Under the overarching theme 'Digital transformation and digital society in SEE+' and having 'data' as a cross-cutting topic, the SEEDIG 2018 annual meeting (Ljubljana, May 2018) featured discussions and exchanges of experiences on a broad range of issues, from digital literacy to network and platform neutrality, and from digital rights to cybersecurity.
These discussions are reflected in key messages, outlining main takeaways, possible goals, and proposals for future actions. The messages, endorsed by meeting participants, represent the main output of the meeting.
Through wide distribution, at regional, European and international level, they are meant to help inform and influence decision-making processes within governmental entities, national parliaments, companies, and regional organisations.
We invite you to read these Messages and help us share them within and beyond the region.
For more details, consult the Messages from SEEDIG 2018 brochure.
The SEE+ region needs a common digital agenda, and enhanced cooperation across the region is an essential step in this direction. To more efficiently and effectively address the challenges that come with digitalisation, we need to build on the region's strengths (such as its human talent and cultural diversity) and create a framework for cooperation and exchange of good practices among countries and among all stakeholder groups.
The essential precondition for bridging digital divides and for the digitalisation of the region is infrastructure. Countries need to deploy high speed broadband networks, also in rural areas, and prepare for the deployment of new generations of broadband technologies. Proper regulation and enhanced market competition are needed for the creation of an enabling environment.
Sustainable digital development across the SEE+ region can only be achieved by creating a stimulating environment, through a holistic approach and the involvement of all stakeholders in a bottom-up multistakeholder model. We need to actively support this model through building and empowering communities that cooperate towards achieving common goals.
To join the next wave of data-driven development, we need to have more ambitious goals, at national and at regional levels. More focus should be placed on developing digital skills, supporting the digital economy, and enhancing cybersecurity while ensuring the protection of digital rights.
Countries must acknowledge that brain drain is a serious issue in the region and act to address it. Structural changes across the educational and economic sectors are needed to overcome this phenomenon. An enabling environment needs to be created that allows young people to thrive both educationally and entrepreneurially, or we risk lagging behind.
To fully benefit the opportunities of digitalisation, we have to engage in a lifelong learning process to develop our digital skills and keep pace with the constantly evolving digital environment.
All stakeholders should play an active role in advancing digital literacy. Governments should adopt policies with input from all relevant stakeholders.
Digital literacy should be part of the school curriculum from early ages. Teachers and students should have resources in native languages.
Countries in the region should cooperate in advancing digital literacy by sharing experiences and good practices, while building on country-specific contexts.
Authorities have a responsibility to keep the Internet open for everyone. Transparency is key for ensuring network and platform neutrality.
Neutrality of platforms is important for democracy and it should be protected as a way to enhance competition not only in applications and services but also in innovations, business models and ideas.
All stakeholders should be involved in finding safeguards to protect net and platform neutrality. Balanced and principle-based regulation should better serve the interests of both businesses and users. Over and under-regulation should be avoided so it does not harm investments, innovation and customer needs.
A future-proof model of net neutrality is difficult to determine now and specialised services should not endanger Internet access.
Regulators should be able to efficiently and effectively monitor, and, eventually, regulate online platforms in order to protect consumers' rights.
End-users should be informed and able to understand the effects of new business models based on practices such as discrimination, prioritisation and zero-rating.
The Internet has helped people discover who they really are, even gender- and sexually -wise, so it should stay open as a space for discovery and discussion.
Internet companies need to play a more active role in fighting gender-based online violence that occurs on their platforms.
All stakeholders should strengthen cooperation with one another and share best practices in order to ensure child safety online. Especially youth, parents and educators must be made aware of possible risks online for children.
Keys to safeguard freedom of expression and tackle disinformation are awareness and education: media literacy and critical thinking must be top priorities from early ages.
The possibility of cooperation between national Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) of non-EU SEE countries and European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) should be further explored.
SEE countries should cooperate in cybersecurity amongst themselves, emphasising practical messages for an SEE digital agenda.
A cybersecurity culture should be built in the region. To achieve it, SEE countries must raise awareness, educate citizens and cooperate regionally, which requires the partnership of all stakeholders.
Regional and intergovernmental organisations do make an effort to put cybersecurity on the agenda in SEE. However, it should be complemented with coordination of internal, national, and regional efforts by other actors such as ministries, regulatory bodies, technical community and so on. SEEDIG as a multistakeholder platform can provide a unique space for such discussions and cooperation.
Data protection is vital for a data-driven economy. Strong regulation such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the first step towards enhancing the trust of users, ensuring privacy and transparency, but it should be followed by equally strong enforcement.
Governments and civil society should do more to raise awareness and build capacities among end-users about the ownership of data and how their personal data is being collected, processed and shared.
Collaboration is key and SEEDIG should be used as a platform to map the challenges in implementing GDPR in the region, particularly in the non-EU member states.
Questions of consent and notification about data breaches are important. There is a need for a clear set of rules on when and how data subjects should be informed about data breaches, as well as for continuous revision of data protection rules and regulations.
Developments in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT) come with challenges such as privacy, security, and the risk of widening the digital divide. But stopping technological progress is not a solution to these challenges. Instead, regulators should act promptly and devise policies and regulations that support IoT progress while addressing the challenges.
In the data-driven economy, blockchain can serve as a reliable mechanism for providing more privacy, user-centred solutions, transparency, and credibility of data. This can enhance trust in data processing mechanisms.
There are also concerns about the immutable nature of the data in blockchain. All actors should work on containing/mitigating the potential misuse of this technology to profile user behaviour online. Personal data needs to remain in the property of users.
A key issue to be considered is that developers influence decisions made by artificial intelligence (AI) systems through the principles and choices they instil in the programs and algorithms they build. This is why ethical principles should be at the core of AI development.
AI brings many benefits, along with complex challenges. We should take advantage of AI to make our work easier, but we should also be aware of things that AI cannot achieve such as values, ethics, empathy, emotions. AI should be regulated since the technology is readily being used in various fields and businesses.
The impact of IGF initiatives is not easy to measure, but there are concrete examples of how the discussions held at IGF meetings had a positive impact on organisations and countries. In one illustration, the discussions at the Bosnia and Herzegovina IGF on Internet Exchange Points (IXP) led to the creation of an IXP in the country.
Resources (human and financial) are essential for building sustainability into IGF initiatives.
SEEDIG is a valuable initiative in the SEE region, and its most valuable asset is its community. But there is much more potential to be explored. We should build on what we have and continue to evolve, through consolidating the community and engaging with new stakeholders, enhancing the capacity development activities, and strengthening the intersessional activities.
In the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, everyone is a stakeholder. The question is: How big are the stakes? Answer: If you do not participate, you will never know.
The 'IGF family' is in its teenage years: after 13 years, the teenager needs to find itself and its way. Parents, whoever you are, you need to love, educate, and support your kids.
Money is the key to the sustainability of IGF initiatives, like for anything in real life. We need to address the lack of money to cover all wishes of a teenager.
What is the impact of IGF initiatives? And where do we want to go? Don't ask a teenager about that yet. Wait for him to grow, even if he is a musician.


Feb. 5, 2011 Shigemitsu "Shig" Nakashima, 89, of Kaneohe, a former state public welfare administrator and an Army veteran who served in World War II, died at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Janet, sons Gerald and Michael, daughters Karen Kimura and Ellen Nakashima, brother Richard "Yasu," six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visitation: 2 p.m. Sunday at Moanalua Gardens Missionary Church, 1401 Mahiole St. Celebration of life: 3 p.m. Donations may be made to Hospice Hawaii or the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Chapter.


For some women, picking up the pieces after a divorce is not really a challenge. Emotionally staying away from their ex-husband is the real problem. To brim with confidence or self-esteem is impossible if you are still attached to your ex.
To be divorced does not just mean you live apart from your ex. It also means you avoid all the problems you had in marriage outside marriage. If you have to see your ex-husband, you would want to avoid the turmoil that led to the marriage separation in the first place.
A spouse's snoring can affect even the strongest of relationships. This is due to the sleep deprivation that either both spouses or one spouse experiences, which in turn causes that non-snoring spouse to become annoyed, irritated, and even resentful.
Research have shown that over half of the couples who participated agree that the majority of arguments can be traced back to one spouse's snoring problem. These same studies found that most of those couples are sleeping in separate rooms, which can have a vast negative impact on their marriage. Some spouses even confessed that the snoring problem become so bad that they contemplated divorce.
If there is any 1 matter one particular person can do to both destroy a partnership and exhibit they are really a coward is being disloyal on you. It really is the ultimate act of betrayal on the man or woman that's supposed for being your very best friend. If another person would deal with a best friend this manner how would they deal with any person who's not a pal or enemy?


Guidance On How To Lobby Your MP For The Cannabis Debate.
In the UK the only democratic power you have is through your MP.
The arcane nature of our Parliament and the unaccountability of MPs makes that sad and depressing but it is reality.
The only alternative routes to power are to spend millions on advertising and PR or to chance on gaining the fickle and unreliable support of the popular media.
So, it is to your MP you must turn if you want to exercise influence in the cannabis debate. However poorly informed, bigoted or slave to the media your MP is, your role is to do what you can to inform and persuade. It is your responsibility to make your MP do their job and represent your views.
Your Last Chance To Meet Your MP Is Friday, 9th October.
The debate takes place on Monday 12th October in Westminster Hall. That means you must write, telephone and write and telephone again. Your MP works for you. You have a right to ask for their support and get a proper answer, not some standard, doublespeak brush off, drafted by the Home Office. Don't accept such a response.
You can also Google your MP's name which will lead you to their personal website and more contact details.
Most important is that you must include your full postal address and postcode to show that you are a constituent. Without this your email or letter will be ignored.
Either an email or a letter is fine but you might want to consider doing both!
Write in your own words. MPs are now wise to what they call 'campaign emails'. The large number of campaigns by groups such as 38 Degrees have really swamped MPs with repetitive correspondence. It doesn't work to send what is clearly a template or automatically generated email. You will just be ignored. Many MPs actually warn against this now on their website.
1. Legal regulation of cannabis will be much safer for everyone than the present criminal market.
2. £6 billion every year is spent on cannabis and it all goes to criminals.
3. I want to see cannabis available to adults only through licensed outlets with proper labelling and quality control.
4. I want to see cannabis taxed so that, as in Colorado, we can invest millions more in schools and hospitals.
5. Many people need access to medicinal cannabis for which there is now strong scientific evidence.
6. Please will you support and vote for legal regulation of cannabis?
« Cannabis Debate On 12th October 2015. Now Is The Time To Contact Your MP.


Mallorca leads in the group in Segunda and is not going to let anyone take its position. The team has won 9 times in 12 matches, having not lost yet. Mallorca has 4 conceded goals in 12 matches. The team couldn't win just in 1 of 6 home matches. Valencia B is worse, but the team has some chances for top-4, the team is the 6th one and won in one of seven matches. It is obvious that teams are in a different conditions, it will be very difficult for Valencia to cope with the leader and the team will lose.
On this page you will find the prediction for the FOOTBALL match of Mallorca vs Valencia B of the Second Division B, Spain. In this personally prepared preview we use h2h stories, over/under stats, Mallorca - Valencia B match facts and team news. For more accurate analysis we use any additional information like injuries, suspensions or weather forecasts. On BetFAQ.com website we provide information for helping you make your own decision regarding a bet on this event. Odds for the Mallorca - Valencia B match prediction are relevant at the time of publication.


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text:
Q: ASP.Net Core razor page handler becomes a catch-all route I have a simple ASP.Net Core 3.1 Razor Pages project.  In the Index.cshtml I have changed @page to @page "{handler?}" so I can use routing-based handler methods.  That works fine.  The issue is, now this page becomes a catch-all route for any url.  For example, I can go to http://mysite/foo and it will not give a 404 anymore. How can I make it return a 404 if the handler method doesn't exist?

A: I dont know if this is best solution:
public class IsValidPageHandler : ActionMethodSelectorAttribute
    {
        public override bool IsValidForRequest(RouteContext routeContext, ActionDescriptor action)
        {
            if (!routeContext.RouteData.Values.ContainsKey("handler")
                || routeContext.RouteData.Values["handler"] == null
                || ((CompiledPageActionDescriptor) action).HandlerMethods.Any(f=>routeContext.RouteData.Values["handler"].ToString().Equals(f.Name, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
                return true;
            else
                return false;
        }
    }

and then
...
endpoints.MapRazorPages();

var actions = app.ApplicationServices.GetService<IActionDescriptorCollectionProvider>();
foreach (var item in actions.ActionDescriptors.Items.Where(f => f.AttributeRouteInfo != null && f.AttributeRouteInfo.Template.Contains("{handler?}")).ToList())
    item.ActionConstraints.Add(new IsValidPageHandler());
...

other solution create a Filter and add Filter but that one happens later in a pipe. within you have context with context.HandlerMethod and RouteData which you can compare similar to above
public class CustomRazorPageFilter : IAsyncPageFilter
{
    public Task OnPageHandlerSelectionAsync(PageHandlerSelectedContext context)
    {
    ...
    }
...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
QURE Liposomal Resveratrol
40+ sold
Liposomal resveratrol
- Lecithin encapsulated
- Liquid
- Extra high uptake
Välj size 150 ml (60 portioner)
Liposomal resveratrol - high bioavailability
QURE Liposomal Resveratrol is a liquid resveratrol with an advanced liposomal technology that increases the absorbency of the supplement. Our liposomal resveratrol provides 100 mg of natural resveratrol from the plant Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) per serving, and the recommended dosage is 2.5 ml twice daily for the best effect.
Lecithin-protected resveratrol
Extra high absorption capacity
Natural antioxidant
100 mg per dose
Resveratrol with a high absorption capacity
QURE Liposomal Resveratrol is made using an advanced technology whereby liposomes are used to increase the bioavailability of nutrients. Liposomes are fat bubbles of lecithin (phospholipids), which encapsulate the substance and protects it. The uptake starts in the mucous membranes of the mouth. The substance can pass through the acidic environment of the stomach without being destroyed, and arrive protected to the intestines where it is further absorbed. Because our cell membranes are also made up of phospholipids, the liposomes can pass the cell walls more easily in a targeted way, and are transported to the cells where they are useful. Studies have shown that liposomal supplements have much better absorption capacity than traditional supplements.
QURE Liposomal Resveratrol is a liquid resveratrol with an advanced liposomal technology.
Resveratrol belongs to the group of plant polyphenols, which act as antioxidants in nature that protect the plants from attacks and damage. Resveratrol is abundant in grapes, mainly in the skin, where it protects against fungal infections. Antioxidants act as polar opposites to the free radicals that can be damaging to our health. This is one of the reasons why moderate amounts of wine are said to be healthy. This is also the reason for the expression "the French paradox", i.e. that the French generally had good cardiovascular health despite the relatively high amount of fat in the diet. Our resveratrol comes from the plant Japanese Knotweed, which is rich in these polyphenols and therefore a very good source of resveratrol.
Dosage and storage
Liposomal supplements are heat sensitive; opened packaging should therefore be stored in a refrigerator, and should be consumed within 2 months. For fastest absorption, place the supplement under the tongue and hold for 30 seconds and then swallow. You can also choose to swallow immediately or mix into a glass of water or juice.
The symbol Vegetarian Friendly indicates that the product's content is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


From the best Florida craft beers to the best Florida beer festivals, there's plenty to celebrate on National Beer Day and every day after.
There's nothing like an ice cold beer to cool down on a scorching day — and with National Beer Day coming up on Sunday, April 7, you'll want to have Florida's best craft beers on your picnic table.
Untappd, a mobile app for beer enthusiasts, helps locals find top-rated beers and breweries across Florida. The beers are rated up to 5 stars and include keywords like 'sweet', 'strong' and 'thin' to help beer seekers select based on their flavor preference.
From crisp and light flavors to heavy brews, here's a list of Florida beers that ale lovers are saying shouldn't be skipped.


Gorebagg.com E.J. Gold is Gorebagg the Lost. Game designer and developer, musician, artist, Bardo trainer.
Click here to find Gorebagg's ever expanding music tutorials.
Yay! Gorebagg has released the Prosperity Path Gaming Orbs across the internet FREE!.
This amazing technology is made available through UrthGame.com in several basic formats: Remedies, Insta-Fix, Oracles, and Cleansing.
The orbs are accessible, easy to use, and Free -- all you pay is 99 cents to cover the download and hosting fee.
Welcome to Gorebagg.com the home of many things Gorebagg. Can't say all things Gorebagg cause, believe it or not, inspite of the large number of topics covered on the site we are only brushing the surface.
Check out the Who is Gorebagg? topic for a general overview of Gorebagg and his many endeavors.
The Where is Gorebagg? topic contains a partial taxonomy giving a peek inside many of the activities that Gorebagg has, is, and will get up to.
The Friends topic does not pretend to be complete. There may or may not be any rhyme or reason used in the determination of which friends are included in these pages. These friends pages will forever be a work in progress. Gorebagg has many interesting friends (celebrity and otherwise) that it will take us well into the next century to get around posting them all.
Gorebagg's Blog is a mixture of material that just didn't seem to fit in one or another of his many blogs; along with reprints of his most popular articles from those same "other blogs." As a professional writer, words are definitely his forte.
Visit Gorebagg's Links to find a collection of websites, blogs, videos, and music that Gorebagg has either recommended to his friends or been involved in as one of his many cooperative projects.
Have a question? Burning to share a comment? Or, just want to touch base with Gorebagg after a few decades of water under the bridge? In any of these cases use Gorebagg's contact form.


Are you curious as to what might be covered by your insurance policy after winter storm damage? Below, we answer some questions about what may or may not be covered.
If a tree falls on my home. Will I be covered?
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, a standard homeowner policy should cover damages to homes caused by snow, rain or wind, including damage caused by flying debris or falling branches or trees.
A collapse of a structure, such as your roof, due to the weight of ice or snow is also often covered under a standard home insurance policy.
Will the insurance company pay to remove the damaged branches from my property?
Probably not. Insurance covers damage to your fences, your roof, eaves troughs, windows, porches and outbuildings. But debris removal from your yard, in the absence of physical property damage, will generally be at your own expense. Check with your insurance company to see if they will pay to remove the debris when you file your property damage claim.
Will my insurance company pay to replace damage to trees and landscaping caused by weather?
It might, depending on your policy. To repair damage to trees and landscaping, most home policies will allow you to apply up to 5% of the amount of insurance on your dwelling.
Melting snow and ice has flooded my house. What happens now?
Flood damage inside your home, often due melted snow or ice in the winter, is usually covered under standard home insurance.
If your pipes freeze and burst and cause flooding inside your home, your standard policy may or may not cover the damages. Again, it is best to contact your insurance representative.
I am unable to live in my home due to damage. Will I receive additional living expenses?
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says homeowners who are unable to live in their homes because of insurable damage are entitled to additional living expenses. You will likely not be reimbursed for additional living expenses if you left your home just because it was too cold.
As this may vary with insurance company and policy, homeowners should contact their insurance representative for more information.
My car was damaged due to ice and snow. Am I insured?
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says that damage to cars from ice, wind or water is typically covered if you have comprehensive or all-perils car insurance, but this coverage is optional so check your policy.
Unlike auto insurance in Ontario, homeowners insurance is not regulated and coverage may vary from company to company so you are best to check with your insurance professional to see what you will be covered for.
Many homeowners' policies have standard deductibles of $500, so you'll have to figure out if it's really worthwhile to make a claim, if the damage is minor.
For all of your insurance needs, please contact an expert at Aaxel.


Clark County NV Detention Center is located in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada which has a population of 583,756 (as of 2015) residents. This prison has a capacity of 2859 inmates, which means this is the maximum amount of beds per facility. Clark County NV Detention Center began processing inmates once the original construction was completed and service started in 1984 but may have been expanded or renovated since that time, to accommodate the growing prison population. Prisoners are housed in separate areas depending on the crimes they committed, their current risk assessment, and their behavior. This facility is currently under the supervision of Deputy Chief Charles L. Hank, III and houses male and female offenders.
If you have a family or loved one that is currently incarcerated at Clark County NV Detention Center, the first thing you should do is contact the prison for information on the inmate. Based on the information you are provided, you would then contact either a criminal defense lawyer or a bail bond service. They will provide you with vital information which can be used to defend an individual and in a lot of cases get them released from detention while awaiting trial.


text:
Jackson State DB/KR Isaiah Bolden invited to all-star game
Isaiah Bolden, one of the first transfers Deion Sanders landed at Jackson State, is headed to the showcase.
Jackson State University cornerback Isaiah Bolden has been selected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a premier postseason all-star game featuring the country's top NFL-draft eligible college football prospects. Participants are coached by a group of NFL legends and Hall of Famers.
A four-star prospect out of high school, Bolden started his career at Florida State before transferring to Jackson State after Deion Sanders was hired prior to the spring 2021 season. He started and appeared in three games before missing the rest of the abbreviated season due to injury.
That fall he led the nation (both FBS and FCS) in kickoff return average at 36.9 per attempt and tied for FCS lead with two KOR touchdowns.
During the 2022 season, Bolden (6-2, 205; Sr., Tampa, Fla.) made 44 tackles (30 solo), with 2.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and seven pass breakups while averaging 26.0 yards on kickoff returns. He made career-high nine tackles and had a 31-yard kickoff return vs. Alabama State and tallied five tackles and career-best three pass breakups vs. Alcorn.
Isaiah Bolden was named to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference teams by the SWAC (second team CB) and Phil Steele (fourth team kick returner).
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca.
Related Items:featured, HBCU sports, Jackson State, NFL Draft, SWAC


HWAGAE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL (South Gyeongsang Province): April 1 & 2; cherry blossoms in Hwagae region; free.
SEOKCHON LAKE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL (Seoul): April 1-9; enjoy night walk along Seokchon Lake, performances, exhibitions and more; Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 or 8); +82-2-1330.
JINHAE GUNHANGJE FESTIVAL: April 1-10; cherry blossom trees, along with attractions; South Gyeongsang province; take an intercity bus from Seoul Bus Terminal to Jinhae; +82-2-1330.
HWAGAE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Early April; Gyeongsangnam-do Hadong-gun Hwagae-myeon Unsu-ri; +82-2-1330.
YEONGAM WANGIN CULTURE FESTIVAL (South Jeolla province): April 6-9; held when blossoms are in full bloom, commemorating the achievement of Korea's Dr. Wangin, who traveled to Japan over 1,600 years ago to spread Korean knowledge, culture and arts; at Historic Site of Dr. Wangin, Gurim Village, take an intercity bus bound for Mokpo from Seoul Central City Terminal, take a local bus bound for Yeongam and get off at the Historical Site of Dr. Wangin; free; +82-2-1330.
GYEONGPO CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL (Gangwon province): April 6-12; enjoy cherry blossoms on the 4.3 km path around Gyeongpoho Lake, take bus 202 from Gangneung Intercity Bus Terminal for Gangneung Express Bus Terminal or Gangneung Express Bus Terminal and get off at Gyeongpadae Bus Stop.
SILK TOWN MOUNTAIN CHERRY BLOSSOMS FESTIVAL (South Chungcheong province): April 15 & 16; Hundreds of wild cherry trees in bloom form a natural colony as wide as 10 million square meters in Sanan-ri village in Geumsan-gun neighboring Bogwang-ri, Sanggok-ri and Jajeon-ri; take an intercity bus to Geumsan from Seoul Express Bus Terminal, in front of the dental clinic, take a Geumsan-Jewon route bus to Jajinbaengi bus stop; +82-2-1330.
Tomato Festival is coming SOON!


text:
Q: C++ Number guessing game - looping wall of text from if-statements Very new to C++ and this is an assignment for school. I'm supposed to make a guessing game, displaying the following messages:

You are too cold on lower side (display -----)
You are hot on lower side (display ---)
You are hot on the upper side (display +++)
You are too cold on the upper sire (display +++++)
YOU ARE THERE (######YOU WON ####)

I keep getting a wall of "+++++++++..." or "------..." after I input my guess, and I can't figure out why. This is the code I have so far:
#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    int num, guess;
    bool correct = false;

    srand((int)time(0));

    //generating random number 1-100
    num = rand()%100+1;
    cout<<num;

    cout<<"Let's play a game! I'll think of a number and you can try to guess it."<<endl;
    cout<<"Let's begin! I'm thinking of a number 1-100. What's my number?"<<endl;
    cin>>guess;

    while(correct==false)
    {
        if(guess<num)
        {
            cout<<"---";
        }
        if (guess<(num/2))
        {
            cout<<"-----";
        }

        if(guess>num)
        {
            cout<<"+++";
        }

        if (guess>(num+num/2))
        {
            cout<<"+++++";
        }

        if(guess==num)
        {
          cout<<"########YOU WON!########";
          correct=true;
        }
    }
}

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

A: I am not sure of all of your details needed to implement this guessing game but heres what I can say.  You are getting an infinite loop when you don't guess the correct answer on the first try.  This is because your while loop condition is based on a boolean that only gets assigned to inside the condition for guessing the correct answer (your final if statement in while loop).
Second, your if statements can print multiple strings per iteration. For example, if a user guesses 10 and the random number is 80, the first two if statements would be true and they would each be printed since 10 < 80 is true and 10 < 80/2 //ie 40 is true as well.  Consider nesting your if statements per condition.
With that being said, here is an implementation I ran.  Go through this code and understand it.  I added a prompt for the user in the while loop so the user can keep guessing the number until correct. Hope this helps.
NOTE: I did not run deep tests on this code as it is your duty to understand and debug the code as needed since it is an assignment.
#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
int num, guess;
srand((int)time(0));

//generating random number 1-100
num = rand()%100+1;
cout<<num<<endl;

cout<<"Let's play a game! I'll think of a number and you can try to guess it."<<endl;
cout<<"Let's begin! I'm thinking of a number 1-100. What's my number?"<<endl;
cin>>guess;

while(guess != num)
{
    if(guess<num)
    {
        if (guess <(num/2))
        {
            cout<<"-----"<< endl;
        }
        else{
            cout<<"---"<< endl;
        }
    }

    if(guess>num)
    {
        if (guess>(num+num/2))
        {
            cout<<"+++++"<< endl;
        }
        else{
            cout<<"+++"<< endl;
        }
    }

    cout<<"Guess again" << endl;
    cin >> guess;
}
cout<<"########YOU WON!########";
}


text:
Activenews.co.uk
A different view on news
GREEK COMMUNITY
First Drive: Ford Puma
Putin speeds up efforts to expand his Russian rule
Michael Psaros Meets Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mike Pompeo
Cyprus Energy Minister briefs counterparts in East Med Gas Forum about Turkish illegal activities
LEAK: Commission considers facial recognition ban in AI 'white paper'
Labour's secret 'Stop Boris' deal with the Scots: 'Hypocrite' Corbyn holds talks with SNP to push General Election back to NOVEMBER to guarantee No Deal Brexit is dead (and because they believe they'd lose if it was any earlier)
Posted By: Newsroom 2 0 Comment
Labour will block Boris Johnson's plans for an early General Election until November after entering into a pact with the SNP to stop a No Deal exit, it was revealed last night.
Jeremy Corbyn held a secret meeting yesterday with Ian Blackford, the Scottish nationalists' Westminster leader, to agree an election should only be held after Britain has secured another Brexit delay from the EU.
Mr Corbyn believes he can derail the Prime Minister's plans to hold a vote on October 15, forcing him to seek another delay to Brexit.
The Labour and SNP chiefs agreed to October 20 at the earliest, The Telegraph reported, although Mr Corbyn's advisers have told him to go for November.
The Prime Minister is being frustrated by Mr Corbyn, who along with Mr Blackford, has repeatedly called for a general election over the last two years, only to back off with October 31 looming.
Mr Johnson is expected to go for broke on Monday and call for a general election again after he was slapped down in the Commons this week.
What next for Brexit?
It comes after yet another atrocious day for the Prime Minister on Thursday:
Yesterday Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell admitted there were splits in the Labour Party over the timing of a snap poll.
Mr McDonnell, Emily Thornberry and Sir Keir Starmer want the Labour leader to opt for November so that Article 50 will have been extended when Britain votes.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Jeremy Corbyn met with Ian Blackford yesterday to hatch a plan to prevent a No Deal Brexit (Mr Corbyn leaving home on Wednesday)
Backbenchers are also agreed on this, not just because of the threat of No Deal, but also because recent polling shows Labour behind.
He is trailing behind Mr Johnson and one party source told The Daily Telegraph: 'We know that Jeremy isn't polling brilliantly.'
A poll yesterday showed Britons fear Mr Corbyn in Downing Street more than they fear No Deal.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Ian Blackford, along with Mr Corbyn, has called for an election countless times in the last two years (pictured: Mr Blackford on College Green on Tuesday)The Labour leader originally planned to vote in favour of an election, once a law is in place forcing the Prime Minister to go to Brussels on October 19 to demand a three-month Brexit delay.
But most of his MPs and much of his shadow cabinet are against this plan, saying Labour should not agree to an election until Mr Johnson has actually delivered the letter requesting an extension.
Mr McDonnell said the Labour leadership was in contact with legal experts, other opposition parties and the Parliamentary Labour Party about what to do and noted that 'people have got different views on this'.
'The problem that we have got is that we cannot at the moment have any confidence in Boris Johnson abiding by any commitment or deal that we could construct,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
'So, we are now consulting about whether it's better to go long, therefore, rather than to go short.'
A government source yesterday accused Mr Corbyn of 'rank hypocrisy' for blocking the election despite repeatedly calling for one.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Boris Johnson is expected to go for broke on Monday as he will call a motion for a general election at the House of Commons, having been slapped down alreadyIn response to Downing Street's attack on 'cowardly' Mr Corbyn for blocking an early election, Mr McDonnell said: 'I wish he would put aside Donald Trump's script for a time and have a serious discussion.
'We want a general election as well but we want it in the interests of the country when we have prevented a no-deal Brexit, and on that basis we have got to determine the date.'
The shadow chancellor called on Mr Johnson to 'grow up', and shared Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson's concerns about the Prime Minister trying to force through No Deal.
'That's one of the dilemmas we're facing,' he said. 'We're looking now at taking legal advice on how secure that Bill is, but we're also consulting the other opposition parties, and our own party on the date of a general election. We're desperate for a general election.'
A string of backbench Labour MPs ruled out backing a general election before the UK has agreed to extend the current Brexit deadline of October 31.
David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham in North London, said: 'I won't vote for an election unless it is guaranteed to happen after October 31st. We desperately need a Labour government, but the immediate priority is to stop No Deal.'
Former Labour leadership candidate Owen Smith, who represents Pontypridd in South Wales, added: 'We should refuse any election before October 31st, with a No Deal Brexit definitively ruled out.'
Ben Bradshaw, the MP for Exeter, Devon, said: 'Labour and the other opposition parties must not save him, but ensure an election is only called after October 31st, when he will have failed completely.'
Meanwhile Stockton South MP Paul Williams said: 'I won't be voting for a general election until after 31st October. Johnson is trying to trick Parliament into letting him crash out of the EU without a deal, whilst pretending he is negotiating.'
One senior Labour Remainer said even if Mr Corbyn orders MPs to back the motion calling for an early poll, few would do so.
'There is unanimity,' he said. 'We are resolute. Boris Johnson is saying don't worry, the Labour Party will cave… but we are not going to… The vast majority of all MPs, activists, they know Johnson's on the ropes and he's got to own his own mess.'
Source: Dailymail.co.uk
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There is no club or group that has done this as yet. I can only describe them as i saw them when i was young.
ears: both half way up, bent over and semi down. some ears may have been erect and standing.
coat: double coated, thicker during the winter, shedding during the summer.Under coat was a cream beige. tips of the guard hairs were black. inverted v on tail and tip of tail was black.
muzzle: black with black nose. small amount of a stop that slopped upwards between the eyes.
MY COMMENTS: Yes there is such a dog as the Miniature Shepherd. It is NOT the Austrailian Shepherd but I personally believe that the (American) Aussie has the miniature shepherd in it.
The miniature shepherd originated in the united States. They were German Shepherds who were too short for the ring. These dogs were tossed out to the American public in the early days of the American German Shepherds.
Every breeder knows that when you continuely line breed and run out of new stock your stock gets smaller. They also know that Line breeding 'sets' genes and you get consistancy. So if you only breed the best to the best eventually your stock gets smaller.
Where did he come from, who all did he breed too, where did his siblings go? I am quiet sure he bred to hundreds of females as he was a top contender!
Miniature shepherds began to show up in dog sheltures or what we all called the county or city pounds. My best friend who lived across the street from us on Encino Place in Oxnard calif had one of these dogs.
The dogs name was 'snoopy' she was a dark brown sable (or mottled) who stood about 16 inches tall and weighed about 35 lbs. The coat was rather thick and did shed some. She was an indoor dog but she also loved her backyard and the three young boys were her best friends.
Snoopy liked to play ball also and loved kids. She would not roam the neighborhood but stayed pretty much close to home. She was easy to train and was totally loyal to her family.
Snoopy's tail was kind of bushy and her coat was not as short nor as close to the body as the German Show dogs. Her ears did not go up all of the way either and she had feathering around the base of them.
If snoopy was a mixed breed of dog i would say that she was a cocker spaniel German Shepherd mix.


Woo-hooo! Our vacation countdown is in full swing, mamas. Shannon and I are taking our husbands to the beach next month to celebrate our 10th work anniversary of running nwaMotherlode.com. Full disclosure: We'll be staying at a beautiful resort called El Dorado Maroma at no cost because we'll be touring and writing about our experience there, but we are paying our own transportation costs for the trip.
We're using BlueSun Vacations (founded in Fayetteville five years ago) for all the vacation planning and bookings. (Click here if you missed last week's post about why we're using a travel agency like BlueSun for this trip.) Through our research, we learned that travelers pay the exact same amount for booking through a travel agent like BlueSun than they would if they did all the legwork and bookings on their own with a website like Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, etc.
What's the planning process like?
Regardless of how hands-on a guest wants to be, one of the biggest perks of using a service like BlueSun is that you only have to deal with ONE person, who keeps track of all the details surrounding your trip. You can reach that person via phone call (with none of those annoying automated answering services). Or you can call the BeachMaster's cell phone, send an email or a text.
Note: Matt told us that one of the biggest perks of using a travel agency like BlueSun is the ability to take advantage of special deals that only travel agents are offered. For example, BlueSun has a relationship with a vacation wholesaler which often provides exclusive promotions on certain trips. They make those promotions available to BlueSun, which then makes those trips available to guests at lower prices.
Allow you to reschedule with no change fees if bad weather (like a hurricane) happens at the time of your planned trip.
Reimburse you for any damages done to your luggage during your trip.
Allow you to cancel the trip completely with no questions asked.
Where are the mamas going?
On the advice of our BeachMaster, Matt, we're taking our husbands to an all-inclusive resort called El Dorado Maroma which is located on a powder white beach in the Riveria Maya area of Mexico. Most of the people who work at BlueSun have visited this resort in person, and we hear nothing but incredible things about it.
We've also read a ton of reviews about the resort posted by other travelers, and the reviews are stellar! We're especially impressed by how many reviewers mention the level of customer service and how the staff at the resort really do go above and beyond to make sure their guests have an incredible time. We know that, no matter how pretty the beach is, it's really people who make the biggest difference in the quality of a trip.
Here are a few more photos of where we're heading next month. We'll admit that we've been staring at these photos lately, looking forward to the day when we'll be in a lounge chair with a great "beach read" novel, a fruity drink perched nearby, and nothing but time on our hands to enjoy these gorgeous views.
According to BeachMaster Matt, the food at El Dorado Maroma is incredible and a favorite among foodie travelers. Below is a photo of one of several restaurants at the resort. If you're planning to book a trip during 2018 (even if you're not actually traveling until 2019), you can use the discount code we have for BlueSun guests. It will give you $100 off! The discount code to use is BLUESUNMAMAS18. For more info about BlueSun or to talk to your very own BeachMaster about vacation plans, call BlueSun at 479-957-9647 or click HERE to visit the BlueSun website.
The Great Clean-up Giveaway! Win house and car cleaning from NWA companies!


The admissions coordinators are on the other side of the phone, congratulating me on my acceptance to the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry. I hang up the phone and smile in disbelief, a wave of elation washing over me.
And then the happiness died, like a popped balloon.
It seems as though every four years in my life, I am faced with a life-changing quandary about whether to stay in Southern California or move to Northern California. Four years ago, the decision was between the University of Southern California and UC Berkeley. This time around, the choice is between the University of Southern California and the University of the Pacific.
In both cases, the seemingly smarter and less expensive choice was situated in northern California. My brain tells me to moves to northern California yet my heart implores me to stay. It's a bitter game of tug-of-war, of which there is no winner.
If history prevails, I will be a Trojan for the next four years.
Though this time around, the decision to stay in Southern California comes with full support from my parents (who are practically TELLING me to go to USC).
But somehow, I will always be wondering: am I a complete idiot for turning down an offer from Pacific?
1. I am very interested in starting Delta Delta Sigma at my university since there is not a pre dental honor society, and I think it would do my school a lot of good.
2. Another event that I saw that intrigued me was the Spread the Smile campaign. I am a part of a couple of organizations and I think I can make it an annual part of UAB as well.
I was hoping you would know how I can get these started or can put me in touch with someone that does? I look forward to your response and hope you can help me even more than you already have.
congratulations Stephanie and hope you will become a great dentist soon! Best of luck!


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the successful sale of my property.
knowledge, which let me know that I was in capable hands.
despite a midway glitch, which you helped to smooth over.
the house on the market and sell it quickly.
and figuring out the selling price.
you can expect. She always seemed to be 2 steps ahead.
She was definitely correct in real estate is a roller coaster ride!
which made her stand out as a great Realtor."
made us feel like our business mattered to her.
fun, scary and mysterious roller coaster ride ever.
tale and are so amazingly happy in our new home.
"Maribeth was absolutely delightful to work with.
not only our real estate guide, but a great new friend!
considering buying or selling a home."
Maribeth has intimate local knowledge. "
to the quick and efficient sale of our home.
knowledge base, and diligence were evident.
we would recommend Maribeth without hesitation."
"I am really happy that I chose Maribeth as my real estate agent.
missing Maribeth's warm presence in my everyday life.
I hope Maribeth and I will stay in touch.
understand specifics of your situation and do their best to help you."
one as we toured the town together."
on our home and had a bidding war with the top 3!
We would highly recommend Maribeth!!"
let us know what to expect."
attorneys, all of whom stepped up to help us."
we cancelled our other realtor appointments.
with her recommendations sealed the deal.
Over the past 56 years we have bought and sold 4 houses.
Maribeth is the best we have worked with.
Her constant concern for our welfare was exceptional.
At our advanced age, that was welcomed.
and we would recommend her to anyone needing to sell their homes."
THRIVE Real Estate Specialists care deeply about the markets where we live and work. We devote exceptional care to our home buyer and seller clients, because we see them as friends, neighbors and partners in the community we serve. We respect the unique needs of each client, and serve them with uncompromised integrity.
THRIVE Real Estate Specialists provide complete real estate consulting, along with an unmatched depth of local resources. Our extensive community involvement provides an unsurpassed network of industry professionals and municipal contacts. Our local expertise includes in-depth information about neighborhoods, schools and public amenities. You may learn more about us, and about the Shrewsbury, Northborough, Boylston, Hopkinton and Westborough areas by exploring this website.
Buyers, help yourself to free tips about the home buying process and mortgage pre-approval. Home sellers, be sure to read our guide on pricing your home and preparing your home for showings.
Would you like personal assistance today? Please contact us and we'll be happy to help you!
As the broker-owner of THRIVE Real Estate Specialists, Maribeth Lynch is completely dedicated to her clients and their needs. Her exceptional service and sales performance placed her among the Boston Top 20 real estate professionals in 2017. She is also recognized in local and national media as a real estate marketing expert. She is currently one of the hosts on "Ladies Night", a local cable television show.


Aries Security is the developer of the unique portable cyber training simulator "Capture The Packet (CTP). CTP was originally developed for and still used as a Black Badge event at DEFCON. In 2016, DOD contracted Aries to modify CTP for use as a cyber training system to assess, develop, and maintain key cyber skills. Now deployed and used by the US Army, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and US DHS. CTP offers a gamified environment to provide hands-on learning through targeted challenges for all levels of expertise. CTP includes 14 built-in learning categories to develop over 70 critical cyber skills.
It's very clear that cyber security professionals in all sectors need a range to keep their skills sharp and Capture The Packet (CTP) is the answer.
2018 is guaranteed to bring more cyber security threats than ever before. That's why we at Aries Security are stepping up our game with the 4.2 release of Capture The Packet, our premier security training and skills assessment platform.
If you're interested in a CTP deployment, get a hold of us now for your custom solution so you don't fall behind in the information arms race. The Department of Defense is already using our solutions to train and harden the countries cyber defenses, why aren't you?
Capture The Packet™ is a proven solution and the result of over six years of development by recognized cybersecurity experts. The system has been evaluated and used at major events such as DEF CON, Hacker Halted, r00tz, RSA, Cisco as well as National Defense University Cyberspace Security Training Events.


text:
Taken 2 (2012)
Taken 2 (no, Taken Again, or The Retakening?) follows the all-too familiar path for action movies when sequel digits get added to titles. They attempt to redo the original premise, but bigger and better, but rarely does it succeed unless there's a fresh take. Taken 2 is reheated leftovers. The first film was a pleasurably surprising action film, led by a steely performance from Liam Neeson. Now Bryan Mills and his family are vacationing in Istanbul and they all get taken… again (or retakened). But what really kills this movie, besides the compilation of genre clichés, is that these are the dumbest bad guys I've seen in some time. If I were hiring these goons I'd want to see where their class rank was at Goon University, or if they actually completed their goon studies. These guys give new meaning to the term incompetent. They don't search Bryan's person, they leave him unguarded and alone, and naturally they even poke their heads through bullet holes in the wall, only to be shot in the face. When the bad guys are this inept, it removes all danger. Part of the enjoyment of Taken was watching Bryan work up the food chain to rescue his daughter. Now we just get Neeson too easily taking out the bad guys. The action is a bit too hectic and doesn't have the same crackle that helped the first film.Then there's the dumb plot, which is best exemplified by the rooftop grenade sequence. Bryan's daughter (Maggie Grace) is running across rooftops and just randomly tossing grenades (vacation grenades?), so Bryan can hear the sounds of explosions and note how close she is. Except she never looks where she's tossing, so she's indiscriminately tossing live explosive devices on the innocent civilians of Istanbul. If there's a Taken 3, I think one of these innocent Turkish families should seek vengeance. Oh but there's more stupidity, like Bryan killing a corrupt Turkish cop and having no ramifications for this whatsoever. It's never spoken of again. Or Bryan and his daughter crashing through the U.S. embassy's gates in a car, and two minutes later he's walking the streets with no hassle. To sum up: Bryan and family murder a police officer, throw grenades into the city streets, and crash into the U.S. embassy.Taken 2 is a classic example of sequel-itis, and while it tries to make you remember the parts you liked in the first film (Neeson on a paternal rampage, his speech), I just kept remembering how much better Taken was the first takening.
Nate's Grade: C
Posted in 2012 Movies
Tags: action, bad movies, famke jannsen, liam neeson, maggie grace, sequel
The Wackness (2008)
Every Sundance Film Festival seems to coronate new talent and new films that never seem to materialize once they step outside of the happy bubble of festival life. It happened with Happy, Texas, with Tadpole, with Hav Plenty, with Primer and numerous others that never managed to get started with the public. At the 2008 Sundance film festival, the biggest buzz followed the documentary American Teen and The Wackness. Writer/director Jonathan Levine's coming-of-age tale won the Audience Award for Drama and boasts shimmering visuals, formidable actors, and a hip soundtrack. Too bad the drama gets the least attention in that package. I suspect The Wackness will be yet another Sundance buzz flick that, while well made, fails to leave a mark on mainstream crowds (here's hoping more for American Teen).
Luke (Josh Peck) has just graduated from a New York City high school and is winding down the summer before he moves on to college. He has a unique summer job: Luke sells marijuana out of an ice cream vendor's box. One of his clients, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley), is a therapist. He trades therapy time to Luke for pot. The two of them form an unanticipated bond and Dr. Squires makes it a point to see that Luke is making the most of his youth. Luke is smitten with the doc's stepdaughter, Steph (Juno's Olivia Thirby, gratifyingly authentic), and determined to lose his virginity and find love before the summer fades away.
The strength of The Wackness is in the unexpected father/son relationship that forms between Luke and Dr. Squires. Kingsley is sensational in his role and provides all the pathos and unexpected discoveries that the coming-of-age genre is associated with. I think that's what's most interesting about Levine's film, is that Kingsley is going through all the coming-of-age moments reserved for teenage protagonists. Dr. Squires and Luke form a surprising and deep relationship where they learn from each other. Luke learns to talk about his life's sadness and make it a part of his life, instead of sweeping it under a proverbial rug. Dr. Squires learns to re-embrace life and to kick his heavy supply of pharmaceutical prescriptions. He is coming of age at middle age. He even gets to second base with an Olsen twin (Mary-Kate is only in the film for two scenes and an estimated five minutes). Most of all, Dr. Squires needs a friend and Luke fulfills this desperate void. Kingsley is funny, pathetic, and the real star of The Wackness.
My main problem with The Wackness is how familiar it all comes across. It follows the coming-of-age model down to the end, so a savvy audience is going to realize that Luke will fall in love, get his heart broken, stand up for himself, and gather a bit more wisdom by the time the end credits roll. You've seen this movie played in a thousand different ways before, and now The Wackness makes it 1001; you will essentially know every beat of this story before it happens. The film doesn't break any new ground and doesn't manage to provide much commentary or lasting insight while it comes of age. The screenwriting fails to hide what disinterests Levine. So we get quick glimpses of Luke's home life and I swear in every one of them his parents are just yelling. That's all Levine is interested in, setting up one ten second shot of Luke overhearing his parents shouting again and again. Dr. Squires' wife (Famke Jannsen) gets the same kind of treatment. She gets a cursory amount of screen time to glower and that's about it. I can tell Levine is only interested in his three main characters (Luke, Dr. Squires, Steph) but then why does he not concentrate on them further and scuttle what he feels is wasted time?
The Wackness is awash in pointless nostalgia. The movie is set during the summer of 1994 for no real reason. The time setting doesn't impact the film in any manner except for some digs at Mayor Giuliani's policies (he was only in office for sixth months or so when the film opens). Levine dishes out pop-culture references like the 8-bit Nintendo game system, old chunky GameBoys, Kurt Cobain's suicide, mix tapes, and lots of rap music. The Wackness is an ode to mid 90s rap music and Luke is a lover of acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and some up-and-coming guy named The Notorious B.I.G. The soundtrack is also meant to convey good nostalgic vibes of a simpler time only — 14 years ago. Setting the film in 1994 is a lazy attempt to cover the lapses in screenwriting with cozy audience nostalgia. And is there anything really culturally transcendent about the summer of 1994?
Peck may have lost like 100 pounds since he was fat comic relief on a Nickelodeon kids show, and he's marginally handsome, but this kid needs some more practice before he's a dramatic actor. I understand that his character gets stoned often and, as a typical teenager, is trying to pull off a too-cool-for-the-world-"whatever" attitude, but he seems freaking catatonic. He's too aloof for his own good. His acting is dry and monotone and he feels like he's constantly zoning out. Again, I understand that this works with his stoned persona but Peck is hardly ever convincing in the part and his acting shortcomings rob the role of a greater level of sympathy. A great actor can make you like a character that eats babies and kicks puppies, or the other way around, but Peck is not that actor. I believe that part of The Wackness' failure to connect and elevate beyond its genre trappings is due to Peck's poor performance. He's just kind of boring character and, to borrow a term from our pals on the other side of the pond, a bit of a wanker.
As a director, Levine has a playful and visually appealing look for the film, bathing it in arid tones to echo the hot summer days. The cinematography is a character all its own, giving the film a colorful and lively flair that makes every scene worth watching even if the script fails to do likewise. Levine has a handful of clever visual tricks up his sleeve, like a middle finger that moves through a crowd of New Yorkers at rapid speed before finding and dialing a pay phone. Levine has definite talent as a director and it shouldn't be long before Hollywood comes knocking and plucks him away to make The Fast and the Furious 8: The Search for Curly's Gold.
The Wackness feels like a coming-of-age film that goes through the motions. The main character is stoned to the point of comatose and he's a rather boring protagonist, made even duller by Peck's lackluster acting ability. Writer/director Levine flexes enough visual artistry to make him a talent to watch, however, his screenplay is too familiar with little personality or flavor to stand out against the pack. The movie looks good, it sounds good, and Kingsley is certainly good, it's just a shame that it isn't his movie. Steph tells the mopey Luke that all she sees is the goodness life has to offer and all he sees is "the wackness" (you can go home happy to understand the title). I guess I similarly be accused of focusing on the "wackness" of The Wackness because it's certainly not a bad movie. It just happens to be ordinary. Though it does have some torrid Kingsley-on-Olsen Twin action. I suppose that isn't too wack.
Nate's Grade: C+
Tags: ben kingsley, coming of age, drama, famke jannsen, indie, jonathan levine, josh peck, olivia thirlby, period film, romance, sundance
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
The story behind the making of X-Men: The Last Stand is more interesting than most. Bryan Singer had directed the first two X-Men films and had done a fine job establishing many loveable characters and the universe that housed them. Warner Brothers has been trying to get their Superman franchise flying for so long, going all the way back to 1996 when Kevin Smith wrote the script, Tim Burton was to direct, and Nicolas Cage was going to be the man in tights. Since then directors and drafts of screenplays have come and gone, including Brett Ratner, best known for directing both Rush Hour movies and a slate of mostly mediocre movies. Then Warner Brothers poached most of the X-Men 2 team to make Superman Returns, hiring Bryan Singer as director, plus X2's screenwriters, cinematographer, editor/composer, and maybe even the cat that licked Wolverine's claws. Fox was left without a captain for X-Men 3. They daringly picked Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) but then he dropped out for family reasons. Then Fox went with their second choice … Brett Ratner. Both directors had essentially switched projects. Hollywood's funny like that.
It's been a few months since the events in X-Men 2. Scott "Cyclops" Summers (James Marsden) is still mourning the loss of his love, Jean Grey (Famke Jannsen), who sacrificed herself to save the rest of the X-Men. He's tormented by her voice, whispering all around him and pleading with him to return to Alkali Lake, the site of her death. Miraculously, Jean returns from the dead but she's much different. Her persona has broken and the Phoenix has taken over, a destructive killing force unparalleled on earth.
Magneto (Ian McKellen) has great use for such a force. There's been news of a new drug that suppresses the gene that causes people to be born as mutants. This discovery has been dubbed a cure. The question persists, is should being different be curable and what would that even mean? Magneto sees the writing on the wall, knowing that any cure would only be voluntary for so long. He collects new mutant fighters along with his stalwarts the shape-shifting Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and fire starter Pyro (Aaron Stanford), a former student at Xavier's School for the Gifted.
Over at Professor X's (Patrick Stewart) school, the mutant students are each questioning life with a cure. Rogue (Anna Paquin) is considering it so she can finally touch her boyfriend, Bobby "Ice Man" Drake (Shawn Ashmore) without killing him. Plus, so he'll stop spending so much time with Kitty "Shadowcat" Pryde (Ellen Page), a girl who can walk through matter. Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) are left to run the team after some disastrous setbacks. Henry "Beast" McCoy (Kelsey Grammer) is a man covered in blue fur and appointed as head of Mutant Relations for the president. He senses the growing danger and anxiety the administration has with mutants and joins the X-Men to do what he feels is right.
It feels like that in a rush to production that character development, subtlety, and subtext were chucked out the window to make time for more boom-boom action. The first two X-Men flicks juggled the characters and introductions but still managed to squeeze in one great moment for the characters we cared about. The plot moved at a mature pace, insightful and touching on elements of psychology, politics, and personal struggles to fit into a society that fears you. There was some sophisticated, relevant stuff bandied about this franchise in between the kick-ass action. But with X-Men 3, you basically have Halle Berry doing less with more. She's got more screen time, in part to her demands, and now she can use that extra time onscreen to show us how perfectly bland her character is as the film's most laughable moral ideologue. The idea of a cure for the mutant gene is vastly interesting with all kinds of great avenues for character introspection and socio-political debate. But X-Men 3 renders all of its debate to be merely superficial, another in a series of plot points to get the action moving quicker.
The X-Men franchise was already overpopulated with lots of characters vying for screen time, so I don't understand the decision to add even more characters to the ensemble and cut down the running time to a brisk 100 minutes. As a result, certain characters sit out for long stretches of the film, are inactive during key moments, some are mostly forgotten, or some meet unjustifiably hasty ends. If I was still an ardent comic book fan, and a follower of the X-Men, I might view the third film as heresy. Why even bother bringing the character of Angel into the movie if he's just going to be on for two minutes, including a forehead-smacking deus ex machine moment? The Dark Phoenix storyline is the most pivotal storyline in the comic's history, so why even bother dragging it into X-Men 3 if it's just going to be Zombie Jean Grey? It feels like Ratner is off screen with a pole poking Janssen whenever the story needs her to wake up and stir up some stuff.
I hope comic fans enjoy the brief glimpses of some of their favorites, because X-Men 3 does a good job of throwing characters into a meat grinder. I had to check online to just to find out who they were, and even then my realization was followed by, "Her? Him? What?" And what the hell is up with Porcupine Face? That has got to be the worst mutant ability of all time. What's he going to do to his enemies? "Hey, will you come a little closer. I have a secret to tell you. Closer … closer … closer still … that's right, now please lean against my face."
The movie trades character for action, so is the action even good? Ratner is a workmanlike director devoid of any personal style, which further brands X-Men 3 as ordinary. The action sequences aren't anything extraordinary, there just happens to be more of them. The climax pits mutant against mutant in short-lived bursts. A battle between Ice Man and Pyro should be awesome, but Ratner stages the showdown like he was choreographing his neighbor's kids. This battle lasts a whopping 45 seconds. The climactic end battle, the "war to end all wars," is rather sloppy. Ratner keeps cutting back and forth between his pairing of Good mutant vs. Evil mutant (why do the two black girls seem forced to fight each other?), but his showdowns are all too quick to quicken the pulse. Wolverine's brawls in the woods never rise up to the adrenaline-soaked fights in X-Men 2. The special effects and make-up are just as good; they're just not being put to as good a use. If Ratner is going to dump character for action he has to make his action exceptional. The movie feels on autopilot.
Ratner is not fully to blame for the shortcomings of X-Men 3. Screenwriters Simon Kinberg and Zack Penn (Elektra) have crafted an overly rushed story that is more tailored for getting the job done than telling a good story. They present some big ideas and interesting elements, like a love triangle between Rogue-Ice Man-Shadowcat, but then most of the promise is either skipped over or dropped. They're trying to juggle too many balls at once, and it just makes me miss Singer and the X2 screenwriters and how effective they were in defining character even in the smallest of moments. Some of the X-Men 3 dialogue is awfully stilted, like "You of all people know how fast the weather can change" and "Sometimes when you cage the beast, the beast gets angry." There's also a silly subplot about Storm teaching Wolverine what it means to be responsible. Try and count how many times you roll your eyes with that one. How many times are they going to have the president look blankly at a TV screen and gasp, "My god"? There's some clever use of mutant powers during battles (mostly involving Shadowcat) but there's just as many routine moments as well.
The acting is all over the map. Jackman owns his role as Wolverine. McKellen and Stewart bring a needed dose of grandeur to the proceedings. The X-kids are enjoyable, and Ellen Page (knocking 'em dead in Hard Candy) makes a very nice addition to the fold. I've likely enjoyed Paquin the most in this series, next to Jackman of course, so it's so frustrating that she just plays Jealous Girlfriend at Window. I think it's criminal how little she's examined in the movie, especially since the supposed cure has the most questions and ramifications for her. Grammer is essentially Frasier in blue fur, but that's essentially what Beast is so it works. He has a very nice moment when he sees what life would be like minus his mutant likeness. It's really hard to judge most of the performances because of how short they appear in the movie.
X-Men: The Last Stand is far from boring but it's more serviceable than special, and lacks the maturity and imagination that its previous films held. This was a franchise full of limitless potential, so to see it drop to something ordinary is sad, especially if this is the rumored end of the franchise (a record opening gross over Memorial weekend says otherwise). This franchise feels dumbed down; yes it's still entertaining on a mass market level but it doesn't have the creativity and precision that Singer's movies had. X-Men 3 is fast-paced and not without its great geek moments, but it's also the least emotionally involving of the films. When the deaths and departures come you'll probably shrug your shoulders because of how the film presents them. X-Men 3 is fine, but I expect better from this franchise.
Tags: action, anna paquin, ben foster, brett ratner, cameron bright, comic book, drama, ellen page, famke jannsen, halle berry, hugh jackman, ian mckellen, james marsden, kelsey grammar, marvel, patrick stewart, sci-fi, sequel, shohreh aghdashloo, simon kinberg, super hero, vinnie jones
X2: X-Men United (2003)
Rollicking entertainment until they reach the dam and things get really bogged down. However, still the action film to beat this year. I heart Bryan Cox. X-Men 2 shows the promise of the X-Men world after the somewhat dull first film. thank God we got the jumping point out of the way because now we can have fun with these characters and their world. And X-Men 2 is great fun. This is how sequels should be.
Nate's Grade: B+
Tags: action, alan cumming, anna paquin, brian cox, bryan singer, drama, famke jannsen, halle berry, hugh jackman, ian mckellen, james marsden, patrick stewart, rebecca rominj, sci-fi, sequel
Don't Say a Word (2001)
I don't know about the marketers but something strange is taking place with the public recognition of Don't Say a Word. At school, church, and home I hear it referred to often as the "I'll never tell" movie. Which could be great for public awareness, what sinking that ending sing-songy whisper of Brittany Murphy into the populace's mind, but what good is awareness if they think it's a different movie?
Michael Douglas is the best child psychiatrist we have, but not only that, why he's a loving dad as well. He gets called in to inspect a new patient Elisabeth Burrows (Brittany Murphy) who appears to be one loony nut to crack. But of course Douglas can because he's the best. A team of foiled bank robbers kidnap Douglas' child and order him to somehow dislodge a key sequence of six numbers stuck in the tortured head of Elisabeth. Can Douglas rescue his daughter and topple the bad bank robbers in the process and protect his disabled wife (Famke Janssen) in the process? Well of course. He's the best damn child psychiatrist we have.
Don't Say a Word is the type of film that leaves nothing to chance for the audience. It's a film that paints with broad strokes, forgetting its massive plot holes and frequent missteps with logic, and spells everything out for the audience – but still fowls this up. Word is so by-the-numbers and predictable that it hardly ever muscles up enough of a fight to keep an audience's attention. A female detective (Jennifer Esposito) is on the case and following the clues to find Elisabeth. We simply know that her only purpose is to come from nowhere and save Douglas in a tense exchange. The bad guys aren't all bad; some make peanut butter and marmalade sandwiches. In the beginning robbery we know that it's the past, why? They talk about football and U2 plays over the robbery! Surely this must be the early 90s!
Douglas spends most of the film either scowling at people or trying to look sincere, which comes off looking like an impatient child that has to go the bathroom. This is essentially a Michael Douglas film and I guess Michael Douglas plays the role of Michael Douglas with ease. Too bad the rest of the movie is full of people that look like they don't know what they're doing in this mess.
Janssen is confined for the entire movie to her bed. The movie could have expertly veered into her paranoia and feelings of helplessness stuck in her house while her daughter has been taken from her. Instead she's merely pretty window dressing. The only purpose she has with a broken leg and confined to a bed is that we know that some bad guy will come down and she'll have to hide and fight for herself.
Bean makes an adequate bad guy (as he did in Golden Eye) but he doesn't have much to do except mug on a cell phone or in a speeding car. The rest of his posse is basically a central casting call for gang members, from the motor mouth black guy to the biker to the computer whiz. And all of these people are fighting, killing, and destroying mass amount of public property for a ruby the size of a fingernail? And where did they get all this money to pull off a scheme like the one they perpetrate on Douglas' family? It's like the team took a trip to Circuit City and bought the store.
Don't Say a Word is really a thriller that doesn't thrill, and one that causes you to smack yourself in the head at several eye-rolling moments. Douglas escorts his hospitalized and supposedly dangerous patient out of a hospital with nary a glance or tinge of trouble all because he pulled a fire alarm. Are we back in junior high or something? As well as the moment Douglas first spots Murphy he calls her out by dropping her arm but she supposedly had fooled a legion of trained medical professionals before? Word is a series of contrivances and mounting questions that never get answered.
Don't Say a Word is so run-of-the-mill that its often times dull and void of life. The audience of Don't Say a Word might come off thinking they have the power of Miss Cleo with all the predictions they'll get right. It's basically a recycling of everything you've seen many times before in better thrillers. Murphy's performance lifts the bar occasionally but this is a dog that is in desperate need of being shot.
Tags: brittany murphy, famke jannsen, jennifer esposito, michael douglas, sean bean, thriller
Take a storied franchise that has long been the backbone of Marvel comics and develop it into a feature film where the last superhero movie was the purple-spandex-in-the-jungle The Phantom and you're just asking for trouble. A nation of fans is breathing down the neck of the film crew nitpicking every fine detail. Studio execs want the film done as fast as possible and under budget regardless of the numbers of effects needed. Despite what would seem like a cataclysmic set-up, X-Men proves that Hollywood can occasionally take a comic book and get it right. For the most part.
X-Men is basically the pilot for a movie franchise. It sets up characters, conflicts, origins, but periodically forgets its audience. Numerous people are introduced and then given a grocery list size of dialogue to read. Some even have atrocious John Watters-like wigs they are forced to wear. It's a good thing then that the film centers mainly around Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Magneto (Ian McKellen), the three most interesting characters.
Often times the action in X-Men is surprisingly lackluster and contained. The battle royale finale atop the Statue of Liberty might induce more than a few eye rolls. I can't help but hope that with all the groundwork laid out with this film that the eventual sequel will be more efficient with its action set pieces.
For the most part the dialogue in X-Men is passable and it even has a few rally snazzy sound bites. However, there is that ONE line delivered by Ms. Berry ("You know what happens when a toad gets struck by lightening? The same thing that happens to everything else.") that is groan-worthy and destined to be notorious.
It may sound like I'm coming down hard on X-Men, but for a comic adaptation it got a whole hell lot more right than wrong. I want to congratulate director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects) for the amount of pressure he had looming over his head and what he pulled through with. X-Men is no campy nipple-plate festival but an attempt at possibly serious drama with tortured characters. The whole mutant/racism metaphor may be a little bludgeoned at times but for the most part is handled very well with care. The best aspect X-Men has is its patience. The film is in no rush and takes its time even if it is only like an hour and 40-some minutes. Still, it's a welcome change in the summer action.
Singer's direction is smooth and well executed. The casting of the movie is near perfection with some minor exceptions. Stewart and McKellen were born to play their dueling think tank leaders. Jackman is an exciting breakout in a role that was supposed to be occupied by Dougray Scott (thank you MI:-2 delays). I look forward to more from this actor. And does anyone know when young Oscar recipient Anna Paquin became so attractive? Someone buy this casting director a fine steak dinner.
X-Men may have its flaws, one of which is an absolute mundane score, but the film is one of the better summer entries into the world of explosions and noise. I just hope the sequel(s) will be a tad better.
Nate's Grade: B
Tags: action, anna paquin, bruce davison, bryan singer, comic book, drama, famke jannsen, halle berry, hugh jackman, ian mckellen, james marsden, marvel, patrick stewart, rebecca rominj, sci-fi, super hero
There are some classic horror pics in haunted houses, and the Vincent Price cheese-fest original of House on Haunted Hill is one. The original was campy fun and worth rewatches, but how does the remake fare with a 40 year age gap between the two?
What House on Haunted Hill miraculously achieves that Jan DeBont's Haunting had tumble through its sticky CGI fingers is the establishment of a true unsettling mood. All throughout Hill you can actually feel the seething, eerie mood inspired from the wonderfully creepy ambiance of the constructed sets. It has a darker component and launches into many sequences of frightening imagery that seem like left-overs from Jacob's Ladder but are no less effective and stirring to stay embedded in your head for the duration of your night's rest. So maybe the plot is basically a premise that once established pretty much thins out to non-existence. You will be thinking to yourself that half of the flick is people wandering aimlessly in the bowels of an asylum when they should have enough common sense to not be.
There is no relevant acting since the cast is regarded to fill out the standard stereotypes and yell cheesy zingers at one another with F-bombs spliced into every line. This ain't yo' daddy's House on Haunted Hill! Geoffery Rush, who talked funny in Shine and won an Oscar and who talked funny in Shakespeare in Love and got an Oscar nomination, gleefully plays the host of the supernatural shindig. And he talks funny. Taye Diggs surmises the "funny non-white" character, Chris Kattan surmises the "goofy nutball" character, Famke Janssen plays the "bitchy wife… who can crush people with her thighs" character, and the rest of the cast are interchangeable blondes who actually do get a bit interchanged physically.
Hill is a good shift in your seat spooker up until the end which just really drops the ball beyond belief into a cheap cop-out. Everything up until the part where the "ultimate evil" cloud of charcoal or something is visually haunting and solid entertainment even if it has to run to gore well once too often. But this whole slow moving cloud descends the movie into mediocrity and it just gets more hokey as it goes. The effects for the "ultimate evil" are preposterously bad and wouldn't frighten a 4-year old with a bladder problem.
Up until the final ten minutes or so, House on Haunted Hill is a guilty pleasure directed sharply and intelligently to instill the correct senses one should bring out of the story and setting. Hill has moments of inspiration and memorable scenes of horrific faceless demons and hallucinatory flashes of the macabre and bizarre. But the absurdly thrown together ending drowns what could have been a real Halloween treat.
Nate's Grade: B-
Tags: chris kattan, famke jannsen, geoffrey rush, ghosts, horror, remake, taye diggs, thriller


Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner are under fresh scrutiny over their influence at the White House after a very public eruption of their feud with former chief strategist Steve Bannon.
In a gloves-off interview with Vanity Fair magazine, Bannon laid bare the mutual enmity with the senior advisers to the president, one of the worst-kept secrets of the Trump administration.
"The railhead of all bad decisions is the same railhead: Javanka," he said, using a nickname that conflates the couple.
Bannon, who supported Moore despite the allegations only to see him lose the Republican heartland to a Democrat, responded in the Vanity Fair interview: "What about the allegations about her dad and that 13-year-old?" – a reference to an unproven allegation from a California woman that Trump raped her as a teenager (last year the woman dropped a lawsuit making the claim). Trump has faced multiple claims of sexual misconduct and denies all of them.
As for Kushner, Bannon made little attempt to disguise his contempt. "He doesn't know anything about the hobbits or the deplorables" – using two ironic terms for Trump supporters.
There was never much love lost between Bannon and "Javanka" as, like medieval courtiers, they competed for the ear of the president. Bannon, 64, has an unkempt appearance – one congressman recently remarked that he looks like a "disheveled drunk" – and grew up in a working-class, Irish Catholic family in Virginia. He embodies Trump's instincts of insurgent nationalism and anti-globalisation and has been accused of stoking antisemitism, which he denies.
Kushner is Jewish and, at 36, from a different generation, with a clean-cut smartness that contrasts with Bannon's scruffiness. The scion of a New York property empire, he was previously a Democratic donor who mingled with the wealthy east coast elites that Bannon despises. Ivanka, also 36, also belongs to the "New York faction" and is seen as the favourite of Trump's five children.
Liberal observers had expressed a hope that "Javanka" would tame Trump's wilder impulses but there have been constant disappointments. The president's decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate deal was a notable victory for Bannon.
Rick Tyler, a Republican analyst and co-founder of consulting firm Foundry Strategies, said: "These things are very difficult when family is involved with any elected official. They have a different relationship with the principal and it's very difficult to work around if there's a problem.
Ivanka came under fire this week after promoting Republicans' sweeping tax reform, her father's first major legislative achievement. During a sycophantic interview by Fox News, which praised her for securing an increase in the child tax credit, she claimed: "I'm really looking forward to doing a lot of traveling in April when people realise the effect that this has … The vast majority will be [doing their taxes] on a single postcard." Critics were quick to point out the postcard was a publicity stunt and a promise that has not been kept.
Kushner, meanwhile, appears to be in retreat. Once ubiquitous, his public appearances have declined. It has been widely reported that his gigantic portfolio has shrunk and his influence is on the wane, raising questions over how long "Javanka" will remain in Washington.
This may in part be because of speculation that he will be the next big fish caught in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in last year's presidential election. There has been a steady drip of revelations about his part in the intrigue. Kushner was also forced to apologise in July for filing incomplete security clearance forms. He has denied any kind of collusion with Russia.
Also, according to media reports, Kushner was key to Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that earned considerable international blowback. This week the UN general assembly voted by a huge majority to reject America's stance.
Tyler, former campaign spokesman for Republican Ted Cruz, added: "Jared has shrunken from the spotlight. He seemed to be seen in every photo and was keenly aware of where the photographers were and what type of lens they were using. But we never heard from him and, when we did, it wasn't terribly impressive.


text:
The Once and Future Secretary of Defense?
By TomDispatch
Don't trust me as a gambler. You'd probably make more by putting your money into credit-default swaps. Nonetheless, I'd like to make a small wager on the single significant holdover from the Bush administration should an Obama presidency actually happen. Keep a close eye on Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. He was clearly sent into the Rumsfeld breach back at the end of 2006 to begin the clean-up of the Bush administration's foreign policy mess and–my guess–to prevent Dick Cheney and pals from attacking Iran. And this, with a little help from onrushing reality, he seems to have accomplished. He remains the singular adult in the Bush foreign policy playpen, a skilled bureaucratic maneuverer from his CIA days, who claims he plans to leave Washington in January but would never say "never" to an offer ahead of time.
Like Obama, he's plunked for an intensified Afghan War and, just last week, a key national security advisor to the candidate, former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, praised Gates, suggesting he had been a splendid secretary of defense and adding that "he'd be an even better one in an Obama administration."
So, when Gates gives a speech aimed at the Pentagon's future, it's worth listening carefully. On September 29th, he went to the National Defense University and offered a peek into that future as he imagines it. Now remember, the U.S. financial meltdown was already underway and, after seven unbelievably fat years, Pentagon weapons contractors were starting to express worries about possible future cutbacks. Nonetheless, Gates offered a vision of a U.S. military-plus. There was the usual support for a range of conventional weapons systems for wars that will never be fought and their futuristic equivalents, as well as for a larger Army, a larger Marine Corps, and a larger Navy. (The Air Force, except for unmanned aerial vehicles, looks to be in trouble in Gatesworld.) But above all, the once and (possibly) future secretary of defense wants to invest in "institutionalizing counterinsurgency skills, and our ability to conduct stability and support operations." Backed by a growing lobby eager to put ever more warm bodies in the military, he's opting for a major build-up to deal with future insurgencies out there in the global badlands. Think… gulp… "nation building." Think, as well, future Afghanistans and Iraqs.
Though Gates has also claimed of late that the Pentagon's gargantuan budget will no longer outpace inflation, that growth in military spending is "probably a thing of the past," this is still a recipe for a relatively unrestrained imperial future that, as Aziz Huq, author of Unchecked and Unbalanced: Presidential Power in a Time of Terror, points out in a new piece, "Use It or Lose It? How to Manage an Imperial Decline," is a disaster waiting to happen. It is, in fact, a potential recipe for American bankruptcy.
TomDispatchTom Engelhardt launched TomDispatch in November 2001 as an e-mail publication offering commentary and collected articles from the world press. In December 2002, it gained its name, became a project of The Nation Institute, and went online as "a regular antidote to the mainstream media." The site now features Tom Engelhardt's regular commentaries and the original work of authors ranging from Rebecca Solnit, Bill McKibben and Mike Davis to Chalmers Johnson, Michael Klare, Adam Hochschild, Robert Lipsyte and Elizabeth de la Vega. Nick Turse, who also writes for the site, is associate editor and research director. TomDispatch is intended to introduce readers to voices and perspectives from elsewhere (even when the elsewhere is here). Its mission is to connect some of the global dots regularly left unconnected by the mainstream media and to offer a clearer sense of how this imperial globe of ours actually works.


2015 Topps Chrome MINI FB #197 Breshad Perriman ULTRA RARE PURPLE REFRACTOR RC!!
All cards are NM-MT or better.
IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE MORE THAN ONE IN THE PICTURE, THE ONE IN THE TITLE ONLY.
Breshad Perriman 2015 Leather And Laces National Treasures Card.
Breshad Perriman 4/4 2015 Leather And Laces National Treasures Card.
Please make payment within 72 hours of listing end. Card will securely ship within 48 hours and include an eBay provided tracking number. I combine shipping charges for up to (2) additional items at no charge so check out my other listings. I only accept Pay Pal and No International bidders please. Upon winning multiple listings, please request an invoice reflecting combine shipping. This Card in my opinion is worthy of grading. I feel that it would do quite well if sent in however it is currently NOT GRADED nor am I any type of grading expert so please judge condition prior to purchase. Message me with any questions or if you need more pics as I'm quite responsive. Thanks for looking!
Card was pack pulled and right into toploader. Please see photos of the card you will be receiving. All cards are Mint to Near mint condition unless otherwise noted. Please email me with any questions you may have and I'll respond asap. Thanks for looking and please check out my other auctions!
2015 Panini Immaculate Breshad Perriman Auto/Patch * 1 of 1 * . Condition is Like New. Shipped with USPS First Class Package.
2015 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Breshad Perriman. Item # G-130.
Buyer will receive the exact card that is pictured. Card is in excellent condition and has been in a sleeve. Smoke-free home.
Sleeves or Toploaders may have sharpie, stickers, or tape on them.
THE ABOVE LISTED CARDS IS IN NR/MT CONDITION.
This is for a 2015 TOPP HIGH TEK ROOKIE AUTO # 84 BRESHAD PERRIMAN Rc. Very nice card.


One Year Roadside Assistance With Oil Change For $20.
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This is a special power point presentation inspired from one of the free backgrounds on Internet, we have adapted this for any suitable presentation. The bird seems to be over a green leave and the other lines and effects were achieved using Photoshop brushes.
desain pptnya bagus dan menarik.


PU is short for Polyurethane, TPU is short for Thermoplastic Polyurethanes which is a kind of Polyurethane. Thermoplastic means a material become soft when heated and rehardening when cold without appreciable change of properties. In form of raw material, PU is liquid and TPU is in granular form.
The hardness range of TPU is very wide from 60HA to 85HD. TPU material is a kind of high-performance elastomer, it becomes more and more popular in extruding, rolling and injection manufacturing technique because of its outstanding physical property such as resistance to cold, resistance to fat and oils, cut resistance, abrasion resistance, UV resistance, color stability and so forth. TPU is widely used in sole products, light duty conveyor belt industry, cell phone cover, inflatables, medical appliance and so on. TPU is a mature environment-friendly material, there is no plasticizers and halogens needed in TPU material.
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Millions of self-employed people will pay more in National Insurance from April 2018.
People who pay Class 4 NI contributions, which are paid by self-employed workers earning more than £8,164, currently pay a 9pc tax.
That will rise to 10pc in April 2018, and 11pc in April 2019. This is still less than the 12pc paid to employees, but it closes the gap, with Mr Hammond saying the difference between the two is "no longer justified".
The self-employed previously paid lower National Insurance Contributions (NICS) because they did not qualify for the same state benefits as employed people. However, they now qualify for the same state pension as employed people.
This will cost the average self-employed person an extra 60p per week.
This highlights a challenge associated with a population that has been working in increasingly diverse ways. With this in mind, and with more people thought likely to become self-employed or involved in other forms of atypical employment, employers may need to anticipate an increase in costs if you currently use, or intend to use self employed personnel in the future.
The Chancellor confirmed the introduction of a new regime of so-called T-levels, the flagship measure in an overhaul of post-16 education he said would put technical skills on a par with academic qualifications, and make sure students were "genuinely work-ready".
Any government agenda which seeks to increase the skill levels of employees would be welcomed by Tamar HR. With a significant slowdown in workers coming from the EU, it is a timely reminder for employers to look at their workforce planning. What skills do you need now and in the future? You may want to consider entry level employment options such as apprenticeships.
Tamar HR would be happy to support you with a workforce planning review.
Off the back of International Woman's Day, the Government announced that £5m will be put aside to open up existing work schemes, to support people back to work at all levels of management after a career break. This is open to both men and woman, but has been primarily focused on woman due to the fact that they tend to be the ones giving up their careers to devote themselves to motherhood.
This is a good opportunity for employers to look at their gender representation; to consider the huge advantages of having a diverse workforce; and a culture which acknowledges the important and varied skill set that each person brings to the business.