We know you love your trees, but occasionally one of them has to come down. Tree felling is one of our specialities! Edmond Tree has the knowledge to bring even the biggest tree down safely, and in a dignified way, without having to inefficiently hack it into a million pieces.
Our certified Arborists meet with you before hand to measure out your needs and goals for your yard and trees (including planting more trees), and then lay out a plan to show you what it will take to achieve those goals.
Felling a tree is quite the undertaking as there are many things to consider in the process.
First thing to consider is why does it need to be removed?
Roots can overtake existing structural elements such as plumbing, driveways, septic systems, sidewalks, foundations, etc.
Tree is in the way of new or existing construction or electrical wiring.
All of these are possible reasons for a tree to be removed, and Edmond Tree will be there to do it for you. Call our certified Edmond Tree Surgeons at 405-562-5725 and ask for your FREE CONSULTATION!


We want to protect your privacy and confidentiality. We understand that all users of our website are quite rightly concerned to know that their data is being used lawfully. We take our responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and GDPR very seriously and we want to comply with the spirit and the letter of guidance provided by the Information Commissioners Office.
You can find out more information about ICO on their website https://ico.org.uk/.
When you buy services from us, or otherwise agree to our terms and conditions, a contract is formed between you and us.
Where there is no contractual relationship between us, such as when you browse our website or ask us to provide you with more information about our business, including our services, you provide your consent to us to process information that may be personal information.
You may withdraw your consent at any time by instructing us at hello@planningredefined.co.uk.
Like all other users of cookies, we may request the return of information from your computer when your browser requests a web page from our server. Cookies enable our web server to identify you to us, and to track your actions and the pages you visit while you use our website. The cookies we use may last for a single visit to our site (they are deleted from your computer when you close your browser) or may remain on your computer until you delete them or until a defined period has passed.
To enable you to watch videos we have placed on our website and blog.
To do this please contact us at hello@planningredefined.co.uk.
Our website is hosted in the UK, but we may also use outsourced services (e.g. PayPal and Mailchimp) in countries outside the European Union from time to time in other aspects of our business.


1 of 1 In a large nonstick skillet, stir together nectarines, cherries, sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Simmer over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.
1 of 2 In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, chai seasoning, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in buttermilk and melted butter until a sticky dough forms.
2 of 2 Dollop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough over the simmering fruit. Cover tightly and simmer on medium-low for 25 minutes. Cool for at least 15 minutes.
1 of 2 In a large bowl, beat the cream, sugar and chai seasoning until stiff peaks form.
2 of 2 To serve, dust with confectioners sugar and spoon dumplings and fruit into individual bowls. Serve with whipped cream alongside.


Building a butterfly box is a fantastic project for any woodworker and fantastic for the atmosphere too as it protects butterflies from predators. Whether you reside in the city or country, a butterfly box is a wonderful way to attract butterflies. Hang the box about five feet above the floor on a publish or fence close to your garden or some other kind of vegetation and enjoy the show.
You can use the manual air pump that arrived with the Ural if it has the cone adapter in purchase to snugly match into a gas line's opening. I was lazy and utilized my air compressor set for 20 PSI (don't use much more!).
With a small planning and cautious environment out, dramatic stone flooring is as easy as tiling a wall. There's usually much less reducing about awkward shapes than with wall tiles and you're not fighting towards gravity. Eliminate skirting boards and doorway thresholds prior to starting work. In the setting out stages, it's important to make certain the tiles look straight from the entrance to the space. Often partitions are bowed or out of true so check your measurements in several locations alongside each wall. It expenses slightly much more but a powder combine fast-setting adhesive is the very best option for most flooring. It will attain complete power in as little as 24 hours so the rest of the develop isn't delayed.
Think about what colours and textures you want your finished item to have. This can also perform a factor in figuring out what you can anticipate to spend for your supplies. If you are not too picky and are only looking for composite railing materials that require low maintenance, then you can usually conserve some cash by purchasing some of the cheaper goods.
The last step is to assemble the components with galvanized box nails. Rather of nails you can use brass or fillers and lighting if you want. The top is connected to the back with a hinge. The hinged leading is there so you can consider a peek within at how numerous boarders you have.
There are various types of thicker much more tough flexible liners available. Flex King Professional is a double wall, easy interior liner. It cleans a lot much better than regular Flex King liners and is much more durable.
Luminox Dive Watches arrive in women styles, too. What a fantastic his and hers present for the vacations, a gift for a couple graduating dive college, or honeymooners heading to famous tropical dive areas like the Galapagos Islands.


As one of the Caribbean's most exclusive islands, St. Barths boast some of the most beautiful and luxurious private rental villas in the world. While we at WIMCO love the island's familiar favorites; the villas that are re-booked over and again each year, we are very excited to introduce the newest offerings in the WIMCO line-up. Brand new, each of these villas is unique and special in its own right; from private villas with panoramic views to spacious villas with terraces perfect for entertaining, there is something for everyone on St. Barths.
Tastefully dressed in natural tones, this villa is private while remaining close to all the attractions of St Jean. The bedroom suite is located in a separate bungalow with both indoor and outdoor showers, so you can bask in the Caribbean sun while you soak. The bright and spacious terrace is perfect for sunbathing.
Recently renovated, this stylish villa's décor is modern and bold. Set on the St. Barths' hillside, all rooms offer spectacular ocean views. Stunning sunsets can be enjoyed from the terrace surrounding the pool or from the comfortable living room. Featuring bedrooms of equal size, WV KHA is perfect for a couples' retreat or a vacation with friends.
Spacious, bright, and beachfront, this villa is situated right on the beautiful Lorient Beach. With room for 10 on the sun-drenched terrace, bright Caribbean days can be spent lazing by the pool or lounging in the white sand of beach.
In the heart of St Jean, this comfortable and contemporary villa is conveniently located near restaurants, shops, and the beach. Beautiful panoramic views can be enjoyed from all three bedrooms as well as the living room.
With lovely views, two-heated pools, a swim-up bar, and an inviting deck, WV ETY is the ultimate villa for entertaining. Invite new and old island friends for libations and Caribbean fare while the glow of the sun spreads across the deck. Styled in chic and contemporary décor, the interior is perfect for those seeking ultra-modern accommodations.
With magnificent panoramic ocean views, WV PAT offers a dazzling show throughout the day. The master bedroom features glass windows and doors on three-sides to take advantage of the stunning vistas. Lounge in the lap of utter relaxation and watch the glorious days turn to perfectly peaceful nights.
This private, Balinese-style villa is a tranquil retreat. Only 5 minutes from shops, restaurants, and Flamands Beach, WV MJP is perfect for those looking for solitude while staying close to activities. Featuring two heated pools and a lovely outdoor dining area set amidst lush gardens, Villa WV MJP perfect for families or couples.
Perched high on the hillside, this villa features bedrooms in separate pavilions, ideal for couples seeking privacy. Combining local Caribbean architecture with art from around the world, Villa WV LUM is the perfect blend of the comfortable and the contemporary.
Select the new villa that is just right for you or browse through WIMCO's selection of favorites, and plan your perfect St. Barths villa vacation.
For rates, availability, and additional photos of WIMCO's hottest new villas on St. Barths, visit WIMCO.


text:
Global Attendance At Radical Right Rallies Highlights Transnational Threat
Rallies in Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria highlight how radical right extremists from across the globe are collaborating.
by: Ariel Koch on December 6, 2021
Thousands gathered in Warsaw for an annual Independence Day march, organized by far-right groups, carrying Polish and nationalist – November 11, 2021. (Global News/YouTube)
Dr. Ariel Koch is a postdoctoral researcher at the Lauder School of Government Diplomacy and Strategy, at The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Analysis of the Radical Right (CARR). Dr. Koch's research focuses on transnational violent extremist ideologies and movements.
"Death to Jews," chanted the crowd while a man burned a book with the "Statut Kaliski" (Statute of Kalisz), a document from the Thirteenth Century that regulated the legal status of Jews in Poland. This symbolic manifestation of hate occurred at the Polish Independence Day, during a small rally in the city of Kalisz. The main rally in Warsaw was organized by the neo-fascist party National Radical Camp (Obóz Narodowo-Radykalny, ONR), and it attracted tens of thousands of nationalist groups and individuals.
Marchers in Warsaw waved Celtic Cross flags while others burned German and anti-fascist flags. The migration crisis at the Poland-Belarus border was exploited in order to attack countries who pose, according to the Polish nationalists, a threat to Poland. For example, Robert Bakiewicz, the main organizer of the rally, said that "Poland is being attacked on its eastern border by Moscow, which is using Belarus to apply pressure via migration" and that Poland is "also being attacked by Germany, which is using European institutions to take away our sovereignty."
Building a transnational movement
In recent years, such rallies have played an important role in the transnationalization of the radical right. They became one of the useful tools to gather, openly and publicly, white nationalists from around the world. For these foreign actors, local events are an opportunity to establish relations with their fellow-nationalists and to advocate for a wider (white European) identity based on shared views, concerns, and enemies. As noted in the HOPE not hate's 2021 State on Hate Report, "While activists will generally be primarily preoccupied with local or national issues, they invariably contextualize them continentally or even globally."
In light of the above, a number of questions arise: First, what annual rallies in Eastern Europe attract white nationalists from other countries, with an emphasis on Western Europe and the United States? Second, what can be learned from the participation of the radical right from Western Europe and the United States in such marches? Another interesting question is how, and where does the mobilization of the radical right in favor of participation in such events take place? – deserves a separate study and will not be addressed here.
As it seems, the main annual rallies that attract local and international radical right groups and individuals take place in Poland during the Independence Day (November 11), Hungary during the "Day of Honor," (February 11), and Bulgaria during the "Lokov March" (February 22). Although there are obvious and known differences between these countries' attitudes towards such rallies (Poland and Hungary are more illiberal than Bulgaria, which, for example, banned the Lukov March), these annual manifestations of hate continue to serve as gathering hubs for local and foreign neo-Nazis, neo-fascists and white supremacists.
Moments like these require unrelenting truthtelling. We take pride in being reader-funded. If you like our work, support our journalism.
Join our exclusive community
White supremacists from Hungary, Europe, and elsewhere attend the annual "Day of Honor" rally, organized in order to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Nazi and Hungarian forces killed by the Soviets during the 1945 Siege of Budapest. The rally was started by a now-jailed neo-Nazi named István Győrkös, who re-established the Nazi-era Arrow Cross party and founded a paramilitary militia called the Hungarian National Front (Magyar Nemzeti Arcvonal). In 1997, Győrkös popularized February 11 as the "Day of Honor," which attracted neo-Nazis from Hungary and beyond who traveled to the country to commemorate Nazi forces and their allies.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, members of the Rise Above Movement (RAM), a US-based white supremacist organization with ties overseas, attended the 2020 "Day of Honor" rally that was organized by the Hungarian branch of the neo-Nazi skinhead international network Hammerskin Nation. In this rally, a member from the German neo-Nazi party Die Recht (The Right) said that "We have the same enemies today, like we did 75 years ago […] The enemy isn't named Muller or Mayer. No, our enemy is named Rothschild or Goldman and Sachs."
The "Lukov March " has taken place in Bulgaria's capital Sofia every February 22 since 2003. It is organized by the radical right Bulgarian National Union party and like the Hungarian rally, it also attracts local and foreign neo-Nazis. The rally is dedicated to commemorating the death of Hristo Lukov, a Bulgarian pro-Nazi politician and the Minister of War from 1935 to 1938 who was assassinated by two members of the Bulgarian resistance movement in 1943. For example, in the 2018 Lukov March presented members of the German neo-Nazi party Die Rechte and members of the French Les Nationalistes, a group that has had its leader banned from the National Front in 2011 after he stated that he is "anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish."
One of the Bulgarian groups that participated in this rally was called White Front. It is a neo-Nazi group that modeled the American neo-Nazi terrorist organization Atomwaffen Division (AWD), and which had contacts with AWD members via the now-defunct Iron March forum. In 2020, the Lukov March was banned by Sophia's mayor, but it turned into a torch-lit demonstration of neo-Nazis and nationalists who placed flowers in front of Lukov's former home.
The Polish Independence Day rally on November 11, which attracts tens of thousands of people including families for the festive, was started in 2010 by the neo-fascist All Polish Youth movement, the National Movement, and the National Radical Camp (ONR), which organizes pro-Nazi events since the early 2000s. However, it was "internationalized" in the 2017 rally, as marchers waved Celtic crosses, raised banners with slogans such as "White Europe of brotherly nations," "Clean Blood," and "Deus Vult." The latter, which translates from Latin to "God wills it," was used during the First Crusade in the 11th century, and it resurged as a call for violence against Jews and Muslims by contemporary radical right extremists.
The latest rally in Warsaw was promoted on Telegram and other social media sites by white supremacists who translated the Polish invitation to the event that was produced and disseminated by Polish neo-fascists and neo-Nazis. In the rally, we can see members of the Third Position (Trzecia Droga) and members of the loose, decentralized international neo-Nazi network known as Autonomous Nationalists. Furthermore, there are indications that foreign neo-Nazis were also present in this rally. For example, at least one Spanish neo-Nazi, a member of the neo-Nazi group Bastion Frontal, traveled to Poland. participated in the rally, shared his documentation of the event on his since suspended Twitter account, and even called to follow Polish nationalists.
A screenshot from the now-suspended Twitter account of "Rodrigo Bastion," a member of the neo-Nazi group Bastion Frontal, who participated in the Warsaw march.
When nationalists are traveling overseas and attending local events, it is more than an expression of solidarity. It can be seen as a statement; a declaration that says that the local organizer is supported not only by local sympathizers, but also by foreign elements. At the same time, the foreign elements show that they are too connected to friends overseas, and that they are willing to travel far away to support them. This mutual solidarity may lead not only to mobilization to rallies, but maybe to more violent fronts.
The participation of foreign extremists in local events that were organized by local extremists from the same ideological camp raises an interesting question – if they are willing to travel overseas to participate in a rally or an event with a potential to escalate to violence – would they travel abroad to join a war overseas? This question is highly relevant due the known participation of radical right individuals and groups in the war in Ukraine, Syria, and future arenas.
This article is brought to you by the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right (CARR). Through their research, CARR intends to lead discussions on the development of radical right extremism around the world. Rantt has been partnered with CARR for 3 years. We've published over 150 articles from CARR's network of PhDs, historians, professors, and experts analyzing extremism and combating disinformation.
News // Bulgaria / CARR / Hungary / Poland / Radical Right
by: Ariel Koch
Dr. Ariel Koch is a postdoctoral researcher at the Lauder School of Government Diplomacy and Strategy, at The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Analysis of the Radical Right (CARR). Dr. Koch's research focuses on transnational violent extremist ideologies and movements.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This New Graphite Metallic 2019 Chevrolet Traverse AWD 2LT with a 3.6L V6 SIDI VVT engine and Automatic transmission is for sale at Fred Beans Chevrolet in Doylestown, PA. Contact us online or give us a call at (267) 327-4178 to have your questions answered or obtain a price quote for this vehicle. Fred Beans Chevrolet is happy to serve all Philadelphia and Bucks County residents from our Doylestown new and used car dealership.


text:
Q: Get vector's contents from class to another C++ OOP I have a file in which I create a vector. In this file I add content to the vector. I then want to be able to edit/remove contents from the vector in a different file's class. I thought inheriting would do the trick but it doesn't copy the contents. Simplified pseudo:
// parentFile.h

class parentFile {
public:
    void addPerson();
    vector <Income> person_; // Creating vector that gets variables from Income class
};

// parentFile.cpp

void parentFile::addPerson() {  // Add a person to the vector
    Income arg;
    arg.askInfo();   // Asks string name, last name, float salary
    person_.push_back(arg);    // Adding contents to vector
}

// childFile.h

class childFile : public parentFile {
public:
    void countPersons();
};

// childFile.cpp

void childFile::countPersons()  {  // I need the vector's contents here for editing.
    cout << person_.size() << endl;  // Teste case: person_ vector is empty here.
}

tl;dr problem: Contents added to vector person_; are not recognized anymore in childFile. I've been fiddling around with trying to copy the vector/polymorph/virtual functions etc. but I haven't made any progress.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Allan Kenny Wellman (Cobán, Alta Verapaz; 26 de mayo de 1954) es un exfutbolista guatemalteco. Se desempeñaba como defensa y participó en los Juegos Olímpicos de Montreal 1976 y Seúl 1988 con la Selección de Guatemala.

Trayectoria
Jugó doce temporadas para el C.S.D. Comunicaciones, haciendo su debut en 1973 y dejó al club en 1983.

Posteriormente disputó seis temporadas con Aurora F.C. Volvió con los cremas en 1989 y se quedó hasta 1991, porque regresó con Aurora y ahí se retiró.

Selección nacional
Fue internacional guatemalteco 62 veces con un gol. Compitió en los Juegos Olímpicos de 1976 y 1988, siendo eliminado en ambos casos en la primera ronda.

Hizo varias apariciones para la selección nacional de Guatemala, incluidos los de clasificación para la Copa Mundial de 1978, 1982, 1986 y 1990.

Su único gol internacional fue el 16 de noviembre de 1980 en la victoria frente a Panamá el minuto 85, marcando el 5-0 definitivo en el Estadio Mateo Flores de la Ciudad de Guatemala.

Participaciones en Juegos Olímpicos

Clubes

Palmarés

Títulos nacionales

Títulos internacionales

Referencias

Nacidos en Cobán
Futbolistas de Guatemala
Futbolistas de Guatemala en el Campeonato de Naciones de la Concacaf 1977
Futbolistas de Guatemala en el Campeonato de Naciones de la Concacaf 1985
Futbolistas de Guatemala en el Campeonato de Naciones de la Concacaf 1989
Futbolistas de la selección de fútbol de Guatemala en los años 1970
Futbolistas de la selección de fútbol de Guatemala en los años 1980
Futbolistas de Guatemala en los Juegos Olímpicos de Montreal 1976
Futbolistas de Guatemala en los Juegos Olímpicos de Seúl 1988
Futbolistas del Comunicaciones Fútbol Club en los años 1970
Futbolistas del Comunicaciones Fútbol Club en los años 1980
Futbolistas del Comunicaciones Fútbol Club en los años 1990
Futbolistas del Aurora Fútbol Club
Defensas de fútbol

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Key Learnings Following the Ransomware Attack on Irish Healthcare
Laetitia Lagneau
By Louise O' Sullivan, ICT Security Services Manager at HEAnet; Ireland's National Education and Research Network
In May 2021, Ireland was subjected to an unprecedented ransomware attack on its full healthcare system. The HSE (Health Service Executive) systems were targeted with Conti ransomware which saw many of the HSE's systems encrypted. This type of ransomware is designed to be operated by an attacker, rather than through an automated process. It is thought the attack originated from a phishing email.
This attack caused significant levels of disruption for the HSE necessitating many hospitals having to revert to pen and paper, with the majority of appointments being cancelled. It was reported that there is the potential that patient, staff or administrative data was compromised. It should be noted that no ransom was paid and a week after the initial attack the decryption key was provided. As the attack was so large the NCSC of Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the army were involved in the response.
As this attack affected so many people within Ireland, cybersecurity became the new topic of conversation, even more so as this attack was happening during the current COVID-19 pandemic. We at HEAnet found our clients requirements for awareness training on ransomware increase drastically within the months that followed.
Following this attack, the ICT Security Services team at HEAnet observed the following key learnings:
Continued Security Awareness Training using real-life examples relevant to the industry you work in really informs the attendees.
It is imperative to know what phishing emails are and the key elements that will identify this type of email. This is one of the main ways in which ransomware enters an organisation.
Ransomware playbook
The importance of implementing an incident response plan including a ransomware playbook. This playbook is a valuable resource as it will determine the steps to follow in the attempt to recover any affected system of ransomware.
Understanding ransomware
It is also extremely important for any institution to understand how ransomware can enter a network. Below is an outline of the common approach a ransomware attack may take.
Distribution Campaign
Attackers use techniques like phishing emails and weaponised websites to trick or force users to download a dropper which is the beginning of the infection.
Malicious Code Infection
The dropper contacts the attacker's malicious site and downloads an executable that installs the ransomware itself.
Malicious Payload Staging
The ransomware sets itself up, it does this by embedding itself in the system.
The ransomware searches for content to encrypt, both on the local computer and any accessible network resources.
Files are encrypted, the ransomware typically attacks backup files and folders so that they cannot be used to recover the data.
A ransom note is generated, the victim would receive instructions on how to pay the ransom (usually in bitcoin). Victims are usually given a few days to pay the ransom after which the price will increase.
https://www.exabeam.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Exabeam_Ransomware_Threat_Report_Final.pdf
Based on our observations, the ICT Security Service at HEAnet has now included more information around ransomware and its prevention in Security Awareness Training. The service is also currently holding a number of workshops on ransomware from a technical perspective.
To conclude, the healthcare system ransomware attack in Ireland has brought immense focus on cybersecurity not only for the government but all businesses, colleges and organisations within Ireland. It highlights the need for us to try and work in a more proactive capacity rather than a reactive approach to cybersecurity and its threats.
Other References:
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/hse-cyberattack-explainer-conti-ransomware
https://www.thejournal.ie/hse-ransomware-attack-2-5440082-May2021/
Louise O'Sullivan
Louise is the ICT Security Services Manager at HEAnet; Ireland's National Education and Research Network for the past four years. She holds both a degree and Masters from NUI, Galway and is a certified CISA auditor and Lead ISMS Implementer. Her background is primarily in IT Audit, Security consulting and Cyber Security working in companies including Deloitte, AON and PwC.
Also this year GÉANT joins the European Cyber Security Month, with the 'Cyber Hero @ Home' campaign. Read articles from cyber security experts within our community and download resources from our awareness package on https://connect.geant.org/csm2021
Tagscyber security CyberHeroAtHome CyberSecMonth HEAnet
Dedicated high-speed connectivity for the Moroccan R&E communities under AfricaConnect3
Be aware of cybercrime & be alert…


Deconstructed Egg Roll – the great flavors of an egg roll without all the carbs!
I love the taste of egg rolls – those delicious Chinese snacks filled with shredded vegetables and meat, wrapped in dough, and deep-fried to crunchy perfection. What's not to like? Well, perhaps the wrapper that is made of wheat flour and the fact that it is deep-fried. In order to still enjoy the tasty combination of flavors, I have recreated the egg roll in a de-constructed form, omitting the wrapper and the need for hot oil for frying. Instead of being just a snack, this Deconstructed Egg Roll is a meal. Think of it as an egg roll in a bowl!
I begin making my deconstructed egg rolls by browning sausage in a large, non-stick skillet.
I drain any excess oil from my pan and then I add 3-4 garlic cloves. I like to buy the cloves that are already peeled. I place them one at a time in my garlic press and squeeze them out over the pan of sausage.
I stir fry the garlic for a minute or two with the sausage. Then I add pre-cut coleslaw mix. If you are so inclined, you could finely shred a head of cabbage and toss in some shredded carrots. I like to take short-cuts when possible. Just toss the veggies on top of the sausage.
. I just sprinkle about 2 teaspoons on top of the veggies and stir. (You could take the time to peel, chop, and grate ginger if you'd like.) This is one pretty neat product. One tablespoon of ginger juice is the same as 1 tablespoon of grated ginger or 1 teaspoon of ground ginger. A bonus is that it is organic.
on top of the veggies. (You could substitute soy sauce if you'd like.) I stir-fry everything together until the vegetables have wilted.
It really is a simple meal that is gluten-free and reminiscent of a traditional egg roll.
Brown sausage in a large, non-stick skillet until no longer pink. Drain grease.
Press garlic cloves over sausage and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.
Add coleslaw mix. Add ginger juice and coconut aminos.
Stir fry until vegetables have wilted.
I never thought about deconstructing an egg roll before I will have to give this a try.


text:
PHLEARN MagazineCrash Landed: How Ken Hermann Portrayed an Astronaut's Return to Earth
How They Got the Shot
Crash Landed: How Ken Hermann Portrayed an Astronaut's Return to Earth
By: Jessi Gowan How They Got the Shot January 25, 2019
Copenhagen-based freelance advertising photographer Ken Hermann aims to create beautiful artwork that makes people think – and with his project, Crash Landed, he's been able to do exactly that.
The series depicts an astronaut returning to Earth, trying to readapt to everyday life. While the images are whimsical and surreal, they also evoke a very human feeling of isolation. To achieve this specific look, Ken invested a significant amount of time planning each aspect of the shoots.
"The idea was to make him look like he just (crash) landed from his spaceship," Ken says. "We spent the first couple of hours setting up the light and getting the model/spaceman in the right position."
The setting for each shot was carefully scouted ahead of time, chosen to combine with cinematic lighting to build the particular environment Ken was hoping to capture. For the initial landing shot, Ken decided to have his astronaut fall back to Earth in a gritty, industrial area.
"The location is the old part of the meat packing district in Copenhagen, which was a perfect fit with this kind of old alleyway feel to it," he says. "I wanted it to be timeless and avoid cars, bikes, and stuff that would give too much away."
Using a Phase One +45 medium format camera and lighting provided by Broncolor, Ken set about capturing his astronaut's arrival back on his home planet. Using artificial lighting combined with the natural light already available in the space allowed Ken to create the otherworldly, dreamlike atmosphere of the series – which he shot with a Schneider LS 55mm f/2.8 lens, set to an aperture of f/8, ISO50, and shutter speed of 1/60.
The final image, however, is a composite of several shots. Ken used Capture One to convert the RAW files, and did his post-processing work using Adobe Photoshop.
"First, I was creating the perfect light on the spaceman, and then creating the environment after," Ken says. "On the actual shooting day, there was a big, red van parked in the location, so we had to come back a few days later to shoot the background, and combine everything in post."
The end result is a dramatic image that showcases the rough transition the astronaut experiences as he crashes back down to Earth – both physically and mentally. Ken's approach to photography typically sees him weaving cultural and political content into his artistic compositions, and the Crash Landed project is no different.
"For me, it's very important that the look is very atmospheric and cinematic, and looks professional," Ken says. "I want to create beautiful images, but also something that wakes people's curiosity and makes them think."
Ken's photography explores the connections between people and their environment, portraying everyday life through filters of imagination and creativity. To see more of his work, visit his website or Instagram.


Summary: Superhero BATCHman restores NTFS security permissions using Windows PowerShell.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Well, it is time once again for BATCHman. This time, it is Episode 12. Take it away, Sean.
The one and only .NET duo—BATCHman and Cmdlet.
Summary: Windows PowerShell superhero BATCHman writes a script to automate the Sysinternals Handle tool.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Today, we continue the BATCHman series as the titular hero battles Tapeworm.
The one and only .NET Duo—BATCHman and Cmdlet!
Summary: Windows PowerShell superhero BATCHman uses regular expressions to parse output from handle.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Today we have Episode 10 of the BATCHman series.
Summary: BATCHman shows how to use Windows PowerShell to locate and unlock user accounts in Active Directory.
Summary: BATCHman battles The Consultant and uses Windows PowerShell to manage Office 365 easily.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Sean Kearney brings us Episode 8 of the BATCHman series today.
Summary: Windows PowerShell superhero BATCHman quickly imports CSV data into his SQL Server.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Sean Kearney is back today with Episode 6 of the BATCHman series.
Note You can read all gripping, engaging, informative, and downright funny BATCHman episodes.
Summary: In this episode, superhero BATCHman foils the fowl villain Ping Win and repairs the registry.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Today is Episode 5 of the BATCHman series by Sean Kearney.
Summary: In this exciting episode, BATCHman uses Windows PowerShell and regular expressions to thwart the evil Dr. Regex and save the monkeys.
Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Sean Kearney is back with us for three more episodes of the thrilling BATCHman series.
Summary: In today's gripping episode, BATCHman squares off with the Distractful Poker and recovers items deleted from Active Directory Domain Services using Windows PowerShell.
Microsoft Scripting Guy Ed Wilson here. Windows PowerShell MVP Sean Kearney is with us again today with part 3 of the BATCHman series.


This is the moment when you close your eyes to see and feel more. My characters often are with closed eyes, as if descended into themselves. Sometimes I even paint the little dragonfly with closed eyes… It seems she wants to run away for a while from my concentrated look. This girl is the second picture drawn in the sphere. I enjoy drawing such kind of mandalas non-mandalas and maybe there will be more of them. As if I am looking into the world through focused binoculars, and you can see better when your eyes are closed.
VILNIUS and once again Vilnius. The more small streets land on my drawings the closer the city becomes to me. My hometown.. and how many cozy corners are still waiting to be penciled!
I have been drawing VILNIUS for so many times… And every time I wander its small streets otherwise.
Now, living again in the embrace of nature, I am the real adeptus of plants. I forget the time wading in the meadows, squatting down beside little plans, I absorb their forms, I learn to be the flower in the meadow: to live, to bloom, to mature myself, to seed and… to disappear, respectfully and humbly letting the nearby plant to bloom.


text:
PM shamed into disciplining close ally accused of groping
July 1, 2022 by admin 0 Comments
Pincher: the name sounds like a character from a Jeffrey Archer novel or the TV drama House of Cards.
There have also been, inevitably, some wry smiles and giggles among MPs about the former deputy chief whip's unusual surname and the groping allegations against him.
But in all seriousness, as Mr Pincher faces up to his humiliation, the reality is that Boris Johnson has been shamed into disciplining a close ally after a clamour for action from senior Tory MPs, led by two female former ministers.
Politics Hub: Boris Johnson agrees to withdraw whip from Tory MP after 'drunken groping' claims
We've grown used to spectacular U-turns by the prime minister. But the belated decision to withdraw the Tory whip from Mr Pincher after initial defiance was inevitable and predictable.
At noon, the PM's spokesman denied that Mr Johnson had been warned about Mr Pincher's conduct when he appointed him to the key post of deputy chief whip back in February.
Really? In 2017, at the height of the so-called "Pestminster" scandal, Mr Pincher had been forced to resign from the whips' office after an accuser – a former Olympic rower – claimed he behaved like a "pound shop Harvey Weinstein".
He got the job of deputy chief whip in the February reshuffle this year as a reward for his key role in the so-called "Operation Save Big Dog", seeing off opposition to the PM from Tory MPs at the height of the partygate scandal.
And after protests led by ex-ministers Caroline Nokes and Karen Bradley, who chair Commons select committees, the inevitable Downing Street U-turn came at 5pm, just five hours after the initial Number 10 defiance.
The official reason given for the climbdown was that a formal complaint about Mr Pincher had now been made to the Commons authorities.
Ex Tory MP: Double standards over Pincher
Some will say Mr Pincher is fortunate that the police haven't been asked to investigate. Yet. That could happen.
The investigation will be carried out by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), set up in 2018 following "Pestminster".
Its main job has been to tackle MPs' sexual misconduct, though its remit also includes bullying and harassment allegations.
But the inevitable climbdown won't spare Mr Johnson from claims that his judgement has once again been shown to be deeply flawed and that yet again he has been irresponsibly lenient towards a mate, ally or crony accused of wrongdoing.
Remember Owen Paterson and Matt Hancock. First came defiance from the PM, then the inevitable retreat after a furious political and public backlash.
In a delicious irony, Neil Parish, the former Devon MP who was ruthlessly booted out of Parliament after watching porn on his mobile phone in the Commons chamber, has accused the prime minister of double standards when it came to Mr Pincher.
The PM's critics will claim that once again Mr Johnson wanted to see if he could brazenly get away with defending his friend Mr Pincher, but after just a few short hours realised he had to bow to the inevitable.
Those critics will also claim Mr Johnson's attempt to cling on to Mr Pincher as a Tory MP was always doomed to failure and raises further questions about his fitness for office, lack of integrity and contempt for rules and proper conduct.
The PM's supporters, however, claim he took soundings from MPs during the day and when he heard about the official complaint to the ICGS acted properly and took the right course of action.
Mr Pincher's replacement is another Johnson loyalist, Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood in Kent, who was previously a whip, then a junior minister.
Some Tory MPs fear the whole Pincher fiasco could be more damaging than partygate for the PM. It confirms his blind devotion to mates, terrible judgement and lack of ethics, his critics claim.
Boris Johnson is almost certainly a more colourful and controversial personality than any character in a political novel or TV drama.
And now an official investigation into the accusations against Mr Pincher are under way, this story is far from over.
Nadhim Zahawi : 'It's obvious Zahawi can't stay on' – Labour leader
USMNT turn eye to next generation as Brandon Vazquez, Cade Cowell shine in Serbia loss


Beat2Death and Catchfire like this.
Sounds awesome but i would need to nix the berries.
Not in the macros right now.
Don't Let The Post Count Fool You!
i've been sipping on chocolate protein in the coconut water/almond milk mix. its pretty declicious on its own. i'd imagine some mango and blueberry tossed in would be awesome too but i dont own a blender.
cant taste the avocado really. It adds creaminess and healthy fats but thats it.
I can't imagine how it tastes.Anybody then already prepared it?
Is it possible to add strawberry? And what taste it will be in this combination?


The surgical support staff at Midwest Bariatric Solutions shares a common goal in their enthusiasm and commitment for treating morbidly obese patients. Whether it is responding e to pre and post-op questions or providing emotional support, the surgical team assists patients through the entire process.
Jeffrey S. Burkett, M.D., F.A.C.S.


During your time at RPI, you'll undoubtedly meet a lot of new faces that will aid you in learning and growing as a person. As part of the Clustered Learning, Advocacy, and Support for Students initiative, assistant deans have been selected to live in certain residence halls on campus for students to go to whenever they need help of any kind. Below are short profiles of some of the people you might be living with; use them as brief introductions to get to know them a little bit better.
If she could be any kind of fruit: I'd be a blueberry, because blueberries are sweet and they're from Maine.
What she looks forward to doing as an assistant dean: "I'm big on programs—hosting and going to them," Mogul remarked on doing fun programs for her residents.
What she looks forward to doing as an assistant dean: "Being here in the beginning of the year for everything," as Gleason was not around to see the start of the school year in 2009.
Dear 2014: Do work. Rock on.
Comments Off on Dear 2014: Do work. Rock on.


text:
Q: Visual Studio Code - Not able to upload nuget packge that is created locally on my computer So I have written two programs(Main program and Calculatorlib) on Visual Studio Code where I have created package locally for one of the programs(Caluclatorlib)by using the command dotnet pack.
The package Calculatorlib_package.3.0.0.nupkg is created locally.
However I want to upload this package on visual studio code from my local computer so that I can give Package Reference to Main program.
I don't see any options to upload this on visual studio code.
But in Visual studio I see there is an option called "Manage Nuget packages" where we can go and upload locally created packages.
Can someone guide me how to do this?

A: Try adding your local package location as a Nuget package source. You should be able to add a Nuget package source using the package configuration , and add the location of the directory when you have the Nuget package locally.


This summer, it's coming back with a $60 price point — and Nintendo should be able to keep up with demand. Hopefully.
The updated classic console features 30 classic Nintendo games including such gems as Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Pac-Man, Punch-Out and Tecmo Bowl.
Here's a refresher on the original Legend of Zelda!!


text:
Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 3/14
Thread: Thursday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 3/14
Odds to win the NIT (seriously, you can bet on this already)
10-1— Butler
15-1— Clemson, Georgetown, Xavier
20-1— Belmont, Creighton, Davidson, Furman, Lipscomb, San Francisco
25-1— Arizona, Oregon, Oregon St, South Dakota St, Temple
30-1— Alabama, Arizona St, Dayton, Florida, Texas, Washington
50-1— Arkansas, Cal-Irvine, Colorado, Fresno St, Loyola, Minnesota, ODU, St John's
Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……
13) I'm not a New Jersey Giants' fan, I'm a Ram fan who spends way too much time handicapping sports. Not really sure what the Giants are thinking when they trade Odell Beckham but keep their 38-year old QB. They also dumped Vernon/Collins, so their defense has been depleted.
Peter King wrote that the Giants "…..are an expansion team with a 38-year old QB."
Better hit a home run with those two draft picks they got from Cleveland. Giants have three of the first 37 picks in the draft, so there is opportunity there.
In fairness to the Giants, the last two Decembers, Beckham played one game, and caught three passes for 35 yards in that game. I'm not saying what they did was wrong, I'm just saying that what they're doing confuses me. Why not go young at quarterback, too?
This is the first time since 1984 the Giants have two 1st-round picks in a draft. That year, they took LB Carl Banks and OL William Roberts.
12) Westgate SuperBook dropped Cleveland from 25-1 to 14-1 to win the Super Bowl; William Hill books lowered them from 25-1 to 18-1.
Giants went from 40-1 to 80-1 to win the Super Bowl, which seems a bit excessive. Maybe it is more accurate to say that 40-1 was too low to begin with.
11) Le'Veon Bell gets $52.5M, four years from the Jets. I'm curious how many of these contracts are affecting the NFL's primetime schedule for this coming season.
Terrell Suggs played 16 years for the Ravens but is now on Arizona; that would be an interesting Monday night game.
Do the Steelers play the Jets this year?
Earl Thomas signed with the Ravens Wednesday; another potential 2019 primetime matchup.
10) No matter what, the NFL continues their amazing ability to stay in the headlines 12 months a year. After the NCAA's, the NFL schedule will come out next month, then the draft is late next month. Always something going on.
9) Iona has won the MAAC tournament four years in a row; here is how they did in the NCAA's the last three years:
— 2018, lost 89-67 to Duke (+20)
— 2017, lost 93-77 to Oregon (+15.5)
— 2016, lost 94-81 to Iowa State (+7.5)
Something tells me the Gaels might be heading to Dayton next week.
8) Saint Mary's 60, Gonzaga 47— After the brackets come out Sunday night, it'll be fun to try and figure out which team got KO'd from the tournament because Saint Mary's won this game. Gonzaga hadn't lost a conference tournament game since 2012.
7) William & Mary fired coach Tony Shaver Wednesday; the Tribe has never made the NCAA tournament, which is obviously a sticking point, but the last six years, W&M was 64-42 in CAA games, with all six seasons above .500 in conference play.
Last six years, Tribe was 6-6 in CAA tourney, losing in finals in both 2014, 2015- they lost to Delaware by a point in '14. There is no guarantee the new coach will be a better coach than Shaver— JMU fired Matt Brady three years ago and is 19-35 in CAA games since then.
6) Was odd seeing Magic Johnson at the OVC tournament, watching Ja Morant play; you don't expect to see an NBA legend courtside when you're watching a Belmont-Murray State game. Magic was at the ACC tournament in Charlotte Wednesday.
5) NC State 59, Clemson 58— Tigers led by 18, but lost; they're 18-13, and probably headed to the NIT. Here are some of the reasons they didn't win 20 games:
— Nov 26, lost 68-66 to Nebraska
— Jan 26, lost 69-67 at NC State
— Feb 13, lost 65-64 at Miami
— Feb 16, lost 56-55 at Louisville
— March 2, lost 81-79 to North Carolina
— March 13, lost 59-58 to NC State
4) Ted Valentine did the Clemson-NC State noon game in Charlotte; wouldn't have been the least bit surprised if he had showed up somewhere else on TV, reffing a night game. When was last time a ref worked two games in the same day? Has it ever happened at that level?
3) Big Sky tournament: 3-point shooting decided the first two games:
— Saacramento State 72, Northern Arizona 60— Hornets were 12-20 on the arc.
— Southern Utah 94, Idaho State 80— Thunderbirds were 11-15 on the arc.
2) West Virginia 72, Oklahoma 71— Kid on Oklahoma swished what looked like a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but his toes were on the line, so it was only a 2-point shot and the Sooners head to the bubble- their next four days will be agonizing, waiting to hear their fate Sunday.
1) Cleveland Browns were going to sign WR Breshad Perriman, but when they traded for Beckham, that ship sailed, so Perriman signed a one-year, $4M deal with Tampa Bay instead.
Cleveland lost three of its last four games but since All-Star break, they're 7-3 vs spread. Six of their last nine games went over. Orlando lost four of its last five games; they're 6-7 vs spread if they played night before, 3-4 on road. Seven of their last nine games stayed under. Cavaliers are 5-3 in their last eight games with the Magic; they're 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits to Orlando. Five of last six series games stayed under.
Oklahoma City won three of its last four games; they're 3-5-1 vs spread if they played night before. Under is 8-2 in their last ten games. Indiana lost five of its last eight games; they're 7-3 vs spread in last ten home games. Last four Pacer games stayed under. Thunder/Pacers split their last ten meetings; is 3-2 vs spread in its last five visits to Indiana. Last three series games stayed under the total.
Sacramento lost five of its last seven games; they're 5-3 vs spread in last eight road games. Seven of their last eight games stayed under. Boston won four of its last six games; they're 2-4 vs spread in last six home games. Six of their last eight games stayed under. Celtics won eight of last nine games with Sacramento; four of last five series games went under. Kings are 1-3 vs spread in their last four visits to Boston.
Lakers lost 14 of their last 20 games; they're 1-5 vs spread in last six road games. Over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Raptors lost three of their last five games; they're 1-6 vs spread in last seven home games. Three of their last four home games stayed under. Lakers lost their last eight games with Toronto; they're 2-3 vs spread in their last five visits to Canada. Six of last eight series games stayed under.
Minnesota won three of its last five games; they're 0-5 vs spread in last five road games. Seven of their last eight games went over. Utah lost three of its last five games; they're 0-4 vs spread at home if they played night before. Six of their last eight games stayed under. Wolves lost two of three games with Utah this season, with average total of 217.7 in those games, two of which stayed under the total.
Dallas lost six in row, 11 of last 12 games; Mavericks are 1-5 vs spread in last six road games. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Denver lost four of its last six games; they're 9-3 vs spread in last dozen home games. Under is 10-1-1 in their last dozen games. Dallas lost twice to the Nuggets this year, by 8-10 points (over 1-1).
CLEVELAND (17 - 51) at ORLANDO (31 - 38) - 3/14/2019, 7:05 PM
ORLANDO is 5-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 6-3 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (42 - 26) at INDIANA (43 - 25) - 3/14/2019, 7:05 PM
INDIANA is 85-70 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 47-33 ATS (+10.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 175-136 ATS (+25.4 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 2-2 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (33 - 33) at BOSTON (41 - 27) - 3/14/2019, 7:35 PM
BOSTON is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS (31 - 36) at TORONTO (48 - 20) - 3/14/2019, 8:05 PM
LA LAKERS are 26-39 ATS (-16.9 Units) in all games this season.
LA LAKERS are 23-34 ATS (-14.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 220 this season.
LA LAKERS are 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in non-conference games this season.
LA LAKERS are 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) after scoring 115 points or more this season.
LA LAKERS are 21-30 ATS (-12.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 21-32 ATS (-14.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
TORONTO is 150-189 ATS (-57.9 Units) in March games since 1996.
TORONTO is 21-30 ATS (-12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
TORONTO is 5-0 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-0 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (32 - 36) at UTAH (38 - 29) - 3/14/2019, 9:05 PM
MINNESOTA is 6-5 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-4 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (27 - 40) at DENVER (44 - 22) - 3/14/2019, 10:35 PM
DENVER is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in home games this season.
DENVER is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more this season.
DALLAS is 38-29 ATS (+6.1 Units) in all games this season.
DALLAS is 58-44 ATS (+9.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 519-441 ATS (+33.9 Units) in road games since 1996.
DALLAS is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DALLAS is 50-34 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
DENVER is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 5-5 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 7-3 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oklahoma City's last 10 games
Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Oklahoma City's last 25 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Indiana
Oklahoma City is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Oklahoma City's last 15 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Indiana's last 25 games at home
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Indiana's last 25 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Indiana's last 15 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland's last 9 games
Cleveland is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Cleveland is 18-6 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Orlando
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Cleveland is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Orlando
Cleveland is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Cleveland is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cleveland's last 12 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Orlando is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games at home
Orlando is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 6-18 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 3-20 SU in its last 23 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Orlando is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando's last 12 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Sacramento is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games
Sacramento is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games on the road
Sacramento is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Boston
Sacramento is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing Boston
Sacramento is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Sacramento's last 18 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games at home
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Boston is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Sacramento
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Boston's last 18 games when playing at home against Sacramento
LA Lakers is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games
LA Lakers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
LA Lakers is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Lakers's last 12 games on the road
LA Lakers is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
LA Lakers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Lakers's last 8 games when playing Toronto
LA Lakers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
LA Lakers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Lakers's last 11 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Toronto is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games at home
Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Utah
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
Minnesota is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Minnesota's last 22 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Utah's last 24 games at home
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Utah is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Utah's last 22 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Dallas is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Denver is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
Denver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Denver's last 9 games
Denver is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Denver is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home
Denver is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
559 CLEVELAND -560 ORLANDO
ORLANDO is 10-25 ATS (-17.5 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 in the last 3 seasons.
563 SACRAMENTO -564 BOSTON
BOSTON is 42-20 ATS (20 Units) in home games versus good passing teams, averaging >=23 assists/game in the last 3 seasons.
565 LA LAKERS -566 TORONTO
TORONTO is 221-285 ATS (-92.5 Units) versus teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
567 MINNESOTA -568 UTAH
UTAH is 19-39 ATS (-23.9 Units) when playing their 3rd game in 4 days in the last 3 seasons.
569 DALLAS -570 DENVER
DENVER is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more in the current season.
Common sense is not so common.
"You can have everything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want out of life." Zig Ziglar
Sagarin NCAAB Rankings
Cerca Trova
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
"a soft answer turns away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1)
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
E-mail: BettorsChat@comcast.net
Originally Posted by BettorsChat
You're moving fast this morning! Thanks, BC!
Dallas @ Denver
Minnesota @ Utah
LA Lakers @ Toronto
Sacramento @ Boston
Oklahoma City @ Indiana
Cleveland @ Orlando
Inside the Paint - Thursday
March Madness will continue to take catch most of the headlines over the next few weeks but the NBA doesn't stop the daily grind. Favorites kept their momentum going last nigh with a 4-2 record both straight up and against the spread. Since Monday, the 'chalk' has gone 15-4 SU and 13-6 versus the number. The 'under' posted a 5-1 record last night and is 12-7 in the last three days.
We've got another six games on tap tonight and below is my quick handicap.
Two tough games to handicap here as a pair of Pacific Division clubs likely to miss the postseason are catching points against two Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference contenders.
Sacramento (33-33 SU, 38-36-2 ATS) at Boston (41-27 SU, 33-33-2 ATS): The Celtics (-8) are laying a healthy number to the Kings and the pair just met on Mar. 6 and Boston captured a 111-109 win as a two-point home favorite without the services of All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. The first game back from a long road trip is never easy and Boston faces that spot after going 3-1 on the West Coast, which ended with a 140-115 loss to the Clippers on Monday. The Kings have been a great surprise this season but you can see that they're clearly out of gas and key injuries have hurt the team down the stretch. In the second half, Sacramento has gone 3-6 SU and 4-4-1 ATS and two of the wins came against the lowly New York Knicks. The total (228 ½) seems a little high knowing Sacramento is on a 7-2 'under' run and Boston's first three games at home since the All-Star break have all gone 'under' and the offense only averaged 101 points per game in those contests.
L.A. Lakers (31-36 SU, 36-39-2 ATS) at Toronto (48-20 SU, 28-39-1 ATS): The Lakers snapped their five-game losing skid on Tuesday with a 123-107 win over the Bulls as two-point road favorites. Expecting Los Angeles to win two straight would certainly be a reach, knowing it hasn't done so since Jan. 17. Making a case to back Toronto after it just dropped a 126-101 loss at Cleveland on Monday as an 8 ½-point doesn't seem like a sound decision either. The Raptors have won eight straight against the Lakers and they've covered seven of those wins. The pair met at the Staples Center on Nov. 4 and Toronto blasted Los Angeles 121-107 when the Lakers were at full strength. TNT will provide national coverage of this game at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Back-to-Back Spots
Three teams will be playing on no rest tonight and two of them are coming off road wins. Along with looking at their production when facing back-to-back spots, I provide some angles and trends to watch as well plus expert Tony Mejia jumps in on the non-conference matchup between OKC and Indiana.
Orlando (4-8 SU, 5-6-1 ATS, 9-3 O/U) vs. Cleveland: The Magic have alternated losses and wins in their last four games on no rest, and the most recent setback came in a 107-93 decision at Cleveland on Mar. 3 as a six-point road favorite. They've been better at home in back-to-back situations, going 3-2 SU and 2-2-1 ATS. Orlando is losing its grip on the playoff chase, losers in four of its last five and that includes a 100-90 loss at Washington last night. I thought the line was short (Magic -7 ½) and certainly would back the squad that's spiraling out of control plus the Cavaliers have gone 7-3 ATS in the second-half.
Oklahoma City (6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS, 3-6-1 O/U) at Indiana: The Thunder have only played two road games on no rest and it's gone 1-1 in those games, which includes a Mar. 8 loss at the L.A. Clippers, 118-110. Oklahoma City rallied past Brooklyn 108-96 last night as a seven-point home favorite and they trailed that game by 10 at halftime. Mejia weighed in on their quick trip to Indiana, and focuses on a former Pacers All-Star.
"Paul George returning to Indiana as a visiting player is still a big deal even though he's now done it once before, but I'm more interested in how he shoots it rather than how much he's booed. He got off to a slow start in Wednesday's win over Brooklyn and was icing his left shoulder after feeling the effects of the right shoulder soreness that led to a 3-game absence, leading to a shooting slump that had seen him shoot less than 30 percent over his previous four games. George finally found a rhythm and hit a flurry of 3-pointers to help swing the game in the Thunder's favor and finished 9-for-18 from the field, finishing with 25 points in a 108-96 over the Nets. George shot 3-for-14 in his return to Banker's Life Fieldhouse last season but still contributed to OKC's 100-95 with his defense and the attention he commands. He could be in a similar situation here on the second night of a back-to-back if soreness develops. The 'under' has prevailed in eight of the last 10 games involving the Thunder," said Mejia.
Utah (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS, 7-4 O/U) vs. Minnesota: The Jazz have won two straight and four of their last five contests played on no rest and that includes a 2-1 record at Salt Lake City, both coming against non-playoff teams in the Bulls and Mavericks. Similar to OKC, the Jazz had a strong finish last night and defeated Phoenix 114-97 as an 8 ½-point road favorite. The Timberwolves have gone 2-6 ATS in their last eight games and the defense has been an absolute mess on the road recently. Minnesota is allowing 128 PPG in its last seven road and that's led to a 1-6 record. Not surprisingly, the 'over' has gone 6-1 in those games. The Jazz are 2-1 both SU and ATS this season versus the T-Wolves and they scored 125 in both of their victories.
Late-Night in Denver
Dallas (27-40 SU, 37-29-1 ATS) and Denver (44-22 SU, 36-30 ATS) will wrap up Thursday's action in a nationally televised game on TNT at 10:35 p.m. ET.
"Luka Doncic is trying to play through a knee sprain and has a number of other ailments affecting him, including a slight case of the yips at the free-throw line given his performance against the Spurs. Considering playing in Denver is never easy and the Slovenian rookie star shot just 5-for-15 in a 126-118 loss in his first performance there back on Dec. 18, the Mavericks may give the night off or limit his minutes since they don't play again until Saturday. Not having Doncic around to play offensive catalyst would significantly impact Dallas' ability to challenge a Nuggets team that is taking full advantage of finally being at full strength. Although they've lost at the Spurs and Warriors this month, the Northwest Division leaders have beaten the Lakers and Timberwolves by a combined 42 points in their last two wins," added Mejia.
Denver has been a beast at home (28-6 SU, 23-11 ATS) this season and it's laying a big price tonight as an 11-point favorite. While Dallas has been competitive at home, especially for bettors, they've been hit or miss on the road (6-27 SU, 16-17 ATS).
The Nuggets have won and covered both meetings against Dallas this season, which includes a 126-118 win on Dec. 18 as a 4 ½-point home favorite. Including that result, the Mavericks have dropped five straight games (2-3 ATS) at the Pepsi Center but only one of the losses came by more than 11 points.
Denver snapped an 8-0 'under' run on Tuesday in its 133-107 win over Minnesota as the 'over' connected (227) late. The Dallas offense (100.8 PPG) hasn't been great lately and that production has led to a 5-2 'under' run in its last seven games. Tonight's total is hovering around 220 points.
Hoop Trends - Thursday
Vince Akins
ATS Play ON Trend of the Day:
The Kings are 11-0 ATS (10.36 ppg) on the road with rest coming off a loss as a road dog.
ATS Play AGAINST Trend of the Day:
The Cavaliers are 0-12-1 ATS (-10.69 ppg) on the road with rest after a game as a road dog in which they shot under 40% from the field.
OU Play OVER Trend of the Day:
The Cavaliers are 9-0 OU (10.89 ppg) off a game as a dog in which they scored a least 18 fast break points.
OU Play UNDER Trend of the Day:
The Mavericks are 0-11 OU (-11.55 ppg) coming off a loss in a home game in which they had less than 15% of their points from free throws
« Wednesday's College Basketball Picks 3-13-19 | Thursday's NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 3/14 »


Linux "Tips" and the websites that publish them.
An article caught by an "aggregator" site caught my eye the other day: The "EFY Times" published an article of reader-submitted "tips" entitled "20 Linux Tips Worth Trying". Now, being someone who is interested in all the "tips" I can get, I read the article. And regretted it.
It appears that the "EFY Times" was lazy. They didn't vet the "tips" at all. Instead of a list of dependable, well-understood tips, the article contained a lot of poorly selected, side-effect-ridden, and just plain sloppy suggestions from (apparently) self-taught linux users.
Read more about Linux "Tips" and the websites that publish them.
Recently, something went drastically wrong with my KDE 3.5 desktop (yes, I still use KDE 3.5). Long story short, KDE 3.5 now has problems creating content in .directory files. It will sometimes create the file, but leave it empty (0 bytes written). If such an empty .directory file is encountered by Konqueror, or any of the KDE directory selection tools (for example, a file open dialog), it immediately hangs the application.


text:
Speeding bus kills three in Faisalabad, locals torture drive
FAISALABAD: A speeding bus on Wednesday crushed three people to death while injured as many as two on Sargodha Road due to which enraged protesters, following the accident, demonstrated protest and tortured the driver.
According to the details, a bus rammed a car due to over-speeding and killed at least three people who were standing along the roadside.
The two ill-fated injured persons have been shifted to Allied Hospital for treatment. The hospital sources said that both the patients are in dangerous condition. A heavy contingent of police reached the scene after learning about the news however, enraged protesters refused to hand over the driver.
The families of the killed put bodies on road and blocked it for all kinds of traffic. Protesters broke window panes of the bus. The police said that the accident was caused due to over-speeding. DNA
Bosan requests PM to stop plan of housing society on NARC land


Come live the Whidbey lifestyle in this beach community offering an indoor pool, boat launch, tennis & basketball courts, picnic area, & clubhouse. Situated on a double lot with views of Mt. Rainer and the Sound. This 2-bdrm home features kitchens and living rooms on both levels, separate entry, open floor concept, add'l guest rooms, and office. Entertain or relax on your view deck. Detached shop w/10' ceilings and 220V to accommodate your needs.


text:
Q: NPM Install Incorrect or missing password Error I am following Strapi's quick start guide to create strapi project. After running this command npx create-strapi-app@latest my-project --quickstart , when trying to run npm install from my-proect directory I am getting the following error:
npm ERR! code E401
npm ERR! Incorrect or missing password.
npm ERR! If you were trying to login, change your password, create an
npm ERR! authentication token or enable two-factor authentication then
npm ERR! that means you likely typed your password in incorrectly.
npm ERR! Please try again, or recover your password at:
npm ERR!     https://www.npmjs.com/forgot
npm ERR!
npm ERR! If you were doing some other operation then your saved credentials are
npm ERR! probably out of date. To correct this please try logging in again with:
npm ERR!     npm login

I logged in through npm login command and again run npm install  but no luck.
Versions:
user@users-MacBook-Pro my-project % node -v
v14.17.0

user@users-MacBook-Pro my-project % npm -v
8.1.4


You have your site running on an old hardware and want to migrate it to a new upgraded hardware which would result in change of the ipaddress of your site and in turn imply downtime for your site. You want to minimize the downtime due to the change in ipaddress. This can be easily achieved using the Time-to-live (TTL) values of the Domain Naming Service (DNS) entries of your website.
The users usually use your site name and not the ipaddress to visit to your site. DNS is used to resolve the site name to the correct ipaddress. The DNS entry is stored at various levels (browser, OS, proxy server, DNS servers, etc) and is cached for a specific period called as Time-to-live (TTL). Once the TTL expires, the DNS record will be fetched again from the DNS Server. Usually the TTL for a DNS entry is specified as 3600 sec (i.e. 1 hr). The TTL values can be even lower (0, i.e. no caching) or higher (up to 68 years).
Lower the TTL of the record that you want to change to a small value like 5 mins, 1 min, 30 seconds or even less.
Wait the old TTL value for the servers to update to the new TTL values. That means, if the previous TTL value was 1 hour, you should wait for 1 hour after changing the TTL values for all the servers to update to the new TTL value.
Now change the DNS entry.
After changing the DNS entry, wait for the new TTL value for the DNS entry to be updated. After this, the DNS value is updated on all servers which follow the RFC.
Test your changes, and if everything is fine you should increase your TTL values again to a suitable value for your server like 3600 sec (1 hour). If something goes wrong, or you want to change the DNS entry again, then follow the above steps again to update the DNS record.
In this entire process the values of your DNS entry are inconsistent only for the new TTL values that you had lowered it to. Also, you can keep the TTL values low all the time, however, this will increase the load on your DNS servers and hence, it is not a good practice. Keeping the values always high can reduce the load on your DNS servers. However, you don't want to do that because when you want to change the entry you will have to wait for at least that amount of time before the changes are reflected everywhere, causing inconsistencies in the entries for longer periods of time. Usually the TTL for DNS entries is kept between 1 hour and 1 day.
Not all servers on the internet respect the TTL values of your DNS entry. Some servers may still ignore the lower TTL value of your DNS entry and cache for longer periods like 1 hour.
Many browsers and Operating Systems also cache the DNS entry, and may or may not respect the TTL value set by you.
The DNS change would not have any effect on the users who access the site using ipaddress. The DNS entry change would affect only the users who use your domain name to access the site. If the users are using your old ipaddress they will still be using your old servers, unless you have some mechanism to redirect them to your new servers.
Note: I do not take responsibility for proper functioning of the above mentioned steps under all circumstances. I am not responsible for any damages to your computer, website, blog, application or any thing else. I am not affiliated with or do not endorse any of the above mentioned sites.
Does it really make sense to "Wait the old TTL value for the servers to update to the new TTL values." ?!
What if the previous value was 68 years? Will I have to wait 68 years for the server to update!
Isn't there some push-request mechanism for the slave to ask the master DNS to update it's records?


text:
Staying Late R&R ARPA Feeney Bozeman.pdf (94.83 kB)
Staying Late: Comparing Work Hours in Public and Nonprofit Sectors
posted on 2011-08-31, 00:00 authored by Mary K. Feeney, Barry Bozeman
Economic theories suggest that work behavior of public and nonprofit employees should resemble one another closely, owing to the lack of profit incentives and managerial or owner oversight of work. However, empirical descriptions of public and nonprofit workers imply that these work forces differ in many ways. One easily conceptualized but nonetheless crucial test of possible differences is level of work activity in the respective organizational settings. This research compares work hours reported in state public and nonprofit organizations by asking: Are there differences between time spent working in public and nonprofit organizations and, if so, what are the determinants of managers' work hours? The study is based on questionnaire data from the National Administrative Studies Project-III. The analytical approach employs ordinary least squares regression. Factors examined in determining work hours include job histories, and perceptions of the organization and fellow employees. Results indicate that managers in the nonprofit sector tend to work longer hours compared to state managers and that work hours are mitigated by external organizational ties, perceptions, and work histories.
Post print version of article may differ from published version. The definitive version is available through Sage at DOI: 10.1177/0275074008327293.
Sage Publications Inc
public managementnonprofit managementwork hourspublic and nonprofit comparison


2019 nissan z35 Price, Nismo, Review, Convertible hp – The 2019 Nissan Z35 concept car is offering the Japanese automaker's most noteworthy automobiles a credible rebound. This new Z, which has been code known as the Z35, is said to stay real to the Datsun that received its adaptation nowadays using the comprehension of extents that happen to be really immaculate. Just as the very first Nissan Z was designed to be able to talk with the market inside the United States, generally, the 2019 design follows suit.
Places nearby the car maker contend that this energy train will comprise of a determination of V-6 and several barrel engine. There are industry pundits that highly contend how the V-6 version must be eliminated, however, it is recognized that it may keep caused by a fiscally attractive supporter base. It really has been highly speculated that this new several chamber engine will be a 2.5-liter turbo device with the direct infusion that will be competent at the least 330 braking system horsepower. Several think that the actual capability will sign up at roughly 280 braking system horsepower.
It offers also widely been rumored that you will see a Nismo variant that can provide shoppers with 330 brake horsepower. The all-new 2019 Nissan Z35 need to get specifically the location where the Z33 product left off at when reinventing the Z version altogether. This means that your vehicle has to decrease its sticker label price since it produces a design that can be really engaging for consumers inside its target market. The career of a turbo on a number of cylinders will produce zero damage mainly because it is applicable to the brand's sticker label costs, fuel intake and CO2 emissions.
The style in the 2019 Nissan Z35 is considered to have undertaken alterations which are really considerable. Most particularly of the revisions is surely an available top rated target format that is certainly meant and estimated to "appeal to some broader cross-section of potential prospects." The changes that happen to be rumored to be a retailer for your automobile make a lot of feeling to insiders because this has been across the industry, in a kind or some other, because of 2002. There was clearly a complete revamping once the Z left behind its 350Z moniker and took on that of the 370Z moniker. There are actually improving amounts of chatter that slim to the 2019 Nissan Z35 becoming equipped using a hybrid powertrain which may shake points up in its class.
This more recent product providing from the Z might be a scaled downward version to the current 370z when which has a swooping, reduced through the body. It can be implied that this will cause the vehicle being reduced around two inches in breadth. Moreover, as outlined by business insiders, your vehicle will present on its own for the market simply being created of light steel.
The very last manufacturing edition of the 2019 Nissan Z35 is estimated to have a foundation sticker price of close to $30,000. This price estimation looks more than just given that the design is claimed to intensely use from high-end luxury automobiles as a calculate for doing it to appeal to a broader variety of American buyers.


text:
NHS charges - the Zombie policies walking into Downing Street?
Reform - the think tank that provided David Cameron with his lead health advisor - is trying to resuscitate discredited policies on NHS charging in England and introduce some dangerous new ideas to boot.
Caroline Molloy
Image: Flickr / Gianlua Misiti
Reform has produced a series of proposals to 'plug the NHS funding gap'.
Charges for GP visits. Charges for overnight stays in hospital. Big hikes to prescription charges. Means-testing of NHS 'end of life' care.
Worried about equity? Well, this is "fairer for young people", Reform suggest (perhaps forgetting that young people tend to get older, and might want a decent healthcare system left when they do).
Means-tested dentistry and social care are held up as models for the NHS to follow.
Reform admit that the evidence shows such measures hurt people who are "poor and in ill health". They admit too that charging for GPs could just drive more people into already over-stretched A&E departments.
But such concerns receive short shrift compared to the upsides Reform see - that charging will "limit… the role of the State", "allow individuals to self-fund additional services", "encourage patients to self-medicate" and "create the clarity needed to encourage private spending and create a market for supplementary insurance".
Why should we worry? Aren't Reform just a wild-eyed bunch of private health and insurance-industry funded hard right-wingers that no-one takes seriously?
In fact, Reform's influence reaches into the heart of Downing Street. It was from this think tank that David Cameron recently recruited his chief health policy advisor, Nick Seddon - who himself has mooted charges for GP visits.
The Department of Health issues robust-sounding disavowals, saying "We have been absolutely clear that the NHS should be free at the point of use".
But Reform suggest that the government could simply redefine what "the NHS" means, suggesting government "move the boundary between health and care to broaden the definition of social care" (something that has already been pushed too far, many would say).
They add "This would enable more services currently provided free at the point of use by the NHS to be funded through (individual contribution) such as equity release and long term care insurance".
Keen perhaps to gloss over their suggestion that people should be made to sell or re-mortgage their homes to pay for medical care, too, Reform tell us their report "focuses on reforms to prescription charges, which they see as more politically acceptable".
Indeed, both social care charging and prescription charging have long been seen as a Trojan horses to other healthcare charging, both by its advocates and its opponents. Prescription charges were minimal until the Thatcher and Major governments hiked them from 20 pence to £5.65, a real terms 11-fold increase. Already, around 800,000 patients a year fail to get all or part of their prescriptions dispensed because they cannot afford the cost, adding to healthcare costs further down the line, according to a MORI poll for Citizens Advice. But at least currently 62% of the population and 90% of prescriptions are exempt from charges - something Reform wants to change.
Reform acknowledge that the last major review of NHS funding found that charges were "inefficient and inequitable" and that taxation was the most effective way of paying for healthcare, just as NHS founder Nye Bevan insisted when he dismissed means-testing, charging and insurance, saying:
"The means of collecting the revenues for the health service are already in the possession of most modern states, and that is the normal system of taxation."
Taxation is - Reform admit - still the model of NHS funding "preferred by the public".
But these days it's surprisingly rare to hear a politician explicitly defending this core principle of the NHS. Cameron's appointee as new NHS Chief Executive, former United Health chief Simon Stevens, wrote an essay for Reform last year that appeared to problematise the "the NHS' tax-funding mechanism".
There are other think tanks prepared to help Reform do the political dirty work - or 'heavy lifting' as it's now known - to try and shift the public away from their commitment to a tax-funded comprehensive NHS towards one based on charges and insurance.
Reform cite a recent Kings Fund report to back their assertion that "attitudes to charging have begun to shift in recent years". In fact the Kings Fund's focus group strongly rejected NHS charging and preferred increased taxation if necessary. Only after two days of being brow-beaten with the "inevitability" of the NHS's financial "crisis", did attendees reluctantly concede that if they absolutely had to accept charging, they would prefer it applied to less vital procedures and to more irresponsible patients.
Reform also try to claim that GPs and the British Medical Association are shifting towards supporting charging - an attempt at co-option roundly rejected by both the BMA and the Royal College of GPs. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA's GP Committee said yesterday:
"This proposal undermines the core value of our NHS: universal access based on need, not ability to pay. If a charging system is introduced there's a risk it would deter patients from seeing a doctor and getting the treatment they desperately need."
Think tanks like Reform are useful for politicians. They can advocate unpopular policies at enough distance to allow plausible deniability - at least until after an election when there could be sorrowful acceptance of what the 'experts' are saying.
Shirley Williams - from a generation of politicians that did its own dirty work - forgot the script a bit. Having claimed last year that she had saved the principle of free NHS care, she said this year that it might after all be necessary to introduce payments for GP visits and to end free prescriptions for all pensioners.
'Demographic timebomb', 'funding gap', 'NHS crisis'
The groundwork is being laid in other ways, too.
Politicians love to remind us of the 'demographic time bomb' of our ageing population (with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying recently it was a "challenge more serious than the economic crisis…potentially even as serious as global warning").
Such alarming pronouncements ignore the fact that a number of doctors, academics, economists and even the Royal Commission on Long Term Care have argued that the 'ageing population' actually makes very little difference - as people don't just live longer, but stay healthier for longer, it adds as little as 1% in real terms growth in costs. Other academics have criticised the "discourse of apocalyptic demography" as serving a neoliberal agenda, concluding "People seeking a future that includes a well-functioning safety net, beware."
But the 'demographic timebomb' message is worked into the 'funding gap' narrative. The 'funding gap', first coined by McKinsey in 2009, has been pushed since by other management consultants, by right wing think tanks like Reform, and even by once highly respected and independent experts like Nuffield and the Kings Fund, whose boards now include people with a background in private health or its satellites - people like the infamous Penny Dash and Simon Stevens himself, both also former advisors to ultra-New Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn.
The same 'unaffordability' and 'inevitability' messages is drummed in by government appointees from Monitor, NHS England, by men at the top of various bodies that rather dubiously claim to represent NHS interests, and by the luckless local hospital bosses and GP-turned managers left carrying the can. They queue up to warn of the unpalatable medicine we must swallow - whilst surprisingly silent on the government policies that are starving the NHS of funds whilst loading it with unnecessary costs.
The vice-chair of Conservative Health Dr Paul Charlson comments "I think charging is a good idea in principle (but) it would be political suicide for a party to introduce this. They could only really do it if there was a feeling in the country that health services were falling apart."
Meanwhile Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, absolved of responsibility to secure a comprehensive health service since last year's Health Act, loses no opportunity to imply the NHS is broken, as he regretfully suggests that the NHS is "scandalously" inefficient and calls for a "profound transformation".
Behind the language of 'NHS crisis', 'funding gap' and 'demographic time bomb' is the inconvenient truth that most of the bitter pills being proffered - not just user charges - are likely to cost us more, not less, in both financial and human terms, somewhere along the line.
Lessons from abroad
Study after study has shown that less marketised healthcare systems - like the British - are cheaper to run. But Reform merely suggest that extra administrative costs will be countered by "innovations in payment systems" such as "electronic, wireless and online payment".
Reform acknowledge that the OECD has found that the British currently spend a much lower than average proportion of our income on healthcare costs (both personal spending and tax paid), and benefit from an "especially high level of financial protection from the consequences of illness".
Are these differences to be celebrated as a source of national pride, and cherished as a vital safety net all the more important in the cost of living crisis?
Reform identify them as simply anomalies to be eliminated.
The Canadians ditched attempts to introduce GP charges after finding it resulted in sicker patients who require more expensive care in the end. Germany abandoned such charges in 2013 having also found them to be ineffective and hugely unpopular.
A beautiful debunking of user charging by Dr Morris Barer and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Policy Institute again showed that user fees are as likely to deter necessary treatment, as unnecessary treatment.
In the words of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, user charges "merely transfer the burden for payment of health care from the 'healthy and wealthy' to the 'sick and poor'".
Courage or cowardice?
There are more effective and fairer ways to address the NHS 'funding gap', if we had a government with the courage to stand by ordinary people in hard times.
We could reverse the shift to a wasteful market based system that has increased NHS admin costs hugely - already up from 5% to 14% of the whole NHS budget and rapidly rising to the 33% US level.
We could take on the corporations driving the bulk of NHS inflation - the ever more expensive but not necessarily superior 'solutions' heavily marketed by big Pharma and big technology, not to mention the food and tobacco lobbies contributing to making us ill in the first place. And, ever present, the big finance that helped create this mess we're in.
What we have instead is a government secretively negotiating away our ability to reject corporate behaviour that harms our health and healthcare. A government publicly hiding behind useful idiots like Reform, advocating the steady destruction of universal, tax-funded healthcare, free at the point of need.
Dr Barer and his Texas colleagues argued that fees tended to be advocated by spokespeople for vested interests like private healthcare providers and insurers who anticipated (correctly) that such fees would raise costs overall. They dubbed it a classic "zombie policy"- one which is "intellectually dead", but just keeps on coming back, however many times we kill it.
As Reform say, "While user charging in the NHS has historically been resisted, in light of the current financial environment, advances in technology and changing policy priorities, it is possible to reassess the case for reform".
In other words, why waste a good global financial crisis if it lets you reanimate your favourite zombies?
Like this piece? Could you donate to OurNHS here to help keep us producing the NHS stories that matter? Thank you.
Published in: ourNHS
"This Can't Go On" - Cameron hires private health lobbyist into the heart of government
Written by: Andrew Robertson All articles by: Andrew Robertson
How to abolish a free health service, step one
Written by: David Cullen All articles by: David Cullen
Shirley Williams suggests new NHS charges
Written by: Caroline Molloy All articles by: Caroline Molloy
The dangers of Reform - lobbying and the UK
Written by: Mel Kelly All articles by: Mel Kelly
Charging and insurance