text:
Texas business leaders reluctant to take sides in heated voting rights battle
Click here to view original web page at www.theguardian.com
After Democrats derailed one of Texas's most restrictive voting bills at the 11th hour – all but guaranteeing yet another partisan showdown in the near future – business leaders in the state have gone eerily silent as they plot their next steps. "Now would be a good time for […]
After Democrats derailed one of Texas's most restrictive voting bills at the 11th hour – all but guaranteeing yet another partisan showdown in the near future – business leaders in the state have gone eerily silent as they plot their next steps.
"Now would be a good time for them to say something like, 'We're glad it was defeated, we're hoping that this does not move forward into a special session'," said Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of the Black Voters Matter Fund.
"They can actually be proactive."
With a whopping 49 restrictive voting bills, Texas led a countrywide charge to undermine voter access, even as voting rights advocates warned the proposals amounted to a new version of Jim Crow and would disproportionately disenfranchise voters of color.
The targeted attack on voting rights sparked national outrage, including among the local business community, until Democratic lawmakers walked out of the Texas House to block Senate Bill 7 – one of the most controversial, far-reaching measures.
But their last-minute maneuver has already set the stage for legislative overtime, rendering celebrations premature and forcing risk-averse corporate executives to consider whether they'll re-enlist in the fight for round two.
"If the fight is still ongoing, I think most businesses are gonna hold their fire, for lack of a better term, until they understand whether or not this thing is gonna come back – and in what form, and at what pace," said Nathan Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Blue Sky Partners, which is part of the Fair Elections Texas coalition of business and civic leaders.
Though timing remains unclear, Texas' Republican governor Greg Abbott has expressed his intention to reconvene the state legislature for a special session, forcing lawmakers to address so-called "election integrity" after SB7's failure.
The sweeping legislation threatened public officials with state jail felonies for soliciting or distributing unrequested vote-by-mail applications, banned 24-hour and drive-thru voting, and made it easier to overturn an election, among other provisions.
Already, Texas has earned the unenviable title as the hardest place to vote in the United States. Further obstacles to the polls could prove disastrous for the state's economy, in part by making it harder to recruit workers, cutting into productive work time, alienating major events or conferences and deterring would-be tourists.
"I certainly know, when I make my travel plans, if I was thinking about going to Texas, I wouldn't want to go," Albright said.
By 2025, measures restricting voter access would cause Texas to shed an estimated $14.7bn in annual gross product and more than 73,000 jobs from lower earnings, employment losses and reduced household purchasing power.
An additional $16.7bn and 149,644 jobs would be lost from hits to tourism and economic development, according to economic research and analysis firm The Perryman Group.
That financial blowback would persist for decades, with a cumulative drop in gross product in the trillions by 2045. It would also slice tax revenue, costing state and local entities billions.
"Voter suppression is bad for business. Period. It's bad for business, it's bad for the economy," Albright said.
During the regular session, corporate giants and local businesses alike waded into the political debate to make rare public remarks discouraging attempts to roll back voting rights.
In a letter by Fair Elections Texas, dozens of coalition members – including American Airlines, Microsoft, HP, Salesforce, Etsy and Patagonia – urged elected officials to "oppose any changes that would restrict eligible voters' access to the ballot".
"We wanted to make a strong statement against any kind of legislation that would make voting less convenient, and cause lower turnout as a result," Ryan said.
Separately, Dell Technologies lambasted state lawmakers for trying to silence citizens' voices, while American Airlines "strongly opposed" Texas's restrictive voting bills.
"At American, we believe we should break down barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion in our society – not create them," the Fort Worth-based airline said in a statement.
Texas's Republican leaders hit back with bitter barbs that verged on intimidation, questioning companies' understanding of the legislation and hinting at retaliation.
"They need to stay out of politics, especially when they have no clue what they're talking about," Abbott said.
"They might come down the street next session, have a bill they want us to pass for them. Good luck!" Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick added.
Those incendiary comments likely influenced companies that ultimately decided against speaking out – and may have even chilled activism among some that had already made statements, Albright said.
But "it's not like these businesses just have to be completely intimidated by these threats coming from these governors, right?" he added. "'Cause at the end of the day, these governors need these businesses."
As company executives stare down the near-inevitability of a special session, Ryan believes the appetite remains to push back against voting restrictions.
Part of that boils down to the potential for financial losses if a measure such as SB7 becomes law. But it's also about safeguarding their employees and community members.
"Companies don't see this as Democratic party vs. Republican party. They truly do see this as small 'd' democratic," Ryan said. "It's the main civil right in our country."
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text:
John Janata (born April 10, 1961) is a former American football tackle. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1983.

References

1961 births
Living people
Players of American football from Chicago
American football tackles
Illinois Fighting Illini football players
Chicago Bears players

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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OpArt Lofts brings edginess to Oakville
By Ryan StarrSpecial to the Star
Fri., June 24, 2011timer4 min. read
Earlier this year, when developer Jim Neilas revealed plans for an architecturally edgy condo in Oakville, the project raised a few eyebrows among industry watchers.
Designed by Toronto architect Stephen Teeple, OpArt Lofts will consist of two 10-storey cubic towers that are offset from one another and connected by a two-floor podium.
The cubes will be wrapped in a white envelope, punctuated by large windows arranged in a pattern that gives the facade a look that Teeple describes as "random perforation."
(The development's name references a style of abstract art that creates optical illusion through the use of conflicting patterns and colours.)
OpArt's exterior design will result in "interesting interior spaces," Teeple notes. "Very cool and modern."
But will OpArt be "too funky for Oakville?" as one local realtor asked on his blog. A newspaper architecture columnist wondered whether the town was ready for a modernist development such as this, given that Oakville is, he opined, "more than a little stuffy" and "eager to stay that way."
Neilas certainly thinks it's ready. Indeed, in conversations with local brokers, he learned that the most common complaint buyers in Oakville have is the lack of the same types of inventive condo buildings seen in downtown Toronto.
"They want something more architecturally significant, with more emphasis on the design side," Neilas says in an interview at his Adelaide St. office.
OpArt will be at the intersection of Sheppard Rd. and Kerr St. — just south of the QEW and north of the lake — in an older industrial area that's been targeted by the city for redevelopment.
The project will include a total of 188 units, ranging in size from 440-square-foot bachelors to 1,172-square-foot three-bedroom suites and priced between $289,900 to $657,900.
These will be "proper lofts," Neilas stresses, open-concept spaces with 10-foot exposed-concrete ceilings. "We're not making concessions by making this a more traditional, suburban-type condo. We're going to give people real lofts."
Interiors are by internationally renowned Toronto design firm Cecconi Simone.
There will be seven townhouses at ground level — 945-square-foot residences with 20-foot ceilings and private yards. "We think those are going to be the best units in the building," says Neilas.
The podium will have light retail or commercial space.
Amenities will be minimal: a party room on the podium roof and a couple of guest suites. There will be 280 parking spaces, most of them located in a two-level underground parking garage.
The sales launch for OpArt is planned for October and construction is slated to begin in spring 2012.
Neilas, a downtown Toronto developer, admits he's an unlikely candidate to be doing a project in Oakville.
"We had no intention of going there or to any suburb," he says. "Generally in the burbs, you try and keep the cost of the product lower by building really simple, cookie-cutter stuff.
"Downtown you can afford to be a little more creative on the design," he adds, "because people will pay a little more for it, and that little bit is what makes the economics work."
But there were several things about the Oakville proposition that intrigued Neilas and his team, prompting them to take a closer look at the market.
For starters, he notes, the town has the highest net income per capita in the country. According to the 2006 census, the median household income in Oakville was $83,982, with an average house value of $306,209.
When Neilas looked at what other condo projects in Oakville had sold for, "we were pretty floored," he says. He cites the Daniel Corp's One Eleven Forsythe project, which had units that went for over $850 per square foot on average.
Oakville has another thing going for it that appealed to Neilas: a thriving downtown core. "It's an anomaly, suburb-wise," he says. "It has a downtown and people like it and they use it, whereas other suburbs have tried to get a downtown going but found that people don't really use it.
"The fact Oakville does have a downtown was what attracted us to it."
And all the "stuffy" characterizations aside, the town happens to have a thriving artistic scene, says broker Debbie Cosic of In2ition Realty, which is managing sales for the project.
"Oakville has very deep artistic roots," she says. "First of all you've got Sheridan College, which has one of the finest and largest art programs in Canada, located there. And you just have to drive through downtown to see the plethora of galleries."
OpArt will be a perfect fit, she reckons. "It's a very artistic building."
Neilas and company had originally planned on building a condo that was more traditional in style, adhering to Oakville's prevailing architectural esthetic. "We saw nothing there from a modern design standpoint," he says.
But consultations with local brokers convinced him he could afford to push the envelope.
After bringing Teeple on board — who previously had worked for Neilas on a personal project — the two decided the condo should have a modern look but also reflect the area's industrial roots. "It made sense to us to build a loft there (Oakville's first loft condos), and something that was a little more edgy," Neilas says.
Despite OpArt's edginess, he's confident the project will prove popular, particularly with younger generations who grew up in Oakville and want to remain there, but who also crave what downtown Toronto condo dwellers have in terms of groovy building designs.
"It's an experiment, but I think we're going to do well," Neilas says. "And I think this is going to set the trend in Oakville for future projects."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Gum disease starts as a simple inflammation, and if neglected, can eventually destroy the bone that supports the teeth in the jaws. Don't be misled. Although infection is presented, there is seldom any pain.
In the first stage of gum disease, inflammation and some bleeding of the gums occur. An advanced form of gum disease is periodontitis, which to the eyes resembles gingivitis, except that some loss of bone has occurred. Bone loss in this stage can be detected only with the help of an x-rays.
Gum disease is by plaque, a thin, sticky films that forms daily on the teeth. If it is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, food particles and many kinds of bacteria mixed with the plaque will caused gum disease.
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Denison wins the 2018 DIII Men's Swimming & Diving Championship. The Big Red had a 227-point margin of victory, the largest in any of Denison's four National Championships.
Watch all the action from Day Three of the 2018 DIII Swimming & Diving Championship. Cooper Knapp of Suny New Paltz captured a National Championship in the men's 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:45.46….
This year's Championships are being held April 20 & April 21 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois….


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Mock trial bootcamp this Friday
A 2018 Furman University graduate will be leading a mock trial boot camp for Guam high school mock trial teams on Friday.
Mock trial bootcamp this Friday A 2018 Furman University graduate will be leading a mock trial boot camp for Guam high school mock trial teams on Friday. Check out this story on guampdn.com: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2019/07/03/mock-trial-bootcamp-friday/1636514001/
Staff Reports, Pacific Daily News/USA TODAY Network Published 5:55 p.m. ChT July 3, 2019
Emperor Palpatine, played by Zander Barcinas, 10, takes the witness stand during a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. (Photo: Frank San Nicolas/PDN)
An award-winning collegiate mock trial participant will be leading a mock trial boot camp this Friday at the Judiciary of Guam's education center.
Guam's seven High School Mock Trial teams, including 2019 champions Okkodo High School members, will attend the boot camp.
More: Senators pass bill to join water contamination lawsuit
More: Check reported stolen leads to charge against Anthony J. Cruz and Nicholas J.Q. Perez
Shannon Cherney is expected to help participants with advanced techniques in direct and cross examinations and developing witness portrayal skills, according to a Judiciary of Guam news release.
Cherney graduated in 2018 from Furman University.
Mock trials featuring fantasy characters
Darth Vader, portrayed by Victorino Martinez, 10, takes the witness stand during a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Talofofo Elementary School students act out a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Emperor Palpatine, played by Zander Barcinas, 10, takes the witness stand during a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Princess Leia, portrayed by Sumahi Cruz, 10, during a mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Zander Barcinas, 10, as Emperor Palpatine during a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Adacao Elementary School students perform "The Queen v. Alice in Wonderland" mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Darth Vader during a mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Keony Paulino, 10, plays Luke Skywalker during a mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
William Rufes, 11, takes the witness stand as Han Solo during a mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Adacao Elementary School students after their "Cinderella v. Estate of Padre Mia Tremaine" mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Adacao Elementary School student Diana Aldan, 10, as The Queen of Hearts during a mock trial at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Keony Paulino, 10, as Luke Skywalker during a mock trial of "The People v. Luke Skywalker" at the Superior Court of Guam in Hagåtna on April 30, 2018. Frank San Nicolas/PDN
Read or Share this story: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2019/07/03/mock-trial-bootcamp-friday/1636514001/


text:
Q: Adding Facebook Messenger channel trigger a JS bug in the "My Bots" page I've tried to add a Facebook Messenger channel to one of my bots. I've entered e app/page ID, app secret and page token of my FB app and page (that, BTW, I use in another bot).
Everything checked out: after hitting "Resubmit" in https://facebook.botframework.com/Dev, I got the success message

Credentials have been validated.

However, when clicking on

"I'm done configuring Facebook Messenger"

button and going back to my bot page, everything between the Bot Framework Preview and the 'contact us' footer is gone.
I did some debugging and found that in all.js?v=121 the code should be updated to if (aa && aa.length>0) to account for HtmlLink without <a> tag.
Any ideas if there are workarounds?
Thanks!

A: We had this problem two days ago, but have since resolved it.  If it's not resolved for you, let us know as your scenario might be different.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Earlier in Our History – 2011 Prisoners' Rights Project Celebrates 40 Years Next in Our History – 2013 Juvenile Rights Practice Celebrates its 50th Anniversary
The Legal Aid Society Receives the City Bar's "Diversity Champion" Award
The Legal Aid Society celebrates 130 years of providing legal services to Brooklyn residents with a special reception at which Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman spoke. The City Bar Association recognized The Legal Aid Society's enhanced efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce with the City Bar's "Diversity Champion" award. The Legal Aid Society was featured in a 15-second spot on the CBS Super Screen located in Times Square at 42nd Street for 90 days.
After being designated as a lead agency by the City, we began assisting young immigrants in New York City to apply for deferred action under a new federal policy. Also this year, some 400,000 viewers watched the television pilot "Criminal Defense – Brooklyn" which featured the clients and the staff of our Brooklyn Criminal Defense Office. In a letter to The New York Times, Laurel Bellows, President of the American Bar Association, praised the work of The Legal Aid Society in helping victims of human trafficking as one of two "bright spots" in the nation.
A court appearance in the television pilot "Criminal Defense - Brooklyn"


text:
Lambton Kent District School BoardVISIT SITE Bus infoStaffEmployment Contact Us
Indian Creek Road Public School
HomeCurrently selected
Ministry of Education Approves $1.8 million to Increase Child Care Spaces in LKDSB Schools
The Ministry of Education has approved a $1.8 million investment in the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) to increase licensed child care spaces in Chatham and Wheatley.
The provincial government is providing the LKDSB with $1.6 million to provide 49 child care spaces at Indian Creek Road Public School through its Early Years Capital Program Funding. The Ministry is also funding $264,000 for 10 child care spaces at Wheatley Area Public School.
"This funding will support families by providing additional child care spaces in Chatham and Wheatley," said Elizabeth Hudie, LKDSB Chair. "We appreciate the opportunity to work with our community partners to support young families and promote community hubs within our schools."
"We're thrilled about this funding for an improved child care facility," said Kathi Lomas McGee, YMCA President & CEO. "It will allow the YMCA to expand our Before-and-After Child Care services at Indian Creek Road Public School to include quality infant, toddler and pre-school care, making it more convenient for families in this community. We're grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of the LKDSB for our YMCA Child Care programs."
"This is great news for families in Wheatley and the surrounding area. Local families will benefit from the new licensed infant spaces that are more convenient and closer to home," said Kelly Emery, Municipality of Chatham-Kent Director of Child Care and Early Years Division. "This investment from the Ministry of Education gives young children a strong start in life and supports families with access to safe, high-quality licensed child care."
LKDSB Senior Administration will be working with the Ministry to develop a plan for the construction and renovations at the two school sites. The LKDSB will also be meeting with child care providers to discuss future plans for the sites.
- 30-
For additional information contact:
Elizabeth Hudie, Chair of the Board, 519-542-0939
Jim Costello, Director of Education, 519-336-1500, Ext 31297
Kathi Lomas-McGee, Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, 519-336-9622, Ext. 224
Kelly Emery, Director of Child Care and Early Years Division, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 519-351-1228, Ext. 2130
For reference information contact:
Heather Hughes, Public Relations Officer, 519-336-1500, Ext. 31262
2017/2018:14
511 Indian Creek Rd W, Chatham, ON, N7M 0P5
Principal: Darlene Penney
Vice Principal: Rebecca Shea
Bus Zones :7, 8BUS STATUS
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Bombardier BR 350. Higher hour, Cat C-9 engine runs strong. Seviced prior to season and ready to run. Good hydros and planetaries. No broken glass. Inexpensive runner. 12 way blade, steel semi closed tracks, cleats are good, needs belts.
We are parting our our BR 350. Machine is running and fully operational but it has no tracks. 12,933 hrs on the engine CAT C-9 engine and it runs strong, 9178 hrs on the Sunstrand drives and 6380 on tiller drives. Fully functional cat when taken from service. Will sell major components or the whole cat. Here are prices for major components.
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Bombardier MP Plus with 7696 hours. Nice condition and fully functional. Solid tiress, 66" j style tracks, all way blade and flex tiller. No broken glass.
1999 Bombardier Plus 275 MP with 7550 original hours. Cummins 8.3 L power, Sundstrand hydraulics. Hydraulic pressures all tested and in spec. Machine is in good condition, was a front line groomer last season. Comes with a 12 way blade, 4 belt 60" steel tracks and a power tiller. Ready to go to work.
1996 Pisten Bully 280DW. 7575 actual hours. Used in a Tubing park for past 18 years. Cut to 10'6" wide . Blade, tiller and tracks narrowed. 3 belt steel track. Cummins power, runs great. Tracks could use belts, cleats are all good, glass good and interior is clean.
UPDATE! Bombardier MP Plus. Machine has over 12,000 hours but actual hours are unknown. Runs, tracks and tiller are SOLD. frame is in great shape, machine runs well. Comes with 12 way blade and front mount. All glass is good. Functional cat.
Prinoth BR 350. Good condition with 7280 hours on meter. 350 HP Caterpillar C-9 engine runs great. Sundstrand hydraulic system. 12 way blade with quick mount, 66" steel semi closed tracks and posiflex tiller. Machine is clean and all glass is good. Only weld on the chassis is the rear lift frame eyelets. They were repaired before failure so they are in great shape. No cracks in chassis by front axle slider. Very good and intact frame. Side panels complete. Both tracks have good cleats but need drive belts. One track needs inner wide belt.
Greta cat for the money.


Make sure you don't make any of these mistakes with your guillotine cutter.
If you use a guillotine cutter in the bindery, you may sometimes run into the average problem or two, just as you will with any machine. It's important to know how to maintain all of your equipment as well as how to recognize certain common problems. Here's what to look out for if you use a guillotine cutter in your bindery.
Standard Steel Knife Blade: lasts for about 8 hours or about 1,200 cycles.
High Speed Steel Inlaid: lasts for about 16 hours or about 3,000 cycles.
Carbide Knife Blades: lasts for about 10-20 times longer than the High Speed Steel Inlaid.
There are other factors that play into how well your cutter functions. If your knife sharpening service isn't sharpening the blades well enough, you can still run into the same problems, even after you've installed a new blade. Also, if you're cutting through thicker materials, such as chipboard, then your knife blade will become dull faster than it normally would with thinner material.
Soft Paper: 19 to 20 degrees with low clamp pressure.
Regular Paper: 23 to 24 degrees with medium clamp pressure.
Hard Paper: High angle or double bevel up to 30 degrees with a higher clamp pressure.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 6th, 2016	at 3:27 pm	and is filed under Fixing problems	. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0	feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


Chiropractic Board of Australia - Need more information about your registration?
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There is a lot of information on the AHPRA and Board websites. Information on these websites is updated on a daily basis.
Searching the National Registers? If you want to check the registration status of an individual health practitioner, you can search the national registers of practitioners online.
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Applying for registration or want to change your registration? Please visit the Forms section of this website for links to forms.
Registration requirements? See the registration standards section of this website for information.
Frequently asked questions which can be accessed through the 'Hot Topics' box on the AHPRA homepage.
So, if you need information, we encourage you to take a look at the AHPRA and National Board websites.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Electracy
Electracy describes the kind of "literacy" or skill and facility necessary to exploit the full communicative potential of new electronic media such as multimedia, hypermedia, social software, and virtual worlds. According to theorist Gregory Ulmer, electracy "is to digital media what literacy is to print."[1] It encompasses the broader cultural, institutional, pedagogical, and ideological implications inherent in the transition from a culture of print literacy to a culture saturated with electronic media. "Electracy" is the term he gives to what is resulting from this major transition that our society is undergoing. The term is a portmanteau word, combining "electricity" with "trace," to allude to one of the fundamental terms used by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida to name the relational spacing that enables and delimits any signification in any medium (which is to say that it operates in orality and literacy as much as in electracy). Usage parallels "literacy": a person may be literate or illiterate, electrate or anelectrate.
Additional recommended knowledge
Essential Laboratory Skills Guide
How to Quickly Check Pipettes?
What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?
As such, electracy denotes a broad spectrum of research possibilities including the history and invention of writing and mnemonic practices, the epistemological and ontological changes resulting from such practices, the sociological and psychological implications of a networked culture, and the pedagogical implementation of practices derived from such explorations.
Ulmer writes of electracy:
What literacy is to the analytical mind, electracy is to the affective body: a prosthesis that enhances and augments a natural or organic human potential. Alphabetic writing is an artificial memory that supports long complex chains of reasoning impossible to sustain within the organic mind. Digital imaging similarly supports extensive complexes of mood atmospheres beyond organic capacity. Electrate logic proposes to design these atmospheres into affective group intelligence. Literacy and electracy in collaboration produce a civilizational left-brain right-brain integration. If literacy focused on universally valid methodologies of knowledge (sciences), electracy focuses on the individual state of mind within which knowing takes place (arts).[2]
Ulmer's work benefits from considering other historical moments of radical technological change (such as the profound changes resulting from the inventions of the alphabet, writing, and the printing press), and as such his work is grammatological insofar as it derives and extrapolates a methodology from the history of writing and mnemonic practices. His career can be encapsulated as an attempt to invent a rhetoric for electronic media.
Ulmer introduced electracy in Teletheory (1989), and it began to be noted in the scholarship as early as 1997. [3] It has been regarded as among the "most prominent" contemporary designations[4] for what Walter J. Ong once described as a "secondary orality" that will eventually supplant print literacy[5] As James Inman writes, "It is important to distinguish electracy from other terms, such as computer-based literacy, Internet literacy, digital literacy, electronic literacies, metamedia literacy, and even cyber-punk literacy. None of these other terms have the breadth electracy does as a concept, and none of them draw their ontology from electronic media exclusively" [6]. Some scholars have viewed the electracy paradigm, along with other "apparatus theories" such as Ong's, with skepticism, arguing that they are "essentialist" or "determinist."[7]
Electracy and pedagogy
Ulmer's work has implications for the practice of education as well. Co-author of a textbook for freshman English courses[8], Ulmer develops undergraduate and graduate level courses which incorporate his theories and invite students into the process of inventing new practices and genres.[9]
Alan Clinton, in a review of Internet Invention, writes that "Ulmer's pedagogy ultimately levels the playing field between student and teacher" [10] Academic Lisa Gye also recognizes the pedagogical implications of Ulmer's work:
The transition from a predominantly literate culture to an electronic culture is already engendering changes in the ways in which we think, write and exchange ideas. Ulmer has been concerned with the kinds of changes that take place as a result of this transition and his primary concern has been a pedagogical one – that is, he is interested in how learning is transformed by the shift from the apparatus of literacy to the apparatus of what he comes to term 'electracy'.[11]
Electracy as an educational aim has been recognized by scholars in several fields, including English composition and rhetoric[12], literary and media criticism[13], digital media and art, and architecture[14] Mikesch Muecke explains that "Gregory Ulmer's ideas on electracy provide … a model for a new pedagogy where learning is closer to invention than verification"[15]
Ulmer himself writes:
Electrate pedagogy is based in art/aesthetics as relays for operating new media organized as a prosthesis for learning any subject whatsoever. The near absence of art in contemporary schools is the electrate equivalent of the near absence of science in medieval schools for literacy. The suppression of empirical inquiry by religious dogmatism during the era sometimes called the "dark ages" (reflecting the hostility of the oral apparatus to literacy), is paralleled today by the suppression of aesthetic play by empirical utilitarianism (reflecting the hostility of the literate apparatus to electracy). The ambivalent relation of the institutions of school and entertainment today echoes the ambivalence informing church-science relations throughout the era of literacy.[16]
Ulmer's educational methods fit into a broader paradigm shift in pedagogical theory and practice known as constructivism. He discusses the relationship between pedagogy and electracy at length in an interview with Sung-Do Kim published in 2005.[17]
Multimedia literacy
Transliteracy
Grammatology
^ Ulmer, G. L. (2003). Internet Invention: From Literacy to Electracy. New York: Longman.
^ http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/~gulmer/longman/pedagogy/electracy.html.
^ Porter, David. Internet Culture. New York: Routledge, 1997.
^ Inman, James. A. Computers and Writing: The Cyborg Era. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004.
^ Ong, Walter J. Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word. London: Metheun, 1982.
^ Inman, James A. "Electracy for the Ages: Collaboration with the Past and Future." Electronic Collaboration in the Humanities: Issues and Options. Ed. James A. Inman, Cheryl Reed, and Peter Sands. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2003. p. 52
^ See, for example, Inman's cautionary statement on page 161 of Computers and Writing: The Cyborg Era and a response essay by Stephen Tchudi in Electronic Collaboration in the Humanities, pp. 79–88.
^ Scholes, R., Comley, N. & Ulmer, G.L. (1994). Text Book: An Introduction to Literary Language 2nd Edition. New York: St. Martin's Press.
^ See, for example, student work posted at http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/~gulmer/s01/sevans2/, http://web.nwe.ufl.edu/~gulmer/course/mystory1.html, and http://www.anabiosispress.org/rsmyth/writings/diss/index.html.
^ http://reconstruction.eserver.org/051/clinton.shtml.
^ http://journal.fibreculture.org/issue2/issue2_gye.html.
^ See Inman and also Leander,Kevin, and Paul Prior, "Speaking and Writing: How Talk and Text Interact in Situated Practices," What Writing Does and How It Does It: An Introduction to Analyzing Texts and Textual Practices, ed. Charles Bazerman and Paul Prior, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004)
^ O'Gorman, Marcel. E-Crit: Digital Media, Critical Theory, and the Humanities. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006.
^ Mitrasinovic, Miodrag, Total Landscape, Theme Parks, Public Space, Aldershot, England, and Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing, 2006; Muecke, Mikesch W. Gottfried Semper in Zurich: An Intersection of Theory and Practice. Ames, IA: Culicidae Architectural Press, 2005.
^ Muecke, p. 4
^ Kim, Sung-Do. "The Grammatology of the Future" (An Interview with Gregory Ulmer). Deconstructing Derrida: Tasks for the New Humanities. Ed. Peter Pericles Trifonas and Michael A. Peters. New York: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2005. 137–64.
Category: Memory
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Electracy". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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Not too much new at the top from the last time, but some notable debuts.
Jesusland stays in heavy rotation like whoah.
Honestly, I can't remember the last time I listened to it. It's been at (or near) the top for so long because: a) that Ben Folds album was one of the first that I loaded onto the iPod and b) it was the song I'd use to demo the iPod to my fam and friends.
Great song, though. But, as I add new songs (currently 7000+), things'll get diluted and have less of a chance of breaking onto the chart (unless it's a song that begs to played over and over - like the Belle & Sebastian one).
Does this iPod thing tabulate the song list itself, or do you have to?
It has a "Top 25" playlist that it keeps track of automatically. Pretty nifty. Of course, you could do it yourself in iTunes by sorting by "most played".
But this would all require that I purchase an iPod. I am enjoying being the only person who has not fallen for the vast Apple-wing conspiracy.
you are not alone, spydrz. I too live without an ipod. I do, however, own a mac.
Well, I was anti-iPod for many years, but then came around. Unlike my brother and brother-in-law, though, I am not a member of the Cult of Mac (yet).
Check out the Apple iProduct for a good laugh.
Yep I've seen that before. I remember the kinda cute girl second from the left.
can't justify spending 2 bills on a product that i'll drop and break w/in a month.


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German govt authorities supported pedophile network for decades, study reveals
The pedophile ringleader has had a huge influence on the 'sex education' curricula now increasingly used throughout day care centers and schools in Germany.
Thu Aug 13, 2020 - 8:22 pm EST
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
By Martin Bürger
Follow Martin
BERLIN, August 13, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — For decades, government agencies tolerated and supported the systematic sexual abuse of foster children across Germany by pedophiles, a recently published study found.
Positions on "sex education" advocated by one the key enablers of these cases of pedophilia, professor of social education Helmut Kentler, are still part of today's "sexual pedagogy of diversity," which is used by an increasing number of day care centers and schools.
Among other things, Kentler had said, "Sexually satisfied children ... are best protected against sexual seduction and sexual assault." Regarding sexual relationships between children and adults, he said, "If such relationships are not discriminated against by the surroundings, the more the older one feels responsible for the younger one, the more positive consequences for personality development can be expected."
In one case in Berlin, foster parent Fritz H. was able to sexually abuse and rape at least nine children in the span of more than three decades. "The boys, often only six or seven years old, were placed with him by Berlin youth welfare offices, and H. was protected by the pedagogy professor Helmut Kentler, who was highly regarded by the [local] Senate administration," reported German newspaper Berliner Zeitung.
"Despite a previous conviction for child abuse, the youth welfare offices repeatedly chose Fritz H. as foster parent," the newspaper continued. "And despite sometimes extreme warning signs, they left the children with him for years. The first foster children arrived at the beginning of the 1970s, the last ones did not leave the foster home until 2003 as young adults."
The recent study prepared by the university of Hildesheim explained that in the files on the youth welfare offices in question, there were "many weak and strong signals" that should have led to removing Fritz H. from the foster care system.
"More than 50 specialists from various disciplines and training were involved in the case management. The young people who lived in the foster home are hardly heard in the file. Likewise, serious circumstances — such as the death of a young man — remain unexplained in the file, etc."
How does Kentler come into play?
"Helmut Kentler massively defended the Fritz H. foster home and used and employed his power as an expert and professor of social pedagogy to shield this foster home from possible interventions or controls."
PETITION: Hold UN accountable for babies killed by sex-selection abortion! Sign the petition here.
The employees of the youth welfare office simply followed Kentler's interpretation of what happened at the foster home. Not only that, but the study also emphasized that even today, the description of what happened often followed the terminology and framing of Kentler himself.
"When these days, people often talk about the 'experiment' or the 'janitors' and look for the 'senate official,' they often follow Helmuts Kentler's interpretation and leave the way of speaking and the interpretation of how the connections are discussed up to him," the authors wrote.
"This review owes to the persons affected the advice to break up this way of speaking," they added. "Now, at last, Helmut Kentler should be deprived of the power to determine the language of coming to terms with the situation and the design of the connections as well as the scope of his power in these."
While the scope of the study was limited to Berlin, the authors pointed out that "child endangerment" is likely to have taken place across the country. The state of Berlin, as well as its district youth welfare offices, were responsible for numerous foster homes "not only in ... Berlin, but in the whole of Germany, where they were then taken over by local youth welfare offices. These are foster homes led by single men or community homes for youth, led by single men."
Hedwig von Beverfoerde, founder of pro-family organization "Demo für Alle," acknowledged the evil of Kentler's network across Germany. At the same time, she told LifeSiteNews that "the criminal 'Kentler experiment' cannot be separated from Kentler's sex education research. Helmut Kentler's 'emancipatory sex education' is historically and in its pedagogical approach compromised as pedophile."
She then explained how what is called the "sexual education of diversity," which is taught in countless daycare centers and schools, is "based on this approach — to the psychological detriment of our children. A comprehensive awareness campaign about Kentler, his large network in politics and research, and his influence on pedagogy is therefore absolutely necessary."
"Demo für Alle" already exposed Uwe Sielert, one of Kentler's students. Sielert adopted Kentler's understanding of "the child as a sexual being," as well as his idea of the liberation of sexual energies, and added gender ideology. Sielert's ideas are influencing the German Federal Center for Health Education, a government agency.
"A major offensive is underway with the aim of providing our children with the poisonous brew of 'sex education of diversity,' Beverfoerde said. "To this end, the curricula and guidelines for sex education are gradually being 'updated' in all federal states and opportunities are being created to have external sex educators appear in schools and even in daycare centers."
"We must finally stop the dangerous sex-ideological virus of Helmut Kentler, which has infected our children for decades!" she added. "The most important thing is to create publicity. The public debate about their goals and their machinations is something the actors of sexual diversity fear like the devil fears holy water."
Even though Helmut Kentler's ideas extend to daycare centers and schools today, a lot of research remains to be done on what happened in those three decades for the early 1970s until the early 2000s in Berlin.
More than 1,000 files in Berlin have not yet been studied, reported Berliner Zeitung.
The Berlin senator responsible for education, Social Democrat Sandra Scheeres, talked about financial reparations, as well as cooperating with other government agencies across the country.
"But open a thousand files? Focus on the role of the administration itself and perhaps also of the Berlin parties in this network? Scheeres said nothing about that," the newspaper commented.
child abuse, germany, homosexuality, pedophilia
German govt authorities supported pedophile network for decades, study reveals German govt authorities supported pedophile network for decades, study reveals News By Martin Bürger


The movies we watch, the toys we play with, the fun foods we eat -- these elements of every day life and entertainment define every society's culture. To celebrate the American way of life this summer, take a day trip to one of these seven pop culture museums worth the drive.
It's an hour and a half drive from Dallas to Waco, the birthplace of the soft drink with 23 fruit flavors. The Dr Pepper Museum ($8) displays artifacts and memorabilia that will delight all sweet tooths, but of course the biggest highlight will be a stop at the museum's soda fountain. Tip: Large fountain drinks are half price, Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 12-1 p.m.
You don't technically need to road trip to the Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia ($3), since it's just south of the San Francisco International Airport, but it's still highly recommended for '70s and '80s lovers. Peruse the museum's more than 900 PEZ characters, then continue to the museum's two newer additions: the Classic Toy Museum and the Banned Toy Museum (included in the PEZ museum admission) to further reminisce.
Time travel back to your grade school cafeteria at the Lunch Box Museum ($5) in Columbus, Georgia, an hour and a half south of Atlanta. You'll find roughly 3,000 lunch boxes and thermoses featuring everyone from the Beatles to the Dukes of Hazzard to Hannah Montana.
Remember Rock 'Em Sock 'Em? Linoel trains? Betsy Wetsy and Chatty Cathy? You'll find these and more at the World's Largest Toy Museum ($10) in Branson, Missouri. Rest assured, these relics are more for the young-at-heart than young-aged children, with a focus on "rediscovering childhood." The museum is under 3.5 hours from Kansas City and easily accessible from other nearby cities in the Midwest.
Immerse yourself in all things chocolate in Hersey, Pennsylvania, just an hour and a half drive out of Baltimore. A visit to The Hershey Story begins with the Museum Experience ($10), a look at how Milton Hershey built the Hershey chocolate empire. Continue at the Chocolate Lab with a 45-minute chocolate-making class ($10) -- but don't leave without tasting warm drinking chocolate samples at Café Zooka ($10).
The first McDonald's was opened by Ray Kroc in 1955 on Lee Street in Des Plaines, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago about a half hour from the city center. It was torn down in 1984, but fortunately the fast food chain has since recreated the store and converted it into a museum space. Vintage cars sit in the parking lot during the summer, and you can press your face to the window for a peek at original equipment and mannequins in the original uniform (free). If that gets your appetite going, you can always head across the street for a taste of the real thing.
If you love Lucy, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum & Center for Comedy ($15) is worth the under-three-hour drive from Pittsburgh to Jamestown, New York, the actress' hometown. The museum provides an intimate look at one of TV's most loved dynamic duos, while the attached Desilu Studios (included in admission) pays homage to the show through costumes, recreated sets, and props.
The next time you're in Minneapolis, hit the road for The SPAM Museum (free) in Austin, Minnesota, less than two hours south. You'll find more than SPAM advertising here -- the exhibits focus heavily on history, too, including the meaty concoction's role in World War II. On the way out, sample SPAM-inspired treats and take home something SPAM from the gift shop.
The road trip to Rochester, New York isn't a short one -- it's four hours from Toronto or, for the true fan, six from New York City. But there's plenty to see in this surprisingly vibrant upstate New York stopover, including the The Strong National Museum of Play ($13.50). The highlight of the museum is the 16-year-old National Toy Hall of Fame, filled with iconic favorites like the Slinky and Rubber Duck. Onsite, you can also walk along Sesame Street and visit the Bernstein Bears' village -- but stay clear on rainy days, when local families flock here with their children.


text:
A Call for Calm in L. A.
AS the federal civil rights trial of four Los Angeles police officers accused of beating Rodney King nears an end, southern Californians - and the rest of urban America - need to reach for calm instead of their weapons.
Anxiety is understandably running high. Unrest after last year's state court acquittals resulted in 53 deaths and nearly $1 billion in property damage in Los Angeles. Sporadic violence broke out in other cities as well.
Yet preparations for another possible round of rioting are taking on an air of panic. At police and other forums across Los Angeles, citizens rise to ask: Is it legal to shoot trespassers? Should we be leaving town?
Rumors are rife that Uzi-armed gangs plan to target affluent neighborhoods. Residents in many areas are laying plans to barricade streets. Sales of handguns in the county reached a record high of 113,900 in 1992, enough to arm one in every 75 residents.
City officials and police are trying to soothe fears. Their message, in essence, is: We are prepared to handle whatever arises, and the only thing to get hysterical about is hysteria itself. The words are worth pondering. Things are different from what they were a year ago.
For one thing, the Los Angeles Police Department, widely criticized for a slow response last year, is poised for swift action if needed this year. Police, sheriff's deputies, and the National Guard have been holding high-profile riot-training exercises.
Emergency communication is improved. New Police Chief Willie Williams is in regular contact with Mayor Tom Bradley, something that didn't happen last year between the mayor and then-Chief Daryl Gates. Community groups are preaching calm. Teachers are holding discussions in the classroom.
A city alert, but not panicked, can send a collective message that will help deter unrest.
The problem will come if preparations step over the line and become provocation. An overzealous armed citizenry could spawn vigilantism. Hype and hysteria put more pressure on police, who are under enough pressure to be firm but fair and restrained, the whole issue behind the King trial itself.
Worst of all, too much focus on riot readiness diverts attention from problems facing the inner city - blight, joblessness, racial and ethnic tensions - woes that no court verdict can redress, but which Los Angeles can still set the tone in tackling for a world looking on.
Why did Baltimore riots prompt 'Blue Alert' in Los Angeles?
How L.A. worked to head off riots after grand jury decision in Ferguson case
As LA remembers race riots, Trayvon Martin's name is invoked


text:
DOCUMENT: Celebrity, Investigation
Times Hails Enquirer Ethics
FBI still probing tab's purchase of celebrity medical records
Times Cites Nonexistent Enquirer Ethics
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/times-cites-nonexistent-enquirer-ethics
MARCH 8--In chronicling the National Enquirer's latest bid for respectability, The New York Times today glowingly details the tabloid's sleuthing on the John Edwards trail (and the publication's related Pulitzer Prize bid). The newspaper also credits the Enquirer with a degree of ethical probity for which it is woefully unworthy.
In describing shoe leather efforts to confirm a tip that Rielle Hunter, Edwards's mistress, was pregnant, reporter Stephanie Clifford amusingly notes that "Enquirer reporters cannot pay off medical officials--they might be violating health care privacy laws."
We helpfully point Clifford to United States of America vs. Lawanda Jackson.
In that federal criminal prosecution, Jackson, who worked at the UCLA Medical Center, admitted taking payments from the Enquirer in return for periodically providing the tabloid with the confidential medical records of "celebrities and other high profile patients," according to this court transcript. Jackson, who copped in December 2008 to a felony charge, sold medical secrets to the Enquirer from early-2006 until mid-2007, when hospital officials discovered that she had been repeatedly breaking federal health privacy and security laws.
Among the many celebrities violated by the Jackson-Enquirer partnership was Farrah Fawcett (details of the actress's cancer treatment were illegally accessed by Jackson in April 2007 and sold to the Enquirer). Jackson, who died last March before she could be sentenced, banked about $5000 from the Enquirer. According to prosecutor Anthony Montero, Jackson "to hide her activities...arranged with the National Enquirer that her payments would be in the form of checks to her husband." This laundering, of course, shows evidence of guilt on the part of both payor and payee.
According to a source familiar with Jackson's prosecution, the former UCLA employee was thoroughly debriefed by FBI agents about her dealings with the Enquirer, where veteran reporter Patricia Shipp was the recipient of patient information sold by Jackson. The source added that investigators were focused on whether the tabloid had conspired with Jackson to violate federal privacy laws.
Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, today told TSG that there remains an "active, ongoing investigation" into Jackson's sale of patient information. With Jackson now dead a year, the Enquirer, it seems, would be the only remaining subject of that criminal inquiry. (4 pages)
John Edwards, Rielle Hunter, National Enquirer, The New York Times
Baby Beer Bottles Nipped In Bud
Crime Over Spilt Milk


text:
Verbatim: Obama's speech welcoming Trudeau to Washington
The U.S. President took some friendly jabs at Canada and asked about the Stanley Cup's whereabouts as he welcomed the Prime Minister to Washington on Thursday. Here's the White House transcript of what they said
Obama jokes about beer and hockey during Trudeau's welcome to White House
OBAMA: Good morning, everybody.
AUDIENCE: Good morning!
OBAMA: Bonjour. On behalf of the American people, on behalf of Michelle and myself, it is my honor to welcome to the United States Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – (applause) – Mrs. Grégoire-Trudeau, their beautiful children, and the quite good-looking Canadian delegation. (Applause.)
It's long been said that you can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your neighbors. (Laughter.) Well, by virtue of geography, the United States and Canada are blessed to be neighbors. And by choice, we are steadfast allies and the closest of friends. (Applause.) The truth is, though, we don't express this enough, in part because of our national characters. Our Canadian friends can be more reserved, more easygoing. We Americans can be a little louder, more boisterous. And as a result, we haven't always conveyed how much we treasure our alliance and our ties with our Canadian friends. And that's why, today, we are very proud to welcome the first official visit by a Canadian Prime Minister in nearly 20 years. (Applause.) It's about time, eh? (Laughter.)
And what a beautiful day it is. Which is a little unfair. As President, my very first foreign trip was to Canada – to Ottawa in February. (Laughter.) In the snow. Still, our friends from the Great White North gave me a very warm welcome. Mr. Prime Minister, we hope to reciprocate some of that warmth today, with your first official visit south of the border.
We're joined today by proud Canadian-Americans. (Applause.) We are family. And this is also a special day for the many Canadians who live and work here in America and who enrich our lives every day. We don't always realize it, but so often, that neighbor, that coworker, that member of the White House staff, some of our favorite artists and performers – they're Canadian! (Laughter.) They sneak up on you. (Laughter.)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau laugh at the official arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington.
KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS
Even as we remember what makes us unique, Americans and Canadians, we see ourselves in each other. We're guided by the same values, including our conviction that the blessings we cherish as free people are not gifts to be taken for granted but are precious freedoms that have to be defended anew by every generation. Americans and Canadians – our brave men and women in uniform – have paid the price together across a century of sacrifice, from the poppy fields of Flanders to the rugged mountains of Afghanistan. As NATO allies, we stand united against terrorism and for the rights of nations like Ukraine to determine their own destiny. As leaders at the United Nations, we stand up for peace and security and the human rights of all people.
Our shared values also guide us at home. I'm proud to be the first American President to stand with a Canadian Prime Minister and be able to say that – in both our nations – health care is not a privilege for a few but is now a right for all. (Applause.) And as two vast and vibrant societies, we reaffirm that our diversity is our strength – whether your family was among the first native peoples to live on these lands or refugees we welcomed just yesterday. Whether you pray in a church or a synagogue, or a temple, or a mosque. Where, no matter what province or state you live in, you have the freedom to marry the person that you love. (Applause.)
Now, I don't want to gloss over the very real differences between Americans and Canadians. There are some things we will probably never agree on: Whose beer is better. (Laughter.) Who's better at hockey.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Royals! (Laughter.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We are. We are. (Laughter.)
TRUDEAU: Don't get me started. (Laughter.)
OBAMA: Where's the Stanley Cup right now?
AUDIENCE: Ooooh –
OBAMA: I'm sorry. Is it in my hometown with the Chicago Blackhawks? (Applause.) In case you were wondering. In case you Canadians were wondering, where is it? (Laughter.)
U.S. President Barack Obama holds a baby as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
And this visit is special for another reason. Nearly 40 years ago, on another March morning, another American President welcomed another Canadian Prime Minister here to the White House. That day, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau said that the United States is "Canada's best friend and ally." And one of the reasons, he said, is that we have "a common outlook on the world." Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau carries on this work.
Mr. Prime Minister, your election and the first few months in office have brought a new energy and dynamism not only to Canada but to the relationship between our nations. We have a common outlook on the world. And I have to say, I have never seen so many Americans so excited about the visit of a Canadian Prime Minister. (Applause.)
So with this visit, I believe that the United States and Canada can do even more together – even more to promote the trade and economic partnerships that provide good jobs and opportunities for our people. Even more to ensure the security that so many Americans and Canadians count on so that they can live in safety and freedom. Even more to protect our countries and our communities – especially in the Arctic – from climate change, just as we acted together at Paris to reach the most ambitious agreement in history to fight climate change. (Applause.) And guided by our values, we can do even more together to advance human development around the world – from saving a child from a preventable disease to giving a student in Africa electricity to study by – because, as Americans and Canadians, we believe in the inherent dignity of every human being. (Applause.)
As always, our work as nations remains rooted in the friendship between our peoples. And we see that every day in communities along our shared border. Up in Hyder, Alaska, folks head across the border to celebrate Canada Day, and folks in Stewart, British Columbia come over for the Fourth of July. At the baseball diamond in Coutts, Alberta, if you hit a home run, there's a good chance the ball will land in Sweetgrass, Montana. (Laughter.) And up where Derby Line, Vermont meets Stanstead, Quebec, Americans and Canadians come together at the local library where the border line literally runs right across the floor. A resident of one of these border towns once said, we're two different countries, but we're like one big town and "people are always there for you."
So, Prime Minister Trudeau – Justin, Sophie – to all our Canadian friends – we are two different countries, but days like this remind us that we're like one big town. And we reaffirm that Americans and Canadians will always be there for each other. Welcome to the United States. Bienvenue, mes amis. (Applause.)
U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listen to national antherms during Thursday's arrival ceremony at the White House.
TRUDEAU: Mr. President, First Lady, distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen – thank you for this extraordinary welcome. Thank you so much for inviting Sophie and me and, through us, all of Canada to join with you on this spectacular morning. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Sophie and I, along with our entire delegation, are honored and touched by your magnificent hospitality, and by the reinforcement of just how powerful you are, Mr. President, to organize such a perfect day for us. (Laughter.)
(Speaks in French, then continues in English.)
You may recall that our government was elected on a plan to strengthen the middle class. We have an ambitious innovation agenda as we realize that revitalizing our economy will require investing in new ideas and new technologies. Our plan will foster emerging industries, create good jobs, and increase our global competitiveness. That was the Canadian plan, and of course, it very much resembles the challenges and the solutions that you've been putting forward here south of the border – a plan to invest in our country and invest in our people. And it's wonderful to see that our American friends and partners share and are working on the exact same objectives.
See, as our leading trading partner and closest ally, the relationship between our two countries has always been vital. As an exporting nation, Canada is always eager to work closely to reduce trade barriers between our countries. And speaking of exports, we know with certainty that there's a high demand for Canadian goods down here. A few that come to mind that President Obama just rightly recognized as being extraordinary contributors to the American success story is Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Applause.)
We've faced many challenges over the course of our shared history. And while we have agreed on many things and disagreed on a few others, we remain united in a common purpose – allies, partners, and friends as we tackle the world's great challenges. Whether we're charting a course for environmental protection, making key investments to grow our middle class, or defending the rights of oppressed peoples abroad, Canada and the United States will always collaborate in partnership and good faith. The history may be complex, but the bottom line is clear. There is no relationship in the entire world like the Canada-U.S. relationship. (Applause.)
Our great countries have been friends a long time. We grew up together. And like all great enduring friendships, at our best, we bring out the best in one another. And through it all, our enormous shared accomplishments speak for themselves – prosperous, free, diverse societies that have shaped history together.
We could not be prouder of that past. And on behalf of 36 million Canadians, I thank you all for your warm welcome. Now let's get to work on shaping our shared future.
Merci beaucoup. (Applause.)
TRUDEAU IN WASHINGTON: THE GLOBE'S FULL COVERAGE
Trudeau in Washington: What's happening this week The Prime Minister and his wife have begun their charm offensive in the U.S. capital. Here's what you've missed so far
Leah McLaren: Not much has changed for the housewives of 24 Sussex Today, we have a brand-new, shiny Trudeau power couple to recklessly idealize – all scrubbed and glowing and just as full of contagious optimism as Maggie and Pierre were back in 1971. And luckily for Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, much has changed half a century on when it comes to the role of political wife. Wait, no, that's wrong. In fact, nothing has changed at all.
Simon Houpt: Why the U.S. press corps can't get enough of Canada's prime minister The U.S. media can be as nasty as a rabid pit bull, but throw it a new toy in the shape of a pretty prime minister and it turns into a purring pussycat.
Campbell Clark: Cross-pollination can only do so much for a leader For subscribers: The group welcoming Mr. Trudeau's people with gusto will survive, at least in part, under a Democrat like Hillary Clinton, but obviously not under a Republican like Donald Trump.


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Priyanka Chopra To Throw A Grand Party For Nick Jonas And His Family
by Filmfare | August 12, 2018, 3:04 PM IST
Rumours of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas being engaged have been doing the rounds for quite some time now. A few days ago, we saw Priyanka slipping a ring out of her finger and tucking it in her pants before she faced the shutterbugs. There were also rumours that Nick shut down an entire Tiffany and Co store just so that he could pick the right ring for his lady love. He visited Mumbai in June to meet Priyanka's family and now we hear the he will soon reunite with Priyanka who is shooting for her next film The Sky Is Pink in Mumbai currently.
A source close to the actress revealed in an interview with a leading portal that Priyanka has planned a grand party to make the engagement official. The source stated, "Priyanka has sent out messages to close friends and family members to set aside time on August 18 for a party. It's exactly a month after her birthday and those close to the Quantico actress feel that she may make an official announcement about her relationship status at the bash. However, the venue of the same has been kept under wraps."
And this time, it will be Nick Jonas' family who will be flying down to India as well. The source further added, "His family, too, is expected to join the couple for the trip. Nick, who was earlier a member of the band Jonas Brothers, is part of a close-knit clan. In fact, PC and he took out time to attend the latter's cousin's wedding in June. They were also spotted on a double date with his brother Joe Jonas and his girlfriend Sophie Turner."
More on: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas


Best Mortgage Broker in Missoula, MT  The Top-Rated Pick!
Are you thinking about buying a new home on loan in Missoula, MT? Are you thinking about getting a second mortgage on your home? Well, choosing the best mortgage lender is always tough. There are many people willing and ready to help you finance your home but you need to find the best home mortgage lender to make sure you're getting a good service. Here's what makes the best home mortgage lender.
If you're thinking about getting a mortgage, you need to know everything about it and how it will affect your finances. That's why you need to find a mortgage lender who is ready to provide the best information regarding the whole process. If you're a first time home buyer, you might find such information useful. For instance, you will know if you're eligible for mortgage loans and the requirements. Also, you will get a better understanding of the specific documents required to guarantee qualification of the mortgage.
Certainly, any mortgage lender has lots of clients under their wing. However, you should find one who takes you seriously and gets back to you. It's simply a measure of whether you're a priority or not. If you're having a hard time reaching the mortgage lender and not receiving timely replies, you will end up being frustrated about the entire process and it will also take longer. Therefore, when you make the first contact to inquire about their services, make sure that the mortgage lender you're thinking about choosing gets back to you immediately with informative answers.
The best mortgage lender should welcome any questions you might have and ask a few of their own. You might have recently bought a house on cash and are looking to finance a mortgage or this could be your second mortgage. Whatever the case, you need to know everything regarding the process and the best lender should be a good listener to address all your concerns effectively. Additionally, the lender should also take time to ask questions to determine the best financial option beneficial to you and also help you meet the loan requirements that don't at that moment.
To be a good mortgage lender, one must keep up with everything that needs to be completed. For instance, if it's meeting up with various clients, the lender needs to plan for these meetings accordingly to avoid inconveniencing specific clients. On the other hand, there's a lot of paperwork that's involved in any mortgage application. Therefore, you need to find a lender with exceptional organization skills to make sure that everything is in place. It's very easy to discern whether a lender has exceptional organization skills by walking through their offices. If everything looks disrupted and untidy, walkway.
You need to find a mortgage lender who is always direct. That way, if you have any questions about the process, the mortgage lender provides the relevant and right information without being evasive. It's important to create a good relationship and trust between the lender and yourself and that's why being forthright. Certainly, you don't want to apply for a loan only to find out that the interest rates and mortgage repayments are too high for you to afford every month.
The mortgage niche is always changing and that's why you need to find a lender who is ready to learn and remain updated on what's new in the field. If you're applying for a mortgage currently, you need to know how the recent changes affect you. A mortgage lender who keeps up with the latest training sessions and seminars can provide you with any relevant information you might need before getting your loan.
Keep in mind that there are many mortgage lenders to choose from out there. Therefore, you need to find a lender who remains professional and doesn't force you into accepting something you can't afford. You have the right to weigh all the options available to you and choose the best one depending on your current financial standing. Therefore, if you're being bullied into accepting a specific offer, then that lender isn't the right option for you. That's why you need to do a lot of research before choosing a lender.


I am Scott Snyder, a dedicated fine art landscape photographer specializing in Atlantic seascapes, the New England landscape, and Essential Abstracts. I have been a photographer for over 30 years, beginning with a stint in the Art Institute of Atlanta's Photography program in the early 80s. I have worked as professional photographer for years and am transitioning from a wedding- and portrait-based work back to my original passion – fine art landscapes that showcase the incredibly beauty and diversity of our natural world.
I am deeply involved in environmental issues and support 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together to create and preserve a healthy planet by donating 1% of our profits to conservation issues.
Over the years my avocations have included being a painter, poet, papermaker, and letterpress printer. Vocations have included proofreader, book designer, financial publications designer, and picture framer. I have a degree in religious studies and am deeply involved with interreligious dialog, Sufism and the path of Rumi, and the yoga of devotion.
I am the father of three beautiful children and three incredible grandkids. I am a hiker, skier, surfer and wanderer. Life is good, often full to overflowing, and a blessing.


…must leave their stomach at home. This was true in the days of Martin Krpan and perhaps it is still true. But it is not necessary, in fact, it is outright wrong if you go about things somewhat differently. You travel with the motorhome, in low season, select a stopover with a sensible price, and carry most of the food that you need with you anyway. The result is a beautiful motorhome trip for a few days. In spite of temperatures below freezing, it is pleasantly warm in the motorhome.
We set off on Thursday afternoon. The plan was somewhat different, to start on Friday morning, but it was impossible to wait since the motorhome was parked right under the window. So we said we'll just go and sleep somewhere along the way. The city we picked was Maribor, the stopover at the bus station. It is not the nicest stopover, but was suitable for our needs. The weather was truly nice, sunny, so we took a stroll along the bank of Drava and the city centre. It was quite neat, as we visited this part for the first time. Sun, swans, the famous grape vine, and mulled wine in the centre, satisfied us completely. We woke up into a cold morning and needed quite a bit of time to thaw all windows, then headed off towards Vienna.
The goal was the Reisemobil stopover, which I booked in advance - the right thing to do. It proved to be nearly full in spite of the winter time. They can be found at the website http://www.reisemobilstellplatz-wien.at, the coordinates are GPS: 48°08'13" N 16°18'57" E. We arrived after lunch and everything was the way I expected it to be. The stopover is orderly, the sanitary block is very clean and very warm, the employees very kind. The subway station is about 300 m away and pleasantly surprised us, as the instructions were provided in Slovenian too. Nice.
Of course we immediately headed for the centre, which was festively decorated and in expectation of the new year. The tourists were accordingly numerous. Everything ideal, except for the icy wind, dominating the streets. We walked through a large part of the centre and, of course, did not skip Prater, where we found a Madame Tussauds wax museum. We met quite a few celebrities - in wax, but nonetheless... The only thing one had to pay attention to was if an unknown person moved or not. If they moved, they were not a wax doll, of course.
Incidentally, the word Prater comes from the Latin word "pratum", which means pasture. The beginnings of Prater reach to the year 1766, when it was open by the emperor Joseph II. In 1897, they built Riesenrad – the large wheel that became one of the main sights of Vienna. Of course we rode the wheel, which is beautifully lit at night. Prater also includes a carousel, which would not be anything special, if it did not lift brave souls to a height of 90 meters. It's nothing to sneeze at, and if you ride this carousel at the temperature of -2 degrees Celsius, you are truly brave. Our family has two members who wished for ventilation at 90 metres.
After the ride ended, they were not sure whether they enjoyed or froze more. Supposedly it was worth it. The daughters also went into the haunted house and considering their expressions after they came out, truly horrifying things take place in this house indeed.
Another thing that requires a special mention is the Haus des Meeres, at the same time an aquarium, terrarium and a zoo.
The house of the see is located in a former anti aircraft tower from World War II. In 11 floors, one can see 10 thousand animals such as fish, rays, monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, snakes... The biggest aquarium has a volume of half a million litres and is the largest one in Austria. We enjoyed each and every floor and watched animals, some through glass, some within an arm's length. Truly worth seeing. Incidentally, that's where we decided to have an aquarium at home once again. The previous one let go of its soul, well, water, so we were without it for a while.
Towards the end of the third day in Vienna, we checked the weather forecast and found out that the snow is approaching faster than promised, so we quickly packed and headed home. Just in time, as the snow was already upon us, so that we enjoyed two hours of driving on snowy roads. But all is well that ends well.
Vienna is a beautiful memory and, should the road take us there in spring or autumn time, we will happily stop for another day or two. Of course, with the motorhome, and we're not leaving our stomach outside that time either.


Tokyo's oldest temple, Sensoji, was founded in the seventh century. It's believed the smoke from the huge incense urn in front of the temple has healing powers, so if you visit you are likely to see people rubbing the smoke all over their bodies. In the streets surrounding the temple there are many traditional restaurants and street vendors selling snacks such as rice crackers, sweet bean cakes and green tea ice-cream.
Meiji Shrine is a huge Shinto shrine set in a calm garden oasis in the centre of Tokyo. The large shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, is set amongst a 178-acre gardening containing plants from all over Japan. Shrines are scattered throughout Tokyo so you are likely to see more than one on any visit to Japan.
Festivals are a very important part of Japanese culture and take place regularly throughout the year. The focus of these festivals can be incredibly varied and can include flowers, fertility, longevity, the dead, the moon, children, stars and plenty more. During these festivals you're likely to see processions, food stalls and live entertainment.
From 9am visitors can enter Tsukiji, the largest seafood market in the world. Here you'll find stalls selling dried mushrooms, seaweed, tea, pickles, ceramics and kitchenware. At the knife stores you can even have your name engraved on the knives. And of course there are numerous sushi shops where you can enjoy an extremely fresh sushi breakfast. Nearby is the Tsukiji Honganji temple with exotic Hindu-influenced 1930s architecture – also free!
Please note that the early morning tuna auction is currently closed to tourists.
At the 11-story Sony Building you can fiddle with high-tech gizmos that won't be on sale in Britain for at least a year. You can even try out the latest PlayStation software on a giant, high-quality monitor. Other showrooms that can be visited for free include the Nissan Gallery, Toyota's MEGA WEB. and Honda Welcome Plaza where you can see daily Asimo robot demonstrations.
During your stay in Tokyo you'll find plenty of sights that'll make you reach for your camera and get snap happy. However, if you fancy a break from taking pictures, why not check out some of the city's top photo galleries operated by some of the major names in photography. Fuji Film Square is in Roppongi. Canon, Nikon and Kodak all have photo exhibition showrooms in Ginza while Konica, Minolta and Pentax have showrooms in Shinjuku. At these galleries you'll see frequently changing amateur and professional exhibitions and some of the galleries also contain small camera museums.
Tokyo boasts many sights for you to enjoy and what better way to see these sights than by taking a free guided tour with one of the city's locals to show you the way. The Systematized Goodwill Guide Groups are comprised mostly of students, housewives and retirees, and operate throughout the city. Tours depart from a variety of locations at different times throughout the day and cover attractions like Ueno Park, the Imperial Palace and plenty more. The tours themselves are free and you are only expected to pay for the guide's travel expenses and any admissions to attractions.
Bonsai trees, stone lanterns, Zen rock gardens and colourful carp! You'll find all this and more on a stroll through some of the Japanese gardens found throughout Tokyo. And what's more, many of these gardens are free to enter. There's the Imperial Palace East Garden, the Nezu Shrine Garden, famous for its blooming azaleas in May, and the Shin Edogawa Garden, a classical Japanese garden complete with carp and stone lanterns. Tokyo's Ueno Park is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms in April and also hosts a selection of museums and more.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, or Tokyo City Hall all as it's also known, soars up for 243 metres above the ground. Designed by Kenzo Tange, the building's twin towers cover 48 floors. Up on the 45th floor is where you'll find the public observation decks, which can be reached by elevator in a speedy 55-second trip. Once you step onto the observation deck you'll be faced with stunning views of the Tokyo, especially on clear days when you'll get brilliant views of Yokohama to the southwest and Mount Fuji to the west. Open daily 9.30am-11pm.
Tokyo has an incredibly wide variety of museums for you to check out. If you're on a strict budget, don't worry because many of the city's museums won't cost you a single yen to visit. These free museums include the following: Sumo Museum, Parasite Museum, Advertising Museum, Yebisu Beer Museum, Eyeglass Museum, Japan Stationary Museum, Fire Museum, Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum and the Currency Museum. So from sumo to specs, you'll be able to see them all entirely free of charge.
This article has been provided by Japan National Tourism Organization. Their original article had 15 things to do for free in Tokyo, check out the other five activities here.