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What Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service Tells Us About South Africa
Former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's Johannesburg memorial in December 2013 was in many ways a microcosm of South Africa's political and economic situation. The events that played out in and around the memorial represented South Africa's best virtues while flagging a number of challenges that have to be dealt with. Some of these issues will be reflected in upcoming election manifestos as they are seen as imminent. Others might only be confined to footnotes, but they will be equally important for the long-term prosperity of South Africa's economic and political environment.
The memorial day was characterised by a lot of rain. In many African countries, rain is considered to be a blessing; it symbolises new life and growth. This is very much representative of South Africa, a young democracy with a developing economy. South Africa has lots of prospects, especially given that there is still plenty of scope for the country to grow. Since 1994, the year of the first democratic elections in South Africa, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased by 33%. The end of Apartheid opened up new economic opportunities for local and international businesses and South Africa became more integrated into the world economy.
Rain at the memorial service (photo: GovernmentZA)
Conversely, the expression "a rainy day" also has certain negative connotations to it, as rain could ruin a special day. It reminds us that although there are prospects for hope in South Africa, there will be many spoilers along the way. Even though the overall memorial went rather well, there were several issues that reflected some of concerns that personify the young nation.
Let's start with the fact that the event was held at the FNB Stadium. It is where Madiba gave his first speech in Johannesburg after he was released from prison in 1990. It has since been upgraded for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, thereby becoming the largest stadium in Africa, attesting to the country's great achievements in the post-Apartheid era.
Beyond the symbols of greatness, we have to keep in mind that the memorial began one hour late. In economic terms, time costs money and South Africa will have to step it up in order to compete at an international level. Government and businesses will have to become much better with planning and organising their activities. As argued earlier, economically speaking South Africa is moving in the right direction, but it is not happening fast enough. Jac Laubscher recently noted that countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey grew by 114% on average since 1994 (compared to South Africa's 44% growth over that same period).
There is also a real risk that South Africa's debt overhang is increasing rapidly and that a serious economic crisis might be looming in South Africa. According to Forbes, the country's debt has been increasingly rapidly since 2008 and external debt currently stands at $136.6 billion, or 38.2 percent of the GDP and "the highest level since the mid-1980s." It means that there will have to be major budget cuts in the near future, which will also impact on education, health and the general well-being of the nation, especially the youth.
In this context, it was interesting to note that Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was cheered at Madiba's funeral. Mugabe, who has been responsible for massacring between 10-20,000 Ndebele, the torture of hundreds of people, and the plundering of a once prosperous economy; was warmly welcomed at a memorial service in honour of Madiba, a man who ardently stood for democracy, human rights and peace. Nonetheless, it is quite possible, that Mugabe was cheered by a group of people who were perhaps disillusioned about the lack of economic opportunities in South Africa and who think that Mugabe's "land-reform programme" was executed in the name of the poor. South Africa's unemployment rate is 40% and inequality is extremely high (with a Gini coefficient of 0,6 to 0,7). Inequality is arguably one of South Africa's most dangerous systemic issues that has to be confronted. If the matter is left in the hands of populists (like the Economic Freedom Fighters), the results could be disastrous, as was the case in Zimbabwe.
Related to the above issue, it is not only about what was present at the memorial that is important, but also what was missing. After the memorial, one reporter rightfully noted, "Where were the children? Mandela loved children …But young South Africans did not feature on the programme." Almost half of the electorate is under 40 years of age while close to 2 million are 'born frees'. Yet, to be part of the country's youth is not always easy. South Africa has high levels of youth unemployment, estimated to be 50% and the 3rd highest in the world according to the World Economic Forum. Tough times might be ahead for the economy and this group risk being even further isolated and marginalised. Again, radical political parties could be attractive to this group, given that the youth have 'nothing to lose'.
Furthermore, while Mugabe was applauded at Madiba's memorial, President Jacob Zuma was booed when he entered the FNB stadium, whenever his name was mentioned, as well as when he gave his speech. The booing was not an "embarrassment", as some commentators remarked. Rather, it was a clear expression of the will of the people, something that Madiba (and once also Zuma himself) fought hard for. The booing was a reflection of discontent towards South Africa's top leader. This is not the same as saying that the African National Congress (ANC) was rejected in total. Other members of the ANC, including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, were loudly cheered by the same crowd. Even former South African President F.W. de Klerk and US President Barack Obama were cheered. The fact is, many people are fed up with Zuma, and the ANC will lose a lot of votes during the upcoming elections because of him.
The contrasts between Madiba and Zuma are rather remarkable. Madiba publicly regretted not doing enough to tackle HIV/AIDS under his watch, a period marked by a multitude of competing issues all demanding immediate attention. In 2005, Zuma admitted to having unprotected sex with the daughter of a struggle comrade whom he knew was HIV positive and then taking a shower to "cut the risk of contracting HIV."
Mandela' body lying in state (Photo: GovernmentZA)
Shortly after Madiba became President, he cut his salary by 20%. Furthermore, he donated one-third of his annual salary of ZAR 150,000 to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Last year it was reported that Zuma's annual salary is ZAR 2,622,561, more than 17 times that of Madiba. Recently, the Public Protector raised serious concerns regarding the enormous costs at the expense of South African taxpayers. Total expenditure for "security" upgrades at Zuma's private residence has been "conservatively estimated at ZAR 246 million". Security upgrades at Madiba's private house has been estimated at ZAR 35 million (compared to ZAR 12 million for Mbeki, and ZAR 236,000 for de Klerk).
During Madiba's memorial, South Africa's state media, the SABC, was allegedly ordered not to report the crowd's booing of Zuma. The great irony is that a free media is something that Madiba cherished deeply. He understood and preached widely about the importance of a free media that is able to keep government on its toes. Censorship of SABC on the day of the memorial is a warning that should a questionable person like Zuma continue to lead the country, there will be more and more political interference in the judiciary, state institutions, media and even the arts. Zuma seems to treat the state coffers as his personal bank account, and gradually South Africa is turning into a Mobutu-like "kleptocratic state", as was recently argued by Barney Pityana. The fact is that the more elites have to hide, the more they will silence those that are outspoken about it, particularly also institutions that were created to make sure that those in power will not abuse it. Thus, it was not surprising that there was a delay due to political interference (cloaked in a security excuse) of the Public Protector's report on Zuma's "opulence".
As said by Funeka Gingcara-Sithole, an ordinary attendee, "Mandela had a vision, Mandela lived that vision. But what Zuma speaks, he doesn't live …He should do the honourable thing and resign." If Zuma does not resign, he will lead the ANC to a win in the forthcoming election, but it is unlikely that he will complete his second-term in office. In the past, the ANC has demonstrated that it is not scared to get rid of their leaders.
Moreover, it was rather appropriate that Thamsanqa Jantjie, a man with an alleged criminal record and apparently no sign language qualification whatsoever, was the official translator for Madiba's memorial. The mistranslation of Madiba's memorial is perhaps emblematic of how some political leaders misunderstand the true values that Madiba himself stood for. Mandela wanted a liberal democratic government to serve the people and to focus on the future, he did not want to be voted into office based on past glories nor to become president to serve himself and his family.
Moreover, the fact that Jantjie was officially accredited for the memorial is symbolic of a mixture of incompetence, patronage, nepotism, and corruption that South Africans often experience. No one has been willing to take full responsibility for hiring this 'interpreter' and there are many question marks as to why this person was there in the first place. Shortly after the incident, ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu stated, "the ANC reiterates that the organisation did not take part in the government process to procure the service provider for the memorial service."
Mtembu's above statement clearly implies that the state was in charge of the memorial. However, what surfaced over the coming days seemed to have blurred the line between the state and the ruling party. A few weeks after Mthembu's statement, his personal assistant Cikizwa Xozwa and her husband Reverand Bantubahle Xozwa "resigned" from the ANC after it was allegedly by the media that they were owners of the company that employed Jantjie. More often than not, in countries where the ruling party in effect becomes the state (look at our neighbours in Zimbabwe), it is people who suffer. South Africa has to work towards creating stronger institutions - especially the media, public protector, and the judiciary - that are answerable to the people and not the interests of a specific party.
The fact that there was a burglary at retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu's house while he was attending Madiba's memorial was another symbol illustrative of one of the top issues that South Africans rich and poor experience. Compared to other countries, South Africa has a very high rate of murders, assaults, rape and other crimes. If crime affects the Arch, one of South Africa's greatest icons and most respected individuals, it could happen to anyone. The high levels of crime have to be seriously tackled at it negatively affects victims, it contributes to emigration of some of South Africa's most talented, it taints the country's image as a viable tourist destination, and it forces South African businesses to focus more on physical security rather than on other creative ways of making their businesses more sustainable. More importantly, crime leads people to build massive walls and iron gates between one another, and impedes the building of a society. In a word, crime makes South Africans isolated and miserable.
Beyond the domestic symbols that were scattered throughout Madiba's memorial, there were also signs that were reminiscent of South Africa's foreign policy. There were close to a hundred heads of state and government at the event from all corners of the globe. It not only symbolised Madiba's popularity, but it also attested to South Africa's success to move from being a global pariah to an international player. Madiba and Mbeki were particularly good at resituating the country as a developing nation often punching above its weight. Pretoria is said to have the second largest number of foreign missions in the world. South Africa is also no longer at war with its neighbours and the economy and her businesses are continental (and sometimes global) leaders.
Aside from the fact that South Africa's wealth is tied to that of the world, the country's transition is a model that could be emulated elsewhere. South Africa has participated in a number of peace keeping and peace building efforts on the continent. It was thus rather fitting that even in death Madiba could get US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro to shake hands. Yet, the handshake also mirrored a wrongful assumption: getting players to shake hands is enough to change the game. Truth be told, peacebuilding requires time and commitment. Sometimes South Africa's peacebuilding efforts have lacked follow up.
In the end, Madiba's memorial was to celebrate the life of a legend, which is why the crowd continued to be cheerful throughout the rain. But when the event was over, it reminded us that South Africa no longer has a moral compass with the same stature as Madiba to lead the country into a new critical phase in the country's history. Madiba was successful because he challenged the injustices of the day, which is what made him transformational. He was also adamant that South Africa's leaders should look to the future rather than ride the wave of past glories. In 1994, he warned ANC leaders who wanted to have a "liberation election" campaign that "we should forget the past and concentrate on building a better future for all." As South Africans honour Madiba's legacy and celebrate 20 years of democracy, we also need to take a hard long look at present issues that threaten the stability of the country. A constitutional democracy cannot thrive in these conditions.
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What Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service Tells Us Ab...


Meet Alon Barak, Merna Tajaddod Orthodontics Smile of the Month fro July! Alon is an amazing kid who brightens up our office each time he comes in! We were fortunate to have him be our patient for his phase I treatment. Unfortunately for us, Alon and his family will now be New Yorkers and will be leaving our office this month. We are incredibly sad by this but we wish the Barak Family the best in this new adventure. Alon had his braces removed on July 8th, for this reason he is our smile of the month, however the entire Barak family deserves this honor because all of their smiles illuminate our office: Alon with his passion for our complimentary lemonade. His mom, Renana, with her funny jokes and amazing sense of humor, and his sister Maya with her hip attitude and Chipotle addiction. We will miss you all very much and we hope you make amazing connections in New York because you have a solid orthodontic family here in California.
Proudly serving the city of Palo Alto and it's surrounding areas; Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Los Altos. Dr. Tajaddod has 11+ years of experience as an orthodontist here in the Bay Area's Mid-Peninsula and the East Coast.
Dr. Merna Tajaddod earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where she had graduated top 5% of her class. In addition, she also earned her Certificate in orthodontics and bachelor in Oral Biology from Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Tajaddod is married and has two beautiful children. She enjoys spending time with her children, participating in their school events and supporting their athletic lifestyles. Dr. Tajaddod loves living and practicing in her Palo Alto community.


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Hooray! Bill King is in the Hall of Fame
So thrilled that Bill King was just selected to enter the broadcasting wing of the baseball Hall of Fame. It is a well-deserved honor. Only wish it wasn't posthumous. He died in 2005 after being a mainstay in the Northern California sports scene. He broadcast for the A's and Giants, also was the Voice of the Raiders and the Warriors.
King was maybe the most articulate play-by-play man in the business. His use of vocabulary and descriptive terms were extraordinary. And it seemed effortless. He always had just the right word, just the right adjective right there at his fingertips. At some point he must've swallowed a dictionary.
He also could call an exciting play in a way that was positively electrifying. I know he received this honor for baseball, but for money Bill King was the best radio football announcer of all-time. That's right. ALL-TIME. His Raider calls were thrilling. Here's just one example:
Bill King was truly an original. He sported a beard and with deep-set eyes and looked like the devil. But a sweeter, kinder, more generous man you'd never find. I'm honored to say he was one of my mentors. When I was learning to broadcast baseball he critiqued several of my tapes. I learned a lot from him. And I'm sure I'm just one of many.
He was also very eccentric. He lived on a houseboat in Sausalito. He only drove beat up used cars. When one would conk out he'd just buy another. He was a history buff and an opera buff. When he did television sports he wore a suit jacket, tie, and (out of camera range) shorts and flip-flops.
Bay Area sports fans have long cherished Bill King. So glad that the baseball world has finally recognized his contribution as well.
Ken Korach, who was Bill's partner and is now the Voice of the A's, wrote a terrific and loving book about Bill. I recommend it for anyone interested in reading about a larger-than-life personality and a time in professional sports when personalities, not generic-sounding interchangeable robots, were valued. Congratulations to Bill King. Only wish he were around to give the acceptance speech. I'm sure it would be so eloquent you wouldn't think it was a sportscaster.
VP81955 said...
Being an easterner most of my life, I haven't heard that much of Bill King...but what I have heard makes it evident this choice was a good one. He was excellent in both baseball and football.
As a bay area kid I grew up on Bill King and Ken is spot on. He was captivating.
I know Ken Korach and how much he wanted Bill King to get this honor. My wife used to work for the San Francisco Opera and recalls seeing him there often. And I read that he got mad at the Warriors because they wouldn't let him have opera night off!
By the way, this gives the Giants a rarity in broadcasting history: a three-man crew that has all won the Frick Award. Russ Hodges (1980), Lon Simmons (2004), and King. The Cardinals did it (Caray, Buck, and Hamilton in 1954, then Garagiola replacing Hamilton until 1959, when Buck was, amazingly, fired).
ChipO said...
Friday question, inspired by the brilliance of Bill King, thank you for bringing him to our attention:
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, and all the facts are in ... are you noticing a plethora of clichés in lieu of valid commentary?
Bill King was one of the voices on my childhood. He was one of those rare guys who could call a game in a way that you as the listener could close your eyes and see what was happening. This is a long overdue honor. I'm bummed that Mike Krukow didn't make it, but There wasn't anyone in this group as deserving as Bill King.
Yes. yes, yes! And what about his game day meals; popcorn, mustard and relish was it? My vote for his best sport was basketball. Bill and Hank Greenwald on those 60's/70's Warriors broadcasts was just so intense for me as a kid I would watch the radio like a TV. Thanks.
Paul Dushkind said...
A friend told me he attended a boring Warriors game, so he left early. In the car he listened to the rest of the game on radio. It seemed like it was a different game. It was exciting! The announcer was Bill King.
He used to do the Oakland A's radio broadcasts. He often got the score or the count wrong, but each time he did, you recognized the mistake, because he had described the action so clearly.
If an umpire made a mistake, he verbally attacked all of the American League umpires in toto.
Cheryl Marks said...
I grew up listening to Bill call Raider and A's games. Didn't realize how fortunate I was to hear a King of broadcasting until I moved away. The way he said Raiders is iconic
AllieG said...
Lived one year in Bay Area (1973). King was fantastic both on the Raiders and Warriors.
When I lived in the Bay Area I listened to King many times. I'm not a basketball follower, but when he called a game I'd watch, assuming I had nothing else to do.
John in Toledo said...
You could reasonably add Ernie Harwell to that list of Giants Frick Award winners. Ernie did Giants games for four full seasons.
Bill King's signature phrase: "Holy Toledo!" Nice.
John, thanks. I meant a three-member crew, all of whom are Frick winners. In fact, trivially, here are the announcers who broadcast for the Giants and have won the award, and King gives them more than any other team, breaking a tie with the Yankees:
Mel Allen (for two seasons, 1940 and 1942, he did Yankee and Giant home games)
Jack Brickhouse (1946)
Ernie Harwell
Russ Hodges
Bill King
Tim McCarver
Arch McDonald
Lindsey Nelson
Lon Simmons
One of the categories coming up opens the door for Al Michaels, who also did the Giants for three years.
I first heard Bill King when he broadcast the San Francisco Warriors.The KNBR AM radio skip got all the way up to coastal British Columbia.The Warriors [Attles,Thurmond,Barry,Mullins] lost to the 76ers in the 1967 NBA Finals.I got Bill's autograph at a Mariners vs A's game at The Kingdome in Seattle.A well deserved honour.
As a kid with a major basketball jones growing up two hours south of S.F., Bill King's calls of Warriors' games served as the soundtrack of my childhood. I can still remember some of his calls when the Warriors won their first championship in 74-75. When I got to college in the early 80s, I think most of the non-fiction pieces I wrote for required writing courses were in some way about Bill King. And he remains, I believe, the only NBA announcer every to be charged with a technical--King was never shy about letting the refs know when he felt the missed a call! So glad King's finally getting his due.
Thanks for the shout out to King, Ken, and for the book recommendation.
Prairie Perspective said...
He does!
Bill King was a genius, an artist at the mic. This is long overdue but very much deserved.
R Baugh said...
Bill King was a great announcer and well deserving of the Ford C. Frick award. Growing up in Northern California, him, Hank Greenwald, Greg Papa, and Gary Gerould, were the voices of my childhood. Your right Bill King is a very deserving award winner.
You are of course wrong on saying that King "just selected to enter the broadcasting wing of the baseball Hall of Fame." this implies that King is now a "Hall of Famer" or that he is inducted into the Hall of Fame. This is something the Hall has been very clear about, but people still have turned this annual award into a de facto induction and treated it as such.
This would be fine but this award is a yearly award with a winner each year, it isn't always about getting deserving broadcasters in and doesn't have the standards that the rest of the Hall tries to live up to. Eric Nadel and Denny Matthews are fine announcers who I pick to listen to all the time but they are not really Hall of Fame caliber.
The reason this is important is that no announcers are really in the Hall of Fame. Executives, and Umpires get official HOF and not de facto HOF status but broadcasters don't. Having the Ford C. Frick award is not a good enough substitute. Is it really fair that Vin Scully is just an award winner and his highest accomplishment is being considered as an equal to Tim McCarver?
As long as people treat the Ford Frick award as equal to the Hall of Fame the real deserving announcers will be left out of the Hall of Fame. Is it really right that Bud Selig will be formally considered a Hall of Famer but Vin Scully and Ernie Harwell are not?
As long as people consider this yearly award an induction into the Hall of Fame the greatest announcers will never get the full recognition they deserve.
Tim said...
Thanks for posting that Ken. I love listening to great plays called by the best announcers. When I was a kid Ernie Harwell would weave great stories in between action every summer. In the fall his polar opposite, over the top Bob Ufer would call Michigan football games. Here is a clip of a play I remember listening to live http://www.ufer.org/sounds/Wrangler_Carter.mp3
RIP William Christopher
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ROGUE ONE and ARRIVAL -- my review
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Mele Kalikimaka -- a travelogue
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Last night's DICK VAN DYKE SHOW
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Do you have a cottage? How does the window look like? You may want to have a cottage with nice window design. Therefore, the writer will show you some pictures about window design which is suitable for cottage design. This window for cottage has many various designs with wonderful concept.


Embracing all the world's people with compassion.
Community Service at MICDS is an all-School initiative with opportunities for service in all divisions, and we believe that students can and should serve toward the common good of the community. At MICDS, we focus on the model of service learning with projects, often student-driven, tied to the curriculum. Athletic teams, student activities clubs, advisories and entire grade levels frequently volunteer at non-profit organizations in the St. Louis area.
Our annual Thanksgiving community service project is the largest provider of frozen turkeys to the St. Louis Area Food Bank each year, collecting more than 7,500 pounds of turkey and 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food—enough to provide more than 8,000 Thanksgiving Day meals.
Since 2007, MICDS has held an annual collection for the Peruvian American Medical Society to help rebuild a medical clinic following an earthquake in Chincha, Peru, and subsequently, to purchase a dental x-ray machine and outfit its dental unit. MICDS students volunteer at the PAMS Clinic in Chincha through the MICDS Peru Service Learning Program.
Students rotate through various service-learning activities. Collectively, they create greeting cards for United Service Organizations (USO) at Lambert International Airport, make scarves for Loaves and Fishes, decorate kindness rocks and read books about what it means to be grateful.
MICDS basketball coaches, players and fans come together each year to support the American Cancer Society. Together, their efforts have resulted in raising more than $200,000 to fight cancer.
MICDS also leads various domestic and international service travel trips for students to places such as Peru, South Africa and Texas.
Students are invited to research issues, educate the community and organize collections for various causes throughout the year.
Recent student-led collections include toiletry drives for the homeless, Halloween candy and costume collections for pediatric hospitals, bake sales for cancer research and victims of natural disasters, book drives for understocked school libraries in St. Louis, food drives for food pantries or families in need during the holidays, clothing drives and more.
The Environmental Club also holds regular collections for everyday items, such as grocery bags, bottle caps and aluminum cans to promote awareness of environmental issues.
Students are invited to participate in the President's Volunteer Service Award Program, the premier volunteer awards program in the United States that encourages citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition.
"Service not only teaches us the importance of giving back to this wonderful community we live in, but, more importantly, helps us discover our values and find out what in our life is most important and meaningful."


These are the opening lines of the film version of Roald Dahl's Matilda, the iconic story that turns 30 years old today. The novel follows Matilda Wormwood, a precocious six-year-old girl raised by unloving parents who are unappreciative of her brilliance. Mr and Mrs Wormwood send Matilda to Crunchem Hall, a primary school lead by headmistress Agatha Trunchbull – a former Olympian-turned-shrieking disciplinarian who loves chocolate cake, loathes pig tales and despises children.
Matilda's story of standing up to power alongside her teacher Jennifer Honey is rightly celebrated as a feminist tale, spawning successful film and stage adaptations. But many in the wider LGBT+ community also hold her story close to their hearts.
Matilda's status as a queer classic should surprise no one. From an early age, she is neglected by her parents, who can't even remember how old she is and show no interest in her. Her brother is accepted, whereas her considerable intellect is left unnoticed because she is a girl. LGBT+ people often flout gender norms from an early age, from boys like me who want to take ballet lessons, wear tutus and sing Spice Girls, to girls who aren't interested in "girly" activities. Many of us can identify with Matilda's gifts being unappreciated because they do not conform with traditional expectations of boys and girls.
Before starting school, Matilda longed for friendship, finding companions in the kind, courageous characters from her favourite books. Dahl writes that "books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone". LGBT+ people often engage in similar behaviour in an attempt to situate themselves in a heterosexual world. Research by sociologists Beth Kivel and Douglas Kleiber highlights the importance that reading holds to lesbian and gay youth seeking social acceptance and emancipation. Similarly, Alexander Dhoest and Nele Simons's research into gay male media use reveals that consumption of books and magazines peaks in the years "before or during coming out", as gay men seek refuge in literature.
Matilda provides an early lesson in "disidentification", an academic term used to describe the process in which LGBT+ people assign queerness to cultural characters or stories that are not explicitly queer. Coined by cultural theorist José Muñoz in 1999, disidentification represents an early coping mechanism that queer people use to subvert cultural norms in the absence of stories that they relate to. Finding sanctuary in books while her family worship television, Matilda employs a similar strategy.
Yet there are elements of Matilda that are less productive when viewed through a queer lens. Particularly in the film and stage adaptations, Trunchbull is coded as a lesbian, from her British accent – long used in cultural production to suggest queerness and duplicity – to her masculine appearance and sporting prowess. While there is much in Matilda that still seems radical and relevant three decades on, using Trunchbull's non-conformist features to accentuate her nastiness isn't one of them. The tradition for a man to play her in the stage adaptation – making her a constant object of ridicule – also feels disconnected from the play's progressive message.
As a story of resistance, Matilda has particular relevance in the Trumpian era, particularly given the fact that her mother, a superficial woman who brags about choosing "books over looks", enables her father's appalling behaviour. Like Matilda's father, Trunchbull maintains her authority through gaslighting Matilda into believing she is powerless. Both are dismissive of educated people and obtained power and influence through cheating and lies – Wormwood by selling stolen car parts and Trunchbull by murdering Miss Honey's father. When the president thinks not paying taxes makes him "smart" and said he was "excited" for the housing market crash, these traits feel uncomfortably relevant.
The pair's rants could almost be lifted straight from Trump's Twitter timeline, such as Wormwood telling Matilda: "I'm smart, you're dumb; I'm big, you're little; I'm right, you're wrong, and there's nothing you can do about it". Authoritarian Trunchbull brands children as "disgusting maggots", claiming that "a bad girl is a far more dangerous creature than a bad boy" because they are "much harder to squash".
To mark the anniversary, illustrator Sir Quentin Blake has released a set of illustrations depicting adult Matilda as an astrophysicist and poet. A statue was also unveiled of Matilda taking on Trump – the perfect tribute to a character renowned for standing up to bullies.
Dahl's tale displays the uncomfortable truth that sometimes those who we trust to cherish and protect us, such as parents or headteachers, aren't always prepared to fight our corner. Many LGBT+ people have had to learn this the hard way. I still remember the sinking feeling of realising that a teacher, a youth worker, or even a relative wasn't on my side.
Behind the gloriously camp aesthetics, ludicrously iconic one-liners and a sprinkling of magic, Dahl's tale teaches us that it is normal for both children and adults to be hiding pain beneath the surface. For LGBT+ people searching for their tribe, Matilda is a reminder that the family we choose can be more valuable than the one we were born into –and that kindness is the most valuable gift of all.
This article was updated on 3 October 2018 to make it clear the opening lines quotes are from the film version of Matilda.


The Champion Hills Property Owners Association (POA) was established for the benefit of all property owners within the community. The POA Board of Directors, elected by the property owners, manages the community for the common enjoyment of all residents and to maintain the quality and value of the community as a whole.
Before buying property in the Champion Hills community, please review the attached documents. If you would like to receive a printed copy, please e-mail Heather Myers at HeatherM@ChampionHills.com.


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Elmo Wallace
Wallace, Elmo 3/17/1928 - 4/6/2019 Kalamazoo Passed away Saturday April 6, 2019 at home. Elmo was born March 17, 1928 in Oil City, LA the son of Oliver and Sarah Belle (Cox) Wallace. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean War. Elmo retired from Checker Motors after 43 years of service and enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. On July 11, 1953 in Parchment Elmo was united in marriage to the former Arline Stoneburner who survives. Also surviving are four children, Nancy (Randy Kay) Wallace of Comstock, Patricia Amsterburg of Oshtemo, Marilyn Wassell of Coloma, Robert Wallace of Kalamazoo; sister, Frieda Wallace of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren; Rob (Rachael) Amsterburg, Phil (Kim) Amsterburg , Christopher Kay , R.J (Teaha) Kay, Sarah Kay, Cambria Wassell and Caleb Wassell nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Chester Wallace; two sisters, Dorothy DeHaan, Carol Peck. Friends will be received Wednesday April 10th at 5pm-8pm at Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, 2300 East G Ave, where services will be held Thursday April 11th 11am. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family would encourage loved ones to spend time with their own families or perhaps a memorial contribution to Hospice of Southwest Michigan.


meet the designer — Chinelle Ro Design Co.
I'm just trying to be cool.
Well, hello there my fellow Internet (<–why did auto-correct make me capitalize that?) user. Thanks for stopping by to learn more about me , I'm truly humbled that you're here. First off, I'm HAPPILY married (sorry fellas) to an amazing guy. I am also a mom of three awesome tiny humans; two boys and a little girl. They keep my days very interesting to say the least. I'm a Christ-following business owner, too!
I like to consider myself a bit of a go-getter...I go get groceries. I go get the kids from school. I go get the laundry out of the dryer... But I've also started and maintained three businesses over the years. So, that's cool too, I guess.
I'm a photographer and brand designer. No, I didn't go to school for either, but I'd like to think that I'm quite good at what I do, regardless. I'm proof that you can be a 4-time college dropout and still be successful (I'm not dumb, I just don't like having to do homework. So me and college didn't quite get along) I've been dubbed "the selfie queen" by my photographer peers (but I've also seen some REALLY awesome self portrait photographers that I'd say are far better than me!). Self portraits are kind of my thing. I don't shoot clients as often as I would like to, so I hook up my makeup and keep my skills sharp by photographing myself (It's fun to pretend I'm a model even though I am too awkward to stand, let alone walk, in heels…plus I'm not very tall.lol). I really want to be shooting births and shooting video "commercials" for my fellow small business owners.
I find myself being a brand designer most, though. I help small businesses, mostly photographers, create an identity that fits their personality for their business. I design custom, often hand drawn, logos, prophoto blog-sites, and print collateral for them. My facebook page for that has over 20,000 followers (that's a lot of people!) I think it's a pretty fun way to get my creative juices flowing. Plus, I get to regularly work with people who aren't even in the same country as me, like Great Britain, Australia, and our friendly neighbor to the north, Canada, aye. At the root of it all, I am simply Christ's humble servant. I falter and fail more often than I would like to admit. But I'm human, not Jesus. I try my best to love people the way my God loves me and I'm not quick to judge others. I know that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. And knowing that has brought me far both in my home life and my business life. Maybe one day we can meet (or meet again), my dear Internet user. Maybe we will have the opportunity to work together or see each other in passing… Until then, stay blessed and never give up on your dreams, no matter your age!
oh, i like you! - let's get to work!


text:
package org.nd4j.linalg.api.ops.impl.scalar;

import org.nd4j.linalg.api.complex.IComplexNumber;
import org.nd4j.linalg.api.ndarray.INDArray;
import org.nd4j.linalg.api.ops.BaseScalarOp;
import org.nd4j.linalg.api.ops.Op;

/**
 * Scalar floating-point remainder (fmod)
 *
 * @author Adam Gibson
 */
public class ScalarFMod extends BaseScalarOp {
    public ScalarFMod() {}

    public ScalarFMod(INDArray x, INDArray y, INDArray z, long n, Number num) {
        super(x, y, z, n, num);
    }

    public ScalarFMod(INDArray x, Number num) {
        super(x, num);
    }

    public ScalarFMod(INDArray x, INDArray y, INDArray z, long n, IComplexNumber num) {
        super(x, y, z, n, num);
    }

    public ScalarFMod(INDArray x, IComplexNumber num) {
        super(x, num);
    }

    @Override
    public int opNum() {
        return 18;
    }

    @Override
    public String name() {
        return "fmod_scalar";
    }

    @Override
    public IComplexNumber op(IComplexNumber origin, double other) {
        if (complexNumber != null)
            return origin.div(complexNumber);
        return complexNumber.div(num);
    }

    @Override
    public IComplexNumber op(IComplexNumber origin, float other) {
        if (complexNumber != null)
            return origin.div(complexNumber);
        return complexNumber.div(num);
    }

    @Override
    public IComplexNumber op(IComplexNumber origin, IComplexNumber other) {
        if (complexNumber != null)
            return origin.div(complexNumber);
        return complexNumber.div(num);
    }

    @Override
    public float op(float origin, float other) {
        return (origin / num.floatValue());
    }

    @Override
    public double op(double origin, double other) {
        return origin / num.doubleValue();
    }

    @Override
    public double op(double origin) {
        return origin / num.doubleValue();
    }

    @Override
    public float op(float origin) {
        return origin / num.floatValue();
    }

    @Override
    public IComplexNumber op(IComplexNumber origin) {
        if (complexNumber != null)
            return origin.div(complexNumber);
        return complexNumber.div(num);
    }

    @Override
    public Op opForDimension(int index, int dimension) {
        if (num != null)
            return new ScalarFMod(x.vectorAlongDimension(index, dimension), num);
        else
            return new ScalarFMod(x.vectorAlongDimension(index, dimension), complexNumber);
    }

    @Override
    public Op opForDimension(int index, int... dimension) {
        if (num != null)
            return new ScalarFMod(x.tensorAlongDimension(index, dimension), num);
        else
            return new ScalarFMod(x.tensorAlongDimension(index, dimension), complexNumber);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


In my opinion certain items can require a lengthy review, such as technology or items with lots of features. But some items like screen protectors and cases don't. 250 words for A+ seems high for me and I've had sellers requesting a minimum character limit. As a regular amazon purchaser and reviewer (not from amz), I find that if a review is forcibly long and paid for I'm less likely to believe it. I'll look to the non-paid reviews too. A phrase I have grown up with springs to mind "Quality Over Quantity".
So what do actual sellers think of requesting minimum word counts and basing the rating system on the length of a review?
I don't know about the sellers but I go with a basic rule of thumb... I don't write a review that I would not bother to read. In my experience, no one organically writes a 300 word review of a product unless they hated it. I write a paragraph. What I liked, what I disliked and why. End of story.
I have a good ranking and a decent number of helpful votes so I'm sticking with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." school of thought.


Every 4 years we get to experience watching the Summer Olympics. This summer is one of those years where the summer Olympics will be gracing television screens across the world. Streaming from Rio this year, there are always so many exciting sports and events that take place during the summer Olympics. We're really excited to see what this year's Olympics have in store, and we're definitely going to be tuning in. Naturally, since the Summer Olympics are starting in the next week, we're chatting all things related to Summer Olympics on the blogs.
We're kicking things off right by taking a look at some of the most inspiring US Olympians we've had the privilege to watch in past years. We've been lucky enough to be represented by some truly incredible athletes over the years, so it's really only natural that we take a little time to celebrate them. It's happening on LionesseBeautyBar.net – come take a walk down memory lane!
Even if you've never watched the opening ceremonies for any of the Olympics, you know about the passing of the torch that takes place at every Olympic event. But why do we pass the torch? Well this week on LionesseGiveaway.com, we're going into the reasoning behind the tradition of passing the torch. This way, while you're tuning into the Summer Olympics this week you'll be a little more well informed as to why do we pass the torch and the history behind it.
There's something about the Olympians that makes us want to learn more facts and figures about them. We figured you were feeling the same way, so we're diving into some fun trivia about the Olympics on Lionesse.org. If you're ready to get some fun trivia information from past Olympics, you're not going to want to miss all the facts and figures this week!
Looking for an excuse to throw a party? We sure are! What better reason to throw a party than the Summer Olympics? If you want a little inspiration to have a fun party, we're sharing some of our favorite Summer Olympics party planningideas to help you and your friends party in honor of the Olympics like a true party Olympian. It's happening over at LionesseBeautyBar.org – come party with us!
Naturally, we found some hair inspiration from the Olympians themselves. Want to rock some Olympian worthy hairstyles? We sure do! Come join us at LionesseFlatIron.org to discover some hairstyle inspirations that every Olympian, or want to be Olympian, can rock like a true champion. Who says you have to be an athlete to rock the same hair? Not us!
Ok, so you probably love wearing makeup but you don't necessarily want to be in full glam when you're working out. We feel you on this one. So we're sharing the perfect workout makeup to give you some ideas to wear makeup while you're working out without being too overdone or glammed when you're sweating in the gym.
Ready to chat Summer Olympics?


Geeks On A Beach is the leading international technology and business conference that highlights tech industry startups in the Philippines and the world. It gathers together tech driven enterprises, innovators, investors and global speakers in a fun milieu to inspire game changing solutions to the world's small and big challenges. GOAB turns 4 this year and a lot has been said and even more has been learned. It's time to put all of the learnings to the test, are we ready? Let's all find out. Register today!
**Note: Please contact hello@geeksonabeach.com for payment instructions if you are (a) paying offline, or (b) paying via bank deposit, or (c) having problems registering online.
-- Select One --I don't have Paypal. Can I pay offline or through bank deposit?
Yes, you can pay through bank deposit. Email hello@geeksonabeach.com and we will send you our bank details.


StarShip's integration is an Acumatica-Certified Application (ACA). This title represents a select group of development partners whose applications have met the highest standards set for Acumatica integration and functionality. Acumatica is a comprehensive, browser-based Cloud ERP solution optimized for ease of use, adaptability, mobility, speed, and security.
Founded in 1987, V-Technologies is a shipping software development company who offers a selection of solutions to meet the growing demand for integrated shipping. StarShip and ShipGear are the two flagship shipping software products. V-Technologies develops interfaces with Sage Software's Sage 100 (formerly MAS 90 and MAS 200), Sage 500, Sage 50, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Acumatica, QuickBooks, Macola, QuickBooks, Fishbowl, Amazon and eBay.


text:
Managing menstrual hygiene in emergency situation: How far from reality?
Submitted by Travis on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 14:45
Menstrual hygiene is a vital as well as a very sensitive issue for women in reproductive ages. In general, women spend around six to seven years of their lives menstruating. Having a safe, personal and cultural environment to manage menstruation hygienically and with dignity is the right of every women. However, the ability to enjoy this right is often far from reality. One reason for this is that menstrual hygiene management is often neglected in general health agendas. This can be seen in emergency situations.
Deep impact: why post-tsunami wells need a measured approach
Submitted by Travis on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 10:09
Following the Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004, the vital domestic fresh-water wells in the coastal zone were either scoured out of the ground entirely or filled with salt water, mud, debris and bodies. Emergency teams naturally exerted huge efforts in trying to restore intact wells, first clearing and then pumping them out. However, it soon became apparent little could be done to rehabilitate the wells in the short term due to the massive intrusion of saline groundwater as well as the fundamentally unsatisfactory nature of local water supply and drainage arrangements.
Challenges of tsunami and conflict affected rural water supply in Sri Lanka
The water supply of the rural coastal areas in Sri Lanka is provided by private open dug wells, most of which have been flooded by sea water during the tsunami. The salinity of the well affected proved not to be the main problem, and early attempts to rehabilitate wells failed. Salinity reduction can only be achieved naturally, through the recharge of the aquifer. The true challenge for rural water supply is represented by bacteriological and agricultural contamination and sustainability of handpumps.
Tsunami impacts on groundwater and water supply in eastern Sri Lanka
Most households in the districts of Sri Lanka affected by the tsunami possessed drinking water wells, and these wells were contaminated by debris, sludge and saltwater. Once the wells were cleaned, only time and the onset of monsoon rains could reduce the levels of salinity - but local people continued to need information and reassurance about the quality of their water supplies.
Effect of well cleaning and pumping on groundwater quality of a tsunami-affected coastal aquifer in eastern Sri Lanka
Changes in water quality of a sand aquifer on the east coast of Sri Lanka due to the 26 December 2004 tsunami and subsequent remediation attempt by pumping were investigated. Two transects, disturbed (where pumping of groundwater took place) and undisturbed (where no pumping occurred), were monitored. In the undisturbed area, the average electrical conductivity (EC) in the wells affected by the tsunami showed a decrease from 3000 to 1200 μS/cm after the first full rainy season following the disaster; however, in the disturbed area the average EC stabilized around 1500 μS/cm.
The drinking water response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, including the role of household water treatment
Following the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004, the emergency response that ensued prioritized the health and wellness of survivors by providing safe drinking water to the affected populations.
Sanitation during disaster relief and reconstruction; the experiences of Asian Tsunami 2004
Submitted by Travis on Thu, 01/03/2019 - 16:21
Sanitation is an issue often neglected in development decision making. This situation becomes more evident under the extreme conditions of a disaster aftermath, where lack of sanitation can expand from a mere inconvenience to a full-scale secondary disaster causing epidemic outbreaks, permanent degradation of water resources and social unrest. Furthermore neglecting the importance of sanitation during disaster rehabilitation may jeoardize the sustainability of entire rebuilding projects.
Subscribe to Sri Lanka


James does so much and asks so little in return. Let's see: It rocks, reclines, and lets you raise and lower your back and legs independent of each other. It can also massage and heat your back, all together or one at a time. Many thanks, James!


text:
extern "C" {
#endif

size_t mcnet_metadata_parser_parse(mcnet_metadata_parser_t* parser, uint8_t* data, size_t len) {
  size_t nparsed = 0, this_round = 0;

  while (1) {
    this_round = mcnet_metadata_parser_execute(parser, data + nparsed, len - nparsed);

    if ((this_round == MCNET_EAGAIN) || (this_round == MCNET_EINVALID)) {
      return this_round;
    }

    nparsed += this_round;

    if (this_round == 1) {
      if (parser && parser->on_complete) { parser->on_complete(parser); }

      break;
    }
  }

  return nparsed;
}

size_t mcnet_metadata_parser_execute(mcnet_metadata_parser_t* parser, uint8_t* data, size_t len) {
  size_t nparsed = 0;

  if (len < nparsed + 1) {
    return MCNET_EAGAIN;
  }

  uint8_t x = *(data + nparsed);
  nparsed += 1;

  if (x == 127) {
    return nparsed;
  }

  uint8_t index = x &  0x1F,
          type  = x >> 5;

  switch (type) {
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_BYTE: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_byte_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 1) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data = mcnet_read_int8(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 1;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SHORT: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_short_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 2) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data = mcnet_read_int16(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 2;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INT: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_int_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 4) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data = mcnet_read_int32(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 4;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_FLOAT: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_float_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 4) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data = mcnet_read_float(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 4;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_STRING16: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_string16_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 2) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data_length = mcnet_read_int16(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 2;

      if (len < nparsed + entry.data_length * 2) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }
      entry.data = data + nparsed;
      nparsed += entry.data_length * 2;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SLOT: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_sbs_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 2) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }

      entry.id = mcnet_read_int16(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 2;

      if (entry.id >= 0) {
        if (len < nparsed + 3) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }

        entry.count = mcnet_read_int8(data + nparsed);
        nparsed += 1;
        entry.damage = mcnet_read_int16(data + nparsed);
        nparsed += 2;
      }

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INTS: {
      mcnet_metadata_entry_iii_t entry;

      entry.type = type;
      entry.index = index;

      if (len < nparsed + 12) { return MCNET_EAGAIN; }

      entry.data[0] = mcnet_read_int32(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 4;
      entry.data[1] = mcnet_read_int32(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 4;
      entry.data[2] = mcnet_read_int32(data + nparsed);
      nparsed += 4;

      if (parser && parser->on_entry) { parser->on_entry(parser, (mcnet_metadata_entry_t*)&entry); }

      return nparsed;
    }
    default: {
      if (parser && parser->on_error) { parser->on_error(parser, MCNET_EINVALID); }

      return MCNET_EINVALID;
    }
  }
}

size_t mcnet_metadata_generator_size(mcnet_metadata_t* metadata) {
  size_t res = 0;

  int i;
  for (i = 0; i < metadata->count; ++i) {
    res += 1;

    if (metadata->entries[i] == NULL) {
      return MCNET_EINVALID;
    }

    switch (metadata->entries[i]->type) {
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_BYTE: {
        res += 1;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SHORT: {
        res += 2;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INT: {
        res += 4;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_FLOAT: {
        res += 4;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_STRING16: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_string16_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_string16_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        res += 2;
        res += _entry->data_length;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SLOT: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_sbs_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_sbs_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        res += 2;
        if (_entry->id >= 0) {
          res += 3;
        }
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INTS: {
        res += 12;
        break;
      }
    }
  }

  res += 1;

  return res;
}

size_t mcnet_metadata_generator_write(mcnet_metadata_t* metadata, uint8_t* out) {
  size_t offset = 0;

  int i;
  for (i = 0; i < metadata->count; ++i) {
    out[offset] = ((metadata->entries[i]->type & 0x08) << 5) + (metadata->entries[i]->index & 0xe0);
    offset += 1;

    if (metadata->entries[i] == NULL) {
      return MCNET_EINVALID;
    }

    switch (metadata->entries[i]->type) {
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_BYTE: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_byte_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_byte_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        out[offset] = _entry->data;
        offset += 1;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SHORT: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_short_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_short_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_int16(out + offset, _entry->data);
        offset += 2;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INT: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_int_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_int_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_int32(out + offset, _entry->data);
        offset += 4;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_FLOAT: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_float_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_float_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_float(out + offset, _entry->data);
        offset += 4;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_STRING16: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_string16_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_string16_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_uint16(out + offset, _entry->data_length);
        offset += 2;
        memcpy(out + offset, _entry->data, _entry->data_length * 2);
        offset += _entry->data_length * 2;
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_SLOT: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_sbs_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_sbs_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_uint16(out + offset, _entry->id);
        offset += 2;
        if (_entry->id >= 0) {
          mcnet_write_uint16(out + offset, _entry->count);
          offset += 1;
          mcnet_write_uint16(out + offset, _entry->damage);
          offset += 2;
        }
        break;
      }
      case MCNET_METADATA_TYPE_INTS: {
        mcnet_metadata_entry_iii_t* _entry = (mcnet_metadata_entry_iii_t*)(metadata->entries[i]);
        mcnet_write_uint32(out + offset, _entry->data[0]);
        offset += 4;
        mcnet_write_uint32(out + offset, _entry->data[1]);
        offset += 4;
        mcnet_write_uint32(out + offset, _entry->data[2]);
        offset += 4;
        break;
      }
    }
  }

  out[offset] = 0x7f;

  return offset;
}

#ifdef __cplusplus
}
#endif


THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION placed a bold bet on the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind Wednesday, selecting one company to build an 800 megawatt wind farm off the coast of Martha's Vineyard and working with Rhode Island to procure another 400 megawatts at another location in the same area.
State officials said they hope the two procurements will kickstart a regional industry with the potential to generate thousands of jobs across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island and introduce a huge chunk of renewable, emission-free electricity into the region's power grid. The 800-megawatt procurement, at full capacity, would represent nearly 6 percent of the state's electricity load, state officials said.
"We're trying to send a very strong signal to the industry that we're serious about this resource. This is a very strong first swing," said Matthew Beaton, the governor's secretary of energy and environmental affairs.
Judith Judson, the commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, which oversaw a procurement process that was carried out by the state's utilities, said the state should realize long-term benefits by hosting the largest offshore wind project in the United States. "With the leadership we're showing today, it does position us well for regional and local jobs," she said.
Vineyard Wind, a partnership between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of a utility holding company, won the 800 megawatt contract from Massachusetts. Deepwater Wind, which built the nation's first commercial offshore wind farm off of Block Island (30 megawatts), won the 400 megawatt procurement from Rhode Island.
While Massachusetts is the first state in the country to push forward with large-scale offshore wind development, other states up and down the East Coast are racing to launch their own projects.
Lars Pedersen, the CEO of Vineyard Wind, said his project will use New Bedford as its main staging area for construction, which is expected to start in 2019 and be completed in 2021. The wind farm's transmission line will connect to Barnstable on Cape Cod and, once the turbines are turning, the operations and maintenance for the project will be handled out of Martha's Vineyard.
Pedersen estimated the 800 megawatt project will yield 2,000 job years of employment, the equivalent of 2,000 people working one year. But he said the total value of the project will be realized over time as the industry expands. "We think that these projects are the beginning of an industry," he said.
As part of its bid, Vineyard Wind promised $10 million for the creation of an offshore wind supply chain of businesses, $2 million for the recruitment and training of workers, and $3 million for the development of ways to protect marine mammals who will become exposed to the wind farms.
Jon Mitchell, the mayor of New Bedford, said offshore wind should be good for the city. "We've been working hard to attract capital to our city and this is a significant source of potential capita," he said.
Rhode Island's role in the procurement was an interesting wrinkle that few expected. Rhode Island and Connecticut had participated in the procurement process but hadn't received much public attention. As part of the process, the bidders were asked to explain how they would push forward with their projects if Rhode Island selected them.
Jeffrey Grybowski, the CEO of Deepwater Wind, said his company had bid on the Massachusetts procurement with the plan to use New Bedford as its staging area and Brayton Point in Somerset as its transmission connection to the mainland. Now that Rhode Island has selected his company, Grybowski said, Deepwater Wind will use either Providence or Quonset as its construction staging area and Quonset as its transmission connection to the mainland. Deepwater Wind's transmission partner is National Grid, a utility that serves Rhode Island.
Under the Massachusetts law that authorized the state to procure offshore wind power, the Baker administration was directed to secure as much as 800 megawatts out of a total 1,600 megawatt procurement in the initial round. There had been much debate among the bidders and industry advocates about whether to start small and then gradually expand or whether to start big right out of the gate. The Baker administration chose to go big immediately.
Grybowski, who had advocated starting small to allow time for the supply chain of industries needed for the wind farms to develop, declined comment on the start-big strategy announced Wednesday. He did praise the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island for working together. "This is an acknowledgement by Gov. Baker and Gov. Raimondo that regional procurement is a smart way to go," said Grybowksi, who rode an emotional roller coaster Tuesday night – learning he lost the Massachusetts procurement before being informed he had won a Rhode Island procurement.
Beaton said Vineyard Wind scored first in nearly every evaluation category. The big questionmark now is how much the offshore wind power will cost. Officials in the two states will now negotiate contracts with the companies and then release the pricing information publicly. Beaton said he was very happy with the price offerings, but declined to go into any detail. In subsequent procurements, the prices of bidders are required to drop below the levels in the earlier contracts.
Three companies with leases in federal waters off the coast had vied for the offshore wind procurement, and the only one left with nothing at the end of this first round was Bay State Wind, a partnership of the Danish company Ørsted and Eversource Energy. The loss was another setback for Eversource, which is now 0 for 2 in the state's procurement processes for clean energy. Eversource's Northern Pass transmission line was earlier selected to deliver hydroelectricity from Quebec into the region but was then dropped when New Hampshire regulators refused to give it a key permit.
Several sources who followed the procurement process closely expressed surprise at the state's choice of Vineyard Wind and guessed that the Baker administration made its decision primarily on price. The sources said they were also surprised Massachusetts didn't split its procurement between two companies in case one of them ran into regulatory hurdles that would delay the project. Vineyard Wind, for example, is facing some resistance on the Cape to its plan to bring a transmission line ashore there.
Many hurdles remain as Massachusetts seeks to develop an offshore wind industry. One major one is opposition from the state's fishing industry, which views the wind farms as a nuisance. In its press release announcing the procurements on Wednesday, the Baker administration highlighted the fishing concerns and a number of steps being taken to conduct research and open lines of communication with the fishing industry.


Although Tennessee recognizes no-fault divorce, the state also has some of the most extensive and colorful fault grounds of any jurisdiction. The state's domestic relations code cites that bigamy is grounds for divorce when either spouse knowingly marries "in violation of a previous marriage, still subsisting." However, Tennessee requires that you prove your grounds. You'll need documentation or testimony to establish that your spouse was still married when he married you.
Assuming you can prove bigamy, technically, this fact should not have any effect on how a Tennessee court divides property between you and your spouse. In reality, however, it might. Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, which means judges have the right to divide marital property in something other than a 50/50 split, if they think the situation warrants it. Tennessee law permits judges to consider several statutory factors when distributing property between spouses, and one of these factors is ambiguous. It states that judges may consider "such other factors" that might contribute to a fair division of property. A bigamous spouse might find himself on the short end of property distribution if the judge believes his marital wrongdoing should affect the division.
Tennessee's law is more clear cut regarding alimony. The state revised its legislative code in 2003 to urge judges to make sure that both spouses share a comparable lifestyle post-divorce. If one spouse greatly out-earns the other, the court is likely to order alimony, although several other factors may also be considered. One of these other factors is which spouse caused the breakup of the marriage. In other words, Tennessee law allows judges to award or deny alimony based on fault grounds or marital misconduct, such as bigamy.
Like all states, Tennessee bases custody decisions on the best interests of the child. Individual states set their own best interests standards, and some list the moral fitness of each parent, but Tennessee does not. However, bigamy is a criminal offense in Tennessee, so it might be very difficult for a judge not to give it some weight when deciding which parent should have custody.
You don't have to prove marital misconduct to receive a divorce in Tennessee; the state offers the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences. However, its statutes require that you and your spouse live apart for two years before you qualify for a no-fault divorce. Fault grounds don't share the same restriction, which can make them an attractive option if your spouse has done something to end the marriage, such as committing adultery.


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A Case for Mumia's Innocence
The prosecution's theory posits that Abu-Jamal, who came running from a parking lot, shot Officer Faulkner in the back, that the officer swung around as he was falling and then managed to shoot Abu-Jamal in the chest. The prosecution further argued that Abu-Jamal stood over the prone officer and shot several bullets directly into the ground at Officer Faulkner and that one of those bullets hit and killed the officer execution style.
However, the sidewalk where the officer laid dead, pictured in nine of the Polakoff photographs, shows no bullet marks on the ground – even though according to the testimony of the three core prosecution witnesses such bullet marks would have had to have been there. This strongly suggests that these witnesses were coached or coerced.
The prosecution's theory is also called into question because police failed to perform routine gun-powder tests on the gun or Abu-Jamal's hands that could have proved that he did not shoot a gun that evening.
Contrary to what the prosecution argued at trial, crime scene ballistics evidence suggests that Officer Faulkner was shot from the direction of the passenger's seat of the Volkswagen he had stopped, not from the direction of the parking lot from where Abu-Jamal came running. One of the most important and least known facts of this case is the existence of a fourth person at the crime scene, Kenneth Freeman, the person believed to have been the passenger in the Volkswagen. Within hours of the shooting, a driver's license application found in Officer Faulkner's shirt pocket led the police to Freeman. Yet Freeman's presence at the scene was concealed, first by Inspector Alfonso Giordano and later, at trial, by Prosecutor Joe McGill.
The Polakoff photos also point to the possible presence of a fourth person at the crime scene: Officer Faulkner's hat is pictured resting on top of the Volkswagen on the side of the passenger's seat, suggesting that he may have had a conversation with the passenger. However, the dramatic photograph that made it into the newspapers was one staged by police at the crime scene to elicit an emotional reaction to the news of a fallen police officer in Philadelphia. In that police photograph, Officer Faulkner's hat migrated from the top of the Volkswagen above the passenger's seat where it had been on Polakoff's first photographs to the sidewalk next to the long trail of Officer Faulkner's blood.
The Polakoff photographs also reveal that officer James Forbes, who testified in court that he had properly handled the guns allegedly retrieved at the crime scene, is holding the guns with his bare hands, destroying all potentially significant fingerprints. This kind of evidence tampering was endemic in the police department. Fully a third of the 35 officers involved in the Abu-Jamal case, including the top officer at the crime scene, Inspector Alfonzo Giordano, were later convicted of rank corruption, extortion and tampering with evidence to obtain convictions in other cases.
The Polakoff photos also discredit one of the prosecution's key witnesses, Robert Chobert, who testified in court that he saw what happened at close range that night because his taxi was parked immediately behind officer Faulkner's car. Yet, contrary to his testimony, on the three Polakoff photos showing the alleged location of the cab, the space is actually completely empty.
Those whose careers would be destroyed if the truth surfaced in this case argue that the failure of the appellate process to grant Abu-Jamal relief on his conviction is proof of his guilt. However, as was recently demonstrated in the case of Herman Wallace of the Angola 3 case, the appellate system in the United States very often fails the defendants. The problem with the appellate process is that following a series of regressive, states rights laws passed in the 1990s, such as the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty act of 1996, appellate judges are forced to accept as 'fact' tampered evidence collected by the police and established by lower courts.
We urge people of conscience to sign the petition and call on the Department of Justice, the Philadelphia DA and the Governor of Pennsylvania to release Mumia Abu-Jamal, and bring Philadelphia's native son home.
In 2011, Abu-Jamal's death sentence was declared unconstitutional and commuted to life without parole for allegedly murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. Despite clear evidence of police perjury and evidence tampering to obtain a conviction and in spite of compelling evidence of innocence, for 32 years, Abu Jamal has been denied basic rights.
The lengths to which the Philadelphia police department and the prosecutor, Joe McGill, went to falsify evidence in this case strongly point to Abu-Jamal's innocence.
Crime scene ballistics evidence disproves the theory presented in court by the prosecution. The implausibility of the prosecution's theory is corroborated by the first photos taken of the crime-scene. These photos were taken by Philadelphia freelance photographer Pedro P. Polakoff and discovered in 2006 by Dr. Michael Schiffman of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Click here to view the Polakoff Photographs
Click here to Sign the petition to free Mumia!
Read the Amnesty International Report


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— город провинциального подчинения на севере центрального региона Вьетнама, столица одноимённой провинции Хатинь.

Средняя годовая температура 24° C. Дождливый сезон длится с августа по ноябрь. Остальное время — сухой сезон.

Хатинь расположен в 340 км к северу от Ханоя, в 50 км к северу от Винь. Хюэ находится в 314 км к югу. Через Хатинь проходит шоссе № 1 и в 12-ти км располагается побережье Китайского моря. Площадь составляет 56,19  км 2.

Население составляет 202 062 человека.

Хатинь получил статус города 28 мая 2007 г..

Города провинциального подчинения Вьетнама

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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You can also cook slightly frozen steak when you're planning to cook the entire steak with a high-heat method, such as grilling or broiling. To check, hold the steak �... Place the steak on the hot surface of the grill, at a 45-degree angle to the grill bars. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Rotate the steak through 90 degrees without turning it.
The first steps on how to cook a steak on a gas grill is by preparing the grill. Pre-heat the grill at the maximum temperature to ensure that the meat cooks properly.Keep the grill �... Rather than follow the convention of thawing frozen steaks before grilling them, Cook's Illustrated discovered that they could get steaks that were just as juicy by cooking them straight from the freezer, no planning ahead required.
Con's to Grilling Frozen Steak There�s a lot to keep in mind when cooking frozen steak. If the steak isn�t wrapped and stored properly, an icy layer will form on the outside and drip into your grill, causing it to pop out and potentially burn you.
1/10/2014�� I have been reading articles that claim the best way to cook a frozen steak is to just sear it quickly at a high temp then finish it indirect.


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Courcelles-le-Roi é uma comuna francesa na região administrativa do Centro-Vale do Loire, no departamento de Loiret. Estende-se por uma área de 6.3 km².

Comunas de Loiret


Thank you for your interest in applying for campus nomination from the University of Iowa to the 2017-18 Goldwater Scholarship competition.
In awarding scholarships, selectors consider the nominee's field of study and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field as a researcher. It is expected that students selected as scholars will pursue advanced degrees in their chosen discipline(s).
CAMPUS NOMINATION REQUIRED: Interested students must complete the campus nomination process and be chosen to represent the University of Iowa as an institutional nominee. The University of Iowa's Undergraduate Scholar Development Committee may nominate up to four students for the national competition each year.
What is the campus nomination committee looking for in prospective applicants?
have substantial undergraduate research experience (typically a minimum of one year is expected) and be a U.S. citizen, a resident alien, or, in the case of nominees from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a U.S. national.
Please note: Applications from resident aliens must include a letter of the nominee's intent to obtain U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the Alien Registration Card.
Prospective MD/PHDs are only acceptable candidates if the medical degree is pursued in service of the research and when patient care is not the intended focus of the applicant.
Establishing an early connection to the scholar development resources, workshop opportunities and tailored fellowship advising we are able to offer prospective applicants serves everyone involved in this challenging, but extraordinarily rewarding process. I look forward to your questions and to your applications. Prospective applicants are encouraged to schedule a conference with Kelly Thornburg, Honors' Director of Scholar Development, as soon as they are aware of their interest in this and any other fellowship opportunity.


Besides food, there is one other wedding detail that is practically universal, making an appearance at even the most low-key backyard weddings or far-flung-destination nuptials: flowers. Whether in the form of bouquets, garlands, boutonnières, scattered petals or table arrangements, the colors, aromas and shapes of flowers signify romance and abundance. This wedding tradition may have some murky roots (to mask the smell of the couple in predeodorant days, for example), but these days, flowers are a lovely way to spiff up the scene and wink at fertility. There are countless florists around town, but what separates the good ones from the great? We think an excellent place to start is with florists who prioritize sustainable practices, as the flower industry is generally rife with problems, ranging from rampant pesticide use to child labor. Luckily, there are plenty of responsible, eco-minded florists to help you choose the perfect wedding blooms.
This East Falls flower shop (formerly Falls Flowers) is currently rebranding, changing its name to Vault + Vine, as well as moving from its old location on Conrad Street to an upgraded space at 3507 Midvale Ave., which will include a florist, café, greenhouse and locally focused gift shop, all under one lovely roof. From the start, owner Peicha Chang has made sustainability a focus that goes way beyond the flowers, all of which are locally sourced or organically certified. Nearly everything from ribbons to waxed paper is recycled or composted, and the company bears the honor of being a certified B Corporation.
Based in Fishtown, this husband-and-wife-owned florist is completely events-based. Designer Amy Bruck scours the area, building relationships with local farmers and nurseries, in search of the most stunning flowers and plants she can find. Vale Bruck brings a different set of skills to the table—formerly a large-scale art-installation technician, he helps clients dream up dramatic ways to use flowers in their event spaces that go way beyond traditional bouquets or table arrangements.
From an unbelievable urban flower farm in Roxborough, Jennie Love of Love'n Fresh Flowers grows nearly all of the blooms for her wedding clients. Sticking to the offerings of each season, Love'n Fresh's floral services are guided by its design philosophy, which includes a devotion to locally grown flowers, an avoidance of the fussy and stuffy, and the belief that "flowers are living poetry." Wedding options range from prix fixe packages, where couples trust Love'n Fresh to choose the specific colors and flowers in their floral décor, to à la carte and bulk botanicals, as well as full-service packages.
Whenever you talk to gardeners, regardless of who they are, where they live and what kind of garden they have, they always have the garden center that they swear by, and they tend to get very "Sharks and Jets" about the whole situation. I don't claim to have the perfect inventory, but here is my own brief list of plant sources for the home gardener. All of them are within a brief walking or driving distance from Center City, are locally owned and offer a wide variety of plants and products that are bound to please a gardener of any experience level.
This fantastic, family run garden center is just a short drive from the city, and it is certainly worth the trip. The friendly staff is knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you might have about your garden, and they sell everything you may need to get started from ground up: high quality tools, soil, mulch, fertilizers and pots in every shape, size and color. Primex also stocks hard-to-find items that will excite even the most modest plant geek. Whenever I go to this garden center, I am also pleased to see that they carry local products such as Organic Mechanics soil and mulch. Primex prides itself in having the largest range of organic products in the region, and it always has a wide variety of plant material. A huge advantage that Primex has over many of its competitors is that it is open year-round, and although its plant material is limited in the winter, you can still find many items to help you plan for the next growing season.
2501 E. Cumberland St. & 5123 Baltimore Ave.
Greensgrow, which just turned 20, is arguably one of the best options for the urban gardener in Philadelphia. The original farm is in Fishtown, and there is a smaller satellite garden center in West Philadelphia. Both locations have a refined, high-quality range of plant material that is well taken care of by their passionate staff, and they're open year-round. As soon as you walk in, you'll see repurposed objects, such as rain barrels, being used to grow arrangements that range from ornamental to edible. The aesthetic walks hand-in-hand with their admirable push toward sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The staff is knowledgeable of practices ranging from small-scale, urban landscaping to hoop houses and farming, so any gardening questions you may have are likely to be answered. You can find organic potting medium, organic fertilizers and basic tools, and you won't want to miss all the interesting containers that are often tailored for an urban lifestyle, such as pots that can hang on banisters. They also offer a CSA program and participate in the SNAP program; they are committed to providing local, healthy foods to the community, regardless of income.
As the name suggests, this clandestine garden center is tucked away in the Roxborough/Manayunk area and is frequently overlooked by many residents. Despite being a little farther outside of Center City, this fantastic place should not be missed. Upon entering, you are surrounded by beautiful plants and trees that are sure to inspire. The knowledgeable staff and high-quality plants are just a couple of reasons why this place truly stands out. The very reasonable prices can even compete with box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, so this is a fantastic choice if you are just starting out and are scared of blowing your budget while experimenting in your garden. Despite the fact that it doesn't have a website (although it does have a Facebook page), you can find glowing reviews all over the internet, and the locals swear by it. Like other garden centers, it also sells a selection of tools, soil and other gardening supplies. The friendly owners and staff make you feel welcome and are happy to advise you on any gardening plans. Unlike many such centers, Secret Garden is open seven days a week, which is a huge bonus for the weekend gardening warrior.
Tucked away on bustling Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia, this funky warehouse holds tons of surprises. Urban Jungle prides itself in being an urban gardening specialist, so if you're in a row home, it will probably have what you are looking for, including hangable planters. The constantly rotating variety of plants, containers and knickknacks helps set this garden center apart from many others—this shop aims to please, and you're sure to find something a little different that will make your garden (or your living room) unique: Don't miss the terrariums, figurines, water features and air plants. Another thing Urban Jungle is known for is vertical gardening, so if you are considering a green wall for your space, this place should be one of your first stops for a consultation, and the staff will take you through design, installation and maintenance. They also offer consulting and landscaping services for standard gardens, just in case you need a little extra help with your project.
School cafeterias of old are notorious for mushy veggies and fried mystery meats, but students at Friends' Central School in Wynnewood hope to promote healthful lunch hours with a new year-round food-growing program.
Students from nursery school through fifth grade are taught the significance of healthy eating by cultivating the Lower School organic garden—the foundation for Friends' Central's farm-to-table program—beginning with planting fruits, vegetables and herbs.
This fall, Friends' Central launched a school lunch program called Lettuce Feed You. It features healthful meals, including vegetarian options, prepared in-house by Chef Wadiya Gooden for the school's youngest eaters. The lunch table at the Lower School is supplied overwhelmingly by local farms, including its own expansive organic garden.
From enjoying food that connects to the curriculum—for example, Indian food during the first-graders' study of India—to participating in food preparation, Lower School students use their knowledge of food to create a foundation for healthful eating.
Now in its fourth year, the Lower School garden is an integral part of the academic program. In addition to growing a number of cafeteria items on campus, the garden serves as a pumpkin patch and a butterfly garden, which both provide regular opportunities for outdoor, experiential science classes.
The new Ulmer Family Light Lab and the Natural Sciences Studio—one of four distinct makerspace studios within the Light Lab—have added depth to the students' knowledge of how the farm-to-table program functions at the Lower School.
A group of fifth-graders recently measured pH levels and plant growth and added water with nutrients to the aeroponic towers in the solarium. They then harvested kale, arugula and leaf lettuce from the aeroponic towers to enjoy at lunch.
The new equipment has provided students an opportunity to learn the science of year-round gardening, said Brie Daley, director of the Light Lab.


Jonathan Lopes insists that almost anyone could do his job. And many people would certainly like to: he is a visual artist whose medium is LEGO bricks.
"They are to me what paints are to a painter," Lopes says. In his new book, New York City Brick by Brick, he presents his vision of the Big Apple in the form of a collection of painstakingly recreated city structures, from a two-metre high Woolworth Building to a 30-centimetre model of a little fire station he spotted in Brooklyn. All made of LEGO, of course.
Lopes's obsession started in 1999, the year he bought his first LEGO kit as an adult. Back then, he didn't know it would go on to become his career. But the scale of the builds demands it. At 2.3 metres tall, the Woolworth building alone is made of 100,000 LEGO pieces and took 220 hours to build. Lopes's first major project – a replica of his Brooklyn neighbourhood built in his living room – measures five by three metres.
Lopes knows the LEGO palette inside out, so he can immediately visualise which brick combinations will work for the different shapes he wants to create. But he does not see his work as play. Instead, he hopes to tell the real story of the city: not just the shiny Grand Central Terminal, but also the gritty, run-down urban sprawl.
Using the toy bricks to reproduce weeds, rustiness or even broken glass is what differentiates his work from other projects, Lopes says. But being a LEGO artist isn't all fun. He is not working in partnership with the Danish manufacturer, which means he has to negotiate his own exhibitions with museums and galleries. "It's creatively fulfilling, but ultimately it is like running a small business," he says. "Yes, you play LEGO for a living, but in reality you are also spending a lot of time trying to monetise it." Playtime gets real.