text:
Coordinating messages when everybody's talking
May 30, 2014 stevevanriel
Up until a few years ago, the two main political parties knew what each other was up to. We sent people to each other's press conferences, monitored the local papers of the other side's leaders and had geeks like me pore through the policy documents that the other lot chucked out. The proportion of my early twenties that was given in pressing refresh on conservatives.com or reading the latest musings from Iain Duncan Smith must never, ever be calculated. If one of our opponents went off the national message, we wanted to know about it and get journalists to write about it.
Now, because of Twitter mostly and blogs to a lesser extent, there's no way to monitor everything either side is saying at any one time. The sheer quantity of stuff being said about politics or by politicians has risen exponentially. The wonder isn't that some people don't go off message: the wonder is that there is any coherent message at all.
Our amazing ability to coordinate in this kind of situation has fascinated economists for many years. Suppose you and I have to pick a number in secret and if we pick the same number, then we each win a prize. This isn't a Prisoner's Dilemma: we aren't competing and we aren't trying to trick each other. But it's hard nonetheless: you can choose from an infinite number of numbers, and so can I. The odds of us both having the favourite number of 3,001 are infinitely small.
And yet, a surprising number of people do win the prize. In one experiment, around, a quarter of the participants choose the number one. In that puzzle, the number one is called a "focal point" because it stands out as the lowest number possible. We can play the same game where we have to name mountains (everyone names Everest) or the side of a coin (everyone names heads). In another example, we have to each secretly decide a time and place in London to meet and only get the prize if we both go to exactly the same place at exactly the same time. Impossible? Seemingly not: most people go for 12 noon as the focal point time and they pick a London landmark (Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus or Buckingham Palace) as the location.
In an era of so much political stuff being produced in such short timeframes, it's incredibly hard to get a line out to your own side before they comment themselves, much less to monitor what your own side do and ensure they stick to the message. That means that when one of your MPs speaks, they're in a similar situation to the person guessing the number or the place and time in London – they normally want to say what all the other MPs are saying but only have an imperfect sense of what the precise details of the party line are.
This problem has been solved… by politicians doing the equivalent of meeting in Trafalgar Square at 12 noon. Everyone is largely sticking to the things they know their colleagues will also stick to. Whether it's Labour's cost of living crisis, the Tories' long term economic plan, the line is being held for the most part, and not in a noticeably worse way than in the days when all a prospective parliamentary candidate had was an election address, a few leaflets and unmonitored face-to-face conversations with voters.
In some ways this is an amazing achievement for both sides. The top down model of message discipline and sign off was an enormous pain – the proportion of my early twenties spent trying to get quotes for newspapers signed off by various Labour ministers also does not really bear thinking about. Of course, sign off still goes on for the big things – but if the monitoring and sign-off structure of Party HQ had expanded at the same rate as the content, Labour and Tory head offices would now require most of the office space in Westminster.
The risk, however, is that Trafalgar Square at 12 noon is a rubbish place. It's crowded and it's boring. At the start of the parliament, Labour's focal point was cuts and, though that's not the party line now, it's still the spot that many of its politicians return home to. For the Tories, the European referendum and GDP growth are equally good focal points but they are definitely not equally important in the eyes of the voters. These are all positions where MPs are saying exactly what people expect them to say – indeed, they wouldn't be so easy focal points if that wasn't the case.
What no one's quite cracked yet is to get MP's to naturally converge on somewhere more interesting – the political equivalent of a good pub outside the centre of town. No one's managed to successfully update the command and control model either. Whichever side solves this problem first will have a significant advantage in the next General Election.
Metha, J., Starmer, C., & Sugden, R. (1994). Focal Points in Pure Coordination Games: An Experimental Investigation. Theory and Decision, 36, 163-185.
Schelling, Thomas C. (1960). The Strategy of Conflict. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
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This got me thinking: I wonder how often Jesus might surprise me. I don't think I'd be surprised if Jesus had a face-to-face conversation with Billy Graham, or maybe Mother Teresa or even the head of my denomination. Those are all people who are acceptable in my sight. However, would I be surprised if I walked into a room and saw Jesus conversing with someone I'm not sure about? You'll have to use your imagination for this, but what if I came across Jesus talking to President Obama. (I can hear it now: "Jesus had to go through Washington, D.C.") Would I be surprised? What if Jesus was having a conversation with the Pope, or Angelina Jolie, or Charles Manson? How about Fidel Castro, Indira Gahandi or President George W. Bush? Would Jesus surprise me with His actions? Would He surprise you?
I figure that if I'm like the disciples, surprised by who Jesus chooses to talk to, it's a sure indication that I still don't know His mission or His purpose. Yes, I've read that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, but its so easy to think Jesus really died for those people who are most like me; people I get along with, approve, admire, agree with and respect. But when Jesus steps outside the acceptable boundary lines and crosses over into "enemy" territory, then I begin to wonder what He's up to. Why? Because if Jesus will go through Samaria (or Washington D.C.), then He just might call me to go there too, and then I'd have to face my own prejudices and that's a bit too much confrontation for a Monday morning.
I'd like to say Jesus doesn't surprise me anymore, but nobody would believe it. I'm still learning about the mission and purpose of Jesus. I'm still challenged when He directs me to talk with certain people, go to specific places, listen to particular teachers, and face my own, personally chosen enemies. On a lighter note, I think since Heaven is for an eternity and God is infinite, I can anticipate an eternity with God that is full of surprise and wonder. Therefore, it should not be surprising (pun intended) if His surprises start today.
I'm frequently surprised by Jesus. He blesses me when I don't anticipate it and whispers in my heart at sometimes unexpected times.


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Rotten Chestnuts
Because Life Is Not A Bumper Sticker
The Chestnut Tree
The Worst Argument in the World
"Automata Inconvenienced with a Soul"
The problem with regarding people as "moist robots," as the Z Man puts it, is not that people aren't actually moist robots. Glaring falsehood is a feature, not a bug, of every grand sociological theory this side of Original Sin. Try it for yourself:
Nope. Sorry, Tom, but every single substantive claim in that sentence is wrong, and obviously so. Men aren't created equal, life obviously isn't a right, both life and liberty are alienated all the time, calling "the pursuit of Happiness" a "right" is incoherent, etc. As slogans go, it's not the worst ever to have rallied troops, but as a statement about the human condition it's absurd. For proof, see American history — yeah, ALL of it — 1865 to present.
It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.
Ponderous Teutonic prose keeps this from being as obviously false as Jefferson's nice plain English, but it's still bollocks. It's an A+ example of the Ishmael Effect. How did you, Karl Marx, get your consciousness past the limits of your social being, in order to tell us that no one's consciousness can ever get past his social being? As an explanation for why Marxist regimes are always police states, it's aces — nothing changes your social being like a decade or two in the gulag — but as a social theory it's bunk.
____ is just a social construction.
The parts that aren't biology, anyway. So, you know, maybe 25%, tops.
And so on down the line. The social contract assumes rough equality between individuals in the State of Nature, a falsity inside an absurdity. Anarchism assumes people naturally cooperate. Aristotle, who famously defined man as the political animal, also assumed that man was the rational animal. Spend five minutes on social media and tell me how that holds up.
The danger, then, isn't the error per se. It's that the error becomes fundamental to one's identity.
Everyone who has "taken the red pill" knows: It hurts. Those of us who were once "CivNats" never thought of ourselves that way. We thought we were just Americans — outgoing, generous, trustworthy within limits, maybe a little stuffy, but fundamentally decent. We thought everyone else was, too. Our default setting was "give 'em the benefit of the doubt." We wanted a nice house on a quite street in the 'burbs because that's nice, and we assumed that everyone else wants nice things, too.
It's one hell of a punch to the gut to discover that lots of people aren't nice, that they think nice people are suckers, that in fact they hold the very idea of "nice" in the deepest contempt. That there are lots of people who live by the mobster's mantra — "fuck you, pay me" — but they think even less of you when you actually pay. So you build delusions for yourself — "they live like that down in the ghetto," you tell yourself, "because they just don't know any better. More education, in better schools, with more job opportunities…that'll fix it."
But it won't. They live like that because they want to live like that. Spend five minutes down there, and you'll see people going way out of their way to increase their own squalor and misery. A freshly-painted house will draw vandals from three 'hoods over. A kid who does his homework will be beaten by his classmates. It's all by choice. That's the red pill, and it goes down hard.
Or it doesn't go down at all. Sometimes the error is just too fundamental to one's identity. The believers in moist robot theory — those who believe men are just "automata inconvenienced with a soul," as was said about the tsar's bureaucrats — are, I'm increasingly coming to believe, Irredeemable. They've embraced the error to such an extent that they try to make it truest for themselves.
Think about it: It takes a certain type of person to be frustrated, intimidated, stressed out by the mere fact of choice. A person who experiences real emotional distress when forced to choose between Froot Loops and Cap'n Crunch isn't (just) a namby-pamby sissy. This is a person who desperately wishes he was a meat robot, so that the programmer could tweak his algorithm and he'd never have to face another decision.
Only a certain type of person could write a book called Escape from Freedom. It says it's about Nazis, of course, but it's actually a perfect portrait of a cultural marxist. The Sane Society, the same author informs us, shall only be achieved when all those frightening decisions are made for us by a benevolent authority.
So, too, in economics. Guys like Tyler Cowen write as if people are nothing more than culture-less, deracinated consumer units, because he himself longs to be a culture-less, deracinated consumer unit. Calling someone like Cowen an "American" is like saying "he has brown hair" — true, but meaningless, as it's just an accident of birth. He desperately wants to be a rootless cosmopolitan consumer, so he writes as if we all are. He's nominally on the "Right," but he means the same thing as the nominal "Left" when he pens another paean to "diversity" — isn't it great that you can get Thai-Bavarian-Eskimo-Cuban fusion cuisine on the Upper West Side?
tl;dr — as the man said, SJWs always project. They long to be meat robots. They try desperately to make themselves into meat robots. And since we the people only matter as stagehands in the all-encompassing show that is their pwecious widdle selves, they try to make us into meat robots, too.
I don't think it's curable, comrades. Sadly, I think the only way to "help" folks who feel themselves to be "automata inconvenienced with a soul" is to "convenience" them. I hope I'm wrong, but I guarantee you that thanks to "people" like them, we're going to learn the answer soon enough.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on November 4, 2019 by Severian.
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8 thoughts on ""Automata Inconvenienced with a Soul""
Publius November 4, 2019 at 8:50 pm
Yes, but as Aesop's Old Mouse asked: "Who Will Bell the Cat?"
It's one thing to talk abou Civil War. Hell, we've been doing nothing else for a number of years now. We're positive the damn thing is just over the next hill.
But as you yourself wrote, it took a whole lot of squeezing by a number of determined politicos to get one started the last time. And even then most people would have preferred not to bother.
We seem to act under the idea that One Fine Day the Spark will ignite, and like Europe in 1914 we'll all be off to the trenches before we can get our second boot on. Which obviously isn't a categorical impossibility, as thing like that tend to happen amongst us moist robots every now and again. But I wonder if we're laying too much faith in just the right kind of Black Swan, y'dig?
Pickle Rick November 4, 2019 at 11:17 pm
The kindling is there, the sparks are flying with every single outrage the Left perpetrates, but the vital ingredient is missing. There's no accelerant, in the form of a leadership willing to finally embrace dissolution. The South didn't need much "squeezing" from politicians to decide that they wanted out- John Brown let them know quite clearly what was in store for them, and it was the state legislatures, not the Representatives and the Senators who provided the local leadership to make it happen. They knew very well that if they took the step to secession, that men like Major Thomas Jackson and Colonel Robert E. Lee we're ready to lead the armies. Do we have that today? Not one damn bit.
The Bolsheviks took leadership of millions of pissed off peasants and workers because they knew that homegrown leadership of the people didn't exist, and they filled that vacuum. That's why the left, Trump notwithstanding, marches from victory to victory. They've got leaders, and we don't.
Severian Post author November 5, 2019 at 2:30 am
I don't see an actual Civil War coming, for the reasons y'all describe. I see America ending up as a much larger, messier Northern Ireland, held down by the mercenary troops of La Caudilla Ocasio-Cortez and the Vibrant Coalition and troubled, but in no danger of being overthrown, by various "freedom fighter" groups largely indistinguishable from street gangs.
Pickle Rick November 5, 2019 at 2:55 pm
I go to a public range on the state game lands once in a while when I meet my hunting buddy after work. It's located near your typical white suburban upper middle class neighborhoods near the city. I see far more ARs being shot by well dressed types that are not your stereotypical redneck deplorable than bolt actions being shot by guys in RealTree overalls. You ain't hunting deer with an AR.
I think ZMan has the answer:
https://gab.com/TheZBlog/posts/103018387877141560
The numbers will be built in the shadows. I had a thought to look there because a few posts back he made a mention of making a flight to visit a dissident group, without going into too many identifying details. Given the nature of the Panopticon, this would appear to be the only way.
contrariandutchman November 5, 2019 at 12:57 pm
I think the continental US is far too large for something like the troubles, it would take tens of millions of soldiers to run a manpower intensive counter insurgency campaign across all of it.
In addition, something like the toubles requires a very great deal of restraint on the part of the government and army. Do you really think presidente eterno Vissarionovich-Cortez will insist on such restraint against deplorables? And harshly maintain discipline in an army that will likely consist mostly of hired sicarios and rabble from the big cities drawn by the promise of rape and plunder?
I've said it before, look to Syria if you want to know what US civil war 2.0 will look like. (and yes, a much more brutal version of the troubles may play out in the coastal cities, as it did in Syria initially)
MBlanc46 November 5, 2019 at 3:19 pm
You might have added "No such thing as a bad boy" to your list of howlers. It's not a major social theory, but it's the mantra of the monumentally ill-conceived Leftist criminal justice project. There are some truly bad boys, and most of us have encountered a few. But most people are, all things considered, on the decent end of the spectrum. Unfortunately, most people universalize that fact. It's largely women who refuse to acknowledge that there are just some people so nasty that they should just be put down. (I'm not denying that there are a lot of namby-pamby men who have bought into it; see your local Protestant minister for an example.) Women just want to "make it all better", which, after all, is their principal social function, and thank goodness for it. But it's an impulse that, if it gets let out of its proper domain, can bring the entire edifice down. On the question of hot civil war, in current conditions, it just won't happen. Too much sugar and fats, Alexa to do everything for you, and sportsball will keep the normies sunk in their recliners. But current conditions might not last forever. Our current prosperity is built on free money and oceans (is there something larger than oceans?) of debt. I'm not much of a believer in economic laws, but I'd wager that, say, seven times out of nine, free money and oceans of debt do not end well.
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OREM, UT - Sophomore Tatyana Battle had arguably the best match of her career on Thursday, as she led New Mexico State (18-5, 8-0 WAC) to a 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 26-28, 15-7 victory over Utah Valley (9-12, 5-3 WAC). With the win, the Aggies extend their conference win streak to 22 matches.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - After taking the opening set, New Mexico State (17-5, 7-0 WAC) dropped the next three sets to New Mexico (11-11, 1-7 MW) in a 25-20, 26-28, 17-25, 23-25 loss in the Battle of I-25. The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak by the Aggies.
Three Aggies logged double digit kills in the defeat. Junior Sasha-Lee Thomas put up 15 kills and a season-high seven blocks. Juniors Jordan Abalos and Kassandra Tohm posted 14 and 10 kills apiece, respectively.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State (17-4, 7-0 WAC) came away with a 25-19, 25-19, 25-20 sweep over Chicago State (3-18, 1-6 WAC) on Saturday to close out the four-match homestand and the first part of the Western Athletic Conference schedule.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State (14-4, 4-0 WAC) notched their fourth-straight sweep over UTEP (3-13, 1-2 C-USA) with a 26-24, 25-23, 25-15 victory in front of a raucous crowd on Wednesday.
PHOENIX, AZ - New Mexico State (13-4, 4-0 WAC) came away with a 26-24, 25-20, 25-21 sweep of Grand Canyon (4-11, 0-3 WAC) to close out their first Western Athletic Conference road trip of the season on Saturday.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State (12-4, 3-0 WAC) took care of business in their Western Athletic Conference road test of the season on Thursday, as they swept CSU Bakersfield (4-11, 1-1 WAC) 26-24, 25-20, 25-19. NM State has now won six straight and 17 straight WAC matches, dating back to last season.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - In what looked to be a replay of Thursday's match, New Mexico State (11-4, 2-0 WAC) outlasted Utah Valley (4-11, 0-2 WAC) 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, 16-14 on Saturday. The Aggies are now 3-1 in five set matches this season, with the only loss coming to UC Santa Barbara in the opening weekend.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Once again, New Mexico State (10-4, 1-0 WAC) and Seattle U (7-7, 0-1 WAC) took five sets to determine a winner, with the Aggies coming out on top with a 25-16, 25-15, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13 decision, to start the Western Athletic Conference season.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - For the second straight match, junior Jordan Abalos put up at least 20 kills and led New Mexico State (8-4) to a 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, 25-21 victory over Binghamton (5-7).


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O.G. Anunoby expected to declare for NBA Draft with agent
By Rob DausterApr 10, 2017, 10:33 AM EDT
Dylan Buell/Getty Images
O.G. Anunoby will declare for the NBA Draft and sign with an agent, according to multiple reports.
Anunoby averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 boards this season before suffering a knee injury that cost him the second half of the year.
The 6-foot-8 Anunoby is a likely mid-to-late first round pick, but that may be complicated by the knee injury. He has the size and athleticism to be a lock-down, switchable defender. He can hit standstill threes and attack closeouts. He's probably never going to be a star at the next level, but he has the tools to be a role player that lasts a decade or longer in the league.


A tax structure that does not change the incentives in the market. Neutral taxes are rare; for example, a sales tax may encourage people to shop on the black market (to avoid paying the tax). Likewise, an income tax may encourage persons not to work, so as to reduce their income. An example of a neutral tax is a poll tax.
This confusion continued with neoclassical economics: within the boundaries of an artificial economy, it is possible to design neutral taxes, i.
Then the second phase, starting in 2014, would involve deciding on the essential elements of the future system (respect for member states sovereignty, neutral taxes, etc) and to gradually implement new tax revenues.


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November 12, 2012 • Issue 12:11:01
What ISOs can learn from consultants in today's complex payments arena
As payment technology matures, retailers are searching for acquirers who can provide them knowledgeable advice in areas as diverse as POS equipment requirements, payment software options, new payment channels, mobile solutions, marketing, security, liability and business strategies.
ISOs are responding to this demand by adopting consultative sales models that build merchant relationships and capture payment transactions by providing data-centric business strategies, solutions and services.
Pressing questions merchants want answered are the same questions ISOs are struggling to answer themselves: What actions should I take? When? What's the right technology for my business? Is it secure? What's the legal risk? Is there an opportunity here to grow my business?
ISOs, like merchants, often need input from outside consultants to find the right answers to these questions and the correct approach for transitioning their businesses into the world of modern payments. So who consults with the consultants?
Consultants who work with ISOs sell a highly sophisticated skill set that addresses topics of critical importance to the payments industry's feet on the street. The list of services offered includes, but is not limited to, security solutions, strategies for implementing technology, mobile transaction acquisition through merchant-centric marketing applications and services, and protection against legal liability for issues that may arise in conjunction with an ISO's products and services.
A recent sampling of payment consultants found consensus that the industry changes ISOs are experiencing are also bringing industry opportunity. They agreed the savvy and successful ISO will offer customers customized, flexible, highly specific and technically detailed solutions, as well as the special skill sets needed to implement them.
Fears of disintermediation
Mustafa Shehabi, co-founder of PayCube Inc., a payment-focused technology consulting company and custom software developer, said the ISOs seeking his advice are increasingly concerned their services and offerings will be ignored as newer entrants into the payments sphere like LevelUp, Google Inc., Apple Inc. and PayPal Inc. dazzle the market with offers of free, easy-to-use POS systems or no interchange fees. "ISOs are worried they will get disintermediated," he said.
Shehabi said the consultative sales model offers ISOs the best opportunity to compete in the new payments environment because it allows ISOs to partner with merchants as they integrate new payment channels into their POS offerings.
This new and sticky ISO-merchant relationship makes sales organizations less likely to fall victim to disintermediation and offers ISOs the best opportunity to compete in the new payments environment, he stated.
"The sales representative is going to become an evangelist of all kinds of processing services, not just credit and debit," Shehabi said. "Salespeople will need to be able to talk with merchants about what LevelUp is doing and how they can capture data and use it more effectively."
Today's sales are not just about processing transactions; they are about building long-term relationships, Shehabi noted. PayCube focuses on working with mid-segment ISOs looking to accelerate growth by promoting technology, in addition to mature companies wanting to increase operating margins by incorporating new technology-based, value-added services into their businesses.
"At PayCube we teach ISOs how to marry their technology strategy with their business strategy," Shehabi said. He added that acquirers and merchants are alike in that they often know what they want to do with technology but they just as often don't know what the technology really costs or how to determine and implement the solutions that are right for them.
Balance between present, future opportunities
Paul Martaus, founder of the payment research and consulting firm Martaus & Associates, said disintermediation is just as much a risk for the new technology and mobile phone companies entering the payments industry as it is for ISOs.
Martaus said new players in payments may find merchants rethinking their deals if customer data is stolen or if merchants discover they have no way to challenge profit-killing chargebacks.
"The payments business is the most complex simple business in the history of the world," he said. "When they look under the hood and look at the engine they will realize how many moving parts it has. Eventually they'll end up trying to replace something little understood and incredibly complex with something else little understood and incredibly complex."
Martaus expects it will be difficult for new companies in the industry to introduce change on a scale that can build and support a national payments infrastructure and generate profits. But he has no doubt technology companies and mobile phone companies will remain well financed and viable competitors to ISOs for some time.
Martaus also believes the way for ISOs to successfully compete with these new payments companies is to adopt a consultative sales model that delivers in-depth knowledge in specific market segments such as health care, restaurants and petroleum.
However, in preparing for the future, ISOs shouldn't lose sight of opportunities available now, Martaus said, noting that the card issuers' push for industry adoption of the Europay/MasterCard/Visa (EMV) global security standard is creating a tremendous opportunity for acquirers.
Martaus said he recently told an audience at the Western States Acquirers Association gathering in California, "If you go out now and sell merchants EMV terminals that also do encryption, you are selling in a marketplace that in today's world has no competition; you get the whole field to yourself.
"The devices you replace today with EMV terminals still have residual value but they will have no value later when the EMV standard is required. Selling an EMV solution now will give sales organizations a competitive advantage for a year or two because they have a super product, no competition and they get to charge a fee."
The importance of mobile
Richard Crone, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the mobile payment and marketing consulting firm Crone Consulting LLC, said that successful acquirers need a mobile solutions strategy because of the enormous opportunity it offers to acquirers.
"The first challenge for most ISOs as the payments market evolves is to move from the traditional price-based sales model to a relationship and consultative model," he said. "The key criteria for making mobile payment decisions are who controls the data and how a mobile payments solution might work."
Crone believes acquirers in the mobile payments arena should consider building or adopting mobile software applications that give them (and their merchant clients) access to customer data rather than allowing mobile network operators and technology providers lone access to the information.
"ISOs would be best served to focus on a merchant-centric approach rather than a third party intermediary approach," he said "They could end up doing a bunch of charity-based work for First Data and Google if, at the end of the day, they give them the consumer data."
Crone feels that for most merchants and ISOs, data acquisition begins at the prepaid level. These ongoing spending accounts with a merchant are an entry point for mobile marketing and loyalty programs.
Marketing and loyalty applications are an important new source of revenue for sales organizations faced with declining interchange rates and disruptive new pricing models, he said, adding that ISOs ignore them at their own peril.
"If you don't have a mobile payments strategy, now's the time to get one," Crone stated. He predicted ISOs that do not offer a mobile processing platform soon will lose business to companies with merchant-centric mobile payment options. He said his job is to help ISOs and sales representatives understand the issues they face in mobile payments and translate that knowledge into sales and revenue.
"Mobile payments is a defining moment for ISOs and MLSs and they need to be very strategic in their approach," he said.
A place for security consulting
Todd Whittaker, Senior Channel Sales Manager at Authorize.Net, a payments solutions provider for the Visa Inc.-owned electronic payment and risk management company CyberSource Corp., said his company embraces its new role as "the consultants' consultant." Acquirers need to speak to merchants with confidence and knowledge about fraud, and they need to know who the fraud and security experts are when they need additional support, he stated.
"In order to remain close to their customers, ISOs are tasked with an obligation to be the industry experts, trusted advisers who understand security issues tailored specifically to their merchants," Whittaker said. "This industry cannot be about one sales organization closing a single customer deal.
"I believe that ISOs who invest in cultivating long-term relations among their partners and customers, and therefore bring more to the table, will win the hearts of their merchants and ultimately experience long-term success."
Whittaker said the constantly evolving threat of fraud is a driver behind the changing role of ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs) and opportunity lies in the realization there is no one right solution.
"Long gone are the days of the 'set it and forget it' strategy to fraud prevention," he said. "Merchants are looking not only for flexible and scalable solutions to their business challenges, solutions that take an ecosystem of partners to create, but also a trusted adviser who will be there during these times, helping them navigate through the change. This is why consulting and partnerships are key for all industry stakeholders."
Autorize.Net's approach to consulting is based on a "holistic total system, layered approach to network and payment security," he said. The company's services include face-to-face meetings with ISOs to discuss payment opportunities and challenges; sales collateral through the Authorize.Net portal, educational videos and visuals, and hands-on product training.
Legal strategies for a new environment
ISOs sometimes don't realize how the development of technology can impact their businesses from a legal perspective, said Adam Atlas, an attorney whose practice has focused for more than a decade on clients in the payments industry.
ISOs providing merchants with security services and other consultative-related offerings should have legal agreements in place that provide liability protection. "The legal solidity to supplier agreements is really the pillar on which your business rests," he said. "Without these agreements properly in place, the ISO can lose out on huge sums of money."
In-house development of payment software is becoming more and more common for acquirers. Atlas said ISOs delivering these products need to be aware that development of new payment software should be accompanied by added legal support such as licensing agreements for merchants.
Also, as ISOs begin to build custom solutions for clients, they need to keep in mind that the customer's requirements can sometimes unknowingly push the acquirer solution into governmentally regulated areas, "and that's a whole other kettle of fish" he said,
Theory in practice
Kevin Jones, President of SignaPay Ltd., an ISO delivering high-tech, high-touch solutions and services exclusively to ISOs and value added resellers (VARs), said his company has realized "an unprecedented evolution in a turbulent marketplace."
One way SignaPay is positioning for long-term success is through its partner agreements. SignaPay, for instance, offers its sales organizations the ability to board merchants on several major processing platforms. SignaPay also has deals with three POS manufacturers to offer EMV- and near field communication-enabled terminals to customers as soon as they are available.
"Our infrastructure, platforms and middle-ware technology are totally scalable and positioned for long-term growth," Jones stated. He added that it is becoming "much more complicated and hard to survive as an ISO," and a sales organization needs to decide what role it is going to play in the ecosystem as it moves forward. He advised ISOs to focus on demonstrating payment sophistication and experience.
"Those who succeed in this next payments revolution will be those who capitalize on the existing distribution channel: ISOs and agents," he said. He feels it would be wise for upstart payment companies to use ISOs as a distribution channel because that would enable them to acquire transactions at a faster pace while eliminating distribution problems.
He also advised ISOs to develop partnerships with new payment companies that add value and can influence merchant loyalty and buying decisions. "The [new payments] companies that offer us simple solutions backed by training, marketing and excellent customer support will be the ones that succeed," Jones said.
Jones noted that SignaPay is positioned to be a "high-tech ISO and VAR boutique," and the company will continue to drive change with simple, scalable solutions that help ISOs navigate the complicated electronic payments ecosystem. "We want to supply our partners with all the templates in the marketplace and help guide them appropriately," he said.
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Kristy Barton-Yerrington, from Carey, Idaho, talks to the World Series of Team Roping after winning the #12 and #9 World Series Qualifiers in Homedale, Idaho.
Association of preference:World Series of Team Roping by far, all though NTR is good as well. I have never been to a USTRC or ACTRA roping, so I wouldn't know about those; however, the money and the opportunity is so great at the World Series ropings. They are some of the best put on ropings around here in Idaho. The opportunity you get to go and qualify for the Las Vegas Finale, you just don't get that in any other sport as an amateur.
Biggest win: The biggest win I had was the #9 in the Homedale, Idaho, roping on April 8, but really, that whole weekend. I won $5,300 in the #12 and $5,875 in the #9. So overall, I took home $11,175.
How you got into roping: I grew up on a ranch and farm, and roped a good portion of my life, while I also did some branding. I did some breakaway roping in high school, and did a little team roping, but never a lot, and I didn't really put much dedication to it. I went on a 10-year hiatus, but eventually came back to it. It's in my roots, but also, I'm a very determined person. So once I decide to do something, I am going to be the very best at it. But team roping has just been something I have always wanted to strive to be good at, because it's such a challenge. I love roping up here in Idaho, but I also wanted to rope and compete with the tough ropers down in Arizona, so that's really what I've been working on. My husband and I, we are team ropers and ranchers, and that's just what we are, and it's what we love. I also run barrels, but I feel like team roping is more fun, and you can win a lot more being an amateur team roper than a barrel racer.
Tell me about your #12 and #9 wins: In the #12, I was roping with my husband's old rodeo partner BJ Roberts. He's a #8 heeler and ropes great, we were second high call, with 24.81 on three. We had a pretty good steer and we were a long 7, but high call missed so we were the champs! I roped in the #9 with Brad Santucci. I've come to know him over the years, but we had never roped together before until Homedale. We were 30 on three, and all we had to be was 16 seconds to win the roping on our last run. I spun him a good one and he roped a leg, which put us at about 14 seconds, but we still won the roping, which was pretty cool.
I rope a lot with my husband, so we are hoping to qualify together so we can rope in it together as well.
Best horse you ever rode: This horse I am roping with now. His name is Gator, he is 6 years old, and I raised him and did everything with him from the ground up. He is by far the best horse I have rode, he just has so much natural talent and ability, he makes it so easy. He's only 6, so we have a lot of time ahead of us, which I am very excited about.
Why you rope: Honestly, there are a few aspects about it, but the main one is the competition. I've been in sports and rodeo my whole life, and while we all like to see everyone do well, you also want to do well yourself and to be able to compete. What I love about roping is the competition aspect against yourself. To continually do better is always a challenge, and it's something to focus on, and I love to push myself to improve every single time. I also enjoy that it's a sport that I can do with my husband and it's something we both love.
Competition philosophy:I don't get nervous, I just don't think about it. I don't think about the runs, what the steer will do, or what will happen. I try to let muscle memory and reaction take over. Whatever happens, happens, and I am pretty good about just letting it all be, and going and doing what I know how to do. The funny part is, I get more nervous after the fact, waiting to see what's going to happen, but during the run, I'm calm, and I think it is something that really helps.


Such an idyllic verse. I drift often with my thoughts and memories.
Peace personified poetically. Wonderful write.
Thanks a lot Bushka for liking it..
That is such a thoughtful creation in such less words!
Beautiful Deepti I so enjoy your poetry.


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Home/News/USA News/huffpost – Can Children Have Seasonal Affective Disorder? Here's what parents should know.
huffpost – Can Children Have Seasonal Affective Disorder? Here's what parents should know.
yrtnews5 days ago
As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter this time of year, it is not uncommon to feel the "winter blues". But for many people, these negative feelings and behaviors are signs of something more serious – seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
"Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year when there is less sun – which is usually correlated with the change of seasons, depending on where you live," explained Neha Chaudhary , a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and a counselor at the Brightline Behavioral Health Platform.
While people tend to associate seasonal affective disorder with adults, some parents have observed it in children. But can children experience trouble? And if so, what does it look like? Below, experts share their ideas.
Can children have SAD?
"It's possible for children to have SAD, just as it's possible for them to suffer from anxiety, depression and other concerns," said Margaret Cochran, psychotherapist and registered clinical social worker based in San Jose, in California. "It can develop in young children, but it most often shows up, like many other disorders, around the time puberty begins."
Sue Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center, noted that she observed seasonal depression more in older children 10 to 12 years old, adolescents, and young adults. She also said it was seen more often in girls than boys.
"In general, women are twice as likely to have depression and two to four times as likely to have seasonal depression," she says.
What signs should parents look for?
"The symptoms of SAD are similar to those of depression but appear at specific times of the year (late fall to early spring), which is how it differs from traditional depression," he said. explained Jennifer L. Hartstein, a child, adolescent and family psychologist.
She noted that signs of SAD may include mood swings such as increased sadness or irritability, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, increased sensitivity or self-criticism, decreased energy, changes in sleeping and / or eating habits, problems concentration, lack of motivation, loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, and isolation or disconnection from friends and others.
Some children may feel heavy in their bodies, unwilling to get out of bed, or avoiding getting out. They may be clingier or need more comfort.
Additionally, our COVID-19 world's isolation, with its increased screen time, distance learning, and decreased physical activity, can also worsen the winter blues and make it more difficult to separate from the SAD of more general pandemic struggles. Pay attention to any big or sudden changes in your child and if their timing is seasonal.
"In terms of how SAD presents itself, there is a predictable cluster of symptoms. However, keep in mind that not all children will have all of the symptoms on this list and what you should look for are changes in your daughter or son's usual behavior, "Cochran explained.
What should you do if you think your child has SAD?
While you may be tempted to just wait for the seasons to change again, dealing with mental health issues in children is important, especially if your child's symptoms are impacting their academic performance, self-esteem. , friendships, or ability to function every day.
"Parents who suspect that their child has SAD should seek help from a professional, such as a pediatrician, therapist or even school counselor, for starters, "Chaudhary recommended.
A full medical and psychological assessment can help identify the problem, whether it is bullying, drug addiction, SAD, or other medical issues like vitamin deficiency, vision problems, thyroid issues, or other illnesses which may present as depression.
"I cannot stress enough that while pandemic stress, seasonal blues and mere adolescence may be the problem, children may be limited in identifying and attributing the cause. I would hate for a parent to miss some other underlying cause, "Varma noted.
As we all navigate the stress of the continuing pandemic, it is important that parents also take a moment to take care of themselves.
"While also thinking of your children and their impact on them, parents should also think of the impact on themselves," noted British psychotherapist Noel McDermott. "As they say in the talk about safety on planes before take off, be sure to put the oxygen mask on yourself first."
How is SAD treated in children?
There are different ways to treat SAD in children, and the options may vary depending on the severity or severity of the case.
"A first line of defense is to increase exposure to light," Hartstein said. "Get outside during the day, even if you have to bundle up, and get more vitamin D and sun exposure. For mild cases, this change alone can have lasting benefits. "
More severe symptoms may require light therapy or light therapy. Many doctors recommend using replacement daylight bulbs and placing special SAD lamps, also known as light therapy boxes, in the space where your child is doing virtual learning or homework after school.
"Another thing that helps is healthy exercise, like running in the local park," McDermott noted. "It might be more difficult with your teenagers, but it is possible to organize family activities outside."
Beyond healthy habits and special lights, there are psychological interventions that can help young people overcome seasonal depression.
"Psychotherapy is often recommended, as is medication management," Hartstein said. "Part of SAD is a decrease in serotonin levels, which can be treated pharmacologically. Talk therapy can help young people overcome their feelings and help them turn negative thoughts into more useful ones. "
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Affective children Disorder health Heres huffpost Mental Health Parents Seasonal seasonal affective disorder the Depression
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On 27 January 2015, Paul Wurth and SnT, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust of the University of Luxembourg, have signed a Partnership Framework Agreement for a strategic collaboration. The common goal of this four-year collaboration is to foster research projects and develop marketable applications in the field of automation, control systems and smart building.
As a company of the Paul Wurth Group, the Luxembourg-based Paul Wurth Geprolux is specialised in the management and coordination of major civil and industrial construction and infrastructure projects and provides engineering services, among others, in the domains of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC), electrics and sanitary equipment for buildings.
The development of smart software for building operation with reduced energy consumption and improved thermal comfort for the occupant is crucial for new as well as renovated buildings. Therefore, in future building projects, a special focus will be given to the involvement of and communication with the end-user via smart applications. Besides, building information modelling (BIM) as well as the use of design data will be underlying the building management systems, which are expandable to different modules depending on the user's needs.
The collaboration with the University of Luxembourg in these research areas will allow to develop innovative and highly performant solutions that meet the customers' requirements and expectations. With the signing of this agreement, Paul Wurth becomes the 23rd member to join the SnT Partnership Program.
About Paul Wurth: Headquartered in Luxembourg since its creation in 1870, the engineering company Paul Wurth is a leading technology provider and supplier of complete plants and facilities for the primary stage of integrated steelmaking. Besides its activities for the iron and steel industry, Paul Wurth Geprolux is specialized in the management and coordination of large civil construction and infrastructure projects. With about 1600 employees, Paul Wurth is active worldwide, operating entities and affiliated companies in the main iron and steelmaking regions of the world.
About SnT: Launched in 2009 by the University of Luxembourg, SnT is an internationally leading research facility that together with external partners establishes Luxembourg as a European centre of excellence and innovation for secure, reliable, and trustworthy information and communications technologies (ICT). To create great impact, SnT follows an interdisciplinary research approach, taking not only technical aspects into account but also addressing business, human, and regulatory issues. SnT provides a platform for interaction and collaboration between university researchers and external partners.


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Kuznetsk Coal Basin Article about Kuznetsk Coal
The Kuznetsk Coal Basin is located in the Kuznetsk Basin. The total area of the basin comes to around 70,000 sq km, of which 26,700 sq km are occupied by coalbearing deposits. The first outcroppings of coal seams were discovered in 1721 by the serf-prospector M. Volkov.
Kuznetsk Basin Encyclopedia
2020-10-16 Kuznetsk Basin, coal basin, c.10,000 sq mi (25,900 sq km), W Siberian Russia, between the Kuznetsk Alatau and the Salair Ridge. Its abbreviated name is Kuzbas. With extensive coal deposits, particularly of high-grade coking coal, the Kuznetsk Basin was second only to the Donets Basin of Ukraine in Soviet regional coal production. Source for information on Kuznetsk Basin: The Columbia
Kuznetsk Basin Article about Kuznetsk Basin by The
Kuznetsk Basin, coal basin, c.10,000 sq mi (25,900 sq km), W Siberian Russia, between the Kuznetsk Alatau and the Salair Ridge. Its abbreviated name is Kuzbas. With extensive coal deposits, particularly of high-grade coking coal, the Kuznetsk Basin was second only to the Donets Basin of Ukraine in Soviet regional coal production.
Kuznetsk basin Definition of Kuznetsk basin at
Kuznetsk basin definition, an industrial region in the S Russian Federation in Asia: coal fields. See more.
coal mining regions kuznetsk basin
Nestled in the slopes of the Ural Mountains, midway between Western and Eastern Siberia, lies the city of Novokuznetsk, in the Kemerovo region, located at the confluence of the Iskitim and Tom Rivers, in the major coal mining region of the Kuznetsk Basin.
Kuznetsk Basin definition of Kuznetsk Basin by The
Define Kuznetsk Basin. Kuznetsk Basin synonyms, Kuznetsk Basin pronunciation, Kuznetsk Basin translation, English dictionary definition of Kuznetsk Basin. A coal-producing region of south-central Russia extending from Tomsk southward to Novokuznetsk. or n a region of S Russia, in the Kemerovo Region
Kuznetsk Basin synonyms, Kuznetsk Basin pronunciation, Kuznetsk Basin translation, English dictionary definition of Kuznetsk Basin. A coal-producing region of south-central Russia extending from Tomsk southward to Novokuznetsk.
Kuznetsk Basin Map Russia Mapcarta
Kuznetsk Basin is a region in Russia. Kuznetsk Basin from Mapcarta, the free map.
Kuznetsk Basin Infoplease
2020-10-12 Kuznetsk Basin, coal basin, c.10,000 sq mi (25,900 sq km), W Siberian Russia, between the Kuznetsk Alatau and the Salair Ridge. Its abbreviated name is Kuzbas. With extensive coal deposits, particularly of high-grade coking coal, the Kuznetsk Basin was second only to the Donets Basin of Ukraine in Soviet regional coal production.
Prospect of development in the Kuznetsk Coal Basin
The article presents the state of development in the coal industry in the Kuznetsk Coal Basin, including reserves, production and supply of coal. The main mines, open-cuts and processing plants constructed recently in Kuzbass are listed. Coal production strategies of the leading coal mining companies and the required investment in 2015 and for the future are described.
At the Kuznetsk Coal Basin English Russia
2012-4-12 The Kuznetsk coal basin is one of the largest coal mines in the world. 42-45 % of the mined coal goes for carbonization. Its main part is used in Western Siberia, Ural and the European part of Russia. Lately coal export abroad has increased for 41%. Mine truck KOMATSU with load-carrying ability 90 tons. However they are often overloaded.
kuznetsk basin : definition of kuznetsk basin and
The Kuznetsk Basin (often abbreviated as Kuzbass or Kuzbas, Russian: Кузнецкий бассейн, Кузбасс) in southwestern Siberia, Russia, is one of the largest coal mining areas in the world, covering an area of around 27,000 square miles (70,000 km 2).It lies in the Kuznetsk Depression between Tomsk and Novokuznetsk in the basin of the Tom River.
(PDF) Hydrogeological condition patterns of Kuznetsk
Kuznetsk coal basin, an intermontane basin, is located in central Eurasia: in the N-W Altai-Say an folded zone, near We st Siberian Plain border. Th e infrastructure for CBM by borehole mining is
Coal Basin an overview ScienceDirect Topics
2012-1-24 Kuznetsk Basin (abbreviated as Kuzbass) is located in the south of Western Siberia, in the Kemerovo region. About 70% of Kuzbass reserves are thermal black coals. Kuzbass is also a main supplier of coking coal: it produces 73% of all coking coals from different coal basins in Russia.
Category:Kuznetsk coal basin Wikimedia Commons
2019-8-30 Kuznetsk Basin Upload media Wikipedia: Instance of: coal mining region: Location: Kemerovo Oblast, Russia : Located on terrain feature: Siberia:
KUZNETSK-BASIN 2 Definitions of Kuznetsk-basin
Most people chose this as the best definition of kuznetsk-basin: A coal-producing region o See the dictionary meaning, pronunciation, and sentence examples.
Where Is The Kuznetsk Depression? WorldAtlas
The depression contains a coal-mining area known as the Kuznetsk Basin. Coal deposits, per beginning of 2016 estimations, are at 735 billion metric tons, and these resources are spread over an area of 26,700 square kilometers, with an underlying depth of 1,750 meters. The major cities of the region are Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk.
Kuznetsk Basin definition and meaning Collins
Kuznetsk Basin definition: a region of S Russia,in the Kemerovo Region of W Siberia : the richest coalfield in the Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
Raspadskaya About Company
Raspadskaya is a compact integrated coal mining and enrichment complex located in the Kemerovo region of the Russian Federation. Raspadskaya's license area is part of a very extensive coal field south-west of Tom-Usinsk area of the Kuznetsk coal basin which itself accounts for about three quarters of the total coking coal production in Russia.
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The Government of India Act, 1935 envisioned a Public Service Commission for the Federation and a Provincial Public Service Commission. In effect on 1st April, 1937, the Public Service Commission became the Federal Public Service Commission and with the inauguration of the Constitution of India in January 26, 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission came to be known as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Civil Service Examination conducted by the UPSC is a heavy curriculum based examination; little importance is given to the past academic credentials of the candidate (the eligibility being a mere graduate in any discipline from a recognized university). Apparently the impetus is to identify the candidates possessing the intellect and the abilities that are expected of a civil servant.
The commission has implicitly stated in its notification that the exam is intended to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service. The test is not only an assessment of the candidate's intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs. Various qualities such as mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety of depth if interest, ability for social; cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity are focused upon.


As you are travelling around New Zealand, it's difficult to miss the iconic yellow and green signs from the DOC. But what exactly is the DOC?
New Zealand's Department of Conservation, more commonly known as DOC, deals with the national parks and recreation, and historical and wildlife conservation. It is a government sector (public sector organisation) that is probably the most prominent on backpacking travels around New Zealand due to the excessive walking, sight-seeing and wildlife-viewing that backpackers and working holidaymakers like to do.
It is usually the Department of Conservation that is keeping the walking trails maintained, looking after most backcountry huts on multi-day hikes, and doing measures of pest control to protect native wildlife species. Whether you like them or not, the Department of Conservation plays a big part on your travels throughout New Zealand so you might be interested to know what is the DoC.
The protection of New Zealand's historic buildings.
It doesn't take long in New Zealand to spot a DOC walking track sign. Every walking/tramping track is well sign-posted, with indication of the time it will take to get to the next checkpoint. The DoC also oversees the maintenance of tracks.
The Department of Conservation also update their website with any hazards or track closures on their website. Be sure to check the DOC website if you are planning a walk on one of their tracks.
Hiking in New Zealand is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the famous New Zealand scenery whole saving on the cents. Our Hiking section of BackpackerGuide.NZ lists hikes by location, plus, our Travel Guides list some of the walking highlights around the country.
To pass through New Zealand's most stunning scenic areas, try doing the Great Walks. There are 9 Great Walks, where the accommodation huts can be booked through the DOC's website.
Great Walk huts are some of the most facilitated and maintained huts in the country, due to the higher-end prices and popularity of them. However, the DOC also oversees the maintenance of other backcountry huts across New Zealand that come with varied facilities, maintenance and prices. Popular huts will require bookings, while more "off the beaten track" locations are simply first-in-first-served. Again, be sure to plan ahead using the DOC website.
Aiming to preserve the natural heritage of New Zealand means DOC works to keep threats and impacts on native wildlife to a minimum.
Most wild introduced animals in New Zealand are considered pests to the Department of Conservation due to their negative impact on the native ecosystem. A few pest species include possums, cats, dogs, rats and stoats. Another example of pests include Kawau Island wallabies, Kaimanawa horses and deer. The two latter threaten native plant life, while wallabies affect the Kanuka forest's health, which in turn impacts the birds there such as kiwis.
In an attempt to manage the populations of these introduced pests, they set up pest control methods. The DOC's methods consist of fencing off animals from certain areas and, for example, ban pets from specific areas. The DOC are also experts in, well, killing things with traps and poisons used as a way to minimise the populations of pests.
For more information on pest control, check out Why New Zealand hates possums.
The DOC's marine reserves protect marine life from being wiped out through fishing and other disturbances, so we are able to see rare wildlife living in its natural habitat. Recreational activity like snorkelling, boating, scuba diving and kayaking is still permitted in New Zealand's marine reserve, however, there is a no touch/no take policy where you cannot remove anything from the marine reserve.
There are 36+ marine reserves around New Zealand and its islands. Highlights include the Goat Island Marine Reserve near Auckland where many tour operators in the area hire out kayaks and snorkelling equipment to make the most of the reserve. Additionally, visit Akaroa Marine Reserve to see Hector's dolphins, seals and small whale species.
As well as native plants and animals, DOC also protects New Zealand's historic buildings.
One site includes Cape Reinga at the very tip of the North Island, which has old Maori settlements and Cape Reinga lighthouse. Another is Denniston, which was once the largest producing coalmine with a population of 1500. Nowadays, it's a ghost town that has been restored for visitors' exploring pleasure on the West Coast.
Although the DOC is government-funded, their budgets are usually too low for the amount of work needed to conserve New Zealand's nature and history. For that reason, they often look for volunteers to help with their projects.
Volunteer opportunities often include: pest trap monitoring, hut and camp wardens, planting, beach cleanups and much more.
For more information check out How to Volunteer for the Department of Conservation of New Zealand and be sure to look for any volunteer opportunities on our job board.
You can help too! Check out how you can Volunteer for DoC.


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Frank Turner Has Left the Building at WNEM-TV 5, Possibly Over Mask Feud
George McIntyre Published: September 10, 2021
Frank Turner via Facebook
After five years as a news anchor for WNEM-TV 5 in Saginaw, Frank Turner says he was fired from the local television station. In a Facebook post from Thursday, Turner says he was terminated because of his stance on mask-wearing in the studio.
Turner implies that he was in favor of wearing a mask while in the studio at WNEM but that his opinion was not shared by his colleagues.
SEE ALSO: WNEM Anchor Frank Turner Hits Rock Bottom Before Turning His Life Around
WNEM Disagrees
Management at TV-5 claims that Turner was not let go. In a statement obtained by the media watchdog site FTVLive, the station says that employees are required to wear masks in common areas where social distancing is not possible. They go on to say that news talent in the studio are spaced six feet apart and do not need to wear masks.
"WNEM did not terminate Frank Turner," the station said in a statement. "WNEM has specific COVID-19 protocols in place developed in consultation with medical experts. We wish Mr. Turner the best of luck in his future endeavors."
So which is it? Turner claims that he was "unceremoniously let go" but WNEM says they "did not terminate Frank Turner."
This is a bit confusing.
Turner's 40-year career as a news anchor has included stops in Detroit, Nashville, and Chicago before joining WNEM in 2016. He left the broadcast business in 2006 and founded God's Amazing Grace Ministries.
Turner also authored the book 'Raised from the Dead' in which he documents his 25-year battle with drugs and alcohol. We shared more on Turner's storied past in this article from 2016.
Getting to Know Flint From A to Z
Whether you're new to the area or have lived here all your life, here's a look at what Flint has to offer, from A to Z.
Filed Under: frank turner, wnem


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Home Sri Lanka not spared by Global Economic Downturn
Sri Lanka not spared by Global Economic Downturn
Friday, August 26, 2022 - 01:00
Ishara Jayawardane
Prices of essentials like vegetables have increased due to inflation.
Today in Sri Lanka, the rising Cost of Living has broken the spirit of the public. The inability to provide for one's family has left people helpless. This has become so severe that people simply do not know how to face the future. It has become so bad that the purchasing power of the individual is next to nothing. The salary comes into your bank account, and then in a couple of days, you have to rely on your savings or to borrow money to feed your family. This is the ground reality.
The Cost of Living goes up, but your salary does not increase. So many people move back and forth along the aisles in supermarkets deliberating on what to buy for the household and still save up on money. Not everybody earns a salary in Sri Lanka and their situation is even worse. But for how long is the million-dollar question? The rising Cost of Living affects everyone in the chain, buyers as well as sellers. They are all in the eye of the storm. We may not all be in the same boat, but we are all very much in the same storm. The Daily News spoke to a cross section of the public on how they are coping with the rising Cost of Living.
Dr. Sureshika Piyasena is the mother of a six-year old daughter, who points out that the prices of vegetables and rice have gone up so much that she wonders how people who earn a daily wage are feeding their children?
She adds: "I cut down on what I generally buy for myself and try to keep buying what I used to buy for my daughter. It doesn't help that she has sensory issues and is a very picky eater. I don't need fuel because I don't have a vehicle. I drop my daughter to school on my cycle and then cycle to work. I am determined to manage on the cycle. But I miss just taking a cab or three-wheeler on rainy days. I haven't seen my friends and relatives who live far away for months. My daughter doesn't get to see her cousins. I don't have power cuts because I am one of those privileged people who live in an apartment. The days I didn't have gas, I managed with the rice cooker and the oven. I just manage and live for the day and try to be grateful for what we have," she said.
Truly with the rise in Cost of Living, she is determined to be self- sufficient as much as she can, so she may help the country. "I always check if it has been made/grown in Sri Lanka before I buy it."
Shehan, pointed out that it is very easy to lay the blame on the Government but the Government did not do this on purpose.
"I think first we need to understand that leaders are human and leaders sometimes have very little control over the forces at work in a country. Having said that, I think we need to understand that the Cost of Living is going up around the world. This is not a situation only in Sri Lanka. This is a global crisis. Our neighbours India and Pakistan are also battling soaring inflation. I have been reading up on this subject and I have found that there are several reasons for the Cost of Living going up around the world. Some of them are the rising energy and petrol prices, good shortages and shipping costs. The Sri Lankan Government had to restrict the import of several essential food items because they needed to hang onto their vital dollar reserves. This move, combined with increasing fuel and freight costs, pushed the price of essentials such as milk powder and rice much higher. I honestly do think that our leaders are trying to do the best that they can do, just like the leaders in India and Pakistan."
Ranga Jayaratne
Chamendra Wimalasena
Dr. Sureshika Piyasena
Archt. Nirodha Gunadasa
PG as he is known amongst his friends, is married with two young children. He says that when his family buys groceries, they buy extra to help others in need as well.
"Every rupee we spend for ourselves on groceries we want to give to someone less fortunate," said PG.
"So, in the middle of last year, I felt God giving me the peace to 'explore' new job opportunities after 10 years of being in the same place. Finally, this year I got the job just before the price hikes and the devaluation of the rupee. God's been so good that if I was at my previous place, I would have suffered not being able to buy essential items. I may not even have been able to send my son to Montessori. But God knew the future and so last year itself, prepared me to move out and wanted to help us. So now with my new job we have all what we need and are able to help others too," explained PG.
Chamendra Wimalasena is an IT Professional, a full stack developer, entrepreneur running an IT company which caters to Sri Lanka and the East Asian market. He points out that one significant increase he has seen is the cost of consumer goods, groceries, cooking material and transport. One cascades onto the other and he feels that the cost of maintaining a household has increased by at least three fold.
"Bread, vegetables, meats and fish have gone up. I have six cats. They are given a low cost fish which used to cost about Rs.190 a Kilogramme, but now it's about Rs. 700 a Kilogramme. Once again over three times the price. I usually get fish from the boats in Wattala, however now the fishermen make more profit selling their fuel quotas than from going out to sea," said Wimalasena
Wimalasena makes decent enough profits to maintain a healthy lifestyle for everyone at home. However, they cook more at home now, ordering dishes from restaurants has been drastically cut down. Some food items have gone off the table completely.
"When my dad was around, he used to be a CKD, diabetic and heart patient. His treatment, medication and food cost us an exorbitant amount of money. I can only imagine what many people with these illnesses are going through to just live another day," he said.
Wimalasena has a message to give out to people. He says:
"There is an option to work together as a neighbourhood. If you live down a lane, check on your neighbours. Support each other during these tough times, because you don't know when it will be your turn to bite the dust. If you cook extra, don't leave it in the fridge and throw it away two days later. Pack it up, walk to the street and you'll find dozens of people with no food for the night. If each neighbourhood supports their own small community in the smallest possible way, we can make sure one person or one family doesn't end up being unable to feed their children."
Vijitha was of the opinion that the shortage of foreign exchange in Sri Lanka is to be blamed for the sky-high prices.
"I think this is partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic our tourism sector took a very bad hit. I think this was the same for certain other countries as well. This was not something our leaders anticipated or predicted. For that matter, no Government in the world really anticipated it. It was something very new for all of us. Also because of COVID-19 our foreign remittances were also badly affected. But keep in mind that when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its initial stages, our Government acted swiftly and as a result we were in a much better position compared to other countries who did not act swiftly."
Ranga Jayaratne is a lady with two young children. The Daily News asked her - when buying essential food products, which ones are most costly.
"It is mostly milk, eggs and food items that we purchase for the children. We continue to buy what we need since there is no other option and when possible we switch to alternatives. I am affected the most, when it comes to fuel and electricity. Power outages certainly disrupt my work and schedule. Not to mention the hours wasted sitting around till its back on. As for fuel, it's a basic need, and when you have young children you need to be prepared for emergencies etc." she said.
Erandhi is another lady who spoke to the Daily News. "The prices of all essential items have increased exponentially, be it milk powder, rice and even vegetables. However, we require all these essential items, leaving us with no option but to purchase them. Given the situation, we are coping alright and the situation is being handled with great patience on our part.
"We are hoping that normalcy will be restored soon. Our budget has had to be adjusted with a larger portion of our disposable income allocated for essential items, shrinking our savings and leisure budget," said Erandhi.
The fuel crisis has affected the cultivation and the transportation of goods from many areas of the island. This has caused prices of goods to skyrocket.
"The lack of fuel has affected us the most. Although power outages also cause certain disruptions, the inability to move around has caused the greatest issues. For transport, we do not use vehicles unless it's absolutely necessary and opt for public transport or bicycles. We have adjusted our lifestyles to fit in with the power outages so that activities that require electricity are completed before the scheduled power outage begins," she said.
Archt. Nirodha Gunadasa points out that we need to restrict our purchasing to the utmost essentials. He adds that it is necessary to concentrate on locally produced goods and be encouraged to buy them. It is necessary to prevent the shrinkage of our local market and make living even harder in the future.
"I am in the construction industry and I don't see any future for this industry at all. We have 10 to 15 people working with us and I need to safeguard the living of those families. The building materials have gone up in price in an unprecedented manner and even the supplies are very limited. In a situation where the construction industry has fallen down to 5% of its previous size, how can we do it? That is pretty much a challenge," said Archt. Gunadasa.
Charith explained that the Cost of Living is a structural problem of our economy. Unless you rectify this imbalance with a long term perspective, a real solution can never be found. He said:
"When production is low and the demand is high, naturally prices go up. Therefore, we need to produce more. We are a consumer nation. There is not enough emphasis on production. We depend too much on imports. We do not try to produce them locally. Sri Lanka is surrounded by a vast ocean. But the fisheries sector is not developed. We import canned fish and other countries are catching our fish and sending them back to us in the form of canned fish."
The Daily News spoke to a woman who is separated from her husband. She has one child but she does not get any support from her husband. She lives in a rented apartment. She works as a house maid in several houses and that is her total income to support her family and pay the house rent. She said: "I work all seven days of the week – morning as well as afternoon, going from one house to another. I get around Rs. 200 an hour. With this money, I have to feed my family, pay house rent and pay for my child's school van. Recently, everything has gone up in price. I have to pay Rs. 15,000 as house rent. The Gas price is around Rs. 5,000. What is left for food is very little. My child needs a phone for on-line learning conducted by her school, but I don't have money to buy her a phone. So she uses my phone, and as a result I have no phone when I go out. No matter how hard I work, I find it difficult to cope with the rising Cost of Living."


AS the end of the football season approaches, Spurs and Arsenal fans are looking back at a term that both will remember for different reasons.
For Arsenal, it is the last time they will see an Arsene Wenger side play, and will be grumbling about a season that saw them miss out on Champions League football again.
For Spurs fans, it has been the usual rollercoaster ride. One section of the Spurs fanbase will be horribly disappointed – Mauricio Pochettino's players have turned over both the teams contesting the Champions League final, and will feel they should also have won the FA Cup. Others will point out that this side is the most exciting we have seen since the 1980s and under the financial restraints the club operates under, they have massively over performed.
Now Spurs fan and author Mike Daligan has written a memoir and philosophical tome on what it means to have spent 50 years following Spurs: he says his book isn't so much about football, but what it means to follow a club through some thick times and plenty of thin ones, and how this affects other parts of your outlook on life.
He points out that football supporters do not just want to win – it is much more than that (and something every Spurs fan can identify with, considering their recent lack of silverware).
He states that supporting a "top team" isn't too difficult – but asks us to consider the rationale behind the 16 million people who go each week to watch lower league sides.
And with that in mind, perhaps Spurs and Arsenal fans can look back at this season and think it's not been so bad – and get recharged for the same trophy-less enjoyment again next term.
• Why Don't You Just Support Arsenal? By Mike Daligan, Edale Press, £8.99.


The Census ACS 1-year survey reports that the median household income for the Sebastian-Vero Beach Florida metro area was $49,177 in 2017, the latest figures available. Sebastian median household income is $3,417 lower than the median Florida household income and $11,159 less than the US median household income. 2018 metro income data (including Sebastian median household income) will be released in September of 2019. Median family and per capita income for Sebastian-Vero Beach are shown below.
The current median household income for Sebastian is $49,177. Real median household income peaked in 2007 at $54,613 and is now $5,436 (9.95%) lower. From a post peak low of $43,227 in 2012, real median household income for Sebastian has now grown by $5,950 (13.76%).
The current median household income for Sebastian is $49,177. Nominal median household income peaked in 2015 at $49,379 and is now $202 (0.41%) lower.
The ACS 1-year data shows the median family income for Sebastian was $65,523 in 2017. Compared to the median Florida family income, Sebastian median family income is $1,520 higher. As with the median household income data, 2018 family income data for Sebastian will be released in September of 2019.
The current median family income for Sebastian is $65,523. Real median family income peaked in 2008 at $68,688 and is now $3,165 (4.61%) lower. From a post peak low of $54,271 in 2013, real median family income for Sebastian has now grown by $11,252 (20.73%).
At $65,523, the median family income for Sebastian was at a new nominal high in 2017.
The ACS 1-year survey shows the per capita income for Sebastian was $34,232 in 2017. Compared to the median Florida per capita income, Sebastian median per capita income is $4,394 higher. As with the median household and median family income numbers above, 2018 per capita income data for Sebastian will be released in September of 2019.
The current per capita income for Sebastian is $34,232. Real per capita income peaked in 2006 at $40,111 and is now $5,879 (14.66%) lower. From a post peak low of $29,886 in 2013, real per capita income for Sebastian has now grown by $4,346 (14.54%).
At $34,232, the per capita income for Sebastian was at a new nominal high in 2017.


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OLOKINE STOOL: OGUN ASSEMBLY INTERVENES, PREVAILS ON COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
0 0 Saga Gist Tuesday, December 1
The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, has urged the members of the Ojowo Community in Ijebu North Local Gov...
The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, has urged the members of the Ojowo Community in Ijebu North Local Government including Kingmakers, Osugbos and Olorituns to remain peaceful as their request for intervention on the installation of Olokine of Ojowo by the State Government will be passed to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Oluomo, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Akeem Balogun noted that though the people had the right to choose who would be their monarch since the case was said to be before the court, the parties concerned should maintain peace and allow the court pass its judgement.
He assured that the Assembly would call on the person allegedly occupying the stool to stop parading himself as the Olokine until the case is dispensed with in the court of law.
Earlier, the community members led by Mr Niyi Sojirin, alleged that the current occupier of the stool was not an indigene of the town and was not the community's choice while calling for the State Governor and the Assembly's intervention to resolve the chieftaincy issue created by the last administration in the State.
In another development, the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in continuation of its budget assessment tour today, examined the budget performance of Odeda, Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Councils as presented by their Transition Committee Chairmen, Semiu Lawal, Ayodeji Shomide and Abayomi Tella respectively.
Reeling out their respective projects, Mr Semiu Lawal, said that rehabilitation of some offices in the council secretariat was carried out alongside the reconstruction of 20 open stalls at Odeda market, stocking of 400 points of lay birds amongst others; while his Abeokuta North Local Government counterpart, Mr. Tunde Tella, said the council carried out rehabilitation of roads and other empowerment programmes.
On his part, the Transition Committee Chairman, Abeokuta South Local Government Council, Mr. Ayodeji Shomide, intimated the lawmakers that the council's poultry pen was rehabilitated, while he constructed a primary health care centre at Oke Egunya and investment in poultry amongst others.
Saga Gist - Top Source for Nigeria News: OLOKINE STOOL: OGUN ASSEMBLY INTERVENES, PREVAILS ON COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
https://content.dailytrust.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ogun-State-House-of-AssemblyOgun-Assembly.jpg
http://www.sagagist.com.ng/2020/12/olokine-stool-ogun-assembly-intervenes.html


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Cold case rapist 'cabbie' caught
Jasmine Coleman
Published: 12:57 PM September 3, 2010 Updated: 10:30 AM October 14, 2020
Officers match DNA to 2003 sex attack
A BOGUS taxi driver who lured a young woman into a mini-cab to rape her has been convicted almost seven years after the sickening sex attack.
Astor Newton Murray, now 49, of Chichester Road, Edmonton, faces jail after DNA taken for a taxi touting offence last year matched forensic evidence.
The rapist preyed on his victim as she waited for a bus home after a night out with friends in the Old Street area on Sunday November 9 2003.
He approached the 22-year-old at about 4am in City Road and asked if she needed a taxi.
She refused at first but when he offered her a reasonable rate, she agreed.
Murray then drove the woman to an industrial estate where he stripped off his shirt and trousers.
The woman tried to escape but found the cab doors were locked.
Murray indecently assaulted and raped her. He then insisted on driving her to her home in south London with the doors still bolted, despite her pleas for freedom.
The victim finally managed to escape when her attacker stopped at traffic lights, and a passer-by helped her call police.
But Murray was only seized after he was charged for taxi touting and assaulting police in October 2009.
He was found guilty of the 2003 sex offences at the Old Bailey on Thursday (September 2). He is due to be sentenced on September 23.
Detective Constable Andy Beete, the officer in charge the Cold Case Saphire Unit investigating team said: "After all this time Murray thought he had got away with this awful crime, but after he posed as a taxi driver and got caught, officers matched his DNA to forensic evidence taken from the scene."
"Today's outcome shows victims of rape that the Cold Case Sapphire Unit will pursue their attackers and bring them to prosecution, no matter how much time has passed."


Most people will readily agree virtual reality is a medium designed primarily for video games. Without games across multiple platforms, the consumer interest in VR would be even more lackluster than it is today. No Man's Sky, a game which has finally entered a playable state a few months ago, will now receive a VR "update". Exploring space in an immersive environment is something plenty of people will give a try.
Video game enthusiasts will remember when No Man's Sky launched. This game had a lot of initial promise, yet it took the developers over a year to turn it into a decently playable game. Now that No Man's Sky is effectively being talked about in a positive manner, the developers are looking for ways to improve upon the existing gameplay. The next step is introducing support for VR-based gameplay, which will put a completely different spin on exploring space.
This upcoming change was introduced during Sony's first PlayStation State of Play. Although no official release date has been announced at this point, it is expected to be launched fairly soon. It will also be made available free of charge to players who already own the game. This is a pretty interesting turn of events, although it is only the right course of action. The VR "makeover' will also be made available to Steam VR users over the course of this Summer.
Although the VR update will be introduced, it is not necessarily required to enjoy the game in its current form. While it will improve upon the first-person perspective of the game, users can still explore space without wearing a VR headset as well. The VR update is part of No Man's Sky Beyond, which will introduce a lot of additional functionality to the game. How this new functionality will affect the multiplayer aspect of the game, will be interesting to keep an eye on.
It is also important to note No Man's Sky VR is not an extra game mode being introduced. Instead, the entire game will be brought to life in virtual reality for those who want to explore it that way. It is good to see the developers offer a true experience instead of "porting" the existing game. The developers also have high hopes this game will blow all other VR games out of the water in terms of immersion and fun factor.


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Tag: Thiago Silva
FIFA 16 player ratings 20-1: Former Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool stars keep Eden Hazard out of top five
September 5, 2015 September 5, 2015 Jordan Harris
The FIFA 16 ratings for the very best players in the world have been released this week, and having gone from 50-21, here is the list that everyone has been waiting for, the top 20 players in the world: 20. Philipp Lahm The Bayern Munich man continues to guide the Bundesliga side to success, and was the captain as Germany went on to win last year's World Cup. 19. Luka Modric For all their attacking flair, it is the control and consistency that the former Tottenham man has brought that…
Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Chelsea, Europe, Featured Column, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, PSG, Real MadridAndres Iniesta, Arjen Robben, Cesc Fabregas, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Silva, Eden Hazard, James Rodrgiuez, Jerome Boateng, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Neymar, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Aguero, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Toni Kroos, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Man United gossip: Real reject TWO £100m Bale bids and PSG star makes sly dig at Red Devils
August 4, 2015 August 4, 2015 Steve Green
Tuesday's biggest Manchester United news and transfer gossip. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has made two £100m bids for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, 26, this summer, The Sun reports. Both Madrid and Bale have stated that they don't intend to do business with the Red Devils on this matter. Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that former player Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31, a summer signing for Manchester United, has not been fit for the past three years, the Daily Telegraph reports. The number of games the veteran midfielder…
Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Everton, Featured Column, La Liga, Ligue 1, Manchester United, Premier League, PSG, Real MadridAngel Di Maria, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Gareth Bale, John Stones, Pedro, Rio Ferdinand, Thiago Silva
PSG captain Thiago Silva fires shot at Manchester United ahead of Angel Di Maria's move
August 3, 2015 Jordan Harris
Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva believes that Angel Di Maria is set to join a bigger club as he prepares to complete his move from Manchester United. According to the Daily Express, the 30-year-old thinks that while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are some way ahead of the rest, the Ligue 1 side are the next best thing currently. "Real Madrid and Barcelona are probably on another level, but after that if you are joining PSG it means you are probably taking a step up," he claimed. The Brazilian's…
Europe, Featured Column, Ligue 1, Manchester United, Premier League, PSGAngel Di Maria, Thiago Silva
How Did Jurgen Klopp Transform Liverpool Into the Best Football Team in the World?
Why Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli Is Bound to Become a Star
Chelsea – Arsenal Betting Preview
The Good and the Bad in Frank Lampard's Start as the Chelsea Manager
FA Cup Outright Winner Betting Preview and Prediction
Liverpool – Manchester United Betting Preview
Which English Teams Will Suffer the Most from the New AFCON 2021 Schedule?
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Participants in this film each offer insights and observations based on experience which we believe will encourage viewers to take action.
He is a clinical child psychologist and director of ABLE Developmental Clinic. He lives and practices in the Vancouver area. During the last two decades, his practice has dealt with increasing numbers of children who have autism.
He is a pediatrician of 40 years experience and lives and practices in the Vancouver area. During the last two decades, his practice has dealt with increasing numbers of children who have autism.
He is a Vancouver-based Broadcast Journalist and long-standing host of the popular, "Bill Good Show", a talk radio program.
They are the parents of two children, one of whom has autism. They live in the greater Toronto area and Barry is a director of Medicare for Autism Now!
Laurie is a director of the Autism Society of BC. She lives with her family, including Wesley Romey in the Vancouver area. Wesley has lost the diagnosis of autism due to ABA therapy.
They live in the greater Toronto area with two of their three children. Their eldest son, Simon has autism and has yet to receive effective autism treatment.
She is Simon's older sister. She lives in the greater Toronto area and provides a sibling's perspective on living with untreated autism.
She is an American Behaviour Consultant and lawyer, who has designed and supervised ABA programs for dozens of Canadian children with autism.
Is a parent of two children, the youngest with autism. He lives with his family in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is a lawyer and is the author of the blog: Facing Autism in New Brunswick.
He is a philosopher, an Anglican theologian, the Principal Emeritus of Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, an author and former Member of Parliament.
Is a parent of two children, the youngest has autism and lives with her family in the Vancouver area. She is the co-founder of Medicare for Autism Now! and is the co-director/producer of Medicare's Orphans.
He is a recovering lawyer and long-time political activist who lives in the Vancouver area. He is the co-founder of Medicare for Autism Now! and is the co-director/producer of Medicare's Orphans.