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'Humanitarian Crisis' Update
Posted on | September 17, 2022 | Comments Off on 'Humanitarian Crisis' Update
By now you know the story: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a planeload of 50 illegal immigrants from Venezuela to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, the island vacation resort where Barack Obama and other wealthy elites have private beachfront mansions. The affluent liberals of Martha's Vineyard freaked out, and had the governor send in the National Guard to round up the Venezuelans and ship them off to a military base on Cape Cod. Hypocrisy exposed, mission accomplished.
During this comic escapade, however, an appeal showed up on GoFundMe, soliciting funds to address the "humanitarian crisis" in Martha's Vineyard. Mia Cathell reports on who was behind that appeal:
The ultra-wealthy elites of Martha's Vineyard launched a GoFundMe fundraiser over the island's "humanitarian crisis" of (*finger-counts*) 50 migrants sent ashore by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). That's right. The trust fund babies and Old Money socialites on Martha's Vineyard, a well-known magnet for millionaires, CEOs, and celebrities, were soliciting online donations from middle-class Americans on the crowdfunding platform.
As of Friday afternoon, the affluent community's "urgent plea" has raised over $42,000. The proceeds are benefiting the Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation (MVCF) whose mission includes putting "charitable contributions to work for the people of Martha's Vineyard by making grants that address community priorities" and "dispersing emergency response funding during extreme times of need." MVCF builds and invests its endowment to "provide continued resources for enhance[ing] and preserving the quality of life on the Vineyard."
MVCF is the permanent endowment for Martha's Vineyard and has grown to assets under management of over $14 million dollars, according to its financials page. MVCF's current causes accepting monetary gifts include the Climate Action Fund, which backs projects "that address the effects of climate change on the Island; the Islanders Write festival, a free event where authors come together "for robust conversation about the art, craft and business of writing;" and the Diversity Coalition Charitable Trust, which is dedicated to "eradicat[ing] racism," understanding "the barriers that prevent equal rights for all," and "ultimately eliminate inequality and injustice."
In addition to the flow of GoFundMe sympathy cash, MVCF had established a separate Migrant Relief Fund, noting that it's "concerned about the well[-]being of the migrants who have recently arrived on our island." . . .
"Martha's Vineyard is a community of open-hearted individuals that view these migrants as people, not political pawns," the GoFundMe campaign's description read overnight, right before the "immigrant-friendly," welcoming "sanctuary destination" quickly bid adieu Friday morning to the dozens of migrants within a 48-hour period.
The companion Migrant Relief Fund's caption was updated to note that the "immigrant visitors" were just that—passersby. Of course, the MVCF was sure to emphasize that the visiting migrants "expressed enormous gratitude for the outpouring of support and generosity shown by the Island community, which was heartfelt and overflowing." Then the MVCF vowed to "make every attempt to stay connected" with the group of migrants.
The fundraiser's organizer, New York communications consultant Sarah Goulet, claimed the resort community "faces a shortage of affordable housing," although dissidents in the island's Facebook groups have called out their fellow liberals for not practicing what they preach by refusing to offer up their multiple summer rentals, which remain vacant most of the year. . . .
A quick Google search on Goulet shows her family's four-bedroom, $1.6 million-plus Martha's Vineyard home sitting on almost four secluded acres within walking distance of a 1,300-ft private association beach. . . .
Last year, Vineyard Haven, where the Goulet family residence is, was named the most expensive town in America, even beating Los Angeles, according to a 2021 analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by LendingTree.
During the 2020 presidential race, Goulet donated six times to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris. She's a frequent contributor to ActBlue, a left-wing funding vehicle for progressive groups and candidates.
Goulet, a graduate of Brown University, owns her own namesake public relations and marketing company, offering strategic communications and media relations for fine art, design, and luxury brands. Her father is the owner of a commercial millwork manufacturer in Denver while her mother, also an Ivy League alumna, is a prominent and acclaimed appellate lawyer, serving as a partner at the prestigious law firm Holland & Hart.
Her husband from pricey Manhattan Beach, California, is a correspondent for GQ magazine and the author of two books. He proposed to Goulet on the beach below the family's property and the two married in the summer of 2018, catching the attention of The New York Times, which published a profile on the wedding venue.
At the appointment-only Mark Ingram Atelier premier bridal salon, Goulet received an Italian textured silk dress from Milan-based designer Peter Langner. Before the outdoor meadow ceremony, guests were treated to Aperol spritzes and a raw bar, according to wedding blog site Over The Moon. A string quartet serenaded along with a premiere private brand whose vocalists have been featured on "American Idol," "The Voice," and "The X Factor."
These are the class of people making more than six figures in this inflation-ravaged economy but want your money to solve their so-called "humanitarian crisis," one that's derived from a very real crisis at America's border. It's a worsening situation they didn't care about until it directly affected them—when there's trouble in paradise.
So, Ms. Goulet went to Brown University (annual cost of attendance, $80,986 including room and board), while her husband went to Duke University (annual cost of attendance, $81,220 including room and board), and these rich elitists can't stand the thought of illegal immigrants spoiling their beloved Martha's Vineyard.
Oh, but they've got their ready-made excuse — there's a "shortage of affordable housing" on the island where Ms. Goulet's family owns a four-bedroom $1.6-million home on four acres. That's why they want to put the illegal aliens somewhere else, someplace far away from their own beachfront vacation homes. Not that they're hypocrites, you see, it's just that darned "affordable housing" shortage on the island.
You can click here to read all about Sarah Goulet's wedding on Martha's Vineyard, with an eight-piece band playing at the reception.
Dozens of Airbnb rentals available on Martha's Vineyard despite 'housing crisis' claims https://t.co/RGeHbKIPOY pic.twitter.com/r4N1vC5b9i
— New York Post (@nypost) September 17, 2022
On MSNBC tonight: A montage of tearful Vineyard residents emotionally embracing the migrants AS THEY SEE THEM ON TO THE BUSES TAKING THEM THE FUCK OFF THEIR ISLAND.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) September 17, 2022
Category: Immigration, Massachusetts


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Q: In which format should I sent the values in database in PHP? I am developing an application which is based on the quiz contest for competetive exams. The user can give different categories of tests, which will contain different types of questions of following types:

*

*Single select,

*Multiple select,

*Match making,

*Comprehension (the quetion will be a paragraph and on the basis of that there will be questions),

*Free text (the user will have to type the answer),

*Range (the user have to select a number from 1 to 10).

My concern is that while creating questions from admin site, how can I manage the database for above type of questions?
I have one answer column in the question table but there are six type of questions so what should be the convenient way for saving answers in the databse so that when user will give answer, I can easily check if the answer matches?
I am thinking of saving the answer in the form of XML tags. Will this be a good approach?

A: Every type of question will have to be managed differently in your application and will use a different selection of data, it would be best to create multiple tables for each part of the question with that are all related to a central question table, rather than try to have one massive table.
you will want at a minimum a question table, a MC option table, a table for reading selections, a table to store rules on how to grade free text answers; or a table with enough columns for all that.

A: You will probably have an answers table. This table should have a question_id so you know what question is being answered, and it should also help you figure out what kind of data is in the answer, assuming that the questions table has some sort of question_type_id that refers to one of the question types above.
Then, the simplest (IMO) solution: For most of these answer types, you could have a single text field to store the answer, probably no longer than the max length you'd allow for Free Text answers (assuming no more than a hundred characters or so). For the longer answers for the Comprehension type, you may want a separate table, call it large_answers, for holding very large text objects and store the answer there, and in your main answers table refer to the large_answers by an optional large_answer_id field.
I'm not sure why XML would be needed for this.
So:

Questions
  question_id (unique key)
  question_type_id
  (other fields that don't have an impact on this solution)

Answers
  Answer_id (unique key)
  question_id (refers to questions.question_id)
  answer_text (non-null, but for large_answers, maybe just store the first n characters, as a preview)
  large_answer_id (optional, refers to large_answers.large_answer_id)

large answers
  large_answer_id (unique key)
  large_answer_text (CLOB type)

Or you could do it like this:

Questions
  (as before)

Answers
  Answer_id (unique key)
  question_id (refers to questions.question_id)
  answer_text (nullable)

large answers
  large_answer_id (unique key)
  answer_id (refers to answers.answer_id)
  large_answer_text (CLOB type, non-null)

In the above schema, you'd have the large_answers referring back to the answer they are associated with, instead of the answers having a nullable reference to a large_answer. Hmmm the more I think about it the more I like the second schema as I don't like the idea of a nullable large_answer_id, but I'm sure there's good arguments to be made for both sides... ;)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Sidekick Girl
100 Level Classes
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2
Controversy!
Metro City Community College Superhero Correspondence Program
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 Jul 4, 2014 21:46:07 GMT -5
Post by Erika on Jul 4, 2014 21:46:07 GMT -5
Discuss the pros and cons of having a nemesis. What would your ideal nemesis be like? Is there someone in particular that you would like for a nemesis? What must you do to ensure that your relationship with your nemesis is as dramatic as possible?
This is a short answer assignment.
Adamant Ace
Post by Adamant Ace on Jul 6, 2014 18:16:51 GMT -5
Pro: You have a dedicated opponent.
Con: Same as above.
Pro: Having a dedicated enemy can lead to you becoming more famous in the business.
Con: They're probably emotionally invested in your defeat by any means, which can lead to some major personal issues.
Pro: You can learn their tricks inside and out, enabling you to defeat them easily.
Con: They can do the same thing.
An ideal nemesis would have 1) powers that were essentially the same as my own, allowing them to act as a darker version of myself or 2) powers that contrast with mine, such as a telepath or a gadget villain, whose powers are purely mental rather than physical.
Make sure to fight in public places and ensure that the fights become as personal as possible.
Grade: 500 points
Last Edit: Jul 18, 2014 14:54:19 GMT -5 by Erika
steamtech
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 Jul 14, 2014 6:33:37 GMT -5
Post by steamtech on Jul 14, 2014 6:33:37 GMT -5
On the plus side, having a nemesis means that the cards are always on the table. You know who's going to show up to fight you, and what they are capable of. On the flip side, so do they. A nemesis makes for great publicity for both sides, as you essentially leech off of each other's reputations. Whenever one does something great, the other becomes more visible in their attempts to outdo the deed. This does of course come with some transparency, but a clever super can use that transparency to fake out their rival.
Ideally, a nemesis would either be my moral opposite or share ideology but disagree on methodology. Option 2 allows for an understanding to form, perhaps leading to grudging respect or eventual friendship. Option 1, however, creates a better strawman to lampoon with your achievements.
I can't say that I have any particular nemesis picked out right now. There are far too many options for my first example, and for the second to take place, the relationship would have to grow organically.
The trick to keeping up drama in a nemesis relationship is to play off of each other. If your nemesis is being dramatic, play along until it becomes time to vanish in a burst of sudden practicality. This embarrasses your nemesis, especially if you get the upper hand because of their theatricality. Well timed, they may even continue the drama after you have made your exit, shrieking how they'll get you, and that you haven't seen the last of them! Bonus points if you are outnumbered, and manage to taunt them into driving off their allies by saying something to the effect of "he's mine."
Grade: Extra credit for referencing the Evil Overlord list, penalty for failing to cite source, but credit again because that's probably what the evil overlord would do.
Kashiro
Post by Kashiro on Jul 19, 2014 5:29:13 GMT -5
A nemesis is good for many reasons, and bad for just as many. With a nemesis, you always have a foe to fight. However, with a nemesis, there's always someone to fight. It draws publicity to both, but it draws attention to both. I could go on and on, but in short, almost every possibly pro is its own con for different reasons, and vice versa. Would I like to have a nemesis? I'm not sure. As you can see from the above, the benefits and detriments just about balance out. But if I do get a nemesis, I would rather it to be a love-hate relationship. Maybe we're dating in real life. Maybe it's all an act, putting on a show. Maybe it's a way for two people on different sides of the law to be friend. Otherwise it becomes a drain; on emotions, on resources, until someone kills someone else. This also helps with drama, as since it's a more friendly relationship, there is room for overacting, over-reacting and dangerous levels of ham. So, to ensure maximum drama and ham, one must plan and organise in advance. This relies on a friendly relationship having already being established. Boundaries for what is acceptable will be established prior to initiation, allowing for maximum drama, maximum fun, and minimal tragedy.
Grade: A+ for use of the phrase "dangerous levels of ham."
SuperHero Alias: The Baron.
Powers: Teleport objects and entities through shadows.
sync1ine
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 Jul 20, 2014 20:45:15 GMT -5
Post by sync1ine on Jul 20, 2014 20:45:15 GMT -5
Bob: It's already been said several different ways, but it's true: the advantages of a nemesis are also the disadvantages. Familiarity, dedicated opposition, long range analysis, and continual opportunity for drama and combat. There are other potholes as well: getting too personal, losing focus, getting sidetracked.
A proper Nemesis is a mirror to the hero or villain, a way to continually see where you stand in the scheme of things. A real nemesis is close to your own capability, always lurking out there and forcing you to keep experimenting and improving. A good nemesis isn't overly focused on you; you are just a part of the problem they are solving. It doesn't need to be and really should NEVER be personal. I think a lot more villains get tied up in the personality clash thing, and frankly that bores me and causes them no end of trouble.
The guy you keep bumping into who seems to be 'Up To Something' intrigues me far more. Michael Mann's 1995 movie masterpiece 'Heat' gave a good example of a nemesis relationship, even if it was cut far too short so that it could fit into two hours. Robert De Niro plays Neil McCauley, a pro thief, and Al Pacino plays Lt. Vince Hanna, a L.A.P.D. robbery detective tracking down McCauley's crew. I mention this because on the special edition DVD the writer specifically states this is based on a true story. Real-life former Chicago police officer Chuck Adamson ACTUALLY pursued a criminal named McCauley, after whom De Niro's character is named, in the 1960's. They crossed paths repeatedly. The discussions between these two men - across the divide of duty and work - in this movie feels a hundred times more real than anything the Red Skull ever bothered babbling to Captain America.
I see maintaining a nemesis as a sort of publicity machine. It generates buzz; but it can cause you no end of trouble. It requires management I suppose, to do it well.
Doug: Frankly I disagree with Bob and anyone else who holds the idea that there are any REAL advantages to a nemesis, and I intend to avoid them like the plague. My ideal nemesis is one that doesn't exist. If I have truly done my job properly, no one knows what happened or that I was ever involved, and that's how I like it. Bob sees all this drama we have gone through to get here at college as some sort of rite of passage, something that has earned us a place in MC3 and an example of the field of battle we face outside of college. Likewise he buys into this idea that good publicity (or even bad publicity) is a necessity to join the great game or prosper in it.
Any hard-working idiot with a gimmick and a million bucks can show up here and try out. We didn't need the insanity (or lack thereof) that we went through to find our calling, and I don't see any great advantage yet to gaining a crazy groupie on top of the numerous complex problems we will face out there.
If we had been a little older, wiser, known a little better, we could have avoided a lot of grief from Dr. Cavil and his ilk at the Menninger Clinic. We could have stayed with our family. That's a lesson I intend to bring to whatever card we carry after MC3: Call them a Nemesis or call them groupie, they are still pure trouble and you put them down like you mean it, and move on in the shadows. That isn't romance, that's doing business properly. If someone wants to actually LOOK for trouble from us, well, they are welcome to try it and see how well it's worked for everyone else we went through like bad chicken salad.
If you have a purpose in life, if you have a goal and direction, there's no reason to invent or add problems to your mission, and plenty of reasons to avoid complications.
Grade: Turtle
Last Edit: Jul 21, 2014 0:54:28 GMT -5 by Erika
Post by Twitch on Jul 22, 2014 14:40:03 GMT -5
I know his/her M.O. and weakness
She/he knows my M.O. and weakness.
Forces me to creativity use my set skills I could get complacent and then dead.
Fame and Marketability $$$$ Enemy will be emotional invested in victory.
Slight possibility of 'Anti-Hero Team Up' Fights will get personal and nasty.
Most nemesis are batshit crazy (Joker and Riddler)
Extreme danger of crossfire victims.
Total: 4 Total: 6
I don't think a nemesis is good thing, so I don't want one at ALL. If I had one, I want to insure my first win would be the last fight.
I think inventing the specifics of a nemesis, personality/powers, is not a good mental exercise, because I need to be adaptable when dealing with real villains. However, if we're talking about weak points in my powers all most every villain can beat me. Many wear full face masks, forcing me to rely on body language instead of facial expressions. Also, just about anyone with a higher level combat power could seriously hurt me. Oh, I almost forgot robots, no emotions or quirks to read. I'd have to guess how the programmer thinks and designs them to find a weak point.
If I wanted to make a dramatic relationship with this hypothetical nemesis, it would be simple enough. I can read emotions so either yanking them around about or playing 'psycho-analyst/mind reader' would be a good way to keep them off balance. But as I said before, this is a BAD idea.
Grade: Bonus points for use of columns
Powers: Overclocked sensory system - eyes capture more 'pictures' per second than normal.
Training focus: Maximizing other senses and choosing a combat style.
No alias assigned.
rypperd0c
Post by rypperd0c on Jul 24, 2014 9:59:21 GMT -5
To have a Nemesis is to deal with an obsession. Does the Hero make a Nemesis out of a Villain? Or is it the Villain that makes a Nemesis out of a Hero? To the victims of the conflict, it does not make a difference.
The advantage of a Hero having a Nemesis is a dark one. It is the guaranty that the Hero will always have a rival, a way to stay in the public view, to always be 'The Hero.' Reference "Mystery Men." The Big Name Hero of the city starts to lose fame, and sponsors, when he did not have a big enough villain to fight. Desperate to remain popular, to be seen as important, he gives in to his own ego and sets his own destruction into motion.
The disadvantage of a Nemesis can be obvious, or not. With a Nemesis, the Hero can never truly relax. There is always the threat that the Nemesis, the one obsessed with the Hero will strike out. If it is the Hero that is obsessed, it is even harder for there to be a time of peace. Because if the Villain does not take action, the Hero will become increasing eager for a confrontation. It can become unclear who is the evil one of the pair. And let us not forget the lesson of Doctor Horrible, who thought it would be worth any price to bring down his Nemesis. He achieved his goal, but he was unable to find any joy in it.
In summery, having a Nemesis means taking a rivalry with an opponent beyond a professional level and making it a personal one. An obsession is not that different from an addition. And the very definition of addiction is a preoccupation with something to the point that it has a negative effect on other aspects of a person's life.
Grade: 2 verses of Pisco Bandito (the bandit fish)
sincitysonly
Post by sincitysonly on Jul 25, 2014 15:06:02 GMT -5
Ah, the nemesis, the key to a good working environment for any red and blue carder.
There is a saying out there that goes like this: "A hero is only as good as his villain". What? A good villian? It's not about morality, but about quality. A good villain is always in the background. Think to the comics. Would Batman ever be anything if he didn't have a Joker, a Riddler, a Catwoman? I doubt it.
A good nemesis creates conflict just by being there. Conflict creates drama, which makes people want to care. When people want to care, they become invested in things. When those things are a blue or red carder, the cards win. Influence is everything. Image is a blue's greatest asset, and if the image is that your nemesis is something that will constantly haunt you, constantly create a story for people to become invested in, then boom! Instant success. There is nothing greater for a blue. And how does a red get anything from this symbiotic relationship? The same thing. Notoriety, fame, recognition. When people know that you are Such-and-Such's greatest foe, they know that you've got some rep behind you. They fear you. They cower at the mere mention of your name. And then they'll do anything they can to not invoke your wrath, which means your capers are easier to pull off.
The problems with a nemesis are related to this notoriety. Once people have this image set in their minds, that's all they'll see. You have to keep facing your nemesis, or else everyone will think that you are no longer nemesi, and thus you BOTH lose out on that instant fame. It creates an obligation, one which most blues are loathe to commit to because, well, they are blues. If it isn't instant gratification, they don't want to do it; and which reds want nothing to do with because it's work; if they wanted to work, they'd actually have jobs. It's terrible, for both sides.
Having said that, it actually is work to ensure that your nemesis relationship sticks, stays relevant, and keeps people invested. Over the top monologues from a red in control, cinematic last moment rescues made by a blue, epic showdowns during a thunderstorm; these are the things of legends, and it is these things that both parties must strive to manufacture. Check with the local meteorologist; learn when storm fronts are about to roll in, how high the wind speeds are, if any astronomical events are predicted to happen. Plan to use them; make that little bit of rain a key part of your epic car chase through downtown streets. Any major holidays or local events of signifigance like parades or sporting events coming up? Make sure that you modified your costume (or more likely, your goons' costumes) to match up with the holiday or parade's theme. Boom! Instant confusion when the blue card shows up to stop your dastardly deed and now they can't tell who is the innocent civilian and who is a slightly distracting, moving punching bag. Blues have to set up charitable events where their visage is plastered over everything to keep their name current. A red card nemesis could easily interrupt that event, "Out of Spite" or some such drivel. It keeps the semi-rivalry relevant and in everyone's face...it keeps the interest, and thus the drama, fresh.
A good nemesis, at least for a hench, is the blue card that always holds back for the big name. A sidekick or a hero, it doesn't matter, so long as they don't put everything into their punch when the big bad isn't on the receiving end of it. That's why I will never work with Sparkle. Yeah, she's a great villain, always up to some great scheme to keep herself and her hench (when she gets one) rolling in the comfortable embrace of cash, but she's got a horrible nemesis, for a hench. Illumia doesn't just keep up the pretense of hatred and rivalry, like many nemesis combos; she really does hate Sparkle. No holds barred, brutal beatdowns are par for the course when Sparkle is involved. And then there is the case of Illumia's 'hero support', Sidekick Girl. Most inapporiate name for someone ever. Should have been called "Ambulance Girl" because you're gonna need one after meeting her. Doesn't matter if you are a street thug, a minion, goon, hench or even a rull red card, that crazy dame is going to do everything she can to make sure that you are going to be getting hassled by your insurance company for the next year and a half. So yeah, give me a nemesis the exact opposite of that girl, please.
Grade: Purple
Sidekick in Training
Change is inevitable -- except from vending machines.
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 May 6, 2015 14:40:08 GMT -5
Post by coriolis on May 6, 2015 14:40:08 GMT -5
"A" nemesis? Hah! Been there, done that, cleaned up afterwards. The Teams take care of their own, so anyone fool enough to target one of us discovers they've taken on all of us.
Team Alpha has had well-meaning civil rights activists trying their level best to ionize us "repressive imperialists". Rival government agencies re-inventing our wheels and poaching our work. Horrific as 9-11 was, the silver lining was that it unified all the government-run superagencies under DHS. But I digress. We've had criminal syndicates who just wanted to extort from and kill people with impunity and resented our preventing them from doing so. We had serial killers who envied our apparent ability to nationalize assets (read "steal from the People") and kill with impunity. Trust me, it wasn't that simple. Seizures always were reimbursed (except items used by red cards in the commission of crimes). Paperwork for a justified capekilling takes months to clear up. I've taken out home loans with less hassle! Uncle Sam did not want another Vietnam in his own backyard, and if you crossed a line, you were dealt with. It was that simple. And the UCMJ is not very forgiving. You just could not entertain the sort of obsession a nemesis implies, either on your own or directed at you. Leavenworth is not a pleasant place for mundanes, even less so for failed Team members.
Last Edit: May 6, 2015 14:41:49 GMT -5 by coriolis
Codename: Coriolis
Powers: Magnetic manipulation (small, hi-velocity), Laser, Lightning Projection.
Authority: Federal, Military
Affiliation: SLED (Team Alpha), Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 May 13, 2015 23:11:23 GMT -5
Post by Twitch on May 13, 2015 23:11:23 GMT -5
May 6, 2015 14:40:08 GMT -5 coriolis said:
"A" nemesis? Hah! Been there, done that, cleaned up afterwards.
But what do you think about the nemesis SYSTEM? It's obvious you have both the personal and the team firepower needed to defeat most 'power sets.' A card-carrying nemesis has different reason to fight you than the poor smuck you interrupted during a mugging.
You mentioned serial killers and thugs are envious of your authority. Supposing one of your brother teams was staffed with a handful of these bad apples, who in turn stage a coups, they'd have full knowledge of your standard tactics and possibly the element of surprise. How would you defeat a nemesis group?
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 Nov 16, 2016 20:02:00 GMT -5
Post by coriolis on Nov 16, 2016 20:02:00 GMT -5
A note from the person behind Coriolis, which is a tabletop role-playing game persona: The above essay, which I note hasn't been graded, even with a rejection slip, and the reply below, was written "in character" and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Guy Behind The Curtain Pulling The Strings.
It would take an incredibly unlikely series of events for there to (a) be a whole team's worth of bad apples, and (b) for them to end up all on one team. At that point, we'd have to assume connivance and corruption at a higher level, and there aren't many levels higher than Supra Law Enforcement Division. Just as they'd know our abilities and likely tactics, we'd know theirs, you don't get fielded without extensive documentation of your abilities and time in training.
If a team goes rogue, they'd better have a damn good reason for it; if they outright mutiny, which is what would have to happen to achieve so-called "nemesis" status, it would be a one-time event. They would be effectively under death sentence, none of this usual comic-book "go to prison, break out, and menace us again later". A mutinous Team would be put down hard, exterminated. It's different in the civilian world, but in the military, we play for keeps. Of course, if there is a traitor in the head office, going rogue and risking all that to expose him or her is just how it goes.
Post by Twitch on Nov 23, 2016 11:48:28 GMT -5
Nov 16, 2016 20:02:00 GMT -5 coriolis said:
Note from the person behind Twitch: The authors stopped giving grades a while back. Please don't let that stop you. I enjoy the in character debates.
SH1010 Superhero Theory--Assignment 2 Mar 28, 2018 18:39:53 GMT -5
Post by coriolis on Mar 28, 2018 18:39:53 GMT -5
SLED teams are dispersed across the continental United States, but until somebody invents the sort of supratech necessary to build a comic-book "Danger Room" or holodeck, which hasn't happened so far that I've seen, our best training is against other teams, each of us taking turns as being the OPFOR (Opposition Force); you quickly learn what tactics work and which ones don't against them. There haven't been enough Emerging supratech Builders to make Danger Rooms feasible yet.
One thing that tends to keep the SLED teams in line, as what usually keeps even retired military personnel in line, is the fact of being subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Even if you're retired, if they want you badly enough, they will un-retire you for the privilege of court-martialing you. And under UCMJ provisions, that happens after the civilian courts are done with you. Double jeopardy only applies to military charges, so a military tribunal's decrees can be stacked on top of civil punishment. Smart money doesn't take those kinds of risks.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Centre manager Dene is a highly qualified gym instructor and personal trainer, who has been with the WSCC from the opening in 2017. Dene, previously worked at Warwickshire College, where he was senior sports centre manager. He also is qualified for GP Referral and sports massage.
Duty manager DJ worked with Dene at Warwickshire College before joining the WSCC. As well as being a fitness instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer DJ is also a qualified football coach and is experienced in running holiday and after-school clubs for children.
Tom's interest in health and fitness stems from his love of football. A former Myton School student, he has achieved his Level 2 gym instructor qualification and Level 3 Personal Trainer.
Kirsty is our newest member of staff who has recently joined the centre to help run our busy reception and office.
Supporting the WSCC staff are the trustees of the WSCC charity – a group of volunteers who are responsible for governance, administration, staffing, fund-raising and finance. The trustees are Anne Prior (chair), Barry McKenzie, Danny Kendall, Darren Dowsett, Debbie Watson, Jenny Shorrocks, Stuart Jackson, Wendy Woodhouse, Anne, Danny and Stuart are also members of Wellesbourne & Walton Parish Council, which owns the WSCC.


text:
Q: XSLT transformation - set variable during iteration through set of nodes My task is to create XSLT transformation.
In procedural language solution would look like this:
foreach( Book book in set)
{
   int importanceIndicator = 0;
   foreach( Page page in book )
   {
      if(page.name == "important_page")
      {
         importanceIndicator = 1;
         break;
      }
   }
   book.newField.importanceIndicator = importanceIndicator;
}

How can I solve this problem in XSLT (which is very different from procedural languages)?
Sample XML files:
Input:
<set>
    <book>
        <page name="important_page"></page>
        <page name="first_page"></page>
        <page name="important_page"></page>
        <page name="second_page"></page>
        <page name="important_page"></page>
    </book>
    <book>
        <page name="another_page"></page>
        <page name="first_page"></page>
        <page name="3_page"></page>
        <page name="second_page"></page>
        <page name="another_page"></page>
    </book>
    <book>
        <page name="important_page"></page>
        <page name="first_page"></page>
        <page name="important_page"></page>
        <page name="second_page"></page>
        <page name="another_page"></page>
    </book>
</set>

Output:
<set>
    <book>
        <newField importance_indicator="1"></newField>
    </book>
    <book>
        <newField importance_indicator="0"></newField>
    </book>
    <book>
        <newField importance_indicator="1"></newField>
    </book>
</set>

A: In XSLT, you don't need a loop to accomplish this. When you process the book node, you can examine the contents of its children.
<xsl:template match="book">
    <newfield>
         <xsl:choose>
            <xsl:when test="page/@name='important page'">
                <xsl:attribute name="importance_indicator" select="1">
            </xsl:when>
             <xsl:otherwise>
                <xsl:attribute name="importance_indicator" select="0">
            </xsl:otherwise>

A: First start off with the identity template (which in this case will just copy the set node)
<xsl:template match="@*|node()">
    <xsl:copy>
        <xsl:apply-templates select="@*|node()"/>
    </xsl:copy>
</xsl:template>

Then, as you are transforming book elements, you need a new template that matches book, where you can copy the book element and add a newField element
<xsl:template match="book">
    <xsl:copy>
        <newField>
           <!-- Add code for attribute -->
        </newField>
    </xsl:copy>
</xsl:template>

And to create the attribute, you can use xsl:attribute with an xsl:choose containing your condition to check
    <xsl:attribute name="importance_indicator">
        <xsl:choose>
            <xsl:when test="page[@name='important_page']">1</xsl:when>
            <xsl:otherwise>0</xsl:otherwise>
        </xsl:choose>
    </xsl:attribute>

Try this XSLT
<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0">
    <xsl:output method="xml" indent="yes" />

    <xsl:template match="@*|node()">
        <xsl:copy>
            <xsl:apply-templates select="@*|node()"/>
        </xsl:copy>
    </xsl:template>

    <xsl:template match="book">
        <xsl:copy>
            <newField>
                <xsl:attribute name="importance_indicator">
                    <xsl:choose>
                        <xsl:when test="page[@name='important_page']">1</xsl:when>
                        <xsl:otherwise>0</xsl:otherwise>
                    </xsl:choose>
                </xsl:attribute>
            </newField>
        </xsl:copy>
    </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

Note that the template matching "book" can be simplified, by using Attribute Value Templates (indicated by the { } symbols which cause the expression inside to be evaluated, rather than output literally)
<xsl:template match="book">
    <xsl:copy>
        <newField importance_indicator="{number(boolean(page[@name='important_page']))}"/>
    </xsl:copy>
</xsl:template>

So page[@name='important_page']) will select the page if it is an "important_page". boolean() will return true or false depending if that page exists, and number will then convert "true" to "1" or "false" to "0".

A: I found the answer, it can be done like this:
<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0">
  <xsl:output method="xml" indent="yes" />
  <xsl:template match="/">

    <set>
        <xsl:for-each select="set">
          <xsl:for-each select="book">
            <book>
            <xsl:variable name="importanceIndicatorTmp">
              <xsl:choose>
                <xsl:when test= "page/@name = 'important_page'">1</xsl:when>
                <xsl:otherwise>0</xsl:otherwise>
              </xsl:choose>
            </xsl:variable>
            <newField importanceIndicator="{$importanceIndicatorTmp}"></newField>
            </book>
          </xsl:for-each>
        </xsl:for-each>
    </set>

  </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>


It's time to send the kids back to school and I can't quite believe it. This is the fastest summer I've ever experienced as a mom. I LOVED being home with my kids this summer – my first summer as a work-at-home mom.
This year both my daughters will be eating lunch at school for the first time, so I whipped up some handmade lunch accessories to send them off in eco-friendly style.
I wrote this tutorial for the fall issue of Petite Purls, which will go live on Tuesday. However, since school starts Tuesday here in West Michigan, I thought I'd give you a preview of this project so you can round up supplies and be ready to read the illustrated tutorial in a few days over at Petite Purls.
*****UPDATE: Click here for the full project instructions over at Petite Purls.
I want to thank the folks at FreeSpirit Fabric for supplying fabric from Healther Bailey's Nicey Jane Collection for this project. You can read these tips (PDF) for sewing with laminated fabrics.
Please note that the manufacturer confirmed that this laminated fabric is food safe. However, if you have concerns, you can swap the laminated fabric for the regular machine washable, cotton prints. The fabric collection I used is available in both laminated and regular varieties.
If you have questions feel free to contact me. Happy back-to-school crafting!


text:
Ahmed Taha
Professor of Law
ahmed.taha@pepperdine.edu
Professor Taha's research focuses primarily on consumer and investor protection law. This research reflects both his training in law and in economics in which he holds a PhD. His research has been discussed in national media outlets, including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He is also the Faculty Co-Director of the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law.
Prior to joining the Pepperdine faculty, Professor Taha was a professor at Wake Forest Law School, an attorney in the Antitrust Division of the U. S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., a litigation associate with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California, and a corporate finance analyst at McKinsey and Company in New York. Professor Taha teaches Civil Procedure, Corporations, and Accounting and Finance for Lawyers.
J.D., Stanford Law School, 1996
Ph.D., Stanford University, 1996
B.S., University of Pennsylvania, 1988
B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1988
Ahmed E. Taha, Exploiting Pre-Existing Beliefs, WASH. U. L. REV. (forthcoming 2019) SSRN
Ahmed E. Taha & Breagan Riley, Protecting Consumers Through Mandatory Disclosures: An Experimental Investigation of Extended Warranties, 64 VILLANOVA L. REV. 285 (2019)
Ahmed E. Taha & Sohaib Khan, Charity Disparity: The Challenge of Applying Religious Law on Zakat in the United States, 14 NW J.L. & SOC. POL'Y 1 (2018) SSRN HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Selling the Outlier, 41 J. CORP. L. 459 (2015) SSRN HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & Molly Mercer, Unintended Consequences: An Experimental Investigation of the (In)effectiveness of Mandatory Disclosures, 55 SANTA CLARA L. REV. 405 (2015) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & John Petrocelli, Disclosures about Disclosures: Can Conflict of Interest Warnings Be Made More Effective?, 12 J. EMPIRICAL LEGAL STUDIES 236 (2015) SSRN HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & John Petrocelli, Sending Mixed Messages: Investor Interpretations of Disclosures of Analyst Stock Ownership, 20 PSYCHOL. PUB. POL. & L. 26 (2014) SSRN
Ahmed E. Taha & Alan Palmiter, Mutual Fund Performance Advertising: Inherently and Materially Misleading?, 46 GEORGIA L. REV. 289 (2012) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Are College Athletes Economically Exploited?, 2 WAKE FOREST J. LAW & POL'Y 69 (2012) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Molly Mercer & Alan R. Palmiter, Worthless Warnings? Testing the Effectiveness of Disclaimers in Mutual Fund Advertisements, 7 J. EMPIRICAL LEGAL STUDIES 429 (2010) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Judge Shopping: Testing Whether Judges' Political Orientations Affect Case Filings, 78 U. CIN. L. REV. 1007 (2010) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & Alan R. Palmiter, Star Creation: The Incubation of Mutual Funds, 62 VAND. L. REV. 1485 (2009) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & Alan R. Palmiter, Mutual Fund Investors: Divergent Profiles, 2008 COLUM. BUS. L. REV. 934 (2008) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha & Alan Palmiter, Mutual Fund Investors: Sharp Enough?, 24 J. FIN. TRANSFORMATION 113 (2008)
Ahmed E. Taha, Controlling Conflicts of Interest: A Tale of Two Industries, 37 LOY. U. CHI. L. J. 753 (2006) SSRNHeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Data and Selection Bias - A Case Study, 75 UMKC L. REV. 171 (2006) HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, How Panels Affect Judges: Empirical Evidence from U.S. District Courts, 39 U. RICH. L. REV. 1235 (2005) HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Information and the Selection of Judges: A Comment on "A Tournament of Judges", 32 FLA. ST. U. L. REV. 1401 (2005) HeinOnline
Ahmed E. Taha, Information and the Selection of Judges, Jurist online symposium on "The Judicial Confirmation Process" (2004)
Ahmed E. Taha, Publish or Paris? Evidence of How Judges Allocate Their Time, 6 AM. L & ECON. REV. 1 (2004) SSRN
Ahmed E. Taha, The Equilibrium Effect of Legal Rule Changes: Are the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Being Circumvented?, 21 INT'L REV. LAW. & ECON. 251 (2001)
Ahmed Taha, Paper discussed in article: How Clients React to Conflict-of-Interest Disclosures, WALL ST. J., Sept. 20, 2015
Ahmed Taha, Paper discussed in article: Immigration Ruling Shows Lawyers Playing Venue Shopping Odds, ASSOC. PRESS, Mar. 8, 2015
Ahmed Taha, Paper quoted in article: Do Investors Care About SEC Mandated Disclosures of Analyst Stock Ownership?, FORBES, Nov. 30, 2012
Ahmed Taha, Quoted in article: Green Light for Hedge-Fund Ads Means Caution on Main Street, WALL. ST. J., April 17, 2012
Ahmed Taha, How Selective Advertising By Mutual Funds Misleads Investors, FORBES, Dec. 8 , 2010
Ahmed Taha, Luck Is the Key to Success for Most Top Mutual Funds, FORBES, June 23, 2010
Ahmed Taha, Paper discussed in column: Using Past to Predict, N.Y. TIMES., May 15, 2010, at B4.
Ahmed Taha, Paper quoted in article: When Ads Say Skill, Think Luck - Report: Performance Is Called Mostly Irrelevant, WALL ST. J., Apr. 22, 2010, at C19
Ahmed Taha, Paper discussed in column: SEC Issues Worthless Warnings on Fund Performance Ads, FORBES, Apr. 16, 2010
Consumer and Investor Protection
Accounting and Finance for Lawyers


Lead & Nickel Free! Silver Tone Plated "Movie Star" Star Charm! It Comes On A Bracelet Of Your Choice: Lobster Clasp Chain, Toggle Chain, Brown Suede Leatherette, Or Black Suede Leatherette. Both Styles Have A Lobster Clasp.


This is probably the most frequent way in which people use polystyrene boxes of this kind. They just put the frozen/chilled foods they purchase from the local store in the boxes and maintain their temperature.
Of course, this doesn't mean that polystyrene boxes are used only for this purpose. For instance, there are many people who use them as special nest boxes for their hens. Simply lay the box on the side and the hens will start using them as their nest. They provide ideal conditions for good nesting.
Another great thing about these boxes is the fact that they can be used as decoration too. For instance, you can paint them with acrylic paint and place them in any room you want. Unleash your creativity and experiment with the boxes you have.
This is another advantage of polystyrene boxes related to meals. This time, you can use them to finish the cooking of your meal. Just put a straw in it and place your part cooked meal inside. This is a great way to finish the cooking in a natural way.
If you don't want the biscuits to fill the room with their scent, you can store them in these boxes. Of course, you can store other scented/aromatic foods too.
Of course, from a commercial packaging point of view, temperature controlled polystyrene boxes are incredibly useful. Contact Vertapak now for more information.
Sending a package through the post is fairly simple, right? Wrap up a book or a box, and send it via a courier service or taking it to your local post office – easy!
But what about packing an oddly-shaped item? Suddenly it seems more complicated than it really is – read on to find out how to pack irregular shaped items for delivery.
Packing a round item such as a ball, bottle, or poster (something that can potentially roll around in a van during transit) should be placed inside a sturdy cardboard box. The box should be large enough to fit both the item and cushioning, so that there is no free space for the item to move around in the packaging during delivery.
Wrap the item in a protective material such as bubble wrap. This will ensure the item will not become damaged before being delivered to the recipient.
Longer items such as pool cues and fishing rods have to be handled and packaged differently to other items. This is because damage and breakage are more likely to occur in a longer item.
Packaging a long item works much in the same way as any other; it should be wrapped first in bubble wrap, making sure to wrap the ends and middle with additional packaging for extra stability. It should then be placed into a suitable box ready for delivering.
All fragile items (whether big, small, or irregularly-shaped) should have a "fragile" stamp on the packaging – this won't always ensure that the item will be safe during transit, as accidents can happen. Make sure any fragile item you send has as much packaging protection as possible – wrapped in protective packaging materials, such as bubble wrap and secured in a suitable box surrounded by additional cushioning materials. Extra care needed when sending any fragile item.
For more advice about packaging please contact Vertapak now.


text:
REPORTING · 6th September 2013
COUNCIL TO DEVELOP SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Councillor Edwin Empinado brought a motion before Council on Tuesday, September 3rd. The motion was for the District of Kitimat to create a Social Development Policy.
"As we become a facilitative body in having Kitimat diversified industries and attracting businesses, which creates jobs for our residents and neighbouring communities, we are also bringing in social impacts that affect the everyday lives of our community. But the latter is faster happening than the former," said Empinado.
He explained the District has strengthened itself by increasing its budget on human resources and made improvements to the basic services. They have planned, made motion, created policies and approved changes in the Official Community Plan to keep Council following the growth and development.
"It is a reality that the District of Kitimat depends more on the non-profit organizations or societies to deal with social impacts. And we respond when we are asked for resources and we discuss and debate how much or who receives this or that amount," said Empinado. "I personally do not find these a proactive and dynamic way of responding to the social impacts on growth and progress in our District."
He told Council he would like to see a policy to guide their decisions and resource allocations for social development matters over the next 5 to 10 years. He wanted that policy to identify District of Kitimat priorities while clarifying the roles of the District and stakeholders and creating a sustainable and coordinated approach for the District.
Councillor Mario Feldhoff agreed. "I think it makes sense for us to give some thought and flesh out our social development strategy. We have in the past raised the issue with the provincial government on a number of different fronts. We respond to the wishes of the emergency pressures which are being felt by a number of the groups in our community," said Feldhoff.
He expressed they have addressed food and housing recently. Also, in having an action plan they would be able to fine tune their strategy.
The motion was called and carried.


The GECO Superpoint is a smooth airgun pellet with a conical head shape, due to which high penetration power and depth are being achieved. Therefore, it is both suitable for silhouette shooting and hunting uses such as pest control - regarding this, please consider the hunting regulations of your respective country. An optimized weight distribution ensures good precision.


text:
Pau Gasol retires after 18 NBA seasons
Gasol is one of just four NBA players to record more than 20,000 points
2021-10-06 Barcelona	By Reuters
Pau Gasol during the press conference.
06-10-2021ALBERT GEA
Pau Gasol retired Tuesday after 18 NBA seasons that included two league titles.
Gasol made the announcement, which was expected, on Tuesday in his native Spain.
The 7-foot-1 Gasol, now 41, was the No. 3 overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft.
The six-time All-Star had been out of the NBA since March 2019, when he underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent the following offseason but never played for the team, instead opting to continue to rehabilitate the injury.
Querido baloncesto, gracias por todo.
Dear basketball, thank you for everything.
Estimat bàsquet, gràcies per tot.
❤🏀 pic.twitter.com/I6TemPrA5T
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) October 5, 2021
Gasol played the remainder of the 2020-21 Liga ACB season with Barcelona while preparing to play for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics.
"It's a difficult decision after so many years," Gasol said at the news conference, "but it's a decision that I really thought over."
In 1998, Gasol was a teenager when he joined Barcelona before jumping to the NBA, where he played for the Memphis Grizzlies (2001-08), Los Angeles Lakers (2008-14), Chicago Bulls (2014-16), San Antonio Spurs (2016-19) and Milwaukee Bucks (2019).
In 1,226 career NBA games, he averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Gasol is one of just four NBA players to record more than 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 3,500 assists and 1,500 blocks in a career, joining Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and 2020 Hall of Fame inductees Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
Gasol won two Olympic silver medals and one bronze with Spain. The U.S. defeated Spain 95-81 in the quarterfinal round in Tokyo. In four games, he averaged 6.5 points in 12.9 minutes per game.
NBA player
Spanish basketball


text:
Ocean Forwarding
Air Forwarding
DG / Perishables
We are a company, owned and managed by professionals, with hands-on experience in Logistics Management for over three decades.
Our business is driven by a single objective:
To make our customer's businesses more competitive
Our job is to apply our services to improve customer's Products
We move cargo by air and sea across the globe through a reliable network of worldwide partners.
We move from small spare parts to a complete industrial plant with meticulous planning and execution.
We provide effective Customs Brokerage services / consultation on Government compliances...
We provide bonded, as well as General Warehousing facility anywhere in India, through...
We have DG qualified staff to handle the DG cargoes and also have experienced staff to handle the perishable cargoes.
Air tonnage KG
Full Container Loads
Type of Containers
20 GP
40 HC
No.of Containers Containers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Weight in MT
Less than Container Loads
No. of Packages Select 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Describe the type of package
Dimension per Package x x
Weight per package
Flat rack or open top containers
photographs of cargo
Own office
Agency office
Unit-304, 3rd Floor,
DLF City Court, M.G. Road Gurgaon,
Haryana - 122002. (India)
0124-4131960 & 0124-4131961
No.-3, Motilal Colony,
Ground Floor, P.S.- Airport,
Kolkata – 700 081, India.
206, RUNWAL HEIGHTS ( COMMERCIAL ),
L.B.S.MARG,MULUND (WEST),
bm.mum@connectcargo.com
843, 1st Main, 1st Block HAL 3rd Stage,
BANGALORE-560 075
91 80 6451 1015 / 91 80 6577 1014
bm.blr@connectcargo.com
CONNECT CARGO PVT LTD
INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS LLP.
PLOT.NO-297, Rallaguda Road,
Madhura Nagar Shamshabad,
Hyderabad-501218, INDIA
hyd@connectcargo.com
CHETPET CHENNAI - 600031
II FLOOR NO. 2,
KRISHNANKOIL STREET,
(OPP RAJAJI SALAI) CHENNAI - 600001
rm.chennai@connectcargo.com
TUTICORIN (LIAISON OFFICE)
chennaiops@connectcargo.com
N0:47, "Heavitree" Unit-A,


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For Atlanta sprinter Christian Coleman, the comeback begins now
Atlanta's Christian Coleman at his finest moment: After winning the world championship gold medal in the men's 100 meters in 2019. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
By Steve Hummer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Beginning this weekend, Christian Coleman loses the title of world's fastest person in exile. He's freed to run in public again, his 18-month suspension for missing three spot doping tests in 2019 expiring Sunday. The Atlanta-born sprinter, who would have been the 100-meter favorite in last summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo had he been clear to compete, now looks to regain his place at the apex of human speed.
Such rare speed is particularly fleeting. And the suspension ripped a huge hole in a precarious career. Still, all he lost during his suspension, Coleman, 25, is confident he'll retake.
"I think I'll have my opportunity to cement my legacy in the sport," he told the AJC last week. "That's the goal now: Train, be prepared and look forward."
Coleman's history of not making himself available for testing – under World Athletics Anti-Doping rules, athletes are required to make their whereabouts known daily and be accessible during a one-hour window each day for no-notice tests – caught up to him at the end of '19. Testers missed him at his home in Lexington, Ky., in early December of that year, and the so-called "whereabouts failure" was a third strike in a 12-month period. (Additionally, he had a fourth missed test earlier, in 2018). Originally assessed a two-year competitive ban, he earned a six-month reduction during an appeal to a Court of Arbitration for Sport. Still not enough to save his Olympics.
As he contested the punishment and then learned to live with it, Coleman kept silent about his situation. He has never failed a drug test. He has continued to be tested during the suspension, an average of twice a month he estimates. His father recalled one six-day period in January during which his son was tested three times. And even as the board of arbitrators asserted that there was no reason to believe Coleman was anything but careless, there were inevitable whispers that in missing the tests he must have had something to hide.
"For a while, I was kind of hurt about it," he said. "I didn't want to talk or be out there. It's kind of an embarrassing situation for me because I've never been in any sort of trouble at school, never been suspended, had anything like that. To have people online saying all types of things, it was just better for me and my mental health to duck off and keep it low-key until it was time I needed to say something."
"You do kind of go into a shell," he said. "For the first time in my life this was something to not really be proud of. That part was tough. Eventually you come to terms with it and move forward and look forward to the future."
Coleman hasn't settled into the blocks for a race since winning the 60-meter sprint at the U.S. Indoor Championships in February 2020. He hasn't competed in a major outdoor meet since October 2019 – the World Championships, which he won in a personal best time of 9.76 seconds.
As he found himself spending more time in Atlanta during the suspension, the challenge was to maintain an effective level of training back with his coach in Kentucky even with no competition to point toward. Coleman said he stayed true to the discipline that initially took him to the top of his sport and is fully involved now in a normal fall training schedule, with an eye toward returning to indoor competition in early 2022.
He was in Atlanta during last summer's Olympics and admits he didn't watch the 100-meter final live, when a relative unknown from Italy, Lamont Marcell Jacobs, took gold.
"By the time the Olympics came around I was kind of OK. I was fine, I had already accepted the cards that I had been dealt, moved on from it," he said. "I was just in my own bubble, minding my own business and what I needed to be doing to be prepared when I get back."
Still, there had to be some what-if in play.
"I feel like (Jacobs) earned it. If I was eligible to compete, I definitely feel like I could have won it. Nobody eclipsed my last PR (Jacobs won with a time of 9.80). That's the beauty of track and field. Once you make it to that final, it's anybody's race, it's who's the best that day."
Not all the down time was a waste. Unwelcome as it was, it still gave Coleman the chance to get off the track and field treadmill to work on his perspective. To, as he put it, "be around my family a lot more, be around people who don't really look at me as an athlete or somebody they see on TV."
"I found solace in that," Coleman said, "knowing that there are a lot of people around me who love me and have unconditional support."
In spending a lot of time around a niece who went from newborn to toddler in a relative blink, he said he gained a greater sense of the passing of time, and how the days can't be squandered.
Yes, that includes being more responsible for heeding testing protocols. If that means setting up an alarm on his watch to alert him to update his planned whereabouts each day – as with everything else, there's an app for that – then so be it.
Coleman obviously still harbors some resentment about the sport's system of testing – "I definitely think the rules are a little bit stringent. I feel like over time the rules can adapt to real world situations because I feel at the end of the day this could have been avoided. The point of testing is to get drug cheats out of this sport not to try to catch people who miss tests," he said.
Yet, at the same time, he acknowledges upon whom the duty to get it right ultimately rests – "You can point fingers and blame everybody but yourself. After reflection I have to do better and find peace in that."
Track and field may not hold an abundance of intrigue for the American sporting public, but Coleman's comeback surely tops a short list. After one missed Olympic cycle, can he race back to relevance again? Life moves fast, but never faster than in a sport parsed to the one-hundredth of a second. With his stride broken for nearly two years, can Coleman catch back up to the title of world's fastest human?
One person in his camp is certain the suspension will only fuel him to be faster. Seth Coleman, Christian's father, has talked about the experience turning the chip on his son's shoulder – short (5-9) and slight, Christian often felt overlooked athletically – into a boulder.
"They have turned him into Godzilla," he said.
COVID-19 has backed up the track schedule, and there is now an atypical parade of big meets open to Coleman – three world championships and one Olympic games between 2022-25. Beginning with July's World Championships in Eugene, Ore., the first ever held in the U.S. The calendar is rich with potential.
Usain Bolt won gold at age 30. Asked where he is in relation to his prime, Coleman said, "I feel like I'm in it right now. I feel I'm at my best, and I'm pretty excited to see where I'm at, what I can do. Pretty excited to see where I am these next couple years. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have."
The photo of Coleman that's included in a montage of Atlanta celebrities greeting arrivals at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport remained in place throughout his suspension. Atlanta had not forgotten him. He figures now it's his job to, "update the picture, add some medals, make it a little bit better."
"I feel like everything that was taken from me will come back tenfold," Coleman said.
Steve Hummer
Steve Hummer writes sports features and columns for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He covers a wide range of sports and topics.
Feeling the unknown need for speed on track at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Poor second half sends Georgia State to third straight loss
Georgia State to play Thursday night, but Saturday's game canceled
© 2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


I had a little time at the end of last week for a mid afternoon walk around the snowy and icy banks of the Rahway River in South Mountain Reservation. I brought my camera along to capture some of the beautiful scenery and long Winter shadows.
The view across Campbells Pond looking towards Brookside Drive and the western hillside of the park.
A well traveled road inside of the park.
The low Winter sun makes some grand shadows through the beech tree woods.
South Mountain Reservation will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until January 27 to allow Essex County to run its deer management (hunting) program. This program will then move to Hilltop Reservation and Eagle Rock Reservation for the month of February. More information on the hunt from NJ.com.
If you enjoyed these photographs you can see more of my work at New Jersey Landscape Photography by Chris Casciano and buy photographs of scenic NJ for as little as $6.
This entry was posted in Trip Report and tagged eagle rock reservation, hilltop reservation, photos, snow, south mountain reservation, winter. Bookmark the permalink.


Congratulations! You've recently been promoted to a new position as a manager.
You now have a team, perhaps the opportunity to hire, and the chance to guide and grow your new direct reports. Are you ready for this?
You may be feeling excited, afraid, nervous, or empowered. You may also be experiencing the very common imposture syndrome: the fear of getting caught as a "fraud" due to not being competent or fully prepared to deserve your new position. But here you are, and the best thing you can do is to lean in to this experience as an opportunity for your own development.
To start, here are a few recommendations that I learned from my mentors when I began as a new manager. From finding your leadership style to learning how to navigate a working relationship, these tips are meant to help you get off on the right foot.
One of the biggest challenges when going from individual contributor to people manager is having to change the way you value your own impact. Every day prior to this promotion you were evaluated on the impact you personally had on the business. From here on out, you're evaluated on the impact driven by your collective team.
The good news - You and your team combined can most likely have a larger impact on the business than you previously were able to alone.
The "bad" news - The impact your team has is not entirely in your direct control -- it's in the control of the individual team members and their efforts. Your new role is to inspire, guide, coach, and most importantly, lead.
What will you, the new manager, want to look like to your team?
What kind of manager style do you naturally have or want?
What attributes have you seen your previous managers demonstrate, and which will you try to emulate?
By answering these questions for yourself, you'll be able to develop your leadership persona or the best portrait of yourself as a leader. Write it down, reread it from time to time, and do your best to encompass this new state.
The next step is to decide how you'll work with each of your employees, and I believe the best relationships are driven by clarity and curiosity. Let's first dig into the latter.
If you've inherited a team you used to work with laterally, or were promoted within your current team, you most likely already know your new direct reports pretty well. However, do you know them enough? What don't you know? What else can you learn?
What do they like about their job today? What don't they like?
What other work experience do they have?
What are some of their goals, personal and professional?
Have they ever had a manager they really disliked, and if so why? What happened?
The best favor you can do for yourself now, and onward, is to never assume anything about another person. Instead ask. For example, imagine you were giving an employee a brand new project. Perhaps your instinct is to walk them through how to do it step-by-step. Why wouldn't you? You've never given her this type of project before.
But how do you know if that's really the amount of support they need? Before deciding how you can best help, ask them if they've done something like this before and gauge their true comfort level. That way you'll know to be hands-on or hands-off with your direction.
How will you know when your employee is successful?
How will you communicate what that success looks like to him/her so you're on the same page?
What expectations will you set in regards to your style and how you can work together best?
How will you use one-on-one time?
How will you explain your expectation for one-on-one meetings so you're on the same page?
Communicating your expectations clearly will remove ambiguity and set up your employee for success.
Most likely when you get promoted, you'll need to figure out how to move all the work you used to do off your plate. And you may do that by delegating those projects to your new team. That's great! The question is if you can do this in a way that supports you and them.
Delegating projects is a great opportunity to help someone grow into your old shoes. See if you can help someone reach the role you were previously in. If you do, it will free up your time to make higher-level decisions and support the team as a whole. It also means the person receiving the project can stretch and learn work they may not have done before.
Sounds like a win-win? It absolutely can be, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. In order to solve for a person's long-term growth, you need to delegate a project in a way that helps him become a decision maker versus a task do-er.
How do you know which is happening? It depends on the way you teach. Are you helping someone memorize a series of actions (most likely to execute a project in the same way you used to do it), or are you taking the time to explain your judgment around the project? The latter requires you to share context for why you take different actions this way.
Note: There's nothing wrong with teaching someone how to do something step-by-step. Just make sure you're explaining your decision-making behind it, so a teammate walks away with the same judgment you have. That very judgment hopefully can be applied to similar projects. Now they're a decision maker.
Being a new manager is hard -- and that's to be expected. The best thing you can do for yourself is communicate clearly and frequently, make yourself open to feedback from your team and your boss, and use your resources.
Perhaps you can get a group of other new managers together and grab lunch. It's great to talk with folks who are in a similar scenario to reflect on your experiences -- if only to know you're not alone.
You can also look into trainings in your area. Would your boss support you going to a one-day training here and there?
You could also suggest setting up skip-level reviews, meaning your direct reports meet with your boss every so often to share their feedback on you. This can be extremely helpful. Perhaps there's a small thing you could change or improve that would make all the difference. Wouldn't you like to know that?
Most importantly -- and my favorite -- find a mentor. It could be someone inside or outside of your company, as long as it's someone you really trust. Nothing beats one-to-one guidance.
Remember: Being a good manager doesn't require knowing all the answers. Stay open minded and confident in yourself. You'll be great.
What tips do you have for new managers? Share them below.


text:
Painting of a Panic Attack
Canvasback / Atlantic
by Ian Cohen
Formed in 2003, Frightened Rabbit established their reputation with ramshackle anthems of heartbreak and hangovers. With the National's Aaron Dessner behind the boards, their newest is more a sensible repositioning than a reinvention.
Forming in 2003, Frightened Rabbit established their reputation with ramshackle anthems of heartbreak and hangovers that presented frontman Scott Hutchison as self-loathing, self-destructive, but ultimately sympathetic. By 2010, success and expanding ambition started to strain against their underdog appeal. That tension was projected onto the anxious, thickly overdubbed The Winter of Mixed Drinks. Pedestrian Verse arrived three years later, an album that isn't widely considered their best, but it's definitive in its own way. It's the one that said "this is who we are going forward": a major-label band that plays 2000-3000 cap rooms. Shortly thereafter, Hutchison moved to Los Angeles with his girlfriend. Sub in High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me for their respective years, and this is basically the same exact career trajectory as the National, so it's only natural that the two bands go from sharing tour bills and a producer (Peter Katis) to sharing a studio—and so with Aaron Dessner behind the boards, Painting of a Panic Attack is more a sensible repositioning than a reinvention.
"Death Dream" immediately extinguishes any hope that Frightened Rabbit might return to the scrappy charms of Sing the Greys or The Midnight Organ Fight. He often plays the religious skeptic in his lyrics, but Hutchison sure thinks piano sounds heavenly in a church; it's hard not to think of "Fake Empire" just from the mere tone of the reverberant chord that opens "Death Dream." By the time the progression begins to settle, it's pretty much impossible to not hum "stay out...super late…tonight," as the "Fake Empire" melody fits almost exactly. While it boasts Hutchison's most vivid and morbid poetry yet, "Death Dreams" doesn't lift off, floating more towards the rafters like a errant balloon. So it makes for a curious opener, though it's an accurate preview of yet another instance where Dessner's charges end up sounding like his main band.
This can work for a newer act that's trying to hit a similar emotional tenor to the National. On their respective sophomore LPs, Local Natives and Sharon Van Etten followed raw debuts by contrasting Dessner's sumptuous, solemn orchestration with simmering angst, the sound of people trying their best not to crack up in public. A band less willing to exert their own personality ends up with something like Wilder Mind. Painting is somewhere in between; Dessner helps add a silvery stylization to Frightened Rabbit's jittery indie-folk on "Break," while late-album ballads "400 Bones" and "Die Like a Rich Boy" cover Hutchison's barstool laments with Rag & Bone sympathy. The choral burst of "Get Out" is jarring in a strictly musical sense, more so if you once viewed Frightened Rabbit as an alternative to post-Britpop Patsavas-core like Snow Patrol and Travis. But "Grey's Anatomy" is still chugging along and thus will need stadium-ready surges from a bearded man with a burly voice expressing an all-purpose longing about a flawed girl that won't get out of his heart.
They're both effective, as formula should be, reliant on devices that become cliches only within their established parameters. After The Midnight Organ Fight, Hutchison joked that he couldn't make another break-up record because he hadn't had one that year. But it seems like he's recognized that fans rely on Frightened Rabbit for a specific kind of Scottish miserablism, which Painting of a Panic Attack delivers with consistency if not conviction. They don't strike me as cynical, so I'd hate to use the word "pandering" for the way uber-Frightened Rabbit laments "Blood Under the Bridge," "An Otherwise Disappointing Life," and "Woke Up Hurting" play towards expectations. But it's really difficult to do otherwise after Hutchison's expected recriminations of god, booze, and breakups tell you nothing the titles didn't already, and the heavy-handed rhyming of "I Wish I Was Sober" only enhances the suspicion that it's concept-driven exercise rather than an expression of actual emotion.
Yet, the best Frightened Rabbit songs aren't entirely defined by their despondance or desperation. What's missing from Panic is some kind of levity or the cutting humor that once personalized Hutchison's self-loathing. It's admittedly impossible to gauge the legitimacy of Hutchison's emotions; like the National, maybe Frightened Rabbit have just gotten too good at their formula for it to not seem self-aware. And too often, the title of Painting of a Panic Attack serves as an unintentional reminder of the way Hutchison comes across: like a television version of a person with a broken heart.


Bite-Size Business for Actors: Actors: Independent Contractor or Employee?
Actors: Independent Contractor or Employee?
I saw a question posted on one of the many acting related websites that asked how actors are classified as workers: are they independent contractors or employees, and what are the implications of both?
Now, before I move forward let me say that I am not a tax or accounting professional- I am simply hoping to shed some light on these two classifications from my perspective as someone who has been on both sides of the table.
· Independent Contractor: Legally, this type of worker is defined as, "A person or business who performs services for another person under an express or implied agreement and who is not subject to the other's control, or right to control, the manner and means of performing the services; not as an employee." (Lectlaw.com). No federal, states or local taxes (income or employment) are taken by the employer- rather, the independent contractor is responsble for filing these taxes, as he is considered the owner of a separate business. The contractor is also responsible for the health and safety of himself- no health insurance, workers comp, or disability offered. For taxes, contractors receive 1099s from their employers.
· Employee: Legally, this type of worker is defined as, "A person who is hired by another person or business for a wage or fixed payment in exchange for personal services and who does not provide the services as part of an independent business; Any individual employed by an employer." (Lectlaw.com). Taxes are taken out, and the employer is liable for basic benefits- partial payment of employment taxes (Social Security, etc) as well as workers comp. For taxes, employees receive W2s from their employers.
· One vs the other? As actors, we normally don't get to choose which we get to be for each job. This is determined by the employer well before the project is cast. For most union jobs, actors are hired as employees through the producer, with contributions made to employment taxes, health and pension. There are some cases where union actors are paid as contractors- working with promotions, print work, and various industrials. At the end of the year, most actors will have a number of both W2s and 1099s to file when it comes to tax time.
As we head into tax season, it is recommended that you see a tax professional to find out the implications of each classification. It is also a good idea to know your legal rights in both cases, so seeing an employment lawyer is also a good idea.
With a background in non profit management as well as acting professionally, I can give you some real-world advice that can really make a difference. Contact me to set up your free consultation.
Plan to be a Famous Actor?


Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Thursday that a militant group in Syria and Iraq that gained control of key Iraqi cities this week may try to create an Islamist state.
"I could not have predicted the extent to which ISIS [the Islamist State of Iraq and Syria] could be effective in seizing cities in Iraq and trying to erase boundaries to create an Islamist state," Clinton told Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass during a conversation hosted by CFR in New York. Referring to the conflict in and around Syria, she said, "Now the wicked problem has gotten even wickeder."
ISIS, a Sunni jihadi group disavowed by al Qaeda as too extreme, has gained control of large areas of Iraq and Syria over the last year and this week seized the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit.
Clinton said the problem in Iraq has been exacerbated by Syria's civil war, which has created problems not just for Syria but for the whole region.
"In addition to the formation of a well-armed, incredibly tough-fighting force by ISIS and other jihadist groups, you have at least 1,000 foreign fighters, primarily from Europe but also at least some from the U.S., who are getting combat battlefield experience and becoming even more extreme," she said of the situation in Syria.
Clinton said that as secretary of state, she thought that the U.S. should have considered arming Syrian rebels.
But, as she wrote in her new memoir, Hard Choices, she was overruled on the issue by President Barack Obama, who was wary of engagement in Syria after the backlash to the Iraq war.
Clinton is currently on a nationwide book tour, which many speculate may be the unofficial start to her possible bid for the presidency in 2016.


text:
What a mess! Footage and pictures show the clear-up job facing specialists after blue paint incident on A1
There will be HOURS of delays
Danielle HoeReporter
Specialist teams have arrived on scene on the A1 after a two lorry crash left a large amount of blue paint on the road.
Police raced to the scene of the crash at 3.30am this morning, Thursday September 6 on the A1 Northbound at Dry Doddington.
As of 11.30am today, more than two miles of queues were still being caused by the crash as officials dealt with clearing up the spillage.
Blue powder paint is across one lane of the carriageway (Image: Highways England)
Motorists are being advised to plan ahead due to the delays.
Police have warned that the lane is likely to be closed for the majority of the day.
FIVE miles of delays on A1 as police, fire and ambulance race to multiple-vehicle crash near Dry Doddington
A statement from Lincolnshire Police said: "One of the HGVs, a curtain sided 40 foot DAF, has shed it's load of powdered paint. The carriageway needs to be cleaned and we are advised this will take some time.
One lane of the A1 Northbound is likely to remain closed for the rest of the day
"The second HGV, a Mercedes Benz, did not stop at the scene but has been traced further up the A1 near Newark.
Delays as police scrambled to crash on A158 near Horncastle
"No-one has been injured in the collision. A diversion is being put in place and we ask that, where possible, people avoid the area until both lanes are re-opened. "
Specialist teams are now on site to clean it up (Image: Highways England)
Highways England have said that specialist clean-up teams are on the scene between Grantham and Newark on Trent.
It said: "There's a large spillage of paint powder and lane 1 of 2 remains closed.
"Approx 2.5 miles of congestion on approach."
BourneFire breaks out at Lincolnshire recycling centre Three fire crews attended to the fire


Paytm Mall, owned by Paytm Ecommerce Pvt Ltd has partnered with the Being Human E-Cycles to launch its E-Cycles on its platform. The company will host two models of the popular e-cycle – the BH12 and BH27 – priced at Rs 42,999 and 59,999 respectively starting February 18th. Paytm Mall customers can avail an inaugural offer of flat Rs. 5000 cashback till 5th March.
As a part of its Online-to-Offline (O2O) model, Paytm Mall has enabled customers to book their preferred two-wheeler on its platform and accept easy deliveries from over 2,000 brand authorized two-wheeler dealers across 500 cities. Being Human E-cycles will be the first electric cycle hosted on the platform, and would expand the platform's portfolio of electric vehicles.
Being Human BH 12 and BH27 e-cycles come equipped with mechanical disc brakes and adjustable front suspension. They come with LED lights. The cycles feature a pedal assist as well as rechargeable batteries. Being Human E-Cycle BH12 and BH27 models can reach a maximum speed of up to 25km/hour.


This is an issue that I've written about quite a lot. We saw a related phenomenon at the 2012 RNC when Clint Eastwood showed us that when conservatives talk about Obama, they mean an imaginary one that doesn't exist. When conservatives talk about "America" they don't mean America as it now exists or ever existed. As far as I can tell, they mostly get their ideas about what "America" is from Leave it to Beaver.
So when they complain that America has gone to hell, what they mean is that the unquestioned superiority of white men is gone. Leave it to Beaver was on television from 1957 through 1963. There may have been no black folks demanding their rights on that show, but there sure as hell were blacks folks demanding their rights in America. Medgar Evers was murdered as part of that struggle while Leave it to Beaver was still in its first run.
Note that Haggard is a total hypocrite. He makes disparaging remarks about two drugs that he is well known to have used a great deal. But the line that gets the biggest applause is, "When a girl could still cook and still would." Why is it that June Cleaver ain't cooking no more? It's because she has to work outside the home because Ward no longer makes enough money to support a household. But there I go again, getting all liberal with facts. In the conservative fantasy, June left the house because of the pill.
When liberals talk about problems in America, they are talking about ways that we might fix those problems. The Tea Party notion of the problems with America is just that the wrong kind of people aren't shutting up the way they should. It's all social stuff. The one economic big complaint that they have is that taxes are too high, even though they are far lower than they used to be.
The whole of the conservative base is best thought of as one big cultural resentment. So it is no surprise that they find liberal criticism of "America" unacceptable. That's one of the biggest things they resent! The conservative complaint is that America is not "America." The liberal complaint is that America has problems and "America" is total joke. We might use the same words, but we are talking about different things. They are right to hate us.
Just to add to that, there seems to be a sociological aspect to this phenomenon. Conservatives, the "Real Americans," see themselves as the in group and liberals are the out group. They see their fellow conservatives and the American State as the in group and the American State to them is like a wayward family member. When they complain about public policy, they feel that they are complaining about a their loved one's recent string of failures and mistakes but they will always be family. Meanwhile, if liberals criticize the action or inaction of the American State, it is seen as an attack because liberals are the out group.
It is usually not the case on both sides. Liberals do not see conservatives as the out group, as not being part of America (the exception might be our views toward the elite of the elite, the billionaires who hide their money in offshore accounts and who periodically renounce their citizenship). I think the reason for this asymmetry is due to the fact that conservatives see themselves as the natural ruling class while liberals want power but we feel like we have to earn it. When conservatives are out of power, they must "take back the country" from the liberal usurpers but when conservatives have most of the power, liberals ask themselves how do we do better in the next elections.
@Colin Keesee – That's an excellent point. It's okay for me to criticize my wife, but not you.
I do go back to John Dean's book [i]Conservatives without Conscience[/i] and the effect of authoritarianism on the right. I think the reason conservatives tend to think of liberals as inauthentic is because they have been told to. There is an infrastructure there. But you couldn't really have the same thing for liberals. The ideological core of liberalism is being open to the facts–or at least thinking of ourselves that way. You couldn't have a liberal Bill O'Reilly.
I understand that it is a difficult time for the white man because he actually has seen his power reduced. But he lost that power to the white male elite, not to the women and minorities. I've gotten a lot of conservatives to understand that, but it takes repetition because [i]Fox News[/i] is always there to tell them this myth about minorities taking what is supposed to be theirs.
Thanks Infidel753! Truly, criticizing the administration is patriotic when a Dem is in the White House, and treasonous when it's a Repub.
On it taking repetition to get through to conservatives — boy, I've gone through that. And it's like building a house of cards. It takes forever to construct a careful argument which might barely get them to see things your way, and then boom. Something happens to them or is on Fox which reinforces their preconceptions, and there goes your efforts.
@JMF – Funny how that is. We don't hear much from the militia movement when a Republican is in the White House, even though afterward, they claim that they were very angry with what Bush did.


text:
Q: resume serverless azure database I am trying to automate a serverless azure database to be online during set hours and then paused "off hours".
Is there a way to do this using PowerShell commands or another automated way to put it online starting at a specific time during the work week?
Right now using the autopause option, but the main issue is that it requires an initial database hit to put the database online, which causes too long of a down time between the first database hit to the database being online and usable by the application. Thanks

A: You have got REST API call to pause Azure SQL database.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/sql/Databases/Pause
POST https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/00000000-1111-2222-3333-
444444444444/resourceGroups/Default-SQL-
SouthEastAsia/providers/Microsoft.Sql/servers/
testsvr/databases/testdwdb/pause?api-version=2019-06-01-preview

Similarly, you can resume the Azure SQL Database, using REST API call
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/sql/databases/resume
POST https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/{subscriptionId}
/resourceGroups/{resourceGroupName}/providers/Microsoft.Sql/servers/{serverName}/
databases/{databaseName}/resume?api-version=2019-06-01-preview

You can set up automated calls as specific times to pause and resume.
You can leverage Invoke-RestMethodReference in Powershell to call the rest method.

A: The PowerShell command Set-AzSqlDatabase which has an option to set the AutoPauseDelayInMinutes for a serverless azure database might to be an option to automate this process.
Set the AutoPauseDelayInMinutes to -1 to opt out during normal business hours and then to the desired value prior to off hours.

A: As pause and resume commands have not implemented yet on Serverless edition of Azure SQL Database, for resume you can just open a connection to it using a simple powershell
$sqlConnection = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection $connectionString
$sqlConnection.Open()

By setting ConnectTimeout and also doing retry you can ensure the Database is online before making your actual connection from the application/service.