Entrepreneurs have seen their businesses grow considerably over the past year and are optimistic about their future, according to a survey from accounting- and consulting firm EY. The shortage of talent looming on the horizon is considered as the largest obstacle to growth.
The research from EY, held among 226 UK entrepreneurs, shows that three quarters of entrepreneurial businesses (75%) have seen growth in their turnover in the last year with over half (57%) witnessing a turnover increase of more than 5%. From a headcount perspective 83% of entrepreneurs have increased their FTE's, with over a quarter (28%) of these businesses creating more than 50 new jobs. "Over the past 12 months the UK's economy has strengthened, and this is reflected in the confident mood amongst these businesses. Entrepreneurs have been recruiting in significant numbers and seeing reasonable growth over the past year," says Stuart Watson from EY.
Looking forward the view is positive: over the next three years, the vast majority of entrepreneurs (93%) expect their business to grow further, with over half (56%) expecting annual growth of over 10%. This view was especially prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry, where all of the respondents expect growth of more than 10%.
The researchers also asked entrepreneurs to identify key improvement areas for the UK government. Over a quarter of entrepreneurs (29%) believes that the country's policy-makers should cut red tape, while a fifth (20%) advocates for lower business taxes.
A shortage in talent is regarded as the largest obstacle to growth: more than three quarters (77%) of entrepreneurs admitted that they struggle to attract the right talent with over half (54%) saying that this is down to a lack of the right skills and a fifth (20%) stating that this was due to wage costs being too high. Businesses in the South East and South West are having the most trouble attracting talent.
"While businesses are increasing headcount at a considerable rate and are expecting to grow even more over the next year, the right people may not be there to fuel that growth. For entrepreneurs to sustain their growth plans, they need to demonstrate fresh thinking and an innovative approach to attracting talent from a global pool. This will help them stay ahead of the curve as the economy recovers and the war for talent intensifies," concludes Stewart.


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Q: Restrict option loading (react-select) on entering the first three characters for faster response time Here I am trying to load the options only after user inputs first 3 characters, such that the problem of loading the huge list of options every time a character is entered can be controlled.
render(){
let options = arrayName.map(name => {
      return { value: name.name, label: name.name };
    })

return(
<Select
                openMenuOnFocus={false}
                openMenuOnClick={false}
                options={options}
                value={this.state.inputValue}
                onChange={this.handleChange}
                placeholder="Please Enter 3 Characters..."
              />
     )
}

So far I used "openMenuOnFocus={false} and openMenuOnClick={false}" which works well by not showing the drop down list at first, but I want to let user input 3 characters and then only load the drop down with the huge list fetched from the API.
Otherwise it makes the performance of my application slow.
Kindly suggest some best possible ways to mitigate the response time issue.

A: I think that the best solution is to debounce api call, not to send it only when the user texts at least 3 characters :)
First of all, use the async version of react-select and then lodash debounce
With debounce the api call will be executed only if the elapsed time between
 keydown events is greater than the second argoment of the debounce function.
Hope it can be helpful :)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Celebrating Gandhi Jayanti Through Creative Brand Campaigns!
October 2nd, 2018 saw India celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's 149th birth anniversary. A lawyer, a revolutionary, a Satyagrahi – Bapu was many things. Mukund Govind Rajan, entrepreneur and former brand custodian at Tata Sons, says it best:
"During India's freedom struggle, this was not just the name of a person, but a brand indelibly associated with the concept of satyagraha and non-violence, which fostered a hitherto unseen unity amongst Indians – rich and poor, Hindu and Muslim, Brahmin and Harijan, urban and rural. Leading by example, Gandhi demonstrated that he was prepared to 'walk the talk'."
During Gandhi Jayanti, brands try to reflect this ethos in their marketing campaigns. Whether campaigns make references to the Dandi march, Young India or the 'charkha' (symbolizing the spinning of Khadi), the feeling behind the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi - in paving the way for India to be free and independent - is expressed most creatively and thoughtfully.
The Dandi March
The Dandi March, or Salt Satyagraha, was the name given to Gandhiji's non-violent protest against the British to give Indians the right to legally collect and sell salt. Even though many questioned Mahatma Gandhi's motive (why such a simple commodity such as salt?), this iconic march was met with nationwide support and people all over India joined him in overturning Britain's Salt Act.
The Simple Charkha
Some brand advertisements are built around the spinning wheel or 'charkha'. This wheel represents independence from the British, Swadesh, and self-sufficiency. In these advertisements, brands have given their own unique and quirky twist to the spinning wheel.
The Three Wise Monkeys
The proverb 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' has been strongly associated with Gandhiji and his minimalistic lifestyle. A statue of these three monkeys that he possessed proved to be an exception in his otherwise non-materialistic life.
However, when it comes to advertising, brands have really spun this proverb according to their own tunes!
The Iconic Spectacles
Some brands have simply used a drawing of Gandhiji and his famous round spectacles in their marketing campaigns. The simplicity of this drawing says a lot in itself.
During Gandhi Jayanti, brands try to inspire and speak to their audiences just like Gandhiji did with his audience - the entire nation. However, whatever brands choose to say, it's good to always remember that - as Bapu said - "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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I suggest that offical servers should be resetted and that transferring items between servers shouldn't be allowed. I think this would be a good idea because people jump between servers wiping them and there's like three tribes who block supply drops with pillars and they completely wall of obelisks. I feel new players want to jump into multiplayer and have a fair PVP/PVE environment wheir they can actually compete and have fun but if you join these servers all you can do is get explorer notes for xp and boost stamina and movement speed to run around be map and see the mess it's in. PVE servers are no different but even worse because people can't get wiped and then there's offline protection... Also primitive is a game mode that lags really bad. Players who would be angry at this statement need to think of new players coming into the game and there experience. Big tribes of people who are connected with each other should buy a server and contact other tribes to compete against, instead of using a server that new players will first try. I also think obelisks should be a no build zone, at east in scorched earth because silica pearls is a resource that is in high demand, areas like these could be battlegrounds instead of a no fly, no walk zone.
Well, this really wouldn't work, there were new servers that came out with the game release, and that is a huge cluster of mega tribes, all servers were capped. If all official servers were reset it would be an even worse experience for new players since mega tribes would slot cap the servers, not allowing noobs to get in, and then wiping everyone on the server to make space, new players wouldn't be able to do anything for a month.
This actually happened when the new servers came out.
Apocalypse servers show promise, with obelisks not being able to be built on and having a reset timer but there arn't enough servers. Also would be great if they had no tribe servers and a player cap for tribes. There's a huge list of servers that are all the same with hardly anyone playing on them. Most games have rules and limits in play to allow all types of players to have fun but wildcard seem to just make an experience for mega tribes. Not all of us want to play that way and we have all put money into the game for a good experience.
With better farming/harvesting etc rates and having a monthly or even half a month resets with no obelisk building would be a huge improve. I think apocalypse servers have been made to sort this problem but it feels to few and to late to solve for a majority of players that won't come back.
I'll still be playing, I just hope more apocalypse servers come out so I can play more regularly and enjoy.
I enjoy clusters more now with apocalypse servers, transferring doesn't seem as bad because people have roughly the same progression so there isn't that much of an advantage compared to normal servers.
Why wipe officials? Sometimes you have to check a few servers before finding a good one, thats how the cooky crumbles. You cannot expect that the playerbase is giving up everything for new players who haven't played ARK earlier.


Think you are out of trouble if later it gets covered properly. You can do better than others. Based on their insurance was much simpler and easier option for live. But before doing a little more and more common for young drivers you want to avoid being sued by one of the cost of two souls is a plan and it can be a great place to compare rates and have newer and more expensive due to your choice of insurance. However, if that were specially designed for the bare minimum? You should always remember that you want to leave anything out like a lot harder to come by-especially for younger drivers. They can test and also with the right way to save money if you keep your score in tip top shape, monitor.
So if you're a younger person auto insurance quotes in CA to consider and you can actually take out a web site will ask for a policy at your no down payment for injury or chattels wound to merchandise. You never again have to pay quite a bit of difference in your own car or SUV. Is yours, either you want to reduce insurance costs are higher than drivers from small towns. Shop around - Make sure you are considered more likely to be the route to getting the policy costs. One thing you want coverage on the costs of their pockets. If you have safety features are always trying to save money on insurance to save money on insurance, as well as advertising and customer service reputation to find which companies may provide an insurance agency will look your insurance company will have to pay your medical insurance will not be afraid to post at the government through taxes or for just the stock model. The price of insurance options that you see can also consult your agent about them, you'll get this discount. When you are looking forward to get the best online auto insurance in CA. The more information can be woefully inadequate though if you have the most important things that Americans have to shell out 20% to 50% discounts. And with as part of auto quotes for your own vehicle if it's a religion that many companies hope you enjoyed this auto. Light collisions, fender benders, scratches here. Some states won't seal or expunge your DUI court.
This is understandable, but it will cost you a much larger payout should you have to make wise purchasing decisions about. I would think that their premiums are increasing. If you live in permits the use of the cheap auto insurance, even if you take in Fountain Valley the time to shop around for insurance online is through an online chat service or and their companies that service your immediate area.


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Tag: economic democracy
Guest sermon text: "And in society at large." (9/14/14)
I was asked to give a guest sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto when the parish minister was at the church summer retreat. There was no set topic, so I decided to write about Principle Five of the Seven Principles. Essentially, I ask what Principle Five really asks of us, and argues the need to promote economic democracy, socialism, worker control, whatever you'd like to call it. Given September 14, 2014.
"And in society at large."
Andrew J. Mackay
Should you have time to do some real, intense, dedicated pondering, the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism is dynamite daydream material. They represent the foundation of a moral philosophy; ourselves, our church, our societies emerge from that foundation. This morning I'm going to take one principle and explore its meaning and potential.
Principle Five recognizes that the community supports "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." Those last five words- "and in society at large." It is not a specific checklist. Rather, it urges us to evaluate the whole interdependent web of existence that we find ourselves a part of. That phrase compels us to dream big. Envision a world nourished by the roots of democratic freedom.
As a sociology student, the definition of society is important. To dive into Principle Five requires us to define our terms. Without clarity of language this journey would be like an astronomer trying to study the planet Saturn without knowing where it is or what it looks like. [pause] The word comes from the Latin socius, which can be translated as "companion" or "ally". Society binds people together in friendship and trust. Hopefully, it should rest on our humanity and common feeling. Author Anat Shenker-Osorio wrote in 2010 "The belief that we are all competing with each other for scarce resources, that life is by nature a zero-sum game, ignores critical truths that rightly deserve the designation of 'natural law'. Humans are a social species. We are pack animals; we like to be together lots of the time. Some of our greatest joys and oldest cultural practices involve sharing: our homes with a stranger, bread and wine with friends, material goods with our families." The aspect of our lives where zero-sum thinking dominates, to the detriment of many, is the structure and culture of the economic system.
Large business pursues optimal profits, with much collateral damage. Chemicals spill into the West Virginia water supply, jobs are moved from Ohio and Illinois overseas, retail workers are not given enough hours to qualify for full-time benefits. We are a part of the economy, the reason it exists, yet often we feel helpless and swept up in something beyond our control. This economic power then influences our political democracy. UUs for years have been working against the influence of money on politics, so the danger is well-known. Politicians driven by business interest cash often ignore their constituents. According to an October 2013 poll, Americans held a higher opinion of the DMV, hemorrhoids, and cockroaches than Congress. I am 24 years old and gridlock, both in this state and in Washington, seems natural.
In society at large, everything is interrelated. If one aspect lacks accountability and popular control, it will harm the others. Without addressing core issues, attempts to build a better world will be undermined. There exist many proposed solutions for a more just economy, from the general public and UUs in particular.
Much of today's activism is built around making large businesses yield to the popular will. Some of you may get email newsletters asking you to sign a petition against Wal-Mart, or Exxon-Mobil. Bad behavior! Environmental waste! Corruption! Send them a message! It is a demand, we want a say, this can't continue. At this year's General Assembly, a high-profile resolution was passed, moving to divest from fossil fuel conglomerates. Our UU community aims to use economic power to create a sustainable society. Divestment is often linked with boycotts and sanctions to make corporations and whole states change their ways. California was host to the Delano grape boycott in the 1960s, where popular will forced powerful agricultural interests to stop exploiting migrant farm workers. Worldwide action punished South Africa economically for its vile system of apartheid.
This all points to a desire for more democratic control in the American economic system, by workers of a particular business, and the general public who must deal with the fallout of business decisions. Both groups, employees and the communities they live in, must deal with the trauma of outsourcing, cuts to wages and benefits, and disregard for the environment. In a lifetime, the average American will spend 90,000 hours at work, but the typical worker has no say in how her company is run. Unions increase worker power, but their scope is limited, and less than 7% of private sector workers belong to one. The public company is run by a small board of directors and a small set of principal shareholders, who often are the same people. The UUA is part of an interfaith group that buys shares in companies to create pressure for reform. Such efforts can only go so far- corporate stock gives disproportionate power to holders of special types of shares. And the reality is that promoting economic justice may mean cutting profits and endangering stock price. Working within the system where profits are expected to increase indefinitely means calls for justice may go unheard.
The world of privately-held companies lack any internal accountability. In the US, the largest private companies have $1.8 trillion in annual revenue and employ 6.2 million people. Their work can be damaging to humans and the environment. The two largest private companies in the country are Cargill, which sells palm oil and soybeans from areas that used to be rainforest, and the petroleum multinational Koch Industries.
Not to despair. The world of today has never been inevitable. There is a place for the democratic process in the economy. Some existing businesses show a different way of doing business. There are cooperatives all around us, where workers and consumers get a say. Credit unions in America serve 44% of the economically-active population. They are community not-for-profit organizations, where account holders are the owners and elect their leadership. To have a say in a large banking chain, you need to purchase quite a lot of stock. You are not a part-owner of Wells Fargo or Bank of America just because you opened up a checking account. You are not consulted on their business decisions. Credit unions and other cooperatives are owned and run by the community, and their decisions by nature factor in the human element. The Manhattan board of a large bank doesn't have to consider the effect of foreclosures or high interest loans on a small community. A local credit union does; the leadership and ownership live in the community, and must personally deal with the fallout of destructive policy.
In the past year I've learned of an idea created by credit unions that shows the value of a democratic, community-run mindset. Several states now allow a contest called save-to-win. Most states have a lottery, with big prizes and lots of advertising. Lotteries are played by the poorest Americans, and few ever win. It is in some sense a poverty tax, where people are exploited by their hope for a better life. Save-to-win is simple: for every $25 put into a savings account, you get a raffle ticket for a drawing at the end of the week, or month, or year. It has created the excitement of a regular lottery, while increasing the savings of poor Americans. People are excited and motivated to save for their future. Credit unions have created a lottery where you can't lose. This is a part of a society of companions and allies. There is more than the zero-sum, everyone can win and thrive.
Cooperatives go beyond the local credit union or organic food mart. The Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain is a diverse organization with many cooperatives, divided into finance, industry, retail, and knowledge. They employ 74,000 people, and by company rule, no person can make more than 8 1/2 times the lowest-paid worker. In a country still devastated by the credit bubble, Mondragon has stayed strong.
The economist Richard Wolff, who you may have spotted on Moyers and Company or Charlie Rose, has crafted an initiative called "Democracy at Work", where businesses can be created that are self-directed by workers. A few years ago I saw him speak in Berkeley, and his words were invigorating. The framework for democracy in the economy, that largest component of "society at large" exists. There are realistic solutions. It is a matter of will.
If companies were run by the workers, would their jobs and factories would have all been moved overseas? Or would they have taken initiative, and made the enterprise work here, whatever it took? Would a worker-run factory pollute the groundwater, when the leadership would have to come home and drink it? When we send petitions, or move our money, or boycott a company, we are demanding accountability. The best way to make the economy accountable to the people is to make the people accountable for the economy.
In Matthew 21:12-13, Jesus finds the Temple of Jerusalem filled with money-changers and vendors. The money-changers were turning the currency of poor pilgrims into a special temple scrip, at a large markup. This system still haunts us today, though instead of temple cash it is called Disney Dollars, and the pilgrims have been replaced with sunburned tourists. Jesus is furious of this exploitation. He flips the tables over and drives the lot out with a lash. As they leave, he shouts "It is written . .  'My house will be called a house of prayer . . . but you are making it 'a den of robbers.' It is rare that we see Christ in such a fiery temper. Something about the operation of the Temple made him livid. He did not admonish the money-changers, and he certainly did not simply forgive their misdeeds. He flipped a table. A popular meme three years ago had a painting of the scene with the caption "The First Occupy Wall Street."
The scene shows the importance of sacred places and sacred institutions. The Temple is the holiest place for the Jewish people, and it was being sullied by profiteering. Perhaps some things should be above profit. Our political democracy today is built upon profit, as special interest cash creates a skewed set of priorities for elected officials. We have our own secular temples, that we cherish and treat with special care, and perhaps the moneyed interests need to be driven from those places too. The best way to achieve democracy, a deep and encompassing democracy, is to change the way money is spent and businesses are run.
The 17th of September will mark the third anniversary of Occupy Wall Street. If nothing else, the movement sought to link the economic power of the 1% with its political power and influence. The question of why Congress is less popular than cockroaches has a complicated answer, but money has certainly steered it to this point. When myself and fellow members of Occupy San Jose handed out flyers on how to join a credit union, and picketed banks, and along with local non-profits encouraged churches and small businesses to divest from large banks who were foreclosing on houses in their community, we had an idea that there may exist a better way of doing things. Perhaps there is a place for democracy in society at large.
Author AJMPosted on July 14, 2016 Categories Economics, Occupy, Protest, Religion, Uncategorized, Unitarian UniversalismTags Andrew J Mackay, democracy, economic democracy, guest sermon, Palo Alto, sermon, seven principles, socialism, society, unitarian universalism, UU, UUCPALeave a comment on Guest sermon text: "And in society at large." (9/14/14)
The lone woman: standing outside the UU liberal consensus
SEVERAL years ago, I attended the "morning forum" at my local UU congregation. It was a current events discussion group that started a half-hour before the first service.
It was the end of the year, and by then a standard topic was a year-end review for President Obama. There were about twenty people in the room. Most of them were Kennedy-era liberals, with some of the older participants having grown up worshipping FDR.
The facilitator had developed a detailed handout, covering each aspect of the presidency. At the end of the session, each person gave a letter grade to the President- they were tallied on an easel.
Almost everyone gave Obama either an A or B on every segment- mostly A's. Only one woman, along with myself, gave the President a failing grade in anything. We agreed that it was absurd to view the ever-lengthening Afghanistan conflict, or his deportation-heavy immigration policy as anything other than serious, systemic issues. Income inequality was getting worse, and the 'recovery' in effect at the time didn't benefit people outside the top tax bracket.
Afterwards, it felt pretty awkward. Clearly I had intruded on people's long-held worldviews. And as outspoken as I can be, I never dissent just to be shocking. The woman who joined my mini-protest came over. She was older than me, but a bit younger than the Kennedy-era liberals. Apparently she was often the lone critical voice in the forum, and she thanked me for keeping her company. It was clear that she was uncomfortable with the situation. But a forum is supposed to be a free discussion, and her contributions were both eloquent and well-grounded.
Two things Unitarian Universalism stands for are freedom of expression and against ignorance. But I felt a narrow political consensus gripping the forum that Sunday morning. This part of the congregation was so used to defending the president from conservative attack that they were uncomfortable with a progressive critique. Yet if the critique wasn't there, the forum would have been fine living in a world where the President could do no wrong.
I never felt this way in a religious context. Atheist, agnostic, polytheistic, Eastern, ancient, contemporary. Congregants were always open to new religious concepts, and had often moved significantly from their previous beliefs. But there wasn't much dynamism in politics. In many places, UUs come from well-off liberal families, and have held the same basic ideology since they were children. Like I said, the older members of the forum came from Roosevelt families, and still spoke of him in godlike terms.
Unitarian Universalism is a religion. But it wears its politics on its sleeve. I've written that UU politics and UU ideals do not link up. The ideals call for liberation. The politics call for institutions of injustice to behave themselves.
IN 2014, a couple of years after the forum, I gave a guest sermon at the same congregation ("And in Society at Large", the text of which you can read here). My politics here were different, and my point of critique was systemic rather than focused on one man. But the same tension emerged. After the second service, a woman stood up during announcements. She applauded me for my sermon, but then tied it into her work she was doing- opening up the local Democratic Party office ahead of the 2014 midterm elections. At no point did I mention party politics as the solution- nor do they fit in a call for economic democracy. I felt being co-opted right in front of my eyes, in front of a group of people. I personally felt humiliated that my weeks of preparation had been twisted so quickly.
Afterwards, most people gave me pretty brief, nondescript feedback- good sermon, thought-provoking, the normal. A woman came up later, around my age, and thanked me for bringing up so many things- like cooperatives, corporate greed, and the need for workers to control their lives. She also noticed the lack of tact shown by the person advertising the Democratic Party (in a house of worship, additionally).
The woman at the forum, and the woman after the sermon were different. But they had a similarity: they were the only one. The liberal bubble was large, but there were UUs who wanted better political discourse within the church. How many people stopped attending services because of the narrow politics? How many people shut up when their fellow UUs praised an administration that had been at odds with communities of color on many occasions?
If diversity is an issue, and at every congregation I've been to oh god it is, politics is a real, tangible issue. I often see a politics that works and makes sense, assuming you're white and financially stable. The Black Lives Matter resolution passed at General Assembly in Portland was fraught with conflict, essentially because the act called for prison abolition. Abolition is a step too far for mainstream liberals, but for people of color living in an age of mass incarceration, it is a cause for survival. It is great to have radical ministers and congregants offering a different way forward, but I've seen what happens if a church doesn't have those people.
Or if they only have one. Always standing alone.
Author AJMPosted on May 7, 2016 May 7, 2016 Categories Capitalism, Conflict, Corporations, Economics, Justice, Personal, Politics, Poverty, Protest, Race, Unitarian UniversalismTags activism, Afghanistan, Black Lives Matter, california, Capitalism, church, democratic party, deportations, economic democracy, FDR, General Assembly, immigration, Kennedy, liberal, liberal religion, mass incarceration, New Deal, obama, president obama, prison, protest, radical, religion, sermon, unitarian universalism, UU, UU Planet, UU World, UUA, uus1 Comment on The lone woman: standing outside the UU liberal consensus
Unitarian Universalism has an issue: radical goals and non-radical tactics
I finally wrote a full post on this tension I've had since September 2014 when I gave a guest sermon. This is based on "Not my father's religion", published in 2007. The contradictions in what UUs promise to do in the world and the distance they're willing to do the radical things required is difficult. As an impatient young UU this bothers me- lots of people who were 60s radicals but have now settled down and ditched the needed politics.
Here it goes.
"Nothing in the middle of the road but yellow lines (and dead armadillos)"
This is not a lovely, soft sermon like many here. They are beautiful, but certain issues require a hardened tone. Do know that this is in the vein of Frederick Douglass, the greatest black orator in American history, when he told a group of Unitarian abolitionists, the UUs of their day, that he loved them all but would give them Hell for these twenty minutes.
The issue starts as the central point of "Not my father's religion" by Reverend Doug Muder, from UU World. In it, he explains why his working-class factory worker father goes to a conservative Lutheran church, and not the one he preaches at. The article, which a masterwork of cutting through assumptions and stereotypes, comes to the conclusion that UUs have very few working-class members, and their beliefs contribute to that.
From an upper middle-class professional core, members don't see the insecurity and danger in the world that regular laborers do, and often spend more time talking about the homeless than the near-homeless. There is always a danger of hidden elitism- when we use the term "flipping burgers" we often devalue that working at a Wendy's is hard, unrewarding toil.
This taps into what I'd like to talk about, something that guided a 2014 guest sermon I gave called "And Society at Large", which was about that Principle Five of the Seven Principles we cherish calls for democracy in all of society, including economic democracy. For the purposes of the sermon and the fact that "economic democracy" is a wide-ranging term, I didn't use words like "socialism". But the message that many got was clear- the church needs to live up to its radical talk. This is a church that, bluntly, is the radical children of the 1960s teaching a much more watered-down set of values to their own kids.
One person who sat up after the speech to make an announcement irritated me. Two things were annoying- first, she was making a regular political announcement (though I know the contradiction given my sermon) in the church sanctuary that is normally done outside. And secondly, she credited me as the inspiration to talk about how she needs everyone to go to the Democratic Party offices to work on the elections.
The biggest blow was not that I think the Democratic Party is a dead-end for the radical and religious, though I do. It's that she took my leftist message and turned it into the kind of milquetoast liberalism that gives the Party its nickname- the graveyard of social movements. It's the repeated appropriation- of gay liberation, of black resistance, of the mass left-wing movements that defined the twentieth century in many places, including the United States. These groups become cogs in a party machine and lose their independence. The black American experience we are seeing with police violence is clear- some leaders have long since joined the party apparatus, and thus their criticisms have evident limits. The young insurgents that I admire so much have sometimes booed Al Sharpton off the stage, because they're too smart to be sold on a plan that doesn't work. Smaller groups cannot influence large machines in the way that big money and white voter issues do.
The organization I am a part of rejects the two parties and sees that the only way to gain economic democracy, egalitarian society, and all these things that by the Seven Principles we are morally obliged to strive for- is to build a working class alternative that lacks the compromises that define the two big parties. And I felt our 2013 campaign in Seattle was an example of what many UUs may one day see as necessary- a challenge to liberal Democratic politics that are too tied to businesses and interest groups to achieve change.
Running under the then-insane demand of a $15 an hour minimum wage, our candidate Kshama Sawant- an immigrant woman of color, organizer, and professor- beat him out by the slimmest of margins, winning almost 94,000 votes.
And what happens with that radical alternative. The $15 an hour wage became a reality in Seattle, and now spread to San Francisco and Los Angeles, coming soon in Chicago and Minneapolis, New York and Berkeley. A ordinance was passed to stop landlords from raising rents by more than 400% (!) to keep gentrification at bay. Homeless encampments are allowed to stay rather than broken up by police every week or so. And the new budget is the most progressive in the country, including record funding for homeless LGBT youth and looking to invest in mass transit. Currently the struggle in Seattle is over a large oil rig headed to drill in the Arctic- given the chance by the Obama administration- where hundreds of indigenous people and environmentalists block the way out with their kayaks and banners.
Idle No More indigenous activists in Canada block a highway.
In essence, the UUs need to change their principles or change their tactics. Many UUs will support the Democratic candidate, and I understand that. But without our own political power we will never win the victories that match our moral expectations. Indeed, when Democratic clubs all over Seattle held their 2015 endorsement meetings, they all came back with an endorsement in our district of "none of the above"- since our non-Democratic candidate cannot be directly endorsed. There is a split available more than ever in recent time between the establishment and the activists.
Unitarian Universalism would benefit from class diversity, just like it would from racial diversity, and more immigrants, and other things we discuss all the time. But class diversity is not going to be gained by tabling outside union halls and pawn shops. Our ideas are great but their expression is biased in favor of the well-educated, and those in communities that are not in crisis. I don't see how a black janitor in a community where young men are being shot in the back will find our progressive ideals right for him, because they're never communicated in the way he might see things.
Standoff between protesters and armed police in Ferguson, Missouri. 2014.
As the new generation, I understand that I will be on the radical fringe until I settle down, have kids, and pay dumb taxes. But since what the UU needs are people who might see my worldview as better aligned with theirs, I can't just be flatly ignored.
We can do this. Let's be the radical kooks that our ancestors were when they said that slavery was an abomination and rose up as whole towns to chase slave catchers out of the North. They were one moderate reformers, but they saw the Light that radical solutions were needed to serious problems. Abolition stopped being symbolic the moment it became extralegal.
Author AJMPosted on May 29, 2015 March 8, 2016 Categories Economics, Justice, ProtestTags 1960s, activism, Capitalism, christianity, democracy, economic democracy, economics, goals, justice, kshama sawant, politics, protest, radical, seattle, seven principles, social justice, socialism, socialist alternative, tactics, unitarian universalism, UU, uus1 Comment on Unitarian Universalism has an issue: radical goals and non-radical tactics
Principle Five: An invitation for radical economic democracy
I'll be out of the state for 2 1/2 weeks starting Sunday, so full posts will be rare or non-existent. Since I'll be headed to a scenic part of the world, I'll take nice pictures and write as much poetry as I can.
I'll be giving the guest sermon at my local Unitarian Universalist congregation in mid-September. Part of it is already written, there is still quite a bit of research to be done, primarily religious history reading. There are a lot of parts to tie together, which is encouraging. Ideas are not a problem, it's just a matter of number and order.
At its core, this is a meditation on the fifth principle of Unitarian Universalism, where we triumph "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." In particular, the last five words, "in society at large" are of deep interest to me.
That is an incredibly radical statement, far more than is acknowledged. If UUs are to promote democracy in society at large, it goes far beyond traditional electoral government. In terms of time invested over a lifetime, the economic system is far more present than all the campaigns, referendums, and voting days combined. There is no way to deny that the American economic system, capitalism of a vast size and scale, is a critical part of society. In 2014, it is also undemocratic. Large firms are highly resistant to public opinion, and voting power is decided by investment- which scales with wealth. If you own stock, you have a stake in a publicly-traded company. If we are honest, everyone has a different kind of stake in the actions of these companies. Their pollution, their political donations, their treatment of workers and communities. We are socially taxed with representation.
As written, principle five is calling out for economic democracy. Meaning a system where the workers and the decision-makers were the same people. Such a shift would go beyond reform, it would ditch the economic structure and start from scratch. Not that this is unheard of- America like many other countries has a tradition of co-ops and collectives, just not on the national and international scale. The nice things about UUism is the built-in radical instinct.
The UU congregations and fellowships are aggressive with their external pressures, as divestment from fossil fuels was passed at the General Assembly this year. Boycotts have been used in the past and should continue against anti-LGBT and anti-union organizations. Social change often requires economic change- in the case of the Civil Rights Movement desegregation applied not only to public schools, but the private enterprise of Southern society.
The core structure of a traditional enterprise is oligarchical, where the board that regulates the executive often share members. I'm trying to dig down into the religious history of opposing economic elites and keeping certain things beyond the reach of money. Driving the money changers out of the Temple and driving the insurance companies away from healthcare are moving on the same axis. Part of true democracy is keeping the political, electoral democracy strong and robust.
So it's interesting working through the whole issue. What is the democratic process? Different countries have different methods of voting and different political cultures. What is society at large? What does that exclude? Individual conscience and collective will are often in conflict, that is another dicey subject.
This is the beauty and the madness of the seven principles. Each covers a vast swath of belief and conviction. The madness is the vagueness, but the beauty is that you can get lost in each one and test the limits of your mind and soul. When I give my sermon in two months there will be those that accept my definitions and implications, and those that don't. Our parish minister has to deal with that with every sermon she makes.
Never before have such a project been put before me. Public speaking is one matter, a matter I'm comfortable with. Context is important, though. This is like a final project presentation, but instead of competing for points I'm searching for engagement and understanding. I'm excited, and hope it will be a chance for personal growth and contribute to the growth of the congregation at large.
Author AJMPosted on July 11, 2014 Categories Economics, Justice, Unitarian UniversalismTags boycott, Capitalism, co-op, Corporations, democracy, divestment, economic democracy, sermon, seven principles, unitarian univeralism, votingLeave a comment on Principle Five: An invitation for radical economic democracy
A goal for 2014: economic democracy
Democracy is a word of immense prestige and power. In the modern context it shapes the actions of even the most hardened autocrats. The Nazis held elections, as did the Soviets, and as do the North Koreans. Even those with complete contempt for popular rule see the rituals of democracy as important and helpful.
However, democracy presently has a very narrow scope in many countries. Voting every year or two is the tiny tip of a much large apparatus, most of which is controlled by individuals or powerful groups. Think about the things that depend on your regular vote. Then think of all the things that you do not influence in any way.
Political democracy seems absurd without economic democracy. Professor Richard Wolff in recent years has pushed for workers' self-directed enterprises, stating the obvious fact that people spend more time at work than any other aspect of their lives. Voting for a senator is all well and good, but the most relevant decisions in people's lives are made by bosses and executives.
So the goal should be for greater worker influence- going beyond collective bargaining and into collective management. Even well-organized sectors are being attacked by employers- with threats to move to another country, to lay off vast numbers of people. People's jobs should not be used as a weapon in an economic war. The workers have a vested interest in successful business, and successful in their own communities.
A vast majority of people feel alienated because of the breadth and scale of manipulation and control that powerful people and groups have. It makes even the political rights that exist now feel meaningless, as politics is in a sea of rich people's money. The more aspects of life where the common person's voice is important and matters, the better. And the workplace is where the greatest change will come from.
Author AJMPosted on January 7, 2014 Categories Justice, policyTags cooperative, democracy, economic democracy, economics, socialism, unions, voting, workersLeave a comment on A goal for 2014: economic democracy


text:
Jan III – szósty patriarcha Jerozolimy; sprawował urząd w latach 516–523.

Przypisy

Biskupi i patriarchowie Jerozolimy w czasach jedności chrześcijan
Urodzeni w V wieku
Zmarli w VI wieku

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A rush project for my brother, well mostly anyway : ))) Some 1/72nd cold war US armor, Hasegawa M1A1, Revell Bradley M2A2, ACE Lav-ITV and a couple of Italeri M113A1 ACAVs. I'd like to pick up a couple more Abrams and some M113 ITV's at some stage for a Team Yankee themed battlegroup, so they'll be finished as lateish '80s Reforger type vehicles …. now to find some decent crews …. and some opposition.


What will a Copper Repipe cost in Fort Jones, CA?
Whenever you have aged galvanized water pipes or are getting recurring issues with your plumbing, for instance decreased water pressure, dirty water from water pipe deterioration, wall structure and slab leaks or perhaps unregulated water temperature issues, it's necessary to upgrade the full system. This upgrade is described as repiping. If it is performed correctly, you won't notice any further water leaks, no scalding water issues, no more unsafe water or any other difficulty. If it is completed improperly, the measure of damages that can develop is shocking, and the expense for even more repairs unimagineable. Therefore the very first rule of thumb in repiping is to work with a Repipe Specialist!
The cost of repiping your home in Fort Jones, CA depends upon many factors – how big is the home, the distance of the mainline, and also the number of bathrooms and fittings, to name a few. Often, contractors and plumbing companies charge you over $10,000-$16,000 for every single residence! That's because they don't become a specialist and do not be aware of safest and most efficient strategies to surgically opening up the wall surfaces and swap out the water lines. They generally simply rip walls apart to reach all the plumbing pipes. However if you desire to reduce the degree of demolition and repair service – and thereby reduce the cost (not forgetting the cost of your peace of mind!) make sure you first obtain an estimation from Repipe Specialists! PEX and Copper Repiping is all they do!
Exactly How Much Can Repiping Cost in Fort Jones, CA?
At Repipe Specialists, nearly all copper repipes typically cost half of a neighborhood plumber's price quote – in Fort Jones, CA it's safe to assume between $3,500 for any two bedroom, one bath house, and up to $9,000 for a much larger, more intricate repipe procedure. An indispensable aspect to take into account would be the fact Repipe Specialists prices comes with complete wall repair, patching and painting as soon as they are finished! You will not need to employ a series of construction personnel when hiring Repipe Specialists. They do it all, and in most cases in just a single day! The end goal is to have it handled efficiently and quickly, as if these folks never there.
For almost two decades, they have done nothing but repipe households everywhere in the United States. These experienced engineers are masters at replacement of older, rusty and damaged domestic plumbing systems with higher quality copper and PEX water pipes and accessories. They will not hire day laborers, go with inferior parts or take shortcuts. Repipe Specialists does it right the very first time, and won't leave until you are truely satisfied. That is why Repipe Specialists has long been the highest possible rated PEX and copper repiping company in California! Greater than 30,000 households and rising – coming from excited, pleased customers!


text:
After several delays, construction may start on troubled Waynesboro bridge this year
The bridge closure has been an inconvenience for Waynesboro residents since 2016.
After several delays, construction may start on troubled Waynesboro bridge this year The bridge closure has been an inconvenience for Waynesboro residents since 2016. Check out this story on newsleader.com: https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2019/05/31/construction-florence-avenue-bridge-could-start-summer-2019/1275164001/
Rilyn Eischens, Staunton News Leader Published 9:49 a.m. ET May 31, 2019
The Florence Avenue Bridge, which crosses over the CSX Railroad in Waynesboro, Va., on Friday, November 11, 2016. (Photo: Gabe Cavallaro/The News Leader)
WAYNESBORO – Construction could start as early as this summer on a closed bridge that has caused headaches in Waynesboro for several years.
The federal government has given the city permission to post for construction bids to replace the Florence Avenue bridge, Waynesboro Mayor Terry Short, Jr. wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. The bridge's closure and resulting traffic have been an annoyance for residents since the city shut it down in 2016.
In January, Deputy City Manager James Shaw told the city council that staff learned there were federal highway funds available for the project after submitting a bridge design to the Virginia Department of Transportation, The News Leader reported. The city needed to follow federal design guidelines to be eligible for that money.
"I know it's frustrating for the council and the citizens, but we are beholden to the folks who pay for the bridge," Shaw told the council.
People are reading:Amid mason shortage, next generation of bricklayers prepares to fill the gap
Now, the Federal Highway Administration has authorized the city to advertise for bids to replace the bridge, Short's Facebook post says. The city hopes to hire a contractor this summer to start construction, according to the post.
"This closure has been an incredible inconvenience for so many in our community, and I am both grateful and anxious for construction to finally begin. Once we've got a contractor on board, I'll be sure to share all of the schedule details," Short's post reads.
Short did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
More: Softball for youth with disabilities is back and as energetic as ever
A city engineer recommended the city close and replace the bridge after a city employee found a pothole in the pavement in late 2016.
The News Leader reported at the time of the closure that the bridge was expected to be replaced "soon." Last July, Short said the city planned to open bids for contractors in fall 2018 and complete construction by the end of summer 2019.
The closure is an inconvenience for many residents and has made some worried about neighborhood safety, as re-routed vehicles have increased traffic near their homes, The News Leader has reported.
People are reading: The sport of ultramarathons is growing by leaps and bounds
Follow Rilyn on Twitter @rilyneischens and get in touch at reischens@newsleader.com. Get access to all Rilyn's stories and support local journalism by subscribing today.
Read or Share this story: https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2019/05/31/construction-florence-avenue-bridge-could-start-summer-2019/1275164001/


text:
function verifySftpLoginInfo()
{
    local l_sftp_user_name="$1"
    local l_sftp_user_pwd="$2"

    # check the login info with the expect
    expect "${shell_util_dir}/"checkSftpLoginInfo.exp "${l_sftp_user_name}" "${l_sftp_user_pwd}"

    if [ "$?" -gt 0 ]
    then
        return 1
    fi

    return 0
}

# get user name and pwd for sftp server
function sftpTaskEngine()
{
    local l_task_func_name="$1"
    local l_task_func_parameters="$2"

    local checkRetry_cnt=10
    local tmp_cnt=1

    local l_sftp_user_name_input=""
    local l_sftp_user_pwd_input=""
    local l_verify_rlt=""

    while [ "${tmp_cnt}" -le "${checkRetry_cnt}" ]
    do

        read -p "Enter the sftp user name :" l_sftp_user_name_input
        read -p "Enter the sftp pwd : " -s l_sftp_user_pwd_input

        printf "\n"

        if ! verifySftpLoginInfo "${l_sftp_user_name_input}" "${l_sftp_user_pwd_input}" > /dev/null 2>&1
        then
            printf "Check login failded!\n"
        else
            printf "Pass Login check!\n"

            if [ -n "${l_task_func_name}" ]
            then
                # execute the input task function
                eval "${l_task_func_name} ${l_sftp_user_name_input} ${l_sftp_user_pwd_input} ${l_task_func_parameters}"
            fi
            return 0
        fi

        let tmp_cnt=$((tmp_cnt+1))
    done
    return 1
}

function sftpUploadFile()
{
    local tmp_upload_file_path="$1"

    if [ -z "${tmp_upload_file_path}" ]
    then
        printf "Please input the upload file path info!\n"
        return 1
    fi

    if [ ! -e "${tmp_upload_file_path}" ]
    then
        printf "Invalid file path:%s\n" "${tmp_upload_file_path}"
        return 1
    fi

    sftpTaskEngine "expect '${shell_util_dir}/sftp_upload.exp' " "${tmp_upload_file_path}"

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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You've asked for it! Keep a look out for a variety of ever-changing variety of Ultimate hoodies and zip ups, baseball tees, coffee mugs, yoga mats & more! We can order custom items as well!


Orange You Glad It's November? Let's Get Cozy!
All at once, summer collapsed into fall.
Indeed, fall has arrived – even for those of us in Texas. Of course, it is all relative. We certainly don't have the beautiful fall foliage that you have up north nor the very cool temperatures. But we are no longer sweating while we go outside, so that's a big improvement!
When we were in Denver a few weeks ago, I was reminded of how refreshing the crisp fall air can be. I breathed in the mountain air so fully and completely. It was refreshing! And it brought me so much joy to watch Elle delight in the simple pleasure of crunching fall leaves under her feet.
All of this got me very excited for November back home, when some of these fall realities make their way to us in the south.
When you think of November, what words come to mind?
Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Voting. Family. Pumpkins. Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, and all sorts of yummy food! Changing leaves. Pumpkin spice lattes. Scarves. Sweaters. Boots. Blankets. Books. Home. Togetherness. Holidays. Celebrations. Gatherings.
Our November word of the month is COZY.
Now, allow me to get personal… It's been a trying time for me personally. I'm not prepared to share details, but it has been a difficult time to say the least.
What I have learned about life, though, is that thankfully it's never all bad. And aren't we thankful for that? If everything was bleak, life could be unbearable. But fortunately, there is still so much joy to be had even in the toughest of times! In fact, I dare to say those joyful aspects of life mean even more to us during the difficult seasons.
Right now, this month, all I want to do is get cozy! What do I mean by cozy? Well, the official definition of cozy is as follows: "giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation." And that pretty much sums up what I want right now.
I want to cuddle up on the sofa with my family and watch a heartwarming movie or a funny holiday flick. I want to snuggle up with a blanket, some hot apple cider, and read a good book — something comforting, something inspiring or something cozy! Side note: I've been super excited to read that last one I mentioned. The Cozy Minimalist Home is a new release. You don't often see the words "cozy" and "minimalist" mentioned together, so it intrigues me! I like cozy, but I certainly don't like clutter.
I want to hug my family. I want to soak up every moment with my daughter. She is learning so much and developing and growing and changing so quickly! I want to express gratitude, rather than keep it inside. I want to gather with my friends and encourage one another.
And, yes, I want to wear chunky sweaters, over-the-knee boots, and plaid scarves. Basic? Maybe. Cozy? Definitely!
Our November color of the month is ORANGE.
What do you think of when you think of orange? Sure, we think of Halloween and jack-o-lanterns. But orange stretches far beyond October into November.
Fall foliage. The full harvest moon. Pumpkin pie. Sweet potatoes. The crackling flames of a warm fire. The University of Texas longhorn football — or Oklahoma State football, if you're my family in Oklahoma. These are just a few of November's orange joys.
At its core, orange is the combination of red and yellow. So, it combines the warmth of red with the happiness of yellow. That's a winning combination in my book!
Orange is stimulating. The color stimulates activity, appetite, and thinking, amongst other things.
Orange is attention-grabbing. That's why you see it used for traffic signs, billboards, advertisements, and more.
Orange is polarizing. You either love it or loathe it. The color elicits strong reactions; there's typically no in between. I guess that's what happens when you live boldly as orange does!
Regardless of which camp you land in, there's no denying that orange is energizing. So, let's channel that energy in a good way this month! Let's get cozy.
We hope you are as ready to embrace November and the cooler days as much as we are! What are you most looking forward to this month? We'd love to hear in the comments below.
I hope you are okay, Carrie. Sorry to hear it has been a difficult time for you.
A Unicorn Hot Chocolate Recipe you won't be able to find anywhere else.


text:
Expats in China should Know This BEFORE Boarding Flights
Expat RightsTue, June 25, 2019 7:04am URL:
Know This Before Boarding Flights!
https://patreon.com/ExpatRights
An airport on the tropical Hainan Island has become the first in China to put up a notice warning passengers not to throw coins at planes to pray for a safe trip after numerous such incidents had delayed flights across the country.
WeChat Official Account: ExpatRights
An image circulating online recently showed the warning displayed on a screen located before the security check area at Phoenix International Airport in Sanya.
It warned passengers that tossing coins at a plane was not only against the law but it would also harm their prayers for protection.
"We respectfully inform you that tossing coins at a plane to pray for good fortune is illegal and it also violates the aviation safety code and will harm blessings" The English translation of the notice read simply: "It is illegal to throw money into an airplane to pray for good luck."
But the airport told Shanghai-based news outlet Thepaper.cn that the message was no longer displayed because it was being revised.
The airport had decided to display the warning after a number of "lucky coin toss" incidents at other airports in China in recent years.
The first case was reported in 2017 when an 80-year-old woman threw a handful of coins into the engine of a China Southern Airlines flight at Shanghai Pudong International Airport to "pray for safety" – delaying the flight for more than five hours.
Shenzhen Airlines took action in one case, suing a man who threw two coins at a plane engine as he was boarding a flight from Nanning to Shenyang in 2017.
The man agreed to pay the airline 50,000 yuan (US$7,240) to settle the case in March.
So far this year, at least five people have thrown coins at planes as they were boarding delaying their flights for hours and in some cases landing them in detention.
In May 2019, two passengers were detained at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport following an incident, forcing nearly 260 passengers to be evacuated from the jet bound for Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province.
Airport staff found that the two passengers threw coins out of the air bridge of Luck Air flight 8L9616 as they were boarding. The security staff members later found two one-yuan coins under the bridge.
These incidents have become more frequent after the flight accident in Ethiopia some time ago.
Some passenger believes that it can bring them luck.
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LAOWAI means WHITE 💮 →


It seems like the ultimate in green technology for an emissions-savvy citizen of the 21st century: solar panels on your roof, providing carbon dioxide-free electricity whenever the sun is shining. But as huge utility-scale solar and wind projects continue to make news and the economy continues to struggle, the state of the residential solar sector in the United States remains decidedly mixed.
From the first quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter, installations of U.S. residential solar systems rose from 62 megawatts to 74 megawatts (enough to power about 15,000 homes), and the Solar Energy Industries Association reports that the first quarter of 2011 saw similar gains over the same period in 2010. Considering that the total installed solar capacity in the U.S. — residential, commercial, and industrial-scale of all types included — still hasn't cracked 3,000 megawatts (enough to power roughly 600,000 homes), this feels like progress.
Yet if you look at residential solar's share of the total U.S. solar market, the picture is less bright. In 2009, 36 percent of all installed solar systems were on homes; this dropped to 30 percent in 2010, and some experts think that will continue to fall.
"The way the U.S. solar market is really headed is toward utility projects," said MJ Shiao, a solar markets analyst with Greentech Media Research. He noted that the growth from the first quarter of 2010 to 2011 was about 14 percent in the residential market, compared with an impressive 119 percent for non-residential sectors. Just last week, the U.S. Interior Department approved First Solar's 4,100-acre solar project in the California desert, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power 165,000 homes.
"These other market sectors are really taking off," Shiao said. "That's not to say that residential isn't growing. It's sort of plodding along."
In some European countries — most notably Germany — generous government incentive programs and ambitious renewable energy targets have created a far more robust solar sector, including residential solar. In 2010 alone, Germany installed 7,400 megawatts of photovoltaic systems — more than double the entire existing solar capacity in the U.S. About 700 megawatts came from 100,000 small, residential-sized systems. Shiao said that Germany's and Italy's solar markets have traditionally been driven by residential and small commercial installations.
The primary issue stopping most U.S. homeowners from putting solar panels on their roofs is cost. Solar systems are expensive — on the order of $20,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the system's size and other factors. And even though these systems can end up paying for themselves in the long run with lower electricity bills, most families cannot find tens of thousands of dollars for the upfront costs. Prices of solar panels are steadily coming down, but are still not low enough to prompt a mass movement to solar, especially at a time of economic stagnation.
Because of this, the main drivers of residential solar installations are state and federal incentives that help defray those costs, yet even these are in jeopardy as governments at all levels slash budgets. Everyone in the country can take advantage of a federal renewable energy tax credit; this reduces the costs of a solar installation by 30 percent, and since 2009 there is no maximum on the total amount. Beyond that, several states dominate the market because their incentives are so strong.
The California Solar Initiative has helped make the country's biggest state also the biggest residential solar market. So far, more than 50,000 installed systems have a total capacity of more than 240 megawatts; another 10,000 applications are waiting to add another 50 megawatts to the total. The initiative allows homeowners an upfront rebate based on how many installed megawatts the state has — the idea being that as the market takes off and as costs of solar drop, people will need less government help to prosper and the rebate will drop in value. At the moment, the initiative is in step 8 out of 10, meaning that a residential system can get back 35 cents per watt; this is down from $2.50 per watt when the program began. A typical installation ranges from two to 10 kilowatts, meaning the rebate can be upward of $2,000.
While California matches its sunny reputation with a relatively strong solar market, other states have emerged as less likely solar powerhouses. New Jersey trails only California in total installed solar power, and as of late July the state surpassed 10,000 total installed solar arrays. The bulk of the market is for commercial-sized projects, like a giant 9 megawatt array on the roof of the Gloucester Marine Terminal, but state policies have also pushed residential solar. However, under Gov. Chris Christie, New Jersey ended its upfront rebate program last year, although it still offers ongoing incentives through the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates program. Christie also abandoned the previous administration's goal of getting 30 percent of the state's power from renewable sources by 2020, reducing that target to 22.5 percent.
Looking a few years out, the federal 30 percent tax credit for commercial solar projects will drop to 10 percent in 2016, and may disappear altogether for residential projects. The unanswered question is whether the solar industry can thrive without such strong federal and state financial incentives.
Some experts, though, don't think the incentives are the only driver of the residential solar market. According to Michael Woodhouse, an analyst with the National Renewal Energy Laboratory, the economics of solar photovoltaics are better than many make them out to be.
"When people say PV will never compete without subsidies, that is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me," Woodhouse said. "That's a really incomplete picture." The key, he said, is to look at the cost of electricity on a regional and state level rather than overall. Woodhouse has conducted analyses of several specific locales. For example, in Santa Barbara, California, he said that right now, when the 30 percent federal tax credit for solar is included, residential solar power costs about 13.8 cents per kilowatt-hour. The average price of electricity across the state, meanwhile – meaning, from all sources – is 15.1 cents per kilowatt-hour. In other words, solar power might already have achieved "grid parity" in Santa Barbara.
In other places, solar power is not close to grid parity. In St. Louis, Missouri, the cost of residential solar power is more than double the 8-cent per kilowatt-hour average of traditional electricity sources.
"The best economics for PV are in places where you have a good solar resource and expensive traditional electricity," Woodhouse said. "There is no simple answer for this: when will PV compete with fossil fuels? It already does, it just depends on where we're talking about."
For one subset of the population, there is a way around at least some of the upfront costs involved with a home installation: install it yourself. In recent years, do-it-yourself solar has begun to go mainstream, with stores like Home Depot now selling solar installation kits. At Lowes, a package of 13 185-watt panels (enough for a small 2.4 kilowatt system) and all the hardware required to install them costs $9,219.
On the other end of the spectrum from the do-it-yourselfer lie people who would like to have solar panels on a roof in theory, but don't want to pay for them, install them, or even have the responsibility of owning them at all. Enter the most promising trend in residential solar power: the third party ownership model.
Adam Shuster of Ashland, Massachusetts took advantage of this model, under which a company installs, maintains, and owns a home's panels and charges a fixed rate for the electricity they generate. In 2008, Shuster looked into putting solar panels on his family home's roof, but decided it simply cost too much. But his ten-year-old son, Kenny, kept pushing him to look a bit harder.
"At one point I said to [Kenny], 'You know, it could look kind of ugly on the house,'" Shuster recalled. Kenny countered: "Would you rather have an ugly planet and a good-looking house, or a good-looking planet and an ugly house?" In September 2009, the ten-year-old got to flip the switch that turned on a 20-panel, five-kilowatt photovoltaic system. His family is now generating about a third of its home's power needs from the sun, saving about $75 per year on total electricity bills, and producing a third less carbon emissions as a result.
Several companies – notably SunRun, Sungevity, and Solar City – now will install a solar system on a homeowner's roof for little or no upfront cost. The homeowner pays a set price to the installing company for the electricity the system generates, and the company also takes care of maintenance and repair.
Susan Wise, a spokesperson for SunRun, said her company grew at 300 percent in 2010 and expects to at least double again in 2011; she says that they now install $1 million of solar panels every day. "We let homeowners switch to solar without having to put thousands of dollars up front," she said. "And they don't have to deal with owning the technology. That's a huge thing for lots of people. They don't want the panels, they just want power."
Though SunRun's installations rarely are big enough to produce all of a home's electricity, Wise said, the price of the solar portion of a home's power tends to be five to ten percent lower than the utility's portion at the start of the contract. Also, the third-party owners offer 18- and 20-year contracts with a locked-in price. Since utility electricity rates historically have risen consistently, a homeowner could save thousands of dollars over the life of a contract.
This corner of the market seems to be the fastest growing. Shiao of GTM Research said that in January of 2010, none of the solar installations in Colorado — which is among the top states for total solar installations — were third-party owned; only a year later, third party ownership accounted for 35 percent of the solar arrays installed. Notably, though, these companies rely on federal and state incentives, as well, and tend to follow the money to certain states. SunRun currently installs systems in nine states; Sungevity is in eight.
Another promising long-term trend for residential solar is that solar panels continue to drop in cost, and fairly drastically. Woodhouse said that in 2008, the price of a manufacturing a solar panel was about $4 per watt. Now, $1.50 per watt or below isn't out of the question.
"The cost reductions in PV are really remarkable," he said. "And there is every reason to believe that they will continue. We're not even close to hitting the bottom of cost reduction potential."


Home Media statements 2016 Media Statements Mr PM, you are challenged and dared! Will you sue?
Mr PM, you are challenged and dared! Will you sue?
There seems to be no stopping Sarawak Report from exposing an avalanche of news about 1MDB that allegedly accuses the prime minister in a sinister manner and disparages and discredits his character and integrity.
Without let-up, Sarawak Report has come up with new disclosures successively on a daily basis over the last four days.
Sarawak Report seemingly possesses a wealth of damaging information about 1MDB that exposes the concerted efforts by the authorities to conceal and cover up the many wrongs and the mind-boggling blatant corruption that shrouds the 1MDB controversy.
It does no credit to the country or its leaders to constantly deny and condemn as false every time such disturbing news is made public by Sarawak Report. Mere denials without concrete evidence to nail the so-called lies and concoctions do not in any way enhance the government's claimed version of their truth.
The government's credibility is absolutely zero as far as 1MDB is concerned. Except for the government leaders and their lackeys, nobody seems to accept the clarification provided to counter Sarawak Report.
To make matters worse, the Sarawak Report publisher Clare Rewcastle-Brown has challenged Prime Minister Najib Razak to initiate extradition proceedings against her so that she can face trial in Malaysia.
"He should get on with it in the most publicly possible way so that all can judge his motives and justifications in an objective court of law – away from judges whom he appointed and controls.
"It is time the world started to learn what has happened to the once largely respectable and law-abiding government of Malaysia," she said.
She is daring because she claims to have authentic information that will convict Najib in a court of law. She seems to be quoting heavily from the auditor general's report which has been classified under the Official Secrets Act, thus making it unavailable not only to the general public but also putting it beyond the scrutiny of members of Parliament as well.
Unless the auditor general's report is declassified, there is no way to verify or refute what Sarawak Report claims. As long as the auditor general's report is sealed in secrecy, the suspicion that the government is determined to cover up corruption will persist.
But if the government wants Malaysians to believe that Sarawak Report is full of lies and slander and a fabrication by Clare Rewcastle-Brown to denigrate Najib, then here is an excellent opportunity to denounce all the allegedly false reporting of Sarawak Report: declassify the auditor general's report so that Malaysians can judge for themselves. This is the only way to establish the truth – in the court of public opinion.
If the declassified report does not confirm the so-called false claims of Sarawak Report, then the entire country will rally around the prime minister and roundly condemn Clare Rewcastle-Brown. This will shut her up and bring to an end all the so-called lies and falsehoods concocted by her. If the truth is on the side of the government, there is nothing to fear.
But as long as the auditor general's report is withheld from the public, Malaysians will continue to disbelieve and doubt the government's story. The government is morally bound to establish the truth beyond any doubt.
Many Malaysians are wondering why the auditor general's report is classified under the OSA. What justification is there for it? What incriminating revelation does it contain that the government is so determined to prevent the Malaysian public from knowing?
The question arises: can the government legally prevent this report from being tabled in Parliament for discussion? Has the government the constitutional authority to withhold this report from the elected representatives of the people?
It is, therefore, a constitutional mandate for the Agong to cause the report "to be laid before the House of Representatives." It cannot be ignored or set aside. It is a mandatory provision which cannot be subverted or interfered with. It has to be honoured.
By merely classifying it under the OSA, the report cannot be prevented from being tabled in Parliament. The government has no lawful authority or basis to do so. Parliamentary convention dictates that members of Parliament have a right of access to this report.
Clare Rewcastle-Brown has thrown down the gauntlet. The only honourable thing for the prime minister to do is to pick it up and respond like a gentleman. He cannot be evasive or remain indifferent to this challenge. His credibility and integrity are at stake. He is our prime minister, and he shouldn't shame us by refusing to sue Clare Rewcastle-Brown.
Let the attorney general, who has cleared the PM from any wrongdoing in the 1MDB saga, lead the charge to secure her extradition from Britain to face trial in Malaysia. The honour of the nation is at stake. He must not fail us.
What lies ahead for Pas?
@sarawak_report Stupid !! This … #Clare Rewcastle Brown Protected by British Defamation Act 2013.
Chandran S…what if i say lord krishna protects sammy and find him no wrong even it is obvious? Would u like it?
If it was LKY, a man of integrity, you would be a bankcrupt!
Chandran. S, When you start blaming religion for the alleged corruption, you will be the fuse that will ignite the explosive. DONT go there, please.
The writer is a gentleman but not all the readers are.
Chandran. S, why does one have to bring up religion? Its people like you who will one day create unrest in this country.
Guilty guilty as charged. !
Nothing more than endless lies.
This, my friend, will never happen!! This is where they will spring up in between and block it.
The Sunni Wahhabism (brotherhood) will protect the PM in this country. They will find no wrong even when it is obvious.
Pls dont bring in religion into this scandal. The truth is a practising, law-abiding, god-fearing muslim would never have done such a thing for fear of hell.


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text:
Top 10 spirits launches in February 2018
05 March 2018 By Nicola Carruthers
A female-inspired Johnnie Walker bottle, the 'world's oldest' Irish single malt and a rum finished in smoky whisky casks are name-checked in our round-up of last month's headline-grabbing spirits launches.
SB presents the top 10 spirits launches in February
In February, Fusion Whisky unveiled a Dutch-Scotch blend inspired by Elizabeth Stuart, the Queen of Bohemia, while Diageo caused controversy with the launch of a female-inspired iteration of its Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle, called The Jane Walker Edition.
Havana Club unveiled a whisky cask-finished rum as part of its annual Tributo Collection, and Glendalough Distillery launched what it claims is the first Irish whiskey finished in Japanese mizunara oak.
Click through the following pages to explore our full round-up of top spirits launches in February.
Which new spirits products caught your eye last month? If we've missed your favourite, let us know in the comments below.
The Jane Walker Edition
To coincide with Women's History Month and International Women's Day celebrations, Diageo unveiled a female-inspired iteration of Johnnie Walker Black Label last month, called The Jane Walker Edition
The controversial product is the latest move by Diageo to promote gender equality and will be available across the US.
Rumours over the launch started in January when Diageo submitted a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for The Jane Walker Edition.
Winter Queen
Edinburgh-based Fusion Whisky's new expression is made using Scotch from the Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries and malt whisky from Dutch distillery Zuidam.
The new whisky was created to honour Fife-born Elizabeth Stuart, the eldest daughter of King James VI and Queen Anne of Denmark.
She became known as the Winter Queen after marrying Elector Palatine Frederick V, who served as King of Bohemia for one winter in the 1600s.
Havana Club Tributo 2018
Last month, Pernod Ricard extended its Havana Club Tributo Collection with the release of a 2018 edition.
Havana Club Tributo 2018 has been crafted from blended rums drawn from 60-year-old casks and part-finished in barrels that had previously held smoky malts.
It was launched at the Cigar Habanos Festival in Cuba last month, with a limited allocation of 2,500 bottles globally.
Casamigos Mezcal
Diageo extended its newly acquired Casamigos Tequila brand with the launch of a mezcal, crafted from 100% espadin agave and bottled at 40% abv.
The un-aged mezcal is made in small palenques (or meeting places), where piñas are split and laid to cook for four to six days in six-tonne earthen pits lined with volcanic rocks heated by an oak wood fire.
Casamigos Tequila, which was founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman in 2013, was sold to Diageo last year in a deal worth up to US$1 billion.
Last month saw Beefeater join the pink army with the unveiling of a pink variation of its Beefeater gin.
Beefeater Pink has been created by master distiller Desmond Payne MBE and is based on the traditional Beefeater London Dry gin expression. Its pink hue comes from the addition of strawberries to complement the "classic" Beefeater citrus and juniper flavours.
Bottled at 37.5% abv, you won't have to wait long for this pink gin, which will launch in the UK and Spain in April, before rolling out to at least 12 markets globally this summer.
Teeling 34 Year Old
The Teeling Whiskey Company unveiled a 34-year-old whiskey in the US last month – thought to be the oldest Irish single malt in the world.
First distilled in 1983, the expression has been aged in ex-American oak Bourbon barrels and bottled at 40.9% abv.
The single malt is described as having a "complex floral nose" with "deep layered flavours" as a result of its lengthy maturation.
Baileys Strawberry and Cream
Diageo-owned Irish cream liqueur brand Baileys launched a limited-edition strawberries and cream flavour in the US last month.
Baileys Strawberry & Cream is described as combining a ripe strawberry flavour with the "luxurious taste" of Irish cream found in Baileys.
Bottled at 17% abv, the expression is recommended served over ice or added to dessert recipes, such as strawberry shortcake.
Glendalough 13 Year Old
Glendalough Distillery is set to launch what it claims is the first Irish whiskey finished in Japanese mizunara oak: Glendalough 13 Year Old.
The single malt expression spent 13 years in ex-Bourbon barrels, before being finished in mizunara oak casks. It is bottled at 46% abv and is said to have notes of sandalwood, honey and citrus.
The 13-year-old is one of a trio of new whiskeys due to be released by Glendalough this year.
Drought Edition Gin
South African distillery Pienaar & Son unveiled an 80% abv gin, called the Drought Edition Gin, as a result of dramatically reduces its use of water in production.
The new release is thought to be the world's strongest gin and takes the title from Scotland's Twin River Distillery, which recently unveiled a 77% abv expression.
Ginkhana
Founded by keen horse rider David Lawson, Ginkhana was developed in partnership with the Twin River Distillery and took its name from a pageantry and exhibition field day event, called the Gymkhana.
The Aberdeen-based brand described its first expression as a "local spirit with an equestrian twist".


The word Ba'dee categorically points out to the immediate succession of Imam Ali (a.s.) after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). To misinterpret Wali as beloved is unwarranted. Being the beloved of the believers has no meaning. Wasn't Imam Ali (a.s.) the beloved of the believers in the Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.a.) lifetime?
In other words, whenever the believers have been addressed ('O you who believe'), Imam Ali (a.s.) is the foremost addressee.
Imam Ali (a.s.) is the leader and guide of the people, the beloved of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) , the possessor of divine knowledge, the foremost in the worship and obedience of Allah, the perfect distinguisher between truth and falsehood, a peer of the Quran and an exemplar for the friends of Allah. In the post-Prophet era, it is the responsibility of the people to submit only to him (to the exclusion of all others) and observe his proclamations and announcements. Obeying him is not optional; rather it is a compulsory obligation on all people in general and on the Muslims in particular. The traditions that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has narrated in this regard are extraordinary. We have narrated a few over here.
This tradition is too manifest to require an explanation. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in no uncertain terms has asserted that whatever he has conveyed regarding Imam Ali (a.s.) is not his personal recommendation; rather it was a divine recommendation. If the Muslims had paid heed to just this one tradition of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), they would have been secure from the present state of affairs that is rife with sedition, deviation and confusion.
Unfortunately, the Muslims ignored the Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.a.) recommendation. They abandoned Imam Ali (a.s.) and instead followed others and in this way became a source of degradation for Islam. However, every era witnessed Muslims, albeit few in number, who adhered to the Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.a.) recommendation and submitted to Imam Ali (a.s.)and his infallible children (a.s.).


will start the ball with a lot of men's suits at $8.oo worth $12.00. See them.
The prrces are $5, 8, 10, 12.50, r5, IS, and 20. See them.
Knee Pants at 25 cents, 5o, 75, $r, r.25, I50 and 175. .. See them.
Shirt waists at 25 cents, 40, 5o, 75 and $1.00 world beaters See them.
JOJYES : & : GOODLOE.
12^4 and 20 cents a yard.
The Wood Will Case Called up To-day.
Wood (O'Shea, Steel and others inter-vening).
Page Wood of Hatterbv court, baro-net.
was left the sole legatee of ^196,000.
brothers, Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood, V.
years old when she died.
amount of capital is invested in phos.
invitation to be present and will speak.
National Miners convention met to-day.
will sail for the West Indies tomor-row.
suggested his opinion that Col. R. B.
if his servioes could be seoured.
is worth more than passing attention.
work there than Col. Parrott.
an eye tor intrinsic value as an ex-pert.
[The old Orand Building:, North Plaza,] Waco Texas.
UUIX 1 Dfl A ULMl! at 705 Austin Street Before Buying.


The sun is the largest star in our solar system, and has produced energy to be harvested for billions of years. Solar energy has the power to generate electricity, provide hot water, and to cool, heat, and light homes and buildings.
Solar powered energy is not only accessible and useful for homeowners around the world, but it is also a major way to help protect our planet, so it can flourish for generations to come.
When it comes to switching from utility to solar power, many homeowners have a multitude of questions, such as: How much does solar panel installation cost? What are all of the components of a home solar system? And, how can I maintain my solar system monthly and yearly?
How Much Does A Solar Panel Installation Cost?


When he was alive, my grandfather's favorite thing to do with big piles of money was to cultivate it in various banks in Southern NJ. Back in those days he loved a CD at Haddon Savings, First Colonial or Coumbia Savings as much as I loved a CD at Circle Records or Tower Records. So this month when I got to shoot a commercial at one of those banks in downtown Collingswood it was really fun! Here's the clip….
The spot was produced by Chris Schaefer and the other shots in the commercial were by Ryan Wismer. The extras in the clip were women that work for First Colonial, minus of course Kristen Hatfield a PHL17 colleague (pink). Gerry Banmiller, President of First Colonial National Bank is the speaker and it was a real pleasure to meet him, even though he balked at my shot suggestion of opening the vault and jumping into a pile of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck.
The light in the bank was ample enough that we shot on SLR and used just the light we had available and kept the whole production very short to get Gerry and crew back to the business of banking. Time is money at First Colonial.


text:
Q: ServiceStack Swagger body I'm struggling getting Swagger to present my ServiceStack service correctly.
I would like to see an UserId string as a form parameter and a PrivateCustomer object as a body parameter, but keep getting a body parameter with BOTH the UserId and the PrivateCustomer, despite UserId also appearing as a separate input field.
Here's my code:

And here's the result in Swagger:

How do I get rid of the UserId in the body?
Thanks a lot!

A: The [Api*] annotations are only for documenting your API, they do not impact your API's behavior, e.g. the request body is always expected to be the entire Request DTO and you can't have both "form" and "body" parameter types sent at the same time, i.e. there's only 1 Request Body and when using "form" only the form variables will be sent.
If you wanted to separate them you could add UserId to the query string and exclude them from appearing in the model schema with:
[Route("/CreatePrivateCustomer", "POST")]
public class CreatePrivateCustomerRequest
{
    [ApiMember(IsRequired = true, ParameterType = "query", ExcludeInSchema = true)]
    public string UserId { get; set; }

    [ApiMember(IsRequired = true, ParameterType = "model")]
    public PrivateCustomer Customer { get; set; }
}

This will separate the variables and send UserId in the queryString and the request of the DTO in the Request Body as JSON, e.g:
POST /CreatePrivateCustomer?UserId=1
Content-Type: application/json

{"Customer":{"CustomerNumber":1,...}}

Although generally if you want required parameters separated from the Request Body you would put them in the path, e.g:
[Route("/CreatePrivateCustomer/{UserId}", "POST")]
public class CreatePrivateCustomerRequest
{
    [ApiMember(IsRequired = true, ParameterType = "path", ExcludeInSchema = true)]
    public string UserId { get; set; }

    [ApiMember(IsRequired = true, ParameterType = "model")]
    public PrivateCustomer Customer { get; set; }
}

and if you don't want the PrivateCustomer properties nested you would add them directly on the Request DTO, e.g:
[Route("/CreatePrivateCustomer/{UserId}", "POST")]
public class CreatePrivateCustomerRequest
{
    [ApiMember(IsRequired = true, ParameterType = "path", ExcludeInSchema = true)]
    public string UserId { get; set; }

    public int CustomerNumber { get; set; }
    public string FirstName { get; set; }
    public string LastName { get; set; }
}


Mon, 14:10: Where an app gets a Store release via Desktop Bridge, I'm moving across to it: more secure, more isolation.
Mon, 15:20: I see a new release of https://t.co/2ly0EnOYtq is out, with bug fixes for CU, and a new portable mode that's part of the Store migration.
Mon, 18:33: With regards to the "comics banned on flights from SDCC", the last few times I've flown with a bag of books, it's been opened and searched.
Mon, 20:02: So the whole Snopes fundraiser is due to a lack of a pre-nup? Uh oh.