Release
Program Brings Veterans, Ranchers Together
Horses for Heroes – Cowboy UP!, a Santa Fe-based program that uses horses and horseback riding to help treat soldiers returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, will start working with its first group of soldiers March 20.
"We are proud to support the Horses for Heroes Program, and look forward to playing a bigger role as the program grows," said Bert Ancell, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA) President, Bell Ranch. The NMCGA voted to support the program at its recent annual meeting.
Program founder and former Green Beret Rick Iannucci started out with a pilot program last year. "I saw a big need – soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are coming home in droves, and there are few outlets to help them," he said. "We take regular people, send them over to Iraq and Afghanistan and train them how to fight. Then, we bring them home, sometimes without even a thank you, and expect them to turn it off and reintegrate automatically. It's not happening."
Today's veterans see an average of 1500 days of combat, and go directly into combat when they land on the ground. In World War II, soldiers saw an average of 120 days of combat, and Vietnam Veterans saw an average of 240 - 260 days of combat.
Horses for Heroes – Cowboy UP! is staffed and operated by volunteers, many who are veterans themselves. Participants will learn to work with, care for, train and ride horses, work cattle, and experience the camaraderie of working with other veterans and ranchers. "Our program provides the veterans with the opportunity to recuperate, recreate and reintegrate into society and into our ranching community and cowboy culture," Iannucci said.
Currently, ranchers including Mike Hobbs, Express UU Bar Ranch, Cimarron; Steve Price, Bonanza Creek Ranch, Santa Fe; Henry McKinley, Staple Cross Ranch, Santa Fe; Christina Savitsky, Pecos Bar X Ranch, Pecos; and Bob Frost, Caprock Creek Ranch, San Jon are involved in the program.
"Those serving in the armed forces are making enormous sacrifices, every day, to keep our families and country safe," Ancell said. "As an organization and as individuals, we are glad to do all we can to help soldiers when they return home."
The Horses for Heroes – Cowboy UP! program is the only program of this type nationally that is endorsed by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, according to Iannucci. "We want to show people what is possible, not what is probable," he said.
Anyone interested in becoming a program partner can contact Horses For Heroes – Cowboy UP! through the website at www.horsesforheroes.org or www.horsesforheroes.blogspot.com. The program depends on donations, and hay, saddles and good working ranch horses are always needed. Online contributions can also be made through the websites.
Listen Anytime to Radio Interview...
You can now listen Anytime to the interview that aired yesterday: click link below:
Listen to the Interview Here
Combat Trauma
United States Marine Corps Sergeant Andrew Brandi Vietnam war veteran, author of the book, The Warrior's Guide to Insanity
Ellen Fox Psychotherapist
Rick Iannucci Director of Horses for Heroes- New Mexico Inc.- Cowboy UP!
Posted by Cowboy Up! at 3:37 PM
Horses For Heroes on Radio This Morning!
Local Cerrillos area residents Sgt. Andrew Brandi, US Marine Corps and Former Green Beret Rick Iannucci will be featured on Mary Charlotte's Radio Cafe program KSFR 101 .1 FM at 8:00 AM Tuesday.They will speak about combat trauma, PTSD and the issues surrounding Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans and current initiatives to assist them. They will also discuss the Horses for Heroes- Cowboy UP! horse therapy and working ranch program that Rick currently directs and Andy serves as consultant to.
This is the only horse therapy program in the country endorsed by and partnered with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, NM.
For live Stream: cut and paste the below link in your browser: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/ksfr/ppr/index.shtml
Posted by Cowboy Up! at 6:12 AM
Cowboy Up!
Is a unique horsemanship, wellness and Skill-set Restructuring™ program based in Santa Fe, NM free to ALL post 9/11 veterans and active military especially those who have sustained, PTS, PTSD (Post Traumatic SPIRITUAL DISSONANCE™), physical injuries or combat trauma during their time serving our country. From day one veterans are hands on with our horses beginning with groundwork and progressing to riding, as well as participating in other aspects of ranch life, including working cattle and more importantly experiencing camaraderie with cowboys who are veterans themselves. Horses For Heroes - New Mexico, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. We are honored to be endorsed by NM Department of Veterans' Services, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and their member ranches, Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA), Cimarron Maverick Club NM, Wrangler National Patriot Program, and Gold Star Mothers of America - Albuquerque Chapter.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR ARTICLE
LOCAL FLAVOR COVER STORY
NEW MEXICO STOCKMAN ARTICLE
Veterans Speak
Code of the West
Range Radio
SFC. Dana Bowman US Army Special Forces Retired
Working Ranch Magazine
New Mexico Cattle Growers Association
Albuquerque Journal Article
RESTREPO The Movie
Turquoise Trail Wranglers 4-H
Office Alternatives
Albuquerque Journal Visits Crossed Arrows Ranch an...


text:
Home / Press Releases / WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Introduces Atlanta-Resident Michael Battle as Nominee to be Ambassador to Tanzania
WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Introduces Atlanta-Resident Michael Battle as Nominee to be Ambassador to Tanzania
Battle previously served as United States Ambassador to the African Union
Battle has been a community leader in Atlanta for decades
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff introduced Michael Battle in his confirmation hearing to serve as United States Ambassador to Tanzania.
Ambassador Battle, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
"It is an honor Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member to be here alongside Ambassador Battle as he prepares for this pivotal assignment in Tanzania," Sen. Ossoff said. "We need his skilled representation in East Africa. I know he will do this job with honor and effectively. I thank the Committee for consideration of his nomination and humbly urge his swift confirmation."
Battle has held several leadership roles in Atlanta, including as President of the Interdenominational Theological Center from 2003-2009, Chair of The Robert W. Woodruff Library at the AUC, and as Chair of former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's Advisory Committee for Sustainable Atlanta.
Battle served for 20 years as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. Battle was joined at the hearing by his wife, Linda Ann Battle.
Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff's remarks:
Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff's remarks below:
SEN. OSSOFF: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Rounds. It's an honor to join you today to introduce and recommend for confirmation and outstanding diplomat, whom I'm proud to call a constituent from my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Ambassador Michael Battle. Ambassador Battle has led an extraordinary career, committed to education and public service.
"He served for 20 years as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. During the Obama Administration, Ambassador Battle served as U.S. Ambassador to the African Union in Ethiopia. He also served that Administration as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and as a senior adviser to the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs.
"In addition to his government service, Ambassador Battle has served in a variety of leadership roles in higher education in the faith community, including Executive Vice President of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Vice President at Chicago State University, Associate Vice President at Virginia State University, and University Chaplain at Hampton University.
"Ambassador Battle has been a community leader in Atlanta for years, serving as chair of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, as a member of the UNCF Institutional Board of Directors, the Atlanta Rotary Club, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities Congressional Forum Steering Committee.
"The Ambassador chaired Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's Advisory Committee for Sustainable Atlanta, served in a variety of roles at the Atlanta Regional Council of Churches, Atlanta Urban League, and the Atlanta Fulton Family Connection, and was a member of the 2008 class of Leadership Atlanta. He holds a lifetime membership with the NAACP, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
"It is an honor Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member to be here alongside Ambassador Battle as he prepares for this pivotal assignment in Tanzania. We need his skilled representation in East Africa. I know he will do this job with honor and effectively. I thank the Committee for consideration of his nomination and humbly urge his swift confirmation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
PrevPreviousSens. Ossoff, Rounds Lead Bipartisan Push to Include HBCU, Tribal College Cybersecurity Job Training Grant Program in American Competitiveness Legislation
NextWATCH: Sen. Ossoff Addresses Robb Elementary School Shooting, Welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda ArdernNext


text:
BP & UK challenged over gas and arms deals with the Algerian regime
Feb 10, 2014 • 10:27 am
Demonstrators at business conference call for "Algerian human rights, not Britain' gas grabs"
A protest took place this morning over Britain's "gas grabs" and its complicity in human rights abuses in Algeria at an an investor conference in London attended by high-level government & business executives from the UK and Algeria. Twenty protesters with banners reading "BP and the UK: Bankrolling crackdowns on democracy in Algeria" and "Don't sacrifice human rights for Britain's gas grabs" gave leaflets to the attendees of the conference as they entered the London Stock Exchange.
Arranged by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) together with the Algerian Embassy in the UK and the British Embassy in Algeria, the "Algeria Investor Window" provided a space for government-business deals away from the public eye. The event publicity materials explicitly promoted investment into the highly controversial Trans-Saharan pipelines, that would exacerbate conflict in a fragile region and cause untold environmental damage.
The Algeria Solidarity Campaign (ASC) and oil and gas industry watchdog Platform have also released a new report accusing BP and the UK of a "gas grab" and collusion with a repressive regime in Algeria that has been subject to international criticism for human rights abuses and stifling movements for democracy over the course of many decades.
The report Reinforcing Dictatorships – Britain's Gas Grab and Human Rights in Algeria released today shows how:
* British foreign policy towards Algeria has been shaped by fossil fuel and arms interests
* Britain is pursuing a "gas grab", in which gas supplies are locked into the British grid, regardless of consequences for Algerians
* Britain has been expanding its arms sales to Algeria, despite intense human rights abuses and fraudulent elections
* BP is intensifying its close relationship with the Algerian regime
* Amidst major corruption scandals, Britain has lobbied for better deals for British companies
Hamza Hamouchene, report author and chair of Algeria Solidarity Campaign, said:
The Algerian regime, lacking in popular legitimacy, is seeking to deepen its relations with Western capitals such as London. Deals being made at this investor conference in London directly contribute to the longevity of an authoritarian and repressive regime at the expense of the human rights of the Algerian people. The British establishment is prioritising its fossil fuel interests and arms industry at the expense of pro-democracy movements in Algeria. The British government should have learnt its lesson from the events of the Arab uprisings.
Kevin Smith from Platform added:
Britain's "dash for gas" is not only a disaster for the climate, it's also actively supporting repressive dictatorships like that in Algeria. UK Foreign Policy seems to be almost entirely driven by the agenda of securing access to dirty fossil fuels abroad while turning a blind eye to human rights abuses of the regimes they're willing to do business with.
Print Quality Photos and Interviews available on request
*** ENDS ***
More information on the Algeria Investor Window
Algeria and Human Rights
In a 2013 report, Amnesty International said that the Algerian authorities continued to restrict freedoms of expression, association and assembly, dispersing demonstrations and harassing human rights defenders. Human Rights Watch have reported on how the authorities relied on repressive laws and regulations to stifle dissent and human rights activities by increasingly clamping down on efforts to form independent unions and to organize and participate in peaceful protests and worker strikes. Authorities have blocked demonstrations, arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted trade unionists for the peaceful exercise of their union activities.
Algeria and Gas Exports
Gas currently forms an integral part of the UK's energy generation mix, generating 40% of electricity in 2011.5 As domestic extraction diminishes, the government is expecting that imports will account for a higher proportion of the gas supply.
Algeria has the largest proven natural gas reserves in Africa and has been identified as a priority market in the Department of Energy and Climate Change's Energy Security Policy.
The European Union considers Algeria as a strategic partner because of its oil and gas resources. 38% of Algerian oil extraction is destined for the European market. But the major energy interdependence relates to gas. Algeria is the third-largest source of gas imports to the EU, accounting for 14% of gas imports and 10% of total consumption.
Role of British companies in the Algerian oil and gas sector
The primary UK oil & gas companies currently active in Algeria are
BP is one of the largest foreign investors in Algeria. With joint venture partners Statoil and Sonatrach, it has delivered two of the largest gas developments in the country: In Salah and In Amenas.
BG Group has been active in Algeria since 2006 and has a 65% interest in and is the operator of the Hassi Ba Hamou (HBH) permit in central Algeria. The Group also holds 49%, and is operator of another permit: Guern el Guessa (GEG).
BHP Billiton has a 45% interest in two developments: the ROD integrated oil fields in the Berkine region which are operated by a Sonatrach-ENI joint venture and the OHANET wet gas development, operated jointly with Sonatrach.
Shell began its operations in Algeria in 1928, providing fuel and lubricants to the automotive and aviation industry. Today Shell is mainly involved in onshore drilling and the sale of lubricants to the country's fast-growing retail and industrial markets. Shell Global Solutions is also active in Algeria. Algeria announced last year (2012) exploration agreements with Exxon and Shell regarding shale gas.
UK arms sales to Algeria
The UK has been keen to pursue arms sales to Algeria in recent years, and Algeria was listed as a 'priority market' by UK Trade and Investment's Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) in 2010/11.
Of the £303 million worth of UK export licences to Algeria approved between 2008 and June 2013, £290 million worth were classified as "military", according to research carried out by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). Weapons approved for sale to the Algerians were under the categories Military Lists 4 and 10 (ML4 and ML10) that cover "small arms", "grenades", "bombs" and "missiles" – as well as "aircraft, helicopters and drones"


text:
Irish Rovers John Reynolds and George Millar at the Vancouver Island Music Awards. The Irish Rovers received the Island Classic Award in honor of their 45 plus year career.
Campbell River's Rover accepts award
The Irish Rovers who have been based on Vancouver Island for the past 20 years won Song of the Year, and Island Classic awards at the 2011 Vancouver Island Music Awards held at the Sid Williams Theatre
Maria Kirley
Jun. 30, 2011 7:00 p.m.
The Irish Rovers who have been based on Vancouver Island for the past 20 years won Song of the Year, and Island Classic awards at the 2011 Vancouver Island Music Awards held at the Sid Williams Theatre.
Among an audience of young rockers, music veterans John Reynolds of Campbell River and George Millar of Nanoose, accepted awards for The Irish Rovers at the Vancouver Island Music Awards held June 23, at Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay.
Although pleased at receiving the Song of the Year Award for his song, Gracehill Fair, Millar later said that he didn't like to take an award that he feels should go to the younger musicians.
Later, VIMA producer, James Kasper introduced a special segment of the evening in which a short film depicting some highlights of The Irish Rovers long career was shown.
After the film, Kasper and co-host Donny Black added a few details:
"It all started with two young Irish immigrants meeting in a bar, and singing till dawn. Since then, The Irish Rovers have sold nearly 40 albums in North America, with dozens more internationally. A lot of their songs are about enjoying life, and the good taste of a whiskey, or a Guinness – a subject they studied long and hard. In fact, it was after attending one of their parties, that Tom Paxton decided to write Wasn't That A Party.
"If you're too young to have grown up with The Irish Rovers on television, I'll just say, that these Irishmen, became so much a part of the Canadian culture, that Prime Minister Trudeau personally asked them to become Canadian."
These Grammy and Juno nominees have survived it all – record label changes, personnel changes, management changes, and over 45 years later they're still selling out tours internationally, and are soon to be back on the small screen with their latest television special, Home In Ireland.
The Rovers next album on Rover Records is soon to be released with their upcoming single, Whores and Hounds.
Then the audience, made up of mostly young musicians, gave a roaring standing ovation as Kasper announced that this year's Island Classic Award was in honor of the Rovers' 46-plus years of music.
The completely surprised Millar had words of encouragement for today's struggling musicians: "my message to all you young people, who by the way are great, I wish you all the best – 'don't give up' is my word to you tonight. No matter what anybody says to you, just tell them all to…get lost and keep doing what you want to do – and you'll do it!"
Fellow Rover Reynolds then took the mike, "'Don't give up' is three words, George."
He went on to say, "keep it going, keep the records coming, keep the words coming, and enjoy your life."
For over 20 years, Rovers John Reynolds and George Millar have made their home here on Vancouver Island. Millar says he gets inspiration for his songs from his waterfront home in Nanoose, and Rick Salt's studio in Nanaimo is where they record the results.
When he's not a-rovin', Reynolds hosts fishing excursions from his home in Campbell River with his company Jigs & Reels.
For more on the awards see: http://islandmusicawards.wordpress.com/
Dennis was born to be a logger
River bands among top three


text:
**Bossfight** is a 2D fighting game Im working on mainly as a way to teach
myself the basics of game development.

The idea behind **Bossfight** is, instead of a fighting game where players fight
eachother, players team up to fight a boss.


Salaries in the Czech Republic are on the rise, with the country's record-low unemployment and a record number of vacancies on the local market leading to an estimated 8.6% across-the-board hike in wages over the course of 2018.
But beyond that, most employees can expect a little something extra for the holidays this year.
For the first time in Czech history, a majority of companies in the country – 56% – will be granting a full month's salary to their employees as a Christmas bonus in 2018, according to a recent survey of local entrepreneurs by the Czech Chamber of Commerce.
That percentage represents a huge increase over recent years, with 47% of Czech companies granting the 13th salary bonus in 2017, and just 39% of local employees receiving the full-month Christmas bonus in 2016.
Larger corporations in the Czech Republic are most likely to grant the full month bonus.
"It is true that the bigger the company, the more it pays out to the employees," Czech Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Miroslav Diro told Novinky.cz.
The average Christmas bonus is expected to exceed 30,000 crowns this year, with most employees receiving a bonus of somewhere between 15,000 and 35,000 crowns.
That falls in line with the rising salaries in the country, which crossed 30,000 crowns for the first time this year.
Looking for a job in Prague? Get contacted directly by employers with the new Expats.cz CV Builder!


This is it Cousins! The last one. Thanks for listening to 42 Fish.
"The choice of what language to use is subject to hundreds of hours of deliberation and enormous resources, because if you get it right, you usually win."
"He is all artifice. More than any Liberal party leader in the past 35 years Trudeau is an empty vessel with little choice but to be filled up by his party's corporate brain trust"
AwdPolitics with Murray Dobbin -Pharmacare and who can you trust?
Music from locals and non locals!
42 Fish encourage you to think!
Meet My Cousins from NWT!
Meet Shannel and Allison from the North West Territories!
Groove to music selected for your earholes by Cousin Awd.
Music by Keith Secola, NADJIWAN, Los Lobos, Boogy the Beat, USS and the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra!
Cousin Awd observes the smoke on the water from high and safe above the Bowling Alley.
42Fish Episode 062915: Detroit, Tribal journey <3!Justin!<3!
Cousins! Awd is sounding slightly spacy after the weekend but the music is groovy as all get out.
Devin Pielle drives the Mothership for the first time!
She introduces cousins to the word: Woowoom and speaks about the Tla'Amin Canoe Journey and the songs written over the weekend in preparation.
More music from Pura Fe and Roxie Ray - both who can woowoom like nobody's business!
Awd Politics with Murray Dobbin further explores Civic Literacy and the idiology of Idiologies.
42 Fish explore the verisimilitude of the dictionary folk who add new words. Cousin Awd vivaciously but without vermivorousness plays with the vernacular on this fine fishy episode.
#AwdPoli with Murray Dobbin: Murray interviews NDP MP Nathan Cullen, Official Opposition critic for Finance in Victoria.


text:
Burchardinger ist der Name folgender Adelsgeschlechter:

 Burchardinger (rätisches Adelsgeschlecht), rätische Burchardinger (auch Hunfridinger genannt)
 Burchardinger (französisches Adelsgeschlecht), französische Burchardinger (französisch Bourchardides)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The KEGS website. We offer specialist provision for able students.
Having always been a comprehensive school student and then a comprehensive school teacher for 17 years, I still feel like an observer rather an insider now that I work in a selective school. I am challenged on the validity of selection by testing from time to time and, as I work very closely with colleagues from a range of school types, it is an issue I am happy to debate and discuss. Having seen both of my children through the school choice circus, I have a parental perspective too. (You might have missed this post on the whole school choice open evening circus).
It is fundamentally incompatible with creating a cohesive society; it is reinforcing a sheep and goats social sieve; the 'social mobility' claims can't be substantiated; the nature of testing is flawed and only certain abilities count; testing acts as a social selection because affluent parents can more easily afford coaching; some selective schools cream off talent to the extent that neighbouring comprehensives are essentially secondary modern schools, disadvantaged beyond what is reasonable; fully selective areas do not show significant overall levels of increased attainment; 11 is too young for children to experience failure/rejection.
This argument is often put to dampen the enthusiasm anyone might have to open new selective schools; it can also be put to suggest a policy to close grammar schools or, more accurately, to remove their selective admissions policies. This is part of the movement to promote the idea that all children should go to the local school so that, in so doing, we would have a more equitable, integrated and fair society. The arguments are also put forward to help contextualise the performance records of non-selective schools; if you start off by selecting the intake, then no wonder the results are so high and so on.
I fully understand all of this and I believe it is an important debate to have. However, it frustrates me that the debate is often too polemical and too limited. People (including me) tend to argue from a perspective that justifies their decisions as parents and teachers; radical idealistic policy suggestions are all too easily made when they're never likely happen in practice given the range of public opinion among the electorate (this includes the idea of abolishing independent schools as if any government could control how people spend their money to this degree); selection by testing is often isolated from a myriad of other factors when, in truth, there is always selection at work (see below). For me the biggest issue, is that the admissions debate is a sideshow relative to talking about educational standards and the difference we could be making by focusing on classroom practice.
Of course, not everyone who wants a place can have one but does that mean that free education like that on offer at KEGS shouldn't be available in the system? Should it only be an option for those with the money for private schools? Education isn't a redistributable asset. One person's excellent education doesn't have to come at the expense of another; you can't share it out like money. But, I feel my school shows what can be provided and a great deal of what goes on could be transferred elsewhere, without the selective intake, if people set their sights higher. (Again, this doesn't go down well but I believe it is true.) The goal should surely be to provide the same level of expectations and curriculum elsewhere and reduce the unevenness in the system that way; level up, not down.
As Tony Blair and Andrew Adonis agreed at the start of the New Labour government, there is nothing to be gained from closing down successful institutions. In a democracy, it will never be acceptable and, pragmatically, it isn't sensible. The same attitudes prevail today and so, in short, closing selective schools ain't going to happen and, therefore, it's a fruitless discussion. The battles of the 1970s are over and with a history dating back to 1551, I actually feel that KEGS, and schools like it, deserve to be protected and preserved, provided that they continue to deliver; and we do.
However, if it is argued that selective admissions should be phased out, it is worth considering the impact. KEGS is one of four selective schools out of 79 secondary schools in Essex Local Authority. From our intake of 120 into Year 7, only about 50 come from the town of Chelmsford, who might otherwise have gone to 7 or 8 local schools. Our admissions area, from which 80 % of places must be offered, is 25 miles wide; 20% of places are offered further afield. If KEGS became a non-selective school, we'd be taking all 120 students from the town (an additional 350 students over five years) which, in my view, would have a significant negative impact on the local schools as well has having an impact on the local housing market. I think the balance of numbers in Essex works very well; no one school suffers a creaming effect of any magnitude and the local schools have the full ability range. My school sits among them offering a unique form of provision as part of the overall offer in the area; it's a balance that has evolved over many years and I think it works.
Another important factor is the issue of diversity. My school has a BME intake of about 35 % overall. This is three times higher than the local average; I think KEGS has a good shout for being the most ethnically diverse school in Essex. Diversity takes many forms and I'd suggest that my students experience a form of diversity that my own children, despite being in North London (comprehensive but socially selective schools) do not experience to the same extent, especially when they go into their ability groups.
One of my biggest frustrations with the 'local school' argument is that proponents very often gloss over the realities of de facto house price selection. In the scenario where everyone went to the local school, using proximity measures alone, school choice would be entirely determined by the housing market – in terms of renting or buying. In my area of North London this is significant. The same is true in parts of Essex and all over the country. Taking all other selective factors away, the key determinant of school choice is how much you can afford to pay for where you live. Arguing the local school case, is arguing for housing market selection; there is no escaping that. I know for a fact that many of my students come from families with incomes that mean they could not afford to go to my school if they had to buy or rent a house in the area if we became non-selective. I also know that people choose to rent small flats without gardens in Muswell Hill to gain access to the local school when they'd rather have bought a house with a garden somewhere cheaper. Only people with serious money get to have both. This is the reality of the 'school choice via Estate Agent' system; it serves the wealthy to a far greater extent than any issues to do with general affluence, coaching and cultural capital; the sums involved are straight forward to compare.
In Essex, there are situations where the school profiles are radically different in different parts of the same town, far away from the influence of selective creaming. School choice by housing is literally how things work and I'd suggest that the 'choice' to stay in some areas is not one many local school campaigners would make gladly and they'd move if they could afford to. There are plenty of parents in many parts of the South East who choose to stay in relatively low cost housing but spend their money on private education or extra home tuition. They are scoffed at but I'd suggest that they're often spending less than people buying the £800K ++ homes in North London that enable people to go to the better local schools – or, to be more accurate, the school of their choice.
Another element in the debate is the role of faith schools. The Sutton Trust report from 2008 showed that, of the 100 most socially selective schools in England, based on a measure derived from comparing school vs local Free School Meals rates, only 17 were grammar schools. (See Chapter 7) 53 were voluntary aided faith schools and the others were comprehensives. None of the 20 most socially selective schools are grammar schools. The report suggests that faith schools have a significant impact in terms of social selection. To me this is important; when selective schools are being evaluated, it is obvious to me that any debate has to include faith schools. As an atheist – where, by definition, I don't believe in a supreme being – it is odd to me that gaining access to schools can be determined by demonstrating faith in something that isn't real. Now, I know lots of religious people extremely well and I respect them for having their faith; I'm well aware of the place religion has in our culture and history and there is never likely to be a political agenda to remove faith schools from the system – but when one child gains access to a school instead of another because of their parents' stated faith allegiance, and when this extends to employing staff too… I obviously feel I have less to defend in my own position as Head of a secular selective school. Imagine if we had humanist schools…..
A recent Sutton Trust report on social selection in comprehensives attempted to suggest that new converter academies were more socially selective than the average and less so than the original sponsored academies. To me this was simply self-referential data-truism. These academy types had initial origins in 'Outstanding' schools (converter) and 'schools in challenging circumstances' (Sponsored). By definition the FSM characteristics of these schools on average would show divergence. The same logic is applied to selective schools; yes it is true the selective schools have proportionally fewer students on free school meals. Why? Well.. take a look at the 'top table' in any Y6 classroom – or the average of all Y6 'top tables'. Take a look at the demographics of the top set in any comprehensive school. What do you find… ? Of course there is a deep and well-established correlation between attainment and socio-economic advantage. You find this in reception classes. The 2008 Sutton Report actually shows that the level of social selection at selective schools is no greater than that explained by academic selection alone; grammar schools don't add additional social selection beyond the act of testing. The issues pre-date arrival at the schools themselves and as I've argued elsewhere, stopping gaps emerge should be our priority because narrowing gaps is a false promise.
The good old Grammar School days?.. Much has changed; much is the same.
I know all the stuff about the Halcyon days of grammar schools, where ordinary boys were able to become socially mobile, is often overblown. But it certainly did have that effect for hundreds of students at my school over the years; they tell me so and still we have students gaining that benefit. That said, even if my school now largely serves a middle class ethnically diverse, elite, I'd still argue that it shouldn't be necessary to limit educational experiences like my school offers to those who can afford private education. KEGS is like an Oxbridge College for kids… but it's free and is far more equitable in terms of entry than either Oxford or Cambridge. I can live with that.
So, on the basis that 'something should be done', we need some solutions. Here's where I'd start.
Freeze changes to school structures, but make all schools funded on the same basis with the same freedoms. I don't think adding more schools necessarily solves underlying issues in the system – so far, there is no evidence of that. However, we should give Local Authorities overriding school planning powers so that any new provision derives from clear need and references existing provision with the potential to improve. If that includes a strategically placed school like mine, so be it – but that that needs careful planning and consultation not just the drive of some local power-players.
Focus on school improvement; however hard it seems, with some schools in much more difficult circumstances than others, leveling up is the only justifiable course of action. Raising expectations is at the heart of this. Probably all schools have some students just as talented as mine – so give them the same curriculum experience and set the same expectations. I'm not saying it's easy…..but people want to come to my school for a reason.
Explore wider use of lottery and banding systems and other mechanisms that reduce house price selection. This can only really work in certain circumstances – as it appears to in Greenwich and at London Nautical School – and it reduces the school-community link to some extent. (Banding seems like a good idea although the idea of doing too well on a test to get a school place doesn't seem entirely right… and this is an inherent issue.) However… let's not have debates that are essentially only arguments for letting the housing market determine school places, unchecked without release valves for those with less financial power.
Explore wider use of selection. This doesn't mean opening new selective schools, but if all schools could offer some or all places on a form of aptitude selection – then, theoretically, all schools might be open to anyone. There might be winners and losers, of course, but this might create mass mobility where house prices were no barrier and we might achieve greater equity overall. It would be worth modeling with different proportions of places allocated by promixity, by aptitude and by banding.
Above all, I'd argue that the polemicists need to tone down their arguments in favour of a more considered and rounded view of these issues. Ultimately, it is all a case of relative values and some form of selection over another. Faith? Ability? Wealth? Random? Who is to say which order these should come in…. it's more complicated than we're often allowed to admit or discuss. There is no system without selection of some kind and, having arrived to KEGS from 'the plantation', I'm confident that we're making a contribution that the system needs.
Thanks for the this very open post about your own school. Last year when trial HE destinations data was published by DfE I decided to examine how local state schools/colleges in my area of South West London fared, centred around Richmond LA where I live. Richmond featured in the media today as one of the top national LAs sending a share of its students to Oxbridge (but then we have 3 high performing private schools in the borough: St Paul's Boys, Hampton Boys and Lady Eleanor Holles Girls). My conclusion? That as you rightly say selection of all types goes on within the system and not just by ability of students or of their parents to afford their fees/buy houses in the right catchment areas. What interested me was that some less selective schools still manage to beat the odds and do well in getting more of their students to university, assuming this is the best route for them. I was also surprised to see that by far the majority of an admittedly limited sample of state-educated university-bound students in this area didn't go to London universities or Oxbridge, but much further afield to Manchester, Southampton, Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Warwick and York for example. I'm not sure what the profile is for the private schools but suspect it may well be more Oxbridge/London focused. This could be due to a whole range of reasons, but indicates to me that highly educated young people NOT vested with traditional links to specific universities will go where they think is best for them, assuming they can afford and are prepared/allowed to move away from home. The other issue that came up was the strong drive for routes into medical school, which dominates a lot of the top end of the ability range, and is facilitated by parents who either work in medicine or have a special relationship with it, whatever views their own children might have about doing such a career. That definitely needs to be rectified.
I find all your educational posts really interesting and congratulate you on being a Head who still practises his craft.However, the justification for selective school is where we part company severly.Election distorts school and the surrounding catchment areas to the detriment of all the non selective school in the vicinity.It is educational apartheid and has no possible justification except by teachers and parents who gain benefit from this type of system. I think the challenge for you is to transfer your ideas into the local schools and allow others to have the rich diet you nourish your selected boys with.The world outside selection is such a laudable one but given little credence because of the unfair comparison with selective schools. I shall continue to follow your educational posts and put them into practice in my school.
a) Do people really feel school choice via the housing market is more fair than various forms of selection?
b) Why is it not possible for students of parallel ability to be set the same expectations each day as they would be at a school like mine? It should be possible and I do what I can to persuade people of that. Closing my school wouldn't benefit anyone..unless the other schools started to match the curriculum breadth and depth. No-one likes to hear that but I've been in both positions and I know it to be true.
Thanks for this, Tom. In my thirty year career I've taught in comprehensive, grammar and independent schools. All present different opportunities and different challenges (for staff and pupils). I wish we could spend less time, energy and angst debating school type and convert that effort into ensuring the quality of education is as good as it possibly can be, in every school (and all can improve). All children deserve this, whatever decisions their parents may have made about their education.
I think point a is a completely separate argument; I agree with the you're comments re house price selection but two wrongs don't make a right. On point b, it is a slightly circular argument as if the brightest students are not attending comprehensives then comprehensives can't provide a curriculum and level of expectation for students that aren't there. I say this as someone who works in a comprehensive school in Kent. There is also the real issue of coaching that you mention and the social selection and perhaps more worryingly massive stress on 10 year old children. 10 years old is too early to be separating students by 'ability'. I completely agree with your point about some comprehensives not having high enough expectations, yet I also know of grammar schools that don't. Again, the fact that some comprehensives are not good enough is not an argument for grammar schools. In fact if anything it is an argument against – the expertise in (some) of them could be improving comprehensive schools meaning grammar schools would become redundant. Lastly, I don't agree with the argument that says you shouldn't change something that is successful within a narrow set of criteria based on that one individual school. Overall I really believe that the the net effect on young people in areas with selection is negative. Could I finish by saying thank you for your excellent blogs – I have just started getting into this online world and yours stand out as knowledgeable and considered. I just think it is a shame you are at a grammar school! However, best wishes and keep making a difference for your students.
I'm a parent governor at a non selective school in a coastal area where 40% child poverty is comparable to Tower Hamlets. It's clear family background feeds into our education system. The 11+ doesn't help social mobility.
Parents seem to feel that grammar school is the better option, so battles begin at the primary school gates. But we need educational apartheid like a hole in the head. What we do need, and struggle to get, are teachers who live in the area for longevity of placement to meet a range of needs.
Regarding many forms of selection. The evidence shows that the first 24 months of life can be game changers, that windows exist until and beyond adolescence and that stimulation in the home can make all the difference. So, if it's agreed parents can make the biggest difference why aren't schools doing more to provide extended learning? Why can't grammar schools and neighbouring schools join forces to provide a 'comprehensive offer'? And why can't parents from all social backgrounds take part in debate on education? The entire education argument has in its self become extremely stuffy and elitist.
Lots of good and interesting points in both your post and comments, Tom.
I agree that other secondaries in the your area have (almost) equally capable students – perhaps in their top 10%. I think it is less easy to argue that those schools could be offering their students a comparable experience and curriculum to yours. Surely, the fact that 90% of their pupils are not at a 'KEGS level' – with some well below – is a major handicap?
My second point is one that you refer to briefly. If there was a way of better 'ensuring' that the most capable children from whatever background got into a selective school, that would be an enormous benefit. At present, I feel that parental affluence, reflected in obsessive tutoring and Prep schools, damages that aspiration. As you will be aware, those that have been coached beyond their capability suffer much as those that never have the opportunity to gain entry when they find that they're out of their depth.
Thanks Chris. I'm acutely aware of the coaching issue. Personally I think the bigger factor (by far) is that parental affluence will have an impact on any attainment measure by the time kids are 11. If you could do a survey of every 'top table' or higher ability grouping in Y6 across Essex you'd find a very strong correlation. It isn't the selection process that introduces this inequity; it is there already. We still consider this issue all of the time and we're looking at a move that will make our tests more widely accessible; that will be communicated later this term. It isn't the same move CCHS has made which is unproven to-date.
Tackling the inequity has to begin in Early Years, with major investment in parental education where children are behind the rest. I've argued this many times.
Regarding your first point, of course it is harder even with a 10% overlap. My argument is that if the provision can't be matched, then the argument for selective schools in a context like ours is stronger; provision like ours should exist in the state system. Of course I am biased, both as Head and as a parent.