text:
Thomas.loc.gov ~~ "The Little Engine that Could," possibly Charge Uphill
This post is personal, philosophical, reflective, anecdotal, and doesn't pretend to any scientific standard.
HOWEVER, this season, I do recommend U.S. Moms and Dads (and others) give themselves "The Little Engine That Could.." This is not a pep talk, but a search engine by the name oScreen Optionsf "THOMAS," launched in 1995, and good thing, too!
About Thomas:
THOMAS was launched in January of 1995, at the inception of the 104th Congress. The leadership of the 104th Congress directed the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. Since that time THOMAS has expanded the scope of its offerings to include the features and content listed below.
Bills, Resolutions
Activity in Congress
Schedules, Calendars
Presidential Nominations
"Thomas" tells you what your elected representatives in the U.S. Congress have said and have done. its syntax cannot be harder than a foreign language to learn. In responding to pleas (from women's groups) in various states to help this or that railroaded family law case, using DV terms, I have time and again noticed that these same DV (Domestic Violence) nonprofit agencies persist in absolute ignorance of what's going on in their own state affecting these cases, and has been for almost a decade. They speak only their own language, and debate only segments of oppositional languages. This is a distraction. Why should I spend my (precious) time helping people who are not coachable?
This same 104th Congress slipped through a welfare reform "addendum" that basically compromised the due process in the courts for an "outcome-based" legal process. It was a slick maneuver by "fatherhood practitioner" Ron Haskins (as I heard this), to divert TANF funding to bring back Dads in order to (ostensibly) collect/enforce child support.
This spawned all kinds of demonstration projects, subject BY LAW primarily to the Secretary of Health and Human Serivces. Following suit, various states appointed Fatherhood Commissions that are so thoroughly entrenched in government, only a fool (which we have been) would believe that court cases are won or lost on the evidence as compared to criminal laws, when criminal behavior has been identified. It took me almost losing my life (and losing a lot that was central to it) to somehow unearth this information — and comprehend the significance of it.
Domestic Violence is known to cause death, sometimes, poverty usually, and homelessness, a lot. It is one reason many women who have been involved with a partner separate from that partner, or try to. Our lovely government response to do this was to create parallel, and conflicting systems of grants (which basically cancel each other out), split the proceeds between cronies, and work with family court also, to split more proceeds examining and evaluating the failures these policies have created. The wording justifying what I just said is found at "45 CFR 303.109."
http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/303-109-monitoring-funded-visitation-19934173
and the syntax "45 CFR 303.109" can be learned by anyone able to text "lmao" or "lol," and is a good deal more useful..
I learned that my own government now defines what "family" is. (1995-1996 Congress):
S.1209 — Responsible Parenthood Act of 1995 (Introduced in Senate – IS)
S 1209 IS104th CONGRESS1st Session
SEC. 8. DEFINITION OF FAMILY.
Section 501(b) (42 U.S.C. 701(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(5) The term `family' means a child under the age of 19, the biological or adoptive parents of the child, the legal guardian of the child, or a responsible relative or caretaker with whom the child regularly resides, the siblings of the child, and other individuals living in the child's home.'.
Probably it's a good idea to speak the same language. Thomas.gov is where one can learn "GovSpeak," and listen in on how elected leaders talk about the electorate (i.e., US).
We'd better learn about "PROWA" act, Title III, Subtitle "I" (alpha), Section 381."
The day after tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of that particular conference report.
In my next "life," I plan to schedule time to pay much better attention to politicians, in their own words — not from "CNN" or "Town Halls," but on the record. The Congressional Record!
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1995 (House of Representatives – December 21, 1995)
Subtitle I–Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents
Sec. 381. Grants to States for access and visitation programs.
HERE, "Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents"
is 1997 Secretary of Health & Human Services, Donna Shalala's form letter to Governors describing this (by now, Section 391, not 381) same subtitle welfare reform plan.
[OCSE heading reads:] Giving Hope and Support to America's Children
Secretary, DHHS Letter to Governors
Grants to States for Access and Visitation
Dear Governor
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) provides up to $10 million annually for grants
to the states for access and visitation programs. The authority
contained in Title III, Subtitle I – Enhancing Responsibility and
Opportunity for Non-Residential Parents (which adds Section 469B to
the Social Security Act) presents an opportunity to address problems
that have caused much pain and suffering for parents and children
alike.
The statutory language contains very general guidance for states on
what are considered appropriate activities to be carried out with the
grant funds. The grants are "to enable states to establish and
administer programs to support and facilitate noncustodial parents'
access to and visitation of their children." Eligible activities
include but are not limited to mediation, counseling, education,
development of parenting plans, visitation enforcement, and
development of guidelines for visitation and alternative custody
arrangements.
The amount of the grant for each state for a fiscal year will be an
amount equal to the lesser of 90 percent of State expenditures during
the fiscal year for eligible activities or an allotment. The
allotment formula derives from the ratio of the number of children in
the state living with only one biological parent in relation to the
total number of such children in all states. The amount of the
allotment available to the state will exhibit this same ratio to
$10,000,000. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will
adjust the allotments to ensure that there is a minimum allotment
amount of $50,000 per state for fede
ral fiscal year 1997.
The ACF is charged with the responsibility of issuing regulations
setting forth how states "shall monitor, evaluate, and report on such
programs." Within ACF, program administration will reside with the
Office of Child Support Enforcement.
States have considerable flexibility in determining appropriate
administrative arrangements. The grants may be used to create or
enhance state-run programs or to fund grants or contracts with
courts, local public agencies, or nonprofit private entities.
Programs do not have to operate statewide.
{{this is where cronyism and backroom deals are invited in..}}
As a first step, we ask that you designate a single state agency with
whom we will interact on a continuing basis in launching and carrying
out this new responsibility. Again, the choice of agency is a matter
within your discretion.*** Your selection and the name and title of an
appropriate official within the designated agency should be
communicated in writing at your earliest convenience to David Gray
Ross, Deputy Director of our Office of Child Support Enforcement at
901 D street SW, 4th Floor Washington D.C. 20447.
We look forward to fashioning a partnership in this new program, a
program with the potential to positively impact the lives of children
and their parents. {{Note pretense of gender neutrality.}}
If any questions should arise, they may be
directed to Judge Ross at 202-401-9370.
Donna E. Shalala
***In hindsight, this is "brilliant" centralization of control, removing it yet further from the courts' concept of "due process." Congress, blaming poor mothers for their poverty, and the welfare program for its own existence, votes in language of fatherhood into public law. Anyone who failed to pay attention didn't notice a single head of a single U.S. Dept (the Secretary) reaching to Governors, to a single state agency to radically transform business as usual. I hate to bring this up, but Congress is now, and was then, majority white (Caucasian) males. Men are not a majority in the U.S. (women are), and whites of either gender are not a majority on the globe. Nor would I expect that the average white male Congressperson has experienced poverty, even if his father did. I sincerely doubt that whites of any gender or nationality represent the bulk of the world's poor, but it's likely they have started the bulk of the world's wars, and genocides, including some in Africa.
And I am getting tired of this. Let these people (Congress) practice what they preach! They preach "jobs" (certainly in this bill) but themselves have often inherited wealth. Their own jobs are on the backs of taxpayers. Foundations don't pay taxes, nor do nonprofits. Accordingly (above) promising to "help" "the public." (say, who??) they innately bond with their own and funnel grants to them, also. I'm tired of the two-tiered information system: One for those with savvy (& internet) and another for those still stupid enough to trust — versus monitor daily — their public servants to be as hardworking, ethical, or honest as those whose wages pay them.
At that (1997) time in my life, the words "welfare" meant being not shot, or stabbed, or slapped, thrown, etc. and learning to live with enough caution to avoid this. I was actually working FT, and learning Internet (self-taught) which was not safe to use at home while still married. Little did I know that even then, plans were in place to put back into our lives fathers who had committed crimes against us, because by virtue of showing up single and temporarily poor, a way to keep us permanently poor by compromising BOTH child support AND safety was winding its way through Congress, and into the courts (etc.):
The natural offspring of "National Fatherhood Initiative" and President Clinton's 1995 Fatherhood Executive memo — let alone "fatherhood.gov," and so forth, are state-based "Fatherhood Comissions." I discovered Hawaii, then Ohio, and any googling fool can see that Illinois, Maryland, Connecticut, etc., are all ga-ga about "fathers." And mothers go to court like lambs to the slaughter, unaware of how things work in their own government:
Here are just a few. I'm not even going to link them all for readers. A search takes only seconds — do your own!:
MARYLAND: The Commission on Responsible Fatherhood was created by the Welfare Innovation Act of 2001 (Chapter 395, Acts of 2001). Its charge was to make Marylanders aware of the problems that face a child raised without the presence of a responsible father. Obstacles that keep responsible fathers from being involved in their children's lives were to be identified and strategies to encourage responsible fatherhood were to be devised by the Commission.The Commission last met in September 2002.
Major F. Riddick, Jr., Chair (chosen by Governor)Appointed by Governor: David A. Engle, 2002; Joseph T. Jones, 2002; Ronald B. Mincy, Ph.D., 2002; Jeffrey M. Johnson, Ph.D., 2003; David L. Levy, Esq., 2003; Elaine A. Anderson, Ph.D., 2004; Thomas R. Rider.Nominated by Senate President: one vacancyNominated by House Speaker: Rudolph C. CaneEx officio: T. Eloise Foster, Secretary of Budget & Management; Georges C. Benjamin, M.D., Secretary of Health & Mental Hygiene; {{"Mental Hygiene"??? Makes me shudder, almost}} Denese F. Maker, designee of Secretary of Human Resources; John P. O'Connor, Secretary of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation; Nancy S. Grasmick, Ph.D., State Superintendent of Schools; Bonnie A. Kirkland, Esq., Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families.
FLORIDA — bone up on the language. Fatherhood Programs launched in multiple states (yet are supposedly "grassroots"?? When it's not expected low-income, or court-litgating mothers are present, the language is strikingly honest.
According to the Urban Institute, about two-thirds of the nearly 11 million American fathers who do not live with their children fail to pay child support.1 Therefore it is no surprise that children who grow up fatherless are five times more likely to be poor.2
First Generation Fatherhood Programs
Fatherhood programs are not, in fact, new. The first large-scale program, Parents' Fair Share (PFS), was launched in the early 1990's, when the fatherhood movement was just beginning to take shape in the national arena. Although the program was largely a disappointment, its shortcomings have provided valuable lessons to a new generation of practitioners.
{{A new generation of "practitioners" — on whom? Of what? WITH what? This is symptomatic of what happens when public income is used to practice on the unsuspecting…Failure is no deterrent to trying again … at public expense…Money was diverted, and is still, from helping custodial mothers to failed projects on helping NON-custodial fathers. }}
The Parents' Fair Share demonstration project was an employment and training program aimed at increasing the earnings of non-custodial fathers unable to pay child support due to lack of or low income. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and private sponsors, PFS opened its doors in cities in seven states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennesse
If you're going to do something government style, start big and fail big, and keep on failing — after all, the infrastructure (producing failure) represents a substantial investment. ….of OPM (Other People's Money) .
OK, I cannot keep up this blog with this [slow, slow, laptop] computer, and as the years of my life spent on this issue of survival continue to spin forward. I am marking it at 18-20 years (one full generation) of stripping off values, family, income, and respect for nearly any institution I've sought help from.
I have come to the conclusion that the act of seeking help, in current climate, sends out an ultrasonic distress signal that attracts vultures and other predators with specially developed sonar to hear these calls. The language of "help" implies the right to refuse it, or to promise, and fail to deliver. No can do! !!! Swooping in, talking "advocacy," they do indeed advocate — for programs endorsed by their nonprofit, agency, or foundation-funded goals, which are rarely more than a 50% match with the woman's goals, which are to get HERSELF and her FAMILY (kids) free from abuse by specific personnel. AFTER which, she/they may go on to transform society, eradicate oppression, and stop all family violence – – — — if they choose to.
Most noncustodial women I know simply triumph by virtue of simply surviving (they are somehow still breathing), generally having lost contact with their children entirely after trying to protest legal abuse through the family law venue. Exhausted (and I'm just about there, too), they may not become zealots (or professionals) for the cause, but rather wish their own lives back, and a little privacy. It's a shame, because otherwise, we could learn from their lessons more directly, rather than learn by theories developed in a far-off laboratory or website or conference.
Assuming my comment will be approved, I discuss this on a "RightsforMother" post called "DV by Proxy." I was struck by the continual characterization women adopt — of themselves — as losers (of custody), battered, enduring abuse, suffering, and wrongly diagnosing their own problems! This was from a group (also specializing in the psychological terminology field) called "The Leadership Council," whom I have already begged to drop the endless debates about "parental alienation" and instead pool some of their resources (resources I don't have, despite having endorsed this language previously) to something more useful to women in my situation. Similarly, another g roup calling itself "Center for Judicial Excellence" refuses to address the money trail, and another one called "Family Violence Prevention Fund" is itself right on the money — receiving grants from the fatherhood movements in the name of "family" and (appropriately to this funding) just about deleting any positive usage, or graphic presence, of the word "mother" on their website. (see my 10-31-2010 post).
Look to nature for examples of how human beings behave at different times — the analogies really do apply!
Clumping together with others seeking help identifies one as part of a "bait ball," and is bad advice.
Language is critical to freedom, and corruption of it is a supreme tool for stealing from others, for initiating war, and for maintaining systems of slavery. In order to perceive any set of parables or beliefs, one must be willing to step outside them and look with another set. As with spectacles / glasses, the combined lenses give a clearer picture.
Whoever (collectively speaking) spoke, wrote, assembled, and preached what is now known as "the Bible," essentially, "The Book," fully understood the importance of parables, authority, and systems of logic and language to unite people. Also going with this was a code of ethics, and one of the most negative assessments of human nature without "God," seen almost anywhere. According to the Bible, people are helpless, clueless, corrupt, and in need of redemption from birth onwards. The history of bringing people "out of bondage" (Egypt) and calling them to become a new people is filled with prophets scolding recalcitrant children, and predicting their failure; they must just hold on til "the Christ" came and by virtue of believing their own savior would come, or on Him when he did come, or on him after he came — is their salvation. Apart from this, we are helpless babies.
I was not raised with this book, but looking at a family (one of the kind the government would laud to the skies, and pours millions into making sure that children have one), a nuclear family with adequate housing, education, and even college, based on a father's income and a mother's mothering, plus a public school education for most of the kids — even as an adolescent, I knew this was an ethically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually bankrupt model.
Both my parents grew up poor, and by diligence and personal development (plus, I can say, elements of fortune), did what is called "well." Like many such families who did "well," after the nest was empty, my father, and many of his colleagues, dumped their faithful wives, who'd fulfilled their purposes, for a younger model — or at least a different model. Meanwhile, the kids who saw this cleared out, and took off separately. Such was the "nuclear" family in changing times. We split like ball bearings dropped on smooth glass, and went and became professionals.
My mother went back to school, and work, succeeding at that, and from what I can tell, never suffered financial lack the entire rest of her life. AND, never developed a passion in work, or a passion in life afterwards (as we children did). My father apparently (circumstances are still something of a mystery to me) responded to his divorce by trying on a number of different women (including a rebound wife), squandering a lot of what he'd earned, and finally resettled on my mother again. Then, a few days after retirement, he died suddenly. My mother never (that I know of) dated, remarried, or did a whole lot more than mildly exist in her communities.
As we had as a nuclear family, she existed, beautifully, and did things that women of her class did in those days. She did not communicate much, and had no particular wisdom to pass on to the next generation. Perhaps she got wore out from this particular husband. I see my mother as a shut-down woman, whose personality came out in certain circumstances, but was not really welcome in the family home.
The chief inheritance I can speak of is the example that there's got to be something worth dedicating one's life to besides profession, and that one can win much, and be a failure in life from another perspective.
Now I am close to the age at which she was dumped, however in a society which dumps certain mothers AS mothers, sometimes from the hospital, other than that, from the Early Childhood stages. Some classes are allowed to keep their children at home and nurture them, but most are not. Of those classes, chances are the stay-at-home dedicated mother (and I've known many of them, living in diverse communities — urban, suburban, etc. — over the years) will still be dumped, if not bankrupted, should divorce be done. Too often, that work is not valued, but her children are valuable, and the fights over them will fund another generation of family court professionals and their cronies. Fathers, expected to pay child support, will be recruited to get it abated through custody litigation aimed at preventing the welfare queen scenario. Kids will grow up — if they are lucky — without witnessing severe violence, repeated disruptions, or being farmed out to strangers (for pay) and neglected or abused in the process.
Mine have been. The restraining order that protected us briefly, long ago, was undone almost before it was out the gate. My family endorsed this, and gave what was a religious "shunning" for failing to switch abusers (rather than exit the abusive relationship). My kids' child support was eliminated through custody switch, and I do believe that the father was exploited at a time of trauma for him, also, to enter into a custody fight when he didn't even want the children. It took almost NO time for us to turn from two working parents who both had access to their children, me – because of a safety zone — being able to for once work in my profession, retain the income from it, and spend it without retaliation, and mostly on our children. I was allowed to make decisions about my own infrastructure (income-to-expense ratio, choice of housing, work, neighborhoods, associates) so as to become financially independent in work I loved, and had worked in prior to marriage; a scenario that allowed for parenting time and flexibility, because it was efficient.
The family of origin has never forgiven me for that — to date. I have been astonished, repeatedly, over the virulence. None of the family of origin has ever acknowledged any of the court rulings, verbally or in practice, but instead demanded I fork over my offspring, our offspring, as if they were for sale on the black market. The "rationale" for this was — solely — that I was a single mother. All other characteristics of the previous marriage, any academic or professional achievements (which were plenty enough), any work history, any LEGAL history (in the decade since), in fact virtually anything — is off the table for discussion.
While not a scientist, I have a healthy respect for "cause & effect," and for whatever brief freedom from violence in my home that restraining order (much as I mock them as unenforceable, or certifiably insane — which they are — they DO sometimes provide a toe-hold out of the well of abuse) obtained. I have an appreciation for the need for LIBERTY and clearly understand that anyone financially enslaved is indeed a slave, and a beggar.
I do not know (and no longer care) what caused my particular family of origin to be so rigidly and viciously insisting that their "family" needs a scapegoat, and I must be it, apparently because of birth order. While they have mocked religion as for intellectual infants, I find (having some exposure to religion) that this attitude is itself infantile. An appreciation of the role of religion in politics, and in history, gives at least another language through which to understand the world, including some serious threats to its continued existence.
Repeatedly disrupting a household (notice, I didn't say, FAMILY) is to repeatedly disrupt a CULTURE. Before people get their bearings, it's time for another shakedown. This IS the family law system. It externalizes judgment to paid professionals, a cult of "experts" who themselves are many times operating from their own personal bad experiences in marriage or family, OR who are just crooks looking for an easy living (compared to being a family court litigant, for sure) in the world of prophetic psychological "diagnoses." With heads in theory, and pre-occupied with the "scientific" evidentiary basis of it, they are blind to the real suffering, including death!, that this rains down on their subject matter.
I believe that this detachment from the "other" (professional/client) is as dangerous an attitude as Nazi-ism, eugenics, and the plantation mindset that a war was fought over, in the U.S., less than 100 years after we became a nation.
I first became aware of this detached language/perspective when looking up the educational backgrounds of some of the small, but VERY well positioned "Center for Policy Research" (all women). It became obvious that before completing college, the mindsets and career curve were set in place. This small organization has had a huge impact on the United States, for decades now. As kids beg, are abused by noncustodial parents who became custodial through the courts, as families are killed over "custody disputes" and kids get kidnapped, or flee with protective mothers overseas, and now are hauled back and their Moms jailed for doing this, as the next generation is growing up traumatized, rootless, and watching the U.S. version of a public flogging of (sorry, but I have to say), their mothers — they learn fast not to bond with those mothers, lest the same treatment be given them.
While the "Access/Visitation" funding to each state is supposed to protect the children through "supervised visitation centers," in effect it is doing the exact opposite. Besides draining money from taxpayers, and often the affected parent (when such a parent must pay to see a child), these are in effect centers for experimentation / data collection / future studies on parent/child relationships. They are also tools to abuse the wrong parent, and can become also side-streams to a profiteering racket run by judges, retired judges, attorneys, or mediators, etc.
I have been blogging on this now for approximately a year and a half of joblessness through domestic violence, with the social safety net more tangled (and ineffective) than the abusive marriage, family of origin, family court process, associated religious (Christian) groups covering it up in order to retain THEIR corporate cash flow (from families/fathers/services of Moms & even kids). I have also just about explored (to my content) what most major DV agencies and (at least local) nonprofits are doing in this field.
They have their professional/funding niches, and will not compromise it for the sake of some lowly truths, including that more and more parents know the "scams" and including that no — and I do mean NO (zero) (nada) (zilch)("squat") — NO evidence that these are indeed making a long-term POSITIVE difference in the welfare of abused women IF . . .. IF . . . . . IF . . .. a father contacts (or already has connections), or is contacted by — some of the fatherhood groups running the racket in the courts.
It should not be about "fatherhood" or "motherhood" or "childhood."
"Family" is a word. It is a concept, only, and its meaning is so loose as to be meaningless.
Moreover, all Americans should be aware of alternate (in)famous "families." For example, see Jeff Sharlett's writings on "The Family" in Arlington, VA. Or the Rev. Sun Myung Moon interpretation of himself and his wife as the True Parents of the world. Heck, the Mafia is a "family" enterprise, right? The word "Godfather" has two key concepts in it. Watch out which god, and what is being "fathered."
Personal testimony:
But I am here to tell you that the model of "Dad, Mom and 2.5 children" is not all it's cracked up to be. I successfully filled that model, through college, and marriage, married an abuser, got loose, lost all support systems and profession and contact with my daughters. I went from destitute to solvent (while RO was on), and was driven back to destitute — but with more debt and fewer workings years left — exclusively — and I stand by this — because of the abject failure of family, family law, law enforcement, faith institutions, and "domestic violence nonprofits" to simply do the logical things — practice what they preached, and openly inform their clients who they are and what they are in fact doing.
On this blog, as spotty and erratic as it is, I have told what are the UNTOLD facts of the operating system of the courts, and directed those who care to look, to websites that are NOT only:
feminist, feminist-backlash language (essentially think; NOW vs. NFI)
DV language
the language of psychology
And as a Christian, I say, it can be an idol, and is. Even Jesus had his family issues later in life, and was — come to think of it — at some point, run in a "female-headed household." So — was he a failure? (those who say he actually existed) Did he make any lasting contributions to society? Did he run to drugs, violence, gangs, or become a male prostitute?
It should be about UNalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.
One cannot consider "Life" without considering economic systems; eating is intrinsic to life. Mortaging one's time to a paycheck is one model of purchasing food. Selling goods and services is another. Owning businesses is another. Investing is another. So is stealing, selling one's body – or someone else's. Fewer and farther between in the US is growing one's own food the norm. Centralization is the key word, and this includes of education.
When education doesn't routinely include much more than how to learn to work a job (which is what the public schools generally speaking train children to do), not ethics, not how their own economic system works, and certainly not how government (actually "works"), it is training for obsolescence and a debt-ridden lifestyle, for a lifetime.
It's rarely the "theory" so much as the "technology." The pipelines.
The language to learn is the organizational language that our (U.S.) country has become. It is fascinating, and it will dispel some ignorance, myth, and false hopes. While it's true, history is written in the terms of the conquerors, one can still check a variety of sources on nonprofits, foundations, institutes, and professional organizations. Language similarities are key.
Also, we have an under-utilized Library of Congress site, underutilized "TAGGS.hhs.gov" grants database for the Health and Human Services agency, although it, too, is incomplete and inaccurate — it shows trends. (I have not yet learned how to navigate the DOJ grants system), and it would really behoove Americans to keep track of (keep a binder on!) their own President's STate of the Union addresses, and (my New Year's Resolution) to start reading the Daily Digest of Congress.
They are elected representatives, and you (we) are "the people." It has GOT to be a civic duty to make it clear, they represent us — and do not "own" us. While it's acknowledged, many are "owned," changing this has got to be a worthwhile fight.
In order to maintain any edge in this fight, more people have to stop sucking off the government teat(s) for their basic needs. More than Libertarians and Tea Partiers, who are going to dump off single mothers (and ethnic minorities) in the process.
I lived a moderate lifestyle all my working years, content within my profession centering around arts-based nonprofits working across a variety of venues as arts-based nonprofits do.
I worked, from college forward through marriage to filing of my domestic violence restraining order, I worked or was in FT school. I had roommates or lived alone, navigated work and housing changes successfully in different states, and added a second degree through a solid work-study experience, picking up more skills and developing personally.
Almost the first aspect of marriage was economic abuse (shutting me down as an economic entity whatsoever- item #1. Item #2 — pregnancy, #3 — physical assault & battery while present, plus psychological terrorism, #4 — dominance/threat model being established, either I was working to still beg (for basic needs for children and me), and/or begging to work (to obtain these through employment). I mistakenly allowed the first steps to economic control in part from shock, in part from no one around to stick up for me: family not close, religious groups did "religion," and I had simply not run across this odd beast before:
You must shut down your credit
because it had a balance. Next, was "
give me your ATM
." Many liberal/progressives (I tended that way, sort of blending it in a balance, ideally, with faith — with a social justice flavor, etc.) just don't "get" this. Their liberal progressivism doesn't apply "within the family," and when it comes with a personal cost, called risk. Someone else must bear that burden.
Possession of a wife quickly changes the attitude of certain men, and the community endorses it.
We are not talking "yearning for Zion" type enclaves — but the panoply of communities who literally see abuse, criminal behavior "out in the open" — but figure someone else will handle it.
It's a shame I married someone afraid of independence, and it's a shame I actually had enough curiosity about my family of origin to move within geographic range of them in the middle of my work life. There is no turning back those decisions, however, there is the hope to survive the worst ones, and re-take ground lost.
It is one thing to watch an entire set of associations not "turn the other cheek" but turn "deaf, blind, and dumb." (Turn a blind eye….) towards wife-abuse and that's what it is. It is violence against women because they are (married, in this case) women. Filed & labelled, it's not their job.
But it is entirely another to get free from that one situation to face the same "deaf, dumb and blind" individuals proclaim loudly, "we see — now let us take over!" Any mother would turn outside that realm to the legal and nonprofit realm of help, while rebuilding her/their lives, especially income-based freedom.
Well, guess what. . .. those are no better, or more honest (trust me on that one, or gather more anecdotal evidence in your community!) The same process of "no thank you!" is essential. Rather than endlessly seeking help, women just have to, as we can, figure it out and pursue our own priorities. For me, the language of liberty-self-sufficiency, self-determination, and self-defense are FIRST. This is not "selfish" at all! It's responsible citizenship, and responsible parenting; a good role model.
However, it does bring one into conflict with almost every entrenched system on the planet, as manifested in one's local county court system, as run from (whoever runs) Washington, D.C.
Here, still, is a great example of sleuthing on a particular case from 2002. Scroll down below the blood and guts reporting on a disillusioned sniper (!!) / estranged Dad . . . . to this same individual's "Devoted Dads" connection.
I will be "obnoxious" and paste paragraphs here to illustrate the scope of this problem. I have spoken at least once to the author, and understand she, too, has expended years exhorting others to follow these leads, and is likely exhausted and ready to regain her personal life.
Me too. This data-rich (proofreading-poor) blog is my part. I can't live on air, and my "access" concerns right now include to healthy food, which is basically unavailable through Food Stamps (invasive, restrictive, massive, and suspicious of recipients. Certain items, such as healthy oils, or nutritional supplements to deal with the ongoing stresses of job loss through legal abuse, even after child loss, etc., are unavailable. I committed no crime to deserve this! Nor did other women in this situation through these same policies. Except the "crime" of not paying attention. Again, Give the Gift of "Thomas" — "Train" yourself and teach others this "Toolset."
Analyzing the background of the 2002 DC Sniper, by Cindy Ross:
For a summary of how FR groups and their court allies obtain — and misuse — federal program grant funds through DHHS (Access/Visitation programs, DOJ (Arbitration/Mediation) programs, Responsible Fatherhood Programs, Co-Parenting Programs, and other mislabeled court-based federally sponsored "Family Services", please see my summary, originally posted at NewsMakingNews.com in July, 2002, "Family Court Corruption".
URL: http://newsmakingnews.com/ross7,8,02familycourtcorruption.htm
NAFCJ has obtained program documents regarding the Responsible Fatherhood programs, which show that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/Welfare programs are being used to recruit abusive men — including incarcerated criminals — into fathers' groups, where they are provided with "benefits" including free or low cost legal services to assist them with getting custody and getting child support obligations reduced or eliminated.
NAFCJ has been working with legislators across the country, requesting an investigation at the federal level into Fatherhood and related Child Support Enforcement Program, Access to Visitation Enforcement and Welfare Program fraud. One of the primary programs we have looked into, is the "Devoted Dads" program in Tacoma, Washington.
NAFCJ has determined that John Muhammad's former attorney, John Mills, is an attorney for — and his legal assistant, Mario Young provided paralegal services to "indigent clients" at — the Devoted Dads program: (See Footnote following this article which excerpts the relevant PDF FILE (Adobe Acrobat required).
URL: http://auditor.co.pierce.wa.us/Elections/Archives/September2001/VP_pdf/fire6pos1.pdf
Devoted Dads is funded by the Metropolitan Development Council. According to NAFCJ Washington State Director Martha Jacobson, Devoted Dads received at least 1.3 million dollars in federal grants between May 1998 and May 2000. On 8-5-02, in a tape recorded interview with Ms. Jacobson, Doug Swanberg of the Metropolitan Development Council confirmed that Mr. Mills was the "part time attorney" for Devoted Dads. This suggests that John Muhammad — a "homeless" dad who abducted his kids and then applied for Welfare in Tacoma — was not only a personal client of Mr. Mills, but was one of the "indigent clients" being provided services and "benefits" through the Devoted Dads program.
Ms. Jacobson has also obtained copies of correspondence between Doug Swanberg and David Arnaudo. Mr. Arnaudo is the administrator of the $10 million in federal access grants to the states, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who gave a presentation entitled "How to Obtain Access/Visitation Grants" at the Children's Rights Council National Conference in 1999. URL: http://www.vix.com/crc/conf/
Children's Rights Council is the same organization identified by NAFCJ as the "umbrella" organization of the Fathers' Rights movement, which is cross affiliated with the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). As described in my article "Family Court Corruption", CRC/AFCC crafted "Parental Alienation Syndrome" (PAS) methodology — working with "experts" who advocate pedophilia and incest — as the means to assist child molesters and other abusive men get out of both criminal prosecution and child support obligations, while punishing mothers in supervised visitation and jail for reporting abuse.
I continue to be thankful for people who dedicated their investigation talents (probably for free) to dig up this information, and leave a track record.
Posted in Cast, Script, Characters, Scenery, Stage Directions, Designer Families, Funding Fathers - literally, Mandatory Mediation, Metaphors for Family Law, OCSE - Child Support, Organizations, Foundations, Associations NGO Hybrids, Raptors, Vocabulary Lessons, Where's Mom?
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"Holy Mother of God!" — (Fatherhood by Commissions in Ohio) »


text:
require "spec_helper"

module Hijacker
  describe Database do
    # before(:each) do
    #   $hijacker_redis.del('test:hijacker:unresponsive-dbhost-ids')
    # end

    let(:host) { Hijacker::Host.create!(:hostname => "localhost") }
    let(:alias_db) { Hijacker::Alias.new(:name => "alias_db") }

    it "has many aliases" do
      subject.aliases << alias_db
      subject.aliases.should == [alias_db]
    end

    it "belongs to a host" do
      subject.host = host
      subject.host.should == host
    end

    it "requires a host" do
      subject.host = nil
      subject.should_not be_valid
      subject.errors[:host_id].should == ["can't be blank"]

      subject.host = host
      subject.should be_valid
    end

    it "aliases name to database" do
      subject.database = "foo"
      subject.name.should == "foo"
      subject.name = "bar"
      subject.database.should == "bar"
    end

    it "aliases find_by_name to find_by_database" do
      Hijacker::Database.should_receive(:find_by_database).with("foo")
      Hijacker::Database.find_by_name("foo")
    end

    describe "#connect_each" do
      def db(name)
        double("#{name}_db", :database => name)
      end

      before (:each) do
        Database.stub(:with_responsive_hosts).and_return([ db("one"), db("two"), db("three") ])
        Hijacker.stub(:connect)
      end

      it "Calls the block once for each database" do
        count = 0
        Database.connect_each do |db|
          count += 1
        end
        count.should == Database.with_responsive_hosts.size
      end

      it "Passes the name of the database to the block" do
        db_names = []
        Database.connect_each do |db|
          db_names << db
        end
        db_names.should == Database.with_responsive_hosts.map(&:database)
      end

      it "connects to each of the database and reconnects to the original" do
        original_db = Hijacker::Database.current
        Hijacker.should_receive(:connect).exactly(Database.with_responsive_hosts.size + 1).times
        Database.connect_each {}

        Hijacker::Database.current.should == original_db
      end

      it "eats invalid database errors" do
        Hijacker.stub(:connect).and_raise(Hijacker::InvalidDatabase.new("doesntmatter"))
        expect { Database.connect_each {|db| } }.not_to raise_error
      end

      it "eats mysql-specific errors for missing databases" do
        [Mysql::Error, Mysql2::Error].each do |klass|
          exception = klass.new("Unknown database 'fake'")
          exception.errno = 1049
          Hijacker.stub(:connect).and_raise(exception)
          expect { Database.connect_each {} }.to_not raise_error
        end
      end

      it "does not eat unrelated mysql-specific databases" do
        [Mysql::Error, Mysql2::Error].each do |klass|
          exception = klass.new("WAT")
          exception.errno = 2000
          Hijacker.stub(:connect).and_raise(exception)
          expect { Database.connect_each {} }.to raise_error(klass)
        end
      end

      it "does not raise exception when attempting to connect to original database" do
        allow(Hijacker).to receive(:current_client).and_return 'crystal_test'
        expect { Database.connect_each([]) {} }.to_not raise_error
      end
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Your visitors now simply select their contact from a list on a tablet and alert you to their arrival (no manual reception).
Use the app to display specific safety inductions for your site, so your visitors accept and sign before entering.
Monitor and record who's visiting where from head office — down to the exact entry point to your work site!
LinkSafe's Visitor Management tool means you can now monitor who's visiting your work sites faster and more efficiently than ever.
This free-to-download app (available on both iOS and Android) eliminates the need for a manual reception facility.
You visitor arrives at your site. They select the relevant contact from a list on a tablet at the entrance. The system then sends an email or SMS to that person to alert them of the visitor's arrival.
Any safety inductions you require your visitor to complete happen in the app and the exact time and details of their visit go into a secure central database.
Our Visitor Management tool gives you a formalised online method for capturing everything you need to safely and efficiently bring visitors to your work sites.
Set up as many sign-in points as you need. No matter where your visitor logs in, their contact will receive specific details of their location to ensure they can't get lost in a hazardous area.
Either iOS or Android devices will work with our Visitor Management tool. That means your visitor, their contact and your head office can conveniently view and manage the visit.
Ensure complete compliance and safety by delivering safety prompts and gathering photo IDs and signatures. The tool automatically prepares a wearable visitor pass!
Owned and operated here in Australia, we have a team of specialist consultants to help you customise and implement software that will save your business time and money. And ensure you remain up to date with all your Visitor Management tasks and processes.
If you're ready to make a step up to smart Visitor Management using a simple, accessible tool, speak with us NOW. Fill in the form below and hit the link. We'll set up a complimentary 30-minute strategy session to discuss your business and how our tool will save you time and money.


Sometimes, you have to say No: how to set healthy boundaries.
By nature, women are givers and nurturers. They often tend to put their own wants and needs secondly, prioritizing the ones of their dear ones, especially family members and friends. In time, this often leads to frustration and sadness.
Being able to set healthy boundaries for our highest good and say No is not always easy but, in often cases, it's a must. From spending our precious time doing what we don't really want to do in order to please others, till accepting to constantly work overtime for their employers and give up on our valuable time for ourselves and the ones we love.
Setting boundaries in relation to the outer world might often look selfish. In reality, it is a form of self-respect, self-love, and self-care.
I often get to hear from my coaching clients that they often do things they don't really want to do because they don't want to disappoint others. If this feels familiar, please know that, in reality, you can't disappoint anyone. People disappoint themselves by the expectations they set for you and what they want you to be in relationship to them. It's all about their story, not yours.
I am inviting you to watch the video below, the sharing of a woman who had to learn how to set healthy boundaries and take care of herself, without feeling selfish.
And now, I would love to hear from you. In case saying No to things you don't want to do is an issue for you, what stands in your way?


You are here: Home / News / News / What Does Holistic Mean?
When talking about non-conventional medicine, several terms are often used interchangeably or with vague definitions, leading to confusion about what they actually mean.
Conventional medicine (also called biomedicine or Western, mainstream, orthodox, or allopathic medicine) is what most people think of. Medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare professionals fall under the system of conventional medicine.
Holism looks at the whole person rather than just their disease or symptoms. Holistic medicine is a broad philosophy and encompasses homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and other therapies and treatments.
Complementary medicine is any non-mainstream medicine (such as homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, or chiropractic) used together with conventional medicine.
Alternative medicine is any non-mainstream medicine (such as homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, or chiropractic) used instead of conventional medicine.
The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine are often used interchangeably in spite of this difference. True alternative medical care is extremely rare. Most people who use non-conventional medicine do so in conjunction with Western medicine.
Integrative medicine generally means a clinic or health center offers both conventional and complementary medicine services.
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic method of primary health care using the healing power of nature to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses.
https://ifwcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/m5430010_Picture3-1.png 0 0 rich https://ifwcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/m5430010_Picture3-1.png rich2016-06-15 18:00:392019-02-15 20:12:59What Does Holistic Mean?


In this project, we have developed two networks of radial growth chronologies and anatomical variables (earlywood xylem vessels), one for deciduous Quercus spp. and the other one for Fagus sylvatica, covering the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and providing an adequate representation of the growth patterns associated with climate change of deciduous hardwoods in the area of study.
Growth rings of Quercus petraea (a) and Q. pyrenaica (b) in a transitional area between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates, showing greater plasticity and variability in the size and density of vessels in the earlywood of Q. pyrenaica than Q. robur. Photos I. García-González.
Two types of forest where was sampled Fagus sylvatica, more frequents in the Cantabrian area: (a) mixed forest with low altitude Quercus robur, with dense Ilex aquifolium, and (b) monospecific mountain forest in the 'Cordillera Cantábrica central'. Photos V. Rozas.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) — Mario Draghi on Thursday credited the European Central Bank's December decision to provide a massive dose of long-term liquidity to the euro area's troubled banks with tentatively helping to stabilize euro-zone debt markets as monetary policy makers moved to the sidelines after a flurry of activity the past two months.
The president of the central bank, in his monthly news conference, didn't suggest that banks or sovereign borrowers are out of the woods, but he noted a "significant, if not substantial," decline in interest rates across markets.
Earlier, the central bank's governing council left its key lending rate at 1%, matching its historic low. It also left the interest rate on its marginal lending facility unchanged at 1.75% and maintained the rate on its overnight deposit facility at 0.25%.
The euro EURUSD, -0.0888% extended gains as Draghi spoke. The shared currency traded at $1.2819, up 0.8% from Wednesday.
Since Draghi took the helm in November, the European Central Bank has delivered two cuts of a quarter of a percentage point each, undoing rate hikes implemented under predecessor Jean-Claude Trichet earlier in 2011.
The central bank's also moved to flood the banking system with liquidity. Last month, Draghi announced it would provide three-year loans to banks at fixed rates in its first three-year refinancing operation.
Banks swarmed to borrow nearly €500 billion in the first tender operation last month; another is set for February. The moves helped further swell the European Central Bank''s balance sheet.
The heavy take-up of the loans in December "indicates that our nonstandard policy measures are providing a substantial contribution to improving the funding situation of banks, thereby supporting financing conditions and confidence," Draghi said.
"With some justification, Draghi claims that it has helped to unclog some of the financial plumbing that was threatening to wreak Armageddon on many European banks which otherwise were being denied access to liquidity by the rest of the planet," said Michael Derks, chief strategist at FxPro.
Carsten Brzeski, economist at ING Bank in Brussels, said the central bank earned the right to take a breather.
"With the main interest rate at 1% and the enormous liquidity measures, the ECB remains ahead of the curve and still has room to react if need be. No doubt, the ECB will not hesitate to use it," he said.
Economists said Draghi left the door open to further rate cuts, as he underlined downside risks to the economic outlook and high uncertainty stemming in part from the currency area's long-running sovereign debt crisis. Draghi also said there were signs of stabilization at the "lower levels" of the economy.
Draghi sought to counter assertions that much of the funding provided through the long-term refinancing operation has ended up back at the central bank, where banks have boosted overnight deposits to record levels.
Draghi said many of the banks that borrowed at the LTRO weren't the same banks depositing funds at the central bank, where the funds earn interest of only 0.25%.
Analysts said a well-received auction of three- and five-year Spanish government debt earlier Thursday was a sign that LTRO funding is finding its way into the debt markets and could take pressure off the central bank to aggressively buy bonds in the secondary market in order to keep borrowing costs for the likes of Spain and Italy from spiraling to unsustainable levels. Read about Thursday's debt auctions in Spain and Italy.
Italian and Spanish bonds maintained gains, pushing down yields.
Italy's 10-year yield (10YR_ITA) fell 28 basis points to 6.59%, while. Spain's 10-year yield (10YR_ESP) dropped 22 basis points to 5.11%. A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.
But it remains to be seen whether European banks will be willing to assume longer-term credit risks, strategists said.
"If the longer-term auctions prove to be less attractive to investors, Club Med members may have to resort to refinancing their debt on shorter-term maturities — a tactic that could leave them much more vulnerable to any potential spike in rates," said Boris Schlossberg, head of currency research at GFT.
"In short the ECB's LTRO strategy may have succeeded in kicking the can down the road but only by making very short passes," he said.
Draghi, meanwhile, again rejected suggestions the central bank would move to take more aggressive action to tackle the debt crisis, such as engaging in outright quantitative easing, or effectively printing money, to fund bond purchases.
"We still think the ECB might engage in some limited form of quantitative easing further ahead in order to meet its monetary-policy objectives. But for now at least — rightly or wrongly — it remains very firmly opposed to suggestions that it should tackle governments' fiscal problems for them," said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics.
Also Thursday, the Bank of England did as expected, leaving monetary policy unchanged.
However, it remains widely expected to move as early as next month to boost the size of its quantitative-easing program in a bid to avert a deflationary spiral.
The central bank's policy committee left its key lending rate at a record-low 0.5%, where it has stood since March 2009. It also left its asset-purchase program unchanged at 275 billion pounds ($421.5 billion).
The British pound GBPUSD, +0.0000% traded at $1.5325, little changed from Wednesday.
The Bank of England revived its previously dormant quantitative-easing plan in October, boosting it by £75 billion. Those additional purchases will take until next month to complete.
Meanwhile, policy makers saw a run of stronger-than-expected data in recent weeks, including closely watched indexes based on surveys of purchasing managers in the manufacturing and services sectors and a gauge of retail sales over the holiday season, noted economists at Rabobank International.
Nevertheless, the U.K. economic backdrop is far from cheery: Growth in gross domestic product for the final quarter of 2011 is likely to have been little better than flat, the Rabobank economists noted, with consumers still under siege as inflation continued to eat into real incomes.
Official data released earlier Thursday showed industrial production fell 0.6% in November. Even a modest rise in production in December would still make for an overall contraction of around 1.2% in the final quarter of 2011, noted Howard Archer, chief U.K. economist at IHS Global Insight.


text:
Celebrity News December 20, 2020
Ariana Grande & Dalton Gomez Are Engaged!
Ariana Grande is ready to take the next step with boyfriend Dalton Gomez, and as for timing, how about, "forever n then some"?
On Sunday, the superstar singer announced her engagement to the luxury realtor with a series of Instagram snaps showing the couple snuggling and showing Ariana flashing a unique engagement ring — a big diamond with a pearl.
The "7 Rings" hitmaker went public with Gomez in June, also via Instagram. They have reportedly dated for just nine months.
Ariana Grande/Instagram
Ariana Grande Makes It Instagram Official with Dalton Gomez for Her 27th Birthday
Grande had previously been engaged to "SNL" comic Pete Davidson from June-October 2018, and had a high-profile relationship with the late Mac Miller.
According to his bio on the Aaron Kirman Group website, Gomez "holds one of the largest rolodexes of A-list buyers and is already connecting many high profile deals across the city. More recently, he has represented significant sales including Pierre Koenig's Case Study #21 and Craig Ellwood's Case Study #16. Along with Mr. Kirman, Dalton also represents the only Oscar Niemeyer House in North America and many other notable works by architects such as Neutra, Lautner, A. Quincy Jones, etc."
The two had been quarantining together at the time their relationship first sparked rumors. Grande shared a huggy-kissy video of herself with Gomez in August, wishing him a happy birthday with the caption, "hbd to my baby my best friend my fav part of all the days :) i love u."


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Capsule Networks As a New Approach to Image Recognition
Finally something that works well G. Hinton
Several months ago the IT world was stirred up with news about a completely new way of neural networks organization, which can become a successful alternative for traditional convolutional networks. Now we are talking about a new approach to image and video recognition, although it can be assumed that the full potential of capsule networks has not been revealed yet, and the real possibilities of their usage will be even wider. Or is everything exactly the opposite? The first results turned out to be promising, however, significant work is still ahead.
Now, when the hype over CapsNets has settled down a little, it's time to take a sober look at them and evaluate their pros and cons. Let's try to answer the following questions:
Why do we need to replace traditional neural networks?
What is a capsule network and what can it give us?
What's next and what difficulties should we expect?
The idea of capsule networks is not new at all. And as for the recognition of images in general, and the creation of capsule networks in particular, we are indebted to Geoffrey Hinton and his team. Back in 1986, Hinton explained how the back propagation method could be used to train deep networks. However, at that time, the required computing power was not available, so only in 2012 he was able to demonstrate his idea which became a serious step in the development of deep learning.
Though it was a breakthrough in image recognition, that for 5 years has found application in many areas, Hinton was always aware of the shortcomings of his idea and did not stop searching for a better solution, considering the concept of capsule networks for almost 40 years: I think the way we're doing computer vision is just wrong. It works better than anything else at present, but that doesn't mean it's right. First the idea of capsule networks was raise in 1979 and formulated in 2011. At last, in the fall of 2017 Hinton published two papers:
Matrix Capsules With EM Routing
Dynamic Routing Between Capsules
which explained the aspects of CapsNets organization and initiated further research on them.
What Is Wrong With CNN?
There're some things in convolutional neural networks (CNN) which don't allow to use them as often as we would like. First of all, it's a significant amount of training dataset required. When it comes to recognizing pictures of animals or people, this is not a problem - the Internet is just full of samples for every taste and color. However, everything is a little more complicated in specific areas, for example, in medicine, where a sufficient number of examples may be unavailable. Hence, new networks should be able to learn on small datasets.
The next issue is inaccuracy of traditional neural networks related to the principle of their work. The fact is that CNNs pay attention to the presence of certain key features on the image, ignoring their relative position as to each other. The accuracy of such networks is far from ideal, and it falls off even more, when you rotate the image, select the appropriate background, etc. To deceive such a network is easy, which makes them resistant to attacks like "white box".
To increase the accuracy of neural networks, we need to bring their work closer to the human way of thinking. The child does not need to see thousands of images to understand how a house looks like. The ability to generalize also helps him to distinguish images of the same object from different angles that can not be said about many current CNNs. Moreover, the presence of certain signs still does not sufficiently tell the child about the depicted object, if their mutual arrangement does not make sense. Fortunately, capsule networks seem to fix these disadvantages.
So What Are Capsule Networks?
The main distinguishing feature of capsule networks is the introduction of an intermediate building block between a neuron and a layer - so called capsules. A capsule is a nested set of neural layers. While a usual neuron outputs a single scalar value, a capsule outputs a vector to represent generalized set of related properties. A capsule tries to capture many features of the object like pose (position, angle of view, size), deformation, velocity, texture and so on inside an image to define the probability of some entity existence.
The output vector is sent to all possible parents in the CapsNet. The prediction vector is based on multiplying it's own weight and a weight matrix. The network looks for parent with the largest scalar prediction vector to increase the corresponding capsule binding. All other parents decrease their connections. This is called routing-by-agreement. After this a squashing function is applied to the output vector of each capsule. The main steps of capsules work are well explained here.
There are many possible ways to implement a capsule network. The following papers, written by the authors of the very idea of CapsNets, describe in detail the ways of implementing their architecture, interaction of neurons (capsules), compare the achievements with convolutional networks performance and give their own assessment of the work done. In the studies, two ways of using capsule neural networks - the classification of images and the recognition of numbers - are examined.
Dynamic routing in the paper is explained on the example of digit recognition capsule network. A capsule here is a group of neurons whose activity vector represents the instantiation parameters of a specific type of entity such as an object or an object part. The length of the activity vector is used to represent the probability that the entity exists and its orientation to represent the instantiation parameters. Active capsules at one level come to conclusion on some entity existence. When multiple predictions agree, a higher level capsule is activated.
First test results on MNIST dataset show that a discriminatively trained, multilayer capsule network achieves better accuracy than a CNN at recognizing highly overlapping handwritten digits. The test error for the CapsNet was about 0.25% on a 3-layer network - such results could be earlier achieved only for deeper CNN. Besides MNIST, the team has also tested the network on CIFAR10 dataset with 10.6% error (such an error is similar to the first attempts of CNN implementation), on smallNORB dataset with 2.7 test error and in a small set of SVHN.
The next work is devoted to the recognition of images of objects taken from different angles. A capsule in the network is a group of neurons whose outputs represent different properties of the same object. Each layer in a capsule network contains several capsules. Hinton describes a capsule network model in which each capsule has a logistic unit to represent the presence of an entity and a 4x4 matrix which could learn to represent a position of the entity relatively to the viewer. The research team introduced a new iterative routing procedure between capsule layers, based on the EM algorithm, which allows the output of each lower-level capsule to be routed to a capsule in the layer above in such a way that active capsules receive a cluster of similar pose votes. The transformation matrices are trained discriminatively by back propagation through the unrolled iterations of EM between each pair of adjacent capsule layers.
The preliminary tests show that capsules can be used successfully both for dealing with viewpoint variation and for improving segmentation decisions. The approach was tested on the smallNORB dataset and showed better accuracy than the traditional CNN: the error was about 1.4% for the best model. Moreover, the gotten network was more resistant to "white box" attacks than a CNN in an image classification task (though, the network's robustness to "black box" attacks happened to be the same as for CNN models). However, the team isn't going to stay limited by the NORB set, planning to implement a capsule model for much larger datasets such as ImageNet.
Main Advantages of CapsNets
The main pros and cons of CapsNets we still have to learn during the further researches, however, some of them can already be listed based on the first studies received. Here're the main capsule network advantages:
good results for image classification, segmentation and object detection
high recognition accuracy on MNIST dataset, promising results on CIFAR10 dataset
less training dataset capacity is required
information about pose and related parameters is considered (and saved) to identify entities
capsule activation process is well mapped on hierarchy of parts
robustness to input data transformations and "white box" attacks
It would be rather reckless to assert about the flawlessness of capsule networks after a couple of months of testing. Although the idea itself is quite promising, it has some shortcomings, which we still have to solve:
slow learning process (compared with CNN), conditioned by the expensive operation of inner loop (in the routing by agreement algorithm)
a lack of testing for large image datasets (e.g. ImageNet) doesn't allow making informed conclusions about the further prospects
so called "crowding" effect: a network cannot see some very close located identical objects (this problem is also inherent in human vision)
higher complexity of implementation and computing required
The authors of the work and other enthusiasts are currently engaged in further research of capsule networks. Will they be able to overcome existing shortcomings and make a breakthrough in deep learning? Or should it take another 40 years before we achieve the next significant results?


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Jonathan Edwards's Resolutions
by Staff September 19, 2015
(Category headings are by Matt Perman.)
Overall Life Mission
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 1723.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
50.Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51.Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 2, and July 13.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13, 1723.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan. 14 and July 3, 1723.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
The Scriptures
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
Vivification of Righteousness
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12-13, 1723.
Mortification of Sin and Self Examination
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23 and August 10, 1723.
Communion with God
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26 and Aug. 10, 1723.
And here is a good article on Edwards's resolutions from Stephen Nichols at Ligonier.
The Life of Sons and Daughters by Jared C. Wilson
The Heart of the True Father by Jared C. Wilson
The Gospel Kind of Christ-Centeredness by Jared C. Wilson
Sanctifying Success is the Lord's by Jared C. Wilson
Overcoming Anger by Joe Thorn


A CES post that's also a review? Don't worry, we had this product since our CES 2018 trip and we're ready to give our full thoughts on it. During CES 2018, SteelSeries unveiled a product I was personally waiting for them to finally release: their very own adjustable weight gaming mouse. However, the newly unveiled SteelSeries Rival 600 is much more than just a right-handed gaming mouse with adjustable weights. The TrueMove3 sensor that we loved in the SteelSeries Rival 310 and the SteelSeries Sensei 310 is back in the upgraded form of the TrueMove3+ dual sensor system.
What does this all mean? Let's dive in.
Out of the box, you are supplied with the SteelSeries Rival 600 mouse, a removable wire, eight 4-gram weights, and a case for those weights.
The SteelSeries Rival 600 sports a right-handed build similar to that of its Rival mice predecessors. It houses a split-trigger system for its left and right click buttons, which are each rated for a lifespan of 60-million clicks. Outside of those buttons, you have the mouse wheel, a button behind the wheel which defaults as a CPI toggler, and three thumb buttons along the left of the mouse. For your grips, you have a change-up from the Rival 310's perforated silicone grips to now a smooth silicone compound on both the right and left sides of the mouse.
The Rival 600 comes even more colorful than its predecessors, bringing even more illuminated areas than just on the mouse wheel and SteelSeries logo. Now you have two LED strips stretching from the top of the mouse and down to each of the sides. Each of those strips house three individual lighting zones, effectively giving you a total of eight lighting zones on the SteelSeries Rival 600.
Which brings us to one of the two new feature additions to SteelSeries' mouse line-up, the Rival 600's weight-adjustability. The Rival 600, devoid of additional weights, comes in at 96 grams. With those additional weights, you can adjust the Rival 600's overall weight up to 128 grams. Each side of the Rival 600 houses four slots, allowing you some control over the weight distribution and balancing of the mouse.
The Rival 600 is the most comfortable Rival mouse yet, bringing weight management into the mix for welcomed customizability. You have a ergonomic right-handed mouse that feels right at home with both claw and palm grips. I use a somewhat palm grip myself with mice and the Rival 600 played quite nicely. All of the buttons are satisfying to click and are quite easy to reach for in either grip scenario save that newly added side button. Referring specifically to that side button that closest to the front, I found myself most comfortably reaching for it with my index finger than I did with my thumb.
I didn't take too much away from the button's placement in the long run, however. I found myself mapping it to utilitarian game actions that were nice to have dedicated buttons for but were not so frequently-used, as opposed to Mouse 4 and Mouse 5 for example.
I personally liked the weight management system of the Rival 600 as it houses the weights closer to the center of the mouse's body. It felt more uniform than other weighted mice I've tried that stored their weights either near the bottom or the rear of the mouse. However, with the way that the Rival 600 weight chassis is set up, weight arrangements are all up to whatever you prefer. Nothing is stopping you from arranging weights in a manner that gives the mouse a sort of lean on either side.
Speaking of preferences, having more LED's than you can shake a stick at brings this mouse's customization even further. Using the SteelSeries Engine, SteelSeries's customization suite for its peripherals, you can change any of the eight LED zones to your liking.
All of this makes the Rival 600 a slam dunk in the comfort and appearance department. If I were to take anything away at all, it would be quite minor in the mouse's grips. Having reviewed the Rival 310, I have to say that I actually liked the perforated grips a tad bit more than I did with the Rival 600's much smoother grips. That's not to say that the Rival 600's grips were in any way ineffective. I just felt that the Rival 310's grips were, well, more grip-able in comparison.


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The Most Exciting Project of My Musical Career
clarabow January 21, 2017
I have been blessed with a very successful career in the music business. As a local rock star in Illinois in the late sixties, my band "The One-Eyed Jacks" opened for The Doors, The Jefferson Airplan…
clarabow January 21, 2017 0 3
For Original It Girl Clara Bow's life, there were so many IF ONLY's
If Only somebody had taken Clara Bow aside in 1925 and said to her " Slow Down Child!" It's well known to Clara Bow Fans today that the "Original It Girl" with those flaming red curls and that saucy s…
Jeffery Mundy Explains Why He Wrote Starring Clara Bow
clarabow January 1, 2017
People have been asking me, " How is it you wrote a Musical about Clara Bow?" It's a pretty good question. In 2010 I moved from the USA to China. I have lived in France and Spain and all over the USA,…
clarabow January 1, 2017 0 1
viaregis on The Most Exciting Project of My Musical Career
Justin T Regis on The Most Exciting Project of My Musical Career
Gene Massey on The Most Exciting Project of My Musical Career
Gene Massey on Jeffery Mundy Explains Why He Wrote Starring Clara Bow


Okay, I'm right in the middle of the photo.
I come to this corner to hide when I get scared in the front yard.
I hold very still and stare through the fence at the paradise next door!
Can you see the pond with ducks? There is a waterfall, too!
It used to overflow into a creek in our yard, but it doesn't any more.
It's a crummy little forgotten corner of our yard and I really like it.
I know it's mine because I marked all the branches with my morrillo!


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Complete Chassis Kit for TT900. Very popular. We can crate and ship Worldwide. Available in a choice of two colourways. All you need is a donor bike!
Complete Chassis Kit for TT2. Choice of fuel caps included in the price. We can crate and ship Worldwide, please ask if you require this service. All you need is a donor bike!
Complete Chassis Kit for Pantah with decals. We can crate and ship Worldwide. All you need is a donor bike!


Stanozolol is one of the most popular anabolic steroids which is taken from dihydrotestosterone. This oral steroid does not aromatize because of its low androgenic activity. It also features a high anabolic activity which can help you see great performance gains with low side effects. Winstrol is an excellent choice for women looking for performance boost as well. Athletes who use winstrol can see a big increase when it comes to their performance at the gym, their overall power and strength as well as their ability to move blood through vascular improvements. Scientists have also considered stanazolol to be an estrogen and progesterone blocking medication making it a welcome addition to any testosterone cycle. Using Winstrol with your cycle will ensure that you can reduce SHBG in your body and make sure that all of the steroids or performance-enhancing medication that you are taking has a better shot of making the greatest impact in your body. Winstrol offers great benefits by itself as well as when included with other drugs. The recommended dose for men is 50mg and there are 50 mg tabs available. The recommended dose for women is 5 to 10 mg per day making these tabs the perfect size.
I lost 30lbs of body fat . With nothing else this winstrol by targon labs is by far the best .
Just had 2 tabs a day. Noticed increased strength and also looked dryer / vascular. Zero side effects. Delivery from muscle gear usually takes 3 days to deliver this took 5... still that is super fast. Faster then shopping on Amazon or Ebay.


Winning 2-1 against the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Friday, March 22, the Whitecourt Wolverines won round two 4-1, advancing to the North Division Finals.
The Wolverines defeated the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 3-2 in the first round.
The Spruce Grove Saints, who received a bye into the second round for finishing first in the division during the regular season, defeated the Sherwood Park Crusaders in a 4-0 shutout on Friday night as well, winning the series 4-2.
The winner of the series will be named Division Champions and will face off against the South Division Champion in the 2013 AJHL Gas Drive Cup Final.
The Okotoks Oilers and the Brooks Bandits will be battling for the South Division Finals.
The Wolverines and the Saints will start round three in Spruce Grove on Thursday, March 28 in Spruce Grove.