Why I'm Not Cheering the "Loyola" Supreme Court Decision | John G. Stackhouse, Jr.
The Supreme Court of Canada has now decided, albeit in an almost even split vote, the case of Loyola High School, a private Jesuit school in Quebec. The issue is whether such a school can be compelled to teach the provincially mandated Ethics and Religious Culture curriculum (ERC), as it is to be taught in every other school in the province, or whether Loyola should be allowed to teach its own version from a Roman Catholic perspective.
Lots of Christians, including many I personally like and respect, are rejoicing that the SCC has "finally" recognized religious rights. As a Christian professor of ethics and religious culture, however, I think Loyola's objection has been misguided and the SCC decision is a mistake.
A legitimate worry from the religious side is that the ERC might be understood to require every teacher to affirm each and every variety of ethics or religion that might surface in a class. But it doesn't, and for good reason. It would be simply monstrous to compel a teacher, whatever his or her beliefs and whatever school in which he or she is teaching, to affirm a belief in genocide, say, or the oppression of women, or sedition in the name of this or that theocracy. The ERC curriculum does not in fact mandate such ethical idiocy.
Instead, the ERC curriculum submits the discussion of ethics and religion to social scientific and philosophical discipline. Religions are to be described as historical phenomena with the intention of understanding them analytically, not judging them theologically. And ethical decision-making is to be studied philosophically in order to foster careful and consistent deliberation.
The teacher, representing the school and the state, must maintain neutrality—note: not affirmation—regarding the various options. She does so, just as professors of religion already do in public universities, in order that students may explore the vexed world of ethical reasoning and the variety of religious options without any compulsion to decide one way or another. For now—and that is the crucial qualifier: for now—teacher and students are to simply look hard at the religious realities of the world in order to understand their neighbours and themselves a little better.
Some religious people are protesting that the Quebec government is out to convince its pupils that all religions are the same, or that it doesn't matter what religion you pick, or that the claims of Christianity to offer the one true gospel are wrong. These alarmists warn that the ERC is foisting a "religion of the State" and an implicit secularism on its young citizens.
Given the PQ's recent and reprehensible Charter of Values, one can well understand this suspicion toward the ERC curriculum. But the ERC arose much earlier than did the Charter of Values, under a different regime, and in consultation with notable Christian educators.
The ERC curriculum offers a sensible attempt to acquaint students with the realities of Quebec's cultural history as religion pertains to it; to help them think better about religious and ethical questions; to increase their understanding of religion's relationship to culture; and to emphasize commonalities among various religious outlooks. (That includes secularist outlooks, as the curriculum explicitly recognizes "non-religious" viewpoints that function as religions.) The objective is to equip young people to build a common life with their neighbours of various outlooks.
This agenda is not at all inconsistent with Roman Catholicism, nor with any other form of orthodox Christianity. Christians properly engage in the social scientific and philosophical discussion of religion and ethics all the time.
Loyola instead should teach the ERC just as it is, without feeling it has to keep saying "and our religion is the right one" all the time, in order to give its students a brief opportunity to just look carefully, and without immediate theological judgment, at religious options and to think in publicly plausible categories regarding ethics. Loyola then can (and should) add its own courses to present an explicitly Catholic understanding of religion and ethics. How can such a combination of study not produce Catholic students who will be better informed about their neighbours and, indeed, more appreciative of their Catholic heritage?
For once, we can celebrate a government initiative that actually responds well to a key need of our time: to help Canadians learn about themselves and others, to cultivate respect for our past and for each other, and to position us to carry out our common life more knowledgeably and cooperatively. Vive le Québec!
UPDATE: Previous posts on the ERC and related questions are here, here, and here.
Shout it out, John. You are so right.
John, You are way off base here. You should come here to Montreal and sit down and hear first hand what Loyola was threatened with and why. Loyola has taught a course that respectfully deals with religious and ethical differences for 30 years or so. It doesn't need a lesson in respect from the Monistry of Education. Have you even read the judgment?
Paul, I would be glad to know "what Loyola was threatened with and why." But as I have written previously on this blog regarding the ERC, the fact that some people want to abuse it and might (and I do not doubt that some do and will) is not a good enough reason to oppose it. It is in itself a pretty good attempt at doing something that needs doing.
"Respectfully" isn't the point, is it? It's whether there is a neutral space, however artificial and approximate it might be in a Jesuit school, in which Loyola students and teachers try to look at religious and ethical phenomena in terms of the secular disciplines of social science, history, and philosophy. Of course, as I say, Loyola can, will, and should offer in the entirety of the rest of its curriculum a thoughtful Christian approach to everything it teaches. But it is not inimical to Catholicism or Christianity more generally to heuristically take a different vantage point for sound pedagogical reasons. That's what ERC is asking everyone to do, and I agree with it.
As for your last comment in that brief fusillade (!), I am not critiquing the SCC's judgment, even though I have in fact looked it over. That judgment deserves its own critique. What I am doing here is disagreeing with Loyola and its supporters vis-à-vis the ERC.
Did you in fact read this? As I am curious to see why you have a problem with Loyola's program?
This is really frustrating. The tacky questions of whether I know what I'm talking about are, yes, irritating and do not conduce to a constructive conversation. For the record, yes, I've read through ERC stuff; yes, I've read through the Drummondville submissions and decision; yes, I've read the SCC decision re Loyola. My point, Brother Ivan, was that the SCC decision, whatever its merits or demerits as an argument, came to the wrong conclusion and for the reasons I suggest. That's the distinction I'm making. I don't see how that's a difficult distinction to see.
The court, in my view, is badly confused about what methodological/pedagogical neutrality/objectivity looks like when it comes to religious studies. And Loyola's leaders have conceded that they can practice that in every respect, now, of the ERC except the ethical part. Well, why stop there? Do the whole thing, as a service to your students and as citizens not picking a fight with the State for no good reason, and all will be well.
Of course religious institutions aren't "neutral"–at least, they shouldn't be. But they can teach things neutrally, and why not, if such teaching serves valid pedagogical and civic purposes, as I think ERC does.
I've spent most of my career thinking about, and practicing the implications of, Christian faith and scholarship in both Christian and secular settings. I'm trying to make some crucial points clear, and I'm frustrated that obviously intelligent people aren't seeing what to me is pretty clear. But I'll keep working on it.
Just, maybe, let's not accuse each other of being stone ignorant of the basic materials of the conversation, shall we?
"Of course religious institutions aren't "neutral"–at least, they shouldn't be. But they can teach things neutrally, and why not, if such teaching serves valid pedagogical and civic purposes, as I think ERC does." I apologize for this, but this sentence seems to me a self-contradiction? A few questions: 1. Is not the purpose of a religious school existing alongside "secular" schools precisely to examine knowledge and to teach it from the perspective of the Christian world view? I assume such will never happen in the secular schools 2. On what basis are you saying that examining these issues from a Christian world-view does not serve a pedagogical and civic purpose? Are you not merely assuming that studying the course Loyola is on about "neutrally" will make one better able to engage with the surrounding world? But is this in fact the case? As I find it, most young people of faith today know well the 'secular' or 'neutral' views of these things – as they are inundated with it from the 'secular media', it is the ability to evaluate these views from the Christian mindset that they are missing. And that is the primary purpose of the existence of these schools, to examine all questions from the perspective of the Christian faith. And that doesn't mean their teachers will be saying at the end of every subject "but our religion is better…" (you took a cheap shot there) I see no evidence whatsoever that the course as Loyola had taught it since time immemorial produced religious nincompoops. If you know of any such cases, I will humbly listen. Cannot this course be taught from the Christian perspective so as to produce cogent thinkers who engage their world respectfully and peaceably. If you have evidence to support the assumption that unless these subjects are taught 'neutrally' they will produce obscurantist religious zealots or some such then I'm all ears.
I am a law professor and advocate who argued the companion case, Drummondville parents before the Supreme Court in 2011 where I represented two national co-alitions that believed parental exemptions should have been respected in relation to the same ERC course. They lost.
Now the private religious institution has won, and that unanimously. There is politics behind these decisions that I will write about in future. Not here.
I would like to comment, here, on the Loyola decision here. The decision was not an almost even "split" at all. It was unanimous on its central finding – – that the Quebec government's ERC program could not be forced on a denominational school that has a program like that being taught in a Catholic way, at the Catholic Loyola College.
The Quebec Minister breached the law by refusing to grant the College an exemption for its own program. This was the right and essential decision.
The division between the justices was on the remedy and here I believe the concurring judgment (how can so many journalists and commentators not understand that "concurring" means agrees not disagrees and is not, therefore, is not a "split"?) of the 3 judges was superior in logic and fairness to that of Justice Abella and the four. Why should Loyola have to wait for another Ministerial determination after 7 years of litigation? The Chief Justice in her reasons was right. The exemption should have been granted immediately.
And the court should have awarded costs to Loyola! It won a very important decision against a secularistic anti-religious government and to not give it costs was bizarre on such an important public interest case of a private interest (Loyola) against the state.
Part of the problem with contemporary legal analysis is that it does not sufficiently or at all recognize "the limits of the law". Failure to comprehend law's limits alongside the cultural necessity and goods of religion is one of the chief causes of what philosopher Giorgio Agamben has called "the hypertrophy of law" in our time.
I find, however, that there is a failure to deal sensitively, or at all, with why the decision unanimously (not split at all on the key points as I've said) found a breach of religious liberty, an interference with religion's associative dimension and, for once, genuine diversity in a pluralistic society rather than the steamrollerish anti-religion masquerading as respect we saw in the Hutterian Brethern decision (drivers licences in Alta).
Prof. Stackhouse's rejection of the decision was not attentive to the complex jurisprudential waters and thus is, with respect, misleading. There is more to say about the incoherent understanding of pedagogy, parent's role and the nature of the public sphere and "values language" …but not here.
I would welcome the chance to engage the rightly renowned Prof. Charles Taylor on his far too sanguine conception of Quebec's anti-religious secularism. His adoption in the Bouchard/Taylor Report of the neologism "open-secularism" was ill-advised – – the equivalent of calling for "healthy botulism" and it has confused and misled many people including, I suspect, the Supreme Court of Canada itself.
Canada's public (including judicial) rhetoric on "secular" "secularism" "neutrality" (confused with "objectivity") and "values" is a mess and getting these developments right is essential to a richer frame.
The Roman Catholic tradition offers insights on religion, law and culture not found elsewhere in this age and for that reason alone (though there are others too) the Loyola decision will be a decision of lasting importance out of all proportion to the size of the school involved and may provide grounds for future clarifications.
I agree with Paul Allen's comments above. What the Supreme Court did with the parent's in the parallel case involving the public school (the one I argued), requiring them to prove the damage they sought to avoid (actual interference with passing on their religious faith) was an absurd reversing of the onus.
Parents delegate their primary authority over the education of children to the State. The state has no pre-emptive prior ownership. the Quebec approach fails to respect properly diversity.
The Supreme Court in Loyola was correct as far as it went. However, confusion on so many terms they still use including "neutral" "secular" "secularism and "values" shows how badly framed philosophically our current law is…..
Brother Benson, a world-class expert on these matters, brings several points forward with which I would like to agree.
First, he is quite right that the court was "split" mainly in terms of remedy. I put the matter wrongly, and he has put things right. Thanks, Ian.
Second, we disagree about both the Drummonville case and on this one. I think the state has legitimate interests and authority in behalf of the children in its care that are not to be set aside for parents' rights, nor for the rights of religious groups. It all depends on a careful balancing of the various rights and responsibilities involved, as I trust Ian would agree, and he and I disagree about where, in these cases, the courts ought to have come down.
But we disagree, may I suggest, not because I'm dull to the issues involved. And frankly, Ian, I'm surprised that someone of your considerable experience somehow thinks that a condescending, if not outright insulting, mode of speech is optimally designed to further constructive conversation here. Just point out the problems with what I'm saying, as you seen them, without arrogating to yourself the privilege of pronouncing summary judgment, okay?
I'm especially not unclear about the definitions involved. Indeed, I have a pretty good lexicon about these things that I have published several places, and I daresay Ian would agree with most, if not all, of what I would say in that respect. (And we both agree that Charles Taylor has not been entirely helpful in this regard, particularly regarding "secularism"–although it escapes me, so far, what other noun we can use for the kind of thing he is designating by his positive version of secularism. What do you propose, Ian?) So don't lump me in with what I agree is the considerable semantic confusion in regard to the "religion" and "secular" word-groups, if you please, unless you're pointing out actual mistakes I am making. If I am making them, then point them out and I shall thank you for it.
So I've set out my logic, and I don't understand still, to my frustration, why someone as learned as Ian Benson insists that Loyola could concede as much as it did and then somehow didn't have to concede the rest. I don't find either of the SCC opinions in fact to be theoretically coherent, and I fear instead that they amount to a mere sop thrown to believers–a sop that, because it is not well grounded, can be taken back at any time by the State that we agree is to be regarded warily indeed.
I apologize for errors of tone. Your article angered me and I ought to have let it cool before putting fingers to keyboard and pushing "send".
Loyola did some important things that need to be cheered. They will help TWU.
The importance of religious freedom has been ignored in some recent decisions where state interests could have been met while, at the same time, accommodating the religious concerns. One involved the Hutterian community in Alberta (objecting to pictures on drivers licences) and the Drummondville parent's case (objecting to the ERC course).
In both cases accommodation could have been given so that the religious concerns and state concerns could have been met.
The SCC in both cases dropped the ball and gave the state an unfettered power to squelch religious objections. Loyola stepped away from that–by accommodating alternative religious "but equivalent" approaches to "ethics and religious culture" the highest court recognized and protected the autonomy and diversity of a religious community or individuals as they should have done in the other cases.
The recognition of the importance of community to religious freedom–that the right is not purely individual–is a step to the further revognition of what is still missing in Canadian (but not South African) law…namely the "goods of religion" to culture.
The court is weak on "secularism" as is Charles Taylor and adopts the anti-moral language of "Charter values" which then distances the court from the different MORAL viewpoints that religious communities offer a culture with its public settings too frequently set to "full drift ahead".
There is much more to say but criricizing as you did, a decision that contributes positively (as well as negatively) to some of these points was and is in my view an error.
Loyola is a positive landmark decision and whole it is far from perfect and full of contemporary confusions, not to celebrate what should be is, with respect, a mistake.
I think some specifics are needed in order to root this conversation in something approximating reality.
1. My son has just taken the World Religions course at Loyola. It's really no big deal. The guys got to investigate the concept of nirvana, the purpose of Haj and the notion of Torah. It was a Religious Studies course and it sparked some conversation around the dinner table that came out of what was obviously an atmosphere of intelligent curiosity in the classroom. It was also an opportunity for some rudimentary assessments of other traditions to take place. Why wouldn't it be? After all, it's a Catholic school. That's what the parents signed up for, and their wishes are primary. As you must know, there is a field known as the theology of world religions that has been going strong for two or three decades. This course plausibly fits with such a perspective (Hick, Clooney, D'Costa) or at least allows for such evaluative questions to be raised. Can we not simply leave it this way? Loyola is doing a fine job teaching world religions as it did with the Ethics component that the guys do in grade 9. As is the case with the history of the Church (including a fair assessment of Protestantism I might add) in grade 10. Loyola, like all schools, can always improve its curriculum. But if anyone signs on to a targeting of this school for doing a damn sight better job than what the public schools could ever hope to achieve, expect pushback from me.
2. Your embrace of Durkheimian 'neutrality' is deeply worrying. The gospel isn't neutral and viewing other religions can never be a neutral exercise, even if you come at it from a secular perspective. There is NO SUCH THING as neutrality John. Give that up. The gospel does not permit neutrality, it promises faith, hope and love. Neutrality can only be squared with these things in an eschatological perspective wherein the current social order is held to be an ambiguous gathering of the City of God and the City of Man. What no Catholic can do is capitulate to the City of Man. Not that the state is the City of Man – I am a thoroughgoing Augustinian to see that the state can – in theory – be a tool for good, in the limiting conditions of being guided by the virtuous citizens whose own sense of limits is expressed — constitutionally expressed one would hope. And here is where your endorsement of ERC is so troubling. You give to the state what does not belong to it – children. Children belong to parents and to God. The state should only enjoy delegated rights and those expressly instituted by law for the protection of children. You are promoting a statism that is only too popular here in Quebec and which – not coincidentally – is the cause of so much unhappiness.
3. The key to understanding the ERC lies in the realization that it is a text within a context. There are lots of lofty words and ideals contained in the ERC programme. Its core objectives have been endorsed by the school (you have not overlooked that have you?) I've never heard Taylor on this subject, but I'm sure he could endorse enough of it (as would I) at one level. But you're missing the context John. This is basic hermeneutics 101 stuff. Just as you can't read the gospels absent a rudimentary understanding of first century Judaism, so you cannot read the ERC documents in an ahistorical way. The ERC is intended to ensure that all religions are all equally treated with some emphasis on aboriginal spirituality, Judaism and Christianity for historical reasons. But what you have missed is the subtext of the programme: all religions are to be understood as equally implausible. Religion, in an ERC classroom is for the pre-moderns and the gullible.
My kids got some ERC at the elementary school level, and it conformed rather neatly to this modernist view of history that is practically second nature in Quebec: "religion characterizes pre-modern society but we wise people hold to rationality and so therefore religion is a disappearing reality since the Quiet Revolution in 1968." Classic secularization thesis. That's what motivates and colors the ERC as with everything offered up by the Quebec state. The ERC may look neutral from 4000km away, but I assure you it is not. I taught a university level course 8 years ago for the first cohort of elementary school teachers who would be asked to teach the ERC. Only one or two had an identifiable religious background with which to guide them through the material – and they were lucky. The rest of them did not have a clue and the school boards know it and the Ministry knows it. The ERC was always mean to be largely taught by the ignorant in regards to the unknowable. That's the reality of the ERC.
A friend of mine had his son come home from school one day with a question about an assignment that the grade six class had to do. The students were asked to 'make up a religion' and provide some mythical content in order to describe their made-up religion. You don't need a PhD in Religious Studies to realize the subliminal impact of this assignment: all religions are fairy tales. John, this view of religion appears over and over again in many instantiations in local media and culture. You really have to pay attention to culture if you want to understand the texts that the culture's all-powerful state bureaucrats produce in order to promote its lies and to cover over its deceits. Read the ERC curriculum with a hermeneutics of suspicion, please.
Finally, I take issue with liberal Protestants telling Catholics how to teach religion. This is a movie we have seen before: recall 19th. century Germany. And let's reflect on how the Hegelian effort to make the state supreme in religious matters ended. In theology, Karl Barth made his choice vis a vis the champion of Protestant state power: Adolf von Harnack. Dietrich Bonhoeffer followed through on this vital project of ensuring that the gospel would not be swallowed up by authoritarian power. The rest is history. A mixture of the demonic and the prophetic. I follow the prophets.
Catholics, I submit, have a bit of a better track record of standing up to naked state power. And after years of deft ambivalence, one Catholic institution – Loyola – finally saw that the accommodation that the local Catholic church had made with modern Quebec life was fatal to itself. And so it stood up to be counted – on the side of the clarity of the gospel. The bishops have supported Loyola increasingly. Slowly, local Catholics are coming to see the real limits of what the Church's opening to the world in the 1960's means: the need to engage the world cannot be made on the world's terms. The ERC is certainly part and parcel of how Quebec and the western world sees the Church and Christianity in general. Loyola is one institution showing us a better way than that.
I completely agree with Dr. Allen. The fact is that basic concepts such as "parental delegation" and therefore parental right to request (and receive exemptions) need to be recognized and have not been in recent cases — certainly not in Drummondville and , that having happened, the glowing words in favour of respect for religious parents in Loyola is "too little too late". Drummondville will need to be revisited once the full horrors of the course (and there WILL be horrors given the aggressive nature of Quebec "secularism") are made clear in an appropriate case.
I cannot help feel that the theological points that Paul Allen makes, above, are also relevant to your continuing to miss the deeper waters of the problem with "values language" and the SCC adopting "Charter values" – – which is, as George Grant so wonderfully put it, "an obscuring language for morality used when the idea of purpose has been destroyed". The court never mentions morality except to run from it….and yet it is moral difference, NOT some amorphous, ambiguous, plastic language of "values" that grounds religious insights. Grant himself once told me in a long phone call a year or so before he died, that he found it continually puzzling how many people "just don't get the importance of the "values" point…" Now, 20 years later, having written on it myself (look for my article "Do "Values" mean anything at all?: Implications for Law, Education and Society" (SSRN)).
I am even more puzzled as the bankruptcy of "values language" and "values constructs" combined with its increasing ubiquity (particularly by religious people who should know better and, a fortiori, Catholics who have much more deeply than Protestants a strong tradition of the virtues to draw upon!) should be obvious by now.
That it isn't is one of the puzzles of our age and will, I am sure, come to be seen as one of the main planks of why our public theology fails to engage our public institutions more clearly.
Incidentally, one of my concerns of how Loyola was argued was that the lawyers failed to make a strong "moral difference" argument. Though, having tried that in various cases myself (and largely failed) I know the struggles.
Anyway, I think both theologically and legally there is much to be said in favour of Loyola and you should, rightly, have recognized what was good, important and perhaps even lasting about it.
Having argued before the SCC various time s in recent years and been on the receiving end of their appalling judgments in both Whatcott (hate speech) and Drummondville parents, I recognize what a victory Loyola was.
It certainly doesn't need being pooh-poohed in the way you did in your article. OK?
Okay, then. Thanks, sincerely, to Paul, Ivan, and Iain for engaging my blog post in the midst of what I'm sure are busy lives. (Iain, I do apologize for misspelling your name throughout. My friend Iain Provan would be smacking me for it right now, if he were nearby, I'm sure.) I expect that interested readers have all they need to go on now, and too many rabbits have been sent running for me, or you, to chase them all down.
I do feel rather ill-used, I confess. I don't think I pooh-poohed anything. (I apologize if I did. I meant to treat serious things seriously.) I don't think I need to be given elementary lectures in hermeneutics, or Canadian culture, or political realism. (Having published hundreds of pages of scholarship on each of those topics, among others, I feel a little abashed that someone else thinks I don't grasp even the ABC's of them.) I don't think I need to say all the things that are right and good about Christian education to disagree with a particular action by a particular school on a particular question. (Having been trained in two Christian postsecondary institutions and having lectured at half-a-dozen more, the record shows how grateful I am for Christian education.) And I'm pretty sure I don't need someone telling me about Bonhoeffer (on whom I have published most of a book and several articles) while this someone is on his merry way to instantiating Godwin's Law.
Regrettably, I do not yet read in the foregoing an actual argument against what I contended except in the form of assertions: "what you're proposing is wrong/impossible/un-Christian/stupid." Assertions are not, of course, arguments, and I don't see any of you actually troubling to SHOW that what I wanted to have happen at Loyola was in fact wrong, impossible, un-Christian, or stupid. Why cannot a Christian school teach the ERC curriculum properly, as it reads–even if lots of others likely won't? From the other direction, why ought a Christian school dig in and fight the state over something its religion and its pedagogy ought easily to be able to include?
And why is my proposal so difficult to countenance–especially since the person advocating this here, on this weblog, has actually taught world religions and philosophy in both Christian and secular environments–that is, has somehow done exactly what I said Loyola should do? Aren't you even slightly interested to know how I managed to pull off that feat? Or is your prejudice that it cannot or ought not to be done so strong that it stifles even your curiosity?
Ah, well. What we have here, for those of you who have read my book on ethics, "Making the Best of It," let alone Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture," is a nice set of representations of the "Christ transforming culture" model, Catholic-style, to which I offer an ethical alternative in my book. You'll note that Iain, Paul, and Ivan demonstrate my secondary assertion from that book that the "Christ transforming culture" model is very closely related to, and is in fact simply an alternative mode of, the "Christ against culture" model in all of its binary, "antithesis," City of God/City of Man starkness…coupled with a championing of the Catholic Church (e.g., Paul's rather breathtaking assertion that "Catholics, I submit, have a bit of a better track record of standing up to naked state power"–which makes those of us who have studied Catholic history, as I have, shake their heads a bit: I mean, Really? "Better" than WHOM?!) that will simply get no traction with those of us who know Catholicism well and yet do not subscribe to it.
Nonetheless, I am glad for such spirited and intelligent comrades (for comrades we are, in the larger scheme of things) and I am glad that we can contend about issues that matter, even if none of us leave this particular exchange satisfied. All Canadians–indeed, all modern people–are affected to some extent by these questions, and our cultures are having a very difficult time negotiating them. Let's keep doing what we can, then, to shed what light has been granted us to share, and to receive gratefully whatever light we can from our neighbours.
Thanks for taking a courageous stand here and for opening up a conversation that I think matters.
I read your post and have to say I found it provocative but I fundamentally disagree with you in that you seem to affirm the cultural positioning of secularism as a legitimate "neutral" starting point. I am less sanguine about whether or not the commitment to such 'neutrality' is actually warranted. But, irrespective, it is uncontroversial that a secular institution engages with the ERC material as it sees fit, or, in keeping with a secular landscape. However, a private religious institution need not accept such a position. In fact, it undermines itself if it were to engage in the ERC material from a strictly secular, ostensively neutral, position. Doing so effectively invokes or compels a kind of broad pluralism that diminishes the institutions reason for existence. This is the bigger point.
Students are sharp. They get it when secularism effectively argues as follows: your 'way' is just a different 'way' from all the other 'ways' by which to live a life, and, by the way, any 'way' works! This is, at least in my opinion, the subliminal message that a 'neutral' or secular position propagates. It seems to have been recognized by the court. See Loyola [156; 161] and to lesser degree [68; 75-76].
So, I might suggest that the proposition could be formulated in this way: a private religious institution does itself and the religion it purports to champion an injury if it obligingly allows for any significant capitulation to a secularist demands for normative 'neutrality'.
In the Loyola judgement the Supreme Court was unanimous in finding for the plaintiff. I think the SCC got this one right. Thanks for bringing this issue into focus for us.
Thanks for writing and defending this piece, Dr. Stackhouse. I think your original argument was simple and clear, and to me persuasive. The other guys were very emotional. I enjoyed the candour, humour, and graciousness of your replies.


text:
Em parapsicologia, é chamada de telergia (do grego tele, longe e ergon, ação) uma suposta força ou energia que permite ao médium produzir os fenômenos paranormais em questão. Por exemplo, transformar um objeto material com a mente (ideoplastia), perceber os pensamentos dos outros (telepatia) ou mesmo o aparecimento de espíritos.

Parapsicologia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Eh, why not? All the cool kids are talking about it for 2021, according to Politico, without any apparent worry about what might happen in 2019 and 2020. Several Democratic contenders now say they'll add seats to the Supreme Court to spite Mitch McConnell over Merrick Garland and what they call unprecedented packing of the federal court.
But what if the current occupant of the White House plays that game first?
Never mentioned in this article is a whole lotta context behind the Garland fight, including two separate declarations by Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer about blocking Republican picks in the final year of a presidency, circumstances that never emerged at those times. Miguel Estrada never gets a mention, nor Schumer's long track record of blocking a number of other judicial appointments from George W. Bush. Democrats can thank themselves for McConnell's current ease in confirming nominees, a point which Politico does raise — to allow some Senate Democrats to express their regret.


text:
Impacts of an automatic emergency call system on accident consequences
eCall-hyöty
Digitalisation,
Passenger transport,
According to the goal set in 2001 by the Council of State of Finland the number of traffic fatalities annually should be under 250 by the year 2010. This goal calls for a reduction of at least 125 traffic fatalities from the number in 2004. The Pan-European emergency call system (eCall) which was developed under the initiative of the eSafety Forum, composed of the European Commission, industry and other traffic safety actors could help to meet this goal.
The eCall system, which is installed in the vehicle, is based on either the automatic detection of an accident with an instrument or a manual emergency call made by pushing a button. In both cases a normal voice communication is opened to the emergency centre after a small delay. Accident vehicle identification and possible accident severity information is transmitted automatically. The automatic detection of an accident is based on the vehicles sensors or the sensors built into the eCall device. The in-vehicle sensors can detect e.g. triggering of an airbag, intense deceleration, vehicle rollover or a sudden temperature increase.
According to the international estimates show that the eCall system can reduce traffic fatalities by 4-56 annually. Such vague results does not warrant objective decision-making on government participation in the deployment of eCall. In addition, these estimates have not been proportioned to Finnish emergency centre processes or Finnish accident data. The estimates are also not based on the kind of detailed analysis possible in Finland. Based on the above it is clear that the impacts of the eCall system should be explicitly evaluated based on Finnish accident data taking into account local circumstances.
The main objective of the study was to determine the quantitative effect of the eCall system on the number of traffic fatalities in Finland. An additional objective was to estimate the impacts of precise accident location and other information obtainable from the eCall system on accident consequences.
Other objects of the study were to:
gain information about delays in emergency procedures and estimate by how much and in what number of accidents the eCall system would speed up emergency calls and the arrival of help;
examine the impacts of the eCall system on official activities in traffic accident situations;
estimate the benefits of the eCall system against the costs of the system;
suggest possibly more effective processes for the compiling personal injury statistics if the current statistical methods do not enable reliable impact evaluation.
The impacts of the eCall system on the number of fatalities in traffic accidents and the time between the time of the accident to the accident call were studied using the data from the road accident investigation teams. The data was limited to 2001–2003 when the cellular phone density had reached the current level of practically maximum penetration. The study was limited to include only traffic accident fatalities as only the accidents leading to fatalities are investigated in detail and for them the statistical coverage is 100 percent.
In 2001–2003 the road accident investigation teams examined 797 accidents with at least one fatality in a motor vehicle and 263 accidents with at least one unprotected road user fatality. The number of deaths in motor vehicle accidents were 929 and 264 in unprotected road user accidents. The study included 99% of the material. No accidents of any vehicle types were deleted from the study material even though the eCall device is not designed for two wheel vehicles or snowmobiles. This was because the eCall technique is supposed to develop so that the abovementioned vehicles can be equipped with them in the future. It is important for future studies to gather data also from two wheel vehicle and snow mobile accidents, the injuries and delays in the calls for help. The accidents have thus been divided into two groups:
accidents with at least one vehicle that can be equipped with an eCall device (eCall currently possible)
accidents with no vehicles that can be equipped with a current eCall device (eCall currently impossible).
AINO - AINO R&D programme on real-time transport information 2004-2007
Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland
According to the decrease in the number of fatalities in motor vehicle and unprotected road user accidents in the study the eCall system would have very likely prevented in total 43 traffic fatalities in 2001-2003. This is 3.6% of all the traffic fatalities in those years. Fatalities that the eCall system might possibly have prevented were estimated to be about 4%. In total, 5-10% of motor vehicle fatalities and 4-8% of all Finnish traffic fatalities could be prevented with the eCall system.
The percentage of the fatality reduction impact of the eCall system was greatest in the accidents involving vehicles in which the current eCall equipment cannot be installed. This is due to also the greatest percentage of long emergency delays in these accidents.
The study was unable to evaluate the impact of the precise location information given by eCall on the swifter arrival of rescue units at the accident site in the evaluation of decrease in traffic fatalities. The surveys of emergency centre duty officers and interviews of officials showed that there was some inaccuracy in the location information given by the emergency callers. The decrease in traffic fatalities can thus be greater than the result of the study. The study assumed that all vehicles were equipped with the eCall terminal and that each terminal would function properly. If this is not the case the benefits of eCall would be smaller. The decrease in the traffic fatalities arrived at was, however, deemed to be the most realistic result with the available data.
The benefit-cost ratio of the eCall system has been estimated as between 1.1 and 8.5 in earlier foreign studies. In this study the benefit-cost ratio of the eCall system was estimated to be in the range of 0.5-2.3. The estimate does not take into account the indirect benefits of the eCall system like the several new location utilising services that can be based on eCall. The impact of these services on the price of the eCall terminal was also not known at the time of the study. A further consideration is that the current hospital centralisation under way at many locations will increase the distance between hospitals emphasising the benefits of the eCall system. It can be assumed that the indirect benefits of the eCall system will improve the benefit-cost ratio.
The reliability of the benefit-cost ratio estimate is reduced by the fact that the benefits of the eCall system for the trauma of the injured could not be estimated dependably due to inadequate data of those inj
Based on the main findings of this study, the eCall system is recommended for immediate and widespread implementation in Finland. The study also indicated a need for developing statistics on severely injured accident casualties.
This document is a summary of a full-length Finnish report: Impacts of an automatic emergency call system on accident consequences / Automaattisen hätäviestijärjestelmän vaikutukset onnettomuustilanteessa (Virtanen 2005). (Final report)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


San Diego residents leave all kinds of things in alleys behind their residences. What's that saying about one person's garbage being another's treasure? This sofa sits by a dumpster, but it waits for a new owner not the trash collector. The fabric's texture and color reminds me of photograph "Try", by Fe Ilya, which appeared in my Flickr-a-Day series that posted for all of 2015.
I captured the moment on Aug. 14, 2017 at 10:21 a.m. PDT—after passing the couch several days in a row while walking up the alley between Cleveland and Maryland Avenues. The Featured Image, from Leica Q, is cropped to remove an ugly bucket and foreground shadow cast by a building, but otherwise is unadulterated. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/500 sec, 28mm.


text:
#StopAdani: Guarding the Galilee Documentary
Parramatta Climate Action Network (Parra CAN) is screening the documentary Guarding the Galilee, as support for the #StopAdani campaign. Climate justice is the fight our time. The #StopAdani campaign represents the coming together of climate justice groups, first nations people and everyday Australians all over the country, in an effort to make a stand against environmental destruction and the need to commit to renewable energy. The Adani Carmichael coal mine is set to destroy sacred Aboriginal land, destroy our iconic Great Barrier Reed and produce most fossil fuels in a time when we cannot afford to do so.
#StopAdani is an opportunity to unite and create the world that we want to pass onto our future generations.
Come along and show your support! Please RSVP if possible to parracan300@gmail.com or Nicole on 0435 092 771, so that we can know numbers. Car park + street parking. Walking distance to Telopea Station.
April 28, 2017 at 6:45pm - 8pm
Nicole Sleeman · · 0435092771
Dundas Community Centre
21 Sturt
Telopea, NSW 2117
Take More Action!
1. Pressure contractors
Adani can't build their mine by themselves. They need 1. Construction companies to help build the coal mine and rail. 2. Insurance companies to insure Adani's project. And 3. Haulage companies to transport the coal from the mine to port. Over 60 companies have already refused to work with Adani. Let's keep going to make sure no one will help Adani fuel the climate crisis!
2. Defend land rights
Adani's mine will destroy the ancestral lands and waters of the Wangan and Jagalingou people.The Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council have never give their free, prior and informed consent to Adani's mine and have said No to Adani 5 times. In a shocking new low, Adani have bankrupted W&J senior spokesperson Adrian Burragubba. Despite this disgusting corporate bullying, W&J are continuing their fight to protect their country from Adani. Will you stand with them?
3. Expose Adani's bad behaviour
Adani need somewhere to burn their coal. Right now Adani plan to burn it in their own coal-burning power stations in India. These polluting coal stations are worsening air pollution, dispossessing local villagers of their land, and draining sacred water sources. Local residents are fighting back, but taking on a powerful, multi-billionaire corporation is tough and dangerous. So we need to make sure we have their back.
4. Escalate peaceful protest
Adani have started smashing down trees that are home to critically endangered species to build their monster coal mine. That means we need to escalate peaceful protest to stop Adani. Everyday Australians are engaging in brave acts of peaceful civil disobedience to stop Adani turbocharging the climate crisis.
5. Build the movement
Adani are an incredibly rich and powerful corporation with deep political connections in Australia and India. But they don't have the support of the vast majority of people who are concerned about climate change and want this mine stopped. Our people-powered movement has already achieved incredible things in the fight to #StopAdani. If we can keep growing, we can stop this disaster for good, and help move Australia beyond coal. But we can't do it without you.


I'm not vegetarian, I love to eat both meat and vegetables.
No. I've attended a polytechnic institute. I'm a self-taught photographer.
I'd love to shoot my family.
Not yet. But I'd love to try it.
Never, I don't have enough money to pay for them. But I've been to some meetings.
Yes, I do. I like looking at my pictures, at other photographers' pictures that can inspire me.
Yes, I have a few of them framed and hanged on my two-room flat's walls.
Facebook for everything, and it's been few years that I have a photographic blog on tumblr.
I don't believe in horoscopes.
They're a lot, I love Diane Arbus' works.
It's been a long time that I'm planning to go to Berlin.
SUMO by Helmut Newton, it's a mix of sensuality, culture and photographic history.


text:
Home American Sports Sports Money 15 Highest-paid MLB players in 2019, Scherzer, Strasburg Top List
15 Highest-paid MLB players in 2019, Scherzer, Strasburg Top List
sports history 12:42 AM American Sports, Sports Money,
Top 15 Highest-paid MLB players in 2019, Scherzer, Strasburg on Top List.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, the reigning AL MVP, has opted to go year-by-year and will earn $20 million this year, with two years left before his free agency.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went the safe route and signed a six-year, $32.5 million contract extension after his first year with Arizona, only to watch Chris Davis to sign a seven-year, $161 million contract with Baltimore three years later.
Aaron Judge may be the biggest star on the largest stage in baseball and the New York Yankees' top box-office draw since Derek Jeter.
He also happens to be one of the team's lowest-paid players.
Judge will earn $684,300 this season, or about $300,000 less than Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will earn for each start
If Judge is going to sign a long-term extension, he probably wants to follow the model set by Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout. He signed a six-year, $144.5 million extension on March 29, 2014 after two years and 70 days of major-league service. It covered all of his arbitration and three free-agent years. Judge has two years and 51 days of service time, and is eligible for arbitration after this season.
Look at the Top 15 Highest-paid MLB players in 2019 season, Max Scherzer & Stephan Strasburg both from Nationals make a place on Top of the List.
RHP - Max Scherzer, Nationals: $42,142,857
RHP - Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: $36,428,571
OF - Mike Trout, Angels: $34,083,333
RHP - Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks: $32,421,884
LHP - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: $32,000,000
LHP - David Price, Red Sox: $31,000,000
1B - Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: $30,000,000
OF - Yoenis Cespedes, Mets: $29,000,000
1b/DH - Albert Pujols, Angels: $28,000,000
RHP - Justin Verlander: $28,000,000
RHP - Felix Hernandez, Mariners: $27,857,143
LHP - Jon Lester, Cubs: $27,500,000
OF - Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees: $26,000,000
3B - Nolan Arenado, Rockies: $26,000,000
RHP - Jake Arrieta, Phillies: $25,000,000
1B - Joey Votto, Reds: $25,000,000
RHP - Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers: $25,000,000
Tags # American Sports # Sports Money
Sports Money
Labels: American Sports, Sports Money


Are you ready for an easy gak recipe and play ideas?
Making Gak is a sensory experience on its own! Plus, gak feels really nice and cool – it never feels hot, for some reason. It can hold a shape for a few seconds, but then it melts into a mass again.


Just regular folks.: Dance, Sari, Vince is home.
Saturday night, I headed out to Virginia to see my friend's daughter's arangetram, or debut performance in traditional Indian classical dance. She had invited me a few months ago and I kind of understood it to be a dance recital, but I didn't quite understand that it was going to be a 2 hour solo performance with live orchestra for over 200 guests followed by a catered dinner. It was a beautiful, beautiful performance. I have some exposure to classical Indian music by being friends with Vidya and Kiranavali, but I've only listened to music practice in their house, never an actual performance.
Vibha's mom is Satya and she's here with Karuna.
When I was walking up the sidewalk to the performance hall and I saw all these colorful saris, and suddenly I remembered that I do own a sari which was given to me by a friend in Singapore and I thought ah! I should have worn my sari, I have so few chances to wear it. But then I couldn't quite decide if I was allowed anymore to wear a sari. Oh well, it doesn't matter, I forgot that I had one so I'll have to wait another 10 years for an occasion to present itself again.
I went to work at the hospital on Sunday (my first day on the floor) to find out that an old classmate of mine was charge nurse! I said - Eunice!, you're charge today? And she said - today is my first day as charge, where everyone's problems become your problems too. And then she asked, who talked you into having your first day on Sunday of all days? I'm said that it was a long story which doesn't need to be retold here.
While I was at work trying to remember that it was Sunday and not Monday, Jeremy went to pick up Vince from scout camp. He took Edda and got there by lunchtime.
They ate at Jimmy John's.
And they got home! And then I got home! And then we are all together again.
Love Vince's outfit! I hope your first day went okay.


Are you ready to further your yoga studies in a holistic and supportive environment? If so then SoulPlay's 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified teacher training is for you. You will immerse yourself in all aspects of yoga and be encouraged to teach what you are most interested in and inspired by. Anatomy? All things Asana? Yoga philosophy, science and psychology? Mindfulness, pranic and energy practices? Whether or not you want to become a yoga instructor, and many of our graduates do, your life will be immeasurably enriched by this training.
SoulPlay Yoga provides a well-rounded, solid, and comprehensive foundation for teaching and practicing yoga, but will also guide and support you in your journey of Svadhyaya: self-study.
The most inspiring part of teacher training is the personal transformation that naturally arises as you bravely unearth your authentic voice and learn to trust, teach from, and embody, what you love about yoga. The SoulPlay Team holds a fiercely compassionate, safe and fun space for you to grow and teach. The combined backgrounds of the teaching team makes for an intimate and truly individualized experience.
To learn more about this program, pricing and curriculum, click below.


text:
Q: How can I make my borders the same size? I'm making a piece of JavaScript that puts words in blocks depending on their size (see the demo below).
I use a span in order to contain each word. My problem is that the borders are really thick at some places and thin elsewhere. I can't seem to find how to make the borders collapse, any ideas of how I could to do that?
NOTE: I size the borders using "vw" units in order to have them proportional to the viewport size.

window.onload = function wordsinblocks(self) {

    var demos = document.getElementsByClassName("demo"),
        i = 0, len = demos.length,
        demo;

    for (; i < len; i++) {
        demo = demos[i];
        var initialText = demo.textContent,
            wordTags = initialText.split(" ").map(function(word) {
                return '' + word + '';
            });

        demo.innerHTML = wordTags.join('');
    }

    self.disabled = true;
    fitWords();
    window.addEventListener('resize', fitWords);
}

function fitWords() {
    var demos = document.getElementsByClassName("demo"),
      sizes = [7.69230769230769, 23.07692307692307, 46.15384615384614, 100],
        j = 0, len = demos.length,
        demo, node,
        i, nodeWidth,
        match, index;

    for (; j < len; j++) {

        demo = demos[j];
        var width = demo.offsetWidth,
            calculated = sizes.map(function(size) {
                return width * size / 100
            });

        for (i = 0; i < demo.childNodes.length; i++) {
            node = demo.childNodes[i];
            node.classList.remove('size-1', 'size-2', 'size-3', 'size-4');

            nodeWidth = node.clientWidth;
            match = calculated.filter(function(grid) {
                return grid >= nodeWidth;
            })[0];
            index = calculated.indexOf(match);

            node.classList.add('size-' + (index + 1));
        }
    }
}
.demo {
    display: block;
    padding: 0 0 0 1px;
    overflow: auto;
}

.demo .word {
    float: left;
    box-sizing: border-box;
    -webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
    -moz-box-sizing: border-box;
    box-sizing: border-box;
    padding: 5px;
    padding-left: 10px;
    padding-right: 10px;
    font-size: 2.9vw;
    height: 10%;
    font-family: "helvetica";
    border: 1vw solid black;
}

.demo .word:hover {
    background-color: blue;
    color: white;
}

.demo .size-1 {
    width: 7.69230769230769%;
}

.demo .size-2 {
    width: 23.07692307692307%;
}

.demo .size-3 {
    width: 46.15384615384614%;
}

.demo .size-4 {
    width: 100%
}

Guy Debord est un écrivain, essayiste, cinéaste, poète1 et révolutionnaire français. Il se considère avant tout comme un stratège. C'est lui qui a conceptualisé la notion sociopolitique de « spectacle », développée dans son œuvre la plus connue, La Société du spectacle.

A: You can accomplish this effect by using box-shadow along with a negative margin. I've also added some padding to the container so the edges aren't clipped.
Screenshot of the Result:

Live Demo:

window.onload = function wordsinblocks(self) {

    var demos = document.getElementsByClassName("demo"),
        i = 0, len = demos.length,
        demo;

    for (; i < len; i++) {
        demo = demos[i];
        var initialText = demo.textContent,
            wordTags = initialText.split(" ").map(function(word) {
                return '' + word + '';
            });

        demo.innerHTML = wordTags.join('');
    }

    self.disabled = true;
    fitWords();
    window.addEventListener('resize', fitWords);
}

function fitWords() {
    var demos = document.getElementsByClassName("demo"),
      sizes = [7.69230769230769, 23.07692307692307, 46.15384615384614, 100],
        j = 0, len = demos.length,
        demo, node,
        i, nodeWidth,
        match, index;

    for (; j < len; j++) {

        demo = demos[j];
        var width = demo.offsetWidth,
            calculated = sizes.map(function(size) {
                return width * size / 100
            });

        for (i = 0; i < demo.childNodes.length; i++) {
            node = demo.childNodes[i];
            node.classList.remove('size-1', 'size-2', 'size-3', 'size-4');

            nodeWidth = node.clientWidth;
            match = calculated.filter(function(grid) {
                return grid >= nodeWidth;
            })[0];
            index = calculated.indexOf(match);

            node.classList.add('size-' + (index + 1));
        }
    }
}
.demo {
    display: block;
    padding: 1vw;
    overflow: auto;
}

.demo .word {
    float: left;
    padding: 5px;
    padding-left: 10px;
    padding-right: 10px;
    font-size: 2.9vw;
    height: 10%;
    font-family: "helvetica";
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 1vw black;
    margin: 0.5vw;
}

.demo .word:hover {
    background-color: blue;
    color: white;
}

.demo .size-1 {
    width: 7.69230769230769%;
}

.demo .size-2 {
    width: 23.07692307692307%;
}

.demo .size-3 {
    width: 46.15384615384614%;
}

.demo .size-4 {
    width: 100%
}

Guy Debord est un écrivain, essayiste, cinéaste, poète1 et révolutionnaire français. Il se considère avant tout comme un stratège. C'est lui qui a conceptualisé la notion sociopolitique de « spectacle », développée dans son œuvre la plus connue, La Société du spectacle.

A: The borders are all the same it's just that there is no gap between the words so the border "doubles up". Try adding margin: 1px to .word

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and allspice onto a sheet of wax paper; setaside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugars, orange rind, and ginger until well blended. Stir in the flour mixture, then fold in the zucchini and nuts.
3. Pour the batter into two 81/2-x 41/2 inch loaf pans that have been greased and dusted with flour. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean-45 to 50 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then turn out and cool at room temperature. Will keep 1 week wrapped in foil and refrigerated or 3 months a 0F. If it last that long!
What do we do with the Zucchini(?) : so many zucchini recipes,your head just might implode!!!


text:
Q: How can I fix git commit error "Waiting for your editor to close the file..." with VS Code? I'm trying just git commit and Git is giving this message:

hint: Waiting for your editor to close the file...
  /c/Users/AGT/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft VS Code/bin/code: line
  28: /Code.exe: No such file or directory error: There was a problem
  with the editor 'code --wait'. Please supply the message using either
  -m or -F option.

I'm using, or trying it, VS Code as default and I got this same message with it opened or closed. Commits done through VS Code or by command git commit -m "Initial commit" works fine.
I tried change config path with:

*

*git config --global core.editor "code --wait"

*git config --global core.editor
"'C:\Users\AGT\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe' -n
-w" and the followed variants(these with this change at error message "unexpected EOF while looking for matching"):

*C:\Users\AGT\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\bin

*C:\Users\AGT\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\bin\code

*C:\Users\AGT\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

No success at all.
The git status is:
    On branch master

No commits yet

Changes to be committed:
  (use "git rm --cached <file>..." to unstage)

        new file:   css/app.css
        new file:   index.html
        new file:   js/app.js

How can I fix that to git commit command through Git BASH works fine with Vs Code? It's seems path issue.
Update info: I tested git commit with Sublime 3 and it works fine.

A: Putting the name of the editor in double quotes produced this error for me.  Put the name of the editor in single quotes, like:

git config --global core.editor 'vi'

Or, try switching to double quotes if you're already using single quotes.

A: git config --global core.editor /usr/bin/vim solved it for me.

A: For people having Atom as default editor for Git-related stuff
When Atom was a default code editor for it, there was some kind of conflict between Atom and Visual Studio Code. Opening a Terminal in Visual Studio Code and hitting git config --global core.editor "code --wait" solved the problem. Then Visual Studio Code opened a new tab each time I was doing something in the console without crashing.

A: Any file may be opened in any editor.
So run "ps -ax|grep vim" to check which file is opened in which editor.
And then run kill id-of-editor . For e.g. "kill 12345"
Thats all

A: If your in vs code go to your source control tab on the left
then type in your comment, press ctrl & enter
if you do git status it should say nothing to commit, working tree clean..that means it worked

A: Have you confirmed that code is accessible from the command line where you execute git commands?
You could run code --version
BTW. When I execute where code I get C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\bin\code - it's no longer installed in the %App_Data% folder. However, this should be irrelevant if you only specify code --wait without the path.
In other words, here is the procedure I would attempt:

*

*Confirm code --version works in the console you use for git

*git config --global core.editor "code --wait"

*Change things in you branch and then git commit. Does VS Code start and show COMMIT_EDITMSG file?

A: It is expecting you to enter the comments regarding the commit you are making enter comment and it should commit the code.

A: Maybe this might help someone
For me, i forgot to add vscode to path after re-installing.
To add a file or folder to a path, follow these steps:
search for varibles =>  Enviornment variables => path => edit => paste the full path to file or folder or hit browse and select the path => click ok and exit.

A: I had a similar issue. For me, I had to remove quotes. This is VsCode in Windows 11 environment.
I opened my git config --global file directly
This was what I had and it did not work:
[merge]
  tool = vscode
[mergetool "vscode"]
  cmd = "code --wait $MERGED"

I changed it to this and it now works correctly:
[merge]
  tool = vscode
[mergetool "vscode"]
  cmd = code --wait $MERGED

A: I got that error while i configured with Atom.
I got it solved by opening the app in background before executing the command git commit
You can also try using $ git commit -m "Initial commit"
It directly passes the message without waiting for the editor to open
 NOTE: You wont be able to add description just a comment

A: It looks like it has to do with the path of VS Code in your case and possibly the command to set the editor git config --global core.editor "code --wait" not being correct.
In my case, I couldn't complete a merging command.
What really worked for me after ensuring that VS Code is correctly setup :
code --version

worked fine.
Executing
where code
showed me that the installation of code was in a different location than the local app data, which was where git was looking in. I could also tell code could not really be found because the editor was not launching when I was merging.
Finally executing
git config --global core.editor 'code --wait'

did the trick for me. Not that it's in single quotes as suggested further up in one of the comments.

A: Strange but updating VS Code solved the issue easily for me. Hope this helps someone trying to engineer a solution without first trying the "have you tried turning it on and off?".


Bird Feed To Help Bring Nature To YouUse all year round in seed feeder. Good for: Almost all garden birds.Treat the birds in your garden by giving them the 12.75kg Choice Sunflower Hearts. This feed is bursting with nutrients and is an great way to vary the diet of the songbirds in your area. With a lack of husks, this feed will ensure there is less mess. Keeping you supplied and our feathered friends happy all winter long.


On November 15, oikos Alumni came together for the fifth Alumni Debate in Zurich, Switzerland. The developments on the intersection of urbanization and digitalization were at the center of the debate.
Because the way we live in cities is drastically changing, oikos Associate Christoph Rappitsch chose the rubric Smart City as the vantage point of the discussions. What are the innovative technologies which will rebuild the foundations of housing, mobility and energy and form Smart Cities?
The debate started with a discussion on how much technology is needed for our homes to save energy and how much could and should be done with analog methods, e.g. turning down the heat and switching off lights. Even though the panelists all work in the energy industry that is under heavy pressure to implement the newest technology, points of view on the matter diverged. Expectedly, the argument emerged that we need technology, if only to remind and "nudge" us to live more sustainably. On the other side, technology would need agents who are aware of their actions and act responsibly. And to put it quotable, the most important aspect of a Smart City are Smart People.
The discussion then moved into the technical realm: how should and could houses be designed? The best solution, it emerged, would be a combination of the newest measuring tools for energy and electricity, together with smart design and materials, which are able to keep the house cool or warm without additional energy input.
The next big topic covered was mobility. The discussion centered around how technology can improve the situation from an environmental perspective: reducing emissions by car sharing; reduce inefficiencies via smart mobility apps; make traffic more efficient in cities via navigation tools; making the use of existing infrastructure more convenient.
The last topic covered was the role policy makers should play in the transformation to a Smart City. They should offer incentives for creating a sustainable infrastructure (solar panels, loading stations for e-cars, financial support for efficient buildings, etc.) and should foster the change towards a more sustainable way of living in a city.
The debate could be watched live on Facebook, where it is still available on our page. We thank again to the panelists and all the participants (offline or online), who joined us for this debate.


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Who is Hull City target Josh Vela who was once likened to Steven Gerrard and what could he bring to the KCOM?
The midfielder has been linked with a move to the Tigers
Barney Stephen
Josh Vela of Bolton Wanderers (Image: Getty)
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Hull City target Josh Vela's future remains unclear after the departure of Nigel Adkins from the KCOM Stadium.
City are still yet to make a signing this summer and a deal for the former Bolton star has been complicated by their lack of a head coach.
The 25-year-old is available on a free transfer this summer, but who is he and what could he bring to the KCOM?
What is his background?
Born in Salford, Josh Vela joined local side Bolton Wanderers as a nine-year-old and signed as a pro in 2011.
Vela was subject to interest from Liverpool as a youngster with Bolton reportedly rebuffing a £1 million offer before the starlet had even made his first team appearance.
He was handed his debut by Owen Coyle as an 18-year-old in April 2012. Vela made three Premier League appearances off the bench but didn't make his first start for the club until a League Cup tie with Crawley the following season.
Vela failed to cement a place in the Bolton team in the two seasons that followed and moved on loan to Notts County in the 2013/14 season.
It was under the management of Neil Lennon in the 2014/15 season that he established himself as an important part of the Bolton side.
In 2015, after impressing against Liverpool in the FA Cup, reports linked Vela with a move to Anfield for a second time with some touting him as a possible replacement for Steven Gerrard.
The move did not materialise, but Vela remained an important player at the Macron Stadium in the years that followed.
Dan Batty on his breakthrough campaign and the crucial year ahead with Hull City
In 2016/17 he played a key role in Bolton's promotion to the Championship scoring nine goals and featuring in every game.
Vela has amassed 182 appearances during his time at Bolton however, he saw his impact dwindle last season amid a reported fall-out with ex-City boss Phil Parkinson, featuring just 19 times throughout the campaign.
Where can he play?
Most of Vela's early appearances for Bolton saw him play right-back however, he was deployed in central midfield by Neil Lennon where his combative performances sparked the Gerrard comparisons.
Ryan Woods of Stoke City battles with Josh Vela (Image: Getty)
With Todd Kane's loan spell coming to an end City only have one senior right-back in the form of Eric Lichaj.
This, combined with the uncertainty surrounding central midfielder Markus Henriksen's future at the club would make Vela, capable of playing in both roles, a key addition to City's squad.
What experience does he have?
Vela has just three Premier League appearances to his name and no international experience, but having played 111 Championship games over six seasons he can be considered an accomplished performer in the second tier.
Carabao Cup 2019/20 first round draw details revealed along with bizarre location for draw
Why is he available?
The 25-year-old announced that he would be leaving Bolton after 17 years at the club last month. Vela took the decision not to renew his contract at the Macron Stadium following the club's relegation to League One.
Although a move to the KCOM appeared close, Adkins departure has put City's recruitment on hold.
Vela has dismissed talk of a move to hometown side Salford City although, a variety of Championship sides including Leeds have been linked.
How would he fit in at City?
As mentioned, City's lack of depth in the right-back position coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future Markus Henriksen means securing a player of Vela's versatility this summer makes a lot of sense.
However, a player of his ability and experience is unlikely to remain a free agent for long.
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Scholars: James Ward Packard
Text Francis Cheung
The landscape of the watchmaking industry has inevitably evolved through different periods in history, where the developments would keep pace with the concurrent culture, technology, and economy, creating a unique dynamic between the industry's stakeholders. Perhaps it would be hard to imagine by today's standards, that even with significant wealth and vision, that a collector could influence the horological industry into achieving new technical benchmarks (short of starting a new brand, of course). But James Ward Packard, a particularly discerning collector, made it all happen in the early 20th century. He commissioned some of the most complicated timepieces with well-established horology maisons, and the resulting creations are still held in extremely high regard a century later.
Following in the footsteps of his father Warren Packard, who was a successful entrepreneur in the mid 19th century and made a name for himself in the hardware and lumber businesses. James Packard and his brother, William Doud Packard, would continue to build on their father's success. Together, they established the Packard Electric Company in 1890, producing incandescent bulbs, as power grids were being built in their home state of Ohio. Although Packard would turn his attention to automobiles, financial difficulties prevented him from building them until 1899. Legend has it that he was prompted to do so after purchasing a vehicle from Winton Automotive in 1898; when it proved to be somewhat unreliable, Alexander Winton himself challenged Packard to do better, leading to the creation of the Packard Motor Car Company.
An advertisement of Packard Vehicles and their reliability, circa 1906.
Alden Jewell, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At the time, the Packard Electric Company had already expanded its manufacturing capability beyond light bulbs, which gave the Motor Car company an upper hand in building reliable electrical circuits and systems for their vehicles. On top of the reliability that made their vehicles stand out from the rest, their use of luxurious materials to enhance their build quality and target wealthy individuals led to their sales increasing so rapidly at the time that they skipped printing any brochures to catch up with the manufacturing schedule. The word quickly spread around and built them a loyal clientele, and most importantly the prestigious image of owning the Packard emblem across America.
James Ward Packard driving one of the early Packard custom models, a one cylinder vehicle with wood artillery wheels, fenders, and the optional headlights. © Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
With the wealth accommodated by his success, and also the knowledge and appreciation towards horological mechanisms, Packard was unsurprisingly fond of fine timekeeping devices. While he indulged in a rather intrinsic collecting experience, keeping most of his timepieces out of the public eye, he would be drawn to commissioning very special pieces from the finest Swiss maisons.
James Ward Packard's first Patek Philippe Grand Complication ref. 125 009, circa 1905. © Christie's
Packard purchased his first Patek Philippe grand complication, (no. 125 009) in 1905, an 18k gold pocket watch featuring a chronograph, minute repeater, perpetual calendar and grande and petite sonnerie. After that, he began commissioning unique pieces in all forms, most notably an 18k gold ring watch (no.174 659) in 1917, and an ebony cane topped with a silver detachable clock (no.174 826), which could be replaced by a second knob made of ivory, both from Patek Philippe.
Other than luxuriously fusing time keeping devices with daily objects, it would seem Packard's engineering background meant that he had a deep appreciation for the intricacy of a complicated movement, and requested some of the most challenging combinations of complication. While the costs were presumably not an issue, it all boiled down to how far watchmakers could push their boundaries into designing complications. In 1916, Packard commissioned another 18k gold grand complication (no. 174 129) from Patek Philippe, with sixteen complications, and featuring a somewhat uncommon foudroyante, which measures the fractions of a second.
Vacheron Constantin Grand Complication Pocket Watch for James Ward Packard, circa 1918.
Two years later, Packard commissioned a 20k gold pocket watch from Vacheron Constantin, which appeared to be a chronograph with a regulator dial, although, it was also equipped with a very special set of repeater functions, incorporating a trip repeater, a mechanism that utilised a double barrel system to store a secondary power specifically for chiming functions, so the watch could be actuated for chiming multiple times before it needed to be rewound. The trip repeater in this watch, however, was responsible for a quarter, half quarter repetition with a grande and petite sonnerie, and it is believed that it was the first time that this particular construction was made.
The "Packard" Astronomical Pocket Watch by Patek Philippe, ref. 198 023, circa 1927.
Featuring a celestial map depicting the night sky of the Packard's family hometown in Warren, Ohio.
The last commissioned timepiece from Patek Philippe would be the "Packard" (no. 198 023) in 1927, a double-sided astronomical pocket watch featuring a rotating celestial map of five hundred gold stars, accurately depicting the night sky over Warren, Ohio, the Packard family's hometown. Unfortunately, Packard would pass away due to illness just a year later.
James Ward Packard's appreciation of fine watchmaking, combined with his engineering acumen, led to the development of some of the most spectacular watches in history. They harken to an era where the great industrialists were visibly influential, beyond their immediate professional spheres. Today's watchmaking industry seldom sees these kinds of commissions, or perhaps we should say, the ones that become known to the public are exceedingly rare. Their historic legacy though continues to inspire collectors, and, hopefully, the watchmaking industry at large.
James Ward PackardPackardPatek PhilippescholarsVacheron Constantin
David Seyffer, IWC Museum Curator
Scholars: Wang Ching Lung
Scholars: Ken Okuyama
Scholars: Arnaud Carrez, Cartier International
Scholars: David Seyffer, IWC Museum Curator
Scholars: Count Carlo Felice Trossi
Scholars: Michael Friedman, Historian at Audemars Piguet
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SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Ashley Morris, Ed.D., as its dean for the Business and Professional Services Division. She manages initiatives related to all divisional programs, courses, and instructional services including community, high school, and college programs, as well as promote the College to public and private organizations.
Prior to coming to Savannah Tech, Morris worked as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Quality Enhancement Plan Director for Albany Technical College. She also was the Chief Executive Officer for Reaching for Stars Tutoring Services in Hinesville, Ga. She gained teaching experience as an English instructor for Albany Technical College and Savannah Technical College. She has also worked as an academic advisor.
She has a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership and a Master of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Education from Mercer University. Morris has also earned Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
Among many notable awards and accolades, she was named one of Southwest Georgia's 40 under 40 in 2017. She also serves as an Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Business and Professional Services division offers programs that prepare students for careers in fields like accounting, barbering/cosmetology, basic law enforcement, business management, business technology, criminal justice, culinary arts/baking & pastry arts, cyber and related, early childhood care and education, fire science, hotel/restaurant/tourism management, logistics management, marketing management and paralegal studies.


A number of maquiladora industry executives, principal among them, the president of the country's national maquiladora association (INDEX), Emilio Cadena, have two predominant concerns that link Mexico's export manufacturing industry to the larger macroeconomy.
One concern voiced by maquiladora industry executives is linked to recent trends evident in the current Mexican Peso – US dollar exchange rate. Although the president of INDEX correctly points out that much of the maquiladora industry is insulated from fluctuations in the exchange rate between the two countries as a result of the fact that most purchases and sales are conducted in US Dollars, he concedes that, despite this state-of-affairs, the current dynamic could result in prejudicially higher inflation rates for the Mexican economy, as a whole. In the years following the signing of the NAFTA, Mexico has demonstrated a fiscal discipline that has kept what had been historically high inflation rates and current accounts deficits in check, which has greatly contributed to the country's economic progress and appeal to foreign investors.
According to Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), or its National Institute of Statistics and Geography, the annual rate of inflation registered this past June was 2.87%. According to INEGI information, this number represents the second-lowest such figure documented since 1970, as well as marks the second consecutive month in which a rate below 3% has been reported.
Although due to the less than optimal economic growth that has characterized the US market over the last several years, maquiladora industry executives and the companies and industries that they represent and lead, have experienced an approximate 10% growth in exports over the last several years, as well as a related almost six percent increase in their workforce size. In addition to making better, more globally competitive products (this has been particularly true in the Mexican automotive and aerospace industries), a significant portion of this figure may be attributed to the discipline, diligence and intelligence that Mexican economic policymakers have consistently exercised, since the signing of the NAFTA by the US, Mexico and Canada a bit more than two decades ago. From that time onward Mexico has progressively become the country with the largest network of free trade agreements on the planet, and, as a result, has not only made itself highly attractive to foreign direct investors worldwide as one of the globe's most viable and cost-effective export platforms, but has proactively taken measures to make its exports price competitive in the world's most demanding consumer and industrial markets. Although still a significant consideration, selling Mexican products to a broader clientele has mitigated its previously stronger ties to the effects of US economic fortunes.


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Homepage / IPod Touch / Ipod Touch Applications / Paradise Island for the iPod Touch
Paradise Island for the iPod Touch
If you love all those apps that let you build your own city, your own restaurant, or your own bakery, then you'll love the Paradise Island app for the iPod Touch. What could be better? You get to build your own city, including restaurants and hotels, and it's all in an exotic location – under the sun right by the sea! So start getting carried away and thinking about building more than sandcastles!
Not only do you get to build your own island empire including all the buildings, but you also get to maintain and repair them, and even gain profit from them. And it's not just buildings either. You can also choose from the different plants you want on your island, casinos, entertainment centers, and discos. And you can constantly try to achieve more rank points, which you can use to compete with your friends who are also building their own Paradise Island. Want to invite even more friends to play, meet new people, or just brag about your results? You can also link the app up to Facebook or Twitter so the connection is seamless within the app. And speaking of connections, while an Internet connection is recommended to use the app, it's not necessary and the app will keep running even when the app's not open. So you can still be making island bucks, even when you're not actually playing the game.
Most of the reviews in iTunes say that this is a very fun app that lets you do all the building and creating you love in a totally different way, and we agree. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, and you need a Paradise Island you can escape to every now and then, download this app from iTunes here.
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stevie-leigh says:
hey i like this app (well i think i will) lol


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Coronavirus: with smallest new infection count in weeks, Hong Kong's Covid-19 situation 'is improving'
Elizabeth Cheung
9 April 2020, 4:58 am ·6-min read
Hong Kong has turned a corner in its battle against the Covid-19 outbreak, medical experts said on Thursday after the city reported just 13 new infections.
The latest daily case number, the city's lowest in three weeks, pushed the local infection tally to 973.
However, sources later said the condition of a 46-year-old police sergeant previously confirmed as infected was now critical. He was transferred on Thursday to the intensive care unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei where he was intubated.
Referring to the general outlook after Thursday's figures were revealed, Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory medicine expert at Chinese University, said: "The situation is improving.
"Those who returned from overseas before March 19 and were infected should have already developed symptoms [if they were infected abroad] ... we were fortunate to see that there wasn't a spread of community outbreak caused by this group."
He was referring to the date when mandatory home quarantine came into place for all people arriving from overseas. He said any infected traveller who entered the city before the measure came into effect would have fallen ill on April 1 at the latest, factoring in the 14-day incubation period of the coronavirus.
"Now it is easier to control the situation. It is a good sign," he said, noting that more new arrivals were being tested than a few weeks ago.
According to data from the Centre for Health Protection, March 19 was the date when most people – 43 in total – developed symptoms in the city, but the daily figures have since declined to single digits this week. The figure, which is different to the tally of confirmed infections, does not account for patients without symptoms, who make up about a quarter of cases from the past week.
The centre however anticipated the occupancy of quarantine facilities, for close contacts of confirmed cases, would remain high. It announced on Thursday night that, starting in phases from Saturday, people requiring quarantine at government facilities would stay there for the first 10 days and be put under home quarantine for the remaining four days, to ensure adequate supply of places.
Executive councillor Dr Lam Ching-choi said the virus' reproductive rate had decreased from 1 to around 0.7 in the past few days, meaning each confirmed case only infected 0.7 other patients on average.
Social distancing in place at a restaurant. Photo: May Tse
"It can prove local infection, especially with unknown sources, is pretty much under control," he said. "But of course we still need to be vigilant, and if the rate in the coming week remains below 1 and local infection cases remain single-digit ... we could consider relaxing some of the social-distancing measures if the situation remains stable for the next two weeks."
Dr Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, also agreed a downward trend of infections was emerging, as fewer than 30 cases had been reported on each of the six days since Saturday.
But a more reliable guide, he said, would be to look at whether the number of people catching the virus locally trended downward for a period of seven to 14 days after April 1, when the last major infection control measure – closing a variety of social venues, including karaoke lounges and nightclubs – came into effect.
"That would allow us to see whether local chains of transmission have been decisively cut off, which is more important in terms of controlling the infection. Only then can we start to relax some social-distancing measures, starting with the reopening of some venues."
Hong Kong police find another TST bar packed amid government-mandated shutdown
Speaking at the daily press conference, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable diseases branch, said more time would be needed to determine whether Hong Kong had turned the corner on containing its infections. "The figures for one day cannot represent the overall trend, even though the numbers have been gradually slowing down. We hope this is a good sign."
She noted that there were still cases with unknown infection sources and there could be hidden transmissions in the community.
Dr Ho Pak-leung, a microbiologist from the University of Hong Kong, also expressed caution despite the small daily tally.
"I won't be too optimistic at this point despite the cases drop," Ho said. "There are still locally transmitted cases, including those with unknown sources, and clusters cases."
Among the 13 newly diagnosed patients, 10 had recent travel history, including two students. Among those believed to have been infected locally was a 37-year-old man whose baby was found to have contracted the coronavirus last week. The infant was 40 days old at the time.
The father, who was indirectly linked to the previously reported bars cluster, together with one more newly infected bar customer, brought the total in the group to 100.
Chuang also mentioned the case of a 43-year-old man whose source of infection remained unknown. She said the patient, who lived in Sheung Wan with his family, worked in Lee Gardens in Causeway Bay and usually jogged near his home and ate in fast-food shops.
Regarding the 57-year-old operations assistant from Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic who was reported as infected on Wednesday, Dr Sara Ho Yuen-ha, the Hospital Authority's chief manager for patient safety and risk management, said so far 49 staff members at the clinic and another one in Ta Kwu Ling, where the woman had also worked, had been tested and all returned negative results.
Another 54 clinic employees would also be tested on Thursday.
Ho said five employees considered close contacts of the woman remained in quarantine. The 40 environment samples collected in the Shek Wu Hui clinic also showed no traces of the virus.
Ho said 29 more Covid-19 patients had been discharged, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 293.
An occupational therapist from Kwai Chung Hospital, who was said to have tested "weak positive" for the virus on Wednesday night, turned out to be negative.
Separately, 141 recovering Covid-19 patients had been transferred to tier-two isolation wards, facilities converted from general ward beds.
Meanwhile, restaurant group Cafe de Coral announced on Thursday that its outlets would resume evening dine-in services from 6.30pm on Friday. Resumption of services – which had been suspended since March 27 – also applied to the group's Super Super Congee and Noodle, Mixian Sense and Oliver's Super Sandwiches.
Additional reporting by Lilian Cheng
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This article Coronavirus: with smallest new infection count in weeks, Hong Kong's Covid-19 situation 'is improving' first appeared on South China Morning Post