Welcome to our new e-newsletter, one that reflects our newly-adopted program divisions. You can still expect revealing election analysis and timely updates on advocacy for instant runoff voting, full representation, redistricting reform, a constitutional right to vote and direct election of the president, but changing how we present this newsletter, we hope you will more easily find the information you need. After completing an overhaul of our information-packed website (www.fairvote.org) later this month, we will incorporate new design features for 2005 in these updates.
Timely information is more important than ever in what must be a persistent, creative and nimble campaign for democracy in the United States. We continue to get prominent media attention � the Washington Post's David Broder and the New York Times' Nicholas Kristoff featured us in recent syndicated columns, for example � but want to regularly reach those most interested in reform with organized and useful e-newsletters.
Here's a summary of today's content.
Meet FairVote's New Board of Directors on January 21: We are pleased to announce a number of excellent additions to our Board of Directors and will hold a public event with them on Friday, January 21 in Washington D.C.
It's That Time of Year � CFC and Donations: We don't often ask for donations, but as a non-profit charity, we always need them. Please consider a year-end gift directly to us. We hope federal workers will designate our Center as their charity of choice in the Combined Federal Campaign; our CFC listing is #2691. Thank you!
Although some 120 million Americans cast ballots in the 2004 presidential election, the decisive vote takes place on Monday, December 13th, when 538 members of the Electoral College meet to officially elect our next president.
A relic of the 18th century, the Electoral College is a ticking time bomb that undercuts American democracy. In an era of increasingly narrow presidential elections, the system risks fraud, disenfranchised voters and electoral deadlock. FairVote strongly supports HJR 109, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s proposal for direct election of the president with a requirement that winners receive a majority of the vote � ideally through instant runoff voting, as called for in Congressman Jackson's HR 5293.
Most Americans are neglected by the campaigns: The Electoral College is supposed to force candidates to reach out to states around the nation, but instead candidates focus only on a few �battleground�� states. President Bush's campaign admitted to only polling in 18 states in 2003-2004, most Americans did not have a single presidential ad air in their local television market and most voter registration drives were focused only on battlegrounds. The number of competitive states is decreasing with each recent election.
Candidates easily can win without a majority or even plurality: In 2000 Al Gore lost the electoral vote despite winning the national popular vote, and George Bush would have lost the electoral vote in 2004 if his victory margin had been smaller. In the current era, winners of close elections could as fairly be decided by a coin flip as the Electoral College. Historically, a third of our presidents have been elected without an absolute majority of the vote, in contrast to most presidential democracies that hold a direct election with a majority requirement.
Incentives increase for fraud and partisan election administration. Election 2004 was decided in Ohio by just 119,000 votes. In 2000, the election was decided by 537-votes in Florida. Because of the fact that presidential election regularly can be decided by a relatively few votes in a small number of states, incentives increase for electoral fraud and partisan decisions by election officials.
Faithless electors can change results through backroom deals: West Virginian Republican elector Richie Robb has suggested he won't cast his electoral vote for George Bush. Robb's act of protest would nullify the votes of hundreds of thousands of West Virginians. In an era of tightly contested, highly charged elections, faithless electors create a real potential for throwing the election.
Electoral College ties and misfires are becoming more likely: A shift of 21,000 changed votes in Iowa, New Mexico, and Nevada would have thrown the election into a 269-269 electoral tie � a result that is again quite possible in 2008. In such an event, the election would be put to the House of Representatives, with each state's delegation having one vote regardless of size and with the potential of partisanship and deal-making trumping popular will.
Contact our new Communications Director Ryan O'Donnell at ryan@fairvote.org for more information on FairVote's work on the Electoral College.
Once again far too many voters suffered harassment and intimidation at the polls, were wrongly turned away without casting a ballot and were incorrectly purged from voting lists. Some voters in Ohio had to wait eight hours to cast a ballot, while more than 4,000 voters in North Carolina cast votes on electronic machines that had run out of memory � leaving the state with no record of how they voted an potentially leading to a statewide revote for one narrowly decided office. Barely two-thirds of American adults are registered to vote � and yet hundreds of thousands of people are on the rolls despite having moved to another state or passed away.
In response to these and other fundamental flaws in our electoral system, FairVote's Right to Vote Initiative has proposed series of commonsense reforms to streamline electoral policy and improve the integrity and security of the electoral process. The umbrella principle � and one that gets at the heart of how we can fail to protect the right to vote � is to establish an affirmative right to vote in the U.S. Constitution. Read about them at www.fairvote.org/righttovote/reforms, and then contact your State and Federal representatives to support electoral reform.
More and more prominent Americans such as retired NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw are calling for national standards. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's post-election letter to supporters highlighted the need for such standards, and backers of a constitutional right to vote include the National Council of Churches and Progressive Democrats of America. Please join them in seeking reform by contacting your representatives to support our eight-point agenda and, specifically, the right to vote amendment to the U.S. Constitution: HJR. 28, which has now been sponsored by 45 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including all returning members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Contact Andrew Kirshenbaum at andrew@fairvote.org for more information.
This November, San Francisco proved to be a beacon of hope for reformers, pioneering what will be annual elections with instant runoff voting (IRV), an important innovation in democracy that promises to be imitated in cities and states around the country. IRV was used to elect seven seats on the city council (called the Board of Supervisors) and will be used for citywide offices next year. Although hotly contested � one election in fact drew a remarkable 22 candidates --- exit polls showed that city voters overwhelmingly liked it and found it easy to use, including people from across racial and ethnic lines. Winners were all decided either election night or shortly thereafter. Observers lauded how candidates reached out to more voters and engaged in less of the vicious negative attacks that plague our politics.
* Overall, 67% of voters found it easy to use, compared to only 18% who found it difficult. (The rest did not express an opinion.) .
* FairVote sent Maine's Secretary of State office a consultation report for Maine's study on IRV. The packet included a review of three options for implementing IRV for state��and potentially federal��offices. Options included a central tabulation alternative first developed by FairVote's senior analyst Terry Bouricius for Vermont's predominantly rural communities that use paper ballots. Several Maine legislators plan to push an IRV bill in the next session.
* Joe Johnson, a Charter Commission member in Frederick (CO) will attend a meeting later this month to propose IRV for city council and mayoral election and has high hopes of his proposal gaining support.
* There is real energy for IRV in such diverse places as Tucson (AZ), Portland State University (OR), Sarasota (FL) and Somerville (MA), all of which have activists starting groups and holding meetings to push for reforms. FairVote has recently advised citizens in these communities on how to urge grassroots and legislative support for IRV.
* The national IRV listserv hums with activity � to subscribe to the list go to: http://archive.fairvote.org/irv/subscribe.htm. To subscribe to one of the 50 state listservs, go to :http://archive.fairvote.org/links.htm.
Please contact Steve Hoeschele (steve@fairvote.org) for info on IRV activity.
* Regional Reform Roundtables in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.: In the aftermath of the 2004 elections, our nation's elections revealed a democracy deficit caused by structural problems in our voting systems and procedures. While these problems were scattered throughout our nation, North Carolina's elections were particularly acute, showing the extent to which these issues can damage voter confidence. In August, the state witnessed a Democratic primary runoff with less than 3% turnout at a cost of $3.5 million of taxpayer money, only to see the results come into question once again in the November general election, when a voting machine failed to record over 4,000 votes. All the while, representation of communities of color remained stagnant, due to the winner-take-all nature of single-member-districts and at-large elections.
Thanks to the support of the Herb Block Foundation, we will replicate this model in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area later in 2005. Stay tuned for more details.
* Exporting Democracy, Lessons Learned: As the Bush administration holds firm to late-January elections for a new Iraqi government, the media and activist community have focused on the feasibility of such a time-table, while generally ignoring discussion of the electoral systems being used. In order to ensure fair representation of all ethnic groups and of women, the United States and the United Nations have set up a party list system of full representation in Iraq; although the system has its critics, any serious debate about alternatives has been about whether to tally the votes in a single national constituency or regionally, not going to U.S.-style winner-take-all elections.
* Importing Democracy, Lessons Learned: In the spirit of lessons learned from the Iraqi and Afghan election planning, FairVote emphasizes the experience of British Columbia as a model for the United States. The government last year established Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform of some 160 randomly chosen, everyday citizens to study how to improve the province's electoral system and then to place their preferred alternative on the May 2005 ballot. The assembly held meetings for nearly a year, and after a transparent, widely-respected process, citizens this fall overwhelmingly endorsed a ballot measure the full representation system of choice voting (also known as STV, the single transferable vote).
With the discussion of global electoral systems becoming more prominent as of late, January will feature a spotlight on international electoral systems reform within the Political Empowerment Program. Visit www.fairvote.org in January for new reports and updates on global full representation developments.
* Voting Rights in Focus � The Cumulative Voting Experience: Low representation of racial minorities in the South has long been a serious problem, one that the Voting Rights Act sought to remedy. While majority-minority single-member-districts have been the traditional remedy to vote dilution, full representation systems like choice voting and cumulative voting continue to present a desirable and successful alternative. By eliminating gerrymandering completely, the system avoids Shaw v. Reno and other legal issues, as it does not use race in districting to ensure minority representation. This also makes full representation especially attractive where communities of color are geographically dispersed and cannot be packed into a single district.
* Full Representation Advocacy: In the flurry of electoral reform discussions currently going on Common Cause has added full representation systems to their slate of reforms (see http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=196480) and, in an exciting new development, FairVote has joined the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. The group is the nation's premier civil rights coalition, and has coordinated the national legislative campaign on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957. FairVote hopes to build on these developments to expand our outreach to allied groups working to secure fair representation for all. Look for 2005 to be a year of exciting movement and developments for full representation!
Please contact Maggie Vintner at Maggie@fairvote.org and David Moon at dmoon@fairvote.org for more on the full representation program.
If the presidential election had been tied in the national popular vote, Kerry almost certainly would have won a comfortable win in the Electoral College, picking up Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico and Ohio. This was tied to his relatively strong performance in most key battleground states.
As the partisan alignment between the major parties grows increasingly firm, the number of battleground states is shrinking: Heading toward 2008, only 11 states appear certain to be truly contested (within a 3% advantage for one major party), down from 15 states after 2000.
Without winning a greater share of the national popular vote, a Kerry win in Ohio would have required a bigger shift toward Democrats in Ohio than Democrats achieved in all but three states.
One additional tidbit � Louisiana's oddities: Louisiana held two congressional runoff elections this month due to its unusual system in which all candidates run on the November ballot, followed by a runoff between the top two if no candidate wins a majority. Turnout in these runoff plummeted between November and the December runoff. In the third congressional district, for example, fewer than 115,000 people voted on December 4, down from more than 264,000 in November. The Democrat who won that runoff came within just 2000 votes of missing the runoff altogether; the runoff almost was between two Republicans despite the district's relatively close partisan division. Clearly instant runoff voting would be a fairer system for Louisiana.
For more on our election analyses, contact FairVote executive director Rob Richie at rr@fairvote.org.
FairVote � The Center for Voting and Democracy is gearing up for a busy 2005! Stay tuned for the lowdown on a new website, a new Board of Directors, and a new year in our upcoming January newsletter.
As always, please let us know if you do not want to receive our newsletters by replying to this message with the word "remove" in the subject or your message. If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to address@fairvote.org.
Finally, a big thanks to our great autumn intern crew, including Katrina Tichinin, Candace Turitto, Kate Foster and Jill Dannay.


Happy 63rd birthday, Steve Wozniak! And thank you again not only for taking the time to attend KansasFest 2013, but to speak with Open Apple.
If you haven't already heard our 20-minute interview with Woz, go listen now. But some things are better seen than heard, which is why we're now offering a ten-minute video excerpt from the interview. In this video, taken from the second half of our interview, Woz talks about how he left Hewlett-Packard to found Apple, how he acquired the chips for his early inventions, and how impressed he is by what KansasFest attendees are doing with the Apple II.
You can watch the video on YouTube, stream it below, or download it as part of your iTunes subscription to our podcast. Enjoy!
While attending KansasFest 2013, Steve Wozniak — inventor of the Apple-1 and Apple II and co-founder of Apple Computer Inc. — takes a moment to speak with the Open Apple podcast about Steve Jobs, Randy Wigginton, and the Apple II.
Be sure to listen to the story of how we got Woz to KansasFest, and watch the video of this interview, too!
Mike Maginnis and Ken Gagne, the hosts of Open Apple, join forces with Carrington Vanston of 1 MHz and Kevin Savetz of ANTIC, for one massive retro computing roundtable at KansasFest 2013. We chat about the convention's two surprise guests — Steve Wozniak and a working Apple-1 — and how both came to be there, as well as our favorite sessions and games of the week, including Michael Sternberg's tournament of Martin Haye's Structris.
It wasn't long before Mike and Ken ditched the two other guys for the most amazing guest ever. Be sure to listen to our interview with Steve Wozniak!
We hope everyone has enjoyed listening to the July episode of Open Apple. Unfortunately, we got a few facts wrong during the "II News" segment of that show. Since some of the affected events will be occurring before our August show airs, we want to issue the following two corrections immediately.
First, we discussed that none of the show's hosts or guests would be attending Vintage Computer Festival Southwest 3.0. It turned out there's a good reason for that: VCF Southwest 3.0 is not being held. VCF SW 3.0 occurred in August 2012, and there is no VCF SW 4.0. We did not realize that the information we were referring to was a year old. Our apologies to anyone we misled into thinking there is a retrocomputing event in Arlington, Texas, next month, when there is in fact none. Any Open Apple listeners who nonetheless try to attend will find little to report. Thanks to Michael Sternberg and David Greelish for the heads-up.
Second, OzKFest is occurring exactly as detailed in our episode, but we want to give credit where due. Andrew Roughan has done a great job promoting OzKFest, and as a result of his marketing efforts, we have associated his name with the event — but, as he points out, he is not the prime coordinator. OzKFest would not be possible without the leadership of Steven Kazoullis and the assistance of Alex Lukacz and Jon Co, as detailed on the site's "About Us" page. Organizing such a gathering is a great undertaking, and every contributor deserves to be acknowledged.
Fun fact: OzKFest is being held in Brisbane — specifically, Kurilpa Hall. And Mt. Keira Fest, the gathering of Apple II users in 2009, was named after its venue, which also began with a 'K'. That makes OzKFest the second Australian 'K' Fest!
We apologize for these oversights and extend our thanks to our eagle-eared listeners for keeping us accurate.
This month on Open Apple, Mike and Ken chat with Mike Willegal, Apple-1 and Apple II reproduction expert extraordinaire. His topic is hot this month: five Apple-1 computers were simultaneously on display at the History San Jose museum; one is being auctioned online; Willegal was interviewed for a Kickstarter-funded book about the Apple-1; and his clones are appearing in a feature-length film about Steve Jobs — what a guy! He even went to Vintage Computer Festival Southeast this spring, though he'll be absent from VCF Southwest, KansasFest, and Oz KFest, all occurring this summer. We watch the trailer for the Jobs movie and find we all have different reasons to see (or skip) Ashton Kutcher in the title role. We may or may not have dressed up to see the recent Star Trek and Man of Steel films; maybe we'll fit the part by wearing some Apple t-shirts from 1986 to see Jobs.


text:
ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 20150802052205) do

  create_table "agencies", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.string   "agency_name"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "creatives", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.string   "creative_name"
    t.integer  "order_id"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "formats", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.string   "format_name"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "lines", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "line_number"
    t.integer  "format_id"
    t.date     "start_date"
    t.date     "end_date"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "orders", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "order_number"
    t.string   "campaign"
    t.integer  "agency_id"
    t.date     "start_date"
    t.date     "end_date"
    t.integer  "site_id"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "pages", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.integer  "creative_id"
    t.integer  "line_id"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

  create_table "sites", force: :cascade do |t|
    t.string   "site_name"
    t.datetime "created_at"
    t.datetime "updated_at"
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
By: Kathryn Folliott
TORONTO — The government of Jamaica has approved a number of private labs to conduct COVID-19 testing for Canadian travellers in destination, plus on-site testing at select resorts in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril is in the works, says the JTB.
Meanwhile Jamaica's private health facilities have been working rapidly to increase COVID-19 PCR testing for visitors and to make the process more accessible and streamlined.
The news comes in the wake of the Canadian government's announcement that passengers arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport from Jamaica will be allowed to forgo the pre-arrival PCR test requirement for all inbound passengers, but only until Jan. 18, and only if they agree in advance to take a COVID-19 test immediately upon their arrival at Pearson.
The exemption was put in place Jan. 9 due to a shortage of tests on the island, and is only for passengers arriving at Pearson Airport, and only for departures from Jamaica to Canada through Jan. 18.
More news: Jamaica's new Special Task Force will boost testing capacity
The JTB says that while the initial influx of test requests from Canadian tourists in Jamaica caused some backlog, testing is now being prioritized based on departure date in order to ensure all Canadians can obtain their required test results prior to their departure.
A complete list of accredited testing labs is available at https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/testing-labs/. Appointments can be made via email or over the phone, says the JTB.
The JTB adds that Jamaica's Ministry of Health is also working with private laboratory Microlabs to offer Canadian travellers on-site COVID-19 PCR testing at select hotels located in the main tourism regions of Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril.
The hope is to have the new service implemented this week. Microlabs has built a Canadian Visitor Testing Portal at https://microlabs.limited/canada-visitor-portal for travellers who wish to request a test at their hotel/resort.
Tags: Jamaica, JTB, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, PCR

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Deutsche Telekom Selects AudioCodes for DeutschlandLAN SIP-Trunk Project
AudioCodes' Mediant Multi-Service Business Routers (MSBR) to be deployed with rapid installation and full remote management at Deutsche Telekom's business customers
Mediant MSBRs offer legacy PSTN and VoIP connectivity, data routing and firewall, together with a range of WAN interface options in a single, compact platform
Integrated Session Border Controller (SBC) with extensive SIP interoperability enables virtually any customer IP-PBX to connect seamlessly with Deutsche Telekom's infrastructure
Advanced voice encryption capabilities ensure secured communications for Deutsche Telekom's business customers
Mediant MSBRs support flexible, cloud-based SBC license management
Lod, Israel - May 2, 2016
Deutsche Telekom AG and AudioCodes (NASDAQ: AUDC), a leading provider of converged voice solutions that enable enterprises and service providers to transition to all-IP voice networks, today announced that AudioCodes' Mediant multi-service business routers (MSBR) have been selected by Deutsche Telekom for a major, multi-year SIP trunk project. The project is part of Deutsche Telekom's ongoing migration of all its German ISDN customers to an all-IP infrastructure.
The AudioCodes Mediant MSBR family includes a range of scalable devices that offer VoIP connectivity, data routing and security together with a range of WAN interface options, all housed in a single, compact platform. The MSBRs' integrated session border controller (SBC) functionality delivers extensive SIP interoperability enabling virtually any customer IP-PBX (including Microsoft Skype for Business/Lync) to connect seamlessly with Deutsche Telekom's infrastructure. The devices support a range of WAN interfaces including Gigabit Ethernet, ADSL and VDSL2 (including vectoring), as well as BRI and PRI ISDN interfaces for customers with legacy PBX equipment. Voice encryption is supported across all of AudioCodes' voice connectivity platforms, including MSBR, to ensure secured communications for Deutsche Telekom's business customers.
AudioCodes' MSBRs will be fully integrated into Deutsche Telekom's management platforms to enable rapid installation and full remote management and monitoring. Furthermore, AudioCodes' cloud-based SBC licensing mechanism will enable Deutsche Telekom to respond rapidly to its customers' changing needs.
"Reliable SIP trunk connectivity for our business customers is an important part of Deutsche Telekom's migration to All-IP," said Hendrik Otten, Head of Commercial Management Inhouse at Deutsche Telekom GmbH. "With their extensive SIP interoperability, support for ISDN and WAN interfaces and flexible manageability, AudioCodes' family of MSBRs are an ideal CPE device ensuring secure, reliable and smooth connectivity with the new infrastructure and enabling us to deliver new value-added services in the future."
"We are delighted to have been selected by Deutsche Telekom for this prestigious project," commented Shaul Weissman, VP Business Development, Service Providers, at AudioCodes. "Our MSBRs were designed to deliver secure, reliable and high quality voice and data services while maintaining consistently high performance. We believe that this combination will significantly contribute to the successful migration of Deutsche Telekom's business customers to SIP trunk services."


text:
June 20, 2013 by kevinlsmith64
Bournemouth Council give no assurances not to evict for Bedroom Tax rent arrears
Shown below is a public question submitted to Bournemouth Borough Council full council meeting on 18th June and the council's response. BPACC are currently considering the council's response and will be responding soon.
Public Question from Mike Cracknell
"The Government has introduced the Welfare Reform Bill which limits the total amount of Welfare benefits with an increase capped at 1%. This coincides with the introduction of the Social Housing Size Restriction policy equating to a reduction of 14% for one spare bedroom and 25% for two spare rooms which is monetary terms equates to circa £14/15 per vacant bedroom in Housing Benefit for tenants occupying social housing. Will the Council give an assurance that if the rent debt is accrued because of these factors there will be no eviction of tenants?"
Reply from the Leader of the Council, Cllr John Beesley
Tenants who are affected by the Social Housing Size Restriction policy (also referred to as the "Spare Room Subsidy") will be of working age, receiving Housing Benefit and here in Bournemouth will be either local authority tenants or housing association tenants.
There are 577 Housing Benefit recipients affected in Bournemouth, of whom 328 are Local Authority tenants and 249 are in Housing Association properties.
All those who are affected and are Local Authorities tenants were written to twice by the Housing Benefits team with an explanation of how their Housing Benefit could change. The Council's Housing Management team has been most proactive in contacting these tenants in order to discuss their options. They have been provided with information and advice on downsizing, applying for Discretionary Housing Payment, maximising income, returning to work and taking in lodgers. The Housing Management team is working closely with the Allocations team to ensure that all tenants wishing to downsize are placed on the 'gold band', significantly increasing their chances of winning a bid on a suitable property. tenants who wish to downsize will also be encouraged to arrange a mutual exchange of tenancies with other social housing tenants.
The Council is currently reviewing the incentives that it pays to tenants who wish to downsize to smaller properties in order to provide more assistance with the costs associated with moving, such as replacement of carpets, removals and decorations. The Council is also considering the level of practical assistance that it can provide, such as help with the connection and disconnection of white goods.
One of the Council's 8 Housing Strategy priorities for Bournemouth is to ensure that we are making the best use of all our existing housing. The Social Housing Size Restriction policy forms part of this strategic priority by freeing up much needed family accommodation to help meet the housing needs of many who are on the Council's waiting list. In April this year there were 3,177 households on the waiting list. 933 of these needed 2 bedroom accommodation and there were a further 645 who needed 3 bedrooms or more. We have reduced the waiting list from the 9,425 who were on it a year earlier through a much stricter allocations policy and are doing all we can to increase the number of new properties available to those most in need. It seems only fair therefore that we use our existing and future housing stock to best suit the needs of tenants, through downsizing where appropriate, in order to free up larger homes for those who need them and who are included on the revised waiting list, in the main through having a Bournemouth connection.
The Council's policy in dealing with tenants who fail to pay their rent is available on the website. The policy is flexible enough to ensure that each case is dealt with on its own merits by specialist and experienced staff. They will become involved in cases of non-payment quickly in order to provide assistance and advice and have been successful in helping tenants who experience problems in paying their rent. However, if a satisfactory arrangement to manage the rent account cannot be agreed, the Council would take action to recover the property, nut only ever as a last resort.
In the Budget statement, the council recognised that Welfare Reform would be likely to cause hardship for some. Although there is no direct requirement by the government for us to do so, in Bournemouth we made provision in the Budget of £1.0 million for this year (2013/14) to establish a Local Welfare Assistance Fund. Bournemouth residents can apply can apply for emergency one-off payments through this fund to help with their living expenses where they are struggling financially. This fund is therefore very much targeted to those who are are most in need of support. In addition, the Council has also created a new earmarked reserve of just over £500,000 to further address the impact of the changeover to Universal Credit as the next stage of the governments Welfare Reform programme. This will provide an additional safety net for the most vulnerable local people here in Bournemouth. It should be stressed that neither of these additional funding streams are required by the government to be provided by the Council, but were nevertheless contained in our Budget Statement in February. They were introduced because we wanted to protect the most vulnerable local people and because it was simply the right thing to do.
Posted in Campaigns, Cuts, Health / Social Care, Local/national govt, Welfare	| Tagged bedroom tax, borough of poole, bpacc, council housing, dhp, housing benefit, poole council, social housing, spare room subsidy, welfare
Poole Council give no assurances not to evict for Bedroom Tax rent arrears
Shown below is a public question submitted to Borough of Poole full council meeting on 18th June and the council's response. BPACC are currently considering the council's response and will be responding soon.
Public Question from Kevin Smith
"The Government has introduced the Welfare Reform Bill which limits the total amount of Welfare benefits with an increase capped at 1%. This coincides with the introduction of the Social Housing Size Restriction policy equating to a reduction of 14% for one spare room and 25% for two spare rooms which in monetary terms equates to circa £14/£15 per vacant bedroom in Housing benefit for tenants occupying social housing. Will the Council give an assurance that if rent debt is accrued because of these factors there will be no eviction of tenants?"
Borough of Poole Response from, Leader of the Council, Cllr Ms Atkinson
Response in respect of properties where the Council is the Landlord
The Council and it's partner Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) are working hard to address the issues raised by the governments welfare reform programme. Planning for these changes has taken place over a long period and a package of assistance is now offered to residents effected by these changes. Everyone in a PHP property who has lost benefit because of the under occupation penalty and the benefit cap regulations has been contacted by PHP and offered assistance. Advice has been given about how tenants can move to more appropriate sized accommodation either by way of a transfer or by exchanging their home with another social housing tenant. We have also changed our transfer incentive scheme to give a greater emphasis on people effected by welfare benefit changes. In addition we offer tenants advice about how to maximise their income by either accessing the jobs market or ensuring that they are receiving all the benefit to which they are entitled.
We are committed to working with residents affected by these changes to ensure that they retain access to appropriate secure accommodation. We are not able to give an assurance that no one will be evicted because of arrears that have arisen as a result of welfare benefit reform, each case will be considered on it's merits. However we can confirm that tenants will be offered every possible assistance to deal with such problems and that eviction will always be the very last resort.
Response in respect of properties where the Council is not the Landlord
Again we are not able to give an assurance that no one will be evicted because of arrears that have arisen as a result of welfare benefit reform as the decision will be made by the respective private sector landlords. However the Council has a Discretionary Housing Payment fund, that is limited by Government grant, which it is using to help mitigate the impact of several welfare reforms taking place in 2013. Any claimant on housing benefit who is unable to meet the reduction in award can make a claim for additional financial assistance from this fund.
The Government grant is not enough to meet every claimant's housing benefit shortfall and to prioritise awards from this fund payments are made in accordance with the Council's Discretionary Housing Payment policy. The Council's policy is designed to support the implementation of the Government's welfare reforms whilst making sure we have a process in place to protect our most vulnerable residents, sustain tenancies where we can and prevent homelessness.
Where an application is made and it is established that the claimant cannot afford the housing benefit shortfall awards may be made to financially support claimants whilst they take action to change their circumstances so they can afford their accommodation in the longer term. Each application is considered on a case by case basis, and the length of award will vary. The policy expects claimants who make applications for the additional financial support to engage with relevant support services, such as work programmes, budgeting and debt advice agencies, health programmes etc. and, where appropriate, take steps to be able to afford their accommodation in the future.
Bournemouth Council response to open email about Bedroom Tax
BPACC recently sent an open email to Bournemouth Borough Council about the Bedroom Tax following an article in the council's Spring edition of Home News that stated some people were 'protected' and we asked for clarification.
We also expressed our concerns that Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) were not a viable long term solution as they fail to give people with disabilities the assurance that their housing needs are secure and asked the council several questions.
Shown below are BPACC's questions and the council's response received this week:
1) Question: Is Bournemouth Borough Council exempting all people stipulated in the Home News article from the 'Bedroom Tax'?
Council response: No. Unfortunately, the article gave the impression that disabled people are not affected whereas, in fact, they are not exempt from the under-occupation rules.
2) Question: Where it is determined that people are entitled to DHP, will funds be made available for all cases irrespective of whether the money allocated by central government is exhausted?
Council response: The DHP fund is being carefully managed so that funds are available for all cases where it is determined that help should be given. The Council has the option to top up the fund to a "prescribed limit" if the central government funding should become exhausted but cannot go beyond that limit.
3) Question: Will DLA income be taken into account when assessing a family's income?
Council response: Not for assessing entitlement to Housing Benefit but would be taken into account when deciding whether to award DHP.
4) Question: Where parents or guardians of children receiving DLA no longer live together, will both households will receive DHPs?
Council response: DHP can only be awarded if someone is receiving HB. So if no parent received HB no DHP would be considered. If only one parent received HB, DHP could only be considered for the parent who received HB. However, if both parents received HB each DHP application is judged on its own merits so there might be circumstances where both parents could get a DHP.
The child will normally be taken into consideration in the household where child benefit is payable and that is the household where the DHP would be normally be considered for if a disabled child was the reason for the application.
Following these responses we have asked follow up questions, below are the council's replies:
1) What steps are Bournemouth Borough Council planning to take to make this clear to residents?
Council response: The under-occupation rules only affect those in local authority properties and housing associations. All affected residents have been written to at least twice by Housing Benefit staff. The Council's Housing Management Team has been proactive by contacting their tenants to discuss the options open to them. It is understood that housing associations have done the same.
2) What are the criteria for making an application for DHP and determining whether help should be given; and what is the level of the "prescribed limit"?
Council response: Please see the relevant page on the Council's website. The prescribed limit is 2.5 times the Government contribution which for Bournemouth equates to a limit of £1,256, 630
The Bedroom Tax is a cynical attack on the poorest in our society. Questions have been submitted to both Bournemouth and Poole Councils asking for assurances that no residents will be evicted due to rent arrears accrued through the Bedroom Tax. These assurances were not given click here for Bournemouth's response and click here for Poole's response.
Posted in Campaigns, Cuts, Health / Social Care, Welfare	| Tagged bedroom tax, bournemouth council, bpacc, cuts, dhp, discretionary housing payment, dla, housing benefit
May 31, 2013 by kevinlsmith64
Open Email to Bournemouth Borough Council about the Bedroom Tax
The following email has today been sent to Bournemouth Borough Council:
On page 39 of the Spring 2013 issue of the Bournemouth Borough Council "Home News" it states:
"And now for something completely different! As mentioned elsewhere in this edition of HOME NEWS, April sees a radical overhaul of Housing Benefit. To clear up any concerns by disabled tenants, here's a list of those tenants protected from the 'bedroom tax'
Pensioners (those of state pension credit age).
People who are in receipt of high rate of the mobility or care element of disability living allowance
People who have a severely disabled child – parents or guardians who have a child that receives Disability Living Allowance.
People who are disabled and need a non-resident over-night carer"
We welcome any move by the Council to alleviate the burden of the unjust 'bedroom tax' which is a blatant attack on the poorest in our society. It states that the above people are 'protected'. However it is unclear whether Bournemouth Borough Council are 'exempting' the above people or following government guidelines relating to Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs).
We are extremely concerned that DHP's are made from a budget-limited, non ring fenced discretionary fund and often limited to just a few months to provide temporary help. We feel they are not a viable long-term solution as they fail to give people with disabilities the assurance that their housing needs are secure. DHPs will also be needed as a result of other aspects of welfare reform (such as the benefit cap and the changes to council tax benefit).
In the long term, it is likely there will be insufficient resources to help all disabled people who need to remain in their current home. We feel DHPs are not suitable to mitigate the effects of the policy on disabled people. Their discretionary nature means claimants cannot appeal against apparently unreasonable or irrational allocations.
More than three-quarters (77%) of people claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) choose to live in the social sector as it provides the additional space and security with many properties having been significantly adapted for their needs. The Government has exempted DLA recipients from the household benefit cap, 'in recognition of the additional financial costs that can arise from disability and that disabled people will have less scope to alter their spending patterns or reduce their housing costs.' However, the same principle has not been applied to DLA claimants who are expected to be hit by the Bedroom Tax.
Please could you provide clarification on the following:
Is Bournemouth Borough Council exempting all people stipulated in the Home News article from the 'Bedroom Tax'?
Where it is determined that people are entitled to DHP, will funds be made available for all cases irrespective of whether the money allocated by central government is exhausted?
Will DLA income be taken into account when assessing a family's income?
Where parents or guardians of children receiving DLA no longer live together, will both households will receive DHPs?
Thank-you for your time in considering these issues and we look forward to receiving your response.
Mike Cracknell
BPACC Chair
Bournemouth & Poole Anti Cuts Coalition
Posted in Cuts, Health / Social Care, Welfare	| Tagged bedroom tax, bournemouth council, bpacc, dhp, discretionary housing payments, housing benefit, welfare


Refresh your poolside style with Calvin Klein's string side tie bikini bottoms. These swimwear bottoms have two ties to the side with metal detailing. These mini briefs are designed to be knotted at the sides. The stretch fabric is ideal for keeping cool on the beach in summer. Finished with an emblazoned branded logo to the rear, this would make a welcome addition.


text:
Japanese calligraphy

Japanese calligraphy (書道, shodō)
  is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing,
  of the Japanese language. For a long time, the
  most esteemed calligrapher in Japan had been Wang
    Xizhi, a Chinese calligrapher in the 4th century, but after the invention of Hiragana
  and Katakana, the Japanese unique syllabaries,
  the distinctive Japanese writing
    system developed and calligraphers produced styles intrinsic to Japan. The term shodō (書道) is likely derived
  from Chinese origin as it is widely used to describe the art of Chinese calligraphy during the Chinese Tang dynasty period.

Contents

1 Techniques

2 Tools

3 History

3.1 Chinese roots

3.2
          Before the Nara period

3.3 Heian period

3.4 Kamakura and Muromachi period

3.5 Edo period

3.6 Today

4
      Connection to Zen Buddhism

5 See also

6 Notes

7 References

8 External links

Techniques

Early Japanese calligraphy was originated from Chinese
  calligraphy and many of its principles and techniques are very similar and recognizes the same basic writing
  styles:

seal script (篆書, tensho)
    (pinyin: zhuànshū)

clerical script (隷書, reisho)
    (pinyin: lìshū)

regular script (楷書, kaisho)
    (pinyin: kǎishū)

semi-cursive (行書, gyōsho)
    (pinyin: xíngshū)

cursive (草書, sōsho)
    (pinyin: cǎoshū).

Tools

<img
    alt=""
    src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg/220px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg"
    width="220" height="165" class="thumbimage"
    srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg/330px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg/440px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Inkstone.jpg 2x"
    data-file-width="4032" data-file-height="3024">

      A traditional inkstone to grind ink and water against.

<img alt=""
                                                                     src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg/220px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg"
                                                                     width="220" height="165" class="thumbimage"
                                                                     srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg/330px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg/440px-Japanese_Calligraphy_Brush.jpg 2x"
                                                                     data-file-width="4032" data-file-height="3024">

      A typical brush used for calligraphy.

In modern calligraphy, a number of tools are used to make a composition.

Most basic four tools were collectively called Four Treasures of the
    Study (文房四宝, bunbō
    shihō).

A brush (筆, fude)

An inkstick (墨, sumi).
        The best inksticks are between 50 and 100 years old.

Mulberry paper (和紙, washi)

An inkstone (硯, suzuri)
        to grind the inkstick against, mixed with water.

Other tools include:

A paper weight (文鎮, bunchin)
        to hold the paper in place

A cloth (下敷き, shitajiki)
        to place under the paper (often newsprint is used as well) to prevent ink from bleeding through.

A seal (印, in). The art of
        engraving a seal is called "tenkoku" 篆刻. The student is encouraged to engrave his own seal. The position of
        the seal or the seals is based on aesthetic views. One is not allowed to put a seal on a sutra's
        calligraphy.

During preparation, water is poured into the inkstone and the inkstick is ground against it, mixing the water
  with the dried ink to liquefy it. As this is a time-consuming process, modern-day calligraphy provides liquid ink
  in a bottle called Bokuju (墨汁, bokujū)
  and is frequently used by beginners. More advanced students are encouraged to grind their own ink. Paper is
  usually placed on a desk, while a large paper may be placed on the floor, or even on the ground (often as a
  performance).

The brushes come in various shapes and sizes, and are usually made using animal hair for the bristles. Typical
  animal hair may come from goats, sheep, horse-hair, etc. The handle may be made from wood, bamboo, plastic or
  other materials.

History

Chinese roots

<img alt=""
                                                                                src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg/220px-Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg"
                                                                                width="220"
                                                                                height="328"
                                                                                class="thumbimage"
                                                                                srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg/330px-Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg/440px-Inscription_on_the_halo_of_the_statue_of_Bhaisajyaguru.jpg 2x"
                                                                                data-file-width="628"
                                                                                data-file-height="936">

      Inscription on the halo of the statue of the Medicine
      Buddha, Hōryū-ji Temple

      Written in the 7th century

The Chinese roots of Japanese calligraphy go back to the twenty-eighth century B.C., to a time when pictographs were inscribed
  on bone for religious purposes. When this writing developed into an instrument of administration for the
  state, the need for a uniform script was felt and Li Si, prime minister in
  the Chinese dynasty of Qin, standardized a script and its way of being written. He sanctioned
  a form of script based on squares of uniform size into which all characters
  could be written from eight strokes. He also devised rules of composition where horizontal strokes are written
  first and characters are composed starting from top to bottom, left to right. Because the symbols were inscribed
  with sharp instruments, the lines were originally angular and in many ways Li Si's achievements were made obsolete
  by the appearance of brush and ink (see Chinese
    calligraphy). The ink-wet brush creates a line quite different from a sharp stylus. It affords variation in
  thickness and curve of line. Calligraphy retained the block form of Li Si and his eight strokes but the writer was
  free to create characters that emphasized aesthetically pleasing balance and form. The way a character was written
  gave a message of style.

Calligraphy in the Chinese tradition was thus introduced to Japan about 600 A.D. Known as the karayō (唐様) tradition, it has been practiced up to today, rejuvenated continuously through
  contact with Chinese culture.

The oldest existing calligraphic text in Japan is the inscription on the halo of the Medicine Buddha statue in the Hōryū-ji Temple. This Chinese
  text was written in Shakyōtai (写経体) style, prominent in the Chinese Six Dynasties period.

Before the Nara period

<img alt=""
                                                                                src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Gakkiron_1.jpg/220px-Gakkiron_1.jpg"
                                                                                width="220"
                                                                                height="296"
                                                                                class="thumbimage"
                                                                                srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Gakkiron_1.jpg/330px-Gakkiron_1.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Gakkiron_1.jpg/440px-Gakkiron_1.jpg 2x"
                                                                                data-file-width="949"
                                                                                data-file-height="1277">

      Gakki-ron, written by the Empress Kōmyo
      in 744. She copied this text from Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi's and today this is regarded as one of the most
      important copies of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. (see also: File:Gakkiron
      2.jpg)

The Hōryū-ji Temple also holds bibliographic notes on the
  Lotus Sutra: the Hokke Gisho (法華義疏)
  was written early in the 7th century and is considered the oldest Japanese text. It is written in Cursive script and illustrates
  that calligraphy in the Asuka period was already refined to
  a high degree.

The oldest hand-copied sutra in Japan is the Kongō Jōdaranikyō. Copied by the
  priest Hōrin in 686 A.D., the calligraphy style shows influences from the work of Ouyang
    Xun.

"Broken Stone in Uji Bridge"
      (宇治橋断碑, ujibashi danpi)
  (mid-7th century) and Stone in Nasu County "Stone in Nasu County" (那須国造碑, nasu kokuzō
    hi)
  are also typical examples from this time. Both inscriptions were influenced by the Northern
    Wei robust style.

In the 7th century, the Tang dynasty established hegemony
  in China. Their second Emperor Taizong
  esteemed Wang Xizhi's calligraphic texts and this popularity
  influenced Japanese calligraphers. All of the original texts written by Wang Xizhi have been lost, and copies such
  as Gakki-ron (楽毅論) written by the Empress Kōmyō are highly regarded as important
  sources for Wang Xizhi's style. However Wang's influence can barely be overstated, in particular for the
  wayō (和様) style unique to Japan: "Even today, there is something about
  Japanese calligraphy that retains the unchanged flavour of Wang
    Xizhi's style".

Heian period

      Cry for noble Saichō (哭最澄上人), which was written by
      Emperor Saga for Saichō's death. Saga was a scholar of the Chinese classics.
      He was also renowned as a skillful calligrapher.

Emperor Kanmu moved the capital
  from Heijō-kyō in Nara, first
  to Nagaoka-kyō in 784, and then to Heian-kyō, Kyoto in 794. This marks the beginning of the Heian era, Japan's "golden age". Chinese
  influences in calligraphy were not changed in the early period. For example, under the Emperor Saga's reign, royalty, the aristocracy and even court
  ladies studied calligraphy by copying Chinese poetry
  texts in artistic style.

Wang Xizhi's influences remained dominant, which are shown in calligraphies written by Kūkai
  or Saichō. Some other Chinese calligraphers, such as Ouyang Xun and Yan
    Zhenqing were also highly valued. Their most notable admirers were Emperor Saga
  and Tachibana no Hayanari respectively.

At the same time, a style of calligraphy unique to Japan emerged. Writing had been popularized, and the kana syllabary was devised to deal with elements of pronunciation that
  could not be written with the borrowed Chinese characters. Japanese calligraphers still fitted the basic
  characters, called kanji (漢字),
  into the squares laid out centuries before. A fragment, Kara-ai no hana no utagire (韓藍花歌切, 749 A.D.) is considered the first text to show a style unique to Japanese
  calligraphy; it shows a Tanka (短歌)
  poem using Man'yōgana, thus deviated from contemporary
  Chinese calligraphy. Ono no Michikaze (894-966
  A.D.), one of the so-called sanseki (三跡,
  "Three Brush Traces"), along with Fujiwara no
    Sukemasa and Fujiwara no Yukinari, is
  considered the founder of the authentically Japanese wayō (和様) style,
  or wayō-shodō (和様書道). This development resonated with the court: Kūkai said to Emperor
    Saga, "China is a large country and Japan is relatively small, so I suggest writing in a different way." The
  "Cry for noble Saichō" (哭最澄上人, koku Saichō shounin),
  a poem written by Emperor Saga on the occasion of Saichō's death, was one of the examples of such a transformation. Ono no Michikaze served as an archetype for the Shōren-in
  school, which later became the Oie style of calligraphy. The Oie style was later used for official
  documents in the Edo period and was the prevailing style taught
  in the terakoya (寺子屋) schools of that time.

Kamakura and Muromachi period

<img alt=""
                                                                                src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Teika-calligraphy.gif/220px-Teika-calligraphy.gif"
                                                                                width="220"
                                                                                height="136"
                                                                                class="thumbimage"
                                                                                srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Teika-calligraphy.gif/330px-Teika-calligraphy.gif 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Teika-calligraphy.gif/440px-Teika-calligraphy.gif 2x"
                                                                                data-file-width="450"
                                                                                data-file-height="279">

      A manuscript in Fujiwara no Teika's hand of
      "Superior Poems of our Time", showing his calligraphic style.

The ascension of Minamoto no Yoritomo to
  the title of shogun, following the Hōgen
  and Heiji rebellions, and the victory of the Minamoto clan over the Taira,
  marked the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185–1333
  A.D.), but not quite yet to a return to peace and tranquility. The era is sometimes called "the age of the
  warriors" and a broad transition from court influences to a leading role of the military establishment pervaded
  the culture. It is also, however, a time when exchanges with China of the Song dynasty
  continued and Buddhism greatly flourished. Zen monks such as Shunjo
  studied in China and the copybooks that he brought with him are considered highly influential for the
  karayō (唐様) tradition of the time, expressing a clear kaisho style. But this was not the only example, indeed a succession of Chinese monks was
  naturalized at that time, encouraged by regent Hōjō
    Tokiyori. Rankei Doryū founded the Kenchō-ji temple in
  Kamakura and many of his
  works have been preserved. However, with the rise of the Rinzai
    school of Zen Buddhism a less
  technical style appeared, representative of Zen attitudes and exemplified in the works of Musō Soseki who wrote in a refined sosho style, or Shūhō
  Myōcho (1282–1337; better known as Daito Kokushi), the founder of Daitoku-ji
  in Kyoto, who had not traveled to China to study. In terms of wayō
  (和様) style, the works of Fujiwara no
    Shunzei and Fujiwara no Teika are considered
  outstanding examples of the late Heian and
  early Kamakura.

Political and military unrest continued throughout the Muromachi
  period (1336–1537 A.D.), characterized by tensions between imperial and civil authority and periods of
  outright civil war. However, as Ashikaga Takauji had
  ousted Emperor Go-Daigo from Kyoto
  to establish his own bakufu there, the intermingling of residual
  members of the imperial court, courtiers, daimyōs, samurai, and Zen priests resulted
  in vibrant cultural impulses. The arts prospered, but are not considered as refined as that of earlier times. Of
  note is the role of Ikkyū Sōjun, a successor of Shūhō Myōcho at Daitoku-ji; Ikkyū was instrumental in elevating the appreciation
  of calligraphy to an integral part of the tea
    ceremony in the 15th century.

Edo period

<img alt=""
                                                                                src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg/220px-Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg"
                                                                                width="220" height="106"
                                                                                class="thumbimage"
                                                                                srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg/330px-Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg/440px-Honami_K%C5%8Detsu_100_Poets_Anthology_section.jpg 2x"
                                                                                data-file-width="1062"
                                                                                data-file-height="511">

      A fragment from the "100 Poets anthology"; calligraphy by Hon'ami
      Kōetsu.

Main article: Edomoji

Tokugawa Ieyasu centralized power in his shogunate
  between 1603 and 1615. This marked the beginning of the Edo
    period, which brought 250 years of relative stability to Japan, lasting until the second half of the 19th
  century. The period was marked by seclusion from overseas influences with the Sakoku
  (鎖国, "locked country" or "chained country")
  policy. Calligraphic studies were essentially limited to the study of karayō (唐様)
  style works, via Ming-dynasty China. Indigenous developments
  were contributed by Ingen and the Ōbaku sect of Zen
  buddhism, and the Daishi school of calligraphy. The latter focused on the study of the "eight principles of the character yong"
      (永字八法, eiji happō),
  which go back to Wang Xizhi, and
  the 72 types of hissei ("brush energy") expounded by Wang
    Xizhi's teacher, the Lady Wei. The 1664 reprint of a copybook
  based on these principles in Kyoto contributed an important theoretical development. Calligraphers such as Hosoi Kotaku, who authored the five-volume Kanga
    Hyakudan in 1735, further advanced the karayō (唐様) style. Very
  characteristic for the early Edo period was an innovation by Hon'ami Kōetsu
  (1558–1637) who had paper made to order and painted a backdrop of decorative patterns, butterflies or floral
  elements that his calligraphy established a poetic correspondence with. Together with Konoe Nobutada (1565–1614) and Shōkadō Shōjō (1584–1639) – the
  three Kan'ei Sanpitsu (寛永三筆) –
  he is considered one of the greatest calligraphers in the wayō (和様)
  style at the time, creating examples of "a uniquely Japanese calligraphy".

Around 1736 Yoshimune began relaxing Japan's
  isolation policy and Chinese cultural imports increased, in particular via the port of Nagasaki.
  Catalogues of imported copybooks testify to a broad appreciation of Chinese calligraphers among the Japanese
  literati who pursued the karayō style: "traditionalists" studied Wang Xizhi and
  Wen Zhengming, while "reformists" modeled their work on
  the sōsho style of calligraphers such as Zhang Xu, Huaisu and Mi Fu. In terms of wayō,
  Konoe Iehiro contributed many fine kana works but generally
  speaking, wayō style was not as vigorously practised as karayō at that time. Nevertheless, some examples have been preserved by scholars of kokugaku (國學, National
    studies),
  or poets and painters such as Kaga no Chiyo, Yosa Buson or Sakai Hōitsu.

Today

Calligraphy is an elementary school subject in
  the Japanese mandatory
    education system. In high school, calligraphy is one of the choices among art subjects, along with music or
  painting. It is also a popular high school club activity, particularly with the advent of performance calligraphy. Some
  universities, such as University of
    Tsukuba, Tokyo Gakugei
    University and Fukuoka University of Education, have special
  departments of calligraphic study that emphasize teacher-training programs in calligraphy.

Japanese calligraphy has also fascinated many Western artists through the centuries — mainly calligraphers
  themselves, but famous artists as well,
  who studied and practiced calligraphy as a parallel to their own art (see also list of
    prominent calligraphers).

Connection to Zen Buddhism

<img alt=""
                                                                                src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Muso_Soseki_3.jpg/100px-Muso_Soseki_3.jpg"
                                                                                width="100"
                                                                                height="311"
                                                                                class="thumbimage"
                                                                                srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Muso_Soseki_3.jpg/150px-Muso_Soseki_3.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Muso_Soseki_3.jpg/200px-Muso_Soseki_3.jpg 2x"
                                                                                data-file-width="225"
                                                                                data-file-height="700">

      Calligraphy by Musō Soseki (1275–1351, Japanese zen
      master, poet, and calligrapher. The characters "別無工夫" ("no spiritual meaning") are written in a flowing,
      connected sōsho style.

See also: Hitsuzendō

Japanese calligraphy was influenced by, and influenced, Zen thought. For any
  particular piece of paper, the calligrapher has but one chance to create with the brush. The brush strokes cannot
  be corrected, and even a lack of confidence shows up in the work. The calligrapher must concentrate and be fluid
  in execution. The brush writes a statement about the calligrapher at a moment in time (see Hitsuzendō, the Zen way of the brush). Through Zen, Japanese
  calligraphy absorbed a distinct Japanese
    aesthetic often symbolised by the ensō or circle of
  enlightenment.

Zen calligraphy is practiced by Buddhist monks and most shodō
  practitioners. To write Zen calligraphy with mastery, one must clear one's mind and let the letters flow out of
  themselves, not practice and make a tremendous effort. This state of mind was called the mushin (無心, "no mind state")
  by the Japanese philosopher Nishida
    Kitaro. It is based on the principles of Zen Buddhism, which stresses a
  connection to the spiritual rather than the physical.

Before Japanese tea ceremonies (which are
  connected to Zen Buddhism), one is to look at a work of shodō to clear one's mind. This is considered an
  essential step in the preparation for a tea ceremony.


"I'm scared" I said as the bowling ball was coming down the lane. Standing like penguins the ball just missed me. The second time I got down and the bowling ball got a !!SPARE!! Were you scared too? I asked my friend.
The second time I got set back up and another person came and picked up a ball. I was even more scared because this guy got a strike last time which made my head hit first on the hard ground. So my friends and I got ready. The bowler got the bowling ball down the lane and he missed me AGAIN!!
Third try. Looking at the ball coming down the lane he got me this time but didn't get the other pins and so he didn't get a spare.
Well done Crusader for getting you r bowling story published. Just remember that if you do get some pictures off the internet you need to leave a link to the site you got them from.


Art and culture fans have yet another reason to visit the UAE capital over the coming months, thanks to Louvre Abu Dhabi's Roads of Arabia: Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia exhibition, which explores the fascinating story of the Arabian Peninsula through archaeological and cultural artefacts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
One of the most renowned Saudi exhibitions internationally, it was originally conceived through a cooperation between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and the Musée du Louvre in Paris, where it was first presented in 2010. Now back in the region following a 14-stop tour of Europe, the US and Asia and, the exhibition has been enriched by a selection of rare pieces from the emirates.
It explores five chapters in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, from early prehistoric settlements to the social and economic developments between the 14th and 16th centuries that set the stage for the modern-day region. Visitors can view important archaeological pieces from the UAE, including a pearl found in Umm Al Quwain dating from 5500-5300 BCE (loaned by Umm Al Quwain Museum), which are displayed alongside significant artefacts from KSA, including a door of the Kaaba dating to 1355 (loaned by the National Museum in Riyadh), among many others. Bolster your knowledge through a series of film screenings curated by Emirati artist Hind Mezaina (taking place each Saturday from 5 to 26 January), as well as talks and poetry performances designed to provide a richer insight.
The exhibition is taking place until 16 February 2019. Entry is free upon purchasing a ticket to the museum.


text:
Principal (re-advertised) – OLSHT, P-12 College, Wadeye, Northern Territory
After 10 years as Principal Dr John Young is leaving Our Lady of The Sacred Heart Thamurrurr (OLSHT) Catholic College. He arrived thinking the standard 4-year contract would be ideal. He was surprised at the level of welcome given to him and quickly became attached to the Wadeye community. As he now reflects on his 10 years of leadership, John said the opportunity to provide a real difference to his community is something he will always treasure.
Is it time to 'Bring your ambition to life'?
Catholic Education Northern Territory is a system comprising 18 Catholic schools with an enrolment of approximately 4,800 students and 900 staff. OLSHT is a part of this system of schools. OLSHT is the only provider of compulsory education in the remote Aboriginal Community of Wadeye, which is located 400 km South West of Darwin.
OLSHT enrolment fluctuates between 550-650. The College operates from Transition to Year Twelve and includes a Pre-school and a Families as First Teachers program. The College has a staff of 140 which includes 70 Aboriginal staff who are employed as teachers, assistant teachers and support staff.
OLSHT is a bilingual school and has integrated Thamarrurr Culture and the Murrinhpatha language in all elements of its teachings and operation. Bilingual and Bicultural education is supported by the OLSHT Literature Production Centre which employs, artists, linguist, and authors to produce high quality literacy resources.
The College has a core group of highly proficient staff with 4 to 7 years of experience at OLSHT. The College is heavily committed to the welfare of students, staff and the wider community with a school-based nurse and social worker. OLSHT also runs a comprehensive school nutrition program.
The town of Wadeye has a population of 2500. It has a twice daily air service to Darwin that takes roughly an hour's flight. It is a five to six-hour drive to Darwin when the road is open from May to December.
Visit the College website to obtain more detailed information including the leadership team structure by clicking here.
Learn more about Wadeye by clicking here.
Position Title: Principal
Reports to: Director of Catholic Education through the Principals' Consultant
Working collaboratively with the members of the College Leadership Team, the Principal is required to provide strategic and operational leadership in the following areas: Catholic Identity; Leadership; Teaching & Learning; Pastoral Care & Wellbeing; Community & Culture; and Finance, Facilities & Resources.
The Principal plays a critical role in supporting a diverse community of learners maintaining strong relationships with local groups and community leaders supporting students in their educational endeavours. The Principal is supported by a core group of highly proficient staff who have from 4 to 7 years of experience at OLSHT.
A range of additional information, including a full position description and the staffing structure, will be provided at a later stage in the process.
It is anticipated the successful person will be able to commence on 17th January 2022.
Remuneration package (salary plus superannuation) is $199,121 – $216,024.
An accommodation package including housing, electricity and rates is provided.
Initial 4-year contract.
Obtain and retain a Working with Children Check from Screening Assessment for Employment – Northern Territory (SAFE NT).
Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
Obtain Northern Territory Teacher Registration.
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
A Catholic who is an active member of a Catholic Eucharistic community committed to Catholic Values and participation in Catholic Worship.
Recent leadership experience in a Catholic primary or secondary school, preferably in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting.
A desire to immerse and commit yourself to Aboriginal Education.
Capacity to lead staff development, pastoral care and wellbeing, including staff formation processes.
Participation in appropriate post‐graduate professional development activities.
Registration or eligibility for registration with the Teacher Registration Board (TRB) of the Northern Territory.
Completed/commenced Masters study in Religious Education, Theology and/or Educational Leadership.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.
Are You Interested in this Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, simply complete the 'Express Your Interest' panel on this page; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1461. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.
If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our job alerts.
Questions can be directed to either (a) Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email to jobs@traksearch.com.
The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
Key dates as follows:
Date of project launch/advertising By Friday 23rd July
Latest anticipated date for expressions of interest Wednesday 11th Aug.
Review meeting & short listing Week commencing Mon 23rd Aug.
Anticipated date for client interviews Either week of Monday 30th Aug. or 6th Sept.
Final references; academic documents obtained Following client interviews
Follow up meeting/discussion Likely within 7 days of client interviews
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for your confidential enquiries. They will also provide a range of additional information to allow you to explore how this opportunity aligns with your expectations and interests.
Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the employers schedule.
We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Catholic Priest referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.
CENT will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Director or his nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the 'Frequently Asked Questions'.
Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.
Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents. We are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to accommodate neurodiverse candidates; or people with different physical abilities.
You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.
This position is closed


text:
Robert Hyde promises to stay in Congressional race as more documents are released in alleged surveillance of U.S. ambassador in Ukraine
Kent Mawhinney, alleged Fotis Dulos co-conspirator, faces law license suspension
Woman With Ties To Aaron Hernandez Dies In Southington
Judge Out At Least 3 Weeks With Wrist Fracture; Yankees Beat Royals 7-2
Jul 27, 2018 | 12:07 AM
Aaron Judge heads to first base after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Royals on Thursday night. The Yankees' slugger suffered a wrist fracture and will be out at least three weeks. (Elsa / Getty Images)
Aaron Judge winced, and so did most everyone else at Yankee Stadium.
All geared up for a pennant race, the New York Yankees caught a bad break Thursday night: Their All-Star slugger sustained a fractured right wrist when he was hit by a fastball and is expected to miss three weeks.
After a 7-2 win over the Kansas City Royals, the Yankees said Judge had a chip fracture. The team said no surgery has been recommended, and estimated he wouldn't be able to swing the bat in a game until mid-August.
"I'm concerned, obviously," manager Aaron Boone said, even before the final diagnosis.
His fans were, too.
As Neil Walker batted with two outs in the Yankees seventh, several thousand people in the sellout crowd of 46,965 suddenly switched on their cell phone lights and shined them toward the field.
"It was a candlelight vigil for Aaron Judge," fan Al Orrico said as he shopped postgame in the souvenir store. "I saw some people doing it, then a person behind me showed me an app and said it was a candlelight vigil for him."
The hugely popular Judge is hitting .285 with 26 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Normally the right fielder, Judge was the designated hitter. He grimaced when he was stung by a pitch from Jakob Junis in the first inning, was checked by a trainer and stayed in. Judge an infield hit the next time up and then was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the fourth.
Boone said when Judge tried taking swings in the indoor batting cage between at-bats, "he just didn't have a lot of strength."
When told he was coming out of the game, Judge "didn't balk at it," Boone said.
Junis said the pitch didn't wind up where he intended it.
"I was just trying to go heater away, and it totally got away from me," Junis said. "Tried humping up a little extra on a little and it just really open and let it go."
Judge was seen by a team doctor at the stadium and an X-ray "was a little unsure," Boone said. Judge was then taken to a hospital for an MRI and CT scan.
On a busy day for the Yankees, Sonny Gray (8-7) pitched five shutout innings to win three straight starts for the first time since last July. He exited soon after getting nicked in the thumb of his pitching hand by a hard grounder.
Gray was slated for an X-ray, too. Boone indicated the ball might've hit the muscle part of Gray's hand, lessening the risk of something serious.
Didi Gregorius hit a three-run homer for New York, which is 4{ games behind AL East-leading Boston. Center fielder Aaron Hicks threw out Alex Gordon at the plate to end the game as Gordon tried to score from second on a single.
Before the game, the Yankees obtained Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ in a trade for infielder Brandon Drury and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney. Also, ace reliever Zach Britton tossed a perfect eighth inning in his New York debut, two days after being acquired from Baltimore for three pitching prospects.
Junis (5-11) is 0-8 in 10 starts since beating the Yankees in mid-May. He has allowed a major league-high 25 home runs, and the drive by Gregorius made it 6-0 in the fourth.
Gregorius homered one pitch after shortstop Adalberto Mondesi bounced a throw to first on a routine grounder with two outs. As Gregorius rounded the bases, Mondesi took off his glove and wandered into shallow center field.
"No, I saw I had a little bit of time. I didn't let it go," he said.
Mondesi also misplayed a grounder in the first for another error.
Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the Royals sixth off Adam Warren.
'It hits you in waves': One year after 12-year-old Brigid Curtin's death, her parents grapple with grief and remembrance


Private First Class William Hudson was a combat technician in the United States Colonial Marine Corps, part of 2nd Battalion Bravo Team. He was a member of the combat unit deployed to Acheron aboard the USS Sulaco in 2179, to investigate the sudden loss of contact with the colony of Hadley's Hope. He was subsequently involved in combating the Xenomorph infestation at the colony.
Hudson was part of First Squad's gun team, along with Private Vasquez. He was also the squad's leader, although Sergeant Apone assumed nominal command for the initial operation at Hadley's Hope. Hudson was also designated First Squad's Motion Tracker operator. He was among the last to perish in the incident, eventually becoming host for a Xenomorph Chestburster. His body was later found by Corporal Christopher Winter from the USS Sephora during a subsequent investigation of the colony.


text:
Q: Direct limit of localizations of a ring at elements not in a prime ideal For a prime ideal $P$ of a commutative ring $A$, consider the direct limit of the family of localizations $A_f$ indexed by the set $A \setminus P$ with partial order $\le$ such that $f \le g$ iff $V(f) \subseteq V(g)$.  (We have for such $f \le g$ a natural homomorphism $A_f \to A_g$.)  I want to show that this direct limit, $\varinjlim_{f \not\in P} A_f$, is isomorphic to the localization $A_P$ of $A$ at $P$.  For this I consider the homomorphism $\phi$ that maps an equivalence class $[(f, a/f^n)] \mapsto a/f^n$.  (I denote elements of the disjoint union $\sqcup_{f \not\in P} A_f$ by tuples $(f, a/f^n)$.)  Surjectivity is clear, because for any $a/s \in A_P$ with $s \not\in P$, we have the class $[(s, a/s)] \in \varinjlim_{f \not\in P} A_f$ whose image is $a/s$.  For injectivity, suppose we have a class $[(f, a/f^n)]$ whose image $a/f^n = 0/1 \in A_P$.  Then there exists $t \notin P$ such that $ta = 0$.  We want to show that $[(f, a/f^n)]] = [(f, 0/1)]$, which I believe is equivalent to finding a $g \notin P$ such that $V(f) \subseteq V(g)$ and $g^ka = 0$ for some $k \in \mathbb{N}$.  Well, $t$ seems to almost work, but I couldn't prove that $V(f) \subseteq V(t)$, so maybe we need a different $g$?  Or am I using the wrong map entirely?

A: If $a/f^n \in A_f$ is mapped to $0$ in $A_p,$ then there is a $g \not \in p,$ s.t. $ga=0,$ therefore, $a/f^n=0 \in A_{gf}.$ Hence the injectivity.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Industry-leading solutions for healthcare providers -- servicing assisted living to integrated acute care.
We are proud to supply numerous healthcare solutions from RF Technologies, a company with over 30 years of history in life safety systems.
HELP ALERT® mobile panic alarms, EXACTRACK® equipment location systems, and SENSATEC® fall management products.
There is a need in high-care units to provide additional security to patients and residents. High-care units that have Alzheimer, dementia or other persons-at-risk of wandering will benefit from MRC's RTLS system. As staff are performing their daily tasks, MRC RTLS monitors the movements of persons and provides real-time information on their whereabouts, using MRC 4025 TAG badges, MRC 4026 Beacon or Beacon with IR options and MRC 4020 wireless gateways. MRC RTLS works in conjunction with MRC FUGIT or MRC NECS. The system can be customized to meet specific needs and provides reports and audit trails.
The RFID location tag is designed to be used in MRC's RTLS system. The location tags will transmit the received beacon ID (in its close range) along with its own tag ID to the reader. The tag location will be resolved by the server when the tag ID and beacon ID pair will be received from the reader.
The location beacons MRC 4026 and MRC 4026 IR are designed to be used with MRC's RTLS system. The location beacon is installed at a fix location as defined by the system. Each reader is assigned with an ID unique to the system and the beacon ID is used as an identification of the location.
The location beacon periodically transmits its ID at 125 kHz RF. The tags transmit the received beacon ID (in its close range) along with its own tag ID to the reader. The tag location is resolved by the server when tag ID and beacon ID pair is received from the reader.
IR option: The additional Infrared sensor detects the presence of a person within the detection range. The reader then transmits the beacon ID and tag ID.
MRC 4020 gateway is used by MRC's security systems FUGIT and MRC RTLS for the real time location of persons at risk.
The MRC 4020 gateway is installed in strategic locations where wandering alert is necessary for the protection of those at risk.
Readers can be installed inside a facility to control access where there are doors, staircases, corridors, elevators, storage rooms, kitchens etc … and that at exit points or areas outside input (eg patios, terraces).


text:
Dan Le Batard calls out racism at Donald Trump rally, criticizes ESPN in rant on radio show
Ryan YoungWriter
July 19, 2019, 1:26 AM UTC
ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard called out President Donald Trump on his radio show on Thursday after a "send her back" chant broke out at his North Carolina rally, a move the sports network has tried to avoid in recent years. (AP)
ESPN has made it more than clear that it wants its employees to stick to sports.
Network president Jimmy Pitaro has told employees that it's not their job to cover politics, and longtime ESPN reporter and anchor Jemele Hill ultimately left the network last year after openly criticizing President Donald Trump on social media, among other things.
Despite the policies, however, Dan Le Batard didn't hold back Thursday morning.
The longtime ESPN radio host and TV personality called out the racism he saw at a Trump rally on Wednesday night on his radio show, "The Dan Le Batard Show." He also criticized ESPN for trying to keep its employees quiet about uncomfortable topics.
Le Batard started out recapping what happened at the Trump rally in Greenville, North Carolina, where a "send her back" chant broke out, specifically referencing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
Omar, a Somali refugee and American citizen, was one of four minority congresswomen Trump attacked on Sunday on Twitter when he said that they should "go back" to the countries where they came from, despite all of them being American citizens. Naturally, the racist tweets sparked mass outrage, and the House of Representatives later voted to condemn them as racist.
Trump has since disavowed the chant, saying he was "not happy" with it, according to The New York Times.
After condemning the chants, Le Batard transitioned to reading a tweet from Fox Sports' Nick Wright.
I don't talk politics on here but this isn't political, this is obvious: This is abhorrent, obviously racist, dangerous rhetoric and not calling it out makes you complicit.
The "send her back" chant + the "go back to where you came from" are so antithetical to what we should be. https://t.co/0Mwnlaf3gE
— nick wright (@getnickwright) July 18, 2019
Le Batard — whose parents fled Cuba for the United States as teenagers — sided with Wright and quickly built on his tweet, calling out both Trump and ESPN leadership for forcing its employees for using a "weak-ass shield" when it comes to talking about politics and race.
Stop what you're doing and watch this.@LeBatardShow responds to the racist "Send her back" and "Go back to your country" attacks against Ilhan Omar and other congresswomen.
"If you're not calling it abhorrent, obviously racist, dangerous rhetoric, you're complicit." pic.twitter.com/ntOC2Seg3b
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) July 18, 2019
"So, what happened last night, this felt un-American what happened. Basically, a chant, 'Send her back' is not the America that my parents came to get for us, for exiles, for brown people. There's a racial division in this country that's being instigated by the president, and we here at ESPN haven't had the stomach for that fight because Jemele (Hill) did some things on Twitter, and you saw what happened after that. Then here, all of the sudden nobody talks politics on anything unless we can use one of these sports figures as a meat shield in the most cowardly possible way to discuss these subject.
"But what happened last night at this rally is deeply offensive. Done by the president of our country … Nick Wright writes, 'I don't talk politics on here, but this isn't political. This is abhorrent, obviously racist, dangerous rhetoric and not calling it out makes you complicit.' The 'send her back' chant and the 'go back to where you came from' are so antithetical to what we should be.
"It is so right what he is saying there. It is so wrong what the president of our country is doing, trying to go down getting reelected by dividing the masses at a time when the old white man, the old, rich white man feels oppressed, being attacked by minorities. Black people, brown people, women. That's who we're going after now. Black people, brown people, women. Let's do it, as the platform.
"That's what you're seeing, and the only way we can discuss it around here — because this isn't about politics, it's about race — what you're seeing happening around here is about race, and it's been turned into politics. And we only talk about it around here when Steve Kerr or Popovich says something. We don't talk about what is happening unless there's some sort of weak, cowardly sports angle that we can run it through. When sports has been a place where this stuff changes.
"Muhammad Ali was fighting for this stuff in the 60s. Bill Russell and Jim Brown are really old. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is old. These people who were fighting, the most powerful among us in sports, who were fighting in the civil rights era for atrocities happening to black people that we're still paying for now in a country where this is our greatest sin, what has happened to minorities in this country. They're old and dying. Jim Brown walks with a cane, man. He walks with a cane. He's going to go to the grave without having seen change. He's going to go to the grave with Colin Kaepernick still out of the league, literally blackballed because we're taking this stuff and making it about the flag when it's not about the flag. It's about race, like burning a cross and saying it's about God. This isn't about the flag.
"This is deeply offensive to me as somebody whose parents made all the sacrifices to get to this country. 'Send her back.' How are you any more American than her? You're more privileged? You're whiter? You're richer? The people don't know whether your money is real or not. You've had every privilege afforded to you by America. Every privilege. And now, what you do with that power, is you go after brown people and black people and minorities. And around here we won't talk about it? ... Weak-ass shield."
Browns preview: Loaded roster has one huge question
Anonymous NBA GM takes swipes at Kawhi, Klay
Brown: Marisnick isn't a good villain, he's a good guy
Rory's rough Open start includes quadruple-bogey on No.


text:
Q: Add Navigation Drawer to Exsisting Andrdoid Google Map I'm developing Android Google Map project.
Here is what i wanted.
Default screen is like this and when drawer page must like this
I already did the google map part and I created a new Navigation Drawer Activity. How Am I suppose to connect these 2? I mean, how can I set the screen under the navigation drawer to my map page?
Already tried,
@Override

public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
FragmentTransaction tx = getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction();
tx.replace(R.id.content_frame, new Fragment1());
tx.commit();

}
Did not work.
Please help. This may be a silly question. but, I'm new to Andrdoid.
Thanks
-Edit -
 Here is the activity_maps.xml
<fragment xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:id="@+id/map" tools:context=".MapsActivity"
android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment" />

Here is the activity_navigation.xml
<android.support.v4.widget.DrawerLayout
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:fitsSystemWindows="true">

<include layout="@layout/activity_maps"/>

<android.support.design.widget.NavigationView
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:layout_gravity="start"
    app:headerLayout="@layout/drawer_header"
    app:menu="@menu/drawer"/>

Here is the drawer_header.xml
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="192dp"
    android:background="?attr/colorPrimaryDark"
    android:padding="16dp"
    android:theme="@style/ThemeOverlay.AppCompat.Dark"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:gravity="bottom">

    <TextView
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Abc"
        android:textAppearance="@style/TextAppearance.AppCompat.Body1"/>

</LinearLayout>

Here is the drawer.xml (menu)
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

    <group android:checkableBehavior="single">

    </group>

    <item android:title="Sub items">
        <menu>

        </menu>
    </item>

</menu>

I can not find what happened. But, I'm still getting the same error with this code.

A: Follow these steps.

*

*Right click on your Android Studio project

*Select New-> Activity -> Navigation Drawer Activity

*Give a name and create the Navigation Drawer activity

*open activity_drawer.xml

*Add following code <include layout="@layout/activity_maps"/>

*You'll get your answer
Hope this will help. :)


text:
Participation in an extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council
Today, October 28, 2022, the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, took part in an extraordinary session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in a videoconference format.
The session was also attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas.
The heads of the CSTO member states heard the report of the Secretary General of the Organization on the results of the work of the CSTO Mission in the Republic of Armenia from September 15 to 24, 2022.
During the session, the importance of strengthening political and diplomatic measures to normalize the situation and improve security in the Caucasus region of collective security, including on the basis of tripartite statements by the heads of state of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, was emphasized.
In his speech, the Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, reaffirming the determination of Tajikistan to continue to follow its allied obligations within the CSTO, noted the need to take effective measures within the CSTO to further develop the crisis response system.
Following the session, the heads of state instructed the Council of Foreign Ministers to continue working on a set of measures to assist the CSTO in stabilizing the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
http://www.president.tj/en/node/29446


Abstract: In settler-colonies such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the historical impacts of colonisation on the health, social, economic and cultural experiences of Indigenous peoples are well documented. However, despite being a commonly deployed trope, there has been scant attention paid to precisely how colonial processes contribute to contemporary disparities in health between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in these nation-states. After considering pertinent issues in defining indigeneity, this paper focuses on operationalising colonisation as a driver of indigenous health, with reference to emerging concepts such as historical trauma. Conceptualisations of coloniality vis-à-vis health and their critiques are then examined alongside the role of racism as an intersecting and overlapping phenomenon. To conclude, approaches to understanding and explaining Indigenous disadvantage are considered alongside the potential of decolonisation, before exploring ramifications for the future of settler-indigenous relations.


Last week we bought an 03 ds650 and after riding it a couple days and my husband cleaned it really good, it started leaking oil. My husband noticed that the oil filter cover cracked, so we replaced it last night and this morning started it up and hit the gas a little and with out even riding it the cover cracked and busted again, is this a known problem, or does anyone know what can be causing this?
My hobbies are NASCAR, Rockin' in the Free World, and riding my Sand Pigs at every available opportunity.
Have owned nine of them and never had that happen. Never even heard of it. No pump, it's just kind of slinging oil going on in there so there shouldn't be any pressure build up. Look at the sticky threads and see which years had the different size oil filter covers. I think you're using the short cover with the long filter but it still wouldn't seem to me that you could even get that bolted down (haven't tried!) in order for it to break the cover. Good luck anyway, these are awesome rides so hopefully you get it sorted out.
Bombardier wants our feedback on the DS650!